Korean Eyebrows Tutorial & Korean Hair Tutorial

I had a request for more Korean centric tutorials and since then I’ve been hunting the web and magazines for Korean style makeup and tutorials.

One thing that strikes me as being the MAINSTAY for any Korean look is

NATURAL LOOKING EYEBROWS

&

A CLEAN CLEAR FACE

Let’s start off with the eyebrows. The shape of  Korean eyebrows are never ever thin or sparse looking. They all have a gentle arch at the end and I really like how they make their eyebrows look so natural and full looking. They truly believe in the idea that “ Eyebrows aren’t suppose to look like twins but sisters” ( I  remember this from Michelle Phan’s videos). Also, its such a relief that their eyebrows aren’t perfectly shaped. I’ve never been able to draw a perfectly shaped eyebrow in my life, it looks very unnatural on me.

Korean styled eyebrows gives a youthful appearance because they tend to frame wide faces very nicely. I should know cause I have a wide face myself! If I have thin eyebrows, my face will look really  big. That is not cute at all!

Achieving Korean Styled Eyebrows:

First and foremost, its critical to understand the structure of an eyebrow.

The picture below was taken from a Japanese Magazine, which captures perfectly the essence of naturally shaped brows.
1) Use a pencil( 2 shades lighter than ur own brow) to draw your eyebrow shape and fill it in with small strokes.

Over here, I have zoomed in on the eyebrows to show the basic shape of a Korean eyebrow. It is extremely tapered and fine at the end while being much broader at the start. Also, the arc is very gradual and soft.

  

2) Taking a similar colored eye shadow blend onto eyebrow with a brush.Color should be concentrated on the ends,with the least color concentration at the beginning. This pictorial diagram from MIna magazine describes how to use eye shadow to fill in the brows. It’s a pretty good guideline.

3) Use the brush below to blend the eye shadow and pencil. Pay attention to how well you blend because this is critical to making ur brows natural looking. If you don’t blend enough, it can look harsh.

4) Perfection is not the aim here. Take your eyebrow mascara ( light color) to gently sweep your eyebrows, to make it look neat and well groomed.

 

 

I know the order isn’t right but the FIRST most important step would be to create a blank canvas to work on.

Koreans have amazing skin which allows them to easily create an illusion of flawless beauty. Its okay if you have imperfections but its recommended to cover up flaws to achieve that flawless Korean Look.

In the past, I used to put on full face and full coverage makeup, but it was for makeup school and the important occasions. I like to let my skin breathe.Nowadays, I’m focused on clearing my skin to reduce the amount of stuff I have to use. I use a sunblock instead of foundation or powder.Its pretty heavy duty and covers most of my reddness and imperfections. For that huge zit or stubborn acne marks, I still use a doctor prescribed concealor on top of my sunblock.

 

 

Many still stick with full face coverage and these were the steps I used to achieve a Blank Canvas:

 

1) Moisturize – This step is critical is achieving a smooth base and will assist with blending of the foundation.

Great Moisturisers : Clinique dramatically different moisturiser, Yamano Moisturiser, Dr Secrets, Biotherm combination skin moisturiser

2) Dab spots,dark areas,imperfections  and blend with a Salmon Colored Concealor

Great Concealor: Bobbi Brown,YSL

3) Mix liquid foundation with a cream foundation and blend with a foundation brush. Blend the foundation from the T ZONE out.

This gives the most natural looking and lasting coverage effect. Alternatively, you can replace concealor and foundation with plain old BB cream if its good enough for you! I personally don’t use BB cream so I can’t recommend.

Great Foundations: Shu Uemura, YSL ,Maybelline, Cream Foundation ( Kryolan )

Foundation color should be a shade or two lighter than your own skin tone because foundation tends to oxidize and get darker with time.

4) Set with light powdering – Careful not to be too heavy handed or generous with powder or your korean look can end up looking very cakey & completely overdone.

Great Powders: Shu Uemura, ZA, Maybelline

5) Check your blank canvas in the mirror and especially where there is natural light. Look out for unblended or cakey areas. You can always use a tissue paper to lightly dab away unwanted foundation or use a brush to patch up on blank areas.

6) Some people set their makeup with a spritz  of Evian Water. Apparently it sets the makeup… …

VIOLA, you should have a clear canvas by now. Remember that full coverage makeup should always be removed at the end of the day with a good cleansing oil. Never sleep with makeup on because it will definitely clog ur pores.

Some Korean Makeup You Tube Videos * ENJOY*!

 

 

 

 

 

KOREAN HAIRSTYLES!

The Koreans also have their own version of the Up-do bun. Its neater compared to  the Japanese version.

 

 

 

Try it out & lemme know if you look Korean!

Good Luck & CIAO BELLAS!

BLOVET’s FIRST AWARD , KL TRIP & A Seductive Look!

 

HEY FIFI!

THANKS SO MUCH.

 

I’ve been away in KL with a dear friend  and when I got back ,  I opened my email and found that Smoking FIFI gave me an AWARD!!!

I am squealing with delight :)

She is so

cute!!

 

 

Oh since Fifi did ask, my actual name is Lane. I usually prefer to go by blovetbeauty for convenience sake. I’ve also made the assumption that only close friends of mine read this blog hence there’s been very little need for me to share my personal background.. So, for those of you who don’t know me and are interested, here goes:

5 Basic Facts about ME

1) I have a makeup artistry diploma from Cosmoprof. Nobody could really understand my obsession for makeup… Hehehe I don’t blame them.

2) I am 24, going 25 this year. My field of study was in business administration. A very general degree that I truly regret , because it didn’t turn me into anything amazing. I have a study loan that I am paying back and I hate it cause I was hardly in school. I love marketing and promotions and those were the only subjects I excelled in. ( wow, I so exceeded one fact here )

3) I work in a family rennovation business and have since discovered an insatiable love for aesthetics.

4) I am married to an IT nerd. A very good one at that. I married at 22 and shocked everyone. Even my mommy. Hahaha

5) I’ve been told I have a very stuck up look. Get to know me before you judge me. First impressions are bull shit & there’s time to hate me later on :P

 

 

Kuala Lumpur

 

Taking a short trip up to KL in a coach was a really fun (good company) , yet painful experience (6-7 hour ride gave me a backache).

We stayed in Swiss Garden Hotel ( pretty clean & new):

 

We scoured the malls – Sungei Wang, New Times Square and Lot 10 in KL and I just had to visit their Guardian & Watson for a peek. Guess what, these lucky buggers have KATE selling in most of their pharmacies. That’s completely easy access to such wonderful makeup.

After walking around in Malls, we took a trip to Chinatown. It was a nice change from the concrete jungle. Here’s what I picked up on a small budget:

 

  

 

 

 

Seductive Eyes with

MAD Mineral

Pigments

"mineral makeup" – products made of all natural, finely ground minerals from the earth, without any of the chemicals, dyes, and preservatives found in traditional makeup

Mineral pigments are not only free from all the fragrances and preservatives found in most beauty products but are extremely versatile and can create intense and vibrant eye looks.

Mineral Makeup Tips: 

 

* Since they come in a powder form and can be get messy when in a rush, I like to “make them stick” them with Coastal Scents EZ Prez

* Always use an Eyeshadow or Makeup Base prior to using minerals, as they are very finely milled and adhere better to a sticky surface

* Give MAD Minerals , Coastal Scents or Everyday Minerals a try. They are very efficient when it comes to shipping and have a large assortment of colors.

* For sensitive skin types, do not fret. Mineral Cosmetics can be used with minimal irritation for the eyes, cheeks, skin, nails and they are so so easy to use.

 

Steps by Step Seductive Eye with

Mineral Pigments:

First step before putting on any color is to prime the lids. Here, I used Sephora’s Colorful Duo Creamy eyeshadow. The beige-y color lends a hint of shine to the eye area. Also, it adds as a holding base to enhance the vibrancy of the mineral pigments.

 

Secondly, armed with my trusty coastal scents blending brush, softly blend in a sooty green pigment on the double  eyelid area, keeping close to the eyelids and not exceeding the crease.

 

 

With the same brush, blend a light blue color to the bottom lid

 

 

Using MAC Pigment ( i forgot the name of this cause it was a sample ), apply and blend very close to bottom lash line. It shouldn’t cover the blue pigments completely.

 

Using my fingertip, I blend a gold-ish pigment on my brow bone. Gold  complements my skin tone better than a shiny blue-ish white .

 

Blend the darker pigment well into the crease in a back and forth motion or tiny circular motion

 

Blend a lighter color near the tear duct area, to open up the eyes

Subsequent Steps:

-Line water line with a dark pencil

-Curl & Mascara

-Fill Brows

Lips are kept sheer & moist

 

* Add blusher & tons of

mascara for extra OOmph!

thanks for all ur comments and for reading my makeup ramblings :)

Japanese Inspired Hair Tutorials & Reviews!

I did a previous entry on Japanese Skincare and its all thanks to CherryBombPie, who sparked off this series of Japanese\Korean inspired entries. In this blog entry, I want to share with you guys some of my other Japanese Loves- HAIR!

Ribbons really put a smile on my face and its such a joy to know that we girls can actually make a ribbon with our  very own hair :) BIG RIBBONS are so cool now all thanks to Lady GaGa & Gossip Girl ! 

Here’s what I stubled across on YOUTUBE!

Here’s You Tuber binosusume wonderfully interesting and simple Hair Ribbon tutorial :- ( I enjoy watching her videos immensely even though I have no idea what she’s saying !) 

 

 

binosusume demonstrating how to get the Big Hair Bun look that is so popular in Japan. This girl has amazing hair and makes it look so easy to achieve this bun look. I’ve tried it and its not too bad. Its easier for girls with thick hair though… …

 

 

binosusume makes the whole process of beautifying your nails, so calming and relaxing to watch. I had to include this video because she really inspires me with her artistic nature :)

Here’s another You Tuber Suzit86  cute  and easy to do Japanese Inspired Girly Ponytails tutorial:

 

 

OLAY  Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher

Review

*Experience professional mini-peel results after 10 days.

Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher regenerates skin's appearance for a beautifully polished texture and renewed vibrancy - achieve professional mini-peel results after 10 days.

The key to this breakthrough experience is a water-activated, self-heating formula that deeply warms skin to relax pores. The gentle micro-crystal formula then polishes away dry skin cells, revealing newer skin after rinsing. The formula also contains glycolic acid, a key ingredient used in professional mini-peel treatments.

How to use:

Moisten face with water.

Dispense product (about the size of a quarter) onto fingertips and dab onto forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose.

Massage over face, rewetting face 1 to 2 times to extend thermal experience.

Rinse with water.

For best results, use daily at the sink or shower.

We recommend using an Olay product with SPF 15 or higher during the day.

Info from http://www.olay.com/boutique/regenerist/products/re1008

Blovetbeauty Rates: Really good exfoliating product. I would recommend not using it every day as it has warming properties. It’s probably better to use it every other day. The heat is activated by water so you might get a little shock when you first use it, but its real soothing once you get used to the unique warming properties and I’m sure you’ll eventually grow to enjoy the sensation. If your skin can’t tolerate Glycolic Acid, best to give this product a miss. Otherwise, I love how it doesn’t irritate the skin and makes me feel like I’m getting a warm facial. 

Thermal skin polisher is a keeper from Olay & I’ll definitely travel all the way down to Changi Airport Terminal 3 to restock ! I haven’t found it in any regular Watson or Guardian ( W&G) store yet! :Please inform me if u see this around at regular (W&G) stores :)

ETSY – Modhuman

 

Look what I bought from Etsy. 3 Vintage Bags from Modhuman and I am super in love with them.

 

Everyone loves this doctor’s bag that I purchased from Modhuman .

The zipper was faulty but otherwise its in pretty good condition. The base is sturdy and the shape is super solid. I love it cause I can dump my world into this bag.

Everyone who sees this bag loves it! Thank U MODHUMAN.

 

Everyone hates this bag but I think its simple and cute. Easy to chuck money, hp, makeup stuff, small notebook…

 

Pucker Up @ Body Shop

 

I can really pucker my lips. Irritating I know :-)

Amazing stuff from body shop. Fifi posted some reviews on Body shop products and that kind of made me tempted to go check body shop out. Moreover, the Great Singapore Sale that’s going on right now made it super tempting for me to do some shopping…. so I ended up with amazing lip balms: 2  for $12 + and this orange colored fruity smelling soap, that makes your toilet smell like fruit HEAVEN after a nice hot bath!  I picked up 3 soaps cause they were on offer : Buy  2 to get 1 free… … This orange soap will make you smell so good at a very reasonable price of $4+.

Man oh man. This GSS is doing big time damage to my wallet. I am buying way too many things.

Really nice off white color . I like this cause its very moisturizing & great base color for nude lipsticks.

   

 

 

This lip balm color is something I would use on a daily basis. Its really pretty alone, as it has a nice shimmer to it and make my lips look pouty & cute!

 

 

A CARD TO REPRESENT ME?

 

A gift from my sister: she knows me oh so well… …

 

Coming up : MAC products review : Mineral Makeup: Eyeshadow Palettes

CIAO BELLAS! MUACKS!