Winter Favorites! 2014

Hey cuties! I'm trying to get back into the habit of blogging regularly. I've been pretty swamped lately but spring break is coming soon and we need spring sooo badly! I swear, this has been one of the worst winters of my life because we had 6 snow days! And this is Minnesota we're talking about, there is hardly any snow days if we can help it. One time, it got to about -40 degrees with the windchill! But, as Minnesotans, we went to the movies that day. That shows how crazy we are. Funny thing is, we saw Frozen. Best. Decision. Ever!

So there's actually a point to this post, and that's my winter favorites. It's just easier for me to do seasonal favorites rather than monthly favorites. If I did this monthly, they would be super short and really boring and no one wants that. 

1. Dusty Rose Cardigan from Target- I've been trying to wear pieces that are a little out of my comfort zone, and this long, cardigan is something that I wouldn't usually go for because it's long but I love it! I'm so glad I got it because I literally every week. I would pair it with a white tank top (or my next favorite) and a long necklace and some black pants. 

2. Jhameel T-shirt- I mentioned this T-shirt in my Fall Favorites but I'm still in love with it! It's my Jhameel shirt and if you haven't listened to his music, I definitely suggest giving it a try because he is amazing. I can't wait for his new album to come out! I plan on getting his other t-shirt soon, as soon as I can spare the money. ;)

3. Boots from Shoe Department- In my last haul, I told you guys about the absolute bargain I got these shoes for! They were originally $125, but I got them for $19.97! These are definitely not winter shoes because they have no grips on the soles and I slip and slide on the ice, but they're so cute I don't even care. In the spring they will be absolutely amazing.

I've been into nudes this winter, is that weird? I feel like everyone was wearing deep, dark tones and I just wore nudes. I just wanted something that was no-fuss and was easy.

1. NYX Butter Glosses- review here. I feel like I've worn at least one of these every day since I got them. If  you want to know more, I have more information in my review.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Pink Cognito- This is basically the exact color of my lips, but a tiny bit pinker. This formula is nice because it's sheer and it's very moisturizing and shiny. If you are looking for a very simple lip color, this is a good one.

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Totally Toffee- One of the many nudes I've been wearing. This a little darker that the rest, but it's still really pretty, especially paired with one of my NYX Butter Glosses.

4. L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude- This paired with the Tiramisu butter gloss is a match made in heaven. I swear, they are made for each other. The colors match and the smell of the butter gloss masks the terrible smell of the lipstick. That's probably the only bad thing about this lipstick.

1. Clio Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Golden Black- I did a rave review on these pencils. They are so pigmented and smooth and they stay on your eyes all day. Plus, there's a built it sharpener. There's nothing else to say, it's just great and I've been using it every day.

2. Too Face Primed and Poreless Pressed Powder- Claire Marshall was talking about this powder in one of her videos, and anything that Claire likes, I have to get. And oh my goodness, it makes your skin look so smooth and matte. And it keeps me matte. For an oily girl like me, that's perfect. I was going to do a review on this, but before you know it I hit pan and it wasn't pretty anymore. Once I finish it and repurchase it, I'll do a full review.

3. Vera Wang Princess Perfume- I've been wanting to find a fragrance, and I really want the Prada Candy L'eau but I have to save up for it. So in the meantime I got the Vera Wang Princess rollerball and this smells amazing. It doesn't last really long but I don't really mind. Reapplying isn't a big deal. It's more affordable as far as perfumes go so if you don't want to break the bank but you still want to smell nice, Vera Wang is the way to go.

1. L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Line- My hair has been loving the this entire line of hair products. It makes my hair so lightweight, soft, and silky. The harsh weather has really taken a tole on my hair and this fixes it right up!

2. Hada Labo Replenishing Hydrator- This is a Japanese brand but it's sold in the US. I'm not sure if it's the exact same product but I sure hope it is. My skin has been so dry and ever since I started using this as a toner, it calmed down. I wouldn't use this alone because it's just not enough moisture for me, but as a toner it's amazing.

Mango Green Tea I love mangoes, and I love green tea. This makes me feel like I'm on a cozy, topical vacation and it's a relaxing morning by the beach. 

1. Urban Decay Naked 3- This is not pictured in the collective favorite picture because I forgot to include it. But I could not do a favorite post without it. Urban Decay has set my standards for eyeshadow very high. Nothing compares to the color payoff and the texture. If I could marry makeup, I would marry the Naked 3 palette. The rosy tones are gorgeous and they make my green eyes pop.
2. Essie Nail Polish in Muchi, Muchi- I went to target looking for a nude polish, but when I saw this polish, it was just too cute! Muchi, Muchi, that's the name. How could I resist? My friend noticed and I told her the name and she ran out and got it the next day. This has basically been the nail polish we've both been wearing for the past month or so.
3. 4. and 5. Maybelline One by One, L'Oreal Butterfly Effect, and L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extentions mascaras I have 3 mascaras. Let's be totally honest, I haven't been wearing a lot of makeup lately, especially eyeliner. Having great lashes makes up for most of my laziness. I will use my Telescopic mascara and then either layer my One by One or Butterfly Effect on top. Both the Butterfly and the One by One are very volumizing on their own, but Telescopic gives in that extra length that I want on top of the volume. I got them all in the black, waterproof formulas because the regular formulas smudge on me, and I will not deal with panda eyes! No!

Okay, that is a super long post. I hope it wasn't too boring for you. I'm just so ready for spring. I'm already planning on a the makeup I'm going to get to with all of the fun, bright colors. Especially lipsticks! I just started getting into lip colors last year and it's gotten so out of hand, but I just can't help my self.

Tell me what you've been loving this winter and what you're excited for spring? I love hearing from you guys!XD

My Friends Made Me Do It Haul

Hey cuties! You know when you go shopping with your friends and they convince you to get more things than you actually need? Well, that kind of happened to me this weekend. But just for the clothes, the makeup is my own fault. I have a problem. . .

So, there's an overview! I feel like I keep buying lippies and boots whenever I post a haul, but you'll find out why I had to get the boots later on.

My friends and I went to the mall and while we were wandering, we found the Shoe Department, and me being the cheap person I am, I walked straight to the clearance section. When I saw these boots I gasped because they were soo pretty! They are brown ankle booties with distressed detailing and it reminded me of an explorer or an archaeologist. Weird, I know, but these are the things that appeal to me. I was sold right away, and they were only $19.95! Then I saw the original price, $125! I love them, but I don't know if I love them enough to pay $125.

I have an obsession with red plaid. I guess I want to look like a lumberjack or something. But hey, I'm Minnesotan! That's just what we wear. ;) And at Rue 21, I found one that makes me look really small, which I love, and the floral shirt does the same. But when I got home, I was a little iffy on the floral shirt and I already tore off the tag. Stupid me! Should I keep it? Or will it go to my sister? I just wish I could get my money back if I do. Also, at Rue 21, they have a ton of stud earrings that were super cute and my mom's coworker gave me an earring tree so I've been trying to fill it up.

If you guys read my Fall Favorites post, then you know that I love Jhameel's music. It's been basically the only thing I've been listening to for two months. So I bought one of his t-shirts! He even included a thank you note in the package.

Onto the lippies! I'm not going to say too much about these because I might be reviewing some of them, so stay tuned! 

From left to right, Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in Honey, MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shanghai Spice (my first MAC lipstick!), Maybelline Color Sensation Lipsticks in Totally Toffee and Warm Me Up

NYX Butter Glosses in Eclair and Creme Brulee, NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in Thalia

This is kind of a mess, so I'll just list everything off. Maybelline Age Rewind Under Eye Concrealer in Fair, Clio Eyeliner Pencils in Beige Shine and Golden Black, review here. NYX Eye shadows, NYX Roll On Glitter, NYX Glam Eyes Liner, Urban Decay Eyeliners in Rockstar, Zero (not shown), and Demolition, Anastasia Brow Pencil in Medium Ash (review coming soon), MYX Wonder Pencil in Light.

So! That's it. There's probably more that I've bought over the past few weeks. When I get a lot of school work, I like to celebrate my hard work with shopping. Is anyone else like that?

Let me know if you tried any of these products or what you're wearing lately because I really need some new clothes. Maybe you guys can help me reinvent my wardrobe for the new year. ;D See you next time!

Product Review: Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner

Hey cuties! I hope your day is going well. My friend said that I needed a Clio eyeliner because she had two of them and she loved them. And, of course, I had to get a couple. How could I resist? ;)

First of all, the packaging is pretty sleek and it feels durable. I like that it's retractable so I can get the most out of the product and there's a built in sharpener at the end. I hate when I can't sharpen a product, especially eyeliners because I need precision to get the look I want. 

The colors that I got were golden black and beige shine. You'll be able to tell by the swatch below, but man are they pretty! I never would have thought of putting gold shimmers in a black eyeliner but I love it. And the beige shine is just all around beautiful champaign color.

It's safe to say that this is the first pencil eyeliner that did not smudge on me. I can put it on in the morning, go thought snow, school, and without it budging. It restored my faith in pencil eyeliners again!

It's a little inconvenient for me because I live in the US and this is a Korean product. That means paying for shipping, waiting a long time for it to get here. . . etc. But! I think it's worth it. The actual eyeliner was about $7, not including shipping so it wasn't too bad.

Pros

-Pigmented

-Long-lasting

-Retractable

-Has a sharpener

Cons

-Can't get it in the US

Overall- Love these! I want all of the colors, and so does my friend. I really recommend these for people who have a problem with eyeliners smudging. They seem similar to the Urban Decay pencils (review on those coming soon) and they're cheaper, too! 

Let me know if you've tried these! I'll see you next time! XD

Catching Up: I Bought A Lot of Lipstick

Hey cuties! I've been gone from the blogging world for a while, and it's time to play catch up. In that time, I've collected 10 lip products! That's ridiculous! But to be fair, this is a few months worth a purchases and almost all of them (with the exception of one) are from the drugstore drugstore. Does that justify it? I might have a problem. But, these are all the products that I haven't reviewed or I was just too excited and started to use them without taking pictures first. Bad beauty blogger, I know. But, hey! Better late than never!

Let's start out with Revlon! My entire lipstick collection is probably 80% Revlon. That just says how much I love them. I reviewed the Revlon Lip Butters a super long time ago and they still are fantastic. Hence why I bought three more shades. :P Since it was November, I wanted some darker colors that would be fall-appropriate. (You'll see swatches and names below). For the next two, I had a $2 off coupon, so I bought the lip gloss. I love Revlon's lip glosses as well as their lipsticks. They aren't too think or sticky, and they have decent pigmentation. They came out with two new lines, The Matte Balm and the Laquer Balms. Sadly, I only got one of the Matte Balms.

I just can't resist NYX lately. I've never tried any of their products until they came to Target, and now I want to buy everything. So many people rave about their lip glosses and they are so right, because they are awesome. What I like is that they don't just have one formula of lip gloss, they have like three different lines you can choose from. (I'm not sure, don't quote me on that). I got the Butter Gloss, which is thicker and a tiny bit sticky, but the color is amazing. And the Xtreme Lip Cream which is very light and crazy pigmented and really long wearing. And as for the actual lipstick I already did a review for you guys.

Only two more! Bare with me. My birthday was is late November and my friend bought me the Etude House Dear My Blooming Lipstick that I've been wanting for the longest time. Everything about it is just adorable. But I did find that the formula accents dry patches on my lips but if you exfoliate and use a lip balm beforehand, then you'll be fine. My friend also had the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude and she let me swatch it and it was so pretty! And she said that she loved it so I, naturally, had to get it. The color is amazing and I love the formula, but it smells horrible! I mean, it's bad. I'm hoping that it's going to fade a bit over time, but it's kind of steering me away from using it. Does anyone else have that problem?

That's all 10 lipsticks! Can you believe it? Let me know if you have any of these lipsticks or if you liked these little baby reviews. See you next time! XD

Product Review: Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher #5 Apricot Pudding

Hello everyone! This is my first full review on a blush on this blog. Which is weird, because I've been buying mostly blushes these days. I go into these tangents where I will buy many different kinds of a certain makeup item. It's blush now, and I have a feeling it's going to be mascara next. But, I will try to post reviews on other things, too. So you you guys won't get bored. ;) But let's get onto the review!

 As always, Etude House's packaging is super cute. I don't know what it is, but it makes me want to buy everything.

 The blush comes with this little puff that's really adorable. But the problem is, it doesn't pick up a lot of product and it takes a while to build any color on my cheeks. There's always something that grosses me out about sponges or puffs that sit on top of the product. I have oily skin and just the thought of oil collecting on the sponge and then sitting on the blush makes me cringe. Needless to say, I will not be using the puff.

This color looked soo pretty online! But in real life, it's nothing like it. The color looks faded and drab. I want to put blush on my cheeks so I won't look dull and drab.

Here's the swatch. As you can see, it's barely there! Not good at all. I love Etude House, but this is a terrible blush. The lasting power is crap because you can barely see it in the first place.

It does get more pigmented as you use it, but it's still not very good. I feel like this blush does nothing for me or my skin. Such a disappointment. :(

Pros

-Cute

-Cheap

Cons

-Not a pretty color

-Not pigmented

-Doesn't last long

Overall, do not waste your money on this. Maybe it's just this particular blush or maybe it's the shade, I don't know. But it's just bad. This isn't necessarily going to steer my away from Etude House or their blushes, but it's just that this one is crap. Can't say anything else about it. Sorry Etude House!

What do you guys think of negative reviews? I try to be as honest as I can. 

Fall Favorites!

Hey beauty junkies! It just snowed where I live and that means it's winter to me. I don't know about you guys, but I love the changing seasons. Maybe because we experience drastic changes and when it's winter it's like BAM! Winter is here overnight.

Since I'm not one who tends to do monthly favorites, and I love favorites posts, so I thought I could do seasonal favorites! What do you guys think? It'll just be a big pile of stuff that I show you and it will be extra long with lots of pictures. I don't know, we'll see how it plays out.

Here's an overview of all the stuff I've collected. There's a mixture of a whole bunch of things and I'll go into depth about each of them.

I've been loving these Real Technique Brushes that I got in a beginner set. These are all of their eye brushes, and I don't know if all of the brushes that are in the set are pictured here because I don't keep them in the holder that they came in. But these brushes are really inexpensive and they don't shed and they are just worth all the hype that they get. I'm definitely going to pick up some of their face brushes. (maybe after the Beauty Blender? If you have a review, link it below! I'm looking into getting one)

I did reviews on both of these products if you want to know more about them, click the link. But Oh, my goodness, Holika Holika Aqua Petit BB Cream is so freaking amazing, I already purchased a backup and it's on it's way. I don't think I can live without this stuff because it just feels so light and it makes my skin look sooo good. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest going and getting it right now. And for the Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Pact, this is the only powder that actually helps with my oil and it just makes my face look brighter and more awake. And with those late night study sessions, I need it. I hit pan on this and the label is rubbing off. That's how you know that a product is well-loved. ;)

You guys know that my first lipsticks were the Revlon Lip Butters and I did do a review on them. But I did pick up some extra shades that were more fall appropriate and they are just freaking gorgeous. 

Red Velvet is just a deep red that looks really scary in the tube and by the packaging, but the Revlon Lip Butters make it really easy to pull off. And since this fall was all about deep colors, I though it was perfect. Now, Candy Apple is a really bring orange-red that will suit people with a yellow or neutral undertone beautifully. If you're scared to rock a red, this one is also really easy to pull off.

These products are basically the only things I put on my cheeks for this fall, mainly because I didn't have anything else. I don't have many blushes but I did pick up the Wet N' Wild Blush in Pearlescent Pink. For $2, thing stuff is amazing. The pigmentation is great, the color payoff is nice, and the color suits me very well. I don't know what else to say about it other than I think it's great. I did a review on the Benefit Hoola Bronzer so I'm not going to go into too much detail, but this is really pigmented, it lasts a long time, and will fit a lot of skin tones.

I have a lot of eye makeup to talk about. I got the Urban Decay Naked Basics Pallet which has the perfect shadows for everyday wear. The reason why I didn't do a review is because the darkest color shattered and it's not pretty at all, and you guys probably have already seen a ton of reviews on this already. Maybelline has been knocking it out of the park with their eyeshadows lately. I did do a review on the Maybelline Color Tattoo In Barely Branded and love it. But the Color Tattoo Pigment in Breaking Bronze is a fairly new purchase and it is soo pretty! If fall was an eyeshadow, this would be it. The L'Oreal Lacquer Liner in Bronze Bronze has been the only eyeliner I use for months. Whether it's to tight-line, wing out, or just my normal liner, I'm using this. It's not actually bronze, it's a brown, I don't know why it's called bronze. But this is perfect for everyday use. Finally, I picked up the ELF Eyelid Primer and for $1, it's amazing. I really do notice a difference in the longevity and pigmentation in my eyeshadows when I use this.

I never talk about fashion on this blog, but I've been slowly getting into it. The Red Plaid Button Up is from Forever21. I usually wear it open with a tanktop underneath or tie the bottom in a knot. The Cozy Cream Sweater is from Target. This sweater is so comfortable. I would wear it every day if I could. It's a little bit over sized so I can wear it with leggings and not feel weird because it covers my bum! And the Brown Detailed Combat Boots are also from Target. I actually bought them with my very first paycheck and I don't regret it. The flaps do have a serape fabric in the inside, but they do zip up to look like a normal brown combat boot. I like that I can wear them two ways and paired with these two tops, I look put together without any work.

And now for the random picks! Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin is my favorite book this fall. It's really intense, magical, sexy, and gory all in one. There's too much sex for my taste, but it's still a fantastic book and the characters are amazing. The plot, don't even get me started on the plot, just go read it or even watch the TV show. (I haven't seen it yet). My friend's mom works at Bath and Body Works and I get discounts on everything I get there and Sweater Weather smells absolutely divine. It's got a very cozy, fresh scent that just makes you want to put on sweatpants and lounge on the couch with some tea.

There is one thing that I have to add before I let you go, and that is my favorite music pick for fall! I have discovered Jhameel a few weeks ago and have been obsessed. He has his own youtube channel and makes his own music. He's super nice and he even retweeted my tweet! My all time favorite song is Come and Lie. It is so freaking sweet and calming and sad at the same time. I listen to it in my art class and it's just beautiful. Go and listen to it. I'll have the link here. Another song that I absolutely love and I think that a lot of other people will, too is White Lie. I showed this song to my friend and she fell in love with him and his music right away.

That's it! All of the products and random things I've been loving fall of 2013! What do you guys think? If any of you have tried these products or did a review on them, let me know! I love hearing your opinions. I'll see you next time! XD

Product Review: Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream

Hey cuties! I'm back with a review on a highly coveted BB cream by many beauty bloggers. I've been using it for a week since I posted my haul. So let's see what all the chatter is about!

As for the packaging, it's super cute as always. The box is a bright blue with colorful bubbles. As for the product, it comes in a glass bottle with a spatula applicator. The glass bottle is not convenient for traveling, but the spatula is really handy because I find that it gives the right amount of product for my entire face. It comes with a big, dense sponge which doesn't soak up a lot of product like other sponges and spreads the product out evenly.

The description on the box says, "Jelly BB Makes moist and bouncy jelly skin. Has jelly texture that helps spread evenly and creates fully hydrated and shiny skin. It is also perfect for covering up facial blemishes. Mint water hydrates facial skin, and marine jelly complex makes soft and bouncy skin."

The description is true to word because it's a very light and easily blend-able BB cream. I don't feel like I have hardly any makeup on and my skin is able to breath. I think that if you are starting out wearing makeup or if you know someone who is, then this is a good product to get. As for the coverage, it's light but you can build it up to medium. For me, I apply one layer all over my face and neck, and then I go back in to the places where I have some extra redness and I'm good to go. But by no means will this cover up my acne scars or dark circles. 

One thing that caught my eye about this BB cream is that it's water based. Since I have oily skin, oil based products tend to make my skin oilier. I don't feel my face getting as greasy like some other BB creams and foundations.

One thing to be aware of is that it does have a scent to it. If you skin is sensitive to scents them you might want to test it out before buying. I actually really like the smell, but I heard some people don't like it. It doesn't linger on your skin, so if you're worried about that, you're fine.

I got the color in #01 and it's a pretty good match for me. This BB cream does come in two colors, #01 and #02. A lot of BB creams only come in one color, so that might be a plus. But for all the tones in between, you might want to get both shades and mix them to match your skin.

Pros

-Light

-Comes in 2 colors

-Good oil control

-Nice Scent

-Light to medium coverage

-Water based

-SPF 20 PA++

Cons

-Scent may irritate some people

-Not good for travel

Overall- I love this stuff. My skin will usually reject anything that's too heavy and this BB cream is perfect. I'm not amazed by the coverage, but it's build able without looking cakey. And honestly, I wasn't expecting it to cover my acne scars because I need a full coverage concealer for that. But it's just what I need right now since I've never really liked that "I've got makeup on my face" feeling. Definitely going on my HG product list!

Let me know if any of you tried this BB cream and what you thought of it! I need to find a new place to take pictures because my table is the same color as the BB cream. But oh well, it'll be different in the next post. See you soon! XD

I did some online shopping. . . again

 Hello everyone!  I might have an online shopping problem. I bet my mailman hates me because I always seem to have something on the way. But, I do have some more Korean makeup and manga/manhwa for you guys to check out!

Starting with the makeup, I needed some more new BB cream before school started and something to help make my skin look better and get rid of my giant pores and excess oil.

1. Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in No. 21

2. Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream in No. 1

3.Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Pact

4. Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Stick

I've been in a reading slump and the only thing I seem to focus on is manga and manhwa. This is the beginning of my collection and I wanted to get some series that I know that I will like and reread over and over again. 

1. Bride of the Water God by Mi-Kyung Yun Vol. 1-2

2. Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori Vol. 1-3

3. Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa Vol. 1

And for the samples! I love samples. ;)

1. Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer x2

2. Innisfree Perfect 9 Repair Serum

3. Innisfree Eco Natural BB Cream

4. Innisfree Eco Science Wrinkle Spot Essence

5. Etude House White Moistfull Essence

6. Etude House Strawberry Milk Talk

1. Skin Food Platinum Grape Cell Essence

2. Skin Food Shea Butter Creamy Body Wash

3. Skin Food Black Sugar Perfect First Serum

4. Skin Food Peach Sake Pore Serum

5. Too Cool For School Rules of Aqua Mineral Water Gel Toner

I hoped you guys liked this post! I saved up some money to binge a little bit. Now I have to save for when my sister comes back to town. It's just nice to have some extra cash to spend because I never really know where I'm going to end up when I hangout with family. Plus, we might go to the Mall of America since we live close to it. It has a two story Forever21! I desperately need some new clothes, too. So hopefully there will be another haul soon.

If there's anything you would like me to review, let me know! I know that the BB creams that I got are some HG products for some people. Also, let me know if you've read anything I bought because I would love to hear your thoughts. Ouran is a favorite between my friends and I so I'm definitely looking forward to getting the rest of the series. Do you have any suggestions?

See you next time! XD