Tweet Holiday Series Giveaway #2

Its time for Giveaway number two!

- ends Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 -

note: entries for Giveaway #1 are currently being counted and verified. a winner will be chosen and contacted shortly. thanks for entering!

One Lucky Winner will receive the following items!

1. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in Mermaid

2. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in High Voltage

3. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in Supersonic

4. Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Grapefull

5. Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Emerald

To Enter: MANDATORY
1. You MUST be a follower on Google Friend Connect - 1 Entry
2. Fill out the form below to be entered to win! Click here if you cannot see the form below.


Additional Entries:
1. Follow me on twitter & tweet this giveaway! Please include link & @PinkboxMakeup so i can keep track - 1 entry
2. "Like" Pinkbox Makeup on facebook! - 1 entry
3. Make a blog post or post about this giveaway on your sidebar! - 1 entry


 

Good luck everyone!!

Please Note: Some of the above items were provided to Pinkbox Makeup for review purposes. However, any comments, thoughts or opinions are my own honest opinion and are based on my personal experiences only.

Tweet Pinkbox Makeup's Holiday Series Giveaway # 1

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Hello my lovely lovely readers & followers! *wave* I know its been a while since you've heard from me.. but i wont bore you with my busy life. I hope you all had a wonderful christmas with your dear ones and that you will have the most wonderful new years party as well :)


My of my main new years resolution is to stop procastinating and start blogging more! So you will definitely see me coming back and blogging for sure :) I hope you havent forgotten about me just yet! ;) Now, lets just jump right back into the game and kick off this wonderful new year with a series of Holiday Giveaways!

I've been saving quite a lot of goodies here and there for this giveaway! So somewhere out there, several of you (yes, maybe YOU!) will get a surprise present to start off their new year! :D So starting from today, i will be hosting BI-WEEKLY giveaways! meaning there will be a winner every two weeks! And this will continue until i run out of stuff to giveaway :p

Meanwhile, in between the giveaway and announcement posts, i will go back to blogging about the makeup world and provide you all with those swatches and reviews i know you're dying to see! ;)

Holiday Giveaway Number One
- ends on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012 -

One Lucky Winner will receive the following items!

1. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in Fantasia

2. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in Bronze Millionaire

3. Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in Go-Violet

4. Annabelle Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Absinthe-Minded

5. Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Effervescent

To Enter: MANDATORY
1. You MUST be a follower on Google Friend Connect - 1 Entry
2. Fill out the form below to be entered to win! Click here if you cannot see the form below.

Additional Entries:

1. Follow me on twitter & tweet this giveaway! Please include link & @PinkboxMakeup so i can keep track - 1 entry

2. "LIke" Pinkbox Makeup on facebook! - 1 entry

3. Make a blog post or post about this giveaway on your sidebar! - 1 entry

Good luck everyone and have a wonderful new years party!

Please Note: Some of the above items were provided to Pinkbox Makeup for review purposes. However, any comments, thoughts or opinions are my own honest opinion and are based on my personal experiences only.

Tweet These Annabelle Smudge Paints are Amaazing!

Multi-Functional, Practical and Long Lasting!

These new Annabelle Smudge Paints mean serious business! When i first saw these at my local drugstores, i CRAVED to get my hands on them. but back then, i had put myself on a spending ban and sadly had to leave empty handed. So when i saw that the lovely Isabel had sent me not one, but FOUR of these lovely lovely things, i was beyond excited!

Now if you dont understand why i was so obsessed about getting my hands on these, let me show you some pictures and explain some details..

Firstly, the packaging is very unique in that not only does it come in a sturdy pot like normal gel liners do, but there is a built-in brush applicator hidden right inside the top! you just pull it out, flip it around, re-attach it and there you go.. no need to carry an extra liner brush which makes this PERFECT for travel purposes! 

Oh, but thats not all.. you can use this gel liner as per usual in the daytime, but if you want to amp it up for the night, you can double this up and use it as a cream shadow! The formula is very smooth, applies easily and best of all, blends beautifully! Plus, the built-in brush applicator allows for both thin and thick lines, whichever you prefer!

Muddy/ Sludge / Plummed / Tar

Muddy / Sludge / Plummed / Tar

Muddy / Sludge

Plummed / Tar

So when it comes time to go on vacation, this product is definitely one you need to bring along! which is exactly what i did when i went to vegas <3

Now of course, being the critical blogger, i'll let in you on some minor flaws. 

Firstly, if you're the type that wants to get the most out of your money, these smudge paints run a tad smaller than the usual gel liner (2g here compared to Maybelline's 3g) and cost around $11 CAD. Secondly, i dont recommend using this on your waterline. Because its meant to smudged (hence the name) and its creamy consistency, this doesnt sit well on the waterline. so if you're looking in particular for a product just for the waterline, you might want to skip this.

other than that though, i am really really loving this product. and seriously, how can you not! its multi-taskable, practical, comes in gorgeous colors and is a beauty to apply. have i convinced you yet? haha but seriously, i lovee this! <3

Please Note: The products mentioned above were sent to Pinkbox Makeup for review consideration. No monetary compensation was received and as always, all opinions and thoughts are my own honest personal views and based on my own experiences with the product itself.

Tweet "DIY" Colored Eyeliner - Using What You Already Have!

Running tight on money but really want that new colored eyeliner?

Happens to me all the time! im always lemming for new products, but in tight financial situations, just try to use what you already have and improvise! :D Im sure you all know this already, but i was playing around and felt like i could have saved a lot of money in the past if i did this more often lol.

all you need:

a small angled brush or fine tip brush

a gel liner or pencil liner

some eyeshadows!

selected few from wet n wild palettes

and then its reeeeal simple!

all you do is line your eyes like you normally would, and then afterwards, pick up some eyeshadow (any shade you want!) with a fine tipped or angled brush, and pat the shadow on top of the liner!

Not only does this create gorgeous colors giving you an instant colored eyeliner, but you're also setting the eyeliner so that it lasts much longer throughout the day!

for example...

liner by itself, various shades from wnw palettes on top of the liner

(dry swatch of the shade above)

liner by itself, various shades from wnw palettes on top of the liner

(dry swatch of the shade above)

liner by itself, various annabelle eyeshadows on top of the liner

(dry swatch of the shade above)

liner by itself, various annabelle eyeshadows on top of the liner

(dry swatch of the shade above)

please note

as you can tell, the wet n wild shades seem to give off a more vibrant look when applied on top of the liner.. this is because the shadow itself is much more pigmented than the annabelle shadows. Also, some of the shadows will give off a slightly different shade when placed on top of the black liner (or any other color) as their true undertones will show up more.

With this said, i would advise you to experiment with different shadows first so you know what the overall look would be :)

all swatches together

opps.. you can see my pajamas LOL

simple right?

I know this isnt any new discovery or what not, but i hope that it'll help some of you save some money in the future :) i think this is especially useful if you dont wear colored eyeliner often.. this way, you'll still be able to try out some fun colored looks once in awhile without sacrificing alot of money to buy new pencils every time :)

however, i will say that this method of course, will not replace some of the really good eyeliners out there. cause we all know the ones with super creamy textures and gorgeous shades are must-buys.. haha but since im trying to cut back on buying new makeup, this will do for now :) i hope you all have fun and take care!

Tweet My Favourite Products of 2010

Hi everyone :)

Before i start reviewing and swatching all my new goodies :), i thought i should do a little post to wrap up my 2010! I know this is a bit late, but better late than never! :D so, here are my all time favourite products of 2010 :) I use most of these products on a daily basis, some i have even repurchased once or several times!


note: Since there are a TON of products i want to mention, i will try not to go into full details about each product unless it is one i have never reviewed on this blog. Otherwise, i will put links under the products i have previously reviewed that will direct you to the review post :)

Favourite Face/Skincare Products of 2010

1. Revlon Photoready Foundation in Nude
Im almost done my first bottle and i do plan on repurchasing once im done :) i know it does has some shimmer which some people might not like, but i dont think its too noticeable once applied. What i love about it is that is gives pretty good coverage, helps evens out my skintone and is very nice for photos :) i also LOVE the pump! its probably the best pump i've ever used as it allows you to pump out as much or little as you need <3

2. Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
-review here-

3. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder - translucent
Im already finishing my second compact, so you can really tell how much i love this lol i apply this daily with my ELF kabuki brush to set my foundation. What i love about it is that its easy to use (in pressed form so its not messy), does a great job of setting my makeup so i dont look shiny, keeps my oily tzone matte for the whole day, annnd its cheap to buy! I also use this with a small fluffy brush to set my concealer and it helps alot! :)

4. Clarisonic Classic in Pink
-review here-

5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Fresh Moisture
This is my all time favourite moisturizer!! I know im weird, but i dont like using creams or lotions on my face because it feels too heavy and oily for my already oily skin. so i tend to stick to only using gel moisturizers and this one is my HG. although its got a gel like consistency, it feels as moisturizing as any other cream lotions but absorbs much faster and leaves behind nice silky soft skin :)

i have repurchased this moisturizer so many times i have lost count and im almost done the tube i have now! so its about time i go repurchase another :) unfortunately, the last few times i went searching for this, i couldnt find it! i am SOO worried that its getting discontinued so next time i find one, im stocking up like no tomorrow!!

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Favourite Eye Products of 2010

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
- review here -

 2. Wet n' Wild Coloricon Palettes
- review here -

3. Stila Smudgepot in Bronze
I dont normally venture outside drugstore products too often, but i am SO glad i did for this one! I love love love this product and have used up quite a big chunk of it lol (pretty much used it everyday since i got it!) i chose the shade bronze because black seems too heavy for day-to-day wear, but aside from color, the formula itself is amazing! super soft and creamy, but once its on, it stays on! i love it and will most definitely repurchase once im done!

4. Covergirl Lashblast Volume - waterproof
This has been my favourite mascara ever since i first started using it. Although it doesnt volumize as much as id like, it definitely lengths and darkens my lashes nicely. The best part about this, is that it holds my straight asian lashes in a curl for the whole freaking day! *yay* my lashes are so stubbornly straight that not alot of mascara can hold them up, but this one does and since its cheap & readily available, im not switching mascaras for awhile!

mascara runner-up : Loreal Voluminous in Black Brown
Sometimes when i want more volume in my lashes, i use this mascara first and then a layer of covergirl after. I really like this mascara as well because it really helps add volume and thickness to my lashes. I chose the shade in black brown so i could wear this on its own for lazymakeup days :) but overall, if covergirl never came out with their lashblast, this would be my mascara!

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Favourite Lip Products of 2010

1. Nivea Essential or A Kiss of Moisture
- review here -


2. Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine
Along with my nivea tubes, i also LOVE this stufff! It smells heavenly (like butterscotch *yumm*) and gives my lips just the perfect amount of moisture. I tend to use this in the morning after i wash and moisturize my face. then after im done applying makeup, my lips will be all ready and prepped up for any lipstick/gloss i plan on putting on for that day :) the only thing i dont like about this is the application method as it comes in a small jar.. so its not as sanitary as others. still, i love both the packaging and the product inside!

3. Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Nude Blush
- review here -


4. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipglosses - all shades
These lipglosses are the best lipglosses ever! Although i do have to say the pigmentation could be slightly better, and the color choices could be slightly wider, i absolutely love the formula! it is soo smooth and 100% not sticky! I know alot of people dont mind the stickness, but i for one cant stand it! So these lipglosses are perfect for me and currently, my favourite shade is Life's a Peach :)

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Favourite Blushes of 2010

1. Annabelle - Rapture
2. ELF - Candid Coral (swatch)
3. MAC MSF in Stereo Rose & Petticoat (swatch)

4. Hard Candy - Living Doll & Honeymoon (swatch living doll, swatch honeymoon, both applied)

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Favourite Nail Polishes of 2010

sparkling diamonds - LA colors

1. Sally Hansen - Silver Slightblade
2. Nailene french manicure - Petal Pusher
3. LA Colors - Mega Watt
4. Rimmel - Steel Grey (Swatch)
5. Revlon - Minted (swatch)
6. Nicole by OPI - Black to the future (swatch)
7. Sally Hansen - Gray by Gray (swatch)
8. LA Colors - Sparkling Diamonds (Swatch)

-----------------------------------

Favourite Brushes of 2010

1. ELF Studio Powder Brush (review)
2. ELF Studio Kabuki Face Brush
3. ELF Studio Small Angled Brush
4. Ecotools Bronzer Brush (review)
5. Ecotools Crease Brush
6. Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush (review)
7. Sigma E30 Pencil Brush (review)
8. Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush (review)

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Favourite Skin Boosters & Serums of 2010

1. The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost
Great as a primer and a skin boost! This not only smells sooo good! (think oranges!) but also has a silky texture that is great for prepping your skin for makeup :) Plus, its supposed to make your skin less dull and i think its done a great job!


2. Loreal Lash Serum

i lovee this stuff! you apply it day and night on your lashes and its supposed to make them thicker, longer and healthier! although i dont have crazy results, i do notice that my lashes are alot healthier now in that less fall off during makeup removal. Plus, i do notice slight thickening and lengthing and i am soo excited :D <3

3. My Beauty Diary Masks - Natto & Aloe Vera
- review here - 

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and i think that about sums it up :) theres probably  a ton of other products i wish i could mention and it took me a long while to narrow it down to the list i have above lol. but overall, im happy with the ones i chose :) Starting with next post, there will be a TON of new swatches and reviews :) i hope you're all as excited as i am! take care!

Tweet New Years EOTD & My 2011 Resolutions :)

Happy new year everyone!!!

I hope you all had a great 2010 & are ready to start a brand new year :D

Here is a smokey eye look i did for new years :) its heavier than i normally ever do.. and its not very even and/or blended out very well lol (still learning here.. any pointers would be great! :D) but i had lots of fun with it and i like how it turned out in the end, even if its not perfect :)

    

hahaha omg sorry for the scary eye. this was the only one that focused properly :p

taken with iphone 4

products used:

(i'll link to any i've previously reviewed or swatched)

face:

- Revlon photoready foundation in nude (applied with Sigma F80)

- Maybelline mineral power concealer in cream

- MAC MSF natural in medium plus (applied with Sigma F80)

eyes:

- UDPP to prime

- Wet n' Wild Coloricon palette shadows - matte white & shimmery white (pride) in inner corners and center of lid, shimmery grey (lust) in inner and outer corners, matte black (greed) to darken

- Annabelle eyeshadow in Revolver (gorgeous shimmery lavender w/ grey undertones - swatch here) on top and around the white in the center of the lid to help blend and give more shimmer

- WnW matte black eyeshadow as liner

- Covergirl Lastblast Volume Waterproof

- False lashes from ebay

- ELF eyebrow kit brow powder for eyebrows

lips:

- Stila's silk shimmer gloss - lightest pink shade

-----------------------------------------

My New Year Resolutions

1. Be more organized!
I always make this new year resolution, but after a month or two, i start getting lazy and stop staying on top of myself. However, this year, i actually really want to achieve this and make it last as long as possible. I even bought myself a cute little planner to keep track of all the things i need to do :) yay!


in addition, re-organizing some of my old stuff will help me make better use of what i have. for example, if you've seen my DIY makeup palette lately (click here if you havent!) you know i re-organized alot of my single pan eyeshadows into palettes. This way, not only do i save space, but when i pull out a palette to use, i actually will use more colors/shades than if i had to open each shadow individually :)


2. Spend more time with family
No matter what happens, family should always come first. Although i am home often and always in contact with my parents, i feel like i could do even better.. especially with my younger brother who i feel i've drifted away from this past year. so this 2011, im going to make sure i take some time out of the week no matter how busy i am, to spend some time with my family :)


3. Spend less & make use of what i already have
Gosh, i've been so bad this 2010... spent much more than i normally do!! i used to be really picky & indecisive when buying things.. always calculating if its worth it or not lol so i never really spend too much. However, this past year i've been letting myself 'loose' and really just getting what i want haha. Well, in 2011 that's gotta stop!


My goal is to make use of all the stuff i already own. This doesnt necessarily mean no-buying in 2011, cause that could literally kill me lol. but i want to go through what i already have and use what i already own rather than buying something else that is similar. (yes this goes for not only makeup, but clothes and accessories too!) It'll be a bit challenging to hold myself back, but i think its time i dug out old treasures that i've neglected this past year and put them back into good use :)


4. Get better at applying eyeshadow & possibly record a video
So i've only just recently started to really get into eyeshadow application and all.. previously i usually just used liner & mascara or did a light wash all over my lids.. however, im starting to play around with what i have and i love it :) just wished i was better at it lol so i'll be watching many videos and reading many blog posts to learn more so i can get better :)

also, i know i started writing a blog because i enjoy expressing my opinions through written words rather than verbally (also because im better at written as compared to verbal lol) but my bf has been encouraging me to start making videos. im a bit nervous because i dont think i can really do as great of a job, but i think it'll be fun to set this as a goal, something thats out of my comfort zone :) so well, i'd love to hear what you think! should i possibly do a video review or tutorial? sometimes, some products i feel might be better reviewed if i could 'show' you how it works etc.. but i guess we'll see :) i'll put up a poll in the sidebar if you dont feel like leaving a comment below :)

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anyways, you've heard my resolutions, now tell me..

what are your new years resolutions?

I hope you all had an amazing 2010. now its time for another new year to start and i hope that your 2011 will be filled with more happiness than 2010. Dont forget, nothing is ever too late.. dont hold yourself back thinking that you just cant change the way you do something.. because there will always be a tomorrow, a brand new day where you can start to change. set some goals for yourself, no matter how big or small, they will help you become a better person. and you'll also feel good about yourself when you accomplish them :)

anyways, i hope you all have a blast celebrating the new year tomorrow :D stay confident and end this year with a bang! take care and have fun!