Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara and Estee Lauder Projectionist Mascara (Review)

*EDIT: After a few more days of using Define-A-Lash, I'm dumping this thing out. THANK GOOODNESS IT WAS FREE! Probably won't purchase again because it's making my poor lashes fall off more than usual! ;[

Thank God I have some mark in one of my eye which makes it easier which eye was which when I uploaded the pictures. Anyway, I just did a comparison of my new vs. my old mascara. I chucked out the Estee because it's been three months already since I first used it. Remember ladies... throw those mascaras away after three months whether you used it everyday or not.

The Estee had the traditional brush applicator that has the bristles while the Maybelline has the new kind of applicator which doesn't really have hair but its flexible. I found it kinda odd in the beginning since I was so used to a more sturdy wand. It just take some getting used to using it.

Let's begin...!

Lashes were curled using Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Round 1: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara

Round 2: Estee Lauder Projectionist



And my take on it:

Maybelline: My lashes are pretty long to begin with but without mascara, it's not really that noticeable. The Maybelline mascara only defines my lashes (hence the name), and doesn't give it much volume compared to my Estee mascara. Maybelline gives that natural looking lashes minus the clumping. However, Maybelline mascara does not hold the curl at all. It just goes flat after awhile. What I like about it though is it separates my lashes without the clumping. It might be because of the wand applicator not your traditional one. For me this is ok for everyday use since I usually opt for a more natural looking lashes. I'll probably get more volume if I keep coating my lashes. However, the Maybelline mascara kinda reminded me of my old Fresh mascara that I really loved. It gave me natural looking, long lashes, and it curls your lashes even WITHOUT curling it before hand. Only drawback about the mascara was the price... $25. Would I purchase Maybelline Define-A-Lash again? No. Thank God for buy one get one free. This was the freebie. I would still use it only because it does a some what ok job and it's ok for my everyday wear. (The mascara is not waterproof.)

Estee: Estee mascara already lengthens and volumizes your lashes after one coat. However, more than two coats of it will my your lashes look really clumpy. It doesn't hold the curl too well, but it holds it better compared to the Maybelline. The only reason I've been using this mascara was because it was free. heehee. Probably would not purchase the full size though. (The mascara is not waterproof.)

In conclusion: I'm still in the search of my HG mascara with a pretty decent price. So I'll prolly test another on in three months when it's time for the Maybelline mascara to go. I still love my Fresh mascara... but I'm really just not willing to shell out $25 for it. Hopefully the pictures and my two cents on it helped a bit whether your the Maybelline or the Estee is worth purchasing.

Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel (Review)

Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel
Rating: 4 out of 5

According to Clinique.com:

"Helps reduce blemishes, promotes healing. Fast-drying, clear gel. Invisible under or over makeup.

How to Use:Dab on blemishes AM and PM. Using other topical acne drugs at the same time or right after use of this product may increase dryness or irritation of skin. If this occurs, only one medication should be used unless directed by a doctor."

My take on it:

IT WORKS! I was actually surprised because I had little expectations for this product to work. I tried similar products but different brands such as Clean & Clear and Origins. I never really believed in spot treatments. The only reason why I purchased this was because the pimples that were living on my forehead would not go away even after a week use of the Origins spot treatment gel. So, I exchanged it for this one instead. Anyway, I was pretty much looking for a quick fix because the pimples were bothering me (and they were growing too!!). I mean I hardly get pimples now (thanks to my daily skin regimen), but when I do get a pimple... they're pretty big. It's like my skin is compensating for the times I didn't have them. I usually get them "at that time of the month."

Back to the product, I was just happy to see results in four days after using it in the day and night! Relative to when I was using Origins for more than a week and I didn't see any improvements at all. If anything, it seems like my pimple got bigger using Origins :[. But after using Clinique, my pimples are almost gone. It really reduced the size (we're still talking about the same pimple pre-Origins hehehe) by the second day and now fifth day of using it and it's almost non-existent. I was actually skeptical when the SA at the Clinique counter at Nordstrom said "it definitely works, and you'll see results in days." I thought it was a line to get me to buy it, since that's what the lady at Origins said too. But, she was actually telling the truth!! So for me, this product is definitely a keeper. Stash it in your makeup bag for those unexpected surprises.

Why 4 out of 5? Minus one for the price. It's pretty expensive for a small bottle, $13.50 at Nordstrom. I swear, the price and the work we pay for to stay pretty.

Disclaimer:
The results are based on my experience, how my skin reacted, and my daily skin routine. These and other factors (such as any allergic reactions to certain ingredients) do play a role on the effectiveness of certain products. Not everyone reacts to products the same. I have a combination and acne-prone skin.

Depotting MAC Eyeshadows

This MY version of depotting my MAC eyeshadows which has been inspired by EnKore and MakeupbyRenRen. I know there's a kajillion versions out there on YouTube, but I just wanna share the easiest (and the least messy) way for me to do it. I still do hope you find this information somewhat helpful.

Why depot a MAC eyeshadow?

1. To put in your pro-palette for easy storage and organization of e/s colors.
2. To get a free eyeshadow, lipgloss, or lipstick through MAC's Back2MAC program (exchange six empty e/s, l/s, or l/g and get get a new one free!).

How to depot your MAC eyeshadow:

1. cotton balls
2. tissue
3. rubbing alcohol
4. straightening iron
5. wax paper (or the tissue paper from stores for gift wrapping)
6. paper towel
7. pearing knife
8. adhesive round magnets
9. MAC e/s
10. MAC palette

If you don't have adhesive round magnets readily available, you can buy a magnet sheet and a round craft puncher (pictured on your left) at your local craft store (i.e. Micheal's). You can also stencil in the shape and cut it with scissors. *Source: Enkore

Step 1: Insert the paring knife in the hole (located where the hinges are for the cover) to pop the plastic casing where your e/s shadow pan sits.
Step 2: After popping off the top part, place your e/s on your straightening iron with a wax paper underneath which will prevent the plastic from melting directly on to your straigtening iron. Wait for about 2-3 minutes, just enough to melt the glue that holds the pan. You don't want to keep your e/s on your straightening iron for too long because heat will make the e/s rise a little from the pan.

Step 2b: You'll know when the glue is melted when you look at the bottom of the pan and there's a tiny hole in the middle that has formed due to the heat.
Step 3: Find a gap around the pan where you can CAREFULLY insert your paring knife to pry the pan off the plastic. BE VERY CAREFUL DOING THIS STEP! Also, DO NOT touch the pan because it will still be hot.





Step 4: Let the pan cool upside down on top of a CLEAN papertowel.
Step 5: Clean the bottom of the pan with alcohol using a cotton ball or papertowel to remove the glue. Polish with tissue if necessary.
Step 6: Stick your magnet on the pan by peeling the paper off the adhesive side of the magnet. The non-adhesive side should be the one on top.
Step 7: Take the other part of the plastic pot and place that on top of your straightening iron with a wax paper underneath to melt the glue off the label at the bottom.




Step 8: Take the paring knife again and carefully lift the label off the bottom. Insert the knife where there is an obvious space in between the label and the bottom of the pot. It should come off pretty easily.

Step 9: Put the label on top of the magnet under the e/s pan. Because of the melted glue, it should still be sticky enough for it to completely adhere to the pan.








FINISHED! Now your e/s pan is ready for your MAC e/s palette! See inset for finished product.

My EDM hauls also came over the weekend. No need to post pictures since I only got their sample kit, the flat top and concealer brush, and some mixing bowls. I haven't really tried it since my face is still swollen :[. Update later after I get to play with it.

I also bought the GorillaPod today (as mentioned in Christiana's blogspot). I swear she finds the neatest things online! Anyways, I've always wanted a tripod for my camera but owning one is kind of a hassle since you have to lug it around with you. But with this GorillaPod, you can easily put it in your purse and wrap it around anything and it will hold your camera still!!! Obviously way better than your traditional tripod. You can purchase this at Joby.com and enter the code GorillapodLOVE for 15% off discount. They also offer free shipping! The Gorillapod also comes in different colors and sizes.

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Decoding your MAC Product Code

Decoding Product Codes: Toss it or Keep it?
The freshness of the products that we put in our face is as important as maintaining a daily skin regimen. It's important to know when it's time to toss and say goodbye to our makeup no matter how difficult the process maybe. Failing to do so may only do more damage and harm to our skin, and we don't want that now do we? So recently, I have discovered that MAC has provided codes where it tells you when that particular product was produced.
Where can I find this code?

I tried to take a picture of where the product code will be located in your MAC products.
Eyeshadows:
1. Found at the bottom of the box.

2. Underneath the pot (or the pan for palette refills)

Pigments
1. The back of the box (very faintly printed).


2. Underneath the pigment container.


It's usually on the container where it says the name of the color. They are also located in the boxes, but are usually faintly printed on the packaging. You have to slightly angle it under the light to actually see it.
These codes not only helps keep track of the shelf-life of your products without having to keep tabs on it on a spreadsheet, but it also a way to know whether or not the product is a counterfeit (for the people who buy their MAC products on eBay).
What does it stand for?
First letter: The batch number of the product. For example A is the first batch, B is the second batch and so on.
Second letter or number: The month of production.

• 1 = January
• 2 = February
• 3 = March
• 4 = April
• 5 = May
• 6 = June
• 7 = July
• 8 = August
• 9 = September
• A = October
• B = November
• C = December

Third Number: The year of production
So if we were to decode when my Your Ladyship pigment was produced, A67, it was the first batch in June 2007.
After I found out about this, I checked my latest purchases from The Cosmetic Company Store. For those who haven't heard about this store, they sell MAC cosmestics with a 30-40% off discount. They're usually discontinued items, overruns, or limited editions. It's discounted for a reason: the product is at least year old. Well at least the ones I've purchased. So, it's up to your judgment whether or not it's worth it to purchase discounted MAC products but buying it at least a year old. It might not hold true for the rest of their inventory, but always check to make sure how old the product is before putting it on your face. And, just like how the saying goes: "You get what you pay for."
*Source: MAC Cosmetics Resource
For more information on the shelf-life of cosmetics, please check out NessasaryMakeup.Com for a detailed run down on when to say good-bye to your makeup.
So stop saving those makeup and put it to use. Get your money's worth by using it til you reach the end of the pan. Don't hold on to it, no matter how much you paid for it or how pretty it is because it will be useless after it expires. And saving expired goods may only cause you harm than good. The well-being of your skin is more important. It's a lot easier to toss bad products than mend a damage skin. Think about it this way: You wouldn't eat spoiled food even though it's your most favorite food in the world right?