I recently purchased the Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick on a whim. It wasn't much planned, but when I read about it on a few beauty blogs and swatched it at the Sephora Hourglass counter, I thought, hey this must be good.
Because I already have the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in the shade 504, which is a vibrant bright red, I thought I'd go for something a bit more wearable than that. I opted for Hourglass shade in "Muse". It seemed a softer yet still vibrant coral-red. The darker skin toned you are, this shade will probably pop out more. On me, it looks very bright and more red than a soft coral.
After using it for a few days and discovering so many pros about it, I thought I'd do a little comparison between the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro and the Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick. In some essence, they are of the same concept. They are more lipsticks than lip glosses that come in gloss-like packaging. They are both intensely pigmented and super creamy on the lips. The glide on like whip cream and give this subtle ground between matte and natural-gloss. They don't make your lips powdery matte, but then again, it doesn't bring out some false gloss to the lips either. They give that wonderful middle ground.
Both are super long-lasting. As long as you aren't eating and drinking with this on, they can probably last up to 10 hours. By that time, it might even tint your lips in that shade. I find however, that the Giorgio Armani lip maestro tints the lips more than the Hourglass Opaque Rouge.
Both also have similar applications. The wand has a little felt tip that makes applying easier. In terms of packaging, I must say that the Giorgio Armani lip maestro looks quite the luxury, but even with the small tube packaging, the Hourglass Opaque Rouge carries chic with it too! Being that there is much more in the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro, it costs for more... price of $32. The Hourglass Opaque Rouge costs $28.
The more important difference I found between the two was that I found the Hourglass Opaque Rouge much less drying on the lips. The Giorgio Armani lip maestro can get quite drying. I often find that I have put Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream on, before or after the lipstick application. However, the Hourglass Opaque Rouge doesn't dry out the lips even after you've smacked and puckered up your lips several times. I can't say that they are anything as hydrating as say the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited or the Burberry Lip Mists but then again, they are of different formulation!
An unedited version of "What's in my Makeup Bag" meaning, there's going to be random bits. The reason why I left it unedited was because the things that go inside my makeup bag depends day to day. Lipsticks always change. Face powders change as well. Some days I'll add a mascara, or a blush. Other days, I probably just have a hand cream in it. So, that being said- this video is more to show you my beautiful makeup bag that I got from Tory Burch (ON SALE!) then anything else :)
I've been wanting a Tory Burch bag for so long, but whatever I wanted was either sold out or not on sale- and when these things are not on sale, they are pretty pricey. I love the medium sized ones, and luckily I found this mint/aqua green striped makeup bag at Bloomingdales. One left. On sale. So, of course, I picked it up.
Ideally, I would like to do a monthly favorites. But I know for sure that I can't commit to scheduling a favorites post every month. So, until I think of a name/title to call these series of random-recently-loving posts featuring just that, I'll just call it my "Current Favorites". Bland, boring, but for sure, the products I mention won't be! :)
First off, skincare. These two are a must. I do have other products I would have liked to mention, but nothing stood out as much as these two. It's actually hard to say that my skin improved because of only these two products. It is probably the combination and routine of all that I use day and night, which you can probably get a glimpse of it here in this blogpost. Anyway, still moving on with just two to mention- both are Origins products, which I love. I've tried only a few from their range, but each time, I've been way more than impressed! At a time when even the facial specialists kind of felt irritated that they couldn't get my skin to improve fast and well enough, I thought I had to take matters into my own hands and figure out what to do. I wasn't rejuvenating, and none of the serums I was using was working. Why? Because I probably had a surface layer of dead skin that no matter how much I tried to exfoliate, wouldn't cut it.
So my first goal was: DETOX. I bought this Origins Active Charcoal Mask aka "Clear Improvements". I was hesitant to try this because my skin is sensitive and the last time I tried a charcoal mask was way back when I found some masks can strip my skin and all. But, I knew I needed to detox. And boy, am I happy I tried this out! One day, best results. So, though it says use once a week ("or as needed") I find that I cannot go a day without using this. I'm not sure if that does bad things to the skin, but for sure, it's been helping me. LOADS.
Second skincare item is the Origins Make a Difference Plus + Treatment. Best for combination skin I hear. It's the perfect combo for the mask because once I have stripped the dead dull icky layer off my skin, I tone it and then put on this hydrating treatment that kind of sorts out my skin and keeps it really soft and supple throughout the day and night. I'm not sure how it works, but it's working miracles on me so need I say more? :)
As for makeup, I've got a few! Chanel Eyeshadow Stylo in "Moon River" and "Pink Lagoon"- part of their Summer Collection 2013. I'm not a huge follower of seasonal collections, but I happened to be there when it first launched and I really liked it. That like grew to a good healthy respect for these eyeshadows! Review of them are here.
Another things pertaining to the eyes is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind/ Eraser for Dark Circles. I am loving this thing! I have the 2nd lightest shade and I love to just chuck this in my bag and apply it throughout the day. Review of this here.
MAC Cosmetics always has something nice to snatch up. I've been obsessed with two certain lipsticks, both in the orange family. One is actually part of the Orange Collection 2013 from not too long ago! It's the shade "Tangerine Dream" which is a dreamy, true pastel orange. It gives the illusion that you are some pastry goddess. The other orange is the shade "Saigon Summer". Looks really vibrant but it's actually pretty vividly-natural. Meaning, it's nothing like a neon shade but a really pretty wearable, yet different color!
Another MAC item is their pressed pigment in "Beaming". One of my most read posts here on my blog has been the review of my pressed pigment in the shade "Day Gleam". Unfortunately, my sister stole it and just won't return it! So, I went for a shade a tad darker and actually more suitable for my skin. The sparkle gives a wet look on the eyelids, and it's simple flattering.
Blush. Summer is about blushes, as well as lipsticks. The blush I find myself gravitating towards every single summer is the Benefit "Coralista". Amazing shade. Wonderful finish. Love the gleam and shine. It's perfect. Wore it every day this summer. Strangely, I didn't even reach for it all winter and spring. But once that heat wave began, there I was putting this without end! It's a must-have. Really...
Let's talk Fragrance. You know by know, if you ever read my blog, that I am a fragrance-philia. What is that you say? Well, a word I made up meaning: fragrance-lover. I recently did a whole series of my Perfume Collection video/posts. It went down really well :) Anyway, one of the featured fragrance was the Jo Malone "Lemon Tart". Sharp citrus/lemon zest with a hint of sweetness that makes it a perfect summer scent. I am not that fond (yet) of the beach-scent for the summer. For summer, I go for something zesty, fruity, sharp, and fresh. I mean, if you live in NY, you'll know that humidity sucks and I don't know about you, but I hate to have a scent weigh me down in the heat!
Talking about heat. Whew. Who here has bangs? Because I do, and when it's hot out and you've got oily skin, bangs aren't going to last "fresh-looking" all day long. I end up usually carrying a bobby-pin around and pinning up my bangs by the 8th hour or something. But hey, I found this thing called dry shampoos something I'm sure everyone but me uses! I use the Batiste dry shampoos and this is the first and only one I've tried. So, I can't say it's the best one on the market. But it's cheap. It smells cute. And it does the job so darn well. I can have my bangs down and lookin' fresh all day long. That's something right there. Yep.
Another necessity for the summer heat is a good primer. A fool-proof primer. Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer does just that. It's a heft price and so I began with the smaller bottle so I could be sure it's as good as the reviews say it is. Indeed. Right after I used even to the last pump and scrap of that small bottle, I went and got the big chunky one. I love it, but for sure I don't love the price! ($52)
Though I live in NY, I'm also around AC's a lot. I also travel. That means I may go to places that are actually parched dry. That happened recently. But though my skin, nails, and lips were starting to chap I did not worry. Why you ask? Well, because I had my new must-have-for-handbag Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream with me. Best for lips and cuticles. This all/multi-purpose cream is divine.
Last for the beauty things: Jurlique Hand Cream. I have the scent in Jasmine. Love it. A bit thick and luxurious, but it will definitely seep in give your hands a really lady hands :) I recommend the smaller size though. It's never ending and not as cute as the smaller travel size!
Then for some random bit: FOOD FAVES!? One isn't really a food. It's the Starbucks AfterCoffee Mints. They are mind-blowingly strong. Like, Altoids can't even compare! I love to pop that small mint in and be mind-blown with a minty breath and awakening the senses effect.
The other is a food. An addicting food. If you're going to try this, you better be prepared to get addicted. It's the Popcorners "Kettle" Popped Corn Chips. I'm not going to say much. Just go get it. And try it. Because in both two of the supermarkets I went to yesterday were sold out of this. Just in the flavor I wanted- the "Kettle" one. It's that good.
I didn't mention the last food in my video, but I thought I had missed a big part of the favorites out if I didn't mention it one way or the other! Anyway, that is all for now. Please follow me on Instagram for random updates and Twitter for more substantial updates! See y'all next time :)
Introducing my current skincare routine and favorite skincare products! I've realized that the weather/season makes a huge difference on my skin. As the days became more hot and humid, I have been breaking out ever since and all the products I was using before just wasn't cutting it for me. I had to add in a few more products to get the wheel moving! Also, I call this my #1 routine/favorites post even though I have done a Skincare Routine postbefore. It's just I want to keep track starting this time around. This is also probably my summer skincare routine! So here they are:
left to right: Atomy "Again" Serum, Elizabeth Arden 8hr Cream, Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner, Michael Todd Charcoal Cleanser, Michael Todd Charcoal Exfoliator, Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion (Toner), Origins Rescue Mask, Origins "Clear Imrpvoement" Mask, Origins "Make a Difference" treatment, Mario Badescu Vitamin C serum
I am still trying out the Michael Todd's products. I had them for about five months now and I am still undecided about a few. My sister, on the other hand, faints over them. Literally, she can't say enough about it. I've seen it do magic on her skin. I'm still testing it out however, but currently I have been loving their Charcoal Cleanser, Blue Green Algae Toner, and their Charcoal Exfoliator. I'm kind of obsessed with Charcoal:
I am also going to do a Skincare Haul sometime soon, and in there you can see some of the other products I am trying out. But currently, as for masks, I am in love with these two from Origins. One is my 3rd repurchase! It's the "Out of Trouble" Rescue mask. This does wonders! A new addition though is Origins "Clear Improvement" Charcoal Mask. Oh goodness, I need to rave about this. So, this is one of the products that have saved me recently.
To explain, my skin was not rejuvenating and so no matter what good moisturizer or serum was putting on top of my skin, nothing was working! My skin was terribly congested and I needed to flake away my dead skin, exfoliate it, cleanse it, and let it soak in some good moisture. Nothing was working. So, I started looking for something that would suck the goo out of my face. Basically, DETOX my skin. Eventually, I thought of this, and thought I'd give it a try:
I usually stray away from products made for acne skin. I find they are too strong for my uber-sensitive skin and dry me out too much. Hence, I never really knew if I should try this charcoal mask. Still, I knew I really needed help for my congested skin. My pores looked all icky and gross! I thought I'd give this a try. The first day I bought it, I put it on my face after washing it clean in warm water to let my pores open. Then, I left it on for about 20 minutes and then washed my face off.
SO SOFT. The bumps subsided and my skin was so much clearer. It sucked the oil and dirt out of my skin so well! I'm honestly not a great fan of products that take forever to work. I like the instant kinds. The ones that make my skin look better instantly. And honestly, that makes more sense for me. This definitely is one of those products and after trying a sample, I went and got the full size. I have applied this every day since and have not broken out once. Amazing!
After the mask and feeling ever so deeply cleansed, I apply this newly-purchased Origins Make a difference Plus treatment. I bought this because I read up on a lot of good blog-reviews on this product, especially from Essiebutton and GhOstparties on Youtube. My skin was feeling tight, dehydrated and in desperate need of moisture and rejuvenation. I heard that this was a great product for oily/combination skin. This was supposedly great in calming angry and aggressive acne!
Indeed! The next morning, in combination of good cleansing and good treatment, my skin was drastically different. It's been over a week since I used this treatment. My scars are disappearing slowly but noticeably, and my acne has definitely died down! I apply is day and night and it leaves my skin feeling so soft and really hydrated.
It kind of reminded me of this:
I reviewed Atomy's Again Serumhere, and after that review, within a week, I was done with the product. It seemed so hard to get a hold of this item, but I have finally received my second bottle of this! Briefly summing up that review here, I love this because it hydrates my skin better than any serum I have ever tried. Don't know what it is, but my skin as of the past two years has often become really parched and dehydrated. Ugh! It gets to the point where I can't even smile because my skins so tight. No amount of moisturizer can sink in hydration like this serum can! I almost feel like it penetrates so deep into my skin, it even relaxes my facial muscles haha :) Love it and I'm so happy I've finally gotten my hands on this!
Another serum I love is this Mario Badescu Vitamin C serum. I've also reviewed this product singularly in this post. It is amazing for getting rid of scars and blemishes. However, I have found that when my skin is just dead and it needs help rejuvenating because something is just consistently blocking my pores, I don't use this because again-- if you are not cleansing properly and your skin is not prepped to take in great products, you'd just be wasting it by putting these serums on your face. You'll find that it'll just sit on the skin and NOT sink in. So, before I use this serum I make sure that I am exfoliating and cleansed properly (with the masks and whatnot I mentioned above).
Another Mario Badescu product I have been loving is their Special Cucumber Lotion (toner). I use it in complement with the Michael Todd's Blue Green Algae Toner. I think the Blue Green Algae is good on days when my skin seems itchy and in need of antibacterial action! Then, the Special Cucumber is great when I want to heal and refresh my skin! I use them hand-in-hand on days when I need them, accordingly.
Lastly, Elizabeth ArdenEight Hour Cream is lovely! It replaces Vaseline as a much better lasting, truly hydrating, and necessary item for your handbag. I know Tanya Burr on Youtube raves on about this. Ever since her earliest videos, she mentions this as her favorite product.
I can see why! Great for anywhere and everywhere: lips, elbows, dry patches, face, cuticles... name it! It also smells so nice (not floral or sweet or anything, but very simple and a bit herbal). In the summer, when the skin becomes damaged by the sun, I think this will become even more handy. I use it currently though for my cuticles and lips. Love!
Living in New York, blogging about beauty to de-stress from everyday life and nurture the girl within ♥ My love for makeup and all things beauty inspired me to create this blog. Here I share my beauty trends, tips, and reviews.
