Lunasol UnderEye Concealer - Fake it with zero make-up skill....!!

Trust me lengluis... as we age, the eye area craves attention! And not the good sort of attention though... These days, working late means darkened surrounding eye area. Though sugar_cupcakes never had a problem with the eye area, aging another year has totally changed that!!! SOB-SOB-SOBBBBBB... haihhhhhhhhhhh...

Yeah... faking younger eyes takes all that skill... huhuhuhu... soon all this faking is going to turn into a HIDDEN TALENT of us lengluis... muahahahaha...

This will not be a lengthy review on eye concealers (you can ask Uncle Google that anytime) rather, a straight-to-the-point winner takes all review. (umm... sugar_cupcakes will only do a comparison of make-up which requires almost no make-up skill to apply since this is not exactly a make-up blog...)

Shu Uemura ProGel Concealer

Vs

Kanebo Lunasol Eye Concealer

Vs

Ettusais Eye Concealer

Vs

YSL Touche Eclat

Kanebo Lunasol Eye Concealer is a very obvious winner of the lot. Yeah, Shu Uemura ProGel Concealer has "staying power" it's not as comfortable as... Lunasol which tops the lot because:

1. Its similar to a lip gloss applicator and picks up just the right amount of liquid-y fluid for under the eyes so  the teeny weeny tube actually lasts
2. Coverage about 90% after dusting with loose powder
3. Claims to contain collagen for the feel-good texture under the eyes
4. Because its so easy to use, its takes a lengui with like only 0% makeup skill to be able to use this like a pro
5. This was a mere accidental find after embarking on the journey to hide the late hours under-eye area
6. See more lenglui's reviews here: http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=106016/LUNASOL_Under_Eyes_Base/Kanebo/Concealers

When Concealers Easily Wears Off... Get Shu Uemura Pro Gel Concealer!!

PRO GEL CONCEALER

You know those work-days where lengluis spend long hours ##WORKING## and there's just no time for touch ups?? So just how did those lengluis manage to hide the HUGE red acne? I mean... there's gotta be acne somewhere!!! lol....

Hohohohoho... They were probably using... Shu Uemura Pro Gel Concealer!!! Why does iwannabelenglui say that? See her reasoning below:

Conclusion:

• This concealer has STAYING POWER
• It's does not cake, and covers seamlessly even for lengluis who lacks make-up-blending skills
• Get the right shade and it'll work for the under-eye dark circle too!
• Does not irritate the acne (But of-course you'll need to use a good make up remover at the end of the day)
• Waterproof and smudge proof huhuhuhu... for the long hours...
• Keep your hands clean and just dab on from the tiny jar
• RM85 for a minuscule 5g jar? ITS STILL MUCH LOVED!!! 
• (considering the regular breakouts from good food) lol....

The Power of Concealers...

One word. Impressive.

When your skin is "beyond all help" and it's the dinner night with lots of avid photographers around, what do you do? Conceal!

Lengluis, watch the commercial for the Dermablend concealer here

The model for this commercial is tattoo covered Rick Genest... Watch him transform from tattoo covered to cute guy in just one take and 3 make-up artist. It's a whoaaaaaaaaaa...... Credits to BellaSugarSite for posting this up.

The Breakout Lengluis Alternative to BB cream...

I have tried a couple of BB creams in these several years. BB creams are really great for fair-skinned women! You'd end up conning everyone with dewy healthy looking skin... like Korean celebs.. hohoho..

BUT... Not every lenglui can carry off BB creams. Certain lengluis cannot use some brands of BB cream. I honestly am not sure why because, BB creams always claim to not block your pores. But... when the breakouts start... sugar_cupcakes feels uncomfortable using most BB creams. They are great, mind you... But some of us just can't use them during the great breakout period!! huhuhuhuuuuuu (--)"

So what now? Ditch the BB creams and  go back to the conventional compact powder and liquid foundation? Okay.. I have occasional breakouts and I'm going to be really frank here. If your acne is acting up... and you really need to cover up, you need a proper cover up that won't irritate your already irritated skin. Stinging on this isn't going to help.

Skin-comfortable products I trust during this breakout times are:
(Google for reviews)

• Averine Smoothing Compact Foundation  (pretty reasonable coverage)

• Averine Mineral Loose Powder (comforting powder)

• Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser (build up coverage)

 

They don't come cheap. But when the breakout starts, its time to go into skin-comfort mode so it can heal nicely... Another acne-skin-friendly cosmetic brand name is Ettusais. But for cover up cosmetics... I'm leaning towards Averine and Laura Mercier...

Asia's Makeup Bible - Kevin' Make-Up Magic Book (ENG Version)

The reason why I chose to review this makeup bible rather than Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual (On the sideline, Bobbi Brown Beauty Rules book is actually a great gift for teenage girls) or other English, Japanese, Taiwanese beauty books is because,

• this book is totally easy-to-follow and, 
• it's available in straight-forward English!
• Simplicity is the key to getting readers who stick by to the last page
• the guru's unbiased reviews on makeup products regardless of brands are genuine
• cosmetics used in the books are affordable and easily available in retail and online stores
• the author is frank to the point where he even  mentions and shows the use of  double eyelid tapes and iris enlarging contact lenses... So Asian! lol.... (^o^)
• one of the book features everyday women with the usual eye bags, skin problem... etc which is an inspiration to all lengluis to start doing something about your imperfections
• the before after pics on every single step of makeup application shows VERY VISUAL TRANSFORMATION

I'm not really a book junkie, and neither am I a makeup enthusiast. I mostly rely on nude makeup that looks almost au-naturel to cover up flaws and imperfections. Duh... hence the minimal write ups on cosmetics... :p

But...... give this book a flip once, and... uh-huh... you are so going to want to start using makeup... hahahahahhaaa...


Info on the book:

• Authored by Kevin 老师 of Queen/女人我最大 (Nu Ren Wo Zui Da/NRWZD) - an interesting Taiwanese TV show on beauty
• Kevin's often hailed as ‘彩妆天王’ (The Heavenly King of Cosmetics) in Taiwan
• Was originally published in Chinese but now.... Its available in ENGLISH
• They come in twos (1. Make-Up Magic 2. Perfect Beauty Guide)
• About RM42-RM45 for the 2 books
• Easily found in major KL bookstores (MPH, Kinokuniya, Popular, Borders) under the "beauty guide" section

My Conclusion:

• Come on... books are tax deductible (I mean umm... in Malaysia... hehheh). Getting this would be perfect!
• As usual, Asia's beauty bibles are loaded with pics! Again, a pic says a thousand words! Hohohoo...
• Don't you just love Japanese and Taiwanese beauty books? They are really nice to look at... and hopefully nice to read too..!
• I have no regrets getting this. I means duh... even if I don't ever master the skills its a nice book with pretty attractive pics
• You will sit and read... or just flip to look at the pics... So, don't worry about it going to waste
• No, I'm not a book seller... LOL... But at RM45 compared with other beauty books... I have no probs recommending this... :p

Other lenglui blogger's reviews:

• Makeup Stash Blog
  
• Klutz Beauty Blog

Little Japanese cosmetic tricks that grooms

So I figured its time to blog about these few tiny  Japanese products that actually do something to make you look... umm... more groomed.

They come in small packages, but... they work! And if you're a lenglui who carries less makeup on your face, these are tools of the trade. Nude makeup that seem invisible but... behind that.... hohoho... its how we con the guys! muahahahahhahaaa...

Canmake Eyebrow Coat

• It tidy up the eyebrows just like how you gel your hair! A-ha! Well groomed brows that stays! 
• A quick drying topcoat that is applied after you've made up your brow
• If you needn't add on any color (for lengluis with full brows), wear this solo
• Non-shine matte finish that is resistant to water, sebum and sweat

KissMe Heavy Rotation Lip Concealer

• Use it alone to create pale nude lip color so your eyes will get full attention... (diverting attention to your feature that matters)
• But if you've got cracked lips, do not use this solo, your flawed lips will still show
• Helps if you've got utterly discolored lips. Otherwise,
• Apply this before applying any color. After applying color on top of this, your lips will pop! (lol... not literally) But the color will look perfect! 
• There are many other cosmetic brands that carried lip concealers.. Depending on your budget, go google for them!

Canmake Quick Lash Curler

 

• These are like eyelash combs so no more messy looking eyelashes
• Curl your lashes and apply after your mascara
• Its like a hairspray for your lashes.. The illusion of naturally curled lashes... hohoho...
• Lashes stays curled all day...
• Instantly prevents smudging due to water, tears and oil
• Wear it solo if you want natural curls without mascara
• One layer should be good enough... Don't be greedy and slap on like 3 layers of this... Too much would flake...

Lucidol hair wax (Designing Pot)

• All you need is a pea size... Rub in your palms... and... start the hair arrangement... (^^)
• Works well when your hair decides NOT to behave
• And works when all else fail... Eg; serums flatten your hair
• It a trick to the eyes. Come on... if your hair won't behave, force it to even if its a temp fix... LOL...
• Oh yeah... Wax are pretty difficult to wash off.. Make sure you shampoo at the end of the day
• Sold in tiny jars if you just plan to test it out

P/S - I'll add on when something else comes to mind... :p

Help! Our ICI paints are hazardous?!

Could we be less concern?

Recently Malaysia's The Star published an article that commented on a site Cosmetic Database that lets us check if our skincare or cosmetics are actually of high hazard to the human body... Okay, fine. The article was published was a couple of weeks ago and this site has long been up since the days of women got smarter.. and cosmetic companies got competitive... hohoho... I'm outdated.

But.... back to the topic. I decided that it was time to do some cosmetic soul searching... lol.... Yes... some of the products back there in my skincare closet are actually BAD-BAD-BAD!! Emm... its too long-winded to explain here (besides, I'm no expert on medic jargons)... Go to the site and look it up... Just key in the product name in the search bar... Eg; Benefit Talk To the Tan
Familiarize yourself with the site... Eg; Click on "score" to arrange the display based on hazard score. I'm betting you'd be spending the next best of the hour searching up your products.

• No, you don't need to immediately thrash your product into the bin... just remember... too much and too often is always bad
• I don't know how organic are organic products but... its always okay being a skeptic and still stick to organic when you can
• The less ingredients, less chemical jargons, is actually MORE in a product
• Notice that all natural stuff always costs more? Yeah... 'cos the raw materials are harder to preserve and perishables aren't gonna last on the shelf
• One hazardous product in a Brand does not necessarily make all products under that Brand bad... Just do more soul searching if you're paranoid...
  

Why I won't really do a blog on BB creams...?

BB Cream - Faking an almost flawless complexion..

**to be continued**

Don't get me wrong here... It's not that I don't intend to blog about BB creams aka Blemish Balms.. But... there are just too many blogs on them... Heck... there are even blogs with very visual effects on what BB creams will do to your skin in matter of seconds! And... upon discovering BB creams... I've never looked back on liquid foundations.. Once you get started on BB creams... there's no turning back. Cos'.... you just wouldn't!

Faking a blemish-free complexion (Averine Cover Spot Concealer)

** to be continued **



The reason why I've gotten so slow on updating this is because... I would like to take a before-after photo to publish here so you can see what difference a concealer makes. All women who's at the losing end of a combat with acne... seriously, you needn't go out feeling like the end of the world... there's always help. For temporary relieve of the heart.. get a good cover spot concealer. You WILL feel more confident going about.

I'm doing a blog on Averine for one HUGE reason: IT COVERS ACNE BETTER THAN ANY OTHER CONCEALERS I'VE TRIED! Not even the BB cream can beat this. When you get HUGE cystic RED acne, only a good cover spot helps. Go Google and you'll see what I mean. You'll find many discussion forums on babes talking about the Averine one. This cover spot was recommended by a good friend of many years. And honestly, its the best I've came across. I've tried Body Shop's tea tree cover spot, Guerlain's one, Yves Rocher... hmm... Vichy... lets see... there were tonnes of others... And non of them did the job like Averine. Cut me some slack time... I'll update the photos to show you what I mean. Trust me... you wouldn't have noticed the acne-loaded skin... after the cover.