Vanity Purposes

NEW BLOG: NOMNOMCAKEE

2011-10-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't posted in a loooong time and I am so sorry. I was just busy with many things. Anyway, instead of coming back here, I decided to make a new blog where I will continue these kinds of posts. I just felt like I needed to organize what the concept I was aiming for. I felt like I wanted to just post everything I like and know instead of just beauty related things (which it will mostly be anyway).

I will greatly appreciate it if you continue following me there.
My new blog: http://nomnomcakee.blogspot.com

UPDATE

2011-05-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry. I haven't updated at all in almost 2 months. I've been really busy and lazy. The things that are coming up for sure for the next week:

- Mario Badescu review (products I like and didn't like)
- Avon Slick Tint review
- Biotin Update

REVIEW & SWATCHES: E.L.F. BEAUTY BOOK BRIGHT EYE EDITION

2011-04-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

(swatches included have no primer or base)

Includes: 12 eye shadows, 1 eyeliner, 1 sponge tip applicator, mirror

Cost: $5.00

Where to get it: CVS, Walmart, Target for U.S. / Zellers & Factory Direct for Canada / EYESLIPSFACE.COM

Finish: Mostly shimmery with a few matte and a shade with matte finish and chunky glitter

Pigmentation: Varies from sheer to highly pigmented
Chalky: Very chalky
Lasting Power: Not long at all itself - requires a primer or base
Creasing: Of course

Additional Thoughts: To be honest, I thought they would all be really pigmented because I really enjoyed their Beauty Encyclopedia (I'll do a review on that too). I enjoy the shimmery shades the most because they are smooth to apply and have the most pigmentation. I really like how there are a combination of neutral and colourful shades. However, the pigmentation of the colourful ones weren't as strong as I would've hoped (the purples and turquoise). If shimmer or chalkiness isn't your thing, this is definitely not for you. You need to pack some of them on because once blended, it will barely show. The inconsistent pigmentation bothers me.

Recommended: For those who don't use makeup often and want something affordable for the evening night out

Would I re-purchase: No.

Overall Rating: 3/5

MAKEUPGEEKTV SPRING WEEKLY CONTEST ENTRY

2011-04-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

MakeupGeekTV from Youtube is having a contest and I decided to join for fun. Eh, my look is pretty plain. We're supposed to incorporate lavender, pink, and aqua. I did a gradient effect rather than going crazy with the colours. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be wearable or not.. otherwise, I would've done a fairy inspired thing.. -sigh- To make the hint of pink stand out a bit, I did a hot pink lipstick. Anyway, I think the original size looks better.. oh well. I'll do a tutorial on this eventually. Reminds me of Barbie. If you want to enter, go here.

TUTORIAL: SULTRY SMOKEY BRONZE PROM LOOK

2011-04-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I know not everybody likes the princess, shimmery look. Some ladies want to look bold and chic. This look is perfect for both cool and warm undertones, especially those with blue eyes. Of course, green and brown eyes will also look great with this.

Products Used:

Eyes:

- E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

- CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Quad in Coffee Shop #260

- E.L.F. Brightening Eye Color in Butternut

- Avon Glimmersticks in Brown Chocolate

Face:

- E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Apricot Beige

- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent 001

Lips:

- Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Bronze Treasure #U521

Directions:

1. After applying a primer, line your lids and your bottom lashes with a brown eyeliner.

2. Take a bronze or rusty coloured eyeshadow (CG QUAD) and pack it on the lids. Use the brush to soften brown eyeliner. Line your bottom lashes as well with the same bronze shadow.

3. Using a gun metal shadow (ELF palette), blend it on the outer corner of your lids and your lower lashline. Take a matte cream shadow (CG quad), and highlight the brow bone.

4. Curl your lashes and apply your mascara (I didn't because I have nowhere to go). Reline your waterline with the brown liner. I suggest keeping your eyebrows groomed and natural and only filling it if you really must (due to sparse eyebrows).

For the face, if you're using shimmery colours for your eyes (because you don't have to follow what I did), keep the face matte and as minimal as you can. If you're doing matte shadows, I'm not sure if the dewy look will pair nicely with this. For my cheeks, I just used a minimal amount of bronzer and for the lips, I decided to go really bold and do bronze lips. If you have fair or pale skin, don't be afraid to go bold with the lips. If you're in the medium to dark range, maybe a nice neutral pink or peach colour would go well. You all can obviously can go with a nude.

I AM SUCH A BLOGGER N00B!

2011-04-21T00:33:00.000-07:00

So the comments that I received were all wrongfully deleted by me. =_= Anyway, I thought the comment section of the blog is like an inbox that most blog sites have so.. I thought it would be okay to delete them since I thought they were notifications instead of having to go through each of my entries to read them. But they aren't so now they're all deleted. ;_; I feel so dumb.

TUTORIAL: PURPLE & GOLD PROM LOOK

2011-04-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Products Used:
Eyes:
- E.L.F. The Beauty Encyclopedia Sparkle Eye Edition
- E.L.F. Eyelid Primer
- Avon Glimmersticks in Brown Chocolate
- Physician's Formula Brown Gel Liner
- Coastal Scents 88 Color Palette (just 3 colours)
- Bonnebell Eye Definer Silver Eye Liner
- Eyelash Curler
Face:
- Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation #200 Soft Beige
- Rimmel Recover Anti-Fatigue Concealer #0132
- E.L.F. Mineral Booster in Sheer
- Maybelline New York Expert Wear Bronzer in Forever Warm

Lips:
- Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in #070 Airy Fairy
- Any pressed powder

Directions:
1. After applying primer all over the lids and underneath the waterline, Take a shimmery light taupe shadow (A2 from the ELF palette) and apply that all over my lids.
2. Pack on a matte mustard/golden yellow (D2 from Coastal Scents palette) shadow on the inner 1/3 part of the lid.
3. Take a light shimmery lilac shadow (A3 from ELF palette) and pack it on the center of the lid.
4. Take a purple shade (C2 from ELF palette) and apply it on the outer lid. Blend it towards the crease and towards the lilac colour. Don't forget to soften the outer edges.
5. Blend a deep purple shade (G6 from Coastal Scents palette) on the sockets / crease of your lids and blend it inwards.
6. Use a matte white/cream shadow (A1 from Coastal Scents palette) on your brow bone as highlight.
7. Line the waterline and underneath it with the silver eyeliner. Take the lilac shadow and go over the line underneath the waterline to soften it.
8. Curl the lashes and line your upper lids with a brown pencil eyeliner as close to your lashes as possible. Tightline with the same brown eyeliner.
9. Take a matte brown shadow and go over the liner to soften the look.
10. Tightline 1/2 of your outer lower lashline with a waterproof brown gel or liquid liner.
11. Coat your lashes (I didn't since I wasn't going out anyway) with a waterproof mascara and fill your brows.

This look is great for brown eyed people who has a warm undertone. For dresses, if you're wearing gold, white, or any neutral shades. If you're cool toned, you should change the gold shadow for silver and used a black liner instead of brown.

Since it's a lot of shimmer and glitter, it's a good idea to apply foundation afterward instead of doing it before. I brushed off any fallout and applied a matte foundation. Make sure you choose one that doesn't contain SPF since it will refract light if you were to take flash photography. I covered up my blemishes and dark circles with my concealer. Instead of applying my pressed powder, I used my mineral face booster to create a matte finish (since the eyes are shimmery, a dewey look will make my face appear greasy). A subtle peach or coral blush is recommended so it doesn't overpower the eyes. I used a bronzer as a blush but you it would be great to contour as well. For my lips, I used a nude pink and blotted it. I patted some of my pressed power to remove any shine.

Enjoy! I'll do a tutorial on my hair next. :D

BLOGGIN` : UPDATES, THOUGHTS, BORING & RANDOM STUFF

2011-04-19T03:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't really updated in awhile even though I want to because I have so much ideas for prom looks.. Ugh, honestly, if I had a video camera, I'd film it because editing photos to tutorial format stinks. It's too time consuming for me since I have to watermark it and make sure everything is proportional. I'm still trying to figure out what sort of template I should make the tutorials like. I'm pretty much a perfectionist with these things. I strive for consistency yet I can't seem to keep up. Lol. Anyway, even if I were to make videos, I can't get the hang of editing them. I managed to do it really well on my old netbook but now, it's taking me much longer to do things because the program looks different here (using Windows 7) and I've only technically used the program once (2 years ago ish).

I should try and get a hold of Photoshop for this computer or at least clean my room and set up my desktop since that one has the program. It's old though.. I got it when I was in grade 9 and I'm almost in 3rd year of university. Haha. I really want Photoshop because editing is a breeze there. I do not have to worry about anything. I've been using Paint.. lol.. I could download another program but honestly, I'm too lazy and I've likely tried it before and think it's a waste of my time.

So what's coming soon? Well, I have found a website for those who live in Canada (sorry to those who don't) and it's amazing because they have the things that I can't find in my typical drugstore or beauty store here in Toronto. Not only that but it's free shipping as well and you don't need a minimum purchase - you just have to be in Canada. I will be doing a Mario Badescu review since I've been using the samples I've received from them. I got another batch because right when I signed up, I asked my boyfriend to sign up to and use his address and just give me the stuff he gets.. LOL. Also, the Katy Perry looks and prom looks. :D Tune in for those. I am just waiting until my stupid face clears up (foreshadowing the MB review).

Have a good day everyone while I go through a 100-question exam review. :D

TIPS: YOUR PROM BEST FRIENDS/WHAT TO KEEP IN YOUR CLUTCH

2011-04-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

Image Source

1. Blotting Tissues: Since I assume most of you will be dancing or at least feeling sweaty from the environment, it is good to have these around to absorb the oil and shine off your face instead of reapplying powder (which can lead to a cakey face). You don't even need to buy an expensive high end brand because in my opinion, they are all the same. You can just go to your nearest dollar store and buy these party gift tissue papers that people use to spruce up their gift bags. Just cut them up into tiny squares and they will probably last you forever.

2. Waterproof Makeup: Same reason as above - you will sweat and you do not want smearing or any mess ups in your makeup.

Image Source

3. Safety Pins: You never know when your outfit is too tight from too much dance movements and it could just slip or rip. Whatever it may be, just keep a few of these babies in case an a scandalous accident occurs.

Image Source

4. Deodorant: This is pretty self-explanatory. You dance. You sweat. Sweat dries. You will get stink Just pick your favourite deodorant and pop it in your clutch. I'm sure they have mini travel - sized versions if it's too chunky for you. Make sure you wipe the sweat off before applying this.

Image Source

5. Bobby pins/hair ties: Since you will be moving a lot and sweating, your hairspray may not maintain its superb hold. In case of a few strands that are out of place, you can quickly fix it. I prefer the ones with the ridges rather than a smooth surface because it tends to be tighter and grips the hair better.

Image Source

6. Compact mirror: When I went to prom, the washroom was bombarded with other girls fixing their makeup and taking mirror pictures with their friends. If you want to avoid the hassle, bring a compact mirror so you don't have to worry about making anybody wait as well as waiting for somebody else. We all do not like fighting for space.

7. Gum: You never know when you might be dancing a little too closely with somebody to your favourite music. ;D

TUTORIAL: KATY PERRY E.T. MV INSPIRED EYES #1

2011-04-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

Katy Perry's looks on her E.T. MV are really dramatic and bright. I've been wanting to play with the colours she presented in her video because they look fun. This is the very first look taken from the orange/red mask-like eyes she had. Since it is inspired, I didn't mean to recreate her exact look and opted for something more wearable and simple. The looks will become more dramatic from here since we will be dealing with purples and blues for the second look and metallic golds and browns for the last one. I hope you stay tuned for that.

Products Used:

- Trucco Velvet Ice Eyeshadow in Orange Crush
- Trucco Velvet Ice Eyeshadow in Ruby Slipper
- Coastal Scents 88 Color Palette
- E.L.F. Eyelid Primer
- Bonnebell Eye Definer 012 (matte white eyeliner)

- Avon Gimmersticks G04 (waterproof black retractable eyeliner)
- Physician's Formula Custom Eye Enhancing Gel Cream Liner in Black
- Covergirl Lashblast Waterproof Mascara

1. Apply your primer on your lids.

2. Use white eyeliner or pencil all over the lid where you're going to pack the colour on and blend using your fingers until it's an even and thin layer. Do not put too much on or your shadows will crease faster. Just add enough so your lids look lighter.

3. Pack a true orange (Trucco Velvet Ice Orange Crush) eyeshadow on the area where you've just placed the white base with your eyeshadow brush.

4. Take a red (Trucco Velvet Ice Ruby Slipper) eyeshadow on your outer lid and blend it in the orange to produce a darker orange.

5. Use a strawberry pinkish orange (E9 from CS palette) and apply it on the crease.

6. Use a darker red (H9 from CS palette) and apply a bit on the outer 'V' of your lid and a thin line on your crease.

7. Take a nude or white (A1 or A9 from CS palette) shadow and use it as highlight and to soften the edges.

8. Do the final touches: apply a thick black eyeliner on your lid and waterline, fill your eyebrows, curl your lashes and apply mascara.

Enjoy! It should turn out brighter than what my pictures convey since flash pretty much washes out all the other colours I used. :D

* UPCOMING POSTS

2011-04-11T17:20:00.000-07:00

1. SKINCARE DIY (to make masks, scrubs, toners, and etc) using:
- Baking Soda
- Vitamin C supplements
- Fruits & Veggies

2. FASHION DIY
- Making an empire waist dress out of a skirt
- Making a romper out of a skirt

3. HAIR
- Spring Hairstyle Tutorials
- How to Have Shiny Hair After Blow-drying : Product Review

4. MAKEUP TUTORIAL
- Katy Perry E.T. inspired looks
- J-rocker make up
- Spring colors and neutrals looks

TIPS: HOW TO CURL DROOPY EYELASHES (PERFECT FOR MONOLIDS/NO LID SPACE)

2011-04-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

*Excuse how oily my skin looks, I've just applied eye gel*

I think it's fair to say that I have monolids but I am still wondering if it's still a monolid because I do not even have one... My lid space is about the size of a typical line you would make on your eyelids. Instead of my eyelids stretching to cover my eyes, the bottom half of my eye is usually what stretches when I close my eyes.

Anyway, I have neglected my eyelashes because no matter what mascara I used and no matter how many times I clamp the curler around my lashes, they just never curl. I really hate the fact that I have full and thick eyelashes yet they point down due to my lack of crease so they cover my pupils and drag my eye down.

For those people who do not have big eyes - whether you have monolids (or none at all) or droopy eyes - or those people who just have stubborn eyelashes that just won't curl, we all know that eyelashes are perfect for enhancing the eye area to make you look more awake or just add drama to your look.

Here are some tips that you should consider before repurchasing a new mascara or eyelash curler:

Curled

1. Curling in segments is key. Divide your eyelashes in three or two segments depending on how long your lashes are: root, move to 1/3 of your lashes, 3/4 of your lashes. When you get to these sections, have a tight enough clamp around the lashes but not so harshly that they'll be ripped or folded and repeat as desired.
2. Pulse clamping as you move to those key sections to avoid rough angles. As you move to those key areas, do gently pulse clamping (repeatedly clamping your curler) movements in a gentle manner to avoid the harsh angles and having a curve curl instead.
3. When using mascara, find a waterproof mascara. Most mascaras that aren't waterproof are water-based so they will get rid of your curl (just like wetting straight hair that's been curled by an iron).
4. If you want to use mascara and you have a monolid and do not want to get it on your lid and make a mess, tilt your head back or keep your head straight and stare down (without moving your head) during application and fan your eyes with a piece of cardboard to quickly dry them.

Curled w/ mascara

Since I have thick lashes, I often do not use mascara since it doesn't seem needed and the curl lasts me all day. If you're curious, I used an regular eyelash curler w/ no brand and CoverGirl Lashblast in Waterproof Very Black (which I have had for years since I do not invest in mascaras at all) in this picture.

OOTD: SAILOR/FLIGHT ATTENDANT W/ AMERICAN FLAG COLOURS

2011-04-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

MINIMALIST MAKEUP: SPRING'S DAY AND EVENING EYES

2011-04-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

For those who do not have a collection of eye makeup or those who do not wear makeup daily, this look is perfect for its subtle simplicity for when you feel like dressing up your eyes a bit more than you usually do.

I'm sure that even if you don't have any makeup, the things you'll need can be found at your mom or sister's vanity table.

You will need:
- a pressed/setting powder
- your chosen eyeshadow of any colour (I'll use turquoise)
- concealer that's close or a match to your skin tone
- eyeshadow brush / sponge tip applicator
- a black kohl pencil (preferably waterproof)
- a white kohl pencil (optional)
- mascara (optional)
- eyelash curler (optional)

What you need to do:
1. Apply a thin layer concealer all over your lids and under your eyes evenly.
2. Using an eyeshadow brush/sponge tip applicator, pat the powder over the concealer on your eyes.
3. Now dab your eyeshadow brush/sponge tip applicator on the eyeshadow shade that you'd like to use and apply it on your crease area. Blend inwards towards your tear ducts, making sure the colour intensity is more prominent on the outer eye.
4. Use your black eyeliner to lightly line your lower lashes (as if you're connecting them) underneath your waterline instead of on the waterline itself (tight lining).
5. If you want to look brighter and more awake, line your waterline with the white kohl eyeliner.
6. Curl your lashes and apply mascara if you want your eyes to stand out even more. I opted out the mascara and just chose to curl my lashes.
7. For a more defined face, fill in your eyebrows. I used my black eyeliner to barely fill it in.

For more a slightly dramatic evening look:
8. In addition to all the steps, just take your black eyeliner and draw on your outer crease.
9. Take your eyeshadow brush and just grab a bit more of the eyeshadow you're using and go over where you've placed the eyeliner and the rest of your lids. Blend it well.
10. Line your bottom waterline with black eyeliner and smudge the outer corner out.

Enjoy!

HAUL: ETSY VINTAGE BRASS TONE JEWELRY

2011-04-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have never ordered anything from Etsy for some reason and I guess it was about time since they sell a lot of handmade and unique products from jewelry to cosmetics to furniture which I think is really awesome. Plus, I'm really cheap and I need to find a place to order jewelry from besides Forever 21.. >_>;

When I first saw these I thought that they looked really well made for such an affordable price. I soon had the suspicion that the seller isn't the one who handcrafted these pieces since I saw other sellers selling the same products for around the same price. They were all from Hong Kong so I thought it was funny and that they probably got it from a wholesale manufacturer.

Nonetheless, I still ordered some because they were inexpensive. I paid around $20 for the 4 items including shipping. They are exactly as the pictures the seller shows and they are heavy and very detailed. If you want to know where I got mine, it's from here.

MARIO BADESCU SKINCARE: FREE SAMPLES FOR SIGNING UP

2011-04-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

I received a package from Mario Badescu this morning filled with samples! Along with the two samples, there was a product guide with all their products listed in it and which skin types they are suitable for to help you find the one right for you, and product application guide that has a list of the product samples they give you and how to apply it.

I got the Collagen Moisturizer (SPF 15), Orange Cleansing Soap, Seaweed Night Cream, Drying Cream, Kiwi Face Scrub, Special Cucumber Lotion, Ceramide Eye Gel, and Flower & Tonic Mask. I was supposed to receive a Drying Lotion as well but I guess it was out of stock.

To be honest, I was quite surprised with these samples since usually, the samples I receive are in packets that last you a day or two but these have a generous amount..

If you want your own samples, go to the Mario Badescu website, sign up for an account and do their skincare survey/questionnaire to determine your skin type. After a day or two, check your email and you should see a message from them offering you samples based on your answers. There is no shipping costs so how could you not want it. :D

Enjoy!

REVIEW: ELF BRIGHTENING EYE COLOR

2011-04-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

PALETTE: BUTTERNUT #01116
PRICE: $1
FROM: ELF(EYES LIPS FACE)
RATING: 3.5/5

During my last ELF haul a month ago, I was gifted this quad for inviting 3 people to the website. I am not sure whether or not the gifts are the same for all the referrals since I saw somebody receive the same palette. Anyway, the website swatches shouldn't ever be trusted. It makes the colours look matte when they are in fact shimmery. This is my first eye shadow palette from ELF since I usually just order their face and lip products and I must say that I really like it.

I am really cheap and I try my best to find the absolute best quality products for low prices (which seems unrealistic) so I guess I should already let you guys know from here that I am a drugstore freak and will rarely feature high-end products unless I just feel like investing in something that I know for sure is great. I need money to be experimental and sadly, these things are the only thing I can afford.

So I've tried many drugstore quads before mainly from Rimmel and Covergirl and they are not as pigmented as this ELF palette (I know shades 1 & 2 barely show but blame that on my flash and skin tone). What I love the most about this product is how smooth the application it. It isn't creamy (obviously) but it's so easy to apply and isn't at all chalky. To be honest, I don't think you even need a base or a primer to get the full effect of the pigmentation. They are easy to blend and the colours are great for an everyday neutral/natural look. The only thing I do not like is obviously the lasting power but you get what you pay for, right? That's probably the only reason why I use a primer when I use this product. I tend to move my face a lot and let it touch too many surfaces (LOL, so unsanitary).

To describe the colours more precisely (check my swatches for reference), shade #1 is a light sheer colour with a golden tint that's perfect for highlight, #2 is a peachy nude which can be used as a mid tone on your lids or highlight, #3 is a beautiful bronze that adds a bit of depth to the crease during a natural look and can also be a mid tone on your lids for a smokey evening look, and #4 is perfect for the outer lid to give you a classy smokey eye.

I've been using this everyday because I just love this quad and I would probably buy the other colours.

Do you have this product? What do you think of it? If not, would you buy this product (if you're incredibly cheap and poor like me)?

EOTD & OOTD: FLORAL EYES + JOB-HUNTING OUTFIT

2011-04-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Products used:
- Coastal Scents 88 Matte/Original Palette
- ELF Essentials Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black
- ELF Eyelid Primer
- Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner in Eggplant (U100)
- CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara

REVIEW: SEBASTIAN TRUCCO VELVET ICE EYE SHADOWS

2011-03-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

I purchased these Trucco Velvet Ice Eye Shadows for 49 cents each last year and I've only come around in using them more often now that spring is here. I recently found out that they are discontinued along with the entire Trucco cosmetic line (so this review might be pointless unless you shop at eBay or Amazon).

The colours I bought are in Lollipop, Ruby Slipper, Polka Dot Bikini, Orange Crush and Baby Blues which I think are kind of cute. Believe it or not, they aren't shimmery, only glittery. They're mostly matte with pieces of glitter and they don't have the sheen that typical shimmery products do. It's advisable to use a good base and primer just because of the glitter...

The colours are pigmented enough but not to my liking because the application of this product is annoying since you do have to build it up to get the full vibrancy of each colour. Due to the chalkiness, they are not that easy to blend. However, their staying power is decent.

What bothers me about these eye shadows are the fallout and the chalkiness. The glitter is fairly annoying because they get in your eye while applying them on. Also, the darker shades stained my lids.

Overall, I do think the colours are pretty. If you're patient enough to deal with the glitter and application, they could do very pretty looks. As I've already mentioned, it's a very good idea to get a good quality base to keep these intact.

Rating: 2/5

HAUL: ARDENE, WALMART, SHOPPERS DRUGMART

2011-03-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

I went to finally splurge the gift certificate that I received during Xmas and here are the things I've purchased:
- Life: Cod Liver Oil (SHOPPERS)
- Revlon: Super Lustrous Lipstick Matte Smoked Peach 013 (WALMART)
- L'Oreal Paris: Waterproof Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (WALMART)
- SPAresource: Crease Blender Brush (WALMART)
- Physician's Formula: Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel Cream Liner (WALMART)
- Tribal patterned hoop earrings (ARDENE)
- Sunglasses (ARDENE)

BIOTIN 60-DAY TEST FOR HAIR GROWTH

2011-03-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

I bought Biotin a few months ago and I was using it religiously but stopped after a few months due to sheer laziness and forgetfulness. Anyway, I have read the benefits of Biotin in hair growth and I've been dying to try it because my hair is really stubborn. If you must know, my hair is thick in quality (strand wise) and quantity (a whole lot of them). I got a haircut on October 2010 to get rid of my dead ends and settled for an inverted bob. Of course as most haircuts go, there are usually different phases where you love the cut and then after awhile you hate how it's grown bit or vice versa. To get to the point, I needed my hair long to create a proper and neat ponytail/bun since I hated loose strands on my face. My hair takes forever to grow so here I am testing this again just to see how effective it.

What is Biotin? It's a basically a vitamin B-complex (specifically B7) that plays a role in certain metabolic processes that occur in our body and in cell growth. You can get the synthetic form or you can get it from eating egg yolks alone (do not eat the egg whites to get the effect)(Source). There is question whether it really is effective for hair which is why I'm willing to try it out on a daily, consistent basis to see if it works.

I will be using my bangs to measure the changes. Right now it is up to my chin. I will report to this blog on the 30-day mark and the 60th day (lol I look creepy).

Warning: Please do not try synthetic vitamin supplements impulsively like me. It's a good idea to speak with a physician just to make sure you have no allergies or complications or if this is the right product for you. Or just eat egg yolks by itself on a daily basis.

DHC SKINCARE AND COSMETICS

2011-03-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

DHC is a skincare company located in Japan in which you can directly order skincare, makeup, and hair products.

I recently signed up because of my growing interest in skincare and I think their products are based on none other than olive oil. After a few weeks, they sent me a package that contained a booklet with Product Directions and Ingredients Guide (which lists all their products, the ingredients in them and how to use it), a 'thank you' note, and a small pouch with 4 samples: Deep Cleansing Oil, Coenzyme Q10 Cream, Eye Bright, and Velvet Skin Coat. I'll do a review on them to determine whether I should purchase the full-sized products.

CANADA website: http://www.dhccare.ca/DHC/
U.S. website: http://www.dhccare.com/dhc
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE SAMPLES. :D

INTRODUCTION POST

2011-03-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Alyssa. I'm 19 and it's only recently that I became involved with beauty and fashion. I'm kind of late with being a girl. I mean I've always loved everything beauty related but I just wasn't crazy about it as I am now. I've only started thinking about buying awesome shoes and purses last year (so late) because I've always been practical (because I'm conservative with money and hardly have it). Haha, can you believe I used to not care about shoes because they're touching the dirt and the ground anyway or how I never bothered with purses because I got plastic bags (>_>;)? My fashion sense is late but my love for beauty has always been there. This blog is an opportunity for me to explore more with the different interests and hobbies I have. I want to learn and I want to teach. It's also a chance for me to be more interactive and social because in real life, I'm pretty hard to approach due to my introverted status. My other interests are books, philosophy, video games, anime, manga, TV dramas & sitcoms, and drawing. I know, I'm pretty much all over the place.

I'm seriously excited for this and I've been writing down different ideas on how to start with this blog. Hopefully it all works out in terms of consistency. So long as I get to maintain this well and not being half-assed about it, I'm good. I need to learn what dedication and passion means and this is a great alternative for me.

What can you expect from this blog? Well, I am a very experimental person. I try many different products: from skincare to clothing to hairstyles. I want to make DIY tutorials for my sake and yours, makeup tutorials, fashion tips, product reviews and more. I will not give advice on subjects that I know nothing about or I'm not qualified for. I might show certain things that work for me personally but I will point out that it might not work for you.

I hope you enjoy what may come. :D