Update & Haul

Hello lovely bloggers! I feel like I haven't updated in forever.

I went back home for a few days to New Jersey. I'm a jersey girl! :) I lived there for almost 16 years, so I grew up there. I don't live there anymore, but my sisters still do so I have to go back every few months to see them.

my niece is adorable!


my bff. isn't she pretty? :D





We also took a road trip to Boston for a few days. Boston has soo much seafood!


"BOSTON CHOWDA"


this was for my parents O_O


shrimps & scallops. i thought they'd be bigger :\


super duck tours!


the bus drives on land AND water! pretty awesome.

Then I went back homeeee. My boyfriend and I went to play blacklight indoor mini golf. It was pretty cool! Fun fun.

i look so pro in my polo, haha. just kidding.

I went to the "Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet" here in Vegas because my mom needed bamboo or something.

There was this one booth selling fake MAC! Be careful where you buy your high end makeup because there are a lot of fakes out there.

Anyway, another booth at the swap meet had a bunch of beauty stuff for $1. Mostly dollar store makeup and brands like LA Colors. I did find a few cool things though. Artdeco nail art polishes. I see people use these in nail tutorials. They were $1 each.

red glitter, rose, and baby pink

The booth was also selling a bunch of lashes. They only had 2 different types of Red Cherry lashes. The other pair was HUGE, so I just got these bottom lashes. They had a lot of lashes from a brand called "Creme." Never heard of it, so I just got one. They were $1 each also.

creme #13 lashes, red cherry #33 lashes

As I was leaving, I saw another booth selling a larger variety of Red Cherry lashes at 3 for $5. Under $2 each is still cheap! I didn't have time to look at them because my parents wanted to leave already. Maybe I'll go back one day and get some more if I like it. I always hear rave reviews about them.

Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin

In my last haul, I showed the book "Making Faces" by Kevyn Aucoin. My-My asked me to picture some pages, so here they are! Hope they give you a better idea of what the book is like. You can find it in stores like Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc. It costs $21.99. You can look through the book at the book store before buying it to see if you really want it or not.

Click on the pictures for a larger view.
Sorry they're not that clear, my camera wasn't cooperating.

picture shows where to contour & highlight


shows lip shapes & lip product application


before & after pictures with instructions


instructions on how to get certain looks

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Waterproof Mascara

Official Website Information:

It’s our first vibrating mascara. Transforms your lashes to perfection.

• Patent-pending elastomer brush vibrates 7,000 times per stroke
• Provides clump-free definition, intense color, and shine
• Waterproof; also available in washable formula
• Builds lash volume, length, and adds curl
• Buildable formula
• Ideal for All Skin Types
• Contact lens safe

Overall Rating: 5/5
Would I Repurchase: Yes

POSITIVES:
- Nice, sleek packaging
- Applies dark and black
- Adds a lot of length and volume
- Holds a curl and doesn't make my lashes droop down
- No clumping, even with more than 1 coat
- Waterproof, so it stays on all day
- More affordable than other vibrating mascaras (ie: Lancome, Estee Lauder)

NEGATIVES:
- You have to keep your finger pressed down on the button for it to vibrate

OVERALL:
I was pleasantly surprised with this mascara. I wasn't sure if the whole "vibrating mascara" would actually work well and I wasn't willing to spend so much on the ones from Lancome and Estee Lauder. I'm more of a drugstore mascara girl since you have to toss them every 3 months anyway. I don't really have any major complaints. This mascara is one of my new favorites. It adds really nice length and volume. Most importantly, it holds a curl which is important for my stick straight lashes. I think the vibrating does make a little bit of a difference. I feel like the bristles grip my lashes better. I'd definitely recommend this mascara. The shade I'm using is "Very Black"

close up of the button on the handle


close up of the wand


my bare, uncurled lashes


after curling & adding mascara

Haul

Haul time! AKA happy time for beauty addicts.

Last month my family got Wii Fit. I played almost everyday for a month, which is a MIRACLE because I usually hate exercising and NEVER do it. Raymond said he was proud of me, and he surprised me with a book... MAKING FACES by Kevyn Aucoin! I'm so excited to have it!

I wanted to return that Shiseido cleanser I bought. It wasn't a bad product, but it just wasn't right for my skin and I paid $21 for it. So I went to Sephora to exchange it for the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder. I've been looking for a nice matte bronzer that would add a glow without containing any particles of shimmer or glitter and this one is PERFECT. It smells like chocolate too!

I wasn't planning on going to MAC but Raymond's mom wanted a new lipstick, so we stopped by the MAC store to pick something out for her. We ended up getting "Modesty," a nice medium pink shade. Hopefully she likes it, I've heard good things about it. I got "Hug Me," which I heard is a great natural looking nude lip. The second I put it on, I fell in love with the color. It's so pretty. It's like MLBB. (my lips but better!) I can see myself wearing it everyday.

Hope everyone had a good day! Mine was great. Not because of my haul but because I got to spend time with Raymond. My parents are pretty strict so we only hang out once a week. Sometimes twice if I'm lucky, ha. It's better than nothing :)

Long Time No FOTD!

Long time no look, huh? Temptalia posted a look today using Make Up For Ever. I LOVED the colors she used and got inspired to play with some makeup. I haven't worn eyeshadow in weeks, so I'm a little rusty.

My skin's been acting up like crazy. I've been going to the doctor but nothing is working yet. So I did some retouching on the full face photos. I usually edit all of my pictures on photoshop to adjust the lighting, contrast, clearness, etc. I never alter the actual makeup, just zap away those pesky pimples :(

FACE:
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC30
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC30
- MAC Emote Blush
- MAC Blushbaby Blush

EYES:
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow: Honey
- MAC Eyeshadows: Playful, Cranberry, Fertile, Shroom
- Milani Eyeshadow Quad: Copper Fiesta
- MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
- Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara
- Urban Decay 24/7 Liner: Zero

LIPS:
- MAC Bare Slimshine

MAC F&F Haul

Today I woke up to find a beautiful black box for me in the mail! This is the first time I've ordered from MAC online, just because of the sale. I usually have no reason to order online. Where I live, there are a few counters, a freestanding store, a pro store, and a CCO.

blurred out my address



wow everything is black. that's so.. mac.


my little haul. it's only 4 things, but the total was already $70 :\

- 217 brush
- 109 brush
- prep + prime transparent finishing powder (in real life, the lid doesn't look glittery. weird.)
- shroom eyeshadow pan

Anyone have any input about these items?
Let me know what you got from the sale! :D