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! :)

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Canmake Cream Cheek Blush Review

Hey hey hey!

I'm back =D

As promised from my last favorites post, here's my review for the Canmake cream blushes :)

There really isn't much to say. I adore them ^_^ The only thing I would say like I mentioned my favorites post, they do contain glitters. BUT, the glitters don't really show up at all once applied to the face; rather, it translates to a gorgeous glow :) Other than that, it blends amazingly well, and dries matte (but the finish is glowy!) I guess by "dries matte" I mean it's not sticky at all. They're long-lasting as well-- but then in general I don't have problems with blushes fading on me, so I can't say for sure their lasting power for others.


I have them in three shades, 01, 02 and 05. Like I mentioned before, 01 is my favorite ^_^ 

SAM_9390
 
SAM_9438

SAM_9399

Swatches
SAM_9400

SAM_9401

Blended out
SAM_9409

SAM_9410
They're so pretty *-*

SAM_9411
You can see the glitters quite well on those swatches. But don't worry they don't look glittery at all when applied to the face (at least not on me...)

SAM_9413


Blush 01... Sorry I'm recycling pictures again XD
SAM_9530
Application

SAM_9532
Blended. Me like sooooo much~



Sorry I was too lazy to put on a full face of makeup for those blush swatches... just ignore the rest of my face and look at the blushes please *covers eyes*




Blush 02
SAM_0669
Blush 02 is a darker pink

SAM_0685
I think 02 will be really lovely on someone with darker skin tone. On me it's alright... it's pretty but I don't love it.

I don't know why the but the blush comes off looking more orange in those pictures ._. please use the arm swatch as your reference lol.

SAM_0698
I tried >.< it doesn't want to look pink in the pictures...



Blush 05
SAM_0645
Application

SAM_0707
You guys should see me in person XD in order for the face swatch to show up I applied sooo much XD I look like a clown in person lol

SAM_0711

SAM_0713
You can't see any glitters, right ^_^ it looks matte but it gives a glow. I love how these blushes make my skin look really soft.

That's all for my review. Gonna look into more shades when I go back to Taiwan =D If there are more colors that I like I might pick some more up, otherwise I'm happy with what I currently have too (:  might sell 02 though cuz I don't find myself reaching for it.

Hope you guys have a wonderful week ^_^


<3 Frances

Thursday, June 26, 2014

June 2014 Favorites ^_^

Ello ello guys!

So... this month's "favorite" post probably won't be that exciting to most of you... at least for my long-time readers :") (hello if you're reading!) because lot of them are rediscovery of old favorites XD So you probably have seen most of them at some point. And the newer favorites I believe I've already done reviews on all of them, kkk. 


Let's first start with the new items I have for this month XD  Those are probably more exciting for you guys to read!

1. Canmake Cream Cheek Blush in 01
SAM_9362
Guys. This thing. Is amazing!!!!

I used to avoid cream blushes-- I used to have this one from Stila called Convertible Color in Gerbera and I loved that color! But somehow I reasoned with myself that it's more hygienic to dip my brush into the cream blush than using my fingers =_= so that kind of ruined the blush for me (lint, brush hairs getting stuck in the blush... all that good stuff). So I pretty much avoided cream blushes after that. So glad I decided to give these a try!!! I have 3 colors but this is my favorite (review and swatches for the rest will come up soon). Been pretty much reaching for it non-stop over the last couple of months ^_^ Haha my new blush love affair after the Benefit Rockateur lol.

SAM_9363

Swatch
SAM_9379

SAM_9385
It's sooo pretty. It honestly goes with every look, and just makes my complexion look super super healthy and glowy :)

SAM_9389
Caution: This blush does contain glitters. However it doesn't look glittery at all when applied to the face in my opinion. But if you really hate glitters then perhaps you might want to keep that in mind before purchasing.

What it looks like on me:
SAM_9530
Application

SAM_9531
Honestly... blush is the hardest thing to photograph. Didn't want to overdo it but at the same time the color always comes off more washed out. But I hope you guys can kind of see it

SAM_9532

SAM_9535

2. LUSH BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask
SAM_9698
My attitude toward LUSH is always kind of ambivalent... I think their products are fun, but overpriced (aka luxurious items haha!)

But! This mask is pretty awesome *-*  This is kind of like a last-minute favorite for me... because I've only used this mask 4 times. But I'm loving it!

SAM_9703
You can see chunks of seaweed in it

SAM_9696

SAM_9708
Skin feels super moisturized and baby soft after ^_^b Love it! Now I'm super interested in trying out more LUSH fresh masks. I wonder if they come in bigger tubs... cuz I kind of want one *-*


Ok from here on out all the products are old... I apologize ahead of time if I'm boring you guys XD


3. YSL Glossy Stain in #29 and Etude House Kissful Tint Choux in #4
SAM_9365
I think because I'm working now I try to use more neutral colors T^T these two are the ones that I keep in my pocket to reapply :P these and a lip balm of course. I like how these don't require a mirror to put on-- I just dab a bit on the center on my lips and rub my lips together :) or smooth out with my fingers if I can. Super convenient.

Me wearing YSL
SAM_9488
I've done a review/swatches on this lip stain before, please refer here if you're interested. But I decided to post these pics because they do look quite different from that post. I was more heavy handed here so I thought I'd put them so you guys can see the different finishes it offers.

SAM_9500


As for the Etude House one, I have plenty of pictures here.

4. SkinMD Natural Shielding Lotion
SAM_9711
Remember a while back I said I feel like this lotion wasn't moisturizing enough? Well along comes summer and hello the perfect summer moisturizer =DDD

I put it side to side with my summer standby moisturizer-- the Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer, because the two are quite similar. Shiseido being more watery, and SkinMD being a bit thicker and more slippy in texture. But in any case, the hydration level of both is really similar. I'm glad to have SkinMD because now I can replace my Shiseido moisturizer with it! SkinMD is like half the price of Shiseido ^_^b

SAM_9712
Top: Shiseido. Bottom: SkinMD
SAM_9717

Granted it still might not be enough for dry skin. For my combination skin, it's perfect for the hot, humid summer weather. Recommend for combination (normal/oily) and oily skin ^_^



5. Canmake Blush in 02 as eye shadow application
SAM_9354
I don't think I need to elaborate on this item since I pretty much raped your eyes with selfies where I was wearing this eye shadow. Been obsessed with using this as my eye shadow! Drama influence LOL. Check here if you want to see what this blush looks like as an eye shadow. Well also I'm wearing this as my eye shadow in all my pics for this post hehehe. 



6. IPSA Face Color Palette in #201
SAM_9357
This is also an old favorite. This palette happens to contain my all-time favorite highlighter! I personally wouldn't waste money to buy this palette-- I personally can't wear that peachy blush on the upper right corner because it makes me look sun-burned. The setting powder on the lower left corner is completely and utterly rubbish-- it has no oil control whatsoever. The "contour" shade on the lower right corner I do like for a tan-blush look :)  but I don't think it's unique enough for me to want to go out there and purchase it. Also as a contour it's way too orange and unnatural. This highlighter though :") I really don't know what it is about it, but I just love it so much!!! You guys probably wouldn't think it's anything unique XD it looks really similar to the "Virgin" eye shadow from the NAKED 1 palette, but Virgin translates just ever so slightly on the silvery-white side on me... which can look a bit stark for highlight. This color on the other hand... just looks completely natural and subtle ❤ I wonder if IPSA sells the highlighter individually? I'll have to look it up.

I sort of did a review post on this palette, check here if you want to see my thoughts on this product when I first got it :)

SAM_9359

SAM_9370
It really doesn't look that special as a swatch XD

SAM_9375
Okay these swatches photos are not doing this product justice. Need some face action here!


SAM_9551
I like to apply some above my eye brows, and between my eye brows, like shown in this picture

SAM_9552
Then I bring it half way down my nose bridge. The reason why I only do it half way and leave out the tip of my nose is because my nose gets mega oily -_- so I just skip the tip to avoid the mess.

SAM_9554
I don't always do this step but sometimes I highlight the C shape here too. Nowadays forehead and nose bridge is more fun for me to highlight XD

SAM_9557
Result *-* Even I think my skin looks pretty freaking amazing here. LOL the tricks of makeup PUAHAHA. 

SAM_9563

SAM_9567
Me no like this angle of my face, but thought you can the see highlight super well on my nose bridge XD I don't usually use this much, I was very heavy handed just for the purpose of taking pictures, so normally it wouldn't look so obvious LOL.



Comparison photos. Small difference, but difference nevertheless? :)
withandwithout2
Left: Without highlight
Right: With highlight

withandwithout1
Left: Without highlight
Right: With highlight

Readers probably be like... I didn't even notice any difference until you pointed it out XD



13979927596_594ca17d68_o
Here's an old pic of me, with no highlight whatsoever.

SAM_9079
Here's a pic with highlight on forehead and nose bridge. Sorry I'm recycling old pics... in my defense... 回收也是一種美德啊!!! (遮臉) How do I translate that... recycling is a virtue XD *covers face*

SAM_9065
Also with highlight on nose bridge. Nose looks just a wee bit taller??? Yes?? Can't see any difference??? XD I feel like if anything it makes my nose look straighter @_@

SAM_9600
Is the difference better manifested in these pics?

SAM_9601
Kkk, it looks like I have a nose bridge. Puahah

SAM_9628

SAM_9614
There's hardly any difference when you look at my nose from the front, but from side view I feel like it does a little sumthin' sumthing XD kind of crazy what a little bit of highlight can do to your face. 


image
I was surprised at how tall my nose looks (well I think so). It's probably the angle too but I think the highlight probably helped. I mean you guys have been reading my blog for a while now and you all know I have a relatively flat nose. This is kind of fun XD

So yeah I've been into highlighting my face again =P Truth be told, I'm never the person who cares a whole lot about nose... I'm all about eyes XD but it seems like people are getting nose jobs/rhinoplasties left and right these days. I wonder what I would look like with a super tall nose bridge and pointy tip... probably super fake and unnatural hahahaha.


SAM_9603
That's all I have for my favorites! Sorry about the sparse posting. I'm actually on an off block now so I have some time. Hopefully I can get more blogging done! Is there anything you guys are interested in seeing?

Enjoy the beautiful summer ^_^ Time for me to hit the gym!


Laters :D

<3 Frances