Best Lip Gloss brand, high end and mid range.

 Lip gloss... another magical transformation from drab to dewy, youthful sexy lips effortlessly achieved by using it, either on top of lipstick or on its own.

Lipgloss comes in clear gel-like or, with sheer colors. Some with shimmers, or huge glitters.
The one thing I hate sometimes, is the leak if store horizontally. So, to avoid that, please store gloss vertically/upright. The mess is a pain to cleanup.

Another thing about gloss is.... quality isn't compromised by price range. Beautiful result can be achieved with mid range price brands. And pricier ones, although may come in better looking packaging...the actual product is equally same in terms of final application result with its mid range buddies.

So my favourite choice is....

CHANEL

My mid range fav lipgloss is

KATE

If you guys haven't tried KATE, you should give it a shot. I am in love with the peach colored one. More info, in my next entry for KATE Makeup Workshop in Pavilion recently.

And what is your favourite gloss? C'mon and share with me.

See how battered my CHANEL gloss is.... kesian dia. 

FaceTips by lin Elier : Skin/Face preparation tips before your wedding day

Generally I would recommend you find a well recommended spa by good friends or family or reputable experienced beautician (NOT well known ya, becoz not ALL luxury spa will yield the result. Trust me, this comes with my own experience)

And book your self into a routine of 2x a month for at least 2 month before, depending on your skin condition. If you have major acne or congested skin, please start earlier.

Start with a good deep cleansing treatments, extraction and what not, to clear up your skin.

It is important to note that, a good natural makeup looks best on a good healthy skin base. Because more amount of makeup will be used to cover up imperfections, if you do not have a good base and will result in a heavy makeup.

So, key of natural looking makeup actually, a GOOD SKIN ! So, invest in your face before investing in make ups.

A week or 2-3 days before wedding, have a good hydrating/firming treatment that is VOID of any extractions. Extraction within a week may not have ample time to heal, before your wedding day.

Avoid micro dermabrasion done to near to your wedding day. Start 3 weeks before, to allow skin to recuperate. Freshly microdermabrasion treated skin may not adhere well to makeup.

Youthful, dewy look with makeup

I am in my 30's ....
My sis is approaching 40's
My mom is going to join the 70's club soon...

However....

A lot of people complimented how all of us look much younger than our actual age. Even with makeup on.
The trick is making sure your complexion looks dewy, clear and subtle enhancements with the eye makeup. Many people make the mistake of piling on the metallic eyeshadows, putting more years on their age.

Cover your bad points well - dark circles, eye bags... pigmentation...
Eyes - Careful with metallic eyeshadows, they may enhance the fine lines even more. use subtle fine shimmer or matte. Don't over line the eyes, go easy with the kohl....
Cheeks - use subtle fine highlights to replicate dewy youthful look. Choose healthy pink or rose undertone blusher color...

Me, in blue. My sis in brown. My dad in the middle with his granddaughter, Sofea.

Me, far right. My sis, holding her kid far left side. My mom is wearing dark brown jubah.

Why do we prefer natural makeup?

I chose to do my own makeup on my engagement & wedding day. .. simple jer.

own trial makeup, endurance test, photo test

Lucky for me it turned out alright... in my opinion, at least.... hahaha... but that is me, I am a firm believer in looking naturally beautiful on your wedding day. Some may say it looks too light (whilst am sure some may say, tebalnyer) but for me, I would like to look in the mirror and see myself still, but just better than usual....and not looking and wondering why do I look like another person, on my wedding day. Or worst fear of all brides, tonnes of non too appealing  makeup on YOUR wedding day... thinking, hell...I look better on normal days (crying silently in your heart)

Engagement

I wanted to hire a proper MUA, however the ones I wanted was expensive... whilst the more budget friendly... was not my cup of tea. So, instead of spending RM400 on a MUA, I spent it on buying high end cosmetics and decided to do my own wedding makeup. Aside from the falsies lifting off during night time.. i was very happy.  I spent time doing trial on myself, taking photos making sure the powder & foundation is even and isn't too fair, the shading isn't too obvious, the eye shadows isn't too heavy and dark....

Until today, it makes me very happy hearing people compliment the bride looking pretty and 'berseri2' herself instead hearing people say to the bride "Ehh, makeup ko cantek la!" ...

Bcoz to me then latter... its like saying you're ugly on normal days, but today cantek ONLY bcoz of ur makeup. 

Whilst the former sound to me like, "Hey, YOU look exceptionally great today!" 

Makeup to me, is suppose to bring out the best in you... amplifying your strength, whilst camouflaging your flaws..... not about turning yourself into a totally gorgeous person that don't even look like you anymore. It may be a question of preference or taste... but to me, seems like paperdollish/dragqueenish bridal makeup is in trend nowdays. People seem to notice the makeup more than the bride herself...  from miles away(exaggerating sakan)! I hear a good mak andam or a good makeup will change a bride's face.... literally... you know the saying, 'muka berubah' ... 

Well, I'm not sure about that, though I believe in naikkan 'seri' with giving bride2be even warm foundation, glowing cheeks and fresh, sultry eyes & MOST IMPORTANTLY... a good base that starts with a good reputable serum & mineral charged moisturizer. Sirih or jampi tak reti, but I do start my work with simple 'bismillah' and pray to Allah for the best.

I like heavy, dark smokey makeup sometimes... but only when I go out for parties.. which is very rare. I feel my face suddenly looks more 'man wannabe woman' if I piled on too much liner. I have gaunt, strong features, heavy makeup will make me look 'garang'! And importantly, my hubby. He is the best commentator. He gives me man eye point of view. An insight.... 

So, for you out there.. who was like me.... searching for simple, natural makeup that brings out YOUR best ... do try our services. I do listen to what you want, I will give you my input to what looks better for you... and we can discuss it. Don't be shy... voice out what you like, don't like. Visit us on FB page.... ask me anything. I love talking about beauty.

Make Up Tips - Contour And Shade Your Face

I'm am sure my of us admire the sculpted features of models in magazines especially the ones that appear like they're not wearing makeup... yet, their feature looks very pronounced and sharp. Look at Estee Lauder's front page advertisements, Liz Hurley, Rhonda....Karen ...

Reality is... these model's face has been heavily contoured with magic of make up.... under harsh camera flash and external lighting... their faces appears flawlessly defined and with razor cut sharp feature. These type of make up enhancements is really nice in pictures, TV, stage and runways.... but it is not very suitable for hari hari make up.... But you can cheat, and have lighter  effect with the use of bronzer and highlighter.... it is juz about knowing where to place the contour.... and the right products.

Leave the dark shading foundation for wedding or those special occasions.

Here is the contour chart I've found on the internet you can use as a guide. Do take note, if you already have mega cheekbones... then shading your under cheekbones will only make you look even gaunt... so, pandai2 agak kesesuaian with your own face. I find most Asians do not have pronounced feature especially the nose and cheekbones, hence this technique below is generally suitable for us.

The white shade is the highlighter. You can use lighter shade of powder, foundation or light reflecting powder especially made for highlighting from MAC or Bodyshop and others too. Do find the ones that has the finest shimmer effect or matte, so that we'd look natural. Bigger sized glitter or shimmer may result in a 'party' look.

As for the dark brown shade is the contour or shading suppose to be. You can use 1-2 tone darker shade of foundation or powder, use darker shade of neutral color blusher or bronzer. A matte effect will give a better sculpted look. and evident instant cheekbone lift!

The placement of each shade and highlight is suppose to play with the light reflections on your feature to your benefit. As an example, put darker shading tones on your neck, under the chin to hide double chin and give you instant kurus look. Putting highlight on you chin will give you instant  ala Ziela jalil dagu runcing look. tak payah go inject Botox or filler or implants.

So, the next time you gawk and wonder how these people have such perfect features.... don't... it is just magic of make up and a photo editing.... even me and YOU can do it.