Shoulder chic

Back in May, we reported on Graziadaily.co.uk on the rise in sales of shoulder pads and the shoulder pad frenzy that was taking over every high street brand from Topshop to Tammy.

Now, pics are in of the new ASOS collection and we're planning on shamelessly pinching their ideas taking a styling tip or two from them. Take one freshly-ironed loose white tee, a pair of £1.99 shoulder pads and a statement necklace, roll up those sleeves, tuck in the tee and voila, a so-right-now look with minimal effort. Alternatively, just buy the look readymade from ASOS.com when it lands mid-August.

NOTD – Shimmering Deep Purple

NOTD - Shimmering Deep Purple with gold

My favourite nail polish will be always deep and vampy colours. This time I am using the Chanel nail polish which I bought months ago – Vendetta, a shimmering deep purple nail polish but the colour only visible under natural light. It ends up like I am wearing a black nail polish, not fun so I decided to do some nail art. For a clear nail art to be seen on the deep purple I am using gold nail polish to draw a little triangle on the side of the nail tips and use the dotter to put on a line of dots.

Photo taken without flash

With flash

Nail polish and tools:

The tools

1. NailTek Base Coat/Nail Strengtheners

2. Chanel's Nail Polish – Vendetta
3. The Face Shop's Gold Nail Polish
4. Nail Art Dotter
5. Essie Nail Top Coat
   

Love,

Joey

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Free Sample

SK-II a well known with their start product the miracle water – SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and with the price tag (expensive)! With the price tag, do not tell me how well is your product going to be, I will not able to buy something expensive without knowing is it working for me! So free sample first. SK-II knows this, they giving out free sample of their start product, the Facial Treatment Water. Well when we talk about free sample, it is always small, but SK-II free sample is not small at all – 30ml! That is enough for a week supply!

I came across the free sample redemption from their website. I am try to find out more about their product after I seen one of their product form a Taiwan TV show. When googled for SK-II, I saw the "SK-II Sample" pop out, without wasting any minute, I click to their website and did a simple questionnaire and get the sample redemption voucher!

30ml, not an usual sample size

I got this bottle of Facial Treatment Essence last two weeks ago and been using this since 10 days ago. I did throw in some question to the SA, to see is it alright to use this treatment essence with my current skincare. She said that is alright. Following the direction given, I am using the essence twice daily, morning and night after cleansing, lotion (current skincare) and then gently pat face and neck using a cotton pad soaked with Facial Treatment Essence. Not to waste a single drop of the essence I pat the cotton on my face area with spot for 5 minutes, and then remove the cotton follow up with my moisturizer/serum.

After a week of testing, I found my skin more radiant now. What I noticed is my skin absorbs the moisturizer better. I think the product does the work because the main function of this treatment essence is to help maintain skin's natural renewal cycle to its optimum condition to allow skin nourishment ( this meant to allow your skin absorb the moisturizer/sebum better)!

The SK-II price tag is so expensive! Not sure am I going to purchase this after I finish the sample.

Hubby can you buy me the SK-II?

Love,

Joey

Red Nail Polish can be girly too!

Red nail polish always gave us an impression that's only suitable for those who are sexy or mature. I always pursued my youngest sister to put on red nail polish but she always refuse, she said she's a college girl, and she's not the type with red nail! Arghhh…RED nail is a hip right now! So this time I told her to go RED for her nail, I will put on some lil flower on top of it. She told me that with a lil flower on top makes a lot of different, more girly like.

Here you go.

Actually I plan to take some nail art course. Anyone know where i can take those course? Please let me know.

Love,

Joey

St. Clare Sebum Treatment Set – My Sister Result

As I promised, I want to get my sister to try this product. When I asked her to try this product, she asked me: "You sure or not, my "strawberry" is kind of stubborn one!" Well the result tells everything.

Click the image for clearer view.

She was so surprised because she told me she tried a lot of product but it won't work but St. Clare at least show her some result!

Click HERE for St. Clare Treatment Set Review.

Love,

Joey

FREE Konad B Kit! Enter to Win it HERE!

So, last week I posted A contest for the Konad B Kit Collection. I'm thinking my post got burried by all the other blogs post you subscribe to? But I really wanted you to know about it...so I thought I would do another post to tag your reading list. CLICK HERE for full details & to ENTER TO WIN

As you can see, the B kit is pretty awesome. It would be a great starter kit for those of you who don't already have Konad, and a super addition to your current collection if you already have Konad.

Anyone can enter! Just follow the simple steps....& goodluck!

BTW...this SHOULD go with out saying-but sadly not so: Only ONE entry per person....& non-bloggers, USE YOUR OWN IMAGES! It's really uncool of you to STEAL someone elses work. Really?...REALLY!

Oh yeah, & your entry won't count anyway...as I will delete it :0)

Lace Leopard Trim

This was ACTUALLY "the first" konadicure I took a photo of. My girlfriend came over one night to watch the Bachelorette, I begged her to let me do her nails. We laughed about how Keith-my hubby- has an aversion to crazy nail colors. So, as I selected the colors for my konadi...we both laughed. Laughed louder- no actually quiteER with each following selected color....the kind of laugh where your mouth is open, but nothing comes out...my nostrils flair when I do this! (NOT prettyyyyy) But anyway- we laughed knowing Keith would think the colors were QUESTIONABLE!

Here it is! And as I promised Sweet Little Angel , I posted my version of this same image-that we BOTH independently decided to stamp on the diag! (click the link above to see her version) Great minds...right?

What you will need. One base color, an accent color, a color for the stamp & image plate m57.



The steps:

1. Paint Base coat. Here I used China Glaze in Watermelon Rind

2. Paint accent color on a diagonal...paint the line just as thick as the brush-not too wide! You want it to fit INSIDE the lace "track" Here I used Savvy in Deep Amethyst

3. Stamp image from plate m57 OVER the accent stripe. Run it over the stripe like a track? Does that make sense? It is easier to do than to explain!

Oh...don't forget the toes! here I used the same colors...just a different image.

For my toes, I used plate m50. I first paintedthe base coat. Then, I painted an X in the middle of each toe in the accent color. Stamp the butterfly over the X. I used the big butterfly one on the big toe, and the smaller butterfly on the other toes.

Kiehl’s Party

Attention gals! There is a Kiehl's Party in town! Where, when and how to get a free ticket?! Easy, please go to Von's blog to find out more.

At Kiehl's Store at Pavilion KL
August 8, 2009
2 to 4pm

Details:

There will be a video presentation introducing you to Kiehl's, a personal 1-to-1 consultation to cater to your skincare needs as well as bath and body products (Kiehl's has a whole wide range of them!), of course there'll be finger food and drinks served, and last but not least, door gifts for all my guests!!! (From Von)

Von is holding a contest to select 25 reader of her blog to attend this party together with her!

Who want to go? Me, me, me…! (Raised my hand). Why I am interested? Hey, a pharmacy since 1851 and their product range are WIDE! They even have a product line for BABY and PETS!!!

Love,

Joey

St. Clare Sebum Treatment Sebum Set - No More “Strawberry”

St. Clare Sebum Treatment Set

St. Clare Sebum Treatment Sebum set is a deep pore cleansing product from Taiwan. I have heard lots of good review about this product from Taiwan blogger. Looking at their result (photo they showed), I am so tempted to try this product. I do not have a terrible "strawberry" (here refer to nose with sebum), but I am a daily makeup user so I hate it when you can see those little pore around your nose and start pinching those little sebum. This hurt a lot! Finally, I get Chris help me to get this product from Taiwan during her trip to there. She is nice. Babe, thanks for your help!!!

The set contains:

1. Deep Sebum Softener (20ml) – Clear light gel.
2. Sebum Purifying Mask (40ml) – White gel mask
3. Pore Treatment Essence (20ml) – Clear and watery essence

I am using this product after I clean my face. Following the instruction given - 3 simple step!

Step 1:
Use the Deep Sebum Softener to massage around the area you have sebum problem. Massage 2 to 3 minutes then rinse off with water and pat dry.
This step is to soften the sebum and remove the deadskin completely. During massaging my nose with this softener, I smelled something like egg white.

Step 2:
Apply the Sebum Purifying Mask onto my nose area and leave it 20 to 25 minutes to dry or until it's dry completely. Peel it off by pulling the mask from bottom to top direction. And clean/wipe off the left over mask.
Make sure you cover up the skin a suffice amount of mask. Instructions given suggest that to cover up the skin area until you can't see the skin colour or pore.

Step 3:
Last step; apply the Pore Treatment essence on to the previous masked area. This is to minimize the size of your pore.

NOW, let's see my result, I mentioned that I do not have a serious sebum problem on the nose area, but I am surprised that the mask actually pulling out those tiny sebum too.

My "strawberry"!

(Click to ENLARGE for clearer image)

My next mission is to get my youngest sister to try this product. She have a really BIG "strawberry"!

Love,

Joey

Konad "B" Kit Give Away Contest

How lucky are you?! Today is the official kick off of my Konad "B" Kit Give-Away Contest!

The contest starts today, and will continue for 2 weeks. If you are reading this...you can enter to win (yes, even the BIG blog owners)! You have until Wednesday August 5th to enter. The winner will be randomly drawn "from a hat" and announced Friday August 7th right here! The winner will receive the full Konad "B" Kit compliments of Kathleen & ocnailart.com

Contestant entry rules to follow......but first, let me show you what the lucky winner will get!

Image from Konad website.

The B Kit includes

* 4 Image Plates

* 3 Special Polishes (11 mL / 0.35 Fl.Oz)

* 1 Stamp

* 1 Scraper

Image Plates: M4, M8, M15, M21

Special Polish: White, Red, Green

Here is a closer look at the plates included. Here are some examples of Konadicures I have done with image plate m4So, this is how to enter to win:

1. Create a NEW POST ON YOUR OWN BLOG.Tell your readers a little bit about Konad Stamping Nail Art & what YOU like (or LOVE) about using it. If you don't have Konad or have never used Konad, then tell your readers why you want to try it! If possible, include a picture of a konadicure you have done.

2. Create a LINK TO MY BLOG.Introduce your readers to my new blog. How did you find my blog? What do you think about my blog? (I'll take the good & the "otherwise")

3. Comment at the bottom of this posting "this is my entry" (AFTER completing steps 1&2 ) so I know you have entered, and I can check out YOUR blog too!

4. Subscribe to my blog. If you are not already a follower, just click the "follow" link @ the top right of this page

If you do not have a blog then

FIRST) send me an email jdrunchkin@aol.com with your response to 1, & 2 (concerning my blog & what you think) ALONG WITH A PICTURE of a manicure/konadicure you have done. Ths means YOUR WORK, no stealing images! Really. Non-blog owners must include a picture (only 1 please) in your email to qualify. Be sure that you reference your "posting" nickname in your email so I know who you are (in the next step)

THEN) post a comment below " this is my non-blogger entry"....

FINALLY) Sunscribe to my blog. If you are not already a follower, just click the "follow" button @ the top right.

Your official entry IS your post below, whether you have a blogger or no-blogger entry. THIS is the list I will use for the drawing....so make sure your name is on it....& and that you have either posted to your blog or emailed me.

Good luck...& enjoy reading my blog in the meantime. Hey, you may even "become an addict" see link on right to become a follower.

THINK TINK

Kind of sticking to the kooky theme, we've just spied a potential new fashion crush. Okay, Disney characters aren't exactly on the same page as Alexa and co, but knowing how Minnie has inspired designers over the years (think Moschino's Minnie Mouse dot dresses and Luella and Giles' recent overhaul of Mrs. Mouse's ears) we have a feeling the newly made-over Tink (you know, Peter Pan's fairy side kick) may well strike a style chord. With her on-trend leggings and gladiator-style boots we can just imagine they'll be lots of fairy-inspired outfits hitting the catwalks sometimes soon.  Now where's our fairy dust...

Look out for Tink in her new film, Lost in Treasure, later this year.

Gotta have it

Breaking news: The darling Kooky Cat bag that Alexa Chung rocked at the Baftas has just gone on sale at Lulu Guinness. We love it because it's small, hands-free and something of a conversation-starter. Get in fast if you want one, they're already selling like hot tamales!

Something from M.A.C and EOTD using MAC Colour Craft

If you are following my blog, I said before I never try anything from MAC, so this was my first purchase from MAC and I got it when I back to KK. Weird…I never been to any MAC store in KL before but I visited the MAC store at Kota Kinabalu.

For the first time, I got their concealer to cover my dark circle and their eyeshadow from their latest collection – Colour Craft Collection, eyeshadow colour that I got is Assemblage (White with silver pearl / Deep Grey / Black with silver glitter / Warm yellow gold). The SA who attended me, Sylvester was so nice. He gave me some sample to try out when I told him that I am interested to know more about their base foundation and liquid foundation.

Select Moisturcover (Concealer)

Colour Craft Collection, Quad E/S - Assemblage

This morning, I tried the Colour Craft Collection mineralized eyeshadow (Assemblage Quad) for my eyes, here is EOTD.

I do not have a proper camera allow me to shoot a good close up shoot so please forgive me for that. I like the colour, at first I am worried to use these quad for daily make up because there is deep gray and black in this quad but fortunately with some tips from the SA it is actually for day make up! The colour is pigmented and different than what I a using previously, even hubby noticed that something different with my eye makeup today!

Right now I am so tempted to visit MAC store to get more eyshadow. Sad I can't go to the latest Estee Lauder Staff Sale to grab more MAC stuff at bargain price! Anyone want to let go anything from the sale? Let me know

Love,

Joey

First Attempt to do something on my Toes!

This is my very first nail art. Although it's just an easy job but I have been struggling some time to paint something on my nail. I want to try something different instead of just paint my nail with polish. But being a newbie to this, I try this on my toes first instead on my finger nails.

Here you go, flower paint on top of red nail polish. Simple, just make five little dots to make a flower on top of your polish. Then tip some shimmering on top of the flower. Done!

This is the nail polish and tools that I used:

1. Red colour nail polish
2. White colour nail polish – for the flower
3. Gold Shimmer nail polish – a few tip the flower
4. Nail Art Dotting Tool – you can use toothpick or something with pointed tips but I found it is easier by using this tool.
   

DIY home manicure saves my bank!

Love,

Joey

Killer Swirl-m63

3.jpg"> I have been seing this image on nails ALL OVER THE NAIL blogs. It is a pretty cool plate, but I've only ever seen it done in the fantastic black pearl & silver combo. In the "basic blue rocks" blog I considdered doinga konadicure where the image was more muted. So, I did this konadi with colors in the same family. The image would have been more subtle, but the Nicole polish has some real FIRE to it. I have always loved this Nicole color...have 3X the bottles becaise it used to be my standard toe color. Anyhow, here's how to do it.

You will need m63 & two polishes. A darker base, I used NYC Canal street. Then for the stamp use a dichronich polish...(China glaze has many that work with Konad...see sassy's blog, link right) in a similar color family. If it flashes in the light, even better! 1. Paint base coat.

2. Konad over base with image from m63 in your 2nd color.

FAST...Amazing!

Jazzy jeans

Don't forget to watch Topshop NYC 24 hrs on MTV at 10pm (UK time) tomorrow! These multicoloured Kate Moss for Topshop jeans reminded us of the dip-dye jeans in Teen Vogue a while ago. How would you wear them?

Pimped Out Purple!

I Love the way this konadicure turned out. I originally did this back in June for the ocnailart.com contest (sorry no step by step pics). Typically, I would have never even HAD this image plate in my collection...and I didn't. I borrowed it from a friend just to have something from the Konad "B kit." To my surprise, I loved this plate! There are a lot of designs I wonder about, seeing them on the computer is very different from seeing them on your nail...in a practical ,approachable, and "do-able" konadicure. So, my point is...many designs I have snubbed-actually work well on the nail. If you are ever wondering about an image...search the Internet blogs for a konadicure featuring that image plate. Or, you could always just request one from me. Hey, it would give me the opportunity to work with a design I haven't yet!
How to create this Konadi
You will need two base colors (an extra for the accent nail). I used Savvy Deep Amethyst & Orley Dazzle. You will also need two stamping colors ( here, black & silver) and image plate m4.
1. Base coat & color all nails, paint the 4th nail an accent color.
2. Apply the first image to the top 1/3 of nail, I used silver on all but the accent nail. Black for the ring finger.

3. Apply the flower just below the first image on all nails in the same stamp color as the first image. Make sure they are parallel to the first design.
4. Apply crystal to the center of each flower.

Done & done!

Doesn't take much longer than a regular mani, but I think it looks awesome! Totally pimped out!

Gotta Have It!

I want to address the questions I have had regarding some key image plates I think you "gotta have!" There are a few plates in the Konad series that appeal to me the most because they have MORE THAN ONE design on the plate I would use. There are many plates I have purchased just for ONE DESIGN ALONE....but I wanted to share with you the plates I have used over & over again, and done so in different ways. I think the plates above also include many tip designs, whether used for a stamped tip, french tip, or tip with a stamped smile line. I have highlighted in green those designs I think work great on tips.

m9) the swirl design ALONE is reson enough to buy this image plate. The star shaped flowers look great too. I like the design highlighted in green, as it works great on tips.

m36) You have to have this because of the arched design I love to use on the smile line ( highlighted green.) But I aslo love the center design & the butterflies!

m57) The entire thing rocks! Who doesn't love animal print! I love the two designs that can be used on tips too....gotta have this one!

m71) I just love the lacy veiled look. The fishnet flower one is amazing too, you'll recognize that from a previous post. Finally all the lace scalloped edges work amazing on tips, or when stampe on white over a shher pink nail , can substitute for a french manicure...much fast too!
So give my picks a look...you might decide you gotta have 'em too! Pair these discs with some basic colors of special konad polish like white, black, silver, black pearl, or even gold.

And don't forget to take advantage of the ocnailart.com coupon!

Basic Blue Rocks!

Ladies you can do this! Pick your favorite color of polish....& Konadicure it. A tip for images that POP is to pick colors and finishes that contrast, your design will appear more sharp. This Konadicure is done with just a simple stamp..embellished on the thumb with crystals. here's how to do it.

You will need a base color, (I used Claire's.. no color name!) white konad SP. & image plate m4.

1. Apply base coat and color.

2. Stamp flower image from m4 on all fingers. & finish with crystals.

See, not too hard! Again the overall look will be different based on your color choices. I usually try to do konadicures where the image stands out. But, recently I have contemplated trying designs where the design doesn't contrast as much...making more of a watermark design. Look for future postings with this technique.

Another Basic Layered Design...That Looks Anthying BUT Basic!

Here is a mani I did a while back. I think it is the second one i took a photo of....I was quite proud of it & decided I should take a picture before all my hard work chipped off! O.K. it may look complicated, does it? Well it's pretty easy, if you can do one stamp...why cant you do a second stamp?
You will need a base coat and gold & black polishes for the Konadding.
1. Apply your base coat, I used Orly Minds Eye for this mani
2. Using gold, stamp the fancy scalloped design on m57 along the bottom of nail, close to the cuticle. When I saw this design, I felt a little left out. My nails are so short, I thought it wouldn't work at the tips, but here's a great alternative!
3. On your thumb, use the butterfly on m25. It looks good centered on small nails because it covers a pretty big area.
4. then for nails 2-4, use the larger butterfly on m36. I stamped it on at an angle on the outside of each tip. This butterfly is too big for my pinkie, so I decided to use just the mini butterfly for the pinkie.

to pick up only one butterfly at a time, just paint that image on the plate, & scrape AWAY from the other butterfly. If you accidentally pick up some of another image, wipe it off the stamp before transferring to nail.

In 4 steps, your done with a layered konadicure. Very fancy...and easy...shhhh, no one will ever know!

OMG...Totally not the nails I would normally wear, but after doing them on Lois (mo-in-law)...I decided I LOVE them & I have to do them! Believe it of not... this SPARKLY pink polish is from Claire's Boutique.

Here I used the sparkle pink, a sheer pink, Konad SP in white & black, and ONLY ONE PLATE...m39. I think it is very versatile and really has what is now, my favorite butterfly. It is even small enough to fit on my 6 year old's nail.

So here's the steps to create this...our your own style tips.
1. Paint tips & accent nail (2 coats) with sparkle polish. Hooray you don't even have to clean the line, because the stamp on smile is wide enough to cover a sloppy smile (ha ha) Notice how the middle finger isn't perfect?
2. Paint bottom 1/2 of nail with the sheer pink.

3. Apply the arched stamp across the smile line so that the stamp "straddles" both the pink sparkle & the sheer pink. Notice above I highlighted the thumb. You may need to stamp your thumb twice. The design is so forgiving, any small overlap or gap shouldn't be too noticable.

4. Stamp one white butterfly on the tipped nails, and two white on the accent nail. I like to stagger them and stamp at a slight angle. Perfect for those of you who have a hard time lining the stamp up!

Finally, add one black butterfly to each nail, again I like to position them @ an angle. Finish with a top coat, careful mot to smear! If you like bling...the stamp on the smile line is PERFECT for adding a little crystal on it.

Now it's your turn, go try it & send me your pic's (to my email please) I'd love to see & share them!

M.A.C Colour Craft Collection

I have not tried any MAC product. Yup…you heard me right, NEVER. I know there product is famous and good, especially their eye shadow is much pigmented if compare with most of the brand in the market, but I am a kind of person who like to go natural way even when I done my make-up. Plus, I always heard that most of the MAC counter SA provide a very bad service, hence I never dare to walk into their shop to explore more about their product. Besides that, most of the time their collection is not wearable for me, especially to work. I am OL I can't wear a clubbing make to work, am I right? Clubbing is not for a mummy anymore, at least not for me. Sob sob….poor me, never got a chance to get MAC stuff.

Finally, last week when I checked out their website, I saw this – Colour Craft Collection and this time their eye shadow is in more wearable shades. Just dropped by MAC store at 1 Borneo (largest mall in KK) to see if the collection arrive unfortunately the SA told "Not Yet". No worry I will go there again tomorrow.

Let's see some stuff from Colour Craft (source from Spoiled Pretty).

Mineralize Eyeshadow

Assemblage: White with silver pearl / Deep Grey / Black with silver glitter / Warm yellow gold Odd Bits: Mid-tone Silver Grey / Dusty Rose with gold pearl / Dark burgundy / Peachy bronze
Fashion Patch: Ice Blue / Off white / Black with silver glitter / Light white pink
Eccentricity: Rich gold / Light violet / Deep plum/Rich bronze
Natural Flare: Copper / Yellow orange / Dirty brown / Rich gold
Girlish Romp: Dirty violet / Yellow white with gold pearl / Light pastel coral / Mid-tone pink

Mineralize Blush

Hand-finish: Light pink with deep gold veining
Fad-dabulous: Dirty Burnt coral with yellow gold veining
Daft Pink: Deep blue pink with light white yellow veining
Improvise: Mid-tone neutral coral with light white yellow gold veining
Cheek & Cheerful: Mid-tone bronzy brown with yellow gold veining
Style Demon: Dirty brick red with copper veining

Mineralize Skinfinish

Sunny By Nature: Rich Bronze with pink pearl
Cheeky Bronze: Soft Golden Coral with bronze pearl
Porcelain Pink: Soft pinky coral with gold veining
Triple Fusion: Soft Champagne Gold/Soft Golden Pink/Rose Pink with Golden Nuances
Smooth Merge: Soft Champagne Pink/Deep Rose/Pale Cool Pink
Warm Blend: Antique Gold/Mahogany/Copper

Lipglass

Pretty Pattern: Warm dirty beige Crazy Haute: Blue pink
Nice Mix Up: Burnt ginger
Funky Fusion: Pink coral
Eclectic Edge: Cool violet
Miss Marble: Muted pink

Lipstick

Madly Creative: Pink neutral with white pearl
Ever Embellish: Plum brown with red pearl

Made with Love: Bright coral pink
Colour Crafted: Milky pink
Trimming Talk: Bright fuchsia
Most Popular: Purple with yellow undertone

Love,

Joey