Hello, hello, hello, everyone~

I cannot believe how close we are to the Holidays! Well, not really, but close enough for me to start thinking about what to get people for Christmas and what I'm thinking of getting myself for my birthday. I really enjoyed writing my wish list last year so I thought I'd do it again! Aside from that, a few of my friends and relatives said they found it very useful because normally I'm pretty hard to shop for. So they say anyway :)) Last year, I managed to buy or be given half of the things I put on my wish list . I was even able to get two bottles Laneige Water Bank Essence (one I bought myself, and another was gifted me) so hopefully, I get just as lucky this year~

If anything else, this is just an excuse to talk about things I love reading reviews about, swatching repeatedly if there's a counter nearby, and staring at longingly through my computer screen if it's not available here. I have tried some of these products and found that I really liked them, but most of them have been just out of reach. *Finger crossed that I go on a trip where they're available and have enough cash*

REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial

You may remember seeing this in my skincare post and NY mini haul. I put a tiny, tiny dollop on my finger and massage it in with dampened hands. It brightens, tightens, smoothens, and rejuvenates tired skin. I've been using it for several weeks now and I absolutely love it. Because I only have the sample though, I use it once a week as opposed to the recommended thrice a week. Even then I only use the tiniest amount because it feels like such a precious product. What I would do for a full-sized version of this *sigh*

Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack

I came home from a tiring commute home earlier this year and I felt like all the dirt of the world was on my face. Even after a bath and cleansing my face, I still felt a bit grungy and gross. I borrowed my cousin, Kim's tube of this and was blown away. It pulled out all the impurities leaving my skin clean. I was very surprised by how tightening it was and how baby soft and smooth my skin felt after. On a side note, Kim has a lovely blog if you want to check her out here.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup in Beige #20

I cannot even count how many times I've swatched this at the Chanel counter. It's so beautifully lightweight and blends like a dream. The coverage is much higher than most people expect from such a thin formula and it's buildable too. I have wanted this for years and years, but seeing as it is pretty expensive, I probably won't get my hands on it any time soon. Still, it's nice to have things to look forward to having someday.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation in #52

Having said that about the Vitalumiere Aqua, this is something with a more forgiving price tag that is pretty good as well. I'm a very big fan of the 10-Hour Sleep Effect Foundation, but I've been looking for something that's more hydrating. It isn't high coverage by any means, but it is very good at giving you a glowing skin-like finish. The formula is said to be very gentle as well and is good for people with more sensitive skin.

The Balm Mary Lou Manizer

Very recently, I've changed my mind about this highlighter. When I first swatched it on the back of my hand I found it way too glittery, but when I tried it out on my face it was a whole other story. The glitter isn't harsh at all and it gives you that gorgeous cheek highlight that's brighter than your future. From what I've seen, it photographs beautifully too.

Clinique Cheek Pop in #03 Berry Pop 

It's been pointed out to me recently (hi, Poreen) that I wear a lot of blush. While I never skip this step, it isn't one of those bits of makeup that I think about quite so much. I'm looking to expand my collection a tad and this is at the top of my blush wish list. It's much brighter than I would normally go for, but still very wearable. The reviews I've read have raved about how pigmented, buildable and, blendable this is and the wear-time wasn't bad either.

By Terry Ombre Black Star in #05 Misty Rock

I have to confess that this is on the list because I've seen it way too many times on way too many blogs and YouTube videos. It looks absolutely amazing on so many different people and is a multi-dimensional color that changes up depending on your coloring. It looks so easy to blend and is touted as a longwearing eyeshadow.

RMK W Color Mascara in #03 Blue & Violet

More often than not this year, I've reached for an earth-toned eyeshadow and kept my eyeliner colors neutral. Aside from my makeup having to be work and interview appropriate,a lot of my old bright eye products have become hard or patchy. I've been in need of an update. I came across these when my friend was asking for a recommendation for a pink or red mascara. This was extremely pigmented in the swatches I saw and I wanted them instantly.

Covergirl Star Wars Mascara in Dark Side

I can't believe The Force Awakens is coming out in two months! But before I runaway with my feelings, let's talk about this mascara. The Covergirl Super Sizer mascara is out in a special edition Star Wars TFA version. It's a wet formula, which lengthens and volumizes. Reviews were mixed on this one, mostly because of how it applies, but for as long as you know your way around a mascara wand, I don't think it should be a problem. If you're interested in this, there are a bunch of tutorials and exclusive content on the official Tumblr which are worth checking out.

Kiko Intensely Lavish Lipstick in #01 Lusty Peony

I don't know how I managed to only have one lip product on this list. What has come over me? :))  Kiko is a great brand and I have such a hard time keeping myself from wanting so much of their stuff. Just look at this gorgeous lipstick: The color is mauve-rose and is said to be very buttery and opaque. Then of course there is that absolutely beautiful rose gold packaging. Love the Art Deco vibe of the lip which is *gasp* magnetic. It's such a lovely product especially for at that price-point (GDP 6.90)

This year, I was way more selective of what I wanted to put on this list. At one point I had 30-40 things on my list. I took out a bunch of stuff that was just pretty to look at, but I really had no intention of buying or really using and knocked out a few things that were just repurchases. I'm thinking of putting the things I want to repurchase in a separate post sometime soon~

What are you bb's looking to get this year? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Hello Everyone!

A few weeks ago my friends and I spent the weekend together on a Harry Potter inspired getaway. We went to an amusement park and later our friend's house where we played games based on the books and movies. We were sorted into houses, "conjured" Patronuses, and collected Horcruxes every time we won a game. I was sorted into Slytherin~ very happy to say that my team was the overall champion! We all had a lot, lot, lot of fun and towards the end of the event, we had a Yule Ball photoshoot (even though it was technically still summer haha).

(photo: A. Aquino post-processing: T. Rosario)

We made the decision to make sure that Slytherin streamlined and we had a unified look. The end result was very "Old Hollywood" with the warm defined smokey eye and red lips.

For my base, I did my usual routine with the Bourjois 10-hour Sleep Effect Foundation in #72 and the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone on my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. I also used my new Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 15 Fair under my eyes and mixed in with my foundation to cover blemishes. On my cheeks, I used my YSL Blush Variation in 3 Camel. 

On the day itself, I had Danie of That Nugu, do my brows, but here I used the Majolica Majorca Lash & Brow Colorist in BR555 Maroon Brown. On my eyes, I started with the Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze all over the lid and layered on more in the outer V. I deepened that with Erotica, a cool-toned dark glittery brown from the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette. I took the warm gold Honey Pot shade onto the center of my eye. I blended everything in with Cocoa Puff, which is a warm glittery chocolate brown. Everything applied with fingers and blended with my BYS Synthetic Domed Shadow Brush.

 Then I went in with the Nichido/Precise Eye Pencil in Black Ebony in light dots and small strokes right on the lashline for subtle definition. I used the NYX Retractable Eyeliner in #08 Silky Cashmere on my lower waterline and on the inner part of my lower lashline (not on the tear duct!) I put a line of the Jessica Automatic Lip & Eye Liner Pencil in #22 Metallic Brown winged out slightly parallel to the lashes to elongate the eye. To further elongate the eye, I used my Eyeko Alexa Chung Lengthen & Strengthen Mascara, combing them up and out toward the sides and on the lower lashes. I also used some Andrea Individual Falsies right on the outer lashes. 

Finally on the lips, I prepped with Fresh Sugar Treatment in Rosé. On the day itself, I used Pauline's Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Mandore. To re-create that, first I stained my lips with L'Occitane Lipstick in #0141 Améthyste, then I mixed my Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick in #Q415 Tawny Port and the VDL Expert Lip Color Lip Cube EX in #502 Hello Stranger.

(photo: A. Aquino)

Pauline (in blue & white) wanted to do a dark red lip (she's also done a post about this look here), Bella (in white) wanted a brown-toned smokey eye, and I wanted to use bronze-gold shades. We even put some bronze and brown shadows on Niño (in blue), which gave a nice sheen and some definition. I'm really happy with how everything came together and we all looked pretty damn good :)) The decision to have similar elements really paid off.

On this shoot, I also got to do makeup for five of my friends and they were all quite happy with how they turned out (especially my friend Marty who tried contouring for the first time XD) This has gotten me really excited for future photoshoots and I hope I get to do another one soon~

P.S. #SlytherWIN

Hello!

Very excited to show you the first ever collaboration on this blog~ Pauline of Catpacking and I are big fans of period pieces and vintage styles. One of our favorite eras is the 1940's. We're particularly fond of films set in that period (of which there are many!) Pauline's look was based on Rachel McAdams in The Notebook, which you can check out here.



The look I went for was a slightly more modern take on the classic forties makeup. I looked for a something that was wearable and translated well to how makeup is worn today. So I came across a backstage picture from Miu Miu RTW Fall 2011, which was a collection centered around the 1940's aesthetic.

One of the things to focus on is the pale clear skin. It was powdered, but not matte enough to hide a glowing complexion. For this I used my Bourjois 10-Hour Sleep Effect Foundation in #72, Pauline's Maybelline Master Conceal in 30 Light Medium, both applied with fingers, and my Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder, applied with my Real Techniques Powder Brush. On my cheeks I used Happy Skin Angled Blush Brush for a light dusting if YSL Blush Variation in 3 Camel right on the apple of the cheek over my Bourjois Cream Blush in #04 Sweet Cherry (reviewed here).

The semi-matte red lip was of course quite prominent as well and very drawn on. I decided against that and went for a more like a slightly shimmery color with my Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in #78 Shanghai Red. I applied it to look more stained than painted on so it looked more lived-in. If you read up on forties makeup, you'll learn that even during the war when everything was rationed, they made red lipstick available because they believed it was empowering and raised morale (makeup history tidbit yay!)

Pauline did a bit of subtle brow definition on me with her Liole Auto Eyebrow Pencil in #3 (because I cannot do brows at all.) For very subtle lash definition, I dotted a Nichido Precise Eye Pencil in Black Ebony along my upper lash line. On my lids I used Naked 2 from the first Urban Decay Naked Basics palette all over for the base. Then, I blended Faint, also from the Naked Basics palette, with a milk chocolate brown shade from a brand called Pinkies Collection, all across the socket right up to the point near my nose bridge. I finished with curled lashes and my Eyeko Eyedo mascara, which I should have gone chunkier with . I also could have used a few individual falsies, if I had them at the time.

I was really intrigued by just how modern a vintage look could be and really pleased with how it looked on me. Strobing and contouring aside, lots of the key points in forties makeup particularly the emphasis on clear looking skin, are very current and are still very wearable. I also had a lot of fun doing this with Pauline :)) It's great having someone to bounce makeup ideas with as you're figuring out how to do it (whilst also lip-singing to old songs haha.)

 

P.S.  Pauline and I trying to find the light haha

Hello everyone! Long time no see~ A bit of time has passed and we've gone from Spring to Summer in a flash. April has been a very busy month for what with me doing the work of four people on the weekdays. Plus I’ve been out every weekend of the last month as well to keep myself happy and sane. That said I really should apologize for the lack of activity on here, but I made it a point to post this twice this week to make up for it. 

In lieu of a favorites post this month (because really, I'm still using all the same stuff and it isn't so fun talking about it over and over again >_<) I thought I would show you the makeup look I'm trying out this season. It's just a quick post today, but I promise you I have something scheduled that's going up on this blog real soon!

It's a pretty simple look that's really light and the focus is really on looking fresh-faced. We're already well into the summer here and it goes up to 40° C or 104° F. Crazy hot! Even if you're just staying indoors, you really feel how high the temperature is is. Everyone feels oily, sticky, and more than a bit gross. This is why it was important to me to at least look like I felt fresh.

 

(please excuse the light >< nothing can make it look less warm when the sun is that strong #TheCurtainIsMyFilter)

After doing my base with my Borjois 10-hour Sleep Effect foundation in #72, I  mixed my Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone with some foundation for concealing my under eye circles. I also put it on the tops of my cheeks, the bridge of my nose, and on my brow bone. I powdered everywhere, especially on my temples, down the sides of my nose, and along my hairline using the Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder with a Real Techniques Powder Brush to dispel greasiness in those areas.

Tided up my brows a bit with the Tony Moly Delight Circle Lens Mascara. I lined my eyes (mostly tight-lining and in between lashes) with my Dolly Wink Eyeliner and put on two coats of Eyeko Eye Do Mascara for definition and to wake up the eyes. I also put a bit of the bronzey shade from my unidentifiable Dior palette in the outer V with a BYS Synthetic Domed Shadow Brush.

For a bit of color I used my trusty Borjois Cream Blush in #04. And on my lips I layered Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in #37 L’Exubérante (borrowed from aunt haha) over my C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine.

Aside from looking fresh, the point was to look glowing not greasy.So for this look, I put very little on the eyes and spent more time bringing light and fighting shine on my face. To add a teeny bit of interest I popped on a bright lip color that was very warm and summery, but had enough cool notes in it to balance the warmth of the skin and the golden sheen from the highlighter and the eyeshadow. 

This look stays on the whole day for me. I've gone to concerts and out walking with this on and it still looks decent come night-time even if I applied this in the late morning. That said I still haven't found a way to beat the heat. Any tips besides air-conditioning and cold drinks? Stay cool this summer!

Hi everyone! For March I am featuring one of my best friends for TMB. Ladies and gents, I give you the makeup bag of Danie from That Nugu! I went to the same grade school and high school as Danie, but we really only became friends in Uni. This girl is absolutely amazing! She is incredibly smart, talented, and kind-hearted. I could not have gone through university and post-grad life without her. We aren’t very much alike in terms of personality and personal taste, but there are two things we both care very much about: Make-up and Korean Pop Culture (this of course includes the road makeup shops because makeup is very much part of pop culture in Korea). Both of these things feature a bit in this TMB as you will see.

Her influences are mostly Korean and East Asian beauty bloggers and makeup artists and she is very good at keeping track of all the latest K-beauty trends. I remember how she got me into BB creams and the gradient lip when those were just starting to get popular. Her current look is a little more like a mix of Cheon Song Yi (Jun Ji Hyun’s character in You Who Came from the Stars) and 4 Minute’s Hyuna with her bright red lips.

The day I met up with her was a red-lip day and she had a NYX Lipstick in Snow White. I remember how she really wanted a red lippy after she saw the teasers for Hyuna’s Red. “It’s the perfect red I was looking for. It doesn’t stay on as long as I want it to, but I am in love with the color. It makes my skin and teeth look whiter and brighter.”

As an alternative, she also brought with her an A'Pieu The Red Tint in Berry Red. “I bought this by accident haha it was on sale for KRW 5,000 and I got the last piece. The tint is a blue-y red and it can be slightly dark and bordering on vampy. I usually use the gradation technique. The other side is a gloss which is really pretty in fairness.”

Underneath her rep lip, Danie uses a Nivea Med Protection SPF 15 balm (see Danie's review here). “I’m taking acne meds which makes my skin drier. Including my lips. I need my lip balm to have that extra moisturizing factor. It’s my favorite.  I’ve bought more than four sticks of this already."

Because she has sensitive skin, she really needed a base that was lighter and non-irritating. Gone are the days when she slathered on thick Etude House BB Creams. She has since moved on to a BB with a better formula for her skin concerns, the Céleteque Dermo Science Brightening Multi-Benefit BB Cream “I chose this because it’s non-comedogenic – it won’t block your pores. I broke out because I started using a lot of makeup to cover my pimples, which only made them get worse.”

After a few months of derma treatments when the acne was less active, she started using this to conceal pigmentation. “The coverage is light to medium so it’s enough to cover redness, but not blemishes. The texture is thin and watery.” Aside from that, she also says it’s really affordable. “It’s not an exact color match, but it blends very well onto the skin. My derma can’t tell I have makeup on and says my skin has improved. She had a magnifying mirror and everything so it’s pretty seamless.”

For concealer she uses the Misha Under Eye Brightener, a brand that has her favorite boy group as the endorsers. “I got this from a recommendation by a Korean Youtuber, She was looking for a cheap concealer that works. When I tried it ‘whoa coverage!’ I use it on my eye bags. My only problem is it’s kind of thick and it’s not as easy to spread so you have to be quick and you need powder to set it or it gets cake-y. It’s really good medium to heavy coverage and it costs less than KRW 3,000."

When I opened up her makeup bag, one of the first things I noticed was how many products she had for eyes. She had the Too Faced Boudoir Eyes collection I gave her last year. “I really like that it’s safe for office wear. I usually use my fingers and the texture is super smooth. It has light browns, beiges, a grey, and purples. They aren’t too heavy and even the dark colors go on pretty light. I like it even though the color in the pan isn’t true to what color it is on your hand or eye. Satin sheets is my favorite color and looks pink in the pan, but it’s gold on my eyes.”

Her current eyeliner is the Innisfree Gel Liner in #07 Brown. Danie used to like using gel liners that came in pots, but has made the shift to gel pencils. “In pencil form, gels are really easy to use and are more flexible. It’s really creamy as well. I’ve had it for several months, but it still goes on creamy and it really lasts. I eye-smile and I have a lot of creasing around my eyes, but the smudging is really minimal. I just don’t like that it has shimmer. Other than that it would have been perfect."

For her lashes Danie uses a Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (which she wrote a review on here) and the Innisfree Skinny Microcara. “This mascara is PONY’s fault. I agree with what you wrote about it in your favorites. It’s very natural, but defining and it has a really good formula which stays, but isn’t difficult to remove. It’s also good for separating lashes and it’s very light."

Brows are something she feels are necessary to every makeup look. She uses an A'Pieu Eye Fine Brow Liner in Brown. It has the tiniest nib. “It’s finer than your normal brow pencil. It’s really thin because it’s supposed to create thinner natural looking lines. I outline the shape I want with this and I fill it in with my Nature Republic Brow Powder."

The last item in her makeup bag was a decanted Victoria’s Secret Fragrance Mist in Mango Temptation.  “I like smell of sweet fruits. And you told him this so this is a Valentine’s Day gift." I may or may not have helped a mutual friend pick out her present using insider knowledge of her likes and dislikes haha, but we digress. "I find it sweet, smell and the other meaning haha. It was a non-traditional gift so plus points for that and it’s pink!” 

Danie’s makeup philosophy is all about looking bright-eyed and awake. Bright skin, bright eyes, bright lips, all of these bring her look together and give her a healthier and livelier appearance. When I asked her what we should name her kit she took her time and with the help of Google Translate, she came up with the "선명한 빛 Kit" or the Bright Light Kit, "The point is to not look dead haha~ A pop of color on the lips plus the nice base and defined eyes make me look more alive at work." Here's to looking alive!

P.S. Danie and I when we last met up~

I was not sure if I wanted to do a year end favorites post and ultimately I decided against it. It takes me a while to update my favorites, which is why I cannot do them monthly. Also, I thought it would feel like a giant rehash. As much as I love the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette, I don't think there is anything new I can say about it that you will not have already gleaned from the 7346832 times I have mentioned it haha. Instead, I thought it would be nice to showcase some newer items (some new-new and some newly reacquired,) which would make it perfect for the (wait for it...) new year!

This is a haul post of all the makeup and skincare products I have amassed from my birthday and from Christmas (err Boxing Day sales.) It is big-ish considering I haven't gotten my hands on so many new products that were just for me since I went wild in Seoul back in 2012. For reference, everything with a black background was a birthday present or purchased in November and everything with the linen blanket background was a Christmas present or purchased in December.

I have used the Bourjois 10 Hour Sleep Effect Foundation in shade 72 everyday since I bought it. I have never been one to use foundation, but this was irresistible. It's light and very fluid. It also provides light to medium coverage. I fully expected this to be sheer, but I don't even need concealer after I put on another layer or two on dark circles. The finish is a bit dewy (not semi-matte like it says on the bottle.) 

Another product I've been using a lot is the Murad Essential-C Toner. I've bought a full sized one because I've loved the hell out of the sample (and now I can refill it for travel!) It is pricey, but given the pollution I've been exposed to and will continue to be exposed to, I feel like my skin could use something good that fights free radicals and "damage due to environmental exposure."

Repurchased the legendary Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel recently as my first tub is almost empty. I'm not a fan of this for using on my face, but I really love using it on my elbows, knees, and on my heels (it took me a few minutes to remember the word for it haha in Tagalog it's called the sakong.) 

Danie of That 누구  gave me the Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder on my birthday because I'd been complaining that my skin was getting oilier. I haven't used it yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to testing out it's claims. My biggest concern right now though is that it's a loose powder and may make bringing it around difficult.

This Etude House My Lash Serum is also from Danie. She remembered that I was a big fan of the Dr. Lash Serum from Etude a few years back because it did a great job of elongating my lashes. This isn't a lengthening serum, but I hope it helps strengthen my eyelashes now that I use mascara on a near-daily basis.

Picked up this Keihl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate because Pauline of Catpacking made it too irresistible (and yes, we do mention each other in almost every post). She made me swatch it after we went out for tea and I quite liked it. I swatched it again with my mom and she liked it too. Evidently, if I don't end up sharing this with my mother, she will find a way to borrow it permanently.

Also Pauline's fault is this Nature Republic Snail Solution Eye Cream that she recommended recently. Right off the bat I think I'm going to like it because it is not in a tub and will make using it that much more hygienic. 

Reacquired this C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Ultra No. 1122 as a gift. It is a makeup bag staple for me and I've said as much in a past favorites post. I was at such a loss without it when I left it at a friend's house. I am happy that I have another one in stock for when I inevitably run out or lose mine. Super moisturizing and the mint in it works wonders on my dry, flakey lips.

I mentioned the Laneige Water Bank Essence in my 2014 Wishlist and I managed to get my hands on it while I was in Hong Kong last November. In an interesting twist, my cousin saw my wishlist and for Christmas she got me the Water Bank Essence _EX, which is the newer formulation. I'm not sure as to whether or not there is a major difference, but at least I have another bottle for when I use one of them up.

Believe it or not this cute teardrop-shaped thing is a mirror that is thinner than a coin. A friend of mine got it for me in Seoul and I love how it takes up virtually no space. Definitely going in my wallet for those times I leave my makeup bag at home. 

I finally picked up a new red eyeliner. I figured having a blog named The Red Eyeliner, that I should have a good one. I used to use one of the Etude House 10 Proof ones, but mine was such a disappointment because they gave me old stock that was watery and had lumps. I've had my eyes on this Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner in #15 Bloody Devil since it was launched a year or two ago AND NOW I HAVE IT! Definitely going to use this at the next party I attend.

My mom surprised me with this Happy Skin Brush 'Em Off Girl set and I was eccstatic. I'd first seen this with my friend Sonya from OfAllSeasons and her sister, Flo, talked about the brand at length on her blog as well. They are incredibly soft and look gorgeous. I am also a very big fan of the big beautiful makeup bag they came in. Everything fits in there and it was really useful on my last trip.

I had to buy another BYS Synthetic Domed Shadow Brush because one blending brush is never enough! I still really love this brush and it is my go-to eye makeup brush because of how small it is and therefore perfect for my tiny asian eye socket.

Lastly the pièces de résistance of this haul! Both were gifts from my aunt and they are arguably some of the most glamorous things I own.

This is a teeny weenie mini of Chloé au de Parfum Chloé. Chloé is a perfume my mom owns and I always sneak a spritz or two right before going to a job interview. The scent is quite floral (Peony, Freesia, and Litchi being the top notes) and is very feminine, but not in a saccharine, Barbie-girl way. It is a very elegant scent and altogether very lady-like. Really glad I have my own (albeit small) sample of it so my mom won't worry about me using all of hers up.

My mom and her sisters are big fans of the Dior Addict Lipglosses and now I have my own in the shade #533 Princess. It comes out quite sheer and shimmery. The texture is a bit sticky, but it's not too bad. You only really need a small amount of this in the center of your lips. It's also moisturizing without making the flakey bits of my lips come off in chunks.

Looking forward to using all of these products, learning more about them, and of course blogging about them. Take a good look at these babies, because there is a big chance that they will make comebacks on this blog as the year progresses. Of course thanks are in order to all the friends and family that gifted me with one of these items or influenced the decision to purchase them. I feel incredibly lucky to have such lovely people around me who support my obsession with makeup and skincare (perhaps begrudgingly sometimes haha). I'm also very grateful on the whole just to have such fantastic people in my life. Thank you so much for being part of this year and I hope your holidays went well and that the new year brings only wonderful things for you.