Dressing well with Trinny and Susannah

Fashion Guru: Trinny and Susannah

I recently watched this new, unknown British channel in Astro GRA (Granada) 735 and was thrilled to see a show from Trinny and Susannah.

I was first introduced to these duo when they were featured in Oprah. How should I describe them? They're like Simon Cowell of fashion! But they're not just all about throwing critiques like what Fashion Police does, most importantly they teach women how to dress correctly!

They believe that all women are blessed with all shapes and sizes and it's all the matter of wearing the right outfit to compliment them.

I can so relate to this. I remember one time when I wore my loose dress, which I thought wasn't that bad on me (in front of a mirror). Later, I was once shocked to see in my friend's pictures that I look like a stick in the dress from side ways. No way I'm wearing that dress again!

So how can we identify our shapes? T&S have created 10 possible shapes and there are;

1. Apple
2. Hour Glass
3. Pear
4. Brick
5. Goblet
6. Cello
7. Cornet
8. Lollipop
9. Column
10. Bell

Photos taken from of Mail Online









So what shapes are you? Mine is a Cornet, lol!

Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15

Finally!

Remember my old post on Bobbi Brown Oil Free Finish? I bought a new one a few months ago and it gave me pimples :(( I wasn't about to give up on Bobbi yet after that incident cos for the fact that my face change from dry to oily skin within a year. So...I decided to give the one for oily skin - Natural Finish Long Lasting.

Did I immediately buy the RM160 foundation? NO. When you buy foundation this expensive, you need research, girl! It's not that hard, just type in the name of the product and you'll be amaze on how many articles and video reviews you can find.

Every months or so, I will be a victim of breakouts and pimples and I am REALLY looking for that one foundation that will at least reduce the shine and won't cause me extra pimples. I live in all-summer country btw. I was googling here and found a product called Bare Minerals, but after a few research, I found it a little impossible to get it here in Malaysia and it's a no-no to buy foundation online. Better to do it in-store so you'll get the right shades for your skin.

There are two awesome features in Bobbi Brown website that I want to share with you.

1. Star ratings and reviews
2. Live Chat with an Artist

The user reviews really helped a lot of making decision cos it compiles a lot of useful info and the skin profile of the users.

Last but not least, the live chat function. Bare in mind, the artists follow USA time. Here are their operation time: Monday - Friday 10am - 10pm (EST) Sunday 11am - 7pm (EST)

I was awake at god knows 3 0r 4am in the morning, then I thought, why not have a chat with Bobbi's Artist? For awhile, I thought I was chatting with a bot. Am I?

After a few mins of questions, I received the chat transcript in my email. How cool is that?

This is how my old and new bottle look like together.
They are both 30ml despite the height and width differences. My old bottle (oil free foundation) looks bigger cos the glass base at the bottom does the trick.

The shades between my old and new bottle are totally different. I was using 4.5 (warm natural) for the oil free foundation but with the new, Natural Long Lasting Finish it's 5.5 (warm honey), which 1.5 shades darker.

Before and after difference. (one layer of foundation without powder or concealer)
For office wear, I like to wear my foundation by itself and top it up with my bronzer+blusher. If there's special occasion, I'll bulk it up with powder.

What I love about this particular BB product is that it's so light on my face and smells like lotion (which I totally adore). And no, no pimples this time! Yay!!! If you are looking for a total coverage, then do opt for their concealer, not this. A pro makeup artist once told me that a good makeup does not conceal, but it functions as an enhancer. Thus, foundation works to even up the uneven skin tones, patches, blemishes, etc.

I remember a lot of users gave a few similar feedbacks and one of them is the 'dewy + glowy' effect and trust me, I believe them! I feel that this foundation gives me the extra glow in my face and does reduce the extra oil on my face, but not entirely. I still have a bit of oil, but at the right places - my cheeks and such. And it doesn't dry either.

Left

So here are my summary;

- This is non-comodogenic, means it does not cause whiteheads or blackheads.
- If you want a foundation that gives a natural glow and hey, you-don't-look-like-you're-wearing-makeup, then this is your baby! :D
- Before using the foundation, make sure your face is primed or hydrated for smoother application.

Paint the Malayan Tiger!

It's pitiful to know that these adorable Malayan tigers is categorized as an endangered sub-species. Fact has it that there are only 500 of them left in Malaysia and Thailand and for human sake, the number could be reducing day by day as we speak.

We humans are lucky. Not only we can think, speak and move mountains, we also kill to live. We kill living things, those who can't speak and defend themselves just for the sake of money, furry fashion and maybe just as 'small' as being able live in a house.

So, what about them? Sure, tigers are wild and dangerous to human society and if you see them walking around your neighborhood, I'm sure most of us would say, "Hey, that tiger could have escaped from zoo or some forest nearby?"

If that tiger can speak in human language, he would say "Hey, you destroy the forests and build your houses there, so where do you reckon I live? I can't be your cat; you could be my dinner. If I happen to roam around your area, chances that I could be shot! So where's my living rights? My lawyers?"

Flash mob from WWF-Malaysia 'Freeze Tiger Trade'
Picture from WWF

While others would gather around, dance to be seen and heard, what would artists like you and me would do to express our concern on this matter?

Maybank is organizing a painting competition for young contemporary artists and painters aged 18-35 years old. All you have to do is submit a 2D artwork of your artistic interpretations of 'Expressions of the Malayan Tiger'.

To download a form and view the terms and condition, save this link or go here or view the page here

What are you waiting for? Grab a sketch pad, canvas, brushes, paints, etc and go wild your thoughts! Let your hearts and mind be seen and felt :)

Oh wait, have I told you that the deadline is by the end of this month, 29 October? :O

P.S: I am hoping for miracle of time to work on this artwork, I really do.

Wedding Cupcake from Cupcake Chic

September was the craziest, but most exciting month of the year for me (you can see by my lack of blog updates). And part of the excitement was when I get to plan a wedding reception for a very cute couple. The wedding theme was "Midsummer Night's Dream".



For those of you who haven't watched this movie (including yours truly), this is a comedy based from William Shakespeare's play featured ensemble casts like Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart and the list goes on! All the magical and quirky elements of fairies, goddesses, donkey all rolled up into.

Oops, back to the cupcake, after a long search on the best cupcake for this event, I finally found a perfect place to go to - Cupcake Chic. My aim is to have the most classic, simple, good value and tastes good of course! Cupcake Chic happens to fit my budget perfectly. RM 3.60 for 100 pcs of cupcakes and they also provide acrylic tier rental.

My draft sketch for the cupcakes. Yes, it's custom made by request!

Whether you're an artist or not, get a piece of paper or just use any paint program, and sketch out your ideas and see how the shape, colors, textures and decor could compliment one another. You don't want to have a crowded looking cake piece, therefore it's best to find a focal point of attraction in the arrangement.

One of the best way to convey your ideas is to get your reference online or even from a piece of brochures or magazines.

Key in your keywords as specific as you can when looking for reference online. Example: 'yellow white cupcakes butterfly nature'. You'll be surprised to find out a lot of useful photos in the online world. Thank you, online contributors! :D

My steps to ordering Cupcake Chic cupcakes;

1. E-mail your requirements, date of delivery and etc to order@cupcakechic.com.my
   
2. Follow up by calling at 03 7726 9075.
   
3. Meet the rep in person, clarify your cupcake designs (how you want it, the color scheme), the flavors, the prices and method of delivery. The flavors will depend on the day of your cupcake collection since the shop has a fixed flavors for everyday. You can view their wedding cupcake photo gallery here.
   
4. Collect or have your cupcakes delivered. Extra RM50 will be charged for delivery within Klang Valley.

At first, I was worried that my cupcakes selection will look too boring cos I didn't choose the bright looking colors, but the lady from Cupcake Chic assured me that it's all about the arrangement and decor. And yes, she was right indeed! :D

Add fresh flowers, twinkle lights, bling blings and some green and you're good to go! The key is simplicity. It's best to stick to the theme color of the event and let the decor compliment the cupcakes.

Cupcake Chic has three branches; The Curve, Sunway Pyramid and Pavillion. The customer service is super excellent. Their rep was friendly and attentive to all my requirements. The guests loved the cupcakes. With that I put them in my 5 stars list! :)



GREAT NEWS!
My article was featured in Wedding Guide Asia last December, under How to Choose Your Cupcakes.