Urban Decay Primer Potion in New Packaging and Size

As popular as Urban Decay Primer Potion is, I have not try it due to reading too many negative reviews about the packaging. I don’t want to waste my money with left over product stuck in the bottle or lose a finger trying to cut the tube open. So, I have been happily using Too Faced Shadow Insurance (review) which I think is great, by the way.

So what is the news? I just saw on Sephora today that Urban Decay is offering a limited edition of Urban Decay Primer Potion Professional Size. The size is huge, you get .85oz for $29, .51oz more than the regular tube (regular tube is .34oz for $18). So, if you were purchasing the regular tube, you would have to pay $45 dollars to get .85oz worth of stuff, whereas here, you are only paying $29, a saving of $16 (I know, I can be a nerd :).

In addition, the new squeeze tube packaging is so much more sanitary and you can get the very drop. It’s about time they improve the packaging but what is up with the limited edition? UDPP fan, better go grab it. I am pretty sure I am going to go grab one for myself too.

My Skincare Routine

Hi there. Just thought I share with you all what my current daily skincare routine is like. Just as a reference, I have dehydrated combination skin that is also sensitive and prone to redness.

Night:
Lumene Oil Cleanser
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cottonseed
Thayers Rose Witch Hazel Toner
DHC Acerola 100
DHC Acerola Cream
First Aid Beauty Relief Cream
Olay Pro X Eye Cream

Day:
Thayers Rose Witch Hazel Toner
100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Eye Cream (I find one is better suited under concealer than the Olay Pro X)
First Aid Beauty Relief Cream
Kiehl’s Eye Cream Spf 30 (when spending time outdoor)
Clinique Face Cream Spf 50 or Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 - Sensitive Skin or whatever else.

For like a month, my skin was very problematic until I started using First Aid Beauty Relief Cream. It's awesome, full review coming up...

Kat Van D New High Voltage Eye Primer

Here it is, another installment of new product that peak my curiosity. May I introduce you to Kat Van D New High Voltage Eye Primer in Skin and Smoky. Now, smoky is a deep gray shade primer to prep your lids for a smoldering smoky-eye look. I think this is the first primer that comes in deep gray shade. This new product is a perfect introduction to Fall. Would you try this?

Retail at $15.

Review 100% Pure Acai Berry Anti-aging Eye Cream

100% Pure Acai Berry Anti-aging Eye Cream is a 100% Natural and Vegan eye cream. This is suppose to be free of synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and chemical preservatives. This is my first time using a product from this line, 100% Pure, I was hopeful but was not quite sure what to expect.

Packaging: It is a clear air-tight pump

Price: $25 for 1oz. That is double your standard eye cream jar!

Pros: One plus is definitely the price, not dirt cheap but reasonable and I think it is worth it too. Equally if not more important is the ingredients. The main ingredient is white tea. Did you know that white tea even has more antioxidant than green tea? On top of that, you also get blueberry, acai, and goji berries. There is no added fragrant but I definitely can smell the natural sweetness of berries, I kind of like it, it smells like berry muffin. Lastly, though light in texture, more like a lotion, it keeps my dry under eyes well hydrated.

Cons: I am definitely giving them kudos for putting it in an air-tight pump to preserve antioxidants but an improvement would be to make the pump opaque as well.

Overall: It has been about a month and my fine lines are still there. Am I disappointed? Absolutely not. I don’t expect a cream to cure wrinkle otherwise we all walking around looking 18. This eye cream moisturize, smooth out, and maybe even tighten the under eyes area a bit. It also contains a good dose of antioxidants to help slow down aging. I’d recommend it.

Ingredients:Organic White Tea, Organic Cucumber Juice, Organic Rose Hydrosol, Extracts of Organic Calendula, Organic Chamomile, Organic Blackberry, Organic Blueberry, Organic Pomegranate and Organic Acai Berry, Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Organic Acai Berry Oil, Organic Pomegranate Oil, Beeswax, Organic Avocado Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Extracts of Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Golden Seal, Cinnamon and Lavender

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Barista Bath and Body

I have good news for fans of natural skincare and coffee lover. A luxurious natural hair and body skin care line, Barista Bath and Body was launched in July 2010. Their focus is on offering natural products using organic coffee as the main ingredient. I have seen coffee in skincare but this is the first time for me to see it in hair care products. It contributions to beauty products include aiding in removing impurities from hair and offering a natural PH level to sooth and protect the skin.

Their products range from $4.50 to $28. You can get sample or travel size of 2 oz for around $5 for most products. I have a set that includes shampoo, conditioner, body cleanser, and body lotion that I am saving for my upcoming trip and will report back on my experience.

TOTD: How to avoid white cast in photo?

I do love Casper, he's just adorable...but, I don't necessarily want to look like him.

It’s summer and there will be many outdoor events, including outdoor wedding. So, how do you stay protected while still looking your best in photo? I have heard the recommendation to forgo sunblock so many times because it will give a white cast on photo. Well, I just want to confirm that this only true if you wear physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. However, if you wear chemical sunscreen, you are safe from the white cast. So, stay protected and still look beautiful!

Tips for Engagement Session

I love engagement session; I had a lot of fun doing mine. It is informal, fun, and a time when you get to use your creativity. Having been there, done that, the best advice I can give is to know what you want, pick a theme. Do you want it to be a laid back time at the beach, cool hip urban, or outdoor adventure, etc.? How you want your pictures to look will determine what you wear and how you do your makeup and hair. It seems simple but sometime you just forget and don’t think about it. Another thing is, bring an extra spare outfit and touch up makeup. Also, have a back up plan for inclement weather.

I meant to share some of my pictures to show how a great photographer can capture insane lighting but I never get around to it. Now that I tried to upload them, I think the file is too large for blogger or something, I keep getting error messages. So this is the only picture that came through =( I tried. This was taken in the beautiful city of San Francisco.

I was bless to book with Sam Hassas as my wedding photographer. I think he's one of the best from West Coast. Beside his amazing talent and vision, he is also a total sweetheart to work with. If you are camera shy, don't worry, he'll make you feel comfortable. So, if you are in the Bay Area, you are in luck. He also does destination, like with mine. No, I am not getting pay to say this, he doesn't even know I have a blog. This rave is just pure love for Sam :)

Review Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish

Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish is a makeup finishing spray that promises to extends makeup wear and controls shine. Its technology keeps surface temperature cool to avoid melting and sliding. Sounds pretty high tech, right?

Price: $19 for 2oz and $29 for 4oz.

Pros: It is very lightweight and non sticky; it does not feel like you are wearing anything. It is also great at getting rid of the powdery finish and leave skin with a soft dewy finish (not oily). I can really see mineral powder user loving this! Even though skin is dewy, I don’t need to blot my Tzone throughout the day, whereas, I would normally blot once a day if I did not use this makeup spray.

Since I have dry skin, sometime foundation can become flaky after a few hours and this makeup spray either eliminate or prolong that from happening. It also helps makeup stay in place, prevent from settling into fine lines (laugh lines for me) and looking fresh all day.

Cons: The packaging could be better because I wish it let out a fine mist. Sometime it squirts so I have to be careful or else I’ll have too much product in one area. I just take a tissue and quickly, gently blot the excess.

Overall: I have to admit I am not a slave when it comes to primer. I have tried a handful and I can’t clearly tell if it makes a different in my makeup application. However, with this, I can see the benefits. Those with large pores will still need to still a primer to fill in pores but don’t hold that against it because it does not claim to do that. Also, I love the dewy finish, but it may not be it for everyone. Rest assures, there is also a “no shine” version.

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.