Thank You and See You Later

This isn't actually a swan song.  It's a thank you.  It's a big thank you to each of you for spending time with me and allowing me to indulge in one of my favorite things: beautiful makeup!  Having this blog has allowed me to experience camaraderie with other fellow makeup lovers and it's been so much fun.  I wish it could go on for longer, but the day has come.  I hope this doesn't come as a surprise if you are a loyal reader to Wondegondigo.

Time for the goat to take a bow

What the hell, how about a cute pig from the Central Park Zoo?

What an incredible ego-boosting and validating experience to feel that I have an audience.  I mean seriously, in real life, people want to know why I have another shopping bag or another box coming in with yet more makeup.  But on the blog, everyone wants to know when I will post about it and can it be soon.  And you guys comment!  It's like an incredible positive feedback loop!  I feel like a rat in an laboratory experiment zapping myself with positive reinforcement and feeling the need to post even more!

In the beginning, I was so excited to see 10 page views, 20 page views, until I realized Blogger was recording me obsessively clicking on my own blog.  I changed that setting and was really sad to see the views drop to single digits.  (ha!  how embarrassing!)  But then people found me and lovely bloggers put me on their blog rolls.  Today, Wondegondigo will every so often break over 1000 page views daily and to date we have close to 1,500 comments on the blog in just about seven months.  (I swear, it's not me clicking a 1000 times on my own posts!)  Of course, it's tiny for established bloggers when put into perspective, but considering how small this blog is, it is really and truly exciting.

My alter ego thanks you

I need to confess that I actually set up my blog so I can get rid of some less-loved makeup and to streamline.  Sorry!  But it's one of the reasons for setting this blog up.  Swapping isn't really so alluring to me, because you get more makeup IN and not just OUT.  Thanks for shopping my blog sales and helping me clear up and streamline and allowing me to make some big splurges with the funds.  I've met many wonderful people through those two sales.  I'm so grateful!

Another reason for setting up this blog is to explore and ruminate on what I like and don't like.  It's been an invaluable exercise.  I've learned so much and also got an opportunity to write creatively and analytically.  I was an English major in school, but professionally I write in bullet points (yuck).  This has been edifying and fun.  I learned just how much I like STUFF, and how I have weird tendencies, but at least now I know what they are and be on guard so I don't buy the same things over and over again.  And I will go in with my eyes wide open especially when I get sucked into the allure of certain luxury brands.

Why am I stopping?  Frankly, I've run out of stuff to say and stuff to show.  A few weeks ago, I posted my stash pictures and by now, I think I've posted about pretty much all of them.  I definitely don't want to bore you with pictures of my spoolie brushes.  :)  Unless you really want an in-depth brush post on what I use to brush my eyebrows.  Hee hee.

In order to sustain a blog like this is to be buying new things constantly.  Or at least be bringing in new things.  As you can tell, I'm too tiny to be awash in PR samples and don't want to spend even more money becoming even more of the consumer than I already am.  And believe me, I am a big consumer.  I also like to be profilic and post often and whew!  I just don't think I can spare that time in my life to do the blog justice.

I'm sure that other bloggers have mentioned how much work running a blog is.  Holy cow.  It really is a mountainous amount of work.  It gets in the way of my life, which doesn't always revolve around being on the computer to write draft posts, taking pictures each weekend morning while praying for bright sun, and spending time thinking about new things to write.  I loved it though, and sad it doesn't fit in my life with all of regular in-real-life life that needs the tending to and loving.

My favorite things (but not that dude on the right.  i don't know who that is)

I will leave myself an opening.  If I buy something lovely, I will come back and post.  If my life changes and gives me some more free time, I will be back.

I am now going back to my civilian life. Bloggers!  I look forward to enjoying your blog as your most loyal reader.  And my lovely readers, let's hang out on the internet and see each other on our favorite blogs, forums and on Twitter.

Happy days.  Enjoy some cake

Thank you.  Thank you for making this so fun.  Take care, and see you later.



Administrative notes:
1) Blog will be up for anyone wanting to read it
2) Sorry, turning on some moderation in the near future to the comments so it doesn't get overrun with spam.
3) Maybe there will be more blog sales?

Sheer Lipsticks - Swatch Set

I seem to have a fair number of sheer lipsticks in my lipstick collection.  Sheer lipsticks are so easy to apply and reapply that they seem to fit my lazy lifestyle so well.  I have a fairly wide representation across brands and I want to share them with you today.  I even scored a sample of the new YSL Rouge Volupté Shine and will put that in my round up.  This was a sample in my last Sephora order.

Several of these specific items have already been discussed and dissected in detail on the blog, so I will link to those if you are interested in seeing more detailed information.  But in doing this particular exercise, I made some notes on differences among the formulas and brands represented here.  Shall we kick it off?

AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ in 104 Tan Blush

At the recent Bergdorf Goodman Beauty event, I picked up a few skincare items from the AmorePacific counter and while there, also picked up the new Color Control Cushion Compact.  In my head, I may have laughed derisively at the CC makeup concept which seems like a marketing person's evolution from the now ubiquitous BB cream.  (Blergh!  Lolz!)  Lately I've been on the hunt for a foundation that would provide good light feel that would stand up to my oily t-zone and provide a better match for my tanned skin.

Color Control Cushion Compact is not called a foundation as such, but performs as one as well as a skincare product.  It has a very interesting product dispensing method, which is a sponge that has been soaked with the product.  An enclosed flat puff is used to pat on the product onto the skin.  The puff is treated to be anti-microbial as well.  (not sure the science behind that)  A refill of the product-loaded sponge is included in the purchase price.

What's in My Bag? Tag

Somebody just tagged me and now I have to clean out the inside of my bag!  I thought about showing you either the edited contents or showing you everything in it, so I decided to show you the whole thing.  I like reading other people's "What's in My Bag" posts because it's awesome and voyeuristic and I get a glimpse of someone else's life outside of her blog.  Unedited it is.

By the way, please allow me to introduce you to Sara BeauTime.  I follow her on Twitter where she posts incredible face of the days and also read her brand new blog, Color Me Loud.  (I'll wait a bit while you peruse her blog archive and follow her on twitter)  Her comparison nail polish posts are jaw-droppingly epic, too. 

Back to my unedited What Crap Is in My Bag, I mean, What's in My Bag:

I have a couple of beautiful bags, but have been carrying this one non stop since I purchased it last year.  I also hate changing bags because maybe I forget the house keys in some pocket, or miss something else when I change.  I love the soft warm grey and I think gold-toned hardware is refreshing and luxurious.

My bag is from a Korean brand called Goong.  Goong means palace in Korean.  They have a beautiful little boutique in the ancient neighborhood of Bukchon, which is home to numerous traditional Korean houses called hanoks.  Hanok style houses are a national treasure.

Hanok-style House in Bukchon

This was the neighborhood that palace officials lived in and is located near two major Korean palaces: Gyungbukgoong and Changdukgoong.

Here are some pictures I took at Changdukgoong last year.  Glorious cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Cherry Blossoms at Changduk Goong

Edward Bess Blush Extraordinaire in Secret Affair

I posted about Blush Extraordinaire in Bed of Roses and today, I'm showing off Secret Affair.  I won't wax too lyrical about the formula since I drooled all over Bed of Roses already.  Just know this: I ADORE IT.  Smooth?  Yes.  Pigmented?  Yes.  Alchemic powers to turn colored powder into beautiful cheeks?  Yes, that too, YES!  Uh oh.  I've gone crazy again.

on nails, Rescue Beauty Lounge in Be Humble

Delicious summery mix of coral and peach.

Suqqu Blend Color Eye Shadow in Kokedama 02

I think I've purchased my fill of Suqqu eye shadow quads now.  Kokedama is among my last epic Suqqu splurge, which filled me with great glee and great anxiety and soul searching.  There are certain brands that functions as catnip to cats for me.  I also have a need to complete collections and certainly nothing is more pleasurable to me (makeup-wise) than to compile a huge collection of Suqqu quads, especially the discontinued ones.  With opportunity given, I purchased Kokedama.

Kokedama is one of the older quads, and as is the format features a white matte base shade which functions to even out the lids and prime without actually adding color.  It has a dark matte base shade which is used to create depth and provides the primary color tone of the look.  Then two more shades which provide shimmer and satiny texture to complete the look.

Edward Bess Blush Extraordinaire in Bed of Roses

I have a fail-safe strategy to kill any long-standing makeup wants: walk to a counter and play.  It's fail safe, except when it's not.  I had seen Gaia on Non-Blonde post on the new Edward Bess products and had been mulling over buying them.  Then I put myself on a low/no-buy for the month of April.

When Bergdorf Goodman was having their beauty event, I went to buy some skincare and cavalierly ended up at the Edward Bess counter fully prepared to feel self satisfied and in control and walk away.  The lipsticks didn't look good at all on me, but when I ran my fingers over the new Blush Extraordinaire...well.

Meet Bed of Roses.  Hello, pretty thing.

It is an swoon-worthy pretty pink blush with a satiny touch.  It is finely milled without kicking up any dust when you swipe with a brush.  It is a beautiful flattering satin on the skin.  I found the original blush from the brand, the Blush Imperial to be dry but smooth and lacking in intense pigmentation.

Burberry Beauty Sheer Eye Shadow in Pale Barley, Midnight Brown and Mulberry

Nope, nope.  Not sheer at all.

If you ever had the opportunity to walk by a Burberry counter, it may be possible to walk right by it.  As a matter of fact, you may actually stop to play with the eye shadows a bit and still walk on by after a few minutes.  I'm very fortunate to have the Burberry counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in Manhattan a short walking distance away.  But I had the very experience I described.  Why is that?

Jin Soon Nail Polish in Auspicious & Rescue Beauty Lounge in Be Humble (Been Feeling Grey)

It's refreshing to know that my proclivities are consistent in all cosmetics!  I suspect a lot of people are this way as well, which is to constantly be drawn to the same colors over and over again.  In this case, I purchased two nail polishes recently.

Rescue Beauty Lounge recently released its Emoting Me collection, inspired by...feelings?  Nothing more than feelings?  I made a couple of picks from the pre-sale event (which opens up to the general public later this month) and among them is Be Humble.  It's a pale, lavender toned grey with the trademark Rescue Beauty Lounge secret shimmer.  There is a mix of warm shimmer and purply blue shimmer in the color, which kind of shows in the top picture.

Formula is wonderful, with a lovely consistency that is full coverage in two coats.  Here I've topped with Butter London's top coat.  This cool color seems to bring about a slight lobster claw effect on my warm skin, but not completely unflattering, no?

Second recent purchase was Jin Soon's Auspicious.  Another grey with a lavender tinge.  This is a warm grey that is a cream with a tiny bit of jelly translucency.  It took three coats to achieve near full coverage.  No top coat in this pictures.  The pretty shine is all it's own.  I was also very impressed with the wear of this color, which lasted with out base or top coat with just a tiny bit of tip wear for about 5 days.

Red and Coral Blushes and Some Such - Swatch Set

While editing my pictures for this Red/Coral post, I realized I have a terrible sense of color.  I think most of these colors can be argued as something other than red or coral!  Moving on, here is the last of my color-family blush series.  Today, I bring you Reds and Coral and Some Such:

I'm showing you Addiction Revenge (not pictured below.  Because I forgot), Burberry Blossom, Chanel Fleur de Lotus (LE), Estée Lauder Wild Sunset, Dolce & Gabbana Sole, Rouge Bunny Rouge Orpheline & Florita, Suqqu EX03 Akenemizu (the right side, and also LE) and Susan Thompson Cherry Pie.

A few meaningless words on brands and formulas not previously discussed: