Monday, December 28, 2015

Guerlain Maxilash Intense Volumizing Mascara Review






This mascara is amazing to say the least. 

The very black Guerlain mascara has enough pigment to thicken the lashes. The brush makes my lashes look voluminous and separated. I am in love.


The scent of the mascara is also really pretty. It has a nice light scent of roses! 



This mascara is also really conditioning and does not make my lashes feel dry or brittle. Also really easy to remove, which is a plus. Easy removal + really incredible volume = perfect mascara. 
This is the first time I've tried any Guerlain mascaras and I'm really impressed. 
What I like about it is that the formula is lightweight and doesn't weigh the lashes yet pigmented enough to give a vibrant bright black. Usually those 2 qualities are never hand in hand. It's one or the other. 

This gorgeous mascara is on the pricier side and I have yet to find a drugstore variety. The closest one would be the Loreal telescopic mascara which is slightly heavier but has a similar brush head.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Favorite Things of The Moment


Some of my favorite things of the moment happen to be the simplest. Beside the hot cocoa, the festive lights and holiday candles, these are also wonderful.

The Glam Glow Hydrating Cleanser is so super nice. I am dealing with dry skin and this is the perfect luxurious cleanser that works so nicely. It's so refreshing and even with the exfoliating beads it still is hydrating and creamy. Definitely will consider purchasing the full size.

The Sephora  Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover is amazing. It's just like their more expensive counterparts and works just like it if not completely identical. A cotton round has removed stubborn JAPANESE waterproof mascara perfectly, which I love. It's easy and gentle, and not too oily.

Because I wear heels a lot, the Dr Scholls Balls of Foot cushions are a godsend! These things are squishy and comfortable, compact in size and provides enough support for hours. 


I've been loving this Ciate London polish in Mistress. The most alluring true red, and the perfect seasonal color for a bright pop of red and coral. The formula is so amazing - dries quickly, very opaque, creamy and this is just one coat on my nails. Absolutely gorgeous!



The most practical and useful thing in my vanity is the Q-Tips Precision Tip Cotton Swabs. I don't think there is anything else more awesome. These q-tips have the extra point in the swab that helps with everything! I use these for cleaning up mistakes when I get mascara marks on my eyelids, erasing nail color mistakes that get outside of my nails, precision defining my lips for the perfect red lip, touching up eyeshadow fallout and so much more. I love the little box it comes in so you can use it for traveling. Keeps it all nice and tidy. #organizationalperfectionprobz 



My NEW favorite mascara. I'll do a proper review of this in the next post...stay tuned for that :)
The Nars Audacious Mascara is really really amazing. It adds lift and volume to my short lashes. The wand really helps amplify the lashes but the only downfall is the hard plastic bristles which can be painful if you poke your eye! Other than that, it is really effective, and I must say I am surprised because this is HARD to find. The only other high end mascara that's given me similar results is the Lancome Hynose line.



The Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Balm is the newest lippie I have in my collection. This balm/pencil combo works amazing as a nude lip filler on bare lips. This is in the shade Heaping Hazelnut. It defines the lips beautifully and has a nice creamy feel to it. Doesn't dry out my lips and keeps it very natural looking with a subtle sheen. I would love to try other shades such as Super Strawberry. Not surprised it made it into 2015 Best of Allure :)


What are your favorite things of the moment? :)

What Did You Buy With Your Sephora VIB Giftcard?




I was on the fence about this one because I made three prior orders from Sephora (LOL...bad planning on my part). So my fourth and final order of the year, I wasn't sure what I actually wanted. Until I did. It's back to basics with a new foundation and some concealers.

I'm actually quite excited to try this foundation because Clinique is one of my trusted brands when it comes to skincare. This foundation doubles as a concealer and comes in a ginormous concealer packaging, which is a first I've seen. I like wands a lot, and I think it definitely helps with convenience and precision. We shall see.




I've only heard great things about the Tarte concealer. It's supposed to be non-creasing! Super excited to try it! 




I also added this to my cart because a lot of people said it is comparable to the Nars concealer. I've tried the Nars concealer, and many others like it, so we'll see how the Sephora one lives up.


Have you tried any of these? :) 





Sunday, December 6, 2015

Urban Decay Naked Smokey


My recent acquisition of the Naked Smokey palette from Urban Decay. 
Just wanted to post some lusty photos!


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Birthday Haul Pt 2


This is my second Sephora order - this time with the F&F discount. I just repurchased the Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser. A few years ago, I got a sample from Sephora when this brand was new. I fell in love with their Purity Made Simple line. After trying so many cleansers, this is still my favorite one of them all. It has a nice lavender scent, and it cleanses without stripping the moisture from my skin. I'm eager to try the cleansing oil and the deep clean mask! 

I'm excited to try this one because it is a lot less expensive than the Lancome and Clinique varieties! I'll be putting it to the test with my waterproof mascaras. Yay!

I also purchased the Best of Clinique set. This set contains some of their most popular items.

- 1.7 oz Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief 
- 1 oz Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 
- 1 oz Moisture Surge Overnight Mask 
- 1 oz Foaming Sonic Facial Soap 
- 0.21 oz All About Eyes 
- 0.04 oz Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry

 My favorite item is the Moisture Surge Extended Cream Gel . This is honestly an HG item that everyone needs to have. It is unscented and provides a really nice hydrating layer on the skin. My skin completely absorbs it by morning and it's just beautiful! I truly love this. A repurchase well made. I'm also excited to try other items in the set like the overnight moisture surge mask, and the chubby stick! YESSS.

Mostly my purchases here are re-purchases. I'm back into skincare, and trying out nice products for the skin. I didn't buy any new makeup this year besides the Naked Smokey palette and a few lip products here and there. Truly, the best makeup is healthy skin :)


In other purchases, since I came home to visit my family on Thanksgiving, I decided to make the splurge and get a new camera. Soon, you'll be seeing my photos taken with a better camera!
After much internal debate and scouring the web for reviews, Youtube videos and opinions from friends, I decided to get the Samsung NX500 . I won't go into too much details with the specs but it's a very nice well-rounded camera for bloggers and vloggers and amateur photographers. What sold me is its compactness, the powerful ACS-C sensor and the visual aesthetics. Who doesn't love a retro looking camera with modern upgraded technology?! :) Great for bloggers and vloggers because of the flip up screen, and smart phone remote viewfinder. 

The lenses are interchangeable, it's got a flip up screen for selfies, fully immersed touchscreen technology, and 28MP with 4K video recording and WIFI. What really sold me is the fully immersed touchscreen because similar cameras from other brands like Canon and Sony have very limited touch mode, and it doesn't feel as intuitive. This one feels very nice and the touch commands are liquid smooth. It uses the same technology as their smart phones, which I think is a major plus! 

I tested out a few cameras before choosing this one - i had the Sony A5100 and A6000 as well as the Canon G7X. The Canon G7X is a gorgeous camera but it is a digital camera. The NX500 has interchangeable lenses so in the future if I do decide to buy extra lenses, it would be more catered for that. Also, i read a lot of comparisons and this one seems to be the most comprehensive: Canon G7X vs NX500

The Sony A-series were nice as well, and probably the most similar to the NX500. What I didn't like is that the A6000 is not touchscreen at all, and has only a 90 degree flip screen. The A5100 has very limited touchscreen which I didn't like. So the choice ended up being very clear. I was looking for camera in the $500-$600 range that is portable and not bulky. I can't wait to use this on vacation!


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Simple FOTD Using Gym Friendly Essentials


Packing light is key when going to the gym during the day and getting ready afterwards, especially in terms of bringing makeup. Leave your large palettes at home and instead take small eye shadow quads that have a mirror. Take cosmetics that have lightweight packaging, and are also multifunctional

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Birthday Haul Part I



This year for my birthday I kept it a bit low key and didn't buy as much. My birthday gift to myself was a trip to New Orleans and that experience was incredible! But of course, I had to get some stuff from Sephora. To start, I got myself the Naked Smokey palette. I collect ALL of the UD Naked palettes, but this one in particular is different from everything they've put out because it's got a much bigger variety of smokey dark colors, which is a big contrast to their neutral ones. All of which I love though. Their eyeshadows are my go-to, no matter what event. I don't own other palettes (with the except the of the Too Faced Chocolate, because...CHOCOLATE). That was an easy pick for me. Unfortunately, I didn't use the F&F 20% Off. I got that email 2 days later after I purchased this so of course I made another order. 3 in total. That to come later ;)


I also got a bunch of Dirty Works creams. If you're big into Soap & Glory, these have IDENTICAL scents. I got these at TJ Maxx. I could have DIED. My favorite scent ever! EVER. I love the way the cream feels, and smells. It's a beautiful mix of sweet florals. I don't know how else to describe it, but it truly is beautiful :)

I also had to replenish my contact lens. These were not a gift to myself, haha. These are a must. I have been using BioInfinity lenses for more than 10 years. They're really great, and have the highest water content of any contact lenses i've ever tried. These are monthly disposables, which I love!

I also picked up a pair of Sperry loafers. I love Sperry and the look of boat shoes. These are the ones lined with fur inside to keep my feet warm. They look great casual, and are perfect for fridays at the office. They're just super comfortable. I am usually not a black shoes type of person but I kind of like this one. I own another pair of Sperry's in a more traditional shoe - it's the blue nautical colors with the leather shoelaces.

With my Naked Smokey purchase, I also got a bunch of samples from Sephora. 
- Glam Glow mini - YESSS. I love.
- Sephora oil infusion lippie - this is great. Such a nice shade!
- Lancome mascara - my absolute favorite high end mascara.
- UD face setting spray - not sure i'll be using this but I'll try it for the holidays!
- Jack Black lip balm - I love this stuff! Minty and with SPF 25!
- Nars Audacious Mascara - Been wanting to try this SO. BAD.
- Nars Lip Pencils - for the VIB bday gift. I have loved Nars pencils in the past! yay!


I also got a Chloe perfume. I love this scent. My usual is the Coco Mademoiselle but to switch it up I got this as well. So feminine and girly...I love! :D



Stay tuned for my next haul - coming from Sephora, this time using the 20% F&F. 

Have a fantastic weekend, friends! :)


Friday, November 20, 2015

Take Me Home to New Orleans

If you've been following me on Instagram, you'll know I took a few days to visit the beautiful city of New Orleans! I did a lot of prior research to maximize my time in Nola and I'm so glad I did. The city is absolutely fantastic - beautiful culture, beautiful scenery and every corner of the state has rich history that spans back hundreds of years. 

We started our morning off flying into Nola from California - it was a four 4 or so hours. The moment we landed, i saw that it was raining. SAD. I knew it already but it never really hits you until you're there ;) When we exited to get our rental car, I felt a surge of humidity that is not comfortable. It was hot and humid. Not the best of feelings but we got on. Rented a comfortable car and drove to our destination. We rented a 3 bedroom house in a really nice neighborhood near the French Quarters using AirBnb. I've used Airbnb for years and that San Francisco based company is ON PAR. Fantastic experience every time. I've never been disappointed in all the years I've used them!

Friday, November 6, 2015

Battle of the Oils: Josie Maran, Algenist, Ole Henriksen, Tarte Maracuja Oil


If you guys read my blog regularly, you'll know that I am a huge fan of rich creams, oils and serum treatments for a nighttime routine. Our bodies repair itself at its height during our sleep cycle, and I truly believe that's when quality skincare works its magic on us. 

That's why I have an obsessions with oils. So much so that I buy loads of them at once. Pictured above are 4 oils that are currently on rotation right now. They're all about 90% empty. Not pictured is my favorite marula oil, which is also in rotation as well.

I liked this oil, but didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I have many argan oils I've purchased in the past and was reluctant to try this one because it's pricey for what it is. I get the cold pressed, organic 100% Argan oil from health stores and it's a much better value than this one. Aside from the price, this didn't absorb into skin - it just sat on top and didn't feel very light, despite its name. 

I also wanted to LOVE this product but unfortunately it was anything but. The scent is way too overwhelming and not one bit soothing. It has a very sharp citrus scent that lingers for hours. I felt that the oil quality was actually quite good, and it absorbed into my skin fairly quickly, but it is very oily... not smooth like other oils. Another thing I didn't like about this is the bright orange color. A good thing about this product is that I noticed less redness in the mornings, probably because of the potent vitamin C in it, and possibly omega oils. I actually wouldn't mind adding a drop or so of this oil to a moisturizer to see if it's any better.

Of the bunch, I have to say this oil is is one of my favorites. It really absorbs super quick, and has helped with my acne a lot. Whenever my skin felt like it was going to wreak havoc, I apply this on at night and it calms my skin down. I don't know why that is, but it just works incredibly! This definitely has a healing property to it. It's even lightened some of the blemish marks on my face.
In conjunction with a light moisturizer, adding this on top has been a staple for me the past few months. 

This oil is really unique because it is advertised as an "anti-aging" oil which is really interesting. This is actually my favorite of the bunch because it is extremely lightweight but also powerful. It moisturizes really well and has a nice subtle scent. I only apply a bit of it onto my skin when I'm on a flight and it's given my skin a glow. I think this oil really helps combat tired stressed skin and repairs it well. Perfect "reset" oil for tired skin. The only thing is that this product is extremely expensive, at nearly $80 for 1 ounce. OUCH!


What are your favorite OILS? :)



Tuesday, November 3, 2015

"Be Someone Who Makes Everyone Feel Like a Somebody"


Happy November, peeps! :) Sweater weather is in full swing.

Over the past year, I have been on a journey to positivity. I tend to think the glass is half full in most instances but because i wanted to make a change in my outlook, I decided to make a lifestyle change to be more happy. Which is why I started traveling more, seeing the sights and sounds and engulfing myself in experiences as substance. I think it's definitely made it a much easier journey, and identifiably more enjoyable. My wallet, though, is not the happiest haha But that's to be expected.

Some of the things I've been doing outside of work and blogging is enjoying staycations and visiting family and learning. Learning about anything and everything - from reading books to having conversations over coffee. Being immersed in finding solace and peace through small towns and big cities. There is a piece of the old world sense in every place I've visited and i find it excruciatingly charming and something I want to hold onto dearly. 


Source - Pinterest

We journey through life in a series of ups and downs, goals and projects. Do we ever really just sit for a moment and observe ourselves? We probably don't. More often than not, I don't. Once I fall victim to failure, I become disappointed in myself, not because I failed but because I have so many excuses to blame regret. And throughout my journey, i've learned that regrets are bad. Regrets are what makes us question our decisions, hesitate, and not succeed. A culminating negative experience. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason so regrets or not, things will fall into place by way of attraction (the Law of Attraction). Which is why thinking positive and being accountable has helped in my life. I also think it's with age and experience but mostly it's outlook. 
Life is too short to dwell on small things.

Experiences are fleeting but memories last forever. I've come to abide this self imposed mantra in my life and have been so much happier because of it. It is a continuous journey of self improvement and learning and I am not perfect. I am student of life, gravitating toward meaning that makes me whole and happy. Like experiences, happiness is also fleeting, and it's a continuous endeavor to chase. Because will we ever be truly happy? Is true happiness attainable? Probably not. We experience happiness, fleeting or otherwise, but to go after it is a lifestyle in itself. The best kind.

I hope to transform this blog into a travel blog someday, interlaced with beauty and skincare but with a hearty well-roundedness of world and culture. Of life and experiences and memories.






Monday, October 26, 2015

Weleda Skin Food Creme


Weleda is one of those brands whom I trust with skincare - everything from their lavender hair oil to moisturizers. I've been using them for years and years, and especially love that their range of products that are well-priced and affordable. They have everything from simple lip conditioners to hand creams to cleaners, but my absolute favorite is their intensive treatment line which includes facial oils, body creams, etc.

In this post, I really want to talk about their Skin Food creme which is just a super rich cream that has  unique ingredients to deeply nourish your skin. I purchased this cream because my hands are prone to eczema in the cold, despite seasonal changes. My hands get red itchy spots on them and gets worse with hand washing and dry air. I started using this cream because of the rich oils and fatty acids in it to protect my skin and lock in moisture but also because rosemary is an ingredient that is anti-septic and soothes inflammation.  


The scent of it is citrusy with hints of lavender and rosemary. If you're okay with earthy scents, this one will be a no-brainer. I really prefer these scents to artificial ones so I'm love it. The scent also has a really nice calming effect on my mind so it's very soothing and nice. I am also using a Retin-A on my face and any retinoids are extremely drying on skin so a bit of this on the skin really helps as well. Another thing to note is that one of the key ingredients in here is pansy extract, which is a type of healing flower, and has been used to treat eczema as well as acne. 

I do like this creme a lot, and will repurchase in the future. In short, you only need a little and it goes a long way. I like the fact that it's natural, and has no harsh ingredients. It softens your skin so much, including open cuticles. Looks like it is a multitasking product that works for various skin conditions.

What I don't like about this is the packaging. While it's so cute and dainty, the sides rip open when you're almost done. It could be just me and i'm not squeezing it out properly upon using it but toward the end, i was catching the cream in all sorts of directions, hahaha :p 

Have you tried Weleda products? What is your favorite all natural brand?



Friday, October 23, 2015

Be in Peace, Not in Pieces


Happy Friday!

Every day we should find one moment to relax, as we often forget to breathe in the midst of our busy lives, smart phones and traffic jams. There is never a shortage of everyday stressors.

I started doing yoga 3x a week during lunch hour and it really helps me center myself and recalibrate. It breaks my day down, and also i feel so much positive fluttering energy by the time I get back to the office. I didn't realize, but I had been holding a lot of stress in my body and not even realizing it. 

On Tues and Thurs, I started incorporating spin classes with some of my coworkers and it's been super fun! We have an instructor who plays concert raging music and I think i've gone down a dress size from spinning alone. Once back in the office, I feel great and more productive than ever. I'm also grateful to have an full service on-site gym at my work campus so that I'm able to exercise and regenerate with fun classes and great instructors.

What about you? How do you deal with stresses? 





Friday, October 16, 2015

Review: Glasses Shop Spectacles


Happy Friday lovelies! 

My favorite time of the week and getting ready to cozy up this weekend and clean the house.


Accessories a big part of day to day, especially for us women. We use jewelry to enhance our outfits, hair bands to make a statement, scarves and gloves to keep warm. And glasses? We use it both to convey a certain look and to see. 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation: Reviews, swatches and before/after!


A little while ago I reviewed the Dior Nude Air Serum Foundation on the blog and I gave it rave reviews because of its weightless feel and watery texture. Simultaneously I've been using the Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation to compare since they are both in the same league of high end foundations.  While I like the Nude Air one, the fragrance is a bit too strong for my liking and I much prefer the Maestro foundation for a variety of reasons, including texture and length of wear.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Makeup Forever Brow Gel & Other Buys


Hi lovelies! Happy Wednesday! 

Last week, I was invited to a Makeup Forever event and was beyond thrilled! 
I love the brand, and i love their products, especially their skin & body foundation. I realized i haven't properly reviewed that so I will do so in the next few posts. 

What I was intrigued about was their much loved and cult favorite, Aqua Brow brow gel. It stood out to me the entire night, and i was really excited to play around with the shades (they have so many!) and test out the formula. 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Review: Simple Micellar Water


When my skin went crazy a few months back, I started to question my cleansing routine which wasn't robust but did the job. I was introduced to Micellar water a few weeks ago and I haven't looked back since. I have been using this water non-stop morning and night and I THINK it's helped my skin. 

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Filmed my first YouTube video! O_O

Hey lovelies! As the title suggests, I filmed my first Youtube video!!! I know I sound and look awkward but I did it as a challenge for myself to overcome camera shyness, and to build confidence :)
I hope it is watchable. Can you guys give me pointers or suggestions like how do you not say UMS and AHS in the transition? 







Monday, September 21, 2015

Vampy Lip Colors featuring MAC Media and Dark Side



With Fall being on the horizon, and the glorious bordeaux's and beautiful wine colors starting to pop up in stores, there's pertinent excitement to soon be had with wearing plums and burgundies and gorgeous deep sultry reds. I know I am beyond excited!


Friday, September 18, 2015

Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara


One of the most loved high end mascaras on the market, how does this actually compare to other high end brands and drugstore brands?

Sunday, September 13, 2015

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. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Goals for September



Having come back from Vegas just a day ago, it is really hard to get back into the grind of things. Thus, goals.

1. Organize my closet, dressers, shelves. I've got a ton of potential space that I could utilize if I just get rid of stuff I haven't worn. I'm looking at you, strapless corset dress.

2. Makeup purging. enough said.

3. Gym time. I'm lucky enough to go to the gym before or after work without having to drive there bc it is right there, centrally located in the work campus. I'm hoping to take more yoga classes. Maybe a Zumba lesson here and there.

4. Travel frequently. Plan in advance. One of my most desirable things to do on weekends is to staycation. I love taking day trips, or packing an overnight bag to stay somewhere 2 hours away. 

5. Work hard, play hard. Life is too short to not enjoy the little things around you. I am so fortunate that I have a job where they care about work/life balance. I will try to pace things out and work efficiently without overwhelming myself. Set work goals weekly! 

Friday, September 4, 2015

Cleansing Lotion and Cleansing Oil: back to basics

This summer I have been using different kinds of facial cleansing oils to counteract...OIL. It sounds contradicting, doesn't it? It is actually quite nice, because the oils melt away any sebum on your skin and keeps it looking hydrated and youthful.



I had a few bad months of crazy skin, and the one thing that really helped my skin was going back to basics. I stopped using my Shiseido Future Solution Cleansing Foam because i suspect that it actually made things worse for my skin because of the richness of the wash. 

A good friend of mine gifted me with a facial cleansing lotion from the Face Shop, a Korean skincare retailer that sells affordable Korean skincare. I'm wondering if they sell a lot of Korean drugstore They are popping up all over in several cities I've been in and in malls as well.


Saturday, August 15, 2015

Skin Update: La Roche Posay Effaclar Review



A couple months back I started getting cystic acne around my jaw. I thought it was due to hormones but it kept getting progressively worse. I figured I'd let it do its thing and wait for it to go away naturally while i spot concealed them. It didn't get better. In fact, it was pretty painful and my face got really rough and dull looking. I had bumps and lumps everywhere. After washing my face, they would become inflamed and red, I had to conceal them pretty desperately during work and even that made me self conscious. At the end of a day, a lot of the cysts looked bigger and white heads were sporadically popping up everywhere. I also had some scarring on my jaw area from popping the zits. Within the span of 2 months, I went from a clear face to that. I thought it might be my hormones (and it could well be) but it wasn't getting better even after the time of the month.
Eventually, about a week or so back, i purchased the 3 step acne kit from La Roche Posay's Effaclar line after reading much positive reviews.

To start, I've never had sensitive skin so I wasn't too concerned with what treatments to use. 

Here was my face before.


Sunday, July 19, 2015

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.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

July

Happy July!

We're in the midst of summer and there's nothing better than watermelons and mangos and sunshine and endless adventures.

I recently acquired a bag that I'm absolutely in love with. It's the Sak Miranda cross body. So light and versatile, it holds a lot of things and has a unique box shape that I rarely see in bags. 

Not only is it lightweight and buttery soft, it also has the cutest details and the most gorgeous color. :)

Sunday, June 28, 2015

May and June in Photos


Hi lovelies! I hope you've all been well. I apologize for my lack of blogging as of late. I've been so caught up with the daily workings of life and career that I barely find time to do anything. Makeup is still a big love for me but unfortunately not a super high priority. I don't do as much hauls anymore bc I've realized that I've got everything I want ;) I'm using my Lorac palettes over and over and started becoming obsessed with brow powder. Maybe it's the summer heat but I'm getting into highlighters again. Will share a bunch soon! In the meantime, photos :)

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Review: Diorskin Nude Air Serum

hellllloooooo beautifuls. 
I know I blogged in close to 2 months! RL got in the way and i've been busier than ever at work but I feel this emptiness if I don't blog because I am continuously trying new products and not getting to properly talk about them. 

One of those "new" things I tried is actually something that came out a long while ago. As in, not new. I got obsessed with serum foundations after testing it out at Sephora one day. Since my obsession a few months back, I have acquired the Dior Serum foundation and the Georgio Armani. GA review to come later.



The Dior Nude Air foundation is extremely weightless, very watery and dries to a powder texture. When I first tried it, I really love the coverage. Dior claims that it is sheer coverage but I thought it was more closer to a medium coverage because it's extremely pigmented for a lightweight foundation. The powder finish gave my skin a non-greasy set. 
 Longevity-wise, it lasts a good 6 hours or so. My skin started looking greasier at the end of the day but it wasn't overly terrible. 



See the powdery finish? Sometimes when my skin is feeling dry, the powder finish isn't actually ideal because it'll expose all the dry bits and bobs but it doesn't bother me much. It also sets really quickly so once you have the foundation layered on, you must work quickly otherwise the foundation will be harder to budge. 

Here are some before/after photos: 

Bare skin. I haven't been having good skin lately. Been dealing with cystic acne as of late -_- 

Dabbed on...now to get to work before it sets!

First layer on

2nd layer on.

Some lipstick - I'm using NYX's soft matte lip cream in Amsterdam.


Changed and on with the day! I just lined my upper eyelids with my Dollywink eyeliner ;)
No mascara, and no concealer needed. The Dior foundation actually covers really well after the 2nd layer.

The applicator is in a dropper bottle (which I LOVE) and I find it to be so cute. I feel as if it's less waste to the pump but I think it's made in a dropper because the foundation has serum in it and will be more runny than your traditional base makeup. 

I have not edited or retouched any of the photos you see here. I actually got a new laptop and haven't had a chance to install the photo editors yet. I apologize if these photos are crap...they're all taken from my phone.

I really like the Dior Nude Air Serum. I would recommend this foundation to anyone who has oiler skin because it dries to a matte powder finish. It also has a strong perfumed scent so it may bother folks who have a sensitivity to it. But if you are familiar with Dior, it's just like all their foundation products. 


















Saturday, April 4, 2015

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!