Merry Christmas!!!

Just wishing everyone a safe and merry Christmas! Celebrate and enjoy it with your loved ones.

♥ Anne

FOTD: YSL Lilac Eyes

What I used:
EYES
YSL Lilac Eyes
Urban Decay Electro 24/7 Glide liner
Revlon Liquid e/l
Stila Major Lash Mascara

LIPS
Dior Honey Delight l/g

CHEEKS
J.Lynne Samba Blush



For this look, I applied the shimmering lavender eyeshadow in the inner corners of my eyelid, and then applying the eggplant shimmer eyeshadow next to it up to my outer lid. I contoured my crease and outer V with the matte purple eyeshadow, and then highlighted my browbone with the shimmerring pink pearl eyeshadow. I used Revlon liquid eyeliner to create a catline on my upper lashline, and then lined my water line with UD's 24/7 eyeliner in Lust.















This is the look that I did when I hung out with xppinkxx last Saturday (since I couldn't make it to the Pow Wow. OMG... how good was The Boiling Crab?? It was an adventure finding it, but it was soo worth it. Yay for spending quality time with her though. I had so much fun :D. Can't wait for you to be permanent here in Cali!

Anyway, I'm still in the Philippines. OMG.. how crazy their mall here is open til 12 midnight for Christmas shopping HAHA. And, there's like at least three malls next to each other in the same area. The only thing I hate about being here is it's soo smoggy and the traffic!! Oh and the crazy drivers! It sucks since I wouldn't be able to drive anywhere here :(. Nonetheless, I'm still glad I'm here.

I hope everyone is having a nice break for those who get and have it. I'll also try to revise my other pending posts to keep you guys busy :).


Happy Holidays!

FOTD: Dior Earth Reflection Palette

Here's a quick FOTD using the Dior Earth Reflection palette. Review coming up soon!



EYES
Dior Earth Reflection Palette

CHEEKS
Paul & Joe #12 Face Color

LIPS
Bobbi Brown Brown Sugar Shimmer shimmer liptint

For the eyes, I swept the soft gold eyeshadow in my inner part of the lid, and applied bronze next to it blending the colors together. I applied the dark brown color to my crease and outer v to give my eyes more definition. And then, I highlighted my browbone with the golden pearl eyeshadow.















I hope you guys haven't missed me too much yet xP. By this time it's either I'm still on the plane or have landed to Narita Airport in Japan waiting for my connecting flight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll have time to shop at the Duty Free stores there and get my hands on some Japanese makeup *squeals*

And I'm Off!

Well, my bags are packed and I'm heading down to the LAX airport for my flight to Philippines. So stoked! Anyway, I've uploaded some pictures already so I can blog while I'm there when I get a hold of an internet connection. But no worries my kids, I've had some scheduled posts waiting as well.

Anyway, I'm super excited. Don't worry, I'll make sure to take tons of pictures of my trip. I'll be on the search for makeup there as well (hopefully during my stop-over at the Narita Airport :D).

For those who are in the Philippines, I'll be in Manila the 23rd and the 27th of December. The 26th is still a bit iffy, but we'll see.

Ok.... and I'm out!

Swatches: MAC Chill Collection

Yesterday, MAC has released it's new winter collection called Chill. Just as the name it implies most of the eyeshadows and lipgloss have a frosty looking finish to it. The colors are more muted for a subtle and soft look this winter.




Eyeshadows ($14.50)
Mont Black - Sparkly black with multidimensional (Velvet)
Vellum - Pale white duochrome with violet opalescent shimmer (Frost)
Wintersky - Frosty neutral mid-tone pink (Veluxe Pearl)
Après-ski - Matte dark brownish grey (Matte)
Arctic Grey - Frosted mid-tone grey (Satin)

Tinted Lipglass ($14.00)
Icescape - Sheer pale pink with pink pearl (Frost)
Snowscene - Sheer white with multidimensional pearl (Frost)
Frozen Dream - Sheer cool mid-tone pink with pearl (Frost)
Naked Frost - Sheer taupe with silver pearl (Frost)


Glitter ($17.50)
Reflects Transparent Teal - Sparkling white with turquoise
Reflects Antique Gold - Sparkling taupe

Overall: I decided to skip this collection due to the quality and pigmentation of the eyeshadows. It actually took me several swipes to get the color to transfer for a decent swatch. However, I did actually like Artic Grey, but it was a bit chalky for my taste so I decided to pass up on it. Out of all the eye shadows, Mont Black is probably the softest ones out of the five. Vellum is an interesting eye shadow because it's a duochrome, so it 'changes' color when as you look at it from a different angle. Apres-ski reminds me too much of Seedling (which I already have), but it makes a great crease color.

Reflects Antique Gold would probably be a my favorite glitter though. The swatch doesn't do any justice on how it looks in person. It'll be a great way to play up your eyes for the holiday season or just to make any neutral looks a bit more interesting.

The tinted lipglass; however, didn't really piqued my interest. It just looked way too frosty for your lips, and with the colors so light, it can wash-out your look.

This small released collection is just ok to me, and didn't really excite me much. But, there's one more collection out before the year ends... the Dame Edna collection! I honestly wasn't too hot about it in the beginning, but I think I'll be picking something up a thing or two.

Product Review: Eyeko Mascara

Product Blurb: Long & luscious lashes in 1 easy squeeze.

Transforms lashes in the twinkle of an eye! Lash friendly formual combining natural oils and silicones with added Panthenol (Vitamin B). Designed to prevent dryness, premature breakage and to promote lash growth. The brush has widely dispersed bristles for evenly coated perfectly separated long lashes.

CELEBERITY FAVE As seen in STAR magazine issue 64: "For thick lashes like Lindsay Lohan's, Eyeko's Mascara in Black does just the trick. It comes in a silver tube and is guaranteed to leave lashes well nourished."

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Synthetic Wax, Glyceryl, Stearate Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate, Triehanolamine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quartenium-15, Parfum (Fragrance), BHT, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cylcohexene Carboxaldehyde, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionene Citral Citronellol, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Amyl Cinnamal. May contain: CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 775470 (Chromum Oxide Greens) CI 77289 (Chromum Hydroxide Green), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide

Price: £5.00 (approx. $8USD)

Available at: Eyeko.com -- Enter code E122 for a free gift

Overall Rating: 3.8 out 5

More Product Images







Quick Rundown

PROS

dramatically lengthens lashes

less to none lash breakage

dries fast

doesn't smudge

tube packaging

CONS

has the tendancy to clump

doesn't really volumize

weighs curl down

tricky mascara wand

For Reference:











One thing for sure about the Eyeko Mascara is that it really gives you dramatic long lashes. For everytime I use this mascara, my bf asks me (when he was still here) if I am wearing fake lashes. Although I'm a little bit more blessed with having some lashes peeking out of my peepers, I still obviously want more to dramatize my eyes. There's nothing sexier than long, sexy lashes. This mascara really delivers if you want longer looking lashes. Even with one coat, you can really see the difference. And, unlike the other mascara I've used, I noticed that I have less to almost no lash breakage after using this product. There's nothing more annoying than having to end up with balding lashes.

It's unique and sleek packaging also helps get the most out of your mascara. You can simple squeeze the tube to get the rest of it out. Eyeko mascara can also double as an eyeliner by just simply using a bent eyeliner brush.

And no one likes a mascara that takes forever to dry. Eyeko mascara dries almost instantly and doesn't smudge or flake. So no more having to sit and wait for your mascara to dry before you can even blink. But since it dries so fast, I wouldn't recommend coating one eye with one coat and then work the other before putting on the next coat. You will get better results if you layer your lashes with the mascara in one eye first before working the next one. Because once the mascara dries and you put on another coat, it tends to clump and look "spidery" just like the picture above.

The mascara one; however, is a bit tricky to work with in the beginning and might take some practice to maximize the result of the mascara. When I first started using this, I do admit that I had the hardest time dealing with the clumps. If you simply slap this thing on your lashes, it will clump and it can end up looking like a mess. But, it can be easily solve by wiggling you mascara wand upward from the roots to the end to get a nice even coat on your lashes. Once you got the trick down, you'll have nice, elongated lashes.

Although it does give you nice long lashes, another problem area for this mascara is it doesn't hold the curl. After some layering, it does tend to weigh down your lashes.

Final Thoughts: Despite the mascara wand being a tricky one to begin with, I actually do like how this mascara lengthens my lashes. Depending on your layering, you can achieve natural to almost-like-false-eyelashes looking lashes. My biggest gripe about it though is that it tends to clump if you don't wiggle the mascara wand.

Product Review and Swatches: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in VIP

Product Blurb: Urban Decay Travel Size Set of 5 is full of best-selling bright and tropical hues. The VIP set is back by popular demand! Each is a slick travel size, making it easy to stash anywhere. Created with moisturizing ingredients, 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are creamy, blendable, and waterproof. Packaged together against a mirrored backdrop, the dazzling shades of 24/7 Pencils speak to everyone's inner party girl: the woman who wants and needs an Eye Pencil that lasts all night (and even into the morning!)

Price: $29

Available at: Sephora stores, Sephora.com, UrbanDecay.com

Overal Rating: 5 out of 5

(Source: Sephora.com)


Swatches

Zero (zealous black), Lucky (brilliant deep copper), Covet (peacock green), Electric (bright aquamarine), and Lust (plush purple)

More Product Images







Quick Rundown

PROS

creamy formula but doesn't smudge

excellent lasting powers

glides on your waterline or upplashline, no tugging

more bang for your buck

super pigmented

CONS

can be difficult to remove; requires a really good makeup remover

Lucky, Covet, and Lust has some glitters

When I found out that they brought this set back at Sephora, I made sure that this made this way to my shopping cart.

This set is definitely a steal! For five travel sized liners at $29 is way better than shelling out $16 for a full-sized version. I'm glad that Urban Decay had come out with this set because it is a great way to try their eyeliners out with a variety of colors, and maybe one day will lead to an upgrade to a full size.

What I really like about this eyeliners are they are super pigmented. They as vibrant as the actual pencils are. The colored eyeliners are excellent for more playful looks or you just want that pop of color in your eyes. They're good by itself for those lazy days or paired up with your favorite eyeshadow combinations.

The eyeliners are very soft and has a creamy formula, but surprisingly, it doesn't smudge or budge. Also, since the eyeliners are soft and creamy, application is easy because it just glides. I've been a fluidline or gel liners kind of gal when it comes lining my upper lashline, and avoided using pencil eyeliners (except for the waterline) like a plague just because pencils just never gave me that nice and smooth line that fluidline or gel eyeliners do sans tugging, but Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencils definitely has changed my mind.

It just really makes me cringe when you have to pull your eyelids to get that neat line (Don't do it. It only equates to eye wrinkles). This is the only pencil eyeliner so far that I've used that's an ease to put on my upper lashline because there's no tugging required nor does it travel up to my crease despite of its creamy formula. And, this is definitely my eyeliner of choice for my waterline since it stays way better than most eyeliners. It does travel to your lower lashline, but not to the point that you end up with racoon eyes and make a hot mess of yourself.

These pencils have really good staying powers and won't budge that sometimes they're a pain taking them off. You would really need a good makeup remover because soap and water just wont cut it especially if you use it on your waterline or lower lashline. So soak that Qtip up with a good makeup remover to clean it up. I also noticed that some of the eyeliners in this set has some glitters in it like Lucky, Covet, and Lust that tends to linger around even after you've taken off the color.

Final Thoughts: Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners have definitely become staple items in my makeup bag. Also, this set, it makes it easier for me to stash them in purse or makeup bag for those emergency days of running late without makeup.

Stoked, Giddy, and Uber Excited!

Even though my trip this Sunday to the Philippines was an unexpected one, I am nonetheless stoked about going home to see the family and spending Christmas the way it should be! Not to mention, I'm even more excited that my stop over flight is in Japan at the Narita Airport *glistening eyes*. You know where I'll be killing my two hour wait... Duty Free!! I'm just hoping that they'll have it in my terminal with all things kawaii. My stop over will be the closest I will be to everything Japanese, but next time I set foot there I'm actually going to step outside of the airport!

I'm currently still in the process of packing for my trip. I have to cut down on the makeup I'm bringing and decide which one to bring in my carry-on purse. Since time have changed, and security is tighter than ever, I have to pack smart when it comes to my makeup and skincare items. I don't want to risk salvaging my makeup or even worse, getting it dumped in the trash (the horror!!).

Something to do: Sample Sales Weekend in Los Angeles

Don't know what to do this weekend? Still shopping for last minute Christmas gifts? If you're in the Los Angeles area, peep out some of the sample sales happening this weekend. Yes, it's not as long as what EtherealPrey has provided for all the New Yorkers, but it's still better than nothing for us So Cal peeps!

The Warehouse Sale
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center -- Concourse Hall, 1201 S. Figueora, Downtown LA
When: Saturday, December 13 (VIP Sale: $15 w/rsvp or $25 at the door) & Sunday, December 14 (Public Sale: Free w/ rsvp or $5 at the door ).
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Why: Save 40% to 80% on thousands designer denim jeans by dozens of top labels for guys and gals. . Denim brands include: 1921, 2 B Free, 575 Denim, 7 For All Mankind, ABS Allen Schwartz, Antik Denim, BCBG Max Azria, Blue Cult, Chip and Pepper, Citizens of Humanity, Diesel, Ed Hardy, Evisu, Frankie B, Genetic Denim, J & Company, Junk Food, People’s Liberation, Primp, Rich & Skinny, Rock & Republic, Taverniti So, True Religion, WeSC & more
Payment Type Accepted: Cash or credit card only.

Stila Warehouse Sale
Where: 1161 Vine St. Hollywood, CA 90038 Between Lexington and Santa Monica
When: Saturday, December 13
Time: 8 am to 2 pm
Why: Get Stila Cosmetics for 50% to 80% off retail price!
Payment Type Accepted: Cash and credit card only
Click here for blog post.

American Apparel Warehouse Sale
Where: American Apparel Factory -- 747 Warehouse Street Los Angeles, CA 90021 (Seventh and Alameda
When: Sunday, December 14, 2008 ($5 All-day pass)
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Shopaholic Girls Sample Sale
Where: Los Angeles Convention Center -- West Hall Suite #512, 1201 S. Figueora, Downtown LA
When: December 13 and 14, 2008
Time: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Why: Save 50%-90% on samples and overstock from high-end labels Black Halo, BCBG Max Azria, T Luxury, Mynx, T-bags, Jenny Han, Young Fabulous & Broke, Bread & Butter and For Joseph! Also, beautiful cashmere sweaters and fabulous leather belts/purses!
Payment Type Accepted: CASH only

Arden B & Wet Seal Warehouse Sale
Where: 26972 Burbank, Foothill Ranch 92610
When: Saturday, December 13, 2008
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Why: Save 70%-90% on tees, tops, dresses, accessories, bottoms and more. Tops are $5, Shoes/ Purses $3, Dresses are $10 and all accessories are $1. .
Payment Type Accepted: CASH only.

Even though it means more people lining out the door! Argh, I'm torn between the two... denim sales... or makeup? Ok, I just rescheduled my hair appointment on Saturday for tomorrow so I can go to at least one more sample sale! LOL.

Anyone hitting any of these spots up?

Sneak Peek: MAC Hello Kitty Collection Product Images

Probably the most anticipated MAC collection for 2009 is the Hello Kitty collection. Here are some of what you can expect on February 12. Thank you KissAndMakeup.tv for the sneak peek product images!

*Is it just me or is it quite funny how the girl is dripping milk all over herself??

Eyeshadow palette


Lucky Tom palette (bottom): Stylin (violet blue), Lucky Tom (a gold pearl), Creme Royal (yellow wheat gold) and Paradisco (pinky coral). Too Dolly palette (top): Too Dolly (a midtone mint), stately black (rich blue with silver) Yogurt (pale pink) and Romping (rich magenta).

Lipgloss in Nice to be Nice and Nice Kitty
*Let's keep our fingers crossed that these aren't stickers slapped on like the Fafi ones.

Kawaiii!

Lipstick in Purrfect and Fashion Mews.
*Can you see the Hello Kitty imprint on the lipstick *dies*

Lip Conditioner and blush

Lip Conditioner in Pink Fish and the blush in Tippy

Pigment in Very Pink and glitter eye liner in Kitty Power.

(Image Credit: KissAndMakeup.tv)

I really hope they're not stickers again! So, Yay or nay? Have these product images even excite your panties even more to get hauling for this collection? Are you more likely to save your pennies now?

Storage Solution: I <33 IKEA!

I've been in a major search for my makeup storage for quite some time now. The sterilite drawers were just not cutting it for me. I just don't like how they look on my vanity dresser cuz they're so plasticky to me (but, I do like the one that the Container Store carries which is a way nice plastic drawer).

After searching high and low from all the stores that I could possibly think of that carries some storage containers and what not, my last hope was IKEA. I mean they are bound to have something right? It's like the only place where you can buy everything for your house in one stop. It was my last place to check out since I've ran out of places where I can possibly find a small drawer to house my makeup. So I drove to Burbank to see if they have any.

And lo' and behold there it was. Something that I've been looking for. My makeup organizer.

So immediately, I picked it up. It was the last one with that style of drawers I wanted... it was definitely meant to be. And, the best part is, it was only $14.99! Not too shabby, but then again everything in IKEA is a DIY project, so obviously this was one of those assembly required. I didn't mind cuz I do have some extra time ever since the BF has been gone. But this project took longer than I thought since I started it over the weekend and just finished last night! But, I was being anal with how I was assembling it.

Anyway here's a picture of me getting started with it. This step was probably the most time consuming one. Staining the wood. I didn't like how the wood looked like, but it's the type that you definitely kinda have to paint or stain it to make it look decent if you care that much. So it took about half a pint of stain just to coat one side of each piece (except the bottom part of the drawers) for the whole box. I was not about to stain each side with four coats, so I only did the ones that has some outside exposure.



It was a painstaking ordeal, but well worth it at least for me. If you decide to get this, I suggest that when you're trying to assemble the drawers, try to hold it with rubberbands first to keep the corners together when you're trying to hammer the nails down. It also helps heaps if you have a nail gun. It'll seriously take a one-eighth of your time rather than you having to sit there and hammering away. I had my dad nail gunned most of the drawers so I could just finally finish it.

And here is the final product. I also put those slider foams(?) underneath the drawer so it doesn't scratch my vanity in case I do drag it on top of it.



Also, before I nailed the side of the drawers together, I lined the bottom part with a stick-on vinyl sheet (the ones that you use for the kitchen), so in the even that anything spills inside, I can easily wipe the bottom off, and I just didn't like how ugly the wood looked like without it too. HAHA. So I just chose a beige liner.


Here are some other options of drawers that IKEA has. Maybe you'll like the other styles better than the other? (Pointing out the obvious, my drawer is the one on the bottom right)



Here is a before picture of how my makeup station looked like. It's a bit cluttered because of the plastic drawers and containers I had. Oh, and the plastic drawers didn't match my furniture in my room, hence why I wanted to get rid of the plastic.




And here's how it look like now! Much better. I'm glad that the four coats of stain worked out just fine. I gave my new drawer an antique feel to it hehe.



Here's just a quick view of my humble makeup collection of what ever is visible in the image. Not all of them are pictured since they're in the drawers of my vanity, and I didn't really want to take it out. These storage items were from the Container Store. See how that plastic drawer (that I mentioned earlier) looks so much better? And that case that's holding my MAC palettes is just a DVD holder.


Here's the first row of drawers. Lots of crap in the middle. I don't have much MAC potted eyeshadows because it's either I depotted them or I sold it already.


And my lippie stuff. Notice how most of them are still in a box... especially my Dior. I haven't touched it since I got it from the Sephora F&F sale. har har.



And there's no third row. I didn't fill that one up yet.

But there you have it, another storage solution for those who might be in need of some organization in life. Ok, now I can seriously stop looking for it. I love organizing my makeup! Oh and this time, it'll be heck of a lot easier for me to sort through my stash! Wee!

How do you store your makeup?