March Empties: Smith's Menthol and Eucalyptus Balm & Leaders Collagen Fluid

If there is one balm I would buy over and over, it would the Smith's Mentol tin. 

This is the most effective multi use balm I've ever used! For lips, for dry patches, for smoothing out chapped/dry lips... this tin kind of does it all.  

I have been using this for many years, and mostly in the evenings. The tin isn't the most practical, but I use it primarily before i sleep with clean fingers so it's okay. There is something so nostalgic about the tin. I seriously seriously love this stuff.

It absorbs quickly, and keeps my lips smooth. It works best overnight because the next morning my lips feel super soft and lipstick ready for the day.

I have also used this as a 10 minute intensive treatment for my lips by slathering a good amount on my lips while doing my hair or makeup, then wipe all of it off my lips before applying lipstick.

Works perfectly! 

Another skincare product I've been using for months is this collagen serum from Leaders, a Korean brand that's sold in Asian skincare stores. I couldn't find much about it on the web here, but I've been using it and have repurchased a 2nd bottle already. Seems like it's strictly collagen, watery based. Has a nice subtle scent, and very easily absorbed into the skin. 

FOTD featuring Hada Labo

Happy Friday!

Today I wanted to share with you a bb cream that I've been using that I absolutely love. It's v2 of Hada Labo's moist BB cream that came out years back. I loved that one too, and still love it! This version is slightly newer, came out early last year so I'm still late to the game! 

This bb cream isn't much different from the previous version. 

I love the way the BB air looks and feels on my skin. I bring it with me to travel, and i've had no issues with it. The bb cream is actually really hydrating, and the best part is that it does not oxidize over time. It doesn't turn sallow or muddy ruddy looking which I find happens a lot with Korean bb creams. This one is a bit more yellow based and stays looking quite natural.

The finish is really semi-matte but really beautiful. The bb cream in my experience hasn't enhanced any imperfections on my skin. It has a slightly dewy finish at first but dries semi-matte. 

I usually use one to two layers, and it is good enough to last for a day without other makeup on. I don't really powder my skin since it's on the drier side and I sometimes dot a bit of cream blush around my cheeks for some color. This bb cream blends beautifully with no caking that I've experienced! 

It is a bit pricey in the US, but considered a drugstore brand in Asia. I purchased it last year in store when i was looking for sun creams. I don't regret the purchase and I think it's one of the better bases out there in a sea of bb creams. I find that Hada Labo has made really consistent products and you can read my last review about my experience with the Hada Labo skincare line. My skin hasn't been more healthier, and I think it's because of Hada Labo.

Have you tried this or any Hada Labo  products?

Happy Friday, everyone! 

hada labo gokujyun | review

Over the past few months, my skincare routine has reduced significantly. Namely to these two super amazing products from Hada Labo's Gokukyun line - the clear toning lotion and the milk. 

My skin has mostly been parched from dehydration and the cold, and these two have attributed to much more supple and hydrated skin, healthy to the touch and clear. I'm very pleased with these and am surprised how readily available they are due to their popularity. 

The main ingredient in this line is the hyaluronic acid, which draws in moisture and locks it, retaining that hydration on your skin for hours. I have used a lot of products that contain hyaluronic acid in it but I find that Hada Labo does it best. They claim their products retain 2x the amount of HA, making it even that more effective. 

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer Review

Source: Pinterest

Last month, while perusing on Sephora, I stumbled upon the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. This is not a new foundation - it came out in early 2015 to very mixed reviews. I meant to test it out for myself but never had the chance to since I have WAY too many bases. 

I finally did purchase it during the holidays and I'm very much in love. 

Most Used Summertime Faves... Oldies!

Some of my favorite summer staples aren't new things I purchased or received; in fact, I actually took a break from buying new makeup. So my only option is shopping my stash and finding a lot of gems I would have otherwise forgetten :) 

For the past few months, I've been adorning pinks. It's such a bright color for the summer and so appropriate for any day of the week, and especially with traveling. 

Afternoon Lipstick Project

Hello again, lovelies!

How are you all doing? :)

I have yet another cool find from Daiso that I want to share with you all. Remember how obsessed I was with making lip pots and depotting lipsticks? (Here) 

That has not changed at all! =) I went to Daiso to walk around after a heavy lunch and I stumbled upon this pill container that has 8 small compartments and a larger top compartment. My idea was... OMG, I could put lipsticks in here! and put a lip brush or lip liner on top! For USD1.50 it totally beats out more pricey Japonesque ones (as lovely as they are). I say this because the Japonesque ones also seem to be made of plastic-y material just as this Daiso box is.

Current Lip Faves

The weather is heating up. The sun is shining, the skies blue and clear. Aside from a good moisturizer, and a protective lightweight sun cream, the most important thing I'd have in my makeup arsenal is several bright lippies. Who can complain right? :)

Here are some of my current faves.

L-R: Benefit Posie Balm, NYX Sao Paulo, Guerlain Kiss Kiss in 805, Mac Petite Indulgence, Too Faced Melted Fuchsia

Benefit Posie Balm 
works well by itself or as a layering base. It's got a smooth balmy feel with a light milky pink color. Rosy scent is a plus!

Too Faced Melted Fuchsia 
 One of the bright shades I acquired right at the end of last year during the holidays. It's an absolutely gorgeous color from the tube, and translates into an intense fuchsia that's perfect for a minimal look. I love the look of bare skin and fuchsia lipstick! The formula is really smooth, and dries to a semi-matte. It's got a nice stain-ish quality after several hours and is easy to remove. More than anything, this shade stays true to its color upon wear and I love that!

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Gloss (similar) 
The Kiss Kiss range of glosses seems to be sadly discontinued :( I still love this. It's a pretty peach tone gloss that's shiny and shimmery. Looks great alone or with a nude lipstick.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Sao Paulo 
 A plummy red with a creamy matte finish. This is probably the most plummy and least bright here but it's got such a unique color. It's a cross between pink and plum and rose. A gorgeous hybrid for sure! The formula is a bit on the dry side so a good lip balm underneath would be good. Wear time is a bit shorter, about 2 hours or so.

MAC Creme Sheen in Petite Indulgence (similar)
This one is sadly discontinued but really similar to Japanese Spring in the spring collection. Cremesheen's are my favorite formula that MAC makes because it's never too sticky. It's always more hydrating than their other glossy formulas. Petite Indulgence is a perfect glossy for spring because of its pretty pale pink color that's both opaque and a bit on the violet side. Absolute love!

I have a ton of lippies that I'm currently rotating so stay tuned for more reviews! I'll have more FOTD's up and swatches shortly ;) And an updated Springtime skincare regimen along with some Korean skincare reviews and facial masks that I'm currently loving.

What are your favorite Spring lip colors and what formulas do you like?

As always, find me on Instagram and give a shout!

Lorac Mega Pro Palette: Swatches and Review!

Lorac Mega Pro Palette - $59, exclusively sold at Lorac, and Amazon

I know this is a bit early but I was so delighted when i got it in the mail I couldn't stop using it! It's so pretty! I am a sucker for neutrals, and am a bigger sucker for LE palettes that come out around the holidays.

This is actually my first experience with Lorac. I haven't used anything from the brand before and I've contemplated on getting their pro palettes way too many times than I can remember. Because I am new to Lorac, this palette comes as a great alternative to the pro I and II because it's like a mixture of both palettes in one. 

On ordering: I had the most frustrating experience when ordering. On the date of launch, there wasn't a set time the palette would be released so a large part of it was that there was no content other than "COMING SOON" on their website. So I checked every hour or so, and it wasn't until close to noon that I finally saw the "add to cart" option available. I was originally going to order through Amazon and get Prime shipping but that was impossible because it kept going out of stock and then reappearing in stock only to show errors. It was so dodgy I ended up going through their website. I also had questions about charges being taken out of my CC and no one at Lorac was able to answer it - by phone, or email. I am kind of disappointed at that. I mean, this should be at the top of their list despite how busy they are with orders.

And now onto the happy part...the palette!

Cream - off white, bright matte shade. Extremely chalky, with a lot of fall out.

Fawn - cream beige, soft, silky. matte. Lots of fall out as well.

Camel - a light butter brown, matte. Very silky. Not so much fallout.

Sepia - Reddish matte brown. Nice finish, silky texture.

White - Bright white shade, cool undertone. Matte.

Khaki - A beautiful light brown, has a satin-like finish and a soft buttery texture

Brown - A true brown with a matte finish.

Stone - A unique grey with a subtle hints of plum. Matte finish.

Dusty Plum - Has a really pretty reddish tinge. True to name!
Orchid - A bright lavender, soft focus finish. Matte.
Mulberry - A dusty rose shade with a bit of plum. Matte finish, buttery soft texture.
Espresso - Really dark brown black. Has an almost satin finish. Very powdery, highly pigmented.

Lilac - A gorgeous cool toned lavender. Bright matte finish.
Wisteria - Seems to be a mix of purple and grey, a little muddy looking. Not my favorite.
Gray - This is not a true grey. This is more of a charcoal grey with blue tones. Powdery finish.
Black - True to name. Semi satin finish but mostly matte.

Opal - Champagne gold with a metallic finish. Bright. Ethereal.
Sand - Peachy gold and shimmery with a metallic finish.
Copper - Pretty brown with gold shimmers. Metallic finish.
Sienna - A medium brown with a bright shimmery/frost finish.

Vanilla - White with a silver frost finish.
Cashmere - A golden shade with a pretty gold finish. Frost.
Smokey Topaz - Metallic medium brown with a shimmery frost finish
Dusty Rose - A reddish brown with a shimmer finish.

Apricot - A dusty copper shade with silver shimmers. So beautiful!
Blush - A cool toned pink with a frosty finish. Lots of fall out, very powdery.
Merlot - A warm reddish brown with plum undertones. Metallic finish. Gorgeous shade!
Indigo - This is a gorgeous dark blue with light blue shimmers. Bold color. A bit glittery though.

Granite - Dark brown with shimmers.
Maroon - Reddish brown, soft warm color.
Deep Teal - Blue/Grey  shade with a muddy color payoff. Not the prettiest.
Caviar - A blue black shade. Inky color, soft buttery texture.

All in all, this is a gorgeous value packed palette. What I've noticed is that the light shades have a ton of fall out, and are usually powdery. The darker shades have a buttery, silky texture with better pigmentation and lasting power.

I like that there is a great combination of matte shades as well as shimmery ones. All have good color payoff if you build it up but the lighter shades need a bit more work. The shimmery colors are gorgeous, especially Indigo! It's got a really worldly sheen to it and reminds me of Revlon's Galaxy nail lacquer.

Lorac has done a good job with this holiday palette. It's professionally made with attention to shade ranges. There was a lot of blending of colors, and each shade is unique as their names. I would highly recommend this palette for a collector and for someone who loves the Urban Decay Naked palettes as much as I do. Mega Pro is unique and has a great blend of shades that step just right outside the neutral zone without going over too much.

Readers, have you or will you be purchasing the Lorac Mega Pro Palette?

Deals & Steals: Concealer!

I'm going to keep this post simple and talk about two concealers that I think are quite comparable and very similar. 

I'm a huge fan of the Lancome EFFACERNES - Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer - HUGE fan. I feel like the concealer is top notch quality and is super blendable and so natural looking. It's highly pigmented but it doesn't look harsh. However, for around $30 USD and only .50 oz worth of product, it definitely gets a bit pricey to replenish! 

In comes the solution! After searching high and low for a concealer that's "just right", as in, not too pigmented that it looks caked on, not too sheer that it's pointless, i've finally settled on a happy medium. The Maybelline New York Mineral Power Concealer is an absolute MUST-HAVE. It greatly defines the best aspects of all high end concealers but for a fraction of the cost! Like the Lancome one, it is also really blendable, liquidy enough to sheer out (or build up), and has a great brightening effect. 

Obviously, I have two different shades here but you can definitely see how similar they are in terms of texture! They both have that same liquidy feeling and blend effortlessly! I have some very pigmented concealers that take awhile to blend out but this covers imperfections in little time, which I love. I also can travel easily with the both of them with no issues. 

Honestly, my favorite concealer is the Maybelline one. It's definitely an HG product I have used for years! I don't think I'll deviate far from it because it's always been handy and reliable. I've used it during times of stress and no sleep and it's brightened my undereyes like no one's business! ;)

Definitely recommended. Both are great to own, but if you must be thrifty, I would suggest looking for the Maybelline one as it will not disappoint! 

Deals & Steals: Blush Edition

Welcome to part II of the affordable makeup series!

Blushes are, in fact, all that is pretty in the makeup world. They are the most versatile, most collected and most lusted after. Fr the  good thing is that there is never a shortage of pretty colors. Bad thing, however, is that it can be costly if you're a collector (like me) and it would be nice to get that dupe while you save up for the real prize.

Case in point, I lusted after Chanel blushes for the longest time. I still do. But for $45.00 each, they can add up and become quite pricey. Because my stash is quite massive already, I really have to consider if they are worth picking up.

I definitely do weigh out if I really want something, whether it is worth the splurge or if I can play around with a similar color. In many cases, I try for dupes. I think it's the most effective way for me because I couldn't justify buying a blush over really nice skincare.

Deals & Steals: eyeshadow edition

A sweet reader emailed me the other day and asked me what my favorite affordable makeup products are. In all honesty, I have a lot of favorites! When i was merely a student in University, I could not afford to just drop a ton of cash on pretty palettes and bright lipsticks. I had to stick to essentials. The basics. A year after graduating, Urban Decay read my mind and released the 1st Naked palette. Having worked just about a year, i "splurged" on it, and adored the palette over all of my other drugstore eyeshadows. I've sort of never looked back.

I'll start with eyeshadow. This is a fairly easy one. Since the release of the Naked palettes, Urban Decay has been my go-to for everyday looks. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, and pretty pinks. There's one for everyone.

VALUE

Naked 3 - UD's latest palette and probably my favorite of the bunch. The colors here have rose gold and pink undertones. Perfect for a soft work/school look, subtly sweet romantic looks, and pretty for any occasion.

Naked 2 - A much cooler version of shades. Still very pretty and perfect for fair skinned ladies. A must have in my collection.

Naked - The original and the one that started it all. This one actually has a gorgeous mix of cool tones, warm tones and shimmery shades. I use this palette a lot and have been for years.

For $54 each, these palettes are definitely a splurge. But they are the most affordable in terms of value. You get 12 full sized shadows for merely 4.50 each. Each one of these shadows are pigmented and buttery, formula silky and each shade unique in its own right. I would consider this to be a basic must-have and a fundamental in any collection.

SPLURGE

A similar Dior palette, as pretty as it looks, costs $60 (Earth Reflections).

There's a certain appeal and allure to it, but these shades are very similar to the Naked palettes, all the way down to the shimmer.

For a drugstore variety, I would definitely recommend the Loreal quads. They have nice pigmentation, a great assortment of colors and coordinated shades that make life easy for us gals. For just under $7, these are great for trying out different looks, and getting bolder shades without breaking the bank, 

BARGAIN

Readers, what are you favorite value eyeshadows and splurges? :)

Mini Skincare Reviews featuring La Roche Posay, Naruko, Kiehl's and More

Happy Saturday, loves! I hope you're all having a nice weekend. Over the summer, I've acquired a few skincare items that I thought I'd share with you.


The first one is the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 40 Sunscreen. I purchased a couple of these to try as I've heard wonderful things about it. After using it for a couple weeks, I can't say that I love it but I don't hate it.

 To start, it is a supremely thick sunscreen. See the swatch below.

The sunscreen takes a long time to sink into the skin so you musn't be in a hurry! It also takes a rigorous amount of massaging to clear of the white cast. It remains on skin feeling moist, a bit sticky but otherwise okay. I would not suggest to use foundation on top unless you're powder type ones. You definitely need to set the sunscreen so it stays in place.

Not all is bad with it though. One of the good things about this sunscreen is that it truly protects the skin from sun exposure and damage. Mexoryl, a unique UV filter is exclusive to the La Roche Posay products is proven scientifically to guard against UVA rays. Another good thing about this sunscreen is that it's so incredibly thick that it actually acts like its own foundation against skin. It actually evened out my skintone, leaving very little imperfections I had to cover.

Verdicgt? Possible repurchase.




Next item is the Naruko Raw Job's Tear essence. I started using this a few weeks ago and I am okay with it so far. One of the highlights of this essence is that it's suppose to keep your skin hydrated before the use of serum. I didn't find this to be that hydrating. It just feels like water on my hand, and nothing too special. I much more prefer their serums better and night creams better.

Verdict? Not repurchasing.

The Biore UV Perfect Face Milk. Seriously my favorite sunscreen ever! I have gone through bottles and bottles of this. This inexpensive Japanese drugstore sunscreen is seriously the smoothest, most lightweight product ever! Every time I use it, i use it with ease and efficiency. It does not break me out, or cause any dryness or oiliness in any kind of weather. It stays put, and lasts a really long time. Texture is liquidy, smooth and soft. Probably full of 'cones but oh well. It's wonderful. I will always continue to repurchase this!

Kiehl's Smoothing, Nourishing Face Cream for Men. Now discontinued. I was visiting my parents this one weekend and realized I forgotten to bring night cream and LA is seriously dry and hot! I gifted this to my brother, who never actually opened it, so I took it and used it as a makeshift night cream and LOVED it. Despite its name, it's actually not just for men. It has so much shea butter and oils in it that we can all benefit from. My face felt softer the next day, so hydrated and healthy looking. I decided to take it back with me and now I use it over my facial oils to seal in that extra moisture. Really marvelous. Great cream! Too bad it's discontinued though. Will definitely look for something similar.

EO Lavender Body Oil. I seriously love body oils. Whether it's coconut oil, or this, I love it all. They're much more lighter despite the oil in its name, and they're more effective (i think). It seems to absorb more in my skin than butters and lotions. This highly soothing oil has lavender in it as its essential oil and it smells so divine after a hot shower. It just feels like heaven! Easily wearable, quick absorption and also very inexpensive for a huge bottle.

FOREVER repurchase.

Have you tried any of these products?

Viva Labs Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

I have been using this product since last November and it's one of the best things I've ever used on myself. Coconut oil has many great benefits for eating healthy but there's also really awesome benefits to use it externally on our skin and hair! I am raving about this particular one because it's USDA certified organic and also comes at an amazing price for the amount of coconut oil you get!

First of all, the texture is what you expect coconut oil to be. In cold temps, the oil is solidified (below 75 degrees) and is a straight solid fat. In higher temps (above 75), it becomes an oil.

Coconut oil has a lot of fatty acids that are good for skin. Lauric acid, which is a chain of fatty acids present in coconut oil are said to have antimicrobial properties and will actually ward away bacteria. I have used this coconut oil on my face (evenings) on days when my skin is irritated and zitty. Overnight it actually helps lessen the irritation and heal it. I think that's quite a feat that many skincare products have a hard time doing. Because the oil goes through the pores in our face, it's quite effective at moisturizing our skin and keeping it glowy and healthy.

The scent of this coconut oil is divine! It's so beautiful. Very coconut-y and warm.

I also use this coconut oil as a substitute for body lotion and also on the ends of my hair. I end up using this for pretty much everything. It's a great all in one multitasker. During my DIY phase, I also used this coconut oil to make lip balms! You can see the post here!

Price-wise, you can order it on Amazon for $12.95. I think it's a great deal for what it does and knowing that it's organic is a good way to know what you're putting on your face and body has no harmful pesticides.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti

An oldie but a goodie. 

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti is the perfect summer shade. The rich moisturizing balm and the tinted reddish coral is seriously a juicy rush of all things SUMMER! 

I have several shades from this collection (my other fave is Lollipop) and this one is by far my favorite. Not only is it wearable, it also doesn't have any shimmers so it glides on like a naturally sun kissed lippie. I absolutely adore it and it is a must in my handbag! Part of the reason I like this so much is that it stays ultra balmy and feels great on the lips. 

Natural lip

One swipe of Tutti Frutti

Being that it's a drugstore brand, it's affordable (BOGO deals!) and readily available online and off. I got mine at Target for less than $6.

What's your favorite summer color? :)