Rinny's Beauty Diary

Another Yesstyle Haul

2012-02-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

I have to say that as I've learned to pay more attention to the product photos and descriptions on Yesstyle's site, I've become more and more pleased with the quality of the items I've received. One of the reasons why I continue to shop there is because Asian clothing generally runs smaller (translate: very petite friendly) than American sizes, so the clothing usually fits me better. This haul was a particular success because I love everything that I got!

PUFFY Inset Lace Vest in Almond (Free Size)

$31.50
Shop here

Puffy Lace Inset Vest Detail

I love the lace inset panels on this vest! The vest is very lightweight - perfect for summer and warm weather. The vest comes with a tie sash that you can tie around the front so the vest is closed, or tie in the back so the vest is open (like how I wear it in the photos).

Puffy Lace Inset Vest

I like how this vest has a collar and button epaulets on the shoulder. The arm opening is also on the smaller side so it hits where it is supposed to. I hate when vests leave a huge gaping hole underneath my armpit because the arm opening is too big.

The only thing I dislike is that the lace panel isn't stitched onto the larger panel layered underneath it, so it flaps around when you're moving. I think I might just go and sew them together myself, since it should be a simple fix.

Cocostar Single Button Blazer in Pink (size 55)

$55.00

Sold out, but shop similar here

Cocostar Single Button Blazer in Pink

My favorite item from this haul! I am slowly starting to amass a small collection of blazers in multiple colors (and some of the same colors). The site advertises this as a Cocostar branded blazer, but the one I received says Mak Maks on the label. The 2 blazers I previously hauled here are also from the Mak Maks brand and I have been very pleased with the quality of the jacket.

Cocostar Single Button Blazer Detail

Cocostar Single Button Blazer in Pink

The material is medium weight and the jacket is very tailored and slim fitting - perfect for petites! I love the dusky pink color and the single button closure. The only thing improvement I would have liked to see was a nicer lining. I like the inner lining on the sleeves of my jackets to be striped or patterned so it provides a nice visual contrast when the sleeve is rolled up.

Catworld Pleated Skirt with Belt in Orange (Free Size)

$20.00
Shop similar here

Catworld Pleated Skirt in Orange

My 2nd favorite item from this haul! I love the pleating of the skirt and the rusty orange color is perfect for any season. I really like the combination of the pleating and color - there's a bit of a vintage feel to it. I feel like a school teacher from back in the 50's when I wear it haha.

Catworld Pleated Skirt Detail

The skirt is lined so it isn't see through at all, and the material is very soft. The waist is a bit loose at 12.75" across, so it sits at my natural waist line. Sometimes I belt it so I can wear it a bit higher though. The length is also on the generous side - one problem I've come across with a lot of the Yesstyle skirts is indecently short lengths. This one measures 16" in length and hits mid-thigh when worn with heels.

It comes with an included belt (pictured), but I'm going to use one of my own instead. It honestly feels like it's made of thick cardboard.

Which is your favorite item? Haul anything good from Yesstyle recently?

Ann Taylor Weekend Deals

2012-02-12T16:44:00.006-05:00

Ann Taylor is having some pretty good deals and promos this weekend. Do I need any more shoes? No, not really, but I've been lemming after the AT Perfect Pumps for FOREVER Plus it was too good of a deal to pass up. I actually just placed an order for two pairs of the Perfect Pumps and the total came out to $144.39, which isn't bad considering MSRP would have been almost $275 for both pairs :D

Current Deals:
40% off one full price item with code LUXE40
25% off any wedding gown with code GORGEOUS
30% off any $200+ purchase with code 10000005680 (stackable with promos below!)
20% off of any $50+ purchase with code 10000005262 (stackable with promos below!)

Additional 50% off all sale sweaters (no code needed)
Additional 40% off all sale styles (no code needed)
Additional 30% off all shoes, jewelry, and accessories (no code needed)

Free shipping for purchases over $150.
And receive 2.5% cashback on your total purchase with Ebates: sign up here.

Some of my favorite picks (all prices calculated before applicable taxes and shipping costs):

Whip Snake Print Perfect Pumps
MSRP = $198
On Sale Now = $119.99
Plus 30% Off = $71.99
Plus 20% Off with Code 10000005262 = $57.59
2.5% Cashback = Final Price $56.15

I have been wanting to get a pair of the AT Perfect Pumps ever since bloggers have compared them to the Christian Louboutin Simple 100's. I actually got these in the bronze color. There are still plenty of sizes available for both colors :)

Perfect Patent Leather Pumps
MSRP = $155
Plus 30% Off = $108.50
Plus 20% Off with Code 10000005262 = $86.80
2.5% Cashback = Final Price $84.63

I picked these up in the black patent leather with the pair above, and my total came out to $144.39 (I used the additional 20% off code) with free shipping.

Wool Blend Pullover
MSRP = $88
On Sale Now = $39.88
Plus 50% Off = $19.84
2.5% Cashback = Final Price $19.34

I didn't pick this up, but probably should have because less than $20 for a wool blend sweater is a pretty good deal. I really like the boxy, asymmetrical cut too. It comes in 3 different colors.

Petite Shell with Ties
MSRP = $68
On Sale Now = $49.99
Plus 40% Off = $29.99
2.5% Cashback = Final Price $29.24

I was tempted to pick this up for work, but I already spent enough on the 2 pairs of shoes, so I had to pass on this one. Maybe next time :(

If you are planning on getting a lot of things, and can get your order total over $50, make sure to use the additional 20% off code, or the additional 30% off code if you order more than $200 so you get an even better deal!

Are any of you going to be getting anything during this sale? :D

DSW Shoe Haul & Review

2012-02-08T13:16:00.000-05:00

I'm totally breaking my shopping ban, but a girl can never have too many shoes, right? I picked up 3 pairs online at DSW, since spring is coming soon and a lot of my flats have worn out. Continue reading to see what I got as well as a mini review of each item!

QUPID THESIS ZEBRA FLATS IN GOLD/BROWN

$24.94

These are so freaking cute! These zebra print flats combine all of my favorite things - glitter, animal print, and comfort. I didn't even need to think twice about these before I placed them in my cart. I received a lot of compliments from my coworkers when I wore these to work the other day!

These are true to size, although they do run a bit wide. The material is a bit stiff but they don't pinch or scratch at my feet anywhere.

GUESS MERMAID FLATS IN RED

$29.94

I was anticipating the arrival of these so much - just look at that gorgeous red color! But unfortunately these run very short due to the elastic backing. These flats do not lie flat and instead scrunch up like real ballet shoes. I highly recommend buying 1/2 to a whole size bigger than your normal size.

I had to return these, but now they don't even have bigger sizes in stock anymore - boooooo :(

R2 MALLORY ANKLE BOOTS IN TAUPE

$49.95

I wasn't planning on buying boots, but I came across these on the site and thought they would look really cute in the spring/summer with shorts, dresses, and skirts. The neutral taupe color would be perfect during the warmer seasons :)

Most people say petite girls shouldn't wear ankle boots because they can make our legs look shorter and thicker, but these boots are low cut and hit at the narrowest part of my ankle so they don't shorten the visual length of my legs at all. The boots are also curved at the top, instead of being straight cut, so they don't visually "chop" one's legs off at the ankle level.

CHINESE LAUNDRY GISELLE LACE FLATS IN TAUPE

$19.95

I was debating between the white or taupe lace, and ended up getting the taupe version since white lace would probably get dirty very easily. These are really cute and extremely comfortable. The only complaint I have is that the chiffon on the bow isn't stitched on the ends so the material does tend to fray.

These were an old purchase that I never posted about, so unfortunately these aren't in stock anymore on DSW's site. Check out two similar styles below, though.

Shop the haul here:

Flats by G by Guess

Review: Benefit Boi-ing Concealer 01

2012-02-04T11:37:00.001-05:00

Dark circles under the eyes is something I've had an ongoing struggle with since I was a teenager. I have hereditary dark circles (thanks Mom) that just won't go away no matter how much sleep I get. So finding a good undereye concealer was my mission for years. And I think I may have found it, at last.

PRODUCT INFO

Benefit Boi-ing is advertised as an industrial strength concealer that hides "dark circles, boo-boos, broken capillaries - whatever you need to conceal."

Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer

Boi-ing comes in 3 shades: 01 Light, 02 Medium, and 03 Dark. The concealer contains 0.1 oz of product and is MSRP $19.

COLOR

The associate at Sephora matched me with 01 Light. Honestly I think I fall somewhere in between 01 and 02 though. Since I was mainly purchasing this for my eye area, I chose 01 because you want your concealer to be at least 2 shades lighter if you are using it to conceal dark circles.

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - 01 Light

Swatch of Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - 01 Light

01 Light is recommended for those with "fair complexions." The color is a neutral ivory beige, and there isn't a very obvious undertone, unlike most concealers that either lean more towards a yellow or pink undertone.

MY THOUGHTS

This is actually my 2nd time purchasing Boi-ing. It is a bit pricey, but a little bit goes a long way and my previous Boi-ing lasted me almost 2 years with daily use!

I love the creamy consistency of this concealer and the great coverage it provides. Used alone, it does a good job of concealing the purple under my eyes, and my dark circles are pretty much completely concealed when I use this with a foundation or bb cream underneath. This shade also conceals very faint blemishes and discoloration on me, but it's much too light to conceal major redness like a pimple. I would probably have to use shade 02 to conceal those.

Before and After: Clean skin, Benefit Boi-ing applied on eye area only

Boi-ing's formula is drier than liquid concealers, but is not as drying as most potted concealers I've tried in the past. However, it can start to look cakey if the eye area is already dry or you apply too many layers. I would recommend moisturizing with an eye cream before use.

I normally like to apply this by swirling a finger over the product to warm it up a bit so it applies smoothly, swipe it under the eye area, then blend out with a concealer brush. However, you can also just apply with the fingers if you wish.

To sum it up:

PROS:

Great coverage
Long wearing
Creamy formula
One pot lasts a long time

CONS:

Expensive
Can look dry if eye area is not moisturized
Can look cakey if you overapply

Shop Benefit Boi-ing:

Tried it? What are your thoughts?

Review: Sleek I-Divine Storm Palette

2012-01-31T09:04:00.000-05:00

This is such an overdue post - Priscilla sent me this Sleek I-Divine palette in a blog swap months ago and I haven't even properly reviewed it yet >.<

Sleek Makeup is a UK high street cosmetic brand that offers high quality products at very affordable prices. I like to think of them as the UK equivalent of US brand NYX.

Sleek I-Divine Palette in Storm

Priscilla was kind enough to send me the Sleek I-Divine palette in Storm, one of their more popular palette choices. Sleek offers a total of 9 different I-Divine palettes in an assortment of colors and finishes.

The palette's casing is black plastic with the Sleek logo imprinted on it. The packaging is simple and understated, but looks very sleek (no pun intended).

Sleek I-Divine Palette

The palette comes with an assortment of 12 shadows as well as a double ended foam applicator. The lid of the palette opens up to reveal a very generously sized mirror.

Sleek I-Divine Palette in Storm - No Flash

Sleek I-Divine Palette in Storm - With Flash

I love the assortment of colors! There's plenty of neutrals (my favorite) in light and dark shades so you can use this palette to create daytime or night-time looks. The eyeshadows are soft, highly pigmented, apply smoothly, and long wearing. They're not as finely milled as some other shadows I own (such as Urband Decay), but they're a great buy considering how much more affordable they are than high end brands.

The palette comes with 12 different shadows (from left to right) in glitter and matte finishes:

Top Row:

Light bronze (shimmer)
Champagne (shimmer)
Neutral taupe (matte)
Gold (shimmer)
Cool toned pink (shimmer)
Berry pink (shimmer)

Bottom Row:

Chestnut brown (shimmer)
Grey blue (shimmer)
Dark forest green (shimmer)
Navy blue (shimmer)
Dark brown (matte)
Black (matte)

The shadows are all extremely pigmented, especially the darker colors on the bottom. The glitter/shimmer finishes almost look metallic for a lot of the colors, as seen in the swatches below.

Sleek I-Divine Storm Palette Swatches - No Flash

I love the quality of the shadows and the color assortment in this palette. I'd like to get my hands on a few more of the Sleek palettes in the future. I just wish international shipping on their site wasn't so pricey!

Do you own any of the Sleek palettes? Which is your favorite?

Petite Review: GAP Seamed Mini Skirt

2012-01-25T21:03:00.005-05:00

I've been looking everywhere for a bright red skirt that would be appropriate for work, and came across this seamed mini skirt online at GAP. They offered the skirt in petite sizing, so I thought this would have fit the bill, but unfortunately, I'm back on the hunt again for that perfect red skirt.

The actual skirt itself is well constructed and is made of a thick cotton material. It features flat lying side pockets and a central seam down the middle of the front and back. It is available in regular, tall, and petite sizing. Petite sizes run from a 00 to a 14. The skirt is MSRP $49.95, but GAP always has some coupon available.

GAP Seamed Mini Skirt in Tomato Red - Shop Here

Measurements (taken from size 00P)

Waist: 14.5" across, Hips: 17.5" across, Length: 15"

I purchased this in the 00P and unfortunately it runs too wide in the waist. Compared to the LOFT 00P's which fit me perfectly, the waist gaps by almost an inch of space. The cut is also not very flattering on me as it is just too wide and boxy. However, the length was perfect on me - it hit about mid-thigh in heels and about 2 inches above the knee in flats.

So due to the ill sizing, this is going to have to be a return. Those who are between a 00 and 0 may find that the 00P will be a good fit.

Would you wear a bold colored skirt to the office?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* CUTE BLOG AWARD *~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I sign off on today's post, I would also like to say a quick thank you to Mui Stylicious and Phoebe for awarding the Cute Blog award. Thank you ladies! <3

I've already done a lot of these tag type awards where you have to list random facts about yourself, so I'm not going to repost it again. Do check out their blogs for some great beauty related posts as well as other topics ^^

Review: Dolly Wink Lashes #1 Dolly Sweet & #8 Pure Little

2012-01-20T20:36:00.000-05:00

The Dolly Wink lashes produced by Japanese beauty brand Koji are some of the most highly reviewed false lashes in the blogosphere. The line of lashes are designed by popular Japanese gyaru icon and model Tsubasa Masuwaka. There are a number of different styles of false upper and lower lashes available and they are easily found online at Asian beauty stores.

Dolly Wink Lashes #8 Pure Little and #1 Dolly Sweet

The Dolly Wink lashes are so popular that I feel like everyone and their mother has a pair. For those of you who have been living underneath a rock, please feel free to read on to see what all the hype is about :)

DOLLY WINK LASHES #1 - DOLLY SWEET

The #1 Dolly Sweet lashes are probably the most popular style sold, judging from the amount of reviews I've seen for them on numerous blogs. I bought these for about $13 online at Sasa, which isn't a lot since the package comes with 2 sets of upper lashes, as well as a mini eyelash glue, which does a good job of keeping the lashes on throughout the day.

Dolly Wink Lashes #1 Dolly Sweet

The lashes are more sparse towards the inner corner of the eye and more densely packed towards the outer corners to create more volume. The lashes also graduate in length as you go from the inner to outer corner, which creates a more natural look. These are perfect for creating the gyaru or dolly-eyed look because they emphasize the outer corners of the eye and wing up at the ends.

Dolly Wink Lashes #1 Dolly Sweet

These lashes are synthetic, but they are extremely lightweight and don't feel uncomfortable like most plastic lashes do. The lash band is clear and thin, so the lashes blend in well with your own and there isn't an obvious black line across your lid. However, the thin lash band also makes it very easy to damage the lashes, so you have to be very delicate when handling them.

PROS:

Very lightweight
Comfortable
Lash band is clear and thin
Don't give off very obvious shine in flash photos
Good for gyaru and dolly-eyed looks
Looks great in photos and from afar
Cute packaging

CONS:

Lash strip is very long - I had to trim off one section at end
Must handle very delicately due to thin lash band
Looks very unnatural close-up because lashes are so long

DOLLY WINK LASHES #8 - PURE LITTLE

The #8 Pure Little lashes are false lower lashes and also come with 2 sets per package, as well as a mini glue. These were also $13 online at Sasa.

Dolly Wink Lashes #8 Pure Little

These lower lashes are NOT full strip lashes. There are 2 styles included and they are each separated into small sections. The lashes on top are separated into 6 sections of 2 lashes each, per eye. The lashes on the bottom are separated into 5 sections of 4 lashes each, per eye. You can use just the top ones to create a more sparse look, just the bottom ones to create a more full look, or mix and match the two to create a custom look. For lower lashes, these are extremely natural looking, even by my standards.

Dolly Wink Lashes #8 Pure Little

Like the upper lashes, these are also very lightweight and very comfortable to wear. The lash band is also thin and clear. My one big complaint: because these lashes are broken up into sections, they can be easily lost. Good luck trying to find it again if you drop it - I've already lost 2 pieces and I've only used the lashes 3 times.

PROS:

Very lightweight
Comfortable
Lash band is clear and thin
Don't give off very obvious shine in flash photos
Very natural looking
Able to mix and match styles
Cute packaging

CONS:

Very easy to lose pieces because they are so tiny

Here are some pictures of me wearing both the #1 and #8 lashes. The #1 upper lashes (trimmed off one section at ends) look super dramatic and long up close, but a lot more natural from afar. I love these because they wing up at the ends and look so nice in photos. The #8 lower lashes (2 pieces from bottom row on each eye) are super natural looking and it's very hard to notice that you're even wearing falsies. They're also very easy to apply because they're broken up into sections.

Wearing: Dolly Wink Lashes #1 Dolly Sweet on top and #8 Pure Little on bottom

So do the Dolly Wink lashes live up to all the hype?

In my opinion, yes they definitely do. They're lightweight, comfortable, and very well made. They may seem a bit pricey, but considering you're getting 2 pairs per package, you're paying about the same as if you were to buy a single pair of drugstore lashes. As long as you are gentle in handling and cleaning them, one pair should last you quite a number of wears.

Wearing: Dolly Wink Lashes #1 Dolly Sweet on top and #8 Pure Little on bottom

Are you a big fan of the Dolly Wink lashes? What are your favorite styles?

OOTD: Rawr

2012-01-14T23:14:00.001-05:00

I've been really procrastinating lately with outfit posts, so I think it's due time I finally post one again. If you guys couldn't tell from the autumn foliage, these photos were taken back in November when the weather was still somewhat cool. I snuck these photos in real quickly before any of the other residents in my building could see me lol. I can't wait until I can finally move to a place that isn't so...urban.

This was just a simple outfit I put together for a weekend outing. All the black was starting to look a bit depressing though so I threw on a leopard printed scarf for some color :)

Sidenote: I'm wearing Revlon's Colorstay Foundation in Buff in all of these photos - it's been awhile since I've used it so I've forgotten how great it looks in photos. And ugly roots aside, I love how brown the Prettia dye made my hair look! ^^

WHAT I'M WEARING

Express Knit Boyfriend Jacket (old, size XS): similar here, here

White Tee

Express Cuffed Shorts (size 00): similar here, here

Sheer Tights

Steve Madden "Sesame" Ankle Booties: similar here, here

Leopard Print Scarf (gift from the bestie ^^): similar here, here

I'm a bit iffy about the whole shorts and tights combo - it looks cute on others but I feel like it's a bit too risque looking on me...I dunno, maybe I'm just too big of a prude :)

So....shorts with tights - yay or nay?

Welcome New Affiliates

2012-01-10T20:14:00.000-05:00

Today, I would like to properly introduce the recent new affiliates of my blog and their boutiques and online shops. You may have already heard of some of these sites before, but if not, keep reading to learn a bit more!

SHABBY APPLE

Shabby Apple is an online store that specializes in women's dresses, skirts, and apparel, as well as maternity wear and jewelry and accessories. You will especially like the site if you are a fan of vintage inspired designs and more modest necklines and hem lengths.

Current Sales/Coupons:

20% off sitewide with code NEWYEAR

Free shipping & necklace for orders over $50 with code OURGIFT

Some of my favorite picks:

Shabby Apple Lost at Sea Skirt

Shabby Apple Champs Elysees Dress

Shabby Apple Adelaide Bow Skirt

UNESTABLISH

UNESTABLISH is an online Singapore retailer that carries both women's and men's fashion. They have a number of different brands from Singapore, the UK, Australia, and more. Shipping is always free for all purchases (even international!) and the store has a very generous rebate program for shoppers. All year round, you can earn 3% rebate back on all orders for future purchases.

Current Sales/Coupons:

30% rebate on all purchases until Jan.30th!

Some of my favorite picks:

KLING Summer Briefcase

KLING Dress Edware

Finders Keepers My Own Way Playsuit

STYLEISMINE

StyleIsMine is a Korea based online retailer that specializes in the latest Korean and Japanese fashion trends for both men and women. They carry a number of different brands that are picked from all over Seoul.

Current Sales/Coupons:

Grand Opening Sale - first 100 customers will receive a free gift

Some of my favorite picks:

Long Stitch Coat

Seoul Cape Coat

Heart Sheer One Piece Dress

Have you shopped at any of these retailers yet?
Happy shopping everyone!

Disclaimer: I was not paid by any of the aforementioned affiliates for writing this post and all opinions are my own. However, I do receive a small amount of compensation from sales if you decide to make a purchase using any of the above links.

Top 11 Products for 2011

2012-01-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Irene of Blushingloves to do this tag for my top 11 beauty products of 2011. Thank you Irene for tagging me for this! I had plans on writing a post like this, as a lot of other bloggers have been sharing their favorites recently as well, so I hope this will be helpful to those of you who are looking to try some new products :)

In no particular order, here are my top 11 picks for this past year:

WET N'WILD WALKING ON EGGSHELLS SHADOW TRIO

Swatches & Review Here

The perfect combination of colors for a natural, everyday look. Not only is the trio very affordable at only $2.99, but the shadows are also extremely pigmented and long wearing.

URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE

Swatches & Review Here

This palette has made it to many bloggers' top favorites list, and I can certainly see why. With an assortment of 12 light and dark shadows in neutral tones, you could easily create many day or night looks with just this one single palette.

ROCK AND REPUBLIC CONTRIVED BLUSH IN X-RATED

Swatch & Review Here

These blushes are super pricey, but the product more than makes up for it by having incredible pigmentation and general product size. These can sometimes be found online at Hautelook for discounted prices. X-rated gives a bright pink cheek color that is perfect in winter for replicating the color you get from being outside on a cold winter day.

SKIN79 THE ORIENTAL GOLD BB CREAM & CHEEK TINT

Swatches & Review Here

The Oriental Gold BB Cream provides light coverage that doesn't feel heavy on my skin. The bb cream has a very pleasant green tea scent and also comes with an included cheek/lip tint.

NYX ROUND LIPSTICK IN TEA ROSE

Swatches & Review Here

Tea Rose gives a very pretty rose pink color - a "my lips but better" color that is suitable for everyday wear.

NYX BLACK LABEL LIPSTICK IN NUDE

Swatches & Review Here

The Black Label lipsticks are pricier, but I find them to be more moisturizing than the round ones. Nude is a pretty beige-brown color to give you a nude lip look that doesn't make you look washed out.

NYX MEGASHINE LIP GLOSS IN BEIGE

Swatches & Review Here

A very pretty milky pink color; is also one of NYX's more opaque Megashine lip glosses.

NYX HD STUDIO GRINDING BLUSH IN MENAGE A TROIS

Swatches & Review Here

I love the NYX Grinding Blushes because the product remains sanitary since you have to "shave off" a bit of product each time you want to use it. Menage a Trois is a very pretty peachy coral with a golden shimmer - very similar to NARS' iconic Orgasm blush.

LANEIGE WATER SLEEPING PACK_EX

Review Here

Hands down the best facial mask I've used so far! This overnight mask leaves your skin feeling moisturized and glowing in the morning, and is perfect for a winter pick-me-up. The bottle also lasts a long time because not much product is needed for each application.

ZOYA POLISH IN MIA

Swatches Here

A very pretty nude mauve pink color that is especially flattering on those with light skintones. Zoya polishes have skyrocketed to my list of favorite nail polish brands because their colors apply so smoothly. All Zoya polishes are also free of the "big 3."

PRETTIA FOAMING HAIR DYE IN DARK CHOCOLATE

Review Here

The Prettia Foaming dyes make it very easy to DIY your own hair color at home, especially if you are a first-timer. The results I got with the Dark Chocolate were very similar to what the box depicted, and I am very satisfied with the overall color.

What are your top beauty products of 2011? :D

Collective Sephora Haul & Mail from PopChampagne!

2011-12-31T18:27:00.000-05:00

Less than 6 hours until it's 2012 (if you're living on the East coast)! Today is just going to be a quickie post on the things I got from Sephora last month around Thanksgiving time.

OPI for Sephora "Only Gold for Me" Polish
DUO Eyelash Glue in Black
Tokidoki Prisma Lip Gloss in "Burger"
Bunch of Samples

Laura Mercier Flawless Favorites - 500 Point Perk
Amore Pacific Age Delay Treatment Set Freebie
Tarte Limited Edition Rising Star Palette

Clean Miniature Scent Trio

A bit late in posting this, but Julie of Pop Champagne was so sweet to send me a Christmas card along with a few treats! Thank you so much Julie! Check out her blog for her witty and comical narratives on everything from current pop culture and entertainment to fashion!

I hope everyone is enjoying their New Year festivities and I wish all of you much success and happiness in the new year! <3

Much Belated Black Friday Clothing Hauls

2011-12-24T20:25:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday this weekend! I know this post is way overdue seeing as how Thanksgiving was last month, but better late than never, right? So without further ado, here are all of the Black Friday purchases I made this year. I've been trying to spend less lately, so I didn't get too many things.

EXPRESS HAUL

From Express I mostly got winter sweaters, as well as some things for my bf (not shown).

Multi-pattern Infinity Scarf in Natural

Currently $34.90

I love the pattern on the scarf! Express describes it as "one half tribal, one half animal print," but really it's python print on both halves. The one in Natural is 1/2 brown python print and 1/2 metallic gold python print.

Shaker Knit Dolman Sweater in Venetian Teal (size XS)

Currently on sale for $29.95

I actually bought a very similar sweater at last year's Black Friday sale, but returned it because I didn't like how it looked. This year I got the dolman sleeve version instead.

Cable Knit T-Shape Sweater in Ivory (size XS)

Currently on sale for $35.94

This is cute by itself, but it would look cute with a long sleeve shirt paired underneath it too I think.

Dolman Sleeve Cocoon Sweater in Stone (size XS)

Currently on sale for $35.94

I was a bit iffy of the wide lapel collar, but this sweater is starting to grow on me. I love how super soft the material is too.

Ruffle Front Banded Bottom Blouse (size XS)

Currently on sale for $29.99; Print Version here

Ruffles! Need I say more? I love anything with ruffling detail on it. The ruffles are on the back of the blouse too, not just the front.

GAP HAUL

1969 Super Lightweight Legging Jeans in Light Caicos (size 24/00)

Currently on sale for $59.99

These are my 3rd pair of legging jeans from Gap already! These have quickly become my petite favorite for jeans and I haven't been wearing any of my other skinny jeans since I bought my first 2 pairs in black and olive. Light Caicos is described as a "clean blue-green" but the color is more like a dark blue/teal blue, and is nowhere near as light as the picture online. The color is still very pretty though (I just wish I could capture in better on camera), and a good way to experiment with colored denim if you're hesitating on trying bolder colors like red or yellow.

Compared to my other 2 pairs of 1969 legging jeans (reviewed here) these are an inch longer in length with an inseam of 29". They are also a bit looser in the ankle and calf area, whereas my other two pairs are practically skintight all throughout the leg. The material on this pair is also thinner and not as stretchy. This is actually a good thing though, because these don't stretch out midday and become as loose as the black and olive ones.

ASOS HAUL

Vero Moda Elastic Waist Faux Wrap Skirt in Brown (size S)

Currently on sale for $17.27, similar style here

I got this in the smallest available size and it's still pretty loose on me. Normally at ASOS, a size S is like a US 00 on me, but this size S fits more like a US size 1/2. So, I just cinch it with a waist belt to hold it up. I love the bronzey brown color - it's perfect for fall weather. The wrap style is really cute too - I got a lot of compliments from my coworkers when I wore this to work. Only downside is that the material wrinkles SO easily :(

Pieces Silk Chain Print Scarf

Currently OOS, but similar styles here and here

Surprisingly, this is my first silk/silk-like material scarf. I normally don't buy these because I've always equated silk scarves with middle aged or elderly ladies...I have no idea why. Maybe I've matured a bit, because now I find silk scarves to be very elegant and sophisticated. I wore it muffler style here because I have no idea how to properly style a silk scarf yet >.<

Okay, so that's it as far as clothing goes. I made an order on Sephora the week of Thanksgiving too, so I'll post that up this weekend :)

Enzo Angiolini Valetta Boots

2011-12-22T15:00:00.003-05:00

I've been on the search for a pair of riding boots for the fall for awhile now, and recently found them online at Nordstrom. The "Valetta" riding boots by Enzo Angiolini are pretty much close to perfect in terms of what I was looking for. I bought these on sale at Nordstrom for $109, and they are still currently on sale here for the same price. The boots come in black or natural/cognac leather. Unfortunately, it's been a few weeks since I bought mine and there are only 2 sizes left right now...

I was looking for a pair of flat, black or dark brown, riding boots in the low $100 range, so these fit the bill perfectly. I love that they are simple in design and aren't overladen with buckles, zippers, and other detailing. There is just one buckle and a half zipper on the side of the boot. The leather on these is also very soft and they are super comfortable to walk around all day in.

The calf circumference on these is 14 inches, and although they still gap a bit on me, they don't gap nearly as much as most boots do. Most boots usually run 14.5-16 inches in the calf, so my legs are always swimming in knee high boots. I still haven't been able to find a pair that fit snugly around my legs :(

And here are some other similar styles that you guys might like :)

Boots by Enzo Angiolini

I often hear ladies complain about boots being so snug they can't pull them on or tuck in jeans, etc. and they always say stuff like, "I wish my legs were as thin as yours." But I don't think that people realize that those of us with slimmer legs experience just as much frustration when it comes to buying boots. Most of the time, boots end up looking like rain boots on us :(

Do you have a lot of trouble finding boots that fit?

Review: NYX HD Studio Grinding Blushes - ALL 8 SHADES (PIC HEAVY)!

2011-12-17T22:49:00.002-05:00

First off, I am SO sorry guys for being MIA for almost 2 weeks! It's final exam season, so these past 2 weeks I've been helping my bf study and review for all his exams. I'm glad to say that he just finished his last exam on Friday and he's passed with straight A's in 2 of his classes! I'm so proud of him ^^ I'm wishing those of you still in school the best of luck with your own exams!

Now, I know a lot of you have requested that I review the NYX HD Studio Grinding Blushes I hauled awhile back, so here is the much anticipated review! I will be reviewing and swatching the entire collection of colors for you guys.

BE WARNED: THIS IS A VERY PIC HEAVY POST!

~~~~~~~~~~~~* PRODUCT INFO *~~~~~~~~~~~

These blushes are from NYX's new HD Studio line of products and normally retail for MSRP $16.50 each. These contain 0.25 oz of product and are dispensed in a grinding container that is reminiscent of Smashbox's Halo powders. There are 8 different colors to choose from. NYX claims this is a "finely-milled, high-definition blush that, once applied, deflects light, reduces the appearance of pores and smooths your complexion."

The container unscrews to reveal a mirror under the lid. The blush is then dispensed by rotating the grinder in a clockwise motion. If you turn it counter-clockwise, it does nothing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~* COLORS & SWATCHES *~~~~~~~~~~~

AMERICAN GIRL

A light beige pink that gives a slight hint of color to the cheeks. May not show up very well on those with a very tan skintone.

GEORGIA PEACH
A peachy pink that gives off a very natural color.

ENGLISH ROSE
A bright rose pink that is reminiscent of Aristocratic ladies.

MENAGE A TROIS

A peachy coral with shimmer that is very similar to cult favorite NARS Orgasm blush. Even the risque name follows NARS' example.

APRICOT

A bright pink-red. The name is very misleading because apricots are peachy/orange colored.

SANGRIA IN MADRID

A raspberry sherbet pink.

NUTMEG

A brownish pink. The color is browner than most of my usual blushes, but it is still wearable as a blush on those with fair skin if applied with a very light hand.

TERRA COTTA

A shimmery bronze that would look great on those with tanned skin, but is probably better suited as a bronzer for those of us with fair skin.

SWATCHES OF ALL 8 NYX GRINDING BLUSHES

~~~~~~~~~~~~* MY THOUGHTS *~~~~~~~~~~~

I looooooooooooove these! The plastic black casing looks sleek and the grinding containers means the product remains more hygenic because you have to shave off new product each use. The blushes themselves are highly pigmented, finely milled, velvety smooth to the touch, and are long wearing. Due to the great pigmentation, I only have to grind a very tiny bit of product for each use (except for the lighter shades), so I can imagine one of these lasting me quite a long time.

I'm not so sure about NYX's claims that it deflects light and minimizes the appearance of pores though. I don't really notice much of a difference in the appearance of my skin. That set aside though, once again, NYX has impressed me with another great high quality product!

To sum it up:

PROS:

Highly pigmented.
Finely milled powder.
Soft and velvety smooth to the touch.
Long wearing.
Grinding dispenser makes product more hygenic to use.
Product should last a long time since colors are so pigmented.

CONS:

Highly pigmented - blushes are so pigmented that you can easily go overboard with application (especially the darker/brighter colors).
A bit on the pricey side considering NYX is known for their bargain prices.
Hard to spot which color is which if you own more than one because the names are written on the bottom of the container.

Shop the NYX Grinding Blushes here!

Do you own any of the NYX Grinding Blushes? Which color is your favorite? :)

Blog Tags & Review: Zoya Shay

2011-11-29T23:39:00.000-05:00

First I would like to thank Jess, Joey, and Priscilla for awarding my blog recently with a number of different awards. Thank you ladies for the consideration! Do check out each of their blogs for some great beauty reviews and fashion posts ^^ I've already done the tags for most of the awards in the past, except for Priscilla's - the 11 Questions Tag, which I will complete now (skip ahead if you're just here for the Zoya swatch)

Rules:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about 'you are tagged if you are reading this.' You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Things About Rinny :)

1. I like to eat leftover fried chicken straight from the fridge, cold.
2. I love cats and dogs but I'm allergic to most animal fur.
3. I've been trying to learn Mandarin on and off for years but still can't hold a conversation.
4. One of my New Year's resolutions last year was to get my driver's license - I still don't have it lol. Maybe 2012 will be different?
5. I'm 23 but I often get told by people that I look much younger.
6. I grew up with a gap between my two front teeth for most of my life.
7. I finally decided to get braces when I was in college.
8. I love watching the Law & Order: SVU series.
9. My favorite book is Pride & Prejudice.
10. I would rather splurge on bags than on shoes.
11. Working FT has consumed my life and I pretty much no longer have a social life. For those of you still in school - enjoy it while you can! :P

Priscilla's Questions:

1. What is your favourite childhood memory? It's kinda depressing but I actually don't have any significant events from my childhood that stand out. I was pretty sheltered as a kid, so I didn't go on any adventures or get into mischief.

2. If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be? Interior designer - the Home and Garden channel on tv used to be my favorite channel lol

3. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Buy a house and custom build a huge walk in closet with a whole wall just for shoes :D Then I'd donate some of it and set some aside for my future children(s)' college fund.

4. What type of music do you listen to? Mostly Kpop, as well as some Jpop and Cpop. I listen to American artists as well once in awhile.

5. What's your all time favourite 'feel good' song? Always changing, but currently it's Park Jung Min's "Not Alone" <3

5. What's a nickname that your friends call you? Does it have a special meaning? My friends don't have a nickname for me, but my bf and I both call each other Kitty. It's become our pet name for each other ever since we started going out.

6. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? The shape of my lips - I hate how big and shapeless they are.

7. Can you play a musical instrument? The piano..but then again what Asian doesn't? lol

8. Sunrise or sunset? Sunset - sunrise is too early for me :P

9. Which is your favourite season, and why? Fall, because I hate being all sweaty during the summer, I get terrible allergies in the spring, and I hate the snow and cold in the winter.

10. Do your friends (in real life) know that you have this blog? What did they say when they found out? Only my bff and one of my coworkers know - I'd rather my real life friends not know :P

11. How long have you been blogging for, and do you ever feel like giving it up? Since May 2010 - so about 1.5 years. Sometimes I do feel like giving it up because work and real life responsibilities don't allow me enough free time to remain active throughout the week. But then there is always that nagging thought in my head of what MIGHT have become of my blog had I stuck with it. I'd like my blog to become somewhat popular eventually so this "hobby" can become a source of supplemental income. A little extra cash on the side never hurts xD

And here are my questions:
1. If you could splurge on one, which of these would you pick and why? Designer clothes, designer shoes, designer bags.
2. Which do you buy more of - makeup or skincare products?
3. What are your favorite beauty brands?
4. If you could only use 1 makeup item for the rest of your life, which would you pick?
5. Name one goal you would like to accomplish in your lifetime.
6. What is your occupation (outside of the blogosphere)?
7. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
8. What do you want to be now?
9. Do you prefer a few close friends or large groups of friends?
10. Why did you start blogging?
11. Would you rather find true love and be poor for the rest of your life, or make millions and remain single for the rest of your life?

I am going to tag the following bloggers (in no particular order):

You guys don't have to do this tag, but if you do decide to do it, let me know so I can read your answers since I don't check blogs daily ^^

~~~~~~~~~~~* ZOYA POLISH IN SHAY *~~~~~~~~~~

Zoya Shay is described on their website as a "dense fleshy light peach with slight orange-red undertones and a hint of pearly silver shimmer. An opaque full coverage nude that compliments warm skin tones."This polish scores a 5 on their opaqueness scale.

I love Zoya's descriptions because they're always accurate of what the color looks like in person. This is indeed a beige/peachy nude with a pearly/metallic sheen to it that is barely noticeable. The 1st coat went on a bit streaky, but the 2nd coat evened it out nicely. And true to Zoya's claims, I was able to achieve full opacity by the 2nd coat. Here is Zoya's Shay swatched on my nails.

At first I was a bit iffy about how it looked on me, but I'm starting to like it the more I look at it. The description says it compliments warm skin tones, which I agree with, but I think those with cool skin tones could just as easily wear this color too.

Do you like nude polishes?

NYX Megashine Lip Gloss Haul: Review & Swatch (Pic Heavy)

2011-11-27T11:37:00.005-05:00

I'm trying to get to all the NYX reviews from my huge haul I made a few months ago this weekend, so they can be scheduled to post throughout the week. The office offered to let us work overtime Mon-Thurs night and Saturday morning, so I'm going to be working insane hours this week again. Honestly, I need to though, so I can pay for all the stuff I bought on Black Friday lol....

~~~~~~~~~~~* PRODUCT INFO *~~~~~~~~~~

MSRP $5.50 (usually cheaper online)

0.37 fl oz

Available in 64 different shades

The Megashine Lip Glosses claim to deliver shine, moisture, and softness while providing maximum color payoff. A blend of mineral and lanolin oils help to keep the lips moisturized.

The packaging of these is super cute - the clear tube allows you to easily see the color and the top of the gloss has a cute black bow on it. The gloss applies with a doe foot applicator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~* MY THOUGHTS *~~~~~~~~~~

I really like these because they come in a gazillion colors. Bad thing is, they're like Pokemon because you want to collect them all lol. Case in point, I have more lip glosses than I know what to do with, yet I couldn't help but buy all of these!

These glosses are very sticky, which is why they're long wearing. Most of the colors are pigmented and very opaque, but there are also quite a few that are very sheer. Like NYX claims, these are creamy, super glossy, and don't dry out my lips.

These glosses have a bubblegum scent and flavor, which isn't bad at all in my opinion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~* SWATCHES *~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are the swatches and color descriptions for all the colors I purchased (sorry I really suck at describing colors!):

From L-R: Perfect, Beautiful, Salsa, Beige, French Kiss, Sponge Cake, Smokey Look, Natural, Ice Princess

Perfect - very sheer light pink with glitter (pretty much looks like clear gloss on me)

Beautiful - pink with glitter (darker version of Perfect)

Salsa - medium pink with glitter (very similar to Perfect and Beautiful, but the most opaque)

Beige - milky pink (my favorite!)

French Kiss - frosty medium pink with glitter

Sponge Cake - brownish pink with glitter

Smokey Look - nude pink with very fine shimmer

Natural - nude mauve

Ice Princess - sheer bright pink with glitter (packaging different than other glosses)

I probably shouldn't have gotten so many variations of pink...Beige is hands down, my favorite color out of the bunch, followed by Smokey Look and Natural. I kinda don't like how so many of these colors are super shimmery/glittery - the swatches on NYX's website don't clearly show you which colors are shimmery and which aren't. Perfect, Beautiful, and Ice Princess are my least favorites because they look so sheer on me.

Shop the NYX Megashine Lipglosses here!

Do you collect NYX Megashine glosses? What's your favorite shade? :)

Thanksgiving Holiday Sales & Deals

2011-11-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. readers! I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend and holiday feasts! Those of you who want to burn off those calories from tonight's turkey should do some shopping and check out all the great sales that are currently being held today and tomorrow for Black Friday! I'm not going to be going to the malls this year, but I've already made a huge order on Express for some winter sweaters for myself and the bf ^^

Here are some of the sales currently going on at both stores and online. I've included the coupon codes as well as some of my favorite picks from each store!

EXPRESS - 40% OFF 11/24 & 11/25

(No promo code needed)

Cardigans by Express

ANN TAYLOR - 40% OFF

Promo Code: THANKS

Sleeveless Tops by Ann Taylor

ANN TAYLOR LOFT - 40% OFF UNTIL 11/27

Promo Code: SHOP40

Sleeveless Tops by LOFT

GAP - UP TO 60% OFF ON SELECT ITEMS

11/24 ONLINE ONLY - ADD'L EXTRA 20% OFF

Promo Code: GAPTHANKS

Plus Pants & Shorts by Gap

STEVE MADDEN - 25% OFF

Promo Code: TURKEY

Pumps by Steve Madden

ASOS - 20% OFF UNTIL 11/28

Promo Code: HAPPYBLACKFRIDAY

Evening Dresses by TFNC

YESSTYLE - 15% OFF

Promo Code: YSCM2011NOV

Cocostar BlazerLace Dress Cape Jacket

Ahh there are so many things I would like to get! I hate how tempting all of these sales are. Is there anything you're looking forward to buying this Black Friday? :D

My New Baby: Canon T3i

2011-11-18T00:07:00.001-05:00

Just a quickie post I wanted to share before heading to sleep tonight! I posted on Twitter a while back that I had recently acquired a new camera, but never really wrote a proper post about it.

I have always wanted to make my blog look more "professional" but my photos always were a bit of a disappointment to me. I thought about it for months, and finally made the splurge and invested in my first DSLR a few weeks ago. I did a lot of comparison research and shopping online, and purchased the Canon Rebel T3i, which seemed to get consistently excellent reviews and ratings.

The camera is MSRP $899, but I got it on Amazon for $814 (now currently even cheaper at $770..fml =.=). The one I got comes with the body and EF-S 18-55mm IS II lens, but there are other purchase options as well if you wish to get the body only, or a different lens. I also purchased a tripod, remote, and lapel mic, so look forward to some much improved OOTD posts and maybe even some videos in the near future! :)

For those who are interested in the accessory items:
Digital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod with Carrying Case

Opteka RC-4 Wireless Remote Control for Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, XTi, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3i, 60D, 7D & 5D Mark II Digital SLR Cameras

Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone

I know absolutely nothing about professional photography, so I'm still playing around with the camera and trying to figure out what all the functions do, as well as experimenting with camera angles and presentation. If you haven't noticed already, the photos for the last few reviews I did were all taken with the new T3i, as are the ones in my newly updated banner. Here's a sampling of some of the shots I took after being edited, etc.

I'm so happy with my new camera ^_^ I still can't get over how much of a difference a professional camera makes when it comes to photo quality. Photos taken with my old point-and-shoot looked so flat and dull, whereas the T3i makes my photos look so much more alive. It was a pricey purchase, but I don't regret making the investment, because I think this will really help to further improve my blog :)

Any photography tips you would like to share with a DSLR noob? Let me know in the comment section below! ^^

Sweet dreams everyone! <3

Review: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream #21

2011-11-12T19:02:00.000-05:00

I've finally gotten around to reviewing the Missha BB cream I hauled a few months ago! Sorry this took so long guys >.<

~~~~~~~~~~~~* PRODUCT INFO *~~~~~~~~~~~

The Missha Perfect Cover BB (Blemish Balm) Cream is probably one of the most popular BB creams out there. I've seen this reviewed on a countless number of other blogs, and was tempted to try it after hearing such great reviews on it.

The BB cream is MSRP $29.99 for 50mL of product, and is easily available on Missha's website, as well as at many other e-tailers. The product claims to provide an even and natural-looking coverage while moisturizing the skin. The cream also has whitening and anti-wrinkle properties, and SPF 42 PA+++ protection.

The one I purchased comes in a pump bottle dispenser, which I prefer because it is easy to use and a lot more hygenic than other dispenser types. I believe smaller sizes come in a squeeze-type bottle.

The BB cream is available in 5 different shades on Missha's site, which is pretty impressive because most only come in 1-2 shades max. The one I will be reviewing today is #21 - Light Beige.

Ingredient List (taken from Missha's site):

Water(Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Oxide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mineral Oil, Phenyl Trimethicone, Talc, Arbutin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane, Adenosine, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Beeswax(Cera Alba), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Caviar Extract, Algae Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ceramide 3, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance(Parfum), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol

MAY CONTAIN[+/-; Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Iron Oxides(CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)]

~~~~~~~~~~~~* COLOR & FINISH *~~~~~~~~~~~

Missha says #21 is a light beige, but the shade looks more pink than beige. The BB cream seems to lean on the pink side more than the yellow, and isn't an exact match for my skintone. As you can see in the blended swatches below, the BB cream initially is a bit warmer toned than my own coloring.

After blending it out well and letting it sit for a bit, the color eventually adjusts so it matches my own skintone pretty well. However, I am going to reserve this for use during the warmer seasons when my face has a bit more coloring to it. I've read on many other reviews that this BB cream leaves a grey cast when oxidized, but personally I haven't experienced this problem.

Swatch of Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream - lightly spread onto skin:

Swatch of Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream - after being well blended into skin:

I have dry skin year round and on me, the BB cream looks pretty matte. Those with oily skin have reported that this gives them more of a dewy finish, however.

~~~~~~~~~~~~* COVERAGE *~~~~~~~~~~~

As for coverage, amongst the few BB creams I have tried to date, I have to say that the Perfect Cover provides the greatest level of coverage. It definitely won't have the coverage of a regular foundation, but compared to the other BB creams I've tried, this does a better job of concealing my dark circles and sunspots.

~~~~~~~~~~~~* MY THOUGHTS *~~~~~~~~~~~

I love the coverage of the BB cream! Compared to all my other ones, this one does the best job of concealing my undereye circles and sunspots. The Perfect Cover BB cream isn't as moisturizing as some of my other ones, but it doesn't dry out my skin either. I would say that this would be suitable for all skin types. I have dry skin, so I can't really comment on the oil control properties of the BB cream, unfortunately.

That said though, this product isn't without it's faults - just one, in particular. For some reason this BB cream clogs my pores and I always end up with 1 or 2 small pimples the morning after. I have a feeling that the mineral oil in the product is to blame, as it is relatively high in the ingredient list (#6). For this reason, I try to use this BB cream only on days when I know I'll only be out for a few hours, and try to avoid having it on my skin for too long. Those who are sensitive to mineral oil may want to use this BB cream sparingly or avoid it all together.

So to sum it up:

PROS:

Better coverage than most BB creams I've tried
SPF 42, whitening, and anti-wrinkle properties
Very affordable online
Pump dispenser is convenient and sanitary
Comes in 5 different shades
Isn't drying on the skin
Easy to blend
Natural looking coverage

CONS:

High mineral oil content clogs my pores
#21 - Light Beige is a bit too pink toned, so I will have to reserve it for summer use

Have you tried the Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream? Love it or hate it?

Off topic: I'm still trying to get the hang of using my new T3i. For some reason everything outside of the exact center of my photos always look blurry and/or unfocused. Any tips on how to reduce this so everything in the photo looks sharp?

Still Here...a Little Update

2011-11-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

Despite my recent lack of activity, I'm still here everyone! I just wanted to post a quick update as to why I haven't been actively blogging lately. We've been experiencing a backlog of paperwork at the office where I work, so management decided to offer overtime hours a few days a week so we could get caught up. So I've been working extra shifts at the office both on the weekdays and Saturdays (in addition to my part time weekend job), and will most likely continue to do so for the next few weeks. This is good for my finances, but unfortunately it won't be so good for my blog because I just don't have enough free time anymore :(

I am working on a review for the Missha Perfect Cover bb cream this weekend, so hopefully that will be up soon. In the meantime, I will try to reply back to comments and catch up with everyone's blogs when I get some downtime Friday and Saturday nights. So I apologize in advance for the lack of posts in the next few weeks, and hope that you will all understand and continue to support my blog :)

-Rinny

NYX Round Lipsticks - Tea Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Thalia

2011-11-03T23:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'll be reviewing the NYX round lipsticks from my collective haul made a few months ago. I'm going to try to post the rest of the reviews for all the other NYX items (especially the HD grinding blushes) later this week.

~~~~~~~~~~~* PRODUCT INFO *~~~~~~~~~~

NYX's Round Lipsticks are MSRP $4.00 for 0.14oz of product, but can normally be found as cheap as $1.99 online. These round lipsticks come in a whopping assortment of 144 colors, in various finishes. The colors I picked are:

Tea Rose: medium rosey pink, matte finish
Pumpkin Pie: peachy beige nude, satin finish
Thalia: mauve pink, satin finish

I've been sick on and off all week, so my lips have been really dry and chapped. So no lip swatches, sorry!

Swatches from left to right, Tea Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Thalia (in natural light)

~~~~~~~~~~~* MY THOUGHTS *~~~~~~~~~~

I've owned 2 other NYX round lipsticks prior to these, and my opinion hasn't changed. These lipsticks are all very creamy in texture and pigmented enough to give you a full coat of color in just one swipe. Compared to the Black Label lipsticks, they're not as moisturizing, but for $2 a tube, that's something I can easily overlook. Tea Rose and Thalia are very natural, everyday lip colors that would easily work with a lot of different skin tones. Pumpkin Pie is a great nude lip color with a bit of peachy/orange tint to it that makes it a lot more wearable than a true beige nude. On me, this only lightens my lip color a tiny bit because my lips are pretty pigmented, but for those with naturally lighter lip colors, this would show up more nude.

Some girls have complained that the scent and taste of these is like perfume or soap. I agree that although it does have a bit of a scent, it isn't enough to bother me. I will definitely continue to repurchase more colors in the future.

Shop the NYX Round Lipsticks here!

To see my other NYX lipstick reviews, check out the links below:

Wishlist: The Cape

2011-10-28T22:26:00.001-04:00

Winter is just around the corner and pretty soon it'll be chilly enough for winter coats. I've always loved the look of a classic wool pea coat, but lately I've had my eyes set on something a bit more trendy - the cape coat. I love how they look so much more chic and trendy than your regular old winter coats. Here are a few styles I've come across online that I thought were really cute. Click the pics to be taken directly to the site.

Specifically though, there has been 1 particular coat that I've been considering for the past 3 weeks, except I can't decide which color to get. It's less than $120 after shipping and it's custom made by an Etsy seller. Black would be more "timeless" but the red is so beautiful, albeit a bit reminiscent of Red Riding Hood. So readers, I need your help! Which do you think I should get? (I don't know how the seller feels about me using their pics, so click links below)

Click here for cape in Black

Click here for cape in Red

Honestly, if I had the money to spare I'd get both lol. But unfortunately, that's not the case, so I need your input! Thank you so much to everyone who votes ^^

Review & Swatch: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

2011-10-25T23:29:00.001-04:00

I think many of you are already familiar with the NYX Jumbo Eye pencils, as they have become very popular for their multifunctional uses. I would just like to thank Nani again for sending this to me as part of her giveaway package so I could finally try this out ^_^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~* PRODUCT INFO *~~~~~~~~~~~

The NYX Jumbo Eye pencils are MSRP $4.50 and come in a wide assortment of 26 different colors and finishes. The one I will be reviewing today is Milk, a matte white. These jumbo pencils are popularly used as an eye liner, all over eye shadow, or as an eye shadow base, but I'm sure there are many other uses as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~* MY THOUGHTS *~~~~~~~~~~~

I've only used this so far as an eye shadow base, and I have to say that it performs very well for that purpose. The pencil is very creamy, pigmented, opaque, and long wearing. Some have complained that the pencil causes shadows to crease, but personally I haven't experienced this. Shadows appear more vibrant when layered on top of the pencil, and it also brings new life to older shadows because you essentially get a new color when it's blended on top of the pencil.

Here I blended Too Faced's Lock Down cream shadow in "I'm Guilty" over NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Milk.

Left: I'm Guilty

Right: I'm Guilty blended over NYX Milk

PROS:

Affordable
Multifunctional
Creamy formula
Very pigmented and opaque
Long wearing

CONS:

Pencil makes product a bit wasteful since you have to sharpen it.

To sum it up, I don't have too many complaints about these pencils. Like most of the other NYX products I've tried, this pencil has great pigmentation and lasting power. I'm looking forward to picking up some of the other colors in the future :)

Shop the NYX Jumbo Pencils here!

What are your thoughts on the Jumbo Pencils and how do you like to use it?

Note: Priscilla of PriPriLove also just posted about the package I sent her for our blog swap! Check out her post here if you're interested in seeing what I got her :D

Also, these pics were taken with my new T3i - I'm still in awe of the crisp, clear quality of the pictures!

OOTD: Missing Summer

2011-10-19T21:10:00.001-04:00

If there's one thing I hate about fall, it's the dreary weather. It's been raining pretty much everyday for the past 2 weeks here. I'm really starting to miss the warm summer weather and wearing shorts, skirts, and sundresses everyday. Anyway, I was digging through my camera's flash card and found this outfit from the summer I forgot to post.

This lace top and tank set I got from Yesstyle has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. I've gotten so many compliments every time I wear it ^^

And for those of you who always comment that I look so tall in my photos, don't let my poses or camera angles deceive you. As you can see below, I'm actually quite short when standing upright :P

I wasn't wearing the belt, but here is a closeup pic of the LOFT pave ring from my haul post.

WHAT I'M WEARING:

Yesstyle Lace Top & Floral Tank Set in Oatmeal (free size)

Hollister Navy Shorts (size XS)

Blowfish Red Peeptoe Flats

Target Mossimo Crossbody Bag

Ann Taylor LOFT Pave Ring

Shorts by Lauren Conrad

Is anyone else missing the summer weather too? If not, what are you most looking forward to in the fall or winter? :)

Winner of my NYX Giveaway!

2011-10-15T20:46:00.001-04:00

After much delay, I have finally tallied and verified all entries from my NYX giveaway! Sorry it took me so long guys >.< There were more than 300 people who entered, so I was quite surprised to see that this giveaway gained so much interest. Unfortunately, not everyone read/followed the rules (tsk tsk), so after weeding out the disqualified entries, there were about 200+ participants for a total of 758 valid entries.

Due to the number of responses received from this giveaway, I have decided to let the winner choose an additional NYX HD Grinding Blush of her choice! Congratulations to.................

..........Miss Donna Hseuh of Donnasaur! Check out her blog for beauty and fashion related posts! I've just emailed you Donna, so kindly respond with your shipping info so I can get your prize out to you ASAP ^_^
(A new winner will be drawn randomly if Donna does not respond within 72 hours)

A big thank you to all of you who participated in this giveaway! For those who didn't win, there will be plenty more opportunities in the future, so don't give up hope!

Which color should I pick?
	Classic Black
	Bold Red

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