Makeup for Beginner: WHAT TO BUY?

Aloha!
It's been too long, I miss writing something here so much.

When I'm starting to love makeup, I kinda confused about what to do first, what to buy, and what are the useful tools/things in makeup. Plus, I heard that question a lot when doing makeup to friends.
I know we all here have moisturizer, mascara, eyeliner, pressed powder/two way cake, and lipstick in our purse, right? Good! That's the base of every girl must-have. So what else I should buy?
Here we go!

BASE

1. FACE PRIMER & EYE PRIMER
Primer is the barrier between your foundation and your skin. It also makes foundation last longer and shine free. So this is so important. The best face primer brands are Smashbox and The Balm Porefessional. Yes they are pricey. But, the brands sell the products in travel size! I always looove travel and sample size! Beauty in a good deal huh!

*Best Drugstore face primer: Maybelline baby skin primer, Revlon Photoready Primer, NYX shine killer primer.
Eye Primer is another must-have.
For oily monolid eyes like me, this is holy grail product. Eye primer will hold the eye shadow/eye liner longer. Primer juga bisa membuat warna eyeshadow keluar lebih terang. The best is still Urban Decay primer potion. 

(Harga: travel size sekitar Rp180.000-an, dijual di Sephora, atau beli online di website favorite saya: twlcosmetics.com)
*Best Drugstore eye primer: NYX eyeshadow base in jar, ELF mineral eyeshadow primer.

Urban Decay eye Primer Potion, The POREfessional face primer.

Smashbox face primer, Maybelline baby skin face primer, Revlon Photoready face Primer, NYX shine killer , NYX Pore Filler face primer, ELF mineral eyeshadow primer.

 2. CONCEALER
Concealer covers the imperfections (birthmark, Vitiligo, eyebags, dark circle, acne scar)
If you have dark circle under eyes, go find a concealer 2 shade lighter than your skin tone. Bisa langsung diaplikasikan dengan jari manis. Suhu tubuh kita yang hangat membuat cream nya melts perfectly and blends well with our skin. 

My favorite is Coastal Scents Camo Quad concealer (Rp180.000an). It has 4 shades, jadi serbaguna untuk contouring hidung dan pipi juga.

*Best Drugstore Concealer: NYX concealer in jar, and the famous one: Maybelline age rewind. 

Maybelline age rewind, NYX concealer in jar, Revlon photoready concealer, Coastal Scents Camo Quad concealer.

3. FOUNDATION / BB Cream

Foundation functions as tone balancing for your face, ears, and neck, or even shoulder & hands. Makanya buat temen-temen yang masih suka beli foundation 3 shade lebih terang, please sadarlah. Hehe. Makeup fungsinya bukan sebagai topeng, tapi pemerata warna kulit.
My favorite still Revlon Colorstay. Affordable with good quality. It also buildable for high coverage acne scars. Pernah pake buat nonton konser, keringetan dari jam 11 pagi ampe jam 1 dini hari, dan foundation ini setia gak bergeser atau luntur. Keren! MAC studio fix & Makeup Forever HD masih kalah. (Harga: Rp150.000-an di counter Revlon)

Tip for finding the right shade on foundation: do not try that on your hand. Face and hand skins are different. So try the foundation on your jawline. Blend, if it dissapear nicely, then that's your shade!
BB Cream is another options for light everyday use. However I can not find any Korean BB Cream (which is said as the pioneer of BB Cream) in my shade. Korean BB Creams are way too fair for Indonesian skin.
Foundation/BB Cream are the number one thing that we should really considered when buying. Cari tau kandungannya, baca reviewnya, cari warna yang tepat, kemudian coba di kulit kalian dalam 3 minggu. Kalo gak jerawatan, dan pas, then it's a lifetime best friend!
Ohya, sebaiknya pilih foundation dengan SPF serendah mungkin. SPF membuat wajah lebih berminyak dan menimbulkan bercak putih di hasil fotografi. Gunakan SPF lotion terpisah sebelum foundation.
*Another best choice: MAC Studio Fix, Makeup Forever HD, The Body Shop BB Cream, Garnier BB Cream.

Revlon Colorstay

TOOLS

 1. BRUSHES

There are plenty variety of makeup brushes out there.

These are the brushes you will need for everyday simple look.You can find it on Centro/Matahari.

Tip: feel the brush hair. A good quality of brush should be smooth and strong.
Well, we all here have brow brush right? That's a must-have.
For beginner/self-makeup artist you only need these basic tools:

1. Foundation Brush or Sponge (Brush is easier for beginner to apply liquid foundation. Brush works the best for medium to high coverage. Best option for acne scars. One good brush can last YEARS, while Sponge harvest bacteria after the first use. However sponge gives a natural/airbrush skin. Jadi tentukan sendiri apa yang dibutuhkan untuk kulit dan keperluan sehari-hari kamu.)
2. Blush brush (for blush, pressed powder, and highlighter)
3. Flat Eyeshadow brush (for eyeshadow on eyelids)
4. Blending Eye brush (for blending eyeshadow into soft and nice colors)
5. Eyeliner brush (for eyeliner gel and also multi-function as to draw brows)
6. Angle Contour Brush (for nose and cheekbones contouring)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I spent money the most on foundation brush. For me owning a high value and quality foundation brush is so important. My one and only favorite is Real-Techniques in Expert Face Brush (Harga Rp.170.000-an di twlcosmetics.com). Another pricey brand is from Sigma.

*The best one is form Ecotools (4 brushes for Rp100.000-an di instagram @preorderbymimo). I recommend the set brushes, because it cheaper and complete. There are good options to at Centro/Sogo Department store, or drugstore such as Guardian. 

LEFT: Foundation Brushes & Sponges. RIGHT: Ecotools brush set.

Makeup brush wajib dibersihkan setiap seminggu sekali dengan baby shampo yang lembut atau cairan air hangat+cuka untuk menghilangkan bakteri, dibilas. Kemudian dikeringkan dengan meletakan pegangan handle brush lebih tinggi dari bulu kuas, agar tidak ada air yang tersisa. Sementara Sponge memerlukan sponge shampoo tersendiri.

 2. EYE SHADOW
The fun part! Just like the childhood time when coloring book, now our crayon is eyeshadow. No need to buy sophisticated eye shadow palette, yet. For our Indonesian skin, the basic eyeshadows are earth tone (any shades of brown, bronze, gold, champagne, black, and shimmering white). Those are enough for everyday or glam day look.

*Mine is from NYX look kit Nude on Nude. Perfect!  (Harga: 185.000-an di twlcosmetics.com)

NYX Nude on nude Natural Look Kit

The recommended beginner lesson on eyeshadow application in Youtube are these lovely channels: TheMakeupChair (she gave amazing clear steps for newbie), easyNeon, Michelle Phan.
For monolid Asian eyes: From Head to Toe, jungsaemmool, So Young's Beauty Room.
Go practice with them and see yourself in 5 months: an artist in the making!

3. LIPS

The best everyday lip shade for tanned Indonesian skin is peachy pink. Also, this kind of lipstick can be used as....BLUSH! Dab a little bit lipstick onto the cheeks with ring fingers (Ring finger is the weakest finger, so make sure to use them in EVERY application on makeup industry-lol. Jangan merangsang keriput dengan menekan kulit terlalu keras dengan jari lain). Then you will achieve natural blushing and glowy face.

Just make sure to find a shine/creamy finish lisptick so it can glow also on your cheeks. Matte lipstick or lip gloss won't work.
*My Favorite: Maybelline Iced caramel, Revlon colorbust peach & Wet n wild Carrot Gold.

THE SECRET

A MUST HAVE

Dark brown matte eyeshadow is the secret. What for?
1. Eyeshadow (from natural to dramatic smokey eye)
2. Natural looking brow
3. Contouring (shading hidung/pipi)
4. Eyeliner (soft ala Korean eye makeup)

I always love multi-function! Make sure it is matte (means no shimmer/pearl at all).
*I got mine from Nyx. (Harga Rp90.000 di counter Nyx).

NYX single eyeshadow in Dark Brown.

That's all from me. I see you again on next post.
Love,
From your friendly neighbor.

PS: Pictures taken from my own personal pictures and some from websites. I do not own them. Thank you.

20 Random Things About Me

Too long of blog hiatus, now I'm back!

So happy to announce to you that I'm finally back to university again to pursue my master.
Even tho for my whole life I have always wanted to study master overseas, but I'm so excited now in Jogja.
I have been try to compete in scholarship  last 2 years, but the destiny says another way. It's okay because in the end now, I succesfully accepted in UGM (again) majoring American Studies. Sound cool huh?! Well...I hope.

I told you Jogja I will come back, I told you!!

In my third weeks at University, and it has been CRAZY enough. Group presentation, reaction paper, reading assignment EVERYDAY! The stake is higher than my undergraduate days.

However, today I'm on my spare time, and doing this "random things" just pop up on my mind. Even though I'm not a celebrity blogger and people don't really care about me, but this is interesting enough to do right?

1. I hate green tea (if its mixed with sugar or milk). Eeewww! So I only drink pure green tea.
2. I'm a big fan of Taylor Swift since her first album! I almost cried when I arrived at the stadium on her Red Tour.
3. I have nonsense-limitless-huge appetite. Aka always hungry. But after eat a lot, my stomach hurts as hell.
4. Believe it or not, doctor once said that my stomach is way too small, and he suggested that I should have not eat after 7pm for the rest of my life.......Which I ignored.
5. I hate when people making weird sounds (sigh out loud, whistle, so on).
6. I'm introvert. I don't talk to strangers. I put headphone on plane or waiting room and chin down at elevator.
7. I love makeup so much!
8. I have always been the tallest girl on class. In fact, I am only 167cm. Asian luck!
9. I'm a light sleeper. I can't sleep on plane or train. Sucks!
10. I dislike sushi. I don't find it yummy. But recently I'm starting to like sashimi.
11. I have American Dream since I was a little. My main destination: Gotham and Smallville. Lol!
12. I love 20's European fashion.
13. I have a dream to have wings and fly. But in fact, height scares me.
14. I love adrenaline rush activities. Yes for roller coaster!
15. My biggest pride is me playing Saron on Gamelan Karawitan. To be able to play and mastering your own heritage is amazing! Huge honor!
16. I was a big fan of soccer in junior high. My fave team was Manchester United since I love David Beckham so much. I even had scrapbooks of Beckham's picture and profile! But as I grew older, I lost interest on soccer.
17. My fave time of the day is when its raining.
18. I have a little interest on beach vacation, since I was born near coast. So, I visited Bali for the first time in 2011. When I won a grand prize at employee gathering at office. My hand indeed has a little bit of magic when it comes to lottery.
19. My high school memory I love the most is when friends and I visited a friend's house and we took a loooong walk, and we found a beautiful desert beach!
20. I want to pet a cat so bad!

That's it from me.
Bye for now, from your friendly neighboorhood friend!
Xoxo

Vitiligo World Awareness Day

---English---
On 1993, the King of pop, Michael Jackson, revealed his skin disorder to the world on Oprah. Michael Jackson was born with Vitiligo. This confession is a turning point.
Many people once believe that Vitiligo is a curse disease that connected with devil, that has to be alienated because its contagious and deadly.
Now let me get things straight.
Vitiligo is a skin condition where the immune system destroys the melanocytes (skin pigment), causing white albino patches on skin.
It is NOT contagious, no leads to death.
However, the Vitiligans may suffer from social and self esteem problem.
I lived with Vitiligo since 13 years old. Long story..... You may check it out on my previous post.
After years of hiatus, my Vitiligo now takes control again. It is spreading so fast in my 23-24 years old.
I struggled for this for my whole life. It is so hard to accept this as the part of me. But after all, I gotta live with it. There is nothing I can do about it. Its incurable tho.
For now on, I rely on make up. There is no day where I go out without concealer and foundation on. (Wait for my next post about Concealing Vitiligo Spot)
I still have no brave to face the world with bare face. I still feel beasty, and different, and weird, and disgusted, and......oh!
So since today 25 June is Vitiligo World Awareness Day, I am sending the message to you peps, that we are just different. There is no reason you should alienated and avoid us.
Over 100 million of us in Earth suffer as a result of social stigma and severe psychological burden that result. Some of us are the victim of ostracism and discrimination.
Awareness and empathy lead humanity to the best form of themselves. Find out more before you judge. We are trying so hard to blend and look normal everyday only to avoid harsh comment and rude stare.
Michael Jackson lived with judgemental comments around him causing him suffered from terrible insomnia. Take note that MJ did not died because of Vitiligo.
The legacy continues.
I quote Magneto on X-Men Days of Future Past scene:
Because we are different. Because you are afraid of our gift. To my brother and sister out there, no more hiding, no more suffering. You have lived in the shadow and shame and fear for too long. Come out. Fight together.
Stay Strong Vitiligans!
---Bahasa Indonesia---
Pada tahun 1993, Michael Jackson mengakui penyakit kulitnya, Vitiligo pada dunia melalui interview bersama Oprah Winfrey. Pengakuan ini menorehkan sejarah karena berhasil membuka mata dunia terhadap Vitiligo.
Banyak orang yang tidak paham tentang Vitiligo, dan tidak mau mencari tahu, tapi malah membuat pengertian sendiri terhadap penyakit ini. Mereka menyamaratakan penyakit kulit, bahwa Vitiligo bisa menular karena disebabkan oleh jamur kulit, dan bisa menyebabkan cacat dan kematian seperti Panu, Kusta atau Lepra. Bahkan di negara saya tinggal, penyakit ini dianggap sebagai kutukan yang memalukan.
Kalimat-kalimat tersebut menancap dengan baik di otak saya, sejak Vitiligo saya muncul di umur 13 tahun. Cap buruk masyarakat membuat saya tumbuh menjadi gadis remaja introvert, penyendiri, dan gampang minder.
Begitupun dengan MJ yang hidup dengan banyak cap buruk, berakibat insomnia kronis hingga akhirnya sang raja Pop meninggal pada 25 Juni.
Sekarang jejak MJ akan kami lanjutkan lewat Hari Peduli Vitiligo Dunia, 25 Juni.
Vitiligo adalah penyakit kesalahan imun dan genetik. Sistem imun kami rusak dan menganggap bahwa pigmen adalah zat jahat yang harus dihancurkan. Maka itu sebagian pigmen kami hilang menjadi albino. Vitiligo tidak menular, dan tidak menyebabkan kematian. Saya ulangi, tidak menular sama sekali dengan interaksi apapun.
Penyakit ini juga tidak menyebabkan kematian, bahkan kami sama sekali tidak pernah merasa sakit atau gatal.
Selain MJ ada juga Chantelle Winnie Harlow yang berhasil jadi supermodel dengan Vitiligo nya. Bahkan masuk sebagai finalis America Next Top Model cycle 21. Lihat kan? Kondisi kulit kami yang sebagian orang anggap kekurangan sebenarnya adalah hasil karya seni tangan Tuhan.
Vitiligo pada saya sudah saya jelaskan di post terdahulu. Saya senang sekali karena tulisan tersebut mencapai hit readers. Saya juga senang karena tulisan tersebut dibaca lewat orang-orang yang googling dengan keyword "does vitiligo contagious?"
Betul kan, kalau mau tahu ya harus cari tahu. Pahami dengan benar. Bukan malah kasih komentar dan cap ini itu.
Karena pemahaman yang baik mengantarkan pada empati dan menjauhkan diskriminasi.
Peace!