5 products for summer that I currently love

Summer is here! Its hot EVERYWHERE (unless you live in the Southern hemisphere in which case, its winter for you!). Make up melts if you put too much on. The trick is to use multitasking products and don't cake it on. Since its be really gross here in Singapore with the hazardous levels of haze/smog/smoke from the nearby forest fires in Sumatra, I've been doing some skincare rituals at home to make sure that my pores aren't clogged 24/7 yet keeping everything simple.

1) Nutriganics Foaming cleanser by The Body Shop

I've been using this foaming cleanser for about a month now and like how light this feels. Its $26.90 SGD so it won't break the bank and its part of The Body Shop's Nutriganics line.
















2) Origins Make a Difference moisturizer

This moisturizer blends right in and light for daily use but can also be layered on for more moisture at night. I use it both a.m. and p.m. as well as on my neck. I like the fact that it isn't greasy or sticky.

















3) Josie Maran's Broad Spectrum SPF+40 lotion

Its not so easy to find a sunscreen that is light, watery, and blends right in without that white, greasy, sunscreen smell, and heavy texture. When my Kate Somerville sunscreen serum ran out, I started using this. Its lighter than the Kate Somerville sunscreen and smells like her argan oil products (a little like a kid's multivitamin).













4) Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadow palette

I really like this palette because there's so much you can do with it. I like to play around with the darker colors to be used as a liner. With all the hype that has everyone coveting the Naked palettes this one certainly lives up to its fame. I'm not a big fan of palettes with colors that you probably won't use. You'd love this one because ALL the colors in this palette is beautiful.













5) VMV Hypoallergenics Ooh-La-Lash Volumizing Mascara

I can't say enough good things about this mascara. This mascara is hypoallergenic, 100% dye free, non-comedogenic, and best of all it works really well! It doesn't smear, coats the lashes to create beautiful feathery long lashes and doesn't make my lashes fall out.















All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here.

Feeling Fugly so I did my face and hair

Yea - I got bored. I'm really looking for a bright Teal eyeliner. I think Teal and Mint are the next "It" color.
I am using a green liner for the bottom for this look. I think this would look better with a bright teal liner. I am using quite a bit of volumizing products here but in the humidity of Singapore, my hair is still falling flat. (Missing the colder weather in NYC!) I also curled my hair to get the sexy "bed hair" look. I've gone back to using bronzer and a blush/bronzer for my cheeks because I am too pale these days (too hot to go outside) and working long hours in the dance studio. My favorite eye shadow by Laura Mercier's Luster Eye Color in Chocolate is an amazing color that is great for contour, smokey eyes, and even eyeliner (with a small brush). Unfortunately, this color has been discontinued (why!?!) so the only place to purchase it is Amazon.


 

Beauty gifts to give the women in your life

Beauty gifts are a no-brainer to give women around the holidays as a main gift or a stocking stuffer. There are rules though. You don't want to give the wrong type of gift and there are a few things that are not good gifts to give unless you really KNOW the receiver. There are also gifts that are neutral that are enjoyed by both men and women that wouldn't offend the receiver. Think: Candles, Bath products, Lotions, Soaps, Lip Balms (non- shiny, non-sticky of course), Hair products, Tools: Combs, nail clippers, facial brushes, etc., and of course remember the packaging is important too.

Here are my favorite gifts for the women in your life.

1) Mom
My grandmother and mother taught me at a young age that skincare products is very important in maintaining a youthful skin as well as staying out of the sun.
I'm giving my mom some awesome beauty products..

Stila in the light palette
Retail $39

I am obsessed with Stila eyeshadows and this is a beautiful palette. Stila's eyeshadows are really long lasting and I always use it as a under eye make up base to make my eye make up last all day. The colors in this palette is beautiful!

I've taught my mother how to do make up several times but she always goes back to her way of doing make up (mom, if you're reading this - you better listen!) so this palette will be a fool-proof way of keeping the make up beautiful, youthful, and simple. I also like the no smudge eyeliner that comes with the palette.





2) Sister (younger sister)
My little sister is still in 8th grade and very much not into wearing make up. She does like to curl her lashes though, unlike me, she is blessed with gorgeous feathery long lashes.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Retail $19

The cult favorite eyelash curler among make up artists and beauty junkies alike. I've been using Shu Uemura eyelash curler for about 8 years and cannot see myself switching anytime soon unless there is an eyelash curler that is better for straight Asian lashes.

This would also make a great stocking stuffer!













3) Best Girlfriends

Anything that has really pretty packaging, universal, smells delicious, luxurious ingredients but doesn't break the bank... here are some of my faves. (Also great as stocking stuffers!)


Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Retail $22.50

Fresh came out with four colors that stem from this original in the past few years. However, this is the best one to get. With its luxe buttery texture, lemon-y scent, and pretty packaging - you can't help but constantly reapply dry winter lips with it.

I got my mother and my boyfriend's mother hooked on this lip treatment. It is really amazing! I also like that its not sticky or glossy so men can also use it.









Origins Peace of Mind on the spot relief
Retail $11

If you've ever set foot inside at an Origins store and the sales associates give you a temple massage with this product placed on your temples and behind your ears - you know that this stuff is so relaxing!

Give this to your overworked friends and coworkers!
Extra points if you pair it with a scalp massager...











Head massager by Kikkerland
Retail $3.99

I have a scalp massager and it is especially good when you've spent all day staring at the computer. The best part about this massager is that you don't have to rely on anyone else to massage your scalp.

A cheap thrill but the rewards are priceless!

Lashes galore

This is my favorite pair of false lashes by Make up forever. I've worn it at parties and its not too overwhelming yet creates a fun look with the small feathers on the end. Make up forever makes the most beautiful lashes that are dramatic and fun. However, at $14 a pair it is a bit pricey to wear only once. I recommend taking a q-tip dipped in eye make up remover or just any make up remover to remove old glue from the strip.
False lashes can dramatize any look without having to wear too much make up, and I would recommend not to wear too much dramatic make up because then the look will look too intimidating or too "stage".
During my last dance performance, I used bright purple lashes from Make up forever and I got lots of good comments on it. Apparently every last detail enhanced the fun nature of the dance pieces that I wore the lashes for. :-)
With halloween coming up in Oct., I would definitely get a pair of crazy lashes and wear them.

Shu Uemura eyelash curler

The famed Shu Uemura eyelash curler is all that its cracked up to be. A few seconds of "pumping" your lashes with this magical curler is all you need. The lashes are curled even with those with super straight lashes like me. I highly recommend the investment in this curler. The way it curls does not cause an unnatural bend in the lashes either so it does not look forced up.

You can purchase it at the Shu Uemura store online at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com
This is a special lash curler b/c of its ergonomic design and it follows the natural curve of your eyes. I use this lash curler and then two coats of the too faced mascara. My short lashes look longer, fuller, and it stays put all day. To get a more dramatic effect, try curling your lashes then putting on a lash primer like the smashbox lash primer followed by a volumizing mascara. This will surely give you gorgeous lashes.

Origins lash loving mascara

I got a new mascara a couple weeks ago because my Origins lash loving mascara was overdue to get thrown out. I picked this little mascara up while waiting in line at Sephora. What a joy this mascara gave me when it didn't clump, made my lashes look longer, volumizing, and didn't end up underneath my eyes. Up until this little discovery, I was a loyalist to the Origins mascara. The best part about this little mascara is its size. I don't wear mascara or make up on a daily basis (b/c of my parallel career as a dance artist) so having a smaller tube of mascara (cheaper than my Origins mascara!) is very beneficial for me b/c then I wouldn't feel like I'm throwing away a ton of mascara.
I use this mascara after curling my lashes with Shu Uemura's eyelash curler. I take the wand out of the tube and get the excess out on a paper napkin before putting it on my lashes to ensure that the mascara would not clump and end up underneath my eyes. I would definitely recommend this mascara.