Review: Dueba Circle Lenses (Part 2) DM21 Brown, DM21 Violet, DM23 Brown

Note : If my eye makeup and undereye concealer seem neither here nor there, or I look cross-eyed, try inserting and removing 3 pairs of lenses between running to the loo for best lighting. Nuff said.

Please read THIS if you wear or intend to wear circle lenses for more than 3 hours, especially the part on LENS BASE CURVE and ASTIGMATISM.

...You're blessed with ONLY one pair of eyes...

...Treasure Your Vision...

FYI, I wear these thrice a week at most, and never more than 5 hours (if that) at one time.

QUICKIE ON RETAILERS
I got these from Pinky Paradise and a short review of them is in my "Review: GEO Circle Lenses (Part 1)".

Check it out!


NAKED EYES

Naked Eyes

The below is a repeat from my "Review: GEO Circle Lenses (Part 1)", just in case you missed it :P

I don't want to sound conceited, but after trying out numerous pairs of circle lenses, I have come to realise that my irises are of decent-size :P Maybe a tiny bit above average. If they came out with 13.5 mm lenses, I'd jump for joy ^_^

ALL lenses chosen are 14 mm in diameter, and that's as far I can go without looking overly freaky. As it is, I don't think I have much "white area" to work with.

And why mostly brown lenses? Because I'm approaching my mid-30s, and I have nowhere to wear rainbow lenses. It's a no-brainer when it comes to colour selection, really...

If you feel uncomfortable with the lenses fresh from the sealed glass jars, try soaking them in your usual lens solution for several days - it helps (Scouts honour - GEO Honey Wing was awful when "fresh"). If you STILL feel discomfort, something's wrong, ok? Common sense, yo!

- "Natural"
is very VeRy VERY subjective - what I deem as natural might not be for others, and vice-versa. Also, it depends on the size of your eye/iris. Of course I had to find out the hard way...Sigh...

- "Comfort/Thickness":
I don't believe there's a thickness measurement, but I can definitely tell the difference when I clean, insert and wear them.

- "Halo Effect":
An effect produced by a pair of lenses with the extended colouring, but without the dark limbal ring. At the bottom [and often, sides] of the lens, a light coloured crescent is visible. This is caused by the lens' colour going beyond the iris, and over the white of the eye. Over such a light colour (white), the lens' colour looks super light compared to the rest of it, which is over your darker iris.
However, not everyone gets the halo effect, even from the same lens of the same size. If the lens' colour doesn't go too far from your iris' edge, then you won't have one, or not a very big effect. The smaller your eye is, compared to the lens size, the bigger the halo. (Extracted from here)

So, on with the Duebas! For GEOS, right here: "Review: GEO Circle Lenses (Part 1)"

Review: Clarisonic Mia

So I was thinking, since posting the final installment of my (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles - Week 4.

Apart from the Comments received on the post, I received numerous messages via various channels (YouTube, Twitter, email, FaceBook) about my BOTTOM LINE...

I have this sneaky suspicion that you guys skipped ALL my rambling and just zoomed to the Bottom Line ^_~ (naughty, naughty!)

"Some were DISAPPOINTED that I didn't fall to my knees, declaring it...
...my be-all end-all skincare tool...
...turned my skin perfect...
...THE MIRACLE OF MY LIFE..."

"Some (kind of) REJOICED because they were relieved that the Mia was not a guaranteed cure-all."

In fact, I think some may have misconstrued that I dislike my Mia =_=


And NOW, allow to explain why I THINK the Mia didn't blow me away,
because it MAY be miraculous for YOU!

By the way, in case you have not been following my Mia Chronicles, links below for recap:
- Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles
- Week 1: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles
- Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles

UNO:

The Effectiveness of the Mia Depends on your Current Skincare Routine

All of us (I assume) know that the Mia's patented Sonic technology excels at cleaning out and unclogging pores - EXFOLIATES!

Bingo!

Which is why the Mia was not "Oh-My-God" on my skin.

Because...my skin routine (which you would already know if you had *clears throat* clicked on the link I provided in Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles)...for the past 6 years...includes Salicylic Acid cleansers and serums, morning and night, every single day.

And that my friends, (chemically)-exfoliates my skin, whilst the Mia is an additional MANUAL exfoliator.
Conclusion:
IF you don't exfoliate your skin regularly, either chemically or manually with any other skincare tool, try the Mia.
It might just turn your life around *kaching!*

In my case, I experienced the most difference in Week 1: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles because Mia-ing got rid of what my Salicylic Acid COULD NOT ^_^

And my pores are progressively improving even as I speak...

DOS:

The Effectiveness of the Mia Depends on your Skin's Condition Prior To Mia-ing

Apart from exfoliation, another of Mia's niche is in CLEANSING. Dirt, makeup, etc.

The very reason I purchased the Mia was because of my Hot Zones (see Intro: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles). I was desperate to get rid of the clogged pores there.

No fear! I declared the Mia a fail in removing them (Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles), and I still stand by what I said!

My breakouts and clogged pores were due to allergy (I remove my base makeup religiously), which is why the Mia couldn't remove them.

Conclusion:

IF your skin is not perfect (clogged pores, breakouts, etc) due to improper makeup (especially base) removal,

OR your makeup removal process isn't cutting it

and you need additional ooommpphhh in that aspect, by all means, try the Mia.

Allow me to reiterate that I LOVE my Mia.

I would definitely repurchase a replacement brush head in May, I would repurchase the whole damn set should I ever lose it (heaven forbid!)
for though it failed in the Hot Zones, it DID improved my  skin at all levels on the rest of my face.

I really hope that this clears the air about my declaring the Mia a partial failure in Week 4: (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles, and not put anybody off from trying it.


Thanks for reading! <3

Week 4: Clarisonic Mia Chronicles

So, 17 March 2011 marks Week 4 of my Clarisonic Mia ("Mia") journey.

Chronology:
Week 0 click HERE
Week 1 click HERE

SKIN CARE REGIME

** After 4 weeks of use, I've noticed that my skin can get a little dry on cooler days. When this happens, I apply an additional moisturiser on top of my current routine. (Yo Carol! - No additional oiliness :D)

** I could only come up with 2 possible reasons:
[1] the Mia's Sonic action is exfoliating VERY well; and/or
[2] the my topical acne cream is sinking in better, thus the dryness.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

** The Mia’s brush-head (mine is the Sensitive head) doesn't seem as abrasive as how I described in Week 1 (click HERE). A little birdie (Hi Ruth!) told me that the brush head does break in after a while, and true enough, it did ^_^

WEEK 4 – PROGRESS

Black Face Chart from http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Zone A – THE HOT ZONES, which got me to get the Mia in the first place

Predicament: 

Lots of small headless bumps  (cause is explicitly detailed HERE!)

Results:

(Right Side)   NO photo today (explanation below in pink), because at the end of Week 3, there were still NO changes in the bumps.
Didn't shrink; Didn't erupt (I was actually hoping they would, just so I could medicate them!!!) Much to my disdain, they just . DIDN'T . budge!
As they say, desperate times call for desperate/drastic measures:

I PICKED AT THEM.

Well, to be more accurate, I extracted those bumps under very sanitary conditions in a very controlled environment and packed on my topical acne treatment. Flakies be damned!

And I must say, aside from the leftover scars (sighs T_T), the bumps are gone! ^_^ (for now...that is...)

Now, I'm hoping the Mia would erase these scars, pronto!

Note: This is the reason why I didn't post a photo, for it would pretty much freak you out with all the redness caused by my picking/extraction, and not a true reflection of the Mia's results.

(Left Side)     One of the 2 small cystic pimples from a Laura Mercier primer has healed (leaving a scar behind as always) and the other is...kinda...shriveling...slowly...

No new breakouts though, so that’s a plus ^_^ 

Zone B 

Predicament: 

A scar on each temple from previous bouts of breakouts

Results:

Fading... :)

Zone C 

Predicament: 

Lots (x1000) of blackheads [Think "unripe-beige-strawberry" nose *eewww*] 

Results:

I raved about this area in Week 1 because it showed the most OBVIOUS improvement.

However, the improvement seems to have reached its plateau. It is much better than the pre-Mia days, though.
My poor nose is not black-head-free as yet; the super deep-set obstinate spots are still hanging on for dear life.
Extremely persistent, they are =_=

Zone D

Predicament: 

Whiteheads

Results:

I had a zit here during Week 1, so I avoided Mia-ing the area.

However, since then, I've used it continuous.

Less whiteheads, so YAY!

Zone E 

Predicament:

Large pores 

Results:

Pores are definitely less obvious.

To be honest, if you're anything like me and keep scrutinising them day in, day out, you won't see much difference.

However, one fine day, it struck my fancy to use the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in "Nectar" as blusher.

Now, even though Nectar is one of the more finely-milled BB bricks, it still emphasizes my pores like no other if I'm not careful, and this is THE...well...MY...acid test for pore-size.

I am glad to report that yes...the pores have indeed shrunken, but nowhere near invisible...YET ^_~

Zone F

Predicament: 

Nothing much…yet…

Results:

I think I can see some frown lines between my brows, so *fingers crossed* they'll improve over time :D

Same goes for my laugh lines!


BOTTOM LINE
4 Weeks = 1 Month

I will say this.

The Mia-ing HAS helped quite a bit in terms of improving the OVERALL texture of my skin, and for that, I am ecstatic.

However, I still have a long (x100) way to go before my skin is completely clear and flawless, and only time will tell.

I guess the biggest disappointment is the month of Mia-ing FAILED to heal hot Zones A, because that's the WHOLE reason I purchased it in the first place.

This will be the FINAL installment of the  (Clarisonic) Mia Chronicles, UNLESS things take an MIRACULOUS turn for BETTER, or heaven forbid, a tragic U-Turn for WORSE!

Thanks for reading <3

Blush Fiend of February!

These products have been oooh-ed and aaah-ed, reviewed, swatched, photographed, etc to death in the online beauty community.

Also, these are not new by the time they reach me here in Malaysia (*sobs*).

Thus, I'll not flog a dead horse.

I'll just give my 2 cents worth of what I think of them ^_^


Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder and Blush

Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

- Face Powder in "Translucent"

- Face Powder in "Beige"

- Bronzer in "Light"

- Blush in "Natural"

- Blush in "Rose" 

February was the Month of International Blush Exchange ^_^ !

As I was sending out the Majolica Majorca macaron blushes (pictured below) to the citizens of United States who were lemming for them, I was concurrently drooling over these beyoootiful powders & blushers.

And got them I did, via Fuz & Jessica! *hugs*

Admittedly, it's been a while since I last purchased drugstore products, both Asian & Western brands.

But really, could anybody in the right (beauty-related) mind resist these? Not me, that's for sure :P As proven above...

Mood Boosting Powers:

NADA! I definitely didn't experience the euphoria as claimed by the product blurb...

...Infused with our Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress...

However, I absolute adore the finish and colour pay-off of the products, so THAT got me off! <3
Side Note: Anything which "boosts your mood" this drastically should really be prescribed by a doctor anyway, OR it contains some kinda..."substance"...Just saying ;)

Scent:

"...smells like violets..." and "...smells like roses..." are the 2 schools of thought.

Personally, it leans more to a sweet rose, but with a hint of violet to cut through the rose's cloying sweetness.

It's nice...Nothing to shout about...I can't smell it during or after application...

Thus, to get a kick out of the scent, sniff all you need straight off the pan ~_~
Colour Pay-Off:

This is another point of contention, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the blush in "Natural" & the bronzer in "Light".

Many have complained about the weak colour-payoff.

However, on my NC25-NC30 skintone, the blush in "Natural" shows up very well as a peachy flush, even with a duo-fibre brush. Same goes for the bronzer in "Light" :D

The All-Important Design:

This is such a new product, it seems like nobody (I read or watch) knows how deep the overspray/design is.

One things for sure - the multi-coloured hearts do not disappear within 9-10 swipes of a blush brush (*coughs* - MAC "To the Beach" Marine Life High-Light Powder).

The hearts are beating STRONG! ^_^ 

Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact #13 Milky Strawberry

I swore in one of my older videos (since deleted) that I would not purchase more Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compacts after #04 Hot Cherry.

*droops head* And subsequently purchased 3 more (#04 Hot Cherry, #07 Fresh Tulip and #12 Candy Orange); now the above.

However, I'm declaring FOR REAL NOW that any Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact which is predominantly cool pinks, I swear I will NOT buy.

Don't get me wrong; #13 Milky Strawberry is still awesome in terms of colour and texture. 
However, I could get identical results by lightly applying #04 Hot Cherry and  #07 Fresh Tulip ~_~
The only saving grace is the peach quadrant (lower right) <3

Bottom line is, if I could only own 2 out of what has been released so far, I'd purchase THIS and #12 Candy Orange.

Now, I'm waiting for more peach-oriented ones ^_~


Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek

Left to Right:

- PK 303 Strawberry Macaron

- OR 302 Apricot Macaron

- PK 301 Peach Macaron

Well, apparently the PK303 Strawberry Macaron was sold out in Japan the day it was launched.

[[ By the way, if you want to get a hold of this, I have a Give-Away for it right here! ]]

Ironically, I like PK303 the least because the pink's too cool and does nothing for my skintone.

PK301 Peach Macaron and OR302 Apricot Macaron flatter my strong yellow undertones better.

Scent:

NONE - which was kind of disappointing.

With the whole "Sugar Trap-macaron" gimmick...I mean...marketing spiel...going on, I expected the product to be infused with some kind of gourmet scent ala Benefit SugarBomb.

No such luck :(
Colour Pay-Off:
Decent, but not spectacular. Satin-matte finish.
This is less-pigmented than the Kevin BeautyMaker Love Pupu Cheek blushers, which are similar in concept.
And I actually LOVE that!

I rarely reach for the Love Pupus simply because it's too easy ending up like a clown.
The Puff de Cheeks are easier to layer and control.  

Thanks for reading, girlies! <3

Tag: The Writing's on the Wall...of my Blog...

I've been tag-and-award-bombed by Elle 2 weeks ago (*blows kiss* - I swear I'll get my butt on to them ASAP!), but I thought I'd do this super simple one first...Although nobody tagged me :P

...simply because...

....I'm curious about everybody's answer to Question 4...
(and how their handwriting looks like, obviously :p)

Get a piece of paper and write the answers to the following questions:

1. What's your name/your blogger name?
2. What's your blog's name/URL?
3. Write "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
4. Favorite quote?
5. Your Favorite song?

6. Your favorite band/singers?
7. Anything else you want to say?
8. Tag three to five other people.

Click to ENLARGE!

Girls, you are TAGGED!

- Carol

- Ee Von

- Hanidee

- Jessica

- Elle