Beauty

Winter Make-Up Essentials

7:30 PM

As much as I love make-up and can't seem to walk out of my house without wearing it, this winter season, I'm limiting the days I slap on war paint.

With the winter season in Northern California being cold at -1°C at its lowest, the air is cold and dry. Despite moisturising daily, the effects of the weather still dries out my sky. So this winter, my go-to essentials for make-up are simply the foundation primers and face powder.

My first go-to is the Prime Time foundation primer from Bare Minerals. I love using this primer as it feels smooth on my skin and evens out my skin tone. It's $24 and a small amount goes a long way.


Another favourite foundation primer is Rimmel's Stay Matte Primer. Compared to Bare Minerals, which is a translucent primer, Rimmel's is not and it's priced between $4 to $7. I love wearing it during the winter time since it can be worn alone or with foundation.

With both of these primers, I pair it with Bare Minerals Mineral Veil pressed powder. Paired with the either primers, it evens out my skin tone and when I walk out of my house, I don't look like I've just gotten out of my bed (though these days, I wish I didn't have to get out of my bed and comfortable duvet). 

So with the harsh winter weather, give your skin a break. Add some dark kohl liner to your eyes to add a little more pop. It's an easy routine and all it takes is five minutes. It's perfect when you're running out of time or simply want a break from putting on your make-up.


Beauty

Summer Essentials

7:59 AM

Summer is officially here and since the temperatures in Northern California is getting hotter and hotter that I had to change my beauty regime and what I keep in my makeup bag.

Unlike most women who stuff their portable make-up bags with practically everything in their collection, I tend to lean more to the minimalist option. After I've applied my make up, all that goes into my make-up bag is my trusty pressed powder from Boots, Burt's Bees lip balm, and my choice of lipstick colour. Since I use the Bare Minerals make-up, I don't find the need to continually touch up and now that it's summer, I normally opt for the no make-up look in which I use foundation, eyeliner, brown mascara and a hint of blush. I don't go for the full on counter, eyeshadow, etc. since under the intense heat, all that make-up will just end up melting on my face.



If I'm on the rush, I skip the whole no make-up look. Instead, I use a tinted moisturizer and some pressed powder and I'm on my way. I might end up tossing a brown eye-liner into my bag and that's about the rest of it.

As for my hair, I let the whole thing go. No flat irons or curling irons. I let it air dry and with the assistance of a leave-in conditioner, my wavy hair doesn't go all frizzy. By going with less make-up and letting my hair dry, my prep time is cut in half.

Beauty

It's All About The Citrus!

8:56 PM

It's all about the citrus.

I'm not a big fan of the heavy floral scented soaps as they tend to overload the senses and especially at night when you're trying to wind down from a long day.

My absolute favourite right now is the Bath and Body Works White Citrus Supercharged Body Scrub. it's not the typical mild orange scented body scrub you'd get if you got the drug store version. It has a strong lemon scent and no, it's not reminiscent of the tinned MyShaldan car scents or one of those lemony household cleaners that when you get a whiff of it, it incites that gag reflex. What this body scrub smells like is reminiscent of freshly squeezed lemons.

I absolutely love this scent because it leaves me feeling fresh, clean and relaxed, especially at night before I head off to bed. It's also a pick-me-upper in the morning. The tart scent invades your senses in the morning, wakes you up and gets you semi-going until you get to your morning cup. Plus, the exfoliating beads help shed off dead skin, leaving your skin smooth to the touch.


So, if you're looking for a body scrub that packs a punch, the White Citrus from the Bath & Body Works is your best bet.

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