Review: e.l.f. Zip Zapper

What: "This special clear formula helps to fight and prevent acne, reduce redness and swelling, minimize pore size and clear skin. Zap zits away with the unique blend of Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel and Camphor."

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Salicylic Acid 1%

OTHER INGREDIENTS: Water, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Distillate, Alcohol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Bark Oil

... Natural ingredients! :)

Where: I purchased mine at my local Target, but you can also purchase this online.

Price: An unbelievable price of only $1.

Application: I just roll it onto areas that have pimples after I cleanse my face (morning & night). It only takes a few seconds to dry; afterwards, I just go on with my routine.

Pros:

- The application process only takes a few seconds as all you have to do so roll it on. So it's great if you're always in a rush or do not want to hassle with an hour skincare routine.

- Works fast! My pimples were noticeably reduced in swelling and redness after the first use. It takes 2-4 days for my pimples to go away now! Without products, it would take over a week!

- Since it's so inexpensive, you won't be losing much if it doesn't work out for you.

- Packaging is as thick as a fat highlighter, so it takes little room to carry around.

Cons:

- The first time I used it, it stung my skin for a few seconds, but it didn't sting my little brother when he first used it. So I guess it depends on your skin. (It doesn't sting now)

- It does have a smell to it but I don't personally mind it at all.

- As you can see on the left picture, I noticed that there was these brown stuff below the rims of the applicator. I have NO idea what it is.. it was there when I opened the package. But I washed it so it's clean now... I took the risk and used it anyway, and.. well.. no bad side-effects here! Hehe.
- Since this contains some alchohol, it tends to be a bit drying or makes your face tighter. So moisturize afterwards (even though you should already be doing that).

*I noticed that it ONLY works on pimples and does nothing for blemishes.. Boo! But it's fine since it doesn't claim to do anything for blemishes ;o I like this product so much that I bought some backups of it just in case Target decides to not carry it anymore ;)

Urban Decay Primer Potion vs. e.l.f Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

The cult favorite Urban Decay Primer Potion versus the cheap elf Mineral Eyeshadow Primer. Who will be the victor? 

The differences between the two:

- Price. UDPP is $18 while the elf primer is $3. Now, I don't know about you guys, but that is a HUGE price difference. 

- Packaging. UDPP is bulkier while elf is a slim lipgloss. I forgot to take a picture of the wands, but elf's is like a regular lipgloss wand, and UDPP is a slanted wand. A lot of people complain about UDPP's packaging because you would have to cut it open to use up all the product in this vial shaped package (but of course that's why UD came up with a squeeze tube which costs a tad bit more).

- UDPP is thicker and more yellow while elf is runny and light in color, but they both come out sheer once blended. Although I do find that elf blended more easily than UDPP.

- UDPP is more accessible than elf, since you can buy it at Sephora, Ulta, Macys, or their website. The only place (that I know of) where you can buy elf products is at Target or their website (eyeslipsface.com). FYI, I ordered mine online.

*I threw away the package for e.l.f so I have no idea how much the e.l.f product contains :P Woops.

 I applied the same amount on both eyes, and you can clearly see the difference in texture and color by the picture above. *I applied my foundation (Revlon ColorStay) and setting powder (Coty Airspun) over my eyes before I used the primers*

*Remember, you can always click to enlarge to enlarge the pictures*

 Once blended, you wouldn't be able to tell which was which if it weren't for the labels.

I finished my eye makeup at exactly 1:00PM; using the same products and the same amount.

 

 Here's the makeup at exactly 7:00PM; exactly 6 hours later. I went to school in 75F degree weather, sat in an air conditioned room for hours and about an hour out doors. I did NO touch ups. You can see that there is NO creasing and the colors did not fade at all.

My verdict: They are both winners, but since elf is cheaper by $15, elf is more of a winner in my eyes, haha! I really regret buying UDPP since this cheaper product works exactly the same as a *high end* product. I feel jipped! I could have used that $15 on food or clothes or more makeup! I'm especially impressed by e.l.f's primer because my eyelids and overall face gets very oily throughout the day, and for it to withstand is all is amazing.

And here's my... EOTD (Eye of the Day), hehe :) Something neutral for school and going out to dinner with my girls.

Review: Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

Front

Back

I don't have the money to spend on high-end products as other girls do, so I'm always on the look out for a good quality setting powder for my make-up since my face is like an oil spill in just hours, even if I retouch. I looked high and low, and found a bunch of great reviews on this product, so I decided to give it a try :) If I don't like it, I can always return it, right?

Price: The cost ranges from $5~7 dollars.. depending on where you purchase it. I got mine for $6.xx.

What: This loose powder has been around since 1935-- that's almost a century! If they have been around this long, they must be doing something right. This loose powder claims to "hide tiny lines, wrinkles, and blemishes and gives a new softness to your skin". There are two kinds of packaging~ I have the new one. I have no idea what the old one looked like.

Where: You can find it at just about every drugstores, Amazon, or at major retailers like Target and Walmart. I purchased mine at Walmart.

Blended into the skin with the puff that came with the product.

Pros:
- Absorbs my oil and mattifies my face. I have super oily skin so I do have to reapply once or twice more during the day.
- I have a lot of acne scars and blemishes, and this powder just smooths everything out.
- Doesn't leave a *white cast* as you can see from the picture after I blended it into my skin.
- Affordable!
- Has a puff that you can use on the go.
- The container is sturdy and plastic.

- They have a wide range of colors to match your skin~ You can buy translucent just to be safe as I did :)


Cons:
- It does have a kind of fragrance that reminds me of old-school makeup that my grandma uses. It might be bothersome to others, but it's nostalgic to me. To give an idea, it reminds me of baby powder.
- Might get messy since it's in a sifter packaging--but what loose powder isn't messy?
- The packaging is a bit bulky, so it might take up a lot of room when on-the-go.
- I'd have to reapply after a couple hours

Hair Dye: Revlon Colorsilk in Dark Soft Brown

Click to Purchase

I'm the type of person that likes change. I annoy myself to the point where I piss myself off if I stay the same for too long. I have this need to always be different; to stand out from the crowd. I'm always changing. I would dye my hair a different color--the craziest color I've ever done was pink, and girllll, I loved it! I would change my fashion style, hairstyle, my nail polish color changes every week, and how drastic I would do my make-up. It wasn't long ago that I decided to chop off 14inches of my hair into an A-line Bob. *I donated the hair to Locks of Love btw, it's a good cause :)* Now I'm growing out my hair to chop it off all over again, haha! 

Well anyway, it's been a been two months since I last dyed my hair, so I decided to go *normal*. My go-to hairdye brand has always (9 years) been Revlon Colorsilk (if I do it at home and not at a salon). 

Pros:

- Affordable~ it costs $3~4. Which is great for me since I dye my hair so much.

- Easily accessible- found in all drugstores, Walmart, Target, Amazon

- Large range of colors

- Has a collection made specifically for darker hair (purple box)

- Works great!

Con:

- Smells... but what hair dye doesn't?

Anyway.. no more chatter. Here's the before:

Before- My hair was bright orange-red

and....... AFTERRR! dundundundunnnnnn!

After! It's a dark rich brown.
The hint of red is expected since my hair was so bright before ;)

One box of hair dye is enough for my "thin" shoulder length hair. I quoted "thin" because my hairstylist thinned out my hair :P Mmm.. the color looks.. normal right? Haha~ well, I'm not used to it. I think darker hair makes people look more pale ;o. Full profile picture coming soon... when I have makeup on, eheh ;)

My Roots- Before

My Roots- After

DIY: Braided Bracelet

I take no credit for the image* I just wanted to share this DIY since it's so unique :)