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(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! :)
Thought I'd come up here and share my thoughts on my MAC eye shadow palettes. More like a chat post as opposed to review... not doing any swatches here cuz I'm sure you can find a lot of swatches out there LOL.
There are now four of those 15-eye shadow palettes available on Nordstrom now. The latest one being the "Nordstrom's Finest", which I do not own. Two out of four of the palettes are Nordstrom exclusive.
My general attitude toward MAC eye shadows is... I do NOT think they're the best out there LOL. Nor are they must-haves. Hahaha. And that attitude remains unchanged after owning these three palettes. I never understand when people say MAC makes the best eye shadows out there????? Urban Decay and Lancome make just as good eye shadows in my opinion (if not better). NARS, Bobbi Brown are pretty good too. But what do I know, I'm never crazy about eye shadows hahaha.
I think I have a more sentimental attachment toward the MAC eye shadows... when I first started out on makeup, MAC was THE number one hot makeup brand back then... being the most innovative, and the boldest when it came to colors and concepts. I could never bring myself to collect them though because at $14 an eye shadow (that was the price back then... now it's $16 per shadow), I just could NOT. Plus I'm never super big on eye shadows. So of course I got excited when I saw 15 eye shadows being retailed at $85 =D that... and I totally thought they were limited editions so I bought them on a whim (mentally kicks self in the crotch HAHAHHAHAHAHA).
Let's first talk about the Cool Neutral palette
It's collecting dust in my vanity... well it's not, because I keep it in a drawer, but in my mind it is LOL. I kind of feel the same way about this palette as I do NAKED 2... aka I wish I didn't buy them haha. Not saying they're bad, but just not for me. Cool toned eye shadows just do not suit me... purply taupes and silvery taupes make me look tired.
"Blackberry" is my favorite shade out of this entire palette. I just find it a beautiful color to deepen the crease. Goes really well with browns (although I'm sure it will pair extremely well with taupes and silvers too). However I often forget about it because it's in this palette -_-
The other shades that I like are Crushed Clove, Deception, and Cumulus. Brun is a universal brown (not too red or too ashy) but it can apply a bit patchy. Not really into pinks and whites so these are pretty much untouched. And I don't really get the point of glittery black either???
I think if you love doing that cut-crease look, you will love this palette. If you also enjoy NAKED 2 chances are you'll probably like this one too. However, personally I wish I've saved the money for something else.
I feel like I can kind of lump the Warm Neutral and the Nordstrom Naturals together... and it's kind of hard for me to choose one. I'll explain why.
Between the two palettes, my favorite shade is Saddle. I'd describe it as an orangey brown? But both palettes have Saddle LOL.
Both palettes also have a dark brown to create a more diffuse/softer eyeliner look, or to deepen the crease (Brun in Nordstrom Naturals, Dance in the Dark in Warm Neutral)
Both palettes have a dark purple to deepen the crease (Dark Brew in Nordstrom Naturals, and Embark in Warm Netural)
Both palettes have Amber Lights, which I'd describe as a copper color but pulls a bit too orange/red on me O_O (I love orangey eye shadows but this one makes me look really tired-- I always have to layer it over some more neutral shades).
Both palettes have enough natural neutral brown shades that honestly don't make a huge difference on me. Both also contain pinky hightlights (which I'm not crazy for-- I prefer champagne/beige/gold toned highlights).
So I guess it boils down to if you want to have black eye shadow in your palette. Personally prefer using dark browns/purples to darken my crease/outer V so I care quite little about having a black eye shadow in my palette.
In the end though, if I had to choose one palette, I'd go for the Warm Neutral palette. Because!!
This Beauty Marked shade =_= is completely useless to me. First of all, it's so chalky, I have the hardest time blending it. Makes the rest of my eye shadows look muddy/dirty because it's so hard to blend. Second of all... the purple glitters separates from the black base when you apply it. I mean, what is it doing??????? I don't get it.
All in all, I think I at least have utility for all shades in the Warm Neutral palette. Oh, forgot to mention, I really like Butterfudge in this palette. Reminds me of Soba, which is one of my favorite/easiest to wear eye shadows.
That concludes my lengthy chat about the MAC palettes! What do you guys think about the eye shadow palette???? At one point I was thinking about depotting some of the shadows and just stick the ones I like in there LOL but couldn't find a tutorial on it so I'm not gonna risk it.
Think down the road I'm definitely gonna get rid of the Cool Neutral palette, as well as the NAKED 2 palette LOL. They deserve a more loving home T_T But I'm also considering getting rid of both the warm neutral and natural palettes... depending on how much I like the Viseart palette, which I'm thinking about getting during the VIB sale.
Not much to share today... just some clothes and hats XD haven't done a none makeup/skincare- related post in a long time @_@
One cool thing about moving to California is I now have access to physical stores for Brandy Melville! =D
I've always wanted to try out their clothes cuz I love them on Heyclaire. Here's one of her videos where she talked about this brand.
So I popped into the store one day to check things out. Hmmm honestly didn't find a lot but then again I didn't spend too much time in the store. But I did walk out with a sweater and a hat =P
Don't ask me why I bought a freaking sweater in the middle of summer.... it's cute LOL. But I can't wear it cuz it's too hot -_- har har har.
Can't find this particular sweater on the website... although it looks like Ollie Sweater to me... there isn't a name on the tag. But there are only blue and white on the website O_O I have no idea.
This sweater is one-size only.
In addition to sunscreen... I'm now using hats for sun protection O_O Now I'm getting older can't afford sun damage O_O!!!
Don't think this hat is available on their website. But the hat fits kind of loosely and I have to secure it with my hand if there's a breeze O_O poop.
Different options for sun protection XD Went to Lids (which... I never set foot in before) and found a cap =D Kind of obsessed with wearing caps lately hahahahha. By the way, what's the difference between a cap and a snapback?!
Got mine in size 7 (have no idea what that means LOL) and it fits well =)
Haha sorry had to blur out the background. Too messy. Since my housing is temporary I'm basically living with my boxes of crap XD
How come I never discovered the joy of wearing hats before???? I mean I've always liked them as a look, but I used to hate wearing hats because I always felt like they would mess up my hair. Turns out it ain't matter when I only wear them when I'm out and walking about. Now I can't leave the house without a hat haha.
Back with another chit chat post =) Hope you guys like this format of blogging XD
So I reviewed the Hera Mist Long Stay Cushion on my Instagram a while ago, but I still wanted to share some camera quality pictures to show you guys the finish
Taken with yellow lighting... don't mind it please =)
Here's what it looks like on my face
Very pretty semi-matte finish
Overall effect
Sorry about the stupid bangs... didn't have many good overall photos to show that's why I decided to post this one X(
Short summary:
1. Beautiful semi-matte finish.
2. Got mine in C21 so the coverage is pretty good
3. Since it's semi-matte (unlike Laniege BB cushion which is super glowy), the shade 21 doesn't have that "pale" effect (I found some dewy cushions tend to make my face look lighter/brighter even if the shade matches because of how glowy they are) so I think 21 is pretty safe for NC20. Although it leans ever so slightly pink. I think Innisfree #23 is even paler than Hera #21.
4. DISAGREE with the "long stay" claim. Staying powder is horrible. It's a bit like the IOPE XP one-- I get that feeling that it doesn't really set, but it doesn't slip as much as the IOPE one.
5. No oil control.
6. Separates and settles into pores as I get oily (tried it with matte/oil-controlling base and it performs even worse than when paired with my Dior sunscreen, which has a bit of stick to it. Think this cushion performs better when it has something to stick to).
7. Also settles into expression lines if you talk and laugh a lot
8. Compared to Innisfree Long Wear Cushion which can emphasize dry patches, this one does better in that aspect
9. Aside from the beautiful finish, overall negative experience.
Guess that summary isn't that short after all XD
If I wasn't trying to take photos for this "review", I wouldn't have bothered with this cushion at all.
I gave in and bought the SK-II CC cream that I've been lusting after for a while.
For the longest time I was wearing nothing but sunscreen when I go out lol. But I kind of wanted something with sun protection and minimal coverage to reduce my resemblance to a zombie XD
Since it is a CC cream, please don't expect any coverage from it! You will only be disappointed if you're looking for coverage!
Short summary:
1. Super glowy finish. If you look closely you can see very very fine glitters, but don't worry they do not accentuate pores
2. MINIMAL coverage (if you have a lot of redness, probably won't be enough for you. Not the best to cover up blackheads either but decent enough for me).
3. Texture reminds me a bit of sunscreen. It's blendable but not liquidy as I anticipated.
4. When first applied, the finish is more semi-matte. But as it sets and blends with skin, it becomes very dewy and glowy
5. Feels quite heavy as I get oily (probably more suitable for winter)
6. Coverage turns transparent as it wears off (I don't know if I should use the word "disappear" because when I wipe my face with tissue you can still see the pigment... so it's still on my face. But it would pretty much look like I'm not wearing anything).
7. Longevity depends on how fast you get oily. It lasts about 3-4 hours on me before it "disappears". (Definitely one of the shortest wear base product I've tried. Although it doesn't patch up/separate so I don't mind that).
8. One shade only and my face does look significantly lighter than my body. I don't mind it but keep in mind it's a very Asian look LOL (like... face paler than body haha). Finish is lighter than NC20... I would guess it's probably more NC15. However since it does turn transparent, I'd say you only look significantly paler for the first hour or so.
9. I like to rub it all over my face then pat it in. Find that gives the best/most even application.
10. It can be sticky (hair sticking to the face yayyyyy!! NOT. lol).
Overall, it suits my needs and I don't mind it disappearing on me cuz my skin tends to look better/need less coverage later in the day (can always take it off and reapply-- should be doing that for sun protection anyway XP) but I don't like how heavy it feels as I get oilier. It's probably from the extra added skincare properties. I find that when I get home I want to do nothing but take it off my face.
I got mine from Cosme-De.com cuz it's on a promotion price. I neither recommend or not recommend it (depends on your needs!) but I for sure will not recommend it at $90 haha. At almost $60 (I had additional discount) I actually didn't regret purchasing it.
By the way, Cosme-De.com is a Chinese company but it's actually based in Hong Kong. I came across this website when I was searching for the CC cream with Google shopping. I wouldn't have purchased from them if it was based in China, but after learning it's based in HK, felt totally safe about it lol (by the way-- shipping only took a week. I was impressed).
Hope you guys enjoyed the brief reviews! Let me know if you want to see a detailed review but I think I covered everything.
Lastly, want to talk about this eye brow product called "Neuve"
For the longest time I thought Neuve is a Taiwanese brand because I hear Taiwanese bloggers talk about it all the time (in Taiwan it's called 惹我眉筆) but it's actually by Shiseido! I was shocked lol.
I actually can't remember if it comes in different shades... tossed my packaging away. I think it does though??
Naked brows
Naked brows
With neuve eye brow pencil
With neuve eye brow pencil
Short summary:
1. At first I didn't like it cuz it was too soft-- it deposits pigments too easily and I had to use a Q-tip to remove the excess pigments. But after a week or so I got through the "soft" part and it's great-- it applies easily but it no longer "crumbles"/deposit too much.
2. I think as far as brow products go, this one has low wax content (but I'm not super familiar with brow products!)
3. I don't normally have issues with brow products disappearing on me, so I can't comment on longevity since pretty much all brow products I've tried so far work well on me.
4. It only costs $80 TWD... which is like less than $3 USD. Can't beat that price. If you can get it for that price, go for it!
Overall, I like =D Price point is amazing. Been using it for about 2 months now and haven't had to sharpen it... haha.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog ^_^ Hehe will be back again in a few~
How's everyone doing? Hope everyone's enjoying the summer weather! So as the title implied... this is just gonna be one of those random posts where I just ramble on about things cuz there isn't really a common theme... =D
So first and foremost... as I alluded in my previous post-- I moved. To California!!!! LOL. You guys are probably like... what???? Where did that come from??!?!? So basically I moved from Colorado, to Maryland, and now I'm settled here in California.
I knew I didn't want to stay in Maryland after I graduate. Oh wait, did I mention that I graduated from pharmacy school?
Haha, such old news. But I guess I never mentioned it here so just to keep everyone on the same page. Anyway, I knew I didn't want to stay in Maryland. For one thing, most of my friends aren't staying there (they're mostly out-of-state students like myself) or they're all moving to other states for residencies. For another... I just don't think I'm a very Maryland person. Or an East Coast person. Does that make any sense?
Now, I don't really think my personality fits in the whole California scene either LOL but from my last winter break back home, I knew one thing for sure-- I want to be closer to home. I know I want to live somewhere where direct flights to Taiwan are available. That'd make me visiting Taiwan and my family visiting me much much easier =)
So anyway! I'm temporarily settled here in NorCal... getting ready for my licensure exams. Once that's done I'm gonna start looking for jobs in SoCal. NorCal is so ridiculously expensive and I have no intention to throw my salary away for real estate, lol.
So that's my little life update. Things have been slow with me since all I do is study these days. Kind of going out of my mind so I want to pick up blogging again lol. This will be my study break project =P So you guys can expect more frequent posting from me over the next few weeks =)
There was a sale at Beauty.com a while ago so I took the opportunity to get some stuff that I've been wanting.
First Aid Ultra Repair cream is wonderful. Already reviewed it on my Instagram. Happy to have it back in my life ^_^ I got the 2 oz one. For me there's no point in getting the 6 oz once cuz 2 oz is plenty. 2 oz is only $12 as well... very affordable for such a nice product O_O
By the way, the smell does remind me of a first aid kit lol. Kind of smells like Band-Aid??? Haha
Also took the opportunity to get this Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter from The Balm.
Don't ask me why I wanted this highlighter... I've just always wanted to try it O_O even though I already have highlighters that I love.
By the way, my powder kind of came loosely packed. After a couple of uses it cracked. I feel like the whole thing is gonna shatter soon -_- but frankly I'm just too lazy to send it back/exchange it.
It's a champagne colored highlighter. Those who enjoy a yellow-toned highlighter will probably enjoy this!
To be honest, I'm kind of disappointed with this product. The powder isn't as finely milled as I anticipated. Don't know if you can tell from my finger swatches, but I do think the powder is a bit on the chunkier side.
After it's blended out. Don't get me wrong it's pretty... But I just find that when I apply it on my face, it tends to look a bit powdery. Meh. Tried spraying my face down with a mist after and it does take down the powdery-ness. I'm considering selling this @_@
Ever since I moved to California... sun protection has fast become my top priority omg. Where I live is pretty convenient so I try to walk whenever I can, which means... I spend quite a good amount of time under the sun. Needed a good sunscreen for my body!
I was gonna get the Clinique one (I know Shiseido makes good ones but I wanted to try something different) but there isn't Clinique on Beauty.com. So I thought I'd give MD Solar Sciences a try since it gets pretty good reviews on Nordstrom.com.
It's pretty small and portable so I do like to carry it with me for reapplication =)
The formula is very velvety. In other words, feels very silicone-y. The consistency definitely reminds me of the Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation. So if you love that formula, you're gonna like this for your face. As for me, I hate it for my face because I found that it makes my foundation apply less smooth. It's a matte finish but it doesn't have any oil control (which! It doesn't claim to). While I don't like it for the face, I do like it for the body! Especially it's fragrance free and doesn't clash with my perfume =)
Looks liquidy but it's not lol.
Now, the reviews I read all say it doesn't leave a white cast. I don't agree. Well maybe not so much as a white cast... but it definitely brightens up my skin tone/make it look paler. Not sure if you can tell from the pic above that the right side of my arm is paler where I applied the sunscreen.
Since we're on the subject on sunscreen, I finally broke into my Anessa stash!
Now, I did read that this gold bottle Anessa sunscreen is excellent for oil control. Cannot agree more *big thumbs up* I haven't been wearing makeup for long hours, but the last time I checked my face after 5 hours, I saw absolutely NO oil. It's amazing. Highly recommend for oily girls looking for an oil-controlling base! Dry skin beware! I've read dry skin ppl complain a lot about this sunscreen being too drying, which is no surprise. Personally don't find it too drying for the "normal" areas of my face.
Dry skin ppl might want to consider the white bottle one (white bottle with blue sun) =) I've tried that one before and it was indeed more moisturizing. By the way Anessa is a Shiseido brand.
Consistency is very thin and runny.
Finish is also matte. Looks a bit glowy here but it really looks/feels matte in real life.
So now onto a bit of a hair chat. I mentioned that suffered major hair loss from using hair/skin/nail supplements -_-
By the way, just to make a point here, I wasn't terribly concerned about a supplement having a USP label or not because I have had good experiences with supplements that don't have it (eg. Centrum). Granted I would prefer a product to have USP approval, but that's not a deal breaker for me.
Moving on!
In utter desperation, I decided to try out the Aveda Invati Shampoo.
It's an exfoliating shampoo that's supposed to allow your hair to grow out more.
This is a new bottle. I got the small one to try out first to see if it actually works. It's funny because I learned about of this line because of my ex roommate... she has thin hair and for some reason her hair was also falling out more than usual, so she decided to give it a try. She told me she felt/saw no difference lol. So I wasn't really hopeful that it would do anything.
When I was at the store, I was told by the sales associate a few things:
1. Shake well before I use it.
2. Shampoo my hair twice with it (first time to get rid of the gunk on the scalp, second time so it can really penetrate and work on the scalp).
3. The shampoo won't really lather, especially during first shampoo. Second time it should lather better
4. It takes about 4-6 weeks to see results.
... and everything she said was true O_O
So in short, I did see/feel a difference after a month. It's like I feel no difference... but at about a month mark one day I just suddenly my hair is thicker. It works :D
So some of you might argue that maybe it's just my hair naturally growing back after discontinuing the supplements. That could be true, but I also learned from my past hair loss experience, it took me more than a year for my hair to even grow back some of its volume. In fact, it wasn't until the end of last year that I felt my hair volume was back to what it used to be, and my hair loss from weight loss occurred more than 2 years ago. So I do believe it speeds things up. To each and their own =) Like I said, my roommate felt no difference using it, but it works for me, that's why I invested in the big bottle. I will say though, the volume gain isn't continuous. That is to say, I noticed I got some volume back, but I don't get more and more volume after that one month mark. We'll see.
I also got a certificate from Aveda so I get to redeem a free travel size item, so I decided to try out the Invati spray.
I don't spray it 16 times O_o I do 8. And I only use it once a day. I will say though! I noticed yet another difference after a week of using it. Although like the shampoo, after the "boost", I feel like the volume just kind of stops there.
Comes with a cap which is quite nice.
So while I was at Aveda, I picked up their eye cream since I ran out of my daytime eye cream.
Botanical kinetics energizing eye creme. Claims to diminish dark circles and puffiness.
Now, I have no hopes for dark circles cuz I feel like sleep is really the only thing that will help. But this eye cream really does a poor job reducing puffiness. The Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream does a much better job for that purpose. I returned it. Planning to get the Origins one next time I can find a sale somewhere; somehow puffy eyes have been a struggle for me as of late /__\
As a follow-up to the Instagram post about the Sunday Riley oils:
Luna Sleeping Night Oil:
The first time I ever tried it, I noticed incredible itching O_____O but when I looked into the mirror there was no reaction of any kind so I resisted the urge to wash my face. The next morning I woke up and found that my face was fine, so I decided to give it another go. And after that first time, my face didn't get itchy anymore so I guess it was just a matter of my skin not used to the product. Anyway, I don't really have scarring issues so I didn't notice much difference with this oil. I do notice my pores seem smaller and my face brighter, but that was about it. After using it every day straight for a week though, my face started breaking out so I stopped using it. No biggie cuz my face does that whenever I over-exfoliate. So I would say for sensitive skin, you probably only want to use this a few times a week.
Since it didn't do much for my face, I ummm... decided to try it on my underarms XD I got pretty ugly scarring on my underarms from ingrown hairs. The kind that makes you embarrassed that you don't ever want to lift your arms to flash your underarms because there are big red lumps. And let me tell you, that I did notice a HUGE difference. In fact, I used the rest of the oil on my underarms every night for about 2 weeks and the stubborn scar/lump is pretty much gone. My underarms are significantly brighter and smoother. LOVED it for that! I might have to invest in some acid treatment for my underarms!! Probably not from Sunday Riley since it's too expensive although the results were pretty incredible.
By the way, Luna Oil does contain rentinol and CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFORMITIES. Please do not use it if you have any chance of pregnancy.
Flora & Juno Hydroactive Cellular Active Face Oil:
I decided to group these two together because I sort of mixed up my samples and could NOT remember which one was which LOL. But they both felt the same to me anyway. Other than hydration/making my face plumper/my pores smaller, didn't notice much. I do prefer the smell of one over the other. But not spending money on either of it lol.
Haven't shared YouTubers in a while! So these are the most recent discovery of YouTubers of mine =P
Sunny from Sunny's Channel
I really like her personality XD she seems pretty calm for an 18 year-old lol. Wish she does more videos in English. I tried out the Urban Decay Naked Foundation because it looks so good on her, and I have to say I really really liked that foundation. I remember watching something else from her and thinking to myself that I completely agree with her review, so that's another reason why I like her =P
Michelle from Michellenwin
I like her bubbly personality haha. That and she always has the most gorgeous smokey eyes and pretty lip colors hehehe. Sadly we're different complexion so her lip color suggestions don't really work for me sob sob. Hahaha.
Lastly, when I was browsing Sephora the other day, I noticed that the Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder now comes in 0.35oz size!!
Pretty damn excited for that! I do think it's a great enzyme exfoliator and just don't want to dish out $65 for that. A little goes a long way and I'm sure this 0.35oz will last me a long time. Excited to get this in the future! May or may not wait for the sale in the fall but we'll see.
Okie dokes. Off to studying again. See you guys again in a few days! =)
