Nov 2013 Favorites

Nov is a great month!! 

Cathy Doll, Snow White Blink Blink Whitening Snow Mask (for body)

I hesitated to name it as one of my favorites because I remembered it was a disaster when I first tried it. Instructions said to massage it on dry skin(I suppose), let it dry for 3minutes and then rinse off with water. HOWEVER, it was impossible to get it off. It left an ugly white chalky residue which was extremely un-natural. 
I tried it again the 2nd time, this time not on the whole body but on my kneecaps and my neck. My neck is significantly darker than my face and my chest(a round tanline), just as my kneecaps with my legs. 

This time round, I massaged a THIN layer carefully within the boundaries(the darker areas). After few minutes, I lathered shower foam on my konjac sponge and brushed them off, rinsing thoroughly with water until no chalky residue is left. Indeed my darker areas looked fairer in a natural way and my kneecaps looked the same shade as with my legs, and my neck with my chest. In short, overall complexion colour is more even.

SO, the conclusion is, it whitens by at least 1 shade very effectively and unless there is someone to help you, it's quite difficult to have an overall even application to ensure a perfect fairer body; you'll end up having some patches fairer and some patches darker if not done properly. Therefore, I feel it's most useful on partial areas which are relatively darker than your body. 

Etude House - Water Colour Blusher in No.2 Coral

I'm always hesitant to try non-powdered blushes because I was afraid of tough application. But I was actually hoping that I can find a blush which can stay throughout the day and this did it. It lasts all day. It's texture is one of the best I've seen, not too liquid nor too thick; so while it's quite pigmented, it wont accentuates the pores on the cheeks like some cream blush does nor cake up. 

It does need some tact to apply it properly though. A sponge is encouraged. Apply bit by bit; it's buildable. Apply after your foundation but before your powder.

Sunkiller BB Perfect Strong - 
SPF 50+ PA+++

In short, it's a tinted sunscreen. Very very watery texture so careful when pouring else you'll have a yellow river. Surprisingly pretty decent coverage when it's not thick at all. Very light on the skin. Evens out skin tone and covers minor imperfections while looking natural. Gives a "no makeup look". However it can look "made-up(like you have make-up on)" if more is applied. So it's up to your preference. Does turns alittle shiny after few hours with no primer/powder. Though again, it kinda makes no sense if I need a primer for a fuss-free makeup day. I still like it as a high spf sunscreen for just a few hours nearby lunch. I just blot the shine away and still look decent without touching up anything. 

Ecotools - Tapered Blush Brush

Love love love this blush brush. Very soft. No shedding. Picks up the right amount of blush and applies nicely without wastage. It's dense enough to be used to pick up blush from those mini blush compacts without messiness. Right shape and size for me too.

Etude House - Surprise Essence Concealer in #01 Light Beige

I usually use L'oreal True Match Concealer for my imperfections as well as to highlight my under-eye and t-zone. It was great and natural, but it's coverage wasnt enough for my hyperpigmentations which was like at least 2-3 shades darker than my skintone. FML. So I needed one with a higher coverage. This is great; with it's round sponge applicator, it's simply made for concealing dark hyperpigmentations or pimples. Good coverage but yet doesnt cake up. I still use my concealer brush to blend it properly. 

Dior Addict Lipstick in 353 Blush

This looks pretty nice when I swatched on my hand before buying; like a subtle reddish pink but still considered a MLBB[I'm a very MLBB(my lips but better) girl...call me a coward]. However it's GORGEOUS when applied on the lips! I dont quite know how to describe the colour. It's like a mauve-y pinkish-red which is not over the top and attract stares over your lip colour BUT yet will immediately become the highlight of your face. It's very moisturizing and lasts fairly well considering how moisturizing it is. I've been loving it! The classy packaging is lovely too!

Etude House - Dear My Essence in Lips-talk in EBE103

It looks rather sheer when you swatched it on your hand but actually it's colour payoff is good when applied on your lips. What's so special about this is you are to twist the bottom cap clockwise to release the lip essence. Usually I'll twist 1 or 2 clicks and then apply and it's so moisturizing. It's like both a lipstick and a lipgloss. A gorgeous MLBB colour. It reminds me of one of my MLBB lipsticks which is Too Faced - Spice Spice Baby. The colour is pretty similar, just that Etude's even more moisturizing and gives more of a glossy finish. Granted, it's not very lasting due to it's high moisturizing and "glossy" nature. Price wise, it's like 60% of Too Faced La Creme lipsticks. 

Etude House - Face Designer Brightener  in #Cutie Face

Not sure if I've mentioned this before but I'm recently using this as my highlighter. It's violet-based. It brightens up the face in a natural and dewy way like the korean-style of makeup; I dont like chalky white highlighters or highlighters with too much glitters on a day-to-day basis. I wish this can be longer-lasting though. However, it's sufficient for daily basis. 

Additions/replacements to my vanity table - New mirror from Artbox & Acrylic drawers from MUJI

Some additions/replacements to my vanity table.
It previously looked like this here.

I got a new mirror.

I love it's design; it's very simple, classy and easy to clean. Previously I was using the Anna Sui design oval mirror, while the flowery designs are nice and gothic, it traps dust and very difficult to clean. 

Angle can be tilted to suit your needs during eye makeup etc. It's big enough for my face but it's slightly low for my vanity table. It may or may not suit you, depending on your torso length and height of vanity table.

Simple, lovely details which isnt too distracting. I dont quite remember the price but it was below S$50 from Artbox. Maybe S$40 I think

Additions from MUJI

So now my makeup collections look like this. 

The acrylic box on the most right is a new addition too.

Some minor adjustments. Namely, I shifted some bulky blushes/eyeshadows, mini eyeshadow palettes, mascaras, concealers, eyecreams and misc sharpeners etc to the new acrylic drawers. Some bulky foundations/bb creams shifted to the new acrylic stand on the right too, together with frequently used brushes. I have another smaller brush holder for smaller brushes(not pictured here) at the other side of the table. 

(#Daily Work means my basic makeup stuff which I always use for work; includes my primer, eyebrow powder, bronzer, highlighter)

My jumbo palettes got more organized too in this hello kitty box.

I think this is the last time I'm getting any more acrylic containers from MUJI. They're seriously expensive to me and quite ridiculously, I've already spent few hundreds on these alone. Like hubby lamented, "You're spending so much on some transparent boxes??"

Oh duhz.....Just for the obsessive sake of organizing my stuff neatly in see-through boxes. This will be the last time.

And, yes yes I'm recognizing the fact that I owned more than I can possibly use; just like my hubby bluntly remarked "You're buying them faster than you use." Ironically, while I buy and buy, I've always preferred to wear less makeup on most days; crowning the word "natural". And I think back, the only time which I put more makeup was last Halloween...because it was...HALLOWEEN.

So yes, maybe after this year's Nov and Dec's monthly favorites, I may take a break on doing monthly favorites as I should stop buying makeup; at least after I finish at least half of them.

Most likely, I will post my favorites as and when I discovered them; instead of accumulating them on a monthly basis. What should I call it then.........FFM? Fion's Favorite of the Moment? HAHAHA!

How I clean my brushes - with cleansing oil

Had quite a tiff with hubby.

Fion Lim
23 hours ago via mobile
Seriously does guys expect their spouses to finish their food ALL the time?? It's just not possible. Stop looking at me like an ungrateful brat just because I left 1/4 pack of large fries after my mac apple pie as supper. — feeling annoyed.

"Dear...你要吃什么? 我 tabao。
"不要! 万一吃不完, 你又骂我。*cup fone"
*Calls again* Sorry dear....你 just 吃。。我不会讲你了。。鸡饭? 鸭饭? 菜饭? 鱼片面线?"
"这些我吃不完。西餐 lor, chicken chop ,我一定吃得完。
"Ok....."
FML. Forever I eat western food, else ala carte fillet burger. — feeling annoyed.


And off I went cleaning my brushes. I always feel cleaning brushes or washing dishes is therapeutic for a sucky mood. Snapped a few pics for a simple entry.

 

I use this acrylic quad box from the BakerzIn mooncake box, filled up 1 quad with cleansing oil, just enough to submerge the bristles. Basically I'm using an inexpensive cleansing oil which doesnt work very well for my face. But it's sufficient for cleaning brushes. So as not to waste it.

(FYI, only some of my brushes are being washed here)

Why I choose to use cleansing oil to clean my brushes?

1) Some of my makeup are water-proof so cleansing oil can cleanse them better off some of my brushes

2) Cleansing oil can condition the brushes better from constant washing; over-washing with harsh agents make them fray earlier. 

Soak and swipe at the sides repeatedly 

Placed them in the next quad.

Add a little water and rubbed them through with hands

Add more water to rinse off thoroughly

Since I double cleanse my face, I double cleanse my brushes as well. Squirt some cleanser in the quads, dilute it with alittle water to wash the brushes thoroughly with ur hands. Take note to remove any oily residue.

Then rinse them off thoroughly

Let dry with cotton pad beneath it. Dont use cotton pads which fray easily. 

Points to Note#

1) Extra care should be given to washing brushes with cleansing oil as you need to make sure there's no oily residue

2) Always let the brushes rest diagonally(not flat) so that no oil/water gets into the interior of the brush because the oil/water might dilute/loosen the glue that holds the bristles and brush handle together. 

I feel that brushes washed with cleansing oil maintains better through time

How to sync pictures/files from your handphone AUTOMATICALLY to your Laptop/PC? Vice versa

INSTEAD OF

1) using a connector to connect your handphone to your laptop/PC to COPY&PASTE
2) setting up WIFI/Bluetooth on both handphone and laptop/PC to transfer files by WIFI/Bluetooth
3) Emailing yourself

MANUALLY, for EVERY picture on EVERY other day,

You can set up a DROPBOX, to automatically sync pictures/files between your mobile and laptop/PC daily. (You might have already know this, as the dropbox app usually comes with android phones. =) )

I've personally tried the other methods before and either they're very troublesome, or they take a much longer time.

This dropbox method will install a dropbox folder each on BOTH your handphone AND laptop/PC.

By doing so, everytime you're back home/office, so long so your handphone is placed within a distance from your laptop/PC(sometimes as ridiculously as you simply just walked past), your pictures/files will AUTOMATICALLY be synced on both your DROPBOX folders on both your handphone and laptop/PC. It works both ways.

For example, if you drag an excel or word file into the DROPBOX folder in your laptop/PC, when your handphone comes close, the same excel/word file will appear in the DROPBOX folder in your handphone. And similarly, any pictures/files in the designated folders will also be synced to the DROPBOX folder in your laptop/PC. Do note if files/pictures on either device gets edited or deleted in that dropbox folder, the same goes to the same dropbox folder in the other device(unless you make another copy in another folder).

Basically, what you have to do;
1) download DROPBOX(the program from https://www.dropbox.com, register and everything) on your laptop/PC

2) download the DROPBOX app on your handphone(register and everything). FYI, I'm using Samsung Note 2(android).

Vickki says Hi!

3) On your laptop/PC, install the DROPBOX folder onto somewhere easily accessible, the desktop maybe.





4) Choose what folders to sync. If you choose Camera Uploads, then EVERY single picture you snap with your handphone camera(in the Camera "folder") gets sync to your laptop/PC AUTOMATICALLY. Very hassle-free. Choose this option if you want ALL your handphone pictures to be in your laptop/PC, ALWAYS.

HOW TO SYNC SELECTIVE PICTURES?

Alternatively, you can choose to sync only selective pictures to save disc space on your laptop/PC. Simply choose/set-up a folder, say, "Dropbox Photos". Just 1 folder, if you're afraid of getting confused. Then, only pictures moved or copied into this "Dropbox Photos" folder in your handphone gets synced to your laptop/PC daily. For mine, for your reference, it's "Photos"(choose this when you're installing DROPBOX program on your laptop/PC)

You can go to your "Gallery", click the pictures which you wanna sync, "Share" via "Add to Dropbox".  When you choose to "Share via Dropbox", even if pictures in the dropbox subsequently gets deleted, the original pictures will still remain in your "Gallery".

Choose your designated "to be synced" folder, for e.g, Photos.

Within the "Photos" folder, you can create subfolders like, "Work Info", "Food" etc, so that it's neater. For e.g, mine are "blog" and "work-info".

Press "ADD" at the bottom. And then it will do it's job.

 

The pictures will similarly appear in my laptop, in the same exact sub-folders.

DROPBOX can also save your computer-screenshots on your laptop/PC automatically(into it's dropbox folder), so you dont have to open "Paint" program to "Paste" to save it individually.

It's all automaticcccccccc~~~~

I definitely would have to say choosing the "Sync All" option, a.k.a by choosing "Camera Uploads" will be so cool, because you dont even need to shift your pictures or "Share via Dropbox". Everything gets synced automatically.

THEREFORE, you can also choose this option but yet "copy & paste" the pictures you want to keep into another folder in your laptop/PC, and choose to delete those which you wont want in the dropbox folder. To minimize hassle, you can probably do a major cleaning on your laptop/PC once in...maybe few weeks? Depending on your pictures intake.

Alright~ This sounds abit troublesome for the 1st time, but trust me, ONCE AND FOR ALL, you will thank me later when ALL pictures get synced automatically everydayyyyy~ =D




(Disclaimer: I'm no IT expert and I'm just sharing. Please do necessary backups of your pictures/files as I'm not liable for any loss of info during your Dropbox Synchronization. This entry is not paid in any way)

Movie Review: The Hunger Games 2, Catching Fire

Movie Title: The Hunger Games 2, Catching Fire

Ratings: 3.7/ 5

Comments: Admittedly, I had high expectations of the part 2 to this sequel. But I lowered it when Jean Danker said she almost fell asleep for the 1st half an hour. Ahhh....indeed your expectations needs alittle tuning if you wish to enjoy more. It's worth a catch and truly, it does starts slow and gets better. 

Le Coq Sportif Sale

Le Coq Sportif having 20-30% sale! UPF 35 and 50(ultraviolet Protection Factor, it's like SPF for clothings), $84 for both, very worth it!

Le Coq Sportif JCube # 01-20


Le Coq Sportif Plaza Singapura # 04-18

Boots Haul + Tips on buying boots

As you well know, Nov and Dec are our wet and chilly months, and it's about the only time which you're not looked upon like a freak when you wear boots. So what better time than now?! Sadly, one of my pair of boots had met with it's untimely demise during the last halloween party at Zouk. By chance I saw these boots and thought their length, size suits me pretty well. It's not easy for me to buy boots because other than I have very small feet, my legs are neither long nor shapely. *Sobz Sobz* So, it's of vital importance that boots I buy can accentuate and flatter the length and shape of my legs. Never simply buy a pair of boots just because it's "pretty". Suitability is much more important to me. 

Uh eh, I dont really fancy the jewel studs, but they still look okie because it's wide "pocket" will be loose around the area near my ankle, so it makes my lower legs look slimmer. I much preferred when they're being pulled up like the one on the right, it sits nicely around 2inches BELOW my knee cap. Which is the preferred length for me as a mid-length boot. 

Oops........sorry didnt realize my mirror is so dirty. Hahaha. In short, it's a comfortable length with a comfortable heel; like maybe a 2inches heel. It's of thick suede material. I was told it's priced at S$30.

I love long boots like this, which stops 1-2inches ABOVE your knee because boots of such lengths gives the most visual impact at elongating your legs. This pair is of suede material, kinda thin and it's so so soft; it feels like I'm pulling up a sock instead of a boot when I'm wearing it. No complicated details, just some dangling black crystals at the sides which are not very visible unless close-up, so it's still acceptable to me. Boots of "such dramatic" lengths are best to come simple and clean-cut...else you'll just look "over" unless you have special occasions or events. I'll love it more if the heels are higher though; they're maybe 2.5inches maybe. I was also told it's priced at S$30 too. Dirt cheap you say?

Lastly, I saw this wedge boots. It caught my eye because it's the highesttttttttttt wedge boots I've ever seen! And I've never own any wedge boot before...I thought. Much less such a sky-high platform wedge. The height is scary enough but I was really amazed at how comfortable and easy they are to walk with; that is, I tried on flat grounds. I almost couldnt believe it, how can a 4.5inches wedge be so comfortable and easy to walk in? =O However I wasnt very enthu to buy because this is actually in size 36, which was too big for me. But the boss helped me to slot in a padding so it fits better. But I think I need to wear thick socks for a perfect fit. Another reason is because the length of the boots stops at right below my knee, effectively "cutting" my legs into "halves", undeniably making them look shorter than they already are. 

(*Pardon blur mirror...*)

Look very short right? My legs are "halved". Sigh...........Boots of such lengths which stop just below your kneecaps make your legs look shorter than they really are. So such boots are more for long leggy ladies or tall ladies. *So envy....sigh....*

Length and cutting of boots are very very important. And the cutting of this pair are kinda broad too(stiff cut) so they're not tapered close to my legs, thus this pair doesnt slim down my lower legs like the initial 2 pairs do. (If you look closely, the initial 2 pairs were tapered close to my legs). This pair was also priced at S$30. Neither elongate my legs nor make my legs look slimmer, so I've decided to give this pair a miss despite it's really a high wedge boot which can make me look taller, super comfortable to wear and easy to walk. *So dilemma....look taller in higher wedges but shorter legs....zzzz*

And so I was considering(the above dilemma) while I was there..........and was deep in thought..... Finally I concluded and wished to say I'll get the 1st 2 pairs only. But the boss spoke 3 seconds before me, "You buy 2 pairs la(S$30 each), I free 1 pair for you."

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! *Almost fainted*

Okie lor. And so I got all these 3 pairs at S$60!! So it's like S$20 per pair? 

Omg!!!!!!

Amazingggggggggggggg right?????

And 2 pairs are long boots, 1 of them is of sky-high platform somemore. You do know usually the higher the heel/wedge a pair of shoe is, the higher is the price right. 

Effectively, with these 3 pairs, I actually have short length, mid length, long(at knee cap), extra-long(over kneecap) boots as well as short heel, medium heel and high-wedge. =P

Alright, if you're interested to know where I bought them from, it's at Woodlands Pasar Malum, just beside the MRT. You do know Pasar Malums are not permanent and usually lasts around a week at any one location huh~

=)  

I think very limited stocks for different sizes though. Good luck!

Budget Sporty Haul(S$200) - HEAD badminton rackets, SKECHERS Sports Shoes, COTTON ON Sportswear

So recently I've been a whirlwind of healthy activities! Lol. So proud of myself lei. =P Actually friends around me have been encouraging me to do more sports to achieve a healthier lifestyle. But for someone who generally dont exercise other than dry-swimming(mahjiong, LOL), you'll understand it's quite a challenge and a huge step to take! Somehow, let's just say one fine day, I suddenly woke up from the other side of the bed and decided to make some changes to my frivolous and flamboyant lifestyle, that is, to start playing badminton with my colleagues and friends(2 different groups)! Woots! It's not that I've never play badminton before(who never right. :P) but it was really donkey years ago. 

And it suddenly dawned on me that........................ 

My badminton racket was nowhere to be found

I own more than 30 pairs of heels, 5 pairs of slippers, 10 pairs of boots/booties and 1 lovely pair of FILA sports shoes. BUT...think too long never wear....the FILA sports shoes spoilt already.....so sad....I only wore around 3 times. =(  I remembered it costs 50 bucks. My heart so pain. =(((

I have (sadly) outgrown my old sports wear which I bought donkey years ago from BKK. *SAD* I used to be so slim. =((  I still can wear them lah.....but I feel they kinda restrain my movements. Sigh...


Diao diao~~ 


And SooOoOo.................here comes the Sporty Haul(not all bought on the same day). Frankly speaking, I dont know how long this "sporty" side of me can lasts, HAHA. Even dearie also nagged me dont buy too much or too expensive, as my last FILA shoes also wear 3 times only because my interests come and go as fast as lightning. *humph!* Sometimes he can be so blunt. :P Anyway, I do agree with him...silently..so this haul is super budgeted and I had some really great finds!


Initially I had no time to find a proper pair of sports shoes and I just want a cheap one, so I end up buying a KIDS VELCRO sports shoes from BATA at S$20 simply because their adult sports shoes dont have my size. #$%^&*(*&^%$#$%^&* But after playing(1 game) I realized I cant move very well in them because it restraints my foot movements. Sigh.......so after that I looked for another pair. Which is the one pictured below, from Skechers.  

Black with hot pink sports shoes from Skechers!! 
LOVE at first sight!! It is SO LIGHT and easy to move around too. 
Thank god got my size! Yay!!

And it was for sale at S$69!! Score!

For my badminton rackets, similarly, I just wanted something fairly decent. Not too expensive, not too lousy either. And I got a pair of suitable ones from HEAD. I prefer a square-shaped racket head than the oval ones and I want a light racket. Mine is around 85grams(which is pretty light already, too light no power), it's around S$25. And I got 2 for S$40, one is bright orange and the other in lime green. Just bought 1 more extra racket in case dearie wants to play too in future. =D Too big to be pictured here properly. I got it from Jurong Point. 

Next up is sports wear! I got a shock when I see some price tags at some royal sporting house etc. Really? S$50 for a sports cropped top?? S$70 for a sports bra(which make your boobs look smaller? LOL)?? Erm.......for a bandage dress maybe....but for a sports bra....sports top.....ehhh.............zzzz. Imagine my glee when I saw some really chio and funky sports bras and sports wear at Cotton On!!!

Opps! Just ignore the hot pink lacy bra, it's not really for sports but hell it's soOooOoo pretty!! And it's only S$10!!! I got the same design in light pink and black/brown but strangely, they are S$25 each. The hot pink one got limited sizes though, on the 50% off rack. =) So in love with neon colours lately. Hee!

The silverish grey sports shorts is so light, comfy and airy. So pretty with inner shorts being lime green/yellow, confirm wont run-light! =D $25.

The purple bra top dont have underwires, only a thin padding but I cant resist buying it because it's soOoo cute!! Of course I'm not going to wear that alone lah. It's going to be under a top. S$25

The lime green/yellow is a great sports bra because it has underwire cups(just like bra with closure) and the material is the slightly thicker kind which can absorb sweat. Great! Because I sweat like a pig during games. :P S$25 too!

The black sports racer tank is of spandex material and it has a slimming effect. S$30. Too bad the other colours are not nice. 

I also bought some lacy briefs at 5 for S$35(not pictured).

Remember to try them on before deciding to buy! The quality of ALL the stuff I bought are pretty good. It's not me to buy something merely because it's cheap. 

Effectively, I've only spend S$200 for all the sports items(for myself); i.e, 1 badminton racket, 1 sports bra, 1 cropped bra-top, 1 sports top, 1 pair of sports shorts and 1 pair of sports shoes. =D 


Conclusion: If you're not a hardcore sportswoman and dont wish to spend so much on sportswear, sports shoes and rackets, here are some suggestions from me because I'm super super pleased with all my buys. Well, except the BATA kids velcro shoes(I wouldnt have bought it if I didnt have badminton the very next day, simply no time to buy!) I'll say my style is a mix of both functionality, quality and style. =PPPPPPP

Disclaimer: Of course I know the things I bought might not be of superior PROFESSIONAL quality like NIKE shoes, ADIDAS sportswear, YONEX rackets etc, but I'm just a regular player, I'm not a PRO so I'm not picky. =)

Movie Review: Baby Blues

Movie title: Baby Blues

Ratings: 2.5/5

Comments: The...calmest..."thriller" of the year..... Quite a disappointment... 

Both Karena and Kate acted little in the show.

ROFL!! 25 funniest Auto Correct Fails of 2012

http://rats-funnybone.com/25-funny-auto-correct-fails/

We’ve selected the 25 funniest Auto Correct Fails of 2012. The more you read, the funnier it gets.