"I left my head and heart on the dance floor"

Lady GaGa's new song... is stuck in my head. Great. But anyways, I just want to write something today because I KNOW that school starts tomorrow which means that posting will be a problem and commenting will also be hard.

Probably not this week - because it is only the first week back - but starting next week...

I have to get ready for my Pharmacy school interview!!!

Please, anyone have any advice on school interviews - especially pharmacy - let me know!!! I'm very EXCITED but very NERVOUS!!

PS. Is it important to wear a blazer? Do the blazer and the pants have to match in color. I have a black blazer and a gray pair of pants.

Okay, so this might be the best purchase of this month.

** As you know, one of my New Year resolution is to keep a budget of $20 a month... ha ha... fat chance. I already spent $30 and it is only the beginning of this month. BAD! I know. So I'm gonna stop for January.

So what is this purchase you ask? Well my friends, let me show you:


The ELF blush and bronzer duo set.

YES, YES YES, I absolutely adore this thing!! So, I'm just gonna do what I do best and write a pro/con list.

PRO:
- CHEAP - 4g for $3 on the website

- The blush is just fantastic. It is a nice coral shade but unlike a lot of drugstore coral shade, this one is not light. It is a bit darker so I don't need to keep building the color but it is still a very natural look. It has enough pigment after one swipe of the brush. It has a bit of golden shimmer in it but it is not obvious when you wear it. I think this will give you a beautiful glow during spring and summer! (YES, I'm ready for those seasons now).

- The bronzer is soooo amazing!! AH it gives a beautiful warmth to my face. It just makes my face glow and tan. Again, this is a bit on the darker side so fair girls: do be aware. Also has a tiny bit of golden shimmer that won't show through too much. Overall, I really enjoy this color on my face. Not orange but more brown. Really fits the definition of BRONZER/TAN.

- I got complimented on the blush :D HE HE!!!!! You have no idea that much that makes me happy. I love being complimented but especially on my complexion.



- The mirror/packaging is one of my favorite parts. I love this mirror!! It is HUGE! I put it up against my other mirror and did this whole optic illusion of a mirror inside a mirror inside a mirror... the point is... this mirror is an awesome size... and for traveling YES!!!! PERFECT size.

CONS:
- If you have a lighter skin tone, this might be a bit too dark... but it doesn't hurt to try but just apply w/ a lighter hand.

- If you don't like shimmer... well this won't be for you either. But this thing isn't so obvious that people will be like - why is your face so shiny - it is blinding me.

- You have to order this online ** but I think it will come to Target soon though.

That's it. It really enjoy this product. If you haven't watched this already, Emilynoel83 did this "Emily Award" where she mentions this product.



Check it out.

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To end this post, I just want to show you a school look that I've been trying out.. you know, for the upcoming semester.



Very nice and neutral. Perfect for everyday! I used my Revlon quad in Coffee Bean.

Great quad!

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Again, school starts tomorrow and I would like to apologize in advance if I take awhile to blog or to comment.

GOOD LUCK to anyone who's going to school and starting a new semester!!!! And lets make 2010 a good one!

Actually, I will end with a few pics to show you that SPRING IS COMING... or GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL!

Speak up. Shy Ronnie, speak up.

Has anyone seen this SNL Digital Short? I love SNL and especially these digital short videos!



The vid is flipped... so right is left and left is right type thing. Anyways, this is sooo hilarious! Andy Samburg (sp?) is always so funny and he plays nerdy guys all the time. He's awesome.

Anyways, Rihanna's make up looks so cool that I had to try it out. Obviously my look is not as good... but it seems like a regular dark smokey eye... so I just went w/ what I think consist of a black smokey eye.





Tah Dah! Very simple. I just use the dark gray from my Revlon Illuminance Creme Shadow and then used my ELF Drama quad (the darkest color) all over the lid. Blend the top edge with some nice warm brown color from my ELF Butternut quad. And then do my usual highlight.

** I tried to highlight my face but I didn't have a decent face highlighter so I thought I'd just use some eye shadow. Um... not a good way to go. I looked so oily! YIKES. So my goal is to find a decent (drugstore) highlighter just in case I need it :D

Can't remember what is on my lips... perhaps my Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Lipstick in Sweet Nothing. Pretty nudy color.

Alcohol Saves the Day

Some people use alcohol to drink their sorrows away... or some people use it to go from "Rachel, the desk assistant" to "Rachel, life of the party".

I use it... for MY MAKE UP... and OH MY GOD did it help me out so so so much!

1) I use it every time I sanitize make up items that I've swapped for. I put the alcohol (I got the cheap one 50% isopropyl acohol) in a spray bottle and spray what ever item I want to disinfect. It works on any powder and lipsticks (which are the ones I always get anyways).

2) I use it to mend my stuff. So I bought a Victoria Secret baked eyeshadow and we all know that baked items are EXTREMELY fragile... and of course it came broken. No need to fear I thought, I just need my alcohol and I'm all set!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

* I just crushed the shadows that were loose w/ a spoon
* Then I used a quarter and wrapped it around a napkin - sprayed that w/ alcohol
* I sprayed a bunch of alcohol on that shadow and PRESSED!
* Ta da - of course, there was no way I can actually make it back into the cute dome shape that it was but heck, it is still usable and doesn't make a mess everytime I take it out.
* Now, I have no idea how the alcohol actually make the product stayed together like that... if you have a clue, let me know :D I'm curious!

TOOLS:


* This method does get messy. I think I lost about 10% of product but that's okay. It was totally worth it.
* I think the paper is extremely important in this method! (Disclaimer: I'm not trying to promote Albertson in anyway...)

3) Finally, I use alcohol to wash my brushes! I know that brushes get a tremendous amount of bacteria build up. Your skin has tons of bacteria living on it and think of a brush just taking up some of that everytime it touches your face. With the oil that comes from your face... bacteria can form colonies and it is just a disgusting mess!

So alcohol is ESSENTIAL! Now, I know 50% ispropanol is probably not the best (I was CHEAP!) but some is better than none.

I followed EnkoreMakeup Brush cleanser recipe and it works great. 40% approxmiately is alcohol!



So I think that alcohol, no no, not talking about the stuff you drink (ethanol... and such) but ISOPROPANOL is very important as a disinfecting agent and also... powder mender.

I hope this helps someone out there :D

See ya! Thanks for reading and stopping by.

New Years Resolutions?

This is REALLY REALLY odd... but this year, I don't really feel like doing resolutions. Is it because things never work out? Maybe. Last year, I wanted to be more involved in my school and it was fun for half of it - going to football games and some pep rallies. But trying to find time to join clubs (or find a good club...) not so much.

*** TANGENT!!! ***

Story: My friend and I was interested in this club called "Saving the World and Having Fun While Doing It" club. I was like - YES! Sounds perfect. But then their meeting time was at 6pm on Friday and I was like... okay... this is getting odd. Finally, (mid of semester) we decided to keep w/ our resolution and check the club out. As soon as I walked in there... I knew we would not fit in. They all looked so nerdy and hippy-ish... sitting around playing video games. You know those people - the same people you can find lounging at the manga/anime section of Borders or the library (I like manga/anime but those people are just scary). I just did not feel the vibe.

*** TANGENT over ***

I also feel like 2009 has been one of the crappiest years but with drama that I, myself, am not responsible for therefore can't do anything about it.

But I do feel like I should set some goals for myself in 2010 so let's get to it:

1) Try to be more social and hang out with my friends more (I get into this habit of getting lazy and not wanting to go out... I am a bit of an anti-social sometimes and I need to get my butt up and go mingle!)

2) Making new friends (this is a goal I set EVERY year! Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. But mostly, I need to make friends w/ more straight guys. Ha ha. Yes, I have tons of girl-friends and gay-friends. I need to meet more straight guys)

3) Use more, buy less (need to use what I have and stop buying things so often. My budget has been set at $20 and will go down and as I manage stronger control my addiction. But so far, I've been doing well. I keep a list of things I buy and try to be honest about how much I spent and such. It really helps. Right now, I'm done w/ January. How sad is that. It's only been a WEEK!)

4) Talk less, do more (I always make goals like this but never do them. This time I will do them!! End of that :D My friends and I are planning to go to Hawaii for Spring Break. I KNOW, it'll be expensive but it's one of those things where we should just do it and talk about it less)

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Anyways, I should leave now w/ a FOTD just to make this somewhat beauty related.





This look is called "Best of Both Worlds"

CoverGirl's Tapestry Taupe and MAC's Sketch

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Enjoy.

Really want to know what your resolution is?

If you have a brain, Do-It-Yourself!

So, besides make up, I LOVE to DIY! Especially sewing wise.

For example, a year ago, I made:




My sister got me the pattern for my birthday and I went to town with it!

For awhile, my sewing machine was broken and I couldn't do anything with it but I got a new one for Christmas this year.

So...

I made THIS:



What the heck is that?? Well, let me show you -


It is a brush... roll... sorta. It has places for me to hold my brushes on the right and then on the left, I made a little pouch for random make up. And let me tell you - I was so surprised by the amount that could fit in that pouch!




Definitely NOT PERFECT! The patch at the top to cover the bristles is not straight... SIGH! Oh well. I'll live.



So this might not be something that everyone can do - but I hope it is some sort of inspiration for you and your next project!

This took me... if I were to sit and do this - 12 hours. Yes, I made a bunch of calculation mistakes... but it is my first brush roll though.

I still think this pouch is GREAT for light travel. Just pop in a concealer, blush, bronzer, liner, mascara, chapstick and lipstick (YES, that will all fit! especially with smaller products like Jane's blushes or Covergirl's blushes and a drugstore shadow quad) and I'm all set!

If anyone wants more info - just go ahead and ask! And if you don't have your own sewing machine - JUST sew by hand. It works just as great.

Products Worth Mentioning of 2009

I know everyone's been doing this... but that is to be expected since 2009 is OVER! I really love these items - have recommended a bunch of times - it is time to put it all together!

1) Best Face Products:


>> Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in Sunlight and Jane's Blushing Petal. These might seem like dull colors but they really make my life easy. Awesome colors that make me look natural but awesome!

2) Best Nail Polish:


>> Rimmel's Lyca Wear in Posh Trash and Milk Chocolate. These needs base & top coats BUT they are awesome colors - especially Posh Trash. I think I wear that the most. BTW - horrible picture. The flash pretty much killed the colors.

3) Best Make Up Brushes:


>> Ecotools Blush brush, Coastal Scent's Pink Kabuki, and ELF eyeshadow brush. I use the blush and kabuki brush almost everyday... pretty sure EVERYDAY! And I use the eyeshadow brush every time I use eyeshadows. I mean, these are important, necessary, irreplaceable and CHEAP!

4) Best Lip Gloss:


>> CO Bigelow's Pink Tint - LOVE THIS STUFF!! Have this stuff everywhere I go with me. Will use this up like nothing else and probably will buy a million more! To bad they are a tad bit more expensive than what I am used to. But no worries, take advantage of the Semi-annual sales!

5) Best Eyeshadow Palette:


>> ELF Eye Brightening Quad in Butternut and Drama. Okay, these might not be the BEST to you but they are the BEST to me! The only thing is that they might not be as blendable as I would like (the darker shades in Drama) but that is all the complaint I will give. I love this stuff. ADORE them.

6) Best Eye shadows:



>> NYX has the best singles as far as drugstore goes. LOVE the texture, the pigmentation, the blendability (not a word), adorable packaging. Ha ha - BUT, one thing that I hate about these shadows is the staying power. They have crappy staying power even w/ a primer sometimes. Eh well - they are only $3-5 though.

7) Best Lipsticks:


>> Maybelline's Moisture Extreme are amazing! I have 3 shades - Rosy Glow (my first lippy EVER!), Rum Raisin (I'm starting to fall in love w/ this color all over again(, and Winsdor Rose (which is in the picture!). High pigmentation, amazing moisture, and great color options. I doubt that you guys reading right now haven't tried these yet... but just in case you haven't set your lips on these little beauties yet, GO GET SOME! And YES, these are the best in my collection.

8) Best Fragrances:


>> Anything Bath and Body Works is fantastic. So I would say the products from that store in general. From left to right - PS I Love You, Pink Grape Fruit, Cherry Blossom, Sea Island Cotton, Twilight Woods, and Japanese Cherry Blossom (which I kinda want the perfume version - also, best selling fragrance from BBW... correct me if I am wrong).

9) Most Disappointed Products of 09:


>> This doesn't fit w/ the rest but I had to say something about this line. Jane oh Jane oh Jane... I wish you came out w/ newer and better products yet you completely disappointed me. SIGH!

10) Best Youtube Beauty GURU:


>> There are so many amazing GURUs out there but MichellePhan's videos are to unique, artistic, and just beautifully done. It isn't just about the make up and I think that is just fan-frickin-tastic!

There ya go... Hope you guys enjoy. I would LOVE to hear what you have to say... or what your favorite products of 2009 are.

Makeup Routine

Here's my makeup routine - not for everyday but for school and stuff, if I have time, I will usually go down this road.

I usually take 10-15 mins to do all of these 10 steps! PHEW!



1) Foundation - I just use this on trouble spots. This Rimmel Lasting Finish gives great coverage and really lasts a long time! I use this sparingly b/c foundation does have that heavy feel on me.

2) Powder - I set my foundation w/ this awesome mattifying powder. Works so great to reduce shine (mostly in the summer).

3) Bronzer - My complexion looks ghastly without bronzer. Need this to look ALIVE! My Rimmel bronzer has been faithful to me and never lets me down.

4) Blush - I always always always wear blush! EVERY DAY! If I leave the house, I will have blush on! I think I go to my Jane's Blushing Petal when I don't know which color to choose. It is my default blush - no doubt.

5) Eyebrows - I can't believe I forgot this step! I usually deepen my brow color using Maybelline's Chai Latte quad and use the really dark matte brown color! I do this almost everyday.

5) Eye shadow - I don't always wear eyeshadow... this step I skip often because I don't have time but when I do have a bit of time to spare, I put some primer on and then I put on a color that can stand alone and look nice and natural. Beach Blush from Maybelline is so great for that and it really makes my eyes stand out!

6) Eyeliner - If I put on shadow, I will have to also put on liner. And everyone now knows that I trust this liner to do its job... and it lasts all day. It is just perfection! Ha ha :D Revlon's Colorstay Eyeliner

7) Eyelash curler - Will ALWAYS curl my lashes if I wear mascara. I used to skip this step but it makes SUCH a difference!! I tell ya - people are crazy to skip this step.

8) Mascara - I love mascara. It makes me look... nice in a subtle way. I adore this CoverGirl's Professional Volume mascara. SO CHEAP. Oh and I don't wear waterproof - too much work to take off.

9) Gloss - If I don't want to wear lipstick - I stick to gloss. Just really concludes the look and I don't look too made up or anything.


--> Now, this goes in order. On a really early morning when I take sleeping to be more important than makeup, I just do bronzer, blush, brows and gloss. I skip everything else.

--> If I were to shadow - I have to do liner and mascara. So if I'm running late, I just do mascara - IF I HAVE TIME TO CURL MY LASHES. Ha ha... that's my process.

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So the new year is upon us! I'm planning to go and get a bunch of new products that were released. I'm very excited to see CoverGirl, Revlon, Maybelline, and Rimmel put out new products!

Maybelline's new eyeshadow palettes; Are these NEW or is it just me?? These are swatches from Lipglosseater.

Maybelline's Shine Sensational Lip Glosses; They sound so awesome! Thanks for the review Recessionista!


W00t! Covergirl's Shadowblast. These things look ridiculously awesome!

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Have a great 2010!!