30th Birthday Diaries: Makeup Gifts

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share some of my birthday makeup gifts with you all. I haven't used any yet, but I did swatch a few and try on the lippies.

The goods

TWO FACED: NATURAL EYES:

I am in love! I love neutrals!! This palette is so beautiful (and comes with tutorials) that I almost do not want to use it. And the names are the cutest! :D

I did swatch the highlight, blush and bronzer. That highlight was way pigmented!

SEPHORA LUSTER MATTE LONG WEAR LIP COLOR: NUDE PINK

I am exchanging this one. It's so much brighter on my lips than the actual tube that the color, when on my lips, is almost neon, like a milky pink neon. Not very cute on me at all. It does not fit my skin tone whatsoever.

MAC: MINERALIZED EYE SHADOW IN SPICED METAL

This is very shimmery! It stays true to it's "metal" description. This is something I will definitely use on the center of my eye when doing a smoky eye. 

MAC: VIVA GLAM V

I really dig this. It is similar to a "my lips but better" color but with a luster finish. It's a beautiful every day color that I can wear to work though I do wish it did not have that shine. 

This is actually my first Viva Glam lipstick so I'm excited about that :)

I'll share some of my other gifts next week. I got tons of Starbucks gift cards (YAAAAS!). I also got a purse, a necklace and a dress (that may be too big for me).

Until next time! 

Xoxoxox

Saying Goodbye 10 Years Later

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've had most of these makeup items for almost 10 years (MAC Wonder Woman for 4), a whole decade. I know, I know. That's like makeup hoarding up the wazoo and I'm finally saying goodbye. 

Part of holding on to them was because of the nostalgia. I bought the Clinique palette in college while a sophomore at UCLA. I remember exactly how it went down.

I went to the Clinique counter in the UCLA store. I was intimidated and did not want to admit I was new to makeup. I told the Clinique saleswoman that I left all my makeup on the train. I think she knew I was totally lying when she was asking me questions about what I had lost, what kind of foundation I used, if I was oily or dry, what shades I liked. Internally, I was like WHA? but what I blurted out was I can't remember. My mom bought them for me. I am sure she saw right through me.

I bought the Clinique palette and the Urban Decay eye shadow (far right, second from top). The rest my sister gave me. They were her old make up which probably means they're most likely at least a decade old. 

It was hard to let go of these treasures. They remind me of starting out in makeup. I probably didn't blend well and certainly had no idea what I was doing. 

I've learned so much about makeup in the last few years. And despite knowing I should have thrown these away, I just somehow convinced myself I would go back to them, although knowingly I knew I wouldn't because they were so old.

I've summoned the courage to say goodbye. After all, they're only taking up space for new goodies, right?


<3<3<3