Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Feeding my Cravings

I've been having the strangest cravings since last night. I fell asleep wanting nothing more than fake Chinese food and cheese and crackers and woke up yearning for the same. So for lunch today, off to Panda Express it was!

I ordered the fried rice, Beijing Beef, and Honey Walnut Shrimp. I'm actually mildly allergic to shrimp though. I get hives about 85% of the time, but if I really like the shrimp, I'll eat it anyways. But a few hours later, I have to pay for it with nasty hives and severe itching.


I also stopped by the store to pick up some cheese and crackers. They were delicious. =P

I've been gone for a while now so I thought I'd give you all a brief update. I'm currently on Spring Break but it hasn't been much of a break whatsoever. I've just been stressing a lot lately. It's all been a mixture of school, life decisions, and a car accident I was involved in last week.

Ok, before anyone says, "Of course, she's Asian.. DUH she was in an accident.."

It wasn't my fault! Some guy rear ended me while I was stopped at a light. Oh well, this kind of thing happens. It just sucks because he clipped a good chunk of my car. It's all taped up and incredibly ghetto looking now. Tomorrow I'm going to see the adjuster to see if they're going to repair it or total it out. I don't want a new car. My car runs perfectly fine so I hope they fix it.

It doesn't help that my back has been hurting like crazy. I have to go to the doctor 2-3 times a week for the next 2 months or so and that's really been taking up my time.. and gas! (How much is your gas btw? Just curious. Over here, it's about $4.05!)

Anyways, take care. I'll be back (regularly) soon. I just have a few things to take care of. I've been working on reviews but editing is so much work! Also, I know that you all recommended that I wait for the giveaway but after looking at all the goodies I plan to give away, I think I have more than enough. We'll see how everything works out though.

Hope you're all doing well. =)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Taking a Short Break & Giveaway

I'll be taking a short break from blogging. I have finals this week and have to handle some other (real life) things. Hopefully the chaos is over by next weekend.

On another note, I'm so sorry that I've been lagging on the pink & red giveaway. Since Valentine's Day is over, I've decided to scrap the idea altogether. I'm planning another giveaway (using some of the items from the pink & red giveaway and new items).

I'm in a pickle though. Should I do the giveaway soon or wait until after Easter? I've given up buying makeup so if I were to do the giveaway before Easter, I won't be able to add lots of new items. However, if I wait, I can add more items to better suit my theme.

The new giveaway theme is inspired by MAC's upcoming Quite Cute collection. It's going to be full of cutesy items and bright and pastel colors. I can't wait! Let me know your thoughts.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Revlon NEW ColorBurst Lipsticks in Icy Nude, Pink Sugar, Candy Pink, Cherry Ice, Petal Review & Swatches

Repurchase: No
Price: $10.49 (0.13 oz)
Product: 20.5/25
Packaging: 4.5/5
Value: 8.5/10
Overall Grade: B-

About three months ago, Revlon came out with new ColorBurst glosses and a five new ColorBurst lipstick shades. It took me about a month or two to find all the shades (they were sold out at several retailers) -I was very determined. I don't think all the time and work were worth it though. =P

Note: CVS has raised their prices for Revlon ColorBurst lipsticks from $8.99 to $10.49. However, during the last 3 weeks, the scanner has shown that the price is still $8.99 (on sale) for CVS members. So, I think that customers can still get the lipsticks for just $8.99 but only with a card. I'm not sure if other stores have raised their prices.

The Packaging: Revlon ColorBurst lipsticks are packaged in matte black square tubes. The design alternates from a solid to quilted pattern around the tube.

The top of the cap contains a "shade" square representing the shade inside. The bottom displays a sticker stating the shade name.

"Revlon" is imprinted onto the lipstick giving it a high end, classy feel.

Ingredients
The Product: I think the formula has been altered for these new ColorBurst shades. Unlike the original ColorBurst lipsticks which contained no scent or taste, these smell like raw cookie dough and leave a light, artificial sweet taste behind.

Also, I noticed that these shades aren't nearly as pigmented as the original shades. They're quite sheer but still somewhat buildable. Because of the sheerness though, all the lipsticks (with the exception of Icy Nude) apply a bit patchy.

The lipstick is doesn't add any extra moisture but keeps lips soft. Icy Nude and Cherry Ice last for about 3.5 hours and then start to fade. Petal and Candy Pink last for under 3 hours. Pink Sugar, however, lasts for under 2 hours.

Icy Nude
Pink Sugar
Candy Pink
Cherry Ice
Petal
The Color:
  1. Icy Nude- Warm caramel brown with subtle silver shimmer
  2. Pink Sugar- Light pink with chunky silver shimmer
  3. Candy Pink- Bright blue pink with blue shimmer
  4. Cherry Ice- Juicy cherry red with red shimmer
  5. Petal- Medium neutral pink with silver shimmer
Swatches..

Above (no flash) from left: Icy Nude, Pink Sugar, Candy Pink, Cherry Ice, Petal
Above (with flash): Icy Nude
Above (with flash): Pink Sugar
Above (with flash): Candy Pink
Above (with flash): Cherry Ice
Above (with flash): Petal

Overall: I was disappointed with these new ColorBurst lipsticks. I spent a lot of time searching for them and they didn't live up to my expectations at all. I don't understand why Revlon decided to add a sickly sweet scent and taste and some poor color payoff when the original shades were awesome. I think the saying's true -don't fix something that ain't broken!

Where To Buy: CVS, Walgreens

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MAC You're KILLING ME: Peek @ Quite Cute & Surf Baby


I've been doing some Google image searches lately and stumbled upon the following images. They've been posted and re-posted on dozens of blogs so I honestly don't know where some of these photos are originally from but I have tried to the link photos to the best of my ability. These are NOT my photos. PLEASE contact me via email or comment if any of the following images belong to you and you would like them removed from this post or the credit/source needs to be corrected.

Quite Cute..

Surf Baby..

OMG! I need everything. I'll definitely be able to participate in Surf Baby but I can't buy anything from Quite Cute because I gave up shopping (for makeup/fashion related things) for Lent. BUT, hopefully I get some things as Easter presents or something.. HINT HINT (for my bf.)

The collection details for Surf Baby haven't been released yet but I do have some things on my Quite Cute list including:
  1. Giggly Mineralize Blush
  2. Quite Cute Lipstick
  3. Playing Koi Lipstick
I'd be happy with just the first two though. I want to save room for Surf Baby! They haven't released any LE packaging with their collections in a while some I'm super excited. =)

Random Thursday: Cake Pops & Crazy Cool Heels

So today I don't really have anything to post. I do have a few reviews that I've been working on but nothing that's completed so I thought I'd post something random as opposed to nothing at all.

Last night, my boyfriend and I were at Starbucks when I spotted some Cake Pops! I've never tried them and have always wanted to make them but could never find the time. He bought me the three available flavors: Birthday Cake, Tiramasu, and Rocky Road.

So, how did they taste? Honestly, not as amazing as I thought they'd be. To me, it was basically just a chunk of raw cookie dough coated in sweet icing. I liked the Tiramasu best but my dad liked Rocky Road. None of them actually stood out to me though and I don't recommend them.

Ok, and now for something pretty cool! I've been following shoe designer Kobi Levi for sometime and realized that I've never shared his work with you all. He's not your traditional shoe designer. His designs are out of this world -things that you would never even imagine wearing on your feet. I love his designs and I think he's awesome.

Slide 2010
Chewing Gum 2009
XXX Pump 2010

I highly encourage taking a peek at his blog. I guarantee you that 99% of his designs are like nothing you've ever seen at your local department store shoe section.

All shoe images belong to Kobi Levi.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Nudey Tuesday: Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer Review & Swatches (HG Product!!)

Repurchase: Yes
Price: $28.00 (0.352 oz)
Product: 24.5/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 9/10
Overall Grade: A

I was ecstatic to receive a tin of Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer with my last Apothica order. This actually isn't my first encounter with the highlighter -I used to own it back in the day when I first started seeing my boyfriend (about three years ago.)

The day I realized that my precious Soft Lights had gone missing was a sad one. I was doing my makeup and noticed that it was nowhere to be found! I rarely re-buy beauty products though because I always have these hopes that it'll turn up. Sadly, that hasn't been the case with any of my lost gems.

(Note: I apologize in advance for the rather dark photos. It's been super rainy and cloudy here lately.)
The Packaging: The powder comes in a rubbery matte black tin (think NARS). The tin in sort of inconvenient -I'd much rather prefer a compact with a mirror.
Product Description & Ingredients
The Product: I'm a big fan of Smashbox's Soft Lights highlighters. I currently own Shimmer and Tint (discontinued) and would love for them to add more shades to the line.

The highlighter is super soft, non-irritating, and very pigmented. It blends so easily and is so silky and smooth on the skin. To add to the list of positives, it's also a long lasting product and wears for about 6-7 hours (on bare skin) before it starts to fade.

What I love about the highlighter is that it's such versatile product. I can use it for my cheeks (above my blush), on my brow bone, along my nose, on my forehead -pretty much anywhere that could use some highlighting.

The Color: Shimmer is pale pink champagne with lots of shimmer.

Swatches..
Above (with flash): Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer
Overall: Smashbox, in my opinion, makes some of the best products on the market and their Soft Lights highlighters are no exception. This will be perfect for anyone who loves a good highlighter that offers a lot of "glow." However, for those who prefer more matte looks, stay away! This stuff is very shimmery.

Where To Buy: Apothica ($27.70), Sephora ($28.00)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A $15 Steal: Too Faced Pixie Pin-Ups Palette Review & Swatches

Repurchase: Yes (But as a gift)
Price: $15.00
Product: 22/25
Packaging: 4/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: A-
A few days ago, I did a post on the Too Faced Vintage Sale. In it, I posted the Pixie Pin-Ups Palette, which is now on sale for only 15 bucks!

I bought the Too Faced Pixie Pin-Ups Set back back in (I believe) January. It was on sale for $25 (from $32) so I quickly snapped it up meaning to give it as part of a gift. However, after sitting around in my room, I had to check it out for myself.
The Packaging: The boxy palette is like a mini version of Too Faced Enchanted Glamourland or Urban Decay Book of Shadows. The top opens to reveal a pretty pop-up fairy scene while the drawer underneath holds the eyeshadows and slots for the Shadow Insurance, Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara, and Lava Gloss Eye Liner.

The packaging is a bit bulky. I'd prefer a slimmer palette without the adorable pop-ups.

Product Description
Ingredients
The Product: The six eyeshadows are all very pretty. The three shimmery shades (Leading Lady, I Know What Boys Want, Lucky Charms) on the top row all have a softness to them that really fits into the fairy theme. The two matte shades from the bottom row (Heaven, Like A Virgin) are a nice addition to the palette because sometimes too much shimmer can be too over the top. Erotica, my favorite shade (third shade from bottom row), is a beautiful, darker shimmery shade.

One strange thing that I should mention is that Lucky Charms in this palette is very different from Lucky Charms in the Eye Shadow Insurance Policy High Demand Eye Shadow Collection palette, which I used to own. The Lucky Charms shade in that palette is darker and more of a true green. I find it puzzling as to why Too Faced wouldn't be consistent with their shades.

I wanted to love the Lava Gloss Eye Liner because of its rich, glossy color but it was extremely unkind to my eyes. I wouldn't say my eyes are sensitive as this rarely happens but when I applied the liner to my upper lash line and lower lash line and waterline, my eyes started to burn and water. I tried to endure it for a few minutes hoping the burning would go away but it wouldn't wear off. Because of this, I had to wash it off so I have no idea how long the liner lasts.

I have tiny lashes to begin with and the Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara made them a bit longer but did nothing when it came to making my lashes look thicker and fuller. I got some good volume out of it though -I think it's a good enough mascara but I wouldn't splurge on this.

As for the Shadow Insurance primer, it's one of my favorites. Click here for the review.

The Color:

Eyeshadows
  1. Leading Lady- Pale peach shimmer
  2. I Know What Boys Want- Pale ballet pink shimmer
  3. Lucky Charms- Very pale golden chartreuse shimmer
  4. Heaven- Matte pale beige
  5. Like A Virgin- Matte medium taupe
  6. Erotica- Darker neutral brown with gold shimmer
Eyeliner

Lava Gloss Eye Liner in Super Black- Rich, deep black with a glossy shine

Swatches..

Above (no flash) from left: Leading Lady, I Know What Boys Want, Lucky Charms, Heaven, Like A Virgin, Erotica, Lava Gloss Eye Liner

Overall: I think this is a lovely palette. The eyeshadow shades are all very pretty, the primer is great, the mascara is decent, and the eyeliner will be great for lining -if it doesn't burn your eyes like it did mine! =O However, I personally already have shades that are similar to these (with the exception of gorgeous Erotica) and already own Shadow Insurance so I passed it on.

Where To Buy: Too Faced