CHCHCHICAGO ...and DOLPHINS :P

Over my last long weekend, I went to Chicago with my family. We got to see a lot of different type of buildings. But our stay at Chicago was tooo short! I didn't even had a chance to try some of the local food. We joined a 3 days tour, but most of the time we were traveling from Toronto to Chicago and the other way back. Nevertheless it was fun!

The big bean, with the reflection of the city of Chicago

Love this building-- the corn cob

We also went to the aquarium :) there were lots of pretty fish, sharks and whales and DOLPHINS. I have videos... but I am too lazy to upload them... maybe I will update this post when I feel like it :P

Drug Store products that I will definitely buy AGAIN! :P

Cetaphile Cleanser for oily skin

Currently I have been using the Cetaphile cleanser for oily skin on a daily basis. It is the BEST drug store cleanser I have ever used. I have never had a good impression on any drugstore cleanser, either because they don't clean effectively or because they dry out my skin completely. At the beginning of 2011, my skin began to change (maybe because I am growing old =.="), and was reacting like crazy to products that I used to use. I was having breakouts, rashes, and random dry patches. I still have some dry patches and breakouts up till now, but at least the rashes are gone! My skin doesn't react to the Cetaphile cleanser, the cleanser is super gentle but at the same time cleanse my skin well. It is definitely a drugstore cleanser that I will buy again :)

Neutrogena oil free moisturizer for sensitive skin

I have only been using this moisturizer for about a month. It is not the best moisturizer that I have used, but it is the best drug store moisturizer I have tried. This moisturizer is a great moisturizer for the summer, it is not greasy at all, but still moisturizing. For the winter, I don't think it is hydrating enough, especially winter in Canada. I usually use this moisturizer after I shower, and sometimes in the morning.

Olay Regenerist micro-sculpting serum

This is actually the only drugstore serum that I have tried. It is actually quite pricey for a drugstore product. I remember I paid ~$35 at Walmart for this serum. The reason I decided to try this was because it was reviewed by Bubzbeauty on Youtube, and probably because I am turning 24 so I want to do some prevention work before the wrinkle thing happens. I don't know if this really works for wrinkles, since I don't have any yet, but this is a very hydrating serum. I usually use it for an extra hydration boost.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I use this cleanser after I remove my makeup to get any excessive makeup and cream removed. This is a ULTRA gentle cleanser very good for ultra sensitive skin. I think I have already gone through 4 bottles of these. I usually use this cleanser during my makeup removing routine, or when I want to cleanse my face in the middle of the day, I sometimes use it in the morning, but my skin is usually super oily in the morning that I need to use a stronger cleanser.

Almay Clear Complexion concealer

This is the only concealer that I use. It has amazing coverage, and the price is very reasonable. I have been using this concealer since 1st year, and I am still using it. I usually stock up at Walmart, buying at least 3 tube each time. It is great for covering my acne marks! I am in shade light medium

St'Ives green teas scrub

Amazing result, amazing scent, amazing price, amazing everything. You can see my review on this product HERE!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentration

When I visited Hong Kong during the summer of 2011, my cousins and my aunts raved and recommended Kiehl products. At that moment I didn't have much interest in this brand, since I've never heard of it before. But during Christmas of 2011, my mom's co worker gave me a gift that included Kiehl's products (4 in total). The gift included a cleanser, moisturizer, shampoo, and a small sample of the Midnight Recovery Concentration. I have yet to try the cleanser, moisturizer and shampoo(Due to my shopping issues, I have a lot of cleanser/moisturizer/shampoo lying around in my room *blush*). But must I say, I LOVE the midnight recovery concentration, it works well and smells amazing.

Here are the Key ingredients in the midnight recovery concentration (Information and images obtained from : Kiehl's website)

Evening Primrose Oil:

  
"Rich in omega-6 and essential fatty acids that the body cannot naturally produce. Also effective on skin-barrier repair." (Kiehl's website)

Lavender Oil:

 "Helps soothe inflamed or irritated skin while helping reduce skin blotchiness for a more even look. Creates a brighter and more radiant look to skin."(Kiehl's website)

Squalane:

"A healing botanical lipid with a high affinity for skin to instantly restore and replenish."(Kiehl's website)



I use the Midnight Recovery Concentration before I retire for the day (after my toner but before my moisturizer). And a little goes a LONG way. I remember the first time I used the Midnight Recovery Concentration, I felt that it was really greasy (due to all the natural oil), and wasn't to happy about this, since I breakout easily. But the next morning my skin felt softer and I didn't break out. I continued to use this product daily and the tiny sample lasted more more than a month! (I actually still have some left, since I am currently trying out different serums and concentrations). This stuff actually works!!!

In addition, the Midnight Recovery Concentration smells wonderful. Since it includes natural oils such as Lavender the scent is not overpowering. The scent actually helps me relax at night and allows me to sleep more peacefully. I really can't get enough of the scent, it is like lighting up essential oil in the room. *Very Relaxing*

I certainly will buy this when I have a chance to visit the Kiehl store. Unfortunately this is not a cheap product, currently it has a retail price of $48 for 30ml. But as I said before, the small sample(4ml) lasted more than a month for me, so the 30ml bottle will probably last the entire year!

^.^ Enjoy

Coastal Scents - Ultra Shimmer & Metal Mania Palettes

My co- worker and I decided to pick up the Coastal Scents palette everyone is raving about. I got the Ultra Shimmer and the Metal Mania Palette, as you could've figured from the title. Sooo here are the palettes:

Ultra Shimmer

Metal Mania

Sooooo, I placed my order on a Monday and I got my package on a Thursday, which is totally awesome. But since I live in Canada, I had to pay $$$$ for shipping, and I chose the FedEx Service (because I like to track my pkgs). In addition, I had to pay TAX :( . So for all you boyz and girlz out there, Canadian custom applies tax on Coastal Scents products. I had to pay like ~$20 for the tax, and processing fee :(

Other than the tax paying and the shipping paying, the cost of the palettes for its amazing quality are really good!!! Especially right now, since they have discount for valentine. I got the Metal Mania Palette for ~$25. The Ultra Shimmer was listed on the site for ~$20, but when I check the items out, there was a discount for the Ultra Shimmer Palette. I only had to pay $11 for the Ultra Shimmer. The qualities of the shadows were pretty good, they are comparable to some of the MAC and Clinque eye shadows I use.

Click here for more discount

Take advantage of the discount while it is still there!

Enjoy!! ^.^

Eye Primers

An eye primer is what I use in my daily makeup routine, and thank god it was invented. I have the oiliest lids possible, any eye liner and or shadow would end up in the fold of my lids within 2 to 3 hours. But with my lids primed my eye makeup would last the entire day!!!! Not only does the eye primer keeps your eye makeup where its suppose to be, it also help enhance the colours of the shadows/liner. Shadows will appear more vibrant and pigmented.

I have tried 3 different eye primer out on the market right now, and here are my thought on them:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in SIN

I got the Urban Decay Eye Primer, because there were a lot of good reviews on them. I picked mine up at Sephora for ~$20. Instead of the original, I went for the Urban Decay Eye Primer in SIN. It has a pink, shimmery colour to it. The reason why  I chose the SIN instead of the original was because I wanted to use it on the days where I am too lazy to put on eye shadow, but still wants to brighten my eyes a bit. So by using SIN, I basically applied my shadow and primer in one step. :)

I was a bit disappointed, because the primer would crease by the end of the day, but my eye makeup did last longer than it originally did. I don't know if the creasing was due to the SIN formula being different from the original or not (All the reviews where on the original). Other than that I am pretty satisfied with this product, I've had it for sooooooo long, and I've recently been using it every single day. I don't think I am even close to finishing the bottle.


Too Faced Shadow Insurance 

This is my FAVOURITE and my FIRST eye primer. I got this at Sephora for ~$20, and I must tell you, my eye makeup does not crease at all!!!! Even on those long days (9am -9pm) my eye shadow stays where it belongs. I love this primer not only because it keeps the shadow where it belong, but also because it applies on transparent. A little goes a long way!!!! I got the primer during my 2nd or 3rd year of UNI,  I am now graduated and working, and I am still not done with the tube (the product last forever!!!!)

When I first got this primer there was only the original(Too Faced Shadow Insurance), but now at Sephora I see that they've added ones with colours, and for glitters too. I can't wait to try the coloured ones soon!!!!

The only down part about this product, is the packaging wears down after years and years of use. The blue "paint" on the tube starts to peel off, leaving the packaging looking very cheap afterwards. But I love this product and would recommended to everyone that I know. So who cares about packaging.


Elizabeth Arden Advance Eye Fix Primer

I got this primer while I was browsing at The Bay, many many years ago. I don't even remember how much I paid for it, but I am pretty sure it was more expensive than the other 2 brands I mentioned above.

Soooo what should I say about this primer.... It works. Like the Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance, this primer keeps my eye makeup on the entire night. I actually haven't used this product a lot, maybe because the texture was not as easy to spread as with the other 2 product. In addition, the primer does not go on transparent. It has a ivory -ish colour to it. Which makes my eyes REALLY PALE when I apply it on. I guess that was another reason why I don't use it a lot. But I guess this primer would be great for those with pale skin tones. Would I buy it again? probably not, since I've already found something more awesome.

PMD - Personal MicroDerm

YAY!!! I finally picked up my PMD @ FedEx today!!!

After watching a review done by SecretLifeOfaBioNerd on YouTube, I could not resist, and bought it online @ http://personalmicroderm.com/try.html. SecretLifeOfaBioNerd also had a discount code for it, which saved me $44 (For the discount code, it is located in the info box for the Personal Micro Derm Review video). I paid a total of $159.20 for it (shipping fee included), which is a bit on the expensive side, but whatever. I am planning on using this starting this Sunday or next, depending on how my skin is healing from my allergy reaction. I will be trying this out for a couple of month before writing a review on it :P


Here is the review for it:

Enjoy ^.^

gentle way to remove your makeup

There are many ways to remove your makeup, such as, using makeup removing wipes, makeup removing oil, and multiple deep cleanser. I have tried all of the above ways to remove makeup and they all work, but there are of course some pros and cons. Here are some pros and cons. 

Makeup removing wipes:

Pros:

•   convenient (I usually bring these when I go on vacation, makes life easy)
• removes your makeup

Cons:

• dries the skin
• irritating for near eye areas
• 1 sheet is usually not enough
• pricey (~$10-$30 depending on the brand)
• Does not last long
• dries out
• ~30 sheet in a package, which means its going to last ~1 month!!!!

Makeup Removing oil

Pros:

• remove your makeup
• does not dry out the skin

Cons:

• Pricey (price range varies depending on the brand)
• leave an oil film on your face (depending on the product)

Multiple cleansers

Pros:

• your face will be squeaky clean

Cons:

• Over cleansing your face with strong cleanser will strip your skin of it natural barrier. ie/ dries your skin out like hell.
  

My day to day makeup removing routine:

I was taught by my makeup instructor to use the Pond's Cold Cream to remove my daily makeup. The Pond's Cold Cream removes makeup effectively due to its creamy texture, it is not overly oily like some makeup removing oil. Its creamy texture also help moisturize the skin after a long day of makeup. A jar of the Pond's cold cream last for a very long time, all you will need is a penny size. I believe I have been using the same jar of cold cream for the last 4-5 month, and I am only half way into the jar. Along these years I have also added a few more steps/products to this makeup removing procedure. Here is how I remove my daily makeup


You will need:

1. Pond's Cold Cream ~$5, choose the cold cream that is suitable for your skin type (ex/ combination, oily, dry, normal)
2. one or two cotton pad
3. a cotton swap
4. Any brand of eye removing solution. I prefer either Estee Lauder gentle Eye Makeup Remover, or the Lancome Bi Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover. Both are super gentle on the eyes.
5. Any brand of milk cleanser. I really love the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, super gentle, and make your skin very soft. 

How to:

1. Wet your face, so that the cold cream can be spread easily
2. apply a penny size amount of cold cream on your face, and massage gentle to remove the make up
3. use a cotton pad to wipe off the cold cream and makeup.
4. Right now most of your makeup should be removed, repeat step 1 to 3 as needed. Usually 1 time is good enough
5. Take a cotton swab and dip it into the eye makeup remover solution
6. remove the makeup on you eyes with the cotton swab, remember to reach the hard to get places like your eye line. If eye makeup are not fully removed it can cause an infection :(.
7. Wash your face by wetting it again
8. apply an appropriate amount of milk cleanser and massage off any excessive cold cream/ makeup
9. Wash the milk cleanser off your face by using water or a wet face cloth
10. pat dry
11. Apply your choice of moisturizer.

Enjoy ^.^