Natural Makeup Inspired by Korean Dramas

This isn't the natural look I am going for! haha...but it certainly is a very cute doggy look! So adorable isn't he? Just like a lil teddy bear:)

Been very busy of late and don't really have the time to muck around with my makeup- maybe its just me being lazy too! I have been watching the korean drama "Boys Over Flowers" and its a bit corny but makes me laugh- especially the way the F4 guys dress and act! They are all very cute though- I can understand why girls go crazy over this series. Very entertaining...I am still on the 3 episode. It's been around for ages....but I am slow to catch on.

I really like how the korean girls put on their makeup! Very natural looking so that's what I have been doing with my makeup recently. It's been so hot these couple of days so this is what I use:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser (oil free)
• Laura Mercier Mineral Powder (Natural Beige)
• Bobbi Brown Concealer
• Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink
• MAC E/Shadow Jest
• MUFE Smoky Lash
• MAC Cream Blush Posey
• MUFE HD Powder
• Bobbi Brown Blush "Nectar"
• MAC HK Lipgloss "Mimmy"

I have been layering my blush to make it last longer. The trick is the apply your cream blush after your foundation -before you powder your whole face. Otherwise the cream will be patchy and blotchy if you apply over the powder. After the cream blush, you apply a layer of translucent powder (I used MUFE HD powder- love this!) and then finish it off with another layer of powder blush. It should last longer!

My HG's & Some Handy Beauty Tips

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil: Can't live without this product! Cleans ALL my makeup off in one go and doesn't dry out the skin.

Rodial Glam Balm: I bought this on ebay since its from the UK and was recommended by the Youtube Gurus "Pixiwoo" and I love it! I put this on at night, every night and my skin feels so much smoother. I wish it wasn't so expensive!

Bobbi Brown Gel Liner:I can't live without this! I use it everyday and I want all the colours! It stays on all day and doesnt smudge. Easy to apply and lasts a loonnngg time.

Pink Blush: I love all kinds of pink blush but I have to say the best is the Benefit Dandelion. Just the right amount of shimmer and the most gorgeous pink colour!


Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation: I think Laura Mercier makes the best foundations and powders. I got this one in Medium Ivory and it's just so creamy! I find other types of foundations cake around my nose and lips so I need something creamy that I can just simply rub back into my skin during the day instead of powdering on top which makes it more cakey!

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Concealer: The most convenient concealer around! One side is a more thicker consistency for concealing blemishes and the other is a creamier concealer for under the eyes. Under the two concealers is a powder! Genius I say! It'e better than MAC studio fix concealer by far!

MAKEUP FOR EVER Smoky Lash: I know I have been raving about all types of mascaras lately! But at this moment I am loving this one:) It gives my lashes length and volume and looks so dramatic! I have to buy another!

Applying Mascara:

Open yor mouth slightly when you apply your mascara. You feel like a goldfish but it will stop you from blinking and getting your mascara everywhere except your lashes!

Make Blush Stay on Longer:

Layer your blush! I put on a cream blush, then top with translucent powder and then layer with a powder blush.

Define Eyes Naturally:

Some people don't like the obvious line around the eyes so I suggest applying your liner very close to your lash line. You can use powder/pencil. I use my gel liner but the most natural will be powder but not as long lasting. Apply by pushing the colour into the lashes and smudging it slightly.

Removing Clumps from Lashes:

Hate the clumps after you applied your mascara? Just get one of the diposable mascara wands or a clean mascara wand brush and place it above your lashes and rotate the wand to brush out the clumps. Keep a finger under you lashes to catch any residue. Reapply mascara until you get the effect you want. If it still clumps- you need to chuck it!

Hide the Pimple/Scar:

The best concealer for pimples, blemishes and scars that are difficult to cover is the Dermablend cream concealer. But if you can get something that is a creamy, thicker consistency it should do the trick. You only need a small amount and just build till you get the cover you want. Firstly, put the product on the back of your hand and use a concealer brush to dab a small amount and push it into the skin rather than rub it in. Then set with powder. Repeat this process if you need more coverage.

The "Rules" of Makeup

Everyone has their own way of applying makeup. I read up on lots of books and magazines and they all have differing views on what is the right and wrong that I end up getting a bit confused. I tried many of the right ways but I also tried a few wrong ways too! I realise after some experimenting that everyone is different and so there are no rules to makeup- just guidelines that you can choose to follow...or not!

For instance, I don't use a sponge for my liquid foundations. I prefer my fingers as this warms the product and I think it blends better. Other people prefer a sponge or brush applicator and they think this is easier. So everyone has their preferences.

Another rule is that you should never use shimmery shadows as you get older as it will emphasise those lines and wrinkles. That makes sense but I broke this rule with my mum and her makeup looked great! I guess it depends on the application, the colour and the texture of the product.

And what about eyebrows? They say you should never cut or tweeze the hair above your brows. I have to trim here and there to keep them neat otherwise it looks really unruly. True, you should leave this to the professionals so don't try at your own risk!

There are many rules on applying your eyeliner- make them bigger by lining only the top and three quarters of the way in on the bottom. Never line all around your eyes otherwise it makes them look smaller etc etc.

What is the correct way to apply blush? Smile or not smile? I always hear that you should smile to apply blush on the apples of your cheeks. But then I read somewhere that if you smile it actually creates crevices in your skin and makes your application blotchy and not smooth. So which is the right way? The latter sounds logical so I follow that. But it's really up to you- maybe its hard to find the apples of your cheeks so you might need to smile!

There are many opinions out there and they contradict sometimes so I say just try it yourself and if it works for you then stuff those rules! I certainly don't follow them unless they suit me. Have fun and its all about experimenting and getting the right look for you:)

Rihanna's Hot Pink Lips Tutorial

Applying bright hot pink lips is great for a night out! Wouldn't try this for day:) Here are my steps for applying any bright coloured lippie and getting that full lips look without a lipliner!

1: Apply powder around your lips - NOT on top of your lips. This will prevent bleeding of lipstick.

2. Get a gold shimmer shadow such as Stila "Oasis" or MAC "Goldmine" and apply this to your cupid's bow and center of your lower lips for a great highlight.

You can stop here and just apply lipgloss and you're lips will look nice and full already! But read on if you're game enough to wear some hot pink!

3. Apply your lipstick straight from the tube or if the lipstick has lost its sharpness, then its best to apply with a lip brush to get a perfect edge. Wipe the edges of your mouth to clean it up. Then pop your fingers into your mouth and pull it out (to avoid lipstick on your teeth!)

Reapply the gold shimmer highlight to your top and bottom lips. Don't apply too much on the outer edges otherwise you might look like you're drooling or just ate some KFC chicken!

MAC Hello Kitty Lipstick "Straying"

Rihanna has a more fuschia colour on her lips. You can try Revlon Wild Orchid!

TIP: Apply your foundation and makeup first before applying bright lipstick. Applying foundation after your lips will mess up all your hard work!

Tip of the Day- The Red Lip

You need a bit of confidence to carry off the red lip. I am a big fan of the look but I find it is high maintenance as I can be messy when I eat! (I love food too much to worry about my make up!)

However, I do use red lipstick for those special occassions like a girl's night out where there isn't a lot of eating involved. Here are some tips I use to prevent looking like Joker!

• Use a neutral lip liner to create a clean line. Make sure you fill in your lips too.
• To prevent bleeding around the edges, powder around- not on top of your lips.
• A creamy or matte lipstick is better for a strong red lipstick look.
• Choose red lipstick with blue undertones to make teeth look whiter.
• After you apply your lipstick, blot and powder and apply another layer to make it last.
• Stick you finger into your mouth and pull it out (like your sucking your finger) to prevent lipstick getting on your teeth.
• Smile and check your overall look. You can use a bit of gloss/shimmer to make your lips larger as red lipstick tends to make lips smaller.
• Use a straw when you drink so you don't ruin all your hardwork!

If you have any great tips please share with me!

Tips For Asian Eye Makeup

Asian eyes are different from those of western origins so we need to approach it differently when we apply our makeup. Asian eyes look great with eyeliner and we need lengthening mascaras and false lashes because our lashes tend to grow straight down! So we need to be experts with our eyelash curlers!

In most cases, our main goal is to enlarge the eyes. When we look at most advertisements and magazines in Asia, the most popular makeup look is natural, natural, natural. Although this is a very flattering look for most asians, I find that the use of colours can also work just as well and in some cases it can totally transform the look.

So here are some tips:

• Be sure to have an eyelash curler!
• Falsh eyelashes is one of your must-have items
• Eyelash extensions are great for a natural look and it makes a huge difference!
• Always groom your brows
• Graduating your eye makeup from your eyelash line to your brows will help to give your eyes more depth. You should use the darkest shade along your eyelash line fade this into lighter shades of color nearer your eyebrow. Make sure you put a highlighter colour on your brow bone.
• For a dramatic look, try using shades of purple or plum. That will make your eyes really pop!
• Highlight the inner corners of your eyes with a light shimmery colour. I like to use "Goldmine" from MAC.

Hope this helps and feel free to leave any more tips you may have! I would love to learn some more tricks!