Review : Maybelline The Falsies®Big Eyes Mascara

Another makeup product review! I've been trying out quite a lot of new products so there will be more reviews to come! Judging from many who have tried this, I've actually heard and read mixed reviews from the best to the worst. Sometimes you've just got to try it out for yourself to know right? As for this mascara, after I've tried it out for the whole week. I have the typical Asian eyes where my lids fold in and probably half my lashes gets tucked in when I have my eyes opened. Save to say I'm not a big fan, here's why.

It does great for volumizing but in a very clumpy way with the upper lash applicator after I added one layer too many. Friend of mine even commented that I looked like I had short legged spider lashes, after which, I haven't used this mascara since. The worst for me wasn't because there's no lengthening but the strong weird smell of the product itself. I don't know if it's my sense of smell or what. Did anyone get that too??

In the winter time, most mascaras don't smudge for me but since it claims to be smudge-proof, I'm interested to see what would happen when I use this during the summer's humid heat here in Hong Kong. Especially when I have oily lids and watery eyes too.The only great thing about this mascara for me is the smaller brush for the lower lashes. It does lengthen my lower lashes more than the usual mascara I normally use but it took me forever to apply the product on.

Overall, like I said, not too big of a fan. It's great for a quick and natural look if you're not too fuzzed. The down side of it is that the formula dries very quickly, too quickly I should say. On top of that, it does flake during the day and the formula wasn't the best to hold the curl either.


What are your thoughts on this?
Any products you would want me to try too?

Review : The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream

A good eye cream is definitely great for us night owls and work early in the morning. Friend of mine recently asked me to try this out and here's my opinion to The Body Shop's Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream. 

So far, I've been liking it, working on early mornings and been also to a few cheeky late night dinner and drinks with friends and family. So before putting my makeup on, I dab a pea size amount, rub it between my ring fingers and pat onto my eyes. As it absorbs quickly, it doesn't feel sticky or thick at all. The best part for me is that it feels very velvety and smooth in the end. It's great for a quick moisturize before the layers of makeup I lather on or just in the morning in general. 

I would suggest using a light hand on pressing the pump though, because the first time I used this product, there was enough product to cover my entire face if you press the whole pump down. Second of all, it claims that it can brighten and even the skin tone under the eyes which it does a little; but if you look closely after you rub the product between your fingers, there are specks of gold shimmer. Which is what makes the under eyes brighten in my opinion. Doesn't have any particular scent apart from the normal creams you purchase. It is a good alternative product comparing to the high end products for it's price. 

Any good suggestions on other eye creams?

S x

Exhibition : Japanese Poster Artists & More

Just over the weekend, I went to see 3 exhibitions with a friend at the Hong Kong Design Institute Gallery. If you're in town and interested to go check it out, the nearest station would be Tiu Keng Leng. The galleries are just opposite the street of Exit A. 

First up, The Japanese Poster Artists showcasing Cherry Blossom and Asceticism. Let the few photos I've taken communicate with you visually than my words. Few of my favorite posters were designed for Sheseido and Laforet. 

Who do you see? 

The second exhibition just next to the poster gallery, up a few stairs and up we went to Re Rag Rug. The reinvention of rug making by recycling old clothes and textiles designed by two Swedish designers. 

 

How they came to be Re Rag Rug 

The third gallery was dedicated to the Untold Matters of Red Dot Award-Winning Designs. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos there but every product tells a story itself.  

Japanese Poster Artists

Oct 14 2014 till March 30 2015

10am - 8pm (Free Admission)
d-Mart, HKDI and IVE 

Re Rag Rug

Oct 24 2014 till March 23 2015 

10am - 8pm (Closed on Tuesdays) 

d-Mart , HKDI and IVE 

Red Dot Award-Winning Designs
Nov 28 2014 till May 31 2015 

10am - 8pm (Free Admission)
HKDI Gallery, HKDI and IVE 

Work : Behind the Scenes

Magazine Page 

Now that my health is slowly getting back on track, I can gradually pack in more work !! I'm definitely very blessed to know one of the best Makeup Artists in Hong Kong whom I proudly call her my teacher and friend Cac Leung and my senior classman Zhi Lai. Probably seen me mentioning or even working with them on other occasions as well! I've learnt the most from these two the most professionally, any other makeup knowledge I've ever had was probably from my Grannie!

This time round we teamed with one of Triple8 Salon's member Joss for this job too. 

It was a pleasure working to everyone. 

Team:

Makeup : Cac Leung, Stephanie Lui, Zhi Lai (Cac Leung Makeup) 

Hair : Joss (Triple 8 Salon) 

Silver Style : Apple Pop Tarts

I have a few friends who just love love loveeee apple desserts and this time, I've deiced to make some Pop Tarts for them since it's more portion friendly and that they can bring them home afterwards as well. 

So first! 

The Dough:
2 Cups Flour
1 TBSP Sugar
1 TSP Cinnamon
1 TSP Nutmeg

1 TSP Salt
230g Unsalted Butter

2 Eggs 

1/4 Cup Milk

Steps:
1 // Whisk flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl
- Add butter and toss with fingers until well coated in the flour mixture
(Use a pastry blender to save time)
- Combine ingredients until reduced to pea-sized pieces.

2 // Whisk egg yolks and milk into a small bowl
- Add egg-milk mixture to flour mixture with hands until large clumps forms.
- Turn the mixture out onto work surface to knead briefly
(about a few minutes to combine butter into the dough)

3 // Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and shape
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.

Apple Filling:
2 Apples
2 TBSP Raisins
7 TBSP Brown Sugar (Packed)
1.5 TSP Lemon Juice
1/2 TSP Ground Cinnamon
1/2 TSP Nutmeg
2 Pinches Salt

Steps:
1 // Peel, core and cut the apples into small cubes.
- Combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat
- Stir along the way until the sugar has dissolved and apple juices begin to release
- Continue cooking till apples begin to soften.
- Remove pan from heat to cool

2 // Set a mesh strainer over heatproof bowl and transfer apples and all the juices to the strainer.
- Set aside to cool

Assembling:
Flour for rolling dough
1 large Egg
1 TSP Water (or Milk)

Steps:
1 // Heat oven to 190°,
Line baking paper and set aside

2 // Lightly dust work surface with flour and roll 1 dough portion out into 12:10 inch rectangles
- Rotating the dough and reflouring the work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
(use a ruler, pizza cutter or knife for exact measurements)

3 // After cutting rectangle pieces of the dough, place on baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of each rectangle pieces apart.

4 // Whisk egg and teaspoon water (or milk) in a small bowl
- Set aside

5 // Roll out second dough portion to the same dimensions of the first, trim and cut into 6 rectangles,
-Use a fork and prick the dough all over

6 // Brush a thin coating of egg wash over each dough
(already on the baking sheet)
- Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of apple filling to each rectangle and spread into an even layer
(leave about 3/4 inch border)

7 // Top each rectangle with some of the remaining apple juices
- Place the prickled rectangles on the top of the apple-covered rectangles
- Press on the edges to adhere and push down gently on the filling to slightly flatten

8 // Use a fork, dipped in flour and crimp edges of the tart
- Bake until golden brown (about 20-25 minutes)
- Let cool before consume

* * * * *

If you want to do a glaze, you're of course more than welcome to ! I just tend to like to reheat them in the oven and add ice-cream instead! Within the same group of friends, I do have one who absolutely dislikes raisins and it's pretty optional. You can replace it with oats too if you want more of a crunch.

Happy Baking!!!

I placed 2 extra cinnamon sticks because we are cinnamon lovers  

Because I made other flavors too so a mark the top is a MUST!! 

Makeup : Wedding Reception

First post of the year! Wooh! Hope everyone had a lovely holiday over Christmas and New Years!

Few people's been asking me about my makeup recently, this is also very similar to what I've used for New Years Eve too. Foundation-wise, Nars Sheer Glow has been around and been popular within the blogging and vlogging community, plus it's also one of my favorites. It's one of those foundations where you can definitely build up to full coverage. My newest love has got to be this Nars NARSissist Smokey Eye Compact Palette, the textures' very velvety, buildable and blending the colours are a breeze. I'm a sucker for matte colours too so it's perfect! It consists of Madrague I, Bali and Mekong. The next best thing for the new year is definitely adding some sparkle and how can I leave out any glitter at all? I'm still using the Urban Decay's Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner all year round! Lining my inner top lash line with L'Oreal's Super Liner Silkissime in Blue, so far, it hasn't budged at all and very pigmented. My newest favorite and discovery, is Physicians Formula's Bronze Booster. It's got a little bit of shimmer, just enough to give me a glow without feeling like a disco ball. Finishing off my main look with some Chanel Lip Gloss in Scintillance and mascara by Heroine Make then off I went to the wedding banquet!