Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review
27
Jan
2012

The idea of nail stickers isnt a new one. First, they were the cute little things you used to paste on your nails as additional decorations. Now, they’ve graduated to being pasted on your entire nail. I first bought nail stickers from Sephora because the idea of pasting your nail colour seemed fuss-free and convenient. Somehow, I never actually got about to using them.

Then, everyone started talking about the Sally Hansen Salon Effects real nail polish strips while I stubbornly resisted them. I continued resisting them because I was happy being old school and painting my nails. But eventually, I succumbed. I decided I would try out the Cut It Out floral design for Spring 2012. Flowers on my nails couldnt be better for the New Year! Plus, Watsons was having a 20% off the nail strips, so I only paid about SGD15 from the original SGD17.50! Yipee for discounts!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review

In each pack, you’ll find 16 nail stickers for you to find the perfect fit, a nail stick, mini nail file/buffer and detailed instructions; everything you need to DIY a salon effect manicure. Application of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects real nail polish strip is easy enough that I managed to perfect the application by the 4th nail. It’s really a simple technique of stick-and-go.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Review

Peeling the strip off its backing, you’ll realise the strips are really quite thin and flimsy and need to be handled with care. But if you make a mistake pasting the rounded part at the base of your nail, you can gently wean the nail polish strip off your nail and readjust it without any loss in stickiness. Oddly enough, as much as I thought these were just stickers, they smell exactly like nail polish, though not as strong. I guess that’s why they call them real nail polish strips.

Because the strips are so thin, instead of buffing them like the instructions recommend, you can actually tear them off at the edges. On the first few applications, I made the mistake of pulling the Sally Hansen Salon Effects real nail polish strips a wee bit too much thinking they’d adhere better. But all I really did was tear the strip a little bit. Lol. I eventually found out a gentle tug is all that’s needed to ensure smooth and bubble-free application.

Salley Hansen Salon Effects Review

The Sally Hansen Salon Effects real nail polish strips are slated to last for up to 10 days but I couldnt decide if it was because of my weak nails or my rough and tumble that the nail polish strips chipped off at the nail edges like regular nail polish does within three days. I resorted to applying a top coat and to my surprise, found that I really liked the effect of the shine on the nail polish strips. It gave the nail polish strips a better finish. Perhaps if I had applied a top coat earlier, it would have preserved the condition of my Salon Effect manicure for longer.

Removal of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips is identical to how you would remove real nail polish: you’ll have to remove them using a nail polish remover! My only gripe about the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips is the fit of the strips on the nails. Sometimes they dont cover your entire nail breadth-wise.

Otherwise, I simply love the ease of application of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects and the no dry-time. On top of that, you get all sorts of intricate designs without having to sit through 2 hours in the nail parlour. I think I’m going to search for more of these nail polish strips.

Have you tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips or any variation of these nail stickers? Would you give up your nail polish for them?

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
1
comment

Simple Day Makeup Look Video Tutorial
17
Jan
2012

As much as I love doing the black smokey eye for piercing eyes in photos, heavy dark eye makeup isnt quite so suitable for daily wear when you’re going to work. You wouldnt want your boss to think you just came from an overnight party! Haha. Black smokey eye makeup can also take up quite a bit of time, so you’ll probably need to get up at least 2 hours before reporting time to get ready. (Oh trust me, I know. Hahaha.)

That’s when I like to turn to what I call my 5 minute make up. Technically, it doesnt actually take 5 minutes but it’s easy enough that it sure looks like it. The focus of this simple day make up look is a a fresh, clean face. You want to look like you got out of bed and look this naturally beautiful every single day. Dark eye rings are a big no-no, so concealer and colour corrector IS. A. MUST.

If anyone were to ask me how to get rid of dark undereye circles, I’d have to say colour corrector or corrective concealers is the secret to getting rid of dark eye circles. Concealer seems like a misnomer because concealer actually lightens instead of changing the colour of dark eye rings. It’s all about neutralizing with colours.

For instance, if you have redness on your face, you’d want to use a green make up base to help reduce this redness, while a purple make up base can help correct yellow-colored skin. So depending on your dark-eye rings (either blue or grey-blue), you’ll need to the get the corresponding neutralizing colour to really rid your makeup face of dark under eye circles. Hip hip hooray to not having two white patches under your eyes anymore!

Here’s a look at the products I used in this simple day makeup video:
Face
Bare Minerals Matte Powder Foundation *
Bobbi Brown Colour Corrector in Dark to Medium Bisque *
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer *
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder
Sephora Sculpting Disk

Eyes
Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner
Maybelline Define-a-Lash Lengthening Mascara

Lips
Bare Minerals Lip Gloss in Chiffon

* must-haves for getting rid of dark under-eye rings

Simple Day Makeup Look

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
No comments

Behind the Scenes – Shooting with Jipaban
13
Jan
2012

Jipaban

The first time I shot with Jipaban was last December for their December Editor’s Pick. It was a special shoot because it was a Power Blogger Editor’s Pick and we had special guests from Parenting blog OurEverydayThings on set at the shoot! Mommy Leonny came with her three little darlings in tow.

OurEverydayThings

Baby Brie is a sweetheart. We had so much fun playing with her because she is such a well-behaved and darling girl. Not only was Mommy Leonny featured in December’s Editor’s Pick. Baby Brie was photographed alongside her two other elder siblings in the Jipaban Gift pick! It was a shoot full of laughs and smiles because they are all naturals in front of the camera.

OurEverydayThings

For the women’s section, Mommy Leonny and I were featured in various outfits! And we had access to all of Jipaban’s awesome accessories and clothes because we shot in their warehouse. Everyone loves to be surrounded by gorgeous loads of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories!

Oureverydaythings

Jipaban

December was also a special month because I was featured on their banner for Christmas!

Jipaban Christmas

And now less than a month later, I’m featured on their Chinese New Year banner too!

Jipaban Chinese New Year

The shoot for the Chinese New Year lookbook happened over last weekend. It was again one full of shoes, bags, accessories and lovely new clothes for the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. Although it was a long shoot, I had sooo much fun shooting with new models: beautiful Sam, the face of Jipaban Clara and a guy model, James!

Jipaban Shoes

Jipaban Online Shopping

Jipaban Accessories

We shot on location at a house that was all perfectly set up for Chinese New Year. Because you can see the full lookbook on the Jipaban website here, I’m going to show you some of my favourite unreleased shots with Sam! We spent so much time together at the shoot together, she almost feels like a sister to me now. I posted a photo of us together and some people commented that we even looked alike!

Jipaban Lookbook

Jipaban Lookbook

Jipaban Lookbook

Jipaban Lookbook

And as a testament to how close we’ve become… Awwww.

Jipaban Lookbook

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
1
comment

2012 Beauty Resolutions
4
Jan
2012

After the first official work day of the new year, there’s no better time to put those beauty resolutions to work! Resolutions always seem hard to keep and we normally go into the year with loads of fervour wanting to do everything! But I like to think of resolutions as new habits that need to be formed, so here’s my list of beauty habits that I would like to improve and change in 2012:

Mineral Makeup

Back to minerals
I have this thing with mineral makeup. Just as beauty and fashion trends come and go, my love affair with mineral makeup is seasonal. Mineral make up brands like bareMinerals and Everyday Minerals have been in my make up case for quite a while now. I used to swear by mineral foundation previously but found the loose powder format for mineral products a wee bit too messy, especially when it came to foundation or blushes.

Now in 2012, I’m going back to all that mineral goodness and I’m starting the year off with a brand new mineral foundation from bareMinerals! They never used to have bareMinerals in Singapore but the brand can now be found in Sephora Singapore! Yayyy! I havent seen a line of mineral lipglosses here yet (bareMinerals and Everyday Minerals have it at their online stores), but Watsons Singapore carries Rachel K Cosmetics mineral lip plumpers.

Kinerase Singapore

Taking better care of my skin
This sounds like a really general statement. And if it’s anything that I’ve learnt regarding making resolutions, is that it should never be a general one. Always make it specific. So what I really mean by the statement above is: just like how I go for regular facials to maintain my skin’s health, I’m going to take the effort to consult a skin doctor to keep my skin in tip top condition in 2012! I think anti-aging will be my focus this year. I want to look forever 21. Lol.

Champneys Spa Indulgence

Better body care
We often spend so much time and effort taking care of the skin on our faces and neck, but hardly take the time to pamper the rest of our bodies. This year if I’m not in a spa, I’ll be using expert formulas from Britian’s spa professionals to give myself a good scrub every week or so! Boots Asia carries Champneys Spa Indulgence and these things smell so good I could eat them.

The coarse scrub of the Oriental Opulence Body Glow does wonders for your skin. I love the coarse texture of the scrub because it removes dead skin effectively to leave behind soft baby skin. And the body cream! Rich luxury in a tub. Mmm… Delicious. Did I already mention how the products leaves you smelling as though you walked through a daisy field? Now if only I could get someone to do all that for me at home just like a real spa. Hmmm….

Beauty Expiry Date

Pay more attention the expiry dates on beauty products
Through all these years, products come and sometimes they dont go. When we use a product and decide we dont like it, what do you do with them? I’m guilty of sometimes leaving them there past their beauty expiry dates without bothering to throw them out. I’m glad I dont use them past their expiry dates, but I’m going to be more diligent about throwing things out if they’re expired. It’s time to clear the clutter!

These 4 beauty resolutions dont seem all that difficult to adhere to. And now that I’ve got them down in writing it’ll be easier for you guys to police me! I’m going to make a real effort!

What are your beauty resolutions for 2012?

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
2
comments

Reflecting on 2011 – The Year of Me
1
Jan
2012

I had wanted to do up this post on the last day of 2011 but knowing how things here on dweam.com work a little differently (and the reflection post for 2010 was done on the first day of 2011), I thought I would keep to this tradition. Other than reflecting on the past, I figure it’s crucial to take the lessons we glean from the past to progress into the future. Hence, an entry on the very first day of the New Year seems rather appropriate.

Truth be told, I dont know where to start on reflecting because 2011 has been a year full of ups and downs. The reflection was meant to review the year of Singapore Beauty Blog dweam.com, but there are several momentous experiences that happened in the year 2011 that should be included, one of which obviously was winning the Miss Universe Singapore crown and following trip after. However, if you’re a follower of this blog you’ll realise (and probably have already wondered why) I havent spoken much about the experience.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
3
comments

Burberry Beauty – Festive Collection Look Fall 2011
31
Dec
2011

Synonymous with the trenchcoat, Burberry first made waves in the beauty scene when they launched the Burberry Body perfume with Rosie huntington-Whiteley as the body face behind the new women’s perfume.

Burberry Makeup Festive Collection Fall 2011

Now, this Fall/Winter 2011, they’ve brought in the Burberry Beauty line to Singapore. Yes, you heard that right, Burberry makeup. On top of being decked out in their iconic trench coats, fans of Burberry can now match their outfits with a Burberry Festive Look makeup.

Burberry Makeup Lip Glow

Of the new items in the Burberry Beauty makeup collection, I thought the Burberry Lip Glow (SGD $39) was something unique. Isnt the iconic Burberry print on the lipstick itself so chic! To the naked eye, the Lip Glow looks like a lipstick and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was one.

Burberry Makeup Lip Glow Swatches

But upon swatching the three new trench colour inspired colours – (L-R) Bright Plum, Ruby and Nude Gold, you’ll realise the Lip Glow’s texture is slightly sheerer and clearer than your regular lipstick. Light oils in the Burberry Lip Glow give it fluidity and a smoother and slicker application compared to the usual lipstick. It also reflects light to create the illusion of fuller lips, at the same time leaving lips supple and shimmering with natural highlights.

Burberry Makeup Singapore

What really strikes me about the Burberry Beauty make up collection is the very stylish packaging of all their products. Everything, from their eyeshadows, lip products and even foundation, is encased in a metallic grey casing with the signature Burberry checkered print. Definitely make up products you’d want to be seen with if you’re a fashionista clad in your favourite Burberry.

Burberry Make up Eyeshadow

They even make the effort to stamp the print onto their eyeshadows and lipsticks. I’m put in a spot now because I dont want to ruin the gorgeous print on the Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow (SGD $46) but love the fidelity of the colour and soft satin texture.

Burberry Makeup Foundation Review

I used the Burberry Beauty Sheer Foundation Luminous Fluid Foundation yesterday at a house party and thought the mid to heavy coverage of the foundation was a pleasant surprise considering how the foundation was fairly light on the skin. The texture is a lot more like mousse when pumped from the bottle even though it’s named “Fluid” foundation, but blends easily into a smooth and even finish and on top of that, gives a nice luminous look.

How many of you are Burberry fans? Will any of you be trying out this Burberry Beauty collection?

Burberry Beauty makeup can be found exclusively at TANGS Orchard Singapore.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
2
comments

Pages:  12345678910Last »
  • I’ve never tried nail polish strips but I do use kawaii stick-on nails sometimes... :Ai Sakura
  • Heeey! i love the last shot :D :Sam
  • j: I got this at a shop in City Square Mall. But you get it at Far East Plaza at beauty... :dweam
  • Alice: It’s just called wrapping tissue. You can find it at book stores or craft... :dweam