December 2021 Haul!

 

I can't believe the year is almost over already and this will be my last haul for December! I did go a bit crazy but, it is the end of the year and it's the season of indulgence. 

I get really dry skin during the winter so, I got a bunch of moisturizers. I got this new body lotion from Basd and it has this amazing mint scent. According to the bottle, most of the ingredients are plant based which seems interesting. I got this new facial moisturizer called Rich B*tch and the name was kinda funny. It's enriched with cactus and vitamin C. 

I got a new serum from Summer Fridays. I never tried anything from the brand but, I heard good things about them. Their CC Me serum promises to brighten skin so, this would definitely be good for the colder and gloomier months. I got a body serum from Frank Body called Booty Drops. It promises to tighten skin and can be used with moisturizer or by itself. Personally, I have no booty so no droopage but, I will be using it on my tummy.

I have used a few of IT Cosmetics products and enjoyed them all. I am looking forward to using their 15% vitamin C serums. I got a new mask from Aceology. I heard of their brands but, can't say that I have tried any of their products yet. I also haven't really been doing as many masks as I should be doing. I have tried a few Sunday Riley products but, I saw they recently released a scalp serum called "Clean Rinse". I love doing head massages so, this would be an exciting treat to use.

Did you get anything you are excited to try?

December 2020 Empties!

 

 

Happy Holidays, dear Reader! I can't believe the year is almost over...I really hope next year brings better tidings for us. Usually for the holidays, I am in a festive mood...this year I just feel off and don't really want to do anything. How about you? Are you looking forward to next year? Are you celebrating this year?

Once again, I finished quite a few face masks and treatment masks. I been taking a lot more baths lately and trying to clear up my bathroom shelves for the after the holiday sales. I don't think there was anything that I would try again or go out of my way to buy. Most of the facial sheet masks were okay, I didn't really notice anything noteworthy. I did try a new lip mask and it was disappointing. My lips didn't stay hydrated and was still dry after application.

Overall, most of the empties were meh products. I did like the IT Cosmetics night cream but, I had already owned the full size when I got this sample. I hope next month, I finish some more interesting products.

Here is everything I finished -

Jigott Pearl Real Ampoule Mask

Feelxo Pore Care Lotus Mask Black Charcoal Sheet

HaruHaruHoney Green Repairative Sheet

BlingPop Cucumber Face Mask

23 Years Old Hyaltox Petit Mask

Sur.Medic Bright Glutathione Mask

Masqueology Pucker Up! Lip Plumping Kit

Simply When Present Perfect Firm Up

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

Facetory Save Our Skin Restoring Mask with Royal Jelly

Starskin 3-Steps Cleansing Strips

Pura d'Or Scalp Therapy Shampoo

Inoface Cosmetics Body Jelly Wash in Cooling Mint

Belief The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

L'Oreal OleoTherapy Oil Infused Shampoo

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

ElisaCoy Moisture Up Super Hyalurone Ampoule Serum

IT Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep

Evio Skin Rejuvenating Mask

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

Avene Eau Thermale Soothing Moisture Mask

Papa Recipe Eggplant Mud Cream Mask

Hey Honey Show Your Glow Collodial Gold and Honey Beauty Mask

Tocca Simone Crema Da Mano

December 2020 Haul!

 

 

Where did the month go?! It feels like it was just December 1st only yesterday!  However, I should actually know better because I bought so much stuff during the holidays and used my credit card with wild abandon.

I bought a few more bath bombs from Lush that I am looking forward to using. I been trying to indulge in a bath more often. I got a few more sheet masks from Facetory. I got another Factr mask that I am excited to try. I got a new lip mask to try but, I am on the fence. They are relaxing but, I don't know if they actually do work. Sometimes, my lip gets dry even after putting on balm.

This is our crunch time at work and I haven't been sleeping that well lately. I bought these new Dream patches that you apply to your wrist and it delivers an even dosage of melatonin. I am looking forward to how these work compared to the pill version. 

No shopping haul could be complete without me buying a few lip products. I am loving the Too Faced Drunk Dial lipstick. That purple! Swoon! I bought another Huda lip strobe in Snobby (even though I didn't even use the first one yet). I wish dining was opened again because I can't wait to wear the Scarlet Empress by Nars and Bite Beauty in  Marsala and Cognac. The Marc Jacobs in snap shut looks nice and different from anything I own. The Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Do Me Baby isn't as nice as I thought it would be.

I have bought a few things from Facetory's brand but, they are usually their face mask. I decided to try their cloud pouf cleanser to see how it compares to my normal one. I have used the Go-To Skincare facial oil and liked it. I decided to get their exfoliating pads to see how they work.

Lastly, I got a really expensive treat item the Chantecaille facial cream. I can't wait to use this but, I am also afraid of the results. What happens if they are so great, that I NEED this cream in my life? I dunno about anyone else but I love a good head massage. I bought this new head oil that you warm and pour all over your hair and give yourself a head massage and then wash out your hair. I can literally do not even care about the benefits to my hair, I just want a head massage.

December 2020 Empties!

 

I can't believe the year is almost gone! Where did the year go? Speaking of which I did finish a few things things month. Although it was mostly face masks.

I didn't try any new masks that was noteworthy. Most of the "new" masks I tried was from Facetory and they were decent. I didn't notice any of them being good enough to purchase again. Although, they recently had a sale for Black Friday so, I did get a few more goodies. I do like their skincare items.

I bought a few things from Lush from their Holiday collection. The Snow Fairy smells like cotton candy. It has soft and sweet scent. I did like the Nuori face mask. I usually applied this after using a sheet mask to leave my skin extra soft. I didn't like Tula's Detox in Jar. It made skin feel very uncomfortable. One thing I did like was the Lime Crime Wet Cherry gloss. It smells so amazing and it made my lips shinny without tacky.

Here is the list of everything I finished -

Meg Two Step Jelly Mask Firming and Radiance

Elvis + Elvin New York Grape Stem Cell Treatment Mask

Feel Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

Bonvivant Botanical Mask Pack Collage + Olive

Que Bella Professional Radiance Boost Shimmering Cream Mask

23 Years Cocoon Gold Silky Mask

Hanalei Papaya Face Mask

Orjena Nutrition Essential Vita Mask Skin Refreshing

Biobelle Facial Mask #InstantDetox

ElishaCoy Lift-Up Mushroom Mask Sheet

BetterSkin Detoxing Sheet Mask

HaruHaru Soothing Mask Cool Down Drop Kick Maqui Berry

Elensilia - Intracell Escargot + Caviar Repairing Sheet Mask

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel

Nuori Supreme Moisture Mask

Olie Biologique 004 Hydrating Oil

Tula Skincare Detox in a Jar

Comfort Zone HydraMemory Cream

Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

Biore Warming Anti-Blackhead Cleanser

Cosmopolitan December 2014

New Smokey Eye Trends

1. Graphic Green - you don’t need to be an artist to master the precise, squared shape. Use pencil liner to create the box (keep cotton swab handy for wobbly-line cleanup), then fill it in with shadow. Blend away harsh edges with your finger.
2. Cobalt Cat eyes - put pigments on lockdown by layering powder shadow over a matching cream in this feline shape. Then rim inner lids with midnight blue pencil - kep to keeping the look edgy, not playful.
3. Red in reverse - instead of  dark lash line that gets lighter at the crease., rock the ombre version. Sweep a deep burgundy hue directly in your crease, then blend a light-reflecting magenta downward toward the lash line.

There’s a right way to pour a beer

1. Pour the beer slowly down the side of a tilted glass until its about three quarters of the way full. If you pour quickly, you get too much foam.
2. Straighten up the glass, and pour the beer straight down the middle. You should have about an inch of head at the top.

Harper’s Bazaar December 2013/January 2014

Have $57K burning a hole in your pocket? Guerlain’s Bespoke Fragrance service includes consultations with the brand’s master perfumer in Paris and yields a five year supply of your personal scent, housed in a Baccarat crystal bottle.

How to wear Gold - metallic makeup can flatter everyone as long as it is applied correctly. Use it sparingly so you don’t draw attention to fine lines. Add a hint of gold shadow to the center of your lids, or top your lipstick with a swipe of gold gloss. It makes your lips look fuller.

InStyle December 2013

How to Pull It Off -

1. Stay away from all the classic accoutrements, such as a cummerbund or a bow  tie -  they look way too cliched and costumey on a woman.

2. A tuxedo jacket can be chic worn over a silk camisole, a white T-Shirt, or even bare skin as you don’t reveal too much cleavage.

3. Wear feminine, sexy heels or glamorous earrings to offset the masculine overtones.

4. Tuxedo pants can be worn day or night when treated as a separate.  Substitute them for your favorite black trousers for an instant style upgrade.

EveryDay with Rachael Ray December 2013

Love your leeks- this jumbo scallion lookalike is a mellow member of the onion family and grows year-round. Here’s how to make the most of your bulbs you bring home.

1. Look for leeks with fresh green tops and glossy white ends with rootlets. Avoid large leeks, which can have a tough texture and be less flavorful than smaller ones.

2. Store leeks unwashed and wrapped in a damp paper towel in a sealed plastic bag. Keep them in the crisper for up a week.

3. Prep only the tender white and lightest green portion of the leek [the dark-green leaves can be used for stock]

4. Clean leeks carefully to remove any dirt from between the layers

Soften Butter in a hurry -

1. Microwave the wrapped stick of butter at 20% power in 10 seconds increments, turning the stick onto a different side in each interval. Always rotate the stick a single turn in the same direction.

2. Continue until the butter yields when lightly pressed with your finger. For most microwaves, this will take four 10 seconds increments.