Bring In 2011 With A Haul

I just wanted to show you guys a few things I picked up here and there - kinda a personal mini celebration to the new year... type thing...

Okay, ha ha so I don't exactly have a reason for this haul except for my pure JOY and necessary but whatever. I started this haul mid December to early January. Here goes:



1) Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Warm Me Up:
- Finally! Finally I got one!! I will have to do a Product Battle with this and the Revlon Colorburst lippies. So far - I LOVE the color but hate that it is kinda drying.

2) Wet n' Wild's Coloricon brow and eyeliner in Taupe:
- LOVE this stuff!! This is my 2nd pencil. They've gone and redone this pencil but the color is the same. I noticed that this one is a bit more pigmented than the other one so I don't need as much. And I find that it stays on longer than the old one. Way to go on the reformulation WnW!

3) Jordana Incolor Fabuliner in Black:
- It's one of those liquid pens. I have been wanting to try out liquid eyeliners but I just did not enjoy my last experience w/ liquid eyeliners so I figured I'd go pen form. See how this one plays out. So far - LOVING IT!! REVIEW SOON :)

4) Maybelline's Oil Free Eye Make Up Remover:
- Not my favorite but since I got it for free - I'm not gonna complain. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone else really - well, unless you got it for free, like me.

5) Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion:
- So I have major sensitive yet dry skin and this is like the perfect lotion for me. I think this is pretty much my Holy Grail. I've tried a bunch of other lotions but this is probably the best.

6) Victoria Secret's Fragrance Mist in Peony Freesia:
- This is overall my favorite purchase. I have been reaching for this all the time! It's like a body spray but it lasts longer and it is $2.50 at VS... don't know if their semi-annual sale is still going on.

I am definitely not done. Wet N' Wild is 50% off... how am I suppose to resist that?

Have you guys hauled anything AMAZING lately?



So I just wanted to let you guys know - for those of you who follow up with what is going on in the world...

The recent shooting that killed 6 people, including a 9-year-old girl, and wounded many others, including a Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, happened in my hometown. She is still in critical condition. The gunman walked up to her during one of her meet-and-greet events and shot her point-blank. The bullet went through and through... luckily she survived and is now responsive.

It definitely came as a shock to us as a community. I can't believe something like this happened. I just can't believe it hit that close to home. I live 30-40 mins away from the place but I have friends who live 5 minutes from that place. I have met the Congresswoman, watched her debate, and voted for her.

My heart goes to the family who have lost loved ones - especially the little girl who still had so much life to live.

In time of crisis, we must learn to support each other. No more hate - we can't afford to shed anymore innocent blood.

I Just Performed an Exorcism on My Make Up + Swap Anyone?

I started buying and, I guess... "collecting", make up for about 2 years now. Today, I decided that I need to PURGE this "collection" so that I don't have a drawer with random stuff I don't use anymore.

This is a MAJOR PURGE - I haven't gotten rid of so many things like this EVER! So here is what I had to say goodbye to:



* WnW'd Ultimate Touch Powder - have this for way too long but never use it b/c the color is ORANGE-based. No thanks WnW... even though I did get this for 0.79 cents :)

* Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner - Yes, all three!! They all dried out on me. I got to the point where I would drag the pencil really hard on the back of my hand and it wouldn't even work. WTF?? Looking for drugstore, creamy and good eyeliner - if anyone can recommend me any... that'll be GREAT!

* Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush eyeshadow - it came to be broken, I fixed it with alcohol but it recently broke apart again. I figured since it is so close to my Milani's Java Bean, I can afford to throw it away since I'm never gonna use Java Bean up.

* Too Faced Shadow Insurance - I like UDPP better. Plus this is starting to separate and that just gross me out.

* Elizabeth Arden palette - my dad got this for my mom when I was... 13? 8 years-ish... YUP - BYE BYE.



* Elizabeth Arden lip glosses in the pot - too old too old! Though they were quite pretty.

* Lancome's lipstick in Pink in Limo - I didn't like this color at all. It applies with difficult and just doesn't compare to my other Lancome lippies. It had to go a long time ago.

* Revlon's Creme Blush - it was too drying - hard to apply and didn't last long on my face. I NEVER EVER reach for it.

* Revlon's Colorstay Mousse Foundation - I like the coverage and the light feel but it was a weird color and I've had it for so long that the oil is starting to separate from the product. Quite nasty if you ask me.

Others not pictured

* ELF's blush in Innocent - one of those old $1... hate it. Really powdery and doesn't show up on my face at all.

* ELF's shimmering facial whip - again - product is separating and it is gross.

* NYC eyelash curler - one of my oldest! And it sucked. Ha ha!

* Elizabeth Arden eyeliner

* Trash and other packaging still lying around

******

Move on to something more interesting: SWAP!!!

So I have products that I rarely touch but still usable. So I figured instead of throwing those away, I would like to swap them with some of you or maybe just send them to you for free - as like a weird giveaway... not really... type thing.

Of course I'd rather swap for these but if it's not possible then I don't really mind just giving you guys stuff.

Comment with your email if you are interested, you can judge how much is used by the pictures:



** Old packaging of WnW's blush and bronzer.
Tahitian Bronzer
Pearlescent Pink Blush



** Milani Glimmer Stripes in Honey Glimmer



** Revlon's Illuminance Cream Shadows in Coastal Blues



** Jane's Blushing Plum ** Far RIGHT - a favorite of mine but I just have way too many other blushes to give this any attention!



** Maybelline Colorsensational Lipglosses in Sweet Tooth
** NYX's Mega Shine lip gloss in Frosteed Beige
** Revlon's Super Lustrous lip gloss in Pink Whisper
** Revlon Lustrous Lipstick in Wink for Pink

RULES:

- if you don't want to swap - choose at least two items so I'm wasting too much money on postage

- if you want to swap: here are some things I'm interested in & I want pictures as well;
Please send me stuff that is still usable and not way past expiration date. All of these products are just not my style, my color but I still find them usable.

** Covergirl's eyeshadows --> preferably neutral shades
** Eyeliners --> want them to be creamy to apply
** Eyeshadows --> mostly from Wet N' Wild or NYX's singles
** Surprise me!!! Ha ha... I honestly don't really know.

******

So yes, I totally recommend you guys to purge your collection as well. I feel very content after this massive clean.

I hope this is one step to making 2011 a FRESH START!!!!

2010 Favorites

I don't meant to jump on the bandwagon but I absolutely love reading these posts so hopefully this will be fun for you guys too.

1) Best Products for $1



ELF's $1 Eyeshadow primer: Yes, this stuff is amazing - not as good as UDPP but perfect for everyday!

Wet n' Wild's Coloricon brow & eye liner in Taupe: This is a product I used almost everyday for 7 months straight. Love this stuff - just ran out so I had to buy a new one. My brows look so great and it costs 0.99 cents. Seriously, if you guys are looking for a cheap brow pencil - try it out - not gonna cost you an arm or a leg. It might even be your HG!

2) Best Eye Shadow Products


The first two - Maybelline's quad in Chai Latte and Revlon's quad in Coffee Bean - are two of my favorites "office/school" friendly palettes. These are my everyday palette and I tend reach for these A LOT! Right now, I like the Revlon one over the Maybelline one but in 2010 - I used them both equally. I recommend you guys checking these quads out - especially if you are on a drugstore budget and want a good everyday look.

Wet N Wild's trio in Mojave Mauves has been good to me but I only realized how much I loved it when I would use it CONSTANTLY during my trips. I would make a few palettes with me but one that I reach for every time I actually do my make up is this trio. Why? Because the colors are shimmery and they give nice washes on the face. They are also EXTREMELY pigmented and are so easy to work with and apply. I frickin love it! This is discontinued but I went to Walgreens the other day and saw new 2011 trios that are released... and OH MAN!!! They look so awesome!!! WnW makes some really great shadows - don't doubt the brand b/c of their price/packaging.

ELF's Butternut quad was my first eyeshadow and probably one of the best purchases a beginner would ever need. Besides the peachy shade, the quad is GREAT! Especially for $1... really good. I still use this all the time and the bronzy shade is awesome for summer.

3) Favorite Product Line



The Maybelline's Dream Mousse line is one of my favorites. I LOVE LOVE the texture and they are also very good products. I wrote most of my thoughts in that post but his might be the first line that I really enjoyed every single product I own! I still want to try the foundation... although I've heard mixed reviews.

4) Favorite Lip Products



Wet N Wild's Megalast lippies (I like WnW... they have a good year!!) has the best color payoff ever. So bright and bold! Really gorgeous - I love how these colors really brighten up the face. This isn't as creamy or moisturizing as I'd like but they are long lasting and great purchases for $2.99 each.

Revlon's Colorburst lipstick is FANTASTIC!!!! When I first got it, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would but after using it for awhile - I fell in love!! Ha ha... yes, this is awesome for Spring time!

5) Favorite Rediscovered Products



CoverGirl's Cheekers blush in Perfect Peach - one of my oldest blushes EVER! And for some reason, I have been using this product for most of Fall and still now. I don't know why - it gives me a really nice, natural flush! And it stays on quite well when in conjunction with creme blushes.



Coastal Scents's Italian Angled Blush Brush was also rediscovered especially since the CG Cheeker is a bit strangely packaged. But I find I get better control applying my blush this way.

6) Least Used Products



I don't want to say NYX products because I think the quality is good but I have pretty much swapped for most of my NYX stuff. I don't own any jumbo pencils anymore - not because they are crap but because I just don't use them. Also I have gotten rid of my Round Lipsticks in Thalia and Circe and the Diamond lipgloss. The picture above is the megashine lipgloss in Frosteed Beige. I kinda hate this product because it started to leak and made a mess... the only ones I still like are the single shadows. Those are still awesome. However, I still want to try their mosaic and creme blushes.

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This is all I have for now. One of my favorite things from 2010 is the lack of purchases I made and the fact that I wore make up almost everyday!!! Yes, to use up these items instead of buying more. Very awesome. I will have to do another post on products I've finished!

What about you guys? What are some of your 2010 favorites?

2011 IS HERE!!

Hooray - we have made it!!!!!!!

2010:
- You've treated me so well with all the new people I've met
- You've reunited me and my extended family - I felt like my heart grew twice it's size since hanging out with my cousins - they just make me feel so happy :) So glad to get to hang out with them for two weeks
- You've given me tons of opportunities (of course you've taken some away... but those were not biggies!)
- You've opened my eyes to so many new experiences and friendships

2011:
- I don't ask very much from you
- Please just give me and my family health and happiness
- Please let me go visit my cousins in Canada!!!
- Please don't make school too hard
- Please allow me to experience more new things and meet more new people
- Please let me be more involved with my community and school

* * *

So I always have New Year resolutions but this year I just feel like my I need to just work on myself:

- Hold on to those strong friendships and make lots of new great ones
- Stop being such a procrastinator
- Be fearless and find courage - try new things

* * *

I think I might've had one of the best Winter Break ever! I'm sure there were some good ones but this is probably the best in YEARS.

My cousins came to visit and, you have to know, I was SOOOOO nervous!! I haven't seen one of them in 2 years and we didn't even talk that much when we last met. The other ones, I haven't met in 16-17 years! Yeah, INSANE right. So I was SOO scared... but I guess the family gene helped us become compatible because we got a long so well...

Too well... because now I'm really really sad that they are gone. Yes, I feel "homesick" in a way. You know - when you say bye to your family - you get that sadness... well that's how I feel!


* * *






How was your vacation??? Please let me know.

PS. Time to go do some post Xmas shopping - crazy sales I tell you~

Christmas Look #1: Snow Angel on the Ground

I was INSPIRED to do a look that is pretty glamorous for some sort of parties... I don't know - I wouldn't wear this for Xmas but for New Years - totally works!












So I used the ELF cream liner in Ivory all over the first half of my lids and then placed the white shadow all over my lids. Then I put the taupey shadow, also from the quad, on the crease. Then I placed MAC's Sketch in the outer corner to deepen the color. That's pretty much it! Very easy and simple but it looks really cool and dramatic if you use false lashes. By the way, on my lips, I'm wearing Rimmel's Birthday Suit - which is an OLDIE and I've totally reconnected with this after doing this look. And if you want to dress up for the party - of course highlighters are a must to give yourself the glowy look that makes your face vibrant!

* ~ * ~

ALSO... just in case I forget to write:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I hope your day is filled with joy and everything that you could want. Eat lots of food and get food coma because of it :)


** image from Google.com

My Hair + My FOTD

So I think it was Kalmo that mentioned how my hair is getting a lot longer now -- and she is COMPLETELY RIGHT!

My hair is getting really long but for once, I don't really care much for cutting it!

Weird huh? It's usually around this time of year that I'm begging my mother to let me cut my hair. Why do I still ask for permission? Because you know how Asian mothers can nag you about stuff (and this might just go for all mothers - not just Asian ones).

She'll start out nice:
"Oh but you're hair is so pretty - don't cut it"

Then she'll turn mean:
"You'd look ugly with short hair"
"You're face shape would not look good with short hair..."

But this year, I think I'll wait til after Christmas to cut it. I don't know why, I just really enjoying the long hair.







My favorite shampoo/conditioner combo right now (and I've been using this for a year... maybe longer):



Now I just want to master the curling iron to make my hair look like:



Oh, one could only wish!!

Finally, I just wanted to show you guys my FOTD for that day:





Lid: CoverGirl's Tapestry Taupe on lid
L'Oreal's HiP duo in Sassy - the taupe color on the crease

Cheeks: CoverGirl's Cheeker in Pretty Peach

Lips: Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Life's A Peach

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You know what I haven't done in FOREVER????

Is a REVIEW!

Yes, I will get to that as soon as I can... just need to think of something to review!

The Five Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love give to me,
A lovely Coach crossbody bag



On the 2nd day of Christmas,
my true love give to me,
A pair of diamond earrings


Tiffany & Co

On the 3rd day of Christmas,
my true love give to me,
A few of those MAC eye shadows



On the 4th day of Christmas,
my true love give to me,
An infamous blush called Nar's Orgasm



On the 5th day of Christmas,
my true love give to me,
A Chanel Coco Mademoiselle bottle




And that's all I got for now! Christmas Christmas! So excited for it. In the spirit of Christmas/Holiday, I decided to paint my nails the appropriate color: RED.


Essie's Tomboy No More

What is something you want for Christmas this year - VOTE in my poll or COMMENT below!

Honestly - I want all of those things!!