November 2015 Empties/Mini Reviews

Hi guys!!

Two posts in one day =D Haha reason why I'm so productive today is actually because I caught a cold -_- Just trying to stay out of the cold and away from people lol. Oh good news guys =) I passed both of my licensing exams!! =DD right now just waiting for the Board to issue me my license. Decided to put aside job applications for a while because it's almost impossible to apply for a position without my license. I was hoping some places might be willing to train me while I wait, but nope! lol. Anyway, since I'm just staying home and sneezing and coughing and trying to keep my head from exploding... figured might as well catch up on some blogging. I know it's only mid-November but I figured I already accumulated enough crap to talk about XD


1. Bumble and bumble thickening shampoo and conditioner samples 

In general I would never go for high end conditioners, cuz I really feel like they don't make that much of a difference (since I only apply conditioner from the mid to ends of my hair it doesn't touch my scalp at all). This conditioner is no exception... didn't do much. I liked the shampoo though! My hair does feel more fluffy/voluminous when I use this. I got the travel size to play with, but I don't think I'd ever go for the full-size... too expensive for how much you get.

2. Perfect Whip cleanser

Don't think you can go wrong with Shiseido products lol. I think I went through 2 or 3 of these??? It's cheap and cheerful and does the job. Probably won't repurchase in a long time cuz right now my favorite drugstore facial cleanser is the Innisfree volcanic one, and I haven't got sick of that one yet so I'm gonna stick with that =D


I did good didn't I? haha. Sorry it looks kind of nasty.

2. Fasio mascara and Integrate mascara primer

Talked about these two here. Thoughts did not change so you can just refer to that if you're interested =)

Here's what the wands look like since I didn't show them in that post:





Very very fat wand lol.

Will I repurchase?

Well I don't have access to either, so nope! Haha. If you can try them at a reasonable price I would say you could give them a try. I haven't tried any mascara primer that tops the Majolica one. If I have access to the mascara I wouldn't mind picking the black one up. I like how the formula is very thickening, somewhat lengthening, yet it does not contain any fibers. That gets a thumbs up from me!


3. Yes To Grapefruit Body Wash

I like =) currently using up a LUSH soap that I got a while ago, as well as my Jo Malone body/hand soap that I got in a Nordstrom anniversary sale set, but once I finished those I will probably get something from Yes To.... unless something else really catches my eye.


4. Clinique Repairwear Lase Focus



I've never used an eye cream that made me feel a significant difference. So... I'll leave it at that. I was actually gonna purchase the full size of this but I got a Shiseido one instead cuz I wanted free shipping LOL. But I might revisit this product.


5. Innisfree Manuka Honey mask, My Beauty Diary Arbutin Whitening mask, Naruko mask





Kind of forgot about my sheet masks but pulled them out for extra hydration/whitening since the sun in Cali was pretty brutal in the summer. I enjoyed them all but none of them stood out to me. I used to really like the MBD arbutin one but I think they changed the sheet material and formula so now I'm more ambivalent.


6. Aveda Lip Saver



The last of my backup. Used to be my favorite lip balm but I'm happy with Lucas' Papaw Ointment and that one is MUCH cheaper lol.

7.

Another mask


8.

You guys sick of seeing this? haha


9. L'occitane Almond Shower Oil


Talked about it here:

I can sum up how I feel about this shower oil in two words: OH BABY. 😍😂 in all seriousness though, this thing is so nice! More worth it than LUSH bath products IMO 😂. First of all... It smells absolutely DIVINE. Second of all, leaves my skin feeling moisturized with absolutely no residue/greasy feeling 😄 I guess the only sad thing is that this is not a little-goes-a-long-way product... I would imagine if you're tall you'll probably run out of this product quickly? 😂 #loccitane #amande #showeroil #sephora #review #instareview #beautyblogger #bblogger #blogger

A photo posted by Frances (@bbudgie) on Sep 22, 2015 at 3:49pm PDT

It's nice if you want to pamper yourself... but I can do without it =D


10. Aveda Scalp Benefit Balancing Shampoo

Of all the Aveda shampoos I've tried, this one definitely feels the most drying to the scalp (think super deep clease). I wouldn't say it's stripping, but it's not a shampoo I would use daily. I did use it daily for a week and my scalp felt fine, but I prefer using it once a week as a deep cleanse. I actually purchased a 1L bottle of this and kind of regretted it... should've just got a small bottle for weekly use.


11. St. Ives Blemish Control apricot scrub

Sorry it looks nasty. I prefer the green tea scrub. The beads in this one are a lot bigger/rougher than the green tea one. I also used this on my body because there was just no way I could get through this if I used this exclusively on my face lol. Won't repurchase. Although I thought it was quite good as a body scrub XD


12. Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Got this free sample size from Sephora. It's pretty good-- I think a lot of ppl would like the consistency and the formula of this. Even though I really liked it, I personally don't feel any different when I used this vs. using Cetaphil moisturizing lotion lol. Not interested in purchasing the full size.


13. Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Edge Meister

Reviewed here. Pretty sure I talked about this in one of my empties. Anyway, I have a lot of these but they aren't my favorite. When it dries out as you use it, it gets very clumpy because it has SO MUCH fibers in it. And I always have to make sure to use a tweezer to pull out any of the fibers sticking out so they won't poke my eyes. Also because of the high fiber content, it does dry out faster than other mascaras.


Hope you guys enjoyed =)

<3 Frances

Pack with me for my trip ^_^ Makeup and Skincare

Hello hello guys!

So today I have a different post for you guys. Guess what it's not a review!!! Hahaha. So I am going to Puerto Rico for my spring break ^___^ So excited. By the time you guys are reading this I *hopefully* am already in PR. This is actually a class trip. Can't believe I'm gonna graduate in another year... time is flying by so fast.

I'm actually a little bit nervous. I speak no Spanish. Hola is about it. I recently also learned the phrase "Donde esta el bano". Yep, I'm ready to go XD
(for those who don't know what that means... it means "where's the toilet" AHAHAHAH)

Anyway, thought I might share what I pack for my trip with you guys ^_^


Here's my purse bag and my travel bag. 


My Daisy bag is the bag I carry around in my purse whenever I go out. Thought I might share even though it's not super interesting XD 
 
 I have Jack Black lip balm (like it but not crazy about it. However it does have SPF25 which is the highest I can find, so it's coming with me!)

Blotting sheets-- I don't usually blot but it's good to have them just in case

Aveda hand cream

Ear plugs... for when I sleep. Don't know why but I want to keep it in this bag LOL

Q tips... always! Can use it to pick your nose (TMI?) and handy for makeup mishaps.

Tide pen... even though I didn't really pack anything white with me I still want to have it with me haha.

Mirror of course

Floss... HATE it when meat gets stuck between my teeth.

Shu Uemura lavender facial mist. Good for hot days and smoothing down my makeup.

Panty-liners are a must

Lactase pills... cuz I'm lactose-intolerant. If anyone who tried it and and didn't work, try taking it 5-10 minutes before you eat dairy. I know the instructions say take with your first bite of dairy product but in my experience, that never works.

Sample sizes of Roses de Chloe perfume and Honey by Marc Jacobs

 

These two sunscreens I will be carrying around in my hand bag for re-application. And need razors because girl friend will be wearing bikinis XD (too cheap to get a wax... hahaha).



Now onto my travel bag

 Left compartment contains my skincare, the right contains my makeup


I know I will be blasted by the sun every day while I'm in PR, so hydrating and whitening masks to the rescue! By the way the newly reformulated My Beauty Diary masks are disappointing... I feel like the formula isn't as good as the old ones??? Definitely do not care for the mask material-- it's a lot stiffer and does not cling to my face as well. Boo. Don't think I will be repurchasing anymore.

CONI exfoliating gel... I like to exfoliate especially during hot days haha

My perfect Whip cleanser. By the way I also packed a baggie of oatmeal because my face has been incredibly sensitive

Aveeno 1% hydrocortisone. I've tried it and actually like this much more than my other plain hydrocortisone creams O_o I think the oatmeal component makes it really soothing to apply (sometimes my hydrocortisone creams burn/sting my irritated skin). Oh I'm bringing this with me in case of any skin emergencies XD  I have atopic dermatitis that always flares up with hot and humid weather. Must be prepared yo.

Two Caudalie Vinosource facial moisturizers... really don't think I'll need to bring facial moisturizers because I think my SK-II facial treatment essence will be hydrating enough. But just in case.

Jack Black lip balm cuz the other one is running low

Shiseido sunscreen... the best

Michael Todd eye cream.... not bringing it because it's awesome or anything. It's the only MT product I don't mind using/doesn't break me out. Plus it's slender and good for travel so yeah. Don't recommend it doesn't do anything.


My tools. Bubbi's multi brush cuz it's the best for travel! I'm only bringing powder foundation with me cuz I highly doubt my skin will be able to tolerate liquid foundation in 80+ degree weather (was gonna bring my MUFF Mat Velvet+... oh well)

Tweezerman tweezer... the extra fine one. Honestly I think it works better for body hairs. Too thin to grab eye brow hairs. Bringing it to touch up on my armpit hair XD (gonna epilate before the trip)

Eye brow brush

Eyeliner brush

Scissors... just in case I need to cut something?


Makeup...

Bringing the Mamonde Real Skin Founder. Only used it twice so far but pretty impressed. In fact, impressed enough to bring it with me O_o Will keep this in my handbag instead after I arrive PR. Sincerely regretting not purchasing the case now (only bought refill because I usually don't repurchase stuff and I found the cases a waste). We'll see if this is a keeper. By the way I'm wearing the Mamonde Real Skin Founder in all of my recent posts (basically any post when I'm sporting beachy hair). Not sure how much use I'll get out of it since I prob won't be able to wear this as I get tanned. 

Paul & Joe powder foundation

Lancome Teint Miracle powder foundation (much much darker... I anticipate I will probably brown-up pretty good while I'm there T_T to be honest I don't want to get tanned at all because that means all my foundation shades will be messed up. Grrr)

Milani Infinite Liquid eyeliner

MUFF Aqua Brow... got it so my brows won't wash off when I swim hahahha

Majolica Majorca mascara primer... it's almost at the end of its life actually. Will need to toss it after the trip

Majolica Majorca mascara... although I'm currently using Maybelline the Falsies... bringing this brand new mascara because I don't trust the Falsies not to smudge on me when I go under the waters.

Carmex... cuz it's the best for soothing the lips

Shu Uemura cleansing oil mini samples

Tanya Burr lip glosses  :D The only lip products I'm bringing with me this time. Shocking XD Review coming up soon.


Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush... was gonna bring my depotted Benefit blushes but decided they take up too much space. This will do lol. No brush needed XD

L'oreal infallible eye shadows... honestly don't think I will be wearing eye shadows at all but just in case. Was gonna bring my Naked 1 but honestly, I'm so lazy with eye shadows what's the point XD


Lastly... just wanted to share with you guys that I bought this Cera Ve sunscreen

 
Was gonna use it for my face cuz I wasn't sure if my Shiseido one is water resistant.This thing is terrible. Impossible to blend (had to use water to help spread it out). It's really thick and leaves a ridiculous blue-ish white cast. I noticed it kept my face matte at the end of the day. However, when I removed my makeup there were little breakouts all over my face. Guess this thing suffocated my face. DO NOT BUY people.

That's all to my makeup/skincare post. Hope you guys found it entertaining? Next post will be on hair, accessories and outfits ^_^

Taiwan Haul 2013

Hi guys!

Long time again! XD I can't believe summer was already over and school has started again (I'm a P3 now OMG cases cases cases). I also just moved into a new apartment with a new roommate =D My roommate is Korean and I've never lived with a Korean before and so far it's been interesting :P So far I'm loving this new apartment and new roommate; I used to have 3 other roommates and it got quite hectic sometimes lol. It's so quiet and peaceful here in my new apartment. Although the lighting sucks =/ That and with Maryland's gloomy weather... I just hope I can find a way to upkeep my photo quality. I had to adjust all of my photos for this post so they're more true to color. Anyway since school isn't too hectic yet, I decided might as well update my blog (it's now or never buahaha). So today I want to share with you the stuff I got from Taiwan =D

Looks so massive... haha. But really a lot of them are samples/free gifts with purchase lol.

1. Bourjois Color Boost Glossy Finish Lipstick

These look exactly like the Revlon lip stains! But they are not lip stains. They are pretty glossy and more moisturizing (Revlon kissable lip stains has a drier formula). Left to right are #2 Fuchsia Libre and #4 Peach on the Beach. They don't really last... just like any other moisturizing lipstick. Sometimes I layer this over my Revlon lip stains to give my lips a more juicy look :P

2. Za Ever Brows Brow Pencils

I've seen Bubbi use this multiple times in her tutorials so I wanted to give it a try! I love my Anastasia eye brow powder but I feel like eye brow powders gives a very made-up finish (I don't understand when ppl say use brow powder if you want natural looking brows??? I mean yeah they look softer... but also more powdery) so anyway I wanted to try pencils for less powdery look and I opted for these. I do like it (haha bought a backup). I do notice they don't last as long or well as my Anastasia brow powder, but it's acceptable. The brush on the back of the pencil is pretty awesome! Smooths out the pencil really well. After these I think I will try the Anastasia brow pencils. I got mine in #3 Natural Grey cuz my hair is black now.

3. Za Plumper Lips Lipstick

Read about these on a Tawainese blog and decided to give it a try. I originally only bought the color #8 and after trying it out I went back and bought 3 more XD It's a very moisturizing formula, I like! I think people who enjoy Revlon lip butters will enjoy these too ^_^

4. Majolica Majorca

Majolica came out with a new formula/new comb again! So of course I had to get one. Also stocked up on two mascara primers. I'm sure you guys have already seen this... Majolica Majorca is my favorite mascara brand, been using them since high school (buy the ones with comb, don't buy the ones with regular brush heads because the formula tends to flake).

5. D.U.P Wonder Eyelid Tape

You guys have seen this before too... for the days when my eyelids are swollen/when my double eyelid decide they want to move places, I use this to correct them.

6. My Beauty Diary Arbutin Whitening mask

My favorite whitening mask from My Beauty Diary. The packaging has changed. I also noticed in the ingredients that they no longer use parabens! =D thumbs up for that. I haven't tried this new formulation but I'm confident that it will be good ^_^

7. Naruko Rose & Botanic HA Aqua Cubic Hydrating Mask 

Also a repurchase. This mask is really hydrating, and brightening as well! Really like this for the hydration

8. Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Brightening Mask (what kind of name is this??? LOL)

Since I'm impressed with the rose mask, I wanted to give other Naruko masks a try, I have to say I'm disappointed. Somehow I feel like this mask doesn't absorb as well for some reason??

9. Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Mask

This mask is one of those lifting masks that cover your chin and you hook to your ears to give your face a V-shape lift. Another disappointment. Conclusion: I only like the rose mask from Naruko, the other products are just meh.

10. Loofah & Aloe Vera Hydrating Mask

Er not sure what's the name of the brand... 豐, 台灣?? LOVEMORE?? lol. First time trying this brand, and I was pleasantly surprised! The mask is made of this very thin material so it fits really well to the contours of my face, also the cuttings are very delicate so very suitable for girls with small face/features! Best fitting mask I've tried. The formula is pretty nice too. I like!

11. Wine Yeast Whitening Mask

Haven't tried this yet.

12. CONI Exfoliating Gel

I've been dreaming about these for the last year! My favorite exfoliating gel. It's more like an enzyme exfoliant, you rub it on your face and dead skin cells will come off.

This one is supposed to contain gold liposome. Both of them are good but I do like this one just a bit more :P

Okay the rest of free gifts from CONI... I know it's kind of ridiculous how many gifts they gave us. I think it's because CONI isn't a really well-known brand in Taiwan so they're really trying to get ppl to try out their products to get the name out there, who knows? I'm not the one to turn down free skin care :P

Supposed to be a lifting mask. Haven't tried


Travel set for sensitive skin. Haven't tried either.

Eye masks. These I have tried and I really like them! They're so comfortable I often just fall asleep while still wearing them... and would wake up and find them completely dried up and shriveled lol. I didn't purchase my own set cuz it's quite pricey. 

Moisturizing overnight mask. I guess something like Laneige's sleeping pack?? Honestly wasn't so interested in these cuz I don't tend to like overnight masks... we'll see how these perform.


Random travel size conditioner, makeup remover and exfoliating gel.


More skincare, foundation, and BB cream samples


Jelly mask. It is very moisturizing, I do enjoy it but not something I'd purchase on my own.

13. Paul & Joe Powder Compact Foundation

I was running dangerously low on my Lancome Blanc Miracle powder... I actually wasn't even planning to get P&J, but I was playing at the P&J counter one day and the MUA was so patient with me (I kind of wish she would leave me alone LOL cuz I wasn't planning to purchase) and the powder is so finely milled I decided to give this a go. I don't know if P&J's foundations have ever been reformulated but it's different from what I remembered! The last time I tried P&J I thought the finish is so heavy and mask-like. Maybe it's because the last MUA who helped me last time used a very heavy hand... who knows lol. I didn't notice at the time of purchase but I did realize later that this powder is extremely fragranted, so beware if you dislike strongly fragranted cosmetics. 

14. Lancome Teint Miracle Powder Foundation

My skin was very unstable while I was in Taiwan (allergies and rashes)... and I wasn't sure if the fragrance in the P&J irritates my skin (I couldn't really tell if my face was itchy from allergies or if it was from P&J). I purchased this at duty-free because first I do love it, and second if the P&J does irritate my skin, at least I will have something to fall back to. I was debating between the Blanc Miracle and this but in the end I bought this... Even though Blanc Miracle is for oil control... I look oily at the end of the day anyway no matter which product I use XD I decided to go with this one cuz the powder is ever so slightly finer and looks less powdery. If you're interested in seeing comparison swatches of Lancome Blanc Magique and Teint Miracle, see my old post here. 

15. Vaseline afer sun aloe vera gel

I got sunburned when I went to a water park in Taiwan =_= I did reapply sunscreen religiously but got burned anyway =___= will talk about it in the next post. But anyway got this to soothe my skin. It's meh... kind of sticky. Will try to use them up (bought two of them cuz it was buy one get one half off) but will not repurchase. Why is there Korean on there??? lol


16. Brow scissors

My other ones are kind of old. This is my second pair from this brand and I really like them! But honestly I don't even use the comb LOL. I think any brow scissors will work well... I just happened to like my last pair that I want to stick with this brand :P

17. Olive Oil Skin Care Company Handmade Pure Olive Oil Soap

So this brand of soap was originally started by an Australian professor who wanted to create a very mild and natural soap that is suitable for his wife, whose skin suffered from eczema/psoriasis. You can read about it here. I've been using it to wash my face and it is pretty mild but effective. Some ppl might find it drying but I don't (I happen to like the squeaky clean feeling). I wouldn't say it helps improve my skin yet but at least it doesn't exacerbate my conditions. However I still find oatmeal the most gentle way to clean my skin when it's problematic.  

18. Etude House

There was a new Etude House store where I live =P However I think the price is tripled when it's in Taiwan =_= Maybe just doubled.... but I think close to tripling. Still affordable compared to brand makeup. But you guys should know that Etude House is an extremely affordable brand in Korea and you should never pay too much for it.

Since I love my #2 Strawberry Choux Lovely Cookie Blusher, I decided to pick up another one-- #10 Peach Parfait, which, implied by its name, a more pinky peach color. Both #2 and #10 are matte blushes.

I once read somewhere that the Oh My Eyeliner is pretty good so I decided to give it a try. When I swatched it in store the consistency felt a lot like my MAC Liquidlast eyeliner. However when I tried it at home on my eyes the consistency is a lot thinner and more liquidy. I also have difficulty using my own brush to apply this eyeliner because it applies quite thin and uneven. But when I used the applicator it comes with it applies fine. But I don't like the flimsy applicator =( I will figure something out. As for lasting power, not quite as good as my MAC liquidlast, but I was impressed! For one thing it's rare that a liquid eye doesn't make my eyes tear. For another it doesn't smear or run, but rather it fades, and it's nothing too bad either. Will have to test it out more before I can give a final verdict.

I wasn't going to purchase the mascara cuz I had zero interest in it, but the SA told me it was buy the mascara and get the eyeliner for free and they are the same price. So basically I bought the eyeliner and got the mascara for free XD Will have to test it out... later.  


Gel eyeliner brush. It's very soft, which I like. However I did find this eyeliner brush sometimes wipe off the eyeliner I just applied when I went back and forth with it. So it's not the best, but not too bad either. The bristles are synthetic.


I had to get these hair ties because they're simply too adorable! But they do pull out my hair when I try to undo my hair -_-a


What's this called??? Like a head wrap?? It's a towel with velcro so you can use it to secure your hair out of the way when you wash your face. It's alright... my hair is short now so even when my bangs are out the way, the rest of my hair still fall forward when I wash -_-a am I using it wrong??


Free gifts. There's a cord hair tie thing that I'm really excited that I got! =D I've always seen girls wearing cord hair ties and I thought it's cute.

Other samples I got. These shall go on my blog sale since I'm not interested in using them lol.

19. 廣原良 Loofah water

Got a bunch of these so I can give them to friends as well. It pretty much just feels like water, but more moisturizing (as opposed to if you just spray water your face can feel quite dried out after the water evaporates). It can also be used as toner. I do like the spritz bottle since it dispenses quite evenly. What's up with the little creepy guy on the packaging?? It reminds me of PSY. LOL.

20. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #15 Corail Intuitive, and Etude House Dear My Jelly Lips-talk lipstick in JPK004

So these I didn't buy in Taiwan but I thought I'd include them anyway. I tried the YSL lipstick randomly one day and was immediately in love with the baby pinky peach nude color. Luckily I had a Sephora Wrapp gift card so I was able to get a little discount off it XD and the Etude House lipstick I got as a gift from a friend. The funny thing is, these lip colors kind of look similar when worn on lips... haha.

Okay, that's the end of my massive haul. I know I didn't include any swatches, but that's because there are simply too many things and I don't want to make this post busier than it already is. The swatches and reviews will come later. Is there anything you guys are particularly interested in???

Coming up next will be another empties post =D

Until then, I hope everyone had a fantastic summer ^_^ and if you're starting school, have a great school year! By the way my roommate "bullied" me into watching the Korean drama "I Hear Your Voice," has anyone seen it? I'm usually not that into Asian dramas (more of an American TV series girl), but it's pretty good! Been keeping my at the edge of my seat lol. Dang my roommate for making me start a drama at the beginning of the semester >.< must NOT be distracted. But for now... I'm gonna go watch another episode LMAO.

Talk to you guys later!

<3 Frances