Beauty Talk: 10 Makeup Must-Haves

Happy Weekend!

Let's take a break from our fashion talks (more outfit photos to come next week, though!) and let's divert our attention to beauty... I was browsing through Pinterest and I found this ever-so-handy Pin:

10 MAKEUP MUST-HAVES

Travel Essentials To Stay Beautiful On-The-Go

1. BB Cream

2. Concealer

3. Cream Eyeshadow

4. HD Powder

5. Blush/Bronzer Duo

6. Eyeshadow Palette

7. Gel Eyeliner

8. Mascara

9. Lipgloss

10. Bold Lipstick

I have 6 out of these 10 items, so I am more than halfway there, yay!

I just need to get the following: Cream Eyeshadow, HD Powder, Blush/Bronzer Duo, and Gel Eyeliner. ;)

Do you guys have any recommendations?

Do you agree with this must-have list? What's on your own list?

I hope you all have a happy first weekend of August!!! :D

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Want: Nars in Orgasm

Happy Saturday!

A non-streaky, just-off-the-slopes flush that’s impossible to overdo. ($29)

***from www.instyle.com***

Everyone and their mother (that phrase always makes me laugh, haha!) has been raving about this particular shade of blush from Nars... and I wanna jump in the bandwagon!

This is definitely at the top of my to-buy list! ;)

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Influenster: Sunkissed VoxBox

Happy Tuesday!

Guess what? I received my second VoxBox from Influenster, woot woot! :D

VoxBoxes are exciting to receive because we get to try a wide variety of products we wouldn't normally buy otherwise.

The contents of Influenster's Sunkissed VoxBox are: 

- Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel Insoles

- Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics

- Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream!} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15

- SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™ Nail Polish

"Palm trees, ocean air, sunkissed hair: the endless summer, take me there." --Unknown

Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel Insoles ($10.99) -

Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel Insoles are clinically proven to help prevent foot pain caused by wearing high heels 2'' or higher. They offer immediate, long-lasting comfort, and an ultra-soft gel arch to shift pressure off the ball of your foot. They're proven to improve the way you feel in heels!

These gel insoles are really amazing!

I am not a pro at wearing heels, but with these on, I can manage.

I don't think I can ever wear heels without these insoles --  for every high heels I will buy, I will most definitely get Dr. Scholl's® For Her High Heel Insoles.

They work, but of course, they do not completely eliminate any kind pain that comes with wearing heels.

Over all though, this is a great pair of high heel insoles! :)

Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics ($3.99-$4.99) -

The embodiment of fashion and comfort from America's #1 elastics brand, the new Ouchless Ribbon Elastics are the pretty solution to hot summer hair days.

I really love these Ouchless hair ties!

My hair doesn't get caught up in it, it doesn't smell too strongly of elastic, and they don't leave any unwelcome ponytail hair bumps. They last long -- I still have some of the very first Ouchless hair ties I've ever owned. Plus, they are cute -- it's like having some sort of ribbon in your hair to liven up your normal ponytail. :)

Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream!} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 ($12.99) -

24-hour hydration and a splash of sheer color. This all-in-one skin perfecter, sunscreen, and tinted moisturizer evens tone and refreshes dullness, for flawless looking skin (available in two shades: fair/light and light/medium).

Out of all the products in the VoxBox, this has got to be my absolute favorite!

I've tried two other BB Cream brands before this, and by far, this is the best!

It's very light, not sticky or greasy, it smells amazing, and it has SPF 15!

It evens out my skin tone and brightens up my face... it's definitely my new go-to BB Cream.

The shade I received is fair/light and so far, it works well.

The shade is just right for me, but I also want to get it in light/medium just to see which one fits my skin tone better.

I absolutely love this BB Cream and there's nothing negative I can say about it... except maybe that I hope they come up with a wider range of shades to choose from -- that would be even more awesome, right?! ;)

Oh, by the way, I am planning on doing a BB Cream comparison post for you guys, so please stay tuned for that! :)

SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™ Nail Polish ($2.99) -

SinfulShine™ with Gel Tech™ technology provides opulent rich color and superb shine.

The 32 trend right shades are available for a limited time exclusively at Walgreens.

Who doesn't like getting a new nail polish shade to try, right?! ;)

I was super excited when I saw this color -- I normally go for reds, pinks, and purples when it comes to nail polishes, so it was great that I got this one.

It's a nice color that is perfect for both Summer and Fall.

It goes on smoothly and it dries fast. 

The colors are definitely opulent, but I'm not too sure about the superb shine.

To me, it has about the same shine as a regular nail polish... but other than that, there's really nothing negative in particular with regards to this nail polish. It's only $2.99, we can't go wrong with that. :)

The shade I received is called Blue Suede Shoes.

There are 32 shades to choose from:

Head on over to Walgreens to get the color that caught your eye -- these are available for a limited time only!

Now that we've gone through the contents of my Sunkissed VoxBox from Influenster, tell me...

What do you think of these 4 products?

Have you tried any of them? Thoughts? Opinions?

***Disclosure: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster. All opinions are entirely my own.***

I hope you are all having a lovely week! :D

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SkinCareRx: NUXE Gentle Exfoliating Gel + Freebies

Happy Friday!

So sorry I haven't written a post in a week! :/

These past few days have been extremely busy... but of course, I don't think I can ever fully bring myself to completely forget about you guys and my blog -- life may be super busy with school and hopefully work soon (*Fingers crossed!!!*), but Mimi isn't going anywhere! :)

For today, I just wanted to write my long-overdue review of this amazing exfoliating gel I got from SkinCareRx:

I will never get tired of receiving packages, haha! ;)

SkinCareRx and Apothica always package their shipments really well, so you don't have to worry about your order arriving all broken or something like that. Plus, their shipping is extremely fast!

The contents of my package:

- NUXE Gentle Exfoliating Gel

- CLEAROGEN Acne Lotion

 - REJUVE MD Eye Moisturizer

NUXE Gentle Exfoliating Gel:

NUXE Gentle Exfoliating Gel is a skin smoothing gel with Rose Petals that gently resurfaces and refines the skin.

It removes dulling dead skin cells and leaves the skin at its most radiant.

Price: $26

This exfoliating gel has a rose petal scent -- I don't usually like rose scents, but this one smells good... it's not overpowering or overwhelming.

You are only supposed to use an exfoliating cleanser 2 to 3 times a week, so I make sure I follow that.

This exfoliating gel makes my skin feel clean, soft, and smooth. My skin becomes rosy each time I use it.

Not only that, but it also looks really pretty!

You can see the rose petals! I think it's really cool, I love it!

At $26, I think this is a really good buy.

It may be a bit pricey compared to other facial cleansers, but it's really important to spend a little more money on our skin.

This is totally worth it because it does its job really well and it lasted me quite a long time.

I am still definitely open to trying out other types of exfoliating cleansers, but for now, this is my go-to exfoliating gel. :)

Clearogen Acne Lotion and Rejuve MD Eye Moisturizer:

Samples...

The Clearogen Acne Lotion smells good and it reminds me of something my Mom used to use when I was a little girl.

I asked her and she said it smells like her Clarins moisturizer.

I use two pumps for my whole face -- and let me tell you, it really does help with pimples.

A 1.8 fl.oz. one is sold for $32 -- again, quite pricey, but I think it's worth it.

I definitely want to buy a full-sized version.

The Rejuve MD Eye Moisturizer is a clear gel and has no scent -- it's pretty okay.

I guess I didn't really get the full experience with just this tiny tube. If you've used it, please definitely let us know what you think! :)

Have you ever tried any of these 3 products before?

Have you bought anything from SkinCareRx or Apothica before?

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!!! :)

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O.R.G Skincare: Organic Mineral Face Peel

Happy Friday!

You know how I said I'm working through all the posts I had scheduled to publish?

This one should've been posted months ago, but alas, I didn't get the chance to... so now, it's time to tell you guys all about O.R.G Skincare's Organic Mineral Face Peel! :D

Back in January, I attended IMATS Los Angeles and I was introduced to O.R.G Skincare by Donna and Suzie (Hi, guys!)... so, here are some pictures of O.R.G's booth from IMATS 2013:

O.R.G Skincare takes its knowledge & exposure from cutting-edge beauty applications and ingenuity from all over Asia. Their vision is to introduce products containing an ideal blend of natural and effective ingredients that address real beauty issues. O.R.G Skincare is the first to introduce an all-natural enzyme exfoliant (Organic Mineral Peel), derived from ancient Asian spa treatments, offering instant results within minutes of application. While constantly looking to think outside the box, O.R.G Skincare pulls inspiration from art, music, pop culture, and media, creating a whole new outlook and approach into all things beauty.

I received a press kit from O.R.G Skincare:

Cute presentation, right?!

The contents:

I received a 59mL bottle of their super amazing Organic Mineral Face Peel and a booklet talking all about the brand and the product...

Organic Mineral Face Peel (59mL/ $44)

Organic Mineral Peel is the first all-natural enzyme exfoliant that instantly removes dry skin and dermal debris within minutes of application. With its non-abrasive formulation, Organic Mineral Peel generates immediate skin renewal for maximum absorption of other skincare products. Free of any alcohol, parabens, and sulfates, Organic Mineral Peel comes packed with skin-nurturing antioxidants revitalizing even the most sensitive areas of your body. Therefore, it is to become the starting point of any skincare regimen.

Organic Mineral Face Peel includes natural skin brightening agents which include Milk Thistle and Licorice as well as enriched nutrients and antioxidants which include Omega 3, Vitamin A, & Vitamin B1.

THE FACE:

Creates a smooth and supple skin complexion.

Provides a clean canvas for flawless makeup application.

Gradually brightens dark spots and blemishes.

Allows for maximum penetration of other skincare products.

Contains natural brightening agents of Milk Thistle and Licorice Root.

The Organic Mineral Face Peel is a really excellent product!

It truly does everything the description says -- you will feel refreshed after using this face peel.

When they say all-natural, they mean all-natural -- the first time I used it, it got in my eye and I totally panicked until I realized that it did not sting at all because, guess what, it's all-natural!

This was designed to be used before applying makeup on because it creates a clear canvas on your face.

I also like using it after taking off my makeup to get rid of any residue left behind.

This Organic Mineral Face Peel is so awesome even my brother is obsessed!

I'm telling you, he seriously LOVES this product!

There's really nothing more to say besides the fact that this is a great skincare product to have.

We all need this and it will do wonders for your skin -- totally worth the $44 you will spend on it! :)

Instructions and photos from O.R.G Skincare:

1. Working in sections, apply a liberal amount (3 to 5 sprays) onto dry skin, avoiding contact with eyes.

2. Allow it to absorb for approximately 5 to 7 seconds.

3. Using your hand or minimally abrasive washcloth, exfoliate in small circular motion.

4. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary.

5. Moisturize accordingly.

The result should look like the photo above -- you will really see your dry skin come out like that, kind of gross, but so amazing! :)

Keep up to date with O.R.G Skincare through Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

What do you guys think? Is this something you would be interested in adding to your skincare regimen?

Have you tried anything from O.R.G Skincare before?

Have a happy weekend, guys!!! :)

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Open internationally. Ends on June 23rd at 12:00am PST.

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Need: Makeup Sponge

Happy Wednesday!

Just a quick post for tonight... I just recently finished my stash of these amazing Basically U Beauty Wedges:

The ultimate makeup must-have! 

Apply and blend liquid and cream makeup with these sponge wedges. Sponges can be used dry or slightly dampened for a perfect application.

My sister got them for me at Ulta, but I checked and they don't have it anymore (not sure if it's just sold out or if it's been discontinued)... so now I have a dilemma: I need new makeup sponges. :/

Any recommendations? Suggestions?

I hope your week is going well! :)

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Introducing: PS Beauty

Happy Monday!

I just wanted to introduce this awesome new beauty website called PS Beauty to you, my lovely readers:

PS Beauty started out as an experiment, to test the theory that we don’t really know what beauty products to buy. Whenever we looked at our beauty product collections we always saw so many products that we just don’t use and that really got us asking questions... 

How much money have we wasted buying products we won’t use? 

Why is it so difficult to buy the right beauty product? 

Is it possible to find the right products without having to leave the comfort of your own home? 

 We realised we needed to fix this, and started PS Beauty in 2011 with a handful of beauty tools created by curious beauty experts who liked our theory. The results amazed all of us. We were able to successfully recommend the perfect products for each individual person. 

 Every time you rate a beauty product on the site, Poppy learns what you like and dislike, making your recommendations even more accurate! She even takes into consideration other factors like the latest trends or what your friends are using to make sure you find the absolute best beauty products.

Such a cool concept, right?!

You probably normally wouldn't think this is something we need, but if you really think about it, we DO need this! We could all use some help in figuring out which products are the best choices for us, we could all save some money, and we could all use some peace of mind knowing that we bought the right product for us. ;)

Some testimonials:

"I never know what to buy next, this site has already given me 3 products I absolutely love. I'll definitely be back." -Alice

"I want to look after myself without pushy sales people at beauty counters trying to sell me products I probably don’t need. This website has given me a way of finding new beauty products that are tailored to fit me. Love it." -Amy

So, how exactly does PS Beauty work?

Right now, they have this really awesome tool to help us find the perfect foundation for us:

Try it out here.

PS Beauty is a really helpful tool for makeup pros and newbies alike.

It's an easy website to maneuver and they have such fun illustrations -- I know you will all love it! :)

To visit PS Beauty, please click here.

You can also keep up to date with them through Twitter and Facebook.

What do you guys think of PS Beauty?

Is this something you would like to try?

I wish all of you a wonderful week ahead! :D

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Haul Time: Sephora

Happy Saturday!

Just taking a break from this mind-numbing thing called my history paper, haha!

It's always more fun to talk about beauty products, right?! ;)

A few months ago, I bought a few items from one of my favorite stores: Sephora.

I love their cute little paper bags! :)

What I got:

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm and Moisturizer

Sephora Mattifying Foundation

Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

1. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm and Moisturizer -

Indulge your sweet tooth as you soothe dry, chapped lips with Rosebud's newest, strawberry-scented lip balm. Following in the Rosebud tradition of simple, easy to use products, this vintage-inspired tin contains a combination of rich emollients that lock-in moisture and banish dryness after only one application.

Price: $7

One product I CANNOT live without -- I love this lip balm!

2. Sephora Mattifying Foundation -

A silky, lightweight, shine-reducing powder foundation.

Price: $20, on sale for $9

Review on this soon! :)

3. Lancôme Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector -

An antiaging skin corrector for more beautiful skin.

Price: I got this sample for free, but the smallest version they have of this (0.67oz) is being sold for $69.

I have yet to give this a try or I might actually give it to my Mom, but I'll keep you guys updated either way! :)

So yup, there we have it... my little Sephora haul. :)

Have you used any of these products before?

What are your recent buys from Sephora or any other beauty store?

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

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IMATS Spotlight: NYX Above & Beyond FULL Coverage Concealer

Happy Wednesday/ Thursday!

Even though I still like to stick to some of my tried-and-tested products, I am also now at a point where I am more open to trying new things... and so my hunt for a new concealer begins! ;)

Find Your Perfect Concealer!

It's the key to amazing-looking skin. Here's our guide to picking the best one for you, applying it like a pro and more!

***People StyleWatch June 2012***

I swear by my MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer (I just love it and I actually have to get a new one), but I also wanted to try something new, so I bought myself a NYX Concealer when I went to IMATS back in June 2012 -- yup, this post should've been done ages ago, haha... but as I always say, better late than never! ;)

NYX Above & Beyond FULL Coverage Concealer

Our Concealer Jars are back and ready to hide the villains of dark circles and blemishes stronger than ever! We supply concealers in all shades with an improved formula providing long-lasting full coverage. A moisture-rich, emollient formula designed to conceal discoloration, dark circles, and blemishes. Applied with a brush, the concentrated concealer goes on like a dream.

I got my concealer in Beige (CJ04).

I had really high hopes for this concealer -- I love NYX and I just assumed I would love this as well, but nope, I didn't really love it as much as I thought I would.

Don't get me wrong though, it's not a bad concealer, it's okay -- I guess the main thing was I always compare its coverage to that of my MAC concealer. This one doesn't really cover dark spots and dark circles as well as my other concealer does.

It also tends to cake and bury into the fine lines on my skin = :(.

It's really affordable though -- it's only $5, so if you're looking for a budget-friendly concealer, here it is. :)

But personally, I'd rather just fork over $18 for a MAC concealer...

With that said, I am still definitely impressed in the variety of shades available for this Concealer Jar:

Porcelain/ Fair/ Light/ Medium/ Glow

Tan/ Nutmeg/ Yellow/ Lavender/ Green/ Orange

Have you tried NYX's Above & Beyond FULL Coverage Concealer before? Thoughts?

What is your absolute favorite concealer? Any recommendations?

I hope you are all having a wonderful week! :D

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