Random Files: May 2014 Favorites

This has got to be the oddest collection of favorites around....it is actually a bit hard for me to put together this list on a monthly basis because I tend to use up products before replacing them with something else.

1) Kimchi

Apparently kimchi is a superfood with tons of health benefits. I just like how it tastes and have since started making my own, using this recipe from Maangchi. This is part of my third batch and it is currently in the "ripening" stage.  

All I need is freshly steamed white rice and I'll be set for meals on the days when I don't have to worry about providing meals for my kid.

2) Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream

This was a sample that I got as part of my Missha order. The color I got was about 2 shades too dark, but I mix it in with my Skin79 BB cream (which is slightly too light) to get a closer match to my actual skin tone. I think it has quite good coverage (which is honestly, something that BB creams lack) and it smells mmmmmmm.....it has a lovely floraly scent that goes away after awhile. I've ordered the full size version (in the correct shade!) since. 

3) Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream

Full review available here, but this has been a skin-saver when I had to go back on my prescription topical acne creams. 

4) Adele '21' album

This month was a...slightly moody one for me due to certain life events. This album was played on repeat for majority of the month because sometimes, I just like to wallow in depressing songs. =)

Beauty Bit: Korean Skincare Haul, Part Deux: The Face Shop and Tony Moly

First up are items from The Face Shop, which was purchased when I ventured into NYC's Koreatown back in April. It was a small little shop that occupied half of the ground floor of a shop lot. Annoyingly enough, the prices are actually more expensive (by a few dollars) than the Face Shop online offerings of Soko Glam. But it was nice to see, touch and test the whole range of the brand rather than only the select few offered online.

Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil, $15

Part 1 of the Korean skincare step is to dissolve your faceful of makeup with a cleansing oil. This has the texture of a runny liquid that is like...well...oil (duh). I usually take 2 pumps onto my dry hands, massage the product into my face for about 30 seconds (should really be about 1-2 minutes, but I am lazy), then wash off. It leaves a slightly oily film over the face that I then wash off using my regular Target cleanser.

So far, I like it -- it smells lovely, it doesn't break me out, and it is therapeutic to have a mini face massage at the end of the day. 

I bought the Rich version which is meant for cleansing heavier makeup. The light version can be found here.

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Toner, $9

The primary reason I wanted to pay a visit to an actual brick & mortar Korean beauty store was because I needed a toner and didn't want to spend $50 on one at the moment. I wanted something that would have a focus on brightening and help even out the skin tone. This particular toner did not have a description in English (it was the only one that didn't....don't know what is up with that!) but I knew that rice extracts can help in that regard, so I popped it into my shopping cart. 

However, looking up on The Face Shop's official page for this product, it is meant to provide hydration to the skin.

Foiled! But not a bad thing as my skin has been dehydrated lately.

The texture of it is quite, quite different from Western toners (i.e. Clinique's Clarifying Lotion) - it is a lot thicker in texture and upon application, doesn't feel like you are stripping your skin (which honestly, is sometimes exactly what I look forward to in the past when using the Clinique toner...ha)

It is scented (and I love the smell)

Lovely Meex Mini Pet Perfume Hand Cream in White Floral, $8

Lets just be honest, I bought this because of the packaging. And my daughter claimed it the moment she saw it. Beyond the obvious cuteness of the exterior, the lotion was a pleasant surprise...Even though I think it smells nicer in the pot than on the hands after application, it really helped keep my digits moisturized and it STAYED moisturized and supple for quite a number of hours.
However, for only 1oz of product, it is quite expensive. I am going to reuse the casing when the product is gone, by refilling it with other lotions, but am tempted to buy the other shapes/animals.

Samples received: Calming Seed Skin-Resting Cream and Arsainte Eco-therapy Extreme Moisture Serum

 

From Tony Moly (which I purchase from BB Cosmetic via Amazon.com) These were impulse purchases (The packaging! Seriously...an apple and a tomato...doesn't get any cuter than that!) as a result of aimless surfing on Amazon (on which I've already warned on the dangers of that here).
The reviews seemed promising though. 

Appletox Smooth Massage Peeling Cream, $12

This didn't come with an exterior box or packaging, so not much information on the product's purpose or application. So I turned to trusty ol' Google and found that Skin & Tonics did a review on the product along with information on how to use. Sasa.com also has a thorough product description and application process.

This is essentially meant to remove dead skin, much like a scrub, but less harshly than a physical scrub, I would imagine.

Tomatox Magic Massage Pack, $11
On the packaging, it says that it will "bring instant magic vitalizing effects into the skin". I am not sure what that means, really...some of the English translation on Korean products are body-cringingly bad, sometimes.

Again, it is Google to the rescue. According to Sasa.com, this is whitening massage cream that can be used as a mask when left on the skin for 5-10 minutes. The reviews have been very positive for this product, with raving reviews on a making a major difference in trying to fade hyperpigmentation marks.

When I used it, I did feel that my skin in general was brighter the next morning, but I haven't used it enough to see if there is really a credible difference in my post-acne marks.

3 Ways: Shorts For Work

I've mentioned here that I was obsessed with an outfit from Korean drama Sly and Single Again that Na Ae-Ra wore which featured a pair of khaki shorts. So I have been on the hunt for a pair for myself.

Now that I am creeping up the age scale, I feel a bit self-conscious wearing too-short hemlines. Also, my legs are on the short and stubby side, so I was never truly that comfortable with short shorts anyway. 

So in my recent haul, I picked up a few pairs of shorts that have 6" inseams to cover my thighs and  so that they can potentially be worn to work.

Here are some outfits that I pieced together that may work in an office environment that veers on a casual side (which is what mine is):

1) Outfit 1

Top: Talbots / Blazer: Ann Taylor LOFT / Necklace: Ebay / Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

 

2) Outfit 2

Top: Forever 21 / Cardigan: Forever 21 / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper Patent

3) Outfit 3

Top: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik BBs

To be honest, I feel a tad like a grandma in them. 

For them to work at all, high heels are a definite must for me.

Ann Taylor LOFT Riviera Shorts with 6 inch inseam, $40 - $55

Outfit: Black and White...Like A Hamburglar

Dress - Target

Necklace - J.Crew

Sandals - Target

Sorry, I completely spaced on taking a picture for Outfit Thursday this week...

It has been warm exactly 2 days this week....then I actually had to bust out the winter coats again... O_o

Can't wait till maxi dresses are back out in full force

Random Files: LOFT Haul

I was in NYC a few weeks ago, in a very agitated mood. There I was, stomping down Avenue of the Americas, on my way down to Koreatown so I can lift my irritation with some yummy buns from Tous les Jours and I got temporarily distracted by an outfit that featured a pair of paisley shorts in one of window displays.

It was an Ann Taylor LOFT and I fell in love with those shorts.

This past weekend, they had a 40% off everything Memorial Day sale and I stopped by my local location and did some damage.

Shorts were my primary focus, but I also managed to find the lace blazer on sale (with additional 40% off!) that I was attracted to a few months ago when it came up on my Facebook feed. 

I ended up with three pairs Riviera shorts ('spring beige'...or in layman's term, khaki; navy lace and of course, the paisley pair), a lace blazer and a floaty, gauzy top that I am absolutely in love with.

Even at 40% off, their stuff aren't cheap but the quality is definitely superior to the cheaper chain stores e.g. Old Navy.

Sizing runs large so I end up in 00's (or a Petite 0) for it to fit properly. 

Beauty Bit: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream Review

Over the past few weeks, I've started breaking out and it was like a revival of my cystic acne episode that has plagued me over the past 2 years. 

Originally, I thought it was triggered by the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule (and it very well may have been) but it ceased to get better even when I stopped using the product. I had to go back on my prescription topical creams from my dermatologist and those cause some killer dry and peeling skin (even with exfoliation night and day) 

And with makeup on, my skin was a peeling mess by the middle of the day. 

Lovely. 

However, this time around, I have a game-changer within my reach. 

Nature Republic's Super Aqua Max Cream is a "high-performance hydrating cream which infuses extra moisture and refreshment back to skin with an energizing complex of deep sea minerals from maritime plants while extracts of chlorella, seaweed, plankton and water-soluble collagen and hyaluronic acid help to strengthen skin's ability to defend itself against external aggressors and dehydration"

It is said to mimic Biotherm's Aquasource and blind tests have shown that users prefer Nature Republic's version.
And the huge difference in price will also be a substantial consideration when trying to decide between the two, I would imagine. 

Now, all this official mumbo-jumbo aside, I really really like the cream.
I have the one meant for combination/oily skin and it has a light gel texture. 

First impression was that it has a REALLY strong scent...it smells like men's cologne. 

It is cool upon application, it is easily absorbed and leaves a slightly sticky feeling to the skin. 

Performance wise, it definitely helps keep my skin hydrated and made a significant difference in helping reduce the peeling from harsh prescription acne creams. I can even reapply over makeup throughout the day (I had a cold during my breakout and the constant nose-blowing meant that my nose and upper lip was even more of a peeling, flaky mess) and because it is a gel, it doesn't cause my base to rub off, or separate like it will with other rich moisturizing creams.

Another benefit is that it greatly helps reduce my oiliness throughout the day. Because it is so hydrating, it really helped in rebalancing my oily skin so that it is not constantly producing oils to make up for the dehydrated state of my treated skin. 

I'm almost at the end of my first jar, and my replacement order has already been placed through Soko Glam.

This is on the definitely recommend list!

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream, $18

3 Ways: Blouses

These type of tops are my absolute favorite because they can be dressed up or down easily, but always result in one looking put-together.

1) For work...

Skirt: J.Crew / Shoes: Manolo Blahnik / Bracelet: Hautelook

2) For a date...
 

Jacket: Mango / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity / Shoes: J.Crew

3) For a casual day...
 

Shorts: Forever 21 / Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target / Earrings: Forever 21

Now that I am creeping up on the age scale, I am really trying to be more conscious to dress less like a bum, and more like a classy, confident adult

 

H&M V-Neck Blouse, $25