A few days ago, I went to the Miramor Outlets in Estero, FL. I was real excited because there’s a makeup store there called Cosmetic Company. They don’t hold a lot of brands, but they hold some good stuff. =) Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Clinique, M.A.C, Prescriptives, and some other brands I didn’t care to look through. I don’t ever remember a makeup outlet store in MI. I’ve been to this store in August 09 when I was just vacationing in Naples (before I decided to move here). Then…I got 5 M.A.C brushes (209,  252, 212, 275, 217) with a bag for like 30 something bucks. That’s a steal!

This time…got two more crazy steals. =P I love this makeup outlet store because you can get bags with stuff in them. There’s a lot of stuff you can buy individually, but I’m all about palettes, gift bags, etc.

Two bags with goodies. The bags themselves are like $22-up. I got each of them with the stuff inside for $30 (small) & $35 (bigger one)! ^^ I love makeup, but I love it even more when I get great brands on sale.

The small bag is so cute. Pretty much fits in my hand. The slightly bigger one has a side pocket inside.

These came in the small bag. 209 Eye Liner Brush ($17.50). Fluidline (gel liner) in Rich Ground (15). Pigment powder in Melon ($19.50, reminds me of an orange-ier version of Orgasm from NARS) and Zoom Lash Mascara ($13)

These came with the bigger bag.
Listed from left to right:
209 Eye liner brush, $17.50 (I have three of these now cause whenever I buy brushes, I usually buy a set ’cause it’s cheaper that way)
219 Pen Brush, $23
252 Large Shader brush $29
168 Large Angled Contour brush $32
187 Duo Fibre (stippling) brush $42

I’m so happy with the deal I got. I pretty much paid for the bag and got the stuff inside for free. ^^

I also got my favorite moisturizer, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel because I was running low. The smaller size is like 12 bucks at Sephora. Here it was like $0.25 off. Not much.

Of course, had to play with my new goodies right away.

I don’t really wear liquid foundations because I don’t need that much coverage. I also have very oily skin in my t-zone area, so I like to stick to mineral/powder foundations. The only liquid foundation I have is just a drugstore brand, Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Makeup (I need a darker shade, I didn’t blend so well on my forehead lol). I use to just put it on with my fingers, dotting with my fingers and wiping downwards & across. I like it; it’s a very light formula, which is what I like. But now, I like it even more when it’s put on with my stippling brush. Stippling brushes allows you to blend easily using less product with liquid and/or powder foundation.
I just pour some foundation on the back of my hand, dip the brush into it flat on, dot it over my face (, and blend in circular & downward motions.
I want to try other liquid foundations now. I love this brush. ^^

The contour brush was really nice as well. Makes contouring cheekbones super easy.

With the pen brush, I used for under-the-eye-shadowing and for future eyeliner smudging. It’s a nice brush, but I don’t think its a must-have. I have other little shader brushes that can do the same.

The Zoom Lash mascara is good, but like most mascaras, doesn’t hold a curl for me. I wonder if it’s just waterproof mascaras are the only ones that can hold my lashes? I curl my lashes with Shu Uemura lash curler. I think it’s the best! I can curl them with it and it will stay curled without any mascara. But I want to add more thickness and length. I’ve tried soo many kinds of mascaras, semi-expensive and drugstore. Only Maybelline Pulse Perfection & Cover Girl Lash Blast, both in waterproof, will keep my lashes put. Other than that, Zoom lash was nice. Its buildable without clumps for me.
I like using waterproof mascaras anyways because my eyes water all the time.

*sigh…makeup. I can never get tired of it. And I can never have too much of it. =P

Sorry I haven’t updated. I know it’s not even been a full week since my last update, but it felt like a long time since I’ve posted.
Been busy this week. My little yorkie got spayed last weekend. I’ve been busy watching over her, making sure she doesn’t do any hyper activities that would cause her little tummy to stretch and to keep her from licking her sutures. She kept licking her belly so she had to wear a cone. =/

She looks so cute, yet I feel bad making her wear it. Especially since she’s so little. Her last weigh in was 3lbs.
Her name is Kiwi, btw. ^^ 18 weeks old.
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So I was browsing around Youtube and found three little girls who made a channel for makeup tutorials. You’ve got to be kidding me? Haha. If they were doing it to be cute, then it’s cute. They weren’t being cute. They were making the videos with seriousness. They’re only 13 year olds.
Click THIS. Maybe you’ll learn something. Really? No…REALLY?
I don’t mean to be rude, but come on…these girls DO NOT NEED MAKEUP! They’re using high-end stuff for a young girl too. Nars, MAC, and Laura Mercier. Wow…and the girl wears more makeup than me! Yeah, I understand girls want to cover up teenage acne, but putting makeup on makes it worse, honey. This girl’s face is healthy looking to me.
I’m not against young teens wearing makeup. I’m just not For young teens wearing so much. I think young girls should only be allowed to wear eye makeup and lipcolor. They don’t need foundations, brow makeup, highlighters, primers, and blushes. Concealer is acceptable if they have major acne, but get the medicated kind.
Good thing about these girls…they’re become great makeup artists one day…?
Really though…less is more. I think teenage girls should only be allowed to wear (at max) one color shadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lipGLOSS. When they are in high school, they can up it a notch by adding another shade of shadow.
The video kind of disturbed me…can’t you tell?
^^

Speaking of makeup videos. I think I’m done with making makeup tutorials. Why? Because everyone is doing it! Hence, the video link above. Besides…what video could I do that isn’t already out there? There so are many tutorials on smokey eyes, cat/winged eyes, holiday makeup, pin-up look, natural look, celebrity inspired makeup, etc.
I did my share. I think I’m done, unless someone requests for something, or if I do come across a look that I absolutely have to do. I’m also too lazy to edit videos. I’m not really motivated to spruce up my videos with effects and ish. I don’t really want to talk in my videos either.
I enjoy watching others more than making them. =)

My favorites I’m always watching [mentioned before, but an update on how I feel about them]:
I LOVE Sam & Nic from their channel Pixiwoo. Successful MUAs that instruct very well. They give great advice from beginners to experienced. I’ve mentioned them before. I think Sam is absolutely gorgeous…well, both of them are. Both from the UK. I love English accents.

The No. 1 makeup guru on Youtube now is Michelle Phan aka Ricebunny. Her videos are great. She’s now the official, first ever, video MUA for Lancome. Her video editing is pretty cool and her looks are fun, classy, and sexy. And her music & voice-overs are inviting. We have art, makeup, food, and video games in common. Oh yeah, she’s Vietnamese too. I like seeing Asians get recognized for their talents/success. It’s cool seeing her go from an average blogger on Xanga to a MUA at Fashion Week. She also has her own skincare and soon to come makeup line: IQQU Beauty

I love Kandee Johnson for her heart. I love her personality. She’s always bubbly and uplifting towards people. I love her dress up looks for Halloween. I thought they were pretty awesome. Edward Scissor Hands, Mad-Hatter, Poison Ivy, Snow White, Queen of Hearts, etc. She’s one of the very few MUA that really shares herself to ya.

Lauren Luke aka Panacea81, is one of the first makeup gurus I started watching on Youtube. She’s the No. 1 Makeup Guru from the UK. She has loads of videos on all kinds of looks. I enjoy her videos because they’re not edited. You get to see more of her. What you see is what you get. (Pixiwoo doesn’t really edit they’re videos either.) She’s genuine, honest, open, quirky, and a bit bubbly. Because of the success of her Youtube channel, she has a makeup line sold online & at Sephora called By Lauren Luke.

A friend told me about Awilda Fashionista aka The Makeup Republic. Her videos are clean. The music, the picture, the skills, and the looks are great. She doesn’t really talk in her videos (I didn’t), but she doesn’t need to. The clarity of her videos says it all. You don’t get to see her personality, but she’s great to watch.

So those are pretty much the channels I watch the most. I find there’s no need for me to make a video if there are already frickin’ great ones out there. I’ll make video playlist of my favorites soon. ^^
I will still share my looks to ya. Just pictures and products used. Did a few yesterday. I’ll post some pictures later.
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Y a w n .

Click» Get The Look

I always check Sephora’s “Get The Look” section for current makeup trends. Most of them I wouldn’t wear out in public, but it’s fun to try it at home.

On the left of the site are really great links to videos, making of the eyes, skincare solutions, etc. I swear, I spend hours on this site.

i heart cosmetics.

I heard my teacher say, “The average woman uses from 17-35 different products, daily.”
Really? Let’s see…

01. Aquafresh Iso-Active Toothpaste
02. Scope Outlast Mouthwash
03. Olay Body Wash plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons
04. Head and Shoulders Ocean Life Shampoo
05. Head and Shoulders Ocean Life Conditioner
06. Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub
07. DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel
08. Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream Pen
09. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
10. Amazing Cosmetics Concealer
11. bareMinerals Foundation
12. Champange-y color eyeshadow from my Too Faced Glamour To Go 2 Palette
13. Contouring eyeshadow (usually a brown or a sheer plum)
14. Jemma Kid stain, flush, blush concentrate
15. Rimmel London 100 Kisses lip liner
16. Mitchum Smart Solid Anti-Perspiration & Deodorant
17. CoverGirl Lash Blast
18. Blistex Deep Renewal Anti-Aging Treatment Lip Protectant/ Sunscreen
19. Big Sexy Hair Humidity Resistant Volumizing Spray Mousse
20. Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
21. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solution Cleansing Bar
22. Pangea Organics Eye Cream
23. Oral-B Essential floss

Damn…that adds up. Lol. I do use about 23 products on average. The number is higher when I do my nails and/or makeup for going out.
How many products do you use on average?

SkinCare:

Along with makeup, I love skincare. Makeup can hide blemishes, but not always. Most of the time it enhances blemishes. It’s really important to take care of your skin. You’ll be amazed how much your skin will improve if you just wash it every morning and night. Or even just every night.
I use affordable and pricey products. If you have acne, you shouldn’t just choose the strongest product out there and use it everyday. You could cause even more damage to your skin. I have acne on my entire nose (covered in black/whiteheads), but for me, mild soaps, acne treatments, and once-in-a-while extractions work best for me.

Favorite Products for my skincare routine:

Cleansers safe for everyday uses: (I don’t use all of these in one day..fyi)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (an everyday use)
Clinique Anti-Blemish Cleansing Bar (favorite)
DDF: Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula Blemishing Foaming Cleanser
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads (I love this product. Great for you lazy peeps, like me. There’s a daytime version too)

Daily products I use after cleansing:
DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (favorite, I use this everyday and night after I cleanse on my t-zone area. I also use it for pimples/zits that I feel are coming. They go away the next day or two)
Pangea Organics Turkish Rose & White Tea Eye Cream. (a rich cream. I use this every night before I go to bed)
Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream Pen (I use this every morning)
Clinique All About Eyes eye cream

Moisturizers: I only apply moisturizer to my cheeks, around my lips, chin, jawline, and neck…even if the moisturizer is oil-free. My t-zone area is oily. So I avoid putting it on my forehead, temples, and down my nose.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (favorite)
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (wintertime)

Products I use like once or twice a week: these are stronger products. Scrubs can be harsh. If you use it too much, you can cause scarring or make acne worse.
Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub (an every other day wash)
St. Ives Apricot Scrub (my favorite scrub, only like 4 bucks!)
Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (mask part)

Once every three-four weeks:
Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips (I love these. I like to use two of them when using these. One as normal, and one I cut out a few pieces to fit the underside of my nose and in between the brows.)

Most of the time the pore strips don’t satisfy me. They extract alot, but not enough. Not the ones that are deep underneath.
So the after I rip the strip off, I’ll splash warm water on my nose a couple more times to keep pores open. Then I would gently squeeze my whiteheads out with my middle knuckles (knuckles below the knuckles closest to your fingernails). I don’t use my fingers because I could scar my nose with my nails (which I already have years ago, you can see it on previous blog post). I also squeeze my whiteheads once I get out of the shower. When you get extractions from a facial specialist, they steam your face to open pore and squeeze ‘em clean with tissue wrapped around their fingertips (I got one before & my friend/ex-boss is an esthetician). After I extract the nose, I apply my DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, and then I feel pretty again. Lol.

I’m obsessive over the pores on my nose. I can sit in front of a 10x magnifying mirror with rounded-end tweezer for hours…carefully extracting (the best tweezers, rounded-end tweezers by Revlon). I’m so anal about cleaning/extracting because I want my makeup application to be smooth. It’s yucking when I can see a ton of whiteheads after I put on foundation/powder. Not attractive! Even though I’m obsessive, I only do this once a month.

So yeah….that’s how I obsess and take care of my skin.
Note: don’t follow what I do. Everyone’s skin is different.
I got all my stuff from drugstores and Sephora.
^^