24.5.11

So... I Cut My Hair on Saturday

It's actually a pretty simple story: my lil' sis was over, we played games all night, and at some point, I decided it was time for a haircut.  Fast forward to me showering and washing my hair, and then sitting down on a stool in the middle of my room. 

I handed over the hair cutting scissors and told ma sœur (my sister, that is) to "cut off whatever you feel like".  (I was feeling risky that night, I suppose.) Luckily, she's a pretty level-headed gal with a good eye for cutting hair, so I didn't lose too much off the ends.

Only 4 in. (10 cm.) or so.  :]

I'm keeping my hair natural now, so you can't really tell how much shorter it is, as the curls already make my hair look short. Haha. 


I'll eventually update with 'Before & After' pics the next time I can be bothered to straighten my hair. (It'll be a while, probably, as I usually leave my hair natural during spring and summer.)
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And I camwhored (as usual), so here're two extra pics of my tresses, post-haircut:

(The red dye faded, so my hair's just brown-ish now...)


(Oh! And I finally got my brows done again. :D )
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À bientôt~!

21.5.11

Review: Hyper/Super Pinky Violet

Okayyyy, so this review? Yeah. It is long overdue.Specifically, it's about lenses in one of my favourite colours: violet. My Hyper Pinky/Super Pinky Violet, to be precise, which I purchased from Honey Color. (That's correct: purchased. I do still buy lenses, you guys. Haha.)  

Spoiler alert: I LOVE THEM.



Enlargement: 9/10  These lenses are advertised as being 14.8 mm. However, they are made by Vassen, and to my knowledge, Vassen lenses are 14.5 mm.  In any case, they definitely enlarge quite a bit, but don't seem to give me 'bug eyes'. Haha.



Colour/Design: 9.5/10  So these were bought as a replacement of sorts for my G&G GBT Violets, as they were set to expire.  These definitely work in lieu of those lenses.  This violet is also a light, pastel shade and are just as opaque.  If you want to get nitpicky, you might say that these are a very tiny bit darker, but it's not something I really picked up upon when comparing the lenses. (The 'darkness' likely comes from the darker violet ring + 'spikes' going inward. You don't see these at all from a distance, though.)

(^ the left eye is in more "shadow ")


(flash)


- G&G GBT Violet vs. Hyper Pinky Violet -


- Hyper Pinky Violet vs. (EOS) Bubble (WM-101) Violet -


Comfort: 9/10  Generally, I find Vassen lenses to be comfy, and these are no exception. :]  The only thing is that when they do eventually dry out, they tend to dry out quickly, for me.  (That's why you don't wear them for more than 8 or so hours, at the most, though.)

(Outdoors on a cloudy day; you can tell by my hair that I was caught in a thunderstorm)

 (low light-- sun was going down)


So all in all, I bloody LOVE these lenses.  I've had several pairs of violet lenses over the years, and these are my favourite so far.  As picky as I am about this colour, the Hyper/Super Pinkys managed to please me. ♥ ♥

And here are the extra pics, as usual: One, Two, Three, and Four.
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You can watch the video review here on Youtube, or view it below.

18.5.11

Review: EOS Dollyeye (V-209LB) Green


Okayyy, so these Dollyeye Greens were a lens one of my YouTube subscribers asked me to review.  I've also always wondered exactly how bright these lenses are.  So thanks so much to Kiwiberry1's Collection for the sponsorship and the fast delivery, as usual.

♥- Don't forget to use the discount code, NOXIN, to get 15% off your purchase at Kiwiberry! <3 -♥



Colour/Design: 9/10 So yeah. These are vibrant. Not surprising for a lens from the Dollyeye series. Haha. But anyway, the green is actually somewhat difficult to describe. It is not a light green, but the lenses are so opaque and vibrant that the colour is visible in most any lighting. I'd say it's a medium green-- more yellow-green than blue-green-- that is very bright.





(flash)


- EOS Flower Green vs. EOS Dollyeye Green -

Enlargement: 7/10 These are 14.2 mm and not very enlarging at all (which I love~).


Comfort: 10/10 As with the rest of my EOS lenses, these are super comfy. (Although, for reference, compared to other EOS series, the lenses from the Dollyeye series seem to dry out faster. (My best guess is that it's the fault of the super opaque pigment and its massive area of coverage.)



Overall, this is a lens that I'm pretty much totally neutral on.  They're gorgeous, but I am neither enamoured with them or likely to toss 'em out any time soon.  *shrug*  I can certainly match them to a few outfits, so I'll definitely be wearing them in the future.  The vibrancy appeals to me, but green isn't a colour I often get excited about.

And here are the extra pics, as usual: One, Two, Three, and Four.
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You can watch the video review here on Youtube, or view it below.

14.5.11

EOS Flower Green Review: the Redux


Hello! So a very small number of you who have A.) gone back through my old posts, or B.) have been following me for that long, will remember that yes, I have already reviewed the EOS Flower Green.  (Over a year ago, I believe.)

However, when I was recently sponsored a pair by the lovely shop, Fobby Barbie (♥ three days for shipping ♥), I was put in the unique position of being able to try a lens a second time, with a year of new lens experiences to possibly change my opinion.  Read on to see what-- if anything- has changed~.



Enlargement: 7/10  This series is often listed as being 14.8 mm. (I'm pretty sure it's 14.2, though. Haha.) In any case, the enlargement effect is closer to a lens of a 14.5 mm DIA.


Colour/Design: 6.5/10  This shade of green is easiest described as a true green.  That is, it reminds me of a less neon-bright version of Crayola Green. I very much like the colour itself, but I am not so fond of the lack of coverage.  These lenses look like a very thin ring of green on my eyes. (Mind you, it is an elegant, petal-patterned ring of green, but I feel that it is hardly visible. :/ )



(flash)

- EOS Flower Green vs. EOS Dollyeye Green -

Comfort: 10/10  Comfort-wise. these are on par with all my other super-comfy EOS lenses~.



Sadly, I don't like these lenses any more than I did a year ago.  In fact, with all the great green lenses I have bought since I first had these, my opinion of the Flower Green may have even went slightly further downhill. >.>'  Oops. What's weird is that I still believe the EOS Flower series has one of the prettiest designs out of any circle lenses I've ever seen. They just don't have the sort of coverage (or colour) I favour.

And here are the extra pics, as usual: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven.
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You can watch the video review here on Youtube, or view it below.

Review: Neo Sunflower (Edge) Violet


Bonjour, mes amis! :)  Aujourd'hui, je v-  alright, alright. I'll continue en anglais. I just thought I'd sneak in a bit of practice with French grammar. Clearly, I am not very sneaky. Now, ON TO THE REVIEW~~~!
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These lenses were kindly sponsored by LoveShoppingholics. (And ohhh my gosh: they have amazing customer service. <3)  These Neo Sunflower (Edge) Violet came along with my Neo Dali Extra Blue, so I'm living in Neo lens heaven at this point. Haha.

(Don't laugh at me too hard, please. I'm 'experimenting' with makeup~)


Enlargement: 7/10  At 14.2 mm, this lens doesn't offer much enlargement. (Which I prefer in a lens. <3)



Colour/Design: 6.5/10  Okay, so colour-wise, these are definitely a blue-violet. And usually, I'm not too fond of those, but this particular shade is somehow appealing. (In fact, for some odd reason, I prefer this hue darker.)  Still, that doesn't mean I like dark colours.  (Even ones that show up as vibrant and pretty during daylight, like this.)



(flash)


(direct sunlight)


- Neo Dali Extra Blue vs. Neo Sunflower (Edge) Violet -


Comfort: 20/10 Neo is, like, twice as comfy for EOS to me-- which is pretty damned comfy, itself. Haha



Overall, this is a lens I can say I genuinely like in design and colour. (Hence my being excited to try the Sunflower Blue, next.)  The only issue is that I am rather picky when it comes to lens colour. Especially when it comes to violet, which is one of my favourite colours.  I really do feel awful that I can't bring myself to love the Sunflower Violets. :/  Meh.... c'est la vie, I suppose... 

And here are the extra pics, as usual: One, Two, and Three.
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You can watch the video review here on Youtube, or view it below.

9.5.11

Contests & Giveaways I ♥

((I... am a dunce.  I thought this had already been posted last week. But it turns out, I have not mastered that 'while-you're-away prewritten post' thing on Blogger. -_-' ))

So anyway, as you may or may not have noticed, I don't post about giveaways on my blog. Like, ever.  That's not because I hate them or anything, it's just that... I've never entered one before. Haha.  (I know, weird, right?)   

I'm not even sure why that is.  Maybe because I'm picky and not all prizes appeal to me? Meh. *shrug*   In any case, below are the very first giveaways and contests I'll (likely) be entering. :D  (Be sure to click and enter any that interest you, too! You never know when Lady Luck could decide you need some awesome new accessories~.)

*    *     *
(deadline is 22 May)

Just like the pic says, all you have to do is post a pic of yourself on her FaceBook page of you showcasing your style. C:  You can win by receiving the most 'likes' of your picture~.

Prizes
· 1st Place: A Free Outfit + A Pair Of Circle Lenses (of your choice)
· 2nd and 3rd Place: A Headpiece (Bow or Mini-tophat)
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(ends on 30 May)

I love this blog (seriously, how cool is just its name, Fenua Beauté)-- and I love this giveaway. <3 What's that?  I don't know how to even use makeup?  Yeah, I know..... but if I get the quality stuff, then when I do know what I'm doing, someday, I'll look good~~. 8)

Prizes
· Jelly Pong Pong Shoe lip palette
· Lush Snow Fairy shower gel
· Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly eyeshadow in blue
· Anna Sui mirror charm
--  -  --


(ends at 300 followers)

So, Sara's blog is pretty boss, and she has excellent taste... and so I am taking a 'bite' out of this giveaway. ;D *wink wink* Get it~? Ehh? Eh?  .... alright, I'm done with the bad puns, I suppose. (But I'm not done with these giveaways!)

Prizes
· North American Hemp Co. Hair Sample Products
· e.l.f.  Plumping Lip Glaze in "Fire Coral"
· Corteza Acrylic Pressed Petal Earrings
· e.l.f. Lip gloss in "Honey Do"
· e.l.f. Minty Lip Gloss in "Miami"
· H&M Spring Nails mini polish set.
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(ends on 15 June)

So this giveaway features 14 different eyeshadow palettes.  Fourteen.  That's fourteen times as many palettes you can win as prizes than in most blog giveaways.  Just remember-- they are all separate prizes. You won't be seeing one guy walking away with, like, all 14 palettes. Haha. (Thanks for the heads-up on this one, Ava~! <3 )

Prizes
· Sleek Palette: Acid
· Sleek Palette: Bad Girl
· Sleek Palette: Bohemian
· Sleek Palette: Chaos
· Sleek Palette: Circus
· Sleek Palette: Curious
· Sleek Palette: Good Girl
· Sleek Palette: Graphite
· Sleek Palette: Original
· Sleek Palette: Paraguaya
· Sleek Palette: Primer Palette
· Sleek Palette: Sparkle
· Sleek Palette: Storm
· Sleek Palette: Sunset
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(ends on 12 June)

I seem to have a noted interest in palettes all of a sudden, eh? Well... little ol' unemployed me is still trying to acquire a wider range of makeup, and giveaways seem keen on helping out with that goal. ;P  Plus, the bigger the palette, the more economical it is, Y/Y?

Prizes
·  BH Cosmetics 120 1st Edition Palette
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(ends on 10 June)

"Oh my God, Becky. Look. At Those. Brushes." "They're sooooo big!" 

Okay, okay. I swear I'm done with the bad jokes now. But really, I have a puny collection of makeup brushes, and seeing as I'm now starting to build my makeup collection up, I definitely have my fingers crossed for this super quantitative giveaway.

Prizes
· Sigma Make Me Cool 12 Brush Kit
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(ends on 21 May)

Okay, come one: it's ekiBlog. Need I say more? This giveaway's as quality-packed and adorable as each of those blogposts. :D  And this old dame's got her eye on that Dollywink liner. Om nom nom~.

Prizes
· Dolly Wink Liquid eyeliner
· Essential Ultra Honey&Shea Butter hair mask
· Jill Stuart fruit hand cream
· Tokidoki Mozzarella quad eyeshadow palette
· FaceQ mask
· ekiLove swarovski earring

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And  there ends that.  Thanks for reading, y'all~!  I'll have a new circle lens review up tomorrow or the day after. :]

2.5.11

Review: Neo Dali Extra Blue


These lenses were kindly sponsored by the super fancy LoveShoppingholics. (Check out the site: it's so well-organized. o.o )   I haven't tried blue lenses in a long time, as indeed, it is difficult to find a blue that is flattering on me.  When I found these in my parcel, though, I was game to see if these would suit me. :]

In the end, the colour looks pretty good, but I am nit-picky and very particular about my lenses, so.... read on!



Enlargement: 8/10 This series is often listed as being 14.8 mm. (I'm pretty sure it's 14.2, though. Haha.) In any case, the enlargement effect is closer to a lens of a 14.5 mm DIA.



Colour/Design: 7.5/10 Allow me to begin with an explanation of this colour: it is a true blue, with a hint of green to it.  In sunlight, verryyy vibrant, as the pics show. In almost any other lighting, the colour is dark/subtle. I mean, you can generally still tell they're blue, but the colour doesn't 'pop' the same way in medium or low light. :/  I like the vibrant, deep blue, in daylight, but you just do not always see it, and I'm not a fan of dark colours.



(flash)


- Neo Dali Extra Blue vs. Neo Sunflower Violet -


Comfort: 20/10 Comfort-wise. here's a chart of all the brands I've tried: Neo and Hana SP&Eye > EOS > G&G/Dueba/Vassen > Geo. That is, Neo lenses feel almost truly like nothing when I wear them.



So in conclusion, if this blue were more opaque, then maybe it would be vibrant in any lighting, and it would be a more loved lens. Unfortunately, this is not the case.  And while they look great a lot of the time, colour-wise, it's not consistent enough for me.   Somehow, though, they've still grown on me a bit. <3 Haha.

And here are the extra pics, as usual: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight.
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You can watch the video review here on Youtube, or view it below.