New Fav - Zoya Nail Polish!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been a long while since my last post - life has been quite a roller coaster the past month but I'm now back on track and ready to share new things with you again :)

Today I wanted to introduce you to my latest nail polish brand addiction - Zoya! This addiction started back towards the beginning of this year when a friend of mine sent me a deal to Zoya nail polish (3 colors for US$12). Since this was my first time trying out the brand, I ended up getting 3 different color finishes including their newest PixieDust finish in Sunshine, Holographic in Storm, and Cream in Elodie.

All the colors that I chose were rated either 4 or 5 on their opaque/intensity scale and after trying on the first color, I must say I'm thoroughly impressed at how opaque the polishes are with only one coat!

The first color I had put on was PixieDust finish in Sunshine. It's a navy blue, matte finish coat with a ton of sparkles. The texture sort of reminds me of fine sandpaper. One thing to note is that since this is a matte finish - do not apply a separate shiny top coat as it will defeat the purpose of it being matte :P The polish lasted fairly well despite my weekly rock climbing routine. I dreaded removing the polish but it turned out to be one of the easiest sparkly polish to remove ever for me!

The second color that I tried on was Holographic finish in Storm. It did take ~2 coats to achieve the color I was looking for but it was holographic indeed! There was a high concentration of micro fine-diamond-like holographic glitter which paired up perfectly against the rich black base! I do like darker colors but this one looks a tad bit more interesting than just pure darkness :P

Last but not least is the Cream finish in Elodie. This one didn't quite live up to the high expectation I had after experiencing the other two colors. There was nothing wrong with the polish itself but there was nothing special either unfortunately. Similar to Storm finish, I had to put on 2 coats to achieve the opaque color that I was looking for. The color on this one is not as red as the picture shown below, instead I would describe it being more of a hot coral color with a slight tint of pink.

Overall, I'd have to say that the colors shown on their website are fairly close to what you see in real life and Zoya definitely wins on anything with sparkles! If they ever have another 3 for US$12 deal, I'd highly recommend you trying out a few of their sparkly finishes :)

NARS Multi-Action Hydrating Toner Review

Hi Everyone! Happy Wednesday to those of us who are one day closer to the upcoming long weekend :) Today, I wanted to share with you guys my thoughts on the NARS Skincare's Multi-Action Hydrating Toner which I've used steadily for the past 2+ months.

For whatever magical reason, I've lived the past 28 years blindly without ever applying toner on my face until it was introduced to me by a NARS makeup artist at Saks Fifth Avenue in SF. [I had signed up for a free makeup consultation sponsored by work last December and was sold on the concept of adding "toner" to my daily routine.]

By definition, toners are meant to help restore our skin's pH level after cleansing. It was created back when people were using bar soaps which had the tendency of raising our skin's pH level beyond its natural/preferred stage. Nowadays, due to all the fancy face washes we have, toners are used more for general skin restoration as it contains antioxidants and skin-repairing substances.

That being said - I decided to give NARS toner a try since it was highly recommend during my consultation for my extremely dry skin. This toner claims to "hydrate, soften, and exfoliate" which seemed like a perfect fit where it moisturizes and gently removes all the dead/unwanted dry skin cells on my face.

This toner is priced at US$32 before tax for 6.7oz bottle. As much as I wanted to rave about this, I unfortunately am just not a big fan of this product :( It did an okay job with exfoliation to remove the dead skin cells during application, however, I felt it was too temporary. I continued to have the same flaky skin issue on my forehead after cleansing and have not seen any improvement despite having used this toner consistently for a while now.

Another slightly bothersome fact about this product is their bottle design. The pump tends to leak or drip quite frequently. Although I do wipe it clean with the cotton pad each time, I feel like I'm forced to waste or use up more of the product than I really needed to.

I'm about two-thirds of the way through with this bottle and can't wait to try out something new next :P Perhaps NARS skin care is just not the right fit for my skin but do let me know if you have a different experience or have a suggestion on which toner I should give it a go next!

That's all for now, thanks for stopping by until next time :)

Liquid Eyeliner - Stila vs Dolly Wink

To be perfectly honest, I didn't actually use eyeliners of any sort till maybe ~2.5 years ago. I started off with pencil, then my old college housemate introduced me to liquid liners, and I eventually welcomed gel liners into the collection after sifting through countless numbers of YouTube videos :) [I'll post about the 3 different liner use cases in the near future to hopefully help you understand when and what to use!] That being said - for today, I wanted to share with you guys the most popular liquid eyeliners in the states and in Asia, which I personally have tried as well.

In the states, the makeup artists or beauty consultants that I've encountered usually recommend Stila Stay All Day Waterproof liner. It comes in multiple colors and the one I got was Jet Black. This liner feels like a pencil in hand but comes with a clean felt tip. It costs US$20 and can last up to a year depending on your usage.

PRO :: Jet black is extremely rich in black where one stroke is really all you need to achieve that clean dark line! It's easy to use and lays down fairly precisely. The liquid also doesn't "crack" when dried on your skin. I've seen other brands of liquid liners where the ink would turn into tiny hard flakes and breaks off throughout the day as it completely dries.

CON :: This might be due to the way how my semi-mono lid is folded, but if I were to line my eyes all the way to the inner corners - I'd actually turn into a clown about midway into the day. The liner would smear (despite having primer on) right where my eye folds are and creates two dark spots on my eyelids. I've actually gotten comments from my coworkers asking "what's that on your eye?" :( The workaround is to only line the second half of my eye from the middle of my pupil to the outer corner for the wing.

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In Asia on the other hand, Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner is probably the most beloved liner. Unlike Stila, Dolly Wink liner comes in a stiff brush type of tip. It applies cleaner than Stila's felt tip and is more sensitive in reaction to the different pressure and angle of your hand during application. You can purchase this online or in local Japanese stores for anywhere between US$18-$20.

PRO :: The stiff brush tip makes your lines ultra clean. Similar to Stila, the ink doesn't crack and most importantly, it doesn't smear on my lids! So far I haven't been asked about looking like a clown and even on lazy days without eye primer on, Dolly Wink still holds fairly well!

CON :: The black ink is not as rich of a black when compared to Stila. It does require double layering on some parts if you want to achieve that dramatic black line.

Hopefully you've found this post somewhat useful! As always, please feel free to share your feedback and comments below and I look forward in hearing from you!

P.S. If you haven't already - follow me on g+ for my new #photoaday posts!

Did you use sunscreen on your face today?

A few months back when I went for my 3rd facial (3rd in the last 28 years that is) prior to one of my best friend's wedding, the aesthetician asked if I use any sunscreen on my face. I immediately responded with "I'm pretty sure my BB cream has SPF something..." and before I could finish she responded with a firm "that's not enough!"

Being a curiosity monkey - I did some additional digging and it's come to my attention that these ultraviolet (UV) rays are not only invisible to the naked eyes, they also act like sharp arrows, silently shooting down our skin cells one at a time. Too little UV ray may lead to a lack of vitamin D, but too much UV ray can actually lead to direct DNA damage, increase skin aging, or even cause skin cancer in extreme cases.

Random inspirational sketch :P

So here I am, several months later, have finally gotten into the habit of applying facial sunscreen before I leave the house every single morning (yes, even on gloomy days!) and I wanted to share with you guys my current favorite product!

I don't know about you guys but I don't really like the thick, oily, shining feeling that regular sunscreen provides and the last thing I want to do is to rub them all over my face... So the key criteria I used in looking for the perfect sunscreen are water-based light weight formula, good for daily use, and high in Sun Protection Factor (SPF) coverage. What I've found is Shiseido's oil-free UV protector (SPF 42) that meets pretty much everything on my checklist!

PRO :: This is a super light and non-greasy product just like what I had pictured in mind! It comes out in a milky liquid format that absorbs quickly and leaves your skin in a matte finish. The scent smells great and the product is good for up to 42 minutes of sun protection and is totally okay for daily usage!

CON :: 1) Pricey for one oz. of product at US$30 before tax! Depending on how often you are underneath the sun, you could go through bottles easily with multiple applications throughout the day. 2) Because of its matte finish, combined with my super dry skin - it occasionally leaves a chalky look on the driest part of my face. What I do to compensate for this is to apply extra moisturizer in those areas prior to using this product.

P.S. Since this is my current favorite facial sunscreen, I will continue to be on the lookout for a more affordable yet comparable product if there is one out there! I will definitely share with you guys when that day comes :)

As always - don't hesitate to leave a comment below and let me know what you think. All feedback are greatly appreciated!

LUSH Fresh Face Masks

A friend of mine recently introduced me to LUSH's fresh face masks. After walking into their store, I was immediately drawn to the concept of using fresh ingredients. In fact, it's so fresh that you literally have to keep the mask in the fridge for a shelve life of ~2-3 weeks. Make sure to check for the latest expiration dates on the bottom of the mask container before you buy!

I was so excited during my first visit that after chatting with one of the LUSH employee, I went ahead and bought a pot of Oatifix* per their recommendation at US$6.95 for 2.1 oz of product. You get about 4-6 use out of it depending on the amount you apply onto your face. To use - just apply the mask over your skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and pat dry.

*Oatifix can be described like a bowl of mashed banana mixed with oats and ground almonds. It's suppose to be super moisturizing and great for sensitive and dry skin. That being said I unfortunately had an allergic reaction to this product. After ~5 minutes of leaving this product on my face, I started feeling this burning sensation which I then immediately rinsed off with warm water but the product left my skin with red rashes/lumps that lasted for a few hours. I had to try this mask a second time just to confirm that yes I am indeed allergic to it :( The mask does smell good (if you like banana that is) and leaves your face feel somewhat....oily but soft. It's oily in the sense that I feel like the mask left a film of wax or something.

Given my initial failed attempt - I thought I'd give LUSH another try since they do have a solid selection of masks. Instead of purchasing a full pot, I got two samples (Love Lettuce and BB Seaweed) this time. Each sample came in a tiny container and lasted for about 2 use for me. Luckily I had no reaction to either of the sample masks :)

Oatifix in full size pot and the other two in sample sizes. 

Love Lettuce is one of their more popular exfoliating mask. It contains ground almond, seaweed, honey, and french lavender oil. I do like the smell of it and it's also great for removing dead skin cells but it might be a bit too much for my face. My skin was left super soft as if a whole layer of skin was scrubbed off yet my face was super dry at the same time. I had to follow up with double the amount of my usual oil/moisturizer usage afterwards.

BB Seaweed on the other hand is most likely the one I will go for a whole pot next time. It contains ground almond for exfoliation with decent size chunk of seaweeds, mixed with aloe vera gel, honey, and olive oil. I'd say it's a good combination of what Oatifix and Love Lettuce was trying to achieve, leaving my skin feeling soft yet moist at the same time!

BB Seaweed Mask with chunks of seaweed!

That's all for now everyone! Hope you enjoyed this quick review. Let me know about the other LUSH masks that you've tried and liked! 4-6 masks for US$6.95 is not a bad deal in my book :)

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Review

For the past 28 years, I've never once considered using a separate face makeup remover in addition to a facial cleanser. I figured my face can be just as clean as the number of times I rescrub my skin...

Wrong! Please don't be like me ladies and start investing in a makeup remover if you use any sort of foundation, BB/CC cream, or sunscreen on your face on a daily basis!

Given my somewhat sensitive and super dry skin - I decided to give CLINIQUE's Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm a try. CLINIQUE is known for their "Allergy Tested + 100% Fragrance Free" tagline. I figured at the very least, my face could avoid some sort of massive allergic reaction. [I'm known for my ridiculous allergies, I'll explain more in future posts.]

The first time I scooped up this product it reminded me of cooking shortenings - the color is bit more translucent than compared to...say solid pork fat in a bowl :P

That being said, the moment you start rubbing this product between your palms, they magically melt into an oily liquid. This newly transformed lotion-like liquid comes in perfect for a quick self-serviced face massage. To wash it off, just rinse with warm water.

PRO :: It does a solid job at breaking down your makeup including waterproof mascara. It doesn't leave any oily residues although I'd still follow up with a round of regular facial cleanser wash.

CON :: It is a bit on the pricey side at US$28.50 before tax for a 3.8 oz jar from Sephora. Based on how much I've used in the past ~2.5 weeks, my best product usage cycle guesstimate would be 3-4 months. I will update this again if I turned out to be super off.

That's all for now guys! Please feel free to comment below and let me know if you have any questions or if there's a product that I should try out next :)

Origins Free Mini Facial!

Today I made an impromptu free mini facial appointment with Origins and I must say, my skin feels pretty happy right now :) I highly encourage you guys to take advantage of the free mini facials service in stores if you are near one! I do recommend making an appointment ahead of time if the store around you seems busy.

Prior to the facial, an Origins consultant will chat with you to learn more about your skin type in order to pick out the products they want to use on you. They'll also provide a headband and bib for clothing protection.

Here are the products that were used on me:

The entire facial lasted for about 40-45 minutes from talking to the consultant to walking out of the store with samples. They began by cleansing your face with Checks and Balances frothy face wash. It felt okay, seems just like your typical face wash. Then they moved on to exfoliation with Modern Friction exfoliator which is made out of rice starch, lemon oil, aloe, and peppermint. It's a very gentle scrub and left my face feeling super soft afterwards!

To wash off the exfoliator, they used warm water which helped open up my pores in time for 5 minutes worth of Clear Improvement charcoal face mask (containing white china clay) treatment. I did feel like the mask was trying to pull things out of my skin, making the process feel somewhat tight and peppermint-y with cold yet hot feeling all at the same time.

After the mask, the consultant proceeded with Zero Oil toner and followed up with the Mega-Bright serum which supposedly helps with reducing dark spots and evening out discolorations. She also applied Plantscription eye cream that minimizes fine lines underneath your eyes.

Last by not least, my facial was finished off with A Perfect World moisturizer with SPF 25 and made with white tea. I have to say this mini facial was a great success. Upon looking in the mirror after the facial, I did notice the pores on my nose were tightened and my skin were soft and well hydrated.

All of Origins products are formulated with natural and organic ingredients and I'm happy to report that I had no allergic reaction to any of the products used on my face!

Oh and here are all the goodies/samples I ended up walking out with (which essentially is a complete set of all the products used during my facial):

Reflection

Seeing my own reflection in the mirror today, it suddenly dawned on me that my "twenties" is silently walking away! Aside from prepping for the 30's welcome party, I did notice a few new visitors [aka fine lines underneath my eyes] are awaiting at my doorsteps...

While I'm nowhere close to being a professional in beauty or skin care, I do want to start encouraging those around myself and perhaps inspire some of you out there to start taking care of our skin. [I'm 28 and I want to believe it's not too late to start paying attention to what our body is trying to tell us.]

That being said - please keep an eye out for my future posts with reviews, and potentially makeup tutorials! I shall share all my good and bad experiences and hope to make some new friends along the way!

Here's to 2014!