2013 Favorites!!!

Looks like it's about that time for my 2013 Year End Beauty Favorites!  For your benefit, I'm not going to describe each product and why they're on my list for this year since it's here for a reason ;)  These are basically my go to products that I use and rely on in my daily routine during this year.  Enjoy! xx Mae

 Makeup

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Makeup

Loreal Magic BB Cream

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

NYX Blush in Pinky

Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Apricot Flush

NYX Soft Lip Cream in Amsterdam

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in #14 Rossetto 

Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes in both the Regular and Excess Formulas

NYX Faux Lashes Mascara 

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner 

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 

Skincare

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Daily Moisturizer

The Face Shop Dewy Flower Fresh Emulsion

Envie De Neuf Gentle Exfoliating Gel II

Freeman's Anti-Stress Mask with Dead Sea Minerals

Kirkland Signature Daily Facial Towelettes

ETC

Suave 24-Hour Protection Spray Deodorant in Powder Scent

Hair

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush 

Tresemme Tres Two Hairspray Freeze Hold

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray

Rusk Sheen and Movement Myst

Color Vita Complex Surface Awaken Therapeutic Treatment for Thinning Hair

Fragrances

Lola by Marc Jacobs

Couture Couture by Juicy Couture (Special Edition)

Candles 

Village Candle in Black Bamboo

Village Candle in Vanilla Pear

WISHING YOU ALL A GREAT NEW YEARS AND CHEERS TO IT <3

Holidays/New Year's Festive Nails

Just transitioned from Christmas-y to more of a New Year's inspired nail style.  :)

Products Used

Base Coat - OPI Nail Envy Original

Main Color - Essie in good as gold

Bottom Nail Color - Sally Hansen Gem Crush in Lady Luck

Top Coat - Sephora by O.P.I in Traffic-Stopper Copper

Final Top Coat - Essie No Chip Top Coat

To get the bottom nail "effect"; in short, light strokes, I used the Sally Hansen gem polish and basically built up and concentrated the color on the bottom half of my nails.  You don't have to make it neat in which I wanted to give my nails that "messy", chunky glitter effect.  I then topped everything off with the Sephora glitter top coat to give it an extra sparkle (it's New Year's, why not? :) )  And any finishing top coat you can apply.

I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and Holidays!  Let's ring in the New Year with some sparkle ;)

xx 

Mae

Christmas Red + Tinsel Inspired Holiday Nails

Nicka K New York Nail Lacquer: I've already sort of gave a run down on this polish in my December Ipsy Bag reveal.  So when I put it on my nails, it came out more of a cherry red shade; definitely had a pinkish undertone to it.  But nonetheless, a great color for the Holidays; nice and thick formula and you only need two coats to get the right shade.

OPI Nail Lacquer in Number One Nemesis:  This shade was also in one of my Ipsy bags, the November one I believe.  Thought it was the perfect color to give that "tinsel" feel to the red nails.  The micro glitters of the polish give a nice even finish to the galactic grey shade.

Saturday Night Xmas Party

Black Dress: Cynthia Rowley (bought at Marshall's)

Black Tights: Chinese Laundry (bought at Marshall's)

Red Cardigan (misses section @ Marshall's)

Brown Boots: eBay

Went to my sister's company's Christmas party at Embassy Suites.  Hotel was comfy and beautiful with an open bar, good food (ate a steak meal), and very nice people :)

December Ipsy Bag!

Two VERY generous samples of the Signature by English Laundry Perfume & Cologne

The scent of the Perfume is very sweet and musk, but I don't think it's overwhelming.  Definitely reminds me of Vera Wang Princess.  I think it's a nice complimenting and warm scent for the Holidays.  The cologne on the other hand smells very refreshing and citrous-y, a very attractive scent for guys indeed ;)

NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colors in Iris

A peachy nude shade with a nice glossy finish.

pop beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio in Smokin Hot

A very pigmented yet simple palette that is perfect for using when doing your makeup for the Holidays and New Years festivities.

NICKA K New York Nail Polish

Another perfect, simple, and elegant shade of red to add to your collection.  I don't think we have enough red nail polishes to satisfy us, definitely a great shade to wear for the Holidays along with your berries and nudes that we drift to wearing this season as well.  I LOVE THE PACKAGING :)

be a...BOMBSHELL The One Stick in flustered

Ladies, we definitely find these multi-tasking sticks a very useful treat.  A nice raspberry color with a creamy texture for which it is easy to apply on your face.  Use it for either your lips or cheeks.  I am especially fancying this cosmetic brand; I enjoy all the products that they include in the Ipsy bags and I look forward to trying out more of their awesome products.

Hope you all enjoyed your Ipsy bags as well!  

xx Mae

OOTD: Finals Week, Day 2

Floral Blouse - eBay

Black Fleece Leggings - Walgreens

Grey Knee High Socks - TJ Maxx

Black Combat Boots - TJ Maxx

FOTD: Warm

Face:

Maybelline Super Stay 24-hr Foundation

Sephora Perfecting Cover Concealer

ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzer

Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter in "Soft Focus"

Eyes:

Sephora Eye Primer

Coastal Scents 88 Color Warm Palette

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Black

Sephora Flashy Liner in Flashy Brown

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner in Black

LOreal Voluminous Million Lashes Extra in Blackest Black

Lips:

MAC Matte Finish Lipstick (sorry, don't know the color because it's rubbed off)

FOTD: Neutral

Maybelline 24-hr Stay Foundation

Eyeshadows used: LOreal HIP duos, Urban Decay Naked Basic Palette

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner

LOreal Voluminous Million Lashes Extra

NYC Bronzer 

Benefit Watt's Up 

NARS Blush in Deepthroat

MAC Lipstick in Cherish

Face Shop Masks

Since winter is now in full force, it's definitely time to change up our skincare routine.  For me, immediately after washing my face, my face gets stiff dry, like I can barely move it haha.  My face type is combination, but I believe for EVERY type of skin type, during the winter time, its very important to keep moisturized.  Especially since we're using hotter water and that can also dry out our skin as well, moisturizing our face is essential.  Maybe using a creme moisturizer, applying a little extra of your regular moisturizer, or adding one more moisturizing regimen into your routine can relieve our skin of this fierce weather.  Adding a moisturizing mask in to my routine was the route that I took this winter in using these Face Shop masks.  If you aren't familiar with The Face Shop, they sell a wide variety of Korean based skincare, makeup, and other beauty essentials.  I personally love their face masks for in which they have every kind and any kind for your skin type or for what it needs.  We picked up these moisturizing masks in Olive and Kelp and they are super moisturizing and it replenishes and refreshes your skin.  Either use this after just cleansing your face, or apply it after your usual exfoliation.  Definitely recommend this this season xx

OOTD: Start of Finals Week -__-

Brown Infinity Scarf: Forever 21

White Chiffon Scarf: Forever 21

Grey Skull Sweater: H&M

Black Fleece Leggings (I'm actually wearing two of them ;)): Walgreens

Black Oxford Flats: Marshalls

Good luck to all of you going through Finals Week :)

Mae xx

OOTD: Manicure day!

Just a casual evening out with my sister since we're getting our nails done after she gets off of work.  Sometimes us girls just need a little R&R right? ;)  Have a good rest of you hump day!

Black Pull Over Sweater: H&M

Emerald Jeans: Marshall's

Brown Belt: Marshall's

Basic Black Flats: H&M

New Real Techniques Brushes

Hey guys!  So yesterday we got our shipment of the Real Techniques Makeup Brushes by Samantha Chapman.  We ordered them from a posting on eBay in which I'll be putting the link of it at the end of this post, just in case you guys are interested in buying.  The order contained 3 brush kits: Travel Essentials, Core Collection, and the Starter Kit.  All in one order in I believe, in a affordable price.  The Seller of the listing also was so sweet and kind enough to throw in 2 NYX Lip Glosses as a free gift, so that should be a bit satisfying don't you think? ;)
I just used the face brushes today when getting ready for class, and of course it was all it hyped up to be.  Great feel, good density for the brushes to pick up the right amount of product, and of course great quality.  I myself are a fan of both Sam and Nic of Pixiwoo on YouTube and I had been waiting a while to finally try out their brushes and they did not disappoint.  Thank you ladies!

Heres the link to the eBay posting of this product:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231029028105?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

OOTD Tuesday: Another School outfit

Another day, another school day for me today.  Please don't mind the fuzzy toilet/bathroom background haha, still trying to maneuver the camera to get full body selfies :) Stay warm peeps xx

Brown Bomber Jacket (faux leather): Styles For Less

Loose Grey Tank:  Marshall's or TJMaxx

White Lace Camisole: Styles For Less

Black Leggings: Styles For Less

Black Flats: H&M

OOTD: Monday, Off to Class

Sorry for the late post you guys, but my classes this semester run from the late afternoon til the early evening so the lighting is a bit "different".  So here's my Monday Outfit of the Day, enjoy!

Scarf:  Marshall's

Mint Green Sweater: Forever 21

Black Skinny Jeans: Foreign Exchange

Black Flats: H&M

November Favorites

So, since we've just started December, I believe it's about time for me post my favorites for November :)  I had a lot of products as far as makeup is concerned so I won't drag this post out too long haha.  Hope you enjoy!  I'm going to separate my makeup in to categories such as "Eyes", "Lips", and "Face" just to keep things a bit organize; so let us begin!

EYES:
LOreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara
- I think it's a "step up" of my all time fave, the original gold tubed Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara.
- Definitely been loving the "extra" formula it gives to my lashes even from just one coat.
- Does give your lashes that "wet" feel at first (if you don't like that preference of a mascara, then I don't recommend it), but then it does eventually dry to feel normal and not heavy.
- Does dramatize (volume + darken) and lengthens my short and sparse lashes.
- And importantly, it doesn't smudge :)

Maybelline Master Precise Felt Tip Liquid Liner

- I can easily control the motion of the marker and line.

- Produces a great winged line and you can definitely build up your wing effect thanks the felt tip.

- Does not smudge on my lids.

LIPS:

The following lip products that made it on my favorites list for this month were serial Fall must have shades such as red and berry.

(Pictured from LEFT to RIGHT) the following:

Maybelline Lipstick in Wined & Dined

- Wine Red shade with slight pink undertone to it

MAC's Viva Glam I

- Regular Red Shade with Pink undertone

Maybelline Lipstick in Plum Proper

- Nice purple plum shade 

Lancome Color Design in All Done Up

- Beautiful Raspberry shade

Be A Bombshell Lip Crayon in Shameless

- If you guys got the recent Ipsy bag, then you'll be familiar with this product :)

- Since lip crayons are pretty big right now, I have come to liking this this month.

- Sheer application that produces a light raspberry shade.

FACE:

LOreal Magic BB Cream in Medium

- Product is a muss and no fuss, non greasy or messy at all.

- Does perfectly match to skin tone and evens out skin after application.

- Skin is not too oily or too dry after application

- Definitely can use if you're just not feeling the heavy foundation that day.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser & Concealer

- Easy to apply to under eye thanks to the small, round sponge applicator.

- Easy to blend out and is build-able.

- Does not crease.

- Brightens under eye well and not too harsh.

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched

- Another recent Ipsy bag product, it doesn't have much pigmentation to it compared to other bronzers, but it's my go-to powder for a nice, healthy, natural glow that gives my dull winter skin some life :)

Hope you all had a great weekend!  Til the next post..

xx Mae

Meal of the Day

This afternoon, my sister and I went over from her job to the local hospital where we picked up lunch at the cafe they had inside. They also served some Peets Coffee there as well. But on our walk over there we saw their big, beautiful Christmas tree! 

We have our own tinsel tree at home, but we always do appreciate a real authentic one of course! 

And here's my lunch where I bought a mozzarella and cherry tomato salad with a side of a bread roll and butter as well as a olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. It's actually my first time eating it, and it was well worth the buy.  Also bought a medium size caramel freddo. 

Hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving as well as a good weekend 

xx

Mae

NYFW inspired nails

Even this trend has been out even before NYFW, I love how they brought back up again. Simple with a touch of edge to any mani and easy to do :) 

Sally Hansen - Celeb City

Essie - power clutch

Sunday Church Outtie :)

Blue button down blouse from Marshall's

Black maxi skirt from H&M

Brown leather boots by Naturalizer from Macy's

Nail Color of the Day: Madison Ave-hue

Grey Area

A new color again folks...it's how I do :)

Using Grey Area by Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear 

Imagine the day...

A somewhat, "outfit of the day". LOL sorry for the small profile. But I have on a floral button down from EBay, and I tucked that into some black jeans from Foreign Exchange. Had some diamond flower earrings on and a vintage inspired, oversized, black heart ring (forgot where I got it from). John Lennon inspired sunglasses are from Nordstrom as well :)

Have a great day guys!

Xx, Mae

Purple Porcelain

Purple Porcelain by Orly

Along with OPI Nail Envy as base coat

Monday Night Bottle Service :)

Just did the nails, and hopefully they'll last a couple days through work. I used OPI's Original Nail Envy Strengthener as my base coat, Essie Nail Lacquer in Bottle Service, and OPI Start To Finish Base and Top Coat for the top coat. Hope you like :)

Happy Manic Monday!

Xx

Mae

An old relic...

This little vintage treasure was given to my sister and I by our mom. It's a mint condition Bally cross body handbag/satchel (or whatever you call it lol). She gave us another cute little green handbag, but ill show you guys that later. For now this is the bag I'm wearing. My sister first used it when my mom gave it o us and now that it's vacant, I'm pretty excited to use it. It's big enough to put the things I need in it and it's not too heavy. I love it!  Ill post more details when I do a "Whats's in my bag" post soon

Stay tuned :)

Xx, Mae

Work outfit: 7/20/13 Saturday

Decided to go girly to work tomorrow, since usually before, I'm more casual and more "jocky" in a sense. But...for some reason I've been more confident wearing more feminine clothing, which is good. I do borrow a lot from my sister when I do dress nice haha :)

The wine colored pants I bought from Marshall's, and the buttoned down polka dot is from eBay.  The belt, I believe, is from Home Goods; the bracelet/knuckle ring is also from eBay; the ring belonged to my mom.  And lastly, the black flats are from H&M. 

Hope you like :)

Have a great weekend!

Xx, Mae

Dinner :)

Cheese tortellini with ham and peas

Snack of the Night :)

Costco original soy milk with Nob Hill/Raley's Walnut Fudge Brownies
Night ;)

Review: Argan Magic Instant Dry Shampoo

Review:  Argan Magic Instant Dry Shampoo
I know right now, argan oil is quite the rage right now when it comes to beauty routines or regimens.  Especially for hair care, it gives nothing but benefits when being used as part of your hair care routine.  Dry shampoos are definitely one of my favorite hair care products since I don't wash my hair every single day or if I just need a little more texture or volume to my hair.  I found this little treasure when shopping in Marshall's with my mom a couple weeks ago and we both were intrigued by it.  I personally just wanted to try a new dry shampoo but haven't gone around to looking for one.  To be honest, just readin the "argan" on the bottle instantly sold me :)  The  dry shampoos I've used in the past either were too sticky, powdery, or had that dry hair spray feel to it.  But using this now for a week or so, I'm really favoring it.  It does not leave my hair sticky, and the powder of the spray is totally not obvious (which it should) and it does leave my hair really soft like it was just washed.  I thought it would leave my hair kinda oily afterwards since it had argan oil, but it didn't and I was glad.  Definitely recommend this product of you're looking to try out a new dry shampoo.

$6.99 +tax at Marshall's

Mae xx