Natural False Lashes!

False eyelashes have been a huge trend for many years.  Before moving to the UK, I thought it was probably just really big in Asia due to the fact that most of us have very short and scanty eyelashes.  After coming to the UK, I've realized it's incredibly popular here too.  Adding falsies to complete your overall look is great but some lashes are just a little OTT for everyday wear.  Stick to natural looking eyelashes that add volume rather than thick, long, glamour lashes.

Here's a look at some ways to emphasize your peepers!!!

Corner Lashes:

A great way to make your lashes appear longer but natural is to use eyelashes only on the outer corners of your eyes.  You can either buy the ones that come in individual bunches or cut the ends off any pair you already have at home

Cris-Cross Lashes:

I find this to be the most natural look of all when it comes to full length lashes.  This type of falsies add a lot of fullness and natural length without being over the top.  These are great for a big night out as well.  If you want to create even more natural fullness, just double up on the lashes.

What You Should Avoid for the Day:

Lashes with thick hairs clumped together can look extremely unnatural, like the ones I wore for New Year's Eve!!   They are fun for events and fancy dress parties but not for the day.  Thick, fluttery half lashes should be avoided too if you want a natural look.  It's really easy to tell what will be over the top!  If they look really thick or really long, they won't look natural!!

The Kim K Smokey Eye Look for Hooded Eyelids!!!!

Two weeks ago, I shared a video with you of Kim Kardashian's makeup  artist doing a smokey eye look on her.  The look consisted of a paler lid with dark corners and creases, highlighting a significant contrast between the two colours.  Now, as I mentioned in that blog, this look is a lot easier to accomplish if you have deep set eyes as you have a natural receding crease to follow and your eyelid space is thick enough for the lighter colour to be seen.

I promised to do the hooded eyelid or monolid version so here it is!!!


For girls with hooded eyelids or monolids, we need to apply the darker colour slightly above our natural crease if we want the lighter colour and contrast to be noticeable.

The line has to be drawn precisely and then blended out.  A pencil brush is the best way to do this.  After applying a lighter shadow all over the lids (stopping just above your crease), apply the darker colour on your corners and above your natural crease as well, creating an illusion of a deeper crease when your eyes are open.  Blend to soften the harsh edges.

Kim's makeup artist only applied eyeliner on her lower lash line.  I feel naked without eyeliner on my upper lash line but for the purpose of emphasizing the colour contrast, I suggest you skip it too.  Because our eyelids are narrow, applying eyeliner on the upper lash line will cover too  much eyelid space.  Complete the look with a pair of natural false lashes and you're done.

This is not an easy look to accomplish but keep on practicing and you'll get better.  Play around with different tools as well.  You may find using something other than a pencil brush easier. I like to keep things natural but feel free to make your darker colour even darker than what I've done. 

On my eyes:

• MAC eyeshadow in All That Glitters and Contrast
• Kryolan eyeshadow in white
• MAC Prep and Prime in Medium
• Diorshow waterproof eyeliner in black
• Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara in black

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Gift Set!!!

Last week, my cousin Hanis and her husband Faizal stopped over in London on their way to Paris.  They stayed with me for two nights and it was a ton of fun.  I loved having them over and it's just so nice to have family visit when I'm so far away from home.  

Anyway, I was so touched by the gift they got me and I wanted to share it with you because it is honestly my new favourite scent.  I've bought products from L'Occitane in the past and always loved them but I've been stocking up on Bath and Body Works over the last few years as I love sweet smelling body products. 

The Cherry Blossom gift set came with a shimmer body lotion, shower gel, hand cream and bar of soap.  I wish Internet had some kind of scent application because this range smells so amazing.  It's sweet and floral at the same time and totally what I love.  If you're a fan of summery, sweet scents that make you feel so yummy, this is one to try out.  I LOOOOVE IT!!!  And the packaging is so pretty as well. L'Occitane products are also very high quality and well worth the splurge.  

Check out my gift!!! 

The pretty box!!

The gift set!!

Thank you Hanis and Faizal!!  I enjoyed your visit and wish we had more time together!!!

Threading Update!!!

Hi everyone!!  As you all know, right after Christmas, I was called in for work and therefore haven't had as much time to work on the blog.  However, I am working on it as and when I do get the chance so you'll be seeing some new things over the weekend.  Friday Alter Ego looks are definitely more time consuming but I promise to get a new one out soon.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I tried to thread my eyebrows last night and the night before using the technique in the video I shared from You Tube.  It was a little awkward because I'm not used to it, but I wanted to share with you that it does work and I think it's amazing.  I don't think I'll ever go back to plucking my eyebrows again!!!  My eyebrows look as if I had gone to get it done professionally.  I guess the difference is that it's really hard to get a hold of the finer hairs when plucking but threading picks them up real easily.

Once you're done shaping your eyebrows, there may be some strands of hair that are longer.  Just use a pair of small scissors to trim those.  Brush your eyebrows up and whatever sticks out should be trimmed accordingly.

If you're worried about accidentally pulling hairs out that shouldn't be pulled, use a piece of tape to cover the parts of your eyebrows that you don't want to pull.  The video below shows you how to do that!  Anyway, try it out.  You'll be amazed at the results too I'm sure.  And, if you're not that good at it and feel awkward, just keep practicing like I am.

BB Creams!!!

Over the last month and a half, I've been writing about different makeup looks and products and I realize I've mentioned and shown you photos of the BB cream I use as a foundation substitute but I've never really explained or talked about BB creams in much detail.  Some of you may be wondering what a BB cream is, so here's a little product knowledge for you.  

You have probably seen ads for BB creams in magazines, television and on posters wherever you live.  In North America and Europe it has just recently gained popularity but in Asia it has been a big hit for quite some time.

BB cream was developed by Korean plastic surgeons to help treat post laser surgery patients while concealing their healing scars.  I've recently read that the original formula was actually created in Germany.  Anyway, no matter where it was produced originally, the results were amazing and mild enough on the skin, it eventually made it to the commercial market by way of various cosmetic companies in Korea.

Having many benefits in one product, it promises to even out skin tone (whiten), provide SPF coverage, moisturize, prevent and treat aging skin and wrinkles and provide the same coverage as a medium to full coverage foundation without feeling heavy.

Many western companies are starting to join the trend and produce their own BB cream.  You'll find BB creams from MAC, Garnier, Clinique, Chanel etc.  However, a very wide range of Korean cosmetics companies are also still producing BB creams too.  Now, I don't know about you, but I prefer to buy products from companies that produced them and caused the hype rather than companies that decided to hop on the band wagon to take advantage of the trend and make some money.

BB creams are great but do your research if you have oily or sensitive skin.  Some brands have been known to cause breakouts on those with sensitive skin and some have been known to be oilier and may not be suitable for consumers with oily skin.

BB creams are also usually produced in lighter shades and don't come in a variety of colours like foundation does.  They are much more suitable for pale skinned girls.  Think Japanese/Korean celebrities who have been setting the pale skin trend in Asia.  However, lucky for you bronzed beauties out there I've discovered from reading other blogs that Missha, a Korean company, actually produces BB cream for tanned skin people.  It's part of their Perfect M line in number 31 (you can purchase it online if Missha isn't available in your country).  If you still find the shade a little light, mix it with a darker foundation like I do.

I really do recommend BB creams because it is so much better for your skin overall.  I love the coverage and the finish.  Sometimes, if I am too lazy to remove my makeup before going to bed, I don't feel so guilty if I'm wearing BB cream.  It's like a tinted moisturizer but with more benefits and more coverage. 

Monday Lunchtime Threading Video!!!

Hi ladies!!!  I just wanted to share with you something I discovered over the weekend.  Did you know that people actually thread their own eyebrows and upper lip???  I was really surprised when my friend Anita started to thread her own eyebrows and upper lip the other night before getting ready to go out.  My surprise came mainly due to the fact that she doesn't know much about makeup, but the one beauty thing that seems quite complicated and that not many people know how to do themselves...she could do!!!  And, for some reason, it really, truly never occurred to me that you could thread your own eyebrows and upper lip. 

Anyway, since Anita learnt how to do it through watching YouTube videos, I thought I'd share one with you!! 

Beauty Makeover #1

I've had plans to do several makeovers and post them on my blog!  Last night, I finally managed to get one makeover done.  I did my friend Anita's makeup for the Asian party we went to and I'd like to share the makeover with you!

Anita's Makeup Profile:
Anita likes to keep things simple and she rarely wears makeup.  In fact, I think she never wore makeup until recently, but only when she's going to a party. 

What I Did:
Because Anita has amazing eyes I wanted them to stand out a little more.  I used a dark brown colour on her eyelids and a dark blue (MAC eyeshadow in Contrast) in her corners and creases.  I love a thicker liner on Indian eyes so I tried that out on her.  She used a deep brownish red lipstick which I think matches her skin tone perfectly. 

Here's the makeover!!! 

without makeup

with makeup

I think she looks good either way but the look with makeup is certainly more fitting for a night out!!!  And, it seems to have made her quite a hot commodity at last night's party!!!!