It's already March! Feels like yesterday when I was watching the ball drop on TV! Here are the beauty highlights of my month, enjoy!
Hits:
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in 200 Soft Beige
Unlike most long-wearing products, this foundation is very easy to blend and it gives you enough time to do so, there's no need to rush.
Rimmel Match Perfection Skin Tome Adapting Concealer in 230 Fair/Light
I find it amazing that this concealer doesn't crease/flake underneath my eyes. Doesn't feel cakey, but has really good pigmentation.
Clinique Blended Face Powder in 03 Transparency 3
This powder is very finely-milled, has no shimmer, and best of all, no scent!
Nars Blush in Sin
This blush is amazing for winter. When applied right, it makes you look like you were just outside in the cold air. Also, it lasts all day!
Lush Lip Service Lip Balm
This lip balm can be very hard to apply if it's stored in a cold environment. Keep it in a pant pocket, and you'll have an amazingly nourishing lip balm that doesn't require re-application every ten minutes.
Zoya Nail Lacquer in Rekha
A beautiful red shade that didn't chip for an entire week!
Misses:
CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder in 110 Translucent Light
Even if this was the greatest loose powder ever (it isn't) and I still wouldn't tolerate it because of it's scent.
Mar 2, 2012
Feb 14, 2012
Tip: Fragrance
They say not to rub your wrists together right after applying fragrance, because this can end up altering the scent. Instead, just spray one of your wrists, and touch it to the other. That simple! For a lighter touch or heavier perfumes, spray your chest once, and tap both your wrists to dampen them slightly.
It's a good idea to apply your fragrance a little higher on your arm, that way it won't come off when you wash your hands throughout the day.
Also, always spray fragrance directly on your skin, rather than on your clothes. Fragrance is meant to work with the warmth and oils of your skin to create your own unique scent. If you spray it on your clothes, the alcohol might actually ruin the fabric, so be careful!
Let me know what's your all-time favorite fragrance below!
It's a good idea to apply your fragrance a little higher on your arm, that way it won't come off when you wash your hands throughout the day.
Also, always spray fragrance directly on your skin, rather than on your clothes. Fragrance is meant to work with the warmth and oils of your skin to create your own unique scent. If you spray it on your clothes, the alcohol might actually ruin the fabric, so be careful!
Let me know what's your all-time favorite fragrance below!
Feb 11, 2012
How To Do Your Makeup When You're Half Asleep!
Recently I got a job that requires me to wake up at 6AM. By the time I get completely ready, there's usually not more than 5 minutes left for makeup. This might be enough for some people, but I am so slow in the morning that it can take me about twice the time to do something! Here, I have pretty much everything I've been doing to make myself look like I actually had a good night sleep.
EYES:
I have really veiny, reddish eyelids, so I use a bit of MAC's Painterly Paint Pot to cover that up. I'm a contact wearer, so if I didn't get enough sleep, my contacts can sting pretty badly. I usually wait till I'm about to leave to put them on, but in the meantime, I like to apply some lubricant eye drops to prevent the stinging. I really don't have time to actually apply eyeshadow, so I just add some liner to my inner rims and some mascara, and I try to curl my lashes when I can. I always, always, always apply a little bit of clear mascara to my brows, and that instantly makes me look put together.
FACE:
Where I live, it can get pretty cold in the morning, causing my skin to get red and sometimes dry. I like to use a sunscreen because it's more emollient than my normal Clinique Dramatically Different Gel. I usually apply a quick layer of liquid foundation, and skip powder. Then, I apply a generous amount of my choice of blush, which for this winter has been either Nars Sin or Inglot #55. I never skip blush, because I think it takes me from ghost to normal. :)
LIPS:
For lips, I'm usually the type to only wear lip balm, but recently I've been keeping one of the new Revlon Lip Butters (shade Berry Smoothie) in my coat pocket. I usually smack this on once I'm already out the door.
Thanks for reading!
EYES:
I have really veiny, reddish eyelids, so I use a bit of MAC's Painterly Paint Pot to cover that up. I'm a contact wearer, so if I didn't get enough sleep, my contacts can sting pretty badly. I usually wait till I'm about to leave to put them on, but in the meantime, I like to apply some lubricant eye drops to prevent the stinging. I really don't have time to actually apply eyeshadow, so I just add some liner to my inner rims and some mascara, and I try to curl my lashes when I can. I always, always, always apply a little bit of clear mascara to my brows, and that instantly makes me look put together.
FACE:
Where I live, it can get pretty cold in the morning, causing my skin to get red and sometimes dry. I like to use a sunscreen because it's more emollient than my normal Clinique Dramatically Different Gel. I usually apply a quick layer of liquid foundation, and skip powder. Then, I apply a generous amount of my choice of blush, which for this winter has been either Nars Sin or Inglot #55. I never skip blush, because I think it takes me from ghost to normal. :)
LIPS:
For lips, I'm usually the type to only wear lip balm, but recently I've been keeping one of the new Revlon Lip Butters (shade Berry Smoothie) in my coat pocket. I usually smack this on once I'm already out the door.
Thanks for reading!
Jan 6, 2012
Favorite products of 2011
Another year has gone by, and as we welcomed 2012, I thought of all the things that I had tried in 2011. I've compiled an extensive list of products that I think I wouldn't have made it without. Most, if not all, of the items mentioned on this list were first-time buys for me, and I can say that I was very pleased with their performance. I hope 2012 brings many more beauty innovations to make our lives just that much easier. Happy New Year!
Makeup
Makeup
- Foundation: Bare Minerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation sephora.com
- Concealer: Benefit Boo-ing Concealer sephora.com
- Powder: Mark. Matte-nifficent Oil-Absorbing Powder shop.meetmark.com
- Blush: MAC blush in Dame maccosmetics.com
- Eyeliner: Milani Liquif'eye Pencil in Black cvs.com
- Eye Shadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette 1 sephora.com
- Mascara: Rimmel The Max Volume Mascara in Black walgreens.com
- Lip Balm: Smith Rosebud Minted Rose Lip Balm sephora.com
- Lipgloss: Sephora Glossy Gloss in Tangy Bite sephora.com
- Lipstick: Mark. Lipclick Full Color Lipstick in Coral Fixation shop.meetmark.com
Skin
- Cleanser: Mark. That's Deep Purifying Cleanser shop.meetmark.com
- Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel clinique.com
- Sunscreen: Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion Face SPF 30 soap.com
- Eye Cream: Clinique All About Eyes Rich clinique.com
Hair
- Shampoo: Redken Extreme Shampoo folica.com
- Conditioner: Redken Extreme Deep Fuel Treatment folica.com
- Treatment/Mask: Naked Rescue Intensive Repair and Renew boots.com
- Leave-in: Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment folica.com
- Styling Product: BioInfusion Smoothing Hair Serum walgreens.com
Body
- Body Wash: Avon Naturals Shower Gel in Cherry Blossom shop.avon.com
- Moisturizer: Neutrogena Body Oil soap.com
- Deodorant: Secret PH Balanced in Shower Fresh soap.com
- Shave Cream/Gel: Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Strawberry Tangerine Twist soap.com
- Fragrance: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy sephora.com
Nails
- Base Coat: Nail Tek Foundation II Ridge-Filling Base Coat transdesign.com
- Top Coat: Sephora by OPI 3-in-1 Base, Top & Strengthener sephora.com
- Spring/Summer Color: China Glaze Nail Lacquer in IV transdesign.com
- Fall/Winter Color: China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Below Deck transdesign.com
Tools
- Face Tool: Clarisonic Mia 1 clarisonic.com
- Hair Tool: Turbo 2200 Hair Dryer (discontinued)
- Tweezer: Tweezerman Slant Tweezers sephora.com
- Eyelash Curler: Revlon Eyelash Curler walgreens.com
- Razor: Schick Quattro for Women soap.com
- Hair Brush: Sephora Collection Boar Detangling Brush sephora.com
- Makeup Brushes: Sigma Make Me Up Kit sigmabeauty.com
Jan 3, 2012
Quick Tip: Cuticles
If you use a lip balm that comes in a tub or tin, you probably have some product left over on your finger after applying it to your lips. Instead of wiping that residue in your palm (or wherever you put it), massage it in on your cuticles. This will make them appear healthy and promote nail growth!
Dec 28, 2011
Hair Routine For Fine And Curly Hair
For shampoo, right now I'm switching between the Redken Extreme and the Garnier Pure Clean. The Redken one is opaque, and contains a lot of protein, making it great for damaged hair. When I need my hair to be squeaky clean, I switch over to the Garnier one, which is clear and clarifying.
Whenever I use the Redken shampoo, I also use the matching Redken Extreme conditioner. This particular formula isn't very hydrating, so it doesn't leave the hair feeling very soft - it's just enough to untangle the hair. Even though it doesn't soften, this formula definitely strengthens my hair and I will continue to use it. When I want my hair to be soft, I use a little bit of the Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth conditioner, which works extremely well at softening. About every two weeks I use a deep conditioner, and the one I'm currently using is the Naked Rescue Hair Treatment. I coat the length of my hair and leave it on for about ten minutes.
After I get out of the shower, I usually choose between a few treatments and styling products. The Redken Extreme Anti-Snap treatment is a great leave-in conditioner, but if I need more smoothness, I'll go with the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny serum. The super skinny serum smells amazing, and it really does help dry my hair faster! Another product that I really like is the Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk. I've used this in the past and always gone back to it, but if I'm using it, I'll use it by itself, since too many products can cause buildup. That product is great to apply right before a blowout, since it really takes care of any frizz.
Whenever I use the Redken shampoo, I also use the matching Redken Extreme conditioner. This particular formula isn't very hydrating, so it doesn't leave the hair feeling very soft - it's just enough to untangle the hair. Even though it doesn't soften, this formula definitely strengthens my hair and I will continue to use it. When I want my hair to be soft, I use a little bit of the Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth conditioner, which works extremely well at softening. About every two weeks I use a deep conditioner, and the one I'm currently using is the Naked Rescue Hair Treatment. I coat the length of my hair and leave it on for about ten minutes.
After I get out of the shower, I usually choose between a few treatments and styling products. The Redken Extreme Anti-Snap treatment is a great leave-in conditioner, but if I need more smoothness, I'll go with the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny serum. The super skinny serum smells amazing, and it really does help dry my hair faster! Another product that I really like is the Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk. I've used this in the past and always gone back to it, but if I'm using it, I'll use it by itself, since too many products can cause buildup. That product is great to apply right before a blowout, since it really takes care of any frizz.
Dec 27, 2011
Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush: Review & Photos
I first discovered the Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer #57 brush when one of the beauty consultants at the store used it on me. I was originally interested in the actual concealer, but as soon as I felt this brush on my skin, I knew I had to have it. I've always had trouble applying concealer under my eyes, because the traditional flat brushes would leave the area looking streaky. If I applied with my fingers, it always ended up looking splotchy and uneven, and I'd end up using more product than necessary.
After the beauty consultant was done, I took one look in the mirror and was immediately sold. As the name states, this brush definitely gives an airbrushed finish. My concealer had never looked so good, and the best part was that I barely felt it to the touch, so it's extremely gentle (great for the delicate eye area).
The beauty consultant at Sephora also mentioned that with this brush, it didn't matter what concealer you chose to use, you were going to get a perfect application every time. I find this to be absolutely true, and I'm glad that now I'm able to use all my neglected concealers!
This brush is made of synthetic fibers, which make it great for applying concealer as it won't absorb the product. I find that when using this brush, I only need a fraction of what I used to use before. At first it might appear too big, but the round shape allows it to get into the contours of your face effortlessly. I bought this brush primarily for under-eye concealer, but I find that it works great around my nose as well.
This brush retails for $24 USD and can be purchased at any Sephora store or at sephora.com. Thank you for reading!
Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush
After the beauty consultant was done, I took one look in the mirror and was immediately sold. As the name states, this brush definitely gives an airbrushed finish. My concealer had never looked so good, and the best part was that I barely felt it to the touch, so it's extremely gentle (great for the delicate eye area).
The beauty consultant at Sephora also mentioned that with this brush, it didn't matter what concealer you chose to use, you were going to get a perfect application every time. I find this to be absolutely true, and I'm glad that now I'm able to use all my neglected concealers!
This brush is made of synthetic fibers, which make it great for applying concealer as it won't absorb the product. I find that when using this brush, I only need a fraction of what I used to use before. At first it might appear too big, but the round shape allows it to get into the contours of your face effortlessly. I bought this brush primarily for under-eye concealer, but I find that it works great around my nose as well.
This brush retails for $24 USD and can be purchased at any Sephora store or at sephora.com. Thank you for reading!
Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush
Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush
Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush
Comparison: Sigma F70 Concealer Brush (left), Sephora Professionnel Airbrush Concealer 57 Brush (right)
Dec 26, 2011
Quick Tip: Garlic Nails
If you have trouble with weak, short, and peeling nails, this is for you. Buy the cheapest clear polish you can find. Next, take a small garlic clove and cut it into itty bitty pieces, and stuff them into the polish. Try to paint your nails with this concoction every week or as soon as you see a chip, and your nails will thank you.
Dec 22, 2011
Tip: Determining Your Skin's Undertones
Many people become very confused when faced with products labeled for "warm" or "cool" skin tones. An easy way to determine this is to look at your arm - if your veins appear greenish, then your skin has a yellow undertone, or is warm-toned. If the veins on your arm look blue, then your skin has a pink undertone, or is cool-toned. If you can't see the veins under your skin, try to determine whether you look better in gold or silver. Warm skin tones tend to look best in golds, while cooler skin tones look best in silver.
Hope this was helpful!
Hope this was helpful!
Dec 21, 2011
Tag: If I Had To Start Over
So there is this tag that has been going around YouTube that asks you to name the ten items you would purchase first if all of your makeup disappeared. I don't make YouTube videos, but I thought it would be fun to share this anyway.
The first item on my list is a cheap clear mascara. I use a clear mascara every single day to keep my crazy eyebrows in place, and I think it makes all the difference in the world. I don't bother buying expensive tubes of "brow gels" because a $2 clear mascara from a drugstore works just fine!
The second item is actually a dark grey eyeshadow, which I use sometimes to fill in the gaps of my brows. My hair and eyebrows are black, and I find that dark grey looks more natural than a brown shadow. I apply it using an angled eyeliner brush for a natural finish. The one I currently have is Kiko Eye Shadow in 175, but when I run out I'll have to get something different unless I go to Italy to get it :)
My next item is the Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil in Black, and so far this has been the darkest, creamiest liner I've found that doesn't move around in my inner rims/lower lash line.
I would have to buy a mascara, and although I don't use one every day, I like to have one for when I'm doing night looks or if I feel like wearing one. I've tried many before, but so far I really love the Clinique High Impact, L'Oreal Voluminous, and Rimmel The Max Volume Flash mascaras.
The first item on my list is a cheap clear mascara. I use a clear mascara every single day to keep my crazy eyebrows in place, and I think it makes all the difference in the world. I don't bother buying expensive tubes of "brow gels" because a $2 clear mascara from a drugstore works just fine!
The second item is actually a dark grey eyeshadow, which I use sometimes to fill in the gaps of my brows. My hair and eyebrows are black, and I find that dark grey looks more natural than a brown shadow. I apply it using an angled eyeliner brush for a natural finish. The one I currently have is Kiko Eye Shadow in 175, but when I run out I'll have to get something different unless I go to Italy to get it :)
My next item is the Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner Pencil in Black, and so far this has been the darkest, creamiest liner I've found that doesn't move around in my inner rims/lower lash line.
I would have to buy a mascara, and although I don't use one every day, I like to have one for when I'm doing night looks or if I feel like wearing one. I've tried many before, but so far I really love the Clinique High Impact, L'Oreal Voluminous, and Rimmel The Max Volume Flash mascaras.
 |
| Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara |
For foundation, I'd like something that I could use as a powder and that's portable. Right now I'm using the Mark. Powder Buff Foundation in Buff, and I really like it. I haven't found my holy grail foundation yet, but I'm working on it!
I think my favorite makeup item is blush, so I actually picked two from my current collection. If my makeup actually did disappear, I'm not 100% sure if I would repurchase these specific ones, simply because I love blush and I want to try every single one out there, but for now MAC's Dame and Benefit's Dallas would definitely have me covered.
 |
| Benefit Dallas & MAC blush in Dame |
For eyeshadow I had to pick a palette, and of course I went with my new boo, the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette. This palette is amazing, and I can create so many different looks! If you want to know more, you can read my review here.
I have oily skin, and thus I have oily eyelids. Without primer, my eyeshadow would crease badly, and then just disappear somewhere, and that's not a very good look. I haven't tried many primers, because the one that I tried first was amazing, and that was the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I currently have the original, but I'm really interested in trying the Eden one.
Lastly, I had to pick a lip product, so I decided to go with Clinique's Superbalm Lip Treatment in Currant. This is a balm/lip gloss that leaves some color and is super moisturizing, and I've actually repurchased it twice. Most of the time I wear lip balm, but this one can act as a lip gloss as well.
That was all, thank you for reading!
Dec 20, 2011
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette: Review & Photos
Why hello there! I know I haven't posted in forever, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten about this blog. I have many reviews, tips and routines coming up that I think everyone will enjoy, so stay tuned.
If you are somewhat interested in makeup and beauty products, you've probably heard of the ever-so-famous Urban Decay Naked Palette. UD eyeshadows are known for their amazing texture, pigmentation, and overall quality. Last year when they released a 'Naked' palette full of wearable neutrals, everyone went nuts and it sold out everywhere. The palette became so famous that this month they have released a sequel called the Naked2.
This new palette is already famous by association. I managed to get my hands on it, but so far only the Urban Decay website is carrying it and it keeps selling out at a ridiculous rate. This palette deserves five stars just for the fact that it includes twelve full-size shadows, when a single UD shadow usually retails for $17. The packaging of this version is made of plastic and resembles a metal tin, which might make it more durable and definitely easier to clean. It comes with a bigger mirror, a double ended brush (a flat shader and a fluffy blending brush) and a mini lip gloss. All of this for just $50 USD is just too good to pass up.
The real question would be, is it worth to have both? In my opinion, I actually prefer this new palette over the old one. On the UD website it says that this palette was created with more 'greige' and cooler colors, which I definitely like. Many of the new shades lean more towards the cooler side and there are many shades of taupe. There are also three matte colors: a cream highlight (Foxy), a mid-tone beige/gray (Tease) and a really intense black for liner or defined crease work (Blackout). I have light, cool-toned skin, so this palette will definitely get more use than my original Naked.
If you are a makeup collector and can afford it, it's definitely OK to have both palettes. My older Naked palette was barely used, so I actually sold it to a friend who prefers gold and bronze shades. If you have neither and are considering purchasing one, I'd say go to the store once it's released and swatch the shades. Although they look very similar in their packaging, the difference is quite notable. However, I definitely like the Naked2 better than the first. :)
This palette is currently available at UrbanDecay.com and I believe it will be available at Sephora.com after Christmas. This palette retails for $50 USD.
 |
| Urban Decay Naked2 Palette |
 |
| Urban Decay Naked2 Palette |
 |
| Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, & Snakebite |
 |
| Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, & Blackout |
 |
| Double-ended brush |
 |
| Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Naked |
This new palette is already famous by association. I managed to get my hands on it, but so far only the Urban Decay website is carrying it and it keeps selling out at a ridiculous rate. This palette deserves five stars just for the fact that it includes twelve full-size shadows, when a single UD shadow usually retails for $17. The packaging of this version is made of plastic and resembles a metal tin, which might make it more durable and definitely easier to clean. It comes with a bigger mirror, a double ended brush (a flat shader and a fluffy blending brush) and a mini lip gloss. All of this for just $50 USD is just too good to pass up.
The real question would be, is it worth to have both? In my opinion, I actually prefer this new palette over the old one. On the UD website it says that this palette was created with more 'greige' and cooler colors, which I definitely like. Many of the new shades lean more towards the cooler side and there are many shades of taupe. There are also three matte colors: a cream highlight (Foxy), a mid-tone beige/gray (Tease) and a really intense black for liner or defined crease work (Blackout). I have light, cool-toned skin, so this palette will definitely get more use than my original Naked.
If you are a makeup collector and can afford it, it's definitely OK to have both palettes. My older Naked palette was barely used, so I actually sold it to a friend who prefers gold and bronze shades. If you have neither and are considering purchasing one, I'd say go to the store once it's released and swatch the shades. Although they look very similar in their packaging, the difference is quite notable. However, I definitely like the Naked2 better than the first. :)
This palette is currently available at UrbanDecay.com and I believe it will be available at Sephora.com after Christmas. This palette retails for $50 USD.
Dec 2, 2011
NAKED?! AGAIN?!
The NAKED2 palette from Urban Decay is officially out, but it's already sold out! Word is that the colors are very similar, although this new palette has a few more matte shades and an amazingly intense matte black color. From what I've seen so far, it doesn't look that different from the original palette, so if you already have that one, I wouldn't necessarily suggest purchasing it. However, if you never got the chance to buy the first edition, I definitely recommend buying this palette!
This palette comes with a dual-ended brush (regular shader and crease/blending) and a mini lip gloss. There are twelve shades, and five of them are exclusive. The shades are:
The palette is currently sold out at urbandecay.com, but you can sign up on the website to be notified of when it is back in stock. As for other retailers, sephora.com will start carrying the palette after Christmas, and it will be in stores as of January 2012.
Happy Holidays!
Photo and information courtesy of urbandecay.com
This palette comes with a dual-ended brush (regular shader and crease/blending) and a mini lip gloss. There are twelve shades, and five of them are exclusive. The shades are:
- Foxy
- Half Baked *
- Booty Call
- Chopper
- Tease
- Snakebite
- Suspect
- Pistol
- Verve
- YDK
- Busted
- Blackout
The palette is currently sold out at urbandecay.com, but you can sign up on the website to be notified of when it is back in stock. As for other retailers, sephora.com will start carrying the palette after Christmas, and it will be in stores as of January 2012.
Happy Holidays!
Photo and information courtesy of urbandecay.com
Nov 6, 2011
Quick Tip: Shiny Hair
Sometimes our hair can become dull and flat due to all the products we're constantly using. Once a month, take about two tablespoons of regular white distilled vinegar and add it to about a cup of warm water. Pour this concoction over your wet hair before shampooing, and let it sit for about five minutes. The vinegar cleanses all the buildup from your hair leaving it shiny, voluminous and super soft. After the five minutes are up, rinse, shampoo and condition as normal.
Nov 4, 2011
Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium 1 ¼ inch: A Review
Today's review is a little different. This one is what I'm going to call a 'guest review', and was written for the Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium 1 ¼ inch by my good friend. Enjoy!
I chose to get this flat iron because a hair stylist did my hair with it and I was amazed. It straightens or curls my curly, thick, coarse hair with one pass. It works great on other hair types too; you just have to be careful with what temperature you set it at. I purchased this flat iron a little over a year ago from eBay for about $90, but the normal price is at least $130.
There are many pros to the Babyliss. It gets extremely hot in less than a minute-- up to 450 degrees; therefore it can straighten and curl very easily with one pass. My most favorite feature would have to be the thin, extra-long plates to allow for wider sections of hair and for getting really close to the roots of your hair. And also because the plates are made from titanium, I feel that they are easier to clean than the traditional ceramic plates. This flat iron is also really lightweight. I find that with this flat iron my hair turns out smoother, and shinier than with other irons, and my hair stays frizz-free even in the most humid conditions.
There are a few cons. The temperature dial uses numbers from 1 to 50 instead of the actual temperature, but the flat iron comes with a guide on what setting you should use depending on your hair type. The power button can be pressed by accident because its location is right where you would hold the iron. This flat iron can alter your hair texture (i.e. take the curl out). I was straightening my hair every week and my hair became permanently straight as if I had gotten a relaxer, but after easing up on how often I straightened my hair, it has slowly started to get its curl back especially in the roots where my hair has grown. The biggest con for me would have to be that you can very easily burn your hand because there is no “grip” on the top of the flat iron.
Overall, the Babyliss Nano Titanium is the best flat iron I have ever used. Having used Chi and Solia flat irons, the Babyliss is still my all-time favorite and would recommend it to anyone looking for a professional flat iron, and would definitely repurchase it.
Oct 31, 2011
October Hits and Misses
Hello there readers, Happy Halloween! It is that time of the month again where I share with you what I've been using, loving, and hating for this month, so I hope you enjoy!
Hits:
Clinique All About Eyes Rich
This cream does wonders for under-eye circles and puffy eyes. If you're looking for an eye cream that's not necessarily anti-aging, give this a try. Leaves the eye area unbelievably smooth.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
I originally used the gel version of this product, but my new skincare regimen called for something stronger. I love Clinique products in general because they're very gentle and fragrance-free.
Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30
I was prescribed Tretinoin (a form of Retinoid) for my acne this month, so it was mandatory that I use a sunscreen if I was even thinking of being outside. This sunblock smells amazing and it didn't sting my delicate skin.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
I LOVE this stuff! Smells amazing, and it's one of those products that actually delivers. I will be posting a full review on this soon.
eos Smooth Stick Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry
This balm is clear and tastes pretty good, and I'm trying to finish it :).
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
Been using this to line my inner rims. I don't usually like to line my lashlines because my eyes are already really big. Placing the liner on my inner rims looks more natural on me, and it just looks like I have more lashes.
Tweezerman Slant-Tip Tweezers
I had sent in my tweezers for the free sharpening like in the middle of July, and I FINALLY got them back! I was so excited! These are the best tweezers I've ever used, and I confirmed this when I was forced to borrow different ones from a friend while I waited for mines to arrive.
Kiko Eye Shadow in 175
I use this shadow and an angled liner brush to slightly fill in and darken my eyebrows. It is a dark grey shade (my eyebrows are black) and it has the tiniest bits of silver micro-shimmer. I prefer the shimmer because this mimics the natural shine in your hair, instead of the obvious powdered matte-shadow look. I bought this on a trip to Italy, and I don't think it's available in the U.S. (yet!) but hopefully one day it will!
mark. Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Buff
Being that I'm on Tretinoin, my skin basically peeled off, taking whatever hint of a tan I had left. This made my skin so light that none of my foundations matched anymore, so I ordered this one. So far, I love it!
Misses:
No misses this month!
Hits:
Clinique All About Eyes Rich
This cream does wonders for under-eye circles and puffy eyes. If you're looking for an eye cream that's not necessarily anti-aging, give this a try. Leaves the eye area unbelievably smooth.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
I originally used the gel version of this product, but my new skincare regimen called for something stronger. I love Clinique products in general because they're very gentle and fragrance-free.
Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30
I was prescribed Tretinoin (a form of Retinoid) for my acne this month, so it was mandatory that I use a sunscreen if I was even thinking of being outside. This sunblock smells amazing and it didn't sting my delicate skin.
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
I LOVE this stuff! Smells amazing, and it's one of those products that actually delivers. I will be posting a full review on this soon.
eos Smooth Stick Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry
This balm is clear and tastes pretty good, and I'm trying to finish it :).
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
Been using this to line my inner rims. I don't usually like to line my lashlines because my eyes are already really big. Placing the liner on my inner rims looks more natural on me, and it just looks like I have more lashes.
Tweezerman Slant-Tip Tweezers
I had sent in my tweezers for the free sharpening like in the middle of July, and I FINALLY got them back! I was so excited! These are the best tweezers I've ever used, and I confirmed this when I was forced to borrow different ones from a friend while I waited for mines to arrive.
Kiko Eye Shadow in 175
I use this shadow and an angled liner brush to slightly fill in and darken my eyebrows. It is a dark grey shade (my eyebrows are black) and it has the tiniest bits of silver micro-shimmer. I prefer the shimmer because this mimics the natural shine in your hair, instead of the obvious powdered matte-shadow look. I bought this on a trip to Italy, and I don't think it's available in the U.S. (yet!) but hopefully one day it will!
mark. Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Buff
Being that I'm on Tretinoin, my skin basically peeled off, taking whatever hint of a tan I had left. This made my skin so light that none of my foundations matched anymore, so I ordered this one. So far, I love it!
Misses:
No misses this month!
Oct 30, 2011
Benefit Dallas: Review & Photos
I love pink blush, the lighter the better. I love how it gives me a flush of color that looks extremely natural on my light skin. However, if I had to pick one blush to use for the rest of my life, it would probably be Benefit Dallas.
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| Benefit Dallas |
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Dallas is one of Benefit's boxed powders, and my favorite one. When you look at this blush in person, I'll admit it looks pretty scary on the box. The shade is like a combination of brown and pink, and it gives the most beautiful color on the cheeks. It makes you look like you just came from a day in the sun - tanned, but with a hint of red to mimic the skin's actual color. It is extremely realistic, and it makes my skin glow like I just came from the islands, even though I haven't seen the sun in ages :(. You can dust this very lightly all over your face, then add a bit more on the apples of your cheeks for an extra glow.
This product retails for $28, but the amount you get in the box is about 4x the amount of a standard blush, so it works out to be very affordable. Next time you pass by a Benefit counter or a Sephora, don't forget to swatch this!
Quick Tip: Winter Skin
If you live somewhere where the weather gets extremely cold, you've probably experienced the painful cracked skin that can occur when you lose moisture. This is usually most common on the corners of the nose, around the lips, and the webs of your fingers. Dab a little Vaseline or Aquaphor on these spots to smooth the area and reduce the itching. If you're on the go, a clear lip balm will work the same way.
Quick Tip: Cleaning Makeup Brushes
Whether you only own one eyeshadow brush, or you're creating a look that involves multiple shades, it is a good idea to clean your brushes between colors. This allows for the colors to show up true to their shade instead of blending with what was already on the brush. Take a folded paper towel and a spray bottle with the highest concentration of alcohol you can find (i.e. 99%, the higher the concentration, the faster it dries). Then spray the bristles of your brush a few times and sweep them back and forth on your paper towel to remove all the excess pigments. Your brushes should be dry and ready for use in about two minutes.
One 'N Only Argan Oil: A Review
Hello there! This is a review of the One 'N Only Argan Oil, which is probably Moroccanoil's biggest competitor on the market right now. Compared to the Moroccanoil, this one is considerably cheaper, being that I got my 3.4oz bottle for about $12 from folica.com.
The main reason I purchased this product was because I was running low on my current hair serum. I had heard a lot of hype over Argan oil, and many people compared this product to the more expensive Moroccanoil, some even saying that this one was way better. Reviews were promising smooth, healthy hair that was completely restored and even grew faster.
To my disappointment, this product didn't deliver as I expected it to. I have fine hair, so a little went a LONG way, and it was very easy to overdue it. Often I'd end up with stringy hair, which was frustrating since my hair is already on the oily side. This oil is definitely more suited for those with thick, coarse hair that can absorb a heavy product. Instead of taming my frizz, it just made my hair look flat and oily.
Bottom line: if you have fine, thin hair that gets flat easily, or if you like volume, you might want to stay away from this product. On the other hand, if you have tons of thick hair that you'd like to tame, this product will probably work just fine.
Thank you for reading!
-Z
To my disappointment, this product didn't deliver as I expected it to. I have fine hair, so a little went a LONG way, and it was very easy to overdue it. Often I'd end up with stringy hair, which was frustrating since my hair is already on the oily side. This oil is definitely more suited for those with thick, coarse hair that can absorb a heavy product. Instead of taming my frizz, it just made my hair look flat and oily.
Bottom line: if you have fine, thin hair that gets flat easily, or if you like volume, you might want to stay away from this product. On the other hand, if you have tons of thick hair that you'd like to tame, this product will probably work just fine.
Thank you for reading!
-Z
Oct 19, 2011
EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm: A Review
If you're all about packaging and into quirky things, you've probably tried (or at least heard of) the EOS Sphere Lip Balms. These balms have a lot of things going for them: they're cute, colorful, come in an array of flavors, and they're crafted out of 100% natural and 95% organic ingredients. Sounds great, right?
One thing I noticed is that I find myself re-applying constantly, and its not because it's fun, it's because the moisturizing properties don't last nearly as long as I need them to. I find that after the balm wears off, my lips feel drier than when I first applied. This is the same reason why ChapStick doesn't work for me. If you have normal lips, this will be a great balm for you, but my lips are very dry, so I need something more potent.
You can find these balms at most drugstores, Target and Walmart for about $3, so if you're intrigued, give them a try!
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