Recent Favorites

I know there are "monthly favorites" or "_____'s (insert month) hits and misses" but I decided I'd do a "recent favorites" post.  This is because I always have new favorites since I'm always trying new products/returning to previously loved products.  Having said that, I've used these products every day in the past 10 days. Like most other people, mine consist of both drugstore and higher end products. I've actually done reviews for some of the products, in which case I will link :)

1. Maybelline - The Falsies (flared) waterproof mascara

2. Revlon - Colorstay Blemish Concealer "Fair" [Click here for review]

3. Make Up For Ever HD Primer #1

4. Benefit High Beam  [Click here for review]

5. Urban Decay The Revolution Eyelash Curler  [Click here for review]

6. Lancome - Blush Subtil "Rose Doucer"

7. Cargo - blu_ray Pressed Powder #10

8. ELF - Eyebrow Kit "Medium"

Maybelline - The Falsies (flared) waterproof mascara

Bottle

Wand

I got this mascara for $5 I think. It was on sale and I thought "why not?". I'm glad I got it because I really am enjoying this! The wand is standard in length but "flared" out to give that falsies look for your lashes. Since it is waterproof, it does hold my curls quite well. I don't have trouble removing it and while it's not mind blowing, it does do a good job.  A down side is that it can clump but if you're careful, you will have gorgeous clump-free lashes! 

 Make Up For Ever HD Primer #1

Pump

Not blended

Semi-blended

Fully Blended

Make Up For Ever makes tons of face makeup products and I've only tried two but I'm pleased with both I've tried.  Back in December, my friend got me a $30 giftcard to Sephora and I spent it on this.  I suffer from some redness around my face, especially my nose area but in general, I am a very pink-toned person.  Not in a very flattering way either! So I use this as my primer.  Since it's green, it neutralizes the redness but there are several other colors, including a transparent shade (#0) which is also quite nice if you do not want any color in your primer.  I like it because it's hydrating and it does not have that silicone feel to it.  Not to mention the sanitary pump dispenser! 

As you can see in the last picture, even after it is fully blended, there is some green tinge in it.  The key is to use only the amount you need.  Too much product will leave that green tinge.  But if you are using a foundation on top, it shouldn't matter.  Lately I haven't been in the foundation mood but I'm using this primer, a concealer, and a pressed powder for my face.  It's working pretty well for me! It gives me that "makeup but no makeup" look lol.  In the future, I would love to try the blue shade! 

Lancome - Blush Subtil "Rose Doucer"

No flash

Flash

Swatches 

This blush is from my last Lancome haul and I've been loving it! The color is more like the color without flash.  I was looking for something peachy-pink and I think this fits the criteria well even though it's a bit more on the pink side.  So far, definitely worth the splurge.  I'm surprised by how long it lasts (although I do use a makeup setting spray, sometimes blush is gone by the afternoon) and the shimmer is not as noticeable on my face.  This could be a good or bad thing but I usually prefer only a little shimmer for my blushes.  Too much shimmer can make you look oily!  

Cargo - blu_ray Pressed Powder #10

Back a few weeks ago, I was at the Sephora inside JCPenney's and I saw the entire Cargo line on sale! From my knowledge, Sephora doesn't even carry Cargo so I was so confused as to why this brand was there and on sale! I snagged this HD pressed powder (for $17!) because I've seen so many people rave about this and they're absolutely right! It's feels lovely on my face, with just the right amount of coverage.  So thrilled because I got it for nearly half the price. It's probably going to last me forever too! 

 ELF - Eyebrow Kit "Medium"

I ADORE this brow kit! I got it from Target for $3 I think and I have it in the shade "medium" which matches me perfectly.  I don't know how many other shades they make though, I only saw this shade at my local Target.  Anyway, it comes with a small dual ended brush which I thought was cute! lol. It's actually not as flimsy as you'd think.  But more importantly, the left is a gel to set your brows in place and the right is a powder to fill your brows with.  It's working so well for me and it's only $3! The lasting power is also great.  I can see myself buying this over and over again! 

And lastly... 

My mother made these brooches (among other things) about 25 years ago and she gave them to me when I was really little.  These were my favorite pieces from the ones she had given me, even as a little girl! I had forgotten about these but I rediscovered them a few days ago and I fell in love with them all over again! The color is still the same, and I thought the details were so amazing.  I think I'm going to pass these on to my own children! 

Anyway, what products do you guys use everyday?! Or are you like me? Hopping around from product to product? :p 

MUFE False Lashes! & FOTD

Hey hey hey!
So my giveaway is ending in ~8 hours. It's now 11:59PM and it has officially closed! This is very exciting for me :)

I'm going to have to modify the rules a little.
a) I've decided to include everyone who partially participated (as in, they did not follow all the rules but did follow some of them). I did this because this is my first giveaway and I didn't want to leave anyone out who took the time to join in the first place. But next time, I don't think I'll be doing this.
b) I might have to make the second place winner a random winner as well - simply because of time constraints.
c) Not really a modification but the winners will be announced by January 18th so be sure to check back and see if you won!

Onto my first pair of falsies!

So I mentioned that I wanted to try false lashes. Believe it or not, the very next day I wrote that post, I met my super close friend. She gave me a belated Christmas gift from Sephora and it was a) a gift card b) Make Up For Ever False Eyelashes (#156 Genevieve), c) A DUO lash glue (dark tone).

I once mentioned that I wanted to try falsies one day during a random conversation and she remembered! So sweet of her, she always makes fun of me but inside I think she's madly in love with me HAHA.



The box with the gift card came with two slots. The slot on the left had the gift card and the right had a mirror! On the back she wrote:

To: Jane
From: Your butt

I always knew she loved me.

Onto the falsies!



^She threw in some samples as well. The Hello Kitty thing is a brown eyeliner!



The sales associate told her that there was no adhesive that comes with the lashes (even though clearly, there is a bottle). That's why she got me the DUO glue as well, in her words, "I couldn't get you lashes but no glue for them". These lashes are $15! I would never buy this with my own money but I'd probably always want them. They're a lot more fancier than I would have normally liked, especially the outer sides of the lashes but it doesn't look as dramatic when on. Um, I think so anyway. Besides, I love them so much more because my friend took the time to think this out for me!

A few close ups of the lashes!




^Inner

^Outer

As you can see, they're full blown lashes with some crosses between the lashes at the top. It's shorter on the inner side and longer on the outer. I tried them on today. It was weird trying them on by myself (I tried them once for a recital before but an actual makeup artist put them on for me). I was kind of scared and my face was only a few centimeters away from my mirror LOL. Due to my excitement/nervousness, I don't think I applied it TOO well but I was satisfied with what I got.





^Flash.



^No flash. Sorry for the stern look LOL.

Overall, I'm very pleased with it. I feel bad that they're $15 though. Wow oh wow. But at least they're reusable! Probably going to wear these forever.

That's it for today :)

False lashes for you personally, yay or nay?

Pending.

Junk Food Game II going on! Check it out here

Unless it's going to be gifted, I will not be shopping at Sephora until 2012. For the past 3 months, I have shopped ~$50 each month and it's unacceptable (but in my defense, for two of those purchases I used 20% off & 10% off for the other one!...) Some serious self-discipline will be going on. I already passed up Black Friday shopping entirely and I really will not be shopping there till next February (unless it is going to be gifted, like I said before, which by the way, will still be blogged about ^_^).



But here it is. My last Sephora haul of 2011.

*Fairy Drops Mascara -> $24
*Kat Von D Lip gloss -> $5
*Tokidoki Lip gloss -> $5
*MUFE Aqua Eyes -> $18
*Sephora by OPI -> $5

total = $57 - 20% = ~$46
jeez no wonder I'm so poor. DUH. It's because I spent ~$150 at Sephora over 3 months -_-
I am banning shopping for myself all together until 2012. Just food and necessities. I'm on week 2 (3rd week now! :P), I'm doing pretty well I think.

Like last time, a follow up post regarding this purchase will be made!

Also, I am thinking of introducing my one-year giveaway very soon. As soon as the junk food game is over, I will be holding my one-year blog anniversary! I started my blog January 15th, 2010.

The junk food game is over/I will announce the prizes & winners on December 7th.

I will probably make my post regarding my giveaway the day after so around December 8 or 9th?

Haha, I don't know - look at me getting all ahead of myself! But I'm really excited to be holding my own giveaway soon! I know I don't have much followers but come on, this blog is the only blog I was able to maintain for a year!

P.S.
-5th post of November, oh yeah!

FOTD + Cosmetic Haul

Blah blah blah I hate humid weather! It makes me feel really BLAH, if you know what I mean. I really hate the humidity in New York, I heard that in California, the weather goes up to almost 100 degrees but it's rarely really humid. Today was only 90 degrees here but it was so humid, I'm glad my classes are over before noon and I work later in the day, that means it's still a little less humid. I don't know about you guys but I'd much rather be a little cold than stinking hot! Because when you're cold, you can just keep wearing clothes. When you're sweating, how much can you really do in terms of dressing "down"?!?!

Also, I thought I'd share that I haven't had soda in 4 days HAHA. It's a start right? Everyone has to start somewhere. LET'S GO FOR THREE MORE DAYS, JANE!

A photo of me to commemorate my endurance in the humidity today. It's worth commemorating because my face actually stayed together in the heat HAHA:



Bahahaha my hair is all messed up and stringy looking thanks to the beautiful humid weather today. Did I mention how much I love the MAC studio fix concealer? It was kinda expensive but I love it to bits. Who the heck likes to wear foundation in the middle of summer?! a teeny bit of concealer is the way to go!

Oh and I think I have a bug bite on my forehead, I hate bugs. Big ugly bugs make me want to cry ;(

And for something more interesting, my recent Sephora/Bloomingdales haul :) I spent a ton of money and I now have $49.84 + a $15 metro card under my name HAHA so pathetic. Can't wait till my next pay day so I can start SAVING again! Save, not spend! I have a separate "emergency expense" and I usually keep it to $200 but I've spent most of that up. I was doing really well though ;(


_Smashbox Lip Treatment (SPF 15)
_Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (Smaller size) <- $16!!!!!! WHAAAT.
_MUFE HD powder
_Benefit High Beam
_Mac Mineralize Skinfinish (Semiprecious Pearl)
_Mac 116 Blush Brush
_Birthday freebie from Philosophy! Smells like vanilla cake.

More in depth post will follow this one. This is just a sneak preview :) Is there anything you guys want a specific review on?! :o if so, do let me know!
Horray for being poor now!!