Review: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation

So what exactly is a No Foundation Foundation? According to Perricone, it's suppose to be "an age-fighting makeup that provides natural coverage and nonchemical SPF 30 protection." Basically, it's a fancy and expensive tinted moisturizer. I paid $55USD for this little baby and I plan on using every last bit of it.

The product comes packaged in a beautiful amber glass bottle, which I must say looks beautiful on top of my makeup stand. It contains one fluid ounce, which is standard for most tinted moisturizers and foundations. There is a pump to dispense the product, making it mess-free and easy to use. One of the downsides of the No Foundation Foundation is the lack of color choices. They currently only have two shades, fair and light to medium. I have the light to medium and you will see from the swatch that it is a tad too dark for me currently. So instead of just keeping it in my drawer, I have been mixing it with my MAC Face and Body foundation to create the right shade. Another factor that may persuade you from buying this the scent. To me, it smells citrusy and doesn't bother me at all, but I've read several reviews that people find this to have a fishy smell due to the DMAE ingredient in it. So my advice to you is to smell it in store before you decide to purchase it. 

Now is it truly amazing? Yes and no. For those who have clear, normal to dry skin, this will be amazing. I have dry skin in the winter and this provides a beautiful dewy finish. It smooths out lines and reduces the appearance of pores. I have noticed with continued use, my skin does feel better and smoother. Perhaps it is the anti-aging ingredients, DMAE and alpha-lipoic acid in it. Now for people who have oily, acne prone skin. This may not be for you. It will make you very dewy (aka oily) and will not provide the coverage needed to conceal scars and dark spots.

The best way to apply this is with your fingers. I know, some of you are probably thinking how gross that is, but using my fingers to apply my base makeup is one of my favorite methods (aside from the Beauty Blender). I've tried using it with a brush but it applies streaky and I have to blend it in with my fingers anyway. With the BB, it tends to absorb the product regardless how damp the sponge is. 

Overall, this "no foundation foundation" is a winner in my book. Perhaps the only things that will stop me from repurchasing is the price and the fact I can only use it for half of the year since my skin does change during the summertime.

Pros:

-Anti-aging properties

-Classy packaging

-Great for those with dry skin

-SPF protection (non-chemical)

-No parabens

Cons:

-Lack of color choices
-Expensive
-Coverage

Click here to purchase

Favorites: November and Mid-December Hits

I think I say this every month, but gosh these few months have flown by. I can't believe we are less than ten days away from Christmas! Have you gotten all your shopping done yet? For the first time in a while, I have to say I'm pretty much done with the exception of a few little extra gifts I need to get. Before I know it, it will be 2014. Wow!

Anyway, I decided to include both November and my current December hits because I have been using the same things constantly. I am also testing out some other new items for review, so that's why my favorites are also so few. I also think I have so few because the products I have can create a natural but flawless face.

Totally photobombing with my reflection lol

NYX Gloss in Creme Brulee: This has again made it to my favorites. I can't get enough of this stuff! It mutes my lips just enough without washing me out and I am totally digging the scent. If you want to read my full thoughts on this, check out my review here.

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer: I picked this up during the Too Faced Friends and Family sale and I have to say I am really enjoying this. My skin gets very pale during the colder months and this is a great for adding warmth. If I concentrate it, it is also a nice contour since its not shimmery or orange.

Hourglass Ambient Powder in Diffused Light: This is so pretty. Just everything about it is pretty, the packaging and the result it gives. I use this as a setting powder all over my face and it just gives such a nice glow without looking oily or greasy. It is pricey so if you want to try it, ask for a sample first before you commit.

MAC Soba eye shadow: I don't know why I didn't add this to my repertoire a long time ago. This is great for a perfect wash of color on my lids. It creates a subtle, smoky eye that is great for everyday. I think this shadow is also great for adding depth for more dramatic looks.

So that's it for my favorites! I hope everyone is staying warm!

First Impressions: Naked 3

I'll admit, when Urban Decay's Naked 3 palette came out, I was a it hesitant to purchase it. When they stated it was more of a rose-gold, cool palette, I was a bit wary. Cool toned pinks never look right on my complexion. In fact, I either look like I have pink eye or I got punched in the face. Neither are good looks in my opinion.

However, I succumbed to purchasing it, especially after my friend, LC raved about it. It also didn't help I was bombarded with tweets and YouTube videos of the palette as well. So when Sephora sent me their VIB giftcard for 20 dollars off a 50 dollar purchase I jumped on the opportunity to pick this little palette up. In the end, instead of spending the original price of $52 USD, I got this palette for 36 dollars and some change after taxes.

Now is it money well spent? As of right now, I have only used it once and swatched the colors. I will admit they are very, very pretty and of course with the choice of 12 colors, there are endless looks you can achieve with this. I will say that I do not look like I got punched in the face this palette which makes me very happy. Haha, I know, what standards I have. Seriously though, this palette is suitable for most, if not all skin tones. I have to say, the colors do evoke a romantic sort of feeling to it.

The packaging is lovely, though I do wish that they did change up the tin case a bit. The embossed top is quite pretty and adds a bit of snazz to the packaging. I have to admit that even though the first Naked palette velvet box is a magnet for dust and lint, I loved it and wish perhaps they went back to that route. It's not a major factor when it comes to the quality of the shadows so I'm too not worried about it. In the end, it still looks nice among my makeup stash.

As for pigmentation and quality. Urban Decay never skimps on their shadows but some of the colors in this palette do have some fallout. Dust and Buzz are the two biggest culprit when it comes to fallout. Otherwise the quality of the shadows are excellent and the assortment of matte/satin and shimmery shadows can please most people.

If you are a fan of Urban Decay's Naked line, I'm pretty sure you will be a fan of this palette. If this is your first time looking into the one of the Naked palettes, I would suggest this palette because it is more unique than the other two palettes. However, if you are not a rose-gold or cool-toned shadow person, I would suggest the first Naked palette.

Haul: Sephora VIB Haul!

I think one of the biggest things I look forward to is the Sephora VIB sale. I mean, 20 percent off is a pretty big thing, especially for some middle to high end brands! Some may argue that Ulta has 20 percent off almost once a month, but remember, the discount doesn't apply to certain brands which always defeats the purpose for me. 

With this purchase, I was able to unlock VIB Rouge. I have to admit I was excited and horrified at the same time. Excited because I unlocked the ultimate tier of VIB but horrified because I had spent a certain amount of money to get there. Anyway, on to the haul!

1-Benefit Gimmie Brow: I had been on the fence with this for a while especially since I do enjoy the Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil and gel. I decided to read some blog reviews to help aid me in my decision to purchase or skip. It's obvious what the decision was. I've been testing this out for a bit since I've gotten it and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. I can use this on a daily basis without looking too done up but when I want to look really polished, I use this in combination with the Brow Wiz pencil.

2-Benefit Fake Up: After hearing from my friends how amazing this is, it was clear I had to try this as well. This is definitely one of the best concealers I have used, especially with my current skin condition (dry). There is no settling into fine lines and I look awake and refreshed. I will say, that if you do have extremely dark circles, this will still be too sheer for you.

3-Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb in Never Enough Nude: It wouldn't be a complete haul with at least one lip product! To be honest, I had about four more lip products in my cart but removed them after reminding myself that I have way too many. The product itself is lovely and the color is a perfect neutral nude to compliment many skin tones. That being said, it does sting upon initial application. So those who are sensitive to any lip plumpers should definitely stray from this. 

4-Diorshow Iconic Waterproof Mascara: Since it was the VIB sale, I decided to try a higher end mascara instead of the usual drugstore faves and I have to say, I'm not that impressed. I just feel that this doesn't really do much to my lashes. I may play with it a little more and try layering this with other mascaras and see what the result it.

5- Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask Pods:  Woo, what a name! This was one of those, "you might like these" last minute adds to my cart. I've already tried a pod and liked the results it gave. The amount of product they give is plenty, I only needed about half of it for my entire face. I saved the rest of it in a small container for a future use.

6- Sephora Outrageous Prisma Chrome in Golden Taupe- This little stud of an eye shadow was on clearance so I decided to give it a shot. It swatches beautifully and will probably be fantastic for a neutral, smokey eye.

6- Hourglass Ambient Lightning Palette: Raved about by so many bloggers and YouTubers, I had to get this. I had this already placed in my cart waiting for checkout once the VIB sale was live. However the morning of the sale, Sephora stated it was sold out. Despite being disappointed, I kept checking back to their website and got lucky! I saw that they restocked the palette and did the fastest online checkout ever. One of the main reasons I wanted this palette was due to the amazing deal. Each powder is over 3 grams and you get three powders (two permanent, one limited edition).

7- Hourglass Ambient Light in Diffused Light: Since the palette was sold out initially, I decided to purchase one of the permanent Ambient powders. Diffused Light is great as a setting powder and gives my skin this beautiful "glow from within" look.  

8- Sephora Formula X The Twenty Two- Last but not least are this gorgeous polishes from Sephora's new nail polish line. I was so impressed with the 100 point polish I got previously I decided to give this a shot. I haven't really tried them all yet, so I can't give you a full review. I will say that the speckled polishes are very impressive.

Hope you enjoyed the haul and hope you all scored some great goodies during the VIB sale!! Happy Sunday!

A New Beginning

No, I am not leaving my beauty blog. But I am starting a new blog to chronicle my fitness journey. After some thought, I decided it was best to separate my beauty and fashion posts from my workout ones. Just because I realize some of my readers may not have an interest in working out or vice versa. So if you are interested in this lifestyle of mine, please follow Weightlifting Babe! I hope to see you there!

By the way, I will be posting my Sephora VIB haul tomorrow or Friday!

Haul: Beauty.com Family and Friends Sale

The first haul of many to come! I took advantage of Beauty.com's Friends and Family sale to try some new skincare items I had been eyeing. I tried to resist any makeup related items since I already had my Sephora cart filled with plenty of goodies, but found that I could not resist this cute little Tarte set and it ended up in my cart. I also ordered a NARS brush but it's currently back ordered (insert sad face). Anyway, here's what I got!

Korres Showergel in Jasmine: I've been kicking myself for not taking advantage of the Korres Hautleook sale a few weeks ago. Instead of 20 percent, I could have gotten these body washes for half price. I guess you live and learn. Onto the item itself, it smells just like a jasmine plant, which I absolutely love. It reminds me of when I was younger and my grandmother used to pluck the flowers from her jasmine plant for me to put in my little treasure box to scent it. The fact that it conjures such a happy memory for me definitely makes it a keeper.

Ren Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Balm: After watching a favorites video from HeyClaire, I told myself this was a need. While I am meticulous and on top of taking off my makeup every night, I hate all the steps I have to take. This makes cleansing the face a snap and even takes off waterproof mascara! I've been using it since I got it and absolutely love it. 

Tarte Thoughtful Treasures Best Sellers Set: I love Tarte products, especially their Amazonian Clay blushes. I just haven't continued to purchase the regular sizes because, seriously, I think I have enough blush to last me for years, if not my lifetime. So I thought this limited edition mini would be great for travel. The LipSurgence skintuitive lip tint was something I had been wanting to try, but not enough to actually buy the full size. So the set was perfect. The maracuja oil I'll eventually try, I'm sure I'll be impressed.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: The full size jar of the cream I mentioned in my October Favorites. This stuff is just simply amazing if you have dry, flaky skin. 

Once I get in my Sephora haul and my Too Faced haul I will post those as well!! Happy Monday and Happy Veterans Day!

Friends and Family Sales!

While I may not enjoy the colder weather in November, I do enjoy the plethora of sales it brings! There are quite a few sites that are having their friends and family sale this week! I don't know about you, but I do like being able to save a few bucks, especially with some of my beauty favorites. These sales are the perfect time to stock on favorites, get Christmas gifts or just to treat yourself. Don't miss out! Here are the three major ones having 20 percent off the entire purchase. Also, if you haven't signed up for Ebates, what are you waiting for? You get cash back with your purchases! If you already have Ebates, just go ahead and click the links to get your shopping on! **The Sephora sale does not begin until tomorrow!

Beauty.com's Friends and Family Sale

Too Faced Friends and Family Sale
Type in code: FAMILY20 at checkout

Sephora VIB Holiday Event

Type in code: VIBTOPIA if you are a VIB member

Review: Benefit They're Real! Mascara

I have heard such wonderful things about Benefit's They're Real! mascara so when I got this sample version in my Sephora VIB birthday gift I was pretty excited to try it out. Now, as many fellow Asians know, we have some sparse, short lashes that don't really hold a curl unless it's waterproof mascara. So I usually steer away from non-waterproof formulas don't even bother with regular formulations. If a mascara interests me, I just wait for the waterproof version to come out. 

What do I think of this mascara? It does almost everything for me. The only thing it doesn't do is hold my curl. As you can tell from the picture, you will see the curl drop dramatically the moment I put on two coats. Putting aside the curl hold, this mascara lengthens and adds volume. You can see how much longer my lashes are after the mascara has been applied. The brush is exceptional. It separates and combs through all my lashes. The spiked end on the tip is great to reach the inner corner of my lashes without smudging the mascara all over my lid. Perhaps my only gripe about the brush is that it picks up a tad too much product but I just wipe it off with a tissue. 

Since this mascara doesn't hold my curl, I probably won't use this on a date night when I line my eyes, but I will use it when I'm out running errands. I can probably layer this over a waterproof mascara if I really wanted to, now that I think about it to add some more volume and length. If you don't have any curl concerns and what that Va-voom effect, try this out. I know that there is a mini version of this if you don't want to fully commit 23 dollars to a mascara.

Pros:
-Lengthens
-Adds volume
-Lashes don't feel hard
-Easy to remove

Cons:
-Doesn't hold curl (for me)
-Too much product on brush
-Expensive

Repurchase: If Benefit makes a waterproof one then yes!
  

Favorites: October

I can't believe October is over already! I hope everyone had a great October and will have a safe but fun Halloween! Now onto the favorites.

1-Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Moisturizer Stick: This has been my purse lip balm for the past few weeks. While it's not as moisturizing as the potted version, it does the job. I do enjoy the citrus-y scent and am really glad it doesn't have that overpowering fake honey smell a lot of honey products have.
2-Nuxe Reve de Miel Honey Lip Balm : I love using this stuff at night before bed. When I wake up, my lips are soft and smooth. The texture of this is great, it's not super glossy so I don't have to worry about it sliding all over my lips and onto my pillow cases. This smells the same as the stick version.
3-The Body Shop Honeymania Lip Butter: Another honey product that doesn't smell sickly sweet. Instead it has a floral scent that I love. I alternate this with the Nuxe balm at night and sometimes use this in the morning as a base for my lips.
4-NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee: I just posted a review on this so I won't go too much into it, with the exception of me stating that I LOVE this gloss. I carry with me everywhere and know I will repurchase once I'm done with this.
5-First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: I bought this after seeing my friend's Instagram. She stated that her face felt "as smooth as a baby's bottom," so I knew that I needed to try this. The area under my nose has been peeling like crazy with the transitioning weather so I knew I needed to remedy this. So far, the dryness has been minimized and my face does feel very smooth. I will be purchasing the tub version once I get my VIB Friends and Family code!
6-Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation: I absolutely am in love with this. I remember reading a magazine years ago that Nicole Sherzinger used this on her days off and I always wanted to try it because I think she's gorgeous. I finally bit the bullet and purchased it in the middle of October and have been using it ever since. I believe it does come in a lighter shade but since the coverage is sheer it can fit a range of complexions. If you want a review on this let me know!
7- PS3 Lego Marvel Super Heroes: The game I have been playing non-stop. I usually try to Platinum on each of my Lego games so I can spend hours and hours just playing. Plus, I'm a Marvel fan so seeing it in Lego form is pretty exciting.

Hope you enjoyed my favorites! Happy Halloween!

Review: NYX Butter Gloss

I should have stated this as a product rave because I am totally digging these NYX Butter Glosses! I purchased six out of the 12 shades and really love each one. Plus, who can not love the name Butter Gloss? With scrumptious names like Apple Strudel, Peaches and Cream and Eclair, it's very hard to resist these budget friendly glosses. So of course I end up with six instead of just one or two. 

The texture of these are smooth and buttery and only have a bit of tack to help with the lasting power. When I have these glosses on, my lips feel moisturized. Once the gloss fades or is wiped off, my lips feel soft and smooth. No peeling lips here! As for the pigmentation, I love these. Some of the glosses, like Creme Brulee and Maple Blondie, are more sheer while the darker shades like Peach Cobbler are bold and opaque. The sheer glosses mute my pigmented lips just enough and are great for everyday. Sometimes I'll even use these to layer over my lipstick for a milky pout. If you want a more pigmentation, choose one of the darker shades. These do have a sweet scent which dissipates after the gloss has been applied. I don't find it offensive or overly sweet but those who are sensitive may find it bothersome.

(From L to R:) Eclair, Creme Brulee, Maple Blondie, Apple Strudel, Peaches and Cream, Peach Cobbler

Pros:

-Buttery gloss like the name implies

-Variety of shades

-Affordable

-Cute Packaging

-Moisturizes and softens lips

Cons:

-Some may not like the scent

-Some may not like the sheerness of certain colors

-NYX can be hard to find locally in some areas

Repurchase? YES!

Personal: Birthday Snapshots

This year has certainly flown by. I can't believe I'm 28. That's two years before 30! I'll admit, 28 sounds strange to me but I'm pretty excited to see what the year brings for me.

I hope you enjoy the little snapshots I took during my birthday week! My birth date itself was lovely. It was quiet but filled with love and great laughs. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday and thank you to those who were able to keep me company on my birthday as well.

I went darker with my hair. Majority of the people like me with darker hair, I may make it a brown instead of leaning towards the black like it is now

Celebratory Birthday Waffle! It's nothing fancy, but this diner near our place makes such awesome breakfast!

My free Starbucks birthday drink. It's an iced Salted Caramel Mocha. I went Venti cause...it was free and it was my birfday!

The Mister took me to my favorite cupcake place in Red Bank. Since it's really just the two of us, getting a giant cake would be silly. I settled for the Lemon Raspberry Surprise (pictured) and Carrot Toffee Crunch. Both were amazing!!

Going out to meet our friends for dinner at Red Bank! I should have taken another shot of my outfit, I really liked it! Pants: H&M, Shirt: F21 (similar), Jacket: ASOS, Boots:Steve Madden Brewzzer  

My dinner, pieces of filet with sauteed spinach and mushrooms. I could eat this every night. So good!

My friend ordered the banana flambe for dessert, but it was huge, so we all split it. Here is his final plate. I had to take a picture of the masterpiece!

Now onto my birthday haul. I'll admit, I think I may have gone a bit over, but like many of you know, I'm extremely picky about things like bags and high investment pieces so this took a lot of contemplating before I bit the bullet and purchased the items. I'll be on a bit of a shopping ban in the next few months.

My girlfriend and I went to the Jersey Shore outlets on Columbus Day and scored a bunch of goodies. Kate Spade was having huge 50 percent off sale off entire store, so I definitely took advantage! After much deliberation, I decided on the Alessa satchel and the Graham ID/card holder. There is also a Michale Kors outlet but I was disappointed in their bag selection. Instead to took my time browsing their accessory section. I desperately needed a new wallet and fell in love with this sleek and simple carry all. I love that it doesn't have the obnoxious MK brand all over it. Afterward, we went to Fossil and they were having a massive sale and that's when I scored my Marc Jacobs watch. I was going to get a rose gold Michael Kors watch, but immediately changed my mind after seeing this beauty.

Birthday gift from my Mommy. This is the Selma satchel I have been eyeing. I know this will be a timeless piece and that I will probably use this bag to death. The Saffiano leather makes it very durable but luxe at the same time.

My beautiful friend, LC sent me this lovely package with a beautiful card. Btw, today is her birthday! Head over to her blog and say hi!

I'm a HUGE Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) fan. My friend Bruce gifted me this key chain of the blades used by the soldiers. They're actually pretty sharp!

These were also gifts from my friends. A Scouting Legion patch from AoT, this insanely cute Ghibli shirt, a delicious cinnamon scone candle from Yankee Candle and MAC gift card. The PoP Art My Little Pony (Fluttershy) was from the Mister.

Thanks for reading and Happy Monday!

Review: NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

As you already know I'm a huge fan of NARS. I adore the sheer glow foundation, along with some of their best-selling blushes. So it's really not a surprise I purchased one of their velvet matte lip pencils. I'll admit I was a bit reluctant to buy this lip pencil for a few reasons. The first reason, I have a few red lipsticks and I rarely wear them. A part of me felt it would sit and collect dust along with the rest of the red lipsticks I own. The second reason? I'm not a huge fan of matte finishes. In previous experiences when experimenting with a matte lipstick, my lips have reacted negatively. These two main reasons caused a bit of hesitancy, but after reading several blog reviews and looking through picture swatches, I made my way to Sephora to collect this little gem. Another reason why I wanted this lip pencil? The name. I don't know why, but I love the name. Maybe because it sounds exotic, or maybe I'm just strange. Who knows?

 NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, Dragon Girl is described as a "siren red." I have to agree. It's a very bold, blue-based red not for the faint of heart. When I wore this lipstick out to dinner the other night with the Mister, I had about three girls come up to me and ask me what I was wearing. If you're shy and don't like the spotlight on you, avoid this lip pencil. Since it is a blue-based red, it will make teeth look whiter. As for who can wear this? I feel this red is pretty neutral and can suit several types of skin tones. From the pictures I've seen, this lip pencil can pull a bit pink, leaning more towards fuchsia color but on me, it stays pretty true to the siren red color. As always, try it on at your department store makeup counter or at Sephora before buying it. 

As for price, it's a little more expensive at $25 USD, but I'd rather pay a little more money to know my lips won't dry out or peel terribly. I know there are some who will balk at the price especially since you need to sharpen the pencil as time progresses. If this isn't wallet-friendly for you, try some drugstore lip pencils instead. I know Revlon has recently launched their matte lip balm stains.

The staying power of this lipstick is decent, it's not advertised as a stain, but since it is such a bold color, it will stain lips. The night I went out, I had dinner and still did not need to touch up. Of course, if you decide to eat something greasy or buttery, the color will be removed when you wipe your lips. I did not notice any feathering the few times I have worn this. Another plus to this lippie is the lack of scent. Great for those with sensitive noses!

I definitely enjoy the NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencils and I can see myself purchasing another if I find another color I like (which is a high probability). Dragon Girl is a great introduction to their matte lip pencil line and I hope the others are just as impressive.

Pros:

-Pigmented
-Long lasting
-Easy application
-No scent
-Great names
-Ligh weight feel

Cons:

-Expensive
-Has to be sharpened

Would I Repurchase? Yes!

Favorites: Foundations

With so many foundations on the market these days it can be quite confusing deciding which one(s) are the best for you. Instead of standing in the makeup aisle or department store looking dazed and confused, decide at home what you want first. Do you want full coverage? Light to medium coverage? Do you want liquid, cream or powder? Once you've figured that out, search online and read some reviews from popular sites like Makeup Alley or from blogs. Chances are that there will be dozens of reviews. Or if you haven't a clue at all what you need, places like Sephora now have a foundation matching system to help clients find the right match and finish.

For me, when I select a foundation, there is a certain criteria that needs to be met. I generally gravitate toward liquid formulas and like semi-matte finishes. For coverage I prefer light to medium coverage, I don't like looking too perfect or made up if that makes sense. Anyway, after going through a phase of just purchasing foundations just to try, I realized it was a waste of money and space. I had bottles and jars of unused foundations just collecting dust in my drawer. So now if there is a foundation that does pique my interest, I will research it first and then decide whether or not it's right for me. I do admit, it is easier for me to determine this with higher end foundations since you are able to test them in store and to ask for a sample to take home with you. 

My skin does change with the seasons. During the summer, I tend to get oily, combination skin that needs to be blotted throughout the day. In the cooler months from late fall through the winter, my skin gets very dry. Because of this, I have to buy foundations for different seasons. It's a little tedious but it needs to be done. The only thing that does not change with my skin is the coverage it needs. Sometimes I do have an occasional breakout here or there, but that's what concealer is for. So after much testing and trying, here are my current favorite foundations, from both the winter and summer.

From Left to Right:

1-L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder in 320(Natural Beige)-This is a foundation that will fair well with oilier skins since it does transform from liquid to a soft powder on the skin. I think I will be only using this in the warmer months because I have a feeling this will accentuate dry patches. I do like that is a bit on the sheerer side so even if I am a little lighter or darker than the color, I can still use it.

2-NARS Sheer Glow in Ceylan-I love this foundation. I actually can't wait to start using it again once my tan fades a bit. Currently I am probably closer to the Punjab/Stromboli shade so putting this on my face would mean disastrous results. It's a medium coverage foundation that has the ability to become heavy coverage if you layer. It evens out my face to the point where I don't use concealer.

3- Make Up For Ever HD Liquid foundation in 120/123-This was probably my first high-end foundation, well besides my MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I remember cringing slightly at the price tag but after using it, I don't regret the purchase at all. It's a medium coverage foundation that evens skin and provides a smooth, "high definition" finish. Regardless of how I apply this, it always looks smooth on my face. A definite favorite. I alternate between this and the NARS for special events or for days where I want to look extra polished.

4-Urband Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in 4.0-Another summer favorite. It's super light weight and very sheer in coverage. When I was trying to find a shade, I found that I could fit a range of colors but settled on 4.0 after reading many bloggers who had a NC 25-30 chose this shade. This is not an ideal foundation for those who have a lot of hyperpigmentation or acne scars. I actually find this and the L'Oreal Magic Nude foundation a bit similar in terms of texture and coverage. I'm not too sure how this will fare in the winter, but we will see.

Here are the foundations swatched: (From L to R) L'Oreal, NARS, MUFE, Urban Decay

So remember when choosing a foundation, be selective. Like with everything else, don't settle for something that is OK, get a foundation that satisfies all your needs and wants. It will save you a lot of money and aggravation. Hope you enjoy this post! Talk to you all soon!

Beauty Letdown: CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara

After cleaning out some of my old mascaras that I rarely used, I decided to purchase the CoverGirl Clump Crusher to replace my now diminished mascara collection. I used to be a big fan of the waterproof version of the original LashBlast so I decided to give this one a try. I have both the original and the "water resistant" versions but today I will be talking about the water resistant version.

Like the original LashBlast, it comes in a large brightly colored tube. I actually find the packaging quite adorable so I have no complaints In that department. The color I chose was Very Black because I prefer having dark, sometimes dramatic lashes. The brush is perhaps my favorite part of the whole thing. It combs through my lashes leaving it clump free no matter how many coats I pile on.

It seems like I'm raving about the product right? However, this is where my love for it ends. The formula is where this product falls flat. It's a bit too heavy for my lashes and makes them wilt like little sad flowers. I can get a great curl using my Shu Uemura lash curler and this mascara negates any curl I've created. Another gripe about this mascara is the water resistant part. It doesn't seem very water resistant at all! If I tear it will smudge. I don't know why CoverGril insists on creating this water resistant formula when their waterproof formulas have been some of the best mascaras I've tried. The curl doesn't drop and there is no smudging whatsoever.

It definitely is a lengthening mascara, as you can see from the eye photo. However you can also see how my lashes do not look curled at all. Overall, this was definitely a beauty letdown that I would not repurchase. If you have straight lashes or Asian lashes, stick to waterproof formulas and keep far away water resistant ones because there is a huge difference. If you have no issues with curl or smudging this will probably be a great mascara for you. 

Pros:

-Cute packaging

-Great brush

-Lengthens lashes

Cons:

-Not very water resistant

-Does not hold curl

-Smudges

-Does not create volume

Repurchase? No

Quick Post: Outfit of the Day

Went out to grab some dinner and came up with this outfit. Nothing too crazy, just comfortable. 

What I'm Wearing:

-American Apparel infinity jersey scarf

-Old Navy knit sweater

-ASOS leather jacket

-American Eagle jeggings

-Nike trainers

So, Yeah...

It's definitely been a while since my last blog post. I still even haven't put up my sale yet. I know, I know, shame on me. But I just wanted to write a little update on life for those of you who are still readers of my blog!

- I'm still working out, I kind of fell off the wagon a bit due to a back injury (which is still healing). I still thoroughly enjoy lifting heavy. Due to my back injury, I have had to eliminate deadlifts from my routine, which makes me incredibly sad considering how much progress I made with them. Instead of stopping completely, I've been finding ways to work around my injury. It does make it different and a change of pace, so I can't complain much!

- I went to Vegas at the beginning of the month! The Mister and I went with our friends and stayed for a short week. I say short because I wish I could have stayed longer!

Me and my handsome celebrating his birthday in Vegas!

- Picking up WoW again, because I'm a sucker for Blizzard. Does anyone still play this?

- I got my first leather jacket! I'm crazy excited about this. It was relatively priced considering it's made entirely out of leather, but then ASOS is fairly priced. The jacket is the classic biker jacket, no belts, studs or frills because things like that can go out of style quickly. Always invest in timeless pieces

- I finally purchased the Beauty Blender. I don't know why it took me so long to get it. I bought the Graftobian version of it when I went to IMATs about two years ago and they were OK. I don't know what it is about the BB, but it makes such a nice finish on my skin. I apply my tinted moisturizer and foundation with it and each time it's amazing. I'm definitely a fan and will re-purchase.

That's really all I can think of off the top of my head, I truly hope everyone is doing well!

Cleaning Inventory, Blog Sale Coming Up!

***edit***
So I'm still going through stuff for my sale and decided to put off posting the sale. It will be up ASAP once I get everything together. Sorry for the delay!

It's time for me to clean some of my inventory in makeup and clothing. I will be doing a blog sale soon. Hopefully it will be up by tonight or the latest tomorrow. I will be selling some shoes, clothing and makeup! 

A Day In The City: Hot Dog Extravaganza

I think it would be safe to say that I truly love food. I usually keep an open mind and will try anything once (for the most part, don't go shoving cooked bugs in my face =P). After watching the Food Network and the Travel Channel, I had accumulated a list of food eateries of all kinds on the notepad of my phone. Among these places were quite a few hot dog joints so after talking with some friends, we decided to make a day of sampling different types of hot dogs from different places in the city. I mapped out each of the locations (and still got lost) but I digress! Let's just say we were quite full by the end of the day.

Gray's Papaya Greenwich Village

402 6th Ave

New York, NY 10011

Known as a classic hot dog, we had to stop by here first. They were probably the cheapest dogs we paid for on this entire trip.

The verdict? Quite tasty. I personally like my hot dogs well done so when you bite into them there's a bit of a snap. Gray's also offers an array of different juices so I had to try the Coconut Champagne. It was very coconut-y and very sweet, coyly sweet. I would try their famous pineapple juice next time.

Japadog

30 St Marks Pl

(between Cooper Sq & Astor Pl) 

New York, NY 10003

If you watch "No Reservations" or "The Layover" with Anthony Bourdain, you might have heard of the next two locations I'm going to mention. Japadog is basically a place where they serve hot dogs dressed with Japanese toppings such as bonito flakes, seaweed and plum sauce. We were recommended to try the Bourdain Special which featured the Terimayo and Okonomi hot dogs. The Terimayo hot dog consisted of: teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed while the Okonomi hot dog contained a Kurobuta sausage topped with bonito flakes. Our other friend decided he would rather try the Love Meat hot dog which had the topping of meat sauce fused with melted cheese.

The verdict? I thought the Terimayo hot dog was delicious! The Okonomi was also tasty but had an overpowering fish smell due to the bonito flakes. If you are not a fan of fish smell or fish avoid the Okonomi. If you are more of the adventurous type, I would suggest you try this place. They even a deep fried bun filled with ice cream! I had to save room, so I passed.

Crif Dog

113 St Marks Pl

(between Avenue A & 1st Ave) 

New York, NY 10009

OMG. I love Crif Dog! I had been here before with a friend but with all the possibilities I wussed out and only got the avocado and tomato toppings. This time I decided I would be different and try one of their creations. Let me just say right away that this was winner hands down. Oh man...so good!

I had the Jon Jon Deragon which consisted of cream cheese, bagel seeds and green onions. Me and my girlfriend loved it. The Mister had the bacon wrapped Crif dog with mustard and sauerkraut, and he loved his. My girlfriend got the tsunami, a bacon wrapped hot dog with teriyaki sauce and pineapples. Her hubby had the B.L.T. which was a bacon wrapped dog with tomato and lettuce. My homi got the chili dog which he said was the best chili dog he's had. He also said that those who like meat based chilis would love this one.The verdict? Highly recommend this place. The atmosphere is cool with a bit of grit and the hot dogs are really delicious. And yes, Anthony Bourdain loved it. 

Los Perros Locos

201 Allen St

(between 1st Ave & Stanton St) 

New York, NY 10002

Ok, after getting caught in a downpour, we finally got to our fourth destination, Los Perros Locos. Specializing in Columbian hot dogs, this place offers pretty unique creations. At this point I was getting pretty full, but I ventured on and ordered another dog. I'm going to say that this place needs another chance because the hot dog I selected did not do it for me but the Mister's hot dog was pretty tasty. Now onto the breakdown.

My girlfriend is a tiny little thing and she was quite full at this point so we decided to just split a hot dog. We both thought the Pablo Escobar (bottom right) sounded tasty. The Escobar consisted of salsa de pina, apple chipotle slaw, potato chips, Kewpie mayo and a dusting of cheese. I think the mayo was what turned me off, there was just way too much stuff for my tastebuds to comprehend what was going on.

The Mister had the Spicy Spicy Mango (top right). This concoction of spicy, mango, mojo, melted mozzarella and crushed hot Doritos was really tasty. The salty and sweet melded really well together.

My gf's husband decided on the Amerro-Perro (bottom left). This was a chili dog, the chili made with beer and cocoa infused beef, shredded Vermont cheddar, chipotle kraut, crushed Fritos and ChipZana sauce. I didn't taste this one but the Mister tried and and said it was pretty good.

And last but definitely not least was my friend, B's dog (top left). This poor man ordered the Mas Perfecto which had 10 toppings. It was a combination of almost all of our hot dogs

He looks utterly confused. I am proud of him though, he ate the whole thing!

The verdict? Go on an empty stomach and be sure to go over the menu thoroughly because they will give descriptions of what the salsas are made of, etc., I will say one of the highlights of this place had to be the Coco-Cola! These were imported from Mexico and made with real sugar instead of HFCS. Yummmm

Asia Dog

66 Kenmare St

New York, NY 10012

The last and final stop of our hot dog trip! At this point my girlfriend and her hubby bowed out gracefully while the Mister, B and I ventured forth. Mister had the Mel & Steve (left) which consisted of Asian sesame slaw. I settled for the Wangding (middle) with the toppings of Chinese BBQ pork belly, onions and cucumbers and B had the Ito (right) with Japanese curry and homemade kimchi apples.

The verdict? The hot dogs were unique in their creations. The Wangding was a little salty for me. The Mel and Steve and Ito were better. I recommend this place if you like Asian fusion/Asian food in general.

Whew! What a post! Overall I had an amazingly awesome time with my friends. Great food and great company can make any day better. We are already talking about our next trip! The debate is between burgers or pizza. What do you guys think our next trip should be?