Before Nine

Trendily Oversized

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:39:00 +0000

Boyfriend's shirts are the way to go now, girls! Read up and learn a tip or two on how to pull the look together! :)

(source)

Oversized button-downs are hardly a new concept, but this season, designers and buyers alike have warmed to the idea.

FASHIONISTAS

Most trendy stores like Urban Outfitters and H&M offer the look as an oversized shirt or a shirt -inspired dress. As an alternative, go the cheaper route and raid the closets of the men in your life.

Finding these pieces should be relatively easy, but it is often difficult to style them. Use the look with a heavy hand, and being one step away from a hot mess is probable. The first issue is length. If you’re going for a dress look, it should fall about half way above your knee. If going for an oversized shirt look, slim/tapered pants or leggings are a necessity and you’re going to want the length to cover a good six inches of your thighs. Imagine you’re wearing a mini-skirt. The length should go down at least that far. You might want to go a tad longer, depending on the fit of the pants and your individual proportions.

The second issue is silhouette. The sheer volume of an oversized shirt often needs to be balanced by cinching the waist with a belt. Take note — retire your thick wide belts. They are not only often overbearing, but have been killed to death! The new belts are skinny and a fresh breath of air. Just take a look at the belt in the first picture.

Let’s talk accessories. If you are beltless or using a belt that blends well with the color of your top, a gold or silver chained necklace is a great addition. Also, bangles would work with mostly any top. Just keep your color palette in check. To finish the look, throw on a pair of heels or wedges. As a special touch, the right full skirt might pack extra punch if worn under the top…just pay close attention to proportion.

FASHIONISTOS

It’s true. Guys often have it easier than girls. If you do not have the money to pay Henrik Vibskov prices, I recommend sizing up one or two sizes. Any flannel will do. It’s that simple. Now here comes the fun part - finishing the look! My number one style tip is balance. If you’re going to do oversized, you’ll need tapered/skinny jeans.

To complete the look, layering is encouraged. The more layers you can accomplish without looking or feeling heavy, the better. An excellent and easy layer example would be to leave the shirt unbuttoned and worn over a tee. On top of the button-down, wear a thin cotton buttoned vest; think sleeveless cardigan. B.Son offers the perfect vest. To top it off, add a scarf in a solid color or subtle pattern. When pairing multiple patterns, pick one bold pattern and one subtle pattern. Link the patterns with a dominant color. For shoes, I recommend a pair of TOMS or Converse.

L'OREAL WAREHOUSE SALE

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:44:00 +0000

What? L'Oreal Warehouse Sale
When? 24th & 25th July, 9:30am - 6:00pm
Where? Dataran Hamodal (2nd floor), Block A, No. 4, Jalan Bersatu 13/4, Sect 13, PJ

L'OREAL WAREHOUSE SALE

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:44:00 +0000

Two's A Crowd!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:50:00 +0000

OK, the noob-me is doing a tiny experiment here, with my face. I read somewhere that as long as you clean your face properly at night before you go to bed, then washing your face with a cleanser in the morning is unnecessary and that it causes more harm than good to your face. (erm, if you already know about this, then well, what did I say? I'm a total noob, really!)

So heeding the advise, I've stopped cleaning my face with a cleanser in the morning all together! Instead, I just wash and clean with cool tap water, pat dry, apply serum, and sunscreen. I'd also do a scrub 3 times a week at night.

Guess what? It works. My face is no longer flaky with dry skin (esp on the T zone), it's visibly more supple, and it doesn't breakout with huge zits (although pimples and blackheads remain a stubborn problem for me to deal with).

I've also started the oil-on-face method, or something along the line, with extra virgin olive oil (do you know that extra virgin olive oil is the best make up remover ever?!). But so far I've only managed that one time hands-on experience. I'll write more once I get on a regular routine with the regime. All I can say right now is... WOW!!! My face does glow! :D

Dior Clearance Sales

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:42:00 +0000

What? Dior Clearance Sales
When? 20th & 21st June 2008
Where? The Coronade Hotel (next to Lot10 / opposite Sg. Wang main entrance)
Who? Dior (Selected perfumes andcosmetics)

Treating Skin Problems The Stylish Way

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:58:00 +0000

Advertorial

Those of us with persistent pimple, acne, and skin problems will know, that to live with breakouts, blemishes, patches, redness, soreness, itchiness, and scar can be very annoying, what more having to deal with them 24/7!

Don’t you just wish your skin will improve overnight? Don’t you just wish all those stubborn scars and pimples will just disappear overnight? Well we might just have a solution for that.

How apt that Cosminology’s tagline shouts “Don’t just believe in miracles… expect them!” Now, you may say that it’s just a commercial tagline that wants to buy your attention and ultimately, your money; but personally, I’m one for expecting miracles to happen. It’s a psychological thing, really, when you think of something so much, want it so badly, somehow things will work out just that way. Same goes to when you think your skin as so bad and hopeless, your skin might just obey you and be bad and hopeless! It’s the brainpower my dears :)

But things don’t need to look so bleak after all! Yes, miracles don’t happen overnight, you can only persevere to tune your mind to positive thinking, but meanwhile, you have Cosminology to rely on.

Dr. Dima Ali, M.D. is the founder of Cosminology. As a long-time acne sufferer with a tendency for hyper-pigmentation, Dr. Dima began to combine varying strengths of potent, rejuvenating ingredients with natural, anti-inflammatory botanical extracts and essential oils to treat her own skin conditions and those of her patients. Over the time of research and testing, the treatments not just worked, Dr. Dima also found out the power of “mineral” cosmetics - it actually helps speed up the recovering of scars!

Cosminology carries the Dermacles skin care line, and the Minacles make up lines - which consist of wide ranges of choices and colours to suit to all skin type. Have a browse over their catalogue, or read their testimonials here. And what better way to receive the message of a testimony than to see it for yourselves right? Click over to their before and after page for a pictorial testimonials! You might just be sold for mineral-based skin products from now onwards!

Noobness

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:54:00 +0000

OMG! I'm such a noob! I can't for the life of me, remember my password to my. Own. Blog!

Someone just hand me a knife please. Urgh.

Thank God for secondary email address!

Hand Made For Hands Free's Sake

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:07:00 +0000

While I haven’t found any smaller bags that I can change into, I’m ogling at these Queen Been Coin Purses! Perfect for a quick trip to the markets or out to buy lunch. It bags not just coins and a little cash, it also fits your ID card/pay cards, lipstick and name cards for that “serendipity” bump into that hunk on a hands-free night out!

It's Time For The Sun!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:37:00 +0000

Isn’t this one shoulder dress lovely? I just love the airy, almost fairy-like feel to the material and cut! It’s extremely simple yet so crazily sexy!
And the peacock/Indian-inspired hems lend a tasteful tribal feel. A pair of blingy, gold sandals will perfect the overall look!

Bag Me Convenience

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:51:00 +0000

Awhile ago I’ve bought and switched to using a Hobo bag. It was great what with the larger space and all. I can dunk everything in, from the usual wallet, name card holder, hand phone, and make up pouch, to shawl or cardigan, note books (instead of pieces of papers!), and books for the lonely train rides! It was really awesome.

But the bulkiness has really gotten to me lately. I have to dig forever just to fish out my car keys or hand phone; basically all things small will need time to be dug out, and that’s annoying AND embarrassing! Imagine putting your hand in to the bag (think: magic hat) and start swimming the arm around to feel for your name card holder while some one you just came to know wait for the card. Can you spell embarrassing for me? Gosh!

So I think I’m going to switch back to a smaller bag - just to keep the essentials, and it’s safer too (with a larger bag, it’s relatively easier for the bag to be snatched!). What about you? What type of bag are you using and what is your preference?

Of New Year & Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:21:00 +0000

New Year’s day was here and then gone! Phew! How time flies!

Life for the past couple of months had been crazily wired and I’m glad I haven’t forgotten the password to this blog! Hehe.

Have you guys made any resolutions for the year? Well, though I’m not a very good resolutions-keeper, but I guess I’m motivated enough this year to come up with a few health/beauty resolutions and actually PLANNED to keep to my words!

To seek regular facial treatments
My skin hasn’t been at its tip top condition of late. Yeah, it has improved from my younger days, but still, it breaks out, rather unpredictable, and is extremely sensitive. And because of its sensitivity, I refused it to be touched by any facialist (due to really bad experiences!) and also because of this sensitive skin, I don’t feel comfortable wearing much make up lest it clogs up my skin, in addition, problematic skins usually don’t hold make up well. So!

This year, I vow for that to change, starting with facial treatments. Have you any good recommendations?

To sign up with a gym, again
I’ve been member of a gym before but it didn’t quite work out, mainly due to the procrastinator in me and the fact that I hate driving alone all the way up to a mall (parking fees - extra cost incurred!) and work out on my own.

This year, my dear husband actually suggested signing ourselves up with a local gym and to “meet you there after work”! And that really motivates me load! So yeah, I’m looking forward to that now!

To cut down on eating out
Being a busy working wife (also the fact that I hate cleaning up. Hehe.), admittedly, I don’t cook as much as I would like to. Instead, we eat out a lot; besides hurting our pockets, albeit slowly but surely, it also hurts our health too, after all really no one can prepare healthier food that those you cook yourself.

So I’m planning to eat in more often with home cooked meals. Now, I’ll need to do it consistently without freaking myself out of cooking. So I’ll start with 2 meals a week to be ate at home. Oh I’m a genius! xD

Alright now, 3 resolutions are really quite a handful and pretty much going to empty my pocket! I’ll keep this space updated with my progress! *fingers crossed* I’d consider myself a success if by the end of this year, I’m able to keep the above 3! Haha!

What about you? Have you map out your plans for the year yet? Either way, here's wishing you an awesome year ahead y'all!

DIY Beauty: Honey Lime Mask

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:03:00 +0000

I just found out a tiny beauty secret (well, it IS a secret for a beauty noob like me!) – honey and lime and hot towel.

The combo works wonder on your skin! Mix 2 – 3 spoons of honey in a bowl, squeeze lime juice into it (filter out the seeds and pulp), stir well, and spread them over your clean face, massage gently for 10 minutes.

And then, wet a clean towel with hot water and place it over your face, allowing it to rest for 15 seconds. After that, gently wipe off the mixture from your face using the towel. Proceed to clean your face with a clean towel or water.

The honey works as moisturizer (so it’s best if you can get a better quality honey), while the lime juice works as whitener and it deep cleanses.

The result is a soft, supple, glowing face! :)

Sales!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:23:00 +0000

What? L’Oréal Fragrance Warehouse Sale
When? 1st (12pm - 8pm) - 2nd (12pm - 6pm) November 2007
Where? Ballroom 1 & 2, 10th Floor, Crown Princess Kuala Lumpur, City Square Centre.
Who? Lancome, Biotherm, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Cacharel, Guy Laroche

Terms? Cash and Visa/MasterCard accepted. No bags allowed at the sale location; limited to a max of 5 pieces per item per customer.

What? Club 21 sale
When? 2nd - 4th November 2007, 10am - 8pm
Where? Level 4, JW Marriott Hotel, Starhill 3
Who? AX, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Max & Co, MaxMara, Paul Smith, Song+Kelly21, etc

Formally Casual

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:33:00 +0000

Did I mention that these days I love empire cuts and wrap-tops so much? Look at this beauty! I feel a tingly, happy sensation already just looking at it! Haha! It’s available in green, blue, maroon, pink, white, and cream.
And to power up in the office, I'm loving this chica (the jacket, duh!). Put it on over a tube or nothing at all! You’ll set the office on fire! ;)

Maybelline’s New Shine Seduction Gloss Lipcolour

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:00:00 +0000

It’s official. I’m an addict. A lip gloss addict and there’s no U-turn! (Erm, even if there’s any, please don’t highlight it to me. Don’t you know? Ignorance is bliss :)

My friend was out at a L’Oréal / Maybelline warehouse sales last Friday, and she asked if I’m interested to get anything. My first reaction was “really? Please do check out the glosses for me! Pleaseeeeee?”

So ladies and gentlemen, I present you, a new member to my makeup bag…

Maybelline’s new Shine Seduction Glossy Lipcolour!

which was a total steal at RM10.00 (RP RM29.90)!

The product comes in a shiny, steel-y packaging that gives only a glimpse of the colour peeps through it, which got me really excited wanting to test it out.

Using a twist-and-apply method, the tube is supposed to deliver just the right amount of gloss for each application. The only downside with this is that you’ll need to tilt the tube upside down in order for the gloss to be released as you twist, and that, at times may cause an over-gush of gloss, leaving you with no choice but to spread it out on your lips or run the risk of wastage.

According to Maybelline’s official website, the glossy goodness is enriched with

Vitamin E and aqua-botanical extracts which keeps the lips smooth and kissably soft without giving the sticky feeling.

My verdict? No doubt the gloss is not as sticky as other glosses which I’ve tried on, but it doesn’t last (I guess that’s a standard downside with lip glosses as compared to matte lipsticks), and that also means you don’t get that super-water-shine effect; and applying on dry or chapped lips means to be prepared with obvious skin-peels on your lips half an hour after application or till the moisturiser of the gloss runs dry (euw!).

So my suggestion is to slap on a layer of lip balm to moisture your lips (daily, of possible) before applying the gloss. Any gloss, for that matter.

Shoe Craze!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:26:00 +0000

Don't you just love Fridays?! It means 2 things to me, that TOMORROW is Saturday! And flats! Oh I can't get enough of flats and ballerinas, and moccasins! The well loved Kate Spade always has something pretty to offer to your sole, literally! :)

Check these babies out!

6 Steps To Beautiful Skin

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:17:00 +0000

Here’s a reminder (for myself) to maintain a healthy skin.

I’ve been suffering from pimply, blotchy face all my life, especially when it comes to my period days; trust me when I say, it’s traumatising. OK, maybe that’s an overstatement, because you kinda learn to live with it as time goes, besides it’s not all too serious till I have to seek medical help.

But undeniably, it’ll be really nice to not have to worry about my face and spend tons of money in buying lotions and creams and ointments just to try-and-error on my skin (which I think it’s really taxing to the face!)

So I figured what slaps on your face is not as important as what goes into your mouth down the tummy.

1. Yup. Eating right is almost the only way to go with gorgeous skin, sadly. What you really need is a balance diet but cash in on foods that offer benefits of anti-aging like fruits (berries), greens (beans), nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts), dried fruits (non-sweetened. Sugar is BADDD), spices (this shouldn’t be too difficult nor bad as we Asians are used to herbs and spices in our food and herbal drinks), and cereals (not necessary cornflakes every morning. You can add/substitute your white rice which offers no nutrition anyway with unpolished brown rice. Alternately, you may add barley, beans, sesame etc into your white rice too)

2. Protection from the sun! I hate to mention this but there’s no other way than to slap on the sunscreen and avoid spending time in the sun too much. Harmful rays of the sun damage your skin and make it rough and wrinkly way before time.

3. Do not smoke - so bad for your skin PLUS it damages your lungs! (If you don’t smoke, you only have 5 tips to keep!)

4. Take antioxidants (berries, beans, nuts) to fight the free radicals in your body - the reason that causes aging. Certain vitamins and minerals like Omega-3 are important to maintain healthy and supple skin.

I’m taking cod liver oil now, and I actually do see improvement on my face - breakouts are under control (esp during pre-period days), pimples dry out fast without growing into some full-grown monstrous uh, pimple, and no patches of red skins, till now (it has been half a month since I started on cod liver oil, 2 capsules per day).

*Do check with your gynae about consuming fish oil if you are pregnant.

5. And my most dreadful tip - EXERCISE. Apparently the best type of exercise is about 30 minutes of light aerobics, walking, or swimming. If done daily, it’ll greatly improve your energy level and help your body feel younger.

Actually, staying in my current apartment which is 3 floors up does help! Seriously! My thighs and buttocks are ACTUALLY firmer and toner. So imagine you actually keep to an exercise routine, how great you’ll look!

6. Finally, get enough and quality sleep every night. This could be a very difficult tip to keep for many of us as our lives are just so busy! Sleep? What sleep? But unfortunately, if you want great skin, then you gotta reassess your schedules and make quality sleep your top priority.

Credit: The above steps/tips are collected from various websites through the net. You may google and map out tips that are relevant to your own lifestyle instead.

Wear Pants. And Still Look Like A Girl!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:26:00 +0000

I’m a little slow with trends and stuff, but lately I kinda heart those mini dresses that you wear over a pair of skinny jeans or pants or dark stockings! I find them so versatile, comfy (no accident butt-crack flashing!), and feminine! You can either wear it with a wide belt hung low on your waist, or none altogether, it’s still so chic and clean. I like “clean” looks.

I’ve bought 2 such tops - one grey T-shirt from Yishon (with a real cool retro print!) and the other sweater-like from Zara that suits both work and play (will post pictures soon. Camera kaput-ed -_-)

Anyway, here’s one that shouts retro-groovy baby!!!

Before Nine's Virgin Tag

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:28:00 +0000

Here’s the mentioned tag from Beautyholics Anonymous. I’m supposed to copy the whole list (below) and add my own shopping tip to the bottom and pass it on.

~ Start copy ~

1. Wear comfy clothing when you’re shopping. You don’t wanna fuss with too many laces and buttons when you’re trying clothes on. http://rinnah-marketplace.blogspot.com/

2. When buying pants or jeans, try to try them on with a pair of heels so you know its the right length. If you don’t and wear it with heels later, you might find that it hangs at an awkward length. http://www.all-aboutshopping.com/

3. When shopping for makeup, do avoid using the makeup testers on your face. I know this is difficult, especially when you're looking for foundation (the tone is best selected when tested on your jawline), but drugstore brands like Maybelline, Loreal, Silkygirl, etc do not exactly have clean makeup testers, as everyone else has dug their grimy fingers on the stuff. If you want to try it on your face, I'd suggest you to take a piece of tissue, and rub the powders for a bit first, before you apply it on your face. It's a bit of a waste, but at least you don't have to worry so much about the hygiene of the testers. http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com/

4. When out shopping, especially for clothes, do wear a strapless or silicon bra so that you can get the right feel and look if you happened to try on tubes/ gowns/ anything that bears your shoulders and/or back. http://www.before9.blogspot.com/

~ End copy ~

If you’re interested in the tag, please feel free! Just copy the above list, add your tip, and pass it on to your friends!

A Typical Sasa Experience

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:20:00 +0000

Totally my bad for abandoning this blog for so long! Life’s been crazy and all over the place for the past couple of months. But now that I’ve more or less settled with my career plans, it’s about time I give my attention back to blogging!

I was reading Beautyholics Anonymous and I found myself tagged, which is cool and timely for a blog resurrection attempt. So I’ll do the tag, but before that, I’ll like to give my 2 cents here about my experience with Sasa after reading B.A’s, whose post was inspired by My Women Stuff’s experience with Sasa and Mac. It’s like a whole new tag altogether sharing about each others’ experience with the outlets!

I haven’t been too big a MAC fan, mainly because I don’t fancy the sales assistants’ loud makeup and snobbish attitude towards potential customers. So I’ll just leave that as that. Now Sasa, on the other hand, is a place where I don’t mind going into if I’m out window shopping and want to get updated with products from Japan and Korea.

My recent trip to Sasa was last weekend, over at 1 Utama. Call me jakun, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a range of Tigi's Bed Head/Catwalk hair AND makeup products on display.

So I was looking at the make up products (which sadly, all looked awfully un-fresh - cakey liquid foundation, eyeliners, and expired-looking lipsticks), and this sales assistant who has been tailing me the minute I stepped in, was commenting really loudly about how good the products are, in Cantonese.

“YEAH. THEY NOW HAVE MAKEUP PRODUCTS” (erm, I can see that…)
“THIS IS EYE LINER” (well, thanks for letting me know…)
“IT IS REALLY GOOD! SEE MY EYES? BLACK RIGHT?” (she meant the eye liners she’s using)

I just nodded along and agreed with her statements. She then walked away and came back with a plastic basket and thrust it into my hand.

The thing is, in my opinion, baskets should be offered to customers who are already holding products from the shop but are still browsing, which I’m sure they’ll really appreciate. But for anyone who has no intention of buying (seen by their empty hands), giving them a basket to hold on to is rather awkward. But no matter, it’s only, after all, a basket.

So I held on to the basket and continued checking out the hair product range. The same girl came standing next to me and started proclaiming how great the products are, again.

“THIS HAIR GEL VERY GOOD. HARD.”

Now, at that point, I was interested in getting a “Hard & Wet” hair gel that is capable of spiking short hair. So I proceeded to ask if there’s any from the brand.

“THIS MAKES YOUR HAIR HARD.”
“Oh. But does it give the wet look?” I asked.

She went on to literally shout across the room, consulting her colleague.

“THIS GEL GIVES WET LOOK AH?”
The answer was shouted back, “NO”
She then looked at me and said loudly, “MISS, NO!”

“OK… so do you have any gel that gives the hard and wet look?”

Same thing, shouted across the room.

“WE HAVE ANY HARD AND WET GEL?”
The answer came back negative.
“NO LAH, MISS”

-_-

I then thanked her, and proceeded to the next aisle. What happened next was rather, shocking for me.

The same sales girl, 3 minutes later, came towards me, and matter-of-factly grabbed the basket in my hand and walked away, without so much of a word or nod or any sort of body gestures. Just grab and go, as if I’ve over stayed my welcome in the shop!

I don’t know about the majority, but for me, I usually decide to purchase an item from or dine in a certain shop because I feel welcomed, and I’m treated like a human with good manners. So, looks like I won’t be back in Sasa for a long time. Not unless they start bucking up their customer service!

From Cheek To Lid

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:25:00 +0000

Here’s a tip!

If you are in desperate need of a dash of colour on your face because you’re caught bare faced and you have no eye shadows in hand, you may give your eyelids a sweep of your pink-toned blusher (and then another sweep of shimmer over it if you have any!).

And to avoid looking totally “monotone”, use a brown- or peach-tone blusher on your cheeks instead! Glide on a coat of gloss and you’re ready to go!

P/S So it’s always handy to have blushers ready in your bag afterall!

When In Doubt, Put On Life Saving Jacket!

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:57:00 +0000

Don’t you just hate it when you can’t ever decide what to wear to work?

Invest in a good piece of crop jacket, it’ll bridge you through many occasions! From when you need to attend a formal meeting to covering that water-retention flab on your arms or tummy, jackets’ always a wonderful choice to consider as it pulls (rather covers!) everything in place and give you an overall tailored look.

The plus point? Instead of looking boringly dead formal, crop jackets are a cute option with bold embellishment, like this piece with the vintage huge buttons with the cropped bust with pleated panel.

Wear it over a simple tank top or nothing at all underneath! It can go with skirts and pants of all cuts and kinds. Just perfect for the day when you are lazy to think! Hah!

Flirty Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:15:00 +0000

I thought this get-up is simple, versatile, and simply gorgeous!

Just throw on a flirty short voile skirt that flatters, a long sleeved lycra top, and a short sleeved cardigan. (Psst, wear a pair of killer heels to up that sex appeal!)

After work, simply remove the cardigan (and change into flat pumps if you want) and hit the coffee bar with your friends for a lazy evening!

And to kill those pre-lunch hunger pangs, baby carrots makes an awesome nibble! Carrots are a healthy snack to feed the hunger and its high content of Vitamin A is beneficial and contributes to the function of the retina of the eyes.

When You’re Too Lazy To Makeup…

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:07:00 +0000

You should at least hit the base. The face, I mean.

Here’s my foolproof face makeup regimen under 10 minutes:

> If my face breaks out with unsightly pimples, I'd dab on some Tea Tree Oil for the anti-bacterial effect.

> Spread on a layer of sunscreen of at least SPF25 as base.

> Dab dark eye circles and pimple with concealer and gently blend with CLEAN (ring) finger.

> As I’m using foundation (and concealer) in powder form, I’d blend a little concealer into my foundation and use a brush to swirl on the powder combo all over my face, in downward strokes, starting from the under-eyes.

> Instead of using eye liner, fill in only the crease of eye lids with dark brown eye shadow, layer by layer to get just the right desired “lined” eyes effect.

> You may also use a dark brown / grey eye shadow to fill in the brows, then “comb” the brows with a brow brush. The results are always very natural, not to mention easy to control.

> Curl eye lashes, and apply mascara starting from the base of the lashes (important to keep the lashes out-standing, literally) and zig-zag out.

For plain, natural makeup, I prefer using a mascara that gives volume to my lashes for that extra hint of “drama”.

> A swirl of blusher on both cheeks.

> Use a clean brush to sweep on gentle strokes of bronzer/shimmer on the forehead, jawlines, and nose tip to give features definition.

> Apply lip balm, lip colour, and finally a coat of your favourite lip gloss.

And voilà!

But then again, this is only a routine I’ve developed myself, you may not find it appropriate for yourself, for example, mixing the concealer powder with the foundation powder; plus, it's not a flawless routine, but at least it brightens up my pale face. So share your routine with us instead. It is in sharing that we all learn, yes? :)

P/S I’m using mineral powder makeup products which I’ll do another post later on.

Killing (Monday) Blues

noreply@blogger.com (J-elle) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:55:00 +0000

Now I don’t need to repeat the whole scenario in detail, you girls know the *problem* all too well - it’s workday / weekend / holiday / whatever-day, and *omg!* what to wear?!!!

Uhn ha.

Here’s my take in curbing this daily headache. I’ll be posting up an ensemble everyday, and well, hopefully that’ll help me fine tune my dress sense (oh, fingers crossed!), and maybe giving you an inspiration or two too! :)

So kicking off on this drizzly, lazy Monday morning, to work I had to go. And yeah, total blah.

But let’s spruce things up a bit with this beautiful cashmere Kimono Cardigan.

You can pair it with

> A simple racer back singlet / a clean-cut sexy tank
> A pair of skinny pants / pencil skirt

Then dress up or down with

> Ballerina flats / 3.5” heel pumps.
> Leather tote / satchel

And finally wrapped it up with a hearty breakfast of omelette sandwich and tea before heading out!

Now is that yum or is that yum?! Happy Monday girls! :D