Products I Regret Buying

SEPTEMBER 2, 2013

This post is overdue. Below are mini reviews of why I regret buying these products. Please note this is only my opinion based on my skin's/body's reaction to the product.

Rimmel London - Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002




This is the product I most regret buying. I'm a big fan of Rimmel London, but this product is just HORRIBLE. I tried it once, then my face started getting extremely oily. I stopped using it for a long time. Then, I decided to try it again. I kept using it over and over. My face became an oily skillet. I promise, you could cook eggs on it! It was so gross, my face started breaking out, adding to my already high stress level. Overall, this product does something to your face, that instead of just mattifying your face like it claims to do, it triggers something in your body which results in it producing more oil. This product was a nightmare. I wouldn't give this as a gift to an enemy. That's way too cruel.





Milani Liquif'Eye - 01 Black

I've reviewed this product before, but I thought I would reiterate. This eyeliner gives you that raccoon look that is not attractive on even the prettiest model out there. I could just imagine how much worse this eyeliner would be during the hot summer days! This eyeliner has been in my collection for a while, but I don't use it. I feel bad throwing it away, despite the quality being bad. I would only use this at a time of desperate need. Otherwise, it'll stay unused.

Volumizing Shampoo - Suave Professionals and Vidal Sassoon

I feel like my hair is too flat, so I wanted to try a volumizing shampoo. The first one I've tried was Vidal Sassoon. That didn't work out at all. Then, since I love Suave Professionals, I thought their shampoo would work for my hair. Negative. Basically, any volumizing shampoo feels sticky on my hair. It feels like it sucks out the oil and makes it stick to each other. That's gross. From now on, I'll stick to moisturizing or smooth shampoo and conditioner.

Cover Reveal/Giveaway: UnReap My Heart

SEPTEMBER 1, 2013

I need to read this series. After all, the heroine is named after me :) I feel so proud! The author didn't really name her because she knew me, but having a character with the same name makes me excited! So, without any further ado, please welcome, the cover of book 2 - UnReap My Heart by Kate Evangelista. Fun fact: Author lives in the Philippines, where I was born and lived for 14 years!!

Title: UnReap My Heart
Series: The Reaper Series
Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Blurb:

Only a villain can save the day.
During his thousand year banishment in the Nethers, Balthazar thought of nothing but taking over the Crossroads from Death.

On the day he puts his plans into action, Balthazar finds the Crossroads on lockdown. Death has been stabbed by Brianne’s Bitterness, a blade that slowly leaches him of his powers. In order to challenge Death for his seat and prevent utter chaos, Balthazar is forced into a mission to find the Redeemer, the only being capable of pulling out the blade from Death’s chest. The only person who can identify the Redeemer is a human girl in the Crossroads whose soul is still attached to her body.

Meeting Arianne Wilson pushes Balthazar’s patience to the limit. In a deal he makes with Death, he must protect Arianne during their journey through the Underverse using all the resources available to him. He soon realizes the one he needs to protect is himself. For as much harm as it inflicts on Balthazar's body, trekking through the Underverse with Arianne is proving more dangerous for his heart and soul.

Can the villain remain a villain when love gets in the way?

Title: Reaping Me Softly
Series: The Reaper Series
Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Pages: 226
Buy Links: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback)

Blurb:

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 Beauty Questions

AUGUST 31, 2013

Bored - so I decided to do a tag. It's wordy as it is so I'll keep this short. Leave me a comment below with your answers! :)

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
If I'm not mistaken, it was a lip gloss, imported all the way from the United States when I used to live in the Philippines. It was the only kind of makeup we were allowed to wear at my private school.



























2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?
I don't try a lot of mascaras. A perfect one would give a lot of volume and lengthening power. So far, I like Benefit's They're Real mascara :)






















3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?
Full coverage or nothing.

4. Favorite High End Brand
I'm not sure. I have a mix right now. I don't have an excessive amount of one brand.

5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven't?
Basically everything! The only high end brands I have are MAC, Stila, Too Faced, Smashbox, Laura Mercier, Benefit - and they're all just random makeup - palette, samples, mascara, eyeliner, single eyeshadow, etc.

6. Favorite drugstore brand
It's between L'Oreal and Maybelline - depends on my mood and what I'm looking for.

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?
I have yet to learn how to put them on, but they're so pretty

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can't leave the house without?
Lip product. It's the only makeup that is in my purse. I also have a powder but I don't even have something to apply it with!

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?
Gosh.. Everything. It's hard to choose!

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get lots of goodies at once?
I shop whenever the mood strikes. I buy here and there, not all at once.

11. Do you have a "beauty budget" or you spend freely?
Since I buy little amounts here and there, I don't have a budget. I probably should have one though.

12. Do you utilize coupons, reward cards, and sales when you shop for cosmetics?
Not really... I don't buy often enough to get that many rewards.

13. What type of product do you buy the most?
I think that would be eye products - shadows, perhaps?

14. Is there a brand that you absolutely can't stand?
Uhm, I won't try the Sephora brand again. I just don't trust it... I also don't think I'll be trying Clinique again. For something that's supposed to be high end, my first experience with their foundation was disappointing.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?
No... not really.. Should I?

16. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?
Sephora and MAC.














17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?
I stick with a routine of basic cleansers. I'm using up my Aveeno facial scrub and simultaneously using Simple cleanser in the shower. Outside the shower (at night), I use Cetaphil.

18. Favorite bath and body brand?

Bath and Body Works.. That's about it.





























19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?
Gosh, hard question.. Uhm.. Probably.. I don't know!!! I was thinking maybe Too Faced? or MAC... or Smashbox.. I can't answer.

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?
YSL.




















21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?
Demi Lovato and Blake Lively - such lovely skin they have

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

No.

23. Five Favorite Beauty Gurus
Elle&Blair, Andrea's Choice, Michelle Phan, Gregory Gorgeous, Maya Mia -- oops that's 6.

24. Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

Don't know. Never tried them.

25. Are you clumsy in putting makeup?
I try not to be. I'm not very particular about the eye makeup. I should be more careful like the beauty gurus... but I'm not.

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?
Yes.

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?
None ;) I'm too lazy, and I like my hair slippery and shiny on it's natural state.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?
Foundation/BB cream. One of the beauty gurus described concealer as a jacket and foundation/bb cream is the shirt.

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I considered it once... but never really took it seriously.

30. What do you love about makeup?
It's a beauty enhancement. It makes a person glow and look awake and put together. It also gives me confidence. Lastly, sometimes it serves as a mask for me to hide behind.

Even The Crazy Ones....

Stalker alert!

What do you know about that? Someone who was so nasty towards me found someone to actually like them! Hah! Can you imagine? Wretched people have a chance in this world! Miserable human beings who have nothing better to do than crush people's spirits have a chance at, dare I say it, love. WOW.

My mind is officially blown.

I.. I can't.. I don't even know.. I gotta go.

Skies

AUGUST 30, 2013

I was driving home today, all moody and grumpy... Then I saw how interesting the sky looked. So, I decided to take a picture while simultaneously keeping my eyes on the road. Aren't they beautiful? :)

M.A.D. Fix, Rubicon Deli, Del Mar, Car Wash

Today's adventure brought me places! First, we went to M.A.D. Fix to get my cookies and get some lemonade. My friend got three shots of espresso and a cookie. We had a good time chatting with the owner. She's so awesome.

After M.A.D. Fix, we went to Rubicon Deli to get some food. I was hungry and I wanted good food! I got the same as last time - Spicy Tuna on Dutch Crunch bread. Yummy as usual :)

After Rubicon, we went to Del Mar to walk off the food we ate. My friend led me to a cliff or a hill, whatever you feel like calling it. I was extremely hesitant at first, but I made it. I didn't get pictures of me going down, but I realized the fun of it and asked my friend to take pictures of me going up! When I made it to the top, I felt like I conquered the world. It was such an exhilarating feeling. (clearly, I need more excitement in my life).

Finally, we went to get some gas, lotto tickets, and my first ever car wash. I was so excited, but I didn't quite know what to do. Afterwards, I enjoyed the experience, but I still had to clean the windows because somehow, the dryer missed it and the water dried on the windows - not pretty.

Finally, here's my crazy documentary of the car wash... Warning: Craziness. Beware. Please excuse the state of my appearance. It's been a long, hot day.

San Diego Spotlight: Hillcrest & North Park

AUGUST 28, 2013

On Sunday, August 25, we decided to conquer Hillcrest and North Park.

On the way there, I was excited to be in the passenger seat (for once) and I started to take selfies ;)

My roommate said Hillcrest is the city capital of gay people. I was quite excited to see gay men. I only saw a few and a couple holding hands. So cute!

So, while in Hillcrest, we went to an Italian restaurant called "Arrivederci" that my roommate swore was worth the splurge. It was yummy for sure! Not to mention, the waiters were hot! :) We had our pastas covered with Parmesan!!

Afterwards, we went to a few stores, including a thrift shop, a costume store, and finally, Pinkberry! It was my first time there. They have it simple - only 4 flavors, and then a bunch of toppings. I was excited to get one :)

After Pinkberry, we went to North Park. My roommate said it was the artistic part of town. We saw some beautiful art, live art, and visited a witchcraft store (not sure if that's what it's called). I should have taken a picture of the Book of Grimoire that I saw. I was fascinated with the kind of magic it contained. I was almost tempted to buy it. Wow. That's kind of scary.

One of the places we visited was called "Home". It is a clothing store that looks a bit like a gallery. The fashion is unique, and the art is breathtaking. My roommate adores the place and ended up getting a shirt.

After everything, we decided to refuel at Tapioca Express. It's known for its boba drinks. Oh my! This place is Asian central!!! I wasn't able to get any pictures, but if you happen to be in San Diego, definitely visit this place. It's like a club inside minus the dancing and alcoholic drinks.

Finally, here's a 42-second video with us being silly :)

San Diego Spotlight: Encinitas and Solana Beach

AUGUST 18, 2013

Who knew walking could be so much fun?!!!

My friend and I conquered three cities in San Diego today. We saw panoramic views and got lost driving in circles to get some food at a special place. I'm at a loss for words, so let's look at the photos instead!

First stop: Encinitas

I thought Koi Fish was small... I was thinking of Nemo, the clown fish... ;)

Check out this video of the fishes :)

Second stop: Solana Beach

It is a reflection of me :)

I wanted to support the local artist :) I was able to bargain $1 off for this piece from the Farmer's Market. Then the frame I bought from Bed, Bath and Beyond, of course with a discount, for $10.

Last stop: Rubicon Deli - my friend will be reviewing this place in my next post so make sure to check it out!

Spicy Tuna in Dutch Bread - this is a quarter of the sandwich. I ordered half and only ate half of that. It was huge!

I will try to get an interview with this company. Watch out for that in my coming posts :)

Overall, I had so much fun and such great food! If you haven't been to San Diego, I suggest you make it a point to visit. Let me know and I'd be happy to join you! :)