As I'm sitting on my bed with a glass of wine...

Today is just a day I need to have a glass of wine.  I came home from work and remembered I have a bottle of wine sitting in my fridge.  What better night to sip a glass of wine and write up on my blog than tonight.  In the meantime, I'm dealing with this eBay buyer who made up some retard excuse that she lost her bank card and can't pay for one of my items she won.  Does she honestly think I'm that stupid? HELLO? This is honestly the second time an eBay bidder has backed out of a 'won' item, claiming SOMETHING happened to their bank card.  Seriously, it's bull shaaat!  Like if you've got buyer's remorse, just man up - DON'T waste time - and say you no longer want it.  This freakin' a-hole tells me she doesn't want the item FOUR days after the listing has ended.  I've been sending her freakin' invoices almost EVERY day.  Like HELLO? Then she tells me she lost her bank card and it's not "fair" to me to keep me waiting for her payment until her bank sends her new account information.  Bull-shaaat! HA, I still reported her to eBay. 

Interesting things at work

Yesterday, I'm working at the clinic and I have a random walk-in patient who asks me to sell him contact lenses.  He had no prescription note with him, wanted a box of Bausch and Lomb contact lenses and just verbally tells me his prescription, so I explained to him.  I need a valid, physical prescription on a piece of paper signed off by an optometrist to sell you a box of contact lenses.  So then he asks me 'Why? In my home country, we don't need a prescription to buy contact lenses.'  OH MY GOSH! The WORST thing to be telling me is "in my HOME country".  I just smiled at him and said "Yeah, well, in CANADA, an optometrist office cannot LEGALLY sell you contact lenses WITHOUT a prescription."  Like honestly, you're living in Canada, you have rights but you also have to follow Canada's law.  How hard is that? If you're so unsatisfied by that, then go back to your home country! When he brought up his HOME country, I just could not stop smiling.  So anyways, I told him that if I sold him those contact lenses in the prescription he tells me, he's just prescribing his own prescription, now what is the purpose of an eye doctor when you can write up your own prescription? What a joke! *sigh* Oh and besides finding myself talking to an ignorant person, he didn't even KNOW what type of Bausch and Lomb contact lenses he wanted.  There are various Bausch and Lomb contact lenses but all he told me was the brand, Bausch and Lomb.  He couldn't give me specifically what type.  There was NO way I could figured out what contact lenses he wanted.  *sigh*

Colour Contact Lenses

I know colour contact lenses have been a big hit accessory in the past few years.  I mean, even I was looking into getting a pair for myself to try.  But honestly, as attractive as colour contact lenses can make you be, medically speaking, people should be aware of the risks you are taking on when purchasing from these online vendors or putting the lenses in your eye.  These online vendors are really no different from street vendors that sell you pretty looking colour contacts.  They will NOT be reliable for your consequent eye conditions or - in severe cases - blindness if anything happens to you.

I'm bringing this issue up because I work in an eye care clinic and I'm very shocked by the amount of teenagers that walk into the clinic asking me if I sell colour contacts and they want a pair without prescriptions.  They just don't understand your eyes need to be fitted into a proper pair of contacts.  Contacts come in different sizes and thickness, not everyone's eyes are the same size so obviously, not every contact lens will be the same size.  It's not an one-size-fits-all shirt.  Colour contact lenses are really no different from plain contact lenses.  You STILL need to have an eye exam and a contact lens fitting so that the optometrist can find you a pair of contacts that sits comfortably in your eyes.  A contact lens that's too small for your eye will cause irritation.  Wearing your contacts for too long may cause dryness in the eye and always taking those eyedrops - in the long run - is NOT a good idea.  Comparatively speaking, wearing a pair of contact lenses for over 8 hours is much like covering your breathing airways with a plastic wrap and not letting you breathe.

Anyways, now that you know a little more about contact lenses, it's better to ask your optometrist or just research a bit more about them before putting your money down.

Happy New Year!

Glad we've made to year 2013! *Yay* I hope everyone who has made a resolution for the new year has been keeping up with it.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I finally have the time off from my busy working schedule to spend some time writing on my blog! Sad to say, it's not a white Christmas.   =(  But it really is the best time of the year to be giving.   =)

Review: PDC Celdie Make Up Removal Oil (Sea Salt)

Compared to the Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil that I loved, I would say this Celdie removal oil does a pretty good job.

The scent:  Smells like dish detergent.

Consistency:  Transparent liquid.  Not a thick consistency.

Application:  I find using 3 pumps covers or removes the makeup.  Massage the oil all over facial skin.  During the makeup removal process, rubbing the oil against your skin will turn the liquid, transparent oil into a milky solution.  I find it even works for the eye makeup.  Finally rinse off with water.

Packaging:  Has a removable pump stopper.  Made of plastic.  Has a pump, making the product more hygienic.

What it claims:  "PDC Celdie Make Up Removal Oil (Sea Salt) can deeply remove skin's impurities, make-up and dead skin cells, leaving you a vivid, clear glow."

Thoughts / Results:


Like I said before, this product is comparable to Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil.  Well, besides the strong dish detergent scent.  I find it does do its job, removing all my facial makeup, including eye makeup.  It does leave a clean skin after-feel but not necessarily the 'clear glow'.

I love the packaging, specifically the pump.  I find using a pump to get the amount of product I want is more hygienic and precise.


Cost:  $10 USD @Sasa.com

Product: PDC Celdie Make Up Removal Oil (Sea Salt)
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Does an excellent job on makeup removal

Cons:
- Has a strong dish detergent scent

Oh, the fun stuff at work

My manager once told me that our store has so much drama going on that we could probably air an interesting reality show.  Not only drama between the employees but also with customers.

Like today, two girls walk into the store while my manager stepped out.  They brought in two pairs of the same style of flats and explained to me they bought the flats less than 3 weeks ago.  Even though the store's return policy is 2 weeks, I asked to see the flats and the receipt.  One of the girls was doing all the talking so she pulls out the flats and shows me the rubber soles were ripped from the fabric and one of them had rubber soles split into two.  I looked at the flats and in no way were they worn just for walking.  She tells me over 3 times that they were bought less than 3 weeks ago.  I insisted on seeing the receipt and she tells me she no longer has it.  So I tell her there's nothing I can do without a receipt.  For a good 5 minutes, I was just listening to her telling me she bought those flats less than 3 weeks ago.  I had no idea what she wanted from me so I - without sugarcoating anything - asked her "What's your point? What are you trying to tell me?" She called me rude.  Ok, so she didn't understand what I was saying, I had to rephrase that for her, "What do you want me to do? What do you want from me?" ... Can you guess it? She wanted her money back or store credit.  Oh wow, how many times did she need me to tell her? I can't do anything for her without a receipt.  Then she tells me she works in retail too and she knows how it works and you can get store credit or exchange merchandise.  Right and it's because of YOUR type of people who likes to play around with this system that makes prices increase every year! So she asked me if my manager was in and I told her to come back in a bit and they can directly talk to my manager.  My manager comes back and the girls come by again speaking to my manager.  They show my manager the flats and she asks them for a receipt.  And what did my manager tell her? The same thing I told them! They try to tell my manager that retail stores allow the returning of worn merchandise without a receipt, just so the customer is satisfied.  One of the girls told my manager she works at Marshalls - seriously? Then go buy your shoes from Marshalls.  And just for the record, no, you can't return ANY merchandise to ANY store with NO receipt and NON-RESELLABLE condition, especially when you're well past the grace period.  If I wasn't working there at that moment and just an ordinary customer, I would've straight up asked her "where were YOU when you had your training at Marshalls?" If you try to cheat the system, you should at least know the rules.  Companies don't come up with return/exchange policies just so customers can violate them.

There are so many unreasonable customers out there that would probably bring back dollar store items to the dollar store to get a refund.  And don't get me wrong, I value every penny I make, it's just that I understand "you get what you pay for".

Latest update and purchases

To my dearest blog readers,

I apologize for the lack of posts and for slacking off in the past 2 months.  I've been working hard for the extra pocket money so it's been hard for me to keep my blog updated.  But now that I have two jobs, I might update my blog on dramas that happen almost everyday! A girl at one of my two jobs has been jealous of me lately and she's been making up these rumours about me -- an act of a 'bully'.  The only reason I haven't confronted her yet is because I haven't past my three-month probation.  Though my manager has told me I don't have to wait for the three months to end and I can say whatever I please.  But I'd like to secure my job status before I make a move.  And I'm super excited for the coming of November as I will step out of my shadow and show her some of my true colours.  =)  So November's update should be pretty interesting ;)

Now moving on...

Here's a few of my recent purchases that I'd like to share / recommend.

1.  Tory Burch Robinson Envelope Continental Wallet in Pretty Violet - $250 CAD

I'm absolutely lovin' this wallet.  You can keep a few cards, some bills and change.  I've been laying off the credit cards lately so I try to keep minimal cards in my wallet.

  

2.  Marshall purchases - $19 CAD each

The one thing I like about Marshalls and its sister companies are their uniqueness.  Shopping in there is like shopping in a large boutique store.  It may be annoying, frustrating and a lot of clothes to select from but you can find things that is unique to your style.  Their summer season clothes are on clearance and I happen to find these dresses.  I was thinking of throwing a cardigan over these, and maybe a belt.

3.  La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lips - $13 CAD

A few months ago, my lips were so dry that I had to see the doctor to figure what was wrong with me.  My doctor wrote up a prescription for a medicated cream and told me to buy this chap stick after I finish the cream.  I was skeptical about purchasing this, since the reviews on MakeUpAlley weren't that great but my lips seemed to be growing worse again so I bought this 2 weeks ago and have been applying it as often as I remember.  Luckily, it is working.  My lips are feeling hydrated, so I'm definitely writing a full review on this later.  ;)

Review: JUJU Cosmetics Vitamin C Toner and Hyaluronic Acid Whitening and Moisturizing Milky Lotion

When summer comes, I tend to hide indoors or in the shade because I tan.  So this year, I chose to use these products to help whiten my skin and avoid a tan.  My intentions of purchasing these products was to maintain a lighter skin tone and try to diminish the appearance of my sunspots.

The scent:  Fragrance-free for both products.

Consistency:  Like any other toner, this toner is clear and liquidy.  The lotion is opaque white and somewhat liquidy.

Juju Cosmetics Vitamin C Toner

Juju Cosmetics HA Whitening and Moisturizing Milky Lotion

Application:  After cleansing the face, apply the toner using a cotton pad and follow up with the lotion.  Make sure the lotion is applied to the face and neck.

Packaging:  There is 180 mL of product in the toner bottle and 150 mL of product in the lotion bottle.  Both are snap-lid closure. 

What it claims:
Toner -
"JuJu Cosmetics Aquamoist Vitamin C Toner can whiten and moisturize skin.  Easy for skin to absorb, relaxing and calms tense skin. Softens skin. Increasing the skin's ability of keeping moist, control melanin synthesis and reduce the formation of old corneum. Skin will become transparent after use.

• Aquamoist using Vitamin C as inducer for whitening and transparent acid for moisturizing.
• Combining Vitamin C and Glucose can whitening skin as well as controlling melanin synthesis. Great elements for preventing and reducing wrinkles and freckles.
• Hyaluronic acid for water balancing, avoid hydrating. Skin will become transparent, shiny and firm after continuous usage.
• Mild and weak acid formation. Fragrance and Mineral oil free."

Lotion -
"JUJU Cosmetics Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Whitening and Moisture Milky Lotion not only can it brighten skin, but also lighten black spots and melanin. Leaving you a vivid, silky smooth look."

Thoughts / Results:
I am more than half way done both bottles and I must say, they do whiten my skin.  The texture of my skin does feel soft.  I do get smooth, glowy look on my skin before makeup application in the morning.  My skin is still in the process of recovering from my "breakout" phase, so I wouldn't say my skin so soft.
I do feel it's controlled or impeded the formation of sunspots or melanin.  But I'm not sure whether it's lighten the spots because if I discontinue using it, the spots will just darken again.  So I've come to believe the toner and lotion are a temporary fix. 

Cost:
Toner - $13.50 USD @Sasa.com
Lotion - $14.90 USD @Sasa.com

Product: JUJU Cosmetics Vitamin C Toner and Hyaluronic Acid Whitening and Moisturizing Milky Lotion
Rating:  5 / 5

Pros:
- Whitens skin
- Non-greasy formula
- Effects are seen in a week
- Moisturizing

Cons:
- Lightening sunspots / melanin is only a temporary fix

Review: Meiji Amino Collagen Powder

Drinkable collagen powder? Does this stuff really work? These were the questions I asked when I first heard of these collagen powders on the market that can be added into your drinks and help boost the collagen in the skin.  You're probably reading my review right now and thinking the same thing.  It was just unbelievable to me.  Especially when I thought about talking it internally, I was afraid of any irreversible and side effects.  After drinking this can of Meiji Amino Collagen, I can tell you it worth a try. 


The scent:  Smells like full cream milk powder.

Consistency:  Dry powder

Ingredients: Fish collagen peptide (gelatin), maltdextrin, vegetable fat and oil, vitamin C, Flucosamine, arginine, gelling agent, flavor, emulsifier - some ingredients may contain soybeans and gelatin.

Directions:  Using the spoon given only in the can version of the Meiji Amino Collagen, take one scoop - worth 7 grams - and mix it in water, coffee or juice.  It is one scoop of the provided spoon with a flat top, so scrape off the rounded top using the edge of the lid - as shown in the picture.

Packaging:  This product comes individually packed in sachets, a can, and a refill bag.  I bought the can version which includes the spoon that scoops out 7 g of powder.  IMO, the individual sachets are more convenient than the can.  The can comes with 28 days worth of product / scoops.

What it claims: "Collagen helps to restore skin elasticity and diminish fine lines. Therefore, replenishing generous amounts of collagen is a shortcut to maintaining a youthful appearance. Meiji Amino Collagen is made by high quality of fish collagen peptide, it contains very low calories."

Thoughts / Results:
This is probably hard to believe but this collagen drink does really work.  IMO, the results are most noticeable in the morning and after applying makeup.  My skin looks dewy in the morning without makeup.  The results are also noticeable after applying makeup as I feel the makeup doesn't cake on.  After the first day of taking the collagen drink, I noticed the change in my skin the next morning.  I take the drink first thing in the morning, mixed in a cup of homemade coffee.  This powder may be used as milk-constituent.  It contains 5000 mg of collagen and just 1.3 g of carbohydrates.  As you may or may not know, our body processes drinks faster than what we eat.  Therefore, I wasn't surprised to see the results of the collagen powder the next morning.

As for the taste, I've read others' reviews saying there is a slight fishy taste to the powder but I don't notice it.

I don't know about diminishing fine lines as I don't have any at my age nor do I notice a loss of skin elasticity, therefore I cannot comment on the two features of this collagen powder.  However, I do notice a change in my skin condition.  I feel my skin heals faster after drinking the powder.

As for the packaging, I think the pre-packaged sachets are better than the can version.  As I reach the bottom of the can, it becomes difficult to take the last two scoops.  I would've bought the refill bag since there's more product for the same price as the can but I needed the spoon.

Cost:
$34.30 USD @Sasa.com

Product: Meiji Amino Collagen Powder
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Fast absorbancy and noticeable results
- Gives me dewy skin in the morning and noticeably nicer skin during and after makeup application

Cons:
- The can version of this product wasn't very convenient when I reached the last 2 or 3 days as it was hard to scoop up

Feel free to ask a question or comment on your experience. ;)

Vancouver, BC and Seattle, WA

My friends and I took a trip to British Columbia last week.  We lived in Richmond, BC for the whole week we were there.  We went to a few places; sadly, we didn't go for many scenery locations. 

I took this picture over in Victoria, BC and that's me at the bottom waving at the people in the paintings on that wall. 

We took one day and drove down to Seattle, WA and did some sightseeing and shopping.  We went to the Pike Market, hoping to see how they 'throw' the fish when you make an order as we were told that's what they do; but it was apparently a lie.  There was a sign saying "no, we don't throw fish". 

Now here's my haul from my trip.  We went shopping in Seattle Premium Outlet Mall in Seattle, Robson Street and Aberdeen Centre in BC.

From Seattle Outlet, I was so happy to find a LeSportSac outlet there.  The LeSportSac bag I brought with me on the trip was getting dirty and I somehow puncture two tiny holes on the bottom.  I ended up getting a new LeSportSac backpack.  It originally retailed for $108 USD but I got it for $37.80 USD.

At Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, I went into Daiso - a store where majority of the items are $2.  It's much like Dollarama in Toronto.  Majority - if not all - of their products are made in China but their packaging are written in Japanese.  I guess it's the Japanese concept but mass produced in China.  Anyways, I bought hair accessories in Daiso.

On Robson Street, much like Queen Street in Toronto, we went into Holt Renfrew and I finally gave in and bought myself a Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas Josephine Wallet.  As I was talking to the sales associate at the LV counter, she told me Alberta has an even lower sales tax than both ON and BC.  Actually, it frustrates me that ON residents have to pay 13% HST on everything!

Sasa.com Haul

Yay! I placed another Sasa.com order last week and received it today.  =) I'm super excited to share it with my blog readers.  Recently, I've started to notice Sasa.com has been having a lot of free shipping promotions at over $19 purchases.  Now here's mine:  

1.  Meiji Amino Collagen Can (200 g) - $34.30 USD
TBH, I've never thought of buying into this "collagen" milk powder drink.  I thought it was a marketing way of selling beauty.  BUT lately, I've been reading a lot of reviews and blogs about how it really works so I fell for it.  After reading a few reviews, majority say the taste of Meiji's Collagen drink doesn't taste the best but results are most visible with this brand.  I look forward to this! =)

2.  Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil (230 ml) - $11 USD
I've trying a few brands of cleansing oils and after reading the many five-star ratings on Sasa.com, I wanted to compare this with the others I've tried.  I look forward to finding a cleansing oil that is comparable to Bobbi Brown's cleansing oil.

3.  Juju Cosmetics AquaMoist Vitamin C Toner (180 ml) - $13.50 USD
Toners are the skincare product I need lately.  Toner, such an important skin cleansing step.  The vitamin C in the toner is supposedly going to enhance the whitening effects of other skincare products - something I really need in the summer. =\

4.  PDC Celdie Make Up Removal Oil (180 ml) - $10 USD
Just another cleansing oil product that I look forward to trying.

Review: Sana Hadanomy Collagen Mist

Is your skin dehydrated? Dehydrated skin can lead to problems like having trouble applying flawless or non-cakey foundation.  I've been using this collagen mist for around 2 months but the results of flawless makeup are immediate.  The micro-collagen in this product is processed to easily transport into the skin, enhancing skin elasticity and moisture level.  Foundation can appear cakey because the skin isn't hydrated enough and hydrating is what this collagen mist claims to do.

The scent:  Light, fresh floral scent.

Consistency:  A gel-like mist.

Application:  For an even distribution, hold and spray it 15 to 20 cm away from skin.  I tend to apply it after cleansing face or before makeup.  It is probably best applied after showering / bathing for better absorption when your pores open.

Packaging:  Seal in a plastic wrap and product dispenses via atomizer.  

What it claims: This collagen mist claims to enhance skin elasticity and moisture level.

Thoughts / Results:
IMO, I see the results immediately.  In the morning when I'm prepping my skin for makeup, 2 to 3 sprays and with a patting motion, my foundation can appear more flawless and unlikely to cake.  Most importantly, the flaky skin on my nose has diminished.  My skin looks more "luminous" or "dewy".

As we age, our skin starts to sag and lose its elasticity.  Collagen acts like "springs" in our skin.  When we're young we have a lot of collagen but as we age, they naturally "deflate".  It's even worst when you pop your pimples because you're applying too much pressure on that delicate skin of yours.  Now with this collagen mist, I feel it's done the job of enhancing moisture level.  I don't have wrinkles or fine lines so it's nearly impossible for me to determine it's effects on elasticity.  But as an act of prevention, I'd like to believe this mist will help me maintain my current skin condition.

However the downside of this product is the after feel it leaves.  It may be due to the honey in this product that it leaves the skin feeling "sticky".  Not greasy but a tiny bit sticky.  It leave a feeling much like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.

Would I repurchase this product? Most likely.  I don't mind the "stickiness" and it's effectively helped hydrate my skin so I don't see why not.

Cost:  $12.70 USD (@Sasa.com)

Product:  Sana Hadanomy Collagen Mist
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Hydrates skin
- Easy application
- Hygienic

Cons:
- Leaves skin feeling a tad bit sticky.

Hot find

It's still summer and I suppose most of you have noticed the massive sales and deals going on.  Retailers are getting rid of their summer wear to welcome the fall collection.  This is really the perfect time to pick up apparel and footwear for the next month and a half.

Today, I randomly walked into the Supercentre to spot some good deals on Joe Fresh clothing and footwear.  I ended finding these Bow Ballet Flats for $20, discounted from $50.  These were the last pair and were size 7's - my size.  =D  If you live in the GTA area, definitely check them out.  They're definitely a deal! A pair of flats that can liven my outfit.

My First Taste of Summerlicious

I have heard about Summerlicious in Toronto for many years but yesterday was my first time trying it out.  In short, over 100 restaurants participate in this Summerlicious event.  They hold three-course lunch and/or dinner menus at a price range between $15 - $45.

My friend and I went to Sassafraz for our $25 lunch.

For starter, of the three options, we both ordered the vichyssoise with lobster and truffle essence.  Served cold with a piece of lobster and a drop of truffle oil but very tasty and a little on the thicker side.

For entree, my friend ordered the pork tenderloin with roasted garlic sweet potato mash, asparagus sweet apple cider glaze.

I ordered the roasted chicken breast with doubled smoked bacon and red onion quinoa, braised leeks in natural reduction.  The quinoa was really tasty - a little on the salty side - while the chicken breast was a little on the drier side.  It tasted best with a piece of chicken with a spoon of quinoa.  Very little bits of bacon.

 For dessert, we both ordered the chocolate brownie with brandied cherry, Chantilly cream and amaretto reduction.  The brandied cherry tasted sweet, sour and bitter - from the alcohol.  The brownie tasted really heavy.  We both didn't finish the brownies and our waitress was surprised that we didn't finish it, neither did we take it to go.  As for the cream, I'm not much of a cream person.  It looked like vanilla ice cream and would probably been better than the cream.  This dessert dish was just full of carbs.

For a first time having a Summerlicious meal, this was an interesting and tasty experience.  Was it worth $25 for this meal? Honestly, I wasn't 100% satisfied.  If I ordered other entree options, I may have love it more.  But for dessert, I just wished they had more or other options.


Before I departed ways with my friend, we enjoyed Starbucks cold drinks to cool down from the hot, humid weather.

Review: Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil

Makeup removal is such an important part of a skincare routine when coming home after wearing one day's worth of makeup.  Without removing makeup, your pores will be clog which leads to irritated skin and that leads to another stack load of problems.

Lately, I have been using Kanebo's Freshel Cleansing Oil.  This is the second brand of cleansing oil I've tried.  First being Bobbi Brown's Cleansing Oil so there will be a little comparison between the two in this review.

The scent:  Fragrance-free.  No chemical scent.

Consistency:  Thicker than water and less dense than oil.

Application:  With dry face and hands, I rub 2 to 3 pumps of the cleansing oil between my palms then onto face.  First I work in circular motion on the face than eye makeup.

Packaging:  Came in a plastic box.  The bottle has a pumping dispenser.  It also comes with a stopper.

Thoughts / Results:  Before comparing Freshel with Bobbi Brown's cleansing oil, when looked at Kanebo's Freshel Cleansing oil alone, it's an O-K makeup removing product.  Here's why, it doesn't wipe off eye makeup as easily as it claims.  According to Adambeauty.com, it can easily wipe off makeup in one go - this, I find not true.  I actually have to take time to massage my eyes in order to remove all the makeup.  On rare times, it will leave behind the mascara or eye liner.  After rinsing, I don't get a refreshing clean feel and this may be because of the olive oil base.

Now the packaging, I like how it has a stopper.  Most people would have thrown out the stopper but I actually kept it for circumstances like packing it in my gym bag or traveling bag so it won't leak or spill.

In comparison with the Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil, the BB one is still my first choice.  Not only do I feel that the BB one removes makeup better but it also leaves a clean, non-oily feeling after rinsing.

Cost: $82 HKD (~$15 USD @Adambeauty.com)

Product: Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil
Rating: 3 / 5

Pros:
- Does wipe off majority of the makeup
- Bottle comes with pumping dispenser and a stopper

Cons: 

- Leaves a not-so-clean after-feeling

- Sometimes it doesn't completely and effectively remove eye makeup

Review: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-lasting Makeup Setting Spray

In the past, I didn't care much whether my makeup will melt away throughout the day.  Without setting my makeup, my makeup lasts for almost 1 hour.  However, my skin condition has change lately and a makeup setting spray can really make a difference.

Urban Decay came out with 3 makeup setting sprays - Dew Me, De-Slick and All Nighter.  I thought the first bottle I should try out should be the All Nighter as I assumed it has a longer lasting power.  Each one has a different purpose.  Dew Me is a moisturizing setting spray that is mainly for dry and combination skin individuals.  De-Slick is a oil-control makeup setting spray that is for oily skin.  And finally, the All Nighter setting spray can keep your makeup on for as long as 16 hours and good for all skin types.  The 16-hour feature is what really caught my attention and drew me to buying this one over the others.

The scent: Fresh floral scent

Application:

After applying all my makeup, I finish it with 3 - 4 spritz of the makeup setting spray.  It is important to shake it BEFORE using it.

Consistency:

Very fine mist.

Packaging:

The 4 US fl oz is a great size.  A perfect size bottle for grip for my hand and I can hold it comfortably in my hand.  

It claims:
- makeup won't budge for 16 hours
- makeup always look just-applied
- makes skin look and feel fresh all night long

Thought / Results:

Normally, this product is really amazing, in terms of setting and keeping the foundation and concealer on for hours.  But on a hot day, this makeup setting spray can't stop the sweat from melting the makeup.  Also, it's not the best product to keep blush, bronzer, eyeliner or mascara on.  

Cost:

$35 CAD

Product: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Pros:

- Sets makeup

- By 10th hour, base makeup (i.e. foundation and concealer) are still intact

Cons:

- Mascara and eyeliner still runs

- Bronzer and blush is pretty much gone by 10th hour

Pedaling On the Two-wheel

Nice view right? Taken with my iPhone camera of this panorama view of Lake Ontario at Ashbridge's Bay Park.  My friend lives downtown Toronto and we went biking yesterday afternoon.  I don't normally ride a bike for more than an hour and as expected, my thighs and butt are aching now.  Frankly the ride was great, definitely would go again some other day.

Excessive eating

I had lunch today with some friends at an all-you-can-eat Japanese food restaurant.  I ate so much that I feel like I committed a deadly sin - gluttony.  We ate at 'Matsuda', a restaurant in a plaza at the corner of Middlefield and Steeles.  For a decent price $14, I definitely over-ate.  It's been well over 5 hours since we had lunch, my stomach is still bloated and I feel nauseous.
Whenever I go to an AYCE restaurant, my friends and I have a bad habit of saving an empty stomach.  It's a bad habit because when we order, we feel so hungry that we order more than we can actually eat.

Does that happen to you? Ordering more than you can eat?

Review: BioSilk Silk Therapy

This Biosilk product has been an item I've been using on and off for the past 8 or 9 years.  I'm only on my third bottle but that's because a dime-size amount is enough for my medium-length hair.      

The scent:  A chemical floral scent.  Straight from the bottle I can smell the scent of rubbing alcohol.

Consistency:  Serum.

Application:  I prefer to wash my hair prior to using this product.  I have tried it on dry hair but personally, I find it works best with wet hair.  I use roughly a dime-size amount, rub it between my hands and start applying it on the hair ends and work my way up to the roots.

Packaging:  Comes in a plastic bottle and has a press-to-open lid dispenser.

What it claims:  "BioSilk Silk Therapy is a weightless, leave-in silk replenishing and reconstructing treatment to repair, smooth and protect all hair types."

Thoughts / Results:
Personally, I love this product.  I've been switching back and forth with my LUSH Revive and Balance hair conditioner.  The alternating use of both products is working so well with my hair.  I don't have frizzy or dry end issues since switching back to using this serum.  However, in the past I have experienced a point where my hair got used to this product and it didn't work as well.  But after I stopped using it for a good year or so, I jumped back on the wagon and it's now working so well with my hair.  I don't feel the split or dry ends.  My hair doesn't annoyingly get into knots at the ends.

I definitely feel that this product is lightweight.  It doesn't way down my hair like the LUSH R and B hair conditioner does, when I use too much of it.  My hair feels smooth and soft, and it leaves a nice healthy shine.

This product does have a scent to it as indicated in the ingredients, the manufacturer added perfume in the product.  Personally, I don't mind the product but others who are sensitive to scents may find it strong.  However the smell does evaporate over 2 to 3 hours.

Cost: $49.50 CAD for 12 fl oz or 350 mL @Grand Treasures (Can be found in Canadian Costco - ~$29.95 for 250mL)

Product: BioSilk Silk Therapy
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Smooths and softens hair
- Leaves hair a healthy shine
- Not much is needed
- Weightless product
- Great results

Cons:
- Sometimes I find the alcohol scent overpowers the perfume that the manufacturer mixed in