Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer

After reading Bubblegarm’s rave about this product, which is described by Benefit as ‘industrial strength’, I found myself coveting it immediately! I have been looking for a concealer with great staying power to use on my wedding day and I need one that will cover up any imperfections and make me look flawless. My skin is generally pretty good but you just never know when you’re going to have a breakout (I’ve got my fingers crossed that I don’t wake up on the morning of the wedding to a big fat throbbing spot on the end of my nose…it’s the stuff nightmares are made of!).
The first thing I noticed about this product was the packaging…a simple screw top pan, nothing fancy but very practical. I really like the no fuss packaging which allows easy access when applying with fingers, anything fiddly just leads to you getting concealer under your fingernails which is a pet hate of mine. You get quite a lot of product for your money compared to some other concealers packaged in a pot.
The consistency is creamy and relatively light and I didn’t notice any grittiness that other people have reported. On checking the ingredients, the main ones are petroleum jelly, corn oil and soybean oil which is probably the reason why it just glides onto the skin. It resisted creasing all day and has great staying power; the coverage lasted perfectly and really evened out my complexion.
I found that this concealer was particularly effective at covering up the redness around my nose and considering I’ve had a bad cold this week and have been constantly blowing my snout, it’s a miracle that I don’t look like Rudolph by now! I was amazed when I looked in the mirror and saw that the concealer had managed to last all day despite all the tissue abuse! Another issue I’ve had this week is bad skin. It’s that time of month and my cold has also led to me being rundown which for me, always reflects in my skin. I have a few blemishes on my chin (with one particularly bad one!) and jaw line and this concealer has been a life saver for covering them up completely. At first I tried applying it with a firm concealer brush but it felt like I was wiping the product off with every second stroke so I decided to switch to using my finger. This works a million times better. You have to warm it with your fingertips in the pan so the product is a little more “wet” and dab it lightly on your skin, rather than vigorously rubbing it in. It’s also important to ensure you’re not trying to apply too much at one time, I’ve heard reports of cakey-ness which I didn’t notice so just apply it thinly. As you already know, concealer always works best when you apply really thin layers, rather than trying to lump on a whole load at once. It’s the type of product that’s only brilliant if you apply it properly and with the right technique. Once you have mastered that, you’re flying!
Now on to the cons. I’m a big believer in using different concealer formulas for different areas of the face. I wouldn’t use this as an under-eye concealer as I personally don’t like applying anything remotely heavy on the delicate skin around my eye. This concealer is a brilliant consistency for blemishes and covering up uneven skin tone but not brilliant on the eye area. I prefer to use a lighter formula with light reflecting properties as it’s less likely to settle into creases. Another downside to the product is that there are only three shades – Light, Medium and Dark. Medium suits my complexion at the moment but if I stopped using my Dove gradual tanner then it definitely wouldn’t suit my skin. This means I will probably buy the Light shade so I can mix and get my perfect colour. Although it’s not ideal to have to do this, I think the product is so good, that I am happy to buy another shade in order to tailor it to my skin tone. So it really depends on whether concealer is something you don’t mind spending money on. I have spent a lot of money trying different concealers over the last few months so in my eyes, having to get two shades of this one to get my HG concealer is worth it.

I will definitely be using this on my wedding day, together with Korres Wild Rose Brightening Concealer under my eyes.

Make It Work!! Isn't that the State of The Art For Fashion Trend!!!

Yes, I would think if you flip through most runway fashion magazines, you would be inspired w/ awe.  

WHY?


Cause' every piece seems work out together just fine...oh, not just fine, it is nearly fabulous looking......on models. :P


People constantly ask me if that's ok to wear socks w/ peeptoe heels, mary-jane, sandal heels......etc. and as a matter of fact, I LOVE that style ever since I had memory.  ^O^ The only challenge is what kind of socks you choose to go w/ it!!
Sheer metallic socks w/ sandal heels. 




Burberry Possum plays a lot socks w/ sandals platform since last spring.



Isn't the lace knee wraps fun!!


 

Christopher Kane's S/S 10 collection uses lots of gingham patterns. 
Do you think you can still find your grand mom table clothes or old dress to update its look a bit!!? 


Nothing not to love about those light fabric... so romantic.



 Louis Vuitton (RIGHT) plays w/ such intensive patterns n' different cuttings of clothes..... fun!!



We see tutu skirt n' shirt dress quite a lot these couple seasons.





Isn't that dino. adorable!! I want ONE!! :)




hum... I think that shoulder coat is quite useful when it rains. ^O^


Monday I stayed home the whole day and out of nowhere I want to make pancakes for breakfast for my kids. 



Aren't those cutest molds.




BTW, I put wrong sides of planet n' sun pancakes molds so those two shapes didn't come out great.
You have to put the metal bar side UP like I did for MOON.  There I figured after couple batches.... 
so stupid of me..haha...




Didn't I tell you Abby (aka. Heidi) is mad whenever she is hungry. 
hha...there she goes again!! :P


Normally, DH gets up early to walk Niel to school while I am still drooling in the dream!!! 

What?

My defense?

Yes, I still have a little daughter stays at home w/ me, so plenty of rest/sleep is all I am asking for a day to start!!!


Today's ODJ.  
Totally past seasons pieces from my wardrobe.


1. Top:  
  • Max & Co. brown glittered shirt 
  • Ralph Lauren brown leather vest
2. Bottom: Donna Hsu metallic brown full skirt (Taiwan designer)






I don't want the outfit looks too serious so I simply carry my owl plastic zipper purse bought at Borders bookstore. :P
 



Polka dot sheer socks w/ YSL 2009 fall runway booties 

 
I use MAC orange blush, Laura Mercier gold/black eyeliner on lower eye n'  around the corner.


Chanel 08' star brooch, vintage gold bamboo brown leather belt, fur collar, my DIY stranded necklace.




Finally I put that fur collar in good use!!!


See you tomorrow!!!


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My List: Golden Globes Best Dressed

I think all these beauties looked great and should keep their stylists!








Who were your best dressed?

My List: Golden Globes Worst Dressed

I really would have liked to see these gorgeous ladies wearing something different.

Drew Barrymore

Chritina Hendricks











Mariah Carey



Nicole Kidman

Which were your least favorite celebrity dresses?

Golden Globes Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba, Nick Verreos, Jen Rade and Lawrence Zarian!

Fashionista Panel: The Golden Globes Edition
Everyone Pose! Jen Rade, Nick Verreos, Carrie Ann Inaba and Lawrence Zarian

On Monday, we filmed our first 2010 installment of our TV Guide Network "Fashion Wrap with Carrie Ann Inaba" where we DISHED on the Golden Globes soppy wet mess of a red carpet. I was so happy to be asked again to join my Fashion Wrap "family" of Hostess-with-the-Mostess, Miss Carrie Ann Inaba (looking great in a Lloyd Klein top), Lawrence Zarian, co-host of "The Fashion Team" and last but not least, my favorite stylist DIVA, Jennifer Rade. You might also recognize Jen from MTV's "Styl'D" reality show where she is the senior stylist at the famed Margaret Maldonado Agency who doesn't mince words when dealing with young wannabe stylists who look like they just got off the "I-don't-wanna-work-I-just-wanna-be-famous" Greyhound bus.
Feliz Cumpleanos: Nick Verreos helps Jen Rade hold her BIG Birthday Cake, TV Guide Golden Globe Fashion Wrap

Speaking of Jen, it was HER BIRTHDAY on Monday so the crew (love the TV Guide crew!!!!) surprised her with a HUGE--and delicious--cake, the minute we wrapped! It was a fun ending to a really great and crazy shoot! And yes, I did chose Drew Barrymore and that Versace Atelier gown as my Best Dressed---sea urchins and all!!! She stepped out on a fashion limb and at least in my eyes, she worked it out! I'm so tired of safe, that's why I was giving props to the Chloe's and the Drew's of the red carpet!

In case you didn't get to see the show, don't fret...
To watch the entire show, click below:

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