I was awed by the tokidoki collection I came across in Sephora New York. Exclusively available to Sephora, I knew I should have gotten my hands on them tokidoki items when I was there. Sephora Singapore didnt carry any tokidoki make up items only until recently.

The brain child of Italian born designer, Simone Legno, and his partners Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold, Tokidoki’s signature is its quirky, colourful cartoon characters on the entire line of apparel, handbags, cosmetics and accessories.

The tokidoki Robbery Palette contains:
- Royal Pride Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Lion Pappa, Savana, Ercolini, Bulletto and a 0.16 oz Bronzer in Royal Pride
- Arlecchino Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Soya, Candy Cane, Ninja Dog, Meteo and a 0.16 oz Blush in Momobella
- Rapina Palette: 4 x 0.02 oz Eyeshadows in Liberty, Bullets, LA Gun, Adios and a 0.16 oz Blush in Polpettina
- Collectible Robbery Print tin that can be reused to house tokidoki treasures
- Large (3.5 x 5.5″) removable tokidoki logo magnet

There is a HUGE variety of blusher colour but the most flattering and universal one would have to be a coral/peach toned one. I probably have to be thankful that I dont own that many make up blushers unlike the rest of my make up items. Haha.

1. LA Splash Mineral make up blusher in Mermaid
2. Benefit Powder Pop blusher trio
3. id bareMinerals Hydrating Coral Blush in Coral Dusk
4. NARS Orgasm blusher
5. M.A.C Pinch-o-Peach blusher
6. NARS Super Orgasm blusher
7. bareMinerals All Over Face Colour in A Little Sun

Up and coming artist Takano draws inspiration from Japanese manga, science fiction novels, a hint of eroticism with a twist of Japonisme for her works. That probably explains why everything in this Shu Uemura Christmas 2010 collection, from the eyeshadow palette, blush tint, mini brush set to the Shu Uemura balancing cleansing oil, is so girly and doll-like. The eyelashes are particularly fanciful. But that’s no surprise since Shu Uemura is well-known among make up brands for their eye-catching lashes. I wonder if I’d be able to use the Shu Uemura dream coaster premium false lashes to enhance my Japanese make up style. They are soooooo fluttery and give such a dramatic doll-like resemblence! I love it!

Some of you have asked in the previous essential make up post where to buy make up to start your basic make up collection and take the next step to becoming a beauty-holic. For that, one must know where all the make up stores in Singapore are. I dont personally buy a lot of make up in Singapore, but when I do, here are the make up stores in Singapore I frequent.

1. Sephora Singapore
I absolutely adore Sephora and I’ve visited Sephora both here in Singapore and in New York. The reason why it’s my favourite make up store is the simple fact that they stock all of my favourite cosmetic brands; Urban Decay, Too Faced, Benefit, Bare Escentuals, Smashbox are found among a host of other gorgeous beauty products. Sephora is truly a beauty addict’s candy store.

Address:
Sephora Ion Orchard Shopping Mall
2 Orchard Turn, #01-05

Sephora Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road #B1-05

2. M.A.C Cosmetics
With new make up collections being pushed out every other month, you will never fail to find a gem of a make up product from M.A.C. Their limited edition collections are usually contained in stunning packaging that could easily double up as an accessory. I really get a kick out of owning something that’s limited edition. Haha. But that’s not the only reason why M.A.C is one of my favourite cosmetic brands. They have a wide range of colours for all their products and for affordable prices, their product quality is pretty damn awesome.

Address:
M·A·C Isetan Scotts
350 Orchard Road
Singapore 238868

M·A·C Tangs Orchard
310 and 320 Orchard Rd
Singapore 238864

3. Tangs Beauty Hall
Located in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district, Orchard Road, Tangs is easily accessible by train and carries brands that are slightly more high-end. Luxury brands like Dior, Chanel and Bvlgari are familiar faces in the Tangs Beauty Hall, but for users of cult make up brands, this might just be the place you want to step into.

Cosmetics brands here include: Anna Sui, Benefit, Biotherm, Bobbi Brown, Bvlgari, By Terry, Chanel, Christian Dior, Clarins, Cle De Peau Beaute, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Guerlain, Jurlique, Kiehl’s, La Mer, La Prairie, Lancaster, Lancome, La Prairie, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, Guerlain

Address:
Tangs Orchard
310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864

4. Robinsons at Raffles City
Located just above City Hall MRT, Robinsons is similar to Tangs Beauty Hall. With so many cosmetic brands housed under one roof, it definitely makes shopping for make up that much more convenient. Clarins, SK-II, Kiehl’s, Benefit are just some brands I can name off the top of my head right now, but there obviously are more.

The best part about the Robinson’s beauty hall is that it’s located alongside the shoe, bag and perfume section. Talk about getting a whole new wardrobe. I can literally walk into the beauty department of Robinsons, pick out new make up, a new fragrance, some supplements and even a new pair of shoes. Make over anyone?

Address:
Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
Singapore 179103

5. Watsons
We dont have that many drugstores here in Singapore, but Watsons is one that carries a wide selection of trusty make up products. Majolica Majorca, Revlon, LA Splash, Rimmel are but a few of the more popular make up brands in store. With compact yet attractive shelves it’s easy to browse and pick up your favourite products in a jiffy. Watsons also carries Maybelline, which produces one of my favourite mascaras: Maybelline Define-a-Lash Pulse Perfection mascara.

Address:
Watsons Ngee Ann City
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road #B2-06 – 09
Singapore 238872

Watsons Wisma Atria
435 Orchard Road #B1-15/16
Singapore 238877

6. Sasa
Ahhhh.. How could I forget this one little gem of a make up store here in Singapore? In Sasa, you find an eclectic mix of make up products from various brands. With such a diverse range of things to choose from, it’s enough to make any beauty-holic go gaga. Fake eyelashes, make up brushes, beauty masks, facial blotters, nail polish, you name it they’ve probably got it. But you know what I really like about Sasa? Although sometimes you find the most random of things there, the best is part is using them and then finding out that they’re actually pretty good!

Address:
Sasa Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard #02-200
Singapore 039594

Sasa Vivo City
1 Harbourfront Walk #02-176/177
Singapore 098585

There probably are lots of other make up stores in Singapore where you can buy make up that I havent discovered. Be it in the heartland malls, a major shopping district or even an obscure neighbourhood shop that happens to stock one of your favourite beauty products, everyone has a secret haven where they go to feel beautiful.

So share with me, where do you buy your make up from?

This set contains 10 of Sephora’s favorite bronzers and luminizers that “creates believable, sunkissed color, year-round”. Perfect for a setting where it’s summer all the time dont you think? And what could be more perfect than getting a sample of each one of these 10 gems in precious mini bottles?

From left to right:
* 0.39 oz Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder in Sunglow Light
* 0.16 oz SEPHORA COLLECTION Nail Polish in Bright Red
* 0.08 oz Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder
* 0.04 oz LORAC Tantalizer Baked Bronzer in Golden Bronze
* 0.17 oz Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil
* 0.2 oz Smashbox Artificial Light Illuminating Lotion in Glow
* 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Faux Tan
* 0.09 oz Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow Liner in Bronze
* 0.09 oz Benefit High Beam
* 0.08 oz TEMPTU RETOUCH Highlighter in Gold

I probably wont be able to finish using them all this year, but they wont ever run out style here in Singapore! Heehee.

My OTHER loot comes in the form of individual items that I picked up off the shelves. I like to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. But when I took this picture, I realised most of the items were from Urban Decay.

From left to right:
* NARS Super Orgasm Blush
* Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Moon Spoon
* Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20
* Benefit Concealer Brush
* Urban Decay Ink for Eyes Cream Eyeliner in Demolition

I just adore the funky packaging from Urban Decay, especially the Ink for Eyes Cream Eyeliner. Definitely cant wait to try it out! In fact, I also cant wait to compare the difference between the NARS Super Orgasm and the NARS Orgasm blush. Anyone tried them both before? Which one do you prefer?

The very first Sephora I stepped into here in New York was located near the financial district Wall Street. I saw the store, squealed my head off and rushed to take a photo from across the road. Going inside was like dying and going to beauty heaven. It wasnt one of the largest Sephoras, but it still held all the coveted brands we dont get back in Singapore. It was where all the cool brands were and at that point, the long flight we had to sit through was well worth it.

The shop was rather crowded compared to the deserted streets outside. I walked inside and had to keep my grabby little hands to myself. It wouldnt be wise of me to spend my entire budget on makeup stuff on my very first day in the City now would it? I thus had to distract myself by getting trigger happy.

Here are some of the brands that we dont have back home.

They, of course, stock some of the same brands we have here in our Sephora, but carry a much wider range of products. I havent done any serious damage in Sephora as yet. But I did get myself Super Orgasm from NARS to see how different it is from its sister blush Orgasm. I foresee many more ventures into Sephora these coming few days. Haha. In fact, there’s another one along 5th Avenue near Empire State Building.

Sephora is located in many places in New York City, but the ones I’ve been to are at:
150 Broadway
New York, NY 10038-4381
Monday – Friday: 8 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm

597 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10017
On 5th Avenue, between East 48th & 49th Streets
Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm

It is with the beginning of dweam.com as a Singapore Beauty Blog that I say goodbye to my previous direction. It is today I welcome a new beauty direction in my blog.

I’ve always toyed with the idea of starting a full fledged beauty blog. I can tell you it was difficult to do so. The beginning is always tough. I never thought that I was qualified to do so despite spending all my years in University on stage dancing; never thought that all the time I spent in front of the camera and on the runway was enough for me to tell anyone how to do their makeup. In fact, why would they listen to an ugly duckling like me?

Can you guess which one is me? Hahaha. Fresh faced into Uni. Taken when I was in Year 1 in 2004.

But maybe it was really when I finally ventured into the pageantry circuit and had to “fend for myself” that I finally got the courage to start. Afterall it was then that I had the most “drastic” changes in terms of how I looked. Hahaha. No, it was not plastic, but merely a refining of the basic techniques I already had. With this experience in dance, modeling and pageantry, yes, I’ve decided to give myself the go ahead. That’s not to say, up to this point, my beauty tutorials, makeup reviews and DIYs come from professional backgrounds. They are simply genuine reflections of what I do, use, experience and feel for the products on a regular basis.

Fast forward 4 years later, 2008.

However, beauty, to me, is not merely about who has the biggest eyes, the fullest lips, using the best makeup or having the most extensive number of products. I have to say that coming from a Psychology background (oh yes, I’m trained in Psychology. Let me read your mind now) that beauty to me is really just a mental state. I fully believe that we can and all should dream of the beautiful to be truly outstanding. My one month in the Philippines representing Singapore as Miss Earth also taught me that exact same thing. It wasn’t the girl who had the flashiest clothes, biggest eyes or the best hair that eventually won the crown. It was the girl who could compose herself well in times of duress that finally got crowned Queen. It was her who could smile despite not having things go her way. It was her who was a friend to all. Despite landing only Top 16, I have to admit, I learnt a lot during that trip to last me a lifetime.

Being beautiful is an art, but more importantly, being beautiful is a holistic development. As I share with you what makes me beautiful outside and in through my DIYs, reviews, tutorials, outfit posts, the not-so-newly conceived SneakerSunday and the occasional lifestyle posts, I hope new readers and potential followers will take my hand (albeit a virtual one) and join me in my beauty journey. For those who have been following me for a long time, I thank you for your unfailing support. There are so many people I have to thank, because without them dweam.com would not be where it is now. But, I will leave that for another day.

As an ending note, my dream for this blog is to inspire you, my reader, to become more beautiful inside and out as you explore uncharted territories with me, in this new chapter of dweam.

2010. Photo credits: Brad Lau

This is me. This is dweam now.

Not everyone can be a beauty queen, but everyone can be beautiful.

I fully subscribe to the idea of wearing makeup when you’re going to the beach. You really, don’t know who’s going to be taking your pictures or you might even spot a beach hunk playing beach volleyball with his hot friends. Haha. But seriously, most foundations come with sunblock, so that’s the ONE reason why you should wear makeup especially if you don’t religiously apply sunblock daily. The key when wearing makeup on the beach is to ensure everything is waterproof.

So when I went to Sentosa recently for a shoot, everything had to be “insured”. Insured with primers, that is.

Here’s the breakdown for the beach look I did:

Face
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
M.A.C Studio Fix foundation
M.A.C Studio Sculpt Concealer
M.A.C Pinch-o-peach blush
M.A.C Dsquared Sculpt and Shape powder in Accentuate Sculpt

Eyes
NARS Eyeshadow in Pandora
M.A.C Paint Pot in Rubenesque
M.A.C Royal Assets in Smokey Eyes
Everyday Minerals eyeshadow in Hoodie
Majolica Majorca eyeshadow palette in GR750
Maybelline Define-a-lash mascara (review here)
Majolica Majorca Lash Gorgeous Wing mascara

Lips
Smashbox Oplump Lip plumper

Would you believe me if I told you that this face was the one I did for the photo in the banner above?

I recently decided to do a no makeup face (and have it photographed) while having Sunday brunch. Sundays are meant to be days where you chillax and enjoy good company without worrying too much about how you look. Yet at the same time, in the presence of company, you do want to look presentable without being overly madeup.

So here’s how-to achieve a no makeup face:

1) You want to appear like you have no makeup at all yet still maintain a flawless complexion. Concealer is thus, your best friend in this no makeup face. Apply concealer and blend thoroughly to the dark circles under the eyes with your ring finger. Also remember to conceal any blemishes or other spots.
2) Next, dust powder foundation all over your face with a big fluffy brush for a natural finish.
3) Choose a natural peachy blush for that rosy flush and sweep it over the apples of your cheeks. I used the NARS Orgasm blush because it’s has lovely golden sparkles that brighten up your complexion instantly.
4) Light pink lips are the way to go in a no makeup face. I like the e.l.f Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips for a hint of colour and gloss. Also because the lipstick is in the form of a pen, it’s so easy to carry around!

Do you have an alternative method to achieving your no makeup face? Share it with me or even better, show me!

I have a grand total of…… 4 NARS products. Dont blame me please! They don’t have NARS here in Singapore. I do, however, own some of their classics. They include NARS Orgasm blush, a NARS eyeshadow in Pandora that I absolutely cannot live without, a NARS Orgasm lipgloss and the NARS Casino bronzer which is a current obsession.

I was never much of a bronzer girl till I went to the Philippines and had to use a bronzer for most of my contouring. Bronzer across my cheeks, across my abs, across my forehead and maybe even on the legs. You think I’m crazy? Wait till you see the amount of bronzer the other girls used. Haha. This NARS bronzer pan is much larger than the blush one and finding it won’t be a problem, but that’s totally irrelevant to the point here.

I absolutely love how bronzers can be multi-functional: as a blush, an eyeshadow, of course, a bronzer and even as a contouring shade.

Casino is a dark rich brown with golden shimmer intended to mimic the sun’s delightful rays dancing on your cheeks and more. Unlike the shimmer in the Orgasm blush, the golden shimmer in Casino is not that obvious and the rich brown is so delicious you’re tempted to apply a generous amount on your cheeks. But, really a gentle sweep with a light fluffy brush instantly warms up your cheeks and face giving you that tanned beach babe look immediately. I was greedy the first time I used it and applied HEAPS of this luscious brown bronzer on my cheek. I ended up looking like a wooden doll that had two brown patches painted on as cheeks. Oops. Hahaha.

But I really love how the deep brown makes it seem as though you’ve spent a good amount of time in the sun having loads of fun. With the NARS Casino bronzer, you get an instant tan without having to face the sun’s harmful UV rays. Instead of tan-in-a-bottle, this is tan-in-a-pan.

Other than using it for a bronzed look, you can even use Casino as a contour for your jawline. Just remember to always use a big fluffy brush for a natural flush.

Because bronzers give you an instant glow regardless of whether or not you’ve been in the sun, I hereby declare that every girl should own a bronzer because it gives you an instant tan and makes you look healthy. We can live in summertime all year long! Yay!

NARS is available at Sephora.com and narscosmetics.com