Review: Painted Laydies Mineral Makeup

I've recently discovered a great little independent MMU company called Painted Laydies. They offer a variety of quality products from foundation to skincare, but today it's all about pigments!

Painted Laydies pigments are versatile as you can use them as shadow, liner, blush, and even lip color (if it's lip safe). I actually love several colors as a mineral blush, but they really shine as shadows. They are very finely milled powders and come in matte or shimmery finishes. Some colors also have a cool iridescence or chrome to it. They are decently pigmented applied dry and extremely vibrant applied wet.

When you visit website, you'll instantly notice the awesome vintage theme. All the colors are divided in several collections with a matching vintage picture. For example, there is a collection named Cocktails and each of the shadows are named after a cocktail drink or alcoholic beverage. Amaretto Sour is a shimmery golden brown, while Bloody Mary is deep red matte shade. I just absolutely adore the catergories and the creative names. I mean, how can not love a shade called Camel Dung?! There tons of colors already and Jenn, owner of Painted Laydies, says there may be a new collection or two coming soon!

Jenn is a super sweetheart and has graciously sent me lots of samples to play with! Thank you! :) And I've swatched them all for you ladies! I'm extremely impressed with the pigmentation of these as they were applied dry without a base. When applied wet, I was blown away by color intensity. The colors are also more true to pot when applied wet. Some of my favorite colors and recommendations are Iced Cappucino, Shimmy, Tramp, Camel Dung (!), and Morrigan. I love Floozy and Fuzzy Navel as blushes. I'm addicted to peach blushes and Fuzzy Navel is my current favorite! It's a beautiful peach shade with a hint of pink undertone and shimmer. I must say, I just look glowy and fabulous in this color. Also note that my pictures do not give the colors justice. They really are gorgeous!

Move over MAC, I'll be buying all my pigments from Painted Laydies! If the colors alone didn't impress you, maybe knowing a full-size is a packed 10 gram jar with a sifter is only $4.99 each will!! Sample baggies with 1/8th teaspoon with plenty of uses are only $1.00!! They even have a clearance section with colors packed in a 5 gram jar, no sifter, for only $3.00!!

I would greatly appreciate if you use the links in this post or the banner on the side so I get the referral! Please refer me and as a token, my lovely readers will receive 15% off your order with your Painted Laydies order! Just enter code GEE during checkout to receive courtesy shipping! Happy shopping!

Review: Lumene Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

Do you recall my Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover review seen here? Well, to quickly summarize, it was alright but I found it didn't completely remove my waterproof mascara. So, I went looking for another remover and found Lumene Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover. It contains 4.2 fl oz for $5.99 and is only available at CVS.

One thing I like about this remover is the bottle itself. I've had my Neutrogena remover bottle leak on me because it's just a screw top. The Lumene remover also has a screw top but has this sort of lock on it when you tighten it, so you have to use a little more pressure to unscrew and hasn't leaked on me. The other feature I like about the bottle is that it has a little toner spout. I feel like I have more control over how much product I use. I also like to use Q-tips so I can just stick the end of the swap at the little spout and put some remover on it. Where as with the Neutrogena, when the bottle got low I couldn't just stick the Q-tip inside it anymore. I had to like dampen a cotton ball to moisten the swap or pour some out in the cap. While these factors aren't a huge deal, it's still more convenient and something to consider.

The bottle says, "Removes gently waterproof eye makeup. Fragrance-free. Suitable even for sensitive eyes." After using it for a while now, I can confidently say it removes any type of eye makeup without any struggle! Best of all, it completely removes my waterproof mascara. How do I test this? I use Vaseline to remove any excess mascara and condition the lashes. To my surprise, when I swiped off the petroleum jelly after Lumene, it wasn't black! That means Lumene removed my mascara completely.

The only thing I don't like about Lumene is that it does leave a slick oily residue feeling, like the Neutrogena, but even more so. I really don't like that feeling at all and that's about the only negative thing I can say about it. No where on the bottle does it claim it's oil-free. I checked the ingredients list and I think it's oil-free, but not completely sure. It also doesn't make false "no residue" claims like Neutrogena. I was expecting no residue and got residue, so I marked Neutrogena for that. Lumene doesn't claim that so I guess it was little more expected. I'm still marking Lumene for it just because I personally don't like the residue, but at least they didn't make a false claim.

Overall, I think it's an excellent eye makeup remover in terms of effectiveness and cost. If you're looking for a good drugstore remover, definitely consider Lumene. Something I noticed when I went to CVS is that the bottle I have is maybe an older packaging. I'm not sure if the cap is still the same style with a semi-lock on it, but I think it is. Also, the new bottle says you can even use it on the lips while my bottle doesn't. I am pretty certain they're the same formula because they're specifically for waterproof makeup. Lumene does have another remover but it's for sensitive eyes and only removes water soluble makeup.

Product: 4.5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Cost: 5/5
Overall: 5/5

Hollywood Crushes

I saw Peachie's post about her Hollywood crushes and I thought it was fun! So me too, me too!

I was trying to remember who I used think was so cute in high school and all I could come up with is Josh Hartnett. I guess he's still semi-cute, but not really. I DO remember who my crush was like in middle school though. I remember I used to buy BOP and Tiger Beat magazine because of Jonathan Taylor Thomas, LOL!! Please don't tease me about it...-_-;;;

Hollywood crush NOW? I have several...^_________^ And I'm pretty sure no one else really likes them, lol.

Patrick Dempsey is so McDreamy!! Those eyes...*MELT*

Ryan Reynolds...engaged to Scarlett? Noooooo...I'm heartbroken T_T

Edward Burns (don't mind Katherine, lol). Oh, his voice! Love him in 27 Dresses.

John Mayer is so seZZy!! I swear he is singing that song to ME, lol!


Other honorable mentions: Keanu Reeves, Daniel Henney, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Adrian Grenier, and David Beckham.

Image & Video Credits: Google Search, YouTube.com

Haul: EDM, shu, Drugstore, & More

A haul post! This is some of the stuff I got in the mail and the rest are things I've acquired in the past 2 weeks. I will be doing extensive reviews of a couple items you see below.

I ordered and received my full-size Everyday Minerals. I got a Personal Custom Kit, $32, where I get to choose 6 of any products. I selected Golden Medium and Light Olive foundations in Semi-matte formulas; Multi-tasking concealer; a blush in All Smiles; Start to Finish Sunlight powder; and a flat top brush. I also got another free sample kit and got 3 foundation colors all Semi-matte in Light Medium, Sandy Medium, and Olive Medium because I still wanted to try some other colors out. I picked the blush sample in New Car Smell and concealer in Mint. Lastly, I got a large mixing jar to custom make my foundation shade.

I received my shu uemura Mini Curler from the their shubabes promotion. I ordered one Mini Curler for myself and gave the other to my sister. I also got 2 free samples. I've tried the curler and I have to say, it's kind of hard to use, lol! It was easy to do the right eye, but I fumbled on the left eye. It's my first shu curler and I like it so far.

I got a few things from the drugstore. I'm running low on my Max Factor mascara and I've only seen it at Walmart and Ulta. Neither are that close, so I decided to try out Cover Girl LashBlast in waterproof. I tried it before but I think it was the regular formula, so naturally it didn't hold my curl. Hopefully, this is will be better. Next, I found a drugstore foundation primer that is actually intended to be a primer! I have no desire to put Monistat on my face or spend $30+ on Smashbox, so I was excited to see Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer for about $12. I also got a L'oreal HiP gloss in Precious, on clearance. Lastly, I got a free sample of Nivea Natural Tone creme. It's a new face and body creme that's supposed to gradually even your skin tone. I love Nivea products, so I'm eager to try this.

Ever since Trinh gave me an OPI nail polish, I've been wanting to try some more. Ulta had a buy 2 colors, get one RapiDry Top Coat bottle free. I got Lunch at the Delhi and Italian Love Affair for $8 each. Then in the clearance section, I got Los Cabos Coral for $4. Ulta also had a mini OPI color set that came with 3 colors in Princesses Rule, Strawberry Margarita, and Koala Bear-y, plus a mini RapiDry Top Coat with a mini tote for $6! That's the most I've spent on nail polish in my entire life! I shan't be buying anymore, anytime soon.

Last but not least, I did a swap on MakeupAlley.com and received MAC DressCamp lipglass in She-Gold! Wahoo!! I so badly wanted this because I think the color is outstandingly gorgeous! I actually had the option to pick between Fashion lipglass too, but I opted for She-Gold only because it's less dupe-able. I really haven't seen any glosses that are this intense yellow gold color. I'm very happy about it!

Monave Foundation Swatches

By request, I made some swatches of the 3 foundation samples I have. Caroline and Hyeyeon are both in the Concealer-foundation Formula, while Kerrie is the Original Formula.

As you will see from the swatches below, the foundation is not an extremely milled powder and when applied alone can be a bit drying. The key to using this foundation is moisture! Have a nicely moisturized face or apply it wet using something like Fix+ or even plain water. Another option I discovered is mixing it with a moisturizer. I mixed a little of Hyeyeon with my Clean and Clear Morning Glow moisturizer and instantly created a nice tinted moisturizer for the summer. I mentioned in my review that it felt like I was wearing something and not being as lightweight as other MMU, but as homemade tinted moisturizer, it was completely invisible feeling! It does have a matte finish, but Clean and Clear has a bit of luminizer in it, so I ended up with a nice semi-matte finish.

Review: Monave Mineral Cosmetics

Monave is a Baltimore based, independent mineral cosmetic company. They strive to use natural and beneficial ingredients while dedicated to create makeup for women of any ethnic background. They offer variety of products from foundation to skincare. Most their products are also vegan friendly, meaning they don't contain animal by-products. Monave has given me the opportunity to test quite few of their products. Thank you Deb and Sharen! This will be part 1 of 2 reviews.

Loose Mineral Foundation
Since most women do not have great skin, this foundation is specifically designed with them in mind. I was able to test 3 foundations in Kerrie, Hyeyeon, and Caroline. Kerrie was in the Original Formula, while the other 2 were in the Concealer-foundation Formula. Compared to other mineral foundations, the powder is not as finely milled as say Everyday Minerals. I found both formulas to apply creamy and smooth as if they were finely milled though, but the finish for me was a bit chalky and dry even when applied sparingly. When applied wet, the chalky appearance diminished and I was left with a flawless canvas. Neither formula felt heavy or caked on the skin. I prefer the Concealer-foundation because it has a slightly creamier feeling to it, however I like the Original Formula coverage better which is light to medium. The coverage for the Concealer-foundation is more medium to heavy, but intended for those with acne or rosasea. In saying it does have heavier coverage, it actually still feels very lightweight. But to be honest, I like that no makeup feeling and it doesn't have that. I feel like I'm wearing something, but it's nothing like wearing traditional foundation. It just doesn't feel as light as other MMU. On the positive side, I feel like it controls oil and shine better than others.

Monave offers a large range of colors specifically for women of different ethnic backgrounds. I have to mix colors with EDM, but I think Hyeyeon is an exact match for me which is very convenient. I think most mineral makeup provides light to medium coverage, but if you need heavier coverage than I think Monave is an excellent option for you! I also think it'll work wonders with those who have oily complexions. They offer a sample set with 4 foundation shades in jars and 6 sample baggies of their other powder cosmetics such as blush and eyeshadow for $10! Full size is $19.50 a whopping 30 grams! You'll also be happy to know they don't use bismuth oxychloride either.

Cheeks - Blush, Brozner, and Illuminizers
You ladies know that I absolutely adore face colors and Monave is my new best friend! All the powders are very fine and silky, and apply extremely smoothly. I do find these blushes to be less pigmented than most mineral blushes, but perhaps because the shades I have are light pink. However, they give just enough color for that perfect flush and just enough shimmer for that radiating glow. I find since they are not as pigmented, you can apply them liberally and even as all-over colors. They also have a selection of matte colors if you prefer less shimmer and shine. A 10 gram sifter jar packed with product for only $13.50.

The bronzer is in Rum and it's my new bronzer for the summer! It's a beautiful shade of light brown with a hint of golden shimmer. I find it to be more pigmented than the blushes and little goes a long way. You really only need a little so a 10 gram sifter jar for $13.50 should last you ages.

The illuminizers are also great. They are the least pigmented of the 3 and give you a very slight tint of color. They're almost like finishing powders that give you a very soft focus finish. I really liked Glow as it brightened and softened my complexion instantly. How about $13.50 for 20 grams?! Unbelievable right. I'll be getting a full size soon!

Eyes - Versatile Mineral Powders, Cream to Powder
Versatile Mineral Powders are exactly what they say they are: versatile. You can use them as eyeshadows, blushes, liners, and even nail polish color! Directions on how to make custom nail colors are available on their website. I'm on a mineral makeup kick, so I love the fact these are made of minerals too. The powders are finely milled and similar to NYX pigments (MAC pigments are not so fine in comparison). They are decently pigmented and foil with ease for an intenser color. It makes a great color eyeliner when applied wet with some Visine drops too. These are shimmery to max, but if you're looking for matte colors they a product called Ultra-mattes too. A neat little feature is that these 5 gram jars are stackable, meaning they can screw on to each other to create a stack. It's convenient for on the go and stack colors you need or want to take with you. 1-5 jars are $7.50 each or 6 jars for $30.

For me, the Cream to Powders (pictured above in 3 colors) weren't all that creamy actually. They were more solid and it was hard for my brush to pick it up. I have nails so I would nick cream rather than get some on my finger in the small jar. I just found it a bit too firm to be called cream. The application was a little difficult because it was so firm but it does have a nice powder finish. It actually looks beautiful when you apply it. It has great staying power too. I didn't find them blendable as shadow and it worked alright as base. So, what I think it has the best potential for is to be an eyeliner. Since it's not blendable, it won't smudge on you. Again, it has great staying power too. Really, I think it would be perfect as eyeliner, but you'd need a very firm liner brush. $13.50 for 13 grams is much better priced than a 3 gram Fluidline.

Lip Glaze

Lip Glaze happens to vegan friendly, meaning they don't use any animal by-products such as beeswax in the ingredients. They are in your common tube with a doe-foot applicator. What I absolutely love about these glosses is that they are non-sticky. We all know sticky is a relative term, however I doubt anyone will find these sticky. Think complete opposite of MAC lipglass or L'oreal Colour Juice. The texture is light, thinner than most, and very slippery. Trust me when I say they are non-sticky. They kind of have a slight sweet scent to them, but have no flavor. They are moisturizing as they contain vitamin E. They're sheer but have a tint of color and are very sparkly. However, since they're not sticky, they don't have great lasting power. I'm totally willing to over look that though because I hate sticky glosses! I have personal issues with sticky glosses so these Lip Glazes are awesome for me. At $13 a tube, say goodbye to sticky lips!

To conclude, I think Monave is overall a fantastic mineral makeup company to consider. I'm more than satisfied with their products. They're high in quality (check out their ingredient lists) and are reasonably priced. Products definitely worth checking out are their blushes and face colors, Versatile Mineral Powders, and Lip Glazes! Not only that, I think you ladies will very much appreciate their customer service as well.

Always Be My Puppy

I just wanted to do a quick update to let you know I'm still kind of sick! The fevers, headaches, and etc. have all subsided except for this cough! I'm still coughing and hacking. It doesn't hurt to swallow anymore, but I cannot stop coughing! My voice is still scratchy and I also have a bit of a stuffy nose. On top of this cough, I think I have mild pink eye in both eyes!! It seems as though it's fairly common to get pink eye when you have a cold/flu. But then again, I've had pink eye before because I'm notorious for rubbing my eye all the time :P I have some sleep in my eye, but it's more itchy, red, and swollen. My mom thinks it might be allergies, but I'm not sure. Needless to say, I won't be doing any looks until my eyes are better because I don't want to worsen it. I also want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone for all the get well wishes!! I really appreciate it!

Since I won't be doing looks quite yet, I'll be doing reviews of all sorts of products. Also, I'll be answering some reader questions so if you have questions, now is the time to ask! Ask now or forever hold your peace! I should have some new posts in the next couple of days. While I finish them up, I thought I'd share some pictures of Bagel as puppy (still a puppy to me), since I love seeing your pets (Enzil, Bruno & Keiji, Bebe & Gio)!! And yes, Lurve, I will post a Bagel video soon, lol! I actually don't have Bagel with me right now because I'm at home (my parent's house) and he is at the beau's house. Hopefully I'll get a chance to make a video soon. These are some pics I have on hand, but my bf has most of them. Enjoy!

This is the first day that we got him! He was so tiny! I wish he stayed that small sometimes.

He had one floppy ear because scabs weighed it down. The vet said it was from his siblings chewing on it! :( He was the runt.

A little bigger and prancing around! He looked like a mini fox running around!

Bagel does this weird thing where he leans over the edge of a cough or bed with his butt straight up in the air all the time!

Tagged: My Beauty Secrets

I was tagged by Aya to reveal my beauty secrets!

Foundation:
After testing Everday Minerals, I think I like it much better than my Maybelline Mineral Power foundation. I think I'm Golden Medium with a hint of Light Olive.

Mascara:
Currently, it's Max Factor Lash Perfection in waterproof. My tube is running low and I'm wondering if there is a better Holy Grail mascara for me. I'm on the look out...

Blush:
Ah, it's hard to name just one! I love my Bourjois blush in Rose D'Or, but lately I've been going with more peachy shades and I'm digging my MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Joyous. Also, Milani in Luminous.

Eyeshadow:
Milani Runaway Eyes Wet/Dry in Leaf Green! I love green shadow. MAC in Jardin Aires pigment. I just use it to give my eyes a neutral sparkle.

Day Cream:
Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion. Light, nongreasy, and affordable!

Lipstick:
MAC in Stroke of Lust, though, I prefer a balm or non-sticky gloss.

Beauty Product Brand:
I'd have to say MAC for overall, but I love Maybelline for drugstores.

Essential Beauty Product:
Eyelash curler! It opens up my eye so much! Even on a lazy day, I use a curler.

Favorite Beauty Product:
Blush, highligthers, and all-over colors! I just love 'em!

Perfume:
Gucci Envy Me and Hilary Duff With Love (Don't judge me. With Love actually smells very clean and girly. Most people like it until they find out who it's by!)

Nails:
OPI It's All Greek to Me, thanks to Trinh!! It's hot pink with red shimmer, yum!

Feet:
PedEgg anyone? For some reason, I always watch infomercials. And I saw it all Walgreens and had to try it. It's a lot easier to use than a pumice stone, I think.

Hands:
I use Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme. I like Nivea a lot!

Three Products to Bring on a Deserted Island:
Food, sunscreen, and plane to get me back home, lol. I don't want to be stuck on a deserted island! I don't think I could survive like Tom Hanks in Castaway. "Wilson! Wilson!" That part is so sad...

Woman I Adore for Her Beauty:
Despite her crazy relationship with Tom, I love Katie Holmes. She has this natural yet glamorous beauty about her. I also think Kate Bosworth, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Alba are pretty.

Woman With the Best Sense of Style:
Jennifer Aniston is so classy and simple. I love her style for being sophisticated. I adore Mandy Moore too. She always have very flattering outfits. Her clothes fit her extremely well and I love the fact she does prints!

My Ultimate Dream (but I do not believe in selling my soul to the devil for it):
Not only become a dentist, but an oral surgeon! Also, that my family is well taken care. And, maybe an unlimited cash flow to buy tons of makeup and all the clothes I want so I never have to wear the same outfit twice!

How Do I Define Womanhood:
Being and staying true to who you are.

My Favorite Fashion Publication:
I get Star Magazine weekly, lol! I like to see all the outfits that different celebrities wear and read some dirty rumors. It's quite entertaining, actually. Otherwise I would say, Cosmo or Allure.

Summer Ready Tips

I thought I would share some tips to help you prepare for summer beauty!

* The sun tends to dry out your strands, so invest in a leave-in conditioner to keep your locks hyrdated. Also, look for one that has UV filters that way you can also protect it from becoming brittle.

* Take a break from heat styling and if you have to, always use a heat protectant.

* If you have color in your hair, look for a color protector creme to help it from fading.

* Not only use sunscreen on your face, but your neck, arms, and legs as well. Age spots and skin cancer can form anywhere.

* Want slimmer looking legs? Use a lotion that has a subtle self-tanner around your calves to give it more contour and definition. You can also use a shimmer powder to accentuate certain parts of your legs.

* For a dewy glow, opt for a tinted moisturizer and all-over color rather than traditional foundation and/or powder. Then, use a facial mist to set it. If you wear MMU, try applying it wet. Also use blotting sheets to control oil and shine.

* Use waterproof eye makeup. If you happen to "glisten," you don't want your makeup to start smearing and melting off.

* Start using an eye cream and wear sunglasses. Whether you notice it or not, you tend to squint more in the summer. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

* Don't forget to protect your lips! Use a lip balm with SPF.

* Exfoliate your body and use a good lotion to keep your skin looking and feeling smooth & soft.

* Once a week, slice a chilled cucumber and use it as a mask. Cucumbers are filled with water, vitamin E, and natural oils that soften and hydrate your skin. Around the eyes, it will help with any puffiness.

* Drink lots of water and exercise! When you feel good, you look good!

Review: Everyday Minerals

I've seen and heard so much about Everyday Minerals that I finally had to see for myself. I received some samples before but none of the shades matched my skintone. So, I got some more samples and I'm still kind of unsure of my shade. A common issue I've heard about EDM is that there might not be a color for you. While they do offer a large variety of shades, I know some have still struggled to find their exact color. Your best bet is to mix shades to create a custom blend. Finally after mix and matching, I think Light could potentially be my winter color, where as my summer color is a mix of Light Olive and Golden Medium. It took me a while to figure this out, but EDM is pretty generous with their samples so I've had plenty of product to play with. If you can't find your shade at first, don't get discouraged and try mixing.

EDM is a very finely milled powder. It has a velvet smooth texture and is not chalky at all. It's so fine, it's almost creamy when you blend it into your skin. There is no cakey or heavy feeling when building coverage. I like my Maybelline Mineral Power Loose Powder Foundation, but EDM has a much creamier application and I prefer that. I think the more high-quality the product, the more creamy the foundation tends to be.

I have tried formulas in Original Glo, Intensive, and Matte. I thought I chose a sample with Semi-matte, but I must have missed clicked when ordering, so I have yet to try it. I did not like Original Glo. I think it's too sparkly for me. I think it was more shimmery than actual glow. I like to wear highlighters, so with this formula I looked like a disco ball. Intensive is slightly heavier in feeling than the other formulas but provides more coverage. Of the 3 formulas, I liked Matte the best, but I found it to be almost too plain. When I mixed some Original Glo with Matte, I had great success! I wasn't overly shimmery or too blank looking. I'm guessing that I will like the Semi-matte formula the best.

I also tried the Spring concealer which was much too dark for me. The Multi-tasking concealer is totally awesome! I don't like using MMU for my under eyes, but I love it for concealing acne scars. It works so well and I would definitely recommend this concealer.

I got two blushes in All Smiles and Girl's Day. All Smiles is a matte bright peachy shade while Girl's Day is orange rust shade with gold shimmer. I don't think I would use Girl's Day as a blush, but more as an all-over color for summer. The blushes are highly pigmented and a little will go a long way. Since you only need so little to achieve a perfect flush, the sample they send is a lot for application. It's nice for on the go travel and touch ups.

If you haven't already bought or tried Everyday Minerals (though I'm sure you have), I'd recommend that you least try their sample kit for about $4 shipped. The samples are very generous and you get plenty of uses. It's very affordable and inexpensive when you purchase a custom kit. I would say the quality is superior than your regular drugstore MMU and perhaps even Bare Minerals. I know some people break out from Bare Minerals due to the bismuth oxychloride. You should be happy to know, EDM does not use this ingredient. I'd say the two are very comparable in terms of product quality, but EDM has the edge due to its' consumer friendly prices.

Free shu uemura Mini Curler

I've read on several forums and Jie-jie's blog about an awesome shu uemura promotion on their website. With any purchase without minimum, you will receive free shipping, a free mini curler ($17), and a free deluxe sample! All you have to do is enter code SHUBABES during checkout. The offer is only until May 21, 2008 or while supplies last. Note that it will appear on your order after it's been submitted. Get on it ladies! Looks like it's going fast because the site was being bombarded earlier today.

I ended up buying a mini curler for myself and the free one goes to my sister. Two curlers for only $17! Now that's a steal! I noticed that the cheapest stuff, like sponges and powder applicators ($5) are sold out because people are just looking to get the free curler without buying something large in cost.

Image Credits: ShuUemura-USA.com

Free Smashbox Gift

Smashbox is offering a FREE highlighter quad at your local Nordstrom! The gift is only available while supplies lasat from May 16-18, 2008 with a beauty consultation. Click here and print your certificate coupon. Hope you're able to scoop one up! :)

Image Credits: Smashbox.com

Summer Day Look Challenge

Rather than have my traditional giveaway, I'm going to hold a challenge giveaway this time. To enter, I am asking that you submit a Summer Day Look! One winning look will win a Too Faced Love Lisa Beauty Battle Box! It is an adorable makeup box kit filled with 4 shimmery shadows, 2 beautiful lip glosses, and 2 gorgeous blush/highlighters! It can be seen at Sephora.com and valued at $32.50!

Please read the rules below carefully:

* You must be an active beauty blogger (ABB, etc.) or YouTube guru.
* There will be 1 winner to receive the prize indicated.
* Looks must reflect the season of summer! Interpretations are open.
* Use any and all products that you have; drugstore, high-end, whatever!
* Looks will be judged on creativity, wearability, and theme reflection.
* Looks must be an entire face, not just the eyes alone.
* List all the products that you use to create your look.
* Provide detailed pictures of the eyes and at least 1 full face shot.
* Format can be video, blog post, tutorial, and/or pictures alone.
* Only 1 entry per person with a valid email address.
* Entries must be submitted by Friday, May 30 at 11:59 PM EST.

I'm testing out this new thing for giveaways and contests seen below. There is an entry box. All you need to do is leave the link to your post or video in the Entry Link field, along with your name and email address. If you have any questions about the rules or anything, let me know. Now let's see those looks ladies and good luck!

Image Credits: TooFaced.com

My Skincare Routine

My skincare is on a drugstore budget, so it's nothing impressive. I didn't start this until maybe 4-5 months ago. My old routine was just washing my face once a night with a cleanser. That was it. Actually, I still only wash my face once, lol, but I've added much more to my routine. Even when I did wash my face once day, I didn't really break out, but I also didn't wear much makeup. I started this routine because it's never too early to start anti-aging stuff and I'm wearing makeup more frequently, but still not everyday.

But before I reveal my routine, I'll give you some history on my skin...

Around 6th to 8th grade (puberty), I used to breakout along my hairline. It was moderately bad. I would say that was the worst acne phase for me! In high school, the acne cleared up, but then I would breakout some during my period. In undergrad and presently, my skin has stayed relatively clear. I get an occasional pimple, usually around my chin or like upper lip. Also, I have not and do not take any oral meds for acne.

Other things to note, I did not wear any makeup in high school. I really had no reason to as I attended an all-girl high school. No one really wore makeup until the weekend, but even then I didn't. I didn't really start wearing makeup until mid-college and when I started, it was with mineral makeup and not traditional powders or foundations. Again, I do not wear makeup everyday, meaning I do not wear foundation everyday. This may be why I don't really breakout that often. I wear foundation a couple times a week, if that really. I'm really laid-back and partially lazy to do a full face everyday.

So this is my routine, starting at NIGHT:

I wash my face with Olay Foaming Face Wash. I've been using this for years. This product was my routine, until I started adding the things below. It makes my face ultra soft and never leaves it dry. If you're looking for a plain gentle cleanser, I recommend this. I've used Neutrogena, Dove, Biore, Dior, etc. but this is my all-time favorite.

I tone with Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner or Reuben's Remedies Rose Water Toner. I got the rose water toner from Marshalls and I really like it! I've been looking for a rose water based toner for a while. I just randomly found it and I tried to google, but I found nothing about this company or product. However, Nivea is an excellent toner! It's really refreshing and not at all drying. Best of all, it's extremely affordable for around $5.

I moisturize (PM) with Nivea Creme. I bought it because I read it was similar to the very pricey, Creme de La Mer. I mentioned this in my Drugstore Staples post. If you google it, many comparisons will come up. I've never used CDM so I can't compare it myself, but I can say I like Nivea Creme! I used to have dry spots, but no more! When I wake up, my skin is never dry and I really don't need to put on AM moisturizer (I do anyway, but not all the time). However, it's really thick and little goes a long way. It also makes your face look a little greasy, but that's gone in the morning after absorbing.

I use Ponds Age DefEye eye cream. I tried to find the product on their website, but it's no where to be found. I'm guessing it's discontinued. I think it's more for decreasing puffiness and dark circles than for anti-aging. It works alright but since people use CDM as an eye cream too, I might just start using that after I finish this. But I am interested in finding a product specifically for the eye, so any recommendations?

The next morning, I just wash my face with water. No cleanser. Just a splash of water to wake myself up and get any sleep out of my eyes (eww!).

I moisturize (AM) with Clean & Clear Morning Glow or Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Lotion. Sometimes, I just skip this step because Nivea Creme works so well! I use the Morning Glow when I wear no makeup because the luminzer brightens my face and it's very light. Use Olay when I wear makeup, because I don't want to look overly shimmery in the end. Both have SPF 15, very lighweight, and absolutely non-greasy.

On top of my moisturizer, I try to apply my Neutrogena Healthy Defense Sunscreen (SPF 45) everyday. Even though my moisturizer has SPF 15, it's just not enough in Florida. Sun protection is essential for healthy skin. Without it, you can get sunspots, skin cancer, and just overall aging of the skin. I can get lazy, so I don't put it on everyday like I should. I think I developed freckles over the years since I was a kid. Living in Florida all my life, I used to play in the sun all the time and never wore sunscreen. I was extremely tan at one point and I mean TAN! There's a good chance I wouldn't have freckles if I wore sunscreen. I wish I did now...

Then about once a week, I do an aspirin mask and use my Dove SkinVitalizer. This is basically to exfoliate and renew my skin. Details of that can be since in my previous post about aspirin masks. I think I may start doing it 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks to act as an at-home microdermabrasion solution. I treat any pimples with aspirin too. Use drops of water to crush a uncoated tablet and apply. I also use Ambi Fade Cream or Bio-Oil to fade my acne scars.

And that's it!

Heatherette Trio 1 Look

I know the Heatherette hype is gone now, but I must have played with this trio a million times and I could never get anything out of it. Since I couldn't figure out a look, I never got around to posting it. This trio was really hard for me to use. The pink shade is very pale and black shadows have never suited me. The blue made look kind of clownish. It was just really difficult.

This is what I came up with and I semi-like it. I know there are a lot of smokey eye looks because of the black shadow, but I can't really pull off smokey and I wanted to do something different. Again, I wish I could provide better pictures but my outdated camera sucks. I think it looks better in person than in the pictures :P And if I look a little off color, it's because I think my foundation is too light now with summer around the corner.

What I used using Heatherette Trio 1:
* White shimmery pencil (base)
* Hoppin' (inner half)
* Mood Ring (outer half)
* Cloudburst as eyeliner
* MAC pigment in Jardin Aires (highlight)
* No mascara :)

Face & lip:
* Maybelline Mineral Power in Natural Ivory
* EDM blush in All Smiles (super pigmented, whoa!)
* Wet 'n Wild lipstick in Pink Lemonade

Haul: MAC, KLS, Wet 'n Wild

This is a haul post of things I've gotten recently in the past week or so. I don't plan on doing a review on any of the products. Unless you absolutely need me to, then comment or email me.

I did check out the new MAC Naughty Nauticals collection and purchased 3 pigments. I didn't get any lippies or potted shadows. I liked them, but I didn't think I needed them. Lippies worth looking are Love Knot and Port Red. From the potted shadows, I liked Shore Leave and Meet the Fleet. As for the pigments, I got Lark About, Mutiny, and Bell-bottom Blue. I will probably go back and get Lovely Lily.

I also got through MAC online (no counter had any), Fafi Iridescent Powders in Verve-acious and Belightful. I got Sassed-up when Fafi first came out, but didn't get the other two. But since I decided that my favorite type of products are blushes, highlighters, and all-over colors, I had to get them before they're gone. I'm really happy I got these.

After seeing Nic's Wet 'n Wild lipsticks, I thought I would give them a try too. I got one MegaColors Lipstick in Pink Lemonade and one Wild Shine Lip Lacquer in Enamored. Their formulas are fantastic being super creamy and decently pigmented. I believe the MegaColors is $1.99 and the other is $2.99 at Walgreens, which is quite inexpensive!

I love stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls. You can always find tons of good deals, especially on bags. I was browsing TJ Maxx's beauty section and I found several Kimora Lee Simmons makeup items. They were all under $5! I got a Beauty Powder Highlighter in Chocolate Souffle. It's a bit dark, but I think a touch here and there will work great as a bronzer or for contouring. I also got two shadows in Red Carpet Ruby and Amazing Amethyst.

And that concludes my haul. More shopping ventures to come!

Eyelid Tape Shadow Techniques

This is an update, as promised, about applying shadow with eyelid tape. I put 3 pieces of tape on my arm, did different techniques of applying shadow, and then rubbed them vigorously!

* Shadow UNDER the tape. There is no shadow on top of the tape whatsoever. The color is visible and vibrancy will depend on how much you apply on your lid before applying tape. The tape does not lose its' strength or ability to stick because of the shadow. It still displays the same durability. No worries about shadow coming off, since it's under the tape.

* Cream all-over pencil as a base and applied shadow, all ON the tape directly. This has a very vibrant color and not a lot of shadow is needed. After being rubbed, much of the shadow was still there.

* Shadow ON tape directly. No base, nothing underneath the tape. This does not show as brightly as without the base. You need to apply a bit more shadow for it to show. There was a tint of color after being rubbed.

I first swiped each swatch softly and nothing really came off. There was shadow on my finger, but it still looked the same to me. I did not see a visual difference with a soft swipe. Then I rubbed hard back and forth with my finger 10+ times. Most of us don't rub our eyeshadows like crazy, so this was like an extreme test to show true shadow lasting ability.

I think your best bet is to apply makeup under the tape. If you want the color to be bright, you will probably need to use a bit more shadow. But since the tape is still over it, it does look a little dullish. In turn, you don't have to worry about it coming off or fading. The tape with the cream base looks more like real shadow on a lid and doesn't look dull. You can even see the "realness" in the picture compared to the others. It doesn't come off easily either. Again, I rubbed it toughly, so I don't think you'll experience shadow coming off with regular wear. The tape with shadow directly on it suffered the most. I wouldn't recommend it.

I have applied gel eyeliner ON the tape to conceal it a bit and it stays on well without smudging or fading. I've never experience any problem doing so. I think applying gel eyeliner ON the tape directly is safe, but not shadow alone (unless with base). I would not recommend pencil or liquid eyeliner ON the tape either.

I hope this answers any questions you have about applying makeup with eyelid tape. I would love to see some pictures of you guys trying out tape and hearing your experience with it!!

Tagged: 6 Quirks About Me

I was tagged by the Muse and Nic Nic to reveal 6 quirks about myself.

1. I have a really bad habit of popping gum bubbles loudly in public. I guess my mouth is bored, I just start blowing and popping bubbles. I suppose it's one thing to just pop them, but mine always makes a large sound. Like I used to get looks in class from other students because I was disturbing them. I hadn't noticed until a friend pointed it out to me, now I try to control it but sometimes it still slips my mind.

2. I pick under my nails constantly. I always have a nail clipper that has a file on it. You know that pointy curved tip on the end of the file? I dig it under my nails to clean out dirt or whatever is in there all the time. If I don't have that handy, I use my other nails to do it. I know it sounds gross, but I like my nails to look clean. I've been doing it since I was like in grade school! I also have naturally white tips and people always think I'm lying when I say that's the actual color and not a french manicure. Maybe it has something to do with me picking under them constantly :P

3. I don't like things touching my throat, neck area because I feel like I'll choke or something. When I go to sleep, I wear like a huge oversized shirt so the collar doesn't bother me in the night. Like someone tried to check my pulse on my neck once and I freaked out, lol. I guess I'm scared of being choked. I don't know what else to call it.

4. I am a very picky fruit eater. I only eat Fuji apples, red grapes, oranges/tangerines/tangelos, pineapples, sometimes strawberries, sometimes cherries, and sometimes watermelon with Sprite. I do not eat another other type of fruit like kiwi, bananas, any other melon, pears, peaches, etc. and especially tart fruits. I might start eating bananas because I read if you eat lot of those in your diet, you're more likely to have a boy in pregnancy, lol. Not that I want children at the moment (I'm not even thinking about marriage), but much much later in the future, I want boys. I am weird, huh?

5. Because my boyfriend is car and sports enthusiast, I probably know a lot more about those subjects than your average girl. For instance, did you know that Archie Griffin is the only player to ever win the Heisman award twice? Or that the BMW M series stripe colors are named after famous race tracks? Did you know that if you see a recent Benz with an AMG badge but doesn't have dual-quad exhaust, it's a fake? All AMGs have dual-quad exhausts. Everyday I hear ESPN Sports Center on TV in the background, everyday.

6. I prefer vodka over any other type of alcohol. I haven't had a drink in a while, but when I do, it's gotta be vodka. I cannot stand tequila, whiskey, or rum. I definitely cannot drink beer! I can't do it! I've never finished an entire bottle/can of beer in my life. Even if my life depended on it, I don't think I could finish a beer. I will just spit it back out. I prefer straight shots of vodka with chaser or a mixed vodka drink. I also have never gotten sick from alcohol, even being extremely intoxicated. I've definitely been hung over with a headache, but I have never physically thrown up after drinking.

Liquid Eyeliner Tips

I got a request about liquid eyeliner tips. To be honest, I'm really not the best at it myself. But here are some common and general tips. Hope it's helpful.

* If you're a beginner, you should practice on a bare eye. It would suck to create a beautiful shadow look and mess it up with liner. You'd basically have to start over. After you create the line, do your shadow normally, and then trace over the already drawn line again. Once you've mastered the technique of lining, you can then do it traditionally and do your shadows first, then liner.

* Avoid doing one swoop. Break it up into sections, whether it's 3 (middle, outer, inner, in that order) or lots of little dashes to make one continuous line. Also, apply it as close to your lash line as possible.

* Don't tug your eye to form a straight lash line to follow. It doesn't follow your natural line at all. It will look goofy.

* If you don't have a steady hand, place your elbow on a counter for stability.

* Create a thin line and gradually build to a thicker. If you start thick, you won't be able to make it thinner without starting over. And remember, less is more with makeup.

* Q-tips are your best friend for small mistakes. Wet one end of a q-tip with makeup remover and press it over the error for 10 seconds. Then, gently swipe at the mistake and use the clean end to remove any residue.

* Do not line your bottom lash line with liquid liner! Always use a pencil.

* Let your liner dry before opening your eye all the way or applying mascara. Also, choose a waterproof formula to avoid smudging.

* Liquid eyeliner is most accurately applied with a fine, thin brush. Avoid sponged-tipped liners. Felt-tip pens are great for beginners.

Product suggestions: Lancome Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner is considered one of the best liquid liners in the industry, but pricey at $28 a pop. I haven't tried it myself, but I hear Cover Girl LineExact pen is pretty good for $7~ at drugstores. I really like Maybelline Ultra Liner in waterproof also for about $7~ at drugstores. I know many girls love and rave about it.

Image Credits: Google Search

Q & A: Eyelid Tape

I'm just going to answer some specifically asked and general questions about eyelid tape. I also want to clarify that I like and prefer my monolids. I do not use to tape to look more "American," because I'm ashamed of my Asian eyes, or to form permanent double-lids. I use tape once in a while, like maybe 1-2 times a month, just to change up my look.

I provided the tutorial for informational purposes only. It is NOT an advertisement of me trying to convince monolidders to get double-lids for the sake of beauty! I only bring this up because I noticed that my blog is linked on a forum regarding my eyelid tape tutorial. There some comments about how they think it's sad that Asian women try to get double-lids. I just want to address this issue and ask, why does it matter if someone wants double-lids? Why is it so sad? If it's going to make someone feel better about herself, who are you to pass judgment? I'm not saying people shouldn't embrace who they are, but maybe it's a self-esteem booster. Maybe people feel more beautiful and why should someone be denied that right?

I know Tyra Banks has done an episode on her show about how Asian women try to become more westernized by getting double-lid surgery. She put such a negative spin on it. I'm not advocating that people get plastic surgery, but that's their choice and you shouldn't judge them for it. I mean, how is it any different than someone dying their hair or using colored contacts or even using makeup?? Isn't it all to enhance your appearance? Who are you enhancing it for? Hopefully, for yourself and not society.

So, that's just my little rant. And if you ever have anything negative to say about me or what I post on MY blog, do it directly to my email or don't comment at all. HATERS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE nor are they welcome at my fellow bloggers' blogs.

And moving on. Hopefully, I've answered all your questions you may have about eyelid tape. If not, please let me know and I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability.

Q1: How well does the tape stay on?

A1: Pretty well, as long as you don't plan on immersing yourself in a large body of water. It should last you the whole day. The tape is very durable.

Q2: Can you feel the tape when you blink? How comfortable is it? What does it feel like?

A2: No, I can't feel the tape when I blink