The Makeup Box

Psychedelic Nails: Introduction to “Faux-nad” XL Nail Stamping Plates)

—

Overview

If you like doing your nails but haven’t heard of “Konad” or “nail stamping”, you should take a minute to google it. It’s one of the easiest ways to “cheat” and create intricate designs on your nails without visiting a salon.

Plates and stampers can be used with your own nail polishes*, and re-used for years. There are so many different looks and effects you can get into, and it really doesn’t take much time once you get familiar with it.

(If you’re already a pro at stamping and just want to look at detailed “swatches” of the designs on my plates, let me know and I’ll do a separate post. If you’re new to stamping, read on!)

Read More

My Paperself Lash Collection (Tips for Care and Wear)

—

I have 4 pairs of Paperself lashes in my collection, 1 of which I bought at retail price from Sephora (in Singapore) and 3 of which I bought from a discount beauty store quite recently.

1. Small Deer&Butterfly (above)
2. Peonies
3. Lace Garden
4. Birds

Read More

Matte Rainbow Eyeshadow Tutorial (88 Original Eyeshadow Palette)

—

I got some requests for brighter/stronger colors so I’m going to do a few that are fitting for Spring/Summer!

One of the things that you might want to consider owning if you are into colors and or just starting out with makeup is something like the 88 original eyeshadow palette. For very little money, you get tons of pigmented shades to experiment with, in one portable palette. This is the same thing as you’d find on places like Coastalscents.com and eBay. Everyone gets them from the same source even if the brand stamped on the top is different, so it makes sense to look for the cheapest option around.

Read More

10 Fab Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Budgets under US$70

—

Not everyone is looking at shelling out a few hundred dollars on a Mothers’ Day Gift, but just because you’re on a shoe-string budget doesn’t mean you can’t show your appreciation for Mom. (Or yourself!)

I sifted through a few sites to look for 10 things that have:

• Cheap/Free shipping
• Ship Internationally (only one item doesn’t)
• Cost under $100

Now everyone’s budget is different! So I also tiered it into 3 categories. (Under $30, $50, and $70.)

Read More

Starry, Starry Night: Navy and Silver Glitter Ombre Nails

—

(For the fabulous Yina of The Velvet Dolls.)

Super simple, and pretty darned quick to do. I did this nail look for a themed dinner; it requires no ready-made glitter polish and isn’t much hassle at all. All you need is:

• A dark blue nail polish (I used L.A. Girl Dance Club)
• Repositionable glue (below) or nail foil adhesive
• A silver glitter (fine-grained)
• A soft blue eyeshadow (I used MAC Shimmermint)
• Basecoat and topcoat

Read More

Catwalk Trend: Sequinned Eye Makeup a la Chanel (Ideas and Tips)

—

Chanel seems to have a yearly love affair with Sequins and sparkle. Last year, they went minimalistic and split a single round pailette and stuck it onto models’ lower lash lines, then loaded on the mascara, a warm tawny blush, and natural-looking lips. 

This year, they loaded on large-sized hexagonal glitter flakes along the entire lash line and then stuck a few more onto lashes for effect.

I don’t personally find that the most flattering and comfortable look to wear (honestly it looks like a bit of a mess, but who am I to argue with high fashion?), but here are some ideas if you’d like to try the more toned-down look, which I absolutely love!

It’s a great way to jazz up your look for a party without having to do a whole lot of makeup. Read on for tips and tricks!

Read More