Belfast. Bel Air. Belmode.

By Cynthia (Guest Blogger)

Another dotcom to hit the online shopping scene, Belmode.com will most probably be the next favourite shopping spot for young executives, what with their collection of pretty pencil dresses in a palette of delicious colours!

Boasting a collection of tastefully selected pieces, I must say these are some of the safest collection of fashion wear for those of you who believe in minimalism in your wardrobe. In fact for those who wanna keep staple multipurpose pieces handy, you can't possibly go wrong in these!

When you are tempted with one too many styles and trends that come and go and have no idea  to what suits you best, a single toned dress would be the next best choice. Belmode.com has an extensive range (and growing!) of pencil dresses and skater dresses which is perfect for work and a casual day out in style.

In colours that are sure to turn any girls from Plain Jane to Cotton Candy Castella, I must say those pencil dresses in pastel color is such a pretty sight to look at. Definitely a must wear item to brighten up a dull  day in the office ;)

For this season, I must say that they have a huge selection of peplum dresses to choose from. Spoilt for choice!

Details are very important when wearing single toned dresses. Hence, I always look for details on the dress. Details doesn't necessarily mean some loud prints on the back, or a humoungous fold of fabric creating a giant butterfly on your waist. Those little pleats on the sleeves or the contrasting waistband makes a great different to one's outlook.

Spruce up the dull black with a contrasting belt.
A contrast of your shoes selection too makes a bold difference.

Psst: Peplum ruffles are details too ;)

When you are totally out of ideas on how to create details, some highlights on your hair can jazz up your image - whether it's dip-dye fashionista or warm shades of brown in our Asian dark hair.

Love those keyhole details!

These fine little details found in the Belmode.com's collection is a major lifesaver to those who dislikes  accessorizing.  Contrasting trims, waisted cut and colorblocking makes up for the lack of accessories to complete a look.

Don't you love how these contrasting collar lines creates a slimmer sillhoutte?

Such elegant color combination makes one feel like Posh Spice!

With almost weekly updates, I am sure you will be able to find a piece of two, or maybe even more pretty dresses from Belmode.com to beat those Monday blues away in a powder blue pencil and eagerly waiting for weekend to come in a hot red peplum dress!

Remember, you may be a 20-hour flight away from Bel Air or Belfast, but you're just...

~A click away to Belmode~

Check them out in their Facebook here: BELMODE FACEBOOK

Check them out via their site here: BELMODE.COM

Happy Shopping!

Cynthia Lee (a.k.a Guest Blogger for YSK)

Edited by YourShoppingKaki :)

Product Review: The Accessory Concept

By Sha-Lene (Your Shopping Kaki)

You know how Ashton Kutcher used to joke that he was Demi Moore's accessory, because he dresses to match her outfit? Haha! If we take a leaf out of Kutcher's book, I think that everything we surround ourselves with is an accessory. And I'm not just talking about stackable bangles of pearls and studs, or chained hairbands that feel cool against our foreheads, or our favourite backpacks, duffel bags, bowler bags or satchels - I'm talking about one of our generation's favourite accessories, something we often don't even think about as an accessory.

Yup, you know it. I'm talking about our smartphones. Although it's not something that everyone has - nor is there a need to have one, but if you do, you know that part of the reason why is because it's a fashion statement as much as it is a really useful communication tool! Our phones, like a cut-out back dress or tattooed hosiery, are a part of our image - something that accessorizes the way we look, and something that can even match our outfit for the day.

Now, while the average fashionable smartphone user wishes she (or he!) could indeed match your phone with your outfit, or your image, usually choices for smartphone casings in stores are limited, too expensive to have more than one, or worse... everyone has the same one. D:

If what I said rings a bell with you at all, you'll totally understand what I mean when I tell you how happy I was to stumble across a new online store called Doodle Cases! From the same lovely people behind GardeRobe, Doodle Cases is their affiliate store dedicated to smartphone cases, and smartphone cases alone! :)

Doodle Cases boasts a collection of smartphone cases that squeal affordability and variety - 

because your gadgets need to dress up too! ;) 

While Doodle Cases mostly offers casing for iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, Samsung S3, iPad 2, and iPad 3, they are open to possibly sourcing particular designs or casings for your smartphone or smartdevice. So, yay!

Examples of their iPhone 4/4S and Samsung S3 casings offered :D

 These kinda cool covers make me feel like "borrowing" my mum's iPad just to dress it up...

 Okay, and I'll be honest, their delightful palette of floral designs had my eyes like this O.O Lol!

Let me just say, if you own a smartdevice or you want to buy a gift for someone who owns one, Doodle Cases is the online store to visit! I definitely can't post all their available designs in this little review, but here are a few that I thought were cute. :D

 

There are so, so, so, so, sooooo many more!

But of course, like most seasoned online shoppers, I'm extremely wary of catalogue pictures. What if the real thing doesn't look as pretty as the pictures make it look? What if the quality is really bad? Since some of these designs are pre-order only (with only 2 weeks waiting time), what if it looks totally different and it's not what I wanted?

This, my dear readers, is where I get to share my personal shopping experience with Doodle Cases! :D

Their "Nerdy Rabbit" design had me cottoning on it like an overexcited rabbit, because it was just so dang geek chic! I ordered it right away, and the product I got was exactly the same as what I saw in the pictures! :D It even came in a cute little box! Here are the pictures I took personally, and you can compare it with the picture on the top right below of the catalogue picture:

 

 Actual photos: Slight lighting variation but it's the same as the catalogue picture (top right)! ;)

 Loving my new iPhone 4 casing! :D

The best part about reading this on YSK? Special offers we negotiate for our readers, of course! :D Doodle Cases is offering a YSK-readers only promo: RM3 discount for each case that you buy! Just mention in your e-mail order that you're a YSK reader, and remember the discount is only applicable to smartdevice casings - and not accessories like phone plugs (also available at Doodle Cases).

Doodle Cases!

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Product Review: Elishacoy BB Cream

By Cynthia (Guest Blogger)

Given the chance, I would love to post 101 camwhore pictures of myself. Simply because I love putting on make up, looking pretty and I love self admiration! 'Syiok sendiri' we Malaysians call it ;)

If you are a friend of mine in Facebook, you would most probably be annoyed at my 13,465 camwhore pictures that shows no one but ME! ME! and ME! alone ;) And having turned 33 this year, I realised just how much my skin has changed each year. When I started out in the working world, BB cream wasn't even invented yet. And all I can afford is some Silkygirl loose powder. Without proper knowledge about a proper base and all (fashion magazines are such a big blow to the budget!), I think I really screwed my own face. As it is I have oily skin with enlarged pores on my  T zone.

6 years back        |       3 years back

2 years back            |            1  year back

As I seldom visit malls, and don't get myself in-the trend by reading fashion or beauty magazines (they are so expensive!), I heavily rely on the Internet to get updates on what's available in the market that I can try slapping on my face. One of the greatest invention introduced to me was BB cream. Though until now I still do not know the real exact purpose and content of the cream. But if the Koreans are using it and it's available in almost every other brand, then it must be good!

Some of the stuff that I slap onto my face every morning, in preparation of putting on make up

My online splurge -NYX concealer, Borjois Organic Foundation,  Missha BB Cream, Hadanomy Collagen Mist.

The rest of the offline products that I use - Avene Whitening Series, Nivea Day Moisturiser and of course my staple - Safi Beauty Cream!

As much as a lot of friends see me as a fashion junkie, I am not! I am more of a junkie from the beauty department. Which explains why I am a long term subscriber of the Beauty Box from Fabulous Finds =P

Eyeliners! You can never have enough eyeliners!

Besides not being able to live a single day without eyeliners and my essential Safi Beauty Cream (read here and here), I am a convert of BB cream too. It was an easy convert =P I haven't been a regular user of any makeup base after all.

For 3 years now, I have been a regular user of Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream with SPF42. As the name says, it provides perfect cover! Great for days when you have breakout and uneven skin tone. It's thick enough to cement off those flaws. I just learnt a new trick from Sha-Lene for a more perfect coverage - keep piling up on the same spot non-stop!

 Sha-Lene's secrets to smooth-looking skin: BB cream :P

Today's review will be about another BB cream which I love!! Especially at my prime age of 33 now, I need something that works in the aging department too besides being able to cover uneven skin tone or enlarged pores.

Product #1: ELISHACOY Triple BB Cream 

Specialty: Whitening and Anti-Wrinkle function and SPF of 30++

Available in: Supermodel's Secrets

After using Missha I haven't really tried much of other BB Cream as the one who introduced Missha BB Cream to me, Sha-Lene never stop reminding that is the only one I should use and swear by =D The Elishacoy BB Cream is most probably the only second brand of BB Cream I have tried. 

Texture

It's more liquified than the Missha one I am using, but equally thick in substance. Do not be fooled by the dark tube and assuming that the content too is darker in shade. It is of a natural tone when applied on. In fact it it the lightest in shade based on the color swatches I have above. With it's anti wrinkle agents, this is a great choice if you are in your mid 20s and have a mid-tone complexion - not too fair or too dark. 

Application 

I would normally squeeze a small dollop and spread onto my fingers to warm up the substance before applying. However, as the texture for this is slightly too light (not as creamy) I did not spread onto the finger for too long as it tend to be absorbed onto the fingers' surface before I manage to apply onto the face =D I would reckon to lightly spread it on the finger and then rub onto face after that. If you need more coverage, you will need to build up on the application.

This is pretty good to be used on days when your skin is screaming for your attention and looks like you have not been sleeping for the past 6 days and have breakouts and unevenness in skin tone. The coverage is pretty good. All you need to do is to keep applying in layers, focusing on problem areas =P

Product #2: ELISHACOY NUDDY BB24

It claims to be soothing and moisturising on the packaging. It wasn't soothing to me though, no winds from The Alps or the Himalaya blew onto my face upon application, but it's definitely light if that's what the Koreans were trying to indicate! =D

Texture

I especially love this one when the complexion is a bit better and do not have much scars or redness to conceal. As the name of the BB cream describes - Always Nuddy (I assume it meant nude!), this is a light base. Perfect for those with fair and pale complexion. You can camouflage the naturally pale or pale-from-sickness skin tone with this light BB cream. It gives a livelier sheen to dull complexion. As said, it's light, hence it does not alter your natural skin tone, merely to brighten it up.

Application 

As this is more suited for those with dull complexion and with minimal spots, redness or scarring, you don't need a big dollop to apply. Spread thinly on to the fingers and warm it up by pressing palms together and lightly tap onto face evenly. You can again rub your palms till warm and press gently on the face again. Set the base with a fluff of loose powder.

BEFORE: Casper - the dull-faced ghost. And ombre hair!

AFTER: Smooth-looking skin and colour!

If you have never tried BB cream before and would like to know just what is this wonderful remedy created by the Korean craze, this is the best time to get your hands on a tube of the cream at an extreme bargain! 

Promotion price @ RM16 per tube of 15ml (normal retailing price at RM30) until end of September, I must say it is definitely worthy to try or simply to stock up to be used as make up base when travelling. It is neither too big nor too small and for me it lasted for more than 20 times of application and still not finishing a tube. 

I guess you will roughly know how much of the BB cream I use to be from horror image to picture perfect =P

Shop BB Cream Now!

Supermodel's Secrets Beauty Store"

SS Gallery: 1st Floor, 41A, Jalan SS 15/4B, Subang Jaya

Website : http://www.supermodelmy.com

Blog    : http://www.supermodels-secrets.com

 +6016 280 1990 (SMS/Whatsapp)

 talk2us@supermodels-secrets.com

 @supermodels_secrets

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Happy Shopping!

Cynthia Lee (a.k.a Guest Blogger for YSK)

Edited by YourShoppingKaki :)