click to enlarge

So I went today at Nordstrom to check out the opening of Wonder Woman from MAC. I got there by 10:30ish and I thought I would expect crowd, but not yet! Nordstrom opens at 10am so I thought I can't take any pictures or even swatch at all. I am so lucky!  though I just drive 12 to 15 minutes away from my house to reach the mall. First thing I noticed is the gigantic packaging of the MSF, my gawddd this is the biggest compact I've ever seen so far in makeup products, almost the size of my palm! I really reacted and laugh and the SA was laughing with me LOL.

 

click to enlarge

Anyway I was playing it with my hand and couldn't stop smiling. I was thinking of getting it but heck its $35 pffttttttt leave it LOL. I can find dupe out there (rolling my eyes). 

 

click to enlarge

And the makeup bag for $30 a piece its not worth it.

 

 click to enlarge

So as a frugal shopper I just grab the Lip glass in EMANCIPATION and the BLUSH DUO in MIGHTY APHRODITE.

The only babies I got. (sigh).... my wallet is already empty LOL, but wait I want the MARQUISE lippie, its really pretty! thinking if I'm going back to get it.

Look how big is the Lipglass? geezzzz  the wand I mean, it's like you can use it to poke your biatch friend LOL.......

That's all for now, my swatches will be in a few, as I still need to do my house work.

 

FROM MAC SITE:

A short, round, flat-topped brush ideal for the smooth, easy application of foundations, creams, emulsions, and select powder products. Features a blend of natural bristles and synthetic fibres.

16cm in length

In search for my HG foundation I want to make sure I am doing it right, tools and saving money wise, saving because small brush means small amount of foundation to use I believe. So I decided to give this a try instead of the 187 though its just a couple bucks difference in price. Late last year I broke out since I started drinking coffee in which I thought is the reason. Zits on my forehead which I hate to see because I'm not use to it. The worst thing is it heals so freaking slow that the scar is visible until now, some are fading but I couldn't wait til its gone.  

 

I use this for my liquid foundation samples that I have and works well. Its just small compared to the 187. The main reason I chose this instead is I want to focus more on my problem areas in which I am happy about. 

It just need a little patience in application, smaller means more stroke and  buffing to do. But I don't mind doing it cause it gives an even coverage on my problem areas.

 

I would definitely buy the 187 as soon as my scars is gone. I am working on it though, I am religiously putting  oil, moisturizing and mask every day on rotation to help fade the scars. I think this brushes are good investment, knowing that all of my things last a long time under my care is a plus to me. In fact until now I'm still using my eco tool brush, going 3 years now and I still have it. I think cleaning and taking care of things helps you save money. 

 

I washed it several times already and so far no shedding at all. It has a little bit smell when it was new but nothing that a baby shampoo can do the job. Over all I love this brush, I cleaned it every two times of using it.

How about you what's your first MAC brush and the store behind?

 My first MAC Blush actually, I was impressed on how Elf Peachy keen looks on my cheeks so I was swatching at the MAC counter 3 weeks ago and I just felt that I wanna try this, yeah impulse buyer sometimes :D.

 

Weight: 6g/.21 US oz

NO FLASH

Photo above is just under a normal light, no flash on the camera. I can describe as a pinky peach color with gold undertone in it. 

WITH FLASH

It's pretty color, and I'm glad I didn't regret buying it, otherwise I always return what I buy if I'm not happy with it. Its wearable anytime of the day with my skin tone. It's buildable, make it lighter or bold depends on your preference.....

SWATCH WITH FLASH

 

WITH FLASH

For reference I am comparing it with my drugstore favorite blush by Elf in Peachy Keen. Springsheen is more pigmented, with just few stroke you can achieve the pinky peach golden tone that I love. 

 

 WITHOUT FLASH

I think this is one of my staple blush from now on, last for 8 hours to me, with primer on of course.

 

Finally I taught my self to get an expensive brand of makeup(well in my case) in my hands. Whenever I go to JC Penny I usually go to Sephora and swatch makeups, and this is the one that I wanna purchase first when I lost my self (LOL) from BENEFIT COSMETICS. Two weeks ago I guess I got this and I'm happy about it. In my case I have NC40 skin tone for reference, it gives a glow to my cheeks or even the entire face, I like when I just apply powder on my face and followed with this, its perfect! I am saving the rest for summer because its really nice glow when you're out. And what I like about it is the SCENT,smells gorgeous!

 

It came with a brush which is real soft but until now I didn't use it. I am thinking it might pick up more product than what I needed so I just keep it aside(winks). The packaging is really classy but it doesn't have mirror except for BELLA BAMBA in this line. I'm not looking forward for BELLA BAMBA, it is too dark on my cheeks, I don't wanna look like a clown, well by applying it on my cheeks for several times in Sephora. I might give it a try again.

The good thing about the ingredients of this is there is NO PARABEN. Its a plus in my case. No wonder its a little spendy.

 

 with out FLASH

This is a close up shot without flash, its corally.

 

 with FLASH

This product weights 12.0 g/.42oz    

Let's do the math, $28/12grams is $2.33 you spend in every grams of the product! You think its worth it? 

I think it is worth it, probably a gram you can use it two times or even more depends on the way how you apply it and it gives you the glow all day. By knowing how much I spend now I don't feel guilty, Oh frugality LOL....

with out FLASH

The swatch above, really pretty color with a glowy finish

 

with FLASH

I think I will repurchase this if not get another product from them, I am eyeing on DANDELION......

What's on your wish list in Benefit Cosmetics?

 

I got the recently lunched CARRIED AWAY Collection, fragrance mist, body lotion and shower gel. I love the smell that I can get the whole set of this collection. Usually I just grab one in a new collection. Depends in our preference though, but I easily get tired of scent of any kind, this is the reason why I stop buying EDT or EDP of a brand. I just end up giving it away.This is kind floral scent with jojoba and shea butter in it. Its a whimsical blend of lush raspberries, white jasmine and whipped vanilla.

The Fragrance Mist

 

Shower Gel

Body Lotion

 

I just like the Bali Mango for a Lotion and I like the scent of the fruity FOREVER SUNSHINE 

BALI MANGO LOTION

FOREVER SUNSHINE FRAGRANCE MIST

What did you recently buy in Bath and Body Works?

Ingredients:
Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide

Weight: .5 FL oz (15 ml)

PRICE: $15 at any drugstore 

PRODUCT DETAILS: 

 Get the  perfect skin  texture, instantly and all day.

• Smoothes lines
• Hides pores
• Banishes imperfections

The silky, lightweight formula glides onto skin, leaving it velvety-smooth to the touch.

The result - a unified matte finish that's flawless.

• suitable for all skin types
• dermatologist tested
• non- comedogenic

MADE IN USA

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative of your smashbox this is it. I bought this actually to replace my smashbox primer. This is creamy and its packaging is better, meaning its in a bottle jar. If you have a perfect skin, you can just wear it alone and your good to go. For me that I need coverage this is just a primer. Stays long all day and smoothes your face out.

The downside, it doesn't hide my pores, or any scar or blemishes, its just a simple primer to help your foundation stays put and glides and apply easily. Nothing extra ordinary to hype about this product. I don't know in the case of oily skin people as I have normal to dry skin.

It is creamy, super soft, a little bit goes a long way. This is my drugstore primer all the way.....what's your drugstore primer? care to share?

 

I bought this last year but I keep using it instead of sharing it. I use to adore Physician's Formula eye shadows because they are pigmented and last long just like high end products but didn't know I'll get hook with this brand when the hype started last year. I bought a few the first time but keep coming back in the drug store to grab some more soon as its on sale. 

This eyeshadow consist of blue's and green shades and it comes with a silver eyeliner pencil. As the other palettes they are uber pigmented...I have a normal to dry skin and my eyeshadow stays put with just a good primer. 

 

This is a close up view, shimmery, pigmented, just a little bit dab of brush goes a long way. 

The swatch of the greens on the left side of the palette, isn't it pretty?

 

This is the swatch of the right side of the palette, the blue's.  Sorry this is the best shot I can take, didn't emphasize the light bluish on the middle, looks like silver, but in person its light bluish shade. I usually blog at night after work so lighting isn't great.  By the way this retails $5 in the local drug store with 6 beautiful shades and 1 silver eyeliner pen. Of course I won't buy this with regular prize so I got it on BOGO half off!

I'm so in love with this nail polish! what else can I say.....its my favorite now! Good for holidays I guess but  I don't care....I keep staring my nails at work, been wearing this for a week now haha.....

 

click to enlarge

I quit my foundation routine last year of summer because my skin is behaving really well. All I need to do is a touch up of powder foundation which is Palladio and Maybelline Dream matte powder. In short I don't need to hide blemishes at all. Started Fall last year I've been into drinking coffee which is organic of course but still I break out before my monthly period on my forehead  a zit or two which left a scar horribly and I'm not use of it. At night though I use Revlon Photoready foundation and my MAC studio fix fluid which I'm happy about. I felt that I'm not satisfied anymore and I feel ugly with those scars. So for the last 2 or 3 weeks I've been testing these liquid foundation everyday.

MUFE

ESTEE LAUDER

SHISHEIDO

LANCOME TEINT IDOLE

CHANEL VITALUMIERE

MUFE - light to medium coverage, I like it, long lasting, didn't cover my zit scar though, easy to blend

ESTEE LAUDER - gets dry easily but glides smoothly, light coverage, accentuate my dark under eye

SHISHEIDO- I got the darkest shade I thought it didn't much my skin tone but it blend well after 10 minutes. so so to me, smooth and glides easily, didn't cover my blemishes

LANCOME TEINT IDOLE- I think I keep wearing this, I like the coverage, glowy finish, last long to me. I got the shade of Bisque 4W and 6W and blends well on my skin tone. Plus it covers my dark under eye which I didn't notice on the other samples I have

CHANEL VITALUMIERE-  light to medium coverage, glowy finish, so so to me

Now, I won't stop searching until I will find what I'm looking for. I want to try the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk but Nordstrom in my place doesn't carry it, on my day off if I find time I need to drive an hour to go to the other Nordstrom store......

FOR REFERENCE MY MAC SHADE IS 37 TO 40, NORMAL TO DRY, WARM UNDERTONE.

Wish people have the same skin makes life easier and not to go search out in the planet to find a piece of needle...........I will update which foundation I will buy in regular size. I know for sure that I need different foundation in the summer and during the cold weather......