Get Blake Lively's look

I realised that I haven't written much about cosmetics on this blog, so let's start this first time with...BLAKE LIVELY's make up style. She's from the famous series Gossip Girl, I watched only a few episodes of it because it's about highschool girls lives, well, it's a bit too...young for me I guess. But anyways, I love the real glam styles the characters carry. Thus, I started to notice her. She's Blake Lively, 5'8 tall, great body and sexy smile. Let's see how you could get her look!

Foundation:

Clinique Superfit Makeup (Normal to Oily) (US$41):

Moderate cover, natural matte finish.

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High-performance makeup. Stays smooth all day, come stress or high humidity. Oil free.

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Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free.

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Eye shadow:

NARS Duo Eyeshadow - Stage Beauty 3051 (US$33): Same longwearing crease resistant formula as the NARS Single Eyeshadow. First apply the brown colour at the end of your eye lid, and blend with the shimmer white colour on the rest, don't forget the front corner of the eye to archive the hightlighting effect.

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Eye liner:

Anna Sui Eye Liner Pencil - Black 001 (US$20):

Just one line that will completely change your expression and enhance your impression!

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Mascara:

Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Mascara (Waterproof) - 01 Noir (US$31):

My new favourite mascara! Light, non-sticky, waterproof and gives your eyelashes a dramatic effect, what more could you ask for?

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Blush:

Anna Sui Face Color Accent - 600 (US$24):

An orange blush to boost your mood!

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Lip:

Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15 - 31 Waikiki (US$27):

A not-to-bright colour for the lips giving you a natural look.

Glossy lipstick with SPF 15. Brilliance, comfort, protection. AQUALUMIÈRE: the immediate pleasure of a smooth cream texture for lasting comfort. A lipstick with incredible shine in semi-sheer shades to reveal the fullness of your lips. Its sparkling cocktail of ingredients leaves your lips soft and supple. Your lips are protected and luminous.

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Try these products out today and become a Hollywood star yourself!

New Year Hot Picks!

What are your new year resolutions? Mine is very simple: be happy and save money. I have chosen some bargain products which are really worth buying. I have decided to present them like the music award ceremony: The LIST, The BEST for Women, The BEST for Men.

The LIST

1. SKII Whitening Source 50ml (US$122 - 25% off):

This oil free gel hydrator brings radiance and moisture to your skin, evening out your skin tone and overall complexion. Whitening Source, used daily, will help to promote a clear and translucent glow while moisturizing your skin.

2. LANCÔME Bienfait Multi-Vital High Potency Moisturiser with Micro-Nutrients VitaNutri 8 - SPF 15 30ml (US$20 - 26% off):

Shielded with state-of-the-art UVA/UVB filters, powerful anti-oxidants and an anti-pollution agent Bienfait Multi-Vital helps protect against the causes of premature ageing. Hydrated, strengthened and protects, your skin is energized and more resilient to external aggressions.

3. Biotherm Biosource Skincare Gift Set II (Normal to Combination Skin) (US$25 - 29% off):

This set includes:

- BIOSOURCE - Clarifying Cleansing Gel (20 ml)
- EAU D'ENERGIE - Awakening Mist (15 ml)
- SOURCE THÉRAPIE SUPERACTIV - Boosted Spa Concentrate Revitalizing - Skin Perfector (15 ml)
- Small hair comb

4. Boots Milk Almond Pistachio Body Butter (US$17 - 36% off):

Nourish your skin with organic almond oil while your senses are awoken by the wholesome mediterranean oils. Pistachio oil will condtion and moisturise your skin while milk extract will leave your skin silky soft. It also contains shea butter, nature's most moisturising ingredient to ensure your skin is thoroughly nourished.

5. Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Maximum Hydrator (US$34 - 33% off):

Rehydrates and firms dry skin. Helps minimize the look of lines. Triggers skin's ability to build and hold moisture. For normal/dry skin.

6. Chanel Ultra Correction Restructuring Anti-Wrinkle Firming Night Cream (US$57 - 12% off):

ULTRA CORRECTION NUIT represents a total solution which will restore a youthful appearance to your face by correcting all the signs of time. This night cream has been developed and enriched to ensure intense hydration at night, the most active period of regeneration.

7. Anna Sui Luxury Face Powder (US$49 - 23% off):

Fine, brilliant and moist! Makes your skin look luxurious.

8. Anna Sui Dolly Girl Bonjour L'Amour Eau de Toilette 30ml (US$37 - 29% off):

Anna Sui Dolly Girl Bonjour L'Amour Eau de Toilette was introduced in 2007 summer. This is a yearly limited edition of Dolly Girl from Anna Sui. Dolly Girl Bonjour L`Amour is the fourth version since the first launch of Dolly Girl in 2003.

It gives a touch of Parisian world of romance, couture & allure with the chic elegance of this fruity floral fragrance. The notes include grapefruit, sweet lemon, cinnamon, orange blossom. Blended with magnolia, tuberose, jasmine, rosewood, peach, raspberry, coconut, amber and musk.

9. Hugo Boss Boss In Motion Electric Eau de Toilette Spray (Limited Edition) 40ml (US$36 - 26% off):

Boss in Motion Electric Edition is bursting with aquatic freshness which smoothly transcends into a crisp aromatic heart, to create a beautifully masculine, dynamic and sensual fragrance. Boss in Motion Electric Edition combines a powerful blend of rich woods in the base to add subtle contrast and distinction, for a truly engaging scent.

Sulwhasoo Basic Skincare Travel Kit (US$98 - 20% off):

This set includes:

- Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil (15 ml)
- Moisture Liquid Cleansing Foam (15 ml)
- Balancing Water (15 ml)
- Balancing Emulsion (15 ml)
- First Care Serum (8 ml)
- Lifting Cream (5 ml)
- Anti-aging Eye Cream (3.5 ml)
- Pouch Bag (Promotional Item)

Clarins Men Smooth Shave (US$20 - 32% off):
Enjoy a close shave each time without nicks and cuts. This alcohol-free foaming gel helps soften stubble, ensuring razor's optimum performance. Soothes and protects skin from irritation (Grindelia extract).

Gifting Ideas

When the holiday season comes, everyone is joyful, and even more joyful when receiving gifts. However, sometimes thinking of what presents to buy could be a headache, here are some gifting ideas for you.

For Friends
If you don’t know the taste of the person you are giving the gift to, go for body/hair care set, essentially including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, the optional ones are hair masque, body exfoliant. This is always the safest choice.

(Photo: L'Occitane Spa On The Go Hair & Body Care Travel Set $33)

For Wife/Girlfriend
Running out of gift ideas for the love of your life? Don’t worry, you could still surprise her by getting her Limited Edition products. Limited Editions are always very well-packaged with nice design, it’s guaranteed that she’s gonna love it.

(Photo: YSL Baby Doll Pompoms Collector Eau de Toilette - Limited Edition $52)

For Husband/Boyfriend
Men are always not so keen on skincare, but the wives and girlfriends are always very keen on caring for their skin. So, I think it's always good to start with the essentials, i.e. shaving foam or deodorant. This is what they need, right? So they would certainly use it.

(Left photo: Biotherm Homme Shaving Foam - Sensitive Skin $24)

(Right photo: Biotherm Day Control Deodorant Anti-Perspirant Stick $17)

If they are used to using shaving foam/deodorant, let's give them a skincare set for them to have a complete cleansing and soothing skin experience, and remember to teach them to how to use each of the product in the set, as you know, they would be utterly confused by all those "stuff".

(Photo: Lab Series For Men Skincare Set $49)

For the "greedy" ones

It's always happier to receive something more than you expected, so if you are thinking of cosmetics, instead of giving just one lipstick or eye shadow, why not choose a make-up palette which contains eye shadow, mascara, lipstick and more in one box? Fulfilling 3 wishes at one go!

(Left photo: Stila Gift of Glamour $49)

(Right photo: Lancome Glamour On The Go Travel Make-Up Palette $40)

Let's do your shopping now!

The night cream myth...

A while ago, I wrote an article about night cream, whether to skip it or keep it. The professional said, on the source I based that article on, we should skip it and replace with their more watery serum kind of product at night. But today I saw another professional saying something totally contradictory to it, and I am completely confused:

"Smoothing on a healing night cream bolsters this activity. Hirsch says rich formulas are best because their thick, heavy base can help drive active ingredients into the skin."

(from totalbeauty.com, by a dermatologist in Cambridge, Mass., and president-elect of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.)

OK! Now another professional says not only we should use night cream, but thick heavy one?? I am totally confused. Actually, I think what I will do is to keep the night cream I am using (some nights I skip it to rest my skin), I found out that skin care products are so personal that it's hard to use one theory to apply to all, so my advice is that if you have found what is suitable for you, just stick to it, reading too much sometimes just confuse you (like what I am now).

A great cleanser for busy people

I have been so busy recently, but as a girl, I do normally put some light makeup when I go to work. With makeup, even after arriving home with a weary mind and body, I still couldn't go to sleep straight away because I need to clean my face! Normally what I do is to use face and eye make-up remover to clean up eye shadow and lipstick. And then use foam cleanser and rinse with water for the rest of the face, the whole process takes up about 20mins, it's totally tideous. However, I found a good helper recently - Bioderma Créaline H2O Ultra-Mild Non-Rinse Cleanser for Normal to Sensitive Skin (Face & Eyes), it can be used on face, eyes and lips, so handy!

I used to dislike non-rinse cleanser since I think the cleansing power is not as good, but after trying this Bioderma one, I would never say that again. It feels very clean and soft after using, unlike cleansing milk or lotion, which makes me feel like a sticky layer covering the face.

It's very easy to use: just wipe over the whole face including eyes and lips until they are clean, no need to rinse. The whole process is only about 5 mins.

Now I can go to bed very quickly when arrived home!!

Product description:
Bioderma's micelle H2O solutions are as transparent as water and gently take care of all your skin's needs, ensuring perfect cleanliness and make-up removal via an original procedure involving micro-emulsion to eliminate dirt.