Review: Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

There's a lot of hype going on for some time about Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate.  Finally, I got a little curious because so many people were raving about how great this product is, and how much better their skin became simply by using this product.  So fortunately, with my next Lancome purchase I received a free sample of the Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate.

First off, I just want to let you know that I have normal to combination skin & I have minor breakouts sometimes but not a lot.  

USE/RESULTS: I applied a thin layer of this product on my face for one night, and for the next few days my skin began growing tiny cysts.  This immediately alarmed me, because I do not want anymore acne.  I also noticed the texture of my skin becoming not so toned anymore -  it was a combination of a weird chalky two toned look with addition to some shine that I didn't like.  I stopped using this product right away, and my skin began to go back to normal again.
I am glad this was just a sample, and I didn't have to pay and later not know what to do with the product. So obviously I don't plan on adding this product to my regimen.  Unfortunately, this was a miss for me, but  I'm sure this product works on certain people, and like with all proudcts..it's trial and error.

Shoes...Shoes..Shoes...

So I bought a pair of heels today for an awesome price of 14 dollars. I was so in love with them that I didn't even bother to walk in them when I tried it on.  Now that I'm home and happily trying them on again.....they are too big on me!! I'm soo bummed!! I'm normally a size 7, and they are a size 7.  I even tried it on in the store too.  Now why is it slipping out of my feet when I'm walking in them.....aHHHHH
Moral of the story - Do not make decisions with haste.  Now I need to go searching for some insoles and pray it works so I can fit into these super cute heels, because they were the last ones in stock and in that style and color. I can't imagine returning these. =/

UPDATE: I tried purchasing some heel support and gel insoles today, and sadly nothing is working.  What I must do now is return these shoes.  So Sad....

Michael Kors Runway Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week from PoPSugar

Loving the sleek, glamourous style from this sexy collection..

Will Exfoliation Really Help the Health of My Skin?

YES!

Skin exfoliation improves the quality and tone of the skin by assisting in the removal of dead skin cells from the surface.

The Human skin produces about one million skin cells/minute, which means over five billion skin cells/day!

As our skin cells renew, old surface cells harden and lose moisture, and eventually detach from the skin to allow the new skin cells to come through.  When this occurs - damaged, and contaminated cells that carry pollutant and micro organisms from the environment gets removed.

The dead skin cells don't always fall from the skin all the time (and this occurs more as we age), which leads to clogged pores and an uneven chalky look to the skin.
Info from Dermalogica

That's why EXFOLIATION is sooo important!!

I am really liking this scrub! It's been less than a month of use of this scrub and my skin is noticeably smoother and more toned.

Review: Kanebo - Petit Moi

Recently I've been loving this product from Kanebo:

Petit Moi - Paper Cheek: Orange

Inside is like a tissue dispenser

Basically this product works like a blotting paper (like the ones you get at Sephora to blot the oil off your skin). However, this paper also has powder with a subtle hint of shimmery tint. I believe this product comes in two different colors: orange & rose.  I have the orange tint.

USE: When using this product..instead of just blotting your skin, you're also adding a hint of blush on as well. So clever! Just be aware not to rub all over your face because you will look sun burnt (unless you're going for that look). I like to gently dab the product on horizontally across the bridge of my nose and cheeks for a skin-kissed glow. It's very cute!!

Swatch of the Petit Moi Paper Cheek: Orange.  As you can tell it has a orange/peach tint, it's hard to see the tiny shimmers...but it's there though!  

The only con I have about this product would be if you have dry skin, then it would not be ideal to use because it will not go on smoothly and will only enhance the dryness.

Review: Rimmel London Eye Shadows

Happy Valentine's Day My Dearest Friends.

p e a c e       l o v e       h a p p i n e s s 

Here are some Rimmel  London Eye shadows I picked up today because they were on sale for half off:

Top Left: Glam' Eyes - 450 Celestial Sapphire Middle: Colour Rush Quad Eye Shadow - 003 Smokey Purple Bottom: Glam' Eyes - 100 Glam Ice

Swatch of the Eye Quad Colour Rush in Smokey Purple

Swatch of the Glam Ice

Swatch of the Celestial Sapphire

Overall I thought the packaging of the eye shadows were pretty and chic looking.  The colors were beautiful, and the price made me want it even more. As for quality, I would give the shadows a 3/5 due to the lack of pigmentation of color when applying.

I liked the Glam Ice the most because the color came out the truest and most pigmented.  I didn't really like the eye quad, and I didn't hate it...it was fine...I just wished it was slightly more pigmented.
I'd say these eye shadows would be good for back-up make up when you want to disperse extra shadows around (at work, or in the purse.... or anywhere --like a pair of glasses).  If I had to, I don't think it would be a repurchase, unfortunately, as much as I like Rimmel. I prefer other drugstore brands when it comes to eye shadows.

GaGa for Lady GaGa

Anatomy of Change



Scary Beautiful Wicked Brilliant.....I'm GaGa for Lady GaGa
Are you ready for the new release - Born This Way?

CES 2011: Lady GaGa Unveils a Polaroid Photo Sunglasses, Printer and Camera

Love, LA

As I was driving around town today.  I started to realize...my goodness LA is having such great weather at this moment!! After having some months of rain and wind, it's now starting to feel like spring time already. The skies are blue and everything seems to be in full bloom.  It certainly was a gorgeous February day.

Traffic was calm and I was enjoying my drive. ^^

I love old buildings with interesting windows. 

I snapped this in front of a supermarket.  lol   Cherry blossoms in full bloom!!

So anyway...here are some drugstore products that I picked up

Top: St Ives Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead Control Middle: Revlon Colorburst Lipstick 070 Soft Nude Bottom: Cover Girl Professional Mascara in Clear

St Ives Apricot  Scrub 
I needed an exfoliater for quite some time now but just didn't know which product to purchase.  I didn't want to go high end for a face scrub with no nutrient; and besides the scrub is going to be washed away during the process.  I was looking for something natural, and at the same time effective.
Came across St Ives and so I  decided to give it a try.  It was quite inexpensive (about $4), and it had a pleasant apricot smell. What really caught my attention was that it is oil-free, with salicylic acid,  and  had 100% natural extracts.  It's not tested on animals and is formulated without parabens or phthlates.  I was like ok..let's give this a try.  That same night, I cleansed my face with my cleanser, and proceeded to try this product.  I added a dime size of exfoliant and began gently working in circular motions around my face for about 1 minute or less.  I plan on using this about twice a week or less, because  I don't want to over scrub. The direction, however, does say use 3-4 times/week - - I don't think I'm going to do that.  The face is far too gentle to be scrubbed that much, unless you have oily prone skin and/or sweat a lot.

So far, I'm pleased with the results.  Really like the fresh clean scent, and my face so far looks more translucent and less chalky.  I hope the results will stay positive.

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick
This was a fun purchase to try Revlon's Colorburst line.  The soft nude color goes great with dramatic eye make up.  I'm not sure if I like the color of the lipstick yet bc I haven't given it much of a try.  However, I do like the feel of the lipstick...it's fairly smooth without my lips feeling too dry.  For lipsticks, I do feel it's a trial & error process to find the perfect color for a perfect match with your complexion.

Cover Girl Professional Mascara
I used this particular product when I was in high school.  I feel that it's nothing special, just a light hold of mascara.  Got this clear color mascara to use on my eyebrows so it will stay in place.

~~Well this is it for now. Talk soon!

Dinner is Served...

Taiwanese Herbal Shabu Shabu with Lamb Chop.. Yummy!

Artist: Adele

I just recently purchased Adele 19 on a whim from Amazon.com for only $5.00, and I can't stop listening to her!! Her voice has so much depth, and each song has its own individuality.  Definitely worth giving her CD a listen.

Alright...now it's off to work.  Enjoy the rest of your day! =)

There's A Black Market For O.B. Tampons

I find this story rather interesting.  Article taken from CNNMONEY.COM

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Women nationwide are searching high and low for a special kind of tampon that has been missing from shelves since the fall.
In January, Johnson & Johnson said its mysteriously absent o.b. tampons had started being shipped to retailers, but that there could be a delay of weeks or days before they reached the stores.

The company also gave no explanation as to why the tampons -- which have a cult-like following thanks to their small profile and lack of an applicator -- were off the shelves in the first place.
And it's now February, and the tampons still haven't shown up.
"I've spent about 3 hours driving between 6 different stores today and yesterday, in heavy traffic, looking for OB tampons," one discouraged o.b. fan wrote in an online forum. "I couldn't find any at all, in any size!"
They are out of stock online at Walmart  and CVS  and don't show up in search results at Walgreens -- which now owns Duane Reade -- or Target.

0:00 /3:35More recalls for Johnson & Johnson

The one place o.b. tampons were spotted was Rite Aid's website. While it doesn't have the Super Plus absorbency in stock, the Super absorbency and Regular absorbency o.b. tampons are somehow available.  But Rite Aid  did not return calls for comment, so don't get your hopes up.

Because the product is so unique, the shortage has led to a black market. While a box of o.b. tampons costs $7.49 at Rite Aid, eBay users have posted starting bids of as much as $130 for four boxes, taking advantage of the limited supply.  Apparently that isn't too much to ask of some loyal fans, with one customer saying in an online forum that she recently bought a box on Amazon.com for $39.

Artist: Shanghai Restoration Project

Eastern sounds combined with Western influences.  The result - Shanghai Restoration Project.
Happy Chinese New Year.  Enjoy~