Chocolate Strawberries

I had noooo idea what to name this post. I was trying to decide what kind of eye makeup to do on my friend's wedding. I needed something quick and easy to do in the morning since I'm doing makeup for the guys, might as well figure it out now.
I couldn't decide on brown or pink (considering my dress was lavender with a hint of grey hue to it), so I decided on both. Hopefully I won't change my mind when time comes XD

Here's what I used:
Majolica Majorca cream shadow pink
Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour Duo Sandstone/Cognac
Integrate Accent Eyes PK760 (pink and shimmery highlight shade in the middle)
Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes - Seductive Doll 01 (bright pink shade)
MJ Perfect Automatic Liner BR601
MUFE Aqua Eyes 2L
Fiberwig Mascara Extra Long

I always start off with a cream base if I have one, makes the color appear more vibrant and lasts longer. And of course, I always use UDPP too.

Using Sandstone shade, apply all over lid and up to the crease.

I warm up the MUFE liner on my hand to make it easier to apply. Draw a thicker line than usual on top lashline.

Using the Cognac shade, smudge it slightly upwards and blend out any harsh edges.

Next, I blend the pink shade from the Integrate palette on top of the smudged liner, careful not to apply the pink on the lashline. This will wash out the brown color on the lashline if applied there.

Using the same Cognac shade, blend starting from the middle of the lashline out towards the outer corner, making sure to apply more on the outer.

Next, I blend and pat the bright pink shade from the Jill Stuart palette on the outer corner and into the crease. I pat the pink shade on top of the brown to avoid making it muddy looking.

Highlight the inner corner and lower half of the lashline with the shimmery highlight shade from the Integrate palette, and apply Cognac on the outer half.

Line the top lashline, careful not to make it too thick. Drag the line out a bit and create a slight wing.

Load up on the mascara top and bottom and add false lashes. It was so difficult applying mascara to my bottom lashes!..since I don't have a lot -___-'
I forgot to mention, I highlighted using Sandstone on my brow bone.

Oopps..looks like the lashes are coming off =p

I might end up changing my eye makeup for night time...thinking of just using brown and gold shades..but with a heavier hand...hmmm... decisions decisions..

Anyone heard of Beauty So Clean? Well, if you haven't, it's a makeup mist that you can spritz onto pressed powders, shadows, blushes and even cream foundations!

This spray kills bacteria and helps keep makeup cleaner, especially if you're like me and just can't seem to part with your eyeshadows hehe.

The spray is mostly alcohol, but it's also got added ingredients (like isopropyl palmitate - moisturizing ingredient) so it won't dry out or damage your makeup.

I purchased mine at school as a special order. I don't think you can get this size anywhere, unless you order online from Eve Pearl. Last week, I saw they had the large bottle, but it seems like they only have the small one in stock at the moment.

Otherwise I know you can purchase it at The Bay, but unfortunately, not the large size that I have. Either way, I think it's a good investment for makeup artists and for personal use to keep everything nice and sanitized.

Check out the Beauty So Clean website and you can see a few other products they have.

Quickie Review: Shiseido Integrate

Can't believe it's almost the end of June already! Did anyone else in Toronto feel that bit o' earthquake yesterday? I thought it was construction outside, then I walked into the hallway and saw my cats freaking out. It wasn't that bad... 5.0 magnitude that came all the way near Ottawa. Trust me, it was much scarier when it happened while I was sleeping in my hotel in Tokyo.

Anywho, thought I'd write a quick review of this nifty little Integrate product. It's called the Impact Double Liner, which you can purchase from Imomoko and there are 2 colors to choose from. I think I have a love hate relationship with this.
I got mine a loooong time ago while I was in Japan (I seem to keep digging up stuff from last year).
I got the black x silver one, which I kind of regret now, but I love how this combines 2 products into one. I knew the black liner was going to be a super inky black which didn't suit me, but the silver shadow got to me. I should have gotten the brown x gold one which is more suitable for everyday use.

One end of this product comes with a black liner. It's super inky and gives off a pearlish kind of finish, but not shiny. I find the brush to be too flimsy thus making application a pain. I'm used to the felt tip applicators or a brush that's more stiff.

On the other side is a very pretty pearly silver cream eye shadow/gloss. The applicator is sponge-like but a hard sponge. It's very difficult to create a straight line or even spread it properly. I end up using my fingers to do it which looks a bit messy.

The shadow is meant to be on your upper lashline and a little higher, that way when you apply the liner, you can see a glimpse of the silver.

To get the silver to show up well, it needs to be layered on. However, even if it's not layered on a lot, you can still see the silver at different angles which makes it unique.

In the end, I'm not even sure why I purchased this. It might be because it was my last day in Tokyo and I didn't want to leave empty handed from a drugstore! I think I would have been better off using a silvery white shadow to get the same effect.
If you have the patience with brushes like this and the shadow applicator, then you'd like how it combines 2 products. Otherwise, I think everyone should save their pennies for other things.

Back to playing WoW...hehe

Pretty In Pink

Thank you to those who helped me out with the HTML! I hope I can get it up this weekend.

I love pink. I think I had a pink obsession back in the first year of uni. Pink shadows will always be my first love even though I tend to go for more neutral shades nowadays.
I have 4 pink shadows: MM Frozen Splash Eyes PK705, Lunasol Soft Silver Lighting, Coffret D'or 3D Lighting Eyes 01 and the Integrate PK760 from Yume. I love em all, but the Coffret D'or one is still my HG pink shadow if there's such a thing.

Yesterday I did a look with the Integrate palette. It's a very simple look. First, I used the MM cream as a base. Next, I applied the left shade (very pale pink) all over the lid up to the brow and the right shade (quite a dark pigmented pink) all over the eyelid. Then I dabbed the middle silverish white shade on the middle of my lid, applied the P&J pencil liner in 04 and finally smudged the deep purple shade on top. Told you it's simple!

The lighting in my office doesn't do the shadows any justice. It even brings out my dark eye circles even though I used concealer, blah!
Although the look is simple, I like how the pink looks very sweet and innocent.

I think this palette is comparable to my Coffret D'or 01. They both last very long and are quite pigmented.

Here are the swatches. I was standing right next to the window. The shadow is shimmery, but not over done.

I wandered around and saw the Amore Pacific HQ at Yongsan and the Hanskin HQ at Gangnam. I'm not sure if there are other offices around Seoul. I really like the Hanskin building, it's like swiss cheese.

What could be in this huge Lunasol tote!? I'll show you this weekend XD

I was tagged by Blair, Ning, Fuz and Sofie!

The rules are:
1. Take your award here.
2. Put the logo on your post.
3. Link the person who awarded you.
4. Nominate at least 7 other bloggers.
5. Add the links of those bloggers on yours.
6. Leave a message for your nominees.

eki, eri, yumeko, beauty addict, mona, diana, miss imperfect, panda blush, angie, val, mie, ji, beeyoutiful
Please don't be offended if I didn't tag you. I love everyone too!!! I generally try to rotate. If I don`t stop blogging, I'm never gonna sleep tonight =p

Oh, here's the audio of my crazy ass neighbour. Don't say you've had a bad day till you hear how this guy's day ended haha.

It's really long, but it's totally worth it!!! The stuff in brackets is what we thought he said. I don't think he said "fermented" in the end, but it sounds like it.

I suggest you use headphones to get the maximum experience haha and count how many "fucks" there are XD

Are you f*ing kidding me? (A REAL Korean drama) from Tim Chan on Vimeo.

Saturday Haul

I did another video! I don't know why I look so dark o_O Plus I have a tendency to tilt my head up so I think I look quite funny XD I felt so weird talking to myself so I made Tim put ear plugs on while he played with his PSP. Annnd...according to Tim, everytime I talk, it's like I'm asking a question, he said it's like Jillian from Family Guy. I don't notice that...does anyone else notice??? lol..please say no XD

I know I already did a look with the Maquillage GR366 palette, but this time I had natural light coming through my window so you can see the colors better. The colors look amazing in the palette, but after application, I thought it looked strange..but when I open my eyes and just look normally into the mirror, the shadow actually works well on me and is soooo gorgeous!

My "Korean" hair style. It eventually got a bit flat in the front...happens all the time with my hair...darn fine limp hair!

Here's the Integrate lip cream/gloss. It goes on slightly pigmented and very shimmery. I like how it doesn't feel sticky at all, less than the MM Honey Pump Gloss. I did such a bad job at taking a swatch picture haha, but you get the idea.
I forgot to mention in the video that if you turn the dial the opposite way, it actually pulls the extra lip cream back into the tube. That's a major plus, but I still have to wipe the applicator after using it just to keep it clean.

Skinfood Black Sugar Scrub Foam. It felt sticky on my hand but washes off clean. The first ingredient in this is sucrose.

The booklet that came with the magazine says "Korea Book". I thought it would have tons of info on where to buy all the good makeup, but it's just the typical tourist spots.

Cassis donut and triple berry ade. Ade is soda with any kind of fruity syrup, lemon and orange are some of the most popular ones I've seen everywhere.

My First Tag and Integrate

Yes it's a big deal to me. I copied the rules from Miemiemie cuz I'm too lazy to rewrite them =p

Deal: once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a blog with sixteen random things, facts, habits or goals about you. at the end choose ten people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. don’t forget to leave them a comment (“you’re it”) and to read your blog. you can’t tag the person who tagged you.

1. I can snap my left fingers but not my right.
2. I've had cats in my life for as long as I can remember. Currently, I have 4 cats and a rabbit back at home.
3. I hate when the toilet paper is not on the over hand position!! It makes it that much harder to get toilet paper in an emergency!!!
4. I hate peas and bell peppers. Even if you chop it up into tiny bits, I can still taste it mixed up into other foods.
5. If I sleep on my right side, my nose gets plugged, if I sleep on the left side of my body I'm fine. 6. I twirl my hair when I'm bored and I like to pick at the split ends.
7. I'm very indecisive about my hair. Sometimes I want bangs, other days I don't and I can never decide when to cut it. I think I need to get fake bangs but I dunno where....
8. I hate getting my hair blow dried by the stylist. Everytime the hot air is in the vicinity of the back of my neck, I have this horrible itchy feeling at the base of my spine and my lower back (you know the itches that are under the skin??). Even if the stylist is using a round brush to blow dry my hair and the heat is pointing away from my neck, I still get that weird uncomfortable feeling. This doesn't happen when I blow dry my own hair though.
9. I like taking pictures of the right side of my face
10. I'm kind of allergic to alcohol. More than 1 drink will cause a rash on my chest (especially if it's something I've never had before)
11. I sleep with a night light.
12. I'm an indecisive shopper. I like to walk around different stores 10 times before I decide to buy it or not.
13. I crave freshly baked bread at random times.
14. I'm obssessed with Ayumi Hamasaki but I don't understand Japanese.
15. I've been with Tim since September 13, 2002.
16. I like to collect Japanese miniature food. (Megahouse and Rement brands)

I'm tagging:
1. My Little Rentata
2. Blahsayblah
3. Beeyoutiful
4. And....because I don't know who else has been tagged or not, I'm tagging all of you that haven't done it yet!!!!!! XD

Finally, my review of the Integrate winter palette. I've already explained a bit about it in my last post, so here's some close ups and more thoughts about it.



As you can see, they're quite sheer. The eye shadow is a silver cream shadow. The glitters are kind of chunky and not as fine as the Maquillage Forming Eyes high lighter. Since the glitters are a bit chunky, it doesn't spread super smoothly.
I like the effect of this shadow though. At certain angles it looks more silver than one side of your eyes and if you turn your head, there are different levels of silverness, even if you apply it evenly. The shadow dries quickly and it's very difficult to blend shadows on top because it's got chunky glitters.
My eyelids are oily so no shadow stays well for me, so as usual I notice fading after 5 hours or so, nothing too special.
The lipglosses look so pretty in the palette, but alas, they are sheer. The pink gloss gives a nice shine to my lips while the white gloss adds the sparkles. Without the white gloss, the pink one alone would look kind of blah because it doesn't have any shimmer in it.
I like how the gloss has some good staying power but I don't like how it's so sticky. It feels stickier than my Majolica Majorca Rouge Majex and the MJ gloss lasts longer than the Integrate glosses.
The brush is absolute crap. The bristles are way too soft and long to pick up anything. I have to use the brush like a shovel to get anything and it takes a while to get enough gloss on my lips.

I forgot to mention that my Integrate eyeliner is nothing too special. I use it to fill the spaces inbetween my lashes and if I get any on the top waterline (if that's what it's called) it makes black marks on my lower lashline. It takes some time before I can get it right. The liner makes a great base for my MAC gel liner, it helps it last longer.

A bit outdated, but here are some scans from the November 2008 issue of Vivi.

photosource: fans.com.cn

Christmas Present

I saw the Integrate commercial at a subway station, but thought nothing of it. For some reason, it didn't hit me that Integrate was an affordable Japanese brand (a sub-brand of Shiseido) and that it was available in Korea.
I found it accidentally. I went to some new looking plaza a few subway stops away that had an E-mart (similar to Wal-mart but with a huge grocery store and drugstore/department brand makeup counters)

I was surprised at this E-mart, because the other one I went to looked kind of run down with very little to buy in terms of makeup and toiletries, but the one near me has quite an impressive collection of brands and makeup.

The drugstore brands include Maybelline, L'oreal, Etude House and Skinfood, while the department store brands included Laneige and Isa Knox. I'm not too sure what Integrate is categorized at. They also sold Clio, Cathy Cat and Castledew.
A few weeks ago, I saw the RMK and the Lunasol winter collections at the Lotte Department store, but was sad at how much it was. I was quite happy to see that the Integrate winter collection was available for 19000won! (3.4g)

Christmas came a bit early for me because I couldn't resist buying such an affordable winter palette that had an eyeshadow and lipcolours. Haha, my present to myself just HAD to be makeup. Of course I have to spoil myself, who else would if it's just me and Tim in Korea for Christmas? XD (I think there will be more presents to myself during the next few weeks)

This is the winter palette in the silver version. I love the cover, it's a metallic purple-pink with star patterns that reflect different colours.

The case is plastic (bah!!) and the only applicator is a lipbrush. Good thing I brought my shadow brushes. The inside of the lid is silver with a matte silver to create the patterns, which are the same as the outside of the lid.

There are 2 lipglosses, a white sparkly, probably clear, and a salmon pink gloss. The shadow is a glittery silver which the SA told me is used as a highlighter. In the previous picture, you can see on the box, there's a tip on how to use the silver shade. It's funny how there's a sticker on it in Korean XD

I will do swatches and review of it later on. This is available on Ichibankao for $21USD.

I also purchased a retractable eyeliner. I got this in black for 9000won for .14g. The only downside is there is no lid!! When I first opened it, I noticed some black on the bottom of the package! So I gotta be extra careful when I bring this out.

As the SA was talking to me, she told me that there was some promo happening. It's either one of these things since I didn't fully understand her: if you purchase 2 pieces of select Integrate items, you get a silver makeup case, or if your purchase is more than 30000won, you get the makeup case for free.

I think the SA knew I was a foreigner (judging by my confused looks most of the time XD) so she gave me the case anyway, even though my purchase was only 28000won. There is a zipper that goes from one side to the other. It's got red lining, a small elastic pouch inside and a mirror. The case feels quite sturdy too. The case is large enough to fit my Fiberwig mascara if I put it in a diagonal.

The SA gave me a ton of samples. She gave me Shiseido Elixir Lifting toner, emulsions, essences, night cream and Lifting Eye Treatment Ex cream.

Integrate's latest palette, Accent Eyes, Yumeko has a review of it. It's 18000won, but I don't know if I should get it, I'm kind of holding out to find the Visee palettes in HK.

I don't know what this latest lipgloss is called. The applicator looks quite neat. You twist it up and from the looks of the picture, you can twist it the other way and the extra gloss will go back down.

Here's a closeup if the Accent Eyes tutorial. Doesn't the tutorial make it look so easy? XD