The Makeover

 If you read my blog you'll notice I did a complete overhaul of it. But if you're new then HELLO heres a little context. Firstly my URL and my blog title has changed from "nicolealexandraslater" to "thathongkonggirl"- probably the biggest change you can make to a website. Next you'll see the traditional red background and pink writing have been replaced with a very noticeable black and gold theme. You can spot more changes as you read but I wanted to make this post to explain why I have chosen to change the blog's identity. 

I made this blog in January last year, I was still trying to keep that fact that I was from Hong Kong on the down low. But recently It's been hard pretending that my whole life hasn't happened. The people I care about most know everything about me and that is all I should think of. Why should I keep the most interesting aspect of my life, the thing that most describes me as a person a secret because I don't want to make people angry? To be honest being raised in Hong Kong is the only exciting thing about me. Why should everyone else get to show off their best qualities, when I have to tell some boring story? - rant over. 

But back to the blog change, I'm also thinking about changing the content a little. Of course i'll still do beauty and fashion posts but I would also really like to do some personal ones. Like this post! You'll see more of my personality (if you like this new/unfake me?) I hope you do. But we'll see how it goes.

Also I did a little photo shoot for my friend and me being the vain person I am, want to show you them!

I really appreciate all the support you guys give me and hope you're okay with this change xx 

Ashley Benson Inspired Make-up Tutorial

 I am a huge Pretty Little Liars fan and of course Hanna Marin is my favorite. Which is why I have chosen to do a makeup tutorial on Ashley Benson. I am a little worried that it's kinda similar to my other tutorial on Kylie Jenner, but with a more natural twist. 

Ashley is naturally very beautiful so she doesn't wear as much makeup and some other celebrities, but her signature rocker chic look doesn't go unnoticed on the red carpet. 

Before we start I would just like to remind you that I'm not blonde so of course I won't look the same! 

Prepping Your Face 

Firstly I prepped my face using my normal routine of: Benefit POREfessional, Natural Collection coverup cream, Maybelline Better Skin Foundation and MAC studio fix powder. Remember that Ashley's skin is quiet pale so I have avoided using any bronzer or tanned products. 

Blusher

I then highlighted my cheeks with Makeup Academy- English Rose. This mosaic blush does add a hint of colour but I mostly use it to add shine and a bit of glow to my face. 

Benefits- Dandelion blush was the perfect colour for this tutorial because it's not too heavy on your face and give you a natural looking blush while defining your cheek bones. 

Eyebrows 

Ashley's eyebrows are very thin and pointy, so it's important to shape yours by using an eyebrow brush. Her eyebrows also have very defined arches, so to make mine more prominent I used Maybelline Sculpting Brow Mascara as it helps to hold them in place. Remembering the fact that Ashley is blond, try and avoid putting heavy amounts of the brow mascara on as it will make yours darker. 

Eyeliner

Because Ashley's look is quite natural, she only has eyeliner on her bottom waterline. 

Eyeshadow 

Eyeshadow is the most important aspect of this makeup tutorial, this is where the rocker chic really comes to life. I used Fabulousness Palette. Start applying from the outside of your eye and work towards the inside, this makes the eyeshadow gradually lighten and gives your eye an ombre look. Apply a lighter silvery shimmer underneath your eyebrow to add a sparkly touch to your look. 

Although Ashley's eye shadow is black, I thought brown would be better suited for my look. I used Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 - Busted for the darker colour. 

What makes Ashley's look so unique is her messy under eye shadow. It makes her look more casual and chic. For this I used a mixture of the brown and silver shadow, which I placed just underneath my eye. 

Add lots of black mascara to dramatize your eyes.

The secret to celebrities makeup is highlighter, as it distracts the eye and makes parts of your face more dominant. Apply a touch of highlighter to your cheeks and nose and blend it in all. 

Finishing Touches 

Finally do a quick smudge of your eyeshadow with your ring finger to make it look more smokey and add a touch of pinky lip-butter. 

And there you go, your natural, rocker chic, party girl, Ashley Benson Makeup! 

Tell we what you think about this tutorial and who should I do next? xx 

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Kylie Jenner Inspired Makeup Tutorial

Kylie Jenner has been all over the gossip sites recently with her supposedly sending Justin Bieber nudes. But rumors aside, there is no doubt that she is absolutely stunning and like her sisters, the Kardashians, her makeup is always perfect. Kylie's instagram is like a personal magazine all about her. I have already taken inspiration from her hair style, hence the short cut. But now I think it's time to steal her makeup too! 

Firstly, using your normal foundation, powder and concealer make your face up but remeber Kylie's makeup is quite thick so apply it generously without making yourself look orange! 

Then its time to get into the detail of her makeup. Kylie's eyebrows are her defining feature, she wears them dark and bold so make sure you outline them sharply and fill them in with an eyebrow pencil. Pluck any loose hairs that don't fit well into the shape (It's best if you do this a while before you start your makeup but I'm not that organized) 

Kylie's is usually a smokey brown with an ombre effect. Start with a white shimmery base and highlight under your eyebrow, then with a light gold colour cover your eyelid. Once these colours are set go over the back half of your eyelid with a darker brow and blend well. This will give you eyeshadow that subtle ombre effect. 

I used the Naked 2 pallet to archive this look with the colours Verve for the white shimmer under the eyebrow, Suspect for the first covering of my eyelid and Snakebite for the dark smokey effect on the edge and finally a touch of Busted to darken it slightly. 

Apply black eyeliner to your water line and to the bottom of your eyelid to give your eye more definition and outline. Then use mascara to darken and lengthen your eyelashes, Kylie's eyelashes are always super long, so the more the merrier! 

Highlighter helps to brighten up your makeup and define certain aspects of your face. Kylie will usually apply it under her eyes, down her nose and above her eyebrows. Apply it lightly to these areas and blend it in so that its lighter but not too obvious. 

Using a mixture of light blusher and bronzer, highlight your cheeks and define your cheekbones by brushing the powers up your jawline. This will lighten up your face and help to make your face look thinner and more defined. 

Finally, apply a nude or pale coloured lipstick. Kylie often changes from dark lipstick to natural lipstick a lot but since this the eye makeup is so dramatic, a natural lip gives it the subtle finishing touch needed.

Final Look

 

Products Used 

Left to Right: GOSH lipstick in Cappuccino, Cosline black eyeliner, Collection Extreme felt tip liner, MAC False lashes extreme black, Urban Decay Naked 2, MAC studio fix powder in NC20, MUA Mosaic Blush in English Rose, Bourjois Bronzing Powder in shade 51, Maybelline Pure.Liquid Mineral foundation in Honey Beige, Benefit Watt's Up highlighter, Maybelline Browdrama in Medium Brown and Matbelline Master Shape brow pencil in soft brown. 

What do you think about this makeup look? If you want be to attempt anyone else just leave a name in the comments xx

Beauty Care for Long Haul Flights

 Traveling on planes is never fun it's draining and uncomfortable, being sat in the same seat with minimal space for long periods of time. Even though i've spent a lot of my life on planes i've still not gotten used to the dry air and claustrophobic atmosphere. Since I'm traveling 15 hours tomorrow back to Hong Kong for spring break,  I thought i'd let you in on my tricks and advice to make your flight more comfortable. 

It's all about packing a well prepared and helpfully makeup bag, avoid over packing it though because you don't want you hand luggage being too heavy. Only bring your essential products and pack the rest carefully in your suitcase. I'm sure you can survive half a day without your favorite eyeshadow palette. 

Pre flight, only apply minimal make up such as power rather than foundation, as it tends to lay heavy on your skin, this allows your face to keep as much moisture as possible while flying. Eye liner and mascara don't effect your skin so it's okay to apply as much as you need. Or to make you feel even better don't wear make up at all, unless you're planning to join the mile high club. 

Always pack and apply moisturizers throughout the flight as it makes you feel much better and prevents your skin from drying out and cracking. Also a nice smelling hand cream helps to relax you and make you feel that tiny bit more at home. 

Keeping your lips moist is just as important as your skin, if your lips dry out it could lead to them tearing and possibly bleeding throughout the flight. 

Buying mini versions of all your favorite products saves you for lugging around heavy bottles and means you can bring liquids through customs if they are 100ml or less. 

Deodorant is a must on long flights (you really don't want to smell) I prefer to use the roll on so you an apply it quickly and secretly in your seat rather than making the whole cabin smell like you.

A comb is so much easier to carry compared to a hair brush and trust me you will need it! I always wake up with my hair sticking up in all sorts of angles...not a good look. 

Hope these tips help you feel better about flying, happy holidays everyone! xx