The November Grateful Challenge! Part 1

Living the hustle and bustle of life makes it easy to forget our many blessings. We get caught up in life and we do really forget to stop and smell the roses.

I've decided to take part in the November Grateful Challenge! The November Grateful Challenge (or 30 Day Grateful Challenge, whichever or whatever you want to call it) is about taking the time to recognize what you are grateful for each day in November.

I will do weekly compilations instead as they give me an opportunity to really reflect on the past week instead of rushing to post something daily. It's just easier for me. You may choose your own execution! :)

Let's begin! :)

1. Welcome to the world, Baby J. You came two weeks early!  I am so happy you're healthy and that you gave your mom (one of my closest friends from high school) an easy time with the delivery! :) You are immensely loved <3

2. I came across this photo last week on Pinterest. Just looking at this little guy makes me happy. I had dinner  and went shopping with Ben last night and I must say, this is how he makes me feel :) (*Cue the cheesy "awwww"s)

(Original picture source: unknown)

3. This Mickey/Minnie Mouse hooded sweatshirt from Uniqlo. It's just a sweater you may say, but there's so many things about it that make me feel so happy and blessed!

a) It was on sale from $29.90 to $19.90! 

b) Who doesn't love Mickey and Minnie?? 

c) I write a lot about my little nephew. He loves Mickey whom he calls "Baka" (I'm not sure how he got that! LOL). I knew that him seeing me in this sweater would make him oh so happy! A smile and sparkle in his eye are things that warm my heart immensely. 

(Here's a mini sneak peak of my hair chop! Read why I did it here)

What are you are grateful for this week?

<3<3<3

Ulta Haul: First-Time Products

Interesting fact about me: As much as I love makeup, beauty, and all that jazz, I am very wary of trying new face products in fear of a massive breakout...

HOWEVER, in my last trip to Ulta, I bought three never-tried-before face products. Look at me living on the edge...kinda...LOL

Rimmel London 

Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

I know, I know. I'm late to jump on this bandwagon, but I have always stayed away from primers because I did not want to add one more product to my face. When it comes to makeup, I want less on my face and more on my eyes and lips. Bold eyes are more my style. 

As I get older and as it gets hotter in our Los Angeles summer (we're going through a heatwave right now), my skin tends to get oilier faster. I know there's a Stay Matte primer, but I opted for the Fix & Perfect because I do want some fresh faced dewiness. 

I shall keep you posted on how it works out for me :)

L'Oreal Paris

Revitalift Eye Cream Moisturizer

Okay, so this isn't exactly living on the edge. I do have the regular Revitalift Moisturizer. I purchased this after reading an online article (I know, great source, lol) that said women in their mid 20s should start an anti-aging regimen. Whether this is legit or not, it prompted me to do the same. 

My mom is also a big fan of anti-aging products. Maybe I inherited it from her. When I was in high school, she bought me Estee Lauder's DayWear moisturizer which helped with anti-aging. Like mother, like daughter?

I've been using it for a week and have not noticed a difference yet. It feels like the regular moisturizer. I suppose knowing that it has a purpose is comforting enough to me at this point. 

Benefit 

The POREfessional Mini

To be honest, I didn't know what pores were until I noticed them on my ex-boyfriend's face two years ago. Haha. Then I saw them on my own face on a small patch of my cheeks by my nose. My pores, thankfully, are not big, but you can still see them when you look closely. 

I decided to try this out. I think it works? I always forget to use it and I'm not sure if it makes a big difference for me, perhaps my pores are not too big? Maybe I should try it on my ex. LOL. 

Eco Tools 

Skin Perfecting Brush

In my RIP Sigma post, I talked about my favorite face brush - Sigma F80 - being on its deathbed. Hairs were falling out in chunks. 

I decided to buy something much cheaper. I did my research and found that the Eco Tools brand was a good set and also good for the environment. So why not? The description read that it was good for BB/CC creams and tinted moisturizers, which I use on a daily basis when I step out of my home. 

My verdict: It's okay. It does get the job done. Cons: It is quite prickly which makes a smooth buffing motion difficult.

Sally Hansen

Miracle Gel in Street Flair

If you know me, I am a sucker for nail polish and even bigger sucker for muted purples. I heard great things about this nail polish and decided to give it a go. 

My verdict: LOVE! I only wore it for 3 days (instead of the usual 5 - 6) before taking it off. It was smooth and stuck on strong. I hear the Miracle Top coat does wonders to it. I'm thinking of trying that too because Ulta does sell them in a duo of a gel nail polish and top coat. I almost bought the set in store but I did not like the color in the duo. 

I just love Ulta and any makeup store really. What's going to kill my wallet is that Ulta is having a 21 Days of Beauty sales events. OH ULTA. WHYYYY +ULTA Beauty <3 

<3<3<3

RIP Sigma F80

Essential Kit - Mr. Bunny

Case that comes with kit

Kabuki F80

(photo credit for all pictures above: sigma.com)

Nearly two years ago, I purchased my first real set of high end brushes from...dun dun dun...SIGMA - one of the most (if not THE most) talked about makeup brushes on YouTube. 

And I understand why! I love my Sigma brushes. They're sturdy. They're dense. They're soft. They're whatever they're meant to be. They're amazing and I love them.

My most used brush, the Sigma F80 Flatop Kabuki, was an additional purchase as it did not come with the set. I used the F80 to buff in my tinted moisturizer and foundation (when I actually wear foundation). I also use it to blend my concealer underneath my eyes.

This brush is nearing its deathbed. 

This big ol' chunk plopped right out. Days before this came out, I noticed a few random brush hairs on my face whenever I used it. Then eventually, a good chunk just stood up high and marched on out...well, not literally, but it was donezo! 

Is this normal?? Have any of my Sigma users experienced the same thing?

I am definitely saddened by the near death of my brush, but the show must go on! I'm not ready to let go of my brush. The remaining hairs are looser of course as a chunk of it is gone. However, I continue to use it until its final day...or until I get myself to an Ulta or Sephora. LOL.

I've been hearing good things about Real Techniques and Japonesque.

Decisions decisions...

<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