a School Gal's Beauty Essentials

This post is something special and something real. As a student (grad/prof.), time is essential and trying to look decent when you're on the go or out-&-about for 12+ hours, is pretty difficult. I'm going to tell you though how I try to look decent when I'm not around all my makeup collection and I don't have much time on my hands. These aren't necessarily what I'd take with me say on my nights out, or to a date, or etc., Rather, this is especially focused on what a School Girl would carry! 

These are ready-to-go products. I have a Renu eyedrop/eye solution for my dry contact lens (especially if you're wearing them all day long!). I also have a fast seeping hand lotion from This Works (an easily trustworthy brand). Next, I have a lip treatment from Nuxe for the harsh winter days. I like to pack on this thick paste and melt them between my lips and voila! They are healed! I also carry around one eyeliner pencil from Urban Decay, their 24/7 glide-on eye pencil. This is for the just-in-case situations where I want my eyes to look more defined (due to eye makeup fading away by the 8th hour). I also bring along a setting brush from Real Techniques to use with my MAC Studio Fix foundation that I use as a touch-up powder. I love this duo. The powder is light but a pretty full coverage. Although it has a sponge, I want to keep the bacteria from piling on the product itself. Also, I don't want to look cakey so I use brush to give a airbrush and natural visage. Next I carry two lip color products. One is the Clinique chubby stick that is so easy to put on and look fresh/nice in! It's a really functional pick-me-up lipstick that also moisturizes. But just in case, for the days you want to look a bit nicer, I carry around an actual full-on lipstick. Currently, I'm back into my NARS Roman Holiday! Finally, I have with me a Travelo perfume bottle where I keep my favorite perfume. I have three of these and I switch around which fragrance to carry around that day. It's a super pick-me-up ritual I think!

Leave a Comment clinique, lifestyle, MAC, Nars, nuxe, Real Techniques, this works, travelo, Urban Decay

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What's in my February Glossybox?

The February Glossybox arrived on time this month! The theme of the box is: International Style, representing the fashion shows to be held throughout the week all across the world. Inside was:

• Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au The Blanc soap (for body I would presume since it is heavily fragranced with their scent)
• Da Vinci cosmetics Shimmer Powder for highlighting the cheeks and under the brows. The color I received is a gold shimmer. I have yet to try how this color would work as a highlight for my skin tone.
• Evologie Blemish Serum & Stay Clear cream. A small sample of blemish reducing skin set.
• Lisi Liquid Eyeliner, in the color copper gold.
• Nail Rock nail wraps. 

Unfortunately, I'm not that impressed with this month's box. I especially thought the nail wraps were a disappointment. With their childish animation or random designs, I hardly think I'd wear them! I will give it to someone. Also, I wasn't all that impressedwith the glittery gold eyeliner. It days stay on but the brush doesn't seem to be impressive. The Bvlgari soap is heavily fragranced, unfortunately, of a scent that I'm not too keen on. I'll probably be giving that away as well. The skin care samples I have yet to try, and the shimmer powder is an experiment as well.

I'd give this box a rating of a 5.0.

Leave a Comment February, february glossybox, Glossybox, glossybox usa

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Clinique's Chubby Sticks

I've hesitated a lot about getting a Clinique's chubby stick. Partly because before I got around to trying the originals, I've tried Tarte's and Revlon's version of these lip tint sticks. Tarte I found super moisturizing but very creamy, so much that it transferred a lot on the lip. It didn't feel too tint-y but rather more of a creamy lipstick. The Revlon's kissable lip balms were too drying. I ended up having my lips peel a bit. But, they were both good enough for me. Then I thought I really wanted to try the original chubby sticks.

I think being a student means you don't have time to pamper yourself, especially throughout the day. You may start off the day looking fresh and ready, but as each hour goes by, you see your makeup melt and by the 10th+ hour, you're looking pretty shaggy. I've found that without any lip color, I look so dead! And to apply a full-on lipstick is just way too much of a hassle in school! So, I thought this chubby stick would be perfect to just chuck inside my bag and apply throughout the day.

The pigmentation is sheer but definitely "there". It's not too sheer, which would be meaningless! But it's sheer enough not to worry about how you put it on. I bought the color PUDGEY PEONY #15. It's a plum-pink-red-plum color. It's really natural yet fresh and vibrant. I absolutely love the color!

I find this chubby stick transfers just the right amount of product on my lips. If it's too heavy, that's a no-no for me. Also, it is super moisturizing just as it should be.

All in all, I think this is ideal for students whether you're in JHS, HS, college, or in a professional school. It's so quick, easy, and efficient- meaning, it's a functional beauty product that has an array of beautiful colors that moisturizes and makes you look ready and neat.

I highly recommend! :)

Leave a Comment chubby sticks, clinique, lip, peony, plum

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NOTD Dior Vernis 306 "Gris Trianon"

Seek and ye shall find. I have sought for a GREY nail polish for a few months now. I mean gray gray, not brown gray or kind of gray. I mean like slate gray. Nothing too pastel-gray so that it's white, but nothing that's too dark either. On my cruise at Sephora (the oh-so-wickedly-tempting-beauty-store) I came across an advertisement for this shade. The minute I saw it, I ran to find the actual polish. It was perfecto!

 [As a side note I'd like to introduce to you another addition to my Catbird rings! Actually, it's more than one addition. Along with my "Dark side of the Moon" ring (not featured in any of these pictures) I've also picked up a gold star ring, a hammered rose gold ring (which is stacked on top of the star ring), and the all-new Catbird Tomboy Rose gold knuckle ring! I actually wear the Tomboy knuckle ring on my pinky but just for demonstration, I've put it on my knuckle for y'all to have a look :) I absolutely love all of them!]

Dior nail vernis are seriously so easy to apply. First off, they have the creamiest texture. It doesn't make your nails look like you have paint on them. It looks like nail polish (if you know what I mean). Also, the brush is designed so that it makes applying so much easier! If you can see with this picture, you'll realize how amazing the brush is! Usually I get all the sides of my fingernails painted with the nail polish. But this time, I'm so proud of how clean and neat I painted them! The color is amazing. I applied two coats, then finished it off with the Sally Hansen MegaShine topcoat.

Anyone looking for a chic gray, try this one out.

1 comment catbird, catbirdnyc, dior, dior vernis, gray, jewelry, NOTD, sephora

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NOTD: Attempting a French Manicure

I've always had a thing for french manicures. They look ever so chic and reposed. Nowadays, there are all sort of variations to the classic French Manicure. Some people get black tips or red tips with patterns and different colors other than the pink nudes. However, what makes something classic is that it never goes out of trend! So, finally I got myself to try it.

For starters, I got ready one really sheer pink/nude nail polish, a base coat, a french tip marker, and a shiny top coat. For the nail polish, I decided to go for Essie's limo-scene. For the main part, the tips, I got Sally Hansen's "French Manicure White Tip Pen". I know for sure that I am not skilled enough to simply use a white nail polish to paint my tips! Then for base coat, I used the usual Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Coat. Then for a top coat, I decided to try Sally Hansen "Mega Shine" top coat. It's supposed to get your nail polish really shiny and have them last that way for up to 10 days!

First, I applied the base coat. I let it dry for a minute.

Then I applied the French Manicure White tip pen along the tip. I didn't make it too thin or too thick. It is a bit tricky and because I had never tried it, my line isn't all that straight unfortunately. But hey, not too bad I think!

Then after you let your tips dry for a minute, then you apply one or two shades of the nail polish. I think it's prettier with one coat but I found that the tips looked TOO white. When I applied two coats, I felt the nail polish wasn't sheer enough. Now I know to buy a nail polish from the actual SHEER range from Essie to get the perfect shade. I also want a shade a bit more "neutral". It was a bit too white for my like, but still, not bad!

Then I finalized with the Mega Shine top coat. It definitely is shiner than the usual top coat I use from their brand called "Insta-Dry". However, I'll have to see if it really does last up to 10 days! It also dries in 60 seconds and that's alright with me.

A part of me just wants to go to the nail salon and get my nails done professionally! But, even to this age, I've never made the step to spend that much money on my nails when you can technically do it at home. It of course doesn't look the same but still, I'm not sure I'm ready to use $15-30 for one time manicure!

What are some nail polishes you use to achieve the perfect french manicures?

Leave a Comment essie, french, french manicure, french tips, mega-shine, NOTD, sally hansen

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The Long Awaited Man-Repeller Glossybox

So THE MAN REPELLER Glossybox is here. If you don't know who she is... well then, you better go check her website out and figure out who she is because I mean... she is THE MAN REPELLER. Anyway, this January Glossybox was a big deal. It was talked about everywhere and I'm sure the orders went up like crazy! I was most excited to get a Tarte red lipstick.

The other day, I finally received my box (a bit too late Glossybox!!) Anyway, unfortunately, I didn't get a Tarte lipstick but instead I got their awesome cream cheek tint! Inside was also an Estee Lauder mascara (sample size), Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum (sample), Le Metier de Beaute replenishing daily solution (sample), a Narciso Rodriguez perfume for women (sample), a FULL SIZE OPI in "Can't Let Go", a Sebastian Professional styling cream, and finally a TARTE FULL SIZE CHEEK TINT in Achiote!

The Glossybox is usually baby pink, but this month's box came in a special packaging with a metallic silver box with the man repeller mark imprinted on the box!

The box came with this really cute letter-like postcard thing from Leander, the Man Repeller herself! So cute! x

a close-up!

A nice peachy orange. It'll give a slight flush to your cheeks. It is super sheer though, great if you have pale skin!

extremely sheer and silky.

But please, can we all admire the ridiculously pretty and cute packaging of this Tarte blush?!?!?!

terribly chic ain't it? LOVE THIS THE MOST!

This box definitely rates as one of the highest. But, because they had so many high-end products, the sizes were mostly sample size. But, hey! That's fine. We've got the Tarte, the OPI, and the travel-size hair cream! I'd rate this box a 9.5 :)

Leave a Comment blush, cheek tint, cream blush, estee lauder, Fresh, Glossybox, hair cream, january glossybox, Le Metier de Beaute, mascara, tarte, the man repeller, tint

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A Not-so-Good Review on Essie Sleek Sticks...

Over the Moon by Essie

After trying Incoco nail strips, I thought I'd give Essie's version a try. They are called sleek sticks and they seem to be quite the hype. So in my curiosity and want to find the perfect no-dry-time nail-somethin's I decided to give these a try. I bought them on Zappos for $10.95 each, which was pretty pricey but understandably so. The four that I chose were: Over the Moon, Steel the Show, Love to Love You, and Embrace the Lace.

Scroll all the way to the bottom for my actual thoughts on them:

Mauvey purple/pink beige with sparkles, the prettiest one I think so far!

Haven't tried this one yet but I think it'll look good on top of something! It's a metallic blue scaled and laced pattern.

The most artistic one by far! This was in fact the first one I wanted to try :)

Looks the prettiest in all its glory of lace... but... I have to say when you apply it, it looks like you've got 1st grader type nail sticker on your nails....

Under regular light in a semi-dark-ish room, the sparkles on the nail look... a bit over the top sparkly. I would recommend this if you love dramatic over the top nails... or maybe just on special nights out?

 So, here are my thoughts:

• Disappointed! Unlike what they look like, they aren't as pretty on the nails as much I wanted them to be. The lace one especially looked so pretty but when I had them on my nails, they were so sticker-like. I almost looked like a first grader who puts sticker on nails to pretend like she had nail polish on! (I used to that!) 
• I thought it would be like the Incoco nails where they actually were nail polishes, but really... these are just stickers. You can tear them off in just a few seconds. I guess that's the good part... but they really are stickers! 
• I would've like them more if they didn't have only such over-the-top patterns, things I'd be uncomfortable wearing on an everyday thing. It'd be pretty though if you had it on only one or two nails.
• They aren't as easy as you think. They apply similarly to the Incoco nail strips but because these are stickers, they seem to peel back faster. And these are thick! You can't tell by these pictures, but up close my nails were messy :( Applying regularly nail polish would have been much prettier...
• Good price: each packet comes with a nail filer. You apply it and then file the excess away!

So, if you are a fan of these nail stickers then I'm sorry all I have to say are negative things. They aren't "bad" but just a "disappointment" and not up to my expectation. You may very well like it, but yeah... it wasn't the greatest for me. The "over the moon" was the prettiest. I tried the lace but gave up. After applying them and taking a bunch of pictures, I think took them all off. It just didn't live up to the hype for me! :(

I'm really interested though in the Incoco nail strips. I might try those out. I was pretty impressed with them!

What do you guys think? Have you tried them? 

Leave a Comment essie, essie sleek stick, incoco, nails

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