Stila Trendsetting in Tokyo Travel Palette Review/FOTD

I was never a big fan of Stila and only own couple of their shadows before. Even tho I really like the concept of lip and cheeks convertible colors, I've never found a color I really love. I saw couple peoples reviews about these travel palettes and I was totally attracted by the convertible color(Sakura) in this pallet and decided to track it down. It's such a neutral baby pink that is not too cool or warm, I can see it works so well on my cheeks and lips.

Since I have no access to Ulta and I did not want to pay expensive shipping for this pallet on Stila.com, I pick this up at Urban Outfitter for $10, such a great buy for a Stila palette. It contains 4 eyeshadows and 1 convertible color.



I'd used it for a few times ever since I got it. What do I think? We all know that Stila's shadows are famous for their soft, buttery texture and vibrant color, but for these shadows, they are really not that great. They're like drugstore eyeshadows I have to say... they're not as pigmented as their regular line, and feel kinda chalky. My favorite color will be Sake, the light beige one, it has gold sheen and actually looks pretty when I pile it on.

The convertible color Sakura..... was a totally different story. I'm in LOVE with this color. It's such a lovely color which doesn't turn red on my cheek(most baby pink blushes do). The texture is so creamy and easy to blend, and I really really like it on my lips (more than cheeks)!

I hope that Stila will consider making this convertible color a permanent item, I will totally buy it over and over again even it is $25 (regular price). But $10 for this palette? it is a steal IMO just for the convertible color alone. I can be careless about the shadows, actually I might just cut it in half so the powders not gonna get into the blush cream. It always gets messy when they do the palette like this, not a very good idea...

Sakura. How lovely... love the name too :)

Here is me with the whole palette on my face. Kawai on the lid, Sake under brown bones and inner corner, the black color (no name) on my outer corner and Shibuya on lower lash line. Sakura convertible color on my cheeks and lips.

with flash...

I really like it on my lips :)

The Stila travel pallets are LE so grab them while you can ;)

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Foundation Routine - Missha Perfect Cover BB is LOVE

Missha Perfect Cover BB cream (NO.23), my new love!

I was kinda skeptical at first coz some of the BB creams make me look ashy and most of the BB creams in the market are for around NC30 or paler(I'm right around NC30-35). Since I became paler during the winter I decided to give BB a try. I was originally drawn to the Missha Perfect Cover BB cream because of its high SPF(SPF 42), I love that it is a multipurpose product, sun scream, anti aging cream, foundation and concealer... all in one, how great is that :) Here is the description on the tube -

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream actually come with 3 shades (#21 Light Beige, #23 Natural Beige and #31 Golden Beige) and #23 suits me the best. The consistency is very creamy, gives a light to medium coverage and very buildable. It is definitely heavier than tinted moisturizer but not as heavy as medium coverage foundation. It smells nice and feels very moisturizing. The color goes on a bit lighter at first but since it is self adjust to suit your skin tone, it blends in in like 5 mins. The finish is semi matte and the coverage is very buildable. Some days I use it alone for a quick coverage but most of the time I like to use my Sephora #55 Airbrush, mix 2 pumps of BB cream and a bit MAC Strobe cream, it gives me a natural, dewy look that I really like. After that I will dab some more BB cream on my under eye and the sun spots on my cheek bones and it covers quite well as concealer.

The most impressive thing is, I've been using it for couple of months now and I actually see the sun spots on my cheek bones faded quite a bit. This product does work!

I really love this product. I'd almost finished my first tube (already have a brand new one stand by) that's how much I love it :)

Using alone for more matte look or mixing with strobe cream for the dewy look.

Just a everyday look with my Missha BB cream :)

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NARS Pleasures of Paris FOTD and some rambling...

Hello everyone~ sorry for been MIA for awhile, I've been so overwhelmed with work and family... and haven't been feeling too excited about makeup. I did manage to do some damage at Saks and Sephora F&F, I didn't need anything just didn't wanna miss the annual sale... lol. I pick up some YSL lipsticks, a sephora airbrush and NARS new foundation, maybe I will do a post on my next post.

I've been doing neutral look everyday, even on the weekend. I'm really loving this NARS Pleasure of Paris palette, nothing exciting it's just very very easy to use. I can make good use of every single color in it, the kind of palette that really get your money worth :)

- Fez all over the lids
- Nepal inner corner
- Abyssinia brow bone
- Cordura outer v

On my lips I have infamous Kim Kardashian's favorite lip combo -
MAC Angel + NARS Turkish Delight
(I haven't touched them both for really long time...)

I found myself ignore my NARS duo eyeshadows for long time because of their packing. I have to go through all of them to pick the names then open each of them if I want to mix and match the colors... I love NARS sophisticated black rubber case but it's preventing me from using them now :( Do you guys have the same trouble? I found myself stick with MAC shadows most of the time when I'm hurry in the morning.

It's a pain to go through them every time...

these are much easier...

I got my contest price from Cathy.

She let me pick two VS items and I pick the eye primer and 24K silky eye shadow. I haven't tried the primer yet but I LOVE 24K. It's a true gold color, soooo pretty! She also included whole bunch of stuff in the package... thank you Cathy :)

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NARS Cream Shadow/Drugstore Haul and FOTD

I'm a fan of NARS but never tried their cream shadows. I've heard some people hate it coz they crease real bad even with primer underneath. Since I love most of NARS stuff and the color is gorgeous, I decided to pick it up anyway to see if it will work for me.

Madagascar cream shadow

One side is peachy skin color that works great as all over base(similar to MAC Painterly PP) and the other side is a purplish brown taupe that works well with NARS eyeshadows like Ondine, Ashes to Ashes, Cairo or MAC Satin Taupe, Style Snob... If you are a fan of those taupey colors then you will love this duo.

I'd tried it a few times, it does crease but not terribly(depends on what you put on top and underneath). The shimmery taupe color crease more than the skin color on the left. If I put TFSI underneath first and put NARS/MAC shadows on top, they will last for about 4 hours before start creasing. I did try it once with drugstore shadows and it was a complete disaster.

I think this will be my one and the only NARS cream shadow... I decided to keep it coz the colors work really well with my collection and I just can't say no to taupe... haha. But seriously, MAC Paint Pots work so much better than these on any day!

I also pick up Night Breed single eyeshadow that I've been meaning to get for long time. Just a pure black with silver glitters. The pigmentation is really good and can be used wet or dry. I like how versatile it is and I can just bring it everywhere use it as shadow and liner.

NARS Night Breed

swatches from left to right
(Night Breed, Madagascar)

I also pick up a bunch of Maybelline at Rite Aid since they had BOGO. I got a back up of Lash Stiletto(My fave mascara of all time) and the Mineral power blush in Soft Mauve(this is love). Couple of shadow quads in Chai Latte and Velvet Crush, and the new color sensation lipsticks in Pink Please and Born with it.

I'm sorry to report that these shadows really have no pigmentation, you get what you pay for. But I do like the color combinations on the 2 quads I got. Velvet Crush is pretty, it looks gorgeous after I piled it on like 5 layers :)

The Mineral power blush is a different story. It lasts on my face whole day and the color is gorgeous. Soft Mauve looks like baby pink on my skin tone. Loooove :)

The lipsticks are ok. Born with it and Pink Please are basically the same colors, one with shimmer one without. They are the nudest baby pinks in the collection but not nude enough for me... they are creamy and pigmented tho.

NARS Madagascar(base)
NARS Cairo(lid)
MAC Folie(crease)
MAC Beauty Mark(Outer Corner)
MAC Vanilla(brow)
Maybelline Mineral power blush Soft Mauve(Cheeks)
Maybelline LS Born with it

Contest ends this Sunday... I'm excited :D

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Camera Time... FOTD (new goodies from Starflash)

I was playing with the few things that I got from MAC new Starflash today and I want to show you some FOTD (haven't done that in awhile). My skin is acting up lately so I feel a bit self conscious, haha... I feel like it is time to fresh up my skin care routine(my wallet's gonna hurt), coz the sun really dry out my skin badly, and I want a real effective anti aging serum! Please do recommend if you know something that's worth trying out :)

I really like the Starflash eyeshadows in this round. I thought I was done with MAC eyeshadows but not for these babies. I've been using Smoke & Diamond alot for work, the color is just gorgeous! and today i finally tried Strike a Pose, a very unique dark teal color that took me awhile to find(sold out! sold out!).

I really like those pearlglide eye liners too, they are so creamy and sparkling. I got Fly by Blue, a mysterious dark blue with lots of glitters, pure love! You guys remember Wolf? A dark gray gun metal color that came in the first round pearlglide liners last year, MAC didn't repromote it in this round :( I really want to get my hands on it, how can MAC forgot an eyeliner got such a sexy name with such a gorgeous color...


Face-
EDM foundation (golden medium + olive Medium)
Studio Sculpt concealer NC30
NARS Laguna Bronzer
MAC Accentuate highlight powder
MAC Goddess blush

Eyes-
Espresso(brow)
French Cuff LE(Lid)
Cork(crease)
Strike a Pose(outer crease)
Nano Gold(highlight)
Fly by Blue Pearlglide liner
CG Lash Blast

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
MAC Fleshpot + Cherish

Contact lenses-
Geo Nudy Gray


I like Geo Nudy alot. Don't they make my eyes look misty and huge :) The best thing is, they are thinner than Geo Angel series and I can wear them for few extra hours without feeling uncomfortable... found my favorite circle lenses :)

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DSK Giveaway and Weekend FOTD

I got 2 packages last week and I'm completely in love -- Geo circle lenses and DSK Jewelry :)

I finally got myself some of DSK jewelry after seeing so many gals blogged about it. Just like all her satisfied customers, I'm happy with all the pieces that I got :) Her style is simple and elegant, and I love that her stuff are all customizable, and she's very nice to work with (big plus :))

Stephanie (DSK owner) has a giveaway contest you all have to check out.... Go here to win some of her beautiful creations!

I've been gone for so long, finally here is a pic from the weekend...

Things that I've been loving (on my face)

-NARS Sugarland duo
-MAC Earth to Earth Mineralized blush
-Hue l/s (rediscovered this, love!!!)
-Geo Angel Brown
-DSK signature heart gold necklace

I'm still waiting more orders from Geo Eye candy. Wait and more wait... you all know getting those lenses needs lots of patience, and I have no patience... lol...

What do you all think about MAC Color Craft collection? I'm so overwhelmed with this collection... so many MSFs!  They're used to be my babies, those LE MSFs, I'd bought lots of them, sold them, got more of them... swap for more of them... and decided not to care about them... coz they are all so pretty and all so dupable, and I can never catch up with the speed of MAC!

So far I didn't get any from the Color Craft collection(thinking about Color Craft Lipstick tho). Haha! Go me :) Guess I'm over MSFs... move over MSFs, give me some NARS Lolita collection (must check out the new ES duos, they are TO DIE FOR!)

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Drugstore glow... LOVE!!!

Some glowing goodness that I found at drugstore -- Prestige Skin Loving Minerals bronzer in Glam Tan and Tokyo Rose lipstick.


Since I've been wanting to try a new bronzer, I came across to this baby - the infamous MAC MSF dupe. I've heard some good things about it and man...... I was surprised how pretty it is, I absolutely love it!

It gives the prettiest golden sheen, not as orangy as Warm MSF and not as rosy as So Ceylon, just the perfect gold. It is actually softer than MSF and very easy to apply. Maybe the staying power is not as good as MSF, but hey it is drugstore makeup, for the price and the prettiest sheen, i don't mind to reapply during the day :)

The Tokyo Rose LS is ok. It's frost finish and just give your lips a "I just came back from the beach" look. Not that special, I probably have many of the same things in my drawer already. But if you don't have something like this already, it is very pretty for a bronzy summer look!

Prestige Glam Tan bronzer on cheeks
Prestige Tokyo Rose on lips
UD Deluxe Palette(Peace/Zero) on lids

What's your new found love from drugstore? Aren't you just happy that you found something good unexpectedly :)

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Wednesday Face and Tag!

Wednesday work face with NARS Cordura Duo and Angel lipstick, I really looooove these 2 :)

I've been meaning to do this tag but keep putting it off cuz it was so busy at work. Thanks to Makeup Mama and Dreamer Dreamer for tagging me :) So here we go--

• What is your current obsession?
hmm... I've been really obsessed about finding a perfect bronzer lately. I just tried Smashbox Suntan matte and decided it is not my favorite. I'm sticking with my Laguna for now and just ordered another one. I'm open to find a new bronzer that gives me the perfect glow this summer.

• What is your weirdest obsession?
I'm obsessed with the yogurt ice cream from Red Mango and need to have it everyday with one crunchy and one fruit toppings...ok, it is not weird at all... makeup wise I'm into all shades of browns, bronzes and purples... ok, not weird.

• What are you wearing today?
Jeans, tank top and off the shoulder thin sweater, red high top converse.

• What’s for dinner today?
Maybe spaghetti with Japanese cod roe paste(my favorite) and maybe spaghetti with meat sauce for hubby, he doesn't like fishy taste.

• What would make today special?
If I can play hooky from work and go to the movie with hubby during the day... that will be awesome.

• What would you like to learn to do?
I want to learn to dance hip hop really well. I'd tried it in the past apparently I need more arms & legs coordination. but, I would really like to learn to dance like America's Best Dance Crew :)

• What’s the last thing you bought?
NARS Laguna bronzer and L'OCCITANE Immortelle Elixir.

• What are you listening to right now?
Nothing really... if any, will be those kids songs from Jacob's DVDs that he watches every morning.

• What is your favorite weather?
Like today's. Sunny and breezy. Ahhh... I really wanna move to California.

• What is your most challenging goal right now?
Completely losing my pregnancy weight. It's been more than a year now and I'm still not there yet :(

• Describe your personal style.
Simple clothes with nice accessories, I like either really clean cut or the busiest tropical prints, nothing in between.

• What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Black Walnut from Häagen Dazs.

• What’s your favorite makeup brand?
I have ongoing on and off relationship with MAC, and my heart always belongs to NARS.


I'm taggin-

MADE IN TAIWAN
FUZKITTIE
Make Me Blushhh
MAKEUP DIARY CONFESSIONS
Eclecticbeauty
OHH...PRETTY!
llyangel

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Friday Look and Rambling

A simple look on Friday. I Finally put on some liquid foundation today and some colors on my lids... I haven't been doing much makeup when I was on my trip in Taiwan, the weather was so humid and makes me feel sticky all the time, not very comfortable. But my skin didn't feel as dry and my fine lines disappeared! No wonder girls in Asia looks so young, part of it is the moisture in the air, plus the food of course... in terms of food... I'd gained a few lbs from all the delicious specialty food in Taiwan, ugh! That's the result of being away from home for too long, I ate everything that I'd missed in the past 2 years. When we visited my home town in Tainan, I put hubby on the back of my little scooter, riding around the city, stopping at all the familiar food stands and ate the hell out of it... hahaha :D


Friday face--

Face-
Studio Sculpt NC35
Studio Sculpt concealer NC30
MSF Natural medium plus
Smashbox suntan matte bronzer
NARS Luster
NARS Albatross

Eyes-
UDPP
Espresso - brow
Habanera(mint frost) - all over the lid
Contrast - outer V
Vanilla - brow bone
UD Zero liner
Maybelline Lash Stiletto

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
YSL Rouge Volupte #2

I brought back a pair of Taiwanese brand circle lenses. Love the look but just like my past experiences, my eyes got tired easily and turn red in about 4 hours... do you all like the lenses sold on the blogs? I hate waiting for the shipping but really tempting to try some.

BTW, Maybelline Lash Stiletto is amazing, it lengthen very well and able to build volume without looking like spider legs, thumbs up :D

That's all for now, have a wonderful weekend everyone!

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NARS Ita Kabuki Brush & FOTD

Let me introduce the newest member in my brush family, the coolest Ita Kabuki brush from NARS :)

I've been wanting to get this brush for awhile and finally got it this week. I always wonder how the brush like this works and after seeing the demonstration on a NARS video and couple Youtubers talked about it I finally gave in. Here is the description from their site--

Modern concept and function unite with traditional Japanese culture, creating unique and versatile brush designs. Featuring super black goat hair known for its softness and strength, Kabuki Artisan brushes are designed for a variety of uses including color application, blending, contouring and highlighting.Super black goat hair in a small, flat, and angular design ideal for blending and contouring.

This brush is so soft and fluffy, easy to place the color and buff at the same time. I wasn't sure it will be user friendly since the handle is so different than the regular kabuki brush but after trying it for the first time, I was completely sold and become a big fan of their Kabuki Artisan series. I use it for contour and highlight, it goes right under the cheek bones and undereye and temple areas. I feel like I'm drawing Chinese calligraphy on the face every time I use it :) such a cool brush I have to say. I will recommend this to people who are serious about contouring and highlighting.

It comes in a pretty black box, so nicely packed.

Use it with my Laguna bronzer

What's on my face --

Face-
HyperReal foundation NC300+NC400
MUFE Lift concealer
Studio Sculpt concealer NC30
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Laguna
NARS Taj Mahal blush

Eyes-
Lemon Chiffon Shadestick
Espresso - brow
NARS Odine - all over the lid
NARS Surbaya - outer crease
NARS Kilimanjaro - brow bone & inner highlight

UD Zero liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Naked Space Lipglass

The next NARS Kabuki Artisan brush that I want --

Yachiyo Brush

What a cool looking brush! Soon I will dress like a geisha to do my makeup... hahaha... those traditional Japanese brushes are so addictive :)))

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New Hair & Love Rock Blush

Finally I got a chance to take some pix in the morning before I step out the door for work. Here I am with my new hair and wearing new favorite blush "Love Rock":) I think I look younger with bangs and as my co-worker said I look "happier"(what does that mean...) anyway what do you all think? I haven't have bangs like this for long time and so far I am liking it. Just need to get use to the hair on my face and my eyes(which is annoying sometime) but I will get use to it :)

It's uneven at front cuz I can't stop messing with it...


I got Love Rock mineralized blush duo the other day from MAC Grand Duo collection. A few of them are very pretty in the collection but I already had some bronzer type of shimmer MSFs that look so similar to them so I ended up pick up this bright pink one. I seldom use bright pink but this one is so gorgeous and easy to buff in, the texture is so soft and I can easily control the intensity. One side is solid shimmery bright pink and the other side is light lavender with gold shimmer, I put pink side on the apple of my cheeks and lighter side as high light on top of it. So far I really like it!





What's on my face --

Face-
Studio Sculpt foundation NC35
Studio Sculpt concealer NC30
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Laguna
Love Rock mineralized duo blush

Eyes-
Gound work P/P
Espresso - brow
Sable - all over the lid
Carbon - outer crease
Vanilla - brow bone
Gleam - inner highlight
UD Zero liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Hue Lipstick
She Loves Candy Lipglass

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New NARS Goodies & FOTD

I went to Sephora to look at the NARS spring collection the other day since I had some gift money to spend. I'd seen all the pics online before and was eyeing on the ES duo Hula Hula... the color was so springing and cute, tan gold and pink, I was really in love with the pink but the color pay off on the gold side was a bit disappointing so I didn't get it in the end. Instead I brought home Habanera duo and Chelsea Girls lip lacquer.

New members in my NARS family :)))

I've been wanting to get Habanera(mint frost & smokey plum) for long time and finally got it! This is one of the weirdest but the prettiest combination duo from NARS. Just by looking at it the mint frost side was a bit out of my comfort zone but after putting it on I was actually quite happy with it. The smokey plum is so pretty... the mint frost and plum work surprisingly nice together. This is when NARS become the winner... he always come out such unexpected and beautiful combinations.

Chelsea Girls is the pinkish beige nude. I'd stopped buying lip lacquers for long time cuz it's so opaque like liquid lipstick and it requires precise application with brush, since I'm not a lip brush girl this is just not convenient enough for me. But Chelsea Girls is such a nude color and it's actually very easy to apply with finger. So so so glad I gave LL another try cuz I am in love with this thing... definitely one of my favorite nude lips!





Face-
HyperReal NC300
Studio Finish concealer NC35
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Laguna
NARS Albatross
Nuance blush

Eyes-
Soft Ochre P/P
Espresso - brow
Habanera(mint frost) - all over the lid
Habanera(smokey plum) - outer crease
Soft brown - between crease & brow bone
Shroom - brow bone
Shroom - inner highlight
UD Zero liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Chelsea Girls lip lacquer

Continue having a great weekend everyone :)

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Valentine & Jacob's Bday Party / Neutral FOTD

Valentines day was Jacob's 1st bday party. Little Jacob was still recovering from the stomach flu and was a bit overwhelmed by the crowd and excitement, and was crying a lot. We had Taiwanese-Japanese food and bubble tea at this Taiwanese cafe. We ate so much and Jacob got lots of gifts... at the end of the day he was so exhausted and just passed out in his car seat when we drove home. Over all we had great time! Here are some pics to share...

Jacob with grandparents... what to order???

At the end of the day he was tired and cranky, and was so overwhelmed by everyone singing him happy birthday song and the lighted candle... poor baby :(

Me and hubby wore matching shirt cuz it was valentines day :) I didn't expect much since we're all busy on planning Jacob's Birthday. But he surprised me with a valentine bear, roses, a box of dark chocolate, a Louis Vuitton Trunks & Bags key holder and a bag charm, and a Sephora gift card on Friday night. I'm so thankful and loooooove everything he got me :)

On to the makeup... nothing really exciting. I did a super neutral look to go with my red plaid shirt for the party that day. I did a similar look this morning for work but with nude lips. Also I was testing my new Studio Sculpt Foundation this morning. I do like this gel like foundation alot, it's a bit thicker than my all time favorite MAC HyperReal. It's not as glowy as HR but still gives a dewy finish which I love!
Face-
Studio Sculpt NC35
Select Cover up NW30
Studio Finish concealer NC35
MSF Natural medium plus
NARS Albatross
NARS Torrid blush

Eyes-
Indianwood P/P
Espresso - brow
Gleam(shimmer peach) - all over the lid
Tempting(shimmer brown) - outer crease
Ricepaper - brow bone
Shroom - inner highlight
Black Russian liner
CG Lash Blast
L'Oreal Telescope

Lips-
Lip Fusion lip plump Clear
Creme d'nude LS

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