April Favorites

Since I've started blogging, my day to day routines seem more exciting. There are things I constantly find that I can't wait to share in a post. For instant, now that April has come and gone, I discovered some amazing products in just one month. I figured I'd share my April favorites with you all.

Last month I splurged a little on cosmetics, but in doing so, I learned a secret about shopping through the Macy's cosmetic section. Who knew gift sets existed with purchases!? I always wondered what those little display cases were all about. This was my first time trying Lancome products, they're a bit pricey, but I've heard great reviews about their skincare items. I went with Tonique Confort, a rehydrating toner from Lancome to start off my collection towards my daily routine supplies. I figured I'd have to test out a few toners before I settled for the one, but this rehydrating toner leaves my skin feeling so moisturized. This definitely fills my toner requirement in my daily routine. I also tested out the Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover from my free Lancome gift set, and boy is this thing amazing! It took off waterproof mascara with one swipe, even three attempts with my regular makeup remover couldn't do the job. Lancome definitely won me over with these two amazing products so far.

..... I've been searching for a good daily face cleanser, and I think I found one that I actually like, maybe even love. I've tried the Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub and Garnier's Clean & Balancing Daily Exfoliator for combination skin. Both Neutrogena and Garnier face cleansers stripped my face of oil completely, like the squeaky clean sort of feeling, which apparently isn't a good thing. The St. Ive's Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub on the other hand actual leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean without the dryness. Thumbs up to St. Ive's for making my mornings less irritating! 

..... In the beginning of April, I went to Chinatown with two of my friends, and we were on an adventure to explore a bunch of Korean product skincare stores. I happened to come across one thing that I absolutely had to have. The Nature Republic Soothing and Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel, was a steal for only $6.49 (300ml)! I love products that contain aloe vera and this one feels so light on the skin. It smells great and it'll be perfect for the warmer seasons. 

..... There's one beauty product that I can't live without. The Laura Geller Beauty, Spackle Supercharged Fortified Under Make-Up Primer, it's a mouthful to say but it's my favorite primer ever! There's a shimmery peach tint to the product and this is one of those primers where you can wear alone or follow with foundation. I use this specifically for my eyelids because I don't normally apply full coverage on my face. The one I've been using was a sample from my Birchbox, and it has lasted me for quite a while, well over thirty uses. The primer goes on silky smooth, has a matte finish and it helps nourish the skin. I don't always wear makeup, but when I do, I always use Spackle. 

..... A recently discovered, current favorite mascara, would have to be the NEW Covergirl Lash Blast series, The Super Sizer Mascara. It's so new, it hasn't even hit all the stores yet. I got this mascara complimentary from Influenster, in my Covergirl Voxbox, for testing purposes. Mascaras and I have a love hate relationship. I am the type of person that usually stays far away from mascaras because I've poked my eye twice trying to use them. But the new design for the bristle on The Super Sizer Mascara is remarkable. Not only is it easy for someone like me to use, and I actually feel comfortable using it, it also clearly lengthens the lashes without the messy clumps! I'm not afraid of using mascara anymore!!! But only if I get to use the Super Sizer Mascara from Covergirl.    

..... Since my ZOYA manicures last well over 2 weeks, even through the roughest conditions, without being chipped or worn down, I started to just do one design to last me the whole month. For April, I wore Pippa and Godiva to create a super chic look. Pippa is a bright, warm shade of happy yellow, to me it looks like the perfect shade of a daffodil! Which coincidentally is my favorite flower in the whole world. Godiva is part of ZOYA's PixieDust collection, it's a soft nude with a sugared sparkle matte finish. I love how these two shades paired together with my design.

..... I was totally craving tea last month, specifically for Peet's Hibiscus C blend! I brew myself a cup almost every other day, with just one cube of sugar. This is perfect for when the night gets chilly. The C in Peet's Hibiscus Blend stands for the Three Cs: cinnamon, chamomile, and naturally occurring Vitamin C. Lately it's been pretty warm during the day, so I make myself Hibiscus Lemonade from just one tea sachet. It's super refreshing, if you're interested in trying this drink, feel free to check out my recipe below. You can always tweak it to your taste. 

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Here's my recipe for a single serving of Hibiscus Lemonade:

Ingredients: 

- 1 Peet's Hibiscus C Blend Sachet (or any hibiscus blend sachet)

- 1 glass, 3/4 filled with ice

- 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar

- 1/4 cup of hot water (to dissolve your sugar separately)

- 3/4 cup of hot water (to steep your Hibiscus tea sachet)

- 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice 

Directions: 

1) Set your water to boil. I usually boil extra water because I refuse to drink tap water straight from the faucet. 

2) Once the water has boiled, pour 3/4 cup of hot water into a mug and add your Hibiscus tea sachet. Allow that to steep for about 3 minutes.

3) In a separate small bowl, combine 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar with the 1/4 cup of hot water. This step is to create our simple syrup, using the boiling water to break down the sugar crystals before adding the lemon juice. I find it easier this way instead of adding the sugar into your drink last and trying to dissolve it then.

4) When the sugar has fully dissolved, add your 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice. If you want to use freshly squeezed lemon juice, a medium sized lemon should give you about 3 Tablespoons worth of juice. If you're lazy like me you could always buy the lemon juice that comes in the little plastic lemon. 

5) After the tea has steep for 3 minutes, remove the tea sachet and discard it in the trash. Find your favorite glass and fill it with ice 3/4 of the way. With the mug of Hibiscus tea in one hand and the lemonade in the other, pour both into the glass at the same time. I use the double stream method that way I don't have to find a spoon to stir it together. If you're afraid of making a mess or don't know how to do a double stream, just add the lemonade to the mug with your Hibiscus tea, and pour the content from the mug into your glass of ice. 

6) Taste, and see if you need to adjust the flavors. You could always add a little more lemon juice if you like it tart. Or you can add more sugar if you want it sweeter. (And if you're feeling extra fancy, you can top your drink off with a thin slice of fresh lemon!)

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..... My last April favorite would have to be my newly discovered Black Cherry Merlot scented hand soap from Bath & Body Works! I'm sort of obsessed with Bath & Body Works, it didn't help that one of my best friend use to work there and I always felt obligated to buy a bag full of products whenever I went to visit her at her store. I'm a sucker for fruit scented products, and that store is full of just that. The Black Cherry Merlot, deep cleansing hand soap smells so yummy. Maybe one day I should create a black cherry cupcake with Merlot drizzle. 

What are your favorites from April? Stay tuned for more monthly favorites! I can't wait to see what May has in store for me...

Macy's Perks: Free Gift Sets

Shopping at Macy's for cosmetic products has its perks. At Macy's, brands like Clinique, Lancome, and Estee Lauder offer free gift sets with a purchase of their products. Ever so often they will switch up the gift sets to offer different samples. I was so surprised to learn of this neat little trick. I wrote about this amazing discovery in my Smart Shopping: Tips and Tricks post. While I was there browsing, I witnessed about four back to back purchases from different customers, all trying to get their free gift sets with purchases. I just had to join in on the fun and experience this hype, at least once. I ended up purchasing from Clinique and Lancome. At Lancome, they had a special event at the end of April. If you make a pre-sale purchase, a minimum of $25, not only do you get a free gift set but you also get a free makeover! I totally signed myself up for one of those. Now that I know about gift sets, I've got my eyes peeled for these special deals.

Listed below are my two gift sets that I received, if you're curious as to what these gift sets look like and consist of.

My free** Clinique Gift Set included: 

- Cosmetics Bag

- Mini Bag

- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: (1 fl. oz liq./30ml) Dermatologist-reformulated. Delivers all-day hydration and improves barrier strength. Makes skin more resilient. Silky texture penetrates quickly. Spread twice daily all over face/throat, or where needed. For best results, use after Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion. Perfect for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin Types.  

- Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief: (poids net wt. 0.5 oz/15ml) Enjoy rapid refreshment and a full 12 hours of soothing moisture with an addictive by-a-waterfall feel. Advanced hydration boosters and a new botanical blend that locks it in. Holds skin's moisture in balance through stressful shifts in humidity. Use daily for immediate moisture. For a midday boost, tap on over makeup. Or use as a 5-minute mask.

- Clinique Eye & Cheek Colour Compact: One kit. Four great shades to shape and define eyes and cheeks. Start with a trio of eye-enhancing colours to wear alone, or layered. Sculpt cheeks with silky smooth blush. All in a sleek compact with brushes.

- High Impact Mascara: (poids net wt. 0.14 oz/3.5ml) Clinique's must-have accessory for lashes. Kicks up the volume of each and every lash for a look that's plusher, longer, bolder. Pure, deep colour only adds to the impact. 

- Dual-Ended Different Lipstick / Long Last Glosswear: One end treats lips to luscious, comforting colour. The other adds a hit of glossy shine that lasts for 8 hours. 

**FREE Clinique Gift Set, with any $27 purchase.

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My free** Lancome Gift Set included:

- Cosmetics bag

- Lipstick case

- Visionnaire: Take your first step to photo-ready skin transformation. NEW Visionnaire delivers 3-in-1 correction to the look of wrinkles, pores and skin texture. [new serum product]

- Absolue Premium: Pamper your skin with luxurious comfort and nourishment, and see revived clarity. Apply every morning after your Lancome serum.

- Blush Subtil in ['Shimmer Pink Pool' Shade]: Get glowing with this luxuriously silky powder blush for natural-looking, long-lasting color.

- Le Gloss in ['Hot Number' Shade]: Glam up your look with a downright dazzling gloss that drenches your lips in captivating color and megawatt shine.

- Definicils: America'a favorite luxury mascara for over 15 years. Define and separate lashes with our #1 mascara.

- Bi-Facil: Whisk away all types of eye makeup, even waterproof with this award-winning formula that conditions lashes as it cleans.

**FREE Lancome Gift Set, with a minimum $25 purchase.

Smart shopping: Tips and Tricks

Shopping with friends is always a learning experience for me. Lucky for me, I have a friend who's well versed with cosmetics. Yesterday, Nancy and I had a shopping date and we each ended up with a mini haul. We had one objective, that sort of branched out into an act of splurging. So our goal was to get her some nice suit pants for a business attire. For a professional look I always go to Express. I've done bargain shopping for suit pieces before, but it all changed when I started going to interviews during my college years. Before then, anything that wasn't jeans, khaki or legging and was on sale qualified for an interview during my high school years. I just had to look clean and neat. But as I got older I needed something more.

Fabric, cut and fit is super crucial. I wanted to feel confident and presentable, and Express ties that all in for me. And the best part about their line of suit wear is the fact that they fit a short Asian girl's body to the tee. I've never had any of my express suits tailored. The last time I stocked up on business attire was during Black Friday sales. Everything was 50% off and there were additional coupons. I walked away with pants and blazers for around $35 each. For that amazing fit, I'd be willing to pay that and a little more. Ever since then I've always referred people to shop there if they are in need of a sleek business look. I love the feeling of walking the streets in a full suit and heels.

Here's an important tip that I learned in my business courses in college. My professor had us all dress up as if we were meeting the head CEO while giving our presentations. He had us all line up, one group at a time pointing out what was ideal and inappropriate to wear in a work environment, and ESPECIALLY for first impressions. My professor said that for men, it's all about the suit and how it fits, and the tie. And for the ladies, it's the suit and the SHOES. No matter what your shoe collection is like, you have to have that one pair that is super professional. We never wear the heels into work, honestly ladies, who would want to commute in heels and still be able to walk in them for the rest of the day. It's important to invest in a comfortable pair of flats or even sneaks that you can switch in and out of for the commute. The heels shouldn't be comfortable looking, it should be fashionable for a business setting. And the last piece of accessory that's crucial for any meeting is a genuine smile. The initial 7 seconds of a first impression fall on the smile and the firm, confident handshake.

Suits is one of my favorite TV series. (On the run from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant college-dropout, finds himself a job working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.)

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Okay, that's the end of tips, now onto the tricks! These tricks were taught to me by my friend Nancy during our shopping date. I'm still considered an amateur when it comes to cosmetics. I've relied heavily on my Birchbox and Ipsy subscriptions to get a good grasp on makeup products, but Nancy opened up a brand new world to me.

I always assumed makeup products were best from stores that were solely dedicated to makeup. For example, I never thought much about Macy, JCP or Sears. Nancy introduced to me the perks of gift sets! I never knew about this, and I've always walked right passed them. Birchbox was a great starter for me, it got me the basic to fill my own makeup bag. Now that I'm learning more about what works best on me and how the products work, Macy is my new go to. I love freebies and who knew you could get a whole gift set for one minimum purchase. This was my first time, I couldn't help myself. I was so thrilled, that I ended up getting two gift sets! We stopped at Clinique first. I'm not too familiar with Clinique but I've heard a lot of good things about it. I couldn't settle for anything for myself, but I did find something that'd be perfect for my boyfriend. To get a gift set from Clinique you needed a minimum purchase of $27. Next stop was Lancome. There was a special promo for a free makeover with a minimum pre-purchase of $25 in addition to a free gift set at Lancome. Nancy and I both bought bought the 'Tonique Confort' comforting rehydrating toner.

Product description: This silky-soft moisturizing toner immediately rehydrates and gently purifies skin. The instantly soothing formula made with Honey and Sweet Almond Extract gives skin a soft, fresh, clean and incredibly comfortable feeling.

With Nancy's help I'm slowly building up my skincare routine and makeup set. After this little mall adventure, I feel like I've just got a VIP pass to the secrets of smart shopping. I might end my subscription to Ipsy now that I've learned this new trick with Macy. Shh, don't tell Ipsy...

I'm not quite ready to stop Birchbox just yet. I've got a special love for Birchbox.

Did you know... that Sephora sells perfume sampler gift sets for $60. Here's the trick, courtesy of Nancy. You might freak out like I did when you heard $60 for samples.

And its the samples you'd find given to you for free at cosmetic shops. And this set came with 14 (between 0.03-0.06 oz) small spritz tubes...for $60. After having a mini panic attack over the ridiculous price. Nancy assured me that with this purchase you get a FULL size bottle of perfume ...FOR FREE. That's right, I didn't believe her at first...and I was skeptical all the way up to the register. Nancy found out that I liked the Daisy perfume by Marc Jacobs, and she surprised me with this gift set so I could get the full size bottle! At retail price the full size 1.7 oz bottle Daisy by Marc Jacobs cost $76.00, but if you were to purchase this sample gift set (retail price plus tax $65.33) and use the free bottle voucher, you'd be saving! So I ended up getting the Daisy perfume for only $65.33!!! If I hadn't learned this little trick, I would have eventually bought this perfume at full value $76 not including tax (that's almost $80). Seriously though, that's $65.33 for a full size bottle of perfume AND an additional 14 FREE samples of popular fragrances! That's right, that whole perfume sampler gift set just became free. Take a moment and let that sink it...free. It also helped that the sample set had the exact perfume I wanted.

One last thing that I learned at Sephora:
I never understood the difference between 'Eau de Toilette' and 'Eau de Parfum' for the bottled perfumes. I just knew that Eau de Parfum was always more expensive. I finally got around to asking a sales rep. For Eau de Toilette, the fragrance does not last very long. Unlike the Eau de Toilette, the Eau de Parfum has a higher concentration of the oil fragrance which makes it last longer throughout the day.

I'll eventually upload a picture of my very first full size bottle of perfume ever, a gift from Nancy, when I find the heart to open the pretty box. It's so pretty, and I still haven't fully recovered from how excited I am to finally have a bottle of my own!