Winter Nails Products and Tutorial

Hello Friends!

I have been quite sick lately.  I caught a bit of that bug that's been going around and I have been feeling really groggy-froggy even at work.  But I am really thankful that this bug didn't become like a flu like my sister's did.  ):

I just wanted to share what I used for my winter nails from the photo I posted last week.

This is really simple to do: you just need a frosty white nail color, blue glitter polish, top coat, and nail gems:

• I began with OPI Nail Laquer in "Happy Anniversary!"- a frosty white shade reminiscent of snow :)  Coat your nails 3 times to make it opaque.
• Follow with 1 coat of the glitter polish halfway up your nails from the tip.  I used OPI in "Simmer and Shimmer".
• Apply another coat of the glitter only on the tip of your nails for the gradient effect.
• Place gem stones on the tip of your nail with a pair of tweezer for that extra sparkle!  I only put on my thumb and ring finger.
• Seal your hard work with top coat! :D

Left to Right: Gemstones, OPI Nail Lacquer in "Happy Anniversary!",

OPI Nail Lacquer in "Simmer and Shimmer," and OPI RadiDry Top Coat

Gemstones I found from $1.99 store

I hope my instructions were clear ^^  Enjoy your manicure!

Reason To Party!

It's that season again when wherever I am, in private conversations of others or directed at me, people are asking, "What are you giving up for Lent?"  This topic is usually interesting to me because I don't observe the Lenten season the same way others do.  However, I believe a healthy fast from food or anything that we've indulged in (like the Internet or TV) should be practiced from time to time for both the mind and body.  But whatever you've chosen to do for this season or any other time of your life, may God receive all the glory!

I thank God that He's given us reason to commemorate and to celebrate His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.  I heard on the radio once by Pastor Alistair Begg, my go-to preaching during my thirty-minute drive home from work, that of all people, Christians should be known for their "pahrr-tees."  Aside from my utter amusement at his pronunciation, I agree that we have the biggest reason to celebrate!  Jesus loved us so much that He came to finish all sacrifices required to buy us back from death and to give us LIFE- a life to be lived to the full with Him (John 10:10).

Why am I so confident that this is true?  Why am I so confident that Jesus rose from the dead?  Because there would be absolutely no reason to party if it weren't true!  As in the words of Apostle Paul:

    "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.  Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied" 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (NASB).

I also know that someday He will come again in His full regalia and glory, and everyone will know as obvious as the sea is deep and the mountains are tall, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is Lord!

So, this Lenten season, may I suggest that you and I not only give up sweets or meat?  May I challenge us that we GIVE UP our confidence in ourselves, in what we can do, or can reason?  And GAIN life that is eternal through Christ Jesus!

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:4-6 (NLT).

Scripture
New American Standard Version, New Living Translation: Biblegateway.com.
Images
Van Gogh, Vincent. Still Life with Mackerels, Lemons, and Tomatoes.  From FamousPainters.org.
Empty Tomb.

Lancome Package

Hooray!  My package came in about a week after I ordered~~ ^.^  I bought an eye cream and a lipstick to go along with the 7-piece gift.  Heehee!  I think it's always funny to buy anything for the freebies.  Or maybe a little sad because that's not the most practical thing to do...  -__-  Oh well, let's look at the bright side of things :D

They are little things, only as small as my lipstick.  The bright side: cute!

I thought might as well because I thought I was
getting wrinkles on my eyes.  Nothing serious.  :S
The bright side: I can share with Ma!

In Pink in the Limo (Sheen)

Smells like roses!

I've read reviews about its distinct smell, and mine

does have a strong smell.  I thought the brush was

well-designed, meant to reach the tightest corners.

Extra

My little sister chose these polishes.  She was in the mood for glamorous
wintry colors.  So, I borrowed ^^  I'll show you the products next time!

The lesson of this story... I don't think having more stuff actually means becoming happier.  That old adage about money and happyness rings true.  The bright side with having more is having the capability to share ^^ Shouldn't it be that way?  Someday, I think I should hold a giveaway when I get enough followers/readers or other reasons to celebrate ^____^

Anyway, as for Macy's customer service: their online service was great!  They replied to my emails quickly and they tried to answer my questions the best way they could.  The package came in less than a week, too!  ^^

Etude House Proof 10 Liquid Liner in #1 Proof Black Review

I wanted to kill two birds with one stone tonight by writing a review and making a tutorial, but little did I know that the details of making a tutorial was tough!  >___<  And my images are blurry.  Oh well... we'll see someday... Plus, I think I am amateur much to be able to guide you well enough with a tutorial.  :P  What do you say?

So, tonight will only be my review on Etude House Proof 10 Liquid Liner in #1 Proof Black.

A Little Background
I got this from BB Cream Boutique a while back, so I don't know if they've restocked yet.  I've thrown away my Dolly Wink eyeliner :(  but this is a good product, too.  My sister and I learned about this when she purchased it from the Philippines... for $20!!  During my college days, that was a king's ransom!  (hehehe!  I exaggerate so.  But I didn't have a job, ok?)  But I think it will please you to know that at BB Cream Boutique, it is a mere $9.99  XD <(nice!)

So, here we go!

Formula
The formula is great because it can last for nearly the entire day, even better than Dolly Wink!  It won't budge off even when it gets wet or with sebum unless you rub it.  But sometimes, because my eyes become really teary and crusty because of wearing contacts (I know, yuck! :( ), my winged tips do slightly disappear.  The color is an intense black.  The consistency of the formula really fascinates me because I have seen absolutely NO American drugstore brand equivalent to it, in which this formula is a little jelly-like (not inky), does not fade away, and will not give panda eyes.

Brush
The brush is really small and thin for making nice skinny lines, but I have a hard time with these pot-and-brush types because it is not as efficient as pen types, where you'd have to set down the pot before you can line your eyes.

Pros
Glides on smoothly.
Intense black color.
Thick consistency.
Waterproof.
Easy to remove with warm water, make-up remover, or if you rub it off.
Affordable price!  ^.^d

Cons
May come off with teary eyes like mine.
Not pen type.

Conclusion
A recommended buy because you don't waste $$$!  You can get yours HERE!  Also, BB Cream Boutique has stocked up on A LOT of new items.  Enjoy your shopping! ^___^

Proof 10 Liquid Liner- skinny lines 

Small and skinny brush tip ^o^

With Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad

Let's put a face to those eyes ^^

Disclaimer
I am not paid to write this review nor am I an agent of BB Cream Boutique

♥♥♥

UPDATE:

Etude House Proof 10 Liquid Liner's formula has changed and... it's not as good and more expensive.  Actually, I'm disappointed as to why they've changed it :(  Review to come later.

Facial Skin Care, ed. 1

Nothing feels as pampering after a long day as a massage, a mani, and a pedi at a salon~

But let's face it (pun intended), if your dinero and your time are at the low like mine, we can just save all those, plus gas (at nearly 5 bucks a gallon! O.o), with a nice and healthy home regimen.  You'll feel almost as refreshed as a 100 bucks spa treatment.  Emphasis on almost!  :D

Enough with my joking around.  Here are a few products I like to treat my face with every night.   

Left to right: Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cleanser (once a week), Skin Food Tomato Whitening Toner, The Face Shop Arsainte Eco Therapy Moisturizer, Leaders Cell Energy serum, Skin Food Tomato Whitening Emulsion, The Face Shop Nature's Holiday foam cleanser.

When I use this complete skin care regimen in the evening, my face looks so bright and smooth and feels so supple in the morning! ^____^  

Sometimes, when I have more time, I wear facial mask from Sexy Look and My Beauty Diary.

Sometimes, when I am too tired, I let my face just rest from all the products except for a nice cleaning with the foam cleanser.

Sometimes, when I am too tired and lazy, I just clean up with Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.