At Home Spa w/ Dr. Dennis Gross + L'Occitane

My work is pretty flexible so I decided that Monday was going to be my relax day. I used to get facials and massages all the time, but lately (as you know I'm a student again) I'm on a budget and can't afford to do the luxurious things I used to once do. Luckily, my bf has Mondays off so I volunteered him to be my masseuse and I was my own facialist. My bf is really sweet and gives me massages every now and then with this super good smelling L'Occitane Lavender massage gel! I'm a big fan of L'Occitane products and only use their soaps and have gotten my bf addicted as well.

Dr. Dennis Gross Medi-Spa Peel Kit  c/o | L'Occitane Lavender Massage Gel

I first discovered the original Dr. Gross Alpha Beta peel pads (very affordable) through Sephora a few years ago and really loved the product. These pads are essentially an anti-aging product that helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, pores and give you glowing skin. When Dr. Dennis Gross reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try the new Medi-Spa peel kit, I couldn't be more excited since I know the quality of their products and how well they perform.

The Medi-spa skit contains: 16 Pads, 1 Firming Peptide Milk + 1 cute little headband I've been using the kit once a week for 3 weeks now and have seen vast signs of improvement in my skin. The first time I used it, my bf asked me if I went to get a facial because my skin had the same glow that I'd get from a microdermabrasion. The next day, one of my classmates told me that I looked very fresh faced. So I was really happy that the results were so dramatic that other people noticed! What I really like are that my pores look much smaller, my fine lines around my eyes are reduced and my skin is so nicely hydrated and dewy after each use. The process is super gentle and I feel absolutely no burning sensation as I’ve felt during a microderm. Step 1: You take these pre-soaked pads and swipe it all over the face until the pad gets dry. I’ve read via Sephora that someone cut the pads in half to save money. It’s a super genius idea because the pads are really big and doesn't really dry up after a few minutes. My skin feels exfoliated and cleansed after Step 1 and my pore size and fine lines are reduced. Step 2: The small bottle is the firming peptide milk that you massage onto the face after waiting a few minutes. According to Sephora, the milk neutralizes the skin and enhances the acids in the pads. I don’t know about that, but the milk does make my skin really soft and supple.

Overall, I am really happy with the results and how smooth and soft my skin feels. Even though it is a little pricey, you do get 16 pads and I'm going to cut those in half so this kit will last me for about half a year. The cost of one of these kit is about what I used to pay for one facial. When taking into account how long the kit lasts and what it does for my skin, I will definitely purchase this when I'm done using the sample kit.

Updating My Life + Lipstick Wardrobe

Hi Ladies! Time is not a luxury recently, so my postings have been very sparse. I thought I'd have a lot of time this summer to get back to blogging, but apparently not. I went back to doing makeup and also interning for a designer, which is coming to an end, and I'll be transitioning back to school and working for a fashion company. I'm really excited about seeing my friends in school and hanging out with them again and also starting my new job and being able to learn everything I can about the fashion industry!

Ever since I bought my red lipstick (in this post), I've been really intrigued about trying different colors and venturing out of my comfort zone of wearing basic pink lip glosses. I spent this summer doing makeup so it gave me the chance to try bright saturated colors and really see how each color drastically changes how you look. 

MAC Pink Plaid Lipstick : This has a matte finish and I'd say it's more baby pink in person vs. a very nude color! I do love this color with a smokey eye.

MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick : This lipstick has a satin finish and it's actually really bright in person. My boyfriend actually really liked this color on me and said that it brightens up my face and I have to totally agree!
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick: This has an amplified finish so the color is super pigmented with a creamy finish. I think it's a very glam color and would be so pretty to wear on a night out (hence the lipstick name).
MAC Hang-up Lipstick: The finish of this lipstick is a cremesheen which gives the lips lots of moisture and a little bit of shine. I never thought I'd be into a dark lip-color, but I have to say this is my favorite out of the 4. I think the color is really sexy and makes me feel like a vixen (which I am not).

Tutorial : Easy Blowout with Conair Hot Brush

Hey ladies! Today, I have a very easy tutorial for you using the Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush. I've been using it for the last couple of weeks as an alternative to my flat iron and I absolutely love it! My hair is so long (I feel like Rapunzel) and it's getting very time consuming to style and I wanted something that was quick and easy. I realized that my flat iron was giving my hair so many split ends and also drying it out. After using the Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush for the last couple of weeks, I feel like my hair is so much softer, shinier and healthier!

 I have tried giving myself a blowout with a regular blow dryer and brush, but my arms just get too tired. I'm also not coordinated enough to do the hair wrapping with the brush in one hand while holding the blow dryer with other hand. I did a little research and found this Conair Hot Brush (it's essentially a brush and blow dryer in one!!!), I couldn't believe such a product exists. I feel like a cave women for not knowing...hahaha! Anyhow, the brush comes with 2 attachments - one 1.5" brush and one 1" brush. In the tutorial below, I am using the 1.5" brush.

 Pros: Easy to use, great for straightening, shinier and healthier hair, gives more volume compared to the flat iron, causes less damage to hair & affordable price.
Cons: Not enough power + heat to curl the hair, hair can get tangled in the brush, no cool setting to the set the hair and cord is not long enough.

For the hair on top of the head to the crown, I styled it exactly the same way with wrapping the hair away from the face, pulling the brush toward the ends and wrapping it towards the scalp. I thought the pictures would be helpful in case you were wondering what to do with that section of the hair.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this Conair 2-in-1 Hot Air Curling Brush! If you already own this brush, I'd appreciate if you can please share with me other ways to use it. Thanks!! ;)

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Forever21 Sale

Coupon Codes: Summer30 (extra 30% off Sale items),  Active21 (21% off one Regular price item), QLC9C2 (10% off full price item)

Picked up these sale items tonight: drop waist skirt, darling wedge sandals, cozy tights, striped blazer, floral skater dress 

Also regret not getting: relaxed crepe woven blazer + flora kimono

Tarte Amazonian 12 Hour Blush Review

When I was in Vegas a couple of weeks ago, it was so hot during the day that I wanted to go very minimal on the makeup. My skin gets very oily in hot weather and often times any face makeup (e.g. blush and bronzer) will get blotchy looking and eventually melt off my face completely. I don't like going without blush and bronzer because I wear foundation. Foundation is great for evening out your skin and taking the redness and blemishes away, but it can also make your skin look flat and one dimensional.

Well, recently I read about Tarte Cosmetics Amazonian 12 hour blush and I think it might solve my problem of not being able to wear face makeup in hot or humid weather! According to the website, Tarte blush is infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish for an amazing 12 hours. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. The result: Blush that wears better, longer, and truer! 

Well I wanted to put their claims to the test and decided to go try out this long lasting blush.

Wearing: Tarte Amazonian 12 hour blush in color Dollface  

This weekend was the perfect weather to try out this Tarte blush because it was 90 degrees where I was at. I went to a makeup counter in the afternoon and had the blush applied on my cheeks. I walked around shopping in an outdoor mall for a few hours. In 90 degree weather, not only was my body sweating, my face was definitely getting oily! Every time I walked by a mirror, I would check to see how the blush was doing and was shocked that it was still on and not fading away or getting blotchy like blushes I'd normally wear. After a few hours of walking in the heat, I went home to rest before going out to dinner with my bf. I touched up the foundation around my forehead and the concealer under my eyes and left the blush alone. The picture on the right is what my blush looks like after 7 hours of wear. I wanted to take the picture after 12 hours of wear, but couldn't wait that long because I wanted to take the picture while there was still daylight. Even with 7 hours of wear and not 12, I'm still super impressed by the staying power of Tarte blush and would highly recommend this product!

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post.

Makeup Tutorial: Part 3 (Eyes + Lips)

• 1) Prime lids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. My eyelids are really oily and this primer helps my shadow stay put all day!
• 2) Using a blending brush, I softly apply a shimmer shadow all over my eyelids and pass my crease. The shadow I'm using is called Onyx by Bobbi Brown (no longer available), but a similar color is fawn.
• 3) Apply shadow that is fewer shades darker on the lower eyelids using a eyeshadow brush. The color I used is called Midnight by Bobbi Brown (no longer available), but a similar color is velvet plum.
• 4) Blend the shadow lines together (using blending brush or smudge brush) until it diffuses and become gradated. If your shadows don't blend together, dip your brush back into the lighter eyeshadow (from step 2) and go over the area a few times where the 2 shadow overlaps.
• Helpful tip:If you have puffy eye lids (aka hooded eyelids) like me, pick darker eye shadows. Keep in mind that darker shadows will make the eyelid recede and bright/frosty shadows will deflect light and make the eyelid appear puffier. I'm also not a fan of most pinky/reddish shadows because it can give the illusion of pink eye or tired eyes.  

Like I mentioned before, I have really oily eyelids. I have experimented with numerous liners and most would fade, smear or transfer under my eyes, but the one that smears or transfers the least is Bobbi Brown Gel liner. It will stay on until you take it off with a waterproof makeup remover (I use Lancome Bi-facil).

• Apply the black gel liner using the ultra fine liner brush. Start from the (1) inner corner of the eyes and extend a line to the (2) outer corner. If you have shaky hands and can't draw one straight line, you can draw little lines (line I have in the illustration) and then connect them all.
• To wing your liner : From the (2) outer corner, draw a small line at a 35 degree angle. Connect the tip of that 35 degree line (3) back to your liner (4).  
• Helpful tip: The key to getting your liner to look "natural" is to draw the line as close to your lash-line as possible. If you have issues doing that, simply lift up your eyelid up (like I have in the illustration) and fill in the "blank" area. 
• Lining the lower lash line is a judgement call. Some say that it makes their eyes appear small, but I think it important for me to line my lower lash line because I have hooded eyes. As you can see below that once I open my eyes, my top liner disappears quite a bit.

 

Lashes are optional, but I always like them for special events, date nights or anytime I'm taking pictures. I feel like they really open up the eyes and make them appear bigger. The lashes I'm wearing are Ardell Demi #101 and I like these a lot because the band of the lashes fit my eyes and I don't have to shorten them like other lashes. I apply my lashes with a tweezer because my hands are too clumsy. After my faux lashes are securely glued on, I will curl my own lashes and the faux lashes together so they are flipping in the same direction. 

 Wearing: Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Lipstick & Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss in pink pop (recommended by Jean)
I always like to keep my lip color pretty light and natural since my eye makeup is on the heavier side.
If you are wear a dramatic lip color, then go easy with the eye makeup. A helpful tint is to keep your lip color similar to your cheek color. They don't need to match exactly, but if you're wearing a coral blush then stay with a coral lip or else you will have too many colors competing against each other on your face. I also skip lip liner because my lips are pretty full and do not have to emphasize them any more.

This is the final post to my makeup tutorial. I hope you have found the tips to be helpful and please let me know if you have any questions. Also remember everyone has different features, skin type and coloring and the products/suggestions I mentioned have worked well for me and may not be for everyone.

Also check out:

Makeup Tutorial: Part 1 (Skincare + Face)

Makeup Tutorial: Part 2 (Eyebrows)

Makeup Tutorial: Part 2 (Eyebrows)

I thought I'd be able to fit the makeup tutorial into 2 parts, but all the eye stuff was getting too long so eyebrows is getting its own post. :)

For me, filling in the eyebrows is so important because my face looks naked without it. I have lots of hair on my head and it's also very dark, but not sure why my eyebrows are so sparse, thin, and light in color.

 To fill in my brows, I use Brun eyeshadow by Mac (this is a nice color for someone with really dark brown hair). The brush I use is  Mac #263 (good for filling in sparse brows).  For thick brows, use Bobbi Brown Brow Brush instead (will deposit less powder for a more natural look).

*The key to finding your eyebrow color is to go a couple shades lighter than your hair color. You never want to match it because it will be way too dark and make you look scary. If you're unsure about what color to use, below are some recommendations:

For black hair: use espresso shadow

For blonde hair: use grey shadow

For red hair: use taupe shadow

Instructions:

• (1) Draw a line from the bottom of the arch that connects to the (2) tip of the eyebrow.
• (3) Then draw another line from the crown of the arch to the (2)tip. Then fill in the rest of the tail area with short small strokes. 
• (4) Draw a line from the bottom of the start of the brows to the bottom arch.
• (5) Then I fill in the rest of the brow with small upward strokes. 

*Also remember to tap off excess shadow before application or else you'll end up with traces of shadow on your face! 

If you are not good at filling in your eyebrows, not to worry because you can easily fix it or erase areas that you want to get rid of. This is also a good method I use to create really clean crisp lines under the brows.

• (6) Take a small concealer brush (I use Mac #195 brush) and dip it into your foundation. Paint over the areas that needs to be erased.
• (7) Take Q-tip and wipe off the foundation.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Also remember to check:
Makeup Tutorial: Part 1 (Skincare + Face)
Makeup Tutorial: Part 3 (Eyes + Lips) 

Makeup Tutorial : Part 1 (Skincare + Face)

Hi everyone and happy belated Mother's day!

I have a tutorial for you that was requested by a reader who wanted to know how I do my makeup. My daily routine is pretty simple and I wear basically the same thing everyday (maybe sometimes different color eyeshadow color or sans the lashes). I used to experiment with many different skincare + makeup, but I finally found products I really like and have been using them for a few years.

 

Before I start on the tutorial, I want share with you the skincare products I use in case you're interested. I also want to stress that it's really important for you to have nice smooth hydrated skin or else your makeup will not sit well. If you have dry flaky skin, makeup will only emphasize that and will not cover that up.

My Simple Skincare Routine:

• Sephora's Flawless Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 (for day and night) 
• Perricone MD High Potency Eye Treatment 
• Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash 
• And I exfoliate with a face towel (everyday) when I'm in the shower!  

*For reference: I have oily/combination skin 

I love my foundation + concealer because I'm a picker (can't help it!). 

I have gotten so many compliments about how nice my skin looks and sadly it's not because I have nice skin. It's because my foundation does a wonderful job with making my skin look dewy and blemish free!

1) I apply my Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra 24H (color 210 buff) foundation with a large Bare Escentuals concealer brush because it's small enough to get into the crevasses by the nose area. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you can also apply foundation with clean fingers.
2) I then buff the foundation into my face with the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Heavenly Face. This will make your foundation look so smooth and airbrushed! I never skip this step.
3) I use the same concealer brush to apply the Bobbi Brown Corrector (color light bisque) under my eyes to cover up dark circles. The key to applying concealer is to get very close to the lash line and then gently pat down the concealer with your ring finger.

 I don't use a setting powder because both products sit really well throughout the day for me.

4) I apply bronzer around the perimeter of the face and under the cheekbones. Instead of using a bronzer brush, I use a powder brush for a more natural look. I feel that when I use a bronzer brush, it deposits too much color onto my skin and it doesn't look as natural. I use Bobbi Brown Bronzing powder in golden light color. A helpful tip to finding a natural looking bronzer is looking at the undertone and making sure it has the same color as your tan. For example, if you tan yellow (like me) then find a bronzer with a golden undertone. If you tan red, then find a bronzer with a red undertone.
5) For blush, I like a very soft pink color to compliment my pale skin. I use Bobbi Brown's pale pink blush and it's been my favorite color for years! It's a very bright pink color, but has a clear base so it's actually not as pigmented as it looks. Apply blush on apples of the cheeks with a sweep upward and then blend down.

I will cover eyes + lips in another post. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment below.

Also check out:
Makeup Tutorial: Part 2 (Eyebrows)
Makeup Tutorial: Part 3 (Eyes + Lips)