Some Summer Favorites

I've been seeing this post everywhere and I just wanted to let you all know a couple of products that I constantly reach for this summer!



1) Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer in medium: I don't like using foundation anyways and this concealer is just so nice and smooth. Best part is that it's moisturizing and a bonus- SPF 25 baby!!

2) Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip gloss in Life's A Peach: First, just wanna mention the SPF... second, just want to point out the awesome moisturizing ability! Third, just wanted to tell you about the shine quality, staying power, and really pretty color!!!

3) Wet N' Wild's Spotlight Peach: I don't know if this is discontinued or not but I LOVE this color! I makes me look healthy but in a "I've been in the sun all day" kinda blush! Which is just perfect for summer I think!! I've had this blush since 2009 and it is still not going away!!! And I swear, I use it everyday for summer for past two years! It's crazy.



4) Bath and Body Work's scent for the summer: Bali Mango Fragrance Mist. OMG- even though I already have a ton of body spray that I need to use up... I just couldn't pass this up. It smells so nice, sweet and just like a the perfect SUMMER. YES, it smells like "the perfect summer". Haha!!




5) Eye brightening colors - I put these shades all over my lids with some black eyeliner and I just find that it is such a good look for summer. Very shimmery, very pretty but classy and simple at the same time. Those are my three favorite shades to do that look with.

Ulta's Rose Dusk is definitely the coolest of them all because it has a like a rosy undertone.

CoverGirl's Mink is so pretty because it is the most reflective.

NYX's Champagne is my oldest, most used, and most loved! It's got this gorgeous golden shine.

What are some of your favorites???



♥ It was my birthday on Wednesday! It was very nice. My parents... got me a new purse :) AND a mascara... that I'm kinda excited and yet very scared about!!! LOL!! You'll see.

♥ As a birthday celebration, I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 last night.

Let me just say... I CRIED. I cried 20 minutes into the movie and the tears pretty much just kept coming. I stopped crying in the last 30 mins but it was just... a great ending!

Why people make such a big deal? - honestly, I think we all fell in love with the characters. I met Harry Potter when I was 11 and I just grew in love with his world, his friends, his enemies, his quest - his magical world. It's different than Twilight because it is not just about two people. Harry Potter is about entire world; designed with wild imagination and careful creation, beyond anything I've seen in my generation! And each book contain these epic adventures that eventually tie together into a beautiful conclusion. I think I cried, even though I know what will happen, because I feel like my magical adventure is coming to an end as well. Most of all, I feet for these characters - The Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, Snape, Neville, Malfoy... all of them!

And for those of you who aren't really fans of the book or of the movies, just go see it - it's got fantastic filming... and Snape scenes are just amazing!

Although, I don't really give a crap about Ginny... haha

Spring Time Make Up!

I adore Spring because that's when the weather warms up but not too much that it is burning not! It just feels great to be outside - it makes me happy!!

But I'm also switching up my make up as well... here are some things I am loving for SPRING!

1) SHIMMER SHIMMER SHIMMER!!

Milani's Glimmer Stripes

I love to add shimmer to my face because it adds a glowing affect! Kinda a healthy glow!! Brightens up my face.

2) PURPLE EYE SHADOW!!


I still love using my neutrals but I love adding a touch more color in my make up for Spring. These two colors are pretty much dupes of each other. They are so pretty and shimmery and they aren't BOLD. They are both on the neutral side which is great for school or work.

3) BRIGHT LIPS!!

Revlon's Colorburst


Wet N Wild's Megalast

When I go w/ a neutral eye (which I do a lot of times), I like to pair that with some bright lipsticks! Above are some of my favorite colors because they are so bright. I love the Revlon Colorburst one just because I feel like I can sport that one anywhere! The WnW ones are a bit bright for everyday! I like to blot them and make them into lip stains instead.

4) BRIGHT NAILS!!

NYC's Mod Mauuve

When I'm not wearing anything colorful on my face - I'll always have my nails to finish off the look!

* * * * *

What are some of your favorite Spring products?

I hope you guys are enjoying Spring as much as I am!!!


Thanks for READING!!

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!

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!

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.

---------------------------

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?

Better Late Than Never

I was gonna do this during my Thanksgiving break but I was either too full or too lazy to do it! But here goes:

These are the make up items that I'm most thankful for! I either reach for this everyday or they enhance my features well or they just prevent my make up from melting off.


Eyes stuff!

My tiny Wet n Wild brow pencil in Taupe helps define my brows and works well on everyone - like my mom!

Mascaras are a MUST for me! I have come across some really good ones and the L'Oreal Bare Natural is a really good one for everyday looks.

Eyelash curlers are also a MUST! I will never apply mascara without curling my lashes first. I have a Revlon one but I'm hoping to upgrade to a better one soon.


Blush/Bronzers

Bronzers are fantastic to warm up my complexion. In the picture, I have the Milani Sunset Duos in Sunset City but I have a Rimmel Natural Bronzer one that I enjoy too in Sun Light.

Blush is amazing! It helps me look alive since I am pale - as in I have no natural flush - the ones in the pictures are the two that I have been using quite a bit: Jane's Blushing Plum and CoverGirl's Pretty Peach.


Eye lid primers

I cannot cannot and I must repeat cannot wear eyeshadows without it creasing on me. Now that I have eye shadow primers - oh man, those babies will stay on all day!!! I cannot believe I didn't own any before. I think both the $1 ELF or the $18 UDPP will at least enhance the staying power so everyone shouldn't have an excuse of not owning any primers.


Moisturizing lip products

I am not exactly the biggest lip product person but if the product is moisturizing - it'll be the first to go in my entire make up collection. The Burt's Bees lip balm in the pic is GONE. The CoverGirl's Amazemint Lipgloss in Slap Happy has about 30% left. Also, honorable mention but not in the pic, my C.O. Bigelow mentha lip tint.


Imperfection Fixers

My skin has been driving me insane - some days it will be good and then BAM! it gets bad! I mean, what the heck! So in those emergency moments, I desperately reach for my Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer in Beige to cover my acne scars or redness around my nose or dark circles... It's nice to have a concealer because it looks more natural than covering my entire face with foundation. However, lately I've found that the Revlon Colorstay Active Light Make up in Natural Beige is really good with evening out my complexion without being too cakey. It also doesn't exemplify my pores or dry patches as much as a lot of other foundations - which is just fantastic!


Nice Finishing Touch

For some reason, when I put on fragrance of some sort, I always feel like that is the last step of the day and it is the step that sends me off to school. It's very much like a finishing touch that really make a difference. Smelling nice is important in a subtle way. I love Bath and Body Works fragrances - my scent right now is Twilight Woods. I frickin love it!

So, what are some products you are thankful for?