Mandoo Galore

I thought I would do my first food post just for fun :) And I thought this was kind of funny.

Mandoo means dumpling in Korean. Every so often, my family including my aunts will help make mandoo. Everyone helps because mandoo is very tedious to make. You have to ensure it's properly sealed so it doesn't burst when you boil it. However, when my family makes mandoo, we make TONS of it so we can split it. After I made a good 50 or so, I was over making mandoo (seriously, it gets very tiring) and I headed to my room. I came out later, walked into my kitchen and this is what I saw...

LOL! Is that not alot of mandoo or what!? And truth is, those are the ones already boiled and cooked! When I took these pictures, they were STILL making mandoo and were platters of mandoo getting ready to be cooked. I guess I'll be having all kinds of mandoo dishes this week, lol. Most are regular pork/beef mandoo, but some have kimchi in them.

And now, time to go eat some! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

FOTD: Pinkberry

I'm going to call this my first, official FOTD. My previous looks I've done lack the F (face) part, since I usually just show my eyes. I don't post FOTDs or looks often, because I don't wear eyeshadow often. My face is bare almost everyday or you would get a picture with hardly visible blush, some mascara, maybe foundation, and gloss. That's really not FOTD material unless you want to see my blush color change from day to day. However, I will make more of an effort to do FOTDs from now on.

And today's is nothing special. It's just a soft pink and purple look that I'm calling Pinkberry :P I've been sporting it around the house! That's right, I did a full face of makeup just for around the house. Maybe I'll go to my local wannabe Pinkberry and show it off, lol.

Face:
* Everyday Minerals foundation in Light Olive (semi-matte)
* Everyday Minerals concealer in Multi-tasking
* Ultima II Glowmotion transculent powder in Light to Medium
* MAC Fafi blush in Hipness

Eyes:
* MAC paint pot in Perky (base)
* MAC eyeshadow in In Living Pink (bottom half)
* LA Colors palette in Wine & Roses (top half)
* L'oreal HiP cream eyeliner in Black (top)
* Milani eyeliner in Cocoa (bottom)
* Max Factor Volume Couture waterproof mascara

Lips:
* MAC Tendertone in Sweet Tooth

Tarte Friends & Family Sale

Starting today, Tarte is having a Friends & Family Sale with 40% off your purchase!! Just enter code FF08 (that's a zero) to get your huge discount!! You better hurry though, it's only valid for 4 days from July 24-27, 2008.

Pretty Politics

Stila has teamed up with Rock the Vote to empower women to vote! They have created a limited edition lipstick so you look gorgeous as you cast your vote on November 4th. Rock the Vote Red, a powerful red shade, is available for $17. Of course, a percentage of sales will go to Rock the Vote to help mobilize young adults to vote.

If you aren't registered to vote, I urge you to register!! It's really important that you vote and your voice is heard. There are many, many issues at hand and you need to help pick the right leader for the next 4 years.

Click on the image below to register, right here and right now!!

Review: Beautyblender

Beautyblender is one of the latest makeup tool innovations. It's supposed to be the ultimate tool to apply makeup, giving you an airbrush look and a flawless finish. Many celebrities have been "blended" including Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Carmen Electra, and Tyra Banks to list a few.

What is Beautyblender?
Beautyblender is actually a sponge, but a very special kind of sponge that's latex-free, ordorless, and hypoallergenic. It's not your typical wedge that you dispose of after use. It's a bright pink, elliptically-shaped sponge like that of a rain drop. It was created to apply any kind of makeup from foundation to eyeshadow. It's unique design allows for even application and can reach the difficult areas such as around the nose. And what makes this sponge extra special is the fact it's reusable for up to 1 year with Beautycleanser.

How do you use Beautyblender?
Well, it's best used damp as directed (and from experience). The sponge swells up to about twice its' size when wet. You don't smear or wipe on makeup, but rather bounce the sponge around. Essentially, you stipple your foundation or blush. You can also use the small ended tip for under eye concealing.

What else can Beautyblender be used for?
You can use it to apply a self-tanning lotion without any streaks or precise acne spot treatments. When used with your facial cleanser, it can be a makeup remover. You can smudge your eyeliner or create smoky eye looks.

After using my Beautyblender, I can say that it really does do a great job of applying foundation evenly. I used my Everyday Minerals foundation and just stippled it on. I was skeptical at first about using a sponge for loose mineral foundation, but I was very impressed with the application. It instantly blends in with your skin without the fuss of buffing and doesn't feel cakey. Plus, because the sponge is slightly wet, I get a very dewy, glowing finish.

Beautyblender has fantastic pick up power, which I thought would be bad. I'd think the sponge would want to soak up and hold on the makeup, but it releases makeup with a simple bounce. This also means that you won't really be wasting makeup because it's stuck on the applicator. Beautyblender allows for seamless transfer. The small ended tip makes it very easy to apply foundation around my nose and applies my concealer nicely. I actually prefer to apply concealer with Beautyblender rather than a brush now.

Although it does what it claims, I find it a bit tiresome to stipple my entire face. It's not like a brush that I just quickly sweep and buff. It takes more effort and much more time to bounce this little sponge, making sure I stipple every part of my face. I think I added a good 5 minutes to my application time with the Beautyblender. It just gets tedious after a while, even though it does result in a very smooth, even finish. You can also use Beautyblender dry, but it's best when wet which maximizes the size to reach a larger area with each bounce. However, best when wet means that it's not best for travel and on-the-go. It's just not practical to carry a damp sponge in a ziplock bag with you.

To be honest, I find it slightly inconvenient to wash it after each use. With a brush, you can get away with using it a few times before washing it. The sponge is visibly dirty especially when using multiple products with it and you'd definitely want a clean applicator for the next use. So, at least it keeps you hygienic as many of us are lazy about washing our brushes regularly. However, it is recommended you use the Beautycleanser solution and not regular soap to clean it. Beautycleanser is an environmentally friendly, soy based cleanser formulated to maintain the integrity of your Beautyblender.

Beautyblender is without a doubt better than your average sponge and maybe even your favorite brush, and only runs you $20 a pop. $20 is relatively inexpensive compared to a handmade MAC brush, but you have to buy Beautycleanser which is $18 a bottle. A duo pack of both will cost you $35. If you run out of the cleanser, you'd have to buy another and eventually you'll have to dispose of your sponge. So, the cost does add up which might be a deal breaker. Keep in mind though, it is versatile and can be used to apply all sorts of makeup, not just foundation.

Product: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Cost: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

www.bellacupcake.com

I decided it was time for my blog to get a makeover. As you can see, I've changed the layout and design of my blog. I hope you enjoy it and find it easy to navigate! I'm sorry if you received a message saying you weren't invited to my blog. It was because I made the blog only visible to me while updating, but it is now completely accessible.

And not only has the look of my blog changed, but the domain as well! You can now access my blog at www.bellacupcake.com! If you enter through my previous blogspot address, you will be redirected. Redirection along with feed updates will take a few days to work properly. Please be patient and update me on your blogrolls, readers, and bookmarks!! You can now email gee@bellacupcake.com as well.

Also, thank you to all my readers for your support!

Haul: Sonic Chic & New View

If you recall, I put myself on a shopping ban a month of ago to the date. And the ban has officially ended! I can honestly say I did not buy anything during the ban. It takes quite a bit of discipline, but I'm glad I did it. I know I saved a good chunk of change. I think a ban is no longer necessary because I realized how excessive I was being and changed my ways. It's all about self-control and I think from this haul, you will see that I'm not the same shopper I once was.

A few days ago, 3 new collections came out for MAC. Everyone's been waiting for Electroflash so I had to see what the fuss was about. Well, the duos were very beautiful, but I didn't pick up any. I really don't wear eyeshadow often (you can tell from my lack of FOTDs). I have plenty of shadows that I don't use enough as is and I didn't want to add to it. Though, duos that were particularly appealing to me were Fresh Green Mix, Love Connection, and Two to Glow.

The Sonic Chic collection was of my greatest interest. 9 gorgeous face colors, how could I resist, especially after not buying anything for a month! They were all so gorgeous and I ended up walking away with only ONE! I got Dainty, a dusty pink with gold shimmer which gives it a peach undertone. I was able to swatch all the colors and some are definitely more pigmented than others. I believe Merrily is extremely pigmented as was Love Joy. I almost got Nuance too, a pretty golden peach. I only got one because I am going to get an advanced brush set from the Nordstrom Colour Forums collection and maybe one of the highlighters later this month. However, I am really lemming Gleeful, Gentle, and Warmed Soul. I think I might just get 1 more to feel satisfied, lol :P

I have never tried any Mineralize Skinfinishes, so I was curious to see the New View collection. I know many girls rave about MSFs so I picked up one in Light Medium. Like others have reported, the duo is not split evenly and contains less shimmer. I think the duo is a great idea since you can customize the amount of shimmer with each use. So far, I really like it.

So that's all I got --1 blush and 1 MSF. Actually, I also got a Select Moisturecover concealer in NW25 for my under eyes and that's it!

Spinlash Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone that entered the Spinlash Giveaway! I enjoyed reading everyone's response to the question. It seems several of you use Vaseline as a conditioner and primer for the lashes. While some mentioned using shu or Shiseido, many of you use a Revlon curler. Also, heating the curler was a very popular method. I suggest you read through some of the entries as there are lots of tips and ideas to be learned! Again, thank you for participating and reading my blog!

The winners are Lisa L., Fatima A., and Chrissy D.

Congratulations to them! I know this particular giveaway was only open to US residents, but not to worry, I will have future giveaways that include international readers as well. Another giveaway is coming very soon so don't forget to check back later! :)

Haul: MAC Neo Sci-Fi, Solar Field, & Tendertones

This is my MAC haul from before my ban, but never got around to posting it. I actually waited a while to purchase when these summer collections debuted because I was sick at the time and wasn't all that interested in it. As you probably know, it's packaged in an extremely gaudy orange. It's so bright, it's nearly blinding! However, it is really easy to spot them in my makeup bag and what not.

Neo Sci-Fi
I got one of the five lipsticks in Pleasureseeker. It's a very gorgeous nudey, peach shade. I have to neutralize my lips using concealer to bring out the color. If I don't, it really doesn't do much for me except add a hint of shimmer to the lips. I also got both blushes in Spaced Out and X-Rocks. Spaced Out is a shimmery peach shade. Unlike my other peach toned blushes, there is no pink undertone. I like it better in the pot than applied. I feel like it sometimes has me looking orange. X-Rocks looks very brown in the pot, but applies more mauve. It's the darkest blush shade I own, as most of mine are pink and peach toned. You also have to be light handed with it.

Solar Field
I only got a bronzing powder in Solar Riche. It reminds of Heatherette Beauty Powder in Harmony but a bit more pigmented. I liked Refined Golden better, but didn't bother since it's a repromote. By the time I went and checked out the collection, all the Solar Bits were completely sold out except for one. I may end up getting one from online as they do look interesting.

Tendertones
I only got one of these too! I picked up one in Sweet Tooth. The in the pot color is a bright coral peach shade with white or silver shimmer. Applied on, you can barely see a color if any. It's very, very sheer, but I love the shine it gives me. It's also not sticky compared to the lipglasses. It feels very light and moisturizing. This is definitely my favorite item from this haul. Depending if they have any left at my MAC, I think I might get Pucker and Hush Hush too.

Review: Thevi Cosmetics

I was recently introduced to a new line of makeup specifically designed for women of color and ethnicity. Thevaki Thambirajah of Sri Lankan descent, wanted makeup that fulfilled to her needs, both suiting shades and formulas. In doing so, she created Thevi Cosmetics which offers natural makeup with a range of colors for women of different backgrounds.

It is less than often that you see brands that cater to women who are Asian, Mediterranean, Hispanic, etc. It is very refreshing to see Thevi Cosmetics enter the market and provide makeup for ethnic women.

Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 8
This powder comes in a beautiful sleek, mirror-like compact. Inside is a mirror and a sponge applicator (which I don't recommend using unless you frequently change it for sanitary purposes). It is very silky, fine powder. It is matte and does not contain any kind of shimmer. It applies and blends extremely well, however, I found coverage to be minimal. It essentially evened out my skintone. I did try to pack it on and build coverage, but the formula makes for a very light application. I would say that it only provides light coverage. It's great for lazy or get up and go days. I think this is much more suitable as a finishing or oil control powder. I used it for touch ups when my face was getting a little oily and it worked like a charm!

What I'm most thrilled about is that the color is my exact match! The shade is in Tender and matches me perfectly! With other powders or foundations, I have to ensure I'm buffing and blending enough because the color is so concentrated. Again, this applies lightly, but blends instantly into my skin. It evened out my complexion without effort. My only qualm is the $30 price tag. The only thing that comforts me is that it's mineral and there are hardly any pressed mineral powders on the market.

Sheer Matte Blush
This also come packaged in a nice mirror-like finish case. The compact is quite small and thin. This is the smallest blush I own. What it lacks in size, it makes up in pigmentation. This little blush is very pigmented, yielding a wonderful faux flush. It's a silky powder with a matte finish, as the name implies. I love the matte finish because it's very natural. Though I love my shimmery blushes, it's not as subtle. I only own but one matte blush, so this is a great addition. The color is Whisper Apricot and gorgeous! It looks like a muted rosy brown in the compact, but applies with a strong peach tone. I think the word apricot is the fitting description. Like the pressed powder, this is slightly pricey at $22 for .12 oz of product.

Overall, I like both products and what Thevi Cosmetics represents. My only issue is that the prices are slightly steep like that of other high-end cosmetics such as NARS and Benefit. While the products are decent, I don't see myself shelling out so much for it when I could get a more notable brand. However, the concept behind Thevi Cosmetics is worth taking a gander.

Review: Bourjois Pastel Joues Blush

When I had my Blushing Giveaway, I had mentioned my favorite blush was Bourjois in Rose D'or and was asked to review it. My apologies for it being posted so late.

Bourjois Pastel Joues is available at Ulta for $14. It comes in a cute little round pot with a mirror and brush. The color of the pot also matches the blush shade. It only comes with 2.5 grams or .08 oz, while a MAC blush comes with 6 grams or .21 oz for $18. In terms of cost, Bourjois is slightly pricey for the amount you get. However, I still like this little blusher.

This actually happens to be a baked blush and so, the texture is extremely velvety. It has a very silky and satiny feel to it. It's the most unique and softest texture blush I have. I would even describe this as a luxurious feeling blush. It just applies so smoothly and softly.

The color is quite pigmented and you don't need much to achieve a flush. I believe some have shimmer, while others are matte. Rose D'or is a rosy pink with golden shimmer. The shade reminds me of NARS Orgasm. In certain lighting, depending how the gold shimmer reflects, it does look a little peach. However, if you were to remove the shimmer, it would be definitely pink without any peach tone.

Basically, the wonderful texture and pigmentation merits a good review in itself. The shade doesn't factor in because that's purely based on individual and personal taste. The price might off set you for the amount you receive, but it's not that bad considering the quality. For me, the texture wins me over.

Product: 5/5
Packaging: 4/5
Cost: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

Spinlash Giveaway

I said I would have another giveaway this week and here it is for the 4th of July! I know some of you have wanted to try the Spinlash, but didn't want to fork over the $15 for it. So if you're curious, hesitant, or just plain frugal like me, here's your chance to win your very own!!

If you don't know what Spinlash is or want a refresher, check out my review of it!

I have three (3) Spinlashes to giveaway to my wonderful readers! To enter, you must thoughtfully answer the following question:

* What is your eyelash beauty routine?

Your answer doesn't have to be long, but must truly answer what I'm asking. I want a descriptive answer with specific products. For example, I will accept something like, "I always use a heated lash curler because my lashes are so stubborn and follow with XYZ brand mascara because the bristles really volumize my thin lashes." I will not accept answers like, "I curl my lashes and use mascara." Any unthoughtful answers will be disqualified and not receive an entry into the drawing.

Please read the rules below carefully:

* To receive an entry, you must thoughtfully answer the question asked.
* There will be 3 winners, each to receive a 1 Spinlash.
* Giveaway is strictly open to US residents only. Sorry!
* Winners be chosen in a random drawing.
* Only 1 entry per person with a valid email address.
* Persons with multiple entries will be disqualified without warning.
* Submit your answer by Friday, July 11 at 11:59 PM EST.

Please leave your answer in the field indicated along with your name and email address. Good luck!!


Image Credits: Spinlash.com

Review: Sephora Blockbuster Palette

One of my most frequently asked questions is about my Sephora Blockbuster Palette. "How pigmented are the shadows? Do you think it's worth the money? How often do you use it?" Rather than repeat myself several times, I thought I'd do a formal review.

My palette happens to be the limited edition 2007 Holiday version. It's most likely not available in stores and it's no longer on Sephora.com. However, the Classic Blockbuster Palette is available online (and maybe in store) for $48. They also have a new limited edition Summer Blockbuster Palette for $30, containing less shadows and what not. The Classic and Holiday palettes contain the same number of items, but different shades. My Holiday palette also includes cream shadows (where the X forms). I believe the face colors are exactly the same in both and only the shadows & lip colors vary from each other.

What the Classic and Holiday palette includes:
* 64 eyeshadows
* 32 lip colors
* 7 blushes
* 1 translucent shimmer powder
* 8 applicators (4 shadow, 2 lip, 2 blush)

For $48, you get a large variety of colors and choices. It is pricey compared to the 88 shadow palette and 78 shadow/blush palette from Coastal Scents, but the Blockbuster palette contains a total of 104 colors. It is also more of a "brand name" product. The palette is a square shape with a rubbery outside feeling (like NARS or Smashbox). Inside, there is a pretty large mirror and tiers of product that slide out.

The first tier is eyeshadows. Of the 64 shadows, 16 of them are cream shadows (X). Truth be told, they're not all that creamy. They're a bit firm and don't swipe easily. Once you get them working, they're decent to use as a base. Note, that the Classic palette only has powder shadows and no creams. The remaining 48 shadows are your standard powder. They are pretty pigmented and are slightly bigger than the size of a dime. Some shadows are matte, others shimmery, and a few glittery. My color choices can basically be categorized into purples, brown & golds, greys, blues, and a couple of greens. I like the colors, but it doesn't have all the colors of the rainbow like the 88 shadow palette. I am happy with it though because 64 shadows is still plenty.

The second tier is comprised of 32 lip colors. There are some very gorgeous shades ranging from pink to deep brown to nude. Some have a very frosty finish, others semi-shimmery, and some completely matte. Some are also more pigmented than others, but I absolutely love the variety! It's fantastic, because I'm not much of a lipstick person as I am gloss and with this, I have 32 shades at hand! My only complaint is that they're not as creamy as I'd like. Being less creamy makes for difficult application. However, I don't have a proper lip brush and that contributes to the difficulty. The lip brushes provided are crap, as well as the other applicators. I figure with a good lip brush, I should have a far better time applying the lip colors. Also, I don't think they are super moisturizing either. I always apply balm first anyway, so I'm not too bugged by it. They are the same size of the shadows, slightly bigger than a dime.

The last tier is my favorite! It's 8 face colors! I may be a little bias since I'm a blush addict, but I love, love, love the blushes. It has 7 different beautiful shades! They are lightly shimmery and very pigmented. It's nice to be able to mix and match, all in one convenient palette. The last face color, really isn't a color, but a translucent shimmer powder. And it is exactly what it is named. It's just a shimmery highlight. I like it because, I don't have anything like it. All my highlights have tints of color, while this doesn't. If I use a matte blush, I can glam it up instantly with this. These are bigger than a quarter, probably more the size of the old $1 coins (not the newer, gold ones coins) if not bigger.

Overall, I love my Sephora Blockbuster Palette. It's compact and offers plenty of choices. It's great for travel, containing 3 different types products. Rather than packing several individual shadows, lipsticks, and blushes, you can just take this palette since it has a multitude of colors. Plus, it's got a good sized mirror inside. It's neatly packaged and everything is decently pigmented. It's also great for makeup beginners or those that just want variety. I mostly utilize the brown & gold shades for neutral looks and the blushes. I know some of you may not be convinced with the high $48 price tag, but this is how I think of it:

If I bought 8 MAC blushes, it would cost me cost $144. (I just noticed on the MAC site, the price increase of blush from $17.50 to $18!)

If I bought my palette for the blushes alone, it would have cost me only $6 per blush. That's relatively inexpensive compared to high-end brands and even cheaper than some drugstore (ex. Milani Luminous, $7).

It is more of a splurge item, but not nearly as expensive as buying things individually. If it's out of your budget, maybe give the 78 shadow/blush palette from Coastal Scents a try for $20. Remember though, it doesn't come with any lip colors! I've been thinking about getting one of those palettes since they're so wallet friendly, but I'm pretty satisfied with my Sephora Blockbuster Palette for now.

The Truth About Sunscreen

We all know that sunscreen is essential for good skincare and cancer prevention. The little SPF in your daily moisturizer and maybe even in your foundation doesn't really cut it. You should be using actual sunscreen daily. Perhaps do you use sunscreen, but are you really protected? What makes for a good sunscreen? And how effective is yours? Well, here's the truth about sunscreens on the market...

"In a new investigation of 952 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Leading brands were the worst offenders: None of market leader Coppertone's 41 sunscreen products met EWG's criteria for safety and effectiveness, and only 1 of 103 products from Banana Boat and Neutrogena, the second- and third-largest manufacturers, are recommended by EWG."

Did you get all those statistics?!? So from the three best selling sunscreen brands combined, only one sunscreen could be recommended! ONE.

The problem for us consumers lies with the current sun protection factor (SPF) labeling system regulated by the FDA. It was implemented 30 years ago and only measures protection from UVB rays, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburns. However, it's UVA rays that cause skin cancer. You could have a SPF 75 sunscreen, apply it daily, and still get cancer! Poor regulation by the FDA has lead to substandard sunscreen quality.

Here are some major findings from the 900+ sunscreen study:

* Only 15% of 952 products analyzed met EWG's criteria for safety and effectiveness, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation, remaining stable in sunlight, and containing few if any ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards.

* Analysis found that 7% of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and do not contain ingredient combinations known to protect from UVA, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer. FDA does not require that sunscreens guard against UVA radiation.

* Many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun, in a matter of minutes or hours, and then let UV radiation through to the skin. Analyses show that 48% of products on the market contain ingredients that may be unstable alone or in combination, raising questions about whether these products last as long as the label says. FDA has not proposed requirements for sunscreen stability.

* Many products on the market bear claims that are considered "unacceptable" or misleading under FDA's draft sunscreen safety standards. Claims like "all day protection," "mild as water," and "blocks all harmful rays" are not true, yet are found on bottles. Until FDA sets an effective date for these standards, industry is free to use hyped claims.

Bottom line, make sure your sunscreen truly provides sun protection! Here are some helpful links:

* Top 10 Sunscreens
* Common Misleading Sunscreen Claims
* Sunscreen Hazard Score
* Recommended and Non-recommended Popular Brands
* Sunscreen Hazard Scoring Methodology

The Sunscreen Hazard Score lists all 952 sunscreens used in EWG's study. Each sunscreen was tested for protection, harmful chemicals, and other criteria. A score of 0-2 indicates low hazard, 3-6 of moderate hazard, and 7-10 of high hazard. My Neutrogena sunscreen received a score of 3, while my Alba Botanica received a score of 4. Not too bad, but you know what your sunscreen scores?

Source: Cosmetic Safety Database