Product Rave: No7 Radiance Boosting

Here's a product I've decided I cannot be without: 

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser, $10

This is a dupe product for the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. If you aren't familiar, let me fill you in. As a disclaimer, I've never personally tried the Liz Earle, but I've read and watched TONS of reviews (direct review links to SWalker, Vivianna, Zoella). Unfortunately, this line is carried in the UK and is rarely sold on QVC (or so I've heard). I'm dying to get my hands on the Cleanse and Polish!

Anywho, onto the good stuff. What both of these products claim to do is to cleanse all the impurities off your face with the use of a muslin cloth. You pump out the cream onto your dry hands and rub onto your dry face over all your makeup. The product works into your skin, melting and dissolving away all the layers of makeup. As if that isn't cleansing enough, the muslin cloth steps in to take the cleansing process up another notch. Using hot water, soak the muslin cloth, squeeze out, and press into your face. As you wipe away the grime, you're removing makeup and exfoliating your face of dead skin cells. Repeat on a clean face if desired. The end product should be moisturized, glowing, and heavenly skin. 

The concept is simple: cleanse and polish. It's meant for all skin types and for anyone who is looking to clear their skin with light exfoliation. Just because you don't wear makeup shouldn't turn you off either! This product is just raved by makeup junkies because it's gentle, yet effective enough to remove everything on their face - in one step! Doesn't that sound amazing??? You could see how I was so intrigued and could not pass up the chance to try the No7 dupe. 

My review: 

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. Now I've heard seen one comparison between the two, and the No7 failed compared to Liz Earle, but it totally wins for me. Imagine how great the Liz Earle must be!!! :O

First of all, this product smells like a dream. I love using it just to smell it. I can't describe the scent, but it really is a joy to use. Secondly, the cream really does melt off my makeup. I gently rub a generous amount onto my face and see the white cream turn gray (collecting all my makeup). I generally start on my cheeks and forehead and do my eyes last because I don't want my mascara being rubbed onto the rest of my face. I focus most of my attention at my eyes, where I use waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Mind you, nothing else gets my waterproof makeup as well as this. Once I know my skin and lashes are saturated well enough, I run my muslin cloth under the hot water, squeeze out the excess, and then rest the cloth over my face. When I have time, I let the cloth sit over my face to open up my pores. I then start taking off my makeup with the cloth. I make sure not to rub my eyes to irritate them or cause wrinkles. I close my eyes, push the cloth downward pressing it into my upper lashes, then push upward pressing the cloth into my lower lashes, then open my eyes and clean where necessary. When I'm too lazy to use the cloth, I'll still rub the cream onto my face, but just skip the cloth step and use a good foaming cleanser to get everything off. 

I did have to get used to this new process of taking off makeup, but it's so easy once it's a part of your routine. I don't like using oily makeup removers and getting cotton strands all over my face, so this was a nice alternative. The smell is amazing and it really does leave your face nicely moisturized. I love that the muslin cloth serves to gently exfoliate your face. It really does leave my skin... "radiant"! 

As far as I know, Target and Ulta carry No7. I just became a member at Ulta and saw a "get $3.50 off any minimum purchase of $10" coupon and thought it'd be great to get a backup for only $6.50! I just bought my backup so you can see how this qualifies for a "product rave" review!  If you're near an Ulta, go onto their site and use this coupon. If not... take a leap of faith and get it at Target! At least walk by and smell it... 

If any of you ever try it, let me know your thoughts! :D

My grade: A

!!!!

My Missoni for Target Weekender Tote came in the mail!

I am a very happy camper.

^_______^

Woohoo!!!! Time to take a trip! 

;)

September Birch Box 2011

I'm already getting lazy taking photos of these boxes... I think it's because I have yet to be "wowed!" But still, I don't mind paying $10 per month for trying out new samples.

Anywho, here are the contents of this months box with retail prices (clockwise):

Blinc "Resilient" Mascara $24 - This interesting take on mascara claims to create "tubes" around your lashes instead of "painting" them on. This approach promises no running, smudging, clumping, flaking, and lengthens, holds curls, and is waterproof. Have yet to test it out. 

Jouer Lip Enhancer $14 - This tiny tube is the most exciting item I received this month. Give me anything that is a lip balm, and I'll go nuts. This works to moisturize and plump your lips at the same time. It has a nice scent and texture. Too bad it's the size of a newborn's finger!

Harvey Prince "Girly" Eu Flirt $55 - Nasty. Threw it away already. 

Incoco "Adventurous" Nail Polish Applique $9 - Zebra print nail strips. I always wanted to try them out, but not with this print! Maybe I'll try it out for a concert or some night out. :)

Lash Card $5 - These cards shaped to follow the curve of your eyes are meant to be used while applying mascara. Very fitting with the Blinc mascara sample. I probably need these everyday as I smear my mascara without fail, but I'm just too lazy to add another step in the routine. 

Birchbox Bracelet - A thank you gift for their one year anniversary. Meh. 

Overall.... *shrug.* 

Hooked

As you may or may not know, I am OBSESSED with this site called: 

If you haven't heard of it, it's a site where you collect your favorite images, websites, and ideas onto a "virtual pinboard." It's so cool because you can see what's being added by all users of Pinterest, so you see so many ideas or pictures you would not have seen before. It's so useful because I get to "pin" anything from any website I like, categorize it, and then have the site saved without bookmarking! It's seriously saving my bookmarks folder from exploding. I also don't need to save miscellaneous pictures anymore either! 

Here's an example of what I'm talking about from my own boards:

Then when you open a picture, you can "like," "repin" onto your board, comment, or follow the person. And at the top right of each picture is the direct link to the original website. Isn't it amazing?

If you haven't started, you need to join! But beware... it can get very addicting. 

Request your add today!! Join me... :) 

Eye candy

            

              

The list never ends... 

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...

I've recently decided to go hunting for my holy grail high-end foundation and graduate from drugstore brands. The only thing is, I don't own any or know where to start! After much research, I was able to narrow my list down. Below are the samples I collected from Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sephora.

Before I get started, I should explain what I was looking for to match my skin type. I have combination skin (dry cheeks, oily t-zone, esp at forehead and nose) and prefer matte finish foundations. Now I'm no expert, but the different type of finishes are matte, satin, and dewy. Since I'm oily within a few hours, I definitely do not like dewy foundations because they only contribute to my oiliness. I'm not too sure what "satin" means, but I'm guessing a powdery sheen. I love matte, but other people find this finish to be too fake and sometimes cakey. (I will share my secrets below for matte foundations!) A good foundation for me means medium to heavy coverage, long lasting stay, and no oxidizing (turning orange)! 

Let's take a look!

from left to right: 

top: Chanel Mat Lumiere, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 60

middle: Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer, MAC Pro Longwear

bottom: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet +, MUFE HD Invisible Cover, MUFE Face & Body, Nars Sheer Matte 

1) Chanel Mat Lumiere (Cendre 30) - My favorite, yet the priciest at $54. :( This foundation gives me a matte finish that is soft, powdery, and smooth. The coverage is medium and the lasting power is pretty decent for something like an 8-hour day. I love it... why do you have to be so $$$$.

2) Shiseido USP SPF 60+ - This face and body lotion has such a cult following! I was looking for something to wear under my makeup this summer without making everything melt off. The consistency is runny, but slightly thick. It blends in very nicely. I liked it, but still iffy about purchasing a full sized bottle only because I don't want to add another layer to my skin!

3) Kiehl's Super Fluid Defense SPF 50+ - This consistency is very runny so make sure you shake it up! This dried to a powder touch after blending, but like I said, I don't want to purchase because I am scared of breaking out with more layers on my face. (I like both sunscreen products equally.)

4) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer vs. Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer (Sand) - The lady behind the counter told me I was sand in both formula's, but that was not true! I tried the original TM and I turned as orange as an Ooma-loompa. The oil-free TM was a much better match, but left me SOOO oily. I was disappointed because these TMs have won so many awards! I did like the natural finish it gave right after application, but I think the asian in me prefers BB creams. 

5) Mac Pro Longwear (NC130 & NC125*) - I was matched to NC130 when I first went to the counter. I told her I think I was NC125, but she said it was "totally" 130. Wrong! I went back for NC125 and this is my second favorite of the bunch!!! I will definitely be purchasing this foundation for only $30. (Actually I'll be buying it with a discount, but I'm gittin' it). This foundation is matte, long-lasting (alllll day), a perfect color match, medium coverage, and does not oxidize. I get scared of MAC foundations because they always break me out, but this definitely works for me. I say check it out of you're prone to oil production during the day.

6) MUFE Matte Velvet + (35) - This product has so much rave in the Youtube community of the oily-skinned. I was so excited to try it, but it turns out it just made me even more oily. The coverage and color range are great, but the formula just doesn't work on my skin. I think it would be great for slightly oily skin, but it's not strong enough for me. My sister also had the same problems! I say get a sample before purchasing... It didn't have great lasting power either.

7) MUFE HD (123) - Now this foundation is HOLY GRAIL in the Youtube community. If you haven't heard of it... then you've been living in a cave. But honestly, it didn't work for me either. This foundation does give a flawless finish, but would work much more beautifully for people with normal to dry skin. This line is great because there is such a huge range of colors, so that's great for people who have problem finding matches. This foundation also left me very oily. I used up the rest of the tube on days when I only had be out less than 5-6 hours. Other than that, it just couldn't hold up. 

8) MUFE Face & Body (32) - This was the winner for MUFE surprisingly. I thought it would be similar to MAC's Face and Body, but it's completely different. MAC's F&B is a water-based liquid foundation that has nonexistent coverage. It was so dewy that my faced melted off within hours. The MUFE, on the other hand, performed great on hot summer days. The weird thing about this foundation is that it has a GEL base. It's all jiggly-wiggly when you pump it out. However, it blends to a powder finish and is completely buildable in its coverage. The staying power was pretty decent too. I think this foundation was the closest to the notion of having a "satin" finish. The verdict for my skin type: this MUFE foundation beats the other two cult favorites for face, but MAC's F&B is good for the body. 

9) Nars Sheer Matte (Stromboli) - This foundation is overlooked compared to its nemesis, Nars Sheer Glow. These obviously either offer a glowy (satin) or matte finish. I decided to give Sheer Matte a go since I like matte finishes. I was pleasantly surprised by this foundation. It has a light to medium coverage that is buildable, and not overly matte. The color matches pretty well with my skin. I did realize that the staying power is decent, but after about 6 hours my skin just doesn't look quiet fresh. I think it eventually oxidizes on me. 

So what did I learn?? Chanel breaks the bank, but is worth it. I did give in and buy Chanel Vitalumiere (review to come!), but I think it will be a while till I splurge on Chanel Mat Lumiere. Instead, I learned this is why MAC must be so successful thanks to real high-end prices. haha The Pro Longwear does what I need and I won't feel AS bad spending the dough on this foundation. The two drugstore long-wearing matte foundations I will still remain faithful to are the Maybelline Superstay 24 and Revlon Color Stay. Don't worry babies, you won't be forgotten!!

And my tips for matte finishes? Always apply with a damp sponge (Beauty Blender, Ulta or Sonia Kashuk dupes, cosmetic wedges all work well) because it evens out the formula over the face and prevents cakiness. You can always add on a highlight on your cheekbones to add the "dew" and you have control over where it is applied instead of all over your face! Bronzer is another great way to add depth back into your face. Nars Laguna, Tarte Park Ave Princess, Laura Gellar Bronze and Brighten, Elf Contour ($3!!!!!), Benefit Hoola, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, and Urban Decay Baked Bronzer are all great and promising options. 

And my final tip... Go go go go get samples!!! GO WITHOUT SHAME!!!! :D

Perfume Collection

With my recent infatuation with Gucci Flora, I thought now would be a good time to share my perfume collection! I think it's pretty fair to say I have a liking towards floral or fruity scents, especially when they have a warm note to tone it down. I do have to mention that I've only purchased two of these perfumes. Two were given to me by a generous friend, one swapped with another friend, and two given to me as gifts. Anyways, let's get to it!

Ta-da~ My perfumes sitting on a dish from Marshalls. 

from left to right:

DKNY 'Be Delicious' - This perfume is the oldest and fruitiest bunch of them all. My sister got this as a bday gift for me many years ago (hi sis. thanks sis~). It was one of the first perfumes of my "adult" life after I graduated from Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren scents in my teen years. heheh. This sturdy round bottle has held up through thick and thin and seems to never go down! You can definitely smell the apple, cucumber, and tuberose. It's just such a sweet smell that I can only afford to wear during the spring or summer, especially when it's a day I feel like frolicking around in a dress. Overall, fruity and fresh. 

Escada 'Pacific Paradise'  - This limited edition Escada perfume (what they're known for) was exchanged with a friend for my Cool Water Happy summer. I'm not quite sure how to explain this scent, but it's definitely a powerful burst of scents for your nose. What sticks out to me are the notes of amber, candy, fruits, and flowers. I know that's so vague, but it's really a concoction. This fits my mood when I'm feeling girly. Fun for days out or even a date, but beware... the smell can be overwhelming! Overall, floral, fruity, and feminine. 

Giorgio Armani 'Armani Code' - This perfume is one that I'm still getting used to (thanks grace!!!). It definitely has notes of wood that make this perfume much warmer and richer than the rest of my collection. The vanilla, ginger, blood orange blossoms, and jasmine are easily detectable. It's soothing though because of the wood and also hints of lavender. It's almost a little seductive. :O Overall, warm and womanly. 

Burberry 'Summer' - I picked this bad boy up in Ktown during a Christmas sale. I think I got it for half-off. Score! Anywho, this limited edition bottle was a must-have after smelling it at my friend's house. I was already in love with two other Burberry scents, and I thought this would be the perfect perfume for... well duh, summer. It has floral scents of freesia, lily, and rose, but a crisp twist with notes of citrus, vanilla, and wood. It's fresh, but really warm and dark at the same time. I would say this is for when you're feeling sophisticated on summer days. :P 

from left to right: 

Marc Jacobs 'Daisy' - I was seriously obsessed with this perfume for the longest time. Too bad everyone around me hates it. (namely you, joyce!) I think it's just a different smelling perfume that always excites my lil' ol' nostrils. I mean, it's pretty heavily scented with vanilla, musk, jasmine, and gardenia, which I can see being overwhelming to a lot of people. But to me, it's magical. Apparently there are some notes of strawberry and grapefruit. See? Not too bad... My cousin got this for me as a bday/christmas gift and I was ever so grateful. I may be running out of this sometime soon (it will be the first perfume I finish before it expires!), but I don't feel confident I could finish a full size bottle in the future. They're just so ginormous with their huge daisy-heads... intimidating. See?? My one daisy is so much more friendly and cute. Overall, I think Sephora got it on the dot: "floral with a vintage edge."

Burberry 'The Beat' - Bergamot, musk, and wood. I think even a little "soapy." It's a really sophisticated scent that not everyone loves as much as I do. I used to go spray myself with this perfume at Sephora and just love how the middle and base notes were just as rich as the top notes, even hours after application. I would smell my shirt when I got home like a lunatic. haha Anyways, I love this perfume and I think it's perfect - absolutely perfect - for the fall, and even all year round (Daisy would also be a close contender). Overall, floral and spicy. Mmmmm..

Juicy Couture 'Viva la Juicy' - Last, but definitely not least, is my favorite amongst the bunch. I introduce to you - Viva la Juicy! Now mind you, I have always been anti-Juicy tracksuits and tacky charm bracelets and what have you, but I absolutely love this perfume. The only reason why I gave this perfume a chance was because of makeup guru Tiffany D spoke about it on her channel. I went into Sephora and fell in love instantly. I'm a sucker for gardenia and jasmine in light doses, but even more for vanilla. And this perfume has it all. When you first spray the perfume, you smell the top notes of berries and mandarin. Then the floral notes kick in. And then you're left with yummy amber, caramel, and vanilla when top notes have faded. I luuuuuuv. I first purchased the $18 rollerball, but I became a possessed woman who reapplied every other hour. I caved when I heard that this could be found at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. I scored! $30! I've been wearing this flirty scent pretty much everyday since the day I've purchased it and haven't given any of my other perfumes the time of day. Sorry guys. 

Anyways, it's perfection and I will definitely invest in a bigger bottle when I run out in the future. 

Wish list: 

Gucci 'Flora'

Burberry 'Brit Sheer'

Fresh 'Sugar Lychee'

Stella McCartney 'Stella The Print Collection'

Hermes Fragrant Set

What are your signature scents or on your wish list for perfumes???

introducing my newest obsession:

 

gucci flora. 

sweet jesus, its amazing!!!

i spritzed it on my skin at sephora earlier this afternoon and i can't stop smelling myself like a mad woman. 

next splurge, for sure. 

I've been bad...

I was doing so well with hauls until this past weekend! I've collected a few tops from here and a few dresses from there for the past two months.... but then this weekend brought upon my downfall. -_-

It all went down in the Chino Hills shopping center off of Grand. How could so many stores be packed into one location?!??? Target, Sam's Club, Walmart, Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Kohls, Ross, Forever 21, Fashion Q, and the list goes on here, here, and here! You can imagine it takes an entire day to get through the Shoppes, Marketplace, and Towne Center. It's pretty intense. My sister, cousin, and I spent a good 4 hours at Ulta, Walmart, Kohl's, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx alone. I have never been to a better stocked Marshalls or TJ Maxx in my life. Chino Hills knows what's up! I definitely need to hit up Nordstrom Rack next time I go... I'm still dreaming about it... 

Anywho, onto my summer haul!

Guess Bejeweled Flats, $25

I really don't need another pair of black sandals, but I just thought they could make any outfit look dressier! Instant makeover to jeans or a plain dress... I'm still trying to justify in my head... 

Nine West Navy Suede Pumps, $40

The detail along the ankle was such a dainty touch I had never seen before. And the color navy is so easy to match with any outfit! Why not switch out black for navy? 

So White Bangle Sandals, $9

I don't own anything like this. The white offers a fresh color option to any outfit and the bangles can serve as accessories so you can tone down on accessories on top. 

Michael Kors Crossover Sandals, $20 (from $110!!!!!)

This was the major steal of the day!  I remember bugging our stock supervisor at Michael Kors to find these pair of sandals for me, but our MK style stores never carried them. I guess they were a department store exclusive. But it was meant to be because they were in the clearance section at TJ Maxx for only 20 buckaroos! They are pretty crazy with one strap for the big toe, but I was in pure shock finally seeing them in person and couldn't pass the deal up. 

Soprano Maxi in Olive, $24 

I've been searching high and low for a maxi dress with this kind of cut. I love the flowy extra bit over the dress. (I've been living in maxi's if you could tell...)

Leo Meets Virgo Tie Dye Maxi, $20

This jersey material is the perfect throw-on for a lazy day. And for the amount of times I have worn this dress, everyday must be a lazy day. 

Forever 21 Open Back Maxi, $22

I love the vibrant colors on this dress. You can't tell but this dress goes to shin's length in the front and becomes longer in the back. It also has an open split along the upper back. LOVE!

Asos Maxi with Open Lace Backing, $30 (picture of the back)

I saw this dress go on sale from Asos and I had to get it. Look at the backing! Just so pretty. 

Asos Dahlia Collar Tea Dress, $40 (from $110)

You can't see the bow tie, but it's such a cute dress! Here's what it looks like on Asos. Cute with heels or oxford flats. If you guys haven't been on Asos... you need to get it on it... now! Asos > my blog.

Loveappella Strapless Maxi, $40 (from Gilt.com)

I like that it has a tie around the waist and kind of just hangs off the body. Cute alone or with a crop top! 

Love Culture Navy Sheer Button-Down, $24

I liked how the top is elongated along the sides. Can definitely be dressed up or down. Loose and flowy. 

Love Culture Black Sheer Top, $24

I can't say no to anything black and gold. :P

Lauren Conrad Sheer Blush Top, $30 (from $44)

I had never seen any of LC's clothes until this weekend at Kohl's! My sister and I had a blast trying on all of her collections in the fitting room, but I left with only one piece. Her clothing is pretty pricey! There were a lot of other pieces I liked, but couldn't get myself to spend the dough. This piece was the only one where the quality matched the (sale) price and I enjoy the flower details. 

Target White Striped Scarf, $11

You probably can't see it too well hanging on the rack, but it's an acrylic scarf with stripes that add texture and volume. Cute on a chilly summer night with a dress and jean jacket or in fall or winter with colored jackets! 

There were some other tidbits I got from this weekend, but don't know if it's worth posting. Keep in mind I did not get purchase all these items this weekend, but rather collected them since the beginning of summer. But I guess it doesn't matter. I've been a bad girl! No more shopping!!! Must keep telling myself this... No no no no no no no!

August Birch Box 2011!

This month's theme: beauty innovations. 

Let's see what we have here.... 

(from left to right)

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - Have yet to try this. I have the Hard Candy Sheer Envy primer that's supposed to do be a dupe to this product. I guess now I can do a real comparison! Too bad I always forget to wear primer... 

Twistband Hair Tie - Honestly... this is just a piece of elastic tied into a knot. It's actually rather gentle on the hair, but you won't find me looking to buy these in this lifetime. I can just get this elastic from one of my grandma's skirts in our Salvation Army pile.  The claims are it gives "a sophisticated makeover - looks good on your wrist as it does in your hair." Hmm... 

Shaveworks Cool Fix - A soothing gel that works for ingrown hairs, bumps, and other shaving side effects. 

June Jacobs Papaya Purifying Enzyme Masque  - A mask infused with natural fruit extracts that work to get rid of dull skin cells along with essential oils and antioxidant-rich tea extracts for an extra boost to the skin. 

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel - A gel that controls frizz, even in humidity. Not much of a gel user, so maybe I can get my little brother to review this product.

Overall, this month's Birch Box was much more pleasing than the previous month! These are all products I can find some sort of use for. It's fun being able to try new products without feeling guilty knowing you can't go through an entire bottle. I can definitely go through these little guys and be able to make up my mind about whether they're worth investing in or not. I don't think I'm in the market for any of these particular things, but that's the beauty of samples... You never know! :)