Collective Beauty Haul

I haven't done a collective haul post in a long time! Over the past few months I've bought more clothes than anything else. But that has yet to find it's way onto my blog (maybe in the future). The only beauty products I purchased were a result of necessity and the coupons I received. I think I can definitely give myself a pat on the back for the lack of makeup and skincare hoarding I've done in the latter half of 2012.
Skin79 Smart Clear Deep Cleansing Oil
I've tried this for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I don't like this cleansing oil very much. Then again this is one of the few items that I didn't search for any reviews before purchasing so there is no one to blame but myself.

One layer
Two layers

Thank goodness CVS included these as a part of their Winter Clearance sale! I think each were only ~$1.50. Otherwise, I probably would have never even considered buying Milani polishes. The colors always looked pretty and sparkly on the display, but drugstore polishes can be pricey. (I say this meaning any polish over $5, when not on sale, for a drugstore brand is 'pricey'.) I've been using the silver and gold polish shades a lot in particular for the holidays.

Clinique All About Eyes Rich, Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk, Becca Beach Tint - Lychee
The first Sephora hauling I've done since maybe the Spring? If it wasn't for their $15 off coupon for Beauty Insiders, I wouldn't have bought as much as I did.
Beeca Beach Tint - Lychee
Lychee looks bright out of the tube but when I apply 1 layer it turns out to be very natural. Of course, it is definitely possible to get the bright pink shade as well with a second layer.
Clinique All About Eyes Rich
After using the Naruko eye cream for what seems like forever, I was so excited to try something else. I really needed something more moisturizing and this has been delivering just that!



The contents of my 500-point perk from Sephora. I have been saving up these points for years! I haven't used any of these products so I cannot say much about them yet. I'm definitely looking forward to using the Shimmer Bloc.

After seeing what KarYi picked up with her $10 Origins coupon, I'm regretting my purchase. Their line of makeup products completely slipped my mind and all I could remember was how many people raved of their exfoliator, Modern Friction. I actually have a few unopened exfoliators lying around so I didn't want to buy a full-size of it. Hopefully I'll end up liking this and I won't regret buying it as much. All I can do now is look forward to my next Origins coupon so I can pick up the Pinch Your Cheeks blushes the next time around.

Since my Josie Maran sunscreen ran out I haven't been wearing sun protection at all. I definitely don't recommend this! When I got my $5 Extrabucks from CVS and a 25% coupon in my email, I knew exactly what I wanted to try. It wasn't hard to choose from all the sunscreens La Roche-Posay offered because I prefer to use physical sunscreens (with Titanium Dioxide and/or Zinc Oxide). Now the decision of the tinted version over the untinted version was just because the untinted sunscreens at the CVS I go to were all pretty old but not yet expired. Just to play it safe I bought the tinted sunscreen since one bottle of sunscreen tends to last me a while. So far, I really like this protect!

I've wanted to try something from the Sana Hadanomy line for the longest time. For one reason or another, I never ended up purchasing anything. After not having a mist to use for the past few months, I finally got this! It's only been a week but I do like it. The only thing is the mist isn't as fine as I'd prefer. But I guess nothing is ever perfect.

What new products have you bought recently? Any recommendations you'd like share?

My Unofficial Christmas Present

Perhaps this is an Asian or Chinese thing, especially for non-religious families, but mine was never big on the whole buying presents specifically for the holidays, wrapping them up, and gifting it to others deal. In fact, we don't gift for birthdays, mothers' day, fathers' day or any other celebratory day that involves presents. However, this doesn't mean I wasn't bought things either. They were just never officially called a present. (I hope that made some sense...) My family always just buys things for each other randomly and casually implies that it's a present. Usually, it is because there is a sale.

It's really amusing when I shop with mom. I like to think I am (for the most part) a wise spender. Usually, I like to think things through, look at the prices, see if there are sales, try and retry clothes a billion times before I finally make a decision. Sometimes I do make impulsive decisions here and there. But I think I know where I get that trait from. Mom would say one thing and then do another. For instance, I mentioned once or twice a few months ago that I'd like to buy a watch. She told me I didn't need one and that they're too expensive. Fast forward, day after Christmas, she not only doesn't pull me away from looking at what I can't afford but encourages me to try them even if I don't buy it. She said, "who cares...you're just trying it on!" In the end, she even bought me the watch that I was eyeing. Hence the title. She never said "this will be your Christmas present," but I feel that because of how special and expensive it is, it might as well be considered one. During the whole time by the Watches department, I felt like a mom the whole time trying to dissuade her from buying things we didn't really need (she was also contemplating a watch for herself). Would anyone believe me if I say this is how most of our shopping trips go, especially for costlier items like jackets, electronics, and such? But that's what makes shopping with mom interesting. I actually learned a lot about my mom's tastes and shopping habits these last few years than I ever have.



I was completely surprised by her decision because of the price tag. My original brand choice for a watch was Michael Kors since everyone seemed to be getting it. Whenever I went to the store, I just never got the I LOVE IT feeling for any particular style. Plus, from what I've seen Michael Kors watches never goes on sale. Even though I had many chances to order from Bloomies with a discount, I of course always talked myself out of it. While mom was by the Citizen counter, I saw this Bulova watch that I just couldn't walk away from. I think a big reason for mom's easy decision was because the watch was actually on sale. It was originally $375, Macy's had a 20% off sale that day for the brand, and then we ended up having an extra 10% since my mom used her Macy's card. The watch came out to be $270 (before tax).




It's difficult to see from the photos (sorry!) but the two-toned colors are actually silver & rose-gold, not silver & gold. I tried both this and the all rose-gold version but ultimately decided on this one. The main reason was because rose-gold is difficult to match bracelets with. The second reason being rose-gold is a trendy color that I'm afraid would go out of style. Since this is a pretty big 'present' and investment, I definitely want to be able to wear this for a long long long time.


Before trying this watch, I also tried on a few Fossil watches. I ended up liking this more because of the smaller clasp and more links. I think gives a bit more flexibility.


I didn't even notice this small detail until I took photos. It's a great touch! Although, I hope it doesn't fall out easily. That would be a nightmare.




The watch was definitely way too big for me. I thought they only took off 3 links total but it seems like it was actually 4. Now it fits around my wrist just right with a little bit of wiggle room.


Now I'll be able to tell the time without having to bust out my phone all the time. Onward with the task of adjusting to reading a watch quickly! Safe to say, this will be the only watch I will need for a good many years to come. Are there any tips on how to care for a watch? How long do the batteries usually last? On a nosier note, how are your shopping experiences with your parents (or friends)?

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays everyone! Wish you have a wonderful Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza! Hope you're all having a great time with your family, friends, and loved ones :]

Here's a quick mani I did for the holidays!


Red Base: Sally Hansen ~ Red Zin
Gold & Silver 'Trees': Milani 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer ~ 510-3D & 509-HD
Silver Shimmers 'Snow': China Glaze Fairy Dust

It is supposed to look like gold & silver Christmas trees and snow. In retrospect, I probably should have thought more about the base color since this is actually my second attempt at this look. I just wanted to use holiday colors. But now as my brother said it looks like "Christmas trees with a blood sky"... *sigh*.
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