2013 Beauty Resolutions

This post is a bit early because as of tomorrow, I'll be on an extended New Years vacation in New York City with limited access to my computer.  2013 is right around the corner and I'm going to vow to follow these resolutions:

1. Follow my skincare regimen EVERY night.  There are some nights I feel lazy, only wash my face, and go to bed... No more of that!
2. Spend smartly on beauty products.  Brand names vs. drugstore brands, what's worth it and what's not -- AKA, I need to spend more time reading reviews.
3. Use tinted moisturizer (or BB cream) with SPF.
4. Getting more beauty sleep.
5. Update my blog at least once a month!  I'm taking 21 credits at school and working part-time as well... Wish me luck!  But I promise that I will try to update you with all things beauty related at least once a month.

What are your beauty related New Years resolutions?

I hope everybody has a fun and safe 2013!  XOXO.

Lip color: NYX #635 Doll lipstick.

My Top 3 Winter Essentials

I grew up in sunny Long Beach, California as a child, where winter temperatures are in the high 60s.  While living on the East Coast and enduring snow, icy winds and chilly temperatures which resulted in dry and lighter skin, I realized that I needed to give more attention to my body to prevent those as much as I could.  Here are my top 3 winter must-haves:

1. Nivea Extended Moisture Daily Lotion

 

I recommend using lotion right after you dry yourself after your shower because that's when your body absorbs the most moisture.  This lotion keeps your body moisturized for up to 2 days!

2. Carmex Original Flavored Lip Balm

 

My lips are constantly chapped throughout the winter season.  Although I prefer tinted or super fruity flavored lip balms, Carmex does the job in cold weather because it heals my chapped lips while providing moisture and leaving a glossy finish.  It's also extremely affordable and available at any drugstore!

 3. Now Foods Avocado Oil 

 

My hands and face get extremely dried out, and this is my secret solution to keeping them hydrated.  After reading about the benefits of avocado, I picked this up at my local organic store (it's available at multiple retailers online too!) and tried it out.  Within one use, my dry cracked skin became hydrated and moisturized, and it's been on my list of must-haves ever since.

Stay warm this season!  XOXO.

Black Friday Deals!

Our favorite beauty products don't go on sale often, but at 12AM EST, (9PM PST for you West Coasters!) many retailers are offering discounts online!  Some of them last throughout the whole weekend until Monday, and the best thing is that you can avoid the lines and be comfort of your own home.

Ahava: Deadsea mineral skincare - 40% off sitewide on ahavaus.com with code: BLACKFRIDAY. (November 21-25)

Arcona: Organic skincare products - 40% off sitewide on arcona.com. (November 23-24)

Bergdorf Goodman: 17 beauty brands are offering gifts with purchase as part of their "Beauty in a Bag" event.  In-store and online at bergdorfgoodman.com. (November 23-December 2)

Bliss: Up to 50% on select luxury items, in addition to 30% on bundles and sets and 20% on a selection of products on blissworld.com. (November 23-27)

Dr. Brandt: 50% off eye creams on Black Friday on drbrandtskincare.com. (November 23)

Fekkai: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on fekkai.com. (November 23-26)

Giorgio Armani Beauty: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on purchases over $75 on Black Friday on giorgioarmanibeauty.com. (November 23)

Sephora: $10 products on Black Friday, both in-store and online at sephora.com. (November 23)

Shu Uemura: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on all orders over $50 on shuuemura-usa.com with code: WISH2012. (November 22-27)


Happy Shopping!  XOXO.

Review: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish

I literally used to get a manicure (and a pedicure every other time) every 2 weeks at a salon because I discovered Shellac and OPI Gel nail polish, which is guaranteed to last 2 to 3 weeks.  After doing this for about a year, my nails became weak and brittle, so I decided to take a hiatus from the salon and polish my nails at home.

I use different brands of nail polish, from name brands to drugstore brands, but I've ruled out that Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is one of my top 3 favorites!

Color: Mint Sprint

Pros:

• Inexpensive (You can buy a bottle for under $5 here!)
• Easy-to-use applicator
• Only 1 layer of application is needed
• Dries within 60 seconds (The packaging says 30 seconds, but I would wait a whole minute)
• Base and top coats are also available (You can use the top coat on top of regular nail polish for a quick and efficient dry time!)
• Lasts about 3-4 days without chipping

Cons:

• The polish itself is pretty thick
• Since the brush is on the thicker side, it's harder to control precision in small corners
• There isn't a wide selection of colors (yet)

Rating: 4/5

How To: Hydrate Your Face, Get a Dewy Glow, AND Set Your Makeup

I absolutely love the "dewy glow" look and feeling after I receive a cleansing facial from Saks Fifth Avenue Spa (3rd floor of Saks in Tyson's Galleria) or Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. (I switch between the two because my skin therapist esthetician at Saks goes out of town frequently) One of the many things I learned from her in order to obtain the aforementioned dewy glow was to use a facial mists (also called hydration mists) to keep your face looking hydrated and refreshed... but it also doubles as a makeup setter! I'm a sucker for 2-in-1 products, and after discovering this, I've been using it everyday for the past few years as a pick-me-up, even when I'm not wearing makeup.

Although there are several different brands of facial mists that you can choose from, I prefer the drugstore brands because they're old school mists that have been around for ages, they're both under $10, and are readily available at Ulta, Sephora, or your local drugstore. Since I use facial mist everyday as a beauty essential, I go through them quite often, so it's definitely more cost-efficient than to purchase a high-end brand.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water

Evian Brumisatuer Mineral Water

**I use this personally!

  

The Right Way to Use a Facial Mist:

1. Hold the nozzle approximately 5 to 6 inches away from your face.
2. Let it sit for about 60 seconds, and then lightly blot off excess with a tissue.

Tips and Tricks to Misting:

1. After cleansing your face, give your skin a mist and put on your moisturizer immediately afterward, without blotting it dry to lock moisture in.
2. To obtain the "baby skin" look, you should lightly mist after every layer of makeup. Pretty much, it's: Mist, moisturize, mist, primer, mist, makeup, mist. Be careful to not get overly generous with the mist so your skin won't look dripping wet between layers, or your makeup will be prone to smudging!
3. After putting on your makeup, (Wait for your mascara to dry!) just spray the facial mist on your face as the last step of our routine to obtain the "dewy glow" look rather than a powdery complexion.