Benefit Lip and Cheek Stain in Benetint

The Benefit lip and cheek stain is one of my favourite products this year. A two in one product that looks gorgeous on both the cheek and lip. I bought my Benefit lip and cheek stain in the colour Benetint (rose like colour) at Sephora for ~$35 CAD. They also have two other colours Posietint (poppy pink colour) and Chachatint (orangy pink colour). I would've bought all three colour if I had the $$$.

                                            Image from Sephora.com

The Benefit lip and cheek Stain in Benetint is in a liquid form. It is somewhat like food colouring or lip stain (well... it is a lip/cheek stain). The other two colours are more creamy and thick. From the Benefit lip and cheek stain reviews, many reviewer felt that the creamier and thicker texture makes blending easier, but when I tried the products at Sephora the thicker products actually left a mark on where I initially apply the product. No matter how hard I tried to blend, there was still a mark on my skin. This could just be me and my inexperience skills in blending, but I felt that the colour Benetint was easier to blend. As for the scent, I believe each colour had a different scent. The colour benetint has a rose water like smell, which I absolutely love. The other two colour I don't really remember, since I've only tried it at Sephora.

To apply the cheek and lip stain, I draw three horizontal lines on the apples of my cheek and blend it quickly with the palm of the my hands. Blending the product in quickly is a MUST, since the product gets absorb into the skin quickly. You wouldn't want to leave three visible horizontal lines on your cheeks. Similarly for the lips, I apply a couple of strokes of benetint onto my lips and blend it quickly with my fingers. The cheek and lip stain in Benetint gives you a healthy glow. The colour is transparent, as if you have natural rosy cheeks/lips. It is super natural. If you want the colour to be more intense, you just have to apply a few more strokes and blend away.


On the down side, the product does not work well if you're having dry skin. Recently I had a skin allergy reaction, and I had a few patches on my skin that was drier than the rest. The product seem to have sucked the life out of those areas making them drier! Another downside that I have noticed is that the product does not last long on the lips. The colours seem to fade away within an hour :( Other than that, I love this product, I've always admired those with natural rosy cheeks, and now I can achieve that with Benefit lip and cheek stain.

Holiday wish list XP

1. Shu uemura hard formula brow pencil in stone grey 05 (A want to try item)

2. L'oreal color Infallible in Hourglass beige (A want to try item)

 

3. A new CD case. I just broke mine today at the studio :(

 

4. A new foundation brush! My old one has tooo much foundation stuck on it, and is difficult to wash off :(

5. Lash sculpture mascara (unfortunately only available in asia :( should've tried it when I went to hongkong in the summer) -- (A want to try item)

Facial steaming!

Theres nothing like a good facial steaming after a long day sitting in the office with your face glued to the monitor. Especially when the cold dry winter is here, my skin always feel so dry in the office!

So what are the benefits of facial steaming

1. Relaxation
   
   • It is like going to the sauna.
2. Cleansing
   
   • the steam can soften up your dead skin, allowing you to easily exfoliate them off
   • Open up pores, allowing you to remove dirts and bacterias hiding inside you pores.
3. moisturize the skin
   
   • your skin needs water! Especially during the cold dry winters
4. blood circulation

I usually go to the spa once a month to get a good facial done. But most of you might know, going to the spa is quite pricey. Sooo... I started browsing on the web for an alternatives and I discovered the Conair Facial Steamer.

I got my Conair Facial Steamer at Walmart for $25 CAD. It came with a facial steamer (DUH!), a micro-dermabrasion brush (a sponge head alternative), and 2 cone (wider one for facial steaming, narrow one for respiratory therapy). The Conair facial steamer has a built in timer, once the time is up it will auto turn off. I love this feature because I can turn my Conair facial steamer into a mini humidifier at night without worrying that I will burn my house down XP

What can I say? I love the Conair facial steamer! Of course the Conair facial steamer is not as good as the ones from the spa, but what do you expect when you've paid $25. As for the Micro dermabrasion brush, I've never tried it. I am not the type of person to use electronic tools to wash my face, maybe some of you will like it, who knows?

There are many different alternatives for at home facial steamer like the Revlon facial steamer or the Beurer facial steamer. If you don't want to buy a facial steamer, then just get a bowl of hot water and a towel, just like the lady below :P

Picture from google: http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/greenliving/1/189.large.jpg

One of a kind Christmas Show

My favourite craft show !!!! Here is a little tour XP

Comfy Comfy PJ pants from Eve of Desire warehouse

I went to the eve of desire warehouse today @ 401 Alden Road unit13, and got a pair of awesome SUPER comfortable PJ pant!!!!! They're super SOFT and super WARM. I am loving them. The warehouse is currently having a 50% off sales. Everything is soooo CHEAP. ***$7.99*** for my awesome pj pants!!!! I recommend all GIRLZ to go!!!!!!!!

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There are a wide variety of stuff that they are selling, from bras (A-C 34-42), sleepwear, swim wear, super cute socks, Leggings to scarfs. My mom and I got 6 items and all we spent was $60 XP

My favourite to least favourite exfoliator from drugstore brands to highend brands

I can never get enough of the feeling on my skin after a good exfoliating. Here are some of the exfoliators I have tried and my opinion on them (Note: my all time favourite exfolicator is at the bottom! Click me).

Lets start with the drugstore brands!!!

St' Ives Apricot scrub for blemish and blackhead clearing

I got this scrub at Walmart for less than $5. It smells absolutely amazing. A little goes a long way, a small pea size amount is totally enough, and it does make your skin feel super soft. Theres so much product inside the tube(150ml) that I don't think I'll ever finish it. On the down side, the scrubbing particle in the product are way to harsh (It hurts, when I scrub too long/hard, I am pretty sure its doing some sort of damages to the skin). I wouldn't recommend using this product on your face on a regular basis, maybe once a month to get those stubborn blackheads out or you can use this as a body scrub instead.

St' Ives Green Tea Scrub

 

Same as the Apricot scrub I got this at Walmart for less than $5. I would totally recommend this product. It works and smells well just like the apricot scrub. In addition, It doesn't have the harsh scrubbing particles. Instead the green tea scrub has very fine grain scrubbing particles. Theres a lot of product inside the large tube (150ml) and a little goes a long way. This product is something that I would definitely keep in my hands. This is currently my FAVORITE drugstore exfoliator. 

Now moving on to the department store brands!!! 

Clinique 7 day scrub cream

 

I got this as a Clinique bonus gift when I purchased my dramatically different moisturizing lotion. According to Sephora this product is $19 before tax. This product is fragrance free. The scrubbing particles in this product are very fine grain. The amount you will have to use will be around 2 pea size(more than the st' ives scrub), since the product is very creamy and does not contain a lot of scrubbing particle. This product does leave the skin feeling softer. All in all, I would say this is a good product(not perfect), as for buying the product or not, maybe when its on sales.

Clinique turnaround instant facial 

 

 I got this product at The Bay for ~$40, since I fell in love with the older version of this product (Turnaround 15min facial).  But I must say, for the amount I paid for, this product sucks! Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad product, it does its job, but thats about it. It feels like any other exfoliator I can get from the drugstore. The older version of this product (Turnaround 15min facial) didn't have any scrubbing particle in it, but it was able to smoothen my skin and remove any dry/dead skin. That was the main reason I fell in love with the product, it lets me know that it will not do any damage to my skin. In this newer version of the turnaround facial, they've added scrubbing particles, I was literally depressed when I open the bottle and felt the scrubbing particle. In addition, after washing the product off my face there was a film of glitter like sparkle on my face (they advertise "radiance" in this product. Applying glitter on your face does not equal radiance!!!!!). I guess this would be a product you use before you go out for the day??? Anywayz... I don't think I'll ever buy this product again

Moving on to the Asian brands (I got these products online and/or from HongKong, maybe you can find these in some asian mall)

Skin Food Black Sesame Hot Mask

 

I got this from yesstyle.com for $18 before tax. It smells pretty damn yummy. BUT I am not a big fan of it. I got this about a year and a half ago, and I've only used this ONCE! After using the product my skin didn't felt exfoliated. I got this product because it was natural and because of the "hot mask" factor. I guess I can't really say anything about this product because I've only used it once. Maybe I'll give it another try.

Mioggi Hex Magic Utimate Whitening Resurfacer

 

I got this product from the Mioggi store in HongKong. I don't remember how much I paid for the product, but according to some online websites its around $36 US. This product does not contain any scrubbing particle at all (Thats why I love it). You just apply the product on your face for 2 mins, and then using your water soaked hands to gently massage your face. When you are massaging your face, little white/grey particle will form, those are your DEAD skin. After rinsing the product off your face, your skin will feel refresh and resurfaced. I will definitely buy this product again, it is really gentle, it works fast (less than 5 min), it smells great, and it whiten my skin immediately.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel (My Favourite Exfoliator)

Hello ALL, this is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE exfoliator!!!!! I got this from yesstyle.com. It is a product from Japan, I believe you can also get this in HongKong. This product is similar to the Mioggi Hex Magic Utimate Whitening Resurfacer, except it works even better!!!! Similar to the Mioggi resurfacer, there are no scrubbing particles in the Cure aqua gel. You just apply this on all over your face, wait for 10 secs ( YES only 10 SECONDS) and then use your hands to massage your face (note: you don't need wet hands for this product). Your dead skin will gather together to form little grey/white particle. Use warm water to wash the dead skin and remaining product off. Why do I say this product is even better than the Mioggi Resurfacer? This is because, it removes 100% of your dead skin. If you try to use the Cure Aqua Gel a second time, immediately after the first, you will get NOTHING!!! you wouldn't be able to remove dead skin, since you got none. This product doesn't have any fragrance, which is also its down side, since it kind of smells like chlorine. In addition, this product is VERY PRICY!!!! I got this for around $60, but it is WORTH IT, it last forever! I definitely recommend this product to EVERYBODY!!!


Hope this helps you guyz/girlz pick the right exfoliator!!!

Convocation

I've graduated with honours bachelor of science

Use an interdental brush as a lower mascara wand .. don't ever have to buy a lower lash mascara ever again

Why buy a separate mascara just for your lower lashes?

(Note** you should throw out your mascara after you've opened it for a month --- there are lots of germs and bacterias growing inside. Don't put your eyes at risk!!!)

You can always buy a pack of "L shaped interdental brushes" for your lower lashes. They are available at the dental department in any super markets, and drug stores.

There are different shape and sizes for the  interdental brushes. The thinnest one is best for precise application for the lower lashes. The bristles are soft too.

If you are re-using the interdental brushes, remember to wash them after each use (preventing bacterias and germs)


How to use Interdental brush as a lower mascara wand?

You will need:

1. Mascara
2. Interdental brush (brand, shape, size of your choice)

Instructions:

Just simply coat the interdental brush with your product (use the mascara's wand to coat the bristle of the interdental brush). Now you have a lower lash mascara wand, apply the mascara onto your lower lash using your new wand!!!


TADA!!!! and you've applied mascara to your lower lashes. The Interdental brushes are not only good to keep your teeth clean, it can also act as a lower lash mascara wand... enjoy!!!

DIY lip scrub XP

An easy and affordable way to make your own lip scrub without unknown ingredients.

What you will need are:

1. SUGAR!!!!!! brown or white which ever one you prefer (yummy)

2. Vaseline!!!!!! the ultimate moisturizer (if you don't have vaseline I guess similar product will work)

 
3. Lip brush or a spoon

Steps:
1. take a pea size amount of Vaseline with your lip brush or spoon
2. dip your vaseline covered brush/spoon into your plate of sugar
3. apply the mixture onto your lip
4. start SCRUBBING with your fingers (scrub till you think it is enough)
5. rinse with warm water or cloth.

TADA and you're done XP

Status update and a little DIY

Graduation == unemployment, I guess that its true!!!!! And I am still searching for a job to a point where I've almost seen all the job postings... sigh*. On the positive side I have a 3rd interview coming up and if all goes well...I will be EMPLOYED. Yuppy!!!!!!!

Now that we got the happy stuff out of the way... well sort of happy .... here come the negative part of my life....I am having an acne break out!!!!!! and I don't even know why!!!!! Anywayz, instead of going to the doctor, I decided to go try the Chinese doctor. Dude, Chinese medicine are EXPENSIVE!!!!! $55 for 3 days of medicines, and they taste like....... yeah I don't even have a word to explain what it taste like. Its a bit bitter, a bit sour, and a bit minty. I think I could take the bitterness and minty-ness, but the sour really kills me. Thinking about it makes me *SHIVER*. Anyways, I hope it works, might have to go back for a check up on sunday and get more medicine @.@

So I was completely bored today, with nothing to do. No one to stalk on facebook, nothing to watch on youtube, and nothing to serve on the internet.
Soooooo, I decided to have some DIY fun with my CRAYONS, drawing paper, and an old picture frame a friend gave me during one of my birthday.

Enjoy....

HK day 9 & 10 ... mini egg exploration & the BIG BUDDHA

On my 9th day, my brother and I decided to go try 2 of the many famous mini egg waffle place (North Point and Sai Wan Ho).

The mini egg from North Point was premade, but it was still super crispy!!!!! It was in my opinion kind of tasteless.
Look at my brother devour them.

The mini egg from Sai Wan Ho was freshly made (ie/ LONG lineup). It was both crispy and tasty!!!!! XP.

I would say in my opinion that the Sai Wan Ho mini egg is the winner!!!! We devoured them so fast that we didn't have time to take a picture.


day 10...

The Big Buddha!!!!

The 360 cable cart that we took to the big buddha

veggie meal!!!

Hk day6...buffet lunch with grandma

Group photo

She loves her ice cream

hk day4 ... causeway bay shopping

At Times Square ..... so high :S

awesome cheap pants... sooo comfortable

A pair of pricy shoe(left), and a pair of super cheap sandal (right)

black skort from fcuk, and blue/green skirt from some random shop XP

HK day3 .... Haagen Dazs

Haagen Dazs afternoon tea....

Strawberry cheese cake ice cream with bannana pancake

Shiny Star

cookies and cream ice cream with cheese cake

What I bought today...

Giordano... funky shirt 

DOT DOT cosmetic from colormix and makeup accessories from sasa

Skin79 BB cream from color mix .... on sale for $80 hk (equivalent to $10cdn, canada sell this for $30 ... saved $20 YAY!!!!!!!!)

HK day2 .... McDonald sooooo cheap

18 nuggets, fries, drink, and 4 sauces ... only $38 hk dollar!!!!! (~$5 cdn)


Filet O fish, fries, and drink for $20 hk dollar (~$2 cdn)

HK day1 .... a vending machine for umbrellas?

o.o... vending machine for umbrellas .... speechless




Shopping at jusco!!!!! and some other place beside jusco!!!! 2 pairs of shoes, and cloths!!!!! Need to shop more!!!!!

Surprise for Grandma ...... HK

Arrived to HongKong !!!!!
Visiting hk was a surprise for my GRANDMA!!!!! My family and I lied to her and told her that we wouldn't visit hk this year due to expensive plane tickets.

got to love her expression!!! She seem more mad than happy LOLz

yumyum strawberry crumble !!!!

It is summer!!!!!! and also the time for molding, no not molding as in molding a ceramic pot.

Instead of molding at home today, I've decided to make a strawberry crumble. hmmmmm it looks yummmy XP

Heres the ingredient in making this yummy crumble

Double DONE~!!!!!

YAY~!!!! completed my last uni exam today!!!! At least I hope I did... lolz. Anywayzzzzzzzzzz other then it being my last uni exam, it is also my brother's grad!!! YAY goooooo AARON XP

Fyi, I am going to scrap my xanga account XP