Eyebrow Products for Dark Hair + Swatches

Hi!

So it's been quite some time! I just thought I'd pop back on here to show some of my favorite brow products because who hasn't been all about the brows lately?

To start, my current favorite is the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. It's a twist-up pencil attached with a handy spoolie, and it is so easy to use in my opinion. I think it's great for a quick application that looks pretty natural for those who lack some eye brow hairs.

Next, is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. I love this product for a bold brow look. It takes some getting used to because applying this with a heavy hand can make you look like you stamped your brows on.  This is awesome to fill in missing hairs or to just create a new shape.  I recommend using this pomade with a super thin brow brush. 

And lastly is the product that I've owned for the longest time: NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder. I would recommend this to those who are just starting to use makeup because it's forgiving (in comparison to the ABH Dipbrow). It's also great because it comes with two shades; so you can mix the colors if you wish.

Below is a picture with swatches of the shades that I use.  If you've got dark hair (I currently have black hair), then these may suit you!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown
NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe 
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Taupe/Ash

A Tuesday Tip: How to Keep Lashes Curled

Hello!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I just wanted to quickly share some tips for those who struggle with keeping their lashes curled, defined, and lifted. Being of Asian decent, I have straight, black lashes that almost point downwards towards my cheekbones.  So, after many trials and errors I have gathered some info for you guys :) 

First off, you'll need a good eyelash curler.  No eye shape is exactly the same, so you'll probably have to shop around to find a company which offers an eyelash curler which caters to your eye shape.  I have rather large, round almond shaped eyes (they're more round than almond, though) and I find that Revlon is the best for me (I use any curler of theirs that has a spring).  Once you've found an eyelash curler which works for you, practice curling your lashes. And take your time. I literally spend more time curling my lashes than any other makeup step. Practice starting from the roots to the tips. If you want to flare out your lashes more, don't curl the very tip of your lashes. Personally, after I've curled up & down, I like to lightly push my eyelash curler to the very, very base of my lashes and curl there. And don't forget to turn your face slightly to see how your lashes look from an angle.

Next, search for a mascara! I'm a big fan of drugstore mascaras (specifically Maybelline or L'Oreal products). It's a rule of thumb that you shouldn't use a mascara for more than a couple of months (to prevent any unwanted infections), so why shell out major bucks at a pricier place? Now, this is probably the most important tip for keeping your lashes curled: Use A Waterproof Mascara. Something about a waterproof formula is great for preventing lashes from drooping and straightening. 

Lastly, if you've just tried out a brand new mascara and decide that you don't like it, wait a little bit. Give the mascara a chance to dry out a bit so the wand can apply the mascara formula to your lashes with a little bit of resistance (you can try it out again within the same week or wave the wand). The added tackiness can help build up the product too. Now, this does not mean that you should wait for the mascara to actually dry out. 

So, yeah! I hope that these three tips can help any of you which strive to keep straight lashes curved, flaired, and pretty! 

Feel free to share any of your own tips below :)

:) AL 

The 2013 Roundup

Hello!


Woohoo!!! 2014 has arrived! I cannot believe that a whole year has already gone by! I'd say that I've tried out a fair amount of products this passed year, so here are some beauty items that have become a staple in my makeup bag in the year 2013.

1) NYX Full Coverage Concealer in a Jar

Heavy duty, light, and easy to blend, this concealer is great for covering up unwanted pigmentation.  I especially love the Green Concealer for correcting any redness before applying skin-toned concealer. This is great if you're in a pinch.

You can buy it here**

2) Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Eyeliner

I'm going to be honest here, I recently just started using this eyeliner mere weeks ago- but it's quickly become a must-have for me! It's insanely smooth when applying, but stays put for hours long. The only black shade (to my knowledge) has slight gold glitter to it, but it's not too noticeable. If you're not a fan of glitter, this may not be for you.

You can buy it here**

3) Cover FX Cream Concealer

You'll love this if you've got acne marks to cover up. I use this over medium coverage foundation, or sheered out full coverage foundation, for a more natural appearance.

You can buy it here**

4) L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup

Also a new-ish addition to my makeup bag, this foundation has trumped all other foundations I've used this year. I'd consider this as medium-to-full coverage with about 6-8 hours of wear (without touching up). The main reason why I really love this foundation is that it controls oil very well, in my opinion, without having a super matte appearance.

You can buy it here**

5) Neutrogena SkinClearing Mineral Powder

Formulated with Salicylic Acid, this powder is made to clear up skin. I can't recommend this with full honesty to be used as a powder foundation because I use this as a bronzer. Haha, gotcha there! I use Tan (80) to warm up my nc25-ish complexion for a natural, day look.

You can buy it here**

6) Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

If you're looking for an affordable setting powder, this it it. Admittedly, the packaging kind of sucks but don't be deterred (or, you know, drop it). It's matte, affordable, and widely available. Try it out!

You can buy it here**

7) Physician Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Powder

This pressed powder is a godsend for bronzing lovers. A little on the pricier side for a drugstore item, it's still awesome if you want to define and contour. A slight con is that it's not entirely matte.

You can buy it here**

8) Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer

The third and last concealer on the list! I've been using this stick concealer since January of 2013 and it's still going ham (sorry, I'm still recovering from celebrating the new year)! Apply with a fluffy eyeshadow blending brush for seamless coverage or straight from the stick and blend with fingers if you're in a time crunch.

You can buy it here**

9) L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions

Dare I say that I have found my Holy Grail mascara? I've repurchased this mascara continuously since I first found out about it. It helps lengthen my lashes and you can really build it up for volume. It's just a very nice, versatile, and well rounded mascara in my opinion. ps: I wear darkest black in waterproof.

You can buy it here**

So, hopefully this rundown of products will point you in the direction of your next makeup fave!

What were your makeup product highlights of 2013?

:)
AL

Crazy Cozy Mess

Crazy Cozy Mess by tinypony featuring black booties

Top
storenvy.com

Unreal Fur long faux fur vest
my-wardrobe.com

Levi s vintage jacket
etsy.com

Dorothy Perkins black jegging
dorothyperkins.com

Giuseppe Zanotti high heel ankle booties
saksfifthavenue.com

Acne Studios black booties
$620 - youheshe.com

Dune wrap boots
asos.com

Steve Madden ankle booties
swell.com

Aéropostale ankle booties
aeropostale.com

Mulberry structured leather handbag
mulberry.com

Diane Von Furstenberg suede fringe purse
saksfifthavenue.com

Citrine By The Stones gold plated earrings
pinkmascara.com

Love Moschino locket bracelet
$120 - allsole.com

Balmain red handkerchief
stylebop.com

Kathy Jeanne hat
lordandtaylor.com

Tarnish hat
nordstrom.com

Vintage style glasses
shopzerouv.com

Topshop nail care
$8.06 - topshop.com

A Rediscovered + Discovered Love: American Apparel Nail Lacquer and L'Oreal Telescopic

Hello!

Two items that I have been loving lately is American Apparel's Nail Lacquer in Mouse and L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara (wp).  

I don't know how I forgot about how much I adore American Apparel's nail polishes, but their formula is insane. I've been wearing Mouse on my nails without a base or top coat (rebel, rebel) for about five days now and the polish has yet to chip! I also love that you don't have to wait ages for this nail polish to dry. I am horrible at sitting still, so it's expected that my nails look wonky immediately after application. With AA's nail polish you can just swipe on a few coats, wait a little bit, and go! The brush is also a comfortable size in my opinion- not too wide, not too thin. Also, this bottle of nail polish is a testament that nail lacquers have a pretty long lifespan. I bought this bottle (along with the shade Berry) about three/four years ago and just have been passing over it. I found it in the back of my nail polish drawer and the polish had some red tint to it, but I just shook it up and it was good to go! 

The other item I've been loving is the L'Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara (water proof formula). I've considered Maybelline Falsies (wp) to be my HG, but this is giving it a run for its money. I originally bought this to use in conjunction with Falsies (to add more length), but I've just been using Telescopic by itself. Obviously, if you apply a minimal amount you will get length and some volume, but I pile this stuff on to get super length and volume. In addition, the wand is great to reach persnickety inner and outer lashes. 

What have you been loving lately? 

:) AL

Fall Hairspiration

Hello!

Now that Fall has officially rolled in, I thought I'd share some Hair Inspiration I've coveted in my Inspiration File. One of the reasons why I love Fall so much is because you can let your hair down and just bask in its warmth. Hair can be cute and functional! Ran out the door and forgot your scarf? No problemo, just let your hair tumble down- et voila, you're warmed up!  How weird/awesome does that sound? 

Anyway, my all-time favorite hair trends for the Fall season includes soft, relaxed waves and messy up-dos. Below is a trio of my most beloved hair inspiration pics I've stumbled upon in the past few years. To the left is, of course, one of America's beloved Olsen twins. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen can do no wrong in my eyes (sorry, I grew up watching their movies & supporting their empire). And to the right, two beautifully ribbon-wrapped ponytails that just scream whimsical to me. There are so many ways to style a ponytail, but something about an effortless, medium-low ponytail entwined with a soft ribbon just makes me think Fall. The top hairstyle is displayed with a neutral brown silk ribbon and the bottom hairstyle is displayed with a velvet ribbon. These two ponytails show how much texture and color can play a part in styling hair. The ribbon in the top photo is a shade very similar to the model's hair color and the texture is smooth- showing a more ethereal style. The bottom ribbon, a velvet material, holds more weight and the color contrasts with the girl's hair beautifully- demonstrating a more out-of-the-box and edgy, but still simple, way to style hair. 

What are your favorite Fall hairstyles? Comment below!

xo AL 

*Disclaimer: Photos do not belong to me. 

A Review: GOOD & CLEAN Pore Purifying Mini Peel

Hello!

I've always been some sort of acne product hoarder and stick to what I know (salicylic acid, benzoyle peroxide, etc.), but I've recently been into Alba Botanica (because they're cruelty free and contain natural ingredients) & decided to give this peel a go. And I'm glad I stepped out of my skin comfort zone because holy cow- I love this product. I always thought that skin care products driven by fruit/vegetables extracts were some sort of hippy dippy gimmick, and could never work as well as hard core chemicals that have been created by scientists- but I was wrong.

Fortified with 6% Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), this peel is able to remove dead skin cells and relieve pores of toxins- enabling more breathe-ability. I've never used a chemical peel before because I thought that peels would essentially work exactly like facial scrubs & exfoliators. I have to say that I'm Team Peel now because my skin has never felt so soft and cleansed. I've used Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub  for years and thought its micro beads were able slough away all of my skin's impurities well enough, but after using Alba's Mini Peel, I'm convinced that AHAs are better suit for digging deep into pores and cleansing. This isn't to say that I'll stop using scrubs, because I do enjoy the feeling of exfoliating, it's just that I'm more open to the world of AHAs now. 

I apply this gel a few times a week for at least two minutes. It does make my skin tingle a little bit, the scent isn't overwhelming, and it is kind of on the pricier side for a drugstore product. Anyway, I'll be repurchasing this peel in the future, and recommend it to those who are looking for a gentle skin care product to clear out pores and soften skin. 

Hope this helps :)

*Disclaimer: Photo does not belong to me.
 Photo Credit: © 2012 The Hain Celestial Group, Inc

A Review: L'Oreal EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray

Hello!

You can buy it here:
L'Oreal EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray

I've recently had to deal with frizzy, brittle, and damaged hair due to dying my hair in June (you can read about it here). I've colored my hair multiple times in the past, but this time around my hair has just not been cooperating. In attempt to "return" my hair back to its natural texture, which is smooth and tangle-free, I have been trying out  L'Oreal's EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System™ Nourishing Leave-In Spray.

 And I have come to conclusion that I love it! 

It mainly interested me because it is a vegan product and doesn't have heavy waxes. In addition to the fact that I have not used a L'Oreal product since I was a child (I loved their fish-shaped packaging). The L'Oreal website states that:

"...Infused with Omega-3 and 6, this lightweight conditioning treatment nourishes hair and restores hydration. Hair is instantly detangled, smoothed and healthy-looking—without any weighdown."

I can attest that this leave-in-conditioner does leave hair "detangled, smooth, and healthy-looking", but most importantly it makes my hair feel healthy. It is recommended that the spray is used with the EverCrème Shampoo and Conditioner, but I believe that the product does a fantastic job on its own. I finger-comb the conditioner when my hair's damp to wet, starting at ear-level and ending at my roots, and allow my hair to air dry overnight. I then wake up to smooth, light-weight, frizz-free hair in the morning! One downfall is that this product isn't great to use on dry hair because it can have the opposite effect it has on wet hair: dry and a little heavy. 

All in all, I definitely recommend this leave-in-conditioner to anyone looking for something to tame damaged hair. 

:) AL 

* Disclaimer: Photo does not belong to me.
   Photo Credit: 2013 L'Oreal Paris