quick little make-up survey

I was reading Laura Beth's blog and I saw this... and I thought.. WHY NOT! I only have like a million things to do... but doing this makes me happier and less stressful :] Laura Beth was so fun and creative and made it.

hehe, so here goes~

A survey for the Makeup Obsessed:

1. MAC or Sephora? I would have to say Sephora - I really like MAC but I'm a sucker for sales.

2. Your favorite feature on yourself? My lips? I pamper them too much so it must be that right??

3. One makeup item you could never live without? Definitely lip balm. I HATE dry lips!!!

4. Who are your three celebrity inspirations? I really love the look classy celebrities give off, but knowing I can't pull those off... I don't know. I honestly don't turn to celebrities for inspiration in how I wear my make-up. Beauty blogs on the other hand... hahaha!

5. Your favorite cosmetics line? I'm a make-up noob and I dabble in all the brands at the moment. Nothing has so far striked me as a god-send cosmetics line!

6. What is the most cash you EVER dropped on cosmetics? Umm, once I splurged with ~$94 at Ulta, but I returned some of the stuff. I think the most I have spent on make-up in one swoop is ~$66? I spend about ~$100 every two months (not really $50 per month.. more like $100 every two months when I have the luxury of going shopping).

7. What is your favorite daily product? I cannot start my day or end it without Aquaphor!!!!

8. If you had to sacrifice one makeup item for life, what would it be? I think it would be blush - my cheeks are normally slightly pink for some reason (because apparently I'm always excited or something), so I think I could do without blush for the most part.

9. How many cosmetic items do you carry in your purse everyday? I have about 10-20 products on me because I like to carry a bunch of lip balms around with me and a few glosses just because I like the option of changing what I wear throughout the day. I rarely carry other make-up, aside from powder and a touch-up eyeliner.

10. Would you say you have a makeup obsession? I think so... I really think so! D:


Okk, I had fun filling that out. :] Now I have to go work on the buttloads of crap I have to get done before sunrise tomorrow. :[

My weekend was amazing - I met the LOVE OF MY LIFE. Haha, jk. I just saw 2PM at the Korean Music Festival and it was so fun! So great! :]

xoxo,
clover

Small Sephora haul...

I have been meaning to posting some reviews and some of my collection (in its entirety... geezzz), but I've been so busy and tired and sleep deprived that it's amazing. I'm amazing. Haha, just kidding.

Anyway, I just thought I would share with you what I ordered from Sephora the last day of their VIB 15% off. I got it online (and I was sooo mad I couldn't get some stuff because it was all out of stock! Boohoo) and I just received the order on Tuesday.
I bought the Philosophy cookbook because it seemed so yummy at the time (and I really wanted free S&H!!!). After looking at the item, I decided to return it because I honestly wouldn't use it all that much. I thought about gifting it away, but I recently purchased stuff from cosme-de.com and I didn't want to spend all that money. I thought I would save, so I returned it! I also got the Korres Cherry Lip Kisses lip gloss set (I am in love~) and the Urban Decay eye liner set. The colors are soo yum, and so usable in everyday wear!
Last Friday I went to my local Sephora and snagged a Mimosa lip gloss from Philosophy for $6! Yummm, what a deal. It smells nice and is shiny and glittery... as far as lip glosses go it's just ehh. I've never owned anything from Philosophy though, and now this lip gloss makes me want to try out more products.

I'm headed for home tomorrow and on Saturday I'm going to the KOREAN MUSIC FESTIVAL!!!!!!!! SO EXCITED! I've never been to a concert before!

Sorry if any of this post seems incoherent, I've been running on 8 hours of sleep for the past two days... bleh. I hope everyone has a good weekend! I'm really excited for mine!

xoxo,
clover

and the search continues...

Bleh, it feels impossible (or at least overwhelming) in my seemingly futile search for HG anything... I want to try all the products out there to find the one that best suits me! I know reading beauty blogs and reviews won't make up for ME trying out the actual products, but I'm just toooo frugal to dish out the $$$ for the tests. I'm so shy and I don't like to ask for samples :/ I loved shopping at Sephora the other day. It was the first time an SA threw in samples with my purchase!! And it's so silly because it was the cheapest purchase I've ever made at Sephora (~$6!!!)...

Currently, I'm testing out these products in my attempt to find something that makes me go WOW, I'M NEVER GOING TO STOP BUYING THIS EVER!!!

...hasn't worked out so far. I stop using things when I start breaking out because I CANNOT STAND ACNE. I wear glasses (most of the time... since I am lazy about putting contacts in), so I'm constantly pushing them up or fixing my hair because my bangs are at this awkward length where they're not-quite-bangs but they don't yet fit in with the rest of my hair. My hand brushes against my forehead (it's not like I go out of my way to NOT TOUCH my face... it is a part of me haha!), so it puts me in a bad mood when I feel the bumps and know my skin is not even.

I don't give products even the slightest chance if they might make me break out or dry up. I don't mind the drying up so much since I use Aquaphor to solve my dry skin issues :D

Anyway, here's the products that I use the most (this is by no means all of it...) currently, my go-to grab it out and slap it on stuff!:

face stuff

(from left to right)
1st row: Revlon PhotoReady Foundation in Medium Beige 006, Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy Blush 03, Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in Honey Blush 02, Smashbox Photo Finish foundation primer, Too Faced Primed & Poreless
2nd row: Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer in 02 (dark beige i believe?), Clinique Pore Minimizer in Invisible Deep 02, Clinique Superfit Makeup in Honey, Smashbox O-Glow, Smashbox Soft Lights in Dusk, Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum

I also have a Revlon primer but I couldn't find it... I swear I saw it on my desk this morning. D:

But anyway... what I usually use goes like this...

1. Clinique Pore Minimizer, MUFE Lift Concealer, Maybelline Blush, and Smashbox Soft Lights dusted over forehead/cheeks/nose/chin OR
   
2. Clinique Pore Minimizer, one of the primers, Revlon PhotoReady Foundation, MUFE Lift Concealer, and a blush (choose one from above! :D

Then I pair it off with...

eye stuff (with that random Smashbox highlighter/blush in there...)

(from left to right)
1st row: Generic lash curler that my sister gave me to persuade me not to get Koji Lash Curler at Mitsuwa, Covergirl LashBlast, Smashbox Bionic Mascara, Too Faced Lash Injection, UD 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Covet, Smashbox Soft Fusion in Baked Starburst, Stila Smudge Pot (minis - going clockwise - starry night/purple/kitten/black), CLinique Quick-Eyes Cream Shadow in Cocoa Shimmer and Truffle (i loveeed neutral colors), Victoria's Secret Mosaic Eye Shadow in Closer (this is SOO old, they changed the packaging D:), Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow in Peacock (MY FAVO! haha), Korres Eyeshadow in White
2nd row: Urban Decay palette (too lazy to see... but I LOVEE last call! one of my fav colors), M.A.C. Paint Pot in Blackground (with cap next to it heehe), Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow in Sparkling Sage/French Vanilla and Sunburst

I use other eyeliners, but those are oldies that I buy all the time - not too bad but not great. Stila Smudge Pots are being tested out for smudging on my waterline!!

Combinations I usually do on my eyes:

1. Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow in Sparkling Sage/French Vanilla, Clinique's Peacock, Stila Smudge Pot in black, UD Eye Liner in Covet (on waterline, on top of the Smudge Pot), and generous amounts of LashBlast
2. Smudge Pot in Kitten on my lids, M.A.C. Paint Pot in Blackground smudged over lids, Stila Smudge Pot in black or starry night and smudged slightly, Korres Eyeshadow in White layered over, and Too Faced mascara to top it off

Hehehee... yes. This is not even all of my make-up collection. These are just the products I find myself using most often these days. I just thought I would share that with you. (It's kind of a lie since I only use primers once a week if I feel like it. I only have three primers so hehehe... yeah.)

I wouldn't consider any of these an HG product just yet (they have to prove themselves to me. I was kind of hoping I would just KNOW it was my HG product when I put it on, but eh, what can you do?) so the hunt continues!

Right now I'm really focused on finding a good foundation - but in my search for it I've veered into the path of BB creams. They sound soo appealing to me. I'm really curious about trying one of SkinFood's BB creams (preferably the mushroom or aloe one.) and I was wondering if any of you had any insight/input about it! :] Is there another brand you would suggest for a first time BB cream user?

I'm going to try ordering one online (after I figure out if I am light enough to try the darker shades) after I receive my other orders -___-;; I went on a binge ordering spree this past weekend...

ANYWAY!

It was so difficult to upload those two images. My internet is being difficult :/ And... just previewed this post and I wrote so much. This is what happens after you go to the gym and run!! So much energy hehe :] Go out and do some jumping jacks! Bababa~

xoxo,
clover

PS: You will notice I did not include any lip products... I HAVE SO MANY OF THOSE that those probably require their own sub categories and its own post! And yes, I mean the ones I use regularly!! Haha! I might do a post on that soon, if I can get off my lazy butt and dig them out of my purses and backpack to arrange nicely for a photo!

giveaway - elle

Hey guys I just wanted to let you guys know about Elle's cool giveaway. Check it out for sure! It ends on April 25!

CLICK HERE for the actual post.



She's so cute, weighing out the prize to be 1kg! Haha~ :]

xoxo,
clover

Retail Therapy

I do not want to appear to be a negative person or whatever, but I just wanted to write something in this blog. I haven't made any purchases in awhile (yay me for sticking to my resolution hehe), and I still want to wait at least another week before writing a review on some of the skincare products I have been experimenting with... so yeah. I thought I would just blog a bit about myself to let people get to know me a bit better. :]

Right now I feel that there is a lot of stress in my life - academics, family, friends, perpetual unemployment... urgh. It all just feels like huge burdens that I have to carry and sometimes I just feel that I can't take it. I'm not the type of person who will go around and tell her close friends every little bit of their life. I follow this idea that the world is a sad enough place, and you shouldn't going around aggravating it further... yeah. So I try to keep negative emotions hidden away because everyone goes through tough times. And we all make it through!

Currently, when I'm upset nothing cheers me up better than some RETAIL THERAPY!! Seriously, I love going to Sephora or Ulta and just looking at everything for an hour or two. It's amazing what just playing with testers will do for my mood. And oh golly, BUYING SOMETHING?? That's almost like heaven haha! So amazing.

I have been spending money too freely lately, so I have had to put a hold on retail therapy for now. I hope that when I find a job (which I hope will be very very soon! I hope someone wants me soon! eeearghhhhhh...), I will be able to save a bit from each paycheck to splurge on myself for a bit. I've been digging into my rainy day money (personal piggy bank ^^) for these current splurges, but it was painstakingly, long-saved funds that I spent so bleh. I know everyone feels like this sometimes - why did I just buy that? do i even need this?? what was i thinking?!

I don't usually regret what I buy because when it comes to make-up, I almost never buy anything over $20 that I do not extensively read about before purchasing. (Even if it's Sephora and their lovely return policy haha...)

My mom told me that she used to do retail therapy until she found a cheaper and more productive way to release stress. She cleaned the house! aha, I need to find a more productive stress relief. I will turn to the gym! Muahaha, and get so fit that I can beat up anyone!

Geezzz, it's almost 2AM. I think I'm just staying up late to avoid tomorrow, which is bound to be a gloomy day. :/ Not being negative, but I know it will be... cuz I'm psychic. jk.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend! Btw, what do you guys think of Sonia Kashuk brushes? I'm looking into getting a few brushes just to have so I can stop applying everything with my fingers... I've heard 50/50 reviews on Sonia Kashuk but I've heard a lot of good things about EcoTools. Any other brands to consider? Price is a definite factor, but I hate brushes that shed. Yuckaronis!

xoxo,

clover

Giveaway - only x lindah

So this is my first time joining a blog giveaway. This is from a super cool blogger that I've been stalking for awhile (ahem, ignore my creepiness please >.<) and I'm so excited for it!! Her name is only x lindah!

actual link: CLICK ME!

She's such a wonderful girl - having a giveaway on her birthday. Kind of reminds me of elementary school where you would bring cupcakes or cookies or other baked goodies for the other kids in your class. What a cutie patootie! Be sure to check her out as she has awesome posts (especially eyeshadow tutorials :])! Good luck everyone who joins!

Look at all those yummer items~


xoxo,
clover

Smelling yummers

I love perfume and nice smelling stuff!! That is why... when I saw Victoria's Secret Garden Body Care sale, I couldn't help myself! I had one of those cards for their promotional thing (where you can get either $10, $50, $100, or $500!! I only got $10 bleh but oh well) and I used it the dealio. It was 3 for $24, 5 for $30, or 7 for $35. And if you opted for the 7 for $35, you got one free product... so essentially 8 for $35~ Woo hoo! And I got $10 off, so I paid ~$28 for all eight products! There's a code for the website if you want to get it: garden35. It'll let you get 8 for $35.

I got quite a few perfumes, some body washes, and a lotion. I like the way they feel, but I am always hesitant about trying lotions that are scented and the like. Bath and Body Works is nice, but I love my Cetaphil moisturizing cream too much! I'm about 3/4 done with the tub.. eekers. I'll post pics when I finish! Hahaha...

I have a lot of perfumes, and here are some tips to prolong their shelf-life so that they don't change color or start smelling weird:

TIPSERS!!

• Try not to keep your perfume in the bathroom - when you shower it'll steam up the place and it's best to keep perfume at room temperature.
• Don't leave them out where the sun can shine on them!
  
• I know it's fun to display them on your dresser because they always make such PRETTY BOTTLES, but that's a no-no! The less light you expose your bottles to, the longer your perfume will last.
• Try keeping them in the box and only taking them out when you need to use them.

I know these aren't super fun, and I'm guilty of the last two... I usually stash them in my drawer, but I keep out a few for decoration and out of laziness. Perfume can last for years and years if you take good care of it! Does anyone have some more tips to help prolong the life of my beautiful little smells??

Continuing on!

The purchases of the day: {from left to right}
Mango Temptation Body Wash AND Body Mist! I really really love this scent. So yummy - if you get the chance, try it at the closest VS!! It's sweet and fruity, but not too sweet. I hate the scents that smell like sugar. (Or smell like strawberries & champagne... I did not like that one at all.)
Island Water Body Wash and Body Mist. Surprisingly, I liked it. It smells more like a tropical pineapple. There's a hint of coconut (since the label says there is COCONUT WATER in it, but it's not too strong.
Love Spell Lotion and Perfume. It smelled yummy, so I was like WHY NOT TRY IT??
Pure Seduction Perfume. I love perfume.
Enchanted Apple Perfume. I'm gona give this to my bestie on her birthday because she loves apple scents! I was torn between this scent and another one - but I chose this one in the end. Both had apple-y tones to them, but I felt that this one was a really strong apple. I don't even remember the name of the other one.

I don't know if anyone is wondering why I bought doubles of the same scent... but for the Mango Temptation and Island Water (which I totally recommend to those who love slightly sweet but incredibly fruity scents) they didn't sell the perfume (eau de toilette), and since body mists are generally weaker I was scared to buy just the mist and have the scent fade like... halfway through my day. If I layer the body mist with the body wash (with my scentless lovely Cetaphil in between the two!), then there'd be a longer lasting scent. :]

Since I snapped a shot of my little splurge, I thought I'd also take this opportunity to share with you all my current perfume collection. These are the scents I use the most - I have a few sprays that I left at home for convenience.

Haha! Look at all the water I'm drinking.. Anyway {From left to right}
Sinful ~ I believe this is from AnchorBlue? I bought it way back in junior high... eep. I've taken good care of it and look how much I've used! Do they even make this anymore? I really like this scent - it's what I think sexy would smell like if it was trapped in a bottle.
Rose of Bulgaria ~ Um, it isn't a brand. It's just some rose perfume my dad brought back for me from his trip to Bulgaria... apparently that's what they are most famous for! I told him to buy me a keychain, but he said it was crap and made from China anyway! HAHA!!
Shine ~ This is from Charlotte Russe. I bought it about a year and a half ago because it was on sale, but I haven't used it very much. I just think the cap is so cute! (I just realized the cap is missing though... I'm such a loser haha)
Miracle ~ This is by Lancome. I bought it for my mom on Mother's Day in junior high, but she didn't want it so I've kept it and been using it! I lost the cap to this one :[
Love Etc. ~ This is from the Body Shop. I fell in love with this smell late last year - around October? When I discovered it, the perfume was only available in the UK. I was forced to buy it on Ebay... only to find out a week later it was released in the US. -__- story of my life! It's still one of my fav-o perfumes to use, but I try to be stingy with it so it'll last a looong time.
Black Amethyst ~ This is from Bath and Body Works. I was OBSESSED with this smell during fall of 2008. I had the lotion, the body wash... I've long since used up the lotion. I still have about half of the body wash... and this body spray. I use it to kill bugs. Hahaa.

You can see my messy desk. Yuckyuckyuck. I'm in the process of cleaning my room so that I can be more productive about schoolwork instead of spending all my time reading beauty blogs!!! Haha. I hope everyone is healthy and well!


xoxo,
clover

Sephora package!!

So the Sephora package I ordered during spring break came yesterday! I was so excited to get it. I ordered a Stila smudge pot collection. They're soo mini. Their diameter is just slightly larger than a quarter (just to give you an idea). I also ordered a Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer (in Dark Beige, 02). Then I found a Korres eyeshadow in white on sale for $7! I did it to get free shipping and handling hehe... I love deals. I think those will be the death of me. I got some free samples, but yeah. I'm not sure what to do with them. Haha... I can't wait to try them out!

I tried to take more pictures, but I got frustrated because my camera is freaking out on me and the lighting in my room sucks. I was so lucky to get this shot!!


I put my Sephora order paper underneath to kill the stupid glare from my shiny desk... aghh.

Anyway, I recently got a M.A.C. Paintpot in Blackground from my cousin. She used it a few times, but then gave it to me to try out. Yays~ I used it yesterday with the Korres eyeshadow on top. It looked nice, but really strong. I have small asian eyelids so it's hard to wear gorgeous eyeshadows easily.

I used the MUFE Lift Concealer and I'm going to try doing a review on it next weekend after I've given it a good try-out. Today I'm wearing Stila smudge pot in navy and I love it~ Reviews to come!

I am so thankful it is Friday!! You can't even fathom!! Oh my gosh...


xoxo,
clover

Shopping

That's all I seem to be doing at the moment... shopping. Euhrgh. I should be doing other things... cleaning, job hunting.. :[ I feel kind of bummed~

Eearyahh!! Oh well, today I got some underwear from VS because they were having a sale - 7 paris for $25! So I got myself some cute new undies. I also got their promo card thing, I don't know what's in mine! I hope it's $500!! Hehehee... I don't really like the Angel card. It feels really yuckers to me, so I avoid using it. The cashier didn't like me, and stuffed all my pretty underwear into this tiny bag. She almost forgot to give me my promo card too. Whatevs. I'm never going to spend $250 at VS in a year... seriously.

I also got Shiseido's Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++. I ended up not getting the kit, though I really did want it! I went into the store.. and WTF was up with the labelling?? The eye cream was a measly little sample size (0.06 rather than online where it states it is 0.6 oz). So stupid. The full sized items were the sun protection for face and for lips. Not what I wanted!! So yeah, those were my purchases.

I've spent almost $200 this weekend... and I'm going to shop some more?? What's wrong with me... haha.

xoxo,

clover

Suncare!

I am currently searching for good suncare items for my skin. I'm currently using Neutrogena's UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 70 for my body. I use Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15 for my face. I'm seeking something for underneath my eyes - perhaps Shiseido's Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 PA+++.

I was browsing Sephora and I saw this set and am considering getting it - since it'd be cheaper? Well not cheaper, but a better deal. Instead of paying just $32 for the eye cream, I'd be paying $69 for a full sized Sun Protection Cream (the 2.0 oz goes for $35) and a full sized eye cream ($32). And for two dollars more, I'd be getting all those goodies.

Ahh~ I feel like I get suckered into special sets like these.. I'm also looking at this Stila Smudge Pot collection and I kind of want it!! So many colors for a pretty good price.

Anywhoo, went shopping yesterday. Bought two tops and some nice earrings, but no makeup! I'm not particularly fond of the Sephora closest to me (10 minute bus ride) because I never really find what I want and the SAs aren't very attentive or nice to me. I'm going to try a mall further away and we'll see!!

I ended up returning the Anastasia Brow Duality from my haul because I realized I don't particularly know how to use it... hohoho I got $25 back to spend on my Shiseido stuff! (potentially! and if I don't - then I have $25! yayyy!) The cashier doing my return was nice and let me keep my mini-tweezers. :] I've had good experiences with returning stuff at ULTA - the last time I returned something without the gift, they just handed me my cash back! They're supposed to give store credit, but the SA just gave me moneyyy. Yum. Anyway, that was a tangent...

Does anyone have good eye creams/suncare items to suggest? Those are what I'm running around trying to find at the moment!

I'm also looking into eyelash curlers - I've tried Shiseido's and it just doesn't work well for my funky eyelids. I kept pinching myself :[ I've tried Sephora's and those are ok, but they don't really do what I want. Anyone have input on shu uemura's?

Thank you for reading!

xoxo,

clover

Haul!

Haul #1!!

Was originally not going to post this pic because of the weirdly shiny and reflective desk of mine, but just so you can see everything~

I guess that is what I'd call this? My first haul post! Anyways, I finished my finals this morning!! Woo woo~ To celebrate, I went to ULTA (since I knew they were having so many little gifties with purchases) and I ended up spending close to $100... eep!

I really want to try the O-Glow~ Looked so smooth and pretty when I tried it on my hand at the store.

I got the Smashbox TRY ME VOL. 2 SMASHBOX SUPERSTARS, which comes with minis of the Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Bionic Mascara, O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color, Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss, and Fusion Soft Lights [Baked Starburst]. It came with a free gift of the Fusion Soft Lights [Dusk]. Haha! Now I have two~ I hope I like it! This was $29, which I thought was a really good deal, especially for someone who's been wanting to try some of Smashbox's products, but not really willing to buy random little minis. They give it to you all packed in a box~ So convenient!

I also got Anastasia's Brow Duality [Shell/Lace] because I want to take care of my eyebrows better - they are so unruly and wild. Shame on me!! I'm going to go home and get them shaped at this highly recommended place. With the Anastasia purchase, I received free travel-size tweezers. They are SUPER itty bitty!!! I was expecting small tweezers, but these are even smaller than Tweezerman's travel ones!! It is as tall as the Too Faced lipstick I got.

Find the Smashbox product hiding in there!! Haha... it's pretty obvious x3

Look at the tiny tiny tweezers!!! I'm going to keep it in my purse :]

Speaking of Too Faced, I had not planned to buy anything from them when I went to ULTA. However, at the door there was this big gold tote bag (which is pretty cheaply made) for $35. Inside, it included a travel-sized Primed & Poreless Face Primer, travel-size Sun Bunny Bronzer, a flatbuki brush, Lava Gloss Eyeliner [Chocolate], a mini Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara, a Lip of Luxury Lipstick [Celebrity Meltdown], and a Mirror Mirror Lip Gloss [I'm Perfect]. I was really attracted to the lip stuff, and for $35 for two full sized lip products and other miscellaneous stuff??? BUY!!! Haha.. so bad.

It looks very tacky and... it feels sooo cheap. I don't like that :[

So anyway, I am not going to swatch or open these just yet because I LOVE NEW THINGS! KEEPING THEM NEW AND CLEAN AND... unused. Ahh, so wasteful, but soo pretty. I am going to go nap now because I only slept 3 hours last night! My poor skin. I need to write a more introductory post about myself. Eekers! Haha, I was too excited and just went to buy too much make-up and wanted to share it. :]

Have you tried any of these products? Any tips or suggestions with them?

Thank you for reading~

xoxo,
clover