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Friday, December 30, 2011

29. Do you like wearing liquid liner? If so, what's your favorite?

Depending on the look I want to achieve, I love liquid liner. However, my hands are still quite shaky so whenever I apply there's bound to be the moment when I'm reaching for a Q-tip and moisturizer/water.


My favorite liquid liner is Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black. The super-sharp tapered felt tip applicator allows precision and different line thicknesses without having to go back and forth too much, which is a plus for me. The pro and con are both the non-waterproof-ness of the product.


I would love to be able to find another liner pen that isn't too expensive, and is waterproof. I love this liner pen, hope to repurchase in the future, but to be more practical I really need waterproof liquid eyeliner.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Visual kei vs. K-Pop

I'll try to be as unbiased in this post as possible, because the comments I saw on this particular Youtube video just freakin' pissed me off. I'll be honest, I like both visual kei and K-pop, but I like visual kei more. I'm basically an anything-goes person, and where music is concerned, as long as I like it, I don't care about language, genre and/or country of origin.


In general, this is my opinion: visual kei music spans a rather wide range of music genres, but their bands are usually made up from a basic form of a drummer, a vocalist, two guitarists and a bassist. Hence, their music are more concentrated to the quality of the guitar and vocal sounds. K-pop is in general more dance-friendly, their groups are usually large and are more centered towards individual vocal ability and dance performances. Their genre is obviously pop, but sometimes interlaced with a few elements of other genres.


I discovered visual kei when I was 13 and got hooked. It was a suddenly blast of inspiration - I liked rock (which many of the bands provided me with), the way their make-up, hairstyles and costumes looked flawless, and just the feeling of being a fan of something so unique was beautiful.


K-pop I discovered later, which was when Sorry Sorry by Super Junior got popular in Malaysia. At first I didn't really catch on to the "trend", but I found the music getting more and more catchy. K-pop slowly grew around the world, especially in Malaysia. I'm no hardcore fan, but I do enjoy their music, their dance moves.


I'm no hardcore fan of both sides - I get occasional cravings for both types of music every now and then. However, if I were asked to choose one I really liked, I would definitely choose visual kei. Why? Because visual kei changed my life - I started learning make-up, took up the guitar (though I haven't touched it for over a year already), and most importantly found the key in striking up a relationship with my current BF.




Here are the songs/artists they compared against each other:

1. Pink Masquerade by SuG vs Heartbreaker by G-Dragon
Completely irrelevant to each other except perhaps the background of the music video.

2. Senkou by Alice Nine vs Man Man Ha Ni? by U-Kiss
I also do not see anything that is worth comparing.

3. Destiny {The Lovers} by Versailles by Raining by FT Island
HOW?! Versailles - neo-classical aristocratic French style. FT Island - K-pop style. Music-wise, also nothing too similar to compare.

4. Love Scream Party by SuG vs BinGeul {Round and Round} by U-Kiss
LSP - catchy pop-y love song. BinGeul - techno-hip hop dance. Why?

5. Horizon by D'espairsRay vs Cry by MBLAQ
Dark VK vs dance pop.

6. You by KAT-TUN vs Love Girl by CNBlue
I have no comment on this one because KAT-TUN is J-pop, and I actually prefer Love Girl on this one.

7. Eve by Vidoll vs Rainism by Rain
I'm beginning to rest my case.

8. Invisible Wall by the GazettE vs 2PM Heartbeat Cover by No Min Woo
HOW THE HELL DID THIS GET COMPARED TO INVISIBLE WALL?! No Min Woo is obviously a talented guy, but really. What was the video creator thinking? Oh right, his username shows his utter devotion to him.


However, this wasn't what pissed me off. The video barely made me feel speechless. It was the comments that made me want to curse and swear. I'm not saying all K-pop fans are the same, but this guy was just offensive to me.


#1.
I know K-pop style and visual kei styles are almost completely different. However, it's called visual kei for a reason.

#2.
Visual kei is more popular than he thinks, though I will admit it's not as widespread as K-pop. K-pop is Korean popular music, it's name is self-explanatory. As I mentioned earlier, visual kei has more rock sounds, and hence is not everyone's cup of tea. K-pop itself is almost suitable for everyone - their music is really catchy and is played all over the place.

#3.
VISUAL KEI IS NOT A !@#$% COPY OF WESTERN GLAM-ROCK STYLE! He could at least make it sound more subtle by saying VK is inspired by Western glam-rock style. And FYI, ignorant Youtuber, there are many different types of visual kei styles, each one different from the other.

#4.
WEARING MAKE-UP AND HAVING ELABORATE HAIRSTYLES DO NOT MAKE THEM GLAM/TRANVESTITE DRAG QUEENS! Ever watched Bambi, ignorant Youtuber? "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all." When have you seen them wearing wigs, wearing drag make-up and faking boobs? Please go Google drag queens and do your research before you even dare think of comparing VK musicians with drag queens.

#5.
Visual kei is a style culture, and different visual kei bands perform different genres. Some bands even play a multiple of genres, ranging from ballads to screamo. They are not limited to "powerpop-rock".


Like I said before, I like K-pop and visual kei. However, insulting visual kei musicians just because they wear more make-up, hairstyles and more elaborate costumes is unacceptable. Some may agree with this person, however to each his own - I prefer visual kei over K-pop, and you don't see me libeling and slandering K-pop fans and musicians.


I will continue loving visual kei, and I will also continue listening to K-pop, no matter how much some of their fans step on visual kei, when they obviously don't know enough about the genre.



DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT INTEND TO TRY TO PERSUADE/CHANGE OTHERS' OPINIONS ON ANY TOPIC. I ALSO DO NOT INTEND TO INSULT ANYONE WHO READS THIS POST. THIS ENTIRE POST IS ENTIRELY MY OPINION.

28. Favourite makeup remover

Definitely. Daiso Charcoal Cleansing Cream. The first time I used this I thought it was a facial cleanser because of the name. Upon further scrutiny of the attached picture sticker, I realized it was a make-up remover.


How I use it is I squeeze out a suitable amount from the fat tube, then massage it over the area where I need make-up removed. Just applying it won't work, some gentle friction is needed to remove make-up. I then use tissue (alright I use toilet paper, but please use either cotton wool or facial tissue to preserve the elasticity of your skin).


The thing about this remover is that it doesn't really remove HEAVY (dark) make-up completely on the first round. So sometimes when I have loads of eyeliner and mascara on, I have to apply it another 1-2 times to completely remove everything. As for waterproof mascara, you would have to gently massage the hairs to remove the product. However what I do is massage, then try to get all the particles out (roughly) using the tissue.


And this cream leaves a kind of filmy, oily residue, but this, I think, is just personal. I cleanse my face once after I've removed every visible trace of make-up, just as extra insurance.


However, my friend introduced me to magic. To the Xiaxue readers, you've heard of this many times before - the Biore Wipes. They're absolutely fantastic! They're uber convenient, the formula that the wipe is soaked in removes make-up super quick, and it leaves NO RESIDUE AT ALL! The light scent is a plus. I only used this on my lower lashline before, but I had that urge to wipe that thing all over my skin, just because they leave the skin feeling refreshed and supple!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

27. Favourite powder

My favorite powder is Pigeon Compact Baby Powder in Beige.


Pigeon is a baby product brand that is quite popular in Malaysia and Singapore, however this powder was purchased in Singapore, either for availability or price reasons. The reason I like it is that it sets my make-up really nicely, and because it's particles are really fine, it seems like translucent powder and it can be used alone for oil control.


If I needed to mention another favorite powder, it would be Laneige Sliding Pact. I forgot the shade name, but I like that it's dense enough to be foundation. However, I've never used it as setting powder before. In fact I really seldom use it because it's a little too dense for my liking. I have pretty dry skin that oils up really well, so upon application it makes all the pores and flakes really obvious.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

26. Do you wear makeup everyday?

If I were to calculate the days that I wear make-up in a week, I would say I wear make-up about 2 out of 7 days a week.


I don't wear make-up when I've just woken up and/or I still want to sleep later, which is usually the case when I have morning (8am) classes, because my eyes are actually quite sensitive, and will feel irritated and tear profusely if I apply make-up, which will cause the make-up on my eyes to run and smear.


I wear make-up only on the days when I need to, i.e. I've got a presentation or going on a date, etc, and/or when I really feel like it, especially after I've watched a make-up tutorial recently and really want to experiment.

Monday, December 26, 2011

25. Favourite eyeliner



For pencil eyeliner, I prefer retractable ones to pencil ones just because I don't need to sharpen the retractable one too much. My favorite one is Elianto Stay-On Eyeliner, which comes in black and brown. My eyeliners are mostly blacks. I like this eyeliner because it's creamy enough and it's really dark, and it lasts really long while being waterproof. No comments about the creasing, though - I have oily lids. The only thing I don't like is that the black has a slight bluish undertone and is not a true black.


Liquid will be revealed later in a separate question~


As for gel liners, I've only ever tried one, which is Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Sepia Ink - a brown one. This was drying halfway when I started using it (it was a hand-me-down, we kinda share and "pass down" make-up), but the effect was very nice.


I'm now looking for a brown pencil eyeliner, and preferably a true black pencil liner and a black liquid and/or gel liner that's waterproof.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

24. Which do you like: cream, matte, powder, sheer or shimmer eye shadows?

In general I still stick to powder shadows. My mastery of cream shadows are not to that stage where I can blend it perfectly yet.


As for the powder shadows, I like to use mattes and slightly shimmery ones with very fine sparkle particles. My eyes are Asian, with half-concealed double eyelids and are quite fleshy. Half-concealed double eyelids that are fleshy means I have no visible socket area to "define", hence I have to create a socket space to define.


Fleshy lids also means that overly shimmery shadows will make my eyes look extremely swollen, and they also mean that colors like purples and pinks are harder to pull off on my lids.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

23. Favourite eye shadow palette and blush palette

Need you ask? Anyway, my favorite eye shadow palette would, inevitably, be the 120 palette. Some people would say this is impractical - why would a make-up rookie want so many colors? Aren't these palette supposed to be for make-up artists who do make-up on lots of people?


In my opinion, not necessarily. I mean, I want to play with colors (though I admit I only use those few colors), and more colors and shades means more variety of looks (though I'll be honest, I'm not much of a creative person). And then there's that "make-up expiry date" thing, where make-up products have an average shelf life, and any use after that date would lead to ... I dunno, breakouts or whatever?


Maybe that's the reason my pores are still clogged. However, the Artistry palette that my aunt gave me is over 5 years of age (more than the average shadow shelf life) and it's still one of my go-to palettes (because it's the only palette in the house that has a matte beige).


I don't own a blush palette, I just own one blush pot. I think it's getting a bit monotonous but I'll say it anyway - Bobbi Brown Blush in Blushed. The name itself says it all - the shade name is "blushed", which means it's a very natural blush color, with a slight brown tone, which makes it suitable for both blush and contour, but I usually use it for the latter.

The most expensive lunch I've had in a long time

On campus, that is. My budget for food on campus usually sticks around RM15-20 max. I broke that record today. We went to Backofen, and I didn't really want another chicken schnitzel sandwich (which is usually what I order), and there was grilled lamb on the daily lunch set menu ... with pumpkin soup. Why not? It's Christmas.


Backofen's Christmas decorations were pretty - there were little Christmas trees dotted around the place and where the booths were, there were little Christmas tree ornaments attached to the already-intricate divider.


For starters, pumpkin soup. Personally I would prefer the version by my sister, but this was beautifully fragrant. The soup was more savory, and had just a hint of spice to it. Final verdict: 8.5/10.


The main course, grilled lamb shoulder. Unlike the usual lamb chops that are out there, this one was particularly meaty. The sauce was perfect, though I would usually prefer mint sauce for lamb. The lamb was served with a roasted potato and a simple salad. The potato was very complimentary to the lamb, no comment about the salad. Final verdict: 8.5/10.


The dessert isn't included in the lunch set. The thing I like about Backofen are their pastries and cakes. This round I tried the Oreo Cheese. I have a hunch that what they used was the No-Bake Oreo dessert thing, but I can't be sure. There was no Oreo flavor in the cake - mostly chocolate and what tasted like cream cheese (or mascarpone). Final verdict: 6/10.


In total, the entire meal cost RM23.90. The lunch set prices at RM18, the Oreo Cheese at RM5.90. The original price of the roasted lamb itself was around RM18+, and the pumpkin soup priced individually at approximately RM4.50. So if I were to order a la carte, I would be paying almost RM30 for the meal. Since this is out of my own wallet, I really mind. But hey, it's Christmas, and I feel that I deserve to indulge myself.


As for dinner, we had roasted duck and braised sea cucumber for dinner. There was a sweet sauce that came with the duck, and it tasted pretty good with the duck, though the overall taste is kinda weird.

Friday, December 23, 2011

22. Favourite toner

I don't have a particular toner that I like, because up until now all toners do the same job for me - tightening the pores after cleansing and removing any excess make-up/make-up remover/cleanser that didn't get washed off properly.


However I did start using this toner quite recently - I have no idea where my mum got it but I ran out of my own toner so my mum gave me this one.

Franche Sea Mist with Vitamin C

Ingredients:

Witch hazel, cassia betaglycan (plant hyaluronic), D2O, Sea Mineral Complex, L-ascorbic, L-sodium PCA, castor oil methyl glycol, L-chlorophyll, indigo, fragrance oil. 

Souvenirs + udon

Over the weekend I was left home-alone with my grandmother while the others went on holiday in Singapore. From what I heard it was stressful, no comment on that.


Anyway, I got some nice souvenirs this time although they're not exactly what I wanted.

Manicare Cosmetica Retractable Lip Brush (synthetic hair) S$12.90
Manicare Cosmetica Double Ended Brow Brush (looks like real hair) S$8.90
Manicare Cosmetica Angled Blush Brush (real hair) S$12.90
Manicare Cosmetica Foundation Brush (synthetic hair) S$12.90
Animob Drak Brown Double Compartment Multipurpose Pouch
Garrett Popcorn - Chicago Mix
The dark browns - caramel, golden browns - light caramel/butter, orange-y ones - cheeese~!

Today was mundane. Got to campus at 7am, slept until 9am, then rushed around printing stuff and had brunch at around 11am with Jasmine. We tried Marufuku for the first time, which essentially sells udon. The Mapo Udon Set consists of a mapo tofu udon, green tea and karaage (tender battered deep fried chicken pieces), priced at RM8 (normal udon prices range from RM7-RM10).


The noodles themselves were perfectly al dente, but the sauce. It was essentially mushroom sauce with lots of ground black pepper with some tofu, minced meat, carrots and onions. The flavor being off put aside, there were little bits of what felt like sand in the sauce, though I can't be sure what they are, but they definitely weren't the ground black pepper bits.


As for the karaage, they kinda surprised me. I was expecting dry, though chicken nuggets, but inside the rather thick deep fried batter shell, the chicken was super tender and juicy. Tempted me to order another serving, but didn't.


Today (technically yesterday) was supposed to be the day of the Winter Solstice, where families have dinner together and enjoy "tang yuan" (direct translation "soup balls", which are essentially balls made from a special type of dough, which is sometimes colored, and has fillings according to different tastes). We had dinner together, but the "tang yuan" will have to wait. I plan on getting my favorite hot chocolate-filled "tang yuan" in soy milk from Endah Parade soon. It's been ages since I've had it.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

21. Where do you buy your makeup at?

I buy my make-up at a lot of different places, but in general I get my make-up inside beauty stores in Mid Valley Megamall.


I've got my stuff from Shins, Elianto, The Face Shop, The Body Shop, and pharmacies like Watsons (prices at Watsons are cheaper than at Caring or Guardian). I seldom walk into high-end (to me) beauty stores like M.A.C or shu uemura - for one I would be completely tempted to buy the stuff there even if I don't need them, and I don't have the money. Combine those two you get a shitload of disappointment.


I like pharmacies because they stock lots of good stuff of different price ranges, which is an extra plus. Favorite drugstore brands: Maybelline and Revlon.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

20. Favourite eyeshadow primer

I've only ever tried one - shu uemura Creme Eyeshadow.


I don't know whether this officially constitutes as a primer, but I went to the shu uemura store in Mid Valley and asked for eye shadow primer and the salesgirl brought me this. It's a rather small jar, but it's lasted me for I think around 2 years. I know this is way past the "expiry date" of the product, but this small jar costed RM75, and I'm not willing to part with it until I see it change color or texture or something.


Basically I think a primer would be something cream-based, so that the shadows will stick to the cream product and not slide all over the place, also helping to intensify the color. From what I've observed the Urban Decay Primer Potion is a popular choice for eye priming (available at Sephora). I've never really tried that one before, but I do look forward to testing it.


I've tried priming also with foundation and concealer, but they didn't really work that well - the colors wouldn't blend. I've also tried gel liner, pencil liners, etc, also don't work as good, at least for me it doesn't.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

19. Favourite concealer

The only real concealer I've used before doesn't really match my skin tone so that one's out. I use foundation as concealer.


For under-eye circles, I use a wrong shade of foundation that I mistakenly purchased (The Body Shop Oil Free Balancing Foundation in 05) because it has a slight orange-ish undertone that helps neutralize the bluish-purple-ness of the circles.


As for other blemishes, I just double up my usual foundation (Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation in 12 Natural). I apply my foundation as usual, then dot some foundation on where I need to conceal. Usually this does a sufficient job enough for the lighter, non-swollen blemishes.


I'm still in search of a good concealer palette with tones of green, orange and yellow. So far I've only heard of the Ben Nye Concealer Wheel from MissChievous' video, but unfortunately Ben Nye isn't sold in Malaysia, or anyway so I've observed. I think the price of products in Sephora would be a bit cheaper in Singapore than in Malaysia due the exchange rate, so I'm hoping that my mum would find something there.

Monday, December 19, 2011

18. What's your favourite night time look?

What other than the classic smokey eyes? I really seldom go out at night, but in the event that I do, I really like to think that my eyes look mysterious, sexy and mesmerizing. Where night-time looks are concerned, the silhouette and the eyes are the key points - the eyes are the windows to the soul, and a good figure reels in attention.


So. In the past when I just started make-up I used to use browns for my smokey eye (Artistry eye shadows in Chocolate, Java and Ash Black). There was one time in Beijing, China when we were visiting my dad, I did this make-up look for a day trip (I hadn't fully grasped make-up theories yet), and my dad commented in an elevator: "Wow, Chean, you need to get more sleep." I was like "what?". Then my mum said, "It's called smokey eyes, it's the 'in' thing now". Something like that.


I have really dark under-eye circles, which makes pulling off brown eye shadow a bit tricky. My dad commented that because I hadn't concealed my under-eye circles and applied quite a bit of dark brown shadow to the outer half of my lower lash liner, somewhat intensifying the look of the dark circles.

Done impromptu. The brown didn't photograph well and my lashes wilted because of my Opera mascara, hence the less-glam look. However, I found a new trick for the brows.

I've learnt my lessons, and this is how I do my night-time look:
  1. Skip ahead to eyes first by priming (shu uemura Creme Eyeshadow in Beige).
  2. Apply an off-white color to inner corners (usually matte beige or a sheer champagne color).
  3. Apply medium brown shadow sweeping from outer corners to center of lid and a tiny bit on the outer half of the lower lash line.
  4. Apply dark brown shadow to outer corners, contouring the socket and applying a bit on the outer half of the lower lash line.
  5. Apply black shadow right at the outer corners, joining with the lower lash line.
  6. Line eyes with pencil/black shadow.
  7. Line waterline with pencil liner.
  8. Apply generous coats of mascara (Lancome Hypnose or MaxFactor FLE). False lashes optional.
  9. Clean up fall-outs.
  10. Apply foundation as concealer on eye circles and proceed with usual foundation.

It's actually very basic, and the colors can be replaced with many other colors. A hint of color added to the black would be nice. Foiling over a shimmery/metallic color at the center of the lid would also be pretty. I would usually go for the "sexy" look over the "sweet pretty" look.


Ps. While doing the piccie for this look I had already "contaminated" my angled brush with black shadow so I couldn't use it for the brows. I used my rarely used gel liner brush instead and I like the effect it created. Soft effect with precision.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Comic Fiesta 2011



My first ever anime event. I'm serious. Up until now I don't think I've ever attended any exhibition or event that is to my interest.


I heard about the Comic Fiesta 2011 a few months ago and promptly made a date with the BF to go together. Just yesterday one of my friends went (Day 1) and said that she had lined until 4pm but she still couldn't get in, so had to buy tickets for Day 2, which she did for us as well. THANKS, XIN YI!!!


Waking up was the hard part. The BF and I had a late night - he was over at my house Mapling (guys) and we shared a bottle of Corona Extra (more like I gulped down more than half the bottle). After he was done with his Ice Knight quest it was quite late by the time he was ready for bed it was pass 2am.


We both woke up around 7am, and were practically dead on our feet. No more late nights before dates from now on. I did my morning routine, did my make-up (black eyes a la visual kei), and headed out to the LRT station, thinking I was 20 minutes late. Upon arrival did we realize that Xinyi had made a typo in her earlier text saying to meet at 8.30am - she meant 9.30am.


We arrived there, got in a bit of a ruckus (I've not been to the KLCC area for ages), and had breakfast at Subway. I prefer the management in Taylor's - at least the solo-at-the-entire-station staff at Taylor's listened to your order. This lady practically thought we wanted everything in pairs when I obviously stated I wanted Milo because she gave us two white coffees, which was what the BF ordered.


Moving on. Xinyi arrived in house-clothes (with her brother), disappeared for a while and looked like a Japanese schoolgirl who kinda jumped out of K-On. After lunch we walked toward the Convention Centre and the first sight of a cosplayer got me really excited - I've seen them around, but not around so many at a time.


Our tickets were basically the adhesive wrist bands that acted as passes, and supposedly the crowd on Day 2 was smaller - I personally found that Day 2's crowd was intimidating enough, and this was around 1/3 of the previous day's crowd. Holy bejesus, are there really so many Japanese fans around Malaysia?!


We entered, and we walked through the booths first. Lots of local artists doing their thing, displaying their works and whatnot. It was until then I realized that Malaysians are not all just about talk - there are actually some that have immense skill, and it seemed that all those skillful people were there today, and they're still looking for more of them!


The only thing was that I was looking for some hint of visual kei stuff among all the wonderful artworks, and we only found these hand-drawn cards of visual kei artists posters (hyde being the one excluded from the visual kei label). I got Miyavi and hyde, while the BF got Ruki and Reita from the GazettE (Y U NO URUHA, KAI AND AOI?!).


This Miku cosplayer has my bias. =P
We then wandered around the back of the exhibition hall where the cafe was and had a lot of cosplayers around there. At that point I hadn't found a cosplayer that I've liked enough to want to take a picture with them yet (no offense, really, I'm actually more self-conscious than anything). Then right then and there I saw the perfect Hatsune Miku cosplayer, and just as I was about to ask her permission to get a picture with her, the BF went AWOL. How cool is that. I had to take a solo picture of her, and I felt so embarrassed I wanted to just walk out of the hall and hide. A few moments after I walked away from the Miku cosplayer, he appeared behind me, grinning from ear to ear like a kid who successfully evaded from the seeker while playing hide-and-seek.


That more or less just ruined my day. Yes, I just missed that girl once I could find her again and request, but my self-consciousness came back by the time I next saw her. He, on the other hand, was taking pictures with a lot of the cosplayers. I seriously wanted to just stalk out of the place and go home without him knowing.


Anyway, enough of my drama. Once you enter the exhibition hall, the artists' booths are on the left, the stage right in front, and on the right are the sponsors and merchandise dealers. We had visited the artists' booths, the center area was jam-packed due to the solo cosplay contest (the was a Honne Onna from Jigoku Shoujo), so we took a visit to the right side of the hall.


T-shirts. Keychains. Bags. Posters. Rings. Necklaces. Phone accessories. Cosplay katanas. Masks. Kigurumi hats. YOU NAME IT, IT'S THERE! There's also the boob mousepad. It's basically a mousepad with two dome-shaped sponges at one edge, with a Japanese girl's bosom printed strategically there. For those more testosterone-driven otakus, or just some who'd like something funky!

Left: S size Miku - mine; right: M size Ichigo - BF's.

We got *drumroll~* T-shirts *the crowd boos*. One Bleach Ichigo for him, one Hatsune Miku for me. For RM45. At a stall where I met my classmate, Blue. I was like "OMFG is this really him? I thought he'd cosplay or something. Why does he look like he's in college?"


That was basically all we got. We walked around the entire hall another couple of times and finally exited ... at 1pm. Only around 3 hours had passed. Anyway, there was a Cloud Strife cosplayer right outside, and after taking a photo of the BF with him, I kinda walked away while he still stood there taking pictures. I think I could have just walked really far away and he wouldn't even notice.


There were still some cosplayers outside the convention center doing photoshoots, while some others, I think, couldn't get in yet. I saw Paine from Final Fantasy X-2, and a few guys I think from One Piece or Bleach. Apologies for my ignorance - much of a Japanese fan I am, I don't really watch them, but from posters and catalogs I can roughly identify them. Sorry again!


We first went through Candylicious a bit, reviewed some stuff in Sephora, then went up to Kinokuniya to look for visual kei magazines, but we only found Shoxx Profiles for Plastic Tree, D'espairsray and Miyavi. Then took the LRT to Hang Tuah, having in mind to repair my now (again) handicapped C6-00.


My C6-00 now has a variety of symptoms.

  1. The sliding screen has to be pushed to a certain extent in order for the user to see the screen at all, but even if the screen is not visible, the touch screen is active.
  2. It takes at least five seconds before the screen locks after activating the lock button.
  3. The device would suddenly vibrate for no reason with the screen off continuously, and this cannot be deactivated by pressing the "off" button - only removing and replacing the battery can this problem be solved.

Cool, right? This is even cooler - the repair center was closed when we got there. #$%^&!!!!! The BF failed to recall this Sunday-closed thing even when I told him a few days ahead that I wanted to drop it there. Anyway, with painful feet and spine, we walked to Snowflake - for lunch.


I thought the branch at SS15 was packed - this was even worse. We had to wait around for tables, and when we did we shared with two supposed Singaporean girls who were discussing about Chatime, Gong Cha, Snowflake and the works. We each had a Japan Combo II (again).


By the time I got back home it was 5pm. The soles of my feet felt flat, I had large, dull blisters at the soles, and my thighs and calves were hurting like mad. My shower consisted of sitting on the toilet bowl for around 10 minutes removing the ton of black eyeliner and eye shadow I had piled up, plus the foundation, with my feet in a basin of cold water. My bath then *ahem* proceeded as usual.


That's when I really started to think about stuff. Malaysian cosplayers need to acknowledge the fact that cosplaying also includes make-up and hair-styling. I know this doesn't apply to all cosplayers, but for some, they get the necessary pieces of the costume, smack on some eyeliner and call it a day. Seriously? Also, shiny polyester cloth doesn't look well with bulging flesh. I saw this girl who was in cosplay with her belly exposed, but there were two tires there. I know I'm not any better, but I don't think I'd dare do that.


But there were some, though I'm not sure what they were cosplaying as, were cool as shit. There was this random girl in local secondary school uniform, with fake blood and liquid latex over her face and leg, feigning grotesque scars, complete with local school bag and typical low ponytail. Simple, but outstanding.


Oh, yeah. To Domo-kun fans out there, especially Jasmine, here's a treat for you guys. There was a slightly-larger-than-life sized Domo-kun walking around the place. It was the second or third round of walking and *BOOM* Giant. Brown. Cube. With arms and legs. With sharp teeth. He had to walk around horizontally to get anywhere. Poor dude. But cool costume, dude.


More piccies from the event:

Cosplayer girl. Dunno who she's cosplaying, but she was showing lots of cleavage.
Cosplayer: Tidus from Final Fantasy X.
Solo cosplay competition: Honne Onna from Jigoku Shoujo on stage.
Cosplayers: left - Paine from Final Fantasy X-2; right: unknown.
Another unknown cosplaying couple, but these two were as cool as hell.
Artist at the artists' booth doing her thing.
The freebie.
The event booklet~
All in all the day was really memorable, though it could've been more enjoyable if someone payed any attention.