Thursday, March 29, 2012

What'd you get with your Sephora VIB?

I caved and got the Naked 2 palette. I've been holding out for awhile because I was convinced (or was I?) that the original Naked palette is enough. WHO AM I KIDDING?!?

It's gorgeous! I'm sure you've all read and seen enough reviews and swatches of it already. I know I have.



The shades are much more cooler than the original Naked, which I really love. I'm excited to start using it tomorrow! The double ended brush is nice and has a heavy feel to it. The packaging is loads better. The tin is much sturdier than the original palette, definitely an upgrade packaging-wise.

Foxy, Half Baked, Booty Call

Tease, Snakebite, Suspect

Pistol, Verve, YDK

Busted, Blackout

In comparison to the original Naked, this one has 5 new shades exclusive to this palette. The formula is the same as the UD Anniversary palette, with less fall out and more intense pigments. It is also the same formula in the Build Your Own Palette that's been buzzing on the interwebs lately. 

The price point is great -- $50 for 12 full sized shadows and a brush. Of all my palettes, I think the UD Naked ones give you the most bang for your buck, especially with the very wearable shades. Definitely a neutral lover's dream! I was able to get it for $46 with the 15% discount. Yes!

Thoughts on the Naked 2? What'd your get with your VIB discount?








Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Reviews Coming Soon

Hi all! Sorry for my lack of posts lately. I've been a little frazzled this past week. I'll be doing mini reviews for the Benefit Oxygen and the MUFE HD foundations very soon and some of my uses for the Benefit Benetint ;)

Alas, I leave you with my current love of the moment: Crabtree & Evelyn's Summer Hill body lotion that sits prettily in my office.


Stayed tuned - more later!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Lip Liners and the such

Hello everyone!

Lip liners. I used to think they were for people who outlined their lips to look artificial and trashy. That thought has since went out the door when I realized how versatile and important a lip liner is. Much like an eye liner, a lip liner is used to define the lips, give it color, give it a base or to intensify a lipstick.

I have a total collection of 3 lip liners that I've been regularly using for 2 months now. I'm very drawn to natural, nude and earthy colors. I haven't had the need to get bright lip liners (yet), and I'm sure once this post is made, there will be readers who'll enable me to pick up more ;).

Here are the 3 in my collection that I've been using on a frequent basis.

L-R: Sephora Nano Lipliner in Native Nude, Cheery Chestnut, and Aura Science lip pencil in Toasty Nude



Heavily swatched


For reference, this is my natural bare lips with nothing on. 
Sorry for my "beard", LOL I'll have to clean that up ASAP! * embarrassed* 

Sephora Nano Lip Liner in NATIVE NUDE, topped with a clear lipgloss.

Sephora Nano Lip Liner in CHEERY CHESTNUT, topped with a clear lipgloss.

Aura Science Lip Liner in TOASTY NUDE, topped off with a clear lipgloss.

So there it is! Simple definition for the lips. I can't believe I just discovered this technique o_o I really like it. It's easy and effective and I can really see a difference. 

What do you guys think of lip liners? Is it a must-have in your makeup arsenal? :) 



Monday, March 19, 2012

Who are your favorite beauty gurus?

I spent nearly all weekend (evening) watching tutorials and makeup videos from Lisa Eldridge. Ever since I posted my review for the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, many readers commented on how they were inspired to get the foundation because of Lisa Eldridge. Little did I know she's a renowned makeup artist for many celebrities. I did a quick google search on her and I have been hooked. How amazing is she?!


I love her personality, her views on making up and she is all around gorgeous! I read somewhere she is 42 years of age. I thought she was in her twenties!

My dear readers, who are your favorite gurus? Any recommendations? Do share! ^_^


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Recent Acquisitions

My never ending love for foundations has nudged me once again. I present to you the MUFE HD Foundation. I caved and bought it. I've used it twice already and I can already say that I love it. Stark contrast to the MUFE mat velvet one that i wasn't too fond of.




And for my rosy, lip stainy fixations... the Benefit Benetint lip and cheek stain.



Lazily swatched on a tissue. Does absolutely no justice to how pretty this tint really is. Smells amazing too!


And for the blusher and highlighter hoarder in me  all of us, the Hervana blush from Benefit.




I couldn't possibly say no to the zany swirls of colors. It's like 4 products in 1 box! 


What have you acquired lately...?





Saturday, March 10, 2012

Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! Brightening Foundation

Hello my dear friends :)

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I certainly can't complain. I spent Friday in good company and went to not one but two happy hours. In between that, there was a period of chatting and banana hot cocoas and off we went for more food.

I'm very excited to show you guys the new line of foundations from Benefit Cosmetics --

Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW with SPF 25 PA+++



I was really excited to be able to test them out since I'm a huge foundation junkie. This is an oil-free brightening foundation that features the use of SPF protection in the form of PA+++. Usually we don't see that type of rating in American cosmetics, but they've added that extra protection and that is a huge plus for me. To clarify, SPF is the protection grade for UVB filters, and PA is the protection grade for UVA filters. PA+++ is the highest level of protection in that form. 

This oil-free foundation is lightweight, buildable and has a watery texture. There are 9 shades to choose from, all of which have surprisingly good coverage. I thought the watery texture would immediately make it a very sheer formula but it's quite the opposite. 



Shade: Ivory

Some of the things I really like about this foundation is:
+ Coverage is great, gives a "glowy" look
+ Dewy, satin finish
+ Hydrating formula (watery texture)
+ The brightening effect is significant from the dewy finish
+ Lightweight and oil free
+ Contains sunscreen

Some of the things I didn't like are:
- Limited amount of shades (only 9)
- The formula sometimes enhances dry skin on me (dry patches)
- Can get a little oily after a few hours

Here are swatches from all 9 shades:
Ivory, Petal, Beige, Champange, Honey
Nutmeg, Amber, Hazelnut, Toasted Beige

Overall, I found that I really liked this foundation. I liked that it's breathable and has a wet texture. It feels moisturizing and nice on my skin without feeling heavy. The wet texture is similar to my MAC F&B foundation but with more color.


Friday, March 9, 2012

Thoughts on Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

About a month ago (Feb 7 to be exact), I started drinking apple cider vinegar on a daily basis for health improvements and cleansing. I've read about the benefits from several bloggers and I was really interested in trying it out for myself and reaping its benefits. Read on if you're interested in my experience!



This vinegar is a funny little thing. It's made from organic fermented apples (Santa Barbara), unfiltered, unpasteurized and unheated with 5% acidity.

How I had it everyday was right before breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would mix 1-2 teaspoons to a 12oz glass of water and I drank without adding any sweeteners. Taste-wise, it is very pungent and the smell is putrid! But since I diluted it with so much water, you will barely "feel" the burn of the vinegar but you will still taste it. The smell is less concentrated. I got use to it after awhile, especially drinking it 3x a day everyday for 1 month.

Below are some of my observations. And I also included a bit of my lifestyle so you can see how it relates to you.


My Lifestyle:
1. I have a 9-5 office job.
2. I go to the gym 4x a week (sometimes 3), and I run 2-2.5 miles on the treadmill, I do 50 pushups, 50 situps and some weight machines.
3. I eat out a lot on the weekends.
4. Snacking is my biggest vice! I've lessened it but it's a continuous.struggle. I have dinner before 6pm.
5. I eat pretty healthy on weekdays, but I more than make up for it on the weekends, lol. You live once!


My observations after 1 month of drinking Apple Cider Vinegar:
1. I noticed during my first week I felt less sluggish and more energized. I slept better, woke up more refreshed.
2. I also didn't feel as hungry - my metabolism improved for sure!
3. My skin also cleared up and I didn't need to use pimple creams
4. I was more "regular". My engines felt cleaner!
5. I lost some weight. This is probably due to my metabolism working harder and me having more energy to work out.

Now that I finished 1 month, I feel it is a great supplement for my sedentary day job. At first I was really skeptical about drinking vinegars because they seem so highly processed. But vinegar actually is a breakdown of other acids and it includes other minerals, vitamins, salts and amino acids that are good for you. I've read in numerous blogs that raw apple cider vinegar breaks down fats in your body so your body can use them as energy, removes toxins to promote regularity, and clear your skin from blemishes and improve your complexion.

All of those points sound really good... right? o_o I was skeptical too, but I did lots of research and found that it's an alternative medicine and based less on science and more on the "nature" of the vinegar, which used in conjunction with organic apples and undistilled raw vinegar, there are many benefits for your body. And it is not highly processed as I thought in the beginning. Regular white vinegar is highly processed but raw apple cider vinegar is not.

Overall, I felt that this drink really improved my health. The results are not overnight and you really have to go at it fiercely (drinking it everyday!) for nature can take its course, but I felt that little improvements in my health really made a big difference in my overall lifestyle. So in the course of 1 month, I drank two 16oz bottles but everyday we made it for two people so if it's for 1 person, I think 1 bottle a month should do it if you plan to use 1-2 teaspoons before each meal. I bought both my bottles at GNC health stores and at the time they had a buy 1 get one half off promotion, and it was around $4-5 dollars per bottle. I learned you can pick it up at supermarkets like Lucky's as well. On the Bragg online store, it's $3.49.

I know this is not for everyone and my trials were solely based on my experiences. I was in it for health reasons and that helped me a great deal to get over the smell of the vinegar and the sour, pungent taste of it.

Have you ever tried Apple Cider Vinegar or any long term health improving remedies? What are your thoughts?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Midweek Photos

My kitty, Bacon. She's majestic!

Everyone Agrees You are the Best. Hmm. 

I attended my very first Yelp Elite Event at Gordon Biersch. It was a soiree for the Cinequest Film Festival. Tons of free food and drinks =D Love! 

The start of my weekend in San Francisco
Market Street, Union Square

The start of my weekend in San Francisco. Can't go without Blue Bottle Coffee. It's the best!

Enjoying my Coffee 

My Steve Madden Satchel

Ended my weekend with Malaysian.

My little book for creativity.






Monday, March 5, 2012

2 Item Haul

My latest little haul --


Weleda Pomegrante Regenerating Body Oil 

I'm really excited to try this! The purpose of the oil is to use it in place of body lotion. It is all natural, with none of those 'cones. 

Weleda claims that this will renew and firm skin in 2 weeks' time. So far I've used it twice after a bath and I'm surprised at how quickly it absorbs. =D It's a small 3.4 oz bottle (glass). It was on sale at Target for $8.00, regular price is $26.00! 




Have you tried this before? 

And a nifty little polka dotty cup for my brushes from Daiso. It's ceramic and the best part... $1.50 :)




So that's my little haul. I've been trying not to hoard and doing a decent job so far ;)
I have other things I'll share at a later time.

Have a good night!









Saturday, March 3, 2012

Faves: Bobbi Brown!

I think in terms of everyday wear and versatility, I almost always gravitate toward Bobbi Brown products. Her minimalist approach of beauty is what's drawn me in - looking like yourself (and amazing) with a minimal amount of products that enhances your features.

What I like most about her makeup is the quality of the products and the simplistic (and sleek!) style of the packaging. It also helps that this brand has been in the market for over 20 years.

It starts with the basics! One of my favorite foundations is the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. I like everything about it, from the texture to the finish. It's lightweight and contains enough moisture not to dry out my skin. I also like that there's a multitude of shades.



You can read my original reviews here and here. =)

And eyeshadows! I absolutely love Bobbi Brown eyeshadows. If I could, I'd collect each and every palette ever made. I feel she's got the neutral shades just right. The browns look flattering, and the colors always coordinate perfectly. For a minimalist like myself, I need eyeshadows to be coordinated for me.

Some of my favorites:



See my review here :)


Bobbi Brown Downtown Palette

Original review here :)

FOTD here :) - A year ago!

I have a modest collection and I'm a huge sucker for her limited edition holiday palettes. HUGE! :)

Chrome Palette - Holiday 2009

Top row: White, Polar Ice, Storm Cloud, Iron, Thunder
Bottom row: Moonlight, Cyber Grey, Foil, Chrome, Charcoal


I love everything about this palette! Ever since I read Temptalia's swatches and descriptions of it, I knew i had to have it. The eyeshadows are smooth and blendable, the lip colors are glossy and nourishing. The packaging is perfect for travel and included is a large foldable mirror! What's not to love, seriously? :)

Orchid Palette - 2010



Source: Temptalia

I love that the lipsticks (pot rouges) double as cream blushes. They're fantastic!

Earth Metal Palette - 2010



Source: Temptalia

Temptalia has much better swatches and photos than I do. Even though she wasn't crazy about these two palettes, I loved everything about them. 

Overall I am smitten with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. I love the basics, the eyeshadows, lip glosses, pot rouges and holiday palettes. I do apologize in advance for my not so wonderful pictures and the not so relevant post as the palettes are now discontinued but I just thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorites, =p 
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What is your absolute go-to brand? Do you have one or many?