ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

May 30, 2010.

That's the day that I made my blog and created my first post. I could have never imagined how far I would get, but here I am now with my blog still! I am truly grateful to have such amazing readers that have supported me along the way, and I know my blog is still small, but hopefully it can be as successful as the many ones out there! During my year here in the blogger's world, I have talked to so many amazing and talented ladies and they have truly inspired me to make my blog even better every day. I hope to make even more friends in the Blogger's community this year cause these ladies are so amazing!  

To my readers, I would like to give you the biggest thanks ever because without you, I would have never found the courage and inspiration to continue blogging every time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!   

I hope next year's blogging experience will be even better than the first!

Well, I never even did an intro post, so here are some answered questions from some of my readers:

1. What gave you the inspiration to name your blog "Lovely Day" and the URL name, "www.withoutwordsforyou.blogspot.com" ? 

~ iPod. I'm not joking, the day I made this blog was the day I looked down to see what I was listening to, and I named it that. Plus, at the time, I just finished the K-Drama "You're Beautiful" and I was totally in love with all the OST's. Sometimes, I think my names are pretty lame, but I've grown to love it and fell in love with it day by day. 

2. How has this blog impacted your life?
~ It has given me more courage and more responsibility. It has allowed me to dwell and do what I love most; writing and spilling out my thoughts on cosmetics. At times when I'm down, I see sweet comments, and it instantly cheers me up! To me, my blog is a big part of my life now <3 

3. Why did you start blogging?

~ Cause I love reading blogs, but sometimes I'm searching like crazy to find an answer that fulfills everything that I want to know. So I created this blog and in every post, I try to fulfill everything that if I was the reader, wanted to know. I love photography, cosmetics, skincare, traveling, and cooking! For me, I'm a visual person, and I feel like if I put it somewhere I'll remember it and I can actually truly think about what I'm doing. 

Now my question for you is: What would you like to see more on this blog? Just comment below and I'll try to improve this blog even better during this next year! 

Love, Amy ^_^

I think I look a little too happy in there, but it's a special moment to me, so whatever! :)

Thank you again for all the support and love from everyone! Peace! 

Nails: Pink Strawberry Nails

Pink Strawberries!

 Summer is coming and my nails had to be summer-prep too right? Hahaha! Inspired by my "Cute Strawberry Nails", I did pink strawberries this time because it feels fresher and pretty! This look can be called pink strawberries or strawberry milkshake nails!  This time, it's not as strawberry-filled, but just more focused on the light and summer-like colors! For this post, I'm just gonna post simple instructions, colors, and tips to recreate this look!

Side-by-side comparison! Strawberry galore!!

Simple How-To: 

1. Use any base coat of your choice to keep your nails from turning yellow.

2. Coat your nails with 3 coat of the light pink color and wait a couple minutes for it to dry a little bit. (**Do one coat at a time on each nail, then go back around.**)

3. Take the red and do three little strokes to make them look like strawberry leaves on your thumb!

4. Make sure you're working on a magazine or something, so you can put a small amount of the red on it.; then take a toothpick and dot the strawberry seeds on each finger. 

5. Wait for everything to dry/close to dry as possible and coat with 2 coats of the top coat!

Tips:

- I do not suggest using sparkles on this look because you want to create fresh and clean strawberry-milkshake nails.

- Don't make the leaves too big or else that's all you'll see!

- After your nails of dry enough to touch, run it under ice cold water/soak your nails in ice cold water to let the pain completely dry or else it'll get smudged around. 

- Unlike the original strawberries, I just like to do one actual strawberry on my thumb. It just looks cleaner and cuter!

Products Used (Left to Right): 

265 It's Delicate (Essie) - This is a really sheer light pink, and I love it! It is really sheer, so I needed about 3 coats to get the color. Not shimmers; just a light pink, and it reminds me of ballet flats <3

536 Geranium (Essie) - The perfect pop of red! It's not dark at all, so its so fresh and just a perfect pop of red! It really is true red, but a bright red that's perfect for the spring and summer!

708 Top Coat (saQu) - I love this top coat because its thin and it gives an amazing shine! I like it think because it easier to spread on the nails and I usually give this 2-3 coats, depending on how shiny I want my nails.

Last picture of my pink strawberries!

Enjoy and goodluck! 

Kelly's Giveaway: "Super Kawaii!" {Closed!}

*Picture taken from Kelly's blog: Lipgloss Love Affair*

Super Kawii, like no joke! Everything is just so cute and PINK! Kelly from LGLA is so sweet and she has a giveaway... just cause! As you can see, everything is super cute and... CUTE! If you follower her blog, she might have another one up not too long after this one! Kelly's blog is filled with so many goodies and I love her little notes at the bottom telling you about the deal for the day! Recently, she did a recipe for green tea tiramisu, and I am dying to test it out this weekend! Follower her blog and enter for your chance to win this amazing stash! **Ends June 17, 2011** If you want to check out this giveaway click on the link below!

http://www.lipglossloveaffair.com/2011/05/super-kawaii-giveaway.html

Sue Lynn's Giveaway: 6,000 YS and 450 BF!

*Taken from Sue Lynn's blog about the giveaway*

First of all... congratulations! :) The lovely Sue Lynn is doing a giveaway for her subscribers and followers! All the goodies look amazing; its filled with so many things that are on my wishlist! I found out about her from Fuz on YouTube because she's always mentioning all the goodies that Sue Lynn gets her! And so I started to follower her blog because I was interested in what she posted; it's Asian cosmetics mainly but it's a good mix of everything. Her reviews are great and her swatches are really reliable! Hurry up and enter the amazing giveaway! Subscribe and follower her! **Ends June 30, 2011** For more details click on the link below!

http://suelynn76-beautyblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-6000-youtube-subscribers-and.html 

Prizes include: 

Jill Stuart Mix Compact Blush #13 Milky Strawberry
- Esprique Precious Dual Gradation Eyes D-3
- Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation #5
- Innisfree Mineral Water Foundation #23
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Nude
- Koji Dolly Wink Liqud EyeLiner Deep Black
- Urban Decay Primer Potion
- Dior Addict High Color Lipstick #534 Pink Thrill
- Koji EyeLash Curler #73
- Maybelline Hello Kitty Volum' Express Mascara

Review: Fresh "Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15"

I'm not a huge lip person, but this happens to be one of my favorite items! Usually, I would loose a lip product before I even use all of it, but this is almost gone and I still have it! If this came in a petal pink, I would grab it!! Wax may dry out your lips, but this is an all natural lip product that treats your lips and keeps it looking pretty.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Skin Type: Normal lips,  dry.
Me: During the wintertime, my lips were so chapped and dry! Normal chapstick did not help. My mom had this, and I tried it out, and it was amazing! My lips were SAVED! I took this from her :) I really love this, and especially at night when I apply this; in the morning, my lips are really nice. This is great for on the go when I forget everything else, you get moist and juicy lips!
Repurchase: Yes, but its still expensive; so maybe then they have a color I am dying to get. 
How to: Just apply this anywhere, anytime! What I usually do is after taking my shower at night, I would apply this to let the treatment work, and in the morning my lips are so soft and it gives my lips a gorgeous tint!
Price: $22.50... quite on the pricier side! However, it soothes your lips, has SPF, and it really does keep your lips in good shape. Eh, if it was cheaper, I would grab every color!

Quality: Love it! My favorite lip balm/treatment ever! Super moisturizing, and it gives such a beautiful tint even when you've had it on. I would definitely try this out especially in the wintertime!

Smell: It has a very soothing citrus smell that stays on your lips. It reminds me of strawberry lemonade-love the smell!! <3
Texture: Very, very moisturizing! It glides on very smoothly and it gives my lip a really nice juicy finish. Do not ever put this in your pocket, it will melt! Because it is so soft, it melts really easily; and I've noticed that it gets a little messy inside the container from a little melting, but nothing major. (It's like butter!)

Color: On the website, the swatch is pink, but in real life, it's not quite that 'grapefruit' color. The swatch on my hand came out a very sheer, pink with a touch of coral. On my lips, It comes out like a raspberry color. Not a dark color, but it gives my lips a nice sheer (and pigmented) wash of color. It's not dark, but it gives color to normal lips. (raspberry or a deep pink rose?) I'm not sure how to describe it, but basically it gives a light berry color. ^_^

Packaging: The packaging is like a normal chapstick, but its super sturdy! It's a thick aluminum case that screws off, and you twist the balm up and apply. Not too big, or too small; sleek and simple! 
Amount: 4.3 g. / 0.15 oz.
Sephora: http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P240613&categoryId=B70

Review: Skinfood "Lettuce & Cucumber Toner"

Ooo, I really like the greens in this pic!

Wow, I've had this for quite a while! I'm ready to post a review for this one now since I've made up my mind on how I feel about it. (I got this in my second Skinfood Haul,) I usually don't stray away from a favorite toner, but at the time,  I was on a Skinfood craze so I picked this one up as well. Overall, it's a pretty good toner, nothing special, but it does not break me out!

"This hydro-balancing toner makes your skin clean and clear, and contains vitamins and mineral-rich lettuce & cucumber extracts."

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Skin Type: Normal skin, sensitive.
Me: Well I just use this as a normal toner. Usually, I would alternate between my toners depending on what my skin needed for the month. Using this toner, it would mean that my skin is in its normal condition, maybe needs some moisture, and just a refreshment for my skin. This toner doesn't have any special effects, but its not a bad toner. However, I have noticed that this makes my skin quite plump, bright, and smooth/soft.  I would highly recommend this for the winter and springtime because its gentle, moisturizing, and refreshing.
Repurchase: No... probably not. It's not a bad toner, but there are better ones out there.
How to: After washing and drying your face. Apply about 5 drops of the toner to a cotton pad and swipe it all over your face and neck. You can also apply this to your palm and pat it in your face for more moisture. After this, just continue with the rest of your routine!
Price: I got it for about $10 in Asia, but since its harder to find, Yesstyle offers it for $25. Hey, you can always wait for coupons ^_^. Not very expensive at all, but its a great toner.  

Quality: I agree that it keeps skin very clean and bright, and healthy. (Not acne fighting though.)

Smell: It smells really fresh, almost like a sweet cucumber. I like it; once its on your face it does not linger at all. (Light smell)
Texture: Unlike most toners, this is a gel-type toner. Its a little hard getting it out of the bottle, but it's easy to spread on your face. Your skin absorbs it immediately. Even though its a gel-based texture it does not leave your skin sticky at all. It absorbs very fast and keeps it moisturized.
Packaging: Super cute, but not super convenient. It's in this thick glass bottle with an aluminum screw cap and inside is a small opening. To get the stuff out, you have to shake the bottle a bit to get a couple of drops....  Not the best packaging ever, but it was nice.
Amount: 135 ml.
Skinfood: http://eng.theskinfood.com/Product/product_detail.asp?cat=1|4|12&productid=1141
Yesstyle:  http://www.yesstyle.com/en/skinfood-lettuce-cucumber-toner-135ml/info.html/pid.1022073421

 

Review: TheFaceShop "Quick & Clean Oil-Free Blemish Balm"

 

Wow, can you believe it's already May? This year has gone by so fast! Summer is coming though! I've had this for so long, and today I finally got the time to review it! Yay! This is the 2nd BB Cream I've tried, and I really like it! Probably one of my favorites! Sadly... unlike most BB Creams, it only comes in one shade. However, the shade is almost like No. 23 on most other BB Creams but it adjusts really well (possibly a little darker than that). Let's review! 

"A protective moisturizer that soothes and naturally veils blemishes" 

Rating: 9 out of 10

Skin Type: Normal skin, acne prone.
Me: My second BB Cream I've tried, but the first that I own. And I really love it! I have combination skin, and this does not make my dry-patches stand out, with is good! Thank goodness this thing blends and adjusts to my skintone, and it is oil-free. BUT! It does not have SPF in it like most BB creams would, and I really wish it did because then, it would be an almost perfect product. T_T so sad!
Repurchase: Yes, but I wanna try other ones out first!
How to: After a moisturizer, you can either wear this as foundation for a sheer coverage, or under foundation for a more coverage and flawless look. All you need is like a pea size amount for you whole face! Usually, I would put this after my moisturizer and mix it with some sunscreen for a light coverage, yet still protected. For the night if I'm going somewhere/actually wearing make-up, I would mix this with some liquid foundation or use this only and brush on a powder for a flawless look! ^_^
Price: Um... I can't quite remember... but it should be under $25? It was not that expensive, maybe around the price range of most other BB Creams.

Quality: Love it! It's a really great BB Cream to have! Oil-control is pretty good, I don't find myself blotting; but at the end of the day, my skin does look a little shiny, but not super oily. I really still wish it had SPF in it.....

Smell: All the products in the 'Quick & Clean' line have a very similar smell, including this BB Cream. It has a light fresh and floral scent. Thank goodness it does not smell like make-up! I actually enjoy the smell because it's light and sweet.
Texture: The cream itself is a lot thicker than most other BB creams out there. However, on your skin (since you only need a small amount), it is pretty light and super smooth. It stays moist but not oily.

Color: I believe this only comes in 1 shade; I think this is darker than the average No. 23 for BB creams.  However, it blends and adjusts really nicely to your skin. Sometimes, BB creams either have a really pink tone, grey, or yellow. But this one is pretty beige/nude so it should suit many skin tones.

Packaging: This is packaged according to the 'Quick & Clean' line. A small green tube that's really convenient with a aluminum green cap. It is a squeeze tube (sanitary) and the tip is circular with a flat top; the amount squeezed out can be easily controlled.
Amount: 35 ml. / 1.18 fl. oz.
TheFaceShop: http://www.thefaceshopen.com/product/detail.jsp?idx=2347&pCate1=7

Let me know if you have any questions, just comment below, and I promise to comment back!