Surgery Over! I'm Doing Well. TQ for your Kind Wishes ^_^

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Skincare Layering Mistakes

Hi everyone,

Today I'd like to blog about
Skincare Layering... NO-NOs!

Well, 2 Major No-Nos, actually...
And both concern INGREDIENTS.

I know it's all the fad these days
to layer skincare products for "optimum" results.

One elixir boosting results of the next serum...
which in turn enhances results of the following concentrate...
optimizing what every product is capable of.

An elixir to enhance A...
a serum to prevent problem B...
a concentrate to address problem C.

All bases covered, man! ^_^
And voila! The "Perfect" skin regiment.

(google "Skincare Layering" and the list goes on and on like the Energizer rabbit :P)

I guess the all elusive "Perfect" skin regiment is achievable.

IF you do it RIGHT.
Do it WRONG, the worst enemy of your skin is YOU :O

MISTAKE #1 - Not TRULY Layering "Light to Heavy"

It's general knowledge that we need to layer products

from "Light to Heavy".

Unfortunately, we usually take it to mean only

the products' consistencies/textures.

(Light watery essences/serums to Heavier lotions/creams/balms).

However, we tend to forget one thing: INGREDIENTS.

Take into account that oil and water do not mix.

Source: www.utahpersonalinjurylawfirm.com

Layer a $ mid-range oil-based serum beneath

3 $$$ luxury-range water-based miracle elixirs,

you might as well flush those $$$ elixirs down the toilet,

for they will not be absorbed -_-

Note: FYI, I HAVE encountered oil-based products which feel incredibly light,

if you must know...

Bottom Line:

Layer water-based products under oil-based products

- This mistake is relatively easy to spot for it's immediate.

You could literally feel the layers sitting on the skin.

MISTAKE #2 - Overdoing it

"Oh, 10 products!?!? You're overdoing it, woman!"

Ahem - contrary to popular believe,

it is POSSIBLE to "overdo" layering with just 2-3 products =_=

Yet again, it's all in the...

INGREDIENTS! (Main Active Ingredient, to be exact)

Anti-aging...

Admit it, ladies...

We do so love slapping on anti-aging products to slow down the inevitable, no?

Even better, if the product claims to miraculously reverse the damage!

Wrinkles, begone!

Bring it on, retinoids ~_~

Exfoliation...

Slough off those disgusting flakies...

Accelerate skin cell turn over.

Man, lurve hydroxy acids O_o

Did you know that synthetic retinoids should NEVER be paired with

hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic are the most common forms of these)?

An acid-based moisturizer in the morning and

an exfoliating cream at night.

You run the risk of inflaming your skin.

Source: www.CartoonStock.com

These . skin . lethal . combos . make . your . skin . more . vulnerable . to . UV . damage.

Bottom Line:

Do NOT use two anti-aging exfoliants in a row.

- Unfortunately, unlike Mistake #1, unless your skin is sensitive and turns a flaming red,

this mistake could go unspotted until long-term damage is done T_T

ULTIMATE BOTTOM LINE OF 2 BOTTOM-LINES:

Less is More, just like cosmetics.

Listen to YOUR skin - not a magazine article's, a blogger's (ahem :P) or your BFF's.

Use only what you NEED, not "SHOULD" (as dictated by the 3 above mentioned parties ^_^)

Until the next post, <3!

Surgery: Paging for Pepper Uppers!

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry it's been close to 2 months since my last Blog Post
announcing my pseudo-comeback...

And now, popping up with yet another Whine-y Non-Beauty-Related Post...

Note:
If you can’t stand whining, fair warning.
The little “X” button is right up there.


In a little less than 2 weeks,

I’ll be undergoing surgery  -->

Source: Medical Staffing Networks

and thereafter, be out of commission for approximately a month -->

Source: toonclips.com

My previous surgery was around 2000/2001.
Very minor...
Short recovery time...
Incision site did not hamper my mobility.

This time round,
the incision is at a very different site...
mobility will be somewhat compromised...
ALSO, post-surgery bleeding…
‘Nuff said T_T

Don’t   .   Get   .   Me   .   Wrong
I know for a fact thousands... millions... undergo surgery
under MUCH much MuCh worse circumstances than mine.

Thus, let me get this clear:
I’m   .   NOT   .   Fishing   .   for   Sympathy .


However, I do feel disheartened that
this has to crop up when my M.I.A. Update issues
are yet to be resolved   =_=
So, Yay for me.... Pfffttttttt.....


I would really appreciate it

if you, Dear Readers,

take the time to leave a Pepper-Upper…

a Prayer...

or if you prefer, an Inspirational Quote from someone…

in the Comment section below.


They would mean A LOT to me
while I COUNTDOWN TO SURGERY DAY !!!


‘til the next post,
* blows kiss * ^_^

M.I.A. Update

Holla Chicas,

Long time no see ^_^

It's been almost 4 months since my last post,
and I would like to update you guys
about my absence.

However, before that,
a huge virtual {{HUG}} to everyone
who has supported AND still supports me during this difficult time :)

I'll be replying to those supportive messages ASAP!

THANK YOU!

UPDATE

First of all, allow me to clarify that I didn't fall off the edge of the planet

(or rather Blogger, YouTube, Twitter, FaceBook)

just for the heck of it.

As I mentioned in the Bulletin Box above,

Life, with its odd sense of humour,
decided to throw me a curveball.

In my case, it's health-related

and no, I'm not going to drop dead from it any time soon :p

(...well, I may drop dead from some OTHER reason...HA!...).

However, it takes a mighty toll on me,

physically, mentally and emotionally,

even to this day.

Initally, it took every . ounce . of . strength .

just to function normally on an every day basis.

Let's just say I've paid more visits to the hospital in the span of 4 months

than the past 5 years combined :O

I'm not out of the woods YET,

but I've improved sufficiently to continue my online activities to a certain extent ^_~

All of a sudden I have this influx of Blog Post ideas! >.<

- "How I Coped with Beauty-Related Issues" (the past 4 months)

- "How I Realised the Redundancy of some Items in my Stash" (look out for a Massive Blog Sale!)

- "18 Turning 36" (^_^) I found this photo of myself at 18, and since I'm now 36... (O_~)

and the usual HAULS, REVIEWS, etc


Until my next Blog Post... *blows kiss*

WINNER: Blog Anniversary Give-Away

Hullo hullo HULLO!

First of all, allow me to thank ALL of you,
who supported my

Blog Anniversary Give-Away

in one way or another.

By participating...
By Re-Tweeting it...
Spreading word about it...
Dropping by to have a peek...

Really...
In ANY way or form,

^_^ THANK YOU ^_^

Without further ado...

WINNER:

Sadia Chowdhury

Note: Sadia, Please contact me at suelynn76(at)hotmail.com!

[CLOSED] Blog Anniversary Give-Away

Hi my lovelies,

My Blog turns 1.25 years (as in 15 months) old this month
from the day of my first Blog Post last year
on Saturday 24 July 2010!

Thus, I'm organising a mini-GiveAway to celebrate this *ahem* momentous occasion ^_^

I was about to do an epic ramble
"thank-you-for-your-support-met-so-many-new-blogger-pals-shout-outs-the-list-goes-on".

However, I'm realistic enough to know
most of you would jump to the Give-Away part,
totally ignoring it ^_~

I'll just save my gushing for another day <3

Blog Anniversary Give-Away Teaser ^_^

A sneak peak to my Blog Anniversary GiveAway prizes ^_^

Check back on Halloween <3

Thanks for reading!

From UK With Love...Part Deux...

Holla chicas!

Sorry for being MIA for ages,

but if you've been following me on Twitter... *heaves a huge sigh*

I'm currently going through a skin crisis!

Thus, I've not been really up to beauty blogging T_T


HOWEVER, these shiny fings just make me smile every time I look at 'em ^_^

Not to mention, they, sitting prettily around my NECK,
distract me from scrutinising my spotty FACE! :/

And I present to you,
Collective Loot from none other than Yasumi, AGAIN!

Since my first purchase
(read about it HERE - "From UK With Love"),
I've purchased several other pieces.

Also, since then,
she has created a BLOG and an ONLINE SHOP dedicated to these shiny fings.

Drop by and feast your eyes...
You might just find something which catches your eye O_o and heart <3

Behold! My Latest Purchases!

Review: Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow EX-04 Toukaede (Fall 2011)

Another Suqqu?
Yeap - so I got another Suqqu.
For one thing, I was rather disappointed with 03 Matsukasa
(*waves to Reene - the taupe (upper left colour) doesn't really agree with my warm undertones :/ *).

Also, I'd only seen ONE rather blurry swatch of Toukaede at that point of time,
and considering the astronomical $$$ to be plonked down, I preferred to wait ^_^

Gosh - the wait was so worth it for I Absolutely ADORE This Palette!

EX-04 Toukaede,

How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways <3

Review: Lunasol Three Dimensional Eyes Fall 2011 (01 Neutral Beige & 02 Soft Beige)

If you are a long time follower of my Blog (well, a little more than a year)
and my YouTube channel,
you might have noticed a Lunasol "drought"...~_^


Nope! I've NOT been holding out on you!

The fact of the matter is,
since Star Shower Eyes Fall 2009,
I pretty much stopped Lunasol-hauling.
*hums (...I've Lost That -Lunasol- Lovin' Feeling...*)

(...final haulage being Nature Color Eyes Spring & Summer 2010...)
(...Oh! And the solitary Ocean Scene Summer 2011 in EX-01 Shelly Ocean...)

I still like Lunasol's offerings in terms of Colour-Combinations,
with the EXCEPTION of Ocean Scene Spring 2011:
~ seriously, must there be a BLUE in EVERY . SINGLE . PALETTE ?!?!

Texture-wise, in MY opinion anyway,
with each subsequent collection since Star Shower Eyes Fall 2009,
...shimmer particles grew larger...and lArGeR...and LARGER...
...resulting in increasingly gritty gRiTty GRITTY eyeshadows...

Thus, it's no surprise I boycotted...erm...I mean forwent :P
3 whole collections, which is incredibly out of my character ^_~

~ Star Shower Eyes Fall 2009

~ Aurorized Eyes Fall 2010

~ Ocean Scene Eyes Spring 2011

HOWEVER, Three-Dimensional Eyes Fall 2011 
TOTALLY rekindled my LOVE for Lunasol! ~(^_^)~

Review: Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 07 Komorebi (Fall 2011)

Suqqu?
A Suqqu?
A Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow?
Why NOW?

In all honesty, I've been wanting to try a Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow for ages. AGES!

However, the only online shop (which I trust) which carries Suqqu products...

Well, let's just say, I'm not ready to pay THEIR prices
when I know perfectly well what the ACTUAL retail price is in Japan...

And when the retail price is ASTRONOMICAL as it is...O_o

Also, the Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadows were not calling to me,
UNTIL I saw 07 Komorebi Fall 2011!
Yes, light lime-ish green eyeshadows do that to me ^_~

There I was, squirming away, lemming, stalking the online shop, sighing... *vicious cycle*

Lamenting away I know nobody in Japan to Custom Purchase ("CP") 07 Komorebi for me...

And then, et voile! Olivia introduced her friend to me:
Ritsue ( Contact: ritsue.kasai[@]gmail[.]com )
(Remove brackets)

Ritsue offered to CP 07 Komorebi [and for good measure, 03 Matsukasa as well ;)]
at a minimal service fee!

Review: Coffret D'or Fast Beauty Foundation UV BB Cream SPF33 PA++

My apologies if the title of this Blog Post is rather misleading...

I've decided to INCORPORATE the Swatches & Review of the
Coffret D'or Fast Beauty Foundation UV BB Cream SPF33 PA++

INTO the following {{ Updated & would constantly be updated, so bookmark it }} Post:

BB Creams for Darker Skin with Yellow Undertones

Reviews & Swatches

(click HERE)

The reasons being:

~ googlers' ease in locating the Short Reviews and the Swatches of the BB creams I recommend for darker skin with yellow undertones,

~ centralised comparisons between the recommended BB creams.

Products - Left to Right:

[1] Coffret D'or Fast Beauty Foundation UV BB Cream #02 Natural Tone SPF33 PA++

[2] Coffret D'or Fast Beauty Foundation UV BB Cream #03 Healthy Tone SPF33 PA++

Review: Chanel Topkapi Eyeshadow Quad and Chanel U.S. vs Chanel International Eyeshadow Quads

Thanks to my honey bunny Jolyn,
I managed to get my grubby paws on...

...*hold your breath*...

...*drumroll,please*...

TADAAA!

I present to you...

...the Chanel Byzance Topkapi Eyeshadow Quad!

I know, I know...

You've probably read a million, if not a gazillion, reviews on this gorgeous eyeshadow quad already ~_^


And I totally agree with Temptalia's take on it (CLICK for comprehensive Review and Swatches).


Thus, instead of torturing you with yet ANOTHER review...

Allow me to expound on the differences between:
~ Chanel Eyeshadow Quads manufactured for the U.S. ("Chanel U.S.")
   and
~ Chanel Eyeshadow Quads manufactured for pretty much the rest of the world ("Chanel Int.")

Haul: More Coffret D'or 3D Glossy Eyes!

Ohhhh...Is it any wonder that after declaring my LOVE <3
for the Coffret D'or 3D Glossy Eyes in 02 Feminie Brown in a previous review,
I . Just . Had . To...
get more?

And yes - I got 3 more!!! ^_^

Full Review is HERE, which includes 02 Feminine Brown :)

Awww...One Big Happy Family <3

Review: Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact #15 Sweet Lock Limited Edition

"Limited Edition" - Jill Stuart ("JS") limited edition items are highly sought after.
Fortunately for me (and my wallet!),
I'm a fan of their Mix Compact Blushes only ^_^

JS Fall 2011 offers the Mix Blush Compact in #15 Sweet Lock
(also the oddest Mix Blush Compact name todate...Hmmm...

Anyway, THIS is one of the items, Limited Edition or not,
after clicking the irrevocable CheckOut button,
I knew I would either go "AWEsome" or "GRUEsome"
only when it arrives +_+
*so I twiddled my thumbs and waited*

Goes unsaid that JS LE items  has little extra details to draw you in...

Filigree detailing on the box...

Filigree detailing on the casing and brush...

I love JS Mix Blush Compacts' formulation;

(soft,  silky smooth, barely any shimmer if any,

gives the most natural glow I've seen in powder blushes

- it's almost difficult to believe it's "powder" blush).

Review: Esprique Blend Dimensional Eyes (Deep), Esprique Blend Dimensional Eyes (Shiny), Coffret D'or 3D Glossy Eyes, Esprique Melt Fix Cheek

Just a "MINI" COLLECTIVE haul..."MINI", well, compared to previous collective hauls... O_o
Since I've been focussing A LOT more on bases lately...

ALSO, I'm saving up for 3 RATHER pricey ($$$ *kaching*) eyeshadow palettes...

Care to make a guess as to what they are? ^_~

The Perils of Social Media

Hi everyone,

This is a quickie blogpost I threw together
because after reading the article Paris tweeted (below),
and it struck home, BIG TIME O_o

I've always been teased as being too archaic and paranoid about
how LITTLE I choose to disclose about my private life online.

This may not go down well with some of my social media connections,
but I literally cringe at certain TMI statuses/tweets/etc.

I kid you not when I say thanks to an obsessive FourSquare-r,
I know where he banks
where he breakfasts every morning
where  he refuels his car every week...

I kid you not when I say I would never hire a certain person because she
GRAPHICALLY bitches about her work in Twitter
bashes her co-workers abilities (or lack of thereof)
shops while on medical leave...

I kid you not when I say I'm able to track a couple's fight
which began in the A.M.
and subsequently ended by the P.M.
via no less than 25 FaceBook status changes, each!

ALSO, I kid you not when I say I DON'T even need to stalk them
to know this much about their lifes!

EVERYTHING was deduced via their social media presence.

Freaky, right? +_+

READ ON!

Review: Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette - Photo-Heavy!

Before you ask, I got this thru SgDrugStore ^_^

Worth . EVERY . Single . Penny .

Serious. Dead Serious.

If you could only choose TWO items from the whole Urban Decay ("UD") line,
definitely get this and the infamous Naked palette ("Naked")!

Before I get into the nitty gritty of UD's 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette ("15th"),
allow me clarify.

For I was pretty gungho in Twitter and a previous post...
preaching about my restraint on point makeup in recent months...
being on a base/BB cream frenzy and haven't been purchasing much eye makeup lately...
the latest being the Lunasol Summer 2011 EX-01 Shelly Ocean some time back...

And THEN, *badaboom badabang* - Out comes the OMG-UD 15th!

Yes, I grabbed it.
To reward myself over past few months' restraint on point makeup.
"I NEED NO JUSTIFICATION."

 ^_^
However, IF YOU do need to justify this purchase,
allow me to list them out for you.

Just because I'm incredibly loveable <3 HA!


PRICE POINT

Unlike past UD palettes (PRIOR to the Naked) which don't offer full-sized eyeshadows,

the 15th, just like Naked , you're getting a big bang for your buck.

Make that a GINORMOUS bang for your buck.

The Math: 15 full-sized eyeshadows x USD17 = USD255. You're paying USD55.

In other words, 15 NEW (and only in this kit) full-sized eyeshadows, each retailing for $17,
that’s USD255 worth of eyeshadows for USD55!

Capiche?

I ALREADY OWN A GAZILLION UD PALETTES

SELL THEM ALL! *kidding kidding* ^_~

Currently, I only own Naked.

Prior to that, I've purchased and sold in my BlogSale:

- WallPaper Shadow Box

   (meh -  I loved Asphyxia & Last Call, though)
- Deluxe Shadow Box

   (incredible texture and pay-off; but too colourful for my taste)
- Get Baked Palette

   (love it, but very similar to Naked)

As for those huge Box of Shadows, I don't like them at all +_+

...the inconvenient size...

...too much unnecessary, if childish, packaging...LED lights?!?!?

...overlaps in shades...

...uber chunky glittery shadows shoved down your throat...

*ahem Uzi, Midnight Cowboy, Maui Wowie, Polyester Bride, etc*...

The 15th palette's most "glittery" shades (Midnight Rodeo & Midnight 15)
are NOWHERE as chunky as the above mentioned disasters...

Also, there's a perfect balance of neutrals and brights, darks and lights,

and I can see myself getting a lot of use out of it! <3


PACKAGING

Awesome...

Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

Especially if you love UD lippies packaging! ^_^

LIMITED EDITION ('NUFF SAID, YO) 
~ ~ ~


PICS! PICS! PICS!

This is gonna sound like a luxury watch (?) advertorial

Sorry - Can't help gushing +_+

-----------------------------------------

...Opulent, Sleek, Luxe Faceted Jewel “UD” On The Cover...

Review: LUVIEW Crystal Mineral Pact

The LUVIEW Story...
I've been exposed to numerous Korean brands unheard of
prior to being sponsored by Korea Cosmetics...
...Nude Cosmetics ... EverMiracle ... and many more to come...

Today, after reviewing the Crystal Cover BB Cream, another LUVIEW product...
 

 

CRYSTAL MINERAL PACT ("CRYSTAL PACT)"

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

- Skin Type: 
   ~ Normal
- Formula: 
   ~ Pressed powder
- Coverage: 
   ~ 4 out of 5 (According to LUVIEW's ratings)
- Functions:
   ~ UV Protection

   ~ Mineral-Enriched

- Product Description:

Inspired by crystal minerals, It keeps skin flawless and radiant hour after hour    ~ Jewelry formula
      Jewelry formula measurably reduce redness and keeps skin radiant
   ~ Ultra-fine satin powder glides on silky smooth, stays on comfortably, without feeling dry
   ~ Optimizes skin's varying tones to create a more even appearance.
      Buildable coverage lasts for hours, yet feels like nothing at all. Controls shine. In a ready-to-go, ready-
      to-perfect compact.
- Usage:
   ~ Take appropriate volume on the puff to apply it tenderly with light "pounding" (LUVIEW's word - not
      mine :p)

Note:

This is a VERY difficult product to review. Not because I cannot form an opinion on it,

but because, cliched as it may sound, one man's meat is another man's poison.

How much you love this HIGHLY DEPENDS on how you want your face to look after base application.

I, for one, love a glowy, natural finish to my skin.

I am extremely turned-off by super-matte finishes.

I mean, let's face it - no normal person's skin is COMPLETELY matte,

and in Malaysia's climate, IMPOSSIBLE, not to mention freaky-looking.

Thanks, Lina! <3

Thanks, Lina! <3

No-Frills Skin Care Routine for Mature Acne-Prone Skin

I've received quite a few queries about my skincare,

especially about why my face is up to 2 shades LIGHTER than my neck.

And the specific question is, "What WHITENING product are you using?"