Tuesday 30 October 2012

Halloween 2012 / Dark & Bloody


Happy Halloween! Last year I have done something very similar to this year's look. I have created a vampiric look (inspired by True Blood & Fangtasia costumes). The very sexy top is a popular piece from American Apparel, Gloria V Bodysuit. As for my eyes, they are contact lenses from ClearlyContacts based out of Vancouver. For a full list of products see below:
  • NYC City Duet in 375 Devilish
  • OCC Lip Tar in Tarred - lightly tinted
  • N.Y.C. Skin Smooth Foundation in Ivory
  • Ardell Fright Night Cleopatra Lash Kit
  • Tube of fake blood
  • MAC Trace Gold Sheertone Shimmer Blush

1 comments:

Saturday 27 October 2012

Empties / August-September: Hair Products & Skin Care



I’ve been regularly hitting the pan, in other words, finishing up the products. In the last few months, I have finally completed quite a few. It feels rewarding to be able to finish. Finally! I’m glad I rarely throw out beauty items into the garbage, unless of course, it’s something that absolutely has to be thrown out. Take a look at the full list:

  • Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash: 4/5 - skin feels smoother
  • Sexy Hair Curly Sexy Hair Shampoo: 4/5 - perfect for wavy hair
  • Philosophy Holiday Lights Aglow Shampoo and Body Wash: 3/5 - smells great, but somewhat drying and pricey, although, perfect for a bubble bath
  • Befine Skin Care line - provided by GlossyBox: 5/5 - excellent quality, natural, leaves skin glowing. I may purchase full size products, but it's hard to find, and their online assortment seems limited. 
  • Clarks Botanicals - from Glymm bag: 4/5 - a very good resurfacing moisturizer, but very expensive at full price
  • Herbaflor Organic RoseHip Oil: 4/5 - the oil is quickly absorbant, nourishing, prevents skin damage, and smoothes out wrinkles
  • Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturizing Cream: 4/5 - affordable, high quality, non-greasy cream that  is perfect for daily use - with spf 30
  • Joico K-PAK Revitaluxe: 3/5 - it's OK, I didn't find it all that great.
  • Cyberderm Moisturizer Samples from Glymm: 4/5 These are very potent and creamy, and seem like a good investment in the future.
  • Got2B Got 2 Be 2 Sexy Voluptuous Volume Mousse: 3/5 Works well, but feels somewhat sticky
  • John Frieda SheerBlonde Lightening Conditioner: 5/5 This is my favourite conditioner. It leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky, and makes the blonde highlights much brighter. 
  • Naked Princess - Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss in Barely Nude - this was such a small sample from Glymm that I could barely notice a difference 
  • Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer in Ivory 001: 4/5, full Review coming soon
  • Principessa - Bacio Me Lip Balm: Click Here for Review
  • Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner: 4/5 Great product for the price
  • Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment: 5/5 Amazing!
  • Macadamia Healing Oil Spray: 4/5 Amazing! full reviews to come
  • Vitamine & Sea Clay Mask: 3/5 - felt like any other clay mask 
  • The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Day Cream with organic pomegranate: 3.5/5 Nothing special
  • Tom Ford Lavender Palm: 2/5 Smells like soap!
  • Atelier Cologne Trefle Pur: 4/5 Love it!
  • Olay Regenerist Moisturizer: 3/5 OK, but not great. Will not buy again.
  • Social Butterfly Hair Perfume: 3/5 Convenient to have in case of emergency hair day
  • CK One Eau De Toilette
  • Dove Damage Therapy Burst Conditioner
  • John Frieda Frizz Ease Sheet Solution Lightweight Frizz Control
  • Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner
  • Sebastian Volupt Shampoo: 4.5/5 Love, love love it! This is perfect for my hair, and I don't have to wash it as often. 
  • Mai Couture Foundation Papier: 3/5 I like the idea, but it needs something more
  • Got2B Kinky Curling Mousse: 4/5 I love most products by Got2B. They are incredibly affordable and work very well. This one was no exception. 
  • Victoria's Secret Island Waters Coconut Water & Pineapple Moisturizing Cream: 3.5/5 The scent is too strong, and I may have developed allergies. 
  • Amir Argan Oil Moisturizing Conditioner: 2/5 Did absolutely nothing and it's quite pricey!

6 comments:

Sunday 21 October 2012

Mini Haul / Nudes Palette & More


Yet another haul! But not nearly as impressive as the one from last month. I am trying very hard to save up and quit spending on frivolous items. It is not easy because the temptation to spend is so great. I am so guilty of emotional spending. It's really hard to stop especially when we are constantly bombarded by good deals...in the shopping centres and online.

Product List:
  • Nudes Palette by Studio Makeup / Prestige Cosmetics / $25 at London Drugs. I think this palette is even better than the NYX version. The shadows are smooth and velvety. 
  • John Frieda Sheer Blonde Lightening Conditioner / $10 - this is one of my favourite, and it really makes my hair lighter 
  • Bed Head Urban Anti-dotes Recovery Shampoo / $10
  • Bewitching Eyes eye lashes by Fantasy Makers / $5
  • Loreal Total Repait Replenishing Mask / $5
  • NYC City Duet in 375 Devilish / $3




3 comments:

Sunday 14 October 2012

Closet Therapy: You are What You Wear

In the October edition of Women's Health magazine, I have come across an article that helped me realize so much about my closet habits. If you were to take a peek inside my closet, you would often see hung up or piling up layers on the floor clothes or emotions, goals, fears, and dreams. Oftentimes, my clothing choices tell a story that I honestly wasn't aware of. I have a messy, complicated relationship with my closet. Perhaps, like a messy fling or marriage.

According to the magazine, here are the five common wardrobe hang-ups.

1. I tend to rotate between black, white, and beige. So True for many of us. The diagnosis: This may reflect a fear of taking risks or that I am hoping to fade into the background or blend in with the crowd. The fix? Add a small splash of brightness via a tee or shoes.

2. My closet is filled with sale items that still have the tags on. This could mean that I've been trying to fill a void in my personal life with the instant high that comes from spending cash. It's like overloading on sale items you don't love is like having five fat free cookies instead of one real thing. For me, it's often about the quantity, not so much the quality. I want more & more. I know I have to stop. The fix? Leave your credit cards at home! Or put an item on hold, I would go back if it's something I truly love.

3. I own a lot of dresses or funky items that are hard to pull off at work. I shop for my fantasy life. Often imagining myself as a fashionista, stomping in high heels on the streets of Manhattan (think Sex and the City). The fix? I need to shop for items that can be worn in lots of settings.

4. I can't bear to ditch my very old clothes and those jeans that are too small. I cling on old items, regretting I've barely worn the pants, but now realizing it's out of style, and unfortunately, there's still hope that someday the pants will go back in style. I'm such a hoarder. I even hang out to packaging and clothing labels. The fix? If it's something I still love, but happens to be too tight or too lose, can be tailored! I must admit I have a sewing machine that I've bought out of impulse, thinking I will sew and make something amazing. Big sigh.

5. I can't see the clothes I have because my closet is so cluttered. It's been said that some people like to surround themselves with things that comfort them, such as lots of clothes, but this can actually have the opposite effect. Disorganization can in fact cause depression and anxiety, mood swings, feeling blue? I sure do! The fix? Today I spent many hours separating clothes by type: sweaters, pants, and so on are always together. Now, I tried to organize each category by colour, but that was a lot of work, and impossible to maintain everyday. I am simply too lazy to put the clothes away where it belongs...reds with reds. All of the items no longer in season are always out of sight. I stuffed the summer clothes into the suitcases and under the bed.

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Tuesday 2 October 2012

GlossyBox Canada / September 2012


GlossyBox September edition arrived on time, weighed a lot, and looked superb! I've been more than happy with the September's box. In Canada, the monthly price for GlossyBox is $15. So far, it's been worth it. The highlight of this box, is most definitely NYX the Crimson Amulet Set palette inspired by Dark Shadows. The palette is actually great for everyday use as it has many neutral shadows. I'm definitely in love. This is my first ever NYX palette and I'm looking forward to using it. I have heard many great things about NYX, and most recently, purchased their popular HD foundation. No complaints there! I hope to create a few interesting looks soon. As for the rest of the box, it wasn't as exciting. Most of us received a Wella hair product, nonetheless, I quite like Wella products, however, they've been appearing in the GlossyBox a bit too often. What do you think?

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