[Monthly: #23] Is Your Star Sign Making You Fat?

~Image Source: Albany Daily Star Gazette~

Ever wondered why you'd sell your mother for a Mars bar, while your best friend would rather scoff Big Macs? Well, it turns out our food weaknesses are governed by our star signs. But there is a way to beat your cosmic cravings.

Aries: March 22 - April 20
You're always on the go, so you tend to grab any greasy snack you can find! It's not that you have a fatty-food fetish, but french fries make such a convenient fuel when you want to keep your energy level up as you run around. Since you find cooking boring - why slave over a hot stove when you could be out having fun? - you need to take the time to plan your meals ahead, experiment and try popping a healthy snack in your groovy bag to beat those hunger pangs.

Cosmic cravings: Strong-tasking foods such as sinfully rich curries and disgustingly gorgeous deep-fried chicken.

Healthy Alternatives: Appeal to your fashion-conscious nature by snacking on stylish foods - lots of Zen-style stuff like sushi with pickled ginger and tofu burgers with chili sauce.

Eat More: Cooling foods such as melon, cucumber and salad. Also, stock up on carbohydrates such as pasta and rice for extra energy while you're racing around town.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21
You love luxury, which means indulging yourself with the best comfort food money can buy. Unfortunately, that means you often struggle with those extra pounds. Your ruling planet is Venus, who is also the ruler of honey - so you have a sweet tooth, too. When you suspect an attack of misery (and therefore a binge) is coming on, get out, make a point of eating with others and copy what that health freak is doing!

Cosmic cravings: Comfort foods like cakes, biscuits, chocolates and creamy sauces.

Healthy alternatives: Trick that sweet tooth with low-fat chocolate drinks, low-fat milks and luxuriously sweet fruits.

Eat more: Fiber and energizing foods such as broccoli and mangoes.

Gemini: May 22 - June 22
You have loads of get up and go, and your naturally high stress levels usually keep you slim! For you, food has to be interesting and you are drawn to contrast in flavors, but as you're impatient, you can be a total fast-food junkie. You're a people person - to really enjoy cooking, your kitchen needs to be packed full of friends! Never shop when hungry; better still, with your natural talent for computers, log on and go for home shopping (and delivery) instead.

Cosmic cravings: Loads of sweets, crisps and chips.

Healthy alternatives: Pack dried fruit and low-fat crackers into your handbag for low-fat, healthy snacking.

Eat more: Fresh fruits and salads.

Cancer: June 23 - July 23
As the material moon rules your sign, you love taking care of others, and that includes feeding them with wholesome-but-yummy dishes, which you'll happily pick at when cooking! You love cream, but your body finds it hard to digest, so you should buy low-fat dairy products - especially sweet yoghurts for a quick dessert. You have a weakness for fine wine (which has loads of hidden calories) so try to keep it down to one glass a night.

Cosmic cravings: Anything creamy, as well as indulgent munchies such as fried fritters.

Healthy alternatives: Fat-free yoghurt with honey and low-fat soya substitutes will give you that creamy fix, without all the calories and fats.

Eat more: Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables.

Leo: July 24 - August 23
You don't have the patience or inclination to spend hours cooking, but you love going to glamorous restaurants - for you, food is yet another reason to celebrate. Eating until you're ready to burst is probably one of your biggest downfalls, but pigging out - then skipping meals - isn't the path to good health. Try to eat smaller meals more often to keep your energy levels even and the calories down.

Cosmic cravings: Fried food, luxurious desserts and anything that looks good.

Healthy alternatives: Choose stir-fries over deep-fried foods, slurp on steamboats, and make your own glamorous desserts with tropical fruits.

Eat more: Strawberries and root vegetables.

Virgo: August 24 - September 23
You're health conscious, but when stress hits, you often find it difficult to eat and your digestive system becomes sensitive. Your diet obsession means you can sometimes be a little too strict and sometimes a naughty treat would give you the buzz you need. Also, avoid fad dieting and cutting out whole food groups - you'll just stress yourself out more over that. Do your research and supplement your diet with multi-vitamins.

Cosmic cravings: Cheese snacks and high-energy drinks that are often full of sugar.

healthy alternatives: Skip the sports drinks for water or fresh fruit juices; and try low-fat cheese.

Eat more: Foods rich in vitamin B, such as dark green leafy vegetables.

Libra: September 24 - October 24
Your indecisiveness can make cooking a tricky business - you'll often give up almost before you turn on the stove! But you love good food and getting anyone to cook for you brings a sense of excitement, especially if you know you're in for a luxurious and stylish feast. To resist bingeing on comfort foods, stock up on quick but healthy alternatives and don't even buy those biscuits in the first place!

Cosmic cravings: Cheesecake, chocolate and exotic sauces.

Healthy alternatives: Exotic doesn't have to mean sugar-filled; try snacking on low-fat frozen yoghurts, fruit, yoghurt with honey or pureed fruit.

Eat more: Cereals and other fiber sources.

Scorpio: October 25 - November 22
Being ruled by transforming Pluto, your food needs to be full of variety and taste. For you, eating just isn't about fuelling your body - it's a chance to indulge yet another one of your senses. However, sometimes you fall into the trap of being erratic about your eating habits without even realizing what you're doing, so keep an eye on your eating patterns. Regular meals will nurture and give you a sense of well-being - don't underestimate your needs.

Cosmic cravings: Chocolate, rich desserts, strong flavors, rich dishes with peppers, cream and wine.

Healthy alternatives: Indulge your sensual side with low-fat aphrodisiacs such as oysters and strawberries.

Eat more: Raw fruit, cereals (rather than fried noodles for breakfast), and drink more water to flush out your system.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 22
You often treat food as a refueling pit stop, gulping on the go. You're social, but fancy restaurants don't do it for you, you'd rather share a burger or hot dog with friends at the park or an outdoors event. You need to slow down and realize what you're eating. Foods with interesting herbs and spices will appeal, if you just take some time out to taste them properly!

Cosmic cravings: Greasy pizzas and rich oriental sauces.

Healthy alternatives: Make your own pizza instead, with low-fat cheese, and skip the coconut milk-based curries in flavor of nice veggie stir-fries.

Eat more: Vegetables and carbohydrates - especially brown rice - for sustenance.

Capricorn: December 23 - January 20
You're so practical and busy that you don't often fuss about food. But you have a soft spot for familiar foods - traditional family recipes that you enjoyed as a child are often favorites. While you rarely put on weight, it doesn't necessarily follow that you're a healthy eater! Those family favorites are often dripping with oil. Always buy the best cuts of meat and never skimp on lots of healthy vegetables.

Cosmic cravings: Chips, fried rice, rich sauces and creamy desserts.

Healthy alternatives: Little changes make a big difference - eat those family favorites with steamed rice instead, and choose vinegar dressing for your salads.

Eat more: Salads, raw vegetables, healthy carbohydrates, and make time to enjoy!

Aquarius: January 21 - February 19
One day you'll e preaching about food additives and genetically modified food and the next, grabbing a fast food burger! But the human body is sensitive and doesn't like having fat and gristle pumped into it after being "clean" for so long. Balance your diet and think about how you're mixing your foods. Stock up on basics like tinned fish, frozen veggies, noodles and rice for fast nutritious meals (though watch that starch!)

Cosmic cravings: Ice-cream, sticky desserts, starch.

Healthy alternatives: Foods that are packed with flavor as well as nutrients, such as frozen yoghurt, pureed and frozen fruit, and experiment with pulses.

Eat more: Fruit and fish.

Pisces: February 20 - March 21
Being an emotional sign, when stress hits, the weight tends to pile on. However, you can also forget about basics of eating! This see-saw confuses your body, making it hard to build up fitness or lose weight. Bring your eating habits into line and start your day well, with a good breakfast; also, eating smaller meals more often will stop your binge/starving tendencies. You enjoy the romance of eating with other people - particularly friends - but usually find cooking boring. Try a vegetarian restaurant instead of a pizza parlor.

Cosmic cravings: Vodka Red Bulls, avocados, wine.

Healthy alternatives: White wine spritzers, gin and tonic, fruit drinks and salads (hold the salad cream).

Eat more: Fiber and drink more water.

[Monthly: #22] Do You Fix Your Mood With Food?

~Image Source: Wellness for Successful Women | Femanna~

There's a good reason you might have the urge to scarf an entire tub of ice-cream when you’re feeling down: certain foods can temporarily boost your mood. That's because your body and brain are ruled by a complex group of chemicals and hormones, many of which influence appetite, emotions and energy levels, according to research scientists. Natural fluctuations of these compounds - like those that occur during the week before your period - can make you feel anxious, annoyed or blah. Similarly, when you're upset, say because some loser guy dumps you, those feelings can trigger changes in those same body chemicals. Enter yummy food.

Some research shows that certain foods - particularly high-fat goodies such as cheese, ice-cream and chocolate - stimulate your body to produce endorphins, magical mood boosters that give you an instant high. If you're anxious, for instance, you may crave carbs such as bread, potato chips, pasta and soft drinks. These contain ingredients that trigger your brain to release serotonin, which has an uplifting, yet calming effect. High-protein foods, including peanut butter, yoghurt and chicken, do the opposite: they release a chemical that pumps up mental alertness. That may explain why you're more likely to grab a handful of peanuts when you're up studying late at night. As for those cravings many girls get before their periods, there's biology behind those too.

During this time, the chemical that regulates your desire for fat surges and levels of happiness-producing serotonin are super-low. Voila! You're suddenly hungrier, and cravings for foods such as chocolates, muffins and biscuits may feel stronger than usual. That's because your body is trying to prepare for a baby, which would need lots of fatty nourishment to grow. Because these foods are so good at lifting your spirits, you get hooked on treating yourself with them. And the very next time you need a pick-me-up, you may crave those self-same snacks.

But if you're chowing down when you're not hungry - and eating fattening stuff - you could pack on pounds. Plus, the food makes you feel better only for a short while; once the cake is gone, the problems or bad feelings remain. Of course, there's nothing wrong with an occasional treat if you're feeling blue. Eating only becomes a problem when you "swallow" painful feelings instead of facing them.

What's Your Food Attitude?

Answer true or false to the questions, then read on for the scoop on your gut reactions.

1. I often munch on junk to help me get through studying or work I've taken home from the office. (True / False)

2. Sometimes I find my hand at the bottom of a family-sized bag of chips, or see that I've eaten a whole packet of biscuits, and I don't know how it happened - it's like I totally zone out or something. (True / False)

3. When I get great results on an exam or kick butt at the gym, I indulge in my favorite treats. I deserve it after all the hard work! (True / False)

4. When I'm a bit down, I tend to think about or plan out what a great meal I'll have next - it really gives me something to look forward to. (True / False)

5. Whenever I have my friends over to chat, I make sure there are plenty of snacks on hand. Gossip's just not as fun without plenty of munchies! (True / False)

6. If I get into a fight with my parents or a guy breaks my heart, the first thing I do is grab a bag of sweets or an extra-large serving of French fries. (True / False)

7. In between all my stressful activities - for example, going right from work to the gym, then rushing home to clean the house and crash - I sometimes scarf something to calm myself down. (True / False)

8. When I'm depressed, I eat - even if it's my weight that's making me depressed. (True / False)

Fixing feelings with food, unfortunately, is mainly a girl thing. Many of us are taught to smile and not to complain, and we learn not to express negative feelings. Instead, we drown our sorrows in a slice of cheesecake or leftover noodles. The food comforts us, and will never think we're whiners.

So how do you break that feeding of frenzy/feelings cycle? If you're upset, before you reach for eats, find a way to vent. Try talking things through with a friend or parent, or try keeping track of your eating patterns in a diary. You may think you're bugging people by spilling your guts, but in fact, confiding in others makes them feel needed. Expressing yourself is like anything else - you get better with practice. Try to label your feelings and be direct.

It's also key to tune in to your tummy as well as your mind before you munch. Next time you find yourself marching zombie-like towards the fridge, ask yourself, "Am I really hungry?" Do this out loud, which may knock you out of that snack stupor. If the answer is no (and you've got to be honest!), there's a good chance something's bugging you, even if it's not at the front of your mind.

Try jotting down your feelings in a notebook. Once you start seeing trends in your diary (are you a total sucker for ice-cream at deadline time?), you can learn to stop eating for the wrong reasons - and find non-food ways to satisfy your emotional needs.

Cure Your Mood Munchies!

Instead of pigging out when cravings hit, try these healthy alternatives to alter your body chemistry and lift your mood even better than food.

When you're sad or depressed

You might crave: cake, biscuits, muffins Instead, try: working out - with headphones on. Both exercise and music increase levels of the same happy chemicals that these foods trigger. In fact, studies show that 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise, performed three times a week, can actually make people who are mildly depressed feel better.

When you're broken-hearted

You might crave: chocolate Instead, try: calling a funny friend or inviting your friends over to watch your favorite comedy movie. Just like eating chocolate, laughing releases endorphins, body chemicals which instantly lift our spirits. Curiously, having a good cry on a friend's shoulder can do the trick as well, since sobbing also releases endorphins.

When you're stressed, angry or anxious

You might crave: loads of pasta, noodles, bagels, pretzels, crackers, potato chips Instead, try: taking a warm bath. Carbohydrates like these encourage your brain to release serotonin, which helps to reduce the levels of the chemicals your body produces under stress. A hot soak can work the same magic by encouraging your muscles to relax. Also calming is meditation, which can convert stress hormones into feel-good endorphins. Studies also show that prayer - or just thinking good thoughts for 15 minutes - can reverse levels of stress hormones.

When you're feeling tired, blah or unable to concentrate

You might crave: jelly beans, hard candy, sugary drinks Instead, try: eating an apple, an orange, a banana or some grapes. Experts say that candy and soft drinks that are high in sugar make you tired, since they spark a sharp rise in blood-sugar levels and then make you crash. Fruit also gives you a boost, but the effects last longer thanks to nutrients and fibre, which help keep blood-sugar levels steady.

[Monthly: #21] Reclaiming Virginity

How do one classify virginity? Is it a matter of a few drops of blood or is it a state of mind that refuses to be corrupted? Can we claim back what's been lost? Here's a careful consideration of ongoing trends of "revirginisation" and what exactly it involves.

~Image Source: The Redwood Bark~

A Spiritual Restart

For many, the significance of virginity is far greater than a simple loss of naivety. It is a physical state of purity and moral righteousness. Following an existing but hush-hush trend, a number of women feel that virginity, both the physical and mental states, can be reclaimed and have gone to great lengths to do so.

Across cultures and countries, the concept of virginity as something scared that should be maintained till that fateful wedding night is prevalent. Not all women may subscribe to the concept and there are those who feel that in the event they do not have their virginity intact when they meet that right person, they should be allowed a 'do-over'.

The trend in seeking this sexual restart really started to kick off in the early 90s when women sought the spiritual path to reclamining their virginity. By taking a vow of abstinence till marriage, they believed that at least mentally and spiritually, they were recovering that state of purity which should only be shared with their future spouse.

Some even practised this when married with kids with certain Christian followers believing that refraining from sex after being married and having children will allow them a form of spiritual virginity.

Rewrapping a Gift

These days, plastic surgery has become more and more accessible and radical, prompting women ro consider a more extreme method of recovering their virginity. The Hymenoplasty (the surgical reconstruction of the hymen) has become a popular request for those seeking to improve the cosmetics of their vaginas.

This procedure started gaining steam amongst those who come from strict religious backgrounds and are worried that not being intact on their wedding nights will get them into serious trouble among their religious communities. To many, the lack of bloodstained sheets on the first wedding night is a case of serious shame and can even lead to a situation where their lives may be at stake. It is a popular procedure amongst the conservative communities in India and gaining notoriety with Muslim women the world over.

However, the trend isn't confined to those from morally strict or religious backgrounds. More and more women are looking into 'revirginisation' surgery as a form of enhancing the sexual experience. Married woman or women with children see this as a form of 'sprucing up' and giving their partners (and themselves) more sexual gratification. It won't come as a surprise that there are women who decide to go under the knife just to present their husbands with an anniversary gift.

A Real Deal

Whether you choose to undergo such drastic measures, for the sake of regaining something most would say isn't reclaimable, is really a question of how you view the concept of virginity itself. It can be disputed that virginity is something sacred and the whole point in its significance is that it isn't something that can be 'put together' again. However, the concept of virginity isn't as black and white as we may think it is. Perhaps it is simply a state where purity of mind and body are apparent. If so, why not recapture the essence of purity instead?

Whatever the case, we should consider how worthwhile a few drops of blood or the recreation of the mark of sexual awakening is. Is it worth it if it could save your life (in the case of girls who face the threat of honour killings should they not be virgins when they marry)? Can you put a price on recreating that first sexual experience? If there are those willing to go through mental and physical trauma for the sake of that all-encompassing concept, then perhaps we never put enough weight into the true value of virginity in the first place.

Like a Virgin?

What does revirginisation really entail? Here's the bare details on the surgery that makes you a "virgin" again.

Hymenoplasty: This is the surgical repair of the hymen (a thin layer of tissue covering the entrance of the vagina). Whilst the hymen can tear due to any number of reasons, many believed that a woman is not a virgin unless her hymen is intact. There are 2 popular types of this surgery.

Basic Hymenoplasty: The surgery involves piecing together the remnants of the original hymen to recreate it. The edges are brought together so to form a 'ring' as it was prior to the tear. It is a simple procedure that can be done under local anesthetic and with either no or minimal hospitalization.

Hymen Implant: This surgery is for hymens that cannot be restored. A biomaterial can be inserted to act as your hymen. Tissue can also be used from other parts of your body. In this case, the surgery can be done under local anesthetic and takes 1 to 2 days for recovery.

[Monthly: #20] Sexercise!

The more in shape you are. the better sex will feel. So, if you can't get no satisfaction, it's time to get going on some sexercises. Learn to bend and stretch and you may even see stars!

~Image Source: The Canadian Daily~

Passionate sex is an athletic act, and for prolonged bouts of it, you need a well-maintained lurve machine. Strong, toned muscles, flexibility and good circulation mean heightened sexual performance and pleasure. So get to work at working out - it's worth it!

All-round fitness raises your self-esteem, making you feel sexier, and increasing your stamina - in bed and out of it. Studies show more people who exercise "are easily aroused and feel younger". Exercise can banish stress, depression and anxiety, which all conspire to defeat sexual enjoyment.

Aerobic exercise improves circulation, and so more blood flows to your extremities, increasing sexual responsiveness. The greater efficiency of respiratory and cardio-vascular systems meant more staying power in bed.

Take your pick: swimming, dancing, aerobics, walking, netball. Any activity that makes you sweat increases your lung capacity and cardiovascular response - and it works thigh, butt, back and abdominal muscles, all of which comes in handy in the sack!

Weight training gives you the strength to enjoy the more demanding sexual positions. A toned body also leads to greater confidence and less physical inhibition in the bedroom. Don't shirk those squats, leg raises and crunches. Opt for machines and classes that work your lower half. If not weights, try stair climbing, rowing machines or horse riding. Stretching and yoga increase flexibility, allowing more gymnastic sex positions. Plus, yoga teaches breath control, which can be used to heighten sexual pleasure.

6 Sexercises for sure-fire success

There are exercises that boost sexual readiness, stamina and response. Some, such as Kegel exercises, are well known and widely practised, while others are more obscure. Here are 6 of the best:

1. Kegel Exercise Strengthening the small muscle on your pelvic floor known as the pubococcygeal (PC) muscle brings many sexual rewards. Kegel exercises, developed about 60 years ago as an aid to bladder control, were found to lead to more - and more intense - orgasms in some of Dr Kegel's female patients.

Subsequent research has suggested that girls with stronger PC muscles may find it easier to achieve G-spot orgasms. One study found that by contracting the PC at 15-minute intervals while fantasizing, women got more aroused - even if they were new at the exercise.

Kegel exercises involve tightening, holding and relaxing the PC muscle. Locate this muscle by interrupting your urine flow. Test its strength by inserting a finger or vibrator into your vagina and gripping it: if your grip's strong, so is your PC muscle. Once you've found it, developing it is relatively easy - it just takes practice.

Start with five repetitions, tightening your PC muscle (gripping a finger may help). Hold for three seconds each time, relaxing the PC muscle fully between repetition. Repeat this sequence, working youy way up to 10 sets of five per day. In a few months, you'll be able to flex your PC muscles during sex to intensify arousal and orgasms for both you and your husbands.

2. Butt Clenches Almost as effective as PC-muscle contractions are isometric exercises. Do-anywhere butt clenches are simple: just contract your gluteal (bum) muscles strongly, hold for three to five seconds, then relax. Repeat six to 12 times throughout the day.

This exercise tones your buttocks and "lits" your butt. Having strong butt muscles makes more strenuous sex positions possible, and some gals attest that if you clench and relax your globes rhythmically during sex, it leads to bigger and better Os.

3. Chinese Exercises In China, sexual exercise is nothing new. The Taoist concept of getting yin from yang, familiar in ancient Oriental sex manuals, involves women "retaining their own sexual energy while gaining healing energy from their partner". At the heart of the technique is orgasm control, which is supposedly why Taoist queen and sex goddess Xi Wang Mu was reputed to look younger as she grew older.

Li Exercise 1: The Li-starting position is standing upright, with your legs about 30cm apart and knees slightly bent. You must try to contract your anal and vaginal muscles simultaneously, hold for five seconds, and then release. Now repeat this 10 times.

Li Exercise 2 & 3: From the starting position, tighten your abdominal muscles, buttocks and the front of your thighs, then while these muscles are contracted, rotate your hips in a clockwise direction. Repeat 10 times, then relax the muscles. Before you repeat the sequence, this time rotating hips anti-clockwise, do five repetitions of Li Exercise 1.

Li Exercise 4 & 5: From the starting position, bend your right leg, slowly raising your knee to your chest, and then lower it again equally slowly. Repeat 10 times. As in the execise above, before you repeat the sequence using the opposite leg, do five repetitions of Li Exercise 1.

Li Exercise 6 & 7: From the starting position, raise your left leg slowly, sideways from the hip to a 90-degree angle, and then lower it slowly to the floor again. Repeat 10 times. Before you repeat the sequence on the opposite leg, yes, you know it: do five repetitions of Li Exercise 1.

Tang Exercise: Lie on your back, arms at your sides, knees bent and feet flat on the floor - about 30cm apart. Use your thighs, hamstrings and buttocks to lift your hips slowly off the ground, raising them as far as you can. Hold for five seconds, then lower your hips to the starting position. Repeat 20 - 50 times depending on your fitness level.

4. Inner-Thigh Exercise Sometimes sex feels better when your legs are wide apart, or stretching over your head - but you need to be flexible to enjoy these positions. Inner-thigh exercise helps by loosening up the hip joints and stretching the inner thighs.

Lie on your back, knees drawn up, and keeping the soles of your feet together on the floor, let the knees fall outward. Stay in this position, relaxing and breathing in a slow, even fashion, for one to three minutes.

For a seated variation, sit upright with the soles of your feet pressed together, knees falling outward. Gently use your elbows to push knees further towards the floor. For maximum sensual benefits, do some hip adductor and abductor exercises at the gym, and add lateral leg raises to tone and strengthen the thighs.

5. Double leg raises Strictly for girls with great abs, double leg raises are worth working up to even if it takes a year or two. You have to master 100-plus ab crunches (or equivalent a day) to make this rapid-arousal exercise possible. If you're already that fit, here's a way to get very horny, very fast.

Lie back on your elbows and keeping your legs straight, slowly raise them till they're about 30cm off the floor. Then lower slowly till they almost touch the ground before raising them slowly again.

(A note of caution: stop the exercise midway and relax if your abdominals feel strained or sore - you don't want to pull a muscle or give yourself a hernia.)

As you continue, you will start to feel aroused as blood flows into the pelvic region. Some girls report being brought to the brink of orgasm after a minute or so of this exercise - with no other stimulation. Want a quick thrill? Just perform a few double raises and you'll be halfway there before you know it.

6. Tantric breathing Tantric and yoga practitioners, along with Eastern sex gurus, believe breath creates a sexual-to-spiritual connection and intensifies arousal. Here's a simple Tantric breathing exercise to encourage a sense of oneness with your man.

Start by matching your breathing pattern to your partner's as you lie side-by-side, curled into one another. More formalised synchronised breathing is a great prelude to sex. It's a tad New Agey but simple and surprisingly effective.

Look into each other's eyes and place a hand on each other's chest, over the heart, then breathe in and out, slowly and rhythmically, concentrating on doing it in unison. A minute or so of this and you've established a "breath connection", and set the tone for intimate, sensuous, soulful sex.

Quickie Review: Reviewers Panel Introduction

Bun the Bunny is on the left and Skip the Squirrel is on the right. They are a force to be reckon, or so they claimed o_o

Hi peeps, remember how I mentioned I'm going to start a Quickie Review segment here on this blog a few months back and at the same time I mentioned about getting a "sidekick" to man, er... I mean handle the Quickie Review segment so I can have some "me" time? Well, I got myself 2 helpers, namely a Bunny named Bun and a Squirrel named Skip. Whenever there's a Quickie Review, this blog will temporarily turned over to Bun and Skip to do their thing.

A little brief introduction to my new sidekicks on board:

Bun the Bunny: Like most bunnies, Bun here loves carrots. Which bunny doesn't? Is a stickler for cleanliness, so no cages please~ Favorite pastime is to rummage through this blog owner's vanity cupboard drawers for some hardcore sniffing. Now you know why Bun always smells so "vain". Also Bun actually likes looking at things and pondering a lot~ Haha xD

Skip the Squirrel: Unlike most squirrels we encountered on Hollywood movies, animated or not, Skip here doesn't really like to store any nuts, considering that Singapore doesn't have winter. So, it's a little redundant to store nuts in a country that just don't have snow at all. On the contrary, Skip has a vain side. Skip loves playing with decorations and props meant for the Quickie Review segment and most times, he always manages to get Bun to go along with the flow.

Anything you would like to know about Bun and Skip, please feel free to leave a comment :D

[Monthly: #19] How to get a ring that ROCKS

Have you ever caught yourself giving not so discreet looks at a particularly gorgeous ornament on the finger of a friend – or even a perfect stranger – only to have them complement their fiance's excellent taste? So your boyfriend can't tell the difference between Tiffany's or something that fell out of a Christmas cracker. So, he thinks De Beers is Homer Simpson's favorite brew. Well, look up, girlfriend, because that doesn't mean he's a totally lost cause. With a little time and patience, you too can still get the diamond of your dreams.

~Image Source: Glamour~

There are three keywords here: educate, educate and educate. Boys weren't just born with a sense of style like us girls. (Just look at Elton John's taste in accessories). Know what you want, and teach him while you're at it. While flipping through the latest fashion magazine, casually let him know your thoughts on Zoe's trilogy diamonds or the rock on Madonna's finger. Don't be afraid to go into detail about the design, cut and color.

Then, the next time you take a stroll down town, look out for jewellers, and let your gaze linger on their selection of rings. Ask his opinion, and let him know which ones you like, don't like, and tell him why. This conversation doesn't have to be limited to display pieces: your girlfriends' rings are prime discussion material, and you should ask to try them on and see how they look on you.

Finally, if he's the type that needs a shove rather than a point in the right direction, you can really drive the message home by leaving a jewellery catalogue, with the objects of your desire clearly marked, on his bedside table,or better still, by the TV remote. That way he's sure not to miss it!

The four C's

Now comes the technical part. While there's no such thing as bargain diamond, knowing some basic diamond facts can help you make your dollars stretch further.

• Carat: Carat is the unit used to measure a diamond's weight; 100 points make one carat and a half-carat diamond is also called a diamond of 50 points. Bigger stones cost more, of course, but if the one carat stunner is not within your reach, try a stone which is 0.3 carats less in weight. You'll save quite a bit and the difference in size isn't noticeable to the human eye. Also, if you've got petite fingers, a three-carat monster might look plain strange, as well as horrible showy.
• Color: Diamonds are graded according to their lack of color, the best being grade D, no color at all because a colorless diamond will allow light to pass through freely and disperse into the colors of the rainbow. A grade Z diamond on the other hand is tinged with yellow, grey or brown.
Cut: Cut refers to -
• The way the stone is cut (number of facets, angles of planes, etc). The cut releases a stone's fire and can influence its sparkle dramatically. A mediocre-grade diamond with a good cut can look more brilliant than a high-grade one with a bad cut. A perfect cut is one which maximises the use of light; so entering light is reflected out through the top again. The more light thrown out through the top, the more brilliance your diamond will have.
• Cut also refers to the external shape of the diamond.
• Clarity: Clarity refers to how clear your diamond is. Most diamonds come with inclusions: natural “birthmarks” from the evolution process. The clearer your diamond, the more freely light can pass through, and the more brilliant – and pricey – it will be!

Finally, a word of advice. Diamonds may last forever, but can they provide you with a lifetime of laughs, loving companionship snd keep you warm in bed? Even if your ring doesn't look perfect, it what it represents that really counts.

[Monthly: #18] Office Romances

You spend at least eight hours a day there. So it's inevitable that you're going to meet men at work. Here's some advice on doing it right.

~Image Source: Steve Greenberg~

Forget it (and him) if:

• He can help you get ahead. Avoid your boss or someone in an influential position (who signs reviews, authorises pay rises or promotions). If it's genuine, one of you will have to leave.
• He's related to your boss. Dump him later at your own risk.
• He's married. If you want “sneaky, dishonest and disrespectful” instantly added to your resume, go right ahead.
• You're the boss, and he works in the mailroom / is12 years younger than yourself. Another instant authority stripper, you'll be seen as being a slave of your libido (everyone will assume it's sex, which it usually is...) and lacking good judgement. No one's saying that these reactions are justified, it's just letting you know what you're in for.
• You're the fifth person he's dated in the office. Even if he does have a smile so bright they could light up a small town during a blackout, resist. You'll instantly alienate the other exes (who could've cried on your shoulder) and again, people will doubt your judgement. He's a bastard, why can't you see it?

You have the green light if:

• He's on a similar status level to you or work in a department that's not connected with yours in any way. A co-worker in the true sense of the word.
• None of the above “forget it” reasons apply.
• It really is true love. We're all romantics at heart. Even if the odds are agaisnt you and feathers are ruffled initially, if time proves that it wa actually love, and not simply lust, that brought you together, you might even decide to invite the whole team to the wedding dinner.

[Monthly: #17] Top 3 turn-offs

No one is trying to be passion killers, but someone just had to say something about those annoying habits some couples have of totally grossing out everyone around them.

~Image Source: Modern Man.com~

• It's cool when a couple are so in much love that they are oblivious to the people around them, and totally mesmerised with one another. It's NOT cool when they treat the people around them with disregard, groping one another's butts in the shopping malls, tongue locking on the escalator and grabbing at each other's private areas. Save that kind of behavior for the bedroom, OK?
• When couples start picking the blackheads from one another's faces and backs – in public. And then they start showing each other the products of the excavations. Urgh! Like monkeys picking ticks from one another, it may be considered a mating ritual for a few, but please, keep it behind closed doors!
• Don't you hate it when people send in dedications to radio request shows, declaring a track to “My smoochy, woochy, poo bums honey bunchikins who I will love 'till the end of the world”. Eeeeek! Perhaps they don't realise how bad it sounds until the poor DJ has to read it out!

[Sponsored: #13] The Skin Shop LUS Aqua Source Cream Review

This review is proudly sponsored and brought to you by The Skin Shop Singapore, introducing their latest product ❤❤❤. Any external images, if used, solely belong to their respective owners and not to me. I only re-link and use them as part of this review.

Note that all views presented here are of my own and whether the product is sponsored or not, it's honest throughout. Only that effects will vary on the individual when applied.

WHAT IS IT: LUS Aqua Source Cream

THE PRODUCT(S):

LUS Aqua Source Cream: LUS Aqua source Cream is a highly moisturizing cream keeping skin soft and silky by retaining moisture of the skin long enough, offering dual moisturizing effect to skin with water drops freshly popping up.

It comes in a pump nozzle form, so it's actually easy to dispense out the appropriate amount needed without having anything go to waste :D

The product itself actually looks thick, but I find that gentle massaging into the skin doesn't take too long before everything gets thoroughly absorbed into the skin.

Here's how the product looks like when I start to spread it around.

Do you see the water droplets just before the product sinks into my skin? Awesome, right? :D At the last step of your basic care, apply a proper amount on the entire face for moisturizing ingredients to be absorbed into your skin and smoothly apply it from inward to outward direction for absorption. In other words, this product is used as the final step of your skincare regime. I'll get to this in a moment's time~

VERDICT: Firstly, when I first dispense a pump-ful of this product out, I was amazed at the scent it gave out. It wasn't overly strong, thank goodness for that, it's actually like a whiff of freshness from a light breeze. Is how I would describe the scent, to sum it up. It isn't too cloying nor too strong at all for my nose, and best of all, I like how the scent doesn't linger on too long either. It's kinda awkward to go to bed and in the middle of the night, you suddenly catch a whiff of your skincare products wafting to your nose, which promptly cause bleary-eyed you to wake up and wonder "What's that scent ah??" and proceed to think and ponder and well, you're full awake from all that pondering and thinking :/

Texture and consistency wise, it looks really thick and opaque as soon as it is dispensed out. And despite the product still looking thick and creamy when spread around my skin initially, it slowly spreads evenly and sink into my skin without too much hard work needed, almost like water. I simply have this peeve for products that seemingly look lightweight but took me ages to thoroughly spread and massage into my skin, and ended up having the product look as if it's halfway absorbed into my skin and promptly gave up in absorbing anymore. But not with this LUS Aqua Source Cream! In short, it looks like thick and creamy, but feels like a really lightweight lotion, even more lightweight than any products I've tried and tested so far. And yet, it sinks right into the skin like water.

Because right as soon as you start massaging the product into your skin, it immediately formed these water droplets right smack on the surface of your skin. This actually made me feel tempted to dispense and apply another layer, repeatedly. I'm actually a sucker for products that not only pops up water droplets when applied, but especially products like these that also helps with my angsty skin sometimes. Despite the product feeling a little sticky upon o, the stickiness fades away before I even realize it and instantly, I can see my skin looking more moisturized.

Prior to using this, my regular skincare products doesn't seem to be working well on my skin so I was a little halfway to giving up. Until I got a chance to try and review this product. Right as soon as I got this, I immediately used it the same night and has been religiously using this every night before I plopped right into bed. Despite my usual sleeping habit of tossing and turning all over in my bed, I am pleasantly surprised to find my pillow not looking like I had drowned it on facial products. Which I think is rare, in my case ^^;

As a final note, I have to say that although I do not combination skin, I don't feel this product fare any worse at all. Instead, the oily areas of my skin feels slightly better than before as I noticed that it was less oily than before. And the dry areas of my skin are basically thankful for the moisturization that is being able to be locked in. Let's just say that when I woke up in the morning, my face doesn't feel oily at all, something that is astonishing as I always wake up with an oily face in the morning due to the amount of products I put on my face before bed.

The general recommended method to applying this product is to only use it at the very end of your skincare regime, be it day or night. Just like how certain brand's boosting essence is to be used at the very start of your skincare regime to prep your skin for more thorough absorption of the products you are to apply on. Using this at the very end of your skincare regime actually helps lock in the products applied so they don't end up getting smeared around and having all your "hard work" go to waste. Application is relatively simple and easy, apply from inward to outward direction to ensure 100% full coverage :D

My regular skincare regime, after receiving this LUS Aqua Source Cream before I plopped to bed goes like this:

• Chia Seed Water 100 Boosting Essence
• Su Hyang Snow Boosting Toner
• Su Hyang Snow Balancing Fluid
• The Body Shop Natrulift Refreshing Eye Roll-On
• LUS Aqua Source Cream
• The Body Shop Pink Guava Lip Balm
• AFC Japan Collagen Beauty caplets

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: This is definitely that ONE product I die die must have and include in my skincare regime nightly. It looks heavy, but feels lightweight and absorbs like water. And I mean, literally sinks into my skin while having water droplets show up, like literally. And I dare say, my skin looks and feels better recently. My acne/pimples are a little more stable now, instead of the usual "I popped up on your skin and I forgot what I'm supposed to do while sitting on your face" scenario. My skin actually even heals pretty decently now, after my acne/pimple episode, with lesser scarring than before.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Not particularly sure, since I seldom go into any skincare stores. Not that I don't, it's just that I tend to buy a little more so I can avoid the crowds ^^; But note that LUS Aqua Source Cream is retailing at only $39.90 on their website over at http://www.theskinshop.sg/lus-cosmetics/46-lus-aqua-source-serum.html. I am definitely getting a new bottle at the end of this month (when I get my paycheck ^^).

[Monthly: #16] Romance Feng Shui

Feng Shui master, Lilian Too (author of The llustrated Encyclopedia of Feng Shui) teaches us how to get the romantic winds blowing our way. The part of your home which represents love is in the southwest corner. Determine which way your main door faces, by using a compass. From there, you can decide which is the southwest corner. If this corner has good feng shui, the marriage and love aspirations of the household will be positively energised. How do you energise your love corner? Try one of these suggestions.

~Image Source: Lucky Path Feng Shui~

Natural crystals: Particularly those that are harmonious with the southwest sector, such as ra amethyst, quartz and cornelian. To make the crystals more potent, combine them with lights. Artificial lead crystals in the form of paperweights are equally effective.

Large earthen jars or pots: In any rounded shape are great for southwest corners. Place peacock feathers or flowers (artificial or fresh) into the jars. Note that you should never put dried or dead flowers into the jars as they represent the failure and death of a relationship.

A globe: Which is symbolic of Mother Earth will also stimulate the corner well. “Activate” it daily by giving the globe a spin. This creates yang energy that will help to balance the yin energy of the southwest corner.

Lights: It is important to keep the southwest corner of your home well-lit. Lights are a potent feng shui tool that are used to prevent the energy from becoming stale.

Pebbles: Place the pebbles in a shallow glass or crystal bowl and fill it with water. Sprinkle some flowers onto the water and place a floating candle in the centre of the bowl. This arrangement combines a variety of elements and the ritual of lightning the candle daily will attract vital energy to the corner.

A red love knot: This special knot is constructed so that it does not seem to have an end and appears to go on forever – which was why Chinese ladies of yore used it as a symbol of undying love. It will create loads of romantic energy when placed in the southwest corner. If you don't know how to tie this knot yourself, just buy a pre-tied one from local Chinese department stores.

How does eyeliner work?

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Glasses Online Blog~

Eyeliners are formulated into two basic types: pencils and liquids. While the details vary, both types use the same basic ingredients.

Basic Ingredients

The base is the backbone of the formula. In the case of pencils, it's the waxy/greasy matrix that forms the core of the pencil; in the liquids it's the water/oil emulsion in which the rest of the ingredients are suspended.

Typical base ingredients includes waxes and oils, emollients (spreading agents) and, in the case of the liquid type, water and emulsifiers.

Colors

Colorants in eyeliners (and other cosmetics used around the eye) must be approved by the FDA (in the United States). Colorants that can be incorporated in products for other parts of the body aren't necessarily safe enough to be used around your eyes.

Typical colorants include iron oxides and ultramarine pigments. Carmine is another colorant you see from time to time. It's a red color made from crushed insect bodies.

Control Agents

These are added to eyeliner formulations to make sure the product meets specifications when it's manufactured and that it maintains high quality. These include chemicals that control the pH, or acid/base balance of the product, and that keep the product free of bacteria and mold. In some oil-based formulas, an antioxidant may be added to keep the waxes and oils from going rancid.

Typical control agents include tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E), used for its antioxidant properties, as well as citric acid, methylparaben and propylparaben.

Featured Ingredients

Several things can be added to eyeliners to make them more appealing to consumers. These ingredients don't change the way the product works or the way it looks, but marketers add them because women think they are helpful. For some reason, aloe vera is a popular featured ingredient.

There are two ways that understanding eyeliner ingredients could be helpful. Let's say your favorite eyeliner is being discontinued. If you know what kind of base ingredients to look for, you might be able to pick a replacement without having to try so many new products. On the flip side, if you're experiencing irritation or an allergic reaction to your eyeliner, you might be able to figure out what ingredients to stay away from when you shop for a new one.

The Color of Love

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: MakeUp4All~

The color red has long been associated with St. Valentine's Day. It's the color of the blood that runs through our hearts, so it's not surprising that it's always been linked to love and passion.

We see the color of passion reflected all over fashion and cosmetics. Everyone has (or should have!) a sexy red lipstick or nail polish for special romantic occasions. These products and many others exist thanks to the miracle of modern chemistry which has give us colorants such as FD&C red #40 and D&C red #33.

Of course, we weren't always lucky enough to have such a rainbow of reds to choose from. Originally, red dye came from a more natural, yet more disgusting source: crushed insect bodies - the cochineal insect to be precise.

These bugs grow in certain varieties of cacti. They're hand-picked and immersed in hot water to kill them and to dissolve the waxy coating of their shells. The dead bugs are dried in the sun and then ground into a fine powder that can be used as dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics.

Today, modern chemistry can synthetically create a wide variety of red dyes, so we don't have to rely on picking bugs off cacti to make our pucker look pretty. And that's just one more reason to be thankful to cosmetics chemists!

How Mascara Makes Lashes Look Lovely

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Makeup Geek~

What's in mascara and how does it work? Here's the science-y scoop.

History of Mascara

First, a quick bit of background. we know that mascaras have been around since at least 4000 BC because historical records show that Egyptians used charcoal and other minerals to darken their lashes and eyelids. In modern times, mascara first appeared in the form of a pressed cake that was applied by wetting a brush, rubbing it on the cake and then applying it to eyelashes. The cake consisted of a mixture of black pigments and soap chips.

The next innovation in mascara involved a lotion-like version of the soap cake that was packaged in a tube and squeezed onto a small brush to apply. Mascara as we know it today was created in the 1960s with the invention of a grooved brush that could apply a consistent amount of the pigment. This is the basic form that's still used today.

Common Ingredients

The primary ingredients in mascara are pigments — the chemicals that provide colors. Because U.S. federal regulations only allow certain colorants to be used in the area of the eye, only natural colors and inorganic pigments are used. Carbon black and iron oxide provides black, brown and red colors; ultramarine blue provides blue and green shades. These pigments are mixed together in a cosmetic base that is an emulsion of oils, waxes and water. For example of these waxy ingredients, let's look at the ingredients list from Maybelline Great Lash:

water, beeswax, ozokerite, shellac,
glyceryl stearate, triethanolamine,
propylene glycol, stearic acid, sorbitan
sesquioleate, methylparaben, quaternium-15,
quaternium-22, simethicone, butylparaben,
iron oxides (may contai), titanium dioxide
(may contain), ultramarine blue

The beexwax, ozokerite, stearic acid and shellac provide the main body of the mascara and give it it's waterproof and smudgeproof properties. Glyceryl stearate and triethanolamine are added to make sure the mascara can be washed off. The propylene glycol, sorbitan sesquioleate and simethicone, added as processing agents, help control the consistency of the product while methylparaben, quaternium-15, quaternium-22 and butylparaben are preservatives that keep the mascara free of "bugs". Finally, the iron oxides, titanium dioxide and ultramarine blue are the pigments.

How Mascara Works

This is really the simple part – when you stick the brush into the mascara tube and pull it out, a metering ring built into the orifice scrapes off the excess mascara so the brush has a controlled amount on it. When you brush your eyelashes, just the right amount gets delivered to each tiny hair fiber. The waxy nature of the mascara helps form a relatively thick coating that, due to the high wax concentration, is essentially waterproof. That's how a good mascara can resist smudging and bleeding. The result – your eyelashes get a nice splash of color and they look much plumper.

[Monthly: #14] Mascara Made Easy

Your lashes are the most natural ornaments of your eyes. Use them to your advantage!

~Image Source: Ngoisao~

When is it okay to wear silver mascara? Will a coat of cobalt blue clash with your pink eyeshadow? Is colored mascara funky or trashy? Here's the answers to your mascara must-know questions.

Here's how to choose the right color for every occasion.

Black Mascara: A standard basic that every girl should have in her make-up pouch. Black lashes go well with all colors, and every make-up trend possible. A must especially for formal or party make-up.

Green Mascara: Blue-green mascaras look great with aqua or mint eyeshadows, leaf-green mascaras are best used with lime, gold and olive shades. A good trick is to line the corners of the eyes with a maching liner.

Grey Mascara: Lovely with eye make-up in muted shades of pinks. mauves, lilacs and dove grey. Add pink blush and pale or neutral lips for that gorgeous Spring nymph look.

Blue Mascara: Blue mascara tends to pick out the matching tones in your outfit, and this works well most of the time. Best with matte eyeshadows in neutral shades of beige, cream or grey. Team with brown or nude blush, and buff or taupe lips.

Purple Mascara: Play down purple's brash attitude with heavier neutrals like deep brown and dark grey, or warm plum liner. Shift the emphasis away from lips by using a pale, neutral shade of beige.

Pink Mascara: The perfect accompaniment to pink lashes, is white eyeshadow (matte or perle). Take the white below the eyes too. Add a touch of perle or glitter white shadow below the eyes, a dash of pink blush and go for nude, glossy lips.

Brown Mascara: A good everyday alternative to harsh black. A must if you have had your hair lightened. Eyebrow pencils should follow the same rule.

Silver Mascara: Party girls should try loads of black eyeliner and eyeshadow, fringed by silver-coated lashes. Keep cheeks bare and lips just glossed over.

TIP: Colored mascaras throws your eyes into the spotlight instantly. Play down your cheek color with the lightest dusting of blush and keep lips pale and neutral.

5 Ways to Reduce Enlarged Pores

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Indian Makeup Blog~

At first glance, you may think that pore control products offer to make your pores smaller, but if you read the label carefully, you'll see that in most cases they just claim to reduce the appearance of large pores. That may sound like a subtle distinction, but it's not. There's not much you can do to physically make your pores smaller, but you can avoid making them look larger. Instead of looking for "shrinking" products, try avoiding these factors that can make pores look plump.

1. Skin debris like dead skin cells can collect in pores, making them appear bigger. Good facial cleansing is the key to staying debris-free.

2. Excessive oiliness can keep pores filled with a layer of oil that accentuates their appearance. Consider using oil-absorbing makeup or doing more frequent cleansing or blotting.

3. Bacterial growth contributes to blackheads and makes pores appear freakishly huge. Exfoliation can help.

4. Sun exposure can thicken the skin cells around the edge of pores, making them appear larger. Using a sunscreen or limiting your exposure is a good idea.

5. Genetics determines your skin type and if you're unlucky enough to be born with oily , thicker skin, your pores will probably be more noticeable. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about this.

[Sponsored: #12] Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon in No.1 Fruit Pink Review

This review is proudly sponsored and brought to you by LifeStylePost - Brand Advocates Network. Any external images, if used, solely belong to their respective owners and not to me. I only re-link and use them as part of this review.

Note that all views presented here are of my own and whether the product is sponsored or not, it's honest throughout. Only that effects will vary on the individual when applied.

WHAT IS IT: Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon in No.1 Fruit Pink

Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon in No.1 Fruit Pink" The Total Beauty brand Peripera is reproduced by science technology. Its feminine design and romantic style capture women's hearts with beauty. Crayon-like lipstick for easy application. Resulting in cherrish pink lips, tropical orange lips, or soft pink lips and gives a very nice scent to your lips!

THE PRODUCT(S):

Note: Peri's Tint Crayon gives you moisturized, softer & fuller lips in this handy auto-type container.

A little more English description for better understanding the purpose of this product.

Look at how insanely cute and adorable this lip crayon is. That pink base can be twisted like an applicator to churn out more of the lip tint crayon too. Lurve, lurve, lurve it!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

In case you are wondering exactly what shade of pink it's supposed to be, here's another look on the back of my hand instead. I personally find the pink quite alright for me, as I'm not too fond of overly pinkish things. So, this shade is just like a darling~

VERDICT: Personally, I'm not too fond of using lipstick on a regular basis unless it's really required or it's a must-wear situation. So, I tend to try and get away with just using lip balms instead. But then, just plain using lip balm alone still make me look like a denizen from a different world ^^; And I'm actually surprised nobody has gotten spooked due to my pale/ghostly skin color yet, although I'm still waiting for that day to arrive xD

Anyways, my first experience and I presume almost every girls' first experience is pretty much the same. We were somewhat exploring our mother's dresser table and came across a lipstick. We opened up the lipstick cover and is amazed at the bright red or pink color staring back at us cheerfully. And next thing we know, we applied that red/pink lipstick, not just on our lips but almost on the entire lower half of our face before our mothers found out that their beloved lipstick has been sacrilegiously manhandled and multilated by our young and innocent hands LOL

Although on the contrary, I didn't know what a lipstick was at the age of 4 and proceeded to smear it all over my face instead. Which resulted in my mother screaming at the top of her lungs and ignoring me for a couple of days as I infamously decimated her brand new lipstick into nothingness, all in the span of under 5 minutes :D Although that ended with me screaming and crying in terror when I finally looked in the mirror and thought my entire face was bloody and bleeding though.

I only recently got myself acquainted with lipsticks, and as mentioned before, my skin-tone actually varies in between pale and ghostly. Hence a little lip color is needed to tone down the paleness of my skin, so as not to accidentally spooked anyone, especially late at night after work. But then, my lips tend to get really dry and it cracked and peeled really badly. And some days, my lips looked so abused due to the dried blood on it. And despite my very best attempts at applying lip balms during the day and before bed, it just didn't help much at all. It gets even worse when it's time to remove the lipstick color on my lips, as it always ended up with my lips looking way too dry for comfort. If there's an award for over-dried, cracking, peeling and bleeding lips, I would probably win it without even having to try hard.

And by coincidence, I happened to come across LifeStylePost - Brand Advocates Network asking for brand advocates for their Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon. What hooked me the most is that it promises moisturized, smoother, softer and fuller lips. And I was instantly sold and applied to be a brand advocate. And lucky me, I had the honor of trying, testing and reviewing this awesome and adorable lip crayon.

I immediately used it the next very day, as I only received it the night prior after I reached home from work. And allow me to tell you, this is definitely one of the best lip tint crayon I've ever used in my X years of existence. It really promised and delivers. I especially love the fruity scent, as it doesn't seem too overly strong to the point of nauseating. You know how certain lip products are scented and when applied on the lips, we sometimes will lick our lips? There are moments when it gets a little too much with the scent part and it makes us go "Urgggghhh". But not with this Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon. Occasionally, when my throat is dry, I will subconsciously licked my lips for no particular reason and I can safely assure you that, I haven't encounter any bad after-effects or side-effects from licking a little lip tint off my lips.

Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon also contain sweet almond oil and jojoba oil, which in turn help keep our lips feeling soft and moisturized for long hours. It's actually akin to applying lip color and lip balm all at the same time in this lip tint crayon. The lip tint crayon itself is so easy to apply and the color literally glides onto my lips, staying there without smudging at all. Not even after 8 hours, and get this, I didn't even have to re-apply this lip tint crayon at any time during a full 8 hour test. Although I do have to point out that trying it out on the back of your hand and literally applying it to your lips does have a slight difference to it.

When I first rubbed a little on the back of my hand to see how the color would look like, I thought the color seemed a little close towards lip balm-ish color. But when I applied it to my lips, it was so pigmented and rich and the shade was a little more intense on my lips than on the back of my hand. And within a few seconds, my lips looked so cheerfully bright and happy while at the same time, looking so moisturized. And when I say moisturized, it's really moisturized. Not the waxy, greasy nor oily type of moisturized feeling or sensation. And it doesn't feel that thick, like regular lipsticks or lip tints that claimed to be lip tints but feel and look more like lipstick too.

The best part? My pinoy managed didn't claimed I looked like a char siew bao due to the lip tint color. The previous times I had to apply lipstick, it was a tad too dark and red and she thought I looked like a runaway char siew bao from 7=Eleven. Haha xD And even after dabbing the excess lip tint onto a tissue, the lip tint color is still on my lips, albeit just half a shade lighter but still visible. At the same time, even after dabbing the excess lip tint off my lips, my lips still looked sufficiently moisturized and I didn't even had to re-apply it during my entire 8 hour work shift. The color stayed and never once smudged nor came off even when I took a sip of water from my water bottle to having my meals during break time. And at the end of the day, the lip tint color comes off easily when I used my Bliss Fabulips Foaming Lip Cleanser.

Here's another look at the muted version of this lip tint crayon just this afternoon.

I got up at 8am in the morning and did my usual light make-up routine, complete with Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon in No.1 Fruit Pink. Note that I dabbed off the crayon so it wouldn't look too intense, just slightly muted and half a shade lighter.

I came back home close to 12 noon and had a change of clothes before heading out of the house again to continue my errand. The lip tint color still stayed the same, no smudging, it didn't came off and I didn't re-apply too.

Another look at close to 5pm when I'm done with my errands for the day. The color still stays, without smudging nor coming off unnecessarily at all. And still, I didn't re-apply outside the house too. The color simply stays on the lips throughout the day until when I need to remove it.

Note that it's best to exfoliate your lips prior to using Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon as even lines on your lips will show up :D

VERDICT: Lurve this to the max. At the end of the day when it's time to remove the lip tint from my lips, my lips didn't looked overly dried out at all. There were no lip peeling incidents observed and the best part of all, the color stays put on my lips without ever smudging nor coming off without warning too.

Sample Redemption: No samples to redeemed. However, you can head on down to the 9 Watsons stores listed below to get your hands on this coveted Peripera Peri's Lip Tint Crayon and many more Peripera products :

• J- Cube
• Toa Payoh (Hub)
• Marina Bay Sands
• Katong Mall
• Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya)
• Tiong Bahru Plaza
• StarVista
• Bugis Junction
• Tampines One

Why does Silicone buildup on hair?

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Google~

When it comes to buildup, the type of silicone (and how much is used) is more important than if it's used in a leave-on style or a rinse-off conditioner. There are many types of silicone with scientific names that can be confusing, so let's look at a few common examples.

No Buildup

One of the most common types of silicone is called "cyclic" because the chain of silicone atoms that composes this kind is linked together in a ring structure. This type of silicone evaporates and won't build up on your hair at all. It gives a silky-smooth feel and leaves the hair with incredible slip when wet. It's used in both leave-on styles and rinse-off conditioners and is commonly called cyclomethicone or cyclopentasiloxane.

Very Little Buildup

Another type of silicone is designed to be water soluble. This kind provides very light conditioning and is unlikely to build up because it washes away easily with water. It is often used in conditioning shampoos. Look for polyol in the name, as in dimethicone copolyol.

Moderate to Heavy Buildup

There is a different kind of silicone that is chemically modified to stick to your hair better. That means it conditions well, but it can also be more challenging to remove. This kind generally has amo, amine or amino somewhere in the name. For example, amodimethicone is commonly used in leave-in conditioners.

Potentially Heavy Buildup

Finally, perhaps the most powerful type of silicone is referred to as a silicone oil. It comes in many different forms but is typically used at very high molecular weights to make it highly waterproof, so it provides good shine to the hair. Because it's so water-insoluble, it can be very tough to wash off, depending, of course, on how much you have on your hair. Typically, this is used in rinse-off products. Look for it on the ingredients list as dimethicone.

9 Tips to stop smelly hair

~Image from: Get Smell Out~

It seems that a lot of people are complaining about smelly hair, and the blogosphere is constantly buzzing with tips on how to neutralize hair odors. Here are 9 ways to get rid of the odor and keep your hair smelling great.

1. Wash and condition your hair: This may seem obvious, but it's the most thorough way to get your hair clean and odor-free.

2. Hair wipes: Hair wipes are like baby wipes made especially for your locks. Ted Gibson has an excellent product that should help remove any odor from your hair.

3. Hair fragrance: One way to get rid of an odor is to cover it up with some other odor. Hair fragrances are great for this purpose.

4. Use your perfume: If you can't find a "real" hair fragrance, just improvise with your favorite perfume or cologne. Just be sure not to use too much!

5. Powder shampoo: Instead of getting your hair wet, you can use a dry shampoo to add a little fragrance and remove the odor. Just sprinkle it in and brush the odors out.

6. Leave-in conditioner or combing cream: A touch of leave-in conditioner or another styling product can mask icky odors.

7. Do a speedy, secret sink wash: Wet your hands, take a tiny dab of liquid soap and run your fingers through your hair. Caution: This doesn't work on all hair styles.

8. Dryer sheets: You'll cover up the odor and you'll get rid of embarrassing static cling.

9. Use an antimicrobial shampoo: This can help if your smelly scalp is caused by scalp fungus or bacteria.

Want Shiny Hair?

Originally quoted from The Beauty Isle Insider by
The Creators of The Beauty Brains

~Image from: Human N Health~

Naturally shiny hair has a cuticle that's smooth and flat; it's plumped up with water (about 10 to 15% by weight) and it's rich in natural oils that keep the whole thing "glued" together. Unfortunately, we're stealing shine from our hair everyday and we probably don't even realize it. If you want good gloss, you should avoid these 12 things that can rob hair of shine. Or as the experts like to call them, the Dulling Doze.

1. Flood Damage
Even "harmless" water can be a shine stealer. That's because too much moisture swells the hair shaft and causes the cuticle to buckle. The more frequently you wet your hair, the less shine you're likely to have.

2. Shampoo Scrubbing
Scrubbing bubbles seem cute but that rub-a-dub-dub lifts the cuticle even more. Using a conditioning shampoo can help because the hair shafts won't snag against each other when you're lathering up.

3. Careless Underconditioning
OK, we don't all need to condition every time we wash our hair. But if your hair is dry to begin with, it's much more likely to be damaged during and after styling if you skip conditioner. You're just giving shine away!

4. Death by towel-drying
So now your hair is wet. What do you do? Blot, don't rub! A rough towel can cause an amazing amount of damage on wet hair.

5. The brush-off
Don't fall for that old myth that you should brush your hair 100 strokes every night. While brushing does temporarily help by distributing natural oils, in the long run it strips off layers of cuticle and weakens hair.

6. Hot-styling appliances
Heat is the natural enemy of shine. That's because high temperatures damage the natural lipids (fancy word for oils) that help keep hair flexible and shiny. If you do decide to heat-style, use protection, like the silicone-containing TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer spray.

7. Protective product residue
Yes, you do need to use heat protection, but be careful what you wish for. Some leave-in creams and gels leave behind a dulling residue.

8. Color my world
Chemical coloring is very damaging because it breaks down the inner structure of hair protein. Even if you use the special conditioner that comes with the coloring kit, your hair never fully recovers.

9. Wave bye-bye
Permanent waving is another chemical process that's highly damaging.

10. Twist and shout
Twisting and playing with your hair is a dangerous habit as far as shine is concerned. That's because the torsional forces (Fancy word for twisting and bending) loosen the cuticles.

11. I dig a pony
Wearing your hair in a ponytail may seem like a hassle-free style, but if you pull it back too tightly you may be creating microfractures in the hair that will reflect light unevenly and cause loss of shine.

,br> 12. Here comes the sun
And with the sun comes damaging UV radiation that can wreck havoc on natural hair lipids like 18-methyl eicosanoic acid. Without these lipids, hair dulls quickly. If you can't stay out of the sun, make sure you're protecting your hair with a good conditioner.

Quickie Review: A Simple Guide

So, what is a Quickie Review all about?

As stated on my Facebook page over at Pu Niao's Beauty Junkie Reviews, the idea came up when I was nursing a bad headache during a 3 hour snooze break.

Even though I am running a beauty review blog, I still harbor thoughts on being able to review products that are seemingly difficult to review in as much as 4-5 paragraphs long. Suddenly, the words "Quicke Review" popped into my already "pounded-badly-by-the-headache" head. Products such as shower gels, fragrances, etc can be included into a newly thought-up "Quickie Review". Perfect for those days when I am still trying samples before putting them up for review on my blog.

To sum it up, products such as:

• Shower Gels
• Fragrances, Eau De Toilette, Eau de Parfum
• Nail Polish, Nail Varnish
• Hand Creams

Although do be aware that not every product will be put up under Quickie Review. The usual products and samples reviewing is still ongoing, but I want to be able to review almost anything and everything related to beauty products as much as I possibly can. And I personally felt that it's a little unfair that some products gets to be showcased while some have to be ignored due to the fact that it's almost impossible to thoroughly review it properly. Fragrances are such an example, to be precise. To quote a dear friend, "How on earth does one review a fragrance?" And I have to wholeheartedly agree.

The last fragrance review I did previously, in lieu of a fragrance giveaway was just so extremely hard to do so. Even after reading other related and similar beauty blogs, I was still scratching my head and feeling clueless on how on earth I have to go about writing a 4-5 paragraph review on it. Although I did manage to did it somehow, after lingering on the same subject for a day or so. But then, I still think I could have done it in another method, and much more better and easier to understand as well.

As mentioned before, Quickie Review will be in a Q&A format where it will be slightly different from the normal try-and-review formula I have come up with. I'll also introduce a "sidekick" for the Quickie Review too, to inject a little fun into it. I can't really promise too much, but what I can promise is that, I'll try my very best. So, comments and opinions and even feedbacks are more than welcome to help improve it even more.

Time to look for that forementioned sidekick then~

Take care and keep a lookout for the very first Quickie Review coming up soon :D