A Review: Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Vs. L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe= $7.92
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24Hr Eyeshadow in Bold Gold= $7
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow (not shown)= $32


Thank you for watching!
j

Mac Mineralized Charged Water

Mac Mineralized Charged Water is a new product launched with a formula that contains crushed Brazilian Diamonds (the bottle has little sparkles all over it). Hmm....anyway, the product is supposed to freshen up the skin with a pump of hydrating mist. It can be used as a primer before applying makeup as well as a finishing spray, to set the makeup.

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I had to order this product because it was sold out when first launched, the added Brazilian diamonds must have really been the selling point. It adds little bits of shimmer to your face as you can see in the photo above.

MAC Mineralize Charge Water= $22

It feels pretty cool to spray my face before applying makeup because it makes me feel like a true makeup professional. However, I'm not sure if this really sets the makeup so great. I find that my makeup still falls down the face after 8 hours of work no matter what. My opinion is that it's better to invest in a makeup primer, like the one by Laura Mercier, as well as a lid primer like the one that's out by NARS.

Would I recommend this product? No. This is really just a splurge product. It makes you feel lovely to spray "diamonds" on your face, but let's face it, don't we get enough shimmer from other sources? They say to spray this on your face to re-set your makeup and freshen up, but for someone like me with oily skin, this adds to the shiny appearance. Best just to use this money towards skincare.

j

Hit/Miss: MAC Tenderling & Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes

Holy moly, it's my first ever video blog! I didn't have my SLR camera with me at my folks' place, so why not film for once? If this flies, I'll see about posting another one. I would have to fine tune the bells and whistles as you can tell, I need to play around with the sizing and lighting. Though, it definitely took less time than my usual typed out blog with pictures. Check me out in HD!

Thank you for watching! I am truly OBSESSED with MAC Tenderling and have been wearing it non-stop since purchase-date. That means I am seriously in love ;-)

j

Favorite Drugstore Lipstick

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Candy Pink= $6.49

Revlon's Candy Pink was voted as one of Allure's Best Drugstore Beauty Products. I was intimidated when I first purchased because the pink looked CRAZY. And when I say crazy, I mean stripper-pink-kind-of-crazy.

No worries, ladies. This excited me because it goes on sheer and the result is far from intimidating. In fact, it can be be toned down with a nude gloss or lip pencil though I use it alone most of the time. I love the texture because it is very moist and glides ever so smoothly. As far as lasting-power, it needs re-application every 3 hours and this is likely attributed to its sheer consistency.

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I have so much fun with this shade and the ways the play it up or down are endless. There is also a shade from Revlon's Colorburst line called 'Baby Pink' that is worth checking out as well. I didn't purchase it since I was more interested in obtaining something from Allure's recommendation, but 'Baby Pink' seems like a more toned down version of 'Candy Pink'. This shade is one that I use that is outside of my comfort zone, which is why I love having it in my collection. 

What's your favorite drugstore lipstick?

j

MAC Soft and Gentle Mineralized Skinfinish

MAC's Soft and Gentle is a mineralized skinfinish that is primarily used as a highlight for the cheeks and brow, or just to give a polished shimmery look for the face. This was given to me as a gift, and after using it for some time, I realized that the overall effect was quite similar or if not more prominent than Christian Dior Amber Diamond. The color is great for all different skin tones, and so far, I can't go a day without using it, otherwise I feel incomplete. 

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle= $28

One thing about this skinfinish is that I do not think it is superior to Benefit's Watt's Up in terms of shade and tone. This one creates a more dramatic showy effect, while Watt's Up appears more natural. The two are completely different in terms of texture and consistency. Since Benefit's Watt's Up is a cream stick, it gives an overall dewy appearance that MAC's Soft and Gentle does not achieve. Keeping this in mind, if you have dry skin, I suggest Benefit WU, and for those with oily skin like me, MAC S&G is the way to go.

Both are shimmery highlighters, so I have yet to find a matte highlighter. I have looked into MAC's Too Chic as a non-shimmery highligher but, sadly, that has been discontinued.

j

Hair TLC: Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

My hair type is permed, curly, and DRY. I am prone to getting split ends and I use some form of heat, whether it's the blow dryer or curling iron, on it every single day. I have heard of Moroccan Oil as being the best treatment for damaged hair, but wasn't ready to invest $50 on a product that might be mediocre.

Macadamia Natural Oil, Healing Oil Treatment, 0.35 oz= $6.50

Oil is oil, I figure, so I picked this up at my local CVS. A small bottle is just about seven bucks. I apply a small amount in my palm and rub my hands together before working the product into the ends of the hair. I do this regiment before blow-drying or applying any form of heat to seal the tips of my strands as a protectant.

The smell is especially pungent and is quite perfumey, kind of like the cheap stuff Grandma wears. It seems to make my hair somewhat soft but I'm not really convinced that this worth a re-purchase. I'm sure putting something on my hair ends is better than nothing, but Fekkai is better. Thank goodness I only got the little bottle.

Have you tried the infamous Moroccan Oil and if so, what do you think?

j

Neutral Saga: Too Faced Natural Eye- Neutral Eye Shadow Collection

This palette has gotten a lot of attention, so naturally, I had to do some hands-on research. You can tell which colors are favored, but I will pretty much go out there and say that I have a legitimate use for every single shadow in this palette. That's pretty much the same as purchasing a music album and finding that you like every single song. What a rarity, but when it happens, it's love. 

Too Faced, Natural Eye Palette= $36

What happens with palettes is that I use it frequently upon first purchase, then I get bored and it's onto the next one! Too Faced Natural Eye Palette was different in that I purchased it 5 months ago and still haven't tired of it. In fact, it's probably the longest-lasting palette that I used the continuously each day before switching to something else.

Heaven- creamy highlight, the perfect color for this purpose, and I love that it fills one of the big pans so it will last longer!

Velvet Revolver- a matte tan that is good for this lid or crease, depending on the look you want.

Sexpresso- a matte dark brown for eyebrows, crease, and waterline. Pretty basic.

Silk Teddy- this looks beautiful on the lids! I even put it in the inner corner of my eye for a brighter, more glammed up look. I use this shadow the most as you can see, but as much as I've used it, still no pan.

Push-up- a shimmer bronze, for crease.

Erotica- dark brown with shimmer, for crease.

Nude Beach- not noticeable in the photo but this has chunky glitter in it that is reserved for those dolled-up clubbing nights. One warning is that the glitter is so chunky that it tends not to stay on area applied and end up on other parts of your face. It's a little tricky to use, but if the overall effect you are trying to achieve is glittery, this is for you.

Honey pot- shimmery gold, I prefer to use this on the inner corner of my eyes and slightly along the lower lid. This is my second most used after Silk Teddy of the shimmer shadows.

Cocoa-puff- a shimmery medium brown, for crease.

A couple points: 

- I'm not crazy about the names they come up with for the shadows. 

- As with a lot of Too-Faced and Benefit products, I'm not a fan of the bulky cardboard packaging because it is awkward to store as it isn't consistent in shape. 

- As a matte lover, I realize that the majority of shades are shimmery. However, the result outweighs this downside. I find that I can get away with wearing these shimmer shades at work somehow, as long as I don't use Nude Beach. 

- These are extremely pigmented so remember to use a light hand when applying. This is probably the reason why I still haven't reached pan even though I've used this palette so much.

- The names of the shadows and packaging with 'how-to' cards for applying shadow convey to me that this is meant for tweens and first-time makeup users, but the colors are fly, so I'm still a fan. Plus, I seem to get the most compliments on my makeup on the days I use this palette. Of course I'm gonna keep using it!

j

A Review: Christian Dior Amber Diamond

Christian Dior's Amber Diamond was on my wishlist for the longest time because so many bloggers had raved about how beautiful this product appeared on the skin as a highlighter. It could also be used as a bronzer as well as an eyeshadow. Due to this product's popularity, reviews, and multi-use factor, I felt it was worth purchasing despite the hefty pricetag.

Christian Dior Shimmer Powder in Amber Diamond = $44
Bare Minerals Blush Brush

Pigmentation: Very subtle. As a highlighter and bronzer, I found that I had to apply a lot of product to get it to show. The shimmer was not too obvious either which was good because it created a natural glow. Using it as an eyeshadow, there was not much pay-off, but it helped, again, to create a natural glow look around the eyes.

Texture: Has a roughness that reminds me of MAC Mineralized Skin Finish, there is nothing creamy about this product. Because it is mineralized and not cream-based like Benefit's Watt's Up highlighter, there is no dewy finish. This is good to know in case 'dewy' is what you are looking for. 

Longevity: This needed reapplication because it was hardly noticeable after 5 hours into a typical day at my work. I'm surprised it is called a highlighter by some, since I needed to really pack in on in order to achieve any highlight effect that would last. 

Application: It's cool that you can use this product as a eyeshadow, bronzer, and highlight. At the same time, it was awkward to have to use more areas of the palette more than others. I tend not to like it when I have to favor certain parts of a palette because this leads to balding areas of pan. It's just a strange pet-peeve of mine because it's aesthetically distasteful. With this product, I could definitely see me using up all the left side of the palette first and having a weird chunk of bronze tones leftover. 

Packaging: This was my favorite aspect of this product. The detail that goes in the packaging is exquisite as far as the casing is concerned. The weight of this compact made it feel like a treat to use and the embossed mineralized powder is gorgeous.

Would I recommend this product? Not really. This was not worth the hype and I ended up returning it after much thought. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful product, which is usually the case with Dior, but it bugged me that I purchased AD for $44, yet, it did not significantly set itself apart from other products that claim to do the same thing. Benefit Watt's Up or MAC Soft and Gentle are less costly and equally effective alternatives for highlight. 

What highlighter do you recommend?

j

I Heart Youtube

Since I don't own a television set, Youtube is basically my tv. If you love watching beauty and makeup how-to videos, I recommend checking out Lisa Eldridge. She is an amazing makeup artist that is completely legit, creating looks for celebrities like Nicole Richie to Kate Moss to Emma Watson. She was also creative director of the UK based brand, Boots No. 7, creating shades and formulas based on her personal preference.

When I'm obsessed with a Youtuber, I watch all their videos and check for updates on a daily basis, and Lisa is a prime example. Her video quality is topnotch, her tips are GOLD, and she uses a wide range of products from high-end to drugstore. She embodies a true makeup-lover who lives and breathes it and I'm always learning new things from her!

http://www.youtube.com/lisaeldridgedotcom

j

Neutral Saga: MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2

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 MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick is something I have been toying with for awhile now. I was searching for a nude lipstick and I definitely found it in this one. Probably the nudest of all nudes, Viva Glam Gaga 2 is called an "Amplified Nude" for a reason, ladies. I first tried it on as a joke, but upon second glance, I noticed the lipsticks insane ability to focus the attention on the eyes. It's really hard to describe the vibe this lipstick exudes, but you gotta believe, it's downright siick. Rightfully, this shade looks great when paired with a bold smokey eye. Be careful, though, it can easily give you a washed out look if not paired properly.

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Amplified Nude= $14.50

To work this product into an everyday look, I apply it to just upper lip then use a mild peachy or pink lipgloss on the lower lip, and blend the two out. Although this product doesn't feel drying, I find that it does have a tendency to settle into the crusties of my lips, so be sure to exfoliate and moisturize those puppies before using!

j

MAC Studio Fix

I had a strange urge this weekend to get a makeover by MAC, and whenever this happens, I always end up with unexpected purchases. Even though I had intentions to walk home with a new eyeshadow shade, my shopping bag contained not a single eyeshadow but MAC Studio Fix, which basically acts as a new foundation! Yikes, do I really need another foundation?

MAC Studio Fix, NC35= $26.50
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Anyway, this week I will be setting my other foundations aside, and trying this out to see if I should keep or return. The reason why I thought this was worth purchasing was because it looked AMAZING done by the makeup artist and it lasted all day long with great coverage. What I loved most about it is the shade and how it blended so well with my olive Asian skin tone. My sister has used MAC Studio Fix for years and years, and I never felt inclined to purchasing it because I didn't want to copy her and it seemed so...boring? It's so easy to have EVERYTHING in one's makeup collection consist of MAC and I realize that I may feel somehow obligated to look to more exotic and possibly more expensive collections for foundation. This sounds a bit ridiculous, I know, but hopefully this twisted outlook will change by the end of the week after using this product. It looks promising!

j

A Review: NARS Turkish Delight

I previously wrote a post about loving the lip gloss that Kim Kardashian likes to wear, which is Nars Turkish Delight, and I finally purchased this as a little present to myself over the holidays.

Nars Turkish Delight Lip Gloss= $24

I admit, when I first tried this shade on, I thought it looked ridiculous on me because it was such a light bubble gum pink color that created a milky residue on my lips. Since it strayed so far from what I had seen in photos of Kim Kardashian sporting it, I thought perhaps I wasn't applying it in the correct way, so I tried to use it over several different lipsticks, from corals to deep pinks to nudes. This helped to some degree, but I wasn't confident enough to wear it this shade out in public.

Then, on a trip to my parents home, I forgot to pack my other lipsticks and Turkish Delight was ALL I HAD. So I went ahead and wore the milky bubble gum pink out to dinner with my parents, and got major compliments from my mother. She's probably my toughest critic. How can my mother, of all people, like this milky candy shade? Following dinner, I went home and looked in the mirror and realized that the lip gloss's texture and shade settles into the lips well with time. It only appears strange and milky when first applied, but give it time, and it gives off a nude pale pink hue that looks great with neutral makeup.

Getty Images

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Pigmentation: On the sheer side. The the way the product appears in its packaging and heavily swatched as seen in the photo above is not the way it appears on the lips rubbed out.

Texture: Not overly sticky like a lot of lip glosses. The product goes on smoothly and works great when my lips are too chapped for a lipstick. It can also be used on top of a lipstick to add wettability.

Longevity: Needs reapplication every couple hours since it goes on so sheer.

Application: The wand is just the right size and feel, and is easy to use.

Packaging: Quality. Gloriously brilliant and simple. What else can I say about Nars packaging.

Would I recommend this product? Absolutely. Kim K knows her lip gloss and I see Turkish Delight going well for many skin tones.

For the longest time, this product was sitting idly in my makeup drawer and now I'm obsessed with it and bring it in my purse everywhere I go!

j

A Review: L'Oreal's Infallible Eye Shadow

I went to Target and came across L'Oreal's new Infallible Eye Shadow. I wasn't expecting much from this product and picked up a couple shades out of curiosity. To my surprise, I found that this wasn't any ordinary eyeshadow. This must be somewhere along the lines of a new beauty invention! 

It applied silky smooth like pigmented powder eyeshadow, but not particularly loose and without the fall-out. One swipe of the fingertip and it goes on super pigmented. Sorry for not putting up swatches. The shade is true to what it looks like in the pot. I found that it was easier to apply using my fingers over a brush because, but this was only personal preference. 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow= $7.99

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Amber Rush 892

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine 997

The brilliance of this product is that it reminds me of a drugstore version of Georgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow, that has been making lots of buzz in the beauty world, but this is for a fraction of the price!! I waited awhile before making a post on this eyeshadow because I was testing to see if it wasn't too good to be true. In fact, it is true. I first tried using these shadows with primer to see if there was any creasing and there wasn't any after an 8 hour workday. I tried it today WITHOUT primer and was thrilled to come home and find no crease line! This convinces me that this is a genuine dupe for Georgio Armani's version so if you're like me and have a hard time justifying $32 bucks for one shadow, this is for you. The only downside is I like the GA shades better than L'Oreal's. To see all the shades L'Oreal offers, go here.

This product is perfect for those who really like PIGMENTS and SHIMMER on their lids. It's ideal for a night out to town, the packaging quality is superior for being a drugstore find, it's super soft in texture, and best of all, this will last you all day long.

j

A Review: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Before going into my review on Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer, I want to add that I use under-eye concealer as a staple for everyday no matter if I am using tinted moisturizer or full coverage foundation because it helps to brighten the eye, allowing me to look less tired. I've mentioned this in a previous post on my Everyday Foundation Routine, but Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer is AMAZING for getting rid of unwanted dark spots.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in 'Warm Ivory'

I use this concealer after using foundation or tinted moisturizer and then set it using a pressed powder. Be sure to choose a concealer shade that is one or two shades lighter than your skin tone and blend, blend, blend! If you don't blend well, a line of demarcation between the concealer and foundation will appear obvious in photographs.

Now, onto the tinted moisturizer...

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (right)= $30
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in 'Nude' (left)= $42

I have heard so many great things about the full coverage of Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation, but I have yet to finish up my Lancome foundation. However, I felt like I was abusing my skin each day for using a full coverage foundation even when my skin was acne-free and didn't really need it. I was afraid that I was clogging my pores more, which was only setting the stage for future break-outs. That's why I went on a hunt for something I could wear when I needed only minimal coverage but still wanted to achieve the luminous look that foundations created for my skin. I stumbled across Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and Tinted Moisturizer in the shade "Nude".

This product is great for my oil-prone skin because it is oil free and the moisturizer is spf 20! Some people like to forego using the foundation primer, which isn't spf, but I can truly see a difference between not using a primer. The tinted moisturizer foundation claims to "help control oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness". I can honestly say that I can't tell if it controls oil, but it definitely doesn't make the oily-ness worse.

As for the shade, there are not a wide array of colors to choose from. However, this product reminds me of a BB Cream in the sense that it has the ability to blend with MANY skin tones because it isn't full coverage in nature. When I wear this product, I am sure that my face color will actually match my neck color. Thank goodness! To add, this product feels great on the skin. It's a lightweight formula that feels just like you are applying moisturizer.

L to R: Warm Ivory, Nude, Nude blended out

Mysteriously, even though the product is only a tinted moisturizer, it is somewhat buildable. Whatever I am unable to conceal with this product, I cover using Bobbi Brown Cream Concealer and Maybelline Dream Matte Powder. 

All in all, I recommend this product to those who are not accustomed to using foundations but are looking for a gradual progression into using them, or for those who just don't need foundation but want a skin brightening boost with some spf protection. 

Would I purchase this product again? YES. 

j

Stila Haul

I am loving this set of Stila products that my friend, Grace, got me for Christmas! She gave me the eye shadow trio, "Goddess," which can be applied wet or dry in all neutral shades because she knows me too well. I tested this palette out today and adore it's high pigmentation and bronze finish. What's great about this palette is that it has three highly complimentary shades in one compact case that is no wider than 3 fingers and is 3/4 inch thick. I'm actually more impressed with Stila's packaging compared to MAC eyeshadows. I also got a beautiful Stila lip glaze in 'Grapefruit', that is a really cute frosted pink color with subtle bits of shimmer. This will be perfect going over my new Mac Lipstick in Gaga 2 which is a extreme nude. Can't wait to put this look together for work come Monday!

Stila Eye Shadow Trio in 'Goddess'
L to R: Champagne, Bronze, Copper

Stila One Step Primecolor
L to R: Capri Coral, Kitten, Pop of Pink

These Stila One Step Primecolors are AWESOME. It's called 'One Step' because it combines the benfits of a primer, lip color, eyeshadow and cheek color in one formula. I like that, not only is it versatile, but it is build-able in coverage and doesn't have those funky smells attached to it.

Swatches of Stila One Step and blended out
L-R: Capri Coral, Kitten, Pop of Pink

I use Carpi Coral and Pop of Pink on the lips as well as the cheeks as a cream blush and it seems to last all day and is nicely blendable. I like this product as a cream blush much better than Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse because it leaves a smooth, non-sticky texture. Kitten is probably my favorite and most used because I use it on my cheekbones, I place it on the center of my bottom lip, and I also use it on the center of my lid as a cream eyeshadow. The idea of being able to get several different uses out of one product tickles me and the Stila One Step achieves this beautifully. I appreciate how it comes in a tube because it feels more sanitary that way.

Thank you, Grace!

Did you get any beauty products for Christmas that you love?

j

Everyday Foundation Routine

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence in Bisque 1(N)= $42
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Ivory= $22
Maybelline New York Dream Matte Powder in Light 4-5= $6.94

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I get a bit fussy about foundation. Things I look for in a good foundation is that my skin reacts well to it (and I don't break-out with acne), it has coverage that is also long-lasting, and lastly, it has to match the color of my neck. Nothing is worse than having a demarcation line of foundation between your face and the rest of your neck. My current foundation routine achieves two of my three criteria as of now. I am looking to explore another shade of foundation that will better match my paler skin tone for Winter, but I first have to use up the rest of what I have left (which is less than half the bottle) of my Lancome foundation.

With that said, I love using Lancome foundation in general. Amongst all the different brands I've tried, I just feel that Lancome makes a solid foundation that not only feels great when applied, but matches Asian skin tones beautifully. The coverage is amazing since it isn't as heavy as Chanel Pro Lumiere but is still able to erase my blemishes without leaving me with cupcake-face. 

Bobby Brown's creamer concealer is something I recently purchased over the holidays and I think I found something that can truly cover dark circles. I don't use it for this purpose (yet), though I use it under the eye and near the nose to cover my freckles and brighten my eye (almost like a highlighter above my cheekbones, too). It goes on quite thick and truly conceals problem or redness areas. There is a powder that comes with this concealer, though I chose to go without since I enjoy my drugstore brand powder so much. 

To create a smooth complexion, I use Maybelline's Dream Matte Powder, and this sets my foundation and concealer with a matte, non-oily finish. 

This routine lasts me approximately 8 hours before I may have to touch up with some more concealer and powder. 

What is your foundation routine?

j

Natural Brows

The perfect brow: subtle definition of the borders, angle begins above the outer rim of the pupil, extends from a line drawn from the corner of the eye.
(Image Credit) 

If you are like me and deficient in the eyebrow area, you have no choice but to draw it in every morning. I have a lot of thick hair on my head, but my eyebrows literally fall short. When drawing in the brows, you have to be careful not to draw them in too dark or thick, otherwise you will end up with harsh lines and giving off a 'severe' appearance. I was guilty of this at one point, but was lucky to have a friend gently point out to me, "Whoa, your eyebrows are REALLY dark today". I was thankful for the wakeup-call because the last thing I want to do is stray from a natural look as well as give off the unfriendly look of overly angled brows.

For my brows, I don't invest in the brow palettes or pencils because I find that they tend to apply too intensely. A heavy hand can make a real monster out of me and affect my whole look. Instead, to compliment my black hair, I use any dark brown eyeshadow and apply it lightly with an angled brush starting from the outer brow line and then using the remaining powder on the brush to fill in the inner brow line. 

If I start to see that I'm applying too much and crossing over to the dark, unnatural side, no sweat. A trick I've learned is in those little disposable mascara wands that stores like Ulta and Sephora carry as complimentary applicators. Otherwise, you can buy a whole pack off Amazon for less than five bucks. Just one lasts me forever and when it starts to collect to much product, I just wash and re-use. 

Disposable mascara wands
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After I've drawn in my brows into my desired shape and length, no matter how much pigment I've added, I can subtract the pigment particles with a clean mascara wand. It works so well because it also diffuses the outer edges of your brows to create a very blended out and natural result. 

Let me know if you have any makeup application tricks!

j