I was just browsing through Target when I ran across these Merona watches. I had to do a double take (and take pictures with my phone haha)! I really couldn't believe my eyes. Total Michael Kors knockoffs, right??? And I know my MK! But don't get me wrong, ain't nothin' wrong with it. It's just weird to see how similar they are. I guess you know where to go if you're looking for an affordable version of these watches! 

Michael Kors Horn Jet Set vs. Merona Bracelet Round Case Bone

$225 vs $14.99

Michael Kors Midsized Navy Polyurethane (PU) vs. Merona Boyfriend Navy

$225 vs. $14.99

I didn't see this watch in the store, but here's another copy I found on Target's site: 

Michael Kors Tortoise Chain-Link vs. Genova Gold/Tortoise Chain Link Watch

$195 vs. $24.99

 How do you guys feel about knockoffs? :X

Robin Egg Blue

Ever since I saw this new display of cute colors from Wet n Wild, I've been meaning to pick up "I Need A Refresh-Mint." My "For Audrey" by China Glaze has been drying out and I thought this might be a good replacement. Don't you love colors like this? It reminds me of the color, Robin Egg Blue, by Crayola. I still remember when the color made it's "debut" in one of my new crayon boxes!!! :) 

If you see on the top of each bottle, theres a sticker that displays their new "ManiCurve Pro Brush." It's a wide paddle brush with curved edges, similar to Rimmel polishes. 

Unfortunately, my brush was not cut in a curve, but with extremely jagged edges that made it difficult to paint by my cuticles. The formula was super streaky in one coat, too. 

After 2.5 coats, I got a creamy application of the polish. I really hate the brush, but the staying power is pretty good. I've been wearing it for the past 6 days with barely any chipping. 

I also picked up OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go ($8). I have some pretty nasty cuticles and thought this might do me some good. All it took was the red "Allure Winner" sticker  to convince me!

Fits in the palm of my hand. 

Gently squeeze the tube and some gel will come out. It's kind of like those click glosses or concealers. It says its cuticle oil, but it feels like oily gel. It blends in really nicely and doesn't leave a greasy residue. It surprisingly has a really nice scent, too! Reminds me of apples and pears.  

^Nasty cuticles. 

^Nasty cuticles + Avoplex gel 

Ta-da!!! (excuse the nasty polish job) 

Overall, the polish is decent for the price, but the brush really sucks. I do recommend Avoplex if you come across it!

I didn't realize it matches my phone case! I must really like this color! :) 

April Glam Bag: Girl's Night Out

This month's Glam Bag wasn't very exciting, but it wasn't terrible either. I admit I will probably find use for all of these products at one point, but I still wish there was more! I would think they would include a really fun eyeshadow shade to go with the brush or a really fun nail polish color to go with the GNO theme. Nothing about this really screams, "GNO." I have yet to be overwhelmed by any of these sample box services. BirchBox proved to be a major FAIL and Glam Bag isn't too far behind. I think I'll give this service just one more chance!

The contents: All-Belle Natural Soft Comfort faux lashes, Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Ransom, My Glam brushes, & DermStore Lip Quench lip treatment  

These look pretty fake in Andrea's Choice and Miss Jessica Harlow's videos featuring these products. 

Small angled brush & all-over eyeshadow brush. 

These are pretty essential brushes, but how many does one really need? I def don't need any more. 

This is the only product I enjoyed this month. Although the texture is super hard (I have to squeeze with two hands to get the product out), it really moisturizes my lips without making them feel tacky. There's a slight shimmer, but nothing too obvious or glossy. My nose tells me it smells like grapefruit and papaya. I've been using it all week as a substitute for my other chapstick, and it's been doing a good job. Haven't noticed it drying out my lips over time or anything.

What'd you guys think of this month's bag? Do you recommend any other monthly services? 

time for a new watch :)

After working at MK, I feel like no outfit is complete without a watch! Can't help it, I've been brainwashed by their marketing. I've been eyeing these two new styles lately... SO CUTE!! I'm definitely going to save up and pay my old friends a visit. :)

MK "Bradshaw" Chronograph $250

MK "Runway Twist" in Safari $195

What accessory "completes" your look?

Flower Power

Why do I always miss my chance to get the "Forever Audrey" earrings by Jewel Mint?!?? I always check their site after they're sold out. -_-

Jewelmint

Does anyone else see the uncanny resemblance with CZ's "Marquessa" earrings? Wonder which came first... Hmmm...

CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane

I know how the "Forever Audreys" look because everyone on Youtube flaunts them in my face. I've never seen the "Marquessas" in person, but I think they look too thin and pretty. I don't know!
Which do you guys prefer?

my love is your love

I'm pretty late on this one, but man do I love Pentatonix!
I had no idea who they were two weeks ago until my cousin found their rendition of "You Da One" by Rihanna on Youtube. It wasn't long until I found out they were the winners of "The Voice." Can you believe 3 of them are 19 years old and best friends? If you love a cappella groups, you'll have fun watching these clips! :) And you if you don't already jam to these songs... you need to get on it!!

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over

Rihanna - You Da One <3 

Final Testing of Gel Liners

If you recall my previous post on testing gel liners, I swatched a few popular brands to compare quality and longevity of the product. Below are initial swatches of Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Tarte, and YSL from left to right.

Tarte's EmphasEYES Clay liner ended up winning! This retails for $22 and comes with a brush. One end is fine tipped and the other is meant for smudging. 

 

Then with my recent MAC haul, I was finally able to compare Tarte and MAC's Fluidline Blacktrack. The differences are that Blacktrack is $15, 0.02oz larger, and does not come with a brush. I wish I had swatched the two before I purchased Blacktrack! Tarte is definitely the underdog with longer wear, smoother application, and opaque (a true true black) with less layers! 

 Tarte on top, MAC on bottom. Tarte is clearly darker and dries to a matte finish. I built the opacity in 1.5 coats, whereas MAC took over 2. 

I have now completed testing all the high end brands I've been curious about. I have also used Wet N Wild and Elf's liners, but they always dry out so quickly on me and definitely do not apply as smooth as the high end brands. Tarte's EmphasEYES is the blackest and longest wearing liner I have come across and highly recommend it! If you're in the market for a new liner, check this out because it will not disappoint!!

MAC

One of my boyfriend's friends began working for MAC's corporate office in NYC and generously offered to hook me up with his FAT (I'm talkin' over 50% fat) discount. It was music to my ears. I had to restrain myself from ordering the entire line and just stuck to "essentials" I've been eyeing for the past year. I forgave my bf for leaving me during my spring break to go on a trip to NY in exchange for makeup. :P 

239 Eye Shader & 266 Small Angled Brush 

I just had to have these brushes because the Pixiwoo sisters use them without fail in every tutorial. The 266 is so precise! My brows have never looked so clean. 

left right, top to bottom: Well Dressed, Melba, Harmony Blush

Rubenesque Paint Pot, Fluidline Blacktrack

Of the 3 blushes, I wanted Melba the most. I normally lean towards peachy-toned blushes and love the matte finish. Well Dressed and Harmony only made it due to curiosity because they are considered cult favorites. I was pleasantly surprised with the satin sheen from Well Dressed and that it looked okay on my skin tone. I never felt like pink would "work" on me. Exposed was much darker than I expected. I have never owned a MAC blush and did not know how pigmented are! Rubenesque feels rather greasy! It does last all day without creasing, but I don't like how it feels when I dip my finger in the pot. I love the golden peachy tone, but it still can't replace my love for Benefit's Birthday Suit. I didn't necessarily need Blacktrack after purchasing Tarte's gel liner, but it was too late to cancel my order. It builds to an opaque matte finish, but it does take several layers. I will do a post comparing swatches soon! 

Top to bottom: Well Dressed, Melba, Exposed, Rubenesque 

If that wasn't already enough to get me through the year, MAC released their Spring collections yesterday! My sister and I were highly anticipating blushes from Tres Cheek, highlighters from In Extra Dimension, and lipsticks from Reel Sexy. We normally don't join in on the hype for limited editions, but this case was different! MAC is releasing their new liquid to powder formula, and since Estee Lauder produces MAC... we knew it was going to be big. What piqued our interest was the release of their highlighter in Superb. We missed our chance to get Laura Mercier's Rose Rendezvous, Estee Lauder's Modern Mercury, and Guerlain's Cruel Gardenia, and apparently this was the next best thing. Check out this amazinggggg post by Bloomin' Beauty Blog comparing swatches.
After swatching all the new products, I only ended up leaving with Superb & Modern Mandarin. I really enjoyed EVERY single blush from the Tres Cheek collection, but I really couldn't justify getting any more MAC products. >_< Superb is obviously a rosy peach highlighter. It doesn't feel as creamy and cool to the touch as Estee Lauder's highlighters do, but it will do! I originally wanted Immortal Flower when looking at online swatches, but I fell for the satin finish of Modern Mandarin. I can't wait to wear it this spring and summer!

L-R: Modern Mandarin from Tres Cheek & Superb from In Extra Dimension

What would your list at MAC look like if you had a discount?

What are your thoughts on the new MAC releases? Have you picked anything up?? 

Hope everyone enjoys their Good Friday and has a blessed Easter Sunday! )

Obsession of the Week

Bath and Body Works candles... how I love you so!
I stepped into the store to kill some time and smell some of their new candles with no intent of purchasing. I ended up walking out with two 3-wick-candles. They were 2 for $20! Half off! I couldn't resist... And I've been really impressed with their tiny 1.6oz sizes. They can scent up my entire room. So... I took the plunge and purchased my first full-sized BBW (14.5 oz) candles. I'm obsessed!

Tiki Beach was what made me fall in the first place. I didn't think much of it at first because of its un-festive-like tan color, but I swooned when my olfactory glands were introduced to this scent.

"Warm as coconut groves and white sand beaches, a delicious blend of toasted coconut, vanilla musk, and tropical island orchids."

Doesn't that sound divine?!????? I don't know if I can give a better description than above, but just think of laying out on the beach with your favorite coconut scented sunblock and pina colada in hand. Have I ever done that? Not really. hahaha! But who needs to when you have this candle? I promise you will feel like you're lounging on the beach with no other worries. Whenever its lit, I feel like I'm back in Cancun with my best friends. The candle has such a warm coconut scent, but with some floral accents. I can't get enough of it!!!!! I was about to walk out with TWO of these candles for $20 until I came across...

Blackberry Grapefruit. 

"Fresh from the orchard, a luscious blend of sun-ripened blackberries and juicy grapefruit with a touch of creamy sandalwood." 

This candle is seriously intoxicating. It's like blackberry pie at a fair meets the woods meets grapefruit. Who would ever think to put these scents together? This candle has been burning nonstop and is getting me in the mood for spring! I feel like I could be prancing around in an orchard one minute and then pulling up to the Orange County Fair the next. I really really love this candle!

I wish there was a scratch-and-sniff option through the internet! I don't know how else to explain these candles other than the fact that they're amazing. I don't regret my impulsive purchase one bit. I really hope you have the opportunity to stop by a Bath and Body Works and smell some of their Spring candles and take advantage of the 2 for $20 deal! Some other scents that were appealing were Mango Cilantro, Market Peach, White Palm, Green Grass, Frosted Cupcake, and Sage Cucumber. I'm kind of tempted to get Mango Cilantro and Sage Cucumber next!

Do you own any of the Spring scents? What are your favorite scents in a candle?

Products I'm Loving

In the midst of all the products I've been testing out, here are some that have proven to outshine all others! Some are used on a daily basis and some are whenever they're needed. Either way, I can't live without them at the moment!  

Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Breakage Defense Conditioner - This is -hands down- my most favorite conditioner EVER. I first heard about it in a magazine when Gwen Stefani mentioned it because her hair stylist recommended it. It used to be from the Time Defense line before they revamped it into the Beautiful Lengths line. I just love the scent and how it makes my hair so soft and manageable. I feel my hair literally untangling in the shower when I apply it throughout my hair. I only apply it ear-length and down so I don't weigh down my hair. I'm about to go through my fifth tube. I definitely recommend it for any hair type! 

L'oreal Ever Creme Cleansing Conditioner - On days I don't shampoo and condition, I reach for this! This new product comes from the sulfate-free line and claims to cleanse hair with less suds. I haven't ever tried the Wen Hair Care System, but I would think it works along the same lines? It's 25% shampoo and 75% conditioner, producing much less of a lather. Much like Wen (according to their infomercials I watch late at night :P), you have to pump a ton of product onto your hands and work it into your scalp and hair. When you rinse it out, your hair retains the moisture it needs from the conditioner. Sorry for the full-on review, but basically it really conditions my hair. I can't use it every time I shower because my hair gets too moisturized and eventually gets weighed down, but I reallllly enjoy using it between every 1-2 normal shampoo washes. It's an interesting approach to washing my hair and I'm enjoying the novelty of it! 

Moroccan Oil - I love using this with my conditioner in the shower, on damp hair, or on dry hair. Once I get through this little one, I have a full sized bottle waiting in line!

Milani HD Advance Lip Color in Classy Nude - This pen-shaped lipstick is the perfect nude for me. It's super moisturizing and gives a "my lips, but better" effect on me. It's easy with no fuss! 

EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit - I wasn't too big of a fan of this balm when I first bought it. There was so much hype around these funny-shaped eggs and was greatly disappointed when I applied it. It felt waxy and thick. However, I think mine had a funny outer layer because I love mine now! I grab for it every morning and night and it makes my lips feel soft and smelly so yummy. 

Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat - My sister was shocked that I didn't own a base coat, so she went out and bought one. To my surprise, it worked wonders (ESPECIALLY on my horrible 2-day wear Chanel polishes) and I became a believer of base coats! I have to use this every time I paint my nails, otherwise the polish always chips within a few days. Try it out if you're looking for a new base coat!

Essie Quick-E Drying Drops - This product cuts the drying time by 80% or something ridiculous like that for me! Before I'd have to wait a painstakingly long time for my base coat, polish, and top coat to dry, but now it only takes seconds for it to dry altogether. I don't have to be careful or scream at people not to touch me anymore! haha 

Garnier BB Cream - Love this still! I am intoxicated by the scent... which I think is their "apricot" scent and is somewhat similar to Bourjois Healthy Mix. It's a great moisturizer and really does even out my skin tone.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - I use this almost every single day I wear makeup... about 99% of the time! It provides me with the matte and full coverage I like and it lasts all day long. I also think I love it because it matches my skin tone perfectly right now.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - I've hit pan. Keeps oil at bay. Can't be without it.

NYC Bronzer in Sunny - I use this almost everyday because I don't like the shimmers in my other bronzers. It works with my skin tone and is super cheap. What's not to love?

Eye look: Benefit Creaseless Cream Birthday Suit, WnW Penny, and Milani Baked Eyeshadow Intermix
These are the colors I use when I go to school or run errands. They look subtle while adding some dimension to my eyes. As much as I love all these tones together, Birthday Suit is really the star of the show. There has not been a SINGLE DAY that I have not gone without using Birthday Suit since I got it. I make all my eyeshadows work around this color and can't imagine what I would do if I lost it!


Congratulations if you actually read through all my thoughts!
Have you tried any of these products and how did they work for you?
What products are you loving at the moment?