Terrible makeup day

Today, after about an hour after putting on makeup, on the way to drop off my child to daycare, I had to remove all my makeup in the car!

My skin has been especially dry in the last few days so this morning, I figure maybe I'll go light on makeup. I decided to the apply Garnier skin perfector bb cream with the body shop all–in–one bb cream.

Why put two bb creams on, you might ask?

After testing out both bb creams out, it seemed they were more of tinted moisturizers than a true bb cream.

So I applied two layers of the bb cream and then did my regular blush, bronzer, highlighter, and set the makeup with pressed powder and spray.

I noticed the color ran a little darker and orange for my complexion so I blend blend blend!

I'm sitting at a red light and do a final check of my look on the mirror. Oh the indignity! (that's from Thomas and friends, for those of you womdering) I notice my skin is looking a little bumpy so I touch the area to feel and then my makeup started peeling! PEELING! EEK!
I started to touch other parts of my makeup and the same thing! Oh the indignity!

I quickly reached into my diaper bag and promptly removed all of my makeup with baby wipes. Luckily, I keep a bottle of Skyn Iceland Artic Face Mist at work to give a little moisture to the face. It has definitely put a damper in my morning!

I'm going to have to retry those bb creams again! Oh brother!

Thanks for reading!

Empties #2

It's been a long time since I've made a post. Things have been hectic and yet not so hectic. Taking care of a baby is exhausting day to day but the most rewarding experience ever. Also, being with a baby, I put on less makeup just so that my baby doesn't get it on their face. So most of my empties this time is non-makeup related for the most part.

 





I cannot get enough of these Bath & Body Works Anti-bacterial deep cleasing hand soap. I have so many back ups and I keep purchasing them whenver they go on sale so I will never run out! Muahahah (evil laugh). I went through in the last 3 months:

Aqua Blossom

Kitchen Lemon

Sugar Lemon Fizz

Eucalptus Mint

Winter Candy Apple

Winter Cranberry

Kitchen Cucumber

If I had to pick my favorite, it would be Kitchen Lemon. So refreshing and I only use it in the kitchen. Somehow it makes my hands and the kitchen smell so fresh!

 



  

 

I've also gone through:

Skintimate Skin Therapy Moisturizing Shave Cream for Dry Skin - Not much to say about it other than it gets the job done for my shaving needs! I got a big pack of this at Bjs to last me a long time!

 

Thayers Alcohol-free Toner Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula - I really like this! I don't have oily skin butu witch hazel does a great job whenever I get a cold sore! It can be purchased in Wholefoods or online. Replacement already purchased!

 

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo - Other than the nice smell, I wasn't a big fan. I am still using their conditioner because, let's face it, shampoo always goes before the conditioner! Will not be repurchasing!

 

Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste - This isn't my favorite. But it was there, so it had to be used! Not to repurchase unless it's a mistake!

 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-place Shadow Creme in #12 Silver - This is no longer available on Estee Lauder website and I purchased it at a CCO (at an outlet store). It dried out, I liked it as a base since I need virtually two bases for my eyeshadows to stick more than 30 minutes. I probably will not purchase this again because I have the MAC paint pots which are my holy grail eyeshadow base.



 

 

 

IOPE Moisture Intense line. I used up the Softner and Emulsion. Nothing really special. I have their line and a bunch of samples so I'm just going through them systematically.

 

 

Purity made simple by Philosophy. This is my HOLY GRAIL facial cleanser! I LOVE THIS! This is the second 32 fl. oz. container I've gone through. I purchased this specific one at Sephora but I know they are sold in many many places.

 

Lastly, this is my husband's Holy Grail cologne. Burberry for men. Smells amazing! Everybody should wear it! I wear the Burberry for women when I'm not around the baby. 

Haul: Cracked under coupon

Confession time.

 

I broke my makeup ban! I have a good excuse but ultimately its an excuse. However, I felt compelled to share my excuse.

 

A few days ago, I received a coupon from CVS with 20% off your purchase. I also frequent CVS and print coupons from the coupon machine, you know, the extra care card coupons, and I save them... Mostly the makeup ones. I also had two rare buy one get one free coupons. I also had manufacturer's coupons totaling $18. I'll do the math at the end. Here's a picture of what I purchased!

 

 

 I purchased:

Vichy ProEven Mineral BB Cream in Medium $33

2 Simple Radiance cleansing wipes (I had a coupon for buy one get one free) 6.79 each

Garnier Anti-wrinkle Firming Eye Cream $15.99

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream $8.99

Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy Total Care Shampoo and Conditioner (I also had a coupon for buy one get one free) $4.99

Not pictured were vitamins I had to purchase for the family costing $21.08.

 

The breakdown:

The total without any coupons was $107.23. EEK! When I saw the total, I freaked a little!

With CVS 20% off coupon, took off $20.90

Then had CVS coupons totalling $11

Then for Simple BOGO, the machine took off $6.99 rather than $6.79

Then for Clear BOGO, the machine took off $5.99 rather than $4.99

Then I had various coupons totalling $18

The total came to $44.35 (which included tax).

 

I was an honest buyer and did point out that Simple and Clear were not the price the coupons deducted but the cashier said "take what you can get" and continued with the transaction. As a bonus, I also ended up with $5 extrabucks for later use! How can I not break my ban! Would this be considered free money? If it is, would it be bad to purchase makeup with it? Ah! Dilemmas!

 

For my makeup ban, I cracked and purchased the Vichy BB cream. I have heard great things about the brand and it's generally so expensive that I would not have purchased if I didn't have a coupon. Part of my $18 coupon was $5 coupon from Vichy from my Sunday paper.

 

Thanks for reading!

Comments are always welcome!

The Face Shop Aura Color Control Cream Review (CC Cream)





My sister purchased this CC cream for me in 02 Natural Beige at The Face Shop in Manhattan, NY. I believe there is The Face Shop store in Koreatown.

 

 

This cream claims:

• Color controlling cream that brightens your complexion and keeps your morning makeup intact without any darkening.
• SPF 30, PA++
• Like an actress on a stage, this Aura Makeup gets your attention
• 12-hours of continuous staying power

I see this as a foundation, even though it claims to be a cream.

 

Application: Although it comes with a sponge (pictured below), I used my fingers to apply. This applies so nicely and smoothly.

 

Coverage: It had medium coverage with just one layer. It covered the slight redness of my cheeks and around my nose. The finish was definitely dewy. It felt like a BB cream I have from The Face Shop where upon first application of this, it looks gray and ashy but over time, it doesn't look that way. It did not completely cover my under eye dark circles. There is a shimmer to this cream which makes me think it's great for those who like that dewy, slightly shiny finish.

Staying power: Great staying power. I wore it for about 5 hours and it didn't budge.

 

Packaging: I like the idea of pumping out the cream but I would have liked to see it as a bottle, rather than compact. There is no way to see and know how much there is, how much is left, and when you are finished. The box does state that if nothing comes out after 10-20 pumps, then it's empty.

 

I wore this without a primer, and set it with MAC Mineralize skinfinish. I think it wasn't the best combination as I looked slightly cakey but that could also have been due to lack of sleep and overall tiredness I was experiencing.

 

Verdict: I think it's worth a look at. Since so many companies are coming out with CC Creams, I doubt I will repurchase this due to just sheer number of options and I like trying different things.

 

Below are pictures of the product.







 

 

Blended out on my hand. You can see slight shimmer and slight coverage of my veins.

Thanks for reading!

Comments are always welcome!

Makeup ban rant #1

So I get the Sunday newspaper delivered. One of my joy is to look at the drugstore circulars to scope out makeup sales and then to look through the coupons, clip coupons, organize coupons and dream/plan of what I will be purchasing that week... If there is something worthy like all the new limited edition things that are popping up!

I admit it. I clipped some coupons thinking I'll need them for mascaras. NO! I don't need them. So what did I do after I clipped the coupons? I threw them away. Another crisis averted.

Mr. H and I decided I will be a stay at home mom and now the real cruncher begins. He was looking through some of our spending and the dirty looks and comments I got for making $130ish purchase I made at MAC when their In Extra Dimension collection launched, the Balm when they had their relaunching website sale, Hautelook purchase of my beloved Embroylioss, and the Body Shop skincare...  and then the lecture of how all my makeup will expire before I can use the all... Blah blah blah. I informed him of my purchase ban and he didn't seem too convinced! That's Ok! I love that kind of I will show you challenge!

Since I've started the ban, I have not purchased anything related to beauty. I have gone to CVS and longingly look at makeup and touched them but no purchases. Yay me!

Thanks for reading!
Comments are always welcome!

Empties #1

Here are a few things that I (some items with the help of Mr. H) finished. Finishing a product gives me so much joy!

Bath and Body work Antibacterial deep cleansing handsoap  in Holly Berry Wreath. No longer available on their website. I love their handsoap, it's the only things I use at my house!

Organix Shampoo in Moroccan Argan Oil. Purchased at Ulta. I really like the smell of the shampoo, I don't like that it doesn't lather well and it doesn't seem to moisturize my hair as I thought it would. I have a couple of back ups of these, once they are finished, I will not be repurchasing this item.

 

Neutrogena rainbath renewing shower and bath gel in Pear and Green Tea. Purchased at Ulta. Loved the scent. It wasn't drying but it wasn't exactly moisturizing either. I don't think it will be repurchased.

Listerine mouth wash. Purchased at BJ's. It's refreshing, will be repurchased.

 

Colgate Optic White toothpaste. Purchased at CVS. Family loves this toothpaste. Will be repurchased.

Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe - Both came as a bonus of a bigger Ponds packet. I don't remember where I purchased it but available at drugstores. The scent is too strong for my face and since I have a baby now, I don't want that smell to transfer to my baby's face! It took off makeup well including my waterproof mascara. I will not be purchasing the specific scent.

 

Simple Cleansing faical wipes. Purchased at Walgreens. It's meant for sensitive skin and it did take off makeup decently but not great, I still had to go in with a toner to completely remove the makeup. It did ok in removing my waterproof mascara. The scent isn't strong so it wasn't offensive. I'm not sure that I will repurchase this item.

 

IOPE Essential Soothing Cream. Gift from my mother, purchased in Korea. LOVE this cream. I have another one of this that I'm currently using for my dry skin. There is a scent but it's not bad nor good. I have really dry skin so this is as the name has it and Essential part of my skincare! I've already asked my mother to purchase one for me when she visits me again!

 

Thanks for reading!

Comments are always welcome!

Makeup Purchase Ban

I have make up that will last me multiple lifetimes. I blame it on my inability to say no to myself when I have an itch to buy makeup. I have that itch daily and it must be scratched! I blame it on my clever (ahem) way of reasoning with myself on the justification for purchasing makeup. For instance, I recently purchased $100 worth of skincare from The Body Shop. What did I say to myself while staring at the basket before checking out? Everything is 40%off and I will need these ingredients for my skin! I can give something to my sister or my mother (which is what I say to myself every time during my justification period, and I sometimes give)! Maybe I'll start a channel on YouTube and review products! I shouldn't spend the money but I want them! And they are 40%off!

I also stare at the basket for a long time to make sure that they are things I really want. I can't tell you how many times I play musical chairs on my basket for Sephora. I also thought about doing project ten-pan where you go on makeup purchasing ban until you finish 10 beauty items. I notice a lot of people do skincare and that's cheating in my opinion because you know you use more body lotion than bronzer!!

What has started me on this ban? You might ask.
1. I have makeup that will last me multiple lifetimes.
2. I have a new baby. Mr. H and I are contemplating whether I could be a full time stay at home mom for a year or two and that means we have to cut out some personal spending.
3. I get suckered into purchasing mostly Limited Edition items. I am suckering myself to buying makeup! Me! I have so much LE from MAC that sometimes I don't even know what I have when they repromote and I'll have to check my collection! Isn't that a problem!?
4. I am a sucker for sales. I check Sephora sale all the time! I check Hautelook, ruelala, gilt daily! I read makeup blogs multiple times a day where they talk about unbelievable sales!
5. I read beauty blogs every chance I get. The beautiful layout of the blog, pretty swatches, and the beautiful pictures makes me want to camp out in front of the stores overnight just to be able to buy it as soon as I can! Makes me wonder how they have endless supply of makeup, where do they get the funds for items that aren't sent by PR companies? Makeup isn't exactly cheap! Not the brands they talk about, mostly.
6. I have an urge to buy makeup every single day. It's an illness. In order to work on the problem is to first acknowledge that I have a problem.
7. Although Limited Edition comes out all the time, there really isn't a color that's new. I know I'm not going to put black blush on my cheeks, use purple bronzer, or green lipstick on my lips! I don't like Halloween.
And lastly, 8. Did I mention I have enough makeup to last me multiple lifetimes?

I wish I had been born into Estee Lauder's family just so I can roll around in makeup.

Any exceptions? Why, yes!
1. When I run out of something and I don't have a backup, I'll buy it. For example, hand soap, body wash, shampoo, body lotion, etc...
2. I will purchase Limited Edition MAC Paint Pots. I love them and I have to have them!
3. I will purchase mascara. That's just a sanitary issue. But only when I've run out of my backups. I have several.
4. I will accept purchases made for me by others. Recently my sister bought me CC cream from The Face Shop and my mother bought me CC cream from Ohui and a face mist from Etude House (I asked them to buy them for me but it was before I decided to go on the ban!).
5. Holiday sale and semi–annual sales. I usually stock up on antibacterial hand soap from Bath and Body works during their semi–annual sales. It's just good sense!
6. When I'm in another country, I'll lift the ban for items that cannot be purchased in the US. November, we are going to Korea.

When is the ban over?
I have not decided yet. At least until my baby turns a year (Jan, 2014). It needs to be for a lifetime but that's ridiculous! Makeup inevitably goes bad and that's bad for the skin!

How will I get through it?
By ranting and raving here on my blog, I think. By the end of my ban, you will all see what kinds of psychotic moments I go through when I want to buy makeup and what craziness Mr. H has to put up with because of my withdrawal.

Let the ban begin!

Thanks for reading!
Comments are always welcome!