Eyeliner Pots

I've never owned an eyeliner pot before I purchased this last December.  As a Beauty Insider at Sephora I was sent $15 to spend (off $35), so combined with the travel brushes I purchased from Sephora & this purchase: Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Jet Black ($22 retail), I saved a few bucks to give this a go.

Like I said, I haven't ever used any eyeliner pots before, but I tend to like the Smashbox line.  This stuff is AMAZING! I use this with two of my eyeliner brushes (one from the Sephora travel brush set and one from The Bodyshop actually supposed to be used as a lip liner brush) depending if I want an angled or round tipped brush to achieve the look I want (hard, defined line or smoky). It glides on smoothly, well-pigmented, and doesn't budge! No smudging, smearing, or flaking! Awesome! 

No regrets buying this. I don't have to use a lot to get the look I want either, so it'll be lasting me a long, long time.

Oh, and for the n00bs like me, eyeliner pots are pots of pigmented eyeliner! It's not powder, it's not liquid, it's not a pencil, but rather a semi-moist pot of eyeliner paste? Does that make sense?

Exfoliate

I love this beauty cloth! Microdermabrasion that leaves your skin baby soft and removes all the dead, flaky skin from your face (which makes it so much better for your skin to absorb any lotions, serums, or creams you may apply to it afterwards).  It is my absolute favorite cleansing cloth, and taken good care of it can last 3-4 months.  It's about $10 and an investment in the health of your skin.  I'm on my 2nd cloth now and I am hooked! The problem with this is that it can be difficult to find, depending on where you live. It comes with instructions and can be purchased from Amazon or you can locate a local beauty retailer from their official website: beautycloth.com

My latest conquest

Update* 04/25/10: I wore these babies out last night for the first time! It was a great idea to put in the Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot cushion:

These shoes were surprisingly comfy to walk in! 4 hours straight standing and walking and no aches or pains in my feet after I took them off or after I woke up! They didn't cut into my feet anywhere either and I didn't need to stretch them. WooHoo! Another winner!  I think they've been sold out for 2 weeks now. Popular piece!

04/07/10
SoOo... *drumroll* Here they are! My latest shoe conquest from Bebe!  (Someone please tell my bank to reject any more transactions for shoes for awhile.)

I wanted to get a more interesting angle with the photos, so I'm walking on the ceiling. (haha) Look at those stilettos! LOVE! I put on the clear non skid by Fab Feet (you can buy 2 pairs at Target for $3 and some change).  Why clear? Because the bottom is a matte silver! Flashy!  I haven't worn them out yet, but I plan on putting in my trusty Dr. Scholl's ball of foot gel pads in these bad boys when I do.  They SEEM comfy enough.  We will see and I will update with my results.  The heels are super flattering for your calves though (probably helps that they are 5"+ in height!).  Pleased so far!

Drink Hello Kitty

So kawaii! For you HK enthusiasts, they have come out with a Hello Kitty water bottle in Japan (about $16 USD).  I'm not sure when or if it'll make it to the States, but if you can't wait, you can purchase them here.  I use Google Chrome as a browser so that it'll translate it to English for me.

Paper Tape!

Oh those clever Koreans! Remember my last post about Japanese masking tape? Well, I found some super super super cute Korean paper tape!

Not only that, but they also have different colored masking tape as well!

Chain follow up I

Here is a follow up photo--per a previous post--of one of my current obsession trends: chains!

This one is chunky and made up of several different colors & finishes of metal and it looks like it's layered already!  Purchased from Forever 21. (My old college roommate is wearing a darker, braided chain bracelet I purchased from H&M that she borrowed for the night, pictured behind my wrist here.  I'll post a better picture later.)

Bag replacement

Since I will not be owning a Chanel bag any time soon, I thought I'd settle for something that was inspired by the classic quilted, chain strap design.

I found something that is a hybrid of the Chanel Reissue 2.55 (with the Mademoiselle lock) & the Chanel classic Maxi Flap (CC logo lock):

+

inspired bag =

I think it's cute, and I much prefer "inspired" designs NOT to try to imitate logos and moreover go for the design.  I found this at a Japanese fashion boutique in West LA called "Rimo" (non-pushy staff with great fashion that I love to drool over from browsing Japanese magazines) for ~$40. This in no way even comes close to the quality of material or workmanship of an authentic Chanel bag, but for a hefty fraction of the price I won't complain.

Ankle high straps

My latest deal/steal find!  These are not exactly alike, but they share a lot of the same qualities (peep toes, hot strappy buckles running up from toe to ankle, and platforms).

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony (platform wedge) - Retail $625 (sold out everywhere)

Forever 21 - Mistress Buckled Stiletto Heels - $29.80

Sneak By

Hi Ladies! I've gotten a few positive comments about my shoes pictured in the photo with my girlfriends in Vegas, and they are by Bakers called "Sneak By".  I purchased them last year full price, but they are on sale now for $30 off the original price (now $49.99).  The only catch? They only have a size 6 left in stock in black.  So if this is your size, you're in luck!

They are light and comfy!  But getting used to walking in them (balancing because of the slight dip at the front of the platform) takes a few times, but after that it's a breeze! The under sole of the shoe is made of a rubbery material, so no need to add non-skid pads!  Awesome! They should make all heels with built-in traction (didn't they use to in the good ol' days? money mongers trying to make money off shoe enthusiasts now...).  The ankle cuffs are really cool and emphasize your legs--tightened up by the 5" heel--and ankle.  Don't worry that it's 5" because the  1 3/4" platform makes it easier to walk in.  I really do love these and think they are one of my most favorite shoes, so I'd highly recommend!

Lash storage 2

I finally got some time after work to go look for small boxes at my local Japanese "stuff" store for lash storage that I had mentioned in a previous post. Yay!

Pretty nifty-eh?

HG Conditioner

My HG (Holy Grail), absolute most favorite conditioner--as mentioned in my previous post--is by Infusium 23 (moistur)ologie.  I've been using this stuff since 1997 when the bottles were white!

I've tried tons of different conditioners, from cheap to salon quality, and I always come running back to Infusium 23.  I swear by it! It makes my hair feel like silk and keeps it soft, silky, and shiny.  I dye and bleach my hair fairly often, so it tends to get dried out and brittle, but this stuff is like a surge of moisture working from the inside-out of my hair! For those days I want an extra boost of silkiness, repair, and detangling, I use the spray in conditioner after my shower.  I love the smell and texture too.  It reminds me of "home" every time I use it.

They are about $7-8 a pop, but soOo worth it! I buy mine from Target, but you can find them easily at any pharmacy or superstore.

MIA & Dry Shampoo

Sorry! I don't really know how many of you out there actually read this blog, but I've been out of town for a week and just doing not much of anything.

Anyhow! I purchased this amazing thing called "dry shampoo" during my travels. The concept of dry shampoo has been out for quite a long time now (for people who can't shower or get their head wet due to surgeries, are out camping, or don't have access to a shower for a few days)--so I am not discovering anything new.  I don't shampoo/wash my hair every day as it strips it of its natural, healthy oils (and more frequent washing will actually make your head produce more oil more quickly to try to replace the oil it has lost).  I suffer from my bangs getting oily because it sticks to my forehead when I sleep (my forehead produces oil) and the fringe of my face and roots of my hair getting oily the day after shampooing.  I have super fine hair too, so to get any kind of body I have to either use my flat iron to add some heat set lift, blow it out with a round brush, or curl it.  Most days it just lays flat to my head, limp, but shiny thanks to my conditioner (Infusium 23).

I found this particular brand "Psssssst" at my local Walgreens Pharmacy for about $7.  Dry shampoo is basically a powder spray in a bottle (like cornstarch or baby powder, but in aerosol form for even distribution).  Word of warning: it says it is "unscented" but it is not.  I think it has a light floral, baby powderish smell.  One of the ingredients actually says "fragrance."  It's nothing too overwhelming though, but if you're looking for something unscented--this isn't for you.  It leaves your hair smelling refreshed and not that dirty, oily scalp smell.  You shake the can, lift your hair, and spray it about 6-8" away from your head directed at the roots, "fluff" gently with your fingers, let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then use your brush to "brush" away the excess product.  It makes my hair feel fuller without the weight and a guess it feels a bit more voluminous because of this extra oomph.  And no more oily bangs! I can get away with not washing my hair for 1-2 days and giving it a break from heat styling and stripping it of natural oils with this little gem.  I like the cute, retro graphics of the can too!

Do your research and find a brand that works for you though!

Bonne chance!

Green Tea... Ice Cream!

And the delightful tidbit of my day is a nice little bowl of green tea ice cream! Hooray!

Purchased from Nijiya Market, West LA

Aw-Mused

I am so honored and still pretty surprised when I go back to read poems I wrote some time ago and the new comments I get. I was fortunate enough to have a poem published nearly 10 years ago, in 1999, online at netpoets.com AKA "Passions In Poetry" (I was a freshman in High School!).

Although I think my writing skills have progressed since then, I am still proud that it has touched people.  I have tried to maintain a recent contact with the website, but I think I've been lost in the shuffle of all the other poets.  Thank you to everyone who has posted a "vote"--I really do appreciate it!

I haven't been inspired to write as of late, but I have a few pieces I wrote in the early 2000's (wow) if anyone is interested in reading them posted on my website: iLust4Rice.com

Cheers!

Urban Decay 30% Off

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