Dec 29, 2014

December Empties


Yes, another month of empties and I am starting to enjoy doing monthly empties. Helps me keep track of how long each product lasts for me, especially my staple products.

Lush Tea Tree Water
I love Lush tea tree water. I spray this on in the morning after I wash my face. It certainly does help with helping me with minimizing blemishes.

Urban Dcay De-Slick Setting Spray
This is my first finished bottle as my usual is their All-Nighter. I find both quite similar but I started using this in the summer and this helps control oil slightly better.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment
I got this at Winners at deep discount. Quite good hair product. I apply this on towel-dried hair. Really helps with making my hair silky and soft. But I don't think I would want to get another one full-priced as there are other more affordable alternatives which have similar results on my hair.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil
This deluxe-sized sample is from Sephora perks. This little bottle last me a long time. You only need a tiny bit of it. I apply this on top of my daily moisturizer which gives me extra hydration for the winter months.

Shiseido White Lucent Anti Dark Circle Eye Cream
This is my second or third finished one. Really love this. The result is more prominent when I first started using it. But when I stop, I notice the difference and I keep going back.

Kiehl's Eye Alert
Another eye cream that I keep going back to. This helps de-puffing my eye area in the morning and it really does make a difference.

L'occitane Honey Hand Cream
This is a travel-sized and I really enjoy how moisturizing it is. I have this in my purse for a while and it last quite a while. The scent of baby powder and honey just makes this so nice.

Laneige Water Pack Essence
This is my morning serum. It is lighter than your normal serum. More like a gel texture. I got this in a set with its water sleeping pack. The sleeping pack is an overnight hydrating mask which I love. The result of this essence is not that obvious to me so I won't be re-purchasing.

Cabernet Plum Scented Candle
I got this from Winners. Not sure about the name of the brand. I was drawn to how cute this candle comes in a mason jar. Really nice fall scent. A mixture of plum and apples. Not too sweet and I really want to get another one but it can be tricky as Winners all stock different merchandise and when one is sold out, it is and I may have to try my luck at other locations.



Dec 22, 2014

2014 Favorites


I am skipping my monthly favorites and instead, doing my yearly favorites. These are the products mostly discovered this year and I thoroughly enjoy them and want to share with you guys.



Lip Products:
Bite Mix N Mingle Lip Minis Duo(Date)
Bite High Pigment Pencil in Madera
Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in Eastend Snob
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anna

I have been loving nude/neutral lippies this year. I used to avoid from these shades as I thought they would make me look sick. But not if you find the right shades. These shades give my lips a "your lips but better" look.


Eye Products:
Laura Mercier Cavier Sticks
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

Ever since I got the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, it is such a breeze to do a winged eyeliner. I never thought I could do that. I have tried a few other liners and they make it so challenging. With the Kat Von D Tattoo liner, it gives you the most precise lines. Laura Mercier Cavier sticks are such creamy eye shadows. So pigmented and creamy. Easy to blend and stay on all day.


Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum
La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
Dermaglow Lash Enhancer

Found my holy grail foundation this year. Love this foundation. This gives my skin an even tone. I like lighter coverage foundation for the no makeup makeup look. This is pricey but it is worth every penny.

I have been a big fan of La Roche Posay skincare products. I have found yet another awesome product: Effaclar Duo. I have been using their A.I Target spot treatment for years and love it. This is a great addition to my skincare routine to prevent blemishes.

Dermaglow Lash Enhancer is my first ever lash serum. I am not sure if this has been discontinued or not but I found this at a deep discount at my local drugstore. Consistently apply every night for 3 months and I honestly can say this makes a difference in my lashes. My lashes are significantly longer, fuller and I had a bad habit of picking my lashes when my eyes get itchy and there are spots now got new lashes growing. 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Color in No. 2
Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Lychee
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

Benefit Hoola Bronzer is one of the most raved products in the beauty blogging world. I finally got one this year and love it. The shade is flattening on most skin tones and so easy to use daily for contouring.

Chanel Les Beiges Multi-color powder is a mixture of 3 products: bronzer, blush and highlighter. I swirl it together to give my skin some color. Not sure if this is a limited edition or not.

Becca Beach Tint Souffle is a mousse-like texture blush with shimmer. I use this so much in the summer as it is pigmented and it stays on in the hot summer months.

Another raved product which I am glad I picked up is the Nars Creamy Concealer. I have never used such creamy formula and it is perfect to cover blemishes. I have tried other concealers which dry up around blemishes. This won't do that and cover the blemishes just right. This is also awesome for under eye area if you pick a slightly lighter shade.

What are you new discoveries of holy grail beauty products this year?




Dec 16, 2014

Gerard Cosmetics Lip Glosses

If you watch enough Youtube beauty videos, you would be familiar with Gerard Cosmetics. There are a lot of rave reviews about their lip products. I am more intrigued by their lip gloss packaging as there is a little mirror and when you twist open the lip gloss tube, there is a tiny light so you could apply it in the dark :)



There was a sale a week ago and the trio set went from $45 to $22 so I just had to take advantage of the sale.


I picked Butter Cream, Nude and Rose Hill. Two of them are pretty nude and one is your lips but better color shade.


There is a tiny light when you twist open the tube. I am wondering how long that light would last.


There is also a side mirror on the tube so you don't need to dig out your compact mirror to apply the lip gloss.


Butter Cream, Nude & Rose Hill

The formula is very creamy and pigmented. Easy to apply and doesn't apply patchy. They are a bit thicker than your ordinary lip gloss and the lasting power is longer. 

When you read all the online reviews about the product, you would most likely find them positive. Most of the youtube reviews are sponsored and you will find discount codes with the youtubers, meaning they get a commission of the sales. 

To me, these are ok but definitely not mind-blowing, life-changing products. These are said to be have shades in the lip glosses which would make your teeth brighter. The shades I have are neutral nude shades so I don't see any difference. If you want to try out these products, highly recommend for you to grab them during their sale as I certainly don't think it is worth US $24 each.

Have you tried Gerard Cosmetics?



Dec 14, 2014

Birthday Gifts


My birthday was last week and I got a couple of makeup items from my sweet friend. She knows me well :)


I got a MAC lipglass gift set and a mascara set she brought back from her Hong Kong trip.


I have not tried MAC lipglass for a long time. As I recall, their lip glosses are quite sticky. But these one are different formula and 3 out of the 4 are cremesheen lipglass and one is dazzlesheen.


They are sweet-scented and not sticky. Very smooth and creamy to apply. Only the dazzlesheen formula(far right) is a bit sticky but the shade is too pretty to pass.


I have heard my friend raved about this mascara for a while. It is by the brand Flamingo and apparently this is very popular in Asia. The set consists of a lash primer, a mascara and a lip gloss.


The top one is supposedly a primer which consists of fibers to make lashes fuller. The bottom one is the mascara which lengthens. My friend and I both have straight, stubborn Asian lashes which need lots of prep work to get curly lashes. I have seen her lashes transformed from short straight ones to long and full lashes which hold curls. 

I have only used this combo a few times. I am not sure about the fiber primer which is full of white fluffy lint to me. Not sure if my bottle just dries up in the package or not. I guess the concept behind this is similar to Benefit Gimme Brow(fiber gel) to make lashes fuller. Fortunately the mascara quite agrees with my lashes. Even though it doesn't state it is waterproof, it does help  my lashes lengthen and look fuller. 

Have you tried any fiber mascara? I just find it tricky to apply and tiny fibers like to get into my eyes.

Dec 11, 2014

Which Hydrating Mask is Worth your Bucks

Colder weather is here and all through my adolescent years, I never thought my combo skin would need so much hydration. But let me tell you, hydration is everything. It keeps your skin moisturized and plumped and it would also keep blemishes to a minimal.


I have tried a few and their price range varies. If you're looking for a good valued hydrating mask, keep reading.

First up is a sheet mask from the popular Asian brand, My Beauty Diary. I have tried many from the brand and only a handful works for me and this Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Mask is one of them. This comes in a box of 10 and I usually get mine from TNT supermarket(Asian grocery store chain in Canada) for about $15. I apply this after I cleanse my face at night and leave it on for about 30 mins. It has a gel type texture and after I remove the mask, I don't rinse my face off with water, I just massage gently the residue into my skin to maximize the moisturizing effect. For the price(average of $1.50 each mask), it is quite good. 


The Origins Drink Up Overnight Mask is the latest addition to my skincare routine. If you love mango scented products, you HAVE to get this. The scent is just amazing. It has a slightly thicker texture. I leave it on overnight and my skin feels so hydrated and plumped the next morning. It is not too sticky so I don't have to worry about smearing half of the product onto my pillow cases.  This one is $29.



GlamGlow ThirstyMud is the most expensive one. It is $76 a jar. It is coconut-scented. Out of all the masks, this has the thickest texture and I find it a bit too sticky to use overnight. I usually leave it on for a good 3 hours before rinsing off. But I find if I leave it on overnight, the result is better. However, I just cannot stand leaving the mask on all night long. I sleep on my side and most of the product is transferred to my pillow case and duvet cover. 

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack has a gel-like texture. It is around $25-30 for 80 ml. The one I have is a 20ml trial pack with the serum. The little gar last me more than 10+uses and still got 1/4 left. I have no problem leaving this one on overnight and my skin feels moisturized and softer in the morning. Will definitely re-purchase this in its full size after I'm done with this.

Last but not least is Fresh Rose Face Mask. It is $68 for 3.4 oz. I did not purchase this but I have tried a deluxe sized sample of this which last me more than 5 uses. This, as its name suggested, is rose-scented. I leave it on for 20 mins after I wash my face at night and find this would be a perfect quick moisturizing mask if you are pressed for time. You know, sometimes, you're in a big rush and your skin is dry and flaky and none of the foundation seem to be applied well. This would come in super handy. 

Out of the ones I have tried, the Origins Drink Up mask is the best valued one. I highly recommend that. What is your favorite hydrating mask?






Dec 4, 2014

Sephora Black Friday Haul


Another Sephora haul and I have been having little or none self-control over makeup shopping for the past few months. I swear after this month, I am putting myself on a makeup no-buy phase.

I managed to grab a few of the $12 Black Friday deals from Sephora and I am surprised my order arrives so quickly. This is my first order and I have another one coming.


This is my first purchase of fragrance from Nest and also I have not sampled any of these. But I read a lot of reviews about this brand and decided to go for it. I am very happy I did as all three are very nice. They are not my typical sweet, fruity scents. They are very unique scents and very suitable for colder winter months. My favorite is Dahlia and Vines.



I haven't tried Bite lip glosses and what a great way to try 3 different shades at the same time. They are a bit sticky but the shades are beautiful and perfect for every day.


I have been on the hunt for a new cleanser. Ole Henriksen is a very good skin care brand and I have tried their eye gel which I love. 


Also redeemed 500 perks for this L'occitane set. I love their hand cream and have been wanting to try other products from the brand.

Did you grab some good Black Friday deals?




Dec 2, 2014

November Empties


Another month passed and we're closer to Christmas! 

November empties:

Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Bubble Bath
This must be from last Christmas or even the year before. This is my first Bath and Body Works bubble bath and I am truly impressed. I love their Twisted Peppermint scented candles(burning one as we speak) and this bubble bath is equally sensational. Creates lots of bubbles and the scent linger on. I don't see any holiday-scented bubble bath this season but will try more of their bubble bath.

Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream
This is my second deluxe-sampled sized eye cream from Benefit. I must have got this from one of those Sephora perks. It is ok. I like to layer up my eye cream and I layer this one with my Shiseido White Lucent Anti Dark Circle eye cream at night to provide extra moisture for my eye area. 

The Masters Brush Cleaner
This is quite good in cleaning my makeup brushes. I like this because it is not messy and you don't have to deal with soggy soap afterwards. But for stubborn foundation brushes, I would have to use something extra to get the residue out.

Clarins Extra Firming Neck Cream
Another sample I finished. This tiny sample last me 4 uses so I can't really tell whether it is working or not. It does have a pretty strong fragrance scent which I am not a big fan of.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
This is my regular cleanser. I really love this cleanser, gentle enough to use with my Clarisonic every night but still manage to get rid of my makeup. Only thing I don't like is its price tag. I use this at night only and it last me a good 4 months. I have switched over to many other brands but always go back to this one.

Buxom Lip Cream in White Russian
Hands down my holy grail lip cream. I finish probably 3 or 4 of these already. I like to layer this and tone down my lipstick shades often. I just love the peppermint/minor tingling effect.

Pacifica Brazilian Mango Grapefruit Body Butter
I love love love this scent. Awesome scent and the scent linger on and on. I am now using their shower gel and loving it also.