icyabstract makeup

LOTD: Pre-Valentines Day (+ outfit)

icyabstract — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:38:36 SGT

This year, Valentines Day falls on the same day as Chinese New Year so my boyfriend and I decided to celebrate Valentines Day a little earlier.
For those who don't celebrate CNY, the reason we can't celebrate Vday on the same day is because there are like customs and stuff planned out to do on CNY. Such as relative-visiting and all so it's pretty difficult to celebrate Vday on the same day.

Of course by celebrate we don't mean any extravagant. Sure some couples may be romantic and pull out all the stops with Valentines Day celebrations but we kind of consider ourselves 'old-timers' though we've only been together for about.. close to 3 years? A nice dinner out and walking around a little is satisfying enough for the both of us.

In the mood of Valentines Day, I busted out some pink (and some of you know how I feel about pink..). Though it photographs a little purple-ish.

Products Used:
FACE
Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel (primer)
Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation in Sand Beige
Revlon Translucent Powder (to set)

EYES
Urban Decay Primer Potion
(don't remember the eyeshadow combination)
MAC Powerpoint Liner in Engraved
Magical Tannsu Gel Liner in Rose Jelly
88 Color Palette (bright hot pink to set Rose Jelly Liner)
Majolica Majorca Lash Bone Primer
L'ancome Fatale Mascara

CHEEKS
MAC Mineralized Blush in Conjure Up
Magical Tannsu Contour/Foundation Palette

LIPS
ELF Mineral Lipstick in Natural Nymph
MAC Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks

I'm going to admit, this was a 'I don't know what I am going to do' look. Which explains why I can't remember the eyeshadow shades used.
What I mean is, I start out without a clue what sort of a look I want and just randomly add eyeshadows until I am satisfied. Does anyone else do this at times as well?

Oh and it may seem like I have lined my upper lash line with just the colored liner, but in actual fact I lined the colored liner just above a black liner. Mainly because I still want definition from the black liner but wish to add a pop of color on the lid.

As for my outfit, this was what I wore:

(using the full length mirror in my parent's room)

I wanted to pair it with heels but felt there was no need to dress up that much so I wore black pumps/ballet flats instead.
The dress is from Hot Miami Styles. It was one of the items that came in my HMS package. I haven't gotten around to wearing all the outfits and taking photos yet so that's why I haven't posted anything about it, but here's a preview on one of the items!

And here are some shots from our dinner (:

That is all!
Happy advanced Valentines Day, it doesn't matter if you have a date or not, it's all about sharing love with people who love you too!
And also a Happy Chinese New Year~ (恭喜发财!) irregardless if you celebrate it or not, it's all part of the festive season (:

Thank you so much for reading!

Disclaimer:
Dress featured here was sponsered by Hot Miami Styles.
The decision to wear and feature it is my own. I am certainly not getting paid for it.

Haul: Catching up on MAC

icyabstract — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:59:13 SGT

Before I start, I want to say this is a super old collective haul (as you would be able to tell from the items). I just haven't posted it up because I keep procrastinating on resizing and watermarking the photos. Why I even procrastinate something as simple as this? I have no idea...

But that's not the point, the stuff I got here are straight off the MAC counter (finally!).

The first purchase was back with the Dsquared, Style Black collections era.

From Dsquared I picked up the Lip Erase in Dim. This isn't quite a limited edition product, but it is a PRO product.

I never planned to get this while browsing the Dsquared collection online since most MAC Lip Erase reviews are kind of neutral. I have no idea why I eventually got it. Maybe it's just this subconscious magnetism to nude lips that I have...
Though I would say in terms of products to conceal lips and all, I still prefer my Canmake one over this.

Since we're talking about lip stuff, the next item I got is from the MAC Style Black collection:

MAC Glimmer Glass in Bling Black - the one with gold shimmer

Another "I have no idea why I got it, but I did" product. I guess it's just too unique and different to pass up. I got this over the other two shades because (I think?) this was the one that MakeupByTiffanyD said it was sort of the prettiest and most obvious on.T

This next item I had actually plan to get because first of all, it's a blush and second of all, it's a mineralized blush. Does that not scream "must get"? (:

Mineralized blush in Conjure Up - from the Magic, Mirth & MIschief Collection.

This blush actually have some mauvey tones to it though it isn't showing up very much in the photo. It seems to compare slightly to the solid size of Grand Duo, a previously released MAC Mineralized blush from the Grand Duos collection.

So this next haul some of you are familiar with because it was done during the Blogger Meet Up around christmas last year.

It's the MAC 223 brush, which is not from the permanent line.

It's kind of a funny story, but long story short, Sophia (retail_therapy) spotted this brush and we were talking about how we've never seen it before and how it was like the MAC 222 but brown. So we returned the brush to the glass jar, and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Next thing you know, I had it in hand and was paying for it. ~sigh, my weakness with brushes.

Oh and I did a quick google search on this brush since when I asked, the MA said it was being re-promoted in a recent collection, but I have no idea which collection it is! Last I checked it was promoted in a 2007 collection called Raquel Welch? Someone enlighten me.

Comparing this to the MAC 222, I would say this isn't as stiff. So while the 222 is a good crease color brush, the 223 would be a good blending brush. The 223 is also reported to be great for applying concealer with, especially since it has synthetic bristles, though I haven't tried.

And that is my belated haul! I anticipate very few constructive entries coming up soon due to the school workload so bear with me for a bit (:
Thank you for reading!

Tutorial (past LOTD): Purple-Hued Navy

icyabstract — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:03:39 SGT

If you have ace memory, you would realize that I don't have a past LOTD
that was titled Purple-Hued Navy.
So why is this a past LOTD? Well it's because I renamed it to best suit the tutorial outcome.

The LOTD entry is titled Royal Blues, but I figured that the end result does not resemble a Royal Blue so much, hence the decision to name it something more appropriate. I had also taken better photos since in the LOTD entry I took photos using my Mac's Photobooth.

Click here to see Original LOTD

Products Used:
EYES
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- Silky Girl Blockbuster Quad in Smokey Charm
- Revlon 12 Hour Colorstay in Sultry Smoke
- Revlon 12 Hour Colorstay in Nude Elements
- 28 Color Palette
- MAC Powerpoint Liner in Engraved
- Lancome Fatale Mascara

CHEEKS
MAC Blush in Eversun
ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance

LIPS
NYX Round Lipstick in Circe
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Raisin Glaze

Click the link below to watch the tutorial:

YOUTUBE// Tutorial: Purple-Hued Navy (LOTD)

Thanks for reading (:

Another Nude Lippie (Make Up Store haul)

icyabstract — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 03:43:45 SGT

In my words, you can never have too many nude lipsticks!

This particular shade had caught my eye during the Blogger Xmas Gathering (sometime last year) when we had gone into the Make Up Store to shop around, or in my case swatch around. For some reason, I had passed on picking this up. I have this habit of really liking something but not picking it up on the first visit, how strange...

So yesterday I went by the Make Up Store again and I couldn't help myself but venture inside to haul.

Seriously though, I should branch out a little more and explore other lip colors, but till then, here's another nudist ;)

Make Up Store lipstick in Invisible - Matt finish
I made sure to check the finish this time. The last lipstick I had gotten from the Make Up Store was a 'sheer' and while it's pretty, it's sheer.

Looking at the lipstick from the tube I thought it looked rather similar to this other nude lipstick that I have raved countlessly about....
NYX's Round Lipstick in Circe.

Here's how they compare:

(excuse the funky nails, they are going to be taken care of, don't worry.)

Circe is noticeably a little lighter. Maybe not so much from the 'wall' of the lipstick but you can tell that the inside of the lipstick of Circe is a little ligher then Invisible. If that made sense.

Here's a lipswatch, comparing it with my bare lips to show you how the color shows up.

My bare lips

Swatch of the lipstick.

As you can see it's not a complete dead-nude, it has a tinge of peachiness in it (which Circe does not quite have). I actually really like how it wears and if you have noticed, it's not matt at all! I don't mind that though seeing as matt lipsticks can often be a chore to work with. I chose the matt finish purely on the basis that it would have a better color pay-off. I would say the finish of this is sightly similar to MAC's Creamsheens or Amplifieds. It's not exactly the same, but the closest comparison I can think of.

Oh and I forgot to mention, this liptick costs SGD29, it's a dollar more then MAC, for reference.

I don't know how I can get so rambly in a 1 item haul entry, but I think that should be all.
Thank you so much for reading!

When I am stress... I haul.

icyabstract — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:22:08 SGT

Which might explain the slight influx of hauls, When I get stressed out (usually from school) I end up seeking solace in either food or retail therapy. Though I don't have time to hit the stores, I manage to do it via the interwebz. Though when I get stress and I don't have time at all to surf, that's a totally different story and a very sad one at that.

But anyway these packages came a day apart, but since I knew I was going to receive them at about the same time I waited to do a collective haul entry. For some reason it seems like I am very home bound. If you have noticed all my recent haul entries are packages... I feel so reliant on the internet.

Package #1

I had bought these items from icefrost though It's a long story how I ended up buying from her. Well it's not that long but it can get rambly. ha. So yes I am back with my self-tanning mania. Even though I have a great self-tanning product that I love, I can't help but venture out and try more.

This package came in yesterday so I have tried the Coppertone Sunless Tanner out. It does produce a subtle tan effect, not entirely obvious but you can see a slight color change with just one application.

What surprised me was the product came out white, like a regular lotion.

I guess I had been too used to self tanners that come with a bronzer quality to them, this one is purely a gradual tanning lotion. The lotion does smell really good though, before the self tanner scent kicks in.

She was also really sweet to send me a little freebie

Getil Lentil Solid Shampoo sample from Lush. Absolutely cannot wait to try this out!

So that was the first package, moving on to the second one...

Package #2

Just got this one in today. Exciting~

A big thanks to Lin for informing me about this website that had a spree an ongoing ELF spree (and they still do, it's like massive spree website).

The main reason for me placing this order would have to be this lipstick:

Their Mineral Lipstick in Natural Nymph.

This was one of the shades that Lollipop26 had raved about not too long ago. The minute I saw the swatch of this or even the product picture on her blog, I knew that by hook or by crook I had to get my hands on it. Why? Just cause it's a nude lipstick (:

When looking at the lipstick in person, it reminds me a lot of MAC's Creme D'Nude. I whipped my Creme D'Nude out and did a group shot.

They look quite similar when placed along-side each other, but here's a lipswatch of Natural Nymph.

I find that this is more of a nude then Creme D'Nude is. I think it might be because Creme D'Nude is a bit pinkier on... or it just has a little more life to it. This is actually really pale!
I do like the texture of it, it's nice and smooth on though for this particular shade I think you need to work at getting it on. It's not something you can throw on and run out. You have to make sure it's sitting right and you didn't miss a spot, get rid of the 'lipstick-line', that sort of a thing. The color is really nice but not something I would wear on it's own. I think even for me, it's too much of an extreme nude and I look sick (like ill-sick) with it alone.

Next I picked up some single eyeshadows just to try out, since I was making an order.

Wild Wheat

I searched for swatches of the eyeshadows before purchasing and Wild Wheat was probably one of the shades that everyone says not to get because it doesn't show up. Not that the pigmentation sucks, it's just so much of a skintone shade that it's doesn't show up well, geddit? Personally, that is exactly the eyshadow shade I was looking for. Like with my Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow, I wanted something that was nude on and skintoned with a nice pretty sheen.

Next eyeshadow shade I got was:

Mystic Moss

I got this because I thought it was quite a unique shade. It's like a grey at some angles and a moss green at others, really pretty!
Here are some swatches:

Non existent Wild Wheat... but you see the sheen!

So that's my little stress relief bundle right there. I would be lying if I said this is it... but this the bulk of it! ;)

Right so as usual I'm goint to go rush and get ready for my night classes, thank you all for reading!

LOTD: Royal Blues (+ outfit)

icyabstract — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:09:03 SGT

Very appropriate title, no? With the back to school/work dread. It could just be me trying to make too much of a connection here.
This was yesterday's Look of the Day and I am posting it late because I totally forgot about it after I got home yesterday

Hoping on the bandwagon, I had donned a simple blue smokey eye.
For those who don't get what I mean by 'bandwagon', it's because recently I've seen a number of youtube gurus suddenly doing tons of blue tutorials. Not sure if it is a rising trend. In my defense, it wasn't really a conscious decision of mine to use blue eyeshadow. I just took the shadows out, applied them and before you know, here I am supporting the masses.

But anyway, here's the look.
Because I was rushing to head out the house I couldn't take shots of these with my camera so you'll have to make do with crappy mac photobooth quality photos. It wasn't a very complicated look. Just blue and blended, so the idea is there (:

Products Used:
FACE
- Silky Girl 02 Foundation
- Revlon Loose Powder (to set)

EYES
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- Silky Girl Blockbuster palette in Smokey Charm (blue shade)
- Revlon Colorstay quad in Sultry Smoke
- Revlon Colorstay quad in Nude Elements (highlight shade)
- Rhomlon e/s in black
- 28 color palette
- MAC powerpoint liner in Engraved
- Covergirl Lash Blast

CHEEKS
- MAC Powder blush in Eversun
- ELF healthy glow bronzing powder in Luminance

LIPS
- NYX Round Lipstick in Circe
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Raisin Glaze

As for the outfit, i threw on a really simple and comfy attire.
I thought to wear a jacket since it was a rather chilly day out yesterday and because I was heading to the cinema, might as well.

Initially I had the jacket zipped up like so, but just before I left, I decided to leave it unzipped. Mainly because the jacket kept pulling my blouse up and also the blouse sticking out seemed a little odd. In the picture it looks fine but that's because I adjusted it and all. If I were to walk around for a little, it'll start to get weird.

Awkward posing ftw~

I need to get a full length mirror. Hitting the 'take a photo' button and running into position in 3 seconds is quite stressful. haha!

Breakdown of my attire:
Jacket - From EDC (this haul)
White blouse - Cotton On
Leggings - the one from Hong Kong (grey pair)
Shoes (not pictured) - Converse, the regular cream white pair.

My outfits seem rather standard. Jacket + Leggings.
If only Singapore were a litle colder, I so wouldn't mind that...
But that is all, it's time for me to start getting ready for school if I don't want to be late for class.
Afternoon classes are quite awesome cause you get to sleep in, yet it's so hard to peel yourself away from the comfort of home.

Thank you all so much for reading!

Review: Canmake Lip Concealer

icyabstract — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:50:45 SGT

Sorry guys no little write-up, but here are some photos, the review video and also the rating system.
Even if I don't have time for the write-up, the rating system is a total must! (:

Overall Rating: Fail / Pass / Merit / Distinction / High Distinction

Pigmentation: 5/5
Texture: 5/5 (the texture is the main reason why I LOVE this product)
Packaging: 3.5/5 (because some of the tubes might get 'jammed' and can't be turned back down with the dial, you'll have to push it in)

Would I re-purchase this? Definitely.

LOTD: A little purple... (outfit)

icyabstract — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:00:34 SGT

Okay I admit, I don't know what to title this.
The current title is lame but it doesn't matter, I bet half the time people hardly remember titles anyway?

This was the outfit and look that I wore out today to catch New Moon, and also to shop around in. I filmed a vlog-styled video in it but that would probably be going up tomorrow.

Lately, I have been getting into using color a little more, and also darkening my makeup a little; when I am not restricted to a 10 minute makeup routine that is. It's not an obvious change, and it doesn't show up much on camera, but I have been abusing my black eyeshadow of late. Ironically, not in this look though. I used a dark maroon-black shade here, not a pure black. For some reason it could be that I have been wearing neutral eye looks so much and so often that I am getting sick of how simple it looks. I am probably not making any sense here, so let's move on.

I also tried out the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation today and I really do love it, though I don't want to rave about it and add to the hype. Mainly because though I love it, I feel there are some points that need to be mentioned when 'raving' about this product. I don't want people to only see one side of the story, so to speak. So yes, a review of that will be up once I get around to using it a little more.

Left eye's blue shadow wasn't blended well in the photo, though I did go back and blend it over.

Products Used:
FACE
- Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer
- MUFE HD Foundation
- Revlon Loose Powder (to set)

EYES
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- MAC Macroviolet Fluidline (as cream base, outer half)
- Light Lavender (from Rhomlon e/s palette - inner crease)
- Mid-toned violet purple (from Rhomlon e/s palette - over outer half of lid)
- Dark maroon-black (from Rhomlon e/s palette - outer corner/crease)
- Electric Blue (88 color palette - blend over crease)
- Off-white (88 color palette - highlight)
- MAC Powerpoint Liner in Engraved
- Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara

CHEEKS
- MAC MSF in Redhead

LIPS
- Make Up Store lipstick in Bare

I know the Products Used list may seem a little messed up, but that's because I was trying to utilize my Rhomlon palette, yet I know it is something not everyone has access to. That is why I tried to list down the individual shades that I used so you could try to dupe it with what you have if you wish.
Also, I shall feature the Rhomlon palette in an entry one day as I think it is of decent quality and of an equally decent price!

Now on to what I wore.
As we were going to the movies, I decided to wear something that was a little warmer.

I need to get a full length mirror soon! I was standing on a stool trying to get these shots taken from the mirror on the dressing table.

The jacket I am wearing is from EDC or Esprit (from this haul).
The skirt is something I bought from a random store in Bugis a couple of years back.
Leggings are from This Fashion, I know their leggings are super cheap but they are the ones made for warmth so they are a little thicker, if that is what you want.
And my shoes are Vans Authentics, which are always not pictured because they just don't fit in the frame

That is that! Now I am off to bed (:

Edit: Is it just me or does my hair seem to be getting lighter? I swear this wasn't a pre-taken lotd!

LOTD: Wearable 'Vampire' Inspired Look (outfit)

icyabstract — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:47:47 SGT

First off, credits for this eyeshadow combination would have to go to MichellePhan for her seductive vampire tutorial.
A look that she had done primarily for the Halloween season and while I am definitely not dressing up for Halloween right now, I loved the eyeshadow combination she had used so I adopted it and twisted it into something a little more wearable.
Though in my opinion aside from the heavy liner, the eyeshadow look, or rather the whole look itself is quite wearable if you are the daring sort; Minus the pale pasty skin for the vampire effect.

Here's a still from her tutorial video. Credit in this image goes to Michelle Phan.

Do note that this is my take on it and I definitely did not use the same products she did. Neither did I do it the same way.
I was merely inspired by her look. I realized in the tutorial she has red lips on but that's not what I feel comfortable running around broad daylight in, so I made some minor changes to it.

Products Used
(I'm trying to be more detailed with it, so that would explain why the Product list seems so long. And I'm also working the right color to use for it.)

FACE:
- Kawaii Tokyo Brighten Up gel in Herbal Forest (moisturizer)
- Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation
- Canmake color stick in 07 (undereye concealer)
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer
- Lumiere Cosmetics Invisiveil (to set)
- MAC Solar Riche Bronzer

EYES:
- Urban Decay Primer potion
- MAC Artifact Paintpot (outer 1/2 of the eye only)
- Maybelline Eye Studio quad in Autumn Spirit (lightest color - all over lid)
- L'oreal Infinite Wear in Brazilian Duo (rustic red shade - outer half)
- Rhomlon Eyeshadow in Black (outer-v)
- MAC Powerpoint Liner in Engraved
- L'ancome Fatale Mascara

CHEEKS:
- Magical Tannsu 6pc Foundation and Contour (contour)
- MAC blush in Intenso (solid side)
- ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance (highlight)

LIPS:
- Canmake Lip Concealer in 01
- NYX Round Lipstick in Circe
- Nivea Lipbalm in Cherry (slight reddish tint, not obvious but less nude)

And here's my take on it.
Again, I'm not saying I look like Michelle Phan or my look is similar to hers, it's merely inspired by. Just have to put that there cause some people might try to be funny about it. I'm sure most you all understand what I am getting at (:

Ha, if I were to be a vampire I'd be a tanned one. Porcelain skin and me don't go too well together.
I managed to take photos of my outfit too since I haven't posted an outfit entry in awhile.
I was wearing my combat boots, but pity they couldn't be featured in the picture as well. Though I'm pretty sure most of you guys know what it looks like from earlier entries and videos.

Spaz pose, I know, but I was trying to get my face and as much of my body in the frame!

Top (tunic and vest) combination from Hong Kong,
Leggings from Forever 21.
Necklace from Forever 21
Boots from Dr Martens.

I don't always list where I get what since some of them are random brandless ones. But if they are items you can purchase from known stores, I'll list it.
And last but not list, a cool-ass-teen-wannabe-gangster shot, just for the record.
That just sounded like a bunch of random mad tags.

Okay, on a slightly serious note, say goodbye to faded auburn/whatever color it has become hair.
I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow (Wed 11/11) - LOL at the coincidental date, not planned, I'm not one of those scene kids that need everything done on the same numeral (e.g. 09/09/09)

Not going to reveal the color yet, primarily because I'm not 100% sure myself. But we'll see. (:
Thanks for reading!

One Item Haul

icyabstract — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:00:44 SGT

Pardon the lack of creativity in the title. I honestly didn't know what else to title it aside from 'Quick Haul' or 'My Favorite Lipstick Haul'.
I suppose the latter might have been a better choice, but regardless, I doubt many people take the title into consideration, yes?

Regardless, my purpose of this entry is just inform you all that I had received my package from Magical Tannsu and in it contains pretty much my Holy Grail nude lip product.
Care to guess what it is?

Yes, it's NYX's Round Lipstick in the shade Circe.
And yes I had gotten 2 of it.

The reason for that is it's actually kind of hard to come by this shade here in Singapore and I'm not entirely keen on purchasing it off of Nonpareil Boutique anymore, especially after they had totally jacked up the price of it.
I needed to find some backups before I ran out of mine, as I had been careful not to use it too often so I don't run out.
These lipsticks have a really creamy formula so it's not surprising to run out of them pretty fast with regular usage, especially in this weather!

Here's how the shade looks like:

It's simply a gorgeous brown-beige shade that matches my skintone perfectly, thus giving me the dead nude look (which I do adore, though it's considered a 'crime' to commit). Of course I could always layer a sheer pink/peach gloss to bring myself back to life, but I like how this is versatile that I could wear it extreme(-nude) or subtly.

So now I can use my Circe at ease, knowing that I have backups!

What is your favorite Nude lipstick?