OK, today is Vesak public holiday in Singapore. Vesak is the holy day for Buddhist followers commemorating the birth of Buddha. See Wikipedia for further info. After a lazy and long weekend, here I am... ready to blog.

The topic for today is basic make-up. When I graduated from University, and is facing the challenge of looking for the first job, I realize the importance of makeup. For ladies, it can be seen as a sign of professionalism and grooming. Now, until now, I have yet to come term with using makeup everyday, simply too troublesome. However, knowing one or two tricks can help you puff up for that party or that wedding.

Basic Makeup:

1. First is the makeup base. Makeup base is normally in the form of moisturiser that helps protect your face from sun while at the same time, softening the effects of makeup that you'll put on your face.
2. The foundation. It smoothen the surface of your face by filling up pores, and provide a base for longer lasting makeup. There are several kind of makeup - two way foundation is the most popular as it can be used wet (smoother texture) or dry (quicker application).
3. The powder. Nowadays comes in compact powder cakes for easy application.
4. Blush, applies on cheek for the appearance of blushing apple cheek. Use a good brush to achieve good effect.
5. Eye makeup : eyebrow pencil/brush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara.
6. Lip makeup : lip base, lipstick, and lip pencil, or lip gloss.
   Lip gloss gives a gossamer glossy look on your lips making it fuller (and glossier of course!)

Those that I consider the most basic are base, foundation, powder, blush, eyebrow (because I have very fine eyebrow), and lipstick.

Other than outlined above, there are is concealer (to conceal that little pimple or freckles if you like) and others. Apply concealer between 1 & 2 (before foundation).

Some popular brands in Singapore are:

• MAC (known especially for their eyeshadow)
• Clinique (with allergy free formula, my friends are using their compact powder)
• Bobbi Brown (my personal favorite, I love especially its blush)
• Prescriptives (they've withdrawn from Singapore, people like its mix-n-match compact powder)
• ZA (for their powder)

I haven't touched on skincare in this post. It is extremely important to take a good care of your skin which has been bombarded by the mixture of makeup, dirt, dust, and UV light the whole day. See you in next post, cheriooo!