My Favourite Magazines

23 July 2008 | Tine

When Nikki of Askmewhats blogged about her favourite magazines, I knew I had to do the same because like her, I’m also a real magazine junkie.

I started reading girly magazines at the age of 12, when my dad brought home my very first Teen and Teenage magazines from Singapore. It was such a refreshing change from educational magazines like Kuntum and Dewan Pelajar, that I read those magazines over and over. Everytime my parents travel to Singapore on business, I’d beg them to bring home new issues of the magazines. After a while, the frequency of those business trips decreased significantly, and I lost my fix. So imagine my utter delight, when CLEO Malaysia was launched in 1996. I bought every single issue then, up to the time I left for the UK to further my studies.

The addiction did not stop there. Given that the UK stocked a lot more magazines than Malaysia, especially the international ones, I got so crazy with them, that I spent so much money on magazines alone. It’s enough money for at least one return trip to Europe. Yep, it was that bad. I had to give a lot of them away to charity shops when I had to leave the UK. How my heart broke then.

Thank God for beauty blogs, due to which I drastically reduced my magazine purchases. I got to read the latest news on fashion and beauty way before it comes out on print.

The darn glossy pages still attract me like a moth to a flame though. Here are some of the magazines which I read regularly, here in Australia.

1. InStyle

Instyle Magazines

I started reading InStyle regularly when I was in Malaysia. This international magazine (I read the ones from the US and the UK) is ridiculously expensive in Malaysia; it ranges from RM18 to RM27 per issue. I know, I know, that would be equivalent to the price of a paperback. I love this magazine because it caters to a more mature audience. Not old aunties, mind you, but at least it’s not full of teenybopping fashion and articles.

I subscribe to InStyle here in Australia. I managed to snag a good deal in the subscription package, which saves me 40% off the newstand price. I enter the Grab Bag competition every month, but I never win. Oh well. I’m still hopeful 🙂

2. Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan Magazines

You don’t get much beauty and fashion tips here compared to relationship and sex issues. What can I say? Lots to learn about sex here *nudge nudge*. Plus, there’s a sealed erotica section in the magazine, which is always fun to read *wink wink* :p

3. Shop Till You Drop

Shop Till You Drop Magazines

This is another magazine that I subscribe to. I enjoy the fashion articles in the magazine, and the clothes are fantastic. Their “Buys Under $50” pages are always an inspiration to a cheapo like me :p

Another reason I enjoy reading this is because I really like the layout design in the magazine. The concept is interesting pictures and articles on one big idea notice board if you will. It’s something which I’ve secretly always wanted to have, an idea board.

4. Foodie Magazines

Foodie Magazines

Okay, these aren’t fashion and beauty magazines, but I thought they were worth a mention, because I’ve made many delicious meals from the recipes found in these magazines. I’m not a good cook; at least, I’m not a creative one, and am still a greenhorn when it comes to seasonal produce and what to do with them. Plus, the mouth-watering pictures of yummy morsels are more than enough to hook me in, line and sinker.

Ironically, a magazine which I hardly read nowadays is CLEO. I guess I’ve outgrown the magazine, which is now more and more catered to those in their late teens or early twenties. Oh CLEO, you and I, we’ll always have good times.

So, is there anyone out there who shares my love for the glossy pages? What are your favourite magazines? Do share 😉

12 comments

Poll: What Type of Concealer Do You Use?

22 July 2008 | Tine

In a blink of an eye, it’s the middle of the week again. Gosh, where did the time go, eh? Two more days to the weekend, whee!

Before I move on to this week’s poll, I’d like to give a shout out to Geekchic, for today’s her birthday! Happy birthday babes! 🙂

Okay, today’s question is: what type of concealer do you use?

Concealer

For me, believe it or not, I use all three. Not all at once, of course. During the day, when I use mineral foundation, I’d use mineral concealer. In the evenings, when I wanted more coverage, I’d use liquid foundation. I’d use liquid concealer with that one. As for stick concealers, well, that’s great for traveling, because I don’t have to worry about powder or liquid spillage.

So, powder for powder, liquid for liquid, and stick for … well, all! It works pretty good for me 🙂

What’s your story? What type of concealer do you use? If there’s another type of concealer which you do use, which isn’t part of the poll, do share with us in your comments, yeah?

This poll will close in a month.

6 comments

Review: Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush

20 July 2008 | Tine

When I ordered my second batch of Everyday Minerals samples, I was rather apprehensive of the blush I chose because when you order items like these online, you really have to rely on the colour swatches the website provided. The problem with the Everday Minerals website was that it does not display photographs of the actual product swatch, only conceptual pictures. It became a matter of “what-the-hell-lets-just-take-a-shot” when I selected Sunday Brunch. And I have to say, it was an excellent choice.

Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush

Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush Back

Description:

A delicious raspberry sorbet shade that is ideal for all skin types. Just the right matte finish that you can dress up or dress down. A versatile and must have color for every occasion.

Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush Opened

When wearing a blush, I like a little more colour on my cheeks, thus I don’t normally wear pinks (unless it’s Benefit’s Dandelion or Posietint) because they seldom show on my cheeks. I love the colour of raspberries on me, and the Sunday Brunch definitely did not disappoint. In fact, the flush the Sunday Brunch gave my cheeks was absolutely gorgeous.

Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush on Lid

A great thing about the Sunday Brunch is that the blush is incredibly pigmented, so you’d only need so little per application. As the blush came in a sample 5g jar, this is a great size to bring along when traveling.

Everyday Minerals Angled Blush Brush

Everyday Minerals Angled Blush Brush And Blush

On another note, I used the Everyday Minerals angled blush brush to apply the blush; in fact, I used it to apply all my blushes. Love it that the bristles are so soft and do not shed whenever I give it a good wash, which is once a week. If you’re looking for a good (and cheap; it’s only USD8!) blush brush, I highly recommend the angled blush brush by Everyday Minerals.

Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush Swatch

Before Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush
Before the Sunday Brunch

After Everyday Minerals Sunday Brunch Blush
After the Sunday Brush

A sample size of the blush is USD2.50, a mini size is USD4, and a full-sized jar of the blush is USD8, which are available on the Everyday Minerals website. A sample-sized jar of the blush, which is in a 5g jar, will last you at least a month, if not two. That’s how little you’d need per application. So you can imagine how long the blush will last you if you bought the full-sized jar. Donkey years! :p It’s such great value if you ask me.

What I like about it: Highly pigmented blush, beautiful raspberry flush. Very cheap 🙂

What I did not like about it: Nothing. I love it!

10 comments

Doing The Smokey Eye with Silkygirl’s Smokey Spark

16 July 2008 | Tine

A huge favourite Malaysian drugstore brand of mine is Silkygirl (previously known as Wet ‘n’ Wild). I love the funky eyepencils, and even though the eyeshadow duos have quite an odd colour combination, I quite like the colours on their own. And my favourite-est of Silkygirl’s eye shadows would be the Smokey Spark.

Silkygirl Smokey Spark Eye Shadow

I love doing the smokey-eye look with the Smokey Spark. In fact, of all the eye shadows I have, cheap or expensive, I love the smokey-eye effect by the Smokey Spark the best. On the down side, the Silkygirl duo eyeshadows do not last very long, definitely not all day. With eye shadow primer, it will last a little over 4 hours. This should last you the evening. Still, it’s so cheap; at only RM15.90, I’m not complaining :p

This is an easy method of creating the smokey-eye effect, using drugstore-brand makeup items available in Watsons and/or Guardian, Malaysia. To keep it simple, I used the sponge applicator at came with the eye shadow. Using your fingers and/or makeup brush would give you better control in your application, but I wanted to show you that even using the little plastic applicator can also give you good results.

To achieve the look, these were the items I used:

Silkygirl Smokey Spark and Tools

1. Silkygirl Smokey Spark
2. Maybelline Sky High Curves Waterproof Mascara
3. Jordana FineLiner liquid eyeliner
4. Cotton buds/Q-tips

Before Silkygirl Smokey Spark

Without eye makeup on

Only Grey Shade

Apply the dark grey shadow on the outer lid

Silkygirl Smokey Spark Without Eyeliner and Mascara

Sweep the silver shadow on the inner lid and on the browbone. Blend, blend, blend! I also lined the bottom lashes using a cotton bud.

Silkygirl Smokey Spark Without Eyeliner and Mascara Closed

Apply the liquid eyeliner and mascara

Silkygirl Smokey Spark With Eyeliner and Mascara Opened
As you can see, the smokey-eye effect is not as dramatic as expected. I actually like it this way as I can wear this during the day as well. For eyes to really pop, you can use a darker shade of grey or kohl pencil (blend outwards for this one) on the lids.