January Makeup Favorites

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC 30, e.l.f. Shimmer Palette, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, Bare Minerals Ready SPF 15 Touch Up Veil in Translucent, Physician’s Formula Conceal RX in Natural Light, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium, Inglot Eyeshadows in 393, 378, 402, 360, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef, Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara in Blackest Black, Maybelline The Falsies Mascara (waterproof) in Very Black, NARS Pro-prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer

The MAC Pro Longwear Concealer has very nice coverage and it’s very light weight. I don’t use it under my eyes because they’re too dry. It has great staying power on the face. I’m running out of this little sample and I will purchase the full-size.

I use e.l.f. Shimmer Palette as face highlight. It’s a cream product and even though it looks like they are different colors but they actually show up the same color on the skin. However, I’ve found some more glittery than others. My favorite one to use is the white one. It’s not as iridescent as Benefit Moon Beam. It’s not as glittery as some powder highlight. For 3 dollars it’s a very nice product.

Benefit Hoola is a matte bronzer. It’s just the perfect shade for me. It’s also easy to blend. I’ve been using the same one for I don’t even remember how long (at least 2 years) and I just hit pan.

Bare Minerals Touch Up Veil is much more convenient than the loose powder version. It comes with a sponge and a mirror in the compact. It matifies the skin very well but doesn’t do a good job at keeping the face matte throughout the day. But overall it’s a very fine powder and at least wears off beautifully.

Sometimes I set my makeup with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural when I want more natural look. It doesn’t matify the skin. But it makes the foundation less dewy.

I’ve been using Concealer RX much more this month under my eyes because though it’s not moisturizing, it’s not too dry for under eye. It provides nice coverage.

I got these Inglot eyeshadows because I lost my MAC palette in Taiwan. I customized the palette for everyday look and it had Cork, Ricepaper, Shadowy Lady, and Satin Taupe. I was going for a cheaper alternative but the same colors so I picked up these 4 dupes from Inglot. They are very very close but I don’t think they are exact dupes. They are very nice eyeshadow in terms of ease of use. They are pigmented but not to the point where you have to be super careful. They are easy to blend.

I’ve never been a lipgloss girl because I don’t like my hair sticking on my lips and getting the lipgloss everywhere on my face. But I was willing to make an exception for Revlon Super Lustrous in Coral Reef. It’s such a wearable color and the color payoff is quite nice.

I had been using the Mega Plush for a while and it was starting to dry out so I repurchased an old favorite, which is the Falsies. Mega Plush’s formula is very light so it doesn’t weigh down your lashes. I would say it’s more lengthening than volumizing but it does both pretty well. It gives a more natural look compared to the Falsies. So if you like very volumizing and clumpy mascara, it is DEFINITELY not for you. I didn’t get Mega Plush in waterproof but it didn’t smudge on me. The Falsies is much more dramatic than Mega Plush because it’s more lengthening and volumizing. The waterproof version is very waterproof!

NARS eyeshadow primer is so good that I have absolutely nothing to complain about it. It makes eyeshadows go on so smoothly and it really prevents creasing, even on my oily lids.

Tarte Clean Slate primer is one of those silicone primer but thicker. I like using it to help the foundation blend more easily. I think a lot of other silicone primer can do the same but this one doesn’t break me out.

I mentioned a lot of product because it’s my first monthly favorites. I’m sure a lot of these favorites will carry over to next month so next month’s favorites post won’t be this long!

My Beauty Diary Masks

I’ve noticed my skin getting very dry and flaky so I decided to go for an intense hydration!

PMD (Personal Micro-Dermabrasion), My Beauty Diary Mask in Japanese Cherry Blossom

After using PMD: This is 2 weeks worth of dead skin!

I didn’t want to scare anyone so only half of the face is shown…

I put the mask on and saved the packaging because there’s a lot of serum left in it.

I got these masks in Taiwan. They are available in many drugstores there. They are also available on Amazon. There are many different kinds for different skin conditions and needs. They are also very affordable compared to many Western sheet masks.

The sheets smell very good so I’m pretty sure there is fragrance. However, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

The right time to take off the mask is actually when you feel the mask is almost dry but not completely. It should not cling to your skin.

Then I put on the serum left in the packaging.

I don’t put any other skin care product on because I want to let the skin absorb the serum completely. Plus the serum is moisturizing enough.

These masks are very moisturizing and almost aroma-therapeutic! There are so many choices and they are affordable. I highly recommend them!

January Hair Care Favorites

L’Oreal Ever Creme Shampoo, Moroccanoil Hydration Hair Mask, L’Oreal Ever Sleek Conditioner

All these products were mentioned in my 2012 favorites.

I use the hair mask only once or twice a week. It’s extremely hydrating and makes the hair very soft. It’s pretty pricey but it’s well worth it.

The shampoo and conditioner are hydrating and doesn’t dry out the scalp. They can weigh the hair down after a while so I use clarifying shampoo once a week so get rid of the build-up.

Moroccanoil can be found on Amazon and in some hair salons.

January Random Favorites

Ralph Lauren Candle in Crisp Morning

I’m terrible at describing scent so I’m not gonna try to confuse you! I got this at Marshall’s. It might still be available. I like a lot of fruity scents and some floral scents. I think it’s a good mixture of both, more fruity than floral. It’s also available at some online retail sites.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I watched the movie and decided to read the book. The movie is good and the book has a lot more details than the movie. It’s the first one in the trilogy. I’m not sure if I would read the next one because this book is quite dark. I probably won’t read it again but it’s such a good story and I really enjoyed it. I recommend doing a little research on the author before you get this book because the topics he writes about might be sensitive to some people.

January Skincare Favorites

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick, Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream, Utterly Smooth Udder Cream, Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic, Burt’s Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream, Burt’s Bees Sensitive Night Cream, Burt’s Bees Radiance Serum, Clinique All About Eyes Rich

All of these are actually included in my 2012 skincare favorites except the Burt’s Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream. It’s basically the thinner and less rich version of the Night Cream.

I just used up the Utterly Smooth body lotion completely and it’s now my body wash bottle. I’m currently using the Vineyard Peach Body Lotion from The Body Shop. Even though I still like the Utterly Smooth better but it’s a really nice lotion. It might show up in the next month’s favorites!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Bioderma Cleansing Water

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil has been my favorite makeup remover of all time. It removes the toughest waterproof makeup very gently.

When I first used Bioderma Cleansing Water I did not like it. Not because it was ineffective, but because compared to DHC oil, it just takes too much time, too many cotton pads, and too much product to remove the whole face of makeup. But I found it works very well for spot cleaning. If I accidentally mix water in the DHC oil, it wouldn’t take off makeup as effectively. Then I would rinse the oil off and then remove the residues with Bioderma. Bioderma is also good for fixing little mistakes when you’re going makeup. Just put it on a Q-tip and wipe off the little eyeliner smudges or mascara transfer, etc. It’s very easy and mess-free.

These products are not widely available. I got the DHC oil on the DHC’s website and the Bioderma on Amazon.

Mini Sephora Haul

Bare Minerals Luminizer in Love Affair ($20)

Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate and Body Butter (travel size) ($10)

Mini Target Clearance Haul

L’Oreal Magic Smooth Souffle Foundation in Nude Beige ($13.99 - $9.78)

Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara in Extreme Black ($6.99 - $4.88)

Can’t wait to review them!

Favorites: 2012 - Skin Care, Hair, Body

2012 was a good skin care year for me. I felt that I know more about my skin and what to look for in cosmetic products. And maybe I was hormonally more stable :P
My skin used to be very dry and I've noticed this year that my skin has become normal to combination. Even though my skin rarely get uncomfortable like dry skin does, it's still sensitive to certain chemicals. So I tend to go for products for sensitive skin.
These are my favorite and most used skin, hair, and body products of 2012:


Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic - 5 oz $24
Very gentle and natural to the skin. It's very hydrating and absorbed quickly. It never broke me out. I'm very sensitive to alcohol so I don't think there's any alcohol in it. I think the price is pretty reasonable, too. I've been using the same bottle since the spring and I'm just now down to about 10-20 uses out of it. I also use it after makeup to take away the powderiness and it works pretty well for that.





Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash - 5 oz $20
I got a sample size in Birchbox and it lasted for MONTHS! You only need a little bit because it really lives up to its name "frothy." It's so foamy and feels nice on the skin. The best part is that it rinses off very easily and doesn't leave residues on the skin. It doesn't dry out the skin, either.






Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser - 4.34 oz $7.99
It's the kind of consistency I hate, but it just works so well! It doesn't foam up. It's like gel and oil. But it gets rid off every trace of dirt and makeup. It truly cleanses the skin. It feels like there's residue of the cleanser left on the face but when I wiped my face with the toner on a cotton pad the pad was crystal clean. It's not harsh on the skin, either.



Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream - 2.5 oz 15$
This hand cream isn't the most moisturizing. It's kind of a temporary fix. But I absolutely LOVE the scent. It's fresh and fruity, kind of smells like Starburst. I got a sample in Birchbox and later bought a full size one.

L'Oreal Ever Sleek Line
I started getting into sulfate free hair products this year and have tried several sulfate free shampoos and conditioners. The common problem with sulfate shampoos is that they don't lather as much so I tend to use way more product when I wash my hair. The Ever Sleek line shampoos lather up just like the ones with sulfate. The conditioners are really nice and hydrating, too. I've noticed that my scalp doesn't produce excess oil any more and my hair is smooth and soft. This line is more affordable compared to other sulfate free product, too.


Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Hair Mask - 8.5 oz $35.79
This is the most hydrating hair mask EVER! When my hair was damaged from a perm I used it 3 times a week to keep my hair less frizzy and smoother. After I got back to my natural hair I still use it twice or once a week, depending how much I heat style my hair that week. It's definitely pricey but it's totally worth it. I've already repurchsed a second one. It's not widely available. Some hair salon carries it. Amazon does, too.

Udderly Smooth Udder Cream - 10 oz $6.49
It comes with unscented and lightly scented. It's not super thick or super watery. It's perfect for year around. In the summer it doesn't leave the skin greasy and it doesn't sweat right off. In the winter it's moisturizing enough for normal skin.







Burt's Bees Radiance Serum - 0.45 oz $17.99
It's gentle and hydrating. It's completely liquid and it comes with a dropper, which I really appreciate. I find it better than some of the high end serums (Estee Lauder, Ole Henriksen, Caudalie)









Burt's Bees Sensitive Night Cream - 1.8 oz $14.99
It's very moisturizing and absorbed quickly. Feels very nice on the skin. It doesn't break me out. Perfect for the winter times. I also put it on dry patches on my face before putting on makeup.







Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick - 0.5 oz $2.99
Most chapsticks I've try have the really made-up chemical, kind of plactic-y scent and I can't stand it. This chaptick has a very natural cocoa butter, vanilla-y scent, which smells and taste really good! The cocoa butter is very moisturizing and the mineral oil locks in the moisture. It's my before bed and makeup chapstick.





Clinique All About Eye Rich - 0.5 oz $30
It's a very thick and rich eye cream. It claim to minimize dark circles but I don't really see the difference. But I love how it feels under the eyes and it makes applying under eye concealer the next morning smoother.






Befine Exfoliating Cleanser - 4 oz $24
I got a sample from Birchbox and then I bought a full size one. It leaves the smoothest skin. I also like that it's exfoliator and cleanser in one and it does a really good just in both.









Feel free to request any reviews of these products!