Although it’s a simple makeup product, eyeshadow can be an intimidating product even to the most experienced makeup junkie. Primers, palettes, colours, creasing and blending, this is already enough to make your head spin. But by following these eyeshadow hacks, creating a fabulous eye look is just within your reach.

1. Opt for Light Beige Base to Make Your Shadow Pop. Although a pure white base can make your shadow pop, it’ll make your eyes appear cartoonish and artificial. Instead, use a very light beige base to get more natural undertones and to allow each shadow you’re using to be truer to its shade.

2. Use an Oval Brush for Your Shadow Application. Forget about using separate brushes for each shadow colour that you use. Instead, use a large oval brush in applying your eyeshadow layers. Lightly sweep your base colour over your lid and just add more product if you want to create a deeper eye look. Once you’re done, blend out your layers using your clean fingertips.

3. Create Crisp Edge Using Post-It Notes. When it comes to blending eyeshadows, everyone has different standards – but if you’re a big fan of crisp outer edges, then this hack will work wonders for you. Just place some Post-It notes on the outer edge of your lid to create a distinct line in each corner. Blend the shadows as needed, take the Post-It’s off and no more rogue eyeshadows.

4. Make it Your Liner Alternative. If you’re thinking of sporting a soft, blown-out eyeliner look, then use your eyeshadow instead of your eyeliner. Wet your liner brush first, then draw on your shadow with a steady hand. Just be careful in wetting your shadow though, since some shadow formulas aren’t designed to withstand moisture, and a wet eyeshadow pot can turn into a breeding ground for microbes.

5. Create Eye Depth Using One Shadow. This may sound surprising, but you don’t really need to use multiple colours to create a complex eye look. Just choose a shadow that has a complex mix of pigments, so that you’ll have several under- and overtones to choose from. If you want, you can also use a multi-dimensional shadow to achieve an effortless eye makeup look.

Eyeshadows can quite tricky to use, especially for makeup newbies. So keep these simple hacks in mind and you’ll surely get the perfect eyeshadow look that you want.

The outpouring of activities and the commemorative things are normal as we are celebrating our 50 years of independence. In the case of Singapore Park Hotel Group, they conceptualized something that will surely excite all Singaporeans.

Let it be known that there is a Facebook game sponsored by Park Hotel Group. The Facebook game is called Icons of SG Challenge. The challenge is about identifying the significant icons of Singapore throughout its history. The game was launched on May 1, 2015.

This is Park Hotel Group’s initiative to celebrate SG 50. So far, more than 1,200 people played. These people tried to identify icons like food, sights, games and people. For those who haven’t tried the game, they will think that it is easy. For those who tried it, the game can be heart-thumping. The game is time restricted – it only gives us sixty seconds to provide the right answer.

Every icon identified gives us points. The accumulated points give us a chance to play at the lucky draw. The lucky draw will last until July 31, 2015. If we want to increase our chances of getting prizes, we have to know that we only get three challenges and if we do not succeed to get prizes, we can invite some friends and play together.

Prizes like staycations and other complimentary things (care of Park Hotel Group) are in store for lucky draw winners. The exciting part is that there are more than 8,000 prizes to be given worth S$600,000. The prizes are not so bad. The challenge is indeed worth our time and effort.

Mother’s Day should be celebrated every day. This means that we have to appreciate our mothers and show them our love every day not just on Mother’s Day (which is once a year). If we want to give our mothers something memorable and out of the ordinary this year, we have to do away with traditional gifts and activities.

Here are some things that we can get our mothers:

• Slimming Session: Yes, we consider pampering our mothers. There are many massage, salon and spas here in Singapore. However, this activity is now too common. Our mothers need to feel good and look good too. Knowing this, we can treat them to slimming sessions.

• Diet Plans: Helping our moms with their diet is a good thing that we can do for their health. We want to enjoy their company for as long as we want but it will not be possible if they have many health issues. If we know dieticians or nutritionists, we can bring our moms there.

• Fitness Club Membership: If our moms do not approve slimming session, the least that we can give her is a fitness club membership card. If she wants to look good and feel good the natural way, let us support her. Exercising together is an excellent form of bonding. There are many fitness clubs here in Singapore that we can consider.

These are just some things that we can give our mothers. It doesn’t have to be mother’s day if we want to give honour to our mothers. They will surely appreciate whatever we give them whether they are small or big.

Swimming outdoors is definitely one of the best things about summer. Just the mere sight of the ocean, pool or lake already inspires the cannonballs and swan dives in us. But when it comes to our hair? Well, that’s another story. Sun, salt and chlorine can really do a number on our strands – drying it out, stripping its colour and leaving it all knotted around.

So unless you’re willing to wear a swimming cap every time you dive into the water, try out these tips to save your locks from all the ravages of the warm weather.

1. Slather Some Sunscreen. Although they’re made of dead cells, our hair still needs some UV protection especially if you’re preserving its colour. Keep your locks safe from the harmful UVs by slathering on some leave-in conditioners that contain UV protection. Ensure that your hair is generously coated with this product before diving into the beach or the pool.

2. Fill Your Hair Up. Hair soaks up anything that is applied on it, and if you fill it with the good things beforehand, there won’t be enough room for it to absorb chlorine or salt water. Just put a mixture of hair conditioner and water in a spray bottle, and liberally spray it on your hair before taking a dip. If you want, you can also saturate your hair in an outdoor shower before diving into the pool.

3. Wash It Out. Instead of shampooing your hair before swimming, wash it out with a clarifying shampoo after long periods of swimming in the beach or the pool. Allowing the chlorine and other hair drying chemicals to linger on your hair for long periods will only cause more damage, so it would be best to immediately wash your hair to prevent the damage altogether.

4. Tame Your Strands. Our hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, which is why it’s important that you avoid brushing it as you get out of the pool. A good way to tame your strands after taking a good swim is to run a dollop leave-in conditioner through your hair and gently detangle it after swimming. Tying your hair into a bun or braid is also a good protective measure against the post-swim tangles.

Your skin isn’t the only thing that you should protect during the warm weathers. Your hair also needs the same amount of protection and you can do it by keeping these tips in mind.

Got some 15 minutes to spare? Then why not make a week-long list of activities that you can do during your free time?  Setting small, achievable goals actually aids in making our mind sharper and our day a lot more purposeful. So if you’re up to it, then here’s the list of week-long activities that you may want to try to accomplish.

1. MONDAY: Be Crafty

If you have enough time to spare during your first day at work, then you can do your own nail art using a quick-dry nail polish. With this, you can already go straight to work wearing those cute nail art.

2. TUESDAY: Adopt an Animal

Planning to leave office early? Then spend some time visiting a shelter for stray pets. Well, who knows? You might get to meet the fluffiest love of your life. If you’re allergic to animals, or is simply not fond of them, buy a small potted plant instead. That way, you get to learn to be responsible by taking care of these living things.

3. WEDNESDAY: Go Window Shopping

What better way to relieve all your stress at work than indulging in an after-work window shopping at a nearby mall. Not only is this a cheap way to unwind, you also get to check on some items that you may buy on your next payday.

4. THURSDAY: Try a New Route to Work

If you’re about an hour early for work, then try taking a new route to your work. Doing this will help take your mind off all your stresses and worries at work, and keep you focused on what’s really happening in the present.

5. FRIDAY: Sell Your Stuff Online

Since you’re not too busy, try selling some of your old toy collections online, and be creative in writing your description and RFS (Reason for Selling) to entice your potential customers.

6. SATURDAY: Send a Feedback to an Editor

Read some fine article lately? Then take a few minutes to write down a feedback about it and send it to your favourite magazine or website. You might even get to see your name on their next issue, as a bonus.

7. SUNDAY: Hide or Bury Your Time Capsule

One good throwback is to keep some memorabilia this year and stow it away. If you find burying a little too dramatic, tape it up under your bed and vow to never open it until after a couple of years.

Instead of just sitting and blankly staring on the wall during your free time, do any of these activities and be productive even as you chill out.