Thursday, October 25, 2012

BareMinerals Fall Eyes Makeup Tutorial

Fall is my favorite season with the cool air blowing on your face, the smell of pumpkin and apple at every fragrance store and makeup brands selling unique products in time for Halloween and every holiday afterwards.  I created this beauty look with fall related colors that are all in 1 eyeshadow quad.  I've had this quad for a while and was waiting for the right time to finally use it.  Check out my video on how to re-create my look.  Products used are listed below.


PRODUCTS USED:
- Rimmel London Hide the Blemish Concealer (natural beige 004)
- Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation (201 classic beige)
- Tarte emphasEYES Brow Pencil
- Tarte 12-hr Smoothing Eye Primer
- BareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0 (The Rare Find)
- Josie Maran Long-Lasting Eye Liner (black raven)
- Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner (blackest black)
- Maybelline Volum' Express One-by-One Mascara
- Maybelline Lash Discovery Mini-Brush Mascara
- MAC Blush (blunt)
- L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balm (219 plush plum)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Elegant Blue Eyes Makeup Tutorial

It's been a while since I've done a makeup tutorial, but I had a great time filming this most recent one.  Today's look is all about the color blue.  I always thought I couldn't pull off the color blue because in the end, it would turn out looking purple.  But, after months of practice and learning how to use certain makeup brushes, this is my first time debuting a blue eyeshadow look.  Check out my video on how to work this look.  Products used can be found below.


PRODUCTS USED:
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer (medium)
- MAC Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundation (NC40)
- MAC Studio Fix Powder (NC40)
- Tarte 12-hr Smoothing Eye Primer
- Maybelline Eyestudio (Saphire Stylist)
- Urban Decay Smoked Palette (blackout, kinky, freestyle)
- Josie Maran Long-Lasting Eye Liner (black raven)
- Maybelline Line Stiletto
- Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
- NARS Bronzer (casino)
- MAC Blush (Pinch Me)
- MAC Cremestick Liner (Sublime Culture)
- Korres Mango Butter Lipstick (Natural Pink 13)


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

My Skincare Routine

I've been preparing this video for a long time and have finally buckled down the products that have been working for me.  This skincare routine is not too complex, but works for my skin issues.


I have combination to oily skin and major acne issues.  I have a serious issue with picking and popping my pimples which is a TERRIBLE habit.  I've been working on breaking this habit.  Most products that I use can be purchased at any drugstore or local shopping center.  I will list the items that I use into my AM routine and PM routine.  I also do weekly masks which I will also include below.

AM ROUTINE
- Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
- Clarisonic Mia with Deep Pore brush
- Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer
- Origins VitaZing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen

PM ROUTINE
- Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel
- Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner
- Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment and Mark Treatment
- Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment
- Boscia Recharging Night Moisture

WEEKLY MASKS
- C.O. Bigelow Power Berry Mask No. 1675
- Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Lasting Shine Control Cleanser/Mask
- Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator

If you have acne issues and are sick and tired of purchasing separate products that don't work together, I highly suggest looking into Clean & Clear's Advantage acne kit.  It worked miracles when I first used it back in college.  Here's the link if interested: http://www.cleanandclear.com/product/acne-treatments/advantage-acne-control-kit
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Monday, October 15, 2012

Just Another Manic Monday

Hey friends!  It has been a while since I've featured any makeup item, but I finally got my hands on something that I've been wanting to try for a long time.  The item I'm talking about is the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation.


This item may or may not seem new to you because this has been in the market for a while now.  But, I wanted to wait for the right time to pick it up which turned out to be now as we transition into fall.  I tested this item at Sephora where the makeup artist/salesperson tried to sell me the Stila Stay All Day Forever Foundation & Concealer.  Of course, I was only interested in the Urban Decay foundation but she did a good job in almost convincing me to purchase the Stila product instead.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Makeup Series | "Free Mini Kits" | Tarte

Here's another addition to this series I created for the month of October called "Free Mini Kits".  I'll be featuring makeup samples and kits that tend to not be used on a daily (or if ever) basis.  Personally, I love collecting samples because they're free most of the time.  But, that also means that these items will most likely be never used.  Same goes for makeup kits where the interest of only trying 1 item means the others will be forgotten.


This item is a makeup kit from Tarte that I purchased on QVC.com back in 2010.  I believe this was my first kit I ever purchased.  This kit came with a trio-eyeshadow palette, shadow/liner, brow mousse, mascara, cheek stain and lip gloss.  Of all the 6 items, the quality and lasting ability is great.  The colors are great for a natural look and gives your face a nice, fresh look.  Even though this didn't come with a foundation, I can only imagine that Tarte offers great foundation options.  After finally digging up these items, I'm happy to say that I started using them especially the eyeshadow and shadow/liner.  You can pick up these items individually wherever Tarte items are sold.

Tune in throughout the month and see what other items I'll be featuring!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Me Want Cookie Cake!

Does your mouth water every time you pass by a Mrs. Fields counter and look at the colorful cookie cakes on display?  Do you find it a hassle when you order a birthday cake for your kid and not everybody wants a slice?  I always wanted a cookie cake as a kid because my birthday cakes consisted of overly frosted Filipino cakes with extravagant designs.  Now being older and a mom myself, I always forget that my daughter (turning 4 next month) doesn't really know what cake is unless it's ice cream or cookies.


Same thing can apply to adults- I just made my sister a birthday cookie cake earlier this week and it was a hit.  It wasn't too sweet, not too much frosting and it was easy!  Whether you use an original cookie recipe or straight from the box, this simple cake is great for all ages.


INGREDIENTS
- 1 recipe for cookies (homemade or box)
- 12 inch round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Color icing tubes and decorating tips

STEP 1: Prepare cookie dough as directed

STEP 2: Take a big sheet of parchment paper and fold it into quarters.  Next, place the tip of the paper at the center of the pan and cut off any excess paper that passes the ridge of the pan.  Open the paper and firmly push the paper into the pan.  Spray an even coat of non-stick spray.

STEP 3: Spread the cookie dough evenly.  Using your hands is the best way to spread as much dough to the edge.  The edge doesn't have to be fully covered since this will be baked.

STEP 4: Bake as directed (roughly 9-12 minutes).  Once done, let it cool completely and decorate with icing.


Serve and enjoy!

Friday, October 5, 2012

October Haul from Target, B&N, H&M, MAC & Kate Spade

Here's my haul video showing you guys some items I recently purchased.


From Target:
- Scarecrow
- Glow stick necklace (pack of 2)
- Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Lust-rous (on sale for $7!!)
- Sonia Kashuk Instructional Eye Shadow Palette in Eye on Dazzling Color
- Boots Expert Anti-Blemish 2-in-1 Scrub & Mask
- Boots Expert Anti-Blemish Night Moisturizer

From Barnes & Noble:
- "Let's Pretend This Never Happened" (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson

From H&M:
- Gray blazer

From MAC:
- Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC40
- Powder Blush in Blunt and Pinch Me
- Lip Pencil in Beet
- Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick in I

From Kate Spade:
- Brightspot Avenue Stacy wallet in Maraschino

Hope you have a great weekend!


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

NOTD: butter London Toff & Aston

October is one of my favorite months of the year.  My favorite color lately has been variations of mauve and purple.  They're quite soft and beautiful on all skin tones.  My current NOTD are polishes that I purchased during Ulta's "Buy One, Get One Free" offer for butter London nail polishes.  This awesome deal was something I couldn't pass just because I love butter London!  Plus, buying 2 polishes for the price of 1 is a wallet's best friend.  I'm so happy that I was able to snatch up these 2 polishes (I bought 4 polishes in total, but you get my drift).


Monday, October 1, 2012

Makeup Series | "Free Mini Kits" | Smashbox

Happy October!

I was inspired by a YouTube video I watched a while ago to review my current makeup pile.  I realized that most of the makeup items that I don't use (ever) are the little samples and kits that I haven't touched since being transferred from the store bag of purchase to my makeup storage containers.  This got me thinking to create a series for this entire month where I feature all my makeup items that are rejected.  You can't forget the little ones, meaning the samples that you get when spending a certain amount of dollars online or in store.  Also, I tend to purchase kits for just wanting to try 1 item.  The rest of the kit is just a bonus.  Now, it's time for these items to rise out of the darkness of my makeup pile and be used.