How I Highlight My Face

Hi guys!

This post is going to be about highlighting. At least, this is how I do highlighting. Most of the times I do highlight and contour, even though I don't do harsh contour. Just a little bit to cut my chubby cheeks and to shape my nose, since nose could look a bit flat in picture. However when I don't have enough time, I'd pick highlighting over contouring. It's always easier to accentuate rather than hiding you features.

How I do highlighting is based on video tutorial by Wayne Goss. His technique is more advance and he also include contouring in his tutorial. Click here if you want to watch his. The 'triangle' technique under the eyes is not new though, Kandee Johnson also has a video about it before Wayne posted it. Of course like so many makeup techniques, I learned it and then shaped in a way that feels comfortable for me.

What I use is my MUFE Lift Concealer and Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush (or any paddle foundation brush will do). Sometimes I want extra shimmer so I add my theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer highlighter.

1. I always do highlighting after my foundation. Now, the general rule of thumb is “Cream to cream (or liquid); Powder to powder.” The bottom line is, you want to apply all of your powder products after you apply your liquid or cream products.

2. The area I work on first is my undereye, as it is the widest area. Using my foundation brush, I start by creating the frame of the triangle and then fill it. As you can see in the picture, I draw the line starting from the inner part of my eyes all the way on the side of my nose. Another line goes from my inner corner of the eyes all the way to the temple. And then draw another line to connect those two lines.

3. I also add the concealer on other areas that I want to highlight. Like in between my brows, halfway down my nose, on my cupid’s bow and under my lips (marked in white dots). I don’t apply the concealer all over the center part of my forehead as it will give the illusion of wider forehead. As well as on my nose, I don’t drag it all the way to the tip to avoid my nose looking bigger (since I don't do contour here) and oily. The concealer might look a bit too harsh but I give it time to set while I do my eyes. The pink area is where I apply my blush.

4. As you can see after I did my eyes, the area under my eyes doesn’t look as harsh as before yet the highlight effect still noticeable. This is the step where I apply my powder. But I usually just powder the center part of my face and dust a tiny layer of powder on the undereye area to keep the highlight effect.

5. As the final step, as I said, I add shimmery highlighter to bring out the area even more. Add lipstick of your choice and you're done!
   

Other products I used
Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation
Ben Nye Banana Visage Poudre
MAC Powder Blush 'My Highland Honey'

MAC Eyeshadow 'Cork'
Stila Smudge Pot 'Cobalt'
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres no.9

Why Do Women Wear Make Up?

This is apparently one of the most famous topics in the world wide web. Google 'allthatmakeup' and you'll see so many results asking for reasons of why women wear 'all that make up'. And this is actually one of my favorite threads in Femaledaily forum. There are so many entertaining answers. Since most of the members are women, obviously the answers are pro-makeup. But seriously, do you ever feel underestimated because you're a girl who wears make up?

I'm only one woman, obviously these answers don't represent all women's opinions. But let's have some fun reading one women's opinion about makeup, that is me.

• You can't explain a hobby. Well, actually you can. But if people didn't have the same idea, they will still think that your hobby is weird, no matter what. Maybe you can't understand why people would want to risk their life, climbing mountain. Or why twenty two men bother running around a huge field, chasing one ball only to pass it to someone else. Or why women bother to take time out of their life polishing their skin with powder and blush. But it's a hobby. Don't bother trying to explain that women need no makeup because they are beautiful the way they are bla bla bla. I know! But makeup is my hobby so I won't stop doing it just because somebody else told me to. So girls, next time your boyfriend tells you to stop wearing makeup, tell him to stop doing and watching sport, or whatever hobby he has and see if he can do that.

• Makeup doesn't define me. I don't wear makeup as a mask to cover who I am. I don't wear makeup because I think I look hideous without it. I love myself the way I am despite all of my imperfections. It's not like I hide my face when I don't wear makeup in public because I'm comfortable in my own skin (except when I'm experiencing my severe breakout, but that's a whole other story). And I don't even wear makeup when I don't feel like it. It's silly how people automatically define girls with makeup as insecure. People, this world is already bad enough. Don't make it worse by being judgmental.

• Girls are hiding behind their makeup? Yeah.. There's one statement that always cracks me up whenever I see guys watching makeup videos (God knows what are they doing there?!). It's something like this, "Ooh.. these girls are wearing a lot of makeup and mislead you. Once y0u get married, that's when you'll see their bare face for the first time and you'll be shocked" Gentlemen, if that ever happened, I only have one thing to say to you, "Don't blame the makeup. Blame your unhealthy relationship." Chances are, either you are in a dishonest and insecure relationship or you are marrying someone you just met ten minutes ago.

• I don't wear makeup to please guys. Yet another silly statement from guys, thinking girls are wearing makeup to impress them. Oh boy, speaking about self centered. But if you happen to be that kind of guy who is currently reading this, let me burst your precious little bubble: We girls don’t wear makeup for you. When I apply my makeup, what I have in mind is, “What to pair this color with?” or “Oh my, I love what this foundation does for my complexion!” And if you probably don’t realize, either makeup-covered face or naked face, both are just exterior! There are so much more in a person than just their appearance. You are missing out a lot by judging someone based on their exterior. But then again, it’s your lost. For me, if to be with someone requires me giving up something I love to do, that doesn’t even do harm to anyone, than that person is not worth it.

• It's one of my ways to respect people. That's what my mom taught me. On special occasions, to polish yourself and dress properly is a way to show respect to people. Makeup has never been my mom's hobby. But she purchased some to make sure she has enough makeup to put on. My mom would kill me if I dare to come to a big family gathering with shirt, jeans and bare face. In this case, even when I don't feel like polishing up, I still have to. When you show up with proper appearance, it shows people that you appreciate their invitation and really took time to prepare. Although all of those wouldn't be complete without proper manner.

• Don’t be too serious, it’s only makeup. I don’t know if you noticed but this quote by Francois Nars is written somewhere in my blog, which is my way of seeing makeup. This is my favorite makeup-related quote because, in my opinion, it so true and could be applied for anyone. For people who sees ladies with makeup and judge. Honey, chillax. It’s just makeup. It doesn’t kill! For the ladies who think makeup has to be perfect and complicated. Have fun! Every mistake could be fixed. Makeup is supposed to bring out the best of you, not make you someone else. And for people out there who feels insecure without makeup. No amount of makeup can make you happy if you can’t love yourself the way it is. No matter how much makeup you put on your face, at the end of the day it’s just you and your naked face.

So those are my thoughts about makeup. I hope this post doesn't offend anyone. I know this little post isn't gonna change the perspectives about makeup entirely. But at least I speak my mind.

Have fun with your makeup, ladies!

Products I Regret Buying

Hi guys

I don’t know if you noticed but I was browsing through my recent blog posts and I realized I didn’t have many reviews on products I didn’t like, especially lately. If most of my reviews always state that “this product is good” or “that product is great”, it’s not because I always say nice things about every products. It’s actually because I don’t talk about products I don’t like. I’m always excited about products that I like and can’t wait to share it on my blog yet products I don’t like won’t make such an interesting topic.

But I was rummaging through my makeup container and I found some products I have for quite some times yet I never use anymore. So I figure might as well gather them all in one post and tell you guys what I think about those.

Because some people could act overly sensitive about this kind of post (I don’t understand how someone could be too attached on some objects and take insult when other people stated different opinions), there are few things to note. First of all, these are not products that I tried once and ditched. I gave these products fair amount of chances but they just didn’t work. Second, just because these don’t work for me, doesn’t mean they won’t work on you.

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

I just don’t see the point of this product. What does it do, really? Let’s start with no coverage. I know tinted moisturizer supposed to give light coverage. Light coverage means, there’s something there but a little. This tinted moisturizer just disappears when rubbed on the skin. This also looks super greasy on me. Even powder couldn’t help. And then, they add shimmer to it. Seriously? It’s like applying margarine on the face.

Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous

I just can’t figure out what the product actually is. Even Benefit can’t! They described it as foundation-like product. So apparently it’s not foundation. So what is it? I purchased this after Stila Tinted Moisturizer failed on me. I needed something I can use daily for my complexion that doesn’t feel heavy and look too much. So I decided to try this. It has only one color back then, and then Benefit expanded it to three color choices. I think mine is Medium. But the color doesn’t blend very well with my skin. It looks like I wear something whitish on my skin and my complexion looked dull. The oil control isn’t the best either.

MAC Lipstick ‘Cut-a-Caper’

This is a limited edition from Tartan Tale collection and it was everyone’s favorite from the collection. The swatches I found were impressive so I really took time to hunt this lipstick. Unfortunately this color is just not for me. It’s way too bright. I’m not against bright lipstick. But this one is hard to pair with. When I put this on I couldn’t stop starring at my lips, not in a good way. Every blush and eyeshadow I try to pair it with always looked wrong, I couldn’t come up with harmonious look when I used this lipstick. Thankfully when it comes to lipstick, I can always mix it with lip gloss and make it wearable. But that’s the point, I have to make it work.

Guerlain Parure Gold in Beige Natural

I already did a review in this foundation so I’m not gonna talk a lot about it. As I said previously, this is a great foundation except for the color selection. It looks really red on me despite the name, natural. This makes me really self conscious when wearing it. In my opinion, it’s the only flaw about this foundation. But the price tag makes it unacceptable.

MAC Paint Pot Rubenesque

Everybody raves about this color so I decided to purchase it only to find out this product just doesn’t worth all the hype. Yes, it’s a pretty color… in the pan! When applied, it’s just another gold. Nothing new here. But that color isn’t what turned me off. When applied, it appears dry on my lids, looked kind of cracked. And the texture isn’t really the best either. Now this is my only paint pot so I don’t know if the same condition applies to all paint pots. The texture is tacky and I had a hard time picking it up from the pan, let alone spread out the product evenly. I kept using it, hoping something will change. But now this product just sits inside my makeup container. Untouched.

NARS Powder Highlighter ‘Albatross’

Again, another hyped product. I love highlighter. But Albatross is definitely not my favorite. Highlighter supposed to accentuate facial features by creating contrast. But since it appears as a strong yellowish gold, it doesn’t contrast with my skin. It just looks like I apply a gold color that seems wrong on my face. While it might still be acceptable on cheek bone (well, not really), it looks just weird when applied on the center part of the face.

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So those are products I could found in my makeup collection, that didn't work on me. There were other stuff too but I think I sold it already. I think I know now why I don't do reviews on products I don't like. I tend to be grumpy which I think give a negative energy to the whole entry (I tried to restrain myself while writing this post). LOL! Anyway, do you find product that works or doesn't work on you in this post? Let me know your what you think!

OPI Nicki Minaj Marble Nails

Yeay! Finally did the Nicki Minaj marble nails after I got all the OPI Nicki Minaj collection that I wanted. And yeah, I finally purchased 'Pink Friday'. I still think it's a so-so color when worn alone. But it gives a beautiful addition to marble nails.

For this nails, I used Pink Friday, Fly and Did It on 'Em. I also used Save Me which is the glittery nail polish. I used Did It on 'Em as base color. The main idea was to use the three cream finish colors and add glitter on top. But the glitter is too full, it covered the whole nail underneath. Argh! No likey. So I redid some of the nails and added Save Me just as an accent on my middle finger.

By the way, I put the picture of my nails as my blackberry messenger picture. This is the second time I put picture of my marble nails there. And on both times I got same reactions from boys and girls. While the girls asked how did I do my nails and gave me compliments. My guy friends asked me what happened to my nails in a confused manner.

Oh boy, men and women really come from different planets, don't we?

[Review] Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

First time doing video review!!!! Definitely not at all easier than blogging.

Anyway, I finally came up with my thought and review about Revlon Lip Butter. Although, in a nutshell I'm just gonna say that I love this!

• Gel formula to keep lips stays soft and moisturized
• Mango butter, shea butter and coconut butter to boost the hydrating effect on the lips
• Medium coverage with shiny finish
• Vanilla scented
• 20 shades available
• Available at Revlon counters for IDR 75k

So what are you waiting for? Coat your lips in butter - without risk to your waistline!

FOTD: Lotsa Lashes

Hi guys.

I'm sorry I couldn't blog regularly in the mean time. I'm currently preparing for my exam. Public Health is going to be my last cycle, as well as my last exam as co-ass. However, here's a post just to keep this blog updated. Ha!

I was playing around with my makeup because I wanted to give some of my thebalm eyeshadows a try. And I was about to do swatches of my Revlon Lip Butter review post. However the sun set pretty quick and all the pictures look too dark, even Photoshop couldn't help it. Blah! But I didn't want to waste some good pictures. Haha..

I was playing with a lot of lashes here. I think I finally have to admit that extravagant lashes really do make a dramatic difference in my makeup. Ah.. If only I managed to gain confidence and wear those lashes in public. After taking some pictures, I removed the lashes and went to the mall. At least I published the pictures on my blog. We're taking baby steps here.

Lashes I used was Elise lashes that I used on my Christmas FOTD. And added a pair of demi lashes I used on my FOTD for Sariayu contest. They looked like a match made in heaven. For my lower lashes, I used Elise individual lashes. Oh my... I couldn't believe I've been neglecting those pretty baby all these times. They look amazing. My lower lashes looked so full.

The rest of the products I used
Face
Graftobian HD Creme Foundation 'Desert Sand'
MUFE Lift Concealer '3'
Stila Concertible COlor 'Peony'
Urban Decay Afterglow Blush 'Score'
MAC satin eyeshadow 'Cork'

Eyes
Urban Decay Primer Potion 'Eden'
theBalm Meet Matt(e) palette
theBalm eyeshadow 'Insane Jane'
theBalm 'Mary Lou-manizer'
MUFE Aqua Eyes'1L'
Bourjois Liner Clubbing 'Absolute Black'
L'oreal Volume Shocking Mascara
Mac satin eyeshadow 'Cork'
Revlon Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

Lips
Revlon Lip Butter 'Creme Brule'