waiting on: goodies from new york!

i purchased these a week ago from bloomingdales.com because i was planning on going to new york this weekend.

however, my statistics midterm exam is scheduled for tomorrow (sunday) so i could not go :(

but my sister sent me this exciting new picture from new york!!

i am more than excited for these!

two tory burch flats, two tory burch boots, a black canada goose jacket, and a links of london bracelet.

i will do a full haul once they arrive :) 

just something for you to get excited for because i am dying right now!!

(now back to studying stats!)

MAC nail polish: biker blue

MAC biker blue

definitely a staple nail colour for fall!

i know that topes, mauves, wines, and leaves-inspired nail colours are very "in"

but they are within the same colour scheme and can get a bit boring.

so here's my pick! isn't it amazing?

it's a navy blue with a bit of shimmer and black speckles. 

it almost looks black in some lighting but is definitely not as strong and dramatic as a black and is not close to black in real sunlight.

it looks a lot like essie's aruba blue.

however, aruba blue is a more summer-toned colour.

it has light, white speckles as opposed to black. 

and the base colour is a lighter, brighter navy blue.

left: MAC biker blue
right: essie aruba blue

i tried to compare the two on my nails but it didn't turn out so well...

so here it is on a walmart receipt! 

biker blue is definitely a lot darker than aruba blue.

but aruba blue was a lot more pigmented.

MAC biker blue did require two coats (i usually apply one for essie's aruba blue).

the first coat was extremely liquid-like and not opaque at all, so i was worried.

but after the second coat, it was completely opaque and extremely wonderful.

this is definitely my favourite nail polish this month and i will be wearing it very often!

.....

MAC nail lacquer/polish is $18 at maccosmetics.com

essie nail polish is $6-8 at drugstores, walmart, etc.

.....

i used to not like MAC nail lacquers because they are very thin and chip very easily.
however, recently i've been using them with the anti-chip top coat from sally hansen, as mentioned in my other blog post (click for link), and they do not chip at all, so i love MAC nail polishes!!

p.s. the photos were taken after 4-5 days of wear - miracle of the sally hansen anti-chip top coat. otherwise, it would've only lasted a day or two without chipping.

fall fall fall!

fall is definitely my favourite season. without a doubt. without any doubt at all.

although summer is very warm and sunny, i don't like to sweat or be very hot (my face turns red too).
although winter brings everyone the merry holiday spirit and lovely snowfall, canada's winters are way too long and cold to appreciate it for more than a day.
although spring .... i just don't really like spring - too much rain, bugs crawling out, allergy season - just not a good combination.

but fall, on the other hand, brings so much happiness!
some days it is warm, some days it is chilly.
it's also a very fashion forward season:
you can wear shorts, skirts, or jeans. you can wear a t-shirt, a long-sleeve top, a hoodie, or just a nice jacket. you can wear sneakers, sandals, or boots. you can wear scarves too!

and most importantly, it's pumpkin season! for those who don't know, i absolutely love pumpkins. pumpkin pie, pumpkin cocktail, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin soups, pumpkin- everything!!

i also love the sound of leaves crackling when i step on them.

it's just too bad that fall is very short and soon it will be overwhelmed with white madness (snow, that is).

MAC nail polish: shirelle

MAC nail lacquer (nail polish) in shirelle

i was trying very hard to get the true colour on my camera.. haha.

it is a true red colour- very hot and sexy. 

i've been looking for just a pure red nail polish for a while. i found that most red polishes tend to turn out burgundy instead of the red that i want. but this one was literally the perfect red colour for me.

this is after two coats of the nail polish.

it is very opaque so two coats wasn't necessary but i tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to nails.

i love love love this nail colour. it is summer and i had on very summer-y colours all summer; like, minty green, light blue, lilac, etc. etc. but i just wanted something very hot on my nails!

i have worn this colour a few times before and have noticed chipping of the colour after a day or two.

i barely ever have problems with my nail polish chipping but the formula of this is so light that it chips very easily. 

so i decided to go and purchase a top coat. 

i have been looking endlessly for the ultimate top coat for me but have failed miserably.

even OPI's top coat did not satisfy me- it was just too thick and my nail could not breathe.

and i also found that they get sticky very fast and i can't use it for a long time.

but i have heard great things about this sally hansen insta-dri anti-chip top coat.

whoa, long title. but it says it all!

it dries very fast, doesn't chip, and gives my nails a nice, glossy finish.

this is after one coat of top coat.

i don't know if you can tell by the pictures but it really did make a big difference.

i liked it without the top coat but i love it with the top coat!

it's been about 4-5 days and there is no single chip or dent in my nails.

i think it will last over a week.

oh, and one tip: when applying top coat, make sure to bring down the polish to the edge of your nails so it protects the edges of your nails as well, therefore minimizing the risk of chipping.

this is just how it looks in sunlight. i really don't think pictures do justice and my poor camera quality doesn't help either. trust me, it looks a lot nicer! 

the MAC nail lacquer is $15 at maccosmetics.com

and the sally hansen top coat is $5-$8 at drugstores, walmart, etc. (i believe it is cheaper at walmart but i had a hard time finding it there. but definitely look there first)

so i was just very pleased with my purchases. i will definitely be using the top coat again and again, i've only used it once or twice but i definitely love it. it dries very fast and i'm not a particularly careful or patient person so this does it for me!
the MAC nail polish is amazing, this will definitely be my staple colour all year around. it will look great with the fall shades, look great in the winter season (christmas, snow, etc.), it will match flowers blossoming in the springtime, and it adds a sexy pop of colour in the summertime.

i love it so much!

my cat gogi

if you are bored or want to see a cute cat video, click on this link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0CSxLY7m8w

this is my cat gogi "ordering" her food.

enjoy! :)

the body shop: vitamin c face spritz!

i made a quick trip to the body shop to buy my ultimate favourite face spritz and little did i know, they had a sale!

i believe the sale was to celebrate their first 30 years in canada! woot! the sale was: buy 2 get, 1 free or buy 1, get another 50% off.

i actually really like that some companies do try to change the world and be eco-friendly!

now, the body shop has an extensive variety of face, body, skin, makeup, etc. products but i am not the kind of person to try out all things sold by a store. i like to pick and choose the best from each.

so i've been using this vitamin C energising face spritz for years and years now and i have loved it ever since my first spray!

it is just a spray bottle filled with fresh-smelling orange scented face spray. 

i find that it actually moisturizes my skin quite a bit as well. 

i pack this with me everywhere because it is just so refreshing. 

even on the extremely dry, humid days, it really does its job!

i also love packing this on the airplane because the recycled air on planes can really make my face scratchy, dry, and flaky. 

it is just 100ml, so it is permitted on the flight.

so i bought 2 and got 1 for free!

it is $18 a bottle.

if you have not tried this, go and try it! you will not regret it.
it is spectacular. definitely my all-time favourite product from the body shop.

anyways, sorry for the short post, but as i posted earlier, it is frosh week and i'm barely home!
but i will be back with other posts later!
hope you're having a fantastic day everyone!! :D

frosh week

frosh week starts today!

for those of you who aren't aware of this concept; it's a social orientation provided by a university's student council (sometimes of different programs or residence buildings).

you do fun activities like playing games, socializing, talent shows, partying, etc.

why am i writing this? well, i won't be able to post anything until it is over or maybe when i get time..
but most likely, i won't have time due to the hefty schedule.

so sorry, but i will upload pictures or daily events once it is over!

have an amazing week!! :)

package from california! asian makeup

my mom ordered me makeup from an asian website which is based in LA, california and it finally arrived!

it actually arrived a few days ago but i've been too busy to actually open the package and take pictures of it.

i ordered four mascaras and a blemish balm/BB cream.

heroine make kiss me mascara: long&curl and volume&curl

i have used the long&curl (first mascara in the 2nd picture) for quite some time now and it has been unlike anything i had tried.

i will do a detailed japanese mascara review very soon!

so i went ahead and purchase two more of these mascaras: one in the long&curl (like i had used before) and one in volume&curl.

i have yet to use volume&curl, but i will do a review on that as well one i do.

by the looks of it, i think i will like it!

it has fibers and a normal bristle.

around $22 (it differs from site to site but on average)

majolica majorca lash expander frame plus (x2)

correct me if i'm wrong but i believe majolica majorca is a brand from shiseido.

shiseido really knows how to please asian women!

i have heard great things about this and i decided to buy two while i was at it.

the wand is different- one side is bristle-like, and the other is more brush-like but both are plastic.

i thought i would have trouble putting this on, but no problem at all.

i could do it with no difficulty and it separated my lashes a lot which i really liked.

it has fibers as well, as most japanese brand mascaras do.

it is very black though. and very waterproof. 

i have only tried this once so i will also include this in my mascara review.

i believe it is around $26

skin 79 super beblesh balm (BB cream) vip gold collection

i love the packaging!

it was a lot smaller than i expected but i think it will do. 

if it were any bigger, i wouldn't use it all in 2 years.

it has a cool pump system.

half a pump, or even 1/4 of a pump is enough for the entire face!

it is really grey at first and i thought it wouldn't match my skin colour because i am very fair/pale.

but it oxidizes and the colour is perfect!

it feels very nice and dewy- without being sticky.

it feels and looks really finished although i don't have foundation or concealer on.

the coverage is really great, it is also build-able too.

it covers redness, blemishes, most of freckles, and some pimples.

i did a second layer on my cheeks where my freckles are, and you could hardly see it!

definitely a very good buy, better than the dr. schrammek BB cream because it is a lot lighter and softer.

oh and there is a hot pink version of this for more oily skin. this one is for normal to dry skin. and it does seem to keep my skin from drying and keeping it well moisturized.

seriously could not love this enough... ahhh!

$29 at skin79.com - make sure it's not fake as there are a lot of fakes.

anyways, that is it for today! and i will definitely do a review of the japanese mascaras and the BB cream in more detail if you want. but the BB cream was pretty much explained but any clarification later on in the usage, i will update on!

thank you for reading, have a splendid day or night! :)

'go-to' summer products

i'm not a big fan of wearing makeup even though i love makeup.

but there are certain products i must have for summer. no eyeliner, no eyeshadows, no bronzer, and no foundation.

in the summertime, you don't want to load up on too much makeup and preventing your skin from breathing.

your skin will get very oily and just sticky even without all the makeup, so extra foundation and eyeshadows should be avoided- unless you're going out for a fun night!

i have written about my favourite and essential summer products, as well as optional items i use.

my ultimate favourite year-round facial lotion: kiehl's ultra facial moisturizer

extremely moisturizing for my always-dry skin but not sticky at all.

$22-$49 at kiehls.ca

my ultimate favourite year-round sunscreen: shiseido ultimate sun protection lotion 

sunscreen is essential for summer but i use this all year round- you should too!

it has SPF 60 and is just a smooth white liquid that just glides on your skin.

you don't want a facial sunscreen that is too thick or too shiny. and this one is just perfect.

i have about 5 backups of these because they are cheaper at dutyfree stores :p

$39 at shiseido.com

vaseline ultimate moisturizer

sorry for the ruined packaging but i have used it for a very long time!

i use this at least twice a day: in the morning and before bed.

i have extremely dry skin, to the point where i have to consistently moisturize even in the summer.

in the summertime, i just apply this on the tip of my nose and just below the corner of my eyes.

in the wintertime, i apply it on the tip of my nose, just below the corner of my eyes, in between my eyebrows, on my chin, on my cheeks, and sometimes on the back of my hand. and yes, it's completely necessary!

around $5 at most drugstores, walmart, etc. 

benefit 'you rebel lite' tinted moisturizer with SPF 15

i purchased this in a dutyfree store at the korea incheon airport when it first came out. 

at the time, it was exclusively sold in only korea so i picked up two.

but i believe it is available at sephora now!

i absolutely love the smell of this! so fresh and just.. nice! 

i put this on almost every day and has never broke me out in the years of using it. 

the coverage, to be honest, is not that impressive. it does cover slight redness on the cheeks, but has nothing against pimples or blemishes. and, of course, no chance against freckles.

but it is just nice to put on because it's very thin and light (doesn't feel like you have anything on!) and does cover redness to a certain point. 

i do have very light and pale skin so i love this product.

$30 at sephora.com and at benefitcosmetics.com

spearmint chapstick 

along with my skin, my lips are very dry as well!

these are definitely a must all year round.

$3-$5 at drugstores, walmart, etc.

olay luscious embrace body lotion

i got this very recently and i absolutely love it. 

i have used many many body lotions but this is definitely one of my favourites.

it is purple! haha, the colour has nothing to do with the actual product but it's a change from plain white lotion.

i like the overall look- squeezes out nicely. and it is not sticky at all. 

i just like this for summer because it has a summer-like scent. 

a subtle fruity, floral scent. i can't quite put my hand on it. but it just smells very nice.  

biore pore unclogging scrub with 2% salicylic  acid for blemish prone skin

this product has done miracles for me ever since i started using it!

it has small green exfoliant beads that helps really deep cleanse your skin.

when you use this with cold water, after you're done, you'll feel a very strong freshness!

i absolutely love it. it has prevented some blemishes while using but to my extremely blemish prone skin, that is still a job done well. 

i just love the freshness and lightness of this. 

around $6-$12 at drugstores

OPTIONAL!
certain items i tend to use in the summer if i need the extra coverage, extra depth, etc.

lancome UV expert neuroshield

if i know that i will be out for most of the day (in the sun), i pack this in my bag to lather it on later in the day.

it is a lot smaller and lighter than the shiseido one or any other sunscreen i own.

this is SPF 50 and thicker than the shiseido sunscreen but still on the thin side. 

i couldn't find the exact one on the lancome.com website - sorry! but there are other great ones if you browse around on the website.



dr. med. christine schrammek blemish balm

this is another optional product and this is the original blemish balm or BB cream.

it is very very thick and has very good coverage. not quite a foundation but almost catching up to it.

i believe this one is the original BB cream from germany but BB creams have definitely been familiarized in korea.

korean BB creams are an improvement on this: lighter with still good and very impressive coverage, whitening agents, smooth application, etc.etc. - they have a big variety!

i put this in my bag too (this is pretty small as well) if i am going to be out in the sun most of the day.

i get very red from sun exposure, even with loads of sunscreen, so this works to cover my redness.

this also covers most blemishes and pimples but i still use concealer if necessary.
schrammek.com - search blemish balm in the search bar

MAC beauty powder (blush) from the liberty of london collection in 'summer rose'

this is definitely one of my favourites this summer (though optional)

it really does go by its name and gives me a nice summer glow.

i have very fair/pale skin and this creates nice rosy cheeks without overdoing it.

i believe this item is discontinued but you can find other great beauty powders at maccosmetics.com for around $25

benefit 'eye bright' 

a pink-toned eye brightening pencil that i use in the corner of my eyes to brighten up my eyes.

i do sleep in a lot in the summer and i think that this has become a routine for me when i wake up with bags under my eyes!

my dark circles can easily be covered with concealer or even with a tinted moisturizer but i like to be safe and wake up my eyes with this.

you can also use this to highlight your brow bone to create the extra effect. 

$20 at benefitcosmetics.com

that is it! hope you enjoyed this and if you are the type to load up on makeup in the summer, hopefully this has encouraged you to stop!! you can still look good and fresh without all the makeup, so let your skin breathe :)
this is my personal favourites and essentials, it will definitely vary depending on skin and personal taste.
you can definitely find other duplicates or replacements for the items listed but these are just the ones i happened to have.

happy summer, everyone! :)