May 2013
11 posts
18 tags
Slightly Obsessed: Za Cosmetics
I discovered Za Cosmetics (parent company: Shiseido) while overseas in Asia since shelves of the brand’s lipsticks, concealers, BB creams, foundations and more seemed to line the walls of every corner drugstore. I’m a huge fan of drugstore beauty products, ones by Asian brands even more so because of the quality: they tend to be gentler on skin but yield rich pigments. Also, their...
8 tags
Slightly Obsessed: Biore Pore Aromatherapy Strips
While I was in Asia at the end of last year, I stocked up majorly on Biore Pore Strips. Essentially, they’re the same strips as the ones sold stateside at CVS, Target, etc. but as with many beauty products sold overseas, these had a little something special: aromatherapy! Well, actually a subtle jasmine scent that makes the usual sebum-extracting process just slightly more enjoyable. One...
12 tags
To BB or Not to BB?
Through all of my beauty shopping jaunts in Southeast Asia last year, there was one product I just couldn’t pull the trigger on, despite basically being in the motherland where it was born: BB cream. It seems that every beauty brand, from the high-end counter brands to cheapie drugstore ones, has a BB cream out. Of course, this all-in-one combination primer-sunscreen-foundation-blemish...
7 tags
Product Review: Shiseido Urban Environment UV...
If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you know that I’m a Shiseido-holic. Before discovering Shiseido’s Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 40 for Face/Body, I was a huge fan of the iconic beauty brand’s Oil-Free UV Protector for Face (SPF 42). The formula was thin and liquid-ey with smooth finish.
In comparison, the Protection Cream is considerably thicker...
1 tag
1 tag
28 tags
Musing About the Met Gala 2013
The annual Met Ball Gala is dually a feast and nightmare for the eyes. As a fashion fan, I love it all because unlike the traditional red carpet event, Hollywood fixtures are obligated to dress for fashion and not for what will get them on the Best Dressed list. Well, in theory anyway. This year’s “punk” (in quotes) theme was interpreted with spikey coifs, cutouts and, for some...
2 tags
3 tags
3 tags
April 2013
13 posts
20 tags
Only the Highlights
Mastering the use of highlighter is like mastering contouring: it’s one of those simple make-up techniques that can make a world of difference when it comes to adding definition to, illuminating, or hiding the flaws on your face. I’m a huge fan of a good, golden highlighting powder or liquid to either bring out my cheek bones or add a dewy finish to my make-up. Below are a few...
9 tags
The Ultimate Cheater's Truffle Fries
I have a slight culinary obsession with truffle fries, something I share with my friend Lauren. It’s gotten to the point where we actually text pictures of truffle fries from various restaurants to each other.
To me, they’re the perfect marriage of bourgeois and everyman. Truffle (or, rather, truffle oil) seems to be the perfect excuse for restaurants to upcharge a side that can be...
9 tags
Slightly Obsessed: Billabong Surf Capsule Summer...
I want them all to surf in this summer. The end.
4 tags
1 tag
14 tags
Slightly Obsessed: Shiseido's Tsubaki Haircare...
When I was in Asia a few months ago, I was laser-focused on nabbing Shiseido Tsubaki haircare products. They contain tsubaki or Japanese camellia oil that’s rich in oleic and amino acids. The imports have gained something of a cult following stateside but even modestly-sized bottles get marked up something fierce.
So imagine my delight when I found shelves of Tsubaki products ranging from...
4 tags
16 tags
Crazy for Coconut
My health-conscious friends have long espoused the benefits of coconut-based products: cooking with coconut oil, using it as a moisturizer, etc. I’ve been a fan for awhile, mostly because I think it tastes good. There are few things more delicious in life than sipping coconut water through a straw straight out of the fruit on a hot day, although I’ll settle for a Zico chilled in the...
10 tags
9 tags
Serum vs. Serum
I started adding serum to my beauty routine a few years ago when I read about all the benefits: overall improvement of complexion, antioxidants, anti-wrinkling, skin cell renewal, better product absorption. With the amount of damage I’ve probably inflicted on my skin from sun and surf, I figured it would be a worthwhile addition to my skincare regimen. And because I’m a beauty product...
1 tag
March 2013
25 posts
5 tags
2 tags
3 tags
4 tags
6 tags
3 tags
8 tags
Slightly Obsessed: The Body Shop's Honey Bronze...
I spent last weekend in the Bay Area celebrating a college best friend’s birthday. And while she was the birthday girl, she gifted me with this perfect-for-spring lip gloss because the color wasn’t quite right on her. The sheer peachy-coral finish means I can wear it alone over some balm or layer it over a matte lipstick. Either way, I’ll be pairing it with many a bronzed eyelid...
15 tags
Love this Look: Lena Headey at An Evening with...
I was lucky enough to attend the Television Academy’s An Evening with “Game of Thrones” event last night. I’m a HUGE fan of the series so I was super stoked to be able to see/hear the cast and showrunners dish about working on the show. In addition to hearing anecdotes about receiving weird fanmail and the challenges of casting some of the series’ key roles (finding...
7 tags
What the Gel? An Honest Review of Gel Manicures
Confession: I am horrible at doing my own nails. While I’ve always blamed “not being ambidextrous” as the reason that, when I DO attempt at-home manicures, my right hand’s nails always look like a toddler in a moving car painted them, the truth is I simply lack the patience for clipping my own cuticles and then gingerly going over each nail to so that the polish is...
1 tag
2 tags
2 tags
10 tags
Deep Purple
I’m totally a child of the ’90s. I can recite Clueless word for word, had a crush on Xander from Buffy (and - who am I kidding - Spike), and thought pairing combat boots with a slipdress looked awesome. My first concert was Bush.
From the lace cut-out dresses and combat boots to floral denim and cropped tops, the ’90s are having a moment this spring, so I’ve been inspired...
February 2013
35 posts
9 tags
Love this Look: Marion Cotillard in Dior Couture
I know she got ripped (pun intended) for wearing this bright yellow strapless Dior number - complete with that seemingly split-off sheer paneling - but Marion Cotillard simply stuns in this one. I love the color, the cut, the structure; bonus points for the sideswept peplum. Yes, the sheer paneling is hugely distracting but tolerable, in my humble opinion. If it were up to me, I would’ve...
