How to Get Gisele’s Hair

Hi everybody,

Sometimes I ponder on this thought: while our genetics makeup are highly similar, only one of us is Gisele Bunchen. Since she was discovered at 14, Gisele has dominated the fashion world inside and outside the runways. While us mere mortals are fighting frizz or flatness of our hair, hers just rock the way it is, long and slightly wavy. And so darn sexy to boot!

Gisele and her marvelous hair
Image courtesy Makeup.com

Now, why we may not be supermodels and do not have a team of half-dozen people hovering around to prettify us, having Gisele’s wavy hair is not that difficult. For many years, I’ve been trying to get it with curling and then flat irons. While most times the results were sub-par, once in a while I hit jackpot and it kept me motivated. But then, I also have the curse of sensitive skin that keeps me from using most hair styling products out there. Without hair gels and sprays, the curls do not hold as long. Before the party is over, my hair usually falls flat to my scalp. Eventually (and naturally), I decided to stop trying and just wore my hair the way it is. Also, I pray to Mother Nature not to rain on my parade before I have a big photo-op/presentation event.

But magical things happen when I stopped trying. Accidentally, I found my hair looking rather stunning with some slight waves that run all over the head. Just like Gisele’s! Without using any hair styling tools or products! And you can’t believe how simple it is!

After washing and drying my hair, I just loop it around as if to make a hair bun and tie it with a ponytail holder. The longer I let it hold, the curlier and longer lasting the waves are. One time I sleeked a quarter-size glob of Le Baby hair gel on my hair and the curls lasted for days! I haven’t tried letting the bun air dry yet but I suspect it would work as well. Once I’m ready to let my hair down, I just take off the ponytail holder and use my fingers to fix the curls the way I want. And let me tell you this, I got Gisele’s hair every single time!

This is a big step up from my eternally straight hair, y'all!

So, here's the official direction for wavy hair without using styling tools:

Sleek a quarter-size dollop of gentle hold hair gel to your towel-dry or damped hair before drying it. Then make a bun and hold your hair together with a ponytail holder until you’re ready to go out. Fix your waves with your fingers and voila, supermodel hair!

For those who have naturally wavy hair, I plead you to embrace it with some anti-frizz serums. Please let your waves shine, curly hair ladies! You don’t know how much I crave for curls and waves for many many years. But again, I’m a typical case of “the grass is always greener on the other side”.

Now, let’s talk about the makeup, shall we? I really love the way I look in these pictures. It was as if nothing could go wrong: I had the perfect hair and the perfect makeup to go with. On top of that, both of them were so easy to do!

Say cheese!

I’ve been embracing paints and paint pots a lot more recently. They are so versatile and easy to use. With just my fingers, I got the eye look within seconds.

Eyes:
I applied MAC Bare Canvas paint pot all over my eyelids, then blend L’Oreal HiP creamy eyeshadow on the lid and the outer corner of my eyes. Next, I lined my lashes with MAC Teddy eye kohl and finally, applied several coats of mascara.

Cheeks: I blended Adorned with Grace minerals shimmer blush in Glamorous, using the Ingénue sleek dual fiber brush.

Lips: believe it or not, Chapstick shimmer lip balm in Tropical was the only thing there!

Face: the usual – EDM Sunlight kaolin powder and AwG foundation in Grace 3.5, using a kabuki brush.

I really love this look because I look like a beach bunny and it can be achieved in 5 minutes. Glamorous is very pretty and layerable, I’ve been using it ever since getting a full size from my haul.

Peace out, ladies!
Hope you're having a fabulous day, ok?

Oh, before we leave, there's one thing I need to say. Guess what? Today is My Makeup Blog's first birthday! It seemed like yesterday I blogged about my favorite lipstick from Clinique. Time flies so fast, this blog just turned one already!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been a part of this blog. It would not have survived without you, Constant Readers! Let's hope we're going to have another fabulous year ahead.

Cheers to you and to My Makeup Blog!

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Adorned with Grace Summer LE: Summer Safari

Hi everybody,

Recently, I got an opportunity to try some new eye shadow samples from Adorned with Grace minerals. Franchesca was so kind and generous to send them to me so I can have something to play. And let me tell you this: I believe this summer LE is the best color story AwG has ever released! The colors are so gorgeous and pigmented that they almost blow my mind!

Franchesca’s summer collection actually has two parts: one for regular eye shadows and another for her premium formula. With 13 new colors, this is the largest LE she’s ever released as well. Girlfriend has been working hard!

I simply split them into two groups – light and dark colors – to make it easier for me to review. Here are some close-ups of the light colors as well as my interpretations:

Confident and Chivalrous

Confident is a cute yellow eyeshadow that reminds me of the feather of baby chicks. It is sunny and sweet. Like Chivalrous, it is also gorgeous and makes a nice pop of color on the lid. Also, it is a shimmery eye color.

Chivalrous looks like a pale ecru color in the bag. However, when I applied to my skin, it turned out to be a pale pink with a white sheen. This makes a gorgeous yet understated but not boring highlighter.

Sympathetic and Sensible

Sympathetic is a light peach-pink eyeshadow with a slight touch of shimmer. This will sure brighten up your eyes when you look tired.

Although Sensible and Sympathetic look really similar in the bag, they are not identical twins but two sisters. While Sympathetic is peachier, Sensible is pinkier with a touch of metal to it. This color is going to look really good when foiled.

Classy and Clever

Classy looks kind of boring in the bag but don’t let that fool you! This sandy color is something I call “my skin but better”. It has enough yellow to brighten and enough brown to remain neutral. A touch of shimmer is endearing to me.

Clever is pigment on steroid! It’s one of my favorite colors of the bunch. This color is really complex: it is a duo chrome mauve color with a touch of pink. When foiled, the white-light green shines through. I still can’t believe this color came from AwG, which is known for its mattes and nudes.

Skin swatch of the first group in natural light, without flash

From here, the colors get more and more complicated as well as more and more alluring.

Sagacious and Conscientious

Sagacious is a duo chrome camel brown eyeshadow. When foiled, you can see a touch of green appears.


Conscientious looks like reddish brown in the bag. However, it transforms into a chrome pinkish purple when wet. This color resembles MAC Stars and Rockets, almost like its lighter sister.

Perceptive and Heroic

Perceptive reminds me of NYX Rust eyeshadow and MAC Firespot in Moon bathe collection. It has the orange pigment of Firespot and the rustic brown of Rust. Surprisingly, Perceptive is more wearable than the other two. It neither looks too bright or too strange. It’s just right.


Heroic is another complex color: while looking like a dark rustic red in the bag, it turns out to have some dark violet inside. This color will sure make some club kids happy (and again, it comes from AwG!)

Intriguing, Auspicious, and Invicible

Intriguing is MAC Club twin sister and don’t let the color in the bag fool you. This color is more complex than it looks. Like Club, it’s duo chrome dark purple eye shadow with a green sheen. Pretty? Yes!


Auspicious reminds me of Embark and Hepcat eyeshadows. It has that brown and purple sheen going on, which is interesting to me. And again, don’t let that rustic brown-red color fool you: this is anything but boring.

Invincible is another deceptive color if you just let it pass you by at a first glance. While looking like a black eyeshadow, it transformed into a dark olive eyeshadow when applied to your skin. For some reasons, it reminds me of Golden Olive pigment although I know they do not look anywhere remotely similar

Skin swatch of the second group, also taken in natural lightning and without flash

The one thing I enjoy about this collection is the colors play well together. If you just blindly pick three colors from this collection, chances are they support each other and give you a pretty look. I’ve been doing that for days in order to find an ugly look but so far, I’ve got none.

My favorite colors of this LE are: Clever, Perceptive, Intriguing, and Invincible. These are metallic and duo chrome colors but again, there’s no surprise of the finish. It’s the choice of colors that threw me off a bit.

There’s no doubt this collection is going to be a big hit. With a wide array of color, texture, and finishes, Adorned with Grace summer collection is fun to play with. If you’re shopping for colors, please put it in your consideration.

That's all for today, folks! I hope you're having a wonderful week ahead!



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Weekend Beauty Read

Summer's here and there's nothing better than juicy and ripe strawberries!

Also, we got an invitation to the launch of makeup guru Eyedie Marie.
You get a chance to mingle, network, and win prizes. It's this Sunday and if you're in New York, this event is for you :)

(click to see more details)

But wait, don't go yet! The Beauty Read is after the jump!

The Informed Makeup Maven talks Stila, MAC and Terra Firma Cosmetics giveways and reviews Make Up For Ever's HD primer and Camouflage Palette, and MAC's Moistureblend Foundation.

The Clinique Bamboo Pink Collection Giveaway at An Indian's Makeup Blog - ENTER TODAY !

Check out A Little More Beautiful for great giveaways like a LUSH Sweetie Stack Gift set and BB Dakota Pink Dress-Perfect for Summer!

If you are a blondeyou'll want to check out The Advice Sisters review of Redken's Blonde Glam salon treatments and at-home products they are a must-have for Summer and all year long!

Beauty Anonymous gives you a look into the latest haute couture-inspired makeup collection by Chanel.

addicted to lipstick is having a Mac Honey Collection Giveaway hop on over to enter for you chance to win.

Fabulous Over Forty falls in love with a new Dior Designer Eye Palette.

eye4style loves the long lasting shine of Dashing Diva's new Gelife manicure!

Dao from My Makeup Blog found a good dupe of the coveted MAC 188 brush for cheap!

Glossypink shows you how to get The Hills' star Audrina Patridge's smoldering makeup look!

The girls over at Beauty in Real Life have another fab giveaway this week. Head on over to enter to win Perricone MD's Advanced Face Firming Activator, valued at $120!!!

Visit Lipgloss Break and enter to win Barielle Summer Sugar Rush Nail Polish Collection!



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Beauty Literature: Allure Confessions of a Beauty Editor

Hi everybody,

Every once in a while, I hear some of my lovely closed friends and relatives utter these words to me: “It’s confusing!” when it comes to makeup and skincare. And the more I try to explain to them, the more dazed and confused they become. Then finally, we just avoid the subject totally.

Each and every single time like this, I wish to have a book that tells people what to expect and what to do to take care of ourselves. I firmly believe that if you care for yourself on a daily basis, you will get tremendous returns in the future (it’s my makeup and skincare version of karma.) Luckily, I bumped into “Allure Confessions of a Beauty Editor” in the library. This book was written by Linda Wells and the editors of Allure magazine and published in 2006.

Cover of Allure Confessions of a Beauty Editor

We all know the significance of Allure magazine to the beauty industry: its Allure magazine award is the beacon of valor that the bearers proudly display on their products. Give or take, some of the awarded products may not be the best out there (hello, Maybelline Great Lash!), but this magazine tests an insane amount of makeup and skincare products every year. Although I do not currently subscribe to Allure, once in a while I’d like to skim it to learn some extra tips and tricks.

Introduction

“Allure Confessions of a Beauty Editor” (or “Confessions” for short) was written in the same way Allure is published. It is a more condensed version of the magazine with choke full of guides, tips, and tricks. I could not go through it in one sitting because the amount of information is staggeringly abundant! This book covers everything from skincare, makeup (face, eyes, lips), nail care, hair (style, cut and color), body, and even salon and spa. The information is sufficient to take a novice to an immediate level. Since I do not know much about nails and hair, this book gives me some tips to take care of myself better in those areas.

Each chapter starts with a two-page introduction (probably) written by Linda Wells. If you like the tear sheet of the how-to’s in Allure magazine, each chapter has a column called “Beauty School” to show you a certain technique. Also, it has some important parts called “Trick of the Trade” to teach you some tricks, “ Beauty Myth” to rebuke some popularly believed myths, “Guilty as Charge” to advise you not to do some certain things, and “Cheater’s Guide” to make life a bit easier (and faster) for you. If you do not have time to read the whole book back to back, concentrating on these parts will give you tidbits of important information otherwise you may miss.

Tips about concealer: (1) you need it, (2) pat, not rub

How to do the smokey eyes, hola!
(Click to zoom)

Blowout 101: I need this!

Shopping wisdom we all need to know
(Click to read!)

If you think of this book as a tell-all about the beauty magazine industry, you will be sorely disappointed. “Confessions” is more of a how-to book written by beauty editors of one of the most famous beauty magazines in the world. I would recommend you to read it to gain some new perspectives (and tips) on makeup and skincare (and nail care, and hair care as well!) Also, it would make a nice gift for someone who is interested in these areas.

That's all for today, folks! I wish you a lovely day and as always, stay gorgeous!



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"Beauty Brands Should Not Be Working With Bloggers...": Really?

Hi everyone,

Sorry to interrupt da peace but something just came to my attention recently and I can't help but to voice my opinion on this issue. Recently, Emrah Kovacoglu, the CEO of Total Beauty Media, wrote an article on TB Media CEO Outlook page titled "Beauty Brands Should Not Be Working With Bloggers..." that attracted angry responses from a lot of beauty bloggers who are TB participants. The tension was so high that Mr. Kovacoglu had to post a reply on YouTube to apologize (or "un-apologize") to the crowd.

Since The Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live is one of my favorite things and I just love Amy Poehler saying "Really?", I'd like to moonlight her a bit. Just imagine me saying "Really?" in a very high-pitch and shrilly voice and you'll get it. Also, this blog entry is dedicated to all the beauty bloggers out there who are as passionate about lotions and potions and colors and mascaras as much as I do.

Are we ready for this jelly?

First of all, Mr. Kovacoglu, it's nice and brave of you to voice your opinion and I appreciate it. I have to say I enjoy reading your article and hearing your YouTube reply. And as I am a, what you called it, "citizen journalist", I'd like to offer you my retort:

You wrote:

Professional mass-media journalists are bound to these standards: objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness, fairness, public accountability, and limitation of harm. They're bound to presentation standards such as clarity, correct spelling, and formal dialect. But most bloggers are not classically trained professional journalists; they are individuals who had the guts to start talking publicly about an area of passion that had.

Really, Mr. CEO? Really? So, you think I were not objective to my reviews, my information are not accurate, I were a liar, I did not play fair, I hid like a coward when someone criticized me, and I blatantly and openly harmed people who read my blog with makeup? Really?

Also, since I am no J-school graduate, you think I don't know how to spell, express my writing in a clear manner, and use my gansta, up-in-da hood Southern dialect all the time? Really?

You also wrote, and I'd like to quote, this:

Add in e-mail, texting, IM, Tweeting, etc., and the presentation standards in blogging are blurred. As in, it's acceptable (sometimes cool or funny) to misspell, cut corners, or not be as polished. That is what establishes your authenticity. However, whether you are a professional journalist or a blogger, publishers have a responsibility to hold true to ethical standards in journalism. It's not worth ruining a reputation or selling out in the short run for small amounts of money or free products. Bloggers must stay true to their readers. It's what will keep and grow the reader base -- and it's what drew brands to work with them in the first place.

Nice preach to the choir, Mister! Really? Do you think it's acceptable for me to misspell, cut corners, and publish a bang-up, run-on-the-mill article and put in on the World Wide Web for everybody to see? Do you realize how easy potential employers and other people can read what I write online? Do you think I can just sell my soul for some free products and get away with it? Really? And do you think my readers are so gullible not to detect whatever B.S people hurl out there on the Internet? Really?

You also wrote:

We have developed a community of vetted bloggers who are impactful, truthful, and not compensated for their posts/reviews -- and we continue to monitor that community. We guarantee to get your products in the hands of the right bloggers, and that they will use your product as recommended, post about it on their blog, and review it on TotalBeauty.com.

Really, Big Brother? Really? Who actually helped TB to become the way it is today? I didn't see anybody from TB knocking at my door to ask me to join at the first place. It was I who saw your logo on other bloggers' websites and asked around before signing up. And really? You do monitor your blogging community? So, if one day I decided to go kooky and posted some really offensive materials (or as you said, "provocative"), you are going to report me to the FCC and shut me down? Really?

And oh, yeah! I got some products, alright! But I have to follow your rules and review them on my blog within 30 days and also review on TB website. And you know, we do have our own blogging schedules, right? And it may not be convenient to review within that time as the product may not fit to the theme I do within that week.

In the penultimate paragraph (oh yeah, I know some big words, too!), this is what you said:

We can ensure a buffer between their blog and brands, so that they are not penalized by a negative review, if that is what they truly feel. I've had many bloggers complain to me (three in just the last week alone!) that they sometimes receive products from brands they just don't like, but they fear if they don't review it (or review it negatively), they'll never hear from that brand again. We at Total Beauty prevent that from ever happening.

"Ensure a buffer between their blog and brands", really? And did you check your grammar? We, TB bloggers, do not have just one blog. We have a lot of blogs. Some of us even have more than one blogs. Really, check us out! If you have ever used makeup, you'll know there's nothing as a perfect brand to produce perfect products all the time. They know it, and we know it. They need us to tell them honestly about their products, it's a symbiotic relationship. So, really, the buffer - although is nice - is not neccessary. And we are not kids, we can fight and protect ourselves. Really!

"They are not penalized by a negative review", tsk tsk... grammar! At this point, I'd like to kindly suggest you to get a secretary (or somebody) with some knowledge of English grammar to proof-read your materials before you put it online. Really, really, highly suggest you to do so! Really!

But really? Penalized by whom? And why?

As I've been in academia for so long, I realize there are many ways to say "no" and many other ways to say "You suck!" Really. And the ones who are more likable and more professional actually know how to say them without hurting other people's feelings. Really! Also, if the company does not take my criticisms well, it does show something about that company, right?

And by the way, if you think three complaints from bloggers a week is a lot: by all means, be a university administrator. I guarantee you'll hear a whole lot more colorful and intense words from the, what you called them, "classically trained professionals" - J-school professors included. Just inform them their fundings are not in their accounts yet, or their supplies are not available and see what happens. Really, three complaints in a week!

To reply to your YouTube message:

You said TB has been helping us developing our websites and businesses, earning incomes through ads, driving up our traffic, etc but here's the real picture:

• From the beginning, I am the one and only person who developed and promoted my own blog: I learned the rope in my own sweet time and my own sweet little way, thanks to Mt. Google.
• I do not join the ad network from TB because it requires too many things from me to deal with and I've heard so many negative things about it. Also, this is not about money: I blog because I can and I want to. If money comes along with it, I would cherish it and be very thankful. But it's not always and totally about money.
• So far, I get next to zero traffic from TB website. Really! How do I know? I have my own lil' traffic tracker to monitor who's coming in and out. And really, on an average day I get zero hit from TB.
• TB team does not help me develop or promote my blog. Nor they give us any news about blogging. It is the TB bloggers who come together and teach each other new stuff. And some of them are really amazing! I learn a lot more from them that I've ever imagined and I am thankful for that. For TB CEO to take the credit, I'd like to quote Mr. Ronald Weasley, "Are - you - mental?" (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, page 371 - must-read material for those from 8 to 88!)

And now, I'd like to reiterate my blogging standard for once and for all:

1. I do not get any compensations to blog: free samples and products to review, yes; get paid, no! I blog here because (a) I love makeup, (b) I want to have a place for me to write frequently, (c) I love to meet like-minded people, and (d) because I can.
2. I take this blog very seriously: because it's open for anybody and everybody to see, I prefer to do a good job with it than just cut-and-paste some pictures and call it a day.
3. I take my readers very seriously, as well: because you guys are smart and beautiful, you deserve a blogger who appreciates you, your opinions, and support. From day one, I aimed to be that blogger. Also, when I grew up, I did not have a sister or a friend to tell me what's good and what's bad when it comes to makeup (because they don't wear makeup, not because they're mean.) So, I created this blog to hope that some of you who are looking for the information to find it here and find it useful, as well.
   
4. I don't lie on the Internet: because it's not just tacky, it's stupid!
5. I hold high standards and integrity in my work: starting with "don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal." It's easier said than done but I live by those rules every day.

I guess it shows because readers keep on coming back and businesses becomes friends. To put all beauty bloggers into one category hungry hoarders of free products, trips, and incentives is not only wrong and tacky but also shows how out-of-touch and unknowledgeable of the blogging scene Total Beauty CEO is. Also, when you have bloggers who build you up and create that 7 million reader empire of yours, please at least show us some appreciation.

To recap, I am not happy with his initial post and I am very disturbed at his response on YouTube. I stand by my works and my readers stand by me. It took me some time to be recognized by some companies and I am very selective and protective of my readers.

I'd love to hear your comments regarding this issue.



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We're on Twitter!

Hi everybody,

Yes, you heard it right. We've finally joined the Twitter revolution! After some months of "What the heck is this Twitter thing?", I finally became a Twitter convert. It's so fun. And it's so fast!

My Makeup Blog's twitter is http://twitter.com/MyMakeupBlog and you can always follow me and tweet to me @mymakeupblog

On another note (and another website)... Technorati

(Click for a bigger image)

Holy cow! Technorati featured us as one of the top blogs about mineral makeup? ZOMG o.O
When I googled for my Twitter acount, I saw that right then and there! Seriously, I rarely check how I do on Technorati because this is such a small blog and I only have a palm full of readers who comment everyday. Yet, we got picked for that position! I can't believe it! ZOMG, ZOMG! My Makeup Blog as the authority on mineral makeup?

ZOMG some more!

This is such a big boost for my self-esteem. And whoever (or whatever) selected us for that position, thank you! And also, thank you guys for sticking with me.

Now, go ahead and follow me on Twitter, alright? See you @mymakeupblog!

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Adorned with Grace Ingénue Sleek Dual Fiber Brush: So 188 of You!

Hi everybody,

In my life, I have some couple of dreams but a specific one is to find a good dupe of the famous MAC dual fibre brushes (aka numbers 187 and 188.) So far, I managed to get a really good 187 dupe for 2 bucks! Lucky, I know. However, the task to find a 188 doppelganger is hard as not many stores out there sell it.

The 188 brush is like a more awkward and silent sister of the famous 187, kind of like Solange to Beyoncé. It’s not like the brush lacks quality, it’s just too small to justify the price tag of a whooping thirty-eight dollars. However, for those who uses cream and mineral(ized) blushes, this brush is very important as it picks up colors and blends like no others. It distributes colors to your cheeks in a thin and fine layer that makes you look like you’re just blushing, not trying too hard.

Adorned with Grace Ingénue Sleek Dual Fiber Brush

Adorned with Grace minerals, my beloved MMU company, recently had the new Ingénue dual fiber brushes that are like twins to the MAC 187 and 188. Imagine how difficult it is for me to get these brushes: Franchesca announced a special “Blog Brush” twice, the first time at $5.99 and the second time at $11.99 for the 187. Both times I missed because these brushes were sold out super fast! So, by the time she opened her current dot-com store, I was eager to jump into the bandwagon and lucky me, I got the 188 dupe. It’s called the Ingénue Sleek Dual Fiber and is sold at $7.99, which is a steal compared to the real 188.

Close up of the brush,
It looks really cute, right?

Head shot
It's smaller than a quarter, y'all!

The Ingénue Sleek Dual Fiber brush looks professional. It is taller than other ones I have and has black ferrule and handle. Frachesca carefully wrapped it with bubble wrap and then with tissue paper. When I opened it, this brush did not smell at all. Within the first few washes, a bit of dye leaked out and that’s common for brushes with dyed animal hair. The handle was made of plastic, not wood, which makes the brush lighter. The Ingénue Sleek Dual Fiber is unbelievably soft and full like the real 188 with black animal hair (maybe goat hair?) and white nylon bristles. The white bristles are as soft as butter and picks up pigments very well. I used it with some very light blushes I have and surprisingly, it showed on my cheeks. By far, the only blush brush that can distribute color as well is the Sonia Kashuk synthetic flat top brush.

(Top-bottom): EDM dual fiber brush, Target StudioTools dual-finish brush, and AwG Ingénue sleek dual fiber brush
The Ingénue brush sure has a long handle :)


See how full the brush in the middle is?
(L-R) EDM dual fiber brush, AwG Ingénue sleek dual fiber brush, and StudioTools dual-finish brush


Another shot from another angle
(L-R) AwG Ingénue sleek, StudioTools dual-finish, EDM dual fiber brushes
While the old EDM brush looks like collapsing, the first too are really firm.

The only downside of this brush is the black hair sheds like a dog. Most times I have to pick up the black fibers from my cheeks. Usually, the shedding activity stops after 3-4 washes but I’ve washed it more than that and still got some hair on my cheeks. However, with this price, it’s still a steal.

Price: $7.99 at Adorned with Grace Minerals (shipping is free for U.S and Canada, very cheap for international.)

My rating: A-, points taken away for shedding hair.

The Sales Dilemma

As of today, my makeup budget of this month officially goes kaput! Not a single government bailout can help my sorry wallet at this moment, I’m telling ya. Usually, I would save, save, save for the first half of the year and then spend like crazy in July, when my birthday hits. This year, since the economy is in the tank, almost every single brand pushes their semi-annual sales (or friends and family sales) up to early-mid June. So, I have to make a choice of whether to wait until my b-day hit and get some sloppy seconds or hit them now while the goods is still good.

And the result is: I’m going to eat ramen noodles in July, y’alls! ‘Cause I overspent! But on the brighter note, I consider the stuff I bought as early birthday gifts for me that I could use for a month ahead. How awesome is that? And that’s called being an adult, kids. You can get whatever you want at whenever you want (until credit card bill hit you in the face, that’s it!)

Take care, everybody! If you already have this brush, I’d love to hear from you. As always, stay gorgeous!




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Chapstick True Shimmer Lip Balm: Moisturize and Shine

Hi everybody,

Recently, I got an opportunity to try the newest addition to Chapstick called True Shimmer. Inside the package were four shiny new tubes of True Shimmer lip balms in Botanical Berry, Tropical, Peppermint Rush, and Blended Fruit Sherbet. The last two will not hit the market until July-August of this year.

Chapstick and I go waaaay back since I was just a wee kid. The little swivel stick with pink waxy balm got me hooked from the first time my mom applied it to me. Then, when I went to college, Chapstick medicated lip balm was my go-to, in-the-pocket must-have during freshman year. I developed this ritual before starting a class: I lined up my soldiers (a tiny tube of hand cream and a Chapstick), then applied lip balm to my lips and hand cream to my hand. The ritual caught attention of some professors and I have that “I mean business” look when I do it.

The new Chapstick True Shimmer
(Top-bottom) Peppermint Rush, Botanical Berry, Tropical, and Blended Fruit Sherbet

They are the prettier and girlier versions of the original Chapsticks

If you are acquainted to the original Chapstick, True Shimmer is a step up. While I find the original version to be quite waxy and dry, this newer edition is more moisturizing and soft as butter. It has that melt on your lips feeling that I want my lip balm to be. Additionally, True Shimmer lip balms have some subtle sparkles in its formula to give your lips some shine. When I said subtle, I really mean it: this product does not have chunky globs of glitter that makes your lips look like some giant disco balls. Instead, the glow is understated and natural looking in the way of “my lips but better”. However, if you think this is a tinted lip balm, it is not. The formula is still matte like the original Chapstick formula but the shimmers act as highlights to your lips and gives it some glow.

Of the four flavors I tested, I love Botanical Berry the most. This version of True Shimmer is the only one that gives a faint hint of rosy color. Also, the flavor is as delicious as a tall cup of strawberry smoothie in a hot summer day. Peppermint Rush sure is going to woo mint lovers: the minty flavor is mild but sure to awake your senses and give you a rush! Tropical smells like piña colada with a mix of coconut and pineapple. This is going to be a big hit for summer. Blended Fruit Sherbet failed to impress me: the flavor reminds me of grape flavored cold medicine: it smells artificial and plastic. Also, in the process, it gives me a headache as well.

(L-R): Peppermint Rush (blue), Botanical Berry (pink), Tropical (clear to off-white), and Blended Fruit Sherbet (purple)


These are really sheer colors and do you notice the shimmers?


Lip swatch of Botanical Berry
Again, it's a really sheer wash of color

Unlike the traditional Chapstick lip balms which does not taste like anything, True Shimmers has a slightly sweet taste in it with 1% or less of aspartame, the artificial sweetener. So if you are a lip licker, you may end up eating this lip balm from your lips (and in the process, dry them as well!)

Ingredients: petrolatum, paraffin, mineral oil, octyldodecanol, bis-diglyceryl, polyacyladipate-2, caprylic/capric triglyceride, arachidul propionate, phenyl dimethicone, beeswax.

Contains 1% or less of: cetyl alcohol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, flavor, hydrogenated vegetable oil, isopropyl miristate, lecithin, methylparaben, propylparaben, saccharin, (lecithin), mica (or silica), (triacetin), titanium dioxides, dyes* (red 40 lake, red 30 lake, blue 1 lake).
*Tropical does not contain dyes.
Some versions of True Shimmers have certain ingredients in brackets while others do not.

While Chapstick does a good job to moisturize the lips, it contains non-renewable sources such as mineral oil and petrolatum (or petroleum jelly.) It also has parabens as preservatives at small concentration (1% or less). While the health risk of parabens is still debatable, I do not entertain the idea of using the product I can ingest that contains this group of chemicals.

Chapstick True Shimmer is going to be a hit during this summer and the tween/teen girls may be happy to buy them as they only cost $2.79 each at suggested retail price. If you shop at Walmart, the price tag may be even lower. If your husband, boyfriend, or younger brothers likes to steal your Chapstick, they will not do so with True Shimmer. These lip balms scream “girl power” five miles away! And what type of straight guys to wear shimmering lip balms, anyways? So far, I think this is the best lip balm that Chapstick has ever created. However, it still has room for improvement and I believe adding some extra SPF may be nice.

Price: $2.79 (suggest retail price)
My rating: B, points taken away for non-renewable sources, parabens as preservatives, and lack of SPF. Also, Blended Fruit Sherbet smells unpleasant to me.

That’s all, folks! I hope you’re having a wonderful day and as always, stay gorgeous!



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Wearing Sunscreen the Right Way

Hi everybody,

Living in the Sunshine state has its perks. In winter, while the cold northern states get sub-zero degree temperature, we call it cold when outside reaches below 50 degree Fahrenheit! However, when it comes to summer the Sunshine state people get more sun than we all need. Yet, I still see some leather-skin, overly tanorexic ladies in the parking lot of Sam’s Club.

When I moved to the Sunshine state, my skin color was about the NC20 region. A year after that, even with religious sunscreen application but no trips to the beach, it jumped up to NC 35! How come? It’s the sun, baby!

Our pretty weather forecaster on channel 6
Notice the UV Index was at 10 and it was not a hot day!

I like the weather forecast: not only it tells me how hot the weather is going to be but also gives me the UV index. What? Your TV station does not give you that? In summer, the UV index can reach above 10 and that means we all need to slather ourselves silly with sunscreen from head to toe.

But the question is, how high of the SPF should you use? With a trip to the drugstore, I can find some bottles of SPF 100+ sunscreen. Hello, are they for Michael Jackson? Do we need sunscreen that high on SPF?

Dermatologists advised to wear the minimum of SPF 30 when you get out of the house. Since we tend not to spackle ourselves with enough sunscreen, the effect is divided in half. If you use an SPF 15 sunscreen and do not apply enough of it, then in fact you only have the protection of an SPF 7.5, which is not enough. The protective effect of sunscreen levels off after SPF 30. At SPF 30, you get 99.7% shielding protection from the sun. We should wear a higher level of SPF sunscreen as it offset the fact that we do not apply enough sunscreen. However, higher level of SPF sunscreens tend to be more oily and clog pores so make sure you look for the ones that are oil free and non-conmedogenic.

How to apply sunscreen correctly

Because if you don’t, you just waste your time, money, and risk your skin to the sun.

1. Fifteen minute to half an hour before going to the beach or just heading outside, rub at least one ounce of sunscreen all over your body, from head to toes. One ounce is an approximate amount of liquid to fill a shot glass, in case you want to gauge. While you can use the sunscreen for your body to apply on your face, I use two different types. As my face is more prone to breakouts, I use physical sunblock that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for the face. The rest of my body can be protected by chemical sunscreen such as avobenzone (or Parsol 1789).

2. Your sunscreen does not last all day so you should apply it again after coming out of the water or after every two hours. I know this is tedious but it does not take that long to apply sunscreen and you save your skin from future damages.

3. If you can’t stand the stickiness, please look for fast absorb sunscreens. Banana Boat makes some really good fast-absorbed products with SPF 50 and above.

4. If you can’t wait for your sunscreen to dry, apply it in two thin layers. That way, you are guarantee to apply enough sunscreen but do not have to wait around for it to dry.

5. Last but not least, please do not neglect the small areas. Believe it or not, living in the Sunshine state teaches me that the sun can burn you in places you do not imagine: the earlobes, behind the ears, the neck (ouch), between fingers and toes. Believe me, flip-flop wearers, there’s no worse burn than that between your toes. Also, please do not forget your neck and arms, especially your left arm if you drive.

I am fortunate enough not to buy in to the philosophy of tan is beautiful. So far, I have never wandered into a tanning salon or use self-tanner. My skin holds a tan well: about 3 months after summer I still have a tan. However, it also catches a tan as well. For one summer that I did not wear enough sunscreen, I had some dark spots on my face (and the skin went riot as well.) It took me a good year after that to erase some of those marks off my face.

So, everybody, please wear an SPF 30+ sunscreen everyday, rain or shine. The best way to fight against aging is to prevent it. Also, you can claim sunscreen money on the flex pay account of your medical insurance. Then, why not stocking it up?

Take care, everybody! And as always, stay gorgeous!



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