First Experience: Eyelash Perm

Out of curiosity, I decided to try Eyelash Perm, which is a process to permanently curl eyelashes.

First of all, let me explain to you my obsession towards eyelashes. To me, curling lashes and applying mascara are like two sides of a coin. If I didn't get to do one of those, might as well not do it at all. Unfortunately, more often than not, my only option is to left my lashes bare because I don't have enough time to curl my lashes. And that's pretty much what leads me to try eyelash perm. I did the process at Dandis Beauty Care at Taman Anggrek.

Basically the process is similar to hair perm, only in shorter time. The whole process takes about 45 minutes while I was lying down. First, to keep my lashes curled, the lady who did my lashes (I don't know what to call her. Anyone enlighten me, please?) roll my lashes and stick it to a white sticky rod. Like this picture below.

Excuse the weird eye. I wasn't allowed to open my eyes so I had to peek through to take this picture.

After that, she put the perming solution on my lashes using cotton pad and then I wait for fifteen minutes with cotton pad covering my eyes. The next step is to put neutral, again, all over my lashes. For the second step, I waited for ten minutes. I basically was just taking nap there.

By the way, while looking at my lashes, the lady told me that I have some broken eyelashes. She assumed it's from curling my lashes too harsh (Bingo!). Ugh! I didn't realized that. I'm a bit of a freak when curling my lashes, they have to be perfectly curled. I sometimes accidentally pull one or two strands of my lashes but I thought that was it and the rest was fine, apparently they're not. Gaahh!

Well, back to eyelash perm. After about 45 minutes, I was done. My lashes felt sticky after the process because of the rod. That explains why the lashes on my picture above looks messy. Different than hair perm, you're allowed to wet your hair immediately after the process.

The lady told me to put on mascara, which I carried with me, immediately after the whole process. She also told me to put eyelashes serum. She offered one from Dandis but it was too expensive. So on my way home I dropped by at L'oreal counter and purchased L'oreal Renewal Serum at IDR 149k. The sales lady also offered me their Double Extension Renewal Serum Inside mascara as an addition for the eyelash care but I didn't think I need anymore mascara at the moment so I skipped. I expect this serum will fix my breakage problem. The lady who did my perm told me if I took care my lashes intensively, I'd get to fix my problem. So I have my fingers crossed with this serum.

Here's the result, a day after the process.

This is my first time doing eyelash perm so I don't have any comparison. But I'm kinda disappointed with the result as it's not as curly as I expected. The process just gives me a little lift at the tip of my lashes but not really curled all the way to the root. Which is weird, because judging from the picture, looks like my lashes was already curled from the roots. Anyway, I'll still give it another chance though. I was advised to stay away from eyelash curler for a while until the curl went away. The perm will last for approximately one or two months and I'll probably come back at the third month. We'll see.

If you're interested in doing eyelash perm, the service is available at Dandis for IDR 200k.

[Review] L'oreal Volume Shocking Mascara

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A RAVE REVIEW. THIS IS A HIGHLY RAVE REVIEW

Let's just say, I've lived my life convincing myself that there are no such a thing as a perfect mascara. No mascara in this world will deliver everything in one tube. That is, before I met this mascara.

Enter: L'oreal Volume Shocking Mascara

This is a two step defined volume mascara. So the website says. It comes in a dual ended tube and you apply the mascara in two step. First step is the pearly white primer and second step is the black colored mascara.

What I love this mascara? The question should be, what I don't love about this mascara? And the answer would be nothing. First of all: when I wear this, people ask if my lashes are real or false. Second of all: when I say they are real, people insist that it's fake. Third of all: when I insist they're real, people get mad. Anyway, I'm just going to make this review as simple as possible. Here's the list of what this mascara gives:

Volume (obviously)
Length
Curl (Volumized mascara that also holds curl!!! Doesn't happen everyday.)
Separates and defines
No clumps
Intense black color
Waterproof
Long lasting
Easy-to-maneuver brush applicators
This is a drugstore mascara! Hullo!!

Cons? Well... It's a two steps mascara so there's an extended time when applying this mascara. But that's it.

Bare lashes

With the primer on

And.. Tadaaaa!!!

Compare to my naked lashes. Do I really have to tell you which is which?

There are three two-step mascaras from L'oreal. Mine is 'Volume Shocking Exact Brush' where both applicators are brushes. The other one in a black and gold casing has a comb applicator for the mascara. I don't fancy comb applicator so I picked the one in gold casing instead. It's a personal preference, though.


This review might sound a bit hyper but I promise you, this is not even a sponsored review. I've been using this mascara for a month now and I'm really falling in love with it. The lashes might look extravagant but it still look appropriate for daily wear, at least in my opinion since I'm crazy about volumized lashes. I got a lot of compliments when wearing this mascara and when something like that happened, obviously I have to share it with you.

[Review] L'oreal Curl Impact Collagene Mascara

L'oreal Curl Impact Collagene mascara is introduced as curl-fixing volume mascara with:

• Spiral brush innovation for tapering every single stands of your lashes
• Amplifying collagen formula for curl, volume and no clump
• Smudgeproof for 12 hours

First of all, I gotta admit that I was having trouble with the wand, that is the spiral applicator, the first time I tried this mascara. Since mine came with press release box sent from L'oreal, I didn't have any instructions on how to use it. This is how the spiral applicator looks like.

Apparently, each part of the brushes has it's own purpose. First, to pack on volume to your lashes, use the back part of the arch. And then the side of the arch to emphasize the curl. And the tip of it especially to the outer part of the lashes. And nope, no gimmick. It's kinda hard to take a detail picture of the applicator but because the back part of the arch is wider, it holds bigger portion of your lashes. And I love how my lashes fit very well in between the bristles and the product coats every single strands of my lashes. This also great for my lower lashes. I always have trouble applying mascara on my thin lower lashes. But the applicator really holds my lashes, give it more than just definition but packed it with extra volume! So I have to say that this mascara really excel in term of volumizing.

image taken from here

Can not say the same about the curling effect, though. First of all, no matter what the ads said, I firmly believe that mascara CAN NOT make your lashes curled (I'm talking serious curl, like a backward-C, not just a little lift). So I always curl my lashes first before applying mascara. And I can see how this mascara weighed my lashes. I usually curl my lashes until it's lifted and I can see my lashes top the upper line of my eyes. But after I apply this, especially by the middle of the day, my curl has weighed down until the tip is parallel to the line of my eyes. Not that it's back to it's natural shape, but still, the mascara is not doing it's job.

When applied, the texture of the mascara is soft that I can keep layering it without clump. But once I stop and let it dry, the mascara dries into this sticky rubbery consistency and I can not comb through my lashes anymore. Now that stickiness is kinda annoying and feels uncomfortable especially when my upper and lower lashes meet (happens when I don't curl my lashes) they, well, stick together.

When they say that this mascara is smudgeproof, that is so true. I didn't wear it for twelve hours but so far I've never had any smudging experience with this mascara. As smudgeproof as it is, this isn't a waterproof mascara. In fact, this mascara can be easily removed with just warm water. Which is my favorite part because I'm all about being practical! All you have to do is wash your eye area with water and rub it gently. The mascara will be easily removed, turned into a rubbery flecks form. Super easy without dirty black smear around the eyes.

Here's how the mascara performs on me.

bare lashes.

mascara on upper and lower lashes. not curled.
See it yourself and be the judge.

To gather this post in some points.
Pros

• Applicator really works wonder!
• Volumizing effect
• Smudgeproof
• Super easy to remove

Cons

• The spiral applicator takes time to get the hang of with (Shouldn't be a problem if yours come with instructions, though)
• Uncomfortable sticky consistency
• Doesn't hold curl

That's my experience trying this mascara. However, my blogger buddy, Nisa, doesn't seem to have any problem with some of my cons points. So check out her review here. If you're interested with L'oreal Curl Impact Collagene mascara, it's available at L'oreal counters at IDR 129k.

[Review] L'oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer

Phew! Such a mouthful name for a product. Let's just call it Base Magique, shall we?

Base Magique is L'oreal's first face primer. Now, you might have seen this product before, probably with different name. I know I have. That other product has a completely identical look except it goes by the name 'L'oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base'. Now, don't quote me on this, but *I THINK* Base Magique is the name that's distributed around Asia. Because most bloggers who's reviewing Base Magique are asian-based.

Now, onto the product.
Base Magique comes in a clear glass pot with screw lid, which is not really my cup of tea. I don't fancy having to dip my fingers into the pot and the wide opening makes the product so easily exposed to the air.

The texture is velvety and it has rosy shade that suppose to instantly brightens up the complexion. When I apply this I can see the difference on areas with and without primer. The area with primer has matte velvety surface and my pores also covered very well. It makes foundation and powder application so much smoother. This primer plays a role in oil control and extend the longevity of my foundation. Specifically for the pore covering effect, I even tried it on my sister. Her pores are quite large but this primer masked it very well. I'm impressed. I can't really say much about the brightening effect because I don't see this primer interfere the undertone of my foundation. This can also be worn alone on naked skin if you just need a mattifying effect.

I usually dip my middle finger and warm the product at the tip of my finger before application. You don't need to apply too much product, just focus on areas that are oily or has pores that needs to be covered. In fact, because of the texture, layering it caused the primer to balls up. I apply this with patting motion. One dip is enough for my t-zone and another dip the cover the pores on the side of my nose. I don't apply this all over my face because I find it unnecessary. I never apply primer all over my face but of course it's just my habit for the sake of efficiency.

Please note that this is a silicone-based primer. So if you have any reaction to silicone, than this might not be the one for you.

Except for the packaging, after all I'm very much happy with the performance of L'oreal Base Magique and definitely recommend it. And L'oreal is doing a good job with their first primer. L'oreal Base Magique is available at L'oreal counters for IDR 149k.

L'oreal Paris Fall/Winter Romance Issue

Have you checked out the latest collection from L'oreal? It's called L'oreal Fall/Winter Romance Issue.

This collection consists of 5 products, everything you need for you face, eyes and lips.

For face.
Base Magique Smoothing Velvet Primer

For eyes.
Curl Impact Collagene Mascara
Super Liner 24Hr Gel Liner

Open Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Quad


For lips.
Color Riche

L'oreal Paris representative contacted me and asked me if they can send me the latest L'oreal Fall/Winter collection for review purpose and share it on my blog. And this is what they sent me.


The package is crazy huge, I literally didn't expect them to send this much products. But I'm so excited to try those.



They send me four out of five products from Romance Issue collection along with the CD filled with the information about the products. I've tried some of products and can't wait to share it with you.

Stay tuned.

L'oreal True Match Minerals Foundation

pic taken from shopcrazy.com

I finally threw my my L'oreal True Match Minerals, right into the sink.

I have no experience with any L'oreal foundation or powder before. And I read a pretty tempting review about this so I decided to give this mineral makeup a try. It said in the packaging that this True Match Minerals Foundation gives:

• Evens skin tone like a foundation
• Light as a powder
• Long lasting

I bought mine in G5, as in Golden Sand. Not the perfect shade, still looks mask-y on my face. But they have only about four or five shades, so you gotta make your choice. And this Golden Sand is the closest shade to my skin. So, I think the name True Match is not the right name.

I was already disappointed even on first trial. First of all, the application is kinda tricky, since this is a powder (okay, you can't blame this product on this, since I feel the same way on any powder products). But another cons, this foundation doesn't go smooth on my skin and you can still feel that you're wearing makeup. So I'd strike 'light as powder' from the list.

As for long lasting, well, I don't know how long is it that they're talking about. I put on this foundation and off to church. I didn't have to wait until the church end, I got oil all over my face. Bare in mind that I have a rather dry skin. I never looked that oily before. So, it safe to say that this product has an awful oil control.

And then the thing that happened that really led me into throwing this thing. When I put on this foundation and buff it all over my face, suddenly I feel something wrong with my nose and my throat. I try to cough and there you go, my phlegm.. and it's brown. So I guess I inhale this mineral makeup. And kinda stuck in my throat or something. It happened twice. So before it happened for the third time, I'll just throw it away.

Still, of all the cons I've listed, there's still something that I love about this True Match foundation. That is, the packaging and the brush that's attached to it. I mean, it's very practical. As for the brush, it's kinda funny because that's actually the thing that people complained about from this product. But I love it since it's dense and sturdy. So it picks up a lot of pigment. In the end, I use this brush to apply my not-so-pigmented blush.

About this review, I'm not generalizing all of L'oreal mineral makeup. In fact, I'm thinking about trying the blush right now. I'm just a type of person whose really picky when it comes to foundation and powder.

Anyway, after I threw my True Match foundation, I still keep the packaging. Maybe I'll fill it with something.. My PAC shimmering powder is what I have in mind right now.