Smell this

My favorite scents are a combination of peppermint, mint, eucalyptus, white tea, and citrus. Its no surprise that when I come across a body product that has any of these combinations, I end up purchasing it! These body products leave my skin feeling soft. I have soft smooth skin in general due to genetics and skincare.

I live in a tropical country with 100% humidity and the heat sometimes drags me down so I've got my AC blasting constantly in my room. The biggest problem when spending a majority part of my day indoors with AC is the fact that it dries out my skin. I was given a luxurious body lotion by a student of mine that smells like a spa!

This lotion is by Como Shambhala and is made without sodium lauryl suphate. In fact their ingredient list is pretty small. I like it because #1 it smells good with the combination of eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and peppermint. It also melts into my skin without feeling too greasy within a couple minutes. There is also a nice tingling sensation from the peppermint.

The lotion is supposed to be an "invigorating" lotion but the reason why I like eucalyptus and mint is because they are calming scents to me. I use this lotion after my evening shower before I get ready for bed.










There is a local brand of home spa products here that have opened up branches all over the island called Mt. Sapola. Every time I pass their store, I can't help but take a deep breath in because the stores all smell like entering a spa! They also have a whole range of Rosemary-Eucalyptus body products that I adore. I am always replenishing my body wash from Mt. Sapola

This Rosemary-Eucalyptus body wash does not have an overpowering smell but just enough to get you saying 'aaahhhhh' in the shower. This body wash also doesn't strip my skin dry (unless I use scalding hot water - which sometimes happens because my shower head has a weird temperature problem) and works well with my loofah.

I have also tried their Rosemary-Eucalyptus salt scrub as well and prefer this one to Bliss's Hot salt scrub because the scent is not an overpowering Eucalyptus scent. I like to blend a scrub and a body wash together on my loofah so its an exfoliating body wash. I don't particularly like the oily residue that all body scrubs I've tried in the past leaves behind on the skin.






When it comes to perfumes and colognes, I have a pretty picky nose. I started wearing CK one when I was 11 in 6th grade when that scent was all the rage in the 90s and over the decades, I've collected quite a number of perfume bottles of different ranges of scents. Clearly, the scents that I loved, every little drop was used and the ones I didn't love were barely used. In college, I used a combination of Dolce Gabbana Light Blue (that scent still evokes memories of college), Coco Chanel Mademoiselle (really sweet smell), and Burberry Brit (which I still love and use on occasion). Post-college, I stuck with Burberry Brit but have mostly been drawn to natural scented oils that I could get at Whole Foods because my nose needed some calming scents due to living in New York. I discovered Jo Malone in New York and have loved her colognes since then. The brands colognes are meant to be mixed up and paired together to make something completely individual.

A bit sweet but mostly citrusy. This is a perfect scent for a hot summer day. Considering where I live now is mostly just hot all year round, this is my go-to scent for the day time. According to their website, this is a "Peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze."

This scent is a light floral scent of White Jasmine and Mint. This is the scent that hooked me onto Jo Malone's line. The scent is described as "Just-crushed wild mint adds a dash of eccentricity to an exuberant bouquet of jasmine, lily, orange flower and rose."
Its a little exotic but mostly refreshing scent.




















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. 

Jason Wu's Spring 2014 Beauty look

Its NY Fashion Week season and I've been such a fan of checking out all the beauty looks that are captured by Allure Magazine. Sometimes the looks for runway border on the theatrical side which is great for the stage/parties to get noticed/or just Loud trendsetters but not the best for the every day or even to go out for dinner.  I am loving Jason Wu's Spring 2014 look though created by Make up artist, Diane Kendal.
http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/runway-beauty/spring-2014/jason-wu#slide=4

Take a look at that sparkly gold shadow! This would be so beautiful to recreate for a night out!






















Image is from Allure's site. Check out the look in their slideshow here: http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/runway-beauty/spring-2014/jason-wu#slide=4

Miracle Oil for removing scars

A friend who fell off her bike over the summer and she got really scratched up. She spent the week rubbing Bio-Oil on her face and massaging it into her scratches and scars. Slowly but surely the scabs shrunk and then fell off revealing glowing new skin underneath! My other friend witnessed this and went to go buy a big bottle of Bio-Oil. I started to see the difference in both my friends skin, so I've jumped on the Bio-Oil train. I have some scars from figure skating, insect bites, dance injuries, mysterious bruises/scratches, stretch marks, scars that won't go away... ok you get the picture. I needed some of that miracle oil.

According to their website:

The Bio‐Oil formulation is a combination of plant extracts and vitamins suspended in an oil base. It contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™, which changes the formulation’s overall consistency, making it light and non‐greasy, ensuring that the goodness contained in the vitamins and plant extracts is easily absorbed.
Bio‐Oil has undergone safety assessments in accordance with the Council on Cosmetic Products. The toxicological profile, chemical structure, level of inclusion and total level of daily exposure of each ingredient used has been assessed and deemed safe for use (including for use by pregnant women).
Bio‐Oil is a member of Beauty Without Cruelty International.

After reading some reviews online, I would definitely only recommend to use this product on body scars first because there have been some skin reactions such as clogged pores resulting in a pimple attack on the face. If you live in a dry climate and have dry skin, you may be able to use it on your face sometimes.

For other scar removal skincare check out this site I found here.





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.

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.

Nude Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are such a necessity and I'm not brand-loyal when it comes to my bathroom cabinet. I like to try different products but there are a few standouts in the facial cleanser department. I was recently using Nude skincare's Purify Cleansing Wash and absolutely loved how gentle but effective this cleanser is. It would clean off the day's grime and melt away make up. I could even open my eyes while applied it in circular motion all around my face. Reminds me a little of Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser.  The ingredient list on this product isn't super long and this product is paraben-free.

In regards to cruelty-free and animal testing, this company does NOT test on animals and attempts to use ingredients that are not tested on animals however, they don't have the cruelty-free stamp because I guess some of the ingredients they have used have at some point been tested in a lab but not anymore. *sigh*

I did find the following information on their website though:

NUDE never tests on animals. When selecting the ingredients to be used in our cosmetic products, NUDE requires raw material suppliers to provide safety information based on scientifically accepted alternative testing methods that meet international safety standards and regulations. NUDE products must meet both consumers' needs and consumer safety, while respecting animal life. NUDE continues to strongly support & favour alternative testing and is committed to following all animal testing laws and regulations in order to ensure our products' safety for the end consumer.

Each country has its own specific regulations that are regularly updated. NUDE’s parent company, LVMH, has always been actively involved in the search for alternative testing methods for many years and supports several industry research programs, including those conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, the European Chemical Industry Ecology and Toxicology Centre (ECETOC), the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

NUDE is against cruelty to animals. It is our goal to be as transparent and honest with our customers as possible. We believe the "cruelty free" certifications provide unclear explanations to consumers, as it implies that none of the ingredients incorporated into products have ever been tested on animals. This is a nearly impossible certification for any cosmetic company to make. We prefer to be able to stand 100% behind our claims.

NUDE does not test our cosmetic products on animals and we require our raw material suppliers to provide safety information based on scientifically accepted alternative testing methods. It is nearly impossible for any cosmetic company to certify that all new and existing ingredients incorporated into products have never been tested on animals as part of the safety research and certification process. NUDE selects high quality raw materials with well-established safety records and uses an extensive ingredient database. NUDE is committed to maintaining the highest standards of human safety while eliminating the need for testing on animals.

I think they are in the right direction though. They are actively not looking at ingredients that are routinely tested on animals but also state that they are not positively sure that the particularly ingredients they have used in their products have never been tested on animals in the past.

With that being said, I believe the EU has recently banned animal testing in labs and this is a UK based company. I think it is a step in the right direction to be conscious about the animal-cruelty that goes on in labs across the globe just for human consumption. Baby steps is still better than no steps at all to becoming a conscious beauty consumer. I love my bunnies too much. 

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.


 

Party look with brownish bronze and army green

I've created this brownish-bronze-army green smokey eye look that would be perfect for  a dinner and post-dinner drinks.

Using my little sister as a guinea pig, I started with a base color from lash to lid. Then I with a flat tipped brush I took the brownish sparkly shadow and lightly ran it across the upper lash line with more color deposit on the outer corner. I then used my smoky eye brush from Sephora to "smoke" it upwards to the crease line blending it up and out and deposited the darkest color on the outer section. I kept layering until my desired effect. The tip is to have a light hand and then make it as dark as you are comfortable with or for the right occasion.

Using a smaller tipped brush I lined the lower lash line with the same rule as the top lid. Lighter in the inner corner to Darker in the outer corner. I like eyes to have this gradient of color. I think it looks more natural.

I used a sparkly bronze for her middle lid and tapped it with a flat brush for that brightening effect. For the inner corners I used a sparkly gold color.

Lining the upper lash line with an army green liner and the outer lower lash line with the same liner. I added dimension to the lower lash line by using the same bronze shadow with a tiny brush from the inner corner to the middle of the lash line. 

Finishing off by curling her lashes and a few coats of lengthening mascara.

Photo Credit: Alaine Handa
Make up artist: Alaine Handa