March 2014 Hits & Misses

Hi guys!

Here's my March Hits & Misses. I honestly thought I was gonna be on time for March =_= and before I knew it, it's almost mid-April O_o

So I actually don't have a lot to share for March. Most of them I've already done reviews so I'll link those when appropriate. I actually have a lot on my plate at the moment so I'm just gonna go ahead and jump right into it!

1. Cover Girl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in 215











Naked lips


With the gloss balm. This really isn't the best picture because the balm does look pinker in person... but no matter what lighting/angle I took my pictures at, they all kind of turn out baby pink ish. So just keep in mind that the balm is pinker than shown above.

My thoughts?

Ummm I don't know exactly why, but I just don't like this product much. The color swatch looks like something I will love, but on my lips, it just translates a lot pinker-- too pink for what I was looking for. I wish it would look exactly the color swatch on the back of my hand. It also has a plastic/rubbery lipstick scent (think MAC lipsticks) which I found to be very off-putting. Texture-wise it's nothing crazy, kind of like Clinique Chubby Stick.

Here's a side to side comparison swatch to Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain in Lovesick. Actually in retrospect, I should've done a comparison swatch with the Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Mimosa... those are much more alike. The Chubby Stick was in my school bag when I did the swatches so I forgot about it O_o But anyway, Mighty Mimosa is a nuder pink compared to Cover Girl.

Revlon has a drier formula (whereas you can see Cover Girl has a balmy formula), and Revlon also has a minty scent.




2. Tanya Burr Lip Glosses

I already did a review on those, if you haven't seen it, please refer here. In short: huge hit! If I were to recommend anything from this month's hits & misses, it'd be these glosses ^_^


3. Mamonde Real Skin Founder

Also already did a review. I wouldn't say I love this, but I do really like it.


4. A'PIEU Essential Source Snail Vital Cream



This product, unfortunately, is a miss for me. My skin was very unstable/breaking out a lot last month, and it seemed to coincide a lot when I was using this product. But then again at that time I wasn't entirely sure if it was from this cream. Anyway, my skin is finally clear these days and I gave it another go-- yep, broke me out. It has a thick gel texture. Kind of reminds me of a sleeping pack texture.


5. Luca's Papaw Ointment



Thought it's pretty cool it came with a twist-open seal.






Please note: it contains fermented fruit.


So I ordered this following my Dior lip balm disaster. It's nice. At first I was like this thing smells really pungent O_o then later I realized it contains fermented fruit, haha. Took me a few days to get used to the smell but now I find the scent pretty comforting XD I guess I would say it's good and it does the job? I feel like it's nothing too impressive (like it didn't wow me like my Aveda lip balm did) but when I switched to my other lip balms I did notice a difference. So I guess it's good. Regarding the claims that it's also good for insect bites... I have applied it on my nasty mosquito bites from PR but I feel like it did nothing. Actually I'm not even sure what it's supposed to do for insect bites?? Maybe it's only intended for a protective layer? But I learned in my self-care class that you're not supposed to put ointments over insect bites LOL (insect bites, especially the swollen kind, are usually considered "wet" wounds, and applying ointments can provide a physical barrier that traps in moisture/secretions/bacteria and lead to infections. Gels are considered "drying" and are more appropriate for wet wounds).

6. Bumble and bumble Surf Spray

Again, already did a review. I feel like this item is gonna be either hit or miss for a lot of ppl, depending on their hair texture and how much effort they put into their hair routines.


7. Aveeno Natural Protection Lotion Sunscreen






This product is a disappointment. It is quite thick (hard to spread) and leaves a ridiculous white cast.



Can you see the white cast? It's kind of ridiculous when you apply it on all four limbs. Plus it's so hard to spread. Lesson learned: rather spend more on high end sunscreens. Never had a problem with Shisiedo face & body sunscreen. But I ran out of that a long time ago.

8. Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo





I guess it's alright? No complaints there-- but then again I rarely ever go crazy over shampoos. In fact, I think I've ever only gone crazy for one shampoo-- Aveda Pure Abundance. I feel like this is just a typical drugstore shampoo-- along the lines of Dove and Pantene (in my opinion, Garnier Fructis and Herbal Essence make the worst shampoos-- they leave HORRIBLE residues. But they smell amazing though lol).


9. Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector
 
Heard this evens out skin tone-- not true for me. In fact, it stings and made my face red. I returned it.


10. Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

This is the second time that my face broke out from using a foaming cleanser (first time was with Caudalie). But with this one I can clearly feel it leaves residue on my face-- there's definitely a layer of something on my face even after rinsing out my face several time. And I can smell it on my face -.-  I have concluded that foaming cleansers are just no good for me. Returned this as well.


11. Aussie Hair Insurance

Sorry I forgot to take a pic so I just reused one of my old pics haha. Honestly, I'm not sure how to tell a good heat protectant from a bad one? My hair is damaged enough as it is so I can never tell if a heat protectant works or not lol. It comes out like a lotion, which in all honesty, I find to be a bit heavy/thick. I would prefer something lighter. Shame because it smells amazing. If I ever use it up (which I suspect I won't) I know it's not something I would repurchase.


12. Makeup Forever Aqua brow

It's a hit!! =) In short-- looks natural (if you use the right tool), and yes IT IS WATERPROOF. Awesome. Review here.


And lastly... I want to mention, oatmeal has been a favorite facial cleanser once again for this month lol. Still using oatmeal to cleanse my face. I feel like it's hard for me to go back to normal/chemical cleansers now X_x

Hope some of you found this post helpful :)


<3 Frances

Pack with me for my trip ^_^ Hair, accessories, and outfits

Hi guys!

Welcome back to part 2 of this pack with me series ^_^ Let's continue on with hair products, shall we? ^_^

I've mentioned this product before, but I just have to mention it again cuz it's awesome! My Turbie Twist XD

The reason why I want to bring with me is because it's super absorbent, so that will cut my hair drying time in half. Also you saw I brought a lot of masks with me, and this is a must when I put on a facial mask ;)

Hair tools I'm bringing with me: My Conair curling tong that I have for years, and my Hot Tools Deep Waver

I don't normally style my hair on a regular basis but I'm determined to add some glam to my hair every day!! =D


To go with the tools, I got the Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, as well as Aussie hair insurance for heat protectant

The Bumble and bumble Surf Spray smells quite good. And Aussie hair insurance smells INCREDIBLE. Actually, I think it smells exactly like After Party smoothing cream from TIGI Bead Head, which used to be my absolute favorite scent for hair products!! Omg. I tested them out and neither product make my face itchy so far. Keeping my fingers crossed ^_^

Wavy hair from Hot Tools Deep Waver. Never got a chance to show you guys the effect of this tool since my purchase lol








Adding some spray on!


Ummmm honestly... don't see no difference??? hahahhaa. Maybe I didn't use enough. By the way please don't mind the mess in the background. Was cleaning and packing -_-







Other hair products. Notice the theme here: thin bottles XD

Never knew Aveeno has shampoos too so decided to give it a go. Of course Aussie 3 minute miracle will be my go-to conditioner choice. St. Ives body wash. Aveda stress-fix body lotion (not hair product, oops).


Now onto Accessories ^_^

Got me a new belly ring. It's a dream-catcher!





If you guys notice some spots over my body, please just ignore them. My body was breaking out in those hive-like spots... I think it's from a reaction to seafood or something O_o the last time I had food allergy I broke out in hives all over my face. This time I'm breaking out all over my body -_- at such convenient timing too. Oh well. Hope it will go away in a few days. The body "hives" are nowhere as severe as my face hives I got last time so no complaints there.

I was so excited for this anchor belly ring



... but I kind of don't like the way it looks on my belly =( not what I envisioned. I think it'd look better on ppl who got the pierce below the belly button.

Lastly, my belly chain that I got AGES ago (when I was in undergrad HAHAHA)

Got it from Amazon.com. I'm surprised it hasn't rusted at all. Time for it to see the sun!


Now onto the earrings I will be bringing with me

I haven't bought a new pair of earrings in a really long time. These are old but def one of my all-time favs. Those scream spring, right? ^_^








These are new ^_^






I actually changed my mind and decided not to bring these because they are expensive. And they are my very first pair of earrings so there's also sentimental value to them. I'd be very very upset if I ever lose them. Nevertheless I thought I'd share anyway. The colors are just so bright and happy ^_^







I got these when feather earrings where in trend a few years ago, but I never really got a chance to wear them out. Now is the time XD







And lastly, these super adorable earrings I got from Aldo last year







Shoes-wise, aside from my white puma sneakers, these are the only sandals I'm bringing with me

They are also the only sandals I bought in Taiwan last year, haha. 


Flip-flops from Aldo.


Now onto my bikinis

Got these last year from Hollister. The top and bottom were like $20 together. Steal!



These I got last week from Target. They don't have a matching bottom though so I'll just be wearing black



Super old ones I bought from Victoria's Secret ages ago.



Also old ones... can't remember the brand... starts with G... are these from Guess??? I have no idea.





Now onto coveralls!

Just a sheer shirt I found at H&M. Thought I'd use it as a coverall XD (I'd probably cook in this thing haha)


This coverall I got from Hollister last year. Really like how it pairs with the pink/orange bikinis. Prob gonna be too much for the warm weather in PR, but I thought it'd be nice to have if it gets a bit chilly at night.


Sorry for the dark pic. Don't know why it showed up so dark and too lazy to change the brightness of the pic haha. Look at them massive thighs LOL. Result of spinning every week. Haha.


Hat and cropped top from F21. Shorts from H&M. All purchased last week.




With my sandals. I actually didn't realize that the mirror was angled such that my legs are disproportionally elongated O_o I tried adjusting the mirror but the mirror had to be angled to a certain degree to get a whole body shot. I was looking at the pics and I was like I knew my legs are NOT this long. HAHAHA. Just keep in mind those photos are not representative of my body at all lololl.


A romper dress from F21


Dress from F21


Think I showed this before? This is an old dress


A dress I got in Taiwan last year but never got a chance to wear. Honestly it's more like an over-sized shirt-dress... definitely cannot wear this out alone.





Haha why am I flashing my armpit.Old dress from F21.

Whew! That's all to my pack with me posts ^_^ Hope you guys enjoyed these!


<3 Frances