This contest excites me coz I've never owned a brush collection, ever! Hopefully I could win a posh set like the Shu Mika Hearts. Join the contest now (contest ends May 7, 6pm [GMT+8] and who knows, you might win, too (Beauty for a Living is giving away a couple of prizes!)

click me to enlarge and read the benefits of BB creams

BB creams are selling like hot pancakes these days. Why would they not? With a roster of skin benefits that they promise, these pretty tubs are worth giving a try.

I've used Blemish balm (BB) creams for half a year now and I can really attest that most of the brands I've tried evened out my skin tone and improved the overall condition of my skin. The best thing about it (that keeps me really hooked with the craze) is that it gives my face a certain kind of glow that is visible during and after application. Really.

Choosing the right BB cream isn't the quickest and easiest prettifying activity you'll ever go through. Here are a few pointers in choosing your holy grail (HG) BB cream:the skin79 BB cream line... they sure have a LOT!

1. Prepare to put a little dent on that card.
Be forewarned that the road to your HG BB cream will entail you to swipe and spend. You're one lucky gal if you get to buy "the one" at first shot. Samples and testers are good ways to keep your shopping spree as efficient as possible.

2. Know what you want.
Even BB creams can't have it all. Oftentimes, you will be confronted with several advantages and disadvantages, and so, it is very important to know what you want for your skin. BB creams can: (1) control excessive oil, (2) cover imperfections, (3) provide a pretty high SPF value. Wanting to achieve impressive oil control may not allow your product to give you a good coverage, or vice versa. Weigh your options and know what your skin really needs so that you can narrow down your choices and keep your overspending abilities at bay.

3. Read the label.
I'm used to mineral make ups having only a handful of ingredients in them. BB creams have tons of stuff in it so it's best to check the label for the things it contain (most users develop an allergic reaction to marine collagen and some polymer compounds).

4. Sample, if you must!
I started out with BB creams by asking for an itsy bitsy sample in a sanitized pot. I choose not to sample it right then and there since I want to test the prod in humid conditions (rather than in a cooler, airconditioned store) and that I want to make sure that I can see how the BB cream looks on me under natural light (shop lights do tweak the color). Most BB creams have one or two shades (except for Elianto), so make sure that you test them under natural lighting conditions.



5. BB creams appear whitish at first, but eventually blends with your skin tone in a couple of minutes.
If it doesn't, you may choose to just ditch it.

It may be a pretty tough job to go through scouting for the best BB cream, but once you get hold of your HG BB cream (or creams!), you'll feel that it's all worth the trouble! Happy BB cream hunting!

Royally yours, Bleak

It's a relief that anybody can now create bigger and brighter eyes with a lil help from make-up and some double eyelid producing tapes and glues.

above: Koji Eyetalk double eyelid glue, HK$49
below: eyetapes, HK$15 each

I got myself some eye tapes and a Koji eyetalk double eyelid glue to test out. I'm starting out with eye tapes (they're relatively easier than the complex glues) and I love how my eyes look prettier with more obvious creases. Now, my patients don't have to ask me if I'm Chinese or what :D

Will post reviews soon!

Royally yours, Bleak

May 1 - Labour Day
A treat for a job well done: BB CREAMS!

I got these babies over ebay. Thanks legendeux for promptly shipping my stuff over! I'm one happy gal to have gotten these BB creams within six days after winning the bids.

1- Dr. Jart Rejuvenating Blemish Base Silver Label, SPF 35, 50mL, $24.95

2 - Skin79 Shiny Pearl Water Drop, 43.5g, $9.99
3 - Skin Food Aloe Sun, SPF 20, 50g, $10.49
4 - Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Pink, SPF 25, 5g
5 - Skin79 Super Beblesh Balm Gold, SPF 25, 5g
6 - Skin79 Diamond Collection Prestige, SPF 25, 5g
7 - Skin 79 Diamond Collection Pearl, 5g

I got myself a box of skin79 BB Cream Super Plus Diamond mini-set (which is earning a couple of good reviews, by the way) coz it looks so cute and easy to tote along:

Set of 4 fab BB Creams for $10.49

Yipeee! Freebies galore! Legendeux is such a princess to throw in these beauty prods in my pack of stuff:


*****
First thing I grabbed was the water pearl drop that I was lemming on a couple of weeks ago. I'm in love with it! I feel like a princess in it.

Will post reviews soon!

Royally yours, Bleak