I Like Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara

Do you watch The Carrie Diaries? Well, little Carrie Bradshaw always has these nice long & separated mascara-ed top & bottom lashes. Whenever I wear Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara, I'm reminded of her lashes. Not that mine are as long as hers, but the definition & separation look almost the same. I think if she wore this mascara, they'd look as awesome as they do now.

I like this mascara a lot. It's gives volume & curl with minimal clumps (clumping depend on application & timing between coats). The curved brush seem to stretch my lashes making them appear longer, and it is easy to maneuver but make sure to wipe the tip if you don't want a black dot on your nose bridge when doing bottom lashes. It claims to be smudge-proof, and I have not experienced any smudging. Cleaning it with cleansing oil does take as long as a waterproof mascara. 

2 coats on top lashes, 1 coat on bottom lashes. Any clumpiness you see is only because I was impatient while applying  + my camera makes even the most invisible eyeshadow fallout look giant  =)

Want DIY Ombre Hair & Darker Eyelashes/Brows?

I got these yesterday though I've been tempted to get them since last year. This year is about being adventurous!

 

• L'Oreal Preference Wild Ombres 3, £6 (Rs.500) ~  I got this one instead of  shade 1 or 2 because I don't want any warm/brassy tones on my hair. Comes with a brush for easy application. Seen good results on others, so *fingers crossed*

• Colorsport 30 Day Mascara Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit,  £6.98 (Rs.580) ~ So scared to test this, but worth a shot if you have nothing lashes like mine. You get tiny bottles of solution, color cream and applicator.

 

Got both from Asda. 

Will let you know how both of them fare this weekend or early next week!

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

Weekend Arm Candy And Shopping

Shopping ban is over! Hip, Hip, Hooray! You know what, I've had to live without a lot of things and people for months, and going shopping was the one thing that was filling the void. Giving up something like that for over a month was a sensible thing to do.... but never again! Well, at least while I'm away from homeland =)

 

Items hauled on Saturday:

• H&M Floral Mini Skirt (vintage looking watercolor print) - from the sale rack for only £5 (Rs.413)
• H&M girly thingies.
• Primark Cardigan
• Primark Peplum Top
• Primark Bag 
• Rimmel Products 

Watch ~ Fossil Georgia Glitz Rose Gold Watch. I'm wearing this more than the Fossil Jesse Rose Gold, coz it's less blingy & feels lighter  |  Pearl Bracelet ~ Forever New.

Makeup Pairing ~ Barbie Pink

Been meaning to do posts on makeup pairing since last year. Like, what to wear with certain colors of eyeshadow, blush, lipsticks, nail polish. I thought it'd be fun! I do enjoy playing matchmaker....but only with beauty products. I have tried doing it with people and...tch...never again.

First up is Barbie Pink. In simpler words, matchy-matchy (you know I like matchy-matchy) and I'll do a contrasting pairing with pink next time.

Face: Cathy Doll BB Cream. I didn't plan to do base products, but the pink packaging matches the theme so =) . I like this BB Cream a lot. It tightens pores and smells really good.

Eyes: INGLOT Eyeshadow #362 (matte). Swatch here

Cheeks: Sleek Makeup Flamingo Blush.

Lips: Maybelline Superstay Lipstick Infinitely Fuchsia. Swatch here

Nails: Maybelline MNY My Varnish #264. Worn here 

Do you like this pairing idea? Let me know which colors you want me to do next. On my list is Green.

Happy Friday, everyone. Hope you have fun plans for the weekend. I'm trying to decide whether I should break my shopping ban today evening. H&M is calling out to me!

[I'm coming! Wait, no! I mean, yes! Ugh, I don't know.... shut up! No, sorry... wait!]

H&M: "Final call. Are you coming or not? Otherwise that blazer will be gone forever!" 

Me: "Umm.... I..... Wait, I know the answer.......I'm......."

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

NEW! Maybelline Clear Glow BB Stick

What's a BB Stick &  how is it different from Maybelline Clear Glow BB Cream?

 Flawless, radiant skin + 12hr shine control + 8 benefits in just 1 step!

1. Mineral clay formula guarantees 12hr shine control.
2. Contains Salicylic acid to manage combination & oily skin.
3. Provides a soft, matte and radiant finish.
4. Sweat-resistant and sebum - resistant formula leaves skin fresh all day.
5. Hides appearance of pores & imperfection.
6. Contains SPF 21/PA+++ that protects skin from sun damage.
7. Instantly evens skin tone.
8. Provides a power-light feel on skin. 

Price: Rs. 250. 

Available in 2 shades: 
1.Radiance
2. Fawn

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

NEW! Faces Makeup Brushes

FACES Cosmetics launches 10 new professional range of makeup brushes.

The brushes are made from selected natural hair along with the finest synthetic imitation soft hair to give you the desired results. Nurtured by leading technical expertise FACES, offers highest quality cosmetic brushes in an attractive packaging at a very competitive price giving you the best value for your money. The newly launched range encompasses a comprehensive range of brushes for the eyes, lips, cheeks and face owing to the longer service life and customized design.

Faces Foundation Brush, Rs.399

Faces Concealer Brush, Rs.249

Makeup For Shoe & Bow Addicts

WE WANT! WE WANT THEM ALL!

Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush

Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Bronzer

Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Glossy Stain

Physicians Formula's new products all look very tempting. Fabulous designs & packaging! This is surely one drugstore brand to look out for.

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

LOTD/OOTD: I Haven't Gone Shopping For 34 Days (and counting)

My shopping ban started last month when I decided to save for MAC Archies Girls Collection. I thought it would launch around Valentine's Day, but no. It did launch only online exclusively at Selfridges, but I want the thrill of buying them in stores. Touch all the products... swatch them.... die a little inside when something nice is too pricey.

Hence, shopping ban stretched further than expected.

Yes, I've bought hair & skin care products, but they don't count coz they're everyday necessities, and I got them at a supermarket with groceries.

I also bought shoes from Ebay. Those don't count either, because....because they don't count!

23rd Feb, Saturday: I planned to go only to Primark & Superdrug - I'll feed the hungry beast some small snacks before the meal, like a pair of earrings & 1 lipstick, I thought. BUT it snowed heavily. Plan cancelled.

24th Feb, Sunday: Fever & tonsils attack. I could hardly move from the couch. That's a message from the angrier beast.

So.... shopping plan moved to 1st March...... until.....

I called MAC store to ask about Archies Girls launch date, and they said 7th March. 

Now I have to wait till the 7th.

So altogether: No shopping for 42 DAYS! Beast, please! Try to understand!

Feeling Blue? Wear Yellow!

Sweater: Primark  |  Skirt: Nichii (Malaysian brand). It's the same skirt I wore in my birthday outfit post in 2011. I love it so much and have worn it so many times.  |  Inner Collared Black Shirt: Penny Lane  |  Tights: Primark Super Cosy Tights with fleece inside...LOVE! |  Earrings: Aldo Husselbee. Shown here  |  Bow Sunglasses: Ebay. Shown here.  

Favorite Makeup & Hair Oscars 2013

I have not watched the Oscars yet, and I won't coz I don't watch TV anymore (I mean cable), but seeing the hair & makeup always excite me- the good ones only.

This year, only 2 looks held my attention.....

Best Hairstyle ~ Maria Menounos. I just love love love this hairstyle. If I didn't have such a large forehead, I'd style mine like that all the time! How cute is the hairband with only a section of hair?! I never knew this person until now.

Best Makeup ~ Adele. She always looks gorgeous! Lipstick she's wearing looks very similar to Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick My Mahogany

Which Oscar '13 look was your favorite?

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

Trailer Of My New Makeup Video

I know, right? So dramatic I am. "Trailer" and all....haha! Nah.... actually, this is video editing practice and for me to see what mistakes (many many, I'm sure) I might have made in this one before I edit the final video. You know I've found video editing such a challenge before.

But ya, all my videos will always have trailers from now onwards. One thing I absolutely LOVE to do on Saturday evenings is watching trailers. I could watch them for 30-60 minutes straight when I'm looking for a good movie (read: horror/thriller) for the night. So, I thought... why not make my own trailers too?! Indulge my inner storyteller & director (Gosh, I hope you know I'm kidding.)

Hope you liked my amateurish Trailer & you're excited to watch the whole blockbuster! =D

Videos will be more regular this year. It has been one of my new year's resolutions for over a year! To tell you the truth, regular blogging was boring me a little bit....I don't know.... I guess I just needed a change...something new. You know, Gemini (and a little bit of Taurus) mentality.

Thanks to everyone who still subscribed to my channel even though there was only one video.

Cheers to new beginnings.....

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

Testing ~ New Skin & Hair Care Products

• Dove Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner ~ With Nutri-Oils & Argan Oil. Great for dry and damaged hair.
• Dove Nourishing Oil Care Express Treatment Conditioner, £1.59/ Rs.132 ~ This is a stronger version of the conditioner. The conditioner is a mixture of gold & white stripe.
• Clearasil Rapid Action Treatment Cream, £6/Rs.500 ~ "Reduces spot size & redness in just 4 hours" is a lie.
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, £11.05/Rs.918 ~ So very excited to try this one. I've got more pimples =[
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar  Astringent Lotion Micro-Exfoliant, £9.35/Rs.776 ~ Hope this will complement Effaclar Duo.
• L'Oreal Triple Active Re-Nourish Velvety Toner for Dry & Sensitive Skin ~ Not sure if this causes my combination skin to break out. I'm not willing to give up on it yet. It's pink!
• VO5 Plump It Up Volumising Spritz, £3.49/Rs.290 ~ Okay-ish plumpy.
• Batiste Dry Shampoo in Lace, £2.99/Rs.250 ~ Fab packaging & smells like a girly perfume.

Sorry, I have forgotten some of the prices.

For UK readers, La Roche-Posay products I purchased online from Escentual, where they're cheapest. Delivered in 2 days.

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

MAC Modesty Lipstick Review, Swatches & Dupe

Last year, I went into MAC to get a backup for Patisserie, but I got Modesty instead, because they looked similar. I'm so glad I did, coz I got to try another awesome nude lippie. I'm so into nude lipsticks at the moment.... I just want them all!

MAC Modesty is a Cremesheen lipstick that is described as a Muted Neutral Pink. It's opaque, creamy and never dries out my lips. I've always been a fan of Cremesheen finish, coz it's so low maintenance and doesn't leave your lips easily- even after eating & drinking. Many people say they smell nice, but I don't smell anything...only a faint beeswax-kind-of smell.

Price ~ Rs.990

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5/5

Sleek Oh So Special Palette Review & Swatches

For a long time after I got Sleek Oh So Special, I tried to put a finger on something that's not right about it. I stared at it....and pondered... but I couldn't figure it out. I put my photo alongside another photo from Google, then I saw it! The eyeshadows do not have the waffle design. Sheesh! I used to like that. I guess it's only done on limited edition palettes?

I'll let the pictures & swatches do most of the talking here. I'll just say that I love almost everything about this palette. I highly recommend it! There are festive shimmery shades, and there are everyday matte shades. If I had to pick one inexpensive/drugstore eyeshadow palette to gift to a friend, this is it. Cute shade names like Bow, Ribbon, Gift Basket & Celebrate make it all the more gift-worthy.