Review: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick + Outfit

Happy Wednesday! (I'm still in Tuesday mode however).

I had the day off yesterday due to Yom Kippur Jewish holiday, my school is mainly Jewish and Korean so the majority wins and we had a day off :)

I'm going to be reviewing the Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick today. It's been popular in the blog world lately because it's a new release and it's also a new favorite!

Here is the lipstick on my lips - the shade is Pink Me Up.

Close Up (Flash)

I forgot to do a swatch so I'll save that for later but one thing that I'd like to say is that this lipstick is pretty pigmented!!

Here are my thoughts in condensed form so it is easier for all of you to understand.

Pros

- Easily available in most drugstores

- Affordable price (around $7-8)

- Not too creamy, buildable pigmentation (vary from light to heavy application)

- Smell is not offending like European brands (Chanel, Dior, Bourjois, etc.)

- Can achieve watery look if desired

- Variety of colors available (4 categories: Nude, Pinks, Reds, Purples)

Cons

- Some batches of these were bad (smelled bad and tasted bad) Be careful! Sniff before buying.

- Packaging is a little annoying to remove entire plastic cap (but not that big of a deal)

What I think:

This is my first drugstore lipstick purchase in a LONG LONG time. I was hesitant to buy any lipstick from the drugstore after I experienced bad smelling, bad tasting stuff. This lipstick totally changed my perception of Maybelline lip products because it wasn't as nasty smelling as some other stuff in drugstores. I personally don't like lipsticks or any lip product that smell like roses or the "old lady smell." I am very sensitive to scents and I get nauseous if something too fragrant is on me for too long. This lipstick smells a bit like coconut or some buttery smell. It's not too bad but if you apply a lot it might be a tad strong. And as I stated above, BE CAREFUL, some batches were not good and the smell was terrible (like chemical).

I like this lipstick a lot, the color is buildable and I personally like a light hand for my lips. Usually I apply a lipbalm beforehand and then use this lipstick. Or if I want more shine, apply lipbalm, lipstick, then lipgloss.

If you have pigmented lips, I believe this lipstick can cover the color of your natural lips if applied with a heavy hand. Try it out! :)

Outfit/Clothes Update

I was fortunate to be able to order some articles of clothing from Zipia.net in a joint order with one person who I've been emailing back and forth (Thanks Davlyn!!) It came out successfully and this is one of the plaid shirts that I ordered that I love! It's very light and soft, perfect for those fall days that seem to be imitating summer.

I will post an outfit/lookbook post soon on some of the things I got from Zipia!

Outfit Info

Plaid shirt: Zipia

Tank top: Aerie by A&E

Jeans: Zara (3 yrs old skinny jeans.. love them!)

Camera: Olympus E500 DSLR hehe

Sleepy... Still in love with that shirt :) Also wearing the lippie!

Sidenote: Hating the red tint in my hair... Experimenting with purple Kool-Aid to get rid of brassy tones. Will update on how that works out!

Nails of last week:

Zoya - Flora

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.

Mini Drugstore/Target Haul & Nails

Hey, hope everyone's having a great weekend!

I was so busy this week and couldn't really post anything up except my ohagi.. haha. But today I will show you my super mini haul from a local drugstore called Harmon Discount. I believe they only have locations in NJ, NY and CT. So basically tri-state area. I'm in NJ and I live about fifteen minutes away from Harmon so I go there all the time. It is essentially a beauty supply store/drugstore but with cheaper prices! :) I'm so happy about that.


I bought the Revlon Colorstay Softflex foundation in Sand Beige 180 for approx. $9.00 (cheaper than CVS price $13.00) after I got a sample in a magazine with the exact same color and reading reviews online that compared it to MAC's Studio Fix.

My current foundation, DHC Q10 liquid foundation, doesn't do much for me. Once I put it on, it's very matte and doesn't give me that dewy glow that I like and it's light coverage so if I want to cover more, it doesn't do it. I don't really like it that much but I'll probably finish it.

I also bought two eyeliners (some cheap brands..), NYX white eyeliner in 906 and Prestige purple eyeliner in E80 Magnetic. They're okay I guess... I read a lot about using white eyeliner to make your eyes look more awake or bigger. The NYX one is better even though it was cheaper. The purple eyeliner isn't that pigmented but I'll figure out a way to use it.. Any suggestions?

I also went over to Target today to buy Sonia Kashuk brushes that I've been lemming. I wanted to buy the stippling brush but they didn't have it. I bought the blusher brush in the black version and it's so soft! I have yet to try it but I'll review once I do. After my Bobbi Brown knockoff fiasco, I've decided to just stick to brands I can afford and can be trusted. I'm thinking of going to ULTA or Sephora to get a stippling brush. Does anyone know some good stippling brushes that are around $10-$30?

I painted my nails two days ago in Zoya's Casey. It's such a nice vampy color! I don't know why but I didn't do a good job at application so it looks bad... For some reason the polish became a little gloopy but maybe it's my base coat's fault. I've been using Barrielle's ridge filler.




Anyway I'm going to bid on Ebay for the Jill Stuart mixed compact blush in Fresh Apricot! I'm so excited. This time I researched the seller so I think I'm fine. I can't wait to get it~ :D

So that's all for now. Maybe I'll make more Japanese desserts tomorrow, hehehe.

Knockoff Bobbi Brushes & ULTA Mini-Haul

I ordered some Bobbi Brown brushes off of Ebay last week and received them on Saturday. I was so excited to get them, as I purchased ten for roughly fifty dollars. However I was so surprised when I opened them! And let me tell you, not the good surprise. T_T

First off, the brush case was not a very soft plastic, as the brush case is supposed to be like... I compared my ebay brush set with one from Saks Fifth Ave on the same day I got it. Secondly, when I opened the case, the brushes had this distinct odor to them, not sure what that was (I don't want to know haha). Then I looked at the brushes and the Face Blender brush was spelled incorrectly! It was spelled like Face Btender. Can you believe it? How can a designer cosmetic company with such renowned fame like Bobbi Brown possibly spell a label incorrectly?

Not possible, I decided. So I've concluded that the brushes were knockoffs. Fortunately I was able to organize a return with the seller. I originally though that the buyer was trying to scam me but she told me that she was selling them for a neighbor. Also she wasn't really a beauty product seller so I guess her excuse is believable.

I've learned my lesson and now I will check pictures and the seller to make sure a product is 100% authentic! I guess at that price the deal was too good to be true. :(

For something on a good note, I went out on Saturday to cheer myself up with a beauty purchase.

I purchased: Covergirl Sparkle Topcoat in Amethyst Mist, OPI Do You Lilac It?, OPI Gargantuan Green Grape, and Nail Tek's Extend Polish Thinner <-- to Asami's recommendation

I tried out OPI Do You Lilac It? two days ago and it was SO STREAKY! I was so disappointed but then yesterday I tried out the Nail Tek thinner and repainted three of my nails (pointer, middle, ring). Application wasn't as streaky and overall the nail polish looked better! I think the thumb looks horrible compared to the three that I repainted.. So gloopy.

My cuticles are so dry... Don't blow up the pics! Haha :)

First Post - Current Nails

Hi! This is my first post on my blog. I decided to make a blog because I have been silently reading many beauty blogs for a while and I want to join the community! I'm passionate about skincare, nails, and makeup even though I'm not very experienced with applying makeup.

First, let me introduce myself.

I'm Mika and I'm still an HS student but I will be going to university in one year. I'm not crazy about wearing a lot makeup to school because I don't have much time and I believe that I should embrace my bare skin while I can. ^^;

I'm just an amateur but I'll try to post helpful information for everyone!

Ok for my first post I'm going to talk about my current manicure! I've had these nails for three days now but I got some tip wear because I spent the whole night baking cupcakes yesterday for a bake sale! They were very successful :D

Pink Gradient Nails (courtesy to Nail Juice tutorial )

I used these polishes in this order:
Barielle Hydrating Ridge Filler Base Coat (with Silk Fiber)

Nicole by OPI in City-Pretty Rose (on tips only)

Zoya in Starla (in 3 layers--follow Nail Juice's tutorial to achieve same look)

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Haha please ignore my textbook up there ^

That's all for now~