Christmas 2011

Mr. P has been teaching me how to play guitar!  I have learned how to play (albeit very slowly) the song that Adam Sandler sang to Drew Barrymore on the plane in the moving "The Wedding Singer".

So, the guitar the Mr. P bought me was the Martin & Co. Backpacker, which I had been eyeballing for the past 2 years.  It's a really cute guitar and is perfect for me because it's not too heavy.  However, because the body is so small, you don't really get a lot of the deep rich tones you'd get from a full bodied acoustic guitar, like the Takamine G Series (which I got for Mr. P for Christmas *hehe!*).

One of the best things I got this Christmas also was that my Kindred Spirit came down from San Francisco and we got to hang out together!  ^_^

This woman is one of the nicest people one will ever meet on this planet!  I'm going to miss her until the next time we get to meet!

L'Occitane en Provence Fabulous Serum with Shea Butter

I bought this for Mr. P a while ago because he was concerned with his dry skin.  But apparently, Mr. P has sensitive skin too... so I started using it this winter.  I have got to say that I do like this Fabulous Serum very much!  It's very moisturizing in the winter, and smells a little like vanilla.

This product makes the following claims:
Visibly repairs, instantly smooths and protects skin against harsh conditions.

Mr. P threw away the box a while ago so what I got is off the bottle.  Anyways, I use this as a night-time moisturizer because it doesn't have any SPF.  Since I'm still using Proactiv, I smoothe this over areas that aren't inflamed.  It works really well at keeping my skin moisturized throughout the night without getting too greasy in the mornings.  It also works really well at plumping up my skin under my eyes so my fine lines look lessened.

I wish I had more of this Fabulous Serum (easy name to remember, ne?) and I would repurchase it, but... I won't.  I won't repurchase this only because I have 3 other moisturizers to go through and I don't want to keep them all around.  Haha.  But if I didn't have those other moisturizers waiting in the wing, I really would repurchase this.  ^_^

Anyways, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year with renewed vigor and excitement!  Have a great week and year!

Swatchfest! Stila Ultimate Color Palette

Does Stila have some sort of contract with Costco?  This is the 2nd Stila wonder-find Mr. P and I found at Costco for under $20.00 + tax.  Anyways, this is going to be a Swatchfest post on the Stila Ultimate Color Palette.

These colors don't look as warm in the pan as they do on my arm.  They all have a surprising amount of red hues in them.  I use the bottom right color as my eyebrow filler.  :-)

I'm a little worried that the blues will be too cool for my skintone and will end up making me look like I got punched in the eye.  *haha*  I really like the darker colors, especially the 3 shades in the top left hand side.  Other than the matte black, they have some nice shimmer/glitter in them to add a little oomphf to the eyes.

I have used a couple of these shades nearly every day.  I think these are the perfect mid-lid shades for work-appropriate makeup.  I particularly enjoy using the top 6 shades in any combo with a highlight and liner shade.

The top six shades are good for highlighting.  I like the shades hugging the right side because they have a bit of shimmer in them.  I don't think that matte highlight shades work well with my skin tone.  The white e/s at the very top is matte and a little powdery. My absolutely favorite highlight shades are the 2 under the white.

Sorry that I didn't have a good closeup picture of these before I started swatching them.  I just got excited and started using them in my daily makeup routines.  :-)  Anyways, these lip glosses (I think that's what they are) are super pigmented, as you can see.  I put them on par with the Tarte Lip Glosses from the Jewelry Box, except these Stila lip glosses sometimes don't feel as moisturizing.  HOWEVER, don't take my word on it right now, because I don't apply them the same way and that could have everything to do with it.

These blushes are so pigmented.  When I wear these, I feel like my cheeks just blossomed to life.  You have to be careful because you could easily overdo it.  I have been using the bottom left as a light highlight, even though it looks a shade darker than my skin.  I dunno... when I dust it on my upper cheek with my blush brush, it just imparts a nice glow and not a lot of color.  I have been trying to use the bottom right shade as a contour.  I think it comes out nice because I do use my blush brush and only lightly apply it under the cheek bones. 

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this Swatchfest post.  If any of you have found this at Costco and have not bought it, I would highly recommend that you do!  For $20-ish, you just can't go wrong.

Oh!  One more thing, the e/s and lippies sizes are maybe the sizes of pennies.  Bigger than dimes and smaller than nickles. 

Have a great day!

Winner of the December 10th Blog Giveaway

Halo!  I’m here with the winner of my first blog giveaway.  Sorry that I didn’t post the winner yesterday…I was feeling a little under the weather.  But I’m feeling better now and that’s what matters!

I do want to extend my most heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway and for sharing your favorite travel memories.  It was a lot of fun reading them and trying to imagine what it was like for you.  At the end of the day, I really wished that I could give everyone something, but I only do have one Lancome palette.  Now I know why the Idol and X-Factor judges keep saying that choosing a winner is a tough decision!

And now, without further ado, the Lancome palette winner is:

TAINTED MEMORIES!!!   

Your entry was so descriptive that I could almost see it as if I were there with you!

And, because one other entry caused me to LOL at work (in a sales meeting, to boot!), I just couldn’t let it go without giving something in return.  This entry belongs to:

CATE!!!   

I can imagine it was the perfect memory where you say to yourself, “One day I’ll look back at this and laugh!”

Congratulations to you both!  I will be emailing you shortly.

Thanks again to everyone for participating.  I will be hosting more giveaways in the future (2012), so if you didn’t win this time, there will be other opportunities.  ^_^

Have a great day!

Battle Mascara 5: Rimmel The MAX Volume Flash vs. CoverGirl Exact Eyelights

Rimmel The MAX Volume Flash wp Mascara, $6-$7 at Wal-Mart

Fiber bristles, not rubber

Took too long to dry and smeared on my upper lids.  :-(

Lashes got lengthened and totally straightened out

 I don't like this mascara at all!  Nope, nope, nope!  And here's why:

To be fair, I should probably note that since finding a mascara that works (CG Exact Eyelights wp) the bar has be reset and is now really really high!  So, I do apologize if my grading of the Rimmel mascara seems harsh considering that the actual performance seems about the same as the NYX Doll Eye wp mascara (1st battle, 2nd battle).  But you know what they say: once you find THE ONE, you can never go back, only forward!

In the words of the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel: "Onward ho!"

If you have a trick for working with this Rimmel mascara, please let me know! 

Blog Giveaway! [CLOSED]

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UPDATE: December 10, 2011

Blog Giveaway is now CLOSED!

Thanks everyone for your special entries and for sharing your stories.  

I have enjoyed reading them all!

I will announce the winner tomorrow night: December 12, 2011.

Have a great night!

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Halo!  This is my first blog giveaway ever and I'm really excited to do this!  First of all, I want to say a very big THANK YOU to my first 13 followers for liking my blog enough to follow it.  I also want to extend my gratitude to a good friend of mine, Sue Lynn, for helping me step out of my shy shell and for helping me find fun and possibilities in makeup, as well as for helping me get the word out about my giveaway.  ***So, if you haven't followed this chica's blog yet, do so now!***  :-D

And now, without further ado....

Giveaway Rules:

1.  Must be a public follower of this blog: kusanagigirlbeautyblog.blogspot.com

2.  One entry per subscriber.

3.  International OK!

4.  Please get your parents' permission if you are a minor (18 yrs in the USA).


What's the Prize?

Lancome Absolu Voyage - Rose Edition

Envie De Neuf sheet masks (various)
I have linked this picture to my review of this mask.  Click the picture to jump to the Product Review.

How You Can Enter for the Giveaway!

Leave a comment under this post with the following:

1.  Your follower name (please make sure that I will be able to message you through blogger, or leave a contact email for me with your entry or to my email kusanagigirl at gmail dot com)

2.  Answer: What is your favorite travel/vacation memory, and why?

3.  The winner will be chosen and contacted by me.  In the event that I don't get a response from the winner within a 24 hour period, I will move on to the runner-up.


:-D  See?  I'm easy to please.  LOL


Giveaway ends on December 10, 2011 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time in Los Angeles, California.  ^_^

Good luck and thank you again for reading, following, and participating!

FOTD: December 1st Stila

Hi All! Here is a fotd that I'm enjoying today. Its suptle and work appropriate. The 3 e/s shades I used are gradient, which I learned from Sue Lynn.
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Mr. P bought me this Stila palette from Costco for under $20! The shades seem to be the size of dimes or pennies. I'm totally geeking out about this palette!
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Food for thought: This would make someone a pretty great Christmas present. For $20, you could be the person to inspire someone else's passion for makeup! If you live close to a Costco, check it out! :D
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Have a great day, chicas! ;)

Product Review: Envie de Neuf Hyaluronic Acid Whitening Hydromask

Envie de Neuf mask in packet

Ingredients and instructions

The claims.

Boo!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
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Here is a product review of the EDN hyaluronic acid whitening hydromask. This is one of the prizes I'm giving away in my blog giveaway (ends Dec. 10th, 2011). I was going to review this a while ago but forgot!
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Claims:
1. Delivers intensive hydration to skin / maximize cellular moisture levels
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2. Inhibits formation of melanin
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3. Renews skin's radiance and translucency.
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Claim # 1
Oh, yes! This mask really helps out with hydration! I've been using it for quite a while (don't worry! I have more for the giveaway!) and every time it feels like my skin got rejuvenated or dunked in hydration. The most recent example was this week in Chicago. I used it at night and only put one other moisturizer on top and went to sleep. When I woke up my skin was not super oily but was hydrated to the point my fine lines were plumped out!
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Claim # 2
Not completely sure if my age spots are fading but it seems this mask is like a speed bump in the darkening and enlarging of current age spots. I haven't noticed any new ones popping up.
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Claim # 3
Oh, yes! If only every product does what this does, the skincare industry would be total different! Every single time I use this it's like my skin got 10 years younger! Basically, skin is firmer, brighter and whiter.
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One other thing I love about this is that its very cooling. Even in a heated room, it feels cool on the skin and tightens up my pores.
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Verdict
YES! This is a must have for anyone who is concerned with anti-aging and whitening!
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Thanks for reading and have a happy and safe holiday!

Sisley Paris HYDRA-FLASH Formule Intensive

 

with Beta-hydroxyacid, essential oils, and natural plant extracts.

My aunt in Taiwan introduced me to Sisley a couple years ago.  At the time (in my early 20s) I was pretty clueless and didn't appreciate this brand at all.

Now, nearly a decade later, I want to make Sisley part of my skincare routine.  

When I went to Taiwan this past September, my aunt was saying that she used this product for her hands and she suggested that I do the same if I were in the habit of washing dishes without gloves.

So, I started using this yesterday when I was in Los Angeles, then on the plane, and now in Chicago.  First of all, let me preface that WHERE you are has a big deal to do with the efficacy of products.  Let me tell you my impressions.

Los Angeles

This moisturized my hands just right!  My skin didn't feel dry and even started to look less weathered.  I'd put this on once and my skin would be good until I washed my hands, and then I'd have to reapply one more time.

Chicago

It seems too light!  Chicago is a full 20 degrees colder than LA and the heaters suck out all the moisture from my skin.  I've been sitting at my desk in my heated office and I've had to apply this on 4 times already and my skin still feels it could use more.

I'm sure that this product can also be used on the face but I don't think I'll have enough to use on the my face at the rate that I'm using it on my hands.  If only used as a hand moisturizer I can't justify repurchasing this product because cheaper products (Vaseline, jojoba oil, any heel cream) will work just as well.  If I'm lucky enough to get another sample, I'll use it on my face and update this post with how this product works on facial skin.

Have a great day!

Like comfort food, these are my Comfort Skincare Products

If you've been following my recent posts, you'll know that I'm going through a rough time in my skincare.  I've been getting plenty of skin problems and while I could gripe about them all, I want to make this as positive as I can.  When my skin is in distress, I always fall back on simple and natural products to help get me through the dark times.  I personally believe that the less this-and-thats in a product I use, the faster my skin will calm down so I can go back to using the fancy-shmancy stuff.  :-P  The following are my Comfort Skincare Products that I fall back on, just like comfort foods (mac 'n cheese, cheesy mashed potatoes, alfredo fetuccini, and broccoli 'n cheddar soup).

And now, my Comfort Skincare Products!

1.  Jojoba Oil
This is one of the most economic products I've ever used that covers what I need for skincare.  It moisturizes and removes makeup.  It doesn't leave a greasy film on my skin and makes my skin feel soft, soothed, and smooth.  And, it has only one ingredient: jojoba oil!  At the changing of the seasons, I get rashes on my body that are so dry and bumpy.  Using jojoba oil after every shower is saving my skin from months of itchiness, dryness, and skin discolorations.  I have used this on my face.... NO ZITS!  *thumbs up!*

2.  Egyptian Magic
I can't believe I haven't done a post on Egyptian Magic yet.  Never fear, I will get it done!  I come back to this product again and again to help reinforce the jojoba oil when I'm out and about, doing things, or at work.  It absorbs into my skin a little more easily than Vaseline.  This stuff softens and moisturizes my skin so wonderfully, I can't go without it.  I like to think of Egyptian Magic as the supplement to Jojoba oil.  On the grand scale of moisturizing staying power, this is how I see it:
      (most easily absorbed) Jojoba oil ------> Egyptian Magic ---------> Vaseline (sits on my skin)

3.  Vaseline
Vaseline represents the "big guns" in my collection of heavy duty moisturizers.  I don't know about most women, but I wash dishes without gloves (anti-slip and anti-breakage) and that means my hands get so uncomfortably dry.  I don't think regular lotion does much for my hands.  I use Vaseline daily for my lips, and I use it at night on my hands.  Sometimes I use it on my heels.  Usually, if I'm faithful to using this at night, whatever skin problems I'm having with dryness and itchiness gets solved in a week.  During the coldest days and nights of the year, I use Vaseline because it doesn't absorb into my skin and therefore provides the much needed barrier between my skin and cold, dry air.

4.  Witchhazel extract
Move aside expensive toners!  Step aside Proactiv toner!  Witchhazel is one of the best toner-type products I've used when my skin is acting up.  It has one ingredient: witchhazel!  It can grab onto a lot more residual makeup than some of my upper-end cleansing waters and it doesn't contain anything that aggravates my skin.  The natural alcohol in it cools as it cleans so I always feel better and refreshed after.  It's pretty affordable so I don't mind using as much as I want or as little as I want, and I certainly don't mind mixing it with other ingredients like aspirin or essential oils.

5.  Johnson's baby wash
I really love this one.  This must be the 5th or 6th time I've linked the Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.  This is super gentle.  Mr. P, who suffers a little from eczema around his mouth, uses this with no additional aggravation to his condition.  I use it because it takes off all my makeup without prior wiping and makeup removal.  

6.  Wash cloth and hot water
When I was a little girl, my mom would take a clean wash cloth and run it under warm/hot water.  She'd wring it out and wipe my face with it.  And that was the extent of my skincare when I was little.  I turn to this when I'm having a breakout and want to avoid having my skin soak up ingredients.  A hot towel on my face feels soooooooo comforting (spa-like) on my face before I start wiping, which provides very gentle yet effective exfoliation.  And besides, this costs $0.00.  How's that for fellow recessionists?

Sorry if my praising these products is repetitious.  These products have got me through good and bad times without costing me a fortune.  I'm not saying that these are low-cost alternatives to expensive items.  I'm just saying that these are solutions for my skincare needs that just happen to be low-cost.  If I find a high-end product that meets any specific need or that I reach for time and time again, I will definitely update here.

Thanks for reading and hope you have a great day!

FOTD: November Serenity

 

Halo!  I have to say that despite the pain Proactiv is putting me through, something is working!  I do have a lot less of whatever I have: acne, hyperpigmentation, and face fat.  Read about face fat in my Fitness page.

I was getting ready for work this morning and ended up liking this look I did.  It's my version of a smokey eye for monolids.  I didn't curl my lashes (too lazy) but it still ended up looking nice.  I have to say that I'm really thrilled my skin seems so pale right now!  I'm sure it's not the Missha because that is only slightly darker than my natural skin tone.  So, maybe what I'm using after the Proactiv is also working!  Imagine that!

Okay, well, I won't drone on and on about what I'm using.  I'll save that for the reviews.  I will, however, show you what I used for this look!

Tadaaaaa!

 

Face: Missha & ELF

Blush and highlight: Lancome Glamour on the Go palette and Milani Runway Eyes palette

Eyes and brows: specified items in the white UNII palette

Lips: specified items in the red UNII palette

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Product Review: Konjac facial sponge

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Update and Product Review!

I've been using this Konjac facial sponge for a month now and have finally started to see some pink mildew/mold thing spread along the surface of my sponge.  Time to toss.  *sadness!*

I can't read Chinese or Japanese so my mom kindly did the translating.  Anyways, this Konjac facial sponge is used for the purposes of buffing the skin and adding luster, depositing nutritional benefits that help moisturize your skin, and cleansing your pores.

From the first time I used it to last night, I've noticed a remarkable difference in my skin.  My pores look smaller from the reduction in blackheads and my skin looks a little more glowy than before.  This sponge can be used with or without soap, either way it glides on your skin, and is great to use for a facial massage and exfoliation.

There are a lot of health benefits to eating and using konjac, which you can read about here.  I'm not affiliated with the website, by the way.  I just wanted to share this very informative website.

Konjac has a lot of vitamins so it's good to know that you are depositing the vitamins directly into your skin when you use the sponge.  I personally can't feel or tell the difference between having vitamins absorbed into my skin or not, but I can definitely see a healthier looking glow at the high points of my face more so now than 1.5 months ago.

I would definitely recommend everyone to try it.  It's a natural product so it's going to do good for your skin.  I should ask my mom if she can send me a whole boxful of Konjac facial sponge.  ^_^

Original post is below.

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September 26, 2011

Hi all! I'm getting ready to head back to the States and thought I'd first share this new find. It's a facial sponge made of 100% konjac. It gently exfoliates your skin as you massage your face and neck with it. You can use it with or without facial cleanser. I will do a more in-depth review later.
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Side notes: My skin always seems greasier and more easily oilier whenever I come back to Taiwan. Attempting mascara, even with the aid of primer, has been an exercise in futility.
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I just realized that my skincare routine gets severely interrupted when I travel. I don't have a "similar" routine for travel. Oh nonono! I have a completely different routine stripped of any frills!
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Hope you all have a great week! More posts to come!

Product Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

 

The first time that I tried this product was back in 2002!  Can you believe it's been that long?  This is one of those products I keep coming back to time and time again just because it satisfies nearly all my skincare needs.  I'd say this is one of my VIPs (very important products).  Hahaha!

Hydration for a full 24 hours

I have a day and night routine so I can't put this claim to the test all that much.  This gel moisturizer is one of the best moisture delivery systems I've used to date that doesn't leave my face feeling greasy or sticky afterwards.

Fine lines, flakiness and tightness are washed away

Yes, yes, and yes!  This product is simply amazing for the summer because it provides the right type of hydration for my skin that does plump up and minimize my fine lines.  The gel moisturizes but also provides some sort of barrier between my skin and the outside air.  The best part is that it takes 2 minutes to absorb into my skin, leaving it smooth and soft to the touch.  In the winter, however, my skin demands a little more than gel can provide.

Supple, firm, vibrant well-being

Huh?  Well, I guess my skin can feel supple after applying the Moisture Surge gel.  I have a feeling that this particular claim is a bunch of words thrown together that sound nice.  This gel isn't an anti-aging or firming product, so this claim here is based on your current skin condition.  

Even through shifts in humidity

Oh, YES!  It works in dry California in the summer, and it worked in humid Taiwan and Thailand, too.  It kept my face feeling as fresh as it could until my excited sebaceous glands took over.  

Other

I'm not sure how anyone could "tap" this product over makeup during the mid-day.  Personally, I'm confused because my makeup at mid-day is slipping around from my oils.  So, to tap this on during the day....?  Wouldn't my makeup just smear all over?

I use this when I have breakouts because it feels so light on my skin and doesn't aggravate or add any new pimples to the mix.

Verdict

Seeing as how this is my 9th year with this product, do I need to say it?  LOL!  Okay, yes, I would definitely repurchase this and I'd definitely recommend this product to people.

Clinique Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser

 

An impressions post.

I got the travel sized version with my Sasa purchase back in August.  Even if I didn't leave it behind in Taiwan, this travel sized tube wouldn't have lasted 4 weeks, so I'm not going to make this a product review post.  This will be my impressions post.  

For those who wonder at my stodgy adherence to "product review" vs. "impressions", it is this: product reviews are reserved for products I've used 4 weeks or more, whereas impressions are reserved for products that I use less than 4 weeks.

Moving on!  Below is a snapshot from the Clinique website with the product and how to use info.

Removes long wearing makeup and sunscreen

I personally did not find it very effective, even though I washed my face twice with the product.  You can see the results below. 

No flash

Leaves skin feeling moist, clean, and fresh

Yes and no.  I firmly believe that your skin adapts to its environment over time.  I used this this cleanser in both California and Taiwan/Thailand with different results.  In California, my skin did feel moist, and fresh.  Clean?  Maybe not so much as there was always some residue left on my cotton ball.

In Asia, this cleanser didn't have much makeup to clean off (because I sweated my makeup off!), so it did clean very well, I thought.  However, due to the humidity, I didn't really appreciate the moist feeling on my skin after cleansing, so I didn't feel so fresh.  As I described in another post, after washing my face with this in Asia, my skin would feel sticky, like how it feels in the middle of the day with a layer of makeup and oil. 

Disclaimer!

1. I was in Asia only 10 days, so not enough time for my skin to adapt to the climate there.
2. I know there are specific products to remove makeup before cleansing, but I like to consolidate my steps and counter space and use as little products as possible.  Hence, my VIP and point of comparison cleanser is the Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.
3. This cleanser (how it feels on your skin and after you rinse it off) reminds me of the Mentholatum Acnes cleanser that I like so much.

Verdict

Granted, it has a luxurious feel to it and a little goes a long way AND I like Clinique.  However, for its efficacy and the $20 price tag, I will pass.

Thailand Travels: Beauty Edition

After all the traveling I did in 2010 I like to think that I've mastered the art of traveling light.  It could also be considered the art of subsistence living, beauty-wise.

The above picture details what I brought with me on my Taiwan/Thailand trip minus the makeup brushes and 1 Clinique foaming cream cleanser and my Missha bb cream.  That Clinique cleanser got accidentally left behind in Taiwan.  It's okay.  I wasn't too impressed with the cleanser because it made my face feel sticky (like how it feels when you touch your semi-oily face in the middle of the day) after washing.  I know it didn't strip the oils from my face, which I would have appreciated in the winter, but for Taiwan and Thailand?  Capitals of HOT and HUMID?  It just wasn't working out.  I didn't even use it all that much.  I just did the wash cloth in hot water and wiped.  :-P

So, in a nutshell, the makeup ended up in one of my UNII palettes which was awesome because I could touchup on the train, plane, and bus without having to bring my entire bathroom sink counter.  The skincare items were tried and true products and perfect for the hot and humid climates.  I used the Clinique moisture surge line for eye gel and moisturizer.  I also used a Clinique eye cream with SPF for day time, and the Aveeno sun block (packed into my contact lens case).  I should have put some of that Aveeno on my feet because I have a funny ballet shoe tan.  =_=

I forgot to get my Missha bb cream out (it's the same one in my Swatchfest for face post) but I ended up using it half the time.  Seriously, the weather in Thailand and Taiwan was just anti-makeup.  Everything melted off my face by breakfast time.  But it's okay.  I had fun with my family and I think that more than makes up for the inconvenience of a couple of visible acne scars.  Haha!

I've dedicated a page to my Thailand Vacation, which you can get to through the pages tab above or by clicking this entire sentence.  ^_-

Thanks for reading!  ^_^

China Airlines Beauty Collection

 

Here is my China Airlines beauty collection!  Let me just say that I am a loyal China Airlines flyer.  Yes.  I'm aware of their history, but what can I say?  I've always flown China Airlines when traveling to and through Asia.  :-)  Also, it doesn't hurt that China Airlines has a really good catalog of in-flight, duty free products.

I bought a couple of luxurious goods.  This isn't going to be a review post because I haven't opened any except one, and the one I opened I haven't used that long.

Now......   BEHOLD!!!!!!!

 

 

 

I guess packaging makes all the difference.  They're both 30ml.

 

This is the palette I always wanted because it has everything!  I'm wondering if I shouldn't host a blog giveaway with this as the main prize...?

  

Ahaha!  I love going back to Taiwan to visit my family.  I can't wait until Mr. P can come with me.  ^_^  Look at the cute paper cup we used in Taiwan.  It's so smart because it's 1-2 time use, is really thin and easy to recycle or decompose, and you can fit so many more cups in the cup dispenser than you can with the structured cups we see here in America.

Cute paper cups from the water fountain and Kaohsiung Int'l Airport.

Whoa!  What a grip!

My brother filled my water cup / pouch thingy for me.

Soooo.... yeah.  I'm still wondering if I should host a blog giveaway for the Lancome travel palette.  It's really one of the most perfect palettes I've ever seen because it has everything!  The product detail says it has:

• 1 mini lip contour pencil in Rose The
• 1 mini black khol pencil
• 1 powder blusher in Rose Sable 02
• 1 compact powder in Translucide 01
• 1 concealer in Beige Clair 02
• 3 ombre absolue powder eye shadows in White Duo G01, Dark Purple Quad A10, and Mono A10
• 2 color focus powder eye shadows in Mauve Quad N4 and Gris Acier
• 1 color design powder eye shadow in #501
• 1 color fever shine in #306
• 1 color fever in #312
• 1 l'absolue rouge in #354
• 1 free mini virtuose black mascara

I should have bought 2 so I can try one for myself.  Ahhhh, well.  This is how the cookie crumbles I guess.  I'm still deciding if I want to do this giveaway, but I'm down to hear your thoughts.  Feel free to leave me a comment with your thoughts and suggestions.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to follow me, either.  *wink, wink!*

Thanks for reading and I promise to do a review on the Lancome Blanc Expert a little later.

Durango's Restaurant: Authentic Mexican Food

Outside the restaurant.  It's modest exterior hides a bold interior.  haha

Easy access information right here.  :-)

Chips and 2 types of salsa.  I think one is Pico de Gallo salsa and the other is a chipotle mole type salsa.

My carne asada quesadilla!!!

Mr. P's asada enchilada plate.  Look at that enchilada sauce!  Mr. P inhaled his food so fast!

This weekend Mr. P and I stopped by this Mexican restaurant on our way to visit friends in Murrieta.  I've been craving some Mexican food out here in Rowland Hts., but wanted good quality Mexican food like the food at El Atacor Taqueria up in Los Angeles.  I am so glad we stopped here. 

Welcome, Durango's Restaurant!

Really, the food is well seasoned and flavored.  What I like from my dish is that this is GOOD Mexican food.  It's not overly greasy like Mexican fastfood, and they used real beef steak for the meat, not the ground up meats. 

Also, I really liked the variety of meats and preparation styles for each food type that was on their menu.  I like to think it's a sign of their authenticy, like they wanted to show you what real Mexico was like beyond the usual chicken, pork, and beef.

We also had a really good waiter.  Yeahhh.... we did wait a little long for the food, but it was soooo worth it.  Our waiter was also really nice and gave us extra chips and salsa and refilled our drinks when he came to check up on us and keep us posted on our food.

If you're in the La Puente, see if you can stop by.