FOTD: Trying to Look Normal When You're Sick Natural Makeup

I don't feel well today, but I'm still feel well enough to put on makeup! muahahah! 

Am I the only one that thinks putting on makeup wakes me up? To me, putting on makeup is like having a 2nd cup of coffee.  It's glorious.  

I'm going to work/school today, so I don't do anything crazy. Actually, I never do anything crazy. I just like clear skin with some flirty lashes. 

I was excited to put on makeup today, because I get to use my beauty blender for the first time! (heaven's singing) 

ANYWAYS... 

Face: Revlon Color Stay Whipped in Nude, Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Tinted Balm, Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller (Dude, this stuff never runs out!), Origins Plantscription Concealer in Light/Medium and Laura Mercier Shimmer Block in Peach Mosaic. 

Eyes: Prescriptions Eyebrow Pencil, Milani Liquif'eye in Brown, Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Volume and  CoverGirl Nature Luxe in Blackest Black

Lips: Too Face Lip Insurance and Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Precious

Tools: BeautyBlender and my chubby fingers. 

TA-DAHHHH! 

Please excuse the hair and the bags under my eyes.

  

February Favorites 2013

February is gone already! I can't believe it's March. I have a lot of Big plans in March, and it's already here! I am not ready! I still have so much to do! 

It's not really a makeup month this month. It was more like a makeup buying month. Because February is the month of my birthday, I couldn't help and treat myself to more makeup. 

Let's start! 

Origins Plantscriptions Concealer: This needs a proper review. It's  good. I bought this because I can't get my hands on Collections concealer that's only sold in the UK. :( But, a lot of bloggers say this is very similar to Collections. It covers all my imperfections without looking cakey, which concealers generally do. I like the wand application because it makes it easy to swipe on. It stays on really well even without powder. A major plus with my oily skin. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix: Even though I hate the packaging, especially right now... I still love this product. That's what matters right? It covers my imperfections enough that my skin still looks like skin, and it lasts through 6-8 hour days. 

Nars Honolulu Honey: My favorite nude. It's pigmented peach lipstick that looks pretty with ANYTHING. 

That's it. Hopefully I'll have more favorites next month! 

Tinted Moisturizers

The pump on my Bourjois Healthy Mix broke. It's been sadly sitting on my desk for days now. I tried to fix it, but nothing comes out. It makes me so sad, because Bourjois isn't sold in the U.S. I got it from a swap who someone from Sweden was so lovely to send it to me. But now, after so many days, I have to admit that Bourjois has finally died. 

On the other hand, I guess this is a good thing because now I get to go foundation shopping! muahahahaha! 

Lately, my skin has been okay. I'm getting less breakouts (FINALLY). My acne hyper-pigmentation has been less noticeable  so I don't need a lot of coverage. I want something that is makes me skin look like it's glowing from within, but last a long time. I also want some type of coverage to cover the spots that are still there. So, I looking for longer lasting and little to medium coverage. 

The Contestants: 

Chantecaille 'Just Skin' Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Part of the reason why I want this is because it is so luxurious. It's bloody expensive $64. That's like a month of groceries. But I read so many good reviews on it. It supposed to be a better counterpart of Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. I did try Laura Mercier's version. I got the oil-Free one. It was so pretty and I would have kept it but it made me into an oil slick within 2 hours. I am hoping this one would be like Laura Mercier, but lasts a lot longer. 

Kevyn Aucoin 'Sensual Tinted Balm'

Okay, the title is stupid. "Sensual Tinted Balm" Really? When was a tinted balm sensual? Did you squirt some KY in there? Anyways, other than the title, this thing has some great reviews. Other bloggers are comparing it to Chantecaille's "Just Skin" and they say that this one is less dewey and longer lasting. That sounds perfect for me.  

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer 

Nars as a brand rarely lets me down. They have true quality products. I never tried this, but I heard a lot people like it. I wonder if it lasts long on oily skin.

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

The name of this tint sounds like a perfect match for me. Matte? Check. Moisture? Check. I never used Jouer before. It seems a lot of the English beauty bloggers are taking a liking to them. 

Which one should I choose? 

26th Birthday Extravaganza

Yesterday I turned 26! 

@courtesy of Katespade

I had a great time! My friends treat me well! And it all started last Saturday... 

We went to eat at Omars. It was disgustingly delicious.

These are the best fried zucchini ever.. (drool) 

I had the "Toad in the Hole." It is a baked potato filled with a very sexy cream sauce topped with a hamburger patty. 

Then, of course, my friends had to tell the waitress it was my birthday and I got a complimentary sundae. 

Look at all that hot fudge! 

Afterwards, I got very tipsy from an "Orgasm" shot (yummy) and a whiskey shot. My roommate told me I spewed quite a few F bombs during this time, which I do not normally do.. 

We decided to watch "Warm Bodies." This is probably the poorest rendition of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, I ever seen. But, what do I know? It's not like I was intoxicated or an English major. ;) 

On my actual birthday, I had no idea what was happening. My friends just told me to dress up, so I did.   

Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua  Origins Planscription Concealer Benefit Hello Flawless Sleek Glo 

Eyes: Anatasia Brow Wiz Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, Kiss Me Heroine Mascara, CoverGirl NaturelLuxe mascara, Kiss Ever-ez fake lashes

Lips: Nars Honolulu Honey

When I got to my friend's place, my friends shocked me with a surprised party! I was definitely a surprised when two dogs started running at me. 

Aren't the decorations so cute!? 

My honorary seat!  

A panty rose on my plate. 

I forgot to take pictures of the food we had. (Darn) It was fried chicken, bbq baked beans and peas. Finger licking good.

We cleansed our palette with a homemade chocolate cake with a mixture of cool whip and strawberries topped with strawberry icing. OH YEAH. 

Afterwards, we drove around town to get my complimentary Dutch Bros. coffee. For non-Oregonians, Dutch Bros. is a a better version of Starbucks drive-thru. On your birthday you get a free any type any size coffee. We went to 5 Dutch Bros. I have five LARGE coffees sitting on my dining room table. It's going to take a week to get through them. IT'S AWESOME. 

And that's REALLY it. The end of my 26 birthday celebration.Yipee!

What's in my makeup bag?

There are products I have been using lately. I been having the same face routine for the past month. I been loving all the products that I haven't thought of switching it up yet. Awesome, right? 

 Anyways, off the the pictures!! 

FACE: 

I LOVE foundation. It's probably the one makeup item I buy the most. Right now, I am using Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52. I think I am about a NC 20 in MAC, and this shade is perfect for me, right now. I want to say that this has a satiny leaning towards matte powdery finish. It is very similar to Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua in finish and consistency, but it has a bit coverage than VitaLumiere Aqua.  It does not cover all my acne hyper-pigmentation, but it has such a natural finish that I can overlook that part. As for staying power, it is not Revlon Colorstay. I have oily skin, and this would not suffice during the summer time. Right now, I am combination skin and with some powder it lasts me pretty well. (oh and this thing smells AMAZING. It has this great fruity scent!) 

Because it's winter time, my skin has been pretty good. I been using the Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller to cover my blemishes and sometimes as a highlighter. I have a love hate relationship with this product. It's a great drugstore product. It covers enough of my acne blemishes and sometimes my dark circles, and it's reflective enough (for me) to use as a highlighter. When I use it as a highlighter  it is very subtle. Basically, this is the drugstore version of YSL touche eclat concealer pen before Maybelline and Loreal came out with theirs. BUT using this is  a pain in the ass. The rollerball doesn't distribute the product evenly. It either gives me a lot of product or little to no product. I try to shake it and it doesn't work. Also, IT FLASHES BACK. I would never use this if I knew I was going to get my pictures taken. I already have had that experience. It wasn't pleasant. It looked like I have two bright white discs shaped in the letter C under my eyes. Not cute. 

I do not want to say much about this because I just got it. But, I will say is it full coverage powder foundation. I like it so far. 

Oh Nars Orgasm. The most popular blush of all time. I had this thing for so long. 5+ years! Is that sanitary? I hope it is. When I first bought it, I hated it. I didn't get why people liked Nar blushes so much. ( I think I still think that way). It is not until I shattered it and fixed it when I started to love and appreciate it. It is such a pretty flush that I can't change any other blush. When used correctly, it looks very natural. This one that I have is REALLY pigmented. I think I used too much alcohol when I was putting it back together. I cannot use a standard blush brush when I apply this to my face. I use a stippling brush than tap the excess off my wrist THEN apply it to my face. The result is A-MA-ZING

EYES:

I love the Anatasia Brow Wiz in brunette. Surprisingly, even though it doesn't look unnatural against my black hair. 

I am not a eyeshadow person, but when I am in the mood, this is my quick eyeshadow fix. It's Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Color in Antique. This is the only eye shadow cream thing that I can use without using a primer that creases on me, which is PRETTY RARE. I have really oily eyelids. I can't use most eyeshadow primers including Urban Decay's, and I have no problems with this. I love this champagne color also because it looks really natural on my eyes  while giving me a wash of color, which is really all I really want from an eyeshadow. 

I am a MASCARA FREAK. Besides that, my main requirement for a mascara is that it must hold my curl. If a mascara droops my curl even by 1mmi; it's a failure. Because I have stubby, thin and very straight Asian lashes, I can only use Japanese mascaras. There has been no American mascara that hold up my lash curl alone. So, my beloved mascara Heroine Make: the volume version make my lashes so pretty. I cannot have enough. Sadly, she is coming to an end. She's drying up and clumping on me so I use her as as a primer then coast Covergirl Natureluxe to give me an extra ooph. I do like the Covergirl Natureluxe. It gives separation and volume. I haven't tried it alone, so I can't give much of a review. 

Lips: 

I bought Nars Honolulu Honey last month and I used half of it already. This is the perfect nude. It's an orange tone lipstick, which sounds weird to refer it as a nude but on my very pigmented lips, the orange counteracts the pink making it nude-like on my lips. I'm going to need to buy another one soon.