Monday, June 20, 2011

Style & Beauty: Quick, Creamy Gold Eyes (Day)


This is a quick, natural day look to appear fresh with some emphasis on the upper lash line.
Palette: gold/cream.

1. Apply concealer/primer around eyes.
2. Apply black eyeliner (pencil) in short strokes right on the upper lash line in between the lashes to create the illusion of fuller lashes. Apply on the outer corners, including part of the lower lash line for a wide-eyed effect. Clean up & create a slightly smokey effect with a damp Q-tip.
3. On crease, in sweeping motions & blending out: any light, yellowish gold shade with a little shimmer.
4. On upper lid: any light, creamy shade (i.e.: ivory, off-white, cream) with low to medium shimmer.
5. Finish off with black waterproof mascara.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Health: Coconut Oil For Healthy Hair & Scalp (Tried & Tested)


I've been on coconut hot oil treatment so many times before and it has worked each and every time. My scalp tends to become easily irritated under different conditions, whether it's hot, cold or dry. This would often lead to itchiness and excessive hair fall. So whenever I feel my hair and scalp need a boost, I quickly cook up some coconut hot oil treatment at home. It's easy to make!

bad hair day? hmm...

Step 1: Get a handful of fresh desiccated coconut. Store the rest in the freezer for later use.


Step 2: Heat a cooking pot with the desiccated coconut in it and add some water (enough to cover the coconut).


Step 3: Bring to a boil. Stir in between and add more water if necessary.


Step 4: Strain and transfer to a separate cup or bowl. Allow to cool a bit so you don't burn your scalp.


Step 5: Dip a cotton ball into the liquid and apply onto the scalp and hair (or just the hair). Wrap hair in cling wrap or plastic bag and leave for 30 minutes to an hour.


Step 6: Wash off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. I either use anti-dandruff shampoo (Nizoral) or SLS-free shampoo like Avalon products. Throw away whatever remains. Store the rest of the coconut oil (that you strained into the first bowl) in a jar and keep refrigerated for no more than 3 days (the moment it smells funny, throw it away).


I don't recommend keeping this treatment in the refrigerator or freezer for more than just a few days. I know there are other coconut oil products that can keep for a very long time though, even at room temperature. But I think it's because this particular treatment has a lot of liquid or water in it that makes it spoil so quickly. I've never tried other coconut oil products, so I can't say how effective they are either.

Here are the results:


Give it a try :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Style & Beauty: Traveling - What's In Your Makeup Bag?

Travel: Makeup On The Plane
Don't you wish there was a better way to step out of an airplane than to look like a zombie? If you're going to bring makeup on the plane you might as well keep it to a minimum - no heavy foundation, no heavy eye makeup, and no running mascara! At least this is how I roll :p

I'd keep only these makeup items in my hand-carry bag:
1. Concealer stick
2. Pressed powder
3. Blush-on
4. Eyeshadow
5. Lash curler
6. Lip balm
7. Moisturizer

The goal is to look fresh, not overdone.

*Tips*: Rub your finger on the concealer stick and start dabbing and blending some concealer under your eyes or any red/discolored area on your face. It's more discreet this way. Simply use your fingers to dab on eyeshadow - use any gold/pearl shade, as this matches just about any skin tone and naturally brightens up the eyes.

Do you have any makeup tricks on looking fresh during touchdown?