An Update!

Wow, it's been hella long since I last posted!! Sorry, guys :( I've been busy with working. And life in general!! Plus, I got some good news. I finally ditched my old, lousy HP Laptop for a 15" MacBook Pro!!! How did I ever live without a apple??HOW?!

And yes, things look different (and better) on a MacBook Pro...just in case you were wondering ;)

Let's see, what has Lina been up to.....



I've been to 2 concerts lately. Both on opposite sides of the spectrum. Firstly, I went to the Distant Worlds concert, at the gorgeous Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver. A concert dedicated to the music of Final Fantasy, and the work of Nobuo Uematsu, whom I LOVE! He is a freaking genius. Writes the most touching classical music I've ever heard. The concert was so beautiful, and I cried twice...




A few weeks later, I finally went to see my favorite band, ever!! The band I've been listening to since I was 6. My love...U2!!!

Seriously, I've been to tons of concerts, and this was by far the best concert I've ever been to. And yes, I cried 3 times. LOL. What a loser, I know.

Looks like a big crab, doesn't it?!

U2!!!!!!!!!!!!! At BC Place ;)

I wish I could see them every week!!!



I'll be doing more makeup-related posts coming up, keep tuned :) But I did pick up the Amazing Cosmetics Concealer, and wow, it is freaking amazing. I have found my HG concealer. I got mine in Fair ;)

xoxo

Foundation Routine: Shiseido + Rimmel

hey all :)

hope everyone's having a good weekend so far!!

so after playing around with my new shiseido dual balancing foundation (#B20), and trying to get it to work (with diff. brushes, powders, etc.), I have come up with the 'HG method' for making it work. I didn't like it as much before, but damn, do I love it now!! It has become my HG liquid foundation. Here's da method!

1. Apply a tiny (and i stress tiny!! you don't need a lot for it to work!) amount of the foundation on your MAC 189 brush. Blend away. Apply a bit more to areas that need more help :)

2. Set foundation with a flat brush ( I use the Italian Badger one; you can get it off coastalscents.com), using my HG pressed powder by Rimmel; Stay Matte in Translucent.


and you're done!!! :) easy, eh!! Well, I guess you could use this method with any foundation you may have. And try out the Rimmel powder!! It's cheap and amazing!!! ( I love it more than previous more expensive powders I've used; this one was only $4!!!). Oh, and that MAC 189 brush isn't all that necessary, but it does make a major difference. I tried using the standard foundation brush (MAC 190) and it did not work. Same goes for using the MAC 189 (that skunk looking brush, yeah you know what i'm talking about ;) and my fingers, but the 189 reigned supreme!!

Hope this helps someone out!

Lina

P.S: I only got the 189 brush a long time ago because a very awesome Youtube Guru named ChefCaffy showed it in one of her videos. Check her out if you don't already know her!!! :D

Wish List 09/09

I've always written down, and made long lists in the past of what I want. But usually, I end up misplacing them. So, I've decided to start making them here! And hopefully you guys will join in and start 'sharing the love' *translation: sharing some ideas of what to buy next ;)!*

Sigma Makeup: Complete Brush Kit w. brush roll
$$$: 100
Why?: Ok, I swear, this will be my last brush purchase. I swear!!!

















MacBook Pro 17"
$$$: 3,000 :(
Why?: I'm a Graphic Designer...and using a PC laptop is looked down upon in this industry. Did I mention you're virus-free with a MAC?





















Nars: Mata Hari Blush
$$$: 28
Why?: It's such a nice pink color!! And I only own another Nars blush (Orgasm) which is amazing. Best blushes ever made.












IKEA Vanity Table
$$$: 249
Why?: It matches my new makeup storage really well. I'm also in the midst of changing my room decor up.



























Rafael Nadal
$$$: Priceless
Why?: He's Spanish. He's ranked 2nd in the world of tennis. He's (really really) rich. And he's super cute :}
"But Lina, you..can't put people in your wish list..." Yes I know guys, I know. But that's why they're called a wish list ;)

Daily Makeup Survey!

Hey everyone. I got this survey off of Beauty Broadcasts' Blog (EmilyNoel83 on youtube's blog). Hope you all join in as well!!


DAILY MAKEUP SURVEY

1. What time did you do your makeup today?
2:00 p.m. (...it's my day off but I don't like walking around au natural)
2. What's the least expensive beauty item you used?
My ecotools brushes; $9 for 5 face brushes
3. What was the biggest problem you needed to correct?
Undereye circles :(
4. Did you apply false eyelashes?
No...but I did apply some last night for fun :)
5. Did you do anything while applying makeup?
Watch CNN Headline news
6. Biggest makeup mishap today?
Too much eyeshadow on one eye...unevenness
7. Did you have a makeup inspiration in mind?
Not really, I usually go by how I'm feeling that day
8. What's the most time-consuming part of your makeup routine?
Getting the base down right!! Foundation, concealer, powder, etc.
9. What's part of your routine is the most fun?
Choosing different eye colors. But I usually stick to the boring gray palette on most days.
10. What part of your makeup makes the biggest difference in the way you look? Concealer
11. Neutral or colorful eyeshdaow?
Neutral
12. Liquid or mineral foundation?
Liquid; Shiseido Dual Balancing in B20
13. Do you do your hair or makeup first?
Makeup
14. Did you pack a makeup bag to take with you for the day?
Yup, and it weights as much as a brick!
15. When did you finish your makeup?
2:15 p.m.

My Makeup Storage

Hey everyone!!

For the past month, I've been a little frustrated with my current makeup storage area. Needless to say, I stuffed most of it in a big drawer in my dresser. The rest went into some cosmetics bag that you get for free from Dior. And, being the super organized person that I am, I was losing sleep over the mess :( *haha*

So, IKEA came to the rescue! Ok, well, not really. I was watching one of my favourite gurus, What Style Is To Nickel and his makeup collection, and it inspired me. I already had a lot of dark items on my dresser (mostly anna sui stuff), so I decided to run with it!

Here are the drawers I got from Ikea:


Both from their Fira collection (ranging from $16-17)

Almost 3 hours later, I completed building them :) *and I thought they come pre-assembled..since theyre small...what was I thinking...?*

I thought, hey I'm done! Now I just have to paint them! Right? Wrong! My dad, whos a carpenter said I had to paint it with a primer. Twice. So I did:


Ok, now just gotta paint it...and...
Well, aparently, you're suppost to sand the entire thing before painting it!! Argh. So, after 4 hours of sanding (inside and out!), finally it was smooth enough to paint.

And 3 coats later of semi-matte black paint, it was done!!! Weeheee!!!

TA DA!!!!
(yes I know the ugly brown dresser does not go with the black drawers. That will be changed in da future!! :P )

And now, on to the organization!!

This first drawer is mostly face/cheeck/primers/powders. The foundation of makeup :)


This one carries all my eyeshadows.


These 3 small ones carry mascaras, lip stuff, and liners of all sorts.


Yes, this drawer is dedicated to fake lashes, mostly inexpensive Asian ones. Because they are good and cheap!! :)


Some tools, new items, and sponges.


My "sad" drawer which consists of my one and only MAC palette (which I love and I have 6 shadows in it so far...) and a few palettes I never touch anymore...

That is all!! Hope you all like :)

What I am using right now: Tag

I caught this from Lollipop26's blog, and thought I'd share the love :) Hope you all likes and join in too!!

Shampoo: Shiseido Aquair Deep Moist Shampoo (I actually like this more than the red Tsubaki one! It's more moisurizing for my dry, bleached hair!)

Conditioner: Stilll using the Shiseido Tsubaki one (red version)

Styling products: TRESemmé Heat Tamer (on my 2nd bottle; best heat protector I've ever used and its only around $4)

Shower Gel: Dove

Body moisturiser: I don't use one <=)

Deodorant: Dove

Fake Tan: I don't fake tan; I think one day the ingredients used in tanning products will prove to be bad for us (hey, I'm just scared that day will come...) so I steer clear of them. So I am currently as white as a ghost :)

Cleanser: For the most part, Obagi (Clenziderm) and sometimes I also use the Shiseido White Lucent one

Exfoliator: Good old aspirin mask

Primer: Primavista's Bright Up Base (I did a review on this recently)

Foundation brush: The Body Shop's Face Mineral brush

Concealer: Lise Watier Portfolio

Powder: My everyday foundation is pressed powder...so yeah, I don't follow up with another coating of powder :)

Blusher: Mostly either Nars Orgasm or MAC's Fashion Frenzy (a hot pink)

Bronzer: I don't use bronzers. I don't even own one <=(

Highlighter: I just use the bright lavender color in the Lise Watier Portfolio wheel. Really brightens up my face.

Eyeshadow base: Recently just bought my first UDPP, and I am in love with it. Why did I wait so long to get one?! (oh right..because Vancouver just got their first Sephora...)

Eyeshadows: I have been changing it up everyday, but most of the time, its the Guerlain 4 color palette in Perle d'Argent 480 (pearl shimmer/ gray/ gunmetal gray shimmer/ charcoal shimmer)

Eyeliner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

Curler: My favourite by Jill Stuart (its pink!). And also my Anna Sui one if I can't find the other :P

Mascara: YSL Faux cils

Lipstick: Mostly MAC's angel, or Lovelorn (ah, I can't choose!)

Lipgloss: Not really into lip glosses... I hate how my hair gets stuck on my lips :(

Nail Colour: I have Rimmel's Milk Chocolate on right now. A very neutral color that, well, looks like milk chocolate. Will change it soon to something more lively, like a hot pink!!

That is all for now! Hope you guys join in on this tag! :D

Easy Eyes ;)

Hey guys!!

Here is my favorite eye look, which is quiet easy to recreate. The items I used were:


- Guerlain Quad in Perle D'Argent 480
- MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- Rimmel Glam 'Eyes Mascara
- MAC brushes: 209, 217, and 219

After applying my UDPP, I used the white shade from the quad all over (I have a review on the quad on this blog; check it out!). Then I line the upper lashline with my MAC Fluidliner. Next, I apply the bottom left shimmery grey color on the outer crease, making sure not to go all the way in to the inner corner. Then I use the darkest shade in the quad (after the liner is dry) to smudge the liner, and extend it slightly into the outer 'V'. This is the look I love doing the most, where the crease is very defined on the outer corner. Then I curl my top lashes and apply mascara.

The key thing is to blend, blend, blend!!! Hope you all like this look! :)

P.S: Please excuse the wacky eyebrows...