Continued BASE makeup: Mineral Foundation

Mineral Foundation
Terlupa pula nak blog pasal Mineral foundation. Okay mineral foundation is actually very good for the skin, it only contain the natural existing minerals and usually no synthetic chemicals content. One of usual content is the Titanium Dioxide that act as sunscreen, so usually mineral foundation have sun protection and clay. It is very suitable for sensitive skin. Many brands have included mineral foundation such as, Maybelline, L’oreal, The Bodyshop, Revlon, Bloom, Red Earth and mineral makeup brand like Youngblood. But, the problem now is to find a quality mineral foundation. I have read the reviews on mineral foundation, and most said said that drugstore brand mineral foundation are not impressive. Many talk about these drugstore mineral foudation does not have wide range of shade and usually darker people have problem finding one. There is also about the brush that usually came with the product, it said to be scratchy and very small. Okay, so I have visit Watsons and try to look into mineral foundation for Revlon, L’oreal and Maybelline. I think I have to agree with the reviewer. Most shade look ashy on my skintone, eventhough both Revlon and L’oreal liquid foundation has many shade including for tanned skin, but it is not the same for their mineral one. Maybelline, I already tried to swatch it, none match my skin tone. But I believe fairer skin probably don’t have this problem. About the brush, I will just say this on a whole, I don’t believe in brushes that come together with a product, they are usually low in quality and I hate that. Some reviews also comment that some mineral foundation cause breakouts, okay I’m not sure about this. This is why it is hard to trust drugstore product.
I would really suggest wearing mineral foundation if you are not into heavy formula, specially for guys. Like I said before, I really cannot say whether higher end product are better or the drugstore one. You just have to try. Another tip should be remember is to purchase separate brush. Okay, another thing about mineral foundation, they have their distinct way of applying it. It best applied with a large, dense, soft bristle brush (natural hair ), also known as KABUKI brush.

(picture : MAC 182 buffer brush)

MAC and Shue Umuera have many version of this brush (I think so) , unfortunately I have not really found cheap quality dupe of this brush. Dip the brush in the mineral (usually in loose powder) and just buff it on your skin and walaa!

Mineral foundation, I believe does not really give full coverage and it is usually act as a veil only. It is very light actually, but it can build up on its coverage(up to medium I think) and never look cakey. The good one will never irritate your skin. So suitable liquid or powder foundation that suits your skin type could not be found, probably mineral is the answer.

Mineral Foundation to try:
The Bodyshop Nature’s Mineral Foundation, RM 99,

The Bodyshop Nature’s Mineral Foundation Brush, RM 79,

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, RM 110 (very recommended- it is not exactly mineral foundation, it is mineral-enriched, but many say good things about this),

(picture : http://www.thebodyshop.com/, http://www.maccosmetics.com/)

PS: Sometimes, I think mineral foundation is overrated. But the truth is that, in Malaysia, we are quite left behind, and here there aren’t many option available as there are in other country. So, I think Mineral foundation is still experimental for Malaysians.

Continued on next post....

Continued BASE makeup: Foundation

Liquid Foundation
This is the winner for me. It’s perfect for me. There are varieties of liquid foundation out there, moisturizing, oil free, gel-base, and some contain light reflective particles and many more. We just have to find one that is more suitable for us. This is the type that I most experiment with different brands. Some liquid foundation gives natural to medium coverage, some medium to full coverage. If you think you want that really clear skin without even a dot, probably you are more tempted to get the medium to full coverage, but if you don’t like being heavy you might prefer the natural to medium coverage. For me, I use medium to full, since it provide the best coverage(remember, I have a lot of acne and acne scars). Usually, I’m not sure if this true but usually natural to medium coverage liquid foundation is stored in tubes and medium to full coverage one are in bottles. I wanted to try Maybelline one, but too bad it does not have shades that match my skintone. It is actually very hard to find drugstore foundation that match my tanned Malay skintone. Usually, salers may said it is the closest shade to your skintone, but actually it’s far(miles away) and end up making dark/tan skin look ashy... that is very unnatural and UNATTRACTIVE...
Thankfully, there are brands that care and give wider colour range. I tried the L’oreal Paris True Match, RM 52.90, and actually it does have shade that match my skintone.

It totally gives difference to my complexion, it is more even and brighten. But somehow, I bought a shade that quite darker than my skin, and I’m not into tanning... I’m already tan, how much more tan I want to be... And the shade that I buy contain a gold particles, which actually provide that radiance... but I was not into that... sorry... So that is why I take this chance to try other brand... But True Match is very good, so I recommend that. So, I tried Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation, RM35? (I’m not sure the exact price). Why this? It is much cheaper and Kate Moss was the model for this... (hehe, I know irrelevant reason)... whatever it is I believe this can save money, but I guess I was unlucky, this product does not suit me. The darkest shade still make me look ashy. When I search for its review it is almost 50% say it’s good another 50% says otherwise. And I not sure, if this was the cause, but it gives me breakouts... and make me itch and the fragrance is uncomfortable for me. So I ditch this one (in anger.... GRRRR... ). But it might be a different story for other people... If it is unsuitable on skin and does not match, ditch it, but don’t give up on makeup and NEVER, I say NEVER GENERALIZE and SAY MAKEUP IS BAD.... I believe only people who had tried more than 20 brands have the right to say that... of all the people, the one that only had like ONE or TWO products, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO SAY THAT MAKEUP SUCK?! Amateur....

So I tried Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation for normal/oily, RM 55 I think .

Okay, so far I have nothing bad to say about the foundation. It provide me the needed coverage, match very very well with my skin tone and look natural (not cakey...). It is just that the bottle does not come with a pump, so it is harder... L’oreal True Match have pump... Whatever it is, I’m sticking with Revlon and I’m very satisfied...

Usually in Malaysia, I found that drugstore brand only caters the fair skin colour and non for tan skintone... other than L’oreal and Revlon, I could not see any drugstore that caters the darker skintone. So, dark skintone like me really have a hard time finding the right match foundation.
Okay, higher end product (a.k.a. more EXPENSIVE product)... I don't know how good they are... I believe brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown, Stage and probably others can guarantee wider colour range... and better formula and skin-friendly.... but like I said, different people might have different reaction to products, let it be drugstore or the higher end one. I got people says that MAC foundation gives them breakout, and others say they are very good... But, yes makeup can be a quest. Well, there is another brand I notice, which is still affordable, Elianto and The Bodyshop... yeah, that brands also have wider option...

Some people say that Liquid Foundation is heavy and can look cakey... and yes it can.. but it is only because of wrong technique... yes, you have to learn on how to apply it... wrong application can lead to the term ‘makeup setebal 2 inci’... very unattractive... probably I blog about liquid foundation application on next post... anyway, what I’m trying to say is don’t blame the makeup if you are the one who is not good on how to wear it... yeah, it can petty and cerewet... but it is not that hard once you get use to it... okay, too much opinion, next...

2-way cake foundation

(picture: Za 2-way Foundation :http://www.za-ny.com/)
Okay, people have to notice the different between two way cake and regular press powder... it is not the same... unless it says foundation, it is not a foundation... it is just a powder that does not give you much coverage. Unlike regular press powder, 2 way cake foundation usually provide medium to full coverage and regular powder, usually natural to medium coverage. 2 way cake are very recommended for the oily skin since it is powder, it absorbs oil.... and quite unsuitable for dry skin since it can be too drying...
2 way cake foundation can be wear wet or dry. Very economical cause you don’t have to get a press powder. Okay, the downside is that, this product is the most likely to cake up and become too thick,... and crack. Worn with wrong technique especially, which most women does can lead to a very unforgiving look... (believe me, I have seen it, in surau, in the ladies...em,em,... not good)... well I would like share the right technique... but next timelah...
So I bought the L’oreal True Match, RM 65 something I think... quite a disaster... I remember I want to buy it because it saves time and more casual for everyday wear, going to class and all.... but then, there was one I wear it... I came back from class and I notice that there is a big crack on my forehead... it was like wearing claymask and it was drying up... and I feel uncomfortable and burdened somehow when I wear it... so I finish it quickly and return to liquid...

Other type of foundation
Okay, other than liquid and powder, I haven’t tried anything else yet... there are other type too such as mousse and cream... I’m not sure on that one but I can only describe by my experience trying it out at the store... Cream are the heaviest, very recommended for dried skin... usually oily, so quite unsuitable for the oily skin out there. Provide full coverage and very commonly used in studios... This also need a very good technique to wear it good and natural, (notice how sometime on TV stars look very cakey and unfortunately very very unattractive... how the hell did they put on makeup?!)...

Mousse is like mousse, lightweight and cloudy... suitable for all skintypes... but I tried once on swatch, it only provide up to medium coverage... but different brand can give different coverage.... it depends.

PS: Another thing I like to remind when finding a foundation,

First your skin type, dry, normal, or oily...?

Then, your skin tone... a very long quest... it’s not only about you are being dark or fair, you have to check whether it is too pinkish or to reddish for you, or too yellow or orangey for you. That is why swatching is very important, not only on back of your hand but also try it on your jaw line. That is how you find the right tone. Some say to go under natural light.

Then, finally the technique... makeup gurus out there have come up with many, variety way of wearing foundation... you have to know what is best for you and what you are most comfortable with. There more than one way to wear foundation, some prefer using finger some use sponges... but most importantly is use a technique CORRECTLY.... this is what many fail to do... it very unfortunately...

Continue to next post...

Not Eyeliner, but BASE makeup is the first step of Makeup...

Believe it or not, most people start out wearing makeup(like real makeup, Johnsons face powder and Lipice lipgloss are not included) with a BLACK eyeliner, or maybe a lipgloss.... why? I’m not sure why, but in my opinion, it is because they give difference to our look. Well in my case, as much as I want to carry off the black-eyeliner look, I was more concern with my acne-prone skin. Yes, I have a lot of acne, usually cystic, I rarely got whitehead but big red bumps are usual sight. So, I am more interested in base makeup; foundation, concealer and corrector. Most people say that acne-prone skin like me should steer –clear from makeup... but I think I can never agree with that... For more than 2 years I started to wear makeup, believe me, I never had any cosmetic comedones or acne. Even if I’m not wearing makeup, I still got acne... so at least I look better right?

But I could not deny that some people are allergic to makeup, some allergies are temporary some are permanent. Too bad for the latter, but don’t worry, I believe in this modern world, makeup technology have been improved so there are a lot of options out there even for the sensitive skin... So, in my opinion people should not be afraid of it... and did I mention that your makeup (blusher, eyecolour, lipgloss, lipcolour) will ONLY LOOK GOOD if you have GOOD BASE MAKEUP.
Okay, I have tried a lot of base makeup products, and all types... I can say I finally find something great, but I cannot deny I have that urge inside me that I want to try something else. There many things I have tried, and I really want to talk in details about my opinion about each of them, so I list it first:

Tinted moisturizer, liquid foundation, 2-way cake foundation, liquid concealer, cream concealer, primer, colour corrector, press powder, mineral foundation, ....

And another thing I like to say here is that, there is NOTHING WRONG with GUYS WEARING MAKEUP... especially guys with same problem as me, it is my dream to give introduce base makeup to guys.... I really hope guys out there open up their mind and don’t equal makeup with being gay...

Tinted moisturizer/light-weight foundation
First product I ever tried is the tinted moisturizer, it is like a liquid foundation, but it is more lighter and have natural coverage. Actually, I got this from my mum, it was Nutrimetics, and I really love it because it matches my skin tone very well and brighten up my complexion. Okay, due to the lightness of its colour, it usually very easy to match a skintone and it only serve as to even your skintone . It can tone down your blemishes a bit but it will not cover it much. It is one of my reason to ditch this product for a heavier formula. I believe it is very suitable those with clear skin (bless you), with little or no blemish. It also double up as moisturizer so I believe that can save you money as you don’t need to get a moisturizer. I guess that is all I can say because I haven’t wear it for so long. This is an example of Stila's... not sure about the price, I think quite pricey since it is higher end brand...

Continue to next post...

The last outing...: Iron Man 2...

Okay, so after IB exam finish that Thursday me and my friends went out the next day, for our very LAST OUTING...I think it will be last day visiting Alamanda... I guess... bila lagi pula nak berpijak ke Alamanda kan...

Actually we miss some part of the movie, but it's not bad, since Iron Man is not a puzzle to be solve, we just have to sit there and enjoy...

And that was exactly we did..

Oh, and when I was trying to find my sit, I notice Syamin and Hayati were next to us... what a coincidence... so, habislah ketawa gila2 semua dalam pawagam... and somehow most laugh in the theathre are very familiar... when the movie finish... like more than half of the audience are KMB students... what a coincedence! NOT!! Rhoe pun cakap, " Macam tengok kat bilik TV je..." hahaha! betul...

So the story continues as Stark confessed to be Iron Man... he had some issue with the government that want that suit, his girl-or-not/Stark company CEO', Ms Potts, his friends, Rhodey, his father's enemy's son looking for vengence, Vanko... woo! too many...

but most importantly, his dying condition as his use of the 'palladium' lead to blood toxicity...

Whatever it is, the plot was great, nicely arranged... highly satisfied with the storyline...

Oh yeah,Robert does play his part very very well... a big shot... and let me tell you it is extremely hard to take on that kind of role... salute to Robert Downer Jr. I can tell most of girls prefer Robert than George Clooney... oh wait, why did I compare both of them... Ok, because they are the hot ones that is reaching the golden 50... whatever it is Downy is hotter..

Action-wise... satisfying (well, I'm not really into action stuff, but my friend Pa'an, big fan of action movie is really enjoying the fight, so I would yes it was awesome!)

Romance... just enough dose... not too much to make me sick of it, not less to make me crave for it...

Gags... a lot !! You can laugh your a** off all you want... hehe..

But.... there is always a but... kadang-kadang rasa macam terlalu banyak lawak... tapi tu hal kecil... aku suka sebab aku suka ketawa... cuma ada waktu macam... 'lamanya dia ni cakap'... tapi tu cuma kurangkan 0.1 point je.. hehe..

Did I mention that I really love the villain, that is how evil scientist should be... strong, obnoxious, clever and very manipulative... nice one Mickey Rourke... now I really want to watch Te Westler...

the magic spice in this movie, yes the apperance of the Avengers, or SHIELD;

Nick Fury by Samuel L Jackson, and Black Widow by Scarlett Johansson...

truthfully Johansson seem out of place, but of course this movie got to have its 'sexy' factor... you not gonna get that from Ms Potts right... hehehe...

Oh yeah, and there was a cameo of the late DJ AM.. may he rest in peace...

Make me think of the movie, that before it is more rock and roll but the sequel, it is more of rave in the club.. still enjoyable...

and finally, another favourite of mine, Happy character play by Favreau.... nicely done...

Overall rating, minus Scarlett out-of-place, and Ms Potts character (not really sure why)..

rating 4.5 / 5...

enjoy!!

Should I buy cleansing wipes...?

I started to question myself as I wear makeup and then, I go for my solat. I take wudhu’ , but I don’t really clean my makeup, even my mascara.
Then I read this somewhere on the internet, regarding this matter. Oh my, actually I have to wipe off all my makeup properly before completing my wudhu’ and then I started to remember what my ustazah told me before... but I guess I wasn’t really paying attention since I don’t really wear makeup that time.
Another opinion from a fellow muslim makeup-wearer is that you can go for solat with the wudhu’ you had on before. She means that you have to complete your wudhu’ first before putting on makeup. Ok, that make sense.... But the you really have to be sure and believe that your wudhu’ is still sah. If you doubt then it is best that you renew your wudhu’, then you have to take off your makeup... I know, what a waste and all that... especially since I am the type who wears a really precise makeup...
So this person suggest using cleansing facial wipes... then you can renew your wudhu', solat and then reapply your makeup... but the downside is, because i don't think I would bring all my base makeup including my trusty liquid foudation, my reapplied makeup have less coverage than before.... HATE that...

However, thanks to my trusty MAC MSF natural, which really match my skin tone, have buildable coverage, and plus using stick concealer... I still can tone down all the blemishes....

Actually, I was looking forward to buy MAC concealer, because The Bodyshop one that I use, is too dry for my acne since I'm using BP gel... But that is another post...

Conclusion: It is hardly for me not to doubt my wudhu', so unless otherwise, cleansing wipes is my closest option. I guess I just have to suck it up and just reapply my makeup... It is actually not bad, and I might enjoy it(reapplying makeup...hehe)

Cleansing wipes to look for (affordable one):

Elianto (30 wipes) - RM 12 ( I bought the green tea one... not bad)

Simple (25wipes) - RM 25? (not sure)

Etude House (?? wipes) - RM 9.90

the key is to look one with makeup removing propertiess.

PS: I should really becareful about my wudhu'

sorry that I abandon you....

I have not been blogging for the whole sem 4....

It's not that I'm not into it anymore...

It's not that I have nothing to say anymore... actually there is a lot on my mind...

It's not that I'm too busy...

It's because... just because...

Probably I was thinking what I want to blog about...

but later, all seems... unworthy for me to blog about...

so finally, I thought about remodelling... not my blog page, but my post...

Instead of putting too much stuff about my daily life, I think this is the where I can focused on things that I don't get to talk much in person...

That sounds good... now that explain why I usually read blogs people of the same thought...

so... the conclusion in my blog will be more on my interest and know about and can be share...

Makeup (I'm no pro.. but I believe I have a few know-how) ..vanity... style???-...Entertainment... (music and movies)...

I know my post is too leisure and somewhat kedunian...

well, I guess I want my blogging to be my guilty-pleasure... hehe...

other things on my mind I rather keep it personal or discuss in person...

(no emotional-breakdown post- learn that from the past...)