Jemma Kidd Make Up School

Hello lovely ladies! I hope none of you have been too affected by the volcanic ash fiasco! We were supposed to have some friends coming over from Ireland tomorrow by their flight has been cancelled and it doesn't look like they will make it.  It sucks! I was watching a programme on TV the other night about the volcano in Iceland and the most worrying thing is that whenever that one has erupted in the past, it's big sister (which is ALOT bigger) always erupts in the months afterwards...scary!

Anyways,I don't wanna scare you guys too much so on to some gorgeous summer products! I like to keep my lips super soft and smooth in summer so I always carry a lipbalm with me.  This Ultimate Lipstick Duo from Jemma Kidd in 'Wendy' is perfect for my handbag because it has a colourless balm on one end (which contains apricot kernel oil and karite butter) and a gorgeous peachy pink lipstick on the other end.  I adore the colour of this lipstick, it's so pretty and I always think that peach shades go so well with the golden tan you get in summer.  This shade is perfect for everyday use because it's slightly sheer so it never overpowers your face or looks chalky.  The consistency is creamy, it applies like a dream and it imparts a shiny finish to the lips.  The balm gives you a chance to prepare your lips properly before you put your lipstick on and feels really hydrating, my lips are always left really soft after I've used it.  I often apply the balm while I'm doing my makeup in the morning so by the time I'm finished my lips are moisturised and the lipstick colour goes on evenly.  The only downside about this product is that it isn't amazingly long lasting but I would never expect that of such a creamy lipstick anyway (think YSL Rouge Volupte).

The other product from Jemma Kidd I am really liking is the Tailored Colour Powder Blush Duo in no.1 (soft peach/beige).  Now I know there are a lot of girls out there who like crazy bright blushes but I'm not one of them.  I'm happiest when I just have a soft hint of colour to my cheeks (Mac Well Dressed being my fave blush of all) so I wanted to outline this to you before I told you about this blush.  I like this blush because it subtle and gives me a really natural look for daytime.  The blush is a combination of two shades (if you look in the pic, the beige colour is on the left and the peach on the right).  You can either use them separately or together.  I find it too fiddly to use them like that so I just swirl them together.  I really like the effect it gives and the powder is really smooth so it makes it easy to blend it into your cheeks. 

I don't know what it is but come summer time, I always become obsessed with peaches and golds! Is there any colour you obsess over when the sun comes out?

Vogue's Met Ball 2010 Red Carpet Fashion: Best and Oh No They Didn't!

Met Ball DRAMA!
Duvet Crazy: Andre Leon Talley and Whoopi Goldberg in Chado Ralph Rucci

Last night was the Met's "American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity" Costume Institute Gala. This year’s exhibition, organized by the curator Andrew Bolton, looked at styles between 1890 and the 1940s, relying on pieces from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection like Worth gowns and gray wool walking suits. And as it has been in the past, it was a collision of Fashion and Hollywood. It has become the fashionista sister to the Academy Awards red carpet. Actresses take more risks and there are more "editorial" looks. Some things stood out: Lots of "So-and-So for The Gap" (the entire exhibition is sponsored by The Gap). We know that several US designers have collaborated with The Gap and Miss Anna Wintour is "in charge" of choosing who gets to do it-or at the very least, suggesting it (see "The September Issue"). Now I know that this silk charmeuse $10,000 bias-cut gown by Sophie Theallet (for The Gap) on Jessica Alba AIN'T going to be at my Glendale Galleria Gap Store any time soon... But it WAS , one of my favorites.
There were several "Silhouette Themes": SLITHERING and SLINKY, as seen on Iman, wearing Prada--who has just signed on as the new co-host of Bravo's "The Fashion Show" (Bye, Kelly Rowland, Hello Iman!)--as well as model-turned-actress Amber Valetta, who I thought looked very elegant in RM by Roland Mouret. There was also some BIG and BOLD statements:Anne Hathaway, in gold/nude silk tulle Valentino which was very "Dior-esque" and...Jennifer Lopez, wearing Lebanese red carpet-favorite Zuhair Murad. There were also some Tulip-shaped Gowns:Eva Mendes wore a strapless Dolce & Gabbana flower-printed gown. Some designer-and-actress collaborations tried to pay homage to the Met's "American Woman" theme, giving a nod to the late 19th Century/ early 20Th Century American Woman: Like in actress Christina Hendricks' L'Wren Scott chiffon gown and Bee Shaffer's (Anna Wintour's daughter's) Worth-like Balenciaga Edition gown.
Some of my other favorites from last night's "American Woman" Met Gala's red carpet were:
Naomi Watts , in Stella McCartney raspberry silk, one shoulder, blouson gown (with Liev Schreiber).
This was THE BEST mini-cocktail dress of the evening: Blake Lively, in Marchesa
Australian actress Melissa George in J. Mendel mustard draped silk gazar was truly beautiful.Speaking of Mustard: Stylist Extraordinaire Rachel Zoe, looked AMAZING in this Marc Jacobs velvet draped plunging-neck creation. It was modern yet still gave a subtle "I got you!" to the Met's theme. Her hair and make-up were sublime, naturally, because my good friend Joey Maalouf did it! (congrats Joey!)
I also loved this very Donna Summer-meets-Studio 54 gold lame Michael Kors jumpsuit on model Chanel Iman. This is another, very modern way, of giving red carpet. Models can usually WORK this look much more effectively than actresses.Finally, I must give a nod to the MEN. And one man stood out for me: YSL Designer Stefano Pilati, who dressed actress January Jones. But it wasn't her I was interested in, I think he looked SMASHING! If I had an extra $5,000 to spend on a tuxedo for an event such as this, THIS would be it!

Below is WWD.com video from the red carpet, Met Costume Exhibit Ball 2010:

My Favourite Concealers

Hi guys, I hope you had an amazing bank holiday weekend! I certainly did and I also managed to get loads of wedding stuff done like the table plan, food menu and music.  There's only about 12 and a half weeks to go! We have finally managed to get our honeymoon booked too.  We are going to Kuala Lumpur for 3 days, then Borneo for 4 days, then Hong Kong for 3 days.  I CAN'T wait! Check out the hotel we will be staying in when we get to Borneo here .  And you know what this means...I have to buy lots of honeymoon outfits!ha ha.

Right onto today's post which will be a collection of my favourite concealers for various different reasons.  I would definitely say that concealer is a must have in my makeup collection.  I have really bad undereye circles, redness around my nose and I get the occasional blemish so there's no way I would go a day without my trusted concealers.  I really rely on this stuff to get that polished look to my makeup.

I always like to use different consistencies for different uses simply because you need a lighter formulation for the delicate under eye area whereas thicker concealers generally work best on the rest of the face.  I use Bobbi Brown Colour Corrector or Benefit Erase Paste as a base concealer (applied lightly) and then either Estee Lauder Maximum Cover in Light/Medium or Mac Moisturecover concealer to set the base.  Because the BB Colour Corrector and Benefit Erase Paste can set quite tacky, I always like to add a more fluid formula over the top to set them, stop them from settling in fine lines and ultimately to make it last all day.  I have to say that Estee Lauder Maximum Cover deserves a HUGE mention because it has become an every day staple in my routine.  I remember ages ago that Holly over at The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog advised that it could be used as an amazing concealer and boy was she spot on about that.  The thing that makes it so amazing as a concealer is the fact that the formula is so so light and easy to blend.  Also, you only need the tiniest amount to cover even the darkest of circles which means it's fantastic value for money.  This product definitely has HG status for me, it covers problem areas but it never ever looks heavy or obvious.  Overall, they are all great concealers but I have found that the best combination for a flawless, bright eye is Benefit Erase Paste with Estee Lauder Maximum Cover over the top to set.  Once you have swept some Benefit Powderflage over that, your eyes will look perfect.  I think of them as my holy trinity of concealing!

The concealers that work brilliantly for blemishes or any discolouration on my face are creamier, thicker formula's like that of Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer, MUFE's Full Cover or Mac Studio Finish.  Although Estee Lauder's Double Wear concealer is more fluid, it still works amazingly well on blemishes.  These all cover effectively but my favourite hands down is MUFE's Full Cover.  This stuff is waterproof and doesn't budge on my skin at all.  It covers blemishes with ease and makes my complexion look perfect.  I can't rave enough about this and I know that loads of other bloggers really rate this product.

A good concealer is something every girl needs and I would highly recommend any of these products if you're looking for a reliable go-to concealer.  What concealers do you rate as holy grail?

The Neon, the chrochet and about!!

The Neon, I never thought of pairing neon yellow w/ pink together until today. 

As you might notice already, I am BOLD enough to try out trends, play w/ styles, and MELLOW enough to keep my ensemble less provocative! :) 


Finally my ultimate search for a perfect pair of oxford flat has come to a good end. 

The French designer: Anne Valerie Hash.

The color is called terranova pink. In fact, the shoes look very "TAUPE" to my gals friends. I know, they are bias, they would do their best to associate any look-similar color w/ taupe!! ^O^
 

I don't think I need oxford shoes in 10 years...hah....

I met this lady, Soon, in the store while I picked up my shoes. She, at first, is reluctant/shy for me to take her picture....right...who am I???, not Sartorialist, and saying she is not young anymore. After a short chat, she told me that she is also a designer. As a matter of fact, she handpicks the fabric in NYC and draw the pattern of her own clothes afterward. The green hooded top and underneath purple knitting turtleneck is made by her own hand!!! Genius!! 

Her earlier response: I am not young anymore..... made me ponder while driving back home. Well,  life is sweeter if you look into everything in an artistic way!!!!! We all get old eventually, don't we!! :)

I asked my tailor to sew that crochet tube dress for me from some vintage fabric i bought. 

I love the contrast of satin green and cotton green details in the back of this hooded top. 

Her heels is one reason that I want to shoot her. 
Love her taste! 

Somehow I look very stiff in this one.

Today, I found a new Japanese Brand, Toga. I was actually checking out some clothes w/ lace, and petal decor. and then found this interesting design inspired by Ancient Roman Clothing... 

Toga pulla was a dark toga worn strictly in times of mourning.

The toga picta was a special all purple toga embroidered with gold thread worn by a Roman general during a triumphal parade. Julius Caesar later adopted it as part of his regular dress and the emperors followed suit by using this type during many state occasions. The picta was likely adapted from the aptly named toga purpura, an all-purple toga worn by the early kings. 

Those are the basic style!!

Look closer.... the white calf bangles look alike mini shin guards!!! ^O^

In general, I think I like toga picta inspired style better!!

Now I am sure my Givenchy New V tote will arrive next Monday....... patience is all I needed right now!! ^O^

Have a good evening!!

xoxo Rachel

GIVEAWAY!! What is it?? I want it too!! ----- THE WINNER IS>>>>>

*updated*
Finally the announcement of CNS sponsored GIVEAWAY winner. 
It goes to ..........


Betsy C. - Thanks for your supports and comments!! ^O^ You deserve it!!

Girls, I am sure there are more GIVEAWAY like this in the future. And since I am visiting my hometown, Taipei, on 5/June and then Jakarta (my DH's hometown),  I will pick up some unique souvenirs along my trip to giveaway too!! 

Betsy, congratulations again. Please email me w/ your detailed address and CSN promotion team will send you your gift!!!!

 Thank you all for whoever had participated in this GIVEAWAY!!

It has been a while since the last time I had a giveaway for my lucky fellow readers and blogger.  So, after done Cribs hunting and diaper changing, what else do all of us fabulous women need?? ^O^

Ah~ Ha~~

You don't need a sanction to pick any ONE of those lovely gifts. Even I want them all myself!! :P Go check out the link I provided for detail product description.

1. Alessi Il Caffe Alessi Set of Four Coffee Spoons by Miriam Mirri, 2005

 

2. iittala Taika 13.5 Oz. White Mug set of 2
 

3. Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker in Brushed Stainless - WMR-CA
 
4. Cotton Tale Lizzie Pillow Pack



5. Trend Lab Nantucket Blue 2 Piece Frame Set

Here is the ticket to enter!!! 

• Go to the link provided under Cribs.
• Pick up a brand CSN stores carried.
• Leave me a comment here (Be creative w/ the comment after you done searching)!! ^O^
• Send a friend over and if they leave a comment mentioning your name, you two got a bonus entry too.   

Good Luck!!

The giveaway run till next Friday (4/30) and I will pick up a winner the following Mon. (5/3) !!!

"This giveaway is being sponsored by CSN Stores and the product is provided for free by CSN Stores."