Learn more about Sheila: 13 Questions!

I saw this on Kat’s website and thought it has been a long time since I wrote something about me. So many reviews about products is making this blog boring!

1. What do you order at Starbucks?

Grande Green Tea Frapuccino in a Venti cup with extra whip. Yes I gotta have that extra whip *slurps*

2. What’s one thing in your closet that you can’t live without?

I don’t think there is anything in particular that I can’t live without, but I do love my jeans. I’ve also been wearing different styles of blazers religiously too.

3. What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?

As sometimes I post up outfit photos, I feel like people may think that I’m pressured to look skinny, but I really don’t care. I would rather die after having eaten all of my favourite foods than live all skinny and deprived. (Obviously not binge eat either)

4. What’s one thing that you want to do before you die?

Um… I have no idea. Maybe have a nice vacation without thinking about life’s troubles.

5. What’s one food that you can’t live without?

Udon! My favourite thing ever. I can cook it with anything and love it.

6. What’s one quote that you live your life by?

I don’t think I have one.

7. What do you like and dislike about the youtube community?

I love that I can hear and actually see people share their ideas, but I hate that there are trolls out there who bash people for no good reason. I read a nice quote today that said something along the lines of “if you blow out someone else’s candle, it does not make your own brighter,” meaning just because you kill someone else’s self esteem, it doesn’t make you seem cooler or better than you are.

8. What’s your number 1 song on itunes?

我不配 by Jay Chou!

9. What kind of style would you describe yourself as having?

Casual-chic? It really depends on the weather outside and the mood that I am in. I like to wear jeans matched with nice blazers and blouses. I love puffy shoulders, lace and ruffles.

10. What is your favorite number?

6 or 8

11. Two hobbies?

Photography, and does surfing the net count?

12. Two pet peeves?

Bad or nonexistent online etiquette – just because it is the internet does not give you the right to be rude!
Waiting in general

13. Your guilty pleasure?

TVB shows… if that counts XD (it’s sort of educational… I watch it in Cantonese so I can learn!)

Anyone else who wants to do this, please do so we can learn more about you!

New review format!

I’ve installed a new review format on here. I think this one is the best I have so far because its detailed, giving information on both the good and the bad side of each product as well as my overall feelings. I’ve also noticed that I tend to write a lot for each part so I’ve added a point form section under the pros and cons too, so that people who don’t want to read my endless thoughts can skip straight to the main points.

So the main differences from the previous format to the new one include:

• New point form section underneath the pros and the cons
• “Damage” section, which will give you info on where I bought the product and how much it was, for reference’s sake
• Instructions for certain products that may cause ambiguity
• Detailed ratings with separate points for the product itself, its packaging, easy of use and value, as well as an overall rating. Some people found the previous “hearts” rating to be a little bit confusing so I’m hoping this will be more useful to tell where exactly the product lost points.

I’m also going to try to include more detailed photographs of certain products, especially if I make a specific reference to a certain part of a product. This will give you a better understanding of what exactly I’m talking about (since a picture is worth a thousand words, hehe).

I would appreciate a little feedback though. If you have anything you’d like to point out about my new review format, I would love to hear it from you. Feedback helps me improve what I’m doing so it suits your needs better. I mean, thats the whole point of reviewing products right? So that my lovely readers like you can refer to them when you’re out shopping for certain things.

Three’s of Me + Tag

I saw this on Liz‘s blog so I decided to snatch it and do it myself, hehe. I hope this gives you a little bit more about me =)


Three names I go by:
1. Sheila

2. 夏夕 (Chinese name)

3. n/a…

Three jobs I have had:
1. Mexican fast food restaurant server

2. Clothing store sales

3. Public servant, aka government employee

Three places I have lived:
1. Kingston, ON

2. Vancouver, BC

3. Fuzhou, China

Three favourite drinks:
1. Jasmine milk tea with pearls + caramel pudding

2. Starbucks caramel macchiato with extra caramel

3. Orange or apple juice

Three TV shows I watch:
1. Desperate Housewives

2. Criminal Minds

3. Grey’s Anatomy

Three places I have been:
1. NYC

2. Frankfurt, Germany

3. Shanghai, China

Three places I would like to visit:
1. Taipei, Taiwan

2. Tokyo, Japan

3. Miami, Florida

Three people who text (or bbm) me regularly:
1. Kathleen

2. Cece

3. Lizzy

Three favorite dishes:
1. Milk seafood udon from Pearl Castle

2. Sushi in general

3. Korean bbq ribs

Three makeup/beauty products I cannot live without:
1. Cleanser

2. Hand cream

3. Moisturizer for face

Three things I’m looking forward to:
1. Going back to China for the summer

2. Graduating from university

3. Finding a guy

Three people I tag:
1. Erynn

2. Cydia

3. Macnunu

40 Qs Beauty Survey!

I stole this from Erynn‘s site, mainly because it looked interesting and gives you guys a better understanding of me, the person, rather than me, the reviewer XD


Skincare
How many times do you wash your face daily?Twice, but only at night do I use facial wash. Morning, I just use water.
What skin type do you have?Dry (aka dehydrated) combination. I get quite dry and flakey in the winter.
What is your current facial wash?Cellnique Gentle Foaming Cleanser. At home I use Clinique Liquid Facial Soap.
Do you exfoliate?Yes.
What brand do you use?Cellnique Advanced Bio Renewal Mask…
What moisturizer do you use?
I love Biotherm moisturizers, those have given me the least problems, but my day cream is Clinique.
Do you have freckles?Yes, sadly.. from sun exposure.
Do you use eye cream?No, I don’t.
Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
Yes I did, and I still do. But I keep it under control by using Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel. That stuff is just amazing.
Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?No, never. What a random question though.



Make-up
What foundation do you use?Right now I’m using Guerlain Parure Extreme, but I also really like Diorskin Nude and Anna Sui Moisturizing Foundation.
How about concealer?
I use Lancome Effacernes (?) and Dior Skinflash and 001 and 002.
Do you know your undertone color?Yes, its yellow XD
What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I love love love them. I would wear them all the time if they were 1) easier to put one and 2) not so expensive for daily wear
Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?Yes, but I don’t XP
What brand of mascara do you use?
Diorshow Iconic.
Sephora or MAC?I would say both because I can spend days in both just trying stuff on, but if I had to pick one I’d say Sephora, just because they have more options.
Do you have a MAC Pro-card?No.
What makeup tools do you use in make up application?I like MAC eye brushes and Dior face brushes. My fave brush is my Dior foundation brush, its just so soft and application is easy. If I had to choose one eye brush though, I’d still go with Dior eyeshadow brush, just because again, its easy to use.
Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?Yes, I’m loving UDPP now (before I prefered Too Face Shadow Insurance). I NEED primer or else my shadow will crease within a few short hours.
For the face?Yes I do, mostly something to even out my skin tone before foundation, and of course with high SPF.
What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I love neutrals (taupes, browns, golds), but if its not neutral I mostly go with purples.
Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?Both, and gel too. Pencil I prefer UD 24/7 Liner, for gel I use Bobbi Brown Gel Liner, and Liquid I use MAC Penultimate in Rapidblack.
How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Secretly… sometimes XD
What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?Not my pot of tea.
Do you use mineral makeup?
Not really either.
What is your favorite lipstick?
Don’t have one yet, but I do really like Anna Sui lipsticks.
How about lipgloss?
Don’t have one yet either.
What is your favorite blush to use?
Diorblush in 733 English Rose. Perfect for everyday colour.
Do you buy your makeup on ebay?Sometimes, I used to more often but not anymore.
Do you like drugstore makeup?
No… sadly, I am a high-end girl. BUT if something is really raved about and its a drugstore product, then I will get it. With tools I can go either way.
Do you go to CCO’s?No, not available in Canada or UK.
Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?Yes, I wanted to last summer but then work got really busy and I never got a chance to. I still want to go for the more professional stuff but I think for everyday and special occasion makeup I can do okay now.
Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Not really… at least I don’t think so.
Name a makeup crime that you hate?Not blending. I was in Paris and saw these Asian girls with just ultra bright blush that still sat in little circles. I can understand if you’re going to a party or something but this was in front of the Louvre! Blend it out or wear something less scary please…
Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Both! I love pretty bright colours like pinks, blues and purples, but I also love wearing neutrals like taupes.
Which celebrity always has great make up?I used to say Nicole Kidman, but now it has sorta changed… sadly. Asian celebs do their makeup really well, like Ayumi Hamasaki!
If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?Probably a shimmery coral lipstick. I can wear lipsticks on their own but nothing else. If I wear eyeshadow then that means there is makeup on every other part of the my face.
Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
All the time. I don’t wear makeup everyday, I’m lazy like that, LOL.
Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?I don’t think I look awesome but I’m not hideous either.
In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Personally, I think DIOR is the best (in case you haven’t caught that from me yet). All of their products just really work for me, from their bases to their eyeshadows and lipsticks and mascara and everything.
What do you think of make up?I think its your way to have fun once in a while. I’m not artistic at all when it comes to real art, but I can do pretty cool things with my face. Its just another way to express yourself without having to go poke holes in your body or whatever.

Updates, Package from Cellnique & Blog Awards

I received my purchase from Cellnique yesterday via DHL Express. It got to me super fast because I know they just sent it out the end of last week, probably Friday.

I bought the Skin Action Sebum Gel that I previously reviewed, and a tub of the Advanced Bio Renewal Mask. Because of the problems with my order, they also included a complimentary bottle of Gentle Foaming Cleanser. I had asked them to include some samples to give away to my readers as well, so they included twenty 3mL samples of the Skin Action Sebum Gel (MSRP $110). I will be including these samples in giveaways, swaps and love packages that I will be sending in the near future, including the Lush giveaway that I am having right now.

I tried the products immediately last night and my first feeling is that I love the mask, it smells awesome and does a good job at cleaning but not drying at all. A full review will come in a few weeks once I’ve used it a few more times. The Cleanser is not bad, it cleans well without stripping my skin and it really is gentle. It smells kind of funky though. Again, a formal review will come later. The Skin Action Sebum Gel is still awesome as usual.

I just found out from Erynn today that she gave me two blog awards. I haven’t been paying much attention to blog awards because I never really knew what they were about, but I’m happy I received two in a row from a very beautiful and talented lady. I’m so glad I “met” Erynn because she is seriously one if the nicest people I’ve encountered in my one year and a bit of blogger. Not to mention super generous as she donated her time to make me this beautiful blog layout =)

So I’m supposed to write 7 things about myself when I accept these awards and then nominate 7 more people…

1. I can’t wear green eyeshadow, something about the shape my eyes, green eyeshadow makes my eyes look super duper puffy and weird. I can wear pink though!
2. I need to shower every night, preferably right before bed. This has just been a weird habit of mine, I just need to take a shower or else I can’t fall asleep. Its happened before when I go to bed at 5 AM from working on an assignment, but I can’t fall asleep so I get back up and shower then go to sleep.
3. I played the piano for about 15 years, from when I was 3 to 18. I stopped after going to Queen’s but I still occasionally play when I go home. I reached RCM Grade 10.
4. I also play the clarinet, aka I’m a band geek, lol.
5. My fave class in high school was Calculus (grade 12), not kidding.
6. I am attracted by shiny things and things that smell good.
7. I like the scent of chocolate, but I don’t particularly like to eat it. Coconut on the other hand is total LOVE.

I would like to give this award to…
1. Iris at Rouge Deluxe
2. Jeanjean at I am lucky to have you
3. Jess at Ohh…pretty! ♥
4. Diane at Orange to L.A.
5. Yumeko at Bittenbefore Tokyo –> Hong Kong
6. Liz at Makeup for Professional Asian Women
7. The girls over at City Girls

Thanks again Erynn~

Don’t forget to enter the Lush giveaway, deadline to enter is this Thursday!