Nails for The Week: All I Want For Christmas Is You!

Ho ho ho everyone!!

It's already Christmas Eve!! Are you excited?? I know I am!! :D *clapping hands, jumping with glee*

Here's the last suggestion for this season: All I Want For Christmas Is You! I love that it has something gold and purple with little bows on the nails. Lovely colours!

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

The Face Shop Face It in PP404 

O.P.I OY Nail Lacquer in Another Polish Joke (from Euro Centrale Collection) 

Shengji Nail Colour in 01 Black

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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After this post, I'm off to do a final, last-minute round of shopping! This week's packed with activities: Christmas Eve dinner with family, Christmas day celebration with family, and parties and events to attend. It's going to be a long, tiring, and FUN week! Weeeeee!!

Here's wishing all of you a blessed Christmas! Be safe, be good, and have loads of fun! I'll be seeing you soon. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! xx

Countdown: less than 24 hours!

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Skin-Care Tip: Cleanse Your Skin Every Night

Hey everyone!

Hope you're in your happy place today and ready for Christmas!!

Stop whatever else you're doing now and pay close attention. I've a very important tip for you:

If you don't already know this, always remember to wash your face before going to bed. A-L-W-A-Y-S. No matter how tired you are. This is a basic, handy tip to prevent your skin from looking dull.

We spend a good amount of time applying facial products and make up on our faces, so it's important that we take at least 1 minute to cleanse our skin every night. 

Overnight make up builds up, clogs pores, causes breakouts, stretches pores, and makes our skin look dull and older. Ack! We definitely don't want that! If you don't believe me, try leaving on your make up all day and night - for just one day - and see how your skin looks and feels the next day.

I'd recommend using an oil-free make-up remover that can remove even waterproof mascara without tugging your delicate skin. Use a facial cotton ball/pad to gently sweep the make-up remover over your skin. Then, follow up with a gentle facial cleanser and your usual skin-care routine.

If you're feeling a little lazy every now and then, use a moisturising wet wipe to clean your skin instead. I keep wet wipes by my bedside, and do this sometimes when I'm extremely tired; I wash my face first thing when I wake up. It really does help!

Nivea Refreshing Facial Cleansing Wipes are hydrating and do a good job of cleaning your skin! It's also suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers. You can get these wet wipes from Guardian or Watsons.

Remember everyone: you need only 1 minute every night for cleaner, healthier skin. :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: Cotton Candy Christmas

Ho ho ho everyone!!

Have you been naughty or nice this year? ;)

I'm sure you must be psyched for Christmas. You should be! It's just around the corner! :D Note to Santa, I've been a little naughty, but mostly nice this year. Really, I promise! :D

I decided on something pretty and sweet with a little glitter for this week. This is one of my favourites: Cotton Candy Christmas. It's not the traditional Christmas colours and design, but it really is quite pretty and sexy. It'll look great for New Year's too! :)

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

The Face Shop Face It Gradation Art Nails in 03 Very Very Red 

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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I just got back from an exhausting evening of Christmas shopping and I'm knackered. My partner and I have now completed ALL our shopping for the season! YAYY!! I've put away the presents and am working on my blog post for you now, so I'm setting aside wrapping the presents for another evening.  

Christmas is so close I can feel it! It's one of the best times of the year for me when I'm surrounded by family, loved ones, and friends. I'm feeling very blessed and lucky. Omigosh.. Is it me or does that sound like a selection from the Facebook "Say what you are doing" list of options when we update our status?? Haha! I hope that you are blessed with loved ones and friends this season too. :) xx

On a slightly unrelated note, does anyone know of a kick-ass recipe for eggnog? If you do, please share!

Until my next post...

Countdown: 8 days!

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Skin-Care Tip: Clean Your Make-Up Applicators Regularly

Hey everyone!

If you haven't been doing what the title of this post suggests, please start. Your skin will thank you for it. Seriously.

Read on to find out why! ;)

Make-up applicators such as compact/foundation powder sponges, eyeshadow brushes, powder brushes, and blusher brushes need to be cleaned regularly, especially if you use them on a daily basis.

Think about it: you use these applicators to pick up and apply products on your skin. When you do this on a daily basis, make-up residue collect in the applicators. Hence, when you keep using these applicators without cleaning them, you're basically applying new and old, dirty make up on your skin.

Still don't get it? Keep reading on.

Let's take a compact powder sponge as an example. We use it to apply powder on our faces and necks before stepping out of the house. Then, throughout the day, we're using the same sponge to reapply/touch up. The sponge will reapply the powder as well as pick up the oil and dirt from our skin. Eventually, we'll break out in spots or pimples because of this. In the process (and over time), you'll also find that the sponge doesn't apply powder well because it isn't clean and can't pick up the clean product. 

What I'd recommend is to wash your applicators with a gentle facial wash, hand wash, or shower gel at least 1 - 2 times a week. If you don't use the applicators daily, then once a week would suffice.

After cleaning your brushes - especially powder and blusher brushes - make sure you dry them either hanging upside down or upright. The reason for this is to prevent one side of the bristles from being flat. ;)

Clean Your Applicators for 3 Reasons:

1. Prevent your applicators and products from being the repository for oil and dirt from
    your skin.

2. Prevent your skin from breaking out in spots or pimples.

3. Make up applies better with clean applicators. 
    You'll notice the difference when you've washed your applicators. It's especially
    obvious with compact/foundation powder sponges.
    Also, when your applicators are clean, they pick up the products easily, which means
    that your products last longer because you're not using that much so frequently.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

Simple skin-care solutions like this go a long way.

So do your skin, products, and applicators a favour and look after them well. If you're already doing this, good job! If you haven't been, better late than never, so get going! :)

I'll be seeing you soon. Till my next post.. be good, be safe, and have fun! :) xx

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: Christmas Is Coming

Hey everyone!

This next suggestion for the season is a simple, fuss-free one that consists of classic Christmas colours: red and green. This one's named Christmas Is Coming.

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

Elianto Nail Colour in 11 Red Violet

NYX Girls Nail Polish in NGP 133 Lucious Green The more coats you apply, the darker the green appears.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

NYX Girls Nail Polish in NGP 133 Lucious Green

 NYX Nail Polish Luscious Green NGP133

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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Alrighty, so I just put up the Christmas tree, and I love it! :D Next up is.. Christmas shopping!! I have my list (yes, I'm a list maker) and I've checked it several times. And yes, everyone on it has been super nice! You'll just need to wait to find out who you are. ;)

Let the actual countdown begin.

Countdown: 15 days!

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Hygiene: How To Get Rid of Bad Breath from Onion or Garlic

Hey everyone!

Onion and garlic are delicious ingredients that can greatly enhance a dish, but their taste often comes with a cost to our breath.

I'm sure that all of us have had bad breath or spoken with someone with bad breath at some point in our lives.

Read this to learn instant strategies for removing evidence that you indulged in these tasty, but nasty buggers.

Photo Credit: http://www.swellwomen.com/

METHOD 1: FOOD and DRINKS THAT REMOVE ONION and GARLIC BREATH

Step 1: Use Mustard

Take a teaspoon of mustard and swish it in your mouth for a minute, then spit it out. Then, take another half teaspoon and swallow it. The mustard will go down to the stomach and kill the smell throughout the body.

Step 2: Eat Minty Foods

They freshen your breath.

Fresh parsley, mints, and mint tea can all remove the odour from onion and garlic. Gum with xylitol is expecially good for freshening your breath.

Step 3: Chew Gum

Adding more saliva to your mouth is key in getting rid of bad breath. Chewing gum, especially the ones with cinnamon, is great for covering up bad breath.

Step 4: Drink Fluids

Green tea, lemonade, and water can be helpful in washing out the odour from your mouth.

Step 5: Drink a Shot of Vodka

Try this ONLY if you're of the legal drinking age, are allowed to drink alcohol, and it doesn't conflict with your religious or personal belief(s).

Alcohol kills bacteria in the mouth, which remove bad breath. Believe it or not, Vodka is particularly good because it does not have a lingering aftertaste.

Especially to all you Vodka lovers out there, have a shot after a meal loaded with onions and garlic! ;)

Photo Credit: http://www.deardoctor.com/

METHOD 2: ADOPT A HYGIENE REMEDY

Step 1: Brush Your Teeth

Invest in a portable toothbrush and toothpaste if you frequently consume onion and garlic. Brushing your teeth definitely helps in freshening and clearing up your breath. Brush your teeth for at least 1 - 2 minutes.

Remember to clean your tongue too! Many people don't do this, but need to. The filaments on your tongue trap tiny particles and bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Regularly brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue with a tongue cleaner or toothbrush after every meals helps.

Step 2: Use Mouthwash

Swish Listerine or Oral B or an equivalent brand around your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat this step once or twice, depending on how bad your breath is.

Step 3: Floss

Gently clean the crevices of your teeth. Ideally, you should be doing this after every meal.

Here comes the gross part: whatever food you don't get rid of from your mouth continue rotting and festering in it. I carry a small dental floss in my handbag almost wherever I go. This helps me a lot!

Guardian or Watsons sell small dental floss that's convenient to carry around in your pocket or handbag.

For those of you who have sensitive gums, be especially gentle when flossing to prevent your gums from bleeding.

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Some of these tips work in general for preventing bad breath, especially those listed under Method 2. I hope they help you too.

Have a great week ahead, everyone! Be safe, be good, and have lotsa fun! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Hey everyone!

We've done the countdown for Halloween and that was fun. Now, it's time for another one: Christmas!! It's the most wonderful time of the year! :D

This first suggestion for the season is solid red with white stripes on only one side of your nails. I call it It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas.

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

Elianto Nail Colour in 11 Red Violet

Elianto Nail Colour in 02 White

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

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If you celebrate Christmas, you'd know the thrill and excitement when December approaches every year! 

It's when we take out our Christmas trees and decorations. Then, there's making a list of who to buy presents for, planning where to get them from, and doing some serious (frantic) shopping. It's also when we listen to a LOT of Christmas carols. All in all, it's a wonderful time for some of us! Aaahhh, I'm feeling all Christmassy already. I love it and can't wait!

What are your plans and decoration ideas for Christmas this year? If you have creative and fun ideas for decorations etc., do share them. I'd love to hear from you! :) 

Countdown: 21 days!

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: Clowning Around!

Hey everyone!

Who said that nails have to be painted in the same colour? Go crazy with the colours that you have!

This week has something blue, green, purple, and coral for your nails. Here's something bright and colourful for your toes: Clowning Around!

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

The Face Shop Nail Polish in GR506

The Face Shop Nail Polish in PK110

The Face Shop Nail Polish in BL602

The Face Shop Nail Polish in PP402

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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Christmas is coming up in the next 4 weeks!! I can't wait for it!

Look out for some festive designs coming your way! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Skin-Care Tip: How to Stop Licking Your Lips (Part 2)

Hey everyone!

This post is useful for everyone - women, men, and, perhaps more so, parents. It's a follow up to my previous skin-care tip: How to Keep Your Lips Moist.

Do you ever lick your lips constantly because they are dry? Do you have kids who do this constantly? If you said "yes" to either one or both of these questions, that's a bad habit that should stop. Read on to learn why.

Licking your lips constantly can develop into a rash that leaves a red ring around your mouth, which can irritate and cause pain. Needless to say, it's definitely not a handsome sight having a red ring around your mouth.

Please don't confuse this post with my previous one - the previous post was about keeping your lips healthy and moist; this post is about the effects of continuously licking your lips. 

Some people do have this condition, whereby they keep licking their lips so frequently until a red ring forms around their mouths. This is usually common with kids. One of my precious loved ones, who was in his early teens, kept licking his lips that kept getting more and more dry because of the licking. This continued until it developed into a rash around his mouth (like in the first photo below). :(

(Photo Credit: http://littletotsbigideas.blogspot.com/)

(Photo Credit: http://pediatrics.about.com/)

(Chapped Lips, Photo Credit: http://www.wisegeek.com/)

There's no need to panic, though. Let me inform you that this condition is not contagious and can be cured. If you know of anyone who has it, please be kind and don't shun them. :)

These are some ways to help get rid of the nasty red ring around the mouth:

Step 1: Use Vaseline

Apply Vaseline to the affected area each morning and night as it helps moisturise your lips. Avoid using flavoured Vaseline because it will only make you want to lick it off.

Step 2: Drink Water

Yes, here we go with water again. :p

It's important to keep your lips moist. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Step 3: Use a Medicated Lip Balm

Apply a medicated lip balm on your lips before having a shower or bath. The steam from the hot water will lock into your lips, making them less dry.

Burt's Bees has a medicated lip balm that is pretty decent, but pricey for the size. My precious used this and it worked for a while - it helped a bit, but he continued licking his lips even with the balm. Naturally, his condition got worse and we had to consult a doctor. I can't recall how much we bought it for, though. If I'm not mistaken, it cost us between RM 30.00 and RM 50.00 for a very small, thin tube.

Step 4: Mind The Cold Weather

For those of you living in cold climates, be especially careful when it's cold outside. Put on plenty of chapstick. Extremely cold weather conditions can cause very dry and cracked lips.

If you live in a fully air conditioned home or sleep in an air conditioned room, it helps to take note of this tip. Applying a lip balm while you're in the comfort of your home prevents dry and cracked lips. 

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For kids who have this condition, parents will need to experiment with different methods to stop them from licking their lips. Usually, kids will stop when the rash begins to hurt. Parents, do your best to prevent it from reaching this stage because it can be very uncomfortable for your kids. My precious no longer has this condition, has learned to stop licking his lips, and has beautiful, healthy, plump pink lips. Love you, baby! :D

If the condition doesn't improve, I'd strongly recommend consulting a doctor.

I hope this helps all of you. Let me know your thoughts/comments/feedback. As always, I'd love to hear from you.

Have a blessed weekend, everyone! Be safe, be good, and have loads of fun! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Skin-Care Tip: How to Keep Your Lips Moist (Part 1)

Hey everyone!

Who among you would like to have naturally soft, kissable lips? Me! Me!! Meeee!!

I've several steps for all you women and men to follow and you'll be on your way to achieving this. Read on! To those of you who smoke, you'll definitely want to read this because smoking causes seriously dry lips!

Step 1: Do Not Lick Your Lips Constantly

Contrary to what some people believe, licking your licks ends up drying them out by subjecting them to your drying saliva, which contains food particles and other skin drying elements when exposed to Oxygen. Say what?

What this basically means is that the more you lick your lips, the more dry your lips become. To make matters worse, it also causes chapping. Yikes! Do you really want that? 

Here, try this for yourself: leave your lips bare (ie. free of lip balm, lipstick, or any lip product) for a while. Then, when you feel they're getting dry, lick your lips, then let them dry completely. Repeat the steps a few more times. Now, feel what happens.

Step 2: Use a Lip Balm

There are many lip balms or lip moisturises that work quite well. You could also try beeswax versions - they are cheaper and last, but are not good if you are allergic to honey. You have been forewarned. Stay away from beeswax lip balms if you're allergic to honey, honey! ;)

For the men, you always have the option of using unscented, unflavoured, clear lip balm. So there are no excuses. :p

For the make-up enthusiasts, besides moisturising your lips, lip balms are great because they make applying your lipstick much easier!

Step 3: Drink Lots of Water

Ideally, we should all be drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily. This makes perfect sense because a hydrated body will have naturally moist lips. Bla bla bla bla bla... Yes, yes, we're all aware that we need to drink loads of water, but how many of us actually do this DAILY? :p

Here's the wonder of water: drinking a lot of water hydrates your body and balances your body temperature, which in turn moisturise your lips and help give you clear skin. Now, THAT'S what we want! So drink up, people!

Step 4: Avoid Skin-Drying Products

Be careful of the type of lipstick or lip gloss that you wear - make sure that they are not the source of drying out your lips. Only you will know if your lippie products are drying your lips, so be alert.

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I hope these tips help you in attaining gorgeous, kissable lips.

If the condition of dry lips persists or gets worse, please consult a doctor.

Until my next post, big kisses to all of you! :) xx

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: Tinsel Thursday

Hey everyone!

I'm b-a-a-a-c-c-k-k!!! :D

What have all of you been up to this past week, my lovelies? Anything interesting? Something exciting?? I hope you've been doing something besides just working and/or studying.

After a week of absence as I was away on a wonderful, sunny vacation (I didn't want to come back!!), here's my first post upon returning: Tinsel Thursday!

It's a simple and sweet combination for your nails. I hope you like it! :)

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

C.A.L.A.R Nail Colour in 028

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in You're Such A Budapest

C.A.L.A.R Nail Colour in 056

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

 Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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The weekend's just around the corner and I hope you have an awesome time! Make sure you do - don't just stay home and play Facebook games or laze about! I'm a fine one to talk because I've done exactly that on weekends. *lol* For the love of God, go out and don't be like me! :p

As always, be good, be safe, and have fun! And, yes, TGIF, baybehs!! ;) xx

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Make-Up Tip: How to Make Lipstick Stay on Longer

Hey everyone!

Tired of wearing lipstick and having to keep reapplying because it fades soon after, especially when you drink and eat?

What I've found is that this doesn't happen as soon when I use a lip liner first. I've tried and tested it countless times - it really works! 

Don't expect it to stay on for hours and hours on end unless you drink and eat carefully. By carefully, I mean take dainty sips and bites, and not gobble food like you've not eaten in days. :p

Here's What You Do

Step 1: Apply a lip balm on your lips. 
           You want to do this because it serves 2 purposes: (i) it moisturises your lips, and
           (ii) it'll be easier to apply the lip liner.

Step 2: Line your lips with a lip liner. 
           If you're using a light lipstick, use a nude lip liner; if you're using a dark lipstick,
           use a darker lip liner. You could also use a nude lip liner with a dark lipstick,
           but make sure you BLEND them well.

Step 3: Fill in your lips with the same lip liner. 
           Lipstick will stay on longer on your lips when you do this. Trust me!

Step 4: Slick your favourite lipstick on top. 
           Generally, matte lipsticks stay on longer compared to cream ones.           
           Also, you could apply a lip gloss instead. but it won't stay on too long even with
           this tip because of the consistency of the liquid.

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I'm guilty of sometimes not applying a lip liner first. Then, when I need to reapply lipstick, I think, "Dang, I should've applied lip liner first!" Shoulda, coulda, woulda. :p

Try this tip and let me know how it works for you! Be good, my lovelies! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Halloween Make Up: Courtesy of Lil' Missy

Hey everyone!

Halloween and Deepavali came and went too quickly. Nevertheless, I hope all of you had awesome celebrations with lots of scrumptious food, drinks, and good company! I certainly did - I've been eating waaayyyy too much! High time for a detox and diet! Eeeek!!

I'd like to share with you a few Halloween make up courtesy of Lil' Missy. That would be ME! ;)

These photos were taken at The Pound Bar in Taman Tun, Malaysia (look it up on Facebook!). It's a great place with good food and drinks, friendly staff, AND a very nice, cosy ambience! To top it off, it has a British pool table - all the more reason to like the place! You should check it out if you've not been there yet! :)

Leopard-Print Eyes

Leopard-Print Eyes

Walking Dead

The Orphan

The Orphan

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Note of Thanks to:

• The Pound Bar for organising a truly fun night - we all had a blast! 
• The "models" for letting me do your make up and the touching up! It was fun! :D
• Jason Victor for the brilliant shots you took! :)

For those of you who'd like great photography by a professional residing in Malaysia (ie. Jason himself), do get in touch with me for his contact details by sending me a message through my Facebook page.

Be good, be safe, and have fun! xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Nails for The Week: Emerald Delight

Hey everyone!

This is it. *drumroll, please*

Here's my final post on Halloween nails. Brighten your days with Emerald Delight!

It's a simple, bright, and stunning colour. I decided not to do any nail art or design because some of you may be looking for something simple to last at least several days post Halloween. 

I hope you like it! I'd highly recommend this gorgeous colour because it's apt for both Halloween AND Deepavali. :)

Products Used

The Face Shop Base Coat

NYX Girls Nail Polish in NGP 133 Lucious Green The more coats you apply, the darker the colour gets.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Where To Buy Online

NYX Girls Nail Polish in NGP 133 Lucious Green

NYX Nail Polish Luscious Green NGP133

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, 0.5 Ounce

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H A P P Y  H A L L O W E E N  &  

H A P P Y  D E E P A V A L I , E V E R Y O N E ! ! !

Be good, be safe, and have loads of fun!! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~