Kirkland Signature 10 pc Deluxe Brush Collection w Designer Bag

 

Hi Everyone!

Mr. P and I live fairly close to this local outlet store that gets discounted items from Costco.  We passed by an aisle filled with Costco's Kirkland Signature 10-Piece Deluxe Brush Collection with Designer Bag and Mr. P offered to get it for me. 

My lips said "no" but my eyes said "yes."  Regardless, I'm now the proud owner of this brush set! 

In this set, you get 10 brushes and a clutch bag for the brushes for about $20 or so. 

 

So far, my favorites brushes are the angled eye brush and the stippling brush.  They feel so soft on my skin!

Our youngest kid here (the kitten) was interested in the brushes too.

I don't know if these are natural fibers or synthetic.  Considering how my baby was so interested in them, I'm leaning towards thinking these are natural fibers. 

 

I'm really liking that it has a detachable bag where I can put compacts, tubes, and/or bottles.  It doesn't make the clutch bulkier, either!

 

I can't wait to travel!  I love having everything in a concise little spot for easy packing and traveling!

What makeup product do you own that excites you to travel?

Thanks for stopping by!  :-)

Finished! April 2012

 

Shower Gels

I don't know the brand but these (gifts from my Kindred Spirit) shower gels smells so good!

 

 

Stila Lip Glaze in Merry Merry

I'm a little disappointed that all I managed to finish up were these 3 items.  But I suppose it's okay because I'll have more to report on at the end of May!  ^_-

Thanks for visiting my blog! 

Product Review: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

 

Hi All!  I'm back with another product review!  I feel like I haven't done a product review in a long time, so I am excited to do this one.  

Today's product review is on the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, which I got from one of the duty free boutiques at the Taipei Int'l Airport.  I will be the first to admit that I always always always want SK-II to be in my skincare regimen.  However, there is always a difference between "want" and reality.  

Anyways, here's a caption from the SK-II website that talks about product claims and details.  I have linked the picture to the website, so if you feel like you want to buy it, click on the picture.

As always, my product reviews evaluate the product based on product claims (or the claims of the company's marketing department), and are 100% my opinion.  

Note:  The instructions say to use this product with a cotton pad.  I do follow the instructions for this product even though I think it is a waste of product.  It's $60.00!!!!

Removes residual impurities and dead skin cells

I think there are better products out there that can remove a whole lot more.  In a side-by-side test with witch hazel extract, the cotton pad soaked with witch hazel picks up a lot more of the residual makeup than the cotton pad soaked with SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.  That leads me to doubt whether or not the SK-II is as effective as it claims.

Contains a blend of AHAs and BHAs, as well as Pitera

I lean towards believing this claim.  I don't have any problems with breakouts and my skin feels nicely moisturized and plumped after using this product.

Gently exfoliates

On a chemical level, I know AHAs and BHAs help with exfoliating inside your pores.  Surface exfoliation is mostly attributed to the cotton pad.  I may sound cynical or sarcastic here but don't misunderstand me:  My skin feels smoooooth after using this product.

Improves the texture and tone of the skin

Yes, to texture for the reasons stated so far.  As for the tone, maybe that's an individual struggle because my face still looks blotchy color-wise.  I have bright parts of my face and my never-ending struggle with age spots.  Maybe the claims mean "tone" as in when we say someone is "toned"?  If so, then I'd have to say that the level of hydration I get with this product plumps up my skin so that it feels younger and a little bit firmer.

Refreshed feeling

Yes!  My skin feels like it took a deep breath of fresh air after wiping down my face with the Clear Lotion.

Healthy glow

YES!!!  My skin looks brighter and more glowy after using this!

Would I recommend this to others?  Yes, I would.  I think it's worth to try out once in your life-time.  

Would I repurchase this product?  Probably not.  I think the psychological constant of knowing that my witch hazel extract can strip off more residual makeup than the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is the one and only factor for why I wouldn't repurchase this again, even though it works so well in all other areas.  Also... the price...  It's too hard to see $60 leave my hands so quickly.  

Below is some detail on the ingredients used in this product:

Thanks for reading!  If you have a different experience with this product, I'd like to know about it!  ^_^

Surprise Gifts from Linh!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share some surprise gifts I got from Linh last week.  We were talking a little bit of a swap because she had a DermStore Lip Quench that she didn't think she'd use, and I had an Elta Tar that I hadn't used in a long time (if ever).  I was only expecting the Lip Quench but this fantastic woman surprised me with plenty more!  What's even more awesome about this already big surprise is that most of the things she included are brand new!  Isn't that the sweetest?!

If you're reading this you should really stop by her blog and check it out.  She's got hauls, product reviews, and (my favorite) special moments with her hubby.  ^_^ 

Linh's blog:  Blushology

Read on for the I can't wait to try... thoughts!

I can't wait to try the Skin79 Super BB Triple Functions.  It says it's whitening, which I'm always interested in, and it's wrinkle free.  Wrinkle free...  sounds a little like a promise you'd see on men's dress shirts...  ...  Anyways, I can't wait to try it out after I get through my Liole bb cream.  I can't wait to write a product review on it.  I've read a couple reviews (I forgot from where) that said this brand's bb cream is gray, but you know what?  I like that it says whitening.  I can't wait to form my own thoughts on this!

I have allergic reactions to most chapsticks and lip balms.  One of the only ones I've still been able to use are the Nivea lip balms.  Unfortunately, I left mine in the car on one of the hottest days in So. Cal., and the thing melted and leaked all over one of the little compartments in my Fit.  And fortunately (or maybe it was fate?!?!) Linh's gift of the DermStore Lip Quench came just in time!  I can't wait to try that out.  I believe a product review will be forthcoming!  ^_^  I'll be smarter than to leave it in the car in the heat and sun this time.

One thing that I want to try but am afraid to try at the same time is the Murad Absolute Bronzing Boost.  I believe it came in one of Linh's MyGlam bags some time this year, I can't remember which month.  You can check out her blog and search MyGlam for this year if you want to see what else she got in the bag.  Anyways, I want to try it because I've never ever tried any product that is a liquid bronzer or a sunless tanner.  I'm afraid to because my goal is to lighten up (both my skin and my stress level, hahaha....).  If I do try it out, I'll let you know how it worked and what I think of it.  Who knows?  I might like it.  It's good to try new things every once in a while.  ^_-

Linh included a sample sized Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate.  I really want to try that out as I'm always on the hunt for something to slow down my skin's aging process.  It will seem a little bit contradictory when I add this to my skincare routine because I do KIS method skincare (Keep It Simple).  I usually have just a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, SPFer, and bb cream, which I'll talk about in detail in another post.  I hope I can see some improvements to my skin with this!

All in all I'm really happy and appreciative of everything Linh gifted me with.  It was very generous and I seriously can't wait to try everything out and post on most, if not all, of them!

Thank you for everything, Linh!  ^_^

And thanks everyone for reading!

Makeup at the Gym

After working out!

 Hi Everyone!  It makes me feel weird at the gym to be wearing a full face a makeup.  But it's not that I deliberately go to the gym with makeup on, it's just that it happens to be on my face when I go at the end of the day!  I don't bother with makeup or anything when I go in the mornings.

I'm not the only one who does this, right???

I know that wearing makeup on your face while you're working out can't be the best for your pores and stuff, but at the end of the day when you just want to get everything done so you can go home and eat and spend time with the hubby (or fiance or significant other), sometimes you just have to sacrifice something.  For me, that sacrifice is the time I spend to get the makeup off and remoisturize my skin.

Seriously, I'm not the only one who does this, right?  Let me know I'm not alone!  :-)

Thanks for reading!

PS - I'm not mad in my picture.  I'm just concentrating really hard on taking the picture.  :-P