February 2016 Favorites

Hello!

This monthly favorites will be a very short one even though we got an extra day in February this year! I was sick for about half of February, so beauty was not on the top of my list. I guess the "theme" for February was to keep it minimal, presentable and fast.

I have really been enjoying the Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base. It is a yellow tinted liquid makeup base that brightens up my complexion. It also have SPF 35 in it to protect my skin. On the days I don't wear foundation, I will still use this to brighten up my face so my skin doesn't look dull. Then I will dust on some translucent powder to set it and I'm good to go. I really notice a difference when I use this when I was sick it helped me look less like a zombie.

In addition to brightening up my face, I would dust on my Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon Blush to make myself look more alive and awake. I really like how natural the colours are when I swirl them together. I did a review on the blush earlier in February, here's the link to the post if you are interested.

Lastly, it's a new product for me. I have been waiting to get my hands on the Sephora Give Me Some Nude Lip Kit. It was sold out for so long and one day I saw two kits at the check out line. From the kit, I finally get to try the Nars Lipstick in Dolce Vita. It is a sheer dusty rose color and I fell in love with the color after the first swatch. I can't believe it took me this long to try out this lipstick. This is definitely an everyday color for me. I find that it enhances my natural lip color, not bold at all. It is not drying and feels comfortable on the lips. Since the color is close to my lip color, I don't have to worry about retouching up though out the day. As it fades, it is not patchy and not that noticeable. Love it!!

Like a said, my aim for February was to keep the makeup minimal, natural looking, and done fast. The 3 products in particular, helped me achieved that, and allowed to be "presentable" even when I am sick. They are definitely a part of my daily routine, especially for school days! I have been testing out a couple new products towards the end of February, they didn't make it to the favourites but you will be hearing about these products soon! Happy March everyone!

Yours Truly,

Ting

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Instagram: @judyy116
Twitter: @jtingsdiary
Email: jtingsdiary@gmail.com

[Review] Chanel Sunkiss Ribbon Blush

Hello!

You might have saw this product from my birthday haul on Instagram. I saw this in a magazine around Christmas and I ordered it for my birthday gift from Holt Renfrew before it was launched. I was so happy to finally see it in person! Let's get into it.

The packaging is like Chanel's usual black box. When you open it, there's two velvet pouches. One of it contains the blush itself, the other contains a small angled blush brush. I like how the brush is not in the compact. It means I get a bigger pan, which allows me actually dip my blush brush in the pan.

The brush is in pretty good quality. It's an angled blush brush. Even though it is really tiny, but I usually save it for my travel makeup bag. The brush allows you to be very precise of which color you pick up because this blush contains five different colors.

This blush has the "interlaced-ribbon" design, hence the name. The "ribbons" are made up by five beautiful colors. Including a pale pink, fushia pink, rose, beige, and coral/orange, color. When you look in the pan, it looks like there's shimmer/ glitters. However, when applied on the cheeks, it leaves a radiant, satin finish. The texture of the blush is really smooth and soft. The powder is finely milled, very good quality! They lasted on my cheeks for a decent amount of time, sometimes I forget I have it on until I removed my makeup and saw the pink/ orange color on the cotton pad. (sounds so bad)

Now about the colors:
This collection is inspired by the L.A. sunrise, the color in the pan really reminds me of sunrise here the sky is filled with different colors, warm and cool toned. Like I mentioned, it is made up of five beautiful colors, you can use them separately or swirl them together or swirl only a couple colors together. I like them swirled together, it gives me a beautiful everyday appropriate color. Here is a swatch picture of the blush colors. The colors are quite pigmented when I swatch with my fingers. However, if I use a blush brush, the color does not go on that heavy, it is buildable like any other Chanel's powder blushes.

Left to right: orange, pale pink, fushia, beige, rose, all together.
Please excuse the background color, I had to make the picture darker so the color is more visible on my arm.

One thing I don't like is the scent. When I opened the box, it has a really strong scent I couldn't even describe, till now I can still smell it on the blush and the packaging. I can't really describe the scent but it's not something I like. Another thing that bother me is that I love to swirl all the colors together, but if I continue, the pen will no longer look as "clean" as it is now! I mean, you won't be able to get a clear swatch of individual color, because colors will "contaminate" each other. But that is for me to worry about in the future.

Product Detail:
Collection: Spring 2016 L.A. Sunrise Collection
Price: $57 CAD
Available: The bay, Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew
I believe it is limited edition

Final thoughts...I think this product is amazing. It allowed me to try on different colors with just one blush. The price is reasonable for me, because to me, it feels like I bought 6 blushes for $57, plus the good quality. I really recommend anyone who loves collecting blush palette to get it, even if you don't use it, it's so beautiful to look at. If I can't watch sunrise in LA in the morning, at least I have the palette to look at. I also recommend this to people who are new to blushes, because you get to try out so many colors and the color is buildable so you can't really mess it up. (I feel as if I'm talking about myself!)


Yours Truly,

Ting



Find me here:
Instagram: @judyy116
Twitter: @jtingsdiary
Email: jtingsdiary@gmail.com

[Review] Sephora 2016 Beauty Insider Birthday Gift

Hello,

*Spoiler Alert* If you don't want to know what Sephora's VIB birthday gift is, don't read this!

Like always Sephora is providing a free birthday gift for their members! This year Beauty Insider gets to choose from either a skin care set from Fresh or a makeup set from Marc Jacobs. As some of you might know, January was my birthday month, so I picked up my gift already. I chose the makeup set (Obviously!!) I was really excited, yet a little disappointed because last year VIB Rouge member got something extra. Now that I am a Rouge member, they are not giving out extra gift for Rouge Member this year. Anyways, I really like the Marc Jacobs set! It includes a Marc Jacobs lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Highliner in 42 Blacquer. (both mini size) Here's what I think about them...

Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in #42 Blacquer

WOW, I have never tried any eyeliner from Marc Jacobs Beaut. This one is ridiculously awesome! First, I love how luxurious looking the packaging is and that it is a twist up, so I don't need to sharpen it! It's a gel eyeliner that glides on the lid smoothly, the color is intense and opaque. It does not tug the lashes at all. You are able to smudge it out a little before it sets, but once it's set, it's not going anywhere! It's always a dilemma, I want my eyeliner to stay in place and not run around during the day, but this also means that it will be hard to take it off at the end of the day. To my surprise though, I am actually able to remove the liner with my BioDerma (the regular formula). Bioderma is a miceller water that cleanses the face and removes makeup.

Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

I always thought their lipstick was drying hence I never really wanted to try it. But when I received the VIB Rouge entrance gift last year, a mini Marc Jacobs Lipstick in So Rouge, I changed my mind. The le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick is hydrating, creamy and with gorgeous color! Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is described as a baked rose color, like a dark rosey pink color. I would say this is a neutral everyday bold lip color. For my lips, it compliments my natural lip color so this can be a everyday lip color for me. One thing I don't really like is the scent of the lipstick when I first put it on, they remind me of the Color Pop or Mac lipsticks. However, the scent goes away after a little while. Another great thing about this lipstick is that even though it is hydrating, it is also super long lasting. I had this lipstick on yesterday, it first lasted 4 hours of constant talking. After I had Nando's for dinner, I went to check on my lipstick, thinking I need to reapply. But NO! It's still there! Now, the glossy top layer is gone because I wiped it off, but the color is still there, and not patchy at all!!!! It also didn't dry out my lips at all, I was so amazed. After an additional 3 hours, when I am removing my makeup, my lip color was still there. I really recommend this lipstick! I want more of it now!

Okay, I know I got a little to carried away because both products are awesome!!!!! I want another set! I really recommend everyone to pick it up on your birthday, sign up for the Sephora Beauty Insider program to receive this! The lipstick especially, I will definitely repurchase after it runs out!


Yours Truly,

Ting




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Instagram: @judyy116
Twitter: @jtingsdiary
Email: jtingsdiary@gmail.com

January 2016 Favorites

Hello!

As January comes to an end, I'm coming at you with the first monthly favourites of the year. There were lots of new makeup products introduced this month, I got to try a couple new products! I also tried to go through my collection to get rid of some unused product, expired products, and products that do not work for me.  During that I rediscovered some forgotten favourites!

Chanel Glossimer in the shade 487 Etincelle

First of all, I am not a lip gloss person but I really like the Chanel Glossimer. They are quite sheer with slight hints of colour. It is very glossy but not sticky at all! This was from the 2015 Holiday collection, I believe you can still get it on Chanel's website, but also check the counters! The shade I have is 487 Etincelle, which is a dark (in the tube) burgundy/ berry colour with gold glitter. On the lips, the colour is not opaque, only a hint of the colour, looks pretty natural! The gold glitter was my biggest concern; however, you don't really feel the glitter on the lips, but the glitter catches the light beautifully. I love this so much because I can put it on without a mirror and because it's sheer, it's low maintenance! It also adds colour to my everyday neutral makeup routine. I also recommend this to someone who wants to try darker colour but is afraid of the "in your face" bold lip colour.

Swatch time! Left to right: lip liner, lip liner + gloss, Gloss
The color looks more berry/ burgundy in person and on the lips!

Jordana Lip Pencil in 37 Cabaret

During the colder days when I want a bolder/ darker lip colours I will fill my lips using this liner and add apply the Chanel Glossier on top. This lip liner is less than two dollars but I like it more than some of the higher end lip liners. This stays on the lips without sliding around, bleed but it also does not try out the lips. It is really pigmented, it glides on the lip without tugging. Also, it also doesn't settle in the crease of the lips!

City Color HD Powder

I received this awhile ago in an IPSY bag, I used it a couple times and then forgot about it. I was not used to using loose powders, I find that it gets messy easily. I rediscover this when there was the face "baking"trend on youtube later last year. Since then I have been using this everyday to set my under eyes. Instead of using a big powder face brush, I use smaller brushes so the powder wouldn't go anywhere. I always have problems with my under eyes concealer creasing through out the day, super annoying!!! Now I would put on concealer around the eyes, then lightly dust this powder on the areas with concealer with a fluffy eye brush.  Also adding Foxy (pale yellow shade) from Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, on the eye area. Let it set while I do my brows, set my face make up, etc about 5 minutes. I will lightly dust more HD powder on the eye area and pat away some "creasing". I notice my concealer, eye shadow stopped slipping around and stayed all day with this trick. This trick also works making ur lip color last all day!

BareMinerals Powder Foundation

Sometimes I don't want to put on a full face of makeup, or I don't have time to do so. I would just put concealer around my eyes i.e., follow the trick I just talked about, then applying the powder foundation all over. the coverage is amazing! It allows my makeup to look natural while presentable! It saves me so much time!

Chanel Joues Contraste Lumiere Highlighter

I believe this is also from the 2015 Holiday Collection. I'm not sure if this is limited edition, but I hope not! If you read my posts before, you might know I like how my makeup product can be very versatile. I like how I can using my products as many ways possible. For example, I can do almost a full face of makeup using just the Urban Decay Naked Basics. Anyways back to the highlighter. Honestly, I over looked this product when I saw the Holiday Collection. It looks blah to me, I wasn't sure what it is supposed to be, the color is not like a typical highlighter, looks more like a very light bronzer to me. The makeup artist at the counter tried this on me and told me how I can use this product, I was hooked! There are many ways I use this product like I said before. First, I use it as a highlighter on my nose, and the top of my cheek bones. Second, I use it as eyeshadow, it's very neutral and it catches the light. For a quick neutral eye look, I put this on like eyeshadow then I line my eyes and I'm done! Love Love Love this product!!

That's everything I can remember, short and sweet! I really enjoyed January, many things have happened in a positive way! Good start to the year (or am I just biased because it's my birthday month)?! I hope everyone is still enjoying the new year! Share with my what you have been loving for January!

Yours Truly,

Ting


Find me here:
Instagram: @judyy116
Twitter: @jtingsdiary
Email: jtingsdiary@gmail.com

January IPSY Glam Bag Unboxing

Hello!

First IPSY bag of the year!!! First of all, I am really liking the bag itself! It's weird looking, a little creepy but still cute! I like that the zipper is on the top and not on the side, this way I can use it as a pencil pouch too.

Promise Organic Argan Creme Facial Lotion

Let's start with the product that wow me the most. It WOWed me because I usually don't care for the skin care samples I received in the bag. This one however, is one of my top favorite from the bag. It is an Argan creme facial lotion with olive oil, it is designed for normal to dry skin. The scent is fresh, like lemon. The texture is light weight, not greasy at all! I thought it will be greasy and thick because there's olive oil and argan. It has a creamy texture that absorbs really quickly into the skin without any reside feeling. Best of all, It's 100% natural and organic.

Unfortunately, I think you can only find this product on CVS, the full size is 1.7 o.z and retails for $14.99 USD . The sample is 0,5 o.z so it's worth $4.41 USD

Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow

Photo from Marsk Cosmetics.com

I have been loving mineral foundation lately but I have never tried any mineral based loose powder eye shadow before. Mine is in the shade "You are toast" which is a light neutral brown/ pink color. It has a creamy texture and is highly pigmented. A tiny bit goes a long way! They look shimmery/ a bit glittery in the container; however, when I swatched it on my arms it has no shimmery, glitter ,but a beautiful glow. It reflects the light nicely which gives a beautiful sheen. It is a tad bit messy but it is loose powder so it's understandable! This is also 100% natural, what a bonus!

This product is available on Marsk Cosmetics' website www.marskcosmetics.com. They only ship to USA and Canada. The full size is 1.2g and retails for $22.50 USD. The product I received was a full size!!!!

The Balm Mr. Write( NOW) Eyeliner Pencil

This product was the reason why I was a little hesitant to write this post. Unfortunately this product broke before I tried it.  This is a twist up eyeliner pencil, which is the type I like because I don't like to sharpen my eyeliners. The cap itself is a built in sharpener!  However, when I first opened the packaging the actual eyeliner fell out of the "pen" container. I managed to squeezed the product back in but I have to be careful when I used it, I don't want it to fall out while I line my eyes. Anyways, this itself is a pretty good product. I have it in the shade Jac, it is a bronzy/ brown eyeliner with sparkles. It is creamy and very pigmented and smooth. It glides on like a liquid eyeliner and sets right away. When it sets, it does not budge! 

You can find this product anywhere that sells the Balm, I saw Rexall carrying this in Canada. Or you can find it on www.thebalm.com It retails for $17 USD and I believe mine is a full size too!

OFRA Cosmetics Universal Eyebrow Pencil

This eyebrow pencil is very smooth and it glides on easily. The color is buildable so it is suitable for everyone, hence it's called universal eyebrow pencil. It keeps my brow in place without any clear brow gel! They advertised that you can use this as a lip liner and an eyeliner, I personally have not try it yet. I think I will probably try it out too, since this eyebrow pencil doesn't feel waxy or pointy. 

This product can be found on OFRA's website www.ofracosmetics.com. The full size retails for $13 USD. Again, mine is full size! Way to go IPSY!

Dirty Little Secret Lipstick

The last product in the bag is a lipstick in the shade Vengeance. It looks like a dark burgundy color on IPSY, looks blood red on DLS's website, it looks purple/ berry in real life. I have no idea what this color is supposed to be. It reminds me of the YSL Rouge Pur Couture liptick color in le Fuchia but darker. I will do a side by side on instagram soon. I like the DLS one because it is more creamy and way more moisturizing. If you tried the YSL Rouge Pur Couture before, it gets super dry after a while. The DLS one is also really pigmented, even though I'm not sure what this color is supposed to be, but the color I swatched on my hand/ lip is really beautiful.

I believe you can only find this product on DLS' website www.dirty-little-secret.com. The full size retails for $10 USD and once again I think it's full size! Oh WOW!

Here's a swatch of the DLS lipstick, OFRA Brow pencil and The Balm Eyeliner (left to right)

The total value of this bag is $66.91 USD which is more than the $10 bag+ Canadian shipping + currency conversion! This has to be the best bag I've ever received!!!!! Even though the eyeliner came broken but this bag is still totally worth it! I see myself using every single product in this bag! This year has started off really well, I can't wait for February.

I am still rating this bag with a 5/5 !!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Yours Truly,


Ting


Find me here:
Instagram: @judyy116
Twitter: @jtingsdiary
Email: jtingsdiary@gmail.com