Tickled pink or after-glow? Easy breezy blushes for the Asian skin tone

Take a wide brush and sweep upwards, starting at the apples of the cheek and along the cheekbone...wait, what? What cheekbone!? ...and is this rose blossom pink supposed to make me look like an over done blythe doll?

After numerous mishaps and hurried tissue scrubbing in the outdoor lighting, I've finally accepted that some of spring's prettiest blushes just aren't meant to be. Making it all the sweeter when I come across a rare, glowy shade that completely flatters the Asian skintone and the softer sloping contours of the face.

Tried and tested and always 100%, these blushes give structure and a desirable glow, for each look you are after:

Healthy and Vibrant - Self-magazine Type Glow



A CA sunset orange, Shu Uemura Glow On in Pearly Orange #53 (as shown in above right color patch, packaged in the left signature Shu-case) adds just the right amount of shimmer and natural radiance that flatters the Asian skintone as if you just came in from a run in the park.



Baby Doll Pink that's Half-Naivette, Half-Playful -> NYLON Cover Shoot Style

The limited edition Dior Sun Illusion's golden peach sun powder is lucent and soft-pink enough to brush on the entire cheeks to highlight the cheekbone area. Also contains an easy-contour face brush and even a shimmery lipgloss to match. With this cute packaging, who can resist!?



Velvety & Romantic -> think Holiday Issues of Glamour Mag

If you want a little more color, try by Terry's Loose Powder in Golden Beige, an intimidating bronzy copper powder at first glance but trust me, the soft, comfortable powder is surprisingly flattering, making the cheeks look like a fragile petal picked off an Antique Rose.

Tip: Use a big, fat, soft brush to apply loosely onto center and side of cheeks.



Bronzy, Sexy, Sun-Kissed -> Sports Illustrated Swim Issue, FHM, Maxim Appeal

The queen-bee of all, the limited edition Nars Blush (in Orgasm)/Bronzer (in Laguna) is truly a universally flattering power-duo. The peachy-pink powder adds a subtle flush to the cheeks while the sheer light brown shimmer defines the face to give it some edge.

Tip: Try dusting the left side on tops of cheeks and the right, around the edge of the face, the top half of the forehead and through the line of your nose to add dimension.

xox

Ocean Aquas, Sunset Oranges and Multi-Colored Fun - Which color scheme are you lusting after?

Crystalline Ocean Blues & Icy Muted Greens - are you a Water girl?

Jamie Joseph Rainbow Moonstone Cabochon Ring $462.00



Mallary Marks Leaf Earrings $5672.00



Pippa Small Large Link Charm Bracelet $3090.00



Irene Neuwirth Labrodite Necklace $3850.00


...Or are you passionate and warm like the Californian sunset?

Chan Luu Leather Bracelet with Red Coral and Gold Beads



Gabrielle Sanchez Carnelian Earrings $474.00



Jo Ann Williams Pink Branch Coral Necklace $848.00



Ten Thousand Things Opal Quarter Moon Necklace $1,000.00


...Or are you a shimmer of various shades, twinkling differently with each turn, reflecting everything, resembling nothing?

Marie-Helene de Taillac Ladylike Sequin Necklace $5,690.00



Lee Angel Spring Chandelier Earrings $80.00



Ronnie Kappos Multi Colored Bracelet $100.00

xox

SHOP: All products except Chan Luu available at Twist and the amazing red coral leather bracelet? - available at Fragments.

Captured in a Bottle - Spring's Innocence & Sensual Allure

A fragrance that captures the auras of a dream, or collects the ephemeral moments of a cherished memory, is as personal as it is unique and a hard find. Scientifically speaking, every perfume, no matter how pungent or light, smells differently on every individual, some mixing better with the body's natural scent. More so, the perfume that you will call "my fragrance" will be one that has captured traces of fond memories, a hint of what you consider ideal, traces of what fascinates and entices you.

This spring, I found mine. Lolita Lempicka launched her second signature fragrance, "L" de Lolita Lempicka since introducing her first, almost 10 years ago. The bottle looks like sea-glass, smoothed out into a heart shape by the sea, and has a gold mesh netting on top, as if to capture the treasure. As beautiful and charming as the bottle, the perfume is a dangerously feminine, musky but crisp, sweet but exotically sensual elixir...dreamlike, ethereal and intoxicating but still light and transparent.

"L" perfectly blends the naive, fragile dreams of a girl who would sit on her windowsill for hours on a warm summer evening, with the allure of a woman who has harnessed her sensuality.

xox

High Tech Beauty Rules - water fountain powder

Like standing just steps away from a cold, Brita-filtered waterfall, Awake’s Stardom Aqua Trans Powder lightly mists your face for a healthy, flawless complexion.

No, wait, that's not a bad simile on my part! The innovative formulation contains more than 77% water and moisturizing ingredients and while it looks like regular powder, the tinted, anti-oxidant packed particles turn into cool, hydrating molecules of water as soon as it touches the skin.

Instantly feels as if the face has been misted by a fine layer of nourishing water and for long-term effects, the botanical powder prevents skin inflammation to balance the skin.



Comes in 5 corrective shades that match all skin tones but for the spring/summer season, I’m loving the bronzy Sand Dune 03 that leaves me glowing & hydrated. You've gotta feel this!

xox

Hey Baby, Hey Baby, Hey: Japan Fashion Week! part 1

The daring, fashion forward, serious-style packed fashion week has arrived in Tokyo for the 20th time this spring and the collections are gaining acclaim and the keen interest of fashionistas and fabric-connoisseurs around the world.

A few of my favorite picks from the first days of Japan's fashion week as an introduction. I'm loving the use of various fabrics, varied textures, all layered upon another.




ato long leather vest over a romantic frilled grey knit sweater and red tights...can we say, sophisticated Victorian Punk!?

















ne-net the sweetest, softest, creme knit shoulder poncho matched with tough hardcore Canadian boots. A Japanese take on Marc Jacobs meets Michael Kors.













hiroko koshino although deceivingly simple at first glance, the structured detail on the shoulders and tougher sleeves paired with knee high leather boots perfectly offset the demure, curved out line of the dress.














everlasting sprout a cozy take on this summer's hottest item -a cashmere grey button down romper with loose, flowy sleeves and a cinched waist. Layer over the knee socks for the cutest at-home look.









...and three from my favorite designer from the first two days:yuma koshino. Chunky knit sweaters with french-style sleeves, silky draped hoods, LV-like flowers in the hair, big chunky chain necklace, fur collar detail (hoping it's faux...) with a romantic big bow, she gets everything right.





































xox

Just awesome...

Melting Love Pendant by Yayoi Inada
14 karats of melting desire at a not-too-bad $275
love love love at Matter Matters

Rockin' the High Fashion Main Stream

Can it be? An Asian model on the cover & feature story in Time Style & Design magazine...and the talented & charming (in all her moody-charismatic ways) Sandra Oh as the feature starlet of Marie Claire...


...a fashion story featuring Ai Tominaga, bare with only the hottest accessories draped over her, in the industry-coveted Elle Accessories magazine...
...the spring advertising campaign for mass-marketers like Gap, Banana Republic and even the posh-y Neiman Marcus.

Show'em girls, it's about time the high fashion media featured beautiful, cover-worthy girls en force.




Yes, some props to the sexy, gutsy, "Madonna of MySpace" Tila Tequila, too.
xox

a-ha! Beauty Trick #4: Fickle & Easy Scent-to-Go

I'm the type that carries make-up, trinkets, candy bars or fruity mints with me at all times. I hardly ever manage just a small clutch or slender pouch when I step out of my apt - even for late nite ventures.

I've gradually managed to cut down on my tote-age via ways like dipping sponge eyeshadow applicators eye shadow at home and carrying the sticks in a thin mirror compact or using a folder-over mini eyelash curler (a must for my straight, short asian eye lashes!)

But, my absolute favorite one so far is the to-go, completely flat perfume strips! Cheap, yes, but a lot easier for clumsy or slipperly hands and definitely more fun since you get to try a different scent each time according to your mood!

1. Flip through any women's magazine and find a perfume advertisement strip.
2. Without opening the fold, tear the folded strip part off so you have a long folded rectangle.
3. Tear the strip in three equal parts & put in wallet or clutch or back jeans pocket.
4. Later, for a little pickup boost, use the middle strip to rub on neck (it has the most fragrance), and the two side parts for your wrists & maybe even some for your hair!?

Just watch out for paper cuts!!

Dumb, yes, a little bit, but infinitely fun~ will probably help you decide which perfume to purchase for next season too!

xox

PS. The wooden clutch on top is one of my obsessions from the Emilio Pucci Fall 2007 shows!

Bronze, Golden and Radiant: Self-tanners that Make You Glow

Two reasons why I debated writing about Self-Tanners for a very very long time. I didnt' want to:

1. Reveal that I was actually pale, dull and blah.
2. Spill my favorite must-have item to get the insta-glow even in the dead of winter (makes your arms look more toned, too!)

But summer is coming and it's about that time of year when skin comes a-bearing. Get your legs, face, arms ready a la Hye Park at the Gucci Resort 2007 show, with these fail-proof, easy-breezy picks that work on Asian skin without turning you orange.

Decleor Aroma Sun Express Hydrating Self-Tan Spray

Sunset red with the a golden imprint, this Self-Tanner is chock full of natural essential oils and plant extracts to leave your skin smooth, soft, glowing and smelling fragrant (and not chemically). The fine spray spreads evenly over skin and spritzes hard to reach areas. Dries within 3-5 minutes post application and deepens skin tone into a natural, beautiful, healthy-bronze glow without streaking onto clothes!

DiorBronze Self-Tanner - Body

Looking to get a white-bikini, gold bangles & Gucci aviator-ready glamorous glow in a tube? DiorBronze glides on smooth and leaves a rich, substantially darker tan for those looking to go directly there. You'll look sun-kissed and yacht-worthy in no time. I like the Shimmering Glow version that leaves a hint of shimmer on the skin.

Michael Kors Leg Shine

As a finishing touch, enhance the color that you naturally have (lucky you!) or just got, with this glide on, sophisticated & sensual smelling, leg shine from the king of chic resort style. Slide over legs, knees and ankles for a sleek, alluring shimmer that smoothes dry skin and makes bare legs look lithe and healthy. The light tint evens out imperfections. A must-have for your spring/summer bag - flattering on everyone.

xox

A-ha! Beauty Trick #3: Your most flattering brow shape

Brows are difficult and usually best left with a professional to tweeze and wax. Even then, is there an ideal brow shape for everyone?

I always suspected those kitch brow stencils since my asian eye shape and placement of my brows in accordance to my eye was so visibly different from caucasion girls and celebs. So, is there a universal shape? A formula??


Christine Chin, new york city's (and maybe the world's??) top facialist known for her thoroughness, cunning advice and amazing skill at crafting the perfect brows on any face, instructs, "follow the eye bone." Straight, arched or bow shaped, as long as the brows frame the eye bone perfectly, it looks good on everyone. Penelope Cruz, Rachel Weisz, Hilary Swank, Kimora Lee Simmons are some of Christine's fans!

So take a good look at your facial structure today and see if you or your go-to person did a good job. Are your brows wiggling happily on top of the bone? If not, lay off the tweezers and let it grow back...it only takes 6-months to get your original shape back...oye! and then go see "Mean Christine".

xox