YOU CAN SHINE NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF

Mood [Okay]
Currently Playing ♫ [DBSK - Wrong Number]



Forever 21 tank & shorts, Levi's plaid shirt, FF7 wing necklace, vintage glasses

Karaoke at Star Music (Pacific Mall) last week as we wished Daniel (the one in the center) the best of luck as he continues his medical studies in England. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate his department other than eating and singing. At times, I swear I can sing for more than 6 hours of Karaoke. Some of my favourite songs are: Utada Hikaru's First Love, Janice's (Wei Lan) Big Brother and of course, S Club 7's Never Had a Dream Come True. After this we joined a bunch of my other friends for dinner at Tako Sushi. If you are like me, who absolutely hates all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurants, then I would strongly recommend this place. I've always preferred quality over quantity. If you are lucky enough to know someone, which I do, who has a V.I.P card you can get 10% off of the bill. Amazing!


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends TONIGHT for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!

SUMMER GATHERS UP HER ROBES OF GLORY

Mood [Relieved]
Currently Playing ♫ [None]


H&M trend dress, from Hong Kong military boots & purse, vintage glasses























Photos from last Tuesday's BBQ at a local park with JL and two of my friends. We decided to do a Hong Kong style BBQ, which consisted of the stable foods such as chicken wings, red sausage, fish balls and of course, honey to glaze over all the food. Even though the sun was blazing in our eyes, the temperature was pretty cool especially when the sun started to set. It took us almost an hour just to start the fire and it'll be another hour before we actually started to eat. Not having enough charcoal meant that it took almost two hours to fully cook the chicken wings. We were all still hungry when the sun had fully gone down, at which point we decided to continue the bbq at my friend's back porch where she has a gas stove. The moon was especially big and especially pretty that night. The best part of the bbq was making Jiffy Pop over the fire. I don't know why but the sound of popcorn popping and the smell of fresh popcorn always bring so much excitment.


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends TOMORROW for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!

LOVE PACKAGE FROM MANDY

Mood [Okay]
Currently Playing ♫ [Usher - DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love]


H&M sheer tank & men's shirt worn as skirt, CB necklace, from Hong Kong clogs & purse
I received another love package from my friend Mandy over at ♥ PINK DOLLY ♥. She's a blogger from London who's blog shares her "passion of makeup, fashion, nature and all the things I love". She's super adorable and cute and she also has a Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S, just like me! Except, she has the limited edition Hello Kitty one, which makes me even more jealous! Here are the goodies that she send me during our beauty swap:

She send me a blush (she knows how much I love using blush!), a green duo shadows (so sad that the darker colour broke during the shipping process, but don't worry, I'll use it as pigments!) and a mascara from Natural Collection. Then a Wild Curls eye kit, which comes with a mini eyelash curler and mini tweezers. She also send me a mud face mask that's really good for oily skin. I have never tried a mud mask before, so I definitely can't wait to give it a try!


She always wrote me this really sweet letter on kawaii papers! She's so adorable! What a sweetheart! <3

THANK YOU MANDY! ^__^


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!

[REVIEW] - ESSENTIAL NUANCE AIRY ULTRA HONEY HAIR MASK

Mood [Sleepy]
Currently Playing [None]



PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Essential NUANCE AIRY Ultra Honey Hair Mask is formulated with 3X more high purity honey and milk protein to protect and strengthen. It provides intensive care, especially to the last 15 cm of hair, which is prone to dryness, tangles and split ends. Hair is left soft, elastic and easy to manage. The mask gives a scent of flower and fruit.

It is added with shea butter, a repairing and moisturizing ingredient, to make hair extra smooth. Wild rose essence leaves a protective layer to keep hair soft and moisturized. The product leaves hair airy. It gives limp and flat hair a light and bouncy feel. It provides iIntensive care for severely damaged hair, without the heaviness.

Country of origin: Japan

FOR BEST RESULT
1. After washing hair, gently dry it with a towel.
2. Apply an appropriate amount to hair (it is recommended to apply a table-tennis ball-sized portion to medium-length to long hair).
3. Leave on for 5 minutes before rinsing with water.
*Recommended for use 2 to 3 times a week.

INGREDIENTS
Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearoxypropyl, Dimethylamine, Dipropylene Glycol, Helianthus annuus ( Sunflower ) Seed Oil, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/ Hexastearate/ Hexarosinate, Benzyl Alcohol, PPG-34- Steareth-3, Fragrance, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Hydroxystearate, Amodimethicone, Lanoline Acid, PEG-45M, Toluene Sulfonic Acid, Bis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane, Bis-Isobutyl PEG-15/ Amodimehticone Copolymer, Honey , Ceteareth-7, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Malica Acid, Butyrospermum Parkkii ( Shea Butter ), Ceteareth-25, Lactobacillus / Milk Ferment Fitrate, Royal Jelly Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, CI 77492, Caramel

WHY I LOVE THIS PRODUCT
I purchased this item just before I left Hong Kong back in July. I started using it when I got back to Canada and have been using it on a weekly basis ever since. So far, I'm loving it! This hair mask promises to hydrate even to the last 15 cm of your hair where is more prone to dryness. This special mask has 3x more honey and milk protein to protect and to strengthen hair.

From my experience, my hair feels so soft, airy and shiny after using this product. I also really love the smell that it gives to your hair. It's a very fresh and rosy kinda smell. Instead of using it twice a week, I only used it once a week and I find that the results are just as pleasing. The actual cream looks like a lemon yellow buttercream (Sorry I had a photo of the actual product but I think I must have deleted it by mistake). Also this product lasts a really long time. You don't need a lot to cover all of your hair. Thus, $6.90 USD (according to SaSa) for a bottle can last for more than 2 months. It's a very affordable way to maintain your shiny and smooth hair.

RATING
Product (5/5)
Cost (5/5) - Very affordable and one jug can last a long time!
Ease of Use (5/5)
Packaging (5/5) - I love the pink bottle, I think it's so cute.


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!


credit: sasa.com

[REVIEW] - PHYSICIANS FORMULA MINERAL MAKEUP

Mood [Tired]
Currently Playing ♫ [林峰-愛不疚]



PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This is Physicians Formula's Flawless Complexion Kit in Medium. This kit includes three products from their Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Makeup line. This line of cosmetics that is ultra-gentle and specially formulated for sensitive or breakout-prone skin. These are the 3 products:

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder
* Mineral Wear® maintains a natural appearance by gently absorbing oil without drying and helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines.
* For extra sensitive or breakout-prone skin!
* Includes built-in mirror and brush.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Blush
* First-ever Mineral, bi-colored pressed powder blush!
* Ideal for sensitive skin, the talc-free, minimalist formula allows skin to breathe and can help minimize irritation and breakout.
* Minerals provide color that achieves soft, sheer shades for a long-lasting smooth, natural finish.
* The marbleized design features two shades-in-one for a flawless and even finish.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Matte Finishing Veil
* Ultra-lightweight powder for the ultimate finishing touch to your makeup!
* Bathes skin in minerals, smoothing out its appearance with a soft focus finish.
* Can be worn alone or over other Mineral Wear™ face products to gently absorb shine, minimize the appearance of pores and enhance staying power of makeup.
* Flow-through system automatically delivers powder through brush to eliminate mess and contamination.

FOR BEST RESULT
Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder
* Lightly brush on powder over face and neck to even out skin tone with a natural-looking finish.
* For the most even application, be sure to tap excess powder from brush before applying.
* For best results on dry to very dry skin, apply moisturizer prior to using powder.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Blush
* Using a soft powder brush, sweep over blush to evenly blend colors.
* Tap excess powder from brush before applying.
* Brush over cheekbones to define and contour or apply right below cheekbones for a more defined and dramatic look.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Matte Finishing Veil
* May be worn alone for the most natural look or over makeup to set and perfect.
* Invert jar and gently tap to allow powder to begin flowing through brush.
* Remove cap and lightly brush on powder over face and neck to mattify skin for a smooth, even finish.
* For best results on dry to very dry skin, apply moisturizer prior to using powder.

INGREDIENTS
Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder
MICA, LAUROYL LYSINE, SILICA, SQUALANE, BORON NITRIDE, KAOLIN, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ZINC OXIDE, IRON OXIDES, ULTRAMARINES.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Blush
MICA, LAUROYL LYSINE, BORON NITRIDE, SQUALANE, SILICA, ZINC OXIDE, KAOLIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDES, CARMINE.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Matte Finishing Veil
ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, MICA, SILICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, ZINC OXIDE, LECITHIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDES.

WHY I LOVE THIS PRODUCT
A little while ago, I did a short overview review of this company here. In this review, I'll go more in depth about each of the products that I have tried in this kit and explain why I am so in love with the face products from Physicians Formula. I actually got this kit on sale at Wal-Mart when it was only $20 CAD for all three products! AMAZING! However, when purchase separately, each products is around $15-$20 CAD, which is pretty expensive for drugstore makeup.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Face Powder
Colour: Creamy Natural
Net Wt. 0.3 Oz./9g
Cost: $19.99 CAD
This is my favourite face powder of all time. It's very pigmented and it has amazing coverage. I use my favourite BB cream as base and then I would finish with this face powder. The colour matches really well with my skin tone and I love how it's mineral, thus, it does not cause me to break out. I've been using this for over 2 years now and my skin has improved a great deal ever since because this product does not clog pores. This product is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, oil-free, talc-free, non-comedogenic and dermatologist approved. The only downside that I see to this product is that the brush that comes with the powder really sucks. It sheds really easily and it's not that great at blending. Thus, I could suggest that you throw away the brush and put your own powder puff/sponge inside the powder. I find that when I use a sponge to apply the powder, it actually goes on quite nicely. It is also nice that the powder comes with a really nice mirror. Not one of those tacky and cheap mirror, I've dropped this powder many times and the mirror has not broke nor has it even cracked. It's quite a sturdy mirror.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Blush
Colour: Rosy Glow
Net Wt. 0.19 Oz./5.5g
Cost: $15.99 CAD
This is one of most pigmented blush that I own. I'm so in love with the colour because it gives my cheeks a really natural glow. It blends so nicely and it's easy to apply. However, just like the powder, it comes with that horrible brush. I would once again ditch the brush and use your own makeup brush to apply the makeup. The bristles on the brush is very cheap and really hard. It doesn't feel nice when you use it on your skin. (Seriously, I hate Physicians Formula's brushes). However, besides the brush, the product is amazing! This is probably one of my favourite blushes, that's a drugstore brand. It is a bit pricey, but considering that it is mineral and won't clog pores, I think it's worth the purchase.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Matte Finishing Veil
Colour:
Net Wt. 0.58 Oz./16.5g
Cost: $18.79 CAD
This product acts as a finishing veil to your makeup. Applying this product in the end will not only set your face makeup, but it'll also give it a matte finish. I wouldn't suggest wearing this alone as a powder, even though you can, because it doesn't have great coverage. I would just use this as a finisher. However, I really, really, hate the packaging of this product. Like I had mentioned earlier about the powder and blush's brush, this brush that comes with the finisher also sheds like crazy. I really hate it because you can't really replace the brush. Also, when capping the lid back on, it's really hard to put the brush in without bending some of the bristles. It's really annoying. Also, the product is really big and hard to carry around. I would suggest taking a smaller container and empty out the finisher into it and use that instead.

RATING
Product (5/5) - The products themselves are one of a kind!
Cost (3/5) - I find most of Physicians Formula's makeup to be pretty pricey considering that they are a drugstore brand. If you don't catch a sale, most of the products will be over $20 CAD when added with the tax.
Ease of Use (4/5) - Just because the brush is horrible to use.
Packaging (2/5) - Like what I had mentioned above, the brush that comes with the product really sucks. Also, most of the products are really big and chunky. I find that it's hard to put some of these products in my makeup bag because they take up most of the space.


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!


credit: physiciansformula.com

LOVE PACKAGE FROM SERENA

Mood [Content]
Currently Playing [周杰倫 - 夜曲]


I believe that it was over a month ago when Serena from serenadeveryday decided to do a beauty swap. It was actually the first swap for the both of us. Here are all the goodies that she picked up for me from the States. I still can't believe how she took the time and effort to wrap everything up for me! I know that she has been super busy but she still took the time out of her busy schedule to do this for me. I feel extra special! Thanks Serena!


ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 in 2806 Pink Kiss, ELF Studio Blush in Tickled Pink and Candid Coral. These are actually my first ELF comestic products. I have never purchased anything from the website because I always find that the shipping to Canada is quite expensive. Thus, thank you for buying these for me! I can't wait to do my reviews of them.


Next, she got me these Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef, Pink Pop, and Lilac Pastelle. Serena actually had to go to a few stores before she could find all the colours. I believe that these are the special edition colours and thus, they have not been available in Canada. At least, not in Toronto. I tried looking for these everywhere and I couldn't find them. If anyone knows where I can get these shades in Toronto, please do tell me! Serena, thank you so much for getting these colours for me. I'll definitely tell you how these will look on my lips.


Last but not the least, she got me candies! Of course, I'm such a junk food addict, she send me a raspberry flavour Kit Kat, milk candies and also my personal favourite, Matcha candies. These are so yummy that I have already consumed 2 of them. I have no self-control what-so-ever when it comes to sweets. XD

THANK YOU SERENA! ^__^



On a random note: failed kitty? So cute! XD



PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!

...

R.I.P

Hong Kong hostages killed in Manila bus siege

A day of silence
No updates.

SOMETIMES SILENCE IS THE BEST WAY TO YELL

Mood [Depressed]
Currently Playing [Shontelle - Impossible]


Thifted lace top, Forever 21 purple skirt & belt, Mom's necklace, from Thailand bangle
Only 3 more weeks remain in summer 2010. Where did the time go? The rainy days only help to contribute to my gloomy state of mind. A close friend is leaving for England in exactly a week to finish his medical studies for the next 4 years. It's going to be weird not seeing him on a weekly basis from now on. No more talking about clothes, shopping or his long distance relationship. Talking to him today has made me realize how easy people can walk out of my life. It's too easy and I almost think that it's not fair. At times like these I keep going back to this: It's not how much you accomplish in life that really counts, but how much you give to other. It's not how high you build your dreams that makes a difference, but how high your faith can climb. It's not how many goals you reach, but how many lives you touch. It's not who you know that matters, but who you are inside. - Rebecca Barlow Jordan

On a brighter note, look what arrived in the mail this past week: Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S. JL got this for me as a very, very early birthday present. He's two months early to be exact. Unlike the past two years, he doesn't want to be late with my birthday gift this year. Thus, he decided to be super early and ordered this camera the moment he knew that I wanted it. I'm still waiting for my film to arrive in the mail, so this will be sitting next to all my other cameras until then. But I'm super excited to try it out since I've always find great pleasure in taking Polaroids as a child.


PS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!

THE WARRIORS WHO GUARD HIS AFTERLIFE

Mood [Optimistic]
Currently Playing [Backstreet Boys - I Need you Tonight]





















H&M embellished sleeve top, Zara drop-crotch pants, a + ab purse, UB shoes
Free admission at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) every Wednesday after 3:00pm means that there will be a huge line up to get in. Luckily, JL and I arrived rather early so we were pretty close to the front of the line. We were more interested in seeing the special exhibition on right now, which is The Warrior Emperor and China's Terracotta Army, than anything else in the museum. (Here's a little background information about the Terracotta Army: The Emperor who brought China to the World and the Warriors who guard his afterlife. For the first time in Canada, discover the legendary first emperor of China and the contents of his 2,000 year old tomb complex.)

The Terracotta Army wasn't free to get in, we had to buy our tickets in advance and wait for our entrance time. Sorry, photos weren't permitted inside the Terracotta Army exhibition, thus, no photos of the actual soldiers. However, we did manage to see the South African Dinosaur Eggs & Babies and the Bird exhibition before the museum closed at 5:30pm. We then drove to our favourite Japanese restaurant along Queen Street East. Sushi Time offers a taste of fresh Japanese cuisine with a moderately priced menu that features sushi, sashimi, tempura and teriyaki dishes. They also have bento boxes for those who wants a variety. This restaurant has the finest sushi and the freshest sashimi. I would suggest ordering the pan fried shiitake mushrooms, beef sashimi and the barbeque squid.


PS, sorry about the poor photo quality, my D90 is getting fixed because the on/off button doesn't really work. Yes, even when I turn the camera off, I'm still able to take photos. Weird. It won't be for another 3 weeks before I can get it back. Sad.


PPS, don't forget to enter my giveaway, which ends August 31 for The Brush Guard. Follow the link on the side bar!