Want a $25.00 gift card from Apothica.com? Keep reading! Giveaway right here, right now!

Hello Lovely Readers of mine!

Today I have an exciting announcement to share with you all. I'm not sure if you all have heard about Apothica.com, but this website is extremely amazing. It carries so many varying brands of cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, bath & body, hair care, home & laundry items & even men's items! This site offers name brand products & offers free shipping when you spend over $49.00. Another thing that is convenient about the site is that they are now accepting paypal payments, offer a 60-day "no questions asked" return & they also ship internationally!!

So, I was skimming the site and found the lip liner that I've been loving which is Shiseido's RS303 lip pencil
This lipliner is absolutely GORGEOUS!! I received a sample size of this before and finally began using it a couple of weeks ago. Let me tell you, it is such a beautiful color that I was extremely surprised by! I pair it with a light nude gloss and wow, it's just the perfect combination! I'm so stoked that they have this on the website because I haven't had the time to go to the store and hunt for it, you know what I mean? Sometimes online shopping is just more convenient especially for people with a busy lifestyle. I'm definitely gonna have to place an order for this.

Shiseido is not the only brand they carry, they carry other brands like YSL, Vincent Longo, Cargo, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Dr. Brandt, etc., there are just so many selections to choose from!

So......................Apothica.com has allowed me to host a giveaway here on my blog which will allow me to select a winner to receive a $25.00 gift card!! YAY!! Who doesn't love a gift card and a chance at winning?? This giveaway will be closed on 12/3/10 at 10:00pm PCT. Once I select a winner, I will forward the winner's information to Apothica.com with their contact information so that Apothica can reach out to them & verify all information is correct. After verification, Apothica will email the winner a code for the gift card to be used at either: SkinCareRx.com, Apothica.com, and SkinBotanica.com.

Participants will also need to save SkinCareRx as a contact in their email

box so that it doesn't go to the Spam/Junk Mail folder.

This contest is open to the U.S. & internationally but not all products can ship internationally due to certain regulations, so please be aware that not everything will be available to ship internationally.

Onto the entry possibilities (You do not have to complete all of these, it is up to you how you want to enter):

*One entry for becoming a fan of Apothica.com on FaceBook

*One entry for following us on Twitter (@STN1218 and @apothica)

**Two entries to re-tweet this giveaway

**Two entries to leave a comment about Apothica (AND Shiseido) in the comment section

**Two entries for opting-in for Apothica's Newsletter (found at the bottom of their website)

*******Seven entries for a blog post with a link directed to a specific brand that you like on Apothica which must contain a minimum of 100 words

Please note:

-You MUST be a subscriber of my blog

-If you are doing ANY or ALL of the above, please leave a comment in the comment section with what you have done for your entry points.

-Winners will be chosen by Random.org.

-Also, if you are under 18, please obtain your parent's consent.

Thank You all to everyone and GOOD LUCK!!

25% off on SkinCareRx.com

Great news everyone! If you want to start your holiday shopping early and want to save money, then continue reading! SkinCareRx.com will be having a friends & family sale going on for great brands like SkinMedica, Dermalogica, La Roche-Posay, Kinerase and so much more!! In order to start your holiday shopping early & any other miscellaneous shopping that you may be interested in, please take advantage of the following coupon code in order to save yourself 25% off on your purchase on SkinCareRx:

Friends and Family Coupon Code: FF25

*Excludes some brands. Expires Dec. 1, 2010.

Who loves to save money?! I DO!! I DO!! So if you do too, definitely check out the site for cyber Monday deals & black Friday specials also!

P.S. Don't forget to check out SkinCareRx's Facebook page :)

Hope you all enjoy shopping on their site!

Halloweenie

Howdy folks! Hope everyone has been well! Happy Belated Halloweenie to everyone! My halloween wasn't too pleasant. I spent $87.00 on tickets to a massive halloween party in the city at a club which was 5 stories. I was so eager to attend and especially more so because of the company that I was going to be with. Up until approximately 4 hours before the event kicked off, I began not feeling so well :( runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes! I think I was allergic to my friend's room-mates cats (she has two of them). I took two benadryls in an attempt to alleviate the reaction but it didn't help & it only made things worse because I was extremely sleepy from the medicine. I fell asleep to the club, ALMOST (so close) to falling asleep in the club, and I fell asleep coming home from the club. What a night I tell ya! I did see some really amazing and creative costumes though! What was I by the way? I was a fairy. And by fairy, I don't mean the promiscuous kind in any way. If anything, let's just say that I was completely and entirely overdressed compared to pretty much everyone else in the club. I didn't buy a costume persay, I just wore a dress I had with some fairy wings and accessories. I hope everyone had a great halloween!

I REALLY wanted the MAC Venomous Villains Bite of an apple blush but unfortunately did not make it quick enough to the MAC counter to grab one. I know this was a limited time collection but does anyone know if MAC continues to sell limited time products for a certain amount of time after a new collection has already been released? I REALLY want this blush :(

Fiance and I are in the midst of moving so hopefully once we do, I will have more time to blog and film videos. For space purposes and lighting reasons, I can't update as much and often as I'd like right now. Plus, my schedule at work has been changing and I haven't been adjusting as gracefully as I would have liked.

If anyone is interested in this DIY body harness that you see in the photos above, please leave a comment and I will create a video on how you can make one for yourself!

It's so super easy, quick, and simple! All you need is the supplies :)

Thanks for reading :)

And where did you go??

Hi All, I know..I know..it's been forever and a day since I've updated this thing. Lately, I've been so uninspired to write. I am actually waiting to get this home purchased soon so that I can set up a special room to film and capture OOTD photographs for you all. Unfortunately, the whole home buying process is taking much longer than we'd hope.

Anyways, just a quick update with some videos/photos. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Check out this fabulous blog that I am loving: http://sansyland.wordpress.com/

And of course check out my videos on youtube!!

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/STN1218

REVIEW: Urban Decay NAKED Palette (& SWATCHES)

Hi all! I've been so MIA lately..I don't know why I can't seem to make it a routine to update my blog as often as I should.

Anyways, for those of you who are curious about the Urban Decay Naked Palette, please see my YT video down below.

There are swatches in here as well :)

DIY: Easy Anti-aging Facial Mask

This post/video (down below) will instruct you on how to make a super simple face mask to prevent anti-aging skin.

Please read all information before trying this mask!

It is extremely important to prevent wrinkles and aging skin if we want to maintain our youthful appearance. Expensive/pricey creams and serums can sure help BUT - if you have ingredients right in your kitchen that can help target the same cause, heck - why not choose the cheaper and funner alternative?
This video will show you how to create such an easy do-it-yourself anti-aging mask in no time :)

When done making this mask, you can begin use by applying all over your face and leaving it on for about 30 minutes.
****PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS MASK IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC OR HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Avocado
- Honey
- Egg Yolk

More information below:

What you will need:

(Main Ingredients)

Avocado is popularly known to be rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids thus causing it to be reputable in anti-aging and moisturizing benefits. It can reach deep within the epidermis and provide nourishing elasticity to your skin.

Honey is known to have antioxidant properties which can ultimately help protect the skin from the UV rays it's exposed to. It also helps to rejuvenate skin. Honey is known to be an antimicrobial agent which has the ability to suppress specific bacterial growth. It also is capable of attracting water and nourishing the skin deep from within.

Egg yolk is loaded with vitamin A and has indicated signs of fighting minor acne. It also helps to tighten your pores.

and of course an empty container for storage

This video will show you how to make this mask:

Hope you guys enjoy and thanks for watching!

Remember: Use with caution. Make sure you are NOT allergic or experience any allergic reactions to ANY of the above ingredients.

Heard Good Things

I have heard such good things about the two of these products:

I purchased the pair this past Sunday and was eager with excitement to try them both out. I have yet to open the Flat-top brush but the eye makeup remover? Oh-Em-Gee!! This is my new FAVORITE eye makeup remover EVER!! Tonight is my first night using this and let me tell you ladies (and gents) that this is my new HG eye makeup remover! *LOVESSS* It's gentle, incredibly effective, and removes all traces of makeup! I only had to swipe a couple of swishes across my sensitive lashes and before I knew it, all the residue on my eyes were transferred easily to my cotton pad.

I was/am a HAPPY camper with this buy. It undoubtedly is a GREAT FIND.

Brand: Sonia Kashuk

Where to Find: Target

Price: $9.99

Amount per bottle: 4.75 fl oz (134 ML)

Safe for Sensitive Skin & Contact Lens Wearers :)

The above brush has received tons of recognition via youtube (and perhaps blogs, etc.). I don't use foundation but decided that achieving even coverage can be very rewarding for photographic purposes as well as in person. I'm not one to take the time and put foundation/concealer on but I figured having a brush like this can come in handy being that it is defined as a "Multipurpose Brush". With this in hand, I have an excuse to test the waters with foundation/concealer :)

Brand: Sonia Kashuk

Where to Find: Target

Price: $14.99

Description: Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush

Hope you all have been unbelievably well :)

Thanks for reading lovelies!

ROMPER LOVE!

Been loving rompers since as long as I can remember! Now, they're one of the hottest trends out there and I can't seem to find ones I can really fall in love with. For now, these two will have to do :)

Both Rompers purchased online @ CharlotteRusse.com (30% off online promotional sale plus an additional 10% off if you enter your email address for the first time :-] )

DIY Skincare tutorials coming sooooooooon :)

I gotta test them out on myself first ;-P

DIY Skincare tutorials coming soon :)

Sorry I've been neglecting blogging lately but I'll be up-to-speed in no time..and definitely better than ever!

Review: Victoria's Secret Sparkle Eyeshadows

This is just a review on the VS eyeshadows thats been favorited by a lot of beauty guru's. I think they are lovely shadows and the consistency of these are really different than your normal eyeshadow. Lots of hints of shimmer but definitely no fall-out.

Price: A+

Texture: A

Pigmentation: A

Blendability: B

Would I repurchase? Yes

Anyways, please watch my video for more information.

Thank you all so much for reading/commenting :)

Collective makeup haulage..(and some earrings too)

Did some hauling.......AGAIN! For the past 2 years, I've found passion in makeup more than I have been in fashion. I don't know if it's a phase I am going through but I doubt it. My sister once said "collecting makeup is like a hobby" which I do totally agree with. Just like boys love their cars and sports, girls love their makeup and fashion. I used to be the type of chick that can have like one or two eyeshadows and wear it everyday and be fine - but not anymore. Now, I have oodles and oodles of products from all different brands that I really can't justify why I need 7 different shades of gray eyeshadows. I suppose it's not so much as a "Need" as it is a "Want".

Well, my best rationalization for my shopping is that I work extremely hard and that I might as well treat myself to something nice and enjoy my youth and freedom while it's within reach. Years and years from now when I bare children and get older and older, there wouldn't really be a point to collect makeup and splurge on myself anymore so now is the time to embrace my age and beauty while it's still existent.

Right girls????

Anywhoodles, here are the products I bought recently (the video is also attached in case you wanna check that out too).

Sigma Brushes the "Complete Kit" - Shipping was super duper fast. Only 2 business days! I ordered my sister the face + eyes kit too and she also got it in 2 days! WOW! I haven't used these yet but they feel super duper soft! I really wanted the SS109 but I'm going to have to buy that separately later as it is not a must-need at the moment!

I bought three MAC lipsticks. A backup of the Viva Glam CYNDI (such a wearble red - only out for a year) and then I bought a Glaze in "Hue" and a Cremesheen in "Creme Cup". Hue is a lot like my natural lip color but it def. enhances them. Creme Cup is a pretty everyday pink with a blue undertone.

I also picked up another pigment in "Frozen White". It's more iridescent than white to me. It's described as a white with a blue duochrome which it does have a blue duochrome but the white isn't as noticeable as I want it to be. Still pretty though.

Another thing I got was a single eyeshadow in "Idol Eyes". This is a silverish eyeshadow with purple reflects. The purple is not that obvious though. It's sheer and kind of reminds me of a pearl finish as it is not that pigmented as I want it to be.
I got three VS Sparkle Eyeshadows in Fierce, 24K, and Spin. I have only tried fierce and 24k so far. They are nice to wear over another eyeshadow but not on its own in my opinion as it is not easily blendable and I had to layer it on before it could really give my eyes a "pop" of color/sparkle.
Things I got from Ulta - (ULTA is having a 40% off sale on Maybelline, Revlon, Almay & Ulta products which is why I bought some of the following).

Revlon Satin Eyeshadow in "Platinum Glimmer" & Revlon Perle Eyeshadow in "Lilac Shimmer" - these are pretty decently pigmented given they are a drugstore brand.

Maybelline dream matte powder in "Medium Beige". Haven't used this yet but I hope I did okay with picking out my shade despite my lack of knowing my own undertone color :(

I got ANOTHER backup of NYC's bronzer in sunny (which makes 3 backup's now, I heard they were being discontinued). I don't like to wear it much for contouring purposes but more on the apples of my cheeks :)
Lastly, I picked up 4 stud earrings from Icing. Now that I think about it, I def. overpaid for these in comparison to F21 jewelry. I don't know what I was thinking. These were unplanned purchases (usually I know what I'm going to buy before I buy it - I'm not really a spur-of-the moment kind of shopper). SO I just bought these on a whim despite my normal shopping behavior. They are all really cute but I think I might have to return the two on the right cause after I brought it home, I began getting "iffy" on them. You know what I mean ladies? When you buy something right away cause it looks great in the store and then you bring it home and you're like - wait , it doesn't look as great as when I first saw it?? SO yeah.......still thinking

In summary, here is the video I just uploaded if you all would like to see:

Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHH for watching/reading.

Catch ya later!

Makeup Haul & 40 Beauty Questions Tag (so overdue)

Hi People! Omg, I've been so inactive for wayyyy too long, huh? Sorry, I've had terrrrible allergies lately and was MIA because I've been traveling between San Francisco, LA, and Philadelphia. So, I've been a busy busy little bee. Anywhoodles, I have two videos that I'd like to share. The first is just a culmination of makeup stuffs that I've been accumulating. The second is the 40 Beauty Questions that I got tagged on. I actually posted this on my YT channel a while back but never got around to posting on here. Hope you lovelies enjoy:

I made the shoulder detailing on the above video. Isn't it cute? I'd like to think so! Hehe :)

And of course, Picty's for the picty lovers :-)

P.S. - I curled my hair in the below pics with the CONAIR Instant Heat Curlers that I did a video post on down below in one of my previous entries (02/24).




Til next time, beautifuls!

Join this awesome giveaway!!

Hi Ppl's..It's been quite a while since I've done a blog post. I've been pretty busy..traveling and then having terrible allergies :(

But I am planning to make a real post this upcoming weekend.

In the meantime, I just wanted to mention this awesome giveaway by my cool friend AprilAthena7.

She's such a sweetheart and like, so adorable on youtube! She is so extremely generous for offering all of these great prizes to win and she truly does care for her viewers/readers. Lol, anyways, here is the info on her giveaway (*quoted from her words just phrased in reference to her*):

How to enter this fun giveaway:

1. Either be a YouTube follower:

www.YouTube.com/AprilAthena7

or a blog follower

www.AprilAthena7.BlogSpot.com

2. If you are a YouTube subscriber please favorite her contest video and comment on the contest video "Enter me" and include in the comment section what type of videos you would like her to make such as more baking or more reviews?

3. If you are a blog follower please comment on her blog and create a blog post yourself linking this blog post comment section. Please let her know what type of blog posts you'd like to see from her. You may enter only once.

When you create a blog post please include this picture and her blog link:

4. If you are a YouTube subscriber and a Blog follower, you may enter her contest YouTube video comment section 7 times and 7 times on her blog. You have a higher likelihood of winning. Woohoo!

5. This giveaway is open WORLD WIDE!

6. This giveaway/contest will end April 27, 2010. This is her birthday month! She wanted it to end on her birthday, April 7th, would be too busy that day to pick a winner and plus she know you friends like ample time to enter contests.

Healthier Curls for your hair!

Hey Y'alls! Here is just a little review on the Conair Instant Heat Rollers. I use this now as an alternative to curling irons. I used to use the Conair 25-Instant Heat Curling Iron (both the 1in. & the 1, 1/2 in.) almost all the time! It eventually made my hair dry and brittle on the ends as does most other heat products thats placed directly on our fragile strands of hair. I've been very good at trying to get my hair back to a healthy condition. Along with my top haircare products (as mentioned in the below video), and a wide-tooth comb, my hair has been more pleasant to me than before. Every now & then, when I'm in a big rush, I will depend on my curling irons. Other than that, I'm loving these rollers. Not only does my hair have volume using these but my hair feels so much healthier and I can still curl it without feeling bad that its doing damage to it! Hurray :)

Gotta supply the picty's :)

Top Hair Products (excluding Shampoo/Conditioner)

Hey Beautifuls!! How was everyone's Valentines? Mine was so so. Didn't really do anything romantic or out of the ordinary. Fiancee and I had plans but they were changed due to some last minute family planning. Then I got sick for the past 3 days so that surely didn't help at all. Bleh?!

I am hoping all of yours went better. DO SHARE!!

I would LOVE to hear the romantic/special/sappy/mushy gushy love things you all may have encountered. It helps remind me that V-day is still sacred and enjoyable for others as opposed to a hallmark holiday that I have come to believe it became :(

HOW WAS YOUR VALENTINES?

I've been waiting and waiting for my hair color to fade back to light and in the following photos, I can see the brownish hue!! woopty-doo!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

This is what my hair looks like after showered and air dried. It is actually a little more straight after showering but I slept in this hair :)