Feeling Sexy in MAC Kinda Sexy

Hiiiii theeeere! Feels great to be posting here, it's been a while, no? And it's been a VERY long while since my laptop got damaged, so when I went back to Manila, I couldn't post anything. I only had my smartphone with me and my Blogger app for android didn't really do -any- help with my posts. Haha anyway! I'm here at my home province again, probably for quite a looong time, or for good. I may be opening my own café soon (details on its way!!!) ehehe. Also, a lot has come up lately - really, really big news. Like, life-changing. Haha. Soooo my personal life kwentos later and beauty updates now. (:

Ladies, I have never owned a MAC lipstick before. I've owned a couple of MAC products here and there. But with lipsticks, I used to believe that theirs were too commercial. I think runway when I see their shades. I think crazy, loud colors. I've been to MAC counters and I've never been attracted to any of their shades. Also, I had this notion (influenced by the online community)  that their formulation wasn't great  for everyday use  (read: drying, hence unhealthy). And that was a deal breaker for me because I already have particularly dry lips to start with.

But anyway, fast forward to 2014. When I have already been lurking in Girltalk enough to realize that maybe, I have underestimated this brand's lipstick archive after all. Later I saw Solenn Heusaff's lipcolor on A & A Tonight and immediately fell in love with it. It was nude-ish, but could still look great even without the heavy eyes. It's sweet and innocent, yet sexy and sophisticated. I knew I had to have that color, though I never learned what its name or brand was.

Then I saw a swatch of Kinda Sexy online, and knew I have found the one. It wasn't available on our local counters though, so I had to preorder it. When the package came, I literally squealed in excitement. Amaaazeballs! It was exactly how I wanted it to be. The color on me was more than just nude... A nude that's full of color (oxymoron, yeah?). Pinky, peachy beige that made my lips look, errr, sexy? Hahaha. No kidding, I feel sexy when I wear this on. LOL.

A match made in heaven.

It's a matte formulation, but the great news is, it's non-drying. (yayay!) Provided you have to exfoliate and moisturize your lips prior to application. I have not worn this long enough to say it's that much long lasting, but I did have the chance of testing its mealproofness (LOL.) After some heavy afternoon snack at Hap Chan, there was only a little need for touchup.

My first MAC lipstick experience was overall so enjoyable that I can't wait for my next MAC lipstick purchase. I won't name my prospects yet but I'll introduce them once they're here. Heehee. <3

Online shopping at Nordstrom

These days I have really been into online shopping. It's my birthday month, so, you can guess the reason for that. There are a lot of secure websites for online shopping now, but sadly, not all of them offer international shipping still, cough Sephora cough. Enter Nordstrom - a US based site that carries countless brands under clothing, shoes, accessories, and my favorite of them all - beauty. Numerous luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Clarins, Yves Saint Laurent are available. However, few ones such as Estee Lauder, Mac, Clinique and Chanel are not available for international shipping, at least to my country. Boo!

Anyway, having spent a looooot of time browsing throught the internet, reading reviews and looking at swatches, (you can guess how hard it is to shop for makeup online) I found a couple of items to my liking.

The process. I fill my bag, then check out (the subtotal is displayed). I then proceed to the last page where I fill in required information for shipping and payment. The total is then shown (includes additional taxes and shipping). Their taxes and shipping fees can be quite steep, but I found this to be better than paying for the importation fee at my country's customs office. Having a very corrupt customs bureau, that was waaayy better! Anyways, submit order and it's done!

That same day, I received an email from Borderfree (Nordstrom) about them receiving my order. Then an order confirmation. Three days later, they emailed me saying that my order has already been shipped. They also gave me my package number so I can track my parcel whenever. (:

Four days later, and voila! My parcel has arrived. It was surprisingly fast. And it was a joy to open my box. Even though it's generally a pain for an impulsive and compulsive gal like me to do online shopping, the best part is still that feeling after having to wait for endless days and next thing you know, your package is in front of you. My mom said I was crazy. Hell yeah. Crazy happy kid here!

Thank you Nordstrom!

What's in the box:

Sunbum lip balm SPF 30 in Pomegranate

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Tonkin

thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen

Christian Dior Diorblush in New Red

Overall it was a great shopping experience. Thank you Nordstrom! I just wish you'd let me order Estee Lauder, Chanel, Clinique and other brands next time. *weep* *grin*

My Beautybay Online Shopping Experience

Hi guys! Let me tell you about my first ever Beauty Bay (beautybay.com) online purchase. I bought a few skincare items (seriously, they have a lot going on there, it was too tempting!). While my second purchase, now off for shipment, are more of beauty items.

The UK based site carries brands ranging from mid to high end. Skincare lines such as Ahava, Mario Badescu, Murad, Peter Thomas Roth, and VMV are available. While you can find beauty brands such bareMinerals, RMK, Too Faced and Urban Decay.

I was impressed with the site's security, as they implement OTP (One Time Password) where you will be sent a password through your mobile number, linked with the credit card you used, and must then be entered before proceeding. The balance is shown in £ (GBP/British Pound Sterling).

I placed the order on November 19 and received an email of order confirmation that same day. November 20, I received an email that my order has already been dispatched. I received the package this December 03. So that's about two weeks, for a free shipment. Yep, they offer free worldwide delivery. If you want an express shipping, it's available for $65.6 (2-3 days delivery time). It took a little longer than I'd expected, as it says on their website that free shipping to the Philippines should be 7-10 days only. I guess they were talking about our major city, Metro Manila and other nearby areas. As the delivery address was Isabela, those who are about the same distance should expect the same 13 day waiting time. I'm guessing those from Visayas, or Mindanao, should maybe add 2 more waiting days.

You're welcome!

Here's what I bought:

• Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Face Mist
• Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Exfoliating Lip Salvation
• Bio Oil
• First Aid Beauty Ulra Repair Lip Therapy

These are all included in my 2013-2014 Wishlist and I'm very happy to have ticked a few more checkboxes! Yayayay! I'll do reviews soon but so far I'm liking in love with Ole Henriksen's lip salve! All I can say right now is, it is The bomb. Do wait for my review. Ciao!

My Beauty Wishlist This 2013 (Updated)

This is my beauty and skincare wishlist for this year 2013, and next year 2014. I swear will try not to buy any products aside from the ones on this list, of course besides the replenishments. Remember, okay self? Please do really try.

A very long list indeed, but it's not like I'm going to buy all of them, heck of course not. One or two items per category, and I'm good to go. These are all candidates for HG status, btw. So here we go, a wishlist for my sensitive, acne-prone, oily skin:

Updated as of 12.03.13, I have already received some of the products. :3
Updated 12.09.13 (:
Updated 12.10.13!

Skincare

• Moisturizer

☑ Peter Thomas Roth ultra lite oil free
⍻ MD Formulations moisture defense hydrating gel
⍻ Laneige water bank gel cream
⍻ Neutrogena hydroboost gel

• Moisturizer with spf
☑ Neutrogena hydroboost gel spf 30
☑ Philosophy take a deep breath moisturizer spf 30
☑ Mario Badescu oil-free moisturizer spf 30
⍻ Mario Badescu aloe moisturizer spf 15

• Facial mist
☑ Ole Henriksen african red tea mist
⍻ Laneige water bank mineral skin mist

• Lip balm
☑ Ole Henriksen red tea exfoliating lip salvation
☑ First Aid Beauty ultra lip therapy
⍻ Tarte lip surgence skintuitive lip tint in Energy

• Lip balm with spf
☑ Sunbum lip balm SPF 30

• Skin oils/ointment
☑ Bio oil
☑ Tarte pure maracuja oil
⍻ Hydroxatone celtrixa stretch mark lotion

Beauty

• BB cream
☑ Tarte bb tinted 12-hour primer broad spectrum spf 30
☑ Estee Lauder daywear multi-perfecting bb creme
⍻ Dior diorsnow white reveal uv protection spf 50 bb
⍻ Kanebo kate gel bb

• Light Foundation
☑ Benefit hello flawless oxygen wow
⍻ Chanel vitalumiere aqua

• Heavy Foundation
☑ RMK liquid foundation

⍻ Chanel perfection lumiere
⍻ Clinique anti blemish solutions liquid makeup
⍻ Bobbi Brown long wear even finish
⍻ Bobbi Brown skin foundation

• Powder Foundation
☑ Clinique perfectly real radiant skin makeup - replenishment, *HG*
⍻ Dior diorskin forever compact
⍻ Chanel double perfection lumiere

• Finishing Powder
⍻ Ben Nye
⍻ Tarte amazonian clay pressed mineral powder

• Red Lipstick
☑ Chanel rouge allure in Pirate

• MLBB Lipstick

☑ Chane rouge coco in Mademoiselle
☑ Bobbi Brown lip color in Tulle
☑ Dior nude rouge in Grege / Charnelle
☑ Bobbi Brown lip color in Nude Rose / Nude / Soft Rose
⍻ Dior addict lip glow

•  Lipstick
⍻ Dior rouge dior in Rouge Blossom / Pink Cocotte/ Pink Songe

⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in Taupe Raphael
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge pur couture in Roxanne
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent rouge volupte shine in Rose Infinite
⍻ Laura Mercier rouge nouveau weightless lip color in Cafe (slightly nude) / Shy (light rose) / Silk

•  Matte Lipstick
☑ Nars pure matte lipstick in Tonkin
⍻ Nars pure matte lipstick in Montego Bay / Bangkok
⍻ Laura Mercier rouge nouveau weightless lip color in Moi (cherry red) / Mod (retro red)

• Blush

☑ Dior vibrant color in New Red

⍻ Dior diorblush glowing color in Sugar & Spice
⍻ Dior vibrant color in Lady Red

• Lips & Cheeks
☑ thebalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen
⍻ Bobbi Brown pot rouge in Rose

• Blemish Concealer

☑ BareMinerals correcting concealer

☑ Murad acne treatment concealer
⍻ Naturactor

• Liquid Concealer
☑ Dior diorskin nude skin perfecting hydrating concealer
⍻ Tarte maracuja creaseless concealer
⍻ Estee Lauder double wear concealer
⍻ Tarte amazonian clay full coverage concealer

• Highlighter
⍻ Dior skinflash radiant booster pen
⍻ Yves Saint Laurent touche eclat

• Bronzer - ON THE HUNT

• Mascara
☑ Diorshow mascara
☑ Urban Decay mascara

• Eyeliner
☑ Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencil

So, there you go. What do you think? :3