Hello everyone~

For a while now I've had a sneaky suspicion that I was drawn to certain colors in my makeup. I suppose we all are, but have you ever unconsciously gravitated toward a shade so much so that you start to own several things in the practically the same shade?  

I noticed all my eyeshadows were near identical, a few years on, I noticed the color fixation has migrated from the eyes to the lips. Because, ladies and gentlemen, I have not one, not two, but six rosey nude lip products.

VDL Tint Bar Triple Shot in #502 Triple Burgundy

I had to get myself a new one because my old one had melted. The consistency is so balmy and light and it never feels heavy and high maintenance. I love this thing and if I were to be perfectly honest, it's more of a raspberry than a rose, but it is included in this group because the tint it leaves blends into my natural lip color and it ends up looking like its rosey-in-the-tin cousins. If this ever melted, I'd go out and get a new one again.

Clinique Chubby Stick in #04 Mega Melon

This is a new one in my collection and was given to me by an aunt when she found out this was the sort of color I was drawn to. This one is a little peachier than the others, color-wise. I suppose the best part about it is that it's a gigantic twist up pencil. I like taking it with me when I'm traveling because I don't have to worry about it getting damaged somehow in my bag even if it is a twist up. Great on-the-go product.

 

Lanc ome Rouge A Leveres Attraction in #319 Rose Impulsion

Oldie but a goodie, this one is. It's almost sheer if not for the tinge of pink and the light gold lustre it leaves behind. Quite moisturizing for a lipstick and despite how classy I feel when I use it (hi Lancome and your gorgeous packaging and upscale branding) it's a lazy-day lipstick. It's more on the baby pink side, but without the solid white base that leaves you looking too much like a Bratz doll.

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

This lovely mini was one of two in the Sephora birthday gift set I picked up. It's great as an all over color or just for lining the lips when I use the Kate Moss lipstick in this group. I am really starting to fall in love with the formula and how nicely it sits on my lips. My only real problem is that I do not own a Nars lip pencil sharpener or any sharpener that is this fat. I wish it was a twist up instead because it is tinycandy and sharpening it will make it even tiniercandy. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in #08

 On big important days when you have to worry about the paperwork you brought with you, how you're getting to where you're going, answering well and looking good, knowing that your lipstick will stay on and will look gorgeous is a godsend. Okay maybe that's exaggerating, but ticking lipstick off your long list is still a great thing. A true dusky rose, I feel like this shade has worked on everyone who has borrowed it from me for events, pictures, and interviews.

Kiko Intensely Lavish Lipstick in #01 Lusty Peony

This lipstick is one of those dream-come-true type things. I had it on my wishlist last year and it just so happened that Kiko opened a store here in Hong Kong so I got this with a great deal. Icing on the cake? It is an amazing lipstick. Satin finish with great pigmentation and opacity. Wears well for up to five hours without fading or feathering. It's creamy and is fairly moisturizing. On top of which, it was incredibly good value but looks and feels very premium on your lips and in the bullet. I could write a whole paragraph on that packaging. I love this, let's leave it at that.

Side by side, the differences between the shades are quite visible. It's a little like how in high school I would notice details like the color of someone's earings or the slightest change in skirt length when all of us in uniforms were supposed to look, well, uniform. On their own, however, these shades are nigh undistinguishable on my lips. Which brings forward the question, why the heck do I keep them all instead of picking a favorite and dumping the rest? 

I really couldn't tell you why. I feel like as soon as I get rid of one of them, I'll probably get my hands on another lip product just like it. I'd love to wax poetic and convince you that each one makes me feel different when I wear one, but it really isn't the case. It's more like, on some days I'll chose one or the other. Other days I go with the one that happens to be in my makeup bag. I wish I knew why I keep choosing these colors, but I suppose we're all allowed quirky mysteries. I'll let you know if I amass any more dusky roses. 'Til then~ 

 

Long time no see!

I thought I'd start the year right by getting right back into blogging and what better way to do that than by showing you new some new acquisitions.

Some time in October, I went to Tokyo and I picked up a bunch of stuff. Most of them I'd given away as presents, but I kept these two for myself. I've been using the Rimmel Cream Cheek in 004 Sunkissed Cherry a lot and I really like how the formula toes the line between a liquid tint and a cream. It is quite sheer, but buildable, and the color is something like maraschino cherry syrup.

I also picked up the Canmake Gokubuto Mascara. I was in need of something new as my Fairydrops one had dried out and I picked this up because it had a sticker on it that says it won awards from Cosme. I've used it a couple of times and while I'm not a fan of a waterproof formula (too difficult to remove), I like how defined and nicely separated my lashes looked.

These Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Polishes in 801761 Apple/Rouge Sublime and 801721 Pomegranate/Prune and this Pomegranate, Argan & Grapeseed Hand Cream was gifted by an aunt of mine and it came in the cutest tin too! I haven't tried any of them yet though so I'll have to see before saying anything.

Not too long ago, Kiko Cosmetics opened their first store here in Hong Kong (quite possibly their first store in Asia).The prices were reasonable and I've only ever heard good things about Kiko, so I decided to give their stuff a go. I bought their Universal Fit Hydrating Foundation in Warm Beige 15 and two of their Creamy Color Comfort Lip Liners in 303 and 305. I'm waiting for the weather to get warmer before I give you my thoughts on the foundation. However, I have tried the red lip liner and it is very pigmented and long lasting.

They had the entire Rebel Romantic collection on display at the Kiko store and I just had to have this lipstick. You might remember the Intensely Lavish Lipstick in 01  Lusty Peony from my wishlist. It is absolutely gorgeous. I keep taking and out and staring at it and playing with the *gasp* magnetic lid. More on this as I get some use out of it.

I bought a few other pieces for some of my friends while I was at Kiko and my bill was something just over HK$330. The lady at the cashier told me I could pick out any item from the store with a star on it as a gift with purchase. I chose the Lucious Cream - Creamy Lipstick in 512 Plum which retailed for HK$79 and I got it for free. Great deal and a nice way to get people interested in their brand.

Over Christmas, I was in California with my family and I was given this cute set of mini eyeshadows from Bare Minerals in the shades Cultured Pearl (an incandescent pink), Blissful Pearl (a shimmery sand color), and Magnificent Pearl (a pearly taupe). I've never tried mineral makeup or loose eyeshadows so they should be very interesting.

I finally picked up my first real eye brow product! This is the Anastasia Brow Wiz in Chocolate. I've used it twice now and I've been liking it so far. It's hard to go overboard with this because the nib is so small. I particularly like the spoolie at the end that has very short bristles. Brilliant for blending in brow products.

 

These were a few small things I thought would be useful somewhere down the road. The Fresh Roll-on Perfume in Brown Sugar smells sweet, as you would expect, but not cloyingly so. It smells of something like cotton candy with an undertone of something fruity. I bought a Real Techniques Setting Brush for my friend and ended up getting one for myself. It's a great size and shape for under the eyes and for applying highlighter.

Hands down, the most extravagant thing I bought is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit. This limited edition goes for US$80 + tax, but how pretty is this palette? I know I do not need three powders and I do not even use bronzer. I had every intention of ignoring it an chalking up my interest to all the hype and attention this baby got from all the bloggers and vloggers, but it was too beautiful. I went to Sephora thrice on my trip and each time, this baby called out to me with its siren song of marbled blushes, illuminating powders, and sleek chic packaging. It didn't help at all that the powders were so finely milled and the blushes were that pigmented. I fully intend to get my money's worth out of this and so help me I will hit pan!

Here's to hoping I blog more regularly this year (and I get lots of use out of all of this stuff haha). I also hope your year will turn out beautifully and that only good things come your way.

 Hello, hello, hello! This month I’m featuring my lovely cousin, Kim! She’s studying to be a nurse and then a doctor (best of all, she wants to be a dermatologist and has promised me discounts haha!) 

She also does hospital duty as a nurse-in-training. At the hospital her makeup looks are more subdued and natural. After hours she amps up everything from the big lashes, to the red, red blush, to the bold vampy lips. While she was at my house we had a long chat about the contents of her makeup bag and which products she felt she had to have with her, on-duty and off. 

Lips

I use Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in LA Exclusive and Parisian. They’re very longlasting. LA isn’t as longwearing as Parisian though, maybe because it’s a lighter color. It’s moisturizing, glossy, but not sticky. I can’t wear Parisian when I do hospital duty though, because the patients get surprised. I don’t want to give them heart attacks.

When I have extra time, I gradate the Etude House Play 101 Pencil in #23. It’s really good for the gradated lip look. It’s not drying and stays on for a long time so you don’t need to reapply it too often. It’s a bit expensive for me at over Php 300 for a pencil from a Korean road makeup shop. When I do the gradated lip, the boys in my class ask, “May kinain ka ba?” (Did you eat something?) Boys don’t get it.

I use the EOS Lip Balm (in Sweet Mint) every night after I do my skincare routine. It’s great because in the morning you feel your lips get really moisturized. Afterwards, I just scrub and apply my lip products. The scent is relaxing as well. I’ve been using it for a year and there’s still a lot of product. The only thing I don’t like is that it gets sticky and you can’t use it over lipstick because it will stain the EOS.

I just bought this Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop (in Mint Sheer) and it isn’t very good. It smells like Lemon Maxx candy. I expected it to smell minty. It’s very watery too and you have to blot it after applying. Unlike the EOS, you can use it over your lipstick because it’s cheaper and you won’t care out it getting stained.

I got this (Estée Lauder Pure Color #14 Rose Petal) from Mama. If I don’t do a dark lip, I use this.  I use this when I’m on hospital duty so my patients aren’t too shocked by the color. It’s like a lighter version of a berry color. It’s moisturizing too.

Blush

The Mocha MAC Powder Blush is my first MAC product. It’s called mocha, but it isn’t mocha-colored. The color is like, what is it like? Pink, but not pink? It’s mauve! That’s the word. It seems more like a sculptural blush. I use it under my cheekbones, on top of the Happy Skin powder I use to contour. It’s matte so I use it when I’m going to be under the sun. So when I’m walking to school, I won’t look oily.

I only use (Nars Blush in) Torrid for special occasions or if we’re going out at night. It’s a bit dark so you need to apply it lightly. I use a flat Etude House brush that came with a contour kit I didn’t like. I don’t like the packaging of this though. It gets dirty and end gets dented easily. So really, it isn’t okay to put it in a makeup bag unless you have partitions, but I still keep it in there in case my friends want to go out after hospital duty. For people with my coloring, instead of Orgasm, this is the shade.

Eyes

I should really throw this K-Palette (Real Lasting Eyeliner in Black) away it’s gotten so watery. I only keep it when I want to do a wing or if I’m going on a night out I don’t worry so much about it smudging.

The 3CE (Creamy Waterproof Eyeline in #1 Cats) irritates me if I use it on my waterline otherwise it’s okay because it doesn’t smudge and the color is really black and the finish is matte. I use it more for above the lashline. The finish is more natural than the glossy K-palette. Sometimes it breaks when I sharpen it though

I have the Revlon (Colorstay Eyeliner Crayon Contour in Black) for tight-lining. It’s a lot like the 3CE, but it breaks really easily. I haven’t really found the eyeliner that I really, really like. I want to try the Bobbi Brown gel liner, but it’s in a pot so I need to practice. I used the Tony Moly backstage gel liner before and I enjoyed the process of applying it so I might like the Bobbi Brown.

Maybelline the Magnum Volume Express Waterproof. This one for when I am stressed. Just this so I look more awake and so I don’t look so haggard. I like that’s waterproof. I’m oily so it’s easier for mascara to smudge. I like the brush. It reaches the lashes on the corners. The only thing is my lashes clump together so I really need to use a lash comb. It’s metal and I have a hard time cleaning it. Sometimes I get lazy and just leave the clumpy lashes.

The Oh! M’Eye Lash Top Coat is supposed to be a top coat, but I use it when I don’t want my lashes to look too done up. First of all, when my lashes are too done up, it’s hard to remove. Secondly, if you’re just in school, especially since we’re all in uniform, I don’t want to stand out too much. We’re trained as nurses not look too bold. If my makeup is too bold I might get told off by a professor. And my patients aren’t allowed to get shocked they might have heart attacks. Deadly pretty.

Powder

I used up my Makeup Forever HD powder, I’d hit pan and finished it all off.

Unlike the Makeup forever, Clinique Stay Mattte Sheer (pressed powder oil-free in 02 Stay Neutral) doesn’t make you look too matte. You still retain some dewiness. And since I have dry patches, I need certain areas to look brighter and healthier. I was supposed to get a translucent shade, but it was out of stock so this was recommended to me.

Etc.

I have Chronic Rhinitis so when I get attacks, I put Vicks VapoRub on my nose. When I have a cough I put it on my chest area and it’s soothing. I keep it my makeup bag because I need it all the time and I don’t really have a medicine bag. I keep it there so I know where to find it when I need it. It’s also the product in my makeup bag my friends borrow the most often. They dab a bit on the sides of their nose to decongest.

As a nursing student she has seen it all. From people being born to people at the end of the road and has her fair share of interesting stories and anecdotes about curious ailments. It comes as no surprise that when I asked her what she wanted to call her makeup bag, she answered, “a Myocardial Infraction Makeup Kit or a mini-heart attack kit. It won’t kill you, but it will paralyze you for life. My beauty will paralyze you.” I must agree that she is very pretty and kind of looks like Pocahontas haha. 

P.S. Kim posing as Pocahontas

November has always been a special month for me and this time around I felt like so many good things happened and that the whole month was somehow a giant birthday present :)) Aside from that though, November has also been a very busy month and the things in this post really helped brighten my day with how pretty they were or made sure I looked my best when I had interviews or had nights out.

Fairydrops Platinum Mascara Film Type

This mascara is amazing! It's a non waterproof mascara that can hold a curl, lengthen, and define your lashes. Best of all, it is easy to remove at the end of the day. I did a review of this along with another great Fairydrops mascara last month and you can check that out here.

Vichy Capital Soleil SPF50 Tinted Cream

I've been doing a LOT of commuting as of late and I really needed something to protect my skin. I got this a few months ago on a trip to Singapore and I just recently started using it again. It's a tinted sunblock that really does the job. The formula is very moisturizing and the finish is quite dewy. Definitely not a product for everyday use, but really good to have for those days when I'll be in the sun for long periods of time.

L'Occitane Lipstick in #0141 Améthyste

I might have jumped on the dark berry lip trend for a few weeks last month. I know that it looks terribly unnatural, but the color is so pretty and it looks very classy when applied properly. It's great for evenings and really transforms a look. This lipstick is very well pigmented when applied as a full lip color, but is also nice as just a stain. Sadly, this lipstick has been discontinued, but Nars Audacious Lipstick in the shade Liv is pretty close.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

This is the highlighter of my dreams. The effect is very natural beacause unlike a lot of other highlighters, it isn't just glitter. It's very blendable and fairly easy to manipulate. I will say however, that I'm not so keen on the packaging because it is difficult to control how much product comes out. You only really need the tiniest amounts of this. The light reflecting properties also make it great for mixing in with a foundation or concealer for covering under-eye circles.

Murad Essential C Toner

Before this, I was using the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner and my skin didn't respond very well to it as it aggravated existing pimples and made my skin look a bit dull. I started reaching for this one because I thought the vitamin C would be good for disinfecting the skin and to brighten my complexion to counteract the effects of the Innisfree one. It makes me sad that the full-sized one is pretty expensive so I will have to find a more affordable alternative when mine runs out.

Jessica Automatic Lip & Eye Liner Pencil in #18 Dewberry

I'm a big fan of products with multiple uses and this pencil not only looks great as a colored eyeliner, it also is a very good lip pencil match for my L'Occitane dark lippy. It's quite long-lasting on both eyes and lips. It is difficult to even out the color on the lids if you apply more than one layer, but that isn't too noticeable. I also love that it's a twist-up pencil because I never have the patience to remove the bits that get stuck in the blades and crannies of sharpeners after sharpening.

OGX Kukui Oil Conditioner

Not a makeup or skin care product, but I just couldn't leave this out of this post. OGX (formerly Organix) is a haircare brand that focusses on enhancing the great things about your hair. It comes in an amazing range that tackles hair concerns like dryness, breakage, and a bunch more. All the women in my family love this and we each have our favorite bottle. Mine has to be the Kukui oil line, which fights frizzing due to humidity. A definite must if you have curly hair and live in a hot and humid country like mine. My hair always looks amazing when I use this. I also like mixing this with the Moroccan Argan Oil or the Brazillian Keratin Hair therapy conditioners for extra shine and softness.

Rather than being makeup bag staples, the products in this post were things I picked up for when I needed surefire results. These things performed consistently well throughout the month and any other time I've used them so they're great reliable products.

I'm incredibly thankful for all the lovely things that have happened in the past month and as the year closes, I am really excited (and also anxious) about what lies in store. I hope you've had a great month as well and enjoy the rest of the year.