Sephora VIB Review: Laura Mercier, Becca, MUFE & More

I may have gone a little wild during Sephora's latest VIB haul. Just a little.
Although the Sephora VIB sale has ended, none of these products have been discontinued so I think a haul and review are still quite relevant. There are a few products I haven't had the chance to try yet and I did end up returning a few products but I'll be sure to call that out below.

ColourPop Super Shock Shadows Haul & Swatches

It's no secret that I'm in love with ColourPop. If you follow me on Snapchat (@wcmelle) you'll see that I rock a different ColourPop lippie almost every day. My latest obsession from the brand, though? Their Super Shock Shadows. They're the most buttery, highly-pigmented, gorgeous eyeshadows I've ever had the honor to work with.

Sunday Shout-Outs: Swimwear-Inspo, Hangover Cures & More!

(Source: Instagram)

It's been a while hasn't it? The last time I wrote a post it was Mother's Day, and now it's almost the end of May. It's been a pretty crazy month and I'm hoping things will start winding down soon. I'm trying to blog as frequently as I can but to be honest, I have a lot of real-life issues that need to be sorted out first. Nothing too serious, but definitely important so please bear with me! In the meantime, here's some fun reads for your weekend: BEAUTY Find out what type of facial is best for you - Byrdie This is how you blend your eyeshadow - xoVain FASHION Follow these babes on Insta for major swimswear-inspo - Fashionista Shop by body type at this new website - Racked LIFESTYLE Your social media could land you a job...or not - Fashionista Eat your breakfast like a wellness blogger - Racked Drink this when you have a hangover, not Pedialyte 'cause that's gross - SheFinds An Emergen-C drink you can DIY - xoVain xoxo, Elle
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Sunday Shout-Outs: Kylie Jenner Lip Kit Dupes, Sheet Mask Hacks & More!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommas out there! Let's take some time to show some serious appreciation for the women who raised us and showed us the kind of loving only a mother could. Of course I'd like to give a special shout out to my own mom who is literally my rock. Love you Mommy! Now onto the articles... BEAUTY Kylie Jenner lip kit dupes - SheFinds You're not protecting your hair correctly - Michelle Phan Sheet Mask hacks you need to know - Byrdie What's the most popular beauty product in your region? - Refinery29 Learn how to take a perfect selfie from Kylie Jenner - Refinery29 FASHION What the heck to wear with off-the-shoulder tops - SheFinds The affordable denim skirt all the celebrities are wearing - HuffPost Style LIFESTYLE How to build a brand on Instagram according to a Digital Strategist - Fashionista Was yours one of the 272 million accounts hacked? - Refinery29 xoxo, Elle
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I Use Men's Aftershave Balm for...What?!

If you're an avid Snapchatter and beauty junkie like myself then you most likely follow Kylie Jenner. About a month ago Kylie revealed that she uses the Nivea Men's Post Shave Balm ($5.59) as a primer. So obviously, I had to try it.

Mask Day Monday: TonyMoly I'm Real Red Wine Sheet Mask

Now I'm not usually a red wine type of gal but when it comes to sheet masks I'll take it. This TonyMoly Red Wine Sheet Mask promises to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Red wine extract works to tighten and purify the skin giving you a healthier-looking complexion.

Mask Day Monday: TonyMoly Broccoli Mask Sheet Vitality

Last week I started my Monthly Favorites series and this week I'd like to share with you another new series: Mask Day Mondays. Every Monday I plan on reviewing a new mask that I've tried and to kick it off I have the TonyMoly I'm Real Broccoli Mask Sheet Vitality.

March Favorites: ColourPop, Glam Glow & More!

Can you believe it's April already?
I don't know why it took me this long to start this but I'm going to begin a monthly favorites series. I figured it's a good way of sharing the products I've been reaching for most in the prior month. So without further ado, let's get to the goods:

Colourpop Haul

If you haven't heard of ColourPop yet then let me be the first to tell you that they make the most amazing and affordable cosmetics. They're known for their Ultra Matte Lips and Super Shock Shadows but they've more recently introduced their Ultra Satin Lips, which have also become an internet sensation. Although I'm dying to try every single product they have, I decided to start out with  a few Ultra Matte Lips and Ultra Satin Lips. At just $6 a pop I took it upon myself to order six of them:

Sunday Shout-Outs: Instagram Feed Update, Get Rid of Your Under-Eye Bags & More!

Whoops, it's been a while again hasn't it? I'd meant to have some posts prewritten for this week but I ended up traveling to Toronto last weekend so it totally slipped my mind. One major update I wanted to share with you all is that I dyed my hair blonde! Peep the pic above, do you like it? Now onto the stories for the week:

BEAUTY

Get rid of your under-eye bags, for good - Byrdie

How to correct 3 common makeup mistakes - SheFinds

Kendall Jenner's best beauty secrets - Byrdie

Get in on the rainbow hair trend without the commitment - Mimi Chatter

Does expensive nail polish really last longer? - SheFinds

Beauty addicts' favorite makeup organizers - Refinery29

FASHION

How to find the best stuff online according to fashion editors - WhoWhatWear

The bloggers you MUST follow on Snapchat - Popsugar Fashion

Stain-proof white jeans are now a reality - Huffpost Style

How to layer your clothes this Spring without looking awkward - InStyle

LIFESTYLE

Chill out about that Instagram Feed update - Racked

What to expect to spend if you're in a bridal party - SheFinds

The things you should ALWAYS have in your medicine cabinet - SheFinds

It just got a lot easier to creep on Instagram - StyleCaster

Damn Instagram, back at it again with another update - Brit+Co

So this is what a $1 billion wedding looks like - SheFinds

xoxo, Elle
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Review: Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum

If there is one thing that American and Korean beauty routines can agree on is the importance of serums. So whether your skincare routine consists of a handful of steps or ten, you can appreciate this highly effective Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop Serum.

winter's end

Winter's finally ending...I think?

Sunday Shout-Outs: Foundation Application Secrets, Instagram's New Feed & More!

I'd really like to take this time to apologize for being absent this past week. Things got very busy for me at my day job and I was way too exhausted to sit down in front of my laptop and blog without falling asleep. I already have a few posts planned out for the upcoming week so it's back to our regular programming.
As a heads up I will be traveling this weekend to...I don't know where? My lion dance team decided to take a celebratory end of Lunar New Year season vacation but the destination is a surprise. To find out where I'm going and to keep up with my travels follow me on Snapchat (@wcmelle). I'm excited to know where I'm going too!
BEAUTY Foundation secrets from an Insta-Famous makeup artist - Mimi Chatter The best products for saving your bleach damaged hair - XoVain So, what cosmetic procedures are men spending their money on? - Huffpost Style
FASHION What's up with the lack of diversity on runways? - Fashionista Those self lacing kicks from Back to the Future are about to become a reality - Popsugar Fashion The ultimate guide to Spring 2016's trends - Racked Inspiration for how to style off-the shoulder tops - StyleCaster
LIFESTYLE What you need to know about Instagram's new feed algorithm - The Verge Here comes another crazy social media challenge - SheFinds
xoxo, Elle
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Sunday Shout-Outs: Minimize Your Pores, Spring Outfit Ideas & More!

BEAUTY How to use color theory to master your makeup The best international beauty products - that aren't from Korea or France These products will minimize your pores
FASHION Spring outfit ideas for those of us who don't do the whole color thing Items you need to purge from your closet right now The new fashion app Tagly is like having a fashion editor in your pocket 7 shoe rules every woman should know
LIFESTYLE Finally, here's how to open that awful clamshell packaging Get your Instagram feed on fleek This is AirBnB's most popular rental A guide to the top Instagram hashtags for your niche Check out this heatmap for your career across the U.S.
xoxo, Elle
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Morning Korean Skincare Routine

Although the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine has been around for quite some time now, a lot of people still have many questions about it. One of them being: Do I really have to do all 10 steps?
10 steps is definitely a lot but lucky for you the answer is no, you don't have to. Could you imagine taking the time in the morning to throw 10 products onto your face? I don't know about you but I'd rather be sleeping an extra 5 minutes.
It's taken a lot of trial and error to get my morning Korean skincare routine down pact and while it will obviously evolve as new products come out, here's what my routine consists of thus far. I'll be presenting them in the order in which I apply them to my face, and I swear it won't take you very long:

Wishtrend Haul

Though I'm always cautious about where I purchase my Korean beauty products from online, I did my research and found WishTrend to be used by K-Beauty Bloggers and YouTubers. WishTrend's prices are reasonable and one of my favorite features on their website is their Wishbox program. Wishboxes are a bundle of products curated by the WishTrend team that are sold together and at a discount for a limited time. Shipping is free worldwide for purchases over $69, which is pretty easy to hit if you're a Korean beauty addict like myself. However, depending on where you live, be prepared to wait for a good amount of time for your products to arrive as they are being imported from Korea. My total order came out to roughly $70 and I received the following products:

Sunday Shout Outs: Ulta Shopping Secrets, Spring Shoe Trends & More!

FASHION Here's why you should stop buying cheap clothes - Huffpost Style Can you guess who's the new fashion It-Girl? - SheFinds How to store your winter clothes properly - Fashionista Spring shoe trends to update your wardrobe with - PopSugar Fashion
BEAUTY How to get the most out of your face masks - Refinery29 8 secrets to shopping at Ulta - Byrdie The latest nail art trend - PopSugar Beauty How to treat a bleached scalp - XOVain The ultimate guide to makeup primers and setting sprays - Refinery29 The cult favorite brush brand you have to try - Beauty Woo
LIFESTYLE Wait, Red Wine can help you lose weight? - PureWow 5 tricks to making your bed Pinterest-worthy - StyleCaster The living expense that's skyrocketing in major U.S. cities - MyDomaine 5 Websites every blogger should read - Career Girl Daily
xoxo, Elle
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Review: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Ever since I was introduced to Bioderma a few years ago I've had a bottle of micellar water sitting on my bathroom counter. However, I still keep a two-part makeup remover on hand to remove any waterproof mascara or falsies, which micellar water seems to have difficulty with. So when Garnier came out with a cleansing water that claimed to remove "even waterproof mascara," I had to try it.

Morphe Brushes Haul

After watching Jaclyn Hill's Favorite Morphe Brushes video I knew I had to get my hands on some brushes from this cult favorite brand. I immediately placed an order for two brushes to replace my caked-up foundation brush and shedding contour brush. Obviously, I replaced them with two of Jaclyn's favorites:

Sunday Shout-Outs: Cult Beauty Brands, Curating a Gorgeous Instagram Feed & More!

I unfortunately spent this entire week suffering from a sinus headache that refuses to go away. I think it's because of the bipolar weather that's been frequenting the city. One day it's freezing and raining then the next it's warm and sunny. It also doesn't help that I've been overexerting myself and staying out late majority of the week. Hopefully I feel better next week! Now onto the stories:
FASHION Is it time for you to replace your bras? In case you're thinking about renting your wedding dress
BEAUTY 7 common mistakes that cause breakouts The essential hairbrushes you need to have in your bathroom Learn to maintain your nails like a hand model A breakdown of the different acne treatments New cult beauty brands you'll soon become obsessed with
Everything you ever needed to know about concealers How to deal with hormonal acne
LIFESTYLE What does your recurring dream say about you? The morning routines of successful people EXACTLY when to book for the cheapest flights 5 steps for a gorgeous Instagram feed
xoxo, Elle
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Review: Glossier Balm Dotcom

The Balm Dotcom Universal Skin Salve ($12) is what put Glossier on the map in the beauty community. This do-it-all skin salve lives up to all its claims, making it worth every penny.

Soko Glam Haul

One of my favorite websites to order Korean skincare products from is Soko Glam. Founded by Charlotte Cho and her husband in 2012, every product is tested and hand-selected by Charlotte and her team so you know all the products are good. In my most recent order from Soko Glam, I purchased the Klairs Gentle Black Seed Deep Cleansing Oil ($23) to test and a full sized version of Son & Park's Beauty Water ($30) to replace the one I received at The Little Book of Skin Care launch party.

Sunday Shout-Outs: The Best Times to Post on Instagram, Red Carpet Looks & More!

(Source: We Heart It)

I'm going to skip the typical formalities of a quick blurb and go straight into the interesting articles I found this week. Enjoy!

FASHION A recap of all the red carpet looks from the Grammy Awards 2016 What everyone was talking about during NYFW The best swimsuits for under $50
BEAUTY Where to sell your new and lightly-used beauty products online for cash or store credit The Korean beauty subscription service for product junkies One of these face masks sells every 8 seconds in Korea Things you must know before buying Asian Beauty base makeup Are probiotics really good for your skin? Spring nail trends to try now
LIFESTYLE Find out the best time to post on Instagram What does your wine choice say about you? Tips on how to save money at Target Things you should know about managing your money in your 20's
xoxo, Elle
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How To Depot a Cardboard Palette

I've had this Too Faced Shadow Bon Bons Palette for years and it's always taken up way too much space in my makeup collection. I'm not sure why it took me this long to finally decide to depot it into a Z Palette but I figured I'd do a quick walkthrough on how to do it. So here's what you'll need: a cardboard palette, a Z palette (or another empty magnetic palette) and a box cutter.

Review: Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

This is my second bottle of the Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence ($31+) so that's a solid testament to its performance. I've been using it as part of my skincare routine for almost a year now and I've noticed a significant improvement in the look and texture of my skin. There are plenty of good reasons as to why this essence one Soko Glam's 2014 Best of Beauty Award.

Photoshoot: Impromptu Shoot with JLiu

Early last month I had the amazing opportunity to work with photographer Jeff Liu in his studio. Jeff's a friend of mine so this photoshoot was pretty spontaneous. I literally hit him up on Facebook one morning and by the afternoon we were having brunch with Danny and went off to Jeff's studio. I'm really happy with how these photos turned out given neither of us planned anything! Check it out:

Review: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

The Milky Jelly Cleanser ($18) is Glossier's most talked about product since Balm Dotcom, both of which I purchased in my latest Glossier Haul. It was created after Into the Gloss creator, Emily Weiss, asked her readers to describe their fantasy face wash. As a result, this daily cleanser was born.

Sunday Shout-Outs: MAC's Rewards Program, Fashion Job Salaries & More!

Happy Chinese New Year's eve! If you didn't know, tomorrow is the start of the Lunar New Year and we'll be ushering in the year of the Monkey. What that means for me as a member of a Lion Dance team is a busy schedule packed with performances, banquets and lots of excitement. If you're interested please follow my team's Twitter for upcoming shows, our Instagram for photos and follow me on Snapchat (@wcmelle) for behind the scenes.
Also, if you're a regular here you'll notice that I changed this series from "Sunday Link Love" to "Sunday Shout-Outs." It's the same concept of sharing my favorite stories from the week, I just thought this title sounded better with the alliteration. Now onto the reads:

Review: Son & Park Beauty Water

Don't let the unassuming packaging of this award winning Son & Park Beauty Water ($30) fool you, this clear plastic bottle contains a multi-tasking miracle toner/cleansing water. I received this deluxe sized sample when I attended Charlotte Cho's The Little Book of Skin Care launch party. At first I didn't think much of it because it looks like packaged water to me, but after using it for almost a month I'm totally convinced of its magic.

Glossier Haul

I can't imagine a single person in the beauty community who hasn't heard of Glossier, but in case you haven't, it's a beauty brand started by Emily Weiss of Into the Gloss. Glossier's mantra is "Skin First. Makeup Second. Smile Always" and they believe in creating a highly edited collection of staple skincare and makeup products that are appropriate for all skin types. All their products are dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, non-irritating, paraben free, alcohol free and best of all, they're not tested on animals!

Sunday Link Love

(Source: We Heart It)

At the risk of sounding cliché, I can't believe today's the last day of January. I feel like just yesterday I was popping champagne bottles and celebrating a brand new year. But February's already looking to be a great month so I'm super excited for it to start! Now onto the last batch of articles for the month of January:

Photoshoot: Danny's 350Z

I like to joke that I come as a package deal with my friend Danny's Nissan 350Z because somehow we always end up in photoshoots together. However, all the shoots we've been in have always been JDM-esque. So when my friend Derrick said he wanted to collaborate on a shoot together, I immediately wanted to take on the challenge of modeling with Danny's Z while achieving a non-import look. I think we did a pretty good job!

Best Makeup of 2015

Last but not least we have my best makeup of 2015. In case you're new, click over here to see who my favorite YouTubers were and what my favorite Skincare, Haircare and Body Care products were. Now, on to the makeup!

Sunday Link Love

(Source: We Heart It)

For those of you on the East Coast like myself, #Blizzard2016 has us all snowed in. I will admit I've already fallen prey to tons of online shopping, Netflix binging and internet trolling. So, if you're looking for something to do on this lazy Sunday, here's some articles to keep you entertained:
BEAUTY How many of these top 22 beauty brand's bestselling products do you own? Ideas for incorporating rose water into your beauty routine Check out these instafamous beauty brands Take the picture perfect beauty product shot every time
FASHION How to style your ankle boots during every season Make your sweaters less itchy with this little trick Pick up some cute and practical winter boots if you don't have any already
LIFESTYLE These 16 wedding trends are going to be huge this year Get your blog and Instagram photos toward perfection with these 20 tips Find out who's following you back on Instagram...and who's not Forget #Flatlays, learn how to take the perfect bird's eye view shot
xoxo, Elle
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TonyMoly It's Real Sheet Mask Deal (11 for $11!)

Early last week I read on Nouveau Cheap about this awesome deal of 11 TonyMoly Sheet Masks for $11 on Amazon. These masks usually retail about $3-$4 each so it's a pretty great deal, especially if you're a sheet mask addict like myself. Here's a quick breakdown of each of the 11 masks in this set:

Best Body Care of 2015

We're almost toward the end of my favorites of 2015 series! I've already covered my favorite skincare and haircare products but let's not forget the less glamorous body care products. Here are my top lotions, scrubs and everything else to keep your skin looking nice:

Best Haircare of 2015

Last week I shared 3 ways I keep my colored hair healthy and now I bring to you the products I use to do that. I've been dyeing and bleaching my hair since I was in high school but I still get compliments on how nice my hair is to this day. The products I've used have evolved over time but these are the ones that dominated my 2015:

Sunday Link Love

Happy Sunday everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful week and a great start to your weekend. I'm especially happy this weekend because it's a three day weekend for me, which means no work tomorrow! I also had an interesting Saturday as it was my first time walking in a fashion show, I hope to get some pictures soon. Until then, here are my favorite articles from this week:
BEAUTY 1. If you're new to skincare you have to check out these 5 beauty brands 2. Get rid of your blackheads for good 3. What the heck is an Essence anyways? 4. Figure out your skin type once and for all
FASHION 1. You've got to check out these 38 online shops
LIFESTYLE 1. Here's another iPhone iOS update for you
xoxo, Elle
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Favorite Skincare of 2015

Up next in my favorites of 2015 series is skincare. Last year was the year in which Korean skincare took the States by storm, and I was pretty quick to hop aboard that bandwagon. I spent most of 2015 trying to build a solid 10 step Korean skincare routine so you'll notice a good mix of Korean products and more familiar ones.

3 Tips to Keep Colored Hair Healthy

When I was a child my mother always had my hair cut short. As I got older and was able to make my own decisions regarding hair cuts, I finally got the chance to have the long hair I desired. But longer hair also meant more hair to take care of, and soon enough I was dyeing it as well. Long, color processed hair can be very high maintenance but I have 3 tips for keeping your hair healthy no matter what you put it through.

Sunday Link Love

(Source: We Heart It)

The first full week of the new year was pretty hectic for me since I was playing catch up at work and scrambling to finish up some chores left undone during the holiday break. But the craziness didn't stop me from spending hours trolling the internet for the latest and greatest articles, so read up!
BEAUTY 1. 8 Legit Beauty Brands to Shop on Your Next Trip to Target by Brit+Co. 2. Brace Yourself: Kylie Jenner's Releasing a Full Makeup Line This Year by StyleCaster 3. The Beauty Purge You Need for a Fresh Face This Year by Michelle Phan 4. How to Know What Face Mask is Right for You by Mimi Chatter 5. How Well Do You Know Your Serums, Ampoules and Boosters? by The KLOG 6. Depotting is a Makeup Hack That'll Save You Lots of Money by Huffpost Style 7. How to Find Beauty Blogger-Beloved Brands Before They Hit the Mainstream by Fashionista
FASHION 1. The Official 'Fashionista' Guide to Reorganizing Your Closet by Fashionista 2. The Ultimate Guide to Workout Clothes by Racked 3. The Best Shopping Sites to Help You Clean Out + Consign Your Closet by Harper's Bazaar 4. 36 Online Sales to Mindlessly Browse for Hours this Weekend by Fashionista
LIFESTYLE 1. 8 #Girlboss Networks to Join and Tackle Your Career in 2016 by Brit+Co. 2. 9 Healthy Apps that Have Nothing to Do With Working Out by Brit+Co. 3. 8 Ways Getting Organized Will Help You Save Money by The Penny Hoarder 4. The Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards by My Domaine 5. What are the Cheapest Ways to Go on the Most Expensive Vacations? by StyleCaster 6. The Complete Guide to Photography Equipment for Bloggers by Pink Pot
xoxo, Elle
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Favorite YouTubers of 2015

(Source: We Heart It)

At the risk of sounding incredibly cliché, I have no idea where 2015 went. One moment I was starting my new job and the next I was popping champagne bottles while ushering in the new year. And in typical new year fashion, I've decided to recap my favorites of 2015. So without further ado, here are my favorite YouTubers of 2015:

Sunday Link Love

Happy 2016! I can't believe it's 2016 already, and I sure as hell don't want to believe that I have to return to the office tomorrow. I practically wasted away my week off bumming around at home but I have no regrets. Anyways, here's some Sunday reading material:
BEAUTY 1. An Old School '80s Nail Trend Gets a Modern Update by Fashionista
2. 5 Good Skincare Habits to Start Now That it's the New Year by Byrdie
3. The Best K-Beauty Trends of 2015 by Glow Recipe
4. These are the Must-Have Beauty Products Editors are Buying in January by Popsugar Beauty

FASHION 1. 30+ Online Sales to Ring in the New Year by Fashionista
2. How to Shop Your Way to Your 2016 New Year's Resolutions by Racked NY
3. See Fashion's Most-Searched for Trends in 2015 by Racked
4. We're Calling It Now -- Nude Sneakers Will be HUGE in 2016 by SheFinds
5. 14 Wedding Trends that Will be Huge in 2016 by SheFinds

LIFESTYLE 1. 26 Bad Workplace Habits to Kick in 2016 by Refinery29 2. 6 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Immune System Right Now by Byrdie 3. 50 Stunning Hotels You Can Actually Afford by Refinery29

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