Review: NARS The Foreplay Cheek Palette

Hi beauties!! I am gonna be doing a review today for NARS the Foreplay Cheek Palette. I have been eying this product for a long time, and I finally got it last month. At first I did not know the concept of it, but then I did some research, and yes... it's worth it, especially if you are a fan of the Orgasm blush.

If you are a makeup junkie like me, I am 99.9% sure you have the Orgasm blush in your makeup drawer. Because this blush is like a cult's favorite, NARS decided to make Orgasm as the prime in the palette.

Inside the palette, Orgasm has the biggest pan and it is surrounded by three beautiful shades. They do not have a name, but the rosy color reminds me of Amour blush, the bright fuchsia shade reminds me of Mata Hari, and the gold shimmer one is just like Albatross only when you swatch it.

So the concept of the Foreplay cheek palette is that you can customize your own Orgasm shade. If you want it to be pinker, add the bright fuchsia color. If you want a darker and more matte Orgasm, mix it with the rosy shade. Last but not least, mix the Orgasm with the gold shimmer to add more glitters and more fun for your night! He he he. Or you can just wear each of the shade on its own! Sometimes I even like to mix all the four colors together.

This cheek palette is surely not a necessity, so I don't force you that you MUST have it, but if you have money to spend and you are in search of good blushes, then I'd recommend this one. NARS blushes are so pigmented and long-wearing, their products are really high quality. It is $49 and you can only get it at Sephora for limited time only. $49 dollars for four blushes? and by NARS? Not bad. And I am pretty sure this will last you a long time!

Where to buy: Sephora, $49 for 0.36 oz. 

What do you think of this product? Yay or Nay? Let me know in the comment below! Or you can post on my Facebook wall or tweet me on Twitter! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

LOVE, 

Alexandra 

What's in My Traincase?

Hi beauties!! You know when you have so many makeup collection, and you have to open your makeup drawers one by one just to find ONE product? It takes so much time! So I like to have my everyday makeup products in one place, so that I can grab it really quick and easy. I put mine in a small traincase that I got from Stila (it has been discontinued), and my morning makeup routine will be done so much faster!

Like I said before, I just put my essential makeup products in the traincase, such as foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, mascara, liners, eye primer, and lip balm. This idea will also be great if you do not have that many makeup stuffs. Instead of saving them in drawers, you can put them in a traincase/makeup bag, so that you can carry it anywhere! :)

Lets see what's inside!

So once you open my traincase, you'll see these two compartments. The left one I fill it with eye stuffs (and a lip balm), and face makeup for the other one. On the left side, I have: 

• The pink tube eye primer (I got it as a gift, I even do not know what is it called...) 
• 2 black pencil liners: MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder, Urban Decay Perversion 
• Mascaras: Dior Lash Serum, COVERGIRL Lashblast Volume, Benefit They're Real Mascara 
• L'Oreal Liquid Felt Tip Eyeliner
• Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Blackest Black 
• MAC pencil sharpener 
• Burt's Bees Lip Balm 

Whereas on the right side, I have: 

• Hourglass Immaculate Foundation in Shell 
• Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer #5
• Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer #3
• theBalm Time Balm Concealer in Light 

Under the two compartments, there is one large compartment where I put stuffs that are larger size. I have: 

• My two eye palette: Urban Decay Naked palette, and Smashbox Master Class palette (click here for review)
• NARS Laguna Bronzer 
• Make Up For Ever HD Translucent Powder 
• Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray 

I do not put blushes, highlighters or lipsticks because the Smashbox Masterclass palette has all of them! 

Fun fact about this traincase: it comes with a speaker and a cord, so you can pluggin it to your ipod and listen to music while you're doing makeup! (but honestly, I only did this once since I have this traincase..hehe).

I keep changing the products inside when I have new favorites (especially mascaras!)... But foundation and concealer always remain the same.. :)

What do you think of this idea? Will you try it out? Let me know in the comment below! 

Lets be friends! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

See you in the next post! 

Love, 

Alexandra 

Two of My Biggest Fall Essentials

Hi lovelies! Today I just wanna share about two of my most important things for the Fall/Winter! And they are...

1. Ugg boots. Who doesn't love Ugg boots? They are the most comfy boots out there. I know they are pricey but it is so worth it. The quality is really nice and it will last you forever. I have owned this pair of knit boots for tree years and they have not worn out yet. I wear this on every fall/winter like everyday! So I believe in investing your money in a good pair of Ugg boots!

2. Infinity Scarf. I love scarfs! Can't leave the house without one on my neck. But my favorite one is the infinity ones because they have no end, so you can just cozy up with it on your neck. It makes you so warm!

I still have so many Fall/Winter outfit essentials, I will keep posting on that!

What is your Fall/Winter essential? Let me know in the comment below! And don't forget to add me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter ;)

Love,
Alexandra

No More Frizzy Hair

Hi lovelies! Today I really wanna do this quick review of something that I have been obsessed with over the past few years. It is the Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream. You all know that I have a long straight hair. Yes, my hair is naturally straight, but it is frizzy like hell if I just blow dry/air dry it. My hair really looks like a lion's hair, LOL. That's why I always use a flat iron just really to straighten and smooth out those frizzy hair. 

Living Proof Nourishing Styling Cream blocks the humidity, and so it eliminates frizz as well as conditions your hair. It does not contain silicones or oils, so it won't weigh your hair down. 

I use this on damp hair, and since I have a lot of hair, I use like about a quarter size of it. Then, I coat the hair from roots to ends evenly. Then I blow dry my hair, and my hair feels so smooth and most importantly, not frizzy. Sometimes I even do not need to straighten my hair anymore. 

Overall, I love this product. It is like one of those things that does the job. It smells really good too! So, if you are looking for an anti-frizz hair product, try this out! The downside of this is it is a little bit pricey. But you can always go to your local Sephora and ask for a sample to see if you like it. This is my second bottle and I will definitely repurchase it because I love how soft my hair is after I put this on :)

Just FYI, I used their Full Thickening Cream too in the past and I loved it! It gives your hair looking really smooth and healthy. I am gonna try their new product Prime, and let you know how I think about it!

Where to buy: Sephora, $26 for 4 oz, $36 for 8 oz. 

What is your favorite anti-frizz product? Let me know in the comment below! 

Lets be friends!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

I love you, 

Alexandra 

MyGlam: September

Hi beauties! I just realized that I have not shown you my September Glam Bag. Well, guess what.. MyGlam has changed its name to ipsy, which I found it is very unique and interesting. But I think everybody is still saying Glam Bag, so here is my September Glam Bag!

The bag itself is very simple, sleek and somewhat elegant. The material does not feel cheap at all, and it works as a clutch! So definitely loving the bag :) 

First product is (again) Circus by Andrea's Choice Nail Color in Tightrope. It is a bright purple color, almost neon. 

Next thing is probably my favorite of all of them. It is the Carol's Daughter Monoi Split End Sealer. This gives smoothness and shine to your hair ends and also it helps to reduce the split ends on your hair. But let me tell you guys... this stuff smells amazing! Like seriously it has the best smell of all hair products I used. It is also very convenient because I can use it on my ends whenever I need, and it smoothes it out instantly. 

Next is Jane Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink. This lipgloss is very pigmented and I like it how it is opaque but not sheer. However, it is very sticky, yet also long wearing. It has that subtle sparkles and still gives your pout a pretty shine :) 

Next thing to last is Mirabella eyeshadow in Semiformal. It is a medium brown with satin finish, and it is very neutral that you can wear it on your eye lid or for blending color. The quality of it is okay and pigmented as well.

The last thing that I got is the SOHO Smudge Brush. Its handle is pink and metallic, and it is so tall, taller than basic brushes. The bristles is very soft as well, so it does a pretty good job of smudging your eyesahdow creating a soft smokey look :) 

That's all I got for September bag! I am really excited to see this month's bag, it is like opening a Christmas present every month! 

Which product is your favorite? 

Let me know in the comment below! And lets be friends guys! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

I love you, 

Alexandra 

September Favorites!

Hi beauties!!! It's been a while I have not done my monthly favorites, so now I think it is time to get back on track again :) These products that I am going to show you in a second are mostly things that I have been using for the past three months, and I am loving them! Definitely will repurchase all of these in the future. So lets get started!

First is the Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation ($55). It is a medium to full coverage foundation and it dries into powder. But since I have oily skin, I dust a little bit of translucent powder from Make Up For Ever just to set everything up. I wrote a whole review about it, just click here if you have not seen it :) The downside of this is the price ($55!!!!), and the pump does not work (I have exchanged it twice at Sephora). But now Hourglass is working on a new pump since so many people have been complaining about it. 

These two products have to go together: Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer and Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer #57. This concealer has changed my skin (and my life....). If I only wear the foundation, you'll still be able to see my imperfections. This concealer covers everything like cray cray.. It makes my skin looks flawless! Plus it is non-comedogenic and fragrance free. This is the only concealer that doesn't break me out. And the brush is like a holy grail.. I used to use Sigma P80 brush to apply it, but the finish does not look natural, it is like you can see I try to cover my imperfections. With this Sephora brush, I just dab the concealer onto my face, and it gives me a flawless result. 

Of course I have to include this awesome palette into my September favorites. It is the Smashbox Limited Edition Masterclass Palette (click here to read its review). I have been using it everyday, and I can create so many different looks with this. Everything here is so pigmented, I love it! I hope they make this as a permanent product :) 

That's about makeup, now move on to my new favorite hair product! It is the Ojon Rare Blend Oil ($35). It makes my hair so silky smooth, and you just need a tiny bit of it. There was one time I put more than usual (just because I thought it'd make my hair SUPER soft), and it makes my hair super greasy :( Anyway, I use it in the middle of blowdrying my hair. 

I literally can see a dramatic difference on my skin after I use this cleanser from Philosophy called Clear Days Ahead. I got a sample of it, and it lasts me a long time. My skin has less breakouts and it is clearing up. I only use this in the morning though because it is a little bit drying up my skin, especially on the jawline area. I never tried so many Philosophy products before, except the Hope in A Jar moisturizer and Purity cleanser, but this made me want to try more of their products. 

I never liked eye creams before because I thought they were useless, haha! But this one, I am in love. It is the Origins GinZing, and it makes my under eye area so much brighter. I will never skip eye cream anymore! Click here to read its review. 

Like an eye cream, I hated sunscreen before. I just did not like the feeling and the smell of it. I have been using this Diorsnow UV Shield White Reveal SPF 50 for the past three months and I never skip sunscreen even a day. It does not have weird sunblock scents, and it is not sticky either. The downside of this is the price, which is $50 for a small tube. I use two pumps for the entire face after I put on moisturizer. It is good under my makeup as well. 

Bracelets are my favorite jewelry of all time! I saw this from Jewelmint for $29.99, and it is called Barefoot Anklet. If you are not familiar with Jewelmint is, it is basically a monthly jewelry subscription for $29.99. You can skip month if you don't like any of the jewelry they picked out for you. I have subscribed to it since two years ago, and this was my second purchase, haha. This is actually an anklet, but I don't like how it looks on my ankle, so I wear it on my wrist and I am loving it :) 

Now for my random favorites! 

Favorite apps: still the Smurfs!! I am on level 32 now! Woohoo! and I also love Lumie, it adds sparkles and glitters on your pictures. Here is a silly picture of my smurf riding on red guinea pig, haha. 

Favorite food: Special K Fruit Crisps - I love the strawberry and the blueberry ones. YUMMMM..! My friend brought it at work, and I am hooked. He described it as mini pop tarts (which I loveee pop tarts!), but healthier. And he is exactly right! I have also been loving Auntie Anne's Pretzel. To be honest with you, I never like its pretzel. I do not know why, I just never had a good experience with it. My friend asked me to taste the Original ones and oh my god... Can't stop eating it now. I like it with salt! YUMMM!! (and yes... I love Tootsie Roll. Can't get over with it...) 

Favorite beverage: Hot chocolate! The weather has been weird lately.. Sometimes it is cold, then it is hot again. It is cloudy, yet sunny.. But anyway.. when it is cloudy and cold, I always stop by at gas station to get hot chocolate. Yes, gas station's hot chocolate is the bomb. Also, I have been loving Pomegranate Iced Tea from Nordstrom Cafe.. It is not that sweet, but it has that yummy flavor. Plus, pomegranate is good for your skin! :) 

I think that's all my favorites! Let me know what are your favorites in the comment below! :)

Lets be friends! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

I'll see you in the next post!! 

I love you, 

Alexandra 

Wake Your Eyes (Instantly!)

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

Hi lovelies!!

If you guys have read my Seven Deadly Sins of Beauty Tag, you would know that I 'love' to skin eye cream on my skin care routine. This past month I was thinking, even though I don't have any wrinkle yet, and I don't have any major problems on my under eye area, prevention is still the key! So I went ahead to Sephora and tried to find a basic everyday eye cream (because most of eye creams are for reducing fine lines and wrinkles).

Then I got Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. I used to using all Origins products on my skin care and I loved them. Their products are all natural, so it is suitable for sensitive skin, basically all skin types. Anyway, GinZing eye cream is best for all of us especially who do not get enough sleep, have tired looking eyes, or do a lot of traveling. If you have dark circles, this eye cream will help brightening them. If you have puffy under eye area, it also will help you to de-puff it.

It is such a great everyday eye cream because it contains caffeine from coffee beans, ginseng and magnolia extracts that help to instantly wake your eyes. It also contains natural brighteners that help to brighten the dark circles.

I absolutely have dark circles - even though they are not so bad, I can see how bright they are after I apply this. It is in a medium thick cream texture with peachy color. Peach color counteracts with purple so it helps brightening the dark circles. Also, I only apply a tiny bit of it with my ring finger and kinda dab it on under eye area. Your skin will directly absorb the product and ta-da! You'll look like you just got an eight hour sleep :)

It comes in a glass jar and it costs $30 for 0.5oz. I know it is a lot of money for an eye cream, but this jar will last you maybe up to a year! So if you are looking for a good quality basic eye cream, I highly recommend this one. It is perfect under your makeup too! :)

Where to buy: Sephora, Origins.com, $30. 

What is your favorite eye cream? Let me know in the comment below! Or you can also post on my Facebook wall or tweet me on Twitter. Look forward to talking to you all!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

I love you, 

Alexandra 

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

Smashbox Master Class Palette

Smashbox The Master Class Palette

Hi loves!!! I am so excited to review this Smashbox Master Class Palette for you all! The reason why is because I think this is the most worth-the-money palette other than the Urban Decay Naked Palette. But let me tell you, it is a limited edition product, so if you want it, get it while you can! It is still available online and in stores.

Smashbox The Master Class Palette is basically an all-in-one palette. It contains 28 gorgeous, high-pigmented eyeshadows, four brow tech powders, eight cream liners, two blushes, three highlighters, and four lip glosses. All of these products were selected by the Smashbox pro artists, which they always bring them on set. Now you can get all of them too in just one palette, ughh how exciting it is!

The packaging is very nice as well. They designed it like a magnetic book, where left side is full with the eyeshadows and brow tech powders (which you can use as eyeshadows!), and the right side contains cream liners, blushes, highlighters and lip glosses. Each side is also covered by a plastic covered with names of each product. I love the idea of this plastic cover - not only because it shows us what shade is each of them, but also it protects them so that the colors won't mix to each other.

There are a lot of neutral eyeshadow colors here, but it won't limit you to create a dramatic, fun look. You can just be creative just from all of the eyeshadows and liners, and it will make people think that you are a pro! :)

I am going to list all the shades very quickly in case your favorite products are on this set:

• 28 eyeshadows (starting at top left corner): Vanilla, Frost, Butter, Parfait, Ambiant, Frambois, Peacock, Cabernet, Serpent, Aubergine, Azure, Ash, Opal, Linen, Flirt, Nectar, Granite, Golden Orchid, Dusk, Cinnamon Toast, Blackout, Chestnut, Haze, Roast.
• 4 Brow Tech powders: Bliss, Bare, Sable, Sumatra
• 8 Cream Liners: Ivy, Guilt, Picasso, Lava, Midnight Purple, Image, Midnight Brown, Caviar
• 2 Blushes: Posy Pink, Warm Apricot 
• 3 Soft Lights (highlighters): Lens, Prism, Shimmer 
• 4 Lip Glosses: Buff, Bitten, Guava, Mulberry 

Plus, it also includes instruction cards to recreate Smashbox studio looks. How cool!!! 

Overall, this palette is very versatile and it is great for travel. You can just bring this palette, set of brushes, your foundation and setting powder, and you're good to go! This palette is a great starter kit if you are a makeup beginner or not so familiar yet with Smashbox. To be honest with you guys, I have only tried a few things from Smashbox and I know it is a great brand, but I was not a big fan of it, so I preferred to invest my money on other brands. But when I saw Smashbox came out with this master class palette, I directly purchased it and I'm in love with it. They are super high quality, and this palette is a $250 value.. so it is super nice of them to come out with this idea and sell it in a decent price. 

Where to buy: Sephora, $59. 

What do you think of this palette? Will you buy it in the future? Let me know in the comment below! 

p/s: I am gonna be doing tutorial using this palette! :) 

Lets be friends! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby 

I love you, 

Alexandra 

Smashbox the Master Class Palette

Smashbox the Master Class Palette

Smashbox the Master Class Palette

Smashbox the Master Class Palette - Cream Liners, Blushes, Highlighters, Lip Glosses

Smashbox the Master Class Palette

Smashbox the Master Class Palette - eyeshadows 

MyGlam: August

Hi loves! Sorry to pour you with MyGlam posts today, I just need to finish July and August Glam Bag before the September bag is coming! :)

The theme for August Glam Bag is Endless Summer. It did not explain why, but I guess these products will make you feel all year summer long (since summer is almost over :( ). Without a further do, lets take a look what's inside!

First thing first is another nail polish from Andrea's Choice! As you know in my July Glam Bag, Andrea is a beauty guru on YouTube, and she is one of my favorites! This month I got a super neon pink color called Ringmaster. Seriously if you wear this color in the Fall, you'll feel like it is summer. :) 

I was surprised by MyGlam for this Glam lip gloss! They said it is a complimentary product to say thank you to me (how sweet!). The lip gloss is actually not so bad quality. It is not too stick, or too sheer. But it will be perfect if I use it on top of my lipstick. Plus, I love the color! 

I also got two products from Eclos. Its product is organic and enriched with plant extracts. The first product is Anti-Aging Regenerative Cream, which helps to renew skin, brighten dull skin and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. It basically makes your skin look younger! :) You can get this at Ulta, Target, GNC, Walgreens, or Rite Aid for $24.99.

The second product from Eclos is the Anti-Aging Cellular Activator Face Serum. Since it is a serum and it is more concentrated, so you put it on before your moisturizer or the Regenerative Cream. This will also reduce line and wrinkles, and make your skin smoother and more youthful looking.

Next product is Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in Dragon Fruit. I can't say much about this but it simply smells like dragon fruit. It is very sweet and fresh and since it is a roll on, you can easily apply it on your wrist and the back of your ear or neck.

Last but not least is a loose eyeshadow from Salty Cosmetics called Glama-Zoid. This is like a duo-chrome pigment and it is actually pretty cool! As you can see from the container, it is an opaque white eyeshadow, but as you apply it, it will turn pinkish violet purple. I think it is going to be really pretty to highlight your inner tear duct or even your browbone. :)


I am going to ask you the same question as before, which one is your favorite product? Let me know in the comment below! Don't forget to add me as your friend on Facebook and Twitter too! 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alexandraubymakeup 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alexandrauby

I love you, 

Alexandra