I've missed you...

This is my feeble attempt at making up for lost time. I believe I must breathe new life into my blog, as my tastes, interests and lifestyle have changed tenfold since it's creation.

I still love makeup, and sadly have yet to outgrow my habits of buying new foundation and skincare like it's going out of style. I think if you grow up having bad skin (as I did and still do for the most part), you will always be on an endless search for the 'it' product that will disguise every picked pimple, sun spot and scar, but ensure a finish that will remind you that there's flesh beneath the layers.

I can't believe I'm concocting these ridiculous sentences that no one will probably read...but this was my sanctuary for a while, and I've decided to return to it and see what inspiration it will reap.

A few of my latest must-haves, some beauty-related, some not:

• KOPIKO 3 in ONE instant coffee. Whoever thought of packaging coffee, sugar and creamer is Godsent. I have a very limited choice when it comes to getting my daily caffeine fix as I live in Malaysia. Apparently Malaysians are not coffee-drinkers. Well, not the ones in Cyberjaya.
• Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm. It took me 2 years to finish the Rose-scented one.
• Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. Because foundation is overrated. Seriously though, this actually covers the Rosacea on my cheeks but manages to look natural, never cakey. I suggest you all check it out next time you're at a Laura Mercier counter.
• Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry. Black is sexy, but deep plum is more wearable and office-appropriate. It's also flattering for golden-brown eyes like mine. This eyeliner does NOT BUDGE. AT ALL. Since I have a corporate job where I'm required to wear collared button-downs and pressed bottoms, my makeup must match my alter ego, "I am educated and know how to count IP addresses". Sometimes I wish I worked in fashion just so I could wear a smokey eye everyday.
• Benefit Silky Finish Lipsick in Skinny Dip. Described as a 'nude pink (cream)' on their website, I'd say its more mauve than pink. I love it because it makes my lips look like I've devoured a grape popsicle...
• Zara Basics Organic Cotton Tee's. I am a sucker for black and white striped cotton tees. Thank God Zara cranked out a few in different colors. I have yet to figure out how to dress them up though. Maybe a gold-sequined bib necklace?

I hope this post was remotely enjoyable. I shall be back with some self-depreciating photos of my outings in this strange/beautiful/crowded/ethnically-confusing oasis that I now bid as home.

Popteen Gyaru Inspired FOTD

I got the December issue of Popteen the other day on my way to work...I've been buying magazines left and right recently! Popteen is actually a good magazine. It's geared towards the high school crowd, but they always have great tutorials and the clothes they feature are always wearable, not over-the-top sexy or anything...

I'm definitely NOT a gyaru, never have been. I do admire some of the styles though. Lately there are a lot of gyaru's who either keep their hair dark or dye it black or dark brown...so I took cues from several models in this issue and recreated their styles for a look that's subtle, but cute :)

Popteen December '08 issue
My inspiration...pale skin, BIG eyes! Japanese girls call this the 'dolly' look...
I love this girl's hair! I'm trying to grow mine out...it's taking forrreevverrrrr!!!
Her before and after...all I have to say is...WOAH!!! She used a NARS duo eyeshadow and lots of MAC eyeliner...and falsies of course :)
My take on the high school gyaru look...LOL
Lined my eyes with dark brown shadow, then lined them with dark black pencil and liquid liner. Made the lines thicker on outer half of the bottom lashline...
What I used
- I first prepped my eyes with Esprique Liquid Shadow in BE 300 (not shown). This stuff is great as an eyeshadow base!!! My eyeshadow did NOT crease at all!
- Then I used M.A.C:
* Shroom (top row, left) all over lids
* Soba (middle row, left) from lash line to crease
* Tempting (bottom row, right) to line my upper and lower lash line.
- I then line the top and bottom lash line with M.A.C Technakhol in Graphblack, and went over the lines with KATE Super Sharp Liner in black. I made the lines extra thick on the outer half of the bottom lash lines.
- I swept M.A.C blush in Well Dressed on the apples of my cheeks and highlighted the area above my cheeks with a NARS highlighter (I don't know the name, sorry).
- I'm wearing M.A.C lipstick in Peachstock with M.A.C Lip Glass in Pastel Emotion on top.
- I'm not wearing falsies b/c I don't find them very comfortable, plus I was only going out to the grocery store, LOL. I am wearing my fave Max Factor mascara though :)

KATE Deep Eyes Palette FOTD

I'm baaaaack! I am super-exhausted now because it took me over two hours to get home from work...damn train accident! They're really common here...so if someone ever tells you the train system is reliable...pssshhhhh...yeah right! The train was PACKED, but I was lucky enough to grab a seat from Tokyo station. At one point, there was a drunk old business man leaning so low, he was damn near sittin' on my lap!!! I had to *politely* push him off a couple times!

Anywho, I recently got all the KATE palettes from their 'Deep Eyes' collection. I saw it on Yahoo! Auctions and I nabbed the set for a fraction of the retail price...yeeaah baby!

Here's a look I did with the purple/pink palette. I will upload pics of all the palettes in a different post :) Enjoy!

The Palette

The Look

Face Products Used (L to R): NYX Concealer, Laura Mercier Stick Foundation, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, M.A.C Beauty Powder in Smooth Harmony and Flower Mist Dew <--from the Emanuel Ungaro collection! Eye Makeup (L to R): Shu curler, Max Factor Mascara, UDPP, M.A.C Technakhol in Graphblack, KATE Super Sharp Liner in Black, Sweets Sweets Brow Pencil in Dark Brown and KATE Deep Eyes palette in Purple.
Contoured the cheekbones a bit with M.A.C Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder...
I never got around to showing you guys my 'work space'! I bought this dresser at Nitori, the Japanese version of IKEA...I'd say it was the equivalent of about $350 USD...I LOVE it! My boyfriend helped me pick out the light fixture.
What am I wearing? Turqoise Forever21 cami, gray velour zip-up hoodie from some discount store in Pacific Beach, SD and 7 For All Mankind distressed jeans. Nothing too fancy schmancy.

Laura Mercier Haul

I went and wasted hard-earned moolah again...just the pick-me-up I needed after a shiteous week. This time I gave my money to Laura Mercier! In the past I've tried her creme foundation, bronzer and eye colors...not too bad. I've been on the hunt for a good moisturizer and primer. My skin takes a beating in the cold season, so I need to keep my skin hydrated, but not look like a shiny butterball.

Since Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer has won a billion beauty awards, I jumped on the bandwagon. I actually bought it once two years ago, but returned it in fear that it would contribute to my oiliness. Anyway I went and got the Oil-Free Moisturizer and Foundation Primer. I'll review them after I've used both for a few weeks.

I also got two Lip Glaces. Lemme say I am in LOOOOVE!!! They aren't overly sticky, but sticky enough where it's not sliding off ten minutes after applying it. The color lasts for hours, and though it may not stay glossy and shiny the whole time, it leaves a nice stain, which is not bad for a non-sticky gloss! Oh, I also got a stick foundation from the same line, I just forgot to take a picture of it...next time!

My buddy Gee from bellacupcake.com helped me get Emanuel Ungaro for M.A.C products...it sold out with a quickness over here...Thank you thank you thank you Gee chan!

Here are pics to satisfy your makeup picture porn habit! LOL.
Champagne (top), Bellini (bottom)
Swatches: Champagne (top) and Bellini (bottom)