Collective Sephora Haul!

Since I’m a little rusty, I figured I’d come back with something that comes a little more easy for me. I received my latest order from Sephora today and thought, “Maybe I should do a haul post!” So here we are, a collective haul from my last few recent stops at Sephora.

The first item is the BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($36 USD). I received a sample of this as a 100 point perk and fell in love… So I got the full size product. I just take a dab of this, warm it up between my fingers and tap the product on my nose. Keeps my skin matte for so much longer than any other primer I have used!
Next is my first stab at using lipstick, with the Too Faced Le Crème lipstick in Coral Fire ($21 USD)–a gorgeous coral that leans red. This lipstick had me with its pigmentation and creamy, moisturizing formula! So far, really really REALLY like the lipstick.

Since I got rid of my old eyelash curler from Kirkland Signature (by Borghese aka Costco), I figured it was time for a new one. So I got the Shiseido Eyelash Curler. This curler fits the shape of my eye perfectly like my old curler–it has a wide curve that fits all my lashes from the inner to the outer corner!
For my trip to Dom. Rep. in the summer, I got this Sephora Universal Atomizer for my Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume. It was on sale for $7 USD and it is cute! 😀
So after watching Wayne Goss’ tip of applying powder before foundation, I gave in and went out to purchase a new powder–the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder ($32). It is fine, lightweight, translucent and really smooths the texture of my skin while keeping oil at bay!
Now because I’m such a panda, I needed a concealer with better coverage than the Maybelline Magic Dream Lumi Concealer. So, after much “research” (aka a lot of raves from Youtubers) I got the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard ($29). This was one of the first items I hauled, so I have gotten use out of it, and it really covers dark circles with one to two layers; one for more natural coverage and two for flawless coverage. It also covers imperfections well too! Perfect match for my skin tone.
When I made the latest of my orders, I finally found a perk really worth a part of my points… The 500 point perk from Nars~!
The box came with:

• Blush in Deep Throat (0.14 oz) – The color is a gorgeous peach with a slight hint of gold glitters. The size of the packaging is the same as their single eye shadows.
• Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien (0.05 oz) – This is a “my lips but better” shade for me, a medium rose shade that seems flattering for light to medium skin tones!
• Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Via Veneto (0.01 oz) – It is long wearing and a creamy black I am excited to use up!
• Small sample of the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (0.01 oz)

Wow, so I spent quite a bit lot in the past few months… Going to go on a ban for quite a long time LOL. Oh well, at least I know I will get a lot of use from these products as they are now pretty much HG products for me. Will be reviewing these products soon since I will have more time on my hands~

Hope you guys enjoyed!
Bye~

Blog Anniversary!

Wow, time sure flies by.

I would have never thought that the 10th of May marked the 3rd year anniversary for this blog. I would have never thought I would start a blog, period. Too bad I’m two days late in noticing such a feat. LOL.

It just came to mind that I started this blog, in fact, during my freshman year of college in 2011. I know this blog is not one of the most read, but I am proud that people do come across my blog and read my posts. I have come farther than I would have ever imagined and I am proud of myself.

Today also marked the day that I reached 13,000 views! That is… 12,999 more views than I thought I would have.

Not putting myself down or anything, but I really NEVER imagined myself starting a blog and either rambling or doing reviews. Heck, I didn’t think I would have been knee deep in all of the products I have purchased and tried. It is ridiculous. My first post was random, and the ones that followed as well–ranging from lyrics, to rambles, to beauty. But I have found my passion and I’m glad I’ve gotten better at blogging.

I really want to thank my subscribers and the people who read my posts. I do appreciate you having decided to stick by me, even though sh-eet got real and I barely have time to post or even think about what posts I want to do. But here I am, ignoring my three papers, to post a big thank you and apologize for the lack of any new content. These three years feel like they have flown by and with every accomplishment, this blog has really brightened up those three years.

I do plan on doing reviews once the school year ends, because I have been loving so many products and been trying so many new things I really want to share my thoughts about.

Thank you guys so much for getting me to 13,000 views and thank you my subscribers!

Love you, and see you in future posts!

Just keep on waiting for me, keke.

Where Did All My Words Go?

There is just so much I want to do… And there is so much time… But when I sit down and get my fingers on the keyboard, nothing seems to want to come out.

I took pictures of many things– hauls from TFS and Nature Republic from when I went daaaaaays ago. Oh! And the rest of what I wanted to order the first time from Koreadepart.

But alas, here I am…
Rambling so I can maybe find some inspiration.

Maybe soon, when I have no other options, I’ll be able to find words for what I’ve packed for a month away (in the “beauty” sense).

Sigh!
It’s so hard picking!

I wear this every time, take. This foundation has a lot of staying power but no SPF, take? This one has an amazing finish and SPF but probably won’t stay put, take? Palettes are so thin and compact, but these have some colors I like that the other doesn’t… Which do I take?! I like this single shadow, I like this one too… This one is similar to this one but this one’s only got a satiny sheen while the others more packed with shimmers! Which do I take?!

Took me forever to decide and I’m still not leaving. But one question is still looming over my head, do I take my Naked palette?!

Packing-is-so-damn-STRESSFUL!!! I’ve never implemented so many packing tips before. My luggage is full of stuff and only 30 something pounds.

I only gotta thank two things–chiffon, and small packaging.

Who can go wrong with chiffon? It’s lightweight (heck you can’t even feel it), with this heat it won’t cling to your body, doesn’t take up space (at all!) and I have yet to find a chiffon blouse or dress I don’t like. Sooo much variety.

And with packaging, travel sized bottles are amaze-balls. I have a bunch from The Face Shop that are the perfect size for my skincare stuffs for a whole month of use–got my scrub, cleansers, moisturizer, toner, soothing gel, etc.

One thing I was smart enough to do (or so I believe)… I dug around and found two Isa Knox sample bottles made of really nice sturdy glasslike material (those tiny ones) and filled with my fave YSL foundation/Skin79 BB cream. Got a lot of pumps each and it’ll probably last me the whole time.

Best part, don’t gotta carry the big bulky packaging!

I looked over everything and tried my best to pack things that can be used for more than one thing. I’m gonna look over again, cause I feel like I might letting my inner hoarder go just a tiiiiiny bit.

Hmm. Maybe I should do a travel tips post… When I settle down after arriving!

See these rambles really do serve a purpose! Imma go sleep on it.

Nights!! Hopefully this writer’s block will be cured soon.

About the Missha Time Revolution Line…

So… I promised to write a review about the products I purchased a long, long, looooong time ago from the Missha Time Revolution White Cure line.

Unfortunately… I had a love/hate relationship with the products.

The lotion and the toner were not heavy… But they left a sticky feeling on the skin. At first, I really loved liked it. Then the summer came… And I didn’t like it as much, but I still liked it.

What really made me hate the two, was for the same reason as the BB cream… It made me break out by the next morning. I was so mad. It actually had potential! If I had some dark spots from acne, it would fade them quicker than just using my regular skin care routine.

The Real Expert Serum, was a similar story. Except it took much longer for it to make my skin break out. I still use though. I apply it, sometimes on stubborn dark spots. If I use it all over–Hello pimples!

I think, out of all the three, I liked the serum the most. It’s relatively thicker but it wasn’t sticky like the toner and the lotion.

I don’t know, I’m not gonna repurchase. I didn’t even keep the lotion and the toner. The lotion was 3/4th of the way full and the toner… A little less than half. 😦 It hurt me to throw it out. But no hope. That’s why I has no pics…

I guess Missha just isn’t for my skin. The only thing that hasn’t broken me out was their Super Aqua cleansing foam that I purchased.

Sigh, that’s why I took so long to post on it. I wasn’t going to right one to be honest but, you have to post bad reviews too right?

Buying and constantly trying new products isn’t a walk in the park… Literally, we’ll hit a few bumps.

Koreadepart Experience & Mini Haul!

This was such a nice way to end my last day of classes. On Wednesday, May 15, USPS left that horrid pink slip in my mailbox saying I missed my delivery (which mind you I did not, cause they didn’t bother walking up a flight of stairs or buzzing the intercom to see if anyone was home—which everyone was… They always do this. -__-). Once I saw “Foreign” under sender, I already knew what it was…

My order from KoreaDepart!

Now this post is going to be a long one! I want to get in my little haul, and thoroughly talk about KoreaDepart. So please don’t abandon me just yet! Haul first, site info later! But as always, a bit of rambling.

I had never ordered from KoreaDepart but it seemed popular and had nothing but good reviews, so I decided what the hay? I’ll order something small and see how it is, if I love, I’ll order more. Lo-and-behold, I friggen loved it.

Here’s how the process or journey went:

• Order placed: May 2, 2013
• Order shipped/refund placed*: May 3, 2013
• Order left Incheon Airport: May 7, 2013
• Order delivered (and missed): May 15, 2013

* to be thoroughly explained~

After all the pictures, I will explain everything! (You know cause, everyone would rather see pictures than a bunch of words…) Just so no one gets confused and can enjoy Korean goods at great prices! I’ll be posting pictures of the packaging, what I ordered and the samples.

So let’s get on to it. ^^

Here’s the box, all logo’d up and everything. Click to enlarge.

See the wrapping? Imagine if there were fragile products? I’d be in bubble-popping galore!

Click to enlarge.

Click to enlarge.

My order all neatly spread out. Click to enlarge.

My lovely little tiny order. I ordered relatively few items, because–well, it was my first time, and I wanted to just test the waters. Another, I ordered something else, but it was sold-out so they refunded… This is it: The Face Shop’s Natural Sun AQ Eco Cushion Sun Cover (note the “Cover”, I intended to get the “Original”… but I’m looking forward to this one more now!), two Aritaum Air Cushion Sunblock Puffs (to use alternatively with the Cushion) and three Blotting Films from The Face Shop… because who wants to pay $5 USD a pack at TFS locations here in NY? Not me.

Samples I received in a separate little packet, never tried anything from Skinfood before.

A little sneak at the gem of my order! Click to enlarge.

Sigh, so far, I’m really liking this pretty little gem. Purchased it for summer because it’s perfect for travel, has SPF 50 PA+++, and it’s lightweight. I intended to purchase the Original one, because it’s the one that was in The Face Shop (only in Flushing, canvased them all only found there… It’s been a month though, maybe they got shipments!) And the lovely 달자 (whom I HIGHLY recommend) had written a review, here (along with many other cushions, sparking my interest). The one I ordered is from the same line but is not the “Original”, it is the “Cover” version. But, no more of that, I will use and get a firm grip on my opinion, then post a review! 😀 Kekeke, I’ll let that one simmer.

Now, onto the whole KoreaDepart lecture!

First of all… shipping. Amazing. Ordering things from Hong Kong, and S. Korea usually takes 3-5 weeks to arrive here in the US (from my past experiences) and for it to arrive in just 2 weeks was awesome!

Ordering on the site, is easy actually. They do provide a beginner’s guide on ordering and have an FAQ section here. They’re pretty thorough at explaining, from what I saw. But, I didn’t use the guide before I ordered; I just peaked after… out of curiosity.

It’s simple: Browse –> Add to cart –> check out! (Sounds like it came out of Dora the Explorer LOL.)

The first thing they’ll ask is if you would like EMS mail or registered mail as shipping option. This is asked because depending on your choice, you have to pay a prepaid shipping cost. Since a lot of my visits are from Asian readers, I’ll point this out: If you live in an Asian country you will pay a fixed price, you won’t have to deal with the whole prepaid price shenanigans. These countries include: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, the Phiippines, etc.

For everyone else, here’s the explanation!

Registered mail prepaid cost is $25 USD. EMS is (I think, don’t quote me!) $30-$1000, there are other options in between. DO NOT PANIC, THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL SHIPPING COST! When your products are being packed to be shipped, the box is weighed. The final weight, will determine your final shipping cost.

If your shipping cost is less than your prepaid cost, they will refund you the difference. If it is more than the prepaid cost you paid, you will be charged the difference. Here is an explanation from their site. I paid the $25 USD, but the real shipping cost was $8.54 USD. So I was refunded, $16.46 USD.

I paid with Paypal, so the refund thing was easy. The day it shipped, I got my refund. It’s not that confusing! If I’m correct, I think G-Market does the same thing. After that, it was all smooth sailing tracking with the link they provided. No good after it left Incheon airport though… tracking does not update after that for Registered Mail.

Final Verdict: (If you made it this far… congrats! LOL.) I love this site. I have this whole wish list, which unfortunately, is half influenced by everything I’ve read on 달자’s blog… and things too expensive at the TFS locations or Asian beauty shops here in NY. I’m going to be purchasing again really soon, so yea. I totally recommend. They have such a wide selection of brands and products, for such great prices! It beats putting my faith on eBay and the time it took for the products to arrive was another plus! I’m so happy to have discovered this site.

Hopefully, I helped out–without being boring… I think I was though. ><
But, thanks for reading! As always~
(Time to watch more Supernatural… Cause… who needs sleep?)

Heads Up: Nature Republic

OMG. I might be behind. Or I might be the one informing you first, but this small small small post is to tell you guys…

*drum roll*

Nature Republic opened up a store in Flushing!!!

Yay, finally another Korean cosmetics brand opened a location in NY! Definitely will stop but. Apparently it opened in April… I think mid-April? But I didn’t find out until now! Can’t wait til I have the opportunity to stop buy.

It’s about time I have other Korean brands other than The Face Shop and Missha in my collection (Missha not so much, not a fan anymore…).

Etude House should open a locale too… 😀

Emptying of my wallet shall happen soon!

Here’s the address if anyone is interested, I’m bad at describing but I’m good at finding places when I’m there.. So plug the address in Google Maps, or Yelp and you’re good to go!

Nature Republic:
135-80 Roosevelt Ave, New York, NY 11354

Online Shopping Blurb

Sigh, so I’m bored out of my mind and thought why not give my blog just a liiiiitle bit of love by posting a small blurb?

I came across a video on YT for a Korean cosmetics haul and the person had ordered from Koreadepart. Now, I’m all for websites that ship internationally and sell products at cheaper prices. So I went ahead and ordered something I have wanted for a while!

I will post a full on review of my experience with the site when my package arrives (hopefully soon, it already shipped) and how to place your order (even though it’s pretty simple, but some things are different)!

I’m so excited! I have been dying to try the new BB/CC cushion product trend, so I ordered one from The Face Shop, at a dramatically cheaper price! Sigh, preparing for that summer sun and heat. ><! I want to avoid heavy BB creams and foundation for the weather to come and I want something compact for my trip in the summer–so this product better be my savior!

Hopefully… Again, no promises, product reviews will start appearing when finals are over and summer vacation begins… If I don't find myself a job. You know, gotta make dat bank! But watch, when its hot as hell (literally) and I'm sitting in front of the AC, posting reviews will certainly be of priority– before or after studying Korean of course!

Time to refresh mind for quiz,
See you all in a new post soon (some day, some time?)

Being Nocturnal

It’s almost 5:30 am and I’m still up without a yawn or ounce of sleepiness in me. Finished watching Sector 7 with 하지원 (Ha Ji-won)… Not a bad movie–Just wasn’t what I expected. Lost all seriousness when I saw 박철민 (Park Cheol-min).

But anywho… I’m bored and have nothing better to do as I lie in bed, so I’m posting one of my rambles…

Break is almost over, I start class next week to be exact, and I have been going to bed at 5-7 am. Bad me. I wake up, if I have the day to myself, around 3-5 pm– bad bad me. I get sleepy when the sun comes up and wake up when the sun is down. I’ve become pretty nocturnal, if I don’t say so myself.

I just know how bad it’s gonna feel when I gotta sleep early and wake up at 6 am for my 8 am classes this semester. OMG, what am I going to do with myself?! I’ll be surviving on naps again like the past 3 semesters. This is ridiculous. How am I going to get myself to sleep early…?

Maybe I’ll give myself a little push with NyQuil, I’m trying to nip this flu in the bud with whatever I can… Both my parents got the flu and right now my throat is not so well. I guess I lasted 2 weeks strong not trying to catch it. My voice was manly yesterday so it’s a sign. Dad lost his voice when he got it and mom was half mute when the flu hit her hard, LOL… It was priceless talking to her that. Bad me.

My phone’s at 1% battery, so I shall end it here. Before I regret another sentence. Keke.

잘자요 여러분!

Updates & Apologies

I broke my promise… Again…

I have no excuses and I’ll just say… I lost that little spark or push that made me want to sit down and write reviews. As far as skincare and masks go… I’ll see what I get up and post. There is one I do want to review because it has been helping me tons!

It’s almost the end of my winter break and only now I am I writing an update and actually posting anything on my blog. I feel so bad. ;__;

EVEN AFTER GETTING NAGGED TO UPDATE ALL YEAR– You know who you guys are! (Cause I know you’ll get the email and read this. Pfft… you guys glad now? Hehe ^^!) Better late than never, right??

I’ve decided, since opinions always shift… that I would begin looking back at some of my old posts… If my opinion changed, I would edit it. You will know I edited it if on the title there is an (E)! Simple as that. If I have something new to say, towards the end of the post there will be an “Update” section in bold and italics. There will be a date by it too– I don’t know, maybe having the date would help? LOL.

The amount of products I have purchased since my last posts have been pretty vast? Mostly eye products though, maybe… just maybe… I’ll push myself to do reviews on that.  I have purchased a lot of eye shadows from The Face Shop and a powder pact too. Definitely will be putting these products at the top of my Reviews Pending List.

Just be patient with me? Okay? Just need to get back on my feet.

See you soon? (No promises! But I’m trying~)

Thank you for still sticking by~!! And thanks for still viewing (…or should I say visiting?) my blog!

Where Have I Been?

Obviously, I haven’t been on WordPress.

It has been a long time since I have posted something on here. But to be honest, other than work from school and home I don’t have a valid excuse to explain my lack of posts.

I have plenty of notes on masks I used during the winter, and new products to talk about but I haven’t felt inspired enough to write out the posts for you guys.

Why not force myself to write them out and get that out of the way?
Because forced writing with no interest will leave you, my readers, with no interest.

I want people to read my posts and feel like they hold some kind of purpose. I don’t want to just spill words onto a document, upload it, and have it go unread or unappreciated.

I promise, after these next two weeks– when finals are over and vacation begins (and when boredom strikes my home)– the posts will be plentiful.

I have yet to review masks (TFS, SooRyeHan, and Missha), BB Cream (TFS), Urban Decay’s Build Your Own Palette, and some miscellaneous eye/lip/nail products.

Now that I’ve got that out of the way, time to go back to finishing labs and studying for the load of finals coming my way.

Thanks for sticking around!~