ELF Minty Lip Gloss Review + GOODIES (HELLA PIX!)

Sorry I don't really do lip swatches.. I'm wearing MAC "Way To Love" w/ MAC "Baby Spark" Dazzleglass on top and I freaking LOOOOOVE it so I refuse to take it off to do lip swatches. Okay, here's my review. 

I have 3 EFL Minty Lip Glosses and here are the colors:

it seems like they're all named after cities or something. freaking weirdos.  I mean I guess it's kind of cool

I hate this packaging, it's such a waste of trees.

where's the lip gloss? oh, there's MORE cardboard to go through -_-

L to R: Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville [natural light]

In my mind, I feel like Los Angeles and Miami should switch. When I think of Miami, I think of the sun and hot vibrant colors. But whatevers...

L to R: Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville [flash]

L to R: Miami, Los Angeles [natural light]

These 2 colors have very tiny gold flecks in them!! beautiful. it makes my lips super shiny and not to mention plump looking. Okay, not like Angelina Jolie DSL status but still.

This last swatch here is EFL Minty Lip Gloss in "Nashville" with Revlon Colorbust lipstick in "soft nude" next to it. I love pairing these two together. I've been doing that lately. It gives the soft nude quite a bit of shine. You might think that's weird. Why would I want a shiny nude lip? Think Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez . There ya go. 

Now let me get back to WHY I hate the packaging

IT DOESN'T FUCKING SCREW BACK ON PROPERLY! >=[

$3 PIECE OF SHIT!

what the feck am I supposed to do with that!? in order to get all aligned I have to screw the cap back on night as tightly. I'm paranoid it's going to dry out and go to waste. Yes I know it's just $3 but so what!? It's my damn money hahaha.

Cons:

• applicator doesn't pick up much product, multiple applications necessary. 
• caps don't align properly when screwing back on -_- (it's like this for all 3 of mine!) you really get what you pay for here folks
• stupid cardboard paper packaging. I know a lot of brands do crap like that but it frustrates me! This one was a bit harder to take out than others and plus i don't want to screw up my nails, I just did them yesterday!
• suuuuuper minty = tingling sensation. if minty is not your thing, then do not get this product.
• only comes in 9 shades, so there's not a huge variety

Pros:

• cheap! only $3
• NOT STICKY AT ALL. read my words ladies - NOT STICKY AT ALL. 
• DOESN'T DRY UP YOUR LIPS! That's right, no feathering! No need to exfoliate your lips at the end of the day after wearing this product (well not for me at least)
• extremely minty = tingling sensation. if you like that, then you'd like this gloss. personally i do, hence why it's a pro for me but can be a con for others.
• TARGET carries it! Check your local Target before ordering online if you hate paying for shipping and waiting for deliveries (like me). I'm so happy that Target has it now. I really don't want to pay like, $10 for a freaking $1-$3 item. It's so stupid! And I don't get home from work until like 6pm so I almost always miss my packages. 

My Rating: B- Despite all the cons, I definitely think you get your bang for the buck with this product. I'm going to purchase a couple more shades too.

ALRIGHT LADIES. She told me not to call this a "love pack" necessarily.. This bitch has been with me since before this beauty blog.. since my XANGA days. Remember that shit!? Man.. She was there during my xanga and Counterstrike days 10 years ago. Yea, I was a gamer chick. Okay, I tried to be.  I loved the game but I wasn't the best at it. I got semi-okay. EH-KNEE-WAYS. 

Tina sent me a bunch of GOODIES! We write letters back and forth to each other and been doing it that way for 2 years now, did you know that!? Not e-mails, but REAL letters. SNAIL MAIL. Remember those!? You write on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope and put a stamp on it, it comes through this little slot in your door.... YEAH, MAIL! 

I LOVE YOU TINA. We've been through a decade and i'm looking forward to the next <3 

you're so fecking cute betch

YEA YOU'RE RIGHT. I NEEDED A MACHETE TO GET THROUGH YOUR BOX!!

this woman was obviously Chinese in a past life - she scotch taped everything. Do you wrap your remote in saran wrap too Teenur!? LOL

hahaha she drew lashes!!

I like Darkness lashes. They're so much cheaper in L.A.!!! San Francisco charges $4-$5 per box, wtf

Orange Sweeple is the best. It tastes like an orange creamsicle

what'd I tell you about the tape? ahhaha

THANKS!! I needed a travel toothbrush <3 Man, now when I go to Vegas everyone is going to be like "what the hell? you have  Too Faced travel toothbrush? Bourgeois ass bitch!" hahahhahaa

i've been wanting to try this since i'm pissed off at Urban Decay for their consumer suckering packaging. The stupid potion packaging don't let you get ALL the product out and you end up just wasting a bunch (unless you take the time & effort to de-pot) and it dries out. I heard Too Faced Shadow Insurance works just as good so I can't wait to test it out tomorrow!

oOoOoOo peel off type!!

thx betch, imma wax my upper lip so i don't give you fuzzy kisses when you kiss you on the cheeks at raves >.<  lulzZzzZzZzz rEtarded 0=]

this black soap smells good - no joke

THANKS BETCH!! YOURS IS COMING, I SWEAR !!!!

I know some of you already saw on twitter but JUST IN CASE any of you are wondering what i've got on my nails... 

Zoya's "Joy" w/ Zoya "Purity" for the flowers. Kleancolor Nail To Toe Art Lacquer in black and Seche Vite top coat :) Too bad my camera doesn't capture the true gorgeousness of Joy. There's a gold sheen to it in natural sunlight! I was able to show Melissa that today so she's my witness that it exists hahaha.
Diew.. it's nearly mid May and I've only got 2 entries for this month. I look back at March and I had 12 entries. I'm seriously not in a blogging mood hahahaha.

xoxo

what's in my purse?

Yeah, nobody asked me what's in my purse. So? I don't care. I'm bored and felt like blogging. I know I promised a review on some NYX loose pearl shadows for Christine but I didn't bring it with meeee to take photos of. (It's coming, I PROMISE) My camera battery also died. It barely turned on for me to upload these photos. But whatevers. Here's some random crap i'll review for you guys and then a look at my purse.. I once told Tina that I carry a whole mess of crap in my purse. Today it's not as bad but usually I have more shit than this, trust me.
 So the 1st thing.. Aquafina lip balms. I know, you're probably like "What the hell?? They make chapstick!?" But get this shit, Cydia saw Vitamin Water chapsticks! HAHAHAH. Don't laugh but I kind of want the 50 cent one. It smells like grape I bet. 

I freaking love these things!! My favorite is the one in the middle, the original one. It's pretty minty but it leaves my lips really soft without that waxy/greasy feeling you get from Carmex. (I still love Carmex, but it smells. Even the strawberry/cherry/mint ones smell funky) It was $4.99 I think for this whole pack. The other ones work just as well, but i'm not a fan of the scented lip balms. I haven't tried that hydrating lip oil though. I have been using this lip balm religiously for the past week. I still reach for my Burts Bees every now and then. I have multiple lip products at all time in my makeup bag (which i'll save for another entry another day). The tingling sensation from the mint of this lip balm is pretty strong but that sensation doesn't last long. I love how it's rectangular and not round. It doesn't roll around everywhere when I take it out of my makeup bag and set it down. You wouldn't think that would make a difference but for me it does since i'm so clumsy. I tend to knock things down or spill things. Hahahhahaha So yeah, if you're in the market for a new lip balm, give it a chance. If you don't like, don't blame me go blame yourself for listening to me. (I'm in a strange mood at the moment, can you tell?)

Okay so it's been awhile since I purchased the Revlon PhotoReady liquid foundation. I've been using it more often (not every day though, I like to let my skin breathe). I noticed that it sometimes gives me this dewy look so I decided to try a finishing powder in translucent. Since this particular line has been working well for me, I figured why not try their finishing powder? It was also 10% off at Target when I was there a couple weeks back so I grabbed it. I purchased it on a whim without reading any reviews on it, but now that i'm reading up reviews a lot of women seem to not like it. Most reviews say it makes them look like a ghost. I don't have that problem at all! It gives me a matte finish over my liquid foundation. The main thing I hate about this thing is the packaging. It took me forever to open the very first time because I didn't want to mess up my nails. I don't understand why they couldn't put it in a regular ocmpact! The other thing I hate is the stupid brush that comes with it. It is the worst thing on Earth and you can't apply jack shit with it. I just use a fluffy powder brush to buff it on over my foundation and POOF! I'm done! Matte finish! Hurrah! If you don't like it then freaking return it -_-

I was thirsty at the mall and got this Borba Skin Balance Water. They had other flavors: guanabana and pomegranate but lychee appealed to me the most. It was $3.50 for this damn thing and i'm going to admit it, I was a sucker because of the packaging. This stuff is kind of gross. It got BITTER because of the crap in there that's supposed to be good for your skin. I am never purchasing it ever again that's for sure. I don't even want to try the other flavors! O_O

So here is my purse. It's a gianormous Coach bag. I normally don't like Coach but I needed something inexpensive, big, black, and boring for work. It was also 40% off at the Coach outlet so why the hell not? This damn thing is HEAVY too because of all the crap I put in it.

It doesn't snap or zip shut but it does have a middle divider that zips up, 2 pocket holder thingies and a zippered compartment.

my cellphone and keys usually go in those pockets. here you can see my ugly abused outdated blackberry curve 8330 (verizon baby!) I call it ugly because it's pink. I hate the fact that I have a pink cell phone. It was originally gray but I broke it and my insurance gave me a pink replacement -_-

Yup, I carried flip flops with me. Rainbows ♥ I am wearing black pumps so... yeah. I need to give my feet a rest when i'm walking home or on lunch... I also just hate wearing heels to work these days. Actually, I take it back. I actually just hate dressing up for work.

I always always always have my makeup bag. (The purple Betseyville thing) I'll show you what's in my makeup bag in a future entry. I carry TONS of crap. I'm like a damn boyscout. I almost always have water as well. My favorite water is Voss but if it's not available, I opt for smartwater. I love how smooth it is.

and on the side with the zippered compartment, I keep my wallet (Marc Jacobs), huge Ralph Lauren sunglasses, hand lotion, and today I have an umbrella. The weather is bi-polar in San Francisco. It's been going back and forth between gloomy raining and sunny all day today.

Also carried this with me since I needed to do my nails. I just recently bought the Seche clear base coat this past weekend. It was $6.95 at Pure Beauty and ... I don't really like it. It's not that smooth. I still like the Seche Vite top coat though!

Zoya "Ibiza" 

I did a really really bad job on my nails :[ did them at work, woopsie!

I also ate a ton of hot pot this weekend. As a matter of fact, I had it two nights in a row and i'm about to have it again TONIGHT. My friend Ronnie and I don't play around when it comes to fobby Asian things. Okay, we bought too much food but still, I love hot pot anyways!

I slept over at her pad on saturday night and dognapped her roomie's dog, Diego.

He slept with me all night long. Then, he missed me when I was gone. Ronnie said he kept coming in and doing a lap around her room looking around for me. 

I ♥ Diego

Wow...this post sucks really bad. Hahahah too bad.

mini beauty binge!! (picture heavy)

First thing's first.  So remember how I did my nails with Zoya's Savita from their matte velvet collection? Man, I seriously need a matte top coat because it chipped real bad within 2 days. I was soooo not happy. I still haven't removed it because i've been so busy lately!! It looks mad fugly.

 

after just 2 days!! TWO DAYS!

Okay, I digress...

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Last friday I had a spa party with a few co-workers. What a great way to unwind from a hectic week at work and celebrate Jody's birthday at the same time. Coni aka CB (we call each other by our initials at work, haha) is the head organizer of these events. I'm so grateful that she is a planner. I am usually the one who gets shafted into coordinating events and setting things up so it is nice to take a break, be in the backseat and enjoy the ride.I got a wonderful full body deep tissue massage at Pure Envy Spa in San Francisco. Rebecca was my masseuse and she did a WONDERFUL job on my neck and shoulders. Those are my problem spots where I carry all my tension. She was able to work out the knot in my right shoulder too. It's been a few days and i'm still feeling relax despite all this anxiety i'm feeling dealing with a car accident.
As usual, we have more food and booze than we can eat & drink. I made my deviled eggs again (see my Superbowl Sunday post) but sans bacon.
I did manage to score a container of Jen's crab dip. It's sooooo delicious. She also gave me her recipe. I'll post it one day along with step by step photos when I make it myself. My oh so fabulous partner in crime Melissa made mango guac. This girl can make some mean guac. I called dibs on being the taste tester.

Meli hard at work

photo break! we're color coordinating but we totally didn't plan it. it's strange. she & i are on the same wavelength or something. besides, purple is also my favorite color! how could it NOT be, it's so awesome!

my face only has Neutragena tinted moisturizer (#40 neutral to tan) on. oh and duh, concealer & eyemakeup. oh and blush. Viva Glam Gaga on my lippies <3

doing what I do best, NOM NOM NOM!

mango guac madness <3 

champagne, deviled eggs, crab dip, lamb naan w/ chutneys, wine poached pears, mango guac, cupcakes, crackers and smoked gouda and 2 sushi trays [not pictured], homemade white chocolate dipped strawberries [later picture]

why did i photograph the ugly cupcake!? *smh*

Mel & I couldn't stop eating sushi!! the oshinko ones were good. Look @ her sneaking another one haha

Jody (birthday girl) showing off her Absolutely Alice OPI toes! (Hi Minga, your eyes are open) That's her brother pointing..

 

like Audrey Hepburn. picture taken by Meli's cellie. hahaha

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And now, on to the beauty binge..
I caved in and got Revlon PhotoReady Foundation in 005 Medium Beige.I think i'll need a darker color seeing as how i'll be taking many trips to sunny SoCal and getting tanned this summer.

This is my 1st experience with liquid foundation. So far, I really like it. It applied easily (I stippled it on my face and buffed it out) and doesn't look cakey. It gives my skin a semi-warm glow to it, but not necessarily dewy. It gives great coverage without giving me geisha face either. I look okay in my terrible fluorescent office lighting and in photos with flash, I seem fine. It was $11.99 at Target. I have heard/seen other beauty bloggers/YT gurus mention that they have seen it for $19.99!! NUTS for drugstore makeup if you ask me, but it is comparable to the Makeup Forever HD foundation (or so i've heard)

 

looks even enough?

On Saturday, Feb 27th, Nordies had a deal with MAC. Buy 3 lipglasses and get PRR lipglass free. I spread the word about it via Twitter but i'm not too sure how many ladies took advantage of the deal. I have a small following anyways, but if you care to you can tweet me. Just click the blue "tweet me" button on the far right of this page. I tweet pretty often and reply quickly if you have any questions for me. The deal ended at midnite. I told myself to save $$ and not get anything.. however at 11:30pm I was struck with this necessity to get some. I hit up their website and ordered 3. Rather than have my precious merchandise shipped to me, I opted to pick it up at the closest Nordstrom. I love Nordie's for this! I was able to pick up my purchase from customer service the following afternoon, no hassle. They really do have great customer service. Oh, I also technically didn't spend ANY money on this because I used a Nordie's giftcard from my birthday. Thank you EJ, I love you! I'm finally remembering to use my gift cards, hahaha. I know, I still haven't finished the A|X one you gave me 2 years ago! Or wait.. Did I use it all up in NYC? I forget. Anyways!

L - R: PRRR, Utterly Discrete, Florabundance, Gold Dust

 

After lunch, I put on PRRR. I am loving it! It's a very gorgeous peachy coral on my lips.

I look like shat, I need more sleep. I tossed & turned and got about 4 hours :[

 

I also picked up a Rimmel lipstick in "Airy Fairy." It looks alright. When I swatched it, it looked super pigmented but on my lips, not much color. I suppose it's very similar to my natural lip color. 

 

  

After I swatched it... I knocked it over :[ It bounced TWICE on the carpet. It looks so fugz now!!

 

*sigh* 

 

I left my camera at my desk during lunch. I came back to find this ^ picture on there of Jocelyn (JY)& Giannina (GM). Too bad my dorky nerd ass friends don't know how to take my digicam off macro mode! n00bs -_- hahahahaha!