Concrete Catwalk vs. Spring 2012

I got concrete catwalk in the mail today! It really is a very bluish grey but I don't think it's bad at all. After I put it on however I felt a little out of fashion.. I mean I wanted this grey for a long time, and it's still pretty wintry out, but I think I'm more in the mood for spring than I realized. It's just such a dark polish.
The product is nice though and it went on pretty smooth despite my less than adequate nail painting skills lol.

I'll definitely look out for more colors by China Glaze!

P.s. still sick >.<

Haircuts and Illness

I got my haircut today finally! It's not really what I expected. A little girlier than what I wanted but it doesn't look bad or anything. Just, not my usual style. I'll rock it though. I definitely want to try it with different clothes because it doesn't go well with the bunzy, baggy, t-shirt, ripped jeans look. (not that I plan to wear that to school).

The woman used a lot of product and blow drying (for me anyway) and hopefully I don't have to do much of that for it to look decent. We'll see after I take a shower 2moro morning.!

Also.. I'm sick! T_T Sigh, I really hope I recover before school starts.

So after way too much deliberation time I ordered China Glaze' Concrete Catwalk and Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Rosepearl from ebay. It added up to around 11 bucks. My friend suggested that she liked Essie Powerclutch better than the China Glaze but, as a cheapo, I took the one that was 2 dollars less.
I don't want to spend more money but I think I will get the Seche Vite top coat + base coat set from CVS. It's 8.99 for the two of them (without tax >.< ) and I have never seen this deal anywhere else. Even on ebay I only found them separate for around the same price as individuals :( . While I'm there I think I will also pick up an NYC color liquid eyeliner (I need a liquid eyeliner) because their cheap but they seem to work alright for the price (another friend of mine uses them) and also a NYC color blushable creme stick. Those got pretty good reviews and I would definitely not mind trying them for the price (plus I needed a blush of my own). Using my mom's cvs 'extra bucks' I could probably get both without really spending any money.
After this and after maybe getting a milani blush I might be complete in a big part of the makeup area. I'll probably still be experimenting with lip colors however and then will be tackling eyeshadows.
I think I need a makeup bag also. Might use a pencil case my friend made me!

To be in season..

So I really like painted nails now, you know, in my own way. I'm currently after a dark grey but spring is coming so I'm wondering if I should just get a color that's more in season. I'll probably end up just getting both.

I mean there's still about two months of cold left even though this is the 'spring semester'. I don't want to spend much money on nail polish either but I have to remember that I don't have to buy both now.

Some colors I'm liking for spring so far are essie's 'Navigate Her', zoya's 'Bevin' and I'm trying to look at some neutrals, blues, and glittery stuff.

Accessoriesss

So I've been thinking a lot about my clothes again, wardrobe planning and such, and I realize I really do need more/new accessories. They really did help me sort of shape my style and outfits. Especially since I'm partial to solid color things and basics because I can't afford the more unique, quality, expressive tops( accessories do a lot).

I like some of the stuff on jewelmint! They're definitely not the most expensive items but I still don't think I could buy something every month or as much as I'd like to. Quality in fashion jewelry is an issue though if you don't have mad bread (but I feel like jewelmint does provide that). Some people don't care, but I can't really stand noticeable cheap shit (accessories) from like forever 21 or some such.

Hopefully I can get some nice accessories before school starts.

Lip Balm Lip Balm

So I'm pretty sure I've mentioned in the past buying Nivea Kiss Of Moisture Essential Lip Care. It was a suggestion by 'real simple' for lips in winter. It's not bad, really soft, so a lot comes off at once. It is moisturizing but on the other hand if you're not used to feeling like there's 'something on your lips' then this might take some getting used to. It feels something akin to vaseline, it might even be softer.
I was the type who didn't like feeling stuff on my lips but I was desperate to get rid of / treat my chappyness.

The real significance of this product however was that it gave me a new appreciation for my Burt's Bees lip balm. I went back to Burt's Bees after using Nivea for awhile, applying it just like I normally used to, and automatically felt how little of the product I was using. Basically, I realized I wasn't getting the full effect of Burt's Bees because I hadn't been putting on enough. Using the right amount it definitely lasts a pretty long time (it did for me, overnight!) and after awhile I did see less peeling of my lips! (without even exfoliating)

(You may have to re-apply after eating and drinking but I don't think that's a big deal.)

(Part of the reason that I think my lip balm doesn't have staying power is that when I put it on I start constantly rubbing my lips together, and sometimes licking them and such.)

So yeah, I'll definitely be buying more Burt's Bees balm when I get a chance. I'm really interested in trying more of the different types/flavors. As for Nivea Kiss Of Moisture well.. I would definitely get it as a supplement in winter (not in the summer because it would melt I think). But I'm still open to trying something else.. Thinking about trying 'Baby Lips' from Maybelline and going back to the past for some classic lip smackers :3

Passing The Day With Makeup

Spent the better part of this day playing with some of my moms cheap makeup brushes, eye shadow, mascara and my milani eye liner. I'm not going to write anything substantial about them yet though. So far, they are really soft with very good pigmentation. The tip quickly becomes pretty fat however, and it's not ideal for making fine lines.

I learned a lot about mascara today, about building it and it's behavior etc.! I think I would definitely benefit from a good eyelash curler. Also, my mom's eye shadows suck.. and so do her brushes.. really badly.. or maybe I just need some sort of primer.. But I think I prefer cream shadows. I just felt like you could see all the little eye shadow particles.. not smooth at all.

In addition, I think I'm also getting bettter at applying the right amount of the maybelline 24 hour lip color; not letting so much come out at once. I'd still like to try a different color but I've figure out how to make it look more appropriate for my face.

125

Even though I think I've been eating more junk, apparently I've reached my goal weight. Our scale is kind of old so I wish I had another one to confirm it on. However, my friend did try it out herself and said that it read her correct weight when she went on it.

Lol it (my goal weight) doesn't look quite like I thought it would but maybe that's because it's not really toned or anything. I wonder if I could lose a few more pounds because I've never been under this weight (since before middleschool). Very interesting! Hopefully it stays off!

Meditation

I read a few interesting internet guides/articles about meditation just now. I think I would really benefit from starting up again (with meditation) and sticking with it better this time lol.

LOTION pt2

I take back what I said about giovanni and st. ives! I mean I might try Giovanni shampoo but I think for affordable lotion I'll try St. Ives whipped silk!

LOTION

I had just come out of the shower when i noticed that my skin was itchy and dry.. and I scratched it and made it even more irritated. It was mostly on my limbs, my excema bumps on my arms were prominent and a tad flakey and my legs were just ashy and irritated from scratching. In my desperation to relieve myself I grabbed some old Aveeno lotion.. and started covering one of my legs with it... However it turned out to be so gross smelling and it doesn't feel very nice. The smell is weird like unwashed bathing suit saturated in chlorine. It sucks because I just showered.. I'll have to hop in the shower 2moro and exfoliate (and get this gross aveeno off me).
I used my C.O. Bigelow lemon body cream for the spots on my arms as well as my other leg.

Basically, I need new body lotion. C.O. Bigelow is too small for daily use as well as expensive.. The Burt's Bees I have is also expensive and doesn't absorb well in my skin (the scent isn't terrible but it's not my favorite and it's very strong.

Hmm.. St. Ives seems uninteresting.. I'm considering Giovanni products.. I like the packaging and the natural ingredients including their choice of oils. Their shampoo seems to get good reviews as well.

Promenade Cosmetics

So I found this little cosmetics store (similar to Sally's) in the shopping center where I work! I had no idea it was there previously and don't know if it was new or if I just hadn't noticed it. It's a little dinky but supplies are supplies and they are pretty well stocked on hair stuff. It was also surprising to find that they sell quite a bit of perfumes/fragrances.. a lot of bad stuff but a few good, obscure ones.. which was interesting.

Mostly I'm happy to note that they sell Queen Helene Products! Notably, the Queen Helene masks! Today I got the mud pack masque and I'm considering getting the Mint Julep one the next time I stop by!

I'm using the mask for the first time right now and I'm really hoping it'll help with my pores.

Leaving Paradise.

I reread Paradise Kiss today.. there's just so much to say and I probably won't be able to say all of it. It was really.... I mean, I had read it before when I was younger and liked it but this time around it was sooo WOW.... Chapter after chapter it was so relate-able to me in a weird way. The relationship between Yukari and George, dealing with natural immaturity/selfishness..and stubborn, warped personalites.. and their expectations of each other, really spoke to me. There were many other things too though.. especially the ending. I mean I get it but.. of course there's the part of me that's screaming for a typical shojo happy ending.. where they overcome all odds and stay together :3 It's almost unsatisfying when I remember that they really do not.

Idk.. It was just a freakishly impressive piece of work.

I hope I meet great people to value and have life changing/affirming experiences.

First Yogurty Results

So I did my bubz inspired yogurt mask! And although I'm not quite sure that my skin is all that much softer it does feel a bit plumper and got rid of the bit of very light pattern dryness I had before. It also felt really nice, especially since the yogurt was straight out of the fridge and had been in there awhile. My face looks brighter and the mask was VERY refreshing. Overall, definitely a great pick me up.

I also think using a different yogurt would give one different/better results and I would love to try it again with a different yogurt.

Yogurt Mask!

It only dawned on me recently how nice it is to use a face mask after a long day. Unfortunately I can't use my Skin Food Rice Mask more than once a week or it makes my face look a little weird (plus I don't have that much of it). Good thing I caught bubzbeauty's vid where she uses yogurt as a face mask to hydrate skin! Great idea for me! Generally it's inexpensive and I do tend to have yogurt around.

Unwind

House all to myself + Bailey's in the nice glass + incense + Rites of Spring = yes

Eau Premiere

The November VOGUE issue came in today and I was excited to sniff the new perfume swatches. I actually really liked Chanel N5 Premiere even though I was hesitant to try it at first.Usually I can't get a good wiff of Chanel perfumes because the MACYs ladies are always on top of me; makes it hard for me to think..err smell and remember the scents.

So yeah, I actually think I really want to get Chanel N5 Premiere but go figure it's one of the more expensive. Also, wasn't sure if it was too mature for mee.. Maybe if I wore nicer clothes while wearing it?x3

Other than that, I was interested in Oscar de la Renta Espirit d'Oscar. The scent seemed like it would be more age appropriate for me but it's not wearing as well on my wrist as the Chanel.

"Only If You Run"

"I´ve had my frustrations about the pains of daily life
I´ve tasted degradation and found the lace and candle light
But we have the weights we have the measures of our days and nights
I´ve had my frustrations but now I´ve found my place

And you will make it
But only if you run"

Julian Plenti (solo name of singer from Interpol)

Nails Painted Nails

Just recently I've gotten into the idea of painting my nails. I haven't done that since middle school and although I like it on other people, the last time I tried it again, I was really irked with not being able to see my natural nails.

However my friend said that she likes her natural nails too but until they grow out and there's white tips, she paints them.

I do cut my nails to get them to grow back even so I suppose I could paint them in the meantime too. (Because I like the white part, but if they're not there then maybe 'what the hey?'.

I really like the Sally Hansen color 'Grey By Grey'. I think I might get that. I also liked 'Haute Chocolate', from the same line. Patterns and designs are neat.. the Sally Hansen Salon Effects ones are kinda ugly though.

Caught 'Songcatcher'

Watched  the middle/end of the movie 'Songcatcher' on HBO. It was nice! I like the music a lot and that beardy mountain guy with the guitar is pretty cute. Good movie. Might have seen it before but I don't remember.