Back2Basic: General Rules of Colours (Make-Up) + My take on Sandara Park's Can't Nobody look

Hello hello!

Hope you girls been having a great Thursday/Friday and all you Oz fellas are enjoying the free samples! Yey!!!

Anyways.. let's go let's go!

Rule #1: Colours advance or recede.

Bright colours advance and make an area appear larger! Dull & dark colours recede and make an area appear smaller!

For example:

• To make smaller lips appear bigger, use a lighter colour with a gloss or shimmer.
• To make large lips appear smaller, use a dark matte colour.
• Wearing black will make you look skinnier and white will exaggerate that particular body part. For example, if I had a stomach and a smaller booty, I'd be wearing a black shirt and white pants.

Yap yap...

Rule #2: Colour steals colour

Ok.. listen... just because you have blue eyes and want to make your eyes pop even MORE... it doesn't mean you gotta use blue eyeshadow.. you could opt for a purple eyeshadow [for true-blue eyes]. However, if you STILL prefer blue eyeshadow, remember to use a light shade of blue.

Why?

Because if you place a brighter blue next to a pale blue, the bright blue will definitely be the centre of attention, therefore will steal away the blue of your eyes instead of doing the opposite! Boo!

Rule #3: Colour reflect colours

Okay, so some colours DO reflect other colours better than stealing it.

Warm colours: red, yellow and orange
Cool colours: blue, violet and green

Saying this, if you happen to have acne or any red scars or skin conditions which causes redness, wearing a warm colour of clothing WILL reflect the redness in your skin.

Other examples:

• A red lipstick with cool tone will make your yellow teeth appear whiter. Whereas, if you wear a red lipstick with a warm-tone based, your teeth will appear even more yellow. Boo!
• A yellow shirt, even though not red, can make you appear more pink if you happen to have acne scars or couperose skin or even, a pinky complexion.

It's hard spotting out if a lipstick shade has a cool or warm tone to it... however for Visual Arts students, it should be fairly easy. Here's a good swatch picture I found on Google:

sourced >

Now.. we can't have a condition or anything which gives us a green-ness or blue-ness, unless it's bruises or dark-circles [still consider it please!].

Examples include:

• If you have extreme dark circles, black eyeliner or eyeshadow on your bottom lash line should be avoided because this will make an emphasis on dark circles! Boo!
• Paleness with a green tone... wearing blue, green or purple can make you look paler. So do opt for something with a warmer undertone.

Rule #4: Colours absorb colours

Dull colours will absorb more light than bright, shiny colours. Eg. If your hair is rough and greasy, it should appear darker than it really is.

^^ Ok, this rule, I don't understand LOL Someone please explain.

That is all for today's lesson! Thanks for reading guys! Hope this post helps you guys ALOT, because it DID help me LOL :D at least I know not to wear warm colours when I don't conceal my redness! Yey!

On another note, here's today inspired make-up :(

Sandara Park's look in 'Can't Nobody' Music Video

Do NOTE that 'inspired' means my own take on it. It doesn't necessarily mean that the eye makeup will look exactly the same. No shit talkers, please.

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Definitely should've extended the wings out more and bring the shadow higher!

And yes, I've used purple eyeshadow which isn't visible in webcam at all! :(

I'm LOVING the lip colour!! turns out to be a pinky-coral which is REALLY nice! I'll swatch for you soon! Yayz!! Another favourite lip combo :)

The lighting is quite bad for the webcam photos, so yup.. my camera is still charging... So I'll see if I gathered any OK pictures on it, since I'm not very photogenic. LOL

After all, girls only wanna look [at least] presentable!

Have a goodnight!

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Back2Basic: Skin products to suit your skin types/conditions (REVISION!)

Starting off, you need to know your skin type and condition(s) which you can read about here.

Where ever you see large pores and blackheads or means you're oily there.

Shiny areas on your face can also indicate your oily-ness.

Where ever flakes and scaly means you're dry there, keeping in mind that pores cannot be sighted for people with dry skin.

Normal Skin

These products would be mild and they would be used to maintain the skin condition.

• Cleanser: Milk Cleanser
• Toner: Mild Hydrating such as rosewater
• Exfoliant: Enzymatic or granule (masks, peels and scrubs)
• Mask: Cream masks
• Moisturizer: Light weight cream

Dry Skin

These products are nourishing and hydrating to prevent premature aging.

• Cleanser: Cream cleanser
• Toner: Mild hydrating toner with no alcohol such as rosewater
• Exfoliant: Enzymatic (masks)
• Mask: Cream-based mask use for hydrating, lubricating and nourishing
• Moisturizer: Oil-based, nourishing cream

Oily Skin

These products are used to balance oil flow, refine the pores and even the skin's texture.

• Cleanser: Cleansing lotion
• Toner: Water-based toner such as witchhazel
• Exfoliant: Granule such as scrubs
• Mask: Clay based mask
• Moisturizer: Water-based light fluid moisturizer

Combination Skin

These products are used to balance the oil flow down the t-zones and hydrate and nourish the cheek area. If there is sensitivity, treat these areas with products for sensitivity.

• Cleanser: Mlik cleanser
• Toner: Mild hydrating toner such as rosewater
• Exfoliant: Enzymatic (masks) or granules (scrubs)
• Mask: Cream-based mask for drier areas and clay-based for oily areas
• Moisturizer: Light weight cream

Other recommended products includes:

• Eye cream
• Neck cream
• Serum or ampoule
• Blemish cream
• SUNSCREEN!! (important!)

OK. So what have we learnt so far? The most important thing I reckon you SHOULD imprint into your beautifool brains are:

• AVOID CLEANSING LOTIONS AND FOAMING CLEANSERS (GEL) as they contain mild detergrent and foam (the sh"t you put into soap). What you do to your skin is stripping its moisture and all that stuff! So for oily people, you get more oily because your skin is producing MORE oil to make up the oil that was lost! And for dry skin, your skin already lacks oil so you're basically drying your skin out even MORE! Not recommended, not recommended :(
• Use sunscreen to avoid wrinkles and sun damaged skin!
• Oily skin is best for when you start to age as our skin will begin to dry out! So oily skin people benefit from having normal or moisturized skin when you age! Yay!! :D
• Serums are medicated treatments which targets different skin types and conditions. For example! There's serums targeted for acne conditions, dry skin, dehydrated skin, etc.
• You should aim to use products which states 'pH balanced' as it benefits your skin by protecting the layer of moisture being stripped off! Yay!

That's all I can think of... for now :)

I think that's the end for skin-care posts, however if you have any questions.. do leave a message!! I'll try my best to help, it not.. then.. boo! :(

Love!!

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Back2Basic: Masks + Flagged Nails!

Another post on face masks! My previous post about face masks consisted of the benefits of all food ingredients which you can use to mix a DIY mask! You can read it here.

So.. there are many different forms of masks on the market today, such as: wax; cream; gel; and dry powders which are mixed with liquids. They are applied after performing an exfoliant on the skin to help improve and benefiting the skin, depending on which types are used! Such benefits includes tightening, refining, cooling, soothing, hydrating and nourishing.

There are two types of masks:

• Commercial masks
• Mineral masks

Commercial masks are products which have been pre-made by companies in tubes or simple mask-forms.

Mineral masks are of a powder consistency which needs to be mixed with a blender (scroll down for blenders). The benefits/effects of the mask depend on the individual components. Getting to the basics, mineral masks and their effect may include:

• Calamine -- soothing action, cooling, slightly drying
• Magnesium -- toning, soothing, cooling, slightly drying
• Kaolin -- soothing, bleaching, drying, anti-septic [can be used to fade freckles slightly, is mixed with lanolin]
• Fuller's earth -- drawing action, absorbs oil, cleansing, drying, astringment, antiseptic action, reduces inflammation

Now.. blenders!

Both these blenders can be used as toners by itself:

• Rosewater -- mild, stimulating toner used to blend powders for dry, normal and sensitive skin
• Witch hazel -- soothing qualities, mild astringent used to blend powders for oily skin

Now that's for tonight!! A Back2Basic post! I'll put up one more shortly about skincare advices! So please stay tuned :)

It'll be pretty much a revision so you know which products will benefit your skin!!

Yay!! I love these beauty lessons! Hope you do too!!

Oh and btw, I did flagged nails last night! I'm planning to do more heheh!

Tell me if you like? Any requests?

I fave the South Korean, South Vietnamese, Chinese and Turkish flag most!! Especially the South Korean one.. it was a lil bit hard to do because my black nail art pen was broken.. but ya! It's so pretty, I reckon hehehe!

Yours deerest,

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Back2Basic: Exfoliants

So... if you've been following on with my recent beauty articles.. I've started 'Back2Basic' posts which is everything you've got to basically know about skin care, etc.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process where cells are removed from the surface of your skin! There are two types:

• Enzymatic exfoliants usually come in a mask or paste form, which is left on the skin to dry before being buffed or rinsed away. The protein in the skin is broken down by a variety of chemicals in the peel. So basically what it does is... it sits on your skin and munches away all the dead skin cells! It requires no scrubbing or whatever, so it's most suitable for acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, sunburnt skin and any broken capillaries conditions.
• Mechanical exfoliants is usually available in scrubs and are usually water-based products with granular pieces which bumps off the dead skin cells, when scrubbed. There's a variety of different scrubs targeted for different skin types/conditions.

Benefits of exfoliation

• The skin appears smoother and more even in texture
• Extractions are easier to perform; dead cells are removed from pore openings
• Better absorption of products
• Stimulate blood flow to the surface of the skin
• Increases moisture in the skin

Contra-indications (conditions which prevents you from having task performed)

• Open wounds, cuts, abrasions and bruises
• Acne (depending on severity)
• Sensitive skin (needs more attention)
• Roaccutane or any drugs prescribed by a dermatologist (needs more attention because of skin conditions/changes caused by drugs)

That's all! I know there's a few home remedies for home-made exfoliants, so yap!

Going to sleep now...

Goodnight,

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Back2Basic: Foundations

As I stated, different textures of cleansers are more suitable for different skin types and conditions, this also applies to foundations.

Many of you ladies probably came across make-up artists, gurus and/or beauty bloggers stating that our face is like a canvas, in artistry. If you're like me with fewer skin conditions causing the skin to not be of a very smooth appearance, foundation is a MUST. It enhances the skin's appearance, cover up imperfections, even out your skin tone and provide a base for your make-up routine.

Foundations

You'll always apply foundation over your moisturizer. If you have normal-dry skin, it's better to wait until your moisturizer is completely absorbed into the skin and if you have normal-oily skin, you're better off with an oil-free or an oil-absorbing moisturizer.

Foundations are available in many different formulations:

• Oil-based (suitable for dry skin)
• Cream-based (suitable for dry skin)
• Liquid (all skin types)
• Compact
• Cake (medium-heavy coverage, extra powder, suitable for normal-oily skin)
• Primer/base -- colourless

Each product offers a different finish, such as:

• Matte gives a shine-free finish with a powdery appearance. It can look like a mask if applied too heavily. Mature skin should avoid to achieve a very-matte finish as it could accentuate wrinkles! With a matte finish, it's preferred that you should add some colour to your eyes and lips.
• Semi-matte is the MOST wearable finish and allows our skin to have a dewy, healthy sheen. It's quite suitable for every day wear.
• Sheer/tinted foundations gives a light and natural finish. It's most suitable for almost-flawless skin.

So I hope that helps you and I know it's a 'duh' post, but some foundation beginners don't know this! So excuse me :P

My room is SO messy at the moment! I might clean it up and do a room tour post LOL... honestly...

Hope you find this post helpful!

Yours deerest,

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Back2Basic: Identifying your skin type & conditions.

Most of the time you will hear many people quote, "Make up is a form of art and our bare faces, is like a canvas to do so". However, it is an essential factor that you prime and take care of the bare canvas that you already have.

sourced >

In other words, it is important that you need to identify your skin type, skin condition, skin tone and any contra-indications. Let's break it down.

Note:

Epidermis acts as a barrier which protects the skin against the atmosphere.

Sebaceous glands are also known as oil glands.

1. Skin Types

You can analysis by sight and/or by touch. Make sure to check carefully around your eye areas for its elasticity so you can identify if whether you have any wrinkles or look skin. This will let you properly determine how much more support and extra care will be needed for your eye area.

Also, do remove ALL your make-up on your skin before the analysis as it can leave you an inaccurate answer -- not cool.

Now, feel your skin to see whether it's moist or oily, or dry -- another factor to jot down.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SKIN TYPES

Normal Skin:

- Rarest skin type

- Clear complexion & even skin colour

- Soft and supple to touch

- High degree of elasticity

- Average thickness of epidermis

Oily Skin:

- Over-active sebaceous (oil) glands

- Often has a shiny appearance

- Thick epidermis

- Open pores, often comedones present

- Sallow complexion

Dry Skin:

- Usually pale in colour

- Epidermis is thin, pores invisible

- Often looks flaky

- Has under active sebaceous (oil) glands

- Fine lines may appear prematurely

- Broken capillaries may be present

Combination Skin:

Combination skin is usually recognised by a greasy/oily T-zone, however that's not always the case. Combination skin can always be a combination of ANY skin type. E.g. Normal + Oily, Oily + Dry or Dry + Normal. It can also be reversed to dry t-zone and oily cheeks... anything like that!

2. Skin Conditions

Note that EVERYONE must have a skin type, however not all people have a skin condition. So don't panic if these conditions doesn't apply to you, that just means you don't have any skin conditions at all! :P These are fewer examples of skin conditions:

Sensitive skin:

- Often accompanies dry skin, can be present in oily skin also

- Thin epidermis

- Reacts to external stimuli which can become red & blotchy

- Prone to dry, flaky patches & broken capillaries

Pigmented skin:

- Darker areas or spots on skin

- Results from uneven distribution of melanin

- Can be results of sun-damage, chloasma, hormonal imbalances or acne scarring

Dehydrated skin: (almost everyone has dehydrated skin)

- Lack of water in skin

- Looks dry, flaky and scaly. Feels tight.

- Prone to wrinkles and fine lines

- Can be presented on both dry and oily skin.

Couperose skin:

- A temporary or chronic redness appearing on the skin.

- Appears as small, dilated, bright red blood vessels on the cheeks, nose or chin.

It's important to know what skin type you have and your skin conditions as different skin care products or make-up products are designed to cater to a particular skin type/condition. And I'll get onto that soon after my next post, of course!

For your information, I didn't copy and paste this from the internet. This is the information I have actually learnt from the class I'm taking, however, the notes about the characteristics are copied and pasted directly from the notes provided by my teachers. ^^

Hope you enjoyed the post and found it helpful!

Yours deerest,

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