HIGHLIGHTING THE INNER CORNERS OF THE EYES

This is not an unknown beauty trick.  I've just never tried it before.  But today, I'm very brave!

I heard that adding a little highlighter to the inner corner of the eyes can really widen and brighten.  So I gave it a try.

Here is my eye makeup before highlighting the inner corners of my eyes:

Here is my eye makeup after highlighting the inner corners of my eyes:

In my opinion, it worked.  But for everyday or office wear, I don't really think I'll use the highlighter.  It's too glamorous.  For night time though, I'd really like to repeat this look.

BTW, I used Sephora Collection Nano Eyeliner in "Pearl Beige".
I love this liner!

CASUALLY JACKETTED

I have always worn this black jacket to work, dressing it up over blouses, trousers and such business-friendly clothing.  However, since I have been staying home lately, I wanted to dress it down.

So for brunch over the weekend, I rolled up the sleeves and topped the jacket over lightly embellished tank and dark skinny denims. 

It's kind of an in-between outfit, combining dressy with casual - perfect, at least for me, to wear on an easy weekend brunch with girl friends.

PRODUCT REVIEW FOR MAYBELLINE THE FALSIES VOLUM'EXPRESS MASCARA

When you tell a girl who loves her false eyelashes that some mascara can produce the same effect, of course she will run out and get this mascara!  Especially if she can get it from the drug store for around $6.50!

So did it live up to its claim?  LOL!  Do they ever?  To sum it up, I'm not ditching my beloved false eyelashes!  There is NOTHING (yet) that can replace them!

Here's what Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara claimed:

• Patented Spoon brush and Kera-fiber formula instantly build 8x more volume without clumping.
• Unique flexible wand helps to lift and separate lashes to provide the look of 300% more lashes.
• Ophthalmologist tested
• Contact lens safe

Here is my take on each of its claim:

• I loved using the Spoon Brush.  It was very easy to use and separate the lashes with.
• The Kera-fiber formula did not cause too much clumping (just a little that's easily corrected).  But 8X more volume?  That's a far-fetched number!  More like...2-3 times more.
• I did like the flexible wand.  It was very easy to apply with.
• I don't wear contact lens, so I would not know how well the reaction to those are.  But the formula did not irritate my eyes.

Would I repurchase?  
Most likely not.  Sorry!  The mascara worked so-so.  I really liked the want, the brush and the formula.  But the volume just did not live up to expectations.
Attractive price though!

On a scale of 5?
Possibly a 3 / 5


Did it live up to its "falsies" claim?
H*lls no!  Like I said, NOTHING can replace my false lashes!


So there you go, Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara is pretty good for a drug store mascara.  But there is NO WAY it can produce the glamorous and sexy effects of false eyelashes!

The spoon brush was nice to use

Lashes before falsies

Lashes after the falsies (right eye is more visible)

 

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?