NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY 7/29: MY LIPSTICK COLLECTION

I'm excited for my NYX Suede Cream Lipsticks to come in! I'm still building my collection but I don't want to buy every single thing and I'm sure I already have similar colors in my collection. My lipstick collection is probably the largest and the most exciting in my collection. In honor of National Lipstick Day (yesterday), here's my lipstick collection. Enjoy!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Swatches

In order from left to right

-Istanbul

-Milan

-Cannes

-San Paulo

-Adis Ababa

-Ibiza

-Amsterdam

-Prague

**swatches are in order top picture (left to right)

swatches are in order bottom  picture(top to bottom)

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams are a cross between a lipstick and a lip stain, they have a velvety matte finish, given they are going to be drying so make sure your lips are exfoliated and moisturized. These Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams were my first kind of liquid lipstick/cream. that were released about 3-4 years ago and they just added some new colors few months ago. They have some great range of colors and it's really not going to hurt the wallet. However, they are not my favorite liquid lipsticks because of the application, pigmentation, and it's not as long lasting comparing to others. The formula is not as good because it doesn't just glide on the lips with one swipe, you have to build it up to fill the top and bottom lips and for the full color to show up as well. It is because of the cream texture and not so much of a liquid form. 

You can find them on Nyx's website www.nyxcosmetics.com, at Ulta, Target, and Nordstrom Rack. It's $5.99 each for 0.23 oz at Ulta, but I usually wait for their Buy One Get One 50% off with the bi-weekly coupon which is usually $3.50 off $10 or more purchase on drugstore products and sometimes 20% one item or on your entire purchase. Ulta will send the coupon in the mail if you are signed up for their Ultimate Rewards Card, which is cool because if you get certain amount of points it's going to be dollars off on any purchase.

I am excited to try Nyx's new Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks that actually released today! I got 5 out of 12 shades. I will of course do swatches and a review in the near future once I get to try them out.

If you use the code welcome25 on www.nyxcosmetics.com you will get bucks off your purchase.

Next Blog Post: Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale July 2015

MAC Limited Edition Haul with Swatches July 2015

MAC Whirl Lipstick (matte) $16

dirty rose

MAC Persistence Lipstick (matte) $16

peachy cinnamon 

MAC Stone Lipstick (matte) $16

muted grey-ish taupe brown

MAC Fix Plus in Yuzu $22 (left) MAC Fix Plus in Coconut $22 (right)

Both of them smell really good. I was so surprised on how great fix plus is! I love them more than my  Urban Decay Deslick and All Nighter which I have been repurchasing, but I have a new found love that works better now. I love it even better that it's scented and love the way it smells. MAC Fix Plus keeps me matte literally all day and I get an oily T-zone midday but Fix Plus made sure I wasn't oily and that my face still look great until I want to take my makeup off. 

**All of these products are limited edition/while supplies last and I did get backups

Next Blog Post: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Swatches

Morning Skincare Regimen

Philosophy Purity Simple Face Wash with Boscia Black Konjac Sponge

I have to admit I sometimes don't have time to wash my face every morning, but when I do I use the Philosophy Purity Simple Face Wash with my Boscia Konjac Sponge. You can also use this during the night, because it's a great makeup remover and it doesn't irritate the eyes. Purity is really gentle to use day and night for daily use. I love using the Boscia Konjac Sponge because it makes it a lot easier to lather the product on my face and it makes the process faster and it scrubs my face gently. Boscia has different types of Konjac Sponge depending on your skin type/concern.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir (optional)

I only apply this when my skin feels sensitive/irritated and if I am breaking out. This Beauty Elixir Mist from Boscia has a really soothing smell. It is part toner and part serum with essential oils and plant active ingredients. You can also use this mist as a makeup setting spray.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Face Mist (optional)

I am in love with this mist! This has helped a lot especially when I wake up at 3:30 am to go to work. The citrus smell instantly wakes you up. You can also apply this after your makeup to set it.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum  Vitamin C Collagen Booster/Dior One Essential Serum/

I already finished my Ole (Oohlah) Henriksen Truth Serum and I love the smell and my complexion has improved. It has antioxidants that fight free-radicals and contains vitamin C which is known to brighten, tighten, and lighten. It's lightweight and you only need one pump for the whole face.

I am currently using the Dior One Essential Serum so far so good. This product gives me a soft glowing skin. It is also really hydrating. It's really pricey but you can grab a sample at Sephora and try it out yourself. It is always a good idea to start using skincare during the early 20s before you even get fine lines and wrinkles. You get what you pay for especially for skincare, it is pricey but your skin will forever thank you for it, and a little goes a long way. If you have a great base you won't need to hide anything and you will feel more confident with your bare skin.

The Body Shop Mattifying Seaweed Face Cream/ The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

The Body Shop Mattifying Seaweed Face Cream is really great for oily/combo skin. It helps hydrate and mattify the face especially during summer time. This is a must-have for me and it has a been repurchased over and over because I haven't found another moisturizer that hydrates and mattifies at the same time.

I love this Body Shop Moisturizer because it is really hydrating and lightweight. I use this all year long. Vitamin E is known to be really hydrating and avoid dryness, can also apply after makeup, and is good for all skin types without clogging the pores.

Clnique All About Eyes Eye Cream

I love this product mainly because it is really lightweight and hydrating, great for people with dry under eyes and also for all skin types. It also minimizes dark circles and depuffs.

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream

I love this eye cream because it instantly makes my under eye more awake. This product contains mica powder that reflects light and brightens out the under eye area, depuffs the eyes for all skin types. 

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm

This is my main eye cream and I put either the Clinique All About Eyes or the Ginzing Eye Cream on top. This product contains Alguronic Acid known for anti aging benefits. Algenist is based in San Francisco, California and uses micro algae. I use this both day and night.

Once a Week...

Boscia Black Charcoal Clariffying Mask or The Body Shop Seaweed Exfoliator

This product is a mask that you lather evenly on the skin and let dry to peel off. After I remove the mask off my face my skin feels super silky smooth and it unclogged my pores. This product contains clay that deep cleans and removes dirt and oil. Also contains antioxidants to protect skin from free radicals and shrink pores, firm skin, and reduces inflammation.

I love using this once or twice a week to peel off any dead skin cells and to remove oil and any gunk that is clogging my pores. The beads are not abrasive against the skin,

this is also a repurchase for me. I have never experienced any irritation or breaking out.

or

Philosophy Simple Face Wash with Clarisonic Mia 2

I love this combination because it is gentle and you can actually use this everyday without your skin feeling irritated. It only takes a minute and my face feels so smooth like a baby's bottom and it deep cleans your face. You only have to charge your Clarisonic 2-3 times a year, water resistant, and you can change the brush heads every 3 months if used daily, you can replace every 4-6 months if you don't use it as frequently. You can customize your brush head depending on your skin type and concerns, and also if you have sensitive skin.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Biore Strips works well and this has been a repurchase. I mainly use it on my nose for black heads. It is pretty great for it's price and if you don't want to get a facial. You can also use it on the forehead and chin area, you'd be surprise of the clogged pores and how this product does an amazing job.

Next Blog Post: MAC Limited Edition Haul July 2015

Becca x Jaclyn Hill: Champagne Pop

This collaboration between Becca and Jaclyn Hill for the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed-

Champagne Pop is limited edition. It is now available online on Sephora's website for $38 (8g).

Gold shade with pinky peach undertones

Champagne Pop is a limited edition highlighter and looks more on the natural side because of the peach and the gold tones. You can build up the intensity and shows more on flash photography.

Release date for Sephora stores is on July 16th, but you can ask if they have it in the back and if they can sell it.

Tarte Tarteist Eyeliner Swatch/Thoughts

$24 for 0.21 oz at Sephora

Thoughts

    I really wanted to fall in love with this eyeliner because it was so unique. It's a mix between a gel eyeliner and a liquid eyeliner. The eyeliner is pitch black and is really pigmented. I thought it was waterproof because, I swatched it on my hand and washed it throughout the day, it would still be there, at least some of it. I don't have oily lids but I noticed it was always creasing every time I used it. It creased on my bottom lash line. I also tried this out when I went to the gym to see how it would work. I didn't apply any eyeshadow but I did apply Urban Decay's eye primer in "Enigma", which I love. I just wanted to be safe just because I know I would be sweating a little bit because I don't sweat a lot in general. 

     Unfortunately, this product didn't workout for me and I had to bring it back. I fell in love with the brush it came with because it was slim and it was easy to put on the brush. I didn't have a problem with how the brush applied the product on my eyes, I didn't have to tug and pull. The formula of the eyeliner was actually great. I noticed that my eyeliner was more on point every time I applied this product first and put NYC Liquid Eyeliner over it. 

    As of right now the one and only eyeliner I use and love, and is my number one eyeliner is the NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black. I don't have a hard time applying my eyeliner it's precise and doesn't crease but there are days that I struggle. I am willing to try more eyeliners gel, liquid, or pen but my favorite is liquid because it just works for me. 

Next Blog Post: Morning Skincare Regimen

My Favorite Guilt-Free Snacks

***I am not a professional nutritionist or a professional coach/trainer. Everything that I say is all from my own experience with trial and error. I'm just sharing my fitness journey with you all. I am also not sponsored by any company, just my own thoughts and opinions.

For now I am only tracking my calories which is set to 1,600 a day and I'm also looking out for my protein for the day. I aim to be at 60g-100g of protein for non-workout days. I aim to be at 130g protein for workout days which are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

I am an ectomorph meaning I have a thin body build and it's hard for me to get fat and most of the time eat whatever I can/want type but doesn't mean I do. So you and I can have different body type and different needs for macros and caloric intake.

It is pretty challenging at first and was actually pretty shocking how much calorie intake you eat when you are tracking. I use MyPlate app to track which is a Livestrong app. I also go to www.myfitnesspal.com when I can't find something, especially when it's filipino food. It was also challenging to make sure I track everything because there were times that I forgot and I was inconsistent with tracking and was off an on at it. 

I am more serious now than ever, so I don't have a problem forgetting about it. If you are new just try it out, don't feel that bad for your first week if you do go over your daily caloric intake, next thing you know you will be disappointed at yourself for going over, and maybe failing your sets at the gym because you didn't get much protein and ate a lot of junk, etc. 

I don't measure or weigh my food or anything. I kind of just eyeball my rice, and I don't finish my rice anyway.

If it's packaged then it's very accurate especially because you can scan the barcode in the back of the wrappers and it will input the right information for you. 

If it's from a restaurant or something and if I for example ate Chicken Katsu I just look up Chicken Katsu and look at the most accurate measurements that looks right to me. If I don't finish my food and I ate only half of it I change the serving size. 

Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Heavenly Crisp (6 bars in a box)

Serving Size 1 bar 

-110 Calories per bar

-Carbs 14g

-Fat 6g

-Protein 1g

-Fiber 1g

*I get this at Target or Walmart but I usually get it from Target because if I buy multiple ones a print out coupon is usually given to me $2 off if you buy 2 boxes or 3 boxes. They are sometimes on sale 2 for $4. Other than the Skinny Cow Ice Cream this is my ultimate favorite chocolate bar!

https://www.skinnycow.com

Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle Candy Bar (6 bars in a box)

Serving size 1 bar

-130 calories per bar

-Carbs 12g

-Fat 8g

-Protein 1g

-Fiber 0g

*I get this at Target or Walmart but also buy this most of the time at Target because of the coupon they give at the register if you buy multiple ones.

 https://www.skinnycow.com

Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream Bar (6 bars in a box)

Serving size 1 bar

-100 Calories per bar

-Carbs 19g

-Fat 2.5g

-Fiber 3g

*I get this usually from Target and I see select ones at Walmart. I love their ice cream and I am looking forward to grocery shopping this week to try more flavors!

Kellogg's Special K Chocolatey Pretzel Cereal Bars

Serving size 1 bar

-90 calories per bar

-Carbs 16g

-Fat 2g

-Protein less than 1g

I get this from Walmart or Target, they also give coupons sometimes at Target during checkout.

**Everything that I mentioned so far are just snacks or if I'm craving something sweet or if I'm just a little bit hungry. As you can tell they don't have a lot of protein, but they are for my cravings or something to snack on. I love all of them because they taste really good but it won't really hurt my calorie intake for the day, so I can probably afford to eat 3 of them a day if I wanted to.

My Quest items are for when I am saving my calories for maybe a dinner out and I only want to get minimal calories from it, but pretty decent amount of protein to fill me up for a while. These are also great pre workout snacks or post workout snacks. I do love getting protein before and after the gym just to make sure I can lift heavier, and after to supplement my muscles that torn up from the workout.

Quest Bar Protein Bar Chocolate Brownie 

Serving size 1 bar

-Calories 170 per bar

-Carbs 24g

-Fat 6g

-Protein 20g

-Fiber 19g

http://www.questnutrition.com/protein-bars/

Also another favorite flavor from Quest Bar is Cookies and Cream!

Quest Bar Protein Chips in BBQ (Cheddar and Sour Cream is also a fave flavor!)

Serving size 1 bag

-Calories 120 per serving

-Carbs 5g

-Fat 2g

-Protein 21g

http://www.questnutrition.com/quest-chips/

*I get Quest Products online on their website because they sell in bundle $2.39 each for the protein bars but if you get them in a bundle with 12 bars it's $33.48 but is on sale for $24.99. Protein Chips are $2.39 per bag or $16.75 for a box of 8 chips. Body Building dot com also sells Quest products now.
If you don't want to order online and if you just want to try one out and not worry about shipping etc. I would get them at your local gym, local protein store or nutrition store, or at GNC.

Quest is based in Los Angles, they do ship all over the U.S. and they also ship internationally.

Quest also sells Protein Powders and Pasta. I really want to try their protein powders. I still have an Isopure Chocolate Protein Shake that I need to finish. I did finish an Isopure Banana Protein Shake which I got from www.bodybulding.com  so far that is my favorite protein shake.

*Cool thing about Quest is they give you recipes on their website on how to make your protein bar into a brownie, etc. and protein chips can also be used as bread crumbs for your chicken breast, etc.

Next Fitness Post: My Favorite Guilt-Free Drinks and Protein Shake