My Beauty Diary Natto Mask

This is the sheet mask I used this weekend. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture before I used it.



Purpose: Hydrating, firming

Skin type: All skin types especially dull, dehydrated skin

Characteristics: The r-PGA component present in Natto Gum not only protects the skin with a thin layer of water film preventing the loss of water from skin surface, but also effectively penetrates deep to hydrate the skin. Together with the Bio-Active Silanols and Algae Extract conditioning, they work to achieve maximum hydration for the skin regaining its luster. The Natto essence is iso-flavone rich and helps to rejuvenate the skin, improving the skin’s elasticity, reducing signs of aging.


What I noticed...
day one- most parts of my face were really hydrated and soft, but the area between my nose and mouth and the area between my left cheek and mouth had the beginnings of a few red bumps. They were in the early stages of surfacing.

day two- same thing, but the bumps that were surfacing have now surfaced. They were tiny zits.

day three- by now, most of my face feels pretty good, except for that one section. When I patted my face in the morning, there was a softer bounce back which I really liked.

overall- I'm not sure.... I like how most of my face felt but the area that broke out did bother me and it still hasn't completely gone away yet. I probably won't buy this mask again for that reason alone. I would recommend it to other people though, because not everyone's skin is the same. So it may work out for other people, plus most of my face felt pretty good. Maybe this mask just wasn't meant for me.

This mask is FULLY LOADED with juice so you know you're getting your money's worth! I still have a lot left over that I plan to use on my neck =)  We will have to see what happens. I will definitely do an update on the results later.

smashbox halo finale

I have FINALLY finished my Smashbox Halo powder!! Yipee!

Although I have no complaints about the product itself whatsoever, I'm not sure I would buy it again. It was quite expensive... $59!! It's great quality as most of my experience with Smashbox items are but for now, I don't feel the need for to pay that much for powder. I bought it because I was going to Asia and was afraid that they wouldn't have anything to match my skintone and I was right. So I ran into Sephora at the airport, couldn't decide what to get but finally decided on Smashbox because it has usually been good to me.

It goes on really smooth and if you skin is ok (as in not too bumpy from existing acne or deep pitted acne scars), it will be enough coverage for most people. After you apply it, your skin feels really smooth and natural, not sticky or waxy. And most importantly if you get the right shade, it melts into your skin and blends beautifully. I was quite impressed the first few times I used it, but I guess you get what you pay for right?

On a daily basis, I used it after I put on my BB cream for an extra smooth look ( I need it). The BB cream alone is WAY too pale for me. 

This is the claim made on the Sephora website. 

HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder & Brush Set
What it is:
A face-perfecting anti-aging powder and brush duo.

What it does:
Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder HALO is the first anti-aging powder with the science of skin care built in. It's advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide deliver powerful anti-aging benefits while the patented hydration system continuously revitalizes skin and provides a hydrated look that won't accentuate lines and wrinkles. The built-in shaver allows for the convenience of a pressed powder combined with the radiant finish of a loose one, and the super-sized brush deposits the perfect amount of powder every time.

What else you need to know:
The powder is made for all skin types and is free of oil, talc, and parabens. Includes a custom Travel Kabuki Brush for flawless application plus a sample of our award-winning Photo Finish Foundation Primer.

Clinical studies show:
- After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
- After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.

Dun, da, da-da

As with all my products I like to squeeze and get ALL my money's worth, so one of my most favorite thing to do is figuring a way to disect the container that gets the most product and is the least messy. So here are my pictures of my Smashbox Halo destruction.

Look at how much product is still there! I used it for another 2 weeks! I found out the hard way that there was still more product that fell thru the cracks between the shaver and the metal thing that held the powder, so becareful. The metal is glued on and I didn't think there was anything facinating if I took it apart so I left it- oops! If you can't tell already, how this works is that the Halo powder comes unshaved and you turn the shaver on the bottom right to shave it. The point is to shave just enough for the time you are planning to use it and you have total control over that. This is for people who love loose powders but hate the messiness. No powder has fallen out of that container when it was in my bag, pretty smart design, though everyone has their own take on it now...

What do you think? Is this powder for you? Have you tried this? What is your experience with this?

TFS Mung Bean Mask

The Face Shop Cereal Mask Sheet- Mung Bean, for smooth, clearer skin. 'Mung Bean extract cleans and smoothes skin'


- The Benefits of Mung Bean: Used to cleanse and clarify skin for ages, Mung Beans are valued for their excellent cleansing and detoxifying properties which help resolve skin problems for a more beautiful complexion.


- Made from all natural pulp for the gentle delivery of Mung Bean extract, this nutrient- rich cereal mask sheet cleans and smoothes skin.

I used this mask for 3 days in a row over this past weekend. The mask totally lived up to what it said it would do. My skin felt soft after the first day, but I wasn’t that impressed. The redness looked the same as the night before so it was eh… but after I used it the second day, my skin felt even better. After the third day, red marks reduced a little but my skin felt so soft and rejuvenated, like I had a good night’s sleep for 2 weeks! If all my skin needed was to feel soft and rejuvenated, I would definitely purchase this again. However, my skin is WAY more complicated than that to say the least.  But if one miraculous day, that's all my skin needs, I will be stocking up on that for sure. The masks makes good on what it claims.


Have you used this mask before? What are your thoughts about it? Have you used other Face Shop masks?

Go bye bye

These are some of the products I can't wait till I'm finished with them.

From left to right:

EOS honeydew lip balm- ugh I really REALLY don't like this product and will not purchase it again. I bought it only because it was different looking from all the other lip balms I've used in the past. I have to use it a lot before I feel that my lips are moisturized but even then it doesn't last. So now I just want to finish it and give it to my dog to play with. At least then he will have something to look forward to. I don't recommend this to anyone and if I can save you $3-$4, I'll be happy. Would not recommend this to anyone!

The Face Shop pure berry BB cream- This BB cream is ok, not the best, not the worst. It's consistency is not as thick as others I've tried. I would say it's the same consistency as regular lotion. I think this BB cream has anti-oxidant properties but I haven't noticed a difference so I'm ready to go on to the next thing. And I'm VERY close to finishing it. YAY! I probably wouldn't purchase this again because I didn't see any difference (but maybe that's a good thing? like my skin stayed the same since it first started?) It does have SPF 20++, so I was using it as my sunscreen. I would recommend this to someone who wanted to try BB cream. It has a nice scent that is not overpowering.

The Face Shop Pore Minimizer Controlling Cream- I was so excited when I first got this because my pores are HUGE! I mainly use this on my forehead and inner cheek area (the area right beside my nose), where my pores are really noticeble but I haven't seen much of a difference. I've only seen that it mattes my skin, but I've used other pore minimizers that have worked better. So I wouldn't recommend this nor buy it again.

The Face Shop Quick & Clean Oil- Free Moisturizing Cream- When I first got this I was very excited, because I was so obsessed with The Face Shop products. It was kinda disappointing. It's not that great of a moisturizer. I mean I think it's ok but it's another one I wouldn't buy again. I have yet to find a good moisturizer that is compatible with my skin and that I will see results.

What products can't you wait until you finish up?

500 Points Sephora

I just wanted to let you know that Sephora is giving away this really cool combo of eyeshadows by Too Faced if you have collected 500 points from their beauty insider program. It has a sample from their Natural, Smoky, Naked and Romantic Eye palettes. It even comes with their Shadow Insurance primer!! I think it's totally worth redeeming your points for.  I have the Natural AND the Naked palette and I LOVE them! They are so pigmented and glide on really easily. Ahh! *clap clap* SO excited. I think I'll just stare at them for now, so pretty =)

Let's stare together...

The guide is even in another language if english isn't your language!



Sheet masks review

The masks I tried this weekend..


Green Tea Collagen Mask

Purpose: The Green Tea offers intense hydration and effective antioxidants to protect against premature aging. Soothes with aloe and allantoin. Reduces inflammation and redness.

What I noticed: It didn't work as well as it did the first couple of times I used it (or I should say, not as powerful) but that maybe because this was from the left over juices (and maybe there wasn't enough?). It did hydrate my skin and tone down the redness which I have a lot of from recent acne and past acne scars. I makes my acne go down a lot which I love. I'm not sure if they still make it because I went to the website and couldn't find it. I got mine at a beauty convention and I'm going to one again in June and will be sure to be on the look out for this. If you have acne or irritated skin, this is a mask to try. It's also good for people who are sensitive to scented skincare, this has no scent.

Skinfood Lettuce & Cucumber Water Essence Mask Sheet

Water essence-type mask sheet that contains lettuce & cucumber extracts to keep your skin feeling freshly moisturized.

What I noticed: It had this cold, cooling sensation when I put it on. It was nice feeling especially after a hot day. In the morning, I noticed my skin was moisturized and the active acne had gone down in size AND redness, something always nice to wake up to in the morning =)  Not sure if I will buy this again... It worked well but I've had others that worked even better.


To me, my skin needs more and I've had better results with other masks. But if all you want or need is for your skin to be cooled and moisturized, then this is the mask for you! Or if you have HOT summer days and/or nights, this will feel so good and it will be more beneficial than just putting a cold paper towel on your face =P


and to round off my weekend....

The Face Shop Fresh Fruit Aloe Mask Sheet
'Aloe for comforted and revitalized skin"
- The benefits of aloe: Aloe soothes and hydrates sensitive skin without irritation.
- Made from all natural pulp for the gentle delivery of aloe extract, this refreshing juice- like mask sheet comforts and revitalizes skin.
Aloe soothes and heals damaged skin. Great for sunburm skin irritation.

What I noticed: My skin was plump and glowy in the morning. Irritation seemed to have subsided, but it left my face a little sticky which aloe usually does. I did have a breakout on the side of my nose but I'm not sure if that is from overdoing it on my part ( I used a The Face Shop's Honey Black Sugar scrub AND a Biore nose strip). I've used this mask a few times now and will continue to do so. I think aloe sheet masks are always a safe way to go if you are trying sheet masks for the first time.

Now that I think of it, I don't think I'm using these right. All the masks suggests using it 2-3 rimes a week. I should have used the same mask 3 days in a row... not 3 different masks, 3 days in a row! DOH!! Oh well, I'll start next weekend....

What mask are you using? What is your favorite mask?

nails

This is how I did my nails last week.

I LOVE this pink glitter nail polish by Missha!! It's SUPER pretty. These are the other polishes that I used.

From left to right,

Orly's Bonder- a rubberized basecoat. I used this on my left hand and Butter London's nail foundation on my right. My right hand didn't chip as fast OR as badly. Even so, It didn't start chipping until the second day. My right hand didn't start chipping until the 4th day.

Butter London's Nail Foundation- Flawless basecoat is right! This is the BEST looking basecoat I have ever used. When I first put this on, I hesitated to keep painting my nails. Yes it looks that good. It makes your nail look like your nail, but with a matte/ satin like finish. When comparing it next to a nail that hasn't been painted, you can tell the difference right away. 

Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Disco Ball- I've been looking for a clear glitter polish for a while now and I thought this one was perfect. How glitter polish has changed... before the glitter would stay in the bottle or come out in pieces wear you can pick it off your nail. But this one had glitter that was fine enough to go on smoothly. It was also subtle enough that it didn't overpower the pink Missha which is exactly what I wanted. 

Borghese Presto Fast Dry Top Coat- I really like this fast dry top coat. I once bought a really cheap fast dry top coat at Walmart and it was HORRIBLE. It took FOREVER to dry, slower than a regular nail polish! This one however, I brush it on last and wait for a minute (to be on the safe side) and my nails are dry and shiny smooth! 

Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength Diamond Shine Base & Top Coat- This one was great and really gave me that diamond bling shine. I've had this polish forever and used it all the time so now it's gotten goopy and I can't find my polish thinner =(  I was able to use it this one last time before I put it aside until I find my thinner. I actually used this before the Borghese top coat but lined it up wrong in the picture- my bad!

Solar Oil- a nail conditioner. I've also had this forever but have been lazy about using it. I think it's an okay conditioner but I know a lot of people who love it. I have some other nail conditioner waiting in the wings that I'm excited to use so I'm just trying to finish this off. 

For this week, I tried to do this really cute bee nail that I saw on youtube but it was an ultimate fail =(

However I'm too lazy to take it off so I will just let it chip away. haha

This is my right thumb and I learned I have a lot more control of my left hand than I think. The bee on my right thumb turned out so much better than the bee on my left thumb. The flower is a sticker that I bought at Sasa in Shanghai. The rest of my fingers are horrid, I didn't let the dashes dry long enough I guess and they smeared when I put on the top coat. I will attempt this again in the future.

These are the polishes I used from left to right.

Orly's Bonder- a rubberized basecoat. I'm going to keep using this until I finish it, but I do think it's a decent basecoat.

The Face Shop BL603- I like this blue a lot. I used 2 coats and it came out darker when compared to the bottle. 

Zoya in Creamy- for the bee.

OPI in Black Onyx- for the dashes and bee stripes.

OPI in Gargantuan Green Grape- for the petals of the flower, you can barely see it. 

Skinfood in Milky Creamy Nail- as my top coat. I like this a lot. It's more watery than most top coats so it goes on really easy and the packaging it totally ADORABLE. 

Borghese Presto Fast Dry Top Coat- I don't know why I use 2 top coats. I'm not sure it that's even right to do but I think it looks better with two.

For the white wings on the bee I used

Essie in Blanc- but wth right? I know I've had this for a long time but this has never happened to any of my other nail polishes. This is the second time it cracked. I crazy glued the pieces back the first time but this time was extremely hard to open just like the first time but after banging it against my table a few times I was able to loosen it. But as I turned to open the bottle, it cracked and started falling apart so I think it's time to let it go to nail polish heaven. It's a pet peeve of mine to toss unused product but I reasoned that it's not like I can save it since nail polish isn't something you can just transfer to another container. And at this rate, it's just a matter of time before it dries out. I want a more opaque white anyway. Time to shop =)

Show me your nails =)

My Saturday eyes

h3y girl,
So Saturday I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance as my eye primer and put it all over my lid.

My eyelids are extremely oily and usually I have to use this AND one of MAC's paints to keep my shadows from creasing but as usual I was lazy and didn't have much time to do my makeup. 

I used Aritaum Quick Drawing Eyebrow Pencil for my brows. I like it a lot, it's very convenient and has a brush on the other end. The shade I use is #2.

For my lids, I played with my Too Faced Naked Palette. I think it's such a pretty palette. It even comes with instruction cards if you're feeling overwhelmed or are not sure what colors to use. 

I used In The Buff as a highlighter. Satin Sheets on the inner corner, Lap Dance on the outer corner and crease. For my liner I used Stiletto. I'm wearing Fresh Look contacts in Brown. I love this look. It's a great natural everyday day time look. I don't usually line the bottom of my lash line because it's too dramatic for me in the day time, even as a night time look, I still have to get used to it.

For mascara, I used Lancome's Hypnose. I didn't like it that much after the first 2 uses and thought I finally found a Lancome mascara that I didn't love. I was wrong. I liked it from then on. The first few times I used it, it made my lashes stick together, didn't separate it, thickened TOO much and didn't  lengthen. It was just a hot mess!! I felt that way about their eXtreme mascara too. After a few more tries, it didn't do that anymore and it was fine. Maybe it just needed a little breaking in. 

What did you wear this weekend?

h3y girl

I have FINALLY set up my blog page!! Yipee! Can't believe it's taken me SO freakin long. I knew I was gonna take hella long to pick out the background, the fonts, formatting, etc. Maybe that's why I was kinda dreading it... oh well whatever I'm done. Let the blogging begin! haha.

I had crawfish tonight and now I feel like I might be breaking out so I putting on Martinni's Green Tea Collagen Mask and calling it a night. It's calmed my skin before and I'm hoping for the same results this time around. I will give you my 2 cents about it tomorrow. Goodnight ya'll.