Project Make A Dent | Half Year Update

Project make a dent

The statement of updating monthly or quarterly on my PMAD progress fell by the wayside. Rather than me being too busy to blog or anything like that, it was in reality because I didn't really wear makeup as much as I thought I would. Nonetheless! Progress has still been made (barely, but there).

Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam highlighter Hada Labo BB Moist Emulsion, Nanoce BB Cream, Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer UV, Benefit Highbeam Half way results highlighter
Before
After
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

It is hard to tell if any progress has been made with these guys. Why opaque packaging? Why!
Out of these 4 bases, I reached for the nanoce BB Cream most often (most likely because I can actually feel it getting lighter and lighter). Even though I could use the extra coverage on spots and dark circles, I still don't reach for concealers in general. When I do use it, I tend to mix a little of the Canmake Cover & Stretch Concealer in with the BB Cream.

Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
Before
Asian makeup, Korean makeup, Japanese makeup, Etude House blush, Etude House bronzer, Maquillage Face Creator, Esprique Precious eye palette, MAC cosmetics cream colour blush
After
Only one item in this group looks like I made any progress with at first glance. But truly any progress made with powders is an accomplishment, don't you think?

Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation, Project Make a Dent half way results
Before
After
mark Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Powder Buff
Ahh~ The satisfaction of seeing so much pan! Such a tease though, it will probably take another long while before this mark Powder Foundation will be all gone. I like the extra coverage this foundation gives but it's a little too powdery for me.

Before
After
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in 5 Lovely Pink
Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Etude House Model Face Color contour, Korean cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way results
Etude House Model Face Color in 2 Model Shade
Nowhere near seeing the bottom of the pan but the edges are visible! It helps that these two products require more swirling to get product onto brushes. This works well for me since I prefer to work in light layers and build up.

MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush MAC, MAC Cream Colour Base, Virgin Isle, cream blush half way results
Before
After
MAC Cream Colour Base in Virgin Isle
Ermm, so I don't think I will be making a dent in this any time soon. This MAC Cream Colour blush didn't get any love until recently and I was immediately reminded how well it worked. I only need to lightly dab a brush to get a ton of color for both cheeks, otherwise my cheeks will end up looking very clown-like.

Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Maquillage Face Creator palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Before
After
Maquillage Face Creator
Do you see it? The dips? I tend to grab this Maquillage palette when I want to highlight on a day-to-day basis. But it was also a great all-in-one option when I did some traveling back in April. Definitely saved me the headache of overpacking beauty-wise.

Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent Esprique Precious eye palette, Japanese cosmetics, Project Make a Dent half way update
Before
After
Esprique Precious eye palette
Even though this palette was very readily available for me to use every morning, I still didn't reach for it often. My subconscious must not be accustomed to the idea of wearing eyeshadows daily yet. Mental note: make an effort for the next half year please!

Project Make a Dent, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Livin Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics 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 Project Make a Dent before, Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick, Living Nature lipstick, Korean cosmetics half way update
Before
After
L to R: Cinique Chubby Stick in Woppin Watermelon, Lioele Donut Glo-Stick in Milky Pink, Living Nature Lipstick in Sandstone
As with the eyeshadow palette, these lippies were underloved too. Of all the items, the trio here looks practically untouched! Must try harder to make dents here.

I might make another update before the end of the year if I make bigger progress.
But anyways!! Any exciting pan sightings for you?

End of a Chapter

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center outside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

I know...it is super cliche. Nonetheless, graduation really does signify the end of one chapter in life. For me this commencement meant the end of my undergraduate years. Whether or not it is the end of my educational life is question to be answered further down the road.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, New York

Something that I have said constantly on this blog and just in general: time sure does fly by. It didn't feel like 4 years had passed even though it was staring me right in the face.

June 3, 2011, I was attending my Freshman orientation and getting my college ID card.
June 3, 2015, I was attending my graduation as a Senior for an undergraduate degree.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

Witnessed by closes friends & family members (+ thousands of other people) during such a surreal moment of life.

Many classmates talked about how commencement wasn't anything special, especially since our names wouldn't even be called. But just being in the stadium with fellow excited graduates & knowing that family members could physically see this moment in time was enough for me. Nothing like being in a cap and gown to finally feel like you've made it. (Of course it would have been great to be personally and individually acknowledged but it wasn't realistically possible.)

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York, confetti

While I can't be more happy that the days of school-related cramming, exams, projects, and sleepless nights are over, there are a new set of worries ahead waiting. Before graduation was in sight, I had already (tried) adopted the idea of letting the future play out as things come. Sure people get further with defined goals and everything but I guess that's just not how it happened for me? Maybe I'll share what happens/will happen to me after graduation in another post. I will be one heck of a story!

Restaurant Week | David Burke Kitchen

I don't know why but I have always had the notion that Restaurant Week would be too fancy for me to experience. When Bestie C asked if I wanted to go to a participating restaurant last week, I was intrigued but a bit hesitant. (But really more the former than the latter.) The $25 price tag pretty much sealed the deal. Still pricey? Yes but when comparing it to the restaurants' usual pricing, $25 for a 3 course pre-fix meal is a darn good deal. When else will I get to try these types of foods right?

David Burke Kitchen was Bestie C's pick. It's located at what seems like the edge of Soho in a quiet area that is a quick walk away if you're already near Soho. The restaurant itself was pretty big with various table sizes to fit big and small parties alike. We were seated at one of the smaller, more intimate tables since it was just the two of us.

Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen
Grapes & Vinegar-y carrots
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, appetizer, Lobster Dumpling Soup
Lobster Dumpling Soup
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, entree, Hanger Steak Frites
Hanger Steak Frites
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, dessert, Mocha Mousse Bar
Mocha Mousse Bar (& Toasted Coconut Tart in background)
If I am to be honest, I had somewhat high expectations. Restaurant week, fancy place (in my books), and great food were three things that automatically linked in my brain. Question now is did this meal disappoint? Mostly no.

The highlights for me were the appetizer and desserts. The Lobster Dumpling Soup was light but flavorful and both desserts were indulgent and delicious. Bestie C and I both agreed that the Mocha Mousse Bar was the better of the two, but I also really liked the Toasted Coconut Tart if it was sans the pineapple garnish. My entree of Hanger Steak Frites was just alright (additional cost to the $25 for this particular entree). The flavor was definitely there. The steak bit was too tough and chewy for medium cooked beef. Of the entree, the thicker cut fries were my favorite—crispy yet soft and well seasoned. I like the sweets we had so much that I would probably want to visit David Burke Kitchen just for it!


I think this coming week is the last official week of Restaurant Week - Winter 2015 edition. There is an overwhelming number of restaurants throughout NYC that are offering $25 lunch and $38 dinner menus. This may sound crazy but Bestie C and I've already got 2 more places we're planning to go to before the week is over. Hello more consistent workouts for the next bajillion weeks!

Has anyone been to a restaurant week before?
Any gem finds that I should add to my To Try list for the future?
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