Product Empties #2

This is another installment of my Product Empties (read my first one here!) I probably won't be doing Product Empties posts too often as I tend to not venture out too much when it comes to products. 

I'm one of those people who stick to what works. I'll try new things here and there if I am not 100% satisfied or if I'm feeling adventurous. This post will include a blend of mostly staples and new tries. 

H A I R :

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Plus Keratin (sample) 
<3 I received this 4 fl oz sample during one of the big Ulta sales in April.
<3 The verdict? I LOVE it. Like LOOOOOOOOVE. I have repurchased my second bottle. My hair is very dry and unmanageable when it dries. My hair is pretty lioness in its natural state. This product has made my hair manageable. I never knew that was possible to achieve outside of a salon.

Organix Hydrating Macademia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask
</3 I bought this product after seeing it in YouTube's ThatsHeart favorites a while ago. It worked for her, but definitely did not work for me. 
</3 It did not add any moisture to my hair. It actually made my hair feel drier after using it. And to top it off, it had a funky smell. Double whammy. 

F A C E :

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
<3 I have been using this for 3 - 4 years. I love it, but I am itching to try something new. Any recommendations? I would like to stick to a tinted moisturizer for every day use. I'm not looking for heavy coverage, just sun protection and an even tone. I've heard Neutrogena and Sonia Kashuk are good options. I'm even considering a BB cream. HELP?

Rimmel Stay Matter Powder
?? I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. Women rave about it on YouTube. I have another one that I'm finishing off since I did buy it BOGO 50% at Ulta..
?? Maybe it is just summer and I tend to get oilier, but this did not make my face "Stay Matte." 

L'Oreal Revitalift Moisturizer
<3 I love this moisturizer. It's a bit greasy, but it does make my skin feel soft. With added anti-aging elements, it's a plus! 

E Y E S :

Maybelline Falsies Volume Mascara
<3 This is my staple and I love it. I will most definitely continue to repurchase.

Maybelline Line Stilleto
<3 I first tried this liner a few years ago and I didn't like it. I assume I got a bad batch because it dried up really fast. 
<3 I rediscovered this product on New Year's Eve 2013 when I forgot my liner at home. I was going to a friend's home to get ready. I stopped by a CVS. This liner was on sale and I thought, WHY NOT?
<3 It was amazing!! New found love for this product. I am on my third one since New Year's Eve!

NYC Eye Pencil
<3 I used to buy these so often for my brows. I haven't really been using pencil lately. I bought a new one after I finished this one, but haven't used it since. There's nothing wrong with it. I just found a new routine (e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser, Brightener
</3 Oh this is awful. It had a pink undertone which does not work well with me at all. This product did nothing for me. I love the neutralizer from this line and will stick to that. 

And that's a wrap! I know my pictures aren't the greatest. I'm trying to figure out what camera will work best. I shall see :)

L I P S :

Maybelline Baby Lips
</3 This didn't leave a long lasting moisturizing feel. It always felt like I had product on my lips even after one swipe across my lips. I would apply before I went to bed and still feel it in the morning. It was just sitting on my lips. Gross!
</3 I bought this at Ulta BOGO 50% off so I have another one I am looking forward to using up so I can return to my holy grail of chapsticks: Soft Lips. Oh Soft Lips, I'm sorry I left you a minute or two. My bad, my bad.
</3 The only things I do like about this balm are the scent and light tint it adds to your lips


<3<3<3

Mini Drugstore Haul: Nails, Lips, & Face

So I broke the promise that I made to myself  to 1) Not buy nail polish as I have a good number already and 2) not to buy anything lippie related because I have become a lipstick hoarder! GAHHH

I just couldn't resist #Fail

And this is why...

Sally Hansen: Color Foil in Liquid Gold

Retails for $8-9

Purchase price: $4.79

I first heard of this nail polish from YouTube's saaammage's New Releases Collective Haul video. Ever since then, I knew I had to get them in my possession! I've been searching for them at drug stores since I saw her video in June. I recently found them 2 weeks ago.

To give me some credit, when I first found them at my Rite Aid, I did NOT buy them. I almost did. I grabbed a bottle and walked around with it for about half an hour then I put it back. They were $7.99 a pop. To me, that's quite expensive for nail polish. I'm pretty frugal with my nail polish just because nails chip! Thankfully, they were 40% off. I can't feel guilty if it's on sale ;)

The big question is...IS IT WORTH IT??

Excuse the multiple angles of my nails, but it's really hard to capture the beauty that is the foil!!! My pictures are not really that great to begin with (hey, I'm learning!) and trying to capture the beauty in a photo was quite the challenge.

I love them and I wish I could go crazy and buy more. If the sale is still going on, I will definitely pick up either the blue or purple shade...so pretty!!

I'm surprised that the nail polish did not have great reviews on Ulta. The biggest complaint was that nails chip after one day. I'm one day in and my nails are still looking great. I do put nail polish on the nail tips to prolong the wear. My only con is that it does not always apply an even coat. 

RETRACTION: Please read my updated thoughts on this nail polish here.

Jordana Easyliner in Tawny

Retail purchase price: $2.29

This is one of the most raved about drugstore lip liners on YouTube. The Walgreens stores near me never have them in stock...they are THAT popular. I finally found this in a Walgreens in an Orange County suburb. And no, I did not go there just for the lip liner. I happened to be in the area after visiting a friend. Since the liners were available right there in front of me, I just had to jump on that Tawny train.

Left: Liner in Tawny

Right: Balm stain in Honey Love

I was originally looking for the Jordana Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Honey Love. This is also a popular color that I can't find in my area - Los Angeles mid-city. See my lip swatch of Honey Love here. The balm stain was $3.29 (depending on where you go, it may be cheaper).

So far, I love both. After all, I was on the hunt for the balm stain. 

(picture credit: CVS.com)

L'Oreal Collagen Moisture Filler

Retails for $16.99

Purchase price: $13.59

Last, but not least, I bought a moisturizer from L'Oreal. It is the Collagen Moisture Filler. I usually get the Revitalift, but I wanted to try something different. One of the claims that sold me on this was that it is supposedly non-greasy. The Revitalift is great, but it does leave my skin feeling sticky and I hate that!

This moisturizer does feel a little sticky at first, but not bothersome at all. Once the product seeps into my skin, my skin is soft and smooth. This product also received half a rating higher than the Revitalift. I shall see how this works out for me. I am hoping that it does! This product is a few dollars cheaper than the Revitalift. I would not mind saving a few bucks every time I repurchase. 

That's my mini collection haul. I hope you enjoyed it....and if you're a Rite Aid shopaholic like me (I swear, Rite Aid is my new Target and it's so bad that it's two blocks from home!), you should definitely sign up for Rite Aid Wellness + Rewards Card. Your bank account will thank you for it!!

<3<3<3

Product Empties #1

Aloha!

This is my first Beauty Product Empties post. I probably shouldn't even be writing this post right now as I need to finish packing my luggage. I'm going to the Philippines in two days! My mom started packing things she wanted me to bring over to the Philippines. She took up one full large luggage and half of one smaller luggage. I feel so unmotivated to maneuver my stuff in. 

Procrastination is the name of the game so here I am!

I've been meaning to do this post for ages and I guess this is the "right" time to do it, in the midst of packing for a two week vacation... -__-

Here's my compilation of productions!

FACE: 

L'OREAL Revitalift Moisturizer (Repurchase? This is like my 5th tub!)

Revlon Color Stay Power in Light Medium (Repurchase? Probably...not?)

Milani Powder Blush in 06A Pink Craze (Repurchase? No)

EYES:

e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit in Medium (Repurchase? This is my 1st compact and I stocked up on 2 more!)

Sephora Liquid Liner in Black (Repurchase? If I was at Sephora and it was more convenient to buy liquid liner then and there)

Superlash by Apple (Repurchase? The results were great, but the brush was difficult to master)

Pink & Green by Apple (Repurchase? The results were great, but again, the brush was difficult to master)

EYES (in detail)

My sister gave me these mascaras that she found at the dollar store. They are made in Mexico. The smell was awful. One was an awful almond and 
the other was just awful! Either 1) I got used to the smell or 2) it faded in time.

Maybe I'm not great at putting on mascara, but these brushes where difficult to maneuver!  95% of the time, I got mascara all over my lids and lower lash line. It was a hassle to touch up eyeshadow if I wore any.
I must admit, the results were pretty great. Family, friends, and coworkers did comment on how curled, voluminous and long my lashes looked.

To me, it's just not worth the mess.

LIPS:

L'OREAL Infallible Lipstick in 512 Intensely Mauve (Repurchase? Undecided, but maybe?)

L'OREAL Infallible Lipstick in 227 Eternal Rose (Repurchase? Again, undecided)

I love the Infallible line by L'OREAL. The only hesitation for me to repurchase these colors is that I want to try other colors :D

I hope you enjoyed my spontaneous/procrastination post.

What are on your beauty empties list? 

<3<3<3

Valentine's Day Goodies

Aloha! 

This past Valentine's Day, I was surprised with Valentine's goodies from my little Valentine, my little 17 month old nephew. AHHHH. He's so freakin cute! Of course, him being 17 months old meant his mama making the Valentine's goodies. Nonetheless, it is such a sweet gesture. Growing older and having kids around makes holidays a lot more fun.

Here's what I got:

 A cute little tin pail filled with chocolate delights, bath salts, a strawberry kit, and a Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick - my first Rimmel lipstick!

Here are multiple shots of the lipstick. Sorry, I was a bit too excited and had to take snapshots of this beauty in all kinds of angles! I LOVE IT. I'm not so much of a bold lip-wearer because I love bold striking eyes. I'm very much into the "Your Lips But Better" color. This color is definitely it!

Swatch

Definitely my new FAVORITE lip color right now. I am so happy my best friend knows me so well. She actually bought this for herself and when she tried it on, she knew she had to buy one for me. She drove to two different CVS'es to find it. THANK YOU! It's the perfect nude pink that I love. Before this, I was in love with the Wet n Wild lip color "Bare It All" (902C). That love came and went real quick. At first, I thought it was a nude pink then I saw (in better light) that it's actually a nude peach. Peach does not compliment my skin tone at all. It makes me look like I have orange lips. I still love my Wet n Wild lipstick. I wear it beneath my L'Oreal Infallible lipstick in "Intensely Mauve." To read more about my obsession with lipsticks and my current collection, click here. Wet n Wild lipsticks have great long wear which aids in keeping my lip color last for hours :] The only downside of the Rimmel lipstick is that it wears off too quickly. Boo. 

I hope you enjoyed this post about my Valentine's Day goodies. I hope your Valentine's Day was a lovely one.

<3 <3 <3

Obsessed: Lipsticks

Aloha there!

I have been obsessed with anything lipstick related in recent months. At first, it became a hunt to find the perfect "your lips but better" color and then my hunt transformed into finding a bolder lip that I would force myself to rock. 

Like any other person, there are things about my appearance that I am uncomfortable with or wish I could change. My lips are one (or two?) of them. My lips are naturally so pale and washed out that going sans lipstick makes me look sick. It is definitely not a cute look on me. And I also think I have a crooked smile which makes me feel super self-conscious when I smile. Oh imperfections. Oh flaws. Why does it take a lifetime to embrace them?

I've always played it safe and opted for colors that seemed more natural. Now, as a woman in my late 20s, pushing 30, my confidence has solidified a bit more and my desire to be bolder and try new things have increased.

Now let's get to what my obsession got me in recent months (starting from most recent purchase):

Wet N Wild Mega Last Lipsticks
One of my more well-to-do friends buys both high end and drug store lipsticks, mostly high end because she has the money to front. HOWEVER, she was telling me how she would buy Wet N Wild lipsticks over high end on many occasions because of the pigmentation and longlasting power of them. I finally got myself to spend the $1.99 and try it.

 These are the two colors I bought: Wine Room 906D and Mauve Outta Here 907C

Wine Room 906D (pinkish red)

Mauve Outta Here 907C (brighter pink)

The verdict: I LOVE Wet N Wild!! Why did I wait so long to try them?!?! I always passed it up when I was at the drug store since I haven't seen too many reviews (or commercials) on Wet N Wild lipstick. There was a 40% off Wet N Wild products at CVS 2 - 3 weeks ago. This was my push to finally get my hands on these lipsticks. And with 40% off, why would I pass that up?!

The lipsticks didn't glide on as smoothly as most lipsticks. It seemed dry, but it wasn't drying at all.The colors are matte. The swatches are pretty true to the color on your lips though the actual lipsticks appear darker. As you can see, the colors are quite vibrant. Wine Room came out shiny in the photo due to lighting, but it is a beautiful color. Mauve Outta Here came out looking brighter than I thought it would. It's a color that I wear when I'm trying to be more adventurous and bold. It's definitely not a color I can pull off at work, but it is fun when I'm trying to spruce up a look with some brighter lipstick.

Would I repurchase? YES. I definitely would like to try other colors to find a muted pink / work appropriate color

Jordana Cosmetics Twist and Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain
I first found out about these products through Jerlyn Phan, also known as MakeUpFreeek on Youtube.  She is an amazing makeup artist and definitely one of my top favorite YouTube beauty gurus to watch.

She had talked about these $2.99 lip balm sticks in a YouTube video. At $2.99, I had to get my hands on them (though they did vary from store to store. I paid ($2.99, $3.29 and $3.69 at different Walgreens)! My friend and I went to three different Walgreens in one day to find the colors we wanted. I then went to a Walgreens closer to my home the next day because the third Walgreens we tried didn't have what we wanted. And ding ding ding! I found the last color that I wanted - Cranberry Crush!

Now for my swatches (excuse my washed out face. I am not wearing my usual tinted moisturizer):

08 Terra Crave (orangey brown tint)

05 Honey Love (mauve pink, my fave)

06 Cranberry Crush (magenta)

This color came out darker on other swatches I've seen. I wish it was darker on my lips too.

I still really like it though :]

My three balm sticks

This is a screen shot of the other Jordana colors

The verdict: Overall, I did like the Jordana balm sticks. They did stain, especially the Cranberry Crush which makes sense since it's really pigmented. Though they all tint into a bright pink or Kool-Aid red (at least for me). The tint, however, was very strong on the inner portions of my lips. My friend who has naturally dark pigmented lips claimed a light tint for all the colors she has (Cranberry Crush, Terra Crave, and Rock N Rouge).

Each of the lip stains do have a glossy finish. The "Shine" in "Twist and Shine" stands very true! It has a glossy finish, especially on the center of lower lip, but does not feel like a gloss, which I very much appreciate since I am not a big lip gloss fan. 

Would I repurchase? YES and no! I definitely will be repurchasing 05 Honey Love. Honey Love is closest to "my lips but better" which is what I've been trying to find for ages! I am on the fence about repurchasing 08 Terra Crave though I really do like it. I wouldn't repurchase 06 Cranberry. It comes out really magenta bright on me, which is weird because on others' it came out as a beautiful Fall dark cranberry color. BOO. I also didn't like the stain of the 06 Cranberry. It was too Kool-Aid for me. I don't think I'll be trying any of the other colors. I've tried Sweet Pink and Rock N Rouge - not a big fan.

L'Oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick 
I am the type of person who HAS to finish a product. Unless it's totally grotesque, I will somehow make it work and finish it. The next two products are two lipsticks that I had bought a long while ago. After I bought them, I told myself I wouldn't buy anything more until I used them all up...and as you can see from the pictures above, I broke my own promise. OH WELL. I rationalize it with the fact that Jordana and Wet n Wild were so affordable, it's okay :D

L'oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipcolor in Intensely Mauve (512)

I apply this brick red color every morning for work. Very little goes a long way. It's quite pigmented.

L'oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipcolor in Eternal Rose (227)

This color is showing up as a darker "natural" pink in the pictures. With this lipstick, a little goes a long way as well. The color is very interesting. Sometimes, it looks like a darker pink color with a brownish tinge to it, sometimes it looks like a brighter pink with a light purple tinge. Nonetheless, I do really love this color. I keep it in my purse for touch-ups throughout the day

The verdict: I have had these two for a long time and I'm nearing its end, specifically for Eternal Rose. I do love these lipsticks because they are longlasting. I do have to reapply (as with any lipstick), but it does stay on for a good while. Thank you to Judy from ItsJudyTime on YouTube for introducing me to this lipstick. She mentioned it on her daily vlog so I had to try it. 

Would I repurchase?  YES! I want to try Forever Frappe, ItsJudyTime's favorite. And I also want to look for a "my lips but better" color in this line.

After writing this post, I realize that I buy mauve-y pinks and reds. I buy pinks  thinking they would be more natural, but they end up being a little more bold, which is quite exciting for me. I don't think I'm quite ready to rock a full on cherry red lip, but maybe one day. For now, I'm getting used to my bolder pinks and muted reds.

So my obsession with lippies ensues and my hunt for the perfect "your lips but better" lipstick continues! I do love the Jordana lip stain in Honey Love and will definitely be repurchasing that as I had mentioned. I would like to find a lipstick version of "your lips but better." 

I am going to do my utmost best to control myself and NOT purchase new products at this time. I need to take a chill pill on my lipstick spending. And I'm trying to finish my older products first.

Please let me know some of your favorite lipsticks. If you've found the perfect "your lips but better" lipstick, please oh please share!

<3<3<3

Halloween 2013: Minnie Mouse

HAPPY [early] HALLOWEEN!!!!

I have never really liked Halloween. Even when  I was a kid, I never cared about dressing up. I only dressed up when school "made" us wear costumes for parades or whatnot. I'm quite the chicken and don't like scary things so I was never interested in the spookiness of Halloween. Year after year I was either Thumbelina or some type of princess wearing a dainty dress with a load of tool. There was one year, however, when  I was a pirate, but that was a hand me down from my older sister.

For some reason, after a breakup with a longtime boyfriend in 2011, I started to grow a liking towards Halloween. Part of it was a reinvention thing but more so my just ever increasing fascination for anything beauty related. In 2011, I was Miss Philippines and in 2012, I was a poor imitation of Peter Pan. That year, I wore black leggings, wide-brimmed booties, and an off the shoulder green shirt. See, poor imitation.

This year, I decided to up my game a bit. Halloween is still one of my least favorite holidays and I am still not big on costumes, but it is an opportunity to play with makeup. I strive to look as normal as possible while playing with and enhancing makeup.

This year, I decided to be Minnie Mouse! The idea came to me when my cousin bought me Minnie Mouse clip-on ears from Disneyland. She and her boyfriend were visiting the US from Canada and Disneyland was one of their must-sees. The moment she gave the clip-on Minnie ears to me, I immediately became inspired for Halloween. And this was in July! My old self would look at my new Halloween-liking self and ask, "Who are you?!"

For my Minnie Mouse ensemble, NOTHING was bought! You can most definitely do Halloween for cheap or for absolutely nothing. I wore a causal red dress that I bought at JC Penny about 5 years ago, tights that I had from who knows when, a belt from a gray dress purchased in 2010, and wide-brimmed booties that I bought at Papaya in 2010. And of course, the ears were a gift from my cousin. 

 My "costume." Excuse the funky face I was making

Now for the fun part - the MAKEUP!

 I love dramatic eyes. Any opportunity to wear lashes and a smokey eye, I will take it!

(Excuse the cray cray brows. I was growing them out to have them reshaped...which I did today!)

 My eye make up. I am so proud of it! Not to toot my own horn, but I'm getting better at this eyeshadow thing. It takes a LOT of practicing (and blending), but it DOES get easier.

I received these sample eyeshadows from Sigma when I purchased $30+ worth of products. I really like them! They were a bit powdery but I'm not sure if that's because of the sample packaging. 

Foundation: Makeup Forever HD Foundation in N127

Undereye Concealer: L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon W 1-2-3

Power: Revlon Colorstay in Light Medium

Brows: ELF brow kit in medium

Blush: Milani Pink Craze

Inner corner:  Sigma - Elope

Lid: Sigma - Gimp

Crease/Lower lashline: Sigma- Elysees

Outer corner/V: MAC Typographic

Eyeliner: Sephora Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Mascara: Maybelline Volume Express Falsies in Blackest Black

Lashes: from Daiso, a Japanese $1.50 store

Nose: Wet n Wild brow pencil in Black Black, MAC Typographic, Sephora Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Lips: Wet n Wild Wine Room

My other favorite: NAILS!

 My Minnie inspired nails. Just dots and bows

Base coat: Revlon

Red: NYC Big Apple Read

White: Sinful Colors Snow Me White

Tools: Toothpick for the bow and bobby pin head for the dots

 

So I may not have the same Halloween spirit as other more festive Halloweeners, but I am sure warming up to it. Whether or not you're a fan of Halloween, I wish you a wonderful and safe night. If you're walking the streets, always have a buddy and watch out for cars. If you're driving on Halloween night, please be wary of trick or treaters. 

<3<3<3

Nails Nails Nails: Gallery of Past Designs

I think 2011 was the year I became obsessed with doing my nails. I was becoming more and more obsessed with beauty blogs, YouTube tutorials, and Pinterest. Oh social media, the things you do to me!

I decided to just showcase my nails from seasons past. The great thing about blogs is that you have an online record/diary of everything you do and choose to post. As you can see, I rarely do monotone colored nails anymore. I need some type of design. Very rarely (usually when I don't have time) do I just do one full color sans design.

Here goes it!

*Disclaimer: Please don't mind the poor lighting and amateur clean up. I am only just a beginner :) And sorry for the sudden influx of photos :) All products that I can remember are mentioned.

I did these nails for the UCLA v. CAL football game last week (UCLA won!). Products used from left to right: Revlon Multi Care Base+Top Coat, Revlon in 020 Pure Pearl,  Forever 21 Marina, Elf Golden Goddess, and Wet n Wild 236C Silvivor

 I found the Loreal Limited Edition Diamond Collection nail stickers on clearance so I bought two: one black and one gold. I used the black one on top of Sinful Collections 857 Bianca. I used the gold stickers on a Wet n Wild nail polish. I used Butter London's Nail Foundation as the base coat. LOVE

These nails are inspired by a design that I came across on Pinterest. As you can tell, I modified it and added a Peter Pan collar on the the thumb nail

These nails were also inspired by a design that I found on Pinterest. I used Sinful Colors in 857 Bianca mixed with a white nail polish also by Sinful Colors

Sorry for the poor lighting. This is another Pinterest inspired manicure

And yet, another Pinterest inspired manicure. I wore this the week of Valentine's Day in 2012

Simple blue and gold diagonal

This was my go to look when I worked in a very [unstructured] structured facility. Nails had to be less flashy. Since I just couldn't do nails without flash, I did these more subtle decor

These nails are inspired by after seeing Google images of "baby shower." As the caption reads, the nails were done in honor of my baby nephew

I was obsessed with bows at one point

 I did these nails for my former co-intern's wedding 

Nails for the Olympics. Go Philippines! :D

The beginning of my nail bow obsession

Lupus Awareness themed nails

This is the only nail that came out decent! HAHA :D And this is the first of my nail art obsession

I know I added a lot of photos in there, but I do hope you enjoy. I make no claims to be fantastic at nail art. I simply enjoy doing my nails and playing around with different designs. I find it quite therapeutic.

Show me your nail art. I'd love to see it and be inspired!

<3<3<3