Saturday, December 14, 2013

Why I have not bought any of the Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palettes?

Hi Everyone =)

I hope you have been well. My flight is tomorrow so I'll just write this quick post on my thoughts of why I have not bought any of the Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palettes?

Note: I do not own any of the Naked palettes nor have I tried or swatched them. These are my thoughts based on reading and watching reviews and going into stores to look at the palettes.


The main reason for any of the 3 palettes is price. While I understand, comparing the price of each individual eye shadow (if it was sold separately) to the price of the palette as a whole saves money, $52 is still a lot of money. And I don't think that a good deal for a product disregards its price.
So yes, the main reason why I don't buy any of the 3 palettes is that I find them too expensive.

Naked Original
I would have bought this when it first came out for $40, but I was hoping that it would go down in price. Instead it went up and stayed up...=(
This one is my favorite out of all of the Naked Palettes BUT there are a few reasons why I have not bought it:
1) Horrible packaging! The Naked 2 and 3 both have nice metal packaging that protects it well and makes the container long lasting. The Naked Original is still in its crappy easily dented paper-lined packaging which easily gets damaged. I have seen many Naked Original palettes get scrapes, smudges (because of the soft cover), with the paper lining peeling back over a lot of time and use.
2) Those 2 blue colors, I would never ever use, so it would be a waste of money and space.
3) While I love all the neutral colors, I already own many similar ones as single eyeshadows or as parts of other palettes, so there is really no need to buy more of the same or similar eyeshadows.

Naked 2
1) Not as wearable for day looks as the Naked Original. It is more of a darker, night-out look for more dramatic looks. I don't go out often at night and so I would not use these colors a lot.
2) Again, I already have many similar colors.

Naked 3
Of the three palettes, this is the one I would most consider buying because I do not own a lot of pink-toned or rose-colored eyeshadows. Many people say that this is too similar to the Naked Original, I don't think so. I find it very different. I really like how the pink-toned colors give a very warm and romantic feel to the eyeshadows. The colors are all feminine and sweet.
1) I am worried how it will look compared to my skin tone. Depending on how I use it and how much product I apply, this could make my eyes look red or swollen. I would need to go to the stores to try it before purchasing.
2) I have heard mixed reviews on the fallout and chalkiness of the eyeshadows, which makes me hesitant. Not because I don't like a lot of fallout and chalkiness (if the colors are beautiful enough I can deal with it), but because if I travel with it, I do not want the pressed eyeshadows to be cracking and crumbling, so that when I open the palette the powders are all messed up everywhere!

So, these are just my personal thoughts and reasons for why I have not purchased any of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes.
Perhaps if I was newer to makeup and I wanted just 1 good everyday neutral palette and nothing else, then I would consider the Naked Original. However, I know myself, I will continue to buy eyeshadows anyway =P.

On a side note, my dad always said that I could buy whatever I wanted as long as I used it. And used it, meaning, using it to its worth! If I used it enough that the price was worth it, then there was no problem in buying it no matter what the cost was.
Moral of the story: I am not telling you what to buy, it is up to you and hopefully to your own money. Just make sure it is something you really want and you will use often enough to find it worthwhile.
(A great tip when shopping, is that if something is out of your budget but you like it, ask them to hold it for you at the counter, continue shopping, and if you are still thinking about that product at the end of the day, and dearly so, then it is probably worthwhile to you to go back and purchase it)

I hope that my thoughts may have helped you in your decisions on the Naked palettes.

Thank you for reading! =)

Have a great winter break for the students! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

December Hiatus! =O

Hi guys!

I will be taking a hiatus for the entire month of December! >.<

Yeah I know, that's a long time, but finals start next week and I have 3 finals, each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I am also finishing up my master applications. (But still waiting for my letters of rec to be done! grrr lol)

And finally I am taking a 2 week vacation to Taiwan and Japan! I will be flying the day after my last final ends so I will be super busy packing and what not.

I am going to Kyoto, Japan and Taipei, Taiwan.



So I hope you understand why I'm taking a short break on my blog. =)

Thanks so much for keeping up with me and reading my posts!
I will be buying Japanese and Taiwanese cosmetics and skin care so stay tuned for that!

Also, good luck for everyone else who are taking finals too!

I will see everyone next year!
Have a great winter break, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

^_^

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Review on First Aid Beauty FAB Faves to Go Kit!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you have been doing well. =)

Today I am reviewing the First Aid Beauty FAB Faves to Go Kit

This set can be bought on Amazon for $28 and prime shipping!

What do I think of this product?
So this year, especially starting with the summer until now, I have been much more stressed than normal with studying for my mCAT exam, and now busy with hospital shifts, school, work, and applications. Therefore, my skin showed it. =P
I started to get redness on my face and also it became more sensitive and easily irritated. This is probably due to stress, lack of sleep, and also poorer eating habits (which are improving).
So I bought this kit! As you know I did buy the "First Aid Beauty" Ultra Repair Oatmeal mask and I loved it. It worked very well in calming my redness down and hydrating my skin. 
However, I did want a skincare product that treated me on a more daily basis, than just doing the occasional mask. I could wear the mask everyday, but most people don't and if I did, I would probably finish that bottle in a week. XP

This kit comes with 3 products:
-Face Cleanser: 56.7g or 2.0 oz
-Facial Radiance Pads: 28 pads
-Ultra Repair Cream: 56.7g or 2.0 oz

I have used these products for almost 1 month. None of these products irritate or redden my skin in any way.

Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is recommended to be used in the morning when you wake up and before you go to bed. It is said to moisturize and protect the skin.
This is a creamy cleanser with a soft texture. It will lather up into a foam when washing your face. One thing that did bother me was that it smelled like old paint...=/, but at least my skin doesn't smell like that after I wash my face.
I found this cleanser to be a nice cleanser for everyday use. It cleans my face well and keeps it hydrated. However, I don't find this cleanser to be that special or have a significant improvement for my skin. I think it works just as well as my Shiseido Perfect Whip and Shiseido Perfect Milk cleansers, which are much cheaper.
Therefore, while this is a good cleanser, I can find others that work the same and are much more affordable, so I will not be repurchasing this product again.

Facial Radiance Pads
These pads are said to exfoliate, tone and brighten skin. You are supposed to use it after you use the facial cleanser but I don't. I actually use it as a replacement for my cleanser on days that I come home late and I am very tired but I still want to clean my face, I will use these. Probably not the best way to use them, but it didn't hurt my skin, so I think it is okay. They clean my skin very well, I can see the pad change color very clearly from white to gray or brown....which may be gross, but hey! it works!
These pads are very thin and soaked with a lot of cleansing solution. They gently exfoliate and clean my skin. Also, they still keep my face moisturized, they don't dry out  my skin.
I love to use these because they are very portable, container is leak proof, and good to use when I am very tired or in a hurry. I personally don't think they brighten my skin much, but they do clean and exfoliate my skin well. I will definitely consider repurchasing this again, I think it is great when I am busy or when I am traveling!

Ultra Repair Cream
This is my most favorite product of the set. It is said to provide immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin and eczema. FAB Antioxidant Booster is there to defend skin from free radical damage. Ultra Repair Cream can be used all over the body and on the face.
The directions say to apply as needed. This bothered me a bit, because usually medical creams have directions like that, which means that the product is a strong and intensive product. Also, the cream smells medicated which doesn't bother me too much, just makes me concerned on how intensive this product is. Because the general rule for medicated products is that the less you use them the better.
I initially used this all over my face after cleansing everyday, because I had overall redness. The redness decreased rapidly because of this cream and as it says it is very fast acting and moisturizing. I also applied this to a bug bite on my face and saw a clear decrease in redness and swelling.
Once my overall redness decreased, I applied it only the redness around my mouth and my nose. And I am seeing great results with a lot of redness gone and some days with no redness!
This product is moisturizing but not as moisturizing as I would like it to be. Usually I apply it a second time if this is the only moisturizer on my face. But now I apply my Aveeno Baby all over my face and then the Ultra Repair Cream on areas of my face that are irritated and/or red.
This product works very well for me, decreasing irritation and redness quickly and significantly. I would definitely repurchase this product again!

Do I recommend these products?
For the Facial Cleanser, I really think that it is not necessary for you to buy it at that price so for the price I do not recommend it. However, if you really want to try this product or if you have very sensitive skin, then I think it's okay to try.
If you are looking for an on-the-go facial cleansing product, then the Facial Radiance Pads are your friend! I recommend this product because it is great for days when you are super busy, tired, or when you are traveling! I don't recommend for your daily use, but use it when you need it!
If you have sensitive skin, irritated skin, dry skin, red/inflamed skin I definitely recommend the Ultra Repair Cream! It works very well and worth the price! Just make sure to not apply it to any broken skin or open wounds, because they will sting.

So I hope you liked this review and found it helpful! Feel free to ask any questions or write comments in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Friday, November 29, 2013

Review on Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Mascara and Maybelline Waterproof Rocket Mascara

Hi Everyone!

I hope those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a good Thanksgiving! =)
And also for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, I hope you had a very interesting and fun holiday!

I'm going to go out shopping soon! Today is Black Friday in the US! But as you can see, I'm not a hard core shopper, I go when I feel like it =P.

Today I am reviewing two products:
-The Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Mascara
-The Maybelline Waterproof Rocket Mascara

Note: I did not purposefully put these two products to compare them. I just don't use a lot of mascara and when I do, I don't have much to say about them, so I will combine reviews.
Also if you have noticed, I do not wear mascara a lot, not even often. I just find that they don't make a difference with my eyes compared to eyeliner. So when I do buy mascara, I take a long time to actually use it often enough to write a good review. I got these mascaras at least 3 months ago and finally used them enough to talk about them!

Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Mascara

This product can be found online (like Amazon) for about $15.

What do I think of this product?
I have heard far and wide about this mascara especially from Youtube beauty gurus like Bubzbeauty. I always wanted to try it so I got it!
The formula does not irritate or harm my eyes in any way.
I really love the applicator wand. It is very small so I can actually see what I am doing (instead of some giant bushy brush thing covering half my eye) and will coat every single lash from root to tip.
It definitely darkens and lengthens my sparse short eyelashes, however it does not give much thickness or volume. It's formula is very smudge proof and barely smears to my lower lash line.
However, I do not find it very buildable. Whenever I do more than 4 or 5 strokes, the product starts to clump in an ugly way. Also, despite being waterproof, it does not hold a curl well for me, and my eyelashes (though longer) will easily fall flat.

Do I recommend this product?
Hmm, I think it does depend on your eyelashes. I really like the wand of this mascara, great for short sparse lashes. So for those of you who have short eyelashes, I recommend this product to try. However, if you are looking for a mascara that will thicken and volumize your eyelashes, this is not the one for you. As for holding a curl, maybe I am not good at curling my lashes, I don't know, but I hope your curls stay better than mine! Also make sure to not over apply this product, or make sure to wiggle well as you apply because you may get clumps!

Maybelline Waterproof Rocket Mascara
This product can be found online or in stores such as Ulta or any drugstore. It costs about $8.

What do I think of this product?
I was recommended this product by a friend who loves this mascara!
The formula does not irritate or hurt my eyes in any way and darkens my eyelashes well.
The wand is quite large and I do need to be a bit careful to not stab myself in the eye and make sure to get mascara from the root to the tip of the lashes.
The waterproof formula works pretty well, it will smudge a bit at the end of the day, but so does my pencil eyeliner so I don't mind. It holds a curl pretty well and I like that. =)
I find the product to be pretty buildable. It lengthens and volumizes my eyelashes but not to a dramatic extent. I think it looks pretty natural. And it does tend to clump when I apply more, but it doesn't clump too much and doesn't look that bad.
The only thing I wish was that the wand to not be so big. Also, there is too much product on the wand and you can just take some off with a paper towel or tissue before applying to help prevent clumping.

Do I recommend this product?
If you already have naturally curled long eyelashes like my friend, I think you will really like this mascara and I recommend it. It holds a curl well and doesn't smudge much. If you are like me with shorter, sparser lashes, this mascara will not give you eyelashes significant length and volume, but I think it's not a bad everyday mascara.

So I hope you liked my reviews and they were helpful to you! Feel free to write in the comment box below if you have any questions or comments!
Thank you for reading and I will see you soon! =)

P.S. Make sure to only use your mascaras for up to about 6 months especially if you use mascara often. I know it seems like a waste of product and money to switch mascaras so often. But really, everytime you take it out, apply product, and put it back in, it gets contaminated with the surrounding air and even from your own eyelashes that has organic oils from your oil glands (which bacteria love to eat).
So for your safety and health, it is good to get a new mascara about every 6 months. You don't want an eye infection, trust me, I've had them before, and they are not pretty, extremely ugly and painful.
Besides, it is a great excuse for you to go shoppinggg! XD Re-buy a favorite mascara or try a new one!

I hope you enjoyed this review and that it helped you! Feel free to write any questions or comments in the comment box below!
Thanks for reading! =)

P.S. I will be very busy next month (December) so that's why I have so many posts in November. Finals, extra hospital shifts, and I'll be on vacation for 2 weeks!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Outfit of the Day! XD

Hi Everyone!

I went out with some of my friends today and this is what I wore:

Please watch in HD and enjoy! Thank you!



The underskirt shorts are from Yesstyle.
I find the underskirt shorts very useful. They are soft and comfortable. You can wear them under shorts for a cute lace accent, or under a skirt or a dress.
 It is great to wear in the colder months so your bum doesn't feel too cold. When the wind blows, you know no one is gonna see your panties or butt.
I like it when I sit down in class, so I don't have any part of my butt touching the seat, because I hate that feeling, especially when the seat is cold or weirdly warm.

The sweater from American Eagle was original $55. O_O
They were having a 25% off sale and I had a 25% off coupon. But the coupon said that it could not be used with anything else.
But I tried it anyway, and I got 50% off! So I got the sweater for $26!!! Muahahaha XD
The sweater is soft, but not warm because....it has holes. =P I wore a cami from Forever21 underneath. If it gets too cold, I can wear a basic long sleeve shirt underneath as well.

The skirt from Hollister is chiffon material. I got it on sale for $12!

I think that my outfit was a little too neutral or bland. If I had a pair of maroon or dark wine-colored boots, I think it would really add some life and color to this outfit! Despite that I think this is a soft and cute look. A little girl-next-door style and definitely comfortable!

And let's not forget the dogggyyy! Juju!

Dawww she's so cute! She's my friend's dog but I get to play with her alot! =)

I hope you guys liked my outfit and it gave you some ideas. Save your money for Black Friday and have fun!

I will see you later! Thank you for reading/watching! ^_^

Friday, November 22, 2013

Outfit of the day! =)

Hi Everyone!

This is what I wore today:

(please watch in HD, thank you!)

It rained earlier today, hence the raincoat!
The white top was from Express I got it on sale for about $12!
The jacket and scarf are from Ebay!
The leggings are fleece-lined (soft and very warm) from Claire's.
The skirt and boots are from Yesstyle.
I love the skirt, it is really comfortable and warm. The boots are of cheap quality but that makes it okay to wear on a rainy day. I don't care if they get damaged or dirty.

I thought this was a cute and casual outfit. The pink goes well with black and with the tan boots gives a softer and warmer feel.
I especially like how the lacy pink skirt just peeks out from beneath the jacket, I think it looks very feminine.

I hope you liked the look!
Thanks for watching/reading. =)

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Review on Dolly Wink Eyeshadow Palette in 01 Brown ^_^

Hi Everyone!

I am finally not sick =)

To celebrate here is a review on the Dolly Wink Eyeshadow Palette in 01 Brown!

This product costs about $17-$24. It is sold online, or at Marukai, Mitsuwa, and Takashima.

What do I think of this product?
When this product first came out, it cost about $17. I really wanted to try the product but I felt it was too expensive at the time and I wanted to wait for the price to drop. However (like the urban decay palette), it got very popular and the price actually rose to about $23 and stayed there for a while. Made me sad =(.
But one day I saw it back to its old price and I took the opportunity to buy it!

There are 4 colors (left to right or a-d):
a: a shimmery warm copper
b: a shimmery pale yellow
c: a shimmery chestnut bronze brown
d: a soft shimmery cool dark brown

The palette is small and cute, great for traveling. I found the colors to be very good for everyday use and can be used for a day look to night look. The eyeshadows do not irritate or hurt my eyes in any way. All of the colors are well pigmented, soft, easily blendable and easy to build up. The eyeshadows also are amazingly long lasting and crease-resistant (when I wear an eyeshadow primer, which I always do). I was so surprised after wearing these eyeshadows from 8am till 6pm to find no creasing or fade at all! I am pretty used to a little creasing near the end of the day, but not this product! It stayed on well all day long! =D
I still think that this product is a little bit expensive, however, I found it to be a good investment because the quality of the eyeshadows are excellent!

Here are a few swatches of the eyeshadows:
I hope you did not mind that I did not label them this time. I thought that the colors themselves were pretty different and distinct enough to tell the difference.
For each picture starting from the top swatch to the bottom is "a" through "d".




Do I recommend this product?
If you don't mind the price and are looking for a high quality everyday eyeshadow palette, I definitely recommend this product. Especially if you are looking for a good everyday set of eyeshadow colors or do not own a lot of eyeshadows. It may be pricy but the quality is amazing! These brown shades also look beautiful with any eye color!
There are also 2 other palettes from the same line with different colors if you are interested.
Also, FYI, if you see a palette selling for more than $24, don't buy it. They are trying to cheat you and the standard price in Japan is about $23 US dollars. So please, don't get scammed.

So I hope that you liked this review! Feel free to ask any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Monday, November 18, 2013

And this is why you need to becareful about buying stuff on Yesstyle =(

Hi guys!

So a long time ago, I wrote a long-ass post on Yesstyle clothes and buying clothes that fit your body type or figure.

Note: Just because you read this title does not mean I say to not buy from Yesstyle. I buy a lot of clothes from Yesstyle, as you can see in my fashion videos, and I like what I buy. This is an instance of a mistake I made.

I bought this pair of shoes.

So, we all make mistakes and this time I made a mistake of buying a pair of shoes from Yesstyle.
I felt I was pretty smart and cautious about buying clothes from Yesstyle so I thought I would be just as good with shoes as well.

No, not really. =P Luckily I did choose the right size and the shoe fit and looked cute.
But the shoe, as I expected, was not good quality. It was made from very thin material and the base of the foot was a cheap plastic mold. The small frame of the plastic mold had little support for the foot when walking. (If you know anything about a good pair of boots they are usually thicker with more stiff support around the foot and the ankle so your ankle won't wobble around as much and have a more steady and stable walk.)
However, because of the cheap plastic mold with a thin layer of fabric covering it and making the rest of the boot, this made the heel a bit wobbly to walk on.

Personally, I did not mind all of these things. I expected them to some degree and paid $35 for it. It was hard but it was not that uncomfortable and I felt it was okay.

But something happened that I did not expect, and that was this:

My right ankle (and only my right ankle, these are not both of my ankles) rubbed against the plastic mold and bled onto my shoe and sock.





 It obviously hurt when I walked on it, but I thought it was a blister (which is common for breaking in new shoes), but no, I bled.

I did write a review on it, but after this experience I think I wrote it too soon and it deserves a lower rating. But oh well, I got what I paid for and probably deserved it. =P

Sorry if you didn't like the pictures or if they bothered you. But I hope this post helps you when you are deciding whether to buy a pair of shoes from Asia or not. Of course if they are a high quality reputable brand (like Super Dry), then there should be no problem. Just becareful out there!
Thanks for reading! I will see you soon! =)

Friday, November 15, 2013

Review on "Make Up Forever" Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Champagne!

Hi Everyone!

I've been sick =(, and I have 2 tests on Monday next week...T_T. But to give myself a break, I'll write a review!

Today I am reviewing the well known "Make Up Forever" Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Champagne
This product costs about $20 and can be bought online or sold at Sephora.

What do I think of this product?
I rarely ever buy brand-named products, even if they are high quality. The price is usually too much for me and I am afraid of getting hooked onto some expensive products, even if they are super good quality. If you know me, I only have 1 product by MAC and 6 eyeliners by Urban Decay which were on sale. I like to spend more money on skincare =P.
The reason why I decided to buy this product was that my NYX jumbo eye pencils, despite being very pretty and well pigmented, were too creamy for my eyes. They creased easily within an hour on my oily eyelids (T_T) and easily built up in the inner corners of my eyes at the end of the day, which....looks kind of gross. I don't know how noticeable the build up is to others, but I don't like it. =P
I still really like my NXY jumbo eye pencils, and I know I wrote a positive review, but I wanted to find something better.
I heard of the staying power of the Aqua Eyes eyeliners and how they are super waterproof and long lasting, so first I tried it on in stores. I was pretty impressed with the eyeliner, I used it on the inner corners of my eyes and on my lower lashline and it stayed there all day without fading or smudging!
I decided to buy Champagne to brighten the inner corners of my eyes and my lower lashline. This eyeliner does not irritate or redden the skin around my eyes or my eyes. The product is very well pigmented. Even though the big picture above shows a more pink toned color, I find the color to be a more golden champagne color. (I will have a swatch below).
The eyeliner is less creamy and more dry than the urban decay eyeliner, but definitely will not smudge or fade. I do find that my urban decay eyeliners will fade and smudge just a little to my lower lashline at the end of the day. Because Champagne is more dry, it does tend to dry faster and is a little harder to blend, but as long as you blend it soon after application, there is not a problem.
I really enjoy using this eyeliner, really brightens up my eyes and lasts all day long without building up in the inner corner of my eyes! I use it everyday!! =D
I have tried to use this on my eyelids and, unfortunately, it still creases on the inner half of my eyelids where my eyelids are the most oily. =( However, for the rest of my eyelids, it does not crease and gives a great brightening effect to my eyes. I think I will mainly use this for the inner corners of my eyes and my lower lashline.
Overall for my purposes this eyeliner works very well, a little goes a long way and I don't need to sharpen the pencil often. I think it was a good investment. I'm not sure if I will buy this again because  of how expensive it is. Perhaps I may find a cheaper alternative, but for now I really like this eyeliner!

Here are few swatches:


Do I recommend this product?
If you do not mind the price, I do recommend this eyeliner.
If you are a beginner to makeup, just make sure to invest wisely in the products you buy. I'm not telling you to not buy this product if you are a beginner, but just do a little research and try cheaper alternatives before going up in price. Especially if you are not a professional makeup artist. Just a tip to help you save some money!
Quick story: I had a friend who was completely new to makeup and her friend (who was crazy about makeup) brought her to Sephora and told her to buy a lot of MAC, Urban Decay, Make Up Forever, Too Faced, and Benefit products. They were high quality products, but they were expensive. And we are just college students who get paid around $9/hr in our part-time jobs, and I knew my friend did not use makeup everyday and was not that interested in makeup. She only used it for dance, which had a performance less than a dozen times per year, and after college she didn't dance anymore. So really, it was a waste of her money.
The moral of this story is: know what you are getting yourself into, and think about whether you really want it or need it and how often you are going to use it.

So I hope you like this review! Feel free to write in the comment box below if you have any questions or comments. Thank you for reading! =)

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Review on Degrease Organic Rosemary, Peach Kernel and Jojoba Hair Shampoo

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing the Degrease Organic Rosemary, Peach Kernel and Jojoba Hair Shampoo:
This product costs about $18 on Amazon with Amazon Prime. It contains 8 oz or 235mL of product.
This product is said to help reduce scalp irritation, itchiness and control and reduce oil product for greasy hair.
DirectionsRinse hair, apply a quarter-sized amount throughout the scalp. Allow your head to absorb the therapeutic benefits for three minutes, followed by a rinse and repeat if needed.

What do I think of this product?
I used this product for about a month and finished it. My main shampoo is Head and Shoulders for my scalp itchiness and greasiness. However, there was a period of time that my Head and Shoulders shampoo was not helping a lot and my scalp still felt sensitive, irritated and itchy.
So, I decided to try this product.
The product is kept in dark bottle to protect the ingredients from sunlight. The formula is a more runny/liquid formula, not that thick and it lathers into a light foam. It smells a lot like a mixture of plants and herbs, and so your head will smell a little like that too. But I don't mind.
I bought this product primarily to help with my scalp irritation, sensitivity and itchiness, not for oil reduction and oil control. This product worked very well for my scalp. It did not irritate it in any way and it calmed down my skin a lot. By the time I finished it, my scalp was no longer itchy and sensitive. =)
As for oil reduction and control, I honesty did not see much change. I do get oily hair at the end of the day normally but it is only obvious if I have second day unwashed hair (that is why I wash my hair everyday). Therefore, at least for me, the degreasing properties of this shampoo were not significant. However, if you have more oil problems, then this might work for you.
I did find this product a little pricy, but it worked well for me. Because of the price, I tried not to do a second rinse and repeat and extend the product use for as long as I could. Applying it once was good enough for me, but for those with more irritated or oily scalps, a second application and rinse is recommended.
After using this product I went back to my Head and Shoulders and currently have no scalp problems. However, if the sensitivity, irritation, and itchiness ever return, I will be sure to repurchase this product again.
I do especially like it that it is natural and organic, so there are no strange chemicals in the shampoo and for those of you who prefer and enjoy organic products, this would be a good thing to try.

Do I recommend this product?
If you do not mind the price and you have itchy, sensitive, and/or oily scalp, then I recommend this product. I think that it will definitely help with itchiness and irritation. 
However, for oil reduction and control I cannot say because it did not do much for me. However, my hair oiliness may not be as severe as some people, which is possibly why I did not see a significant change/result.
It can easily be found online and the pluses are that it is natural and organic!

So I hope you enjoyed this review and that it was helpful to you. =) Feel free to ask any questions or comment in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and I will see you later!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

So Sorry I have not been posting recently X(

Hi guys,

I'm really sorry I haven't been posting recently.

Pre-med master applications are eating my time away from this and even away from studying!

I need to get everything done before the end of November and I really would like to get it all done halfway through November.

Thank you for staying with me, I know some of you look forward to reading my posts and are sad when nothing new shows up. Don't worry I know that feeling alot with my favorite Youtubers XP.

I will try to post as often as I can but at the moment I am very busy. T_T It's not like I want to spend that much time on them either, but it has to be done. =/

Anyway, I hope that you all have been well. =) For those of you in school, keep up the good work! And for the rest of you who aren't in school, keep up in the rest of life and don't forget to take breaks (or you will go crazy).

See you in the near future!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Outfit of the Day!

Happy November everyone! =D

I hope you are having a great Friday today!

This is what I wore today, I hope you like it! (Please watch in HD! Thanks!)




As you can see, the majority of my clothes were from Yesstyle.
One of my very first videos was about Yesstyle and how to find clothes that fit with your body shape and body type.
I saw the top (both the long sleeve shirt and the sweater) on a model on Yesstyle and I could tell that the pair worked very well together. So I bought both of them.
If you are a very petite and slender person, the sweater may look too baggy on you, unless you like the very baggy look. I will emphasize on that this may look too baggy if you are a petite AND slender person.
If you are a slender person but average or taller height, I think this will look very good on you and give you a cute and casual look.

The sweater was a bit pricy: $30, but the quality was better than I expected, soft and comfortable. And like many sweaters, it has a tendency to hook onto sharp things, which I need to be more careful about =P.

The long-sleeve lace shirt was over-priced (in my opinion): $30. However, I felt that I can layer it underneath a lot of button-down shirts and blouses, and find other good uses for it.

The two-toned tights were pretty good. Like many reviews, the black part is soft and thicker than the skin-tone part. The skin-tone part is quite sheer and I have a feeling I will rip it soon, but never-the-less, very cute and comfortable.

I received many comments at work and school on the my top combination and I really love it too! XD

Have a great weekend and I will see you soon!

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Hi guys!

Have a great All Hallow's Eve and party safe!






Mask: Amazon (beautiful! only around $20 I think)
Long-sleeve white undershirt: Uniqulo Heat-Tech (kept me very comfortable and warm the entire day)
White blouse: from my grandmother (who apparently thought it was fashionable and gave it to me when I was 10, but I finally put it to good use!)
Corset: Ebay (felt like I was on a diet)
Jeans: American Eagle (makes my butt look good lol)
Boots: Cathy Jean (makes my butt look even better haha)

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Review on "First Aid Beauty" Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask!

Hi Everyone!

Currently I am molding my vampire fangs for a Halloween party this evening, so I'll review something while I'm doing that. XP
(I was a vampire last year and I guess this year...so boring....but I don't want to waste the money I used to buy last year's equipment!)

Today I am reviewing "First Aid Beauty"'s Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask
This item contains 56.7 grams or 2.0 oz of product. It costs $22 at Sephora but $9.45 on Amazon with Prime shipping. This mask is said to nourish, rejuvenate dry dull skin. It is recommended to use 2-3 times per week for dry or distressed skin. It is said to be allergy tested, fragrance free, and safe for sensitive skin.

Directions: After cleansing your face, apply a generous layer over the face. Wait for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

What do I think of this product?
So buying at Sephora is not an option for me. $22 is too expensive (for me) for such little product. That's why I bought it on Amazon!
I think is a wonderful mask! The product comes out in a thicker paste form with pieces of oatmeal in it. It does not irritate my skin in any way. It does have a smell but it is a natural oatmeal smell, no fragrances added. The mask does a great job of reducing redness and hydrating my patches of dry sensitive skin. It also makes my skin feel so nice and soft! X)
I do wish that the container had more product. I was only able to use it for about 6 times and then it was gone. I even tried applying a thinner layer than recommended, but it was still used up quickly. I also felt that the container itself was not filled up as much because I could feel myself squeezing air when I was dispensing the product.
Despite how little product there was, I do think this formula is amazing and is great for anyone's skin. Even if your skin is not dry or dull (or you say that it is oily), this is a great way to help your skin calm down from redness, irritation, and relax and rejuvenate the skin. Just don't buy it at Sephora! XP

Do I recommend this product?
I highly recommend this product to be bought at Amazon! It is a great mask and will definitely benefit those of you with combination dry sensitive skin, or if your skin has a tendency to get red, irritate, or dry easily. Also great when you are traveling to very dry environments.

So I hope you liked this review and that it was helpful to you! Feel free to write in the comment box below if you have any comments or questions.
Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

Here are a few pictures of what I wore for Halloween last year:




I'm gonna look pretty much the same as last year. Just different clothes =P

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Outfit of the Day! =)

Hi Everyone!

I hope you have  been well!
I have finally finished updating all the skincare product I used from my Chrono Affection Sampler pack (if you would like to check it out)!

Here is a video of what I wore today. =)
I wore the hat during the day, and then in the evening when it got colder, I switched the hat for the red sweater.



Cami: Forever21
Sweater: abercrombie kids
(Yes, I buy kids clothes =P)
Skirt: Yesstyle
Hat: Yesstyle
Shoes: White Mountain (sold by DSW)

Here is another shot of the booties I wore:
I luv these shoes! So much! XD
They are sold at DSW shoes for $65, but I had a $20 discount coupon so I got it for $45.
Cute suede leather shoes! Despite how tall they look, they are actually quite sturdy, supportive, and comfortable.
The tan color is great for spring and fall. And it gives a warmer look during the winter.

If the weather is colder feel free to wear leggings (I have a nice fleece-lined pair myself!) or jeggings if you like to wear those.
The skirt from Yesstyle is elastic and made from a knit material. It is very soft, and warmer and thicker than most skirts.
The hat from Yesstyle is quite soft and warm. It does not have an elastic band but it happens to fit my head very well.
I wear abercrombie kids size large usually, I like to buy kids clothes because they are usually cheaper =P.

Hooray for dark circles....Q-Q...

Friday, October 18, 2013

Products I Regret Buying....=(

Hi Everyone!
I hope your week went well. =) In southern California, the afternoons have been hot! But the mornings and evenings get pretty chilly, so don't be fooled and stay warm in the cold hours! (so you won't get sick, b/c I know a lot of people are)

I'm sorry for not posting as often. I am on my last quarter of classes and it has been a while since I have taken a full load of classes, with two hospital shifts a week, and my lab job. =P

Today I am reviewing a few products that I regret buying. =( Sadly.

Please keep in mind that these are products that did not work well for me, they may fair better with other people, but these are just my personal thoughts. =)


Almay Oil Free gentle eye makeup remover pads
I am so glad that I decided to buy the mini travel-size version of these because this product hurts my eyes! The product did remove my makeup but the solution made my eyes sting and burn. X(
I will not repurchase this product and I don't want to try any more Almay makeup removing products.

BH Custom Cosmetic Palette

A very long time ago, Hollyannaree (from Youtube) did an eyeshadow look that I really liked and she used a BH cosmetic palette. I really liked the look so I bought the exact same eyeshadows with a custom palette.

The palette contains 6 eyeshadows(bought individually):
Cool Matte BHCM15: a light matte turquoise
Cool Shimmer BHCS08: a very shimmery purple
Metallic Shimmer BHMS03: a very shimmery gunmetal gray
Cool Matte BHCM13: a matte teal
Cool Matte BHCM16: a light-medium matte purple
Metallic Matte BHMM03: a very dark matte gray

Despite the low and very affordable price, I do not think these are well pigmented eyeshadows. The product is on the powdery/chalky side and the colors are not very pigmented. They look very washed out and it is difficult to build up pigmentation. Maybe they are good for overall washes of color, but some of them are very bright colors, which I would not consider using as an overall lid color.
However, the palette itself I think works well. It is small, light, portable, and decently sturdy. The eyeshadow pots fit in it well and they are magnetic. I have not dropped it yet (and I don't plan to) so I can't tell how "fall-proof it is". But I do like it and it comes with a mirror which is handy. The only problem with the palette is that when I take the pots out, I tend to get eyeshadow on my fingers or under my nails. I do try to be careful and slow, but it still happens. I'm not sure if it is the design of the grooves or I just suck at taking out magnetic eyeshadow pots. =P
So, the eyeshadows I have with the palette are not good and I am hesitant to buy other eyeshadows from BH cosmetics for this palette, due to my previous bad experience with them. =(

NYX eyeshadow base in Pearl
I have bought and tried this product twice. I really like the light shimmery finish of the base/primer. However, the base does not work well for me. I have pretty oily eyelids and after using this eyeshadow primer, my eyeshadow will still crease after 2-3 hours of wear.
So, this product did not work for me. Perhaps if your eyelids are drier and less oily than mine, they will work well. But I will not be repurchasing this product again.


Innisfree Creamy Dual Eyeshadow stick in Peach & Gold
Innisfree is a well known and popular Korean makeup brand. I bought this on Yesstyle for $15 I believe.
So I really wanted to love this product. I was excited to try an Innisfree product and I thought that this dual cream shadow stick would be handy for me to use when traveling or in my purse (on the go).
The design and packaging is very well done. The packaging is pretty with directions on how to apply onto the eyes, but it is in Korean so I can't read it . =P The eyeshadow stick is slim and has a clean look. It has some weight to it and the caps are the push and pull kind, but they are not too loose or too tight, just right.
The colors are beautiful. A soft shimmery gold shadow and peach shadow.
The cream shadows are very soft and creamy. They are easy to swatch on my hand, but take more effort on my eyes. I usually don't like to use a lot of pressure on my eyes, so I ended up applying the cream onto my fingers and using my fingers to apply the eyeshadows onto my eyes.
The problem about this eyeshadow for me is that it creases very easy. Even after swatching it onto my hand and letting it dry, it does not dry and is very easy to smear. Because I have oily eyelids, this product creases very easily within a couple hours and is not very long lasting. Unlike my Maybelline 24hr cream shadows, they do not dry, and will not dry.
So sadly, this eyeshadow cream stick does not work for me. I really wanted to like this and use this product a lot, but the creasing looks very bad. =(

So, these were the products that I regret buying, and probably could have saved some money ='(.
However, I hope that these reviews were helpful to you in your buying choices.
Thank you for reading and I will see you later!
^_^

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Different ways to wear One Dress! =)

Hi Everyone!

Here is a video of showing some different ways to wear One dress!

I hope this video gives you some good outfit ideas, please enjoy!
And please watch in HD, thank you!



So my "dress" was originally a skirt given to me by a friend, but I felt it was too long for a skirt, so I had it tailored to fit my bust as a dress.

Feel free to wear with tights, leggings, skinny jeans, or without any at all (but of course, you have to have panties on okay lol, no seriously)!

I understand that the bra straps might bother some people. But I feel most secure in bra straps, and when you are changing clothes really fast, they give more support and hold the dress better. =P
But of course, if you want to, you can wear clear straps, a strapless bra, or if you feel brave, no bra at all! XP lol
If you are not comfortable with wearing strapless bras, then you can always wear a vest, jacket, cardigan to help cover the straps. =)

Ornate belt: Yesstyle
Plain belt: street vendor
Gray vest: "Q"
White cardigan: Cotton On
Khaki double-breasted jacket: H&M
Kitty shirt: from a friend

So I hope you liked the video!

Feel free to ask any questions or comment in the comment box below!
And I would like to know which look you liked best. =)

See you soon!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Review on Chrono Affection Sampler Package!

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing a sampler package of the Chrono Affection brand!

This brand is a very popular (and expensive...) skincare brand in Asia. I received this package for $1 for being a member of the "My Beauty Diary" brand.


What do I think of these products?

Beam of Solar Sun Block

This sunscreen contains 30 grams or 1.1 oz of product. It can be found online for $35-$40.
This is one of their best selling products. Their sunscreen contains Mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, beet root extract, tranexamic acid, brown algae extract. This has an SPF of 35 with PA++ and is said to be oil-free, non-comedogenic and mild & gentle. It does have a fragrance a light floral/soapy fragrance, which I do not mind. This product is also said to: "work deep into skin layers to boost whitening action and help reduce the appearance of melanin and pigmentation for translucent fair and supple skin from within".
(Translucent skin? I don't want see-through skin, no thanks XP jk)

The product texture is more on the liquid/watery side and does not irritate or redden my skin. My skin does not look or feel oily after application. It gives more of a matte finish, maybe kind of a satin finish, but definitely not a greasy shiny appearance.
If you use this product please keep in mind that you only need to apply a little (the less, the better) and take your time to blend the product into your skin. Because when I first applied this product, let me tell you, my face looked super white, like a ghost. O_O No wonder a lot of women in Asia like this product, because the sunscreen itself has a white pigment. I am not sure if it is a cosmetic pigment like BB or CC creams with added color, or if it is just the kind of formula in the sunscreen that makes the white color very opaque. However, yes, this sunscreen can make your face 2-4 times whiter/paler.
What I have learned to do is to use less product and take more time to blend in the sunscreen until the white color is less obvious. Even with good application and blending this will still make my face a little paler/lighter. I do not mind this as long as I don't look like I'm a ghost or I'm sick. =P
Other than that, I think this is a pretty good sunscreen, I don't think it's like a skin-changing sunscreen. Other that doing what a sunscreen should do (protect my skin, prevent wrinkles and sunspots), it is not that special.

Update: I have realized that this sunscreen is not very moisturizing. Not that I expect sunscreens to be a replacement for my moisturizers, but it does tend to have a drier finish. So perhaps this may be good for those people who have oily skin, or live in very humid countries. For those with dry skin, this may not be the product for you but if you still want to try it, make sure to moisturize your skin very well before application.

Do I recommend this product?
If you are looking for a regular sunscreen I don't think this particular product is necessary. Other sunscreens can do the same job. However, if you want a sunscreen that can also lighten your face a bit, then this may be a good sunscreen to try. Keep in mind that it probably is quite expensive and if you can get a sample size to try(before buying), that would be better.


Chrono Affection Toner Sampler



So, the main problem about this toner is that I do not know it's name =(, because it is a sample pack that does not have the original product name, I can't tell you what version of the Chrono Affection toner it is. I would have to go to LA to the My Beauty Diary store and probably ask them.
Wow, I love this toner. If it wasn't from such an expensive brand, I would probably buy it. XD I apply this on my face after washing and patting my face dry. This toner does not irritate or dry my skin. The moisturizing properties are great! This toner feels so relaxing and calming after I apply it and it rejuvenates my skin, giving it a radiant glow! It does not make my skin feel oily or sticky at all either!
I usually think of a toner as a product to get rid of the residual dirt and makeup from my face that my facial cleanser missed. However, this toner has great hydrating and brightening properties. It makes my skin feel so soft and clean! ^_^

Do I recommend this product?
If you do not mind the price, then I highly recommend this product. I also personally will buy this when I am much older and when my "Body Shop" Aloe Toner, is not hydrating and cleansing enough for my skin anymore and I will need to use a better product. So I also recommend this product for older women because the extra hydrating properties are a great benefit to older, drier skin.


Chrono Affection Lift & Tight Intensive Care Eye Mask
This is an image of the packaging, I'm sorry for not taking a close up picture of the product itself, I used it and threw it away and forgot to take a picture. =(
This mask is usually sold as a pack of 30 pairs for $40-45 online.
This mask is said to be for all skin types, it is gentle on the skin and made from all natural ingredients. They are said: "OUR MASK IS MADE OF PLANT COLLAGEN. IT WILL GRADUALLY DISSOLVE UNDER BODY TEMPERATURE AND PERMEATE INTO THE SKIN. ORDINARY MASK INGREDIENTS, ON THE CONTRARY, ARE USUALLY ABSORBED BY THE COTTON PAPER USED."

I have used this eye mask before (got it from a friend). Again, another favorite of mine! (I'm actually trying another eyemask, and if that one doesn't work I will buy this one.) This eyemask comes in a package of 2 masks, one for each under eye. They are gel pads soaked in serum. The product does not irritate the skin around my eyes in any way.
I love these because first, they do not slip off my face, which means I can do other things while wearing this (except physical related activities, like running) like reading, going on the computer, etc.
About the "dissolving part", the serum is definitely absorbed well into my skin, but the gel pads themselves don't dissolve. I'm pretty sure they won't. =P I believe I put them under my eyes (after cleansing my face) for 15 minutes and then take them off.
They do not have a fragrance and the eye masks are very cooling. Great for de-puffing undereyes and helps me relax after a long day. The serum is very moisturizing and after using I feel that my under eyes have become brighter and smoother!

Do I recommend this product?
If you do not mind the price (and yes I know...the price is a killer, but it is a 30 pair pack so it will last you for a while), and you tend to get puffy undereyes, fine lines, and darkness I recommend this eye mask. It is gentle and has great moisturizing and brightening properties, and will help combat under-eye puffiness, darkness and fine lines. I actually find the serum quite intense, and I think it may be better for older women. Younger women can get away with an eye cream or a lighter serum and can move onto this when they need more help or a stronger treatment.


Chrono Affection Double-Effect Remove Blackhead Mask
This mask can be found online for about $10 each or a pack of 10 for about $45.

This is a two step mask that you use after cleansing your face. The first is a cream that is supposed to open the pores and soften the blackheads inside the pores. This makes it easier for the blackheads and whiteheads to be taken out. After washing off the first cream mask, the second step is the mask that will remove the blackheads and whiteheads. It comes out as a black liquid but after application will harden into a rubbery mask. This mask is formulated so that as it dries, it will suck up the blackheads, but it will dry to a rubber finish which will not dry out your skin.
I definitely like the concept of this mask. Non of the products irritated my skin. The 2nd part black mask was pretty cool, because the black can contrast with the whiteheads that are being taken off, and peeling it off was quite easy, other that around the inner corners of my nose, which were a bit harder to peel off but doable.
I am not sure about this mask because this is my first and only time using it. I don't have more to continue using. It does remove a lot of whiteheads, but tends to remove the smaller ones more than the bigger ones. This mask might not be strong enough to pull the big ones out.
I think it does work, but not as well as it should and perhaps either needs improvement or you just need to use more of these to get all of the blackheads and whiteheads out.

Do I recommend this product?
Hmm, I really cannot say. I only used this product once and the results were okay, not bad, but not very good either. Perhaps if you have dry sensitive skin, this may be a good mask to try because it will not damage or dry out your skin. And your skin will not hurt when taking off this mask. However, please keep in mind the price, it is a bit pricy and I think is one of those products that if it works great for your skin and takes off nearly all blackheads, then it is a good product to stick to. Otherwise, feel free to choose a cheaper alternative.

Chrono Affection Ceramide 2 Moisture Bio-Cellulose Luxury Mask




So this mask is said to brighten, whiten, and tighten the skin.
My first impression was not good, because this mask smells like chemicals. =( The smell is not that strong and it does fade fast, but I don't like the initial smell.
I actually really like this mask! It does not irritate my skin or the delicate skin around my eyes. It is quite hydrating and soothing to wear. The mask is a kind of gel material, just like the eye masks. The mask has a lot of serum and because it has a gel-like texture, it is quite slippery, so I had to hold onto it well so it would not slip out of my fingers. It was a bit hard to put on, being slippery. However, once it is properly smoothed-out onto the face, the mask stays on very well. I can walk around with it, sit up, etc.
After taking off this mask, my skin looked so much brighter and whiter! I was a little surprised at how much paler I looked, since it usually takes more times to get an effect. I also did feel my skin tighten a little bit, but I do not think it is very significant.

Do I recommend this product?
As long as you do not mind the price, I recommend this product. It does not irritate my sensitive skin. I think it is great for people with drier skin, dull skin, and fine lines. I will still stick to the My Beauty Diary face masks for now, just because I am a younger person and those masks currently work for my skin. They are also cheaper than this brand.


So I hope you liked this review! Feel free to write any questions or comments in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a great week!