Does Foundation and BB Cream Clog Your Pores?

This article was originally posted at http://aichakubeautification.blogspot.com. If you see it anywhere else without credit, the content is stolen without permission.

A couple of months ago, I found my skin getting really awful. I had clogged pores, dehydrated yet oily skin, plenty of pimples and at one point I even eczema on my face! Things got better after I restarted using the Jurlique sensitive skincare range. However, my pores were still getting clogged up despite numerous de-clogging efforts (eg. extraction, masking, scrubbing etc).

In December, I started on my 1-month sabbatical leave from work. I was basically home most of the time, working on projects and left the house only 2-3 times a week for spots of shopping, and 2-3 hour classes. As a result, I only wore my sunblock and a light dusting of face powder when I went out.

Guess what happened?

Yep, my skin is no longer clogged! I don't even feel the need to mask and scrub 2-3 times a week.

I'm now thinking it must be the BB Cream and foundation that was clogging up my pores!

When I first came across BB cream, I thought it was the miracle solution. Skincare and makeup in one! In fact, some BB cream felt like they were doing pretty good stuff on my skin. Add to that the fact that I was religiously double-cleansing my skin to thoroughly remove makeup, I thought everything was going well. I certainly did not expect that BB cream and foundation would cause problems like clogged pores.

What do you think about this?

This article was originally posted at http://aichakubeautification.blogspot.com. If you see it anywhere else without credit, the content is stolen without permission.

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My Guerlain Ombre Eclat 4 Couleurs "Collection"

Apologies: I used to put prices as a service for those who wanted to know, but I no longer do it. ^__^ Wanted to give you something new and nicer to look at, (rather than my ugly skin in my previous post!) so here's a picture-intensive post. :D I tried out Guerlain last year, starting with the Meteorites, then later their eyeshadow and other base makeup. I loved all their makeup products, but especially became hooked on the soft texture, sheer but buildable pigment and classy colour combinations of Guerlain's Ombre Eclat 4 Couleurs eyeshadow palettes. They are very work-friendly yet also able to create interesting, striking eye looks. The palettes quickly multiplied into this bunch that you see in this post today. I love using them on a daily basis. I've purchased every one of these at a discount but I confess I'd be willing to part with my money for the limited edition palettes at full price if need be. Recently, I picked up one of their blush as well. I really enjoy Guerlain's beautifiul packaging as well as the quality of the products. I'll just leave you with the photos. Hope you enjoy them. :D

Perles Des Mers 405 (Ltd); Paradis Exotique 404 (Ltd)

Violette Du Soir 461; Rose Boise 460

Bal De Minuit 407 (Ltd)

Bronze Dore 481

Jeu D'Ombrelles 408 (Ltd); Cherry Blossom 07 Blush Eclat (Ltd)

Cherry Blossom 07 Blush Eclat (Ltd)

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A Random Mid-week Post About Cupcakes & Stuffs

Apologies: I used to put prices as a service for those who wanted to know, but I no longer do it. ^__^ Hello. To begin this post: some cupcake porn. Chocolate cupcake, chocolate ganache glaze and whipped cream from a can, with sprinkles and such. Chocolate-chip cupcake, with honey-cream cheese frosting. Hmmm, the frosting looks abit too oily in the photo, maybe it's the honey? Son didn't like this flavour, even after adding a tonne of sprinkles, which justifies getting an electric mixer to make some buttercream frosting. ^_^ Baking, together with coffee and rice are the main barriers to my efforts to be healthier and eat more raw foods. Erm, key-word being "effort" ie. "trying". LOL. Now, for just some random talk about some beautification things, to get us over the middle of the work-week. My current favourite BB Cream is SkinFood Mushroom BB Cream. First time I bought only 1, I didn't expect to like it so much. Later, I bought doubles back from each of my trips to Korea. It costs too much here in Singapore. I'm down to just half of my last tube. I didn't expect to finish it so soon! T_T I still have alot of other base makeup to use but I have been happy with the convenience of the BB cream and neglected the rest. Maybe this is a great excuse to head to Seoul soon? Haha. I'd rather pay the air ticket, eat some nice Korean food, and shop in Seoul than buy BB Cream at Singapore SkinFood stores. (Caveat: I will only go to Seoul, not likely to venture outside Seoul again.) It has a nice texture, not too thick but good enough coverage for me, spreads evenly and easily with my fingers, great hydration but not too oily and also not too matte. Plus it's a good nice match for my skin tone. I like the smell too. Some herbal-ly, aloe-y scent. I purchased this Etude House Black Head Final Kit in Korea. I'm not sure about the price here in Singapore. Anyway, you're supposed to soak a cotton pad with the lotion and let it sit on your nose for about 10-15 minutes, so that your embedded blackheads will rise to the top and you can wipe it away. After which, you put on the pore-tightening cream. Well, forget about this set. It's pure rubbish. It did seem to make my skin smoother, which I think is the work of the pore-tightening cream, but I didn't feel any blackheads coming out of my pores. I think Etude is more for the young girls in Korea, if I'm not wrong, so sometimes I find the products are not too good for me. It might work better for the younger ladies. One of the books I'm dipping into once in a while is The New Science of Perfect Skin written by a scientist who has developed and tested products for brands like Estee Lauder and Loreal. It's a pretty good book with a nice balance of science, facts and personal opinion. Downside is that it's US/Euro-centric, with few Asian products or companies mentioned. So far, the only Japanese company discussed was Biore. Do check it out, it's published in 2008 so it's fairly current.

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Kanebo Makeup Event (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my Kanebo experience on Saturday. I forgot to post this freebie. Another bag. :D So, after the skin analysis, the Kanebo makeup artist (MA) from Japan, recommended me the Spring eye palette 01 as it's natural enough for work but also brighter than the other natural palette, 05. I also said I didn't want any pinks/purples as I already have too many such palettes. I eventually bought SA Eyes 01. One of the few orange/brown combinations that seem to work on me. Here are the colours seen on my eyes, done by the MA. Sorry for the surprised look. I was looking up and this is the best photo that shows the makeup. Shine Drape Rouge RS252 and Lip Essence Base. Lips Essence Base is slightly pinkish and moisturising. Here're the colours on my lips with lip pencil drawn by the MA. I seldom apply my lipstick so thick, but it looks kinda nice and plump, doesn't it? The Coffret D'or packagining is very sweet as usual.

The MA provided me many useful makeup tips which I would like to share with you.

1. She told me that since I have brown eyes, I should use brown mascara and brown liner, which she used in the above eye makeup. According to her, brown will emphasize and enlarge my brown eyes more than black. This surprised me and also the SAs. I've always been told I should use black everything since it's darker and will draw more attention to the eyes! I guess the SAs have been using themselves as the basis for recommendation and didn't notice my eye or skin colours at all.
2. The MA said to I should use a lipliner because my lips are thin and very pale. It would help to bring more emphasis to my lips. So those of you with pale and thin lips, would find this a useful tip. I didn't buy the Coffret Dor liner, it's too expensive, perhaps I'll find a cheaper substitute from Fasio or Majolica.
3. I was also told to use eyebrow powder at the start of the brow and only use a pencil to lengthen the end of the brow. This was because the MA felt I have strong upper features and the lighter touch of eyebrow powder is better. I think when she said strong, she probably meant prominent? I don't know.

Additional story, she kept saying I look like Narumi Yasuda, who is "a beautiful star" ... Erm??!!!??? Hahaha everyone there (ie. the SAs and me) didn't know who was Narumi Yasuda. I was in particular extremely incredulous and laughing so hard because I really doubted I looked like a beautiful actress. I think the MA felt she must convince me, so she wrote a note and told me to check it. Here's her note, she's so cute! Her handwriting is so cute too. Anyway I checked, there are very few photos of Narumi Yasuda online but from what I saw, Narumi Yasuda is muuuuch prettier than I can possibly be!! I am nowhere close to her! I don't have a narrow face like her nor is my nose as small and sharp. Maybe the MA thought my eyes were similar? But in any case I felt the MA's advice were all very useful and I took note of all of it. I hope you find these tips of some use, especially if you have brown eyes and "strong" cheeks/eyes/brows. I certainly felt I learnt something, especially how the MA madeup my eyes, even my son felt I looked really nice that day. Keke. © Copyright. All rights reserved.

The Difficulty of Choices and Choosing

An interesting question I saw on Musings of a Muse blog:

Choose one single makeup brand to buy from for all time.

For me, for a start, I'll narrow down my choice to a Japanese brand. Choosing a Japanese brand is safe, in a way because after all, each brand puts out so many different lines, you'll never be stuck with just one range of makeup. I'm cheating. I know. I haven't been exploring makeup for long. Honestly, it's the truth. Maybe in the past, I didn't get so much into makeup, because I had been using Western brands, which I realise today, don't really do anything for me at all. So, I was never a makeup person, until recently when I explored and discovered the joys of Japanese makeup brands. I have come to prefer makeup put out by the Japanese brands. At this point, I love Maquillage's 3D range so much, I could settle for Shiseido, but it's a tough fight because I also like the makeup that Kanebo puts out, eg. Coffret D'or and Lunasol. Even though I use Mac's powder and Legere's BB cream, I know that both Shiseido and Kanebo do put out great base makeup, so I'll never be in want either. So it's a hard decision, but at this time, by gut instinct, Shiseido wins. If I had to choose, I'd choose Shiseido. Mostly because I feel their colours and base makeup would suit me and my style better. I may regret it, because there is so much good stuff put out by Lunasol, but still, I'll go with Shiseido, today, at this time. What about you? © Copyright. All rights reserved.

Inner Beauty & Health Is Much More Important

Yesterday, I bumped into someone who hasn't seen me for some time. He took a long look at me and said, "You look very tired." My first reaction was to think of how much effort I had put into trying to do my make up and hair. So, my first instinct was disappointment, that someone would actually notice how tired I was, instead of saying how pretty I looked. Hahaha. *Bitter laugh* Well, anyway, since we were at the office lift lobby, I told him, in front of several other people, "That's good. It means I'm working hard." Duh. I'm so sad at my lousy retorts. I can only think of good come-back lines after the fact. Still, I wonder how much of our external beautification efforts really pay off, if we are in fact actually physically and mentally run-down? On another note, I've recently been noticing bag charms from companies like Coach and LV. I really like them alot but don't want to pay so much for a bag charm. I've done google and ebay searches but haven't come up with any nice alternative finds. I'd really love to find some nice ones. If you know any places to buy, let me know please? I'm still searching for the perfect bag, but I've come to think there's probably no such thing! I'll write more on that later. © Copyright. All rights reserved.

Random Mutterings

1. Ugh, I forgot to put on mascara today!
2. Concealor application looks slightly better ...
3. Blush still looks faint ... maybe I'm just a "natural" makeup person...
4. Stuck my eyeshadow brush into the mini-ziplock and tried using Mixology's Armor eyeshadow without spillage. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! So sheer but pigmented enough to see the colours (my type of thing). Not powdery at all (will try to do proper review with swatches soon) ... . I'm so going to try every colour then buy more in full-size quantities hahaha!!
5. My timing sucks! I never do know exactly when John Little's Stardust is having it's 20% storewide discount!! Why don't they send me the mailers? I seldom receive Robinson's mailer on time and none of John Little's mailers at all, despite being a Robinson's Card member.

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Bobbi Brown Make Up Session #1

I went for my first Bobbi Brown makeup session today at Isetan Scotts Bobbi Brown counter. Basically I wanted to get the Makeup Artist to help me find the right concealor-corrector-brightener combination. I tell you, she's fantastic! I keep forgetting to ask her name though. It's just lucky that every time I go to the counter, she's there. She's a very small and cute young lady with short hair. Very friendly and helpful, with an unassuming air. The first session includes Skin Care, Foundation-Powder, Concealor and Blush. Well anyway, she put on a corrector for me and then a concealor on one eye. And I tried it for myself on the other eye. And I learnt that I am really using too little. She told me I need to use more and not be afraid to use more. I realise it's not just the colour or the product but the skill in application as well. So I really need to practise. The combination she used on me really works but still a little darkness shows through and she said, "You can conceal but if it's really dark, it can't really all go away." Still, it's better than anything I've done myself. I am still undecided if I should spend money on a corrector ... hahaa ... I've overspent during Christmas. I will try practising with what I have first then think abit more about whether to buy the corrector. I might end up getting it in a few days because I have a $10 voucher from Isetan I could use to off-set the price. When she put on the blush for me, I also realised I've been just using too little blush! And pink really suits me more ... Furthermore, today, I realised brown eyeshadow makes my eyes look worse! I always thought natural is better for me, but I now realise brighter colours like lilac, purple and blue freshen up my look and neutralise my dark, heavy lidded eyes. It's good, I learnt so much! Sigh... I just bought a couple of Bobbi Brown neutral-brown palettes. What do I do now? Grrr. © Copyright. All rights reserved.

New Revelations on Majolica Majorca Neo Automatic Liner

I am not all that happy with my Majolica Majorca items anymore. Photo of my eye at the end of the day: dated 24 Dec 08. Majolica Majorca Automatic Neo Liner Never used to wear makeup often so perhaps I never noticed it, but the Majolica Automatic Neo Liner flakes off in small bits and dot my eyes. I need to look for another liquid/gel liner. Pencil liners smudge and fade very fast, no matter how water/smudge proof they claim to be, so they are out for me. Maybe I'll go look for something, make good use of the post-Christmas sales. Side note: You probably can't see my liner in the photo. Due to the shape of my eyes, I purposely draw the liner on the eyelash line only and no higher, just to define my eyes a little and also give the illusion of thicker lashes. I don't like the harsh look of a thick dark line of eyeliner. I'm quite grouchy-looking so it doesn't do well to make my eyes look fiercer ... Majolica Majorca Limited Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara in Golden Brown I like using Majolica's Limited Lash Gorgeous Wing Mascara in Golden Brown as a coat over any other mascara I'm wearing to add some sparkle, but sometimes too much of it comes off the brush, then it clumps and leaves a powdery white look on my lashes. Wearing it on it's own is still ok, so it's not a big loss. Eye Brightener and Concealor As you can see, I botched the brightener-concealor application that day. The eyes look so bright ... and yet the darkness at the corner is still so apparent. Feel quite hopeless about this. © Copyright. All rights reserved.

Bobbi Brown Haul

After work today, I returned That Darned Bling Bling Bag and got a refund. Then I walked to another department store and bought these from Bobbi Brown. Ohoh I seriously don't know how to save money, do I? So, now I'm a Bobbi Brown Club member and I have 6 free makeup lessons to attend! I never knew this, but if you spend SG$150 you can become a club member and receive these makeup lessons: (1) Beautiful skin, (2) Perfect brow, (3) Everything about eyes, (4) Natural blush, (5) Perfect lip, (6) Conceal and cover up and finally a complimentary Makeover or Brow Grooming. Nice huh? On top of this, if you gather 500 points ($1 per point), you get a lifetime membership and can redeem stuff from your points. Cool. The SA showed me a better way to apply the brightener and concealor (I have a separate report on this that will be coming up in the next post). And, I totally love the palette and lip gloss! They are so me, so terribly colourless and monotonous, aren't they? Left on my own, I'm sure I'll use them in such a way that no one knows I'm using any makeup at all. Ugh, the bane of my life! I hope I have the time to go for these classes and learn some updated makeup styles. A little personal history: When I was 18, just after Junior College (our equivalent of American High Schools), my parents sent me for a grooming class, so I can walk, talk, eat and dress properly (ie. know how to be a nice in society). LOL!! Though I graduated well enough from that, I think my personality is too strong and I never did get into the highly-groomed woman role, preferring a more natural style. It's only recently that I find myself revisiting the idea of looking more polished. Finally, I have some news to share. I was at the Kose counter at Takashimaya and found out something. This might be old news to Kose fans in Singapore, but the SA told me Esprique will be coming to Singapore sometime next year! Yeah! © Copyright. All rights reserved.

Morning Musings

• I'm returning That Darned Bling Bling Bag!!
• Using Lunasol's blush (Contrasting Cheeks N Soft Silver Blush) from the Party Coffret: It's beeeeautiful on me! The first blush I like!! Ever! I always hate blush because I don't really like too much colour on my face. I thought plums suit me better for a natural look but this is one gorgeous sheer, natural colour that brightens my face and freshens me up. I need to rethink my blush colour choices.
• Putting on a peachy-pink concealor combination of Mac and Bourjoir then adding more eye gel on top to remove/prevent cakiness (tip from Benefit SA) seems to help, but I still can' t get rid of the supreme darkness residing in the inner botton corners of my eyes. Shall go look at Bobbi Brown's eye brightener today - wish me luck - hope the SA is good and not haughty like the one I spoke to on Sunday.

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The Buy to End All Buys

Had to pop by the Benefit Friends and Family sale at Mariott today. Since I got the news from several sources, I thought it must be a sign that I should go! There was very little left for sale. I'm guessing it's because it's the 2nd day of the sale but I still manage to pick these up: Lust Duster in GoGo Girl and Snow Bunny (very shimmery! SG$25plus each), and Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Stiletto (lovely deep plum at SG$18). I think they're quite cheap, normally selling at much more ... perhaps these are going to be discontinued ... Since I was in town, I stopped by Watson's Ngee Ann City to get more mascara and ended up receiving a makeup look from the SA with the BR788 palette. The eye makeup looked very dark and shimmery in person and I liked the colours but I wasn't comfortable with all the thick smudgy eyeliner on the top and bottom. I looked really stern! But I liked how my lashes curled up and the way she used a gold pencil to colour my inner eyes. So I purchased almost everything she used on my eyes: the BR788 palette (which I didn't get the other day), another of the limited christmas mascara that I love so much, the pencil and the Lash Bone mascara base. I didn't know about it, but there was a discount at Watsons for using my Amex card, and I received these freebies (and a pink umbrella too, that I didn't include in this photo) from the Watson's gifts with purchase (umbrella and cotton) and lucky draw promotion (1 draw for every SG$30 spent) that was going on this weekend. "Plush!", the pink box in the photo, is another collagen drink powder. I'm keen to try it! I'm so sold on the benefits of collagen drinks. Seems like it was one of the "better" lucky draw gifts, because the girl said, "WAH!" when my son helped me draw that one. Cool. There was a DJ at Watsons talking about the promotions and also about Majolica Majorca. He repeatedly said, "If you want to look like 15 to 30 years old, you should try Majolica Majorca!!" It made me feel rather silly for trying out MM stuff, like it's meant only for very young girls. And yet, is 30 really in the same category of young as 15?? It doesn't make sense, this age group he keeps mentioning. And he was so freaking loud! Is there no noise control in Singapore shopping centres?? Well, anyway, I'm thinking this ought to be my final purchases for now. I should start an austerity drive in December! And I want to leave my eyebrows to grow crazy, then go for an eyebrow shaping. © Copyright. All rights reserved.

Weird Eye Makeup Tutorial

By the way, don't you feel this is such a weird eye makeup tutorial? It's in Chinese (from a popular Taiwanese TV programme) and shows how to make eyes look equally large. See how the teacher tells us to draw the eyeliner: She's doing it on the top of the eyelid, which seems really unnatural to me. I've got a colleague who does her eye makeup this way, and when she closes her eyes, you can see a white patch between the liner and the edge of the eyelid. Is this really an acceptable way to draw your eyeliner? I can see this teacher is telling us to fill in the space with dark eyeshadow. Still, I wonder though, © Copyright. All rights reserved.