Maybelline XXL Volume Mascara Waterproof - Very Black

So I returned the L'Oreal Voluminous and bought the Maybelline XXL Volume intead, and I am so glad I did! Let's get right into my experience of using it. In order to achieve the volume, make sure you do a good job sweeping the microfiber basecoat all over, from base to tip.  If you look in the mirror and you are scared with the look, then you did it right.  For Halloween makeup, you can stop right there...LOL.  Then, you want to cover all of your white lashes with the black microfiber topcoat.  I usually do both eyes with the basecoat first then follow the topcoat.  However, according to Maybelline website, you should apply your topcoat immediately, before your basecoat dries out.  But it didn't seem to make a huge difference to me, so you have to experiment with it and settle with the method that works best for you.  Also, I applied multiple black topcoat to give a more dramatic look.  Again, it all depends on how much volume you are looking for.  


While I do like the basecoat because it seems to help my lashes to stay pointing up, it is also the disadvantage of this product.  It is a very laborious task, you have to make sure you cover each and every one of your white lash evenly, otherwise the lashes look weird with random white spots.


But overall, better results than the L'Oreal Voluminous and I'm satisfied with the mascara so it's a keeper for me.  I'll see if I can take some pictures of the steps, I'm not very good at taking pictures of myself zoom in, but I promise I will try.  :)

Have a Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday to my best friend, Yin Yin!!!!

• Volume  
• Pretty good, the more topcoat, the better.
• Microfiber basecoat
• Seems to help keep my lashes up. 
• Microfiber topcoat
• Good dark color but need to evenly cover up all white basecoat.
• Price 
• $8.99 at CVS 
• Waterproof 
• Yes
• Rating (out of 5)
• 

L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Waterproof - Black

I see all these great reviews online but I must be missing something because I don't understand what's so great about this mascara.  Any one of my Rimmel or Revlon Grow Luscious mascaras will blow this away, it's terrible.  In fact, it is so bad, I want to see if CVS will let me return it.

• Voluminous 
• Nope, it's so light, I have to reapply it like 3-4 times and still no volume.
• False Lashes
• I thought is supposed to give you that fake lash look which means show more longer lashes....again NO. 
• Price
  
• $9.49 at CVS, so not worth it for me. 
• Waterproof 
• Yes, the only good thing about this product!
• Rating (out of 5)
• 

Ming Ming took some beautiful pictures of Moby!

Intense Liquid-Like Eyeliners Face Off

Lately I see a lot more intense liquid-like or creamy eyeliner pencils, so I decided to do some comparisons. Below are the three brands I've tried and my ratings for each. I also included a color test and the underlined colors are the ones on my back of my hand.

• Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Eyeliner 
• Sapphire Strength, Midnight Master, Bold Brown, Coal Commander, Vibrant Violet, Made Of Steel
• Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen
• Black Blue, Black Cocoa, Black Noir, Black Tulip, Deep Plum, True Teal
• L'Oreal Extra Intense Eyeliner
• Black, Brown, Gray, Carbon Black

Smoothness

Intensity

Color Variety

Smugness

Price

**

**

***

**

****
$6.49

****

****

****

****

*
 $14

****

****

**

***

***
$7.29

*** Prices are from Target Online.

Conclusion: If you don't care about the color variety, then go with L'Oreal.  If you want to play with something other than the basic black or brown, then go with Pixi.  However, Pixi is not available everywhere, I've only seen them in Target store but of course, you get always get them online.

Both L'Oreal and Pixi have good pigmentation, it looks very much like liquid. However, I still use a true black liquid eyeliner to draw a thin line just at the base b/c I like very straight line.  $)

Tip: These creamy eyeliner pencils are great to create smokey eye, just draw the line from thin to thick and smudge it!  :)

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder

If you are like me and can't use or don't want to use foundation everyday, then this powder is the perfect alternative. It's translucent and it goes on very naturally. It's very light and it's a dry powder so works well on my oily skin, definitely doesn't cause breakout.


My regular routine is simply my Biore SPF30 lotion and follow with this powder all over my face and neck. Simple, fast and easy and it provides enough coverage for me already. I am brave enough to include a pic of myself, absolute no other makeup or concealer just this powder...not bad, right?


But if you have dark circles or blemish, then first cover them with a concealer and follow with this powder.  I'll share my choice of concealer in future post.


The best part, it's reasonably priced and it lasts forever, I'd say about a year and I use it everyday! I highly recommend MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder!!! Give this a try!

Rating (out of 5):  

Skyline Paintball

I went paintball yesterday at Skyline Paintball, we had lots of fun but only enough time for six games.  We have enough for a private game, there were nine of us.  Here are some photos, including an aftermath - a bruise on my face...LOL.  I believe everyone got his/her share of hits, and we all feel the pain today!

Thank you to Eva for taking pictures, I was having so much I didn't even remember to take any photos.  :D

Paintball pictures from Eva's Album

killing left over paintballs

group picture

:O

Biore Dual Fusion w/ SPF30

This is by far my favorite daytime lotion. I love that I'm protected against UVA/UVB and it's a moisturizer at the same time. And It's not sticky on my face which is good, b/c most SPF i've used in the past are very sticky. I also have sensitive and acne prone skin and this doesn't bother my troubled skin, another plus. So if you are looking for a good reliable and cheap SPF lotion, this is a good choice.

I use this when i go to the beach too. Again b/c of my sensitive skin, typical sunblock would cause major breakout on my face. So I use the Biore Dual Fusion as the base layer then just lightly pad a little bit of whatever sunblock I use for my body in my face. I personally prefer the spray kind, well that's another post. :)

Now, there is one negative I can think of, it's a bit difficult to find. They used to carry this in Target & CVS but not anymore. I buy them from drugstore.com now and I just get like 5 bottles at a time to stock up and get free shipping. I hope this is helpful.

Rating (out of 5):  

RDJ - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows trailer 2

A bunch of new scenes makes it worth checking out this new trailer. At one point, rumor said they were going to cast Brad Pitt to play the bad guy, not sure what happen but that would have been interesting to watch RDJ with Brad Pitt in the same movies.  I like them both, both are versatile actors (in my opinion).   Not sure why they ditch Rachel McAdams b/c I thought she was fine in the last movie, I think she is pretty.  But of course, having Noomi Rapace doesn't hurt but it's sooo hard to look at her and not see Lisbeth in TGWTDT.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1...trailer

Yea yea I know I know but since I've read the books and saw the first three, I really want to see how they translate/adapt the last book into two movies.  Literally the first half of the last book has no real substance to it (well some will argue that the entire Twilight Saga has no substance), so I'm very curious to see what they make of this movie.  A wedding, a few violent sex scenes and a gruesome birth scene....LOL.

Rimmel Max Bold Curve Mascara

I usu really like Rimmel's mascaras but this one didn't really help curve like it said, so I'm a bit disappointed. :( it's also a bit messy and clumps a bit.
Rating (out of 5):  

American Horror Story...like it more every week...

From this week episode, "Men see what they want to see, women see into the soul of the person."  If you see the show you'll understand.  And looking forward to the coming episodes b/c Sylar (Zachary Quinto) will be guest staring in this show!!!  Oh my...absolutely cannot wait.


A little creepy, a little scary, a little life ... this show will grow on you!

Makeup remover that works...Updated 11/2/2011

My makeup comes right off...yea!!!

A few CON are:

• You have to buy it from Mitsuwa NJ, pretty far but I'm sure they have it online too.
• It smells like it has lemon in it, so definitely don't let it get in the eyes.  Hey but it does the job and doesn't leave my eyes oily.
• (Updated 11/2/2011) I got some allergic reaction on my face recently (not from using this), but then I couldn't use this makeup remover while my skin are so sensitive.  :(  

The name is B&C Aquaway Eye Makeup Remover and looks like sasa.com has it...http://www.sasa.com/SasaWeb/eng/product/viewProductDetail.jspa?itemno=103265502001


Rating (out of 5):  

Skin Transformer SPF20

I got this sample from Sephora and here's my review. I'm not sure about it being hydrating but it does go on smoothly and has a very natural coverage. And I like that it's SPF and maintain a pretty good matte look. But I noticed some spots on my face got pretty dry after a day of wearing it.
Rating (out of 5):