My Summer Beauty Go-to Items

Here are some of the items I have in my make up bag or purse or work bag during the warm season.

L to R - Sephora by OPI "How Cute is That?" OPI "Strawberry Margarita" "Aphrodite's Pink Nightgown" Spoiled by Wet'nWild "My Silicone Popped"

I love bright colored nail year round - I never got into the dark nail trend, I never felt it went with my skin tone or my personality.
Any pink, purple, or coral shades are my fave, though for work, I try to choose a neutral pink (OPI Dulce de Leche is my go-to for work mani) so it's not too flashy.

Maybelline Baby Lips: L to R - "Peach Kiss" "Peppermint" "Quenched" "Coral Crave"

Lip balm is a must in any of my bag since I work in a dry condition, and as much as I try to hydrate (I drink about 3~4 liter of water a day) I need protection.
Maybelline's Baby Lips have SPF and I love the neutral colors they have.

Front L toR - MAC Dazzleglass "Utterly Posh" "Pink Grapefruit" In the back: "Pink Lemonade"

On top of those balms, I love to have some lip gloss on when I am working, especially.
It just makes my face look more polished and finished -- and since now I have ombre colors put in my hair, along with my olive skin tone, coral/peach is my color.
Mac glosses are usually long lasting, and during the busy prep phase of the flight or the flight it self, it keeps well.

L to R - Tarte "Peaceful" NYX "Love"

Along with the coral or peach tone lips, I like to use light amount of bronzer and again, coral or peach colored blush on my cheeks.
These two are my favorite, and even when I tan during the warm season, it still shows up nicely.

L to R - Deja Vu "Lash Knockout" Yves Saint Laurent "Baby Doll"

Mascara is a must for me, as I am lash obsessed (falsie, Latisse, etc.) but most have failed my "panda/racoon eye" test.
These two have been my false proof from day one and it keeps the curl and lengthens the lashes as well.
The brush on Baby Doll is extremely useful when trying to get some extra mascara off the lashes but you do not want to use your fingers in doing so - it combs through and separates the lashes beautifully.

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment with SPF 30 in MediumTan

L to R - Trader Joe's Face Lotion SPF 15, Philosophy "Hope in a Jar SPF" (SPF 25), Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50

I wear SPF on my face along with moisturizer though this BB Primer from Tarte serves wonderfully with it's medium coverage and SPF 30 protection.
Here are my go to sunscreens, and I usually have one of them in my purse for touch up.

When my face gets shiny from carrying the catering items to the plane, or just running around, this is what I use to make me less like a disco ball.
It looks white in the compact but it's a translucent finishing powder.

MAC Prep+Prime powder

Victoria's Secret So Sexy hair care line, dry shampoo

I don't wash my hair everyday, and never blow dry my hair - I usually let it air dry then if necessary, I use the blow dryer on the cool setting.
Getting my ombre done, I also want to baby the ends with all the color processing.
This is a must during those "second or third day hair" phase.
I love the scent of this line as well.
Just flip some of the hair, and spray along the hair line, where ever needed, but DO NOT over do it, you will get that white powder line in your hair, so make sure to go light handed and sort of rub it in lightly to blend the powder in to let it absorb the oil in your hair.


What are some of your favorite go to items during the warm season?

Sparkly feel

I am not too big on holidays.

Being in aviation, most of the time I was working on the actual holiday or the day before/after.

However, lately I have been very interested in the sparkly polishes and make up items that adds just a touch of festivity to your day.

MAC "Hundred Degrees" Illuminizer 

Essie Polish "Play Date" "Golden Nugget" "Set in Stones" "It's Genius"

Physician's Formula Highlighting Powder "Warm"

 

Glittery eyeliners

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush sparkly shadows to put in inner corner of your eyes

NARS "Night Clubbing" 

Beauty and Baking Haul

Brown Paper bags with handles for my baked goods!


Since I have been on a baking kick lately I did a little shopping at Michael's Arts and Crafts for some packaging items.


Little Take-out containers! Perfect for anything!

Whenever I am in that store, I think about who I would be gifting the baked goods for, and see what color, or theme would be appropriate.

The clearance section has some great items as well, and I found a colorful polka dot cupcake liner for a penny, and beautiful ribbons for a dollar each.


$2.01 total


I also have some new additions to my make up collection, and recently, I have been gravitating toward Japanese and Korean items.

There are many stores in Los Angeles that I can purchase these items, so I don't necessarily have to go online, but when I do, my go-to site is Pretty and Cute.

I bought the most adorable handheld mirror and a BB Cream, (both by Lioele) from them and I couldn't believe how fast the shipping was!




I purchased an eyeshadow palette that is produced by Japanese model Tsubasa Masuwaka (I have few other items by her brand, Dolly Wink).





It is in Sweet Dolly Brown (01) and it has the most useful, beautiful colors, it will be a staple in my make up bag.


Also, I am always looking for mascara that doesn't leave a black 'rim' on the bottom of my eyes after a few hours of wear, and this one (over YSL or Dior) is the winner.
It's a Japanese brand, GAFIXX Mascara (you can purchase here).


GAFIXX Mascara


What have you purchased lately that just makes you smile?

Fall Haul #2

In the past week, I have added just a few more pieces to my fall wardrobe...



Madden Girl
Karlla Zebra Platform Ruffle Pump

I was so excited to get this pump -- it is amazing with a simple outfit like skinny jeans and a slouchy tee, and totally dresses up a sleek black dress/skirt.
(I also bought it in a satin finish black as well.)



NARS
Chelsea Girls

PERFECT nude lip color and texture!
I am not a fan of lipstick but sometimes my beloved gloss just doesn't have enough pigmentation.



NARS
Triple X

I wear this over the above lip color for a shiny finish that's not overly done.



Boyfriend sweater
I got this exact one in black -- you would think it's easy to find a perfectly slouched plain black sweater cardigan. I looked everywhere last season, and they all had some kind of embellishment, or had wool in the material (I'm not a fan).
This was exactly what I wanted, and I am looking forward to wearing it with everything.

NARS

With its sleek black design and eye brow lifting names (i.e. Orgasm, Deep Throat) genius and multi-talented Francois Nars' work has always captured my attention.

There are few items from his ever famous line that is beyond popular, it has become a legend in its own rights.

I own a few items myself, and am always amazed at the vibrant color and the pigmentation that transfers onto the eyes, lips, cheeks, etc.

Their new eye shadow color, Daphne, was so extremely colorful, as an avid fan of color purple, I couldn't resist adding it to my collection!




NARS Daphne
(image by Cosmetic Candy)

Once I finish my fall shopping, I will do another haul post!

Fall haul

As the end of any season approaches, I always do a few hauls to 'liven up' my closet, makeup bags, what have you.





Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow in "Mystic Smokys"





Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm

Christian Dior is my favorite brand when it comes to high end ANYTHING.
I have few of their purses, and my occasional splurge is their fashion jewelry, especially bracelets.
The one (and only) pair of their beautiful heel that I own is really a breathtaking piece of art -- no wonder it costs an arm and a leg!

The makeup collection is also a bit pricey compared to some other brand, but it is obviously more affordable than their $700 pair of shoes, so once in a while I treat myself to their pieces.

This balm is soft, moisturizing, and neutral and the best part is that the product adjusts to your own pigmentation so it is always flattering.
The eye shadows are highly pigmented but yet not chalky at all.


Both are worth every penny.






Skin 79 BB cream
Super Beblesh Balm Triple Function

My new go-to 'foundation' is this pretty pink bottle.

BB Cream is very familiar name in the Asian community as it is produced mainly in Korea, and it is abbreviation for 'blemish balm.'
This particular one comes out almost three shades lighter than my skin color, but it blends in after a few minutes, and makes my face look FLAWLESS.
Even as the temperature cools, I will need to have some kind of protection from the sun, and this cream has SPF 25, and fights against wrinkle and has oil control.
It is not exactly a foundation, yet it has medium coverage, so it works well for that purpose.




Madden Girl Kallista Bootie in Tan

I love the peep toe bootie look.
This one has a slight platform (3/4 inch) and a not-so-sky-high heel (4 inches) and the color is JUST right.
It will go with almost anything in my closet, so versatile.



Express moto jeans
I have wanted a moto style jeans for a while and this week, with Express' 25% off jeans sale, I finally nabbed one.



Bebe handbag
I am really feeling the feminine lace and frills this fall and this bag is perfect in size and design.



F21 dress

Again, loving the lace details, and the color of this dress! It falls somewhere between tan and blush, is going to be a perfect compliment to black boyfriend jackets and tights.

What are you looking for for the fall season?

Beauty go-to

Every girl has beauty items that are fail proof for her.
Here are some of the items that I can't do without if they suddenly become discontinued (knock on wood)....





CHI flat iron

Though a bit expensive, I refuse to use anything else.
My hair is thick and coarse and can be extremely frizzy after shampoo.
This iron is like magic, where I don't need to keep going over the same area five times in order for it to straighten it and also gives it a nice shine.





Moroccan Oil

I have been in search of a one step product that would protect my hair from the heat and also give it the shine I want after I use my flat iron without the greasy feeling.
This is it.




OPI Strawberry Margarita

Fruit punchy color looks so good on my nails during the warm months, and I found this color that is absolutely perfect.




Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Freakshow


I have dark brown eyes and purple makes my eye color pop.
I searched high and low for a perfect purple and this is the color that was EXACTLY what I have been looking for.



MAC brush #252



MAC brush #109



MAC brush #130

When it comes to actually applying the make up, the above three brushes are my staple.
I use the 252 brush to apply the shadow over my entire lid and the 109 for my foundation.

130 is to blend the foundation into the small areas on my face that a big powder brush can't get to, like the side of my nose.
This brush is also excellent for blending my bronzer and blush together so it looks like a natural flush, and not something I painted on.

Obviously I have more brushes but these three are my essentials.



Nars blush in Torrid

I know Nars is known for its blush 'Orgasm' but with my darker skin tone, the blush was a touch too light and wasn't showing up.
When I spoke to someone at Sephora, they suggested Torrid, and now I can actually see what I'm putting on my face!




Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss in Coconut Craze

I have many many MANY tubes of lip gloss but this is my favorite now.
It is a touch darker in the tube but it has a nice golden sheen that gives my lips a nude yet shimmery color, and it smells divine.



Wet'n Wild shadow in Fine Wink (image courtesy of makeupmasala)

Known as the dupe for the ever famous 'Kitten' by Stila, this under $3 cheaper cousin of the famous color is THE best shadow in my make up collection.
I use this for highlight, and as a base color. I can NOT do my make up with out this one!




Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter


The most moisturizing and the smell is just subtle enough that it doesn't overpower you.




Caudalie Cleansing Water

I am on my fourth bottle of this fabulous product.
I use it as a cleansing water to take make up off or as a toner, because it's just that gentle.




Make Up Forever HD Foundation in #128

I was never a fan of liquid foundation, until I found this.
It is an absolute perfection and the color blends into my skin as if it was custom made for me.


What are your beauty must haves, or the go-to items?