What's in your bathroom: Sarah

I asked a few of my female friends what they currently use as part of their skincare ritual on a daily and weekly basis. This is my friend Sarah's skincare ritual.

Skincare profile: surface oily and dry underneath, early 30s, combination, sensitive, acneic skin

"Since starting this anti aging regiment, I have much less need to do masks/exfoiliants since I am doing that practically every day. But I will use philosophy microdelivery peel every once in a while and the boscia black mask every once in a while. like...once a month or once every 2 months."

Current ritual

1) Cleanser: Bare Escentuals Purifying Facial Cleanser
She says "Non foaming cleanser that cleans deeply but doesn't strip too badly. its not as soothing as milky cleansers but its a good bridge product for the oily. I still can't cleanse with something that would leave me without that CLEAN feeling."

2) Serum: CSI Vitamin C + 12% Youth Serum
She says "Great brightener, clear serum, no orangey stuff to deal with."

3) Sunscreen: Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46
She says "Very light sunscreen-a zinc oxide based physical sunscreen, goes on clear."

OR EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41  
This one is lightly tinted

4) Moisturizer: CSI Super Hyaluronic moisturizing cream 
She says that this cream is "non greasy" and gets "no breakouts" from using it.

OR Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
She says "for super dry days/nights which I am continually shocked I am having as I get older."

5) Eye Cream: CSI Recovery Eye Cream with Vitamin K & Arnica
This is her response to this eye cream "smells amazing. I'm pretty sure nothing really works to help eyes but this one has some vit. k for dark circles and its super soothing and moisturizing without being too heavy. No milia."

Additional Products Sarah uses:

6) Reviva labs 5% glycolic acid cream 
"nothing has done more for keeping my face smooth and bright as this cream. There is also a 10% formulation I will eventually move up to."



7) CSI multipeptide antiwrinkle serum 
"on the lines between my eyes and marionette lines. this thing works. 6 peptides, hyaluronic acid. it firms and tightens."
 


THANKS FOR SHARING SARAH!

What's in my bathroom?

Ritual. We all have a daily regiment that becomes our daily ritual for keeping our selves clean and feeling beautiful from the inside out.
My beauty ritual these days consist of products that are helping my combination skin battle sensitive areas, oily areas, occasional acne, dry areas in the humidity of Singapore.

1) Current Facial Cleanser: White Tea gel cleanser by Korres

I like the smell of this cleanser. White tea is a strong antioxidant and this cleanser delivers by cleansing skin without drying out the skin.
I've used this cleanser in the past and have returned to it for the past couple months because my skin has gone through a change (perhaps due to my impending birthday?) this year due to relocating halfway around the world and the humidity level here. The cleanser does the job of cleaning my skin without stripping it dry and causing more oil production to create acne flare ups.
I also like the fact that this cleanser has no parabens and Korres doesn't do any animal testing.








2) Current Moisturizer: Discontinued Korres Materia Herba moisturizing gel

Will be switching to more moisturizing gels here in Singapore b/c creams feel too heavy for daytime.



3) Current Sunscreen: Kate Somerville SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen

My favorite sunscreen because it just disappears onto my skin without that weird white chalky greasy mess some sunscreens leave after application. It feels light enough to layer over the top of serum and moisturizer.












These three products are my basics. The following I use on a weekly as-needed basis.

4) Serum: Tatcha deep brightening serum
Please read my previous post on the Tatcha line.


5) Exfoliation: Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish by REN

This exfoliator is awesome. The beads are so tiny and it feels more like a polish cream than a polish. I've been on the market for an exfoliator that feels like this for so long and I've tried quite a number of different brands. This one also smells awesome!
I use it about 2-3 times a week on an as needed basis - depends on how grimy I get from wandering around, working out, dancing, shopping, walking, etc.














6) Mask: Dr Hauschka's Rejuvenating Mask

This is my recent addition to my beauty weekly ritual. I've only used it once and so far, I like it. The mask is calming and soothing to my skin. I think it also made my skin feel a softer and brighter afterward.
The downside is the price for this small tube and the fact that I have to leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes.
I plan on using this mask about once a week.








7) Eye cream: Enlivening Amino-AG Eye treatment by Boscia

This eye cream feels like silk and I definitely use eye cream for those days I don't get enough sleep, had been drinking the night before, before & after a plane ride.














Disclaimer: None of the images belong to me, they all belong to the skincare companies mentioned and linked back to their website.

Geisha beauty

Geisha women are perceived to be the ultimate in beauty, poise, and elegance in feudal Japan. When I was approached by the folks at Tatcha, they sent me samples of their star products. I've had a couple months to try out the products since they were samples and easy to travel with.
My favorite items include: Classic Rice Enzyme Powder, Deep Brightening Serum, and the Moisture Silk Cream

Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

This is one of their bestsellers and I can see why. The powder is mixed in with a bit of water in your palm and it becomes a silky creamy exfoliator!  Since moving to the tropics, my skin has gone haywire and became fairly sensitive to the environment. All the grime from walking around in a hot/humid (translation: ALWAYS sweating!) urban climate has made my skin look less than ideal. I have to keep up with a skincare regime of exfoliation 1-2 times a week so I don't get clogged pores. I tried this powder out and like how gentle and soft it feels against my sensitive skin. I'm always on the lookout for exfoliators that are super gentle on sensitive skin but also clears the skin of dead skin cells.

Deep Brightening Serum
I've always been a fan of serums. I think its because I like the texture of most serums. It just melts into the skin without feeling sticky or heavy like moisturizers and creams. This serum is no different. The lightweight texture and the fact that it does indeed brighten up my dull complexion (especially if I haven't gotten enough sleep!). This didn't irritate my sensitive skin so its good for all skin types. Whats different about this serum though is the fact that it does moisturize well for a serum. You could probably get away with using this serum without layering moisturizer on top of it if you have really oily skin or on a super hot/humid summer day.

According to the Tatcha website: Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing. Dermatologist tested. Formulated without mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

Moisture Silk Cream
As mentioned above, I'm not a big fan of heavy creams/moisturizer. I was a little skeptical about trying this moisturizer out because of its name. When I opened the little container, I was surprised to find that its surprisingly light! I've been using it as my day moisturizer for the past couple months and noticed my fave becoming less splotchy from the environmental changes.  According to the Tatcha website, this product contains silk extract, ginseng root, green tea, red algae, and Japanese rice bran extracts. Silk extract acts as moisturizer and binding element so the skin is able to retain moisture. Ginseng root is an antioxidant that promotes elasticity and prevents premature aging. Green tea, red algae, and rice are soothing to the skin. No wonder my skin is repairing itself from all the environmental changes.





The only downside I have about this skincare is that its fairly expensive and I'm not sure if its available in Singapore!
If you're not ready to commit and want to try it out or traveling quite a bit, Tatcha has a sampler set for sale at $49. It contains quite a generous amount of product to last you at least 3-4 weeks.




Disclaimer: Products in this blog post were received by the skincare company Tatcha, however I did not receive any monetary compensation nor incentive to write a positive review of their products. All opinions and reviews are entirely my own and based on my own experiences with the products given to me. I only reviewed products that I was excited about and worked for me.

Affordable Beauty Thrills

Every now and then I find a product that I love with the added bonus of an affordable price point. 

(All under $15) These are my faves.

1) Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo with Peppermint, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus

Basically this shampoo combines my two favorite ingredients in Bath, Shower, Body products: 

Eucalyptus and Peppermint. 

This shampoo is a great everyday shampoo and doesn't weigh my fine, silky Asian hair down to a flat greasy mess. 

2) Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner with Peppermint, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus

This is the conditioner version of the shampoo above. A great pairing. 

Basic conditioner to use every 2-3 days on the ends of your hair. 

I leave it in my hair while I soap before rinsing for extra moisturizing benefits. 

3) EOS lip balm

I've already mentioned this lip balm in this blog before. 

The shape of this cute little dome shaped balm is perfect for stowing in your bag and re-applying throughout the day is hygienic because you don't have to stick your finger in a pot. 

The yummy flavors are also an added bonus. 

4) NIVEA Sun Kissed Beautiful Legs

This gradual fake tan lotion is the best one for fair skinned folks like me. 

The gradual tan makes it look less orange-y and muddy brown looking. Its very slight. 

I'm always looking for ways to run inside in the comfort of AC when the temperatures rise and the sun is making the most UV damage but I don't really want to look pasty all year round. 

This lotion is not greasy or messy like some self-tanners out on the market. 

You can apply it in the a.m. while you are wearing your shorts, skirt, or dress. Just don't wipe your hands on your clothes!

Clay Cleanser by Shizuka NY

After reading about Shizuka NY’s Clay Cleanser, hearing some testimonials, and after some seriously scrutinous back and forth (note: I’m NOT a big spender when it comes to high-end facial cleansers); I decided to give my scrutiny a rest and just buy a bottle.  So, what made this product so captivating in the first place?

1

   

     1.       It’s made with Moroccan lava clay. I’ve heard that clay cleansers have generous anti-aging and skin detox qualities as it helps refine pores and tighten the skin, so the main ingredient itself was enough to tempt me. Quite simply, I’ve never used a clay cleanser before and the thought of it on my skin sounded well, nice.

       2.       It claims to “lift impurities from the skin” and “aids acne-prone skin and minimizes minor blemishes”. I don’t normally have oily skin, but due to all the sunscreen, moisturizers and make-up I’ve been wearing (mixed with NYC’s current “stinky-hot” air (yes, that’s how I would describe it!)), my pores needed a little TLC.

I’ve been using it for a week now and admittedly look forward to using it at the end of each day!  It’s best used on dry skin and goes on wonderfully smooth and light. Its delicate scent no doubt comes from a few of its alluring ingredients: green tea, pearl protein, lotus flower, German chamomile, and licorice root extracts. As an added bonus, especially during the summer months, the cleanser also includes a little peppermint oil which leaves my skin feeling cool and refreshed. 

Exciting stuff...

I just changed the site address to http://beautifulfacesblog.blogspot.com because I'm expanding this blog to include some very fashion-forward, beauty junkies, and awesome writers to write posts here.

(p.s. If you'd like to be a volunteer blogger email me at alaine83 at gmail dot com and tell me about your beauty hoarding (hahaha), why you want to be a blogger, and if you have any experience professionally in the beauty/fashion world (optional) )

Me with my airbrush machine! Photo Credit: Di Zhang

New Obsession: Lip Scrub by Sara Happ

I've been using my toothbrush to exfoliate my lips until I discovered Sara Happ's Lip Scrub is AMAZING! I originally picked up the scrub to replenish my professional make up kit. As a rule for stuff in my kit, I have to test it first. I am addicted to the scrub! Its a permanent fixture on my bathroom sink. Looks like I have to pick up a second pot of lip scrub for my kit.
I own the peppermint scrub (I'm a sucker for mint!) and use it about 2x a week. You put a small amount on your lips and then tissue it off - this leaves the lips super soft.

With packaging like this, who could resist picking up this lip scrub? I think this scrub would also make a fantastic gift for a friend, mother, sister, etc.

Make up Story

I saw a few Youtube videos of "beauty gurus" that were doing the make up tags... Thought I'd do something similar here.


1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?
2 years old! I used to sneak into my Grandmother's and Mother's make up drawers and play around with their make up. I also used to get into a lot of trouble for cutting my own hair. Needless to say, my make up skills were a lot better than my hair cutting skills!
I started wearing make up for school around 6th grade, then I couldn't be bothered with make up too much in high school b/c I was too sleep-deprived from all the activities I did each day. I only wore make up for dance performances and figure skating competitions in high school.

2. How did you get into makeup?
I got into doing make up because I hated people touching my face. I used to re-do the make up that my mother did on my face for dance recitals when I was a child b/c I didn't like the way it looked. When I got older, I started learning theater make up and signed up to be on crew so I wouldn't have to sit in anyone's chair! lol. 

3. What are some of your favorite brands?
Stila, Make Up Forever, NARS, Fresh, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Origins, and Body Shop

4. What does makeup mean to you?
Make up is a wonderful way to enhance natural beauty. It is also fun to mix it up and try a new look b/c at the end of the day, you can wash it off!

5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face what would they be?
OCC Tinted Moisturizer, Stila's Cherry Crush lip/cheek stain, Alison Raffaele's Transparent Finish to go, Shu Uemura mascara



6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?
The ability to lift a mood, look and feel fabulous, and the confidence it brings.

7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high end makeup?
I'm a make up snob/junkie/hoarder - I love good quality products so tend to stick with products I've tested on myself and that it works well. I'm also transitioning my make up to also be cruelty-free b/c bunnies don't deserve to be mistreated and tortured for the sake of cosmetics. There are so many products that humans are willing to try and test out if it works.

8. What is one tip of advice you can give to a beginner?
Hone in on the skills you are good at and focus your energy on that. You can't do everything.
I'm not an FX make up artist, nor a body painter, or do fantasy type make up but have tried all those things out. I'm just not good at it and there are so many more talented artists who can do that kind of work. My best skills is in beauty make up and airbrush make up applications. I like continuing to expand my skills so I practice a lot and have done some pretty interesting transformations during Halloween for clients and friends.

9. What is one makeup trend you never understood?
Eyelid taping. This is predominant in Asia, I had to tape an Asian brides lids a few times because they wanted a "double lid" effect. This changes the way the eyes look and I never understood the phenomenon of looking completely like a different person when this trend has been done as well as using make up to transform the entire face especially when it comes to weddings. Its just weird to me. I understand that you need to transform the entire face for a theatrical production or a film/tv show and embrace the joy that make up can do that but for an everyday look or a wedding?!?!?! Thats just living behind a mask.

10. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube?
Some of the videos make me cringe but its like watching reality tv shows, you just can't help but watch it. This video is really cute though....

The color everyone is raving about...

Orange! Coral!

It's the new "it" color of the season that everyone seems to be talking about these days... I've been rocking the coral color when everyone was rocking the bright red lips a few years back. My favorite combination is orange lips, coral cream blush, gold lids, and fluttery lashes.

Believe or not Orange is a universally flattering color for most skin tones if done correctly. I think Coral blush is the easiest one to pull off.

Here are my fave products:


FACE Stockholm
Creme Blush in Shanghai
$25







#1 Rule for creme blush: Blend Blend Blend! Make sure you start with the smallest amount possible and build from there, otherwise you run the risk of looking like a sunburnt tomato

Alternative: NARS Multiple in Portofino, $39

I also use the creme blush excess from my fingers over my lids and will also put creme blush on my lips. Talk about multiple uses!




Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar
Grandma, $14














OCC lip tars are amazing! You only need a tiny amount and it can cover your entire lips. Thats the beauty of the highly pigmented products from OCC.

Nars has a new Tinted Moisturizer worth checking out!

Just in time for the summer NARS has a new tinted moisturizer with an SPF 30 added to it. I'm fair skinned and burn easily so always wear sunscreen on top of my moisturizer before heading out the door.

I currently love the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics tinted moisturizer but my bottle has run out so I'm in the market for a tinted moisturizer that feels just like silk and provide coverage for everyday usage that doesn't feel heavy.

I used to combine my moisturizer with the NARS sheer matte foundation but that extra step to combine foundation with a moisturizer sometimes can get messy. I'm currently combining my Kett airbrush foundation with my moisturizer. Its not working so well b/c my moisturizer is thick and doesn't blend well with the foundation. I like my foundations to be on the watery side b/c I use moisturizer and sunscreen underneath; I just don't like that cake-y feeling traditional make up feels on top of my skincare regimen. (Thats why I love airbrush make up applications & recommend it for special events)

Can't wait to check the NARS tinted moisturizer the next time I'm in the NARS store on Bleecker or a Sephora.

Cleaning your make up brushes

I've been teaching quite a bit of private make up lessons the past few months and its come to my attention that the average woman doesn't clean her make up brushes! How often should we clean our personal make up brushes? This is my formula...
After every use, I swipe my brushes onto a tissue paper to get the surface gunk out.
Once a month, I do a deep clean with a brush cleaner. I like Cinema Secrets brush cleaner b/c I can purchase a big bottle since I deep clean my professional brushes after every use.

How to Deep Clean your make up brushes:
1) Pour Cinema Secrets brush cleaner onto a cup
2) Swirl your brush around in it
3) Squeeze out excess liquid
4) Dry it out with Paper Towels
5) Reshape the brush
6) Store in flat brush roll

Note: if the brush is still wet, you can place it by the side of the sink with the bristles facing towards the sink. You don't want to place your brushes in a cup when its still drying because the liquid will seep into the handle and damage the brush.


Photo Credit: Di Zhang Photography

3 Companies Booted Off Cruelty-Free List

3 Companies Booted Off Cruelty-Free List: After two decades of touting their "no animal testing" policies, Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay have quietly resumed paying for cruel tests on animals—without letting consumers know about this stunning about-face.

As a make up artist and bunny lover, I cannot condone the act of testing of cosmetic products on animals. Why does an animal have to suffer for us to enhance our beauty? There are many cosmetic companies that don't test on animals.
Among those that are some of my favorites:
100% Pure (skincare, body products)
AHAVA (skincare)
Anastasia Brows (specializing on brow products)
Ardell (great cheap false lashes!)
Bare Escentuals (mineral make up - my fave is the mineral veil)
Bath & Body Works (great smelling hand soaps!)
Boscia (skincare - the blotting papers are the best!)
C.O. Bigelow (skincare, make up - Rose salve is amazing so is their moisturizer!)
Caudelie (skincare, body - their body scrub is divine!)
Crabtree and Evelyn (body - have been using their body products since I was tween!)
Dermalogica (skincare - my facialist uses and swears by their products and I've used them too as a result, the only downside is the smell)
Dr. Hauschka (cult skincare line coveted by many top models and celebs!)
FACE Atelier (make up - great pro product)
Henri Bendel (LOVE their candles!)
JAM Cosmetics (make up for dance/theatre - I used to freelance for this company when the owner was starting this line - pretty good product)
Juice Beauty (skincare - their cleanser smells like apples!)
Jurlique (skincare - their hydrating sprays are refreshing)
L'Occitane (skincare, body - love the smells of their products)
LaRocca skincare (I did a post about their products on this blog - Love the gold infused products, makes your skin GLOW)
Murad (skincare - good solid skincare that works and doesn't smell bad)
MyChelle (skincare - sunscreen isn't irritating and doesn't cast a whitish ring on the face)
Obssessive Compulsive Cosmetics (make up - this is a pro make up line and has an amazing line of highly pigmented products, their tinted moisturizer is the BEST, it feels like silk)
OPI (nails - they have a great selection of nail polish from neutral to whats the "it" color for the season)
Origins (though owned by Estee Lauder - does not test on animals http://www.origins.com/customer_service/aboutus.tmpl#/Products)
Smashbox (though owned by Estee Lauder - does not test on animals http://www.smashbox.com/customer_service/faq#animal_testing)
Stila Cosmetics (make up - I am a big fan of their products and have mentioned them in this blog many times)
Suki (skincare - organic line of skincare that smells great! The shelf life is less than non-organic lines though)
Tarte (make up - they have a great line of cheek stains and the mascaras are pretty decent too)
The Body Shop (skincare, body, make up - I've been using Body Shop products since my tweens and still love them to this day)
Trader Joe's Company (TJ's makes body & skincare products too - cheaply priced and smells good)
Urban Decay (make up - great versatile line and lots of colors for eyeshadows to experiment looks with - they make great palettes around the holidays!)
Yes to Carrots (skincare, body - my boyfriend uses their products and it is a good line for an affordable price)

For the complete list please visit PETA

Favorite lip balms

I love lip balms - always have since I was about 8 years old! I'm always trying out new ones. I'm not one of those women that constantly applies lip balm (but I love the tinted lip balms the best because it gives a hint of color, moisture, and sometimes a hint of gloss). I always choose lip balm over gloss b/c I don't really like the sticky feeling that some glosses have. Since Valentine's Day is coming up, get those lip soft enough for endless lovey-dovey kisses.

1) Fresh Sugar lip balm
I've talked about this one on this blog several times already. I love how soft and smooth this lip balm feels. The best part about this balm is that its not sticky, you don't have to stick your finger in it either. There isn't a gloss factor in the balm so men can also use this balm too.


2) EOS in Sweet Mint
LOVE this balm for the packaging, the texture, affordability, and convenience (get it at the drugstore!). The texture is smooth and great for those harsh cold winds! The packaging is super cute. I like the Sweet Mint flavor because the minty effect is nice and tingly yet not overpowering.















3) C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve
I have this in my professional kit and I apply this balm on my clients as part of the skincare routine right after moisturizing the face. This soft multi-purpose salve has a beautiful scent to it, a hint of gloss, and makes the lips super soft. If you have dried elbows, knees, fingers, this salve can help with the dry patches too! Cheaper than the Rosebud salve that everyone loves but works just the same (in my opinion better!) than the Rosebud salve. If you've tried the Rosebud Salve and don't like how glossy that balm is. Try this one. It isn't as glossy but still has a bit of gloss to it.

Busy time wearing a different hat

I wear many different hats because I have three (or one could argue more than three) different career paths. Right now I'm in the middle of a conference that has me leaving rather sleep-deprived and cranky. I have to perform tonight and convince people that my work is worth bringing to their venue. I don't want to bore you with the details...

What to do with your beauty routine when you're sleep deprived but have to look refreshed and professional???!?!?!

I've been relying on moisturizing my face (and body at night!), tinted moisturizer, powder to set the tinted moisturizer, blush that makes my cheeks glow, curling my lashes, mascara, and a lip stain.

Some of my fave products:
















EUCALYPTUS NOURISHING BODY CREAM by 100% pure cosmetics
I slather this on at night and it has been a fixture on my bedside table for over a week now. The scent of eucalyptus is calming and the moisture is much needed at night in the winter!






























OCC Tint: Tinted Moisturizer
This tinted moisturizer is like silk! It is my favorite tinted moisturizer on the market. Buildable coverage, affordable price, and pro packaging (Translation: simple packaging that doesn't nickle and dime you), you must try this product! Everyone I've recommended this product to has loved it!



















Body Shop: Shimmer Waves
This is a great product to have - I used it as a blush for an all over glow and an eye shadow palette. (Great for traveling!) Every time I use this product as a blush - it looks like I'm refreshed and glowing from within.