Lullabies and Lippies: March 2012

I realize it's been forever since my last post but I've really been insanely busy ever since I got back from my HK trip with friends. I've been attending school events (graduation practice and Blue Roast) and running errands for my parents. My family and I are actually leaving for Europe this Thursday (I am SO SO SO EXCITED!!) and although I'm sick and should be really resting up for my trip, I didn't want to leave without posting a new entry.

Hence, I decided to post my makeup haul from HK!

When I was a child, going to HK only meant going to the ginormous Toys R Us store and picking up a new Barbie doll or a new Polly Pocket for my collection. But as I grew up, I traded my dolls for makeup. And I came to know HK as makeup heaven. :) (Shallow, I know.) Makeup in HK is actually cheaper than anywhere else in Asia. (I'm told this is because makeup is not taxed in HK. I'm not entirely sure, I could be making that up, so please don't quote me!) I haven't been to HK in over 3 years, so you can just imagine the excitement and anticipation I felt.

BUT. (And here's the but) I was on a self-imposed makeup-buying ban. Late last year, I realized that I really had too too too much makeup and that I needed to cut down on buying and just enjoy using up what I had in my collection. BUT (and here's the but again) when was I going to go back to HK, right? So I justified that buying only a few products aside from the things that I really needed would be okay. :D Hehe

Here's my loot!

1. Skin79 BB Cream

Buying this product was exempted from the makeup-buying ban simply because it was something I really needed. I was completely out of tinted moisturizer and BB cream and so I decided to pick this one up since I've heard so many good things about it. I hear it's formulated for oily skin which is perfect for me. And isn't the packaging just so adorable?! So sue me- I'm a sucker for cute packaging. Skin79 is not available in the Philippines but I hear they will soon be. Still trying this one out. Will be sure to post about it! :)

2. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

This was also excluded from my make-up-buying ban since it was something I desperately needed. I was completely out of makeup wipes and this is the absolute best one I've tried (Sorry, MAC!) This is also sadly not available in the Philippines so it was definitely on my to-buy list going to HK. :) I bought two packs - one for me and one for my BFF Daryl because I know she was on the hunt for good makeup wipes. :)

3. YSL Touche Eclat

Now, this one is an 'extra buy,' or so I would like to call it. The YSL Touche Eclat is probably one of the most well-known products in the beauty world. Many love this. I even read somewhere that YSL sells one of these every 10 seconds. INSANITY! I admit this product is pricey, but I let myself have it because I know it was going to be waaay more expensive if I were to buy it elsewhere. Plus, I don't buy products this expensive everyday anyway. Hehehe

4. MAC Tendertone in Tread Gently

Extra buy #2! If you're as crazy as me and have been following MAC collections, you will know that everyone was so so so excited for the MAC Shop + Cook collection mainly because they would be repromoting the Tendertones. Tendertones were first released about three or four years ago and have not been out since. They're these amazingly smooth lip balms with SPF12 in them. They come in many different colors and smell like strawberry kiwi! I had already accepted that they would be sold out everywhere and that I would not be able to get a hold of these babies. So when I was at SOGO in Causeway Bay and saw that they had all four colors still available, I knew I had to get one. I picked Tread Gently which is a shimmery yellowy green color just because it's so unexpected. Everything about it - the color, the smell, the SPF, how it feels on your lips - just screams summer to me. If you ever chance upon Tendertones, definitely pick some up. You won't regret it. :)

5. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Extra buy #3. I just had to. It's mascara. And for my bottom lashes or lack thereof? Sold.

6. Shiseido Lipstick

This one is also exempted from my makeup-buying-ban as I bought this one as a present for my mom. :) I don't know what shade it was, though my mom said she loves it! Yay! :D

I think I did pretty good, didn't I? Cheers to self-control! :)

Spain and Portugal, be ready! :D

♥ ,

Nicole

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I must confess: I'm the worst packer I know. My friends and family know this. I always, always, always bring more than what I need. I began packing for my Hong Kong trip with some friends this afternoon (We're leaving this coming Sunday, woohoo!) And I thought I'd show you all my travel make-up. Of course, these items would vary depending on the duration of the trip, the weather of the places we'll be going to (if it's going to be cool and dry or hot and humid), and the activities we'll be doing (if it's shopping, sight-seeing, or if we'll be going bar-hopping, etc.)

Not really make-up, but still considered part of the family. HK weather at this time will be quite cold. As my skin tends to get dry in cold weather, I brought along a bottle of Vaseline body lotion. I just borrowed this one from my mom. The main reason why I picked this one out of the bajillion other bottles of lotion we have here is that it has SPF in it. I tend to be more conscious of the sun when I'm traveling -- I don't know why. The one to the left is a travel-size Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing lotion. I use this one for my face at night.

Laura Mercier oil-free primer and oil-free tinted moisturizer, as always. These are just travel-sized ones. I can tell there's not much left. I'm hoping it'll last me the trip, though! The tinted moisturizer is not as full-coverage as a foundation, but much more lightweight and gives me just enough coverage to even out my skin. I skip the Clinique DD moisturizing lotion for my face in the morning. Instead, I just use this -- moisturizer, sunscreen, and light foundation in one! :) The primer is just to make sure the rest of my make-up lasts the entire day.

Make-up wipes from Bench to get my make-up off at night. I prefer to bring make-up wipes as opposed to make-up remover when I'm traveling. There's only probably two pulls left in there, which is fine because I'm picking up a pack of Neutrogena make-up remover cleansing towelettes at the Watsons there anyway. (Best make-up wipes. Ever. Sadly, you can't get these in the Philippines.)

Clockwise from top: Revlon Skinlights concealer/highlighter duo, MAC Studio Finish concealer, MAC Studio Fix powder.

MAC Studio Fix powder - Brought this in case I do not feel like using tinted moisturizer. It's pretty full-coverage, too. I can also use this to set my tinted moisturizer for an extra kick of coverage, or just to make sure it lasts throughout the day.

Revlon Skinlights concealer / highlighter duo - I got this when I was in Taiwan last year. I use this for my undereye area and around my nose.

MAC Studio Fix concealer - I use this for any blemishes or discoloration on my face. Covers up absolutely anything. Has SPF35 in it too.

For my cheeks.

Stila Sun bronzing powder for days when I feel I just need a little more warmth on my face.

Plus points again for the SPF content!

NARS Multiple in Orgasm. Cream-to-powder finish. Blends easily. Goes with everything. Makes your skin look glowy and dewy and healthy! I prefer cream blushes in cold weather just because a powder blush might make my skin look all the more drier.

Of course I brought my Shu Uemura eyelash curler and mascara with me. Must-bring items, for sure! The mascara I'm using right now is the Maybelline One By One mascara. I've been liking it a lot (maybe even more than the Maybelline Falsies, ssh don't tell!) Separates my lashes and volumizes them really well. What I especially like about this is that it's super, super, super black. :) Oh, and it's waterproof. I always bring a waterproof mascara whenever I travel. I also brought my MAC eyebrow pencil and ELF clear brow gel just if I want to look a little bit more put-together. I also brought two eyeliners -- one blue, one white. The white one is MAC eye kohl in Fascinating. I doubt I'll use this during the trip though. But I just like to bring it in case I look extra sleepy or tired that day. Running this on my waterline makes me look extra awake. The blue eyeliner is just an alternative to the white one. Blue eyeliner can make your eyes look whiter and brighter, too. This one is MAC Powerpoint eyeliner pencil in Prussian. What's especially nice about this is that it's waterproof, so you don't have to worry about it smudging or smearing throughout the day.

Just one lip product. MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Petting Pink. No to chapped, dry, sunburnt lips!

I'm only bringing two brushes with me: a blush brush and a kabuki brush for my Studio Fix powder.

Although this might still be too much for non-make-up junkies, I think this is the least I've ever brought with me on a trip. I'm quite proud of myself. YAY, me!

♥,
Nicole

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