OOTD, 4.30.2012

Sorry guys, soo busy with all of my essay writing for my final semester of undergrad. I will do April YT MUA of the Month soon but right now I will just post a quick OOTD for ya'll.

Top: Speechless, $16

Tank top: Forever 21, $5

Skinny black jeans: Forever 21, $10.50

Gladiator shoes: Me Too, $80 (got for $40)

Music/videos I'm liking right now...

1. "Hugger" by Wong Fu Productions

2. "Determinate" by Lemonade Mouth

3. "How Girls Watch TV" by Jenna Marbles

4. "What Girls do in the Bathroom in the Morning" by JennaMarbles

5. "How to Get Ready for a Date" by Jenna Marbles

6. "What Boys Do in the Car" by Jenna Marbles

7. "Things Girls Don't Understand About Boys" by Jenna Marbles

8. "Things Boys Don't Understand" by Jenna Marbles 

9. "Message from Your Heart" by Kina Grannis

\

10. "In Your Arms" by Kina Grannis 

Have a great day everyone! <3

Source: www.youtube.com

The Sunscreen Project, Part 6

The sixth sunscreen I have tried during my quest to find an optimal sunscreen is the Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer in SPF 15. One can find this moisturizer in just about any drugstore, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Target, whatever. It costs about $12 for a 4 oz bottle.

I originally got this from my bf. I made a skin routine for him to try, a simple one that involved three Cetaphil products (Facial skin cleanser, facial moisturizer without SPF, and this moisturizer with SPF). Very simple, yes. I have already tried the other two products but had not tried this one; I recommended it to him because of the rave reviews on it and because of its very affordable price, at least compared to other SPF moisturizers.

The Cetaphil website claims that the moisturizer is "lightweight, fragrance-free and suitable for use under makeup or after shaving". It also claims that it "gives you moderate protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for premature lines and wrinkles".

The ingredients list states:


Active ingredients: avobenzone 3%, octocrylene 10%


Inactive Ingredients: water, diisopropyl adipate, cyclomethicone, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, polymethyl methacrylate, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, tocopheryl acetate, carbomer 940, disodium EDTA, triethanolamine.


My bf was the first to actually try this. At first, he did not like it at all, stating that it was too oily and greasy. Thus, I asked to try it because I really wanted to see it, especially when it got such rave reviews but yet got such a negative review from a person close to me.

The result? Voila.

I've got to say the first time I tried it, I was a bit apprehensive because of what my bf said it did to his skin. However, tell you the truth, it was actually pretty good. The Cetaphil product was very easy to apply, very easy to smooth onto the skin, and absorbed quite quickly compared to the other ones I've tried. It did not feel greasy on my skin and felt as if I was putting on a very light nighttime moistuizer. It made my skin feel really smooth and light. It was a tiny bit more greasy than the Pur~lisse Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, but still relatively, it was really good. I was able to apply makeup over it pretty well.

I really like the fact that it DOES provide UVA and UVB protection, as seen on the active ingredients list. However, the one thing I slightly dislike about it is that its SPF is only SPF15, and not something higher. However, I recommended it to my bf during the winter, during which the sun was not as vicious, and so it was all right during then. However, it does definitely provide moderate coverage, which is a good happy medium, seeing that it is not greasy at all and yet also does a good job of covering UVA and UVB rays.

It did not make me break out my skin at all.

Once I told my bf this, he decided to try it again. By this time, I had made him try out a few other SPF moisturizers. He actually liked it, especially now that he had gotten used to wearing them in general. I think another major factor is that his skin type is oily/acne-prone, whereas mine is combination/acne-prone, so it makes slightly different effects on our different skin types.

Pros? Not greasy, not oily, good UVA/UVB protection, affordable price.
Cons? SPF 15 only (not extremely high, a moderate amount of protection)

Would I actually purchase this? Probably yes. But I still have a few more sunscreens to review, so let's look at those before deciding.

Source: 1


Past posts:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Vanicream SPF 30
Part 3: Solbar Avo SPF 32
Part 4: Pur~lisse Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Part 5: Coppertone Sport SPF 30

Daily makeup products used

Here are the products that I use on a daily basis for my own makeup application. I'm not going to put on any tutorials because I'm not a skilled makeup artist, I'm still working on my technique, and I don't want to be a hypocrite and say that I know how to do makeup perfectly when I don't.

Face:

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer, SPF 15 ($11)

ELF Complexion Perfection powder, $3

Eyes:

Murad Eye Lift Perfector, $35 (I got mine from MyGlam)

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer, Cream, Light 4-5 (discontinued but you can get on Ebay or Amazon for ~$6)

Eyes:

DIY eyelid primer (1:1 body butter:concealer)

For eyeshadow:

Bronzer and brow powder shades on ELF 27-piece makeup palette ($15)

Prestige Perfectly Matte translucent powder in Honey (from UK, ~$7)

Covergirl 1-shade Eye Enhancers in Pink Chiffon, $3.50

Eyeliner:

Urban Decay Eyeliners in Radium, Ransom, Junkie (in 5-piece travel set, $34)

(below: are the green, blue, and purple ones)

Also, for waterline, Urban Decay Baked Eyeliner (now discontinued, was $18, but I got it on sale on Hautelook for ~$5):

Brow powder: Same brow powder from ELF 27-piece palette

Curl my eyelashes w/ ELF's Mechanical Eyelash Curler, $1

Mascara: Maybelline the Colossal Volume Express, Classic Black, Waterproof, ~$7

So there you go. In total? For full prices, around $140. For the price I got for these, ~$60. That's about 60% in savings. Pretty cool huh?

<3

Sources: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11

40 Beauty Questions Tag

SKINCARE -


How many times do you wash your face daily?
Three times for sure. Once in the morning, and 2x in the shower at night.


What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) 
combination sensitive


What is your current facial wash?
1) Clean & Clear Morning Burst
2) Origins Checks & Balances
3) Clean & Clear Finishes Even Tone Cleanser


Do you exfoliate? 
Yes, most definitely, but I don't do it everyday. Right now I use Clean & Clear's Blackhead Eraser scrub, as well as my DIY aspirin toner.


What brand do you use?
Clean & Clear (+ DIY generic)


What moisturizer do you use?
1) Origins A Perfect World
2) Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
3) Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer, SPF 15


Do you have freckles? 
Yup, on my cheeks. I don't like them at all.


Do you use eye cream? 
Yup, every night. I use the one from Yes to Carrots.


Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes, although it's a lot better than it used to be. I get a few pimples every once in awhile.


Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? 
Nope. And hopefully don't intend/need to.


MAKE-UP


What foundation do you use? 
None


How about concealer? 
Maybelline's Dream Mousse Concealer, in Cream Light 4-5 (discontinued, but you can still get on Amazon and Ebay)


Do you know your undertone color?
I am NC30, or one or two shades lighter during the winter. I have yellow undertones and have warm skin. Very similar to a lot of the East Asian YT gurus (e.g. Xteener, Cydangie, Jackie Chu, etc)


What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I don't like them. I'm actually kind of afraid of them... I want to use makeup to enhance my natural look and nothing else. Unless if it's an art project.


Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months? 
Yes. I change it and throw it out regularly.


What brand of mascara do you use?
Currently: Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Waterproof in Classic Black


Sephora or MAC? 
Sephora fo sho


Do you have a MAC Pro-card? 
Nope. I've actually never bought a MAC product before.


What makeup tools do you use in make up application? 
Brushes, Q-tips for removal, eyelash curler


Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? 
Always. I like using either my DIY primer, or Too Faced Shadow Insurance


For the face? 
Nope. I don't even put on face makeup (no foundation, bronzer, blush, etc) I do use a concealer for my undereye circles, but I don't think that really counts.


What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I really like all of the brown to beige neutrals. They're very versatile and natural.


Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? 
Pencil. I'm not very good at using liquid eyeliner, and haven't found one that I like yet.


How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? 
Rarely.


What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? 
They're all right, but they're kind of messy to work with.


Do you use mineral makeup? 
Nope. I don't like the use of the words "natural" versus "artificial" in the first place - after all, everything is made from chemicals! Thus, I just use stuff that gets good reviews, and also look at things that I'm not sensitive to.


What is your favorite lipstick?
I really like Maybelline's ColorSensational lipsticks. The nude ones, or the light frosted ones.


How about lipgloss? 
Estee Lauder's High Gloss, Clinique's Lip Glosses, ELF Hypershine Glosses. I also like using Carmex as a lip balm.


What is your favorite blush to use? 
Once again, I don't really use any blush.


Do you buy your makeup on ebay? 
Nope.


Do you like drugstore makeup? 
Definitely. Especially since it's affordable.


Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) 
whuuuttt??


Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? 
Maybe, actually, so that I actually understand the science behind it. But YT has taught me a lot.


Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Sometimes, if I am extremely tired.


Name a makeup crime that you hate? 
Overplucked eyebrows.


Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? 
Neutrals. After all, those are the ones that are of most use to me.


Which celebrity always has great make up?
Natalie Portman, Vanessa Hudgens


If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use? 
Mascara, eyeliner, or concealer.


Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Yes.


Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? 
I think I look decent, but I think I look more professional with it. People have mistaken me for much younger without it (one time one of my brother's friends said that I looked like his fraternal twin, but he's actually almost a decade younger than I am!)


In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Drugstore: Maybelline
High-end: Clinique


What do you think of Makeup?? 
It is a beautiful form of art, a type of painting art, where the canvas is the face and the portrait is the limit of your imagination.

The Sunscreen Project, Part 5

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen SPF 30, Ultra Sweatproof/Waterproof ($9 for 8 fl oz, drugstore.com)

This sunscreen is the fifth sunscreen I have tried during my series of sunscreen testings. As I have written in previous posts, I am currently looking for a good sunscreen to stick to, and so my dermatologist gave me a bunch to test. This one is not one of the ones she gave me, but I still got it because Target was trying to clear out its stock. I bought a 1 oz tube for 48 cents! How cool is that?

This is the actual stick:

This packaging states that it is SPF 30, and is "sweatproof". Now, according to the FDA's new regulations for sunscreens, after this summer, no sunscreens can be labeled as "sweatproof" or "waterproof" anymore, so I think that Target (as well as other stores) are trying to get rid of their old stocks of sunscreen so that they can make room for the new ones.

The packaging states that the sunscreen is "Oil free; hypoallergenic; waterproof; PABA-free".  However, no sunscreen is allowed to be called waterproof, as eventually they will wear off through sweating and exercise, as well as breakdown of the ingredients. The packaging also states that it provides "broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection" and that it "won't burn your eyes/sting".

The ingredients for this product are:

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (10%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (2%), Oxybenzone (4%). Inactive Ingredients: Alcohol Denat. (75.3% V/V), Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Stearoxytrimethylsilane, Glycerin, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Fragrance, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.


I personally like these active ingredients because avobenzone is present, and also present in the highest percentage allowed by US regulations. As I have stated in previous reviews. avobenzone is the only ingredient that explicitly covers the entire spectrum of UVA rays. I'm also very happy that there are very high concentrations of homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone, which help cover UVB rays as well.

When I put it on, however, I don't know if I could truly say it was very comfortable. Like many other sunscreens, it was a white liquidish-substance that was spread onto the skin. It definitely did not smell that strong and was not that stick as was earlier sunscreens I had tried, like the Vanicream SPF 30. However, it was still a bit greasy, more greasy than the Solbar Avo SPF 32. I actually put it all over my body with two layers because I was going outside for a long time. The two layers took pretty long to dry (~30 min) but I think it would take a much shorter time period (~15 min) for one layer.

I think this sunscreen worked pretty well. I was in the sun for ~5 hours, and in the middle I only reapplied 2X afterwards. I did not get sunburned, or even tanned, and normally I tan pretty easily.

Afterwards, when I was washing it off in the shower, it did take awhile to peel off. I had to use my fingernails to scrape it off, as well as my DIY asprin toner for heavy exfoliation. However, it was not as bad as the Vanicream, and also I think it took a long time to scrape off because I had all of those layers on.

Pros: Good UVA/UVB protection, good price, pretty long-lasting, effective protection
Cons: Slightly oily/greasy, takes awhile to remove if many layers are applied

Overall, what do I think of it? I think this is pretty effective, especially if you are going to be outside a lot. However, I would rather go for something less greasy.

Source: 1 / 2

Past posts:
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Vanicream SPF 30
Part 3: Solbar Avo SPF 32
Part 4: Pur~lisse Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

Today's the day!

Today is my Thesis Defense day for my Honors Senior Thesis, so that I can get my Bachelor of Science in Biology. I am presenting a poster this afternoon and will be judged by several judges. Yay!!!!!!!

Wish me luck everyone ^_^

Source: 1

Makeup Tips & Tricks!

These are some things I've gleaned in my time around the web:

1. Looking for a neutral light brown eyeshadow shade? Use a bronzer! Cheap and effective.

2. Not wanting to buy eyelid primer? Don't have the $20 to shell out for Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance? Make your own with 1:1 ratio of concealer and body butter. Works just as effectively and lasts just as long.

3. You don't have to use a foundation brush to apply foundation! Just use your fingers. It often gives a dewey look that may be desirable.

4. If your eyeliner is not permanent or if your pencil eyeliner tends to smear, lay it over with some powder eyeshadow in a similar shade. This will make it more permanent.

5. Not wanting to shell out lots of $$ for makeup remover? Make your own with 1:1 ratio of olive oil and witch hazel. The olive oil will get rid of your nonpolar makeup, the witch hazel the polar makeup. Cheap and effective.

6. Wash your makeup brushes in shampoo. Remember, makeup brushes are just hair, and what do you use to wash your hair? Shampoo!

7. Always keep your makeup in a dark, cool, dry place. This will extend its shelf life and make it less susceptible to having chemical reactions to sunlight.

8. Always use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before applying makeup.

9. If you get an eye infection or cyst, throw out all of your eye makeup after it clears up. You don't want to get infected again!

10. Use a moisturizing lip balm at night. Your lips will feel phenomenal the next day.

So here ya'll go. Hope these help!

Source: Places around the web, my own knowledge of science and experience

Products I'm trying to use up + Products I've used up this year (pictures only)

Products I've used up:

  

  
  

 

 

 

 

Products I'm trying to use up:

 

(The third one; I'm done with the top two)

 

 

  

Source: 1