Haul Time :)

I couldn't resist buying a few items from MAC last week during their 25% off event. My only regret: why didn't I order more stuff?! haha!!
Besides MAC goodies, I also picked up a few items from my beloved adambeauty.com. They had sent me a sample of the Primavista Bright Up Base last order, and I fell in love with it! (will do a full review coming up!)

Here's what I got:

MAC:
- Vanilla pigment ( my first pigment; has a gold sheen which I'm trying to get used to?)
- Lipsticks: Snob (pastel pink with blue undertone; very bright!)
Angel (light pink; satin)
Creme Cup (yet another light pink; great for everyday natural lips)
- Pro Eyeshadow Palette [15] (my first! yay! It's a lot smaller than I had imagined!!lol)
- Duo Adhesive (my first; I had used a cheap version, and after waxing off 3 eyelashes on each eye, decided it was time for one)
- Studio Sculpt Concealer in NW15 (totally loving this...it's waterproof and very opaque! Much better than their Studio Finish concealer)

Adambeauty.com:
- Primavista Bright Up Base
- Lavshuca Eye Color Select in PU-2 (the much raved about quad...according to my favorite YouTuber Chefcaffy. And I really like it!!)
- Rohto Lycee Eyedrops for Contacts (heard they're good...)

Massive Mascara Review!!!

Here are a few of the mascaras I've tried out in the past year or so (...ok some have been laying around for longer than that, and let's just say they don't smell so pleasant anymore)

I hope this helps you decide which mascara you might want to try next. These mini reviews on each mascara go from left to right, in accordance to the above image.

1. Estee Lauder: Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara

This is a sample version that I received from some gift set. I would have to say it is a excellent mascara for separating lashes and lengthening them. This is definitely in my 'top 3 mascaras ever' list. I love the natural look it also gives. I've been meaning to pick up the real thing, but the $30 is putting me off a bit :(

2. Majolica Majorca: Lash Enamel Glamour NEO Mascara

















(As stated on a previous review)

I brought this since I wanted to try something new, other than the usual Dior Show [which I always use]. Needless to say, the brush is like a comb, and sometimes it does clump my lashes, so I usually end up going over it with my lash/brow comb [which is time consuming. The mascara is waterproof, which makes it a little harder to take off, thus I spend more time on removing it with my Shu Uemura cleansing oil.

Overall, I will probably not repurchase this, since I did not like the effect it gave my lashes. They were longer, but the look was more natural, but I prefer more of a dramatic look [as I get with my Dior Show mascara].

3. Lancome: Flex WP

**just found out this item is discontinued!**

















Well, this mascara is waterproof. It gave a really glossy look to my lashes. And it gave a nice lengthening effect. I feel weird reviewing it now, since I just found out its been discontinued!! I didn't love this mascara, but I didn't hate it either. It was just OK for me.

RIP Flex WP :(

4. Dior: Diorshow Unlimited

















Wow, this mascara really sucked! I wanted to try it than the usual Diorshow mascara which I always get from Dior. Dumb dumb idea...this mascara clumps a ton. The look is very unnatural and messy. Horrible formulation.

5. L'Oreal: Voluminous

















I think that this mascara is very over-hyped. It smears and smudges a lot on me. Does not exaggerate my lashes all that much. It does, however, give my lashes a lot more volume, but no lengthening at all. It's OK in my book. No strange smell either.

6. Maybelline: Colossal Volum' Express

















Wow, just wow. The smell this mascara gives off is unbearable!!!!!!! It stinks like old roses dipped in gasoline! The effect this gave my lashes was nothing incredible; a bit more fuller and longer. Yet, even after having this on for 30 minutes, the smell was still there, and I could smell it throughout the day for several hours. It's so bad, when I got my mom to take a sniff of this tube, she screamed. Yes, it's that bad.
Apparently, this is suppose to be the drugstore version of Diorshow mascara? I think not...it does not do what Diorshow does. Even if it did, I still would not buy it due to the cheap scent.

7. Christian Dior: Diorshow Mascara

















(As stated on a previous review)

Being a mascara addict myself, I have tried NEARLY every mascara on the market right now. I am always on the lookout for the best thing out there. And I've been using this mascara since it first came out, several years ago. So, has any mascara beaten Diorshow?

Quiet simply put: no.

This is also in my 'top 3 mascaras ever' list :)

8. Rimmel: Glam' Eyes Mascara

































I LOVE THIS MASCARA!!!! Oh my God...thank you MichellePhan once again!! haha.

Seriously, I just got this mascara the other day, and I've been using it everyday with no problems!! It has 2 different sided combs. One side lengthens, and the other separates. The formulation doesn't irritate my eyes, it doesn't smudge, flake or weigh down my eyelashes. This is seriously the best drugstore mascara I have ever tried. I might just live off this forever and be happy with it. Seriously, I love it. At only $10, who can complain?! Excellent formulation, amazing bristles. 10/10!!!

9. Maybelline: Lash Stylist

















This mascara does a great job at separating and lengthening lashes. It makes your lashes look fake, which in my mind, is a good thing :)
But taking it off is another story. Even with cleansing oil, it takes a while to take all of it off. It is, however, a bit drying on my lashes and does irritate them if i rub my eyes. I won't be buying it in the future though.

10. Yves St.Laurent: Volume Effet Faux Cils

















Ok, so I did not like this a whole lot before. The reason, which I figured out recently, is because you have to clean the wand regularly!! (it even came with instructions stating this, which i chucked away...).
The smell is sooooo nice, like fresh roses (unlike the Maybelline Colossal Mascara...). This mascara does volumize my lashes really well, and gives a fake-lash effect, which I love! I tend to use this only during the nightime, if I'm going out (its a bit too much for daytime wear, i think). At $40, this is the most expensive mascara I've ever bought. It does work like a miracle. But will I buy another one? I'd love to, but not in this economy :)

11. Maybelline: Full N' Soft

















This made my lashes full. And incredibly soft. Did not irritate my eyes, and it gives a natural look, in my opinion. I personally like my lashes to look amazingly long and thick (they already are quiet long- I just like to exaggerate things hehe). A great drugstore mascara!

12. Guerlain: Limited Edition Fairy Mascara

















I often wonder what I was thinking when I bought this glittery mascara. Then I remind myself that I was 15 or so years old. A waste of money, but it's fun, I'm not going to lie. It makes my eyelashes look like a disco ball. Great for the winter holidays!!! Haha. Or Halloween...

13. Cover Girl- Lash Blast Mascara (Waterproof)

















I think that if I got this mascara in the normal, non-waterproof formulation, it wouldn't be so hard to remove. Maybe I will next time.
This mascara is good for separating, and especially volumizing my lashes. It's great for everyday, but don't expect anything amazing from it. The formulation is OK, but this version does irritate my eyes. And it smudges as well. The brush itself, however, is really easy to use.

Too Pale?

*edit: the last image I used was kinda depressing. So, here's a pic of me attacking my friend. :)


I've only in the recent years have embraced my 'paleness', even though I get comments like "get a tan!" or "you need some color, hun" regularly. Now, naturally I've always been pale. Not in a sickly looking way, but I am just pale in general. My relative yesterday stated "your skin is so white...like snow...". Although she said white skin is prettier than tanned, damaged skin, it's too bad not everyone looks at it that way in today's society.

Normally, I have no problem defending my natural complextion, but sometimes, I, too, get lured into products that help give you a "natural tan" without the harmful effects of the sun. Sounds good enough for me, I suppose (I've been praising SPF since I really got into skincare, back almost 9 years ago). I used to have really blotchy skin, due to not wearing sunscreen ever, prior to turning 14. But that has cleared up thanks to using SPF and other things. So, these items, most commonly bronzers, usually look so unatural on me, since I am so fair, and it just looks like either: A. I chose the wrong foundation shade or B. I forgot to add SPF on certain parts of my face. Nicely put, they look hideous on me, and very UNnatural.

So, this is what happened to me today. I got lured at the local Guerlain counter today. The lady stopped me, and insisted I try one of their new bronzers. And before I could even answer to that, she grabbed her big fluffy (and scratchy) brush, dipped it into the sample, and attached my face and neck with it (ok, that's putting it a bit too harsh, but you get the idea!). I've also known this saleswoman for years, and so, I trusted her (i think?).

Anyways, she tried it on, I looked into the mirror, and I had a little color on my skin. Didn't look too bad. My mom even tried it on. The packaging, I must say, was pretty nice. I do admit I am easily fooled by fancy packagings (even thought I am a Graphic Designer, and should know better!).

77 dollars later, I am now in my car. As I examined my face in natural sunlight, I was in shock to see it turn orange. Here I am, heading to the airport, looking like I had nothing better to do on a sunday morning than to play around with my makeup. I then quickly try to blend it out.

I get home later on, trying to take a nap, and feel bad. I can't sleep. What a dumb thing to have done! Here I am, proclaming that I "love my pale skin", and I go and buy a over-priced bronzer, it looks bad on me, and I know that I won't be using it. And did I mention it cost a shitload?! What was I thinking...(ah, I guess this is what happens when you skip breakfast, people...)

Why do we do these things to ourselves? These contradictions? Is it a spur of the moment thing? Or do we all want to change something inside of ourselves?

For now, I have decided, who cares with what others think about my complextion. I'm not going to try to hide what I am on the outside. I've come to realize that, most people who are insecure with their looks tend to make remarks concerning my looks. And I do realize that, but I never take it to heart. I think that, regardless of what you look like, as long as you're happy with yourself, INSIDE AND OUT, who cares what others around you think. You might not like an aspect of yourself, but someone else will find that trait beautiful. You just never know. All that matters is that you are happy, first and foremost, with yourself, because no product will help you do that.

As for the bronzer, it is going back to the department store tomorrow :)

xoxo

P.S: Here is what it looks like. Nice packaging though eh? ;)

Review: Lavshuca Gradate Eye Shadow in Br-2

This quad comes with 4 colors in a unique case. I decided to try this brown palette since it is more practical for everyday use.

The colors are quiet sheer. You can barely see the colors on your lid; it just comes off very natural. The most pigmented color in the quad is the dark brown shade, which is great for lining your lashline. The colors are quiet shimmery, but in a pretty way, not glittery. But don't expect anything too pigmented; this is definitely great for daytime use, and I think you could take it into nighttime if you use more of the darker shade on the crease.

Overall, I do want to try out the other shades that Lavshuca offers, probably something more striking, and not so neutral as with this palette. I would also recommend this palete to anyone looking for something affordable ($18) and allows you to try out various looks, from daytime to nighttime :)

Haul

Some new things I got off of Adambeauty.com:

Lavshuca Dual Eyes in Gn-1 & Sv-1
Lavshuca Gradate Eye Shadow in Br-2
KATE Cheek in Pk-1 & Rd-1
KATE Trick Eyes in BU-1


Will do a review on these products coming up!

Review: MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Light/Medium

I received this as a present about a month ago. To be quiet honest, this does not do anything amazing for me. I use it here and there when my face gets a bit shiny during the day. It does not do a great job of keeping your skin matte all day, just temporarily. Now, when I do use it, it does give the skin a natural look, and does not look cakey at all. In terms of the texture of the product; once you dip your brush into it, it does tend to go everywhere (flakes in all directions...) and does cause somewhat of a mess (and I hate that...I'm a clean freak fyi :P

The coverage is very light, and I think this is great for someone who wants to set their liquid or cream foundation. Since I use mineral makeup, I don't need to set it with a powder at the end.

Overall, this is a OK product for me. Nothing amazing. Also, I've heard a lot of people breaking out from this powder, and I haven't been using it that regularly enough to see a difference. So, bear that in mind :)

Review: The Body Shop- New Nature's Mineral Foundation Brush

I was on the lookout for a kabuki brush to use for my Pur Minerals foundation. I was thinking about getting the MAC one, but couldn't justify spending $55 on a single brush (hey, its a tough economy out there. I'm also not rich :I ).

So, while I was on the Body Shop website, I noticed this brush that they carry. This one is their foundation brush, and they also have a smaller version (w. less hair) known as their blush brush (they look the same, but the foundation one is more plumper).

I got this brush for $26.00CND (half of what I would have paid for the MAC one!!) and let me tell you, I am in love with this brush :) It is so soft, and I love applying my foundation with it. The results are very natural and smooth; no caking whatsoever! I am so glad I bought this brush! Also, it does shed a bit in the beginning when I washed it for the first time, but now it doesn't. Also, I like how the ends are cornered, and not flat. It blends my makeup prefectly to where you can't even notice I have foundation on (this is also great for the jawline; no visible 'line' of foundation!)

This brush + Pur Minerals foundation= amazing results I tell ya!!

Overall, I highly recommend this brush to anyone who uses pressed foundations/blushes on a regular basis like I do. And the price is quiet affordable too. I've had plenty of Body Shop brushes before, and they have lasted me years and years. So, I don't doubt that this will as well.