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?

Meltdown Facedown: Humidity

Humidity is not my friend. Last month, I went to one of the most humid countries ever. While I was there, I was melting. The humidity was unbearable. Makeup became an afterthought. There was no point of having on so much makeup on when it disappears within minutes. However, there were a few staples that really worked in 90% humidity (groaning inside). They worked so well during my time there, I cherished these products even more. They are now my staples to my routine till the last leg of summer. (Fall, please hurry!) 

Everything must start with primer. I used Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Primer. I wouldn't say it's the best of the best, but it did the job. It gave the little boost of lasting power, I desperately needed. I love that it doesn't have that silicone feel. It a thin lotion-esque gel that is cooling on the skin - perfect for those hot summer days. Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is my main weapon combating oil control. I spray this baby before foundation and powder. It does leave a stickiness to the skin, which I like because it is that little bit of extra glue that sticks my powder to my skin making my makeup last. (Every little bit counts!) I was so pleasantly surprised how well Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation worked in humidity. It clung to my skin giving me great medium to full coverage. I loved the matte finish. In that kind of humidity, there is no need for highlighter or any type of glow. Mother nature will do that for you. Last but not least, my favorite purchase I made while I was in Asia, Canmake Marshmallow Finish Powder. It is a full coverage matte powder with 26 SPF. (Go SPF!) It has great oil control without looking cakey or patchy. I regret not getting any backups. 

Humid weather staples done. I appreciate dry climate ever so more. 

Can't wait for cold weather!

A Few Days In My Life: ROADTRIP!

Travel Makeup Bag: Road Trip

My family and I decided to take a road trip up to Oregon this week, so I attend my graduation ceremony. 

Hurray! 

For a 6 day trip, I obviously overpacked. To defend myself, I lug this bad boy every weekend because I move back and forth between apartments. I can't wait till I settle into a real place. 

If you're wondering, I got this travel makeup bag at Sephora. It can stuff practically everything you want. It has 3 little makeup bags that have velcro, which you can rip off or put it back on as you please.  I organized each as these bags for my base, eyes and lips. On top has another zipper where I stuff all my makeup brushes and tools.

Base: 

Chanel Powder Universal Compact- I carry this everywhere. It takes any shine away without being cakey. 

Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Brightening Primer 

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage- Awesome summer concealer! You have to get use to the dry consistency. 

Skin Food Salmon Concealer- For those pesky dark eye circles. 

Nars Bronzer in Laguna- Of course. 

**Not pictured Covergirl Outlast Fabulous Foundation 

Eyes: Anastasia Eye Powder in Espresso - starting to really love this stuff

Bobbi Brown in Peach-just for a wash of color

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in RSVP

Kiss Me Heroine Voluminous Mascara

Kiss Me Heroine Mascara Remover: HG! 

Kate Mascara Base: HG! 

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara: For the brows to stay in place. (Damn you ruly brows!)

L'oreal Telescopic Mascara in Black

Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Color: A very underrated product. I use this everyday. 

Sue Devit Eyeliner in Chiang Mai

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Nude

Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Bourbon

Anastasia Brow-Fix

Lip: Lush Mint Julip Sugar Scrub

Too Faced Lip Insurance

Rimmel (Apocalips) Show Off in Stellar and Celestial

No. 7 Lip Pencil in Nude

Mac Ruby Woo

Flower Lip Butter in Haute Honeysuckle

Makeup Brushes: Real Techniques Powder Brush

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Real Techniques Setting Brush - Love this under the eyes

Real Techniques Foundation Brush

Ecotools Stippling Brush

Ecotools Blush Brush

Tools: Eyebrow Scissors and Large Tweezers- I got these at a nearby Japanese Market

Anastasia Duo Eyebrow brush/ Spoolie

Betsey Johnson Tweezerman Tweezers 

Misc: Clean Shower Fresh Perfume Roller Ball

Urban Decay All Nighter XL Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

WHEW All done! 

I really need to learn how to pack less. 

Any suggestions? 

I'm Returning This: Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes

Real Techniques has new brushes? 

Oh Yeah! Sign me up! 

Real Techniques Limited Edition brushes are all about duo fiber. It comes with a face, contour and a eye brush. Because Real Techniques already has brushes similar to these, I thought I was going to purchase brushes I already have and love. I made the purchase anyways because they were duofiber. (Man, the things I convince myself with. -_-)

But I was right. Compared to their other brushes, they are shaped a bit differently. Compared to their original brushes, they are much more fluffy and less compacted. 

Real Techniques Powder Brush (Left) vs. Real Techniques Face Brush (Right)

Why I am returning them: They are PRICKLY! When I first opened the package and tested on my hand, I thought they were so soft. It was just what I expected from Real Techniques. Then... I brushed them on my face...it was not worth the $20 I paid for. 

I am disappointed. 

Did you have good luck with these?