February MyGlam Review Part 1

Hello!  Just thought I'd pop in and give you guys a quick post on some of the MyGlam goodies that I've tried so far.

1. NYX Roll On Shimmer in Chestnut.

I layered it over brown winged eyeliner and enhanced it with gold glitter.  It makes for a soft, pretty look that's perfect for daytime.  I think I'll also try a smoky eye with it as well as using it for outer-v shading.  Chestnut is a deep, earthy brown with a splash of bronze shimmer, a very neutral, versatile color that could easily be used every day.  I'm not particularly fond of the roll-on application, so I rolled the product onto a brush and used it that way instead.

2. X OUT Shine Control Cream

One of you alerted me to the fact that there's a scandal surrounding X OUT products in regards to re-packaging. (Thanks Hannah!)  You can check out a detailed, expose post here: Eki Blog.  X OUT claims that they were recycling surplus packaging from another beauty brand.  Some users were concerned about the authenticity of the product.  I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.  I've been using it for a week now.  I apply it to my oily zones after I shower in the morning, pat on my daily moisturizer, and apply makeup as usual.  A little goes a long way so I know this tube will last me a very, very long time...like more than a year, I think.  From initial observation, it seems to work pretty decently, cutting down oiliness about 70% - 80%.  I do have a little zit forming on my nose, but I'm not sure if it's due to the product or because I've been eating a lot of junk food lately.  Lol.  I'm changing my eating habits, so we'll see in another week or so how my skin is really responding to this.  I do like what I've experienced so far, however.  I've always had trouble with an oily t-zone, so I'm fairly pleased with the results.

3. Dead Sea Premier Moisture Complex

I guess this moisturizer works fine.  It's got sunscreen, goes on lightweight, non-sticky, and absorbs quickly.  I don't find that it's any better or worse than my current Oil of Olay daily moisturizer, therefore, at about $60 a jar MSRP, I don't feel a particular need to purchase the full-sized version.  Also, for those of you that aren't subscribed to MyGlam, you can actually snag FREE samples of 3 Dead Sea Premier products of your choice here: Dead Sea Premier Free Samples.  Boy do I feel like a sucker!

That's all I've tried out so far.  A lot of the NuMe hair tools that I want are sold out, I'm assuming from recent purchases of other "Glammies". (I'd rather be called a Glamazon, but whatever, lol.)  It doesn't expire until August, so I'll wait out the rush.  And, I admit, I've been lazy to try out the masks, but will get around to it.

Hope you all weren't too bored by this review.  Haha.  Thanks for reading and have a great night!

Hugs,
Cat

Winged Liner Technique

I'm sure this is nothing new, but just thought I'd do a post on a little trick I use to dramaticize and even out my winged eyeliner.

For the sake of visibility and clarity, I'm just going to apply very neutral shadow over my primed eyelid as a backdrop for the winged line:

With my Sonia Kashuk bent eyeliner brush and Maybelline Eye Studio black gel liner, I'm going to line my upper lash line.  I'm going to make mine moderate in thickness, but you can definitely go thicker or thinner to suit your own taste.

Notice that it's thinner towards the inner corner and gradually widens towards the outer corner.  Next, I'm going to create a little flick along my outer corner using an upward stroke.

The flick can be as long or as short as you'd like depending on how dramatic you want your wing to be. Now, I'm simply going to connect the tip of the flick to the rest of the eye line.  Sort of like connect the dots:

See how the wing is starting to take shape?  Now all we have to do is fill in the uncolored space with more black gel liner:

All done!  Wasn't that fun and easy?

Overall look:

Winged liner is my favorite way to define my eyes.  I have small, almond-shaped eyes, so I find that it's a very flattering way to accentuate my natural eye shape.  I like its effectiveness towards adding instant drama without requiring much else.  Hope some of you found this tutorial useful, and hopefully clear.  I was working on a video, but kind of flubbed it and have to re-film.  I'll see about getting it up as soon as I can, though I do have another midterm next week.  Ugh!  Thanks for reading tonight!

Hugs,
Cat

Vintage Lace Mini

Goodness!  Looks like I've been out a long time.  Hehe.  It's just been one of those weeks.  Anyways, remember how I was super-excited about Valentine's Day and had this whole outfit prepared?  I actually never got a chance to photograph it because our dinner reservation was at 9pm and by then, there was no more light available for a proper shoot.  Husband and I had some time today, so I got dressed up and he got his fancy camera and we did a little photo reenactment.  Check it out!

Dress and Clutch: Lola

Shoes: Candies

Headband: Lovelina

So, there isn't really anything authentically vintage about this outfit, but I think there's a certain vintage-inspired romance that's conveyed through the pieces.  The dress is made of creamy lace with just the faintest hint of peach.  The faux python clutch is a pale blush, accented with simple, clean gold hardware.  The filigree design and soft pink rose on the headband accentuate the antique feel, while the glittery golden pumps add the perfect touch of contemporary sparkle.  

Hope you liked the outfit!  I had such a good time wearing it.  I got nice compliments from husband. :)  It's good to know that I can still impress him sometimes, lol.

Happy Sunday and have a great night! :D

Hugs,

Cat

February MyGlam Bag!

Hello!  I received the February MyGlam bag in the mail today.  Check it out:

Um...yeah.  I hate to say it, but I'm a little unhappy for a number of reasons.  First of all, for a Valentine's Day theme, every product I received seemed a little drab for Valentine's Day, except for the cute little makeup bag itself.  Visually, what I received was a little different than what I had expected from the sneak peak on MyGlam's site:

Meh, I guess I can't blame them for making the advertising look more exciting than the actual product.  I mean, that's advertising, right?  I guess I'm more bummed because I expect a little more glamour for a Valentine's Day bag.  I mean, how am I supposed to impress my date with skincare products?  Where's the glam in something that someone can't even see?  Also, I didn't receive my bag until 7 days AFTER Valentine's Day.  Too little too late.  There were many other bloggers that received their MyGlam Bags several days ago.  I know they were trying to time their shipping so that customers nationwide would receive their bags at the same time, but it's a little ridiculous that I literally live 15 minutes away from their shipping warehouse and didn't receive my bag until today.

So here's what I got:

I'm guessing that's a moisturizer and some sort of mask?  Boooooooooooooring!

 And yet ANOTHER mask...ho hum...

Cool!  Shine control product!  I'm actually excited about this one.  Crossing my fingers that it helps with my oily t-zone!

Chocolate?  I guess it's a nice Valentine's Day gesture.  

NYX Roll-On Shimmer for eyes, face, and body.  The only actual color cosmetic item I received was the dullest color imaginable!  A muddy brownish shade with bronze shimmer called "Chestnut".  Ugh, forgive me for not jumping for joy, but I can't imagine a shade less Valentine-worthy.  Also, the roll-on application is a little awkward and lacks precision.  Oh, and for eyes, face and body?  Eyes, maybe.  But why would I want to roll-on poo-colored shimmer anywhere else?

$100 gift card for NuMe hair styling products.  This is actually kind of worth it.  Although I don't really use flat irons and I'm pretty pleased with the curling iron that I do own.  I could buy a nice gift with it, or save it just in case because it doesn't expire till August.

Alright, so I guess that's my February MyGlam "haul".  I almost liked last month's better, but none of the bags I've received have been as nice as the first one.  Now I'm really starting to believe that the premier Myglam bag was the "hook" to garner interest and snare subscribers.  I really hope I'm wrong.  I'll give it one more month, but if I'm not impressed, I think I might cancel my subscription.  Stay posted for detailed reviews of this month's bag! (even though we're less than thrilled, I might be surprised)

Hugs,

Cat

Swatches! CoverGirl Flipstick plus NYX Stick Blush and Lip Cream

Hey all!  Got around to swatching my CoverGirl Blast Flipstick and NYX Stick Blushes and Xtreme Lip Creams.  Here you go!

NYX Stick Blush in Hibiscus and Pink Lotus:

Hibiscus (left)  Pink Lotus (right)

Hibiscus (left) Pink Lotus (right)

I LOVE cream blushes and I especially love that these are in convenient stick form.  Why?  Here are 3 good reasons why they're a must-have item for me:

1. No blush brush necessary when I'm in a rush.
2. Portable!  I can throw them in my bag to have on hand for "emergencies".
3. FACT: Blush fades throughout the course of the day.  These are a perfect way to touch up with no mess, no fuss.

They also make an awesome powder blush primer if you want to your rosy cheeks to last through a long day/night of activity.

I chose Hibiscus and Pink Lotus because I wanted a warm tone and a cool tone.  I gotta say, I haven't been really well acquainted with these blushes yet, but I love them already.  Hibiscus is a warm, fleshy coral shade and Pink Lotus is a bright, shimmery Barbie-pink.  Both apply sheer if you want the slightest hint of color, but are buildable if you want an all-out, vibrant flush.

CoverGirl Blast Flipstick in Stunner:

Shimmer Shade

I'm wearing NYX Stick Blush in Hibiscus.

Cream Shade

Shimmer shade layered over cream shade.

Squeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaal!  I'm so in love with this "flipstick".  First off, what a fab idea!  Two contrasting, yet complimentary lipsticks in one with different textures and finishes.  Can be worn one at a time or together.  AWESOME!  The bronze shade is sheer, shimmery.  Fairly subtle when worn alone.  The cream shade, HOLY COW!  Such a spicy red-orange!  How's that for POP?  I love how fiery the colors look when worn together for a multidimensional intensity.  Aptly named Stunner, this one's a keeper for sure.  Don't know where I'm going to wear it, but I'm glad I have it!  Oh, they smell like toasted marshmallows too, yum!

NYX Xtreme Lip Creams in Dolly Girl and Spicy:

Dolly Girl

Spicy

Wow!  These Xtreme Lip Creams are indeed extreme.  They're super-duper pigmented almost like nothing else I've tried before, it doesn't take much.  I look like I'm wearing vinyl on my lips, but in a good way!  I'm really digging the super shiny wet look!  I really can't find any flaw with these except that they smell a little weird...like paint, seriously.  No cutesy candy scents, just straight up utilitarian plastic and paint.  Oh well, you win some you lose some.  I loved the way Spicy looked so much that I'm going out like this tonight!

Well, that's all of it!  Whew, my lips are spent!  I'm extremely happy, however, because this has been a very successful mini haul.  There was nothing I didn't like!  Hope some of you found this review helpful!  Happy Saturday! :D

Hugs,

Cat

How I wore Jason Wu for Target!

Wheeeeeee!  I finally got my Jason Wu for Target haul in a few days ago.  I've been dying to share and I finally found the time to do a quick shoot modeling the stuff that I got.  Nothing formal, just tried on everything right out of the box. (you're going to have to excuse the wrinkles, didn't have time to press some of the items)

Before I start, I just wanted to mention how pleasantly surprised I was with the fit!  As a rather petite Asian girl, my stats are as follows:

• Height: 5'0"
• Weight: 105 lbs.
• Measurements: 32"-26"-36"
• Dress Size: 2

I had anticipated that I would have to head straight to the tailor for alterations, however, it appears that I'm going to be just fine wearing everything off the rack!  Hooray!

First up is the Black Flared Dress with the nude belt and lace hem.  The fabric is a nice weight, and appears to be good quality.  The belt accents the waist with a touch of color, in this case, a pale pinky nude.  I love that it has a built in crinoline which helps retain the full shape.  The lacy hem is embellished with sparkling black sequins.  And I simply LOVE the pockets!  Those were a surprise.  Such a classic, elegant, and flattering cut!  I think I'd be able to wear this dress 20 years from now and still look timeless! (if I still have my figure, that is. lol)  I also found that my Lovelina Vintage Garden Rose Earrings were the PERFECT adornment for this dress.  Whaddya know? :D

Next is the Navy Floral Sleeveless Chiffon Dress.  It's a lightweight, billowy shape that's neatly cinched with a mustard-yellow patent skinny belt.  The fit is flowy, feminine, and effortless.  I can't wait to wear it in the spring, although I'm sure I'd be able to pull it off with some brushed fleece tights and a cardigan for our current nippy weather!  I thought my Lovelina Leafy Bow Pearl Drop Earrings were a good fit with this dress. :D

Then I have the Blush Tee with Black Tie and the Straw Clutch.  Though the tee is cute, it's extremely loose-fitting, as you can see, for an extra small.  The quality is so-so, the stitching for the tie around the neck could definitely use some improvement, but the overall look is fine.  I think I like it best with cropped leggings.  I really can't find any fault with the clutch.  The contrast top-stitching and clasp are nice details and I love the texture of the straw.  I imagine it would be easily dressed up or down.

Last, but not least, I have the Blue Floral Printed Scarf and Classic Flap Handbag.  The scarf is one of my favorite pieces because it's so versatile!  I can wear it as a headband (as shown), as a belt, as a...well...scarf, etc.  There are so many possibilities!  I just adore the cheerful combination of soft blue, white, and yellow.  The handbag is a little darker in color than I had expected, but is still super-cute.  I don't know if I have any floral printed purses, so this is a first for me.  I like how I have the choice to wear it on my shoulder or simply hand-carry it, though I did feel that the detachable strap was several inches too long even at its shortest.  I think my Lovelina Teal Floral Painted Wood Button Drop Earrings goes best with this set.

Well, that's everything!  Can you believe we shot all this in under an hour?  (those of you that are familiar with photography understand that one can spend over an hour photographing just one outfit)  Big thanks to my li'l sis for being such a fantastic photographer! XOXO  She's also a tremendously talented graphic designer and illustrator.  You can check out her artwork HERE.

I really wish I could have gotten my hands on the Navy Blue Poplin Dress and the Navy Trench Coat among many other things, but I really didn't have deep enough pockets for more than I purchased and I feel pretty fortunate that I got anything at all!

Hope you all enjoyed my mini fashion show and have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Cat