My Top 5 Must Have Makeup Products

If I had to take a long trip and I could only take 5 makeup products with me, I would take these 5 things:

1. BB Cream - Right now, I am alternating a bunch of BB creams but I like the Skin79 Hot Pink Super Plus because I can use it all year-round.  I like the coverage (medium) and the fact that it has a lot of skincare benefits.
2. Lip Gloss - I have dozens and dozens of lipgloss but the Guerlain Kiss Kiss is probably my favorite because it's a great shimmery nude with high shine.  The color is #845.
3. Concealer - This Laura Mercier Undercover Pot is my go-to concealer for traveling because it is so convenient.  The pot contains separate concealers for blemishes and undereye circles as well as a setting powder.  I'm a MAC NC30 and this pot is in shade #3.
4. Mascara Base - I love thick almost fake looking lashes, even when I'm just going to the supermarket.  So, mascara base is a must for me.  I've been using Shiseido for years although they just reformulated their iconic The Makeup Mascara Base.  Now it's called Nourishing Mascara Base.  It's still good but I think I like the other formula better.  It was a little clumpier but I felt it really fattened up my lashes.
5. Mascara - I have a few favorite mascaras but I've gone through several tubes of this Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara in black.  It creates a lot of volume and doesn't flake.

What are your top 5 must have makeup products?

The BB Cream you can buy here:

http://www.skin79northamerica.com/

http://www.imomoko.com/product.php?cID=_12-84-

All the other stuff you can buy at Sephora here:

http://www.sephora.com/

Favorites: Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff Bracelet in Black Anaconda

 

Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff in Black Anaconda with Gold Buckle

One night I decided I needed a black cuff bracelet ASAP, preferably in snakeskin.  So naturally I googled "black snakeskin cuff bracelet."  One of the results was the Leighelena Jigsaw Cuff pictured above.  It was love at first sight.  The buckle is so modern and sleek.  The only problem was that the Jigsaw style comes in a wide variety of colors and I wasn't so sure I wanted the black anymore.  There's a very cool Stingray Rainbow Hologram style that I was eyeing:

Photo from http://www.shopleighelena.com/

In the end, I decided the black would match with more of my clothes.  Here is a picture of the bracelet on my wrist:

It comes in two sizes:  S and M.  I bought the S.  It's supposed to have a snug fit but I have very small wrists.  Nevertheless, I still like the way it fits.  I hope to purchase more later but they are $100 - $150 each so it's something I have to plan for in my budget.  I do think they are worth it because it is a well made piece of jewelry (made in the USA).  Plus, I will use it for years.  I also like this one and this one!  Which style do you like?

Where to buy Leighelena:

http://www.leighelena.com/

http://www.endless.com/Leighelena-Jewelry/s?brands=Leighelena&node=2366135011

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A3885441%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A2687674011&page=1

Review: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touche on NC30 in Radiant and Nude

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touche in Radiant (top) and Nude (bottom)

In my mid 20s, I bought the YSL Touche Eclat (which now comes in a much wider range of colors) and never really used it because I didn't know what to do with it.  I even bought the Dior highlighting pen and again, it sat in my makeup bin until I threw it away.

Now that I'm in my 30s, I thought I'd give these Maybelline highlighters a try.  Thanks to some youtube videos, I finally figured out how to use highlighter pens!  I really like these Maybelline ones.  They are affordable and a great alternative to the more expensive brands.  I've read that some other beauty bloggers even prefer them over YSL.  Here are some swatches:

L to R:  Radiant and Nude on NC30

As you can see, the Radiant looks peachy pink although it does blend well into the skin and gives the underneath of my eyes a bright glow.  The Nude is yellow toned and more natural looking on my NC30 complexion.  It does brighten the eyes but in a more subtle way.  I like them both.  I was debating between the Nude and the Buff (buff being darker) but decided to go with nude for a highlighting effect.  The Radiant is supposed to be a universal shade in case you aren't sure what color to purchase.  I don't know if these concealers would cover dark circles as they are not especially thick or heavy duty.  They might camouflage minor dark circles.  These also had decent staying power on my normal/combination skin.

I bought my highlighting pens at Target for $6.44 USD but you can also buy them here:

Drugstore.com

Ulta.com

BB Cream Review NC30: Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly & Lioele Water Drop

L - R:  Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly #02, Lioele Water Drop & Lioele Silky Highlighter Touch

I've been using Lioele's Water Drop BB Cream and I really like it!  It's light and cooling on hot summer days.  I live in The Valley (of Los Angeles) and the temperature is almost unbearably warm in the summer.  Recently I purchased Holika Holika's Aqua Petit BB and wanted to compare the two, as well as Lioele's Silky Highlighter BB Touch.  For reference, I'm a MAC NC30, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand, and MUFE HD Foundation #118.  I have normal/combination skin with occasional mild acne.

Swatches:

L-R:  Holika Holika Aqua Petit #02, Lioele Water Drop & Lioele Silky Highlighter

Swatches swiped:

L-R:  Holika Holika Aqua Petit #02, Lioele Water Drop and Lioele Silky Highlighter

Texture:

Aqua Petit Jelly - lightest in texture, like jelly (hence the name), very easy to blend

Water Drop - light texture, cooling on the skin, water droplets form when you blend this into your skin, not as light as Aqua Petit Jelly

Silky Highlighter - light in texture, sheer, easy to blend

Coverage:

Aqua Petit Jelly - light to medium depending on how many layers you apply.  I need to use a separate concealer for blemishes or hyperpigmentation.

Water Drop - light to medium depending on how many layers you apply.  I need to use a separate concealer for blemishes or hyperpigmentation.

Silky Highlighter - not sure because I don't use this all over my face although I know some beauty bloggers do.  I think if you have NC20 skin or lighter, this would be fine to use as an all-over BB cream.

Shade/Color Match:

Aqua Petit Jelly - this matches my skin tone perfectly

Water Drop - this is almost a little bit too light at first but after it oxidizes, it blends in with my skin.  Near perfect match.

Silky Highlighter - perfect shade of highlighter for medium skin with yellowish undertones.  Subtle sheen.  Although it has some shimmer, it is not overly glittery and shiny.

Finish:

Aqua Petit Jelly - semi-matte photo finish

Water Drop - dewy

Silky Highlighter - subtle sheen


You can buy these BB creams here (I am not affiliated with this company):  Prettyandcute.com

Also, if you haven't seen it, here's a great youtube video (by a makeup artist) that will show you how to apply concealer/highlighter for that Kim Kardashian glow:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtJkOk7PKE

Review: Skin79 Dear Rose BB Cream on NC30

Full-size Skin79 Dear Rose BB Cream

I purchased a small sample of this BB cream at a local Asian beauty supply store.  I wanted to try something new and the saleslady suggested the Skin79 Dear Rose BB Cream (first she suggested the Skin79 Hot Pink Super Plus but I already have that).  I am on a BB cream kick so I said, why not? 

For reference, I'm usually an NC25 or NC30, although I have been in the sun a lot this summer so I am probably more like an NC35.  When I tested the product on my hand it was alarmingly light, a greyish very light beige.  I tried it on my face and I was right - not my color.  I thought that maybe the color would oxidize and while it didn't look as grey on my face, it was still very fair. Nevertheless, I wore it to work for the next two days.  I think I probably looked a little ill but whatever.  I did like the coverage (medium) and high 42 SPF.  It does have a strong rose scent which I wasn't into.  I usually wear Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer in Sand and it doesn't seem to have any fragrance (or at least not a strong fragrance).  I was afraid this scented BB cream would make my face breakout but it didn't.

I have normal/combination skin with occasional mild acne.  By the middle of the day, I had to blot because my forehead was shiny.  This BB cream formula is actually targeted towards dry or mature skin.  While I don't consider myself to have mature skin quite yet, I do love anti-wrinkle products and the package for this said "wrinkle improvement."


Skin79 Dear Rose BB Cream Swatch

Above is a picture of my arm with the BB cream.  To the left of the blob of cream, I tried to blend some into my arm.  I hope you can see the faint line where the BB cream ends and my bare skin begins.  I really tried to blend it in but this is as good as it gets for my skin tone.

I do think this is a good BB cream for any fair skinned ladies out there.  You can buy it here:  http://www.imomoko.com/product_detail.php?ID=2933

iMomoko Haul: Etude House, Hada Labo, etc.

iMomoko.com - I stumbled upon this site when I was googling Asian beauty products.  The warehouse is actually located in Monrovia, CA, which is not far from where I live.  But I can be lazy when it comes to shopping and I would rather have products delivered to my door if that is at all possible.  My experience with iMomoko has been great!  I've ordered from them twice.  The products came very quickly (2 to 3 business days) although that might be because I live close to the distribution center. They did get one item wrong in that they sent the wrong formula of a product.  I didn't really mind because I did want this version but just thought they were out of it.  The prices are a little more expensive than Sasa.com (which ships from Hong Kong) but iMomoko does have coupon codes from time to time.  Also, they send good sized samples!  I was very happy with the Caudelie samples I received with my last two orders. 

Here's what I ordered:

iMomoko Haul - Etude House, Dolly Wink, DHC, Hado Labo & Kiss Me

Top Row L-R:

• Etude House Sweet Heart Capsules - Ceramide (I ordered the Argan Oil & Retinol)
• Hada Labo Hyuralonic Lotion Light
• Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara
• Dolly Wink Black Liquid Eyeliner
• DHC Moisturizing Eye Strips

Bottom Row L-R (all sheet masks):

• Etude House Rich Butter Foot Mask (2 packs)
• Etude House Pomegranate Mask
• Etude House Royal Jelly Mask
• Etude House Vitamin E Mask

 I like to get my coupon codes from this website:  Retailmenot.com

Happy shopping!

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with iMomoko.com.

Bronzer Review: Rimmel Sun Bronze vs. NYC Sunny

Left to right:  Rimmel Sun Bronze & NYC Sunny

I wanted to try a matte bronzer so I headed to the drugstore to purchase Rimmel's Sun Bronze 022 ($3.49 USD @ CVS) and NYC's Sunny 720A ($2.79 USD @ Target).  I've heard a lot of good things about these products via beauty gurus and other blogs.  For reference, my face is usually a MAC NC25 - NC30 although right now I might be closer to NC35 since I've been in the sun quite a bit.  I have normal/combination skin with occasional mild acne.  Here are the bronzers swatched on my inner arm:

Left to right:  Rimmel Sun Bronze & NYC Sunny

They are both fairly sheer on me although you can layer for more color.  In order for the colors to show on my arm above, I layered about 3 or 4 swipes.  As you can see, the Rimmel is lighter and I thought it had a more rosy tone.  The NYC is darker and looked more yellow based to me.  I like them both.  I find myself reaching for the Rimmel for work because it's more subtle on my skin.  On the weekends, I use the NYC.  The NYC is also smaller so it is easier to carry in my makeup bag.  For the price, they are pretty good quality - smooth in texture and easy to apply.  I use the Sephora bronzer brush.  The packaging for both bronzers are sort of flimsy and cheap but they were less than $5 so I didn't expect a Dior compact.

I do like these bronzers and I plan to use them but my favorite is still Nars Laguna.  I like the shimmer!

If you want to buy these bronzers on-line, you can find them here:

Rimmel: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2960199

NYC:   http://www.drugstore.com/nyc-smooth-skin-bronzing-face-powder-sunny-720a/qxp349760