Persephone Minerals, Glamour Doll Eyes, Evil Shades, + Aromaleigh

Back from my weekend of less than a day with my family and then running around going to a wedding and preparing to come back to my apartment so that I could work today. I miss my mommy and daddy already. :(

I did come home to some fantastic lovelies though. These two came in on Saturday and I picked them up from my apartment concierge late Sunday night.



I heard about their specials through Phyrra and figured now was a good time to take advantage. I ordered these from Glamour Doll Eyes 10/27 and received them 10/30.



I was most excited about these eye shadows from Persephone Minerals based off of Naoko Takeushi's popular manga (and anime) series, Sailor Moon. These are the full sets (each) for Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. I'm loving Sailor Mars' collection especially. Still, they ALL look gorgeous in the little baggies, I can't imagine how they must look swatched. I am super excited. :D Shipping was also super fast. Ordered 10/27, received 10/30.



Freebies! Can I tell you how much I love being able to try out different colors than what I ordered? It's always so unexpected. :)



And what might this ominous looking baggie be?



GASPERS. It's my elusive Evil Shades order! I ordered 10/20, received my shipping notification 10/25, then received my package 11/1. I got the entire Halloween LE collection along with the very much raved about, Mythology collection. Fun times swatching ahead.

And last but not least...



My Aromaleigh order consisting of Eggnog, Mistletoe, Mulberry, Candytuft, Rule 42, Hearts A' Plenty, Frumious. I purchased so I could take part in their contest. Results were revealed here and dagnabbit! I was #6. Sadface! Congrats to #1-#4 though. :)

I am getting slammed at work this week but hopefully I'll find some time to get away and do some swatching. :D

P.S. In reference to this post here...It wasn't the blush. I think it was because of me touching my face like crazy that week. Lol.

P.P.S. That red/black Gothic backdrop for some of the photos is my awesomely awesome bedspread. I was chatting with my friend when I was opening my mail and didn't want to move to take the pictures. :D

Previews! Plus some stuff on skincare...

So sorry for the lack of posts! It's quarter end so things at the job have been heating up. Working long hours and there's a wedding to attend this weekend. Still sore about missing Halloween and dressing up as a zombie for it. Gonna have to look respectable. Booo. But happy nuptials to the the couple, of course!

I wanted to swatch the Urban Decay Naked Palette but considering so many people have done it already with very thorough reviews, I figured I was just being redundant. Okay, the real reason was that I paid a lot of money for it and it hurt to use it for swatching which I always, always do with a heavy hand. Haha, I'm such a cheapo. Plus, the colors came out looking pretty crappy on camera. :/

I DID order some Evil Shades loose eye shadows and I just got the shipping confirmation today (so fast!). So once I get them, you will be seeing some new swatches. I still have my Fyrinnae swatches to complete.

Also, check out this blast from the past (okay, it was definitely in my childhood memories):


Persephone Minerals: Sailor Senshi - Sailor Venus


Persephone Minerals: Sailor Senshi - Sailor Mars

I need to get the complete Inner Senshi set. Just gotta be patient for Sailor Moon!

Also, I broke out pretty heavily last week. This was worrisome because I NEVER break out. I will get at most 1 large pimple during my monthly. Other than that, nothing. My skin-care routine is super basic too. I use generic facial washes (the ones that always say "comparable to...") and I also use Merlot's Grapeseed Night Cream and SPF 15 Moisturizer.

I don't know what happened but my skin SPAZZED. Red bumps like hives but were in fact, tiny pimples. It looked like I was suffering an allergic reaction. I was not happy and had no idea on how to deal. It is definitely one of these:

- Started using a new blush
- Touching my chin with my hands, mainly to rest my chin on my hands
- Eating potato chips
- Heat getting turned on in my apartment

Since Monday, I stopped using the new blush, am VERY aware of NOT touching my face with my hands, and I also threw away the potato chips. Once my skin cleared up, I will use the new blush again and see if that's the culprit. I actually think it might be the blush but I am hoping it isn't. I also called management to get my air filter replaced. Obviously, junk food consumption should be kept to a minimum. Second, y'all should never touch your face with your hands unless they're clean.

Also, this is now my new skincare routine. I used them in the past and got great results. Then I became cheap and got drugstore stuff. Clearly, it has not been working. I went all out and purchased these puppies Sunday evening:



It's been 2 days. My skin is completely clear. I will begin experimenting (using the blush, replacing air filter) and let you all know the results in my next post (which will hopefully be more swatches!).

Good night for now!

7 Days, 7 Different Tomato Facials

My GMAT is this Saturday and I am just this much away from freaking out. Instead of studying, I am blogging. I guess we can all guess how I'll do, huh? Haha.

Because I am on a low-buy, I am trying to think of new things to help improve my skin. As mentioned before, I'm one of the luckier ones. I'm not prone to break-outs. Even when the moon turns the tide, I get maybe one or two pimples and that's a lot. Usually, my blackheads will just raise up a bit and because I am not smart, I will attempt to pop them. This in turn, irritates my skin which may or may not mean a facial is in order. If I a not being lazy, I will do it.

For the next 7 nights, I am going to attempt a bevy of different tomato facials and report to you how each one works. Why tomatoes? Because:

1. It's got cooling and astringent properties.

2. It's rich in Vitamin C which is great for acne. It also helps brighten your skin. That's probably why so many daily facial creams promote the addition of Vitamin C.

3. It has naturally acidic properties which not only eats away the dead skin sells, but it also helps balance your skin's pH level.

4. It's got Vitamin A which is a big requirement for building healthy skin. If you're gonna buy facial creams, make sure it's got Vitamin A.

5. These fruits also possess antioxidants; an addition that makes them free radical fighters. This does not mean you shouldn't wear some sort of sunscreen on your face. Always, ALWAYS wear some sort of sun protection on your face.

6. It's cheap and it feels so freaking fantastic. Especially if you've chilled your slices and you're rubbing them on your face after a nice clay facial or a hot shower or both (preferably the hot shower first, then the clay facial) - oh my gosh. Just did a shower and clay facial combo last night. Rubbing that slice of tomato on my face gave it the right amount of tingle.



I love vine tomatoes because they're cheap and yummy. I uses to hate them because my dad grew them every summer. I hate turning away food so I ate and ate. Then I just couldn't do it anymore. Now, I'm slowly going back to my tomato roots. :)

Since I don't wanna buy anything special just for these purposes, I will stick with recipes that contains ingredients that I know I'll cook with in the future:

1. Chop one tomato and combine in a food processor or blender with 1 tsp. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. oatmeal. Blend to a smooth paste. Cleanse face and neck. Apply the tomato facial to blemished skin, leaving on for 10 minutes. Gently remove with a warm washcloth and rinse skin with warm water to remove all residue. Source.

2. Mix one cup oatmeal with 3 tbsp. non-fat dry milk, moistening all the oats. Chop one tomato and puree it in a blender. Add that to the oatmeal-milk mixture, stirring to incorporate all ingredients well. Apply to cleansed face and neck skin with the fingertips, keeping free of the eye area. Leave on the skin for 45 minutes. Use a warm washcloth to remove the facial and splash face with warm water. Source.

3. Blend 1 tbsp. powdered brewer's yeast with 1/2 tbsp. plain, unflavored yogurt, 1 tsp. each of lemon juice, tomato juice, carrot juice and olive oil. Mix by hand or in a food processor or blender to form a smooth paste. Cleanse face and neck and apply the facial mixture with fingertips, but not near the eyes. After 15 minutes, remove the mask with a warm washcloth and rinse skin with warm water. Source.

4. Slice a tomato up and rub the slices on your skin. I am going to keep this day completely low key since my GMAT is the following morning.

5. This mask is good for people with combination skin because it combines the astringent, blackhead removing and oil reducing properties of tomato with the antiseptic and hydrating properties of avocado. The mask also contains vitamins A, C and E and has a soothing and cooling feel. To make the mask, mash one small tomato and one small avocado. Mix them together well, and smooth the mixture on your face. Rinse after 20 to 30 minutes with tepid water. Source.

6. Mash 1 large skinned peach (or nectarine) and 3 tsp. honey together, and add 2 tbsp. yogurt until you have a workable paste. Pat evenly over your face and neck and around your eyes. Lie back and relax for about 10 minutes. Rinse well with warm water, tone and moisturize. I am replacing the peach with a tomato. Source.

7. Combine 1 egg yolk, 2 tsp. almond oil, and 1 ripe banana in a bowl and mash into a paste with a fork. Apply to face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, pat dry, tone and moisturize. I am replacing the banana with a tomato but I'm super tempted to just do it with a banana since this sounds like it would smell FANTASTIC. Source.

It was surprisingly hard to find different renditions of a tomato-based facial. That's why you're seeing some other fruit facial recipes but as mentioned, the tomatoes will take their place. I don't know how well it'll work and there will probably be some ingredient fixing. All in all, a fun time to be had. :D

Skincare Continued...today's MSN picks! And thoughts.

I love MSN. Since I don't watch that much tv (and as such, the news), I keep up to date on MSN. More often, than not, I am surfing their Health & Beauty section. Today, they had a gallery of must-have beauty creams aptly labeled, "Everyday Luxuries." And I say "aptly labeled" because the price tags on some of these kiddies are outrageous. Their description for this gallery is as follows:

A luxurious cream is an easy way to spoil yourself a little bit each morning. We rounded up the most deliciously decadent lotions, whether they're scented with citrus or crammed with yams. Whatever your preference, it'll help start your day off on the right note.



Diptyque Crème Riche Body Butter ($90)- Byzantium an ancient Greek city and an Oriental dream where odalisques pamper themselves to preserve their beauty, basking in exquisite baths. As luscious as a Turkish delight and soft as a Byzantine rose, this deliciously rich cream is a powdery caress after a hot bath. It is a sensual, welcoming contrast, like fresh butter on languid skin. A total indulgence, this Rich Butter is like a lavish, satin comforter. A sumptuous blend of choice ingredients, Rich Butter combines the renowned soothing properties of rose floral water with the radianceboosting effects of organic honey and the long-term protection of argan oil which nourishes even the driest, sensitive skin. It leaves the skin glowing and delicately perfumed. Its Formula Rose Floral Water refreshes, moisturizes and soothes the skin. Organic Honey helps boost the skin's moisture and radiance. It is rich in mineral salts, vitamins and fatty acids. Argan Oil (virgin, organic) is concentrated in vitamin E, fatty acids and sterols. It nourishes even dry, sensitive skin and gives it long-term protection by combating free radicals. Its Fragrance The generosity of Damask Rose melds with the mystery of Myrrh and the strength of Peru Balm.

My face has normal/oil skin. The rest of my body is pretty dry. A thick lotion probably wouldn't be good for either type of skin. :/ If it's too thick, it'll just sit on top of the dry skin. As for my face, well, I'm already using something else, so pass.



Santa Maria Novella Body Milk ($74)- This body lotion, specifically formulated for all skin types and hand made the same way for over 700 years, tones and gives the skin softness and elasticity. Lightly scented with locally grown gardenia and rose this luxuriously pure body milk instantly absorbs into the skin without a trace of greasiness, leaving the body toned, nourished, and beautifully moisturized thanks to its hydrating vegetable oils, cocoa butter, white beeswax and avocado oil ingredients. Apply liberally all over the body, use every day. The elegant glass flask is sturdy enough for travel.

I've always wanted to try a skin latte (ie: lotion with milk). The price seems kind of high but it sounds like this would be the 'everyday luxury' point they're try to make. This makes it into my "maybe" list.



Nude Moisturizing Body Cream ($48)- Nude Moisturising Body Cream is formulated with organic cupuacu and hyaluronic acid to nourish and hydrate for beautifully soft skin. Sesame oil deeply conditions while milk proteins soothe and protect against dehydration. Organic shea butter and baobab oil moisturize for skin that's supple and smooth to the touch.

Facial lattés seem to be popular. Here is another product that has milk as one of it's ingredients. It's completely appealing because it's all natural, the price isn't too bad in terms of high-end moisturizers, and it's free of all these chemicals that could possibly clog and irritate your skin. In addition, the texture seems like it would work with both dry and normal/oily skin. Actually, it seems a bit too heavy to use as a facial moisturizer but during the winter? I'd go hog wild. Putting it on my wish list of things to try. :)



Marc Jacobs Lola Body Creme ($50)- Lola is an intoxicating swirl of rich layers, wrapping the skin in sensuous florals blooming with a signature note of fuschia peony. The ultimate indulgence for bare skin, this rich body cream lavishly moisturizes and envelops the skin in pure luxury; it leaves it silky, radiant, and veiled in the sensuous scent of Lola.

Uh...I'm not even sure what this product could do except make you smell good. :/ Pass.



Clé de Peau Restorative Body Cream ($135)- This extravagantly rich body cream provides an intense combination of skin smoothing, firming and energizing effects for a renewed look of youth. Retexturizes skin and helps it maintain moisture all day for a dewy glowing look. Melts into skin and helps reinforce the skin's natural support system to firm and energize. 7.2 oz.

I was really interested in this product. For instance, why does MSN have in their picture (not the one above) a spoon of what looks like orange salt? Also, what could possibly make something that tiny cost over $100? Worst part was, I couldn't find anything on Google regarding reviews on it. I sort of want to get it, just so I can say: "I USE $135 LOTION - WHUT WHUT." I'm extra.



Ren Wild Yam Omega 7 Firming Body Repair Cream ($57)- A rich body cream formulated to actively help nourish, regenerate and firm dry and mature skin. It contains phytosteroids derived from West African Wild Yam which promote collagen synthesis and improve skin elasticity and moisture retention levels. Phytosterols from Soybean boost skin lipid content while rare Omega 7 Palmitoleic Acid from Arctic Seabuckthorn Berry oil helps skin repair and regeneration.

THIS. I have never come across this company but anybody who uses both yams (African yams at that. I'm sure there is a difference.) and soybeans gets two thumbs up from me. I don't even know what Omega 7 is but it sounds so badass. Another addition to my wish list of things to get in the far, far future. :D



Glowology The Balm ($24)- Organic shea butter creates the perfect base for an intensive hand and foot cream. Organic sunflower oil helps to soften and moisturize dry skin. Bilberry, lemon, orange, sugar cane and sugar maple extracts gently exfoliate rough skin. Clinically-tested and hypoallergenic. 6.5 ounce jar. Arrives in signature box.

I think this is the cheapest of the bunch and no wonder. It actually sounds like a body butter to me. Premium body butter. Maybe I'll try a sample but I wouldn't purchase. I can put that $24 towards another item I've never tried before.



Hermes Eau des Merveilles Perfumed Body Cream ($60)- The French brand is the epitome if luxury which makes this moisturizer the Birkin Bag of body cream. Subtle bitter orange and Italian lemon makes the scent as sophisticated as the design house.

There was no description on their website so I pulled that description from the MSN feature. I would not purchase. For $60, I can get better skincare products that smell just as good, if not nicer. At least provide some idea of what it does? Or maybe, not doing so is the new 'chic.' I don't know. Never been too fashion forward and am too lazy to start. :P

Beauty Blogs & Skincare

Since I'm waiting on a couple of things in the mail, I will take this time to do some skincare reviews. I want to get through what products I do have before I buy anymore. I have such a strong spending urge (every day) that this will definitely be a challenge. So without further ado, here is a history of my skincare.

When I read other beauty blogs, I am always puzzled to find out that people have skincare issues and this is mainly coming from someone who has rarely had skin issues. When I was younger, I did a brief stint at McDonald's even though my parents owned their own business.

This was also during my years where I started getting all those funky teen hormones. So yes, I broke out. Working around that much grease and eating all that nasty food- also bad for the skin. I don't remember much about my skin routine then but I think it eventually cleared up because of these reasons:

- Washing my face constantly (mid-day, I'd be wiping my face down with a clean, wet paper napkin)
- And not touching my face with my hands or anything that had touched something else

I was pretty anal about these 2 things. Between now and then, I experimented. Drug-store products, high-end products, basic soap and water, etc.

I don't remember regretting anything except for the one time I used Colgate toothpaste on a huge zit. It didn't help any, just made it bigger and more painful. Yeah, if you come across that tip, IGNORE it. I also had this thing about popping my zits too. D: D: For some reason, popping them actually kept me from scarring as much as it did when I just left them alone. Yes, I have left them alone but they just got bigger aand when they finally stopped growing, it would take WEEKS to go away.

Would you believe I've only started using moisturizer in the last 2 years? And I hated sunscreen - STILL hate sunscreen? Not that I needed it because I hated the sun and stayed inside but still didn't use it on the off-chance I did decide to spend it in the sun. Now, my routine consists of a few basic items (because I've realized that once you start living on your own, food and rent takes priority over beauty products):

- CVS Energizing Facial Cleanser (Preview) - $3-$5
- Merlot Grapeseed SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer (Merlot Shop - review to come!) - $15-$20
- Merlot Moonlight Radiance Night Cream (Merlot Shop - review to come!) -$20-$25
- Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover (Walgreen's Link) -$5-$6

Once in a while, I will use my Queen Helena Mint Julep clay mask and this moisturizing lavendar mask I got in Taiwan. I will review the second one (since the Mint Julep one has been done so many times already) when I get the chance to take some pictures.

Do I get any breakouts? A tiny pin-prick of a zit here and there. :) Even when it's my monthly, it's a tiny bit. I'm not sure what I'm doing that keeps me from breaking out but I'd like to think it's something with keeping it simple versus just being lucky and born with good skin.