Don't Forget to Wear Protection!

As women grow older, they secretly wish to have younger looking skin as they blow the candles on their birthday cakes each year but little did they know that it's actually possible and I'm not even referring to botox or plastic surgery. Anti-aging skincare products are widely sold in the market to women who wish to reverse visible skin damage; women are willing, if not desperate, to spend obscene amounts of money on these products to see results. But why die trying turning back time when prevention is ultimately possible and in fact better than cure? So, start young before you have the need to empty the racks of these products from your local drugstores before you even hit 30!

Do you apply sunscreen? Do you apply it everyday before you go out regardless of the weather? Do you apply sunscreen even if you're indoors? Do you reapply every few hours after sweating or excessive sun exposure? You are at risk of premature aging if you can't answer yes to all questions. In fact, physicians estimate that up to 90 percent of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging is caused by sun exposure and not a result of naturally growing older. The most visible skin changes you would notice is your face as the skin on your face is constantly exposed to the sun unlike the rest of your body which is partially protected by clothing. Hence, premature aging as well as skin cancer can be avoided with proper protection from UV radiation with the use of sunscreen.

I'm aware that many women detest wearing facial sunscreen (me including) because of the thick formula that leaves your skin feeling sticky, oily and makes makeup application a pain as it does not adhere well to the sunscreen on the skin, or worse, flakes off sometimes. Well, fret not! Here are some affordable, light, non-sticky formula facial sunscreen that glides smoothly onto your skin and protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays too. Now, there's no reason for you to skip this essential skincare step prior to your makeup application!

Bio-Essence Moisturizing Cream SPF56 40ml; RM29.90 RM23.92; available at Watsons
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       SunPlay Clear Water SPF50 35g; RM32.90 RM27.96; available at Guardian        
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Olay Natural White Sunscreen Lotion SPF30 50ml; RM29.90; available at Guardian
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L'oreal Dermo Expertise UV Perfect SPF50 30ml; RM36.90 RM33.21; available in even complexion and anti-dullness
Available at Watsons
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SunSense Daily Face SPF50 75g; RM44.90 RM38.16; available at Guardian
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The Face Shop Oil Free Sun Cream SPF35 50ml; RM45.90 RM36.72
The Face Shop Aqua Sun Gel SPF40 50ml; RM59.90 RM47.92
Available at The Face Shop stores
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Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF50 30ml; RM44.90; available in anti-dullness and even skin tone
Available at Watsons
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Skin Food Quince Whitening Sunscreen Lotion SPF34 70ml; RM69.90;
Available at Skin Food stores
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Before you run to the nearest drugstore to purchase a bottle of facial sunscreen, look for a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA (causes visible skin damage like wrinkles and fine lines) and UVB (causes the skin to tan, redden and burn) rays. Be sure to get a sunscreen that has at least an SPF 30 to protect your skin from Malaysia's unforgiving sunlight. Having said that, each individual require different levels of sun protection. Click here to find out your recommended sun protection according to the skin sun-sensitivity.

Sun damage often take years to reveal itself on the skin. Therefore, daily use of sunscreen is vital and adopting good sun habits will keep your skin looking young for longer and lay you off of anti-aging skincare longer than you think.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on sunscreen? Do you use them on a daily basis? If you know of other brands and places to shop for affordable sunscreen, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave me comment below and tell me what you think!
 

Flower Power

If there's one trend I know for sure that crops up on fashion runways every spring/summer is floral print. Though autumn is around the corner, don't discard your floral fantasies just yet because whether you like it or not, designers have taken a great liking towards floral print and the print is blooming in Dolce & Gabbana, Erdem and Temperley London Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collections. It has proven itself as a classic print that just never runs out of fashion and can be worn year round. The colour palette and designs of today's floral prints are modern - a little more graphic, abstract and carefully scattered - no longer only suitable for grandmothers' to wear for tea.

Don't just limit yourself to floral tops; be creative and wear it on the bottom. Floral shorts have made a comeback from the 80's and they're not only for the beach. So, make this an excuse to retire your good old jeans for a while and have some fun, sun and play in these cute floral shorts whilst showing off your gorgeous pins anytime, anywhere!

eBay; US$7.99/RM25; free worldwide delivery
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DIY Zakka; RM25
Photos courtesy of DIY Zakka

eBay; US$9.99/RM32; available in red and purple
Also available at Gold Apple;
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6th Sense; RM45 RM35; available in yellow and pink
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LuckyLucky FashionNet; RM35; available in orange and blue
Also available at Moo Moo Boutique;
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eBay; US$11.99/RM38; free worldwide delivery
Also available at LuckyLucky FashionNet
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Moo Moo Boutique; RM39
Also available at LuckyLucky FashionNet
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LIKE from Zalora; RM59 RM50.15; available in green and yellow
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Opt for longer and looser lengths if you're not one who fancy tight knicker shorts - they make your legs appear slimmer. They're perfect for picnics and barbecues when there are various activities involved as they do not restrict movements. These cute floral shorts add a splash of vibrant colours and a dose of cheerfulness to your activities. If you're feeling a little clueless on styling a pair of floral shorts, merely style it the same way you would a floral top. A trick I always use when in doubt that works every time is to pair it with a plain tee of any colour found on the floral shorts.

For you lot who simply can't get enough of floral print, there's one statement piece that is sure to rock your boat - a floral print blazer - which I've featured in my previous post on coloured blazer here.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on the floral print trend? Would you wear floral shorts? Which is your favourite? How would you style it? If you know of other places to shop for affordable floral bottoms, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Mattifying Blusher and Bronzer

Have you ever experienced walking into a drugstore knowing what you want to purchase but walked out of it in less than five minutes because you couldn't find what you were looking for?

Shopping for cosmetics in drugstores is an arduous and irritated task when it comes to products that are scarcely available at drugstores but boast extensive ranges at high-end stores like matte blushers and bronzers/contour powders.

I never understood why there are a galore of shimmer blushers and bronzers sold at drugstores but not matte. It's certainly understandable to add a little shimmer on our face to give live and glow to our sallow skin in the winter due to lack of sun exposure but we don't need that because we literally have summer all year round to give us skin cancer, let alone gives us a natural flush. Not forgetting the blazing sun melts our nicely done makeup like wax and gives us skin as shiny as polished silverware after mere four hours of wear. All that shimmer is only going to enhance our already huge pores and blemishes and make us look like disco balls in broad daylight. We are trying to conceal our facial flaws here, not celebrate them in all its glory (unless you are going for that look).

Out of frustration, it's easier to burn a hole in our pocket and get these beauty products at high-end stores than putting ourselves through what seems like an impossible feat. Well, you can save your penny and cash it on something else with these drugstore and discounted department store matte blushers and bronzers/contour powders for under RM50!

Blushers

NYX Powder Blush; RM27; available in 15 matte shades
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Sleek Makeup Blush; RM31.50; available in 8 matte shades
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Vincent Longo Spectralite Blush; RM57 RM32; available in 3 shades; free worldwide delivery
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Korres Botanically Coated Blush; RM76 RM35; available in 7 shades; free worldwide deliveryPhoto credits

Bronzers/Contour Powders

I'm well aware that the trend in Asia is to have whiter skin and not bronzed, tanned skin. But for those of you who are digging the Victoria's Secret bombshell look as I am, then this is your holy grail. In spite of that, all the Snow Whites shouldn't just shun the idea of a matte bronzer if you intend to achieve the noted Kim Kardashian's sculpted cheekbones, high nose bridge and slim face that is red carpet worthy. In fact, a matte bronzer serves well as a contour powder and should be in every woman's makeup kit. Remember to go easy on the bronzer - you don't want to look like you've baked yourself in the sun for a little too long or dived into a pool of mud.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny; RM17.20
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BarryM Matt Bronzing Powder in Natural Dazzle; £5.99/RM30; free worldwide delivery
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Stila Sun Bronzing Powder; RM88.50 RM32; Available in Shade 1 & 2
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Bourjois Bronzing Powder in Bronze; £6.99/RM35
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NYX Matte Bronzer; RM40; available in light and mediumPhoto credits

Sleek MakeUP Face Contour Kit; RM46.10; available in light, medium and dark
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Not too sure how to choose the right shade of bronzer and how to apply? Watch one of my favourite professional makeup artistes, Lisa Eldridge's tutorials - Four Shades of Bronze and Contour and Highlight to learn more.

Tip: Use a matte warm brown eyeshadow or a pressed powder that is one to two shades darker than your skin tone as a contour powder if you can't find the perfect shade of bronzer/contour powder that complements your complexion.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on blusher and bronzer/contour powder? Do you use them? Which formula do you prefer, matte or shimmer? How do you apply them? If you know of other brands and places to shop for affordable matte blusher and bronzer/contour powder, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave a comment below and tell me what you think!