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Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask Product Review

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Interesting name…but can this product really do an immediate, temporary improvement on my face?
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I’ve been curious to try this brand since a few months ago and I finally got myself to purchase not just one but two Mario Badescu products. I purchased these 2 items (Silver Powder and Temporary Lifting Mask) at Luxola, the online beauty site that I’m really enjoying delivery service from nowadays. I just love the efficient service and, of course, the enticing promotions.
The Temporary Lifting Mask is a very interesting item as it deems to tighten the skin and minimize pores instantly, although the name clearly says that it’s ‘temporary’. Still, I would want to have a product that can really do that, especially when I have important events to attend, such as weddings, work-related dinners or functions.

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The product comes in a simple white plastic jar with a white plastic seal upon removing the cap. After removing the seal, you will see the pink-colored cream mask and will be welcomed with the fragrance of rose. Rose?! Wait, oh no….
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Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask
Price: RM53 for 59ml
Made in USA
Life after opening: 6 months
Where to buy: Sephora or at www.luxola.com.my
I didn’t check the full ingredients before purchasing the Temporary Lifting Mask! I actually have this skin reaction to face products that contain rose, except for 2 brands that I’ve tested: Perricone MD and Talika Paris. These 2 have products that contain rose but thankfully have not caused my skin to react adversely. Should I bravely try a Mario Badescu product that contains ‘rose’?
One of the things I do when I have fear of skin reaction to a certain product is ‘patch testing’, just the personal way of doing it, not the laboratory type. I either apply on the pulse of my wrist, meaning that soft area where you can feel your pulse, or behind the ears. And so I did BOTH, and left the cream there for an hour, since this is only a mask. If you’re testing a moisturizer or toner, or anything meant to be absorbed by the skin, it’s best to leave it overnight to check reactions.

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Like most cream masks, the Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask (TLM) also has a thick texture but easy to apply on the skin.
Well, I didn’t have skin reaction on my wrist or behind my ears after testing. So I braved the ‘rose content’ and applied the TLM on my face after washing. It starts as a light rose color on the face. I would have applied the mask on my entire face but since this is the first time, I’d better reduce my risk and focus on pore-problem areas to test the effects.

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After 10 minutes, the color of the mask turned to pinkish rose color. It has a mild tingling or tightening feel, which I really liked. It made me feel that the product is working…
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 After rinsing with lukewarm water, here is the difference…
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LEFT: Before Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask
RIGHT: After Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask

First of all, thank goodness my skin didn’t react violently to the rose content.
After using the mask for the first time, I feel the difference on my pore-problem areas: smoother, softer and pores are less visible. Lifting might be hard to notice and I also didn’t apply it to my entire face BUT my skin felt tight and fresh. I love the feel of my skin right after using this mask! I’m not a believer of masks before until I’ve tried several good ones and this Mario Badescu product is now another trusted one.
Definitely will continue to use this, maybe 3 times a month and enjoy the immediate results!

Mario Badescu Hall of Fame – celebrities who love their products:
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More about Mario Badescu Temporary Lifting Mask

BENEFITS:
Instant Pore Minimizer. A great special occasion mask that immediately tightens, cleans and refines the skin. Formulated with Egg Albumin, a traditional, natural mask ingredient that firms, minimizes pores and improves skin’s appearance. This mask is ideal for any skin type needing a quick boost for a special event or for regular use on skin with enlarged pores and congestion.
HOW TO USE:
Apply a thin layer of the mask on clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Wait 10 minutes and rinse with tepid (lukewarm) water. Follow with moisturizer. May be used several times a month or before special occasions.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Deionized Water (Aqua), Calamine, Wheat (Triticum Vulgare) Starch, Egg Albumin, Sorbitol, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Rose (Rosa Multiflora Fruit) Extract
Explore and shop for amazing beauty items online:
http://www.luxola.com.my
Stay connected to Luxola Malaysia via their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LuxolaMalaysia
Check out Mario Badescu brand site at:
http://www.mariobadescu.com

Wine Talk Exclusive Blogger Event at La Bodega Bangsar

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Wine appreciation still seems to be a mystery for a lot of people. But with Wine Talk and with its French Sommelier, David Stephan, wine discovery becomes easier and more fun. 

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Have you ever experienced going to an event where wines are served and you’re not really sure how to look like you’re confident with holding the wine glass? And even if you finally become confident with how you hold the wine glass, you are then faced with the challenge of drinking like a pro? Why do people swirl the glass and sniff the wine? What difference does it make? Is that a requirement or something?
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Comfortable seats at La Bodega Lounge in Bangsar – did you know they have Ladies Night every Thursday where ladies enjoy free drinks between 8-10pm?
Wine Talk held a wine tasting evening exclusively for bloggers in June at La Bodega in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar. Wine Talk’s French sommelier, David Stephan, started the evening by serving the first white wine then followed by 2 more white wines and 3 red wines. There was a total of 6 different wines from different regions and countries. All the wines we tried that night are exclusive to Wine Talk; you wouldn’t find these in supermarkets or other wine shops.

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David Stephan with guests for that evening
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More lovely guests that evening
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More gorgeous guests having fun that night
Guests were served with delicious dishes from La Bodega that evening, like this really yummy platter of different cheeses!
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Delicious Cheese Platter by La Bodega

DAVID’s TOP 8 TIPS to appreciate and taste wine like a PRO:
  1. Hold the wine glass by the stem, not by its bowl. In my years of serving wines, I’ve probably seen hundreds of people holding a wine glass by the bowl. It’s not that bad but doing this exposes the wine to your fingers’ temperature. Best is to hold a wine glass by its stem. It reduces exposure of wine to heat and it also makes you look like a pro. Classy and elegant.
  2. Swirl the wine in your glass, be careful not to spill. Swirling allows the wine to release aromas. Just give your glass a gentle swirl. After you’ve done this a few times, you’ll get the hang of wine glass swirling.
  3. Sniff the wine. It’s totally fine to put your nose inside the glass. Learning to appreciate wine aromas is learning how to appreciate the character of the wine. Don’t panic if your friend smells something else than what you smell. Wine aromas can be completely subjective. Your friend might smell flowers while you smell fruits. It’s fine. The important thing is whether you like the aromas or not.
  4. Look at the color of the wine. You can hold your glass higher to get some light. The color of the wine can tell you a lot of things about what you’re drinking or tasting. Some white wines might be lighter than others; it will roughly give you an idea about the taste. Some red wines are very dark while types like pinot noir might have lighter red color than merlot and shiraz.  
  5. Sip the wine. Take note: SIP not gulp. Sipping gives you more chance to appreciate the taste. If you are willing to expand your tasting skills, you can explore inhaling air through your mouth while the wine is inside. This can be tricky but perfecting this skill can give you significant difference in appreciating wines.
  6. Take note of the aftertaste. This is where you’ll notice if a wine has strong or light tannins. Tannins are most commonly present in red wine. It is the textural element that makes wine taste dry. Observe your tongue when you taste red wines, it’s that ‘dry’ feeling or taste when you swallow wine. Some grapes have higher tannins while some have lower.
  7. Swirl, sniff then sip again. This will allow you to rediscover the aromas and the taste for another time.
  8. Be familiar with basic wine terms. Looking and sounding like a pro need a bit of research. Some people might talk to you about nose, legs, fermentation, vintage, corked wine, acidity and other terms. Take a few minutes to read about some wine terms before you attend a gathering where wine will be served. If you’re armed with some wine knowledge, you’ll relate to what people are talking about and maybe even add some comments that make you look and sound like a pro!
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If you really want to learn more about wines, it is best to keep trying more. Wine Talk has a special service where wine lovers or enthusiasts can discover more wines that will be personally handpicked by David. A person just needs to join the Wine Club, which is FREE from sign-up or membership fee, and receive 6 or 12 bottles of wines every month or 2. It’s a convenient way to enjoy wines. You don’t need to worry about what wines to buy because David, the sommelier, will choose them for you based on your preference. Isn’t this amazing? And another great thing from Wine Talk is their GUARANTEED PRICE and GUARANTEED SATISFACTION. If you’re not happy with the wine you received, they will change it for you. Cool!
Wine Club and Wine Talk’s wine delivery service are currently available across Peninsular Malaysia. For further information, log on to http://www.winetalk.com.my or call 1300 88 97 88.
Good news for my readers! Love wine? Need to send wine as a gift or need wines for an event, gathering or party? Use my special voucher code when you shop at Wine Talk to enjoy RM50 OFF on your order of RM300 worth of normal-priced wines! Simply key-in BLOG50CC upon checkout!

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About Wine Talk Malaysia
Wine Talk is an online wine delivery service where customers can easily order wines via www.winetalk.com.myor via call to 1300 88 9788. Customers can choose from over 400 labels of red wine, white wine, sparkling wine, champagne, rosé wine, even non-alcoholic wine, and have them delivered to their home, office, wedding venue or any location within Peninsular Malaysia.

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David Stephan, Wine Talk Sommelier
David Stephan who is Wine Talk’s sommelier, studied hospitality and sommelerie in a professional school from the age of 16 in France, with internships including stints in various hotels & renowned restaurants in Paris.  In the late 90’s, he moved to the exclusive island of St Barts, working in a 5-star resort.  The island is famous for stunning beaches and locations, but also high-end hotels and restaurants, frequented by the rich and famous including ‘L’Esprit Salines’, one of the island top restaurants at that time, where he managed a splendid premium wine list. In 2003 he moved to Shanghai, China, where he worked in relation with the wine industry for 8 years.
Wine Talk is known for successfully launching the Wine Club in 2012. “This is a club, and its members will get to be a part of its development to enjoy a wine journey that is meaningful and rewarding.  We offer members an exclusive access to wines that are imported exclusively for Wine Talk while also enjoying privileges such as exclusive member prices, surprises, access to events and more.” said David Stephan, Wine Talk’s sommelier.
Wine Talk’s Wine Club is the first of its kind in Malaysia. The Wine Club is an exclusive service with no membership fee wherein members will receive wine cases on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, delivered straight to their home. Members will receive great value wines with a different selection every time, handpicked by David. The selection will feature popular labels and also fun discoveries, which a lot of people may not have thought to try. It comes with a personalized booklet that details the history of the winery, grape varietals, tasting notes, food pairing and more. At only RM428 for 6 bottles and RM788 for 12 bottles with FREE delivery included, personalized selections from David Stephan, Wine Club members will enjoy a wonderful wine experience. And due to insistent demand, Wine Talk recently launched the Premium Wine Club selection for those who want a different level of wines to be handpicked by David. 
Anyone who is interested in discovering more about the Wine Club even have the option to arrange for personal wine tasting where a Wine Club ambassador explains more about it while serving wine and canapés to a customer.
Aside from the Wine Club, Wine Talk customers also enjoy wine advices for weddings, events, giftsand other requirements. David and his sommelier team take pleasure in serving the needs of customers via online, via call and via personal appointments.

Goodbye Lipstick Stain with Elianto Brilliant Riche

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Do you like seeing your lipstick stain or mark on a mug, glass or anything your lips touch? What if your lip color can be long lasting and transfer-proof? Elianto launches a solution.
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Lip color has become an integral part of our daily fashion and it makes a huge difference to how we look. It’s amazing how a dash of color on our lips can totally create an impact on our appearance. I used to survive with just 1 or 2 lip colors but I now have 5 lip colors in my travel cosmetic kit alone. I wear a different color for every occasion and I enjoy changing colors within the day, depending on my mood. But, of course, like a lot of ladies, I also have my top picks, those colors that I can simply keep wearing again and again.

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Do you love black dresses? I certainly do; it makes me look slimmer, classier and there’s just this elegance that comes with a black dress. So when it comes to wearing lipstick, I love colors that really pop against black color…like this new Elianto Brilliant Riche Lip Color Collection.
When I first saw this item, I thought it was a lip gloss and I was like…uh-oh. I’m not a big fan of lip glosses, except for very few brands, but upon testing this new Elianto collection, I was surprised to find out that it was not lip gloss at all; it’s matte lipstick in liquid form!
The new Brilliant Riche Lip Colour is elianto’s 1stKiss Proof (or Transfer Proof) lip color collection. Wait…what? Kiss Proof? Ohohoho, this has gotta be something good. This collection comes in 6 stylish colors:
01 – In Love, 02 – Blooming, 03 – Blissful, 04 – Sexy, 05 – Groovy, 06 – Wild
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Elianto Brilliant Riche Lip Color
Price: RM25 for 2.6ml/ 0.87 floz
Made in Italy
No parabens, no fragrance, no D5, no talc
Contains sesame seed (hydration), boswellia serrate (anti-inflammatory)
Where to buy: Elianto counters or via www.elianto.biz
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The lip color comes in a transparent tube, showing the color inside, topped with a black cap. The cap also holds the applicator, same as normal lip gloss. The tube has a metallic silver accent line, adding a classy touch to the product.

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The colors are very precise once applied. What you see inside the tube will be the same (or almost) as how the colors will look on your lips. It dries quickly as a solid lip color finish but can be layered several times to fill in your entire lip.

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In my line of work, I participate in regular events that involve wine tasting. One of the things I dislike is leaving my lip color mark on the wine glass. Although it is something acceptable in this kind of events, some may find it sexy, but I’d still prefer to put down my wine glass without an additional mark on it, especially when you taste wine with very important guests or clients. I can say the same for drinking coffee. Don’t you just hate seeing that lip color stain on a coffee mug?

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But this Kiss Proof lip color solves that. It just stays in place even after contact with mugs, glasses or cups. And the color intensity stays the same. (I would have shared some photos testing it against kissing to see if it’s really kiss proof but my husband is too shy…and I also don’t want to be controversial, huh)
What makes Brilliant Riche Kiss Proof Lip Color great:
3 Unique Technology

1. FILMING POLYMER – Flexible film, adheres perfectly on the lips, with an even finish. Maintains comfort overtime, without tackiness.
2. VOLATILE OIL – Long wear and filming properties enhanced, no transfer effect thanks to the extreme adherence.
3. GELLIFIED SYSTEM COMBINED WITH MICRONIZED PIGMENTS – Improves glide and comfort in application, imparts an extremely soft and velvety touch, sophisticated matte look, extraordinary pure color release.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT:
Transfer resistant
Long-lasting

Weightless, ultra-thin film
Vibrant matte finish
Intense rich, vivid shades
How do these lip colors look on me? Here’s every color on my lips, starting from the ones I liked the most:
05 – Groovy
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02 – Blooming
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06 – Wild
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04 – Sexy
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03 – Blissful
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01 – In Love (I think this one doesn’t suit my skin color)
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With choices of 6 colors, you can easily mix and match with your attire, whether it’s formal, casual or corporate. I can see myself wearing these lip colors for every possible ensemble. 


Overall, this collection is fashionable, great for everyday wear, for special events and perfect for occasions when you need your lip color to just stay put. My top color picks are Groovy, Blooming and Wild. These colors are kick-ass stylish!
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” – Gwyneth Paltrow
Brilliant Riche Lip Colour
elianto’s 1st kiss proof lip colour comes in 6 vibrant matte shades with filming polymers and volatile oils for a natural, kiss-proof performance.Arresting bright pops of colour make a statement in intensely rich, vivid shades.
In one stroke of pure colour, the sensorial creamy fluid shapes lips with an extremely light veil. The weightless micro-fine pigments in a gelled system guarantee a smooth glide when applying. The colour adheres to lip, dries quickly and lasts longer, leaving a comfortable, smooth and transfer resistant finish.
Lips remain soft and velvety, while the colour is long-lasting and transfer-free. With a flexible finish, lips remain evenly coloured, enhancing the wearer’s chosen mood.
Filming polymer in volatile oil also ensures application is smooth and comfortable, while maintaining the satin glaze. Available in shades ranging from bright nude to deep red: In Love, Blooming, Blissful, Sexy, Groovy and Wild at RM25 for 2.6ml/0.87 fl.oz at all Elianto stores from 21st July 2014 onwards.

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About Elianto
elianto is a Korean-inspired, trendy and affordable beauty brand that’s international. elianto’s resources are used in offering the best-quality products at the most affordable prices. Meaning ‘sunflower’ in Italian, elianto is a brand synonymous with gentle skincare products, enriched with nourishing and soothing botanical extracts, complemented by a vibrant range of colour cosmetics.

NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow Product Review

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Wouldn’t it be amazing if you can intensify your eyeshadow color just by using a wet brush? My excitement for NARS makeup goes on.
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What a delight to get my hands on the new NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow. Being a smoky-eye addict, I really go for colors that will create deep, defined tones on my eyes. I add a tone of black eyeshadow or apply my Nars eye paint on the eyelid and as eyeliner. I just can’t survive without a dark tone! So my eye makeup palette for daily application will consist of around 4-5 colors. Although I enjoy applying several colors, it can sometimes be a challenge when you’re rushing for an early business meeting while getting your child ready for school, too, if you need to use several eyeshadow palettes to create the look.

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NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows (Europa and Supra) and Nars Brush #49
But here comes Nars with eyeshadows that can be intensified simply by using a wet brush. You might ask, why is it necessary to have a dual-intensity eyeshadow for wet and dry application? Can’t you use a wet brush on normal eyeshadow to get the same effect? Well, not really. You can try using a wet brush on a non-dual functioning eyeshadow but the texture won’t be good, resulting to an uneven application.
So I got myself 3 Nars items to create my new look this season: 2 shades of Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow namely Europa and Supra, and 1 new brush to apply them with, Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush #49. Excited!

Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow
Color: Europa Gossamer pink peach
Price: RM102 (around USD32)
Net Weight: 1.5g / 0.05oz
Made in Italy
Life after opening: 18 months
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NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Europa/ Gossamer pink peach
I definitely love the packaging, as with the other Nars items that I have. This eyeshadow comes in Nars signature black matte compact but this one has a magnet closure, making sure that it’s secure even if you forget to close until it clicks as with other compacts. It has a built-in mirror, convenient for ultra close-up view while applying makeup. The Europa color is peach-like, great as a base color and highlighter. I apply this under the eyebrows, under my eyes and in between my inner eye and nose bridge as highlight.
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Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow
Color: Supra Black Orchid
Price: RM102 (around USD32)
Net Weight: 1.5g / 0.05oz
Made in Italy
Life after opening: 18 months
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NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Supra/ Black orchid
This is an amazing color. At first, I thought it was just deep brown (maybe I’m color blind) but upon checking the website, it’s also defined as black orchid so it will have that deep purple or violet tone.
Testing it with dry application first, the colors have a nice, fine sheen finish.
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Dry application
Now, here I tested how it appears with a wet brush, oh my! You can see how intensified the colors were. The texture is just lovely and very easy to apply.
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Wet and dry application
As I mentioned, I normally use 4-5 colors on my eyes. But I wanted to test out if I can use these 2 Nars colors to complete my eye color. First, I applied the 2 shades using dry brush on my eyes as basic 2 colors. Then, using a wet tissue, I dampened my Nars brush #49 and applied each shade on my eyes to create a more defined set of colors. Using a dry eyeshadow brush, I then blended the colors again on my eyelids. (I’ll probably do simple photo collage of the steps later on but I’m too excited and I can’t wait to share this now)
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Apply Nars Europa using Nars Wet/Dry brush #49
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Apply Nars Supra using Nars Wet/Dry brush #49
I finished my look with liquid eyeliner on the eyelids and my eyeliner pencil under my eyes and well, here’s how 2 Nars dual-intensity eyeshadows transformed my eyes…
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LEFT: Before eye makeup with Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows
RIGHT: After NARS
I love the texture and finish of these eyeshadows! Here’s a closer look of my eye makeup…I may not be a pro but I found it amazing that I can create this look with just 2 eyeshadow colors instead of 4 or 5. Just shifting between wet and dry applications can create a well-blended, smokey eye look. The Supra shade is very easy to build, making smokey eyes easier for me even without using a black shade. But I’m sure this will look even more defined with my Nars eye paint 🙂 
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My eye makeup using just 2 colors of NARS eyeshadows + 2 eyeliners!
With its small compact size, the Nars dual-intensity eyeshadow is travel-friendly and a makeup junkie must-have. You would want to carry this around for quick fashionable look! Nars brush #49 (RM115) is an ultimate makeup brush for intensified application for both wet and dry eyeshadow. You gotta try it!
#nars #narsaddict #ilovenars #ilovemakeup #whatwouldmakeupbewithoutnars
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Where to buy:
NARS Cosmetics outlet in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Available from July 2014 onwards 

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NARS Cosmetics introduces the new Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow. Double-down with the new dual-application formula – apply dry for a sheer, airbrush-like finish with a luminous sheen or apply with a dampened brush for high-impact and intense, opaque color. Twelve ready-to-wear and rebelliously romantic shades transform your look with a riveting range from delicate peach pink to fierce black orchid.
Using NARS’ especially designed wet/dry eyeshadow brush, the ultra-soft and luxurious shadow glides on smoothly and easily for precise application.
ARTIST’s TIP:
For an effortlessly chic eye look, use the Wet/ Dry Eyeshadow Brush #49 to apply a soft wash of color over the entire lid, working into the bridge and blending up towards the brow. Next, add the final touch by using the same shadow wet onto the lid for a more intense finish.–Jane Richardson, International Makeup Stylist
SHADES INCLUDE:
  1. Andromeda Alabaster
  2. Cassiopeia Iridescent electric pink
  3. Callisto Icy pink silver
  4. Desdemona Rich shimmering burgundy
  5. Dione Metallic champagne beige
  6. Europa Gossamer pink peach
  7. Giove Navy
  8. Himalia Shimmering topaz
  9. Lysithea Shark grey
  10. Sycorax Black
  11. Phoebe Deep shimmering amethyst
  12. Subra Black orchid

PRICE:

Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow (RM102)
Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush #49 (RM115)

Start Your 14 Days to Confidence with Dove

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Is hair fall giving you challenges in your personal life? Let Dove help you overcome hair fall and regain your confidence in 14 days!

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It is undeniable that we place great value to the appearance and condition of our hair. We spend and invest money on making our hair softer, smoother, curlier, straighter, colored and more. Although a lot of these hair treatments may be done for aesthetic purposes, the most important aspect of going through it all that we may or may not realize is to boost our self-esteem and confidence.

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Ancient history associated hair with status and wealth
The hair is our crowning glory and it plays an important role in our self-image, which dates back to ancient history. In the Greek and Roman ancient times, people wear rich, elaborate wigs to indicate status and wealth. Beautiful, healthy hair symbolized beauty, as with Cleopatra’s coveted thick, black hair. And, of course, beautiful hair also signified youth and vitality, as we all know that with aging comes hair loss so thinning, dull hair is associated with the old.
Today, hair has become more important than ever. Being a goal-driven workingwoman, putting aesthetics reasons aside, I personally think that confidence from having healthy hair is very important for these 2 things: getting the job that you want (or at least increase the chances of), and career development. Of course, I’m not saying that having luscious, lovely hair alone will get you there BUT imagine if you are facing hair fall while you’re at an interview. Without you noticing it, you are subconsciously worried by your appearance, thereby lowering your self-esteem and confidence. 
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Worrying about something, including falling hair, affects your self-esteem and confidence
When I interview people, I examine how an applicant presents herself, physically and emotionally. Confidence is very easy to spot; it shines through and it breaks through. Trust me, if you are hiring for a position, a candidate who puts extra care in her personal presentation will more likely be better on the job than someone who cares less.
In terms of career development, confidence would probably give you at least 50% boost to reach your goal. I’m not talking about those who pretend to know something they don’t. Genuine confidence at work is the courage and determination to accomplish a task because he/she believes she can. When you are confident, you speak with authority, with value and with strength. And confidence won’t be easy to come by if you are burdened and disturbed by falling hair: hair on your suit, hair on the table, hair on your laptop, hair on the chair…hair everywhere.
GREAT NEWS! Recognizing real issues faced by women, the Dove Rambutmu, Mahkotamu campaign hopes to inspire women to let their confidence shine through once again as they overcome hair fall in 14 days in the “Serlahkan Diri Dalam 14 Hari Dengan Dove” campaign.

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The campaign reaches out to women to help them regain their self-confidence over 14 days through a series of activities that take them beyond their comfort zone. The activities are meant to help women realize their full potential and promote confidence while reassuring women that they can stop hair fall in 14 days with Dove Hair Fall Rescue System.
About “Serlahkan Diri Dalam 14 Hari Dengan Dove”
Malaysian women can participate in the campaign by logging on to https://apps.facebook.com/serlahkandirimu/. Easy steps include:
  • For 14 days, complete one mission a day
  • Share the completed mission via photo or caption
  • A digital video will be created for participants based on their 14 days of completed missions
  • To win one of prizes, participants have to share their personal digital video on their Facebook page. The more shares achieved, the higher their chances of winning.

Reasons to JOIN this contest?

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  • Instax Share Printer worth RM699 + RM200 cash + RM100 Dove Hair Fall product hamper for 14 winners
  • RM100 worth of Dove Hair Fall product hamper for 75 winners
  • And your 14-day journey to regaining confidence already makes you a winner

I’ve started my 14-day journey and it’s time to start yours, too! It’s very simple and easy to follow the contest. Just click HERE and get started. 
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Period to start entry is from June 2, 2014 to August 10 2014, however, the participants are given the opportunity to complete all 14 of their mission until August 27, 2014.

About Dove Hair Fall Rescue System
Dove Hair Fall Rescue System contains a groundbreaking technology; Trichazole Actives help anchor hair firmly in place at the roots, nourishing the area where hair fall occurs.
How does each of the products work?
  • The Shampoo cleanses the scalp.
  • The Conditioner, after shampooing, helps prevent breakage and strengthens hair from root to tip, visibly reducing hair fall due to breakage in two weeks2.
  • The Leave-On Intensive Hair Tonic is applied directly to the scalp, and works to visibly reduce hair fall. After just two weeks, hair fall is visibly reduced and hair is stronger from the roots. 

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Dove Hair Fall Rescue System Price Range:
Shampoo 375ml – RM 14.90
Conditioner 180ml – RM 9.90
Intensive Hair Tonic – RM 32.90
Where to buy:
Dove Hair Fall Rescue System is available at leading pharmacies, drugstores and supermarkets across Malaysia.
About Dove
In 1957 Dove launched its emblematic beauty bar, which remained its only product until, in 1995; it launched the Moisturizing Body Wash in the United States. After that, additional categories swiftly followed around the world: deodorants in 1997 and body lotions in 1998. In 1999, Dove was successfully launched in Japan. And in 2000, the Dove Hair Care launch took place in Taiwan, followed by an aggressive rollout. Dove exists today in over 80 countries and is one of the world’s biggest beauty brands. It has been built on a simple and enduring principle: make the consumer a real promise, and keep it consistently.

Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina Bath & Shower Gel

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Stepping out of the bathroom engulfed in lovely scent is always delightful

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For the past years, my shower routine has been accompanied by shower gel brands that are well known for body care, probably the same as what you ladies also use. I enjoy bathing in fragrant foam that leaves the skin soft, smooth and smelling good. But at the same time, I also need to watch out for products that tend to over dry my skin.
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Salvatore Ferragamo, the Italian fashion brand that I’ve known for luxury bags and shoes, launched the sexy fragrance Signorina in 2011. The name or word ‘Signorina’ is an Italian courtesy title for an unmarried woman, which can be used alone or before a name. It is used to address a lady as a sign of respect or endearment, for example, someone would address me as Signorina Celeste, if I was still single, haha! Pretty cool and romantic, huh? The right pronunciation for ‘Signorina’ is sin-yo-ri-na, with the ‘gn’ sounding as ‘ny’.

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Salvatore Ferragamo
Signorina
Bath & Shower Gel
200ml 6.8fl.oz.

I haven’t tried the perfume yet but I was elated when I received the Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina shower gel as a present. Well, who doesn’t love any designer brand item?
The Signorina shower gel comes in a soft pink box, sealed in transparent plastic. For photography purposes, I removed the plastic cover in this photo. The name Signorina is embossed and glossed in black against the soft pink box color. This style and design for the packaging made it very simple yet classy and elegant, a representation of what a ‘signorina’ should be.

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The shower gel bottle is sexy. I loved the simple but stylish bottle design for this bath item. The plastic bottle is transparent, revealing the light golden yellow color of the gel. It is topped by a soft pink, round screw cap, which replicates the soft pink tone of the box. Isn’t that a cute piece?
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I use it with a bath lily to bathe. Of course, you have the option to simply pour it in your hand and lather all over your body but I’m the type who loves the feeling of gentle scrubbing with a sponge or my favorite bath lily (this pink  one is from The Body Shop at only RM15, I think).
How was it? Unbelievably captivating. The scent leaves you wanting to bathe again. I personally love floral scents, especially those that are blended with jasmine notes. With this shower gel, a little goes a long way when used with bath lily. The foam forms well to cleanse the skin properly. Leave it on your body for 2-3 minutes and smell the scent after rinsing. Ooohhh, soooo good.
I’ve been using it for a week now and another good news is I didn’t have an adverse reaction, which I often experience when using shower gels with intense or lasting scents. The Signorina shower gel is a great shower companion. I must consider buying the perfume version once I finish (or when I’m about to finish) my Valentina EDP, another fragrance addiction I have at the moment.
Ah, look at the EDP version of Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina here…beautiful.
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Shizens Awards Prizes for Stand Firm Stay Firm Photography Contest

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It was out of passion for photography and interest in the subject that I participated in this contest. And guess what? I was one of the lucky winners.

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Shizens Time Resistance Essence STAND FIRM STAY FIRM
In April, so that was around 3 months ago, Shizens proudly launched their Stand Firm Stay Firm photography campaign. The “Stand Firm Stay Firm” campaign aims to display the outer beauty of women while also revealing their inner strength, which serves as an encouragement for them to stand firm within our society. It was an online contest where customers and fans stood a chance to win prizes by expressing their creativity through photos that display inner strength and outer beauty.
Hundreds of people submitted entries for the campaign, both for mobile photography and photography enthusiasts. And in the end, 10 finalists were selected/voted from each category that vied for grand and consolation prizes. I was so happy when I learned that I was one of the 10 finalists under photography enthusiasts.

My entry for Shizens Stand Firm Stay Firm Contest
My entry was this photo of myself with my precious son. I had a great time taking this photo with him, as he was very participative and supportive of what I was asking him to do. 
Shizens announced the final results early in June and I was one of them! My photo landed as First Runner Up. Wee!

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Winners were invited for a prize-awarding session last weekend. Held at Shizens flagship store in Level 6 of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the awarding of prizes included photo ops with Shizens brand manager and time for us to explore skincare and cosmetics at the store.
 

Shizens Flagship Store at Pavilion KL

 So what did I get as the First Runner Up?
  • RM1,000 cash prize as shown on the mock certificate above
  • RM800 cash voucher from Shizens
  • RM500 cash voucher from Flissco photo studio

The first thing I did was splurge on Shizens products, of course! I had RM800 to spend and I was more than happy to pick my choices. Well, I’m already in love with some of their products so I knew what to pick. And here’s my Shizens haul:
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My Shizens picks that day!
Natural Pore Nutrient Pore Foundation 12g RM228
Hydro lotion 100ml RM188
Silky Renewal Gel 50ml RM138
Replenish Nutrient Expert 30g RM380

Shizens Natural Pore Nutrient Foundation RM228 (around USD71)

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I was very much intrigued by the foundation and I was more than happy to finally get a chance to test it. The name is very interesting and that white swirl of moisturizing nutrient visible on the foundation really makes it eye catchy. Must try!
Thanks once again to Shizens and to my friends and families who supported my son and me.

Shizens Photography Contest – GRAND PRIZE Winner
Congratulations to all the winners, especially to the grand prizewinner, Abam Mizie, who captured an amazing expression that truly represents the aim of this campaign. Great job!

The Body Shop Honey and Beeswax Hand and Foot Butter

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Lovin’ this butter on my skin;  it’s a great body moisturizer especially at night  

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Here are 2 of my The Body Shop favorites at the moment: Spa Wisdom Hand & Foot butter and my Chocomania Lip Butter. But today I’m just talking about the hand and foot butter.

Nowadays, I really pay attention to moisturizing not just my face and neck but also my body. Aging takes its toll on other parts of the body, too, so I must make sure that I try to get most of it taken care of well.

I do suffer from flaky arms and legs once in a while, mostly because I’m lazy or rushing during the day to apply lotion after bathing. I only have enough time to do this at night, before going to sleep. I’ve been using body butters before going to sleep because it works well in moisturizing the skin overnight, especially since we sleep in an air-conditioned room. 

Thanks to The Butterfly Project, Tammy, Illy and the rest of the sisters, I received this Honey and Beeswax Hand & Foot Butter during one of our activities as an Instagram contest prize, together with other stuff. Yay!  

The Body Shop
SPA Wisdom Africa
Price: RM75 for 125ml
Made in Thailand
Life after opening: 12 months 

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This butter comes in a transparent jar with airtight cover, making sure it is protected and will last longer. The jar reminds me of food container and I know that I can recycle the jar after I finish the product. Nice reusable packaging.

I love the butter texture that spreads easily on the skin. Since it is a body ‘butter’, it definitely leaves a film of butter moisture so I won’t recommend this if you’re going out on a sunny day, unless you have ultra dry skin. But this is perfect for night use and you’ll wake up to smoother, softer skin all over your body. 

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Feels and smells great on the skin!
Give it one sniff and you’ll fall in love with the serene, sweet scent. It’s actually delicious, like something I can eat (well, I restrained myself from attempting to). I apply it at night on my arms, elbows, legs, knees, feet and on my son’s feet. It’s so easy to fall in love with this butter!  

What The Body Shop says:
Pamper your hard-working hands and feet with rich hydration from an intensive moisturizing treatment with skin softening ximenia oil from Africa that will leave skin feeling soft, supple and subtly scented with our traditional Spa Wisdom™ Africa fragrance. Particularly effective on hardworking hands and feet or any very dry areas such as elbows and knees. Best for all skin types, particularly those with very dry skin.

This rich, buttery cream is inspired by African tribal spa rituals. It cares for hardworking hands and feet, and dry elbows and knees.
  • Moisturises
  • Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
  • Ideal for hands, feet, elbows and knees 

The HEART Inside
Our Community Fair Trade beeswax is sourced from Guide D’Espoir in Cameroon. We work with Guide D’Espoir (meaning “Guiding Hope) because they produce some of the highest quality beeswax in Cameroon, have a strong commitment to ethical and fair trade principles and are also investing in the development of the beekeepers and their associated communities. Our trade helps provide regular employment and fair wages to approximately 1,000 beekeepers, and so benefits their household members and dependents too: about 10,000 people in total! To find out more, visit our Community Fair Trade section. We source our Community Fair Trade honey from Bezamar in Ethiopia. The honey is made in the Bale Eco-Region, where hives are handcrafted from locally grown bamboo. The raw comb is harvested and the honey is separated, filtered and tested for quality. These traditional methods promote strong, healthy bees and deter logging. To find out more, visit our Community Fair Trade section.  

Where to buy:
All The Body Shop outlets nationwide

Stay connected with The Body Shop Malaysia, visit their FB page at:
Or visit their online shopping portal for convenient and easy beauty shopping at:http://www.thebodyshop.com.my 

   

Watsons is in RAYA NI MESTI KAHWIN Drama this Raya Season

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Leading retail brand launches its Raya Mega Sale to make this year’s Raya a memorable one

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Watsons Raya Mega Sale
Watsons Malaysia once again embarks on a special Hari Raya campaign in conjunction with the Malaysia Mega Sale. The leading health and beauty retail brand has collaborated with Media Prima, TV3 on their exclusive Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin drama series as part of the campaign.
Thecampaign encourages Malaysians to watch the drama Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin at TV3, shop at Watsons’ outlets and get a chance to meet the lead casts – Nina Iskandar, Amar Asyraf and Azlee Khairi as well as win exciting prizes. In addition, Watsons has initiated Raya Mega Sale from 24th June – 6th August with discount up to 50% to help customer look good, feel greatthis Raya.

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The main casts of ‘Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin’ drama – Azlee Khairi, Nina Iskandar & Amar Asyraf together with Jessica Ng in a chit chat session with Danny Hoh, Marketing Controller of Watsons Malaysia
Speaking during the Chit Chat session at the launch event, Marketing and Development Director of Watsons Malaysia, Jessica Ng said, “In every year that we have initiated Watsons Raya campaigns, we have received overwhelming response. Last year when we launched Azam Raya Bersama Watsons with Faizal Tahir, we composed a special Raya song which hit more than 130,000 views in less than a month. Knowing our customers truly appreciate the value-added services we provide, this year we are emphasising on an experience to offer and connect Malaysians in this joyful Hari Raya celebration with Watsons. We believe this campaign will make Hari Raya for many Malaysians a very memorable one.”


Here’s GOOD NEWS for Watsons Shoppers!

First 1,000 customers who RSVP, with spend of RM80 or more between 24th June – 6th August, will get a chance to meet and shop with casts of Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin at 3 selected stores!

During the meet and greet, 3 lucky winners each store will win RM200 shopping voucher to shop with the casts.

FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM Contest 
There will also be a digital contest aptly titled #watsonssiapanakkahwinon Facebook and Instagram, where One (1) grand prize winner will win a 3D2N stay at Holiday Villa Cherating and beauty packages for 2 by posting their couple photo to Watsons Malaysia Facebook or Instagram with the #watsonssiapanakkahwin.
At the launch event, lead actors of Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin Nina Iskandar, Amar Asyraf and Azlee Khairi were present to share their involvement in this exciting campaign with Watsons.
“Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin, has a fascinating story line that will surely interest our fans. I’m playing the lead role as Nana who is in dilemma when both of her housemates are engaged and set to be married three weeks after Raya. So Nana makes a promise to herself to find the man of her life and get married this Raya. The suspense of the story is as we reveal who Nana falls in love with in her journey of finding true love,” expressed Nina. The first episode of the drama series will be aired on TV3, this Sunday, 29 June at 9.30pm.
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Signing Ceremony by main casts of ‘Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin’ TV dramaL-R: Jessica Ng, Marketing and Development Director of Watsons Malaysia; Caryn Loh, General Manager – Trading of Watsons Malaysia, Nina Iskandar, Azlee Khairi, Amar Asyraf, Kulvinder Birring, Managing Director of Watsons Malaysia and Indonesia and Danny Hoh, Marketing Controller of Watsons Malaysia
To raise awareness about the campaign, Watsons has designed Four (4) one-minute capsules in between the drama which will run throughout the drama period on TV3. The capsules incorporate beauty, skincare, health & personal care for both men and women and will include important elements to Look Good, Feel Great during Hari Raya.
“We wanted to develop a meaningful partnership and dedicate a campaign for our customers and with Raya Ni Mesti Kahwin,we have seen the opportunity through which we all can relate to our customers especially during festive gathering be it with friends or family whereby the question ‘Bila akan kahwin?’ is unavoidable. We believe viewers will be eager to know how to conquer this phrase and find out what happened at the end” added Jessica.
Watsons Malaysia’s Managing Director, Kulvinder Birring, GM – Trading, Caryn Loh and Marketing Controller, Danny Hoh joined Jessica and the casts Nina Iskandar, Amar Asyraf and Azlee Khairi on stage for the campaign poster signing ceremony.

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Part of participating brands of Watsons Raya Mega Sale together with Kulvinder Birring and Caryn Loh
On top of that, customers who purchase RM30 and above at Watsons will receive exclusive Raya packets for free. The participating brands for the campaign include Blackmores, Brand’s Innershine, Colgate, Dove, Enchanteur, Garnier Men, Garnier, Gatsby, Gilette, Johnson’s Baby, Himalaya, In2it, KATE Tokyo, Lipice, Maybelline, Nano White, Neutrogena, Nivea, Nur Kasih, Olay, Orang Kampung, Salonpas, Safi, Scott’s, Sendayu Tinggi, Silky Girl, Simplysiti, Syahirah, Vaseline and ZA.
For more information about Watsons Mega Raya Sale, visit Watsons Facebook www.facebook.com/watsonsmalaysia / Watsons official website www.watsons.com.my. Don’t forget to ‘Like’ their facebook page!
  
ABOUT WATSONS
A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health & beauty retailer in Asia and Europe, with over 10,700 retail stores in 25 markets. The Group has a diverse portfolio of market leading retail brands offering everything from health & beauty, food, electronics, wine to perfumes. With over 100,000 employees, the Group is also a member of the world renowned multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited, which has six core businesses – ports and related services, property and hotels, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications in 52 countries.
Watsons Malaysia currently operates at 305 Watsons stores in the country serving more than 3 million customers per month.
Watsons continually sets the standards in the health, wellness and beauty market, providing personalized advice and counseling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product range, making customers LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. Since 2009, Watsons has been the No.1 pharmacy/drugstore brand in Asia*.
Watsons is the flagship health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group.
*Campaign Asia-Pacific’s “Asia’s Top 1,000 Brands” Survey 2012 of over 5,000 Asian respondents

A Fabulous Summer with NARS Makeup

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I just can’t get enough of NARS, do I? The makeup collections are just too chic for a beautyholic like me to resist!


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Summer is here! This is one of those seasons when I miss my home country. In Philippines, summer is a big celebration when everyone will be getting ready to have fun in the sun. It’s also summer vacation period from April to mid-June for students so the youngsters will be heading to the beaches! Most of all, fashion will shift to colorful trends that range from casual wear to swimwear.

Makeup colors will be showing new and fresh colors, too. Although summer may be a bit of unnoticeable season here in Malaysia due to the year-round tropical weather, fashion still follows global trends. We, beautyholics, are of course delighted to discover and try the new season’s makeup collections from our beloved cosmetic brands.

So what’s in store at NARS Cosmetics this summer? I excitedly tried 3 items from their summer collection: Duo Eyeshadow, Eye Paint and the Illuminator.


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My NARS Summer Picks!

My NARS Summer Pick Number 1:
Baalbek Eye Paint RM95
Definitely my new favorite eye definer and best friend! This small pot does magic! I’m someone who can’t live without eyeliner. I use pencil eyeliner, I have liquid eyeliner and I’ve tried a gel paint liner. But this NARS Baalbek Eye Paint tops the list. It can immediately give the eyes a smokey effect with just a few brush strokes or with the fingertips.
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I use it on my eyelids with a cream eye shadow brush. The great thing is that it’s weightless and doesn’t have a thick, sticky feel at all.
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And it doubles as eyeliner, too! That’s why I love it! I just use my eyeliner brush and I can already achieve a defined eye shape.
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The color has a lovely, dark metallic shimmer that looks really great on the eyes.
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Line, highlight, shade and define with modern artistic versatility. Introducing new NARS Eye Paint—a brilliant pot of high-impact pigment in an innovative silky, weightless gel formula. Rich, hyper-saturated shades that glide smoothly and dry down quickly in long-lasting finishes from icy metallics to modern mattes. Elevated artistry that boldly strays from the straight and narrow. (NARS)
  • Multi-use application
  • 18-hour wear
  • Highly-saturated
  • Weightless gel texture dries smoothly and quickly
  • Replace cap securely after use
  • Remove using a dual phase eye makeup remover such as NARS Gentle Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

My NARS Summer Pick Number 2:
Duo Eyeshadow Lost Coast 
(Golden Pewter/ Lilac Snow) RM120
This color pair caught my eye as it reminded me of summer flowers in my favorite color. The lilac and pewter combination comes out very fresh, trendy and easy to pair with my other loved eye shadow colors like deep purple, blue and green.
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I love the texture of this eye shadow; it glides well on the eyelid without leaving drops of powder marks under my eyes. Like the other NARS items with compact cases, the Duo Eyeshadow also comes in an ultra matte case that is very comfortable and elegant to the touch.
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Modern, unique, sometimes unexpected color combinations of eyeshadow shades. Worn alone or together, the Duo Eyeshadow features micro-fine powders that are highly pigmented, longwearing and crease resistant. Color glides on smoothly, evenly and blends effortlessly. The effects can be subtle or smoldering — the options are endless. (NARS)
  • Can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity
  • Multi-function use for shading, lining and highlighting the eyes
  • Classic, neutral, and fashion-forward shade pairings

My NARS Summer Pick Number 3:
Hot Sand Illuminator 
(Peach champagne) RM110
This one is definitely a must-have for models (or models-to-be) out there. Want to have that magical, enchanting shimmer that models have on their face, and sometimes on their arms or legs? Use this NARS Illuminator. I love the instant glow that it gives on the skin. Smells nice, too! I wonder if “peach champagne” smells like this…

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The NARS Illuminator will give you instant shimmer!
It is super flexible because you can use it by itself all over the face, or you can blend it with your favorite foundation, or you can apply it as highlighter on certain areas of the face. I love using it as a highlighter on my cheekbones, and between the eyes and bridge of the nose (that’s the celebrity effect, by the way). It can even be reapplied during the day if you want to refresh your shimmer, or maybe at night before going for a party and see how the light reflects on your radiant skin!
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At first I thought the color was too bright for my skin but amazingly, this illuminator blends well with my skin tone. Because it’s ultra sheer once blended, I think it will be fine with other skin tones. Best is to allow a NARS artist to test it on your skin then see the magic of shimmer radiance.

Light the skin from within. A collection of light-reflecting liquids that glide on to refresh and enhance the complexion with shimmering incandescence. Deceptively sheer, decidedly luminous. (NARS)
  • Can be applied all over the face or used as a highlighter
  • Can be worn under, over or mixed with foundation

So here’s my before and after look with my new picks from NARS. I also used other items like black mascara, hot pink lip gloss, foundation, blusher and instant pore minimizer (mix of brands).
 

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See the effect of the Illuminator on the cheek bones and between the eye and bridge of nose?

And I tried it again with my deep purple blouse:

I think I should go shopping for more summer outfits and test my NARS makeup…

I’m addicted to NARS, strap me! For smokey eye lovers like me, if there’s 1 thing you want to try first from Nars, I highly recommend the Baalbek Eye Paint. It’s a multi-functional item that you would want to bring with you everywhere. Have a happy and fabulous summer, ladies!
To find out how the pros do it, check out this video to get that summer look:

Where to find NARS cosmetics in Malaysia?
NARS Cosmetics opened their first store in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur last year, located at Level 3.
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Stay connected to NARS Cosmetics via their Facebook page:
About NARS Cosmetics (via www.wikipedia.org)
NARS Cosmetics is a Shiseido-owned cosmetics and skin care company founded by François Nars, make-up artist and photographer. The cosmetics line began with twelve lipsticks sold at Barneys New York. Since then, NARS have created various multi-use beauty products. The minimalist packaging was created by Fabien Baron and has been hailed as a modern design icon. In 1996, Nars started his first advertising campaign doing the photography for the ads himself.
Product shades carry provocative names like ‘Orgasm’, ‘Deep Throat’, ‘Striptease,’ and ‘Sex Machine’. NARS ‘Orgasm’ blush is one of their most top-selling products, being Best of Sephora’s Best Blush for 2006, 2007 and 2008. They have developed an entire “Orgasm Collection,” including blush, lipgloss, multiples, illuminators, and even nail polish. In addition, NARS product shades are also named after geographic locations such as ‘Iceland’, ‘Kalahari’, and ‘Kuala Lumpur’.
Some of the most popular NARS products are blushes, bronzers, lipsticks, and their world famous eye-shadow palettes. The shadows are highly pigmented and come in an array of beautiful colours. They have been known to release products inspired by artists such as Andy Warhol using colours from one of his famous paintings ‘Marilyn Monroe’. (for more info, log on to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARS_Cosmetics)