Korea

I've made it to Korea yay! The 14 hour flight wasn't that bad, but I know I'll be jet lagging like crazy later.
I'm probably gonna be MIA for a while until I get my permanent place.

My Korea Trip Update

My fellow baristas must love me so much. They got together to get me a photo album and an apron that's been signed by everyone *tears* I shall take a picture when I remember. I'm gonna miss them all!!! Hopefully I'll learn how to send packages in Korea (because I don't speak or read Korean) so I can send them some nice surprises.
Anyway, I've finally finished my interview for my visa. For some odd reason they wanted to ask me a few questions on why I want to go to Korea to teach before I can get my visa. I probably won't be picking up my visa until the day before I leave. I was told at first I can get it the day I do my interview, but the consulate closes at 5pm, and my interview was 430pm so it can't be processed that fast. Now I supposedly have to wait 2-3 business days to get it when I'm leaving on Saturday! I've already written on my visa application that I'm leaving on August 30th, so I must get it, otherwise I don't even have my passport to go throw the Korea customs haha.
My flight will be 14 hours long and I'm gonna be so jet lagged when I get there. It takes me roughly a week to get over jet lag too, so I might forget alot of things that anyone tells me on the first week. Not good at all! Maybe I should bring some Red Bull with me.
I still haven't even started to pack yet because I've been so lazy, but I should get started on that today.
I'm so excited since I get exposed to all sorts of new Korean makeup and skincare. I'm mostly looking forward to the Laneige stores since I paid no attention to them when I went to Hong Kong in May.

My Natural Makeup Look

I'm sure everyone has their lazy days when they don't feel like playing around with too much makeup. Lately I've been like that so I go for something less dramatic. When I'm feeling lazy and don't want to use any color I go for a natural no makeup look, well my version of natural.
Looking natural is always nice as it matches with everything I wear and I don't have to keep deciding what shadows to match with my outfit. Best part is I don't have to figure out which color e/s should go where etc etc... Here are the things I used for my look.

For my natural makeup look I like to use my Sephora liquid liner in Copper (not shown) and Estee Lauder eyeshadow in Tea Biscuit and Cinnamon. I just sweep the Tea Biscuit on my lids up to my brow bone and use Cinnamon on my lids. These Estee Lauder shadows don't have the best staying power, even with the UDPP, so later in the day I have to do a touch up. They also crease a bit if it's too humid outside.
The MJ Majolook BR742 is also nice for a natural look if I'm in the mood for a bit more shimmer. The highlighter and "trick on" shades have quite some shimmer in them so I don't always use that palette.
Since the browns don't stand out as much, I use my mascara to compensate for the lack of popness. I use my usual Imju DejaVu Fiberwig in black and I will put at least 3 coats on. My friends always comment on how I have "major crazy lashes" with this mascara.
For the rest of my face I just use my usual Shu Uemura Pro Concealer in 5YR, Lavshuca loose powder and my T'estimo blush in PK-18. Sadly, T'estimo has been discontinued and now replace by Coffret D'or. But I think Coffret D'or is better, but their blush selection isn't as nice as T'estimo.
To finish up my look, I use either my Coffret D'or lipstick in BE178 or my Majolica Majorca Rouge Majex in BE205. For this look, I used my MJ lipgloss.

Blue Eyeshadow Application

Here's another picture from my Sony Ericsson K800 of a Japanese magazine on blue eyeshadow application. This magazine was dated from earlier this year and as you might already know, the 3D Lighting Eyes palettes are already considered outdated.
The steps are kinda flying everywhere because I didn't wanna be seen taking pictures from a magazine! Haha, I looked kinda ridiculous doing it actually, the waitresses were giving me weird looks.
I can't read Japanese, so I have to keep staring at the pictures to understand what's up. The eyeshadow on the model is the Coffret D'or 3D Lighting Eyes in 02. The MUA used the Anna Sui Glitter Eye Color Stick in 100 as a base, then used the palette to create sort of a gradient look on the eyes. Then used mascara and a heated eyelash curler. Finish off with black eyeliner and voila!






Or, you can always apply the eyeshadow the way the Coffret D'or website has it. I only did it the way the website taught me and haven't had time to try the magazine way.

Coffret D'or released some new eyeshadows last month called Fluffy Shine Eyes. Judging from the picture and the commercial, they'll probably be similar to Maybelline's mousse line. The singles are pretty but I like to have my eyeshadows picked out for me like a palette to do a certain look. However, I still likie because on the Coffret D'or website, they used the pink and lavender to make a sweet innocent look.

Free 10 Day Supply of Bare Escentuals

Hmm..I wonder if this even works in Canada. I tried to enter the promo code during the online check out, but it required me to enter my payment info along with the promo code, so I didn't want to risk buying something I didn't need! But apparently you can pick up your sample in store, I'd assume you can only get this with a purchase. I don't have time to go, but if someone in Canada happens to just get it for free without a purchase, do let me know!

The wonderful world of magazine hair..long post!

Everytime I read a Japanese magazine (Vivi being my favourite) I always get so jealous of the model's pretty hair and makeup. Of course it's all for show but still, I'd love to wake up with hair like that, wouldn't you?
I have fine hair and it's very difficult to get the volume I want and to make it stay. The only hairspray that'll hold my hair is Schwarzkopf's Osis in #3 hold and it doesn't come cheap for $18CAD. Curlers and hairspray can only do so much and if it's windy outside, I have to say goodbye to all my hard work.
Maybe a new brush will help. I don't have those big round brushes, nor do I have huge velcro rollers, only the 1.5inch ones. I've also switched from using D:Fi moulding creme #8 to Gatsby Wild Shake and I think it likes to weigh my hair down, I don't have this problem with D:Fi. *shakes fist*
Having bangs also means alot more work. I gotta make sure my bangs have enough volume so it doesn't touch my forehead. I hate when it does, you know after a long day your face (well mine at least) gets oily on the forehead and makes the bangs look weird?! Yah, that's me alright! So at the end of the day, I'm at the brink of pms-ing because my hair is all messed up by my oily forehead. Why don't I grow out my bangs? Well I do, but if I let it get too long and don't split it properly, I look bald on one side. I'm so picky...
Have any of you seen the Pantene commercial for the Sheer Volume Collection? I went on the website to get the steps to get crazy volume. It's the exact things I do, minus using the Sheer Volume stuff, to get more body, but sadly it doesn't last. Maybe I should try the Pantene stuff, but my stylist tells me Pantene is garbage and they spend more time to create the commercials than to perfect the products. He thinks L'oreal is the way to go. I'm actually a sucker for the commercials, so I think I'm gonna end up with part of the collection when I visit Walmart later in the week.
If you can read (or even see) the Chinese/Japanese in the magazines then you can probably see how to achieve some of these looks. These are some of my favs that I took from magazines in BBT places with my cell *hides in shame* The magazines are not worth the money to buy here so I just go and read it there while I have my yummy drinks.
The first and second picture is how I want my hair to be with/without bangs. Since I have bangs right now, it's probably easier for me to go for the second look. But my bangs haven't reached long enough past my brows to sweep it to the side, so it'll look funny.
The first picture is how I want my hair to be if I grew out my bangs. I think it's alot easier to manage cuz I don't have to keep visiting the salon every 2-3 months for a snip. However, I haven't really mastered how to do the split like the picture so it doesn't look like I have a straight pale line along my scalp. If I don't do it right, then I look bald on one side =p

Here's what my hair looked like back in May 2008 when I went to Hong Kong, then I cut my bangs when I got my extensions during the trip. Notice how my hair flips/curls out at the ends? It annoys the shit outta me! I blow dry it straight, then slowly but surely as the day goes on, it flips back out.

Here's a more recent picture from this month at Toronto Botanical Gardens. I took out my extensions after 2 months because they weren't holding up well anymore, damn cheap stuff. It was fun having long hair for a while though. I dunno what was up with my eyes and undereyes haha, it was either too sunny, or my bf just likes to make me look like I have smaller eyes than I really do and accentuate the puffiness of my eyebags! LOL

So after this long post, I've come to the conclusion that I should grow out my bangs for now, then cut it again. Mr T likes my bangs, but too bad for him, it's too much work and I'm feeling lazy right now. At the moment, I wish my hair was how it is in my profile pic.

Aube Jewelry Shower Eyes

Hi everyone, hope you had a good weekend. I didn't really do much. Took some family reunion pics, worked and FINALLY saw The Dark Knight. I liked it, but I thought the movie was a wee bit too long. It had me on the edge of the seat like the last Lord of the Rings when it seemed like the movie was gonna end, but it ain't ending!

Anyway, I did an EOTD with the Aube Jewelry Shower Eyes #31 palette. This was actually the first palette I got in purple because I always thought purple made me look like I had a black eye. But this palette is ok because it's got tons of nice shimmer in it, which I likie very much. I didn't use any eyeliner in this, I tried with the MAC Fluidline in Blitz and Glitz, but black just makes it look funny.

What I used:

Aube Jewelry Shower Eyes #31

Shu Uemura Pro Concealer 5YR

Imju DejaVu Mascara

Lavshuca Loose Powder in Lucent

UDPP

Pink EOTD

I likie pink. I think pink eyeshadows are one of the few bright colors that I can pull off. My current fav is from the Kanebo sub-brand, Coffret D'or. It is the 3D Lighting Eyes in the 01 version and I paid about $27CAD for it. The colors are quite pigmented and they go on smoothly. With the UDPP it lasts very well too. The case is silver with a big pink rhinestone +. There's a mirror inside and 2 applicators, one with a brush end. Again, because of my crummy cellphone, the colors don't appear as brilliant, but believe me, it is!
I have the 3D Lighting Eyes in the 02 Blue version and the 03 Silver/Brown version and I'll do an EOTD for it one day. BTW, do my eyebrows scare you or what?! I have a hard time growing them. I've only gotten them done like..twice in my life.
For this look I used:
UDPP
Shu Uemura Pro Concealer 5YR
Coffret D'or 3D Lighting Eyes 01
KATE Square Cut Liner in BR3
Imju DejaVu Fiberwig mascara
Lavshuca Loose Powder in Lucent

o_O

Is it me, or does Sephora have some weeeeiiirrrdddd taste?? Dark purple and burgundy lipstick?!? Maybe it'll suit some people, but I think for me I'll steer clear of it. The grey purple smokyish looks are nice though. Makes me wanna get the Bobbi Brown Mauve Palette. But it's $65CAD plus 13% taxes @__@ I finally recieved my documents from Seoul to take to the Korean consulate for my visa, I don't like all this rushing! The consulate is closed today for some Korean holiday so I can't even go today to drop down my application form. After doing the application form, I have to set up an interview to show them my contracts, criminal checks, etc etc. And I'm supposed to fly next Saturday and yet I don't even have my ticket booked by Seoul yet because I don't have that darn visa. I'm gonna rip my hair out.
Update
So now the lady at the agency told me that she's gonna book my flight for August 30 instead of the 23rd. GAAHH you hear me GGGAAAAHHH!!! She's a nice lady, but sometimes I think she's confuses herself then passes it onto me. And my detailed background check won't come until at least next Tuesday and that's the only thing that's stopping me from getting my visa. Now I'm gonna be out of work for a week and a half..great... but my manager loves me so maybe she'll give me a few shifts even though I've already handed in my resignation letter.

Makeup Focus: Majolica Majorca

Majolica Majorca, or MM or MJ, is starting to be one of my favourite Japanese brands. It failed me the first time when I tried the Lash Enamel Glamour and the Majolook in VI343. The mascara just clumped my lashes and it was very difficult to remove, and the Majolook e/s just didn't have any staying power. However MM is a good quality inexpensive drugstore brand, but when I went to Hong Kong back in May, I could only find it independent stores around Causeway Bay. Back here in Toronto at the infamous Pacific Mall, there's a store that sells everything at a ridiculous mark up. So a single eyeshadow would cost about $6CAD on Adambeauty shipped and at Pacific Mall it will be $10. The blush is about $10 on Adambeauty and $20 at the Pacific Mall store..etc.
Majolica Majorca is ridiculously cute, from its makeup themes to the packaging, which is very princess like. If you've ever ventured onto the MM website it features various themes like dolls and "Love Hunter". You can scroll around with your mouse searching for little pop ups that show off the new makeup pieces. My favourite theme so far has been "Beauty in Black", although I don't think I can pull off the smoky look without getting a pro to help me do it =p
The eyeshadows are all shimmery and the colors go on medium pigmented, so some layer in needed. I find that the shadows need some touching up because it tends to fade after a few hours, even with UDPP. Don't even imagine what it's like if it's super humid. The shadows are sort of in between cream and powder which I very much likie. I have the singles in BK922 and WT920. BTW you must be careful about dropping these as they will shatter easily like my BK922. I also have the VI343 and BR742. I think the BR742 formula has improved as it has more staying power than the previous Majolooks. I use the BR742 when I don't feel like using anything colorful as it creates a neutral look.
The only eyeliners that I've tried were the Automatic Liner in BL777 and the Jeweling Pencils in BL503 and SV802. The Automatic Liner is like a pen and you turn the bottom to get the product. It stays on very well, but if you get any sorta liquid on it, it comes right off. The Jeweling Pencils feel like a creamy liner. They have glitter in it and I find the lasting powder is very good. I've even cried with these babies on and they stay put.
The other item I have is the Rouge Majex lipgloss in BE205. It has a fragrance to it that I can't seem to figure out what it smells like. It's not super sticky and it also has some good lasting power.
Give it a try, it's not too expensive. I'm sure you'll fall in love with the cuteness like I have.

i wish it was still summer

When summer time comes along, I usually opt for something "FOB" since I was never the type to dress all girly girl or CBC. I rarely even wore tank tops with thin straps. I think turning 23 also changed my mindset. I'm starting to suddenly want to buy a bunch of dresses, heels and shorter shorts and skirts. Miss Fuzkittie is also feeding my urge because all her outfit photos are just so uber cute and girly. But damn this Toronto weather, it's already down to 16C in the evening which means there's no point in getting new skirts/dresses and shorts. I made an acception when Artizia threw a up to 50% sale. I swear I've only purchased 2 things from there ever, that's because if you walk around York University or Uni of Toronto, half the girls you see there all wear those yoga pants and use the TnA bag and other such Artizia products. Anyway, my only purchases were cheap, my $50 grad dress and this pink tank for $25. I thought it worth it cuz I need to start adding some more girly things into my wardrobe. Besides, I can rock this when I want to go somewhere a wee more fancier like a bar/lounge. Hurry ladies! Aritzia still has their 50% sale, Eaton Center has more variety.

first EOTD...using a cellphone

My EOTD is gonna be terrible because my camera sucks butt (Sony CyberShot 7.2) it cannot focus nicely on close ups so I think I need to steal T's Digital SLR thingy. So my pictures aren't as brilliant/detailed as I like it to be.
Please excuse the eyebaggies, I haven't yet found a good concealer. The Shu Uemura one kinda stinks cuz it's too orangey and it's not the smoothest thing to apply. I don't use foundation as I don't like the look of it on me, but I do use powder to control shine and even out my pores. The MAC Fluidline and KATE e/l is similar in color, the only difference is MAC has the glitter in it. I used the MAC to make the KATE e/l pop a bit more. I don't like to line my lower lashline since it makes me look funky.

What I used:

Shu Uemura Pro Concealer 5YR
UDPP
Majolica Majorca BR742
KATE Square Cut e/l BR-3
MAC Fluidline in Blitz and Glitz
Imju DejaVu Mascara
Lavshuca Loose Powder in Lucent
Coffret D'or Full Styling Rogue in BE-178

i luuurve nails

Wow, I'm surprised that people read my blog and I just started this on the weekend =) Thanks for the comments!
I loooove nails. Everytime I look at those Japanese magazines I wish I could have those pretty acrylic/gel nails with all the wee little bits glued on it. I regret sooo soo much that I didn't do my nails when I went to Hong Kong a few months back, cuz they were only $30CAD!!! However, being a such a devoted *cough cough* SB barista, I'm not allowed to even have clear nail polish on. Instead, I must keep my nails short and "neat" according to the rule book. This doesn't really bother me, except when I have to peel those damn bananas on the bottom part. I finally figured out why underneth my thumb nail is brown. The cheap gloves they provide doesn't stop the banana nasties from getting there. It's like a permanent stain now.
Unfortunately I only do my nails if I have at least 2 days or more off from working. Which I do right now. So here's a pic.
I used this pink nail polish I got from Shanghai waaaay back then, the Majolica Majorca SV831 to make that French manicure lookish and the topcoat from PA, another Japanese brand.
I absolutely adore the Majolica Majorca(MJ) products. It's a cheap drugstore brand from Japan, I can't remember what the price ranges are but I will post it up once I find out and do a review of it. The nail polish I purchased from Adambeauty for about $7CAD, and they last soooooo long. There is little to no chipping as long as I use a top coat. The bottles are tiny though, about 5mL, but it lasts me a long time since I can rarely use polish now anyway.
Please excuse my nasty looking hands, the SB sanitizer is the reason to my aged looking hands haha.

should start packing

Yay, I'm going to Korea reeeaaallly soon. As in next week soon. To teach English in Seoul with Mr. T man. The only problem is, I was told I will depart from Toronto between the 21-23 and yet I don't even have my work visa yet! Yikes! Damn this whole 3 week rushing to get my documents and flying my ass to Korea before August 25!!! This was so sudden too. I literally applied for teaching 3 weeks ago and got the phone call from the agency the next day, got my contracts the next.
I haven't even begun to think about what I need to pack, aside from packing a year's worth of Tampax because according to my friend who is there teaching now, tampons are a rarity there. Nice. I also don't have a second luggage to pack all my junk in.
One major rant I have is, I spent a whoooole lot of money for this application. Notarizing my degree, passport photos, criminal checks, business casual clothes that I am totally NOT used to wearing.
I'm SOOOO looking forward to purchasing my first Etude House Peach line products, as the Muse has gotten me wanting them so badly. Also some Laneige makeup would be nice.

purple shower

I'm sure this palette might be considered outdated to some, but I just purchased this a few weeks ago and haven't had a chance to try it out until today.

I purchased the Aube Jewellery Shower Eyes in #31 from Adam Beauty for about $28CAD, I can't really remember. But it's not too bad considering Japanese brands are high quality makeup.

The palette comes with 4 different colors, a highlighter, two main colors and a liner. The colors are medium pigmented and they go on smoothly. The highlighter, well I wouldn't really say a highlighter, is more of a creamy eyeshadow that contains a hefty amount of silverish glitter, even though it looks white. I used this as the last step when applying the shadows as it gives my eye an extra pop of glitter. The two main shades are nothing too special. There is a pale blue shade that looks slightly purple when applied and the second shade is just a typical purple without alot of shimmer. The liner shade feels more like cream to me and it goes on very smoothly, but not pigmented enough for me.

The case is made of sturdy plastic and there is a mirror inside. It also comes with two applicators. One applicator is just a double ended sponge, and the other has a brush on one side and white sort of sponge that doesn't really hold onto much shadow. It's intended to be used on the highlighter shade as the shade just sits on the applicator for you to pat onto your eyelid.

I use the UDPP before I apply the shadows so staying power is probably about 6 hours or so before creasing or touching up is needed. I do have oily eyelids, so sometimes a touch up is necessary for me. Annoying, but it must be done.

All in all, I think this is an awesome palette. I wasn't such a big fan of purples so this is my first purple palette. It's great for everyday use if I don't feel like experimenting since the shades aren't too over the top.

i can't live without these

There are definately some things in a girl's makeup collection that they can't live without. I haven't found all my HGs yet, but some items I think I would die if I didn't have them. If anyone hasn't tried these cosmetics, I urge you to give it a try because who knows, it could turn out to be your fav like mine =p

Imju DejaVu Fiberwig Mascara
>> I'm going through my third one already. This mascara does an awesome job at volumnizing my lashes that I don't even need falsies. Even Sephora has raves about this cult mascara. It also holds up really well since I have oily eyelids and it also didn't fail me when I had to ball my eyes out. The price retails for roughly $15CAD depending on where you live and where you buy it. I purchased mine online at Adambeauty and they offer a pretty reasonable price.

Urban Decay Primer Potion
>> This is such a must for me since I mentioned that I have oily eyelids. Without this, my eyeshadows would crease so fast or it would just slide right off. This helps out alot especially in the summer when it's waaay to humid to be wearing eyeshadow =p The tube is kinda small but then it does last me for at 3 months, depending on how often I use eye makeup.

Lavshuca Loose Powder
>> I have purchased this in the Lucent shade, which really doesn't have any color. It looks slightly pinkish beige but goes on translucent with a hint of shimmer. I don't wear foundation as I don't like the look of it, so this works out good enough for me. I use this on top of my UDPP and it helps alot in keeping my eyeshadows on. This is a finely milled powder with no detectable odour and it helps in evening out my pores. This cost me about $24CAD from Adambeauty.

These are just a few items for now but I will try to post more plus some pictures in the near future. I'm still trying to get used to using my new VAIO and learning how to do blogs properly since I just created this account.

my budding collection

Here's alittle preview of my collection. I just adore Japanese makeup.

when the number of years don't matter anymore...

For the first time in my life, I feel like my friends don't care about me anymore. I've known these people for at least 8 years of my life, and we've been there through the happy times and the rough times. But not so much last night.
I will be leaving to Korea with T to teach English and I'll be gone for a year. It's only a year right and it'll be done so fast. But somehow during that year, I'll feel like my friends will be drifiting apart from me slowly.
So anyway I was going to have dinner with them yesterday and during the day I went to Yorkdale Mall and they would meet up with me and I ended up waiting for 30 minutes infront of Coach. I already informed one of my friends but apparently the message didn't get through to the rest of them because they all split up to walk around. And this friend that I told where I was waiting thought I was shopping at Coach when she knows I don't even like Coach. Luckily T was waiting with me. Right when they finally came to find me sitting there, T just got up and stormed back to his car and left without saying hi.
During dinner, one of them decided to ask us "what was the most expensive present you ever got for anyone (in the group of friends)" Then the answers came pouring out at once. "I got you a cell phone", "Remember that huge Winnie the Pooh I got you? It was like $100 before tax!", "It was that Coach agenda that was $200 (I think or somewhere around that)" and me, "I think it was that KumaKuma turtle chair I got you for $50" In my mind thinking, my friends must think I'm a cheap ass. One of them decides to say out loud about me "Her presents are from the heart!" Because I can't afford expensive purses, cellphones and agendas for their birthdays. I work at Starbucks and they don't pay me $20/hour and I'm not getting enough hours at work. And I also prefer NOT to have my credit cards maxed out every time. Last Christmas I got them all the Starbucks Christmas Mug that looks just like the paper cups and one of them tells me she wanted the white one. Ok..what am I supposed to say to that, "Don't worry I'll exchange it??"
I didn't even have enough money to go on one of their birthday trips last weekend because I was helping my mom pay for some of the $1000 vet bill, which included putting down my cat. (that will be another story). I wonder if they're upset because I didn't go, because I didn't want to borrow money from them and because I spent a majority of my money for the application process to Korea.

Another thing that bugs the hell outta me is when we plan big events.
Like this Disney trip for example. We were planning to take the tour bus to go sightseeing while going to Disney World and this trip apparently cost around the same amount as if we flew to Disney World and stayed at the resort. But you know we're all going with "our friends" so majority rules and we travel by tour bus. This tour bus package BTW means that we spend 2 days in the bus, and live outside of Disney World and rush through 2 parks a day, go to Sea World and rush through Universal.
Prior to the trip, T was the one that found the package with the airplane and staying at the Disney resort. But my friends think it's too expensive even though you just need to add like $100 more or something, BUT you get to stay in the resort and take your time playing around. My friends think that spending 7 days in the Disney resort is boring and they want to go sightseeing, even though we can take a cab somewhere from the resort. So they actually have the nerve to tell me that I can go with T and they meet us there? WTH?? So stupid me, I decided to drop the whole flying to Disney thing and take the tour bus. As the trip was still being planned, two of them decided that it might be more fun going to Cuba, and guess what? If they didn't want to go to Disney, the whole trip would be cancelled just for them. But if I didn't go, they would tell me that I still have T to go on trips with me.
Blah blah blah, you probably get the picture.
This happens for other events too. Going karaoke, dinners, etc. I don't go they all still go, if one or two of them don't then no one else goes.

Sometimes I think I need to grow some balls and just tell them off. But in the back of my head I think, they're the only people that I've known. I've known them for 8 years and they should care about me. I know I've been there for them whenever they need me, so why aren't they? After all, the longer you know someone the better friends you become right?
I'm not so sure anymore.