Pretty Much Makeup

So You Had The Lady Gaga Concert Cancelled

2012-05-29T21:39:00.001+07:00

...congratulations: you're doing an excellent job degrading yourself.

Earlier today I had a conversation with a friend of mine about the Lady Gaga concert being cancelled in our country. Now, we both don't care that much about her music but we do have opinions about this. My friend thinks it's legitimate to cancel the concert because the singer is known to wear revealing outfits; it might be too much of a turn on for people and it could be harmful towards our moral values. This, apparently, is the main reason why some groups of people are reacting against the singer (along with some accusations about her being a follower of Satan or something medieval like that).

Anyway, I think that people who claim the Lady Gaga concert "would be too much of a turn on" should be ashamed of themselves. The only thing these people achieve by getting the singer banned in our country is actually admitting that they're too weak to control their own libido so they need the law enforcement to do that for them. Just think about it: if you're an adult, shouldn't you be capable of using your brain and conscience when it comes to sex? There are other people, LOTS of people, in other parts of the world who can enjoy her music performance without getting hot about it; why can't you?

After all, it's just music. It's not like they set up this event for Lady Gaga to give you a $5 lap dance. She's not there to turn people on so the argument that it will disrupt our moral values is irrelevant. And I guarantee you: her fans aren't going to the concert in hopes to see her wearing kinky leotards. If people want perverted things to look at to, they have the Internet. It's free. The Lady Gaga ticket costs what? $100? Heck, most people in Indonesia are still below the socioeconomic level to be able to blow that kind of money on a music concert. It's ridiculous to assume that one American singer will corrupt the whole country when most people in the country don't even have access to this kind of entertainment.

You want to talk about celebrities and their skimpy outfits? Why not start from our own TV stations? THIS is the entertainment that most Indonesian people have access to, and what do you see there? Piles of shit. There's too much bullshit on TV nowadays that if I spend just ten minutes of my time in front of it, my IQ will probably drop down about 25%. I don't want to risk it so I never turn on my TV set except for the occasional football match. I did hear people complaining about how there were an increasing trend of violence and sexual references on our national TV, though. What have the people in the House of Representatives done about that? Aren't they the ones who always cry and moan about morality?

But you know what, all the stuff I said above; they're the least of my worries. If we let these people control what we can or can't listen to based on certain religious values, we're pretty much screwed. If our moral standard is set by a group of people that has gained power over the law enforcement, we're totally screwed. There will be rejections of ideas and/or intellectual discussions that may offend certain faith (already happened in my city when Irshad Manji's book discussion was being attacked). And if that's the case, who will be able to guarantee us our freedom of speech? What stops them from robbing us of our rights to express ourselves? Next thing you know, you have to own a certificate from MUI to be able to publish a blog post. Half of my blog content would probably be stamped haram and be requested for removal. Now THAT is what concerns me the most.

We are a democratic society but it seems to me like nobody knows what that means anymore. And that hurts. After all the pain and suffering our people have been through to regain our freedom, time and time again it's being taken away from us by a handful of people that seem to be above the law just because they happen to raise the religion flag. I don't know how we can stop this chaos and I don't even pretend to know. But here's what I'm going to do come next election year: I'm not going to cast my vote to any religious political party and their candidates, especially not the PPP (P3). And if you agree that the cancellation of Lady Gaga's concert is wrong, you shouldn't vote for them either.

Quick OOTD

2012-05-28T11:05:00.000+07:00

I had a nice Sunday afternoon out wearing another top I just bought from Forever 21. I quite like it but I think it's a little too big around the chest (I ordered it online). My sister said the fabric looked sort of batik-ish from afar which makes it unique (her words).

weird lines beside my neck = my feather earrings

I apologize for my stupid half-assed smile on the second picture; I almost burst into laughter because my lame photographer kept making silly comments. Totally unrelated but that afternoon I also met a famous comedian Kelik at the supermarket, lol. The guy seems nice! I had to google his name because I only recognized the face at that moment.

It's been sunny here in Yogyakarta, such a lovely weather. :)

Review: Revlon Colorstay 16-Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Adventurous

2012-05-26T11:28:00.000+07:00

Revlon Indonesia has finally launched the new Colorstay quads! Well, actually, it was some time ago but I didn't get to pick up anything from the collection until recently.
The first time I was there, the sales assistant didn't even have any idea how much the quad cost. The testers were already there, but the new price list wasn't. I got no option other than to wait.

And so I waited. I was also being uncharacteristically patient about it. I had to visit Revlon a couple of times more before they finally had all available colors in stock. Normally I would just forget about it and move on, but with these quads I somehow felt the need to give them at least one try... them being fairly cheap and all. :p

Though some of the quads come in fun color combination, I settled with a neutral one: Adventurous. I thought the olive green shade (#2) in this quad was very unique and the rest of the colors seemed to go well together for a practical day-to-night look.

Revlon ColorStay 16-Hour Eyeshadow in 515 Adventurous
product description: All day luxurious color that doesn't crease, fade or smudge.
Rich, velvety shadows blend smoothly and effortlessly.

price: Rp 105.000 (approximately $10) / 4.8 g

Compared to the old Wet/Dry quad, I definitely like this one better. The eyeshadows are much improved; they come in better texture and pigmentation. I swatched them without primer and they do show up. With primer, they're even more amazing. They did last on my eyelids for at least 13 hours before I removed them at night. I only noticed slight fading by the 6-7th hour but absolutely no creasing at all. I'm impressed.

These swatches are accurate I'd say, except for the shimmery white highlight color. In real life it's more on the warm side and it reflects a golden glow. It reminds me a bit of NARS Albatross highlighter.

Isn't the olive green color beautiful? On my eyelids it shows up more like an antique gold shade. I like! :)

I tried out the look from the diagram at the back of the packaging and it's working well on my eye shape. I love it! It's subtle enough to wear daily but not too boring looking.

All in all, I'm happy with this product. I think it's worth every penny although I envy people in the US who can get this during a sale for half the retail price. :p Other than the slightly gritty highlight color, I have no serious complain. If you're currently searching for a good, affordable neutral eyeshadow palette, I'd certainly recommend checking this one out. ;)

In Black

2012-05-23T21:48:00.002+07:00

I like to wear something black and fitted when I'm heading to the gym. You may not realize how much a flattering outfit can motivate you to stay in shape but it really does.

A couple of people questioned my mental stability when they saw Limp Bizkit on my iPod. What can I say? Terrible band, yes, but they got some amazing songs to workout to. As vile as "Eat You Alive" gets, it still manages to get me through my last minutes of cardio. To me, that's all that matters.

Circle Lens Review: Diva Soul in Grey

2012-05-21T23:49:00.002+07:00

A quick review for today! I certainly haven't done any of these in a while, have I? I still enjoy wearing circle lens most of the time but I'm more into brown-colored, natural looking ones as of late. Though so, bright grey contacts have always been my favorite! I said yes right away when Yenny from Dazzling Room offered me to try these Diva Soul lens in grey color.

It's my understanding that Diva Soul is a local circle lens line but the product itself is made in Korea. It says that these lenses are equipped with moisturizer and UV ray blocker. I was actually pretty skeptical at first but surprisingly, these lenses do feel comfortable on my eyes. I think it's even more comfortable than some of my Geo lenses. I've tried other lenses before but nothing has been more comfortable than Geo... until now.

brand: Diva Soul

origin: Indonesia

made in: Korea

BC: 8.6

water content: 50%

diameter: 14.8 mm

life span: 1 year
price: IDR 100k

Design: 9/10

It looks like a flower pattern when worn, so pretty! The outer ring is thin which I personally prefer. The pupil hole is not too small; no blurriness at all when I wear these.

Color: 8/10

They're not very vibrant to the point where people stare at my eyes at the streets, lol, but overall they do give a nice color change to my eyes. If you want a warm grey color, these probably won't do. It's more on the cool, bluish side.

Enlargement: 10/10
I love circle lenses that don't have thick black outer ring and these are just that! These enlarge my pupils very nicely without looking too buggy. The size is also perfect for me. I don't like lenses that are bigger than 14.8 mm but I also think 14 mm is too small to give an adequate enlarging effect.

Comfort: 10/10

Super comfy! I was out and about last Sunday with these on and my eyes still feel fine even after 6 hours. I didn't even use any eye drops. :D

This is with indoor lighting. On my previous FOTD, I also wore this and took pic right by the window if you care to see that.

Overall, I think this is a really nice pair of circle lenses; very stunning paired with dark eye makeup and very comfortable too. I might even try the other colors from this line.

To purchase, you can email Yenny here, or visit her blogshop/facebook store.

Friday FOTD & Outfit

2012-05-19T19:01:00.001+07:00

This is the only look I've been wearing the past week... a soft wash of grey color on the lid and steel blue on the lower lashline. I'm in desperate need of inspiration obviously. To make up for it I just piled on my blush like there's no tomorrow (it's Laura Geller Roseberry blush in case you'd like to know).

Wearing the new cami I just bought from Forever 21. It's super cute and comfy!

Usually I'd put on some kind of cover up like a jacket or a cardigan when wearing a cami like this, but it was scorching hot that day. I thought the weather was far more offensive than my arms and back. Not that I seek for people's approval of what I could/could not wear, but yeah, the back of the cami is pretty sheer. Other than that, it's perfect. One of the best purchases I've made from Forever21 so far.

I just ordered a couple more shirts from the same store. At this rate I could only hope that online shopping wouldn't lead to my own demise, lol.
How about you? Any new hauls lately?

How I Eat

2012-05-09T05:52:00.000+07:00

Someone suggested me to write about my daily eating habit and so I finally did. I tried making it as concise as possible but this is the best I can do.

The rundown:

I wake up around 5-6 am. Before I get a glass of water, I pee and then weigh myself. Always weigh yourself in the same condition; first thing in the morning before you eat anything and without clothes/footwear.

Breakfast: I like eggs for breakfast. I usually eat up to two scrambled/pouched eggs accompanied with a slice of baked whole wheat bread. Pumping up my protein earlier in the day keeps me full longer. Another breakfast combination I like is oatmeal cooked with skim milk+banana (no sugar, the banana should already sweeten it enough) and one hard boiled egg. If I want to drink coffee, I'll drink it black with no sugar.

10 am: 1-2 servings of fruit. *Tip: eat your fruits raw, not juiced. Juices are usually packed with sugar, especially bottled/packaged juice.

12 am: for lunch, I usually have lean meat like chicken breast (baked, not fried), some salad or "sayur" and brown rice. I also sometimes eat fish/shrimp. DON'T DRINK SWEET ICED TEA right after you eat (here's why); a lot of Indonesian people do this out of habit.

3-4 pm: I consider this my snack time. Yoghurt with strawberries will do it for me. I also like to have some bubur kacang ijo at this hour but I would substitute the white sugar with palm sugar.

7-8 pm: no rice for dinner, just fish/lean meat and veggies. My favorite is beef teppanyaki with lots of veggies. Soups are great, too. Google low-calorie soup recipes.

beef teppanyaki, credit: http://www.yelp.com

Notes:

I cook/prepare my own meal most of the time because then I will know how much exactly I eat. If you eat out, you have no control of what (and how much) they put into your food.
I drink plenty of water to keep me hydrated throughout the day especially during my workout days.
I never skip meals and I always have a good, satisfying breakfast.
I try to incorporate more organic produce into my diet.
I stay away from white rice, white bread, sugar, sugary drinks, and processed foods in general (yes, this includes fried foods). This doesn't mean that I cut these foods out completely from my diet though. I still eat them but very rarely and in small quantities. Instead of eating the whole bag of chips, eat half... that sort of thing. I'm not a big fan of chips but I do love ice cream! Ice cream is my kryptonite.

A few tips if you want to start eating healthy:

If you're busy, have your meal prepared the night before and put them into meal boxes so you can just heat them the next day.
Plan ahead what you're going to eat for the whole week. It makes things a whole lot easier.
Don't antagonize particular nutrients such as fat. Your body needs it. You just have to know which fat is better and which is worse. Trans-fats are the worst. They are commonly found in processed foods. Basically, if you eat like I do, you instantly trim down your trans-fat and sodium intake which will be good for you in the long run.
Don't feel guilty about the food you eat and/or have a negative mindset towards food. "Ohh I eat this, it's so bad." No. Just be grateful for the meal you just had and move on. Remember, a lot of people have to starve because they can't afford food. Food ain't bad. The act of abusing them is.
Most importantly, educate yourself about food; what's in them, where they come from, how to process them the right way... everything. It's worth it to learn about food because they are essential to our well being. I highly recommend Michael Pollan's books for a start.

So that's it. Hope that helps. And here's a bonus picture of Rob Lowe strumming the air banjo just for the sake of it:

you're welcome.

Review: Max Factor Ageless Elixir 2in1 Foundation + Serum

2012-05-07T20:13:00.000+07:00

I don't know what to make of this recent foundation-slash-serum trend. I really don't. If I wanted to tackle serious aging signs I would invest in a good anti-aging serum, not a drugstore foundation. But with that being said, as long as it serves its main purpose as a foundation, I won't be complaining. It's great that they have found a way to put these extras into our foundations, but if the ability of the foundation itself is compromised then it wouldn't be worth it.

Max Factor Ageless Elixir 2in1 Foundation + Serum SPF 15
Full coverage foundation: covers appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for an instantly younger look. Serum + SPF15: Helps protect against ageing signs like discoloration and age spots, with daily use. The serum component of this foundation contains Glycerin, Niacinamide, N-Acetyl Glucosamine and an anti-oxidant package of Vitamin E, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Panthenol, and Green Tea. Ageless Elixir also carries an SPF 15 mark for mild UV protection.

Shade
There are 6 shades available although the last time I was at Max Factor they only had 2. I got mine in Golden which is the second darkest shade (I'm NC37 at MAC). It's not a perfect match but then again I hardly ever come across a drugstore foundation with realistic yellow undertone, so I guess it's something I should've anticipated. Upon application it looks awfully light/whitish on me, creating an obvious difference between the color of my face and the rest of my body. But to my surprise, half an hour later it oxidizes and turns at least one shade darker. It's really weird. I think if you're not sure you should go to the store and try it on first before buying.

Packaging

Wonder why it's not encased in a clear bottle like most foundations in the market? It is so that the anti-oxidants inside are preserved. It's a good thing, I guess, but then you're going to have a hard time guessing how much product you have left. It also comes with a pump and an airtight bottle cap. At the front of the bottle there's this small cut-out bar where you can see the color of the foundation.

Texture
It's light, mousse-y, and is very easy to spread out. It reminds me of my Diorskin Nude foundation albeit less pigmented and more watery. My only note is that it can feel a bit tacky a few seconds after you apply it on your face (due to its texture). I would suggest dusting a little finishing powder on top just to get rid of that tacky feel.

Application
I really prefer applying this foundation with my fingers. It's easier and faster that way. Sponges waste a lot of product and brushes just sort of move the product around instead of making it stick to my skin.

Coverage
Light to medium. If you have enlarged pores or blemishes, it wouldn't be able to fully cover them. You can layer it to achieve a fuller coverage but not without cost; it will feel super tacky and since it takes a long time to set, you can end up with smudge lines if you're not careful. I prefer to just use concealer on trouble spots and apply a layer of this foundation to even out my skintone.

Finish
I would describe it as a semi-matte finish. I love it. It's not too matte that you end up looking like you're wearing a mask, but it doesn't look greasy either.

no powder; semi-matte finish

Oil Control & Staying Power
For a drugstore foundation, I find it impressive. It lasts up to 6 hours on my skin before I notice major fading; twice longer than any other drugstore foundation I've tried. Usually I only have to apply blot powder on my chin and T-zone once throughout the day to control shine.

Price & Availability
It's available at any Max Factor counter. The price is around Rp 105.000 for a 30 ml bottle (that's like $10). I think it's a reasonable price for what you get.

Overall
If you have dry skin, this could work wonderfully on you since it feels moisturizing and it has that mousse-y texture instead of being thick. If you have oily skin like me, you could also wear this, just remember to use some powder on top to prevent shine.

Considering how affordable it is, I'd say this is a decent foundation with added bonus; anti aging properties and mild SPF protection. Two negative points I have to point out again, though: 1) weird coloring/shade selection and 2) takes a while to set. If you feel like you're not going to be bothered with that, I certainly would recommend you to give this foundation a try.

So what do you think? Have you tried this foundation yourself?

OOTD: Ruched Leggings

2012-05-06T21:15:00.000+07:00

Just something I wore today.

I got this pair of leggings online almost two years ago. They're pretty cute but they must be the least comfy pair of leggings I've ever owned. I have to readjust them occasionally because they tend to slip down my hips. Even the awesome leg-slimming effect can't make up for its ill-fitting nature.

If you're wondering, no I don't have an instagram. And the ponytail? Why that's just plain laziness. Now that I got some kickass side swept bags I think I can get away easier with tied up hair. ;)

On my face: Max Factor Age Elixir foundation, Laura Geller Bright-n-Brighten Blush in Roseberry, Benefit Hoola bronzer.

Took pics of my Max Factor foundation today. Review's coming up!

Snack Time

2012-05-05T14:32:00.003+07:00

When I don't have time to prepare my own in-between meal, I usually go with this:

Soyjoy Fruit Soy Bar (raisin peanut flavor)

So yummy! It also makes a great pre or post workout snack.

Each serving contains 140 kkal. I have yet to come across a snack bar in our market that has fewer calories than this.

A peek at our Indonesian vernacular... Informasi Nilai Gizi = Nutritional Value Information. lol

What's your favorite snack?

The Lip Combo

2012-05-03T05:56:00.000+07:00

Here's a new favorite of mine.

Bourjois Sweet Kiss Lipstick in Rose Tendre & Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

If you remember, I've complained before about the Bourjois lipstick being too drying (it really is!). Well, now I can wear it without that uncomfortable feel on my lips. I just have to apply a light coat of Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee underneath and voila!

Not only that the color is flattering, both lippies combined makes a creamy texture as well. I'd describe the color as a muted coral pink that's suitable for spring and summer. It's not too dark or too "nude" so it goes well with both neutral and bold eye makeup.

For a quick moment it reminded of MAC Prrr lipglass; similar shade but of course the gloss gives a much sheerer color payoff.

On my face: Diorskin Nude liquid foundation, Diorskin Forever Compact Powder, NARS blush in Madly, Benefit Hoola bronzer.

You can check out my individual reviews of the lipsticks here and here. How about you? What's your favorite lip color combo?

Reminiscence

2012-05-02T06:40:00.000+07:00

To my Indonesian readers: anybody remembers these? They used to be around but now I don't see them anywhere anymore.

Diet Coke
I was watching a TV show and one of the characters were holding that unholy silver can. I thought to my self, "When was the last time I tasted a Diet Coke?" I seriously can't remember. I guess now Diet Coke is completely banished from the Indonesian market and comfortably replaced by Coke Zero. I'm not sure about it though, so let me know if it's still available in your area. I had a huge craving for it yesterday (not that I drink much soda).

Froot Loops
I was listening to a song and the term "Froot Loops" was in the lyrics; took me straight back to my childhood. Yes, my parents used to let me eat sugary cereals for breakfast once in a while but not always. Froot Loops wasn't exactly my favorite but now I remember the taste and crave to get some. Unfortunately, it too has been discontinued from our market. Bummer.

Ahh. It sure was fun growing up in the 90's.

Blogger Appreciation Award

2012-05-01T20:10:00.002+07:00

A huge thanks to Arum for giving me this award! :) If you've been looking for a beauty blog in Bahasa Indonesia, hers is definitely worth checking out. She writes beautifully and features a lot of information about Indonesian brand cosmetics.

Rules:

1. Thank the person who have you the award with their blog link on your post.

2. Answer the following questions:

How long have you been blogging?
What are 1-2 reasons why you started blogging?
What types of blog do you like to follow/read?
What is the 1 thing you would like to improve on as a blogger/on your blog?

3. Award the blogger appreciation award as many readers/commenters/followers as you'd like.

4. Let the blogger know you've just awarded them (by leaving a comment/email/tweet/etc).

Onto my answers...

How long have you been blogging?
This blog started out at the end of 2008, but I've been blogging way back when Friendster was still cool (remember those days?).

What are 1-2 reasons why you started blogging?
No reason! I'm kidding. :p At the time I was still a noob with too much time on my hands. At some point I just decided to keep a journal of my progress in applying makeup.

What types of blog do you like to follow/read?
Comedy/satire blogs, personal blogs, and of course beauty blogs.

What is the 1 thing you would like to improve on as a blogger/on your blog?
Consistency. It's hard to maintain picture quality when you rely on the weather and a crappy camera. I also feel like my writing hasn't always been good. I need to self edit more as I want to spare people from reading my brain fart.

I'm passing on this award to...
Janet
Nunu
Vixen Lady
Shella
Looking forward to reading your posts, ladies!

Benefit Hello Flawless Custom Powder Cover-Up Review

2012-04-27T09:00:00.000+07:00

As promised, here's my thoughts on Benefit "Hello Flawless!" Custom Powder Cover-Up SPF 15. Blech. What a mouthful. It's actually just a regular powder foundation. They call it "custom powder" because you can adjust the coverage by using different applicators it comes with; the sponge for heavier coverage or the brush for lighter coverage. I don't see what's so special about this. We can use the same techniques with any other powder foundation, can't we? But to be fair, not every powder foundation includes a sponge AND a compact brush inside the container. So there's that.

Check out the cute design. I'm not crazy about it but I admit it's more fun than plain old black casing (yep, referring to MAC here). Some people might prefer simpler, less gimmicky packaging though.

Even though the container is a bit bulky, it doesn't feel heavy at all. I also think that it's sturdy enough to bring along in a cosmetic purse.

The ingredients and the instructions are printed at the back of the carton packaging.

Shade
What I Crave - Toasted Beige suits my NC37 skin pretty well. If I'm not mistaken, it's one of the three new shades that were released a year ago. The only thing that bugs me about the color is that it seems a tiny bit too orange for my yellow undertone. If you have tanned skin with beige undertone, it probably would suit you better.

Texture & Application
Super smooth, feels silky on the skin, and easy to blend! The weird thing is, though, whenever I try to use the brush it comes with, the powder just flies out everywhere. It seems like a waste of product to me so I use my kabuki brush instead. I also use my own sponge when I want to amp up the coverage (since the one that it comes with is too small) and that works well too. The applicators included are pretty much useless.

I also notice that if I apply it right after moisturizer, it tends to become blotchy on the drier parts of my face. But this problem is easily solved by using foundation primer.

Finish
For some people with oily skin, the matte finish this powder offers might be a good thing, but I myself dislike it. Yes it feels smooth on the skin and it might come out "flawless" on photos, but in real life my face just looks dull.

Coverage
I'd say light to medium, but yes, you can achieve more coverage by applying it with a sponge. Still, if I want that much coverage, I'd go with liquid foundation. With this powder, you would need A LOT of product to cover acne marks and redness. And the bad news is that it can end up cakey if you apply too much. I do think less is more with this product and the ideal way to use it is probably on top of a tinted moisturizer.

I applied it with a brush on my left cheek here. It definitely makes my pores less visible and evens out my skintone. I still have a few post acne marks and though the redness isn't completely covered up, in general you can tell that the powder offers pretty good coverage.

Oil Control & Staying Power
Unlike MAC Studio Fix Powder, it doesn't make my skin greasy as long as I moisturize my skin beforehand. It also holds up pretty well. My skin still looks matte even after four hours, and that's a long time considering our humid weather here in Indonesia.

Price
It's quite expensive yet it contains so little! For comparison, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation costs $27 for 15g/0.52oz while Hello Flawless costs $34 for 7g/0.25oz. It's also not refillable.

Overall
This powder definitely needs the aid of a good primer to perform better. Unless you don't need much coverage and are just looking for a powder with great oil control, I wouldn't recommend it to you. I'm sure there's something out there that's cheaper but still works as good, if not better. And last but not least, this powder broke me out with small spots on my cheeks, chin and forehead. Yikes. So yeah, if you're someone that's prone to acne, beware. This isn't something you could wear everyday as it may easily clog your pores.

Have you tried this powder from Benefit before? What do you think about it?

Extreme Burns

2012-04-26T06:30:00.000+07:00

Around this time last year I started working out again. I did the 30 Day Shred Challenge, finished it, but then I got lazy to blog about it. In November through December last year I stopped working out completely because after a series of strenuous interval sprint my feet got terribly sore.

I adopted a less demanding workout routine since the start of this year; I jog for 45 minutes 4 times a week and do basic home pilates DVDs 2-3 times a week. I change it up once in a while when I'm bored. It's really nothing compared to my previous routine but I made all sorts of excuses not to kick my ass again.

I'm still eating (mostly) healthy by stocking up my fridge with tupperware boxes filled with meals that I make myself instead of eating out. Also, I cut out processed food by 90% off of my diet.

So yeah. For you that asked me to do workout posts again, my eating/exercise philosophy is still pretty much the same as when I first started out. My goal is always to maintain a healthy lifestyle as opposed to only doing it until I lose weight. But then again, I'll be honest, I've never had many pounds to lose since I've always been within my healthy BMI. If anything, I was only about 2 kg heavier than I wanted to be. So if you're someone who actually needs to lose a lot of weight, focusing on short time goals first might be a good idea.

Anyways, I recently joined a gym after working out by myself for about a year. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to hire a trainer (seems unlikely) because, really, I just wanted to use the treadmills. If it's not for the unpredictable weather I would still be working out outdoor. First, it's free. And second, it burns more calories. I do believe that 20 minutes of high intensity interval training either with outdoor sprinting or cycling beats 1 hour of steady cardio on the treadmill.

I came across this video on youtube and was inspired to start doing burpees again...

Look at that girl! Unbelievable.

And my favorite core workout video...
Forget crunches/sit-ups, this is more effective and less dangerous to your spine:

It's crazy hard if you're only starting out, but trust me, it works.

NARS Blush in Angelika

2012-04-25T08:05:00.000+07:00

Took these pics ages ago but forgot to post them. I bought Angelika some time at the end of last year and I've been loving it ever since. I was warned about it being a glitterbomb but I went ahead and bought it anyway. So far this is the only item from NARS I've ever paid full price for just because I wanted it THAT bad.

Angelika has become one of my top three most used blushes along with MAC Flirt & Tease and NARS Dolce Vita. I know they're not really budget-friendly picks but if you're a person who can just wear the same blushes over and over, I don't see why you shouldn't invest in one or two high-end blushes. They have great wear time and are usually super pigmented so they will last you a long time.

Now, while both Flirt & Tease and Dolce Vita are perfectly appropriate for daily wear, on special occasions I prefer wearing Angelika on my cheeks. The bubblegum pink shade makes me feel feminine and sexy. Plus, it pairs absolutely well with sultry smoky eyes and nude pink lips. I always get compliments whenever I do this combo. :)

It's true that this blush is super glittery but that doesn't bother me. The silver glitters hardly ever transfer to the other parts of my face; they mostly just sit there on my cheeks and would be gone by the end of the day. If you see my FOTDs wearing Angelika, most of the time it looks perfectly matte. That's because Angelika is basically a matte blush with added glittters on it. It's nothing like The Body Shop's Shimmer Stripes or MAC Mineralized blushes for instance where the shimmers are mixed in with the pigments. Does that make any sense? Anyway, with Angelika, you can actually minimize the amount of glitters you put on your cheeks. Just use a not-so-dense blush brush and tap your brush before applying!

Swatched lightly. This is how it pretty much looks like on the cheeks. So beautiful, right? :)

We Don't Need Nobody Else

2012-04-24T05:43:00.002+07:00

I know song posts are like tumblr-y and well, kind of pointless. One really can't care less what other people are listening to but to give this post some sort of purpose, I recently bought a couple of bronzers: The Balm Bahama Mama and Benefit Hoola (from the Tan About Town set). Oh yes, I think I'll be set for summer. :) I can't wait to try and review them. I'm also going to post my review of Benefit Hello Flawless Powder Foundation this week. So yeah, look out for that.

Now, here's a couple of my favorite songs at the moment. Both are from dinosaur bands, yes, because I'm old and not very hip. :p

Go nuts if you feel like recommending songs to me. I love discovering new tunes. ;)

Gold/Blue FOTD + Outfit

2012-04-19T21:11:00.003+07:00

I didn't realize I got glitters on my eyebrows until I uploaded the photo to my computer. Sorry about that. I'll be tidier next time.

Eyes - Etude House Proof 10 Primer, NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Pacific (base & lower lashline), Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Palette in Smoky Sexy, Too Faced Eyeshadow in Honey Pot, Too Faced Eyeshadow in Heaven, Stila Smudge Pot in Black, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, Elise False Lashes #4781.

After a couple of "are you sick?" I decided that yeah, maybe my gloss was too pale. It kind of makes me look like I need a postmortem examination. I was going to go for a rosier colored gloss if I could only find it (must be stranded in one of my bags).

Face - MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35, MAX Factor Age Elixir Foundation in Golden, LT Pro Loose Powder in Ochre

Cheeks - NARS Powder Blush in Angelika

Lips - B&C Labs Nudy Lip Concealer #01, Innisfree Moisture Shine Gloss in Milky Beige

Another casual outfit of mine. I certainly picked a horrible day to wear denim shorts because it suddenly rained and the rest of the day was pretty chilly.

I got this asymmetrical t-shirt at Hardware about a month ago. It was at least two sizes bigger when I first got it but after a couple of washes it shrunk. I like it better this way though. I don't think baggy clothes really suit me.

Top - LM for Hardware | Shorts - Sass & Bide

Shoes - Amante | Bag - Hana
Necklace - Forever 21 | Bangles - Centro

Hope you guys are having a great week so far!

Someone licked my lipgloss clean today.

2012-04-12T18:07:00.001+07:00

My friend brought her puppy over because she needed an animal carrier. I used to have one for my long lost cat Aslan so I let her use it.

He's going straight to the vet after this photo session. :)

This is my first time holding a really handsome golden retriever puppy so I was a bit nervous.

I have to admit that I'm more of a cat person but I do like dogs as well. I wish I could have one to accompany me jogging in the morning but my neighborhood isn't a very dog friendly one.
Oh well, maybe someday.

Product of My Environment

2012-04-10T18:47:00.001+07:00

The title has nothing to do with the contain of this post. I was just listening to Circle Jerks when I wrote this.

Here is another one of my everyday go-to looks; shimmery beige eyeshadow all over the lid, dark brown on the outer V/crease and NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Strawberry Milk on waterline. Of course I can't leave out my falsies and velcro hair bumpit. ;)

Face - MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC35, NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Stromboli, LT Pro Loose Powder in Ochre

Cheeks - MAC Sheertone Shimmer Powder Blush in Sunbasque .

Lips - B&C Labs Nudy Lip Concealer #01, Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Buff/Chamois.

Sometimes I feel like my OOTDs are pointless because I mostly buy my clothes/shoes at boutiques or department stores that are probably only familiar to Indonesian readers. Regardless, this is what I wore today.

Top - Ille by Mangos

Jeans - Point One

Shoes - FLD
Bag - Lancome (really old)

I went to see The Raid and didn't enjoy it as much as I'd like to. I mean, yes it's cool that the movie offers a different theme than the usual Indonesian mainstream movies do but still... who the heck says "mereka telah datang" in real life? No one. It makes it not believable to me because the actors seem to all stuck by the unrealistic script. I also feel as though the movie lacks of substance; it would totally be empty without all the choreographed fighting scenes and heads being blown by gun fires.

Have you seen it? I guess if you live in Indonesia you probably have. What do you think about it?

Etude House Moistfull Mask & Baviphat Gel Eyeliner Review

2012-04-09T14:15:00.002+07:00

The one I review here is the regular Moistfull Mask by Etude House, not the Collagen Moistfull one which I believe is sort of the "improved" version. I got it from my friend Inten along with a Baviphat Gel Eyeliner in Pearl Purple. She's so nice to send me these stuff to review. She is based in Solo which is closer to my city than Jakarta so shopping at her online shop should be more cost effective for me.

Both Etude House and Baviphat are Korean brands. I've tried a few items from Etude House before but it was my first time using their sheet mask. Since I've only used it once there's only so much I can say about it. Like any other sheet masks, it contains some kind of essence in it that will moisturize and treat your skin. You use the mask by leaving it on your face for about 15-20 minutes and then massage the essence until it sinks into your skin. It's quite a fun ritual to do since the mask gives such cooling and relaxing sensation.

The essence in Etude House Moistfull Mask is pretty rich and sticky. It doesn't get fully absorbed until at least half an hour after I remove the mask. I used it at night before I went to sleep and the next day my skin still felt soft and moisturized. My makeup lasted all day that day which I think is partly because my skin was well moisturized. To be honest, I would love to purchase the collagen version of this mask but I would probably only use it once a week at max. I'm just being cautious because I know this type of essence could clog my oily skin if I use it too often.

Onto the gel eyeliner, I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised! I thought the packaging was kind of tacky but the product itself is actually pretty good. It would be so cool if they had it in more colors but there are only three colors available; black, brown, and pearl purple. I got mine in pearl purple and I love it! It's a true eggplant purple with tiny silver specks in it.

The texture of the gel eyeliner is a bit denser than what I'm used to but I still can make it work. It's also very pigmented that I usually only need one stroke to create a thin line on my upper lashline. It certainly has a good wear time and is also waterproof. I don't have oily lids as far as I'm concerned but if you do, I would recommend applying it on top of a good eyelid base like the UDPP or Etude House Proof 10 primer.

Here I'm using the gel eyeliner as a cream shadow all over my eyelid and on my lower lashline. I added a deeper color eyeshadow on the crease and a shimmery beige eyeshadow to highlight my browbone. I really like the end result and it stays on ALL DAY with no creasing or fading.

Baviphat gel eyeliner costs Rp 58.000 (approximately US$ 6) for a 5g jar at Inten's Shop. Go try one!

Review: Kanebo Liquid Finish Foundation

2012-04-06T11:03:00.000+07:00

A little embarrassed to admit this but it was pretty much an impulse buy. I saw this foundation at StrawberryNET.com and purchased it right away. I've always wanted a light-textured foundation and having read some of the reviews on MUA, I thought this would be worth to try. I spent only around $19 for it which I believe is about half its retail price. I checked my local Kanebo but they don't have this foundation line over here so I'm not even sure how much this retails in Indonesia.

Kanebo International Liquid Finish Foundation SPF 10

Product description: Lightweight, moisturizing makeup. Natural coverage with luminous chiffon finish. For normal to combination skin.

Active ingredients: Octyl Methoxycinnamate 1.0% Sunscreen

Titanium Dioxide 5% Sunscreen

Ingredients: WATER (AQUA), CYCLOMETHICONE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, SQUALANE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, SILK POWDER (SERICA), TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, DIMETHICONE, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE COPOLYOL, TRIBEHENIN, OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, DRIED EGG YOLK (OVUM), METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, BHT, [MAY CONTAIN(+/-)]: IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI77492), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), TALC, TITANIUM OXIDE (CI 77891).

Shade
This is what surprised me the most about this foundation. In the bottle the shade Caramel seems very yellow; it looks like it would be the perfect match for my NC 37 skin but that is not the case at all. When spread out and blended, the color turns out fairly neutral. Caramel would probably suit people of NC 35 skin with pale yellow undertone. If you have strong undertone color, I bet this foundation would look ghostly on you as it does on me.

This is not necessarily a drawback though as it might benefit people with different skintone than mine. If you're very pale during winter for instance, you might find a color that suits you perfectly from this line.

Here's what it looks like compared to my MAC SFF Foundation in NC 37. MAC definitely has more color to it.

Texture & Application
This is the thinnest, most watery foundation I have ever tried! You can probably tell from the picture below how runny this foundation is. It does feel lightweight but it dries really quickly as it touches the skin. It's impossible to apply it with fingers without getting streaks. With a brush, it blends a lot more easier but you'll have to work very fast too. I find a damp sponge to be the most suitable tool to blend this foundation with.

Coverage
It surprisingly gives a nice, medium coverage despite the texture. I usually apply a thin first layer and then add more product to areas that need more coverage. It never feels cakey to me but it can look like I'm wearing a mask since it leaves a very strong white cast.

The foundation covers discoloration around my nose pretty well but it tends to emphasizes dry, patchy skin. I exfoliate my skin really well before I use this foundation but it still gives me that problem.

Finish
I think the "chiffon finish" refers to the fact that it feels very lightweight on the skin but it's not dewy by any means. It's matte. I still have to apply powder on top because my skin is oily, but if you have dry/normal skin you most likely can get away with wearing the foundation alone.

I initially enjoy the finish because it does make my face look pretty flawless but as the day goes by and the foundation starts to wear off, that's when this foundation falls short on me.

Oil Control & Staying Power
It doesn't stay put. It slides off of my nose within 3 hours. At the end of the day, my cheeks still look fine but my T-zone and my chin are completely bare. That totally bugs me. I guess this really is a foundation for people with normal skin.

Packaging
It comes in a cute glass bottle with no pump. It can get messy since the foundation is quite runny but other than that, I'm okay with it. At least it feels sturdy.

Pros:
- flawless matte finish (covers pores and discoloration well),
- no offensive smell,
- medium, buildable coverage,
- lightweight,
- SPF 10.

Cons:
- dries very quickly,
- hard to blend,
- weak staying power on combination/oily skin,
- doesn't come with a pump,
- white cast = not good for night-time photos.

wearing Kanebo Liquid Finish Foundation in Caramel

Okay, please excuse my ghostly white face here. I actually applied it on my neck as well but it still looks super pale, no? I don't hate this foundation per se, but I'm convinced that it's just not made for me. I would recommend this to people with normal skin who prefer feather light makeup. I think it would also suit mature skin because it does covers lines really well.

Have you tried this foundation yourself? Any favorite products from Kanebo?

Velcro Hair Bump

2012-04-05T18:48:00.003+07:00

If you like your hair big, you've got to try this! I also have the original bumpit but since my hair is pretty flimsy it's hard to make the bumpit stay still. This velcro "volume hair base" is much easier to insert and on my head it doesn't move around unless there's some serious wind blowing against me. The only thing I can complain about is that it's pretty hard to remove. You have to peel it from your hair very gently or else you'll be pulling and tugging your hair a lot.

I received mine from Born Pretty Store for review purpose. One pack costs $3.10 and contains a couple of velcro bumpits in different sizes. I like the bigger one as it gives more volume to the crown of my hair but at the same time it looks very natural.

I normally would just insert the bumpit and cover it up with teased hair. If you have blonde hair it might be more difficult for you to conceal them (unless you have very thick hair, of course).

My hair looks pretty slick here because it was raining earlier today, but the "bump" is still noticeable. Usually without the bumpit my teased hair would already gone flat by the time I got home.

If you plan to buy these from Born Pretty Store, you can use my coupon code FIJ61 to get 10% off of your order.

Casual Outfit & FOTD

2012-03-29T21:09:00.000+07:00

Knitwear seems to be everywhere lately! I found this sheer mint green sweatshirt yesterday so I decided to wear it. I couldn't even remember when or where I bought it. I have that stupid illness where I would just buy a piece of clothing, wear it once, and then throw it at the back of my wardrobe to be forgotten.

I thought yesterday was just the perfect day to go out in short shorts but I found out I had not even shaved my legs yet. Yikes. To spare people the trauma of seeing my Chewbacca legs I put on my favorite jeggings instead. Not that that makes this outfit any less boring though.

Bright eyeshadows to make up for my lack of style, obviously.

Eyes - Etude House Proof 10 Eyeshadow Primer, NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk, Kat Von D Speed Blue eyeshadow from Beethoven palette (crease), Born Pretty Store teal loose eyeshadow (lid), Urban Decay Deluxe eyeshadow in Zero (outer V), Urban Decay eyeshadow in Flipside (lower lashline), Too Faced eyeshadow in Heaven from Too Faced The Natural Eye palette (browbone), Jealousness Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Maybelline Great Lash clear Mascara, Princess Eyelashes #A23.

Face - Laura Geller The Real Deal Concealer in Medium, Max Factor Age Elixir Foundation in Golden, MAC MSF Natural Powder in Medium Deep.

Cheeks - MAC Powder Blush in Eversun.

Lips - B&C Labs Nudy Lip Concealer #01, NYX Megashine Lipgloss in Tanned.

Yep, got myself a pretty dark tan! It's great while it lasts but it's a pain in the butt searching for a darker foundation shade that doesn't have a strong beige undertone to it. I've been using this Max Factor foundation and though I like it so much, the shade isn't dark enough for me when I tan. I'll do a full review on it some time soon. :)

How I Use Tea Tree Oil to Combat Acne

2012-03-23T11:46:00.000+07:00

Ahh, another skincare talk. I was asked about the use of tea tree oil a few times before so I thought I'd write a post to explain it a bit more.

It's really not rocket science, though. Tea tree oil can kill bacteria so that's why it's commonly used to treat acne. However, it probably won't be as much help if your acne problem stems from hormonal imbalance.

I've learned quite a lot about my skin and skincare products ever since I started blogging. When my skin is too moist or too dry, it will act up. I've tried lots of different skincare lines and I've come to a conclusion that the perfect skincare routine for me is the one that can keep my skin balanced. That is why I stopped using benzoyl peroxide in the first place. It might be more effective but it dries out my skin like crazy in the long run. Tea tree oil, on the other hand, doesn't irritate or cause dryness to my skin. This is important because like I said, keeping my skin in its balanced state is my primary goal. When my skin is balanced it doesn't generate too much oil and therefore breakouts will be less likely to occur.

Tea tree oil will not dry out your skin if used properly and can actually be effective for:

preventing new pimples to emerge,
treating mild-moderate acne especially the ones caused by bacteria.

So how do I use tea tree oil? I dilute it with my toner. After washing my face, I put a few drops of toner onto a cotton ball and then put one drop of tea tree oil on it. I then apply it gently onto my hairline, jaws and chin which are the parts of my face that occasionally break out. I continue with moisturizer afterwards. I do this once a day or every other day.

For spot treatment, I put tea tree oil on a cotton bud and apply it directly to the skin (without diluting it). It does sting a little but it goes away within minutes.

The results? I experience less breakout now than before I started using tea tree oil. It also helps with small spots. I notice that after a couple of days the swelling is lessened and the pimples will eventually dry out in about five days without leaving scars.

The downsides of tea tree oil:

might be less effective than benzoyl peroxide, so I won't necessarily recommend it to treat severe acne.
The smell is rather strong.
It could sting or irritate the skin if used full force.

I think consistency and patience are the key points if you plan to use tea tree oil for acne. It will not work over night. You still have to combine it with proper skincare regimen that suits your skin type.

Right now I use Desert Essence 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil but there are a lot of other brands out there. If you live in the US, you could try drugstore.com to look for tea tree oil (that's where I bought mine through a friend). If you're in Canada, Canada Drugstore Pharmacy has over the counter tea tree oil too. In Indonesia, you can find tea tree oil at drugstores such as Guardian or Century. You might want to buy a small bottle first to test out whether or not you'll get allergic reaction to it.
That's it! Hope that helps. :)