Shadows of You
I usually have a light wash of colour on my eyelids on most days but with my new glasses, my eyeshadow color tends to get lost behind the frames and morphs into a less stellar, muted version of itself. And what used to work perfectly before now becomes a glum waste of eyeshadow. So I’ve decided to amp up my usual repertoire of browns by tossing in a steely grey creme eyeshadow and blending the dark shade into my crease. It’s not too dramatic for the day but there’s still some roughness, some edge to it that I like.
And speaking of things that used to work perfectly, I had to change up my foundation routine last week because somehow I got fairer in Singapore what. the. fork. Maybe it’s because I’m always hiding in shopping malls to escape the heat? Whatever the reason, it’s distressing when your go-to foundation (mine was Dr Jart’s Black Label BB Cream) becomes an unattractive bottle of fake tan. Thankfully, I found my old samples of Everyday Minerals foundation I got back when the brand was all the rage and am now wearing the Sunkissed Fair shade in the Original Glo formula. I’m dreading the day my tiny sample runs out because I heard Everyday Minerals reformulated all their foundations so I’m a lil’ wary of ordering another batch. Does anyone remember the awesome value for money kits Everyday Minerals used to have? Man, I miss those!
Face:
Everyday Minerals Foundation in Sunkissed Fair
MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20
Cheeks:
Lavshuca blush in RD-1
Eyes:
Paul & Joe Eyegloss in 05 Murmur
Topshop cream eyeshadow in Darkness
MAC Browset in Girl Boy
Maybelline Full n Soft Mascara
Lips:
Lancome L’absolu Rouge in Rose Rhapsodie
Two tips if you’re using mineral foundation: 1) Always use a moisturiser or sunscreen before buffing in the foundation with a kabuki brush. My Kose Sekkisei sunscreen makes a great base for mineral make-up, plus it doubles as a light moisturiser too. This way your foundation applies smoother and doesn’t end up patchy in drier areas of your face.
2) After applying your foundation and the rest of your make-up, instead of setting your face with finishing/loose powder, try spritzing on some Avene thermal water! I AM SUCH A CONVERT U GUYS. I can’t tell if the thermal water makes a difference to my skin but this magic water shiz is so brilliant at setting powder or mineral foundation. I hate that too dry, matte look you get with said foundation types but a couple of spritzes of Avene and HOLAAAA FAUX DEWY SKIN!
Sorry for the late update guys and fork I am so behind commenting – I’ve been so busy! :/ I flew off on Sunday night, had a transit in Brisbane on Monday morning for two hours and then landed in Melbourne just before noon. Two hours later, I was back in school attending my first lectures of the new semester until 6pm. That was two days ago and I’m still exhausted! Guess I’m not cut out for any sort of jet setting lifestyle LOL.
I’m so excited about my subjects this semester: Television & Popular Culture, Lifestyle & Consumer Culture, Asian Public Relations (IKR LOL if I don’t get a distinction for this, I should quit being Asian lor, as most Malays would say: “buat malu aje!”) and Short Fiction! Sounds like fun, huh? Up until the assignments are due anyway, rofl. Wish me luck!
I think I’ve gotten fairer since I’ve been in Australia! I’m getting a new foundation from Changi Airport’s duty free when I travel. Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua! Can’t wait to try it.
reply
July 31st, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Elizabeth come visit me in Melbourne!!
Ooh is the Chanel one any good?? That’s liquid foundation right?
reply
maybe you got fairer cos the UV rays in australia is higher than it is in sg?
reply
July 31st, 2011 at 8:39 pm
HAHAHA I have no idea, cousin! But it’s winter here so you can barely see the sun. *shrugs*
reply
yay, beauty post! I love Avene Thermal Water too, my mom bought a gazillion bottles before they discontinued their products at CVS. Your smokey eye looks quite pretty, the glasses have a nice frame shape!
reply
July 31st, 2011 at 8:40 pm
O_O what, they’re discontinued in CVS?? That is so strange lol, I’ve always thought Avene was a major brand in the states (like Evian or something lol)
reply
August 19th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Well, I’m pretty sure they did in CA. This was a few years ago too…I was not happy b/c I love their spray-on body sunscreen.
reply
Love the eyes! I’ve personally never understood just doing a light wash of color… but now that you mention it it’s probably because I’ve been a glasses-wearer longer than I have been an eyeshadow wearer. The SAs at Nordstrom always under-do my eyeshadow in my opinion, haha, and so I’m always tempted to ask if I can just have the brushes and play around a bit myself. Though… come to think of it, my idea of taking a look from day to night sometimes only consists of adding highlighter and smudging out more shadow underneath my bottom lashline… I reason that since I am decidedly young and cute-looking (as everyone is constantly telling me, somewhat to my dismay) that I can sex it up more than other people without coming across as a tart, lol. Live it up, I say!
& DUDE. I will trade you! I’ve gotten sunburned twice and am now somewhere in around NARS Sheer Matte in Stromboli. It’s a bit dark and a bit yellow… but I suppose it’ll have to do for now. I LOVED when Santa Fe was an exact match and I didn’t have to bother with bronzer every day and it’ll take me the next 6 months to fade back probably. *pouts*
Totally agree with your mineral foundation tips though! Setting spray is AWESOME. I’m positively in love with Shu Uemura’s Depsea water myself, but I do have a small can of the Avene. I’ll use that next. =)
reply
July 31st, 2011 at 8:44 pm
LOL I have to confess, this light wash of color thing…it’s because I’ve been lazy. Really, if you find me with any make-up on at all and it’s not for a special occasion = light wash of color lmao. I know, I know. I have so many eyeshadow colors, it’s almost a waste to just use one color on the entire lid but argh, lately with school and all I just can’t be arsed! Anyway yes, I think that too – day to night always requires some form of liner/dark shadow ;p GIRL U CAN SEX IT UP ANYWHERE U WANT TO BECAUSE YOU WILL NEVER END UP LOOKING LIKE A S___ hehe.
How is NARS sheer matte for you? I’m tempted to switch to a different brand, I think I need to give up on my MAC foundation because I’ve noticed it’s not really a perfect match for me :/
reply
August 4th, 2011 at 4:06 am
LOL GIRL USE YOUR EYESHADOWS! =P They’re worth it, and you’re worth it!!! Though dude, I totally get you about school though hahahaha. I think for most of winter quarter I defaulted to just using my Shu cream shadow & mascara and that was it. I finally went back to doing a full eye after spring started, because honestly, I look so much more awake and so much less like I’ve been crying when I do an outer corner color and line the bottom lashline ^^;;;;;
& LOLLLLLLLL. That’s because I don’t have any cleavage to speak of. It’s very hard to do the whole slut look without cleavage, you know??
I’m really liking it. But honestly girl, go for Shu if you can still get it and you can find a match. Shu Uemura’s Face Architect liquid foundation is my gold standard!!! If it weren’t for the fact that I’m between shades and it’s a b*tch and a half to get here in the US I would use it forever! But in all honestly I do really like the NARS Sheer Matte. It’s not quite as smooth a foundation as the Shu is, and I find it does fade, but it’s not like it creases or sinks or anything like that. It’s pretty sheer, but not as buildable as the Shu, but buildable enough. I haven’t tried the Sheer Glow yet though, and people rave about that one. I was rec’d the Sheer Matte because I’m oily and they’re like oh ok, Matte for you then even though I’ve heard the Sheer Glow really isn’t all that glowy at all. I’ve been mixing MAC’s Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel into my foundation every morning for the spring/summer and I really like it. In the winter I prefer a more matte finish. I expect that I’ll really love Sheer Matte in the fall/winter though, because my biggest problem right now is that I get oily so much faster when it gets hot whereas that was never a problem when I wore the Shu FA (and lived in San Diego!!). Also, in terms of shades, NARS is better for me. Santa Fe was *perfect* a few months ago and Stromboli is *almost perfect* right now that I’ve tanned a few shades. Hope that helps!!
reply
Beautiful shadow! Love your glasses as well!
reply
July 31st, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Thanks so much Dee <3
reply
I’m really loving your new look! & your skin looks great! (:
Have a blessed Ramadhan love!
reply
Love the eyeshadow!! <3
reply