Review on The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner!! =D

Hi Everyone! So Today I will be reviewing an amazing skincare product!

So, after cleansing the face, some people like to use a toner on the clean skin. The toner will remove any cleanser, or makeup that did not wash off and it helps clean the skin and prepare it for moisturizer.

This is the The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner:

This can be bought online or at The Body Shop. It contains 200mL or 6.75 US fluid oz. of product. It costs $12. It is a toner w/ it's main ingredient being Aloe and it is made for sensitive skin. It is fragrance free.

What do I think of this product?
So, I got a free sample of the entire aloe skincare line. And this was one of the products I tried, and I loved it! After finishing my sample, I immediately went to the shop and bought one! I have used this product for about a month and I think it is fantastic! =D I have very sensitive skin and combination of oily, normal, and very dry skin and it works for my entire face! My skin does not feel irritated, dry, or tight after use. It do not get any redness, stinging, or swelling.
It works very well! I just pour a little on a cotton sheet and evenly wipe my face. All of the dirt and oil from my face that my cleanser can't reach (such at the hairline) or wasn't able to clean properly, it took it all off! I can tell because the cotton changes into a kind of light gray/tan color. Which is gross I know, but shows how well it works! It really cleans my face!
After using my toner, I either put on a moisturizer or a hydrating serum mask, which is much more easily absorbed into the skin with this toner. When I am in a hurry or I am too tired to do my daily skin care regimen, I use this to cleanse my face and then put on my moisturizer.
For me, this is a must have in my skin care! I will always have this! ^_^

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I recommend this product for all skin types. If you have sensitive and/or dry skin, I especially recommend this toner! =) I know that there are many toners that are too harsh on the skin, with too much alcohol that irritates and tightens the skin. However, this can even be moisturizing to the skin for some and it will definitely not dry your skin out!
I think the price is okay, it's a little up there, but it's worth it! If the price doesn't bother you, then get it! XD

So, I hope you liked this review! The Body Shop is my new skincare place to shop! There are many products that I have not tried yet, and I will be trying more things to tell you how they are =)
To the West coast of the US, The Body Shop is kind of new, so for those of you interested in it, you can read more about my review on the Aloe Skincare Line for sensitive skin. or go to their website.
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!

Let's Talk about Blotting Paper! =O

Hi Everyone!
Today I will talk about oil blotting sheets or paper =) And I will also talk about different kinds of blotting sheets and recommendations on how to find a good one!

 So what is blotting paper or blotting sheets?
Blotting paper are thin small pieces of paper designed to soak up excess oil on the facial skin. Many people, especially those who have oily skin, like to use blotting paper on their face so they don't have a greasy shiny appearance.

Do I need blotting paper?
No, you don't have to use it. It is not like it will make your skin healthier or improve it biologically etc. It is more of an improvement in appearance. It will help mattify your face and it is also useful on oily skin, or people who are not oily usually but become oily because of a change in the weather and environment. I am oily on my forehead and nose so that's where I use them.
Because it helps with the appearance of the skin and doesn't have any deeper benefit, I have decided to make this post a makeup post.

Where can I find blotting paper?
You can find it online, at any beauty store such as Ulta and Sephora, and in Japanese lifestyle supermarkets haha like Mitsuwa and Marukai. They come in small paper packages, largest size being about the size of an iPhone or something with many sheets folded inside ranging from 50 to 200 sheets. The price depends on the brand name, number of sheets, and size of each sheet.

Kinds of blotting paper
There are 2 main kinds of blotting paper that I know:
1) regular blotting sheets: those designed to soak up oil and not do anything else
2) blotting sheets w/ translucent powder: these are designed for ppl who have makup on their face. The sheets will absorb excess oil but will not take off any makeup such as foundation or concealer because of the powder. Also, the powder is a way of reapplying finishing/translucent powder to help keep makeup matt, long lasting, and prevent it from smearing and melting off

How to use blotting paper?
This is very simple. Take out a sheet from the package, open it up (if it is folded), and gently press it on the areas of skin you want to get rid of excess oil. The paper will turn clear (a sign of oil being absorbed). Continuously press and change to unoiled parts of the sheet until the sheet is used or until you feel you are done!

What kinds of blotting paper should I buy/use?
Okay, so, I do recommend buying both regular blotting sheets and blotting sheets with translucent/finishing powder. Regular ones are great for everyday use, because it prevents you from looking like a greasball and that is a real turn off to anyone because it looks like you're not clean, even if you did shower and wash your face. I find the ones w/ powder very very handy for makeup touch ups because they are portable, simple, and fast to use. Also, I really recommend sheets w/ powder if you like wearing concealer and/or foundation and you have oily skin.
Important recommendation for buying regular blotting sheets! Any blotting sheet works the same as any other blotting sheet. It really does not matter what brand you buy. If you are spending more than $6 on a pack of blotting sheets (unless you are buying like a 500 sheet pack), you are getting ripped off. You are wasting your money. I'm serious, all those brand name products, especially the stuff at Sephora, that say they have like special ingredients like tea tree oil, is bullcrap. Why? Think about it. Cleansing your face with a cleanser, goes into your pores and gets absorbed into your skin, therefore, you are getting the special benefits from whatever that cleanser has, like tea tree oil to help oily skin. But, what about oil blotting paper? Oil blotting paper is designed to absorb oil, not give anything to you, it's supposed to take in the excess oil you don't want on your face. So, how is it supposed to give you something when it is designed to take something away? That doesn't make sense. Like, the only thing you are probably paying extra money for is the brand and frangrance, which is unnecessary. So save your money and go treat yourself w/ something more worthwhile! XD
Quick note: It is true that oil blotting sheets have varying thickness, which can give it a thicker and harder texture or thinner and softer texture. Personally, I don't mind if it is a bit thicker, but if you prefer something more gentle, try to find sheets that are thinner, so they feel softer on the skin. But! You can still find softer sheets that are around $6! or definitely less than $10! So, don't get ripped off by some sales clerk at a beauty store for something like it, unless your a rich person, then do whatever you want =P.

What oil blotting sheets do I buy and use?
I go to my local Marukai Japanese store to buy my regular blotting sheets. They are around $5 and I buy whatever brand is the cheapest =P. I also have bought a variety and they all work well and are the same.
Here are some photos of my regular oil blotting sheets:

This one is pretty cool, because it has a sticky tab that pulls the paper out for me when I open it!

For my blotting sheets w/ translucent/finishing powder, I buy it from Ulta, because I don't know where else to buy it XP :

So I hoped you liked my background post on blotting paper! Most people probably know about it, but just in case you would like to learn more or if you don't know, this post is for you!
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write them in the comment box below!
See you later! =)

Let's talk about Lipstick, Lipgloss, and Lip Tints! =O

Hi Everybody! Today will be talking about lip colors! Especially lipstick, lip gloss, and lip tints!

What are these things?
Lip stick is a lip color/paint that is designed to temporarily change the color of one's lips. It is a cream based makeup that is usually mean to last as long as possible throughout the day.
Lipgloss is a clear or colored lip product that is technically supposed to be put on top of lips after using lipstick. It is used to make lips looks larger, moisturized, and helps seal in lip stick color. Lipglosses are usually very shiny in appearance.
Lip Tints or Lip Stains are usually cream or liquid lip formulas that are designed to stain the lips for a more natural look. They usually don't require much product and last the longest.
Lip Liners are usually cream pencil liners that are drawn around the out edges of the lips. They can be used to make the lips look larger and fuller, or help define the lips more to a desired shape. They usually match the lipstick that is being used on the lips.

Do I need to use lip colors?
Haha, nope, you don't have to! Some people like to use these products because their lips may naturally look a little pale, or very close to their skin tone which makes them look washed out and sickly. Therefore, lip colors/products give a more warm and lively appearance. Other people use them for style or for fun.
I personally don't like lip sticks because I think they're hard to get rid of, and I only have a nude one just when I wear intense eye makeup, to help balance out my complexion. I also, don't like lipglosses because they always feel sticky to me, I end up eating them, and my hair gets stuck on my lips, and etc. you know, a mess =P. The lip tints I like are by Tarte, which are too expensive, so I'm not going to buy one haha. Therefore, I stick to tinted lipbalms. These are basically chapsticks that have some color to them. The color is not strong and is more soft and mild (which I like) and my lips get moisturized, 2 in 1, so yay for that!

Colors
There are as many lip colors as there are words in the dictionary, therefore, an infinite amount, and even in colors like yellow, and purple.
They can be shimmery or matt.

Application techniques
Many lip colors come with an applicator. A lipstick is it's own applicator. Liquid lip stains have brushes and lip glosses have stick applicators.
However, you can also use lip brushes, which can help with areas that need more detail such as the edges of the lips or give a more defining edge.
Or you can use your clean fingers for lipstick and gently pat it on. The warmth of your fingers will help melt the product and make it easier to apply and spread onto the lips evenly.

Products to use and process of application
It doesn't matter what product you use, it is based on your preferences. You don't have to use lipgloss with lipstick, you can use them alone if you like, etc.
However, it is important to know that lipgloss is the last product to use on the lips, it is the finishing product or sealing product for whatever you use first on your lips. Can't do it the other way around. Try and you will find out.

Tips and Tricks
-please don't use a lip liner that is different than your lipstick, it just looks weird and old
-try not to use too much lipgloss or lipgloss that is too shiny because it will give you a drooling appearance, or make your lips look like plastic and unkissable
-remember, if you are going with a strong lip color, then go with more neutral eyes and cheeks, I have written a post on Makeup Colors and Emphasis on the Face, which is related to this idea
-if you want to make sure that you lip color has the most coverage, use a lip brush and go down in vertical strokes on your lips, this will give it the most color, fill in any small skin cracks, and make the lips look larger
-if you want to make your lips pouty or fuller looking, dab and blend a bit of white or champagne-colored shimmer eyeshadow to your cupids bow or the center of your lips, this will give them more dimension
-if you are going to eat with lip color on, I suggest using a lip color that is softer or closer to your natural lip color so that if a bit is rubbed off, there won't be much of a different, and you can open your mouth wider and eat smaller bites of food (you can always, of course, bring your lip color with you to reapply but I'm a lazy person and I don't haha)
-if you want to make your lipstick last longer, apply a layer first, then get a piece of tissue and blot your lips, then reapply your lipstick
-if you want your lipstick to look more natural, just apply a layer, blot your lips, and you're done! If you feel it looks too dry, use a bit of lipgloss

Whew! Turned out to be a longer post than I thought haha. I hope that I have helped you if you needed to know anything about lip colors or if you are new to makeup!
Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Review on NXY Slide on Pencil Liners! =)

Hi wonderful people!
Today I will review the NYX Slide on Pencil Liners:

These eyeliners about about $8. You can buy it at Ulta or online. They come in a variety of colors and are usually pretty shimmery. Please! Don't confuse this w/ NYX's Slim Eye Pencil, they may look the same but the quality and performance is much different! You can tell the difference between them when you open the cap and the Slide on Pencil Liner has black stained wood.

What do I think of this product?
Even though, as an eyeliner, they are a little pricy to me. (like, I can buy a meal w/ $8...so =P) I think these eyeliners are great! They are very creamy and soft. They are very easy to apply and do not tug on the eye skin. They slide on beautifully and are very pigmented! I really like the fact that they are so smooth and easy to apply. Most of the are very shimmery, however, you can buy matt colors of these eyeliners. I have a matt white, shimmer gunmetal gray, deep purple, and shimmer silver and they have worked wonderfully! The color slides on easily without much effort and they don't pile up (creating a layer of heavy makeup) or clump together.
After application, the eyeliner will dry quickly on the face. And they do not smudge or smear. I'm wearing one of the eyeliners right now actually and I just rubbed my eye, hard!, and I was surprised that almost nothing came off, just a bit of shimmer. I am not sure how long they last on their own, I have not timed this one yet. But if I'm out clubbing, I will spray a makeup setting spray and they can last all night long!
Possibly the only concern to some is that you have to use a pencil shaver to get more product or to make a pointy tip. This can waste some product with the shavings. However, I don't use these eyeliners often and I would only use them for certain events such as dances, clubbing, a nice party, etc. and I know that all makeup expires, so I don't mind that.

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! ^_^ If you don't mind having to use a pencil sharpener for eyeliners then I recommend this product! Especially if you like shimmery eyeliners! These are so great because they slide on so well and easily. Therefore, there will be no tugging of the eyelid and you are less likely to get wrinkles! yay! XD
Compared to brand named eyeliners like MAC, they are very affordable and work just as well. I think a pencil eyeliner in MAC is around $24, and when I saw that, I was like O_O wtf, $24???!!! I can eat 3 meals or treat my bf out to dinner! So really, try these! Yeah, maybe MAC or whatever brand name product feels a little more creamy, or is a little bit more pigmented or whatever, but is it really worth the $24? Unless you're a makeup artist, I don't think so. So, I think this is a great alternative, especially if you are new to makeup and don't want to waste money!
If you are still worried about smearing, for everyday use, I recommend using a powder of the same color to set the eyeliner and for special occasions use a make up setting spray. I live in southern California so it is not very humid or rainy here.

I hope this post helped you in your makeup shopping/searching! XP Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or comments feel free to write in the comment box below.
Sorry I've been kind of not here lately =P. My bf came to visit and it will be the last time I see him in person before the quarter ends, so we won't be seeing each other for 3 weeks. And of course, finals are coming, and I will be studying a lot!

Have a nice day and I will talk to you later! =)

Review on NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder!

Hi Everyone! I hope for those of you celebrating Memorial Day are having a great 3 day weekend!

Today I will be reviewing the NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder:

The net weight of both powders is 0.09 oz or 2.65 grams. It can be easily found online or at Ulta. It ranges from $6-8 and it is cheaper at Ulta than the NYX website. The kit comes with 2 complementary shades with a small spoolie and eyebrow brush, and eyebrow wax to help set the powder. It is cruelty free and hypoallergenic.

The eyebrow powder comes in a variety of shades that are supposed to match with a person's hair color:

What do I think of this product? 
The one I have/use, amusingly, is ECP06: Blond. Yes, I use brow powder that's supposed to be for blond hair. XP Personally, I think that brow powders for dark hair are too dark, they stand out too much and look...weird on me, especially since my hair is a lighter color than most asians. So, for me, this color of brow powder works and it doesn't look lighter than my eyebrow or hair color at all.
I think this brow powder works very well. The powder is easy to use and blend. It is very pigmented so I don't need to use so much. I have my own brow brush but I use the spoolie to smooth everything out and make it more even. I like brow powders because they give a more natural look and I only fill in sparse areas instead of drawing in eyebrows (which looks too harsh and scary O_O).
I think it is also very good for the price and I have had this brow powder for at least 3 months and I still have a lot of product left, which will probably last for at least a year!

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I recommend this product! I think it is excellent to try out because it is so affordable yet works so well! It is flexible for all hair types because of the variety of shades it has. The wax works very well as long as you don't use too much, it definitely keeps the hairs in place and make the powder last longer! If you don't like wax you can always buy a brow gel which are pretty cheap too.
If you are not sure what shade of brow powder to use if you have dark hair, go with the one that is similar to you hair color but you are comfortable with as well. Because I have more sunbleached hair, it does work with the ECP06: Blond, but if you have darker hair or black hair, I think you should try the ECP03: Taupe/Ash. It seems like a good medium color for a variety of dark hairs. Most people I know with dark to black hair tend to use taupe/ash colors for their brows and I think it looks good. =)

So I hope you liked my review! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write below in the comment box! Thank you for reading!

Review on the Clinique "all about eyes serum"

Hi Everyone!!!

So today I will be reviewing the Clinique "all about eyes serum":

This product is $26. You can buy it online or at Sephora or Ulta. It contains 0.5 liquid fluid oz or 15mL of product. It is for de-puffying eyes and massage the under eyes with a roller ball. It is said that it is for all skin types. It also says that it is ophthalmologist tested, alergy tested, and 100% fragrance free. It says it is layerable with other treatments.

The product dispenser looks like so:

It is a metal rolling ball that is gently swept under and around the eyes. This way it is supposed to dispense as much product as need be in an even amount.
Directions: With gentle pressure, roll under each eye from inner corner to outer corner twice. Apply morning, night, and as needed throughout the day.
What I do: I roll under the eyes as many times as I want ~4X. When I rolled under my eyes twice, it evaporated quickly, I wasn't even able to spread out the product with my fingers. I always use this after I wash my face in the morning and night, so I only use it twice a day!

What do I think of this product?
So, I know that in the beginning of this blog I talked about Clinque and how the products I tried didn't work for me and actually harmed me. I also said I wouldn't be buying any anytime soon. However, I got this as a gift from my friend. So, I did not buy it, I probably would not have bought it because Clinique is an expensive brand. But she gave it to me =), so thanks! And I have been using it for about 2 months.
I like the packaging/dispenser. I use it on a clean face, so it's clean too and the shape of the container makes it easy to hold and use. Such little product is used even when I use it twice a day. I've only used about 1/7th of it and it's been 2 months! So this will last for a long time! yay!
After letting the serum soak in my skin, I use an eye cream, and like Clinique says, yes, this serum is layerable with other things, it doesn't solidify or react with my eye cream. Just like it says, yes, it is fragrance free.
This product does work well for me, I'm happy to say =). The serum does reduce puffiness and redness under my eyes and helps eyebags. I like the cool feeling of the metal ball and the cooling effect of the serum underneath my eyes. However, I don't think that this product does anything for my dark circles. They have not gotten any worse or any better. So, I think this works best for undereye puffiness.
This product does not cause any swelling, irritation, or redness to my undereyes. It does not make the skin around my eyes tight or have a stretched feeling, which is good haha.


Do I recommend this product?
I still don't trust Clinque, okay, because I have used products they say is for sensitive skin or all skin types and bad things happen....but, this particular product happened to work for me. =)
I am not sure to recommend any Clinique product in general because as I have said before, the Sephora people told me that Clinque is still considered a cosmetic, not skincare, because of the products they use.
Also, Clinique is expensive, and it is really annoying when you buy an expensive, supposed-to-be-good product, that doesn't work for you. However, you can always return it. Buy it at Sephora, because if it doesn't work, you can return it as long as you have the receipt! And then you can go back into the store to return it and not worry about shipping crap.
I think if your skin is not sensitive then this is a good product to try! Especially if you tend to get swollen, puffy undereyes like me XP. If you have sensitive skin, again, I am not sure and I think you should be cautious. I have sensitive skin, and it worked for me, but everyone's skin is different. The skin around your eyes are especially delicate because the skin is so thin, so it is best to be careful. If you are worried and you know your skin is reactive to many things, please ask your dermatologist if it is okay.

Thank you for reading this review! I hope that it has helped you =).
I will see you all later!

Products that I regret buying: Prestige Eyeliner and NYX Slim Eye Pencil =/

Hey Everybody!

So today I will be reviewing a couple products that I regret buying unfortunately =(.
Please remember that this is based on my preferences and if there are things that you don't mind, then maybe it does work better for you!

First I will Review on the Prestige Waterproof Eyeliner:

Prestige is a common drugstore makeup brand. This eyeliner is the color: 10 Star, and it is a pearl white color.

What do I think of this product?
I bought about a year ago b/c a long time ago Bubzbeauty used this and it has a beautiful color. I read mixed reviews on it, people either though it was amazing! or that it was over-hyped and not great. I agree with the latter. The color is amazing, I will not argue with that. It is a very beautiful pearly white color that has a kind of shine/shimmer that would be great to make your eyes and brow bone stand out. However, the texture and quality is not very good. The formula is kind of cakey. It is difficult to put on because it is not very creamy and does not slide on. It tugs and pulls on my eyelids a lot! And I don't like that because I don't want to cause premature wrinkles! >=( It is hard to get the product onto my eyes and skin. It is rather hard to blend and smooth out with my fingers much less a Q-tip or something. Luckily b/c this was a drugstore brand, it wasn't pricy, but you know, I could have gotten something better =/.
I don't recommend this product because despite the beautiful color, it will probably tug on your skin alot which will be uncomfortable and a big time waster since it's so hard to get color on!

Another sad product is my Review on the NYX Slim Eye Pencil:

Please! Please do not confuse this eyeliner with NYX's Slide On eyeliners! They may look the same on the outside but once you take off the cap and try it they are totally different!
The Slim Eye Pencil is around $3-4 at any Ulta or makeup drugstore.

What do I think of this product?
I have a NYX Slide On eyeliner (which I love by the way!) which is about double the price of the Slim Pencil Liner. I recently bought this purple NYX Slim Pencil Liner because I wanted to try a possible cheaper alternative to NYX Slide On eyeliner. However, I was sadly disappointed. =(
This eyeliner shows a medium-dark sparkly purple color on the pencil. However, on the eyes, it looks much lighter, which wasn't what I expected.
Also, this formula is not as smooth and easy to apply as I thought. It tugs and pulls on my eyelids and it takes effort to get the color on my eyes! >=( I am also a NYX fan and I didn't know that the difference in quality of their eyeliners could be so different and so low! I will definitely not buy this again and stick to my NYX Slide On eyeliners which are much more creamier and more pigmented.
I do not recommend this product because of the tugging and that the color is much lighter that it appears to be when applied.

Creamyness/Smoothness, Longlastingness, and Pigmentation are what I look for in pencil liners. I absolutely abhor any kind of makeup product that is not pigmented, not kind to my skin, and does not last long! Tugging of the skin is not only very uncomfortable (especially if you have contacts), but also causes premature wrinkles! And chunky and poorly pigmented makeup can be difficult to apply, blend, and look even.

Reading these reviews I hope that this has helped you on what not to buy when looking for a pencil eyeliner at a drugstore! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write in the comment box below! I will definitely talk to you!
Thank you for reading! =)

Review on Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Hi Everybody!

Today I am reviewing the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion:

This lotion can be bought at any drugstore, it is very affordable. This smaller size version was around $5, You can buy it in different sizes. I just like this one b/c it is very portable. This version contains 2.5 ox or 71 grams of product. It is fragrance free and has natural colloidal oatmeal. It says it moisturizes for 24 hours, and protects and relieves dry skin. It contains 1.3% Dimethicone as a skin protectant.

What do I think of this product?
I have been using this moisturizer for about 9 months. I actually bought this as a to-go moisturizer for my face, since part of my skin is very dry and sensitive. However, it does not say that it is for the face and I didn't ask the company.  For my face, it moisturized it very well, and feels comfortable and not heavy or sticky. However, it did make the sensitive parts of my skin red, which I didn't like. I can't say it's a bad product because it didn't say it could or should be used on the face, so =P, kind of my fault. But it didn't cause any irritation and help stops my skin from flaking. But I won't use this on my face again because of the redness it causes, haha. =P
BUT, it works really well for the hands and body! My boyfriend even uses this! haha. It is very moisturizing for the hands and body. This size makes it portable to carry around and use when I need to. It does not feel sticky or heavy, and my hands feel very smooth and soft after use! =)

Do I recommend this product?
I recommend this moisturizer only for the hands and body to anyone. It is easy to find and very affordable. This is good for dry windy days, during the winter, or whoever tends to get cracked and dry hands and skin (besides the face). I will continue buying this for my hands and body because of all these benefits! I just won't use it on my face XP.

Rather quick review, but nothing much I can say about it. It does its job well and I like it =)
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!

Sasa Haul and Review!! =D

Hi Everyone! ^_^

So, about 4 months ago I bought a few things from Sasa online and this post is to review the items that I bought!
Sasa is a well known skincare and cosmetic store in Hong Kong. It is a common store in most Asian countries and it's known to be very popular and decently affordable. While I can't say that every product is amazing, most of them do work very well. It sells a variety of different brands of Asian products and  anything related to skin, hair, nails, makeup, etc.

I bought 3 products:
-the Be Creation facial cleansing sponge
-the Bright Up Nano Eyemask
-the Sasatinnie Pore Cleansing Brush

Review on Be Creation Facial Cleansing Sponge:

This product is about $7-$8. It is about 6 cm in diameter.

What do I think of this product?
This product is amazing! The sponge is made of a material that I have never seen or felt in my life! It is extremely soft, but has excellent gentle exfoliating properties. It is light weight, with many holes but it does not tear, or become discolored or stained. It does not loose shape. It is soft and spongy. It is not harsh or rough on my skin. It does not cause redness or irritation to my dry sensitive skin.
 I got it in a pre-moisturized oil package. After rinsing and squeezing the oil out with water, I really played with and admired the amazing texture of the sponge. It is not smooth, but slightly bumpy, yet so soft and springy to the touch! I use this to cleans my face or use it to take off mud masks. When it dries, it shrinks and becomes very hard and paper like and you can see all the white fibers that create it. However, you can always use it and reuse it by soaking it in water!
A looped string has been put through the sponge so you can hang it to dry or when not in use. I use this sponge often and the sponge does not tear from the string and the holes get a bit bigger, but don't cause tearing. Basically, the string through the sponge has no negative effects on the sponge.
The shape of the sponge is great too! It is a hemisphere. I can use the flat side on larger parts of my face like my forehead and cheeks, and I can use the curved side or the edge for the corners of my nose, between my eyebrows, and around my mouth. It is soft enough to apply pressure to clean harder to reach places such as the corners of the nose without causing irritation.

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I recommend this facial cleansing sponge for all skin types! As long as you are light-handed when applying pressure to your face, and you don't use it roughly, it will last for a long time! This exfoliates my skin very gently, and I always feel so smooth after using it. Because it is not like other exfoliators that use microbeads or chemicals, this product exfoliates based on the amount of pressure you apply onto your skin. Depending on your skin type you can put more or less pressure, so it really conforms to your preference! You can also use it to help wash off mud masks that you put on your face as well! If you can, buy it on sale. When I bought mine, I got a deal to buy 1 and get 1 free!

Review on Bright Up Nano Eye Mask:

It is about $8.50 and contains 7 pairs of undereye masks. It is supposed to reduce undereye puffiness, dark circles, and brighten the eye area.
This package comes in 7 trays, each with 2 eye masks. The trays are sealed and you peel off the top to get the eye masks. The eye masks are cotton sheets soaked in serum. After washing your face, you put them on for 15-20 minutes and then take them off and wipe off the excess/remaining serum on your face. Instructions recommend to use 1-2 every week or as often as necessary.

What do I think about this product?
I use them only when I have really bad dark circles, when I am stressed and haven't been getting enough sleep. They definitely reduce puffiness and redness under the eyes and have a cooling calming effect. They do reduce dark circles, but only a little. It is not a dramatic change. And because I don't use them often, I don't see much of a change. Maybe if I use them every other day I'll see something. They do not irritate or redden my skin and does brighten the area under my eye a little bit and help reduce fine lines.
The only problem I see is that I have to lay down when wearing these eye masks because they slip off my face easily....maybe b/c I'm asian and have a flat face..XP. I can't do work or go on the computer while wearing these, but if I want to relax, take a nap or something, I can use these eye masks.

Do I recommend this product?
I think if you don't sleep a lot or tend to get puffy eyes and dark circles, I recommend this as a good product to try. Since I do see results on myself. =P Depending on your skin, you may need to use it more or less often than me. Also, if you have sensitive skin around the eyes (which I don't have), I think you should talk to a specialist or dermatologist just in case. Skin around the eyes is the thinnest and one of the most sensitive, so it's good to be cautious. I do like the cooling effect on my eyes, I feel that really helps reduce swollen puffy eye bags. If you're okay with having to lay down when using this, I think this eye mask is worth a shot!

Review on Sasatinnie Pore Cleansing Brush:

This product is about $7. It is meant to clean the pores on your nose, to be able to clean the harder to reach areas of the nose such as corners and edges. It is made from a very flexible and soft kind of synthetic polymer with small synthetic polymer bristles/hairs. There is a pocket above the bristles where you can put your finger in to apply pressure and prevent it from falling out of your hand, show in the image above.

What do I think of the product?
I love this product! It works so well! Even though it's small and designed for the nose, you can use it for your entire face too! And because of it's small size, I can do spot cleansing in areas that need more work done. This is a very gentle pore cleanser, just like the Be Creation facial sponge cleanser, you apply as much pressure as you need on your face. This gently cleans my pores and also  provides a gentle exfoliation. It is great for removing excess pimple scars or marks that build up a layer of flaky dead skin. It does not cause redness or irritation to my skin. The bristles also feel very nice, I feel like I'm getting a micro face massage when I use this! =) It does reduce my pore sizes, but very gradually, you should use it almost everyday to see more visible effects.
This product will not crack, or peel from use or heat. The color will not fade and the bristles won't break off. It is very easy to wash and dries quickly!

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I definitely recommend this product for all skin types! Especially if you would like to reduce your pores and prevent them from becoming blackhead. A lot of acne is created by large pores being filled up with dirt, oil, and bacteria, and it is good to help clean those pores to prevent pimples. Just don't roughly scrub your face with this and it will work wonderfully! If you don't like how it is so small, Sasa does have the same version, but bigger. It is meant for the entire face and works just as well. I just didn't get it because it was so ridiculously popular that when I tried to buy it, it would always be sold out =(. But I'm very happy with this version I have and I will continue to use it! If you would like a face version, I think there is one in Sephora, it feels the same, but I have not tried/used it.

The only downside to buying Sasa's products is that if you do not live in Asia, then you probably have to buy it online..=(, and I know, shipping, shipping costs, and waiting is a pain. But sometimes I think this is worth the wait! Sasa does have a lot of good deals, or offer free shipping for many holidays, etc.
When I buy products like these, I tend to buy something that will last for a longer period of time, maybe something to keep in mind if you would like to buy from Sasa.

So I hope you liked the review! All of the products I really like and I was very excited and happy to review them and tell you how amazing they are! Feel free to comment or ask any questions in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and I will see you soon! ^o^

Review on Pureology UV Hair Colour Defense!

Hi everybody! =D

The days are getting longer, sunnier, and definitely hotter! Especially where I live in so cal! And not only skin protection but hair protection from the sun is very important. Sun can bleach hair, lighten it and make it more brittle and dry. Moisturizing and protecting hair with certain products can maintain the health, longevity, and shine of your hair! =)

Today I will be reviewing Pureology UV Hair Colour Defense:
(It actually has a very long title, but I chose part of it b/c it is the main focus of this review)

This product can be found online or in any haircair beauty store. This is the one I have and it is 60mL or 2.0 fluid oz. for about $6. It is a travel size. The regular size is 8.5 oz for about $20. It is organic and 100% vegan. It was originally made to keep colored hair from fade, keep it longer lasting from the sun's bleaching rays. However, you can also use it as a sun protectant for your hair as well. I was recommended this at the beauty store.
Directions: Use daily for max protection. Spray on damp or dry hair prior to sun and light exposure. Don't rinse. Comb through.

What do I think of this product?
I do not color my hair and I have never colored my hair. My hair tends to get sun damaged very easily and so it starts changing colors, which I don't like. It will do that inevitably, since the ends of the hair will be the oldest and most sun exposed. But I didn't like how my hair turned a dirty blond color at the ends. I have used this spray almost everyday for about 3 months. It smells like sunscreen so basically it's hair sunscreen. XP
It does not feel or look oily or sticky when used. I mostly focus on the crown of my head, the  back of my head, and my roots and just comb everything thoroughly. It does make my hair smell like sunscreen for a bit, but it goes away.
I believe this product works well. My hair has been more protected by the sun and it doesn't change color as quickly. Like I said earlier, the ends of the hair is the oldest, most frail and has the longest exposure over time, so my hair is still being bleached by the sun but very very slowly. It is not damaged by the sun as much and doesn't get as brittle. Usually in about 3 months time, it becomes a pretty dry dirty blond color which I have to cut off. It's been about 3 months now and they are not blond but a more medium-light brown reddish color (my original hair color is very dark brown).
So I like this product, it works fairly well. I probably will not buy the full size because it is pricy and I like the portability of the travel size one. I can take it on trips, to school, etc.

Do I recommend this product?
If your hair tends to get very sun damaged easily like mine, I do recommend this product. You don't need a lot of product, just spray and comb evenly. I do suggest a travel size because it lasts for a good amount of time, it's cheaper, and more portable. Also, if you want to grow your hair long and not trim off as much of the ends, then I also suggest this product, so you don't have to cut off as much dead, bleached old hair. I especially like to use this at the beach, when I go hiking, anything that means I have to spend a lot of time outdoors.
For people with colored hair, I don't know how well this product works because it's supposed to help keep colored hair longer lasting, but my hair is not colored. Because it work protecting my normal hair from being damaged and it says it's meant for colored hair protection, I think it has a good chance of helping colored hair as well.

So, I hope you liked my review! I hope this helped people who were looking for something to protect their hair from sun damage. I do enjoy this product and I probably will buy it again. The one I use will probably last for the entire spring and summer for me, so it'll be a while XP.
Thank you for reading! Feel free to ask any questions or comments in the comment box below!
Ttyl! ^_^ byee

Review on Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub

Hi guys!

So, a couple months ago I was watching youtube reviews on facial cleansers/exfoliators and I saw Michelle Phan talk about the Aveeno Brightening Scrub.

And of course, I bought it XP haha, here it is the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub:

You can buy this in any drugstore or online. It is about $5-$7. It contains 5.0 oz or 140 grams of product. It is oil-free, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic.
It is said to have microbeads to gently exfoliate skin and that it is gentle for everyday use and for sensitive skin. It targets tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots to help clear, smoothen (made up word by me =P), and brighten skin.

First Impression
So when I first used this product, I noticed that the microbeads were very fine, much smaller than the Clean and Clear Daily Pore Cleanser (which I also reviewed on). The texture of the product is smooth and has a thin consistency. But it wasn't watery. It has a nice clean fresh smell, a little on the chemically plant smell side but it's not too strong.
However, it did give my skin a burning sensation which scared me at first, because when I washed it off and came out of the shower, I thought my face was gonna be irritated and red, but, it wasn't. It didn't feel painful or itchy and it wasn't red. I thought maybe it was just me or something. But I used it a second time and I still felt a burning sensation on my skin even though, after cleansing, there was not redness or irritation afterwards.

What do I think of it now?
I have used this for about 2 months now. It does brighten the skin and makes it nice and smooth. I feel very clean after using it. The microbeads themselves/alone, are more gentle than the Clean and Clear Daily Pore Cleanser.
However, I still have a burning feeling when I used it, so I don't use it that often. It worries me, even though my skin doesn't seem to be negatively affected after use. It does not break me out or damage my skin though. I don't get redness or irritation after using, just a burning feeling when I use it. Because of this, I probably will not buy this product again after finishing it. I use it about once a week because I am afraid that if I use it more often that more problems than just a burning sensation will appear. It is kind of annoying because this was supposed to work for sensitive skin and I have sensitive skin. I am sad that I can't use this product, because it is so affordable and easy to get. =(

Do I recommend this product?
I do recommend this as a good product to try out for all skin types except sensitive skin. If you do have sensitive skin, I am not sure, because while I think it works really well, the side effect of having a burning sensation during use does bother me. If you have sensitive skin, I think it's worth a shot but you should talk to a dermatologist or try it on your hands first, because your skin is different than mine, maybe nothing will happen to you, or maybe your skin is not as sensitive as mine. If it does work for you, then great! You have found something affordable, nice and gentle that will make your skin clear and glow!

So I hope that you liked this review and that it helped you on your search for a good exfoliator.
Thank you for reading! I will talk to you soon! =)

Quick note: If you have dry skin, then after you gently exfoliate, just remember to put on moisturizers right away after washing it off!

Review on Shiseido FT Suibun Aquair Moist Hair Pack Extra Pack/Treatment!

Hi Everyone! I will be very busy this weekend so I will be writing more posts now to makeup for it!

Today I am also reviewing the Shiseido FT Suibun Aquair Moist Hair Pack Extra Pack/Treatment:

This product is a hair mask! Hair masks are products that people put in their hair, wait for some time, and wash it off (like a face mask) to improve the condition of their hair. Hair masks are great if you hair is damaged, brittle, and dry. They usually moisturize and strengthen the hair.

I bought this product on Amazon for ~$20 (with free prime time shipping) because Beautifymeeh on Youtube said it was a great product and she highly recommended it. If you have a Mitsuwa or a Marukai store near you, you can also find them for about the same price. It contains 220 grams of product. It is supposed to heavily moisturize damaged hair. It is a thickish creamy white product that smells really nice! haha
Note: Please don't confuse this product with Shiseido's shampoo and conditioner, I know they look the same, but they do different things! XP

Directions: After washing and rinsing hair w/ shampoo and conditioner, massage as much product as you need into the hair, wait for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse. Use 1-2 times a week.

What I do instead: So, I don't have time to wait around in the shower for 10-15 minutes =P, so what I do is that before I'm doing a mud mask, I put this product into my dry hair in the evening (focusing on the hair ends), twist it into a bun and clip it, and wait for at least 30 minutes. I could be eating, or doing homework, whatever. Then I go put on my face mud mask 15 min in. When 30 min. is done I go into the shower to wash off both masks and do other shower stuff.
I use this product once a week. I would love to use it more, but it's not cheap =P. So, yeah...gotta make it last long! =O

When you put it in your hair dry, it will make your hair very sticky and stick together so it becomes kind of stiff. If you don't like that you can always dampen your hair by adding water or spraying water on it so that the product becomes more slippery and is easier to handle when massaging into the hair.

What do I think of it?
I think this product works great! It makes my hair shine and smell really nice. Also, my hair becomes really soft ^_^. I really love that feeling of thick soft hair! I wish it was cheaper, but hey, it does what it says and it does it really well so I think it's worth it =)
My hair tends to become very dry and weak at the ends, and I want to grow my hair very long, so this keeps it strong, moisturized, and healthy! Summer is approaching, and that means that the days are getting hotter and drier, which is bad for my hair, so this is a great product to provide the extra moisture my hair needs.

Do I recommend this product?
I definitely recommend this product! Especially if you have thin, dry, damaged, and brittle hair. Or if you use a lot of styling products, heat products, and color products on your hair. After one use, this will make your hair feel soooo good! It is pricy but if you don't take care of your hair, you'll end up with little or damaged hair later during life, so it is good to keep it safe and healthy!

So I hope you liked this review!
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to do so in the comment box below!
Thanks for reading and I will see you later! XD

Review on Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads

Hi Everyone! I just finished a midterm tonight! So glad I got that over with, I felt like I was dying....-___- But, now to talk about something much better than cognitive psychology!!! XD

Today I will be reviewing the Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads:

This can be bought at any drugstore for about $6-$8. You can find it easily online. There are 28 self-foaming dual-texture pads that are ~8.5cm in diameter. The dual-texture means that one side has a textured side for exfoliation and the other side is smooth. The active ingredient is salicylic acid (0.5%) used for acne treatment and prevention. It says it has soy extracts so for people allergic to soy beware! It is soap free, oil free, hypoalergneic, noncomedogenic, and alcohol free. It says it is gentle enough for everyday use and even for sensitive skin.

First Impression
When I first bought this, I was like, dang, each pad is huge! Like I could use half of it for my entire face! Too bad I can't reuse them or something....I guess I could cut them, but that would be too messy =P. And each pad has a lot of product, it is soaked in product so they are definitely not dry at all! Also, I thought the container was kind of bulking...like there is plenty of space around the pads and above the pads, they didn't have to make it that big and annoying...but I guess they wanted to make it look like it had more product or what not (like air in potato chip bags! grrr).
Besides that haha, when I first used it, I thought that the exfoliator side was a big harsh/rough on my skin. However, as soon as I adjusted the pressure, I really liked it! It foams up well, and it's convenient because no product is running down my face or my arms unlike when I use a cream cleanser. Also, it does not sting or irritate my sensitive dry skin, and I usually use the smooth side for that skin area.

What do I think of it now?
I've been using this product for over a month now and I really like it! =) When I'm in a hurry and I  have acne, this is a great product to use because it's so mess free. I can switch sides depending if I need exfoliation or not and the smooth side feels really nice! My skin doesn't feel dry or tight after use and I can actually see the pad take off dirt and stuff because the pad changes to like a light brown/tan color...ewwww, yeah I know. But hey! It works! =P My face becomes much cleaner looking after use. Also, despite it's bulkiness it is safer to carry on trips because if a bottle explodes from pressure or what not, stuff gets everywhere which is a pain, but it won't happen to this! So, I think this is really good for traveling.
I also think it is good for acne treatment prevention, and I have no problem using this everyday since the amount of salicylic acid is low, it would be a good daily treatment. I have seen less tiny acne pop up on my face.
However, one thing I have to be careful is to not over exfoliate and not rub too hard. I still have to be very gentle on my skin, otherwise it can get red and unhappy =/, but as long as I'm careful it works well.

Do I recommend this product?
Yep! I recommend this product! =) If you would like a light acne treatment and you would like to cleans and exfoliate your skin all at once, this is great for daily use or if you are in a hurry. As long as you are careful and gentle during exfoliation, then you should be fine!
I especially like it because it does not irritate my sensitive skin and it's affordable! If your sensitive skin get's irritated, try the smooth side, it should work better. Or if your skin still does not like it, then don't use it everyday, use it about every other day or every two days.

Yay! I really liked these pads and I wanted to do a review on them ASAP! But I had to hold myself back and use them for a month before I was sure that it was a good product!
So I hope you liked my review and that it helped you =)
Thanks for reading!

Let's talk about Eyeshadow! ^_^

Hi Everyone!! Today I'm going to talk about eyeshadow!!!

What is eyeshadow?
Eyeshadow is color or pigment put on the eyelid and/or put around and under the eye, usually above the lashline and below the brow, and also sometimes at the lower lashline. Eyeshadow can be used as effect to brighten the eye or make it appear deeper or larger. It is often used to put colors on the eye to make the eye more attractive, bring more attention, or for fun.

Do I need eyeshadow?
Haha, no, you don't need it =). It is based on your preference! A lot of people like me, put on eyeshadow for fun! Eyeshadow is versatile and can be used for many occasions. It can make you look cute or sexy, whichever and whatever way you like. I use brown and champagne colored shadows for everyday and I go crazy with black, silver, purple, etc. for clubbing and what not XP. So, no you don't need it, but you can definitely have fun with it!

Types of eyeshadow:
-eyeshadows can be shimmery, matt, glittery (larger flecks of sparkle than shimmer), and metallic
-they can be loose powder, pressed powder, baked, cream

Eyeshadow colors:
There is an infinite array of colors times the types of eyeshadow and you have everything possible in the universe! XD More dramatic eyeshadow has many vivid shimmery colors like blues, yellows, red, etc. The most natural/nude eyeshadows are neutral matt shades, especially shades of browns and peaches.

Tools to apply eyeshadow:
You can use applicator sponges, brushes, or your fingers.
Most Western people, like me haha, use brushes but it is very common in Asia to use applicators. You can also use fingers to pat on eyeshadow to make it more pigmented. Or you can use your fingers to apply cream eyeshadow, which will help warm up and spread the product better. Really, use whatever you feel most comfortable with!

How and where to apply eyeshadow?
First (before anything else), as usual haha, start of light and layer it on until you like it. Second, blend well unless you want a more edgy defined effect.
You can use eyeshadows as eyeliners as well. People (like me) tend to do that because they give a much softer, sweeter and more natural appearance. You can give a light smokey, smudged appearance by lining the top of your eyes with eyeshadow and blending it out.
Many people use a light champagne or white colored eyeshadow right on the browbone or underneath the eyebrows to give a lifted effect and also make the eye appear deeper/have more dimension. Also, many people use a shimmer light skin toned eyeshadow for the inner corner of the eyes to make the eyes brighter and more awake. Some people like to put darker shades in the crease/eyesocket area of the eyelid to deepen the depth of the eyes.
Eyeshadow should usually be at and above the upper lashline and below the brow. I recommend not to bring eyeshadows too high, the max should be halfway between the eyelashes and the eyebrow. It look really strange if you put eyeshadow too high on your eyelid.
It is optional to put eyeshadow at the lower lashline. People usually put eyeshadow at the lower lashline when they are going for a "smokey eye" effect. They do this, because without eyeshadow on the lower lashline the strong makeup on top would be too heavy and over powering, so putting it on the lower lashline balances it out.
Brushes are good for pressed powder and loose powder. Fingers are good for cream eyeshadows. Sponge-tipped applicators can almost do anything however I don't like them because I think they don't apply evenly or are easy to blend with. I also think that sponge-tipped applicators are not very gentle on the eye and cause some tugging.
You can apply eyeshadow wet or dry. Meaning, you can dampen your brush with water and mix it with some eyeshadow before you apply. Some eyeshadows are made for this, like baked eyeshadows, you have to check if your eyeshadows can do this. People like this because they can get more pigment on their eyes.
I heard and read a lot about oh in this 4 color palette use this color for the lid, and this for the crease, and this for the outer corner and all that complicated annoying stuff. NO, you don't have to listen to that. Actually you shouldn't because if you look at diagrams carefully, they are based on one generic type of Caucasian (usually) eye. No one's eyes are the same size or shape, therefore, it probably won't look good on you. As to where to apply dark or light shades, that is based on what you want, your eyeshape, eye size, eyecolor, and distance between the eyes. Therefore, experiment with makeup, try new things and find ways that suite your tastes! I'm not saying that other makeup tutorials won't work for you or something crazy like that, you can definitely try them but you should change it to fit your eyes the best and then you make it yours! =)

Other recommendations:
Try to get eyeshadows that are well pigmented (that means that when you apply it, you see color well and it doesn't look like nothing), are buildable, blend well with the skin and other colors, that don't smudge, don't crease, and don't cause fallout under the eye.
If you are new to eyeshadow and you are not sure what to get and you have a budget, I recommend using flexible, natural eyeshadow colors such as browns, and buy a small 2-3 color palette. A pretty good drugstore brand to try out is NYX, their eyeshadows are very pigmented, and they're known to be a dupe of MAC. Or you can try Coastal Scents, or BH cosmetics. They are all very affordable.
If you want something higher end, probably generally better in quality and you have the money then MAC, Urban Decay, Stila, and Too Faced are all good choices. I especially like Too Faced and Stila because most of their colors and palettes are natural and neutral. Urban Decay is very dramatic and their eyeshadows are pretty bright with a lot of shimmer, some people like that. Though Urban Decay has 2 Naked Palettes that have many beautiful neutral shadows! MAC is well, MAC haha, they have a variety of shades and the majority are excellent, there are some random ones that aren't good, but generally MAC is pro.
Personally I am really cheap and lame haha, I use NYX or other drugstore brands. I love the high-end brands but they are toooo expensive X(, I don't even have a Naked Palette from Urban Decay...T_T. I prefer to spend my money on good brushes and eye primers because a combination of those 2 can make any crappy eyeshadow work well!


So, this post got really looong and detailed at the end! These intro to makeup posts are usually for beginners so sorry if I overloaded your brains XD. However, I hope that you got the information you were looking for. And if you didn't, please comment or ask questions in the comment box below! I am very happy to talk with you and answer questions!

Thank you for reading! I will see you later! X)

Review on the K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Eyeliner! ;)

Hi Everyone! I hope you are having a good weekend!

Today I will be reviewing the K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Eyeliner!

This eyeliner is about $15-20 depending on where you buy it. You can find it online, Amazon has it for a good price or if you have a Marukai or Mitsuwa near you, they sell them too!

 This eyeliner has claimed to last for a very long time, for 24hrs and that it is waterproof and sweatproof. K-palette has created different looks/appearances for their 1-day tattoo eyeliner but they're all basically the same in quality. K-Palette is the one of the top 3 makeup brands in Japan. Because of the humid Asian environment, it makes very long lasting pigmented makeup products that are usually waterproof and/or sweatproof and its products are very popular!

First Impression
My first impression was how fine the applicator is. It is a brush tip, like so:

It is not felt, it's artificial brush hairs like a calligraphy brush and it is very soft! It can create very very fine lines and thick lines so it's versatile. The color is very black and b/c it is a liquid eyeliner it can create a very clean and defined look. It is not too runny or too thick, the consistency and formula is very good.
It lasts for a very long time and it is really strong against resistance. I drew on my hand and it dried quickly and I rubbed my skin really hard and none of it came off! Yes, it is a good waterproof formula too! If you wear it for a very very long time, it does start lightening a little bit, getting a little flaky, but it's not going to have a lot of fall out, it just gets a crackly appearance that is not too visible. It does not smudge at all, even when I draw it very thickly.

What do I think of it now?
It is kind of pricy but I think it is worth the price. I've had this for a year now and I still have not run out of it and it hasn't dried out! I really like using this liner when I'm going out clubbing or when it's raining because it is so long lasting and waterproof!
The amount of product on your eyes is also very little, it is not thick or heavy and yet it is still a small thin layer with a great black color!
I recently went on a 7 mile hike in the hot sun at around 80F, getting all hot and sweaty wearing this eyeliner and wow! It was amazing! XD It lasted the entire 5 hours outside and it did not melt, smudge or lose any color! So I am pretty impressed with what this eyeliner can do, especially since I have oily eye lids.

UPDATE!: I recently went to Hawaii and I wore this in Hawaii. It is fine with humid and hot weather. It does not smear or melt off. At the beach, if you swim, the eyeliner will come off, but it won't make a big mess. It will just flake off and won't go into your eyes or smear black everywhere. If you wear goggles and you swim at the beach, the eyeliner stays on pretty well, and maybe gets a bit lighter, but overall, very good hold and no melting.

Do I recommend this product?
If you do not mind the price and your willing to invest in a good liquid liner, I definitely recommend this liquid liner! It is long lasting, very black, clean, precise, and waterproof. The eyeliner itself also lasts for a long time, just remember when you store it to let it lay flat or point the tip downwards.

So, yeah, I really like this eyeliner and I hope you will try it out! If you have any questions or comments feel free to type in the comment box below!
Thanks for reading and I will talk to you guys later! =)

P.S. I would also like to thank my readers! I have reached over 500 views on my blog from so many different countries all over the world! I don't know what's the norm but I was pretty impressed and very happy that people read my blog and it was pretty amazing to see where these people where from. It was like a sort of global eye opening experience and I felt somewhat connected or touched that someone from Brazil or Taiwan were looking and reading my blog! Thank you for reading what I have to say, even though I'm no expert or not famous haha. This makes me very motivated to give better reviews and posts for you guys and I'm very happy if I'm helping someone out there who's confused or frustrated about skincare, makeup, etc. I like blogging reviews and info posts and I will continue to do so! Again, thank you all! =D Bye byee! X)

Let's talk about Eyebrow makeup! >=D

Hi eyecatching people! ;P

Today I will be talking about Eyebrow makeup!

 Eyebrows are important because they frame your eyes and even affect the shape of your face!
Many people pluck, trim, wax their eyebrows for a shape they like and fill them in if the hairs are light or sparse. Especially when wearing eyeshadow, the eyebrows can look washed out, giving a strange non-defined appearance.

What is eyebrow makeup?
Eyebrow makeup is makeup that draws and fills in eyebrows to make them fuller, darker, or thicker looking. Also, other eyebrow makeup can set the color that you put on your brows, making the color last longer or the hairs stay in place.

Types of eyebrow makeup
To fill in or draw brows:
Eyebrow makeup can be in liquid, powder, or "pen"/stick form. You can even use your eyeshadow for your brows, as long as they are matt in color! (not shiny)
Powder brow makeup or eyeshadow tends to give the most natural soft look (which I prefer) while eyebrow pens and liquid brow brushes give a more defined, harder look.
To manage filled-in brows:
People use a gel brow applicator or wax to keep the hairs in place and to keep the color longer lasting and from smudging or melting. You apply this on after you put on your eyebrow color makeup.

Eyebrow makeup colors
I've heard a lot about what colors should be used to apply brow makeup. It is confusing I know. Some people say match your eye color, others your haircolor unless you're blond and then you have to go like 1-3 shades darker than your hair color. I've even heard that even if you have dark hair you should still make it darker than that! O_o
For me, I have dark brown hair color and I just try to choose a color that's around that hair color but not too dark. I'm not too sure about other people but I think it makes sense that if you have dark head hair, then your body hair and eyebrow hair should be the same color, afterall, they grow from the same person. So I think for dark hair colors you should try to match your hair color.
For blonds and redheads, I really don't know =(. I'm sorry. I've never done a blond person's brows and I don't want to say stuff that I don't think is professional or correct. But for anyone try out different colors and stick with the ones you like! I'm sure that you'll find the ones right for you! =) It took me a few tries as well.

Applying eyebrow makeup
-when applying any kind of brow makeup, you always want to start off light, and then build up slowly, you don't want your brows too dark, otherwise they will overpower your face O_O
-if you are using a brush, just fill in sparse areas and without adding more product, use the brush to blend it out well, and when you're doing the inner brows, brush the product against the direction of hair growth for a more natural effect
-if you are using a brow pen/stick, then lightly draw the under arch at the edge of your brows, and depending on your preference, fill in sparse areas or draw in your brows =P. Try to use gentle light strokes to give a more hairlike effect. Then use a Q-tip or spoolie to comb your brows and help blend out the color and soften the brows so they don't look too harsh.

(this is a spoolie)
-if you are using a liquid brow brush, then you are basically drawing and filling in your entire brow, just make sure to use small light strokes for a more natural effect and try not to over draw your brows, this is probably the most difficult way of filling in brows, but it lasts the longest, I see a lot of asian people in asian countries use this because it's so humid and they don't want their makeup to melt.

Here is a video to help you visualize brow makeup and brow filling:
Michelle phan is using a pencil, but you can use whatever you want to use! This is to give you a better idea on how to fill and draw in your brows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_nINHgeTCI

Tips and tricks!
-for beginners who are unsure if, when they draw in brows, if they look even or not, you might want to try a brow pen/pencil, because it is more defined and you'll be able to see better what you are doing, but once you get an idea of your brow shape or what you want your brow shape to be, I suggest powder, it is the most forgiving and natural of all of them =)
-if you want a more mature look, make them thinner and more angular (the arch)
-if you want to look younger, go for thicker, straighter brows (bubzbeauty is a good example)
-eyebrows are sisters, not twins! (from Michelle Phan), they're supposed to look pretty similar but they don't have to be perfect clones! so relax =)
-for wax or gel to keep the hairs and makeup in place, don't use more than 2-3 strokes, otherwise your brows will look shiny or be glued flat to your skin =(
-if you felt that you filled in or drew your makeup too heavily, you can always get a q-tip to take it off
-you also don't have to get a spoolie, Q-tips also do a great job in blending the makeup and fixing mistakes

Hi yall! So I hope this was a helpful post on brow makeup, especially for beginners!
For plucking brows and brow shape, that is something I am not good at, so I won't be talking about that for now until I feel confident and comfortable to give advice. (really i think the best way, if you are unsure of how your brows should look, is have a neutral flexible brow that can be easily altered by makeup when you need it! XP)
Thank you for reading and have a nice day! =D

Mascara Review! CoverGirl, Loreal, Maybelline!

Hi Everybody!! XD

So Today I will be reviewing 4 mascaras! ;D
They are:
Lash Discovery Minibrush by Maybelline
LashBlastFusion by CoverGirl
Voluminous Carbon Black by L'Oreal
Full'n Soft by Maybelline

Note: All of the mascaras are waterproof and all of them are black in color. I am a big fan of waterproof mascara because generally they smudge less and they definitely can hold up curls a lot better! Also, all of these mascaras are drugstore mascaras, affordable, easy to find and you can buy them online too!

And, to the reviews!

This is Lash Discovery Mini Brush Waterproof:

It is small and slim, about 11 cm long. It's very portable. It was made to coat every single lash and lengthen slightly. The wand is small and slim, with tiny bristles that are ordered in a single helix (biology moment! XD), a single spiral.
It is about $6-9.

What do I think of this product?
I really really like this mascara! I have been using it for about a year and I will definitely buy another one again! The wand lets me comb every single one of my lashes and it is very precise! It darkens well and lengthens the lashes a bit and separates them well. I like to use this for a more natural look, and because it uses so little product, it can hold curls all day with very little smudging or melting. It's not very buildable, but it wasn't made for that. It was made to coat and separate lashes and it does it well! It is not very buildable, like your lashes won't get thicker and longer the more you apply, so that's why I meant it's more of a natural look. Also, b/c it uses so little product, it rarely smudges. There is not shedding or fallout underneath the eyes as well.

Do I recommend this product?
If you are looking for natural looking lashes that are well coated and separated and a little longer, then I recommend this mascara. If you like more dramatic, thicker and longer lashes, then you probably want something more intense than this.

This is LashBlast Fusion:

This mascara is about 11.5cm long. It's rather barrel-like shape makes it a bit awkward to carry around and use. the bristles stick straight out and are longer at the end and shorter at the tip to give a more flared out and flirty look to the outer lashes. This mascara was made to make lashes fuller/thicker and longer. It's about $7-9.

What do I think of this product?
I have used this product for about a year. And I like it, it does what it says. It lengthens and thickens lashes pretty well, though it's lengthening properties don't work as well as thickening. It does lengthen but maybe not to most people's preferences.. I favor thicker lashes than longer lashes, so =P. It is a buildable mascara but if you build up too much, it does start clumping. There is no fallout but I always find at the end of the day (so from 9am till around 9pm) it will smudge onto the lower lash line, but I think it lasts long enough for my purposes =P, so it doesn't bother me that much. Besides, I just wipe it off w/ some tissue and it comes off easily. It also makes my lashes very black which I like.

Do I recommend this product?
If you are looking for a mascara that thickens and does some lengthening and lasts for a relatively good amount of time, then I do recommend this product. It won't look like false lashes or be very dramatic, but it's definitely a visible change compared to normal lashes and really does open up the eyes well. The only issue I have with is bulkiness, because it's kind of awkward to use but it doesn't bother me that much and it depends on your preference for that.

This is Voluminous Carbon Black:

This mascara is about 12 cm long and it has a cylindrical shape. The bristles are long just taper at the end. This mascara is said to be a volume building mascara, made to make lashes thicker and be very buildable. It is a drugstore brand that can be found anywhere and it's about $8.

What do I think of this mascara?
I got this mascara because of Michelle Phan's review on it on one of her Youtube videos and she said she really liked it b/c of the volume and buildability. However, I kind of thought otherewise. Yes it's very black and somewhat buildable. In buildability level I think it is passable but it doesn't build as well as the CoverGirl one. Personally, I didn't this made my lashes much thicker, I think they lengthened them a lot, made them look really flirty but it didn't really do much for me in thickening. I was disappointed because it's supposed to be for thickening and volume building which it really didn't do much of. Another thing that I didn't like was that it was super hard to take off. I use waterproof mascara and I use waterproof eye makeup remover too, and this is annoying hard to take off. I still got smudge marks from this mascara at least 3 days after I used it without applying any mascara at all. It was annoying....
So, I personally did not like this mascara. It definitely creates very long lashes, but that's not what I looked for and it's very difficult to get off, leaving smudge marks for days, which looks unattractive.

Do I recommend this mascara?
Even if you are looking for lengthening mascaras that make your eyes look flirty. I don't recommend this mascara, just because how annoying it is to take it off! Go try something else, I don't think it will work that well and I won't be using it anymore.

This is Full'n Soft:

It is about 11cm long. And it has similar bristles to Voluminous. It is said to make lashes long but still natural and soft looking. It is said to help prevent loss of lashes through it's vitamin E formula and that there is no clumping or smudging and it is contact lens safe.

What do I think of this product?

I think it does make my lashes dark and long and soft. It does thicken a little bit but I wish it could do more. It is very buildable and there is no clumping. However, it is still a little hard to remove, but it is much easier to remove than the Voluminous. There may be a bit of smudging under the eyes the day after you use it (without putting on mascara that day) but it is acceptable to me. I haven't used this mascara long, but I have decided to keep and use it (unlike the Voluminous which I will not use ever again).

Do I recommend this product?

If you like longer, flirtier lashes, then I think this is worth a shot. However, if you want thicker lashes, this won't do too much. I like the fact that there is no clumping and it fans out and separates my lashes quite well.

So, I hope that you found this review helpful! For the Full'n Soft, it is new to me so I will edit this post if there is anything else I find out later.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys later! =)

Let's talk about Highlighting!

Hi Everyone! So today I will talk about highlighting!

What is highlighting?
Highlighting is a makeup technique that is designed to make physical features stand out or appear more so. This can be anywhere on the face and body. Most people highlight the nose bridge to make it look taller and straighter, under the brows to give a kind of brow lift, on the cheekbones to lift the cheeks, in the inner corners of the eyes to look more bright and awake, on the collar bone, on the top of the bust area to make them look bigger of course, and down the top of the legs and shins to give the legs a slimmer and longer appearance. I have seen people use it on the center of the forehead and the chin to make the face look longer.

Do I need to highlight?
If you would like to make a feature stand out more or appear more defined, you can highlight if you want. I personally like highlighting better than contouring or bronzing but it's really your preference. You don't have to highlight if you don't want to. =)

What should I use to highlight?
A highlight must be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone, this will make your features pop out more. There are powder and liquid highlighters that you can buy, specifically made to do this. However, you can use eyeshadow, concealer, body shimmer (or any light shimmer blush or bronzer depending on your skin tone and color) In my concealer post I did mention about concealers doubling up as a highlight. So if you have a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than  your skin tone, you can use it as a highlighter in the areas I talked about.
There is highlighting with and without shimmer. Shimmer makes things stand out even more. However, a warning, do not over highlight when you use shimmer, you are gonna look shiny/glittery and weird and people will definitely tell that you have highlight on, which is not the point. The point is to make features stand out in a more subtle manner.
If you want a more natural look with highlighting, go for highlighters, concealers, and eyeshadows with no shimmer.

Highlighting application techniques:
Depending on the type of product you are using, you can use your hands or a brush.A brush is good for larger skin areas like your cheekbones, and body areas.
I don't really advise a sponge, it doesn't apply as well. Your fingers are more precise for smaller areas such as the noses or eye corners. I like to use a Q-tip for my eye corners, but whatever you know XP, whatever you feel comfortable using.
You should start off light and slowly layer the highlight, especially if it's shimmery, because it tends to reflect light alot so too much of it will make it an eyesore on you.
Don't forget to blend it well, otherwise you'll have whitish areas on your skin...which is weird..


So, rather quick and straightfoward post today! I hope this helped some people who are new to makeup about highlighting.
Thanks for reading and I will talk to you soon! =)

Review on the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

Hi Everyone!

Today I will be reviewing the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash:

This a drugstore brand that can be found anywhere and it is about $7 for about 6 fluid oz or 177mL. You can buy it in different sizes and amounts. It is said to be non-comedogenic and oil-free. It's active ingredient is salicylic acid.

What do I think of this product?
I don't like this product. I'll just say that first. I used this product for at least 2 years in high school and it did nothing for me. I didn't really see a reduction in acne or much treatment of acne at all.
The consistency is very fluid-like, reminds me of liquid soap.
Obviously it's been a while since I've used it, probably around 5 years, but I don't think the ingredients have changed. I switched out of it a long time ago because it does not work for me.

Do I recommend this product?
Different skin and different acne need different treatments. While it did not work for me, I know it has worked for some people based on reviews that I have read. I kind of don't recommend it, but it is worth a shot in a way because it may just work for you.

Yeah, very short review guys, sorry =(. I know it doesn't seem very detailed or thorough enough but it has been years since I've used this product and this review is based on my experience and what I remember from it. Though if it does work for you then great =), I'm glad it did!

Thank you for reading! I will do better posts in the future! This one I just wanted to input what I felt about this product and how it worked for me.