Family time!

Happy Friday my loves! The past day has been crazy at mi casa, and today is going to be even more crazier as more family start to arrive from San Francisco and Canada to celebrate my sister's 18th bday...my once clean room is beyond recognition, it is now filled with dresses, curling iron tools, makeup (and always has been!), shoes, and stacks of luggages and bags.

My sisters are supposed to stop by work today and have lunch, but I doubt it with all the pre-party planning and last minute details they have to do, but we'll see! I gotta hide her from the Glitz store by my work that sells NYX stuff!

Anyway, when my dad arrived we celebrated his bday. He's so cute, he didn't even want a cake or anything, and EVERY year he tells me "Don't get me anything", and when do I ever listen?? So I bought him the camera he was eyeing, since him and I have this insane obsession with cameras and photography...I got him the Canon Powershot SX110IS, which is in between a regular digital camera and a digital SLR camera, takes pretty good pictures too, even from far away! Now I am thinking of getting one for myself! HAHA

Dad with his other 2 girls,(his favorite is missing from the picture, LOL) his shirt says "ROCK IT", how hilarious is that!?? And my sister's hair is always in her face!


Candid shot of the youngest:

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Revlon Fantasy Lengths Eyelashes

I recently had the opportunity to try some Revlon False Eyelashes, and they are pretty natural looking! I love how they don't need ANY glue whatsoever, so if you are a makeup artist on the go, or going away for the weekend, these make great additions to the makeup bag because you don't need to fumble for the glue.

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Where to buy: Pretty much anywhere like drugstores, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.
Price: Ranges depending on store, but starts around $5+
Would I buy again: Yes

They describe them as: REVLON Fantasy Lengths Maximum Wear eyelashes are a revolutionary way to go from Plain Jane to Naturally Fantastic instantly. Without messy glue to fumble with - you can have perfect lashes that stay where you want them to - even in water!

My 2 cents: I haven't tried them in water, like swimming or taking a shower so I can't say whether they stay in those conditions, lol, but they do stay on pretty well considering there's just a glue adhesive but not actual glue (it's like comparing what stays on better, acrylic nails or sticker press-on nails). But these lashes don't fall off like I thought they would. I actually wore a pair (99501) to the Makeup Show in LA a few weekends ago, and they stayed on for a pretty long time.

The band itself is all black, not clear, so you don't have to worry too much about applying eyeliner if you are in a hurry to 'hide' the band. They don't feel any different (as in uncomfortable) in comparison to regular false eyelashes and each pair of falsies also comes with an EXTRA STRIP of adhesive so that you can re-use them (how awesome is that?!) AND it comes with a tiny plastic square looking thing that I forgot to take a picture of, but it basically is used to help you apply your false lash. You pretty much apply them the same way you apply regular falsies, but without the glue.

To apply the extra band, they have detailed instructions that come with each pair, basically just holding the lash next to the extra band, pressing so that it adheres to the lash, and voila, a brand new pair!

PROS:
- No glue is required
- Stays on well and lasts long (at least for me)
- Easy to find and it's affordable
- Very natural looking lashes, not heavy at all
- Comes with an extra adhesive strip so that you can re-use your lashes

CONS:
- They don't have a lot of variety as of yet in terms of the different styles of lashes like Ardell where they have different series of their lashes and various #'s for each pair(runway, glam, etc.)

Overall: Like I mentioned earlier, for those of you who are on the go, hate glue, or are challenged when it comes to applying falsies; then you might want to give these a try because they are pretty easy to use and easy to find. The only con is that they don't have much selection when it comes to the style of falsies you are looking for, but the ones they DO have are natural looking and soft.





I didn't really go through and blend my lashes with these, but just so you can get an idea of how pretty and natural they look...

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FOTD: Blue Ice

This is a reader request FOTD from a reader who had a shirt she wanted me to match; and the colors on it were blue, green, and black. I took the pic towards the end of the day so it's not "fresh" but ah well. She also wanted me to use Milani/Mac products preferrably. :) Lately I haven't been doing many "looks" because my skin is being fussy so I am letting it "breathe" and do its thing...haha.

What sucks is that this saturday is my sister's party and im still sick, my throat hurts like hell (lost my voice too), and my skin is being stubborn. All of which will not go away come Saturday. Don't you hate that??! When something bad happens before an event? Like a huge pimple on your nose or a place you can't really "hide" it...so aggravating!

Anyway, for this look, I used Milani's "Blue Ice" and "Storm", and MAC e/s in "Eyepopping"(LE) from the C-Shock collection.

Up next: Revlon Fantasy Lengths Falsies Review!





What I used:

[Face]
- YSL Skin Radiance Brush
- Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30
- Buff'd Mineral Foundation in "Chamois" and "Almond" mixed together
- MAC PRO Loose Setting Powder

[Cheeks]
- I forgot what I used, but it was either NARS "Torrid" or MAC "Springsheen" blush

[Eyes]
- MAC e/s in "Eyepopping" on the inner lid
- Milani e/s in "Blue Ice" on the middle of the lid
- Milani e/s in "Storm" on the outer-V
- MAC e/s in "Naval" on lower outer-V
- MAC e/s in "Femme-Fi" as highlight
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- Vincent Longo Mascara Sample (it sucked)
- Urban Decay eyeliners in "Zero" & "Electric"

[Lips]
- MAC l/s in "Creme de Femme"

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Video: Kevin B. from MUFE

Here is a video from the Makeup Show in LA where Kevin Bennett from Make Up For Ever talks about the different shades of their HD Foundation.

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Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's *ahem* 21st birthday, LOL. So I just wanted to wish him a very happy birthday! My sisters and parents arrive tomorrow because it's my sister's party this Saturday, so it should be a fun time hanging out with the siblings and creating havoc where we live. :)

I am going to turn my sis into a makeover doll haha.

Then...




Now...


The pic of us for Father's Day!

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Sugarsweet FOTD & Tutorial

So I decided to do a "Sugarsweet" FOTD using of course some of the Sugarsweet goodies I got. I used "Stars N' Rockets" and "Dear Cupcake" eye shadow and "Saint Germain" lipstick. I also used "Refined" MSF with NYX Blush in "Pinky" on my cheeks. For some reason it didn't come out as bright when I uploaded it on here, but it's a lot more vivid and brighter in person, I am a bit upset it didn't show its true color... :(

And notice how my teeth are whiter??? Thanks to the Crest Advanced Seal Whitening Strips!









What I used:
[Face]
- Korres Yogurt Moisturizer
- YSL Skin Radiance Primer
- MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30
- Buff'd Mineral Foundation "Chamois" and "Almond"

[Cheeks]
- NYX Blush in "Pinky"
- MAC MSF in "Refined" (LE)

[Eyes]
- MAC Paint Pot (PP) in "Fresco Rose" on lower half of the lid
- MAC "Stars N' Rockets" e/s on top of Fresco Rose
- MAC "Dear Cupcake" e/s on inner corner of the lid
- MUFE #92 eyeshadow (bright purple) on outer-V
- MAC "Top Hat" e/s (LE, from the "Starflash" collection) & MAC e/s in "Parfait
Armour" on contour
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
- Ardell Falsies in #102
- Urban Decay Eyeliner in "Graffiti" on lower lashline

[Lips]
- MAC lipstick in "Saint Germain" (LE)
- MAC lipglass in "Starlet Kiss" (LE, from Heatherette collection)













And look what I bought today! That's right! Oh and you know I got the DVD too! LOL

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Product Review: MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Product: 3 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Quality: 3 out of 5
Overall: 2.5 out of 5
Price: $30

What they say: "A richly hydrating eye cream with optical effects. Rejuvenates, reconditions and refreshes. Visibly lifts and firms skin around the eyes: helps reduce early morning/late night puffiness and balance the skin’s moisture levels. Provides long-lasting moisture."

PROS:
- The tub is tiny enough to take with you in your purse, or store in your makeup bag.
- Moisturized my eyes a LITTLE bit with continuous use
- Has a good amount of product to last you awhile
- No funky smell

CONS:
- Expensive for an eye cream, $30 and it's not the best eye cream out there...
- Didn't moisturize my eyes as much as I wanted it to, even with continuous use (I used it everyday both morning and night for reference), yet they say it provides "long-lasting moisture".
- No SPF protection

Overall? It's an okay eye cream, but I know it's not the best out there, it's mediocre; and totally not worth $30. So my final verdict: keep looking if you are looking for the best undereye eye cream, I know I am!

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Blogger Awards!

I was tagged by so many lovely ladies for various blog awards so I am rolling em into one! Thanks for the tag! Miss Yaya, Sofee, Faith-Abigail, Ria, and XinaRox.

GUIDELINES: List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award onto 7 bloggers you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won!


7 THINGS THAT I LOVE
1. Capri-Suns: Something about a drink in a bag is just absolutely amazing and genius! It also makes me feel like I am in 5th grade all over again, my favorite flavor is "Pacific Cooler". I always have one in my purse!
2. My Bed: It's the most comforting thing in the world to me, and I love nothing more than sleeping in my own bed with my down comforter and fluffy pillows and forget about the day's troubles...
3. Photography & Art: I got the love for photography from my dad. He has taught me so much growing up and sharing this love of photograph with him makes it all the more special to me. I love how the camera can see things we can't see, can freeze time- and memories. I love expressing myself through the lens or a canvas. I love painting and drawing, and even sculpting.
4. Taco Bell: Need I say more?? Taco bell is my FAVORITE place for cheap eats and they have my favorite soda (which is Pepsi) so it's all around good!
5. Candy & Sweets: I love sweets! Cotton candy, jellybeans lollipops, you name it and I love it. (Except black licorice, that's just nasty)
6. Laughing and having a good time with my friends: Life is too short to not have fun, and I love having a great time hanging out with friends just talking and laughing about random things, even if they don't make sense. It also takes my mind off of things that bother me.
7. CCO & MAC Pro Store- Yes these may not be "things", but heck I love 'em. It's like my playground and I can play in there all day long.

10 HONEST THINGS ABOUT ME
1. Some people think I am a bitch, but i'd like to think I am a good person, a nice person that gives everyone a chance or two. I don't listen to rumors about people unless I see it for myself. I think people who say I am a bitch just chose the wrong card and pushed the wrong button. :)
2. I want to be a mom. And I want to be the BEST mom that I can be. I want to be a mom more than I want to be a wife.
3. I was in the medical program in my college for 2 years, then completely turned around and majored in Business & Marketing.
4. I am not as strong as people think I am. There are times I break down and cry.
5. I am still a child inside, and I hold onto that with everything that I am, because my childhood were the best times of my life.
6. I love making people laugh. To see people smile and forget their worries for a split second is amazing and makes me feel good, maybe that's why I was "Class Clown" in HS...
7. I am not full Asian or Filipino, and I hate when people say "Oh but you look ________ "(assumed ethnicity here) or they see my sisters and think we have different dads LOL. Just because one LOOKS like they are 100% of an ethnic background, doesn't mean they are, so stop assuming!
8. I am smarter than a lot of people think, sometimes I feel like I have to downplay my intelligence so I don't hurt someone's feelings.
9. I wanted to be a coroner for the longest time.
10. When I was little, I told my mom I wanted to put a vacuum in the ocean and suck all the water out just so that I could see what was in the ocean.

I am tagging all my other blogging friends out there! Too many to mention, so whoever wants to do it, you've been tagged!

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FREE SHIPPING- Face Front Cosmetics

***FREE SHIPPING DETAILS HAVE CHANGED FOR PURELY COSMETICS***: Since some people were ordering $5 items, postage alone costs $3, therefore the FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING OFFER APPLIES ONLY TO MINIMUM ORDERS OF $15, please understand that this covers the costs for store owners to package your items and ship them out, as well as materials. The promo still applies until the end of this month, use promo code: "nessa" (case sensitive, no caps).

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING!!! On www.facefrontcosmetics.com.
Limited time only. Offer valid, March 20 thru March 22, 2009 at 11:59pm EST.

Use PROMO CODE: BEAUTYTREAT.

This offer is good on standard economy shipping, domestically or internationally and, as always, you are covered by our 20-day money back guarantee on any FaceFront product!

Stock up on your favorites, or discover new ones. We deliver anywhere from California to Croatia... you tell us where it's going, we'll get it there, completely FREE. Absolutely no order minimum!

Check out swatches from xsparkage: www.xsparkage.com.

Picture courtesy of xsparkage:

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Makeup Show LA Recap (Pic Heavy)

Yay! Finally my pictures from last weekend's makeup show! In case you missed it, read the blogger preview post.





The objective of the Makeup Show LA of course was the Blogger Forum which was amazing because I saw a lot of familiar faces in the crowd (other gorgeous beauty bloggers!), and it was fun to talk to the audience about blogging in general.

I met so many familiar faces and like I said before, it was a great experience to finally meet my "virtual friends" who have become like sisters to me. On the blogger forum: Elke, Robyn from Purely Cosmetics, and Felicia from Thisthatbeauty.com.

Of course in addition to the wonderful gals I met at the Blogger Preview, I also saw Anne of Yummiebitez.com, reader Ingrid, the flawless Seymone, and Audrey from Fabuless Beauty; as well as many other fabulous ladies! We also saw Ongina from RuPaul's Dragrace!

Anyway, I will let the pictures speak for themselves and discuss each company as I go along(some pics are clickable to enlarge)...here are a couple videos of celebrity MUA James Vincent at the Crown Brush booth telling us what his favorite brushes are!





First, let's start of with getting READY for the show, stylist Tatiana came over and did our hair (Erica and myself), she is AWESOME with cut, color, and updo's and is in the LA area, so if you are interested in her services, let me know!







The OUTFIT!


At breakfast:




I loved the view!




Chaos at the Crown Brush booth (clickable):




Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics:




Model in a Bottle! (makeup setting spray, CLICK HERE for my review)


Powderpuff Beauty is an awesome company that allows you to create your own custom palette, you choose the colors and ta-da! Here are the lovely owners:


Eve Pearl's Cosmetic Line:


At Eve Pearl's Seminar at the show, she covered false eyelash application techniques, how-to's, etc. I highly recommend that you visit her Makeup Experience Studio & Boutique if you are ever in New York! She knows her stuff!







Her seminar was packed with bodies!








This is ALL body paint and glitter!




Freaky huh!?


Shoes are cute...but not with that thing!


A model getting an airbrushed tattoo:




The Smashbox booth:




Make Up For Ever Booth:




This ENTIRE bag costs over $300!










Me and some of the beauty blogger babes!

Me and Audrey (Fabuless Beauty)


Group shot (from Audrey), I am always the odd one... :(


Me and Anne (Yummiebitez)


Me and Robyn (Purely Cosmetics)




Me and the stunning Ingrid


The beautiful (and tall!) Brenda from Cover FX:




Robyn goofing off with her "tiny" eyeliner brush before the forum:


So what did I haul? Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Kit for only $20! Comes with the cleaner jar, brush wipes, brush cleaner spray, and a huge bottle of brush cleaner, (yes once I use these items I WILL do a review!), Makeup Forever Concealer Palette #1 (since it was a nice 40% off at the show!), and some Crown Brushes of course! See I was good!





Parian Spirit Demo:




I don't know the exact style number of these brushes, but I am sure you can tell what kind of brushes they are... :) (Click to enlarge)

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