Monthly Empties (September 2011)

How time flies! It’s the time for monthly empties again. Enjoy!!!

Full Size Products

product name   (from left to right)                      points out of 5      repurchase?
MAC – Cleanse Off Oil                                                5                    Y

La Source – Hand Recovery                                         3                    N

Origins – Checks and Balances Face Wash                   3                    N

Candles By Victoria – Sweet Snow                               2                    N

Samples

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

Today’s post is dedicated to Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Top Coat, the most amazing fast dry top coat ever.

Seriously, it dries my nail polish completely in one minute or even less. It is quite comparable to Sche Vite’s top coat, if not better.

The brush applicator is flat and pretty wide which is perfect for an even coat. I think it is so much better than the mega-shine one which takes forever to dry. Since I always repaint my nails every other day, I’m not sure about the anti-chip claim but it does make my nail polish shiny.

Urban Decay Quickie Cheek Tint: Review & Swatch

Today’s post is featuring Urban Decay’s Cheek Tint.

I got this sample as a GWP when I bought the NAKED palette. The shade I have is QUICKIE, a light cool tone pink, which reminds me a lot of tarte’s Amazonian clay blush in dollface.

It stayed on me for a whole day which is quite impressive. The consistence is cream-to-powder, no sticky feeling like other cream blushes. Though there is a ‘tint’ in the name, you can definitely build it up without caking up.

NOTD : China Glaze – For Audrey

Today’s NOTD is For Audrey by China Glaze, famous as Tiffany blue shade.

Natural light, 2 coats

To be honest, I don’t think it’s a dead on dupe. It is definitely a little bit darker. I don’t really like wearing it because it does not look good on my nails. 

Do you like it?

Haul : Bath & Body Works

First, I got five anti-bacterial hand gels. They all smell amazing and my favorite is creamy pumpkin.

 Also, I picked some shower gels and lotions. I loved the black raspberry vanilla scent so much that I got everything except the body splash.  

Review: Philosophy Hope in a Jar

I’ve used it on and off for four months, and I finally have enough with it.

The main reason I hate it so much is the smell. It smells so strong and weird, like laundry detergent in my opinion. For those who have sensitive skins, I’d suggest you stay away from it or at least get a sample first since it is really irritating.

Moreover, make sure you’re using the right amount because it flakes off very easily. Every time I use it, my foundation cakes up no matter what. 

If you are fine with all these, it is a decent moisturizer which hydrates and softens skin, but I will not repurchase for sure.

NOTD: ORLY – Cotton Candy

Today's NOTD is cotton candy by ORLY. It is a pastel pink shade with a little bit of coral tone.I like it but do not love it. It is a good color for spring and summer though.

Natural light, 2 coats

Will you wear it?

Collective Haul

This haul is really collective. Enjoy!

Mac – cleanse off oil, brush #109

Mac – eyeshadow in creamy bisque from MAC me over collection (review?)

Revlon – colorstay foundation in 150 buff for normal/dry skin

September Birchbox

I am quite excited about this month’s birchbox and I’m really looking forward to trying out two of the samples. Here is the list of things I got.

Everything is well packed.

Current Skincare Favorites

My skin has improved quite a lot recently, so I think it is the perfect time to list my current skincare products. First of all, getting rid of my beauty dairy masks was the wisest I’d ever done. It might work amazingly for others, but not for me. Before we start, I have dry/normal skin.

1. mac – cleanse off oil

It is harmful to sleep with makeup, so taking off makeup is extremely important. It dissolves water-proof makeups like a dream and it does not leave any oil residue at all. Besides, it is mineral oil free which means it is less likely to break out from it. 

2. TBS – aloe calming toner

NOTD – Sephora By OPI Going Nude, Eh?

Today's NOTD is ‘Going Nude, Eh?’, a straight up nude shade. If you want to paint foundation on your nails, this is perfect for you. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the nail polish so much when the nude heat was just in.  I still think it is a great nude shade but I’m over the trend now.  This nail polish has been well loved and there is only one third left which says it all.

natural light, 2 coats

Will you wear it?

Swatch : MAC Eyeshadow In Creamy Bisque

MAC released their new collection MAC Me Over, and I only got one eyeshadow which is in creamy bisque.

To be honest, I don’t think it has excellent pigmentation. Actually, I did have to work a little harder to get a swatch.

But it is a little bit too sheer for a highlight. In my opinion, it is benefit’s eye bright in a shadow form.  I basically use it everywhere, inner corner, cheekbone and bridge of the nose. You can never mess up because it is not so pigmented, but you can definitely build it up if you want to.
Overall, it is a decent hilighter. But if you already have something similar, don't even bother to buy it.

Cleaning Out

I usually go through my collection and clean out products once several months.  It is really important to do so because expired products may contribute to breakouts and allergy reactions.

1. Maybelline -- cover stick in green

I bought it mainly for concealing blemishes. Unfortunately, it is a fail. First of all, it is drying and difficult to blend. On top of that, it leaves a weird green tint which is definitely not pretty. I never grab towards it, so there is really no point to keep it.

Project 10 Pan Experience & a Tiny Haul

I finally succeed in the project 10 pan which took me about 3 weeks.

NOTD: Essie -- Sugar Daddy

Today's NOTD is sugar daddy by essie. It is a naturally pink color. It is so sheer that it is barely there, but I love wearing it. I love the glossy milky look. 

natural light, 3 coats

Do you like it?

My Stockpile

I just keep all the makeup items in a box.

They are mainly mascaras. As we know, mascaras expire in 3 months, so I never open a new one until I finish up one.

A Small Haul

I just picked some products to try out.

I've been enjoying all the products so far. On the same trip, I also got some miscellaneous things.

NOTD: OPI -- Sparrow Me The Drama

OPI -- Sparrow Me The Drama from 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' collection.

natural light, two coats

It's a really pretty pink color and I find myself wearing quite a lot this summer.
Do you like it?