This Week's FOTD

Kate brown gold shadow on lid.  Tarte shadow on brown bone.  Wet 'n Wild shadow on lash line.

 Hi All!

I did this look sometime this week and liked it enough to take a picture.  I like neutral and mostly natural eyeshadow looks that just enhance what I have, not necessarily alter what I look like.

On lashes: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights & Fairydrops Scandal Queen masacaras

 So, in all my Battle Mascaras, I've found two mascaras that work really well for me.  They are the CoverGirl Exact Eyelights mascara, and the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus mascara.  In order to make the Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara work, I've been using CoverGirl mascara to hold the curl and then layering over it with Fairydrops.  Covergirl provides the curl holding power and volume, while Fairydrops provides length and additional volume.  All in all, I have to say that this is working out okay. 

 

Here's the final look.  Mr. P bought me the Clarisonic Mia2 a couple weeks ago and I've been using it about every other day.  The skin around the center of my face is so much more translucent, brighter, and smoother than before.  The acne scars and hyperpigmentation on my cheeks seem to be lessening.  However, my chin is very acne-active right now.  I've had a lot of cystic acne that develop into whiteheads there.  It seems to have lessened now, so my chin isn't so bumpy and painful anymore.  But this acne-active phase is not yet over!

Was this the purging phase I've seen other bloggers reference?  If you've used the Clarisonic Mia2, or any of it's predecessors, can you let me know if you've gone through a purging phase and how long did it last for you?

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend!  Ready for the work week again?  :-P

Milk and Rose Soap

 

 Hi Everyone!  

Here's another soap I recently made for Mr. P and myself.  I made this soap with minimal ingredients: rose oil, jojoba oil, milk, and crushed rose petals.

Mr. P and I have sensitive skin (different issues, but sensitive nonetheless).

Milk is a naturally moisturizing ingredient that is beneficial for skin.

Jojoba oil is most similar to our natural oils.

Rose oil for fragrance.  I didn't put too much because strong fragrance aggravates our skin.

Crushed rose petals for very very soft exfoliation.

 This is a glycerin-based soap, so it gets soft very easily if left in a humid bathroom.  

Thanks for reading!  Have a great day!

Haircut!

Hi All,

For the past couple of weeks now, I've been complaining to Mr. P that my hair has become so unmanageable in every way since I got it colored.  Fed up with the tangles, the dryness and brittleness of my hair, I decided to cut it short.  I was able to cut off 4-5 inches of my hair.

This is the final look.  It is a bit shorter than the style I wanted to go for, but it'll grow out in no time and I can have my regular stylist cut it to how I want it to look.  

I think most of the dyed strands will have come down my to ears by the time September rolls around.

I'm having some formatting issues with this post, so I'll just leave the pictures for the bottom.

Thanks for reading!

:-D

Los Angeles 2012 - gosh, 15 pounds really does something bad for my figure and posture!

Dallas 2010 - this was the original cut and style that I was trying to recreate.  I was much thinner back then!  *weeping*

Ventura Getaway!

Hi Everyone!  I hope everyone is having a good week so far.  Sometimes we get caught up in routine and we just need to find a way to keep things fresh.

Mr. P and I enjoy driving up to Santa Barbara.  It's far enough that it's fresh, but close enough so as to be a day trip or an over-nighter.  We've especially enjoyed Carpinteria, which is a small scenic town close to Santa Barbara. 

Well, last last month, Mr. P and I wanted to break the routine one more time by driving up to Carpinteria and staying at the hotel where we stayed for my birthday last year.  No such luck this time around.  We ended up in Ventura, which is a nice enough town but not as far from Los Angeles as I would have liked.

Regardless, we took ourselves up to Ventura and enjoyed a nice long walk along Main Street, and ate dinner at

The Taj Cafe

It actually tasted like Canada Dry Ginger Ale with some lemon juice squeezed in.

Forgot what this is called but it had potatoes and peas on the inside.  So yummy!

Mr. P ordered chicken masala...  at least I think that's what it's called.  It was so yummy and so fragrant!

I ordered lamb curry.  It was really really good!

On the house!  They brought us a chicken coconut curry dish to sample.  It was sweet and curriful. 

Also had a garlic naan bread.

Mr. P and I were in awe of the cracker and chutneys.  The cracker was super thin and the perfect delivery system for the chutneys.  LOL!

Mr. P missed the cats a lot that night and was asking if I minded if we just headed home first thing in the morning.  I thought that was so cute and it would have been funny if I didn't miss our kids so much too.  I was all for sleeping then going back to Los Angeles in the morning....

                                      ...... but ...........

We hit up the Camarillo Outlets and did a little shopping before we went back to Los Angeles.  No makeup products this time.  We just bought clothes.  :-)

I hope you're having a great week and thanks for stopping by!



 

Skincare Routine (April 2012)

Hi Everyone!

I finally did this video on my super simple skincare routine.

In this video I just talk about my daily routine.  It doesn't include the extras.  Also, this skincare routine covers February, March, and April.

I think I've found something that works for me, this KIS method skincare routine.  I used to use more products in my daily skincare routine when I was younger, but since I've been having a lot of reactions to certain products, I've really had to cut back on what I use.  The other benefit to KIS skincare is that it doesn't take a lot of time in the mornings or night.

Cleansers:
A mish-mash of all the cleansers I use at night and in the morning

Toner:
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Moisturizer:
Mizuno Tenshi Flower Moisture Gel
Liole Waterdrop BB cream (tinted moisturizer)

SPF:
Chanel Precision UV Essentiel

Thanks for stopping by!

Kirkland Signature 10 pc Deluxe Brush Collection w Designer Bag

 

Hi Everyone!

Mr. P and I live fairly close to this local outlet store that gets discounted items from Costco.  We passed by an aisle filled with Costco's Kirkland Signature 10-Piece Deluxe Brush Collection with Designer Bag and Mr. P offered to get it for me. 

My lips said "no" but my eyes said "yes."  Regardless, I'm now the proud owner of this brush set! 

In this set, you get 10 brushes and a clutch bag for the brushes for about $20 or so. 

 

So far, my favorites brushes are the angled eye brush and the stippling brush.  They feel so soft on my skin!

Our youngest kid here (the kitten) was interested in the brushes too.

I don't know if these are natural fibers or synthetic.  Considering how my baby was so interested in them, I'm leaning towards thinking these are natural fibers. 

 

I'm really liking that it has a detachable bag where I can put compacts, tubes, and/or bottles.  It doesn't make the clutch bulkier, either!

 

I can't wait to travel!  I love having everything in a concise little spot for easy packing and traveling!

What makeup product do you own that excites you to travel?

Thanks for stopping by!  :-)

Finished! April 2012

 

Shower Gels

I don't know the brand but these (gifts from my Kindred Spirit) shower gels smells so good!

 

 

Stila Lip Glaze in Merry Merry

I'm a little disappointed that all I managed to finish up were these 3 items.  But I suppose it's okay because I'll have more to report on at the end of May!  ^_-

Thanks for visiting my blog! 

Product Review: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

 

Hi All!  I'm back with another product review!  I feel like I haven't done a product review in a long time, so I am excited to do this one.  

Today's product review is on the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, which I got from one of the duty free boutiques at the Taipei Int'l Airport.  I will be the first to admit that I always always always want SK-II to be in my skincare regimen.  However, there is always a difference between "want" and reality.  

Anyways, here's a caption from the SK-II website that talks about product claims and details.  I have linked the picture to the website, so if you feel like you want to buy it, click on the picture.

As always, my product reviews evaluate the product based on product claims (or the claims of the company's marketing department), and are 100% my opinion.  

Note:  The instructions say to use this product with a cotton pad.  I do follow the instructions for this product even though I think it is a waste of product.  It's $60.00!!!!

Removes residual impurities and dead skin cells

I think there are better products out there that can remove a whole lot more.  In a side-by-side test with witch hazel extract, the cotton pad soaked with witch hazel picks up a lot more of the residual makeup than the cotton pad soaked with SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.  That leads me to doubt whether or not the SK-II is as effective as it claims.

Contains a blend of AHAs and BHAs, as well as Pitera

I lean towards believing this claim.  I don't have any problems with breakouts and my skin feels nicely moisturized and plumped after using this product.

Gently exfoliates

On a chemical level, I know AHAs and BHAs help with exfoliating inside your pores.  Surface exfoliation is mostly attributed to the cotton pad.  I may sound cynical or sarcastic here but don't misunderstand me:  My skin feels smoooooth after using this product.

Improves the texture and tone of the skin

Yes, to texture for the reasons stated so far.  As for the tone, maybe that's an individual struggle because my face still looks blotchy color-wise.  I have bright parts of my face and my never-ending struggle with age spots.  Maybe the claims mean "tone" as in when we say someone is "toned"?  If so, then I'd have to say that the level of hydration I get with this product plumps up my skin so that it feels younger and a little bit firmer.

Refreshed feeling

Yes!  My skin feels like it took a deep breath of fresh air after wiping down my face with the Clear Lotion.

Healthy glow

YES!!!  My skin looks brighter and more glowy after using this!

Would I recommend this to others?  Yes, I would.  I think it's worth to try out once in your life-time.  

Would I repurchase this product?  Probably not.  I think the psychological constant of knowing that my witch hazel extract can strip off more residual makeup than the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is the one and only factor for why I wouldn't repurchase this again, even though it works so well in all other areas.  Also... the price...  It's too hard to see $60 leave my hands so quickly.  

Below is some detail on the ingredients used in this product:

Thanks for reading!  If you have a different experience with this product, I'd like to know about it!  ^_^

Surprise Gifts from Linh!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share some surprise gifts I got from Linh last week.  We were talking a little bit of a swap because she had a DermStore Lip Quench that she didn't think she'd use, and I had an Elta Tar that I hadn't used in a long time (if ever).  I was only expecting the Lip Quench but this fantastic woman surprised me with plenty more!  What's even more awesome about this already big surprise is that most of the things she included are brand new!  Isn't that the sweetest?!

If you're reading this you should really stop by her blog and check it out.  She's got hauls, product reviews, and (my favorite) special moments with her hubby.  ^_^ 

Linh's blog:  Blushology

Read on for the I can't wait to try... thoughts!

I can't wait to try the Skin79 Super BB Triple Functions.  It says it's whitening, which I'm always interested in, and it's wrinkle free.  Wrinkle free...  sounds a little like a promise you'd see on men's dress shirts...  ...  Anyways, I can't wait to try it out after I get through my Liole bb cream.  I can't wait to write a product review on it.  I've read a couple reviews (I forgot from where) that said this brand's bb cream is gray, but you know what?  I like that it says whitening.  I can't wait to form my own thoughts on this!

I have allergic reactions to most chapsticks and lip balms.  One of the only ones I've still been able to use are the Nivea lip balms.  Unfortunately, I left mine in the car on one of the hottest days in So. Cal., and the thing melted and leaked all over one of the little compartments in my Fit.  And fortunately (or maybe it was fate?!?!) Linh's gift of the DermStore Lip Quench came just in time!  I can't wait to try that out.  I believe a product review will be forthcoming!  ^_^  I'll be smarter than to leave it in the car in the heat and sun this time.

One thing that I want to try but am afraid to try at the same time is the Murad Absolute Bronzing Boost.  I believe it came in one of Linh's MyGlam bags some time this year, I can't remember which month.  You can check out her blog and search MyGlam for this year if you want to see what else she got in the bag.  Anyways, I want to try it because I've never ever tried any product that is a liquid bronzer or a sunless tanner.  I'm afraid to because my goal is to lighten up (both my skin and my stress level, hahaha....).  If I do try it out, I'll let you know how it worked and what I think of it.  Who knows?  I might like it.  It's good to try new things every once in a while.  ^_-

Linh included a sample sized Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate.  I really want to try that out as I'm always on the hunt for something to slow down my skin's aging process.  It will seem a little bit contradictory when I add this to my skincare routine because I do KIS method skincare (Keep It Simple).  I usually have just a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, SPFer, and bb cream, which I'll talk about in detail in another post.  I hope I can see some improvements to my skin with this!

All in all I'm really happy and appreciative of everything Linh gifted me with.  It was very generous and I seriously can't wait to try everything out and post on most, if not all, of them!

Thank you for everything, Linh!  ^_^

And thanks everyone for reading!