SAMPLE SUNDAY | Philosophy Time In A Bottle x Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30

We're into our fourth edition of Sample Sunday! Woohoo! Let's check out another two skincare samples this week.

Philosophy Time In A Bottle Daily Age-Defying Serum |
My ears instantly perked up when I heard that this serum from Philosophy claimed to go beyond just improving signs of aging, and actually targets our skin's DNA. Say whaaat? It supposedly contains a DNA renewal complex (ooooh) and a high-potency vitamin C8 (ahhhh) that helps transform the skin and protect it from environmental stressors. Philosophy also claims that improved skin - in radiance, evenness and texture - should be noticeable in just one week! Well, besides the serum - which comes out as a pink, lightweight gel - feeling quite hydrating and soothing on the skin, I personally didn't see much a difference. Bummer. Maybe I needed to use this for longer - or have a larger sample - but based on my week-long experience, I don't think it's worth the hefty price tag ($75 USD) and will not be purchasing the full size.

Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF30 PA+++ |
I have been on the hunt for a good face moisturizer that also has SPF, and had such high hopes for this one from Murad. Not only does this antioxidant-rich moisturizer protect the skin from UVA, UVB rays, and free radical damage, it also helps renew the skin and improve clarity, firmness and elasticity. Sounds totes amazing, and I really wanted to love this. But alas, it was just not meant to be. While the citrusy scent and lightweight feel of the moisturizer are certainly two pluses, this did not sink into my skin and made makeup application quite challenging. My foundation seemed to blend with the moisturizer and as the day went on, my face turned into a patchy, streaky nightmare, not to mention a greasy hot mess. I do believe that the insane humidity was this moisturizer's biggest downfall, so it might still be worth another shot during the colder months. Let's just shelve this as "Undecided" for now, and I'll keep you guys posted.

So there you go, another two products that just didn't really impress me. Sigh. Better luck next time!

REVIEW | Innisfree Special Care Foot Mask

Sandal weather is upon us! Which means putting extra effort into making sure our feet are soft, supple, and smooth as hell. But let's face it, we can always use some extra help fighting dry skin and cracked heels, which is why I'm giving the Innisfree Special Care Foot Mask a try before bed. Let's check it out, with help from my puppy, Riley!

Innisfree Special Care Foot Mask

$25 HKD at Innisfree (around $3 USD)

1 Pair

First order of business.. look how freakin' adorable my dog is. I just can't. Being the Curious George that she is (about absolutely everything), this crumply little packet really peaked her interest. Innisfree is a brand I've known about for quite some time - go read my review on the Innisfree Long Wear Cushion - and I've heard glowing reviews about their face masks. But only recently I became aware of their 'special care' mask range - including hand, neck, collarbone and even elbow masks - and at just $25 HKD a piece, this foot mask was too good of a deal to pass up.

The foot mask is folded neatly inside the packet, and you get one bootie for each foot. How cute! My feet are a US size 8 and they fit comfortably inside. It feels a bit strange at first, like you're stepping around in wet socks, but I found them very easy to use and to just lounge around in. I did end up slipping on a pair of socks over top since they slid around a bit. The mask smells floral and refreshing, but you only notice the scent if you're way down there like Riley is. The instructions say to wash and cleanse the feet, put on the foot masks, then remove them after 10-20 minutes and to massage the excess liquid into the skin. I left mine on for an hour. Shhhh. I just didn't see the harm in leaving them on a bit longer!

After removing the masks and massaging in the excess liquid as instructed, I could feel that the calluses on the balls of my feet had softened up considerably, and my feet looked smooth and moisturized. My heels, however, still felt a bit rough. By the next morning, my feet were back to normal and I could see some dry patches appearing again, which goes to show that this foot mask is probably best used for short-term results - one day or so - and perhaps before a special occasion when you need your feet to be pretty and presentable.

I would recommend exfoliating and scrubbing your feet prior to using the mask for better results. If you need serious help with dry, cracked, problematic feet, this wouldn't be of much help at all. But at just $3 USD, this foot mask is a good pick-me-up for tired, unattended feet and I will definitely be stocking up for some much needed pampering on the weekends.

PS. If you want more of Riley, I will be doing a post on her adoption story sometime soon, so stay tuned!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Too Faced Born This Way x First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream

For this week's Sample Sunday, I'm trying a foundation that everyone has been raving about, and an eye cream that claims to do everything. Let's see how they both fared for me..

Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation |
When a foundation claims to masterfully diffuse the line between makeup and skin and offer undetectable coverage, trust that my expectations will be soaring. This Too Faced foundation has been getting rave reviews all across the board, so needless to say I was super excited to get a sample with one of my online Sephora purchases. My shade is in Vanilla - catered to fair to light skin with neutral to pink undertones - and it's a bit too light on me but works fine after some good ol' bronzer. Although I am not a fan of the strange, almost synthetic scent this has - might just be mine - boy, am I impressed with its amazing coverage. With just one pump, my skin looked pretty darn flawless - no more redness or discoloration. However, the claim of offering undetectable coverage seemed to only ring true for me with indoor lighting. As soon as I walked outside, I could see the foundation emphasized dry patches on my chin and forehead. Not a cute look. And even though this is oil-free, I found it too rich for my oily skin - it's formulated with coconut water for hydration - and I looked uber greasy in the T-zone after just three hours. So unlike everyone else who seems to adore this foundation, I won't be purchasing the full size. Too bad, so sad.

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream |
While it's already challenging in itself to find an eye cream that can do everything - hydrate, firm, combat fine lines, dark circles and puffiness - and still be comfortable and non-irritating under the eyes, I need an eye cream that also works well under makeup. 'Cos I don't got time (or money) for two separate eye creams for the AM and PM! For the past two years, I've been using Clinique's All About Eyes because it doesn't irritate my eyes and works wonderfully under makeup, but it's been quite ineffective in terms of combating those issues I just mentioned. So this multi-tasking, age-delaying eye cream from First Aid Beauty sounds like a dream come true. It has five claims -  to smooth, firm, brighten, and nourish the skin while combating free radicals -  and is paraben and sulfate-free. It's also supposed to be fragrance-free, but my sample definitely has an off-putting, almost sour smell to it - I'm just going to put that down as the sample being past its prime. It comes out as a gel and is tacky in texture on application, but dries down after a minute or so. My under eyes do feel moisturized and slightly tightened, and it doesn't irritate my eyes whatsoever. One week - and one small sample - is obviously not enough time to test out all those claims, but I can already say that I won't be purchasing the full size because this simply does not work under makeup. The moment you start applying foundation and concealer, the eye cream starts separating underneath and eventually pills up into little clumps. The hunt continues..

That's a wrap! Two samples that are must-haves for many, but just sadly did not work for me. Goes to show you can live without certain products that other people can't live without! 

REVIEW | Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50

My first venture into the world of BB cushions, à la L'oreal's Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere, was a successful one, so I decided to give the Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50 PA+++ a try after chancing upon a Youtube ad -  they got me good. Let's see how this one fared!

Innisfree Long Wear Cushion SPF50 PA+++

$180 HKD at Innisfree (around $23 USD)

15g, 0.5oz | 4 shades

Innisfree is a Korean cosmetics brand and is known for using natural and organic ingredients with an eco-friendly approach to all their products and packaging. For example, all the products are housed in 100% recyclable containers, and the labels are made from eco-friendly tangerine skin. Say what?! So awesome.

There are three different Innisfree cushions - this Long Wear Cushion for oily skin, the Water Glow Cushion for combination skin and the Ampoule Intense Cushion for dry skin - and of course, your oily-skinned pal here chose the Long Wear Cushion formulated to "keep the skin smooth and bright for a long time", and it contains sebum-controlling Jeju volcanic powder to ensure I stay (relatively) matte and shine-free. The packaging is standard of any cushion foundation - you get a nice mirror and sponge puff, with the cushion underneath the plastic separator. Simple, white packaging - I dig it.

There are a total of four shades to choose from - 13 Light Beige, 21 Natural Beige, 23 True Beige and 31 Deep Beige - and I have 23 True Beige which is still a touch too light on my face but the best match out of the range, and it does oxidize slightly. The texture is smooth but quite a bit stiffer than the L'oreal version, meaning it does take more effort to pat and blend in. The foundation is matte upon application, and using the sponge puff gives you a slightly cooling sensation on the skin. The coverage is medium with just one layer and can be built up to full without getting cakey. It did a decent job with concealing my dark circles and I didn't need nearly as much concealer, which is always a plus. For you odor-sensitive peeps, there is a light, herbally scent to this that dissipates soon after application, so fret not!

Swatched | Blended out

After trying this cushion a handful of times, I've found that this is truly the only base that has succeeded in keeping my oily skin in check in the humid, sticky, gross weather that has currently taken over Hong Kong. I'm impressed! Like I mentioned before, the finish is almost completely matte upon application, and as the day goes on, it turns into a dewy glow but never looks greasy. Woot-woot! It really does keep me from looking like an oily grease-ball after a full day of running around (or rather, of running after my dog) and lasts for a long, full day without fading. This even held up amazingly well when I tried it without any setting or mattifying powder! So needless to say, this has definitely become my current go-to foundation for the hot, balmy weather thanks to the high SPF and superior oil-controlling properties.

However, I have to mention that this cushion really looks and feels like makeup. Ya know what I'm saying? It's not as lightweight on the face as I hoped for - at times even a bit heavy - and if someone were to stand right in front of you and stare at your face, they'd be able to tell that you're wearing a full-coverage foundation. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but for those of you who like natural, undetectable coverage and I-woke-up-like-dis skin, this is definitely not for you. Also, if you have dry skin - stay far, far away! This will not be forgiving on any dry patches, and you'd be better off trying their Ampoule Intense or Water Glow Cushions. For all other skin types who want to try this version out, make sure you do some heavy duty moisturizing beforehand and you should be good to go.

Innisfree 23 True Beige | L'oreal Nude Miracle N3

So there you have it. If you have oily skin and want a high-coverage base that can rein in that shine, I think you would really get along with this Innisfree Long Wear Cushion. If you still prefer more lightweight bases with a natural coverage, then go for the L'oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Lumiere. But be reminded - both have SPF and will give you a white case so refrain from wearing them around any flash photography. Ya hear me?!

Let's hope, for my wallet's sake, that I don't start developing a cushion foundation obsessi - oops, too late.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Fresh Sugar Face Polish x Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector

This week's Sample Sunday is going to be all about skincare! The stifling heat and humidity in Hong Kong is really taking a toll on my skin - clogged pores, flaky skin, grossness all around - so it's the perfect time to test out two skincare products that can supposedly help combat these unsightly issues.

Fresh Sugar Face Polish |

Fresh has got to be one of my favorite skincare brands of all time - I love every single product I've tried from the brand (so far), and the clean and minimalistic packaging is right up my street. This generous sample of their best-selling face exfoliating mask is made with "pure brown sugar and real strawberries that creates the appearance of a softer, smoother, more radiant complexion" and the scent is deliciously sweet, like a mix of citrus and strawberry. You're supposed to gently massage a generous amount onto cleansed, moist skin, and leave it on for five to ten minutes before rinsing with warm water. Okay, this makes my skin feel incredible -  so soft and smooth and supple! This is everything I want in a face exfoliator - it's gentle yet effective, leaves my face feeling smooth and hydrated, and the scent is wonderfully sweet. Flaky skin, no more! I will definitely be picking up the full size once I'm done with this sample, fo sho.

Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector |
Large, visible pores are a huge insecurity for many people, myself included, and this sample from Kiehl's sounded like it could be the answer to the problem. Touted as both a makeup and skincare product, this claims to instantly minimize the appearance of pores and refine skin texture, as well as provide long-lasting pore and texture correction. Sign me up for some of that! After trying this for a week, however, I'm still torn. As a primer, I do see some improvement in terms of pore minimization and blurring, most noticeably on my nose, and it does make my face feel and look smoother. But it certainly doesn't make my pores look invisible, which I was hoping it would do. This does contain silicone, which makes the texture quite slippery but it glides nicely on the skin and feels lightweight on the face. One issue I had was that the product does separate - water kept oozing out of the packet - and I've read that the same has happened to others. I made sure to blot away the moisture before application and there were no problems. I am definitely more intrigued with this as a skincare product and its ability to improve the skin and diminish pores in the long run. You're supposed to also use this at night as the last step in your skincare routine, and I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I do see slight improvement on my nose after the week! So I would be willing to give the full size a chance, which costs $35 USD. Will definitely keep you posted on whether this is worth the splurge!

Swatched | Blended out

Thanks for tuning in to the second edition of Sample Sunday! 

Let me know if you guys have tried either one of these products, and if you love it or hate it!

REVIEW | Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation x Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

I can't exactly remember where or when I picked up my first bottle of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - it might have been during one of my dad's marathon excursions in France a few years back - but I will always remember, this being my first liquid foundation ever, that I properly freaked out 'cos it was so, so good. I knew right away that I had to also try out the original Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation as well, and I've been using both religiously ever since. If you have ever considered buying either one of these foundations and never could make up your mind, this post is for you.

Fun fact - did you know that Bourjois dates back to 1863? Their very first products were waxy makeup sticks specially made for theatre, and their website shows you the brand's full history and how their products have evolved over the years. So cool. I'm pretty sure Bourjois products are available mainly in the UK and Europe - I've never come across them in the states - but I have occasionally seen items available on ASOS and Amazon. I've come to find that most Sasa stores here in Hong Kong also have a small Bourjois section, which is super exciting but also super dangerous for my wallet. 

I'm just going to preface this review by saying that both of these foundations are bloody fantastic. I've used them for about three years now, and I've never, ever been disappointed. So if you don't feel like reading a long, rambling post about how amazing these are, you can stop here. But if you do want more of the dirty details, we're going to get into that right now.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

£10.99 from Boots | Currently $137 HKD from ASOS

30ml | 6 shades

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

£9.99 from Boots | Currently $125 HKD from ASOS

30ml | 8 shades

A quick gander on the Bourjois website and you'll see that both of these foundations make a lot of claims. In a nutshell, they both aim to even out the complexion, give your skin a radiance boost, and last up to 16 hours. The serum foundation is supposed to erase imperfections and give you "an instant anti-fatigue result", whereas the original foundation claims to give you a more flawless and luminous effect. To me, all that mumbo jumbo is just fancy wording and they both do pretty much the same thing.

First things first - both foundations come with a pump. Yipee! The serum version is in a sleek, taller plastic tube whereas the original comes in a heavier glass bottle. Both foundations are enriched with a fruit therapy formula aimed to enhance the complexion - the serum version contains lychee, goji berries and pomegranate to provide instant anti-fatigue results, while the original contains apricot, melon and apple for radiance, hydration and protection. To me, both smell exactly the same - a pleasant, refreshing fruity scent that is not at all off-putting. For those of you making the fragrance = breakouts connection, Bourjois claims that these are hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, so don't write them off just yet - give it a try!

In terms of texture, the serum version has a light, runny gel consistency while the original is much thicker and creamier. They both apply and blend very easily, but the serum does seem to glide better on my skin and feels that much lighter on the face. The serum foundation offers light to medium coverage, and I find it gives the skin more of a radiant, luminous quality, whereas the original is more buildable and offers a solid medium to full coverage, and has more of a semi-matte finish.

Although the original is supposed to be catered towards more oily skin, and the serum for more dry skin, I find that they both feel comfortable and wear the same on my oily-combination skin. Neither foundation settles into my pores or fine lines as the day goes on, and while I do get a bit shiny in the T-zone and have to blot throughout the day - like always - both foundations are quite long-lasting and doesn't seem to fade until after eight, nine, sometimes even ten hours. If I have to nitpick, however, I will say the original seems to last an hour or two longer.

I have the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 52 Vanilla, and the Healthy Mix Foundation in both 52 Vanilla and 53 Light Beige. Both Vanilla shades are a great match for me, although I find the original oxidizes just a touch. 53 Light Beige is considerably darker and is a good match for my summer tan.

Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 52 Vanilla | Healthy Mix Foundation in 52 Vanilla | Healthy Mix Foundation in 53 Light Beige

There you have it. Two wonderful bases that are, hands down, my favorite drugstore foundations and definitely in my top five favorite foundations of all time. That's saying a lot! The formula of these are truly amazing, and you are getting high-end quality at an affordable drugstore price. The only issue I have is, again, with the limited shade range. Sigh.

Now, if you told me that I had to pick my favorite out of the two, it would have to be the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, solely because of my preference for the lighter consistency and more natural coverage for an everyday look.

So, if you're into lighter coverage, weightless foundations - meaning you want good looking skin but would still like to have your gorgeous freckles peeking through - get the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. If you're more into full coverage foundations that give you a flawless canvas while still feeling comfortable on the face, then get the original Healthy Mix Foundation. You can really do no wrong with either one.

Or, you can be like me and get both! Because they're both amazing and a girl can never have too many foundations.. right?

Chanel Rouge Coco on Tour in Hong Kong | JUNE 2016

Last week, I was invited to attend the Chanel Rouge Coco on Tour beauty event here in Hong Kong. I'm so fancy, you already know. Okay not really - this was my first beauty event and I was pretty stoked.

Image from Chanel Rouge Coco On Tour

The Chanel Rouge Coco On Tour pop-up store was located in Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, and the interior was stylized like a Rock 'n' Roll video set, complete with a keyboard and drum set corner, minibar, and photo-booth. And let's not forget the most important part - the makeup! The event was catered towards the launch of a new lipstick formula, and new nail polish shades with a reinvented formula. Everyone was having a swell time mingling, taking pictures, and trying on the new makeup products.

Image from Chanel Rouge Coco On Tour

Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Lipsticks | 
This new formula has the "intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss and the comfort of a lip balm", and contains Apple Seed Extract, Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil to nourish and hydrate the lips. There are a total of eight shades in the range including nudes, pinks, corals and reds.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colors | 
The newly reinvented nail colors now have a long-wearing formula that is not only 5-free (meaning it doesn't contain carcinogens including formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde resin, and camphor), but is also formulated with bioceramics and ceramides to help strengthen and improve the quality of your nails.

Upon leaving the event, I received a limited edition Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in 440 Arthur, a medium red-orange with a luminous finish, and two Rouge Coco badge pins. I was also notified the next day to pick up a gift bag from one of the Chanel Beauté boutiques. Oooooh. The gift bag included a perfume sample of the Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Toilette, mini samples of the Hydra Beauty Micro Serum and the Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base, as well as a dainty Chanel Hydra Beauty bracelet. Pretty sweet!

Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in 440 Arthur

Overall, it was a really fun and new experience for me, and I thought Chanel did a great job at marketing their new product launches. As a complete newbie, I was a bit overwhelmed with the whole ordeal and completely forgot to snap pictures of the event! Except for this selfie. Sorry guys.

Lesson learned for next time - keep calm and take pictures.

If all of this has peaked your interest, be sure drop by one of your closest Chanel counters and check out the new Rouge Coco Stylo Lipsticks and Le Vernis Nail Colors!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream x Guerlain So Volume Maxi Lash Mascara

I am a hoarder.

A hoarder of beauty samples, to be exact. As I'm staring at my vanity drawer overflowing with makeup, skincare and haircare samples, I've come up with a new series I'd like to call Sample Sunday.

It will be a chance for me to finally stop hoarding and start trying all the beauty samples I have in my possession. The plan is to test out different products every week, and report back on the weekends - short and sweet, no rambling! - about whether I've been impressed enough to consider purchasing the full size. Straight forward, right? Here we go - the first ever edition of Sample Sunday!

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30/PA+++ |
This is my first venture into CC creams, which are supposed to color correct any redness or discoloration on the face and give you a healthy, perfected glow. This Clinique CC cream is oil-free, fragrance free and comes in six shades. Mine is in Natural Fair - shades are named differently in Asia - which matches my face very nicely. It's quite thick in texture and can be hard to blend over the dryer areas on the face, so moisturizing beforehand is a must. You also have to blend rather quickly as the product can get patchy and stiff. Once blended, it does feel light on the skin and offers light to medium coverage, with adequate SPF for everyday. But I just don't find it to be anything special - it's challenging to work with and my tinted moisturizers do a better job - so I will not be buying the full size. Sorry, Clinique - I still love you!

Swatched | Blended out

Guerlain Cils D'Enfer So Volume Maxi Lash Mascara |
I am not a high-end mascara kind of girl - my long time favorite was the CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara - and only recently have I switched over to Benefit's Roller Lash Mascara. Needless to say, I was more than skeptical about what Guerlain could offer in this tiny tube of mascara. The wand is nothing special - plastic with short bristly teeth - but boy, did it really get the job done. This lasts all day and keeps my droopy lashes standing upright and looking voluminous right up until I have to wash the day off, though I did have a teensy bit of smudging on one of the balmier nights. One thing to note is that I did seem to enjoy this mascara more the first few days - when the formula was wetter - than when the formula started to dry up, since it became a bit more clump-prone. But overall, I am very impressed and would definitely consider buying the full size, which retails for $32 USD.

Hope you guys enjoyed this first edition of Sample Sunday! 

I'm so genuinely excited about this new series - I can't wait to share my thoughts on different products and to finally start whittling down this mountainous collection of beauty samples that has taken over my room for way too long. Ah, liberation!

MONTHLY FAVORITES | May 2016

It's June already. How the heck did that happen?

May was quite a chill and laid-back month for me, and that really reflected in the makeup that I chose to wear. My favorites last month were all products that gave me a very minimalistic yet summery look, and I didn't really fuss over blush, eyeshadow or mascara. I just wanted to have a radiant, glowy complexion and look put together. Wait, I want that all the time..

Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Vanilla|  

I did a full review on this product last week, but long story short - I love how this applies and how it makes my skin look natural and perfected. It's been my go-to base for everyday (when I'm not directly in the sun - I talk more about my issue with the SPF in the review).

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy: Brighten, Depuff and Smooth in Fair/Medium |

I hauled this recently and have been using it every single morning, without fail. It's the best morning pick-me-up since the applicator is cold and helps you feel awake instantly while helping cover your dark circles (albeit not completely). Works great under concealer and I look forward to using it every morning.

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in 42 Rich Bronze |

I've wanted this cream bronzer for years (seriously) after hearing it was a dupe for the ever-so luxurious Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base. Those who own both attest to the striking similarities in texture, application and finish, and whenever I can save money, trust that I will! This applies as a cream but blends into a smooth, powdery finish. It's great for using on natural days - there's no shimmer or glitter - and warms up the skin without looking like makeup.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop |

This has been the only highlighter I've been reaching for all month. I already raved about it in my haul post, but I'll say it again - this is stunning. The peachy gold shade is so beautiful and flattering and you look like a freakin' Greek goddess in the flesh. Need I say more?

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Super-Translucent Mattifying Powder |

Just because I want to look glowy doesn't mean it's okay to look like an oily mess. This mattifying powder used to be my absolute favorite - before Laura Mericer's Translucent Loose Setting Powder came into the picture - and now I use them interchangeably, with this being a lot less messy than Laura Mercier's jar format. It's very well-loved and for good reason - it has a smooth texture, is invisible on the skin and keeps the areas I want (like my T-zone) shine-free for hours.  

Sonia Kashuk Rich Bronze | Becca Champagne Pop | Soap & Glory Mattifying Powder

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien |

I got this sample as part of the birthday gift from Sephora last year, and it's a super pretty rose pink, MLBB shade that is perfect for everyday. It's not overly opaque (yet rather buildable, which I prefer) and is really comfortable on the lips. Doesn't last too long on me - only about two hours 'cos I'm always munching on food - but I don't mind reapplying.

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish |

You can't look beautiful and radiant if you have dry, chapped, flaky lips. This is a gentle but effective exfoliating scrub that gets rid of dry flakes (yuck) and makes my lips feel super soft and smooth afterwards. A tip would be to apply this dry, since the crystals slightly dissolve when wet. Also, try not to get this in your mouth, because although it smells amazing - like lemon and brown sugar - I can't say the same for the taste.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Small Tapered Brush |

I hauled this from Target recently with the sole purpose in mind of using it with my highlighters, and it has been perfect for that. The tapered end makes it super versatile - I can also see myself using this to blend concealer, set the under eyes, and even for contouring. Definitely picking up a few more when I get the chance.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Nail Color in 205B Sugar Coat

This is a milky, nude pink shade that has been my favorite nail color for any and every occasion. It makes your hands look so darn pretty and elegant, and helps pull your entire look together (it really does!). I've been wearing this all summer and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Oh, and did I mention this is $1.99 USD?!

That's a wrap, thanks for reading! 

Here's hoping the month of June lasts a bit longer than May did. Next thing you know, summer with be over and fall will be upon us..

HAUL x FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Colourpop, Target and Bath & Body Works

Here is part two of my beauty haul from my short stop in Boston - I featured all the lovely products I picked up at Sephora in part one, and now it's time to share everything I hauled from Colourpop, Target and Bath & Body Works!

Let's get into Colourpop first, 'cos I have been obsessed with this brand ever since I did my first haul a few months back. I also totally made good on my promise that I'd pick up more products! Like a total badass, I ordered from Colourpop's website while I was in Rotterdam to have the package delivered to my hotel in Boston, and it got there the same morning I arrived. Talk about perfect timing.

Wisp | Butterfly Beach | Solow | Echo Park | Bichette | Brink

I absolutely love the first (and only) Colourpop highlighter I got, Lunch Money, and decided to pick up two more as gifts for my mom and sister. The price, quality and formula of these highlighters really can't be beat! I chose Wisp (golden champagne) for my sister, who is more warm-toned, and Butterfly Beach (soft peach with gold and silver highlights) for my mom, who has more of a pink undertone. But after swatching these, I am seriously regretting not getting duplicates for myself. What was I thinking?! For lips, I picked up another Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Solow (neutral nude pink) which I found slightly more drying than the others, and tried one of the new Ultra Satin Liquid Lipsticks in Echo Park (warm peachy nude) which I am liking so far. It does transfer quite a bit - on everything my lips touch - but is much more comfortable on the lips and has decent staying power. I also tried one of the Lippie Stix in Bichette (deep red wine), which also transfers like crazy but leaves a stain on the lips thereby increasing the staying power. Lastly, I picked up another Lippie Pencil in Brink (warm dusty taupe) for my sister - I'm still loving mine in Lumière - and chose this shade since online reviews claimed it was a very close dupe for one of my all-time favorite lip liners from MAC in Soar. See the swatch below and you can judge for yourself, but to me it looks pretty darn similar!

Wisp | Butterfly Beach | Solow | Echo Park | Bichette | Brink

Colourpop Brink | MAC Soar

Now onto goodies from good ol' Target. I can spend hours inside roaming the beauty aisles (which I did), but I exercised some self-restraint and only picked up a couple essentials. For years, I've heard rave reviews about L'oreal's Telescopic Original Mascara and decided it was finally time to try it for myself (and will update you once I do!). I got backups of my all-time favorite drugstore concealer, the Maybelline Fit Me Concealers, in 10 Light, 15 Fair, and 20 Sand. The numbering can be confusing - 15 Fair is actually the lightest, pinkier shade, 10 Light is a tad darker and peachier, and 20 Sand is yellow-toned. I picked up some more e.l.f. Cosmetics brushes from their Essentials and Studio lines (and bought duplicates for my sister - aren't I just the sweetest). These include the Essentials Eyeshadow Brush, Essentials Eyeliner Brush (too thick for eyeliner but my go-to eyebrow brush for years), Studio Blending Brush, and the Studio Small Tapered Brush (which works perfect with my highlighter). The quality of the e.l.f brushes are quite exceptional considering the very affordable price point, and I would say these (along with the Real Techniques brushes) are some of my favorite and most-used brushes.

L'oreal Telescopic Original Mascara| Maybelline Fit Me Concealers in 10, 15, 20 | e.l.f Brushes

Last but not least, Bath & Body Works' "2 for $20" candle sale got me, yet again, and I picked up my favorite BBW candle scent, Georgia Peach (which smells like you're frolicking in a meadow of fresh peaches) and Vanilla Bean (that reminds me of my discontinued favorite, Homemade Cookies, and smells like creamy Vanilla and marshmallows). However, as much as I love these candles, I've realized that there might be better, cleaner and safer alternatives out there (such as candles made with soy or beeswax) that are less likely to produce potentially toxic chemicals when burning. This time around, I noticed both candle wicks burning with black smoke, and I guess you can never be too careful when it comes to your health and the environment you're living in. I will definitely keep you guys posted on any good alternatives I find. But I still love you, Bath & Body Works!

Vanilla Bean | Georgia Peach

I hope you enjoyed this two part haul from my trip to the US! As I've accumulated a lot of new products recently, get ready for a whole lot more product reviews and a whole lot less hauling (but no promises). Until next time!

PS. I didn't realize I forgot to include the Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer until after everything was written and done. Of course. But fear not, it will be featured in my next post!