Indulging the Bimbo in me...

After scrolling through my blog posts I realised that I havent blogged about anything 'makeup' in ages. How can this be? Makeup is one of the loves of my life. I'm a self-proclaimed makeup aficionado and yet no ramblings about makeup? How blasphemous!

So to atone for my sins against all things 'beauty', I shall ramble about my major Budget Makeup finds. Indulge me for a moment while the Bimbo in me rejoices.

Makeup Find #1

Now for those who knows me personally, they all know that I would never leave the house without mascara. Forget everything else. As long as I have my mascara on, I'm ready to take over the world! Greasy face and all. I have no clue why I prefer to have mascara on rather than covering up the oil rig that is my face, but I guess each to her own quirks, right?

So after years of searching for the right 'budget' mascara (I still don't dare to hit the luxe beauty counters yet), I have finally found IT. THE mascara. The ONE that actually does as it says.

The Rosewood Dense Mascara.

I am in LOVE with this mascara. It is THE BEST counter brand mascara that I have ever worn. Who would've thought that a coincidental find during an impromptu outing would lead to this treasure. So what's great about it? Check out the before and after pictures. Not impressed yet? How about if I tell you that I did not use the eyelash curler at all. Now are you impressed?

Before

After

But what really sold me on this product is the fact that it volumises without making your eyelashes look clumpy. I have fine, long, razor straight lashes so I need mascaras that'll make lashes look fuller. The fact that Rosewood volumises without making it look like I was trying too hard was definitely a clincher for me. And the part where I can forget about curling my lashes before application was definitely a much appreciated bonus. I've tried on the mascara on 5 seperate individual (including myself) and the results are the same each time.

But alas, nothing is perfect. There are some cons with this product. Sometimes when you "glow" a little too profusely (remember girls only horses sweat and men perspire, we women "glow") the mascara flakes a little. Nothing major like finding black bits all over your face all of a sudden, but I would suggest that you lay off this mascara if you plan on doing heavy duty workouts. But for a normal day-to-day wear, this mascara is da' BOMB.

And con #2 would be the fact that you cant get this product at just about anywhere. Major pharmaceutical chains like Guardian or Watsons don't carry this line so what you need to do is find this store: Yokoso Shiyuki. It is a Japanese concept store which has only 9 outlets in Semenanjung Malaysia. Since I am in KL, the only place that I can go to to get this product is either Sungei Wang Plaza, One Utama or Pavilion. It's a bit of a hassle yes, but it's worth it girls!! Plus it's only RM40. I've bought much more expensive crap from Lo'real and Maybelline and all the other more renowned counter brands but they all can't hold a candle against this one.

If you need more info you can always check out the Yokoso Shiyuki website but I suggest you go to the stores direct since the website is looking a little minimal. I'm guessing the Japanese translating the website into English may have run off on them. But check out the pic of the store. Even if you don't buy anything from there you'd have loads of fun checking out all the cool Japanese items. There's more than just makeup and beauty stuff. As for the guys, you may want to go and check out all the pretty girls in kimonos acting all kawaii.

Makeup Find #2

Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie

(Makeup Base)

There was a time when I thought that the makeup base was just the makeup company's ploy to get people to buy more of their products so I never actually felt the need to and try any. But after years of experimenting with different products and different ways of putting on makeup I realised that sometimes you do need a little extra "help" in ensuring that your makeup doesn't melt into a pool of goo. Most girls would be content by just putting on moisturisers before their makeup but for people like me who generates so much oil that I can put Petronas to shame, I cant rely on moisturisers too much. If not Petronas can come over and build an oil rig on my face.

When Majolica Majorca hit the Malaysian shores, I was itching to try something. I mean what girl wouldn't? They had really cute casings, and cute names for the items that you just can't help but spend hours standing in front of the makeup display and trying on stuff. Hence my encounter with the 'Skin Lingerie'. And seriously, they kid you not when they call it skin lingerie. The gel-like substance actually makes your skin all smooth and soft after application. It has no smell, which I love, and sets almost immediately. Since it has OD control (oil/dry control) it's suitable for all skin types. I am in love with the fact that you don't have to use much to get a smooth even skin and also the fact that it actually really does control the oil secretion on my face. I hardly need to use facial blotters anymore. Woohoo! Sorry Petronas, I guess you need to find your oil supply elsewhere. And of course, since my face ain't so oily anymore touch ups don't happen that often anymore. Major time saver.

Since this product is only about RM40, it'll definitely be a good substitute for all those pricey makeup bases from MAC or Bobbi Brown. But don't just take my word for it. Check out this review from Stephanie, another Majolica Majorca user.

Any cons for this product? None so far :)

Makeup Find #3

This is probably the best find out of the bunch. The best liquid foundation ever to be sold by any counter brands.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

One thing that I hate most about liquid foundations is the fact that for those that promises a matte finish dries too quickly upon application. As for the rest, it is either too runny that it does not offer any coverage whatsoever or too moisturising that you can actually fry an egg on your face within minutes after application. So yeah, it was for these reasons alone that I have decided to do without liquid foundations all these years. Plus, I hated the foundations stains on my tudung and shawls. Liquid foundations and I have never had a good relationship. The only reason why even have liquid foundations in the first place is because I sometimes help friends out with bridal makeup.

I am a budget makeup artist, catering to those who prefer to not spend a ton on makeup as well as to those who keep their makeup light and simple hence my introduction to Rimmel. I needed liquid foundations which will stay put for long hours, require very minimal touch ups, will not transfer on clothings or tissue but at the same time will make the wearer look as natural as possible. And all this must be done within budget. Not an easy feat, I tell you.

So after hours of internet research, major window shopping and product testing I decided to try out Rimmel. I was actually torn between Maybelline or Rimmel since they were going for around the same price (RM 35 -40 per tube) but Rimmel won out because the tube was much bigger. Yes, I can be a scrooge sometimes. But thank Rimmel for being generous, if not I probably would not have realised how heaven sent this product was. For the first time in my life I have actually found a liquid foundation that really does as it is advertised. It does stay on for 16 hours. It does make your skin look naturally dewy. And it is transfer resistant. Both the bride and I were absolutely happy with the outcome. Even the groom was happy with how she looked which to me is the best compliment a bridal makeup artist can get. Plus, I am overly ecstatic by just how many people that has actually complimented on how my skin looks after wearing this foundation. Even more so when I pair it with the Skin Lingerie because then my skin looks super smooth (please indulge my perasan moment :P).

But again, don't just take my word for it. Check out the Rimmel London review page and you'll see that out of 10 users using the product, 9 gave the foundation glowing reviews. There's even one professional makeup artist saying that she's switching all her foundations to this brand since she's so happy with it.

So yeah, those are all my major makeup finds so far. I can safely say that I'll be sticking with this 3 products for good. Unless I find something else that can top them. Or maybe when I can finally pluck up the courage to actually go up to those luxe makeup counters like MAC or Bobbi Brown and splurge like crazy. But I don't see that happening anytime soon *sigh*. But do try out these products and let me know what you think.

Voting Time!!

Well, the determining moment is finally here. It's time to see if I have what it takes to win that Makeup Contest. So if you guys liked my interpretation of Princess Jasmine please vote here...

mekap-mekap.blogspot

Please vote for me... it'll do wonders to my self esteem XP

MeKaP-MeKaP Contest

This entry is dedicated to the people of MeKaP-MeKaP.blogspot. May they be awestruck enough to make me the winner of their first ever MeKaP-MeKaP contest. Amin.

Contest regulations states that I must base my makeup on a princess and draw inspiration from her in creating my look. So with that in mind I have chosen a muse that has certainly inspired many young girls. I have chosen Princess Jasmine, of Disney's Aladdin.

Princesses, throughout the ages, have always fascinated girls. I'm certain that 8 out of 10 girls dream about being a princess at one point or another in their lives. In fact, some girls grow up without ever letting go of that dream. Hence it's no wonder that some women expect to be treated like princesses. I too am fascinated by princesses. The princesses that fascinates me however, do not exist in the real world. They were all a figment of someone's imagination brought to life by the geniuses of the animated world.

So out of all the Disney princesses, why Jasmine in particular? Simply because when all the other princesses were sitting around crying and singing their hearts out while waiting to be rescued by their Princes, Jasmine was among the few that took matter into her own hands. She stood up in what she believed in and if matters didn't turn out the way she would've preferred them to she would do something about it. Waiting for rescue was never a part of her plans.

Not to mention that she has a kick-ass pet. A tiger that goes by the name of Rajah. Now doesn't that tell you a little something about Jasmine. So for my interpretation of Jasmine, I drew inspiration from Jasmine's personality as well as her furry feline friend. Both her pet and personality complimented each other superbly and thus I decided to bring both of those factors into my makeup.

Looking back into the origins of Aladdin, the story was said to have originated from the Middle East. However, the original setting of the story is actually in China* which works wonderfully for me as I was also inspired to bring in a little Asian flavour to my makeup. So after a whole lot of research and experimenting I present to you...

*sources from Wikipedia

Jasmine: The Liberated Princess

I decided to play with colours green and gold for the makeup drawing inspiration from Jasmine's outfit in the movie, Aladdin. The smoky eye effect and the heavily lined eyes follows the eye makeup look that most Middle Eastern ladies prefer however I've decided to add a little Asian twist by adding Geisha-like eye makeup on her lower lash line extending the liner towards the bridge of the nose while following the natural curve of the eyes. This also creates a slight feline look which compliments the fact that Princess Jasmine has a tiger for a pet. This look is meant for those with a strong personality, and are brave enough to pull it off.

This look, when put in the modern context, is great for those who wants to make a statement wherever they go. It's actually great for clubbing. For those wearing this look they are guaranteed to stand out from the crowd.

So there it is... my version of Princess Jasmine. It was loads of fun creating this look so it's not really important if I win or not. But of course, who in their right mind enters a competition and doesn't want to win. So pray for me folks!! Oh and do leave comments. Would love to know what you guys think of the look :)

KL's Latest Newcomers

Let's welcome these newcomers in town!! Woohoo!!

Finally more affordable makeup choices for all makeup aficianados in Malaysia. Make way for Rimmel and Majolica Majorca, now available at selected Watsons outlet all over the country. For those who have been hankering after Shiseido products and held back after seeing the price tags then hold back no more! Majolica Majorca is a low-end sub brand under Shiseido. First launched in Japan and now it has found its way all the way to our shores.


Why you'd like the products?

1. The cases are really cute!
2. They're quality product
3. They're affordable!

I have personally tried their mascara and its superb. But word of caution for those who are not into waterproof mascara. When these people say waterproof, they mean waterproof. Other waterproof mascaras would usually come off if I washed my face with facial wash but this one must be taken off with a makeup remover. So good news for those major party-goers who needs their mascara to stay put throughout the night.


I've yet to try out their other products but you betcha that I'm gonna do so in the future. Here's the price list for some of their stuff.


Lash Bone Mascara Base - RM45.90
Lash Enamel Glamour Neo - RM45.90
Majolook Trick On Eyeshadow palette - RM53.90
Majolook (Luminoustic) palette - RM49.90
Neo Automatic Liner - RM42.90
Jeweling Pencil - RM26.90
Rouge Majex - RM33.90
Honey Pump Gloss - RM17.90
Shadow Customize - RM20.90
Frozen Splash Eyes - RM29.90
Cheek Customize - RM29.90 Customize Case (for eyeshadows or cheek) - RM20.90
Skin Remaker Foundation refill - RM55.90 Case - RM24.90
Skin Lingerie (OD Control) makeup base - RM39.90
Pressed Fantasia 24H Face Powder refill - RM35.90 case - RM24.90

Just one snag about this brand... for some products, I really hate the fact that we have to pay seperately for the makeup casing. For example powder foundation, most people wouldn't really mind forking out RM55.90 but only if it comes with the casing. I'm sure most people would definitely think twice to pay RM80.80 for the powder foundation. Coz if it were me, I might as well save up another RM20 or so and get myself a MAC.




Rimmel is definitely another cool brand that has just reached our shores. Hailing all the way from London, this brand is offering us Malaysians with a variety of cool, hard edged affordable cosmetics. With Kate Moss as the brand's ambassador, the makeup displays which can be found in most Watson outlets is definitely eye-catching.

With all the makeup stuff that I've been purchasing lately, I have yet to try out anything from Rimmels in particular but a good friend of mine is raving about their pencil liner and lipgloss. So until I've personally tried out their stuff, I'm not say much about it. But one thing that delights me for sure though, ITS CHEAP!!

Okay this brand may not fall into the same category as the first two brands mentioned, it being more in the high-end category but hey a newcomer is still a newcomer. This newcomer is actually a local brand but gathers its items from various sources all over the world mainly Italy and Germany.

I was enthralled by their magazine ad so I decided to check out their new outlet in Midvalley. Simply put I was stunned by how cool the whole place looked. I've always been a sucker for black decor so yeah the store alone had me hooked. But still... my biasness for black decor put aside, the products itself were really good.

I decided to play around with their powders and lipglosses and was quite impressed. However, playing around with them does not equate to true testing so one of these days I'm gonna get me one of their products and truly see if they're not just all hype.

So here they are, the new girls in town. I'm betting there'll be more newcomers in the future (Sephora perhaps *fingers crossed*) but for now these gals are the talk of the town .Don't hesitate to check them out and do let me know how you like them. Ciao!

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion pt. 2

Since I love my Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion so much, I just had to find out ways to maximise the usage. Yes... I am a cheapskate but heck I'm paying good money for it.

So lo and behold!! I found this really great video on how to save up on the stuff. Check it out!

Yippee!! There's actually loads more gunk in that tiny bottle. So now all I need to do is find those lipgloss pens.

Hmm... why do I feel like this is easier said than done?

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

Usually I'm not a believer in the "extras" that so-called makeup experts like to pawn on us. It's bad enough that your makeup bag is already bursting at the seams with all the necessary basics that you need but to add on more stuff just because it helps you to do this and that... it's simply abominable!!

But sometimes... you find yourself pleasantly suprised. Amazed even. That was the situation that I found myself when first experienced the effects of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

This primer potion from Urban Decay, a low-end line from Sephora, is listed among the top 10 cult favourites for makeup. Makeup artists all swear by this. It's the miracle cure for creased eyeshadow and guarantees intense colours and long-lasting shadow usage.

I found out about this little gem after watching various youtube makeup artists using it before they start their demonstrations and true enough, their eye colours were simply amazing. So with Google at hand, and all the information necessary I was 70% convinced that this was a must-have item. Setbacks abound... It's nowhere to be found in the South East Asia region and to actually get my hands on it a credit card must be at hand. *sigh*

But God took pity on lil ol' me and an online friend sent a vial all the way from the States, FREE OF CHARGE!! I think God just couldn't watch me embarass myself further with my increasingly horrible eye-makeup. So now I am a proud owner of Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion!!

To appease the 30% inside me that still thinks it's all hype, I gave it a little test. I wanted to see if the eyeshadow that has always given me creasing problems in the past would cease to do so after I've used the product. And the verdict...

IT WORKED!!

No more creasing and the colour was fab!! I am so convinved and Urban Decay has officially gotten itself another fan. So in the future, when I run out of this magnificient product would I go through the trouble of international shipping (you know that Sephora ain't coming to our shores anytime soon) and the whopping exchange rate (its USD16, once converted will cost me RM56 minus shipping)?

HELL YEAH!!

Some extras are totally worth the trouble. But before I have to go through all that trouble, frugality shall be my middle name and prayer will be my best friend. I'll be praying to God almighty to suddenly make the Spehora CEO to open up a branch right here in Malaysia. Or at the very least Singapore. Please God please!!

Red Earth All-in-One Concealer Kit

My latest purchase (or should I say splurge)... Red Earth's All-in-One Concealer Kit RM55.

If you're skin is anything like mine (oily, temperamental, will break out at a moment's notice) then you will definitely appreciate this little kit. Sometimes even concealers need a little help.

At RM55 the kit definitely beats buying the separate bottles of corrective concealers and whatnots which can range from RM25 to RM100 per bottle. Plus... what if your face decide to grace you with different kinds of problems like blemishes, dark circles and redness all in one go? I for one do not believe in lugging too many products around when I'm on the move so this kit rocks! Plus the compact looks cool so its another excuse to whip it out whenever you can.

So far I've only needed to use the pink and the yellow corrector together with the creamy concealer. I'm pretty happy with the results but I'm waiting to give this baby the ultimate test soon... out all day in the hot blistering sun. Okay maybe not in the blistering sun, probably an air-conditioned mall or something but longevity is the key to a product's great results.

Next item I have my eye on is Red Earth's Eye Perfection Primer (RM45). It is a base meant to prolong eyeshadow's staying power and prevents them from creasing. Since Urban Decay's Eye Primer Potion (the ultimate eye makeup base) will not be in Malaysian shores anytime soon I've been scouring pretty much most cosmetic brands for a substitute and I came across this item in Sasa's summer sale catalogue. Online reviews from users have been pretty harsh but users are 50-50 concerning this product. Hence I shall try it out when the opportunity comes. I'm still waiting for my Urban Decay's Eye Primer Potion to arrive *please let it be soon!* but once I'm done with that, this little baby will definitely be at the top of my to-buy list.

Skinfood Apple Liquid Eyeliner

I have hit the motherload!! After numerous purchases of crappy liquid eyeliner that just makes me look like various species of pandas and raccoon... I have finally found the best liquid eyeliner ever!!

Waterproof... CHECK!
Smudgeproof... CHECK!
Liquid smoothness... CHECK!
Colour vivacity... CHECK!
Easy-to-handle brush... CHECK!
Compact packaging... CHECK!
Affordable price... CHECK! *it's only RM25.50. bargain!!*

I am so sticking with this eyeliner until kingdom come!

Oh and check out their mascara too. Simply divine. The best I've used to date. There's 2 types
1.) Chestnut Lengthening Mascara
2.) Mini Curl Mascara.

I've tried the first and its perfect for those who'd wanna lengthen their lashes and yet wanna keep their lashes look as natural as possible. Just remember to curl your lashes first though. Will check out the second one as soon as my current mascara is done. Mascara is also selling at RM25.5o. Don't you love this company or what?!

Neutral Makeup for People Wearing Glasses

Finally!! Panacea (Lauren) * my fave makeup artist* has replied to my request to do a simple everyday look for people who wears glasses. Check it out...

Contrary to what I believed... people who wears glasses aren't supposed to wear shimmers! Oh woe is me. I'm a shimmer and glitter type of gal. But at least lining my eyes is okay. I dont think I can go without eyeliner now that I've finally mastered the use of liquid eyeliner :P

Update: I have new glasses. Its purple. It was an impulsive decision in an attempt to make myself look younger and cool. I dont know if I managed it. Lemme know...

Tightlining Your Eyes

Time to jump topics again. Now its back to Makeup!

Was browsing through YouTube Howto & Style channel again when I saw this video on how to tightline. What's tightlining? Just watch the video...

Now I had no clue what tightlining was before this but I've always wondered how certain people manage to line their eyes so nicely that it makes even the sparsest eyelashes look full. No matter how I line my eyes I just cant seem to fill in the gaps between my lashes. But now... no more problems. Plus tightlining also subtly dramatizes the eyes and give you that sexy smouldering look. I love dramatic eyes!

Tightlining may seem hard, and a little scary but it's really simple to do. Just make sure you have a steady hand. If not then that fear of actually poking yourself in the eye with the eyeliner might actually come true. However, never ever use liquid eyeliner to tightline. I don't think anybody has ever managed to do that before. One other tip, for those who has watery eyes or sweat a lot (like me!), you can make your tightlining last longer by setting with a black/ dark brown powder eyeshadow. Just use a liner brush, dip it lightly in the shadow and apply it using the same technique as tightlining. Voila! your eyeliner will last longer!

Seriously whoever came up with the idea of tightlining was a genius!My eyeliner is now my new best friend.

Essential Brushes

Been browsing through YouTube 'How to & Style' channel again and found some video dedicated to the essentials in makeup brushes. I know that most individuals who wears makeup, they make do with the applicators that comes with the products or even with their own fingers. However, for all makeup lovers everywhere, we know that a good brush can actually help you achieve that polished, professional look that can be seen in magazines.

I definitely would've posted up the video showing all the necessary makeup brushes but somehow I dont think that it would be a good idea. Not that the videos were not any good, (those people went through a lot of research to make the videos, so kudos to them) simply because they weren't really targeted to the market here. Other than Mac, which seems to be the unanimous favourite for makeup brushes among these makeup afficianados, where are we suppose to go for Sephora or Loew Cornel and what-nots? So to help fill in the blanks, I shall list down the 'must have' essential brushes according to these helpful makeup mavens and also according to my own humble experiences and where to find them.

There's like a gazillion types of makeup brushes out there so its best that you don't get fooled by the false pretense that you need every single one of them. Plus If you tried to buy them all, you would run out of money and places to store them. For normal everyday usage, all you need is 5 essential makeup brushes to achieve that flawless professional look.

1. Flat Head Concealer Brush

This brush is basically used to apply concealers, hence the name. The flat head allows for more precision and better control for blending. It doesn't matter if you use liquid, cream or powder, a small concealer brush will make covering up tiny imperfections a snap. Cosmetics brands such as Mac, Bobbi Brown or Stila would usually price this brush from RM65 to RM100. However, for those with a smaller budget you can get this brush from Elianto or Sasa.

2. Eyeliner Brush

Most people tend to prefer using pencil liners rather than deal with tricky liquid eyeliners or gel liners. However, liquid or gel liners offers longer lasting results than the pencil liner which smudges or wear off pretty quickly, sometimes leaving you looking like a raccoon without you knowing it (I have suffered this incident countless times. To all my friends who were too polite to tell me, bless them). A plus at having a liner brush is that you can use your favorite eyeshadow as an eyeliner by applying it with a thin eyeliner brush. You can vary the effect by using the brush wet or dry, and the colours are limited only by the eye shadows you have in your collection. This way you can cut cost from not buying different coloured eyeliners to suit your makeup moods. If you're willing to invest, you can fork out around Rm45 for this brush but if you're not then just head to Sasa (elianto doesn't have the thin brush) and get it for RM20. The eyeliner brush can come in two designs, either the thin brush (looks like a really thin paintbrush) or the slant brush (the bristles are angled). I prefer the angled brush myself as it allows better control.

3. Foundation Brush

This brush is usually used to apply powder mineral makeup to achieve that flawless finish though it works equally as well with liquid or cream foundation. It makes blending easy and makes pores disappear. If you use the brush for a liquid or cream foundation remember to wash your brush with warm soapy water frequently. Usual price for this brush would be around RM75 - Rm100. For those on budget, head on down to Sasa or Elianto. I even saw some good brushes being sold in Guardian and Watsons as well.

4. Kabuki Brush

Also known as the blush brush. Was pretty clueless when kabuki brushes was mentioned but when I checked my own collection, turns out I already have one but with a longer handle! So anyways, this brush is perfect for applying bronzers, powders and blushes. Look for a Kabuki brush with thick, heavily packed natural hair bristles as they deliver a smooth, even coat of powder or mineral make-up with a few strokes. Short Kabuki brushes are perfect for those who are usually on the go as you can always stash them in your purse. Prices for this brush usually starts from RM75. The Body Shop is also another cosmetics company that carries good makeup brushes and you know for a fact that they dont torture animals to manufacture these brushes.

5. Large Eyeshadow Brush

Sometimes, a simple wash of colour over the entire eyelid is more effective (and subtle) than heavily stylized eye makeup. Besides it simple to do and perks up your eyes instantly. To get a clean, natural look, a large rounded eyeshadow brush is a must. A good brush will evenly apply colour from lash base to brow bone in a few strokes. It will also keep powdered shadows on the eyelid instead of on the cheeks or nose. Sasa is selling these for around RM30, Elianto, Guardian and Watson should be selling these at a far cheaper price. Bigger cosmetic companies usually price these brushes around RM80.

So these are the top 5 makeup brushes that a girl should have. If you don't have them, go get them! If you do... then good for you!

There's several other items that I feel would complement these brushes.

• Sponge Wedges - Good for blending concealers in small tight spaces like under your eyes.
• Q-tips/ Cotton buds - Get the tapered-end cotton buds as they are perfect to correct little mistakes or smudges. Found some good ones in Guardian.

So that's all the makeup tools that you need for your everyday makeup needs. But as you go along your makeup tools will probably start to build up according to your needs. It's like my case where I suddenly realised that I had more stuff than I remembered buying. So I hope the list has helped. If any of you out there knows any other specific places here in Malaysia to get good quality makeup brushes and makeup tools here in Malaysia, would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment!