Etude House Haul!

My first haul post-move! Etude House was having a 30% off sale (which I think they might have monthly xD) and who am I to resist ^^~

The bag:

February Favorites

Yes it's kind of late but it's been pretty hectic xD So my move is sorta over. I have a somewhat sucky internet connection but it's internet nonetheless so I figure I will post ^^~ This month I pretty much stuck to my staples because all the rest of my makeup was packed away and I was living out of a suitcase for at least 3 of the 4 weeks xD

Cover Girl Smoothers AquaSmooth Makeup Compact (love this stuff)
Benefit Hervana (review coming soon)
Maybelline Quad in Chai Latte (review coming soon)
Benefit They're Real
Mac Jazzed (I totally remember why I fell in love with this lipstick again ^^~)

That being said, I'm kind of over makeup hauling xD Part of this is because I moved overseas where I no longer have easy or cheap access to a ton of US products and the other is having packed a ton of makeup to where I am makes me realize how difficult it is to move with >_< and thus I cannot afford to accumulate more while I'm here. Of course it will be impossible for me to bar myself completely from purchases but at least for this month I am on a BAN. excluding skincare cuz I tend to use those up. But essentially I'm doing P5P (cuz 10P is a bit too ambitious and 5P shouldn't be too difficult considering at least 2 products are already near extinction) But I still have plenty of products to shop my stash with and review too of course =D mayb not so much time to do it in but here's hoping xD

an Interlude

Err so it's been a rather crazy month with no signs of settling down. I'm actually moving so I probably won't be able to post or go online for a few weeks (possibly a month?) although I can't precisely say since I don't know when I will be able to get internet. Until then...I've been packing and getting ready. I've found out that most all my makeup fits into around 4 boxes o_o

Box #1

 and yes, that last row is all MAC MSFs + some blush xD

and the other boxes I was too distracted to photograph but I will hopefully photograph later? ^^~

Hopefully I will be able to still pop in to read other ppl's entries but there prolly won't be any from me soon xD

and so until next time...adieu~~ :)

EcoTools Powder Brush

So I know I said I found my HG Powder Brush in Real Techniques, but it's so big & dense that after I wash it, it takes too long to dry so I needed another one to alternate with. I could always get another one but why get 2 of the same when you can get a brand new different one =D

Luckily, Rite Aid was having a BOGOF EcoTools promotion that week and seeing that I've heard excellent things about it I figured it was a good time to pick one up on the cheap :)

My powder brush requirements are:


1) big & fluffy. Honestly this was what deterred me from getting this brush the last time around. It wasn't big or fluffy enough in my opinion. I think being squished in the packaging didn't help. However, having used this brush for a week, I find it plenty fluffy and a great size.

comparing the shapes of the brush, they're both quite fluffy 

ecotools is a bit wider and flatter while RT is rounder and fatter

2) soft. it is just as soft as i would like powder brushes to be

3) deposit color. great for piling on the powder :)

optional 4th) cheap. I think it retails for around $8 and with the BOGOF I theoretically picked this up for around $4! Kinda sorta since I got the Retractable Kabuki as well. Total steal at that price!

the ecotools powder brush is actually a tiny bit longer/taller

Overall, I may actually prefer this brush over my Real Techniques? They're still battling it out but as for me, I'm one happy camper :D

Benefit They're Real

I thought this was such a cute, brilliant marketing campaign. Featured in my January faves, this is definitely deserving of a review :)

Packaging:

I like the tube. I like the chrome color and the overall shape. It's easy to hold and work with.

And the mascara checklist:

1. volume

2. holds curl

3. lengthening

4. non-smudging/non-clumpy/non-flaky with a drier formula (this isn't as important cuz I just wait a little bit after opening to dry out the formula a little)

So the brush actually isn't my favorite. I do like that it's not humongous and while I do like the spiky points at the end, I do wish it thinned out a little more towards the front so that it's easier to coat my inner lashes. Overall, I did like this mascara. I think it's appropriately named since it does give you a false lashes look. It's volumizing, super lengthening, and holds a decent curl although not so great with the separation and lift. It smudges very little and is a tiny bit flaky. The formula isn't very wet to begin with so I do feel like it will dry out more quickly than other mascaras I've used. Unless I can find it on sale, I probably won't repurchase given the price point but it's a great mascara overall.

Have you tried any Benefit mascaras?

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag Round 2!

See Round 1 here!

Another week long trip except I'm packing for different weather this time around. That and I tried to pack more lightly xD tried being the key word >_< I'm heading for the sunny part of Cali except it's supposed to rain this week T_T

Top Row L-R:
Benefit Hervana (which I will review eventually)
MUFE HD Foundation (since I like to take pictures on trips)
Benefit Play Stick (which I will review soon)
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
Physician's Formula Healthy Skin Powder (which I sorta double up as sunblock since it has spf 50)

Bottom Row L-R:
Lancome Photogenic Concealer
Maybelline Quad in Chai Latte (which I will review soon)
MAC warm palette(?) which has 6 diff eyeshadows which I will post on eventually
MAC Fluidline in blacktrack

(not pictured) since I added them later
Naked palette
Cargo blush

 Brushes:
Sigma F80 (for cream foundation)
EcoTools Powder Brush (review coming soon for powder)
MAC 217 (for blending)
ELF eyeshadow brush (for eyeshadow)
ELF small smudge brush (for liner)
RT dome shadow brush (for concealer)
Mac 168 (for blush)

I didn't photograph skincare since it's the same as last time and rather uninteresting. Since I'm going to be away no posts this week although I might try to schedule one in the middle if I can :) Have a goood week!

Viva Glam I

Sorryyy another lippie post xDD Next few shouldn't be lipsticks sooo a respite :) But for now another Viva Glam!

Everyone should know that MAC does a program called Viva Glam to help support people with AIDS. According to their website, "Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS." 

This program started in 1994 when M·A·C introduced the original VIVA GLAM, (aka Viva Glam I) which they describe as an outspoken deep red that was universal in appeal and glamour.

 matte finish

lipstick in tube

Arm swatches:

L: NYX Snow White,  MAC Viva Glam I

Lip Swatches:

 bare lips

  applied sheerly

2nd coat

3rd coat (applied opaquely)

This is the original matte formula which is a little more drying than their newer formulations but it's a great red brown. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the brown hue and despite the similarity in arm swatches with NYX Snow White & Viva Glam I, I find that NYX applies way more darker on my lips than Viva Glam I which I find doesn't get much darker than that 3rd coat lip swatch whereas the NYX does get darker.

If you're in the mood for a red lip, this is a great one to check out, at least due to its great cause :)