MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick : Go Big Or Go Home

I know, I know. I am so behind on reviews (LOL, which I seem to be doing all the time).  I did some heavy damage to my wallet during the Sephora Friends & Family sale, so please do expect tons of product reviews coming up.

While hunting for a nice opaque lip color, I set my eyes on the MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick ($19).  I've read some awesome reviews on this product, and it sure did not fail my high expectations. I picked up #39, a bright orange coral shade, which isn't your usual color for the Winter months, but I am a sucker for coral lips.

More about the product : A highly pigmented, long-lasting lipstick that delivers rich color in one stroke. Formulated with 50% more pigment than the traditional lipstick, Rouge Artist Intense gives an immediate true-to-color result. A blend of three natural waxes, the creamy texture glides on effortlessly for a long-lasting hold. The extensive color and texture range provides unlimited creativity. This product is sold exclusively at Sephora and are available in 3 finishes—matte, pearly, and satin.

The Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick comes in a variety of finishes (matte, pearly, satin), depending on the shade of the lipstick. #39 actually looks like a bright orange red in tube but applies with a much stronger coral tone. It is a very close dupe for the mega popular MAC Ever Hip Lipstick ($14.50) that was launched in the Give Me Liberty of London Collection earlier this year.

To me, the Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick is like the adult version of Ever Hip. It is brighter, stronger, creamier, and more opaque. It did not dry out my lips even after a whole day of wear, but also didn't give any moisturization. And it definitely takes some practice before you can get a smooth and even finish. Using a lip brush is highly recommended due to the somewhat "heavy" creamy texture. The best part about this product, other than the lovely bold pigmentation, is that the color stays on for hours, although it slowly gets rubbed away throughout the day. However, being careful of not eating or drinking excessively with the lipstick on, I was able to get at least 5-6 hours out of it, which is a very great performance.

I am in love with this lipstick and already have my eyes on more shades. Next time when my local Sephora gets more in stock, I will pick up #43 (Moulin Rouge), which I have heard many raves about. 

If you pick the right color, this lipstick can be a perfect addition to a natural and long lasting daily look. However, with the bold formulation and high pigmentation, some of the brighter colors are more suitable for night looks or special occasions.

Note : Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.

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MAKE UP FOR EVER Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes : A Rock N Roll Party

The warm weather is disappearing and leaves are changing colors. Fall is finally approaching us fast. But do you see what else is happening? That's right - a glamorous rock n roll trend is coming your way. Started with the Urban Decay The Black Palette ($36) and the Bobbi Brown Black Velvet Collection, this season is all about the rock spirit. If you didn't get enough of this beauty trend, well, here is another chance for you. Please welcome the MAKE FOR EVER Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes Set ($36). This collection also includes the Rock For Ever Eye Shadow Palette ($45) and the Rock For Ever Star Powder & Aqua Eyes ($39).

More about the product : A set of five travel-sized, vibrant eyeliners in a reusable, studded tin case for a rebellious look of rock-star glam on the go. Only available from Sephora, and all colors are available to be purchased separately in full size.

The set contains :

• Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black)
• Aqua Eyes in Dark Grey 21L (dark metallic grey)
• Aqua Eyes in Silver 8L (metallic silver)
• Aqua Eyes in Bronze 10L (metallic bronze)
• Aqua Eyes in Gold 9L (metallic yellow)

The part I love the most about the set, other than the eyeliners themselves, is the cute little tin box that the products came in. This is the perfect way to take my aqua eyes with me when traveling. Plus, the chic box is gorgeous to be carried around in my purse.

0L (black) is already a stable in my stash. 21L (dark metallic grey) is the perfect shade to be paired with a smoking look. If you are concerned about the 3 brighter shades, 8L (metallic silver), 10L (metallic bronze), and 9L (metallic yellow), use them as eyeshadow. They are extremely soft and glide right on.

The Rock For Ever set is limited edition so pick one up if you want to be in on the trend. However, if you miss it, don't worry about it because all 5 shades are available as regular full size aqua eyes at $17 each. 

Pick It Or Not : Yes because the Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes will turn you into a rock princess!

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TEMPTU ADORN Temporary Tattoo : Seductive Chic Style

Temporary tattoos (or what I had called "fake tattoos") used to be found at the kids toys section. However, with the release of the Les Trompe L'Oeil de Chanel Temporary Skin Art ($75) earlier this year, these lovely accessories tasted a flavor of high fashion. As a beauty blogger and maniac myself, I would love to try out this new trend, but Chanel's whopping 75 bucks is a bit hard to swallow. So, I opted for something a little lesser as a starter - the TEMPTU ADORN Temporary Tattoo Kit ($25) that I received as a sample with my Sephora order.

More about the product : Make a beauty statement with TEMPTU ADORN Temporary Tattoos, which are designed to change from day to evening and season to season to reflect your mood, your audience, or your desire. Every TEMPTU ADORN tattoo is a work of art hand drawn by a TEMPTU Artisan, and the designs can be worn as a larger single image or cut into smaller pieces and applied individually. The cosmetic-grade ink and all-ink delivery system allows the tattoo to be clean and precise, while exclusive "real tattoo-looking" color ensures a 2-5 day wearability. TEMPTU ADORN Temporary Tattoos are designed to be fun and extremely versatile and can change as frequently as your whims—with no regret.

The full kit contains :

• 9 Tattoo design sheets
• 20 Tattoo application pads
• Tattoo setting powder
• 1 Reusable clear bag
• Application instructions & Care card

My sample kit contains :

• 2 Tattoo design sheets
• 2 Tattoo application pads
• Application instructions & Care card

How to wear the tattoos :

1. Wipe clean skin area with Tattoo Application Pad.
2. Apply tattoo design on the clean skin area.
3. Wet the design paper with the application pad. Press on the paper gently
4. Repeat step 3 until tattoo is fully trasnfered onto skin.
5. Air dry the area for 30 seconds and top it with translucent powder to set the design.
6. Repeat step 5 every time after exposing the tattoo to water.

Getting the design to transfer onto my arm was not the easiest task. Pressing too lightly will not work, but pressing too hard will cause some smudging (look, it's my 3rd time doing it, and I still managed to mess up the design). The tattoo looked nice for the first 5 mins and then went down hill from there. Although claimed to be waterproof, sweatproof, and long lasting, TEMPTU certainly did not keep up to its words. Even the slightest touch will lead to some smearing to the design. And the tattoo was half gone after I accidentally splashed water onto it when washing my hand. The tattoo definitely does not last for 2-5 days as TEMPTU promised. It was worse than the $1 ones my sister buys.

Pick It Or Not : NO because you can get a much better product for a lot cheaper. May be one that actually looks good and does last on the skin.

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Guerlain Météorites Perles : A Glowy Beauty Vanity

It is quite obvious that makeup is an expensive addiction. Many high end brands charge arms and legs for even the tiniest amount of makeup products. True, there are many more affordable choices out there, but the reality is, how many of us can really say no to something that the whole world is praising about. Fortunately, the good news is that many products, such as the Guerlain Météorites Perles ($56), do not live up to these raves and their hefty price tags, which ultimately kills our desire for these expensive "vanities".

More about the product : An illuminating powder that delivers pure radiance. Inspired by light and created by Guerlain, Météorites Pearls employ the technology of white light, which is used in photography and film to erase imperfections and soften features. A constellation of 6 multi-colored pearls blend together for a flawless, radiant complexion. These pearls-with-a-purpose have now been reinvented in 3 color harmonies that are adapted to each skintone.

Famous for their colorful pearls and radiant results, Guerlain's Meteorites offer women the ultimate in luminous skin. The secret? These magic beads each provide a skin-perfecting benefit, depending on which color you use. From blushing pink hues that warm up a sallow complexion, to soothing green tones that cool down redness, these correcting powder pearls will lift the dull veil right off of your face in just one stroke. Worn alone or swirled together, Meteorites have a mix that's just right for you.

As with other Guerlain products, the pearls are boxed in an elegant and beautiful container, which does not seems to be made with cheap materials as what previous generations of the pearls did. Under the gorgeous patterned top is a puff, which is actually very convenient at applying the pearls. I did find that it is hard for makeup brushes to pick up much products, and I suspect this is due to the shapes and textures of the "balls". Even my Trish McEvoy Brush 5 Powder ($78) became kind of useless with this product, and the brush is famous to be used with powder products.

This product does contain quite a strong scent of baby powder, which is not necessarily a negative, but it is definitely not for everyone. As many have discovered, these "balls" create different benefits to the look, depending on the pearl's color.

Unfortunately, the pearls did not create the wonderful effect that was promised. Not only was it hard to pick up products from the "balls", it was extremely difficult to me to see any difference on my face before and after I applied the pearls. All I saw is a very faint layer of shimmers. It looked ok indoor, but outdoor under the bright sunlight, my face just looked so chalky and grayish. If you want a better payoff, try crushing some of the pearls before swirling your brush onto the product.

I was greatly disappointed and would not recommend this product to anymore. With this price tag, you can better off with some MAC Mineralized Skinfinish ($28).

Pick it or not ?

No, because I am not about to throw my money into the ocean.

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Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 : A Hot Summer Essential

The weather here in LA is getting ridiculously hot, and to add fuel to the fire, my work office's air conditioner is broken. So, I decided to ditch my heavy foundation and search for something much lighter for daily wear. I'm very glad to have found the Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($32), and I just can't seem to ever put it down.

More about the product : A tinted moisturizer that provides lightweight, buildable coverage, contains SPF 20, and battles free radical damage.

This tinted moisturizer is perfect for this hot weather as it has SPF 20 and contains multi-mineral complex that battles free radical damage. It has a light coverage, so it certainly won't cover everything on the face. However, it gives a very fresh and flawless finish. And as usual, I adore the Urban Decay packaging.

Take out the stopper and release some product from the pump head, which is very convenient to use, and a full pump is more than enough for the whole face.

This tinted moisturizer creates a dewy finish with a healthy glow. Powder it on top can also gives a completely different look. It lasts all day long. However, as with many other tinted moisturizers, the shade choices are limited. With only 4 colors to choose from, getting a good match is just as difficult as staying cool in this warm weather. I am about a MAC NC20-25, and I bought Bodyguard, which is a bit dark and yellow on me.

This tinted moisturizer is extremely easy to blend and sinks right into the skin. Although the shade is a bit off for me, I have been wearing this almost everyday because it just gives me that natural yet perfect skin.

Pick it or not ?

Yes, because fresh and light make me happy in this hot summer heat.

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Lush Sunny Side Bubble Bar : Get Ready For Some Glamorous Chaos

I wish my MIA from blogging this past month was a glamorous chaos, but unfortunately, it was not. I recently took on a new position at work that required quite a bit of training and getting used to. I did peak around on a few blogs, but I was just too tired each day after work to draft up a post. I apologize for this, and hopefully some of my older posts kept you all busy.

If you ever visit a Lush store, there is no way you can miss the Sunny Side Bubble Bar ($6.95) blinging (?!) its gorgeousness at you.

More about the product : These glamorous bars turn your bath water into liquid gold. Sink into the glowing white bubbles and revel in the sparkling gold water while inhaling blissful sweet orange, lemon and tangerine essential oils. This glorious bar will help you see the sunny side of things even when you're feeling gloomy. Emerge refreshed and revitalized.

Its full load of glitters is simply beautiful, but it also sheds them off like my cat's hair. They come off in chunks (lol). Even the slightest touch can get you this,

I would highly recommend to leave this in the Lush bag that it came with until you are ready to pop it in the bath. Glitters are only fun when they are not everywhere.

Lush bubble bars never disappoint me at making loads of bubbles, and this one is sure not an exception. The bubbles filled my bath tub and took the whole experience to a new level.

It's hard to describe how the bubble bar turned my bath water, and the pictures do not do it justice. The water color is so beautiful that I guarantee you it is something you have never seen before. It looks like a scene that you would see from Pandora (Yes, that is in Avatar).

If you are drooling over its beauty, then you better stop now because once you drain the tub, you can see the mess it left behind. The bath was fun, but the cleaning part was definitely not. It actually took me quite a while to completely get rid of all the glitters.

I love this bubble bar, but next time when I use it, I will make sure that I really need that extra bling. The citrus scent is amazing, and the whole bath experience is very unique. However, this is more suited for that special occasion rather than a every day treat.

Pick it or not ?

Yes, because some girls are just born with glitters in their veins.

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Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix : An Alternative To MAC Fix+

I woke up extremely early today and took Angie to the vet for a regular check up. Carrying her around is like working out in the gym. Thanks to her, I was sweating like crazy by the time I got to the doctor's office. So, I was sitting there with all the dogs and cats around me. I can already notice that my makeup was melting off of my face, so I took out my Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix ($27). Yes, I was touching up my makeup with the bulldog staring at me.

More about the product : A light and comfortable spray that sets all types of makeup and prolongs hold, even under extreme conditions. For busy women who want to go from work to an evening dinner out and don't have time to go home for touch ups, spray mist and fix on a thick tissue and pat gently on the face to refresh your makeup. Then apply a veil of compact powder to give your complexion a velvety texture for the evening.

I would say that this is an excellent alternative to the MAC F+ ($18). They pretty much do the same thing. Spray a thin layer over your tired face or foundation, and it instantly refreshes the look. I didn't notice any differences between the two products. The only flaw with the Mist & Fix is that this contains a very strong perfumed fragrance. It is quite strong when first applied but quickly disappears after a short while. I would only recommend the MAC one or this alternative if you really feel a need for these products. Otherwise, any hydrating sprays such as the Evian Large Mineral Water Spray ($15) or even a bottled water with spray cap would do the same trick with much more affordable prices.

Pick It or Not ? 

• Quality: 45 (out of 50)  
• Packaging: 20 (out of 20)  
• Price: 15 (out of 20)   
• User Friendly: 5 (out of 5)   
• Availability: 5 (out of 5)

Angela's Ultimate Pick: A -

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St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser : A Redness And Acne Treatment Superstar

I am so glad that this hectic week is coming to an end, and that I can come back to blogging. As promised, I am bring you a review of one of my current favorite skincare product, St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Cleanser ($6.49).

More about the product : This cleanser deep cleans to gently remove dirt and make-up and helps maintain skin's moisture balance. Clears breakouts and reduces redness. Salicylic Acid Acne Medication With 100% Natural Green Tea.

I have been a loyal user of some of St. Ives' products such as its Invigorating Apricot Scrub ($6.54), so when I saw a praise of this new face cleanser from one of my favorite bloggers, I headed straight to my local CVS. This is formulated without Parabens and Phthalates, oil free, and hypo-allergenic, which is extremely suitable for oily and sensitive skin. This cleanser comes with a relaxing scent that is very gentle and not overpowering. It contains Salicylic Acid, which is very effective at acne treatment. What I especially love about this product is the fact that it is non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog pores.

This product leaves your face feeling clean and silky without that oily residue feeling. Unfortunately, the cleansing ability could need some improvement. This is a very decent cleanser if you wear moderate amount of makeups. However, if you wear a lot of waterproof eye makeups or heavy foundation, be prepare to rely on another cleanser afterward or repeat the cleansing process with this product twice. I usually use this cleanser in the morning, which is more than enough to remove all the dirt that accumulated on my face over night. It gets the job done without drying out my skin but still gives me that clean sensation.

Pick It or Not ? 

• Quality: 39 (out of 50)  
• Packaging: 20 (out of 20)  
• Price: 20 (out of 20)   
• User Friendly: 5 (out of 5)   
• Availability: 5 (out of 5)

Angela's Ultimate Pick: B +

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