My sigma order experience (pic heavy)

I was pretty experience excited to see this in the mail =D

I think inexpensive brushes are great but I love the fact that this travel brush set has all of the essentials in one roll.

I'm going to keep loving my other brushes (until they give out =D) but I feel so much better knowing that I have everything I need and I can take it with me if I need to without over packing >=D

About the quality of theses brushes I'd have to say what everyone else says is true about how they're a major competetor of M.A.C. cosmetics brushes.  I'd have to say some of them are better than M.A.C. brushes. 

yes I've caved before and wanted some nice staple brushes, but when I felt them I was like D=... they don't compare to synthetic brushes.

Anywhoos, when I opened the package this is what I saw =) I liked how thoughtful they were.

I was even more surprised to see that they had included 2 gifts O__O;;

I was expecting one because the travel brush set I ordered comes in two variation so no matter which one you order you get the extra brush the set doesn't come with.  Which I thought was well thought out. 

Though because the other set was black I was supposed to get a black extra brush, but it was pink...no that I'm complaining, I'm glad that my whole set is pink now XD

The thing I wasn't expecting was the extra extra brush LOL

So the brush rolls out like this.  I'm not too crazy about the silvery pink and the fact that material is kind of cheap.  It feels like those 2 dollar purses you can find in those random stores, which falls apart on you in like a week.  Hrm...but I haven't heard anybody complain about the brush roll yet

But good thing that all of the face brushes come with guards to keep the shape wich was awesome =)

There was also a pamflet on the names and a description about the brush and what it's for

and I paired up what they said with each brush.

Large Powder - F30

Very dense with a rounded top.  Ideal to apply powder products on face and body. Natural bristles.

Duo fibre - F50

Specially designed to generate an "airbrushed" finish when used to apply liquid foundation. Blends of synthetic and natural bristles.

Large Angled Contour - F40

The angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades. Natural Bristle.

Eye shading - E55

Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments.  Natural bristles.

Pencil - E30

Precise application of colour on the crease, outer corner, upper and lower lash line.  Natural bristles.

Tapered Blending - E40

Rounded and tapered top.  Specially designed to apply and blend colour on the crease.  Natural bristles.

Concealer - F70

The rounded, tapered, flat shap makes this brush ideal to conceal under eye area.  Synthetic bristles.

Here is the extra extra brush XD haha

It's called the E25

There's no description of the brush but it's like a flatter version of the tapered blending brush.

Which I'm sure will be more usefull to me as a crease brush instead because the actual blending brush is too big for my eye liek my M.A.C. 224

Everybody I'd like to say that people from specialty cosmetic stores don't know everything about makeup application and especially how the makeup works on your skin.

Do your research online, read reviews and don't be afraid to try, because you never know.

My experience with M.A.C has always been bad if I need to ask them for advice.  The girl who recommended me the 224 for my first brush was the only good advice I ever got.

As a begginer, it was great.  It gave me good light dust of colour and faded out nicely, but I don't to that anymore.

Instead I use the 224 to spread my concealer.  I love it, airbrush finish XD good bye lines!

Haul and a fail lol

The bay had one of their gift with purchases currently and they have some pretty nice things that I wanted to try out. 

I rememebered I had a conversation with my friend a while back and she meantioned that she loved Estee Lauder's Idealist pore minimizing skin refinisher.  I already love their advanced night time repair serum, so I did want to try something different, plus I plan to make my vitamin C serum for night time use anyways.  Though I kind of failed with that for now... lol

Anyways!  The "gift" came with:

mini advanced night repair serum

soft clean tender creme cleanser for dry skin

resilience lift extreme ultra firming creme spf 15

a eye shadow quad with a light peach, taupe, lavander, copper brown

lipstick in pink parfait

and a double wear eye pencil in  02 coffee

I did like their other cleansers and moisturizers. maybe these will be just as good. 

While I did do some research on vitamins and their chemical compounds and hwo our body digests and absorbs it.  I completely bought the wrong type of vitamin C today...I don't think it worked, but I can't say it didn't work...urghhhhh

I had gotten the C-complex which is wronnngggg
I need asorbic acid and vegetable glycerin and distilled water
Which surprisingly enough distilled water can be purchased in shoppers! XD who knew

Oh well at least my schooling has taught me that if you take vitamin C on a regular basis, it helps cells regrow?  X3 good to know huh?

Oh well I'm going to be taking this vitamin C powder and ingest it...can't say this tastes very good, but I know my body will thank me when summer rolls around!

Trying a new hairstyle

I also realize that I need some circle lenses and lashes to look right

Though to my delight, I found that I didn't need all that much eye makeup =)

Though the picture is kind of decieving lol

That face actually took and hour to make LOL

I was actually trying to make my face to look like Lightning from Final Fantasy 13

...again XD hahaha

But then I noticed that it was a pretty natural looking face

(duh Lightening doesn't wear makeup XD;; )

I was trying to achieve her face shape wihtout making look like I'm wearing makeup...I kinda passed?

Also I got distracted and started cam whoring

I Know my face kind of looks greasy with the flash on, buuut it does show off the makeup-made face structure!  XD looks much better~    And then a half hour after of messing with my hair to look like Lightning, but for some reason it didn't look right and just when I was giving up which is in the photo on the left~

Buuut then I realized the hair was on the wrong side! soooooo

drum roll please!

Review time! ( StriVectin-SD )

So after my Arbonne eye creme ran out I needed another eye cream.  I've been watching reviews about StriVectin SD line and people really love it.  Packaging is very plain, it comes in a long sleek squeeze tube. 

Out of all the places I found it at Shopper's haha

I got the one that's 7.5% NIA - 114 + Peptide Actives.

On the box it says:

"We started with a goal. Create the most effective age-fighting eye product ever.  So we powered up the original StriVectin SD eye with more efficacious peptides, eye brighteners and soft focus light diffusers.  And we re-engineered the formulawith NIA-114, discovered in DNA skin cancer research to accelerate the rebuilding of skin layers."

Week 2
Energy increasing; dark circles and puffiness reducing

Week 4
Natural collagen renewing; firmness increasing

Week 8
Elasticity reinforcing; fine lines fading

Now I'm only up to week 3 ish and I have to say that I do see a difference but it's been slow.  At 2 weeks I didn't notice anything.  Though something I did notice that this is alot easier for my skin. 

The Arbonne eye creme, actually was too rich for my skin.  It did say it was for mature skin lol~
I was starting to develop small bumps that looked like mini white heads...which needless to say is gross looking.

Now they're almost gone and this new eye cream hasn't done anything to make it worse.

I have to say that I didn't expect this product to have brightening properties.  LOL  soft focus properties
So in other words, this isn't a miracle product and once you stop using it, you'll look like shit again.

Buuut I think I can live with that XD I mean I think the purpose of the brightening effect is so it looks like it's done it's job super fast for people who are impatient and want instant results.  But I'm going to week 8 and seeing if I actually see any results!

Review time!

So this is for my canadian girls!  I got these both at shoppers drug mart.  The one on top is life brand and I chose the one that was moisturizing for dry, brittle nales with vitamin E and aloe.  The one of the bottom is by Quo and it's the strengthening one. 

If I had to choose one, I definately pick the life one.  Not only is it cheaper, you need less to get the same job done.  Also for the quo I had to use 3-4 cotton pads to take off all my nail polish...not cool.

I get the cotton pads from costco the one that's rough on one side and smooth on the other, and it's not cheap!  I mean it's not super expensive either, but x___x come on, 3-4 cotton pads every time?

I never had that problem with the life brand.  Everything usually came off in 1-2 cotton pads. 

Needless to say I'm not getting this Quo nail polish remover again D=

Makeup post! if you don't like scary looks don't open lol

This is dedicated to my favourite game Left 4 Dead!
I know it's miles away from Halloween, but I was actually looking through some convention photos and I decided to do a look ^____^ makes me happpyyyyyyyyyy

Poor blog though, I keep on saying I'm totally going to be more commited and then I go away again XD;;

School's still on the picking up phase but it's almost to the reading break, I can feel it XDDD

In any case back to my story XD hahahaha

I haven't really been going to cons for a while and it's because I just haven't found the people to connect with anymore x___x;; I don't know

I used to have so much fun..then people just started dissapearing

I don't mean in the creepy they're gone, but more like they distance themselves and then I distance myself

=__=;;

It makes me really want to cosplay again
The memories were so great!
Being silly and everything, but I think that boat has long past ...looooooooooong past  lol

You know instead I would love to do people's makeup for photoshoots
that would be soooooo fun XD

Here's a look I did for the witch from Left 4 Dead 1 & 2
enjoyyyyyy

Here I try to make my hair like it is with the witch, surprisingly my camera's auto focusing made my hair extra white XD;; 

Here is a closer colour of my hair

Here is the look without the hair in my face for a better view ^__^

and lastly, SEXY WITCH lol

feeling dead on the inside

=___= ughhhhh I was so set on doing blog posts on a regular basis and then school kicked into full gear.  I don't know how the girls I follow do it.  They seem to have at least an 8 hour day of something and they still look glam and fab!
Also they take great pics X3 omggg I can't stop gushing over how much I love fashion vids and posts.

ohhh dun dun dun am I starting to lean towards fashion more now?

hrmm I guess I've always been interested in fashion, but it's so expensive you know? haha

Also it's kind of getting lonely talking to myself it seems ^^;;
I'd like to meet some bloggers!!

So if anybody is interested, what are your current obsessions?

le sighhhh

Good bye bag that I loved ;___;
I have such a hard time letting go of purses that I've found~

I get so attatched.

But I have reason!

Think about it.  I love bags and purses XD no question!
And I spend all my time thinking about it ahaha ^^;;

So when I finally find one, I love it to pieces!

I think I've gotten to the point that if I want to invest in a bag, it's going to be good quality.

I really love this bag and I've gotten so many compliments on it.  However I got it at Aldo...and it was 50 bucks D= 

I think that's the last time I'm going to buy a fashion bag and sacrifice the quality.

Except for maybe smaller purses which I run to the groceries or something =)

I've gotten quality bags for around 100 bucks and they still are in perfect condition...except my white one....I had a spat and there was pink bbt involved D=

Needless to say I'm going to keep my cool when I'm holding an expensive bag lol!

Ohhh maybe I'll do a purse collection XD

haul time!!! (pic super heavy @___@)

I think I've decided that valentines day is going to be my next favourite "holiday" XD

Just think about it =)

You get to dress up like halloween, buuut less work is involved

Plusssss there's so many things with hearts on them @_____@

My bf and I went on a random shopping trip to the states again XD hahahaha

Picked up some things that we can't get here...like all of it!

 And I think I found my new favourite lip balm ommggg it's sooo good

Okok I'm going to admit, I've been seeing the signs of aging

especially around my eyes and lips.  D= lines so not hot

Such bad timing because I bought all these nice lipsticks but I can't wear them because it just looks terrible.  Sometimes I think it's the combination of my dry house and age.

Lip balms don't work for the most part...Like all the lip balms I used to swear by no longer cut it for me T__T;;

I thought I had to just stop wearing lipstick.. It was really that bad.  I wasn't even looking out for this lip balm today but my lips were so dry and I forgot my lip balm..again XD;;

It has some shimmer but I can't say it has pigmentation, which is fine because I love it as a lip balm...which it clearly says on the side of the tube XD

I do like the packaging, it has the company name, then the description of what it does XD

BTWs I looove this toner.  It sucks that I can't find it in Canada anymore.  I was watching kokolaroo and she was raving about this toner and how it's the best toner she's tried.  My god she was right O__O

I love the way it makes my skill look ^___^

Here is a close up of what it says it does

This is part of Boots Botanical line

Which I really love their eye makeup remover too

=)

Also I'm super excited to try this foundation.  I found it in Rite Aid.

I'm only iffy on cream foundations but look at the spf!!

I love powder sunscreen I thin it's so multi purpose, but this is even more multipurpose!

I only got to test this out on my skin so far, I don't know about lasting power, but it's definately a sheer to medium coverage.

Packaging is kind of stupid though...buuut it's more sturdy than the maybelline dream smooth moose.

This is their lightest shade which is in classic ivory I think.  I got rediculously pale in the past couple of weeks for some reason...

@__@ I hate it when my skin does that

this is why I wanted a new foundation

I really like that it's sheer to medium coverage though.  I like my high coverage, but at the same most of my time is spent casually so I don't really want to look out of place with my face full of makeup lol

Remember this?  Yes this is my second one.  I think this is the first cosmetic related thing I got a two of because I finished the first one! XD

Though this time I got it in medium beige.  You gotta be careful, even if you're on the paler side, get a shade down because it really gives a white-ish cast.  (probably from the sunscreen)

And finally!!!

The new physician's formula stuff I've been lusting after!

I saw a bunch of gurus on youtube buy this and I knew that vancouver wouldn't have it D=

LOL I totally need these in my life XD

I'm still kind of confused as to whether these are finishing powders or highlights...

They're on the shimmery side..but not very shimmery.  If it was a highlight it'd be a very muted finish.

Why I didn't get everything is because I don't need a million bronzers, I have alot still.  I'm still not very big on bronzers and I didn't get their blush is because it's a very rosey colour. 

I look terrible with rosey colours mostly and I have a crap ton of blushes still @___@

Which I love so I didn't bother.

Hey  I love packaging but I still want to love the product ^__^

Close up view, this one's called beige

and this one's translucent

Each compact comes with a mirror and a brush underneith

I'm still not a big fan of their brush, buuut this is actually alot nicer than their normal brushes @__@ I may use them afterall XD

This also have a nice lavender scent to them!  Ohhh it's so fun putting this stuff on ^___^



^___^ my skincare stuff are getting love !

So as of right now I just used up my Arbonne corrective eye creme!  I know I should be sad because it's a really good eye cream, but I already have my next eye cream that I know I'll enjoy >=)

I honestly don't remember when I started using this, but the packaging says that after opened I have a year to use.  Which I didn't take thaat long, but I think I used it enough to think it's good value for the price!

I have to thanks this eye cream for saving my eyes from so much damage.  A combination of winter's intense cold, and extremely dry central heating system and tugging on my eyes with contact lenses, my eyes looked like they belonged to a girl of late 30s

Not cool >=/

I think I've learned my lesson with contact lenses and well taking care of my skin in general.

You think i would have learned that by now.  LOL

I can never get past how fragile the eye area really is @___@

Oh daiso, you get me every time =/

So I've been wanting one of those hair bands that have wires in them so I can do that cute hair style when my roots grow in XD

Also when my hair is up I like to put lots of decoration because I think it looks plain without it?

All in all I think I went a little crazy on hair stuff at daiso lol

And to think all I went in for was a nice container that won't leak to put my olive oil in, which I did find thankfully

I don't know how it'll perform yet, but here's hoping!

On a side note about olive oil, originally I used olive oil to take off my makeup because I didn't want to keep on buying new expensive eye makeup remover.  Because I use it up so quickly, it broke my wallet very easily x___x

But then I realised I stressed my eye area less, because I'm putting less chemicals there.  My eyes have taken a break from chemicals for a while and they are thanking me =)

OOOOhhh I forgot to meantion that those keychain things on the bottom right of the photo are hair ties actually.  They're made specifically for odango hair style!

I saw my cousin's friend use it in Shanghai while I was visiting @___@ damn she is so pretty

Review time! (T/Gel therapeutic shampoo original formula)

long-lasting relief of itching and flaking

The product is by Neutrogena and it is recommended by dermatologists and is apparently clinically proven to help control the scalp from itching and flaking caused by dandruff, scalp psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

It says that it's effective from the first use and keeps working after the shampoo is rinsed off also that it's gentle enough for everyday use.

I'd have to say I don't know what to do without this product. My hair get dandruff very easily. Now with my extremly bleached hair, I have a different kind of dandruff than I used to get. Before it would just get oily and I'd get small bits of dandruff and my scalp would get itchy. Now because I'm basically chemically burning my scalp, the top layer flakes off in large flakes. Either way it's nasty and I need it to stay under control.

I was introduced to the product 4-5 years ago. Then I only used it every once in a while (this was pre bleached hair) and now I use it more often but still I use it only once every other shampoo. Though I can't say it gives my damaged hair any benefits, I can however say that it really gives my scalp a break from itching and dandruff.

I don't think I will ever be without this product X3

I caved D=

I don't think I've wanted some of these things so bad D=

But I don't think I could hold out on these anymore >_<

Although I need to go back to sephora I could have swor the makeup forever was on sale =/

In any case X3 I loooove what I got

Haha I was actually watching beauty broadcast and she meantioned these glosses with lip pencil thing and it made her lips so nice a glossy but pigmented in the most natural way.  OOhhh I loved it

I'm thinking of switching over to just these glosses and lip pencils from now on XD

Oh I was supposed to go to the states today with my bf, but we ended getting to the line up of the border and we were like "**** this D="  The freaking line was backed up all the way to the high way

So kind of dissapointed we ended up going to surry to pick up some krispy kreme XD

But on the high way there's this strip mall in the middle of nowhere lol

There ended up being a Lulu Lemon warehouse sale and I found these tron looking fitted workout pants

XD nailed it!

Then across the street, there was a winners and I found the most unique hoodie in the area @___@ well I find.  It was a blue hoodie but the unique thing about it is that it's made of lace XD woahhhh

And this cute top @__@;; I don't know how I'm going to wear all these yet but I'll figure it out XD

Wins of 2010!

I may be jumping the gun a little bit, but I thought I'd list some of the things that I absolutely loved this year. 

In no particular order, these products really made my day go by that much better!

Estee Lauder - perfectly clean splash away foaming cleanser
Estee Lauder - advanced night repair
Arbonne - Re9 advanced - intensive renewal serum
Arbonne - Re9 advanced - corrective eye cream
Arbonne - Re9 advanced - Restorative Day creme spf 20  Arbonne - Re9 advanced - Night repair creme
Arbonne - Revalage brightening moisture hand cream spf 30
Arbonne - eye liner
Soft lips - organic
Victoria's Secret - ultra softening body butter
Victoria's Secret - body mist - bombshell
The Body Shop - body butter
Secret - clinical strength action therapeutique
Lancome - bi-facil eye makeup remover
Wet n' Wild colour eye con eye shadows
N.Y.C. - blushable creme stick
Eyes Lips Face - natural radiance blusher
Eyes Lips Face - studio line powder brush
Schwarzkopf Professional - BC Bonacure hairtherapy rescue
Amazing Cosmetics - concealer
Palladio - herbal tinted lip balm
Maybelline dream smooth mousse
T/Gel therapeutic shampoo

pfffwweeeww long list eh?
Can you tell I've been on a skin care heist XD

ahh finally got my camera back XP

Yep yep I went to Play! the video game symphony  ~  and snapped some photos of my hair and fotd X3
My hair's still at an awkward length, so I tried to do an updo...only half failed this time XD;;

I wanted to take pics inside...but I only managed one cuz we ended up being late...

haha I never put labels on my photos but I had to do something to cover the creepy dude behind us looking into the pic =/

This may be obvious to some, but sometimes I take my knowelege for granted!

I was just on 4chan XD lol no I wasn't on /d/
But this person (male) asked suggestions of things he could do to cover up his acne scars (I presume he's also a cosplayer)

So out of sheer nothingness to do, I decided I really wanted to answer that question!

As I was spewing out answers (it felt like my fingers wouldn't let me type fast enough!) I realised I may not be professional, but there was quite a bit of information I could pass on to somebody and let them know some precautions they could take!

Even though cosplaying is no longer my world T___T sadly, I still love makeup and skin care!

I can probably do some coplay makeup series.  Like from basic caring for face from day to day, to caring for face on a loooonng day like conventions. 

Then I could also talk about basic makeup like foundations, liners, etc and let them know which ones are worth looking into.

Then, I'll come out with informational tips and such for crazier and more challenging looks.

I'm really liking this idea X3

Ok I've been complaining about winter alot, but I have to admit, it has it's cute moments!

Like Mall decorations, sometimes they turn out cute!

Although this was in an asian mall, everything's cute (even the halloween decorations XD )

This looked so delicious @__@ I had to capture the moment

I never like mall decorations XD but this really hit the spot for holiday cheer, whereas I have none hahaha

One new perk to the cold, I just learned that this is the only hat I can wear and have it fit

(I have a giant head D=)

Also I'm wearing glasses because my eye is super dry D=

The contacts don't feel very good at all

ps to myself: stop shaking the camera D=

New hair style?

Ahhh the work of the professional.  Viki needed some hair models so I volunteered and I so didn't regret!  This looks 10000000x better than the one I tried.

Watching her do my hair I really learned a lot!

Hair turned out great, we'll see how I do for Play!

(Play! is a video game orchestra XD haha nerdy I know)

What she used:

(btw she started with dry hair)

heat protectant (important)

1 inch curling iron

comb (for back combing)

soft wax

hair spray

I'll let you know how Play! turns out~

Review time! (Maybelline Eye Studio)

As you all know I love Maybelline products =^__^=

I don't think I've ever been super dissapointed in anything I've gotten. 

Why I decide to try gel liners again was that the last one I tried had great staying power.  I just didn't like the fact that you had to clean the brush constantly after every use.  However the pros heavily outweighs the cons.

I've been hearing mixed reviews of this particular product and I just wanted to know for myself.  Because if it'll work for me it'll work for anybody. 

You may know that almost nothing stays on my eyes.  Which includes Urban Decay 24/7 liners (which have been raved again and again to be one of the best liners), which I can say that they're only ok.  So for that price I'd like to say no thank you.

This gel liner came with it's own brush, which I thought "ugh another crappy brush that I'll never use"

But not true, it's actually a decent brush, comparable to my E.L.F. professional liner brush. 

It comes with 0.106 oz / 3 g

The lid is made of hard plastic and I find seals better than the L'oreal H.I.P gel liner (though I loved that liner, it dried out too quickly)

I've only had the Maybelline liner for less than a month, so I'll let you know if it dried out too quickly~

It looks soft but the consistansy is actually quite stiff.  Which I think  is actually a good thing.  The first time I used L'oreal's HIP gel liner, I was a little bit too enthusiastic and made a giant hole in it, which is fine, but I had to massively clean the brush XD;;

This gives you a much better control of how much product you need.  I can also say that it has 7.5/10 opaque result.

I've since tried it without a powder to go over top and I have to say that the staying power is also mediocre. 

I'd say better than the Urban Decay liner though.

But not as good as my Arbonne pencil linerrrrrr X3

man I love that stuff XD

Conclusion:

I wouldn't rebuy, because it still smudges a little

I am however it doesn't smudge too much and it's still useable

^__^ money not completely wasted!