Jun 30, 2014 • by Lena L
Essie Shelter Island is one of my favorite blue nail polishes.
This vivid cerulean blue polish comes in the signature Essie gel-creme finish. The color has a tinge of green but clearly belongs to the cooler side of the spectrum that looks amazing against my skin tone.
This vivid cerulean blue polish comes in the signature Essie gel-creme finish. The color has a tinge of green but clearly belongs to the cooler side of the spectrum that looks amazing against my skin tone.
Essie Shelter Island
(under direct sunlight)
Jun 28, 2014 • by Lena L
I thought I would start a small series and see where it goes.
Fragrance is one of my first love and I have a pretty extensive perfume wardrobe, but lately I haven't felt all that enthusiastic. I still buy full bottles occasionally and I almost always pick fragrance samples if freebies are offered with purchase. So eventually I ended up with a boxful of perfume samples as well as some minis that are begging to be spritzed on.
This is my effort to more diligently and consciously try out new scents and have records of them. I'd like to write them in simple and casual words (mostly because I do not know the big poetics ones that seem to be required for good perfume reviews) with my very personal thoughts.
Yeah, more like a diary.
First up is Marchesa Parfum D'extase.
Fragrance is one of my first love and I have a pretty extensive perfume wardrobe, but lately I haven't felt all that enthusiastic. I still buy full bottles occasionally and I almost always pick fragrance samples if freebies are offered with purchase. So eventually I ended up with a boxful of perfume samples as well as some minis that are begging to be spritzed on.
This is my effort to more diligently and consciously try out new scents and have records of them. I'd like to write them in simple and casual words (mostly because I do not know the big poetics ones that seem to be required for good perfume reviews) with my very personal thoughts.
Yeah, more like a diary.
First up is Marchesa Parfum D'extase.
Marchesa Parfum D'extase (sample)
Jun 26, 2014 • by Lena L
Today I want to show you some pretty bling-y things.
Not too long ago, my friend Pauline (she has this awesome YouTube channel, btw) sent me the whole set of Bbia pigments from Korea.
I have not really followed Korean makeup trends lately, so I did not know about the brand at all. Apparently this hip and affordable brand called Bbia (삐아) and its pigments are very popular in Korea.
Not too long ago, my friend Pauline (she has this awesome YouTube channel, btw) sent me the whole set of Bbia pigments from Korea.
I have not really followed Korean makeup trends lately, so I did not know about the brand at all. Apparently this hip and affordable brand called Bbia (삐아) and its pigments are very popular in Korea.
Bbia pigments "Flavor" series (맛대맛 시리즈)
Bbia pigments "5 light" series (5광 시리즈)
Jun 24, 2014 • by Lena L
I recently visited the NARS store on Bleecker street in SoHo with a friend.
Naturally I was drawn to the exclusive BLKR collection displayed in the center, took a long time examining every particle of shimmer in the eyeshadow duo and comparing the BLKR single to Lhasa. I did not pay much attention to the 413 BLKR blush, however, thinking it was "too bright, too rosy". So I left the store empty handed while my wise friend grabbed a BLKR blush.
I managed to kill my lemmings especially for the single eyeshadow because it is close to my beloved Lhasa, which I concluded to be a better and more complex grey color for me (reviewed here).
On the other hand, this bright rose blush kept haunting me whispering, "you don't have anything like me, do you?".
So I finally caved in. (Plus it came with minis, you know.)
Naturally I was drawn to the exclusive BLKR collection displayed in the center, took a long time examining every particle of shimmer in the eyeshadow duo and comparing the BLKR single to Lhasa. I did not pay much attention to the 413 BLKR blush, however, thinking it was "too bright, too rosy". So I left the store empty handed while my wise friend grabbed a BLKR blush.
I managed to kill my lemmings especially for the single eyeshadow because it is close to my beloved Lhasa, which I concluded to be a better and more complex grey color for me (reviewed here).
On the other hand, this bright rose blush kept haunting me whispering, "you don't have anything like me, do you?".
So I finally caved in. (Plus it came with minis, you know.)
NARS Blush 413 BLKR
Jun 21, 2014 • by Lena L
Antioxidant serum is one of the few things I believe in preventing photoaging. A good stable sunscreen would be another, but it always works better with the help of antioxidants - The sunscreen antioxidant synergy.
For this reason, I am always on the look out for a nice serum that I can wear underneath my sunscreen. It is not easy to find one that I really like because I find many serums either unstable and irritating, or not moisturizing enough to be used alone (vitamin C serum, for example).
Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum checks off most of the things from the list I have for an "ideal serum".
For this reason, I am always on the look out for a nice serum that I can wear underneath my sunscreen. It is not easy to find one that I really like because I find many serums either unstable and irritating, or not moisturizing enough to be used alone (vitamin C serum, for example).
Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum checks off most of the things from the list I have for an "ideal serum".
Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum
Jun 17, 2014 • by Lena L
It took a really long time for me to finally warm up to this cult favorite called "NARS Orgasm". (Well, I bought my Orgasm blush (reviewed here) almost 10 years after it was introduced.)
Although I ended up liking the blush much more than I expected, I didn't think it was "the blush color" for me. So naturally, I was not interested in the lip gloss with the same name thinking it was too frosty and warm for my light neutral complexion.
I still ended up with a full size NARS Orgasm Lip Gloss, though. Why? Because I always fall for legit mini makeup items (The key word here is "legit", btw).
I ordered a couple of (unnecessary-but-they-come-with-minis) things from NARS and was supposed to receive a mini NARS Orgasm Lip Gloss as a part of GWP, but they must have been out of minis because they sent a full and long Orgasm to me.
Although I ended up liking the blush much more than I expected, I didn't think it was "the blush color" for me. So naturally, I was not interested in the lip gloss with the same name thinking it was too frosty and warm for my light neutral complexion.
I still ended up with a full size NARS Orgasm Lip Gloss, though. Why? Because I always fall for legit mini makeup items (The key word here is "legit", btw).
I ordered a couple of (unnecessary-but-they-come-with-minis) things from NARS and was supposed to receive a mini NARS Orgasm Lip Gloss as a part of GWP, but they must have been out of minis because they sent a full and long Orgasm to me.
NARS Lip Gloss, Orgasm
(A generous GWP from NARS)
Jun 16, 2014 • by Lena L
This season, I have been enjoying brighter and more intense pink with subtle warmth. It could best be described as strawberry pink (or red) as it always reminds me of those ripe strawberries.
I think the color is just perfect for this time of year with such refreshing and perky hues, and also a nice break from the demure neutrals. If you already love wearing reds, this would be an interesting twist as well.
Today I put together a face with a single color scheme - Strawberry Pink.
I think the color is just perfect for this time of year with such refreshing and perky hues, and also a nice break from the demure neutrals. If you already love wearing reds, this would be an interesting twist as well.
Today I put together a face with a single color scheme - Strawberry Pink.
FOTD with Strawberry Pink
(and my bobby pin)
Jun 14, 2014 • by Lena L
After my less than glowing review on Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Eye Makeup Remover, I was sent two other eye makeup removers from Boots. I appreciate the opportunity to take another look at their eye makeup removers because I doubt that I would have otherwise. I might have just concluded that Boots was a brand for my favorite toner and exfoliator, but not for eye makeup removers. Luckily, that opinion of mine is quite different now.
Boots Botanics All Bright Soothing Eye Makeup Remover (L)
Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover (R)
Jun 13, 2014 • by Lena L
I got these minis in the birthday set from Sephora a while ago and quickly (and completely) forgot about them. I love legit minis and am fond of the brand, but I guess I was underwhelmed by a lipstick in such a safe color and a non-waterproof mascara.
Turns out they are quite nice if not worth gushing over, and I repent that I did not review them sooner.
(Seriously, I need to do something about my queue that is getting bigger and bigger, or rather about my procrastination.)
Turns out they are quite nice if not worth gushing over, and I repent that I did not review them sooner.
(Seriously, I need to do something about my queue that is getting bigger and bigger, or rather about my procrastination.)
Make Up For Ever
Smoky Extravagant & Rouge Artist Natural (N9)
Jun 7, 2014 • by Lena L
Sometimes you don't realize how much you love it until it is gone. L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm is the very example for me.
I bought 4 different shades when it first came out, and actually used up all 4 of them. This is a big deal or at least it should have felt that way because, you know, it does not happen to me.
Funny that I never thought I "loved" them although I knew I liked them, and using them all up did not hit me as a significant beauty event. It is funnier that I started missing them rather terribly as soon as they were gone. So I had to buy them again, this time not out of curiosity but necessity. (What?!)
I bought 4 different shades when it first came out, and actually used up all 4 of them. This is a big deal or at least it should have felt that way because, you know, it does not happen to me.
Funny that I never thought I "loved" them although I knew I liked them, and using them all up did not hit me as a significant beauty event. It is funnier that I started missing them rather terribly as soon as they were gone. So I had to buy them again, this time not out of curiosity but necessity. (What?!)
L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm
Heavenly Berry(L) & Tender Mauve(R)
Jun 1, 2014 • by Lena L
I have been very lucky with foundation this year. Currently I have four foundations in rotation, and they are all great for different purposes.
I bought Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation because I was initially intrigued by this review and hugely enabled by this blogofriend later on. I mean, I can't recall the last time when I bought a foundation because I was actually in need of a new one, but I sure am glad that I made this impulse buy that seemed unnecessary at first, because Shiseido Sheer and Perfect is one of the best "daily" foundations I've encountered!
Much thanks to these friends, and I only hope I can pay it forward. ;)
Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF 18
Very Light Ivory (100)
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