Using the infamous "plopping" method to enhance waves in my hair

I've looking for new techniques and products to enhance the wave in my hair. I am an abuser of flat irons, blowdryers, curlers, hot rollers.... basically anything that will burn my hair to a crisp! But lately, I have been *extra* lazy and I haven't really done much heat damage to my hair but blowdry when I'm crunched for time.

I decided it was time to search for a new method to encourage the texture and wave in my thick, long hair while keeping it weightless and voluminous. At this point, I was simply using Beyond the Zone Noodle Head curl creme (this stuff is excellent, check out reviews here) and scrunching it throughout towel-dried hair.

I did a ton of research on the web, and I kept hearing about a "plopping" method all over the MakeupAlley hair boards. (Clearly I spend way too much time on MUA)

At this point, my curiosity in plopping piqued but I was still completely confused as to what it was. My first thoughts- What the heck is plopping? Where can I find out what it actually is? Will this work for me? Why does it sound like something that involves a toilet?

Well... I found out all those answers through my research. And yes, it involves a toilet.

Supposedly, lots of curly and wavy-haired girls like to "plop" their hair to bring out bouncy defined curls/wave and give their hair volume while minimizing frizz. Basically, it is a method of "plopping" your hair upside down on the top of your head (huh? lol) and wrapping a microfiber towel or a t-shirt around your head to push down the curls and shape them into a permanent scrunch. Since all the hair is bunched up on the top of your head while it dries, it creates more curl and tons of volume.

I like concentrating my hair in the center of the t-shirt and then bunching my hair down to create a more even curl. You need to use a flat surface, hence the toilet. (Seat down, of course) Once you've plopped all your hair in the center of the upside down t-shirt or microfiber towel, wrap the upper fabric back to the nape of your neck and twist the sides (or sleeves) up to your forehead. Wrap around to the back of your head and tie. I'm sure none of you understood this.

The first time my sister saw me try it, she said it looked like I was wearing massive do-rag. My mom asked me "what is that thing on your head?" My dog barked at me. Not really the look I was going for.

Aside from being a terrible fashion statement, the plopping method truly works! I was amazed at the results and am here to share them with you. I found that by scrunching my products in after the shower, plopping my hair for 30 minutes, and blowdrying with a diffuser until about 90% dry, I was able to achieve an incredible, textured wave that I have never been able to achieve through scrunching alone.

Here are some pictures that chronologically depict my new-found journey through plopping:

No curling iron, teasing comb, or hot rollers needed!

My hair used to be straight but now when I let it air-dry it has a slight wave. Sometimes they are funky and awkward looking and I find that plopping really helps minimize this and create a nicer, more uniform wave. I scrunch BTZ Noodle Head curl creme from Sally's in my damp hair and then I follow it with Got2Be Sexy Volume Mousse (in the red can) before plopping.

I'm still new to plopping, but I'm hoping that by keeping my hair wavy and minimizing the amount of straightening I do, my hair will become more familiar with its wavy texture and over time, create a better natural wave.

It's very difficult explaining through words how to plop your hair, though it is actually quite simple and easy to do. If you're interested in learning more, YouTube "plopping hair" and you'll find many results.

I learned how to plop by watching latin4u55's video. Another great website to check out if you have curly or wavy hair is Naturally Curly.

Hope my public online embarassment helps some of you out there who need a new technique to bring definition to your waves!

Boots No7 Lifting and Firming Foundation- a new glowy winter favorite? (Before & After)

Winter is here and it's time for my seasonal foundation switch. Although my skin is oily in the spring and summer, it lacks any kind of glow or moisture in the winter. After scouring the Makeupalley boards, I came across Boots No7 Lifting and Firming Foundation SPF 15, a satin-finish foundation I haven't heard much about in the beauty community.

The reviews seemed promising with 64 reviews at a rating of 4.4 and buyback rate of 84%. I immediately checked out my local Target for this foundation and purchased. Here are my observations.


Boots No7 Lifting and Firming SPF 15 foundation in Blonde

(Click picture to enlarge)
Photoshop was only used to resize and crop pictures. Nothing else was altered because I wanted to show you guys my true results. Blemishes and undereye discoloration remain but are less apparent. Before and afters were both taken indoors by the window in natural light.

The following picture shows the glowy finish of the foundation and was taken in normal, bright indoor lighting with flash, no editing.

Shade: It was trial-and error when I searched for the right shade. I'm in the NC30 range, and I read that many NC30-35 ladies were matched perfectly to "Vanilla." After swatching Vanilla at Target, the color seemed right but the undertone was not as yellow as I had hoped. It was not pink, but more beige than yellow. "Nude" had a wonderful yellow undertone but it was too light for my skin, so I chose the inbetween shade "Blonde," which happened to be a much closer match to my skin than the other two. It definitely has a yellow undertone, but I wish it were just slightly more yellow since my neck always seems more yellow than my face, even with a bare face.

For reference, I wear:
-MAC NC30
-NARS Sheer Glow in Punjab (best color match I've found so far)
-MUFE HD in 127
-Chanel Pro Lumiere in Shell 30

Coverage: Medium, covers flaws and redness but still allows skin to show through. Similar coverage as NARS Sheer Glow, Chanel Pro Lumiere, and MUFE HD. Gives a more polished, clean, glowy look to your real skin. Can be sheered out with damp brush or sponge.

Finish: Definitely satin, but on the dewy side of satin. Not too dewy that my face looks shiny or oily, but it does provide a very nice glow. Looks clean on the face and extremely smooth. No oil control problems here.

Feel: Moisturizing and very smooth, does not dry out my skin or emphasize flakiness, feels light. This product has dimethicone in it, which may explain the velvety feel and finish. Silicones in primers tend to break me out badly, but I have experienced zero breakouts from this foundation. I have not had any bad reactions to the ingredients.

Texture: Not very liquidy or runny. Texture is similar to MUFE HD. I find that this blends better with a brush than with fingers.

Packaging: I am blown away by the quality of the packaging. It comes in a heavy-feeling glass bottle and includes a pump! Really sophisticated packaging.. reminds me of Chanel foundations. The only thing I don't like it that you need to put quite a bit of pressure on the cap to take it off or put it back on.

Price: $14.99 for a 1 oz. bottle

Rating: A

Overall: I would have to agree with many of the Makeupalley reviews in that Boots L&F is a department store quality foundation at a drugstore price. It looks and feels wonderful on my skin and doesn't feel caked on or thick. It feels like soft, smooth skin. I would say that overall, this foundation is extremely comparable to Chanel Prolumiere, another one of my favorites, except that it has much better oil control. My skin appears satiny, glowy, and fresh. I would recommend you check out your local Target (especially all you ladies out there with yellow undertones!) and see if they have any testers like mine did. Some locations do and some don't. I am happy to confirm that this is a new winter favorite and will be a new part of my foundation rotation. I am interested in seeing how this foundation holds up in warmer weather. Will keep you posted!

You can find more information on the Target and Boots websites. Check MakeupAlley reviews here.




On a side note... My blog feels neglected. My last post was in June! Lol. I'm back at home for winter break at the moment, and I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to revisit my blog. I look forward to catching up on all your posts!

How I get beachy summer waves without heat

I always loved the look of beachy, effortless waves, especially for the summer, so I'm glad to have finally found a way to achieve that look. I've been meaning to do this post for awhile now, but haven't really gotten around to blogging lately. I get a lot of questions about my loose waves so I thought I'd show you guys the technique I use, as well my favorite products.



(Beyond The Zone Spray scrunched + one bun)

Let's start off with a little hair history. My hair is naturally pretty straight and coarse with a very slight wave. Not a good wave, but a really bad funky one. Like I literally have two poofy waves in my hair. For the past few years, I've been very bad to my hair. I used a straightener and blow dryer on my hair just about every single day. I hated the way my hair air-dried and was always working against my natural texture.

PRODUCTS:
I've tried a countless number of mousses, spray gels, cremes, etc. and I can honestly say that these are the only products that have delivered with my stubborn hair type:

-Beyond The Zone Super Sexy wave spray ($5.49 @ Sally's w/pro card, $6.29 without, bright green bottle with purple cap)
-Garnier Surf Hair paste ($3 @ Walmart, bright green rounded tub with yellow top)
-Garnier Wonder Waves spray ($3 @ Walmart)
-David Babaii Bohemian Beach spray ($10 @ Ulta, dark brown bottle)

Before discovering these products, I was never able to create waves in my hair without using heat. They would always turn out straight or frizzy and completely undefined. The Super Sexy spray is the product that initially encouraged wave in my hair and worked to give me beachy waves, therefore it tops the list. It smells like watermelon vodka (I hate vodka) so I always have to hold my breath when I spray this stuff. The scent goes away quickly though. The David Babaii is good, especially when used to refresh curls, but it leaves a slightly heavy feel.

TECHNIQUE:
I've really been loving the combination of Garnier's Wonder Waves and Surf Hair. I blot my wet hair with a towel and spray Wonder Waves to my hair when it is damp and scrunch like a madwoman. I wait until it is just a little less than halfway dried and I scrunch a dime-sized amount of Surf Hair paste after rubbing it between my hands, making sure not to cover one spot more than once. I let my hair air dry naturally. To make really gorgeous waves, I gather two sides of my hair into high ponytails, roll into buns, and bobby pin with two crisscrossing pins. I let that air dry and then shake out the wave. Experiment with different amounts of each product to work with your hair. I find that this combo gives me defined waves while controlling frizz. Start off with less, and then work more into your hair. The biggest thing is avoiding crunchy, heavy waves.



(Note that my hair is nowhere near as wavy as this naturally. Garnier combo + two buns)



On another note, I've been completely obsessed with wearing my bucket hat. It matches with everything, protects my hair and face from the sun, and gives off a perfect easygoing summer look when paired with beach waves. The combo reminds me of those Lily Donaldson Burberry ads :) I was inspired to start wearing my bucket hat after seeing a beautiful spread in Allure called "Summer Essentials."


(Photo credit to Allure)

I haven't used heat on my hair for an entire month now, which is pretty impressive considering I used to straighten and blow dry my hair every single day. I can't believe how much softer, shinier, healthier, and less frizzy my hair has become in just one month. My hair has a different look and feel to it, and it is easier to style and manage. I would suggest you guys to take a "no heat" challenge for the summer and see how much your hair improves!

OOTD + Botanical Gardens

Here are a few pictures from my day at the botanical gardens and my first outfit of the day. Enjoy!



I look ridiculously short in these pictures but I'm around 5'6". I wish I were taller!

Cardigan: Tahari
V-neck tee: Threads for Thought
Jeans: Express "Zelda Ultra Skinny"
Sunglasses: Hugo Boss
Purse: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Flats: Gap

I love these flats. They are glossy patent on the outside and softly quilted on the inside. They're camel and match perfectly with my purse. I like that they are so versatile; they work with so many different colors and outfits. They're simple but chic and also work well to tone down an outfit. I like that they are patent as well because they add a new texture. I don't have to think too much about these shoes when I wear them, which is a plus. I love those types of pieces- the ones you can simply throw on and be out the door.



I wore my Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup and it photographed really well. The lighting around the gardens and greenhouse was perfect- natural and bright!









We thought it was going to be nice and warm, but the weather was quite chilly and some of the flowers hadn't bloomed yet. I went all the way back to the car and threw on my trench to keep warm!






The ladies of my family all went out to TGIF for dinner that night. I had the Chicken and Cheese grilled with peppers and onions with a side of mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were absolutely delicious- creamy, soft, and super buttery. The best I have ever had. The chicken, on the other hand, was not so great. Very mediocre and not cooked very well.



A few days ago, I tried looking for my puppy everywhere and couldn't find him. He didn't respond to me calling out his name around the house and I got a bit worried! Then I finally found him in his old bed downstairs. I think he is just attached to his baby bed because he never uses his new one. This is how I found him, all bundled up underneath the padding...



Haha!

I picked up one of my favorite treats at the Korean supermarket yesterday. They are like cracker/cookie sticks with strawberry cream dip. Sooooooooo good. I found the silly "hidden messages" strangely amusing! lol.



I was a little confused by the chicken one. My mom told me that in Korea, the chicken sound is "kokekokko." I found this really funny and also interesting that other countries have different sounds that are related to different animals. I remember learning about this in a Linguistics class I had taken. In America, "cock-a-doodle-doo" is synonymous with the rooster. I told my mom this and she was just as confused as I was. lol.

Well that's all. Until next time!

Hot red lips :)

I love any kind of gorgeous bright red, and this one is no exception!



I kept the rest of my face clean and neutral. I have fuller lips so bright colors can make me look clown-like, but keeping the focus solely on the lips helps. Personally, I find red lips very elegant and beautiful but there are so many red lip haters out there (my mother being one of them lol) I don't wear bold lippies very often, but I've always loved lipsticks in bright fuschias, reds, corals, purples, and oranges. I admire those women out there who can rock a bright lip in public and feel comfortable doing it.


NYX Hot Red Jumbo Lip Pencil


4 bucks of creamy gorgeousness.
Love it!
Now I just need the lipliner to complete the look :)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup vs. NARS Sheer Glow

Hi everyone! So the new talk of the makeup community seems to be Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup- a supposed dupe for NARS Sheer Glow. In a recent issue of People Style Watch, Kim K's makeup artist listed Neutrogena Healthy Skin (around $11.99) as a cheaper alternative to NARS Sheer Glow ($42). I purchased the Healthy Skin foundation at Ulta for $11.99. I had a coupon, so I purchased it for around $10.



I've heard that many people in the NC30-35 and NARS Punjab/Sante Fe range used 060 Natural Beige, so I knew for sure I wanted to pick that one up. It happened to be one of the most yellow out of all the shades. They were completely out of 060 and 050. I asked a SA if they had any more in stock, and she directed me to a stand on the other side of the display. These included a free 7-sheet packet of Neutrogena makeup wipes, and they had one 060 left, so I grabbed it up!

For reference, I am currently somewhere between an NC30 and NC35. My skin has gotten lighter since winter, and I hope to stay close this color throughout the warmer months with religious use of sunscreen. I wear Punjab in NARS, MUFE HD in 120, and 060 Natural Beige in Neutrogena. I have oily skin and used a light dusting of powder on the T-zone with both foundations.

I happen to have both the NARS Sheer Glow and the Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation, so I'll let you guys know how I personally compare the two.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin 060 Natural Beige on LEFT, NARS Sheer Glow Punjab on RIGHT:

The Neutrogena looks more yellow in this picture, but it is a more neutral yellow than the NARS, which I find more yellow-yellow. If that makes ANY sense! LOL

Slightly blended on the back of my hand:
I didn't blend in the middle so you could see the difference in finish. You can tell from the picture that the Neutrogena (left) is clearly more dewy than the NARS.


How they are similar:

-Both shades have yellow undertones. NARS has a bit more yellow in real life, but the Neutrogena is still yellow, especially for a drugstore foundation. There are still shades with pinker undertones, but the one I picked is definitely a medium shade with yellow undertones.
-Perfect for Asian skintones!
-Both have a brightening effect.
-No shimmer in either of these formulas. MAJOR PLUS!
-Medium to full, buildable coverage.
-Both contain certain ingredients and antioxidants that help keep skin young and bright over time.
-Both come without a pump, in a screw-top 1 fluid oz jar. (NARS will be releasing a pump-version this spring)

How they are different:

-The Neutrogena feels smoother while blending.
-I need less of the NARS to cover my face.
-Neutrogena is slightly dewy while NARS is semi-matte.
-Neutrogena feels slightly heavier, like a gel, but definitely not as heavy as a cream or a liquid foundation like Colorstay.
-Neutrogena wears about 2 hours longer than NARS Sheer Glow.
-Neutrogena is about 1/4 the price of NARS.
-Neutrogena contains SPF20, NARS doesn't have any SPF.
-Both held up on my oily skin with a powder dusting on the T-zone.

Here I am wearing the Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation with a light dusting of translucent powder. No highlighter or blush. This is unedited, and I took it early in the morning facing my blinds with a ton of bright, natural light shining through.

I'm usually a lighter shade in the medium skintone range, but the direct light makes me look a bit lighter in the picture than in real life. You can see that natural looking glow from the foundation on the higher points of my face. It photographs very well despite the SPF20 in it.

Overall:

Although they are both beautiful, brightening foundations, the texture is different. The Neutrogena feels a bit heavier, but I'm pretty positive that it may be the dewy finish that makes it feel this way. The NARS feels a bit drier and feels lighter on my skin, but both held up quite well on my oily skin. The end result is very similar, but the Neutrogena is slightly more of a dewy glow than the NARS' semi-matte glow. Both formulas make your skin glow and appear brighter/lighter without any iridescence or shimmer, which is just amazing in my opinion. I was surprised that many people were calling this a light coverage foundation. In my opinion, this is definitely a medium coverage and is buildable to a full coverage. NARS Sheer Glow in Punjab is a *slightly* better match for my skintone since it has a bit more yellow undertones. The Neutrogena is more of a yellow-beige undertone, but it still matches me VERY well, and I can hardly tell the difference, even in direct sunlight. It's the second best match I've found in drugstore and high end foundations, and places second only after NARS. The end result of the Neutrogena reminds me of a dewy but NON-SHIMMER version of Revlon's PhotoReady foundation, which I loved minus the shimmer. The only problem I have with this foundation is that it does not have a very wide range of colors for darker skintones.

Verdict:

This is hands down the best drugstore foundation I've ever tried. Closest thing to an HG I've found, but I'm still convinced that I will ALWAYS be on a search for a HG that just doesn't exist. lol. I completely understand the hype over the Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup. While the NARS and Neutrogena may have slight differences in texture and finish, the overall product is quite comparable. I wouldn't say it is an EXACT dupe, but it is still a really really really good foundation. I will gladly repurchase, and will probably replace my NARS with this since I actually prefer the finish of the Neutrogena. Plus, it's much friendlier on my wallet and also contains SPF!

Let me know what you guys think of this foundation if you happen to try it!

Don't buy your puppy from a pet store or backyard breeder!

Soiled, pest-covered surroundings and maggots crawling under the skin and feeding on dry tissue and confinement to cramped cages and the feeling of feet struggling to balance on wires but never touching solid ground: these are everyday realities for newborns and breeding mothers in puppy mills. Or at least, a reality until they are auctioned to puppy brokers, shipped out, and put out on display to unsuspecting pet store window passersby going gaga over the perfectly poised and pretty puppies. In my opinion, it is truly baffling how anyone could justify putting a living creature through such misery and degradation in exchange for a few hundred bucks.

People love puppies. In fact, there will always be a huge demand for these fuzzy little creatures. Their soft fur, affection, irresistibly expressive round eyes, undying loyalty are just some of the reasons why they make great companions. When I think of a cookie cutter family, the first thought that runs through my head is a perfectly-molded household that consists of the following: mother, father, son, daughter, and of course, a cute little puppy. Fast-forward a year from the day they innocently took home that cute little puppy from the pet store, and they’ll find a new surprise; genetic and emotional problems overwhelm the puppy as it grows ill and eventually passes away. A sad, but true, reality in many pet store and backyard breeder purchases.

I assume that most pet store customers have no idea what sort of an environment the puppies were raised in prior to being shipped out to the store. It’s a simple thought to disregard when you’re busy watching a teacup terrier melt you with its glowing stare and button nose . But most people are ingenuous to the fact that a considerable amount of these puppies have previously lived in horrendous conditions, and these animals are at great risk of disease and congenital defects.

Puppy mills and backyard breeders thrive on profit. They are negligent, ruthless, and inhumane. Consequently, this means that the animals are the ones who suffer while lacking proper nutrition and exercise and hygiene and social contact . Fleas, maggots, and other pests eat away at the puppies’ malnourished bodies. Dogs painfully sit in the summer heat, their exposed bodies cooking on wired cages. Their vocal cords are ruptured with metal poles. Their bodies are covered in their own feces. Their lives are taken away by greed, left aside to rot and decay among countless skeletons. Some manage to survive; many don’t.

Although puppies are exposed to such an abhorrent environment, adult breeding mothers have it worse; these adults—many living only to five years of age—are alive solely to breed. Many mother breeders suffer from hernias with their internal organs fallen down, but they are still forced to reproduce during each heat cycle. Their bodies, decrepit and too weak to reproduce, are killed, smashed, tossed to the side along with all the other unprofitable animals. The commercial dog industry not only fills me with disgust but also makes me wonder how so many people can lack basic moral responsibility and ethical behavior.

These puppies are without freedom, without love, without a voice, without a chance of a future if we do not raise awareness and assume the responsibility to take action against this vile industry. With the overwhelming population of loving animals in shelters, it should be a no-brainer to adopt a pet instead of purchasing one that may support the disgusting ambitions of backyard breeders, puppy brokers, and puppy mills. It is truly a shame that breeders are able to evade the consequences of abusive animal practices. Although the USDA tries to enforce rules and regulations on commercial breeding , thousands of puppy mills are both overlooked and located in remote regions of the country. If you would consider adopting a pet rather than purchasing one from an unknown or disreputable breeder, this decision would spare one puppy’s life, and take away one wrongful breeder’s gain.

I know this is such a random post for a beauty blog, but commercial pet breeding is an issue I take a strong stance on, and I hope this has informed you guys of something you may or may not have already heard about. You'd be surprised by how many pet stores buy from disreputable sources and either work their way around customer questions or blatantly lie to them. Be especially cautious of those puppy stores in the mall. Same thing goes for backyard breeders, who are even more difficult to spot since many of them think of themselves as hobby breeders. Many of these people do not understand that backyard breeding is a problem. In fact, they may be a friend, neighbor, or maybe even you. Backyard breeders actually happen to be the number one cause of pet-overpopulation in the U.S. and account for 2/3 of pets. Ask questions and be informed. Better yet: adopt.

April Favorites + beautiful Chicago spring weather

My wonderful boyfriend got me an amazing new Nikon camera for my birthday this past Tuesday, which means that I'll be able to blog a whole lot more than before! Also, today was the last day of classes for the spring semester. PHEW! Although I'll still be pretty busy studying for finals next week.

I thought I'd take a break from studying and share my April favorites with all of my lovely followers. This is my first time doing a "favorites" post, and it is pretty exciting. I have a TON. Now on to the good stuff...



L-R top row: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging SPF15 Cream, Garnier Skin Renew SPF28 Daily Moisture Lotion, MUFE HD Foundation #120, Revlon Coral Reef Super Lustrous l/g, MAC Vegas Volt l/s, Wet N Wild 521A l/s, Wet N Wild 511B l/s)

(L-R bottom row: MAC Smolder eye kohl, MAC Soft N Gentle MSF, MAC Soft Brown e/s, MAC So Ceylon MSF)

(Not pictured: Victoria's Secret Perfect Lipstick in Scrumptious, Beyond the Zone Super Sexy Waves Spray, which I will do a review on very soon.)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging SPF15 Cream:
This stuff TRULY works! I can't believe how much of a miracle this inexpensive ($11 at Ulta) drugstore moisturizer is. I heard so much about this on Makeupalley that I just had to pick it up. It contains retinol, and is proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps with acne and scarring. In addition, this product also contains some sunscreen. I noticed results after the first day of using it. I have pretty good skin, but I do break out here and there. I use Clearasil cleanser, which has really helped clear up my face and keep it that way. But the one thing Clearasil does not help with are those annoying tiny dry bumps on my forehead. This Neutrogena product cleared up those bumps after ONE USE! I couldn't even believe it. I've been using it consistently for about 1 and a 1/2 weeks now and it has already made a dramatic difference to my skin. It is noticeably smoother, and most of my blemishes and acne scarring have disappeared. My face looks brighter and healthier. Some Makeupalley members have noted that the retinol may irritate your skin at first. I had no irritation problems with this, but if it is irritating for you, use a small amount every other day. Most members who initially experienced irritation and break outs at first had no problems after using it for a few weeks.

Garnier Skin Renew SPF28 Daily Moisture Lotion:
I purchased this to replace my Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. The Clinique moisturizer was becoming costly since I go through it so quickly. Additionally, I wanted to find a product with skincare benefits. The Garnier contains Vitamin C, Lycopene, and is packed with so many other beneficial ingredients. One look at the ingredients list and I was sold. It works well with my oily skin, and the SPF28 is great. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin and doesn't clog my pores. I was very worried that this would break me out since I've been using Clinique every day for the past three years, but it didn't! I've noticed my skin has gotten smoother since using this. It does have a fruity scent, but it is very light and actually quite pleasant.

MUFE HD Foundation #120:
Gives me wonderful coverage, but also feels light on the skin compared to other medium-full coverage foundations. I can't stand heavy foundations. This one is just perfect. I love that MUFE has a great range of yellow shades, which is usually my biggest selling point when it comes to foundation. It's the best foundation I've tried so far, and it blows my Revlon, MAC, NARS, and Giorgio Armani foundations out of the water.



(Left: MAC Smolder eye kohl, one line and smudged. It is much darker, stark black in real life.

(Top-Bottom: VS Scrumptious (pictured on right as well), WnW 511B, WnW 521A (there is a blue sheen IRL), MAC Vegas Volt, Revlon Coral Reef

Revlon Coral Reef Super Lustrous l/g:
Read my previous review on this lipgloss! :) It's a wonderfully pigmented, coral shade- perfect for summer, especially layered over MAC's Vegas Volt lipstick.

MAC Vegas Volt l/s:
This is my favorite bright lipstick for warm skin with yellow/olive undertones. It's a bright, creamy coral. I think it looks best when used with a lip brush. It's very summery and very retro and instantly perks up and brightens my face. The creamy, pigmented Amplified finish is to die for. In fact, I've read in an interview that this particular shade is used on a few of the ladies on Mad Men. You can brighten it up by layering, but you can also mix it with a lighter lipstick or concealer to get a nude coral/orange dreamsicle color.

Wet N Wild 521A and 511B l/s:
Honestly, the first time I saw these, I had to get "CHEAP, HOOKER, TACKY" out of my head, and instead, imagine how wonderful it would look with a clean, neutral face. But these are creamy, pigmented, and SO ridiculously cheap. I got mine half off for about 60 cents a piece! lol. I heard about these on Makeupalley (where else!) and was immediately intrigued. I've been really into fuschia lips, but I know I will get over it after spring and summer, so I wanted something cheap that would satisfy my craving for bright lips. 521A is a perfect dupe for MAC Show Orchid. It has a blue/violet undertone compared to 511B and also has a blue sheen, just like Show Orchid. 511B is slightly warmer and reminds me of MAC Petals & Peacocks from the LoL collection. It is creamy with no sheen or shimmer, and it is slightly lighter than 521A. These do have a slight smell, but definitely nowhere near as offensive as say, Rimmel. I would have never taken a look at these before, but I'm glad I did.

VS Perfect Lipstick in Scrumptious:
This is so creamy and beautiful. It's a peachy light coral that somewhat reminds me of MAC's Shy Girl. The finish is similar to that of a MAC lustre. My only gripe is that this does not last as long as I would like it to, but I guess that is with all semi-glossy formulas.

MAC Smolder eye kohl:
This is an excellent kohl for smudging on the lower and upper lashlines. It is the perfect complement to the smokey eye. I also use this with light neutral looks to give it a sexy twist. It doesn't last all day on the waterline, but it lasts longer than most kohl pencils, which are meant to smudge. If you don't smudge this out, it tends to travel to above the crease, which I find very strange. Smudging it also makes it last longer. This is slightly blue-black when smudged out and a carbon black when drawn on normally. Personally, I would only use this to smudge out. It looks absolutely amazing smudged along the lower lashline, and you only need a tiny bit to work with. I also love using this eye kohl to blend out and layer underneath a duochrome shadow like Club. It brings out the beautiful dimension and is also a great base. A true classic!



(L-R swatches: Soft N Gentle, So Ceylon, Soft Brown e/s)

MAC Soft N Gentle MSF:
My favorite MSF highlighter. Gives my skin a beautiful frosty sheen without going overboard or coming off as sparkly. I like this better than Perfect Topping (too subtle) and New Vegas (golden glitterbomb).

MAC Soft Brown e/s:
I've been using this every day since I purchased it, and I regret not getting it earlier! I love using in the crease with Blanc Type or Ricepaper on the lid. Sometimes I even darken that look with a bit of Cork or Embark on the outer v. It is light, soft and sophisticated, but it also gives my eyes definition compared to no shadow. It is also the best blender shade to use to make your crease color and highlight blend together seamlessly. I'm not a big fan of this shade on the lid though.

MAC So Ceylon MSF:
This MSF is definitely up there with my coveted Shooting Star. I'm really glad I was able to pick it up at my CCO. It really structures and warms up my face and cheekbones. A lot of people have mentioned that this is a rosy bronzer, which did not appeal to me and reminded me of Benefit Dallas. But in fact, I find that there is not a ton of rosyness that transfers onto my cheeks. It just gives me a bronze glow, but the rose tones do give it a slightly different look compared to my other bronzers. It's hard to explain, but overall, I was very impressed with this and it looks like a healthy bronze rather than a blush.



Just thought I'd post a pic of the view outside my window. The screen made the picture look a little funky. It was a beautiful day in Chicago today. Minus the ridiculous wind. But who knows? It will probably drop back down to 50 degrees from an 82 degree day like it usually does. lol. Chicago weather is so messed up!

Also, you know you're a terrible blogger when you find unposted pictures from Christmas time during the spring season! LOL.



Well, hope you all enjoyed this post! Let me know if you have any questions about any of the products listed. I'll try to be a better blogger now that I'll be on summer break. In my next post, I'll be reviewing my new obsession- Beyond The Zone's Super Sexy Wave Spray!

Revlon Spring 2010 Collection: Coral Reef Super Lustrous Lipgloss, perfect for my coral kick!

Wow, love this! Coral Reef is super creamy, pigmented, non-sticky, and would look excellent with a tan. I'm currently an NC35 and will be using this on my pigmented lips and on top of MAC Vegas Volt l/s during the summer months when I get a little more color. On my pigmented lips, this looks just like the model's lips on the MAC To The Beach promo ad, a bright coral-peach and just a touch of orange without being garish.

The second picture is pretty accurate color-wise.
The first picture is on my bare, slightly rosy and pigmented lips. It's a *tad* brighter and corally-orange in real life.



I love corals like these because they really bring a glow and brightness to the rest of my face. For now, layering this on top of a nude lipstick base brings out the peachier side of this coral, reminding me of MAC Shy Girl. Since I'm a little I've been on a huge coral kick lately, so I knew I had to get this. I found it at Target, but there was no separate display for the collection like I had seen in Ulta. It was placed next to the rest of the Super Lustrous lipglosses and I managed to get the last one. Love the sleek packaging and doe-foot applicator. Plus, no funky smell or taste!



I want everything from this collection, the shades are all gorgeous pastels. I think I read somewhere (maybe Allure) that Gucci Westman helped create the shades in this line. Really looking forward to trying the nail polishes as well as the SL lipglosses in Lilac Pastelle and Pink Pop. Coral Reef is a beautiful pop of color, perfect for the warmer weather. Get it before it's gone, from the stores I've been to, I've been noticing that a lot of the shades have been selling out quick.

I also picked up Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Soft Nude. I like it, it's very creamy, but it's a bit more glossy than I'm used to. The packaging and imprint reminds me of a cheap version of Chanel, lol. Here it is to the left swatched next to Smooth Nude from the Colorstay collection and Nude Attitude from the Matte collection. It's a bit more pinky-beige toned than the other two.



Sorry the swatches are a little difficult to see. You can click to enlarge if you want. Have a great week :)

MAC Blooming Lovely l/s review

Today I'll be reviewing Blooming Lovely lipstick from the MAC Spring 2010 Give Me Liberty of London collection. I took one look at Blooming Lovely (bright lilac) and thought it was SO pretty ,but I'd never be able to pull it off. Plus, I'm too much of a scaredy cat to try bold colors. But I had an MA try it on me and it looked BEAUTIFUL! I had two MAs and two customers crowded around me telling me it looked amazing, so of course, I had to get it!



I find this a really unique color. It's a creamy bright lilac, slightly blue-toned but not as much as Snob, which didn't work out well against my yellow/olive undertones. It's like the lilac sister to Saint Germain, but slightly darker. I think this particular shade will be very love/hate. The amplified formula was very smooth and did not flake on my lips. It was actually very moisturizing. The color was extremely pigmented and showed up true to color even on my bright red pigmented lips. I only had to do one swipe on my lower lip and press them together to get its true color. Another added plus is that I can see this lasting for a long time since a little goes a long way.

My bare, pigmented lips:


One swipe, nothing underneath:


It's not something I could wear all the time, but is perfect for when I'm feeling a little bold :) The MA told me they always sell out of purples like these. I agree with her, I think this one will get a ton of hype.