Your thoughts on... & Happy new year!

The Red Lip....
Can you rock it?!

My simple answer? No :(

I've always been a conservative nude/natural person; definitely not one for bold, dark lip colors -- especially RED. A few nights ago (sorry for bad lighting ^^;) I tried some red just for fun, so here's my take on it. Overall, I love the look/ideal of the classic red lip but I personally would never be confident enought to wear it in public. I think it's the most flattering on super pale skin... which I do not have.

For example, if I paired a red lip with neutral eyes, I'd feel underdone and clownish with too much attention attracted to my mouth :/ If I paired it with smokey eyes, I'd feel overdone and like a vampy hooker :S

Some "ew's, aah's, and okay's" for thought:



What's your take on the red lip look?
Is it something you'd wear often? Sometimes? Never? Do tell!

KISSES! It's the last day of 2009 for me here in Hawaii. It's still only 3:30 PM... but 2010, here I come!

***Happy New Year!***

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NOTD - Sakura bliiing ♥ + BBP Nail polish remover review

Hey loves! Happy New Year in advance! It's still the 30th here in Hawaii.

Here's another hime-gyaru inspired nail art...
Sakura Bling! ♥

What I used! L-R

• Rimmel Play Fast nail polish - 820 Out There (1 coat over NYX)
• Wet N Wild Wild Shine - Kaleidescope (glitter nail tips)
• Nailene Acrylic Strong top coat (2 coats over everything)
• NYX Girls nail polish - Apricot (base, 2 coats)
• Konad nail art stickers - Cherry blossoms
• Rhinstones

Konad nail art stickers are LOVE! Overall I like how these turned out. I ♥ pretty pink, shiny, glittery, kawaiiness :3 The only thing was that the NYX is really sheer, wish it was darker but I was too lazy to do more coats. It's more pink in real life but reflects slightly gold from the Rimmel.

Also, I wanted to share this!

BBP Nail Polish Remover

I picked this up from Walmart on a whim, and I'm glad I did!

Price: $2.00

What they say:

• Protein Enriched.
• For Natural Nails.

Bye-Bye Polish Nail Polish Remover Is Formulated to Help Soften Cuticles and Add Strength and Resiliency For More Beautiful Nails.

The good stuff:

• GIANT tub
• Cheap!
• Easy to use
• Fast & Effective

The low-down:

• None!

My take: I'm super glad I decided to pick this up. I've seen these before but never thought to try because I'd always though it would be expensive (lol). Before, I'd use endless cottonballs or ELF nail polish removing pads to do the job, but this is SO much easier AND cheaper! This tub is so huge, it'll never run out! It's also super easy to use and quickly and effectively removes nail polish, even glitter.

I was quite... amused (for lack of a better word) when I first tried this out. I think you'd have to actually use one for yourself to get the full effect of what I'm saying XD

Basically, you just stick your finger in the sponge (the container is full of nail polish remover... don't drop it on the floor!) and you're suppose to "twist". Because I had glitter on my nails though, it was more of an "up and down in and out" kinda motion to rub the glitter off. In all honesty, it's wet... soft... and... squishy in there. Add finger action to the mix......

LOL!!! I think I promised I will not taint you guys anymore since my previous NOTD was a teeny bit sexually explicit. I'll let you come to your own conclusions. (If you've been reading my blog long enough, you know my mind is in the perpetual gutter. Have you caught my drift yet?! XP) Yes, it's super awkward to use, but the main thing is that it's EFFECTIVE!

It only takes about 20 seconds max to get everything off each nail and it's a lot less messy than using cotton pads and getting fibers stuck all over your nails! Overall though, it is SUPER useful -- but it is not something I would use in front of other people. If they didn't know what it's for, they'd be like WTF are you doing?! haha XD

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DHC Make Off Sheets review

Price: $5.50 for the 50 sheet refill pack

What they say: A clean sweep. Make Off Sheet does it all. Made from 100% natural cotton, each aloe-infused sheet removes impurities, helps maintain skin’s natural pH level, and deposits moisture. Use this cleansing cloth when you’re away from home and on those occasions when you can’t perform your regular routine. Comes in a lightweight, flip-top box, so you can take it on the road and to the gym.

What to do: Gently wipe face with sheet until dirt and makeup are removed. Press 5–10 seconds to remove mascara and heavier makeup.

What's in it: water/eau, butylene, glycol, sodium cocoamphoacetate, hexylene glycol, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, methylparaben, citric acid, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, panax ginseng root extract, etidronic acid

The good stuff:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Effectively & gently removes makeup
• Does not sting eyes
• Leaves skin feeling clean & refreshed
• No residue

The low-down:

• The sheet is kinda small
• Strong scent

My take: I love these! I've been using Kirkland makeup remover wipes which do the job well (will review soon) but I like these a whole lot better! If only I didn't have to always order them online. I got the refill pack since it's cheaper than the $7.50 one with the same amount of sheets, you're just paying for the case. The refill pack reseals and works fine for me.

THe sheets are kinda small, around half the size of a normal makeup removing wipe -- but still big enough to take off all makeup. They aren't quilted or cushy but they are gentle and very effective at removing makeup. The great part is that it leaves no residue after use and makes my skin feeling very refreshed, clean, and toned. The only thing is that there is a strong scent... I don't want to say "alcohol" scent but it is strong and not too pleasant. You get used to it after awhile though. The great thing is that it is not harsh on the skin and it does NOT sting my eyes at all.

Would I repurchase: Yes!

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iQQU Jasmine Rice Scrub review

Price: $15 from http://www.iqqubeauty.com/

What they say: This luxurious rice scrub is a delight for the skin using the finest organic jasmine rice grown in Asia. The rice is hand milled to perfection to smooth away any dullness to the skin. The delicious scent is reminisce of a bowl of fresh rice, making this scrub a treat for the skin. This scrub is paraben free and should be used at night once every 2 days. The young rice scrub and rice bran oil is enriched with vitamin E, a natural powerful anti-oxidant.This creamy scrub firms the skin and reduces wrinkles while balancing the skin's complexion. There is a natural exfoliation effect from the young rice scrub. Furthermore, it helps whiten the skin. This creamy scrub gives a natural moisturizing effect that keeps the skin looking healthy and young. Paraben Free Not tested on animals.

What to do: Moisten makeup-free skin with water. Using fingertips, massage the product onto skin in a circular motion, avoiding the eye area. Once finished, rinse and pat dry. Follow by serums and creams.

Key Ingredients: Rice Bran - Is rich in natural vitamins and omega. Tocopherol - An organic compound composed of Vitamin E and antioxidants.

Active Ingredients: Aqua, Mineral oil, Rice scrub, Stearic acid, Glycerine, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Carbomer, Jasmine essential oil, Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin, Apple extract, Fig extract

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive compared to other iQQU products
• Smells deeeelicious!
• A little goes a long way
• Gently exfoliates
• Leaves skin smooth & glowy
• Post-cleansing "moisturizing" effect good for dry skin

The low-down:

• It's in a tub... a small tub
• Still pricey for the size
• I'm undecided about the "whitening" claims

My take: This is pretty much my new favorite scrub. First off I'd have to say that the only real gripe I have with this product is that it is in a tub, and the tub is small -- this may deter some people from buying because although it is about half the price of many other iQQU products ($15 compard to $33), having to twist the top off and dip your fingers into the tub is a bit bothersome AND unhygenic. I would really want to see this scrub in a flip-cap squeeze tube or pump bottle instead!

You only need VERY LITTLE to wash your whole face. One finger tip swipe's worth will do. The texture is rich and creamy but also ever so slightly oily-slick feeling. The rice particles are large but very gently exfoliating. This really leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and looking healthy and radiant. Oh and I mentioned this bothered me - mineral oil is the second ingredient on the list and my skin is oily/sensitive atm so that concerned me. After washing off this scrub, I could feel a slight greasy film left on my skin so I had to rinse my face/hands really well to get it off. This effect would probably be more desireable to those with dry or normal skin, as it is "moisturizing." No breakouts though and this has definitely improved my skin tone and complexion!

About the whitening, I don't want to say it really does whiten skin because although I've been using this every day for over 2 weeks, I don't feel my skin is much lighter. I do feel like this scrub improved my complexion by making it brighter in a more radiant way, but not exactly whitened. Either way, I still love this scrub because it just makes me skin super soft and glowy!

Would I repurchase: Yes!

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DHC & YSL haul + swatches, Mail love from Steph ♥

Hello lovelies (:
My orders from DHC and YSL came in today. What I got from DHC:

• DHC Make Off Sheets
• DHC Lip Cream
• DHC Moisture Care Lipcolor (pink)

The samples I chose: pure soap, olive soap, tourmaline pack, and eye bright. They also gave me a free sample of EVOO. I got to redeem my award points for 2 free nail files as well! They're really cute (:





























I have not tried the lip cream yet but it seems nice. I like the packaging. The lip gloss is suuuuper sheer but also shiny, no smell/taste. I only swatched it, not sure if I like it.

My YSL Gloss Pur in Pure Rose came in today...

Honestly, just looking at it, I'm not really feelin' the color. I love the packaging and all but it's a lot more pink-pink than nude/natural pink like in the picture. I swatched it but haven't tried it on my lips yet. The smell is nice at first but gets sickeningly sweet. Hrrrmm... will try on lips tomorrow, I hope I'm not disappointed. Don't mind the bandaid, I cut myself on plexi-glass at work -_-

Also, I won Steph of Julu Jewelry's secret giveaway! She sent me this cute VS clutch & beauty rush lipgloss in "Slice of Heaven" plus a cute little note & card and face mask! Thank you so much girl, I'm so glad I won :D If you haven't seen Steph's gorgeous jewelry pieces, be sure to check out her store and her blog! ♥

Here's some swatches of the lippies I got today:

TOP - YSL Gloss Pur in Pure Rose
BOTTOM LEFT - VS Beauty Rush Lipgloss in Slice of Heaven
BOTTOM RIGHT - DHC Moisture Care lipcolor in Pink

Again, the YSL Gloss Pur is a lot more pink in real life. It's pretty sticky and the smell is kinda strong for me.

The VS Beauty Rush lipgloss is pretty! Yes, it is sticky but in a sorta "cushy" way. The color is sheer pearlescent pink shimmer. It tastes like candy!

The DHC Moisture Care is super super sheer. Basically clear. It is very shiny though and also sticky.

And...
It's finally in our hands. Yay!

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I'm back ♥ NOTD + hauls [pic heavy]

Hello loves & new followers! I'm back from Oahu with a few things to share ♥

Glad to say that the shipping nightmare is over and the new toy should be arriving tomorrow! Last week I finally got around to yanking out my tail lights (one had a crack on the bottom) and stealing swapping em for the boytoy's pristine ones. Effed my poor, brittle nails in the process... which I guess was good, because they'd been needing a new look!

Hime-gyaru inspired NOTD

What I used:

- 2 coats OPI "Oh So Glam!"
- 1 coat Ulta Super sheer nail gloss "Princess"
- 1 coat Wet N Wild "Kaleidescope" glitter
- 1 coat Nailene acrylic strong topcoat
- Konad nail art rhinestone stickers

It turned out a metallic milky pink w/ silver glitter. Looks like doodoo in the pix but a lot nicer in real life. My fav part was the nail art stickers, I bought them from the craft fair I wrote about awhile ago and they are SO CUTE!

Unfortuneately they do not last very long, even with top coat, unless I needed to add a lot more :/ I've had them on for only 3 days and plenty of the stones are peeling off :(

↓ My favorite was my thumb ^^

Onto hauls! ♥
Sorry if you don't like reading long posts, I interspersed with some mini overviews about my thoughts on the products :P

From Don Quijote:

• Sana concealer (light beige)
  This is really lightweight and goes on smooth. Coverage is sheer but I haven't worked with it enough to know if I like it or not... it's just so cute!
• Shiseido Water in Lip lipbalm (Unscented & Raspberry)
  Super smooth and creamy, moisturizing. The pink one smells great!
• 24hour waterproof eyebrow pencil & liquid
  Idk the brand but it was expensive -_- haven't used it yet but I did swatch it on my hand, rubbed it around and it didn't budge! Promising!
• 3 NYX nail polishes There's extras for a reason (;
• NYX cupcake gloss... they're just so cute! There's extras for a reason (;
• 3 NYX round lipstick (Orange soda) There's extras for a reason (;Creamy & lovely slight peachy nude ♥
• Kanebo Naive facial cleansing foam (aloe)This stuff is super creamy and rich and leaves my skin feeling ultra-squaky clean. Smells good too.
• Hair brush
• Gatsby hair dye for the MisterJapanese dye is pretty much the shit. His hair is now exactly the same color on the box.
• 2 Pairs Red Cherry falsies
• Don Quijote spray hand sanitizer
  Cause I can't resist the DonKi penguin XD
• Don Quijote lip balm

From Sephora:

• I ♥ Sephora brush set.
  Saw it in a magazine and fell in love. Have not used yet, but the bristles are super soft!
• Philosophy Purity made simple one-step facial cleanser (not pictured).
  I expected to be WOWED with this cleanser for some reason... but to me, it was just Okay.

From iKandy:

• Pink cupcake charm = SO KAWAII!
• Turquoise heart throb tee. I am no "heart throb" :P but it was one of the few size smalls she had. I love it though!

Represent ♥

From Marukai mart:

• 3 Rilakkuma/Korilakkuma folders. Yay!
• Falsies... wanted to try them out. I donno the brand.
• Mini wet wipes... again, one of those things that's just so cute, you have to get it.
• Dr. Grip Korilakkuma pen. Another $12 wasted (I just bought a similar one), but I just can't help myself! ~_~

And now, what I REALLY went up for...
From Nordstrom Rack:

I've been needing an actual wallet even though I don't carry much cash around... lovesit!

I bought this earlier today and deeply regret it, as later in the day I came upon the Heritage Crest Baby Fluffy at Nordstrom... and decided to pass it up because I had already gotten this bag ;_; *tear* so if anyone has one of the aforementioned bag and would want to sell, PLEASE lmk :(

From LeSportsac:

I love leopard print (and any animal print)

And PENGUINS, of course! Been eyeing this print for awhile now ^^ This bag is super spacious! It has 3 big compartments + lotsa pockets

I have drooled over
Kidrobot hoodies, bags, & toys for the longest time (I really want a Labbit!) and finally got on my 1st Kidrobot bag, yay! And I found it at Ross for deals! (even though I stood in line for more than 30 min)

And... my new love ♥
What can I say... it was love @ first sight (not for my wallet). I am not much of a fan of the Heritage Stripe collection but this just called to me. The interior is pink too *dies*

I hope you don't think I only thought of myself on this trip :P I bought a lotta junk for the Mister too.. he is sucha spoiled brat but I do like to spoil my boy so that's no help either *sigh* ♥ Oh and there's a Victoria's Secret now! I went in but the lines were SOOO long so I didn't get to buy anything :(

I hope you're all having a great week, and Merry Christmas in advance!

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