REVIEW: K-Palette's Teka Oil Control Mat Powder

Sharon, from Japalang, sent me the K-Palette's Teka Oil Control Mat Powder amongst other goodies a while back. My Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder took a back seat while the K-Palette one took residence in my makeup pouch this school semester. (:



What is this Teka Oil Control Mat Powder?
It is an oil blotting powder! To keep the oilies away!

What is the packaging like?
The powder is housed in a round plastic tin which is slightly smaller than a palm. It has a mirror and comes with a puff, making touch ups very easy and convenient!

What does the powder contain?
It has SPF15 PA+++, hyaluronic acid, ceramide and collagen. All these ingredients are going to help keep your skin supple! (:

Does it provide any coverage?!?
Mine's in Natural Beige. It doesn't provide much coverage because, afterall, it isn't a foundation but an oil blotting powder. It does even out slight redness, like around my forehead and nose. (:

How does the powder feel on your skin?
FAB!!! It feels really light on my skin, almost like I didn't put anything on. And this feeling is something that I go for in all my face products. (I hate feeling like there's a layer on my skin because it makes my skin feel suffocated.)

Does it actually keep the oilies away? *skeptical look*
Haha. It DOES! It keeps my face matte for a good 4 hours! :D

So... How does this compare with Urban Decay's De-Slick Mattifying Powder?
The Urban Decay one hasn't got any SPF but the K-Palette one doesn't have any acne-fighting ingredient. I feel that the latter keeps my face more moisturized than the former and because of that, I actually prefer the K-Palette one. Also, it's much much kinder to your wallet. :D

For those who hate the smell of tea tree oil, the K-Palette one will be good for you!

Anything else to add?
I usually put on my moisturizer, Kao Bioré's Bioré UV Perfect Face Milk and then, my oil blotting powder. It worked fine with Urban Decay's De-Slick Mattifying Powder but with K-Palette's Teka Oil Control Mat Powder, my face looked way too powdery. So I skip the sunscreen. It helps that the Teka Oil Control Mat Powder contains SPF but it is rather on the low side... Just something to take note. (:

LOOKBOOK: Lace, frills and everything black.

Morning Muffins! :D

I hope you guys had a splendid Christmas and of course, Boxing Day *grins*! Christmas always seem to like just zoom right past. Before you know it, Chinese New Year decorations are up! I really wish Christmas were all year round. And fingers crossed that someday, I'll actually get to experience a white Christmas! Rather than a sweltering one. :\

Haha. Enough babbling! Today's post is a fashion-related one. I'm not much of a fashionista because SG is really way too hot to be one. Most of the time I'm found in tees (American Eagles is my favourite label!) and denim shorts. I do dress up a little if I'm going for events or Church... Or if I know I'm going to fail a paper. Haha. That was what I did for my Probability and Statistics paper. 'If I'm gonna fail, I might as well do it in style.', that's my ummm... Philosophy? Haha.

At the moment, I'm obsessed with lace, hosiery and skirts that fare and are frilly. The colour that is in for me this season (MY season. Haha.) is black! Which is kinda weird because it has never been my... Philosophy? (Haha. Fashion, philosophy... Haha. *shakes head*) to be dressed like more than half in black. SG is wayyy too hot for that. Black, radiation... MAJOR EEPS! :\ But it doesn't seem to bother me right now. Haha.

I don't always follow a particular style. I'm usually influenced by characters in whichever TV drama that I'm following. It used to be Erin Silver from 90210 (Only from Season 1.). Now, it's Aria Montgomery from Pretty Little Liars (JANURARY 3rd IS COMING!!! HOLA!!! This show has been on a break since what? August?!?).

Anyway, I'm done with words. Here are some pictures taken with my iPhone.

(I'm not very good at camwhoring so pardon the awkward poses. And pardon any messiness. I make my bed only in the middle of the day or like after dinner... Or sometimes, I just leave it. It's a pull-out mattress. Oh! And that table there, my siblings 'built' it for me when I was studying for my mid-terms. :D)



ASOS Daisy Lace Tights



F21's basic white t-shirt
F21's lace skirt with white inner layer
ASOS Heart Sheer Tights



(I tore this one. *points above* )': I'm gonna turn it into a wrist band or something like that.)



Cotton On's black jersey dress
F21's black lace top

Alrighty. Just in case I don't post anymore until 2011 rolls in,

HAPPY NEW YEAR, SWEETS! :D

Tra la la la la la la la la...

Love,
Charlene J.
:D

HAUL SERIES PART II: The Eyes

(This is going to be quite picture intensive.)

Doing my eyes is my favourite part of applying makeup! I usually do it the 'Outer V' way though I have no creases of any sort to speak of. I have mutiple eyelids though. Unfortunately, they are only permanent on my left eye, making sporadic appearances on my right. :\



Of course, of course I got the Urban Decay's Book of Shadows III! Hehe. XD It was purchased from a drugstore.com spree that Michelle held. I got it at USD$54 plus a 20% off. I saved!!! *dances* (Though technically, as my sister put it, I didn't. I would have actually saved if I didn't purchase it. Sigh. Young ones. Some day, she will discover the wonders of makeup!)





This is my first KATE's eyeshadow palette; Gradical Eyes in GY-1. I spent hours, hovering around the KATE counter, trying to decide on the palette that I should get. I actually like the blue one a lot (I LOVE blue on my eyes!) but back then, I was into the whole nude makeup phase, so I got this instead (Oh gosh! Now I'm thinking about the blue palette. No, Charlene, no!).



In the palette, the eyeshadows feel rather dry and rough but they go on very smoothly on the skin, blending real easily. The shimmers are subtle so it's good for an everyday look. Go heavy on the dark side and voilà! You get your smokey eyes! (:



This was given to me by Charlene Senior!!! I haven't bought Majolica Majorca palettes in a while so I was really thrilled to get this, and very pleasantly surprised. (: Much love from Charlene to Charlene! :D





This palette is called 'Blooming Dream Eyes'. It was in the previous collection, I think. I love fairytales of all sorts so I'm really in love with the design of this little book!



Like all other Majolica Majorca eyeshadows, these are smooth and easy to blend. The eye gloss needs a little work to show up (You will need to pat it on!) but it's very pretty. (:



I didn't haul this either. This was a surprise gift from Dad! He was really random. The morning before he left for his flight, he saw me applying makeup and he was like "You know, the airport has makeup. You can go check it out and tell me what you want...". And the next thing I knew, I got a SMS from him saying that he got my sis and I each a palette! So presenting... *drum rolls*... My first Lancôme product, the Absolu Voyage palette!

It was a surprise too, because really, I didn't think my Dad liked me putting on all these makeup. So it was really nice to know that he has my back in everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING, that I do.


from left to right: The 6 eyeshadows, Blusher, Eyeliner and Lipliner

Again, the eyeshadows are smooth and easy to blend (And somehow, they feel a tad more luxurious!). The dark brown and the white are matte, whilst the rest contains subtle shimmers. I LOVE the shade of the blusher! It's coral-pink and will give me the OH!!!-I-have-had-ten-hours-of-sleep-look-though-really-I-only-had-3. Haha! Whoopee!!! (Just in case you don't know, I'm currently in a blusher phase!)



I got the Too Faced 'The Bathing Beauty' from Jen for 20 bucks.



The peach blusher was the reason I got it (Yes, I'm in the peach blushers phase!). And I have been using only this blusher ever since I got it! :D


from left to right: Blusher and the 3 eyeshadows

I have always liked Too Faced products! I swatched most of what Sephora Singapore has when I was working there back in June. Eyeshadows are of great pigmentation, awesome colours... I always feel that it's under Urban Decay's shadow. ): But okay... If you were to ask me to pick one out of the two, it's URBAN DECAY HANDS DOWN!!! HOLAAA!!! Heh. Sorry, Too Faced! But I'm loyal and I got to know about Urban Decay first. Heh.


from left to right: NARS' Deep Throat, NARS' Orgasm and Too Faced's Blusher<



So when there's a blusher that's peachy pink, I, of course, like to take out my NARS blushers in Deep Throat and Orgasm and do a comparison! The Too Faced blusher is definitely a whole lot peachier than the NARS ones, and umm... I actually like it a lot better! Heh heh.

Anyway, yep. That's it from me today! HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MUFFINS!!! :D

SPOTTED: Mummy's Stash

background from here

While packing the house for the big move, Mum came across her really ancient makeup and passed them to me! She got these when I was 13!!! I still remember how she ran into the room excitedly with them, plopped herself in front of the mirror and started applying them. And then, we took pictures! Or rather, camwhored. Haha.



These are Cooling Stick Eyeshadows in the shades 01 Rosy White, 16 Plum Chilly and 17 Silver Bells. The names are so pretty and so incredibly apt for Christmas, aren't they?!?





I am in love with 01 Rosy White already! I still have them with me and am seriously thinking of using them. LOL. Okay, I know I shouldn't, even if I were give a gazillion boxes of Royce chocolates, but I definitely won't be throwing them out anytime soon. Heh.

HAUL SERIES PART 1: The Face

Okay, I realized I didn't haul as much as I thought I did. They just cost A LOT, hence the illusion of massive haulage. Anyway, I have decided to categorize my haulage according to the different types of makeup. And as Glinda the Good Witch said "It’s always best to start at the beginning.", so we're gonna kickstart the 'journey' with foundations!



Thankfully, I'm not a foundation sort of person (Otherwise, I will be beyond broke.). In fact, I almost always go out in my bare skin. But that has now been rendered impossible. My skin's pretty much wrecked, by the exams. BIG SIGH.



KATE's Lasting High Coverage Liquid Foundation and Powder Foundation are available at Watsons. My shade's OC-B. (I can't remember the prices. :\ Will update after I have checked them.) There was a period of time when I was slightly obsessed with KATE Cosmetics after seeing their latest advert featuring Japanese pop singer Kimura Kaera. So I went onto Makeup Alley and did some reading up! Haha. Anyway, both foundations are rated pretty high and people were saying "It made such big difference!", that their skin glowed, even when they had REMOVED it. So, to quote Mich, being the most typical female consumer, I HAD to get them and I did. First thing in the morn. Heh!




The liquid foundation comes in a pump tube, giving you complete control over how much foundation is dispensed.


The powder comes with a puff. You're supposed to buy the casing for it, which is supposed to be super nice blah blah blah. Marketing gimmick. I'm not falling for it, ha! But that also means I can't bring it out. I hardly touch up my foundation (Not that I don't need to... I just don't.) so I just keep it in the little paper box that it comes in.


KATE's Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation and Liquid Foundation (before blending)


KATE's Lasting High Coverage Powder Foundation and Liquid Foundation (after blending)

But umm... On my first try, I wasn't ALL that impressed. I thought my Rimmel London's 16H Lasting Finish Foundation was a lot better! But this hol, I shall play with them more and then, update with a proper review. (:



Next up, it is the box of little Skin79 B.B. Creams from Watsons, $19.90. The B.B. Creams in this collection are

Super Blemish Balm Triple Functions
Whitening
UV Protection
SPF25 PA++
Wrinkle Free

Diamond Collection Pearl Luminous Blemish Balm

Diamond Collection The Prestige Blemish Balm
SPF25 PA++

Super Blemish Balm VIP Gold Collection
Whitening
SPF25 PA++
Wrinkle Improvement

(It really says 'Beblesh Balm' on these little tubes. Is it meant to be spelt like that?!?)


from left to right: Super Blemish Balm Triple Functions, Diamond Collection Pearl Luminous Blemish Balm, Diamond Collection The Prestige Blemish Balm, Super Blemish Balm VIP Gold Collection





The Diamond Collectiod Pearl Collection Luminous Blemish Balm is the lightest, both in colour and in texture. It contains shimmers too... Which is really horrifying when applied to the entire face. :\ I applied it and, took it off immediately. It was basically the proverbial disco-ball look. Now, I'm wondering if this is how the Revlon's PhotoReady Makeup looks like. :\

My favourite out of the lot is the Super Blemish Balm VIP Gold Collection (The tube is pretty much distorted already!). It's the most moisturizing one and because of all the late nights that I have been pulling, my skin needs all the moisture it can get. The other 2 B.B. Creams feel pretty much the same to me, though the Super Blemish Balm Triple Functions is a lot ashier, whilst the Diamond Collection The Prestige Blemish Balm is pink.

Just like all other B.B. Creams out there, you need to set them with a powder. I have been using Skinfood's Peach Sake Silky Powder (IT SMELLS LIKE PEACHES!!! Okay, I know. Duh. But it's heavenly!!!).

One thing that I have noticed though, is that I have been getting a couple of blackheads on my cheeks after using these! EEPS! :\ I'm not sure if it's because of my late nights, stress and all that jazz that comes with exams but I didn't get any blackheads when I was using the Etude House Precious Mineral B.B. Cream and Pact. Hmmm...

Anyway, I think it's a real awesome idea to sell these in sample sizes. Skin79 has so many different types of B.B. Creams and it makes your head go round just wondering which type you should get. And they aren't cheap. :\

Will I be getting any of the full-sized tubes soon? Nope. I have a bunch of EDM samples to go through and well... The little blackheads thing really scared me so... It'll be a while before I touch Skin79 products again (No, I'm not writing it off just because of this little hiccup, which is really baseless! It's just that I have like a gazillion products to go through. Say hello to MAKEUP BAN!)
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Alrighty, catch up with y'all Muffins soon! (:

GOODIES: Christmas came early with Japalang! (:

Last Friday, I received a package which I wasn't expecting! :D



Sharon, from Japalang, sent me this! It was very timely because I was feeling pretty much bummed out because of the exams. Thanks Sharon!

Inside the brown package were the K-Palette's K-Palette's 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner (Super Black) in pink packaging (According to Chantana, it's the limited edition one. Pretty in pink! Hola!) and Japalang's very own Sticky candy!



I haven't had stickies for a really long time now (And no, I haven't touched them yet because I want to blog about them first. Heh.)
-

2 more papers to go and I'll be back.

You can count on me doing SO MANY HAUL/ SWATCHES entries. Eeps! :\

TAG: What's in your makeup bag?!?

Hi Muffins!

I took my first and 2nd hardest paper today. So... I'm taking a respite from studying tonight. *THUMBS UP WITH SPASTIC SMILE*



(from top clockwise)
theBalm's Down Boy
Urban Decay's Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy
K-Palette's Teka Oil Control Mat Powder
Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy
Benefit's Eye Bright
Maybelline's Pencil Eyeliner in Dark Brown
Almay's Bright Eyes Liner/Highlighter Duo in Chocolate & Shell
Almay's Bright Eyes Liner/Highlighter Duo in Cocoa & Pearl
Rimmel London's Glam'Eyes Mascara
CoverGirl's Lash Blast Mascara in Black Brown


Okay, I don't actually bring all these to school! Just the K-Palette's Teka Oil Control Mat Powder and CoverGirl's Lash Blast Mascara. But the above prooducts are what I have been using for school for the past 2 months or so.

Almay's Bright Eyes Liner/Highlighter Duo in Cocoa & Pearl, Chocolate & Shell

Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy (Wet, Dry), Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy (Wet, Dry)

Urban Decay's Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy

Jo! If you're reading this, this isn't the one that you got for me from the sale! Haha. This is my own Space Cowboy, which I purchased when Urban Decay first arrived on our shores. It is my favourite shade from the Stardust series! I was incredibly upset when I dropped it and it shattered. So when Jo was at a recent sale and she told me Stardust Eyeshadows were going 2 for $40, of course I got it (along with Diamond Dog)! Okay, it was completely unnecessary but... Heh.

Alrighty. I'm gonna go get some sleep now!
Catch ya'll soon!

Love,
Charlene J.

UPDATES: School, family and Onsugarettes love!

Hey Muffins (:

As aforementioned, I'll be pulling a disappearing act for the month of December (Until 20th, anyway.) because of my finals. Thanks for being very patient with me over the past few months, even though I'm slow in replying comments, haven't been commenting much and have been completely negligent where Sunbathing Muffins is concerned. Do pardon me. I'll be back before you know it, with more reviews and haul posts (OMG. TRUST ME ON THIS. I HAULED SO MUCH MORE THAN I DID OVER THE 4-MONTH LONG SUMMER VACATION.)! (:
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Another thing that I want to mention is something that happened to my family. For those following me on Twitter, you would have known that my brother was diagnosed with dengue fever and it was a very serious case. He had high fever, shortness of breaths and chest pains.

A healthy person has a normal platelet count that is between 150,000 and 450,000 per microlitre of blood, but my brother's dropped from 74,000 to 31,000 to 19,000 within a day before the doctors did a blood transfusion for him (Their rule is that the platelet count has to be 20,000 and below before they do any blood transfusion.). My family doctor was really furious because from 74,000 to 31,000 overnight was very drastic.

The worst thing was that Dad was away and Mum had to run the whole show. I couldn't be at the hospital because I couldn't leave Gran alone at home and it was just all very, very scary. And to see my usually mischievous brother so sick... It was very, very heart-breaking for me (He went to the loo to brush his teeth and then, just sat on the floor because he didn't have the strength to walk back to the bed.).

I am pretty positive that my tear ducts have officially ceased functioning. My brother's better now, though his platelet count is still very low after 2 blood transfusions. He needs to be under observation 24/7, to ensure that he doesn't get cut or anything like that because his blood can't clot now.
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Okay, the point that I want to make is that, without the Onsugarettes on Twitter (and off Twitter), I don't think I could have 'survived' the past few days. Off the top of my head, MAJOR shoutouts to

Michelle, Ru, Kim, Jo, Fatin, Joyce, Amie and Charlene.

(I don't think I have missed out anyone but I'm really sorry if I did!)

Thank you so so SO much for the tweets and SMSes of encouragement! They really meant so so SO much to me (I wish I could emphasize the 'so' some more!). There is just SO much love from me to you guys! Tuesday night was the worst (because Dad was still overseas, Mum was crying, it was just Gran and I at home...) but your constant tweets (and SMSes from Charlene) were a great source of comfort and really, thank you so much for that. <333
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I told Ru before that joining Onsugar is probably one of the best things that I have ever happened done. My 'offline' friends have hardly any interest in makeup (Or American dramas. *grins at Fatin* Go watch 'Pretty Little Liars' if you haven't!!!). My best friend is a tomboy who loves soccer to death so yeah... You get the picture.

But the thing is that though I have joined clubs/communities (in school), I have never felt this close to a community before. I made an Onsugar account because I was reading some Onsugar beauty blogs but I really didn't think that I would make such awesome friends through my own beauty blog (I have been blogging since I was in Primary 3. I made a few friends through web-designing sites but we weren't THIS close.). And for that, I am very, very thankful and grateful. It is really one of the very big blessings that I have received this year. I have to mention Hazel too, who was also a fab ex-neighbour! (: You guys make me SMILE. (:

Yes, you can totally tell that I am a person who cares about all the small things so please don't be freaked out by this crazy long declaration of love to my Onsugarette buds. Haha. I'm just really very, very grateful and incredibly thankful. (:

Anyway, till the 20th Muffins!
Take care. (:

Love,
Charlene J.

REVIEW: Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Skincare Range

When The Sample Store emailed me an application to review Eucerin products, I immediately jumped at the chance. I have been using the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Creme-Gel for about 2-3 years now (I wrote a little paragraph on it a while back.) and to me, it's an absolutely fab product for maintenance.

As mentioned before, I'm very particular when it comes to skincare products, so even though I love the Creme-Gel, I didn't venture into Eucerin's other products. Also, their products aren't exactly cheap. :\

So you can bet that I was extremely thrilled when my application was accepted and the products were sent to me on the 16th.

(Do note that my review will be based on my experience for the last 9 days. It usually takes about 2 months to really 'judge' skincare products. But as I have a deadline to meet... I'll definitely update again, when I'm close to finishing the products.)



Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cleanser (200ml), $21.20
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Scrub (100ml), $18.60
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Creme-Gel (60ml), $25.70

The range is oil-free, has anti-bacterial properties and is non-comedogenic. It prevents skin irritation and is compatible with most acne medication.

The cleanser contains salicylic acid, while the scrub and the creme-gel have lactic acid in them. Salicylic acid is probably the next most common ingredient found in over-the-counter medications for acne in drugstores here, with the first being benzoyl peroxide. But please don't quote me on this. It's just an observation that I have made over the years.



Description:
A gentle daily clenaser
6% Ampho-tenside system
Anti-bacterial
Non-comedogenic
Fragrance-free
Soap-free

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that the cleanser is soap-free! Those that aren't always leave my skin feeling too clean, tight and dry. So this is really awesome! (I also love it that I can keep my eyes open when washing my face!) I won't exactly say that my skin feels 'supple' after usage, but it definitely doesn't make my skin go dry, which is a major plus point for me. For those who have tried Cetaphil, yes, this feels similar to Cetaphil. But do note that Cetaphil does not contain any acne-fighting ingredients.

The cleanser is supposedly good for removing makeup as well. But I find that, in this area, it lacks. You still do need a makeup remover to get rid of your makeup before using this.



Description:
Lactic Acid beads deliver lactic acide directly where blemishes originate.
Pore refining micro particles
Non-comedogenic

Scrubs are really meant to use once or twice a week because your skin takes time to remove itself. But for the purpose of writing this review, I have been using this almost every other day, on a dry face (I find that scrubs are more effective on a dry face. Perhaps, due to more friction being generated? Do take note to be extra gentle then.).

The scrub leaves my skin feeling very smooth. As for whether it reduces blackheads and blemishes, I can't really say much about that, having used it for a short while only. The beads are small and I don't find it the least bit harsh. It stung a little around the sides of my nose at the beginning but the stinging feeling soon subsided.

I didn't notice any brightening effect, like the Skinfood's scrubs. But that's really fine with me, since the brightening effect fades off after a while.



Description:
A daily, oil-free moisturizer
2% Lactic Acid Follicle Targeting System
Non-comedogenic
Anti-bacterial
Comedolytic action

Okay, THIS, this I absolutely LOVE! I mean, I have been using this for an incredibly long time already! Way back when it was under a different packaging! This helps to maintain my complexion. For me, this isn't good for killing off spots that are threatening to rear their ugly heads or have already made their presence known to the whole entire world (I strongly recommend Eryacne for zits of all sorts.). It is a little slow and ineffective in this area. But yes, I do believe that it reduces the frequency of the occurrence of blemishes.

Another thing that I like about this is that it is very moisturizing. Thumbs and toes up for that because most of such treatments can be rather drying.

The range also contains a toner (200ml), $21.20, and a cover stick (2.5gm), $26.00.

Anyway, here's a link for you to redeem a Eucerin DermoPURIFYER 3-in-1 Kit! (:


I hope you like the range as much as I do (Do let me know your thoughts about it!)! (: