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!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Review on the Sephora Microsmooth Eyeshadow Trio Palette in Ultraviolet Poppy Purple

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to October!

Today I am reviewing the Sephora Microsmooth Eyeshadow Trio Palette in 06 Ultraviolet Poppy Purple
This product cost $19 but some colors are currently on sale for $7! It can be bought at the Sephora store or their online store.

What do I think of this product?
So, I find it hard to find good pigmented purple colors. Especially ones that will show a good purple color on this skin. Because most of the time I find purple eyeshadows to either be not very pigmented or the color is a little different on my skin compared to the eyeshadow alone.
I decided to just try this one out and see how it would do. It was a little pricy but I was in a what-the-heck (I don't care) mode.
There are 3 cool purple colors. They all have a soft shimmer to them.
The lightest color is a very pale lavender color and sometimes looks like it has a bit of pink in it. It is very shiny and tends to look more white on my skin, however, there is still a bit of a lavender sheen.
The middle color is (what I think) a light cool purple color. I would not call the middle color a standard purple because it seems lighter than the standard purple color and is more like a lilac purple. It is quite vivid and shiny on my skin.
The darkest color is a very very dark purple color which tends to look more black on my skin than purple. The shimmer of the darkest purple is there when I apply it onto my skin but not very noticeable.
At first I was a bit disappointed (but expecting this). It was not very pigmented on my eyelids when I brushed it on my eyes and the color on my lids was okay but not as true as I wanted it to be. Nevertheless, the eyeshadows are indeed very soft and easy to blend.
However, one day I just decided to pat the eyeshadow on (instead of brushing it or sweeping it on my eyes) and wow! What a difference! The colors instantly became more vibrant, and pigmented. The colors looked a lot better on my eyelids and they were bright and bold. By the way I always use an eyelid primer when I apply eyeshadows unless it is a cream eyeshadow.
So I have discovered that the colors turn out best on eyes that are primed with eyelid primer and patted on. After patting the colors on I can later use a blending brush to blend colors or soften hard edges.
I think this palette is great for night looks, especially if you want to use a lot of color and make them very strong and pigmented. It is possible for a day look, I just probably would not use a lot of eyeshadow (especially not a lot of the middle color) and feather out the colors to make sure they look soft.

Do I recommend this product?
 If you do not mind the price, then I think this is a good product to try. I am not sure about the other trio colors by Sephora because I did not buy or use them. However, I have generally heard pretty good reviews. If you are going to purchase this product, try patting the eyeshadow on instead of sweeping the color onto your eyes and you will get a better color payoff and pigmentation. Also, I highly recommend an eyelid primer, Too Faced and Urban Decay have good eyelid primers.

 Here are some swatches:


 These 2 pictures above are in indirect light, as if you were indoors.



These 2 pictures above are in direct light, as if you were outside.

So I hope that this review was helpful or interesting to you. Feel free to ask questions or post comments in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a great day!