Blog Awards #12 & #13 (A Tiny Announcement)

Blog awards are essentially tags by bloggers in order to share and discover blogs they find interesting and I absolutely love receiving them!

Before all that I just wanted to make a tiny announcement.

About 40 posts I wrote when I initially started FiercePaint were never shared on my social media because I only decided to make FiercePaint public after I had written enough content. What I want to do is to re-shoot all the pictures because looking back, I feel like my shots have improved so much. What I’ll do is re-blog these posts with proper pictures. Also, I’d only do them for reviews as I feel like that would be the most advantageous. So, over the next few posts expect these old posts upgraded and re-blogged!😀 . I also wanted to post them on Instagram as well.

Speaking of Instagram, do follow me on all my social media (#shamelessselfpromotion😛 );

Instagram; harivain (link)

Facebook; FiercePaint (link)

Twitter; @harivaind (link)

Snapchat; hdaran

 

Moving on, I was nominated by Laura of Looking Joli Good (blog link here) for the One Lovely Blog Award. She’s a registered nurse who is also a beauty blogger!!! Don’t you just love that! Kudos to you Laura!

The Rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to them.
• Share 7-15 facts about yourself.
• Nominate 9-15 bloggers you admire and contact them to let them know.

Facts about me;

1. When I am obsessed with something like a show or music I’ll just keep watching and listening again and again and again until I either get bored or another comes along!
2. I come from a large extended family because my mom has 4 siblings and my dad has 6!
3. I only ever have acne breakouts when I don’t get enough sleep or get stressed.
4. I share my birth date with the infamous WTC twin tower bombing incident.
5. I also share my birth date with the first day of the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
6. Both my grandfathers passed away before I was even born.
7. Once during a dance performance my costume just unraveled on stage! I kept tucking it back and continued dancing…

 

The other award is the Versatile Blogger Award nominated by Robyn of Lipstick on the Lake (blog link here). Here’s a little fact about her blog, she recently became self-hosted! How cool is that! Thank you for the nomination Robyn!

Rules

1. Display Award
2. Thank the person who nominated you
3. Share seven facts about yourself
4. Nominate up to 10 other bloggers

7 facts about me (I’m running out of facts);

1. The longest TV series I have followed is Survivor! I did loose in touch for a while because they stopped airing it locally but with the gift of the Internet, I have been able to catch up on all seasons! FYI, the 33rd season premiere just aired! 16 years on air and counting!
2. The most I have spent for (a single makeup product) so far is my MAC Viva Glam Lipstick which I paid MYR 74 for. Every other high end makeup product I have, I either bought with a sale or was gifted to me.
3. I initially dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I still do have some knowledge from when I used to read everything fashion.
4. However, my very first ambition was to be a scientist. Lo and behold, I now am!
5. The single best cocktail I ever had was a concoction of chocolate and liqueur called Chocolicious! I have never had anything close to it and the place that used to make it took it off the menu (the place doesn’t exist anymore to begin with) so I can never have it again!!!
6. I have published scientific work! Look for my name, Harivaindaran, on Google Scholar!
7. Fine, I am 31 years old!!!! There you go, mystery solved!!!

As for nominating others for both the awards, I nominate all of you!!! Do tag me if and when you do!!!

Stila Double Ended Blending Sponge Review

Here’s another high end makeup product review…

This is the Stila double ended blending sponge.

The sponge.

After being dampened. It swells up to twice the size.

It becomes soft and squishy when dampened.

Packaging was very simple. Just plastic with this card inside.

Description on the back of the card.

Some relevant directions.

Description: It is a makeup sponge that is used damp to blend out foundation, concealer, cream blusher, powder, primer etc.

Where to buy: Sephora outlets nationwide (you need to ask someone to take it out as they don’t usually have it displayed).

Price: MYR 38

Just to give you an idea of how it performs.

Foundation unblended.

Blended.

 

Pros:

It is soft.

Flawless makeup application!

Doesn’t soak too much of the product up.

The dual end does help for both a wider application and a more targeted one too.

Pretty affordable considering the other option is the Real Techniques sponge which is, at the cheapest, MYR 45.

Cons:

It ripped when I washed it about the fourth time (I’ll insert a picture below).

It picks up dirt and dust easily.

The tears.

Note:

Although ripped, I can still use it. It still works!

 

Rating: 8/10

I still want to compare this to other sponges, so this rating may change in the future.

Silkygirl Expert Brow Slim Liner Review

I wrote a first impressions post on this brow pencil (link here), now here’s the review!

The product.

The product inside. I do believe there’s about only half the product left. This has been twisted all the way up.

The spoolie comes with a cap and the product doesn’t; head scratcher isn’t it…

Basic eyebrow spoolie.

Description: Mechanical brow pencil. Comes with a spoolie and in two shades; 01 Natural Brown and 02 Dark Brown. Comes in 0.12g product.

Where to buy: Drugstores, pharmacies, supermarkets, everywhere there’s a Silkygirl display.

Price: MYR 20.90 (drugstore product, hence, wait for a discount or a promotion!).

Here are pictures in where I wore it.

Bare brows.

With the pencil. So natural ain’t it???!!!! Yes, I have product there!

Pros:

Easy to use because of the thin slim pencil.

Precision from the tiny, thin pencil.

No need to sharpen.

Wears a long time (evidence below).

Affordable.

Good neutral tone for dark skinned and dark hair people.

Blends well into the brows.

 

Cons:

No cap for product dispensing side.

Spoolie is too hard and scratchy.

Measly product amount.

 

Wear test

Freshly applied.

After approximately 9 hours! Still product left! My brows are still looking nice! If I may say so myself…😛 Just FYI, I didn’t attempt to brush my brows into place or anything before taking this picture…

Didn’t want to take a picture with flash but had to since I could only take this picture at night. There’s still product there!!! 9 hours! I was sweating, I had pushed hair out of my face which meant I rubbed my hands on my brows often AND I was out in the elements!

 

Rating: 8.5/10

Although there are three cons, the only real problem I have with it is the no cap thing. I can always use a different spoolie and for the price, one can’t really complain because a little product goes a long way.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (04, London) Review

I have been wanting to write this review for a while now because I keep mentioning this product all the time but never actually published a review.

Let’s all agree, although affordable, NYX is rather overpriced here in Malaysia which is why I feel like the dupe I found for it was worth while because the dupe is a third of the price (post here). I even wrote a first impressions post about this (post here). It is also noteworthy that Collection Cosmetics is being pulled from the drugstores in Malaysia (why can’t we never have nice things???)…

The product.

Description on the side of the tube.

Comes with a standard doe foot applicator.

Swatch.

Description: It is a liquid to matte type lipstick. The product isn’t entirely liquid, hence the name lip cream. It doesn’t dry down fast like a typical matte liquid lipstick. Comes in 8ml product.

Where to buy: Sephora outlets nationwide.

Price: MYR 30

I used it in one of my recent collaboration to create a summer look. I only use a light layer.

Pros:

Comfortable on the lips.

Opaque (I have rather darker upper lips and it manages to cover it).

Affordable.

Long lasting (a good 4-5 hours before it fades; unless one eats).

These SMLCs comes in a wide range of colours; definitely worth a mention.

Doesn’t reapply too bad.

 

Cons:

Picks up on dry patches.

Settles into wrinkle on the lips (but doesn’t exaggerate them).

Dries out the lips a bit.

 

Note:

Something to note is that it doesn’t dry down fast like a liquid lipstick does. The thinner the layer the faster it dries. When it dries down, it does dry down completely matte.

 

Rating: 8.2/10

I kinda love this product!

Maybelline Crayon Liner Review

The one thing I’ve learned about wearing the no makeup, makeup look is switching from black liner to brown liner and this was one of the cheapest I found at the drugstore. This is review is short and concise because of the nature of this product.

It’s the Maybelline Crayon Liner in Brown.

The liner.

The product.

Description: It is a pencil type eyeliner that comes in two colours, Black and Brown.

Where to buy: Drugstores, pharmacy, supermarket, and everywhere there’s a Maybelline display!

Price: MYR 11.90 (again, drugstore makeup, definitely wait for a promotion or a discount!).

Swatch

It rubs off pretty easily. No water or oil test necessary.

Pros:

Glides on smoothly.

Pigmented.

Opaque.

Affordable!

 

Cons:

Needs sharpening.

Is not budge proof so it does fade throughout the day (definitely NOT oily eyelid friendly).

 

Rating 6.5/10

It is my everyday eye liner. It does the job of framing my eye without looking like I have makeup on and I really don’t mind the fading off because it doesn’t mess up my face. Rating isn’t higher because it isn’t the best liner I’ve tried from the drugstore.

Maybelline The Nudes Palette Review

I wrote a first impression post on this palette (link here), now here’s the review!

The palette.

The shadows!

Lighter shades on the left side of the palette.

Darker shades make the other half.

The description is really cool…

Because there are suggestions as to how these shadows can be used as duos and where to apply them on the eyelids.

Also as trios with a corresponding diagram.

And also as quads!

Description: A neutral eyeshadow palette with 12 shades. Total 9.6 grams of product, each individual pan has 0.8g product. No mirror included. It does come with a dual ended sponge tip applicator (not included in pictures).

Where to buy: Drugstores, pharmacies, supermarkets, anywhere there’s a Maybelline display.

Price: MYR 69.90 (discounts can bring it down to less than MYR 50 so don’t buy at full price!! Seriously!!!).

Swatches

Top row.

Bottom row.

 

Pros:

All in one palette for a versatile neutral look.

Dark skin friendly because the dark colours actually show up on darker skin tones.

Slim and travel friendly.

Good combination of matte and shimmer shadows.

Shimmer shadows are nicely pigmented.

 

Cons:

Not all shades are pigmented.

Creases on the eyelids (all shades).

Matte shadows are not very blendable.

Eyeshadow primer is crucial because it has little lasting power.

I used this palette on a friend with some Elianto eyeshadows. Ignore the eyebrows.😛

This is one of my Instagram pictures of the palette with shade names. This version (with shades names) came out only after I purchased mine.

Notes:

OK, these are a few points to note.

Although they are not very pigmented, I think beginners would get use out of it because there’s no way you can go overboard.

You definitely need to use an eyeshadow primer to avoid creasing and also since the colours are not very pigmented.

Although there are so many cons, I did, at one point, find myself packing it when traveling with my makeup for a performance because the palette is all encompassing for a basic neutral eyeshadow look that is versatile.

If you haven’t already noticed, Sandy, Siren, Greige, and After Hours have been dug into. Sandy and Siren are the best shades of the palette. After Hours is a matte black that is not pigmented so that it can be used to deepen the outer corner without the black going overboard. Greige is often used to deepen the crease colour.

Bareskin looks white on the pan but it swatches as a sparkly nude that can be used as an inner corner highlight.

 

Rating: 6/10

Although I do use it often, they really are not really well performing eyeshadows except for the two shimmery shades, hence the rating.

Haul; Mini Haul (#12)

Previous haul post (link here) and special Athea haul post (link here).

By the way, I only purchased 4 of these items. The rest was a winning!

 

Daiso

2x Daiso Detergent for Puff and Sponge (makeup puff and sponge), MYR 5.30 each.

 

Mr DIY

Technically a “metal pen holder” but you know why I purchased this for! MYR 3.50

 

Guardian

Catrice Blush Artist Shading Palette in 010 Bronzeclat, original price; MYR 23.90, purchased for; MYR 20.30

Everything else was won via a giveaway by the lovely Lakshmi Praba of Big is Compatible (link here)! She is a local beauty blogger who is from the same town as I am!!!

Check her blog out!

So the giveaway came with the following;

These lashes are Shye lashes and they are from this Instagram shop which can be found @shye.shopperr I do believe that they only cater to local orders.

Elianto 4 colour eyeshadow set, price; MYR 68.50 and they can be purchased at Elianto stores and online at elianto.biz They are always having promotions so you’re certain to find a discount! I have also reviewed Elianto eyeshadows in the past (link here).

Essence Smokey 2in1 khol liner, price; MYR 11.90.

 

Essence Smokey Eyes Brush, MYR6.90.

Blog Awards #13 & #14

Shoutout to Dannii of A Beautiful Thing (blog link here) for nominating me for this award. Hers has been a recently discovered blog which I’ve been enjoying not just because of her beauty content but also her travel posts! I live vicariously through your posts Dannii, you know that!!!

She nominated me for the Liebster Award!

Rules;

1. Thank the person who nominated you and post a link back to their blog on your post.
2. Answer the 11 questions about yourself.
3. Provide 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate between 5-11 bloggers to do the award.
5. Create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.

Danni’s 11 questions;

1. What are your top three products you’d recommend for summer?

Since it’s perpetually summer in Malaysia, I am the perfect person for this question! No 1, you need sunscreen!!! No 2, a lightweight base like a BB cream or a mattifying foundation (currently loving Sephora 10Hr wear perfection foundation). 3, bronzer and I like a matte bronzer because I get sweaty and oily easily (currently loving the Catrice Sun Glow minarel bronzing powder)!

2. If you could have your own collection of products to sell in shops, what would it be and what would you call the collection? (It can be cosmetics, bath bits, clothes or other).

MAKEUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It would be called B.Fierce!!!!

3. What is the best meal or food you’ve ever eaten?

Both my grandmother’s cooking (my paternal grandma passed last year)! Too many to identify one single dish! You have not eaten the best until you’ve eaten properly made Indian style fish coconut milk curry (it’s called sothi in Tamil). Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef host and judge) actually called a chef in India the best chef in the world because he made this dish perfectly. She said this in passing and whether she actually meant it or not, I believe it is one of the best dishes to be had!

4. How many countries have you visited and which countries were they?

I have visited 4 countries and they are India, Singapore (it was just a layover but let’s count it!😛 ), Thailand and Sri Lanka.

5. What are you short term goals for the next 2 years?

Finish my PhD, loose enough weight to get back to odissi dancing, get a lecturing position and get my own blog domain.

6. What are your long term goals?

Become a popular beauty blogger in Malaysia, become an editor for a scientific journal, incorporate makeup into my food research, keep dancing odissi and perform in India at least once, write, both scientifically and aesthetically.

7. If you could be someone else for the day, who would it be?

Myself. I don’t know how to be anyone else. I don’t want to be anyone else. (conceited much???😛 )

8. What is currently your favourite TV show?

Rupaul’s Drag Race and Survivor (I have been a fan since Season 1 in the year 2000). I’d say Penny Dreadful but producers and director went and broke fans’ hearts worldwide by shockingly ending the show without so much as a notification that the third season finale was the series finale.😥

9. What is your favourite film?

This is too long a list but the one that touched me the most is Coco before Chanel.

10. Name one thing you’ve crossed off your bucket list?

The few things I have on my very short bucket list (I am still building my bucket list) I am still working towards but I have done one which I don’t think I want to share. Sorry guys…

11. What are you most looking forward to in the next couple of months?

A stage play I am involved in and my cousin’s wedding!

 

My 11 questions

1. One beauty regiment you never fail at.
2. One makeup technique you have never mastered despite trying countless times.
3. Your eye colour (just for the heck of it).
4. While you’re at it your current hair colour, (why not???).
5. Sweet or floral?
6. One male fragrance you like…
7. A ridiculously expensive makeup product that didn’t work for you (expensive being relative and subjective).
8. Share a makeup hack.
9. Your favourite non YouTuber celebrity makeup artist.
10. Your favourite horror movie.
11. Your favourite horror theme.

The next award is by Laura of Looking Joli Good (blog link here)! A registered nurse who is into beauty, fitness, baking and a whole lot more!!! Hi Laura! Thanks for the nomination!!! It is the One Lovely Blog Award.

The Rules:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to them.
• Share 7-15 facts about yourself.
• Nominate 9-15 bloggers you admire and contact them to let them know.

I’ll share 7 fact about myself.

1. I am a Virgo.

2. In Hindu astrology however, your sign is based on not just your birth date but also your birth time and in Hindu astrology I am a Cancer.

3. My birth date is September 11; YES, I celebrate my birthday on a very dark day in USA history!

4. I recently lost about 15kgs (33 lbs) over a period of 5 months.

5. I have performed odissi in Sri Lanka!

6. When I was doing my degree I appeared in a local cable TV channel. The channel was called Vaanavil and my friends and I entered a dance competition they organised. We got through the auditions but was eliminated in the first round!😆

7. I think I am the only person I know, of my age, that loves watching The Golden Girls. To me, it is the best sitcom ever!!!

 

I tag all of you for this nominations! Have fun guys! And if you do, please let me know!

5 Non Beauty Favourites; Collab With Big is Compatible

First of all let me introduce Lakshmi Praba, author of the beauty blog, Big is Compatible (link here). She is another Indian beauty blogger that I became recently introduced to and lo and behold I found out that we live in the same town!!!!!!! WHAT????? To find another Indian beauty blogger in mainland Penang is phenomenal!

Ok, if you’re scratching your head as to why I am Indian yet I am Malaysian here’s the T.

I am born in Malaysia, so I am Malaysian first and foremost! However, much like how there are Americans of Asian and African descent, we too have Malaysians of different ethnicity! I am of Indian, Tamil descent which means my ancestors are South Indians. But as a citizen, I am Malaysian, hence Malaysian Indian!

So here is Lakshmi!

You can find her at http://bigiscompatible.blogspot.my/

Drop by her blog, follow her, send her some love and do let her know I sent you!

By the way, she is so so nice, sweet, humble and absolutely amazing to hang out with! We actually met up after talking only a few times on Facebook and had a wonderful time chatting about life, makeup and everything else! She is actually funding education and accommodation for her best friend’s daughter! How wonderful is that! In this day and age to offer such a supporting hand! I bow down to you Lakshmi! We definitely clicked and we are foreseeing many more collaborations to come in the future!!!

If you are reading this, you are amazing love!

I knew when we met that I wanted to do a collaboration with her. So we decided to do a top 5 non beauty favourites.

Her post link;

http://bigiscompatible.blogspot.my/2016/08/first-collaboration-5-non-beauty.html

This is in no particular order.

1. My hand-painted coffee mug

I was in my teens when FRIENDS was introduced to the world. And seeing those huge mugs that practically cover their faces when they tilt to drink out of was such an organic experience that I have always been on a lookout for a similar looking mug. My quest was roused to insatiable proportions since I started watching reruns of the TV show recently, so roused that I paid MYR 17 for this hand-painted mug. I regret nothing!!!

These mugs are done by a local company called samaria cutlery and one can find them at samaria.my. PS, this is not sponsored and needless to say I PAID for my mug (purchased from Tesco). The company was founded by Feli Hoo in 2003; that’s over a decade in the business. They have their products in places like Dragon-I, Kenny Rogers and Secret Recipe.

2. Starbucks coffee; Cocoa Cappucino

Say what you want about this rather controversial company, I love being in Starbucks with a cup of coffee and a book. I have for many many years! And I absolutely love being in solitude with what I feel is often a poignant relationship with characters from the book I read at the moment. I don’t do it often but when I do, I try and enjoy my time; I call it my “Me Time”. I have tried several drinks but my absolute favourite coffee of choice from Starbucks is their cocoa cappucino.

3. Fave book; The Buddha in the Attic

My copy has been lent to my cousin so I’ll post a picture from Goodreads. If you are an avid reader, read this book, I implore you! I was engaged from start to finish!

Image from Goodreads.

4. Favourite hangout spot; Mish Mash, Muntri Street, Penang

It is perhaps safe to say that this place is, hands down, the best place to get mixed alcoholic beverages in Penang!!! They also cater to tobacco users as I am pretty sure alcohol and tobacco does make for pretty intoxicating combination. They do have a pretty clear separation for the smokers and the non smokers so fret not if tobacco smoke doesn’t sit well with you. Ben Ng, a co-owner and the one who practically runs the place is the nicest, most engaging host I have ever met.

Image from Timeout Penang.

Oh they do have a food menu as well if you do feel peckish and need a little nibble. They serve fusion bar food that incorporate local flavours. The menu is often changed up so do ask the servers and they will be happy to fill you in on their current specialties. If you plan on going on a Friday or Saturday night do call ahead for reservations as they are usually packed. Food is well-prepared and I have yet to be disappointed by any of their offerings. If you stop by Penang, be sure to check this place out (Mish Mash Facebook page; link here). Needless to say this place is not kosher or halal. PS: I am not paid to write about this nor is this a review!😀

Two of my best friends enjoying some time together at Mish Mash!

5. My phone; the Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML

I am in the least, a tech savvy person but I do have a basic requirement for what I want in a phone. What can I say, the phone performs well and I have yet to use it to full potential. I am definitely pro-android!

Yes, those are my lovely fingers!

I want to sneak in an extra, current favourite song. As much as I have such a love for delicate odissi music, I also happen to enjoy the more cheesy, dance music. And that is NOT a bad thing! I am currently immensely enjoying body rolling to Fifth Harmony’s Work from Home ft Ty Dolla $ign!

Keep body rolling and have fun guys!!!

Elianto Activewear Mascara Review

Elianto is an affordable non drugstore makeup brand sold in Malaysia that sources it’s product from various other countries.

This is the Elianto Activewear Mascara.

The mascara.

The description was a sticker on the plastic packaging that could be removed. So I peeled it off and stuck it on the tube…

The wand is interesting because of the curve.

Description: It is a waterproof mascara in black that comes in 8g of product. The wand is tapered, narrower and curved towards the tip.

Where to buy: Elianto stores nationwide (however it is not available on their online store; funny….)

Price: I am not sure of the price because I purchased it at a discount and like an idiot didn’t ask for the original price. Since it isn’t even available online I had to find this info from other sources and one blog mentioned it to be MYR 33.

Bare lashes.

One coat.

Two coats.

Pros:

The wand is helpful for application and because the way it is shaped it does get into the inner corner lashes well.

Good separation.

Minimal clumps.

 

Cons:

Not really that lengthening.

Not really that volumising.

Doesn’t hold a curl that well.

Claims to be waterproof but isn’t really because it melts off with water.

 

Rating: 5/10

Although I gave this a low rating I actually like this mascara because I don’t have oily eyelids and because it is so under-performing it is perfect for me for creating a natural, no makeup makeup look. Just enough separation to give my lashes a little bit of visibility to frame my eyes well.