BS: Monsooner Me, Dear Santa.

I only can afford to indulge in a luxurious pedicure and manicure once every year before the Chinese New year. Partially because I can’t justify paying $100 to get my nails pampered more than I can justify paying a similar amount on facial. After all, I can jolly well paint the nails myself.

So with the years, my taste in nail colour has gone from subtle to outrageous.

I got my nails painted bright orange-red. All I need is blonde hair, a swimsuit and I can hit the beach.

These are currently, my favourite colours from OPI.

Girlify me.

From left: Ladies & Magenta-Me, Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot.

A tinge of Alice in Wonderland.

From left: Yoga-Ta Get This Blue, Absolutely Alice, Disco Ball Sparkle (only available in Japan)

Festive Chinese

From left: Dear Santa (I heart this colour so much!), The Thrill of Brazil, Monsooner or Later (The colour I have on my nails at the moment).

Happy Chinese New Year!

BS: Foot Scrub

One of the best joys in life, is to have your aching feet scrubbed, polish, and pampered.

Six months of regular scrub sessions using Body Shop’s pumice foot scrub has left my feet happy!

Slather the foot scrub mix onto wet feet. Using the grey side of the foot file, gently scrub at the patches of dead skin on the sole of the feet. Thereafter, use the pink side of the foot file and target at the smaller patch of dead skin, this is to allow a smoother finishing at the sole of your feet.

This is probably one of the most economical foot care that I found, that really works.

Another product from Body Shop that works well with the foot file is the Lemongrass foot polishing.

Do remember that the product works well only on moist or wet feet.

BS: CK blusher

After many years of hiatus, Calvin Klein cosmetics was re-released in Singapore sometime last year. Debuted at the Changi Airport transit duty free beauty bar at T2, not sure if other outlets do carry the brand ever since.

I bought CK’s blush in 101 shiver, 102 spare, and 109 fiery.

101 shiver is of a peach tone, and gives a natural glow to the face. You will need to apply more as it is a little light.

102 spare is of a pink base. Similarly, it is a little light, so you will need more blush. There is no drastic difference between 101 and 102. And I would recommend both of them as daily blusher ( for that natural glow on the face). Just add a pop of colour on the apples of the cheek - I use Nars blush in Deep Throat.

109 fiery is more intense. A little goes a long way. However, the blush tends to wear off really fast and the difference becomes apparent (unlike 101 and 102 because they are lighter), so touch ups are necessary. I would recommend using a make-up primer before applying the blush. I use Bare Escentuals make-up primer.

Also, I really like the modern packaging. It is definitely an improved design from the initial metal cases. The CK blush also comes packed with a mini brush, which is useful when you are in a rush, but does not do a good job in applying the blush evenly, so I use a travel brush instead.

CK stand up bar at Naunce-Watson at Departure / Transit Mall Central, Changi Airport Terminal 2. Telephone 6546 8254.

BS: Neck Creams

It is often said that neck care is one of the most neglected part in our beauty regime. And, one of the tale-tell sign of a woman’s age, is the condition of the neck.

Neck creams are expensive, because our neck’s skin is thicker; thus our neck needs richer ingredients. And for young working adults, we don’t want to invest in rich neck creams too early, because that’ll mean we need ultra rich creams when we’re 50.

For now, I have been using richer face creams instead. Do you have instances where you purchased a face cream, only to have your skin suffering from a break out? Or, the product clogs your skin, simply because it is too thick? I have. And I find it a waste to throw them away, so I apply them on my neck instead. And have found that whatever my facial skin can’t take, my neck is happy to slurp them up. And it stays moisturised.

Over a period of about two months of using a whitening face cream for my neck, it seems that my neck has gone fairer too!

So when you’re thinking of throwing away that can of rich facial cream, perhaps you can offer it to your neck instead. =)

BS: RMK Concealer

After using Bobbi Brown’s concealer for two years, I decided to try RMK’s concealer. After all, RMK is one of the top selling cosmetic houses in Japan - and all Japanese women takes their make-up regime very seriously.

The RMK’s concealer comes in a mirrored compact case and is packed with two brushes. The concealer comes in two different shades - which is useful in covering uneven skin tone. It also comes with a compact finishing powder, which helps to set the concealer, making it last longer. Overall, it is portable and creates minimal mess.

I mainly use the concealer for covering up dark under eyes, and I feel that it does a fine job at it. I don’t do touch up at all throughout the day and the concealer remains intact after a long day at work.

The coverage is light, thus you need to dab on a little more concealer to ensure proper coverage; but this allows you to moderate your use of the concealer. Upon application, the concealer is not drying, thus there is no caking, and the illusion of fine lines forming around the eyes lessens.

If there are two things that I wished the concealer would deliver would be that 1) there is an additional cover for the concealer brush to keep the brush palette clean, and 2) there is an SPF component which would be awesome! Otherwise, the RMK’s concealer is great for busy ladies who likes fuss free make up.

BS: Bare Escentuals basic kit

I have finally gotten my hands on the Bare Escentual (BE) mineral foundation. Just to be sure, I spent about two weeks to test the product out.

Using only minerals as the base of their products, BE prides itself as being au natural. Their foundation feels flawless, so much so I feel like I ain’t wearing any make-up at all! My skin feels naked. BE’s foundation gives you a light to medium coverage, so if you dread the feeling of wearing thick make-up, or if you fear that your make-up will melt because you perspire a lot, BE’s product is for you. On the flip side, if you need full coverage, I would suggest sticking to compact powder - you would require lesser time to cover the same amount of coverage.

I’m still trying to get over the fact that the foundation feels like my second skin and I’m loving the fact that it fills the fine lines so well.

That is why, I love love love using BE’s foundation as concealer. For about a year, I have been using a creamy eye concealer. Even though the colour fits perfectly, I really hated that it left the delicate skin around the eyes dry and crinkled. I was delighted that in contrast, application of BE’s powder was so gentle on my skin, it prevented more harsh lines from forming. I did use the tip of my finger to blend the powder in.

Another product that you should get is mineral veil. Don’t be fooled by its sheer outlook - mineral veil subtly wraps up your make-over with a polished look. It radiates off a hint of glow. And that is essential in looking fresh for the entire day.

Because BE’s foundation is so revolutionary, it does take some effort to learn how to apply their foundation - swirl, tap, buff. Also, unlike traditional foundation, BE’s foundation requires more application; more time is needed to cover blemishes.

A note of caution is to test the foundation prior to purchasing it. It has been said that BE’s foundation do cause skin irritation to those who are sensitive to Bismuth Oxychloride.

But all is well! The foundation will not cake or turn creeky after a day’s worth of activities. Touching up is a breeze, as you just need to buff some powder on. Dabble a bit of thier bronzer - warmth, and you will look sun-kissed.

Beginners can purchase their basic set consisting of two foundation (our skin tone might change colour due to the season. I used one as foundation, and the lighter one as concealer), mineral veil, bronzer, make-up primer, and three brushes (kubuki buffer brush, bronzer brush, concealer brush) for SGD140. Quite a good deal considering a tub of foundation retails at SGD48 and the buffer brush at SGD 68.

Bare Escentuals is the number one selling foundation in America. What are you waiting for?

Buy Bare Escentuals at Sephora: 391 Orchard Road #B1-05. Ngee Ann City. Phone: 6836 5622. Or 2 Orchard Turn #01-05/06. Ion Orchard. 6509 8255. 

BS - Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer

I have been a huge fan of Burt’s Bees. It saved my lip’s life. I have own and tested all - peppermint, honey, life guards’ choice, pomegranate (my love) - but two of their tube lip balms.

Just recently, I discovered the beauty of their lip shimmer.

Lip shimmer comes in a variety of colour. You can wear a colour on its own, or mix it up to give you the desired shade.

For work, I need to look fresh. So as a daily routine, I emphasize a lot on my eyes. The medium eye shadow coverage and thick black liner tends to cast my lips in a paler shade than it usually is. To brighten the colour of the lips and to perk up the look, I apply a spot of red (I use Rhubarb) and soften this deep red with a dash of light shimmer (I use Champagne).

I really like the result. A soft buttery pink that compliments the eyes. Best of all, it is au natural!

PS: We have Burt’s Bees in Singapore!!!! Lots of kisses to Sephora.

PPS: Shall upload my pictures of my girly outing with Bing soon enough…

BS: When to throw your cosmetics away

Healthy skin radiates no matter how light you are made up. Make-up should be used when they are fresh. Applying make-up that has been kept for too long is like applying germs -which would likely irritate the skin.

Germs will breed easily in moist make-up; thus liquids or cream based items will spoil more easily than powder cosmetics.

Mineral based make-up should be used as soon as possible, as it contains no preservative. Best to throw it away at 6 months.

Besides that, here is the low down guideline of when to throw what:

The eyes

Mascara: 3 to 6 months, or if it’s dried up
Eye shadow (pressed): 2 years
Eye shadow (cream): 12 to 18 months
Eye liner (stick): 2 years
Eye liner (cream): 3 to 6 months

The face

Foundation (compact): 12 to 18 months
Foundation (cream, liquid): 12 months.
Concealer (cream): 12 to 18 months
Concealer (powder): 18 months

The cheek

Blusher (powder): 2 years
Blusher (cream): 12 to 18 months

The lips

Lip gloss: 18 months to 2 years
Lip balm: 18 months to 2 years
Lipstick: 2 years
Lip liner: 2 years

Maybelline Gel Eyeliner

Cosmetic power-house Maybelline scores with their latest gel eyeliner product, climbing up the Japan market and named Japan’s number one selling gel eyeliner.

I have to admit that after a bad experience with their first liquid eyeliner (which, in my opinion had staying power, but was too itchy and always left me with red rashes), it took me about 2 months to convince myself that it was alright to spend $19.95 to test try this new eyeliner. After all, there must be a reason why the Japanese ladies love it so much.

A couple of test tries later, I can say that this eyeliner is a far cry from their first liquid eyeliner. In fact, this new improved eyeliner is really really good that I might make this my staple eyeliner.

Smudged proof, non-greesy, non-cakey, easy application and easy to remove, and for just $19.95? I’m sold.

What’s best is that it currently comes packaged with a free eyeliner brush (which works magic), so you do not need to fret spending more money to purchase an eyeliner brush.

Get your Maybelline gel eyeliner (which comes in basic black or brown) from major departmental stores. Wait to purchase it during their 20% less promotional period, which happens so frequently.

BS: Lip Plumper by Sally Hansen

Late last year, I blogged about my lips being awfully sensitive to products and the only lip care that I can use without an allergic reaction is produced by the good people of Burt’s Bees.

Well, good news folks! I have found another product that has passed the lip sensitivity test!

Initially, I had my doubts about this product, for it is manufactured by a company who deals with nail products. But, after seeing that it has been tested and approved by dermatologists, I decided to just test my luck. And, I love it.

I love it for it’s glossiness. Now, my lips will never look naked anymore. This lip plumper has a fruity taste to it and upon application, your lips will feel this tinge of coolness. It comes in four shades: Clear, Sheer Blush, Sheer Pink, and Sheer Mocha. My favourite has to be Sheer Blush. There is a good hint of baby pinkness, which compliments a dash of blusher. There is no significant plumping effect though. It does not miraculously give you Jolie’s lips. But, who cares, I can finally wear proper lip gloss!