Estee Lauder Disappear Smoothing Concealer - Part 2

HOW DO I APPLY CONCEALER (+TIPS)

Take a good look of my dark circle under my eyes. I'm starting with the concealer on the inner corner of the eye because this is the darkest part. Apply several dots of concealer under the eyes, then use the pad of your ring finger to tap it in (always tap, never rub). I don’t need that much actually because this big fluffy brush is going to blend out a lot.  The left over I use to side of my nose and blemishes. It's very, very easy and movable with this product.

I love applying concealer with big fluffy brush - Lancome 5. As you can see the size is about my finger, it blends easier, and doesn't leave any streaks, and allows me to spread the product around more, so basically a more even coverage and blend more thoroughly than a traditional concealer brush, which is much smaller.

So as you can see the concealer hide my dark circle naturally, by working in sheer layer and build up gradually. It won’t cake, love it. 
**Tips**
If you were using a liquid foundation, you want to apply concealer right over the top of foundation 

How to Wear Nude Lips

This is a request from a friend of mine to do nude lips look. Well for me, its is great companion for heavy eye makeup or nude look, perfect for any skin tones any age, ideal for any occasions. By all means, its looks good for anyone, provided you have to choose what shades look best for your skin tone.

To get good pouty look, few step you have to consider. 

1. Exfoliate lips before to create a smooth surface. It is important to ensure the lips is fully hydrated and smooth. Hide the imperfection or flaw by apply a generous amount of lip balm and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then rub and blot off the excess.

2. Apply a concealer that is the same tone as your skin, just using your finger. Blend and cover the lips completely.

3. Set the lips by lightly dabbing with powder. This is will make your lipstick last long.

4. Define the lip with a lip pencil with same colour of your lips, and apply lipstick. I quite often  skipped lisptick by filling in my entire lips with lip pencil and add nude gloss. 
5. When choosing a gloss, go for either clear or neutral one. If you used a matte lipstick, it's oke to choose a gloss that has just a hint of shimmer to it. (me loves 27 pink kiss by Estee Lauder). Apply gloss to center of lips and you’re good to go.

I should add more pink blush. Aiseh!!

Add color somewhere on your face to avoid looking washed out. A natural makeup look with tones that mirror your skin tone is pretty, but add a bright blush or eye color to liven things up. And I agree with many that a glossy nude lip really compliments a smokey eye

How to Wear Red Lips

The inspirations

Few shades of red that I have : L-R, Spanish Red(Orangey Red), Scarlet (Deep Cool Red) and Bright Pink. All from Estee Lauder. I love Estee Lauder's lipstick as they are glide smoothly, the scent of fig and taste pleasantly. :)
For this tutorial, I opt for Scarlet.

a. Important, you have to make sure that your lips are ready to receive lipstick. To begin with, dab on a very small amount of lip balm or petroleum jelly to give your lips a little moisture. If you have lip primer, that’s better.

b. Next, draw a thin line along the edge of lips with a lip liner whose color is one shade darker than your lipstick (or almost same with your lipstick). Start at the center of the upper lip and work outward. For the inner corner part of lips, you need to open your mouth to line in the edged. If you skip this part, people will see a gap when you talk, so don’t skip this.

c. Fill in to entire lips to downplay excessively full lips.

** I skipped D sorry.**

e & f. Apply lipstick from the tube or by using a firm, small lipstick brush. Coat the lips evenly to fill in fine lines. Pay special attention to staying within the lips edges.

g & h. Take the brush and apply the concealer around outside of your lips to clean them up and take out any imperfection. This going to make lips pop, to get a defined lips and to avoid the lipstick from feathering

i. There you go.

Optional

If you love your red lips to be a matte and velvety finish, dab a red eye shadow to your lips using your finger. Or, to have a glossy finish, apply with red lip gloss. I just don’t have it so I put a small amount of clear gloss and dab it with lip brush that I used just now. Be precise don’t get it to bleed over.

**Tips**

Wear a rich and boldly colored lipstick to complement soft eye makeup.

I have a full and thick lips. If you have a small lips, give the illusion of a thicker top lip by lining its outermost edges and foregoing liner on the bottom lip.

Hair inspiration - Hantu Kak Limah. LOL!!

DIY : Intimate Hygiene Wash

It's inevitable that modern day women have been persuaded by massive healthcare product such as intimate wash that easily available on pharmacy. I don’t, I make my own hygiene wash for years. It is safe, no chemical at all and 100% from local herb, again it is pocket friendly.

To success, you will need:

Wash both betel leaves and oak gall, and boil into a pot, preferably clay pot. Why, it is made from natural clay so your intimate wash will not have harmful chemical ingredient. 

Let it cool in the clay pot, and the mixture will turn a bit dark. I normally put the mixture in a clear bottle and keep in my bathroom. It will last for 3-4 days (morning and night use).

This intimate wash is super great, it fulfill what you will need.Tips : Please do not wash with soap at your private part. Some soap might cause irritations. If you still need to wash that area with something lathery, get soap with the right pH balanced.

DIY : Green Tea Toner

To get Green Tea Toner, you’ll need 1 green tea teabag or loose green tea, and a plastic bottle with a spray head.

I use Green Tea by BOH, it comes on a teabag so I don’t have to use strainer.

It is really easy to prepare.

Brew one green tea bag in a container or in a cup and let it cool down. Then, put it in a medium sized container and put it in the fridge so it can last longer. That's all. Super easy.

When I put it on, it's cool and refreshing and makes the pores look smaller.

Oh yea. Don't throw away the used tea bag, you can use as a mild scrub onto your face. It soften the skin better. 

I spray the toner directly onto my face, or you can spray it onto a cotton pad and wipe it on the face. It’s all up to you. Follow with your moisturizer as usual.

It’s natural with no chemical at all, great antioxidants to your skin, slow down the aging process and soothing your skin. Bonus, it really softens my skin and my face being less oily. And it is great for your pocket. Oh I love this. 

My Gym Routine

My first fitness entry. :) I would like to share my gym routine for my age and my physical level. I normally go to the gym after work, which is during afternoon. Honestly, I never hire a personal trainer, tooooo costly and I think I'm good enough do the work out on my own.

1. For warm up, I walk on a treadmill for about 15 to 30 minutes depending on my mood. Set the treadmill machine to incline 4.5. Warming up is important to loosen muscles by increasing the blood flow and body temperature. It also reduce the risk on injury. 

Few times my warming up session not 'warm' enough and what happen on next day..? My leg's joints stiff, I can’t wear heels and I walk like pregnant penguin. 

2. Jogging and running. By the time I start jogging, my body temperature is ready to receive advance work out. Reduce the incline to 0, and speed around 7 to 9. Now run run run. Run until I’m heavily sweating and I will make sure the % on the treadmill machine will reach 100% or at least 2km of running. Be sure that always on the right posture while running. Heart beat so fast now, time to cool down by brisk walk for about 3 minutes.

3. Cross trainer. This is any different form of activity besides running like cycling, skiing and stepper. I go for ski first for 20 minutes and later I will get the stepper for 30 minutes (Stepper is my most favorite cross training activity). I found that cross training after running is great, because its helps to increase my fitness while giving my running muscles a break. 

My tips: Watch TV during the workout or listen to mp3 or watch other people doing their workouts, it’s downright entertaining and maybe you can learn a new style or trick to the same machine.

4. Sit up part. Sit up (or abs routines) won’t make you skinny because it does not burn fat but it builds muscle. With the aid of sit up bench, I can do 300 sit ups (25 sit up – rest – 25 sit ups – rest – so on). When I’m done with sit up, I go for weight training. Weight training is ideal for increasing my energy and stamina. I’m not always do this because the machines always full. Guys love to do weight training to get muscles. I admit that I’m not very good with the weight training.

That's all my normal gym routine. Here are few tips.

Every time I switch an activity one to another, I drink at least 3 glasses of water to replenish my body fluids to keep my body hydrated. Drink water prior to exercise, while exercising and drink even more water after workout to replenish fluids lost when sweating. 

Sometime I found that doing the same thing every time is boring. So I change it up and see what works best in my situation. Mix up the workout segments to keep it interesting. For example, instead doing sit ups at the machines, hit the floor mat and do basic sit-up.

Once in awhile, leave the gym floor and machines and take different classes like yoga burn, kick boxing, self defense, dancing, body jam or anything that looks fun. It's a nice break and different muscles are used for different routines.

Done with the work out, I will have steam bath before I shower. So refreshing and walk out of the gym feeling powerful, alive and proud.

I believe that many of us trying very hard to reduce weight. I hope my gym routine and tips are helpful.

Tips : Leave Work Early

I draft this entry at office 2 days ago. I think the time was  a quarter to 6pm, which is time for me to get off from office. Beside beauty and food thingy, let me share you how to get off from office early. Oh I'm sorry there is no picture in this entry.

1. Super important : GET TO WORK ON TIME. If you find yourself trying to sneak into office late every morning, take a good look at what you did the night before. Prepare your work clothes out before going to bed and prepare breakfast the night before. All this time saved in the morning should not translate to more time to sleep in.  Beside, we can't predict how the traffic condition during morning. It means leaving home early and getting to work on time.

2. GET ORGANISED. People says, managing time is not the most important task, but managing self is. Start a day with a to-do-list and you'll amazed at how much you accomplish in 8 hours.

3. TECH-SAVVY. Start working online instead of running around getting things approved. i.e Email instead of faxing. However it doesn't mean wasting time on junk mail, web surfing, facebooking or online chatting.

4. SELECT YOUR MEETING. Before you spend 2 hours in a room full of people who have a vague agenda, make sure it's absolutely necessary for you to be there. Personally I hate 2 or more hours meeting because it will tend to digress and I have lots of paper work to be prepare.

5. CUT BREAK TIME. Unless you work in cafe, there's no reason why you should be hanging out three hours a day. Lunch for 1 hour and stay in for coffee/tea breaks. 

6. SPEAK LESS, DO MORE. I limit myself to two 10-15 minutes coffee/tea breaks (one before lunch, and one before leaving). long breaks lead to addictive and gossip time. 

7. DON'T OVER DO.  Some people have to check and re-check and check again before letting something to go. Well it's good to be careful but don't be paranoid. So, do it carefully at first time, and give it a thorough check. 

Now, go home..!!

DIY : How To Get Rid Of Dandruff

I have combination-oily skin and sometimes suffer from the oily scalp which can leads into oily dandruff. And I face slight difficulty to cure the oily dandruff because it happens again easily.

I hate dandruff because it can leads to my hair loss. Nevertheless, with a suitable dandruff home remedy and a regular hair care regimen, I believe that we can get rid off the hated dandruffs problem without using anti dandruff shampoo.

Oh before that, these are the reasons why I’m having dandruffs:

1. Poor diet (especially deep fried food)
2. Excessive tension and stress (work work work)
3. Hormonal imbalances (I quite often having oily skin during pms)
4. Weather
5. Too much use of different hair cosmetics (no proper guidance from the expert)
6. Daily shampooing - it can strip it off natural oils. Later my body reacts by pumping out the oils. I’m trying very hard not to shampoo my hair daily but only God knows how dizzy and sick I am at 10am in the office when I don’t wash my hair in the morning. Sad..

Now, few home remedies made up from natural ingredients to get rid off the dandruffs (especially oily type)

1. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has an anti-fungal quality. This is because the oil produced by the plant which is also known as Melaleuca Alternifolia. I’m using Tea Tree Oil from Aiken and its 100% pure.

Few drops of Tea Tree Oil into favorite shampoo I regularly use, and wash as usual. Softly massage scalp by fingertips, not nails. It really soothes and leaves my hair so manageable after. I follow the above procedure twice a week and my dandruff start to disappear within a week time. It really works! 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Yes I know the smell unpleasing but this is an excellent remedy to cure oily dandruff and itchy flaky scalp problem.

Mix together the Apple Cider Vinegar with some warm water (1:1). Fight the unpleasant smell by adding a few drops of essential oils of your choice (me likes rosemary), its help to add a little fragrance to your hair and cleanse the scalp further.

Option 1 – Apply the mixture directly to the scalp. Be careful don't get the mixture contact with eyes. Leave it on for about 15 minutes or so and then wash the cider out with favorite shampoo.

Option 2 - Put the mixture in a bottle and spray onto scalp. Massage it in and let the mixture dry. I don’t rinse my hair out when I add essential oils into the mixture.

3. Lemon/Lime Juice

If you don't have either Tea Tree Oil or Apple Cider Vinegar, lemon/lime juice can also be used instead. It is easily available in the market and easy on the pocket.

I need two limes for my hair. Take the limes, cut into pieces and using strainer, take out the juice. You can scrub the cut pieces direct to your scalp but I just don’t do that because I only need the juice, not seeds or sacs. Massage the juice onto scalp gently and leave it for few minutes before washing it off thoroughly. 

Be careful don’t get the juice contact with your eyes. This remedy will not only help to remove dandruff out of your hair, but will also help to make your hair glowing.

Then what to do with the squeezed lime..?

I applied to my face, directly. Lime juice that contains AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) which is citric acid. It’s good for:

• Acne treatment, reduce blemishes and scars externally. You might feel initial sting from the juice.
• Promoting skin elasticity and helps new skin cell growth rise from underneath by sloughing off the dark dead skin
• Skin lightening by flushes out pores and keeps skin feeling fresh and bright
• Bleaching skin and nails. You will find your nails become white and it removes stains.

Good luck! 

My Haircare Routine

First entry about my haircare. 

Here is a picture of my hair:

My hair type - My hair is naturally straight, silky, very fine but a bit fried at bottom. Even my hair is dry, my scalp can get quite oily if I don't look after it properly. People keep asking me if I’d rebond or straighten my hair when I haven’t done anything to it. Yes it kinda straight, naturally. I won’t rebond my hair because my hair is fine and thin and I’m afraid after rebonding my head look flat and my face look chubbier. 

Products in my current routine

1. Lakme Teknia Deep Care Shampoo

I would describe the scent as sweet and fruity. The scent heavenly sweet and it last throughout the day. It doesn't lather as much as drugstores shampoos like Pantene or Sunsilk, so it takes a bit to get used too. I applying shampoo everyday and made my hair dry, but no worries as it contains Wheat Amino Acid that cares hair by acting in depth from inside out. I found this product to be moisturizing and because it is creamy it does not leave hair feeling dry.

2. Lakme Teknia Deep Care Moisturizer Gel

Description – Natural Moisturizing Factors – rich supply condition by moisturizing in depth. Manageability is visibly and immediately approved. 

Yes it leaves my hair silky smooth and oh so manageable. Bonus, it smells amazing and u can rinse it very easily. It gives to my hair a smooth effect. 

3. Loreal Elseve Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Serum (I love this product so much)

I fell in love so much with this hair serum for it makes my hair more manageable than usual looks. I have first used this product about 3 - 4 years ago when I walked into Watson for nothing and grab the serum without any recommendation. U will not find it hard to look for this item in the store. Bonus, this item is not that expensive the fact that it is a product of Loreal. So I never had a second thought of buying this hair serum.
I love using this product daily, every morning when my hair is still wet. 2 pumps of this transparent hair serum and after I gently massage on my hair, my hair miraculously became shinny. Since I dyed my hair, I concentrate more at the end of my hair because that part is a bit dry. Result..? My hair does not only looks healthy but it also smells good and well-blended with my shampoo and conditioner even they are not in same line.
I have tried other brands of hair serum like the one from Watsons but the Loreal Elseve Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Serum is remarkably far different. My hair never feels sticky or uncomfortable even I am sweating. It makes my hair healthier, no split ends, and no more frizz.  It does not bring flakes or dandruff in my scalp.
This hair serum is a very good for everyday use, definitely a high recommended.


4. Lakme K.Style Finish Up Monoi Balm
It says “Let your hair know who the boss. You choose the hold and texture, your hair obeys.”
For me, it was more of a leave-on conditioner that made my hair softer but not shinier and frizz free. So I just dry my hair first and apply the balm after. I warm it up with my hands so that it’ll work better just as if I blow-dried my hair. It really moisturizes and control to my hair. The best part of the balm is it makes my hair silky feel and fantastic orange smell.


5. O2 Hydramoist Aroma Ironic Series Mono Fiber Restructuring Complex (what a long name)
Unlike other serums, this is very thick version. Thus, you’ll only need a small amount on your hair. It comes in a packaging that u pop the top and squeeze out the right amount you want. Because the serum is very thick, you can easily control how much comes out of the bottle.
I like to use just a tiny drop and warm it on my hands before applying it onto my hair. Also, it’s best applied to partly-dried hair, even dry hair. Anyway, I really like this product because it adds shine to my hair. When I applied this product, there was an instant smoothness that I could feel. This product fixes everything wrong with my hair. Dull? it brings the shine. Dry? it brings the moisture.


6. Gliss Kur - Liquid Silk Gloss Express Repair Conditioner
1 word. Regret. I wish that I could have glossy hair but too bad it doesn't work. It leave my hair oily, no shine or glossy at all and it smell bad. It doesn't smell like fruity or flowers, it smells a bit like cough syrup..? I don't know but it makes me dizzy. But I couldn’t blame the product as I don’t use shampoo and conditioner within the same range.

7. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.

I apply this product to my hair as a leave in hair moisturizer for whole night and wash it in the next morning. I shampoo my hair twice. The first round is to get rid of the oil in my scalp, the second wash is to let my hair absorb the essential oils in the shampoo. I found it fantastic for the hair as my hair has become so much softer and lighter compared to just washing it with normal hair conditioner. My hair also has become much more shiner and healthy looking after I used it. An old saying tells us that coconut milk/oil great for healthy and shiny hair. 

**Tips: Before I wet my hair, I comb it with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles. Then, shampoo as usual.

I got this wooden tooth comb for RM 1.50 at Pasar Malam Cina. :)