100 Things: 21-25 + Ramblings

I haven't done one of these in awhile... so I figure I need to keep up!! Here goes!

21) MAGIC


22) Music


23) Perfume


24) Conversation


25) Hawaii


♥ ♥ ♥



In other news, I got my CoverGirl Natureluxe Silk Foundation sample I ordered from Walmart a week ago and it came in two different sample packages. Each package contains enough (and a bit more for me) to do the entire face. Unfortunately, I didn't get to choose the shade but it worked out okay for me... I think. Here's a pic of what it looked like on. My skin look pretty good on camera - gotta say. I think I'm gonna try out the 2nd one soon and then decide if I want to buy the real thing or not.


Wearing 340 Maple w/ flash

The only thing I noticed is that it isn't as light weight as I thought it would be. I still felt it sitting on my skin. It blends easily and it looks pretty flawless. It did exaggerate my dry patches though (mostly around my nose). The cool thing is that I think this is definitely a light-medium coverage and more medium for me, even though other reviews had said light coverage for them. Overall, quite interesting... I'm gonna have to give this one more try.

If I was to buy a brand new (as in new 2011) foundation right now, it'll have to be the Maybelline Fit Me or this CoverGirl one.

I'm still waiting for my free sample of the Maybelline Fit Me...!

♥ ♥ ♥

One more thing that is beauty related is that I'm on a search for a new skin routine. My cleanser, day and night moisturizers are all running low! I need to repurchase all three!!

Also, I need a new mascara and lip balms as well...

So if you guys have any suggestion for a good drugstore cleanser/moisturizers, please let me know!

I have normal-dry skin! Not acne prone and could be sensitive.

Why Must You Take Them Away From ME?

WHY WHY WHY???

As you guys all know, I'm definitely a NOOB when it comes to make up so I have never had to deal with a situation like this before... but...

The drugstore is taking some of my most beloved products away and I'm like: "WHAT? WHY?? WWWHHHYYY???"

So before I get to that, I just want to do a post of other discontinued products that I dearly loved but was taken away from me before I could say goodbye.

1) Jane Blushing Cheeks Blushes



- My favorite of the three is the middle one which is Blushing Petal. I absolutely love the texture and pigmentation and I think it is so hard to find a matte, natural, everyday pink like this one in the drugstore. It blends easily and it just gives me the best look. As far as the other two, I love them both too and they are both oh so pigmented!! I like the packaging... okay so I pretty love them alright! So when Jane stopped showing up at my Walgreens, that was when I realized my favorite drugstore is gone!

2) Milani's Singles


- Okay Milani, when people are comparing your shadows to MAC, you probably shouldn't stop selling them at drugstores! I know you can still get these on Cherryculture.com but I don't like to online shop (due to shipping)... so that's that. I only have Java Bean and I really like it - so pigmented, easy to blend, gorgeous color. Serioulsy... bad move. Right now, I look at their other singles and I think... okay, that is way too glittery... why would I buy that?

3) L'Oreal's Juice Sticks


- Okay, the name "Juice Stick" isn't the best name... I'll leave you all to your imagination. BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine in Chai Love You. It's probably one of my favorite item - it's like a hybrid of a lipstick and lipgloss. I absolutely LOVE it and I have a feeling it will be all gone soon. Pigmented, great smell, and moisturizing... And I hear that Personali-Tea is also a great one as well. What the heck! I also really like the packaging. The silver reflective part allows me to use it as a mirror to reapply my lip color.

Now... here are the two items that I'm most sad about.... and the reasons why I decided to make this post.

4) Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipsticks


- First of all, I wouldn't say that this lipstick comes in any amazing packaging - but I like that it's red - very signature looking. My favorite part about this little lovely thing is that, even it doesn't say so, this is what I would consider a TINTED LIP BALM to be. This lipstick has two active ingredients: one for chapped lips and the other for sunscreen on the lips. That is exactly what I want in ANY lip product: protection and moisture. The best part about it is that it is soooo pigmented - way more than any tinted lip balm can ever deliver. It has a cute watermelon scent and it comes in various color selections and finishes. I'm so shocked that Maybelline would discontinued such a great product like this one... Now I have two and that is why I didn't pick up anymore when they were on sale but if I'd known that these were gone completely, I'd stock up on them all (sometimes products go on sale but the don't get discontinued... well, with this one I should've known... I was in denial).

5) Maybelline's Dream Mousse Concealer



- This concealer is probably my current favorite concealer! The texture is just fantastic! What the HECK Maybelline?!? Probably the easiest to apply and strong pigmentation. I've written, read, and watched raved reviews for this item... I just feel sad for those that didn't get a chance to use this... that's all.

What discontinued items do you wish to come back? Let me know!

Sorry I've been away for a bit - I am trying to come back and reconnect with you all. The last two weeks have been hell and exams after exams. Wasn't the best day yesterday but I went out w/ my friends and we all had a blast - I feel a bit more relaxed now.

Thanks for reading!

Day & Nite Looks

So a couple of posts ago, I wanted to get rid of this item:

** Milani Glimmer Stripes in Honey Glimmer


I didn't end up giving it away so I decided to pull this out and use it myself. I came up with two looks: one for day time and one for going out! For both looks, I used a darker matte shade from my Maybelline quads. So here goes:

DAY LOOK





Lid: 4th shade down
Crease: Maybelline Chai Latte's darkest shade


NIGHT LOOK






Lids: 5th shade down
Crease: Maybelline Natural Smokes' darkest shade

Eyeliner: Jordana's Pen Liquid Liner for upper lash line, Physician's Formula gel liner in black for the bottom lash line (didn't BUDGE!)
Lips: Wet N Wild in Rosebud (I dunno why it looks so lavender)

So I found a new recipe for a long lasting night-out. I use that pen liner on my upper lash line and PF's gel liner on the bottom. Let me tell you, my lower lash line liner ALWAYS budged and I used Revlon's Colorstay pencils and topping it off with shadow too. But then I thought... gel liner never budges - especially PF ones (and Wet N Wild too) - and VOILA! Lasts all night of dancing! So if you guys are struggling with smudging lower liner... there's an idea!

And of course, I used the Milani highlighter portion for my cheekbones and brow bone highlight.

I'm quite enjoying it so far! What do you guys think?

I love items that can be used for different things - face and eyes.

In The Spirit of Valentine

What are your top 5 favorite CHICK FLICK films???

1) Bridget Jones' Diary



Favorite lines:
Jude: Just as you are? Not thinner? Not cleverer? Not with slightly bigger breasts or slightly smaller nose?
Bridget: No.
Shazzer: Well, f*** me.
Tom: This is someone you hate right?
Bridget: Yes, yes, I hate him.

2) The Holiday


Favorite lines:
Arthur Abbott: Say a man and a woman both need something to sleep in and both go to the same men's pajama department. The man says to the salesman, "I just need bottoms," and the woman says, "I just need a top." They look at each other and that's the 'meet cute.'

------

Arthur Abbott: He let you go. This is not a hard one to figure out. Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend.

Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for god's sake! Arthur, I've been going to a therapist for three years, and she's never explained anything to me that well. That was brilliant. Brutal, but brilliant.

3) She's The Man


Favorite lines:
Toby: I need your advice man. I got lady troubles.
Viola: I'm here for you bro. I got a lifetime of knowledge.

------

Duke: Ok, w-why do you have tampons in your boot?
Viola: Um, I get really bad nose bleeds?
Andrew: So you stick 'em up your nose?
Viola: Yeah! What, you've, you've never done that?
[Boys shake head]
Viola: Oh my! Beckhem does it all the time.
Duke: Serious?
Viola: Yes. Look, let me show you how to do it. Take that off and whatever that is, and, and you stick it right in. It absorbs right up!
Duke: That's disgusting!
Andrew: Oh my god! You're room-mates a freak!

4) The Proposal


Favorite lines:
Andrew Paxton: We'll tell my family about our engagement when I want and how I want. Now, ask me nicely.
Margaret Tate: Ask you nicely what?
Andrew Paxton: Ask me nicely to marry you... Margaret.
Margaret Tate: What does that mean?
Andrew Paxton: You heard me. On your knee.
Margaret Tate: [she kneels] Fine. Does this work for you?
Andrew Paxton: Oh, I like this. Yeah.
Margaret Tate: Here you go. Will you marry me?
Andrew Paxton: No. Say it like you mean it.
Margaret Tate: Andrew.
Andrew Paxton: Yes, Margaret.
Margaret Tate: Sweet Andrew.
Andrew Paxton: I'm listening.
Margaret Tate: Would you please, with cherries on top, marry me?
Andrew Paxton: Ok. I don't appreciate the sarcasm, but I'll do it. See you at the airport tomorrow.

5) He's Just Not That Into You


Favorite Lines:
Mary: He MySpaced me.
Nathan: Ouch!
Mary: Oh.
Joshua: Oh girl I don't know about that... My trampy little sister says MySpace is the new booty call.

------

Gigi: Hey sorry to bug you again! Uh quick question.
Alex: What's going on?
Gigi: Ok I'm making out with this guy, PG stuff. but he mentions he's going out of town so he's gonna be out of touch.
Alex: Run.
Gigi: But maybe he is going out of town.
Alex: To where? New Guinea? Where's he gonna be that he's gonna be out of touch?
Gigi: Opens bathroom door - Where are you going out of town to again?
Gigi: Pittsburgh
Alex: Run.
Gigi: So what now I'm just supposed to turn from every guy who doesn't like me?
Alex: Uh. Yeah!
Gigi: There's not gonna be anybody left.

Let me know some of yours - and your favorite part!

Versatile Blogger Award

I was given the Versatile Blogger Award from Yummy411 and Morenita!! Yay :) Thanks guys! Please visit their blogs because they are both very informative and fill with BEAUTILIOUS stuff.



The rules for these awards are:

*Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
*Tell us 7 things about yourself.

*Award 15 recently discovered new bloggers.

*Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award(s).

---- Seven Things:
1) I love fortune cookie fortunes - sometimes you get bad ones but when you get good ones, it's pretty awesome - makes my day. The last one I got said something like:

"A pleasant surprise will happen soon--" in bed... ha ha jk jk!

2) I can't play sports but I want to be a better tennis player. I try to go every week!

3) I used to be able to write HTML codes pretty well - I knew what .cgi and .shtml and .php was. Yup I have always had a website from when I was 13 to now. Now, I'm more chill with it - I just use blogspot - but back in the day... oh man... I was quite a master at web design!

4) I don't know what my favorite movie is but my favorite chick flick is probably "The Holiday" followed by "She's The Man" ha ha

5) I LOVE anything potato - fries, hash brown, tater tots, mash potatoes... YUM!

6) I was born in Vietnam and moved to America when I was 8 - although people always comment on my lack of accent. That's good I guess.

7) I really wish I could read more often!! I miss books - weird huh.

---- I want to award this to everyone who has a blogspot! It takes a lot to write/update a blog so I think you guys all deserve it. Of course, I'll try to narrow it down to a few websites that I have always enjoyed reading:

Angelic Betrayal
In Her Makeup Bag
Maquilagem Masstige
Everyday Makeup
Ahleessa 4 Realz
Amynaree
Confessions of a Beauty Guru
Mocha Mish Mash
Pretty Much Makeup
Shop N Chomp

Okay - I'm suppose to do 15... but I don't have time to find more!! Enjoy the award :) You guys are awesome.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY (early)




So what do you guys think of these "anti-Valentine's" people? I remember when I was in Middle School, during Valentines day - a few of my teachers would wear "Anti-Valentine's Day" T-shirts. I am sure they all have husbands but I think they believe, as some others do, that Valentine's Day is a corporate Holiday and a day that makes all singletons feel bad! In some ways I agree - being single and all - can't really celebrate it like how it's meant to be celebrated. Still, I think the act and emotions of being in love is worth a day of celebration! I've had my share of heartbreaks and disappointment, the pangs of love you might say, and yet I still support this holiday wholeheartedly!

So I say to all you couples: I'm jealous of you guys but I wish you guys the greatest happiness - and enjoy your day :)

And to your singles out there: No need to sulk - spend the day with people you love or do something that you love. Just know that your day will come - keep your heart and mind open :)


"A course of true love never did run smooth" - William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

"If music be the food of love, play on" - William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night


Me? I have an exam on Tuesday at 1PM so I'll be studying on Monday! Sad you say? Well - that's life I guess ;-p But don't worry - I had a mini celebration w/ mah girls already!!

Have a great day, thanks for reading this non beauty related post

My Favorite Drugstore Brand

The answer people often give to the question, "What is your favorite make up brand?", is: "Oh, I love all sorts of brand. I don't like this just one!".

This is so true - I look at my make up collection and think - I love all different brands! Each brand carry a different item that I love so it is impossible to choose. But I thought I'd think about this a little harder... and here's the extended version of my answer:

Brand I go to for face products: Maybelline

Maybelline's Dream Mousse Concealer
and
Maybelline's Mineral Power Concealer

I absolutely love both concealers! I love the Mousse one more just because it is so easy to apply!!!!!! Makes my make up routine a million times faster.

Brand I go to for Blush: Jane
Brand I go to for Bronzer: Rimmel

Rimmel's Mineral Bronzer in Sun Light (L)
Jane Blushing Cheeks in Blushing Petal (R)


Blush and bronzers are a must for me because I'm kinda pale and with the combo of both, I look like a I have healthy complexion! I look awake and ready to take on the world!! Jane blushes are so soft and, this one in particular, is so pretty and natural on me! The Rimmel Bronzer is my favorite bronzer and I love just dusting it all over my face. I feel like it brings life to my face... weird huh!

Brand I go to for High Lighter: Physician's Formula

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Vegas Strips

Love the pigmentation and texture of this! Very beautiful shimmer that isn't over stated. I use this both on my eyes and my cheeks to high light! I usually hate shimmery products but I love doing this during the month of spring because it gives me that fresh glow!

Brand I go to for Lip stuff: Revlon

Revlon's Colorburst lipstick in Soft Rose
and

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses

I really love the way Revlon lippies look and they feel great on the lips too. I find that Revlon has a lot more selections when it comes to types of lipstick, finishes, colors... etc. Their lip glosses are the only ones I really enjoy wearing also.

Brand I go to for Mascara: Maybelline

The first mascara I ever tried was Maybelline's Great Lash and at the time, I was so a n00b that I bought it in Brown! Boo! The 2nd I tried was the Full n' Soft and that was a great everyday, natural mascara! Even though I haven't tried any others, I feel like this brand has the most to offer me w/ all their new mascaras coming out. Some that I'm dying to try are: Lash Stiletto Voluptous, The Falsies, and Define A Lash.

Brand I go to for Brushes: ELF

ELF's $1 Professional Eye Shadow Brushes

I own two of these along with the $1 crease brush. These three are my essential weapons for eye make up! Besides that, I also own a few studio brushes and I really like them all! They are so cheap that you can have great tools but you can also save the money for more products to play with.

Brand I go to for Single Eye Shadow: CoverGirl

CoverGirl's Single in Tapestry Taupe

I am starting to fall in love with these shades! They come with so much products and various types of colors! Now, I do love the NYX singles but I feel like I don't reach for those as often as I reach for CoverGirl... not sure why! I also have Brown Smolder and Swiss Chocolate - both fantastic shades with great pigmentation and easy to wear.

Brand I go to for Palette Eye Shadow: Wet N' Wild

Wet N' Wild's Mega Eyes Trio in Mojave Mauves


This is my go to palette - eye shadows are soft, pigmented and freaking fantastic! I have two other palettes: Sugar Plum Fairies and Silent Treatment. Here are two recent FOTD's I did with these WnW eye shadow palettes:

1/29/11 w/ Mojave Mauves
1/25/11 w/ Sugar Plum Fairies

Brand I go to for Lip Balms: Burt's Bees

I am quite sure I've used up about 4 tubes and that's only because I wanted to use up my other lip balms too. I've used so many different lip balms but always go back to this one! LOVE IT - will repurchase when I run out of my other lip balms!

100 Things: 16-20 + NOTD!

16)Friendship


Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. - Jane Austen

17) Smiles


18) Dancing


19) Disney Princesses


20) Memories


+ + + + + + + + + + + + +


Milani's Brown-a-licious


I decided that I don't like the Milani brush at all - it is so hard to apply cleanly. However, this color is pretty awesome and I love it :) It is not as bright as your typical reds but elegant enough to look kind of dressed up... know what I mean?

Overall, I like it because it isn't streaky and it isn't dry. A bit runny but I prefer that over dry any day! It last a good amount of days and the shine is fantastic! I don't like the brush UGH! But I totally recommend this nail polish for anyone looking for a nice drugstore pick-me-up :)

Have a great day!!

Drugstore Look-a-Likes

When I look at some of the products I have purchased/swapped over the years, I have to say that, when it comes to eye shadows, I'm in love with 2 types of colors: bronze and taupe!! What I love love about these shades is that I can just swipe the color on my lid, liner, mascara, and I'M DONE!!!! No fussing about outer corner or crease shades or blending.

So I decided to pull out my collection and swatch them to see how similar the colors are. Have I been wasting my money on the same exact shades?!?! Or are there slight differences to them that I can detect.

Bronze:


1) ELF's Butternut quad
2) Revlon's Coffee Bean quad
3) Cover Girl's single in Swiss Chocolate


My favorite to wear is the Revlon one because it is so soft and easy to apply! I feel like I always get compliments when I wear this. I recently got CG Swiss Chocolate from a swap and already really enjoy it! It is also really soft and pigmented! I love it. Now, the ELF one is not as soft but still just as pigmented and it is one of my oldest shadows. All three are extremely easy to blend and looks great in the crease as well as all over the lid!

Taupe:



1) Maybelline single in Beach Blush
2) Cover Girl's single in Tapestry Taupe
3) Wet n Wild trio in Silent Treatment
4) L'Oreal's HiP in Sassy
5) Wet n Wild trio in Mojave Mauves


Let's see, I would say that the best texture and pigmentation would be the Wet N' Wild shadows and the L'Oreal HiP. The cool thing about L'Oreal's shadow is that it is a good dupe for MAC's Satin Taupe. However, I find it a bit dark for everyday wear. Sometimes, it is easy for me to go smokey with this if I'm not careful. However, the WnW ones are amazing! I swear, Mojave Mauves is one of my favorite trios ever and that taupe shadow is probably most worn. Of course, CG's shadow is quite popular and it is a really cool taupe because it is more silvery taupe. Very cool! I don't like the texture that much - it can cause a lot of fallout as well. WnW's Silent Treatment is also a silvery taupe. Finally, the Maybelline single is really cool - texture isn't as good as I would've hoped - but I still love the color and it really brings out the brown of my eyes. Very interesting indeed! These are really fun to have - taupes are a lot prettier than regular brown, IMO. These are extremely easy to wear! One swipe on the lids and I'm done w/ my eye shadow look.

So, what do you guys think? What color do you guys tend to buy?

I also just realize I have a lot of matte dark brown shades too... but I guess I can save that for another time. ALso - the swatches show how dry my skin was... GROSS!

♥ ♥ ♥

I went to see No Strings Attached with a friend yesterday...




and I thought it was cute -- but really cheesy!!! Ha ha but I think it's kinda good timing for this movie since Valentines day is right around the corner. It's good for couples and singles to go and watch :)

I think Natalie Portman is freaking awesome and she is a great actress. However, I hope she does more amazing films.

BTW - Natalie Portman and Alicia Keys are two women I really want to be like. Their make up and clothing styles aside, they are both extremely talented and really smart and just fantastic at what they do! They live life under pressure and fame but doesn't succumb to all that crap. Very admirable indeed.

100 Things: 11-15 + FOTD!

Yes, another one! Sorry guys but since I've just had one of the most annoying exam ever, I just want to write something that will cheer me up a little bit.

11) Coldplay


12) Books


13) Red Pandas!


14) Nature


15) Hope


♥ ♥ ♥


So I went out with a couple of friends a few weeks ago and just wanted to do a nice normal look - not neutral - so I reached for my Revlon's Nude Element. The palette is great for a more glamorous look but definitely not over the top!







Revlon's Palette in Nude Element
Revlon's Illuminance Creme Shadow in Pink Petal
NYX single in Champagne
ELF's quad in Butternut
Jordana's Fabuliner Liquid Liner upper lash line
Physician's Formula Gel liner lower lash line (this stuff last and last!)

Maybelline's Colorsensational Lipstick in Warm Me Up