Goth Lolita Cosplay - Eki's Contest

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for this week. I slept too late everyday and was too lazy and tired to post anything... I have so many blog duties that I must do-- I recently received my L'egere BB Cream in the mail and I love it! I will do a review the next time I update.

Thank you to all of my old and new followers! I'm sorry that I can't comment back or view all of your blogs individually! If you'd like me to personally get back to you, please leave a message in my C-BOX instead.

Ok, so today I was very productive and finished my entry for lovely Eki onee-chan's Cosplay Contest! You can enter this awesome contest by clicking on this link: Eki Cosplay Contest.

One of my very good friends and close neighbor Heejin helped me with this contest by taking pictures with her cool Canon DSLR and helping me with makeup! Thank you so much Heejin!! I'm planning to help her with her upcoming prom makeup and have a small photoshoot so hopefully that will go well :)

Here's the makeup used in my Goth Lolita Cosplay look:

"That Gal" Brightening Primer by Benefit (borrowed from HJ)

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Sand Beige

Hello Flawless! powder by Benefit (borrowed from HJ)

UDPP (borrowed from HJ)

Estee Lauder E/S in Pink Parfait

Estee Lauder E/S in Autumn

MAC E/s in Brun

NYX Jumbo E/S Pencil in Pots & Pans

MAC Eyeliner in Phone Number

NYX Eyeliner in White

MAC Gel liner in Blacktrack (borrowed from HJ)
Majo Majo Lash Expander Mascara (sorry not pictured!)

MAC TLC in Popster

DHC lip color in PK07

Babypink Lipgloss in Clear

Bobbi Brown Blush in French Pink (gift from Jenn, thanks so much I love it!)

Costume:

Luella for Target black blouse

Fredericks of Hollywood Corset (hehe.. this was inherited)

3 skirts layered - black Betsey Johnson (not visible), gold Betsey Johnson, unknown brand top layer lacy skirt

Giorgio Armani stockings

Penny&Kenny black flats

Forever 21 headband

Inspiration Picture:

Goth Lolita Cosplay Look

Sexy Purple Look (Naomi’s Contest) + DIY Milk Face Pack

PICTURE HEAVY POST!! :D

Happy Sunday! I’ve been thinking for a couple of days about Naomi's Purple Look Contest and finally decided to go with a smoky nighttime look. I was inspired by a picture in the magazine Pinky that I made scans of in the last post, which was a sophisticated but sweet daytime look. I used some of the techniques to create a more dramatic nighttime look. To balance the dark and dramatic eyes, I made the lips a nudy pink lip color topped with some lipgloss.

This look took me 4 tries to get it right… Each time the color wouldn’t show up on the picture! -__-; I was seriously frustrated!! Sigh, then at last I asked my mom for advice since she took a modeling class when she was younger so she could pick the makeup for the models when she became a designer and could run fashion shows. I then added darker eyeshadow to create more color payoff. I hope it worked!

I could post a tutorial of this look someday, if anybody wants. I used a lot of MAC products in this look, which is really nice. I really liked the MAC lipstick and eyeshadows paired with the Dior eyeshadow, it was a nice combination.

Inspiration Pic:

Eye Products I used (in order):

Upper Lid:

NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Pots&Pans
MAC Eye Kohl in Phone Number
MAC Eyeshadow in Seedy Pearl
MAC Eyeshadow in Digit (up to eye hole)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Lounge (layered over eye hole)
MAC Eyeshadow in Satellite Dreams (1/2 eye crease)
Dior Eyeshadow (darkest one) whole eye crease
Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara

Lower Lid:
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Pots&Pans (halfway from the inner corner & tear duct)
Prestige Eyeliner in Magnetic (half from inner corner)
MAC Eyeshadow in Satellite Dreams (halfway from the outer corner)

Lips:

DHC Lip Color in PK07

MAC Lipstick in Pretty Please

Lancome Juicy Tube in Fruity Pop

BabyPink Lipgloss in Clear

Anyway, so lately I’ve been obsessed with liquid masks since my skin has been acting up. I think it’s from the combination of allergies, stress, not exercising enough, sleeping late, and eating too much Japanese sweets LOL. Many reasons!! I read about a DIY milk mask in last year’s September issue of CanCam (hehe, I collect magazines).

The steps to do this are very easy:

Step 1: Cleanse face with a face wash

Step 2: Split cotton pads into two thin pieces

Step 3: Pour a bit of milk into a bowl or cup

Step 4: Dip cotton pieces into milk, squeeze excess

Step 5: Arrange wet cotton onto face, gently stretching it to cover more skin area

Step 6: Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then pour excess milk down the drying cotton pad.

Step 7: Discard cotton pieces, wash face with face wash again, complete skin care routine.

It’s not necessary to wash the face with cleanser after the mask but milk tends to smell a bit raw so I like to wash my face again then follow with my normal skin routine. This was the first time I tried this DIY mask and I loved the results!

Milk is known to calm redness and irritation. It also hydrates the skin! After I completed my skin care routine, my face was SO soft and plump haha. I kept touching it the entire day (which is kind of bad because of the hand’s oils but oh well.) I recommend you to try this! It’s great and moisturizes better than anything!

Now here’s a scary picture of me with my homemade milk mask.

I know I'm really late but I got tagged by Fuz, Innerchild, and Zwala! Thank you so much, I appreciate it!!

The rules are:
1. Take your award here
2. Put the logo on your post
3. Link the person who awarded you
4. Nominate at least 7 other bloggers
5. Add the links of those bloggers on yours. Leave a message for your nominees.

I know I'm not supposed to tag people back but who cares! You deserve it for being very kind and supportive! --> Fuz, Innerchild, Zwala :D
And, I know I might be repeat tagging but you deserve this award!
I tag: Jennifer (Beeyoutiful), Eki, Mona, MiuMiu, NicNic, Catherine, Ning*Star, Yumeko, and Chomfifi

Japanese Mag Scans + NOTW

Hello everyone~

Long time no write if that makes any sense. I've been swamped with work in school, my AP test was today (luckily I was dismissed after 12 pm). After the 4-hour long test I spent my afternoon eating out and hanging out in the local garden--David and Johnson's Garden, where weddings are held for the beautiful scenery. Some of my friends were doing yoga... strangely enough, but I was way to exhausted by walking up the hill to move hahaha. Then I had to return to school for a review for my physics test tomorrow.. sigh..

Oh and I recently found out that I was one of the winners in my state county's writing contest hosted by my county's community college. Apparently this is a big accomplishment... I wrote a scholarly essay on the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. My thesis was based on Pearl's (the illegitimate child) irreverent defiance of Puritanism by the communal ostracism, relationship with nature and uncharacteristic behavior. Haha.. To think that I won! I'm attending the awards brunch on June 4th which ironically is the same day as the senior prom.

I've been suffering from severe allergies lately, the pollen has been getting to me especially in the garden and while walking outside. My nose is always itchy and it's dry since I rub it too much with tissues... I have to use Vaseline to moisturize. I think I sneeze more than thirty times a day!

Anyway so I've been tired and deprived of sleep lately so no pics of me haha. I had this gigantic pimple in the space in between my eyes. It was very... gross and I don't usually get these pimples LOL. Maybe it's the stress!!? T_T

My recent purchase is the L'egere White Multi BB Cream from lovely FUZKITTIE's suggestions and raves, once again. I bought the bb cream off ebay for $18.06 (5 bids and I won hahaha) however it's a 2-3x used product so that's why it is cheaper. I don't really care that it's used and I sanitized it again just in case when I received it. No problems so far! I couldn't even tell that it was used. The seller said she didn't like the ingredient Jojoba Oil in it so that's why she sold it.

Anyway, so this post is basically a makeup post for not posting for a million years... Some magazine pics to provide some eye candy for Japanese mag lovers and my current nail look of the week :)

The magazine is called PINKY and it's the March edition (so late I know). I received this from my aunt a while ago.. Probably in February? I decided to post up some pics of the hair article, the models' favorite shampoos, conditioners, treatments, and styling products. I think these articles will be helpful for different hairstyles, colors, and hair types. Enjoy!

For my NOTW, I used Barielle base coat, two coats of Zoya's Flora, one coat of Essie's True Love for some jelly finish, and a coat of Seche Vite to finish it off. I really like Seche Vite for it's fast drying power but it always shrinks the tips so I get some tip wear easily... Also I'm not using enough coats of nail polish to cover the white part of the nail. Oh well!

Some Giveaway and Contest reminders:

All the Pretty Shimmers aka Audrie's Lip Balm Giveaway - Ends 5/15

Fuzkittie's Paul and Joe Gift Giveaway - Ends 5/31 (I think? correct me if I'm wrong.. couldn't open up the page!)

Beauty Addict aka Naomi's Purple Look Contest - Due Date 5/25

Eki's Cosplay Look Contest - Due Date 6/6

ALSO, I'm trying to configure my layout into the 3-column look. Can anybody help with HTML? I've tried it a couple of times by myself but everytime I load the html, it comes up as error or something... -_-; I'd appreciate it so much if someone could offer me some tips or some help!

And another thing... In July I'm planning on going to Tokyo, Japan for 2-3 wks. Yay :) Two of my school friends have confirmed their trips as well.. Looks like I'll be having some fun hahaha. I'm staying at my grandparent's home in Yamatocho, near Koenji station. Any suggestions on places to go and things to buy? I'm definitely going to do some cosmetic hauling LOL major shopping.

Bifacil Eyemakeup Remover DUPE + Collagen Mask Review

TGIF!! :)
Well this week has been long and tiring, and I think my dark circles just got worse. My allergies and PMS has left me snapping at many people today... Hahaha -_-; If anyone experienced my irritable mood today, I'm sorry!

So I'd like to review an eyemakeup remover that I bought at CVS the other day, which is a DUPE for the Lancome Bifacil Dual Phase and Clinique Take off the Day Eyemakeup remover. I'm not sure if I can use the term dupe right here since this product isn't point makeup product, but basically that's what it is.

I have a whole post of reviews on the makeup removers that I have, which you can access (click here). I reviewed some more high-end brand removers such as Lancome Bifacil, DHC Cleansing Oil, Clinique Rinse-Off Eyemakeup solvent, La Mer, and some others.

The product is the CVS Brand Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (Compare to Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover). So this is a double dupe! It's the exact copy of the Neutrogena dual-phase eyemakeup remover. Sometimes I like to buy the drugstore copy of a product if the original brand is more expensive. The packaging is basically the same and the product is probably identical. I bought this makeup remover for $5.99 at CVS Drugstore. The original Neutrogena one costs $7.99 at my CVS. Cheap product, good results!

A couple of people have been reviewing the Neutrogena makeup remover and many seem to like it! Well this remover is basically the SAME thing as the Neutrogena one and cheaper because it's the drugstore copy! I've read somewhere that Target makes their copy of Neutrogena remover as well for a cheap price (not the Sonia Kashuk one).

So you Lancome Bifacil and Clinique Take off the Day lovers, TRY THIS EYE MAKEUP REMOVER OUT if you want to save money!

CVS (Neutrogena copy) Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
Size: 189 mL/6.4 fl oz
Price: $5.99 compared to Neutrogena at $7.99
Type: Dual Phase remover, 2 layers (one water base and one oil base)
Smell: No perfume scent like Bifacil, barely smells like anything
Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbendensis Leaf Juice, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipropylene Glycol, Poloxamer 182, Allantoin, Tripotassium EDTA, Benzalkonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate
Skin Type: Any skin type, works for sensitive skin

Pros:
- Cheap
- Big bottle (in my opinion)
- Same thing as Neutrogena one
- Effective as Lancome Bifacil or Clinique Take off the Day
- Removes waterproof mascara
- Gentle without tugging, pulling or stinging
- Contains aloe and cucumber extract

Cons:
- Label is misleading (oil-free - not true??) The remover leaves a tiny shiny/slippery residue that's characteristic of Bifacil as well.
- Bottle cap is not secure for traveling
- After it dries, leaves some flaky residue (not a problem for me since I hop into the shower)

The Testing Trial:
I used 3 makeup items that I use often:
1. MAC Kohl eyeliner in Phone Number
2. Majolica Majorca Waterproof Mascara (hard to remove)
3. Maybelline Define-a-lash Volume Mascara (non waterproof)



On My Face:
Just swiped some of that black eyeshadow from the Chanel palette, brown eyeliner, and Majo Majo mascara. Here are some pics of how this remover took off all of my makeup. If this can remove Majo Majo mascara, it can remove anything!

Final Verdict

Price: 5/5

Size: 5/5

Packaging: 4/5

Effectiveness: 5/5

Total Rating: 4.5/5

Yesterday I tried out this Collagen mask by Kose because these days I haven't been sleeping due to lots of work and studying to do and my face was totally dead. The mask covers the face and the neck area. It claims to pull the skin back (reduce sagging) because the mask has parts that you put over your ear to pull the mask back tight on the skin.

This mask left my skin feeling very supple and soft. It had plenty of liquid inside to moisturize my face. The mask also stuck to my skin well and gradually dried as I left it on for about 15-20 minutes, although recommended time on the back of the packet said 10 min.

I didn't buy this mask box myself so I'm not sure on the exact price. However I do know that this was purchased at my local Mitsuwa in Edgewater, NJ. The box comes with 5 masks. I recommend this for older people (Mid 20's and above) I think I'm too young to use this because I don't really have sagging skin yet.. thankfully. Nevertheless, the mask felt really nice and made my skin really soft, smooth, and supple. The face lifting feature is kinda cool though!

I took these pics at around 3 AM last night so please excuse my wet hair and pajamas.. LOL

I went into my mom's room to tell her to turn off the TV and she got scared and surprised at the mask hahahaha, she told me I looked like Freddy from Friday the 13th! :D

In the pics I think the mask was drying up and started falling off my face... Oh well! The last pic is right after I removed the mask. Haha I look kind of strange.

Skin79 BB Cream Review #2 + EOTD + Chanel Palette Swatches

EDIT UPDATE: Win a Mika Heart Shu Uemura Brush Set! FREE GIVEAWAY by Beauty for a Living! Click here for the link.
To celebrate her blog, Beauty for a Living is having a great free giveaway with the main prize as the Limited Edition Mika Heart Shu Uemura Brush Set! She's also added some other prizes as well like the Jurlique skincare set and Shu Uemura lipstick holder! Enter this contest by writing about this giveaway on a post, link her site, then comment with your post link on her blog to let her know you're participating!


Hello! Thank you everyone for the kind wishes for my standardized tests :)

his is probably one of the first time in a long time that I posted during a weekday. Showing a BB cream on my hand doesn't do justice to show how well it works. So, I decided to take some pics of it on my face over the weekend.

Please pardon those white stars, my eyes looked horrible because I slept late the night before. They just make the pictures look weird haha so I put stars over them. I'm also wearing the pink velcro hair sticky and clips hahaha I look like a obasan! Note that the lip color change is due to the Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lipbalm (my fav!)

Skin79 BB Cream - Pink Version - Read full review, click here

When I first tried this BB cream on my hand, I didn't notice any significant difference at all. When I put it on my face in the morning, it doesn't really make much of a difference to me. However, now that I look at these pics, I know that it really does something!

Noticeable Changes:

- Evens out skin tone

- Reduces redness (note the pimple on my forehead was slightly red, then turned into milder color)

- Conceals a LITTLE bit on undereye dark circles

- Creates a nice smooth finish on the skin (more matte than dewy)

I really like this BB Cream! As you can read in my original, more lengthy review, the smell is unnoticeable and nice, unlike the Face Shop one. The coverage is light but good enough to make a small difference in evening out skintone.

EOTD for 5/5/09

Ok, today I tried out a very simple eyeshadow look for everyday school/work. I used my free sample Estee Lauder face palette that I got from Saks Fifth Ave. from a very nice SA friend of my family. She always gave my grandmother many free sample bags for me to try (you know those free gift bags if you buy more than $200).

The Estee Lauder palette is pretty nice, it has three eyeshadow colors (basic brown nudes), two blushes (brownish one for contour and peachy one for blush), and three lip colors (rose pink, bronzy brown, and mauve). It also came with three small applicator tools (blush brush, eyeshadow sponge, and lip brush).

I used the three eyeshadows on the left in the typical light to dark gradient style. First I used the light highlighter type creme color for base, then layered on the darker beige color up to the eyecrease, then the dark brown shade for smudging out the lashline area. Very typical, see?

The eyeshadows are very smooth and shimmery! I used a Trish McEvoy eyelid primer sample so I'm not sure with how pigmented these shadows are without the primer. The camera pretty much washed out the color a lot so I'm not sure if the picture captured what I really have on. Pictures just don't do justice! I really don't want to use flash when taking closeup pics of my eye because then I'll be seeing spots ;P

For the rest of the eye area, used Sisley Brown eyeliner, NYX White eyeliner (lower lashline), Shu Uemura lash curler, and Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara (my loves!).

Really Old Chanel Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

Ok, here's an old Chanel eyeshadow palette that I found in my grandmother's home downstairs from mine. It's really old I think but the colors are unique and interesting! The shadows are very sparkly and shimmery. They are smooth and sort of remind me of cream shadow but not as moist. Though they might be a bit old and I could tell very used, it's not that bad! I swatched the colors so you can see what they look like on the skin.

The colors are very nice and you don't really come across this sort of Chanel eyeshadow palette nowadays. What a weird but interesting find...

That's all for today, have a good night!