Hope everyone’s week is going well! A couple months ago, I got quite a positive response from my blogger tag, so I’ve decided to do another one! Today’s tag consists of 20 questions and is all about beauty. I was inspired to do this one because I’m actually waiting for the traffic to die down so that I can drive to Ulta and stock up on some items that I need for my day trip to Santa Barbara tomorrow. Hopefully this gives you a chance to get to know more about me, my beauty must-haves, routine, and more! 🙂
1. Do you remember your first makeup item?
My first makeup item was mascara! There’s actually a crazy story behind this. I was never allowed to wear make-up before high school (and was never encouraged to from high school onwards), but one Spring, I had such unbearable allergies that I had to see the doctor. The allergies made me lose ALL my eyelashes even though I never pulled them out intentionally. I mean, who would, right? It was a disaster. Anyway, the doctor recommended the use of mascara to strengthen my lashes and help me consciously fight the urge to rub my eyes. It worked. My mom was forced to let me wear mascara. Needless to say, my make-up collection grew exponentially from there!
2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?
My perfect mascara is one that doesn’t clump too easily, holds curl for the day, and of course, lengthens my lashes! Mascara is the one thing that I’m not committed on; I don’t feel a drastic difference between all the ones I’ve tried. I’m always looking to try new mascaras, so if you have one you’d like to recommend, I’d love to hear about it.
3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?
Coverage level depends on my skin condition. When my skin is cooperating, then I prefer a light coverage, especially in the summer when it’s hot. When I’m breaking out, I prefer a heavier coverage. I’m currently using Becca’s Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme, and ever since I started, I never looked back. I’d say that the coverage is more “medium.” On days I want lighter coverage, I’ll wet my beauty blender and apply the foundation on my face. I’ve found that by doing so, the foundation spreads out more evenly and thinner!
4. Favorite high end brand?
It’s so hard to choose a favorite because I like different brands for certain things. For eyeshadow, I love LORAC and Urban Decay; for blush and bronzer, I love NARS; for moisturizer, I love Chanel!
5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?
I have some Tarte lip colors (and LOVE them!) but I still haven’t gotten the chance to try out their eyeshadows. I definitely want to give them a shot soon, since my LORAC palette is hitting the pan!
6. Favorite drugstore brand?
e.l.f. cosmetics and NYX are the best! Both are on my list of must-haves, so it’s hard to pick a favorite between the two. I actually rely on e.l.f. quite a lot for the basics. My eyebrow kit is by e.l.f. and works amazingly! My favorite shine killer and mattifying spray is by NYX.
7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?
It’s soooo hard for me to wear fake eyelashes. I really don’t know how people do it, because I find that I have a hard time keeping my eyes open whenever I do! Anyone else out there have this issue? At first, I thought that maybe I wasn’t applying them correctly but I found that I experience the same issue when make-up artists use them on me as well. Luckily, though, I have pretty long lashes for an Asian (funny to think that I once was eyelash-less!) so mascara and an eyelash curler does the trick just fine.
8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?
If I’m in a rush but want to look somewhat decent, I’ll curl my lashes and apply a thin layer of mascara.
9. What is your most cherished beauty product?
Currently, it’s my LORAC Pro Palette! I use it so religiously and am on my second one already. I’m hitting the pan & I can’t decide if I want to try a new one or stick with it since it’s done me so well over the years.
10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get lots of goodies at once?
Honestly, I don’t shop for make-up very frequently. Ever since I started working from home, I actually rarely ever wear make-up with the exception of shoots and gigs that require me to do so. With that said, when I do wear make-up, it pretty much always looks the same. It’s what I call the “everyday make-up.” I generally will buy things to replenish items that run out. Similar to laundry, if I procrastinate on one or two items, the list of “things to buy” will add up.
11. Do you have a “beauty budget” or do you spend freely?
Since I don’t shop for make-up that often, I don’t really have a budget set specifically for that on a monthly basis, but like with everything else, I try to spend within reason and only buy things I need.
12. Do you utilize coupons, rewards cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?
Yes! If it’s drugstore products, I always like to go to Target because my RED card automatically grants me 5% off all my purchases, and on top of that I have the Cartwheel app on my phone which gives additional discounts for certain items depending on what and when I buy. For other items, I go to Ulta because they have a great rewards program!
13. What type of product do you buy the most of?
My pore minimizer tends to go quickly. I hate fine lines and pores, so I really amp up on this product before any shoot or important event. It’s my secret to flawless looking skin. 😉
14. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?
I do when it comes to hair products because being a “bronde” Asian is a lot of work. I absolutely hate the orange hue that most Asians get after they try to go blonde… and well, I’ve heard that parabens and sulfates do not help! Dry shampoo and purple shampoo/conditioner are my go-to products to preserve the color.
15. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?
I love to shop at Target if it’s for basic drugstore items, and Ulta or Sephora for higher end products. It all depends on what I need to get.
16. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?
Generally, I like to stick with a routine, but am always open to trying new products to incorporate into my current routine if I think it will be good for me.
17. Favorite bath and body brand?
All my body washes are from Bath & Body Works! Super cheesy and typical, I know… but there are just so many options there. They even have really nice bubble bath gels! I love stocking up when they have sales. For body, I love Nivea’s moisturizer. If I want the extra sun-kissed glow, I’ll go with their gradual tanning lotion.
18. Are you clumsy when applying makeup?
I try not to be, but certainly have my days. Sometimes when I am not shooting or going anywhere special but still want to feel more “done up,” I’ll quickly apply some foundation, blush, mascara, and maybe some eyeliner. On these days, just like no-make-up days, photos are usually not allowed. 😛
19. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?
Call me crazy, but I actually don’t use concealer; only foundation! If my dark circles are especially bad, I’ll put on an extra layer of foundation. Honestly, I never saw the point of concealer… just feels like one extra thing to bring around with me.
20. What do you love about makeup?
I love that I can be creative and experiment with it. I’m no make-up artist, but it’s fun being able to essentially give myself different looks depending on my outfit or mood. Last but not least, it can turn my sluggishness into confidence in a matter of minutes!
Thanks for reading as always! Hope you enjoyed this tag as much as my blogger BTS one. 🙂 I’m tagging my two friends Candice Nikeia and Claire Nguyen of The Code of Style to shed some light on their beauty routine and essentials.
What other tags or topics would you like to see me write about? Let me know in a comment below! xx
48 Responses
I’m dying to try out some NYX products, they look so good!
xx
They really are! I highly recommend the two mattifying products 🙂
Such a great routine with great products! Thanks for sharing!
http://violettedaily.com
Thanks, Violette! Glad you liked it xx
Great, post, amazing items as well, I love your blog, thanks for sharing!!!
xxx
http://www.supercarmission.com
Thanks Nora! xoxo
lovely perfume dear <3
Thank you, Ania. It’s my favorite!
This is super amazing! I will try them out.
http://www.tessyonyia.com
Thanks Tessy xoxo
such gorgeous pictures <3
Kisses, Marina
http://fashiontipp.com
Thank you Marina! 🙂 x
Wow sounds like amazing products!! & your skin always looks amazing so they must work! Cannot wait to try them! xx, gracie
snappedbygracie.com
Thanks for reading, Gracie! xo
Such a lovely blog post.. U inspiring me beautiful ? Thanks for sharing love ??
Awww, thanks babe! I’m so touched to hear that I’m inspiring you. Hope your week is going well! xo
I loved this post Sharon! Great great details I didn’t know about. I also need to try new products! I also learned last year or so how to do make up., I took classes lol because I was so bad. Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for reading, Tanvi! YouTube make-up tutorials help a lot too! I learned a lot from Michelle Phan back in the day 😉 hehe
Would love to know more about your exercise/fitness routines!!!
Xx
Jessie
http://www.4evajessie.com
Hi Jessie! I really should be coming to you about exercise/fitness tips! Your body is KILLER. But I’m glad you think I look decent enough to ask about my routine haha. Honestly, I don’t work out too much… I just walk everywhere since I live in a town in LA where walking is better than driving (parking is horrible). I still drive but walk whenever and wherever I can, and that’s my dose of exercise. I hate cardio and don’t like to run 😐 Tried Pop Physique and was pretty dedicated to it all of last year, but classes are pricey and I don’t always have the motivation to make myself go >__< Anyway, thanks for stopping by babe! Hope your week has been well! xoxo
So amazing ideas, nice post!
xo
http://www.missydress.com.au
Thank you Sheila 🙂
Loved reading this post! I think the perfect mascara is an illusive product! I have lost count of the amount of mascaras I’ve tried and I have never found one I love!
If anyone finds the perfect mascara please let me know too!
Thanks for sharing Sharon!
Julia x
http://www.thevelvetrunway.com
Yes!! Glad to hear someone else is in the same boat as me lol I’ve tried drugstore and designer mascaras and for some reason can never really tell the big difference… so I stick with drugstore to save money. Haha! Thanks for reading babe! xo
Such a fun post! That Lorac palette looks so good!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
Thank you, Emily! The LORAC palette is my go-to and I don’t know what I’d do without it! Hope you had a lovely day xo
Great post! I’m so in love with make-up! xoxo
Thanks, Dolce! xo
Great post, Sharon! I’m also always on the look out for the best mascara. Love micro fibre ones though! And the Lorac pallet is my fav too!
Thanks Stacy! If you ever do find the perfect mascara, please do let me know! xoxo
Such a great post love all the products!
Thank you for reading xoxo
Great post dear! I really need to try Urban Decay and NARS products. I hear about them all the time but have yet to make a purchase. After reading this I might have to stop by the store this weekend and try an eye shadow or foundation. I am excited to do this tag. I need to talk more about beauty products on my blog so this came at such a perfect time!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
Thanks, Candice! I want to try more of UD and NARS as well! Let’s go make-up shopping together soon 🙂 I’m due! lol we can go together this weekend! I’d love to read up on your make-up routine… so don’t forget to do the tag I tagged you in 😉 haha!! xoxo
Wow wow! I love this post so much! Like you talked about more personal things about you and to get to know you better. Just like you I don’t use concealer often times and I don’t like to put so make-up on! This is such a great post babe!
Aww thank you for reading, Elisha! You’re always so sweet and make my day <3 I appreciate it! I'm the same way and prefer to wear less make-up especially in the summer. I never use concealer and love it! lol 🙂 xx
I’m with you, I LOVE Lorac! Such a great post hun xx
http://www.thatnewdress.com
Yay!!! Glad there’s someone else out there who shares the love for LORAC hehe xoxo
It’s so fun reading about the products you enjoy and the stories behind them. That eyelash story is crazy! I can’t imagine losing my lashes. They’re already so crazy short as is – I think I would just crawl into a hole if I lost them! Haha but I love the Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara by Too Faced to help give them length and volume. It’s seriously the best I’ve tried!
Stephanie | drunkonvogue.com
LOL! I know right?! Luckily I was still too young to really care (glad it was then rather than now experiencing that nightmare)! Thanks for reading, and for sharing your mascara recommendations! I will definitely have to look into them the next time I head over to Ulta. <3 Have a lovely weekend boo xoxo
Such a great idea for a post! Curling the lashes and some subtle mascara is the best go-to when in hurry! Do it all the time haha! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
Thanks! Yes! Can’t live without mascara and a good eyelash curler 😉
So intersting to read into other people’s beauty habits & routines. I find false lashes so hard to apply too but eery once in awhile they just go on perfectly themselves haha
Thanks for reading, Shannon! I can’t stand false lashes but I do love how they look on other people who can pull it off 😛
Great post!
Kisses 🙂
http://www.alasdeangel.net
Thank you, Maray! xo
Loved this post! I feel you on the fake lashes. I think I would go blind trying to apply them to be honest. And yes for Bath and Body Works. There body washes are my favorite. You can never go wrong with them.
http://www.nappsandsass.com
Thanks, Rhondine! So glad you enjoyed this post 🙂 hehe xx