YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipsticks

It's been a long time coming for me to finally try the YSL lipsticks. I have always adored the packaging, but for some reason I always backed out from purchasing. This time, when the VIB 15% sale came up, I caved and bought several. I just wasn't sure which shade will work for me, so I picked out 6 shades that look appealing from  Sephora website. 

I have to say, I was blown away at the first swatch of number 9. It only took the gentlest stroke on the back of my hand to get a very pigmented swatch. It also lasts a long time too. Other shades are very similar in pigmentation.

left to right: shade no. 3, 8, 9, 29, 43, 47

Some of them are buildable to have a more opaque application. I'm talking about shade number 8, 43 and 47.

 I just adore the packaging. They are so beautiful, I just can't stop looking at them! And yes, it's an episode of FRIENDS at the background =)

What is your favorite YSL lipstick?

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

I'd been really intrigued by cushion foundation and done some research. I wanted to try one from the drugstore just to see how I would like it, so I picked the L'Oreal Tru match lumi cushion foundation. 

Reviews I read and watched all sounded promising. And I have to say, I really enjoy it. 

It has light to medium coverage, but you can totally build it up. I still need to use concealer to hide my blemishes, but the foundation manages to even out my skin tone only in one layer. The name 'lumi' gives away how the finish is. It makes my skin look glowy, in a good way. I feel like i have such a healthy natural skin with this foundation. It just looks so natural and not cakey at all.

before True match cushion foundation

after one layer of True Match Lumi cushion foundation

before True match cushion foundation

after one layer of True Match Lumi cushion foundation

There are some drawbacks from this product. One of them is the sanitary reason. Since it's basically liquid-soaked sponge in a compact, the application might not be the most sanitary when you "double dip" your brush or sponge directly to the product. I don't use the sponge that comes in the compact just because I don't like to get it all dirty and all. I use my own foundation brush and I blend with beauty blender afterwards.

What's New at Sephora | The Estée Edit

I was just browsing around Sephora website, per usual when I stumbled across the newest line, the Estée Edit by Estée Lauder. I haven't heard anyone talk about it before, so I was intrigued and decided to pick some things from the line to try myself. I guess this is the company's way to target the younger market. They even have Kendall Jenner as the face of the line on Sephora website. 

I've talked all about it on my video, and here are some close up pictures and swatches. 

Camping | Death Valley, CA

Death Valley had been on my bucket list for a while, so when my friend invited me to join him on this camping trip I said nothing but, "YES!". It was about 9-hour drive from San Jose to the campsite, Furnace Creek. We left at around 5:12 am and stopped at Barstow, CA for lunch. We met our two other friends who drove from San Diego to meet us there. The initial plan was In & Out Burger, but seeing Panda Express was there... 

There were 19 of us, and we rented two big vans. I was a bit surprised that we were on top of schedule. We arrived at the campsite at around 3.30 in the afternoon. The weather was really nice. It was around 75F. It did drop more in the evening. I did a rookie mistake on the first night for not checking my sleeping bag. I was using Ocep's sleeping bag, and for some reason I just couldn't get it zipped. I was really cold in early morning when the temperature was at its lowest. My nose was freezing.

California Winter: Yellow and Blue || Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I am convinced California has the best weather in all America. It's technically still winter, but it already feels like spring. Ocep and I were hunting for a good photo location for the yellow wild flower and we always go back to this place. He brought me here about 3 years ago in spring and it was totally a different scenery (check the blog post here)! Tax season is just in front of me, and I am eager to get started and just get it over with. With wedding planning in my mind, I find it harder to focus with a lot of distraction from myself, mostly. I understand now how the term "bridezilla" came about. I can imagine myself being stressed out and frantic over little details. I am so grateful to have loving and supporting mom who helps me every step of the way. The wedding will be in Indonesia, so my mom is my top wedding planner. I am so thankful for her. 

I find the hardest thing to find is my own wedding dress. It seems that I am not sure exactly of what I want, but I am very sure of what I don't want. Why is that? I feel like it's just a girl thing. It's so easy with guys. Ocep can just wear anything I pick, and he'll be happy.

Winter Green and Grey | 2016 Year of Positivity

Hi everyone.

I've realized now I have been neglecting the blog for quite some time. I have been busy with the new year. 2016 is an exciting year for me. If you follow me on instagram, you might already know why ;)

With the preparation and tax season ahead of me, I have been surprisingly calm on the outside. Yes, on the outside. On the inside? I'm trying not to go there right now. My office mate and I started this slogan, "2016 year of positivity". It just a short reminder to always be positive about every aspect in life. I had been the most negative person I know towards everything, and it really brought me down. Yest, I brought myself down because of my own negativity and I realized how unhealthy it was. I am trying to eat healthier, exercise more and think more positive. I find running help me a lot to just bring the stress down. 

My now fiancee took me to watch Jersey Boys last Sunday. It took me a while to understand the Jersey-Italian accent of the characters, but I finally got to enjoy it. The sound was spectacular. I am surprised that I know quite a number of the songs. 

plaid shirt - gap outlet

coat - Forever 21

belt - Tory Burch

shoes - Nike

Sephora VIB Sale Haul | Holiday Gift Ideas

Hi everyone, it has been hectic as I'm flying home in 2 days. I have been doing some packing and last minute shopping. I also still need to tidy up my place so I won't come back to a mess. Here's the last video I posted on my channel. I had been saving up for this annual VIB sale, and I'm so happy with what I got. I haven't tried everything yet, but I will give you updates as I do.

I also have plans for upcoming videos for this month that I am excited about. Some of them involve my family! Yay! I hope you have a wonderful December!

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
First Aid Beauty Peace, Joy & FAB kit - http://goo.gl/3oRoUQ
Laura Mercier loose setting powder - http://goo.gl/Z7US6Q
L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream - http://goo.gl/kaqLmW
Dior Diorsking Pore Minimizer Universal - http://goo.gl/67UVlV
Fresh Sugar Lips Passion - http://goo.gl/skTruK
NARS Sheer glow foundation in santa fe - http://goo.gl/mYt1Tv 
Sephora Sleeping Mask discovery set ( SOLD OUT)
Fresh Seabery Skin nutrition booster - http://goo.gl/DkexOI
Sephora favorite beauty unmasked (SOLD OUT)