Holika Holika Heartful Moisture Lipstick & Etude House Dear My Darling Blooming Lip-talk Swatches

Alright I finally got my laptop up and running after Dell replaced my motherboard/video card.  Yay!  Here are the swatches of the lipsticks I own from Holika Holika's Heartful Moisture and Etude House's Dear My Blooming line.

My collection of lipsticks.  (Indoors, no flash)

Close ups of the lipsticks, ordered by similar shades.  (Indoors, no flash)

And now, in no particular order, swatches of each shade with comparisons to lipstick color and application/pigmentation color.   I would say all these pictures are with roughly 1.5 coats of lipstick.  Haha.  Both of these formulas were really creamy and smooth to apply, especially the Holika Holika ones.  They also have a nice sheen to them and don't sink into any of my lip lines or make my lips look dry; I know that it's difficult to tell from these pictures.  Also, all these photos were shot indoors sans flash.

 

This came out surprisingly more pink than I expected.  I still like it though.  :)

 This is my "my lips but better" shade!  Haha.

Holika Holika's RD808 and RD807 look pretty different in tube, but for some reason show up similarly on application.  I even had to double check that I was tagging the right picture!  Lol.

If you were planning on shopping from both collections and didn't want dupes, I created this color comparison chart.  That being said, be mindful that if your natural lips are lighter, darker, or a different tone than mine, the lipsticks might come out slightly different on you.

Here are the lipsticks swatched on my arm.  As you can see, Etude House's RD302 comes out slightly warmer on my lips than my arms.  For reference, I have a neutral undertone, but prefer warmer shades.

GMarket Haul #3

Yay, my third GMarket haul!  Also probably my last haul for awhile since I decided to do a Project 20 Pan (after I placed this order, of course!).

This box seems smaller than the others, although it's not.  Perhaps it's because I ordered less stuff?  In either case, the estimated weight was 7.27kg, whereas the actual weight was 1.96kg.  All these shipping overcharges are slowly building my GAccount balance.  Hopefully, I will have enough in it for a free haul soon.  In case you've never used GMarket before, estimated shipping charges that are billed are not refunded via your payment method.  Instead, it accrues in your GAccount, which you can either 1) apply to a future purchase if the amount is greater than the amount being purchased or 2) withdraw to a bank account for a fee.  I believe the fee is quite hefty, probably to protect GMarket from exchange rate losses, so it's probably better to leave it in your GAccount.

The partial overview shot.  The three bags I bought came with freebie stickers and floral-decorated card (lower-left).  Holika Holika items came with 5 freebies:  box of cotton swabs, Black Caviar Wrinkle Recovery Skin, Black Caviar Wrinkle Recovery Emulsion (bottles center), Water March Moisture Full Cream, and Face 2 Change Cream Starter (packets lower-right).  The Holika Holika Holy Berry Tint #2 is a GMarket free gift--I'm assuming that means it's separate from sellers gifts.  

The rest of my items.  The bright pink behind the blue lunch bag is not part of this haul, just using it to prop up the bag for the picture.  It's part of Etude Houses Dear My Blooming freebie from my last 2 hauls.

Lately, I have been loving headbands.  I bought all three of these from this seller.  They were packed very nicely.  Each headband was individually cellophane-wrapped, then all three were put into another plastic bag, and finally packed into a box.  These were also very cheap--they were roughly 5,900-8,900 KRW each ($5-$9 USD), but they are very beautiful.  I believe they are handmade, at least, that is what the label says on the two rhinestone headbands.  The black rhinestone headband also comes in the tulip version Kim Tae Hee wears in the drama My Princess.  If I had found GMarket sooner, I would have purchased it from this seller, too!  (I purchased mine on eBay for roughly $20-$25 USD and the quality is the same.)   

How sweet! The seller gave me some hair ties and a rhinestone bobby pin as freebies!

Holika Holika was having a 30% off sale!  So of course, I purchased a couple more of their eyeliners--I had previously purchased their Jewel-light Waterproof Eyeliners from Pretty&Cute.com for $8.99 USD.  These were being sold for 3,430 KRW (~$3 USD) after the 30% discount.  Original price is 4,900 KRW ($4-$5 USD).  This is such a steal especially since I love the formula and colors!  (I haven't found an American drugstore brand with the same quality and price point!)  They are very creamy, easy to apply, and long-lasting!  I previously had the colors #2 Black Crystal, #4 Purple Amethyst, #5 Brown Amber, #6 Olive Peridot, and #8 Pink Topaz.  I purchased #7 One Karat Diamond, #9 18kt Gold, #11 Light Brown Amber, and #12 Olive Jade.  Oh, the only thing that I don't like is the back metal piece at the end of the eyeliner sometimes comes off, but I just tape them back on so that the eyeliner inside doesn't fall out, dry out, or get dirty.  

I also decided to purchase two more Holika Holika Heartful Moisture Lipsticks since I loved the last three I purchased in a previous haul.  I got CR301 and BG401.  I believe I have all the colors except for the orange one.

My stippling brush died and so I replaced it with Etude House's Dual Fibre Cheek Brush (Glow).  I read some good online reviews about it and can't wait to try it for myself.  I also ordered the Oblique Shadow Brush because it has a pretty unique angled, but rounded and fluffy shape.  I can't wait to see how it performs.  First impressions of these brushes are pretty good; they both seem very soft.

These are the Face Shop's Mini Pet hand creams.  I bought them because they are so cute!  I already have one of each from Etude House's Missing U line and these were the next cutest (I don't like bees).  I haven't tried them yet, but I hope their formula is lovely as their containers.  I bought these hand creams, as well as the Etude House and Innisfree items from this seller since I could save on delivery fee.  I was hesitant at first because I usually like buying directly from the company/official seller to get the freshest products at the cheapest price, but I double checked the prices and they are the same as the official sellers.  :)

Etude House's Golden Ratio Face Glam in #1 Gold and Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder.  Haven't tried either of these yet, but read some pretty good reviews about them online.  Etude's face highlighter is said to be a dupe for Benefit's High Beam, but is much more affordable.  It's roughly 12,000 KRW (~$10-$11 USD), which when converted to USD is less than half the price of Benefit's highlighter!  It also has a pot of cream highlighter in the top of the cap.  The top of the cover flips open to reveal a small mirror and cream highlighter, while the entire top spins off to reveal a scoop that is attached to the lid for the liquid highlighter. 

Bought this wooden deer paper holder and the bags from this seller.

Isn't it so adorable?  Hopefully, this will help me neaten the mess I call my desk.  

Cute little bags!  I love buying bags with lots of organizational pockets.

I saw this Iconic Design Frame Pouch on eBay and I wanted to buy it, but it was so expensive.  I believe it was selling for $25-$30 USD.

These bags actually retail for 16,800 KRW ($15-$16 USD)!  Mark up is crazy!  But, just to be fair, that mark up includes shipping since most eBay sellers have free economy shipping.  

This is what the bag looks like when it is opened up.  It has a frame along the top so that the bag can open very wide and stay open.  It also helps to keep your cosmetics and items in place and upright.

Not a very good picture, but the inside has a single slide pocket on one side, and two smaller slide pockets on the other.  

This is a La Pomme by Indigo Handy Bag.  It's also called a "convenient portable pouch" in the advertisements.  (I really love all the picture ads that online Korean sellers have to show their product and all its many uses!)  I bought this because it was a good size to fit my camera and phone.  Essentially, this could be a wristlet if necessary or a smaller cosmetics bag for my purse.  It's on eBay for roughly $35 USD, but from GMarket I got it for 13,930 KRW ($12-13 USD) after GMarket coupons.  It's usually 14,060 KRW, which is roughly $14 USD.

The inside is a nice blue gingham print with an aqua/teal/mint green (?) zipper.  One side has a zippered compartment and the other side has a slide pocket.  I love that it has a zippered compartment because if I use this as a wristlet, I can securely store my credit cards, license, cash, etc.  Also, the center divider is nice because if I put my camera in one section, nothing else will scratch it.  And finally, the other reason I love this pouch is that it has slight padding to reduce the impact of any bumps my camera or phone may face.  :)

Ah, this Iconic Lunch Pouch is so cute!  I think it will fit my Kotobuki Panda Bento box!  

The back of the packaging to show how it is used.  It can fold up pretty flat and you roll the top down to create its handles!  It's sold for 14,800 KRW ($13-$14 USD), but I got it for 13,650 KRW ($12-$13 USD) after GMarket coupons.

It lays flat and has a contrasting zipper!  The ends extend slightly beyond the top of the bag, to make the handle; it is not a rectangular bag.

The inside is lined and insulated to make it easier to clean, as well as keep your food cool (or warm, I suppose)!

This is how it looks when closed.  You roll the top down and clip it together.  I'm sure it won't look as crinkled when there's actually something inside to help it keep its shape.

If you have any questions on the items I bought, let me know!

Z-Palette & GMarket Haul #2

Alright, I just posted my first GMarket haul and am caught up to the present:  my second GMarket haul and my mini purchase from ZPalette.com.

Z-Palettes in Pro (Zebra) and Small (Pink).  I love these, I already had 6 large and 1 small palette before this purchase.  Haha.  

Now, on to my GMarket haul!

 I swear the box I got last time was this size.  Maybe this is the only size they have?  My estimated weight this time was 10.56kg, which is crazy.  It was really only 5.47kg.

Etude House seems to pack things loosely, but wrapped securely in bubble wrap.  Although it looks messy in this box, it definitely cuts down on shipping costs.  GMarket uses EMS shipping, which is expensive and cost is based on weight.  That being said, hauls save on shipping cost--since it's the first .5kg that's most expensive.  

Love this bag!  It has very classic lines and structure.  I think it will make a nice work purse. 

It has both a shoulder and hand strap.  The straps seem a little light weight, but the purse itself seems well built.  

Bought another bag from the same seller.  It looks amazingly well-made.  The hand straps seem pretty solid, although the shoulder straps do seem a little light weight.  

 Bought these two bags for 12,490 KRW and 7,980 KRW after discounts, which is roughly $10-$11 USD and $6-$7 USD, respectively.  All in all these were definitely a great deal!

Bought these earrings from this seller.   They were really cheap after discounts.  I believe all pairs were under 3,000 KRW (~$2-$3 USD).  They look really pretty and professional and they don't belie their incredibly cheap price.

A picture of my entire haul.  Got cute Anna Sui inspired brush holders, tray, and cotton tip/swab holder from this seller.  These were roughly 4,000 KRW (~$3-$4 USD).   

 I purchased these lace floral Etude House nail stickers, which I believe are similar to those dry polish applications for 3,000 KRW.  So cheap!  Can't wait to try it.  I also re-purchased more perfume bottles so I can carry around more perfumes.  I bought another nail polish remover bottle, which I'm going to transplant some of my Bioderma into so I don't have to pick up the 500ml bottle every time I want to use it.  Also received Etude House Skin Mal Gem duo sample (probably in Smoother and Deep Moist), Tony Moly Floria Cleansing Tissues, Tony Moly Face Mask sample, and another Etude House lip-shaped pillow.  Haha.

 I bought 3 of Tony Moly's Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist cause it's going to be summer soon.  It's supposed to help to freshen makeup and control oil.  I tried it once and it feels very cooling and has a lovely floral scent.  I also bought Etude House's Flamingo Eyebrow Razor.  I thought I was buying two 3-piece sets, but apparently not.  :/  They weren't as great a deal as I thought, but they are cute.  Also purchased mist bottles to put brush cleaner and toner into.  I really love Etude House bottles/containers because they are really sturdy and cheap.  Got a headband cause it was cheap and I hate when my hair gets wet when I wash my face.

 Etude House's Skin Mal Gem Moist.  I tried their sample with Deep Moist, but it feels a little tacky, so I'm hoping that Moist will be better.  I plan to use this in lieu of a moisturizer during summer since it will be hot, humid, and I have normal/oily combination skin.  Haha.

According to the box, Skin Mal Gem "hypoallergenic toners promote clean, clear and pure complexion with moisturizing and pore cleansing formulas."  I don't know if that's true since I haven't tried it yet.

Illustration showing various ways to use toner:  1) wipe on with cotton pad, 2) soaked on a mask sheet, and 3) misted on.

Etude House and Peripera Nail Polish Removers.  Both were cheap and I need some new nail polish removers.  Haven't tried them yet, but I'm excited to see if the Peripera one really smells like roses.  Haha.

Tony Moly Party Lover Triple Dome Eye Shadows in #11, #8, and #12.  Etude House Look at My Eyes eye shadows in OR201, GR701, and BR01.

The Tony Moly shadows seem decently pigmented, although they seem to be less fine than the Etude House shadows, which are very smooth and pigmented.  

Got to love the fact that Korean cosmetics come with a manufacturing date.  I read somewhere that most unopened cosmetic products are good for about 3 years after manufacturing.  Interesting.

Etude House LuciDarling Fantastic Gradation Eyes.  First impression:  very cute case. 

Bought this palette in #8 Miss Berry Berry.  Lately, I've been really into orange eye shadow ever since playing around with Shiseido's Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Fire (OR302).  It looks seriously crazy and Halloween-ish, but the colors blend out beautifully.  Just not $33 beautifully.  :/  That being said, hopefully, this palette can satiate my orange obsession.  

I like the bow clasp detailing.  It's very clever and fresh--at least, I haven't seen this done before.  It comes with with a brush applicator, which is nice.  Although, I haven't tried it so I don't know how good it is.

A closer up of the colors.

The back of the palette comes with application instructions, which is helpful if you're lacking application creativity.  Haha.  Or, don't know how to tone down the vivid colors.  

Peripera My Color Lips in #18 and #20.  These were rather expensive at 15,000 KRW (~$13-$14 USD). I thought that US sellers (e.g. Pretty and Cute) and eBay sellers were all over-pricing these items.  But, after seeing GMarket's price, I guess this isn't the case.  On the upside, these are seriously smooth, creamy, moisturizing, and highly pigmented.  Not to mention the adorable cases!

Left is #18 and Right is #20.  From the seller's pictures, I thought #18 would be a bit more muted.  It's not bad though, it's actually a nice warm red.