MAC "To the Beach" Collection Lazy Day Lipstick Giveaway

Exciting news everyone! I've been saving up my money and I finally bought some new prizes for my giveaways and this time there will be not one, but two winners. ^o^  I will be holding two giveaways: one for my YouTube subscribers & one for my blog or twitter followers.
The reason I'm holding these giveaways is to celebrate summer :) and to also just show my appreciation to those of you who have been so sweet and so supportive. Also, I'm almost at 400 subscribers for YouTube! Definitely exciting for me! :D

Both giveaway winners will receive a brand new lipstick from the new MAC "To the Beach" collection in the color 'Lazy Day' which is a lustre lipstick:

For the YouTube giveaway, please watch the entire video and read the rules:


1. You must be a subscriber. Please don't enter if you are planning to unsubscribe after the giveaway is over. It is not fair to my true friends and subscribers who have been so supportive to me.
2. Comment entries, but please NO "Enter Me" posts. Any enter me's will be resulted in disqualification and will not count.
3. To enter, ask me any random questions about myself, beauty related, etc.  This is for an upcoming Q&A video that I will be filming using some of the questions from this video.
***Please be appropriate though. Inappropriate questions will also result in disqualification.
4. Each entry must be a different question.  To avoid any spamming, each entry must be a separate and new question(s). (However, it's okay if you accidentally used the same question as someone else.)
5. If you are under the age of 18, you will need parent's permission to enter.
6. Giveaway ends June 6, 2010 when I "close" this video.
7. Open to international subscribers!
8. Winner will be posted on my blog on June 6, 2010. Please make sure to check my blog that day. (I may make a video announcing the winner. I'm still deciding if I should or not). The winners have exactly 2 days to contact me or I will generate new winners
9. Please don't bother with spamming out other comments because I will be able to see them all.



For my Blog and Twitter Followers:
Thank you to all of you who have been following me! I've been wanting to give back to you all for a long time and I'm glad that I found the chance.
If you are a twitter follower, blog follower, or both, simply comment on this blog post and like the YouTube giveaway, to enter, just ask me a random question about myself or a beauty question. This is also open to my international twitter and blog followers as well.
If you are a twitter follower, make sure to let me know your twitter username. Also, RT this message, which I will be posting on twitter:

RT: @iAMminky3 RT this for a chance to win the MAC To the Beach lipstick in Lazy Day giveaway. http://bit.ly/9nfV2O


I will keep track of all the retweets and they will all be included as an entry. So Retweet as many times you want! :)

**You must be a blog follower, a twitter follower, or both to enter. I know that many people don't have twitter, so I didn't want to exclude those. Also, please don't enter if you plan on unfollowing me after the giveaway. That isn't fair to the people who have been following me from the beginning. Twitter is a way where I can keep in touch with new friends I made and just keep you all updated on what's up in my life. My twitter username is: @iAMminky3.


Here are the swatches of MAC Lazy Day lipstick:

Good luck!

I hope this post wasn't too long, but I do hope that you will all enter and read all the rules. Also, be sure to check out my tutorial of the look I had in my giveaway video! Click here to go to the blog post.


Disclaimer: I purchased all the products in this video with my own money. I am not affiliated with the company represented and I am not being paid to make this video.

May Drugstore Haul & Update

Hello lovelies! <3

I've been so bad about updating my blog. T.T I'm soooo sorry!
However, I've decided to go back to filming again. I tried filming a tutorial today, but it didn't work out. I think I'm a little rusty again from my long break from youtube.

Here's a picture of the drugstore haul from my video:

To be honest though, I had a few more products that I wanted to include in my May drugstore haul video, but I didn't want to go over the 10 minute limit that I have. (oh and this was a collective haul. I didn't purchase everything from one trip.) Most of the products are skincare products.



Products included in my drugstore haul:
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation

I will be doing a more in-depth review of this foundation in another blog post or video, so stay tuned for that!

Here's the foundation when opened. As you can see, there is no pump. :( 

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

This powder is awesome, awesome, awesome! =)

I got this powder because of the many good ratings given by other gurus on YouTube. Knowing me, I had to go out and buy one myself so that I can try it. I am very impressed with this powder. It's silky smooth and doesn't make my face appear cakey at all!

The packaging is really interesting. The mirror swivels out from the bottom and has a sponge.

The top opens up to the powder. Pretty cool, right? ^o^

Loreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base

I blogged about this a few posts back. Click here to read the blog post to learn more details about this product.

Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick (contains tea tree oil)

I've been really curious about tea tree oil and to fulfill my curiosity, I'm putting it to a test. At the drugstore, they were selling tea tree oil, but I decided to get this product instead since some gurus swear by this product for battling break outs and acne. The Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick contains all natural ingredients and not only does it contain tea tree oil, it contains willowbark extract, which is basically salycyllic acid.

Here are the ingredients inside this blemish stick.

So, I will be putting this product to the test and see if it work for me. One thing about tea tree oil is that it doesn't work for everyone. I will keep you all posted about this product and if it's successful, I will gladly give a few away. Keep on the lookout for future updates!

Oh and another thing... this product smells unpleasant in my taste. It smells like a mixture of herbs and black licorice. I'm not the biggest fan of licorice. The product also stings when it's applied.

The applicator is the rolling type. Not too sure about how sanitary it is, but I guess it's fine if you only use it on yourself.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock with SPF 55

This is much needed for the upcoming summer. I don't tan. I burn almost immediately because I'm so pale. I'm always on the lookout for great sunblock, but I hate applying the kind that's thick and leaves a white cast on the skin. It's so unflattering and makes me look ghostly white.

What I love about this sunscreen is that it is meant to be worn invisibly under makeup. The consistency is liquid and blends sheer into the skin.

This sunblock has become my HG product for summer. What's nice is that this can be applied all over the body as well.. not just for the face!

Thank you everyone for being so patient with me and those who are following me on twitter and my blog.

Your support is much appreciated! <3

oh and here are some random photos that I took while filming this video. ^o^
I think I was having too much fun with my new nerdy glasses!

Love,
Mindy

Neutrogena Healty Skin Foundation or Nars Sheer Glow Foundation (on my wishlist)

Since my previous post was not exactly "beauty-related," I decided to blog about something that I've been really wanting to buy.
Being the liquid foundation lover I am, I've been craving to try the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation that's been definitely garnering lots of attention within makeup lovers.

Having dry/normal skin, I'm always looking for foundations that will moisturize and not bring out any of the dry patches on my face.  However, the one thing that's been keeping me from buying this foundation is the price at $42! I don't know... spending $42 on a foundation is definitely not something that's on my mind now considering that I have more than 4 foundations that I just have lying in my makeup storage, which include high-end and drugstore.

However, I was surprised to hear that there is a drugstore foundation that can said to be a dupe of the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.  It is the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation:

I haven't found a single review that said the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation is not a dupe of the Nars Sheer Glow.
I've tried a different Neutrogena foundation before, which was the Neutrogena Clear Skin Foundation.  To be honest, I wasn't very impressed with the Clear Skin Foundation since it felt too heavy and was a little difficult to blend.  Also, it didn't do anything to help control break-outs.  On the other hand, people have been raving about the Healthy Skin Foundation saying that they really haven't experienced any break-outs from this foundation.
My sister recently just got a hold of the Neutrogena foundation and being the curious girl that I am, I secretly tried a little on my face just to test it out. (Shhh don't tell her. ^o^ I think she's going to read this anyways though. o_O ) My sister is many shades darker than I am and of course her shade of the foundation was way too dark for me.
I'm going to buy my own really soon (hoping tomorrow actually) and give an in-depth review, but I must say, it was love at first sight.  The coverage was amazing and it felt silky smooth on the skin.  It was so easy to blend and I was beyond impressed.  Of course, this is just my initial experience with the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation, and things can change, but I think I will be very pleased with my purchase.
and who knows? I may end up buying the Nars Sheer Glow to compare to satisfy my curiosity! =D

Currently Watching: Cinderella's Sister 신데렐라 언니 (Korean Drama) Episode 14

Since most of you are okay with me adding these random posts about Korean dramas, here I am with an update on the current hit drama: Cinderella's Sister (신데렐라 언니).
Yesterday, episode 14 aired and this drama seems to get more intense as each episode goes by.  With 6 more episodes to go, I keep sitting on the edge of my seat wanting to know what will happen.
The two main characters/lovers are Eun Jo (starring Moon Geun Young) and Ki Hoon (starring Chun Jung Myun).  I really like Moon Geun Young's makeup in this drama. (LOL. I wanted to somehow bring something beauty-related into this post).  She has a really nice way of pulling off a natural look with the use of simple eyeliner and neutral colors.

This isn't exactly the best picture of her, but I think she is such a natural beauty. Definitely one of my favorite Korean actresses!

So on with the story.... (warning: may be a spoiler)
I try not to spoil anything because I hate reading spoilers before I watch anything.  It ruins the fun! ^o^
As you may remember, I posted an entry a few weeks ago about how I started this drama. This drama is a Cinderella story with a twist since it focuses on the step-sister and her misery, rather than the "Cinderella" character.  Eun Jo is the step-sister and she feels mistreated by her own mother who is the "evil step-mother" in this story.  Her real mom seems to be treating her step-daughter nicer than her real daughter.  Eun Jo's step-sister is Hyo Sun who has been spoiled her entire life and is the "Cinderella" figure in the story.
However, as more episodes have unraveled in this drama, we see a change in story once again as Hyo Sun is slowly becoming the "Cinderella" character now.

I'm not going to spoil anymore of the story, just in case you may want to watch yourself, but Hyo Sun's step-mother has lately been showing her true and evil side.
To make things more complicated, both Hyo Sun and Eun Jo are in love with the same guy: Ki Hoon.
Ki Hoon and Eun Jo have a special relationship since 8 years before and their love for each other is difficult on Eun Jo who feels as if she needs to repay Hyo Sun for all her own mother's wrongdoings.
In episode 14, there was a really touching scene where Eun Jo and Ki Hoon had a private talk in the evening.

Their love for each other is so complicated and as always, Eun Jo seems to reject Ki Hoon's feelings against her true will.
It breaks my heart to see Ki Hoon so unhappy! Ki Hoon, please don't cry! I will give you a hug! ^o^

Like most Korean dramas, it always seems to be that there is a male character who's super nice and is always there and supporting the female lead character.  In this case, it's Jung Woo (starring Taecyeon 택연 from the group 2PM).

He's loved Eun Jo ever since he was really little.
I'm so torn in deciding which man Eun Jo should choose.  All I can say is, she is one lucky girl. :)

Hope you all didn't mind the somewhat of a picture heavy post.  I think I got a little carried away. ^o^
and I hope I didn't spoil too much for you. As I said before, I totally recommend this drama.

Updates Regarding YouTube, Blog, etc.

I know I've been saying that I will be making more videos and tutorials on YouTube and I'm sorry that I've been so bad about keeping that promise.  So much has been going on with my life and I feel like I may need some time off from YouTube and making videos.  I'm not saying I'm quitting or anything, but lately lots of things have been bothering me and I feel like I really need to re-organize a few things in my life and take care of some things that I've been neglecting.  This may require me to take some time off from my channel.  I don't know if this will be just for a week, two weeks, a month, etc., but I will try my best to make this time away as short as possible.
In the meantime during the time I am away from YouTube, I will still be trying to update my twitter and blog regularly.  Blogging is a lot easier for me at times than making videos. :) I still want to keep in touch with all of you and if that requires more blogging and twittering, I will do it!
It really means so much to me that people are still subscribing to me even if I don't have many videos to watch and I haven't recently been making any. ^o^
Also, if you are all wondering about my next giveaway, I'm planning on shopping for that really soon. I still haven't decided what that would be, but the details should be coming up shortly! :) Some of you have been asking me about my next giveaway so hope you guys keep waiting patiently.  Since it won't be through YouTube, it will most likely be through twitter and blog.

Thanks for reading this!
I promise to keep my time off from YouTube as short as possible. ^o^

P.S. I forgot to mention that it seems like a majority of the votes for my "Korean Drama Posts" poll were leaning towards being okay with my random Korean drama chats! haha. This makes me happy that most of you guys are fine with me adding random thoughts and pics about the Korean dramas I'm watching. Any other big Korean drama fans out there?? ^o^ I shall be updating soon...

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base Review (New Favorite Primer)

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while. o_O Sorry! Lots of things have been going on for me and some of you may know that I recently moved. It's been crazy settling in and stuff but it's nice to be with the family for just a little bit before I move to a new place.
Anyways, I recently bought this new face primer: the L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base

The reason why I bought this was because I saw some gurus raving about it and knowing me, I get easily enabled by good reviews! ^o^
I'm going to just shout it out there in the beginning... this is an amazing face primer! I've been really into face primers lately. I've been trying to find the "perfect" primer/base that will help minimize pores and make foundation application better. I think I have found a pretty good product that may replace all my other favorite primers by MAC, Laneige, etc.

I bought my L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base at CVS and it cost about $12.99.  The price ranges are a little different from place to place as Target sells this primer for $10.99 and so on.  I think the price is a little on the high side considering it is a drugstore primer and there isn't much product in the little jar with 0.5 FL OZ (15 ml). The good thing is that a little goes a long way with the product since you really don't need to use much product to prime the entire face.

The company claims that this base will help you... (written in the description of product on the box)
Get the perfect skin texture, instantly and all day.

• Smoothes lines
• Hides pores
• Banishes imperfections

The silky, lightweight formula glides onto skin, leaving it velvety-smooth to the touch.
The result - a unifies matte finish that's flawless.

• Suitable for all skin types
• Non-Comedogenic

 I don't usually discriminate drugstore product in any way, but at first I was a little skeptical. It seemed that this face primer claimed to do a lot of things that not even high-end products can do.  Nonetheless, I bought the primer with hopes that I would see at least a few good results.

When I first opened the package and tested the product, I was pleasantly surprised by how soft the product felt. The consistency almost reminds me of mousse. It's very soft like that.

 The color is a light pink color and there is no shimmer in the product since it's supposed to help mattify.  As you can see, I haven't really used much of the product because there's no need.  It's very easy to blend onto the face.
The application directions say to "smooth on in a gentle circular motion over the whole face or targeted areas.  Wear alone or apply under makeup to help makeup go on smoother."  I really recommend that you apply in gentle circular motions because if you rub it on the face too hard, the product can bead up and become harder to blend since it feels like the skin is feeling off.
I usually apply primer more on my t-zone areas covering my forehead, nose, and under the chin.  Since this product claimed to minimize appearance of pores, I also put some over the pours around my nose and a little on my cheek areas.

I was pleasantly surprised by how truly it felt like velvet on my skin and after applying, my skin felt smooth like butter! I couldn't help but keep stroking my cheeks because it felt so soft. Also, with the issue of pores, I was also shocked by how my pores appeared smaller and some were even covered up.  My skin felt flawless after I used this product and I honestly didn't feel like putting any foundation over it.
The product is not too thick so the skin feels like it's breathing and it really seems to smoothe out imperfections.  I know I'm only saying positive things about this product, but I don't have many cons to say about this product.  It really seems to match up to it's daunting claims.

It hasn't broken me out yet, which is very good.  I have dry/normal skin and my skin is pretty sensitive.
The one complaint is the pasty smell the primer has.  The primer has a smell similar to Elmer's paper glue.
Other than that, I don't have too many complaints.  I wish that more product came with the little jar, but at least a little goes a long way with this primer.

Overall, I really recommend this primer and I am impressed by L'Oreal once again! I will definitely be re-purchasing this when I run out.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned in this blog post.  I am not being paid to make this review.  I purchased all the products shown and mentioned. Like all my reviews, this is an honest review.

SNSD 'Run Devil Run' Taeyeon Inspired Makeup Picture Tutorial (소녀시대 태연 메이크업)

I've gotten so many requests to do this tutorial and I'm really sorry that it's taken so long and it's in picture tutorial format.  As many of you may know, I've been packing to move this weekend and basically my place is not "filmable" at the moment. xD
This picture tutorial is of Taeyeon's look from the music video "Run Devil Run."  If you don't know SNSD or Girls Generation, they are a popular girl group in Korea now and their latest music video was a hit! Definitely check out their music video which is all over youtube.
I really liked the makeup that they wore and I thought Taeyeon's makeup stood out the most.
I hope this picture tutorial is helpful for you because this is my first time making one.

Of course since this is an "inspired" look, it won't be exactly the same makeup that Taeyeon wore.  I don't even have the same eye shape as her and I don't look like her at all.  I made this so that it would fit my eyes (I have monolid eyes), but I think anyone can adjust and create this look to fit their eyes.  You can even tone down the look so that it's wearable for any occasion. :)

The tools I used were:

 1. Bobbi Brown Ultra Eye Liner Brush

2. E.L.F. Eye Shadow Brush

3. Sigma SS224 Brush

4. E.L.F. Small Smudge Brush

5. Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes Liner 0L

6. Q-tip

7. Glossyblossom Nail Jewel

8. Revlon Creme Shadow Illuminence in Precious Metals

9. MAC Beauty Powder in Blush of Youth

10. Maybelline Eye Shadow Trio (forgot the name)

11. E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Elegant

12. E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Celebrity

13. Stila Smudge Pot in Black

14. Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Soft Nude

Not Pictured Above: CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Mascara and Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

I've toned and moisturized my face.

 Next, to get the flawless face, I will use none other than my favorite BB cream at the moment, Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream.  It also has nice whitening features that make your face glow.

As you can see, I have monolids, meaning I have no crease.

Taking the gold colored cream eye shadow as a base, apply over the lid up to where I indicated in the next picture.

This will work as a nice sticky base for the loose eye shadows or any eye shadows.  Also, it will help give a slight shimmery affect to the eye shadows.

For eye shadows, I won't go too dark because Taeyeon's look is all about the eye liner, not the eye shadow color.  The first color I'll be using is a shimmery light peach color called 'Elegant.'  If you would like to see a swatch of the color, please look at my previous blog post.  You can substitute a white shimmery color if you would like.

Using the shimmery light shadow and an eye shadow brush, pack the color in the inner corner to about halfway in, which is indicated in the picture above by the red lines.

It should look something like this so far.  It's very subtle but gives a slight shimmery effect.  

okay I have no idea why I switched to the other eye for the rest of the tutorial.

 For the next color eye shadow, I am using the color 'Celebrity' which is a light shimmery brown color.  Apply this color on the outer half of the eyelid.  I'm sorry it may be a little confusing since I accidentally switched to the other eye in the middle of the tutorial.

I like how there's a gradient effect to it so it goes from light to dark from the inner corner to the outer.

Using a blending brush, blend the top edge of the shadows so that there are no harsh lines.

Now using a waterproof eye liner, line the upper waterline.  This will help the eye liner stand out more and will give it a more bold and full look.  This is key since Taeyeon's look is all about the eye liner.

 Then using any eye liner of your choice, line the upper lash line.  I'm using my gel liner because I feel like it comes out darker and fuller.

Don't wing out the eye liner yet.

The eyes should look like this so far.  Also, it's okay if the eyes aren't lined perfectly yet since we'll be going over the liner with black eye shadow.

Now for the fun part to get Taeyeon's double wing look!  Indicated by the red arrow, take your eye liner and extend the upper lash line.  The line should get thinner as it gets extended away from the eye.

Now line the lower lash line.  You can also line your waterline, but for some odd reason, I chose not to. ^o^

Then take your gel liner or eye liner and extend the lower lashline so that it's parallel to the upper lashline, which is indicated by the red arrow.

The line on the bottom should be slightly shorter than the one on the top and make sure the line gets thinner as it goes away from the eyes.

Taking a black eye shadow (it could be shimmery or matte), soften the liner by going over it and smudging the liner a little bit at a time.

There will most likely be some eye shadow fallout, but that's okay. We'll clean it up later.

Also, it's okay if it's not perfect. We'll fix that up as well.

This is optional, but Taeyeon lined her inner tear duct area with liner, which is shown by the arrow.  I personally don't like to do that so I made a little tiny line. ^o^

Apply your mascara after curling your lashes.  You may use false lashes if you would like, but I chose not to for this tutorial. Make sure to get both the upper and bottom lashes.  Then, use a Q-tip to clean off any eye shadow fallout and to clean the edges of the liner a little more.

This look is not complete without adding rhinestone jewels to each eye, which is the highlight of Taeyeon's look.  I chose to use nail jewels because they were small enough to work with the eye and they are self-adhesive.

Put the pretty jewel in between the outer lines. You can use tweezers to help.

 So there you have it! :) I definitely don't pull off this look as well as Taeyeon, but it's a fun and bold look. :)  I've been liking the double-wing liner look lately and it's been extremely popular.  I applied a nude lipstick because the main focus should be on the eyes and not the lips.  Also, I applied a sheer pink beauty powder on the cheeks just to give my cheeks a subtle glow.  You can't even really see that it's there in camera.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I will surely be making more video tutorials after I move!! Let me know if you have any questions or any requests.  Also, I would love to get your feedback about this picture tutorial.  Do you guys find picture tutorials helpful?

Also, if you haven't done so, please subscribe to my youtube channel if you would like! :)
http://www.youtube.com/iAMminky3

xoxo,
minky