Happy Valentine’s Day, my dearies!

January 2011 was a turning point of sorts beauty-wise — I was sick of breaking out and I decided to search for solutions in a serious way. At first, I just included a spot treatment and a gel-based moisturizer to my regime but things came to a head in Singapore where the weather, food, and cosmetics culminated into frustration with a capital “F”.

My elder sister suggested I try mineral makeup because it is more gentle on the skin. Mineral makeup has crossed my mind before but I held back because of its price and mixed reviews. I had also sampled some off-the-shelf brands like Maybelline and L’Oreal (bad idea, I know!!) which aged the texture of my skin, instead of enhancing it. I was also tempted to try Bare Escentuals since they have counters in Tokyo but Makeup Alley reviews were so 50-50 that I thought the hefty price tag was not worth the risk, especially since Bare Escentuals mineral foundations contain mica that causes skin flare-ups for those who have sensitive skin.

But after a sisterly makeover in Singapore, I was won over. The two brands my sis used mainly on me were Meow Cosmetics and Silk Naturals — both extremely affordable even when shipped from the US to Tokyo. They of course do not contain mica and don’t break me out. Happiness.

***This is a photo-heavy post so you are warned.***

Let’s see the end result first and then I’ll take you through what I tried.

Yup, she curled my hair with a flat-iron (another “must-get” on my never-ending list of beauty wants) so I felt very pretty. In fact, the fiancé complimented me before we headed to our friend’s birthday party, “You’re looking very pretty today, babe.” He NEVER says that. NEVER. It doesn’t matter if I’m sweaty in running gear or in a slinky number — nada. Sometimes I think I could even get away without shaving because he doesn’t notice my appearance but for the record I do shave (!!!).

So anyway, mineral makeup, I love you!

Here’s what was used to prep my skin as “primers” but they acted as moisturizers.

On the top, Good Skin Labs Serum-365 (face) and on the bottom Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler (eyes)

From top to bottom: Meow Cosmetics Purrfect Puss and Pampered Puss Korat mineral foundation (link); Silk Naturals Sheer Zinc Finishing Powder; all mixed together on a small plate

Silk Naturals mineral blushes Flare (link) and Crinoline (link).

Top: Meow Cosmetics bronzers Sunsplashers (Medium Korat; Light Korat; link; bottom: Silk Naturals’ mineral undereye concealer, Sleep in a Jar(link).

Meow Cosmetics mineral eyebrow colour, Browbeater in Dark Brown (link).

Bare Minerals eyeshadows — brown (Vanilla Sugar) and gold (True Gold).

Silk Naturals’ mineral eyeshadows Homecoming Queen (link) and Muahahaha — golden undertone type shades

Meow Cosmetics Crystalline Cat Glow (link) — a highlighter.

Silk Naturals Liberty Perfecting Glow (link) as a highlighter though it can also be a finishing powder if you wish.

Silk Naturals Tempt Tryst Golden Perfecting Powder (link) — a setting powder that has a light golden tan tone.

Pop eyeshadow palette — the one on the far left was used as an eyeliner.

Sprayed face gently with Silk Natural’s Strawberry Spritz (link) to set all makeup and give a lasting dewy look.

That seemed like many pots of powders, eh? I’ve since bought some of the mineral makeup and it seems like an easy process to tap some out onto a cover or a plate and brush on the powder. I can get my makeup done in 15 minutes which is about my average time to put on regular foundation. I really like the silky and natural feel of it but I’m still perfecting the right mix of moisturizers and serums to prep my skin for mineral makeup. Right now, my skin looks pretty dry but it looks like that too under regular liquid foundation. I can’t wait for winter to be over!

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