Cosmetics Addiction

I don't know what spell got into me but I'm into "cosmetics addiction" lately. From skin care products to make-up..name it!

Early morning, I start with my Clinique 3-step system. Liquid Soap (Oily skin), Clarifying Lotion #3 and Dramatically Different Mositurising Gel. Topping it up with Even better Skin Tone Corrector (dramatically erases those dark age spots) and the Pore Minimizer Refining Serum. I then apply the Pore Minimizer T-Shine Control on the areas of my nose and forehead and Pore Minimizer instant perfector. I then Apply my SPF 25 Superdefense Triple Action Mositurizer (Dry Combination Skin) all over the face (less on T-zone areas) and apply my All-About-Eyes (Rich) under the circles of the eyes. I love Clinique because its allergy-free and perfume-free. I go to Myer in the city and I have my own consultant (Shanyn) to keep track of what I'm using and assess my skin preference and needs overtime.

I then apply my ID Bare Minerals Face Primer. Apply my ID Bare Minerals Mineral Foundation (Medium Beige) using the "swirl-tap-buff" technique using the id bare minerals foundation brush or kabuki brush, it just creates that flawless look. Always remember to use a foundatioin primer before applying your foundation. It creates that flawless-luminous look. You will never go wrong with mineral foundations because it is made with pure, crushed minerals from the earth which gives pure coverage with less irritants. Always remember, less is more. But if you need more coverage, I prefer to use the liquid foundation range of Lancome, the Teint Idole Ultra 14-hr retouch free oil free with SPF 10. Its so enduringly divine.Make sure you have two tones. Lighter on the T-zone area and darker on the frame of the face. Make sure you use Lancome's Liquid Foundation Brush. But apply it sparingly and only as needed coz I find Lancome to be high in perfume and could create breakouts overtime. Use it only for special occassions and only as needed. By the way, I buy my mineral make-up over ebay. You'll save more than 50% of the RRP if compared to prices at Myer.

To conceal the darkened area around the eyes, I use YSL Radiant Touch. It was voted as the best eye concealer instant perfector pen. But to cover those blemishes around the face, you can use the ID Bare Minerals Bisque Multi-Tasking Face using the ID Bare Minerals Concealer Brush.

Lets start with the eyebrows.Make sure you use the right angled brush for your eyebrows. MAC 266 angled brush is the best for shaping eyebrows. It creates that precision to shape your eyebrows. I only use the cheap dark brown brow defining powder I bought from priceline.

The best eyeshadows surveyed are the MAC eyeshadows. They are brilliant. It gives you that stunning color and it doesn't blotch up. But make sure you are using the right eye brushes. I use the MAC 249 to apply the base (all over eye color which commonly is the lightest one), and use MAC 252 to apply the eyeshadow to the lid area. Use the MAC 219 to apply color (which is usually darker)to the crease of the eye and blend it using the MAC 224 brush. It creates that shadow and stunning look. I love the combination of blue-light brown, green-pink, violet-lilac, and any color with silver or gold shimmer. Always use lighter colors during the day and dark heavy colors at night. I find the Shimmer Cubes from body shop really great for highlighting above the eyeshadow above the lids. Make sure you use your blending brush...brilliant!

As for eyeliners, you can either use liquid (MAC paint pots which are water resilient) and pencils (MAC eyeliners powerpoint eyepencil which are water resistant). Always make sure to go heavy when you line the outer edge of your eyes. It gives that darker-bolder look that accentuates your mascara. Talking about mascaras, what if I tell you there is the ultimate mascara that gives you everything you ask for in a mascara (lengthening, curling, thickening and waterproof!).Its the Chanel Inmitable Mascara Multi-dimensionel. You won't be sorry for this one. When my good friend Aileen and I went to Myer to try out this one. Gosh, what a beauty! We have to grab one each.Always go for the black and you can't go wrong. Remember, mascaras only lasts for 3 months.

Blushers? There are 2 types. Powder and Cream Blushers. Using powder blushers creates that flawless and natural look while cream blushers creates that youthful look which is usually good for the mature-age group. Always make sure you use powder blushers if you will go for the matte type of eyeshadows because they compliment well together, whereas use the cream blushers if you want to go for the satin and shimmery eyeshadows. I find Lancome (blush subtil) and MAC powder blushers (Sunbasque Sheertone Summer blush) so brilliant especially for asian tones. As for cream blushers, do go for MECCA cosmetics (Stila and Nars) especially the "orgasm" tone. Trick: Use the right powder blush (the angled one preferably) and contour more on the apple of the cheeks and when using the cream blushers, your fingertips are the best tool.

All About LIPS: Hmmmm....i like this bit. Make sure you moisturise first to get rid of the rough skin. It sort of act as a primer to create that smooth glide of lipsticks when you apply it. Try MAC lip conditioner. Accentuate your lips by using a lipliner. Go for the matte color if you are to use a matte lipstick and use sheer lipliners if you want to use lipglosses and high shine lipsticks. Chanel makes the best lipliners. It glides on so smoothly and so precise. It comes with a pencil sharpener if u buy one. Dont just line the edges of the lips, but also line the whole lips to act as a base before applying your choice of lipstick. Chanel Rouge Allure is the ''creme ala creme" of lipsticks. It glides so smoothly and doesn't dry out lips. It contains shea butter that makes the glide smooth. Chanel Aqualumiere is also a good color lipgloss but the thing I dont like about it is that you need a mirror to apply it because it comes with a brush and you need to be precise with it. Lancome juicy tubes is still the all-time favourite as well as the Dior high-shine lipglosses. If you are after plumpness, use Dior Lip Maximizer Collagen Activ under ligloss and over lipstick. It has a "stinging" sensation and you'll see a difference in your lips in just a few minutes. Awesome!

You need to set your make-up by using a loose powder and a freshener. Clinique blended face-powder in Invisible blend is the best I think. It blends with your skin color and doesn't disturb your make-up. Make sure you apply it using the same technique as applying mineral foundations. Follow up with Jurlique Freshener in Pure Rosewater. It gives that cool feeling after setting up your makeup.

At night, I use Clinique make-up remover for the eyes and lips (you definitely need that especially if you waterproof mascaras). I then wash my face with the Clinique rinse-off foaming cleanser. I follow it up with the 3-step system same as the morning routine. The only difference is the moisturizer. Instead of using the Superdefense, I use the Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturiser @ night and the All-About-Eyes Rich for the eyes.

Make sure you exfoliate 2-3 times a week and use a mask once to twice a month. I use Clinique 7-day Scrub and Pore Refining Mask. Also use Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and Refreshing Eye Gel when you want that extra boost of moisture especially during winter and stressfull times. Highly recommended!

For those unexpected blemishes and breakouts, use the Clinique Spot Treatment Gel. It works wonders because it contains salicylic acid. Use it 4-5 times a day and it would dry those nasty breakouts in due time. Make sure to conceal it as well using Clinique anti-blemish solution concealing stick camouflant formule s.o.s.