My Favorite Pair of Earrings from Julu Jewelry

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Back in late March, I placed an order at <a href="http://julujewelry.mybisi.com/">Julu Jewelry</a>. It is an online jewelry shop ran by my girl Stephanie. She's been a reader of my blog and a supporter of Formula D Minerals. After seeing a sneak peak of her rose studs on Twitter, I knew I had to order me a pair. They are just undeniably cute! When they became available, I immediately placed an order and look at what I got:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9nxA3m_xHnIJdfBanXOeaaV0FafW0Df4XjEWbjHc6GYm6KjKNvbsNlmeWETCmK0ynar6Qz85WBoDfk1fyZI5XhfaHIBQsWQ45ayg0FH9SH1jWstwYBDsNREAQ3j4SiJgSWffVbh-Arg/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9nxA3m_xHnIJdfBanXOeaaV0FafW0Df4XjEWbjHc6GYm6KjKNvbsNlmeWETCmK0ynar6Qz85WBoDfk1fyZI5XhfaHIBQsWQ45ayg0FH9SH1jWstwYBDsNREAQ3j4SiJgSWffVbh-Arg/s400/IMG_0851.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair of earrings in the box with candies (bonus items). Stephanie also included a pair of Shisem lashes and a bail for my Swavrovski pendant. Gee, Stephanie, you make me feel so special!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUqHUUOl3w7UrFoRhNhxrzLMfMdblZ6dzLVGezRUU-Uc_64KRRizZ_puul3t3AyMFEbJGkdV4xhVIKfZfUT1LbCQL4gr3kyuoHS6qazKnKVf-RT6dnHYz2-KcFPN1Oi4QPPPvdaAs-vM/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUqHUUOl3w7UrFoRhNhxrzLMfMdblZ6dzLVGezRUU-Uc_64KRRizZ_puul3t3AyMFEbJGkdV4xhVIKfZfUT1LbCQL4gr3kyuoHS6qazKnKVf-RT6dnHYz2-KcFPN1Oi4QPPPvdaAs-vM/s400/IMG_0857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The box was wrapped by a Tiffany blue bow. This is my attempt to redo the bow. Steph made a perfect bow. How did you do that, Steph?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wanna see my favorite pair of earrings? I bet you do! Jump, ok?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X4c2A5eTm_0gyAUaohsXk_4B0w_4vnnkSJq1FumAdmHi3e24iGh0KGHeKP3YN3truvKEiaO-Nhd3lkpuqixyKyYHRgeuFUS3hRf4RiADLtwWG_VGDrN5q0OXnCXOgCqmu-yR6_2hnfI/s400/IMG_0855.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of coral pink Rose Studs. Beautiful isn't it?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This pair of earrings are so simple, yet elegant. The backing is made of surgical steel so anybody can wear it. Since I have some metal sensitivity, I can only wear earrings with gold, silver, or steel posts. Other than that, my earlobes will swell up like tiny tomatoes. With this pair, I have no problem with sensitivity at all. They are so lightweight and chic that I can wear them anywhere. Since I don't wear a lot of jewelry, if at all, a tasteful pair of earrings is a must for me. And this is it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please support <a href="http://julujewelry.mybisi.com/product/rose-studs">her store</a>, y'all. All her products are handmade and the prices are right. Julu Jewelry does not have a wait list and Steph ships super fast. (I received my order within 2 days!) Also, she's really sweet and friendly. You don't feel like you buy a service because you know you have a friend. Also, she posts giveaways very often, which is a bonus for her supporters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Disclosure: I purchased the earrings with my own money. This is <b>not</b> a commissioned post. For more information regarding My Makeup Blog's disclosure policy, <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a> P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

My Favorite Pair of Earrings from Julu Jewelry

Hi everybody, Back in late March, I placed an order at Julu Jewelry . It is an online jewelry shop ran by my girl Stephanie. She's been ...

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Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC Moisturizing Toner: the Toner for Grown-Ups

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Quite a lot of you requested more skincare reviews during the last giveaway. No, I haven't forgot about it yet. I didn't realize how complex it is not have so many elements involved in the giveaway where there are 3 prizes to hand out. But don't fret, I will announce the result soon. Don't unsubscribe your email and leave me here with Belly, ok? He's mad at me as we speak.<br /><br />With all that said, today's post is all about toner. In the past, I promoted the use of toner to <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/case-on-skin-toner.html">get nice skin</a>. With all that said, I didn't use toners that often because I don't want to waste a piece of totally nice cotton pad every time I apply toner to my skin. Also, the toners sold in American drugstores are made of water, alcohol, and a bit of witch hazel. They feel like water, they evaporate like water, yet they don't cost the same as water. Sometimes I felt like it's a waste of money on top of waste of cotton pads. Yup, I'm stingy like that.<br /><br />Recently, a publicist from Marie Louise skincare contacted me again. This is the second time I write a review on one of their products (the first time is <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/fun-with-marie-louise-restoration-clear.html">here</a>.) I was very excited to try this <a href="http://www.marielouisecosmetics.com/products_moistraiser_a_vc.html">Moistraiser alpha-VC moisturizing toner</a> out as Japanese toners are not the same as Western toners.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJNBB18bEFE8hOPA_AzYMabfQOSD55DMLiRystNf2lQFpT2VrBae6pU_WML5PSV9ebKVbEWrUmiQUdHxOBAQXR67-tye85YuavxILoz4yQ9Q4zkGEHriDTRZ0hlEnGJz2ORBaVhN3jjo/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJNBB18bEFE8hOPA_AzYMabfQOSD55DMLiRystNf2lQFpT2VrBae6pU_WML5PSV9ebKVbEWrUmiQUdHxOBAQXR67-tye85YuavxILoz4yQ9Q4zkGEHriDTRZ0hlEnGJz2ORBaVhN3jjo/s640/IMG_2366.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC moisturizing toner ($81 USD, $56 USD for the month of August)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNyNF2z6OfafM99fSSp68ZwsHqSZ2MJxWEGtY9GxqBOBkcD_crSjsQ6ATMQCmZzsb5vCTwaHsPKpGZrOO2sTMdVJPFgafqtOsiQlCECe6J29pn5oskl-bU2gWnGcNgQqyAEWAACs1Dpg/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNyNF2z6OfafM99fSSp68ZwsHqSZ2MJxWEGtY9GxqBOBkcD_crSjsQ6ATMQCmZzsb5vCTwaHsPKpGZrOO2sTMdVJPFgafqtOsiQlCECe6J29pn5oskl-bU2gWnGcNgQqyAEWAACs1Dpg/s640/IMG_2376.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The package<br /> I guess in Japan, moisturizer is written as "moistraiser". Easier to say, I guess</td></tr></tbody></table>My experience of Japanese toners started with Shiseido Benefiance toner and then Shu Uemura Deepsea Water toner. Both of them are super-moisturizing and they don't feel like toners at all. With this toner as my 3rd Japanese brand, I finally understand the Japanese philosophy regarding skincare: <i>it's all about moisture!</i><br /><br />With that said, Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC is not the little girl's version of a toner. It is for grown-ups with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid (in the form of sodium acetylated hyaluronate.) It also contains squalane, which is also a moisturizer. On top of that, it contains alpha arbutin and vitamin C to brighten your skin. The cherry on the cake is the lack of parabens as preservatives.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4s7wBnjVT-hxYSGWpb66VrN8_RjvfAGChIfSJONJztoOnqRV6g_MiS1v5T-UEfc4_AfjFg_46cuFeXI0sWZJVVijPuHJS6Mo_p_9F0rSyn6WHcI3Dl-mq4VgiWNXFweqSen7LOOPEfg/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4s7wBnjVT-hxYSGWpb66VrN8_RjvfAGChIfSJONJztoOnqRV6g_MiS1v5T-UEfc4_AfjFg_46cuFeXI0sWZJVVijPuHJS6Mo_p_9F0rSyn6WHcI3Dl-mq4VgiWNXFweqSen7LOOPEfg/s640/IMG_2372.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredient list</td></tr></tbody></table>My mouth almost dropped when I saw the price as $81 a bottle. However, the more I get into it, the more I realize how little I need to use per application.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWS38k83yJsukz1b0z23yuJ7krBiKSDCY6KcmZ0tYcUlY4v6_tnDiag0zFI9J1uQ_JgJ-xuHWM4zw3e9-X8IkYwtzZhyIeGYugFdgOt2NZoIbzbakIlH6AnuM2cTGShlBu0O-rpKbV7I/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWS38k83yJsukz1b0z23yuJ7krBiKSDCY6KcmZ0tYcUlY4v6_tnDiag0zFI9J1uQ_JgJ-xuHWM4zw3e9-X8IkYwtzZhyIeGYugFdgOt2NZoIbzbakIlH6AnuM2cTGShlBu0O-rpKbV7I/s400/IMG_2380.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how much I use: 3-5 drops</td></tr></tbody></table>Moreover, this toner does not feel like a toner at all. It feels more like a serum in those My Beauty Diary masks that I love so much. The fluid does not smell like anything but a faint smell of chemical that reminds me of water in a plastic bottle put inside a hot car. It has almost a gel-like texture that's between a serum and a gel. It dries fast and does not feel greasy. However, as glycerin is one of the top-5 ingredients, this serum has the ability to pull water from the air to keep your face moist. In really hot and humid nights, I use it as a night moisturizer before applying my <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/skin-saver-avalon-organics-vitamin-c.html">Avalon Organics Vitamin C serum</a>. These two products seem to work well together and I don't get too many breakouts during this extremely hot month.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BV75olFn4Xfj3cfFEHnOEJ1dyPgrvOJc5MToi8Iu5wiJe8_H8gQGDEO-Cjkp8F4qhCiMkDnjG_5J1kScjYSylGnzFdBbvDhGvpfgMePaqwNOLL1JaTUDaL71rsNDsRGhHRCAf5t98G4/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BV75olFn4Xfj3cfFEHnOEJ1dyPgrvOJc5MToi8Iu5wiJe8_H8gQGDEO-Cjkp8F4qhCiMkDnjG_5J1kScjYSylGnzFdBbvDhGvpfgMePaqwNOLL1JaTUDaL71rsNDsRGhHRCAf5t98G4/s400/IMG_2384.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC toner applied on my hand</td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see, the texture of my skin looks smooth. I didn't take the before picture but I can tell you my skin was dry. This year, things are pretty off as this is the first time the skin on my body (except my face) is dry in the summer. I can't testify for the brightening property of this toner as I live in the Sunshine state and regardless of the amount of sunscreen I apply on my face, I still get a tan anyways. However, it does not cause my skin to break out, which is a plus to me.<br /><br />Disclaimer: the product reviewed was provided by a PR for Marie Louise Skincare. This review reflects my own experience of this product and it may be different than yours. For more information regarding My Makeup Blog's disclosure policy, <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Marie Louise Moistraiser alpha-VC Moisturizing Toner: the Toner for Grown-Ups

Hi everybody, Quite a lot of you requested more skincare reviews during the last giveaway. No, I haven't forgot about it yet. I didn...

Read more »

My E.L.F Haul

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Last month, <a href="http://www.eyeslipsface.com/">E.L.F</a> had a 60% off site-wide sale. It was around my birthday and so tempting that I had to prepare. The night before the event, I actually placed stuff in the shopping cart ahead of time. Knowing ELF, things can get a bit out of control once the sale hit.<br /><br />Usually, ELF has sales all the time: 50% off here, 20% off there, free shipping here, gift with purchase there. But 60% site-wide sale is rare, especially a lot of their items are $1. I added a whole bunch of stuff to the shopping cart after doing some serious research online. The total was $16 USD and I also got free shipping.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKUGy9YtlErQmneT5d4DZYbEFfhJDdBsbAqGcG2zdwEPTEllV6OHm2IFbPhcaNv7MHyZIdbu9fnhKM4REHnAdTRVDw-ysap2A9Q7jEH33Ny-PMZcg6-Xg8BteX-1IcJ7NjjHcOEHZYyY/s1600/IMG_2299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKUGy9YtlErQmneT5d4DZYbEFfhJDdBsbAqGcG2zdwEPTEllV6OHm2IFbPhcaNv7MHyZIdbu9fnhKM4REHnAdTRVDw-ysap2A9Q7jEH33Ny-PMZcg6-Xg8BteX-1IcJ7NjjHcOEHZYyY/s400/IMG_2299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My loot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name="more"></a><br />I actually brought 2 sets of brushes and one powder brush. The reason you only see 3 brushes here is because I gift wrapped them for my BFF as a send-away gift to grad school.<br /><br />The shipping was a bit slow (10 days) and I did not received 2 items. I really wanted to try their mineral eye shadow primer but they ran out of stock. ELF has this problem of not letting people know ahead of time. Unlike other stores like MAC or Sephora, ELF does not really do back orders. So if I still want it, I have to re-order it and pay extra shipping. Well, I'll wait for another sales. It's unlikely that ELF would discontinue the mineral eye shadow primer anyways. It's their best-selling product.<br /><br />I've been using all the stuff I bought and I'm very happy with the result. If you have ever ordered from ELF, a trick to know so you don't end up feeling disappointed is to search for reviews of the items you want. I know they don't cost much but what would if you can't use the products? They are just going to be sitting in a corner. It is very wasteful that way.<br /><br />The brushes I bought are eyeshadow brush, blending brush (dollar item), and contour brush (studio line, $3). They are some seriously good brushes. I bought an eyeshadow brush before and this one is a backup. The quality control is not ELF's strong suite. Within the same type, the brushes I bought were cut a bit differently. I gave the better ones to my friend because she's a novice.<br /><br />The tiny multi-use sticks are really nice. You can use them on your eyes, lips, and cheeks. I got Golden Peach and Lemonade and I use them almost everyday.<br /><br />ELF Gotta Glow blush is a dupe of NARS Albatross. It is really glowy and I <3 it very very much.<br /><br />But the best item is this one:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI_wBWOrQwjRhjOlID-ylXZ8UE9sMJYw4CbDFERdTsiqCDyEaZtjVfn91Re4Q6WaSRAR3amaxT9ArTV_XDCWYR-T1A8Jld2fLth-_9w4e6FvQmQkdOvHDM8doGAru2gAEJoATqVa5w1k/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI_wBWOrQwjRhjOlID-ylXZ8UE9sMJYw4CbDFERdTsiqCDyEaZtjVfn91Re4Q6WaSRAR3amaxT9ArTV_XDCWYR-T1A8Jld2fLth-_9w4e6FvQmQkdOvHDM8doGAru2gAEJoATqVa5w1k/s400/IMG_2295.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brush belt!</td></tr></tbody></table>I waited for a sale like this since forever! This brush belt costs $15 USD before sale and it is one sturdy product. The size and structure is similar to MAC brush belt, which costs $40. Since I have a lot of brushes, a brush belt is a good way for me to organize them. What you see is not everything but it's pretty close.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />For those who've asked me if I'm free lancing, the answer is no. I'm more of free lancing on my face than on others' but I don't mind practicing makeup on your face if you let me :)<br /><br />ELF has improved the quality of their products significantly. This company actually listens to their customers and uses social media to promote themselves very well. It has been a long way from their beginning of scratchy brushes and bad customer service. I am just very happy to see the improvements and will support his company along the way.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I bought the stuff, they were on sale. For My Makeup Blog's disclosure policy, <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a> P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

My E.L.F Haul

Hi everybody, Last month, E.L.F had a 60% off site-wide sale. It was around my birthday and so tempting that I had to prepare. The night be...

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Belly at Large: Nicknames

Yo, home boys and girls!<br /><br />The Belly of love is here. Did you miss me?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3yjAWiJbTvCmt-JqmkzQty5WYLlI998-PdpbHc-VOtklXBtvHSgrKWxphhpRHZ0C_9HPCUqWMMIDewd2d7UP_qZnjjLfp9mQwqPuAi0jnHjCOOWccsoMdA1dMO7r9xGvEPnPZEajPnY/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3yjAWiJbTvCmt-JqmkzQty5WYLlI998-PdpbHc-VOtklXBtvHSgrKWxphhpRHZ0C_9HPCUqWMMIDewd2d7UP_qZnjjLfp9mQwqPuAi0jnHjCOOWccsoMdA1dMO7r9xGvEPnPZEajPnY/s640/IMG_2280.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woa, woa, woa! You're not supposed to see that! I'm just trying to squeeze in a post while doing some grooming on the side.</td></tr></tbody></table>I guess I'm not such a multi-tasker after all. Oh well! By the way, that's not totally my fault. The mamarazzi turned on her laptop and played "Touch My Body." It's a set-up, yo! She put me in an awkward situation like Angelina Jolie in "Salt." So don't blame me, blame her. I'm a cat, what else am I supposed to do but touch my body with my tongue? FYI, it's called grooming.<br /><br />Ok, enough with part 1 of the rant. La mamarazzi has been good. She decided to improve my quality of life by leaving me the heck alone and giving me yummy cat food. It's Surfin' and Turfin' from Friskies, just in case my fellow felines read my blog and wonder why I look so gorgeous.<br /><br />However, the downside is the mamarazzi gave me a ton of nicknames. I know she's creative and all but a new nickname a day? Girl, pleezzze!<br /><br />So far, she's called me:<br /><br /><ul><li>Belly (duh!)</li><li>Bell-Bell: it's kind of like Brit-Brit but for cat. Tolerable.</li><li>Kitty</li><li>Piu-Piu: it's a Vietnamese nickname for cats. I think that's how her dad (aka il grandpaparazzi) called the cats in Vietnam. Cute but tolerable.</li><li>Meo: Vietnamese for cats. I'm multilingual, yo!</li><li>Home-kitty: restricted usage only to la mamarazzi. Other people dare to call me so will meet my claws of dead.</li><li>El Gato Supremo: 'nuff said</li><li>Belri neko-san: it's how Japanese people call me. The madness!</li><li>Raccoon: this is a degraded term to call me. I hate raccoons. They make me sick!</li><li>Bobcat: did she try to insult me? I know I'm big boned and all but bobcat? Seriously?</li><li>Coo-ger</li></ul><br />What the snake is a "coo-ger"? Do I look like a coo-ger? I could not figure out what the mamarazzi talked about until I realized girlfriend has gone Southern. You see, in the South, people speaks kinda strange. They pronounce sugar "soo-ger". So with some reverse translation, I realized she just called me a cougar.<br /><br />Cougar, you think?<br /><br />But I like it. There's something about cougars that's so sexy. That's why they call older women cougars, I guess. So I winked at her. She can call me a cougar anytime.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Skxx86CQEQDatEEobt3jSYxYzl_FHZPzp1J_er2lY2j57sB-xGWmRRJPxtu22dyWUYmSiIkS_RDGzHSyyWgU7zT3nJzNjNW4X8MDlyQu7sqCG_Ww60UgwhROlQ6jhGaT7WxUmE6pCs/s1600/IMG_2270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4Skxx86CQEQDatEEobt3jSYxYzl_FHZPzp1J_er2lY2j57sB-xGWmRRJPxtu22dyWUYmSiIkS_RDGzHSyyWgU7zT3nJzNjNW4X8MDlyQu7sqCG_Ww60UgwhROlQ6jhGaT7WxUmE6pCs/s400/IMG_2270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cougar pose :p</td></tr></tbody></table>In conclusion, I'm still a cat but when I grow up, I want to be a cougar. Heck, if I were a female, I would probably be a cougar by now. Instead, I'm stuck with the mamarazzi and her makeup. Please support <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/formulaDminerals">her store</a>, yo. The more sales she makes, the better cat food I get. Yup, it's that simple!<br /><br />Love, peace, and tuna fish,<br />Mr. Belly (aka Coo-ger!)<br /><br />P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Belly at Large: Nicknames

Yo, home boys and girls! The Belly of love is here. Did you miss me? Woa, woa, woa! You're not supposed to see that! I'm just trying...

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Cut the Crease Drama-a-Rama FOTD

<span id="goog_738381996"></span><span id="goog_738381997"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Hi everyone,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For those who are monolids, you know the cut the crease technique is next to impossible to perform. Of course, you can fake the crease but doing so only results in something that well, looks fake. For the past year or so, looks that emphasizes on the crease are all over the runway. Even the Spring Sephora cover had a cut a crease number. Needless to say, it is so unfair for monolids.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But guess what? All those changed because I finally found a way to cut my creases that actually looks believable. It is dramatic and really bring the emphasize on los ojos (the eyes in Spanish, people!)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj_W4MDXWrAvCAg3YaHIohTHyUQNCJlw1IH-F2_Va0wtWR5qkeN4GgKnJW67CxqYvxtytoWmxlv19X_CZ3DWbykTknqVCFRcnq_Sh1x3rc1cFsjTwbtyxqB0-RP35wb1r9Ms8tAUKsW8/s1600/IMG_2143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj_W4MDXWrAvCAg3YaHIohTHyUQNCJlw1IH-F2_Va0wtWR5qkeN4GgKnJW67CxqYvxtytoWmxlv19X_CZ3DWbykTknqVCFRcnq_Sh1x3rc1cFsjTwbtyxqB0-RP35wb1r9Ms8tAUKsW8/s640/IMG_2143.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut the Crease look</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A disclaimer: this look was done a while ago when my hair was about 12 inches longer. But I guess you already noticed that.</div><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowbJlQcHGfgkVar3SFHJwZEauCGMFr6Sq96nLk1UPMOn_MNNu1zmhckFHxuihh2JoGqgSoGtXxE1lJOg0Plny35o4HXWR-a5nIz2nrFti_2FOhYcXHTd9uj34EtyaZ-muFGoNwLjeUr8/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowbJlQcHGfgkVar3SFHJwZEauCGMFr6Sq96nLk1UPMOn_MNNu1zmhckFHxuihh2JoGqgSoGtXxE1lJOg0Plny35o4HXWR-a5nIz2nrFti_2FOhYcXHTd9uj34EtyaZ-muFGoNwLjeUr8/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" width="240" /></a>I used NYX Champagne and Caviar palette for this look because I love neutrals. Also, MAC Steamy was used on the eyelid to add a pop of color. If you don't have Steamy, Urban Decay Flipside is a similar color.</div><br />Other stuff: MAC Bare Canvas paint pot and Blacktrack fluidline; MAC Sock Hop lip glass, Rimmel London Crush lipstick, NYC Blushable creme blush in Pink Flash<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-Y1JDRqphPusbi13rKzLDx_ihDkKPraTIUTWMir_jUKYJI2f2Q317a62jL6i1ylaPjp9FIBtGmGubJPioQBlDg9Wu9OuWheHWUgPN6eo665gLgGpy4neBi6eehWRLanPLwwdvXl8bys/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-Y1JDRqphPusbi13rKzLDx_ihDkKPraTIUTWMir_jUKYJI2f2Q317a62jL6i1ylaPjp9FIBtGmGubJPioQBlDg9Wu9OuWheHWUgPN6eo665gLgGpy4neBi6eehWRLanPLwwdvXl8bys/s400/IMG_2154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors used in the NYX Champagne and Caviar palette</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniKLa5bXT-ENEgtqRw1817Uf87pVI0u5sBc9q5a-tmVbv146esHzpxjOfPlURCYMXXtpMm4VU0V4kOiknOGw_ofCGdRAckMUNEBzYcZGbkGMqbjXUrjpKURyQuLfkpxteDcIcbruSMdM/s1600/IMG_2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniKLa5bXT-ENEgtqRw1817Uf87pVI0u5sBc9q5a-tmVbv146esHzpxjOfPlURCYMXXtpMm4VU0V4kOiknOGw_ofCGdRAckMUNEBzYcZGbkGMqbjXUrjpKURyQuLfkpxteDcIcbruSMdM/s400/IMG_2161.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brushes used (L-R): ELF Studio powder brush, Sonia Kashuk synthetic blusher brush, EDM foundation brush, MAC 219 pencil brush, 217 blending brush, 266 angled brush, Coastal Scents liner brush, Loew-Cornell 1/4' maxine's mop</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLja6b0X-eAgffBgkF8BPTtYjK0XVFDCYQQRYIIAm1rExVFTbJzXY6jVUKiDwqhk1i83Ywm858LJvomfhdOfX4Hc-n7iAbdjq6NHt0u2WhHaYVXrCq06CWqtaTsQRWHu5oLYUyUOsatg/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLja6b0X-eAgffBgkF8BPTtYjK0XVFDCYQQRYIIAm1rExVFTbJzXY6jVUKiDwqhk1i83Ywm858LJvomfhdOfX4Hc-n7iAbdjq6NHt0u2WhHaYVXrCq06CWqtaTsQRWHu5oLYUyUOsatg/s400/IMG_2163.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trifecta of cutting the crease perfection: MAC 217, 219, and 266</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94j_RfSB_oG_kgn5cYrmiZvvcRUob21g1CUj7ORCoKr6EloVpmrtdp4kGKhqMgcdp7O4XdiPCZL54tcRUuVlahRwTCHPltl0vSpqj7eX4HFnYm5Q7M6pGhgkSB3qcrVjLn3J9uETI47Y/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94j_RfSB_oG_kgn5cYrmiZvvcRUob21g1CUj7ORCoKr6EloVpmrtdp4kGKhqMgcdp7O4XdiPCZL54tcRUuVlahRwTCHPltl0vSpqj7eX4HFnYm5Q7M6pGhgkSB3qcrVjLn3J9uETI47Y/s400/IMG_2157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eye, semi-close</td></tr></tbody></table>How to wing it:<br /><br /><ul><li>Apply Bare Canvas all over the eyelids as an eyeshadow primer</li><li>Use MAC 266 brush, pick up color #1 from the Champagne and Caviar palette and draw a thin line a little bit below your crease, make a v at the end. Your crease is where the concave area of your eyes meet the flat area. If you don't know where it is, just close your eyes and feel it.</li><li>Blend it slightly using the same brush. Then, with MAC 217, pick up colors 2 and 3 together and blend on the crease area.</li><li>Slighlty feather and lighten the color upward with color #4</li><li>With the same brush, highlight with color #5 and emphasize the inner corner with color #6.</li><li>With color #1 and MAC 219, go back to the crease area and emphasize on the outer v and the outer 2/3 of the crease area. This will bring a lot of drama to your eyes.</li><li>To add a pop of color to your eyes, use the 1/4' maxine's mop to apply Steamy to the area that doesn't have an eye color on your eyelid. This is optional, you can actually leave it alone.</li></ul><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoLZUZXYEIqcz9gRQNmxjrQZEU1ZgKkEToLnQCy8RaURZjft-ld1yTc0FoIWBcvqHbC0E3GX_Jf1vltUppQgVWUwbLGntoHtm9mXVlqTImpfRyrv6errNGQ8UNweT_8PxUplEZMXtF6I/s1600/IMG_2159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoLZUZXYEIqcz9gRQNmxjrQZEU1ZgKkEToLnQCy8RaURZjft-ld1yTc0FoIWBcvqHbC0E3GX_Jf1vltUppQgVWUwbLGntoHtm9mXVlqTImpfRyrv6errNGQ8UNweT_8PxUplEZMXtF6I/s400/IMG_2159.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open eye</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><ul><li>Line your eyes with Blacktrack fluidline, using the Coastal Scents eyeliner brush</li><li>Curl your eyelashes and apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara</li></ul><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo4zqTlWXQRDgf74gUj4-5AV4gnl4zKLZNzxyexrxdf59AttACGgaR1GtAo0VkjmMlr7uHQ37_yTMO2uBrxx0DSKHpJOA-mw1iIf7IBOG06hom5z2KvL7tPquZVi1P51U9ZxljlgzX9s/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo4zqTlWXQRDgf74gUj4-5AV4gnl4zKLZNzxyexrxdf59AttACGgaR1GtAo0VkjmMlr7uHQ37_yTMO2uBrxx0DSKHpJOA-mw1iIf7IBOG06hom5z2KvL7tPquZVi1P51U9ZxljlgzX9s/s640/IMG_2155.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attempt to show off my nails :)</td></tr></tbody></table>Cheeks: apply Pink Flash with the Sonia Kashuk blusher brush<br />Lips: my favorite coral combo: Crush with Sock Hop topping :)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAKEJGb1Mg6hdxGONzv4V1Q3kYDPYrBaIPob9Ww0zZYBjWJ_Fcq6_hZcvPO1lHqtCf7ADiLkKX6vpSYn6kvTGNCm128ngPmTS8vVw31DOUROwuDqs9Edf1bdX5ejBX414ITw0yHAK3hk/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAKEJGb1Mg6hdxGONzv4V1Q3kYDPYrBaIPob9Ww0zZYBjWJ_Fcq6_hZcvPO1lHqtCf7ADiLkKX6vpSYn6kvTGNCm128ngPmTS8vVw31DOUROwuDqs9Edf1bdX5ejBX414ITw0yHAK3hk/s640/IMG_2171.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See my new earrings? They're from Burlington Coat Factory</td></tr></tbody></table>I hope you enjoy this look. Cutting the Crease is doable, even in monolids. The trick is you need to bring the crease cutting line a bit lower than your natural crease and blend, blend, blend. I highly encourage you to get the trifecta of perfection. If you only have the budget to buy 3 eye brushes from MAC, please make it 217, 219, and 266. You can get away with the 239 since there are a lot of good eyeshadow brushes that are cheaper.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Cut the Crease Drama-a-Rama FOTD

Hi everyone, For those who are monolids, you know the cut the crease technique is next to impossible to perform. Of course, you can fake the...

Read more »

Be Clean with CLEAN Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Recently*, I got a chance to try out CLEAN's newest product: the Anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream. It arrived at the right time as my BFF and I made our way to Tennessee. The road trip involved 8 hours of butt-numbing drive each way and as money conscious people, we packed food and ate in the car. Also, the acrid temperature of summer really sucked the moisture out of my skin. This product was a life-saver. Not only does it have anti-bacterial property, it also moisturizes my hands pretty well. On top of that, the tube is small enough for me to tuck in my bag. Swell, huh?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRIDJRQ84GlC3zFqPywDOxAL53VDzwSPGBNLUiuNnyn-tMLMFDsusUkhfZGpTA1WAyb09AH8jKhLqXAYkkx2GCKqrYV0jdUvhW_OIkZtFIg-sxLlHgQ92yMoXQuEWTvvpEv9gzKetW0I/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRIDJRQ84GlC3zFqPywDOxAL53VDzwSPGBNLUiuNnyn-tMLMFDsusUkhfZGpTA1WAyb09AH8jKhLqXAYkkx2GCKqrYV0jdUvhW_OIkZtFIg-sxLlHgQ92yMoXQuEWTvvpEv9gzKetW0I/s640/IMG_2241.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P263901&categoryId=C20027">CLEAN anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream</a> ($10 at Sephora)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a name="more"></a>CLEAN anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream, all 30 ml of it, is contained in a tube with a flip top. The tube is sleek white and small enough even to stash in my jeans pocket. Also, it is a an alcohol-free anti-bacterial product, which is great for those whose skin does not prefer alcohol.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDQhHqutL4jeA6WEc7u9eyc_D31_8M4sxIyLsZRuSGvrx_s3mkMfkk5a4k8h9yNfmXPmrDQo9HOLD_QwXrUIyeG39HxjVHJnG9XBiKHO6CxdOLcs4Oj7h2i824y0LtXrdXQnmCCtw2lI/s1600/IMG_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDQhHqutL4jeA6WEc7u9eyc_D31_8M4sxIyLsZRuSGvrx_s3mkMfkk5a4k8h9yNfmXPmrDQo9HOLD_QwXrUIyeG39HxjVHJnG9XBiKHO6CxdOLcs4Oj7h2i824y0LtXrdXQnmCCtw2lI/s400/IMG_2242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how small it is?</td></tr></tbody></table>The consistency of this hand cream is between that of a lotion and a butter. It is not too thick but not too thin either. As Goldilocks would say, "It's just right!" Although I thought it would be hard to spread, the hand cream is quite easy to rub on my skin. It does not smell like anything, completely scentless, and dries really fast. It does not pill like the regular alcohol-base hand cream at all.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC1WQBIs72innloX_CVroa9QipRIRvbNVK4og3dnQADQOhban-S0B5CtJ_XsY1PtjIp8_ctPUl7A2LPrAM1GvqnedI1uj3uH7VKCOQf5b4oPU_Qv9U30rQhQKov_MD5IM5g-Q-6j5iR0/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC1WQBIs72innloX_CVroa9QipRIRvbNVK4og3dnQADQOhban-S0B5CtJ_XsY1PtjIp8_ctPUl7A2LPrAM1GvqnedI1uj3uH7VKCOQf5b4oPU_Qv9U30rQhQKov_MD5IM5g-Q-6j5iR0/s400/IMG_2248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drop of this hand cream is enough to moisturize my hands</td></tr></tbody></table>Does it moisturize? Yes, it does, thanks to avocado, grape seed, and jojoba oils. Does it have anti-bacterial property? Yes, it does, as well, all thanks to 0.2% benzethonium chloride. This will give you up to 4 hours of anti-bacterial protection to a wide spectrum of bacteria, including MRSA. Compared to triclosan, benzethonium chloride does not have such a bad rep when used within allowed concentrations (0.1-0.2%)<br /><br />While it is effective and scent-free, the amount of product in this tube is not that abundant. The above pictures were taken after the trip and I used the CLEAN anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream very sporadically.<br /><blockquote>Active Ingredient: benzethonium chloride 0.2%</blockquote><blockquote>Inactive ingredients: water, stearic acid, dimethicone, butylene glycol, cetyl alcohol, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Vitis vitifera (grape) seed oil, beeswax, tocopheryl acetate, famesol, BIS behenyl/isostearyl/photosteryl dimer dilinoleyl dimer dilinoleate, glycol stearate, triethanolamine, tetrasodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide, carbomer, BHT, imidazolidinyl urea, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben</blockquote>*By "recently" I meant a month ago. Seriously, I'm waay behind in this blogging biznet. I really need to catch up.<br /><br />Disclaimer: this product was lovingly furnished by a CLEAN representative. It works for me as both an anti-bacterial product and a hand cream. For My Makeup Blog's disclosure policy, <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Be Clean with CLEAN Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Cream

Hi everybody, Recently*, I got a chance to try out CLEAN's newest product: the Anti-bacterial moisturizing hand cream. It arrived at the...

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NYC Blushable Creme Sticks are so Blushful!

Hi everybody,<br /><br />Ok, I thought I just made up a word. "Blushful" is in <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blushful">the dictionary</a>, yo! I'm not Sarah Palin, ok. What does "repudiate" mean, by the way?<br /><br />With or without my digression, recently I've been very much into cream (or creme) blushes. During my most recent trip, I had a chance to pick up two limited edition creme blushes from NYC. Yes, I had to get far far away from home to find something decent. the local CVS stores don't even carry NYC blushable creme blushes, let alone the LEs. It's a sad, sad place to live, you see.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-NVvUnLVmleGf_FJAT4kAO_XpeM9aLZ8398g8HCHe9q2Ui5s77IlSRM1csgRua_2vVdphXkCIIra1sPeW207tpTwUVN4JC9B-sYC8RqZsWT1VZSjMDQ2DW2jmCYzS4WCoLtFEp6vBNE/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-NVvUnLVmleGf_FJAT4kAO_XpeM9aLZ8398g8HCHe9q2Ui5s77IlSRM1csgRua_2vVdphXkCIIra1sPeW207tpTwUVN4JC9B-sYC8RqZsWT1VZSjMDQ2DW2jmCYzS4WCoLtFEp6vBNE/s640/IMG_2103.JPG" width="394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYC Blushable Creme Blush. (L-R): Pink Flash, Wild Berry</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm fascinated with these guys: they are so pigmented, blendable, and super compact. They reminded me of the old Max Factor foundation sticks but with better design and without the weird smell. Also, I just love the fact that the colors of the tubes are the actual colors of the blushes. No guess work requires.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKMQ31k5Cfs8UqmI2aiZQAlYk0RvX3WmIw0BdweC3qwpO7jOM1GVMSL86SHWv0WwDzh6oTKiU5lE9UdCJS9t89CPpkD-0LvKM9MFg2bTjdTFk3A4OBKqUgzlxuXolIeJuHIZqut0Rf0w/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKMQ31k5Cfs8UqmI2aiZQAlYk0RvX3WmIw0BdweC3qwpO7jOM1GVMSL86SHWv0WwDzh6oTKiU5lE9UdCJS9t89CPpkD-0LvKM9MFg2bTjdTFk3A4OBKqUgzlxuXolIeJuHIZqut0Rf0w/s400/IMG_2118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Flash and Wild Berry</td></tr></tbody></table>Did you see what I mean? The color of the blush looks exactly like the color of the tube. This makes shopping a lot more easier.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a>Here comes the swatches:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89BGSpFrum9XEiGQ-kt6y6It-Zmyw93B6VQzznBzM-V70GLRsjNOTenEkg94VysK0wKQNHCByU16ls3eg7RTUBHQz2Kt8TXBgR8ne9s0myRhvKFZVLcLqrmqBLWuoQOwUXwAxDz9nxr0/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89BGSpFrum9XEiGQ-kt6y6It-Zmyw93B6VQzznBzM-V70GLRsjNOTenEkg94VysK0wKQNHCByU16ls3eg7RTUBHQz2Kt8TXBgR8ne9s0myRhvKFZVLcLqrmqBLWuoQOwUXwAxDz9nxr0/s400/IMG_2113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skin swatch without blending</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0E9mBc0OKRR17R3ISPY6yuJl4b8aQexuuNZeLdQJS5GZJBQWUCByinvg-S5sWsD5Ax8IJzA7ET_kEXLwr61oUoPeiSYqSBihRBvihWM1dvocgWI3KDOhy9tvZXGy3hPR4YxbHgmK7lM/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0E9mBc0OKRR17R3ISPY6yuJl4b8aQexuuNZeLdQJS5GZJBQWUCByinvg-S5sWsD5Ax8IJzA7ET_kEXLwr61oUoPeiSYqSBihRBvihWM1dvocgWI3KDOhy9tvZXGy3hPR4YxbHgmK7lM/s400/IMG_2114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skin swatch, blended</td></tr></tbody></table>Wild Berry is a pink color that reminds me of the pink color Barbie wears. It's bright. It's plastic. It's cheerful. For those whose skins are cool tone, you can't go wrong with this one.<br /><br />Pink Flash is not pink :) It is coral and very warm. I can only use a tiny bit of it and blend out very well. The color definitely warms up your face. I would wear this one more in the winter. Also, the color is somewhat comparable to NARS The Multiple in Portofino, although Portofino leans more toward the brick red side.<br /><br />The price: $3.99 USD each and I can't get them in my zip code. I wish they exist in yours because these blush sticks are really fabulous and affordable.<br /><br />The tool: although you can use your fingers to blend, I highly recommend using Sonia Kashuk <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/sonia-kashuk-synthetic-blusher-brush-my.html">synthetic blusher brush</a> to blend. Unlike the sponge which eats up the product, the brush does not. Also, I find this brush to blend out the creme blushes more seamlessly.<br /><br />I use Wild Berry a lot and I just can't have enough of it. This blush just gives me a "glow from within" look, which is both healthy and believable.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I bought both blushes with my own money for my everyday use. They are fantastic. For more information regarding My Makeup Blog's disclosure policy, <a href="http://mymakeupblog.blogspot.com/p/disclosure.html">click here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKMQ31k5Cfs8UqmI2aiZQAlYk0RvX3WmIw0BdweC3qwpO7jOM1GVMSL86SHWv0WwDzh6oTKiU5lE9UdCJS9t89CPpkD-0LvKM9MFg2bTjdTFk3A4OBKqUgzlxuXolIeJuHIZqut0Rf0w/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/?action=view&current=endcredit.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/shortylam/endcredit.png" /></a> P.S: If you like my blog, please <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

NYC Blushable Creme Sticks are so Blushful!

Hi everybody, Ok, I thought I just made up a word. "Blushful" is in the dictionary , yo! I'm not Sarah Palin, ok. What does ...

Read more »