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Project Make a Dent No. 2 | It's Official

Project Make A Dent 2016

Is this Project Make a Dent still a thing? (I have been pretty off the beauty world and blogosphere radar lately.) Regardless, I was so satisfied with my year long commitment to a select group of makeup items in 2015 that I chose a new round of products for 2016.

It may be April but I had actually started this back in January at the start of the new year. But don't worry, these photos were truly taken back then so you will definitely be able to see changes (if any) at the halfway update in June. Now this post is just a matter of making it all blog official.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Liquid and Cream base products - Before results

L to R: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Maybelline Angelfit Pore zero Base SPF 25 PA++, and Lancome Teint Miracle in 6W Buff

These are the base products that got chosen for the journey. Both the Clarins items were brand new when this PMAD began. They came in a value set from Sephora a while back. Both sound to be promising primers for makeup. The Instant Smooth, of course, is suppose to hide pores and lines, while the Beauty Flash Balm says to "instantly moisturize, brighten, and tighten" according to Clarins & Sephora.

I decided to add another primer, Maybelline Angelfit, to the pile because it is also getting old. It may even be past it's due date but it hasn't broken me out yet (I don't think). No matter what is left after this year, it is probably time to toss at the end. So why not try to make the most of it!

This Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation was passed onto me by J. When I want to feel made up but still be on the natural side, this product comes in handy. It isn't my favorite everyday foundation though, that place definitely goes to cushions. In fact, when I am not using the Lancome one I reach for the BB Cushion instead. I didn't include that with the PMAD because I don't have the "not reaching for it" problem like with these products (surprisingly).

Project Make A Dent 2016 Clarins Lisse Minute Instant Smooth - Before results

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

A closer look at the Clarins primer. Brand, spankin' new! From personal experience, this tub of primer make look little but potted products go a long way. I already foresee the possibility of one or two of the three primers not being used much this PMAD round.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Powder makeup products - Before results

Top L to R: Maquillage Face Creator, Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige, and MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly GameBottom L to R: MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me, Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade,  Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette in N-1

Project Make A Dent 2016 Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder 220 Natural Beige - Before results

Maybelline FIT Me! Pressed Powder in 220 Natural Beige

After the great success I had at finishing a pressed powder last year, I couldn't wait to tackle the rest of the powders I had in my stash. I remember buying this FIT Me! powder around when it first came out but never really using it. Sometimes I feel that the shade looks a bit dark on me but it is negligible. The powder has very clear speckles of shimmer in it but it doesn't really translate onto the face, so don't worry about looking like the characters from Twilight. It isn't my favorite powder but it gets the job of setting makeup done.

Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Pet Me  - Before results Project Make A Dent 2016 MAC Mineralize Blush Utterly Game  - Before results
MAC Mineralize Blush in Pet Me
MAC Mineralize Blush in Utterly Game

I know picking two items in the same category usually means one will be forgotten through the year. But with blush...I just have so many that I wanted to at least give myself the opportunity to put a dent in 2 of the many during this year. From January until now, the former prediction is holding true: I've been using Pet Me exclusively. But hey, it is a safe color for all year round. Now that it is getting warmer though, I can see myself reaching for the orange-y shade of Utterly Game a little more. We'll see?

Project Make A Dent 2016 Etude House Model Face Color 2 Model Shade - Before results

Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade

Oh the player from last year showed up again for 2016! How can it not? Look at the pan sighting! It was just begging to be panned out.

Now to be honest, around February or so, I must have swirled my makeup brush in the product a little too roughly and...it suffered a powder casualty. It broke into bits and pieces and fell onto the floor. It couldn't be saved. This still counts as panning, right?

Project Make A Dent 2016 NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720 Sunny - Before results

N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720 Sunny

The replacement after the accidental pan-out of the original bronzing/shading powder for this PMAD. Like many other products I own, the bronzing powder is getting too old. My blog records show I got this in 2010... But I will be a little more forgiving since it is a powder and I do spray my powder products with alcohol every now and again. I can't attest to how a fresh version of this bronzing powder will work (or if N.Y.C. even still carries this) but mine picks up and applies pretty sheer. This isn't a problem for me since I don't do defined contouring anyways. It just adds a little color for a more subtle shading effect.

Project Make A Dent 2016 jane Shimmering Blush 01 Natural Blush - Before results

jane Shimmering Blush in 01 Natural Blush

The second add-on item to this Project Make a Dent, jane Shimmering Blush. If anyone realized that I showed the Maquillage Face Creator palette in the group photo but not in a solo shot, you were right! It is because I decided to stash that for travel-only. It is such a handy makeup palette for on the go that I wasn't ready to completely use it up this year.

The jane Shimmering Blush isn't really a highlighter nor is it easy to only pick up the white highlight color. Nonetheless, I used it as such because of it's shimmery factor. Depending on how much I swirl a brush into it or how dense the brush is, the blush colors don't show up too prominently.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Kose Visee Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette N-1 - Before results

Visee Glam Nude Eye Shadow Palette in N-1

I've learned from last year. I need to put more effort into using eyeshadows. I decided to go for a different palette this time around as encouragement. Maybe the last one just wasn't enticing enough? This Visse Glam Nude palette has a few skin tone like shades. If my sole purpose was to pan an eyeshadow that would work well! But there are also two darker/coppery shades available in case I have a change of heart towards eyeshadows.

Project Make A Dent 2016 Lip products - Before results

L to R (clockwise): Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 680 Temptress, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in 418 Caring Coral, and Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

2016's plan for lip products: lip balms and my-lip-color colors. Well, I guess that's practically what 2015's selection was as well. But these give an even more natural looking color pay off...? I know some people don't like the Colour Riche Balm's because the color pay off is pretty non-existent but for me (speaking as someone who only as this 1 shade in my stash) it is just right. I wouldn't necessarily use this in place of a lip balm though. To me it is a good sheer lip balm that can look lip gloss-y without the tackiness.

There you have it, Project Make a Dent 2016 Edition!
Let's see what happens in June at the half year mark. Maybe my predictions won't be true? Or since I'm reflecting on this in April the potential hiccups in the project will be more fresh in my head this time around.

Gold & Navy Nails

My first attempt at the whole nail stamping thing. Definitely not perfect & all about trial and error!
The pinky and ring finger were redone a couple of times since I started off from left to right.
I was about to give up because things just weren't turning out well. But then I finally got the hang of it. (I think...)
After I've used these a few more times, I will share all my tips in a later post. Don't want to be too hasty with my opinions yet.

L to R:
Seche Clear (1 layer)
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Petrol (1 layer)
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - 110 Wedding Glitters (2 thin layers)
Revlon Extra Life No Chip Top Coat (2 layers)

Shany Cosmetics Stamping Nail Art Image Plate - 25 piece set
Plate: SH211

I can't wait to use the stamping kit for holiday-ish nails!
Going to get right to that after my last final on Monday.

Have you tried nail stamping designs before? Any tips & tricks?

Pastel Rainbow Nails

L to R:
Seche Clear ... Milani 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer ~ 509-HD,
American Apparel Rose Bowl (pink) ... OPI Rumples Wiggin (purple),
OPI What's with the Cattitude? (blue) ... Revlon Buttercup (yellow),
American Apparel Office (green) ... Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Anti-Chip Top Coat
My nails are finally strong enough for polish! I felt like I haven't done my nails for yearrrss (it's probably only been half a year lol). I had such a hard time deciding what color to choose. So I ended up using 5 colors instead to make the decision easier. Who ever said we can only use one polish color at a time? :P Would you do the same or was I just a little bit too excited?

Revlon Girly

Aren't I on a blogging roll this week! Here's another post before March ends. (I noticed I would have had only published 4 posts. Not that I'm the very superstitious type or anything but I just like to avoid the number 4. It's the Chinese in me lol)
Girly looks really pretty in the bottle. A soft blue pink with blue, magenta, silver glitters and tons of smaller purple and coral/pink glitter specks floating around.
This is only showing 1 (light) layer. I'm sure if you layered the polish the pink base color will show even more prominently. But do keep in mind the pink base is the sheer jelly type so don't expect too much. For me, it is one of those 'my nails but better' pink colors. If you're going to apply a light layer like I did, it is hard to get an even coat of the glitters. I had to fish around for them a little bit. The main reason why I didn't apply a thicker coat of the polish or put more layers on was just because glitter polishes are so darn hard to remove! Any great tips to share? I'd love to hear how to easily remove a glitter polish.

New Nail Polish Storage & Revlon Buys

I wanted to get this after seeing xteener's nail polish storage video. This storage system is one of those things that I don't really need but it is definitely nice to have. I got it from The Container Store for $13.99. If you subscribe to their E-Mail service I think they still offer a 10% off coupon to use for your first purchase.

Modular Flip-Out Bins from The Container Store

My current polish collection fits inside just perfectly. Very perfectly, with no extra space at all. My base and top coats actually have no room inside this storage but that's alright. They have a new home on my tabletop. Each bin holds about 6 or 7 nail polishes depending on the shape of the bottle. It isn't ideal for those with a polish collection that's bigger than say...40ish polishes. Unless you don't mind having more than 1 of these. The good thing is it's stackable. There are grooves on all four sides that lets you connect other pieces to it.

Inside look at my polish collection!


I joked on Instagram that this either meant I should stop buying more polishes because I have no room for it or...I have more space than ever because I now have my old nail polish container to fill with newly acquired polishes. I wasn't expecting to buy any new polishes so quickly but a stop to Walgreens with Bestie C the other day and I came out with 2 bottles of Revlon Nail Enamel. It didn't help that there was a BOGO 50% on Revlon polishes, it only made me want to get these even more.

L to R: Revlon Girly & Revlon Gray Suede
L to R: Revlon Girly & Revlon Gray Suede
L to R: Revlon Gray Suede & Revlon Girly
Top to Bottom: Revlon Girly & Revlon Gray Suede
I'm not sure if Deborah Lippman has a polish like Girly but it looks very Deborah Lippman-esque doesn't it?

Do you have a big nail polish collection? How do you store your polishes?

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! :]

Big Bang Alive Galaxy Tour Concert NJ 110912

This post has been delayed for long enough. But as the saying goes...Better late than never! All these photos are showed in order of when I took them. Maybe it'll help make it seem like you were there too. I'll try my best to find the name of songs they performed and add it in as well. Sorry for the blurry photos. Most were taken with my iPhone. (Prudential Center made a big announcement saying there were no cameras allowed. But once we got inside, the rule wasn't even enforced that heavily.) I've already cropped most of them to show the most important subjects a.k.a. the members :D Hope everyone enjoys!

My mani for the concert! ^__^
Yellow base: Revlon -  Buttercup
Blue glittery layer: Sephora by OPI - Underwater Fantasy

Can you tell? I was VERY excited! ^__^


My friend and I reached Prudential Center around 12PM and we were at the corner of the block. If only I didn't go to my one class that day, we could have had MUCH better spots. The people in front of us during the concert had been lining up since 9AM!
Once the VIPs got these bands, everything was a bit more organized. They actually had everyone go inside for the concert more or less according to these numbers. We weren't shooed back outside like the 2NE1 concert attendees were. All the VIPs with wristbands filed into the lobby/waiting area and lined up sequentially. I was #585. But there were 700+ numbers too! I dare say I think there were maybe even up to 1000 "VIPs". Whoever planned the concert really wanted to get all the profit that they could get >__>;; I don't think there was any empty space in the General Admission/VIP area.

The goodies that came with being a VIP ticket holder. Besides being able to attend the soundcheck, these made the VIP package worthwhile. The light sticks and shirts were pretty expensive at the merchandise stand!

There were fans who brought along tons of these kind of banners to pass out. I didn't even hold mine up because I was annoyed by others who held up their posters. I definitely didn't want anyone else to be in my position.

He did not look happy/impressed :P

My spots on the floor for the soundcheck and the concert were alright but still much closer than I thought I originally thought I would be in. If you can imagine this...there were the rails to separate fans from the stage. Then one row of fans, another row of fans, and I was in the third and last row in the particular area my friend and I chose to stand. After that we had to leave a space between us and another rail for people further up and closer to the center of the stage/catwalk to go in and out of the crowded mosh pit. And believe me when I say there were TONS of times when people (or more specifically this one particular person) who kept going in and out, in and out of the mosh pit. Us 3rd rowers were constantly jostled against each other throughout the entire concert. Huge bummer!

The seats ALL around us pretty much looked like this until a little while AFTER the concert began. I was worried it would stay empty because the concert was literally a few of days after Hurricane Sandy hit. But the fans pulled through :]
Songs Played: Still Alive Intro, Tonight, Hands Up, Fantastic Baby, How Gee, Stupid Liar
I wish I was closer to the main stage. Since I'm short (despite wearing heels), whenever they performed over there, I was only able to watch them through the big screens :[ My phone had a better view than I did xD







Song Played: GD & TOP ... Knock Out (뻑이가요) 
I wish I was able to see more of TOP. Of the few times he came over, my view was usually blocked by the girl's sign who was standing in the first row (she was a uber big TOP fan and brought a LED sign just for him). Those signs look better when you're not the person standing behind them :|







Songs Played: Crayon, One of a Kind, short English rendition of Crayon


Song Played: GD & TOP ... High High
Clearly the security personnels were not very impressed!
Everyone in my area couldn't believe the people at Prudential Center decided to place such a tall guy right by the stage. We were all so short compared to him! See those raise arms in comparison to where his head is? :X

Songs Played: Seungri ... Strong Baby and 어쩌라고 (don't have photos for that)
Songs Played: 가라 가라 고, Number 1, Cafe, Bad Boy
Songs Played: Blue (Fans were suppose to wave their blue light sticks during this song but since the Samsung booth gave out blue bangles, the outcome of the 'event' wasn't as dramatic), Love Song, Monster, Feeling
Probably the only 'good' photo I have with all five members in it.




Songs Played: Taeyang ... Only Look At Me and Wedding Dress (no photos)
Song Played: Daesung ... Wings
As corny as it sounds, he really did look like an angel :P
& Let me tell you...he sounds just as amazing, if not better, LIVE! :D

Song Played: Haru Haru (I have to admit did get teary eyed when the whole audience was able to sing the chorus of this song!), Lies, Last Farewell


Encore: Heaven, Bad Boy, Fantastic Baby, Feeling
One of the few clear photos I have of Taeyang. He didn't really come to the part of the stage that I was in as often. 

Something I thought was interesting. I didn't know that those Big Bang towels that were sold were actually meant for this.  A fan really close to the stage threw (I'm assuming) her's up and Daesung actually caught it! He wiped himself a bit and threw it back down.


I read about Daesung and his water flinging from the day before's concert goers. I was so surprised I'd be in the section that he chose to do this in though :P Yes things like this made me giddy. What can I say? I'm a fangirl too! :X

This fan behind us was SOO lucky! During the concert she asked my friend to throw a giant panda up to the stage for Seungri. Soon after when Big Bang came out to throw things for the audience, Seungri got in his stance and swung this jacket out to her direction. If I remember correctly she and another girl both caught it. But obviously she won the tug-of-war :P It wasn't until after I got home and did some 'researching' that I realized the LED sign she held up during the concert (that said VI) was actually Seungri's other stage name. Everything clicked! I think he really was trying to aim for her. Congrats to her! She must have been over the moon happy :D Those jackets, new and not worn by Big Bang, already were selling on YG Ent.'s ebay site for $100+!
Big Bang definitely did not disappoint! I was so amazed that they were performing with a LIVE band. I have no idea what it's like to be at a club. But I assume the atmosphere with the loud heart throbbing music that filled the venue would be kind of similar? Of course sans the screaming and singing fans xD

Everything went very smoothly and the concert started on time. No mishaps at all on their part. (I, on the other hand, lost a camera pouch toward the end of the show & my feet were dying from standing all day in heels.) Besides the great concert, I learned the importance lesson behind the reality of being a seatless VIP.
1 ~ Hardcore fans really do not care if other fans' views are blocked because of signs. They really will hold up those up HIGH for the entire concert!
2 ~ Being short is very disadvantageous.
3 ~ Having good spots where it is possible to actually see the members comfortably requires lining up VERY early, especially if it was a sold out show. Lots of people were not from New Jersey or New York!
But the amazingness of Big Bang really did make those problems bearable. Even after 2 months, the songs on my phone are still exclusive all the songs Big Bang performed that day. The more upbeat songs are actually really motivating exercise music! :P

*****You can ignore the next part of you're not interested in me babbling on any longer. Just a lot of fangirling going on here. More so for my terrible memory's sake than anything else :]*****

Most of the photos are of Daesung and Seungri because they came to the side I was in most of the 5 members. Before the concert, I didn't really have a bias toward any specific member. Everyone had their own charm. I always loved Daesung and Taeyang for their voices. TOP always had the charismatic/mysterious appeal and G-Dragon gained a place in my heart after his recent solo works. (Sorry Seungri fans...don't hurt me! :X) Afterwards, my standings for everyone are pretty much all over the place. I saw such a different side of Daesung from what I had seen of him on TV, he definitely went up in my ranks. Plus hearing his amazeball voice live...omgosh. Words cannot explain! Since I didn't get to experience the same amount of Taeyang as others did during the concert, my bias for him is more or less the same. However, I can tell everyone that his voice is also amazing live. G-Dragon's performance was also very memorable. Especially when he started to rap an English edition of Crayon (I'm very bias toward those who can speak English xD). TOP and Seungri's ranks in my books therefore were moved down. Not at all because they were bad! It was mostly because I literally got to see TOP perform only 3 or 4 times in front of me (so I missed his cute/aegyo moments).

Are you a fan of Big Bang or any other KPOP group/idol? Who are you biases?
Would anyone be interested in seeing the videos?