Tiangqi

Back in October, I took a  basic makeup class that was offered by the Estee Lauder counter at a mall close by my house. It was free so I was like, “Why not? I might learn a thing or two.” When I got there on Saturday morning, I was the youngest person there. In the room there were about nine other people who were 50+ years. And then there was me in the corner of the room..a 19 year-old asian. haha Anyway, they told us about how important it is to prep the face with three basic steps before applying any makeup. At the start of the course, I was just tempted to yawn out of boredom since I already knew of the three steps before makeup: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Most the elderly ladies there were not familiar with this daily routine of prepping the face. I was pretty surprised. I thought it was obvious, but I guess not. Anyway, it was during this lesson that I got re-introduced to their amazing moisturizer, DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15. I was first introduced to this when I was around 15-16 years of age while I was going through my mother’s stash of makeup goodies. Okay so enough of this haha sorry. On to the actual review of the moisturizer…

So what is this DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme?

Prevent with Super Anti-Oxidant Complex

• The all-day Super Anti-Oxidant Complex is so powerful, no anti-oxidant we’ve researched comes close.*
• This proprietary complex of skin-essential anti-oxidants-including Vitamins C and E, Eukarion and EGT-is proven to fight free radical damage that can lead to visible aging.
• Helps neutralize every key type of skin-damaging free radical-before the damage is done to your appearance.
• Innovative technology allows the Super Anti-Oxidant Complex to be “recycled” all day long, providing continuous anti-oxidant protection long after it would normally be used up.

Protect with Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

• DayWear helps safeguard skin with advanced broad-spectrum sunscreen and our best UVA defense.
• Meets the most advanced standards around the world for UVA protection.
• By helping defend against damaging UV rays, it helps protect skin to keep it looking younger, longer.

Diminish the First Signs of Aging

• Works to diminish the appearance of the first signs of aging-the dullness, discolorations and lines you’re starting to see.
• Helps bring out the even-toned radiance of healthy, youthful skin.

Enjoy Lasting, Refreshing Moisture

• Since dryness can also cause skin to look older faster, DayWear refreshes your skin with deep, long-lasting hydration. – esteelauder.com

I bought a jar after the course, and I still have about half of the product left. I use it about 6 days a week, and I absolutely love everything about it! On the packaging it says that this is supposed to reduce fine lines/wrinkles or even prevent wrinkles. I don’t have wrinkles (at least not yet :/) so I can’t say if this creme reduces wrinkles, but I do know for sure that it does an excellent job of hydrating the skin. If there was such a thing as a cream that absolutely prevents wrinkles, it would become my HG for sure. Ahh the joy of aging.. 

Pros:

• hydrates skin very well
• gotta love the SPF
• has a light cucumber fragrance that smells refreshing with every application
• cute packaging
• no skin reaction for me

Cons:

• price is a bit high (I’m guessing Estee Lauder doesn’t offer discounts for college students, huh? lol)

As you can tell, the pros outweigh the cons ftw…

Likey or no likey?

This product has my recommendation stamped on it! 

This is one of my HG hair products!! I totally love this product! I even bought two bottles as my backup! Call me obsessed haha.

So straight to the review…

What is this product that tiangchi is raving about?

Basics: La Básico: Smoothes and controls hair.Benefits: Los Beneficios: Helps hair dry faster, fights frizz and delivers incredible memory.Bonus: La Ventaja: Leaves even the most rebellious locks shiny and manageable.- paulmitchell.com

Pros:

• keeps frizzy hair under control
• light, almost candy like fragrance (*I love putting this on every morning!)
• doesn’t weigh down the hair
• cuts down on hair-drying time
• doesn’t leave the hair greasy after application

Cons:

• price

Dispense 1-2 pumps into the palm of your hand and evenly distribute the serum from the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair to achieve that frizzy-free and awesome style!

Likey or no likey?

This product has a hugemongous “Tiangqi’s HG for life” stamp of approval on it!!

I’ve been in love with MAC Cosmetics since I was 16 years old. Ever since I started using Fluidline in Blacktrack, I was hooked to MAC. But I’ll give a review about Fluidline later on. So on to MAC paintpot…

So what is a paintpot?

A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners. -maccosmetics.com

Paintpot can be used as an eyeshadow base, meaning that it makes the eyeshadow color more vibrant and helps the color to stay on longer throughout the day. Some people say that putting an eyeshadow primer like Too Faced Eyeshadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer or UDPP before putting on a thin layer of paintpot would keep the eyeshadow “glued” on the eyelids. I’ve tried that method several times, and the eye primer that I used (E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer) helped the MAC eyeshadow primer to stay on for much longer and still stayed on despite my oily eyelids. You can even use the MAC paintpot alone as an eyeshadow! MAC has a bunch of colors: barestudy, blackground, constructivist, groundwork, indianwood, painterly, quite natural, rubensque, and soft ochre. These are the permanent editions of paintpots. I am still waiting for a purple-colored paintpot to come back to the counter since Artifact has been discontinued. 

Pros:

• keeps eyeshadow colors vibrant
• can be used alone has an eyeshadow or just as an eye primer
• smooth and creamy finish
• stays on for at least 8 hours
• a jar will last you for about a couple of years (if used daily)
• no skin reaction for me
• comes off easily with eye makeup remover

Cons:

• comes in a glass jar so not practical for travel
• product can dry up if the lid is not tightly sealed
• a bit unsanitary to take out product with finger unless a brush is used for application
• lack of color variety

I have had the Rubenesque paintpot for at least a year, and I still have three-fourths of the product left.  It really does last you a long time.

Likey or no likey?

This product has my recommendation stamped on it! 

OMG mega craziness goin on yesterday at South Coast Plaza! My friend and I went shopping at South Coast and got so much stuff at BBW. I usually don’t waltz in that store when I’m visiting the mall, but yesterday was an exception. Coupons are always amazing and attract potential customers. Aww I wished that MAC cosmetics had a mega sale or VIP sale or something. That would just be plain awesome. Okay, but anyway, getting back on BBW. There was a big deal yesterday that if you get a fragrance bottle, you get two free body lotions, but if you get two fragrance bottles, you would get another fragrance bottle for free. The bottle that I got was Twilight Woods. I can’t tell you enough how much I love this scent! This is what it says on the back of the packaging box, “..blended nectar, mimiosa petals, and Tuscan cypress to create this hypnotic fragrance inspired by a romantic walk in enchanted woods.” The packaging has a good choice of colors and really elicits a ‘romantic and sexy’ theme.

image from BBW.com

Along with this bottle, I got two body lotions, Sweet Pea and (surprise!) Twilight Woods.  My friend is totally crazy about Sweet Pea and even has a fragrance clip for her car with this scent. I have yet to stick this piece of heaven in my car. Not only that, my friend had this coupon that with a $10 purchase, you can get any product for free of a lesser value of $13 (which is not bad. at. all). So I got the Aromatherapy Stress Relief Body lotion in Eucalyptus Spearmint. Another nugget of heaven. The aroma is absolutely delightful and seems to melt the stresses away. Too bad that I didn’t get the body mist with the same scent. Or the pillow mist. Or the flowerplug. Or even the shower gel. To sum it up, eucalyptus spearmint smells great. It would be great to just spray this stress-be-gone! scent in my room during midterms and finals week. lol