Hoarders: Lip Gloss Edition + The Ban

We've seen the lip balm and the lipstick collection already so now it's time to showcase the lip glosses.


Count: 20.

It may be hard to believe but the lip gloss stash used to be half this size up until a few months ago! Since I rarely wear lip gloss I feel it is necessary to put a plug on the lip gloss hoarding. Welcome Larie and her group no buy/limited buy plan. Without thinking twice about it, I have volunteered to join in this torturous project.

So starting today up until April 30th, I will not purchase the following items:
mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, or lip balm (tinted lip balms do not count!). If the aforementioned items pop up in gift sets or pre-packaged sets, those will not count. Otherwise, the ban is pretty straight forward. I figure the shorter and simpler it is, the less room there is for loopholes and more room for victory!

Buuuuut..... if you count a month long break as a loophole then that's the big one. My birthday month (and Liz' - remember that folks!) is March so a break is oh so necessary. The ban will resume as soon as the month is over of course but still, a loophole is a loophole no matter how you justify it.

Although I have fears of failing, I will be strong for my ban buddies; Larie, Liz, and Makeup Morsels. Let's not forget about Tracy, the blush fiend going on a six month long blush ban!
There are more like us and why we torture ourselves like this, I don't know. I just hope we all make it out of our bans sane and maybe even a little bit richer. Wish us luck! 

I'm Feeling Empty - Part 3

I lied. Before 2011 comes to an end, I want to pump out one last empties post for 2011 so that next year will start on a fresh slate. Plus, neither part 1 or 2 features any makeup (excluding mascaras) but part 3 will!

Up first are the skincare empties:


Avène Thermal Spring Water - I finished a much larger size early in the year which made an appearance in Pt. 1 but this travel sized lasted much longer (say what?!). It's a staple, much better than the Evian spray but I'm going to branch out next year.

St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser - Too drying and strongly scented. In the end, I used it as a brush and wash cloth cleanser. This happens to all bleh facial cleansers.

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask - When did the Volcanic Ash collection last come out? Well whenever it was that's how long I've had it for. The tube is actually 50% full but I'm tossing it. Never EVER listening to the certain Youtube guru that raved so highly about this mask ever again. It's expensive and.. IT DOES NOTHING AT ALL.

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - Technically, this was the SO's and it was about 1/5th full when he left it with me to finish. Absolutely hate the smell which is very much like an ebi sunomono. The consistency kind of grosses me out too; reminds me of boogers and slime.

Etude House AC Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser - Almost as good as my beloved HadaLabo Tamagohada Face Wash but this one stings my eyes. Strangely enough, I enjoy the Glysomed-like scent.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream - Nooooo! This is my last travel sized tub of this cream. At first I didn't think it was worth it is. It has saved me from a lot of scarring. Must repurchase this ASAP in case of emergencies!

Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum - Seems like all the Murad products I've tried finish off extra quickly. If you haven't already read my full review, don't bother. In short - I don't recommend this serum.

Hair Care:


Earlier this year I made a P5P for shampoo's & conditioners. Well, I broke that project but I finished everything but the humongous Shiseido Tsubaki conditioner. Since I also finished a few other hair products this year, I'll say the P5P was successful. Hurray!

Essential Nuance Air Shampoo and Treatment - A year after I bought this pair, Kao reformulated the line. Not sure how the new formula compares but the shampoo was very meh. The SO loved how the shampoo smelled but all it reminds me of is the $12 Cut & Wash salons. Read: cheap hairspray.

John Freida Frizz Ease Serum - I'm trying to cut out silicone's from my hair products so after I finish my back up of this serum, I'll be leaving John Freida behind. Can't believe I used to call this stuff HG - it did nothing for me this fall!

Body Care:

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Extra Strength - Be gone! Finally finished off the LAST bottle of the Intensive Rescue. The first bottle made an appearance in Pt. 1 and the last bottle makes an appearance in Pt. 3. Good riddance, I hate this lotion but the SO loves it. Must convert him to something animal friendly next year!

The Body Shop Raspberry Ripple Bath & Shower Gel - The scent, oh the scent! If you like raspberry and cotton candy, this is a sweet mix. I want to gulp this shower gel down - it smells that good but burping out bubbles isn't lady like. Plus, I hate the taste of soap. How people willingly eat soap candies baffles me...

Makeup Removers:

There was a P7P made earlier this year on all make up removers in my stash. Well, I broke that project too... I know, I'm horrible BUT I finished all but one remover which was the humongous bottle of Shu Uemura's cleansing oil. I'll also claim this as a successful run because I finished a few new makeup removers.

Kracie Naive Cleansing Oil - This is a good cleansing oil and far better than the cult favourite  Shu Uemura cleansing oils. For no more than $15, I'd buy this again but it's hard to get a hold of. I bought this of YesAsia.com almost two years ago!

Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water - Read Rae's review on the Marcelle cleansing water and I jumped aboard the cleansing water train. Best enabled purchase of 2011!!

Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes - The pack probably has about 20 left but into the trash they go. This year I have learnt a lot about myself like how I despise cucumber scented products. Aside from the awful vegetable scent these towelettes strung my face red. That's no good!

Miscellaneous:

OPI Matte Nail Envy - MUST review this nail strengthener! Forget about Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Salon Strengthening Treatment, Nail Envy is 100x better. It's slightly more expensive but ooooooh so much better. Yeah, I seriously need to review this soon.

eos Medicated Lip Balm in Tangerine - Where is the tangerine scent in this lip balm? WHERE? eos has some of the best smelling drugstore lip balms around but Tangerine is not it. None of the eos

Masks:


A stack of empty My Beauty Diary mask packs. This collection started back in August (or September?) and up until today there are 17 masks here. That is nearly one used each week up until today! They all smell amazing and hydrate well but my favourite is the new My Beauty Diary mask in Royal Jelly. 

Samples:

Who else is swimming in samples? I still have a drawer full of samples but these were the first ones I decided to clear out. None of them were impressive enough to warrant future purchases but that's all good because I clearly do not need anything for a long, long time.

And what everyone has been waiting for.... the makeup!

Too Faced Eyeshadow (depotted) - This eyeshadow is from the Too Faced Naughty or Nice palette which came out in 2009(?). It's a beige eyeshadow that I used as an all over colour. After 2 years, it's FINALLY finished. This is the first eyeshadow I have ever finished but truth be told, I don't think the pan it was held in was all that big... *hangs head*

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Not bad but the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is better and cheaper. Good thing I never splurged on the full size!

Baviphat Magic Girls Plus BB Cream - I won this on an eBay auction earlier this year. Funny how I finished this one first but not the other dozen BB cream samples I've had since 2010. Then again, Magic Girls Plus is the only BB cream that matched my skin tone!

Skin79 Diamond The Prestige BB Cream - Grey. Grey. Grey. Next!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - So... this eyeshadow primer is still 50% full but I've had it since December... of 2009. Now to go through the two back ups. In my defense, the back ups came with two Too Faced palettes I have. - I don't hoard that badly, really!

Shiseido Eyeliner - Tossing this. It's from 5 years ago, need I say more?

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes - There is no way I could ever finish up a full sized eyeliner which is why I'll admit the Quickliner is a sample. The sample lasted three uses but each time it would smudge.

Wait! There's more! 


Mascaras galore! These are all of the mascaras I have used this year; nearly one tube per month. It seems kind of wasteful but I had to toss half of it due to a) flaking b) smudging c) curl killing.

My favourite mascaras out of the bunch:
Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl -  Long & Curl is a waterproof mascara that volumizes, lengthens, and holds a curl. It will flake later in the day but there is virtually no smudging. Two words: HOLY GRAIL.

Imju Dejavu Fiberwig - Fiberwig will forever be my favourite lengthening mascara and it's so fun to remove too!

Prestige My Longest Lashes - My Longest Lashes deserves an honorable mention. While it isn't waterproof and it smudges (only a little), it thickened my lashes and held a curl better than any other Western mascara I've tried all year.

Pheeeewf, all done! After all of this emptying and tossing I realized the tallying system needs to be revised but only slightly. From now on, every two travel/deluxe sample sized items will equal to one full size and every ten sample packets will equal to a full sized product. 
In total, there is 20 sample packets, 10 deluxe samples, and 11 full size which equals to... *drum roll* ... 20 empties (37 if you including the sheet masks!) and 9 tossed! 

Sweet relief! Now I feel a whole lot less guilty about the never-ending shopping & splurges since November. Until next year (for serious this time)!

The Ultimate Splurge

I did something bad. Like, really really really bad...

You see, it all started when the SO (significant other, for those wondering) arrived a week after my parent's had left for Asia. Dear, sweet, awesome SO came to me with a suitcase filled with goodies from the Sephora Friends & Family sale but we mysteriously ended up in Seattle for a weekend and it was there where I temporarily went insane.

So we innocently wandered into the Sephora in Seattle downtown because I had planned to pick up one Illamasqua blush. But all Hell broke loose at the check out. The sales associate had informed me I had hit VIB status and at the same time, the VIB 20% off discount was going on. The SO saw how ecstatic I was and at that point, all he could say was, "Go look some more.". Best. Boyfriend. Ever. Am I right?!

From one measly little blush, I ended up with four. Add in a few brushes and a rollerball set and somehow I managed to spend over $200 before taxes and discount. To make matters worse, I had already purchased the Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit (prior to the VIB status) the day before at another Sephora.

Here's the wreck:


Haul from Sephora F&F Sale:
Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection, Jack Black Balm Squad Lip Quad, Tarte Lip Service Limited Edition LipSurgence Collection, nails inc. Special Effects Electric Lane Holographic Glitter Top Coat


Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
Make Up Forever HD Complexion Starter Kit, Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Lover + Hussy, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful + Tipsy, Fresh Sugar Obsessions Rollerball Trio 


Haul from Sephora VIB Sale:
tokidoki Pittura Brush Set: 24 Karat Edition, Sephora Collection I.T. Natural Foundation Brush
It was like some blush fiend *coughs*Tracy*coughs* had taken over my body. My hands kept picking up blushes and then putting it back. The cycle of "should I, but I shouldn't" was relentless. I'd walk to and away from the same (and last) Jack Black Balm Squad thinking how useful it would be if I had two sets instead of one. My kind kept screaming, "It's meant to be, can't you see? Last set dude, you better get it or you'll regret it!". Then something clicked in my brain. I realized my old hoarding tendencies were kicking in again and I knew what I had to do. I walked away and made a beeline for the checkout. The SO also made sure I didn't step away from my spot or grab any "candy" around the checkout area.

So you see, I was quite strong but also quite insane! The restraint I showed (or lack of) really surprised the SO. Even he thought I could have done far worse!
Keep in mind too that this doesn't happen often. In fact, this is the first time I have ever splurged this much on make up all at once. Putting this all out there makes me feel less guilty but you be the judge....

Should my splurging go unpunished or do I need help?!

Spotted: Revlon, EOS, Kiss, Too Faced

Spotted a few new collections/deals that I piqued my interest.
Perhaps you'll see something you like too?

At London Drugs, the few that carry Too Faced, is having a 40% off sale on select Too Faced face products.

Photo is quite useless...

Revlon's new scented nail polishes with no accompanying limited edition lip gloss.Must hoard all of the scented nail polishes. I love them so so so much!


EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balms for $4.99!


How long has it been since EOS Smooth Sphere's debutted in the U.S.? Quite a few years, no?
Finally spotted them in Canada at London Drugs and again at Zellers.
London Drugs only carries Honeydew & Summerfruit whereas Zellers carries the former two and Sweet Mint. 
Might as well grab your EOS from Zellers to get 10% off (if you have an SPF Card) & rack up some HBC Rewards Points.

At Wal-Mart I only spotted two interesting things:
Revlon's accompanying limited lip glosses to the new scented nail polish display.


The weird part is that I didn't see the new scented polishes at Wally World.
While it's a mere $4 for these LE lip glosses in the U.S., it's $7.96 here. How friendly...

Last but not least, the new-ish Kiss false eyelashes!



Cool string application. Not sure if it works or it's simply a gimmick but there are 9 designs to choose from. Also, these lashes might be a one time use only so for $4.97, that's a bit much.

That's all that I've spotted in the past week. What other displays/collections are out that I need to know about?

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection - Review + Swatches

The Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection, better known as the 8-pan palettes, are not yet available in Canada. However, my boyfriend picked up all three palettes for me at his local Walgreens. There are perks to a long distance relationship after all!
Anyhow, this is just a little disclaimer. IF you're in Canada & you'd like to get your hands on the new Wet n Wild palettes, you won't be able to so don't run around looking for these just yet.
If you're note familiar with the Wet n Wild 8-pan palettes, they are a new addition to Wet n Wilds Color Icon line and are described as "eight dynamic, perfectly color-coordinated shades with high pigment and pearl for ultra-impact color. Shades can be used together or individually to create an endless variety of looks."
Each shade is labeled and indicates where they belong on the eyelids but you can apply them wherever you see fit! Every palette features two browbone, eyelid, crease, and definer shades. I've experienced crumbling or fall out with atleast one or two eyeshadows in every palette. The darker eyeshadows - crease or definer shades - apply very strongly so heavy-handed peeps, be careful!
All the swatches shown in this post start from the left side of the palette to the right side. Also, I used no base for my swatches so I'll leave it up to you to imagine how much more gorgeous these eyeshadows would be with a base OR applied wet ;)

Let's start with the Wet n Wild 8-pan palette in 736 Petal Pusher; a soft-focus, feminine palette. Petal Pusher is dominated by cool-toned shades, all of which contain a hint of shimmer or glitter or both. Thus, you won't find a single matte eyeshadow in this palette. The pigmentation in Petal Push is the least strong out of all three palettes. The lighter shades prove to be crumbly and powdery with undesirable fall out. Nevertheless, it's still very pretty and eye-catching:

Next we have 737 Blue Had Me At Hello. This is my favorite palette of the three; it's a blue-based palette that is mind-numbingly beautiful; I urge you to take a look at Christine's swatches here. You'll find her swatches are the best of the best :)
This palette contains one matte eyeshadow - definer on the left - and it's a black shade that degrades the integrity of the palette. The chalky formula applies unevenly and it's just blah!
Both browbone and eyelid shades have a silver-y frost to it which is great for bright eye looks. The right side Definer shade is quite special as it has a silver glitter . Of course, the blue's are the most important shades and they are undoubtedly the best of the palette. The teal-blue is mesmerizing:






Lastly, 738 Comfort Zone melts my heart with a pretty pick of rich earth tone shades, completely foolproof and the most wearable palette of the three. Mostly, I'd like to share a real Too Faced Label Whore eyeshadow dupe that is present in Comfort Zone. On the right column we have a definer shade that is similar but not identical to the supposed dupe in the Wet n Wild Night Elf palette. (Read about my older comparison here.) Before I compare the old dupe to the new dupe, take a look at the whole palette:

Now, for the real Too Faced Label Whore Dupe!
I did a detail post before comparing the supposed Too Faced Label Whore dupe in the Wet n Wild Night Elf palette. If you recall, the Night Elf e/s is not a dupe. Fortunately, I found the real dupe in Comfort Zone; the bottom right side 'Definer' shade is a perfect copy of Label Whore.

From L-to-R:

Night Elf, Label Whore, Comfort Zone

Unless my eyes are tricking me, I think we have a real winner here!

Overall, I highly recommend the Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection(s) - it's simply a must try. Although some shades need to be reformulated (mattes, mostly), you definitely won't find eyeshadow palettes as unique or affordable as these at the drugstore, I guarantee you. If you have the capability of picking them up, do it without hesitation or you'll regret it!

Which palette piqued your interest?

Until next time!

(I've) Got Mail!

I've got mail and it's not bills or spam mail, lucky me! It took two weeks but in the past two days, I've received two of my most prized packages. Before yesterday, I had a parcel arrive in late November from my boyfriend aswell! I'm still expecting two more packages in which one should've arrived yesterday but maybe it's just late. I hate imagining lost packages... In the mean time, I'll satisfy my cravings with what I have which is... a lot!

Yesterday, I received the second of two very special parcels from the S.O. & of course I have the magnificant parcel from November. When combined, the two parcels are ah-mazing! The S.O. also surprised me with a small package containing one McDonalds x Sanrio 50th Anniversary watch!! The S.O. bought me the KEROPPI (my favorite Sanrio character!) watch which arrived a day before the second parcel. The day the Keroppi watch arrived, I also received something equally special from Tracy of Beauty Reflections! Tracy held a Christmas Contest back in December which conviently, I won!! The prize is the highly coveted, limited edition.... MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Stereo Rose! I could not believe my luck when she emailed me... I still can't believe it but the MSF is in my hands so I musn't be dreaming! I want to thank Tracy so much for hosting the contest! I need to host one of my own sometime aswell. Maybe when I reach 50 followers?? Anyhow, here are the photos!

Keroppi watch & Christmas card from the S.O :)


MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Stereo Rose from Tracy :)


The whole loot!
Benefit Some Beauty To Love & Too Faced Echanted Glamourland Palette - gifts from the boyfriend. I got those in November.
Korres Brightening & Anti-Aging Rose Collection, Domo Sticker Box, Domo Photo Frame, Domo Media Holder, and Keroppi watch - Christmas gifts from the boyfriend.


Swatches.
(From Left-to-Right: Too Faced Glamour Gloss Volumizing Lip Gloss in Pillow Talk (soft pink-nude with red and gold sparkles), Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose (rose-red), Too Faced Shadow Insurance (translucent), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose, Benefit Coralista Blush (peach-pink with gold shimmers, Benefit Eye Bright (pale pink, almost cool).)

Also included in the Christmas gift is..... *drum roll*

Rock and Republic Contrived Pressed Blush in X-Rated and Immoral.
These were gifts from myself but I had my boyfriend ship them to me when he shipped the Christmas gifts. I have yet to use them, hence, no swatches! I swear Immoral looks less frightening in person. My camera didn't pick up the colors perfectly but I also used indoor lighting.. I'm not the world's best photographer but I'm working towards a new camera!

Now you see why I'm the happiest and luckiest girl in the world. I'm having surprisingly good luck with blog contests and giveways, got a great boyfriend and, loads of beauty products to play with!

See you soon,
Ashley!

Spotted: ELF & "Too Faced" @ Winners

I'm going to make this quick & short since I don't have many photos of my sightings but, here I go:
I've been to three different Winners in the past week & have found....
A) Limited Edition ELF 11-piece Studio Brush Set (glittery one) for $24.99 (versus $20.11/$30 on ELF website)
B) A knock-off or replica of Too Faced Smoky Eye Palettes for $7.99.
C) Alicia Silverstone for EcoTools 6-piece Brush Set for $16.99. Different from the ones I purchased at London Drugs. It comes housed in a 2 or 3 compartment cosmetic pouch.

Follow me on Twitter if you like to be updated on great/weird finds. I go out quite often & tweet photos of said great/weird finds. It's easier than doing separate "Spotted" posts as sometimes I only find one or two things at a time. That's it for now, thanks for reading!


Ashley