BornPrettyStore False Eyelashes #1107 Review + Naked 3 Palette Smokey Eye Tutorial

Hello, beauties! It's been a while, hasn't it? I haven't been keeping up with my blog posts as much as I'd like to, but I have a few blog goodies that I look forward to sharing in the near future. For this blog post, I'd like to share a review of some lashes I've been sporting on my night outs and dates lately. BornPrettyStore was kind enough to send me a couple boxes of lashes for review purposes. For this post, I will be reviewing the False Eyelashes #1107 and saving the other box for a different entry.

I'm sure many of you have seen variations on these types of lashes at different retail stores. They appeal to many because of how affordable they are and at 10 pairs per box, that's quite the steal! Born Pretty Store sells a wide variety of these types of false lashes in so many different shapes and sizes. While I prefer to wear thick lashes when I'm going out, they also sell lighter and more natural selections. I had somewhat of a hard time trying to pick out which lashes to review, and some of them I already had myself from friends bringing them back to me from their Asia trips. However, the #1107 looked like the perfect combination of thickness and length.

The lashes arrived in a clear box in which I've removed the lid here. As I've stated before, they come in a box of 10 and each pair lasts quite a long time. In fact, I'm still on my first pair!

The shape of these lashes make a fine choice if you're looking for the rounded, doll-like eye look. Since the lash hairs are longest in the center, that emphasizes the center of the eye and gives it that little extra lift. And while they do look somewhat thick, I'd say these are more of the medium variety. These were a bit long for my eye and they were poking me a bit, so I had to cut them. However, this is no big deal, as  I have to do that with most lashes I end up buying anyways. So let's now break it down into the pros and cons. 

Pros

• Great shape for making the eyes look rounder
• Gives the eyes a little lift
• Affordable at $2.99
• 10 lashes per box--these will last you a long time before you ever run out
• Comfortable to wear 
• Durable and long-lasting 

Cons

• Lash band is a bit thick so you may have to bend it a few times to adjust the shape 
• May poke the inner or outer corners of the eyes if not cut properly 

Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Naked 3 Palette Smokey Eye Tutorial 

I must admit, I haven't done a tutorial in a while and was a little wary of putting it up...hence, why it's taken me so long to update. But I've managed to muster up the courage (and patience) to whip up this Naked 3 Palette smokey eye tutorial. I've been reaching for the Naked 3 palette a lot more lately after figuring out which colors work best with my skin tone. Sad to say I don't use all of the colors, but this is one of my favorite looks to wear when I feel like adding a little romance to my eye makeup. The overall color theme for this particular palette is pink so you definitely need to keep it sweet and feminine. But first, let's start with the review!

Here is a full list of products that I'll be using in this tutorial: 

• Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer
• Makeup Forever Invisible Cover HD Foundation #120 
• MAC Select Moisturecover  Concealer NW120
• Anastasia Brow Wiz in "Ash Blonde"
• Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in "Caramel"
• Urban Decay Potion Primer
• Naked 3 Palette (In order of use: Nooner, Factory, Blackheart, Stranger, Dust) 
• Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner (Black) 
• Milani Liquif'ye (Brown)
• Mabelline Falsies Mascara in "Very Black"
• Benefit Hoola Bronzer 
• Candy Doll Blush in "Strawberry Pink"
• NYX Matte Lip Color in "Istanbul" 
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in "Dim Light"
• BornPrettyStore False Eyelashes #1107 

This is mainly going to be an eye makeup tutorial, as I'm sure most of you already know have your own foundation and face makeup routine. So before we get started on the eye makeup, please apply your primer, foundation and concealer.

1. Apply brow pencil to shape out your eye brows. As you can see, my lashes are quite light and sparse due to genetics and bleaching. Yes, I do bleach my brows every few weeks since I have blonde hair and it matches better to have light brows.

2. This step is optional, but you may go back and fill in your brows with a brow gel to brush the hairs into place. I also do this step to bring some warmth back in the otherwise ashy blonde brow pencil color.

3. With a medium eyeshadow brush, apply "Nooner" up to the orbital crease of your eye. This will deepen your sockets and serve as the main transition color.

4. Next, blend "Factory" a little past your eyelid but allow just a hint of "Nooner" to continue peeking out. Then blend the darkest color, "Blackheart", where your eyelid folds.

5. Use "Stranger" to highlight underneath your brow.

6. Apply liquid eyeliner to the top of your eyelid and line your waterline with dark brown eyeliner. You can also use black eyeliner but I find that dark brown goes on a lot softer and more natural. Take an angled eyeliner brush and apply a little bit of "Dust" to your inner corners.

7. Time to put on mascara! (Damn it, my friends were making me laugh here in this picture!)I love the Maybelline Falsies mascara because now they are a dual-ended product where you can apply mascara to both your top and bottom lashes. Of course, being a typical Asian and all, this doesn't make a huge difference so...

8. Add false eyelashes to complete the look. You'll want to go with something on the thicker side, as this is a smokey eye look and this works best with somewhat voluminous lashes. I will be giving more info on these lashes later on in this post.

And here is the complete look! I find this a very wearable look for those days I feel like dolling up a little more than usual. The eye makeup enhances the eyes without looking overdone and the pink colors in the Naked 3 palette work wonderfully for the upcoming spring and summer. 

And because this look is on the romantic side, I had to break out the pink blush and lips. Nude lips and subtle cheeks work fine for this look but I think that a pink flush is especially appropriate for a date night. What do you think of this color combination? 

Overall, I think every girl needs at least one box of these types of lashes I've used in this tutorial! They're inexpensive, reusable and are of great quality for their price. Although many other types of false lashes exist out there, these lashes are on par with many that I've used before. And I'm glad to say that these particular ones have definitely made it into my false lash rotation when I want my eyes to stand out in pictures. Check out BornPrettyStore's website for more choices in lashes, makeup, nail accessories and more. They have tons of makeup and fashion goodies for great prices, so shop till you drop! :)

For 10% off on your purchase, please visit their website and enter the promo code "TTH10" at check-out.

So what did you think of my Naked 3 palette makeup tutorial? The Naked 3 Palette is so versatile and I actually have a couple other regular looks I also do along with this particular one. I'm no makeup guru but I hope you enjoyed my tutorial. I'll try to do more makeup tutorials in the future. ^^ Also, let me know in the comments below what you thought of the false lashes I reviewed. Have you used any of these kinds of boxed lashes? Are you a fan of them? What are your favorite go-to false lashes you've been loving lately? <3

With Love, Tiffany 

Naked 3 Palette Review and Swatches

As 2013 came to a close, Urban Decay released the much anticipated Naked 3 Palette, which in turn, led makeup addicts as myself to act like one of those crazed Black Friday shoppers who decides to line up at 7PM on a Thanksgiving night. As soon as fellow beauty blogger, Lisa, alerted me at 6 in the morning of its release, I raced to the computer and purchased my own right before work started. By around 11AM, the Naked 3 Palette had sold out.

Now I know it's been a while since its release and many of you who've been waiting for its release have probably gotten it by now. But for those of you who are on the fence over whether or not its worth the splurge, then hopefully, my post will aid you in your decision. Although I'm a pretty big fan of Urban Decay eyeshadows and I pretty much only use them nowadays, I had my initial doubts on whether this palette would look good on me. As you can see, this palette is very pink-based and I wasn't sure if it would match my skin tone. I'm a light-medium tone in the winter time and I felt that this palette would perform best with light skin. However, after much experimentation with the variety of colors, I'm happy to say that this palette will suit a wide variety of skin tones and shades and worth gifting to yourself. So read on for more details!

First and foremost, I just have to get this out of the way: the box that the Naked 3 Palette comes in is gorgeous! Rose gold has been all the rage nowadays and everyone has been obsessed with the color. And the packaging on the actual palette itself is just as beautiful. It's fashioned similarly to the Naked 2 Palette and comes in a metal case with a wavy texture. The box also includes 4 different samples of the famed Urban Decay potion primer, which I will get more into detail later. 

Another neat thing about the Naked palettes is how they always manage to include a makeup brush. This brush is dual-ended and includes one side of patting the eyeshadow and one side for blending. The quality of this brush is wonderful and definitely gives this palette its bang for its buck. I only really use the blending brush end and it's pretty much replaced all of my other blending brushes. The blending side is more dense than other brushes I've seen, making it easier and faster to blend all of your colors together.

And here are the samples of the primer potions. I've never actually gotten the chance to try these yet but I am looking forward to trying out Sin the most. Here are the descriptions: 

Original - This undercover wonder works invisibly to keep color in place. 

Eden - This nude matte formula preps lips, and prevents shadow meltdown. 

Sin - Just a dab of this shimmering formula prevents fading and creasing.

Anti-Aging - Makes shadow last and in an 8-week clinical study: 

• 100% of participants had a measurable improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• 100% had measurably brighter skin. 
• 97% had a measurable improvement in radiance and clarity. 

And now without further ado, let's take a look at the eyeshadows, which I'm sure you're most interested in reading about anyways! To avoid any confusion, I should preface this by explaining that I will start with the pictures of the eyeshadows, followed by its official description and my own personal opinion, and finally the swatches of the eyeshadows. 

Strange (a pale neutral pink matte-satin) - This color performs very well in flattering most eyeshadow looks in this palette and works best as a highlighter. The texture is quite buttery and I appreciate how its matte, so that it does not compete against the many other shimmery colors in this palette. 

Dust (pale metallic pink shimmer with iridescent micro-glitter) - I've heard mixed reviews about this color but I'm really digging it. The micro-glitter in this eyeshadow makes fallout nearly unavoidable. I would avoid packing this one on on my eyelid but I find that this looks beautiful when worn in the inner corners. 

Burnout (light pinky peach satin) - This one is still relatively light compared to the other shadows in the palette. It has great pigmentation with no fallout at all. If you're looking for a light wash of pink on the eyelid, this would be your best bet over Dust. 

Limit (light dusty rose matte) - This shade is great for everyday makeup and actually shows up a little more mauve than pink when blended out onto the eyelid. It's great for blending and works great for deepening the eye crease. 

Buzz (metallic rose shimmer with silver micro-glitter) - A soft pinky color, Buzz pretty much looks like how it does in the pan and blends out buttery smooth. I find myself picking this color up when I feel like doing a soft, feminine look. It blends out to a nice, soft medium pink. 

Trick (light metallic pinky copper shimmer with tonal mid-sparkle) - Initially, Trick looked quite coppery and even similar to the shade Chopper from the Naked Palette 2. I didn't find myself using this much at first but was pleasantly surprised to find that this color comes out more as a soft rose gold. There is a bit of an orange tint, but it nicely complements most colors in this palette. To add dimension, I recommend blending a small amount of this color onto the eye close to the inner corner. 

Nooner (medium pink-brown matte) - One of my absolute favorite matte colors to use out of all the Naked series, Nooner works well as an all-over shade up until the brow bone. It's a great transitional color for smokey eyes and comes out darker than Limit. I find myself reaching for this shade the most. 

Liar (medium metallic mauve shimmer) - Great for a medium smokey eye, this shade is warm and bronze-y with a pinkish tint. This is probably one of the more versatile shades in the palette, as this looks great blended with all of the last four shades. 

Factory (pinky-brown satin) - Now I know Factory and Mugshot look pretty different next to each other, but I use the two pretty equally interchangeably. Factory is a lot warmer than Mugshot and looks bright and shimmery when blended out. 

Mugshot (metallic taupe shimmer with a slight pink shift) - Do not underestimate the pigmentation of this particular shade because a little bit goes a long way! This looks more like a light taupe but when blended out, it's actually capable of standing on its own if you feel like going for a cool-toned eye look. 

Darkside (deep taupe-mauve satin) - This is definitely one of the more fascinating colors in the Naked 3 palette. I've never spotted this shade anywhere else before and I want to say it's dark purple-toned taupe. This would obviously work well for smokey eyes but you'll have to pack it on and then blend it out to get full color payoff. 

Blackheart (smokey black matte with rosy red micro-sparkle) - Love, love, LOVE this color! As the Naked Palette 3's darkest shade, I was skeptical about this color because I wasn't sure how well it would complement the other colors. Let me just tell you, this shade is hot! It's definitely smokey but it's not even close to the darkest black eyeshadow I own. But is it amazing? All signs point to yes, and this is perfect for creating those alluring dark smokey eyes for a night on the town. And plus, who doesn't love to glitter a little? 

Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

I have to admit, my expectations were blown away by this palette and as I continue to experiment with different colors and looks, I find myself appreciating this palette more and more. A solid purchase, I would definitely say that this palette is worth the steal even if you do own any of the other Naked palettes. The Naked 3 Palette is very pink-based and I can see how some people may be put off by that factor. But it's definitely the most different from the last two palettes and will probably look a lot better on you than you think. Is it a must-have? Well, I suppose that's debatable. But it's definitely one of the my most-used palettes at the moment and probably will be for a long time...until the Naked 4 Palette comes out. Then we'll have a problem. Just kidding. Not really. 

So what did you think of the Naked 3 Palette? Did you grab yours yet or are you planning to get it in the future? Do you think that this palette is worth the price hike? And do you own any of the other Naked palettes? Urban Decay lovers and newbies, let me know what you think in the comments below! 

With Love, Tiffany 

Geo Princess Mimi Starmish Brown Circle Lens Review

Why, hello, my lovelies! Surprised to see me? I have finally come out from hibernation at last! I know it's been a really LONG time since I've updated, and it does feel a little strange to be typing this right now. I do apologize for disappearing, but around the time of July, I started a new job and was quite busy trying to get the hang of everything. And it got difficult to get back on track with blogging, especially since I had been doing a lot of social media and blogging for my new company. But recently, I've decided that I wanted to get back into the blogosphere and blog when I do have the time. ^^

I was recently contacted by Maplelens.com who were kind enough to sponsor me for review purposes. Before I get started on my review, I just have to applaud them for their super speedy shipping times. From the time I chose my lenses to when I actually received them was about less than a week. And please note that they're shipping from Malaysia as well, and since I'm based in the US, this was probably the fastest I've ever received lenses from anywhere. They offer free shipping for orders over $50, and $10 for shipping to the US with a time frame of 3-5 days.

When it comes to circle lens, I have a tendency to stay on the conservative side and I don't really wear other colors besides brown or green. I know the whole MLBB (my-lips-but-better) schtick has been making its rounds in the beauty community. Well, I'm definitely more of a MEBB (my-eyes-but-better) kind of circle lenses girl. The Geo Starmish Brown lenses was a perfect combination of sexy and natural, without coming off too costume-like.

Product Information

Brand: Geo Medical

Origin: Korea 

Diameter: 14.5 mm

Base Curve: 8.6 mm

Water Content: 38%

Life Span: 1 year disposable 

I was pleasantly surprised to find the lenses wrapped neatly inside a cute heart shaped box. Other places I have ordered from usually just send the lenses wrapped with many layers of bubble wrap. Like many other circle lens stores, they were kind enough to include an adorable animal contact lens case. 

Upon taking out the lenses, I was a little intimidated by how light they looked. I had never worn any brown lenses besides the normal dark-brown, natural-looking ones, but I was definitely excited to try these, since I've heard nothing but good things. 

Low Light 

Daylight 

However, after putting them on, I was definitely blown away by how beautiful they looked. When it comes to sporting lenses like these, you really do get the best of both worlds. Natural yet vibrant, the Geo Starmish Brown lenses are for people who want something that will stand out but still look subtle enough to complement a look, not overtake it. The pattern is simply gorgeous with a blend of brown, orange and gold and blends well with darker colored eyes. And of course, the outer black rim, which is characteristic of the Geo Princess Mimi lenses, do an excellent job of enlarging and enhancing the color. 

While these lenses do fall into the "Brown" lenses category, I have to say, they are not your typical natural-looking brown lenses that you would use for subtle enhancement. Most people would definitely be able to tell you're wearing colored circle lenses but not in an overly fake way. The best way to describe the color would be along the lines of a gorgeous amber. While I in no way endorse the Twilight Books, I felt a bit vampy with these on and was definitely reminded of their golden eyes. 

Natural makeup - Done with the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette

What I really love about these lenses is how versatile they are. You can wear them with natural looking makeup like I have done here or you can go for a more dark and smokey look. Either way, the color of the lenses really makes the eyes 'pop' while adding just a hint of sexiness. I have to admit, my boyfriend could not stop raving about how much he loved these and my guy friends complimented them. The sparkling, vivid honey color will complement a wide range of styles and look great for those of you who want to sport the gyaru look or Japanese-style makeup. 

Comfort-wise, these are pretty comfortable, but my eyes did start to feel a little tired after about five hours. However, I have found that they don't feel much different from the other 14.5mm lenses I've tried. They felt exactly like most of the other colored varieties in the Geo Princess Mimi series. 

Pros

• Gorgeous amber or honey-brown colored lenses, depending on the lighting 
• Vivid color payoff without looking overly fake 
• Beautiful blend of different colors
• Great enhancement at 14.5mm (which in my opinion is the magic number for circle lenses)
• Versatile and great for both minimal or heavy makeup
• Looks natural enough to blend with brown eyes 
• The ideal lenses for Japanese or gyaru makeup

Cons 

• Can feel a bit drying after 5 hours 

Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

At $20.90,  I definitely feel like these circle lenses are worth owning. For those of you who like natural lens with a hint of dolly cuteness, you will definitely like these. A lot of brown lenses that don't fall into the darker category, have a tendency to look unnatural, but these are the perfect in-between that you can wear if you want your eyes to stand out without looking too obvious. Will I be purchasing these lenses when it's time for a new pair? In a heartbeat!  

So what did you think of the Geo Starmish Brown circle lenses? Do you own a pair yourself? What are your thoughts upon them? Are these a pair that you would be interested in wearing? And are there any other brown circle lenses that you'd recommend? Let me know in the comments below!

With Love, Tiffany 

Review: Etude House Correct & Care CC Cream in No. 2 "Glow"

CC Cream, also known as Correct and Care cream, has been all the rage nowadays, expanding from Asian markets to global very quickly within the past year. Nowadays, BB cream can be found not only at Asian beauty stores but also at your local drugstore. And it appears CC Cream is quickly catching up! Leading Korean brands such as Tony Moly, Etude House and and Banila Co. are just one of many that produce CC cream and believe me, competition is fierce! Today, I will be reviewing Etude House's CC Cream in No. 2"Glow".

So what exactly is CC cream and what are its benefits? Like its predecessor, BB cream, CC cream provides all of the benefits that bb cream offers such as whitening, SPF, base and coverage while also adding additional benefits. CC cream is also lighter upon application and is supposed to provide a more natural coverage, as opposed to BB cream. Whereas BB cream is more about providing coverage, CC cream is more about providing a more even, clear skin tone, thus emphasizing your natural skin's beauty. It's the true "no-makeup" makeup hahaha.

Etude House's CC cream claims to have eight benefits in this one little tube. Does it actually live up to its claims? Well, keep on reading to find out :)

Benefits: 

• Anti-aging 
• Stress relief 
• Hydration 
• Whitening
• Sun Protection 
• Tone-up
• Smooth texture
• Luminosity 

Source: Etude House

Doesn't Krystal from F(x) just look radiant? I think she is just the perfect person to endorse this! 

For those who aren't familiar with Etude House's CC Cream line, there are two types of CC cream you can choose from: No. 1 "Silky" or No. 2 "Glow". For those with oily skin who want a more matte and plush finish, you would go with "Silky", whereas those who with dry skin who would opt for a more dewy, natural finish would go with "Glow".

Source: Etude House 

My skin type is normal. However, I have a tendency to get dry spots around my nose and mouth area so I decided to go with "Glow". I'm also a fan of the dewy look, as opposed to matte. Especially in the summer, who can resist glowing, dewy skin? 

The packaging is reminiscent of Etude House's cute and princess-like concept. The box is a delicate light-pink box with gold lettering and helpful instructions in both Korean and English on the sides. As someone who only knows how to introduce herself in Korean or order Coca-Cola at a Korean restaurant, I'm grateful that Etude House included instructions in English. 

Description

"This multitasking, 8-in-1 formula hydrates, primes, conceals, treats and protect skin at an easy single step for a healthier complexion, inside and outside. It glides on with a glowing finish. 

Directions 

"Apply liberally and blend evenly with your fingertips for natural, sheer coverage. Use it alone or layered under your favorite foundation for more coverage. 

This tube of CC cream is actually a lot slimmer and sleeker than the Etude House Mineral BB Cream. While the BB cream contains 60 mg of product, the CC cream contains 35 mg which I think is significantly less. Oh well, it's still selling like hotcakes! It's not that big of an issue, considering you don't really need much CC cream for coverage, but I had to admit that I was a bit surprised to see how small this was. 

For application, the tube comes with a pump, which dispenses a small, delicate pile of product, which is good for sanitary purposes. For me, based on two different experiences, one pump was definitely enough for me. For those who want more coverage, you can use the CC cream as a base and layer BB cream/foundation over this. But DON'T apply too much product to your face. I will explain why later in this entry.

The scent is a pleasant, floral-like smell, similar to that of Tony Moly's Triple Expert BB cream, not too strong or chemical-like. I'm assuming that this is a pretty common scent among Asian face products. 

Ahhhh, it's so white! That was my first reaction upon dispensing the product and I was skeptical on how in the world would this match my skin tone. But take a closer look. Can you see the tiny little capsules within the white cream? These tiny little capsules will burst upon application, self-adjusting the color to match your skin tone and texture and provide a moisturizing, glowing finish. Yes, it's just like magic! 

Source: Etude House 

 It's highly recommended that you use your hands to apply the CC cream onto your face. I usually use a foundation brush to apply my face makeup but in order to 'pop' all the capsules onto your face, it's best that you massage it into your skin. 

Please be advised you should only apply one light layer at a time. So why have I emphasized to not put too much on your face? Well, I made the mistake of applying two pumps, which ended up being way too much. Some of the capsules ended up not popping and therefore, the product didn't merge with my skin tone and I was stuck all afternoon with a white ghost-face. Therefore, I concluded that one pump is sufficient and it quickly matched my skin tone within 10 minutes. If you need more coverage, you can add a layer of BB cream or foundation on top.

Before - No makeup whatsoever, After - 10 minutes after application

See the difference? While I don't have major problems with acne or spots, I do experience some dullness and uneven skin tone, which really benefitted from this CC cream. My skin looks brighter, whiter, hydrated and my overall complexion is improved. In this before and after, I don't have any base or moisturizer on. The coverage is very light, compared to BB cream and foundation. But I love the "my skin, but better" effect and I really think it was a genius idea for Etude House to market to those looking for the most natural coverage as possible. 

Before - 5 minutes after application, After - 10 minutes after application with finishing powder

Now for the 'glow' effect, I had to admit, I found the dewiness in the product a little overly dewy and to me, it just looked a little oily for my taste. Just a little though. I feel like this product would really benefit people with dry skin but for those with oily skin, you're really better off with the No.1 Silky instead. To mattify the oiliness, I added just a pat of finishing powder and then I had the nice, luminous finish that I wanted. 

Final thoughts on this product? 

Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Pros:

• Delivers most of what it promises--hydration, whitening, sun-protection, skin tone brightening, skin-texture smoothing and luminosity. As for anti-aging, we'd have to see but it's good to know. And stress-relief? No comment. 
• Fixes my dull, uneven skin tone 
• Love the one-step process of just applying it directly onto my face. This will save me a lot of time in my makeup routine. 
• Great for people who are looking for a natural, fresh-faced look 
• Long-lasting, did not start looking oilier until around 5 hours 
• Affordable. I ordered mine at Kollection K for $15.60
• Love the glowing, dewy effect 
• Feels really light on my skin, definitely great for the summer

Cons 

• Coverage is realllllly light. If you're looking for the least bit of coverage, you may need to use a BB cream in addition to this 
• Can look a bit greasy to those with oily or normal skin--I'm wondering if I should've ordered the No. 1 Silky instead. 
• May not match darker skin tones. I have a warm medium skin tone in the summer and the product looked just a tad light for my skin.
  

Overall, I quite like the Etude House CC cream because it's just what I needed for the summer. My skin looks refreshed and brightened and best of all, the one step application process makes my makeup routine so much faster and easier. However, I had to deduct one star because I know it's not for everyone. While I appreciate its concept for providing skin with a more natural look, the coverage would definitely be too light for those with moderate acne and would be better off a primer. I know this probably has been said before, I feel like CC cream is designed more for people who already have decent skin and are just looking for enhancement. 

And for those who regularly use BB cream, I can't really see the CC cream offering significantly better benefits maybe besides anti-aging. You'll notice that out of the eight benefits this product claims to have, coverage is not one of them. The CC cream is good to have on hand when you're going for the "my skin, but better" effect but this may not be the best substitute for BB cream or foundation. However, this does not mean that this is a bad product, as I like it very much. But I would definitely do my research on CC creams to see which one would be the best for what you're aiming for or if BB cream is better for you.

So what did you think of this product? Have you had the chance to try it yet or are you planning to try it anytime soon? I hope my review was informative in helping out those who are interested in purchasing the Etude House CC creams or any other CC creams of that matter. If you have your own review of this CC cream, feel free to share your links with me. Are there any other CC creams that you have used or want to use? What do you think of CC cream overall? Let me know in the comments below! 

With love, Tiffany

Candy Doll "Strawberry Pink" Blush Review + I'm blonde now! + Upcoming Giveaway

Hello, lovelies! So it's been a week since I've last updated and I do apologize if I seemed to have dropped off the radar for a bit. To those of you who have blogs, I still check my Bloglovin' twice a week to catch up with your awesome entries. And I've been meaning to make it a habit to update twice a week instead of once. I guess I need better time management or something ><

Well, before I get into my review for the Candy Doll blush, I have something that I wanted to go over. First things first, for those of you who aren't familiar with me on Instagram or Twitter , I've gone blonde! Let's see if I have more fun. 

Now I know some of you were excited to hear about the Candy Doll blush in "Strawberry Pink" after I posted up my Korean and Japanese Beauty Haul. Candy Doll is endorsed by popular gyaru model, Tsubasa Masukawa. The blushes come in a variety of colors, ranging from Strawberry Pink, Peach Pink, Carrot Orange, Cream Beige and Marshmallow Violet. Just typing out these cute and interesting names makes me want to try them all! For this particular blush, I purchased it at Takashima but you can find it at Sasa as well. 

The Candy Doll blush in "Strawberry Pink" is a bright, true pink that can either look gyaru-friendly or a bit intimidating. I've always been a fan of peachy pink and coral blushes but since I've been getting more into Japanese makeup lately, I really wanted a bright pink blush for the summer. Plus, the color would look great on both blonde and brunettes. 

Err...I can't really read Japanese so I'm not quite sure what the back says. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but perhaps the directions are suggesting to pair this with the No. 1 Dolly Sweet false lashes from Dolly Wink? Someone who can read Japanese help me on this D: 

While the box has pretty cute packaging, I would have expected more from the actual blush container itself. It's actually a lot smaller than this picture looks and can fit snug in the palm of my hand. For $17.95, I suppose that's not too expensive, compared to NARS and Tarte blushes, but I wouldn't exactly call it a steal either. The container is made out of plastic and snaps to open or close. Nothing really special here. 

However, since this product seriously packs a punch in terms of pigmentation, you would probably be able to keep this for quite a long time before running out. You definitely need to apply this with a light hand, because it goes on as bright as it looks. Else wise, you'll end up looking more like a clown or guidette than gyaru. 

The color has a nice matte finish, littered with tiny micro-shimmers and although it's very bright, if applied correctly, will give you that sweet, dolly glow. This is definitely a great product if you want that gyaru look found in gyaru tutorials in magazines or just something fun and bright.

Here it is swatched on my skin. You don't really have to swirl your blush brush in this, as just one swipe should deliver enough color. You can gradually build the color up if you want more on your cheeks but again, it's already very vibrant. As for texture, it's not chalky at all and goes on very smoothly. Maybe not quite as buttery as NARS blushes, but still soft and blendable. 

As you can see, the blush adds a lovely, dolly, pink glow to my cheeks. I'm seriously in love with this color and I really like how it complements my light hair. It shows up nicely in pictures and doesn't look overly bright or obnoxious. Also, since it's nicely pigmented, girls with both pale skin and tan skin can wear it! 

Because today was so gloomy, I tried really hard to get good pictures but the lighting was so off in most of my pictures that I ended up with just this one. My hair looks a bit ashier in real life, not quite as warm. If anyone is curious, I'm wearing the Dolly Wink No. 1 in Dolly Sweet for my upper lashes and the No. 5 in Real Nude for my lower lashes. Since I was using Candy Doll, I thought it matched nicely enough to break out my Dolly Winks. Not sure if the packaging says to pair them together, but it would be a nice coincidence if it did haha =p 

So what did I like about this product? Everything...well mostly. 

Pros

• Great pigmentation
• Smooth, texture--not chalky at all 
• Shows up wonderfully in pictures 
• Long lasting, it's been around 5 hours and the blush hasn't faded that much 
• Mostly matte finish but with just a tiny bit of micro-shimmer, it won't really be noticeable
• Lovely, bright bubblegum pink color that is guaranteed to give you sweet, dolly cheeks 
• Small and portable enough to fit into your purse when you're on the go

Cons

• Not really a fan of the plastic packaging 
• Hard to find in the US, you may have to order it online 
• Can be considered a bit pricey for its size

Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

However, despite its few cons, I really can't think of anything else wrong with the product. Like I said, it's nicely pigmented, long-lasting, smooth and best of all, it's just a super fun and cute color that can look good on anyone. I would definitely repurchase this again when I run out, but that won't be anytime soon. 

Lastly, before I conclude this entry, I wanted to ask you guys something. I'm close to hitting 50 followers on Google Friend Connect and to celebrate, I want to host a giveaway. I'm already starting to put together a giveaway prize but I wanted to know--would you guys prefer Dolly Wink or Diamond Lashes for false lashes? Of course, since I'm a fan of both, I really don't know which ones you guys would rather receive. While I like Diamond Lash for their quantity (five pairs for the win!) and their durability, I know Dolly Winks will always be a fan favorite. Both brands are easily accessible to me so I can get either. I will choose according to majority rules. 

So let me know in the comments below! And also, what did you think of the Candy Doll blush? Have you tried it before or do you want to? What are your favorite blushes to wear? Do you prefer bright blushes or more natural colors? Lastly, any of you ladies planning to go blonde for the summer or have already gone blonde?

With Love, Tiffany