If you haven't already seen my posts on Instagram and Facebook, I am heading to Korea in a couple of days! I am, of course, packing makeup to take with me, and this post will share some of the products I am bringing along with me!

When it comes to travel, I like packing products that I know will work for me, as well as pop a couple of new products in there just because I get a little bit excited whenever I purchase something new. I like products that will last the whole day without touch-ups, and that are easy and quick to apply.


1. ArtDeco Eyeshadow Palette and single eyeshadow pans, RM29 per pan

Something I like is being able to take along with me an eyeshadow palette with all the eyeshadow colours that I want, and not a bit more. ArtDeco, a German cosmetics brand that recently launched in SaSa here in Malaysia, is perfect for that. Their eyeshadows are mid-range and very pigmented and easy to blend, and come in a huge range of colours that you can pick and choose from to insert into your customizable palette. At only RM29 per insert, but with quality comparable to MAC and Inglot eyeshadows, this is an absolute steal!
ArtDeco also does a range of beautiful foundations, each one suited to a different skin type and preference, so if you want good quality at a decent price, this brand is definitely one to look out for the next time you visit SaSa. They also release limited edition empty palettes from time to time, so look out for them when the different seasons come around.

2. Dermalogica Super Rich Repair Limited Edition Set, AUD110

This isn't a makeup item per se, but I am a huge believer that skincare sets the base for beautiful base makeup. This Dermalogica Super Rich Repair set is limited edition, and comes with their AGE Smart Super Rich moisturiser, Skin Resurfacing Cleanser, as well as a bottle of Dermalogica's famous Precleanse.
I know this is going to be perfect for the freezing cold, dry Korean winter, so I am definitely packing this! This moisturiser is very, very rich, and is perfect for drier skins. I've been using it in tiny amounts even here in Malaysia, and haven't experienced any problems with it so far. Remember that even oily skin needs to be hydrated (in fact, skin gets oily from of lack of hydration), so you may not even know that you need this type of moisturiser! Your best bet? Head to a Dermalogica counter for a free face-mapping skin analysis. Your skin will thank you for this.


3. Shu Uemura Holiday Collection 2013: Takashi Murakami 6 Hearts Princess Collection Limited Edition Enchanted Black Parallel Palette, RM250; and Lip & Cheek Fun-tasy, RM78

This heartbreakingly cute collection is a Shu Uemura design collaboration with famous Anime artist Takashi Murakame. The reason I'm bringing these along? The palette features a brand new eyeshadow formulation called the silk smooth eyeshadow, and my goodness they are ravishing! The textures are spongy and so silky smooth, and pigment transfers so easily with hardly any fall down! I am completely in love!
The Lip & Cheek Fun-tasy's? They're so convenient because they are multi-tasking, and so easy to apply. Just dot on, and blend.

4. Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Maiden, AUD22

Illamasqua always releases the most vibrant, unique seasonal collections, and their latest Christmas collection is no different! More to come on this collection soon, but my favourite by far (and a very safe bet, I will admit) is their Intense Lip Gloss in Maiden. This is a beautiful peachy-pink lipgloss with great coverage and lasting ability, without compromising moisturising qualities. Since Korea is freezing right now, this is perfect for adding that little bit of slickness to the lips, and providing a protective barrier so I don't lose any moisture.
For more about the collection, check Illamasqua counters now. They have also released a beautiful clear polish loaded with white flakes, that looks like snowfall on your fingertips. So pretty!

5. Laura Mercier Deluxe Travel Brush Set Holiday 2013, AUD95

Before I say anything, let me comment on the brush case. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?! The amazing holiday collection by Laura Mercier is styled in this exact way - with beautiful faux-croc skin, hard cases - in the classic Laura Mercier brown. This brush set is a great all-round brush set for the more experienced makeup user. It features a blush/powder brush, a couple of dual-ended brushes complete with blender and smudger brushes, a concealer brush, and a dual-ended liner brush.
As if its gorgeous design wasn't enough, the hard brush case is also perfect because it protects your brushes from getting squished in transit. I know it costs about RM200+ here in Malaysia, but I can't be sure of the exact price. Once I check, I will update the post!


6. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio, AUD24.95

These are my fail-safe eyeliners. I don't like that they are sold in a pack where I am most likely to never use at least one of the three eyeliners, but there is no denying that this is the best eyeliner I have ever used, even compared to high-end, luxe eyeliners. This eyeliner is creamy and smooth (just remember to keep the cap on!), pigmented (I like the black and it is a perfect, beautiful black black), and so easy to smudge. But its one star quality, what separates it from the rest, is that it does. not. budge. This is by far the most smudge-proof eyeliner I have ever used, and that's why it unfailingly goes into all my makeup bags and pouches, no matter where it is that I am travelling.

We are constantly bombarded with new formulations, products and textures by cosmetics companies. It's understandable that the layperson might find these new formulations confusing and sometimes unnecessary. Why use all these new products when my regular powder eyeshadow works just fine?

I totally agree - if you're happy with what you've got and you're comfortable using only that, then by all means, stick to it. Don't fix what ain't broke, right?

If you like to play around with textures and colours, however, and just don't quite know how or are Googling around to find out, then this article is for you.

One product that has been introduced to the cosmetics market (and that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon) is the crayon eyeshadow, or stick eyeshadow.


These crayons are simply eyeshadows in cream form, and are formulated slightly harder than cream eyeshadows (the ones that come in little pots - more on these products in another post) in order to be able to hold their shape in pencil form. Some come in pencil form and can be sharpened with a slightly larger-sized pencil sharpener, and some are simply twist-up pens.

They are simple and very easy to use - simply apply the product straight from the pencil onto your lid, taking it up to the crease, then blend. I recommend testing these pencil eyeshadows out first before using them on their own - because of the soft, creamy texture, some brands tend to crease and slip around on your eyelid.

How are they different from regular powder eyeshadows? These products look a little different - they create a slightly wetter, more dimensional look on the lid.

Why use eyeshadow sticks then?

For a different look - textures are slightly different when you use eyeshadow sticks.
For a more intense colour - when layered underneath powder eyeshadow of a similar colour, the colour and shimmer of the powder eyeshadow is much stronger and more obvious.
For a long lasting makeup - powder eyeshadow adheres better to cream eyeshadow, and also sets the cream eyeshadow in place. This combination helps your eyeshadow last for hours and hours without smudging, creasing, or melting off.

Here is the difference illustrated in swatches:


My favourite eyeshadow sticks:


NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils - these are by far the most affordable of the lot, but perform equally as beautifully as the higher end eyeshadow sticks on the market. They are very pigmented, and once set with a powder, stay on the lids forever. They come in a host of different colours, some shimmery and some matte, and are easily available in Sephora in Malaysia, and online in Australia at websites like Crush Cosmetics and eBay.


ck one color gloss eyeshadow sticks - these are beautiful, sheer eyeshadow crayons for those who want less pigment in their eyeshadows. They are lightweight and easy to apply onto the skin, and are a little bit more prone to creasing than other eyeshadows, so be sure that you only use this as an eyeshadow base. Because of their shimmery formulas, they create a gorgeous base on top of which to apply your eyeshadows, and give the powder eyeshadows a new, more 'wet' texture.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick - this is the latest product to grace my beauty cupboard, and I have fallen head over heels in love with it. This is one of those rare products that doesn't need to be set with a powder eyeshadow, and has amazing lasting power. It sits on the lids through heat and humidity and somehow still manages to stay put without any creasing or melting throughout the day. Laura Mercier also has an entire host of colours to choose from with these caviar sticks, so I highly recommend these to anyone who wants a quick, easy, and convenient way to wear and touch up their eyeshadow throughout the day.

So what do you think? Are you an eyeshadow stick user, and if you aren't, would you purchase some? I personally find them very convenient, especially for intensifying my eyeshadow colours or to create a quick, no-fuss makeup look.

Laura Mercier's Fall 2013 collection, Dark Spell, is made up of a number of absolutely beautiful products featuring dark colours, lots of shimmer, and beautiful nude lips to offset the eyes.

I was lucky enough to be able to play with the collection and produce a makeup tutorial for you guys, and the products make this look so simple and easy to achieve. Here is the video, I hope you enjoy it :)


Here are the products mentioned:

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - a quick solution to keep your makeup smooth and long-lasting. This makes my skin look radiant and well-moisturised, and when I use it, my foundation and concealer last for hours and hours on end with no need for touch ups.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser in Blush - Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturiser is a cult favourite, because it is lightweight but still pigmented enough for everyday use. It gives the skin a lovely glow, and comes in an oil-free version which is perfect for our humid climate.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow - this is my favourite waterproof brow product. I used this here because I wanted less-defined brows so the dark smoky eye could stand out. If you prefer darker, more defined brows then try a brow pencil or powder, because this one creates a softer brow look.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Smoke - this is a plain, intense black crayon eye pencil. I am in love with Laura Mercier's Caviar Sticks because they make the perfect makeup base, which is what I used it for here. They make these in a bunch of different colours, and because they are so long-lasting, they can also be used on their own for a different texture on the eyes.

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Mystical - a glittery black baked eyeshadow that is easy to blend and very soft and easy to blend despite its glittery look. Perfect if you like that lived-in smoky eye but don't want the creasing that comes with a cream eyeshadow or the Vaseline glossy eye.

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour in Magical - a gorgeous pearly white eyeshadow with some black threads running through it, made to look like the moon on a dark night, I'm assuming? It is a gorgeous, highly pearlescent white that is intensely pigmented. This would last an extremely long time!

Laura Mercier Kohl Liner Extreme in Black - this is a limited edition product, so get on it fast! It is made to look exactly like the kohl liners that you get in Middle Eastern souqs, and is a gorgeous, intense black eyeliner. I love that it is so easy to apply and smudge, and I what I didn't manage to test was how long it lasts on its own. I know that once you set it with a black eyeshadow powder though, it does not budge one bit!

Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colour in Dark Spirit - when Laura Mercier says satin matte, she means satin matte! This is exactly how I would describe this smooth, black eyeshadow. It is buttery smooth and easy to apply and blend, and has minimal fall down in application. I used this to set the kohl liner and the result was an intense smoky black line that did not budge the entire day.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-2 - you are all probably no strangers to this product, because I have used and mentioned it so many times in my posts and videos. Still my HG concealer palette - I have yet to find a single concealer that beats the durability and coverage of this product!

Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch in #3 - this is my HG undereye concealer, matched in performance only by my Clinique Airbrush Concealer. This is very lightweight and you only need to dot a tiny bit of it for maximum coverage.

Laura Mercier Faux Lash - a mascara that gives you huge lashes. I did find it difficult to apply though, because the brush was so big and I couldn't get it into the inner and outer corners of my eyes to get at the smaller eyelash hairs there. It also doesn't create any curl, so be sure to curl your eyelashes with a good eyelash curler beforehand (Laura Mercier makes a great one) before applying this.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface - a true-pink blush that I used to add a little bit of colour to my face, because this look can wash out Asian complexions a little bit since it is so cool-toned, and most Asians have warm-toned skin.

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder in Spellbound - this is limited edition guys, and it is the star product of the collection for me. It is gorgeously pressed and has a kind of gel-like texture that turns to powder upon application. It gives you an amazing golden glow, and though I thought it would be a little too warm and dark for my skin at first, it actually looked really good! The shimmers are extremely fine, so you look like you have a gorgeous golden glow instead of looking like you applied a chunky shimmer product onto your skin.

Laura Mercier Lipstick on Angelic - this has fast become one of my favourite nude lip products. It contains a tiny bit of pink to it and looks amazing on a lot of different skin tones because of its neutral beige undertone.

Laura Mercier Lip Plumping Gloss in Charmed - a gorgeous clear, slightly pinky gloss with golden shimmer shot through it. Great if you want a little bit of plumping action with minimal colour interference for your lipstick. Not a must, in my opinion, but a good option to have if you have thinner lips.

Sleek Contour Kit in Medium - I used this to add some warmth and dimension to the face, in my contours as well as in my eye sockets. This, together with the blush, tied the look together and made everything look seamless for my warmer Asian skin. Black, a cool-toned colour, can look harsh on warm skin tones so it's great to add products like this to soften the look overall.

And that was the makeup I used. I hope you found the tutorial and these mini reviews helpful. If you have any questions or requests, just send me a quick email or Facebook message! x

The Dark Spell Collection by Laura Mercier is out on counters now. Most products are limited edition so get in early to avoid missing out.

Nowadays, it's common that people spend hours and hours' worth of their day in an office of some sort, or store, and it's even more common that these offices and stores have air conditioning. You may not know it, but your skin is suffering in all that dry, moisture-less air. Air conditioning, whether it be cooling or heating, can also be very harsh on the skin, and can suck precious moisture out of your skin.

There are many ways in which you can help keep your skin hydrated and protected from this, but here is what I personally do, because it works, and it's easy to do.


Step 1: Apply a primer


Primers are not only great for helping makeup stick to your face - they also provide a protective layer that rests in between the skin and makeup, and keeps your skin moisturised. The Laura Mercier primer is one of the best on the market, and my personal favourite primer. It keeps the skin hydrated, yet controls oil beautifully, and most importantly, it keeps your makeup intact.

Step 2: Apply a Makeup Spray


Makeup sprays in the market today are miracle workers. They no longer just seal your makeup in place, they also contain hydrating particles and serve many other purposes, depending on the type that you get. One of my favourites is the Nymph Aura Volumer Mist from Etude House, a simple spray that keeps your makeup in place, hydrates your skin, and makes your skin look like it's glowing from within. No shimmer particles in this one, yet your face looks radiant and luminous. A total steal too - I purchased my bottle for around AUD 14.

Step 3: Keep Your Skin Hydrated with a Thermal Water Spray


If you get the wrong kind of spray, it could be detrimental to your skin, because applying water to your skin usually makes your skin drier, because when the water evaporates, it takes your skin's moisture away along with it. The Uriage Thermal water is formulated in such a way that its natural minerals and nutrients (as well as the all-important moisture for your skin) is absorbed by the skin before it evaporates, making it the perfect companion for you in a bone-dry, overly air-conditioned room.

Ever since landing in Malaysia, I've had to adapt to many different things. Despite having lived in Malaysia for more than half my life, my time in Melbourne has made me soft. I've had to adjust to the food here (hello, food poisoning!), the weather, and the people.

One of the changes I've made is my makeup. Being exposed to so many Asian brands here, I naturally went a little crazy, but I've whittled it down to a select few products that I now wear on an everyday basis, for a simple, no-fuss, 5-minute makeup.



If, like me, you have very little time in the mornings to prepare for the long work day ahead, try these makeup products :)

Hello everyone! How is your Monday going? I am having a pretty good day - I started off pretty early and got so much done, PLUS it was a really good mail day :)

I am back with a brand new product to review for my foundation review series - the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser.


Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser is no stranger in the beauty world. This product is one of the best-known tinted moisturisers in the market, and one of the best-performing as well. Because of their widespread popularity and increasing market demand, Laura Mercier have introduced three new shades to their current line to provide an even better colour match for skin tones.

I hope my review helps you decide if this product is suitable for you and your skin type!

Packaging
Nice and sturdy with a screw on cap, this no-nonsense packaging is perfect for anyone with an 'on-the-go' lifestyle, who needs a practical product to tote around with them.

Product
Tinted moisturisers are usually quite heavy, and tend to be quite sticky on the skin, but I found this tinted moisturiser to be light and easy to spread onto my skin. The liquid is of a medium thickness, as is common with all tinted moisturisers. It was quite a pleasant surprise applying this with my fingers, and having the product spread onto my skin easily and quickly.

I received the new colour 'Blush' to trial, and I am very pleased to report that it is a great match for my NW20-ish skin. Here it is swatched on my arm:


Performance
This product felt great on my skin! It didn't feel at all heavy or cakey, and it was very comfortable to wear, even on hot, humid days. The coverage is quite sheer, so you will need a concealer if you have less-than-perfect skin. If you have problematic, acne-prone skin and need more coverage, I suggest using a foundation instead.
I found that applying this with a foundation brush was best suited to my needs, as it provided a little bit more coverage and evened out my skin tone beautifully.



One thing that my fellow oily-skinned beauties should note about this tinted moisturiser is that it is not mattifying! Though it is oil-free and therefore quite suited to my oily/combination skin, you shouldn't expect it to control the oil on your face as well as, say, the MUFE Mat Velvet Plus foundation. After a long, hot day out, this foundation stayed put on my face and my skin did not feel oily and slick, however there was a slight stickiness to it. I tried setting it with a powder the next day to see how it would hold up, and it did a wonderful job at eliminating that stickiness and keeping my skin nice and fresh, and slightly dewy, throughout the day.

Overall I say this is an amazing product, especially if you already have good skin or you want something easy to apply. With the added SPF and decent coverage, it makes the perfect 'slap-on' base product for quick trips out shopping or to run errands. I would recommend this for normal to oily/combination skin types, but if you have very oily skin, then stick to your mattifying foundations.

The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser retails at Laura Mercier counters throughout Australia for AUD 59 per 50mL tube.

These products were sent for the purposes of review and consideration in accordance with this site's Disclosure Policy.

Products mentioned:


Dior Diorsnow UV Shield BB Cream SPF50 (available at http://mizspa.com)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Kit in Brunette
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Sex
Tom Ford Cheek Color in Narcissist
Sleek Contour Kit in Medium
Clinique Brush-on Cream Liner in True Black
Essence Cherry Blossom Girl Paper Lashes
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Ivory
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-2
Daniel Sandler Watercolor Blush in Cherub
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
YSL Rouge Volupte in #1 Nude Beige
Beaute Cosmetics Lip Stain in Fluoro

'Tis the day before Christmas, and I'm sure you all have some fabulous plans in place this holiday season! With all the partying and celebrating going on, the morning after inevitably follows, and I'm here to help you make sure that your skin is still glowing and fresh for that morning breakfast with the family and loved ones!


I wrote a post a while back about the morning after a big night out, and what products you can use to give your skin the TLC it needs. This post is all about the makeup, and how you can use it to mask your hangover, and to help get that glowing, healthy, wide-eyed look.

Sheer, Dewy-finish Foundation



When it comes to foundation, less is more! Use something that will even out your skin tone and cancel out any redness, whilst still allowing your skin to breathe. I love the cult-favourite Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (RRP AUD 59). It has such amazing coverage for a tinted moisturiser, yet still so light on the skin (plus they have just expanded their colour range, so you can get an even closer match to your skin tone - the secret to natural, healthy-looking skin!).
If you are very fair, I highly recommend the Luview Aqua Essence Whitening BB Cream - it is amazingly light and watery, so it doesn't feel heavy or cakey on your skin. It also has the most gorgeous luminous finish.

Strong, Un-Polished Brows



Fill your brows in with a powder so that they look more natural, and make them nice and strong. For a less polished look, try not to draw a straight line on the top line of your brows. Instead, use light, upward strokes to soften that top line and deposit colour lightly and evenly.
My favourite brow powder by far is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Kit in Brunette. If you're looking for a more affordable eyebrow kit, try the brand new Face of Australia HD Brow Kit (RRP AUD 9.45), which features two brow powders, a brow wax, a brush, and a pair of tweezers. For international buyers, this product should be available soon on the Fashion Addict website.

Bright Cheeks



Placing your blush high up on your cheeks will lift your face, and really brighten it. Since you are placing the blush so high up on your cheekbones, you can either use a blush with a matte finish or a shimmer finish. My personal favourites are the Tom Ford Cheek Color in Narcissist, and the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Cherub.

Cancel Redness



The morning after unavoidably involves red, puffy eyes. A great way to mask that hangover is to get rid of any redness, especially around your eyes.
A great product to use is the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Nude. Its flesh-toned colour blends in well with your skin (a white coloured eyeliner pencil would be too stark) and its waterproof texture allows you to apply the pencil to your waterline with great lasting power.
A peachy toned concealer is perfect to mask any dark circles and eliminate any further redness. Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer is the perfect concealer for the undereye area because it is easy to blend, and a very small amount is enough to conceal unwanted dark circles. I also love using a brightening concealer - my favourite is the Clinique Airbrush Concealer.

Flicked Eyeliner



Applying a jet-black eyeliner in a flick, only on your upper lashline, is a great way to achieve that doe-eyed look. In the spirit of keeping the entire makeup look easy and with minimal need for brushes, I recommend using the Rimme Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Black.

Curl Your Lashes



It is so important to curl your eyelashes when you want to look more awake! They really open up your eyes and make them look so much more feminine and pretty! I stayed away from the Shu Uemura eyelash curler for a long time, but when my sister had a layover in Changi Airport, I decided to ask her to help me get it. It does curl the eyelashes much better than any eyelash curler I've ever used, I have to admit.
My current go-to mascara? The Clinique High Impact mascara. It is a mascara that I have come back to again and again, and is probably one of my favourites next to the Benefit They're Real mascara.

Highlighter



Apply highlighter to the centre of your lower lashline and the inner corners of your eyes to open your eyes up and make them look much brighter. I like TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer because it is very pigmented and easy to apply.

And that should give you a lovely, wide-eyed, glowing makeup look that's super flattering and perfect for Christmas morning. Thanks for reading! x