Ulta Haul, Lorac Set

Happy Chinese New Year! In Korean tradition, we eat rice soup. I hope you get some! :)

Last month Ulta had a special promotion, it gave me another chance to get another Lorac Real Life To Red Carpet. End of last year, I got Lorac Close Up: Real Life To Red Carpet Natural To Dramatic Face Tutorial. You can check out my post and see what's inside Lorac Close Up: Real Life To Red Carpet Natural To Dramatic Face Tutorial.

This time around I got Lorac Real Life To Red Carpet Pro Eye Tutorial. They still sell this at Ulta stores and website if you are interested. I've really been into Lorac sets. It's such a good deal. They have great products for a good price!

The set comes with Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Star Power, Double-Ended Brush, PRO Mascara, PRO Cream Eyeliner in Black, and Behind The Scenes Eye Primer.

The tutorial set included this white book/notebook. The other one included a black book/notebook. From what I can tell, each tutorial set comes with a book/notebook. In all honesty, the book/notebook is aimed towards beginners. If you're experienced or know what looks good on you, this book/notebook isn't helpful. If you would like me to take pictures of each page, feel free to ask. I will do so. :)

I will eventually review each product from this kit/set, as well as, the other set.


I'm going to end this post with the last Mariah Carey's Liquid Sand Collection Nail Polish in Can't Let Go by OPI.

I have to say this is my least favorite of the bunch. It doesn't look good on my pale skin.

January Favorites and Finished Products

Here's the first of the year for 2013.

January Favorites

Lorac Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in LORACstar: I've been testing this out this month and just fell in love with the application. It's so smooth, applies and blend easily, and hardly see any lose powder in the palette. What more to ask from eyeshadows other than I love the color!

OPI in The Impossible, Mariah Carey's Liquid Sand Collection: This is the third color out of four that I have tried from the Mariah Carey's Collection. I have mixed feeling on which one I love the most. I kind of like Stay the Night for the uniqueness, but I also like The Impossible for the hot pinkness. I would have thought I would love Get Your Number the most since blue is my favorite color. I just feel like there's a lot of blue glitter polishes that look like Get Your Number. I hardly see the other two I have tried. I can't wait to try the purple next week.

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss: I just love this product! Not only for the flavor, but how moisturizing it is on my lips. If you use this product, you do not need to scrub your lips. It's that moisturizing! Check out my thorough review on this product. It is so worth it!

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Powder in Taupe: When it comes to drawing my non-existent eyebrows, I tend to like powders. They're pigmented, long lasting, and just look great on my brows. Plus the color is a perfect match and it's easy to use.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Lacquer in Rose On And On: This is a great product! I already reviewed this color so please check it out. Not only is the color beautiful, I love how glossy it is and long lasting. Since I love this product so much, I bought two more colors. I cannot wait to try them out!

January Finished Products

Aveeno Positively Ageless Lifting & Firming Eye Cream: I've been using this mostly end of last year, 2012, and January of this year. When I first started using this product, I actually liked it. It was really moisturizing. As time went on, I happen to notice there were no improvements on my wrinkles and dark circle. You can read my thorough review on this product.

Would repurchase: No.

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black: I did not like this product at first. It was extremely wet and would stain my contact lenses. As time went on and the mascara started drying, it actually end up being nice. My lashes looked full of volume. If you're looking for lengthening product, this isn't it but it helps with volume. You can read my thorough review.

Would repurchase: No.

Aveeno Positively Ageless Skin Strengthening Body Cream: This is a great moisturizer! I first used it at home before reviewing the product. After I reviewed the product, I took this product to work. This isn't the only moisturizer I have at work. I have couple of lotions. Depending on the weather and how dry/moisturized my hands are, I reach for the product that is best suited for the situation. I ended up reaching for this product the most. It's just moisturizing and extremely helpful with my paper cuts. Since I work with papers a lot, medical records, I get a lot of paper cuts. Some moisturizers doesn't help with the paper cuts but this did.

Would repurchase: Yes!

I'm going to end with my latest nail.

This is OPI in The Impossible from the Mariah Carey's Liquid Sand Collection. It's a hot pink with different size glitters. It's a gorgeous color and looks good on my pale hands. I think I'm a NC 25 in MAC foundation now. I've gotten lighter in the past year. :/ It's suppose to have stars but I don't see it in the nail polish, as well as, on my nails.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money except for Billion Dollar Brows, Aveeno, and Clinique. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush and ShopBop Winner

Sorry I did not post this week! My oldest brother and his kids, my nieces, came to visit this week. It was a last minute decision. Whenever they come to visit, I lose my computer. :/ Now I'm back and hopefully, for good. :)

I've been wanting to review this blush for the longest time, and I think it's finally time too!

Product Review: Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in #7559 Natural

Where to purchase: drugstores, mass merchandiser, and online at physiciansformula.com
Price: $12.95 for 0.21 oz/ 6g

Made in USA

Description on the back: 
Makeup Powered by You!
* 1st Ever Blush with pH Power Complex transforms into your perfectly personalized hue.
-Fluorescein Based Dye - senses the pH level of your skin & adjusts within 60 sections to created your perfect blushing glow.
- Photochromic Powders - light adjusting pigments adapt to your environment so color looks the same indoors & outside.

Look Your Best in Every Light!
* LED-powered compact lights up and features a full-size mirror, for touch-ups anywhere & everywhere!
Ingredients:

Thoughts: To be honest, I only bought this blush for the idea that the blush matches to your pH level. I know it's a foolish idea to get a blush, but the concept really drew me in. :X I guess I'm a sucker when it comes to cosmetics. Anyways, now to my thoughts.

For the packaging, it's kind of bulky. It's just a square package with different levels.

Here's how the top looks. It's a shiny, black square with pink logo. The only thing I don't like about the packaging is that I can see my fingerprints easily.

The next level is the blush with the mirror. It's a pink, powdered blush with silver dots around the blush. The silver dots give shimmery specks to the blush. Once you use it all, it's just a pink blush.

That same level has a light that you can turn on. The switch is right above the right light. You can compare the picture above to the one exactly above it. Do you see the light on and off? I hope you can!

The last level has the brush.

Since the packaging is kind of bulky and for another reason, I leave mine at home. I hardly carry mine. I got a loose blush pan in mine. I'm kind of scared to carry mine and have the blush crack. For that reason, I don't carry mine anywhere even when I travel. Once I finish the blush, I might actually carry the container. I think the light will come in handy especially at nights or when you're in a dark room.

I usually don't like the brushes the blushes come with, but this is actually pretty okay. It's pretty soft and does not shed. I did noticed some of the hairs go in different directions, but not many. Even though it's soft, I'll still will not use it. I like the round type of brushes for blushes.

Here's how the blush looks in natural light.

A swatch of the blush on my hand. I don't know if you can see the specks of silver especially on the top from the silver dots.

The main concept of this blush is that it "reacts to light and your pH for your perfect blushing glow" within 60 seconds. Well in my opinion, I don't think it does. Even though I don't notice any changes on the blush as soon as I apply it, I still like the color! It's a natural, gorgeous color and it lasts a decent amount of day.

Pros:
* Physicians Formula; I think they have great products for drugstores.
* Comes with light with a switch.
* Comes with a decent brush; soft.
* Natural looking color.
* Long lasting.

Cons:
* Bulky.
* Mine came with a loose blush pan.
* Compact grabs fingerprints easily.
* Blush does not match to your pH level or light.

Would repurchase: Maybe.
Rating:  3.5/5 Tobey's Paws


I went out of town to Palm Springs with bunch of girls couple of weeks ago. One of the girls did my nails.

I took a picture of my nails once I got home. I received so many compliments! People asked me if they were stickers, and I told them someone painted them. So many people were amazed and thought it was gorgeous.

Thank you April!!! :)

Now for the $100 Gift Certificate to Shopbop,

It is...

#59...

Congratulations to mai!!! :)

You have 48 hours to contact me with your name and address. E-mail me at aly_4realz (at) hotmail (dot) com. If you don't contact me within 48 hours, I will draw a new winner.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money except for the pictures taken from Shopbop.com. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

October Favorites, and Ulta and Sephora Haul

Happy belated Halloween!!! I hope everyone got to eat wonderful goodies. :) Unfortunately, I did not have time to post since I had a busy weekend. The only Halloween spirit I had was my nails.

Noodle with Vegetables (jang-ban guk-su)

I'm sure you guys didn't noticed I've been MIA, but it's all good... lol~ :P I just haven't been in a mood to post *sigh*. :X Anyways, there's two version of this noodle. It's the same concept except the sauce is slightly different.

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
water
buckwheat noodles
eggs
red pepper paste
rice vinegar
sugar
sesame oil
sesame seed
soy sauce
mirin
black pepper
chopped green onion
lettuce
carrot
red onion
Asian pear
perilla leaves
egg
cucumber
red cabbage
dried seaweed

Serving: 2

Step 1:
Grab a pot and add water. Once it starts boiling, add buckwheat noodles. Cook until the noodles are done/soft.

During this time, you want to boil some eggs. You will only need 1/2 an egg per person. I usually boil two, one extra for Tobey... hehe~ I didn't think I need to take a picture of this thinking you guys all know how to do this. I hope so... hehe~ ;)

Step 2 1st Version:
You need to make two different sauces, spicy and soy sauce.

I forgot to take a picture of the spicy one. In the spicy one, grab a small bowl and add the ingredients. You need to add 1 1/2 tbsp. red pepper paste, 1 tbsp. rice vinegar, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. sesame oil, and 1 tsp. sesame seeds.

Grab a small bowl, add the ingredients. The ingredients are 1 tbsp. soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp. sugar, 1/2 tbsp. water, 1 tsp. mirin, black pepper, 1 tsp. sesame oil, and chopped green onion.

Once you're done with both sauces, put it in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. :)

Step 3 1st Version:
While the noodles are cooking, this is when I get my plate ready. I start chopping the vegetables and laying them in a circular pattern on the plate. Right in the center is the lettuce. Around the lettuce is carrots, red onion, Asian pear, perilla leaves, egg, cucumber, and red cabbage.

Step 4 1st Version:
Add the buckwheat noodle right in the center on top of the lettuce. Top it off with dried seaweed, spicy sauce you made in Step 2, and half an egg.

Now you can mix in the soy sauce mixture you made in Step 2. Mix everything together and you are ready to eat!!! :)

Step 2 2nd Version:
I just make the spicy sauce. Grab a small bowl and add the ingredients. I add 3 tbsp. red pepper paste, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. honey powder, 1 tsp. sesame oil, sesame seeds, 1 tsp. mirin, and add rice vinegar until it becomes liquid-y. Then put it in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. :)

Step 3 2nd Version:
It's the same concept as Step 3 1st Version. The only difference from my experience is I learned to put less vegetables... lol~ I realized it's hard to mix on the plate when you have a lot. :X

Step 4 2nd Version:
It's the same concept as Step 4 1st Version except a slight difference. I put the buckwheat noodle right in the center on top of the lettuce. Then I top it off with dried seaweed, chopped green onion, and half an egg.

Now you can mix your dish with the spicy sauce. Have fun eating!!! :)


On Friday, I received a package from Yinnie. She didn't have to send me anything but she did. It's so nice of her! :)
This is what I got. Aren't the pink boxes so cute!?!? The chocolate on the bottom is so yummy!!! I'm not too sure what type of chocolate it is, but it taste like strawberry to me. I could be wrong since I can't read what it says... hehe~ I only read the chocolate part that's how I know it's chocolate... lol~ :P
Inside each pink box, there were samples of DHC products. I can't wait to play around with it.

Thank you Yinnie!!! :)

I've been playing around with the Konad (click here to see my haul). I'm getting better but not quite there... lol~ I noticed I have a hard time grabbing the small stamps like dots. :X Anyways, here's my recent nail of the week (NOTW #13).
* OPI Base Coat
* OPI in Burning Love (Thank you Trinh!)
* Konad in white
* Seche Vite Top Coat (Thank you makeup buddy!)

The flowers came out alright, but I didn't grab any dots... lol~ :X I'll probably won't be posting any NOTW for awhile until my finger heals from the dog bite I got recently. No, it wasn't Tobey who bit me. Tobey is too nice to bite anything... lol~ He's the one who gets bitten *sigh*. :/


I'm going to end with a kleenex box/case I made many years ago... lol~ I'm just proud of my craft that's all. :P
This is the frontal view of it.
Around the box, I have yellow and blue flowers.

More Nail Polishes Collection

I got more nail polishes this past two weeks either I bought for myself or a swap with Spankedelic.

Thank you Spank!!! :)

I have quite a lot so I'm warning you... lol~ :P I swatched the nail polishes for you guys as well.

China Glaze in Harmony:

China Glaze in Passion:

China Glaze in Poetic:

China Glaze in OMG:

China Glaze in In The Lime Light:

China Glaze in Beauty & The Beach:

China Glaze in Summer Rain:

China Glaze in Naked:

OPI in Burning Love:

OPI in Fit For A Queensland:

Essie in Reggae:


I also bought Konad kit from WowSoCool. I don't know if the deal is still going on, but it doesn't hurt to mention it... hehe~ If you use the code "nailphile," you get 20% off and free shipping over $20. Can I say how fast the shipping is, as well as, the communication!!! It's an amazing website. On the day I ordered it, I got a confirmation and shipment e-mail. Three days later I got my package. I definitely recommend this website!!! :)
I've been playing with this kit for the past couple days and I'm having difficulties... lol~ I don't have problems stamping on my hand. It's actually pretty easy in my opinion *knock on wood*. My difficulty is getting the print on the stamper... lol~ If you guys have any hints, please tell me!!! :D Once I get more experienced, I might order some more plates since there are so many cute ones! But I need to get myself experienced first... hehe~


I'm going to end this post with my nail of the week (NOTW #12). I actually used one of the nail polishes I bought. I've been wanting this color for such a long time after seeing it on Soompi. When I saw this, I didn't have to think twice... lol~
Isn't it gorgeous!?!? I love it!!! :)