The Face Shop My Lips Eat Cherry Aqua Tint Review & Chat / Haul? Lol

Hi guys!

So today I just have a quick review for you all, then I'm gonna talk about other random stuff (hence the wordy title XD)

A few days ago I stopped by The Face Shop in Virginia (they're opening one in Maryland in August too!) Truth be told I've actually never used their products before O_O so I really don't know their products at all. Nevertheless I'm still excited XD

While I was there I picked up a few products:
 
1. Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam
2. Rice Water Bright Cleansing Cream
3. My Lips Eat Cherry Aqua Tint

Yep, I did some serious damage there. But I figured I can always use a cleanser and makeup remover XD The Green Tea toner & lotion kit is a free sample. They also gave me this cute little shopping bag :D Gonna leave it in my car so I can bring it whenever I go shopping.

Anyway, today I'm gonna review this lip tint for you (: I've wanted a red lip tint for quite a while. The Face Shop actually wouldn't be the number one brand that I want to try my lip tints from... but I just decided to give it a try anyway since I was there and the color is exactly what I was looking for lol. But I would really like to try Peripera and Aritaum! (And maybe Nature Republic and Skinfood... haha oh gosh). 







Got mine in the color 02 Juicy Red.


You can see it's a very watery consistency, completely different from the Etude House lip tints I reviewed a while ago. As the name implies, it is a very nice tomato, juicy red :P


Ready for my dead-looking bare lips? XD



Dead points maxed out. (Why so serious... XD)


Application photos:

I hope I didn't scare you guys with the application photos O_o when I was editing the photos I was quite taken aback by the thumbnails... looks like my lips are bleeding orz.

Since the tint is very watery (I would describe it as jelly water? Like water with a little bit of stickiness), it's really easy to just spread the product by rubbing your lips together.


So here's the weird thing about this lip tint. The inner parts of my lips take the color well, as you can see in the picture. But my upper lip just would NOT take the color for some reason -_-  the bottom lip takes the color okay. This is one layer... you can see the color pay-off is very subtle



This is what it looks like with one layer


Adding intensity. I also applied extra to the top lip...


Even though I can distribute the color quite well by just rubbing my lips together, I still like to use my finger to get the product exactly where I want it.


See what I'm saying?! My bottom lip took the color just fine, but for some reason my upper lip just would NOT take the color (except for the inner part).



Went on to add more...


I even let the product sit on my lips for a little longer like this to make sure it stains


Ever so slightly better but it still doesn't apply well on the top lip.


So weird. Anyone have this problem with The Face Shop lip tints?? I didn't have a problem with the Etude House ones. I wonder if it's because of the watery consistency.

Overall effect:



I do love this color though ^_^ it really has that I just bit into a cherry that kind of effect XD
Excuse the hair. Don't know what's going on there XD 

So as you can see, you have to do quite many layers to build up the intensity of this product. But the same goes to the Etude House ones, as well as the Benefit lip tints, so that's not really a drawback for this particular product. But among the three lip tints I've tried, The Face Shop one is definitely the least drying! (Benefit is the most drying-- makes my lips crease). I am okay with reapplying the lip tint throughout the day without feeling the need to use a lipbalm, which is a first for lip tints! As for the uneven lip staining... it kind of annoys me but I can live with it. Oh, I forgot to mention-- this lip tint does have a strong fragrance-- it smells like one of those chewy fruit candies??? I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it smells heavenly to me XD Like I mentioned several times in the past I don't usually like my makeup/skincare to be fragranted, but I love the scent of this lip tint XD

My final verdict is that I am glad I have it, but I won't be purchasing more lip tints from this line. Too many lip tints out there that I want to try XD


Since we're on the subject of The Face Shop, I thought I might as well include some other pictures of the other products I got, just in case if any of you is interested for more information.







Most of The Face Shop products contain parabens. Personally that's not a deal breaker for me. Just thought I'd point that out for those who care.





I did try out the cleansing cream in the store, and it was able to take waterproof makeup off (but you do have to massage for a good minute). I'm a little worried if it's going to take off waterproof mascara. We'll see.




Not sure why I bothered to post this pic since you can't really see anything here anyway XD


When I tried these two products at the store I was surprised how they brightened up my skin. Plus the cleanser is HUGE... will last me a while :P I just hope they're good and won't break me out or anything >.<

Moving on to other stuff... on Fourth of July, Blogilates had a 20% off event, so I jumped!



I got one booty short, one side scrunch booty short, one capris, a water bottle, and a mat :D

I don't know if you guys remember, but the last time I purchased the Blogilates clothing, I wasn't very impressed. The booty shorts are literally booty shorts and come just below the bum, which makes me very self conscious and I don't like to wear it out in public. This is still true, but it turns out I love wearing it when I work out at home XD it's just so light and soft and comfy. The side scrunch shorts are just a tiny bit longer than the booty shorts. If I don't fold the band too much, I am okay with wearing it out (although I'd still feel self-conscious... but at least I don't feel as indecent as when the booty shorts barely covers my bum -_-). And I am not sure if this is true, but I feel like the side scrunch shorts is made of slightly thicker fabric?? I don't know, it's like the same fabric, but it feels slightly thicker.... maybe I'm deluding myself XD But I do prefer the side scrunch shorts over the regular booty shorts. As for the capris, I like it :D much to my surprise, I don't know why. I think because I thought it's gonna look too long on me, but it fits just fine. It's also nice and light and soft.

Can we please take a moment to appreciate just how adorable the water bottle is?! It's smaller than I thought-- it contains 600ml. I much prefer a bigger water bottle when I go to the gym. But the thing that disappoints me the most about this water bottle is the lid-- the loop that's supposed to prevent you from losing lid comes off so easily when you open it, it's actually kind of inconvenient. Furthermore, you have to unscrew the lid in order to drink from it-- I wish it comes with a lid where it has an opening and a cap that you can just snap open and shut. When I'm running or on an elliptical, it's just so hard to drink from this because I kind of have to slow down/pause doing whatever I'm doing to unscrew the lid, take a drink, and screw the lid back on. Double inconvenient. So yeah, I'm a little disappointed in the water bottle design. I don't really bring this to the gym because it's just too inconvenient.

The item I looked forward to the most was the mat, because my current one is literally falling into pieces orz. When I first got the mat and felt the material, I thought it felt very sturdy and firm (which is a good thing).

Here's what the material looks like:




I really don't know how to describe it XD but anyway with this pattern/design/texture, I thought it's going to have really good grip and anti-slip, so I was really excited. After working out on it for a few times... I discovered... that I like this mat even less than my old mat orz.....

Here are my problems with this mat:
1. It's too thin. And with the firm/hard material, I found that it really doesn't give much cushioning, so it kind of hurts when I work out on it. Is this just something I need to get used to?
Update: Actually I realized the problem was my floor. The carpet was very very thin that's why it hurt with just this mat. Now that I have moved out and the "normal" carpet... it works perfectly fine :D

2. I slip so easily whenever I get sweaty... I find it hard to hold poses on this thing. When I get sweaty, sometimes I just start slipping out of the position. Didn't have this problem with my old mat. Boo.
Update: I got used to it and I don't slip as much anymore lolll

I'm not sure if these are just things that I have to get used to with practice? Who knows. I ended up putting my old mat underneath this mat to give myself more cushion so my knees wouldn't be in pain when I'm on this mat. In regards to slipping... I just have to keep readjusting myself or try my best to hold the positions for as long as I can before I slip off orz. I guess I can try using a towel but that's more laundry for me to do -_-

So yeah, I'm kind of disappointed. Anyone out there with experience has any advice?


And being completely random here... Just wanted to show this picture to show off my awesome waterproof/sweat/smudge proof eye makeup XD

I don't usually ever re-do my makeup. If I do usually it's only the foundation. I had to go somewhere after the gym that day, so I showered and washed off my foundation. My eye makeup was still intact despite the 1hr gym session and running water all over my face XD Woohoo! MAC Liquidlast and Majolica Marjorca mascara all the way!


PS: Just want to note that some days MAC Liquidlast perform better than the others. This happened to be a really good day XD  Majolica Majorca mascara on the other hand is always smudge proof/waterproof without fail.


So after starting to use the IOPE cushion, I really wanted to get a good primer that would keep my oiliness in check. When I told the MUA at Sephora that the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer does nothing for me, she said I should get a treatment/skincare that's mattifying instead. The thing is, I'm already using the Shiseido Pureness matifying moisturizer =_= She insisted that I try some skincare treatment and gave me some Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Treatment, Pomegranate Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturizer (not shown in the pic cuz I forgot to include it), and the mattifying primer.   

I remember in the back of my mind I was like, "but I just want a primer... I'm not looking for skincare -_-" BUT! To my surprise, it actually works! XD I've used Korres skincare before-- the Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum-- completely unimpressed. So this is a pleasant surprise! I haven't tried the Korres primer yet, but the mattifying treatment totally works O_o it really does keep my oiliness on my nose to a minimum. I am so surprised. The balancing gel-cream only keeps the oil at bay for the first hour or so, after that my oils just start coming out freely XD I just apply the treatment to my nose (the only place I get oily), and apply regular moisturizer on the rest of my face. Planning to purchase it after I'm done with the sample ^_~   Oh by the way, if I only use this treatment then apply the IOPE cushion, it still makes me extra oily XD So I still need my Dior sunscreen as a base. It's like this: I get minimally oily with this treatment plus my regular foundations. I get slightly oily with this treatment plus the IOPE cushion. Does that make sense? Just want to let you guys know that this treatment is not a miracle product-- it's not strong enough to combat products that cause my skin to produce extra oil.  


I am totally on a cushion foundation craze now O_o I made a purchase of The Face Shop Cushion Screen Cell on ibuybeauti.com. I saw that this cushion retails for $26 in Korea, but for some reason is only $24 on ibuybeauti XD ... and there goes the rational side of my brain =_=

I haven't got a chance to use this yet, but I will make sure to do a review when I do ^_^ 


And... I have a Target gift card so this happened *covers face* I bought the Laneige BB Cushion O_o

But I can tell you guys this is pretty much exactly the same thing as the IOPE cushion. If I really want to be nitpicky, the Laneige is a BB cushion, whereas IOPE is a foundation cushion. The Laneige one is slightly more glowy than IOPE. Laneige adheres to the skin better than the IOPE one (Like I said in my IOPE review, IOPE kind of just sits on top and creases easily). I didn't have creasing problem with Laneige. Unfortunately, Laneige also makes my nose extra extra oily like IOPE does.  But other than that, the two pretty much feel the same to me. If you take the cushion out of the cases for me to use, I won't be able to tell you which one is which. Oh except probably for the shade I guess. The Laneige one is slightly darker than the IOPE one... and leans a little bit more beige. Laneige BB Cushion in Light is equivalent to shade 23, not 21!!!!  Hope that helps you guys when it comes to color match. The smell is also almost identical. Not surprised that these two cushions perform almost the same since they're from the same company. I am already planning to return this. Is anyone interested in seeing a review at all? O_o I feel like even if I do a separate review I won't write anything that I didn't already here. I wish the Laneige Pore Control one is available here... that's the one that I really want to try from Laneige T_T 

I also have a guilty confession to make guys... I also bought the Hera cushion and the Innisfree cushion *buries face in hands again*  I know I know, I am stopping!!! This is the end of the cushion foundation craze, I promise! It'd be fun to do a battle of the cushion foundations though, yeah? :P

Okay, now to conclude the very long chatty post... my hair is getting so long again!



I think I needz a haircut =D But I like how I can use my hair doughnut again and fake a bun with this length >.<


Hmmm to cut or not to cut? I kind of want to dye my hair black... the roots are bothering me =.=


Alrighty folks! That's all I have! Hope you guys enjoyed this extra chatty post. If you read till the very end, thanks so much for taking the time out of your day ^_^

I probably won't be able to blog as much anymore since I will be back to doing rotations, pretty much non-stop until November O_O Wish me luck! But I will try to sneak in a review or a random post here and there =) Until next time, take care guys! And don't forget to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated >.<


<3 Frances

Non-stop Hauling =_= Braun, Hot Tools, Z-palette, Kett, Blogilates, etc.

Hello Blogger!

So basically... for the last week... I've been shopping... non-stop =__= mostly online (which is even more dangerous, mind you ← Don't know why I'm suddenly talking like Harry Potter/British). A lot of it is for school (first time buying textbooks since undergrad LOL), and a lot of it is for home too. I'm pretty much done with settling in, just need some small stuff here and there. I broke my body-length mirror the day before yesterday T_T so I have to get a new one. But that was plain stupidity on my part. Gahhhh!!!


Okay I didn't spend money on samples obviously XD But I did go to the mall and pick up samples for Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Super-Charged foundation, Lancome Teint Visionnaire Makeup Duo, and YSL Youth Liberator foundation. I got Marc Jacobs in two different shades because they both seem like they could work, so I wanted to make sure I got the one that would suit me the best. Times like this I wish I have ten faces so I can try them out all at once XD By the way my shades are updated in the My Beauty Information/My Foundation Shades. Swatches are in the works! Any one in particular you guys would like to see first??

Okay now let the blood bath (?) begin.


First... I finally got on the bandwagon for epilating XD

I got SO SICK of getting those red dark bumps from shaving. And I feel like my shaves are never clean enough-- you can always see the dark little stubs that dotted my armpits and legs (and they feel so unpleasant to the touch). I know you're supposed to change blades like after every 1-2 uses, but seriously who spends all that money on blades?? Honestly, blades and razors are not cheap at all. I wish had I started epilating sooner... all that money I spent on blades and razors could've got me a really good epilator already. So with that said,  you can guess that yes, I LOVE it. I can NEVER go back to shaving again. Since I'm still new at the epilating thing, I will hold off the review for this epilator until I'm more experienced. But so far this is the single most exciting purchase I've made since my Nike Free Run 3. LOL. #TotalMindBlown

Oh by the way, anyone has a good post-epilating cream recommendation????? For ingrown hair prevention. I'm still researching but I just want to close my eyes and pick one and be done with it >.<


Hot Tools Deep Waver


I'm sure you guys see it coming, of course I got the recommendation from none other than Bubzbeauty ^_^
Been wanting it ever since I saw her use it in this video:


And after seeing it again in her newest favorites, I guess it just "pushed me over the edge" XD

Am I referencing this video way too often? XD

Lol really though, it was like 45% off on Amazon (you can find it here). Moral of the story: sales are so dangerous.





Lowest setting is 280F.


Highest setting is 430F.

I've only used it once so far (trying to spare my hair some damage >.<) and it literally gave me volume like POOF. I like XD. I need more practice though because for some reason my curls came out a little frizzy.



Next, I got a Z-palette

I got it from Amazon to save on shipping XD


It comes with a generous number of magnetic stickers.

Back.


I have been de-potting a lot of my blushes. De-potting is actually very addicting and weirdly gratifying O________o I'm mostly de-potting my blushes cuz they take up SO. MUCH. SPACE. Both in my makeup storage AND with traveling. I actually went ahead and bought two more Z-palettes after receiving this because apparently one Z-palette is not enough XD Didn't think I have that many blushes. But I also want to separate eye shadows from blushes in case the powders get on each other. I ordered another large palette and a small one... didn't want to get the Pro palette because I don't think it would fit in my makeup drawer.



Kett Fixx Creme Foundation

Yep. I got too excited. Again. From the video above XD I don't think Kett products are sold anywhere except from its website (darn no Amazon Prime free shipping XD). The foundation was pretty affordable so why not XD I was so intrigued lol.


It's actually smaller than I thought. I thought it looks pretty big in YouTube videos.


N3 surprisingly was a perfect match for me.


The flyer that came with the product


=D It's gonna go into my small Z-palette. Didn't want to buy the compact... such a waste of space.




I took advantage of the Blogilates 20% off sale and bought some shorts and hoodie. The sale code was announced on Cassie's Instagram over the Labor Day weekend in celebration of the successful launch of the Blogilates app. Not sure if it was announced on her other social media?? Anyway I just really wanted some cute gym wear lol.

The Train Insane or Remain the Same Hoodie (you can find it here).



It's alright. It's pretty soft and comfy, but it doesn't have as much shape as I had hoped. This is the problem with online shopping for clothes =_= they look so different on the model verses on me. It's not the most flattering on me but not bad either. I like it but don't love it.

***update: just put this hoodie in wash for the first time the other day. OMG the cotton got EVERYWHERE. So if you're buying this hoodie, you might want to consider running a separate wash. 

The Train Insane Booty Shorts (you can find it here).

First of all I just want to say that the shorts that I really really really wanted was the Beast Mode shorts XD But unfortunately the shorts were all sold out, like no joke (I wish on the website it would just say it's sold out on the main page... instead of us having to click on each one to see if it's still available). So I just settled for whatever I could snag.


The color in these two pics are not true to color at all, but I just wanted to show the shape of these shorts.


This is most true to color XD


What it looks like on me. Yes I gained a little weight XD And lost some of the definition over the summer. My weight fluctuates between 101-105 lbs -_-"
Been trying to get back to my routine.



As to what I think about these shorts... eh... I'd have to say they're really not my favorite. The material is very light and soft (like my butt would feel nicely ventilated during workouts XD). My problem is that it keeps riding up... granted these are "booty" shorts, but when it rides up, I just feel too uncomfortable/self-conscious that I have to keep pulling them down O_o Just for reference, this the normal/pulled down length in the pics. When it rides up, it goes just below my bum. Not to the point it's gonna show my butt cheeks or anything, but I have some fat and cellulite on my upper thigh that I'd like to keep to myself XD

I also bought an O'Keeffe's Working Hands hand cream because my hands have been so dry =(

My Aveda hand cream helped, but did not make the dry patches go away. I once read a review from Rainy Days and Lattes and her condition looks exactly like mine, so I decided to give it a go. Just received it so I haven't got a chance to try it out.

Lastly, I bought more beautyblenders. They were also on sale on Amazon xD (you can find them here). It's also a Prime product so free shipping heck yeahhhhh XD

I started using my old beautyblender again lately and kind of rediscovered it XD I used to have two of them but I sold one. Beats me why I even decided to sell it in the first place. I think it was because it was too much of a hassle to clean? LOL. I kind of wanted the white, dye-free one, but there wasn't any deal on it, so whatever. The pink one works just fine =D



Wow, I'm on a roll with blogging these days! Am I just having way too much free time in my third year?? LOL. Second year was HECTIC cuz I literally have exams every week. Third year is all cases and readings so I'm not as pressed on time as I used to be =D But I must go work on my case now. Hopefully I don't misdiagnose my patient this time O_o