Thinking back, I don't think I have ever given any Maybelline base products a shot. I do own some of their powder compacts but those are still sitting pretty in the drawers. Oops.

There's no particular reason for it except I never really explored much of Maybelline, aside from some eyeshadows and lipsticks I had picked up eons ago. I dabbled with some of their mascaras but being picky, I never had much luck with those.

Though in this entry, I will be throwing out some brief pictures and product information for their new Clear Smooth BB Stick, along with some of my initial thoughts.

Did I love it, hate it? Well, you'll just have to read on!

Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick comes with an SPF factor of 21 PA+++. Though as a habit, I still reach for a separate sunscreen.

The information and clumps of text come printed with the clear plastic 'wrapping' the product so be sure to read or snap all you want before peeling it off!

Aside from SPF, this contains salicylic acid and also mineral clay, ingredients to help combat acne-prone skin. On top of that, this also comes with a whooping '8 Healthy Looking Skin Benefits'.

Though to be completely honest, these 8 points cover things like 'lesser visible pores', 'long lasting shine control' etc and seem more like product descriptions than rightful skin benefits.

The Clear Smooth BB Stick looks, feels and works very much like most stick foundations, gliding easily and smoothly over the skin. Despite the BB factor, this doesn't feel thick on at all.

To use, you simply uncap it, slide it over your skin and then blend! As a personal preference I blend it out with my fingers but you can choose to use a brush or sponge if you prefer.

I will share swatches on the skin and such in my proper review entry but for now, here's the product!

I received the Maybelline BB Stick in 2 different shades - 01 Fresh and 03 Radiance.

Inbetween them somewhere is 02 Natural, which I do not have to show. Though what confuses me is 01 Fresh and 02 Natural are displayed on the boards at our local drugstores and there seems to be no mention of 03 Radiance locally?

I will investigate and get back on that!

Regardless... Fresh is definitely the fairer of the two and appears to take on a pink tone while Radiance appears orange-y from the tube.

While bordering scary-orange at first, Radiance ended up swatching more skintone-like on me as compared to Fresh which was obviously too fair for me.

The BB Stick takes on a more light-weight approach to coverage and basing it from the back of the hand, they blend out almost invisible.

You almost can't tell where it starts or stops or rather you can't at all with a hand swatch.

However when I tried both shades out on my face (thinking, pshhh, they are so invisible I could pull both off), 01 Fresh gave me that 'fairer-face-than-neck' effect. So essentially, you should still grab something closer to what seems like your skintone though it need not be an outright match.

From an initial note,the texture of these made them amazing to work with. They glide on with the right slick without feeling greasy on, yet it doesn't dry and set immediately either, demanding you to blend fast. Upon blending, they smooth out to a powdery finish which might leave some ditching the idea of going over this with powder.

Thus far I have been using and absolutely loving this product (in the shade 03 Radiance).

With that, this marks my initial post about the Clear Smooth BB Stick with hand swatches and snippets about the product. I will be sharing a more indepth look at it, along with how I find it wears and how I prefer to use it shortly!

This product is available from July 2012 onwards at Maybelline standees / displays. More information on shades, prices and such in the review post to come!

For now, TGIF and thanks for reading!

Do you like using stick foundations?

Disclosure:
Products were provided to me for review consideration.
I am not affiliated to them and all opinions expressed are my own.

Hello! It's been awhile since a LOTD and this is definitely not one from today.

Today I am all bumpy and spotty due to a random outbreak of hives (first time getting this and it's scary shiz) so make up is out of the question for awhile. Though to put some light to the annoyingly itchy situation, I guess I would be able to get some entries drafted now that I am home. In between the being knocked out by the drowsy medication that is.

So back to the point, LOTD! Hurray!

Some things haven't changed despite the absence and I still love neutrals but this was the look I did for the recent Fashion Feature I posted.

Here are eye shots pre-falsies and I am actually a little disappointed with how this ended up photographing. The silver portion you see above is actually Giorgio Armani's Eyes To Kill in #10, that icy pale silver-blue.

In person it looks a lot blue-er and prettier but pity that doesn't translate to pictures.

Flash helps to capture that pale icy-ness a little better but still... some things are just prettier in person!

And on the falsies go!

These are no-brand ones I snitched from a girlfriend. She had a couple of those lash-boxes, I like to call it, and she handed me a couple of pairs.

I shall stop with feeling disappointed about how it doesn't show up right but you can see how GA ETK in #10 swatches to know how beautiful it is!

Products Used:

Face
Biore Aqua Rich UV Water Mousse
Elizabeth Arden Good Morning Serum
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
LUV Carat Long Last Face Powder in Natural Beige

Eyes
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Giorgio Armani eyes to kill #10
Mac Shadowy Lady Quad
28 color palette
Clio Professional Brush Liner
Mac PowerPoint liner in Engraved
Falsies (not sure what brand)
Dollywink volume mascara (lower lashes)

Cheeks
Mac MSF in Redhead

Lips
Savior faire lipstick in Miss You

Highlighted products were provided by companies/distributors,
I was not obliged to use/feature them in LOTDs.

On a sidenote, I am glad that my bangs are growing out into that no-bangs look that I had wanted to try. Though I realize that it seems to make me look more mature? Well, a colleague at my new workplace actually thought I was 25 and was shocked to find out that I am only 22. Boohoo.

But still, it's nice to be able to switch between mature and young-ish just by keeping or cutting bangs.

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Not many LOTDs of late as I haven't been actively rummaging through my makeup collection. A portion is stashed away in 'migration' and work has left me ignoring anything experimental, so this mildly dramatic look (so to speak) is a break away for me in terms of the past 2 makeup weeks. ha!

Though I will share some product features soon, once these icky red bumps leave me alone.

Thanks for reading!

p.s. Anyone had hives before? How long do they typically last for and any quick relief remedies? It's been on/off for half a day plus and ridiculously annoying. Never knew the importance of normal skin until I can't even sit or lie still due to this :(

Always on the look out for Cellulite creams to try, tummy reduction creams or the one that promises an enhanced bust? Well, we now have yet another brand to choose from and before you turn away, this brand has quite a repotoire and is known for flying off the shelves.

Here's introducing NIP + FAB, the idea of Nip Tuck without plastic surgery!

Founded by Maria Hatzistefanis, NIP + FAB (or said Nip and Fab) was created as a budget friendly alternative to cosmetic surgery and also high-end brands that claim the same nip/tuck effect without going under the knife.

One such example of a high-end brand is Rodial, which is actually the sister brand of NIP + FAB.

The main difference between Rodial and NIP + FAB, as we learnt, is that since Rodial is of a premium range it tends to contain more 'active ingredients' within. Despite that, NIP + FAB isn't lacking behind as the brand has a good amount of case studies and sales to prove their worth.

Let's have a look at what was shared during their cozy gathering.

While we don't get NIP + FAB's extensive range at one go, we are slowly eased into the brand with some of their best-selling body products.

Namely, Tummy Fix.

This is probably the reason why sweet confectionaries were so readily served during the event itself.

Well, jokes aside, Tummy Fix was said to have flown off the shelves the minute it was introduced to the USA in Target stores.

I will run through the body care / fixing products in a separate post but this is mainly an introductory one and a hello to NIP + FAB for entering our shores.

While this sounds pretty high-end, as with everything that comes into our market, you would be pleased to know that the folks who brought NIP + FAB in mentioned that (thus far) nothing will be over S$30!

NIP + FAB will be sold exclusively at Watsons for now and I believe it will only hit select Watsons outlets though I can't be sure.

To sweeten this already intriguing deal, there will be an exclusive introductory discount on NIP + FAB items in Watsons for the first month of their launch. I believe it is S$5 off the already rather budget friendly pricetag.

And just to give you an idea of what's to come for NIP + FAB in future, here's a look at the makeup / skincare range. This range will only join the NIP + FAB family in Singapore sometime in October but more updates about that in the near future!

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NIP + FAB will be available at Watsons and also on nipandfab.com.sg on the 5th of July (Thursday).

You can also follow the NIP + FAB team on Facebook and also Twitter for more updates!

Stay tuned for the slightly more product-informative entry if Nip + Fab has caught you eyes thus far and thanks for reading!

Aloha peeps!

I haven't been blogging a whole lot and it's taking me a wee bit longer to start my essays these days though that's not the only 'problem' I have been having.

I haven't done a Fashion Feature in a good while that I felt completely awkward infront of the camera again and was dodging stares from all the aunties and uncles but besides the point...

here's introducing My Fashion Affair!

They are a newly launched local blogshop and since they have just joined the scene, they don't have pages and pages of clothes but they do have very pretty pieces!

Majority of their current collections are top-focussed and their tops are the sort I love to wear - long, flowy, comfy yet still 'presentable'.

With Singapore's heat and me being a 'lazy' fashion person, I love pairing such tops with shorts for an easy and comfy attire to combat the temperature. Most of these tops can also be worn in more ways then one and different pairings will give you a different 'feel' of the outfit!

The web layout of My Fashion Affair resembles the livejournal feed so scroll through the link provided under the image to find the apparel (and perhaps browse the rest too!)

Let's have a look!

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[ For reference I am a UK6, 161cm ]

Live in Galaxy Top - Indigo (S$26)

Scroll through their debut collection, Living With Trend

I just about love the asymmetric hemline to this! While you could tuck this into a high-waisted shorts or skirt, I don't think I'll try that very much, just to show-off the hemline. I love how the shorter hem prevents this top from looking 'too long' or frumpy on my stature and yet it's long enough to seem dress-tunic-like.

It's quite sheer so you may want to wear a tank within if you prefer. This top is also available in black but I preferred the Indigo since it reflected the Galaxy feel a little more!

Tribal Tip Shift Top - Navy (S$27)

Scroll through their debut collection, Living With Trend

This top is a couple of my loves rolled into one - asymmetric-ness, tipped collars, layers!

While the top itself is a little sheer (as you can see), these flowy layers do help ensure the top portion isn't as see-through so you could go without a tank for this. Tipped collars are super fashionable right now and this top has one with a really intricately beautiful design.

This can be tucked in high waisted shorts or worn long though I feel it could be a wee bit 'long' for my height that way. One way of dressing this up is pairing it with leggings and heels for something slightly edgier.

This is also available in black and wine red.

Chirpy Dress - Tiffany Green (S$28)

Scroll through their mini collection, Time To Fly

I think this dress is absolutely adorable! It is available in Peach Pink and Pastel Yellow as well but obviously I chose the Tiffany Green color.

While I feel I don't have the right prep-ness or, you know, that 'look' to properly pull off a peter pan collar and make it look whimsical and cute, the dress itself is downright lovely.

For me, it's a good length and the inner lining makes it easy and comfy to wear. Though since the dress itself is chiffon, do beware in heavy winds. Still, I can't get over how adorable it is... look at those birds!

Last but not least! Here's an item that is currently not on their site but stated to launch Tuesday (3rd July)!

80's Polka Dot Top - Navy (S$29)

This top also comes with a skinny orange belt.

It has a U-lined hem and also pockets which you can utilize if you intend to wear it the comfy 'hung out' way.

When I first saw this top I didn't think too much about it but as it turns out, it's really verstaile on! it looks good tucked into high-waisted shorts and also can be worn all hung out as if it really were a dress. Due to the U-shaped hemline, do wear shorts even if you are wearing it hung out. On me, it does flash the edges of my shorts when I move around so I wouldn't say it's completely dress-length.

While this isn't out just yet, a preview of My Fashion Affair's second collection (Retro Summer) is already up!

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And so that wraps up my long-time-no-see Fashion Feature entry!

I'm really glad to have these tops in my stash, especially now that I have taken to hand washing my own apparels, these are a dream! They drip dry by the next morning and barely any ironing is involved after (let gravity do the work). Easy peasy!

So do check out My Fashion Affair's website and also drop by their Facebook page for updates and previews!

Thank you for reading!

Disclosure:
Clothes were provided by My Fashion Affair - I am not affiliated to them.
All opinions expressed are my own.