September 29, 2013

Over the weekend. . .

Hi everyone!

Just want to do a quick post about my weekend. It's beauty related and I need some feedback from you all. So if you have been following me on Instagram. . . .
"Hi my name is Jackie and I am an Instagram addict!" 
. . . no worries if you're not on the Instagram bandwagon (yet!),  but I was posting about this free event going on in the city called The Taste of France. They had different booths on French foods (macarons!) and wine, tourism and cultural sections, a section for children, French chef demos and the tent I went to, beauty! Clarins, Mane Perfume (a French perfumerie) and L'oreal Paris booths. The biggest tent was from L'oreal Paris, and every hour they were featuring different beauty products like Kiehl's, Clarisonic, Redken, Kerastase and so many more. 
At the time we were there I signed-up for the free 1-minute eye serum treatment using the Clarisonic Opal + Anti-Aging Serum.

According to Clarisonic's website. . .
"A palm-sized sonic infusion device, the Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infuser is specially designed to help build skin's resilience over time. By gently tapping the skin around your eye at 200+ sonic movements per second, the Opal Sonic Infuser maximizes absorption in a way that's not possible with your finger alone."


Before she started my eye treatment she talked about their more famous cleansing device, Aria. I told her I don't own one but I am very interested in buying one so she went ahead and talked about to convince me more. Plus I want to see her quick demo on it anyways hehehe. I have never really held one of the Clarisonic facial cleansers before so I was able to quickly ask her about it and feel it's "power" as well. She even personally use one at home and her skin looks great!



Before my time was up we went back to the Opal with their Anti Aging Serum and did 30 seconds on each under eye area. And I love how the Opal felt so gentle as it vibrates under my eye and the cooling sensation from the serum was just relaxing! I just had to close my eyes and enjoy that quick treatment!
I can imagine after that how their Facial Cleansers must feel as you move it around your face!

Ryan using the Clarisonic Opal under my eye
These photos were taken by hubby with his iPhone hehehe!

The Clarisonic Opal is strictly for the eye area only and it costs $185 for the machine + the serum. Yes it has a higher price tag than the Aria or the Mia and Mia 2. Any product for the eye area: serums, oils or creams are more expensive than any other beauty products, I've noticed! So I'm not surprised this one is around that price. I really liked how it felt when she was doing it, but I can manage with my own ring fingers and just patting my oils around my under eyes for now. 



Going back to Clarisonic Facial Cleaners: Aria, Mia & Mia2. I have been reading reviews, articles, YouTube reviews and blog posts on it, and I am still not completely sold to it. I have such super sensitive skin that a weekend of fried foods or full of sweets breaks me out! I also get the hormonal break outs every month! I have asked my dermatologist what she thinks of it too and she recommends it as well! A friend of mine has one and loves it. So why am I still so hesitant on purchasing one? I think I need to hear more personal experiences before I completely invest on one. If this machine will keep me acne free for the rest of my life  (and yes that is some high expectancy, but I am sick of my break outs!),  I will buy one! But if it's just another machine that will not help my bad genes to stop producing acne then I'll stop debating on this and move on, I guess.

And this is where you pitch in! If you own one, which one do you have or do you suggest to get? How has this changed your skincare routine? If you have a skin as sensitive as mine, does it really work? Is it true when they talk about the "purging phase", where you break out for a week or two, does your skin completely clears after that?

I truly appreciate for taking your time in reading this and leaving a comment below! Any feedback is welcome and if it's something personal you'd rather not post as a comment, just email me at: FiveTwoCertified@gmail.com =)

Hope you're all enjoying the rest of your weekend!



September 27, 2013

PopSugar Must Have SEPTEMBER Box


So the PopSugar Must Have Box is another monthly box that features full size products from PopSugar's must have picks for home, fitness, food, beauty and fashion. 
This box is $35/month (+tax) with free shipping. Pricier than other monthly boxes out there but the products you do get are great quality products that are worth more than the $35 you pay. I have only been subscribed with them for three months now and I like it so far. There are items in the boxes that make me think, "Oh yeah I can use that!" OR "Why didn't I think of that before?!?"
If you are interested in signing up, please use my referral link:
 and also the code Refer5 to get $5 off your first box!


Now let's look at Popsugar Must Have SEPTEMBER Box!!!



Must Have Home
Barr-Co. Original Scent Reed Diffuser
"This scent is a blend of milk, oatmeal and vetiver."

I had to look up what vetiver is and according to About.com: "Vetiver is described as smelling warm and dry, and conveying earthy, woody, leather, balsamic and smoky notes."
I have never heard of this brand either but I do like diffusers. This has a very nice "home-y", cozy smell to it. This is definitely a smell I would like to come home to and just curl up on the couch with a nice hot tea and The Real Housewives on TV hehehe! I do know who will love this more, so I will be adding this to her House Warming Gift! 








Must Have Home
Rifle Paper Co. Coaster Set



Never heard of this brand again but I love this coaster set! It is super girly and it looks so pretty! I have one on my desk and by my make-up table, when I bring my glass of water or cup of coffee when I go do my makeup. Since these are too pretty to just have it kept in the box, I have them up on my fridge using the magnetic chip clips to hold them. Hubby doesn't mind since it is MY kitchen hehehe!

Must Have Beauty
Kitsch Headbands
"These Kitsch headbands will be kind to your hair and look cute, too. Try out fun new hairstyle, or use them to keep your locks out of your face during your next workout class."

 I haven't opened this one yet since I have other headbands I am using now. This girl can never have enough headbands or hair ties though especially when they look cute on my wrist! And I do hate when my hair gets on my face so this will definitely be in used soon.



If you're interested in purchasing some kitsch products visit their website: http://www.mykitsch.com
and enter the code: POPSUGAR20 to save 20% on your order. This expires in 11/30/13.


Must Have Fashion
Shoptiques $25 Gift card
"Shoptiques is a marketplace where you can shop amazing boutiques from all around the world in one place."
I have checked the website and browsed around after I saw this gift card and there are a lot of stuff there I want! From dresses to cute tops to shoes to handbags to accessories! Price is on the high end so I am looking for a piece I will be happy to see in my closet and is versatile to wear, and it looks like one-of-a-kind item.





Must Have Fitness & Food
Fitness: Sharkies
Food: That's It. Bar


Sharkies are these electrolyte chews shaped in little sharks that will give you energy when you need it! I opened this the other day since I just finished working out and oh man these were super sticky! It is in gummy form but as I bite down it just sticks to my teeth which I hate. I did feel re-energized that I didn't need to snack on almonds before dinner!
That's It. Bar is basically a bar of two fruits and that is basically it! No other ingredients in it all! "That's it!" This bar is an Apple+Mango bar and hubby grabbed it as soon as he saw it in our fruit bowl. He loves it and it is a great snack to have.

Must Have Fashion
P.S.- You're Invited by Erica Domesek
"Erica Domesek is the DIY expert behind the popular website P.S I Made This, and this time she's sharing more than 40 beautiful easy-to-make DIY projects for many occasions."
I love this book! I was super excited to see this in the box. From pasts boxes, they have always included an awesome book and I am super happy to get this! I love to DIY especially when it only takes some modpodge glue, glitter and a boring phone case to turn it into a blingin' phone case! I have that post right HERE! And check my "ftc DIY" tab above to see a few more!







I like this box! I am really not sure what else to say but I feel like all the items I get in the box is totally worth the $35. They ship through USPS so I haven't had any shipping problems with them. The box has been arriving on time, around the second week of the month. Unfortunately, they do not do any sneak peeks so you are going to be totally surprised on what's in your Must Have Box! This surprise I like!

Hope you all have a great weekend! And Happy First Weekend of Fall!


September 25, 2013

Ipsy September 2013 Glambag


I know it's the end of September already but DHL doesn't seem to understand how important these bright bubbly pink envelopes need to get to their owners ASAP. This month was the longest time I had to wait for mine and that was such a torture! Not good Ipsy! Not good at all! I really hope this gets resolved soon.
I usually get mine the same day they have sent out tracking codes but ever since Ipsy have switched to DHL and decided to start mailing out bags around the 10th or later (I'm really not sure when but it feels even later than that!), the bags have been coming later and later! I am just glad my mailman knows that this need to get to me right away, hehehe! 

If you have not heard of Ipsy Glambags this is a monthly beauty bag subscription, co-founded by the famous YouTube Beauty Guru Michelle Phan. Ipsy is only $10/ month (+tax in CA, NY and NC states) that has 5 deluxe samples to full size beauty products. This can vary from high end brands such as Urban Decay, theBalm, Josie Maran, Smashbox, Butter London, Benefit to drugstore brands like NYX Cosmetics, Pixie, Pacifica, Pop Beauty to never have heard of brands like Mica Beauty, J. Cat, It's a Bombshell, Starlooks, and so on.

So if you are interested in signing up if you haven't yet, please click HERE. This is my personal referral link. And for every person that signs up with my link I will get Ipsy Points which can be claimed for another item that they have featured on their Ipsy Points site. Once you have signed up, you will get your own link that you can share with your friends and family too! 

The company has grown so much since I have joined. It will be my one year with them by next month and I am happy to say, I have liked most of the products I have received from them. My make-up collection has grown because of all the great products from them! I am yet to be disappointed in regards to the samples I have received. Shipping wise though, is a different story!

Now onto this month's glambag. . .
"Classic Beauty"
is this month's theme for their bag. Keeping our make-up this month simple yet classic, is what I am guessing the message here. That's what's I'm assuming from what I received in my bag.


Let's look at the bag for a moment, I do love the color and the print is ok. Ipsy has been stepping out of their comfort zone I noticed and has been making bags that have such bold patterns and bright colors lately! Keep it up Ipsy, I can't wait what bag we get (for free!) next month now!
We also got samples from Michelle Phan's new cosmetic line called Em Cosmetics. The 3-fold card comes with samples of 3 eye shadow colors and 1 blush from her Life Palette, Career Life Look 4.
I was hoping she would include one or two full size pans instead of this one-time-use-only sample "packet".

above the sample it says: "sample for evaluation of texture and aesthetic properties only" not sure what that means
Here are the swatches from the sample. All the samples have a nice velvety, creamy texture to it. Not very pigmented tho so I had to keep swiping to get to the shade below. There are no shade names listed with the sample just a picture of where these shadows can be found in her palette. Just from the quality of these shadows, I'd love to try out a small palette from her.
sampler from Career Life Look 4: Natural Talent



Now for the products I received in my Ipsy bag! First this, J. Cat Beauty Fantabulous Lipstick in the color Honeycrisp. Packaging wise it feels flimsy to me. I do love how the lipstick is encased in this clear plastic that is not covered by the cap so you can see the shade. 
This has a lighter color than my skin tone and would just probably look not so nude on me. So this will be going to my sister. 
This lipstick is Cruelty Free, Hypoallergenic and Lead Free!
Next is this Starlooks kohl eye liner in the color Obsidian. It's a regular black eye liner pencil. I wish it was a retractable one with built-in sharpener. This would look great with my next item for a night time look. . .



This NYX Single Eye Shadow in the color Cryptonite. It's this dark metallic silver shade which I haven't really opened since as you can see my case is broken! I'm scared the whole thing will just fall apart if I try to open it or do anything to it so right now it is sitting in my make-up bin. I have contacted Ipsy about it and they replied the next day that they will be sending me a replacement, yay! I love this color tho so I need to find this guy a new home or something so I can use it. Can I depot NYX eye shadows? Please let me know if you have any suggestions!


Another eye product they have included in my bag is this It's So Big voluminous mascara by Elizabeth Mott. I haven't opened this one either since I still am using the one from last month's bag and my other mascaras that I have open right now.

size comparison with the J.Cat Lipstick

Now lastly are these Freeman Paper Masks:
  • Facial Hydrating Paper Mask with Blue Agave
  • Facial Brightening Paper Mask with Rose
  • Facial Purifying Paper Mask with Starfruit
I am excited to use these. If you have seen my recent haul from The Face Shop (read it here). I just bought some facial masks since my face is going through the change of weather as well so it is needing some TLC. I have never tried anything from Freeman before so we will see if my skin will agree to it!




Here's the card with all the other products that they have featured for this month's bag with the discounts each brand has to offer. All discount codes are available on their Ipsy website (Ipsy.com) and just search for the brand. 
For the items I received, just click on the product names above and it will directly link you to the Ipsy site with the code.


All in all, this bag was a meh! I would have loved to have gotten the Jesse's Girl Liquid Eye Liner and /or the Chella higjlighter pencil instead of another mascara or kohl eye liner. After seeing my items for this month, I am really not sure how their IpsyMatch do match us with the items we get because I didn't have skin care or simple/natural look chosen on my quizzes and yet I still got a nude lipstick and the face masks. Still got a lot of tweaking to do here Ipsy. Definitely missed the bulls eye on mine this month.

I would have given you a Face of The Day using some items from this bag but I am just not feeling well and want to post this ASAP since the end of September is creeping in already! I will just have to do a separate post on that sometime soon =)



September 24, 2013

The Autumn Tag

Tagged by the gaw-geous Ashley of Ciao Bella
Ashley has great beauty blog posts and everyday is a different subject. Fashion Thursdays; Monday beauty reviews; Motivational Wednesdays; My favorite are her Face of The Day Fridays! So go check her out after you read this post on http://ciaobella0816.blogspot.com 

Ok now onto the tag before the season changes on me again! Is it just me or Summer just went by too quick? This year was such a mild Summer I think. Ok moving on. . .


Favorite Thing About Autumn
I love booties and leggings and just light sweaters.
Pumpkin Pies.
The leaves changing colors.

Favorite Drink
Don't kill me ladies but I have not tried a Pumpkin Spice Latte. With all this talking tho, I will definitely get one this season! I usually order a Chai Latte, sometimes with a shot of espresso.

Favorite Scent/ Candle
I use an oil warmer at home and my fave is this Ginger Candy scent from Bath&Body which seems to be not on their site anymore.

Best Lipstick
This season I will be rocking my Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Venom


Go-to Moisturizer
Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil
after I put on my Supergood SPF30 Serum

Favorite Go-to Color for the Eyes
usually neutrals from theBalm's Nude 'Tude but I want to try adding purple or gold and cranberry shades this season to my looks!

Favorite Music to listen to
Adele and Jay-Z is always on my playlist!

Favorite Outfit to Wear
leggings, jeggings with my oversize tops layered with light sweaters or a jean jacket

Autum Treat
Fresh Pumpkin Pie from Terhune Orchards in NJ

Favorite Place to Be
Coffee houses in the city.


OK now the ladies I'd like to tag are:

- Cynthia of Cdel Beauty
- Shalunya of Shalunya & Boyet
- Jamie of Only Average Mom

And if you are interested in doing this tag, feel free to do it and leave your blog link on the comments below so I can check it out!
Again thank you for Ashley on tagging me! 




September 23, 2013

Lash Bash Party c/o Ipsy & Benefit Cosmetics

If you have been following me on Instagram here: http://instagram.com/_j4ckie_
. . .You know by now what this post is about. Don't stop reading tho! I have a huge announcement at the end *wink wink* No joke!

What is this all about?
Last August, Ipsy and Benefit Cosmetics held a contest for Ipsters (Ipsy Glambag subscribers) to be one of the 1000 Glambassadors for Benefit Cosmetics to host your own Lash Bash Party at home which will be happening on Sept.21, Saturday (which was the past weekend!).
As one of the hostesses, you get to invite 9 of your girls to celebrate. Benefit Cosmetics will provide you the gift bags + sample products for your guests, full size Benefit make-up products that you and your girl friends can test out during the party and other stuff that is for the hostess and needed for the party.
I posted a video on YouTube of my unboxing of the Lash Bash Box, if you'd like to see what they sent for the party.


Quick Update:
Just want to give you all a quick update on how it went last Saturday. I held my party at our guy friends house since he has more room for a party. Yes, he and hubby stayed all night with us, eating the food and taking our pictures. I think they were just entertained how us ladies just chatted away and put some make-up on. Now they know it takes time to get this pretty! Hahahaha!
Us, ladies were playing with all the Benefit make-up products for like almost two hours after we all had dinner! Chit chatting, gossiping and sharing each others beauty tips were pretty fun! It was definitely a long overdued girl's night! We all don't see each other that often so when we all see each other it's full of catch up stories! Especially over some champagne and wine, we would've been there til Sunday, and yes still talking about make-up probably!
We ended the night with some cake and more photo-ops now we all had our make-up on! I'm really glad it all went well and everybody had so much fun!
I will post more pics from the party and tell you more about it when I get all the pictures organized, soon!

The Announcement!
On this post, I just wanted to announce something in regards to this. As you have seen on my Instagram pictures, only four ladies made it to the party, meaning I have extra gift bags...Meaning, I am gonna be doing my first blog giveaway for my lovely readers! Woooot!

I will be giving TWO gift bags for this giveaway, but I am doing this pretty differently. I will not be using Rafflecopter for this one so keep reading!
Here's how this is going to work, if you are interested to win a Benefit Gift bag, which includes sample sizes of: They're Real Mascara, Benetint and Sugar-Bomb lip gloss, I need you to do the following:

- You will need an Instagram account. If you don't have one, I have other giveaways planned before the year ends so don't worry if you can't enter this one.

- Look for this picture, in my Instagram profile:


- To enter the giveaway, you have to comment on the Instagram picture above and add the hashtag, #FiveTwoGiveaway  so I know you are entering for this giveaway. 
- One comment per user to be entered for this giveaway. If you comment more than once, that will not be added to your entry. Only one per account. And only nice comments please!
- I will post an Instagram video of the TWO randomly picked winners on Sept.30, Monday. So make sure you follow me on Instagram since I will only announce it there.

Disclaimer:
- If the announced winners have not contacted me by Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5pm EST, I will draw another winner(s).
- This giveaway is NOT sponsored by Benefit Cosmetics or Ipsy Glambag or any other party.


*Goodluck Readers!!!*

September 20, 2013

The Face Shop mini-haul


When I was just saying how lucky I am that my Ipsy bag is not one of those stuck somewhere, here I am refreshing the DHL tracking site this whole week now and nothing has changed! It has been sitting in Kentucky and Ipsy has no clue what's the delay.
To distract myself from all this waiting, I went to go check out Korean Town in New York City and see what beauty goodies I can find.
Unfortunately, they only have one beauty shop in the area called The Face Shop.

"The Face Shop is a South Korea-based skincare and cosmetics manufacturer, retailer and a franchise business." 



"Its products includes body, bath, skin care and make-up aimed at both women and men"

I am not sure if they are comparable to Etude House or HolikaHolika or any other Korean beauty products out there since I have yet to try any of these brands! 
I just love how The Face Shop uses natural ingredients so I was more interested in their skin care products.
This is such a small haul since I was really looking forward to find different Korean products but now I have to go trek to my Sister's neighborhood which is more Little Korea than the one I went to.



  • Real Nature Mask- Aloe ($2): "A soothing and hydrating mask sheet containing aloe extract, which hydrates and soothes the skin, providing instant care to sensitive skin."
    • My skin has been breaking out recently, Im guessing from the change of weather, so hopefully this helps! 
    • So from the small English instructions in the back, this contains a face sheet soaked with aloe and other ingredients that you leave for a few minutes after you wash and applied your toner on.
  • Real Nature Mask - Lemon ($2): "A brightening mask sheet containing fresh lemon extract to brighten dull skin tone while maintaining its translucence."
    • This will be helpful during the Fall/Winter season since my skin then goes through patchy, dry, dull phase.
  • False Lashes from Echo and Shisem (sale for $3.25ea)
    • I am not a fan of false lash wearer but if i do need to glam up I feel like my eyes need to pop more and false lashes do give that oomph! it needs. Since the packaging is in Korean I am just going to say this set comes with it's own glue and for the price the quality is pretty good. My sis has bought me a pair before and have used it 2-3 times before I threw it out. It does look pretty natural when I wore it. I can't compare this with Ardell or Red Cherry lashes since I have never bought those, yet! Maybe once I am used to wearing it, I will do a battle of the lashes hehehe.

So this is my mini-haul, a quick post today while my Ipsy bag is sitting in a warehouse somewhere and do my last minute preps for tomorrows party.

To those who will be hosting and attending a Benefit's Lash Bash Party tomorrow, hope you all have fun! I can't wait to see the pics and see what other hostesses have planned up for their party! I will be stalking your Instagram pictures hehehe!

September 17, 2013

This or That Tag!


Before I get on with this lovely tag, just want to apologize on my recent MIA on the blog. Over the weekend, hubby and I went all over to get all my Lash Bash Party supplies so no last minute runs on the day of, which is this coming Saturday! I am super excited but also getting a bit stressed since I want everything to be perfect and I don't want to miss anything! I have made a checklist that I look at so I don't forget anything since we are holding it at my friends house. I don't host a lot of parties so when I do, I want everything to run smooth and perfect! 

Ok now let's move on to the tag!

I was tagged by the gorgeous Ashley of http://ciaobella0816.blogspot.com. She has a great blog that features blog post series everyday, from Makeup Review Mondays to Fridays Face of the day to Thursdays Fashion faves, and so on . So go check her blog out after you read this and subscribe so you don't miss out on upcoming posts!

Shall we get started?

Makeup:
1. Blush or Bronzer- blush. I am just learning how to use the bronzer + contouring.
2. Lip Gloss or Lip Stick- Tinted lip balms + balm stains
3. Eyeliner or Mascara- mascara
4. Foundation or Concealer- Foundation
5. Natural or Colored Eye Shadow- no matter how many times I tell myself, "today I will wear color", I still end up grabbing for my NATURAL eye shadows, so natural!
6. Pressed or Loose Eye Shadow- Pressed
7. Brush or Sponge- Brush

Nails:
1. Opi or China Glaze- OPI
2. Long or Short- short
3. Acrylic or Natural- Natural
4. Bright or Dark- Bright
5. Flower or No Flower- no flowers, it takes too long to do!

Body:
1. Perfume or Body Splash- Perfume
2. Lotion or Body Butter- body buttah!
3. Body Wash or Soap- Body wash
4. Lush or other- other (Organix, The Body Shop)

Fashion: 
1. Jeans or Sweat Pants - neither, leggings for me =)
2. Long sleeves or short sleeves - long sleeves when I'm chilly and sleeveless when I'm hot, no short sleeves.
3. Dress or Skirt- dress! 
4. Scarves or Hat- scarves then hat is added when my ears are cold.
5. Studs or dangling earrings- Studs
6. Necklace or bracelet- Necklace.Have you seen my BaubleBar haul? (check it out here!)
7. Heels or flats- Flats and wedges!
8. Cowboy boots or riding boots - Riding boots
9. Jackets or hoodies - Hoodies at home, Jackets for out in the town!
10. Forever 21 or Charlotte Russe - I like both, but Forever21 is easier for me to go to

Hair:
1. Curly or Straight- Wavy!
2. Bun or Ponytail -ponytail and braids! 
3. Bobby pin or butterfly clips - butterfly clips
4. Hairspray or gel - neither
5. Long or short- Long, long, long!
6. Dark or light- au natural, dark!
7. Side swept bangs or fully bangs - I've done both and side swept bangs looks better on me =)
8. Up or down- I'd love it down but it always get in my face so it's mostly up all day.

Random:
1. Rain or shine- I like both as long as it's not humid!
2. Summer or winter- Summer since I don't look forward to shoveling snow!
3. Fall or spring- both!
4. Chocolate or Vanilla- every type of Chocolate please!



I really had fun doing this tag. Thank you again Ashley for tagging me!!!
Now the ladies, I want to tag are. . .

Jorden of Unboxing Beauty
Aaliyah of Shadow Liner Girl


. . .and all the other bloggers who wants to do this tag, link your post below so I can check it out after! 


September 13, 2013

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick Review


The day after finishing my No Buy Beauty Challenge (if you missed that post start here), I was so looking forward to be going to Sephora and catch up with what I have missed. 
Oh hey Marc Jacobs! Such pretty line you have! Oh la la Jin Soon, those nail polish colors are just gorgeous!!! And oh my YSL such sexy lippys! I want you all NOW! But unfortunately you are all way out of my budget right now. On that note I went over my beauty wish list on my iPhone. 
I remembered, after seeing Liz of My Pretty Obsession wore this gorgeous lipstick on one of her FOTD posts, check it out here:
http://myprettyobsessions.blogspot.com/2013/09/fotd-face-of-day-bold-lips.html
 I wanted that new Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick ($22) to come home with me too! 


And yes that's all I came out with from Sephora! I really do no need another lipstick but my collection is missing this gorgeous color and just in time for Fall! Oh I also got a sample size of another Urban Decay Revoluition lipstick! I redeemed this with my Sephora Beauty Insider Points for 100pts.
So on their website this is described as "badass luxury lipstick" that packs a lot of color and moisture to your lips!

"Urban Decay’s Pigment Dispersion System™ gives Revolution Lipstick its super creamy texture, intense pigmentation, superior color dispersion, and extended wear. Maxi-Lip™ defines and hydrates lips while making them look plumper and fuller. And a nourishing blend of jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter and shea butter keeps lips super moisturized and cushiony soft. The luxe, custom-designed gunmetal tube (lined in Urban Decay’s signature dark purple) looks so gorgeous, you’ll want to keep pulling it out of your bag."


Let's look at that PACKAGING. . .
I am in-love with the packaging of these lip products! The sample size has a more dark gun metal finish. The size is so cute and you wouldn't be ashamed of pulling out a sample size liptstick at all because the packaging is so badass! It doesn't look like a cheap lipstick sample at all. 
The full size lipstick one has this nice dark bronzey finish to it and a cool engravement of Urban Decay on the side, and the lipstick is sitting in Urban Decay's signature dark purple color metal tube. Gunmetal finish is my go-to accessory when I am feeling fierce and rebellious but sexy with my look and this definitely affected my choice of color as well.

arm swatches

 So after trying out most of the colors in the store, I really wanted this COLOR. . .
    
     

VENOM is this dark red lipstick with a deep purple undertone, if that makes sense. . . The color reminds me of a nice glass of Pinot Noir (a dark wine grape variety). 
I wasn't sure how it was going to look on me since Liz (My Pretty Obsessions) has more of an Olive/Medium skin tone and it looked good on her! When I tried it on in the store, I love how it is not super dark and you can still see the reddish-purple tones of the lipstick showing! 
This would definitely compliment any skin tone!

Urban Decay Recolution lipstick in Venom
* I wanted to do a fierce look but since I am no model I just went for the "look away with deep thoughts" pose. I thought this lipstick needed that emotional look but I just looked awkward. 

taking a Selfie on the subway!
Anywho! So you see the color isn't that initmidating or harsh to wear all day and night!  This is a creamy lipstick that gives a little shine to the lips. I suggest applying this on with a lip wand (like the ones in Sephora) or a lip brush to get a cleaner application by the lip line.
I was actually walking around the city late afternoon wearing this testing out how long will this last until my lips starts feeling dry. I got home around 9pm, and haven't eaten anything and with no touch-ups for 4-5 hours wearing it, my lips still felt very moisturized! It still looked the same as when I just applied it 4 hours ago! I am really surprised how this didn't feathered out (without using the lip liner UD suggest to use this with) and how the color didn't fade as much!
The picture on the left is after wearing the lipstick for 4 hours already and as you can see only the center of my lips have faded out, giving me an ombre kinda effect look, I think! I haven't even put on a lip balm or gloss over this lipstick, you don't need to actually! It's so moisturizing!


The sample size I got is in the color Catfight, a bright pink-red lipstick. In the pictures, it looks like cherry red on my lips I really don't know why, maybe it's the lighting or my lips since in the tube it's this bright fuchsia color, which is pretty. 




I prefer dark colored lipsticks so this sample is ok. Nice to have for those days when I just need to brighten up my look. 

ALL in ALL. . . I have never tried on any lipstick before that glides on like buttah and moisturizes like a lipbalm! Love the color range of this line as well, you can check out  all the colors here:
I feel like any color you choose will compliment your skin tone; light, dark, medium tone - it doesn't matter! You will find a color that will fit you, from nudes to pinks to reds to darker reds. This do come off when you drink or eat so touch-ups are do needed. 
I'd definitely gonna get more colors from this line!

Have you tried this lipstick before? What colors are you loving and what should I get next?!? 

September 10, 2013

The End...of my No Buy Beauty Challenge!!!

Omigosh where's the champagne and my credit card?!?!
It is time to start swiping again and no more window shopping for this lady! bwahahahaha!!!
Okay maybe that was a bit much but damn I'm glad this challenge is over!

So how did it go? How does it feel to be done with it?

  • Not to say I will never do it again since this is a great way for me to take my time and choose wisely of my purchases actually, and enjoy the products I have now that has been ignored and just accumulating dust!
  • I'd be lying as well if I say this challenge didn't suck since it did and I felt like I chose the worse time to have done it! I missed on the "End of Summer Blowout Sales" and "Labor Day Sales"! I just kept telling myself tho, "The holidays are coming!" to look forward to (holiday kits and sales!!!)
  • I have avoided the beauty aisles at my drugstore or avoided completely going to the drugstore if I can the past 4 weeks so just not to get a glimpse of what I have been missing out. 
  • It was hard as well reading other beauty bloggers and watching beauty gurus with their beauty hauls and reviews on new beauty products since I have to wait until the end of this to get my hands on them (If I do want to buy it!).
On a more positive note. . .
  • I love how my credit card balance was going down as I pay it slowly the past month. Woot!
  • I am finishing this challenge at a perfect time since I am eyeing a product from Ulta's 21 Days Of Beauty Sale.  That TooFaced Shadow Insurance is going on sale at 12mn tonite and I will be right here in front of my computer purchasing it! 
  • The Ipsy discount code for Michael Todd products expire at the end of September and so I am planning to use and stock up on some of his products!

Now some tips I have learned as I went through this challenge. 
  • For those who wants to try this out, you don't have to do a month. Start slow and you can do a week or two or even try a weekend of not getting anything!
  • I stuck to my rules I gave myself ( here ) but you can tweak this to your lifestyle and liking.
  • Distraction is a must! Being busy kept me away on window shopping at Hautelook, Ulta, Amazon or any online shopping websites. 
  • I know men don't understand how hard this is to us, but you can actually compare this to what they love the most (football, soda, home depot) and ask them to give that up for a month. Watch them be your number one supporter as you go through this. 
  • Blogging about this helped a lot since putting it out there means there is no turning back now! Hopefully I have inspired some of you too that this can be done. It is possible!
On that note, I actually just want to thank you all for being such great cheerleaders as I update you all every week on this. Us, beauty bloggers, may be the only ones who understand how this challenge can get difficult on us, and I all thank you for being such great supporters. All your positive comments is what got me through the end. I seriously had days that I wanted to purchase something, but I did not want to put you all down and fail on this for myself. 

I am actually thinking of my next beauty challenge, but that will have to wait since I need to catch up on what I have been missing! I will definitely do this again probably next year before IMATS 2014 since I am planning on going to that one!

Now time to open a bottle of champs and celebrate and start Ulta browsing wooooot!!!!