Merry Christmas!

Even though it's been so hectic for me lately, I just wanna wish you ALL and your families a very Merry Christmas!

Jon and I flew in on Tuesday to Washington to visit my parents and my sisters, our flight was delayed by 2 hours thanks to the snow conditions, but I am just glad we were able to get here because just the day before Alaska Air cancelled numerous flights and there was word that no one would be able to fly in in time for Christmas...so we were a bit worried but glad we made it!

We have been playing in the snow here and there and it's nice to finally be on vacation! I haven't taken a vacation ever since I started working when I was 19. And spending time with my sisters and family has been fun....we don't even sleep here! LOL.

Anyway here are some pics that we've been taking, the BF got me a digital photo frame which was nice since I have a ton of pics, and what's funny is that I got my mom a digital photo frame for Christmas and wanted one for myself! My sister loved her makeup kit from Kohls and the brushes I got her as well as the new kicks from Pastry she wanted, and my other sister Megan really liked her new backpacked that I filled with other goodies that was on her wishlist. My dad really liked the iPod we got him as well and Jon loved the clothes and digital camera I got him- so all in all, I am glad that everyone liked their gifts.

It truly feels like Christmas here...I haven't had a white Christmas since I left Canada when I was 11, so it was nice to sorta re-live childhood memories, especially with my mom's cooking and all the Christmas decorations they have at the house.

I just hope you all are enjoying the holiday and got everything you wanted from Santa!



With the lights on!




Snowed in!


View from my mom's backyard....




From the plane, it was nice and clear skies!






Me and Megan playing in the snow




Snow on my boots!


Christmas decorations...




We are matching!




Megan opening one of her presents...

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Hot Deals: 25% OFF MAC Holiday Kits!

MAC's Holiday Kits are NOW 25% OFF, how great is that???

Kits include:

- Passions of Red
- Adoring Carmine
- MAC Exclusives
- Little Darlings

Available in MAC Stores, MAC Department Stores (like Nordstrom's, Macy's), and online at Maccosmetics.com

My throat hurts, I've been sick and I am trying to get better before I leave for Washington next Tuesday! I know everyone is sick so I hope that any of you that are feel better soon! Get plenty of rest...I hate being sick on Christmas. I've been sick on Christmas EVERY year since I was 8, I call it the Christmas Curse because never fails, every year on Christmas I am sick so it's time to turn that bad luck around (hopefully!) LOL. I will be back to blogging status as soon as this hectic month is over!

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Holiday Beauty Gift Ideas under $50!

The Holidays are around the corner...and the economy sucks. But we still gotta look beautiful right?! LOL. Well at least our friends and family can use some beauty products to lift their spirits through this crazy year, so get them one of these great gift sets available at Sephora OR this 40-eyeshadow palette with Limited Edition shades from Flirt! Cosmetics (available at Kohl's or Kohls.com for $21). In case you are new to Flirt! Cosmetics, they are in the same family as MAC Cosmetics as they are both owned by the Estee Lauder Company. So what does that mean? That they are pigmented just as much as MAC!

Since this eyeshadow set is a gift to my sister back in Washington, I couldn't swatch 'em, so I'll have her do it once she opens it! :)





Lorac Croc Case- Full Face Collection, $44


Tarte Purse Your Lips Limited Edition Lipgloss Clutch, $39


Smashbox Gift of Glow, $39

Set includes:
- 0.20 oz Lip Gloss in Gilded (light opalescent gold)
- 0.16 oz Flash Powder (soft luminous gold)
- 0.10 oz Waterproof Shadow Liner in Hollywood (dark warm brown)
- Waterproof Shadow Liner Brush #30
- Baby Buki Brush
- Quilted Travel Pouch



Stila Shine on Gift of Glaze, $22


NARS Exclusive Lipgloss Collection, $45

This limited-edition set includes NARS Lip Gloss shades in:
- Triple X (clear shine)
- Harlow (silvery mauve)
- Striptease (pearlized beige sheen)
- Bloodwork (red vinyl)
- Orgasm (peachy pink shimmer)



Calvin Klein Mini Lipgloss Set, $25

The collection includes mini flavored lip glosses in:
- Cupid (cherry)
- Silverado (vanilla)
- Atomic (raspberry)
- Sparkle (strawberry)
- Dew Drop (pink lemonade)



Bare Escentuals, Bare Pleasures Eye Colors, $48

This Sephora-exclusive collection includes:
- bareMinerals Cashmere Eye Color (medium red clay)
- bareMinerals Chardonnay Eye Color (light butter)
- bareMinerals Bordeaux Eye Color (deep purple merlot)
- bareMinerals Tiara Eye Color (light angel pink)
- bareMinerals Snowflake Eye Color (sparkling blizzard)
- bareMinerals Nice Rock Eye Color (chocolate diamond)
- bareMinerals Rose Pearl Eye Color (medium mauve pink)
- bareMinerals Black Emerald Liner Shadow (black emerald)
- bareMinerals Sapphire Liner Shadow (metallic untramarine)



POP Hello Gorgeous Palette, $33.60


Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Collection, $35


Urban Decay Trifecta, $22

Set includes:
- 0.09 oz Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- 0.03 oz 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon (glimmering dark brown)
- 0.26 oz Big Fatty Mascara (black)



Smashbox Flawless Finish Primer Set (Rapture), $39


Too Faced Glamour Eyes Kipling Makeup Bag Edition, $29.50

The collection includes:
- 0.08 oz Lovey Dovey Eye Shadow (sable brown with gold micro-glitter & fawn shimmer)
- 0.169 oz Lash Injection Mascara (black)
- 0.11 oz Shadow Insurance Primer
- 0.09 oz Ooh & Aah Starry-Eyed Liquid Eyeliner (black and silver glitter)

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Recommendation: False Eyelash Adhesives

I had a few questions regarding false eyelash adhesives and which one(s) I think are good (of course based on my experience); and I actually like the

MadameMadeline.com has the best selection of eyelashes and adhesives. I get most of my eyelashes from here or from Sally's Beauty Supply Store. Here is the link to MadameMadeline's eyelash adhesives/glues: CLICK HERE.

My favorites are: The Duo Eyelash Adhesive or the Eyelash and Eyebrow Adhesive Pen Wand. There is no noted brand for the latter, however you can get it for only $5.99 on MadameMadeline.com AND, it's clear or (looks like a transparent blue but dries to clear), and it's a tiny brush wand you simply brush on the band of your falsies, then apply. Less messy than dealing with the tube adhesives that usually come included with false eyelashes and it stays on ALL day, as oppose to peeling off hours later.

Ardell's Lash Grip Adhesive doesn't really stay on long for me, however if you DO happen to like it, they have their adhesive in BLACK, so it blends in with your eyeliner (assuming you wear black eyeliner), for a flawless look.

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FOTD: Holiday Red & Black

My sister requested this look for her holiday look for school, so I used Pure Luxe's red mineral eyeshadow in "OMG" and Milani's "Storm".





What I used:
[Face]
- Camellia Rose Skin Soothing Primer
- MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NC30
- Cargo OneBase Concealer
- Dior ForeverSkin Foundation

[Cheeks]
- MAC Beauty Powder in "Soft Flame" (LE)

[Eyes]
- Pure Luxe e/s in "OMG" applied wet with MAC mixing medium on lid
- Milani "Storm" e/s on outer-V and contour
- MAC e/s in "Ricepaper" as highligh
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Covergirl Exactlights Mascara for brown eyes

[Lips]
- Berry color from L.A. Girl Lip Palette in "Delicious"

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Beautychoice.com SALE!

I haven't had internet at my house the past 2 days so I was unable to blog, so I am blogging via my phone but wanted to announce that BeautyChoice.com is having a sale!

This Thursday December 11, through Sunday December 14, BeautyChoice.com is
rewarding customers for shopping early! We are pleased to offer the following discounts:

$20.00 Off any order over $100.00....... Use Coupon Code: earlybcsavings5

OR

$5.00 Off any order over $50.00....... Use Coupon Code: earlybcsavings6

* You Must use the Coupon Code in order to receive a discount.Both coupons expire at 11:59 PST on December 14, 2008.

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Product Review: L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara

Seems like the person that stole some of my pics took her site down, so thanks to you all who took the time to drop in your 2 cents. The way I see it, the internet is a small place, it's only a matter of time before these people get caught with work that's clearly not theirs. I just don't know how I could gain satisfaction knowing I had no hand in ANY of it, if I was that person. It's like someone saying, "You were great in "Twilight"! And I responded with "Awww thanks!". LOL. But thanks to those of you who come across these sites and let me know. In case you ever wonder if it's really my site, there are links on the right of this site where you can find me (YouTube, Myspace, etc.) the only links I have not posted up are Facebook, Friendster, and LinkedIn because they are mostly professional in relation to my work. But those are pretty much the ONLY sites I have. So anything else you see, is most likely not mine.

I've been busy trying to find a venue for my sister's Debut, her 18th birthday party; since she is having it here in California (rather than where they live, in Washington), because all her friends are here. Of course everything is out of my parent's price range, LOL, but I am sure we'll find one she'll like. She took her SAT's today and it hit me that she really is growing up, as it seems like yesterday I took mine at El Camino High School. I am so proud of her though, she is an incredible kid and it's gonna be amazing to see the youngest one create her own path as well.

I will also be doing some reader questions soon since many of you had questions on some of my recent posts....

Anyway, on to the product review!

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Price: $7+ CVS, Walgreens, Target, etc. (Blackest black)
Would I buy again? Yes

What they say: This revolutionary lash extention mascara helps make your lashes look healthier and longer in seconds. This two-step system offers new "tube" technology. The first step nourishes, while the second step lengthens. No clumping, smudge-proof, longwearing can be removed with water.

Ingredients:
Step 1: Water, Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Acrylates, Copolymer, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Cera Carnauba/Carnauba Was;Cire De Carnauba, Steareth-2, Cetyl Alcohol, Pheoxyethanol, Hydroxethylcellulose, Acacia Senegal/Acacia Senegal Gum, Rayon, Panthenol, Ethylenediamine/Steryl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Methylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparapen, Simethicone, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben.
Step 2: Water, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Acrylamide/Sodium, Acryloydimethyltaurate Copolyner, Isohexadecane, Phenolyethanol, Rayon, Polysorbate 80, Methylparaben, Imidazolidnyl Urea, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben

Directions: Apply the white base/primer coat first. This helps add length to your natural lashes, then apply the mascara.

Picture from Ulta.com.


PROS:
- The somewhat thick wand on the the mascara side, gives a nice thick volumized look
- Comes with a primer to help lengthen the lashes
- It's found at most drugstores and doesn't damage the wallet
- No weird smell (at least for me)
- I like how the primer wand is thin so you can get into every nook and cranny
- Didn't flake or smudge on me
- I found it fun and easy to remove with just water (like they claim), although it didn't remove everything, as I still has to use a little bit of my makeup remover to complete the process, but I think if you were to hop straight in the shower you'd be able to remove everything easily, but it comes off in "tubes"
- Similar to blinc's Kiss Me Mscara (will do a review soon finally on this one) in the sense that they both come off with just water and mild soap

CONS:
- Although the mascara wand is thick which is good for getting that volumized look, it may be TOO thick for some. I already have long lashes but I found it a bit troublesome trying to apply it because I felt it was too big for my eye sometimes!
- Didn't give me as much length as they claim, I still had better results with my Carbon Black L"Oreal Telescopic Mascara

How does it compare to blinc's Kiss Me mascara? Although I will also do a review on the Kiss Me mascara, the only real difference I can see is the brush wand itself. As you will soon see, the Kiss Me Mascara has a sort of spiral shaped wand which I found easier than the L'Oreal Double Extend wand, BUT the Kiss Me mascara retails for $24.

Overall? I liked this mascara, it's good considering the price and that it gave me some volume. Not so much in length.









Can't really see the volume here, but I used this mascara...

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FOTD & Tutorial: Smoked Purple & My Holiday Dress!

So the company holiday party is next Friday in lovely posh Beverly Hills; it should be exciting since we have a lot more people working at our company now, all of them around the same age, and they are all pretty cool. And of course everyone is bringing their significant others, so I am sure it'll be a fun night! It's semi-formal attire and since I don't really own too many dresses, (I have like 2 semi-formal dresses, one doesn't fit anymore and the other I wore to LAST year's holiday party so that's a no, LOL), I ended up buying this silver number at the Ontario Mills Mall (the store is called Group USA in case you are also looking for a dress!). I bought it for $120 with tax, which is good considering I will probably wear it to my sister's Debutante Ball early next year (she is turning 18), and it's stretchy in case I gain weight LOL.

I am thinking to do either a smokey eye (since I don't wear anything like that to work) or maybe a silver/black eye....not sure yet I might have to play with looks this week...



I really, really, really liked THIS dress, but the size 4 and 6 were TOO small on me since it seemed like their sizes ran really small (I couldn't even zip up the back!) and they didn't have any sizes after that...so it made my decision easier haha.


Anyway, here is a quick black and purple look I did the other day, it's similar to another look I did awhile back but I wanted to use "Scene" e/s and "Black Ore", whereas in the other look Milani "Storm" and "Shock" were the only colors I pretty much used...and of course I had to watermark my damn face!

Someone asked what I suggest for the BEST nude/pink lip? I like NYX's "Lilac Field" lipgloss, it's the perfect baby pink and can be layered on top of a nude lipstick for a bit of color (so you don't look too dead!), such as NYX lipstick in "Circe", "MAC "Myth" or "Fleshpot" l/s. A dupe for MAC "Scene" eyeshadow I suggest is Flirt! Cosmetics e/s in "Black Ivy".







What I used:
[Face]
- Smashbox Primer
- Lorac Concealer
- Dior Forever Skin Liquid Foundation in "Medium Beige" (review coming soon!)

[Cheeks]
- MAC Blush in "Coygirl"
- Milani "Luminous"
- MAC MSF in "Petticoat"

[Eyes]
- Shespace Black Primer on lower half of the lid
- MAC "Scene" e/s on top of primer
- MAC "Black Ore" pigment clusters (optional if you want shimmer)
- MAC "Satellite Dreams" and Milani "Shock" on top of the black eyeshadow (crease)
- MAC "Gorgeous" e/s as highlight
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Urban Decay Eyeliner in "Rockstar" on lower lashline
- MUFE Fiber Mascara
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

[Lips]
- MAC l/s in "California Dreamin' (LE)
- NYX Lipgloss in "Lilac Field"

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