Ulta Haul: Presents To Myself

The season of giving had come and go. I hope that in this past season of giving, you gave some gifts to yourself. You deserve a treat and should take advantage of good deals! I definitely did :)

I give you...my Christmas presents to myself. All are from Ulta, my current and probably longlasting guilty pleasure.

Burberry Brit Sheer, $66

 It's official!! I finally purchased my first ever "big girl" perfume. I've been using Bath & Body Works' Sheer Freesia Body Splash since my early 20s. As much as I love the scent, it's a hassle to buy because it's only sold online. Second, body spray does not last the full day. I drench myself in it and can smell it on my clothes if I sniffed it, but other than that, it's like nothing happened.

I searched far and long for the "perfect" perfume. I wanted something light in fragrance and not overwhelming. This perfume does just that... the only downside is that the scent does not linger too strongly as the day passes. 

I do use it sparingly and on special occasions as it is pricier. I did get a good deal on this as I had $23 worth in Ulta points. Ulta was also having a promo in which you would get a $60 retail valued robe for free with a $40 fragrance purchase. 

PROS: Light, feminine scent; not overwhelming
CONS: Price; scent fades

Would I repurchase? More yes than no. I do want something to last all day. If I hear about a fragrance that does and I like it, I will consider that.

Hot Tools 1" Curling Iron 24K Gold, Original $49.99, sale $29.99

I am so happy with this purchase!!!! When I went to Florida in October, I curled my hair with my friend's Hot Tools Curling Iron...and holy cow. My curls were so voluminous (my hair was much longer back then). Though the curls did fall a bit throughout the day, it held most of its curls. The next day, my hair was still curly!! Usually, my next day curls make my hair look like bent hair. Not cute. 

I used my new wand (in Dark Pink) Tuesday night before bed. I did not use hairspray. I must admit that I was a bit nervous as to how my curls would look the next morning, especially since I was sleeping on them within minutes of doing them.

The next morning, I woke up to fresh bouncy curls. I was amazed. My curls lasted until Thursday and probably would have lasted until Friday when I washed my hair (sounds gross but my hair is really dry). I kept my hair in a funky top bun for most of Thursday and Friday. When I took my hair down Friday before my shower, the curls were still there but tampered with as I had my hair up. 

PROS: the color!, the deal, the heating range, long lasting curls, no hairspray needed
CONS: Length of actual heating section. I do wish it was a little longer, especially for when I grow my hair out

Would I repurchase? I would totally in the future. I keep hair tools for a long time, but I am so pleased with this brand that I would stick to it for future upgrades

Batiste Dry Shampoo Travel Size, $9.99

I do not feel bad about this purchase at all. My current Batiste (full size) is almost done and I needed a new one. I wanted to try other scents and this gives me the opportunity to do so.

I haven't used it yet, but I'm sure I will love it as I do love the full size.

Neutrogena T/Gel Original Formula Shampoo, $9.99

I first tried this out when I slept over at my friend's home. My friend had a mini selection of shampoo but I was drawn to this because it claims to help with dry scalp and dandruff. Previous hairdressers had commented on my scalp being flakey and that I needed a shampoo to target that. This shampoo has an unappealing smell, but thankfully it does not linger in the hair after washed. My hair also felt soft when it dried.

PROS: Targets dandruff-prone hair/scalps

CONS: Smell

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow, $6.99 BOGO 50%

(Bad to the Bronze, Barely Branded, Bold Gold, Inked in Pink)

Old news, yes, but new news to me! I've been eyeing these since they first hit the market but never allowed myself to get them until now! Since it was the holidays, I decided to treat myself :)

I have only used Bold Gold so far just to sweep across my lid as an easy shadow. I loved it! 

I'm sorry these swatches don't do the colors any justice. I'm trying to get better at this picture taking thing. 

I did want to show what it looked like many many hours later.

This picture was taken late at night (maybe 1am) the same day I did the swatches (around 2pm). The shadows were still intact! Granted, my arms do not get oily like my lids do, but I was just amazed by the staying power of this thing. 

I have yet to try it as an eyeshadow base, but I am really excited for the looks that I can come up with.

PROS: easy to use, great pigmentation, long lasting

CONS: none so far?

Did you get yourself anything for the holidays?

<3<3<3

Fall 2014 Favorites

This past Fall have been the season for me to fall more in love with makeup. I tried a few products that have got me head over heels over this season's makeup trends, both old and new!

Maybelline Vollum'Express: The Rocket Mascara

I know, I know. This mascara is old news, but it is new news to me! For the past how many years, I've been loyal to Maybelline's Volum'Express: Falsies. This year, I started branching out and trying new mascaras. I decided to give this a try this Fall and I am so happy that I did. I mean, look at my lashes! :) I own false lashes to make my lashes look that way :) Next up on my "To Try" list is Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara. Has anyone tried it?

NYX Matte Setting Spray

I LOVE THIS!!!!! I am currently using my second bottle. I actually think this works even better than the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray. That's a big claim especially since I love the UD spray. The NYX setting spray just really made my makeup last all day. If my blush and bronzer are still on by the end of the day, that's how I know the setting spray has worked. The UD is longlasting, but by the time I get home from work, my blush and bronzer have lightened to little to nothing. With NYX, I look nearly the same as I had left the house :)

Best way to use it: Put your moisturizer on, set, primer, set, setting spray, set, apply makeup.

I have heard the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Makeup Spray was a great drugstore setting spray.  I do want to try it but it's more costly. 

NYX - 2.3 fl oz at $7.99 - $8.99

L'Oreal - 3.4 fl oz at $13.99 - $16.99

Urban Decay - 4 fl oz at $30.00

Urban Decay - 1 fl oz at $14

Even though L'Oreal has more product in it, it's still pricier per fl oz.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

(Picture from Target website)

There are mixed reviews about this nail polish, but aren't there always? You cannot buy the polish without the top coat. TRUST. For me, the polish wore off just like any other polish would within a few days. The top coat works magic for me. It made my polish last for a week. Together, it does look and feel like you have gel nails on. It's shiny and sturdy. I love it! It's $9.99 each so definitely wait for drugstore promos such as BOGO 50% off. I am currently (and anxiously) awaiting the next BOGO sale from Ulta. Hurry, Ulta, hurry!!

NYX Matte Lipstick in Aria

Vampy is definitely back this Fall. I've never felt bold enough to wear a more vampy lip, but 2014 was my year to unleash the styles I wanted to be no matter how timid I felt. I always stayed safe with natural styles because it was expected of me, but heck! This year, I learned to just be me. Aria is definitely a gorgeous color, both in photos and in person.  It has fuchsia/magenta tones embedded in it so it makes it easier to transition to a vampy look if that's not what you're used to. The color is just so beautiful! I wish I could wear this every single day :)

Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Sugar Plum Fairy

Another vampy look! I know this is similar to NYX's Aria, but this color is darker and less pink. The more you layer, the more plum the color becomes. So beautiful!! 

I cannot wait to see what I fall in love with this Winter :)

What were your Fall faves?

<3<3<3

Crazy for Lippies Part 2: Wet N Wild

As mentioned, here is part 2 of my Crazy for Lippies installment. If you're interested, check out Part 1 in which I talk about my most recent NYX purchases. 

This post is about my [kind of recent] Wet N Wild haul. At $1.99/lipstick, how am I not supposed to get as many as I can??

I picked up 5 colors: Don't Blink Pink, Smokin Hot Pink, Stoplight Red, Cherry Picking, Sugar Plum Fairy.

Here are the arm swatches:

I included arm swatches in two different lighting.  

Here are the lip swatches. Just a little disclaimer, I tried to take pictures in different lighting to see how the color would fare. That is why I am lighter in some shots and darker in others. Enjoy :)

Don't Blink Pink

Verdict: Looks great in pictures, but in person, it's just way too bright for me. I'm not sure how I feel about this color quite yet. Maybe I'll feel more confident rocking it when I have a bit color in my complexion Spring/Summer. It was just too Nicki Minaj for me. But unlike Nicki, it was just not working 

Smokin' Hot Pink

Verdict: I do like this color too. Less vibrant than Don't Blink Pink, but still pretty vibrant. It's darker than Don't Blink Pink which makes it less overwhelming. A beautiful, fun color for Spring/Summer

Stoplight Red

Verdict: Before this purchase, I only owned one red lipstick by NYX. It was a red lip pencil (name, can't remember sorry!). I saw swatches of this color on other makeup lovers and dang, it looked so pretty on them! I don't know why there's so much shine on my lips? Maybe it was the light? Maybe I should have blotted it first? I'm not a glossy, shiny lip person. Love it on others, not so much on me. Lastly, I'm not a fan of bright red lipstick on myself. This color is way too bright. I love dark, deep wine reds or brick reds

Cherry Picking

Verdict: I thought it was going to be more purple-y because the sticker on the lipstick looks a little purple/plum to me or am I colorblind? The color is still nice. It's like a pinky red. I do look forward to rocking this later on as the weather warms up

Sugar Plum Fairy

Verdict: Definitely my favorite of all my Wet n Wild purchases. I've been totally digging the vampier purple lip. I love this one! Makes me feel pretty badass ;) I have been rocking this and NYX's Aria all Fall and Winter. And heck, if I still have some by the time Spring and Summer roll around, I'm sure I'll be wearing it then too.

I love lipstick! :)

One of my best friends enabled me by gifting me the Tarte Kiss & Belle Lipsurgence Lip Set. I've tried on all except the lip glosses. I love all the darker colors. Not so much the nude. I'll try to do a lip swatch post for these as well.

(Tarte photos taken from Sephora website)

I am excited to play around with these! :D

If I didn't say it already, HAPPY NEW YEAR. I know totally random placement, but I think I hadn't greeted you yet.

May 2015 come out with more beautiful colors and may I find more control in purchasing them!! haha, maybe?

<3<3<3

Last Seasonal Starbucks Meal of 2014

I am one of the biggest gimmicky consumers out there. Slap on "Limited Edition" or "Seasonal" on a product and you know I'm on it.

As much as I detest the cold, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons because of all the seasonal flavors - pumpkin, chestnut, gingerbread. And then there is the savory like stuffing! OOH STUFFING.

Starbucks is my biggest weakness this time of year! The amount of money I shell out each year on their holiday drinks is pretty embarrassing...though I must admit, half of my purchases were for others. Sharing is caring! :)

This year's holiday favorites included: chestnut praline latte, holiday turkey and stuffing panini, and the frosted snowman cookie.

In late December, Starbucks will stop ordering new shipments of holidays flavors (or so I was told). Whatever you can find in late December and early January are the last stock. I just had to get my last fix before they disappear til Fall 2015.

My Starbucks holiday favorites

I actually had to drive to two different Starbucks to find the frosted snowman cookies. The first one were all out with nothing coming in anymore. Thank goodness for living in a big city like Los Angeles where there are Starbucks everywhere. I found the cookies at a nearby Starbucks. Oh the joy!!!

Trust me when I say I was so close to buying nearly all of them just to stock up! My little nephew loves them. One of my best friends loves them. We would all be in seasonal cookie heaven.

Until next time holiday menu....you will be greatly missed and craved.

<3<3<3

Crazy for Lippies Part 1: NYX

This past Fall, I jumped on the NYX train. Now I understand why everyone loves this drug store product: pigmentation, lasting power, the finish... and all at a reasonably affordable price! Need I say more?

In this post, I'll focus on NYX. I know there are plenty of swatch videos and posts about these lipsticks, but ya know, the more the merrier!

Let's get to it!

(Cannes, Copenhagen, Natural, Aria)

Soft Matte Lip Cream

Cannes:

In pictures, it looks like a natural pink lip color. In real life, it has a coral hint to it. I don't look great in corals so it's a little weird when I first put it on, but I've gotten used to it and have grown to love the color. I

With this color, I put on 2 coats. 

Copenhagen:

This is definitely one of the most coveted colors of Fall 2014. It was sold out online on Ulta when Ulta had a BOGO 50% off sale on NYX. I do love this color. It can be as light or as dark as you may want it to be. I went to a baby shower in September and applied way too much that it looked nearly black. Yeaahhh, never doing that again. I definitely cannot rock a black lip. I just looked weird.

I usually put on 2 - 3 coats. The top left is usually the result I like to go for. The other three are 1 - 2 coats I believe. 

Soft Matte Lip Cream VERDICT:
As much as I love the color and finish on these babies, I do not think I will be repurchasing. Well, let's be real, I probably will if there was a good sale.

In all honesty, the lip creams were really really drying for me. After about 30 minute of first applying, I would feel my lips getting dry and stiff. It felt as though I was wearing a face mask on my lips which hardened. Within an hour, the insides on the top and bottom would start to peel and look crackly as if it were a mask on my lips. I did apply a lip balm on top, but that would only work for so long.  It's a shame because I do love the finish and the colors.

Matte Lipstick

Natural:

'Natural' isn't so natural. It's a there's-something-on-your-lips pink. Definitely not natural. On me, it's like a vibrant pinky mauve. I do love the color it gets as it wears off. The lasting power is what I love. It is work-friendly so this will definitely be a repeated purchase.

Aria:

I love love love this color. It sold out online during Ulta's BOGO 50% on NYX sale. My friend picked it up for me at an Ulta by her work. It was the last one. After seeing it on my lips, she went on the hunt for it as well. It's my perfect Fall color.

Just like Copenhagen, you can control how dark you want it. It's similar to Wet N Wild's Sugar Plum Fairy, but Aria has more of a fuchsia color embedded in the pigments. The more you layer, the darker and more purple it becomes. I absolutely love this color. I was so tempted to stock up on this color just to have. I am proud of myself though for my surprisingly self-control :)

Aria also has a staining power...a super staining power!

The top, with super poor lighting (hey, it was late late night time!). is how my lips looked after removing them. The bottom is how my lips looked the next morning. Kinda gross, but kinda cool.  

Matte Lipstick VERDICT:

I am totally going to buy again from this lipstick line. I love it!!!

<3<3<3

I'm Back...Again!

Water fountain at The Grove

Before I explain myself, I just want to say:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

I wish you and all those in your lives a wonderful, blessed holiday season and an even better new year!! :)

Life just went crazy since Thanksgiving! I had sleepless nights due to stress from work and family life and then holiday season!  The dynamics of work were changing due to our program contract being up for renewal next summer. My home life was not exactly an escape from work.  And with my boyfriend living 26 miles away, I just felt trapped. I was overwhelmed and have not been coping with stress very well lately. Ohhh, I needed a mini break.

Now I've had some time to breathe, relax, and get myself together. I am feeling better, stronger, and I'm ready to move forward!

I have a few blog posts written mentally that I just need to get down on paper (rather, the computer). In early Fall, I went lipstick crazy buying way too many lippies than I needed (how does this always happen to me?). I also wanted to share mini hauls that I've had since then. 

I look forward to getting back into the groove of blogging as well as catching up with some of my favorite blogs.

Happy holidays once again! :)

November Grateful Challenge Part 5

This is the final installment of my November Grateful Challenge. I'm a week behind with this but the end of November was crazy! There was Thanksgiving, Black Friday, pre-Black Friday, and post-Black Friday. It was just chaos!

1. Our First Thanksgiving. Ben and I celebrated our very first Thanksgiving together. We were both orphans. My parents were in the Philippines. He decided to not go to Vegas with my mom so that I would not be alone <3 We've always spent Thanksgiving apart until this year. It was special because it was our first. I wanted to have a mini celebration at home where we would make a little Thanksgiving feast, but Ben wanted to go out. We ended up going to Marie Calendar's where I had a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, string beans, and my favorites stuffing and candied yams! I am so sad I forgot to take a picture...but perhaps it was a good thing. I was living in the moment :)

2) Friends turned into Family. I have known Sophia and her family since I was 9. I've gotten to know not only her immediate family, but also her extended family and her in-laws-to-be. I have never really been so close to my own family, so it feels wonderful to be warmly welcomed and accepted by hers. I spent Thanksgiving morning and the Saturday after Thanksgiving with her family. As they say, family doesn't necessarily have to be blood. You can't control which family you're born into, but you can definitely choose the people you add to your family.

(Halloween era 2013)

3. I'm blessed. The biggest thing that I take from this Grateful Challenge is that I'm lucky for everything that I have. Being able to even post these blog entries shows what luxuries I have: a computer, internet, time to sit and type this up. I donated to my employer this past Tuesday for Giving Tuesday. An anonymous donor graciously offered to triple whatever amount donated. Donation allocations would go to haircuts for seniors, a holiday meal purchased, a gas card, books and toys for children, or movie tickets for teens. Simple pleasures that we find so accessible is a challenge for others to carry out. 

I am so lucky, so fortunate, and so blessed. 

Happy Holidays 

<3<3<3