The Body Shop Haul

I recently went to The Body Shop for one purpose - to buy another tub of Honeymania body butter. I feel like I've talked about this a lot. The bottom line, if you like honey, try this one. The scent replicates honey so much I feel tasting it everytime I use it - I don't, though.

They were having buy 2 get 2 free or buy 3 get 3 free, which was the most bargain ever for their products. I got myself 3 Honeymania body butter and 1 strawberry. I would've gone for all four honeymania, but I thought I would try something different for a change. I thought I was done, but then I see this bronzer....

Makeup Goodies from UK: Bourjois, Gelly Nail Paint, Sleek, and More!

Finally, I can present to you few goodies from England purchased a few months back when my family was there. I literally provided them with a list, in pdf so they could print it out and take with them, which they did. I didn't get everything on my list though, which is fine. Now that I think about it, I'm relieved that they didn't get me everything otherwise I will be stuck trying everything out for so many months forward and not be able to enjoy the ones I've already had. 

All of the stuff I got is from all the raves and reviews from different beauty videos and blogs. I'm so excited when my mom brought me these. I gotta be honest I'd completely forgotten about them, so it was kinda a Christmas surprise for myself. Well, maybe not but kinda. =P

Blogmas 17, 2013 ❄ Bath & Body Works Haul

Another video for ya! =)

Any scent recommendation from Bath & Body Works?

Blogmas 13, 2013 ❄ Vlogmas: Mini Ulta Haul

I know it's technically day 14 of blogmas.  I had an all-day seminar about tax updates for 2013/2014.  I just got home from my youth fellowship which I have every Friday night. We always hang out at this boba place called Quickly until around 12 at night. We had a Christmas celebration today, and I got a wireless mouse. Yay! 

I was completely swamped but managed to upload a video instead. Enjoy!

Happy weekend everyone!!

Beauty Review: em by Michelle Phan

Guess what? I finally got my hands on the EM products, a new makeup line by Michelle Phan. First of all, kudos to Michelle Phan for making it so far. I'm just so inspired having listened to her success story. 

I gotta admit I had my doubts whenI first heard about her launching a makeup line. I thought it would be another gimmicky products that's not gonna worth the hype. When it launched, I browsed online for reviews and it does have  its pros and cons. Being a beauty enthusiast that I am, I  decided to give it a try and see  it for myself. 

Sephora Haul - What I got with my VIB discount

Hello everyone! I want to share with you what I got from Sephora for the 20% discount I got as VIB. If you don't know by know, Sephora has 20% discount for its members every year usually around this time of year. Every purchase is 20% off, online and in-store but you have to sign up as a VIB to get this perks. I didn't spend a lot on this year's sale just because I've already purchased things I wanted beforehand which I now I'm kinda regretting for not being patient. 

Anyway, here are what I got.

2013 Birthday Haul Beauty edition: Mally Beauty, YSL and Chanel

I know, this is about a month too late, but what can I say? I got my birthday presents late this year. I remember having a conservation about the five love languages. If you're not familiar with it, it's a book written by Gary Chapman. Basically, according to him, there are 5 love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. The book is a very interesting read. It's particularly important to learn about your love language and your significant other's.

I think receiving gifts is my second strongest love language. The gifts should be things I do like, though. Haha..
Anyway, here are what I got for my birthday. I did have a wish list going on. I think it is a smart move to ensure I get what I do like, although it does minimize the element of surprises. Well, we just can't get everything. =/

Mally Bulletproof Essentials Kit
I think this kit is exclusively from Ulta. I've always wanted to try Mally Beauty products after hearing Emily raving about it a lot in her videos. In this kit, you get: shadow stick (which Emily swears by it will stay like no other), a creamy automatic pencil liner, a lip gloss and the Evercolor poreless face defender, which is the whole reason I wanted to get the kit. It's supposed to act as a touchup product, to absorb excess oil and keep your makeup fresh.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation
Do you see the theme here? I am currently all into flawless-face products hence another foundation. This has been in my wish  list since last year, but I just couldn't justify the price at that time. I'm so happy to finally be able to try it.

YSL 'Youth Liberator' Serum Foundation
The packaging..oh my, I can't even...It's like a bundle of joy in a glass bottle. This is my first YSL makeup product ever. I've heard great reviews about this, but to be honest, what sealed the deal for me other than this being a great foundation was the packaging. *Guilty*

I will have reviews on all of these products on my blog once I get a chance to try them. So stay tune!

❤❤❤

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush

Yellow! 

Several weeks ago, Tarte was having a friends-and-family sale for 40% off all items. I took advantage of the sale and got me some blushes. I love me some tarte blushes, and I have heard great reviews about the amazonian clay brushes. I know it's quite old products, but they're still popular which can only mean one thing. They're really good. I bought one a while back at Ulta, it was a deluxe sample size product with the bronzer. I wasn't in love with the bronzer, but I really love the blush which was in the shade dollface.

I got two shades from the sale, buff and blushing bride. They were originally $25, and I got them for $18.40 each. Good bargain. I also decided to get a Sheer Passion cheek tint which was a discontinued product. I know I should've been skeptical about discontinued product, but I caved in because it was only $10 and I love Tarte products so far and I also read some good reviews about it. I also got a sample of brazilian tanner, which I might do a review on later. 

blushing bride

This shade is a shimmery plummy color which would look great on fall, but I can also get away with it pretty much all year long. I gotta be honest, the name kinda got me a little bit. I mean come on, blushing bride sounds really romantic and promising. I also watched Jen from frmheadtotoe did a bridal look tutorial using this blush and she looks really pretty.

buff

I don't really have a blush that's in this color family. I watched Tiffany from MakeupbyTiffanyD talked about it in her video. The blush looks tanned on the packaging, but when I swatched it, it appears more peachy and really flattering. I also learned a while back that Tarte was the makeup brand used of the Katniss Everdeen no-makeup look in The Hunger Games. In this video, a makeup artist uses this shade to achieve the look.

amused

Lately, I've been leaning towards cream/liquid-based products than powder. I just feel like warmer weather is not a good friend for powder. This cheek tint might look very pigmented, but once you blend it out, it had this sheer glow which I really like. The lasting power of this tint is pretty good too. 

Overall, I gotta say, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush is definitely one of the best blush out there. They're pigmented, and they also have this ability to stay on your face and make you look more put together even after going through a whole day out in the sun. I've tested it out today where I spent all day in the park playing games with friends. I totally recommend this blush. Pretty shades, great formula, awesome lasting power!

MAC Archie's Girls Collection

I have now become aware that MAC occasionally launches limited-edition collection like this for special occasion. I was reeeaaaallly excited when I found out that MAC lauched its Archie collection for Valentine's day. I was so excited that I rushed to the mall after work on the  store launching day on February 8th. I tried to order them online but some of the stuff I wanted was already sold out. How crazy is that?! 

I was a big fan of Archie's comics. I used to buy the them every time I was in a bookstore with my mom. She was actually the one who introduced me with the comic.

Although I am tempted to buy every single thing in the collection, I'm still able to control myself and bought only the things I know I want and can use. Not all colors are wearable for me. I know some people would buy them just for the sake of their collection, but I try to avoid building makeup collection of the things I'm not gonna use. Especially when it's a bit pricy like these. 

If you go to MAC website you can see the whole Archie's Girls collection, but for convenience purpose let me list them out here for you =)

Face

• Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder - Flatter Me 
• Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder - Veronica's Blush
• Betty Powder Blush - Cream Soda
• Veronica Powder Blush - Prom Princess

Eyes

• Eyeshadow Quad - Caramel Sundae
• Eyeshadow Quad - Spoiled Rich
• Betty Pigment - Cheers My Dear
• Betty Pigment - Lucky in Love
• Veronica Pigment - Black Poodle
• Veronica Pigment - Magic Spells
• Archie's Girls Pearlglide Intense eyeliner - Lord It Up
• Archie's Girls Pearlglide Intense eyeliner - Black Swan
• Archie's Girls Pearlglide Intense eyeliner - Petrol Blue
• Archie's Girls Pearlglide Intense eyeliner - Designer Purple
• Betty Opulash Optimum Black mascara
• Veronica Opulash mascara

Lips

• Betty Lipstick - Girl Next Door
• Betty Lipstick - Betty Bright
• Betty Lipstick - Oh, Oh, Oh
• Betty Lipglass - Stay sweet
• Betty Lipglass - Summer sweetheart
• Betty Lipglass - Kiss & Don't tell
• Veronica Lipstick - Daddy's Little Girl
• Veronica Lipstick - Ronnie Red
• Veronica Lipstick - Boyfriend Stealer
• Veronica Lipglass - Mall Madness
• Veronica Lipglass - Strawberry Malt
• Veronica Lipglass - Feelin' So Good

Nail Lacquer

Betty:

• Comic Cute
• Pep, pep, pep

Veronica:

• Past Curfew
• Double Trouble

Accessories

• Archie's Girls Brush Kit
• Young hearts mirror
• Yours forever tote
• Jingle jangle coin purse
• Just a flirt makeup bag

And here's what I got

Spoiled Rich Eyeshadow Quad

left to right:
pin up purple,spoiled rich, ron ron ron, gravel

Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder

Betty Bright lipstick 

Kiss & Don't Tell lipglass

Couldn't get enough, I also ordered a couple more products online. I decided to get the 

Betty Oh, Oh, Oh lipstick and Veronica Mall Madness Lipglass. They'll be 'home' on Wednesday. I'll update the blog once they get here. 

So are you Betty or Veronica?

Blogmas 5, 2012 ❄ My Favorite Stores to Shop

Holiday is the hardest time of the year for me to avoid shopping. The jolly mood, all the Christmas hype, and crazy markdowns around me really succeed in attracting me to at least window shop. Regardless, I find myself a new-found self-control by revealing my checking account. Lol. Anyway, here are some of my favorite places to shop.

Target

Surprise, Surprise. Yes, I love Target. Who doesn't? I can ge everything from chips to shoes, from blanket to Wii u! Target has just the most amazing range of stuff, and they manage to have the store designed  neatly and enjoyable for customers to walk in. Target is by far my most favorite place to shop. If you never check out the clothes section, you should. Target really has amazing finds, and the best thing about it is they are on sale every couple of months. I got my favorite skirt and jacket for less than $15 after 70% off. I heart Target. Also, if you bring your own bag for your purchase, you get a 5c discount for each bag. Way to promote go green!

Forever21, Loft, Loft, Target

Forever21

What can I say? Forever 21 still and alway gets me. I do however prefer to shop online rather than at the store because I find Forever21 doesn't have good item arrangement. Things just scatter around randomly instead of being arranged neatly and properly. It is just hard to find colors or sizes for a single clothing item. It's just crazy. The other thing that really bugs me is that the rack is always awfully full and packed making it hard for me to browse around the clothes and take the ones I like. Regardless, I still like Forever21 for its fashion sense and low price. 

LOFT

This is my new-found favorite store thanks to Veronica. She is petite and tells me that it is hard to find clothes (and shoes for that matter) that fit. She's been kinda obsessed with  Wendy's Lookbook and ExtraPetite because both bloggers have similar body type with her. Extra Petite especially gives insights for petite fashion and petite-friendly stores. LOFT is one of them. I find myself shopping in petite section, and it fits me slightly better than the regular size. Wow. I guess my body type is somewhere in between, but I like fitness a little bit more when it comes to tailored outfits like LOFT offers. LOFT is also one of many stores that always have items for sale.  The sale is always around  an additional 40% off for its already reduced item, and occasionally 40-50% for its full-priced. I have never buy full-priced item from the store. The key is to be patient and willing to go from store to store to find your size.

Rose Gold Bracelet from BaubleBar

BaubleBar.com

I was a little bit obsessed with jewelry a couple of years back, and I was really thrilled when I find this website. BaubleBar offers wide range of jewelry design from classic to customized. Another great thing about it is its free shipping. Yay! You also get point for every dollar you spend that can be used for discount toward your next purchase. I have made four purchases from the website, and I like them all. 

Ulta vs. Sephora

I've known about Sephora just a little bit longer than I have about Ulta. Both provide me with the same level of excitement when I walk in to the stores, but Sephora does give a little more edge in my shopping experience. I always bump into at least 2 or 3 people with their heavy makeup who offer to help me with anything while at Ulta, the people will occasionally ask how I'm doing when they walk right pass me.  Sephora offers a wider range of high-end brand while Ulta provides BOGO 50% regularly for drugstore items. I like it because it can be my one stop shop for high-end as well as drugstore beauty stuff. The other thing that I like most about Ulta is its reward program that offers certain dollar value discount after you reach certain point. It really wins me over Sephora who only offers deluxe samples of beauty items that often times seem useless and unattractive to me. All in all, I like both stores because they complement each other. Sephora has my favorite high-end brands like Laura Mercier, Makeup Forever that Ulta doesn't, but Ulta has drugstore makeup which is really convenient. 

I'll let you know when I discover another favorite. Until then, thank you for reading!

Don't forget to subscribe =)

MyGlam Bag ✦ September 2012 (Ipsy.com)

 Hey people! It's that time of the month again. Time for myglam bag. But this month is a little bit different. MyGlam is now Ipsy. I don't know what 'ipsy' means, but the website has now new look and everything. Its slogan is now "beauty by you." I guess what it means is more personalization. They also promise to have more makeup.

This month's bag includes $20 off for JustFab, which is a beauty subscription for shoes. It's pretty amazing!

Carol's Daughter MONOI Split End Sealer

I'm pretty skeptical about this. I'm not sure whether there's a product in the world that can mend a broken (hair) end, but we'll see. I've been having pretty severe split ends. I trimmed my hair about 3 months ago, and the split ends have regrown. I don't know why. My Tresemme Split Remedy Conditioning Treatment has helped me a little bit, but we'll see if this split-end sealer will do wonder just like the site says. 

Jane Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink

Another hot pink gloss is included. I haven't tried it on my lips yet, but it's for sure not sticky and the color is pretty bold. 

                           

Mirabella eyeshadow - semiformal

I love Mirabella's permanent eyeliner pen which was included in the myglam bag a couple of months back.

 I'm not too excited about the shade, but when I swatched it the texture was pretty creamy and smooth. I has satin finish. 

Circus Nail polish - Tightrope

I don't have anything to say about this particular product except that it's Andrea's new line of nail polish, and Andrea is one of the myglam, oops, Ipsy girls. 

Smudge brush by Soho

My initial reaction was "Cool, it's a pink brush!" After I actually felt the bristles, I wasn't too impressed. I don't know if I'll use this brush since I still find my Sigma brushes are the best. Let's just say, once you go Sigma, there's no more dilemma.  =p

So this is my very last myglam bag. I have unsubscribed because I think that for $10 month I can get stuff I actually like instead of piling on things that I might or might not like. Anyway, when I unsubscribe on the website, somehow I accidentally subscribed for a year. I immediately contacted the customer service, and they said that they wouldn't charge me if I cancelled the subscription before the next billing date which is the first of every month. It was the 30th and I confirmed with one of myglam people that I wouldn't be charged. Few weeks ago I checked my back account and I found a charge of $110. I was pretty irritated. I contacted myglam again and they told me the have issued a refund of me and I could expect to receive the credit back to my account in 3-5 days. And now 8 days later, still no sign. I went ahead and contacted them again, and they said the have reissued my refund. So hopefully I receive the credit back soon. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥ 

Go Shopping with Me ♥ TheLimited.com

I was reading InStyle the other day, and my eyes were instantly caught with this colorblock satchel. This bag reminds me a lot of Celine Trapeze handbag. I wanted the bag so bad, but the price is just cra-zeh! So when I saw this, I instantly marked it and planned to buy it online at thelimited.com later. 

When I went to their site, The Limited was having a sale, Buy 1 20% off, Buy 2 30% off Buy 3 or more 50% off. The original price of the bag was $79.90. It was still pretty steep for me, so accountant that I am, I started do a little math and found the lowest price possible for me is to buy 3 items instead of just 1. The yay was it can be any item you want. I picked up knee-length socks which was originally only $9.90 and a $14.90 bangle. Everything was 50% off because I bought 3 items. The best part is when I found another coupon code online for $15 off. Score! 

                   

Colorblock Satchel for $79.90 $28.50

The bag is such a great quality. It''s made of a soft faux leather. The lining is great and thick, not the kind of fabric you will find from a cheaper bag, say from Forever 21. Don't get me wrong, I love Forever 21 bags, but this is just really a steal for me considering the discounted price.

Bangle - Cobalt for $14.90 $5.31

They have it in 3 different colors - cobalt, acid yellow and pink. I picked out the cobalt one because I think it's more versatile.  

                   

Flourish Trouser Socks for  $9.90 $3.54

Apart from the good pricing and all, I was disappointed for the length of time for my order to be processed and actually gone through. I ordered on Sept 2 and I didn't get any shipping confirmation until last night, Sept 11. I emailed the customer service regarding the tracking number and my intention to cancel the order and to get them at the store instead. Suddenly, I got a reply that my order was on the way. I checked the tracking number and it seems that they rushed my order. They just shipped in last night, and I got it this morning. I guess it makes up for the long processing time. 

My conclusion - I love the bag! °\(^▿^)/

♥♥♥

all pictures are from thelimited.com

Summer Haul!

Hey everyone!

I've done some shopping when my family was here for a visit. And then some on my own. =P

I feel like Bath&Body Works is always on sale. Am I right? Their body care products were all on 'buy 3 get 3' sale.  

These are all for me..

and these are for my boyfriend. He picked them up himself. Quite surprising actually because he typically doesn't care for this kind of thing. 

These mini candles were 2 for $5. I originally wanted to pick up the huge one for $19.50, but then I thought I can get 4 or even 6 mini candles with the same amount of candles. Plus, I get to put the candles everywhere, which I wouldn't be able to do with only one giant candle. 

A little tip from an Accounting major. Everything is always in calculation. =p

The hand soaps were $3 each. My boyfriend likes the Sea Island Cotton one, and I liked the Sweet Pea. I now have the shower gel, body lotion and hand soap in Sweet Pea. Do you wear matching shower gel and body lotion?

 I was really excited when this cute iPhone case finally came in the mail. It was supposed to arrive long time ago, but for some reason I didn't get the package in the mail even thought the tracking ID said otherwise. I really thought someone took it, but whatevs. I contacted the seller on ebay and he agreed to send me another one. How nice!

I love the colors. I also love the  melting-look-alike texture. It reminds me of ice cream kind of.   

I ran out of my Tresemme heat protector, so I bought the Joh Frieda Frizz-Ease Protective Styling Spray. It smells good, and I think, based on abundant reviews, it gets the job done. Protecting your hair from the heat is extremely important. Trust me. I learned the hard way. I used to think that back in the day people didn't need heat protector, so why use it now? I was wrong. Just because we don't have it doesn't mean we don't need it. I've got major split ends for as long as I can remember. My hair is extremely dry and damaged, but it's getting better now. 

The Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-in conditioner does its job really well. The other day after I curled my hair, I noticed how dry and tangled my hair was. I pumped a pea-size amount of the conditioner and just lather it on my hair, and it gives an instant moisture. Tangle no more!

It also makes your hair look shinier and healthier. 

left to right:
Elizabeth Arden High Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Gold
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Lovesick
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Foiled
One Natural Shea Butter Lip Balm in Berry delicious

Another lip products for me. I think I'm kinda a lip junkie. My mom gave me the Elizabeth Arden one. I've never thought of the brand before. I've heard of it but never really try anything from the brand. 

I love jumbo lip pencils like the Revlon Balm Stain. It gives you a lot of control, and it's just fun to apply on your lips. But the Lovesick is not really right for me though. It's fun for tutorial and all, but I'm not typically comfortable wearing such bright color on my lips. It might grow on me though someday. 

I've heard emilynoel83 raved so much about Revlon Super Lustrous lipgloss, so I went ahead to pick up one and try for myself. I like it so far. It's shimmery, glossy but not sticky at all. I've been told that sticky lip glosses help them stick longer on your lips, but I just don't like them. 

My mom bought One lip balms for her friends as souvenirs. I've never tried one before. She told me that products containing shea butter are usually really hydrating and moisturizing, so she picked one up for me too. 

Forever 21 floral short shorts. Love 'em! 

Van Heusen Colorful Plaid Scarf. It was on sale from $45 to $15. Wow!

Have you ever heard about the Pandora bracelets? I've never heard of it until my mom bought me this bracelet. We were on Harrah's hotel at South Lake Tahoe, and there was a jewel store selling this bracelet. It was supposed to be a dupe for the Pandora bracelet. The original one is really expensive, you have to purchase each charm for at least $20 each. 

You get this entire bracelet for the same price. 

If you haven't known already, I love bracelets. I picked these from H&M and the the mint green one is from Forever 21. 

Swarovski Hello Kitty Pendant

This navy necklace is from Old Navy. I never knew Old Navy sold any jewelries. I loved this particular one because of the color and the various charms around it. I wore this on the 4th of July, which by the way, I spent with watching movies and fireworks!
How's your 4th of July?