Yuberactive Review : Rimmel Mono Eyeshadow in Siren

I have high hopes for the Rimmel Mono Eyeshadows because I've just had a really good encounter with the Rimmel True Match foundation (mentioned here). I was so excited when I found out that Yuberactive said that I could review the mono eyeshadow FOR FREE. I was so excited...

When I received the package, I found out that I got Siren, and I was a little crestfallen. I was *really* hoping not to get the pink eyeshadow because I think that it is hard to create "looks" with pink eyeshadow. I NEVER wear pink eyeshadow! However, I rose to the challenge and used it for 3 different looks, just to see how I can get more out from this small eyeshadow palette. I'm pleased to announce that it's in fact a very wearable shade, and I'm starting to think that it's a must have in any girl's make-up arsenal!

Firstly, the color is described as "pink", but I find it more fuschia (having purple undertones). If I lightly brush on the color, it looks light pink, but if I layer it on, it definitely takes on a more fuschia quality. I think this duality is something that you can't find it other pink eyeshadows on the market.

The color is also long lasting - from morning til night, and I got smooth application and the colors are easy to blend. Here are more photos of the eyeshadow :

Swatch (you can see it is definitely more fuschia here!) :

I know that there are plenty of blogs which will show you some highly technical and fancy eye make-up you can do with pink eyeshadow, but since I'm an amateur, I'll just share how I used my eyeshadow.

(1) The first and most simple one, is to use it as a single color on my eyelids, with simple eyeliner. It's a totally easy, yet funky look thanks to the very funky color :

On the way to my mother's birthday celebration

Close up of the pinkish-purplishness. Do forgive the crooked eyeliner... I was in a rush. :p

(2) For work, I made the Rimmel Siren mono eyeshadow the star color, blended with some neutral browns. I quite like this look! When I wore this at the office, my friends instantly asked me what was the occasion as I looked "glamorous". ;P

Proof that it was really for the office! Hahaha... I might re-do this look for a FOTD to explain what products were used. :)

(3) Lastly, since this palette looked SO much like a blush (I was really wondering if it IS a blusher), I decided to see if I could use it as a blusher. Carefully using my kabuki brush, I lightly brushed it against my cheeks. What do you think? ;) To be honest, I don't really recommend it since they didn't actually say you can do that. :P But since it was so easy to blend, I really got a good, healthy, pink flush from the eyeshadow...


Conclusion? If you like intense pigments and happy colors, this should be a good one for you. At RM14.90 per palette, it's also cheaper than most out there. Plus - cute packaging is always a plus in my books. ;) Hey, you can tell yourself that you're actually getting a two-in-one eyeshadow + blusher!

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I Have Been Mary Kay-ed

Tron and I went to Jaya 33 for a dim sum brunch, and after accompanying him in Ace Hardware (this is very typical of him, but I always oblige), I made him accompany me to the Mary Kay roadshow. Didn't know it was going on, but at time of posting, there's another 2 hours before the roadshow is over! I don't know if this will be of any help to anyone, lol.

It was quite nice - you get a free makeover, free skincare consultation and you will be eligible for their lucky draw. As I already had make-up on, they just "touched up" my make-up, which was essentially painting over my eyeshadow, adding more mascara & curling my lashes, brushing on extra foundation, more blusher and re-doing my lipstick (gone after eating). ER... after writing all that out, it really is as if they re-painted my entire face. Hahahaa!

Pictures taken by Tron... who proceeded to spy on the contents of my camera after taking the pics! Grrr...

I did feel quite embarassed at first because I was rushing this morning and I didn't blend my eye make-up properly... but the make-up artiste kept her thoughts to herself and gave me a more "professional" look with dark browns and neutral shades. She also toned down my originally more fuschia blush with a darker pink and gave me lip gloss. Aside from the lip gloss (I don't like lip glosses anymore), I liked everything else!

After the makeover, I was asked to give a small "interview" with the emcee of the event, just talk about some random stuff about the makeover, whether I liked or not. And then Tron kept interrupting with answers of his own so I asked the emcee to interview him also!! Hahahaha! Tron was so embarassed after the interview, he faster excused himself to go shopping. :P

The emcee said I was eligible for a "lucky draw" after that. I wasn't expecting much as I thought it would be some small samples, or maybe some cheaper items, like a mono eyeshadow or something. In the end, I got the TimeWise Firming Eye Cream which retails for RM150!! Zomg! The beauty consultant was also impressed with what I won, she said it's one of the best items in the lucky draw... hahahaha. I donno, I would've been happy with a lipstick or even the mono eyeshadow. :P

I sound like I've really been "Mary Kay-ed" (Tron's words), but actually I'm only REALLY interested in their mineral powder foundation. I can't buy Everyday Minerals foundation anymore (since I don't have a US billing address) and I can't find mineral foundation in Malaysia anymore since everyone is using BB Cream. ~_~ Price wise, Mary Kay's foundation is way more expensive. Before shipping, Everyday Minerals is half the price of Mary Kay! Sigh... but I have to say that Mary Kay's kabuki brush is as good as my best Everyday Minerals brush... Probably the only thing I'll get from Mary Kay is the mineral foundation or the eyeshadows cos they have some really nice shades there too...

I'll tell you more after I visit them on Friday... I don't like these kinda direct selling style of selling make-up lah.. It's so hard to purchase. That's why I like "drug store beauty", cos you can just drop by your nearest drug store and walk off with what you need. Sigh... what I'll do for mineral foundation....

By the way, here's a close-up on my completed makeover...

I quite like the eyelashes, but since I did use my Maybelline XXL mascara early in the morning, I don't know if their mascara helped extended it more or not. Plus, the MUA curled my lashes as well! Tron was so worried... he said, "Curling only right? You're not chopping it off right?"

Some pages from The Look magazine that they gave to me to peruse their products. The mineral foundation is RM70! The mono eyeshadows are RM26 per palette. I will post more about it after investigating further.

[AT time of posting, now left only 80 minutes before the roadshow in Jaya33 is over!]

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Guardian Pomegranate Face Mask

As mentioned before, I'm no snob when it comes to face mask, and aside from Purederm or My Beauty Diary, I am not adverse to trying stuff from drugstore in-house brands like Watsons or Guardian. Sometimes, Guardian has buy 2 free 1 deals that make the face mask much more affordable. Today, I'm trying the Pomegranate Face Mask.

The face mask is said to be good for intense hydration. You only need to put it on for 15 minutes and you're good to go. Apparently, you can just massage the essence onto your face after taking off the mask, but I feel that is too icky.... I just have to wash my face after. :P

As you can see from the above picture, the mask is not a super good fit, but it's not the worse I've ever had either. There is not as much essence in the packet as My Beauty Diary, but it's ok, as that means less wastage, haha. The mask feels nice and cooling on my face, but I really didn't like the smell of the pomegranate mask. Was expecting something that smells a bit more fruity, I guess. Instead, it smelled quite chemical-like, not very pleasant, to be honest. I was glad to have the mask off my face, whereas for MBD, I felt very sayang when the whole face mask indulgence was over.

On the plus side, my skin does feel nicely hydrated by this , but I never did have a severe case of dry skin, so I can't feel any dramatic difference. Probably will not by this again as I really can't stand the smell...

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Victoria's Secret & Asian Fashion : Lace & Crochet

Lace & crochet, styles which were once upon a time (seemed like a lifetime ago, to be honest) were deemed to be old-fashioned or for kids have made a comeback in a very big way in recent times. Goes to show that NOTHING can be considered as out of fashion forever. :) Of course, the lace used for fashion nowadays are usually finer, more delicate works of art, they come in a variety of colors and generally, designers go for subtle touches instead of full-blown lace / crochet creations.

Stylists are also challenging and pushing the boundaries when it comes to lace and crochet, and tend to mix and match it with things you wouldn't have thought would work. For example, in one episode of Project Runway, the contestants did an excellent job of combining lace and military nuances together for a fabulous fashion collection.

Victoria's Secret has a Lace / Crochet collection at the moment that was obviously sizable enough for them to put into a separate category all together. Crochet pieces are not seen as "grandmotherly", especially not when cut into summer pieces that show off legs and shoulders. Crochet also has an irresistable, undeniable sex appeal with its "peekaboo" quality. Here are some new & old pieces that caught my eye :

This ribbed racerback crochet dress has been on sale for the longest time ever, but even on sale, it is USD$69.50! But don't you think the skirt detailing is so pretty?

Full crochet dress from their latest collection @ USD$75. This looks super slinky and sexy!

Such a Barbie Doll kinda dress - all pink with lace & ruffles too! Yours for USD$69.50

Another full crochet dress, but in a different style. Also, USD$69.50

But my favorite crochet dress has to be this sweater dress! I think the cut is uber flattering, and it is something that is both sweet and unassuming, yet has the potential to be totally vampish.

This lace tee will have people wondering whether you are really wearing something else underneath, and there in lies its seductive powers. ;p USD$39.50

Another super sexy lace tank. I apologise for not being able to use any other word but "sexy" to describe VS pieces, because, generally they ARE sexy, and that's that. Hence the appeal. - USD$39.50

Crochet cardigan in white. This is such a conversation piece, yours for USD$59.50

If you are looking for more affordable, yet fashion forward pieces, you could turn your attention to Asian wholesale places which sell their lace / crochet copies at a fraction of the original price. The pieces may not look 100% like the original, but are generally good copies with passable quality. Check these out :

This outfit just screams "little girl" or "princessy", but that's trending now, right? USD$7.50 only!

Pink lace & ruffle dress, also very "princessy". It's not really my style, but sharing is caring, right? USD$8.86 only. :)

Full lace top with a velvet bow - USD7.50. I actually did buy this top, and I wore it at Wan Li's wedding, hahaha. :P

I want to buy this! Only USD$5.70. It's a navy chiffon top with huge lace detailing down the front. Looks effortlessly elegant. :)

A fully crocheted blouse in black with lace trimmings. Supposed to be a blouse, but I suppose if you are petite, it could make an awesome dress too! USD$5.13

Lace cheongsam for USD$6.50. I actually *did* buy this, but it turned out to be very, very short! Like, just covering my butt kinda short. As you can see, the model is obviously much slimmer than I am, so once *I* am inside the dress, everything became much tighter and body hugging. T_T All was not lost, as I could still wear it as a top... but I really wish I could wear it as a dress. I think this outfit is so cuteeeee! :P

Thought of buying this denim+lace combination, but I think it might be too youthful for me. Too cutesy. USD$6.50

I've always wondered if a shortie like me could pull off long, bohemian dresses. This one is all lace & crochet... USD$8.30!

I like this top! And this whole outfit right thurrrr... USD$4.90 (!!!) for the shirt.

See? Similar style... I'm so predictable. :) I actually got a similar top like this last time (before I found out about Asian fashion websites) that is way more expensive than the USD$7 that this shirt is going for.

Lacey black dress #1 going for USD$6.30. I think it looks very flamboyant and dramatic in this photo, but in reality, I believe it'll probably make my shoulders look way too big. And darn worried that this dress will be so short that it might expose my hoo-ha at anytime.

Lacey black dress #2 (there is so much variety!) which is a toga style dress... with a sleeve made entirely of lace. - USD$7.30. If you're as leggy as the model, you should get this! I can only admire from afar...

Lacey black dress #3, I just like butterfly sleeves at the moment. :) USD$6.20. But this looks more like a blouse, no? All the dresses are really too short!
This is NOT Lacey Black Dress #4. I really think this is a blouse, and I actually wanted to post this more of an example to NOT wear a contrasting color bra with a top which has peekaboo lace detailing. It doesn't look good! As evidenced by this picture. USD$8.30

This dress is so Gossip Girls, especially with the styling for the entire picture! The lace used for the upper portion of the dress also looks different ... unique! USD7.90 for this piece.

After all the lacey black dresses, here is a white version with flutter sleeves. Going for USD$7.30

I really like this top! It also comes in white & heather grey, and I feel like I want all 3! *heart* USD$4.95 only.

Multi-layered and ruffled top in navy. If you're really slim, this is the kinda top you'd want to wear to add on more curves to your body. I think it's really cute, just that it'll look bad on me. Hahaha... USD$6.20

Lace shorts! USD7.90.

A white lace cardigan with ribbon belt, an alternative to the expensive Victoria's Secret one? This one is only going for USD$8.38

Or maybe you'd prefer this jacket-style lace outerwear, which is going for USD8.30?

Well, that's all I have to share for today. Should really stop ogling all these fashion sites because it is really tempting me to go into BBB mode...

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