a visit to the post office

I went to the Post Office today to pick up a package. Actually i'm only expecting one, but 'Kuya Rey' is such an angel he gave me the other two & we had to hide from the CO! weeehhhh!
^_^
*putting kuya rey on my christmas list*

Anyway, these are my packages...I was grinning like the cheshire cat when i went home~

What with my bag bulging like Santa's bag, who wouldn't be?!

One is from The Make-up Mix shop, then from Sarah & Vanessa.
I was waiting for like forever for these! Good thing that i already got them. Yipee!

Let's take a look at the contents...
First off, from Sarah... I won her giveaway & boy, i was in for a treat!

Look at the pink bag..it's so roomy & big..& so pink! i love pink! but most of all, i love the card that she sent me...messages always makes me happy!


These are what's inside:

• OPI Nail Lacquer in Mediterranean Moonlight
• Benefit Gilded highlighter
• Benefit B-Spot EDT mini size
• The Body Shop Black Velvet Apricot Lip Balm
• Frizz no frizz styling spray
• Clear gloss in watermelon
• Priori Eye Serum - sample
• Talika Lash Conditioning Cleanser - sample
  
• Philosophy The Present Clear Make-up - sample
  

It's my first OPI nail polish! I won't be using it yet, i'll just save it when i need a color like this. I love everything! I'm fascinated with the gloss because there's a cute pink flower-like things inside it! so cute!

Thanks so much, hun! I'm in high cotton!

Next is my Make-up Mix Shop haul. They were on sale & i just purchased a couple of things...

• ELF Eyebrow Kit in Dark
• ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer
• ELF Nail Polish in Pearl Pink
• ELF Natural Radiance Blusher in Innocence
• Ecotools Retractable Brush
• LA Colors liquid liner in Black
  

ELF is beginning to be one of my favored brand. The Eyebrow Kit is sleek enough to be put on my cosmetic kit. I'll be comparing the ELF primer to UDPP since i heard that they are at par. *gasp*...do you think so? Just wait for my review,ok?

As for the retractable brush, since almost everybody who owns it says that it's good so i decided to give it a try. But i think there's nothing special about it. I guess i'll just have to thoroughly use it before saying anything,right?

Last one is the stuff that i bought from Vanessa's blog sale. She even put it on a box...

Love the cute lil' note! very girly ^_~

• Klean Color in 296 (pixie)
  
• Hard Candy (old version)
• Tarte in Samantha & Jake
• EDM lot: Beige Natural, Winged Butter, Medium Beige, Light Natural, Intensive light (c) light olive, pearl mint (c) & Neutrogena in Lightest to Natural
• Physicians Formula in Blushing Natural
• Revlon Merlot at Midnight
• Revlon Pinking of You
• Sally Hansen in Baby Doll
• She's such a darling for including Clinique Nail Enamel in Tutu Pink & Sunflowers Nail Color in Sun Gold as freebies!
  

Actually i can't remember what i bought from her at all, i was just surprised that i have a lot..hehe...goes to show how bad my memory is,huh? Too bad that the caps of the EDM lot was loose so it just spilled, but it's ok since she separated everything. ^_~

Well, i have a lot to review & swatch. i know i haven't been posting a lot lately. It's just because i am so caught up in my classes, plus the fact that it's december. Lot's of things to do before Christmas. I haven't even finish my shopping list!

I'll try to post every now & then. 3 down, 5 more to go! hope all my packages are safe & sound.. XD

Hope y'all have a great day,hunnies!
Jaa ne~!
^_~

ELF haul

I popped by the Post Office today to pick up one parcel & i know that its my ELF haul. Yay!
.......
.....
maybe you're waiting about my rant on the PO,huh?
hehehe....i'll pass up on that one. I know that y'all know how much i hate our PO,right?

I opened the package & these are what's inside


Lots of brushes...yay for these!i waited so much for these.

I just love ELF eye brushes! I am able to make good look using these. It's really worth my money...oh, & so much more! so I just have to buy more...

I heard a lot of good thing about the ELF face brushes so i decided to buy one for me too. Although i haven't used it yet, but i have to say that they're soft. To some degree i can say that they can be compared...take note, just compared...to Everyday Minerals, but they're not quite, almost.

For one, the Complexion brush is too flimsy for me. I rather like a brush that is a bit resilient. Something that kinda fights back because im able to control it better. I feel that i can control what part of my face i need to put color on, unlike flimsy ones that just tends to scatter all over. That's just my opinion though, but then i haven't tried it yet, so who knows?! Maybe i'll even like this than what my current preference.

I'll give my thoughts about the brushes once I have tested them all, but for now teh only thing i have to say is that they're soft...but it doesn't mean that i like it already because from where im sitting, I have seen a hair or two that sheds off on my brush... (-__-") uh oh! not good...

I already have the blush/bronzer palette before but i just sold it...So i decided to buy one again..hehe

Whoopee!
1 down 4 more to go!
\(^_^)/

Now on to the other news, I think im not gonna buy NARS ( i mean not yet). Maybe ill just buy the CS blush palette first & also the ELF Studio single blushes before i buy NARS. I want to know first what colors will work for me before i buy one. What cheap but quality blushes have you tried?

As what i said, I am NC20. Actually im getting pretty confused with my tone. When i buy mineral foundations, i look for the medium tone. But why is my MAC shade NC20?! Can someone please explain it to me? Im a noob when it comes to MAC.

Im already working on the Kojie-san posts...Maybe i'll be able to post it by the end of the week. Of course it takes time! I do full review & i try to give details as much as i can & provide pictures. I always imagine myself as the reader where i wanted to be able to really know everything about something in just one post than research over & over because the content of the last posts that i read were not enough.

Ok, im just ranting again. Maybe i'll have a birthday giveaway/contest soon. I'm still contemplating on the prizes because im not rich, but i will try to have a good one.

Well, that would be it.
Im just so busy with classes so im not able to update regularly, but i read all of your posts. If im not able to leave a comment it doesn't mean i didn't read it, Im just up to my neck with all the work.

Love y'all!

Jaa ne~!

Makeup Masala Pigments

As what i said before, i love the Makeup Masala minerals for its so pigmented.
I swatched it, dipping my brush just once...The names are very exotic & unique!

Put it on the insides of my arms because my tone is even on that part so that you would be able to see it clearly. I 'primed' my arms by just applying a tinted moisturizer...not exactly a makeup primer...

It's so pigmented applied dry..how much more if you foil it...Just click it if you wanna see it clearly

1. Tuta
2. Vishesh
3. Agni
4. Tanushree
5. Priya
6. Dosti
7. Asha
8. Aashi
9. Hamesha
10. Acha
11. Sneha
12. Sangeeta
13. Amar
14. Dhadkan
15. Shanti
16. Dil
17. Doenita
18. Sada

Now these are the blush samples that i have

1. Preity
2. Freida
3. Priyanka
   

I had a grand time playing with the colors...
You can buy it HERE

On a different note, (contest update)
The entries are on the right side. Feel free to click & read the tips & tricks that they share. I want my contest to be informative to everybody hence i thought of this theme...
You can join my contest..just let me know that you have made an entry

Happy 4th of July to my US readers!
Have a nice weekend,everybody!

beware about Philippines' custom taxes + major haul

I had a bad day...
Just like what the title says..it's about the Customs Taxes...then my haul

1st part is the ranting part...
im sorry about this but i need to do this so to let my anger out..

As what i said yesterday, today i picked the packages waiting for me...I have 4 packages...& i was so excited!

That was up until the custom's officer 'milked' my wallet!

I know that every packages would be 'charged' Php 35 each (that is for the post office)...neither did i know that the customs tax is different from that...

For pinays who do online shopping...guess how much i paid for?

I paid a whooping Php 1,204 (more less $26)!!!!! its ridiculous!
What the f*ck?! I could buy myself a DUO lash glue with that!
I almost promised not to go online shopping anymore!

Im so pissed off that i can't even bear to speak for fear that i would make a fool of myself if im gonna shout in front of the man with all the people waiting to pick up their packages...

Anger management...
*inhale*
*exhale*
have to control my temper...
*inhale*
*exhale*
now im feeling more relaxed...

My total purchases (based on the declared amount on the packages) came to a total of $51...& i was charged Php 1,000+!!!
ekkkkk!!!!!
I know that if you exceed $50 you have to pay for a certain amount but i was not expecting something as big as that amount!

Since i don't have a choice...that even if i asked them over & over it would just result to me being angrier, i just paid & went out as fast as i can!

To think that i have to handle the shipping & handling
the paypal transaction (when changing currencies & the one that the seller charges me-though the latter is not that often)
the Post Office fee
grrr!!!!!
it's a wonder why some people don't do international online shopping!

Lesson Learned:
Again, for pinays who do online shopping, if i were you, try to limit your total purchases until $30/month...Wait until you got your packages before you go online shopping again..

im still fuming up until now so i'll try not to go into details & ill just go straight to my haul..

On to happy news..
These are my packages

Two from Makeup Mix Shop, another from theallnaturalface from Etsy & one from Miss Yaya. I'll provide swatches & reviews of it some other day.

Let's go first with my Makeup Mix Shop haul.... I ordered one when they had the memorial day sale...& one when they introduced the ELF line on their product list.

First off is the memorial day haul...

I ordered some pigments from Miss Toma because i know that her pigments are great. It's $0.50 each...So i got the Makeup Masala pigments plus the NYX pigments..also the Ecotools eyeshadow brushes & the NYX lip balm...

Next is the ELF haul

I ordered brushes, liquid liners & the studio blush powder...


Then the one that Miss Yaya sent me when i join the Doll Contest...
OMG! OMG! OMG!
i never expected that she would send me something too..
i feel so loved...
& now i have my very own Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush!
thank you so much miss yaya!
im so happy!
*tears in the eyes*

& last but not the least...
The Etsy haul...from theallnaturalface
After knowing the shop from Fifi's post, i clicked the link & let Paypal do the talking...& boy was i happy!

How can i not be? Look at the the samples that she sent me
isn't that just one heck of selection!
im pretty sure i'll be able to find a perfect shade!

also thislook at all the eyeshadow samples...
im in heaven!

So even if i had a bad start, in the end, my haul completed my day...
Im definitely still gonna go online shopping..but i've learned my lesson!

I'll just do one online shopping per month!...
if i can..lol!

I'll provide swatches on my upcoming posts
Hope you'll have a great day!
^_~

Jaa~

its a happy day today!

Today is my Boyfriend's birthday..yay!
i so love my guy!

We have been together for 6years & still counting..
im sure that he is THE ONE for me!

Happy Birthday,Ny! (ny = short for hunny XD )

Then today i also got my packages....at last!
Oh Gosh, i waited forever for these...good thing i got them now...

I got 3 packages....


One from Linda Granillo, it was from a blog sale....


It's a blue wrist let & MAC Zoom Lash. This is my first MAC stuff!hooray!

Next is what i got from Stylemaven of Ebay...

The Dariya Hair Fringe....coolness! now i have it..har har har!

& last but not the least, from Makeup Mix Shop...


I just bought a couple of stuff from Miss Toma, things that i'll be including in my future contest...

Im actually surprised that the LA Colors Dual Blusher are this big!
I was thinking that it would be small like the CoverGirl Cheekers...
Im so loving this one! I definitely see myself buying this again!


This is so cool!
3 down, 4 more to go!
^_^

2nd Make up Mix Shop haul - Ecotools

Its Package day for me today...its the one i ordered from Makeup Mix Shop...i highly recommend that shop..

Moving on...here it is: ...fresh from the package....

And of course, we wanna see what's inside...
Mostly Ecotools... The moment that i read Nikki's blog about it, i knew that i have to have it...so i put on my order because im afraid ill ran out of it..lol..

All in all, i got the:
-Ecotools 5 piece brush set
-Ecotools 6 piece brush set
-Ecotools foundation brush (this is what im looking forward to the most)
-Avon Shimmering Powder (i believe we dont have it here)
-plus some freebies too! Miss Toma sure is very generous!

Since the total amount of my order is above $30 so i was able to have another NYX Megashine Lip Gloss in Nude...then i used the code PRETTY NIKKI (im sure Nikki will have a kick out of this one...but im serious!!! XD), i was able to get the sample jar of Tanushree eyeshadow...then she included a sample bag of the Aishwarya blush plus i also got a coupon!...wow..isn't that such a great giveaway...?
That's why you have to shop there...!!!

Ok, on with the brushes...first one on the row is the 6pc brush set, then the foundation brush & the 5 pc set...

I like how earth-themed the package is...considering that it really is an earth-friendly product...so yay for that!

Nikki already gave an in-depth review of the 5pc brush set...click here to read it. So, ill skip that one...

As what i said, the foundation brush is what im looking forward to the most... mainly because of all the brushes that they have this is said to be really good..though i think all the brushes are good, but the foundation brush got the most positive remarks...Upon opening it, I saw a coupon inside...though i dont think i will be able to use it... It says "Save 50cents on ANY Ecotools product"...

I haven't used the brush of course, but i like how soft but firm it is.
I like brushes that are firm (but still soft) because i am able to control it unlike with super soft brushes..I think this is a very promising brush...though i dont use liquid foundations that much, but if i do, i guess that this will be perfect for the job.Look at how it forms in a perfect curve...it means that its resilient so applying foundation will be easy since you have the total control of it...I'll just have to test it first to see if my impressions stand true...

Then on with the 6pc piece brush set:
I got another coupon again....I need to test all of it first to know if its good or not... Especially on the shedding part...I'll get back to it as soon as i have tested everything out.

Although if you're going to ask my initial opinion, i think its a great set...except for the Lash & Brow Groomer...It's just that for the groomer, the brow bristles seems a little too rough to the touch..

I got one question though... Why are the brush pockets outside?I mean look at it.... Aren't cosmetic brush rolls supposed to protect the brushes inside them from dirt & whatever?...So, how the heck will this do its job?See the inside of the brush roll?...its empty...no pockets whatsoever...i can't just put the brushes inside without anything holding it because it will just eventually fall off.I can't just roll it the other way around because the crease of the roll points that it should be like how it was. If i do, then it would just form a budge & ill end up ruining the form.. *sigh*

Then on with the pigment samples...

The last time i did a swatch of it on my skin, i end up ruining the color of the red pigment...so to avoid it, i just put it on a piece of white paper...so that you'll get to see it.

Tanushree is a baby pink eyeshadow sheen that is so pretty...i think it can even be used as a blush & even on the lips...how cool is that?...i love this one...
Aishwarya is more of like a taupe-y brown blush...on which i guess its more of a bronzer...

Well, that's all there is....

Hope you'll all have a great day,lovelies!
^_^

PS:
if you notice my nails, i dont have anything on right now because i wanted my nails to take some time off from too much nail polish...
I just brought 2 artist brushes that i think i could use for nail arts...but i have to experiment first...
I'll put an update if im able to use them for my nails...
^_~

My Makeup Mix haul!

Yatta!

I picked up my Makeup Mix shop haul today at the post office.


& of course, the best part of receiving a package is opening it! As soon as i opened it, i was actually surprised to find out that it's mostly consists of NYX items....hehe...as what i said before, i forgot what i ordered & i don't want to check the confirmation mail on my inbox because i want it to be a surprise....& surprised i was!

Anyhow, this is the contents of the package:
-NYX Doll Eye Mascara : Long Lash
-NYX Concealer in a jar : Beige
-NYX Jumbo Pencil : Milk (i've been wanting this one for so long!)
-NYX Fruit Lip Gloss : Strawberry
-NYX Round Lipstick : Femme
-NYX Round Lipstick : Thalia
-L.A. COLORS Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer : White
-AVON Haiku Parfum Spray



What's great about it is that I got some freebies!
Isn't the owner just so uber nice?! (i think her name is Toma, i think i read it on Nikki's blog) & she even wrote a handwritten thank you message on it....Im touched...

The one on that cute silver pouch is a NYX Megashine Lip Gloss in Burgundy & a sample jar of Makeup Masala Minerals in Priya... & that's not all... just looking at the pic..you will see that i got another one...
look....
did you see it?...
can you identify what it is?....
no?....
ok...ill give you a close up look...


See that.... I got 3!!!
(oh & also the handwritten 'thank you' message...due to some circumstances, i have to erase my real name...sorry about that...but isn't that just so sweet!it got a personal touch!)
She even included a sample baggie of Vishesh pigment...doesn't that color just look great? The pigments are great! Here is a swatch of the 2 that i got:

I dunno what happened to my camera, but Vishesh is actually a plum-like red shimmer... & its really gorgeous! Priya on the other hand is like a light beige sheen.

As for the other stuff, I don't think i'll be using the Dolleye Mascara yet since i still have a few mascaras with me. Ill just keep that for now. Im not a lipstick person so for the round lipsticks ill be trying it out if i have the chance to go out.

The Haiku perfume, i included it because i can still remember the time that Avon released it that i liked it. Although i did not buy it at that time, but i remember that i wanted to buy it before but for some reason i didn't. Based on Makeup Alley, most people find it good, so i might as well just try it out for myself.

For the next few days Im gonna have my hands full trying out the products that i have..This will keep me occupied since I'll be taking this whole month off from work. I wanted to be able to relax for some time, since i can't even remember taking a vacation from work for the past couple of years.....

I lost my job because of the economic crisis...& i felt before that it was the end of the world...lol!...but now im thinking that it's not exactly that bad...

I got a job...actually the companies that i applied for accepted me & now im having a tough time deciding what company i will choose...

& now i can take a vacation..isn't that just great...?!

Life just works in ways that we can't understand..
its just up to us how we are going to make the most out of it...

Ok,back to my haul....
ill do a couple of reviews as soon as i have tried & tested most of them....
so,until the next time,ladies!

Have a great day & always smile!
^_^