Haul: MakeupGeek

Yay! I received this last week, can't remember exactly when but I think I received it within two weeks from the date I've ordered. I'm super excited to open this package!

Yay!!!

Ta-daa

The lip gloss & brushes were nicely wrapped using bubble cover

Oh my :D

1) Ardell False Eyelashes InvisiBands Fairies @rm13

Ardell False Eyelashes Invisibands Fairies @rm12++ [US$3.99]

2) Ardell False Eyelashes No.110 @rm13

Ardell False Eyelashes No.110 @rm12++ [US$3.99]

3) Palladio Herbal Treatment Concealer - Green @rm18

Palladio Herbal Treatment Concealer in Green @rm17++ [US$5.50]

Description:

A fusion of scientifically proven skin treatments, these vitamin-enriched concealers aid in reducing puffiness, eliminating the build-up of toxins around the eye areas, and masking various skin flaws. Choose the shade closest to your natural skin tone for everyday coverage; Yellow for camouflaging bluish pigments such as dark circles and bruises; or Green to disguise red blotches caused by acne and Rosacea

I have red blotches around my nose area. The red blotches are so obvious and it started last year I think. (aargggh.... I'm becoming older and older) I do have other concealer, my Clinique Airbrush Concealer and my MAC concealer, but ehehehe I never have any GREEN concealer before.

4) NYX Mega Shine Gloss - Beige @rm18

NYX Mega Shine Gloss in Beige @rm17++ [US$5.59]

Lovely pink and it's pigmented

I heard a lot of reviews for NYX lip gloss, mainly it's a good stuff. I don't really fancy this lip gloss, I don't know, but I may give it a few more tries before saying anything bad because I just wore it once. The first time I put it on my lips, I realized the stickiness of it. Most of my lip gloss are sticky and I don't have a problem with it, but not this one. 

The colour? I should not have chose this colour, it didn't suit me Y__Y .. Don't get me wrong, the colour is beautiful and so pigmented as you can see in the picture above, but I just can't wear this colour for everyday office look. huhu.. I can't go to work with my obviously-shining-pink-sticky-lips in front of consultant/client, can I?

Brushes!

Gurls, wash your new brushes!

I'm glad they put this note to wash the brushes before using it. The MakeupGeek (MUG) brush has a medium-soft bristles but I felt something sharp pocking here and there when I brushed it on my eyelid the first time. But after I washed all the brushes, they become much softer than before, especially the MUG brush, and there is no sharp pock anymore. 

At first, I don't know whether I should get the MUG or the Essence of Beauty (EOB), it is clearly stated on the description box that both brushes is a crease brush. I was planning to buy the MUG brush only, but the EOB brush has a lot of good reviews compared to the MUG, so I thought I should get both! :D

5) MakeupGeek (MUG): Pointed Crease Brush @rm13

MakeupGeek: Pointed Crease Brush @rm12++ [US$3.99]

It is denser but shorter bristles compare to EOB crease brush.

Description:
This brush is great for getting in the crease of the eye! It is light weight and easy to handle! The bristles are soft but durable to blend color or put heavy amounts of color on the eye! A must have for every makeup artist! 

As I mentioned before, after I washed it, the  bristles  become softer and no sharp pocks here and there. I don't have anything particularly to say about this MUG brush, it is working as a crease brush as it supposed to.


6) Essence of Beauty: Crease Brush Duo, @rm35

Essence of Beauty: Crease Brush Duo @rm34++ [US$10.99]

Descriptions:
These brushes are perfect for defining the outer V, smudging under the lashline, and blending any harsh lines. 

The Essence of Beauty-Crease Brush Duo come in set consist of two crease brushes, a larger and a smaller brush. The larger brush is almost the same with the MUG brush, only the  bristles  is longer compare to MUG. I really love using this brush for my outer V and the  bristles are so soft! It is safe to say it's quite near to MAC brushes standard. 

The smaller brush is a perfect choice if you want a very DEFINE crease line. This smaller brush is a lot stiffer and condensed. Well, it is for defining crease line, but I won't use this to smudge eyeshadow or eyeliner under my lashline. I found it too harsh on my delicate lashline skin. 

Comparison:

Left to Right: EOB - smaller crease brush, EOB - Bigger crease brush & MUG brush

The Essence of Beauty brushes are softer than the MakeupGeek. Both brands works well for a crease brush. Between these two brands, personally, I would buy the Essence of Beauty sets because the bristles  are softer. 

Content: -

This product contained: -

Delivery Time: The parcel reached me within two weeks from the date I purchased.

Where to buy: All item bought at MakeupGeek. They do post internationally, affordably :D (jeez.. I sound like a promoter). I paid all the item for US$44 (including shipping and handling US$7.95) using Paypal :D

Life is short

Today, I had lunch with my colleague friends, it's been a while since the last time I join gathering like this. This gathering was held as a remembrance for our dear friend who passed away few weeks ago due to accident. Everyone was shocked when the news got them, it took a while to digest and accept it that he was no longer with us. Me, myself didn't took the news so seriously at first, I hope that it was just some miscommunication somewhere in between.

Even when the news was confirmed by his family members, I still can't believe it, not just me, my besties, friends and no need to mentioned his family, of course. It reminds me that life is short. I didn't give a damn about those sentence, life is short, yeah, it is short, so?. He had planned everything. He was planning to get engage in a few months, he had bought new furniture, he just got promoted and a promising career ahead. All was according to plan. I was really sad knowing these things. I need to see my dear friend for the last time, not only to give him last respect, but to really confirm with my own eyes, that he was gone, no longer here, not able to call him with his nickname anymore. Once I saw him, eyes closed, hands clasped, laid still in there, it took a few minutes more to take everything inside me and slowly... one by one subsided, I believe, he was truly gone forever. 

Now, ever since the incident took place, I always think that I may not live tomorrow, to do the things that I promised I would do, to feel and move things the way I want it, to say I love you to my loved ones. I may not have the chance tomorrow. The things that we took for granted because we say there is tomorrow, so tomorrow it will be. Every morning when I wake up, I have these thoughts. I want to do the things that I enjoy, I long to be with my hubby, I want to wake up to his face every morning, I want to feel the day feeling tired and coming home together with him, I want to sleep beside him and no longer feeling afraid even if I had bad dream. I know that this distance is temporary, but after my friend incident, temporary may take a while and I would may not lasted any longer than a while. After all, life is short.

Until we meet again, dear friend.

February Salary Monthly Treat

I just got my paycheck today, hooray!! One of my bestie said to me that we better rewards our self first before using our monthly salary for other things because it might ended up we don't have any left at the end of the day. This is to avoid feeling discontented, stress accumulation and hate towards our job! which will lead to our brain deducing we are no different from a slave. 

Which is why, I will be posting monthly treat every month right after I got my paycheck! I'll pick at least two items, of course I'll buy something that I really want not just for the sake of buying it. Whatever the item is, the price is not important, expensive or not, as long as I'm satisfied with it, I'll be one happy girl :D

So, this month paycheck, here are my haul :D


L'Occitane:
1) Immortelle Milk Make Up Remover, 200ml @rm99

The s/a applied this makeup remover on my hand and I like the smells of it, it's a flower scents.

sample size products

The s/a gave me two products sample size, Fabulous Serum and Ultra-Matte Face Fluid. I'm not sure what are these for, she did explained it to me but I forgot =__=


The Body Shop:
2) Stawberry Body Polish, 200ml @rm29.70 (after member 10% discount)

I got this the first time for my engagement day gift. I really like the scents and also the scrubbing effect on my skin. It left my skin smooth and fresh.


3) Big Nail Shiner, @rm9.81 (after member 10% discount)

For my nails :)



Sa Sa:
4) Sa Sa Mask Sheet, @rm4.90
5) Tippys Cotton Pads, @rm17.90

I will have to learn how to DIY mask (MP: DIY Cotton Mask).

I love this cotton pads. I use this to wipe my eye makeup remover, it is really strong. I might be using this cotton pads for a DIY eye masks also (MP: DIY Ice Cucumber Pads).

In Search of Eye Makeup (Waterproof Mascara) Remover

My mission was to buy waterproof mascara remover. 

I was planning to get the Holika Holika product because I did buy their Magic Pole Mascara, which was a pain in the a** to remove it. 

I also bought Yves Rocher brands and see if it can remove Holika Holika waterproof mascara, the price is quite cheap considering it's a France product.

Waterproof mascara remover!

1) Yves Rocher: Express Cleanser for sensitive eyes with Cornflower, @rm23.20 (after 29% dis)

Express Cleanser for sensitive eyes with Cornflower, 125ml

2) Holika Holika: Perfect Off Mascara Remover @rm19.55 (after 10% member dis)

Perfect Off Mascara Remover @rm21.70

I'm not sure which one will work the best, I'll try to see if both can remove waterproof mascara. I'm sceptical to use the Holika Holika mascara remover because of the ingredients, they don't have english translation on the bottle.

3) The Body Shop: Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser @rm35.90 (10% member dis)

Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser, 200ml @rm39.90

Eventually, my face also need a clean up. I wanted to try The Body Shop facial cleanser for my face cleanser. 

4) Tony Moly: Milky Tint in Pink @rm37.62 (10% dis)

Milky Tint Pink @rm41.80

Before leaving Suria Sabah, I managed to get my hands on Tony Moly tinted gloss :D This was their last day of 10% sale.

Elianto Eyeshadow Case

Finally, I decided to buy Elianto eyeshadow case, just because I don't know where to put my Elianto eyeshadows.


The eyeshadows were in their own box since I bought them and I didn't use them because I'm lazy to open the box everytime. Now, they are all in this case, but only three..

Looks like I have to fill em all? No?

Elianto Eyeshadow Case @rm10-15 ( I forgot)

Clinique: Airbrush Concealer

I bought this Clinique Airbrush Concealer at 1B.

Clinique, Airbrush Concealer in Shade 03 Light, @rm77

I have my MAC concealer but it's not working. If I apply too little, it won't conceal my dark spots, when I apply it too much, it's starting to get cakey. I don't know what's wrong with it. 

Dark spots are not the main problem that I have. I noticed that dark circle under my eyes are becoming visible more and more each day. When I put my foundation on, it's accentuate the dark circle + oil seeds in my eyes areas. 

I watch Lisa Eldridge using this product a few times in her videos, she recommended using this product. One of my favourite YouTube beauty gurus, Nikki also use this airbrush (she also watch Lisa, yay!) and she also recommended this airbrush concealer. Two recommendations, so I really wanted to get my hand on them. 

When I saw Clinique counter at 1B, I asked the s/a if they got the airbrush concealer. Lucky me, they have it :))) The s/a applied the concealer under my eyes areas (I had my makeup/foundation that time, the s/a explained to me that I should apply the concealer under my eyes without foundation, but she want to let me see the difference so that's why she applied it) and it did blend  into my skin! 

This airbrush concealer has different shades to suit various skin tone. I've checked Clinique website, they have Shade 01 Fair, 02 Medium, 03 Light and 04 Neutral Fair (Lisa Eldridge use the airbrush concealer in Shade 01 Fair). 

So long my MAC concealer.

Content: 1.5ml

This product contained: -

Delivery Time: -

Where to buy: I bought mine at Clinique store at Parkson, 1B. More info, click Clinique website.

Sa Sa Haul!

I went to 1B last weekend and surprised to see theBalm on their racks. I chose two items from TheBalm and 1 box fake eyelashes.

My haul from Sa Sa

1) MNK Accent False Eyelash rm9.90

Mink Accent Eyelash, @rm9.90

This demi lashes looks pretty natural on me. Since I found out about demi lashes from YouTube, I really wanted one for myself because those thick full lashes looks very unnatural. Because of that, I don't like to wear them. Right now, I'm wiling to spend more money to buy good lashes rather than to buy cheap lashes where you can get rm5 per box (contains 10 lashes).


2) TheBalm Boy's Blush - DownBoy, rm55.25 (15% discount - rm65)

I like the packaging, very vintage.

I feel like I want to have all theBalm products just because of their vintage style packaging.

So many men, so little time.... :D

Sa Sa have three of theBalm blushers, I got this pink blusher because the other two is either too dark for my skin or contained shimmer. This blusher is a matte finish and so pigmented, I only have to dab a little and it will give me a cute pink blushing ;p

I hope Sa Sa will get more of theBalm blushes in the future. I really love their product, it's not only about their packaging but also the product itself is worthy.


3) TheBalm Meet Matt(e) 9 Colours, rm84.15 (15% discount - rm99)

Meet Matt(e). 

Again, I love the packaging, simple and cute.

Gorgeous colours!  especially Mr. Matt Batali :)  All eyeshadows is MATTE! 

Ooo mmm geee.... This matte eyeshadows are super likeable! I've tried Matt Batali (lid), Matt Ramirez (crease) and Matt Smith (blending) the other day and that was the first time I think I look pretty in super purple dramatic look, ever. My Painterly Pot of course helping by popping the colour more on my eyes. Oh,  this palette doesn't have a highlighter eyeshadow, so I use MAC Shroom. 

Absolutely amazing and I'm going to buy this soon! (and I meant it soon..for a backup ;p)

And I got this tinted lip gloss for FREE :D

Plump Your Pucker tinted lip gloss in Cocoa My Coconut.
(the dark brown spots on the bottle is chocolate stains, ehem.. hehe)

The swatches.

Another, Ooo mmm gee... I love this tinted lip gloss! Why? the scents is like chocolate, every time I put it on my lips, I wanted to lick it so bad, like real bad.. the texture is quite creamy and smooth on my lips. When I use this, I feel like I'm walking with my lips covered with chocolate :D I definitely gonna buy this again!

Dangerous Ingredients in Cosmetics & Skin Care

I become interested to know whether products that I apply on my skin is safe for me. I searched online and found tone of them and they all stated the same lists of ingredients that harmful/ dangerous to us. 

Below are some of the ingredients that widely use in cosmetics although they are consider toxic/dangerous to use (Taken from Health Food Emporium, Aurora Group Inc, healthy-communications. Click on the link for more info).

1) Propylene Glycol

Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware—these are related synthetics. Although exposure to high levels of Propylene Glycol is known to cause serious and potentially irreversible health conditions, the chemical industry tell us that "small" quantities or low level exposure of Propylene Glycol is "safe" to use on the skin and in food. According to the safety data sheets of industrial chemical manufacturers, chemicals such as Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol will cause serious health conditions, including liver and heart damage and damage to the central nervous system if sufficient is absorbed by the body.

2) Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben

Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrogenic and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic.

3) Parabens (Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben)

Increases a person's risk of breast cancer. These class of chemicals are also endocrine disruptors and have been linked to fertility problems.

4) Titanium Dioxide (MSDS)

Declared a carcinogen, 2001

5) Fragrances

The label of "Fragrances" can mask a multitude of toxic, synthetic chemicals, many of which suppress the immune system, are endocrine disruptors, and cause cancer. When looking for scented products, make sure it's scented by essential oils -- which are expensive; therefore, companies usually list what essential oils are contained in the product without reverting to the generic term "Fragrances".

6) Collagen 

Derived from animal skins and chicken feet, the collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. They rest on the surface and prevent the skin from breathing comfortably.

7) Glycerin 

Draws moisture from inside the skin and holds it on the surface for a better 'feel'. Dries skin from the inside out. Listed on MSDS as hazardous.

Ooo mmm geee.... I found almost all my cosmetic products contained all the ingredients above except for collagen, hurmmm... Talking about collagen, I was planning to get Holika Holika: Three Seconds Moisturizing Collagen Starter this morning, looks like I won't be needing any *insert-product-name-here*-collagen after this.

My Skin79 BB cream has Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, and it used the term "Fragrances". Wow... It's quite shocking to know what exactly I put on my face every morning. I don't know what to do after this, either continue using it or leave it. I know that they may put just a 'small' dosage of those harmful ingredients thus labeling it 'safe' to use, but if all my cosmetics contained them, it may turn into something else, right? hurmm..

I want to use natural product after this. However the term 'natural' is also not clear. I read in one of the article that every company has the right to call/ claim their products 'natural' because there is no clear term what is the ingredients in 'natural' products. This is hard.

These two websites Environmental Working Group: Cosmetics Database and Safe Cosmetics are quite useful if you want to check whether your cosmetic product contains harmful ingredients.

*still thinking*

My Chocolate Valentine

 Dear hubby sent me this package for Valentine :D

Wow, I'm surprised.. it was neatly packed.. 

Chocolatessss

Estana dark chocolate, never heard this brand before, but it is delicious! I love dark chocolate!~

Durian Truffle in dark chocolate.. hehe, durian + dark chocolate, both my favourite.

It traveled 1000km++ to get to me, that's why the chocolate melted but it's still okay, it tastes good!
thank u hubby! luv ya!