What would you like to see more of on this blog?

Hey everybody! 2013 is quickly approaching.  In California, only 11 more hours to go.  For the new year and all the years to come, I would love to know what YOU as a reader would like to see more of on this blog.  Perhaps a little about why you like reading beauty blogs in general, or what you like to see from this blog in particular.

I know that my blog features a whole lot of FOTDs, and I do that because I personally don't have that many people I can share my love for makeup with.  So whenever I do have makeup on, I like to share it with people I know are interested.

As for product reviews, I use a good number of limited edition, discontinued, or products not sold in the U.S. because I always find them on sale. There are a handful of non-discontinued/limited edition items that I use regularly, so if you would like to see reviews on these, do let me know.  These items include Inglot Gel Liner 77, Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer, Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, NARS Laguna Bronzer, Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust, and Covergirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara.  Do you prefer flash reviews?  Or a more detailed review?  Flash reviews are easy to do, but I figured that many of you may appreciate more thorough notes.  Let me know!

Here are more blog ideas to choose from:

• Youtube videos :O (I may start filming these again...)
• Hair posts
• Favorites/least favorites
• Industry life--behind the scenes, before and after, etc
• Swatches--Nail polish and makeup
• Features of specific brands such as Inglot, MAC, Sugarpill, etc
• Indie companies
• Personal posts

I will try to do some of everything, but if there is something you guys want to see more of, do let me know.

Have a safe and happy new year's eve, everyone!  May 2013 bring much more health and happiness!

FOTD: Bittermelon

And the stash shopping continues!  Sort of.  I just bought some makeup online (DO IT.  KICK ME IN THE FACE T____T).

Anyways, today was another one of those days where I had to rush my makeup and run out the door.  I was getting tired of not having enough time to take pictures while the makeup was still fresh, so today I opted to bring my camera and take pictures in the locker room right before work.  Haha!  I think I'll keep this as a last resort technique, because having my hair pulled back for the pictures is not the most flattering look for me.  Neither are my awkward smiles.

As usual, items marked with an asterisk (*) are "new" items that I have retrieved from my stash.

L-R: Sephora Lime Green, MAC Daisychain, Micabella Passion

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4
-Smashbox Pressed Setting Powder in Light
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:
-UDPP in Sin
-Sephora eyeshadow in Lime Green (d/c)*
-MAC Pro Longwear Eyeshadow in Make Your Mark
-MAC eyeshadow in Daisychain*
-UD Shadow Pencils in Delinquent and Sin
-Sugarpill eyeshadow in Bulletproof
-MicaBella eyeshadow in Passion*
-Inglot gel liner 77
-Covergirl Waterproof Lashblast Volume Mascara
-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero and Oil Slick

Lips:
-MAC lipstick in Hot Gossip

Have a safe New Year's Eve, everyone!  Party safe!

FOTD: My Little Dollface

And the shopping of my stash continues.  I'm disappointed in myself for throwing together another boring look.  I tend to go for the same style when I'm in a hurry.  I am pleased that I used FOUR items from my single eyeshadow drawer. Yay, me!

These are the beauties featured in today's look:

L-R: MAC Night Manoeuvres, Motives Dollface, Fyrinnae Boytoy, Korres 11M

Mind you...these pictures when I got off work, a good 6 hours after application.

"New" products used will be marked with an asterisk (*).

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4

-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:

-UDPP

-MAC e/s in Night Manouevres (LE)*

-Motives e/s in Dollface*

-Sugarpill e/s in Bulletproof

-Korres e/s in 11M Base (d/c)*

-Fyrinnae e/s in Boytoy*

-Inglot Gel Liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof Lashblast Volume mascara

Lips:

-MAC lipstick in Hot Gossip

Makeup Hoarding: Single Eyeshadows + FOTD

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a fantabulous holiday!  I spent a good bit of mine freaking out over how much makeup I own, since I had time to finally sit down and clean up/organize my stash.  My drawer of single and duo eyeshadows I was freaking out over especially because it was then that I realized how much freaking makeup I have and do not use.  And yet I am continuously buying more stuff.  Shame on me.

Here is said drawer:

As you can see, I have some brand new in box items, and some eyeshadows visibly collecting dust.

This is only one of the drawers I am distressing over.  I have too much!  I can't believe I'm saying this!  Too much makeup!  I already cleaned out my stash considerably last year and already I have accumulated so much more.  Of course being the hoarder I am, I can't part with anything yet.  So I have vowed to to use at least two rarely used items every time I do makeup for the rest of the year at the very least!  Lately I've been rushing my makeup and working out of the same palette (Too Faced Natural Eye Palette) for who knows how long .

So here is today's look:

Haha, I look like a kid in this one.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are the "new" items I have incorporated in the look.

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4

-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-NARS blusher in Deep Throat*

Eyes:

-UDPP in Sin

-Stila eyeshadow in Kitten*

-MAC Pro Longwear eyeshadow in Make Your Mark*

-UD 24/7 Liners in Electric* and Zero

-Sugarpill eyeshadow in Bulletproof

-Inglot eyeshadow in 101R*

-Inglot Gel Liner 77

-Lancome eyeshadow in Best Dressed (discontinued)*

-UD Shadow Pencil in Sin

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara

Lips:

-Quo lipgloss in Pout

I guess I did pretty good on using new products, huh?  Let's see if I can keep this up!

FOTD: Urban Sunset

I have my coworker to thank for this name.  He told me he really liked my makeup and it reminded him of the sun setting over an urban neighborhood.  I suppose that's a good thing, eh?

This is how my makeup looked for work:

And this is how I wanted to wear it:

Yep, you guessed it.  With a delightfully vampy lip like OCC lip tar in Black Dahlia.

Here's a closer look at the eyes:

Face: 

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teinte Idole foundation in Bisque 4

-Laura Mercier Translucent powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:

-UDPP in Sin

-UD Shadow Pencils in Delinquent and Sin

-Fyrinnae eyeshadow in Cuddlefish

-Too Faced eyeshadows in Sexpresso and Heaven

-Sugarpill eyeshadows in Bulletproof and @#$%!

-Inglot Gel Liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara

Lips:

-Quo lipgloss in Pout

-NYX Lip pencil in Auburn with OCC Lip tar in Black Dahlia

FOTD: Black Dahlia

Whilst making Christmas cards one day, I got bored and whipped out OCC Liptar in Black Dahlia.  I tried it on, fell in love, and threw on the rest of my makeup for work later that evening.

I didn't have a chance to take pictures until after work, so I made an effort to touch up my makeup, including reapplying foundation where needed and touching up the liptar.  Black Dahlia was not particularly cooperative, as it clung on to the dead skin on my lips and refused to apply evenly.  Now, I've used liptars before and I don't recall them being this stubborn.  Nonetheless, I love the color and decided to share with you guys.

Eyes: 

-UDPP in Sin

-Too Faced Natural Eyeshadow Palette: Heaven, Sexpresso, Pushup, and Silk Teddy

-Inglot Gel Liner in 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof Lashblast Volume Mascara

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Bisque 4 Foundation

-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Lips:

-NYX Lip Pencil in Auburn

-OCC Lip tar in Black Dahlia

Like I said before, I really love this color.  I'll wear it a few more times and see if I can get it to work.

FOTD: Smokes and Green (and contact lenses help please!)

I went out for dinner and drinks with some friends last night, and it's been so long that I've been on a girl date that I didn't know what type of makeup to do.  A friend suggested I do smoky eyes and incorporate some green in there.  By the time he sent that text to me, I had already slapped Chanel's Mirifique all over my eyelids so I threw the green in the lower lashline.

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4
-Annabelle BB stick concealer in Medium
-Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:
-UDPP in Eden
-Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Mirifique
-Too Faced Natural Eye palette: Sexpresso and Heaven
-Inglot Gel Liner 77
-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero and Covet
-MicaBella Shimmer Powder in Luck O'the Irish
-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBluast Volume Mascara
-Daiso lashes

Lips: 
-Lancome Color Fever Lipstick in Rose Tempest

So as you can all probably see, my eyes are pretty red.  They really do not like contact lenses, neither do they like lashes, and the two together give my eyes misery.  With contacts in general (I use acuvae oasis for astigmatism), they tend to dry out my eyes no matter how often I use eyedrops or take them out completely and wash them.  Anyone have some contact lens wisdom they could give me?  I would super appreciate it.

Photoshoot @ Academy of Art, SF

Hey everyone!

I just came back from a photoshoot and I wanted to do a real quick post and share the experiences with you guys.  My friend Kristine was kind enough to bring me along for this shoot.  For a change, I did hair only.  I was a little sad about not being able to do makeup, but not too much.  It lets me be more focused and lug a lighter kit over to San Francisco.

The shoot was a huge collaboration amongst the San Francisco Academy of Art students, some designers, models, and photographers.  It was overall a fab experience because the models were really nice and chill, and the photographer took some great shots.  Can't wait to see the real thing!

1st Model: Theresa

Kristine, Theresa, and me

What the set looked like.

Tag teaming.  Cut the prep time in half.

Loooove this shot!

Touching up hair on set.

2nd model: Elle.  60s/Twiggy messy updo

Behind the scenes in the dressing room

L-R: Me, Kristine, Elle, design student, photographer Yesmenia

On a totally different note, my heart goes out to the families of the 20 children and 7 faculty members killed in today's elementary school shooting.  Nobody should have to go through such a horrific loss.

UPDATE:

Here's a little preview and behind the scenes video from the shoot!

First batch of Xmas cards!

Not exactly a beauty related post but I really wanted to share!  Besides, my makeup has been boring lately, hahhaha.

I started making cards loooong before I got into makeup.  I really got into it when I picked up a cardmaking book from Walden Books (which later became part of Borders...and later went out of business :[ ) and I was AMAZED at all the beautiful cards!  I started buying supplies like I buy makeup now.  I'm sure I have almost as much supplies as I do makeup.  But I always shove my cardstock, stamps, and ribbons aside in favor of my makeup.  I'm so neglectful :(

I did have to whip up some super fast cards for my teachers, though.  The semester is ending and I would be seeing some of these wise women for the last time.  I wanted them to know how much I appreciated them so here is what I came up with:

It's basically a bunch of paper glued together with some doodling here and there.  And to tie this post with makeup, all the silver you see is from a silver eyeliner.  All my gel pens are so old hey don't work anymore.   Haha!

I'm hoping to make tons more before Christmas.  Somehow.  Between looking for a new job and freelancing.  Oh boy.

FOTD: Mega Metal Shadows

I don't buy from MAC too often.  I'm not quite sure why.  It could be because MAC never has sales and I'm a sucker for sales.  I did purchase some items at The Cosmetic Company Store a good while ago and never opened the boxes.  Coupled with my determination to use pink eyeshadow (which I am not particularly fond of) I threw together this look.  The soft pink and purple MAC eyeshadows were much too girly for my taste so I threw in some green in the lashline.

Face:

-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4

-CoverFX Setting Powder in Light

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:

-MicaBella Eye Primer

-MAC Mega Metal Shadow in Mating Call and Noir Plum

-Sugarpill pressed eyeshadow in Bulletproof

-Too Faced Natural Eye Palette: Velvet Revolver and Heaven

-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero and Covet

-MicaBella eyeshadow in Luck O' The Irish

-Inglot gel liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Mascara

Lips:

-MAC lipstick in Syrup

In other news, I got my Cosmetology license on Thursday!  One of the most stressful things I've ever done in my life.  Thinking bout doing a post on that some time.  Would anyone be interested?

FOTD: Blogger Beauty

I truly hate how my eyes are so uneven.  I've noticed that this is a common trait amongst us, Asians: our right eye tends to be slightly hooded while our left eye is "normal," making our right eyes seem smaller than the left.  It really screws me over when I do my makeup.  And what's more frustrating is that I don't see how different my makeup looks on each eye until I take pictures and check it out myself.  This is probably because I'm too busy squinting at the mirror without my glasses.  Argh.

In any case, I find my eye makeup very very boring.  Always have.  When I'm in a rush, it's always so much easier to throw on something natural that I know will work.  I had a bit of extra time today so I threw on some colors I tend not to reach for: pink, yellow, and orange.

I originally wanted to do a bright pink look, but I thought orange and yellow would go well with the pink so I threw that into the mix as well.  I made an attempt at a cut crease which ended up being very sloppy, but ah well.  I will do better next time!

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4
-Cover FX Setting Powder in Light
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
-NARS Blusher in Deep Throat

Eyes:
-UDPP in Eden
-Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
-Fyrinnae e/s in Blogger Beauty
-Sugarpill Burning Heart Palette: Flamepoint and Buttercupcake
-UD e/s in Blackout
-UD 24/7 Liner in Zero
-Inglot Gel Liner 77
-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume

Lips:
-Inglot 150

This will probably be my last post for a little while.  I have finals this week and my Cosmetology state board exam on Thursday.  Wish me luck!

FOTD: Decency

Hey everyone!

I want to post a super duper quick FOTD from yesterday.  I had to make sure I looked presentable for a certain meeting I had to have with someone I don't get along with.  So of course, I had to look halfway decent without looking like I was trying too hard. Haha!  Here it is!  Yup, baby blue managed to sneak into the look somehow.

Face:

-Bare Escentuals Face Primer

-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in Bisque 4

-CoverFX Setting Powder in Light

-Annabelle BB Skin Perfect Concealer in Medium

-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

-NARS Laguna Bronzer

Eyes: 

-UDPP in Eden

-UD Naked 2 Palette: Foxy, Bootycall, Tease, YDK, Busted, Blackout

-Milani Liquifeye Pencil in Black

-Inglot Gel Liner 77

-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara

Lips:

-CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Divine

Enjoy!

FOTD: Familiarity

Hey everyone!  It's me, Janny.  No excuses for my lack of posts whatsoever.  Yes, I have been super busy and lacking motivation lately.  Which is why I'm trying to go back to what I know and what makes sense to me--blogging.

If that didn't make sense, what I mean is, I have been working so much and worrying about so many other things that I have stopped reading blogs all together.  I miss constantly being inspired, and sharing ideas with fellow bloggers and beauty junkies about what moves me.  My career path is uncertain right now which is keeping me disoriented, so I'm coming back to what I do know: that I love makeup as an art and I love to share with other people who love it.

So here is a look I did during my short, but much needed Thanksgiving break.  Look familiar?  I've never done this color combination exactly like this before but it seems like whenever I try to do something fun and colorful, I always incorporate a bright baby blue in the mix.

Do ignore that smidge of mascara on my right (your left) eye.

Face:
-Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer
-Lancome Teint Idole Foundation in B4
-CoverFX Setting Powder in Light
-NARS Laguna Bronzer
-Illamasqua Blusher in Thrust

Eyes:
-UDPP in Eden
-Inglot e/s in AMC 70 on the lid, DS 477 on the crease, AMC Shine 27 in the inner corner, AMC 73 and 441 P on the lower lashline
-Wet n Wild e/s in Creme Brulee
-UD e/s in Blackout
-UD 24/7 Liner in Asphyxia
-Inglot Gel liner in 77
-CoverGirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume

Lips:
-Lancome Cover Fever lipstick in Rose Tempest (d/c)
-Quo lip gloss in Lust

I really have to challenge myself to stop using baby blue.