Tagged: Five Must Have Morning Items

No school today since it's Cesar Chavez Day (ain't it weird? We get this day off, but not Presidents or Veterans Day), so I'm here at work earlier than usual. These past few days have been so uninspiring for me to do my makeup. I haven't had any good combinations running in my head, or anything post worthy as an FOTD. So most of the time I just run out of the with just mascara on or maybe blush if I'm feeling eager. I don't know, sometimes I have one of those days where I don't want to touch my makeup stash because I have so much to play with it gets confusing!

Regardless of those lazy days, these are my five must have morning items. No matter how much in a hurry I am, these are the products I can't leave my house without.

1. Philosophy Purity Cleanser
To wash off the Ly-na cream from last night.

2. Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer
I know a lot of people may not be too fond of this moisturizer, but it has worked out for me. It works because the cream is not too thick for my combo skin, and it really moisturizes my face especially this winter season.

3. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion for Face and Body SPF 55
EVERYONE should be wearing sunscreen on their faces. I haven't really got into this habit until I started reading beauty blogs and how important it is to have protection on your face. Every since then, I never walked out of my house without this slapped on my face. I like this particular brand because it didn't break me out, dries fairly quick, and dries into a matte finish.

4. Degree Ultra Clear Little Black Dress Approved Deodorant
Self explanatory. Stinky pits are just not attractive.

5. Lotion
I'm still in the verge of finding my holy grail lotion since my hands have turned to be uberly dry this winter season. So for now, I just use whatever is in the bathroom, as long as I have something on. I just can't stand the feeling of ashyness in my skin.

*Tagged by Christy.

Five beauty bloggers I'm tagging:

Christiana

Tracy

Sheila Ferrari

Ren

Lady Jane

Regardless if you were tagged or not, what are your five must have morning items?

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (Review)

What it claims it does: Deep cleans and gently exfoliates the dull surface layers of your skin.

Helps dry up acne pimples
Rinses away blackheads
Helps shrink large pores

The original natural home treatment, developed by a dermatologist, that will actually dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and even help shrink enlarged pores.

Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your face and neck. Within minutes it firms and hardens, as its suction action draws out waste matter from the pores. Minutes later, rinse the masque away with warm water and a washcloth. After the masque is removed your skin will feel clean...refreshed and smooth.

Even for people who are fortunately free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that relaxes tired muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Methylparaben

*Source (drugstore.com)


Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque Report Card:
Quality: 4 out 5
Price: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 3 out 5

Overall: 4 out of 5


What I like about the product: It's a great mask for a cheap price. For less than $4, you're doing your face a big favor (mainly if your oily/combination/acne-prone). Your face really feels refreshed and clean afterwards. It really dries up my pimple like what it claim it does. See, I get these monsterous pimples once in a while. They're red and angry, but after using this, my pimples have been reduced in size. Please don't expect a miracle that it'll completely vanish it, but by using this, I found that it reduces my chances of getting acne scars where the blemish is and redness. Also, you will definitely feel your pores tightening after slapping this on. I only use this once or twice a week, depending on how my skin feels. If I know there's a pimple waiting to happen, I slather this thing on my face and I know it'll work its magic. The blackheads in my nose are also gone thanks to this product. It's very easy to use. Put it on after cleansing your face, and then leave it on for a few minutes while doing other things and rinse it after the mask hardens. And you're left with a soft, smooth, and glowing face.

What I didn't like about the product: Because the masque comes in a tube, sometimes I have difficulties getting the product out. The masque smells like toothpaste, so sometimes I feel I have toothpaste on my face. I probably wouldn't recommend this for people with dry skin since it might get too drying. The packaging could be better, and it can make people iffy because of its appearance. Since the mask is minty, people with sensitive skin might not like the tingling sensation or how it feels when the mask hardens (your pores will feel really tight). I didn't really experience any burning sensation after using this product, but I've read that some people have.

Overall: This product has become a staple item in my skin routine. It definitely delivers great results and very affordable.

Guilty: My 5 Beauty Crimes

I was actually trying to avoid this, but Lady Jane and Leeshengee has tagged me for my five beauty crimes. I'm embarrased to say this, but yes, I've commited a few beauty crimes of my own. I've probably maxed out my three-strikes-your-out rule a looooong time ago, and have repeat violations. This is sad but here goes:

1. I "forget" to wash my face at night. I actually just did this too last night *embarrased*. When I'm extremely tired or inebriated (on RARE occasions), I have a tendancy to trick myself I'm only going to "take a SHORT nap" first before I wash my face, when really, it's a nonstop train to Dreamville. And then, I wakeup at the buttcrack of dawn realizing what I've done, and rush to the bathroom to finally wash my face. And when I don't stick to my routine, I seem to get a pimple on the same spot on my cheeks as a punishment. I can actually feel one coming out right now :(

2. I sneak a pull on my eyelids when applying my eyeliner. I've been really good in avoiding this though especially that I used a gel liner or even with a pencil since I practically got lining my eyes down without the need to pull. I really hate watching makeup tutorials and seeing them pull their eyelids when it comes to the eyeliner part. It makes me cringe! It's like: "What are you doing!?! You're only asking for wrinkles in the future." Anyway, I become one of them when I'm in an extreme hurry and I don't have the time to sit in front of the mirror to line my eyes. So I quickly tug my eyelids and line my eyes. What a hypocrite :(

3. I reuse a "dirty" brush. Yes, for a germaphobe... I'm notorious for doing this. I mean I really don't care for powder eyeshadows since it's dry enough that bacteria can't live in there. But when it comes to paintpots, it's just unacceptable. Because it's a cream product, it has moisture for bacteria to actually thrive in it. I still dip my dirty brush in there because again, I'm in a hurry to get out of the door to head down to work or school. You would think that with all the brushes I own that it won't be possible. But trust me, I've gone through ALL of my brushes (except the new ones) at one point in time that they were all "dirty."

4. I end up touching my pimple. Sometimes, my pimple can get pretty itchy so I try to scratch around it. I mean I don't pick and poke it or even try popping it. But the scratching is still interacting with my unclean hands.

5. I let my brows go ungroomed. I knowww......really bad. But sometimes I don't have time to sit and pluck my eyebrows. I refuse to get it waxed because I don't want to pay for it since it'll grow back in a week. Nothing is more unattractive than ungroomed brows. No matter how nice your eye makeup is, the Sasquatch by your eyes is a big distraction.


So what are your five beauty crimes? Are you as guilty as I am? If you read this, you've been tagged.

How to: Remove and Clean False Eyelashes

This is probably a no-brainer, but when I recently started using false eyelashes, I peeled that sucker off my lids because that's what the packaging said on how to remove it. Well, the glue is sticky. It was a pain getting them off and I was losing lashes along the way. And getting a glue out off your lashes by pulling it with just your fingers will makes your pretty and long fake lashes sparse. So here is a way to minimize the pain and prolonging the life of your falsies.

What you'll need:
* eye makeup remover (or extra virgin olive oil)
* clean container
* cotton swab
* tissue
* tweezers
* lash comb

To Remove:

Step 1: Take the cotton swab and put your eye makeup remover of choice or the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) (for this illustration, I opted for the EVOO). Make sure it's not soaking wet, this stuff will get in your eye.


Step 2: Dab and swipe some eye makeup remover/EVOO along where the lashbone of your falsies on your lids. Try to avoid your eye as much as possible. Using a cotton swab, as opposed to rubbing a cotton ball, will help maintain the shape of your falsies.


Step 3: Let it the eyemakeup remover/EVOO sit for awhile and let it work its magic.


Step 4: After a few minutes, you can pull your falsies starting from the outer lid. Your false eye lashes should come off easily. If not, repeat step 2 and 3.



Step 5: After you've taken falsies off the other eye, clean the rest of your eye makeup and your face, and you're done!


To Clean:

Step 1: Put your lashes in a clean container, and soak it a bit with your eye makeup remover (I wouldn't suggest cleaning it with EVOO. However, you can substitute with a soapy water).



Step 2: Let your lashes soak in your eye makeup remover for a bit.



Step 3: Then take your falsies out of the container, and while holding where the lash hairs are, gently pull off the glue on a lash bone using a tweezer. Or you can wipe your lashes off with tissue in the direction away from the hair of your fake lashes to get the glue out. The glue should be really soft enough and less sticky that it won't tug any hair off.



Step 4: Let your lashes dry on top of a clean tissue. Groom it with a lash comb if necessary. Then store it back to the packaging after it has completely dried. And you're done!



As you can see in the picture, the falsies to your right does not look as nice as the one on its left. Why? Because I made a mistake and pulling the glue off with my fingers. And since the glue is still sticky, I'm pulling off some hair along with it because I'm yanking it off (I wasn't thinking then). I know this can take some time, but your eyelashes grow much slower. The lashes you lost from pulling your falsies straight out of your eye takes about 8 weeks to grow. So if you're taking the easy way out frequently with your falsies, you probably have less lashes compared to when you started. This will also help in extending the life of your lashes, so you don't have to replace them right away.

If you guys have any questions, please let me know. I hope this helps.

Depotting Milani Eyeshadows (How To)

I finally depotted all my MAC eyeshadows that were still housed in pots a few weeks ago. It took some time, but I'm just happy I finally have them in my pro-palette, and I can finally take the empty pots to Back2MAC and get my freebies.

Anyway, I also had some Milani eyeshadow that were in need of depotting (Milani e/s are the same size as you MAC e/s in a pan). I didn't really have any idea on how to this, so it was a trial and error on the Milani eyshadows I owned. After a few attempts and one busted eyeshadow, here is probably the best way to depot your Milani eyeshadow, without cracking it, in ten steps. Remember you must be very careful with the whole procedure to avoid any casualties.

What you will need:
* your Milani e/s
* rubbing alcohol
* clean paper towel
* cotton ball/tissue
* paring knife
* clean container
* dropper (optional, or if available)
* MAC palette


Step 1: Find an area to depot your eyeshadow. Make sure you place a clean paper towel on your work area.



Step 2: Peel the label off at the bottom of the pan. You will then see a small hole hiding under it.



Step 3: In a clean container, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol.



Step 4: Take your paring knife (or a dropper) to take some rubbing alcohol.



Step 5: With the help of your paring knife (or dropper), carefully put some rubbing alcohol in the hole at the bottom of the pot of your eyeshadow. This will help loosen up the glue inside. Get about 3-5 drops inside, then let it sit for a few minutes.



Step 6: Flip your eyeshadow top side up and find a space in between the pan and the pot. CARFULLY insert your paring knife in between the space while CAREFULLY wiggling the pan off the pot. You can try and go around the pan, and make a bigger space. This will help the alcohol kinda move around inside and pop the e/s pan out.



Step 7: Pop the pan off the container. Maintain a steady hand since you're inserting a paring knife in a small space (which is why my e/s in this picture is nicked). Do not apply too much pressure when popping the pan off. You will break your e/s. If the pan won't readily come out, put some more rubbing alcohol in the hole, and let it sit a little bit longer. Patience is key!



Step 8: Once you've popped the pan out, clean the bottom of the pan with rubbing alcohol and a tissue or cotton ball to remove the glue.



Step 9: Place a round adhesive magnet at the back of your pan. You can put a sticker label on top of your magnet if you wish.



Step 10: And TA-DA! You're Milani Eyeshadow is ready to be housed in your MAC pro-palette.



I hope this helped some (at least one) of you. Now you can depot all your Milani eyeshadows and put them in your MAC palette. Remember patience is the main thing you need when doing this. So don't take your anger out on your poor eyeshadow. If it won't budge, try to put more rubbing alcohol. Happy depotting!