Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Have I been missed? I surely missed you!

Hi Everyone.

I know it's been so long since my last post. My 19 month old son has been keeping me busy. I have no nanny at the moment as we fired the last one. So I have to be the full time care giver to my son now. This means, I am on a term break from school. Which I was sad about initially but got over it as I knew there would be no one babysitting my son while I was at school.

Hong Kong is not family friendly country. There are no daycare centres for middle class families as they are only for low income families. So this means, the whole nation relies on domestic helpers from the Philippines or Indonesia! Of course some have Grandparents or relatives around who can keep an eye on their children. But for us expats, this is not possible. To me this is a unpleasant system! I can go on about how bad it is but I shall spare you the details. We are very happy where we are in our lives now! A little complaining does not hurt! Lol!

It is not an easy task being a full time mom. Especially when the kids are in their toddler years. Running after them and moulding them to be good human beings is no easy feat. I admire full time mothers who dedicate their entire lives to taking care of their off springs full time. Even though it is hard work, I am so happy I have this opportunity to do it at this early stage of my son's life. When he looks at me and gives plenty of hugs, all the hard work seems like nothing! I guess this is what motherhood is!

I really miss making youtube videos, blogging, doing handicrafts, sewing, etc... The list goes on. The only time I get some 'me' time is when my husband is home or in the night when Mr Toddler is asleep. By then all I want to do is snuggle and sleep. Time is so precious these days.

Given that we had a loss about two months ago (read here), we are doing great. Christmas is just around the corner. This year we are going to Sweden (my in laws) to celebrate. My son is going to experience a lovely white christmas. It is going to be a long flight for us all. Fingers crossed, it will be a smooth one. I wonder how Gabriel (son) is going to manage this flight. Any tips from you (mothers) would be of great help. So please share!

I feel so good as my fingers type away on the keyboard. I miss blogging so much. Hopefully in Jan as planned, our new helper will arrive from the Philippines. I pray she will be a better caregiver to my son and a good housekeeper than the last one. This means, I will have more time to get back to what I enjoy and want to do in life.

That's it for now. My son is wanting my attention. Got to do what you got to do! Right?!


See you later skater!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Miscarriage changes life in an instant!

I was pregnant with my second child. Both my husband and I were so happy to know that my son Gabriel was going to be a big brother in April 2014. We started thinking about names and even planning how we were going to manage a newborn and a toddler while carring on with my studies. I was so ready to have this baby.

Sadly, my little one did not survive the 1st trimester. I was 11 weeks pregnant when I found out that my baby had stopped growing at 9 weeks. It was devastating news for us when the doctor told us that there was no heartbeat. The doctor told us that there was no certain cause for the miscarriage and it was not uncommon for women to experience miscarriages. I spent days crying and trying to figure out what had gone wrong. Till today, I do not know what went wrong and I knew I never will!

 
(illustration by Sarah Wilkins: www.sarahwilkins.net)

I never thought I would have a miscarriage. I don't think any mother or parent would! My body did show any signs of miscarriage other than cramps in my abdomen (which I thought was normal as I had it with my son). Also my body did not naturally expel my baby thus I had to go for surgery. It was terrifying yet I knew it was a needed procedure.

My life has changed. My son and husband have been the ones who have been keeping me sane. My son was so different with me during the days I had the miscarriage and surgery. He was so loving and gave me plenty of hugs and kisses. Usually, I have to beg for just one kiss or hug! I think he knew my pain.

Have I healed? I don't think so but I am trying to move on. Life is unfair and cruel at times. However I count my blessings. My son is healthy and growing up to be a very lovely boy and my husband is my pillar. Without him, I don't know where I would be in this world!

My baby is in heaven with other babies and angels. She is a part of my husband and me.  She will always be in our hearts even though we never met her in person. I will always cherish the fews weeks I was granted to have her in my body!

I am sorry to those who have been asking me how I was on my Instagram and Facebook on numerous occasions and I did not and have not responded back. Just needed some space and time to grieve! Now I am feeling better emotionally and am trying to come back to normality. In no time, I should be back to vlogging and tutorial making. Thank you for your understanding!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Minty Green and Soft Orange lips

Another quick summer makeup tutorial. I never really liked green eyeshadows but these days I love mint greens. Very beautiful on brown skin. Hope you like it!







Products used:

FACE
Mufe HD Primer #0
Mac - Color corrector
Mac Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
La girls Pro concealer in Fawn & medium beige
Ben Nye Banana powder

EYES
Maybelline Color tatto in Edgy Emerald
La femme Brown eyeshadow
TKB trading Apple green pop loose eyeshadow 
Sugarpill Bulletproof eyeshadow
Daiso Brown eyebrows pencil
Mac Ricepaper eyeshadow
La colors Lemonade eye jumbo pencil
Za Mascara in Black
Ebay False lashes

CHEEKS
Nyx Matte bronzer in medium
Nars Taj Mahal blush

LIPS
Revlon Tutti frutti lip butter


Thanks for coming by!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Fifty Shades of Grey (Clean and classy makeup)


This is a look I have had in mind to do for a really long time after reading the book 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. I do understand that this may not be the kind of makeup the female character would have had on when she was with Mr Grey. However, I am an imaginative person thus this was the look I imagined. Also, when planning and creating this makeup look, I rediscovered my love for Sleek makeup palette in  Bad Girl (limited edition). I hope you like this look and recreate it to suit your liking.






Products used:

FACE
Mufe HD Primer #0
Mac Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
La colors Pro concealer in Fawn
Ben Nye Banana powder

EYES
Urban decay Primer potion
Mac Sahi Fluidline (limited edition)
Sleek Bad Girl palette 
La femme Soft beige
Mufe Aqua cream in #27
Starlooks Mascara (click here for product info)
Ebay False lashes

CHEEKS
Mac Prolong wear concealer NC50 (contour)
La femme Peach blush

LIPS
Nyx Mauve lip pencil
Nyx Biege mega lip gloss

Laters Baby!




Saturday, July 13, 2013

Get ready with me: School makeup with Color (feat Mac Fast Play lipstick)

This is another video from my 'Get ready with me' series. In this video, I will be using one of my favourite lipstick from Mac 'Fast Play'. I have used this lipstick for the past 10 years, repurchasing whenever I am almost out of it. My go to lipstick for sure! This was a look I wore to school recently. Hope you like it!






Products used:


FACE
Mufe - HD Primer #0
Mac - Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
Ben Nye - Banana powder

EYES
Urban decay - Primer potion
Maybelline - Color tattoo in Tenacious Teal
Wet & Wild - Blue had me at hello palette (Teal - lid)
Wet & Wild - Blue had me at hello palette (Light blue - inner corner)
Wet & Wild - Blue had me at hello palette (Dark blue - lower lash line & outer v)
Mac - Feline khol pencil
Mufe - Aqua cream in #27
Starlooks - Mascara (click here for product info)
Ebay - False lashes

CHEEKS
Mac - Prolong wear concealer NC50 (contour)
Mac - Foolish blush

LIPS
Mac - Fast Play lipstick
Nyx - Mauve lip pencil


Thanks for coming by!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Brown Smokey makeup using Mac Constructivist paintpot

I love products that are of multi use. Mac Constructivist paint pot is my go-to item these days. It not only acts as a primer/base for the eyes, it also doubles up as a cream eyeshadow, eyebrow filler and even used to contour the face. In this tutorial I will show you how you can use this paint pot not only on the eyes but also the face.






Products used :


FACE
Mufe - HD Primer #0
Mac - Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
Mac - Blotting powder in dark

EYES
Mac - Constructivist paintpot
Mac - Feline  khol pencil
Starlooks - Mascara (click here for product info)
Ebay - False lashes

CHEEKS
Mac - Constructivist paintpot (contour)
La femme -Cinnabar blush

LIPS
Nyx - Auburn lip pencil 
Mac - Honeylove lipstick


Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and see you soon!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Get ready with me : Makeup I wear to Fashion school!

I love dressing up when going to school. This is the only time I get out of my mommy clothes and be fashionable. Well, I am going to fashion school after all! Makeup is an important part of dressing up too so here is a video where you get to see what I wear for school! Will do more of this if the demand is there!

I wore a jersey maxi dress with cut out braiding in the back (bought it here in Hong Kong at a market). If you follow me on Instagram (Click HERE), you will be able to see the outfits I were! Also, a daily dose of pictures of my life, family, food and my beloved son Gabriel! So please feel free to follow me on Instagram! :)







Products used:


FACE
Mufe - HD Primer #0
Mac - Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
Ben Nye - Banana loose powder

EYES
Senna - Eyebrow duo in ebony
Maybelline colour tatto - Painted purple
Sugarpill - Poison plum e/s
Inglot - #426 blue e/s
La femme - Brown e/s
Nyx - Slate jumbo pencil
Mufe - #27 Aqua cream (gel liner)
Starlooks - Mascara (click here for product info)
Ebay - False lashes

CHEEKS
Mac - Pro long wear concealer NC50 (contour)
La femme - Soft beige blush
La femme - Mocha blush

LIPS
Revlon - Tutti frutti lip butter 
Lakme - Brown lip liner


Thanks for coming by!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Sexy Summer Makeup

Here is a quick video where I show you how to use colours for this Summer! Hope you like it!




My son's killer look! Beware you might be addicted to him! Lol!


Products used :


FACE
Mufe - HD Primer #0
Mac - Pro longwear NC 45 & Pro longwear concealer NC50
Mac - Select moisture cover concealer NC44
Ben Nye - Banana loose powder

EYES
Mac - Painterly Paint pot
Senna - Eyebrow duo in ebony
Rhomolan - Sky blue eye pencil
Sugarpill - Mochi e/s
Sugarpill - Flamepoint e/s
La femme - Brown e/s
Mac - Studio fix powder Nc 45
Urdan decay - Ransom 24/7 eyeliner
Sugarpill - Poison plum e/s
Mufe - #27 Aqua cream (gel liner)
Starlooks - Mascara (click here for product info)
Ebay - False lashes

CHEEKS
La femme - Peach blush
Nars - Taj Mahal blush

LIPS
Occ - Safety orange lip tar
Nyx - Mauve lip liner

Earrings are from H&M bought three years ago in Sweden.


Thanks for coming by!



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Beauty UK Jumbo Eyeliner & Eyeshadow pencil - Swatch and Review

I love Beauty UK products. They are not only inexpensive, quality is not compromised. Here is an item I received a while back, Jumbo Eyeliner & Eyeshadow. One end has a creamy smooth eyeshadow and the other a black eye pencil. It is a very convenient makeup item to have in any daily makeup bag. Not only can you line your eyes, you can also add colour by just using the other side of the pencil.


Beauty UK Jumbo Eyeliner & Eyeshadow pencil in black & turquoise.


Swatch applied on bare skin.



Likes
- Convenient product to have.
- The end with the turquoise eyeshadow is superb. Beautifully glides on when applied.
- Both eyeliner and eyeshadow are very smooth to apply. Thus no tugging on delicate eye area.
- Budget friendly makeup item. It only costs £2.99.

Dislikes
- Smudges after 1 hour of application if I do not use any eye primer.
- The black eyeliner does not stay on my waterline (I do have watery eyes!).

Overall
I don't think one can compare this product with the NYX jumbo pencil as they are both very different. I personally like Beauty UK Jumbo Pencil as it is pigmented and creamy without being messy. However, the staying power is not as good when applied without a good eye primer (I have oily eyelids and most of the time, I need to use an eye primer!). Overall, this is a pretty good item to have if you like to have  multi use from your makeup.

(Product was sent for review purposes)

Friday, May 24, 2013

Sneak peek at a Fashion student's life!

My life has been so crazy busy these days. I wish I had more time for blogging, Youtube and other enjoyable things I used to do. Being a Mom and a fashion student is just not as easy as I thought. When I am in school, I think about my son and my home. When I am at home, I think about my school work and my brain goes into non stop design mode. I need a vacation!

Here are some pictures from my days in school.

We are at an art gallery (school field trip)

Taking a break from drawing hands. My classmate thinks she is a bird!

My first 9 head female figure drawing! Just realised that the boobs are un-naturally pointy!

I drew my classmate's face in an artistic way!

Draping class, transformational reconstruction! 

Currently, I am working on my 1st semester final project which is a draped skirt. Will show you pictures later of my work once I'm done with it! 

Thanks for coming by. 



Sunday, May 12, 2013

Pristine Aqua Blue makeup

I just love anything that has blue and green. These colors compliment one another very well. Here is a look that reminds me of the ocean. Smokey blue eyes with a hint of green and burnt orange lips!






FACE
Kryolan - Tv paint stick in NB & Chinese
Nars - Sheer glow foundation
Camera ready cosmetics - Yellow loose powder

EYES
Urban decay - Primer potion
Senna - Eyebrow duo in ebony
Rhomolan - Navy blue eye pencil
La femme - Brown e/s
Mac - Freshwater e/s
Starlooks - Disarray e/s (click here for product info)
Inglot - Matte green e/s (click here for shade no & swatch.)
Starlooks - Mascara (click here for product info)
Ardell - Individual medium lashes

CHEEKS
La femme - Brown e/s
Mac - Saffron e/s

LIPS
Sasa - Rose brown lipliner
Starlooks - Flutter lipstick

Jewellry provided by Soufeel.com.


Thank for coming by! Happy Mother's day!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Starlooks March box - Review and Product pictures

Recently I received the Starlooks March Starbox. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the quantity and quality of the products. All products included were full sized. Click here for website!


Here is a close up of the four products that came with this box.

Disarray eyeshadow is a matte navy blue eyeshadow. With one application of the colour you may not get the best pigmentation, however, after layering you can get a pretty strong navy blue smokey eye. I use it as an eyeliner as well. Perfect for those days where black is just plain boring.


The lipstick 'Flutter' is very pigmented and vibrant. It leans more towards the frosty side. I think this is a lipstick version of NARS Taj Mahal blush. Beautiful burnt orange shade.


The lengthening mascara does what is should. The wand is just the right size for my eyes. The formula of this mascara is very nice as it does not clump nor does it make my lashes look like spider legs. It also comes off easily when removing makeup.


The Vanilla lip sugar is great for exfoliating dry chapped lips. It smells great and leaves the lips smooth and smooch-able. Lovely product to prepare lips for lipstick application.


This is the look I came up with using the above items (less the vanilla lip sugar) from the Starbox ''smokey navy blue eyes with orange lips''. I even used the lipstick on my cheeks as a blush.






Likes
- You can try the entire makeup line by subscribing to Starbox at USD$15.00.
- With the Starbox you get 3-4 full sized products.
- All the items included were very usable and wearable, even for a brown lady like me.
- When the Starbox came in the mail, none of the items were broken or defected. All items were nicely packed.

Dislikes
- None so far

Overall
I think it is worth subscribing to Starbox from Starlooks because you get full sized products to try. From what I understand all the items are hand picked to ensure that they suit a wide range of skin tones. So in other words, if you are a woman of colour, you might find the makeup items very usable. If you are a beginner in makeup and do not know how to use the items that come with the Starbox, you can visit their Youtube Channel (Click Here) to learn from their tutorials. Starlooks cosmetics are cruelty free (which I think is great!). The items that come in the Starbox vary from month to month so you will get to try something new every time.

Hope you found this review useful. What is your favourite product from Starlooks.com?

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Smokey Green Dolly Makeup (BeautyUk Cosmetics)

Here is a quick makeup tutorial featuring BeautyUk Jumbo Eyeliner & Shadow pencil in black & turquoise (website). I really love the turquoise shadow from this pencil. I will do a separate review of this product later, so please stay tuned. If you want to transform from blah to fabulous, then watch my tutorial. I will show you how easy it is.





Products used:

FACE
Mufe - All matt HD primer
Nars - Sheer glow foundation in Cadiz
Mac - Select moisture cover NC44
Ben Nye - Banana luxury powder

EYES
BeautyUk - Eye brow pencil in grey
Mac - Constructivist paint pot
BeautyUk - Jumbo eyeliner & eye shadow in black & turquoise
Inglot - Eyeshadow #412 light moss green (Click here for swatch & review)
Krylon - Matte dark green e/s (outer crease & lower lash line)
ZA - Killer mascara waterproof in black
Ayumi Hamasaki - Royal days false eyelashes in no.8

CHEEKS
La femme - Soft beige blush (contour)
Nars - Taj Mahal blush

LIPS
Revlon - Tutti frutti lip butter



Thanks for coming by my friends. See you soon!


Monday, March 11, 2013

Colourful eyeliner (Wearable Spring/Summer makeup)

Here is a super easy tutorial for those of you who would like to add some colour to your usual eye makeup! Great for those who are afraid to use colours on the entire eyelid. With the eyeliner sealer from Cinema secret, you can convert any eyeshadow or loose pigment to an eyeliner. It is smudge proof! Will do a detailed review later, so please stay tuned!




Products used:

FACE
Nars - Sheer glow foundation in Cadiz
Ben Nye - Banana powder

EYES
Senna - Eyebrow duo is Ebony
Urban decay - Primer potion
Mac - Painterly Paintpot
Ben Nye - Toast e/s (crease)
Cinema Secret - Eyeliner sealer
OCC - Glisten loose e/s
TKB - Raspberry pop pigment
La femme - Aqua loose e/s
La femme - Turquoise loose e/s
MUFE - Aqua cream #27
Senna - Volumptous mascara in black
Ebay - False lashes

CHEEKS
Ben Nye - Toast e/s (contour)
Sleek makeup - Pomegranate blush

LIPS
OCC - Penny royal lip tar
Lakme - Brown lip liner
OCC - Anime lip tar


Thanks for coming by!