BACK FROM HIATUS: MY EVERYDAY LOOK

I AM FINALLY BACK TO BLOGGING, AFTER WEEKS OF HIATUS.

Work has been demanding lately, and Jen and I have been busy creating a solid business plan for our clothing label that is soon-to-be launched. Exciting much?! It will initially be an "instashop" on instagram and we take orders via BBM, Line and WhatsApp only for a start. Please do anticipate it! Details will be flashed here once everything is in place. Meanwhile, let me share with you my daily make-up routine that keeps my look fresh, young and natural. 

WHAT YOU NEED:
1. Urban Decay Vice 2 Eye Palette @ S$80 Sephora SG Stores
2. Illamasqua Powder Blush in Katie @ S$44 Robinson SG Dept Store
3. Guerlain Compact Foundation in Beige Chic #1 @S$69 Sephora Ion SG
4. Make-Up Forever Aqua Brow #30
5. Lancome Artliner Noir
6. Eyeko Liquid Liner
7. Urban Decay Eye Primer
8. Burberry Lip Gloss in Pink Sweet Pea #20 @S$38 TANGS SG Dept Store
9. MAC Lipstick in Angel
10. Dior Lash Plumping Serum
11. DiorShow New Look Mascara in Noir
12. Sephora Eyelash Curler
13. Sephora Duo-Brow Brush
14. Sigma Powder Brush
15. Sigma Slanted Brush

Gosh I look like a pale zombie...what would I do without makeup -.-

I have a combination of sensitive and oily skin, so I avoid putting too much layers of make-up on my face. I don't put primer and liquid foundation everyday, so I usually chuck them aside- only for special events and parties. My dermatologist told me that too much foundation coverage can block your pores and discolor your skin, thus making it looks dull, damaged and prone to acne. So I listen well and keep my daily makeup extremely light- no primer, no full-coverage foundation, no bronzer or loose powder.

To start, wash your face til' its squeaky clean. I would then dab toner and lotion as per my usual skincare steps. I used to put on tinted sunblock in the past, but ever since I realized how dry my face has become, I turn to BB Cream as an alternative. BB Cream is such an awesome invention- it's like your moisturizer and sunblock packed together with a hint of color A.K.A a healthier version of liquid foundation. It makes it seems like you skip a step by putting one less layer of substance on your face. I currently use a korean brand called Skin79 for my BB Cream and it has done justice to my picky, sensitive skin. After BB Cream, I apply a light layer of powder foundation all over my face.

My favorite step from my daily routine would be eye makeup. I find myself impulsively buying and trying all kinds of brands and makeup a lot more for my eyes than other areas because it is the only spot on my face that I can experiment on without any worry of getting a sensitivity outbreak. I have the oiliest eyes among the people of this universe- they are the kind that smudge even the most waterproof eye-make up ever created by the top-notch scientists. I am generally happy and laugh a lot everyday, so I hate to see how this ruins my eye makeup all the time. 

After much research and experiments, I have found the perfect formula that best suits my ridiculously oily eyes: 

-Apply a thin layer of Urban Decay Eye Primer on the lids

-Cover the layer with eye shadow. For my everyday look, I use: Habit, Rewind and Ambush all the time. 

Brown shades never go wrong and it helps to make your eyes look naturally brighter and bigger.

-I would then apply Eyeko Liquid Liner on top of my shadow

-Apply another layer of liner with Lancome Artliner on top of my Eyeko line. This keeps my eyeliner intact even when I shed tears! Also, Lancome Artliner is known for its easily-chipped off effect on the eyes overtime, thus having a layer of Eyeko at the bottom helps to make it stay and keep it flawless all day long. 

Please do try it, and let me know how this secret tips of mine work for you!

Yes, I like it thick and winged to satisfy my small, hidden eyelid!

For my brows, it took me few weeks to master the art of shaping your eyebrow with brow gel. I used to prefer crayons, but now I am completely hooked up with Make-Up Forever's Aqua Brow. A tip to remember: Never put too much gel onto the brush and always have a cotton bud with you to erase and shape your brow. 

I always liked how Lily Collins and Cara Delevingne can pull-off thick, defined eyebrows. But obviously, my facial features are not as sharp and distinct as theirs, so I would refer to Korean Actresses instead. I like how they can still look so flawless even with the slightest makeup- not forgetting their signature thick, straight eyebrows. My faves would be Kim Tae-Yeon of SNSD and Park Shin Hye.

As for blush-on, I use NARS and Illamasqua interchangeably, depending on the looks I want to go for. I tend to match my blush with my lip color. Currently, I am obsessed with baby-doll kind of cheek so I have found the perfect tint for this: Illamasqua in Katie. It is a very light shade of pink that complements my pale, fair skin. Also, I like the fact that you don't have to worry about touching it up mirror-less because its light color intensity will never make you look like a clown. Definitely a must-have, this one! 

As for lips, I am immersing myself in the current trend: The Ombre Lips.

I use MAC lipstick in nude pink color Angel for the base layer and create the "inner ombre" effect by dabbing only the inner part of my lips with bold hot pink Burberry Lip Gloss #20. 

The outcome...*drumrolls*

My Everyday Look. Yes, I do look like this, at least before I leave the house everyday- before the heat and humidity in Singapore join forces to ruin my hours of effort at dawn. But I am glad that I do not have to squeeze in the sardine-like moshpit on MRTs every morning and the buses I take tend to be empty and generous with extremely cold aircon. Just my luck!

XOXO,

Alyssa