The Random Truths

Unfortunately, as always, sometimes things do not fall into place as planned. For instance, waking up late on your hair-washing day, or having to come to office earlier when you were actually planning to get your hair blow dried at the salon that morning, etc. For me, those conditions mean tragedy. Because my hair would feel/look so messed up by then. My hair would feel oily,it would start to look flat, and my scalp would start to feel itchy. All are big eughs and no no for Miss Hair Drama here

What I used to do is the oldest trick in the book, baby powder.what I do is, Pour a generous amount to my hands, spread it evenly to scalp & hair, pat here and there to make sure I don't suddenly look like Adnan Buyung Nasution, and off I would go. This works, but only for a few hours. I'd have to rush and wash my hair during lunch break, or immediately after work ( because sometimes life sucks that much that there's a lunch meeting on the day you don't have the time to wash your hair). And another downside is, sometimes you miss a spot and people can actually see the excess baby powder. Not good.

But then I found this magic spray at Sephora labeled Dry Shampoo. Yes ladies, this is the solution to not having enough time to do old-fashioned wet shampoo! It's super easy, all you have to do is just spray it all over your hair, preferably near the roots, because the ingredients (all dry shampoos contains some type of powder) are supposed to absorb the excess oil that causes your hair to look and feel flat & oily. I read in some sites that you should comb your hair after several minutes to remove the excess oil, but I usually just run my hands through my hair after spraying the dry shampoo, so that it doesn't ruin the curls (I only brush/comb my hair after shampooing).

The effect is MUCH better than using baby powder. My hair instantly becomes less flat & oily, and the itchy feeling is also gone. And this can last up to the next day, so it can buy me more time in case I really really don't have time to wash my hair that day. Now how can I not love this product?

Of course this can not substitute the real thing. The old-fashioned wet shampoo is still the best way to go, but dry shampoo is a great alternative compared to having my day ruined just because I didn't have time to wash my hair. Please note that using dry shampoo also leaves residue on your hair, so this should only be used in emergency situations only and is not suitable for daily use

Sephora Express dry shampoo is available at Sephora (of course). I bought this one at Sephora ion Orchard. 1 size only (75ml) for SGD 10. Sephora (the non express range) also has dry shampoo in a bigger size, but also more expensive, about SGD 30-40. If you just want to do some testing, better go with this one first.

Still part of answering @dandanpol's challenge (somehow I sense this challenge will be answered in quite a few parts ^^;), these are my daily eye make up essentials.

From left to right and then to the front of the line-up, they are:
1. Eyelash curler - Shu Uemura.
Some may think that you can just use any brand, but from my own experience, a good eyelash curler matters. It curls the eyelashes better, and the handles give you better grip when you're using it- giving you a much easier curling effort. Sure it's a bit more expensive, but gives better results and it lasts longer. I change mine every 2 years, mainly because I can't find any rubber that fits well with the curler (Shu Uemura does not sell the rubbers separately). Price is about SGD 25.

2. Mascara - Maybelline Magnum Volum Express (Waterproof)
Considering you're supposed to throw your mascara away every 6 months, I always go with drugstore brand for my mascara choice, i.e Maybelline. I think their mascaras are the best value for money mascaras. L'Oreal is also a good choice, but usually they are a bit more expensive. This Magnum mascara is alright, but I prefer their original Volume Express (the one in black tube). I feel this one doesn't dry as easily. But am still OK with it, for now. Price is about IDR 70K-ish

3. Corrector (Concealer) - Bobbi Brown, in Peach
I. Seriously. Can. Not. Live. Without. This. I have very dark under eye circle, and I've tried several concealer to fix this, but none really satisfied me. I've tried brands from Maybelline to Shisheido, but the search was still an ongoing one, until I found Bobbi Brown's corrector. It gives me the coverage that I need, but still feels light. And it doesn't come off that easily, too. Price is about SGD 35

4. Eyeliner - Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner (Chocolate Shimmer Ink) & 5. Angled Eyeliner Brush - Sephora 15
I still remember the conversation I had with the shop attendant at Bobbi Brown a few years back, when I first decided to buy this eyeliner.
SA: You should try our gel eyeliner!
Me: No thanks, I've already got my own and I really like it. Been using it for years.
SA: Well, clearly you've never tried ours. I guarantee you will change your mind.
Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. And he was right. To date, this is hands down the best eyeliner I've ever used! I thoughtbit would be hard to apply, but it's not. With the right brush, it's as easy as applying a pencil eyeliner, but with a much smoother look. The color really stands out, and most importantly, it doesn't come off easily - even after all day wear. I use Chocolate Shimmer Ink, it's somewhat shimmery brownish. Really love it! Price is about THB 1400-ish. For the brush, I'm currently using Sephora's angled eyeliner brush (15). I like Bobbi Brown's eyeliner brush better, but this is also a good and more affordable alternative. Price is SGD 25.

6. Eyeliner - Revlon ColorStay (Brown)
As much as I love BB's Gel Eyeliner, it can be quite a hassle to use when you're in certain situations (in a super hurry, in a car, in an elevator, etc), so I also need a back-up eyeliner. I was first recommended by Mbak Anie, the renowned Blue Salon's Make Up Artist. She said that if I want to buy a pencil eyeliner, this should be it. But I have to get it in Singapore, because this kind isn't sold in Indonesia. Her words, "Beda deh ini sama yg dijual di Jakarta, kl yang ini warnanya jadi dan nda gampang luntur". So I bought it, and she was right. It is different than the Revlon eyeliners I bought here before. The color stands out more, and it is more waterproof. A nice alternative for when I have no time for the whole gel eyeliner ritual. Price is friendly to the pocket, too! Only SGD 10 :)

So that's my daily eye make-up essentials! Of course what is also important is the eye make up remover. I use either L'Oreal's or Maybelline's Eye & Lip Make Up Remover. Both do wonders at affordable prices, gotta love that!

I am actually very new to the world of face primers. I confuse them with moisturizers at first, and wonder what they actually do, what's the difference with foundations, etc.. but then I did some googling and learnt that face primer is what you use in between moisturizer and foundation, to get a more flawless result

Primers are meant to give you easier foundation application, as it smoothens your face and fills the lines on it, providing a better "canvas" for you to paint your make-up on

This is the Primer I currently use. Well actually, this is the only primer I've ever used v(^^) - Sephora Smoothing Primer. Bought it at Sephora ion Orchard. I was first attracted because of the small bottle size (I like smaller bottles because I can finish them faster), and when I tried the tester on my hand, it did give that instant smoothing effect. Price was also affordable, around SGD 20 - 25 (forgot the actual price), so I decided to give it a try.

After using primer, I know that I will never again use foundation without first applying primer. The effect was significant. Foundation becomes much easier to apply, it glides on more smoothly. Coverage of that annoying zit (if any) is also easier because the primer gives the concealer something to "cling on" to, unlike if you only use moisturizer. What I find lacking from this Sephora Primer is how the matifying effect doesn't last for very long, only a couple of hours max.

Sephora Smoothing Primer is only available in one size (15ml), and one color (transparent gel). It may look small, but it lasts quite long - if you're a moderate foundation user like me, that is. I use it once in two weeks (on average) and it lasted for around 6 months.

If you've never used a primer before and would like to try something affordable for your first experience, this could be your choice :)

With all the talk about BB Cream, I was super curious to give it a try. Am primarily appaled by its promise to give that Japanese/Korean stars look (yea I'm vain like that), and wanted to prove it myself. So I searched the web, asked around on my twitter timeline, and came across several recommended brands.

However, I did not want to risk spending too much - in case it doesn't work out, so I finally went for Maybelline's BB Cream. It's got some good reviews, one of which from @ditut, and it only costs IDR 35K! So I bought it last Sunday, and tried it yesterday.

First impression: I like it! After application, I can see a noticeable improvement in complexion, my skin tone looked more even and brighter. It also covers well, but doesn't feel heavy on my skin. It's like a step-up from tinted moisturizer, but not as heavy as foundation - so it's fine to use on a daily basis.

I applied the BB Cream after all my skin care regime. Even though it says on the packaging that it also moisturizes and has SPF 26/PA+++, I still use my moisturizer and sunblock beforehand - because one thing I believe is that you don't use make-up to do a skin care job. I read that people usually apply BB Cream using a brush, but since I don't have one, I applied using my finger tips - and I didn't have a problem, the texture makes it easy enough to spread all over your face & neck evenly.

Another plus point of the BB Cream is how it makes cream blush blends easier. I didn't use powder, applied the rest of my make-up straight after the BB cream, and it makes my Bobbi Brown cream blush blends easier and hence looks nicer compared to when I use my regular compact powder.

I was worried not using powder will make my face looks oily (I have slightly oily skin on the T-Zone), but, surprisingly, that wasn't the case. However, I was only out for 5 hour-ish and they were all spent in air conditioned situations, so the not-making-face-looks-oily thing may need to be revalidated.

Bottom line, that was a 35K well spent!

These two just became the latest arrivals to my make-up regime collection. Excited!

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

This year's Valentine movie: No Strings Attached

The double date partner: (Still) The Handsums

The funny thing: last year it was @mrsHandsumH who was pregnant. This year it's me :)

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Played this new game on iPad with Bayu called MovieCat. The question was about, well, movies.

The questions were mostly difficult. But not this one. This one I know by heart.

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Can't believe I finally got to watch Janet Jackson Live in Concert. Been a fan since the late 80's, but back in those days, you didn't really think that you'd get to watch any of your idols from The US live in concert here in Jakarta.

Ms Jackson was awesome. She played all of her hits that I was looking forward to hear (well, almost all - one slipped : Someone To Call My Lover), and it's like re-living my childhood to adulthood in 90minutes.

Great performance, great stamina, great choreography. Stage was mediocre, but the awesome other stuff made up for that.

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

PIM 2 celebrates #CNY ^-^

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Made a quick stop at Toto. Picked up a bottle of Clinique Clarifying Lotion (which was the reason I went there), and ended up also buying a mascara and Kerastase's latest hair serum product.

Hey, in my defense.. All those are necessities. Right? Right?

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Went to En Okonomi Dining for the first time, and became an instant fan of their okonomiyaki. Almost felt like I was in Doutonbori again :)

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Finally giving this place a try! Love the food and the atmosphere. Price is also reasonable. It's just too bad we hv to pick up the orders ourselves, it's a bit of a hassle.

Would love to come back there to try their apple crumble!

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin

Planet Hollywood is temporarily closed for renovation, so tried XXI Garden Cafe for lunch. Not bad. Portion's a bit small, but the price range allows us to have more varieties, like in the pic.

Posted via email from The Daily Shashin