My 1st Homemade Herbal Extract

I have been thinking of purchasing licorice extract ever since I started making my own skin care. While I was researching for a supplier, I found a great article on mountainroseherbs.com about making your own herbal extract. Only 2 ingredients needed : fresh/dried herbs and alcohol, seems so easy that I couldn't resist to make my own.

Ingredients:

1. Dried Licorice ...... 15g (got it from a Chinese herbal store)

2. Vodka ........ 100ml

Directions:

1. Wet a paper towel with distilled water to wipe the dried licorice.

2. Put the ingredients into a glass jar and close the lid tightly.

3. Place it in a dark place and allow the herbs to soak for 4-6 weeks.

甘草萃取液 - 殺菌、消炎、增強肌膚免疫力, 舒緩敏感肌膚, 抗氧化、抑制酪胺酸脢作用，減少黑色素形成

Licorice Extract is effective for skin lightening. It also has properties including anti-inflammation and antioxidation.

More information:

http://sadatan.com/products/pdf/Depigmentation%20Complex.pdf

http://blog.pharmacymix.com/licorice-%E2%80%93-an-active-ingredient-that-can-lighten-skin

Great Deal on MAC

Let's check out my recent deal on MAC and see how much I've saved.

Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Earthly Riches - US$11.75 (Orig. US$19 / CDN$23) 38% off
Shade description: Deep plum and dirty deep grey with pink veining (Frost)

Fluidline in Silverstroke - US$10.5 (Orig. US$15 / CDN$18) 30% off

Got these 2 from the CCS at Brich Run Prime Outlets on the way to visit my aunt in Michigan.

Eye Shadow/Pro Palette Refill Pan in Club CDN$7.8 (Orig. CDN$13) 40% off
Shade description: Muted reddish brown duochrome with green opalescent shimmer (Satin)

224 Tapered Blending Brush CDN$20.1 (Orig. CDN$33.5) 40% off

Pigment in Vintage Gold CDN$14.1 (Orig. CDN$23.5) 40% off

One of my colleague from my last job is a MAC freelance makeup artist and she gets 40% off as staff discount. So nice of her to get me a few items~ 40% off baby.

~*Club (can u see the green shimmers?)

Pigment in Sweet Sienna US$13.75 (Orig. US$19.5 / CDN$23.5) 29% off

Also from the CCS, got it from Fashion Outlets Mall at Niagara Falls this time.

Total Saving: US$17.5 + CDN$28
* Enough to buy 2 more pigments from MAC

Here are a few ways to pay less for MAC:

1. The Cosmetic Company Store/ Cosmetics Company Outlet

Always check out CCS/CCO when you're in the state. They have brands such as MAC, Bobbie Brown, Clinique, Origins etc for a discounted price. You can find mall locations for the CCS at mallseeker.com.

2. MAC Pro Membership Program

MAC PRO Membership Program is a paid for membership program open to makeup professionals.

How to enroll?
- fill out the M·A·C PRO Membership application
- provide proper professional documentation (such as business card) and a copy of photo identification
- pay a annual membership fee US$35/CDN$45

Discount :
Makeup Artist - 40%
Aestheticians, Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Fashion Stylists, Nail Technicians, Costume Designers, Models, On-Air Talent/Performers, and Photographers - 30%

3. MAC Pro Student Program

M·A·C PRO Student Program is open to individuals attending a school or institution of makeup artistry or the performing arts.

How to enroll?
- fill out the M·A·C PRO Student Membership application
- provide proof of enrollment in approved school
- pay a semiannual membership fee US$10/CDN$10 (*I don't remember paying $10 for the membership when I was a makeup student, but that was some years ago)

Discount : 20%

~*Swatches

~*Altogether

Have fun saving~

Daiso Eyeshadow Palette

Look familiar? Integrate?

Oh well~ you got me, it's a dupe. Don't you think it looks exactly like Integrate e/s palette in RD751(耀眼深邃眼影盒)? I was actually looking for the Integrate one when I was in HK last year, couldn't find it anywhere. Just when I was about to give up, I saw this dupe at Jusco $10 store. Yes, it's HK$10 only (around CDN$1.5)! An amazing deal for a good quality palette~



Name : Layered Eyeshadow
Palette code : C
Brand : Daiso (大創)
Net Weight : 7g
COO : Made in China
Color : White / Soft Pink / Rose Pink / Dark Burgundy (all w. shimmers)

Comes with an instruction for a gradation look.

~*Swatches

Packaging : ♥♥♥ (3/5)
Plastic case w. a double-sided sponge applicator and a small mirror inside.

Pigmentation : ♥♥♥ (3/5)
All 4 colours go on a bit sheer but can be layered to build up pigmentation. I actually like it sheer since pink could be hard to handle.

Finish : ♥♥♥♥ (4/5)
Shimmery. Very fine shimmers, not chunky at all.

Texture : ♥♥♥♥ (4/5)
It's smooth, easy to glide on skin and blend well.

Value for money : ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)
HK$10 for a palette with great colors, can't really ask for more.

Overall Rating: 3.8/5

Shiseido Warehouse

After waiting for 5 months, it's finally time for the Shiseido warehouse (Apr 18, 09). My lovely friend Brilli started lining up at around 6:30am, Amy and I joined her after getting breakfast at McDonald's. We actually waited for 2hrs and 45mins to get in, but it didn't feel like that long with all the chitchats.

I decided to focus on makeup this time (mainly NARS because it's much cheaper!!!) and set my budget to $100 (kind of a challenge for me). At last........I only spent $96.xx including tax with 8 NARS products~

I got a duo e/s in Bohemian Gold (metallic taupe/ iridescent copper) and a set of lip gloss + nail polish in Orgasm for my friends in HK. I really like both of them but I do have e/s that look similar to the Bohemian Gold. I got the set thinking whether I should keep it for myself or give it to my friend as a gift. Just as I decided to grab 1 more (about 10 mins later), they were all gone, the whole pile vanished. I should have known, after all it's the famous Orgasm color.

I did manage to get myself 5 NARS duo e/s and a blush.

1. Belly Dance (metallic jade/ deep aubergine)

2. Star Sailor (heather gold/ antique bronze)

3. Divine (shocking pink/ chocolate)

4. Stage Beauty (sheer copper / glistening gold)

5. Pandora (matte black / white shimmer)

6. Sertao (glistening tawny gold)

~*Swatches on paper towel

~*Swatches on skin

Took 2 pictures of each set with different white balance (Left : Daylight / Right : Auto).

~*Altogether

I was hoping to get a few more colors of Shiseido The Makeup hydro-powder e/s, JPG concealer and CDP foundation, but they didn't have those this time. As always, I regret for not getting more NARS. guess I will have to wait for the next Shiseido warehouse sale, looking forward to it~

Green Cream

I'm learning and trying to go green with my skin care and I've started making my own a few months ago. My 1st creation was a Vit. C whitening serum, followed by two different moisturizers. All three recipes are from a book named For Natural Skincare II written by Niuer (牛爾老師). Niuer is a skin care expert and he is very famous in Taiwan. A great book to have if you're into DIY skin care.

Olive Moisturizer~*

The olive moisturizer was my first attempt on cream-making and I'm very happy with the outcome. The finishing product is light green in color. It's not creamy at all, very light in texture and easy to absorb into skin. Since I've used EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), I thought it'd be heavier/oilier. But it turned out to be a perfect light hydrating moisturizer for summer.

Ingredients: Distilled water, EVOO, Glycerin, Creagel, Lavender essential oil, Preservative

Green Tea Antioxidant Cream~*

After the success of my 1st cream, I've decided to make a batch of green tea antioxidant cream. Ingredients are basically the same as the olive moisturizer with an addition of japanese green tea powder (Matcha). The texture is similar to the olive one, dark green in color and also easy to absorb. I didn't add any essential oil since It has a nice green tea scent. However, I think it's a bit heavier on my skin compare to the olive one. It actually took a longer time to emulsify too. I used a different brand of EVOO, I wonder would that be the cause or it's just the green tea.

Ingredients: Distilled water, EVOO, Glycerin, Green tea powder, Creagel, Preservative

I'll be making red wine hydrating gel mask next~

50 Ways to Help the Planet

Going green is not as hard as you think, here is a great site with 50 simple ways to help our lovely planet.

Love your planet, act now.

Lush Shampoo Bar - Squeaky Green

Don't you think it's overwhelming just by walking near a Lush store? (or is it just me?) I have walked into the store many times with a strong will to purchase, touching and sniffing products until my nose stops working or a headache kicks in (which usually takes only 15 to 20 mins). I just couldn't make up my mind in the store with hundreds of choices combined with the mighty "Lush" scent. So why I have a piece of Lush shampoo bar sitting on my polka dot cushion!? The truth is...............my lovely friend Clara got that for me as a little X'mas gift last year and thanks to her, I finally have a chance to try something from Lush.

So what do I think of the Squeaky Green (my 1st Lush product ever)??? I love it, absolutely love it! First of all, I love the idea of a solid shampoo. It's easy to use, lathers well and it's environmental-friendly without using a plastic bottle.

Second of all, Squeaky Green is vegan and SLS-free (used SCS instead). Packed with rosemary, tea tree and peppermint which are all wonderful for hair and scalp. I have long straight fine hair (not too oily, not too dry) and I have been using it every other day for about 3 months (I don't use the same shampoo everyday, usually have at least 2 to rotate). It gives my hair and scalp a clean feel and leaves my hair with a refreshing herbal scent.

However, it's a bit drying for my hair which is not a big problem with the help of a conditioner. It will go squidgy if stored improperly. I suggest a well-designed soap dish or put it back in the Lush tin when it's dried. The price is $7.95 for 55g which I think is reasonable considering It does last for ages. I have been using it for 3 months which is approximately 45 washes (every other day, remember?) and I still have more than half of it left. I'm 100% satisfied with this good quality shampoo bar.


Squeaky Green Ingredients:

Black = Safe Synthetic

Green = Natural and/or Organic

Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Perfume, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Nettle (Urtica Dioica), Water (Aqua), Tea Tree Powder (Melaleuca Alternifolia), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Chamomile Blue Oil (Matricaria Chamomilla), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Limonene, *Linalool, Hydroxycitronellol, Chlorophyllin.

*Naturally occurs in essential oils