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I love the healthy tanned look, especially in the summer! 

But if you're anything like me, you know how hard it is to STAY tanned. 

I tend to tan quite easily BUT my tan fades just as fast.

I remember spending a week in the tropics last year and getting the most beautiful tan - but one week back to rain and clouds and it's like my vacation never happened! 

But on the bright side, the hideous tan line on my face caused by my sunglasses faded just as quickly so I didn't have to walk around wearing my mom's old faux glasses. (I love glasses but hers were just outdated by a decade or so...)

I finally got around to watching Star Trek into Darkness! I had been wanting to watch this movie ever since the confirmation of casting Benedict Cumberbatch as the villan. I could go on and on about this movie but I'll tuck away my geek for now.

I'm not crazy enough to cosplay for the movies but I wanted to somehow incorporate the movie into my look (is it weird that I already have my look for Catching Fire all planned out?)

I have been using this facial scrub for almost a year and I love it. I wasn't even looking for a facial scrub when I went in the drugstore but the packaging just screamed BUY ME! BUY ME NOW! 

I'll admit, I'm a sucker for packaging. Even more, I'm a sucker for packaging that has a bunch of words artistically printed on it. That's how I got lured into philoshophy's products, but that's a whole other story. 

When I first started experimenting with makeup, I never thought that I'd be obsessed with hunting down the perfect foundation. Really, from a layman's point of view, what's so fun about foundation? It's not colorful and fun like eyeshadow, and it's not versatile like nail polish or lipstick or eyeliner. 

So what's so fun about foundation? 

I was wrong. 

Now, I don't admit to that often but I'm glad to admit to it on this issue.

I don't have great skin. For reference, I have combination, acne/scarring-prone, dehydrated skin.

I am working on a skincare to hopefully work and better my skin but I've only mildly conquered the dehydrated part so far. 

Hence, foundation turned out to be the key to pulling together my makeup look and to get the right key, I've been on the hunt for the perfect foundation that works for my skin. 

This is what I've tried so far (+ mini reviews!)

(and note that I do always powder after application)

Hello, fellow students! 

My finals don't come till the end of June but since it's finals season in parts of the world, I thought I'd share my updated exam season makeup routine. I did one half a year ago, but that routine has changed quite a bit since then.

My friend once asked me why I took the time to put on my makeup if I was already sleep deprived and busy with studying. The reason is simple, it's the same reason as to why I wouldn't wear sweats to class/exams. Because if you look put together, you'll feel put together. Mind tricks. Works (almost) every time. (I say almost because don't try pulling two all nighters in a row....the results aren't pretty)

So I was a bit more reserved at Ulta/Sephora compared to the drugstore but I think it's safe to say that the dent wasn't any smaller. I actually had to go back to both Ulta and Sephora to return items because I just couldn't justify spending so much money for things I wasn't sure I'd like...

So I may have gone a bit crazy and made a dent in my wallet during the week I was in Minnesota...

This was taken I think, the third day in the trip? 

For some reason, the lighting wasn't perfect...when it was perfectly sunny outside.

(thumb to pinky) Essie in 'Bikini So Teeny' / Orly in 'Lemonade' / Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel in '09 Lavande Esquisse' / butter London in 'Kerfuffle' / Nicole by OPI in 'Alex by the Books'

I always like to read other people's "What's in my bag" posts, it's like having a Peeping Tom Agreement...ish. It's those times when you can let your inner stalker fly free and no one will judge you. 

Plus, the posts always give you inspiration on what to bring (the what not to bring part usually is screened right out of my head). 

So I'm signing my peeping Tom agreement with you and sharing what I'll be bringing for my week-long trip!