Beauty Binge:Paw-stamped and approved! July faves.

Since I have such a *huge* makeup collection, I thought it would be great, at every end of the month, to list down 5 things I enjoyed using in that month. I get new products at least once a month, so some are new, some are old stuff tucked away which I have re-discovered. Enjoy!

My skin was a little too temperamental this month, so at times like these, I turn to my mineral makeup. I *love* mineral makeup, although it doesn't quite work on me. Whatever the coverage or formula, it makes me oily. So this month, I used my minerals a little bit more than usual (my minerals are usually for the weekends). I am also happy that July is over and done with. There were too many deaths of people I know this month, so I am happy to leave July behind.

Here you go, my July faves, in no particular order:


1. Essence of Beauty (fine) crease brush.
This is part of a duo, exclusively sold in CVS Pharmacy. Out of the two, I've thoroughly enjoyed using this one more. It's a pencil brush much like the MAC219, though I dare say this is little smaller. It has become an indispensable tool for my eye makeup. I use it to define my outer-v and gently smoking it out. It's just an awesome tool to work with darker colours to define the crease. Some people also love using this to smudge eyeliner for an instant smokey eye, or to line the lower lashlines. It's soft, doesn't shed, and so far has stayed in shape even after so many washes. This is one of my HG (holy grail) tools. And it's cheap!! Available at CVS.com.

2. Jordana Pretty Shine Luxury Gloss in Lovely.
I got this from Shins (also available from Sasa) for RM17.90. My favourite Youtube Beauty Guru raved about this gloss, and I was delighted to find this at a local beauty supply store. I bought 2 colours: Sweet - a pale metallic pink, too metallic that washed me out completely! And this shade, Lovely - beautiful rose colour, also metallic. I don't normally wear metallics well, but the shimmer in Lovely is not as stark as in Sweet. I have quite pigmented lips, and this colour compliments me almost instantly! It's not too dark, nor is it too red, or neutral. You know I'm wearing a coloured gloss but the colour is not in your face, if you know what I mean. This was such a great buy!!

3. ELF Studio Contouring & Bronzing Powder .
I've had this for a while, but when you have so many other stuff, that one great product is forgotten. I am so glad I dug this back up again! This is such a great duo for traveling. You get one shade for bronzing (though it may be too dark for pale skin) and a beautiful peachy pink blush. Even for me with a NC40-42 skin tone, I use a light hand with the bronzer, but the blush side gives me a nice iridescent glow. It doesn't show much colour on me, but it's still a nice blush to wear. And it's only for $3!! Talk about a steal!! You can purchase this from eyeslipsface.com.

4. Everyday Minerals Concealer in Abbott's Perk Me Up.
This is kinda a salmony/peachy concealer that works great with bluish under eye circles. My bags and circles are a permanent fixture on my face. Have always had them, despite the amount of money I spent on so many eye creams to get rid of them. I have deep-set eyes, so the bags and circles are part of the package. Doesn't help that I spent years sleeping at odd hours and having to wake up at 4.30am for work. The abuse my eyes have gone through!! I have given up spending my energy and money to get rid of them, so my best bet is a concealer. Typically, powdered concealer dries my under eye area and highlights my fine lines, but I use this concealer over a liquid concealer to set. It doesn't completely eliminate the darkness, but it definitely minimises them. At least now, friends don't say I look tired anymore even after I've had 8-hours sleep! I have this in sample size and it's more than enough. You can find this at everydayminerals.com. They don't ship to Malaysia anymore, but there are a few people on Lowyat.net carrying sprees who can bring the stuff in via Singapore.

5. Bare Minerals Mineral Veil.
This is a translucent finishing powder that also can be used prior to your mineral foundation application. Does a fab job at controlling oil and setting your makeup. I love using this after I've done everything to my face: bronzer, blush, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara etc., and I'll dust this over to finish. It's so light yet comfortable, and your makeup stays in place. Some people are allergic to Bare Minerals but have no issues with their Mineral Veil. I also sometimes use this on its own. Bare Minerals can be found at Shins for ridiculous money, alternatively you can purchase this at ulta.com.


Here's celebrating the end of July, and hel-lo August!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge: Haulin' Everyday Minerals.

I'm stubborn. I have blogged on how mineral makeup makes me oily, and yet I still keep on trying 'em! I love Everyday Minerals. It's probably my favourite mineral line. And today, I just received my EDM haul. Ahhhhhh......this is love...

The packaging has changed since my last haul a year ago. For starters, the EDM logo has changed. Most notable, the sifter which I think a lot of people had issues with. The new sifter has a half cover that slides around to close, which minimizes spill out. Clever.

New sifter!

I bought:

Brushes:
Flat top and the long handled kabuki. When the whole wide world has already swooned over the softness of these brushes, I'm just about to try. Yeah, I'm a little slooooow. So now it's my turn to ooh and aah over these babies. Yes, they are awesome!

Top: Flat Top. Bottom: Long handled Kabuki.

Blush:
Everyday Bronzer. I'm actually not a great fan of their blushes. Don't get me wrong, they have some of the prettiest colours, but I have never mastered applying the right amount on my cheeks. I almost always put too much on my brush, and end up having to buff and buff and buff to diffuse the colour! Their blushes are crazy pigmented and a little goes a long way. I wanted a bronzer, because I am addicted to bronzers, and this I learned is quite matte. This bronzer looks quite dark in the jar, so I must remind myself to go easy!


Base:
Pressed Foundation in Buttered Tan. OMG! I may have just found my shade! It's so perfect, almost! It's got enough yellow and gold to meld with my skin tone. Yay! The idea of a pressed mineral foundation (instead of a powdered one) drew me to get this. It comes in a neat compact with an attached see-through cover over the powder. I don't use the puff, but as with all mineral foundations, I use this with a brush and MAC Fix+. The feel is lighter on the skin without compromising the coverage. This way also cuts out the powdered look. However, I don't know if you can throw this in your bag for touch-ups and such. I think it's still too fragile to be rolling around in your handbag.

EDM Presses Foundation in Buttered Tan.

Start to Finishing Kaolin Powder:
Kaolin Powder in Soft Bronze. I have this in a sample jar, in Rice finishing formula. The rice formula doesn't really control oil as well as the kaolin does (which I have a sample in Sunlight), and so I decided to get a large jar in the Kaolin formula. This formula controls oil better, and I use this at the end to set my makeup. I like that it's tinted slightly, although it can also pass as sheer. I might get a large jar of the Sunlight Kaolin, since I like to use that shade as a primer.

EDM Kaolin Finishing Powder in Soft Bronze.

Samples:
Bases: Olive Medium, Matte. This works, but the green undertones bother me!
Light Tan, Intensive. Too peachy.
Winged Butter, Intensive. Even in Intensive this is a little light and too yellow!
Concealer: Intensive Tan. Plan to use this to darken the lighter shades.
Blush: Snuggle. Peach colour. Sheer. Pretty!

Sample kit.

Ready Stock: Pressed Blush in Waffle Cone.
I bought this off someone as I thought a pressed anything is less messier that the powdered formula! But when I opened this, there was powder everywhere! It's loosely milled so I don't think I can expect this to behave like a typical pressed product. I've heard good things about this colour though, and I may use this as a contour shade. Unfortunately, EDM no longer sells pressed blushers.

Pressed Blush in Waffle Cone.

I also got a mixing jar as I have too many samples lying around. Now I have a decent place to mix my mineral foundies!


OK dokes. I'm going to play with my minerals! Btw, receiving this package made me forget I still have fever! LOL!

Have a good day, y'all!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

This cat's out of order!

I even had to cancel gym today!

GROAN

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge: Stickybeak into Puss' makeup bag.

I don't know about you, but I love "peaking" into other people's makeup bags; just to see what they carry day-to-day. I am not a touch-up girl, I can go through the day without "powdering my nose" and looking like I just washed my face in oil (OK, I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean). It's not a habit of mine to reach for my powder, but I do carry some essentials for that "just in case" moments.


Not too long ago, I'd carry a slew of makeup items - from my MAC SE brushes to MAC Fluidline to MAC NovelTwist shadow palette - and I'd stuff them all in a *huge* makeup pouch tucked nicely in my equally huge carry-on/handbag. There was always something going on last minute back then - meeting with clients, press, fans - I could never go out looking like death although half the time I felt like one!!

These days, I do my makeup at home, do the run-around, get incredibly oily (hard not to in this humidity!), and come home to take it all off. So I hardly touch my makeup bag. But at least the stuff are there, if I do need them.

In my clear MAC makeup bag:
- MAC StudioFix Powder NC40, hit pan with this! (I use Bobbi Brown Travel size Face Brush to apply. Not a big fan of this powder - it's so drying and breaks me out but it's so convenient).

- MAC Lightful Powder Foundation NC42 (Gawd knows why I need two powders in my bag but I do! I use this for face too when I need to break away from StudioFix, but I normally use this with Ecotools' concealer brush to pat powder under my eyes to stop eyeliner from sliding and smudging).

- Loreal Touche Magique concealer.
- jane BePure Mineral Gliding eyeliner.
- MajolicaMajorca Lash Gorgeous Wing mascara (sorry MJ fans, but I so dislike their mascaras!)
-The BodyShop lipbalms.
- Travel mirror.
- MAC Tendertone Lipbalm in Honey Bare (I use this a lot!)
- Shiseido eyelash curler (I like this better than Shu. I use this often too, most times in the car when I'm stuck in traffic! LOL!)

When I'm running to an event, I add on:

-Loreal Blush Delice (any one of the three colours, depending on my mood).


- Revlon Mineral Lipglaze in Forever Fig or MAC Lipglass in Viva Glam V (both last long with bronzy neutral colours).



Can I stickybeak into your makeup bag too?

Enjoy your day!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge:Makeup of the Week

I don't do FOTDs or EOTDs, but I thought I'd pick one look from the week that I liked and list down the products I used in Makeup of the Week.

I was called out to meet up with a couple of TV executives over tea this week, so I thought it would be best to have on semi-subtle makeup. I have always loved plums and so I pulled out my trusted Revlon ColorStay 12-hour shadow quad in Blushed Wines. This palette is subtle but definately not boring. That wine colour at the bottom needs to be very well-blended if not you'll look like you've been punched!

I also decided to go a little lighter with the base. I used a tinted moisturiser this time, not a favourite, but I was not in the mood to cake it on! TV executives are one of my least favourite people on this planet (and yet I married one!!) *smacks forehead*

Revlon ColorStay 12-hour shadow quad in Blushed Wines

I don't need to to tell you again how much I *love* these Revlon quads. I always turn to them when I need to quickly put a look together. They've yet to fail me!

Face

Face primer: Monistat Chafing relief Powder-gel.
Concealer: Loreal Touche Magique (discontinued in Malaysia).
Foundation: NuSkin Nu Colour Tinted Moisturiser in Honey.
Powder: Milani Loose Powder in Medium to set; Wet n' Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder in Starlight Bronze as a light dusting all over face to finish.

Cheeks

Bronzer: Wet n' Wild Bronzzer in Bali Bronze to highlight.
Blush: CoverGirl Cheekers in Golden Pink to contour; CG Cheekers in Plumberry Glow on apples.

Eyes

Primer: ELF Studio Eye Primer.
Eyes: ELF Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal as base; Revlon ColorStay 12-hour shadow quad in Blushed Wines - pink (2nd from top) on lids; peach (3rd from top) wash above crease, plum (bottom) in crease and outer-v, beige (top) to highlight; ELF Liquid eyeliner in Plum on upper lashlines; Revlon ColorStay liner in Blackberry on lower lashlines.
Mascara: Rimmel GlamEyes in Black.
Brows: Loreal Brow Stylist in Light Brown.

Lips

Lips: Neutrogena MoistureShine Gloss in Tickled.


Totally disliked the ELF liquid liner! The tip was so stiff and the liner stung a little. After a while, it flaked off, I could actually peel the liner off my lids!!

Anyhoo.

Hope you're enjoying your Friday, and have a great weekend!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge: Brushes galore!

I love my brushes. I have too many of them, sometimes I even forget I had them! Some people binge on lipsticks, I binge on brushes. Well, brushes and eye shadows. And mascaras. And mineral makeup. OK, you get the idea!

Majority of the brushes I use actively for makeup are from Crownbrush.com or Coastalscents.com. Personally, I prefer Crownbrush as they have more choices to choose from. Come to think of it, CS gets most of their brushes from Crown anyway, so you can almost guess the quality when you buy from either vendors.

As for my daily brushes, I put them in big ceramic pots stuffed with plastic beads so they stand up and its just easier for me to find them this way. This was inspired by YouTube's Enkore (love him!) video on the Sephora brush holder. As my brush collection grew, those big pots are becoming smaller and crowded. I can't afford to get another ceramic pot, as I am also running out of space to put them!

I bought those pots for RM5 each at Hinode RM5 shop. I couldn't find smaller beads to fill up the pots ( there were some at the craft store but too expensive!), so I settled for those plastic bead fillers you can also get for RM5 a pack at Hinode. These fillers are a little chunky and awkwardly shaped but they do the job. They're also almost weightless so they don't add the weight to the pots as I put them on top of my plastic drawers (which hold my makeup).

The "fillers"

I also throw a lightweight towel over the brushes to avoid dust settling into them, and make sure I deep-clean them every Sunday. Since I have an obscene amount of brushes, this way keeps my makeup area clean and tidy as well.

As you can see, my pots are getting mighty crowded! I had to stick my skunk brushes in another holder just because there is no more space!!

Husband J said those skunk brushes together looked like dead animals on my table!! LOL.

I store my expensive MAC and Bobbi Brown brushes in their respective pouches, tucked far, far away in my drawer. Someday I'll use them. Someday...

One face. And a "thousand" brushes. *sigh* I need to shift my attention into spending on something else (not that I have much $$ to spend on) ... I'm running outta space yo!

Thanks for reading this blog!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge: Synthetic newbies at CS

I am trying to move away from using natural-bristled brushes to synthetic ones. Just doing what I can to be cruelty-free in my daily life.


I was curious with the few new brushes on Coastalscents.com. Lately CS has been churning out a whole bunch of new stuff, and I was intrigued at the new Large Synthetic Buffer Brush. It looked like Everyday Minerals' Flat top brush, and I needed a suitable brush to buff on my minerals so that gave me enough reason to purchase this. Initially, this was tagged at about $5 with some change, but when I bought it, it was a whopping $13.95. For CS' standards, that's just exorbitant!! It certainly is one of the most expensive brushes on CS, but I grit my teeth and purchased it anyway.

Large Synthetic Buffer brush

It's a pretty big brush, a little heavy, so soft and very very dense. I used this to buff in my liquid foundation, and found a bunch of stray fibers on my face. So I thought it's just too dense to handle sticky liquids, so I tried this with my mineral foundation. Still, choc-full of fibers on my face! The amount of shedding was ridiculous!! I didn't notice that much shedding when I washed it, but I was pretty disgusted (and disappointed) with the quality. I can still pull out a bunch of strays from the brush, it's like the hairs were not bind well at all!! I do realise that shedding is expected with very dense brushes but this was a little excessive! The bristles are also too long to use for stippling and buffing. The brush lacked control and it just seemed to be bouncing off my face. This brush did not work well for me, and I was surprised at the many positive reviews this gets on the CS site. I think I am using this strictly for loose powder application. I was royally p!ssed to have spent this much on a poor-quality brush!!

The next synthetic purchase is the Synthetic Deluxe Crease brush for $2.95.

CS Synthetic Deluxe Crease

Soft brush, but the first thing I noticed was the length of the bristles. I thought it was too long to use in the crease.While I like the size of the brush - it fits nicely into my crease - I found it hard to blend colours with this brush. It's not stiff enough to carry the colours into the crease, and the length of the bristles made it a little hard to control when blending. I even found it hard smoke the colour out, as I personally feel this brush did not pick up much colour. It's too narrow to use as a blending brush, but perhaps it can be used for precised application, not so much for blending colours in the crease. Yet, another disappointment.


I've placed another order for their Synthetic Shadow brush. Let's see how that will work. *cross fingers and toes*

Thanks for droppin' by!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com

Beauty Binge:Makeup of the Week

I don't do FOTDs or EOTDs, but I thought I'd pick one look from the week that I liked and list down the products I used in Makeup of the Week.

I've been meaning to use this oh-so-colourful palette for so long, but kept getting side-tracked with other things. Finally, this week, I've managed to put together a colourful look which I loved!

This, my dah-lings, is the kind of palette that makes Puss purrs in excitement... Look at the colours! So vivid and gorgeous!! In real life, they are quite metallic, but to my surprise, the glitters are not as chunky as I thought they would be. You still get shimmer, but not to a point where you look over-done. I used all the colours in this palette except for the blue, and to define my crease, I had to use a black shadow from Loreal HiP Duo Metallic in Platinum (my least favourite from the metallic line, but the black is awesome!).

Oh, in case your wondering, this is another cheapo palette ( 'coz I'm a cheapo cat!!) - LA Colours in Tease. The colours do tend to flake so pat instead of swiping the colours on the lids.

My Gawd, how I *love* these 'traffic light' colours!! LOL!

LA Colors 5 Color Metallic Eyeshadow in Tease

I got this from Nonpareilboutique.com for about $3. If you live in the US, you can also find this at the Dollar Store if your lucky. They come in an array of colours, and they're so fun to use!

Face

Primer: Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-gel (this stuff rocks!).
Concealer: ELF All-over Cover Stick in Light for undereyes.
Foundation: Rimmel Lasting Finish Mineral-enriched in 202 Nude.
Powder: N.Y.C Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent to set; Wet n' Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in Starlight Bronze as a light dusting all over face to finish.

Cheeks

Bronzer: Wet n' Wild Bronzzer in Bali Bronze to highlight.
Contour & Blush: ELF Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Duo.

Eyes

Eye primer: ELF Studio eye primer.
Eyes: ELF cream shadow duo in Olive as base (dark green); Loreal HiP Metallic Shadow Duo in Platinum - black colour to define crease smoking it out a bit; LA Colors in Tease - spring green (far right) on lids and to line inner lower lashlines, bright pink (middle) as a wash above crease blending a little with the black, orange copper (2nd from left) to highlight, yellow gold (far left) under the peak of brows as added highlight; Revlon ColourStay liquid liner in Blackest Black to line upper lashlines; Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliner in Black to tightline; SilkyGirl Long-wearing eyeliner in Black Brown to line outer part of lower lashlines.
Mascara: Loreal HiP High Drama mascara in Ultimate Blue Black.
Brows: Loreal Brow Stylist in Light Brown.

Lips

Lips: MAC Plushglass in Fullfilled (very sheer with a *hint* of pink).



I liked how this look turned out! The green is such a beautiful spring green, and the bright pink turned plum when I blend it out with the black on top of the crease. It instantly warmed up the whole look!

I'm having drinks with friends tonight. Maybe I'll wear this look ...

:D

Have a good one!!

xoxo,
puss.inheels@yahoo.com