Maybe she's born with it

Some people have a stash of brand new clothes that they break into whenever they want an instant-pick-me-up. Well, I have that too, but I also have a collection of brand new beauty products waiting to be ripped out of their packaging and sampled for the first time.

So last week, I decided to give myself a HUGE perk-me-up all at once and dig happily into an entire bunch of brand new Maybelline products all at once. I got these at the recent Lashionista launch party and was waiting for just the right (and auspicious) opportunity to use them, especially since these days, I don't have to rush through my new items but get drag out the pleasure instead :)

First things first, the star of the range - Lashionista, $21.90 (though I thought I spotted it at Watsons going for a promo price of $19.90 over the weekend). I'm a fan of Maybelline mascaras in particular, they're reliably good and well priced, especially for an item you should throw away every six months. This one is formulated for Asian lashes, which are typically stubby and sparse, which is why it contains tiny little fibres that stick to the lashes to lengthen them and make them look lusher.

My five minute face

I'm not exactly a make-up magician who can transform her face into something completely different through face paint, but I have managed to figure out what I call my five minute glam face.

This skill has been honed through four years of having to work long hours in an office and then rushing off to attend one chi chi event or another. I think it is just good manners to at least bother to look like you've made an effort to look presentable at an event that someone has kindly invited you to. (And also not look like something the cat dragged in when taking photographs with the beautiful people at these events).

So, here's the bare minimum that I do to get by - at the least your complexion should look brighter and evened out and you will look less tired. Which in turn will do wonders at boosting your confidence at sometimes tricky social events.

Here's my ten staples for the recent Audi Fashion Festival.