Kim Kardashian-esque look - light edition

Happy September everybody! The last month or so has been a whirlwind of uncertainty, job changes, and LIFE getting in the way of everything...

Despite all the turmoil, it really does feel like God has been watching over me - I feel so blessed & very lucky. It feels like another chapter is opening in my life and I am just brimming with anxiety and excitement!

I am glad to be back - so much to catch up on! I missed the blogging community, but I can't reiterate how difficult it is to jump back into things after a period of (my self-inflicted) blog famine.

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After a good week or so of junk television, I have concluded that Kim Kardashian (and by extension, her full-blooded sisters & Mother) wears too much makeup. She looks fabulous - a sex Bob-bomb! but she also looks equally, if not more, gorgeous without.

I decided to do a "lite" version of her look...smoky & smoldering purples, charcoals and pinks with a light lip and false lashes.

I used my favorite NYX Caribbean Collection palette in "I dream of Barbados" - these colors are smooth and pigmented with some gentle non-overpowering shimmer. Also, be pretty with a clean conscience as all NYX products do not test on animals! :)

One of the keys to Kim's look is a strong, sculpted brow. One of my favorite brow pencils is N.Y.C. - the kind you can pick up at just about any drugstore for ~99 cents. They come in tons of shades - I chose a 922A, "Dark Brown"

After the eye makeup, I dusted bronzer on my temples and underneath the cheekbones. (Fresh, here comes the sun palette) A pop of pinky gold blush on the apples of the cheeks and a sweep of highlighter (Tokidoki in Kabuki) later...

Finished with NYX black label lipstick in "Nude". (LOVE these lippies by the way, will have to review soon)

Tip: Don't forget comically large sunglasses & body-hugging ensemble!

Hope everyone had a lovely labor-day weekend! See you soon ~ promise ;)

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**Side note - I swear the wind/rain combo outside is going to bust the windows out my house right now. O_O

Review: Laniege BASIC LINE eye designer cream

So the number one thing I have been concerned about as I age, is well...wrinkles. Protective measures aside (sunscreen, hats, limiting outdoor exposure, drinking tons of water) there are limited options to protect yourself from the inevitable. I haven't had the best of luck in the genetic lottery - at 27 I have noticed fine lines under my eyes which make frequent rude appearances. My loving but ever-critical mother would point this out to me constantly. I needed help - Stat!

I have tried a menagerie of different products to lackluster results - Oil of Olay (gave me Milia, or those tiny little bumps underneath the eyes), Dior (no results whatsoever), and Dove (also nada). After Sasa.com decided to turn me into an online shopaholic, I decided to give the skincare experts of the East a go - and to my delight, I discovered Laneige!

Review

Laneige BASIC LINE eye designer cream

Description (from Sasa.com)

Water-based moisture system means your skin receives fresh supply of water, not oil, meaning that you will not get milia or trapped/clogged pores in your delicate eye area!

• Moisture care system exclusive to LANEIGE, water pump system prevents dryness around the eyes with an intensive moisturizing effect.
• Mineral complex and fungus extracts give resilience, moistens the delicate surface skin around the eyes.
• Blueberry and raspberry extracts clear away dark and dull spots around the eyes, brightening the tone and clarity around your eyes.

The sheer size of the actual product was impressive! The jar is 30 mL and will last even the most indulgent of users for a good few months. (me) It has a really clean, fresh, scent. I use a Q-tip for each dip into the jar to avoid contamination and dot a large amount of the product both right under, around, and on top of my eyelids.

The product is smooth and though initially, it feels a bit thick, it absorbs quickly and feels great! It isn't greasy or sticky in the faintest. I was worried it was going to be too rich for the summer, but it actually works perfectly on my combo (dry/oily) skin.

Most importatly, RESULTS! I noticed that I do need to use this nightly for the type of results I prefer. I don't believe the eyecream has any anti-aging properties, but the water-pump system actually seems to work quite nicely and leaves my under-eye area refreshed, plumped and significatly less wrinkly!

Before use at night - fine lines, wrinkles

After use, in the morning - fresh and wrinkles are less defined

Pros

♥ Non-greasy, fast absorbing formulation

♥ Unique water-pump system

♥ Did not cause milia

♥ Fresh, clean non-overpowering scent

♥ Large amount of product

♥ Decreased appearance of fine lines/under-eye wrinkles

Cons

♥ May be hard to find, online availability for most

♥ Packaging susceptible to contamination

♥ Moderately priced (~$30/jar)

♥ Everyday use necessary for desired results

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (4.5/5)

From what I have seen so far, I LOVE Laneige products...it is a Korean brand so whether or not they test on animals is unknown, though I certainly hope they do not. I have purchased but have yet to try the strawberry yogurt peel which has received rave reviews and I am very curious about the Water Sleeping Pack. I have a feeling that my love affair with this company will continue. :)

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I'm just about ready for a vacation right about now - as some of you know, I have been working for days and days at a time. I think cumulatively, I have had a grand total of 1 day off in the last 20+! I need to keep a handle on myself before I turn into a work-obsessed zombie. x_x On the brighter side of things, I'm excitedly planning my next 2 vacations - I might as well live by the motto "work hard, play hard!" Except playing for me is more like relaxing on the beach sipping juice from a ripe pineapple. :)

The beautiful resort in Hawaii that may be a part of my next dream vacation!

*~*~*

Off to work again! Only 3 more days until my next free day!

Happy Friday! Have a safe & wonderful weekend!

Review: Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream

My dear lovelies!

As promised, an update & review on my new favorite Summer going-out staple!

For some reason, I feel like I'm always the last person to jump on the bandwagon...Double Rainbow, Keyboard cat, NYX cosmetics...and now, BB cream!

BB creams are quite popular in Korea and are meant to be the all-in-one makeup miracle product, many promising to be a base/primer, cover-up, foundation all-in-one with added benefits like anti-aging, hydration, UV protection etc. My last foray into BBcreams (Missha Perfect Cover) left me with cystic acne so I was a bit hesitant to jump back into things...

That being said, after carefully researching a few more varieties, I decided that I would give Skin Food a try. Skin Food is a skincare line available on sites such as Sasa.com - they don't carry this particular bb cream anymore, but Amazon.com currently sells it for around $19.95.

REVIEW

Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream (SPF 20 PA+)

On Packaging: Food Therapy - Special food for the skin to eat. Contains lots of nutritive and energetic ingredients such as fresh plants, fruits etc. to maintain our bodies healthy and lively.

Rich with aloe, which possesses excellent hydrating properties and soothing effect, this multi-functional skin care product (UV protecter and blemish correcter) provides moisture and nutrition to your skin while providing protection from UV rays.

The tube is a nice decent size - the size of a medium-sized tube of sunscreen (50g)

The dispensing nozzle allows for hygenic application

As true for most BB Creams, the color selection is extremely limited. This BB Cream comes in either #1 (fair) or #2 (medium). In the Summer time, I tend to get a bit darker but really, I would be a #2 regardless.

I used a foundation brush to sweep the BB cream over my face. The product applies smoothly but requires a little blending. It smells FANTASTIC though - very fresh and clean. If you like Bath & Bodyworks Cucumber melon, you will like the smell of this BB cream. Although this BB Cream has built in sunscreen (SPF 20), I still use my regular sunscreen (Olay SPF 25) all over beforehand. The results with and without flash - I love the overall slightly dewy finish!

Wearing: NYC brow pencil on brows, MAC Blacktrack fluidliner, Darkness KMA 7 false lashes, Maybelline Eye Quad in Taupe Temptress in corners of eyes, Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Peach Colada on lips, Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream on face

I did not see any of the greyish undertone of #2 that some reviews had mentioned.

Look of the day (LOTD) from this past weekend! Abercrombie stretchy tube dress & Jessica Simpson heart chain necklace. :)

Overall

Pros

♥ Pleasant fresh & clean smell which fades over time

♥ Beautfiul, dewy finish

♥ SPF 20

♥ Not drying

♥ Moderate oil control (my face was just slightly oily by the end of a day being exposed to 90 degree plus Texas heat!)

♥ Coverage is medium - hid most of the redness in my cheeks

♥ Long lasting

♥ Smooth, even, application

♥ Does not feel heavy on the skin

♥ Did NOT break me out...so far. (Will update if anything changes)

Cons

♥ Extremely limited colors

♥ May be hard to find (Sasa.com no longer stocks), online availability

♥ May need to use spot coverage for larger blemishes

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)

My beautiful friend, fellow blogger, co-worker, and Pharmgirl extraordinaire Liz suggested that I include whether or not products are tested on animals for future reviews. This is a great idea! I am happy to report that my previous review and one of my favorite new cosmetics lines, NYX, does NOT test on animals. I am not quite sure about this current BB cream since it was produced in a foreign country (Korea) but if I do find out, I will surely update!

Here's a little sneak peek into what is coming up next!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Quick update

Hi girls,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm still around! Internet connection issues at home have kept me from posting and viewing your lovely blogs - it is so intimidating sometimes to jump back in but I am making a leap very very soon! Sorry for the lack of bloglove! I am working 12 days in a row (currently on day 5) but I will be trying my best to blog a few reviews and get caught up.

And since I hate posting without a picture, here is one of my soon-to-be next reviews! (non-sponsored - just an anniversary gift from my man! LOL - most girls get flowers and jewerly, but I told him I wanted pink brushes this year!)

See you lovelies soon!

Review: NYX Tinted Lip Spa Swatches on lips

Hi guys! My NYX haul from Cherryculture.com arrived a few days ago!!! I'm a newbie to the line - after seeing it everywhere with huge comparisons drawn to MAC (right up to the stylish black packaging)...I couldn't resist!

Again, Summer is here and my lips are in desperate need of some TLC!

♥ *~REVIEW~* ♥

NYX Tinted Lip Spa

The lids are clear so you can see the color right underneath!

Here they are all swiveled up - they look pretty drastically different with/without flash

And swatched on my skin with and without flash

** On the lips **

Spirit - a light pink

Sake - a mauve pink

Jewel - a coral pink

Vintage - a reddish pink

**OMG just noticed the colors almost look exactly alike on the lips! (well on me at least) LOL...well, that's a tinted lip product for you hahaha I promise the colors are actually slightly different though***

Overall

The name itself makes these tinted lip balms seem so luxurious - according the the site, they have been formulated with "Vitamin E and extra moisturizing properties to nourish and condition lips while adding color." They do wrap your lips in a temporary layer of moisture and feel very smooth once applied. There is a strong minty sensation, akin to the feeling you get when you apply a product like "Burt's Bees" lip balm. However, nothing to the point of tingling aka E.L.F. plumping lip glaze. I hate lipstick normally and these were incredibly easy to wear! The only gripe I have with these lip spas is that at the end of the day (with no in-between applications), my lips felt rather dry.

Pros: Affordable ($5.50 a pop on NYX site, $3.75 on cherryculture.com), large selection of pretty colors, feels good on the lips, color noticeable, sturdy & stylish packaging

Cons: Temporary moisturizing effect, may dry out lips if you already are prone to dryness, colors can look similar on lips, Sensitive to heat so don't leave in your car in the middle of the Summer heat!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (3/5)

At first I was tempted to buy the whole set, but now I am CONTROLLING my spending much better. (At least I like to think...) I was upset that CherryCulture was sold out of the Cococabana color at the time, but in the end, I was pleased with my choices. If you are planning on purchasing these, you should wait for a good sale to come along! Sometimes they can be up to 50% off. Also I would recommend you go with a just a few colors as these are tinted lip products and the color payoff is exactly that of a tint so you really don't need the whole set. I think I prefer my Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick over the Lip Spas because they provide more moisture for my lips and don't dry them out as much...however, these are still a good option for ladies who might not suffer as much from dryness.

Although the tinted lip spas didn't end up in my HG of lip products, so far, I have really been impressed with NYX. (which btw, means "Goddess of the Night") It's just a shame they don't sell this line at most drugstores. The color selection is amazing, the quality is impressive, and all at an affordable price! After tossing about 5-6 MAC lipglosses that were past their prime (I should really start throwing out my old makeup more often, for hygenic purposes), I wondered why I was blowing all this money on products that I would have to toss in a year or so. NYX just makes cents. (hahaha sorry, couldn't resist... ;D)

I have purchased some of their Black Label Lipsticks, Round lipsticks, Round lipglosses, eyeshadow palettes and pearl pigment powders which I will reviewing/swatching in future posts! ♥

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I am so very lucky to have so many gorgeous and sweet followers...thank you all for your support. I plan on giving back again soon in a fun way! :D

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I hope you ladies had a fabulous week, please go on and enjoy the weekend! :)

♥ Irene

Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick Swatch Update + Combo falsies

So much has been going on these past few days...busy volunteering and running around doing errands. :P

Still, I have time to squeeze in an update on the Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick swatches from my previous post! Summertime is basically here and although my lips are even more chapped/dry/parched in the winter, it still persists into the summer. *sigh* So many ladies had mentioned how much they loved the color "NUDE BLUSH" but they were all sold out the last time I hauled. So here is my recent review of the color:

In the tube

On my lips!

*Complete look*

Tried out the Tokidoki Luminosa powder here in Kabuki - LOVE! Very subtle but lasting!

This lipstick, like all the other maybelline moisture extreme lippies, felt like lingerie on the lips, so smooth, silky, and comfortable!

Again, to see all colors & swatches, visit my last review here!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)

Still lotsa love for this lippie!

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I ♥ my falsies

In order to get the look above, I used two pairs of falsies...as I mentioned in another post, I love falsies since it helps create the appearance of larger eyes. Plus my natural lashes are the usual short, stubby, non-existent variety, so falsies give me a little extra 'oomph'. T_T

Combining falsies can really make your eyes "pop!" - I usually only do this for special occasions like a night out since it is a bit dramatic. :)



You can find Ardell's at any drug store and Darkness lashes are sold at Korean markets and online at Daybeauty.com (by the way on special AGAIN - $2.95 for 2 pairs of lashes!!!). The Kma5s are a lot lighter than the other style of Kmas - the band is thinner and more flexible which = optimized comfort!

I love the look of lush lashes! (Older pics, same combo of lashes)





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I went to see Wicked to celebrate my 3-year anniversary with my boyfriend. I had to leave straight from the wedding reception, and didn't have time to change. Had I prepared more, I would have joined in on the fun with "Wicked-themed" attire and makeup! I did enjoy seeing all the theater-goers in their green dresses and pointy hats though. ;)



And a post wouldn't be a post without some food pics!!! For my Mom's b-day we had some of the tastiest peking duck + pineapple sweet & sour chicken (HK style!) that I've ever eaten!





*happy sigh*

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Welcome to all of my beautiful new followers :)

♥ Hope you had a wonderful weekend ♥
(I can't wait until the next weekend already lol)

Reviews, Hauls & More Mega HK MAC Giveaway!

OMG, major excitement when Susie posted this - Reviews, Hauls & More is hosting a MEGA giveaway with MAC Hello Kitty (Totally LE rare stuff!) - visit her blog now to enter!

Good luck to all!