Nature Republic Haul and Review

Nature Republic Centella Scar Ointment ($14.90)
After watching many k-beauty YouTube videos, I heard that COSRX's Centella Blemish Cream was great for reducing acne scarring and diminishing other pigmentation. Had no idea what "centella" was but heard it was great for that; hence, I found this at Nature Republic and decided to get it because COSRX is uncommon in stores. Let's hope this works!!
Update: this smells nice and does work a bit BUT A HUGE SIDE EFFECT is that it induces weird bumps, and wide, within the area I use this on. this has happened three times already and I have had to stop using it the next day. sadly, I do believe it reduces scarring but I can't risk the bumps. I've tried using it as 1/4 this with 3/4 toner but still.... 

Nature Republic Longlasting Smudge Shadow Stick ($10.90)
This year was a good learning experience for eyeshadows. I've swatched so many while in Seoul in all the roadshops, swatched so many at Sephora, and was gifted a couple eyeshadows. With that being said, I really wanted a shadow stick that easily glided on without me needing some kind of extra brush (although I have one) or eyelid primer (which I also own). Nature Republic had 20% off everything so I was walking around, swatching things, came upon these shadow sticks, and fell in love. First off with eyeshadows, you must swatch them on your eyelids. You cannot judge them by the swatches on the back of your hand because it's different on. For example, I liked No. 2 on my hand but really did not like it on my eyelids.

No. 1 Pink Chiffon Cake - like a pale pink, nice for a subtle look

No. 2 Lilac Touch - it's a bit more pink than purple; opaque

No. 3 Sparkling Rose - this was a surprise to me because red on eyes?! but it is a trend in Korea right now and once I swatched it on my eyes, I was won over. opaque enough to work as eyeliner also

No. 4 Shining Orange - pretty nice pale orange; can definitely layer for a bolder look. I would pick this over No. 1 and 2

No. 5 Moon Tan Load - (don't understand the name lol) this is the most popular color. a simple gold shimmer, compliments anyone

No. 6 Purple Mocha - this is a darker shade of the No. 5 and would be great as your darker color to smoke out the eyes/give more dimension

I bought No. 3 and No. 5 because I couldn't choose! Will definitely use both and they're easy to apply. It is a rounded tip so I can't use them as eyeliner just yet but once I use it down to a flatter surface, I can apply it as eyeliner with the edge.

Update: LOVEEEE THE NO. 3 SPARKLING ROSE. 

xx jasmine

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Contour Compact

The Art Class by Rodin Createur du Contour (~12,000 won or $11)

Cute packaging, even with the tissue paper around the compact.

What the inside looks like. 3 shades. Peel off the sticker from the mirror.

What I love about it: It's so easy to use, especially for contouring first-timers like me. Take a brush (I like to use a flat-top brush so it doesn't dig into one shade more than the others) and swirl it lightly on all 3 shades. Use it on cheeks, around the temples up to the forehead, and jawline to slim down the face. 

Because there are 3 shades from this compact, you can take a smaller brush tp contour your nose. I use the middle shade to do that. The lightest shade can be a bit of a highlight also.

*Tip: When applying it on your cheekbone area, contouring it at an angle under the cheekbones can elongate the face. If you don't want to elongate your face, you can apply it horizontally starting from the point closest to your ear and move towards the cheek.

**Tip: Contouring is subtle and will create an illusion to the face so it isn't meant to be noticeable. You won't need a lot of product.

So far, so good. I hope this will last me a while before I have to hunt for another one because they don't sell this in the US (unless Sephora sells it but overpriced).

Sephora 2015 Birthday Gift: NARS Lip Pencils

So this is what the packaging looks like and the lip pencils inside are:
1. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (Cruella)
2. NARS Satin Lip Pencil (Rikugien)

Cruella-- Make sure to moisturize before applying anything matte onto your lips! The color is beautiful, not a dark vampy color but lighter than burgundy. It's nice to go out with day or night if you want a pop of color on your face and I would pair it with moderate eye makeup. One tip I would give is to use a lip liner with this. You can see the edges of my lips and although it is a lip pencil, it isn't a sharp thin pencil but more of a big crayon shape.

Rikugien-- Gives a light pink sheen with a cooler light purple undertone to it. The satin sheen makes it seem slightly metallic but you should apply gloss over it for more shine.