Hong Kong Treats

Here are some local must-buys! Hong Kong offers a wide range of products, and all of them are easily accessible so you can experiment with different companies to see what suits best with your skin and color.

It's difficult to decide what to buy, or should I say, what NOT to buy, when Bobbi Brown is on your left, MAC is on your right, and Body Shop is in front of you. Here is a little help :)

The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain

Rose Pink

This is an awesome product that is non-messy, handy and great for quick fixes. You can use it to give you a flushed look for your cheeks, and to add a little color to your lips. You know the cherry glow that you get when you've come back from a run or when you've been biting your lips? This will help you get that.

Just dab onto your cheeks, and blend it into your skin with your fingertips in a circular motion. Use this on the apples of your cheeks. As for your lips, do the same thing. Dab onto your lips and use your fingertips to blend, paying extra attention when you're blending on your upper lip so you don't color out of the line. As the color is strong, start with a few drops and then add if you feel necessary.

The best feature about this product is that it is a stain. You know sometimes when your hair blows onto your face, and because of your lip gloss it gets stuck? It won't happen this time, because there is no texture, yet there is color!

Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner

Black

This creamy eyeliner is smudge-proof, waterproof and an intense shade of black. Use the brush to paint it on your eyelids or on your waterline (where the kohl goes). The brush is an excellent buy with the eyeliner as you can do a thick line or a thin line and it turns out smooth! (most brushes can't achieve the smooth feature and the end result ends up having a rigid staircase effect)

After you've used the brush a few times, it will tend to harden. When you want to apply this gel eyeliner the next time, before dipping your brush into the gel, press it onto your hand a few times to soften it. Once you've done this, it will be easier to apply the eyeliner and the result will be much smoother.

Summer colors for your nails =)

Here are some of my current favorite shades:

Nicole Reach Out

O.P.I has launched a slightly more wallet-friendly collection by the name of Nicole. The shades are pretty, and the coat lasts upto 10 days which is decent enough. Also, this collection is more easily available. You can buy their shades in Sasa and also have a look at their color chart for a better idea.

So this is my current No. 1 favorite. You can't see the color by one coat though, at least two coats are needed. It is a soft pink shade (not barbie-ish), and a unique color that I've seen only from Nicole. Overall a good buy!

Nicole City Pretty Rose

This comes in second. Color is seen with one coat, and this is also a unique shade that you won't find with more budget nail polishes like Revlon. A recommended buy and a good one!

Nicole Stolen Kisses

This is a more reddish tone, but new and pretty nonetheless! Enjoy.

India Must Buys

These items from India are fantastic and ideal for daily use. Well in budget too!

Chambor Dazzle Eye Pencil

I own this and it is a great kohl! Smudeproof, waterproof, dark too. Plus this eyeliner doesn't require sharpening so no mess involved. Would definitely recommend this. Would suggest the black, purple and blue shades.

Lakme Black Impact Liner

Lakme has changed their liquid eyeliners and this is a recent launch. It has a good tip for application, enabling you to do a thick or a thin line depending on what suits you.

Lakme Jewel Eyeliner

This eyeliner is a liquid one and is on Lakme's Bridal Collection. The shades are really pretty! When applied, they give a metallic and smoky effect. I would suggest buying the ametrine, jade, opal and onyx shades. (I know.. can't resist!). If you are on a budget here, I would suggest buying either the ametrine or jade shade depending on what suits your skin tone better. I suggest these two because these are unique colors that you will only find at Lakme.

Hint: After applying this as a eyeliner (on the eyelids), line the lower part of your eyes with a thin layer of black kohl. Do not use eyeshadow when applying this as this by itself will be just enough to bring out your eyes.

Revlon Skinlights Illuminating Lotion

This is one of the more expensive products for a budget buy, but totally worth it! You can use it as base make up, as finishing make up, as a highlighter and so much more. It gives you a tinted glow, and is available in 3 shades. Opt for the shade lighter than your foundation as the purpose is to highlight. Check out my 'Light Make-Up' post on how to apply this lotion.

Light Make-Up

Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminating Lotion

For day wear:

Apply moisturizer as you normally would. Afterwards, take a few drops of the Illuminating lotion and apply to your face as you would to a moisturizer. Keep in mind that this lotion is thick so do not apply too much as it could become greasy. Use this lotion when you do not feel like applying heavy make up for the day, yet need that subtle coverage. After applying it, you will be able to see the faint glow in your skin.

For evening wear:

Finish applying your make-up. Afterwards, take one or two drops, and apply

i) To the area of the cheeks that is under the eyes (the area which pops out when you smile)
ii) To the end of the area under your eyebrows

This will basically give a nice shine when the light catches your face. Another reason why we apply it to the cheeks is because your photos come out nicer as it gives a tinted glow, especially under the flash! =)

This product is available in India, and is a must-buy! It definitely does the finishing touches to the make-up and gets you picture-ready ;)

Recommended eyeshadow

MAC Nocturnelle Frost

Purple is a soft yet defining eyeshadow color for daily wear or nights out. Even so, it is difficult to find one purple shade that suits all occasions. I would recommend this color from MAC. It gives subtle color to the lids and makes your eyes stand out, giving a natural radiance.

Added suggestions: Line the lower part of your eyes (known as lower waterline) with a thin layer of black or dark brown kohl. Highlight with a light layer of mascara.