Wedding Dresses and Shopbop Giveaway

Shopbop is an online store that sells ladies' products anywhere from clothes to accessories. They sell designer brands like Badgeley Mischka shoes.

Runway fashion like Doo.Ri.

They even have wedding dresses.

I could go on about the different brands, but it'll be endless.


Shopbop has been kind enough to give one of my readers $100 to spend on their website. How nice is that! :)

How to enter:
1. You must be a public follower of my blog with Google username (I will check). PLEASE do not just follow for the giveaway and then once the giveaway is over, stop following. It's just not polite!!!
2. You need to provide valid e-mail address.
3. It's open to everyone including international.
4. You must be 18 years or older. If you're younger than 18, please get your parent's permission.
5. The giveaway will end in two weeks, April 8, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).
6. The winner will be drawn with a random number generator. You have 48 hours to contact me at aly_4realz (at) hotmail (dot) com or else a new winner will be chosen.

Extra entries:
1. Following my Facebook page. (+2)
2. Following my Twitter. (+1)
3. Re-tweeting the giveaway daily. (+1)
4. Liking my blog post. (+1)
5. Posting the giveaway on your blog. (+1)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you Shopbop for the giveaway!!! :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are pictures taken from their website. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

The Makeup Show LA 2012 Part 2

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

This is continuation of Part 1 of The Makeup Show in LA. So Saturday and Sunday was the convention. I only attended Saturday, March 17. Everywhere you looked, you saw makeup. It's definitely a playground for beauty bloggers like myself! :)

The Makeup Show LA 2012 Part 1

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post was given to me. I am not affiliated with the companies nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with honest opinion.

This weekend was The Makeup Show, March 17 & 18, in LA. I've heard about this event/convention the last several years. I finally got to attend it and I was not disappointed! I met great people, attended the party, saw beautiful work of arts, saw professional makeup artists, got swag bag, and best of all makeup everywhere you looked. It was exciting and fun!!! :)

It started early, March 16, with blogger preview and cocktail party. This post is dedicated for that night. For the blogger preview, famous makeup artist Pati Prema Dubroff answered questions and applied makeup on her assistant.

Reviva Labs Stem Cell Booster Serum

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Please don't forget to enter my Physicians Formula Eyeshadow Palette Giveaway. It ends March 18, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).


I was fortunate to receive a product from Reviva Labs, they are known for their breakthrough in anti-aging skin care. It's great for aging skin, as well as, people who are preventing age.

February Favorites and Finished Products, and The Makeup Show

Please don't forget to enter my Physicians Formula Eyeshadow Palette Giveaway. It ends March 18, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).


I apologize for not updating last week. For some reason my computer would not upload the pictures from my camera. Thankfully, it finally worked and I can update my blog. :) I also want to thank the readers who have entered the Physicians Formula Giveaway, and gave suggestions on what improvements I needed for my blog. I loved the honest answers, as well as, I have taken advice to your suggestions. I have updated my background, and I hope this one looks better and is more manageable to read. What do you think about the background? It would be great to hear honest opinions. :)

Anyways, now for February Favorites. It's kind of late, but better now than later.

February Favorite Products

Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker Blush in Natural: I'm a big fan of Physicians Formula. I think they have great quality products, and this definitely does not fail the brand name. I definitely do not agree with the pH Matchmaker. It does not match or change the blush to your natural pH. It just has one solid color from the moment you apply the blush to the end of the day. Other than that, it's a high quality blush that is long lasting and looks great on the skin. It also comes with light which is helpful especially at nighttime when you need to reapply the blush or any makeup.

Aveeno Positively Ageless Skin Strengthening Hand Cream: I already reviewed this product, and am still in love with this. It has helped my dry hands, as well as, improved the texture of my hands. It's also easy to carry in your bag/purse. This is the hand cream I carry all the time. :)

Reviva Labs Stem Cell Booster Serum: I will review this product pretty soon. It's a refreshing serum that is suppose to help the prevention/fight aging skin. I love the texture of the product, and how it melts into your skin. It feels hydrating, as well as, you can use this both morning and night.

L'oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Bronze Taupe: I'm such a big fan of taupe/brown eyeshadows, and this does not fail. It's a gorgeous color, easy to use, and looks great by itself. It's one of those colors you apply and you're done. I love the simplicity with great quality product.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny: When I first got this bronzer, I was not a big fan. I'm not into orange bronzers, but more into taupe/brown bronzers. For some odd reason, I'm really digging this bronzer. Maybe I have changed my taste, but it actually looks great on my paler winter skin. I definitely cannot wear this during the summer since I need more color. It's great for the winter, paler skin.

February Finished Products

Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner: This has to be one of my favorite toners! I love that it does not have alcohol. For that reason, it does not dry up your skin and keep the moisture in. I also love that it cleans your skin. Whenever I use this, I can see some dirt on the cotton pads which did not get fully cleaned from cleansing.

Would repurchase: Yes!

Vivite Daily Antioxidant Facial Serum: I used this every morning which is light and refreshing. It's a great way to start the morning. I especially love that this product prevents aging which is something I definitely need. I reviewed this product so please feel free to read the review.

Would repurchase: Yes.

LacVert All Round Sun Block: This was my holy grail sunblock I used in daily basis. It's light, melts into the skin unlike a lot of US Sunblocks (they only cover the skin), prevents UVA and UVB, and it did not have a scent like a lot of US Sunblocks. If you can tell, I love this sunblock!!! Now I can see why so many people are into Asian sunblocks versus American brands. I'm definitely a converter for Asian sunblocks.

Would repurchase: I already did!

Lashem Double Trouble Mascara: I reviewed this mascara, and still stand with the same view point. I think it's a great mascara for someone who's blessed with naturally, curly lashes. For myself who has straight lashes, it was not worth it. It did not hold my curl, as well as, darken it.

Would repurchase: No.

Avon Naturals Lip Balm in Peach: This is an old lip balm I bought from Avon. I don't recall when I bought this lip balm, but I used it at work whenever my lips were chapped. It had a waxy residue, and it did not melt into my lips. It felt like the lip balm just layered on top which is not the point of most lip balms. It also did not help my chapped lips especially this winter weather. I also was not too keen on the scent. For some reason, I thought I would be since it's a fruity scent. I have another one of this in mango and love that one much more.

Would repurchase: No, and I doubt they make this anymore.


Don't forget to buy your tickets for The Makeup Show! It's happening this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Here are the list of companies that will be there:

Alcone Company Anastasia Beverly Hills Auraline Beauty Inc Bdellium Tools Beauty Army  Beauty Treats BioBliss Cinema Secrets Crown Brush Crystal Wright Live Dinair Airbrush Embryolisse USA EI School of Professional Make-Up European Body Art Eye Candy Cosmetics Frends Beauty Supply Glimmer Body Art GrandeLash MD Graftobian Makeup Hair & Makeup Artists Network Hakuhodo Usa I Make You Beautiful Inglot Cosmetics Kett Cosmetics- MUSE BEAUTY Kevyn Aucoin Kissable Couture Kiss Products- Ivy Enterprise Lash X by Makeup Mandy Lit Cosmetics Make-Up Designory M B YORK

MUD Cosmetics Make Up For Ever Marinello Schools Mehron MICA Beauty Michael Marcus Model in a Bottle MUD Cosmetics MUSE BEAUTY Naked Cosmetics Naimies Beauty Center Nigels Beauty Emporium Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pinnacle Cosmetics  Rapid Lash Red Carpet Kolour Ruby Makeup Academy Sacha Cosmetics  Senna Cosmetics Shadow Shields Smashbox Cosmetics South Seas Skincare Stila Cosmetics T3 Micro Temptu PRO The Kim Greene Line The Powder Group Velour Lashes Yaby Cosmetics Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money except Aveeno, Reviva Labs, Vivite, LacVert, and Lashem; most of them were given to review and received one as a gift (LacVert). I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Aveeno Positively Ageless Skin Strengthening Hand Cream

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Please don't forget to enter my Physicians Formula Eyeshadow Palette Giveaway. It ends March 18, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).


I was fortunate to receive some Aveeno products. The first one I'm going to review is Aveeno Positively Ageless Skin Strengthening Hand Cream. It's been couple of weeks using this product, and I think it's about time I review it.

Missha Real Essential Sheet Mask in Ceramide

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are freebies either given with purchase, gift, or in a swag bag. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

When I ordered from Missha end of last year, they gave me a sheet mask. I decided to review it not only for my readers, but for myself as well. I have a tendency not to remember how I felt about the sheet masks. Being able to look at my reviews on my blog helps me to either to order some more or not. I hope it helps you as well! :)

Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Too Cool, Bad to the Bronze, Pomegranate Punk, and Bold Gold

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my money. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel

I received two products from Lashem to review. I already reviewed one product, Lashem Double Trouble Mascara. Please check out my thorough review on the mascara. :) For this post, I am going to review Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel. It's the most well known product from Lashem!

Product Review: Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel

Where to purchase: Lashem.com

Price: $69.99 for 0.123 fl oz/3.5 mL

Made in USA

Description on the back: A revolutionary, high performance and gentle eyelash conditioner that promotes healthier, longer and fuller lashes without the irritation, clinically tested and dual patented, the Lashem formula contains a patented lipo oligopeptide and conditioning complex which fortifies lashes, masking them appear healthier and stronger.

Lashem also contains panthenol (pro-viatmin B-5), biotin, cranberry and goji berry extracts to nourish your lashes and make them appear glossy and shiny in texture.

Ingredients:

Thoughts: I was extremely excited to receive this product!!! The first time I heard about this product was during a commercial. An actress mentioned how her lashes grew with this product. Ever since then I wanted to try this product, but did not want to pay for a product I did not know if it worked or not. Given the opportunity to try it, I could not refuse.

It's a simple packaging, silver metallic, and it reminds me of a mascara. I sometimes grab it accidentally whenever I'm in a rush to put mascara on. :X

The outside might look like a mascara, but the inside does not. It looks more like a liquid eyeliner, but it's not. At first, it felt weird using this. I was used to using the mascara wands like a lot of drugstores conditioning products. After awhile, I got used to it. If I had to choose between this or a mascara wand type, I say it doesn't matter at this point as long as they do their job.

One thing I liked about this product compared to drugstores eyelash conditioning is that you only need to apply once a day. I did it every night before heading to bed. The drugstores eyelash conditioning from my experience recommended you to use it mornings and nights. Even though it's recommended to use mornings, I still did not. It's because the conditioning product kept my lashes moist making it difficult to put mascaras. I love that this product only recommends you to apply once a day. I think it's best to put it on nights but that's my opinion. :)  I just looked on the website and it recommends you use it twice, mornings and nights. The packaging says, "do not apply more than once daily." I do not know why there's a contradiction between the packaging and the website. :/ Oh well, I still used it once a day and probably will continue.

Edit: The PR told me originally it was recommended once a day, but it is okay twice a day. That's why they wrote that on the website.

I guess before I talk about the product, I should mention what kind of lashes I have. I don't have short lashes, but I do not have extremely long. This one particular biology class in college recommended us to measure our partner's lashes to see if we fit into short or long lashes. I fit in the long lashes but I barely passed. I have the typical Asian lashes, strict straight and on the thin side.

I noticed after couple of weeks my lashes looked longer by my naked eyes. It's also noticeable through my glasses at night. In the beginning, my lashes would not touch the glass. Towards a month, I noticed it would touch and it bothered me at times. I think that's a good indication that my lashes grew. Other than length-wise, I did not notice thick-wise.

Now for my before and after pictures...

Before:

After:

Pros:

* They donate partial proceeds to Think Pink Rocks, breast cancer research and treatment.

* Hypoallergenic.

* Paraben free.

* Fragrance free.

* Not tested on animals.

* Conditions lashes; vitamins.

* Noticed length on lashes.

Cons:

* Brush was uncomfortable in the beginning.

* Confusion about using the product once or twice a day.

Would repurchase: Yes.

Ratings:  4/5 Tobey's Paws

Thank you Lashem!!! :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are given to me to review. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Born Pretty Four Style Design Nail Art Stamp Template in m60

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is given to me. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

I am fortunate to work with Born Pretty Store.