Now that I am back to my work (being the start of a new school semester and all), I think I can only do a weekly post over the weekend, comprising of make-up related updates and random stuff.

Just showed my bf what I did, and he was asking me "so you have to buy new make up every week just to do a post??"   Of course............NOT!!!  I mean, I happen to have some new stuff to show and talk about, but that doesn't mean I am going to get stuff just because I want to blog about them.  Besides posting hauls... I intend to talk about fave stuff I have been using for the week, some tips and tricks I have picked up etc...I guess I do spend a lot more on MU than some other girls, but then I hardly spend $$ on transport on a daily basis (cos I walk everyday), and I don't spend much $$ on food on a daily basis (I only dine out once or twice a week), and I ain't a  branded shoe/bags/clothes freak. And I don't maintain any expensive gym memberships, facial or spa packages etc.  So .... there is some tradeoffs and all. I guess this might be 'too much information' for you, but just in case anyone is wondering.

First up, I have the Marc Jacobs Cotton Perfume from the Splash Collection, which was "created as an alternative to revered, sparingly-used designer fragrances. The Splash scents are light and modern, perfect to be used post bath or shower – and are meant to be applied a bit more liberally than his other perfumes. These softly-scented, limited-edition perfume splashes are released seasonally in different collections."

I bought the scent Cotton, which is really a unisex scent, and the cool thing is all of my sisters and even my brother like it!  The huge amount of product 10oz, or 300ml means that each of us can spray it liberally and it will last for a long time to come.  I didn't know about this particular collection, and I think Violet, Orange, and Basil are also worth checking out, and perhaps collecting. The 4 of us had a crazy time at the store spraying ourselves in the different perfumes, I am also quite surprised by the Gwen Stefani Harajuku perfumes which all smelled quite pretty, and my fave is Music.

The whole package comes with a smaller bottle which you can transfer, and take it anywhere you go.

And next, Brushes!  I got my sisters into MAC brushes. For a start, my sister got herself the brush set from Colorforms which is from last year, but this particular MAC counter still has some stock.  She got the advanced brush set, which comes with 2 cute pouches.

For my youngest sister, she got the MAC217 brush, which is totally awesome for blending and applying eyeshadows.  For myself, I got the MAC227 which is "an extra large paddle-shaped brush with fluffed, rounded tip, made of soft natural fibre, this brush is versatile in function and can be used on either the face or eye. Use for applying, blending or highlighting any powder-based products."  Loves it!! I have been lemming this brush for the longest time, and when I used it this morning, wow!!!  I like how dense the brush is, and it is so soft, and is super for brushing on colors on larger areas.

My OPI hunt continues.  I have been buying my OPIs at this shop which always has a little section that sells OPIs at the price of 2 for 1.  This expains why whenever you see me with a OPI post, it's always 2 bottles at once.  This time, I am happy to find 2 colors from the recent France Falll collection, as shown below.  You have seen me using Parlez-vous OPI?, and the Jacques color is a very pretty cool brown colour!

Tried You Don't Know Jacques on my toes.

Next, MAC eyeshadows!  I completely skipped the Dame Edna collection, the colours were blah, and the packaging, though cute, but seems kind of cheap looking, because the red glasses on the boxes were actually just stickers, not like the Heatherette ones which were totally printed into the cases.   Anyway, I was also looking for the Chill Collection, but didn't see it at the usual MAC counters, but I found it at the same store my sister bought the Colourform brush set.  Well, why is this MAC store so special?? Basically their stock are imported separately from the usual MAC stores, because this particular mall is one of those 'tourist tax free shopping' places, whereby you have all the high-end brands and stuff there, and they have the travel exclusives and etc etc.  So that's why.

I found the Apres-Ski which is a matte dark brownish grey, and I think it is going to be such a useful colour for blending browns and blacks, much like how I use my Wedge eyeshadow.  The other colour, is called Seedy Pearl, which is frosty chilled lavender pink, I can see this being a nice highlight colour.

Then I reorganised my MAC palettes.  I have 2 palettes, one for neutrals and the other one is filled with brighter and odd colours.  I have space for only 1 shadow between my 2 palettes, and I am really reluctant to buy a 3rd palette.  And I do not want to open 2 or 3 palettes just to look for a colour I want to use.  Then I remembered a tutorial by Enkore, which is about converting your MAC palettes so that you can put in non MAC shadows, and shadows which are not circular, and also you can fit in 24 shadows instead of the usual 15 in each converted palette!  And it is so easy, you can keep the 'tray' so if you want to put it back to the original form, you can still do that.

I don't really label my palettes anymore (I remember all their names and which are permanent and which are from special collections anyway, ok, yah, call me nuts), and also, I tend to move my eyeshadows around if I get new stuff, so labelling the palettes seem kind of pointless.

My fave MAC colours are:

Mylar (1st row from left, middle one)

Dazzlelights (2nd row from left, middle one)

Tempting (4th row from left, top one)

Wedge (3rd row from right, bottom one)

Carbon (the matte black in the corner)

And now for a tutorial, I would call this 'Natural Everyday' -- Well..... it is not the most exciting look but it is what I have been wearing most of the time.

I used the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk over the lids.  This is a very smooth, milky white crayon and forms a sticky base for my eyeshadow.

Blend and feather out the Milk crayon, so this is what you have.

Now, I picked up Orb, which is a soft pale peachy beige colour with my MAC227 brush.  This is going over the white sticky base.

Love how the MAC227 feels on my lids!!!

This is what you should have. I also applied Dazzlellights all over the lids, and a little White Frost on the brow bone.

Next, I picked up Woodwinked, which is a warm antique gold colour with the MAC217.  I put this at the outer corner of the lids.

Next I used Apres-Ski, my newest eyeshadow.  This is going to blend the Woodwinked into the highlight colour, without adding or removing colour, does that make sense??

This what you get after the blending, it is very subtle, but you can see the colors are all nicely blended by now.

I used Orpheus eyeliner to line only the outer 1/3 of my lids.  I also used this to line the lower lids.

Then I used the Loreal Superliner to line my eyes.  I am still LOVING THIS!!  It is so frigging cool the way it stays put all day.

Add brows, and mascara if desired.  But I skipped the mascara/lashes for this, because this is what I have been doing... I stopped wearing lashes to work (I just can't be bothered anymore) and since this liner doesnt smudge, I think my eyes have enough definition for a normal day without the lashes and whatever.

Phew!!!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend, and thanks for reading!!