About Me

My photo
California, United States
Hi! Thanks for visiting ^_^ My social media platforms: Instagram: meowmier Youtube: http://goo.gl/U5SnNM (formerly under the username francesvlogs but I don't have access to that anymore). I don't really do videos anymore simply because I think blog posts are more informative. Hope you enjoyed your time here! :)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Makeup I bought for myself while I'm in Taiwan + My experience with Liese bubble hair dye, Anna Sui, Paul & Joe etc.

Longest post title in history! *‧。╮( ̄▽ ̄)╭ *  *shameless fireworks*

Hahaha! I'm back to make a post, cuz I've missed blogging ^__^
So I just wanted to share with you guys some makeup I personally purchased (my money!!! T_T), some foundations I've tried (Paul & Joe, Anna Sui, Jill Stuart, Lunasol, RMK, Maybelline BB mousse... and um... can't really remember I think that's it XD) and my experience with Liese bubble hair dye!

I'm gonna start with Liese bubble hair dye.

So I've been DYING to try Liese hair dye ever since I saw Bubbi from Bubzbeauty talk about it in her favorites video. But since I wasn't not coloring my hair yet, I actually tried it on my mom. And I didn't really like it orz.... mainly because the bubbles weren't the rich, dense type of bubbles I was anticipating, but the really runny kind O_O not at all like the advertisement says that you can just rub it into your hair like shampoo and let it sit, because the bubbles are so wet and runny and actually dribbles down my mom's face orz.... Anyway, maybe it's just me who had experienced this problem, but next time if I ever decided to try it again, I'm gonna definitely try to work it really slowly into my hair. Another reason why I didn't like it is because it reminds me of Palty hair dye, which is very drying and damages the crap out of my mom's hair (even smells exactly like Palty) However the color pay-off of Liese was pretty good. But I think I'm gonna stick with the old-fashioned hair dye XD

Okay next I want to talk about facial base make up. I have been applying my base makeup very differently from what I normally do when I'm in the States. I've been forced to wear minimal base makeup. Well first of all Taiwan is a lot more humid (ranges as wide as 55-70% humidity, where as Colorado is about 16% haha). Second of all, I've been riding scooters, not driving cars. And if you know something about Taiwan, you will know it's a pretty compact country so the air is pretty polluted. Riding scooter while winds just blows on your face+ air pollution= super dirty face. This is especially really obvious when I wear foundation (and no matter how thin I wear it). Cuz you have a somewhat pale "background" that makes the dirt on your face super apparent. #@$%^!!! EXTREME GROSSNESS.

I never thought I'd ever see the day when I say this, but I've actually been preferring BB creams over foundations. O_O this is a very shocking statement from me cuz I've always always ALWAYS been a foundation girl and never crazy/care about BB creams. However for some reason, BB creams deal better with the polluted air, so I've been wearing BB creams a lot. Plus I got a scar on my chin (bitten by a mosquito WTF! ppl get scars from pimples I get scars from mosquitoes?!) and BB creams really do help lighten up the scar.

Photobucket

Been loving these babies! Considering purchasing the full sized product... not sure cuz I think these will last me for another month before I return to the States.

By the way the verdict is out, I like SKIN79 BB creams a lot better than Skin Food. When I was in Colorado where it is dry, I couldn't really feel the difference between the two. SKIN79 stays on a lot better.

Since I'm already talking about BB creams, I'm gonna share my experience with the Maybelline BB mousse that I wanted to try so bad.
Photobucket
This. Thing. Is. A. Complete. Piece. of. JUNK.
I really don't have anything positive to say about it =_= yes it is light but so are a lot of other BB creams (SKIN79 feels light enough on my face). But what makes this BB mousse utterly UNBEARABLE for me, is that it is not buildable at all. like AT ALL. It just starts clumping and gives uneven finish. HORRIBLE. complete waste of money. I even forced myself to stick with it, but could not stand it at all. Big disappointment. =(


Onto the next subject... foundations of course XD Even though I'm not really wearing foundations a lot nowadays, I still bought some so I could use them when I go back XD  (Old habits die hard? LOL) And if you've been reading my blog for a while you all know I was OBSESSED with finding THE PERFECT foundation. Unfortunately I have to tell you guys, I am forced to conclude that such perfection does not exist. -__-. My oil glands on my face are just impossible. BLEHHHHH. So I settled down with a few foundations that I think are good enough.

First foundation I got was Lancome Maqui Blanc Miracle. This is available exclusively in Asia.
Photobucket
Photobucket
I wanted to try it bad cuz it's supposed to last really well and has this "aura" light reflecting technology that makes your makeup appear dewy instead of oily. Does it work like that on me? NO! lol! Nevertheless it's still a nice compact and I like it :) It stays on, and doesn't look cakey even if I do look oily at the end of the day.

Now moving onto the foundations I don't own...
1. Paul & Joe-- I was super excited to try it cuz I've seen it made its appearance on magazines and good ratings and feedback about their foundations. I ended up hating their foundations O__o it's SO thick and flat I felt like I was wearing a mask. I look completely fake and made up when I used their foundation.

2. Anna Sui-- Better than Paul & Joe but I didn't like it cuz the coverage is quite heavy. I guess it depends on what you like. I don't like heavy/full coverage. But for full coverage, I personally think MUFF's HD foundation looks a lot more natural. Anna Sui's foundation makes my face look flat.

3. Lunasol and RMK.... I can't really remember... I think both are nice but just didn't really impress me?

I ended up purchasing Jill Stuart's foundation, which is kind of funny cuz from all the foundations I wanted to try, this one got the poorest ratings/feedback. But I liked it the most out of all of them XD Maybe because I've been wearing minimal makeup, I'm going toward the natural finish. This foundation gives light-medium coverage (but on the lighter side), the consistency is very thin and watery and I think will be good for summer =) not sure if I will still like it after I return to the US cuz I generally prefer medium coverage, but oh well since I bought it I'm gonna use it!

I bought it with a set since there was a promotion. Okay I have to admit I was drawn to it because of the packaging as well XD
Photobucket
foundation, correcting base, mist and cleansing oil.

Photobucket
cleansing oil is just okay. Smells pretty nice (VERY fruity, if you don't like heavy scents then stay away!) However I think this product can be passed cuz it's just decent. I think MAC and Shu Uemura make much better cleansing oils.

Photobucket
I forgot to mention... this foundation kind of gives a soft-focusing effect? =P which I adore!

Photobucket
color correcting base which I haven't really used to tell you much

Photobucket
Facial mist that I'm going to pop into my makeup bag once I run out of my current one.

Another foundation I purchased was Laneige Snow Crystal Foundation =P
Photobucket
I've been dying to try this as well ever since I started watching Bubzbeauty. I haven't tried it full-faced, but I have tried enough foundations that from feeling the texture and the consistency, I know this will be a formula I will enjoy =) Can't tell anything about lasting power until I start wearing it regularly of course (by the way here in Taiwan they do NOT give out samples-- you just have to try it in the store. Which I think is stupid).
Photobucket
Ahhh I love the packaging! so pretty! Looks much better in person and without all these yellow lighting in my room. lol.

By the way Laniege is pretty expensive here in Taiwan. I went onto e-Bay to check prices and realized I spent wayyy too much on this foundation orz.... 

So since my face makeup gets pretty ridiculously dirty here in Taiwan, I am forced to touch up my makeup =_= And this is what I have been using to touch up my foundation...
Photobucket
I pop these three things in my makeup bag.

I would mist my face and tissue to remove my foundation. Then mist my face and gently pat the mist into my face. While the face is moisturized, I'd use the brush to stiple the compact foundation on. =) (The compact foundation sticks on better when you have some moisture on your face; but make sure you have to pat the mist in so you wouldn't get uneven blotches and clumps)

Now onto another product. I purchase this cuz I tried it while I was transferring flights in Japan and I thought it was a pretty nice product. It's the Lancome Cleansing water.
Photobucket
So here in Taiwan, removing my facial makeup is always the first thing I do when I get home O__o (makes me miss Colorado sometimes haha) And this product provides a quick and easy way to remove my facial makeup. However, this cleansing water is not strong enough to remove my eye makeup, like mascaras. And I am NOT replacing cleansing oil with this in my cleaning regimen. I still use cleansing oil to completely remove all of my makeup. I just use this to relieve my face from all the dirty/polluted makeup. lol!

Last thing...
Photobucket
I don't even know the English name? Anyway I ran out of my BELOVED Shiseido cleanser T_T
Photobucket
so I decided to opt for a cheaper alternative. It's nothing as nearly awesome and rich and dense as my Shiseido cleanser, but it's nice and gentle and does the job. The toner and moisturizer are pretty nice too. I really like how they are not fragranted at all =) I think it's really nice and affordable drugstore skincare (affordable if you live in East Asia anyway...)

That's it from me ^__^ Hope you guys enjoyed this excessively long post ><

Peace out!! =D

<3 Frances

22 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading your reviews! I wish I was in Taiwan to buy foundations and BB creams. I know they're much cheaper there :)

    The JS foundation has got me really curious. I've always wanted to try Paul and Joe foundations but never thought it would be mask-like. I hate full on heavy foundations!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Actually I'm probably the only Dane drinking these crazy amounts of Pepsi. haha! I just love it! I only know that coke (of whatever brand) is good for nausea or if you have a bad stomach ^^" but yeah.. I just love it <3
    YAY! : D Thanks for supporting my videos! Hehe<3

    ReplyDelete
  3. Which hairdye did you like the most, Liese or Palty? ^__^ I really want to dye my hair with some japanese hairdye (because they work best for asian hair) and I really don't know which to choose >.<

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Jill Stuart packaging is so pretty! You've given up on finding the perfect foundation?

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow you baught a lot! cant wait for the reviews!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awww...too bad that Mouse BB cream sucks. It was such an exciting concept ;P LOL. I loveeee the bottle of the Jill Stuart foundation! I'd buy it JUST for the packaging itself!! Haha, well, maybe I'll at least test it out first to see if I like. Nice to see you back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh and I've also been attracted to Anna Sui. I thought the foundation would be better

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your haul! Everything you got are also pretty much at the top of my asia wish list :P

    Hmm your foundation wants sounds similar to mine. I should just keep coming to your blog to see what you like lol I'm not a very heavy/unnatural foundation wearer either. Which makes BB Cream difficult for me to use only because of the limited color options (my neck and face are such different colors).

    The environment sounds really dirty =X I guess that's what happens when you're in a populated city and there are tons of automobiles (cars, scooters, etc). Even walking around a little bit in NYC I sometimes find black specks that smudge if I rub it (not from eye makeup because I don't wear any) on my face when I come inside.

    The skincare brand is Hada Labo btw! I've been using the toner and I really like it. Been wanting to try the cleanser too but I still have a lot of cleanser left.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I forgot to ask..was the lancome compact expensive in Taiwan?

    ReplyDelete
  10. yay for hada labo! I'm using the tamagohada cleanser as well (but not the whole set) and it doesn't dries out my skin like crazy even when I don't apply toner and moisturizer after..XD I've been rotating 3 cleansers around but I love Hada labo the most. =)
    nice haul! I wish I can wear foundations or BB cream..>__< But I perspire on my face A LOT! *sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post! =] So sad that the maybelline BB cream mousse didn't work well! I kind of figured it wouldn't bc it is like a foam? hahah

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't usually wear reds either but I thought it would turn out more purple. Ah pretty expensive. But it is refillable! I heard about lighter face shades being acceptable in korea (sometime ago)..I guess it's pretty common in asia. Ah! Then I would be able to put my bb creams to more use if I was there lol I completely forgot about getting the sample when I was at Macys! Maybe next time. && Thanks for translating it for me xD I should really start to learn how to read and write soon. Will be so helpful

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey Frances. I don't know if you will see this comment but oh well, can't wait for your reviews! :p

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm currently using the same cleanser as you :) (The Hada Labo one)! I find it lathers up reeeally well with my Clarisonic brush and cleans the gunk off my face so that's why I love it. Haven't tried anything else from the line.

    I was supposed to stay away from bb creams but I just got one in the mail recently and I like it too! I think I actually prefer the bb cream I got in the mail (Hanskin) to my foundations right now (for the same reasons as you -- humidity and healing scars).

    ReplyDelete
  15. :O you bought a lot of stuff from taiwan, bet the stuff there are soo much cheaper >.<

    ReplyDelete
  16. that is a super long post~~~lol
    but u did a great job of review that many products~~~i have the laneige foundation too, i love it. it stays on good, offers good spf, the only problem is that in canada they are so overpriced in the local "the amore" stores, but still i still like it better than most foundation i tried~~~

    btw im holding a giveaway, see if you wanna sign up and try your luck~~~

    Jessy
    threenothing.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. wahhh~ what a great haul! O: I heard really good things about the maybelline mineral line in asia~ >< & the jill stuart packaging is always sooo cute!! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for your comments on the Jill Stuart products! I'm so curious about them! Can you do a post about the Jill Stuart foundation?? :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi :) Nice blog you got there, I was wonderin if we could be friends and follow each others blogs? ^__^ Thank youuuu.~

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey girl, I gave you an award ^^ http://closetvoyage.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. that is a super long post~~~lol
    but u did a great job of review that many products~~~i have the laneige foundation too, i love it. it stays on good, offers good spf, the only problem is that in canada they are so overpriced in the local "the amore" stores, but still i still like it better than most foundation i tried~~~

    btw im holding a giveaway, see if you wanna sign up and try your luck~~~

    Jessy
    threenothing.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Which hairdye did you like the most, Liese or Palty? ^__^ I really want to dye my hair with some japanese hairdye (because they work best for asian hair) and I really don't know which to choose >.<

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear your thoughts =) Please provide a link back so I can visit your blog too if you have one =D

Any spamming or advertising will be removed.