What's in my Travel Makeup Bag?

I was meant to blog about this while i was leaving but sadly was rushing to make it for an exam and then left for the airport. so i have un packed my make up bag from Dubai to give you guys a peak on what i have brought along! =) it was a hard call choosing what to bring along since i am only here for 5 days but i am quite pleased with my selection.. Hope this gives you guys ideas and helps you guys pack your travel make up bags.. =) 

whats in the bag???

1. Clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel


2. Clinique Super city block 40 spf


3. Bourjois healthy mix serum in 53 light beige 


4. Clinique eye brighting concealer in light


5. Mac studio finish concealer in nw25


6. Mac sheer tone shimmer blush in Trace Gold


7. The Face Shop color nuance for cheek in BR802 (Shine)


8. Essence bronzing compact powder in 02 love to be matt


9. Mac soothing beige tinted lip conditioner spf 15


10. Dior shimmer powder in 002 amber diamond 


11. Rimmel glam eyes day 2 night mascara


12. Urban decay naked palette


13. Bobby Brown long-wear gel eyeliner in granite ink


14. Chanel illusion d'ombre eye shadow in mirifique


15. Estee lauder lasting shimmer lipstick in wildly pink


16. Max factor liquid effect pencil in brown blaze


17. Rimmel lipliner in 030 natural 


18. Sephora jumbo liner in 05 beige


19. Loreal  contour khol in 131 jet black


20. Maybelline Hyper Sharp liner in black 


What Brushes???

mac 219


mac 266


mac 194


mac 217


mac 187


mac 129


mac 227


body shop lip/concealer

Brown/Gold Smokey Eye - Naked Palette Urban Decay

Step 1- Apply your favorite foundation & concealer. after you are done, powder your face to set it all in

Step 2 - Prime your eye lids using any eye shadow primer. i used urban decay's primer

Step 3 - Fill in your eye brows with what ever shade you are most comfortable using.i have used 'coquette' by Mac

Step 4 - With a flat eye shadow brush apply the color 'naked' all over your eye lid and under your water line. (naked is very nude almost skin type color with no shimmer.) 

Step 5 - Use the color 'vigin' on your brow bone and in the inner corner of your eyes

Step 4 & 5

Step 6 - Now apply 'buck' in your crease line and then 'half baked' all over your eye lid, focusing on the inner most corner. blend out the edges.

step 6

Step 7 - Pat on 'smog' on the outer corner of your eye and then blend out the edges to create a smokey effect.

Step 8 - To further intensify the smokiness pat on some 'dark horse' to the outer corner and blend it in with a blending brush 

Step 8

Step 9 - Apply your favorite black eyeliner and mascara. i am using a pencil eyeliner by loreal and Rimmel 'Day 2 Night' mascara in Black 

Step 9 

step 9 

                                                       

Step 10 - Apply your favorite lipstick, i would suggest a nude pink or nice light brown. i am wearing a lipstick by Rimmel called 'asia'. Next add a flush of color with some blush i again suggest  sticking to a shade of  pink or brown i am wearing 'well dressed' by Mac.  

The finished look 

Brushes used for this look 

Urban Decay - shadow brush 

Mac - 217 blending brush 

Mac - 216 powder brush ( for powder and blush)

Mac - 266 eye brow brush

  

Give your self a mani- pedi in 10 easy steps

I must admit that nothing can compete with getting your nails done professionally at the spa, but what about those days when something last minute pops up and you want your hands and toes to look their best, or when you are just to lazy to make the effort to go all the way to the spa or worse when its the end of the month and you are sadly broke =( 

being an absolute nail junkie i have managed to come up with a little self mani-pedi routine which i can turn to when in need and it works just as well as getting it done professionally

step 1 - remove nail polish 

step 2 - soak your hands and feet in hot water for about 20mins and add some bath foam and or bath salts to lavish it up a bit. ( soaking your hands and feet with soften the skin and make it easier to trim your nails and scrub off all the dead skin)

step 3 - scrub away with a body scrub and then lightly with a foot scrubber, (use the soft sider on hands and on top of feet)

step 4 - trim nails and remove cuticles

step 5 - file nails in to shape

step 6 -  massage hand/foot cream or lotion

step 7 - wipe your nails with nail polish remover to get rid of oils and to give your nails a fresh clean surface for nail polish

step 8 - base coat 

step 9 - nail color 

step 10 - top coat

I always enjoy pampering my self a little, play some music in the background, light some scented candles, relax and have fun plus this is a super fun activity if your are having a slumber party or spending the day with your girlfriends 

Flawless Face / foundation routine

Step 1 - always start on a clean cleansed face, remove all traces of make up and exfoliate 2-3 times a week

Step 2 - Start by applying a moisturizer with spf in it! in the day i use clinique city block spf 40 in the day       ( It acts like a moisturizer+ spf+ primer)

Step 3- Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and skin type. formulations vary on skin types. the best way to ensure your foundation matches your skin color is by testing the color on your jawline. it should blend into your skin color, any lighter or darker is NOT acceptable!

Step 4 - dot the foundation on your face and either rub in fingers or use a foundation brush to blend it in. Focus on areas that need coverage the most, don't pile on foundation where you have good skin. DO NOT FORGET THE NECK AND EARS.. YOU SHOULD BE ONE COLOR =)

Step 5 - conceal your under eyes if needed, always test a concealer at the shop before buying it, you don't want to get stuck with something that doesn't suit you. further conceal edges of your nose if you have redness, and cover up any remaining blemishes. Pro Tip using a lip linear or eye liner brush on a spot gives a more airbrushed finish.

Step 6 - dust loose or compact powder over your t- zone if you have oily skin and if you are creating a matte finish. i always only use translucent powders to cover the shine and oiliness without adding coverage.

Lastly i would advise all you to spend most amount of time on your skin, by perfecting your foundation and concealer application. You will realize that if your face make up is done perfectly you wouldn't even need to much eye make up etc.

P.s if you plan on doing a heavy eye look with dark eye shades i recommend you first do your eyes and then apply your foundation and concealer after. Sometimes heavy/ dark eye looks create a mess on your face which is hard to wipe of and clean if you have already done your foundation and concealer.

Try out this routine and let me know how it works for you! =)

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Pretty Pretty Bling

Helloo Helloo

I really can't help but feel festive with all this christmas extravaganza going on around me!! i love the holidays and especially this time of the year, with all the trees and deco, the music, the lights the bling and the glam!
every year i get blown away by how 'big' xmas is here in Malaysia.. its only the 12th of novemeber and starbucks have started their specials.. the malls are all glittery and shinny with trees and ornaments and even though this country is still ' hot' weather wise (because it always is.. like all year round) it weirdly feels like winter and x-mass!!

by now i am sure all of you can tell exactly how excited i am ha ha ha.. so in my high rises blingy spirits i went and got my self some a couple of lovely jewelry pieces... i think they are so nice and festive and perfect for this holiday season!! hope these inspire you all to get 'pretty pretty bling-ed up' i think these pieces are perfect for a night out or to glam up any outfit!

The ear rings are from Topshop the 'Freedom' line 

And the neck lace is from Diva !! 

Beauty from Within

Hello Hello

As much as i love being all girly girly with tons of make up and lovely perfumes and all those other pretty smellies and knick knacks i have to admit that beauty comes in from with in.. and it Always matters how you are feeling...

you have to feel your best to look your best and if you truly are happy on the in side it shows all over that face and if you are not... no amount of make up can make you shine or look stunning...

so... get to know your self! find out what brings that smile on your face.. find out what exactly makes you happy and feel your best!! it could be a nice beautiful sky, great weather, someone at your local shop wishing you a great day.. and of course the greater things in life like a relationship, your family and friends. it could be a song which makes you hop around like a bunny or just looking around your self and being thankful for the little things..

take some time and look around for all the wonderful things you have! be thank full for the fact that you could always be worse off then you may think you are.. i KNOW!! Its sounds very obvious but trust me we all forget and just start living in a rut and start feeling not so great from time to time.. and it effects how we look and feel!

so wake up and smell the roses.. they truly are as beautiful as all of you are

love and be loved!!

 a very happy and grateful Serena who looks pretty good today (if you know what i mean) ;) !! xx