MAC To The Beach: Shimmer Moss Eyeshadow (Thank You Kaitlyn!)

The lovely Kaitlyn held a MAC Giveaway a while ago and I was so lucky to win! She gifted me any item under a certain amount and I was so excited to finally try something from the much sought-after To The Beach collection. Of course Marine Life, Splashing, Flurries of Fun, Sweet and Punchy, Hipness were long gone but there were still a few left. I'm a sucker for packaging so I opted for a cute little eyeshadow compact. Thank you Kaitlyn for introducing me to my first MAC product ever! :D

Shimmer Moss is a really pretty blue-teal (it shimmers a pretty green in the right lighting). It's pretty sheer and pearly, so it looks more natural and less street-alley grimace. Last time I used blues was in junior high and that was literally not pretty. As you have seen in my Summer Meadow FOTD attempt, the blue isn't super bright but more of a nice sky blue. This would have been so nice to wear with my little sailor dress.

Everything came in a nice sleek black MAC box about the size of a textbook across and I opened it to find a teeny tiny package. They don't skimp on the packaging at all. I am finally a proud, proud owner of a beautiful MAC shadow!

I am wearing ELF Matte Nail Polish Finish over my leopard print nails. It's so cool! I still prefer the shiny pretty sparkles though haha I'm such a 5-year old xD

See a look here featuring Shimmer Moss. Let the picspam begin!

Adorable shell detail on the packaging + pretty green shade of plastic

I don't think my camera does the teal part of the shadow justice. These are in bright sunlight

Shade:

Swatch: See how pearly it is?

Thank you Kaitlyn! Aww she included a card that MAC printed too : ) She is so generous and sweet. Check out her blog and leave some love!

5 more days! I feel like my brain is reaching saturation point but baby steps and deep breaths. I'm going to go back to meandering my way through the Verbal Reasoning logic and trying to scrape a few more points off Physics. I miss all of you! It smiles every time I get a comment from you guys and totally cheers up my studying woes ♥

Tag.A.Log

Tag! You're it : ) I was tagged by Serenie for the 8 Questions Game:

1. What is something important to you in a friendship?
Please talk to me and try to keep in touch after I move. My family is constantly, constantly moving and I absolutely hate it. My best friend after all these years I've known since 1st grade and I love getting calls from her when she's randomly walking places. I can tell her anything and not feel judged - it's so nice to have this history of crazy memories to base conversations off and know that to each other, you're real and you never have to ask for them to be there. I'm not cool with conditional friendships and I see right through them like glass, which has a refraction index of n = 1.5 (I have been studying very hard fu fu fu).

2. What is the one beauty product you MUST have or the world will end?
Concealer. I am a pimply freak. You guys are going to drop me like I'm Pluto if I show you my unconcealed face HAHA. I can go without mascara, I can live without eyeliner (though I think it makes the look), I don't need anything on my lips or shadow, but I need to cover up my spots. I'm like a bloody Dalmatian.

3. If you had to get a tattoo what would it be and why?
Omg you're awesome for asking this because after seeing so many awesome tattoos lately, I want one! Of course my parents would kill me (or just give the look of disapproval and talk about it to everyone they meet - worse than them killing me). I would get something meaningful, obviously. "Cheng ren" means "adult" in Chinese but actually it also means "becoming human." That's a life philosophy, to become a good human, because it's a never-ending process. Most likely I'll get something awesome like a phoenix. I'd want my boyfriend to draw out the design because he's an amazing artist and he did it for me already on my shoulder in waterproof eyeliner LOL. Or (chibi) wings on my shoulder blades but I think I'd outgrow that. I would put the phoenix tat either on my right shoulder or the "cheng ren" on the back of my neck. My life philosophies always change so I have no idea if I would risk the permanent branding.

4. What is your go-to nail color?
Mint green! You guys love it, I love it. I'm planning on buying more bottles from random brands :D

5. What is your favorite animal and why?
Isn't it obvious enough? Pandas eat and sleep ALL DAY LONG (source: San Diego Zoo) hahaha the dream life! But as cute as they are, they're not evolutionarily awesome like snakes and stuff. I'd want to be devious and survive yo. Meerkats are also cool.

6. What is your dream car?
I've always wanted a Corvette. Any car would be nice really. My lack of one speaks for itself.

7. What is your favorite genre of music and/or artist?
Oh geez. My preferences are always changing. Lately I've been into more poppy upbeat stuff because classical and crooning love songs are putting me to sleep. I love Owl City because the lyrics are so genius! I never pay attention to lyrics EVER but those crazy creative lines make me! (I used to think that "to the window, to the wall" was "diminuendo ... to the wow" - goes to show I appreciate enunciation). I'm pretty big on the Impressionists for classical music though. Debussy and Chopin were the first heartbreakers.

8. If you could start your own makeup company, what would the name be?
This is a hard question! Just thinking of all the companies out there with weird names, I'd probably hop on that bandwagon too. Maybe something like "Mirage" because we are creating illusions when we put on makeup - good ones of course, but even the different persona with the boost of confidence is kind of a "now you see me, now I'm gone" kind of deal. Magical! Maybe a play on that - Mirrorage (pronounced meer-ahj).

My 8 Questions:
1. What's the prettiest packaging you've ever seen?
2. Makeup shades/colours you love to death and those you avoid?
3. What's a secret talent of yours?
4. You just won a million dollars! What do you do with it?
5. Would you rather have perfect skin or a bigger cup size?
6. Favourite fashion trends or describe your style
7. What are your favourite snacks?
8. If you could describe your life philosophy in one word, what would it be?

I tag (I'm going to try to avoid repeats):

1. Liana

2. Bunny

3. Nic

4. Nikki

5. Emily

6. Nicol

7. Steph

8. Annettee

9. Anyone else who wants to answer some Q's :D

FOTD: Summer Meadow (Michelle Phan-Inspired)

When I saw Michelle Phan's tutorial inspired by Summer Meadows, I thought I'd give it a try. I thought, hey since I think I have all the shades now, why not? Unfortunately, a guru is a guru and I am me. I have no idea how two people with similar eye and facial structure can end up looking so different. As my Lao Ba (a college friend) says, "First, she's like a 5. But then she puts on concealer and foundation, and BAM she's an 8!" Hahaha this is a guy speaking. Yes, MP did teach him the difference between foundation, concealer, and others. Thank you to the beautiful Kaitlyn and her generous MAC giveaway! I got to pick an item and I had to get my hands on something from the To the Beach Collection before it disappeared forever. I really wanted the bright green one but it sold out ages ago, but I don't have a single blue eyeshadow at all! I'm always afraid I'd end up looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, so I never took the dive. MAC Shimmermoss is so pretty : ) I'm going to picspam like crazy in my next post. My camera setting simply doesn't do it justice because there is a hint of green in this blue-teal.

Emulating MP is no easy feat. She used some awesome fancy white eyeliner as a base and to "paint clouds." I used a cheapo NYC one to scratch my eyeball out and "paint pain" ... that thing is a banana to sharpen too. You know how as a kid you'd be really pissed if your coloured pencils keep breaking in the sharpener and you watch as that hungry monster chomps your beautiful pencils up and you didn't even get to colour? Well that's how I felt using this - the lead kept break off and it wouldn't melt onto my eye. This thing barely even melted on the back of my hand. Worst. Ever. After much scratching, I gave up and used ELF Studio Concealer and Highlighter Duo (highlighter side) for the white. I had to keep patting it on. Frustration! I really wished I had a NYC Jumbo Pen in Milk at this point.

I really love the contacts she used in her vid. I tried on my Geo Ash Wings but they looked weird and not mysterious and pale like the Solotica contacts she wore. I think those are Brazilian though and quite expensive. What with the recent NYT article (and all other news sources in the world to follow) nonsense about circle lenses making everyone blind (just wash your hands and be smart - circle lenses are just like other contacts, you might have to wear them for less hours but don't have a cow in exaggerating this blindness myth). Lady Gaga did NOT start the circle lenses trend. Has anyone heard of doing research and finding sources before you write something? I guess NYT forgot to go to primary school and write up those flashcards with the MLA sources. Unprofessional.

So here's my attempt! I also tried to do something new by taking flash pictures like everyone else. The bright sunlight is cool for sparkles but completely washes out the pigmentation. I wanted my eyes to seem more round and 3D so I made the blue into a crescent moon shape sitting horizontally. I'm no Michelle Phan but I tried!

{Blue = sky} {White = clouds} {Green = grass}

Products Used:
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash

NYC White Eyeliner as base, highlight browbone

ELF Studio Concealer and Highlight Duo - Highlighting end on browbone, all over upper lid 

MAC Shimmermoss all over lid, swept up 

Wet n Wild Creme Shadow Stick in Pixie for tear ducts, on middle of eye to make it appear more round

Wet n Wild Creme Shadow Stick in Envy on lower lashline

L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara + Primer

ELF E/S Duo Black out of Berry/Black pan as eyeliner, applied with angled brush

ELF Studio Complexion Perfection

ELF Studio Concealer Pencil in Light

ELF Studio Blushing and Bronzing Powder - both mixed to hollow of cheeks, the blush applied to apples of cheeks

ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance for cheekbone and nose highlight

Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm

The Flash!

My forehead is freaking huge. I like to hide it behind my bangs, which I lopped off too short grrr

Pose inspired by Liana! She's probably thinking "wth looks nothing like my signature pose"

Lamp lighting with my Samsung Intercept. After many, many years with my Motorola Razr my family finally hopped on the cool kids train and got smartphones. Yeah baby! (3.2 megapixel camera - not bad quality) I really like how the chapstick shows up. Now why can't I find something that is actually this shade on my lips?

Flash:

L'Oreal Double Extend is a very good mascara for clean volumizing/lengthening/separating. I was surprised : ) Been using this with the L'Oreal Lash Serum and I've been getting results that I will share soon :D I'm totally getting fine wrinkles underneath my eyes. MCAT is unfriendly to my body and my St. Ives scrubs need to be toned down. For once in my life my skin is too dry! It's normally super oily and now I'm getting wrinkles T__T What is this madness?

Outside in sunlight (see how the colours are washed out : / ?)

My hair is getting out of control. My roots are inches long and I need to re-dye the whole thing with a bottle of Palty if I can find one at 99 Ranch

Awkward turtle face just for you guys : ) Shows the bronzing/highlight better

♪♪♪ Someeeewhere over the rainbow is the beach. After this week of cramming, I'll squash the MCAT leech. Give me my summer back now, hear my plea. In just seven days I'll head out to sea ♪♪♪

I've been taking practice exams like crazy and each 5-hour run yields ... very little increase in points but at least it's going up! x_x I really don't want to retake this. Physics is the bane of my existence. Curse you, nonexistent/fail AP class for not preparing me for O Frabjous Day! That's why I've been gone loves, so in no time at all, I'll be back sending love on your posts, replying to your sweet comments, and blogging my face off! So when they said the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, they really weren't exaggerating. I'm .. halfway. I have to be on step infinity in 7 days, 9 hours, 52 minutes, and 36 seconds. Yes, I have multiple countdowns ticking my blood pressure into a frenzy. Halfway infinity doesn't feel so good. Life lesson #1. DIESEL! (And thank you so much sweethearts for telling me good luck and giving all your support! For the "you'll do great" part ... I need to make sure that happens hahaha). Leave some love for this poor girl!

Trend Alert: Forever 21 Twist Nerdy-licious

I am feeling completely unproductive at the moment, hence the quick blog post. Only 12 days left to stuff all this knowledge into my head, only 12 days left before my summer truly begins. I'm totally in love with a song I stumbled upon on a blog: The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script. I've got it reeling on repeat until the end of time.

Forever 21 just released a new Twist Collection: I ♥ Nerds. I'm sure real nerds would be offended by this but I'm all for cardigans, dorky prints, oxford flats, and big readers glasses. I remember when my high school would have spirit week and one of the days would always be Nerd Day. All the popular kids would dress up with pigtails and huge nerd glasses and tape them in the middle like Harry Potter. I would just ... show up hahahhaa. I'm a proud nerd and I enjoy making terrible puns full of esoteric crap no one else cares about. I will laugh inside but all my friends will groan *pushes up my glasses with a finger* Jk .. I don't think I'm smart enough to be a true nerd. I'm trying to grow out of that though with all my fashion and beauty endeavors.

I think some pieces from this collection are quite stylish. The volumized bangs and top bun look is also really hot for this year - perfectly applied to the kingdom of Nerd-dom. 

Here are the Lookbook promo photos (credits: Forever21.com):

Some of my favourites:

Prepster Jacket $32.80 USD: This is so poppy and I am very into red jackets. I love the collar detail and the sharp edges.

Where'd I Put My Glasses Tunic $12.80 USD: This is really cute. I am guilty of saying this all the time and they will either be on my face or in my hand hahaha. I like the pretty lace glasses in the corner and just dig vintage-y tees that have writing on weird places

 

Bow Tie Sweater $17.80 USD: I don't really like this alone but I love it with the skirt the model is wearing. I wish I had legs that long but with crew length socks this outfit is complete.

Knit Reader Cardigan $19.80 USD: I like the colour and the print. You really can't have enough cardigans in life. And how cute is that little bow?

Solid Stripes Cardigan $19.80 USD: Ridiculously preppy cute with the striped short (sold separately). The only turnoff is the back .. makes you look like a referee

Colorguard Colorblock Tunic $19.80 USD: Not really a fave but it's really unique and reminds me of the 80s. The shaping of the colorblock makes it look like leotard almost. Yay for dance clothes!

Nerdy Revenge Canvas Tote $14.80 USD: Probably the only piece I would actually buy. I love all the pockets everywhere and the cute nerds all over it. Seems like there's a zipper too for the inside so all my stuff will stay put as I'm running to class. I spy a little attachment for my cell phone :D! Darn .. now I want to place yet another order hahaha.

Forever 21 is also featuring a lot of collegiate back-to-school inspired items. I purchased 3 Boyfriend Varsity Cardigans at $12.00 USD a piece (can you say, SCORE?). Three small's in all three colours - it looks like they fit pretty snugly on the model, so it shouldn't swallow me. Perhaps I should have gotten mediums for a true boyfriend fit. I should have gotten the tote too but I have to really decide if I'll use that as much as my unfashionable backpack. They have a ton of other stuff (Yellow Tag Deal) that is super cheap on sale right when they were released. Nab them quick!

Check out this new Forever 21 Twist collection and pick up your favourite fall pieces for school or Casual Fridays at work. Thanks to everyone who has voted in the poll. Keep them coming please! Have a great weekend, lovelies! ~ ♥

Also, don't forget to enter Bunny's giveaway!