Monday, January 31, 2011

My Current Favourite Songs 10

This month's selection is bit more anime inspired, because I've finally managed to catch up on my backlog of anime. But of course, I can't leave out my favourite J-rock groups. Not especially when they've recently released new singles and videos to enjoy.


Red (The Gazette): I love this new single alot more then Shiver, I find this is truer to their orginal style. And it's been awhile since I've seen Ruki drawing the stripes down his neck.


Senkou (Alice Nine): I'm not so much of a fan of their new look, bit too colourful and reminds me too much of An Cafe. Good thing, their music is just as good as before though I have one thing to say, "OMG!!! Saga, who permed your hair? Please sue the person for giving you such an awful head of bad curls, please please please not have this hairstyle again in your next look okays?"



Trust Me (Yuya Matsushita): I got addicted to this song after going on a Durarara!!! anime marathon. I actually prefer the song more then this video and the singer, he just looks bit too much like those K-pop kindda hip-hop singer, and I'm not really a fan of K-pop. Plus, it doesn't help that I find the bridge kindda weird, the sudden addition of the zither just seems so out of place. But other then that, this song is seriously addictive.



Regret Message (Vocaloids, Kagamine Rin): This song always tugs at my heart strings whenever I listen to it. Full of the shadow of regret yet it fades away with the glimmer of hope at the end, this song is both heart-wrenching and yet leaves me hopeful for the future. The song is part of the Servant of Evil series and according to the timeline, it happens after the events of both the Daugther and Servant of Evil songs.


Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa (Kalafina): An insert song for Kuroshisuji II (aka Monoshitsuji), the style is reminiscent to another song that I had highlighted before in this column called Everytime You Kiss Me. If you compard the two songs, there are many similarities from the use of the violin and flute to the indecipeherable words that the singers mumble halfway through the song. So I highly suspect that the arranger or music writer could be the same person, perhaps Yoko Kanno? But the lyrics are really nice and suit the sombre mood of the song.

I'll be MIA-ing abit because of Chinese New Year celebrations and taking the time to finish up some assignments that are due soon, but I'll try to post pictures of my new year outfits once I get the time to do so.

Have a Happy Chinese New Year people! May the year of the Rabbit bring you some luck!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Results from ELR Miku Shoot

Here's the photos that resulted from the photoshoot I had last week. In the end, I chose not to do any editing to the pictures as they turned out really neat despite me being so stiff that day. So kudos to Usagi-san for the great pictures

First up as facial shots. We did it at the end of the shoot actually so pardon if I look bit tired. It's not easy walking around in soft sand and rocks in platform heels that are bout 5 inches high.


I'm so tempted to use either one as my future coscard picture.


The graffiti added character to the pictures and fruther emphasised the gritty nature of the Eager love Revenge series.



Shots on/at the train track

I love this picture of Esther and I though we're technically from different series

Bonus shot of Esther looking absolutey adorable during our lunch break, she kept complained bout looking fat in some of the pictures but I think it suits her because she is supposed to be a shota character.

And to be fair, a proper looking shot of her.

These are just some of the many pictures taken and despite the shoot being only bout 3 hours long, the pictures turned out great. So once again I have to thank Usagi-san for the pictures, Esther for arranging the shoot and helping me with my wig and of course Wan Keat for being a lookout in case a train rushed by and flattened us all.
Anyway this coming saturday, I'll be assisting in a photoshoot with my friend. Its alittle casual shoot so nothing fancy, it's really funny that I seem to be getting more and more involved in cosplay. I figured it'll be a side thing but I've realised how its slowly started to become a real part of my life. Not that I'm actually complaining, just bit surprised at the way things turned out.
I'm still into gyaru and probably will be for quite awhile, its just that my priorities (and budget) has changed with the many new things that have come along so I probably will slow down on the outfit posts as nowadays I end up running around in simple outfits with straightened hair that takes merely 5 minutes to do. But I'll still try to update things such as trends and such. After all, a girl still has to look good right?








Friday, January 21, 2011

ELR Miku Photoshoot

As promised, here are the behind the scenes pictures of the Eager Love Revenge Miku shoot that I did recently with the awesome Usagi (I keep calling him Usa-san hahahah).

The pictures are a combination of photographs from Usagi and Wan Keat using my camera:

Esther helping me clip on my ponytails. She was cosplaying a character from Inazuma.

The fabulous Usagi-san, with his bag full of photography wizard-ry hahaah
A picture of Usagi-san and I during the shoot

Wan Keat is kindda cut off here due to our sucky camwhore skills, however this is the only picture I have of her at the shoot and it's only right to thank her for helping us out.

Bonus shot! Eager Love Revenge's Miku dancing and smiling crazily

Actually, Usagi-san has already sent to me the pictures from the photoshoot. But I'm still trying to sift through them to pick out the best shots and maybe tweak them abit. Its pretty difficult since the shots are all really nice so I'm trying my best to see which are more in character, so once I've done so, I'll upload them here too.
Anyway for this photoshoot, I would really like to thank Wan Keat for assisting us, Usagi-san for his brilliant photography skills and most of all Esther for arranging the whole thing and helping me out with so many things.
Lets hope there's more shoots like this in the future!



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Makeup Review: Kate Makeup Base BB Cream

Hi guys, I'm finally writing out this review which is so overdue to the point that I'm actually on my second tube (>.<)" gomen nasai!!!

But the fact that I've decided to stick with this product instead of trying out another already proves just how good this product is, to me personally of course....

The product in question is:

Some properties of the base according to various sources (I couldn't read the packaging as it was in Japanese):
Moisturizing base
SPF 31 PA++
Evena out skintone
Of course, my horrible skin during PMS once again, to test out the extent of the coverage a product has

And after applying the base onto my skin, open pores are covered but minimal coverage to other blemishes. However, my number one reason for loving the product is the gorgeous glow it gives especially when combined with my RMK foundation.

Its really sheer when I apply it, however it does provide a decent amount of moisturizing proeprties to my skin plus it covers most of my open pores decently, so when running errands round my neighbourhood, I've taken to just applying it and nothing else. Plus point is that usually with my other bases, if I hadn't applied my moisturizing cream the night before, it's pretty obvious with to me becasue of the larger pores and rougher skin texture. However, after applying this base, it makes little difference if I actually did apply my moisturizer or not, so on lazy nights, I sometimes skip my night time skincare ritual because the results aren't as obvius the next day.

When combined with my RMK cream foundation, this base's true worth is shown and it gives my skin the most incredulous glow that seems to radiate from within. I get the kind of skin that you stare at magazine ads and wish you had the models' kind of skin, the product is that awesome!
So summary:


Coverage: 7/10 (Covers pores seamlessly, however that's the most it can cover in terms of blemishes, however, it moisturizes skin so you get smoother skin from using it)


Sebum Control: 8/10 (It looks like the skin is bordering on being oily, however, once you get used to it, you realise it's just the glowy look that's been created on your skin)


Texture: 9/10 (lovely creamy texture that's easy to apply and defintiely better then Mjoilca's pore cover)
Price: 9/10 (Cost bout $20++, if I remember correctly it's a tad pricier then Majolica's pore cover)


Amount needed: Bout the size of a coin should be enough for the entire face


Smudge-proof: It smuges whenever I apply this base simply as a sunscreen, however, with my full makeup on, it barely smudges and only creases at my laugh lines at the end of the day)


Overall: I totally recommend this product to anyone and everyone I know. I'll probably end up sticking with this product unless something else that is alot better comes along as it's my go to product for glowy skin now. However, because both this and my RMK foundation have minimal coverage, I had to hunt around for a good concealer to conceal any blemishes I have. However, that's my only gripe for this product. Awesome product for an awesome price!


I currently haven't been taking pictures of myself much due to my busy schedule, however if you do want to see how my makeup look likes with this base on, then flip over to my cosplay pictures of Kagamine Rin (Neko version) and Ciel Ballroom gown version. Both these cosplays were done using this base. I did my Sandplay cosplay using the Majolica Majorca Pore cover base but it failed me and I ended up rejecting pictures from several photographers because my face was too shiny in them.
So, the in the last 2 cosplays, I personally felt my makeup looked alot better then before, and before I forget, Popteen recently ranked this base at it's 3rd favourite base in February's issue in the annual makeup products ranking chart. Therefore, I am really set on sticking to this product, that is until I get bored or find something better.
On a sidenote, I'm really busy because I'm trying to prepare for a last minute photoshoot on Thursday as one of the best photographers in the cosplay community is returning to Malaysia and wom't be back for who knows how long. So it could be my last chance to work with him, hence I need to really milk it for it's worth. I'll be using my Eager Love Revenge Hatsune Miku costume, so I've been rushing about and finishing up last minute touches such as sewing a pair of glvoes and such. I really hope this photoshoot turns out well as I feel really deprived of any nice pictures of myself currently.
I may write a post about the shoot and may show some behind the scenes stuff, so hope you guys'll look forward to it!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

New Schedule Book and Funny Lecturers

To cope with my new schedule and upcoming projects, I really depend on my trusty schedule book. Its a pretty common thing to have for most people in Japan, or so I hear...

I know for those of you who depend on Blackberries and such for your schedules may find it pretty old school, but I find something really endearing about using this old school method of tracking dates. Perhaps its a childish fancy but I always get alittle twinge of pleasure in jotting diwn dates in a cursive style and labelling particularly important dates with cute little stickers.

My new schedule book resembles a chocolate bar, perhaps it'll subconciously stop my sugar cravings. But then again, it might just increase the temptation...

It's both a monthly and weekly schedule decorated with cute little creatures all enjoying sweet treats in soft pastel colours.


On a side note, I've met my lecturers for the 3 modules I'll be doing and all I can say is that they're a real eclectic bunch. I have no idea how my school managed to get them as lecturers but they're personal histories are as interesting as their subjects. I have a pretty cute looking guy teaching me Public Relations who's a consulate to Madagascar, a weathered old war journalist with plenty of scars to show off and fascinating stories about the Vietnam War lecturing on Media Law and lastly, a funky singer (self-proclaimed rock star) who's bending all the school rules as much as she possibly can whilst lecturing us on Media Audiences.

Should be a real interesting Semester....

P.S. Because I'll be taking double majors in Public Relations and Journalism, both of which require alot of report writing, I might not be able to update this blog as frequently. However, I'll do my best write as frequently as I possibly can, so do check back for updates!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Haircut & New Jacket

Hi all, I'll be starting my University classes this coming Monday, so I'm reallly nervous bout meeting new people and all that. I mean, I do know some people from our previous pre-requisite modules that we had together, but who knows how many of them will be in the sam eclass as me? Hence, the nerves...

Oh crap, I've digressed again and started rambling. Hahah so back to the main point, I had a haircut yesterday! I was recommended this new hairdresser by my sister's godmother (who was also suffering from having Tony disappear from our lives), so I thought I'd give it a try since after 2 unsatisfactory haircuts, I doubt anything worse could actually happen.

The result!
I love love love the new hairdresser, his name is Kenzo (spot the person in stripes in the back? That's him!) and he's really sweet and paid alot of attention to the most minute of details such as making sure my fringe was balanced. After creating lovely layers to my hair, he created the waves in my hair by twisting with a straightening iron. So I'll try my luck in recreating the above look with my own hair tools. Unfortunately, he's camera shy, so no pics of him.


I know my makeup here is looking very plain, but I was in a hurry and besides, this is my "school" makeup. Nothing fancy, just eyeshadow, liner, mascara and pink flush to the lips and cheeks. No lashes at all!

Anyway, after trying real hard to resist the temptation to get a new jacket. I finally crumbled and got myself this olive utility jacket from Topshop. I've been wanting an olive jacket for the longest time, especially those with the fur-lined hood and cuffs but the ones available are either really thin like wind-breakers or are over my price limit.


This one isn't exactly my dream olive jacket as it doesn't have the fur details and it's 2 sizes too big for a fitted jacket, however, because of it's thick material and slouchy look, I was sold. It also helped that the price had been knocked down to $69.90, a far cry from it's initial sellling price all because it was past season stock and there's some barely noticeable blue ink stain on a sleeve. Don't you just love a good sale?


Anyway, I just got myself some newskincare/makeup products so expect plenty of product reviews pretty soon!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Year, New Hair

I finally got my hair done after tolerating an overgrowth of nasty black roots for the longest time ever. It was so bad that I had to constantly wear a wide hairband or hat to cover the roots, but I've finally gotten it fixed.

I wasn't too sure what colour exactly to dye my hair and I was thinking of doing some kindda ashy blonde colour, but as I was travelling there, I happened to be flipping through some old pictures of Rinka and I really loved her old, lighter hair colour. So it was a snap decision, right there and then. But it came out alright.

I showed my hairdresser this picture:

Rinka's old, orange-y, blonde hair

My resulting hair colour

The picture really doesn't do it justice due to my sucky camera and room lighting. The colour is alot lighter and has more copper-y and orange tone in it and my skintone looks fairer too! Haha, so much so that I was asked if I was a half (mixed-blooded) by a salesgirl, hahahah.
I've just realised that I'm really behind on my makeup reviews, so I promise I'll get them done soon. I have everything ready, it's just a matter of the taking the time to sit down and write the post out so I'll do them as soon as possible okays?


Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Year, New Start...

Happy New Year, everybody!!

It's officially 2011 and lots of things to look forward too I guess. I'm still trying to get used to the new number, somehow, it seems to foreign and tech-y to me.

2010 impacted my life in quite a few ways, I finished Polytechnic and got my Diploma, I had my
first real job that I mostly enjoyed, I was officially accepted into University, I got back into cosplay and made many incredible friends through this blog. 2010 was quite a turning point in my life but I'm looking forward to what the future will bring.

So does anyone make any new year resolutions? I usually don't because I tend to forget my resolutions before the week is out (this pretty much shows how horrendous my memory is..), but if I did make some, it'll probably be to improve my style instead of being all over the place as always and improve my blog.

Anyway, I want to thank all of you guys who are reading this (yes, you!). I feel incredibly honoured and flattered that there's so many of you guys who read and follow my blog and it really means the world to me.

So see you guys in 2011!!!