Standardised tests.....

PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, DAT; the list of standardized tests is never ending. No matter where you apply or what you're studying these annyoing tests will pop up! pages & pages of answering techniques, supposedly designed to make your brain work faster...Studying for the MCAT & the SAT non-stop for 8 months with no uni work to give me a break has officially driven me crazy! If I don't ever see an MCAT prep book ever again I will be ecstatic!!

Studying for one standardized test is bad enough, studying for two a bloody pain; studying for two tests at different academic level: FLIPPING IMPOSSIBLE! Your brain is constantly being pulled apart in two different directions!! To quote Ron Weasley its bloody insane!!

Aaahh...but the peace you feel when you finish the last question on the exam, its like sinking into a warm bath  after a long day. And, alas, I have finished with them so now I can look forward to something other than studying!

Review: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller

One of the worst things to wake up to are those dark crescents under the eyes. Although you made sure to sleep early the night before and drink plenty of water before bed, that reflection in the mirror says otherwise.

This is a common problem among many people - and there are numerous solutions to it. But for those desperate for a quick fix, this one may be for you. This is a review on the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller. (Now that is a mouthful.)

I have a medium skin tone so the medium shade suited me better. It was pretty inexpensive. A little back story on my eye circles/bags. They became prominent once I began university (late nights and early mornings). My bags and circles are both fairly dark and puffy. It varies a lot. So on most days, I NEED that extra coverage

 

Now back to the product. The packaging is a curvy tube that was designed for better gripping. The cap screws off to reveal a metallic roller ball that dispenses the product. This ball also provides a somewhat soothing massage when rolled under the eyes. (But don't roll it for too long. You'll be using WAY too much.)

The product itself resembled a liquid concealer with surprising pigmentation. A little goes a long way to diminishing the darkness, but it can be buildable to an extent. It is easy to spread and blend. I find that it can also brighten up the eyes a bit for that 'awake' look we desire in the mornings.

The perks: it's small, travel friendly and easy to use in a pinch. Plus it will last you a VERY long time. (believe me)

The downside: limited shade range, it won't be enough for people with darker circles and it tends to be messy (the excess product goops up in the cap and around the ball)

Personal experience and conclusion

Overall, I do like this product. Despite it being a little off-color for my skin tone, watery-ish and messy, it still does a fairly decent job in covering up my dark circles. It's not a miracle product (hardly anything is), but it does the job.

I apply this every morning before work so to avoid using heavy concealer under my eyes. I find that it lasts a very long time for just 0.5 fl oz of product. I apply this after my moisturizer. I roll it once or twice under both my eyes and pat it gently in and around the eye area. It takes me seconds to do this. I then carry on with my normal foundation routine.

I find this product essential for quick fixes and 'on-the-go' days. But I also noticed that it creases under my eyes. It's not a big thing though. But it does get annoying.

Is it worth buying? It depends on your requirements. If you're normally in a hurry, but need to look fresh and awake, then yes, this is worth it. 

But remember to embrace those little dark circles you may have. They're the battle scars of adulthood after all.

-L

It SITS on your SKIN

In today's society, perfect skin is a rarity. To be a person born with naturally contoured, even-toned, flawless skin is much like being on the endangered species list. Perhaps as children we were blessed with it. As adults, there have been reasons we could no longer maintain it. And therefore we chose to create an illusion of it - we turned to makeup.

Pictures from Google Images

One of the most basic skills in make-up application is foundation and concealer. Acne and pimples are the bane of teenagers because of hormones, nasty fried fast foods and the habit to pick at Mount Everest that sits on your nose ready to explode (but don't... just don't). 

Consider this post a rant than a tutorial. There have been plenty of make-up application disasters I've witnessed where I've had the urge to walk up to a person and offer a tip or two. Why? Well, for starters, they look like they're aspiring to be clowns.

Many ladies - Asians especially - tend to use foundations 2 shades lighter than their natural skin tone. I apologize, but unless you're aiming to role play as a Geisha, then you need to change that foundation. The rule here is to match the foundation to your neck so the natural color is continuous throughout instead of appearing mask-like. If you must use a lighter foundation, use it under your eyes to create a brightening effect.

This also applies to ladies aiming to obtain that 'bronzed' look. Look up tutorials for the proper way to apply bronzer. Don't use it all over your face. You're meant to achieve that tanned glow, not appear over-cooked.

Yes, it's a lot of work, research and you will encounter the inevitable hit and miss / trial and error along the way. But the result is worth the effort - right? If it isn't, then make up isn't a necessity. It's a choice. Love the skin you are in.

After all, beauty is more than just skin deep.

-L

Review: NYX Box Of Eyeshadows

Our eyes are the windows to our souls... so why not spice them up with a bit of eyeshadow?

Boxed eyeshadow sets have become steadily popular over the recent years with their quality improving every step of the way. In comparison to their single counterparts, they provide a diverse choice of colors from neutral to colorful. Furthermore, the price for the amount of shadows you get in a boxed set would justify the price (i.e. box set price < matching single shadows price).

This a review for the NYX Box of Eyeshadows.

This boxed set contains an astounding 112 colors of NYX's shadows. Its layout allows for easy segregation of color families. The top half homes the neutral and natural colors. Here the colors appear to be matched to their light and dark corresponding shades. The bottom carries the more vibrant and colorful shadows NYX has to offer and segments them into their respected color families.

The overall packaging is simple yet elegant in a way. The glossy plastic covering feels a lot more sturdier than it appears. The cover allows the user to see a peak of the shadows through the clear plastic sections. The bottom compartment slides out easily and clicks into place when slid back. However, it is bulky and takes up a lot of bag and table space.

The quality of each shadow is, sadly, a hit and miss. Most of them are highly pigmented and apply smoothly. However, there are a few that fail to stay true to color and quality. I also find that some colors don't look very different from other similar shades (e.g the highlight colors). A few look very promising to the eye, but when swatched, show up as a different shade. Some of the more pigmented shadows can produce a lot of fall out, so be prepared for that. Application is smooth for 95% of the shadows. A couple can be difficult, but the majority apply smoothly without clumps or chunks.

Price-wise, it retails for $35 on the website (link below). In the UAE, I've seen it retail around 189 DHS. Fairly reasonable if you were to consider how much it would cost in total for all the shadows at full price. It can also be versatile by using selected colors for blush, highlight and contour. This saves on buying other products.

My verdict:

I've had this set for well over 2 years (birthday gift from my mom). I've used it for many (if not all) of my makeup looks and I am in a position to say that I am one satisfied customer. This is honestly a good starter set for beginners and an adequate set for aspiring makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts. It isn't ideal for people leaning towards editorial work as the pigmentation may not be on par with their requirements.

I use this set for natural to dramatic looks. I may have had some problems with the more pastel/light shades due to my medium/dark skin tone, but surely not all shadows can fit every skin type. It does last a pretty long time - considering that one person alone can't use up all the eyeshadows at once.

Personally, the price isn't as bad. If you consider the price of smaller high end pallets, this is a merciless bargain for the amount of product that could very well be comparable (if not better) quality.

I enjoy using this on my friends, my mom and on myself. I find it easy to set up when I'm inspired to create a look. However, it isn't very travel friendly. For that, I'd bring a smaller pallet because this box would take up far too much space in my carry on.

Here are some looks I created using the pallet:

I hope this review helps those who are on a makeup hunt for eyeshadows.

-L

Links:

NYX Box Of Eyeshadows

Keep them brows on!

One of my biggest pet peeves in life (and this was developed about a year or 2 ago) is noticing how people groom their brows - and some just go a tad too far.

Pictures from Google Images

Eyebrows frame your eyes. They make the difference in how soft your features are or how defined. They make your expressions much more impactful when framed the right way. Finding the perfect brow is not as easy as it may appear, believe me.

I find it interesting, while strolling the malls, how some women like to make their brows a very prominent feature in contrast to their hair color and makeup. I have witnessed an elderly blonde lady sport black eyebrows - and I DID cringe. I marveled at the sight of another lady with completely drawn on brows where the color of the line was so flat that it looked fake.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure these women have their reasons for framing their brows (or lack of) this way. My reactions were based on first impressions as a beauty enthusiast. I sincerely believe your brows are meant to look natural in accordance to the look you're trying pull off.

*They're not meant to look too dark nor too fake. Nor do I believe they were meant to look too thin.*

We weren't born looking like that.

This isn't a post to teach you how to shape, take care or groom your eye brows as I'm still in the process of learning. This is me, L, blogging my mind out about something that bothers me.

If you require a tutorial, there are thousands online (YouTube, blogs, etc.) to assist you.

Most women are well aware of the techniques they can use to prep and groom their brows to perfect presentation. But makeup can only aid you for so long. The perfect cure? Prevention in its early stages.

I implore the teenagers passing through self-conscious phase to seek an expert - perhaps at your local beauty saloon - to shape your brows first before trying it yourself. Don't rely too much on makeup to correct a mistake - it'll have to come off sooner or later.  Then you either love what you have or live with it.

But let me leave you with some friendly advice to keep in mind:

1. Your brows don't have to match your hair exactly nor does it need to be a completely different color.

2. Don't go pluck-crazy and erase your brows from existence. 

Don't neglect or abuse your eyebrows, girl / guy. Treat them right and they'll make you look right.
Alright?

-L

Review: Daiso Charcoal Mask

Some things don't require a high price to prove that they can function exceptionally well. The Daiso Charcoal Mask is one such exception - which is why whenever I need it the most, it's not in stock for weeks.

This impressive product comes in white and black (and a bit of grey) tube packaging with Japanese words labeling it. However, for the benefit of international customers, a cartoon face of a girl is pasted on the tube with the black colored product on her face.

The price of this product varies from country to country. Here in Dubai, it is 7 Dirhams (around $2) - quite the steal in comparison to other masks.  It can probably be found it various asian stores, but here it can only be found in Daiso.

It is a peel-off mask made to pull impurities from your pores. When first purchased, the cap is sealed off to avoid any contamination of the product - and so you know that the contents are still intact. The product flows out in a gooey, tacky, black shiny substance that is fairly easy to spread.

Before use, it is recommended to steam your face or wash in warm water to open/loosen your pores. This helps the product grab impurities better. After doing so, pat your skin dry and apply the product. Wait until it is completely dry before gently peeling it off. It is important that you peel slowly, especially when you first try it out. It can feel harsh, but rest assured, the end result is worth it.

Additionally, this mask sometimes has the annoying tendency to separate while drying. A few adjustments and another layer should eradicate this problem.

Tip 1: Apply 2 layers so that the mask is thick enough to take off all at once instead of bits and pieces.

Tip 2: DO NOT apply the product anywhere near your eyes (and eye bags), eyebrows and hairline. It can strip off facial hair. If you do make this mistake, do not tug the product. Soak it in water to loosen/dissolve it.

My thoughts? I love this mask. 

During the very first application, I made the mistake of applying a sheer layer. It broke in bits and pieces during the peeling so I doubt it pulled out a lot. I apply it on a wet face so it spreads better. It takes longer to dry, but I don't mind waiting. Edit: Do NOT apply this on a wet face. It tends to separate the product. And keep water from entering the tube during application.

The product applies in a thick, glossy texture and dries into a matte finish. Sometimes applying two layers of the product ensures that it can be peeled off in one piece. Due to it's nature, it helps strip off dead skin cells on the surface. The result - smooth, soft and brighter looking skin. PLUS it hasn't broken me out.

The fragrance can be a little off-putting. But if you can overlook it, then there's no other reason why not to try it out. Unless your skin is extremely sensitive, then you might what to be cautious about using it all over your face.

This charcoal mask is also a great alternative to nose pore strips. I find that it works just as well as most strips (although not as well as Biore). So it's a 2-in-1 deal: a face mask and a pore strip. And for the price, it's more than just a bargain.

Although we have several Daiso stores here, this product runs out pretty fast. So it would be wise to have a backup. This is a staple product in my regime and I use it twice a week. 

-L

Now what?

My first day off. Be honoured blog, I'm dedicating time from my first holiday to you.

You know what's great about the first holiday? The morning. The morning you can sleep right through. That's it. That's the only great thing about first day of holidays.

The rest of the day sucks. You want to do nothing, but you've gotten so used to doing something all the time that doing nothing is torture.

You catch up on all your missed tv shows, eat your favourite foods, but in a few hours, all that's done too.

What made my day worse was watching the last episode of Merlin, the one tv show that never failed to air, even on holidays.
To make myself feel better, I decided to watch The Perks of being a Wallflower. I'm still deciding what I think of it. It could be a huge waste of my time, or it could go into my list of weird favourite movies.

Now I'm done with my tv shows, watched a full movie, finished a big pack of MnMs and even taken a much needed long shower.

Now what?

It's one in the morning but I'm not sleepy. It took me but one day to forget the value of sleep. Just a month ago, getting into bed was a treat, sleeping early made my life complete.
And now the bed holds no poetic value, it's just a place I've been in almost all day.

First day of holidays is not my thing.

-M