February Project Pan Treats :)

So for my Project 15 Pan, I've allowed myself 3 products per month to get me by. January I did really well and only got 1 thing. In February, I took advantage of the limit and got myself 3 very lovely things from DitzyMakeUp and DaintyDollyMix's blogsales :)

Left: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Flush (LE)

Right Top: MAC E/S in Woodwinked, Right Bottom: MAC E/S in Mulch

I have been absolutely loving loving loving Light Flush, and have been using it as a dual highlighter and blush. I also think Woodwinked is to die for - the amount of light it catches is phenomenal, and I love how it doesn't show orange on me (apparently it does for some people, so be warned!). I'm still unsure about Mulch, but we shall see :) Here are some swatches:

Left to Right: Light Flush, Mulch, Woodwinked.

Aren't they so PRETTY?! XD

Also, if you didn't know already I am hosting a fundraising blogsale to raise money for the Japan Tsunami and Earthquake. It would mean the world if you could just take 5min to check it out and see if there's anything that you would like :) Here is the link, please spread the word! Every little bit helps, even if you buy something that's £1, remember you are getting something for being charitable :)

<3yu

Blogsale for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami 03.11.11

Hi guys,

I'm sure you guys have heard so so much about the earthquake in Japan that happened on the 11th of March, and I will be the first to admit that when it happens in someone else's country, I forget about it in a few days. But this time, I went through the stomach-dropping process of wondering whether my family was injured or even alive, and the love for the people in my country that I never knew was there became evident.

Now this is a cliche excuse, but because I am a student and only have a part-time job, I don't have as much dosh as I would like to donate to the people in the northern parts of Japan. And I know many who follow my blog are in a similar situation, but I just want to do the best I can to help the people in the worst hit areas by making my blogsale into a fundraiser where all proceeds go to GlobalGiving. I know it's always easier to give when you get something back - I'll be the first to admit!

I will be updating my blogsale constantly as I scrummage through my stash, so please keep checking and I will update on Twitter everytime I add something new. I know I don't have much, but with this motive, I'm sure I will be more willing to give up some items that I know would benefit the people of Japan in the long-run.

I don't want to bore you with sympathy-mongering pictures and videos, but I just want to share with you some testimonials by my friends and teachers from Tokyo that have been going up on Facebook. I will slowly add more as I get permission. These are only from Tokyo - I cannot imagine the devastation going on around the nuclear plant and the northern area.

"Just so everybody knows- we're all okay, although we had quite a scare. It began as a normal tremor, which usually lasts less than 30 seconds. Instead of letting up, it just kept getting worse and worse. When it began to feel like I was standing on the bow of a ship in heavy weather, I told the kids to protect their heads under the desks. Then it really got rough; it would have been difficult to remain standing. Parts of the ceiling were coming down and the kids began to lose it a bit. Finally after a few minutes, it slowed down a bit and we got everybody to the football field. The aftershocks were pretty intense; the light posts were swaying like palm trees. It's unsettling to the core when the ground you stand on becomes so unstable. We're still getting tremors. None of the trains are running and the roads are chockablock. We've got two gigs tomorrow, one at Kawasaki Stadium and the other a few hours away at Canyons Alpine Lodge in Minakami. I wonder what's happening. Mobile phone service is still down. It could be much worse."

"hello. Tokyo around fuchu and mushashi is not damaged. during the quake the earth was like waves for 2-3 minutes. all the building just swayed, not breakage. the cars hopped around like they were attached to springs. after a hour on the schools football field we all went home except for the train riders. they would have to wait another 10 hours or so for the trains to start. the Japanese population here is calm. very polite and orderly. with no trains, hundreds of people waited in perfect, quiet lines for buses and taxes, an example of a harmonious society. up north the whole world has seen the power of the tsunami. right now in this neighborhood, food supplies on shelves are a bit low because of a slow down in delivery and maybe a little more active buying by the population. but we here in Tokyo are very very lucky. up north its the opposite story. tomorrow, Monday, school has been concealed for the students and the teachers will meet for a information meeting on the crisis. school will begin on Tuesday and the school is 100% intact. chaiken.
P.S.   Watch the news about the reactor.   people playing with atoms and mother nature will never turn out good.   humanity never learns, we go to places not meant for us.  we need to humble ourselves."

"Tokyo is seemingly getting back to whatever 'normal' is. Fuchu Starbucks was packed as usual."

"About 5 o'clock I went to buy some batteries. Inageya, Don Kihote, Wellspoint, 7-11, Lawsons, Sun Drug, a mom and pop electronics store, Siems. Nothing but the very small batteries. I wanted some medium sized ones. I would not say that panic buying is going on in the stores, however it was bordering on that in some ways."

"There has been a creepy blackout of television since the quake. I don't watch but the spousal unit does and, according to her, all commercial broadcasting has been suspended to a degree that has not been seen since the last emperor died and the country descended into full-on "where do we go from here" mode (Jan. '89). All earthquake coverage all the time. Will there be even more disturbing fatality statistics?"

Here are some pictures my Mom sent me of one of the rooms in our house:

I will never EVER judge anyone for not buying from the blogsale or not donating - again, I'm the first to admit that I don't always give to charity, and I don't always pay attention to those who are suffering in other parts of the world. But if you see something you like, just remember it's for a good cause :) Here's the link - it can also be found near the top of the blog under the videos.

If you would, please link this post or retweet the following on Twitter to spread the word of this blogsale:
"Fundraising Blogsale for Japan http://tinyurl.com/63nvt97 Please RT :) #PrayForJapan"

If you would like to donate something to sell, please email me at makeyuup@gmail.com and we will make it work :)

Thank you for your time, and thank you especially to those who showed sympathy to me over Twitter - it meant so so much.

<3yu

O.P.I Barefoot in Barcelona!... I wish!

I wish I was friggin' barefoot in Barcelona, it's miserable weather today!

Anyway! I received this in the post yesterday from the lovely Marilou's blogsale (alongside another nailpolish that I bought from her - shall be a surprise for another day), and it has been a colour that I've been eye-ing up since my first encounter with O.P.I. It's called Barefoot in Barcelona and this is what it looks like..

(Idk if it's just me but please click on it, as the colour seems to change when I do.. and it's more accurate in the real size!)

Yes, I know, very similar to my other 2 O.P.I's but they are quite different when swatched and I cannot have enough nudes - I love them! Check out the tag on OPI's to see the other posts :)

Barefoot in Barcelona is a brick-reddish nude, that can look a bit pink-ish in certain lighting. It's something that I think only middle-dark skintone people would call a true nude. On fair people, I have a feeling it may even have a bit of an ageing effect - but I wouldn't know! However, on mid-toned people like me, it's just a bit darker than your typical nude and gives a very sophisticated look.

Do any of you guys have this colour? What are your favourite OPI nudes? :)

I have loads of nailpolishes waiting to be blogged about, so brace yourselves for a nailpolish-infested week from me!

<3yu

Collective MAC Haul! - Champale, Viva Glam, Blog Sale, etc.,

During December, before my Project Pan, I found myself on the MAC website at exactly the right times for a free shipping despite the time difference - twice. And so I ordered a few things, I picked up a few bits from a blog sale and then the Cham Pale collection came out (this I bought in January as my monthly treat :P) so.. here it all is :)

* Paint Pot in Vintage Selection (LE - Cham Pale)

* Lipstick in Warm Me Up (LE - Warm & Cozy; Got this from the lovely Charlie!)

* Lipglass in Viva Glam Cyndi (LE - Viva Glam; Specific post here)

* Eyeshadow in Patina (FOTD post here)

* MSF in Smooth Merge (LE - Colour Craft; Got this from the lovely Sinead!)

So apparently I like my share of LE items.. ANYWAY! Here are the swatches - I've learnt from my last MAC Haul post :)

Smooth Merge - Bottom, middle, top, everything.

L: Paint Pot in Vintage Selection; R: Eyeshadow in Patina

L: Lipstick in Warm Me Up; R: Lipglass in Viva Glam Cyndi

So far I've worn everything except the lipstick and I love them all :) The Warm Me Up is a bit of a My Lips but Better colour - just a shade lighter which I absolutely love!

Smooth Merge is something I have to get used to, as I've never had an MSF before (except the MSF Natural), and it's not something that is wearable in the day because it's so shimmery! - Is this an excuse to get the Wonder Woman Pink Power MSF? I THINK SO.

I've worn Vintage Selection twice in the space of less than a week, and I love love love it! However, it's a lot more glittery when you apply on your eyes than when you swatch it (I think it looks more pearly when swatched), which is something I wasn't ready for, but have gotten used to. It's amazing with Satin Taupe in the crease :) I've always wanted Soft Ochre as a base after I use up my primers, and this intro to Paint Pots has made me want it more!

For what I think about Patina & the Cyndi lipglass, go check out this post & this post :)

Have you guys used any of these products? Tips or tricks anyone? :)

<3yu

Blogsale Lipstick Purchase & Boots 3 for 2 :)

I can't believe it's still a month to go before Christmas and I'm doing my Christmas shopping!

So yesterday I went into town before my friend's surprise 21st (see left for cake candle-lighting disaster) to grab a few gifts, and decided on Boots' 3 for 2. Seeing as I was there to get gifts for 2 people, I decided to treat myself to the third free gift :)

And earlier that day, a post had arrived from ViviannaDoesMakeup, with my first ever MAC lippie, Faerie Glen from the Tartan Tales collection :) To my surprise, she'd also included a 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Nudist Peach which was so sweet of her. I've fallen in love with both of them, and thought I'd include them in my semi-haul post along with my treat from aforementioned gift-buying session! :)

So here they are:

 

I felt like there have been quite good reviews about this Umberto Giannini's Big Hair line, so I thought I'd give it a shot since I'm cursed with flat hair.. It's technically £10 for a mousse and a hairspray, and both are designed to give you, well, big hair (well done, Yu). The packaging is gorgeous, and the illustration is so pretty! And as far as I can tell, they are both full-sized, and, they smell GOOOOORGE! Definitely want to do a review on this soon :)

 And here are the lippies! The 17 one is quite sheer and kind of gives a peachy tint to my lips which is great for a lazy day :) It's quite moisturey and lovely! And the MAC one is just oh so gorgeous. The colour is something that I've been looking for for a while, it's like a pinky nude, but it doesn't wash me out at all. A great pink sister to my Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight. The consistency is really smooth, and at some point I feel like it dries a little bit but I think that helps the staying power..maybe? I have crazy pigmented lips and wasn't sure if a Lustre finish would be pigmented enough, and it was :) Yay! This being my farewell to my MAC lippie v-card, I've been exposed to the lovely smell and the gorgeous feel of the packaging of MAC lippies :) (which makes me want more.. eek!)

 (L: swatches of 17 Nudist Peach & MAC Faerie Glen; R: MAC Faerie Glen on lips!)

Anyway, I've been on a crazy shopping hype..
- Boots was sold out of Benefit's Her Name Was Glowla - PAIN! Will be persistent in search.
- Glitzy Glam customized make-up bag.. hehehe. Tempting!

Tonight, I'm heading off to the Birmingham Christmas Market with mine and Lisa's society - should be good fun (especially after a night at a Chinese all you can eat! Prepare for fat chunky Yu!)

What is No. 1 on your Christmas wishlist then ladies? :)

<3yu