Holiday Wish List

Fall Desires

September 2013 Favorites

I have missed quite a few favorites lately, but here the products that have been the game changers leaving a lot of beloved foundations unloved. 

Biore UV Aqua SPF 50 PA +++: 

Amazing! It is my new HG sunblock. This product makes me want to put sunblock in the morning. The consistency is nothing like sunblocks we have learned to hate. It is a liquidy gel that feels so cooling onto the skin. It does have floral scent that goes away once it is applied to the skin. 

Nars Creamy Concealer: 

The hype around this product is very true. It is everything you want a concealer in a tube to be.

Benefit Highbeam: 

I use to this for my lazy mornings when I have no time to put on blush. It is easy to apply one dot on my cheek, rub it in and go. 

Nars Translucent Setting Powder: 

I like to call this my resurrection product. It doesn't cover any blemishes or make your makeup last, but it cures anything that makes your face looking flat. It has tiny particles that gives a soft radiant glow. I love carrying this around with me and its becoming a staple in my handbag. 

Show-off Mascara:

I got this from a glossybox years ago. From one reason to another, I don't know why I didn't have the chance to try it. It turns out I really love it! I love the flat brush. I'll give a full review later on. 

L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe: 

I don't wear eyeshadow, but this eyeshadow makes me want to wear it everyday. I wear it as a wash of color. It is such a multidimensional color that when I wear it as a wash of color, it looks like I did something amazing to my eyes. (By the way, I think these are way better than Mac eyeshadows)

What I Got in the Mail: September 2013 Beauty Army

My 1st and last Beauty Army Box! 

Beauty Army is a subscription box where you can choose what you want to try plus 1 surprise. I loved the idea of choosing your own items. Sometimes there are items other people get their boxes, in my opinion are really great, but I didn't get it in my own box. By choosing my own items, I can determine what I want in my own box. 

First up: 

Colorsmash Hair shadow:

I thought it would be so fun to have a pink tint to my hair *temporarily*. Unfortunately, my hair is really black making anything show up it a near impossibility. This stuff actually works! It comes in a big eyeshadow pan. I slide the pan against my hair and it shows up to a pretty bright pink. I then follow it with a generous spray of hairspray, so the color locks into the hair and not anywhere else. Later that day, that generous amount of hairspray I applied proved to be moot. My white top I was wearing looked tie dyed. Never again. 

Cotz Face Natural Skin Tone SPF 40: 

This stuff is so interesting. It says it's a mineral based sunscreen. First off, it's a really dark tan (NC 40) color. I was worried that the color would not match my skintone. Thankfully, it is a sheer formula with no odd coloring in sight. I would not suggest this to anyone lighter than a NC 25 skin tone. It does provide some coverage.  I noticed some of my acne pigmentation were not as visible. Secondly, the consistency is odd. It feels I'm applying a mousse like foundation. It applies silky onto the skin with a matte finish. It doesn't leave any type of tacky, moist or sticky feeling that a most sunscreen do. I do like that it unlike most generic sunscreens out there. I may repurchase it for a non-makeup day. 

Menza Facewash: 

I kind of like this stuff! It says,  "a soap-less, non-abrasive cleanser enriched with dissolving

enzymes that remove dull skin cells" It's funny because the first thing I thought of when I smelled this stuff is "this stuff smells like soap." I only used this once, but so far so good. It doesn't break me out. It doesn't strip my skin dry. It makes my skin feel really clean and refreshed.

Marula Facial Oil: 

I haven't tried it yet. I'll be honest that I haven't tried it yet because I'm scared of it. I have really oily skin and applying another layer of oil screams BREAKOUT. And it looks so lovely sitting inside a tiny vial waiting for me to use it, but my fear for oils cannot step aside. I promise I have used oils before and never broken out, but the stigma still lingers within me. Bad Mary! Bad! 

Skiin Instant Tightener and Line Filler: 

I haven't used this either! I don't even know how to use it. Is it a moisturizer? a serum? It doesn't have directions on the website or the product. (help me beautyarmy!) 

Amlactin Body Lotion: 

A typical body lotion that provides hydration to the skin. I wouldn't say after using this my skin became baby skin soft, but there is some moisturization. To be fair, the skin on my body is very dry. It takes lots of body butters and body oils to achieve the softness I desire. 

Mighty Leaf Peach Ginger Iced Tea:

Yum-o! My favorite thing in my box. It is a bright peach flavor with a ginger undertone taste giving a little kick to my taste buds. It was so refreshing in this summer heat. I can't wait to pick up more. 

This month's box was okay. I was disappointed that my favorite thing was ice tea in a beauty subscription box! For $12 a month I want to be wow'd with the things I am getting. Maybe next time. 

Canmake Nobimori Mascara

Canmake is one of my favorite Asian makeup brands. They just make quality items at a great price. I never had a disappointed item...until I got this. Well, that's what I thought when I initially tried it. The formula was so wet, it was unworkable. It does poorly on curl control. I have to use Kate Mascara Base to keep the curl up. This is disappointing in a Japanese mascara. Usually they are awesome in the curl patrol department. But when the mascara has dried up a bit, and I use a mascara base, it's working a lot better. 

It has the fine tooth comb brush thing going on. It's not my favorite, but on this mascara, I don't mind it so much. It's quite easy to to comb through with voluminous lashes in one swipe. By the way, the voluminous thing on this mascara is kind of awesome. One of my favorite parts of this mascara. Another? It doesn't smudge!! 

Warning: This mascara is really hard to scrub off. It is a toughie. I use Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Remover, which usually works on all mascaras, but on this one I have to wait a second longer to take it off. 

I wouldn't buy this mascara again. It's too much work for something that is hard to get in the States. 

Hopefully, I'll get better luck next time! 

Maybelline 14 hour Lipstick in Never Ending Nude

If Lisa Eldridge says it's good, it's good enough for me. So far; so good. It is a matte formula, which means it's drier than other lipsticks. Even though it's dry, it doesn't my lips uncomfortable or sticky. It feels like there's absolutely nothing on my lips, which I like.

The lipstick name is far from what it sounds like. It's definitely not a nude. It's a pinky mauve making it one those your lips but better color. As much as I love the color, I do wish I got another color, because this "Never Ending Nude" is a glitter bomb. The glitter particles are huge, and there's a lot of it. My lips are sensitive. At times, because of all the glitter, it can leaves my lips feeling sore.

In spite all of this, this is my new 'my lips but better' every day lipstick. It helps bring my look altogether, and it lasts a really long time: easily 4-6 hours. I don't like to touch up, so it's perfect when I can just dab in the morning and go. 

Thoughts? 

Sephora Haul

I went to Sephora planning on buying Nars Light Reflecting Loose Powder, and I did a poor job. Naturally, I ended buying more than I expected to. I went over to check the loose powder out, and the minute I opened the jar, powder went everywhere. Mr. loose powder was just showing me that he and I are not a match. 

So Far, Mr. Pressed Setting Powder and I are getting along great! I'm kind of loving him. That airbrushed look everyone is talking about is very true. 

Everything I got looks so great, I can't wait to give a proper run. Unfortunately, I'm returning the eyeshadow base. When I opened it there was grubby foundation finger marks all over it. 

Any suggestions when I head back to Sephora?