Product Review: NYX Eye Shadow Base

It's a brand new week, my lovelies!

The best way to ensure your eye make up stays on longer throughout the day/night is to apply an eyeshadow base first.

I've been using NYX Eye Shadow Base (just in case you aren't already aware, the correct way to pronounce the brand is by saying the letters N-Y-X, and not 'nicks').

NYX Eye Shadow Base in Skin Tone shade ESB03

Jar Packaging: Yes
Tested on Animals: No
Price: RM 30.00 (6 g/0.21 oz.) - the price and quantity are the same for all shades

Ingredients

White (ESB01)
Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Mineral Oil / Paraffinum Liquidum / Huile Minérale, Ceresin, Isododecane, Isobutylmethacrylate , Bis-Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Acrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Isostearate, Petrolatum, Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax/ Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Aluminium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Beeswax / Cera Alba / Cire d'Abeille, Phenoxyethanol. 
*May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ultramarines (CI 77007)

White Pearl (ESB02)
Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Mineral Oil / Paraffinum Liquidum / Huile Minérale, Ceresin, Isododecane, Isobutylmethacrylate, Bis-Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Acrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Isostearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Petrolatum, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Silica, Mycrocrystalline Wax, Beeswax / Cera Alba / Cire d'abeille, Phenoxyethanol. 
*May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Manganese Violet (CI 77742)

Skin Tone (ESB03)
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera / Cire de Candelilla, Isododecane, Isobutylmethacrylate,Bis-Hydroxypropyl Dimethicone Acrylate Copolymer, Isopropyl Isostearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Petrolatum, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Silica, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax / Cera Carnauba / Cire de Carnauba, Beeswax / Cera Alba / Cire d'abeille, Phenoxyethanol.
*May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492, 77491, 77499)

How To Use

1. Cleanse your face and apply facial moisturiser.

2. Apply foundation (if you use one).

3. Apply NYX Eye Shadow Base all over eyelids and blend well.

4. Apply eyeshadows.

Lil' Missy's Review

NYX Eye Shadow Base is packaged in a small plastic jar and can be purchased from all Sephora outlets. It's available in 3 shades:

• White (ESB01)
• White Pearl (ESB02) - glittery white
• Skin Tone (ESB03) - warm beige

Photo Credit - http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/
Photo Editing - WMM

Each shade intensifies eyeshadows in different ways, but I'd recommend avoiding the White Pearl shade because the glitter particles flake and could end up travelling to other areas of your face. 

I chose mine in the Skin Tone shade, ESB03, because I wanted a more natural base for my eyeshadows. This cream eyeshadow base sets to an almost-powdery feel that enhances eyeshadow and eyeliner application. 

I use my finger to pick up the product from the jar. The consistency is such whereby when you pick it up, you won't get a blob of it on your finger. This is great because if you need more of the product, simply apply more. Rather than picking up and applying too much, then wiping the excess off.

Although it blends down to a matte finish, it still has enough staying power to intensify the colour of whatever eyeshadow you apply over it. The formula helps eye makeup stay in place and prevents creasing, but those of you with oily eyelids may still experience some creasing by the end of the day.

All in all, this is a pretty decent and affordable eyeshadow base. If you have dry skin, make sure your eyelids are moisturised well before applying the product.

Skin Tone ESB03 Shade on The Back of My Hand

Pros

• Affordable.
• Easily purchased from all Sephora outlets.
• Available in 3 shades: White, White Pearl, and Skin Tone.
• Helps eye make up stay put and resist creasing.
• Intensifies eyeshadow colour.
• Intensifies eyeliner colour.
• Easy to apply.

Cons

• Those with oily eyelids may experience creasing.
• The ultra-glittery White Pearl shade tends to flake.

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Until my next update soon... stay beautiful inside out! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Expiration Dates for Cosmetics, Skin- and Hair-Care Products

Hello there, friends!

Have you ever wondered how long your skin-care and make-up products remain safe to use once they’ve been opened? Do you know when you should throw away your products?

Boy, have I got news for you! What I’m about to share with you will change the way you view products – be it the ones you currently have or ones you will be purchasing. This, I promise you. And this tip is handy for both men and women. :)

Seen this symbol below before? Or perhaps you never really paid attention to it or understood what it meant.

Products usually have a number followed by the letter “M” and an open jar symbol that indicate when to throw them away after they’ve been opened. The letter “M” stands for the Latin word for month and the number refers to how many months. 

For example, if you see “24 M” with an open jar symbol (like the one in the photo above), this means that you should throw the product away 24 months after you've opened it. Simple, isn’t it?

These are a few products that have the same symbol, but with different expiration dates:

Glad Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner
(expires 24 months after opening)

The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz
(expires 12 months after opening)

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
(expires 12 months after opening)

Sometimes, the expiry date is on the product itself; other times, it’s printed on the packaging. Keep your eyes peeled for this detail the next time you purchase a cosmetic or skin-care product!

This is a helpful guide for assessing which products need to be thrown away or how much longer you can use them:

• Mascara, Liquid or Gel Eyeliners: 4 to 6 months (always throw away dry mascara – don’t add water to extend its lifespan)
• Moisturisers, Serums, and Foundations: 6 months to 1 year
• Powder-Based Products: 2 - 3 years
• Lipsticks, Lip Gloss, and Lip Pencils: 2 - 3 years

Here’s another extremely use tip for you: if a product smells funky, looks “weird” (compared to when you first purchased it), or the texture has changed significantly, chuck it immediately!

For easy reference, I’ve also compiled a list of dos and don'ts to help make your products last:

DOs

• Store products in a cabinet or drawer, away from direct sunlight.
• Always wash your hands before using products.
• Tighten or secure caps after each use.
• Consider how climate and humidity will shorten a product's shelf life.
• Write the date of purchase in permanent ink (use a Sharpie) on the bottom or back of the package. This way you'll know the exact expiry date.
• Adhere to the expiration dates on sunscreens, acne products, and prescription medications such as topical antibiotics and Renova or Retin-A. 

DON'Ts

• Store products in direct sunlight.
• Share your products with others no matter how well you know them or how hygienic you think they are.
• Add water or saliva to thin out or remoisten products.
• Purchase products with broken seals or any signs of tampering.
• Use eye products after you’ve had an eye infection. Throw them away immediately no matter how much you like them or how much they cost!

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

Always remember to make note of each product's expiry date. Use a Sharpie to write the expiry date on the product. You could even write the date on a small sticker, then stick it on the jar, container etc. Now you'll never have to worry about when your products expire!

Until my next update soon... Be good, stay true to yourself, and be the most beautiful version of yourself! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

WMM Is On YouTube!!

Hey, everyone!

After many requests from my friends, readers, and followers, I'm finally on YouTube!! Yaaayyy!

Uh huh.. I've recently started my very own WMM (Where's My Mirror?) YouTube channel!! I'm so excited!! :D

If you've been wondering about certain products or need some tips that I've not published yet, let me know what they are and I'll do the research for YOU. How convenient is that?? ;)

Do share your thoughts, feedback and/or suggestions on what you'd like to see/watch to help you with your beauty/skin care/body care needs. Or anything at all for that matter! From the products and tips I've featured to whether they work or don't, or even if there are other ways to use them!

I've personally tested (and will continue to test) the products in my updates, so you know that you have my official Lil' Missy seal of approval!

Click this direct link to my YouTube channel: Lil' Missy: Where's My Mirror?

Remember to subscribe, like, and comment on the channel! :D

Below is the first video I did - it's a product review on Benefit Gimme Brow. ;)

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Stay beautiful. Be safe. Always have fun, my lovelies!! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

Make Up: For Night Time

Hey everyone!

Happy Sunday! I hope you've been having a great weekend!

Here's a simple look that you could wear for evenings, dinners, dates, parties, events etc.:

Products Used

Face

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser spf 20 oil free

Sephora Base Sublimatrice Primer

Eyes

Revlon Photoready Concealer in 005 Medium Deep (base on eyelids)

Arezia Make-Up Palette (light yellow on eye lids, shimmery grey on crease, off white on brow bone)
Maybelline 2-in-1 Impact Shadow Liner by Eyestudio in Black

Eyebrow
Cyber Colors 24 hr Eyebrow Pen in 01 Gray

Eyelashes
Maybelline the Magnum Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara in Black

Lips
Maybelline Water Shine 3D Collagen Lipstick in 301 Red

Cheeks
M.A.C Refined Beyond Bronze Bronzing Powder

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

And this is the complete look! ;)

Have fun with this look! Be good, be safe, and have a fabulous week ahead, my lovelies! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~

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

Hey everyone!

Ever experienced times when you apply eyeliner, then it starts to fade after a while? This could happen after an hour or even after a couple of hours. This is especially evident when you use pencil eyeliners.

I've experienced it before and it was a pain in the bum when I was at interviews, important meetings, presentations, or functions. I'm talking about times when first impressions and appearance really mattered, and I was more occupied thinking about how my eyeliner was holding up. Is it fading? Do I need to touch up?? Geez, I've made trips to the washroom just to check on my make up. Man, that was a drag and tiring! If you've gone through this before, you'd know exactly what I mean. ;)

Gone are those times for me, though.

With this post, I'll share a very handy tip on how you can make your eyeliner stay on longer. This is something that I personally do because it works and doesn't take up much time.

Are you ready? Alright, let's do this! :D

All you'll need are:

• eye primer/concealer
• pencil eyeliner
• flat-tip brush or angled brush
• eyeshadow in the same colour as your eyeliner
• cotton bud (optional)

What you'll need to do:

Step 1: Apply eye primer or concealer on your eyelids as well as the under eye area.
           When I don't have an eye primer, I use a concealer instead. I find that either one
           works as a base for eye make up. 
           It's important to have a base - more so if you tend to have oily eye lids - so that
           your eye make up stays on longer.

Step 2: Apply your pencil eyeliner like you normally would.

Step 3: Allow the eyeliner to set for 10 - 15 seconds.

Step 4: Take the flat-tip brush or angled brush and gently dip it into the eyeshadow.

Step 5: Use the brush and gently "push" the eyeshadow into the eyeliner.
           Don't worry if there's any fallout from the eyeshadow while you're doing this.
           If there is, use a cotton bud to gently sweep away the fallout.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

I follow this method of applying eyeliner on countless occasions. I swear by it because I don't have to touch up once I've applied my make up - my eyeliner stays on literally the entire time. When I say literally, I mean it - I don't need to touch up for a good 9 - 12 hours! My focus has been on having an awesome time, which I do!

The same could work for you too - when you follow this tip and apply it well, your eyeliner stays put for many hours. Just remember not to accidentally rub your eyes and smudge the eyeliner in the process, though. ;)

You could use this method even if you're using a liquid eyeliner. Instead of applying several coats for the eyeliner to appear darker, follow these steps and you'd achieve a similar effect.

When it comes to make up, this is my advice on the 3 important things you need to remember:

1. Have a base, so that your make up stays put longer. 

    The longer your make up stays on, the less you need to touch up.

2. It's all about the application. 

    When you apply make up well, the make up looks good - and YOU look good.

3. When you're using at least 2 or 3 eyeshadows on your eyelids, blend them well.

    When you blend eyeshadows well, you won't have harsh lines with clear evidence

    of where one colour stops and where the other begins. 

    Remember, everyone: blend, blend, blend! 

I'm thinking of creating a video tutorial for you. If I ever get to it, I'll let you know. 

In the meantime, I hope this tip works just as well for you as it does for me! :)

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 ~

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 ~

Eye Make Up: Day and Night

Hey everyone!

It's the weekend and I hope you're having a blast!

Here's a look that you could wear during the day or night (for a subtle, non flashy look):

Products Used

Eyes

Revlon Photoready Concealer in 005 Medium Deep (base on eyelids)

Maybelline Hypercosmos Eyeshadow Duo in WN-1 (gold-ish on eye lids, and dark brown/maroon on crease)
NYX Single Shadow in ES03 Nude (highlight on brow bone)
Lilan Vital Extremewear Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Eyebrow
M.A.C 9 Color Eyeshadow Fashion Make Up Kit in Dark Brown

Eyelashes
Maybelline The Rocket Volum Express Mascara in Black

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Have fun with the look! Be good, be safe, and have a fabulous weekend, my lovelies! :)

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~