August Favorites: Bobbi Brown, Dr. Jart, Maybelline, Neutrogena, YSL

HELLO ALL! I'm finally updating with my August favorites. I'm not planning to do these every month, but I've been using these products everyday since the moment I've bought them. There aren't a lot, but I hope you enjoy!  ❤ ❤ ❤

Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick 

As I mentioned in my previous post, a makeup artist at Bobbi Brown recommended the Creamy Concealer for the under-eye area and this Face Touch Up Stick for the face. After falling in love with the Creamy Concealer, I wanted to try out this product. The formula of this concealer is definitely not as creamy. However, this allows for the concealer to last longer on the face. This concealer definitely lasts throughout the whole day, and it is super easy to apply when you are on the go. Unfortunately, the makeup artist who helped me choose my color gave me a darker shade so I will have to exchange it. Other than the color, I love the formula and staying power. It does not make you look cakey at all and a small amount gives you medium coverage (I wouldn't say it has the greatest/fullest coverage). Also, I would not recommend applying this all over the face - just on small spots. The product has 0.08 OZ of product and retails for $28. 

Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

I think this is the perfect BB cream for people with pale skin like me. My mom gave this to me after realizing that it was way too light for her skin tone. I love how this BB cream applies, and I don't find it to oxidize at all. It evens out my complexion without making my face look cakey. It comes in one universal shade, but it fits my skin PERFECTLY-- maybe because it's a Korean company. It claims to "combat" dark spots, but I haven't used it enough to notice any difference. The tube is very convenient to use because it has a pump applicator. The BB cream has 1.5 OZ of product and retails for ~$36.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 

I've heard a lot of great things about this product, and I understand what the hype is all about. It's super inexpensive, and has awesome coverage. It's a liquid type concealer with a doe-foot applicator. The one reason I do not like drug store makeup is because it is difficult to find the right shade. Luckily, I picked shade 10 (light), which fits PERFECTLY for my skin tone.  It stays on the whole day without making me look cakey and it does not accentuate dry spots. This concealer has 0.23 OZ of product and retails for ~$6. With complete honesty, this concealer works as well as or even better than the Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick. However, nothing beats the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer for the under-eye area. 

Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid Sunscreen 

I really recommend this sunscreen for anyone looking for an every-day face sunscreen. It's a liquid formula, so you have to shake it before use. It works just like the Clarins UP Plus Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, but it's about one-fourth the price. It is "designed to layer invisible under makeup and moisturizers." It definitely does what it say it will do. The sunscreen has 1.4 Fl OZ of product and retails for ~$11. 

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine (#4 Rouge in Danger)

After experimenting with some vibrant lipstick colors, I wanted a standard red lipstick. My Nars lip pencil in Dragon Girl has shades of red, but I find it to be more pink. This YSL lipstick was the perfect one! I first fell in love with it because of the packaging... I mean c'mon...! If anyone is looking for a red lipstick with a blue undertone.... THIS IS THE ONE. However, because this is a super creamy formula, the red color is not as vibrant as the YSL Glossy Stains. I was debating between the Glossy Stains #9, but chose this one because it was SO creamy. If you're looking for a vibrant red, I really recommend the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #9. I was a bit concerned about the staying power for this lipstick, but it has a slight staining effect. I find that it settles on my lips without transferring onto my cups. It does require reapplication throughout the day, but the faded shade still lasts on your lips. This lipstick has 0.15 OZ of product and retails for ~$35.

Thanks for reading!

Product MUST HAVES: Benefit, Bobbi Brown, MAC

The products that I will be discussing in today's post are some of my makeup MUST HAVES!

Benefit POREfessional

       My first MUST HAVE item is the POREfessional by Benefit. I've been very negligent about applying face primers for quite some time now. I don't understand why because it does wonders! This specific primer doesn't really need much explanation because it's already known to be AMAZING. After application, my face looks a lot smoothers and my face makeup lasts double the time. It's super lightweight and silky! It leaves a SUPER thin silicone-like layer on your face that makes applying concealer easier -- it blends better and looks smoother... My nose also tends to peel  a lot but after applying the porefessional, my nose looks a lot smoother so it doesn't make the makeup on my nose look cakey. It's around $31-- not cheap but DEFINITELY worth it.  It comes with 0.75 fl. oz of product but a little goes a long way. You don't really need to apply it all over your face. I apply it in the center of my face(nose, t-zone, and inner cheeks). I really recommend you guys buy it! I will be repurchasing.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (in Beige) 

After doing some research on concealers, I decided to purchase the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer. It was recommended for people with dry skin. Because there is a wide color selection, a Bobbi Brown makeup artist helped me choose my shade. This color is seriously PERFECT for my skin color-- especially my under-eye. Before purchasing this, I used the well-known Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, but I did not like it. It just made my under-eye area look dry with no coverage. However after the makeup artist applied this shade on my under-eye, my eyes looked so much brighter. Even my mom commented on how bright my eyes looked.The concealer does transfer so I recommend applying a setting powder over it. When I first bought this product, it looked a lot smaller than it did in pictures-- my mom thought it was a sample they gave me. Because it is a creamy concealer, a small amount goes a long way. For 0.05 fl. oz, it is ~$27. I will be repurchasing this again. Bobbi Brown also has a stick type concealer. The makeup artist recommended the Creamy Concealer for the under-eye and the stick concealer for the face!

MAC Lipsticks

Sheen Supreme Lipstick _Zen Rose (second picture, first swatch) 

This is my favorite lipstick among the four I have swatched above. It's a beautiful mid-toned orchid color (in my opinion). :) Because it is a Sheen Supreme, it requires a bit of layering if you want the whole color payoff. It is not as opaque as the other lipsticks I will be discussing. It applies like a lip butter, so I don't need to moisturize my lip before application. One downfall to this is that the lipstick requires quite a lot of reapplication. It does not stain the lips at all, but the color is beautiful. The Sheen Supreme collection cost a few more dollars than the regular ones-- maybe because the packaging is a bit different from the regular mac lipstick tubes (first picture, fourth tube)? Not sure. It costs $18. I find this color to be perfect even for the fall and winter. 

Amplified_ Impassioned (second picture, second swatch)

I bought this lipstick after seeing several Korean celebrities sporting this lipstick. It's a very bright/ vibrant fuchsia- pink. It's a very different formula from the Sheen Supreme lipsticks, and one layer is enough to get the color payoff--SUPER OPAQUE. I was very impressed with this lipstick because one layer lasted me about 7-8 hours, even after eating and drinking. It has a staining effect and after an hour or so, there is no transfer. It costs $16. For people who are scared of trying bright colors, try doing gradient lips with this lipstick.

Amplified_ Vegas Volt (second picture, third swatch)

Vegas Volt is a orange-pink toned (coral) lipstick. Because it is an amplified formula, it's super vibrant and pigmented. I was looking for an orange lipstick, but didn't want one that was super ORANGE like Mac's Morange. If you're looking for an orange/coral color because straight out orange is too much...   this is the one! However, unlike Impassioned, this color requires reapplication throughout the day. It costs $16.

Cremesheen _Sunny Seoul (second picture, fourth swatch)

Because I've been buying very vibrant and bright lip colors, I wanted something light/ subtle. The name of this lipstick first caught my attention! This lipstick is a beautiful pink lipstick. Because it is Cremesheen formula, it doesn't last that long. Although it gives off a slight glossy finish, I recommend you exfoliate your lips before applying this color but it accentuates dryness/ peeling/ lines. To get the full color payoff, it does require a few layers. If you want a color that's 'your lip but better," one layer will give you a good pinky/sheer color. If you want the full color, apply more layers. It costs $16.

I definitely recommend all four of these lipsticks. I tried my best to portray the lipstick true to color (on the picture), but it's not quite right. Drop by a MAC store and see the colors for yourself! They are beautiful!!

                                                     Thanks for dropping by! <3

PRODUCT REVIEW: BOBBI BROWN, MARIO BADESCU, NARS

Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil

This is literally MY HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT. I never understood people when they called a product their "holy grail" until I bought the Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil. After using the First Aid Beauty Ultra Face Cream and realizing that it wasn't working for my skin, I bought the well-known Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. I thought I was going to LOVE it at first because I heard so many good things about it, but my face started stinging/burning every time I used it. I let the stinging/burning sensation pass the first few days because I thought I had gotten sunburned. This tingly/stinging sensation occurred even when using the First Aid Beauty Face Cream. As stupid as I may sound, I didn't realize that I was allergic to both the moisturizers for months until recently. After realizing that I was allergic to something in the moisturizers, my skin problems (random pimples, red bumps, uneven skin tone) made complete sense. I was very shocked that I was allergic to the Kiehl's moisturizer... After doing research, I came upon this oil. I remembered seeing a couple of Korean celebrities using this oil on television in their skin care routine, which was another reason why I wanted to try it out. I was obviously allergic to something in cream moisturizers so this face oil sounded a lot more appealing. The product description on Sephora states that its a "blend of oils, including sesame, sweet almond, olive, and jojoba" -- basically a bunch of natural oils with vitamin and such.

Okay, now I will discuss my personal review on this product. The first night I applied this oil I loved everything about it--the smell, the light texture, and the quick absorption. The Bobbi Brown makeup artist and many reviews stated that a small amount goes a long way for this product. Therefore, I did not want to apply a heavy amount, especially because it was an oil formula. At first, I was a bit iffy applying such a small amount because I felt it wouldn't be enough to moisturize my face but I didn't apply more because I wanted to see if a small amount was enough as the reviews stated. Before applying this oil, I only applied the Clinique 'Dramatically Different' Moisturizing Lotion.

Morning came around and I really noticed a difference in my skin. My skin tone looked a lot more even and it looked super hydrated. It made my skin look so flawless that I didn't want to wash my face in the morning... The makeup artist said that this product can also be used as a day moisturizer, so before putting on my makeup I applied a small amount and really massaged it into my face. AH! My skin felt and looked SUPER moisturized -- it gave me a dewy finish. I LOVED IT. My face makeup always looked good the moment I applied it, but after thirty minutes, it turned super cakey because my skin always lacked moisture. I finally found my SOLUTION. Also, because the oil worked to even out my skin tone, I found myself using way fewer products on my face because I didn't need to conceal the discoloration as much.

I know there are a lot of people who may be a bit hesitant to apply oil on the face because it can clog pores and bring out the nasty blackheads/ whiteheads. I was a bit worried at first too, but after using the oil I noticed that my whiteheads shrunk a lot.

One con about this product is that the packaging. It comes in a glass jar with a small hole on top, which is a bit inconvenient to use. It does not even come with a dropper. The way I get "a small amount" is by placing the palm of my hands over the hole and quickly flipping the jar upside down. I find the oil left on my palms to be enough. This was the method I saw Korean celebrity Park Soo-Jin use with this product. I then rub the oil to make it warm before massaging it onto my face.

Other than that, it works wonders.  It will definitely be something I will be repurchasing. For 1 oz, it costs me $63 (~68 w/ tax :/). It is a bit pricey, but I think it is really worth it.

**I apologize for this LONG "review." I wanted to share my whole experience with this product. I was SUPER excited to share it! :)

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream 

After running low my Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream, I began to look for a cheaper option. I heard that you don't really need to invest in an eye cream, especially people in their early 20s. I wanted to look for a mid-range, hydrating eye cream because the Kiehl's eye cream, which was ~$45, did absolutely nothing for me. While researching, I came across this eye cream, and it sounded perfect for me. I was excited to try another Mario Badescu product aside from their amazing drying lotion.

Let me first start off my saying that it is SUPER hydrating. I noticed a BIG difference the morning after applying it. My under eyes always looked cakey after applying concealer because it was so dry, but I don't have to worry about it anymore. It works really well for day and night. Remember dryness around the eyes is what causes wrinkles! I will definitely be repurchasing this. The price for this eye cream is $18.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in Dragon Girl

I'm starting to really get into lipsticks. I still have a fear for them, but I'm slowly finding a solution. I got this particular color because I saw several Korean celebrities using it --Nana& Lee Sora on Roommate; Gong Hyo Jin; Taeyeon from Girl's Generation (i dont always buy things they use but this color red/pink really stood out). It was also recommended on Korean blogs. I don't have the courage to apply this full out on my lips, but I use it to make a gradient effect. Because it is matte, I always exfoliate and moisturize before applying it. It has a staining effect because it is matte so you don't have to reapply as often. The price is $25.

I hope you guys enjoyed my reviews. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

With love,

Ahra <3

Beauty Product Reviews ❤ ❤

Dove Dry Shampoo 

I've tried a handful of dry shampoos but this is by far my favorite one. It doesn't leave any white residue in my hair. Other dry shampoos I have used did absorb the oil and gave good volume but my hair didn't really feel that clean. Does it make sense to say that I could "feel the dry shampoo" throughout the day? Anyways, this dry shampoo really makes my hair feel refreshed. It's not up to the point where it feels as if I washed my hair, but it does come close! In addition, I'm very sensitive to smell and most dry shampoos have a "hairspray"like smell that lasts throughout the whole day. However, the smell of this dry shampoo fades throughout the day which is a PLUS for me. I really recommend this and would purchase this again. This product ranges from $4-$5.

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen 

After learning about the importance of applying sunscreen to my face, I realized I was neglecting applying it to my body. Among countless numbers of sunscreens at Target, I chose the Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen because the application was super easy and the cooling effect helped to refresh my skin. The only con about this product is the smell. In my opinion, as soon as you apply it there is a strong alcohol smell that turns into a bug repellent-like smell. It's not a bad smell but it is pretty strong. It does fade throughout the day but very slowly. The product is not greasy and it absorbs pretty quickly. However, I would not purchase this product again because of the scent. It ranges from $9-$11.

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack _EX

I can easily say the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack is my favorite facial masks. I discovered this product while I was in Korea and initially bought it for my mom. My mom's skin would look super hydrated and refreshed the next day after she used it so I gave it a try. It has become a staple product and I use this mask every other night. Although this is a sleeping pack, I also use it before applying my makeup. One of my biggest concerns when applying makeup is my nose. My nose tends to peel a lot because of seasonal changes, so I apply a thin layer of this pack on my nose before applying foundation/concealer and it hydrates it right away--no dry/ flaky patches at all. An exciting fact about this product is that Target now sells Laneige products, of which this water sleeping pack is included. YAY! I already bought one at Target and will continue to purchase it again. The price ranges from $25-$30. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream 

I was excited to use a product from the First Aid Beauty line but this product did not really live up to my expectations. I have been using this moisturizer for a good 4 months, but it has not done much to my skin. I bought this thinking it would be a decent moisturizer to use during the summer time, but it doesn't give me enough hydration. I feel this product is best suited for oily/ combination skin types-- if it is used for the face. I would not purchase this product. The product is $28.

Salon  Perfect Brow Sculpting Gel 

I was looking for a new brow gel and came across this one. I never heard of it, but it was the last one in the store so I assumed it was a popular product. It is a simple clear brow gel, and I really like it. It gets the job done and makes my brows stay in place throughout the day. It smells and acts like a hairspray for your brows.  I would purchase this brow gel again but not in clear. This product is $3-- VERY INEXPENSIVE.

Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara (left) & Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara (right)

I was never really into mascaras until I came upon the Korean television show "Roommate." Nana, a member from the K-pop group After School/ Orange Caramel, had AMAZING lashes. I never cared to apply mascara to the bottom of my lashes until I saw her lashes. Because I wasn't really blessed with long lashes, especially my lower lashes, I wanted a mascara brush small enough to fully coat my lower lashes. I came upon the Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara, which I LOVE. It comes with two brushes perfectly sized for your upper and lower lashes. Applying mascara to the bottom lashes really opens up a person's eyes! This products volumizes and lengthens them! I really recommend it. This product comes in regular and waterproof, but I prefer and recommend the waterproof one because it holds the curl longer throughout the day. I would purchase this product again, and the price ranges from $7- $9.

The Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara is a sample- sized product that my mom received from a gift set (the sets you get after spending a certain amount) . My mom has a good amount of sample sized mascaras that she has received from gifts sets, but this one stood out because of the packaging. I used it one day and fell in love. The formula coats the lashes smoothly and one coat is seriously enough... It does a perfect job of volumizing and lengthening to make your eyes look brighter and wider. My lashes look super full without looking clumpy. After I run out of sample size, I will most definitely be purchasing this product. The price is $26.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed- Native

I really recommend this product to everyone. It's a bronzer/highlighter/ blush palette perfect for the summer. The palette comes in different shades and colors, but I felt this one (native) fit my face tone the best. It is highly pigmented and blends very well. I would not purchase this product again only because I feel I would get tired of the colors. The price is $30, which is a VERY GOOD deal for a bronzer/ highlighter/blush.

Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liner 

I'm absolutely in love with this liner. A makeup artist at Sephora recommended this liner saying that it is one of the top gel liners in the store-- I understand why it is. It is SUPER creamy and pigmented that I actually had difficulty using it in the beginning. I got the color Espresso, which comes off as a dark brown on my skin tone. There is a surprisingly decent amount of product, and a slight "dab" is enough for both eyes. It is waterproof so it doesn't smudge even if I use it to tight line my eyes. I know many gel liners that claim to be smudge/ waterproof smear by the end of the day but this does not! Because it is a cream base you do need to give it some time to settle and dry. I would definitely purchase this product again. The price is $23.

Super Booster Teeth Whitening Pen

This teeth whitening pen from Whitening Lightening is my favorite because it doesn't cause any sensitivity to my teeth. When I first started whitening my teeth, I went to the dentist who put me on the Opalescence tooth whitening system. Yes, it whitened my teeth but it was so painful. After finishing the system, I came across this pen, which claimed to cause no sensitivity. Surprisingly, it did not cause any sensitivity. Other than it not causing sensitivity, the pen is not as convenient as it claims to be because it requires you to smile until the product is dry. It may differ for people, but this product doesn't dry that quickly for me so I resorted to using cool air from my hair dryer. After use, it leaves small white marks on some parts of my teeth but it goes away the next day. I would purchase products from this line again. The price is $79 but the website always has good deals (as of now it is $29). Here is the website http://www.whiteninglightning.com/

Revlon Lip Butter (Sweet Tart -left & Juicy Papaya- right) 

I've always heard good things about the Revlon Lip Butters, but never got around to trying them out. I first purchased Sweet Tart and loved everything about it. It is super pigmented and the color is very buildable. I was a bit hesitant to try the color out because it is pretty vibrant but I gave it a go because I felt it was very suitable for the summer. It comes off as a vibrant hot pink color on my lips. Because it is a lip butter, it hydrates my lips without drying them out later during the day. It isn't a tint so the color does transfer if you drink water and such but if left alone the color lasts for hours-- doesn't require frequent touchups. Juicy Papaya (on the right) is from the same line, but it comes off a lot more natural.  I would purchase these lip butter again and the price ranges from $7-$10. 

e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator 

A friend of mine recommended this product to me. I find it very useful to use before applying a lip product with color. It smells like coconut and it seems to be made up with brown sugar. It is super inexpensive ($3) and gets the job done. I would definitely purchase this product again.

NYX Butter Gloss (Apple Strudel & Eclair)

 Before buying the NYX butter glosses, I heard so many good things about them that my expectations were EXTREMELY high. When I got the product, I was EXTREMELY disappointed... I didn't get the hype. I mean it smelt really good as the reviews stated but the color payoff was horrible on my lips. It looked pretty in swatches but the color did not look appealing on MY lips (this is just my experience). It was a lot sheerer than I expected and although the color is buildable, the gloss was too thick for my preference. I mean I will probably still use these products over a tint but would not purchase it again. I bought this in a trio set for $12. I gave Cherry Pie, the third color, to my sister. It suited her lips well.

I always love reading reviews on products before purchasing them. I hope my reviews were helpful to you! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Thanks so much for dropping by!

                                                                             ❤ Ahra 

My Everyday Makeup Routine: Video!

Hello everyone! I know it has been QUITE a while now but I'm updating with my fifth post! I finally got the guts to film my first video ! I chose to do one of my few everyday makeup routines. The quality of the video isn't quite HD, but I will work on it!

Hope you enjoy! <3

http://youtu.be/wnyCzqRDyPc

Recently Purchased Items! ☆彡

Hello everyone!

It has been a while since I've updated. I've been so caught up with studying for midterms and pretty much resting up during spring break! However, throughout the last couple of weeks I have purchased a few products and my fourth post will be my reviews on them! ❤❤

Hair 

After finishing my previous bottle of dry shampoo, I picked up the Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo. Just a general information about dry shampoo is that it basically works to absorb excess oil in our hair. I don't really have oily hair but because it's so thin my hair loses the volume I get from blow drying really quickly. I usually shower at night so when I wake up in the morning my hair looks lifeless (it was worse when I had longer hair but short hair maintains some of the volume). Before purchasing the Herbal Essences Dry Shampoo, I used the Psssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo. I definitely prefer the Herbal Essences one because  it smells a lot better (the product claims to have a mint/citrus scent... I guess it does? It smells refreshing!) and the shampoo doesn't have color. The Herbal Essence shampoo has a clear formula whereas the Psssst! shampoo has a white formula-- if not thoroughly rubbed your hair will look like a bad case of dandruff... It retails for around $5.99, which is not bad at all! I would definitely repurchase this product if I don't get sick of the scent.

Eye 

I've been using the Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream for a good month now, and I don't really have any feelings about this product. This product retails for around $42.00, and I invested in this small 0.5 fl. oz product because eye wrinkles are all about prevention-- once they appear, the wrinkles won't go away. I've tried the Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream but I prefer the Kiehl's one because it applies very smoothly and absorbs quickly. Also, a little goes a long way! It claims to have Copper PCA and Calcium PCA, which I believe is supposed to help with wrinkles. I don't see any obvious results, but I will definitely be investing in eye creams to prevent wrinkles! You should too!

Makeup 

My first makeup product is the Mamonde Real Skin Powder in shade 2. It claims to have SPF 33/Pa ++. This product was raved about in Korea after Yuri from Girl's Generation posted an Instagram photo of her using it on the airplane and saying that this was all she needed. Although the rave passed, I still wanted to try this, so I ordered it off the website www.ibuybeauti.com ( it took around two weeks for it to come in the mail). I bought it for around $27.99, which isn't much different from the price it retails for in Korea 👍. This foundation has a creamy texture but finishes with a powdery finish on the face . It has medium/full coverage and is definitely build-able. I don't need to apply concealer at all if I use this product. Even with full coverage, my face does NOT look cakey at all. The air-cushion puff that comes with the product helps to even out the product. I've used different brushes and my fingers to apply the foundation, but the puff definitely works the best. It claims to have gold and pearl layer extract, which unarguably seems to benefit the skin. I haven't broken out at all and would  repurchase it again. 

The next product is something I'm sure many of people have used or are currently using-- the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer. Yes, I was late to the crazy rave about this product but I'm glad I got around to trying it. I get the hype! Although it is meant for the under-eye, I use this as a face concealer. The formula is super smooth and blends really well. I love the sponge applicator and pretty much everything about this product. It retails for around $8-$10, which is not bad at all considering how much product is in it. I will be repurchasing this product. 

My next product is the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder. I've  been on the hunt for the perfect setting powder for the past couple of months. I've used raved products from Innisfree and BareMinerals, but through trial and error I finally settled on the one from Urban Decay. I've recently tried BareMinerals Mineral Veil but it made my skin look super cakey and dry-- I could see the powder simply lying on my face... which was not pretty. Then I bought the BareMinerals READY Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 because the make-up artist helping me said that it was the only product that sets makeup with hydrating solutions. However, I did not like how the product applied and it still accentuated my dry skin. Because it was a powder foundation, my face looked extremely cakey after application. Then I came upon the Urban Decay Naked Setting Powder, which I am really satisfied with so far. It's SUPER light-weight and it makes your skin feel so silky. The fine powder sets my makeup and controls my oil (especially the T-zone) without feeling like I have an extra layer of makeup. My skin feels super soft and it lasts for a really long time. The only cons about this product is that it is messy and it's a glass packaging. Trying to get the product through the small holes creates a mess everywhere. It retails for around $34.00.  

My last product is the Benefit Hervana Face Powder. I LOVE this product OH SO MUCH! I now understand the hype! There are so many pros to it : it's super natural, it stays on your face the whole day, it smells amazing, the packaging is super cute, and the colors give me a healthy glow. I was so surprised by how long it stayed on my cheeks. I don't have much to stay other than try it out! It retails for around $28.00, which is a bit pricey for blush, but I can see this product lasting me a really long time-- a little goes a long way! 

This wraps up my reviews, and I hope you enjoyed it! If you have any further questions about the products feel free to leave me a comment! :) I will definitely be updating more frequently now so please follow me and be on the lookout! :) ❤❤

♥My Favorite Masks/ Packs ♥

This post will be all about my favorite and weekly used facial masks and packs. Before leaving to Korea I did not care too much for my skin and occasionally used facial sheet mask (which probably explains my crazy acne breakouts), but I discovered a whole new world of skin care during my time there.

My first product is the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (with scoria and green complex)

I use this clay mask once a week to tighten up the pores that got bigger because of all the makeup. There is not much to explain about the formula as it is a clay-base so you put it on and wait till it dries up. I apply it with a mask brush because I feel I save more product that way, but using your fingers work perfectly well. This product is very popular in Korea, and I had to go to several stores to find it because it was all sold out. After cleaning my face, I apply my toner first (in case of any excess makeup) and apply a thin layer of this product with my brush. It usually takes15-20 minutes to completely dry. When washing off the product I gently massage the mask because it consists of minuscule beads that makes my pores squeaky clean. It definitely cleans and tightens up my pores mostly on my cheeks and forhead, but it does not get rid of a lot of the blackheads on my nose.

Overall, after using this product my face looks a lot brighter and my makeup looks a lot better the following day. 

My second product is the Face Shop White Jewel Peeling Mask. 

The name of the product basically sums of the product. It has a liquid-gel type formula that you massage all over your face to peel off all the dead skin cells as well as any dirt or leftover makeup. It works really quickly and it even gets the dead skin cells off my fingers as I apply the product. The directions say to massage it for 1~2 minutes but I only do it for 30 seconds and it still gets the work done. My face definitely looks a lot brighter and it becomes significantly softer. However, one important thing to note about peeling masks is the after care. Yes, peeling masks help to remove all the bad things on your face but it also removes a lot of the good things-- so moisturizing is KEY after using any peeling mask. I use this product once a week. 

This is the current peeling mask I am using, but my favorite one is the Innisfree Green Barley Gommage Peeling. I use the Faceshop Peeling Mask for 30 seconds because it makes my face sting if I use it any longer. It doesn't cause me any break out; however, it is not as gentle as the Innisfree Green Barley Peeling Mask-- I really recommend this one. Unfortunately, I couldn't buy the Innisfree one due to luggage weight, but it's AMAZING (just using the samples they gave me made a big difference). 

My third product is the Faceshop Volcano Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack--my holy grail mask for my nasty blackheads. 

When it comes to masks, I prefer clay one because it just works the best for my skin. You basically spread a thin layer on your nose, wait for it to completely dry, and peel it off. As nasty as it may sound, your white heads and blackheads come off as you peel it. Something I recommend doing is using a dampened warm/hot towel and placing it over the nose for about thirty seconds (when I'm lazy I just cup hot water into my hands and place it on my nose :)). This will work to open up the pores/blackheads/ whiteheads on your nose. After drying the water, quickly apply a thin layer until it dries. After peeling the product off, I soak my nose in ice cold water to tighten/close up my clean nose.:)

Another product from the same line is the FaceShop Black Head Heating Gel Mask. 

I definitely find myself reaching for the Clay Mask rather than the Heating Gel Mask, but the Gel Mask is a lot more gentle. The product literally heats up your nose as you apply it and the directions say to massage it for about 10-15 minutes. As you massage the product, the clear gel turns into a grayish color. It contain minuscule beads to gently clean out the blackheads and the pores in your nose. 

My final products are the facial sheet masks. 

I feel like one dollar sheet masks work as well as expensive ones. Two tips I have are (1) keep them refrigerated and (2) don't keep them on for more than 20 minutes. 

Keeping the masks refrigerated will give your tired skin a cooling effect when applied on your face, which will work better to soak in the nutrients. ;)  Cheap masks work really well, but it is not recommended to keep them on for a long time. I know some people wait till the mask completely dries but your face probably soaked up the nutrients on the mask within the 20 minutes and keeping it on any longer will not allow your skin to breathe.

Another easy mask to try is the the egg white mask. I don't do this often, but I notice significant differences when I do. First, separate the white and yolk from an egg; second, beat the white until it becomes like bubbly foam; third, apply it all over your face- either with a brush or your fingers; fourth, wait for it to dry; and lastly, wash it off.

The egg white mask is already quite known, but from experience it really works. Your makeup the next day looks noticeably better and your skin gets brighter. BUT don't forget to use fresh eggs! :)


Hope this post was interesting and you got something out of it!
Thanks for dropping by!♥♥♥

My Favorite Lip Products ☆☆

Hello! My second official post will be about my favorite lip products! For a while, I only used lip tints because they were a quick and easy way to bring color to the lips. However, I recently discovered some awesome L'Oreal lip glosses I will be discussing below! As of now, my collection only consists of tints and glosses. I've been out on a hunt for the perfect lipstick color, but I just feel like lipsticks don't work with my lips-- no matter what color or brand, I look like a little girl putting on a mom's lipstick. If I do find the one for my lip color, I will be sure to update! ♥ ♥ Hope you enjoy!

Blistex Lip Medex

This is my ultimate favorite lip balm. It's an inexpensive product you can pick up at any drug store. It works the best after Vaselines. What I like about this product is that it gives a cooling relief when applied. Also, many lip balms I have tried always make my lips peel (even Burt's Bees), but this one doesn't. The size of the balm makes it very easy to carry around and the balm also has a minty scent to it, so it gives your mouth a freshened feel. I always apply this balm before I sleep to make my lip products apply easily the next day. 

L'Oreal Paris Colour Caresse Wet Shine Lip Stain 

This product stood out to me because I heard it was a dupe for the YSL's Rouge Pur Couture. Firstly, I really like the gold packaging and how we are able to see the colors-- this made it so much easier to choose. I picked up # 184 Rose On and On, which is a light pink/ rosy color. The gloss has a floral scent that isn't too harsh and comes with a doe-foot applicator. It applies very smoothly and a small amount goes a long way. The consistency of product is like a lip-gloss, but the color stains your lips after being applied. So, the glossiness goes away after a few hours, but the stain last for a longer time (from 9:30 AM - 5 PM I only applied the stain twice). One con about this product is that it peels my lips towards the end of the day, but other than that I'm really satisfied! 

L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color

My second favorite is the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color in #500 Molto Mauve. This is a darker pink lip gloss. Though the gold packaging is very pretty, the color printed is not true to color. It also comes with a doe-foot applicator. The smell of this lip gloss is very sweet, but not in a bad way. This product is pretty much a lip gloss-- it doesn't stain the lips at all. The consistency of the product is pretty thick and it applies very smoothly. Because the color does not stain, it requires quite a bit of re-application through-out the day--usually after eating. On days when I want to tone down the color of my lip, I reach for this product! However, like my previous L'Oreal product it makes my lips peel :/ 

Innisfree Glossy Lip Locker

The Innisfree Glossy Lip Locker in #6 Maple Burgundy is my least favorite lip product. I know the topic of my post is "my favorite lip product" but I decided to include this because I love everything about it except the color. It has a thick consistency that tints my lips but the color that come off of my lips is not the color of the gloss in the package. The color comes off as a lighter red rather than burgundy (darker/richer red). It comes with a flocked doe-foot applicator and it doesn't have any scent. 

Benefit Cha Cha Tint  

My favorite coral tint is the Benefit Cha Cha Tint. The tint is long-lasting and it's also natural looking. On days when I'm running late, I'm always reaching for this product. It also works as a blush so thumbs-up for its multi-purpose use. One thing I don't like about this product is the brush applicator. I find that it applies somewhat unevenly. I enjoy using tints in a gradation effect of putting the color emphasis on the inner lips and gradually pulling the color out and this tint works the best for that! 

Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint

This product is a recently discovered JEWEL! During my time in Korea, I learned that tints were a huge thing so I followed the trend and bought a whole bunch before coming back. Just a few days ago, I opened the package and I fell in love with the scent. It's not anything unique but it has a very sweet cherry-scent-- it really makes you want to eat it. The color is RD 301 앵두알 맑은 틴트 and it comes with a flocked doe-foot applicator. I was surprised to see that the color was a brighter pink tone- almost a hot pink. I was pretty excited because it looked similar to the one Jun Ji Hyun, a famous Korea actress, wore in the drama My Love From the Star. It applied a litter darker/ redder than I expected, but was surprised me was how long-lasting it was. I put it on at around 9:30 AM and my lips were still stained by 5:00 PM-- without any reapplication. 

Innisfree Echo Fruit Tint & A'pieu Pure Tint

To continue my purchases of tints in Korea, I've also been using the Innisfree Echo Fruit Tint in #01 Cherry and the A'Pieu Pure Tint in Cherry. I find myself buying a lot of cherry tints because it works well for the gradation effect. These two tints are just basics I carry around in my backpack or bag with me all the time. On days when I don't put on makeup but still want some color, I reach for these tints. They are a pure liquid tint and they both come with a flocked doe-foot applicator. They both smell like cherry cough medication. 

☆☆☆ I have swatched all of the products reviewed above. 

         1. L'Oreal Paris Colour Caresse Wet Shine Lip Stain 

         2. L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color 

         3. Innisfree Glossy Lip Locker 

         4. Benefit Cha Cha Tint 

         5. Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint 

         6. Innisfree Echo Fruit Tint & A'Pieu Pure Tint 

☆☆☆Theses are swatches of the products after I wiped it with a cotton pad. As I stated before, the L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color wiped away completely but it still left the glossy feel. 

☆☆☆ These are swatches of the products after wiping them with makeup wipes. The two most visible and long-lasting ones were the Benefit Cha Cha Tint and the Etude House Fresh Cherry Tint. 

Thanks so much to everyone who dropped by! ♥♥ I hope you got something out of it! :) 

With Love, 

Ahra