Archive for 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.

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29
Dec
2011

I dont know how and I dont remember when I started taking an interest in having a little pointy nose tip. It probably starts when the company you keep comprises especially of girls from other countries who have had their nose tips augmented on a compulsory basis. Little by little, you start to pay more attention to their nose tips and wonder how their noses all look the same. Is it a country thing or is there a template that the doctors use and keep to year after year?

Short of going under the knife, contouring does have a profound effect on making your nose bridge look higher. But when it comes to making your nose smaller, I decided to try something new just so I could have a pointy nose tip that maybe I’ll one day use while turning my nose up at someone I dont fancy. Haha.

How to Make Your Nose Smaller Making Your Nose Smaller

So my method of making my nose look smaller by using this “Nose Up” clip which I got at a steal for $2. I previously saw this contraption at other beauty shops, but refused to pay $6.90 (or anything more than $2 really) for something most people call a clothes peg with pads on it. It seems to be pretty big with the Japanese and Taiwanese who are all about changing their faces with massages and/or a mind-boggling array of gadgets.

The idea is to keep the peg on your nose, applying pressure on the parts where you want to make smaller. Of course you dont entirely clip your nose shut because that would make you keel over from the lack of oxygen and fall flat on your nose, defeating the purpose completely.

I’ve been putting it just above the nose tip where it applies pressure on part of the nose cartilage. There is no discomfort although I do suspect that it reduces the amount of oxygen I inhale so I cant wear the clip on for more than 5 minutes each time. It seems to have shown some results because my nose looks so cute and pointy from the side in this photo! YAY!

How to Make Your Nose Look Smaller

I’m going to keep trying and see if the results will last because it seems now that I’ve given my nose a rest for a couple of days, it’s gone back to being less pointy.

Do you think this nose clip works? How do you make your nose smaller?

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26
Dec
2011

During the Miss Universe competition in Sao Paulo Brazil, I used the Sigma Brush Kit alongside a very specific set of make up items inside my make up bag. At the various places we had to go, photo opportunities were a-plenty.

Black Smokey Eyes

For eyes to stand out in photos, black smokey eyes was the make up style I adopted because unlike Western facial features, Asian eyes are slightly smaller and less deep set. Using dark eyeshdaow colours makes eyes look more piercing and definitely draws attention to sexy eyes!

Miss Universe Singapore Thailand

So I finally make a make up tutorial video on how to create a black smokey eyeshadow!

Here’s the product list breakdown:
Face
gloMinerals gloProtective Liquid Foundation
MAC Prep + Prime Pro Series Transparent Finishing Powder
gloMinerals makeup Bellini blush

Eyes
NARS Pandora Eyeshadow Duo
Cosmoprof Eye Palette
tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner
Maybelline Define-a-Lash Volume Mascara
MAC Eye Kohl Liner in Smoulder

Because your eyes are the focus of attention, always balance the entire look out with a light blush and clear lip gloss. Definitely one of my favourite and go-to looks always. What do you guys think?

Black Smokey Eyes Tutorial

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25
Dec
2011

Singapore Beauty Blog Valerie Lim

The spirit of giving and sharing has aways been an important element in my life. Whether I share beauty tips, makeup tutorials on my blog or just parts of my life with each and every one of you here or on Twitter, it’s all part and parcel of gving back.

This Christmas, I want thank everyone, and yes that means you reading this, for being part of my life and blog.

Christmas is about celebrating what has been given to us and remembering the people who matter. In making me Singapore Beauty Blog dweam.com and Miss Universe Singapore 2011, that is every single person who has lent their support in one way or another. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all a blessed Christmas.

Have a Merry Kiss-mas!

With love,
Valerie

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22
Dec
2011

NAPBAS

The first Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards was held in Singapore 2 years ago. This year, I was again honoured to be part of the selected 500 bloggers from so many countries including Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, Philippines, Singapore, China and of course Malaysia to be housed in Marriott Putrajaya Kuala Lumpur to honour the best in the blogosphere.

NAPBAS 2011

NAPBAS 2011

And boy, was it a really swanky affair. With top notch song and dance performances, delicious food and well-dressed people from all over the world, the whole award ceremony is probably the next closest thing to the Oscars or Grammys we’ll ever find.

But we were there to pay homage to the bloggers who give their all in producing good content and I’m very proud to say Singapore took home 3 very prestigous titles that one night.

NAPBAS Best Food Blog

NAPBAS Best Food Blog

Singapore’s very own Singapore Food Blogger ladyironchef is now recognised as Asia-Pacific’s Best Food Blog! Readers of ladyironchef will agree whole-heartedly with the recognition. After being nominated in 2009 in the same category, I’m more than pleased Brad beat the 4 other strong contenders in the category this year to clinch the very prestigous award. A well deserved award for the awesome ladyironchef.

NAPBAS Xiaxue

You’re probably already familiar with her. She is definitely no stranger to the blogosphere. In 2009, Asia-Pacific’s Best Lifestyle Blog, Most Influential Blog and Region’s Best Blog also clinched Most Influential Blog and Region’s Best Blog in 2011′s Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards. With 8 years of blogging experience, Xiaxue is certainly a mover and shaker in the blogosphere. Kudos to Wendy for winning TWO very anticipated awards at the award ceremony.

In her thank you speech for winning Region’s Best Blog, Wendy made a good point on how Nuffnang has certainly revolutionized the entire blogging scene. From mere keyboard warriors, people have come to realise that social media should and can be taken as seriously as traditional media. Not just blogs, so says the Region’s Best Blog, but even on micro-blogging platforms too. There was even an award for Best Micro Blog because we can and have “set trends on Twitter”! The Best Micro Blog award was well-earned by funny man Kenny Sia.

NAPBAS Kenny Sia

Certainly, Nuffnang’s outreach and Midas touch was very evident when you look at not just the award winners that night, but to the entire blogging crowd that was there in the Marriott ballroom on December 16th. Who would have thought within 5 years, bloggers could earn money from doing what they do best: writing. And then meeting and making friends from all over the world, surely that’s worth something money cannot buy. Not only has Nuffnang has moved people from all over the world to come together, but look into the history books and you’ll see they have certainly broken into territories uncharted.

I’m not about to give a blow by blow account on how fantastic the dinner was; or how we were taken for a tour around our neighbouring city Kuala Lumpur and how we were partying like rock stars at Zouk KL. But I’m here to honour Nuffnang for the intangible that they have given to bloggers around the Asia-Pacific.

NAPBAS Bloggers

In my personal opinion, the best thing that Nuffnang has given to bloggers is potential, infinite potential. The potential to grow, the potential to influence, the potential to build bonds etc. How ever you choose to use the many opportunities presented is purely up to you, but the matter of the fact is, Nuffnang has and will continue to provide the room for growth and opportunities for you to do what you desire whether in the blogosphere or out of it.

NAPBAS Cheesie

Cheesie made herself out to be Best Fashion Blog in the NAPBAS 2011 after all the years I’ve followed her! Congratulations!

NAPBAS bongqiuqiu fourfeetnine

QiuQiu of Budget Barbie fame and fourfeetnine who is just so WTF cute always!

NAPBAS ice angel

NAPBAS typicalben

Singaporean bloggers iceangel and typicalben who I’ve known from the very beginning.

NAPBAS Aronil

Aronil, whom I met donkey years ago and was then trying very hard to become an actress, is now a DJ on Malaysian radio!

NAPBAS Beatrice

Beautiful Beatrice who is a familiar face on LoveBonito.

Witnessing not only the winners who have evolved so much, both Wendy and Brad perfect examples from the Singapore blogosphere, but the rest of the bloggers whom I caught up with that night, some of whom I recognise as “pioneer batches”, it was intriguing to see how we’ve all changed so much over the years. I guess when you live your life partially on the Internet and follow certain personalities on their everyday journey, they somewhat become of a part of your own life. Personalities like fourfeetnine, aronil, Simon Seow, kennysia, typicalben, nadnut, theiceangel, ladyironchef, Cheesie, Xiaxue are familiar faces I’ve known from years ago. And you marvel and watch as their lives unfold right in front of your eyes on their blogs. Then, there are the new people I’ve met recently like bongqiuqiu, yinagoh, beatricesays, belluspuera, dblchin, noelboyd, silverang, sophiewillcoq whom I’m sure I will be seeing more of in the future.

NAPBAS Nuffies

NAPBAS Bloggers

NAPBAS Elaine

NAPBAS Nuffies

NAPBAS Huiwen

Next, when you work so closely with the team of Nuffies who make Nuffnang the colourful and vibrant team it is, they eventually become good friends of yours and again they hold a special place in your life too as their trials and tribulations become yours. Thank you Nuffies of Singapore, both past and present, each and everyone from the various branches of Jipaban, Nom Nom and Churp Churp have all been important people who have walked into my life.

Wow. I didnt even win an award and here I am saying my thank yous. Hahaha. But since I’m on a roll and it is almost the end of the year, I’m going to keep at it.

Thank you Nuffnang Malaysia for their hardwork this year in organising an amazing award ceremony. For all the partners, Volkswagen Group Malaysia, XPAX Malaysia, Putrajaya Marriott, Churp Churp, Tiger Beer, Red FM, Air Asia X, Olympus, Zouk, who have played a part in bringing the best of the blogosphere together, thank you for your faith in social media.

NAPBAS Nuffnang

Lastly, where would we all be without the two co-founders Tim and Ming. Thank you Ming and Tim for your initial vision and brilliance; for having the “hunger Steve jobs talked about”; for persisting and believing in something no one else had at that time. I thank you for the amazing things you have done and congratulate you on a company well-built. I wish both of you more successes and to more records being broken.

NAPBAS Winners

To all the bloggers I’ve met and will meet in the future, to the nominees and winners of this year’s Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards, congratulations and well done on a fantastic year. Honouring the best in the blogosphere, honouring the best we can be.

Best Parenting Blog – Childhood 101
Best Geek Blog – Geekout
Best Food Blog – ladyironchef
Best Micro Blog – @kennysia
Most Original Blog Design – Eat, Show and Tell
Best Entertainment Blog – Beautifulnara
Best Travel Blog – Just Wandering
Best Fashion Blog – Cheeserland
Best Lifestyle Blog – Jenni Epperson
Best Photography Blog – Photoblog HK
Hidden Gem – Googly Gooeys
Most Influential Blog – Xiaxue
Region’s Best Blog – Xiaxue

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19
Dec
2011

Beauty to me is about transformation and if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll see the various looks I change into from time to time. So, it is only with praises that I introduce the brand new repackaged Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume, first introduced in 1989, is their classic, elegant signature fragrance. The Red Door is iconic of the first few “Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons“ originally found in New York. Symbolically the red door represents the boundary where a woman can be transported and transformed from her “everyday self” to her “best self”, especially when she walked through the door way of the spas. Till today, at least 100 over years later, the famous Red Doors of Elizabeth Arden’s Spas can be seen along Fifth Avenue, in New York.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

This change in packaging for their signature scent captures boldly the iconic Red Door. The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume bottle has today been modernized using a bold red glass design to reflect what else… but the famous Red Door. I’m totally in love with the striking red glass bottle accentuated by the gold plate emblazoned with “Elizabeth Arden”.

The bold glass design naturally holds a bold, assertive floral fragrance that evokes glamour and confidence. It’s a strong scent for the woman who wants to take over the world. If you’re already a fan of Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door perfume, you wont need any introduction to this scent. It’s the same delicious fragrance you know in a striking new bottle.

But if you’re new, the Red Door perfume opens with Lily of the Valley in the top notes, alongside vibrant freesia and Wild Violets. The stunning mid notes are of Red Roses, Moroccan Orange Flower, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang to create the impression of sophistication. If you’re used to softer floral scents, this is a different scent you might consider adding to your perfume stash.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

So add to your perfume stash and transform yourself you can because here’s a giveaway for a 50ml Elizabeth Arden Red Door eau de toilette worth $84!

Follow these steps to qualify:
1) Go to Elizabeth Arden’s Facebook page and click “Like”
2) Post on the wall the answer to this question in this format:

The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume, first introduced in _ _ _ _, has now been repackaged in the shape of a _ _ _ _ _ _ _. [dweam.com]

3) Your answer must be in the exact format above and include dweam.com at the end.

All answers can easily be found in the blog post so read carefully. Contest ends 23rd December 2011 at 2200 hours, just in time for Christmas! Head on over to the Elizabeth Arden’s Facebook page now and good luck!

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