Monthly Empties( January 2012)

Let’s wrap this month’s blogging every day with a monthly empties post.

The Aussie’s products are average, not something I will repurchase.

I was told that I should use heat tamer spray before hot tools, but to be frank, I can’t see any difference. Maybe it really worked, but I can definitely live without it.

I usually buy this moisturizing remover because I feel it does not dry out my cuticles as much as other removers. I can't not wait to try something else, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know.

I finish these products on a regular base, and they are my all time favorites. 

Samples!

The candle I have here is Candles by Vicotria's  Bath Time with Pooh. It used to be my favorite, but I've had enough with it. Don't get me wrong. It smells nice, like honey and baby powder, but this was my third jar and I'm tired of the scent.

Products I will repurchase!!!
Sally Hansen - Moisturizing Nail Remover
MAC - Cleanse Off Oil
Korres - Wild Rose Serum
Philosophy - Purity Made It Simple


What did you finish this month? Will you repurchase it?

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails – 445 Violet Voltage

Today’s NOTD is another polish from Sally Hansen, Violet Voltage. As the name implies, it is a bright violet color.

If you look closer at the bottle, there is a pearl finish. But on nails, it is straight up a crème. The quality is very good as well, but it does take a while to dry without a dry fast top coat.

Do you like it?

Shop My Stash: Take #4

It’s another shop my stash post which I’ve been enjoying doing.  

 I fell in love with MAC’s blush in Mighty Aphrodite again. It is such a beautiful coral pink color. I guess I just could not have enough of it, so I included it this week.

I tried the foundation by Tarte again with a beauty blender sponge and this time I got my skin well hydrated before applying it. Surprisingly, I loved the result. Still, it is not a moisturizing foundation, but there were no dry patches whatsoever. I figure I will try it more to do an in depth review.

Deal Alert: Sephora 100 Points Perk

I think you all have received the email from Sephora about this event, but I really want to share what I got. Basically, you can redeem 100 points for a 1oz moisturizer with any skincare purchase.

The lovely BA told me that I could just buy a body/hand cream, so I picked up the famous hand cream from Soap&Glory. It smells nice and so far I like it. However, in my opinion, it is not so different to other hand creams, but it is pretty decent.

Among the three moisturizers, I chose the moisture surge by Clinique. I had the other two before and was not a huge fan of, so the only choice left is Clinique. Hopefully, it will be the product by Clinique that actually works. Fingers crossed!

Are you planning to get anything?

Tag: My Nail Polish Obsession!

I was not tagged by anyone, but I find it so fun, so I still decided to do it.

1. What's your favorite nail polish company?

I don’t really have a favorite. As long as the shade works for me, I will buy it. If I have to choose one, that will be Sephor by OPI which I think is the same as OPI.
2. Glitter or no glitter?
Definitely no glitter. As much as I like glittery nail polishes, I still want to avoid the hassle to take them off.

3. OPI, China Glaze, or Essie?
OPI.

4. When do you change your nail polish?

Every day or every other day. I know it is not good for nails, but I just can not stand wearing the same color for too long. But I always leave my nails unpainted at least one day per week.
5. What's your favorite color on your nails?

Sugar Daddy by Essie. I just think it is a perfect polish to wear every day and I always consider it as your-nails-but-better polish.

6. Darks or Brights?

Darks. I just love dark nail polishes.
7. What are you wearing on your nails right this moment?
Sample Sale from Sephora by OPI.

8. Matte Nails--In or Out?

Out! I tried matte nails once and I hated it. I prefer the shiny/glossy look much more.
9. French Manicure?

No. I was obsessed with French Manicures, but nowadays, I am getting too lazy to do the tips.
10. Favorite Winter Color?

I really don’t coordinate nail polishes with different seasons. I simply wear whatever I am in the mood to. But if I have to pick one, it will be Sephora by OPI – Just a Little Dangerous.

If you are interested to do this tag, I strongly encourage you to. If you did it, please leave the link in the comments, so I can check it out.

THE QUESTIONS!
1. What's your favorite nail polish company?
2. Glitter or no glitter?
3. OPI, China Glaze, or Essie?
4. When do you change your nail polish?
5. What's your favorite color on your nails?
6. Darks or Brights?
7. What are you wearing on your nails right this moment?
8. Matte Nails--In or Out?
9. French Manicure?
10. Favorite Winter Color?

Collective Haul (Sephora & Drugstore)

I’ve been shopping like mad this month. First, I finally got my Tarte’s full coverage foundation set in the mail. If you checked out my previous deal alert post, you would know that Sephora had this set in all shades, but the lighter shades were sold out in about two days. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on it before it was gone.

I tried this foundation only on my hand, and it felt weird. It’s not like a typical liquid foundation. Instead, the consistence is more like a primer, but the coverage is pretty good. Onto the brush, it is very soft and works very nicely with the foundation.

I wanted the blush in tipsy from day one, but always talked myself out of it. Now, I’m so glad that I have it eventually. The bright orange coral is very pretty and I don’t have anything like it.

MAC Beauty Powder in Light Sunshine: Swatch & Review

I’m not a religious follower of MAC’s collections, but I do pick up a few items by them from time to time and mainly from CCO. I like their products, but not as much as I love Sephora.

If you haven’t known already, I’m a sucker for packaging and that’s the main reason I purchased this powder. How can I resist the flower design?  

However, as to the product itself, it’s nice to have but not a must. It is so sheer that I can not actually swatch it.  It gives an iridescent effect if you really load it on. I’ve used it to highlight only and it works fine for me. I do like the lift-from-inside finish, but it takes too much product to achieve that. 

Overall, I don't think it is a great product which anyone can definitely live without.

NOTD: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails – 405 Coral Reef

Today’s NOTD is a gorgeous coral shade from Sally Hansen, Coral Reef.

two coats, natural light

I was doing grocery shopping the other day and this polish just caught my eyes. It was in a separate display, so I thought it was a new shade. I’ve been neglecting drugstore nail polishes for a while, but this is definitely a keeper. The consistence is more on the thick side which I like and the application is very nice. On the top of that, it is about 3 dollars and you can not beat it.

The color payoff is so good that you can definitely get away with one coat.

Do you like it?

My Wish List

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

I’m searching for a new foundation and so far this is the best I’ve tested. It is a full coverage foundation with amazing lasting power. I tried Chanel’s perfection lumiere which I did not like. I felt it’s little bit drying on me.

Mon Amour Palette

The Hello Kitty line by Sephora never attracted me until this palette. It is really pretty and fun.

Shop My Stash: Take #3

I’ve used my tarte’s blushes for a while and really miss the MAC blushes.

I don’t think shopping my stash stops me from buying, but it absolutely lets me appreciate what I own.  

Cleaning Out

It’s cleaning out time again! I should not be so happy to toss out things because it is quite wasteful, but using loathed products is truly a torture.

DDF – Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15

It is still full, but I am so done with the plastic smell. Since I got it for free during Sephora’s skincare event two years ago, I don’t really see any point to keep it. Before I gave up, I really tried my best to make it work. Aside from its disgusting smell, my foundation tended to cake up with it underneath.

Milani Lip Gloss in 706 Lip Party

It’s quite old and smells different when I first bought it. It’s a little sticky, but looks nice on. I am not sure why I had not used it as much.

Orly – Base Coat

It is just a base coat, nothing special. Since I repaint my nails almost every other day, I am sure whether it prolongs the color or not. But it definitely does not prevent my nails from getting yellow. The main reason why I stopped using it is that it produced air bubbles.

Sally Hansen – Made You Blush

I like the shade, but it is such a pain to get a solid color. It is very streaky and I have to do at least 4 coats to achieve opacity.

Sephora by OPI – Going Nude, Eh?

I’ve had it for more than two years and I loved it. Now, it’s getting really goopy and very difficult to work with.

Deal Alert: Tarte Full Coverage Foundation Set

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this foundation and now it is available in a value set at Sephora. I was going to order it through QVC, but my shade was sold out. 

As far as I know, this set was quite popular on QVC and sold out very fast. 

Please let me know how do you like it if you have tried it.

Clinique – Redness Solutions

Today’s featured product is Redness Solutions daily relief cream by Clinique. I’ve tried quite a few skincare products from Clinique and I do like this brand in general. Even though I haven’t discovered any life changing products, their products haven’t caused any trouble for my skin.

My skin type is normal/dry, sensitive and acne prone. This product claims to instantly relieve visible redness, soothe to cool discomfort, quell blotchiness and help future flare-ups.

It is a green tinted cream. It does minimize redness a little bit right after application, but it is mainly due to the green tint which works the same as green primers. I don’t think it  improves skin with rosacea over time, or at least I haven’t seen any results. 
It is moisturizing enough for me even in winter.

Tarte - Amazonian Clay Blush in Adored: Review & Swatch

Tarte has added the shade, Adored, in the permanent line recently and it is a lilac pink with silver shimmer.

 Like other Amazonian clay blushes, the case is actually colored like the blush itself which is really convenient.

The color payoff is amazing and it lasts a whole day on me. I really like the natural flush look it gives. The shimmer is noticeable, but not as crazy as Super Orgasm by NARS. However, it still can draw attention to big pores around the cheek area.    

NOTD: Sephora by OPI - Break a Leg-Warmer

I did not think too high of this polish when I first got the glimmer wonderland collection, but I really like it on my nails.

one coat, natural light

It is not just a dark grey shade, but also has a little bit of green undertone to it. I’m so glad that I tried it on and I do feel attached. It is very opaque and the result of one coat looks pretty good.

Do you like it?

Fresh – Sugar Lip Treatment

Today’s featured product is THE sugar lip treatment by Fresh.

First, I appreciate the packaging a lot and the twisted open design is really thoughtful. So there is no need to worry that lip balms get open accidentally in the purse.

As to the product itself, it is one of the most moisturizing lip balms I’ve ever used. It does not look like anything special, but it works. In my experience, most lip balms feel nice and moisturizing first on, but they tend to be drying afterwards. However, this lip treatment applies like butter and the most important is that it actually locks in the moisture. Besides, it smells nice and fresh, like lemons.

Despite of the amazing job it does, I still won’t pay twenty some dollars for a lip balm. I got my tube in a value set. Otherwise I would never pay so much for it. Carmex also works for me and it's inexpensive.

Overall, it is an outstanding product but it comes with a price.  If I have extra money, I might get it, or I will stick with Carmex.

Shop My Stash: Take #2

I like the idea of shopping without spending. Every time when I go through my collection to pick up items for the week, I really enjoy it. 

I replace quite a few products this week only because they are recently acquired.  

January Birchbox

Expecting each month’s birchbox has become my routine. I wasn’t impressed by the last several boxes at all, but this one is absolutely exciting.

Here is the list of things in my box.

I’ve heard so much good things about stila’s eye liners, and finally it appears in my birchbox. The shade I get is Purple Tang, a black base with purple shimmer.

What’s in your birchbox?

NOTD: Revlon – Silver Screen

Today’s NOTD is Revlon’s Silver Screen, a silver foil.

I acquired it a while back only because it was on sale. It has a little greyish tone which I do like. It goes on quite opaque and smooth.  

Do you like it?

Haul: Candles by Victoria

I placed my order on Jan 1^st, and received yesterday. So far it’s my most satisfying order. As much as I love candles by Bath and Body Works, I still prefer her candles much more. The scents are so much stronger and last longer. The most amazing thing about her candles is the texture. If you rub the top of the candles, you can feel that they are literally melting.

All about Samples: 3-Step System

It is actually hard to judge a skincare product for one time use, but it is more than enough to tell if it happens to be a bad one.

Clinique 3-Step

NOTD: Sephora by OPI - Natural Environ-mint

Today’s NOTD is Natural Environ-mint from Sephora by OPI, a light blue cream shade.

natural light, two coats

It looks pretty in the bottle, but not so much on my nails. I think it’s only personal preference and I am not really into this kind of shade in general.

Will you wear it?

A Collective Haul

I’ve accumulated all these items in the past week.

I was just curious about Origins’s skincare and decided to give it a shot.

I wanted this leopard palette for a while, mainly for the pretty looks. To be honest, I don’t like it as much as I thought I would. It is really nice to keep in the collection, but not really that practical for me.  

Shop My Stash: Take #1

I was reorganizing all my makeup the other day, and then I realized there was too much makeup sitting at the back of my drawers unused. Project Pan is definitely a good way to get more uses out of them, but I still want to purchase products from here and there. So I think doing shop-my-stash post may help. The basic idea is going through the makeup collection, and picking out a bunch of products which are going to be used only in the following week or so.

I used NARS’s lip gloss in Turkish Delight every day when I first got it, then never touched it for about a year. It is quite expensive which I don’t want go wasted. Same thing happened for the Maybelline’s lipstick in Pink Please.

I mainly bought the naked palette because of the hype, and I am not a huge fan. Most of the shades are just too warm for me to wear, but I will try to make it work. I don't think I will pick up the naked 2 until I see it in person. 

I will keep doing this series every other week and cross my fingers.

Do you have any other good ideas to use up makeup items? If so, definitely let me know.

NOTD: China Glaze – Go Go Pink

Today’s NOTD is Go Go Pink by China Glaze, the perfect pink color.

two coats, natural light

One coat is a little bit streaky, but going over with a second coat is enough for opacity.  This shade is well loved and half of the bottle is already gone. Even though I have a good amount of polishes, it already makes its way into the top three list with ease.

What’s your favorite nail polish?

bareMinerals READY™ Eyeshadow 8.0 - The Playlist: Review & Swatch

Today’s post is dedicated to the other limited palette from Bare Essentials. Since I loved the cocktail party palette so much, I decided to pick up this one as well. It is sold out on Sephora’s website, but still available on bare essential’s official website. The packaging is very luxury and travel friendly.

Sephora Favorites – Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Her

This is the most recent released fragrance sampler set from Sephora. I’m a sucker for value sets, so I had to pick it up. There are a couple new scents, at least to me, like Vera Wang’s Lovestruck.

Finished Project 10 Pan

I’m done with project pan. Yay!!! It has been so long, more than two months. I was struggling with this project, realizing how difficult to finish a makeup item. Overall, I think I did a pretty good job.

6. Benefit – Hoola

Can you see the pan there? I know it is tiny, but it took me forever. I really like the color a lot, which is so far the best bronzer for my skin tone. It doesn’t turn orange or dirty on my face. However, the quality is quite disappointing. Firstly, it only lasts on me for around two hours. Secondly, its price is comparable to NARS bronzers, but it is not as soft and densely packed as NARS. As much as I love the shade, I don’t think I will repurchase.