May and June Birchboxes

I've been busy traveling the last two months that I didn't get a chance to update my blog much and neglected to update my May and June birchboxes. Now that I got a chance to relax and catch up, its time to show off those goodies.

The May Birch Box included two of the Deborah Lippmann nail polish remover mittens, a sample of the Kate Spade twirl perfume, a sample of the Weleda wild rose face mask, a sample of the molecular face mist and a full size of the Laura Geller N' Brighten mineral blush in Honey Dipped.

For awhile I was on the fence about Birch Box but I was really impressed with the May box because they included a full sized product which I never expected. The Laura Geller mineral blush is very similar to the MAC mineralized skin finish. This product alone is worth over $20 so to receive this product in the box and to have paid only $10 for the entire box was well wroth the price.

The June Birch Box did not disappoint as well and I think over the last two months, fully redeemed my faith in Birch Box.

The June Birch Box included a large sized sample of Redken Shine Brilliance shine spray, a small sized sample of the Zoya nail polish color in Shay, a sample of the AHAVA mineral hand cream, a sample of Philosophy Purity cleanser, and a almond & apricot granola bar.

I was more than happy to receive another of Philosophy Purity cleanser because its my holy grail cleanser already so the more the merrier.

I had received samples of the AHAVA mineral hand cream before and I really liked the results. It dries really fast and doesn't leave a residue so I was again happy to receive this product.

I love the color pay off of Zoya nail polishes and I own quite a few of them already so I was glad to add this color to my collection especially since its from their new collection.

This was the product I was most excited about, the Redken shine brilliance shine spray and I was glad that it was a large sized sample to dry the product. I used it a few times and it does add shine to my hair without weighing it down. However, the shine wasn't really enough for me personally. I just like that it was so light weight so I think I will use it more before giving it a final verdict but so far I do like it.

This was an interesting add to the box because it was not related to beauty os skincare or anything of the sorts but I'm also a lover of food so I was happy to get this product.

Jewel Mint Review

I give a very detailed review of the jewel mint pieces that I received, below are some up close pictures

First is the Versailles ear rings:

 Summation: I like that the ear rings are true to the pictures on line and are very sparkly and shiny, however, they do not stay on my ears. Ear rings that don't stay on your ears are pretty much useless in my opinion so I actually didn't end up liking this product. I paid $14.99 before taxes and shipping was free, I got it for half off because you can usually find coupon codes online for half off your first jewel mint purchase.

Second is the Black Keys Bracelet:

Summation: this piece did no have a clasp, making it very difficult to slip in and out of it. Also, it means that it is not a one size fits all because those with a wider hand probably will not be able to fit into this bracelet. The red arrows in the picture show some examples of the black spots on the bracelet that I talk about in the video, making it look very cheap. I paid full price for this which was $29.99 before taxes and again shipping was free. I do not think that it was worth $30 because it was made so cheaply.

Overall, I personally do not recommend jewel mint, I think the price is too high for poorly made products. However, I do keep in mind that perhaps I just had bad luck and got some bad pieces so for those interested please try out the products for yourself.

May Haul: May Showers Me With Lots of Products

Although I was away from the blogging world for a little bit (booo schoool) I wasn't at all away from beauty products. In fact, I stretched the phrase shop until you drop to the maximum. In addition to all the Naruko skincare products I purchased, I also purchased a lot of other additional goodies.

First stop, Sally's Beauty Supply store! They were having a sale on a lot of hair products from coloring systems, shampoos and conditioners to heated styling tools. I've wanted a professional grade straightening iron for awhile now but they are so expensively, retailing generally for a bout $100 USD. I didn't want to pay that much for a product. Sally's had a GVP or their generic version of a CHI straightening iron on sale for $50 USD. I also had a $5 off coupon for being a card member so I got the product for $45 USD before taxes. It came with a free mini hair straightener and most of all its pink and so pretty!

From Ulta, I picked up the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque $3.99 USD before taxes because I was having some major pimple problems in the last month. I also picked up Bye Bye Blemish Drying Lotion for Acne retailing for $9.99 USD before taxes and its suppose to be a dupe of Mario Badescu's drying lotion. Lastly, I caved and picked up the NYX Grow Lash Serum retailing for $23.99 USD before taxes because I just wanted to jump on to the lash enhancing bandwagon.

The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a mid-green color and clay-like texture. Smells very minty!

 The NYX Grow Lash Serum has a very skinny wand perfect for reaching the roots of the eyelash. Fingers crossed that it works!

Simply based on appearances this Bye Bye Blemish Drying Lotion does look exactly like the Mario Badescu drying lotion. Haven't tried it yet but hopefully it works well!

From The Face Shop, I picked up more of the Migamsu Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Oil $15 USD before taxes. I love this product and I ran out to I needed more! I also picked up Clean Face White Intensive Blemish Clear Patch $10 USD before taxes. Comes with a set of 50 in the small box and claims to blemish pimples overnight. Haven't used it yet either but hopefully it works. I got a Fresh Fruit Aloe mask for free, it usually retails for $2 USD and some skincare samples.

I was in Diamond Plaza in Rowland Heights, CA (a very Asian area in the San Gabriel Valley) just enjoying pho and boba when I came across this cute little beauty boutique. It carries a lot of various Japanese and Taiwanese beauty product brands such as My Beauty Diary, Shiseido, Koji, Dolly Wink, etc. I picked up some pink hair velcro, 2 pack for $3.99 USD before taxes. I also picked up the Koji Eye Talk Double Eyelid Glue (pink case), it was $10.99 USD before taxes. I LOVE the hair velcro and I'm liking the double eyelid glue so far but haven't gotten the best hang of it yet. 

Beauty Corner
1388 Fullerton Road Suite 107
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Phone: (626) 581-3300

they accept credit cards, not sure about the return and exchange policy, should probably call to ask.

Lastly, from Target I picked up the Eco Tool Retractabe Kabuki Brush retails for $7.99 USD before taxes as well as the Loreal Revitalift Complete Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Cream retails for $11.99 USD before taxes. I LOVE both these products, reviews will be coming soon!

also from Target, I got these Ardell Brow Trimmers a pack of three for $3.99 and they are seriously the worst products ever! They don't remove any hair and they scratch up your skin! Waste of money!

and I got two gratis products this month one from Origins and another from Shu Uemura.

I had placed an order with Origins last month and for some reason they decided to send me another free cleanser. I had gotten the checks and balances cleanser but now I have the perfect world cleanser as well. I'm not going to complain about free products because its awesome! Not sure how much these generally retail for though.

the Shu Uemura 24k Gold Lash Curler was a limited edition product from Sephora last year and I was never able to get my hands on it. My friend actually decided to gift me her backup because she loved it so much and she knew I couldn't get it anymore. I think this retails for $24 USD before taxes and I haven't tried it yet. I must say though, its so damn pretty!

Naruko Haul

I've heard so much good things about this line of products from fuzkittie on youtube. Its a Taiwanese skincare line that tries to use as much natural ingredients as possible. Its gentle on the skin but effective. For the longest time it was only available online but I really didn't want to pay for international shipping, both expensive and unnecessary because it increases the price so much that the products are no longer affordable. When I discovered that a store opened in Southern California, I literally ran out the door. In my first purchase I picked up the Naruko Niaouli Tea Tree T-Zone Blackhead Remover and the balancing serum from the same line and I loved the results. In my second purchase I picked up the Naruko Magnolia brightening and firming serum and night gelly and again had incredible results. In my last trip I picked up the Naruko Narcissus BB cream, foundational serum, day lotion as well as the Naruko Job's tears whitening and cooling lotion which is a hydrating toner.

This is the packaging for all the products I picked up, I forgot to take pictures of the magnolia line packaging.

products alongside their packaging

entire display of products picked up from three trips

from left to right: Naruko Narcissus Total Defense BB Cream ($20), Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum ($23.50), Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Day Protector ($21), Naruko Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree Balancing Serum ($23.50), Narcissus Total Defense Foundational Serum ($23), Naruko Job's Tears Whitening and Cooling Healthy Lotion ($20), Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Gelly ($21), Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree T-Zone Black Head Remover ($17)

The Naruko Magnolia line is meant to brighten by decreasing the appearance of hyper-pigmentation and firm by increasing skin elasticity. The Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum retails for $23.50 USD before taxes and its in a class bottle with a pump. The Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Gelly retails for $21 USD before taxes and its in a jar form with a plastic spatula to spoon the exact amount of products you need and helps with keeping product sanitized.

Naruko Narcissus line is meant to brighten and product against environmental stressors. It is packed with good for your skin antioxidants. The Naruko Narcissus Total Defense BB Cream retails for $20 USD before taxes, hydrates while providing minimum coverage to the skin. Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Foundational Serum retails for $23 USD before taxes and its packed full of antioxidants to protect skin from environmental stressors, replenish hydration and decrease hyper-pigmentation. Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Moisturizing Day Protector retails for $21 USD before taxes and its a milky and light day moisturizer. Its suppose to decrease hyper-pigmentation and defend against environmental stressors during the day.

Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree line is their acne line meant to decrease and prevent pimples, blackheads and white heads. The Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree Blackhead Remover retails for $17 USD before taxes and is a mask that is used to get rid of blackheads. Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree Balancing Serum retails for $23.50 USD before taxes and its suppose to balance oily and dry areas for those with combination skin as well as prevent new pimples while treating existing pimples.

Lastly, the Naruko Job's Tears line is the hydration line that also has brightening properties. The Naruko Job's Tears Whitening and Cooling Healthy Lotion is a toner that retails for $20 USD before taxes. It hydrates, balances combination skin and reduces hyper-pigmentation.

I sincerely love all of these products but I can't do a review yet because I've only used it for about two weeks. I want to use it for at least a month or two before I give it a comprehensive review but it is looking really good so far. My skin responds really well to it, it loves this stuff and soaks it up.

I purchased all these products from a store called Beauty tips. The sales lady there is very knowledgeable. She really tries to recommend you products that match your skin concerns and needs and not try to sell you everything. I bought so much products because I wanted to, not because she pushed it on me. She speaks both Mandarin and English and the store is incredibly clean.

Beauty Tips
500 N. Atlantic Blvd. #177
Monterey Park, CA 91745
phone: (626) 872-1958

They accept credit card, returns are acceptable within 30 days if products are not opened. If opened then only exchanges are possible.

Makeup Tutorial: Smokey Spring Look Tutorial

~LIST OF PRODUCTS USED~

Face:
Laneige Snow Crystal Dual Foundation #23 and corresponding concealer
The Balm Time Balm concealer for under eyes
MAC Blot Powder in medium
MAC Spaced Out blush

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX jumbo pencil in milk
MAC Fashion eyeshadow
MAC Fashion Groupie eyeshadow
MAC Phloof eyeshadow for highlight
Stila eyeshadow in kawaii from trendsetting in tokyo palette
Stila eyeshadow in inspiring from empowered in pink palette
MAC blacktrack fluidline
Buxom lash mascara in black for upper and lower lashes
false eyelashes from ebay

Lips:
Revlon smooth nude lipstick
Revlon nude lustre lip gloss

hope you all enjoy the look!!!