Showing posts with label Etude House. Show all posts

Declaring Project Make a Dent - 1st Edition

It's a new year! Happy 2015 everyone ^_^

As usual school got the best of me. But! I was also working on a side project thanks to one of my graphics professors. All-in-all I am glad I decided to agree to the opportunity and not be a scaredy-cat of all the if's, and's, & but's that could have happened.

Now is, well actually yesterday was, really the start of my last winter break of my undergraduate years. Cannot believe it is already here. I really wanted to go somewhere for a long holiday to make the most of this but don't think it'll work out (kinda late for anything but impromptu trips now).

Otherwise...I haven't set resolutions or goals for the year yet. I find that I forget most of them by the time the next week comes around anyways. (Honestly!) Better to come up with them and deal with it as things come up. Life and reality are so dynamic, I'm just going to resolve, for now, to be more open and to figure things out as they come.

Project Make a Dent, Benefit highlight, Nanoce BB Cream, Hada Labo BB Cream, MAC Cream Colour, Etude House blush and bronzer, Esprique Precious palette, Maquillage palette, Lioele lip balm, Clinique chubby stick

I guess my first goal of the year would be to start tackling my much too massive stash of beauty goods. It's always hard for me to keep to the habit of using things but I find that I have it a bit easier with skincare items than makeup. I've seen "Project Make a Dent" on several blogs before and thought it'd be a nice way to give some attention to neglected goodies.

I'm not really sure what the official rules are or anything but these are just a few things that I honestly haven't touched in a while, have just had for way too long, or have too many of that type of product. As others who've done this project have said, I think it's much harder to focus on a set of products if these are the only things that can be used. With that in mind, I am going to keep these are my go-to items but still allow myself to "cheat" on these guys with other products or colors, etc.

Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam highlighter
L to R: Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion SPF50+ PA+++ in Natural Ochre, Nanoce BB Moist Cream in No.2, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV in Shade 2, Benefit Highbeam
Oyy I can't even remember exactly when I bought all of these but I think it must have been before college. They don't have any strange smell or anything so hopefully I will be able to empty them.

(I have already rid my drawers of most of the older BB creams I hoarded way back when. Was bored one day and had a fun dumping spree but forgot to snap any pics. Really opened my eyes to how much stuff I wasted...)

Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
Top going clockwise: MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious, Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely  Pink, mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff, Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade
Colored products and powdered items like these are so hard to complete! I can't remember the last time I finished a powdered product. Looking forward to see more pan bottoms.

Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent
mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff
Something that I don't really like or dislike. It's alright but can be a bit too matte for my liking. I tend to use a fluffy brush so I don't see much coverage effect and can't vouch for that aspect.

Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink
These were so popular a few years back! I think Etude House still has these but with new colors and names. It isn't bad for the price but it is a bit difficult to pick up product (at least for this older version).

Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent
Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade
I really like that this is matte shading color. But it has a pretty strong flowery scent that takes some getting used to. I am not sure if this particular item is still sold by Etude House or not anymore because I received this as a giveaway prize a couple/few years back. If it is and you're a person who likes a more pigmented shading product this isn't what you're looking for. It'd say that it works but either for more subtle/natural look or with much effort and layering.

MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush
MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle
Please please excuse the nasty state of my blush. But surely this is the realty of cream blush pots: dust and brush hair collectors. (No it isn't my facial fuzz or eyebrow hairs.) I love how pigmented this blush is! Don't worry about looking like a clown because a little goes a long way. I prefer to use a denser brush and just dab it on my cheeks.

Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent
Maquillage Face Creator
I have been really loving this item lately. Don't remember if it was last January or some time before or after that, J from lilladylife passed this on to me to use. I don't have very many powder highlighters and am quite satisfied with these for now. Not too sparkly and chunky while doing it's job. If I can hit pan or finish, I'll think about those Hourglass Ambient highlighters that have been all the rave lately.

Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent
Esprique Precious eye palette
Another goodie that J gave. It is simple and natural enough that I think I'll be able to reach for regularly. If I can even make a dip in these I'll be quite happy.

Project Make a Dent, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Livin Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics
Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics
L to R: Cinique Chubby Stick in Woppin Watermelon, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick in Milky Pink, Living Nature Lipstick in Sandstone
Oh...lip products and eye products are ultimately always the ones that are left in the dark for me. I can deal with bolder/brighter cheeks and can hide my neck if my face is too light but I am never confident enough to wear colored lip or eye looks. Maybe because these really scream "Makeup wearer!" yet I have a ton of lip balms, stains, and sticks that are unloved. These are just a few subtle colors that I would have a better chance of grabbing in the morning. They practically look untouched!

For the following 2015 year these goodies will sit out near my getting-ready-area for easy access. Let's see what results I can get by this time in 2016! I am not sure if I will update monthly or quarterly yet but an update will come.

Is anyone else embarking on a similar plan? What are your other goals (if you have any now)?

Recreating Song Hye Gyo's Elle KR Look



After seeing rolala loves share a set of Song Hye Gyo's Elle KR spread, I was intrigued to recreate her pictorial look on myself. This is a new interest that I have acquired and it is only the second time I have ever tried to copy a makeup look on my own. The first time was me trying to recreate 15&'s Park Ji Min's debut look, which did not turn out well. (I've always watched videos of others recreating makeup looks but I never did any of them on myself. Does anyone else do this too?) I tried my best to pull off her pose, but alas I'm definitely no model. It was kind of difficult for me to tell exactly how her eye makeup was from the photo, so I just played around a bit to get what I think looked closest to what she had.

Group shot!

Base
Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer mixed with DHC Q10 Cream Foundation

Blush: Kate Cream Cheek PK-4 on apple of cheeks (the little glass jar) & Milani Mineral Powder Blush #204 Sweet Rose toward my temples (the top blush compact)
Highlight: MAC Wonder Woman Collection MSF - Pink Power (the right compact)
Contour/Bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder - Sunny (the left compact)

Lips
1) fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15
2) Etude House VIP girl Dear Darling Lips Stick PK007
3) Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick #680 Temptress
4) Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss #150 Peach Petal

Eyes
Primer: Benefit Stay Don't Stray
Eyeshadow: 1 & 2) Wet N' Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow Collection #737 Blue Had Me At Hello ... 3 & 4) Urban Decay Eyeshadow - Creep and Gunmetal
Eyelash Curler: KOJI Eyelash Curler No. 73
Mascara: The Face Shop Freshian Volumizing Mascara
Eyeliner: Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip Black Eyeliner from the old Nude Eyes trio

After applying a primer, I applied a light shimmery blue/gray shade (#1 in the photo above) all over the lids. Then I used a darker shimmery gray (#4) in the outer half of my lids. But I thought that my look wasn't smokey enough so I added a bit of the shimmery black (#3) in the V or outer corners of my eyes. As for the lower lashes line, I applied #1 on the inner half of my eyes, #3 on the outer half, and #4 right in the middle to create a gradient effect. Since Song Hye Gyo's eyebrows are pretty dark and prominent in her look, I took a matte black shadow (#2) to lightly fill in my eyebrows. Finally, I lined my eyes, curled my lashes and applied mascara. If I knew how to put on fake lashes, I would have definitely sported some. My lashes were practically non-existent with all the smokiness going on my eyelids.

For the lips, I actually had to mix and match to create a lip color somewhat similar to hers because I don't own a corally-pink colored lip product. I ended up applying Revlon Temptress lightly all over my lips and dabbing a bit of Etude House VIP girl lipstick on the center. The lipgloss was mainly just to make my lips look as soft and lustrous as her's were.

How is it? Do you think my version is similar to Song Hye Gyo's look or was this a failure?
I'm going to try to keep in mind to number the products in the photos if I ever do posts like this again. I'm so sorry if it's a bit confusing as to what is what. If there are any other suggestions you'd like to make, feel free to say so! :]

Current Skincare Routine: Day & Night

After blogging for a few years now and posting some reviews here and there, I realized that I haven't shared my skincare routine yet. Keep in mind, I do not usually use the same products again because I have a curious nature and like to try as many products as I can get my hands on. However, if I were to find something that is HG...I will probably hold myself back and repurchase the HG item (but that is a hurdle I'll overcome when I reach it!).

Ever since my beauty nerve was struck, I cannot stop my itch to find my own HG's. So far I've come across many that I like/love or has a possibility of becoming an HG (still thinking!), but no dice...

I have to say, my biggest motivation for "perfect skin" are Korean celebrities. My gosh does their skin look great! I know a lot of it is photoshop and makeup...but when you can see their untampered skin, most will blow you away and look in shame at your own skin. I know I'm always very jealous! I don't have the same money and resources as they do to devote to the same brands nor do I have the same motivation to not be lazy about my skincare routine, but I'm trying in my own ways =]


When I use the products individually, I didn't even realize how many steps I actually had. This current routine is probably the most items I have ever used at one time.

I've been using this routine for about close to a month and it is working pretty well! Other than an occasional pimple, my skin looks rather clear. I still have occasional & random pimples that popped up (it doesn't seem to always correspond with that time of the month though). My cheeks also suffer from redness and overall I still have a problem with clogged and open pores. Far from perfect but much better than it had once been.

My skin type/issues are all over the place. Once the weather starts warming up, I become more and more oily. Sometimes when I'm oily, I'll also get flakey patches. However, as the weather gets colder, my skin is either combination (oily in the T-zone, mostly the nose area) or normal...sometimes leaning on the drier side.

This makes it a difficult because I feel like I want to purchase different products to target different things when the season changes...but most of the time I would still have products remaining and do not want to just let it sit there and be neglected. Unlike with makeup, I tend to stick to the same skincare products until I finish using them.

I've had acne since I hit puberty...in the 4th or 5th grade? Which seemed normal at the time since many of my friends then also went through it around the same time. I had very bad acne, pretty much everywhere. The worst was my forehead. Over the years, as I started to take care of my skin more they seemed have gravitated to the lower parts of my face (was cheeks, now mainly chin and the area between nose and lips).

After experimenting with many products, I can't say really that a specific one really did the trick. But just routinely cleansing and taking care of it helped keep the pimples at bay.


The current cleansers that are in rotation.

After finishing the Hada Labo Cleansers that I recently reviewed, these were up next. Particularly the Etude House cleanser first. Since both target acne troubles, I do not have to really designate any 1 in particular for morning/evening use.

Etude House AC Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser
This is only a travel size of the cleanser that I received when I bought the AC Clinic Pink Powder Spot (which I assume is similar to the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion many people raved about). The cleanser has a really strong tea tree smell that I eventually got used to. It lathers really well and a little goes a long way. In terms of controlling my acne, I think it is alright. I still experience breakouts and the acne that does surface doesn't go away any faster than it normally would (without using a topical treatment). However, I do like that it doesn't dry my face out after using it. My face feels clean without feeling like it's being stripped of moisture. I probably wouldn't repurchase because of all the trouble I have to go through with ordering it online. If I were to ever take a trip to Korea (where it is the cheapest) or find it in a store for a reasonable price...I might buy the full size.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser
I bought this at the very end of December and used it on and off throughout January. Surprisingly, this cleanser also did not strip my skin out after using it! Usually salicylic acid would dry my skin out immediately but this felt surprisingly gentle for a 2% salicylic acid product. It also seems to help with my acne a little bit but is not a miracle "end-all-be-all" acne-fighting cleanser. For the price and easy accessibility, I am thinking about repurchasing it...


Morning Routine

1. Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Dew
As a moisturizing toner, it works well. I would say after using this for a little while in the winter and now with slight allergies, I'd say this would be better for use in the Spring. Possibly even throughout the summer for someone who doesn't have much of an oily skin problem. The dew left my skin soft and feeling supple but just wasn't enough on dry patches. It does help remove any excess dirt that wasn't cleaned off during cleansing which is always a plus.

2. Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Day Protector
Similar to the dew I feel this would be better for the Spring. With that being said, this was an interesting product. It has a cooling effect after I swipe it onto my face. There is also titanium dioxide in there, hence the protector (but it doesn't say any SPF so I'm guessing there isn't too much of it in there). I was a little weary on using a second toner, but this could be a lotion (if used enough).

I haven't really used enough of both these Naruko items to have a full opinion but so far my first impressions of both are pretty good!

3. Origins GinZing
I don't look much for from eye creams other than moisturizing. I originally came across this product because of its brightening properties. It does have a pearly/shimmery effect but I don't really see it help my dark circles much after I put it under my eyes. Also, I didn't see much depuffing like it says it would help with...The only good thing is the little jar lasted a very long time. But now I just can't wait for it to be done with.

4. Genie in a Bottle Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Serum
This is the 3rd bottle of the product that I'm using. I really love it! It keeps my skin nice and plump & gives it the bouncy effect. Very similar to the Hada Labo products but sans the sticky feeling that a lot of people weren't too fond of (I didn't mind it). Genie in a Bottle costs much less. I may upgrade this to HG soon...but I have to consider it a little more :X HG has to be superb and I haven't really tried enough serums to say this is the best of the best.

5. BeautyMate Hydro Power Collagen Cream
The cream sinks into my skin very well and quickly. It moisturizes and keeps my skin supple. Throughout the day my skin doesn't feel or look dry. Sasa says it also brightens but I didn't really see much of that. Overall, it worked well for most of what it is meant to do for a very low price (from Sasa).

6. Josie Maran Protect Daily Sun Protection Argan Oil Infused SPF40+
Liquidy in texture. Very different than the sunscreens that I've tried before. But I like this just as much. Since it's runny, I find it easy to apply and spread so I don't have to tug at my face too much. The argan oil gives a dewy finish so if I don't feel like wearing makeup I can just walk out with just skincare and sunscreen. However, it might be too much for oily skin in the summer. I find that when I just put powder on top to set the sunscreen, the powder doesn't hold very well...definitely need to wear a primer to give a barrier/hold for the powder.


Mid-Day (usually around 5-6PM)...Makeup Removing

1. H20+ Dual Action Eye Makeup Remover OR Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup remover
I don't wear eye makeup that often. When I do, it is light enough that it'll come off using a face makeup remover/cleansing oil. I really only got specific eye-makeup removers for prom when I was playing around with mascara.

Between the two, I like the H20+'s over Neutrogena's. Both remover eye-makeup well. However, for some reason after using the Neutrogena remover, it would sort of dry out the eye area and leave this strange whiteness around my eye area. This wouldn't be a problem if I did my whole skincare routine right after I removed my makeup...but I usually take my makeup off right after I get home and do my night routine after I brush my teeth (10PM-1AM). It seems weird but it makes sense to me?

2. Biore Makeup Remover Gel
I've always used cleansing oils to remove makeup because my makeup frenzy started with BB Creams and many people recommended cleansing oils. I loved how well they took off makeup but hated how they would start drying out my face after I used it. Sure I felt clean but I had to always apply moisturizing afterward or spray my face to give some moisture back. This hasn't steered me away from using cleansing oils any longer but I just wanted to experiment with other options.

I am sort of on the fence about whether I like this product or not. It isn't as drying as a cleansing oil, but sometimes my face doesn't feel clean enough. Maybe I'm just too used to the squeaky clean feeling I get from cleansing oils? Although this product was very inexpensive, I'm not going to repurchase it because I used this up pretty fast (only 1.5-2 pumps each time). Only been a month or so and I'm very close to finishing it...

3. BeautyMate Hydro Power Collagen Cream


Night Routine

1. BeautyMate Anti-Blemish Repairing Nano Toner
I really do not care for a toner in a pump bottle. It was so hard to control and I need to pump so much out to even have enough to use. Aside from that, I cannot say I like or hate this toner. Nothing about its performance stands out to me. It works well, can remove the excess dirt that I couldn't pick up when cleaning with my hands...but it didn't do well against blemish. I guess I was expecting a little too much from the toner?

2. Naruko Marjoram and Lavender Brightening Eye Cream
I like how light this eye cream was and it was moisturizing. But I didn't see any brightening. The product itself doesn't have the pearly look so it doesn't brighten/highlight physically. Overall...it may look to this again because it doesn't have parabens/preservatives/added color etc. and can be used morning and night versus GinZing which I'd feel comfortable only using it in the morning because of the pearly effect.

3. Genie in a Bottle Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Serum

4. Skinfood Omija Whitening Serum
I haven't used this enough to see its whitening effects but I like how light this serum. I'm currently only using this on my neck because my face is much lighter in color than my neck is. Will report back soon!

5. BeautyMate Hydro Power Collagen Cream

6. Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Night Eye Gelly
Of the Naruko products I've opened and used...this left the biggest mark in my books. LOVE LOVE LOVE how well it moisturizes without being too heavy. After using this, I found that concealer applied to my under eye very smoothly. I will definitely be repurchasing this one and trying out the other eye and face gellies. The only thing I didn't really see was the firming and brightening aspects that the site says the product will also help with. But then again I don't need much firming yet...

7. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
At first, I wasn't too sure I liked this product but I've got to say of the acne treatments I've tried so far this was the most effective. Salicylic acid just doesn't seem to work with my pimples...I also like how this one doesn't dry and leave a strange film on my face like salicylic acid treatments do. I noticed that helped with the bumps on my chin and the clogged pores on my nose. This is also a very close HG product, on the consideration list!


Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C (Mist) & Genie in a Bottle Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Spray
I don't see much difference when using mists because it evaporates pretty quickly. But over makeup, it gives a similar effect to Fix+, not as dewy but still softens the base makeup so it looks a bit more natural. Nonetheless, I'd still purchase a mist to use after applying makeup over skincare properties. Packaging-wise I like the Skinfood one over Genie in a Bottle. The former gives a much finer mist. However, be careful not to suck in any of the mist...it tastes really bad =.=


This step is the one that I usually get lazy with, ironically exfoliating is an important step.
I haven't found one that I liked yet so it makes it even harder to [remember to] use it.

My aunt bought these two for me when The Face Shop in Koreatown opened a couple of years ago(?)...See how bad I am at exfoliating? haha

The Face Shop Peeling Day - Honey Black Sugar
I thought that this would work similar to the Skinfood version that so many people RAVED about. I'm not sure how that one is but I did not like this one at all...The sugar particles are humongous and pretty sharp. It hurt to really rub them around my face, I could only gently move them around...which I don't think really exfoliates anything. The honey factor makes this product really thick, gooey, and sticky to use. I also didn't see a big difference in blackhead reduction like it says it would help with, but then again I do not think I used it correctly because I tried to be as gently as I could.

The Face Shop Peeling Day - White Jewel
I was looking forward to wearing this because I thought it would be similar to the highly talked about Cure Aqua Gel. I don't really know how that one is but this version isn't too good. When I rub this around, there are clumps that show up...but it seems like it's more of the product itself is clumping together rather than my dead skin. I still like this exfoliating concept. Just this version wasn't the one, in my opinion.

How many products are in your skincare routines? Does anyone inspire you to achieve perfect skin?

If anyone is interested, enter my giveaway! Press HERE
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