Haul/First Impression: Hong Kong/MACAU

My friend went to Hong Kong and my Mister went to Macau (they went seperately and on different times) but they both came back with handful of gifts and souvenirs ^^, I asked them to buy some of the things shown below because it cost soo much more if I were to buy it here in Canada.... boooo and yes I paid them back with my own money!

My dear friend got me a set of contact lens case and a black iPhone4 hard case, THANK YOU and I asked her to her me get a set of BB cream samples and 2 silicone facial cleanser pads and a tool to make a donut bun in my hair (shown below, the tool was already in my hair =P I just couldn't wait to try it out!)

Mini BB Creams, wanted to try bb cream for the longest time but didn't want to buy a full size nor buy the samples here in Canada because we get ripped off!


In this kit: Diamond Collection Pearl Luminous Beblesh Balm 5g
VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm SPF 25 PA++ 5g
Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF 25 PA++ 5g
The Oriental Gold BB Cream SPF 25 PA++ 5g

These are in the same order as the BB creams
These BB creams has a very different consistency to it
1st is very watery, 4th is a little bit thicker than 1st, 2nd and 3rd are very similar ti each other and are very thick in consistency 

1st one is very shimmery in real life, I hate it, don't think I will ever use it but still good for highlight in photography but not something I would use for an everyday look
4th is the only one with the closest shade to my skin tone but still too light and peachy =S
Still have to try 2nd and 3rd on my entire face, no comment on it  just yet but I don't think I will like it either because I hate having face makeup that doesn't match my natural skin tone or the rest of my body! : @ and these two looks too light and grey on the swatch

Blended out

Don't know the name to this thingy =P

Basically a sponge with a wire inside

I suggest you all search through YouTube to find how to make this donut bun hairstyle, I'm sure there's plenty out there. It's just too hard for me to explain and show it to you when I don't have a 3rd hand to take the pictures while I'm doing my hair, Sorry =]


But I'll try a brief description below:
I tied up my hair in a ponytail
Slide my hair through the middle slit of the hair tool
Stop a midway
clamp the slit close
Start rolling the tool upward while collecting the hair
When everything reached the scrunchie, bend the tool downward to make a circle
Then move the hair around to cover the hair tool, pin it with bobby pins to secure it

Side view and yes, I'm wearing a top; tube top to be exact. 

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NEXT: This is what my Mister got me form Macau/HK, his sister also got me a lot of giftsss/souvenirs =D

Guerlain Meteorites powder and blush, another BB cream sample kit, NoirBlanc eyeshadow, Coach keychain and our Sony HX9V =]

• Guerlain Meteorites Blush and Powder Kit from Mister's sister =]
  Super cute packagingBoth powder and blush is extremely shimmery/glittery
  Only swatched, haven't tried on face yet
  Blush not pigmented, just gives off a light and subtle pink
  Brushes are pretty soft and fluffy but I would use my own brushes instead

• Can you see the light pink near the bottom?
• Powder swatched near the top, around the knuckle
• Shimmers are more visible in real life then in these pictures

Top: BB cream kit in black packaging
Bottom: BB cream kit in pink packaging (shown above)
-Only the third tube differs from each other

The black kit came with the BB Diamond Collection: The Prestige Beblish Balm instead of
The Oriental BB cream

This is something else my Mister's sister got me =]
NoirBlanc: S103 Deeply In Love

Sorry the colours are supper washed out, refer to the next picture for right colours

Looks pretty in the pan =]

...but not in swatches
.Super shimmery. No colour payoff. Lots of fall outs.

She also got me this, super pretty and shiny =] quiet heavy as well so I will only use it as a hand bag chain? instead of a key chain =]

Mister got me this because he know my old camera is breaking on me and he does not like DSLRs so he got me this which I love a lot more than DSLR because it's smaller, cheaper and has great functions!
-16x zoom
-24mm wide angle lens
-Full HD movie
and a lot more of goodies refer to the youtube video below for all the goodness... I bet you can't do all this with a DSLR WITHOUT buying all the different expensive lenses and without getting tired from carrying all the heavy weight!

Watch this for more info of the best camera out there! =]

**Alx**

July's Luxe Box by Loose Button

I know I'm kinda late on this post but better late than never =]

I will assume that you all know that Luxe Box is a monthly subscription that delivers 3-5 deluxe beauty samples in a pretty box for $12/month, $36/3month or $120/year, currently only available to Canadians and that you can purchase your Luxe Box hereeeeeeeeee ;)

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I was just thinking that I might be creating a lot of waste if I were to receive a Luxe Box per month for the next while because they are heavily packaged. So I kindly emailed them to ship my July Luxe Box in the bubble wrap envelope only and skip the box, ribbons, tissue papers and the sheet of cotton even thought I know  we can completely recycle all these materials with the help of some imagination and creativity but I just wanted to try this out for a month and see how it goes. Let me tell you, it's not as exciting opened a Luxe Box WITHOUT the box and all the other goodies so I will be requesting my future Luxe Boxes to be shipped as it used to be and I will recycle the materials myself =] (will make a post in the future on how I reuse these boxes, tissue papers, ribbons and cotton =]).

This month, I was away from home so couldn't open my box until a week later so I spoiled my own surprise by searching it on YT and google. 

• I was kinda sad that we were getting another polish because I'm not a polish girl. 
• Kinda sad that we were getting a lip liner cause I never use a lip liner.
• But glad that these were full sizes =].
• Kinda sad that there was a fragrance sampler because I'm not into perfumes.
• Kinda sad that there was another oil treatment sampler since we already got one from Joico last month
• BUT THEN, THAT'S JUST ME... Don't even know why I still love them soooooooo much when I dislike so many types of beauty products, I think it's the surprise we get each month and the fact that we can really find things we love or hate just so we know what to buy and what not to buy in full sizes.
  
  
  
  *I got some different products than what is listed above, so keep reading to find out more =]*

Super small packaging compared to what it used to be

Greeting Cards, description and price of the full size products (just wished they would include how big the full sizes are)

Not too appealing to the eye without the box is it? =P

I got four things this month and no chocolate =[, perhaps it's because of the hot weather? I would love to see some sour candies as a substitute *yumm*

This box includes:

• 2 eye cream and 1 moisturizer sample from Consonant Skincare
  Full size eye cream retails for $36, moisturizer retails for $54
• (Full Size) Essie Nail Polish in Formal Affair (Red with tiny reflexes)
  Full size retails for $8
• Stella In Two Peony fragrance sampler
  Full size retails for $56
• (Full Size) Trucco Pro Eye Pencil in Sebastian 7094
  Full size retail for $20

Consonant Skincare

Consonant Skincare
3 small samples, haven't tried these yet but I think I will love it because I  loved the natural soap bar and the foaming face cleanser that I received in past Luxe Boxes

Stella In Two Peony
Love how it looks but didn't really care for the scent. It's too woody, and heavy for me. 

Essie Nail Polsih
I HATE RED! lol, already got a red China Glaze polish last month so I don't really need another one =[

Formal Affair
Applies sheer
needs 3-4 coats to get get it opaque
has tiny gold reflexes
looks like a coral-ly/orangy if you only apply one coat

Pro Eye Liner (bottom: swatch and top: blended)
Very smooth and moisturizing
Feels like a melting lipstick
Colour suitable as a cheek stain or lip colour
I might be able to use it as an eyeshadow/base/primer by for now I think I will only use in on my lip because its too moisturizing for my oily eyelids

Overall, I still like this service and the idea behind it so I renewed my subscription for another year. July's box wasn't really for me because I was really bummed when I saw a red polish but the rest of the box is workable, not loving but workable.
However, I did love almost all the products in my past Luxe Boxes, if you'd like to check those out then feel free to click the followings:
June's Edition
May's Edition
March's Edition

For those who have bought this month's Luxe Box, did you find anything you love/hated? Let me know by commenting below =]


Want more of these services? Try GLYMM BOX, it's a little different but I will explain it when I get my next box arrives but feel free to explore their website to find more about glymm box. I am currently subscribed to both LUXE BOX and GLYMM BOX so I'm supper excited to see what's in my August edition and how they compare =]

**Alx**

Mini Collective Haul: E.L.F, BeautyBlender, NYX, and Makeupgeek store

Sorry, I haven't been too active lately, June is full of essays/midterms PLUS, I don't have my camera with me but luckily I remember I made a couple purchases before that I haven't shared with you guys yet and that I have already taken some pictures of them!! =] So this will do =]...

*****I bought stuff from E.L.F. and from Marlena's Makeupgeek Store with my own money******

Let me start with ELF and then I'll move on to the things I bought from Marlena (Youtuber), I only got 3 things.

Everything came inside this ELF plastic bag. Surprisingly my package came really fast, took about 2 weeks instead of 1 month!! =] and they didn't charge me extra custom fees like my previous order maybe because I only bought a few things this time instead of the $100 I spent last time. One con was that they left out one item from my list because they sold out and they didn't adjust my bill =[. But it's okay it's only $3 and it was probably one of the free items because I had a coupon code for 5 free eye and lip Studio Products when you spend $25 or more.
-Everything shown on the picture below are priced as follow:
- Regular Line = $1
- Studio Line = $3
-Studio Line 32- E/S palette = $5-Shipping fees varies by country
- But never buy ELF without a coupon code because there's always one!

Out of the bag in their packaging, missing the 32-eyeshadow Palette: Everyday Basic

Out of the package, note the false lashes are brown! because they ran out of black and I really wanted to try some lashes. These are my first ones ever.

From left to right, top to bottom
-Studio Line Blush: Peachy Keen, Candid Coral, Mellow Mauve
-Studio Line Complexion Brush, Regular Line Eyeshadow brush, Studio Line: Cream Eyeliner in Black, Single E/S in Saddle and Butter Cream and Regular Line Lucious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips
-Natural Lash Kit in Brown
- Studio Line: Conditioning Lip Balm SPF 15 in Nice and Natural and they left out my Peaceful Pink =[

Bad picture with flash: But you can see the blushes better =]First impression is that the blushes look sooo similar in real life, eye shadows are not pigmented, eyesadow brush seems stiff, liquid lipstick has so little product. But definitely loving the complexion brush, cream eye liner and the super pigmented conditioning lip balm s2

$5.00 USD
32 Eyeshadow Palette in Everyday Basics

With Flash

A sample swatch of some shadows with no primer underneath. There are not that pigmented but still great to play around with as a beginner so I don't over load my brush with pigmented shadow that I can't reverse! and this entire palette is only $5! I think it's totally worth it.

ELF: Subtotal was $25 USD and after shipping and handling my total came to $35 CAN =]

Will be doing more in depth review/swatch/pictures after I have tried them for a while (might take long since I rarely use makeup specially eye makeup =P)

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Now on to Makeupgeek's Store =]. I got a great deal because she has good prizes in comparison to the official retailers. For example, I bought two BeautyBlender sponges for $22.99 USD (but now it cost $23.99 ><) in comparison to $25.99 USD at sephora.com

2 BeautyBlender, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (matte white) and Makeupgeek bent eyeliner brush (dislike it, can't deliver a thin line)

$22.99 but now selling for $23.99
-2 BeautyBlender, comes with a sample of their cleanser which I have not tried yet but I love the beautyblender and I seriously use this every single day and stopped using all my foundation brushes. Can turn your cakey powder foundation into a dewy silky foundation that still delivers coverage s2

$3.49 USD
-NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (Matte white, love to use this to highlight my brow bone and tear duct).
Pigmented, very creamy and blendable

Picture taken from www.makeupgeek.com
$3.49 USD
Don't quite like this yet because I can't get a thin line with this brush but will still use this, maybe with an dark eye shadow to create a thicker softer line for a natural look?

 

Is that a spelling mistake? or is that the actual name? Idk

My purchase at Makeupgeek came to a total of around $35 shipping included (No tax!) and shipping came really fast around 1-2 weeks


Alright that's my mini haul from last month =].. Let me know if you've tried anything you see here, did you like it? hate it? or do you want anything you see but haven't got the chance to purchase it? Comment below and hope you all are having a nicee weekend, I know I am and Jessy totally made my day^^. Will update you guys soon on why I'm so happy!!! Talk to you girls soon =]







**Alx**

June's Luxe Box by Loose Button - s2!

I know I have an essay due tomorrow that I still need to work on, but I couldn't wait to show you all what I got in my June's Luxe Box. I was so excited because they were suppose to mail these boxes out next week and was going to be delayed do to the strike that Canada Post is currently on. However, they made exceptional plans to get us the boxes on time? But even better, then sent them out a week earlier! That's why I got it today s2. This is the first time ever that I waited until I got my box to see what I got instead of searching it on Youtube and spoiling my own surprise ^^. And let me tell you, the experience is totally different, you get tons more excited than watching it on Youtube!!.

I'm sure you all know what Luxe box is, if not then maybe refer back to my March or May Luxe Boxes? (click on the months)

Loose Button made a lot of chances/improvements to their services during last month and they finally launched their products to the public!! (meaning, no need to receive an invite from them in order to purchase the box, you can now just go on www.loosebutton.com and purchase their boxes at $12/month, $36/quarterly or $120/year. 

Also, remember how they messed up my last Luxe Box? They left out my chocolate AND they didn't upgrade me China Glaze polish to a full size! (people got upgraded for subscribing to their 3 month service, which I was one of them) and so I emailed them and great things comes after whining/complaining about it! =]... as a result, I got extra goodies in my June Box =]....YAY!!=]

Btw, sorry for the bad picture quality, my Mister took my camera with him to vacation so I won't be having it with me until be comes back, which is beginning of July =[. So webcam quality will do for now =]...

Ok let's move on to what I go this month...
- Dermalogica - Shaving Cream - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $22
- Dermalogica - Daily Clean Scrub - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $33
- Joico - Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil - 21.5ml, 0.7 oz. (deluxe samples), Full Size: $26
- Consonant Skincare - Organic Foaming Face Wash - 125 ml, 4 oz. (full size product), Full Size: $18
- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground - 0.10 oz., 2.8 g (full size product), Full Size: $22

Extra goodies to make up for my May's Box
- China Glaze Polish in Revolution (a red colour) - 9.6ml, 0.325 fl oz. (deluxe samples)
- 2 Swiss Dark Chocolate (but melted in the mail because its 30 degree here in Toronto!..I placed it in the fridge because I don't wanna waste any yummy chocolate!)
- A hand written note from Ray Cao (CEO) noting about the mistake in my May's Luxe Box =]

- (Left)  Dermalogica - Shaving Cream - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz.
- (Right) Dermalogica - Daily Clean Scrub - 7ml, 0.24 fl oz.

- Joico - Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil - 21.5ml, 0.7 oz.

- Consonant Skincare - Organic Foaming Face Wash - 125 ml, 4 oz. (full size product)

- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground - 0.10 oz., 2.8 g (full size product)

- Laura Mercier - Eye Colour in Coffee Ground

The colour are washed out by the light and bad quality of the webcam
- Super pigmented matte dark brown, smooth and not chalky/no fall outs

- China Glaze Polish in Revolution (a red colour) - 9.6ml, 0.325 fl oz.

Overview of all the products, packaging and notes s2

WHAT DID I LIKE FROM LAST MONTH'S LUXE BOX?......
I liked most of the prodcuts from my May's box but I LOVED the bar of soap from Consonant Skincare! I love how its 100% natural AND 100% organic and that big bar of soap only contains 4 ingredients! =O it's awesome, and leaves me skin feeling soft after each shower. However, I didn't like how the bar of soap melted so easily after touch water and I didn't like how it makes you skin feel super dry and squeaky clean while in the shower. But oh well, I still love how natural/organic it is and how it leaves my skin soft =]

I hated the Elizabeth Grant's anti-aging serum because it felt so sticky and took a long time to get absorbed so I just use it on my neck and back of my hands just so I don't waste anything =]

Soooooo...... did any of you purchase any Luxe Boxes?
If not, are you planning to? or did you see any products in the box that you wanted to try?
If yes, did you love/like/hate any products?
Let me know in the comment section! I would love to know some of your favourite products =]


I am super happy about this month's Luxe Box for getting two full sized products (Consonant and Laura Mercier) and other deluxe samples of things I've never tried before!!!! also loving their services of quick email replies/fb replies and personal touches (hand written notes/chocolates).
Alrighty, I hope you all are enjoying the lovely weather and the happy sun. I need to get back to working on my essay. Hope to talk to you all you guys real soon ^^

BTW!!!! Visit What Mimi Writes for an awesome giveaway!. $100 to spend at http://www.shopbop.com/ !!! They carry all kinds of goodies from bags, shoes, clothing and more and did I tell you? they carry high end brands like Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs and lots more!!! Giveaway Ends June 18th.....s2

**Alx**