Monthly Empties - April & May 2013

Hello everybody! It's been a while since I did my regular postings. Scroll all the way down if you want to read a quick update from me and see what I've been up to. =) Now since I skipped a month, I present you Monthly Empties for April & May!

I had meant to write a April Empties post, but never got a chance to writing it, so there are individual monthly pictures. As promised in my March empties, this month was emptying bottles of skincare!

April 2013 Empties

Review: Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier

Wanted to share a staple in my daily skin care routine today: the Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier. I bought this a while back from a recommendation from my esthetician after she was clearing my breakouts during a facial. At that time, I was under a lot of stress at work and my skin broke out at its worst in my lifetime. She recommended the Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier insisting that it helps clear new breakouts within 24 hours. Well normally I wouldn't let anyone convince me like that without doing some more actual research on my own, but I was desperate so I gave in a purchase a tube at its original price at $45!

Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier (Stock Photo from Dermalogica.com)

Let's go through the facts:

Project Pan 5 to March Empties

If you remember from my earlier posts, I was working on a mini project pan for a few months. But it started becoming discouraging when I realize I still have products that I didn't hit pan! So instead of project pan, I'm moving on to monthly empties! (Might be two months even, I don't know yet, it'll depend on how much I can empty out first. If there isn't enough to show you guys, then I'll just spill it over the next month.) But at least this way, every so often I'll be showing off products that I'm done with. There's just too many makeup and skincare products in my vanity and bathroom and they seem to only grow with time. Maybe I'll do a post on my current collection, let me know if you are interested.

Anyway, enough jabbering, may I present to you, the March's empties!

(can you spot the GlossyBox?)

qiora Face Cleanser DH Cleanser - from project pan, mini review here. Sadly the sales rep at one of the Shisedo chain stores mention that the entire qiora line will be discontinued! Tempted to stock up now. =(

Nivea Age Defying Q10plus Hand Cream - from project pan, mini review here.

Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme (not pictured)- from project pan, mini review here.

O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask - I had a full review this mask a while back, I noticed my skin being a lot more dry around the cheek area lately, so thought I'll whip it out and give it a try again. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you'll know about the adverse effect it had on me. Not sure if it was because it was expired or not, when I applied it, it was a little thicker than its usual jelly form, not too crazy though, I didn't give it much of a second thought. The next morning when I woke up, besides it being sticky on my face, everything was ok. But after I washed it off, my face started tingling and there were red patches all over my face, mostly in the T-zone area. Scary! Thank goodness the redness subsided within 2 hours, I had to cover it up with mineral foundation, I just couldn't go to work like that, I looked sick! So that's why it was forcefully emptied. =P I still have another unopened container, hopefully that will be better.

Milky Lips Baby Pink  - One of my favorite tinted lip balms. It looks hot pink in the tube but gives a much muted bright lip effect. One of my favorite lip balms because it leaves the lips looking dewy, hydrated and just the right amount of shine without the overly glossy effect of a lip gloss. I much prefer this over the fresh sugar lip treatments, because the fresh lip treatments can be a little greasy looking on the lips but these just feel like there's water on my lips. Now that I've teased you with its wonders, I really hate to let you guys know that it's actually discontinued. I can no longer find them at my local Japanese markets. If any of you see these lurking around the NYC area, please let me know!

Last up, UDPP.

Urban Decay Primer Potion - I'm not going to do a crazy review, the blogosphere has enough reviews on this little guy. (Enough that most of you probably understood  "UDPP".) This one in the original genie bottle came as part of my UD Naked palette. I do like it because it does help with eyeshadow creasing, but not all, there are times when I still notice some creasing with certain shadows. I don't really notice the difference in terms of color payoff enhancements it gives for eyeshadow though. To me, the color vibrancy looks the same with or without the primer.

That's it for this month, stay tuned for next month's empties, I foresee a lot of products, particularly skincare related. Have a nice weekend!

Review: Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

The Urban Decay Naked palettes became a cult favorite as soon as it launched with everyone sorting out the "no makeup" makeup looks. Every cosmetic brand started making their own version of the "Naked" palette. I personally own the UD Naked palette as well, but I find myself not reaching for it as much as you'd think I would.  As a starter to makeup, I steer away from eyeshadow colors that are too pigmented and bold. And when I do use the Naked palette, I only use the shimmer/satin colors.

Here's a very affordable alternative for those who prefer shimmer/satin colors: the Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

The Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes retails about $10-$12 in drugstores. I got mine for around $5 with the CVS sale and ExtraBucks. It comes with 9 shades that goes from light to dark dramatic shades. There's not that much product at a mere 0.20oz for the entire palette.

The palette has a pink plastic package with a clear window and lace overlay on the entire palette. A little on the princess front, but might be a cute detail for some of you. 

The shades of Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude

The palette has a magnetic closure that isn't very strong, so I find myself accidentally opening it when putting it away in my vanity table. Comes with 1 sponge tip applicator that I actually do like. It's a thicker foam sponge.

The Box and instructions

This palette claims to be an all in one eye palette with your shadow and liner colors. I don't like how it advertises that it comes with 18 custom shades JUST because you can use the shadows wet or dry. But it does come with a quick instruction on how to put together the "nude eye" look.

From Left to Right: 3rd shade in Trio #1, 3rd shade in Trio #2, all 3 colors from Trio #3

Now for some swatches! I didn't attempt to swatch all 9 shades as the highlight colors in each trio are barely visible in a swatch. These swatches were done with my fingers and I've found that using any other eyeshadow brush gives the same effect. But surprisingly, the eyeshadow colors come out much more vivid when applied with the included sponge tip applicator. You can definitely use these eyeshadow colors as eyeliners to line your eyes.

Each of the shadows are shimmery (well its called shimmer strip for a reason), with glittery particles. If you enlarge the swatches image, you'll see how much glitter is really there. The darkest 2 shades in Trio #3 have the least glitters, you can barely notice them and they're the perfect liner colors! My favorite shadow is definitely the one in the middle of Trio #2. It's a beautiful taupe shadow with a hint of shimmer.

The shadows feel velvety under my fingers and there's definitely no fallout even if all you do is pat the shadows on your eyes with a shadow brush. These shadows does crease on my eyes though. I've tried using both Urban Decay Primer Potion and NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base under these eyeshadows and the creasing problem ceases.

I've definitely been reaching out to this Physician's Formulate Shimmer Strips a lot more than my UD Naked palette. I love that the colors are not too bold but still have the hint of color. I prefer shimmer shadows over matte ones because it highlights and opens my eyes to give a more alert effect.  Maybe I'll post a eye look later on. Let me know if any of you would be interested in a feature of how it looks on me. =)

Thanks for reading!

Beauty Haul - Winter 2012

Wow, I just realized I haven't shared a haul for months! No wonder there are so many haul pictures that are backlogged on my computer. Time to share! I apologize in advance if some of these items are now out of stock as these are from past sale events.

Laura Mercier Haul

Laura Mercier Exclusive Colour Collection

The Exclusive Colour Collection was on sale direct from Laura Mercier for $29! It includes a full size Second Skin Cheek in Sunsoaked Bronze, Baked Eye Color in Aquamarine and Lip Glace in Coral Diamond. Love the set plus I bought the Sheer Lip Color in Kissed Lips which was part of their Summer Collection and was sold out when I was looking.

Laura Mercier Luxe Colour Portfolio

Also direct from Laura Mercier, their Luxe Colour Portfolio was on sale for $49 from $98! Includes 6 eyeshadows, 3 eyeliners and 2 blushes. Also with included are their luxe brushes. The African Violet eyeshadow is soooo beautiful! Swatches to come! I see that this set is now available at Sephora again, but is selling at it's original selling price at $98.

Laura Mercier Colour Preview Collection

I went a little crazy with the Laura Mercier Colour Preview Collection which was on sale at Sephora for $35. Crazy meaning I actually bought 2! Took advantage of it during their VIB sale too. It comes with a full size cheek color in Citrus Spark, eyeshadow duo in Sandstone/Cognac and lip colour in Grapefruit! The colors were so pretty that I just couldn't give it up.

Sephora Haul

Sephora Haul

Another haul from Sephora of their new sale items. The Tokidoki beauty products are being discontinued, they were all on sale for over 40% off. I was looking to get the little cardboard palettes since they were so cute and very similar to the Stila travel palettes. Also picked up some of their sale Hello Kitty items which was a cheek & eye palette. Too many deals!

And last but definitely not least, I bought the cult favorite Cargo blu ray powder! Beauty.com had it in a beautiful set for $42. Comes with a full size pressed powder and foundation/concealer. I've been using the concealer for quite some time now, swatches and review will be coming soon!.

Hope you like my haul updates. Swatches and reviews will be up! Please stay tuned!