Blahg: Small Rants and Beauty Shizz

It was Friday night and I was all ready with nowhere to go... My roommate and I were headed for a frat party downtown, but were stranded with no possibility of a sober driver bringing us back. Bad idea. So we had a boring night at home. No way in HELL was I going to be D.D. I had spent the entire day nursing a hangover anyway. Alcohol wreaked havoc on my skin. It was so parched the morning after. UGH.

It's been a long time since I blogged more personally due in part to how restricted I feel on my own blog, especially with the possibility of people I know reading this. I'm glad my readership's pretty low, so I still have some room to be myself. My last entry was obviously forced, because of the "ad." I probably won't be doing anything of that sort for a while now. lol.

Life's been pretty hectic. SO and I are open, per my request. I'm really bored of us and wanted to see what else, or who else, is out there. I still miss my Mr. Big, but he's out of reach and it seems for good. My heart actually aches. Ha, Fei has feelings. I also deactivated from my fraternity for the second time. There's too much to explain and I doubt any of it would really interest you, but it was a bittersweet feeling to withdraw myself from the organization.

My living situation is as such: A shared one-bedroom apartment just a few minutes walk away from campus. My roommate is a fraternity sister, and she's deactivated with me. She can be a bit obnoxious sometimes and I've come close to wringing her neck, but who doesn't hate their roommates at some point? The strangest thing about her is her fixation with what kind of Asian other people think she looks like. She doesn't seem to like being associated with her own ethnicity. And a random fact about her: She's a porn distributor; yet, she's probably one of the most innocent girls you'll ever meet.

Ahh... another major peeve of late has been PERFUME. The roomie bought my perfume, Chanel Chance, in eau de parfum after seeing my eau fraiche. Yes, I'm a bit flattered, but I don't like sharing scents with friends. Which is exactly why I headed over to Sephora today for this:



I'm not totally in love with the Dolce and Gabbana The One ($65), but I'm one of those types of shoppers who can't leave empty-handed. Because I'm so particular about fragrances, I can never wear my Chance again. I'll probably throw it away or use it as an expensive air freshener, which sucks since I've only used it a few times. Anyone care to take it off my hands at a huge discount? Am hoping the nearby Costco still has Viktor and Rolf's Flowerbomb I've been lemming.

If you didn't already know, you get one of those nifty, black, double-sided Sephora mirrors they have by the register for free if you purchase a gift card. I just buy one while I'm paying so I can put it towards my purchase. Right now, they have the mirrors in a glittery white:



Makes me happy, since the roomie has the black one. Yeah, I know I'm strange. I just don't like matching people I know, because I'll always associate that item with them. I feel the same way about songs, too. I hate when a song becomes attached to the memory of a person. There. Random weird fact about me. Anywho, I'll probably return the fragrance for the MUFE HD powder everyone raves about. Apprehensive about buying it for fear of pore clogginess. I'll see...

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Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof

I bought this at Big Lots a while back. Amazingly, it's not a discontinued item as I had thought. The brush is very small. VERY small. Its size renders it absolutely useless for my upper lashes. The brush can't grab enough product to coat each lash, so you'll end up layering 20 coats just to get enough to show up. All that brushing action also uncurls any curling I've done. On my lower lashes, it's great. I can actually SEE my bottom lashes after two coats of this stuff. The small brush also prevents me from getting mascara under my eye, which is usually what happens (because my hand's not steady and my lashes are puny). The formula also doesn't melt, freeing me of the dreaded raccoon eyes. Awesome! I wouldn't necessarily buy this at regular price, but it's something I'll keep in mind when there's a Maybelline sale.

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Q&A

Blergh... mineral makeup! :] Good advertorial though! Hehe.

Love the scarf~ but more the way you wore it!
- Fuz

Thank you! I think I'll write an entry on different ways one can wear a square scarf.

DUDE, those puppies are sooo freakin cute!!
- Gee

I can spend hours watching them. I'm actually considering spending my purse money on a puppy instead of that Balenciaga I've been lemming. XD

OMG you're using the same lip balm as me! LOL! i'm on this no make up thing right now, no foundation and stuff. skin's getting better yay!
- Etherealprey

No makeup's the best. I'm too self conscious to go completely without it though. lol.

wow is that a photo of the SUN? haven't seen that in milan for the past 2 weeks, lol...
- Cheryl

Yes, it's the sun. I'll trade you my sunshine for some gloomy weather, which I LUFF.

heck! that is one pricey scarf!!! really pretty though. i reckon big loopy earrings may go with it too

btw, i adore ur skin complexion!
- Hongyi

I'm not much of a hoops kinda girl. I'm actually not even much of an earrings girl anymore. SO always says I'm missing something, but I'm not all that into jewelry. What kind of girl am I?!

Just a few beauty questions for you....do you normally use a primer before applying foundation or just a moisturizer? Any recommendations of a good primer for oily skin? Keeping the bikini line neat and under control....any suggestions? I am so over waxing, but I like the results....
- Tori

I no longer use a primer, but before I used to use the Smashbox one. I don't think my skin liked having a layer of that stuff on all day and it felt so heavy on my oily skin. I think a good skincare routine (cleansing and moisturizing) may reduce the oilies, and maybe use an oil control lotion. I don't have any recommendations, because I neglect my skin in that department (trying to change that). Perhaps one of the BB creams that Fuzkittie reviewed would work? I'm actually thinking about going the BB way as well. Fuz has also inspired me to save up for a whole La Mer skincare routine, but that'll have to wait... Haha.

I like to use my Emjoi epilator to keep the bikini line clean. I must admit, a wax is much more efficient and involves less pain, because it's over in ten minutes. Nowadays, I'm too lazy and it's winter, so I just shave. :X I've gotta learn how to wax myself, because after my first brazilian I'm addicted!

Does the body shop mineral foundation contain Bismuth Oxycholride?
- Lizz

I ripped off and threw away the ingredients label! But I remember looking through it for BO and didn't see it included. :)

I second that question about the primer xD Btw, what smashbox foundation do you use exactly? I have oily skin and have been looking for a HG foundation since ages which doesn't make me break out! :D
- Julie

I don't even bother with primers anymore. I feel like all I have to do is take care of my skin and the rest will eventually fall in place. I AM very interested in the MUFE HD powder to diminish the appearance of pores though... It's on Pink's The Shit list and that's enough to sell me on it!

I use one of the pressed powder Smashbox foundations in Beige to set the tinted moisturizer and give myself a more matte effect. It doesn't make me break out like MAC would. Since I'm looking into the MUFE powder... I may not be using this for very long. I've read reviews about how it controls oilies and hides pores, which sounds too good to be true, but I'm curious enough to find out.

hi there!
so you've recently tried mineral makeups from TBS! They're so expensive here in Indonesia but I got to try the samples and I don't like the foundation AT ALL. it's too sheer for me, not worth the money.
- Fifi

I won't lie... I don't think it's worth the money either, which is why I put more emphasis on going to the store to TRY it yourself. ;) I'm so not suited for blog advertorials. lol.

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Makeup-free! I <3 Essie. I'm wearing Limo-Scene there. It's been over a week and there are no signs of the polish budging.

Expect an entry on different ways to wear a scarf.

The Body Shop & Shopping Tip

Why mineral makeup? You may have sensitive skin and mineral makeup is supposed to be derived of natural ingredients that do not irritate, making it suitable for all skin types. Nowadays, everyone has some form of mineral makeup, from Everyday Minerals to L'Oreal and now The Body Shop. I was offered the opportunity to try out and review The Body Shop's mineral makeup line--their foundation, eyeshadow, and blush. Having never really tried mineral makeup before, I figured I'd give it a go. So let's get started...

Foundation

I chose the shade 03, which is a pretty close match considering the fact that I had to pick from their selection online. Like mineral makeup should be, it's very light and gives you a natural, sheer finish. It also allows your skin to glow naturally as it doesn't make your face super matte. There's an added spf 25 protection as well.

I have oily skin and for me this foundation didn't absorb oil as effectively as a regular pressed powder, so that's a con. Another negative aspect is the messiness, but that goes without saying since almost all mineral foundations come in sifter jars. The limited color selection might be a setback, but because coverage is so light it really shouldn't be hard to find a shade. One huge plus is the spf protection. It's good to know that I can dust spf on my face throughout the day without ruining my makeup. Overall, this isn't for me but for anyone looking for something new to try, head to The Body Shop.

Blush

I chose Golden Terracotta and, as you can see, it's pretty well pigmented and has a shimmery quality, which doesn't agree with everyone. I actually found this a bit difficult to blend, but that may just be my technique; I'm not quite comfortable with using loose blush powder. This is a mineral makeup product, so if you're looking for something more skin-friendly, this may be it.

Eyeshadow

Top: Applied wet. Bottom: Applied dry. No base.

For the eyeshadow, I chose Radiant Graphite. This color has a good amount of shimmer which is especially brought out when applied wet. I found the powder to be pretty finely milled and it easily flies all over the place, so you'll definitely need a good base for good color payoff and hold. An all around okay shadow.

Conclusion?

So what's the verdict? Would I buy The Body Shop mineral makeup? No, I wouldn't. I'm happier with the products I already use. My main issue with mineral makeup is the mess it makes. Powder's flying everywhere! With regard to the blush and foundation, I'm sticking to my Smashbox (just plain better) and NARS (so much easier to blend and comes in a multitude of colors). Their shadows may or may not come in colors that MAC pigments or other loose-type shadows don't, but I'm not in need of anymore eye makeup. Let's not forget what The Body Shop has that my HG products don't: They're mineral products! If you have sensitive skin, check them out. They have stores at practically every mall, so you'll be able to swatch and play to your heart's content.

If you have any questions about these products, feel free to ask. I'll try my best to have your queries answered.

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Q&A and Miscellaneous

The view from the driver's side on my way back up to Santa Barbara (yeah, I shouldn't be taking pics while driving). It's good to live in California. Lady L and Pink really need to come back!

To answer the questions about what I'm wearing in the pictures in my last entry: Maybelline SuperStay Gloss in Radiant Ruby for the pinup look and MAC Dazzleglass in Rags to Riches in the devil pics. And yes, I should probably smile with teeth more often....

yay you got the Chanel earrings too! I remember you saying your ears are sensitive. How are they behaving with the Chanel earrings?

- Liz

My ears are definitely sensitive to these earrings! :( They aren't nickel-free at all!

Are you really not buying LV ever again? Didn't see that coming!

- Tracy

I'm planning on getting my mom a LV scarf for Christmas =). I love the Chanel earrings! I've been considering them for years! I keep on forgetting haha.

- Angie519

I love love those Chanel earrings. Do you have any idea where I can get a pair online, authentic of course. I would never go for these on ebay, either. I live about 4 hours away from any Chanel store, unfortunately =(, and with school in the way I could never make the trip.

- Jenny

YES. I am completely serious about never buying from LV again. The inconsistent quality of service I have experienced has left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be adding any new Vuitton items to my collection.







Chanel silk hankerchief scarf ($350). I wasn't kidding. I still really wanted a bandana/scarf type thing, so I took the plunge and bought this. The biggest reason for my lack of makeup hauls is purchases like this. It's no longer fun to buy makeup and this stuff lasts much longer.

To answer Jenny's question about where to buy those Chanel earrings online without using eBay (and I'm assuming no other eBay-like places as well):

Online consignment stores like Ann's Fabulous Finds and Rodeo Drive Resale. It's mainly second-hand items, but authenticity is guaranteed and you have the option of paying in installments. Of course, inventory isn't set since it's like a big, expensive, garage sale, so you probably won't find anything specific you may have in mind. It probably doesn't help that this means the item is used, which doesn't sit well with some people (like germaphobic me). If you're looking for those earrings, it's best to get them from the store yourself. They're so easily faked, I wouldn't trust buying them from small online shops and eBay anyway.

Here's a tip for you and anyone who's planning on buying something big. Find a Saks outside of your state that carries the item you want and phone in your order. Tell them you are shipping the item as a gift and you will not be charged that pesky sales tax. This is helpful if 1) you have trouble locating what you want and 2) you're going to spend a lot of money and wouldn't mind some tax relief. You'll only be required to pay shipping. YES, this will work even if you have a Saks Fifth Avenue in your state. YES, you must tell them it's a gift. YES, it works. I believe Neiman Marcus also does this, but keep in mind that they only accept their store card or American Express. I think they're also willing to do international orders, but I'm not absolutely certain. Feel free to ask me if you need store and/or SA recommendations. I'll try my best to answer.

Since we're on the topic of shopping, here's a Rue La La invitation that's open to everyone. NO ONE benefits from this invitation as it comes from Rue La La themselves (so I'm not getting money if you spend). I find it tacky when people post referral links and deceitful when I notice that they didn't say anything about it. Don't take offense if you do that. Just not my style. I'll be sharing more open invites from stores as they come to mind.

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Kiss My Face

I was on an organic kick for a short while. I tried organic toothpaste (YUCK), organic shampoo and bodywash, organic face wash (meh), and organic sunblock. Kiss My Face is my current HG chapstick. It's made of organic ingredients, comes in different flavors, is colorless, has spf protection, and isn't mentholated. I don't think Burt's has lip balm that isn't mentholated (correct me if I'm wrong) and Carmex smells like ass.

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I'll leave you all with the best thing on Ustream EVAR:

Pin Ups and Halloween

*** "...an historic victory for the American people." ***

Yes, we can... Yes, we did!
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Thank you for the tags. I'm too lazy to do it, but thanks. lol.

Pin Up!

So eBeautyBlog is hosting a Pin Up contest. I'm participating. I thought it'd be a good way to show my could-have-been Halloween costume if it had been less revealing. Two birds, one stone.

My makeup inspiration is actually Gretchen Mol who portrays Bettie Page in The Notorious Bettie Page.





My eyebrows aren't dark enough though. I refuse to draw caterpillars on my face!

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Halloween

My holiday weekend was pretty chill. I've officially quit smoking even though I'm not exactly a chain smoker. I must say, I feel for smokers now. It is incredibly irritating to be told to stop every time you light up. I can understand why smokers hang out with each other.

Halloween night, I just clipped a pair of plastic devil's horns barrettes in my hair and slipped into a skin tight black dress. Didn't go all out, didn't care.





And the tired morning after. I was dragged out of bed at 8 in the morning. I can't believe it!



Overrated chicken wangs.

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A little side rant about Louis Vuitton: SO had been trying for days to get me an LE bandana on their website, but his account was flagged because he was stupid and entered the wrong information. I tried with my own credit card, but the same problem occurred. Their customer service reps, despite several calls and several different reps, were unable to help. I know it's just a $200 purchase, but they should be bending over backwards for me. I've made pricey purchases with them in the past and am appalled with how little they care for my business. So LV is officially blacklisted and I'll never shop with them again. Go ahead, buy the fakes!

Not wanting to come away from this empty-handed, SO took me to Chanel and got me the Swarovski crystal earrings every label whore should have:



Very blingy, very label-y. If the stones ever fall out (and they probably will) I can sleep soundly knowing Chanel will replace or repair it.

Now if only I can get my grubby little hands on a pack of these:



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Today's finally the day! I hope you've all voted your asses off! Actually, as someone told me the other day... Some people shouldn't be allowed to vote. But if you did, I hope you took advantage of the freebies businesses were handing out. Perhaps the best one I've seen so far is Babeland's sex toy giveaway to those in New York and Seattle. If we get a dud, you can vibe your sorrows away.

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Q&A

i so want one, but im scared it gna die on me are they easy to take care of?

- Vanessa Martinez

Hamsters are pretty darn easy to care for. You just have to make sure to change their bedding once a week (only use aspen bedding, not pine), keep their food and water filled, and give em some toys to play with. Very low maintenance kind of pets.

And yay, your hair's growing out Are you going to keep it long?

- b|u3

Yes! I'm trying my best to refrain from chopping all my hair off again. To be honest, it's kinda fried from all the playing around I've done with it.

Wow's next? Mao Zedong?

-Angie519

Why yes. Chairman Meow is next on the list. I need to find a fitting kitty for that. A big, fat cat!

and why aren't you on twitter? :P

- Etherealprey

What is this Twitter you speak of? No, really. I've never used Twitter. O_O

I love your hair color too, is that natural?

- Tao

I've answered this on your blog, but I'll answer it again... Nope! This color is the result of a lot of abuse. :p

Because a lot of people have commented on my drinking: Yes, 7-8 shots and I'm good. I'd be a pretty expensive date... XD My hamster is probably a Russian Dwarf; hence, my choice of the name.

About everything actually -- airbrushed photos, getting surgery, plagiarism, not updating regularly, her writing, her blogs etc. Oh dear, theres tons of issues going on around there! What's your opinion and what can u advice to a fellow blogger?

- Rain

I've never seen anything wrong with most of the above: Airbrushing, plastic surgery, and not updating my blog just because someone else wants me to.

I take academic writing seriously, so plagiarism gets a bad mark in my book. You could argue that there's no such thing as an original idea and it's likely someone else would also have formed the same ideas; HOWEVER, there's a difference between agreeing with another writer and completely ripping off their work. It's less likely that one blogger would write in the same style and format as another, so don't give me that bullshit. Writing is an underappreciated skill and not many have the finesse and creativity to do it well. There's no excuse for stealing intellectual property just because you're a dumbass.

Advice? All I can say is to be honest to your readers with regard to things you're comfortable with sharing. Otherwise, don't share. Electronic footprints, baby. I see nothing wrong with photoshopping or plastic surgery. Everyone knows how to photoshop and surgery is a personal choice (so quit bugging people with questions about it when it's obvious they don't want to answer). A blogger is nothing without her readers, but at the same time we don't owe you folks anything, so be realistic with your expectations. Most of us aren't paid bloggers like Perez Hilton and are only motivated to blog by the sheer lack of anything else to do.

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I'll be posting my review on the Body Shop mineral foundation, shadow, and blush next.