I first learned of the LORAC PRO Palette from Jen (frmheadtotoe). The number and variety of mattes was impressive, and coupled with the famed quality of LORAC shadows, blew all thoughts of getting the Naked palette from my mind. And let me tell you: all the raves are justified. This is by far my favorite indulgence from this trip.
The Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX is somewhat of a cult favorite in Asia. It's an overnight mask that delivers intense hydration for brighter, rejuvenated skin the next morning. Knowing I would be exposed to colder, drier temperatures, this had to go in my luggage.
NARS The Happening is a limited edition spring palette that caught my eye because it has both eye and cheek products in a slim compact with a large mirror. It was one of the few products I was determined to get, but it was unavailable in every Nordstrom I visited. Luckily it was in stock on Amazon, from the merchant bluemercury. Blue Mercury shops are everywhere, and customer feedback was A-ok, so I placed the order. It sold at retail price, US $65, which was great because other merchants are now selling it upwards of $80-100.
The final part of this photojourney...from Pismo Beach the Coast Starlight passed by San Luis Obipso and finally took me into the farmlands of Salinas, my stop. Salinas is known as the "Country's Salad Bowl" because of the many varieties of vegetables grown here. In fact, about 80% of America's fruits and vegetables are grown in California.
On the Union Pacific Railroad, the largest railroad network in the United States.
The scenic train ride continues... These pictures are totally raw and unedited. The Coast Starlight runs along the Pacific Ocean for about 178 miles, all the way to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, giving a beautiful view of the beach. We were told to look out for baleen whales, which have two blowholes, so when they blow the water spouts out heart-shaped. We didn't see any, but I did see a lot of birds and fish.
I'm fast-forwarding the travelogues. After DC and New York I flew back to the California. While the rest of my family went back home, I remained to stay with my aunt and her family in Carmel Valley. But to get there, I had to take two trains and a bus ride, with a total travel time of 12 hours. Obviously longer than an hour-long plane ride, but cheaper at half the price, and more importantly, SO MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL.
These photos are from the longest part of the journey, the 8-hour ride aboard the Amtrak Coast Starlight. They were shot through the train's window, which acted as a polarizing filter, much to my delight. That, coupled with the train's speed, gives these digital photos a dreamy, almost film-like quality. As such, I chose to post these completely unedited, lens flares and reflections and all. As you scroll through, you get a glimpse of life along the American West Coast, from city, to ocean, to farmland.
Sleek is a relatively new UK cosmetics brand that reached our shores late last year. The Sleek i-Divine Oh So Special Palette was my first eyeshadow palette, and I think those things hold a special place in your amygdala. It has a mix of 7 matte and 5 shimmer shades, making it quite versatile. It's carried me through both day and night looks. So obviously, this was the palette I had to bring with me on this trip.
Mobile travelogues: more backed up than ever. All iPhone/iPad pics, as usual. Our visit to DC was all about history. We toured a few museums (mostly for the fantastic 3D IMAX films, teehee) and historic sites, following no itinerary except our stomachs. :p Strangely enough, spring was more evident in this state than in California. It was shorts-weather the entire time I was here.
Boots No7 Marble Blusher in Ballerina: I picked up this up on a whim at a Boots pharmacy in Bangkok. I didn't know anything about it; I didn't even know the UK brand No7 did cosmetics :p I thought they were exclusively a skin care brand. But the blush was so gorgeously pigmented when I swatched it that I couldn't resist. A look at the price and into my basket it went. I can't find any reviews or even product listings online, which is a mystery to me because this a solid-performing blush in a very pretty shade of pink.
The L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows are reputed to be the drugstore dupe of (perhaps even the same product as) the Giorgio Armani Eye Shadows. I can't comment on this since I refuse to spend $33 on an eye shadow single, but I can tell you that I am extremely impressed with the L'Oreal line.
Hair Heroes is probably Snoe's most popular line. From sulfate-free shampoos and cleansing conditioners to Argan oil-enriched UV protectants, Snoe seems to have your crowning glory covered.
I've tried two of their cleansing conditioners. Before these conditioners I was convinced that only a rebonding or regular Brazilian blowouts could tame my full and frizzy mane.
