Empties: Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Review

Earlier this month, I had finished my first bottle of Cerave's PM Facial Moisturizing lotion. Since then, I have stocked up on two more bottles at my local drugstore, so here is my glowing review of this product!

My old, beat up bottle of Cerave PM Lotion

The Cerave PM lotion contains ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. For a drugstore brand, this lotion has such enriching products for an affordable price. The retail price is around $15 here in NYC, but with ongoing sales and coupons, I believe I purchased a bottle for $7-8 bucks. And although 3 fl oz is not much, a bottle lasted me almost a year.

The full ingredients are: Purified Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Niacinamide, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.

I had read reviews beforehand and some people had reacted badly to the niacinamide so I was initially scared that this lotion would break me out. Thankfully, I did not have any adverse reactions to any of the ingredients. I heard that niacinamide could be beneficial for rosacea sufferers like me and I seriously think it may have helped calm some of the redness on my face. Also, the consistency is on the light side so it absorbs into the skin quickly. My only concern is that I don't think this product provides enough moisture as a stand alone product, particularly in the winter time. However, I layer quite a few products at night so it fits into my skincare routine well.

My skin loves this product and that is all I have left to say. 

Larry Levine Down Coat Spotted on Sale + Review!

So. Many. Sales.

Today, Amazon's Deal of the Day includes this Larry Levine Down Coat for $69.99 shipped. Other than Amazon, I have only seen this jacket at Macy's and Nordstrom and the prices are usually well over $100. The lowest price drop I have seen second to Amazon is currently at Macy's for $96.99. I bought this jacket in black last month for $77 and I highly recommend it.  I love the silhouette of this jacket, especially the adjustable snaps at the sides to define the waist. It has kept me warm when NYC has dropped to the low 30s so far this winter season. The jacket falls right above my knees (I am about 5'4) and the black color is a true black. I had purchased an x-small and it's snug with a thick sweater. I would say this jacket runs a bit small so size up to layer. The only negative thing I can think of is that the hood is huge. The hood is so deep to the point that it covers my eyes. I guess I have a really small head... but whatever, the faux fur looks best resting on the shoulders anyways right? haha. Last but not least, I am too lazy to upload a picture of myself modeling the jacket but I think this picture from Nordstrom captures how shape of the jacket looks on me:

Source: Nordstrom.com

PS: MrRebates has 6% cashback for Women's Fashion at Amazon!

Ulta Cyber Monday Sale: Maybelline

Today only, Ulta is hosting a Maybelline sale with 40% off all items which can be stacked with the current bogo 50% off promotion and their monthly $3.50 off $10 coupon. What an awesome deal!

Source: Ulta.com

Shu Uemura Annual 25% Off Sale

I'M SO EXCITED! The holiday season is finally here and Shu Uemura is having their annual 25% sale! This is generally when Shu has its highest discount of the year. Time for me to stock up on my beloved cleansing oils!

Source: Shu Uemura USA

PS: Shu Uemura orders are subject to tax now? Wut. Thank goodness for 8% cash back from Mr. Rebates!
PPS: Shu has extended the sale to Cyber Monday (December 1st). That's a first!

Find the Groupon Cat!

Today, I was able to receive $5 off my Groupon purchase of $5 or more by playing Groupon Games- Find the Cat on Facebook. I had to hover through the thumbnail deals until I found the green cat on one of them.

I paid $2 for a local deal that originally offered two eyebrow threading sessions for $7. Also, I got 0.6% cash back through Ebates, so the end result...

Eyebrow threading for less than $1!!!

$4 Fandango Movie Ticket from Groupon!

Today, Groupon sent me an invitation-only deal for a $4 Fandango movie ticket. The limit was one per person. What a great deal since movie tickets are $14-15 in NYC these days! Check your emails now!

Empties: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule Review

Today, I will be discussing the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule!

I had first heard of this product when the online community was buzzing that this was the dupe for the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. I am all about affordable yet effective beauty, so I purchased the trial size of this ampoule to test whether it would work for my skin. I did not have any adverse reactions and thoroughly liked the serum. Then in September 2013, Missha was having a flash sale, so I went ahead and bought the 50ml bottle for $22 when the retail price is $49. That's over 50% off!

Missha advertised that the Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule would moisturize, nourish, firm, and revitalize the skin. I think this product did exactly those things. I had used it every night and did not feel that it was too heavy for my skin. Ever since I have stopped using this ampoule, I feel that my skin is not as supple. However, Missha also boosted of whitening and wrinkle repairing qualities. I did not think this serum lessened my wrinkles or acne hyper-pigmentation.

My last thoughts are that I would totally recommend this product. I have used the ampoule for a year and I feel that it has improved my skin's elasticity. Now, I am really torn over whether I should repurchase this ampoule or try a new serum. I'll be flipping a coin on it since I like to try new products, but the Missha night ampoule is my back-up night serum for sure!

Walmart Beauty Box Contents

Today, my Walmart Beauty Box arrived in the mail! Here are the unboxing pictures below:

The contents include:
Covergirl Glowing Nights Glosstinis in 690 #LaserLight (3.5 ml/ 0.11 fl oz)
Dove Pure Cure Dry Oil with African Macadamia Oil (0.4 fl oz)
Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo (1 fl oz/30ml)
Dove Oxygen Moisture Conditioner (1 fl oz/30ml)
L'Oréal Paris Glossy Balm in Pink Me Up (2.7g/0.09 oz)
Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj Perfume (0.04 fl oz/1.2ml)
L'Oréal Youthcode Pore Vanisher (0.06 fl oz/2ml)
Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid in Completely Clean (1.6 oz/45g)
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup Samples + $2 off coupon

Not bad at all for $5!!!

Empties: Hada Labo Shirojyun Lotion Review

Today, I am going to do a review of the Hada Labo Shirojyun Lotion since I finally finished the bottle! I bought it in November of 2013 so this 5.7 fl oz bottle lasted me a good nine months. Hada Labo has three main ranges: its moisturizing products, brightening products, and anti-aging products. The Shirojyun lotion is part of the brightening line, and it has the ingredient Arbutin, known for lightening or whitening skin. 

I initially picked this item because I wanted to fix my uneven skin tone filled with hyper-pigmentation. Within a few months, my boyfriend noticed that my dark spots from acne had faded a lot.  To rule out other factors, I did not use any retinol products or other brightening products- just mainly moisturizing products. Of course, time played huge impact in the fading of my hyper-pigmentation but I feel like the Shirojyun lotion may have sped the process up a bit. About a year later, my face is almost clear of all hyperpigmentation! It has come a long way since my skin has always healed very slowly. Nonetheless, I think there are other products that are more effective at fading hyperpigmentation than the Shirojyun lotion, such as retinol.

The Shirojyun lotion is of a liquid consistency that feels nothing like Western lotions. When I poured or shook the product into my palm, it looked like cloudy water. And unlike the Gokujyun lotion which I also have, the texture was not sticky. What I did was pour a few drops in my hand, rub my hands together to warm up the product, and pat it on my face. I did this right after cleansing my face. 

Although the Shirojyun lotion has hyaluronic acid like all Hada Labo products do, it was not moisturizing at all. Granted, I never used this lotion alone, but I wished it provided more moisture to my skin. There are plenty of products that have multi-functions that include brightening and moisturizing. 

I would also like to note that this product never irritated my skin or broke me out. So overall, this was a basic product that fit well into my skincare routine, but I am ready to try other products. For that reason, I would not repurchase.

Bye bye Hada Labo Shirojyun Lotion~

Sale: Ann Taylor Loft Pants!

This weekend, I scored four pairs of Loft pants for only $4.88 each!!! I am 5'4, about 110 pounds, and got them all in 0P/25P. They fit just right!

Petite Modern Trouser in Shallow Blue Wash
Source: Style #338211

Star Anise Print Ankle Pants in Marisa Fit
Source Style #338485

Petite Structured Linen Trouser Leg Pants in Julie Fit Black
Source: Style #332334

Petite Camp Pants
Source: Style #343867

Biore UV Bright Face Milk SPF 50 PA++++

Recently, I went on eBay and bought Biore's UV Bright Face Milk SPF 50+ PA++++ because I wanted to find a better alternative to the American sunscreens/sunblocks I have always used. Sun protection is vital to my skincare regimen especially since I have fair, sensitive skin that is prone to developing moles.

The UV Bright Face Milk by Biore advertises itself as a mattifying sunscreen which has lived up to its claims. Sunscreens generally leave me with a greasy look but the Bright Face Milk made my face matte. It was also lightweight and liquid-y, thus easy to spread. The only drawback is that I have to moisturize well before I apply this product. I have combination skin so my skin is both oily and dry, though more on the oiler side with occasional dry patches. On my initial application, it accentuated my flaky patches. But after my first time, I made sure to moisturize plenty and it hasn't given me any problems ever since.

I also heard Japanese sunscreens were small but I didn't imagine them to be that tiny! I have been using the Bright Face Milk exclusively for my face but I feel like I will whiz through this bottle in no time. After all, it's only 30 ml. I'm definitely stocking up on these in my upcoming trip to Asia! 

Biore UV Bright Face Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

Naked 3 Drugstore Dupe: Wet n Wild Smoke and Melrose Palette

Last week, I searched for Wet 'n Wild's 2014 fall collection and picked up the new 5 pan color icon eyeshadow palette in "Smoke and Melrose." I saw online that select WNW products, including this palette, were on sale for $2 at Walgreens but none of the Walgreens in NYC participated in this sale. Bummers. On top of that, I usually don't get Sunday newspapers where I live so I missed out on the $1 off WNW coupon too. It's not easy couponing in NYC for sure!!! On the bright side, the palette retailed for only $3.99. For a Naked 3 dupe, I think that's a steal. Plus, the colors are pretty and super pigmented. The texture is very silky and smooth too. Thumbs up for this palette!

PS: I did not spot this collection in Rite Aid or CVS yet- only Walgreens and Duane Reade so far.

 Wet 'n Wild Smoke and Melrose Palette

Summer Recap: Best Hunts

This summer I was able to score some pretty awesome deals online! Here's are some of my highlights:

Tilly's Ethnic Print Band Straw Fedora $3.99 shipped

Source: Tillys.com

Sunsets Swimwear Vintage Rose Triange Top $3.26 shipped (from Beyond the Rack)

Source: Zulily.com

KamaliKulture Eric String Bikini Top $3.26 shipped (from Beyond the Rack)

Source: Revolveclothing.com

Roxy By The Sea Hat $7.70 shipped

Source: Roxy.com

Other notable mentions:
-Beyond the Rack sent me a FREE deluxe-sized sample of Pantene Pro-V's Age Defy Advanced Thickening Treatment along with one of my bikinis! This was my first time purchasing from Beyond the Rack so that definitely left a good impression on me and I would totally order from the site again.

-Mani-Pedi deal through Lifebooker for only $7! (Lifebooker had sent me a $10 off code via email.)

Yay to being a #bargainwarrior!