2 in 1 post - How to Bright Pinks lips and Review: Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipstick in Pink

To be honest I can't really remember the real reason I bought this lipstick...

I know I was entering Space NK to look for an everyday kind of shade of Nars Matte Velvet pencil... but I was 'pulled' by the SA for this... hmmm. Now this might sound like my fault for not being outspoken about I actually want but actually I was drawn to this range as well.

The Sinner Lipstick range by Lipstick Queen is probably all I ever wanted in a tube of lipstick, 

"inspired by the decadence of the 1940s, Sinner Lipstick combines high levels of pigment with a matte, yet silky texture for a shot of intense colour minus any weight or chalkiness With 90% pigment, Lipstick Queen's Sinner Lipstick is make-up for your devilish alter-ego. The smooth, opaque formula delivers rich, matte colour that's lightweight, nourishing (thanks to Shea Butter) and hard-wearing. There's no shimmer, glitter or opalescence - just bullets of dense pigment for a modern take on old school Hollywood glamour. "

Sinner Lipstick in Pink, MAC Prep+Prime Lips, MAC Dervish lipliner, Eco-tools lipbrush

Matte, pigmented, no shimmer... totally my style. But the problem here would be the colour that I was matched to.

It is delusional to count this lipstick in Pink as my 'my lips but better' (MLBB) shade or a neutral, because it looks BOLD pink on me  [full stop].  I feel that I should have never got it in the first place... It looks good (enough) .. but bright bold pink just personally normally not my style. Plus I already had MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Unlimited and that is enough. I was more looking for more muted, low key pink, something like MAC lipstick in Spirit. MAC Spirit is perfect especially with Whirl lipliner.. but I never really wear it, because I just want to get rid of this bold pink lipstick and wear it often 'RELUCTANTLY'... 
You wouldn't want to waste a 20 pounds lipstick right... erghhh (annoyed).

Sinner Lipstick in Pink - too bright for my taste

As I wear it often, I can fully judge its texture. Now I don't know if I really like it. It is matte and it does not transfer much, and probably this is what the SA meant that this line has like a 'latex'-like substance so it just stick on.

But sometimes I felt it is a bit too dry... I wonder if the colour make the texture felt worse, look all dry and chalky. So as often I would wear it (to get rid of it) the more hatred I have for it, so at one moment where I just felt I look too tacky wearing it... I end up tossing the lipstick in the bin.. hahaha! (please.. I am still recovering from the fact I toss away a 20 pounds lipstick)
I would probably like this lipstick in darker shade, like a dark brick red or a burgundy.That would be perfect as those non-transferable lipstick.
On the other hand, I still like this brand, and the packaging is really nice, matte tube with gold print label, tightly sealed and you wouldn't find this lipstick without the lid when you just throw it into handbag.

So overall, I would give still give a 2.5 / 5, (a bit higher just because I believe I would love the darker shades). Unless you really want that bright bold 'dry' pink lipstick, go for the pink shade...

If you feel your PINK lipstick looks TOO BRIGHT/ BOLD but you know it's not really your style. So to tone down the 'bright' pink bubble gum look, just tone down everything else...Say no to pastel obviously.
Cheeks: Do not do pink blusher or any blusher at all. I just stick to contour and warm highlights.

I think this was edited in my phone and other pics was edited in my laptop,
so it's a bit different in the undertone and temperature.

Eyes: Stick with warm earthy tone on the eyes and no black eyeliner (even for darker skin, go for the darkest brown expresso like liner you can find but no black).

I used a light gold syadow on lid with matte brown (MAC Cork) in the crease to contour, a dark brown pencil eye liner on upper lashline with a bit of flick at outer end. (a bit of cat/kitten flick is a must for me)

Since I wear a bit of green in my headscarf, I use this N' 7 Metallic Eyes Pencil in Bronze on my waterline and apply a bit thicker in the inner corner. It has a kind of a 'khaki' undertone, a bit different from a typical copper and I like the shimmery 'twinkly' effect on the inner lower lashline.It gives a nice 'bohemian' touch to my whole look and make me forget about how bright my pink lipstick is. 

OR another style...
Instead of earthy tone eyes, keep the eyes clean and go for 60's inspired look with solid black eyeliner on top lashline and a pronounced cat flick to take up a notch. (Inspiration from MAD MEN especially Betty Draper/Francis. *love*)

old stuff - Spring Summer Trip and Conquest of Europe, Kelana Convoy 6 : Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken and Paris (including Disneyland Paris)

Okay don't get confused... these are referring to the 2011's summer trip... and now is 2014... LOL!
*"it's been a while since my last post" cliche*
First of all, I finally had the conscience to blog again... 3rd year is kind of crazy... I don't where was I, what am I doing most of the time, I just go with these attachment they sent me and not to forget I was stuck in Derry for 13 weeks... next thing I knew it's the exam... '-.-
So I thought I might just post some beauty stuff instead as it is more exciting for me personally and blogging about my trips always turn on my 'lagging' mode... but what the heck, might as well I just finish this... so finally the last post for this trip.

Next stop, Switzerland... and nope Geneva isn't part of the trip.
We went straight for Lauterbrunnen for those who dream of the Swiss Alps...
as usual me being broke, spending a few francs is just crazy *Damn! '-.- should have save money*
so what did I miss? the Jungfrau excursion? the  Trummmelbach falls? haihhhhh... again, it is one of those wasted opportunity.
But I tell you this, our campsite at Lauterbrunnen, is the BOMB!! we can se the f*ckin Swiss Alps... like really close... I just love it! walking through the small town from the train station.
So for those of us that didn't go to Jungfrau or Trummelbach, we went for a detour to the bigger town Interlaken.
Now as close as Swiss Alps to us, especially back in camp, it still warm, I sleep so fine in the tent without zipping my sleeping back. And as we got to Interlaken, it was HOT!!! like seriously HOT! I can't even remember what I wore, but I always wonder did I wear a cardigan??

Train station at Lauterbrunnen

Again great view.

Lauterbrunnen - kind of like a valley.

This is like the view from the campsite... I assure you if I had DSLR, this picture will be magnificent!
*I crop it to protect the identity of other campers, lol*

 So as I said, nothing that interesting I did in Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen. That's explain the lack of photos of Interlaken.. or I just lost them ...

Now next! Bonjour Paris!
So the trip in Paris is divided into two. If it was me, I prefer to opt out Disneyland. But I was thinking when else would be the time I want to go to Disneyland? I might felt it was now or never that I would never ever plan trip to go a theme park? Boy was I in for something....

There was a time I wish I was Disney Princess

And yeah it was Disneyland Paris,  so imagine when I went in for Animagique... Donald Duck speaking French.. Ahaaa! They got me. Nevertheless, I enjoy the visuals.

There is 2 park, the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studio Park.

Generally speaking Disneyland Park is more for like for kids, this is where get all the life size Disney's character, and the Studio Park is more of a what goes on behind a film set kind of thing. 

So this is less busy than the Disneyland part.

NEVERTHELESS... GO TO BOTH!! trust me, there's no use coming a long way to Paris to Mickey and you opt for a one ride ticket. Get all day both parks pass.

Studio Tran Tour - Studio Park

This is nice... but that's it... 

Those 'special effects' ride kind of need more work... I tried the Armageddon ride... it was almost good... with those shakin, and very close up FIRE... but they didn't push it.. ?
*hahaa! I don't even know how far they should go*
I think what most thrill seekers would love is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror...
this is one of those 'get you up high slowly, and... DROP it!' kind of ride...
Gosh I still remember my butt was off the seat and and my sling bag was rising to air due to inertia...
oh and this is also one of those with 'looking loose' kind of secure bar... '-.-

Being KO from that 'Big Thrills' we went to the Disneyland park.

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Pirates of Carribean - recommended

This experience was the one that make me think twice about going to theme park, getting on  rides and stuff. When I was in this trip, I kind of not crazy about the idea... like the long lines, a lot of people... etc etc... but I got to tell you, the wait .. is all worth it!
What I like as well about Disneyland, not all are highadrenaline pumping ride... *I mean they do expect kids*... but there's a lot of cute and fun sense stimulating ride... I might not get my adrenaline high, but I might jaw drop a bit... like how they did this??? how? what technology is this? HAHHAH!

Recommended ride:
all the BIG THRILLS (look at the website, you'll know) especially Twilight Zone Tower
Pirate of Carribean
Mad Hatter's Tea cup (not for those with vertigo)
Phantom Manor
Peter Pan's Flight 
(not thrilling at all, but seriously FUN!! like I don't know what illuminati secret they use, but I was captivated)
Animagique for relax time.

So that was one day... wish I stayed longer... huhu...
next ... centre Paris.
City of Lovers, city of fashion... I guess. hahaa!
SO how this trip work is we got on the bus from our campsite (outskirt of the city as usual), and they will take us to each attraction one by one, and we can choose where to get off, and just meet up at the Eiffel Tower where the bus is to go home. Simple right!

Paris was nice... really nice... and yeah I went again last winter... still nicee....
hahaha!
There's something about Paris that is really nice... I don't know. I wish I had more money and stayed there longer and go to all these attractions and eat all their good pastries.. hmmmm...

What's not to love about this? *vague... I know*

At Champs Elysees we enter Louis Vuitton... lol... I was in first year, and I never thought we can enter a designer store as tourist... though that was the time you felt how poor you are...and forget all other poverty in the world, hahaha!
But I got to say, this shop did earn it to be a sort of a tourist site...
Oh my god, how they showcase the product... like wow! The spiraling room for LV luggage and the stairs...and the fashion books. Nice.
But there's no way, I could ever enjoy this lifestyle... without having a trip to the Outlet or win a lottery or something.
We just walk through the Champs Elysees and nothing that interesting excepts rows of designer shops, and I had the first taste of La Duree' macaroons. I'm not that crazy about it and no I have no idea how La Duree' macaroons differ from others or what makes it more expensive... but I have to say it is sweet and nice and I wish I can have more *which is what I would have say having other kinds of high quality tasty pastries*.
The small Musee du Parfum / Fragonard was the last stop I followed the group. That was nice, and I got myself a big bottle of Belle de Nuit Fragonard, wayyyyy cheaper than typical parfum.. and it's an EDP. Although nothing too special about the smell... typical Paris style perfume, said the sales girl. Very florally and deep, (got musk in it), I love it.

Opera House - Palais Garnier
I didn't went in this time, but I enter on 2nd trip to Paris

Musee de Lourve

I beat up a few people to get this close to Mona Lisa -
there's really a big crowd... not the usual very quiet gallery that you woulf expect.

the pyramid thingy

Notre Dame de Paris - again, miss it this time and but when in during 2nd trip.

Continuing my childhood memories of Disney, this also include Hunchback of Notre Dame and maybe due to Discovery Channel... this has become one of those place I dream as a child to go... of course when I was young  I know nothing. But as I grew up, it become one of those place that you gotta see with your own eyes... there's no other reason for me to visit this place... not for pray, it's not that pretty relatively... but I just had to. I guess this was what they say how aesthetics associate with memory and emotion. hmmm deep huh?

After all those crazy walking and trying to speak French... time for food! Okay... the tour guide didn't really told us about this 'gem', Rue de la Huchette *I knew this when I went for my 2nd trip*.
I don't know why they didn't tell us this little street near Notre Dame that full of Halal restaurant??
was it the price? no, in this street there are many choices from simple street-style food to a proper Persian restaurant.
This remind me of the case in Disneyland and that one time in Venice, I can easily find cheaper GOOD tasty food than what they exaggerate to be expensive... people, find your own food! do not listen the tourguide in this matter. and believe me you will experience more.

So again I was innocent that time and imagine how happy I was to find Maison de Gyros!!
I love this place so much, I even go there on my 2nd trip but too bad it's close ... huhu...

"Eiffel, I'm in love" feeling.

Finally, to make Eiffel Tower visit more meaningful, I joined the Seine River Cruise! Nice as usual... just make me wish that I was a Parisien... lol... Fun times.

I was totally 'feeling' Paris, kind of promising myself that I will come again....
*which I did, hehe!*

So that was the end of the trip. To be honest most of the tourist site I enter on my 2nd trip to Paris and I don't think it's fair to spill it out here... since it was another adventure, and this was another adventure. More importantly, I think it's important that if you guys join this Kelana Convoy trip, TIME is a very BIG FACTOR and it can be b*tchy. So choose your tourist site carefully and plan well following this trip to get most out of it.
So the next day we head home and this time we cross the Channel on a ferry, so at least we were able to get on the deck
In a whole, Kelana Convoy is nice, since it was my first tour, I can't really compare to others. There's pro and cons and I had to say it was a great 'dip' into the few countries in Europe. Plus, when else would be the time you get to set up and pack down camping tents 13 times straight through a trip. Regarding this, I am so ready for a hotel stay. lol.
So hopefully, in the future I can improve myself as a traveller and see more of what the world can offer.
.

old stuff - Spring Summer Trip and Conquest of Europe, Kelana Convoy 5 (Italy): Venice, Rome, Pisa, Florence

Now this is just beyond ridiculous, so post from Summer 2011... 2 years ago? lol

This mostly on the visit to Italy where I enjoy some part and when I just really hate it...

This take a while to finish since it's a lots of places, so hopefully you guys can just bare with me.

funnily though, I thought I can't remember the trip much.... but as I was typing away it just come back to me... especially those special meaningful one. Enjoy!

We enter ITALY, bella Italia! 

VENEZIA

 a.k.a Venice *lovely place*

One funny thing, my tourguide describe Venice as the City of Romeo and Juliet....hhmmmm...

it's actually VERONA, not Venice.. even in the sci-fi anime, Romeo x Juliet it's Neo Verona, there's never any part of this play mention Venice *Sorry, I just had to get this information out, lol*

However I can tell you Venice is actually the city where the infamous Giacomo Casanova, the "Casanova" from, so you get some romance out of that. 

To add to that Mozart has lived in Venice for a while, and the building which tourist usually refer to as Mozart's House is still there. I've seen it from my gondola ride and it is located at the Rio Dei Barcaroli (Canal of Barcaroli). I really enjoyed the gondola rides. Regarding gondola ride, the more expensive the ride, the nicer the canal, the nicer the view. We took the 90 euros ride and note; not all gondoliers sing.

A bit on Venice now, Venice is kind of a cluster of islands *I think so* and we got S. Marco, S. Polo, Dorsoduro, S. Croce, Cannaregio, Castello and Isola Della Giudecca. Since it's a budget tour there's no way in hell we're able to cover the whole Venice so we're mainly at the S. Polo and S. Marco though we came from Dorsoduro. We were staying at camp site in Fusina and took a water taxi to Zattere al Ponte Lungo, land in Dorsoduro.

Continue on, we enter S.Marco through Ponte dell' Accademia. So we still under his guide until  we get to the famous Piazza San Marco.

Piazza San Marco - St. Mark's Square - Basilica di San Marco (centre)

It is big, crowded and hot, though I love that pictures will look great! *just that I don't have a camera '-.-*

We continue on to check out the murano glass. They're lovely and colourful, there's wide price range, can be quite cheap but can also be very very expensive! The same goes for the Venetian lace which we get a good look at a lace factory. Now there's many type of Venetian lace, but I would recommend you to get those handmade one, don't waste money of machine-made one, you can get those in pasar malam. From the factory I purchase one handmade file' lace centerpiece, costing 15 euros.

Now that make my mum a bit proud " My daughter bought me venetian lace centerpiece " 

*sound fancy isn't it*

Then we were taken to a restaurant near the Doge's Palace, now guys, DO NOT FOLLOW THEM! eat somewhere else. There's nothing special about the restaurant, you can get cheaper seafood linguine or pizza somewhere else. After that we are left to roam the Venice on our own. First we get to Ponte di Rialto for souvenirs shopping.

Inside Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

Here there's like row of stalls selling Venetian souvenirs including Venetian mask and Murano Glass, I got a murano glass on a ring and Venetian mask brooch *now that's clever*. Some people got their gondoliers striped shirt and straw hat, hehe. 

In the journey I definitely get a taste of authentic gelato, watermelon, chocolate and moree! it's cheap and tasty!!! *drooling*. Now referring to what I said about lunch at Rialto Bridge , along the Grand Canal there's like row of restaurant with affordable price *some cheaper than the previous lame restaurant '-.-*, erghhh. It would be a better experience you know to eat by the Grand Canal, don't you think so? In the mids of regretting the seafood linguine I had near Doge's Palace and downing myself with loads of gelato, I did make a stop to pizza place. The pizza slice is large, with strong fragrance, how can I resist!!

Ponte di Rialto

Now, the first tip that tourguide let us know is that, maps are useless, because Venice especially S. Marco is basically a maze with all the random alley and short cut. 

Random alley in Venice

As far as I remember, we did go into circles at one time.

This should be Ponte Dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sigh)

Just before we meet up back at the jetty for the water taxi, I went to look for the Bridge of Sigh, though I had a hard time finding it since it look like that, lol.

Viewing from Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)

ROMA 

a.k.a. Rome

Now I have a very bad experience and it's all thanks to that good for nothing tour guide '-.-...

Now now, it does start with a great tour into The Vatican City and we roam around Piazza San Pietro. It was a very long line to enter the basilica. The line was across the piazza.

In Vatican City - Piazza San Pietro - Basilica di San Pietro (Centre)

As I expected the art decor inside the basilica is really beautiful *what else to say?*

I don't know much about the art and the details of its association in Catholicism but I enjoy looking inside it. 

Inside Basilica di San Pietro

The pillars, the ceiling and statue... how they immortalize something mortal? at the same time 'mortalize' something immortal? hahaa! I'm not really into dwelling on this view in this blog, but think again how these artist *which are just mortals* made out an art to describe their belief , God and how the details/features/characteristics is drawn within their 'mortal' imagination whereas we know those characteristics shouldn't be grasped by men's view? 
*lol, bare with my thoughts please*

Inside Basilica di San Pietro

From the Vatican City we continue our tour around the place and we were brought to place where there are a few kebab place. We had our lunches there and continue our journey, what big mistakes I made, I followed the  wrong  lame tourguide, '-.-
Unlike the one I really admired *as a tourguide* this lame-a** tourguide kind a have no idea what we're doing? No *much* knowledge on the venue, on the history? what a joke for a tourguide! '-.-
Comeonlah weyh! we're in Rome, one of the city with rich history, remnants of one of the strong force yearrrrrsss agooo.... haishhhh.... he should have done a bit of homework, I don't expect the whole history, but at least explain the venue and what's the purpose... epic FAIL!

So we walk to the famous Colosseum where gladiators fights and it is so much bigger in the past compare to now. I was so in regret that I didn't enter the the Colosseum.

Now don't ask me why I didn't enter... it just happen that way... erghhh...

I'm the type of person who travels and want enter places, despite how boring it can be...

Nothing much to say here other than that I'm just pissed lol... 

Trevi Fountain

The reality of the so-called magical Trevi Fountain.... it's packed... hehe....
But I believe this would be a nice scenery at night.
The area around the fountain was nice and there's a lot of cafe and most important... gelato... we need gelato in the summer.
That's pretty much about Rome, we head back to our campsite after that...

What I remember most about the trip to Rome was the trip in the train, the train as usual quite packed but not bad that time, I even got a sit. I remember I was sitting opposite this old man and then another lady *quite old as well* I offered her my seat, then she sit for a while and she get up again.
I gesture again to ask her to sit... the most funny thing is... hehe I don't know how to explain the situation in this blog...
since I don't speak Italian and she clearly don't speak English.... despite that I 'feel' I understand what was she saying... I think she said that the 'old man' smells funny... 
The story continues when I sit with her *without the old man* and we attempt to have a conversation....
other than the fact we're technically speaking different language although I tried to throw my so very limited Italian vocabulary.... there were other Kelana Convoy tourmates there and they just giggle seeing me talking attempting 'so-called' Italian conversation.
"Roma... Bellaa!" " Venexia, bella!!!" *exaggerated gesture*... hahaa! it's just funny and sweet when I think about it again. 
That conversation does heal my disappointment a bit from the Rome tour. Even though I didn't get to get myself into history/culture of Rome, the conversation I had with the sweet Italian lady make me feel 'connected' and welcomed in this visit. Bella Italia!

The journey continue on.... to Tuscany part of Itali. Before we made our way our campsite, we made a stop to centre of Florence.... unfortunately.... I didn't remember at all to take picture... why is that???
I was to busy shopping... lol....anyway we had about 2 hours something I believe.
Apparently, Florence have very good deal for leather goods and gold as well. I just manage to hunt for leather goods... and if you see my old post, I got myself a hand-made gladiator-inspired sandals! the best souvenirs I got from  the trip...

Florence as you guys know was the centre of Renaissance especially in Arts... if you guys remember Renaissance history, in those time, artist all move to Florence to grab opportunity to obtain a patron *sponsor* ... it's the IT city for art. This was definitely obvious from all the architecture and sculpture along the walkway, especially the David statue ... very 'ecchi'... lol.

We were late that time since I misheard what time the tourguide said, but we still manage to get back despite the almost 'annoyed look' people have lol... Seriously I really thought 2.50 instead of 2.15.. hahah!

The journey continue on to visit the Pisa. So again we only have half day in Pisa and being tired from the journey, we still need to settle in the new camping site. At this point we put up our tent like it's second to our nature, although this time ground is harder so start to hammering our tent spikes.

After that we walk to the the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is the top attraction of the cathedral city in Italy, Pisa. It was quite a walk but not too bad and it still bright despite how late it was and we arrive at the Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo which is one of sacred square for the Catholics.

Piazza del Duomo , Archdiocese of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa from afar

Upclose... sorry for the random photo bomb.

We kind of hanging out there *that what most people do there* since it still a nice day... and suddenly some of us decided lets get on top of the tower. I seriously couldn't remember how much was the entrance... *it is been almost 3 years* but probably definitely less than 20 euros...

Getting on top to the tower was quite a climb, it was just a spiral staircase that go on and on but it was just about 50m high... so not too bad. But what was freaking me out is just how I felt the ground a bit slippery, it's marble and the stairs was eroded in the centre.... It felt like I was going to slip down at any time... but nevertheless I made it to the top! Yeay!

Me on top of the Leaning Tower

Campsite: This place is really good and the toilet is nice as well.

This is definitely one of the best achievement for me in this tour. The view is seriously spectacular! We pretty much see the whole Pisa from there. So enjoying the view after a while we get down, and they give us a time period to get up and get down.. Not many people can be in at the same time... I guess we wouldn't want the Tower to lean in more.. like it's already leaning and I definitely felt it. It was thrilling.

So we're back at the camp when it is literally dark... like that is like 10.30pm or something... wow! Satisfied! even though we got back and dinner almost finish,*we literally only had rice and gravy* but I'm still soooo satisfied.

We get rest and we're ready for the next destination, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.