New Year, New You: What's Your Skin Type?

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Lately, I've come to a realization that the focus on my face is not as much about makeup anymore. While it is fun to don up and play with colorful eye shadows, I now understand the value of having good skin. For years, my skin has been misbehaving and I wished to have a website that guided and taught me how to take care of my skin. Last year, I was invited to a webinar hosted by <a href="http://www.derm.net/">Dr. Leslie Baumann</a>, the first cosmetic dermatologist in the U.S. Thanked to her, I was introduced to <a href="http://www.skintypesolutions.com/home">Skin Type Solutions</a>, a free website where you can take the famous Baumann skin type test to determine your own skin type.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9fNrrsvVoij4Mtl8YOJceTkypOx6Ot8dgv3BPuVN1Rfp3LEIhQEXlT9NZuNAaemFmmLcgnz-rvI8s04BjTA2641cfMaHeLLWQk0ksKAcF5yjzVE0RNUcTvnLiu8h4P-1eTm4bkBhefw/s1600/skintypesol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl9fNrrsvVoij4Mtl8YOJceTkypOx6Ot8dgv3BPuVN1Rfp3LEIhQEXlT9NZuNAaemFmmLcgnz-rvI8s04BjTA2641cfMaHeLLWQk0ksKAcF5yjzVE0RNUcTvnLiu8h4P-1eTm4bkBhefw/s400/skintypesol.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front page of <a href="http://www.skintypesolutions.com/home">Skin Type Solutions</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Wanna know why this website is so important? Jump!<br /><br /><a name="more"></a>First of all, I wished there was a website like this back when I was a teenager. Knowing your skin type does eliminate a lot of confusions in your life. Have you ever gone to the drugstore or department store and wondered which product you should use? I have. Many times over. During my teen and college years, my skin was very oily (and still do during the summer months.) I bought a whole bunch of stuff that not only did not work but also managed to dry out my skin. In my case, I could tell that I had oily skin. However, it is not that simple.<br /><br />Back in the day, people used to (and some still) classify skin types as dry, normal, and oily. Recently, there are products targeted for sensitive skin. However, according to the Baumann skin typing, there are 16 types of skin. Dr Baumann used four parameters: hydration (dry vs. oily), sensitivity (sensitive vs. resistant), pigmentation (pigmented vs. non-pigmented), and tendency to form wrinkles (wrinkled vs. tight.)<br /><br />In order to determine what your skin type is, you need to take the skin typing test, which is available right after you registered an account at <a href="http://www.skintypesolutions.com/">Skin Type Solutions</a> website. All the information is anonymous and the purpose of the quiz is to collect information for Dr. Baumann's research to decode the genes that play in skin appearance.<br /><br />And now, here's an important question: <i>Who should take the skin typing quiz?</i><br /><br />Dr. Baumann suggested everyone, regardless of gender, to take this quiz. While some of the questions are more female oriented, the big bulk of this quiz is applicable to both genders. I asked Dr. Baumann how old should a person start taking this quiz and she recommended as soon as you reach puberty. Also, once you change your living location, you should retake the quiz to see if you still have the same skin condition or not.<br /><br />I wished I knew about the last point about 5 years earlier. After moving from Maryland to Florida, my whole body went through a dramatic change. A lot of skincare and hair care products I loved when I was in Maryland went to the trash can because they were no longer applicable. I had to start from scratch to find the products that are more suitable for me in a new environment.<br /><br />And now, here's my Baumann skin type result:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MAczv-04eRn7LFXChLBep_pLwzASfUnfa8320tpYieqcYJ7xz0Jy4CNSxcoOwHEfD314cFhIW04k3o9rEWTJvGpl95gdF3VOXAF3RyJxbUgXkOt0d3dsw9ul_ohcGW59MtDt0Ache01r/s1600/skintypesoldao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MAczv-04eRn7LFXChLBep_pLwzASfUnfa8320tpYieqcYJ7xz0Jy4CNSxcoOwHEfD314cFhIW04k3o9rEWTJvGpl95gdF3VOXAF3RyJxbUgXkOt0d3dsw9ul_ohcGW59MtDt0Ache01r/s400/skintypesoldao.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's OSPT (Oily, Sensitive, Pigmented, Tight) or skin type number 5</td></tr></tbody></table>Here are a few video clips from YouTube. Beside the website, Skin Type Solutions also come in a book and public TV program, which sadly, was not available in my area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YUydgTntIw8?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YUydgTntIw8?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K41YdhmaBnY?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K41YdhmaBnY?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />Last but not least, the Skin Type Solutions website also contains a wealth of information in the "<a href="http://www.skintypesolutions.com/library">Library</a>" section. It also has forums where you can post questions about your skin problems and other members with the same skin type will reply to you. Also, there is the "Product Review" section and a shop where you can get Dr. Baumann's "Skin Type Solutions" book.<br /><br />Again, the test and website is free. The recommended products are not sponsored by companies and they are quite affordable. If you haven't taken the skin typing quiz yet, I urge you to do so. No matter how much makeup you apply, if you don't have good skin underneath, the makeup can't shine through.<br /><br />What do you think about The Skin Type Solutions website? Please let me know in the comment section, ok?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

New Year, New You: What's Your Skin Type?

Hi everybody, Lately, I've come to a realization that the focus on my face is not as much about makeup anymore. While it is fun to don u...

Read more »

Belly at Large: Three Products to Make You Look like a Diva!

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNNxr-O4wteWZ0bkYa8FsmiyHwZfHsYf4iuyxYCyJ_q6rmAMQQADFYPxgeIAGmSWyrrXlEJimwpDORM-mAedcrQw5hJ83GoVbJtpauRr3Cd5ifm74BJqzcdbgsn-cL65WV8-aUxX2lYgU/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNNxr-O4wteWZ0bkYa8FsmiyHwZfHsYf4iuyxYCyJ_q6rmAMQQADFYPxgeIAGmSWyrrXlEJimwpDORM-mAedcrQw5hJ83GoVbJtpauRr3Cd5ifm74BJqzcdbgsn-cL65WV8-aUxX2lYgU/s400/IMG_3922.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh hai!<br />*managed to jump in bed*</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_rabbit">Rabbit rabbit!</a> Happy New Year!</div><div style="text-align: left;">La mamarazzi told me not to say Happy New Year anymore because it's the 7th day of the year already but I like the sound of it. The new year always makes me feel good: new year, new food, new bed. Except the bed isn't new. It's not mine, either. But I'm claiming it. Deal with it, Dao, deal with it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, la mamarazzi gave me a new year assignment to write about things that make human girls and women look and feel fabulous. I gave her my classic stank eyes. Hello! I'm a cat. What do I know about how the female human species feel?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you think la mamarazzi is all lovey dovey, you're wrong. Home girl stared me down and said, "Belly, you are smart and beautiful, you can do it!" Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen. And by that, I mean the assignment, not the smart and beautiful part. Because I know I am!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In order to find my own inspiration, I watched Beyonce's "I Am" world tour since she wore a leopard print swim/cat suit. I heart La Beyonce. She is fierce! Then, I ate some kibbles, drank some water, and took a nap. The rest is history.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wanna know what happened? Jump!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a name="more"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>Product #1</u>: Revlon Fire and Ice nail polish</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNLyO8K4zVxNtooW3pcC1QYw5SsksIjvbuR_nCW77vUeMof6yeIt79eGzoEsWqizVskd4HouZ9Hs8tSYQ6gcL3gnFB9GxrF1Hafq11Du90B3naWhNGteOWY7sHzr6Ey6ZoeNHMDCq1kNt/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNLyO8K4zVxNtooW3pcC1QYw5SsksIjvbuR_nCW77vUeMof6yeIt79eGzoEsWqizVskd4HouZ9Hs8tSYQ6gcL3gnFB9GxrF1Hafq11Du90B3naWhNGteOWY7sHzr6Ey6ZoeNHMDCq1kNt/s400/IMG_3933.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not just red, it's "in yo face" red. A must have for all divas!<br />Since I'm a male cat, I don't paint my toes. But if you're a human girl, you should get it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>Product #2</u>: Benefit Coralista Blush</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eXEnz1bebj7yWjaNLvzRJ8l1L0BYmIujnkyLvdH7ojKYF8iPNxvErpwcClImpij6u7QB6KwolkfOfXAYPBcC4O-qc7t5ePQK8jXWTFhDgUyg42-ftZmc5LEmV_XIkVG1CO-xPQKcZ8GG/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eXEnz1bebj7yWjaNLvzRJ8l1L0BYmIujnkyLvdH7ojKYF8iPNxvErpwcClImpij6u7QB6KwolkfOfXAYPBcC4O-qc7t5ePQK8jXWTFhDgUyg42-ftZmc5LEmV_XIkVG1CO-xPQKcZ8GG/s400/IMG_3936.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La mamarazzi's Christmas present from moi. I bought her NARS Desire but it made home girl  itch to the max. Had to borrow the cloak of invisibility from Harry Potter to go to Sephora and exchange it.<br />The end result: home girl's skin does itch and she has a nice glow.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>Product #3</u>: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV5-3UVTRxKTvmqI3Jpqi4bcfAyqzw2eqQjqe37Lm0iKQ4qpXDn62ughJ5PIGsRX39ySpKNlnd2hssWVs723PyIyrENdwbxPuxCWgnzKy7jWUy2C0KlnSVjeJ0TNTgKwsxpKHKHoS7mNs/s1600/IMG_3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV5-3UVTRxKTvmqI3Jpqi4bcfAyqzw2eqQjqe37Lm0iKQ4qpXDn62ughJ5PIGsRX39ySpKNlnd2hssWVs723PyIyrENdwbxPuxCWgnzKy7jWUy2C0KlnSVjeJ0TNTgKwsxpKHKHoS7mNs/s400/IMG_3941.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out my paws!<br />I think la mamarazzi is getting closer to being the next Richard Avedon...NOT! Her skillz is better, though.<br />You can look but don't touch, this eyelash curler is mine!<br />Dao, get your hands off my paws. I said le Shu curler is MINE!</td></tr></tbody></table>Srsly, this eyelash curler will curl your whiskers...I mean, lashes like nothing else would do, all thanked to the wider stand and curling pads as tough as car tire rubber. This curler I had in my paws before Dao took it away came all the way from Singapore. You can't get Shu from Sephora anymore, which is really sad, because I heart this stuff!<br /><br />That's all for now. I hope you all will look like divas with these three products. Have fun, yo!<br /><br />Love, peace, and tuna fish,<br />Mr. Belly<br /><br />Disclaimer: The Coralista I bought from my own pocket. Oh wait, I don't have any pockets. I used la mamarazzi's credit card and reimbursed by allowing her to rub my tummy. The Revlon nail polish came in a prize package and the Shu curler came in a makeup hostage exchange Dao did with her friend who sent me <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/thank-you-secret-santa.html">my kitty toys</a>. Also, I'm adorable!<br /><br />P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Belly at Large: Three Products to Make You Look like a Diva!

Oh hai! *managed to jump in bed* Rabbit rabbit! Happy New Year! La mamarazzi told me not to say Happy New Year anymore because it's the...

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I Can Haz Nubar 2010!

Hi everyone,<br /><br />A while back, I <s>bitched and moaned</s> <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/lesson-learned-when-to-buy.html">complained about</a> my own naivety that lead to me not getting the elusive Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure nail polish from the Traci Reese collection. Some of you mentioned Nubar 2010 as the dupe of Hidden Treasure and it took me a while to obtain this nail polish. Now that I have it, I totally understand the hype behind Hidden Treasure. Nubar 2010 is da bomb!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0btg4J__kHC7hJiV9IL9WAdv8TWelwTmAcjYioery5PhC4iHuwS3hUZSAqY_RHfOxWwyQGpDlIYDwh4w3J1J36WneFYUxpjf061abNpeuEWjHW3BIhY0hpdJGoaBTcDsWvzhZb4J8tK8O/s1600/IMG_3917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0btg4J__kHC7hJiV9IL9WAdv8TWelwTmAcjYioery5PhC4iHuwS3hUZSAqY_RHfOxWwyQGpDlIYDwh4w3J1J36WneFYUxpjf061abNpeuEWjHW3BIhY0hpdJGoaBTcDsWvzhZb4J8tK8O/s640/IMG_3917.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bynubar.com/store/products/Nubar_2010-955-0.html">Nubar 2010</a> ($7.49 USD on Nubar website but I got it cheaper!)<br />See how it reflects light? That's the beauty of this type of nail polish, baby!</td></tr></tbody></table>I layered Nubar 2010 on top of Sinful Colors Rich in Heart, which is a dupe of OPI Midnight in Moscow. Wanna see how they fare out? Jump!<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQRl4K7GtgXyiQQwwU3L9IjY6wRjKwN9hl0-bDDYE8CxNDg8T6wPmMHpt_bIQPDNxMzRuCbYHuGdBEvh6i2V9OM6NN3GvsoXDmlh1ijgO6s_zBZyPcsJiJs-yGJTviMMUK5zHYiTDv5um/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQRl4K7GtgXyiQQwwU3L9IjY6wRjKwN9hl0-bDDYE8CxNDg8T6wPmMHpt_bIQPDNxMzRuCbYHuGdBEvh6i2V9OM6NN3GvsoXDmlh1ijgO6s_zBZyPcsJiJs-yGJTviMMUK5zHYiTDv5um/s400/IMG_3919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom of Nubar 2010. The number is G188, I guess G stands for glitter :)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ0kPRIimP8S6T3DZpSBD6EbiWw4xiO-D0ykl1qNLLEGVZKPCRO4RUY44SL98W2ZNqamV5y7LPoqlJo-CBR4T0ehej3vUfx1odkloCZLwnb63GlKV0zFFwnFLx5CCCNMe7SGleb3-2ov0/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ0kPRIimP8S6T3DZpSBD6EbiWw4xiO-D0ykl1qNLLEGVZKPCRO4RUY44SL98W2ZNqamV5y7LPoqlJo-CBR4T0ehej3vUfx1odkloCZLwnb63GlKV0zFFwnFLx5CCCNMe7SGleb3-2ov0/s640/IMG_3909.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now, tada! Nubar 2010 on top of Rich in Heart. Gorgeous, isn't it?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP3AcZMgpO8B4D1w2vHb3RSjVUE4nx56-WNB-nzVnwEsl0yjFMG_o2PgPFZYf9LKpsGvwqGJr3ht36gUV2WngPMstOGkoMM0b2O2LzwchSLqZaMo18zHSEekCTB7dEdZdxI35FQoxECdW/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPP3AcZMgpO8B4D1w2vHb3RSjVUE4nx56-WNB-nzVnwEsl0yjFMG_o2PgPFZYf9LKpsGvwqGJr3ht36gUV2WngPMstOGkoMM0b2O2LzwchSLqZaMo18zHSEekCTB7dEdZdxI35FQoxECdW/s400/IMG_3911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up at the nails. <br />Pardon my messy cuticles. I painted my nails, tweeted about Nubar 2010, and got a whole bunch of requests. Didn't have time for the spill over to get out of my skin.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRYceJ4tGVluKLko72604jhRzIJsKHbj8EIAAqTDU-8g7ovX0NDFJH3d_RHPI1RuD_vx1fcEyCRJdmoJqq6GGbZ5KKhKDFpW6AlMPXqiGvtYe6uh-VqpAgvb4vPLFXJMDf6WOA0l1TQA-/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRYceJ4tGVluKLko72604jhRzIJsKHbj8EIAAqTDU-8g7ovX0NDFJH3d_RHPI1RuD_vx1fcEyCRJdmoJqq6GGbZ5KKhKDFpW6AlMPXqiGvtYe6uh-VqpAgvb4vPLFXJMDf6WOA0l1TQA-/s640/IMG_3913.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Rich in Heart in the bottle. Nubar 2010 seems to brighten this nail polish a lot.</td></tr></tbody></table>Ok, so what is Nubar 2010?<br /><br />Although Nubar advertised it as a nail polish, this performs more like a fast-drying top coat to me. It is shiny and has a lot of white/gold flakes. Unlike glitters, flakes are flatter. I've read that the flakes in Nubar 2010 are chunkier than those in Hidden Treasure but since I don't have the later one, I can't compare. Under different lightning, Nubar 2010 can shift from silver to gold to red. Since I wear Rich in Heart, which is a deep burgundy nail polish, Nubar 2010 reflects the red there.<br /><br />While you can use Nubar 2010 by itself, this nail polish is at its best when layering on top of dark colors. I've seen pictures of Nubar 2010/ Hidden Treasure layering on top of black, dark blue, green, purple, and red. All are equally gorgeous.<br /><br />Now, remember I mentioned earlier that I bought it cheaper? Well, there's a seller at <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dbeauty&field-keywords=xpressurself&x=0&y=0&sprefix=xpressurself">Xpressurself</a>" who sold it for $5.86. With shipping and handling, the total came to $8.46! I checked today and it seems like this seller ran out of stock on this particular product. Nubar on Amazon.com also sells it for $7.00.<br /><br />Although there's no word if this is really a Nubar limited edition item, I am sure it will take a while for me to finish the bottle. That's why I am not stocking up on it. Also, with this kind of popularity, sooner or later, other companies will create something similar. Therefore, I am not worried!<br /><br />Woo! 3 reviews in a week, I on a roll! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfISlGLNU">Or am I</a>?<br /><br />Disclaimer: I bought both nail polishes. I like them a lot!<br /><br />So, ladies and gentlemen, what do you think about Nubar 2010 and/or Sinful Colors Rich in Heart? Are they hot or not?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

I Can Haz Nubar 2010!

Hi everyone, A while back, I bitched and moaned complained about my own naivety that lead to me not getting the elusive Sally Hansen Hidde...

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Lengthening Your Lashes with Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes Lash Primer

Hi everyone,<br /><br />It seems like Hard Candy has made a big-time come back by reinventing itself and distributing its products to mass-market stores such as Wal-mart. Every time I shop there, I have to stop and stare at the Hard Candy display. The packagings are so gorgeous! Among the many products available, I decided to give the 1,000 Lashes lash primer a try. After all, my lashes are not that long and I guess a lash primer would help.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGZQUTmLOG7uyJhvSLBuy3-lyAVfXTEPpCs6Y9xc_iyOk2CcvbhFk0M2P5T_9xXO_WeX9eghm-Tm9udCd68bxbyQg9H953I-97Tv-34DgbjyLKAsqSzdKVJcyRizOWbMt8xaI0dXPJfo4/s1600/IMG_2842_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGZQUTmLOG7uyJhvSLBuy3-lyAVfXTEPpCs6Y9xc_iyOk2CcvbhFk0M2P5T_9xXO_WeX9eghm-Tm9udCd68bxbyQg9H953I-97Tv-34DgbjyLKAsqSzdKVJcyRizOWbMt8xaI0dXPJfo4/s640/IMG_2842_1.jpg" width="377" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes lash primer ($6 at Wal-mart)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GHFECe_7M6w9MkouQ1-piQXJlTKiANL-d2aTEuahAta-aKy7S4ZTjiMmOi3hDjdto4spuOg3CMIRTXfJKRxSaNx2aWc4tCX7owKttujNAQjKFoKQ1-V5Qt_ryHb3pQvGmn6afza_J50B/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GHFECe_7M6w9MkouQ1-piQXJlTKiANL-d2aTEuahAta-aKy7S4ZTjiMmOi3hDjdto4spuOg3CMIRTXfJKRxSaNx2aWc4tCX7owKttujNAQjKFoKQ1-V5Qt_ryHb3pQvGmn6afza_J50B/s400/IMG_2844.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The packaging is really cute and sleek. For 6 dollars, I had to give it a try.</td></tr></tbody></table>Wanna know if Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes lash primer works? Jump!<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtkgHMm5DJTrfYjAMxwY-Wj9uigGOeVjFQJ_xWqLIXx05NcNeFeTT_NAQmJOGvjXnDqBdtfYkV6c73QuWk7NgWLCnXManCOtt-YiE5-J1Ifsm1gXvVHbwzmZvTuN4M19Vyx2TswublZ5j/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtkgHMm5DJTrfYjAMxwY-Wj9uigGOeVjFQJ_xWqLIXx05NcNeFeTT_NAQmJOGvjXnDqBdtfYkV6c73QuWk7NgWLCnXManCOtt-YiE5-J1Ifsm1gXvVHbwzmZvTuN4M19Vyx2TswublZ5j/s400/IMG_2848.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mascara wand contains some sort of fiberize material. It is white but becomes clear on my lashes</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VHGsKSO6OPJ-2S4L-NbqxCv9NxYD80P-buzZANIh19zUuwVMnxiA3-3Gheipsec8hxTMeVugAa-S4W2tfb0qnUkKJ5nCCvT9NCGBaJfv4KEVqrAUBfef0CD0sSZCDTaHRKtJrYrMj9z4/s1600/HDprimer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VHGsKSO6OPJ-2S4L-NbqxCv9NxYD80P-buzZANIh19zUuwVMnxiA3-3Gheipsec8hxTMeVugAa-S4W2tfb0qnUkKJ5nCCvT9NCGBaJfv4KEVqrAUBfef0CD0sSZCDTaHRKtJrYrMj9z4/s400/HDprimer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: sad naked eyelashes, Right: lashes with primer</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7UJFQZz459YJDDtyEvoUxYCl5sksbTwkbETktmRSCkwiuVxMCz55BfAg2tDe_BiUS6vG6o3kxpb6i8eyjAG-yHkxh0MWQJmhg3HTOtTvRhJ3fo9nAk2zbjfmvDKXIuAdaF0lZyy8wEN9/s1600/HCfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7UJFQZz459YJDDtyEvoUxYCl5sksbTwkbETktmRSCkwiuVxMCz55BfAg2tDe_BiUS6vG6o3kxpb6i8eyjAG-yHkxh0MWQJmhg3HTOtTvRhJ3fo9nAk2zbjfmvDKXIuAdaF0lZyy8wEN9/s400/HCfinished.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used 3 coats of ELF mascara. You can see the lashes are a lot longer and more visible.</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm sorry for the lack of eyelashes on the "after" picture. It's my left eye, aka the one with puny lashes. Actually, if you compare the "before" with the "after", the later does look significantly better. The fiberize material bonds very well to my lashes. The texture reminds me of the one in Imju Fiberwig. Also, it makes the black mascara last longer and I see less smudges. One wonderful thing about this eyelash primer is it does not flake. For the whole time, my lashes remain long. It also holds the curl pretty well.<br /><br />However, Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes lash primer is not a perfect product. With one coat of mascara, my lashes look long and natural. I find applying 2 coats of mascara will make them look bumpy. However, to counteract that, I have to put the layers of mascara on quickly and comb through the lashes. Although it is hard for me not to apply the third coat, I have to practice restraint. The third coat of mascara creates major clumps. On top of that, my lashes look like spider legs. Not cute at all!<br /><br />So the question is: do I need it?<br /><br />Yes, I do. With my straight and puny lashes, this primer is a life-saver. Although it is not perfect, Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes lash primer is still a lot cheaper than many products with the same function. With its price, this product works pretty well.<br /><br />So, what do you think about it? Will you give it a try? Also, if you have a favorite eyelash primer, please let me know.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P.S: If you like my blog, please </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Thanks a lot!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

Lengthening Your Lashes with Hard Candy 1,000 Lashes Lash Primer

Hi everyone, It seems like Hard Candy has made a big-time come back by reinventing itself and distributing its products to mass-market store...

Read more »

Get Hip with L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant

Hi everybody,<br /><br />When I started this blog, I went all the way to find a drugstore gel liner that is as good as MAC fluidline. With trials and errors that mostly went unpublished in this blog, I braved up and bought a jar of L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner last year. With a coupon and a $5 eyeshadow/liner sale at CVS at that time, I bought this baby for 2 dollars plus tax. Since I already had MAC Blacktrack, I decided to nab Eggplant, a purple cream eyeliner.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5FywK-u1q29HARpwVM6e9QysYmHEfpwUUhZCQTS-i9XqMg38n2L3pGjcyeJKCHAzJlPVVpaPLo9AcQmQf8CKfVu_D1t-FOtclsbY7BCNnVgTuVGrg3_aSXjADVNsMAcJXgpSrGoe2EKW/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5FywK-u1q29HARpwVM6e9QysYmHEfpwUUhZCQTS-i9XqMg38n2L3pGjcyeJKCHAzJlPVVpaPLo9AcQmQf8CKfVu_D1t-FOtclsbY7BCNnVgTuVGrg3_aSXjADVNsMAcJXgpSrGoe2EKW/s640/IMG_0563.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant<br />The retail price is around $11, I think, but with sales and coupon, you can get it for a lot cheaper.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgtzlOcLDQSANMXKVQAI7sA0SLqSL2RSMVxhDIzNZSePmVtFt8iomYV0UZyIEXERlHkX2iAX3w1dzQhp201wdLnFISYLHn4HQ95waZpRvz29Km7nV1F-fF-WzpyFwvcEsrfwwVIAXqhYf/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgtzlOcLDQSANMXKVQAI7sA0SLqSL2RSMVxhDIzNZSePmVtFt8iomYV0UZyIEXERlHkX2iAX3w1dzQhp201wdLnFISYLHn4HQ95waZpRvz29Km7nV1F-fF-WzpyFwvcEsrfwwVIAXqhYf/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The packaging is backward: what's facing you in the package is the bottom of the jar.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-q7a3yOC_mLW2Y-wJTHJqkc_eCDTYF-0uTVo-jnBdsVFCjtYvuGQHRz4_CAnreOmVxDSyoNlUZctYRgpydwGJLbIswtEX2UELHtZLR6rU0ufeeQwd2FnCE2Fpvm77ClxB1wct5QRx-u0/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-q7a3yOC_mLW2Y-wJTHJqkc_eCDTYF-0uTVo-jnBdsVFCjtYvuGQHRz4_CAnreOmVxDSyoNlUZctYRgpydwGJLbIswtEX2UELHtZLR6rU0ufeeQwd2FnCE2Fpvm77ClxB1wct5QRx-u0/s400/IMG_0566.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is the top!<br />You get 4.5g of cream liner compared to 3.0g in fluidline. That's 50% more, people!</td></tr></tbody></table> Wanna know if it works? Jump!<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7MNpvHS2ScufxPLO2wv50DRJs-WwRW2evnX03Lq8DPT1DAHFT9s3hyphenhyphenKLm2tnl-uS2YDR5RFxRlYpIK35MBRrPDSBMW2sqUdaRcr6l6FcTTVxG5pSWGoiixeEzBPOrZ1ZW4pSFWMSFAQF/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7MNpvHS2ScufxPLO2wv50DRJs-WwRW2evnX03Lq8DPT1DAHFT9s3hyphenhyphenKLm2tnl-uS2YDR5RFxRlYpIK35MBRrPDSBMW2sqUdaRcr6l6FcTTVxG5pSWGoiixeEzBPOrZ1ZW4pSFWMSFAQF/s640/IMG_0568.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the box, you also get a brush. I'm glad to say this tiny brush is not totally useless. It's just really small and uncomfortable to grab.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xwPbJCz93W4o5U0OFwqLUqrW5CWDGgaS2A_JGw8a1weIdUsUe8gDgprVCiSVbVrBX8-N1GJ_n-DhsorYEAdiEGj8g8P9zEda7yPgFge1nl4QKql3VFx9uD023R0O4jcO1PojpaBTS_gV/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xwPbJCz93W4o5U0OFwqLUqrW5CWDGgaS2A_JGw8a1weIdUsUe8gDgprVCiSVbVrBX8-N1GJ_n-DhsorYEAdiEGj8g8P9zEda7yPgFge1nl4QKql3VFx9uD023R0O4jcO1PojpaBTS_gV/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up at the color. It is really lovely.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXeNhKV5QMQgN7PHPFKOHTEZkP5E-xtmOEZDuuOMgqJU3vfg44qOnxajkJx-xj5-CkyF6i3pAXVYBZ1mI5fj9WBy2wT8IjpyCIW-Wd3FR8qVsvg6Jry9rgXeZWhu-cHMFNik-Svg61zHQ/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXeNhKV5QMQgN7PHPFKOHTEZkP5E-xtmOEZDuuOMgqJU3vfg44qOnxajkJx-xj5-CkyF6i3pAXVYBZ1mI5fj9WBy2wT8IjpyCIW-Wd3FR8qVsvg6Jry9rgXeZWhu-cHMFNik-Svg61zHQ/s400/IMG_0571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, ma, I drew a fishie!</td></tr></tbody></table>And now, here is the moment of truth: Does it work?<br /><br />The answer is yes, it does. In extreme heat and rain, Blacktrack would smudge on me. However, Eggplant is a trooper. It stays on and on until I take it off with an eye makeup remover. Since the color is dark, it is passable for black. Recently, I found myself using it more and more during the daytime since Blacktrack can look too dramatic sometimes.<br /><br />Texture-wise, you can't compare Fluidline to Color Truth Cream liner. The former one is gel-like while the later is creamier. However, I do have this to say: fluidline tends to glide smoother and you can get a thinner line with it. With Color Truth cream eyeliner, the texture is dryer, which forces you to load more materials to your brush. To me, it is a minor trade-off for having less smudgier liner.<br /><br />Would I buy it again? Yes, I would, but not in full price. L'Oreal made a valiant effort to create a good cream liner for the drugstore market. I love Eggplant as it is a beautiful purple color. I tried to use it as an eyeshadow base before but it didn't blend really well. However, as an eyeliner, it is fantastic.<br /><br />How about you? Have you tried L'Oreal HiP Color Truth cream eyeliner before? What do you think about it?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Get Hip with L'Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant

Hi everybody, When I started this blog, I went all the way to find a drugstore gel liner that is as good as MAC fluidline. With trials and e...

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New Year, New You: Simplify Your Life, One Brush at a Time

Hi everyone,<br /><br />Happy New Year! While I don't make new year resolutions anymore, I do have plans and intentions to make 2011 a much better year. Lately, I've come to realize that I am a makeup brush aficionado. Although I don't actively collect them, I do own quite a lot of brushes (evident <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Brushes">here</a>.) This has a lot to do with me being a painter in my earlier life but in my defense, what not to love about makeup brushes? They are beautiful and they make you look marvelous.<br /><br />Then, one day it dawned on me that my life was a lot simpler when I only had like, 3 brushes. I know, I couldn't believe it either but it did exist. While I don't want to get rid of all my brushes (come on, am I insane?!), I do want to simplify my life to a few that I use everyday. If you haven't noticed already. The number of brushes I used in the recent tutorials/FOTDs are a lot less. Needless to say, it is very refreshing and I hope those of you who are brush aficionados will give it a try.<br /><br />Here are the ones I use the most and can't part without. To put it in a different way: if you want me to get rid of them, you would have to walk over my dead body!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Face Brushes</b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUWyMngN2Q1yZjCqYSmd3jXCRhcjHZS5hzSOMxLWMa4aAOTIGBNQQ3emyvWLmoIitnwyJcENH8-wXWSm_P6EGaaIYLjBbEiycuIY1HikY0zbiay-uROD98xxFNzwJ5vnZVD5-qzH1CY1w/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUWyMngN2Q1yZjCqYSmd3jXCRhcjHZS5hzSOMxLWMa4aAOTIGBNQQ3emyvWLmoIitnwyJcENH8-wXWSm_P6EGaaIYLjBbEiycuIY1HikY0zbiay-uROD98xxFNzwJ5vnZVD5-qzH1CY1w/s400/IMG_3905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. ELF studio duo fiber brush (yes!), 2. <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/studiotools-dual-finish-brush-now-if-i.html">StudioTools Dual-Finish brush</a>, 3. <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/mac-168-brush-fabulous-for-contouring.html">MAC 168</a>, 4. <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/sonia-kashuk-synthetic-blusher-brush-my.html">Sonia Kashuk synthetic blusher brush</a>, 5. <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/elf-studio-powder-brush-my-new-found-hg.html">ELF studio powder brush</a></td></tr></tbody></table> The ELF Studio duo fiber brush is a new discovery and I haven't done a write up yet (I promise I will. Soon.) I still can't believe it only costs 3 bucks. This brush is really soft and applies highly pigmented blushes very well. It is definitely a good dual fiber blush brush while the StudioTools one is a much better stippling brush for foundation. MAC 168 is love and there's no way on Earth for you to take that brush off my hands. The Sonia Kashuk brush is more for creme blushes. It blends them like a dream. It also works well as an under-eye concealer brush with mineral concealer. The ELF Studio Powder brush is a must-have. I would not buff my mineral foundation without this brush.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo10FInLErKlBxuGShDGyJciCbxWvuh4Jx6iN2cnNKJ5_2JXCV93499eKWLdQmyb6t4ibEor94SY_E41B6nt2XGAa9AXick-j3mjo-gz5kxrQYI-wzFWJ7cS7dtLPMC2eZuh5_ehKKMHKr/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo10FInLErKlBxuGShDGyJciCbxWvuh4Jx6iN2cnNKJ5_2JXCV93499eKWLdQmyb6t4ibEor94SY_E41B6nt2XGAa9AXick-j3mjo-gz5kxrQYI-wzFWJ7cS7dtLPMC2eZuh5_ehKKMHKr/s400/IMG_3906.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6. Sephora retractable lip brush, 7. No name dual-ended powder/concealer brush, 8. EDM long handled kabuki, 9. Crown Brush giant fan brush</td></tr></tbody></table> The retractable lip brush is about 10 years old and I am not kidding. That stuff is just very durable and if you use dark lipstick, a lip brush is a must-have. I prefer this one over MAC lip brush as it is a lot thicker and blends my lipstick better. The dual-ended powder/concealer brush is the only brush I use to apply concealer. I bought it for a dollar and it is really good and compact. I also use it to contour my nose :)<br /><br />The EDM LHK is in the stash because it is crazy soft and blends my blush, contouring powder, and highlighting powder together well. The big fluffy fan brush is LOVE. If you use highlighting powder, you need it. It makes everything look dewier and more airbrushed but with lack of precision. The dual-fiber brushes will allow you to place highlighter with more precision but sometimes, I realize they make it look too obvious. Also, the big fluffy fan brush is good to apply finishing powder as well.<br /><br />More brushes after the jump. Jump!<br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Eye Brushes</span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWDbUehZ7YfLR6YfaohzLJjNYSsxlBQXHI9t4DrUYWFbMrY6AiCKmWSQerGN3RzRuMDxmkJh9yBtpTE-xAaEqv0MhVK7rjTPl1RmocTeAe-eJrVsdWifI4OEqL07DMZtlz7-ARw3Xrf6d/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWDbUehZ7YfLR6YfaohzLJjNYSsxlBQXHI9t4DrUYWFbMrY6AiCKmWSQerGN3RzRuMDxmkJh9yBtpTE-xAaEqv0MhVK7rjTPl1RmocTeAe-eJrVsdWifI4OEqL07DMZtlz7-ARw3Xrf6d/s400/IMG_3908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10. ELF angled eyeshadow brush, 11. ELF blending brush, 12. ELF eyeshadow brush, 13. MAC 266, 14. Coastal Scents synthetic eyeliner brush, 15. ELF contour brush, 16. MAC 217</td></tr></tbody></table>I don't use brushes #10 and 11 as often as they are my back ups to MAC 217. Also, #11 and #15 almost do the same thing, despite the contour brush is a little bit smaller and shorter. I should go ahead and do another review post of my ELF brushes already, now that I realize I have the good stuff. ELF eyeshadow brush is the only basic eyeshadow brush I use for now. I don't even use MAC 234 or its dupe (the Loew-Cornell brush) anymore. It is a lot better and softer than the others. #13 and 14 are redundant and I prefer to have them both just in case one is drying. Last but not least, MAC 217 is a must-have. I would probably get a dupe from Coastal Scents since I've been using this brush a lot and waiting for it to dry is not fun.<br /><br />Honestly, I don't use all my brushes in this post at the same time. I would probably use a combination of 5 brushes at a time but just in case some of them are hanging out to dry, I need the other ones to work for me. Life is a lot simpler this way. At least I don't have to wash 30+ brushes at a time anymore. For the other brushes I don't use, I store them properly and if/when I have a special occasion, I would use them.<br /><br />How about you? What are your most commonly used brushes? Please let me know in the comment section, I'd love to hear all about them.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

New Year, New You: Simplify Your Life, One Brush at a Time

Hi everyone, Happy New Year! While I don't make new year resolutions anymore, I do have plans and intentions to make 2011 a much better ...

Read more »

Happy New Year from My Makeup Blog!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5ewla0pAHc4QV-HQMU6P0ojZl0zREs16KwjlGxzdl2Rs3UV5_SGkXzTjfJv5WR61i6pBFjKk0ztRd63qad5b2fGMXcEcoO1rpZjW_LFy7_OM-SqT_apM7TaRz_gZwez0GUuY5b0LyeHW/s1600/chefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5ewla0pAHc4QV-HQMU6P0ojZl0zREs16KwjlGxzdl2Rs3UV5_SGkXzTjfJv5WR61i6pBFjKk0ztRd63qad5b2fGMXcEcoO1rpZjW_LFy7_OM-SqT_apM7TaRz_gZwez0GUuY5b0LyeHW/s400/chefs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">From the staff at My Makeup Blog, wishing you all the sweetest things during 2011!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What are your goals and new year resolutions? You share yours and we'll share ours :D</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dao and Belly</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Happy New Year from My Makeup Blog!

From the staff at My Makeup Blog, wishing you all the sweetest things during 2011! Happy New Year! What are your goals and new year resoluti...

Read more »