10 Beauty Facts

I got 10 Beauty Facts tag by Kasia

1. I just started using makeup when i'm in college. Yeah i know, it's so late :D
2. One of the first cosmetic brand that i used is Maybelline. I used their foundation, lipstick, mascara etc.
3. I can't go out without concealer and sunscreen. i feel naked without them.
4. When I was a teenager, my mother told us (me and my sisters) to use Hazeline. and i think that is why my skin had became so oily and acne prone. How i wish i could turn back the time.
5. I wear natural colors most of the time. i think it's time for me to try other colors.
6. I've never tried any liquid foundation. I started with compact powder and now get hooked on BB Cream.
7. Lip balm is a must for me cause my lips are always get chapped.
8. As I love green tea so much, i can't resist any product that has tea in it. LOL, i know it's weird.
9. I have a thing with eyeliners, i just can't get enough of them.
10. Probably most of you know that I swear by Aspirin mask. i'm keeping a twice a week routine for it.

That's really hard to list 10 'beauty' facts. I spent almost 1 hour for just thinking about it! Anyway, thank to Kasia for tagging me :)

Well, another food porn by me. Few days ago i went to my favorite Japanese restaurant, it really is my favorite! enjoy :D

Seafood Bar

Salmon Teriyaki Roll, i forgot to take pic of the whole roll. And this was the last piece :D

Soft Shell Crab, love!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is almost over here. And there's nothing special that i did for this Christmas, just went to a mall with friends for taking pictures. Yeah, i know it's very lame. But if you live in Jakarta you will understand :D.

I want to share one of my favorite Christmas song of all time with all of you :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Quick Post: Update on Aspirin Mask

This is a quick post for an update on my Aspirin Mask. As Kasia, Dee and Manju suggested, i tried to mix the Aspirin with plain yogurt. you can read more alternative which Dee have posted here. At my first attempt of doing it, i added to much yogurt. i almost wanted to eat it for not wasting it. LOL, of course i didn't :D. i said i didn't like the smell of the Aspirin at all, but by adding yogurt, it totally changes my mind. i like yogurt so much and i like the smell so much too. Here's how it looks like after mixing the Aspirin with yogurt, it's my second attempt. i used 3 tablets of Aspirin and it's more than enough for the whole face.

it didn't flake off at all, and stay perfectly still on my face. it dried up pretty quick too, for just a few minutes i think. and after rinsing, my face feels so much softer. i can say i'm addicted to it now. Thanks to Kasia, Dee and Manju for the tips! :)

Tomorrow is already Christmas Eve. I can't believe how time flies so quickly... anyways, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone! :)

Swap & Secret Santa's Packages

Swap with Nicola

Nic and me decided to do a swap months ago. when i said i wanted to let go my Peach Sake Pore Serum on one of my post, Nic told me she's interested with it and asked me to tell her if i decided to sell it or swap it. so, as you all know i decided the latter one :). I've got her package since last month but she just got mine today. i was waiting her to receive the package before posting this. So, here you go!

These are what i asked for:

Ecotools Brush Set, Urban Decay Trifecta, Smashbox Lip Gloss, Anna Sui Liquid Eyeliner and Smashbox Lipstick.

and the extras she gave me!

isn't the pouch cute? and the scented pen too! :D

i really love everything i got from her. the UD eyeliner, Smasbox Lipstick, Wet n Wild Blush etc. i use them most of the time when i go out now. Thank you so much Nic! it's a pleasure to do my first swap with one of my favorite blogger, ever! :)

Swap with Karen (Sizbelle)

i told Karen i was interested with some of BeautyMaker stuffs when she said she could easily get them. and remember that my sister went to HK? i asked Karen what stuffs are the must-buy in HK as she just went there not long ago too. She helped me a lot with the list and she also asked if she could tag along with a few stuffs she forgot to get in HK. of course i said Yes! so i suggested to do a swap instead.

what i asked for:

BeautyMaker Deep Cleansing Gel, BeautyMaker BB Mineral Concealing Cream, BeautyMaker Love Pu Pu Cheek, Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes.

and the extras!

i just love every single one of the stuffs from her. and she's really sweet to add some notes for all the stuffs she included. Thanks Karen :)

Swap with Onic

Onic was supposed to join our blogger meetup (me and Verina). as we already decided to swap on the meetup, she sent it through mail instead. Thanks Onic!

love her sweet note! she's really creative. and how do you know i want to try new BB Cream, Onic? :)

Secret Santa

i joined a Secret Santa that was hosted by Kay of Bihadadiaries. and my Secret Santa is Eve! She sent me some goodies from UK that i will never find in Indonesia.

i officially got my first Barry M now! haha... Thank you so much for being my Secret Santa, Eve! :)

wow, i just realized i got so many loves from all over the world! USA, UK, Singapore and Indonesia. seriously, you all bloggers are spoiling me with all the goodies. my makeup collection is suddenly growing so much. i'm wondering when will i get to use them up :D

Aspirin Mask

I've been breaking out real bad since last month. I've finished my favorite The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil and it's out of stock everywhere at here. i was so desperate. I've tried so many ways from not using any product to trying a lot of acne products, nothing works. and finally last week i remembered that I've read from a local beauty forum that Aspirin works wonder on acne. i quickly browsed the forum again and decided to try it. from the forum i also saw that Michelle Phan has a more detailed review and tutorial for Aspirin mask (check it here).

i only used 2 tablets of Aspirin as i want to concentrate more on my acne area. and i didn't add honey cause i heard that adding honey is more for dry skin and the Aspirin is kinda drying. i think my skin is oily enough for it.

add a few drops of water

and wait till it dissolves

the texture of this Aspirin mask reminds me of Skin Food Rice Mask but rougher. i apply it on my clean face and leave it for 10-20 minutes. it dries quickly and can be a bit messy cause it will drop (or fall?) when it dries.

I've used it for three times now (two or three times a week), and i can say it really works wonder! my acne is a lot lesser after using this in just few days. I'll keep using it to see a better result. i bought the Aspirin tablets from a local drugstore, and it's really cheap! how great it is!

*edit*
i forgot to mention that the only thing that i don't like from this Aspirin mask is the smell. it has a strong drug (i think?) scent, but i still can endure it during the masking. (Thanks to *~kAy~* for reminding me :) )

note that even though it works for me, it doesn't mean that it works for everyone. try it at your own risk. and if your skin is sensitive, you probably should consult to your dermatologist before trying this.

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone had a great weekend and have a great week ahead :)

Dim Sum Buffet

I've been craving for Dim Sum in weeks, finally today me and my bf went to a Chinese restaurant to have All-You-Can-Eat Dim Sum. I feel content cause my craving fulfilled now :)
We had 15 portions of Dim Sum in two hours. we wanted to have 20 but were already too full. our record is 16 though, still need to break the record another time. haha...
I tried to take all the pictures before eating them. so here you goes! *don't drool* :D

*Warning: Heavy Pictures*

Have a great day everyone! :)

Holiday Wish List

http://www.polyvore.com/holiday_beauty_wishlist/set?id=13867791

Urban Decay Book of Shadow Vol.II
MUFE HD Microperfecting Primer
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash
MUFE Aqua Eyes Collector Set
NARS Blush Duo Orgasm/Laguna
Shiseido Eyelash Curler
MAC Fix+

I was trying Polyvore few days ago and came up with this Holiday wish list. It was really fun. But I don't think I'll be able to get them all, in fact probably just 1 or 2 from the list :D *finger crossed*

What's on your Holiday/Christmas wish list?

Review: Etude House Lip & Eye Remover

Description (from http://www.etudehouse.com/eng/main.jsp):
Specially pH balanced formula
Excellent at removing long lasting makeup
Oil & alcohol free

Concept: Lip & Eye Makeup Removal in One Quick & Easy Step

My thought:
i've been using this to remove my eyes and lips makeup all the while. of course we have to shake it first before using it. and i think it's pretty good on removing waterproof mascara but not so much on waterproof eyeliner. i have to rub a few times till all the makeups removed. as it claims, it's not oily and doesn't sting at all unlike my previous eye makeup remover. and what i like about this product is the light scent it has. overall, this is a quite good product.

Rating: 3.5/5
Repurchase: Yes, till i've found a better remover

Meet Up with Verina

two days ago i had a meet up with Verina, she's really cute in person! :D Verina is going to study at Singapore this month so before she's leaving, we decided to do a meet up. actually Onic was going to join us too but her mother wasn't feeling well and she had to take care of her. i'm sure we're going to meet another time, Onic :)

on that day, we had lunch at American Grill and yeah, like what Verina had said, we didn't take picture of the foods till she realized it but at that time we'd almost finished it LOL.

we talked a lot and shopped around, well, i was being good that day for not buying anything. because it was end of the month and i have to wait until next month, which is this month to buy anything. i have listed a few stuffs to buy for this holiday month and i can't wait for it! :D

we had onion ring and mashed potato at Popeyes for dinner (i think?). Verina said the mashed potato looked like a poop, LOL. but it tasted really good. we were talking and talking till we realized it was really late and decided to go home. we hanged out for 8 hour! i didn't expect it would be that long but it was really fun. thanks for the day, Verina! :)

some goodies from her:

a very cute pouch and a charm with my initial (how thoughtful she is!), a pair of earrings and Etude Dear Darling Tint

Thanks for reading! :)

Jill Stuart's Reviews and Swatches

i decided to 'play' with my new JS makeup this morning and i fall deeper in love with them :D

first, the Mix Blush Compact in 03 Coral Glow. i've numbered the color cause it seems that JS doesn't have names for them invidually.

okay, i'm officially suck at doing swatch but i'm trying right? the picture doesn't show the color well, it's far more obvious in real life.

color #1 isn't quite pigmented on my skin, but i think it would be great for highlighting and of course as soft pink blusher for fair skin.
#2, #3 and #4 are quite pigmented but i love #2 the most cause i like peach color. As the #3 is more to orange. of course love #4 too, who doesn't love pink blusher right?
overall, i'm really glad i've chosen this color. i'm in love with it, yeah i totally am.

Rating: 5/5 (that is how much i love it :D)

Illuminance Eyes in 01 Jewel Dress

i was debating with myself to get the Illuminance Eyes in 01 Jewel Dress, 02 Fantastic Light or 03 Brocade Gold. But decided to get this one as i love to have a purple and pink eye shadow.
but after i've got it i just saw that it looks nothing near purple (#1). well, maybe a little bit but i was fooled by the color on the website. this is a risk to buy when you didn't see the real one though. here is the color on Jill Stuart's website:

picture from http://www.jillstuart-beauty.com/

but glad to have the rest of the colors though. they are all very shimmery and for me it will be over the top to wear it on day but will be great for night.

Rating: 3/5 (don't trust the color on the website)

Jelly Eye N Color in 10 Vintage Deco

when i first touch it, i was really surprised that the texture does feel like jelly. i thought that Jelly Eye is just a name for it. and as so many people have said, you just have to dap a little and the color will payoff. it's really shimmery and pigmented.

Rating: 4/5 (too shimmery for me)

And a few days ago i received a love package from Julie of Pop Champagne, i won her giveaway few weeks ago. She's really a sweetheart and i totally love her blog. it's always great to catch up juicy gossips from her :D. go check out her blog if you haven't!

the love package and the sweet note

GS&P necklace and hairclips, elf Liquid Eyeshadow, elf Lip color trio and sweets! of course those sweets are long gone by now :p

i really love her necklace. the picture doesn't do justice at all, it's far more beautiful in real life.

That's it for this post. Have a nice day to you all! :)

Thanks & Jill Stuart Haul

Please enter my giveaway if you haven't! Check my sidebar :)

I'm really touched by all the responses on my giveaway. i've got more than 100 entries now (of course including the extra entries :D)! you guys have really made my day :). i was surprised too when most of you commented about my layout. it makes me feel really glad that i'd chosen this layout and most likely i'll keep this layout longer or even forever! FYI, i didn't design this layout by myself. i got this from a free blog template website, you can check them out at the bottom of this page :)

some of you also said my font color is not easy to read, i'll take your advice and want to change it to a better one but i don't know what color will suit this layout and more visible or easier to read. which one do you think? (or other color? just tell me)

1. this?
2. this?
3. this?
4. this?

5. this?

*edit*

as most of you voted #2, i've changed it to the color and changed the font type too. i think it'll be easier to read now :) Thanks for voting!

i've stated to leave just one comment on the giveaway post, for those multiple comments i've deleted them but i still count the extra entries so don't worry :)

also for not entry related comment, please don't leave the comment on the giveaway post. just cbox me, i always check them and will reply.

i'll try my best to make my blog better, so if there's any comment or advice for me just shoot it out :D

now for the Jill Stuart haul :D. you guys must be wondering where did i got my JS stuffs. well, two weeks ago my sister went to hongkong and of course i won't let her go without buying stuffs for me :D.

wanna see what's inside it?

Ta da...

it's not much and i'm still lemming for their other products. my fund is kinda limited, that's why... but i will get them next time :D

Mix Blush Compact - 03 Coral Glow


Illuminance Eyes - 01 Jewel Dress


Jelly Eye Color N - 10 Vintage Deco

it was so hard to choose when i didn't see the real one by myself. but luckily i choose these and i don't regret it. they are all really pretty and nice scented. the eye palette and jelly eye are very sparkly. i'm not a fan of sparkly stuffs but i love them! i couldn't stop staring these :D i know i sound weird...

so sorry i didn't swatch them, i can't bear to ruin their prettiness yet...

100th Follower Giveaway!!!

----CLOSED----

Hi gals! Thank you so much for reading and following my blog, i didn't expect i will have so much followers (for me it is!), esp. 100! as i've said, i'm going to do a giveaway as a thank you for being awesome! :) it's not much i know, but who doesn't love giveaway, right? :D

The prizes:
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
Dior J'adore Beautifying Body Milk
Dior Addict High Shine Lipstik (travel size)
Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour (travel size)
Clinique Cosmetic Pouch
Clinique Mascara + Lipgloss
Etude House Juicy Pop Tube
SK-II Journal Book
Taiwan Mask Sheets
Hello Kitty Wipes
Mirror
A few Samples
(All items are Brand New!)

Rules:
1. Must be a follower of this blog
2. Leave a comment with your Username (the name you use to follow me)

3. And tell me: What do you think of my blog? (please be honest, you will get more loves for being honest :D)

Extra entries:
1. Post this giveaway and the link on your blog, leave me a link (1 extra entry)
2. Follow me on twitter @DinaEstyXu and tweet about this giveaway including @DinaEstyXu, leave me a link to your tweet (1 extra entry)
3. For my first 100 followers, you earn 1 extra entry automaticly for being awesome! :D

Please leave just ONE COMMENT, i'll count the extra entries for you. Multiple comments will be deleted.

This giveaway opens for International readers and ends on December 31st, 2009. you have more than one month to enter this giveaway, so don't hesitate to enter!

Most Worn Things & Color Tags

I've just finished my one and only exam in this midterm today. Yay! But that joy isn't going to last longer cause i still have to worry about my thesis :( well, here are some tags to be done:

I got this 8 most worn things tag from Kasia and Amy

1. MOST WORN Lipstick/Lipgloss

(i usually don't wear lipgloss, so i just included lip balm at here, hope it's ok :D)
Burt's Bee Lip Balm & NYX Tinted Lip Spa

2. MOST WORN Earrings/Necklace
basically i wear these necklace and earrings almost everyday, the necklace is from my mom and the earrings are from my sisters

3. MOST WORN Shirt/Top
i wear t-shirts most of the times and always switching them. this one is one of my fave t-shirt that i bought in Taiwan (actually it's for my color tag too :p)

4. MOST WORN Nail Polish
Skin Food Nail Vita
i don't own much nail polishes and i use this one the most cause i like nude colors.

5. MOST WORN Shoes
i love this flat! it's so comfortable to wear.

6. MOST WORN Hair Product
this is one of my two hair products and i think i use this one more than the other one :D

7. MOST WORN Perfume
Estee Lauder Pure White Linen
love this scent very much!

8. MOST WORN Handbag
i love big bags so i can throw everything in them :D


Pink color tag by Zoe
1. Jill Stuart train case
2. Dariya fringe holder
3. Bonebell liplites - Strawberry Parfait
4. Jane blushing cheeks
5. my pink piggie
6. Estee Lauder perfume
7. my pink iPod!


Lavender/Purple color tag by Nicola
1. Skull T-shirt
2. Water bottle
3. Shower cap
4. Bear plushie from bf
5. iPod case
6. Chopstick
7. Clipper

i tag Gold color (not too difficult right? ;)) to:
onic
acutelife
Fifi
~tHiAmErE~
sizbelle
Kay
Ceecile ~Priscilla Clara~ ^^

btw, is it true that tonight (Nov 17th) is going to have meteor rain? i just saw the news. please tell me if you know :)

and it's going to be very exciting this week!
*hint: my sidebar :D*