liquid foundation woes: sponge, brush or fingers?

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So what do you use?

I have used every method there is, but this is not going to be a "which-application-method-is-the-best" post from me. There is good and bad in each method, as with all things, so it all boils down to which is most suitable for us. So it is best that we understand what each can help us do or achieve with our liquid foundation.

(1) Fingers

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I am going to talk about fingers first because I often use mine when I used to apply my foundation daily. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using our fingers. It is definitely convenient. We do everything with our hands, why would applying foundation not be? Plus, there is one less brush to wash. Haha! So lazy!

I love to use my fingers because I can have better control on the amount and spread direction. The warmth from my fingers gently heats up the product which makes it smoother to glide on my skin. I usually go in one direction, towards my hairline. The result is a smooth finish with very good coverage.

The only bad thing I can think of is the messy fingers after it is done. Oh! And please make sure that hands are properly washed before touching our skin, especially those with sensitive skin, like me.

(2) Brush
There are 2 types of brushes that can be used for applying foundation. I am going to use MAC brushes for reference, since they are labeled with numbers and are widely used. The down side to brushes is maintaining them. Washing them regularly to avoid bacteria and drying them properly to make them last.

(i) Flat Synthetic brush (ref MAC 190)

As one professional make up artist told me, it is like a paint brush. This is a commonly used foundation brush. Blending strokes must be in one linear direction, and towards the hairline. The finishing is smooth. The coverage is medium so it is ideal for those who have acne marks and pigmentation. I have best control with my flat brush, going neatly under my eyes, around my lips.

(ii) Fluffy round synthetic brush (ref MAC 187)

This brush gives a light coverage and dewy finish. So it is good for those with very good skin or have little pigmentation to hide. The blending strokes is circular. There isn't much control with this brush, which is ok, since there is minimum product going onto our skin, thus not much room for errors. I must say the finish is really so good on those with perfect skin. Love it (love to see it).

(3) Sponge

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This is my emergency backup. If I don't have my brushes with me (trust me, anything can happen and I won't use brushes that are not my own), and I don't wish to use my hands (no washing basin nearby), sponge comes to the rescue. I always have a small piece on standby in my make up kit.

The sponge works like a flat brush, same method for blending, same coverage and finishing. But I do find it awkward to work the sponge especially around my nose and under eye area. And sponge, being a sponge, likes to absorb so it tends to pick up more product but not everything goes onto our skin. Wastage!

So I hope this has been useful for some of you. Thanks for reading! 

my Bali: introduction

Blue Point Beach @ Uluwatu #nofilter

Nammos Beach @ Uluwatu #nofilter

Sunset @ Double Six Beach (Legian / Seminyak)
My parents-in-law strolling along the beach. #nofilter

I, my husband and our doggie retreated to Bali, Indonesia, 9 months ago. We are from sunny island Singapore. While sunny island Singapore is well known for many good things, like her clean and green, well organized city landscape, efficient public transport, etc, it was getting too stressful for us. We really didn't like how our lives were just revolving around certain things, mostly material. For the sake of our mental and emotional well-being, we decide to find a tranquil place to rest. We want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle.

After searching and thinking for a while, we chose Bali, Indonesia. This place is fabulous! 

Firstly, it is still near home (just 2.5 hours flight away) so anytime we get home sick, we can go home.

Secondly, there are already many foreigners living here (majority of them are Australians, French and Italian) so it makes this place more "foreigner friendly". There are many facilities and infrastructures, like well established hospitals, international schools, huge supermarkets, etc, already in placed here. Even many locals can speak simple conversational English.

Thirdly, the local Balinese people are so warm and friendly that we feel welcomed here. 

Fourth, there are many beautiful beaches here to relax on. There is no lack of good food and shopping. When we get tired, there is always a spa or massage parlour down the street or round the corner. Yes, this place is almost a paradise!

So in my blog, I have decided to dedicate a page to this place. Every now and then, I will share my experience as a foreigner living here. I will also cover reviews on restaurants, places of interests, shopping, etc, here. So by the end of my stay here, I hope I have compiled a diary of my life here, for me to reminisce in the future. o (◡‿◡✿)

beauty products that i am craving for this month

I am glad that I started this blog because it "forces" me back into the vanity mood. To be honest, my own beauty bag is also getting boring so it is time to go on an overhaul. Its going to be shopping time when I return to SG this week (YAY!!  (★^O^★)).

Nars Bronzer

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Aquage Uplifting Foam

mask it! Mary Kay Botanical Effects Mask

I have problematic acne-proned skin. When it comes to skincare, I am EXTRA SUPER careful.

In my long battle with acne, I have learnt that masking my face often will reduce frequency of break outs and aids in the recovery of acne marks. But not every mask works for my skin type. I used to love a clay mask from Kiehl's but they stopped making it. The replacement product gives me break outs because it tends to over drying.

So I am very thankful when my sister-in-law introduced the Mary Kay Botanical Effects series to me. I have been using this mask for about 6 months, once or twice a week. Personally I do not recommend using this mask more than 2 times a week.

While this mask works for my acne proned skin, it can be used on all skin types as Mary Kay Botanical Effects series is a general line of skincare products from the company.

Pros (⌒▽⌒)☆:
~ leaves skin feeling fresh and looking bright. no break outs! yay!!
~ helps to reduce visibility of acne marks
~ just leave on for 10 mins and rinse off. can be a quick fix before an important event.

Cons ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ:
~ where I live, Mary Kay does not have counters so need to call up their sales representative to order. its not a biggie but personally i prefer sales counters.

It is very important to avoid applying the product (as with all mask products) around the eye area and temples.

this is seriously a very unglam picture of me!   (╯︵╰,)

claiming my blog on Bloglovin...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Ok, this is going to look weird but I am trying to claim my blog here. Let's see what happens. :)

music: Song for Zula by Phosphorescent

I heard this song on Grey's Anatomy S8 Episode 14, and I fell in love with it immediately. I think it caught my ear because the feelings and emotions evoked by the song really complemented with the scenes. Its a the kind of song that would send one into deep thought and I find the rhythm soothing.

book review: Hannibal series by Thomas Harris

I have never watched the movie series which starred Anthony Hopkins (even now). I have only begun reading the books after watching the TV series produced by Bryan Fuller. I was really intrigued by the crime scenes in the TV series, which were so creatively done, CSI has suddenly become child's play (though the miniature series plot is still the best).

I have read the books by their publish order.

So here goes my review for the 4 books.

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Hannibal Lecter #1: Red Dragon

The plot was so well analyzed & well planned out throughout the book! It was so grippingly intense that I couldn't put the book down at all! Every detail, of every character, every scene, was so thorough and well thought. Even though it was written more than 30 years ago, his writing technique and his execution was perfect even till this day! Well deserved 5 stars from me!

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Hannibal Lecter #2: The Silence of the Lambs

Dr Hannibal Lecter is really a brilliant character to read. He has so much complexity, I find myself admiring him, even though he is the villain. Of course credit goes to Thomas Harris, who had made this character so mysterious & intimidating! I find my heart pounding as I read on. Super thumbs up!

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Hannibal Lecter #3: Hannibal

I really really really like the ending, which came to me as a surprise. I found the middle chapters to be a little too draggy, and didn't like how they dealt with Paul Krendler eventually. He definitely deserved what happened to him, but I thought it wasn't as perfectly executed, Hannibal style.

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Hannibal Lecter #4: Hannibal Rising

It was the least exciting book amongst the 4. This book talked abt Hannibal's sad childhood and his growing up years. After I have finished all 4 books, I'm kind of disappointed why Thomas Harris did not elaborate on how Will Graham had caught him, as mentioned in Red Dragon. Hmmm...

the plain ugly truth

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I came across an article in Bazzar Singapore (Jun'13 issue), where it was remarked that SG women are not dressing up as fabulously as the SG men. The article went on to describe how well the men are doing (apparently the analysis on women was done in the previous issue which I didn't read).

I must say I am one of the guilty ones. Ever since I left my corporate job and retreated to sunny Bali island, my dress code has been reduced to tee, shorts, havaianas and no makeup (grasps!!??). Yes, even when I return to SG, it remains the same. I would still dress up for dinner gatherings and functions out of respect for the occasion and other people. But when I am running errands, shopping, meeting my friends for coffee, I am just plain. Obviously, I have gotten so comfortable with myself in that skin, which one year ago, I would never imagine myself being like this.

About the article, I am not sure if that is a fair judgement. For a working woman, dressing up for 5-6 days a week can be tiring (worst, sometimes we run out of ideas). The next best thing that we hope for is to be at ease in our comfortable skin (whatever that may be). I am not about to launch into a discussion on the amount of effort needed in order to look good for a woman, as compared to a man.

But I am not saying that most of us are not guilty of not trying to look our best everyday. And I happen to attribute the root of the problem to personal grooming. It is unfair but personal grooming is really extra important for a woman. A well groomed woman can look so fabulous that she can stand out in a room full of people. Don't we all have some girlfriends who look so pretty everyday with the most minimal products (sometimes none)?

I define personal grooming as 6 basic routines.

1. Trim my eyebrows

Our eyebrows are so important because when we meet people, 99% of the time they will glance over our eyebrows first. When I have no time to visit a professional, I will pluck the stray hairs so that the basic shape of my eyebrow is maintained. To save time, I usually do this during my night skin regime, while waiting for the skincare products to be absorbed.

At this point, I must say it is highly NOT recommended to shape our own eyebrows. The chances of screwing them up is 100%, and we do not want to risk that, do we?

2. Clear, healthy looking skin.

Ok, this is sensitive because not everyone is blessed with genetically good skin (me included). It is unfortunate that some of us are constantly troubled with problem skin, so it is important that we visit an established dermatologist to get it under control.

Many ladies would share with me that they have done everything they could but nothing is working. In my experience of dealing with my most problematic acne proned skin, I can only say the sole reason for failing is not having enough discipline and perseverance sticking to the routine.

And I've seen ladies putting on so much makeup products on their troubled skin to hide it. It will not only worsen the skin condition, aesthetically, it is really awkward. I know that by hiding under thick makeup products, it restores their confidence. Which is why I said, the road to recovery requires much discipline and perseverance. Its much like a chicken or egg situation here: a very controversial topic.

3. Well kept hair

Sometimes I wonder why some ladies put in so much effort on their makeup but neglect their hair. Isn't hair and makeup a whole package? I find it awkward to look at flawless makeup with out-of-bed hair.

I have frizzy wavy hair so it is really a disaster by itself. When I have time, I blow dry my hair with a paddle brush or round brush, then go over slightly with a straightener. When I run out of time, I pull it up into a ponytail with some slight teasing for volume at the top, and tidy up flyaway hair with some hair spray.

My point is there is always some way out for our hair so please do not neglect styling our hair.

4. Keep underarms and legs hair free
This has to be a regularly scheduled effort. I really do not recommend doing it only when we need it. I know of many ladies shaving in the shower, which is so convenient. For me, I use a good epilator and tweezers. :)

5. Regular exercise

Regular exercising keeps our skin looking radiant and our body fit (i.e. we will look so fabulous). And combine with the so many other good benefits of exercising, why shouldn’t we?

6. Maintain a basic makeup kit

For me, it comprised of just 3 things: (1) eyebrow pencil, (2) mascara, (3) lip stick or lip gloss

Some ladies may prefer eyeliner instead of mascara, which is perfectly OK! To me, these are really the minimum that a woman needs to look fabulous. These basic items are sufficient to make a difference. If you don’t believe, try it out. :)

and the good news came rolling in...

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One of my bestie has just announced her pregnancy. So that is happy news #1.

Happy news #2: Another bestie is coming home in September for vacation, on the same dates as my routine trips back home! She is living & working in Miami, so this is a pretty darn big deal for us. :)

September is already a special month for me because its mine, my husband's & another bestie's birthday month. So with the good news added on, September this year is going to be extra special for me. I am really looking forward to it!