APPLYING EYE SHADOW WITH JUST ONE COLOR

Most of the time we use multiple colors to apply eye shadow with.  Eye shadow quads, like the one in picture below, are popular options.

 REVLON Colorstay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Stonewash Denim

Matching similar colors together is a great way to achieve a look.  However, you can also apply shadow with just 1 color.  By varying the heaviness of your stroke, you can lighten or darken just 1 shadow color, enabling multiple shades on the eyes.

Here I am using only 1 color: L'oreal Wear Infinite Eye Shadow Single in "Reflecting Pool".

These are the steps I took to achieve the look:

Step 1: Rub shadow onto your finger

Step 2: With your finger, apply shadow to entire lid and brow bone

Step 3: Use a shadow applicator, apply more of the eye shadow on just your lid, over your crease.  

Be sure to apply more color as needed.  Use a heavier stroke to create darker color.

Step 4: If you want to, also use applicator to line the bottom of your eyes with the same color

Step 5: Rim your eyes with a black liner

Step 6: Curl and apply mascara to lashes

DONE!!!! 

Eye makeup with depth, all from 1 single eye shadow!

Quick, easy, and pretty painless!

BIGGER AND BRIGHTER EYES WITH A WHITE EYELINER

I have noticed that Heidi Klum (you know...super model, super mogul, The Body, Project Runway Heidi Klum) has been wearing a lot of white eyeliner as a part of her red carpet look.  

 Here she is at the 2010 Emmy's

 Photo credit from http://www.galleryfemme.com

The white liner enlarged and brightened her eyes, making Heidi Klum even more beautiful than she already is.  

I loved this look so much I had to try it myself.  What girlie girl doesn't want big, bright eyes?

On your left (my right), I used a white liner.

On your right (my left), I didn't.

What do you think?   

Did the white liner make my eyes bigger and brighter?

BEAUTY TRICKS ON A DIME

While the rich and famous have a team of beauty experts, prestigious plastic surgeons and access to rare products, the rest of us has...uh...we have blogs :O)  From each other, we learn tricks here and there to keep ourselves youthful, delightful, and beautiful!

These beauty tricks are not unknown.  But they are the ones I truly believe in and practice all the time.  They are inexpensive, fun to do, and most of all, they work!


Trick #1: de-puff eyes with a frozen spoon

I always keep a metal spoon in the freezer.  In the A.M, when my eyes are puffy, I just lay the spoon on my eyes.  When the cold metal touches the skin, it quickly rids of the puffiness.

Of course, a frozen tea bag works too.  But who has the time in the morning to soak a tea back in hot water and then wait for it to get cold?

Trick #2: Full, shiny hair


Mayonnaise, an age-old trick for full and shiny hair, works!  It may be a messy and smelly, but my hair always turns out full of body and shine after using mayonnaise on it.  I just lather it on my hair for 10 min and wash.

Trick #3: Honey as a face mask

Not only does honey taste good, it contains a lot of moisture.  That's why I rub honey all over my face as a mask.  After it washes off, my skin feels as smooth as silk.  What a great and cheaper alternative to a pricey face mask?

Trick #4: Take vitamins for long, lush lashes


This one is tried and true, and I am swearing by it!  When I was pregnant, I was unable to take vitamins due to severe nausea.  While other pregnant ladies had luscious mane, mine was dull and brittle.  


Now that I am no longer battling constant nausea, I started taking chewable vitamins.  What a difference they make!  Not only is my hair looking better, my lashes are growing at lightning speed!  


You can wipe on all the miracle mascara you want, but I'm going to take my vitamins!  Because beauty really does come from within.

Trick #5: Moisturize with a little vaseline

Sure I was curious enough to overspend for a tiny bottle of eye creme.  But somehow I always come back to my jar of vaseline.  

To moisturize, I dab vaseline on the crow of my eyes, my lips and even my cracked heels at times.  Vaseline may be cheap, but it never fails to moisturize.

So there you go!  Tricks that are both beauty- and budget-friendly.  Try them and you might save a dime, or two. 

Do you have any to share?

START SAVING FROM YOUR MORNING CUP OF COFFEE

This is a cup of freshly made Starbucks Americano.  It costs $2.09.  I used to start the day with it every morning.

In an attempt to save some money, this is what I purchased from the local grocery store.  It costs about $8.00 a pack (340 g) and makes about 22 cups of coffee (the way I make it).

 Every morning, a fresh cup of coffee is brewed while I get ready.

Right before stepping out the door, I pour myself a cup to go, using these dixie cups I bought from Target for only $4.00 for a stack of 14.

And if I really want to advertise my yuppy lifestyle, I can always use my Starbucks mug.

?

So how much am I saving, approximately?  

Here's what I was spending before:

($2.09 per cup of tall americano) x (7 days a week) = $14.63 per week

Here's what I am spending now:

Coffee: $8 for 22 cups = $0.36 per cup a day

Portable cup: $4 for 14 cups = $.29 per cup

That's only $0.65 a day!  A saving of:
$1.44 a day
$10.08 a week 
and just about $43.20 in a 30-day month!

And btw, Starbucks Expresso Roast tastes just as rich and refreshing as their Americano!

That's a great way to save some benjamins!

CAT EYES AND RED LIPS

Like many Asian girls, I like to use makeup to emphasize the eyes.  But once in a while, I feel creative and brave enough to try a completely new look.

Here, I am playing up my lips with a generous splash of red.  To complement this, I am also attempting the cat eye.  This should create a retro type of look that's more or less "Old Glamor", in which stars like Gwen Stefani looks so good in.



What do you think?  A new and sophisticated look or a failed experiment?

TEES WITH A MESSAGE

A few years ago message tees were the rage!  Some of the messages were nice; Some were funny; Others were darn right mean.

Photo credit from http://eco-chick.com

Photo credit from http://www.expertees.com/t-shirts/product_info.php?products_id=796



But I prefer a graphic tee, especially if the message speaks of peace:

Graphic Tee from Old Navy

EASY RECIPE FOR DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

I never thought that I'd be making my own chocolate mousse, but this recipe is so easy and the result tastes so good!  I just had to try it!  

Then, I had to share, so here goes:

What You Need 

• 6 ounces (3/4 dry cups) of semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream

What You Do 

Step 1: Bring 1 pot of water to a boil and then turn the heat down to let it gently simmer

Step 2: In a heat proof bowl, combine butter, water and chocolate.  Set bowl on top of water (ensure the bowl touches the water)

Step 3: Let the contents melt and set aside

Step 4: Whip heavy cream until it reaches "Soft Peaks"

Step 4: Gently fold the whipped cream into melted chocolate 1/4 at a time

Slowly fold until cream and chocolate are fully incorporated, with just a few streaks left.

Remember: This process may take some time.  You can't hurry a good thing!

Step 5: Pour the mix into serving glassware.  Chill in fridge for at least 2 hours

(Overnight is recommended)

AND DONE!!!!

Silky, smooth, delicious home-made Dark Chocolate Mousse

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO START EXERCISING? GO SHOPPING!

Tell you what, after months away from running, starting again was hard!  I went jogging (okay, jog a block, walk a block) yesterday and now I hurt EVERYWHERE!  But still, I am motivated to get my pre-pregnancy body back.

To add even more motivation, I went shopping today :O) 

Though today's shopping trip was purposely for workout clothes, it still left me in a bliss!

Here are some items I bought that (hopefully) will motivate myself to start exercising:

Capris (from Old Navy)

Long tank (by North face)

Sports bra (by Champion)

A breathable jacket (by Champion)

And here I am, in my new gear, ready to roll!

Nothing feels better than retail therapy, and NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING motivates me to exercise than getting some new sporty workout clothes!

BAGS WITH HANDLES

I am seeing a lot of these satchels this fall.  Lady-like, functional and perfect for everyday, these bags with handles to let you grab-and-go can handle just about anything in life.

Coach Mahogany Dark Brown Pebbled Leather Satchel Woman's Handbag 

Photo credit from amazon

Quilted nylon stam satchel by Marc Jacobs

Photo credit from Neiman Marcus

kate spade 'darien - metallic bernie' short shoulder bag

Photo credit from Nordstrom

 And this one I just bought today.  

Wish I could keep it, but this cutie by Betseyville goes to a lovely girlie friend of mine :O)