LA LA LA LA LA

Lol you know when you see a title like this, it's gonna be another one of those random + long ass post XD

The weather was gorgeous today so I actually got some photos done ^_^ I'm just gonna skip ahead with all my rambling intro and just share with you guys some of the new things I got, and some things I've been liking :)

Since my new year's resolution (where I had sworn off Forever 21) I haven't bought a single piece of clothing LMAO. Gosh this is so pathetic (branching out epic FAIL...) Seriously though I really don't know where I can buy nice and affordable clothes =/ or maybe I should just save it so I can splurge the next time I go back to Taiwan. But anyway spot these scarves from Aldo and was in love ^_^


First is this scarf with those little birds ^_^

Was just looking back at my other more recent posts and realized the last time I posted a selfie I had short and straight bangs -_- dang.


You can find it here.


Little birdies~~~ take a wing~~~ *sings* (what? LOL) I really like this kind of muted, almost dirty pink? ^_^


I feel like this is almost more of a hipster style of scarf... and hipster isn't really something I've ever ventured into (can't pull it off LOL)





The other scarf I got was this seemingly ordinary brown-ish... almost muddy-colored scarf...






But when you lay it out... it actually has vultures and skull prints!!!

Isn't it so cool?!?!?! I love it!!! Especially love when the weather is gloomy =P




These scarves are so fluffy >_< the thickness I think is perfect for transitioning into Spring.



Also took advantage of spring break and went to an outlet...

Got a man's shirt from Tommy Hilfiger XDXDXD




Friends: Are you serious about this??? It's a guy's shirt!
Me: Who cares >_< I don't care if it's men's or women's wear as long as it looks good!
Friends: It's SO big!
Me: It's my style >_<
Friend: Oh yeah it totally is... hmmm it actually kind of looks like pajamas
Me: Are you saying pajamas is my style  (￣ε(#￣) o==(￣▽￣)>

Lol seriously though... ppl do associate me with pajamas ;; _ ;;  cuz I'm always in over-sized anything... hahaha.


It's a men's medium. It's HUGE lol. Don't mind my hair sticking out... it's been very static-y  hahaha



This "pajama" actually costs $32  =___= so expensive for outlet (it's 50% off). My friends kept trying to talk me out of it... but I don't know there's something about it I just really like >_< plus it's so soft and comfyyyy AND thick AND WARM.

Completely love how it has a number on the back ^_^  Hopefully ppl wouldn't look at me weird at school XD


Also went to The Cosmetic Company and got a Bobbi Brown soothing cleansing oil. Actually quite proud of myself for stepping out of that place with only one item... I wanted to get Bobbi Brown loose powder and some discontinued Bobbi Brown blushes and MAC eye shadows but in the end decided I shouldn't >_< (actually my friends stopped me LOL they're keepers ahahahaha)



LOL did anyone else find it funny that it has Korean on it? The sales ppl told me it's probably been shipped to Korea but just didn't end up selling that's why it ended up in the outlet.

While I was at the Cosmetic Company outlet I saw a TON of limited edition MAC products... they have the go-to-the-beach (????) collection, the sailor's collection, and even the Disney collection!!! I thought those were history.

On a complete random and beauty-irrelevant note... while I was at the outlet I got me some ceramic frying pans XD Which I'm completely overly excited about LOLOL. My good old frying pan needs to retire... since the non-stick coating has been coming off T_T may it rest in peace.

Never tried ceramic pans before, hopefully they're good!

Also got a Mandoline slicer ^_^ been wanting one ever since I saw Julia from MissChievous rocking her mandoline slicer. Cutting veggies can be such a pain sometimes. Really excited for this ^_^

PS: Every time I see "Sharper Image"  I automatically think about Sex and the City... Samantha and her "vibrator" XDDD


Have been trying out new mascaras too.

Za Impact Lash Mascara (volume) and mascara base 

Mascara + pimer

Not bad :) and it doesn't smudge XD I wouldn't mind repurchasing, but I think I still prefer Majolica Majorca since Za sometimes can get a little clumpy (also I like MJ for the comb applicator).

Remember a while ago I mentioned how I didn't care for the Revlon balm stains? I have changed my mind XD I'm beginning to appreciate the beauty of lip stains XD now I'm used to lip stains, I realized they last so much longer (duh) AND most importantly, they don't get on your teeth XD

Now I have collected 5 of the Revlon's balm stains ^_^

From left to right: Romantic, Crush, Rendezvous, Lovesick, Honey. 

Anyway now I totally love these lip stains XD And I've been loving "Lovesick" for my recent everyday go-to look ^_^

I like to just apply it to the center of my lips and fade it out. Completely digging the gradient lip ^_^
I only like Lovesick on the center of my lips... don't like it all over my lips XD

Just simple, level, overly dragged out, dramatic eyeliner XD with a pop of color on my lips. 

I realize I haven't done a cat-eye in forever @_@ I prefer a straight eyeliner now :P 

Now onto other things I've been enjoying... Curel body lotion =D

Finally a body lotion that actually works =D I recommend! And it's cheap too XD All I'm looking for in a body lotion is that I wouldn't have to feel like I need to reapply within like 5 minutes... that's not too much to ask for right? But somehow none of the body lotions I used in the past (expensive or cheap) even fulfill that one expectation. Very happy that I tried this. 

Another drugstore item I've been really liking-- "Clear" shampoo

Most of you guys might have heard about this brand from Hollyannaeree (I really can't remember where she mentioned it??? I think it's from her Instagram). I am SO glad that she recommended it, cuz I've been really liking it! If you read my last post you'll know that ever since I started using Aveda I hadn't been able to use drugstore shampoos due to residue. Of course I haven't used this long enough to be able to tell, but 3 days into using this shampoo I noticed the ends of my hair have become less dry, more soft, and my hair in general just feel so much softer. Pretty amazing!!! And I'm only using the shampoo too ^_^ Unfortunately still trying to use up my other Aveda shampoo (been alternating between Clear and Aveda) and this other Asian brand conditioner, but I cannot wait to try using both the shampoo and the conditioner ^___^


Some other new items I got: 

Revlon lustrous lipsticks in Kiss Me Coral and Pink In The Afternoon.

Picked them up after seeing Bubbi mention it in her favorites video ^_^




Here are some swatches and comparisons. Hahahahaah it honestly just looks like I'm buying the same colors over and over again XD

Another comparison swatches:



The other day while I was passing Macy's on my way out... I spot in the display the Marc Jacobs' Daisy makeup bag O_____________O I thought the makeup bag is SO FREAKING CUTE!!!!

The promotion is that you buy the large size perfume, you get a makeup bag and a roller perfume for free (but the sales associate sneaked a mini Daisy perfume in for me ^_^)  

Honestly I still kind of can't believe that I bought a large size perfume because of the makeup bag O_O 

I don't even think I will be able to bring myself to use it.. I don't want it to get dirty >_<

No pockets or anything on the inside, just a very simple basic bag. 

So now I have two Marc Jacobs perfume O_O two perfumes in less than 6 months... now perfumes are officially on my ban list as well.

Truth be told I prefer Dot :P I think Dot is more me. Daisy smells amazing too but I think Daisy smells better in the bottle than on me XD sad hahaha. I'm determined to use Daisy for the entire spring and summer!!! This is the largest bottle of perfume I've ever owned O_O (and the most I've ever spent on a perfume X_X) Apparently there's a new Daisy Sunshine too?! Really curious what that one smells like. 

Daisy is described as:

Notes:

Strawberry, Violet Leaves, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Gardenia, Violet Petals, Jasmine Petals, Musk, Vanilla, White Woods.

Style:

Bright. Alluring. Eternal.

I personally would describe it as refreshing, sweet... and for some reason reminds me a bit of lychee?!?!!??

Hmmmm... smells so good from the bottle! 

Look at the mini!!! when my friends and I unboxed it we all screamed >_< it's just too too toooo adorable!!!!


And congratulations you've reached the end of the post XD last thing to share... I opened up a bunch of new blushes LMAO. I've had these for a while (they were for my online shop, but since I never did sell them =P hehehehehhe)

Blushes from Canmake, CandyDoll, and Melliesh.


Really liking the Canmake blush/highlighter! This is by far the only peachy cheek color I can safely use. I said that because most peachy cheek colors tend to make me look flushed... and not in a good way. Kind of like I've been sun-burned kind of flushed XD I actually realize I don't own that many pink blushes prior to these three... I only had two-- one from Etude House and one from Benefit. Quite shocking right? lol. Been really into pink blushes too =P

Okay that's all folks! Yes you can safely assume you probably won't be seeing any update from me again anytime soon LMAO. I wish everyone a very lovely weekend, and as always, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my blog ^_^

<3 Frances

Empties/Mini Reviews of March 2013

What's up people!! =D

Hello hello!! Welcome back to my blog XD I'm actually on spring break now... you would think I would take advantage of it and crank out a few posts XD But actually been too busy watching Scandal and Revenge XD Boy they've been taking up way too much time =_= Especially Revenge. I'm only almost done with season one... I've been really trying to finish it because once school starts again I know I wouldn't have time. Sometimes I get headaches from watching too many episodes in a day XD Plus... I don't know I feel like I'm just slowly phasing out of my makeup craze... O_O and I found I've not been as excited about blogging as I used to be. I used to watch beauty channels religiously too but now I just watch a few... mostly out of boredom, not excitement X_X  I guess a lot of it is because a lot of Youtube videos have gone so commercial these days I just don't enjoy them anymore. Oh wells. Wait how did I get into all this ranting? lolol. Anyway today I bring you an empties/review post =D Honestly a lot of things products I finished A LONG TIME AGO but I just never got around to writing about them. Most definitely did not use up all these products just in this month.


1. Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner


So, I only came to know about Aveda because my cousins are nuts about them. I kind of have a love-hate relationship with Aveda shampoos and kind of regretted that I ever decided to try it -_- because ever since I started using Aveda, I COULD NOT go back to using drugstore shampoos (until very recently... which I will talk about in the next post). Aveda shampoos are so freaking expensive, but they clean my hair so well and do not leave residue at all. After I used up my first Aveda shampoo (Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay shampoo), I tried switching back to drugstore, but then I started to feel the build-up in my scalp to the point I just had to switch back. So freaking expensive. And before Aveda, drugstore shampoos worked just fine for me =_= so anyway there's my little story.

For the rosemary shampoo, I really like it for minty and cooling sensation. For the conditioner, I absolutely do NOT recommend it cuz it does NOTHING. It was such a waste of money. I had to use SO much just to detangle my hair and even that it still leaves my hair feeling dry. In fact I would say if you ever want to try Aveda hair products, just try the shampoo and skip the conditioners.

Ingredients for the shampoo:


Ingredients for the conditioner:


2. Aveda Rosemary Mint Body Lotion


This is another meh product. Honestly I've tried a number of expensive body lotions and they're all the same to me-- they all don't do very much. But I've recently discovered a good one which I will talk about in the next post as well :D

My conclusion for this-- if you're a natural product freak, you might like it. As much as I enjoy natural, environmental-conscientious products... I don't care for this.


3. Essential Honey & Shea Butter... er.. conditioner? hair mask?

Another product I don't really care for LOL. I mean it was nice while it lasted, but I didn't feel like this conditioner/hair mask is particularly conditioning... I can use this all over my head and it wouldn't make my hair greasy/weigh it down. In fact I didn't feel like this is any more nourishing than my regular conditioners O_O

3. Clarins High Definition Body Lift


This is what it claims to do:
"A body cream for the hips, thighs, and buttocks that prevents and corrects stubborn cellulite while smoothing, firming, and redefining."

My experience? Don't bother. It does not do what it claims. I have cellulite on my hips/thighs and butt and I didn't see it improve anything.


Actually bought this when I was desperately trying to lose weight... somehow I heard about how this helps with slimming. Complete waste of money (just shows you how desperate I was LOL). Interestingly enough I did recognize one pharmacological active ingredient on the ingredients list, which is mannitol. Mannitol is actually an osmotic diuretic... and what is does is that it pulls water into your vasculature so excess water can be eliminated through urination. So I suppose this is why ppl say it has slimming effects? that it gets rid of water retention??? But honestly... I understand water retention in my face... but I don't think I will be able to notice the difference of water retention in my body/limbs =_=... I mean seriously... unless you have peripheral edema or something (which cannot be corrected by using mannitol anyway)... who would say "oh look! my body is so bloated today from water retention!" -_-???

Aside from that, caffeine is pretty high on the list, which I assume is used to help promote circulation?





Conclusion, it is not slimming, nor does it correct cellulite.

4. Pond's Cleansing Oil

It's a nice, cheap drugstore cleansing oil. But it's not strong enough for remove my MAC liquidlast eyeliner without some additional rubbing XD I like Shu Uemura much better. I do have another one and I don't mind using the other one up, but I don't think I will be repurchasing.



5. Carmex Healing Lotion

LOL had to cut it in 3 halves so I could get all the product XD anyway nothing spectacular-- I bought it because Carmex lip balms are amazing so I was hoping this would be amazing, and it's not XD just an average body lotion.



6. Genifique Youth Activating Eye Concentrate

This was a free sample from my Lancome purchase. Honestly while I was using it I didn't feel/see a difference. It wasn't until I've used it up and switched to my L'Occitane eye cream did I realize this Lancome eye cream did really keep my under-eye hydrated.... after I stopped using it, I started noticing my fine lines underneath my eyes more TOT it's like it didn't correct my fine lines, but I guess it kept them at bay... and now I'm not using this eye cream I feel like my fine lines are getting worse T_T So I might consider purchasing the full-size. But honestly if I have that money I want to try the Bobbi Brown eye cream first... heard that one is really good.

7. Biotherm White D-Tox Neo-Clarifying Velvety-milky lotion

A sample that I received from a purchase as well. I enjoyed it while it lasted, but I don't think I will be purchasing the full-size. It was light (like a lot of Japanese moisturizer with a milky texture) and surprisingly very hydrating.



8. Origin's Dr. Andrew Weil Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Treatment Lotion

Not sure why it's called lotion when it's a toner... oh well. If you guys been following my blog for a while you'll know I cannot live without the Mega Mushroom facial cleanser. Since I'm not much of a toner user... I liked it and I don't mind using it but I won't be purchasing the full size. I don't think it's as amazing as the cleanser :P



9. Fancl Washing Powder, Lotion and Milky Lotion

So I wanted to try Fancl products for the longest time because I liked the idea of no added preservatives. The proportion was pretty good I did manage to use up everything around 30 days except for the washing powder (I only wash my face with face wash at night... so assuming if you wash your face twice a day you should be able to get through it in time).

Honestly... using preservative-free products didn't make me feel any different lol. Of course I have no idea if it'd make any difference in the long run, but I decided it's over-rated. At first I really liked the washing powder-- it's SO gentle, but at the same time cleanses well that I loved it (my face never feels dried out after using it). But after a while using the foaming ball just became such a pain in the ass =____= and you do have to use the foaming ball to lather up the washing powder-- I tried lathering the powder up in my hands, and it did not work at all XD As for the toner and the lotion, they feel exactly like the Hada Labo toner and moisturizers... only slightly thinner texture and maybe a bit more moisturizing. But honestly, the difference isn't all that big. I enjoyed them and I'm glad I tried them, but I won't be repurchasing any either.

10. Shiseido Pureness Mattifying Moisturizer

I've mentioned it a few times already so I'm gonna be brief-- this IS my favorite moisturizer for the summer-- very light and refreshing. Doesn't control oil (when it says mattifying, it doesn't give that sheen after you apply skincare, but it doesn't control oil or anything). I will be repurchasing this for the summer if nothing else catches my eye ^_^

11. Korres Lip Butter in Guava

Have mentioned this before too so I'll be brief-- it's good but it leaves a white cast on the lips. It is NOT transparent. So I don't recommend and will not repurchase.

12. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

Errr couldn't feel any difference while I used it. But then again with Lancome Genifique concentrate I didn't notice a difference until my skin became problematic... so who knows *shrugs* but if I have to choose between Estee Lauder and Lancome I'd go for Lancome.


13. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

I know Clinique is pretty much hit or miss. I personally love Clinique (have very fond high school memories/experiences). This is a very light and nice moisturizer. Not enough for winter but I loved it for the days I just wanted something light.

Okay that's all folks! Hope you found something interesting in this post... Will be working on another post soon... hopefully tomorrow. Now I must catch up with some school work >_<

Stay well everyone!