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Saturday, January 30, 2010

My skin care and make up adventure

The passion for beauty products and make up has started since I was a teenager. I think it’s because of the influence of my mom.

As I’m growing my online beauty shop, filling it with quality products which I pick myself, I feel I’m more and more get into this beauty world adventure. When I have to survey products, test it on myself, and launch the products, it’s just like it should be. Temptation to buy the test products for myself is big too! I can’t help it. Etsy, the main source for me to do the searching for handmade natural products has so many artists joined.


This blog will also be a part of my experiments of products before I put them on my online beauty shop. Hauls and reviews or test result will be here. I can always keep the notes to myself, but it’s always better to share the thoughts and discuss it with the ladies out here.

My online shop consists of skin care, beauty care, and mineral make up products. My mission is to bring in those unique natural products to the market.

So you can imagine how many products that I will test. It also depends on the request of customers when they want to have certain products in my shop.

I don’t mind, in fact I’m so happy every time I must test them, lovely products. Only receiving the packages is already giving me joy. From opening of the package, unpack them, looking at cute packaging and colors of the products… I’m addicted! Even my four years old niece is enjoying the scene too.

When it comes testing the products, I must have special time and preparation. I still work for a company, which takes most of my time. I can’t do the test every night, except when I‘m able to go home early. It’s always better to do the test during weekend. I’ll just put on them, even complete make up, although I’m just staying at home. I can do any house chores during the test.

I keep open communication with the artists who create the products so I can get more information on the product benefits. And when I think I do wrong test method, I will ask them for insights and get right application method.

And what happens now is that I have envelopes and small boxes from the product tested in my small room. I think I will do some pre-loved clearance sale later.

What makes it more fun is because I found out so many ladies, write blogs, make tutorial videos etc, and share their experience and opinion on beauty products. Giving me more knowledge on beauty stuffs.

Enjoy my posts....

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sinusitis treatment starts!

I called up my ENT doctor on Tuesday (Jan 26, 2010) to inform her about the result of my visit to dentist. I made another appointment to meet her, it was last night.
She did her routine. Surgery will be the last resort for this matter. We will take medication treatment first, 4-8 weeks, non-stop.

She prescribed me antibiotic and vitamins, and also nose spray (which is expensive!) for 10 days. One of antibiotics may affect my stomach, so I need to take it 15-20 minutes after meal and make sure that I have enough food. It will also create allergic reaction, e.g. rash.

Well, it's my second wake up call after what happened in 2007. I can do this. I don't want to get surgery. As surgery can create complications and there's no guarantee it will diminish totally.
One of business partners suggested me to see several famous ENT doctora to get the treatment.
He said sinus surgery may cost USD 2,200-2,500!
If in Singapore, it will cost SGD 5,000 to 6,000! Oh my!

By the way, early before I went to my ENT doctor, I went to the gym. I speed walked on treadmill for 30 minutes, followed by 50 minutes of Body Balance class. After that I felt refreshed and sleepy. One thing I noticed was that I felt the fluid inside was like it wanted to come out.
I told about this to my doctor and she said it is like that and it's a good sign. The fluid was trying to find its way out.
Even with the tiniest cavity in my teeth, the fluid will behave like that. So what I need to do is to treat the tiny cavity next Sunday and hope that it will bring difference in my condition.
I read Wikipedia to know more about sinusitis. It can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection! That's why I needed to check for upper teeth problem, cavity is the way in for bacteria.
Here's a picture from Wikipedia:

Left-sided maxillar sinusitis marked by an arrow. Note the absence of the air transparency indicating the presence of fluid in contrast to the other side.


Maybe I'll post my own X-ray later on.

I'm going to find out what's the dosage of Tahitian Noni Juice to treat my sinusitis. As you know, I've been a Tahitian Noni Juice 'drinker' since 2007. I know somehow it will help my condition.


So my sinusitis treatment starts...........


Sunday, January 24, 2010

Following up my ear condition and going to dentist

Following my ear condition, I had my fourth visit to ENT doctor on Jan 20, 2010. It was supposed to be Jan 11, but somehow I wasn't able to get through clinic phone line. It seemed busy or something. So on Jan 18, I had spare time and decided to go to the clinic and see what's happened. It turned out that their phone lines were having problem, and they still waited for technician to fix it. It has been happening for one week and support hasn't come yet? That's bad because the clinic is serving patients.
I finally made appointment.

I haven't gone to dentist yet because I always went home late in the evening and during that time dentists are usually finish practicing.


My ENT doctor checked me as usual. She said there's still some redness, so I'm not allowed to clean the ear for awhile. I told her that due to othe AC temperature in my office which is cold, my nose is sometimes blocked. She asked me to wear mask.
I can go flying but with some precautions:
1. Eat chewy candy while taking off
2. Apply nose drop before taking off
3. Use nose drop while I'm on the trip
4. Take her prescribed medication while I'm on the trip

She also asked me to go to dentist ASAP to treat whatever problem with my teeth. She said, if I don't care about it and keep the situation going on, it will be infection around eye area and even pus will fill in the eye cavity (ewww.....)

Now............ About dentist.
I decided to check out a dental clinic near my place. It's called Ritz Klinik Gigi, located in Joglo, Jakarta Barat.
It opens from morning up to 9 PM and it also opens on Saturday and Sunday.
I made appointment for Sunday morning (Jan 24).
The dentist checked my teeth. She said, there's nothing serious with my teeth. They are in great condition considering that I haven't been to dentist for 2-3 years.
I only have plaque on my back jaw area.

The small gap where meat sometimes stuck is not a problem. I just need to give more attention to it, e.g. flossing more. Dentist cleaned the area. She found tiny whole in there when cleaning. So I may go to see her again next week.

I'm glad the teeth are fine and didn't cause the sinusitis. Then..... Should I undergo surgery ???????

Friday, January 22, 2010

Only for this weekend, Free Shipping from Yves Rocher USA

Hi Girls,

From now through Sunday the 24th, shipping and handling are free on all orders of $25 or more. Use code FREESHIP when you check out to redeem this offer.

YvesRocherUSA.com - Free Shipping Limited Time Promo
Free shipping and handling with your $25 YvesRocherUSA.com purchase!
Code: FREESHIP
1/22/10-1/24/10

Only for girls living in USA
Click the banner below to go to the website.





Happy Shopping!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Yves Rocher Haul

Last night, after work, before went to my ENT doctor, I dropped by at Taman Anggrek Mall for dinner and praying.

I've promised that this week I wouldn't spend or shop things 'cos cash is limited, awaiting salary payment, hehe.....



But, when I passed by Yves Rocher store, I found out they are having sale.

So, I gave up to the beauty devil inside me, and purchased several items:




1. Shower Gel 400ml, Peach, from IDR 90K, discounted price IDR 60K
For comparison, The Body Shop shower gel ranges between IDR 59K to IDR 75K for only 250ml.
So this is a very good deal!


2. Eye make up remover, from IDR 100K, to IDR 80K.
It's in form of gel. I tried the tester at the shop. It's mild but powerful.
The Beauty Advisor suggested me this type because of my skin type. Although I have combination skin type, but my skin is sensitive to some ingredients of the beauty products.
They have other type of removers.


3. Shower puff for my niece, IDR 40K

The Beauty Advisor gave me generous samples of night and morning cream for sensitive skin. She gave me several types of face cream so I can try and compare.
She suggested me to use regimen for sensitive skin first because I have tendency of redness or irritation, then after that I can continue with oily skin products.


I've never experienced this!



The Body Shop or other beauty product brands never give samples.



The store also provides facial service (of course done in other room). I might try their facial :)








Sunday, January 17, 2010

Mixology Cosmetics Haul

Another artist I found at Etsy.Com, and it has received badge from Mineral Make Up Mutiny, so I didn't have to worry about repackaging issue.
I purchased the set at Mixology website (http://www.mixologymakeup.com) instead of Etsy.
If you read the part about who the person behind this cosmetic, you will know that Rae (the owner) is one of remarkable women. She runs the business from China because she's doing volunteer work, and her cousin helps her in the states. Good team work!


Here's what I've ordered:
1. Natural Girl Foundation, sample pack (USD 7): includes four shades of foundation
2. Five samples of vegan mineral make up (USD 7):
BareFaced Nighttime Mineral Veil
Go Commando Mineral Veil Primer
Afterglow Mineral Veil
Flushed Bronzer
Punk Shoes (eyeshadow)




Here's the foundation sample set, Natural Girl Foundation:

And the swatch of the foundation:

Let me test the foundation to check which one matches my shade

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Big haul from Dreamworld Minerals

When the package arrived this week, I was amazed that I didn't realize I bought so many small items. I purchased them in October 2009, getting 35% discount during Halloween sale. Total damage was around USD 87, after discount. So go figure the amount before discount, lol.
The reason why it took so long to get to my place was because Ellie (the owner) had several situations which were tough for her and family.

Now, get back to the order.
http://dreamworldminerals.com has very large variants in terms of colors, formulas, and sizes. Its theme is based on fairy tales. For ladies who will start to try mineral make up, I'd say Dreamworld cosmetics is too complicated. But on the other hand, for ladies who have had experience with mineral make up, this worth trying.



It took me one week to pick up colors which I thought would be the matches for me. Then
I contacted Ellie first to consult the matching colors for my foundation before I made the purchase. I sent her a picture of me so she has a picture of what my skin tone is.
She gave me her suggestions and I followed them.

What I bought:
1. Foundation
2. Primer
3. Color corrector
4. Finishing powder
5. Blush on
6. Eye pigments
7. Lips product

I will try to write the post as organized as possible, as there are many items in this haul.

SIZE of products available:
a. the butterfly - small baggie holding 1.5 gm or 1/2 tsp. of foundation
b. the pixie - 5 gm jar and holds 2 gms of foundation
c. the elf - 10 gm jar
d. the dwarf - 30 gm jar and holds 12 gm of foundation. I didn't buy this size because it was my first order and I didn't want to buy big size at that moment.

See picture below to see the size


FOUNDATION FORMULAS http://dreamworldminerals.com/foundation
There are four main formulas:
SAND: is the medium formula. It is perfect for ladies looking for medium to heavy coverage.

What I bought:
Lada, butterfly size


CLOUD: is the first of the mica free formulas. It is a medium to heavy coverage that is matte and light feeling. It is perfect for ladies who live in the environment where they don’t want anything heavy and for those with oily skin.

What I bought:
Nerthus, pixie size
Lada, butterfly size

Caipora, butterfly size

Maeve, butterfly size
Brogla, butterfly size

LUNA: is the heaviest coverage of the 3 formulas. Offers the highest amount of Zinc and is wonderful for ladies who have acne and rosacea.

What I bought:
Rhea, pixie size
Gaia, pixie size

Ishkara, pixie size

Uma, pixie size

Lada, butterfly size

Caipora, butterfly size


MULBERRY: is the second of the mica free foundations. It is perfect for ladies with dry skin, who are looking for something that will not continue to dry them out. Run on the same colour level as the cloud – darker than Luna and Sand.

What I bought:
Ereskigal, pixie size
Carridwyn, pixie size
Brogla, pixie size

Caipora, butterfly size



Here I want to show you the shades comparison among the four formulas
The columns are foundation formula categories while the rows are the same name of the shades


PRIMER http://dreamworldminerals.com/primer.html

Mummy dust is a white foundation primer that comes in five formulas. Each formula is designed with a special skin type in mind. You will have the choice of:
Oily, dry, normal , or mica free, for you ladies who wish to stay away from Mica products, and dry skin with Vit. E without any silk.

What I bought:
Mummy Dust - Oily Skin, butterfly size
Mummy Dust - Mica Free,
butterfly size


COLOR CORRECTORS
Formulas: Regular, Titanium Free, Mica Free

What I bought: Nyx represents a lighter version of Pasiqea. A concealer for those who wish to look well rested and healthy in the morning. (butterfly size)



FINISHING POWDER
Formulas: the Creme Toppings and the Whipped Cocoons (silk finishing powders).

A. The Creme Toppings, has three formulas:
Clay and silica
Silk
Clay


What I bought:
Butterscotch Creme - Clay and silica, butterfly size
Peach - Clay and silica, butterfly size

Cafe au Lait - Clay, butterfly size
Peanut Butter - Clay, elf size


B. The Whipped Cocoons
Is made from 100% Silk powder added. Can be used as a primer or a top veil after foundations are applied.

What I bought:
Whipped Cream,
butterfly size
Whipped Strawberry, butterfly size


BLUSH ON
The blush ons have categories, they are included in the same eye pigment categories.
Here's what I bought, all in butterfly size:

Camelot series - Ciara
Mother Earth Friday Sky - Dawn
Cambria series - Winter Magick

In free gift pouch:
Medieval series - June
Mount Olympus series - Pluto


EYE PIGMENTS

Mystical Realm, butterfly size:
Upper Realm (Other world)
Upper Realm Noir

Middle Ream (middle earth)

Lower Realm



Sacred Symbol, butterfly size:
Sword of Nuad
Spear of Lugh
Sacred Cauldron
Lia Fail


Witches of Legend, butterfly size:
Samantha
Sabrina

Free Gift:
Circe
Medea


Mystical Reliecs, complete series:
All in butterfly size, except these (in pixie): Book of Thoth, Chariot of The Sea, Chariot of Fire

Camelot series - Witch's Cloak, butterfly size
Hallow, pixie size (series unknow)


Free Gift, 12 Days of Dreamworld series:
6 Gnomes Swinging
7 Mermaids Harmonizing
9 Giant Waltzing

Free Gift!

LIPGLOSS (Magick Wand)
Nectar (free gift)
Honey (bought)

Since it's a big haul, I won't do swatches now, maybe later when I have other spare time.
Hope you enjoy it :)

Phewwww......




Haul from La Conchita Naturals

As I browsed through Etsy.Com, I found La Conchita Naturals, a shop which sells natural skin care products. What made the shop unique (for me) was that it provides cleansing powder (Sprinkling Clean).
So what is that actually?
The cleansing powder is made out of ground grains and other natural ingredients which have so many benefits to the skin, such as Colloidal Oatmeal, Kaolinite, Bentonite, Morrocan Lava Clay, Montmorillonite (French Green Clay), Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed & Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Powder, Tapioca Starch, Lavandula officinalis and Citrus sinensis Essential Oil.


Why Go Dry?

When water is introduced to a mixture it can grow mold and bacteria. Body care products that you buy commercially contain a hefty dose of harsh broad spectrum preservatives to give them a longer shelf life. Making these ingredients available to you in the dry powder form allows for a completely natural product with a great range of versatility. Cleansing grains and powders have been used effectively for centuries.

You can use the powder to cleanse or as facial mask.






I decided to try the samplers. What you can see in my pictures, I bought (Placed on Dec 29, 2009, received in January 2010):
1. Spa Sampler Trio includes a sample of each of the following products:
- Harvest Goddess - Pumpkin Spice Facial Masque Mix with Buttermilk and Honey
- Sprinkling Clean - Rose - All Natural Complexion Cleansing Powder with Real Rose Essential Oil
- Milk & Honey - Luxurious Bath Soak with Skin Softening Buttermilk & Real Honey Powder

Haven't tried this.

2. Strawberry Cream - All Natural Facial Masque Mix with Real Strawberry, Yogurt, Honey and Organic Oats - Preservative-Free - Sample

I've tried this item. The smell when I mixed it with water reminds me of my little nephew instant porridge, lol.... Because it has the same ingredients and same form :)
I used it as cleanser, also sometimes as facial mask.
I like the idea, but somehow, I felt this doesn't clean thoroughly my oily face.
Well..... Or maybe my face was cleansed but the cleanser didn't wash all of natural oil in my face, which should be good, right? Because we still need our natural oil so our face won't dry up.

3. Nourish - Creamy Shea Butter Moisturizer with Organic Aloe and Vitamin E - Sample or Travel Size Jar
Haven't tried this.

4. Aloe and Shea Butter - Paraben Free - Soothing Lotion - 2 oz - Holiday Sale
It blends the soothing goodness of Organic Aloe Vera with the nourishing properties of creamy Shea Butter.
Haven't tried this.

5. Rosewater Facial Moisturizer - Sample Size Jar Approximately .35 oz
This moisturizer is very light and sink in to my skin right away. I didn't feel greasy. I put this on after toning my face, before my sunscreen lotion.




Free samples I received from Conchita:
Rose Lip Rouge and Citrus Cream Body Polish

Conchita refunded USD 3 of shipping charges to me.

Large hauls this week

WOW!!!!


This week I received tons of packages from my order in December 2009!

I only had a chance to open and check the packagings, but haven't had a chance to review, feel, and test them.


I even didn't know where to put the stuffs after opening them, lol.


They are:


2. Ella Rose Minerals

3. Dress Green: for my online beauty shop

4. De Shawn Marie handmade soap: for my online beauty shop

5. Bubble Tub Handmade Soaps & Toiletries: for my online beauty shop


Stay tune for haul pictures and maybe reviews :)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

10% OFF all Orders at YvesRocherUSA.com

Hi Girls,
Just received an update from Yves Rocher USA:
Beginning tomorrow, January 13th customers can enjoy 10% OFF all orders when visiting YvesRocherUSA.com when they use code YVES10OFF at checkout. This offer is good through January 25th.

Please click on the banner
to get to Yves Rocher USA so you can use the coupon :)



Enjoy!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Spa treatment and spa products for my niece

the cuties

Today I had this thought while I was getting pampered at beauty salon (yes, creambath and hair cut, pedicure, manicure, foot reflexology): do we have spa products for kids which I can use on my niece and nephew?
Well, the nephew is too little (only 1 year and 3 months old), but his sister is old enough to get spa treatment (4 years and 4 months old).

OK, it's not like treatment at the spa, but a simple one which I can do at home using natural ingredients, like oatmeal, honey, milk, and fruits.
My niece and nephew like to play outdoor with their friends. And when I give them a bath, I can feel in some areas that their skin is dry and it's not smooth as kids' skin should be.
The only product I bought for them for moisturizing is Cusson's Baby Cream and Hair Mist from Because I'm The Princess (this one is for niece, of course).
So now I'm thinking to give the niece legs exfoliation and then moisturize the skin with heavy lotion, maybe body butter?


Now I'm in my mission to search homemade spa recipe for kids and maybe kids spa products sold online................
So far (as per today) I only found homemade spa recipes, but most of them are for adults.
I like the recipes in KinderInfo.com, but haven't found recipes for exfoliation.
Other recipes are from eHow.com and BirthdayPartyIdeas4Kids.com.

Let me search more and will update this post. Ciao..................

Updated, Jan 11, 2010:
Handmade kids spa products links I found:
1. The Lavender Pigs: Kids products (Bath Tints, Bath Fizzies, Soap, Bubble Bath, Body Spray)

2. Bath and Body by Tracy:
a. Products for children (shampoo, conditioner, eczema balm)
b. Kids corner (glitter, bath caviar, etc)
c. Baby care set
She also has many items for adults and mommies. Check them out!
3. Sweet Sunnah: Black Seed Baby Soap, Cocoa Chamomile Baby Bottom Butter
4. Spa Nenes Bath, Body & Spa products
5. Tuscan Farm Gardens
6. Sundae Spa

Still haven't found what I'm looking for.
Those products mentioned above provides products for kids and babies, but not really spa products.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, Loses Multi-Million Dollar False Advertising Case Against Store-Bran

This is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai.

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December 2 , 2009PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula. Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.




PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.



“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”



U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM's infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition." The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM's store brand infant formula.


The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:



· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf


· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf



The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development. Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil.



PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®.



This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products. It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.



“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning. “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”



“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®. It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.



The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.



All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies. For more information, visit this FDA link.



PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.



About PBM


PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA. PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.



Enfamil® LIPIL® are registered trademarks of Mead Johnson & Co.



Saturday, January 2, 2010

Eyes of the Day: Using Meow's Halloween and Egyptian Treasure

I had some spare time this afternoon after 2 hours before I attended my niece who was enjoying with her drawing after I taught her how to use water color paint.

So before I worked on my online shop, I decided to test my Meow's foundation and face primer and also to play with eyeshadow from its Halloween and Egyptian Treasure collection.

I prepared my face with The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 and then applied Meow's Premiere Puss Primer for Combination skin.
After that I applied Purrfect Puss Foundation in Frisky Sphinx.
Last night I tested the foundation samples I bought, and I managed to find several colors that may match my face shade. Frisky Sphinx was a bit lighter at that time, but when I used it today, it looked okay.
I finished with Equilibrium Balancing Powder.

Because I wanted to try several combination at the same time, I wore different collection on each of my eye, lol.


Right Eye: Egyptian Treasure
Asp, inner lid
Miw, outer lid
Temple, crease and lower lashline
EGM Final Approach for highlight
EGM liquid liner in Caviar for upper lashline
Black pencil liner for lower water line
Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus (bought when I was in KL)



Left Eye: Halloween
Vampire, inner lid (it's maroon color but somehow appeared dark brown in below pic)
Asylum, outer lid and crease
Everyday Minerals, Floating Feather for highlight
Black pencil liner for upper and lower eye line
Warlock for lower eye line
Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus


By the way, the result of wearing Meow's Purrfect Puss Foundation and primer was great!
Maybe because I was staying in my room with AC on for several hours, so I only saw little oil on my skin, or..... maybe it's because the primer and foundation :)
Lovely................

Friday, January 1, 2010

Acute middle ear infection and sinusitis

Oh my, sounds so scary, huh???
Yeah, I also was a bit scared hearing that terminology when my ENT doctor told me what the condition called which is happening to me after my long trip end of November 2009 to KL and Hua Hin.

As I posted previously, I was sick during my trip. After 3 days back in Jakarta, my left ear started to feel blocked again. In the morning, the blockage is tolerable, but it gets worse in the evening. I feel like I'm wearing that big motorcycle helmet which covers your head and it's difficult to hear clearly. It's dangerous to drive at night because I'm not alert of traffic situation. I use my right ear intensively and always go closer to people who's talking to me so I can hear clearly. It's so sad, you know, can you imagine what I had to do when I meet customers? I feel like a handicap.
After experiencing this for one week, I had a time to go to my ENT doctor. She examined me and told me that the inside left ear looks really red and swollen and she can't give any treatments before it normals again.

I asked what it's my condition called in medical term, it's: Acute middle ear infection, or acute otitis media.
And I asked more: what cause it?
Doctor: The flu. You were flying during the flu and got blockage in the ear. It Should have been examined once you landed.
Me: I went to a doctor 2 days after that because I couldn't stand the headache and asthma. The doctor checked my ears, he said they are fine.
Doctor: Yes, but did you go to ENT doctor? If it's GP, he may not be able to identify the symptoms of the condition.
Me: No, he's a GP.
Doctor: Ah, no wonder.

(What a good conversation. I love my doc!)



So she gave me antibiotics and other medicines (Dec 14, 2009) and nose drop to fix my running nose of the flu. Oh the nose drop is really good! It dry out my nose quickly but must apply three times a day, not practical because I need someone else to help me to put in the drop into my nostrils.
During the time, I go to physiotherapist to get treatment because of my coughing. It caused chest and back pain. Ughh........
The next appointment with ENT doctor was Dec 24, 2009. After 10 days taking medicines, I didn't feel any better... yet. She gave me another prescription with the same medicine to continue what I have been having.
She asked me to take X-ray of my sinus, to compare the condition from the first X-ray in August 2009. I asked what about my continuous coughing. She then asked me to take thorax X-ray.
After I finished at her clinic, I went straight away to Pramita Lab for x-ray. It cost me around USD 40 to get three types of X-rays.
I can get the result on Dec 26, 2009, but I only had a chance on Dec 28, 2009.

My last appointment with ENT doctor was on Dec 31, 2009.
I feel that my left ear is getting better. I still feel small blockage, but it stays like that, not like previous one. My nose is almost dry too.
I showed her the X-rays............
The good news was my lungs are fine, nothing abnormal seen.

But my sinus X-ray showed bad sign. It's almost filled with fluid, not air. Doctor said, usually when she sees patient condition like, she would recommend the patient to have surgery to remove the fluid. But for now, we must fix the ear infection first. One step at a time.
She asked whether I have problem with my upper teeth. I said I think so, I may have several cavities, but haven't gone to dentist for years.
Another fact I get from my doc: problem with upper teeth can cause sinusitis condition.
If we don't treat sinusitis, the worse is it can affect the organ in skull base..... Eeekkksss....!

So, here's the plan:
- Fix ear infection
- Fix cavity in upper teeth
- Monitor the sinusitis after overcoming teeth problem
- No flu for 6 months then will take another X-ray for my sinus so it will give better x-ray picture.
- No flu means = no stress, healthy lifestyle, go to sleep early, exercise (very very important for people who's having allergy) and stay under morning sun for 30 minutes.
Sounds a repetition from what I did in 2007!

Ok, it's my 2010 resolution then!

Picture of acute otitis media