Makeup Must Haves for 2016, Face (Part 1/3)

Inspired to write a blog post about the makeup must haves for 2016, I started to list all my ultimate favorite products that I have been 1) faithfully using for a number of years OR 2) recently switched to because I preferred it over what I was using at that time.

The list just got longer and longer until I decided to break it down to 3 parts starting with face, eyes and then lips. Most products listed are products that I use daily and is considered an essential (like if I had a minimal makeup kit post gym) to my daily "face" routine. Some products are necessary for use when doing a full face application for nights out or long wear. 

Before any sort of face painting gets done, its always important to prepare the canvas, in this case, our face! Of course there is no better base than great skin but not everyone can be born with even skin tone, blemish free and smooth as a baby's bottom skin- this is where makeup becomes every woman's best friend! Let's get started!

MAC Prep + Prime

Introduced by a friend a couple of years ago, I purchased Prep+ Prime on a whim. After using it, it was love at first touch. Unlike some silicone based primers, I loved the way it even out my skin tone yet did not leave me with a heavy or greasy feeling on my face even after applying layer upon layer of makeup. I have never failed to receive compliments about how amazing my skin looks every time I use this product.

Use: Usually for special outings and nights out


Illamasqua Foundation

I remember like it was yesterday that I walked pass the pre-opening promotion counter in Wisma Atria and seeing Illasmasqua in front of me was like an answered prayer. I had been in the market for a good foundation as all the liquid foundations I had tried either did not match my skin tone (Asian market) or was too thick (not great for Singapore weather) or was not long lasting (I perspire on the nose-A LOT!) but finding a good foundation was starting to be an impossible task!

The day I tried Illamasqua, I was sold!!! Its like a second skin! The fact that they have .5 colors just means that there is a wider range of colors (26 shades to choose from!) to match every skin tone and under tone perfectly. I love that I can layer it on as thick or as thin as I like to determine the coverage. And for this product, a little goes a long way. I introduced this product to my sister and she too swears by it. The price is a bit steep but well worth every single cent!

Use: Can't live without it- daily use and every single time I use makeup!


YSL Touche Eclat

Another product that I have been using for the longest time and can't live without! I have been using YSL Touche Eclat since I was 18 and they had only 3 colors (1-super fair, 2-brightening, 3-dark orangey) to choose from! While I am happy to see that they have expanded the range, I still stick to my No.2 because I like the brightening effect it gives me. This particular product has never failed to make me look more awake than I feel at any period of time!

Use: Daily, but since Illamasquas' Skin Base Foundation, only on days when I look really tired!

MAC Blusher

I really like the texture of MAC Blushers and the fact that they have 47 shades for you to choose from basically means that you could find a shade for days that you want the lightly sun kissed look to the days when you want to look like a Harajuku girl. I tend to err on the side of caution because my biggest fear of blusher is always over applying and I always tend to under apply but the texture of the MAC blusher is just nice that I no longer have those "Ooops" moments with my blushers.

Use: Daily


NARS Illuminator

So this a kind of new obsession of mine. Everyone is chasing the healthy glow, the dewy look, the post coital glow- call it what you line, ain't nobody got the time to be chasing them glows...unless it comes in a bottle! Hah! Hassle free, light to bright application, now you can have any glow you want! I prefer the liquid illuminators to the powder ones as I can get a bit heavy handed with them too. My personal favorite is the Super Orgasm. 

Use: When my skin needs a pick me up or on nights out

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder Translucent

Now if you have combination skin like mine, when I make the effort to put on my full face, I want to make sure that it at least looks good and stays that way. I never could understand the reason for the setting powder until I got compliments on how "amazing" my skin looks every time I used it (Thank You Makeup!). Using a primer helps sets the base, the loose powder helps sets the face! It may not look like much especially if your using the translucent one but believe me, you will know its doing its job when you get all those compliments. A little powder goes a long way and it take 5 seconds for a full face application- just do it! Also, if you need to do a quick day to night change, a dusting of this magic powder and a fresh coat of lipstick will do the trick!

Use: When I need my makeup to last a little longer than normal

Urban Decay Make-Up Setting Spray

I have saved the best for last! And its is also the last thing you will need for makeup of steel!!! Now anyone who knows me knows that I have a sweaty nose and this is one product that I wish I had in my dancing party heydays! I use the Long-Lasting version which gives me a flawless finish every time. Do be mindful though that if you are after a matte finish, use the Oil-Control version instead of the Long-Lasting.

Use: When I need my makeup to last a little longer than normal

Thanks for taking the time to check out my makeup must haves for 2016! While my makeup bag is definitely overflowing with and a million versions of each product, these chosen products are my go to products and what I would NEED in any event for a basic face. Stay tuned for next week to read up on my top picks for eye makeup!

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Harper’s Bazaar Red List 2015, Hong Kong

So January has come and gone and resolutions to religiously blogging has been off to a slow start. Admittedly, it’s only so because I have been busy tackling the brought forward resolutions from last year and that is to get my health into check. I can’t say that my schedule has eased up at all and as a matter of fact it’s getting busier. I am basically counting the hours till the Chinese New Year break and only because it means that it’s the holidays for me- THANK GOD!

The end and start of a year always means one thing, lists! Lists of resolutions, top 20s, best hits, top fashion trends and many more! All to pay homage to the best of the last year while setting the tone for the following year. Last week, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Harper’s Bazaar Red List for 2015 lunch event held at the Four Season Hotel, Hong Kong.

At the event! Pardon the amateurish pics- I am not narcissistic enough yet to understand the concept of selfies! 

There I was faced with a wall of the top 20 picks of 2015, specially selected by movers and shakers in the Hong Kong social scene and seconded by the key opinion leaders of Harper's Bazaars, the items chosen ranged from your affordable everyday essentials to the somewhat overpriced (but sworn to work its magic) facial elixirs. Ranging from actresses to singers and models, the lifestyles of these ladies are hectic to say the least, but if your face is your money maker, then any effort made is an investment. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of time to be doing 3 facial masks a day as quoted by one of the actresses present that day.

The Top 20 wall...

After a half hour of mingling and photo taking, including making a mandatory mark on the red List Wall of Fame, guests were seated for lunch and the event commenced.

The whole point of the event- awards and food! Check out the dessert!

The “judges” were called up in batches to introduced the products and why they were chosen as well share their thoughts on what makes them beautiful. Following that, the awards were given out and the representatives of the winning companies were called up to receive their award. Lunch was served intermittently and while kudos to the chef and team of the Four Seasons Hotel for the entire meal, I would have to say that the highlight and biggest photo op moment of the entire event was the dessert. To think I had nearly missed it too if it wasn’t for the lovely hosts of Harper’s Bazaar magazine telling me that the best had yet to come. No regrets staying!

Congratulations to the team at Harper’s Bazaar Hong Kong and I look forward to next years’ event.

To share, the #HKRedList2015 top 20 picks are (in no particular order):

1. Cle De Peau Beaute, Radiant Fluid Foundation
2. Philips, Visapure Advance home facial device
3. Shisheido, Ultimate Power infusing concentrate
4. Clarins, Shaping Facial Lift Contour Serum
5. La Collline, Lip Shaper
6. SK-II, RNA Power Radical New Age Essence
7. Sulwhasoo, Time Treasure Renovating Cream EX
8. Nature Bisse, Diamond Extreme
9. Guerlain, Abeille Royale Face Treatment Oil
10. AmorePacific, Time Response Intensive Skin renewal Ampoule
11. Giorgio Armani, Luminous Silk Foundation
12. Dior, Miss Dior Eau De Parfum
13. Lancome, Absolue L’Extrait Cream
14. Valmont, Prime Renewing Pack
15. Urdan Decay, Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette
16. Tom Ford, Eye Quad
17. La Prairie, Skin Caviar concealer Foundation
18. La Mer, Genaissance the Serum Essence
19. Fresh, Cream Ancienne Soft Cream
20. Estee Lauder, Nutritious Vitality Night Radiant Overnight Crème Mask

My personal take:

There were too many “repeated” products on the list- 3 foundations, 2 eyeshadow sets and several anti-aging products. I would have loved to see a bit more of a variety of items that would be able to constitute a skin care regime. The similarity of the function of the products limits me to being able to choose one for any particular period of time. 

While I did eventually check out some of the products to add on to my skincare regime, I ended up only buying the Guerlain, Abeille Royale Face Treatment Oil and this is only because every facial therapist who has been “fortunate” enough to treat me has complained excessively about my dry skin. I can't say I am seeing too much of a drastic improvement on my skin (yet) but I do love the lightness of the product and the subtle scent.

If anyone currently uses any one of the products above it would be nice to hear your take on it! Comment below.

PS: My next post will be MY top make up must haves for 2016! Subscribe to my blog to keep up on my latest updates.

Welcoming 2016...

Reading back on my "Happy 2015" post, it was a good point of reflection and reference for me. The post was written on such a positive and happy note but during the year end, my mood seemed to have a taken a bad downward turn. Perhaps I am just a little lost and not as grounded as I would like to be. 

Let's review 2015!

Fitness

I started of on the right foot and followed through on my fitness goals up till the move to Hong Kong and then things literally went overboard! Its a food haven and I am a little porker...bad combination. One month into the move though I started to pick up where I left off and revamped our (husband and I) lifestyle. This started mainly with diet and what we eat...I started cooking more at home and eating good food. We invested in organic food where necessary (mainly eggs and meat) but the biggest change comes from excluding sugar, dairy and gluten for 80% of our diet. Both of us feel much better and "lighter" after the change and have decided to stick with it for the most part. 

Exercise wise is still a major challenge because of time constraints and overwhelming work demands (maybe this is why I am cracking), so this is definitely something I need to get back in my life come 2016. The sedentary life does not make me happy. I have always needed that burst of endorphin that only exercise can give!!! So top of the list...find a gym that makes me happy and get back on track with my fitness goals!

** I have since found a gym and will be working hard to get back on track (before I explode/implode)!

Personal

Inspired by the Lululemon vision and goals worksheet, I had written one up for myself. I'm happy to say that I manage to achieve 3/6 of the items on the list with me checking off all my goals on the career portion and totally neglecting the rest! This year, I'm writing myself up another one and this time I need to be a bit more realistic about it! Perhaps being realistic isn't my problem but finding a balance in life is.

Circa 2015

2016

I get so caught up in trying to do so much for work that I neglect the most important thing- myself. And for what honestly? I only end up feeling like something is missing despite doing so much. 

If you would like to write yourself a vision and goals worksheet, click here for the guide to writing it but if you want to write it in a nutshell, find it here. While resolutions are somewhat cliche and forgotten after January, having realistic and achievable short term goals, helps keep one focused throughout the year. Put it in a place that is visible or that you may "stumble" upon it as a reminder of your goals for the year.

Career

If the portion above is anything to go by, I could be quite pleased with my career and its path but having being uprooted from Singapore and moving to Hong Kong mid year is rather unsettling, I feel like I have left things hanging and not quite complete in Singapore (and just when things are getting good) and having to start all over again in Hong Kong is frustrating beyond means.

But on the other hand, I feel like I am doing so much more in terms of career which is gratifying but I have no balance! Its obvious, its always a bad cycle of "work-problems-frustrations-problem solving-joy-work" and we start again. I guess this is what being a working adult means!

Either way, I know 2016 is going to be a roller coaster ride for me so I better hang on tight, scream my lungs out for the dips, enjoy the free feeling at the loops and that invigorating feeling as the ride comes to an end and you know you overcame your fears and survived!

NYE with the family in HK

HAPPY 2016 to all my friends and family!!! I hope you had a fabulous 2015 and that your 2016 will be better than anything you ever dreamed of with more moments to treasure and experiences to remember. I wish you all the health and wealth, success and happiness, love and joy!

** It should also be another resolve of mine to dedicate more time and effort to my thought sharing page- this blog! Let's see how this goes...I did much better in 2015 with 21 posts vs the 12 posts from 2014! Haha.