Hiatus!

Hi everyone! 

I am sorry for the lack of posts this past week! I am currently I'm the middle of moving and do not have any access to Internet to properly blog! I will return next week! I hope you are all having a wonderful week! 

Review: Le Metier De Beaute True Eyeshadow Color in Bordeaux

I must admit that my favorite high-end brand of all time is Le Metier de Beaute.  I was initally introduced to this brand by CafeMakeup and The Beauty Look Book after reading their amazing review on their famous Kaleidoscopes.  I couldn't help myself and decided to jump head first into the brand, trusting these reviews, and boy... am I sure glad I did! Words cannot express how much I love this brand and the products that they produce!

I decided to pick up some of their single eyeshadows because I was impressed with the quality in the Kaleidoscopes.  The first eyeshadow that I bought was Bordeaux.  When I had swatched all the eyeshadow colors in the store, I initially wanted Corinthian and Jojo, but they were not in stock at the time.  So, I went to my third choice and I haven't regretted the decision since.  

In terms of the formula, the eyeshadow is buttery smooth -- perhaps not as smooth as a Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow, but soft nonetheless.  It blends well with other eyeshadows and deposits a punch of color with each touch.  Sometimes I find that when the eyeshadow formula is too smooth, it can appear chalky or even unpleasantly powdery.  This is definitely not the case with this eyeshadow.

Bordeaux is a shimmery burnt reddish brown color.  Although I don't have any swatch comparison pictures for you today, its color reminds me most of Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Ebloui except with less sparkles.  

I love using this as a contour color in the crease or even a wash of color over the eyelids.  It is very versatile.  Perhaps the only con I can think of is the price point ($30.00), but I believe if you find a color that you know you will wear on a daily basis, then it is well worth the investment. 

Expect more Le Metier de Beaute reviews to come! What are your thoughts on the brand or the eyeshadow? Leave your thoughts in the comment section! Have a nice day! :) 

Review: Beauty Treats Makeup Remover Cleaning Tissues

Hello! 


Since getting these Beauty Treats Makeup Remover Cleaning Tissues (2 for $5.00) at IMATS, I've been using them nonstop.  I think that makeup removing wipes are makeup removing wipes -- you can't really go wrong.  However, these... aren't exactly the best makeup wipes I've ever used.  

The good thing about these is that they smell AMAZING! I got these in Apricot and Rose.  They also remain wet in the packaging, especially when stored upside down.  


The bad thing about these is that it doesn't take off all of my makeup.  It takes off enough, but because they are so thin, they rip at the slightest tug or pull.  They also lack texture to actually help rub off some of the makeup.  I end up having to use two wipes to feel like I've taken off enough makeup before proceeding on with my night skincare routine.  


Overall... not bad, but not the best either.  

Review: Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner

Hello everyone!


Skincare is a very important thing for me -- especially since I've suffered from acne for a long time.  Toner isn't always necessarily needed, but I find that it makes me feel refreshed and is always nice before putting on my moisturizer before bed.  

For the past two months, I have been using Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner.  It is supposed to be formulated for normal to oily skin, which I thought would be beneficial even though I have combination skin.  This toner is unique in the fact that it has small pieces of real calendula flowers floating about. 

The only good thing that I can say about this product is that it is mild and soothing on the skin.


I do not like that this product leaves my skin feeling sticky afterwards.  Also, because of the yellow tinge, I can't tell if I'm wiping away any dirt or if it's just the color of the toner.  I cannot justify buying a toner at this price, especially since there is nothing that is special about it.  I have used the Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner and it has done much for my skin than this has.
My advice: Skip it.  

Review: Dior 5-Colour Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette in Green Design

Hello everyone!


I got the Dior 5-Colour Designer All-in-One Artistry Palette in Green Design a while back, but never had the opportunity to use it.  Since the mint color seems to be all the rage this summer, I thought this would be a good opportunity to put this palette to use! 

The palette includes four eyeshadow colors: forest green, sheer glittering mint, sea foam green, shimmering ivory, and an eyeliner in matte dark green cream color.  


The texture of the eyeshadows are soft, but not too soft enough to be too powdery.  However, the pigmentation is severely lacking in these shadows.  I wanted to use the ivory and mint color, but found that they appeared too alike on the eye.  The dark green cream color was hard and was difficult to apply as an eyeliner without dragging it along my eyelid.  Overall, I am disappointed in this palette and the quality does not justify its price.  

Review: July 2012 Birchbox

Hello everyone! 


I can't help but rave that I am in LOVE with July's Birchbox! I was impressed with last month's offerings and continue to be impressed by Birchbox.  This month, Birchbox collaborated with Glamour magazine to bring us a box inspired by Glamour's Five Senses of Summer issue.  Each item included in the box can be attributed to one of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.  

In this month's box, I received... 

Beauty Blender

Sample of Harvey Prince's Hello Fragrance

Sample of Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint 

Stila Lip Glaze in Camera

Tea Forte Minteas

Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds

If you've read my previous post on the Beauty Blender, you know how in love I am with them.  So imagine my delight when I received one in my Birchbox! The $10 I spent on the box this month has already been justified with just this one product.  

While I don't mind fragrance samples, it's always a difficult product because everyone has their own preference.  I don't mind Harvey Prince's Hello, however, it is not what I consider a summer scent.  It is very floral and I can see it giving me a headache if I apply too much.  

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint / Stila Lip Glaze in Camera

The mini sample of Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint was interesting.  I've been meaning to try out Jouer's products since hearing about them on missglamorazzi's YouTube videos, but haven't had much access to them.  Now that they're being sold at Nordstrom's, I may think about test driving out some of their products, especially after trying out this Moisture Tint.  The coverage it provides is very light -- very much like a tinted moisturizer.  It evens out my skintone, but does not cover my blemishes.  It feels very lightweight and refreshing to wear, especially in this sweltering summer heat.  

I've had a couple of Stila Lip Glazes before and I can say that I am still not a big fan.  The tacky texture and sticky residue it leaves is irritating to me.  I like glosses that have no taste and a non-sticky residue, much like Le Metier de Beaute's Sheer Brilliance Lip Glosses.  

The lifestyle extras were definitely fun! I can't say if the Teamints provided me with a boost of energy, but they are certainly delicious.  The bright colored earbuds are useful because I'm constantly misplacing my own earphones, so these will be a nice backup! 

I highly, highly, highly recommend you get a Birchbox... and soon! :) 

Review: NARS Joie De Vivre Cheek Palette

For Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale, NARS released an exclusive cheek palette, Joie de Vivre.  It is very similar to the Danmari palette that was released exclusively for Sephora last year.  I had skipped on the Danmari palette because only half of the shades appealed to me, but this year's offering made my heart skip a beat.  It is currently available for Nordstrom cardholders, but will be available to the public on July 20.  It retails for $65.00 and features 4 blushes (Gaiety, Orgasm, Luster, Angelika), one highlighter (Albatross), and one bronzer (Laguna) with 0.12 oz of product each.  A regular sized NARS blush retails at $27.00 for 0.16 oz of product, so you're getting quite a deal! :) 

The packaging itself is like all other NARS packaging -- it has a rubberized covering with the NARS logo across the front.  I find that anything left on your hands will stick to the cover and make it look very dirty.  

From L to R: Albatross, Laguna, Gaiety, Orgasm, Luster, Angelika

The formula is very dry and hard (especially when swatching), but the color is certainly buildable when applying on the face.  The only color that required very little work was Angelika since it was very pigmented.  If anything, I would be careful with Angelika and apply with a light hand.  I think that this palette is a very good palette for those who are looking to explore NARS cosmetics or for makeup artists.  While I already own two of the blushes and the Laguna bronzer, I think that it is a welcome addition to any travel bag with its wide variety of colors.  It'll help you with any kind of look you're trying to achieve while on vacation!

Review: Beauty Blender

Hi everyone! 

It is ridiculously hot in California right now -- I melt the minute I step outside in the 100+ degree weather! Thankfully, putting on my makeup isn't as terrible as I thought it would be in the summer.  Usually during this time, I dread putting on foundation or any heavy makeup because it will just melt off of my face a couple of hours outside.  Luckily, I've found something that makes putting on makeup just as enjoyable as it always has been for me! 

I bought the Beauty Blender at IMATS this year.  While there have been many rave reviews, I never had the chance to buy it because I didn't want to pay for shipping costs on Sephora.com! When the chance came, I went ahead and bought myself one at IMATS for a discounted price.  I can understand the hype around these beauty blenders! Putting on my regular medium coverage foundation with this is very refreshing -- especially in this weather. I simply wet the sponge and use it to dab my foundation on my face.  I find that not only is it refreshing because it is wet, but it also leaves me with a sheerer, yet still flawless, finish.  It is a definite MUST HAVE for the summer! 

Beauty Blender has its own cleanser.  However, I've found that if washed every couple of days with a blend of olive oil and anti-bacterial dish washing soap, it removes what foundation is on the sponge and returns it to looking new and clean.  :) 

Review: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Twilight Night

Bobbi Brown’s Desert Twilight Collection for Fall 2012 has recently released in stores across the US.  While the promo pictures caught my eye, I realized that I didn’t love anything enough to justify the purchase… except for one! A little background information on me: My very first piece of makeup (high-end or drugstore) was a Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner.  One of my high school friends gifted me with a Black Ink gel eyeliner and I have been a loyal fan of it and gel/crème eyeliners ever since.  Fast forward to the present – I walked away with the Twilight Night gel eyeliner ($22.00 for 0.1 oz/3 g) because not only is it limited edition, but I just couldn’t resist the beautiful color.

Twilight Night is a dark shimmering greyish purple with sparkles.  Compared to the other eyeliners that I own, Twilight Night appears to be the most sparkly.  My fear was that the sparkles would irritate my eyes (since I wear contacts) or produce some type of fallout, but I am glad to report that I experienced neither of these problems. 

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Twilight Night

From L to R: BB Ivy Shimmer Ink, BB Twilight Night, BB Chocolate Shimmer Ink

I have only experimented with this product for three days, but I am already considering buying another one as a backup! The formula is consistent with the other colors from her permanent line.  The color glides on the eyelid without any tug or pull, and it is pigmented enough that I do not have to build up to the intensity that I need.  The only negative thing that I can say about the formula in general is that if you are not careful about closing the lid, the product becomes dry and flaky very quickly.  Otherwise, the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner continues to be my holy grail eyeliner formula.  Check these out the next time you walk past a Bobbi Brown counter! You won’t regret it! 

Review: theBalm Shady Lady Vol. 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Hello! 

Continuing with the Shady Lady eyeshadow palette reviews, here is Vol. 2! Like the previous eyeshadow palette, Shady Lady Vol. 1, the eyeshadow formula is velvety smooth and blends like a dream.  The only problem with this eyeshadow formula is that it is not as pigmented as it could be.  I find that it is very important to use an eyeshadow primer underneath to enhance the color.  Other than that, this is a very versatile palette with neutral and colorful shadows that I like to use when traveling.  

The packaging itself is made of cardboard and I find that it can be easily dented and damaged, especially during travel.  Luckily, it is very lightweight and easy to add to any makeup bag.  There is a large mirror that is useful for on the go application or touch ups.  

From Left to Right: 

Caught in the Act Courtney (shimmery medium brown with gold sparkles) 

Feisty Felicia (matte brownish grey) 

Insane Jane (satin taupe with a hint of purple undertones) 

Bossy Bobbi (satin cornflower blue) 

Makeout Mary (satin light mossy green) 

Just This Once Jamie (light satin purple with a hint of pink) 

Mischievous Marissa (shimmering light copper rose gold) 

Tempting Tara (satin pearl white) 

Devilish Danielle (shimmering gold beige) 

Overall, there is a wide variety of colors in this palette that make it a very go-to palette for me! 

Monthly Favorites: June 2012

Hi everyone! 


I was rummaging through my makeup to see what I have been using the most this month and this is what I found: 

It was more difficult than I thought to narrow it down to just these products, but these are products that I have used every day for the past month! 


1. Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX: This is my favorite sleeping mask -- it absorbs into my skin and leaves it feeling very smooth and hydrated when I wake up in the morning.  


2. Melvita Orange Blossom Extraordinary Water: I use this in the morning and night after I wash and cleanse my face.  It makes my skin supple and fresh before I apply my moisturizer.  


3. YSL Teint Resist Long Wear Endless Comfort Transfer Resistant Foundation with SPF 10: I have been using this during the summer months because it is one of the foundations that doesn't feel like it's slipping off of my face in the summer heat.  It is transfer resistant and provides me with light to medium coverage.  I am currently in the shade 07 Pink Beige. 


4. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30: I've been using this religiously for the past four years and I will continue to repurchase it for a long time! It has SPF and I use it on sunny and cloudy days.  I use this every morning before foundation and found that it does not contribute to a white cast in photography.  


5. Murad Acne Spot Treatment: After testing different acne spot treatments (such as Kate Somerville, Peter Thomas Roth, etc.), this is the most effective treatment for me.  Ever have that feeling when a pimple is just forming and it's beginning to hurt? I usually place a dab of this onto the spot before bed and when I wake up, it is quickly reduced in size and hurts much less.  It prevents the pimple from reaching a point where it can create any acne scarring.  Love love love this! 


6. NARS Blush in Deep Throat: I have been using this blush mainly because it's the one that has been the most accessible, but I must admit I've grown to love it again.  Even though the wear time doesn't last past 6 hours, I still love the peachy pink color for the summer time.  


7. Le Metier de Beaute Eyeshadow Palette in Bora Bora: I received this as a gift with purchase from Neiman Marcus when I bought the On the Coast Kaleidoscope.  Initially, I didn't think I would like it based on the colors, but I absolutely love this palette for an everyday look.  It adds subtle color and depth to my eyes and I've already tried to find the same colors or dupes in the Le Metier de Beaute permanent makeup line to purchase once I use up this palette! 


8. CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara Waterproof: My friend introduced me to this  and I must say that this is a very good mascara, almost as good as a high-end mascara! It is very waterproof and does not budge unless I remove it with a makeup remover.  It does not budge at all and makes my lashes look longer and thicker.  It is not a very dramatic look, but very appropriate for the daytime.  

Review: Giorgio Armani 'Eyes to Kill Acqua' Waterproof Eyeliner

Hello! 

In Spring 2011, Giorgio Armani released three limited edition Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencils and they sold out in a blink of an eye! I was glad that I was able to snap two of them up before they were gone at my local Nordstrom's. I was even more excited when they came out with two new colors for Spring 2012 in Antique and Copper.  These waterproof eye pencils quickly became my holy grail pencil eyeliners because they were the only ones that were able to stay on my waterline for 4+ hours without any significant fading.  When there was fading, it simply disappeared and did not smudge underneath my eye.  

Now imagine my surprise and delight when I found out they came out with a new "Eyes to Kill Acqua" Waterproof Eye Pencil during a mini Summer 2012 release! My saleslady at the Armani counter told me that these are limited edition.  I picked up one in black and immediately gave it a test drive.  

Left: Spring 2011 Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil

Right: "Eyes to Kill Acqua" Waterproof Eye Pencil

(Apologies for the different swatch sizes!)

While the black color is very similar between the Spring 2011 Long Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil and the ETK Waterproof Eye Pencil, I found that they do not wear the same on my eye.  The ETK Waterproof Eye Pencil is remarkable on the upper lash line, with very minimal fading, even after 6 hours.  However, the same could not be said for my lower lash line and waterline.  I found that after about 3 hours, I had raccoon eyes.  There was significant smudging under my eye.  

I have only been testing this for three days now, but found that if I place primer under my eye and set with an eyeshadow, it lasts much better on my lower lash line.  I could be wrong and this could be same formula as the Spring 2011 Waterproof Eye Pencil, but I personally don't think that the wear is quite the same.  However, these are still very good eye pencils to be worn on the upper lash line and I will still continue to use them for that -- especially when I'm feeling in a rush or just lazy.  :) 

Review: YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils in Deep Black

Hello! 


As previously mentioned, I am a BIG fan of gel eyeliners and here today is Yves Saint Laurent's Long Wear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black ($25.00)! My holy grail gel eyeliner is Bobbi Brown; however, this definitely gives it a run for its money! 

Deep Black (01) is the deepest black I've seen, perhaps even just slightly darker than Bobbi Brown's Black Ink.  The formula is much different than Bobbi Brown's.  It is more difficult to work with and does not glide as easily on my upper lash line.  It's not necessarily dry, but it is definitely much thicker/dense than the Bobbi Brown.  

BUT... the thing that makes me love this eyeliner is that it really is very long wearing and the best part is that it stays on my waterline! I like to gently place it on my waterline using my Bobbi Brown eyeliner brush and it will stay for a good 6 hours before I see some smudging below the eye.  Be careful, though, because it can feel a little dry when first applied. 


I have now found the perfect gel eyeliner combination for my eyes: Bobbi Brown on top and YSL on my waterline.  I suggest you give it a try and tell me what you think! :) 

Skincare: Lush Dreamwash Shower Smoothie and Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

Hello everyone! 

I'm here today with a review on two Lush products that I've been using for the past two months: Dreamwash and Ro's Argan.  

Dreamwash ($21.95) is a Shower Smoothie that was recommended to me at the store.  It appears light purple in the pot and smells very much like lavender.  It is supposed to be soothing and calm easily irritated skin.  According to the ingredients, it includes aloe vera, lavender, rose, tea tree, calamine and chamomile.  My skin isn't easily irritated, but I had had some sunburns on my arms and shoulder at the time and decided that it was worth a try.  While it felt nice on my skin and didn't hurt any of my sunburns, I can't say that I would repurchase this again, especially for the price.  While calming, I think that there are other options for a body wash that are available at a more affordable price.  

The other item I picked up was Ro's Argan Body Conditioner ($29.95), a light pink lotion with a lovely rose smell.  I believe that this is one of the more recent additions to their lineup.  It is a body lotion that is supposed to moisturize your entire body while in the shower.  The lady at the store told me that I had to put it on while I was in the shower and leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse off.  My skin would be instantly moisturized and there would be no need for me to put on any lotion afterwards.  I am a rather lazy person and I don't like having to sit and rub lotion on all parts of my body after a shower, so of course I knew I had to give this a try! And... I must say that I am in LOVE with this product! It cuts down on the time and really does leave me feeling so moisturized that I don't feel the need to put on any lotion afterwards! The only possible negative thing I have to say about this product is that it can feel a little greasy on the skin afterwards.  It can feel like it's rubbing off on my clothes during the day, even though I haven't seen anything to suggest this.  This is why I like to use it at night before I go to sleep at night.  :) 

Review: L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows

I have had these for a while now and thought that it would be a good idea to do a review on them, especially since new colors have been released in the newest L'Oreal collection.  :)

These L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows hit stores at approximately the same time as the Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Shadows. They are very different in the fact that these are much like pressed eye shadows.  It comes in a plastic pot with a lid to hold the packed shadow in place.  The texture is silky and buttery smooth.  It is also extremely pigmented - one swipe of the product and you'll be set with a nice wash of color on the eyelids.  I haven't tested it to see whether it stays up to 24 hours like it claims, but the color does last for me throughout a normal 9 to 5 work day with a primer underneath.

From L to R: 

892 Amber Rush 

890 Bronzed Taupe 

333 Golden Sage

I personally like using the Amber Rush and Bronzed Taupe together or individually as a single wash of color over the lids - especially if I am in a rush.  I like pairing the Golden Jade with other colors for a more polished look.  While the Golden Jade is not an everyday color, I do love that it makes my brown eyes pop.  

These have been likened to Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow and I can understand why.  However, I do believe that while they are similar, they are still very different.  I own a couple of both and while the texture of both are very smooth, the color options are very different.  Most of the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows are complex and multidimensional.  They are unique in that you can see a mixture of different colors to form one complete color.  In comparison, the L'Oreal 24 Hr Infallible Eye Shadows are simple and yield one shade of color.  

It ultimately depends on how much you are willing to spend and what your taste preference is.  If you prefer a more multidimensional and unique color and are willing to spend the money, head on over to an Armani beauty counter and pick up one of the Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows.  If you are looking for a simple everyday color, definitely give these L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows a try! 

Review: NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Pink

Hi everyone!
I picked up the NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Pink as a last minute addition to my basket at IMATS last weekend.  The only reason I decided to pick it up was because I saw an attendee apply some to her eye and I knew that I had to have it -- especially since it was only $4.00! It's not a very practical color, but I thought it would be a fun color to wear, especially during the summer! 

Crystal Pink is a glittery pinkish purple with a sheer pink color base.  Having worn this for the past week, I have found that I need to layer it at least two times to properly show off the glitter.  It can apply a bit sheerly and patchy with just one coat, so be sure to apply a second (or even third) to make sure that the color pops! I also tried wearing on top of a black gel eyeliner and an eggplant purple pencil eyeliner, and found that it helps to enhance the color. 

For the price, it is a nice addition to my collection and will be fun to wear during the summer months.  :) 

Review: Inglot Freedom Palette

Having heard so many rave reviews about Inglot, a Freedom Palette was the very first thing on my "Must Have" list when I attended IMATS this year.  There happens to be an Inglot store about an hour and a half away from where I live, but I just couldn't justify making a purchase like that, especially since I already have more than enough eyeshadows to last me a lifetime.  But... I figured that since it was my very first time at IMATS and there was a discount, why not? 

The colors from left to right: 

397P (shimmering pink champagne)

337M (matte light beige tan with purple undertones)

420P (pearly light violet)

434P (shimmering dark greyish purple)

423P (shimmering medium brown with red undertones)

I can understand why Inglot was a very popular booth at IMATS.  These eyeshadows are buttery smooth, apply like a dream, and blend very easily.  My favorite part about this is that I can choose my own colors and create the kind of palette I want.  The only cons I can say about this product is the packaging.  While I like the magnetic closure and the fact that you can stack different palettes, it is difficult to travel with.  During a recent trip, I found that if you don't open it correctly, you can end up scratching the eyeshadow.  However, once I got the hang of opening it (I like to push the lid off at the same angle as opposed to pulling it up at a 90 degree angle), it became more manageable.  


There are only a couple of Inglot stores throughout the United States, but I would definitely consider stopping by one if you have the chance.  If not, they are available online; however, it is difficult to choose what colors you want without swatching them first hand.  

Haul: IMATS Los Angeles 2012

The International Make-up Artist Trade Show (otherwise known as IMATS) came to Los Angeles this past weekend, June 23-24.  I was unable to make the show on Saturday as tickets sold out for that day a week and a half in advance; however, I managed to buy tickets for Sunday.  

Before going to IMATS, I did some research to see what it was like and what things I should expect to see.  It's kind of like going to Disneyland because you had to make sure you knew where you wanted to go and which you wanted to see the most! 

After reading tweets from Saturday's show, I expected to be stuck in hour-long lines so I made a plan with my friends to go early on in the day.  It opened at 10am on Sunday and we arrived at the Pasadena Convention Center at 10:30am.  We stood in line for about 20 minutes before getting in the door, but had to wait in another line inside for an additional 10 minutes.  The lines went faster than I thought, but I assume it's because it was Sunday.  

Once we got in, my friends and I made a beeline for the Inglot booth.  I had heard that it is usually one of the most popular booths at IMATS, along with Make Up For Ever, MAC, and NYX.  I assumed there would be a line, but when we got to the booth, it was a mass of people hovering around, swatching what they could.  There was a piece of paper that you could fill out to place your order.  Once you did that, you simply had to hand your piece of paper to a worker and they would fulfill your order.  While it took awhile to get in to swatch some eyeshadow colors, other attendees were very polite and we all took turns trying to see what we liked best.  In the end, I made it out with a 5 shadow freedom palette.  A word of caution, however: they were sold out of some of the colors and make sure to double check to see if they gave you the correct colors! 

After being there for three hours, here's what I managed to walk away with: 

Overall, I can't remember the exact discounts that were given, only that there were discounts at most booths.  When we arrived at the Sigma booth, they were sold out of all of the Synthetic Kabuki Brushes.  I had raved about them to a friend, but we were unable to procure any that day.  However, they did give us a coupon code for 15% off an online purchase so maybe I'll put that into use sometime soon! 

Oh and I definitely cannot forget to mention the highlight of my day! IMATS is a popular event where you can be sure to find many YouTube Beauty Gurus, and just my luck -- I got to meet both Tiffany from MakeupByTiffanyD and Tracy and Stefanie from eleventhgorgeous! They are such amazingly sweet and incredibly down-to-earth ladies and I am so happy to have had the chance to meet them!

This was my very first IMATS experience, and I can honestly say that I cannot wait to go back next year.  They're changing up the dates, so IMATS LA 2013 will actually be held in January 2013.  If you're curious, I highly recommend you give IMATS a try -- you won't regret it! 

Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme

I picked these up last year at my local CCO and have been using them on and off throughout the year.  Instead of paying the regular price ($18.50), I picked these up for only $13.00.  However, I would consider paying full price for these if a particular color came out that I knew I could see myself wearing often.  

These ShadowCremes come in a glass jar and contains 0.17 oz/5g of product.  The packaging most resembles YSL's creme eyeliner jar, except larger.  The only issue that I have with the packaging, as I do with all jars, is that you have to make sure you close them tightly to prevent drying out the product.  The three I currently own are: 

02 Silver Leaf 

04 Antique Gold 

12 Silver Star 

These ShadowCremes can be applied both for a sheer wash of color or it can be built up to be worn as an opaque color.  With the Silver Leaf, I like applying it sheerly on the lid and topping it with MAC's classic Satin Taupe.  The contrast of the eyeshadow with and without the ShadowCreme adds a bit of dimension to the eye look, but keeping it simple when I'm in a rush to make it out the door! Antique Gold is beautiful in its own way and this is one that I like to wear as an opaque color, also when I'm pressed for time.  Lastly, Silver Star is one that I use as a base for when I need my eyeshadows to stand out a bit more than usual.  It's not one that I reach for often, to be honest, but I am still glad to have it.  Another thing to note: these ShadowCremes will not budge once they are applied.  I have gone a full 9-5 day with it on without a primer and saw minimal fading.  Overall, I think that these are simple can-do-no-wrong shadows that can achieve a polished look in a small amount of time.  

Hope you're all having a wonderful day and thank you for taking the time to read this! :) 

Review: June 2012 Birchbox

In the past year, subscription beauty and fashion services have been coming out left and right.  Fashion subscriptions, including stylemint, jewelmint, shoemint (the list goes on!), have become just as popular as the beauty subscription box services.  I recently joined the bandwagon, thanks to my good friend who bought me a three-month subscription to Birchbox as a birthday gift, and just received my second box this month.  

The theme for June's Birchbox is "Jet Set," for which they've included products that will last through a long flight or items that they've found on their global travels.  Each month there is at least twenty different variety of boxes that can be sent to you.  It all depends on the beauty quiz/survey that you take when you sign up.  For this month, I received:

Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive 

Stila One-Step Bronze  

theBalm Staniac in Beauty Queen 

Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck 

Luna Bar Mini 

I haven't had the chance to try out all of the products, but I don't think I will be trying out the Comodynes Self-Tanning Intensive. Since I am already tan (it's hard to avoid the sun in California!), it would be pointless for me to use these so I may end up giving them to a friend. 

In regards to the Stila One Step Bronze, I was surprised to receive a full sized product in the box! At first, I was wary of the bronzer because it looked rather drab in the bottle, but when I used it for the first time on my face, I was surprised at the subtle tan glow that it gives.  This will definitely be a staple in the upcoming summer months!

From other reviews that I have read and seen on youtube, I've heard that Birchbox is known to give many fragrance samples.  Since this is only my second box, I can't comment on the frequency, but I must admit that I do enjoy Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck fragrance.  It's not necessarily something I would gravitate towards, but it is always nice to sample something and be surprised at how much you actually do like it! 

There's not much to say about the Luna Bar mini except that I ate it as soon as I opened the box! As an "extra," I don't think it was anything special, but it was still thoroughly enjoyable!

Lastly, I've been recently impressed with theBalm eyeshadow palettes, so it was nice to receive a product from them in this month's box.  Unfortunately, I wasn't as taken with this product (theBalm's Staniac in Beauty Queen) as I was with their other products.  When I applied the stain on my lips, I could not see any noticeable difference on my lips.  Not only that, but I detested the initial taste of the product as it was very bitter.  On the positive side, I did like using it as a cheek stain because it stayed on for about 5-6 hours before it began to fade.  So while I will not be using this on my lips, I think it would be very beneficial for my cheeks during the summer months.

I was initially disappointed when I opened up my box this month; however, I must say that I was thoroughly surprised at how much I did end up liking the fragrance and the bronzer.  For $10/month, I believe that it is a nice service to have, but not a necessity.  Once my three-month subscription ends, I will highly consider paying for this service myself -- especially if next month's box is as good as this month's.  :)