asian beauty and style

up and running with the crisp fall air x totalbeauty.com & me

2007-10-16T05:39:00.000-05:00

As summer temps migrated south with elongating interruptions of chilled dewy air and drugstore isles stocked with fresh notepads in arcane primary colors, I began to get the first inkling of an urge to start writing once again.

That was a month ago when I thought -- MEAD notebooks uncannily resembled the saturated crayola brights that accented the grey knit sweaters, tights and matte, pale skin at AW '07 Dior, Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs and McQueen. Is high fashion allowed to be so easily replicated by a kindergarten schoolboy holding a $1.99 notepad against the back of NY's grey skies!?

He can, but I absolutely will not, unless I was to wear this season's hot item, the Balenciaga napoleon style primly lined jacket with some stacked heel boots...

Explanation: As an ex-nerd and an avid note taker, not the cool MAC-clicking type but rather the pencil-type...and you guessed it - the neat, Asian, two lines per row, A-type - how dare I pick up a pencil again and regenerate those unsightly callouses on the insides of my index and middle fingers?

So solution -- instead of a bright notebook that'll get crinkled anyway, try accenting nails with the hot, bold, colors from ORLY. The HOT STUFF collection out this fall features 24 bright, electrifying lacquers to spice up fingertips when shocking blue notebooks aren't quite edgy enough. A dash of color to pretty up nails adds the right touch of wit and kilowatt energy without those bumps that scream, I write novels, not blogs...wait, which is better?

xox

...and this month you will find that you will believe anything...

2007-08-20T22:58:00.000-05:00

Because we sometimes need to let go of factual improbabilities and mundane logic and just believe in the lyrical promises whispered into our ear.

Let these whimsical keepsakes twinkle away daily worries and charm you into trusting destiny for a little moment:

Lancome Artistic Director Gucci Westman's magical work of genius, the Destiny Cube is inspired by an 18th century Chinese secret box and holds eye shadows, lipstick and gloss in hidden compartments. Mystical symbols and words help you choose your mood as it rolls across your makeup stand each morning.

The on-the-cusp jewelry collection from Babakul is derived from the French word "bah-bah-kul" meaning "hippie." The over-sized faceted amethyst and quartz rings are inset in an organic hammered metal frame with stars, moons and flower engravings. The peace sign grill on the underside allows light to shine through the stone, giving you their unique healing powers as it shimmers in the sunlight.

...so what would you allow yourself to believe in today? tomorrow? for eternity?

xox

Concise yet poetic visions of the world - please excuse my late night musings...

2007-08-19T00:54:00.000-05:00

Slightly off topic but still too much a beauty to not address -- phrases and descriptions that capture the essence of a feeling so well that in its rarity and simplicity, shines and slices through the verbal romantic's mind.

One such encounter at the MET about Walker Evans' use of the Polaroid SX-70 camera:

"it's instant prints were for the infirm seventy-year-old photographer what scissors and cut paper were for the aging Matisse"

What will be my palliative tool when thin eyeliner brushes and finely bristled mascara wands no longer become an option?

xox

Miu Miu eye me x

2007-08-18T16:25:00.000-05:00

Refined, bold, edgy, kitty-cat flirty – liquid liners reign supreme this fall, uniquely offsetting matte, nude skin and champagne tinged lips.

From Amy Winehouse thick to “is-that-a-long-eyelash?” thin, this was one fall runway trend I was intent on playing into my daily makeup routine.

Night – liquid line dramatically flipped up, up and away at the corners of eyes and smudged with smoky shadows with nude lipstick, defined brows

Day – slightly uplifted thin flick of liner for the day with earthy brown palettes to subtly enhance the eye area, pink lip gloss, lengthening mascara

Got the formula down squat by beginning of August but until then, Q-tips were an absolute necessity – the litter box quickly filled with liner-dabbed white sticks from my countless attempts to keep my liner from looking too geisha-like or overwhelming my Asian eyes which tend to be smaller than Gemma, Amy W, advertisement models and not to mention yes, the general public.

Because it’s mid-August now – tata, the formula to make the Fall ’07 eyeliner look work for your eye shape:

Thin → thick → thin → dip and flick up

Explanation to above:

1. Start with a thin brush tip or extremely thin felt tip black liquid liner as Rimmel Underground Get in Line or Wet ‘n Wild Liquid Eyeliner in black

Note: With liquid eyeliners, the cheap work just as well as the hefty

2. Lightly wipe off excess formula off the brush on the edge of the container opening or a piece of paper

Note: Tissue tends to take too much off when it comes to liquid liner so refrain

3. Hold brush so that the tip is almost horizontal to the eye so that the pen is not pointing straight at your eye vertically

4. Start with the inside corner of the eye on the upper lid and with a slow and steady hand, draw a thin line until you get to the area right above the edge of your pupil

Note: Don’t use liquid liners on the bottom lid – use kohl liner instead for a less harsh line – unless you’re a makeup artist putting it on another person’s face!

5. Press the brush slightly stronger so that the brush flattens out and draws a thicker line. Make the line a little thicker for the area above the pupil – this makes the pupil look rounder, bigger which in turn, gives a wide and bright-eyed open look

6. As soon as you pass the area above the pupil, lighten the pressure to continue with a thin line until the outer edges of the eye

7. Then, dip the line at the outer corner edge ever so slightly to “conclude” framing the eye the flick up, up and away from the eye in the direction of the temples

8. The flick can be a flirty, curved, short line that looks almost like a longer eye lash at the edge of the eye (daytime, wearable look) or it can be a longer, somewhat straighter, bolder line that set the eye trend for this season (night kitten look)

And lastly – mascara, strong brows and darker smokey shadows are a yes for this look but skip the other fall trend – glamourous red lipsticks – for this look…unless you’re going to be a geisha for Halloween and by that time, the flicked eye look might be too old anyway!?

xxx

Glossy, useful, tempting to try - the cookbook for Asian beauty

2007-08-12T13:56:00.000-05:00

Makeup is like cooking, directions like recipes - toss together all the right ingredients as basic as tomatoes & basil, or pricey and seasonal as fresh truffles, add a dash of pepper there, a sprinkling of cheese here, all for a spicy, sweet, or decadent result.

Gathering all the ingredients could be a bother, and the cooking less tempting when the recipes are on bland white paper, alas the genius of Nigella Lawson & Martha Stewart. With beautiful, enticing, homely pictures and easy 1,2,3 steps and ingredients for how to achieve the look, the feel, the lifestyle...

Now, the makeup "cookbook" for the Asian face is finally here!

Complete with mimic-able-looking images, straightforward directions and accessible ingredients to create everything from daily looks to costume makeup, Asian Faces by makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian is the new powder room goddess.

Three of my favorite looks from the book below! On a side note, I am not copying out her directions here but you can learn how to achieve these looks and many more, if you get, and every woman should have, the book here.

Look 1: Pretty in Pinks
Using pinks, shimmery cremes and salmon tones on eyelids, cheeks and lips, Taylor creates a defined, yet romantic, look.

Look 2: Smoldering
Perfect for evening soirees or if you're just the smoldering type & love to show it. This is my personal favorite NYC night look.

Look 3: Ganguro
A how-to for the toned down version of the over the top Ganguro fashion trend from Tokyo (created by high school girls) - bleached hair, dark tanned skin, pale lips, white accents - the ultimate bold statement for a girl who loves contrasts and standing out.

xox

A little rebel are you...!?

2007-08-07T19:03:00.000-05:00

Antithesis to the velvet-drapery straight long locks with heavy bangs or the film noir waves that framed the pale face in dramatic allure, defy gravity and the dominating trend by whisking your hair to new heights a la Bill Blass a/w '07 runway style:

To up, up and away:

1. Work in a voluminizing gel into semi-damp hair, only applying to the roots

2. Comb the front section of hair all to one side, across the forehead

TIP: use a blast of cold air towards the direction that you want the bangs to go in if you need extra help setting hair to one side

3. Gather up hair in a high ponytail at the crown of your head

TIP: easier done by bending over and flipping hair over the head and brushing down into pony tail at the top of the head

4. Secure pony with elastic

5. Comb backwards from the midsection of the pony towards the elastic from underneath the pony to create texture and volume

6. Loop the pony into a very loose bun and secure the ends underneath the pony to hide the pins. If you are more advanced, separate the pony into three or four strands and twirl each around elastic loosely to create a more multi-layered, volumnous bun on top of head

xox

Welcome to the forest - a mystical world of natural beauty

2007-08-04T10:39:00.000-05:00

Pade Vavra takes the daintiest elements found in faraway forests and crafts them into whimsical, one-of-a-kind treasures that showcase your new flawless, organically-cared-for complexion.

A delicately woven gold nest with three, droplet-sized pearl eggs

Leaves wrap around the wrist as if it is still growing

A vintage, hand-painted robin perches above a 22k gold cabin-esque cuckoo clock on a multi-chain

For all store locations and new collections, go to: www.padevavra.com

xox

PS. The first image is from one of my favorite W shoots of all time - August 07 issue

Flash back to Teenage years - Mass market individualism

2007-08-03T06:18:00.000-05:00

My personal fashion statement, which tended to change daily along with my teenage angst, started with the flick of a gooey, lacquer-dipped brush.

When Hard Candy hit counters with bright punchy colors, subdued pastel blues, shimmery purples and vampy goth crimsons, nails became the palette for incorporating Prada orange into daily looks at the price of a mere $7.00. A luxurious habit for a 13 year old perhaps, but an irresistible buy for fashion fanatics...with an empty Chloe wallet.

So when Chanel's beauty team started making their lacquers an essential part of their runway look - of course the beauty tribe followed.

Starting with Black, A/W '06 shows. The silver/gold from S/S '07. Now the crimson, shimmery dark reds of A/W '07 (seen here) is the top "must" color in every, ten pound September issue of Glamour, Lucky, you name it.

Even if you don't regularly check out the awesome resource that is Style.com for the latest runway news (heads up! S/S '08 is hitting NYC in September!) at least take a look at the detailed shots of the Chanel show to decipher what colors will be sold out by next season.

You'll be way ahead on the beauty color forecast radar which:

A: Allows you to come off as a fabulously adventurous soul that couldn't care less about the current big trend - that's old anyway!

B: When the color hits all the magazines and everyone starts wearing it, they'll realize that you are at the cutting edge of beauty trends - YOU DID IT FIRST

xox

Lust, Caution - the most innocent looking could be the trickiest

2007-08-01T23:31:00.000-05:00

I need makeup to purchase beer.

I am vain, I admit, when it comes to stepping out of the house in general but the bodega downstairs and gym are two places that I feel right at home sans mascara.

Except, without makeup, eyes lose impact, face contours seem to disappear and even a pout couldn't make my lips look any less blah -- and I look 15. Even with ID, I have to fight for my right to buy 6% alcohol content liquids.

So, how does fresh new comer, Tang Wei from Ang Lee's much awaited new film Lust, Caution, score her major wow-factor while looking rather bare faced?

Follow these tricks to look deceptively innocent:

1. Start with creating a natural facial contour

Using a soft, big, cheek brush, apply a peachy, bronzy blush starting on the lower edges of your cheekbones and moving up towards the upper edge of the ear. Lightly mist a little along the jaw line to add some dimension to the chin as well.
My summer current favourite is i.d. bareMinerals in Warm Radiance. Light, soft and slightly shimmery enough to not create any embarrassing blush lines on the sides of face or neck.

Second step to enhance the contour, take a beigey pearly loose powder, like Paul & Joe's powder in 002 (not the color shown), and dust across the forehead just above your eye brows, along the bridge of your nose and the center part of the face around the nose and under eyes.

Note: only dip the brush in the powder once for this entire "highlighting" process as too much shine in the middle of the face just looks plain greasy.

2. Eyeshadow should only be used to smudge the eyeliner

I've found that makeup books for the general American public recommend using eye liner after applying eye shadows but with a slimmer Asian eye shape, I find that eyeliners look too heavy on its own unless it is softened and smudged a little.

For this look, go for a dark brown shadow to lighten and slightly shade the area above the liner on the upper lid (2mm or so). This slight smearing definition to the eye area but keeps 'em looking bright, open and fresh.

3. Consider the decollete an extension of your face

The neck and decollete area is a girl's showcase point - ie. the Kimono. Accentuate the clean swoop of the neck and the collarbone with a slight dusting of the pearly powder from step 1 and also by standing with shoulders rolled back and down.

Actually, to get Tang Wei's linear, beautiful collar bones, it takes great posture and by my guess, a lot of yoga which will teach you to keep your collar bones down and straight!

xox

Falling down and getting up again...with the help of friends and some hardcore helpers

2007-07-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

Minus the innovations of mineral makeup that now allows a girl to get away with everything (aka pass out without the slightest worry of clogged pores or dark circles under puffy eyes), the closest thing to having your job whisked away from right under your freshly pedicured foot is waking up next to your hottie for the first time, gasp, completely barefaced and puffy from the previous night.

A torturously delightful mixture of complete freedom, embarrassment and "what would my parents say!?" it's an experience that one needs to face at least once (or many more...) in a lifetime whether in bed or in an enthusiastically decorated cubicle. I was the latter for the first time and here's a few essentials that I found 100% dependable and rock-solid-stable in times like either of the above:

The de-puffer of all swollen eyes (whether from crying or from dirty martinis) swipe this gel on and it's like taking a shot of espresso + several tea bags on your eyes. With ingredients grown on Jurlique's own biodynamic farm in Australia, this active plant mix is a wakeup call no rooster can beat.

Marilyn had it wrong. Diamonds really only do a girl good when everything, including manicure, smooth decollete, hair and fragrance are in place to enhance its sparkle. When lids dip low and heavy,long, curled lashes are a girl's true best friend. The fiber-rich mascara that refuses to budge until soap (any kind!) is applied, Fiberwig mascara is as close to a true buddy you can sleep with that will keep your eyes batting at near-fake fabulousness.

and...if all comes to worse, a pair of oversized sunglasses, so ridiculously outstandish that everything will dim in comparison, is your escape Plan B. Betsey Johnson makes the least expensive, most artsy fartsy, retro-fun glasses with all the whimsical touches. Add a dash of aloof and you can re-conquer the world with a fresh new slightly pink-shaded outlook

xox

ps. for those curious - Cocktail decided to not go forward with its launch on my first day at the magazine! see below post for more info

News & Apologies

2007-06-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone (finally!?)

I have a service that tracks down how many friends log onto my site everyday and i still check it loyally out of pure masochistic guilt. Sending out my sincere apologies for not updating my blog for a good month and...almost a half! I blame it on the beautiful weather and great outdoor bars/restaurants...ouch to my wallet.

But, alas, good news!! (although worse for the environment...people, recycle mags!)

You'll now get to have and to hold an actual printed version of my beauty musings and obsessions, every week, starting September! Eight glossy pages packed with beautiful layout, helpful tips, all in a sweet, drunken mix.

The mag is published by Bauer and, as above, appropriately called "Cocktail" ...the running joke goes...Cosmo was already taken.

So, until then, I'm saving up all my ideas in a "Hello kitty in Paris with her poodle" printed notepad that I randomly got at the Baby Phat fashion show a few seasons back...so no peaks or spills yet on what's to come, but save up money cuz I'll be costing you $2.50 a week now. Ladies, I've just sold out!?

Just kidding, no worries, I'll work until 2am, if i have to, to make the mag hot.

Love you all
xox

PS. Last and most definitely least, after almost 50 posts of being faceless (my initial intention as I'm rather normal...boring!) ...this is me...sorry it's a bit blurry but I think it looks artsy fartsy and i like it!

Beauty Psychologist - When everything goes haywire

2007-04-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

Perfumes, makeup and skincare bottles capture grand dreams and mere fantasies in a pretty little compact. Better yet, they come with a strict set of guidelines - squeeze dime-sized drop onto fingertips, wet, pat onto face, massage 10 seconds, rinse.

Beauty, clarity and radiance - all with easy-to-follow instructions. When life gets chaotic & everything seems out of place, beauty is my go-to "calming" remedy.

Here, a little guideline for you if too many hopes and dreams overwhelm your cabinet and you don't know which one to go for first:

1. Toners/Astringents
2. Oils/Essential Oils
3. Clear Gels
4. Milky Liquid Lotions
5. Foamy Skin Products (rare)
6. Mousse Textured Skin Solutions (rare)
7. Thicker Emulsions/Serums
8. Face Creams/Sunblock Creams/Anti-Age Night Creams/Intensive Care Eye & Lip Creams

Basic tip: Swim down the most natural and easiest stream -- After cleansing, apply the most watery, easy-to-absorb products first. Then move onto more textured, creamier, solid products that end up sitting on the top layer of the face to create a shield against outside elements like pollution and UV rays. They also work as a film to keep all the previous goodness locked in the skin!

xox

Jet-setting friends? Ask them for these must have on-location steals this Spring

2007-04-16T20:42:00.000-05:00

Fashion did a cultural crash course in global beauty. For this spring, the most sought-after pieces are blooming abundantly, quite literally, all over the world! And at less than 10% the on-shelves price, how can you resist?

All you have to do is score some plane tix, or capture a friend going on vacay to these popular getaway spots:

CAIRO

Leather gladiators with ankle-twirling straps is a perfect way to pull off laid-back chic on dry urban sidewalks. Pair with a flowing ankle-sweeping white dress and you're set to go. As close as it gets in NYC, handcrafted leather sandals that gets better with age from Jutta Neumann.

MEXICO

I always fall in love at Matthew Williamson shows. In winter, he knits nostalgic prints with exquisite intricacy and in summer, his embroidered pieces match those of the lovingly spun tunics handcrafted by a mother for a child. This piece is no exception. Covered by almost all fashion magazine spring previews, I am half jealous that half the world knows about it already but the only way to match such beauty is to get the authentic.

HOLLAND

Known for its stretching painter's palatte fields and overflowing fresh flower markets, beautiful bouquets at windows keep curtains wide open late into the evening. Let flowers bloom in your hair this spring with Louis Vuitton style ornate headbands...of course, tone it down a bit (always a rule from going from Runway to the Streets). Even more Dutch? - just use a pastel, fully blossoming flower and stick it in your loose pony. Be sure to keep loose tendrils framing your face to stay consistent with the "romantic" theme.

LONDON

ok, perhaps not so classic but they are both genuine groundbreaking brits and when you combine them, it's just mean that it's not available in the US. TOPSHOP + Kate Moss. I cringe with envy for those who have access to that store!

xox

audrey nods approval for at-work emi-chu-tainment and a little inside note on the hazardous editorial thrashing machine

2007-04-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

As luck would have it, I chose a site name starting with an A, placing my blog review in the April/May 2007 issue of Audrey mag, as the leading feature on extensive article!

Thank you Anna Park (associate managing editor, of the daring fashion-, helpful beauty- and tips-about-life-packed Asian women's magazine) for giving my site the a-OK from a nationally-read publication. Although it was a good month of trying to lower towering hopes just in case the item gets cut by the art dept* or from the EIC** the end result was way bigger than I could ever have imagined my photo being! (yes my face is plastered on there, so long to keeping my visual identity hush hush)

Thanks Audrey and thanks Anna! And as for my increasing readers, I appreciate any questions or comments or brand/product introductions as I always need inspiration! Just click on Email Me! in the left column.

xox

Audrey is available at select Barnes & Nobles and other local bookstores or could be purchased online at www.audreymagazine.com

*In a pub, especially a visual one, the last and most dangerous stage for an item surviving the various levels of editorial cuts is the Art Department. Even if the editorial team places stories and images that they think is amazing, quite frequently the color or theme just doesn't fit into the rest of the magazine or the page layout so the visually strict & precise Art editors cut items out or push them to future issues if it fits. But give thanks - it is the art dept that make the pubs look as gorgeous and marketable as they are...don't be bitter about last minute cuts :( it's sad but it happens, A LOT.
**editor in chief

Easy score but still a catch!?

2007-04-13T19:00:00.000-05:00

The hand crafted golden lotus flower blossom at your fingertips to reveal a peaceful beauty hiding within. An uplifting symbol for the self, the flower reminds us to open the mind to new experiences each day and embody infinite potential - once again, when NYC reminds me everyday to work my butt off for....what? I could use all the wisdom I can get...fashionably.
$98.00

www.satyajewelry.com

Lessons from the Elements - meaning behind Me & Ro's must have items!

2007-04-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

There are certain brands that each magazine tends to feature over and over again. At Self it was Alexis Bittar, Gerard Yosca and my fave, Me & Ro. From stackable rings to layer-able necklaces to stand-alone pieces, every stone, every charm has a philosophical and life lesson that is bound to inspire your every day outlook.

Three picks from this unique designer that are timeless musts in the emi-chu "someday, one day" lust book:

Silver Large Chakra Flower Pendant
The chakras are invisible energy centers of the body interfacing between the physical and subtle worlds. All seven chakras located within the body along the spinal cord are engraved within a lotus flower on this intricately engraved pendant surrounded by the Sahasrara Chakra. Not only beautiful, the necklace helps the wearer remain at peace.
$250.00

10K Buddha, Dharma & Sangha Stackable Rings
Three 10K gold bands are each scripted with one of the Tibetan words “The Buddha,” “The Dharma” and “The Sangha” which are “The Three Jewels” of Buddhism. They offer guidance and inspiration in the “fickle” and “unstable” world we live in. Love its versatility - can be worn stacked or worn individually. I'll stick with all 3 for optimum inspiration - I live in NYC afterall.
$1,085.00

18k Gold Bombay Crescent Moon & Star with Indian Diamonds
A crescent moon and a star, both set with Indian rose cut diamonds, hang together on an 18k gold chain. The ancient celestial symbols represent the gods/goddesses of the Sky, the Moon, Sun and Venus, making this pendant perfect for day and night. A keepsake to wear every day and pass on.
$1,845.00

All pieces, and many many more, available at www.meandrojewelry.com. Note: check out their charity pieces and stay pretty on the inside and out xox

Staying High with Asian Shrooms!? well, your butt actually...

2007-04-11T18:48:00.000-05:00

The hottest new remedial ingredient to hit the beauty market to keep skin, butt and target areas firm and lifted? Shiitake mushrooms!

A native to East Asia, the super yummy mushrooms have been used to rev up the immune system with its stronger-than-prescription antioxidant and healing powers and to slash cholesterol levels against dietary odds in China for over 6,000 years.

No surprise that it took gastric factors to finally bring the delish product to the US market but now, beauty lovers can also relish in the benefits of Shiitake (topically!) to keep you high & tight, just in time for those short spring minis!

Extract of Shiitake, used in new firming & anti-aging products just hitting counters, have the power to stimulate the creation of Collagen fibres in the skin tissue that are essential to maintain elasticity and strength. The extract also limits the activity of enzymes that break down the fibers to keep skin elastic!

Live up to the myth that Asian women age slowly! Keep skin glowing and dimple-, sag-free with these products:

A fresh citrus-y scent, the Decleor Perfect Sculpt Stretch Mark Restructuring Cream is great paired with their 100% natural, essential oil cocktail, Aromessence Sculpt, that multiply the effects of the cream drastically. Totally safe for pregnant women, too!

Carita Progressif Anti-Age Corps range, Sculpting Serum is a light cream-gel formula that packs in punch - a hit to the hips, butt, thighs, that is...feels absolutely luxurious. Ooh la la~! (it's a Parisian brand...)

We all know how important SPF is to keep skin radiant and wrinkle-free, toss in some shrooms, and this cream's got it made. With a blend of two asian mushrooms, Shiitake and Mannentake, the Aveeno Positively Ageless Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is an everyday must!

xox

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

2007-03-31T20:26:00.000-05:00

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?

2007-03-28T20:26:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-19T17:41:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-17T16:53:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-03-16T23:02:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-16T13:44:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-10T08:17:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-03T23:13:00.000-05:00

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

Cameleon Rinko: Pulling off drastic looks with ease & grace

2007-02-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

Every since her Babel breakthrough, Rinko Kikuchi has been hitting various red carpets with a drastically different look while maintaining a punk-but-elegant consistency. From platinum blond hair to pure black, from stick straight to volumnous curls, her hair has had quite a year, too!

Arigato Rinko, for showing us that blonde is definitely do-able for the brave of heart and that it's A-OK to go from dark to blonde to auburn for those of us fickle of heart!

At the Oscars, in a sophisticated black dress, dangly earrings that flatter the neck and jaw, and a clean, pulled back bun. For an evening look like this, try angling the eye liner and shadow up to strengthen and accentuate the eyes.

Fresh faced and adorable at a press conference before the big night. For a youthful, fresh look like this, try an orange lipstick with a slight gold flip. Keep eyes natural yet awake with a trusty concealer, brown liner on just the above lid and layers of black mascara after curling lashes up, up and away.

Platinum blonde but still innocently chic, the soft pink Chanel dress and her big smile keep her hair from overpowering her personality. Keep skin lucent by going easy on the foundation and dusting sheer loose powder over face instead. For a healthy glow, finish with a sweep of subtle light orangy brown blush on the apples of the cheeks.

For a sexier, evening look, curl the ends with a medium to big curling rod and set with a blast of cool air. Keep eye color to basic tones to avoid looking overdone. Allow the hair to take centerstage, especially if it is dyed blonde or another pop color, by keeping clothes clean, modern and straighforward.

xox

all images from wireimage.com

A-ha! Beauty Trick #2: layering nail colors!

2007-02-22T17:44:00.001-05:00

I lightly touched on this in my S/S 07 the Short French Manicure posting but I've decided that it most definitely deserves a little blurb of it's own:

If you naturally have pink-colored nail beds to start, you're lucky. But, if you have paler, yellow-undertoned skin like me, it's hard to pull off the beiges and super-light milky creme lacquers without the fingertips looking as if they've lost complete circulation.

Then comes Myrdith McCormack (see image with model Solange), celebrity and model-loved manicurist. I saw her do this little trick at the Thakoon S/S 07 show and Vera Wang F/W 07 show back stage and thought it genius. I have been mimicking her ever since with this easy breezy way to get a natural, healthy, look.

HOW TO STEPS:
1. Start with a bonding basecoat to smooth out the nail.
2. Thinly coat the nail with a soft, slightly cremey or sheer, baby pink.
3. Let dry, tadatada...
4. Coat over the first layer with the beige, earthy, or milky creme tone that you wanted your nails to have in the first place, a bit more thickly than the first layer.
5. If you're good, finish off with top coat to secure!

And woala~
The pink layer acts as a natural-looking healthy pink base flattering whatever paler colors comes on top.

Try also with various fun shades - layer manicure colors to adjust the color to flatter your skin tone or to create a new glow, altogether!

xox

A-ha Concealer Trick #1 - Tips so obvious I forgot to mention it until now...

2007-02-19T19:11:00.001-05:00

I've decided to start a series that might end up being few in number, or surprisingly numerous...depending on how many, "Oh yeah..." light bulb moments I have during my spacing out moments.

The first one -> the unfailingly, perfectly matching concealer:

Practically impossible is the task of matching the concealer to the skin tone and then matching that concealor to the foundation...and even if that happens miraculously because of pure genius (and a great bathroom light), to blend well enough so that the concealer-ed spots don't appear darker or more layered than the rest of the face is utterly time consuming.

Easy way out?

Use the bits of foundation that has collected and thickened at the rim of the liquid or creamy foundation bottle or even, pump - you know, the bits that dripped down and stuck on the side? That layer of smudge is creamier and more condense, like the texture of a really soft, easy to use concealer formula, and what more, is the same exact shade & formula (which means they dry the same color and texture).

Try it, works like magic and much better than layering the sheer liquid foundation over and over. Next time, "accidently" spill a little or leave a thin layer around the edges so that it'll be ready the next AM!

xox

The "You can, too!" celebrity makeup look #1 - lips lips lips

2007-02-18T20:27:00.000-05:00

Yes, I might have smaller, boring lips, or less penetrating eyes, and my cheekbones might not protrude as much as Kate Moss but I, and of course you, too, can gloss, pencil and lipstick appropriately to pull off these US celebrity pout-looks.

Take a pick - and if not these blonde, burnette weekly tab-loved beauties, there's always the gorgeous Lucy Liu but these suggested tips & shades are tailored to you - dare to try!?

Sexy Matt Lips a la Lohan

1. With a very neutral, nudy beige nude lip pencil, fill in the entire lip completely, staying within the lip line. Tip? Make sure that you don't create odd streaks, zigzag the pencil as you shade.

2. Using a thicker lip crayon in a slightly pinker beige, roughly line the lips - starting in the middle of the bottom lip line and lining outwards. Don't forget to go all the way to the edges.

3. For the top line, create a fuller look by lining the middle lip crest (dipped area) with a softer curve, rounding out and up. If you want to create a plumper top lip, try edgeing the outer line with the thicker, soft crayon used in step 2. This way, lips look plumper, fuller but natural, still.

Note: Don't skimp and just use 1 pencil - it's the duo-trick that creates the fuller, 3-dimensional matte allure!

TRY:
Dior Lip Liner Pencil in Linen for step 1.
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Calliope or Sierra for step 2 & 3.

Glossy, shiny & smackalicious mod-pink - the pout of la Parisienne:

1. Create the color base for the lips by using a lip brush dipped in a sheer pink lipstick - the brush gives a more precise & minute covereage of the entire lip, letting the color blend into the lip rather than hovering over the lips.

2. Dip the brush applicator into a neutral toned pink gloss, and apply completely over the entire lip, adding an extra dab at the center of the lips adding more dimension.

Note: For this glossy, flirty-look, opt for a pouty, juicy look rather than for the below, Angelina-esque fullness or plumpness which ends up to be a little too much with this much shine!

TRY:
Stila Lip Glaze in Papaya and do good for the earth at the same time with Cargo PlantLove Botanical Lipstick in Killarney.

Angie Lips - must we say more? nah, of course not...even this, you can, too!

1. Line the upper lip and lower lip with a pink or sheer pink (muted pinkish beige is fine if that works better for your lip color.) For this look, line "roundly" and softly, so that the top lip's line is almost a heart shape and the bottom, a rounded curve that goes along the outer edge.

2. Use a lip brush to apply the lipstick making broad strokes left and right over the entire lip, blending in the lip liner and filing in the lip. Don't stop the brush in the middle of the bottom lip, you want the brush to leave the least color in the middle this time around so that you can create a luminated, lighter, and plumper full, middle-of-lip area.

Note: Don't use gloss, although it's tempting, over the lipstick. That's too much & lips end up looking too fake, crafted and makeup-dumped.

TRY:
To line the lips, opt for a softer, easier to control liner like Rimmel Exaggerate Full Color Lip Liner in Addiction. For lipstick, choose a beigy pink, nude color as T. LeClerc Transparent Lipstick in Tulle.

xox

Images from wireimage.com

an asian beauty secret - the importance of cotton

2007-02-14T18:27:00.000-05:00

Walking down the wall-to-ceiling packed beauty isles of the local drugstore back in Tokyo, there is, unfailingly, an entire shelf dedicated to an assortment of cotton pads. Some are quite expensive, ranging up to $20 for a perfectly aligned box of 100 sheets! Shiseido, Kose, Kao, you name it, all the leading major skin care & cosmetics companies distribute various forms, textures, shapes, all packaged in their various pretty containers or tinted zip-lock plastic baggies.

Why this phenomenon in Asia but not in the US? Beauty magazines and beauty television segments in both countries often focus on the cleansing & toning aspect for keeping skin healthy & radiant - but the US versions do not stress how crucial the 1 to 2 minute "patting" and "tapping" step is when applying the toner. Usually, it's an easy, "apply toner after cleansing with cotton or hands" and if you're good, you might have a tube of round cotton pads...BUT, the directions should actually say,

1. Get soft, 100% pure cotton, facial cottons that allows optimum administration of the toner into the skin's layers without scratching the delicate skin surface or causing any harsh rubbing by coarser cotton pads.

2. Soak the cotton pad with toner. Note - the toner should be exactly what it is named - a formula that hydrates and "tones" the skin after washing the face with the alkaline water (not good for your skin!)

3. Hold the toner-filled cotton, so that one end is tucked between the pointer finger and middle finger, the other end tucked between the pinky and ring finger so that the spread surface faces out from the inside, palm-side of your hand.

4. Pat the face lightly, allowing the skin to soak up the toner from the soft cotton. By patting and tapping the skin with the toner-soaked cotton, you stimulate the skin, allowing more microcirculation and better absorbtion of the hydrating agents in the toner.

5. If your skin needs extra hydration from winter dryness or summer sun damage, soak the cotton pads with an intensely hydrating or comforting toner and leave directly on the face as if you are wearing a mask. If the cotton is as good as it should be, the toner should penetrate into your skin rather than getting all soaked up by the cotton.

Once trying it, it's hard to go back to regular bla-US drugstore cottons! Save those for removing nail polish!!

Available also in the US, TRY:

Satin Box, SatinClouds Heavenly Cotton Pads - my beauty blog heroine, Bronwen at Meg's Makeup sent this my way to test and reminded me of how much I adore and terribly missed beautifully spun, perfectly soft & coccooning cotton pads in my skincare routine. Truly heavenly - a must!!

Shiseido Makeup Facial Cotton

xox

I knew bambi would pull through! The tale of the lip plumper that changed my dessert

2007-02-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

...so the title is a little ridic, but if you knew how i felt about lip plumpers, or if you don't believe in lip plumpers as much as you don't believe in anti-cellulite creams, you might understand. I was convinced that lip plumpers unfailingly fullfilled at least one of the three vices:

1. extremely drying - crusty, flakey lips anyone!?
2. lip locked you from eating or drinking anything because it's too cinnamon-y, spicy, or too goopy
3. the coloured lip plumpers look like the color pigment was injected into the plumping formula and failed to mingle well with the original gloss

oh, and add a fourth one...it just doesn't work unless it stung...and yeah, if it worked, sexy cascading hair was definitely off limits, it got stuck on the lips...UNTIL I picked up Buxom Lips by Bare Escentuals in Bambi.

The plumping lip polish is a smooth, creamy, perfectly mixed blend of luminous & sex kitten subtly glimmery color with no stickiness or tackyness. It actually lasts even longer than regular moisturizing lip balms or glosses and when it does finally dissappear, the lips are left soft and nourished - thanks to the mineral-infused polish with antioxidant vitamins A and E to keep lips protected through the drying winter months. This amazing gloss gets to work with a slight tingly sensation that reminds you to take notice of the way your lips move & look during that V-day dessert - which you can finally enjoy because this doesn't add that spicy after taste!

Try it~ it'll change any anti-lip plumping gloss beliefs!

Ps. LOVE the brighter, pink Bambi color that gets you ready for spring!

xox

told ya - these asian models are back this winter en force!

2007-02-09T17:34:00.000-05:00

We saw their beautiful complexions, solemn expressions and poised strut last season and now, for the NY Fall 2007 shows, they were sprinting non-stop from tent to tent, pulling off with professional ease this winter's trendy structured jackets, big fur hats, dark wine red lips and frosty shadows. See how they've transformed! (For before pictures, refer to previous post on the S/S 07 shows!)

Anne Watanabe at Tracy Reese left and Anna Sui right

HAN at Jason Wu right and 3.1 Phillip Lim left

Du Juan at Carolina Herrera right and Matthew Williamson left

Hye Park at Oscar de la Renta left and Derek Lam right

Eugenia M. at Rodarte right and Diane von Furstenberg left

Lastly, Julianna Imai at Bill Blass looking sophisticated & pulled together as ever...

......and then at Betsey Johnson on the right...adore!?!

xox

we LOVE u all - asian designers ruling the runways now - Fall 2007 Runway Report #3

2007-02-07T17:54:00.000-05:00

Favorite picks from the three most wanted Asian designers that have already hit the Fall 2007 Bryant Park tents this week.

With sequined floral tops and feathered skirts, Thakoon proves once again that his poetic creativity got him the coveted runner-up award for the 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards. Love the feather headband!

For a dress with a back detail this sophisticated and gorgeous as designed by Doo.Ri, don't forget to shine your shoulder-blade wings with a good exfoliator & moisturizer! Try SugarFix, a yummy smelling brownsugar-based scrub & moisturizer at-home spa treatment from ORLY, great for getting legs & hands smooth for the spring season, too!

I love all of his draped, layered and wrapped dresses this fall that show off the beauty of a women's shoulders, waist and neckline. Stunning, how can you not be drawn to Derek Lam!? Of all the dresses, the above stood out for me but in the end, as accessories & hair have the power to do, it was the triple-wrapped leather head band that finished off the look with a polished yet feminine charm. Easy to copy, just buy a black or dark brown leather strap, half-inch in width, and wrap around tousled, loosely pulled back hair making sure they cris-cross to create an artistic appeal.

Vera Wang is yet to come, tomorrow at 2pm! Will be backstage so look forward to upclose tips on makeup & hair!
xox

How to Polka Dot - Runway Report #2

2007-02-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

Being an asian girl with just a little over 5 feet in height, I have a tough time wearing Polka Dots without looking like a little girl that mommy dressed.

I've vowed to generally stay away from the on-again, off-again trendy pattern, until I saw a fresh ensemble at the Lela Rose Fall '07 show that who other than Anne Watanabe flawlessly pulled off. So easy to copy and take onto the streets, afterall, it IS still winter in the Real World, too!

Runway Look Tip:
ONE. Polka Dot prints are most flattering on sheer, flowy material as shown above that doesn't cling or stretch out over your body. The dots should be floating off you rather than outlining your curves.

TWO. Stick with smaller dots unless you want to go the Diane von Furstenberg fall '07 look (Left, model Hye Park) with black/white graphic patterns or bold reds OR the classic YSL MOD prints with a huge dot that covers the entire dress.

THREE. Don't do candy-pop or jelly-juice colored dots. Screams "I am longing to go back to my childhood happy days" and it just isn't...well, it just isn't. Go with sophisticated color combos like black, grey, silver, muted blush, gilded gold or dusted silvery tones.

FOUR. Pair with skirts and pants with classic winter fabrics as herring bone or wool, as ingeniusly shown here. Needless to say, no flannel! yikes.

FIVE. Keep accessories simple, hair sleek or pulled back into an office-type bun and makeup, in cool shades as to avoid looking like a teenager trying on mom's clothes.

Now go enjoy the dots-scene and look beyond chic with the new twist to the print that , admit it, you know you've missed wearing since you were three.

xox

Tuleh wins the Sunday award - Runway Report #1

2007-02-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

HAIR: Soft, thick bangs, face framing tendrils, a slight undone curl at the ends and exquisite luster that makes you want to touch.

Mini-Tip: Use an intense conditioner or treatment the night before so that hair is nourished, moisturized, with the least number of split ends and frizzyness when blowdrying hair. Dab in texturizing light gel only at the roots to keep volume intact. And at your next hair appointment, bangs bangs bangs!!!

MAKEUP: Red stained lips, dewy doll-like eyes and a matte, doll-like pale face. An untouchable yet alluring mix of innocence and sohistication.

Mini-Tip for lips: clear balm -> red liner -> fill in a little in the middle of lip and smudge with finger tip -> subdued red lipstick with moisturizing agents, the more dewy looking, the better -> dab of lipgloss only on the middle of the bottom lip.

Mini-Tip for eyes: -> eye line only the top with a black kohl pencil, then smudge with a dark bronze. Use a bronzy gold, almost rose gold, coloured shadow on the upper lids, lightly sweep upwards at the out edges. On bottom lids, start on the inside corner of the eye and dab a clean gold (not yellowy) shadow towards the outer edge. Curl lashes and follow with black mascara on top and bottom lashes. I depend on YSL Ombre Vibration Duo in the 37 Brown/Copper to achieve any sun-kissed gorgeous bronzy eye look that looks just gilded enough.

Mini-Tip for brows: -> keep it no darker than the hair color so that it doesn't over power the eye and the bangs, brushing it and holding the brows in place with a clear brow mascara is enough for this look. This will keep the face with a natural-beauty purity rather than 1950's vamp.

Mini-Tip for face: -> mattifying translucent powder with a soft pink or soft orange blush underneath it all so the cheeks do not over power the other features on the face. Let the lips take center stage.

xox

Everyone Wears a Mask - mine's just purifying...

2007-02-03T18:04:00.000-05:00

Of all the pore cleaning, makeup removing, skin smoothing products I reach for every night, masks have plopped itself high and mighty on my nightly treatment pedastol. I know we're advised not to use it every night so, I tear myself away from those goo-filled tubes and clay-filled pots every other night to cut down my use - to 3 or 4 times a week. Still excessive, I know. I can't resist.

Masks are like a concentrated shot of purification and revitalization. Leaving the skin refreshed and bare of any impurities as dirt, dead skin cells and left over makeup. Furthermore, not only do they purify, recent high-tech masks now provide a direct and effective dose of energy, therapy and replenishment that the skin needs after being under attack all day from environmental enemies as pollution, UV rays and free-radicals.

Introducing to you, my recent top picks and long-standing faves (from testing over 100 throughout my teenage and tween years) of hard-working, multi-tasking masks:

To PURIFY
Christine Chin's Pore Purifying Masque - this mask ranks at top as the hardest working cleaner I know (and I definitely have gotten acquainted with over 100, at least). From the celeb facialist who attends to the complexion of celebs like Gisele, Kate Moss and Rachel Weisz, the oil-absorbing zinc oxide, blemish-drying sulpher and oil-controlling witch hazel extract bring fast relief to occasional acne-prone, combination to oily complexions. Leaves skin unbelievably silky soft and feeling deeply cleansed without tightness. You HAVE to test this at least once, but beware, it's very habit-forming.

To BRIGHTEN
Seikisho Mask White - Don't be fooled!! This mask is actually a pure black wonder, thanks to the nano black powder that creates an instant airtight seal allowing ingredients to be absorbed quickly. Good for any skin types, this high-tech mask is the first peel-off formula to contain Vitamin C to suppress the production of melanin (the culprit behind aging-spots, skin pigmentation and freckles). Chock full of Chinese and Japanese herb extracts to hydrate, brighten the skin tone and regulate sebum production, this airtight mask immediately injects the skin with vitality and radiance.

To MOISTURIZE
Clinique Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief - my favorite line of defense for dry, blistery days, this fast-relieving moisture boost comforts, soothes and softens even the drying patches in 5 minutes. The soft, creamy baby pink formula can be applied even over make up (in times of urgent need) and a little trick of the trade? Leave it spread thin all over the face during airplane trips to protect the skin from the drying air. Leave on over night and wake up to supple, soft skin - it's worth toting around!

For LIPS

Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Eye and Lip Moisturizing Mask - kiss away flaky, dry lips with just one swipe. This intense lip treatment is a natural cocktail of plant extracts and essential oils of hydrating and replenishing flower petals. For a quick pout-fix, gently slough off the old, peeling layer with a face exfoliater - the old toothbrush way is too irritating on my lips so opt for face scrubs with apricot seeds or other micro-beads which leaves lips soft and smooth without tearing it apart! Then, apply a thin layer of the mask and 5 minutes later, wuala! Lips are kissable and velvety smooth.

For EYES
Carita Progressif Anti-Rides Eye Contour Micro-Mask Express and DuWop I Gels for Tired Eyes - both perfect for revitalizing tired eyes, reducing puffiness and soothing the entire eye area, these two are my go-to relaxation tools after a long day of computer glaring. For delicate skin around the eyes that need more moisture and anti-aging care, the Carita ready-to-use single-dose patch provides an immediate smoothing comfort over the entire eye area, moisturizing and plumping up fatigued skin. While, the DuWoop I Gel cools and soothes your senses with the aroma therapeutic effects of custom blended essential oils as chamomile, yarrow and lavender, reducing eye swelling at the same time.

Ok, so I lied...on the days that my face isn't black or white, my eyes or lips get their royal treatment! It's my you're-at-home, let's chillax, mental trigger...must give lots of props to my adorable boyfriend who tells me I look cute when I have them on!!

xox

Beauty Awards Report - #1 Skincare Winners that work for you!

2007-01-27T09:24:00.000-05:00

Allure, Self, Glamour, TeenVogue, even the weekly, Star mag...every glossy is catching onto the new beauty pages trend: annual beauty awards!!

Rankings are amusing to look at and products seem a little more approachable because readers out in the real world like you voted on them. One problem: granted body products are usually on par across the board when it comes to various racial backgrounds (they vary more by broad types like dry, rough, needs firming or toning, etc.) facial skincare products get a little more judgemental. The products tested by the general US public might be completely fine on more resistant or tougher skin compositions but can be a little too harsh or ineffective for the Asian skin type.

So, why not take a look at the Beauty Awards from Asia to decipher which items really made the cut for your skin type!?

Below are the top ranked skin care products chosen by hundreds of typical beauty-loving girls in Japan that are available for purchase here! Now go out and give your cabinet an asian make over:

DRY SKIN remedy:
#1 Kose Cosme Decorte Moisture Liposome - took Kose Laboratory Researchers 8 years to formulate this healing elixir, 3 days and no matter how dry the skin, heals and nourishes for a smooth, supple result.
#2 Creme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
#3 Guerlain Issima Super Aquaserum

DULL SKIN banishers:
#1 Clinique Turnaround Concentrate - a classic in the US as well, it is a "double-action" formula softens stubborn dead skin cells, dirt and residue and reveals fresh skin every day. With continued use, the skin itself turns around, becoming resistant to pimples and dull skin.
#2SK II Whitening Source Intensive Mask
#3 Awake Lotion Exfolizer

To FIRM & TONE:
#1 Clarins Lift Affine Visage or Clarins Contouring Facial Lift - Not only firms but has the dual benefit of absorbing extra oil, leaving skin tighter and feeling fresh for the entire day.
#2 RoC Correction Deep Wrinkle Serum
#3 Cle de Peau Beaute La Creme

Ridding Small WRINKLES:
#1 Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+ - instantly fills in wrinkles and tightens the delicate eye area while treating it for future wrinkle prevention. The formula also acts as a concealing illuminator to cover up and lighten dark undereye circles.
#2 RoC Retinol Correction Eye Cream
#3 SK II Eye Treatment Film

TIGHTEN & SHRINK PORES:
#1 Sofina Pore Zone Care - scientists at the Kao laboratories got deep into your pores to find that oil and skin residue and dirt around each pore made the skin around each pore looser, making each pore bigger. This high-tech formula not only tightens pores for the day but rather, targets the skin from deep within each pore for a long-lasting skin tightening & pore shrinking result.
#2 L'Oreal Pore Pure Zone series

blast that BLEMISH:
#1 Albion AC Clear Skin Care
#2 DHC Olive Virgin Oil - seems contrary to use oil on your bump but apply a tiny dab of this essential oil directly on the pimple before bed and by morning the pimple is much smaller and the redness subdued.

Take it all off with these OIL CLEANSERS:
#1 FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil
#2 DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
#3 Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil - already a classic with asian women and achieving feverish, cult status in the US, this oil removes even the toughest mascara right off without drying out the skin. No need to follow up with another cleanser so perfect for late nights when you can't deal with the three-step eye make up remover, make up remover, cleanser routine.

xox

Memoirs of a Smokin' Haute Geisha

2007-01-26T18:07:00.000-05:00

Saw the Christian Dior take on the various Japanese traditional garments for the Spring 2007 Paris Haute Couture shows and was blown away. Each look is such a precise mix of the classic aesthetic mixed with a sexy, glamorous, modern edge...it was so sickeningly beautiful, I wanted to vomit.

Seriously, for this post, let's just say pictures are worth a billion, trillion, beauty words!! Take a look.

Mimicking the creative mix of style that was in vogue right after the Western influences seeped into the long-closed country.

The full Kimono look, complete with the long sleeves that is meant to show off the most delicate part of the women's body - the wrist

Using the classic matsu (Japanese pine tree) design often found in the Hangas (wood block art prints) and on the Fusuma (sliding doors often found in traditional japanese style homes), the dress shape resembles the top and wide balloon bottom look that fishermen in Japan still wear.

Capturing the structured fragility of the Origami swans and flowers. A transcendental take on the beauty of the folded thin fabric - washi paper. Stunning!

xox

if you dare...random experiment

2007-01-23T01:01:00.000-05:00

So I read a study a year or two ago on the subtle definition of "allure" in a japanese beauty magazine similar to Allure in the US.

After flipping through another million pages and reading a thousand plus+ studies on "beauty," I don't quite recall the details and the statistics but a little experiment that I would love to try someday (hmm, maybe tomorrow morning?) stuck in the back of my head.

"A woman who has a sexy, come-hither, yet a little "off-beat" allure is a woman who has a subtle exotic twist to them."

The article started...

"Try this trick, it's easy to do and anyone can do it with just two wands of mascara. Use a black or dark purple mascara and layer it on the lashes of one side only. Take a subtly different tone of mascara, a dark blue or dark green or a blackish red and coat the other eye lashes with it. Keep eye shadow, liner, and everything else the same on both sides. The slight difference in the eyelash shades is so subtle that no one would be able to tell exactly what is different but it creates that subtle, "off beat" attractiveness of exotic beauty."

Is that completely strange or a little intriguing? If you try it, let me know.

For me, just the idea of wearing two different shades of mascara is kind of alluring in itself. LOVE eye makeup, as you can tell from the side bar...

xox

va-va-voom kitten lashes - the importance of proper lingerie

2007-01-21T21:56:00.000-05:00

I have really, ridiculously short eye lashes. As a kid, I struggled to hold in my jealousy each time my baby brother half-cried, complaining that another of his super-long lashes had bent and was poking his eye - I never had that problem! From short lashes to cup-size, genetic-unfairness is obstinate. Thankfully in the glamorous, lovely, forgiving world of beauty & cosmetics, there is the make-up equivalent of the push-up bra that gives short lashes exactly the oomph it needs, leaving them fluttery and full.

Use one coat of the fibrous pre-mascara lengthening formula before any mascara and va-va-voom, the lashes double, if not triple, in length and each lash becomes thicker without looking clumpy. The best part? A lot of these formulas come with a lash-strenghtening ingredient that keeps precious lashes coated and protected from fast-drying, brittle mascara formulas.

There are a few mascaras that already come with fibres mixed in (usually the "lengthening" mascaras) and an increasing number of sticks that come with two wands - one lash primer and one mascara. The mascaras with fibres mixed in are better than nothing but the fibre content is much lower than a primer formula so in the end, it's worth making the extra space in the makeup pouch for that extra mascara-prepper.

With the 2-in-1 primer + mascara products, the mascara part is usually a more liquidy formula that's made to glide the fibres outwards on each strand leaving lashes definitely much longer but not necessarily with more volume. However, some DO lashes justice in volume as well as length - I can't get enough of Bourjois Maxi Frange Maximum Length & Volume Mascara.

To get the maximum Bridget Bardot kitten effect, use a lash primer as Paula Dorf Perfect Lash, and before it dries, coat the lashes with a lengthening & volumnizing mascara that's creamy yet smooth as Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara starting at the base, wiggling the wand in a zigzag movement all the way out to the tip. That way, you'll catch every fibre particle, bringing it to the lash tips while coating each lash fully from several angles.

Try it once and you'll never go back to going commando ever again!

xox

Just around the corner - Fall 2007 Fashion Shows!

2007-01-16T22:13:00.000-05:00

S/S 2007 shows were charmingly well-cast with a handful of stand-out Asian models that set the tone for each designer's style and edge. With the F/W 2007 shows not even a month away (gasp!) here are a few to keep your eyes glued on:

Ah, the classic & yet still absolutely stunning Ai Tominaga who set the bar and paved the way for the rest to come. Here at Alberta Ferretti looking goddess-like. How beautiful and composed can she be!?

Anne Watanabe, who's snapshots were on every glossy for her charming walk swathed in the splashy, hot colored flirty, breezy designs of the next-hot-man in town, Stephen Burrows. She also got beckened and made a splash at Anna Sui and Marc by Marc.

This girl seriously has it all going on. The traditional asian beauty with sharp, sleek eyes, pouty lips and glistening jet black hair - as seen at Gucci backstage - Han covered all the "it" shows including Chloe, Louis Vuitton, Celine, YSL, Karl Lagerfield, Valentino, Cavalli...phew.

Speaking of Louis Vuitton, Hye Park shared the backstage fun and runway with Han and pulled off the futuristic/80's pop color DSquared2 aero-wear AND Blumarine's romantic, floral sheer summer dresses with the same edge and finesse. Absolutely gorgeous and with lots of attitude, Viktor & Rolf totally hit the nail when they squabbled over her busy bookings schedule this year - will they get her in Feb 07? (psss, she walked Prada and Burberry, too!)

A tanned, slim version of tinker bell, this ethereal long-legged, tiny faced model, Eugenia M. was cherished by designers as Marc Jacobs, Andrew Gn, Lanvin and Tuleh - see the trend there? Every downtown Soho girl wants to be her. Me, included...

Last but not least - completely Brit and purely Aussie but if you love fashion, how can you NOT love these two super stars? Had to add so hope you love them too! Gotta love - Kate Moss & Gemma Ward

PS. All images thanks to style.com and ELLE for the images~ xox

Pony tails with Straight, Straight Hair - Up you go with spring's hottest hair trend!

2007-01-11T18:39:00.000-05:00

This Spring, hair got slicked back into a high classic pony with a modern, elegant edge. Unlike super-curly, victorian tendrils or volumnous waves, this new take on the sporty up-do is feminine, whimsical yet sophisticated, but the best part? The styles are so easy to mimic for just about all hair types. Wear it high, wear it at the nape of your neck, wear it dead center in the back - it's all up to you but here's how to get the basic look down and a little memo of a few things to keep in mind!

1. Start with working in a dime sized gel to the roots of damp hair and work through entire head with fingers. Try one that doesn't harden or get too sticky. You want the gel's texture to almost dissappear into hair strands. Try the Shape Memory Gel from Stephen Knoll New York Collection. The light gel not only has styling power but the ability to memorize shape and nourish hair at the same time. Leaving no residue and hair, silky smooth, soft and in control.

2. Blast hair with a gush of cool air with the dryer nozzle pointed downwards to set hair and keep shorter strands from flipping up. This also flattens and straightens hair. Of course, if you have curly hair, spritz hair with a heat activated protectant formula and if needed, a straightening glossing serum and use a straightening iron - although if you have super wavy hair, I say try the other major trend for hair this spring season which is natural, romantic, a little bit undone locks with a little bit tied or bunned up, rather than damaging your hair with the heat. Working with your natural beauty usually creates the most alluring results!

3. Two options here:

A: Completely brush all the hair tightly back with no part as was seen at Balenciaga and Calvin Klein

B: Part the hair deeply onto one side and then sweep hair tightly back and tie with elastic as seen at Behnaz Sarapfour and Rag & Bone, letting the stray shorter strands on one side frame your face a little. If you have a sharp, pronounced fase with a strong jaw line, higher cheek bones and a good brow, the all-back look will look amazing but if you tend to have softer features, the slight side sweep over will be more flattering and every-outfit-appropriate.

4. Spray glosser or dab a little bit of light polish over the head and through the ponytail hair to keep hair in place and straight. If the pony tail gets dry and tousled, spritz on a hydrating or a intensive leave-in conditioning mist like Bio-Ionic Micro Hydration IonFixx Hydrating Strengthener throughout the day and it will keep it smooth, sleek and straight.

5. Last touch? if you get bored of the pony tail, try the other sleek up-do must: the new sleek, twisted and twirled bun. Divide the pony tail into 4-6 sections, take on section over and under the base rubber band one at a time, secure each with bobby pins and loop the second strand through the first one so they entertwine. Do the same with the other strands so that instead of one big twist, you get a bun that has interlaced strand segments. Add dabs of polish or gel as you go if little hairs start popping out.

note: some ends of the strands could be poking out and down, letting the bun take on a little more casual feel.

Lastly, check your foundation in a bright light making sure that the color is smooth, fluid and the same shade from the face to the jaw line to neck since tightly pulled back hair is unforgiving on makeup mishaps!

xox

We heart asian beauty products - part 1

2007-01-09T22:55:00.000-05:00

Beauty collections from Asia initially seeped into the US market but like other products and practices, it quickly charmed and won over the luxury set of the western world (ex: yoga, Sushi, PS 3) Starting with a thin stream of best selling formulations from topnotch mass merchandisers as Shiseido and Biore, the number of highly technical products that used the most ancient remedies is expanding horizontally (lots more newcomers!) and vertically (cheap to expensive) at an irresistably bad-for-my-wallet rate.

Not only do these products present themselves as sophisticated, technically enhanced and all-in-all high performers, I can't help but feel like they work on my asian skin better.

Here is a couple of products that have hit the market this year that I am dying to test or "heart" already ( <--phrase credited to my adorable ex-coworker at Self, yay Meena!)

SK II has landed itself on equal footing with the Creme de la Mer's and the La Prairie's when it comes to luxury cremes with not NASA technology, not caviar but rather, yeast fermentation!? to bring you crystal clear youthful skin. Now, with the precision and control of all things that look as beautiful and futuristic as this sleek red bauble case, all it takes is a touch of a button and wuala, with a little high-tech performance of an ionizer that administers positively-charged micro foundation to the negatively charged skin micro particles of the skin, the complexion looks even, pore-less, baby soft without making a mess, caking or streaking. No wonder this little red gizmo was at every show backstage for the S/S shows. With this much technology, did SK II have a booth at CES? Douglas, did you do a little research for me there??

Lucky mag's "secret ingredient" for their February issue is Charcoal. Yes, true that the Egyptions discovered that this black powdery ingredient makes great eye-iners in 4000BC but did you know that it has also long been used for skin care in asia way before it started blackening the faces of beauty lovers in the US? Either way, now you can go back to your roots..actually, all the way back into the burnt ashes, to combat oily skin and purify pores without overdrying the face. Try Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish for a natural, botanical treatment to calm irritated skin and reveal radiant skin.

Maybe because tossing away the applicator along with all the excess dirt and skin that just got wiped onto it is a refreshing thought, beauty addicts got hooked on the idea of single-use portable makeup tools. Starting with Biore portable makeup cleansing wipes (Neutrogena and Avon followed) and oil-aborbing sheets (every company followed), little packets that are barely worth each single use ($64 for eight!?!? as is the product to the left but...it's so good!) is loved by jet-setters and late-nite party lovers everywhere. The Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Exfoliating Discs loosens dead skin cells with it's textured side and polishes the skin's surface with it's silky side. In sync with the asian obsession of minimizing pores, the "pillows" minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores and the water-activated exfoliating complex contains yeast extract from sake brewers to soften the skin, break down the proteins that bind dead cells to the skin's surface and wipe it all off your face and into the garbage bin.

xox

S/S '07 Runway Makeup Picks that's A-OK for You! - Part 2

2007-01-06T10:20:00.000-05:00

Remember long ago when lining the lower lid with a chalk-white eye pencil was so cool and how you struggled to get it close to the lash line to accentuate the eyes? Like flannel Nirvana-eque shirts, we deserted the too-white pencils for a while but alas, they are back en force with a fresh, mod, twist.

At shows like Tuleh (above image), Marchesa and Moschino (shown below), catwalk princesses boldly looked up from thin, clean, ultra-white, almost silvery liner on their bottom lids. A couple of benefits to this look:

- This new take on the white liner goes with any eye shadow, lip or blush colour put on that day.
- Looks amazingly flattering on the asian eye shape since it elongating the inner corners and opens up the eyes to make them look bigger.
- Accentuates the short asian bottom lashes

How to tips to get the new! white liner look:

1. If you went out too late last night and your eyes are blood shot, use Visine or an anti-redness product that will get your eyes back to its healthy, white colour.
2. Before applying mascara, closely line the inner edge of the lower lid and between the lashes with a ultra-silvery white liner, making sure to start a millimeter before the inner corners of your eye. Try Givenchy Magic Khol Eye Liner Pencil in #2 White ($20).
3. Skip using eye shadow on the lower lid all together and only use a very sheer, light shadow on the upper lid to match.
4. For a day time Twiggy-look, use a mascara primer on the lower lids to make the lashes thicker and longer before swiping on lengthening mascara. For night, try using a few strands of lash extensions on the outer edges of the bottom and top lashes. Try Urban Decay Lingerie & Galoshes for Lashes ($15.50) to get a 2-in-1 mascara wand.

insider tip: cluster together two or three lashes to make them look thicker and get that "mod" effect like the above image. Easy to do with tweezers - just lightly pinch together a few lashes (below or above, forget combing for this look!) while the mascara is not quite dry.

5. Line the upper lid with black liner, between the lashes and swipe on lots of mascara. Instead of using a dry eye shadow above, try using a cremey shadow that comes in tubes like Bourjois Luminous Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow ($13.50) in Lilas Eclair 3 to get a dewy, more natural looking lid. The contrast with the white and black liner and the thick lashes is the look you're going after!

xox

Asian Editors who are rocking the fashion mags - Eva Chen of Teen Vogue

2007-01-05T17:53:00.000-05:00

We both got to the Marc Jacobs show 30 minutes too late to snag our assigned seats so, ended up sitting crammed on the tiny footstep of the bleachers as the band marched past us, trombone horns blasting inches above our heads. That was the first time I ever met Eva Chen, Beauty Director at my absolute fave mag Teen Vogue, and an asian icon that's leading the next generation of beauty addicts.

Her articles and picks are always practical, trendy, up-to-date, thoroughly researched and I love the amazing array of colours and shapes she manages to pull together for the beauty pages every month. I'd see her running in and out of the Conde Nast revolving glass doors, perfectly dressed & put together and couldn't help but wonder how she does it all and still manages to be oh-so-sweet.

Check out her picks and articles in each month of TeenVogue & be sure to log into the publication's website Beauty Buzz forum to pitch in & get some helpful tips from beauty addicts like you!

My picks from this months issue?? Try Dior Limited Edition, Pretty Charms Pink Enchantment ($55) which captures the flirty, feminine and ethereally romantic feeling that was all over the runways for spring! Comes in two shades of wearable, glossy pale pink and peachy rose.

xox

First base is the always the sweetest xxx

2007-01-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

Nope.

Not talking lips here but rather, the amazing life-altering power of the makeup artists' favorite tool- the initial "first base" to applying color to the face.

Without the obviousness of blush or shimmer, a single droplet of pearl, peach or rosy skin-enhancing primer spread into the thinnest layer alone or under foundation can give you the natural-looking glow that's too slight to look fake, yet so pretty that you must be an angel.

For a sun-kissed glow that seems effortlessly sexy, tap the cheek with a flat sponge with a small bit of bronzy base layer underneath it all and exude a healthy glow from within, rather than shining like a seventh grader with drugstore makeup overload.

Try byTerry Color Skin Enhancer in N°5 Apricot ($79) which can be used all year round to give a radiant flushed glow to paler skins, and byTerry Extra Glow Golden Cooling Bronzer ($44) or Dior Bronze Tinted Moisturizer SPF 10 in Peach ($35) for the just-stepped-off-yacht look.
byTerry available at www.eluxury.com
Dior available at www.sephora.com

Seems a waste of time on a rushed morning? Trust me, try it, it will give you an addictively natural-looking glow and color that lasts all day long even under foundation, no brush re-applications necessary.

extra! note:
This is a good way to add a natural shimmer to the face even if you have an oily complexion. Brush on a few strokes of translucent or loose powder directly after to absorb the extra oil over the enhancer (or enhancer + light layer or liquid foundation) and your skin will maintain a luring radiance minus the oily shine!

xox

S/S '07 Runway Makeup Picks that's A-OK for You! - Part 1

2007-01-01T10:56:00.000-05:00

Two things I am excited about now that it's 2007:

1. I can finally cut down on my white-out usage from having to rewrite 2006 on the date margin since I've been living in 2007 since the S/S '07 shows last fall, yes editors & fashion/beauty pr people are forever seasonally challenged...

2. New makeup trends! New beauty collections & products & hair styles, fragrances, ah, Spring Beauty Galore!

For Spring '07, the backstage makeup scene polarized to two extremes, quite fit to the asian makeup scene actually - Super earthy-bare natural without a hint of glossy lips vs. full on eye-makeup with MAC Lip Glass generation-like pout. Whether you are feeling a little more daring this year and swapping make up styles (full-on to bare, bare to accentuated eyes & lips) or you change your style by outfit, follow the below trends and look like you're fresh and hot-off-the runway.

Let's start with the bold, the brave and the beautiful:

Red Glossy Lips with a Coral Flip - from Anna Sui to Tuleh to Vivienne Westwood, bright red lips with a golden, warm coral touch, made luminous with a light layer of clear gloss was all over the S/S runways. Asian girls can totally pull this look off as long as they keep a few crucial must-do's in mind. Strong natural looking brows, light, minimal-looking eye make up with golden bronzy brown tones + black mascara to keep your eyes from fading too much. Lastly, keep to minimal blush to prevent looking like porcelin doll. Try Anna Sui Rouge M in #450 for a coral-tipped, bright red lip colour that looks flattering on asian skin. www.annasui-cosmetics.com www.annasui-cosmetics.com

Egyptian Heavy Metal - Holiday season is over but metallic shadows are back this spring with a sun-lit, mod goddess, twist. Backstage at Chanel (image) the models sported a mod-metallic high-voltage gold and silver highlighted lids, gold on the bottom, silver on top, with a less accentuated brow, barely touched lips and a matte, natural looking complexion with no flush that acted as a perfect backdrop for the intense eye make up. Key tips for the look:

a) If you have oily skin, apply a mattifying toner or t-zone oil-block base to keep the rest of the face from shining, then dust on translucent powder to even out the skin. The only place you want shining for this look are your eyes!
b) Use a non-colour treatment lip balm (good ole' tub of Vaseline works just fine) for a natural, baby-soft pout instead of high sheen gloss or attention grabbing coloured lipstick. Keep the focus on one part of your face only.
c) Keep brows minimal. If you have thick prominent brows, try dusting the translucent powder from step a) on the brows as well, bringing optimum focus to the eyes and away from the forehead.
d) Try a bronzier, gold-brick tone and a platinum coloured silver for asian eyes. The rich gold tone accentuates the darker eye colour and the platinum will highlight the whites around the pupil making eyes pop. Coat lashes with a single layer of black mascara, and if you want to take it one step further, apply a very thin liquid line on the top lid only.

Try Chanel Lumiere D'Artifices ($75) to get the look in one irresistable palette. www.chanel.com

xox

a dose of asia in the makeup pouch for a lovely New Year!

2006-12-29T02:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Years everyone!

Almost done with 2006 and I can't wait for the new year. Fresh beginnings and an enhanced outlook, right!? (<--I know I'm being uncannily non-nyc by being so enthusiastic about the one day when the city goes nuts and everything seems a little dismal and lonely...ok, note to self, must change my own outlook...ha)

Either case, having pretty & lovely items in your everyday tote is one effortless, fun and lighthearted way to remind you of your new effort to improve how you act, feel and in effect, how you appear. More the better when the emblem comes with a great beautifying agent and a compact mirror.

Some Feel Exotic & Gorgeous finds to keep at hand as a vampy reminder of what an asian beauty you really are. take your pick!!

Keep these kimono inspired emery boards at hand for perfect fingertips at all times. Easy to tuck into any evening clutch or purse, an instant pick-me-up for dull-manis. Paul & Joe Emery Board ($5.00 each)

What more could a girl long for than to be spritzed all over with a dash of Cartier at moment's whim? Now available in 1oz bottles, the perfectly proportioned petit bottle is ideal for toting around everywhere you go. We love you Bond ⋅9 but Cartier is an eternal obsession. Delices de Cartier, (1oz; $60.00)

Appropriately named Purse Gloss, this petal-coloured shimmery lipgloss is flattering on fair skin tones. A sophisticated yet flirty pink, I love it in the shade, Beijing, which brings a healthy-looking luminosity to the face with just an easy, no mistakes swipe. Plus, gotta love the name. Cargo Purse Gloss ($16.00)

Because I think there are certain eye palette colours that just seems to work for most asian skin tones, because these two palettes capture the two colour ways that I think works unfalteringly well, and because these two ideal palettes come in the most adorable Asian-pop slick compacts, ever, I love the new Tokidoki Eye Shadow Quad from Smashbox. Tip: the darker eye shadows can be used as eye liner on top lash & edges of outer bottom lash by wetting the tip of the eye liner brush (recommended f/ before, Trish McEvoy brush #11) and the lightest colours at the inner corners of the eye for an open eyed highlighting effect.) Harajuku girls, you've got it going on~ Smashbox Tokidoki Eyeshadow Quad ($30.00 each)

Last but not least - turn every touch up into a classic "powdering room" moment with a whisk and a fluff of this gorgeous red tinted all over brush with a black lacquer bottom. Complete with a silky vintage looking drawstring pouch (also good for carrying change and a few credit cards when running to the nearby bodega or sake store), this Lola brush set is a beauty addict's essential makeup & life-touchup tool. Lola Cosmetics All Over Brush ($35)

All products available at Sephora

xox

cheat sheet #1 - short crop with long hair!?

2006-12-28T21:45:00.000-05:00

I always thought bambi had the look down sqwat. Let me translate, I've always been in love with the short, cropped hair paired with big doe-like eyes rimmed with dark liner and mascara look. What better way to accentuate the eyes, show off the neck and collar bone, and look demuringly trendy all at the same time?

Admittedly, Miss N.Richie as featured in the January '07 issue of Allure is not asian but tada~ Ayumi Hamazaki (J-pop star) did it way before and I've adored this look since HS, and THAT was a long time ago. But after a solid year of intense long-mane obsession within the fashion and media world, I, too, now have long hair and I'm not willing to chop it off just quite yet... I'm also still pathetically enjoying my new found skill that I've always been jealous of when the popular girl in front of my seat in middle school would skillfully secure her long hair with just a pencil/pen/piece of stick...

So today, I trotted to the Stephen Knoll New York salon on Madison Ave to get the ultimate cheater's version of the short crop. Under the talented hands of Hikaru, my beauty accomplice and hair stylist extraordinaire, I asked for a simple trim in the back, keeping the length, but with a lot of heavy layering on the top layers of the head, volumnous side swept bangs and shorter strands framing my face so that when I pulled my hair up and away, I looked like I had a short crop. The shorter layers stay out of the knot in the back, falling all around the head and in flirty layers around the face and the heavy bangs add texture to the cut, bringing the focus forward and to the eyes. Follow the eye-lining tips and poof, sexy bambi.

A few tips:

1. Add texturizing wax to the roots at the crown of the head to add movement and texture to the shorter strands. Try Stephen Knoll Solid Wax or Polish for a soft, touchable texture that keeps a natural hold all day long without any buildup.

2. Try a high-count, short bristle, pad-style brush to tweak out the shorter strands away from the pulled back hair. They only catch on to the top layers of the hair and not the longer layers on the bottom so it's much easier to create a volumnous, short bob look and keeps you from having to tie and retie hair over and over again. Try the must-have staple Mason Pearson brush in their largest size made of only boar bristle rather than nylon bristles.

3. For an evening-kitten look, pin-up the long strands in the back, pull out just enough of the shorter top layers from the back with a thin comb or a sharpened pencil to cover the pinned-up strands and tease the comb towards your head at the crown so that the shorter layers create a volumnous pouf.

Accessarize with chandelier earrings or big, single-drop earrings for a classic look and colourful resin or lucite hoops for a mod-Twiggy look. Alexis Bittar earrings.

xox

Short & Sweet - earthy french mani's are back for S/S '07!

2006-12-27T21:19:00.000-05:00

Short, sweet and earthy, petal-pink fingertips finished off the natural, pure looks by the hottest designers on the S/S 2007 runway.

Marni used a pale, muted, creamy pink to create the ethereal look while Chloe and Miu Miu took it one step further with a modern, twist to the classic manicure - a short french manicure!

The french manicure, first created by ORLY 30 years ago, is still the mani-of-choice when it comes to the duo work or big event appropriate look. The neutral color flatters many skin tones and the fresh, sophisticated allure of a clean white tip is any-age appropriate. The one big drawback, now solved, has been the length that was required to pull off the look - parrafin tips are just way too scary and SO not good for your nails!

Follow the below tips to get an easy salon-perfect short French Manicure of S/S '07:

1. Prep nails by pushing back cuticles and moisturizing with an intensive hand & nail formula. Go natural with Almond Oil drops to the cuticles. For a short French Mani, you need all the length & smooth fingertip skin as you can get!

2. Swipe a base coat with a bonding agent that will keep the white tips from chipping easily.

3. Put a light coat of sheer, creamy pink or beige (for asian skin, make sure the beige is a more "cappacino-latte white" than i-can't-believe-it's-not-butter yellow to flatter skin tone). Essie Sugar Daddy www.essie.com is a great base pink for short French Manis and SpaRitual's Airy Sopranos collection colours are all great by itself or with the white tip. www.sparitual.com

4. Dip a thin art brush, preferably with a 25-50 hair count, in an ultra-white nail lacquer formula and swipe across the edge of the nail. The thin brush, available at any art store, is much easier to control and allows you to create a natural looking thin white line at the tip rather than turning your entire top 1/2 of the short nails white. SpaRitual's Ultra-white French Tip already comes with an easy-to-use thin art brush for the short manicure. Moreover, the formula has a bonding agent so that the white tip doesn't come off as easily - genius!

5. Once the white tips have dried, coat the nail with another layer of the base colour OR if the initial pink was too strong, coat with a lighter beige or creme coat to reduce the tone, if it was too creamy for your skin tone, use a slightly more shaded sheer pink formula to amp up the flirty look.

6. Apply a Glossy top coat to seal in the deal and give your short nails a ethereal ingenue touch. Try ORLY Glosser for a glossy sheen that lasts.

Toss on a sheer flock or short beige shorts with a cremy sheer top, accent with a bright coloured piece of jewelry or wedges and you're good to go for spring season!

xox

Eye Lining Part 2 for Double-Lid Eyes

2006-12-27T01:39:00.000-05:00

Around the age of 16, either the baby fat melted away from my eyes or I just became perpetually sleepy...(see previous entry on my eye-lid morphing story), both my lids folded naturally. Now, I only get the single lid after, shhh, a night of heavy drinking, yikes! (Bikram Yoga btw is the best solution to depuffing your entire body the next day.)

Once I changed gear, I faced another dilemma that many of my asian girl friends have - the liner transfering to the upper fold of the eye lid, making a second line a little above the eye! This frequenly happens with a liquid liner that has yet to dry and throughout the day with thicker pencil liners.

I was on a hunt for a product that delivered the long-lasting effect of the liquid liner AND the speedy precision of a well sharpened eye lining pencil and oh, the every so dependable Bobbi Brown & brush extraordinaire Trish McEvoy became my all-time heroines.

For day & night: Dip Trish McEvoy's infamous brush #11 which has a precision brush tip just wide enough to catch every curve of the upper lids right at the lash line, into Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, coating both sides of the tip and swiping off the excess clots on to tissue (I like to use the side of the pot, I'm that lazy, yes, but it works). Then hold the brush perpendicular to the lashline, and gently pulling up the lid slightly to get a precise aim, touch the edge of the brush to the edge of the lid, almost on top of the lash line, and move from the inner corners to the outer corners, dabbing the entire way, not sliding across. The product quickly dries and becomes transfer resistant so it doesn't get onto your upper lids even if you sneeze!
www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com
www.trishmcevoy.com

Extra-tip to open up small double lid eyes: Make the line thicker just above the pupil. The extra darkness makes the pupil look darker and bigger while accentuating the whiteness that surrounds it, creating a round-eyed look. Same goes for mascara on the upper lids - concentrate on getting the most length out of the middle lashes right above your pupils (and below) as well as the last two or three strands at the outer corners of your eye.

Lower lashes: Do not line the entire lower lash with dark liner unless you have huge eyes (you lucky bum!). Use a frosty creme or frosted pastel colour to line the inner corners of the lower eye lid and the darker liner used above the lid for the outer half of the lower lid. (<-- I wish I could sketch this...it sounds like a logic question doesn't it? I'll work on the visuals.)

For the lower lash inner corners, use a very powdery sheer shimmer shadow with a thin tip applicator so that it acts as a light high lighter instead of going on too obviously. Try Stila's shimmery pastel shadows in pale pinks, blues, cremes and mints or the all in one Glacier Ice palette which has all my fave accent colours to complete the basics of eye makeup! Sephora

xox

Eye Lining Tip for Single Eye Lid Girls!

2006-12-27T00:12:00.000-05:00

You are an asian beauty addict if you can decipher the difference between a single eye lid versus a double one.

Either way, eye lining is a major challenge. I've experience both so I know...no, no, without any surgery. I spent my pre-teen years of my life with a single lid, which was just as well since I didn't know what single-lidded vs double meant anyway. Then gradually, I started to get the extra crease when I was sleepy and rubbed my eyes. Definitely my most awkward years, each morning not knowing which was to emerge and worst when the left and the right failed to agree and decided to go their own ways. (Rather embarrassing until I encountered a product that folds your lids with a safe, gentle, clear glue like formula and keeps it there for the remainder of the day.)

After countless q-tips and sticks of too-hard or too-mushy eye liner, I vouch by the below routine to make Single Lid ladies look glam and open-eyed:

For a day-time look: Use a thick textured, soft Kohl black eye-liner that would glide easily onto skin. Eye pencils usually last longer and glide on more controllably when applied directly onto clean skin rather than over oily moisturizers and powdery shadows. Pull your eye lid gently up and towards the center of the forehead to stretch the area out and draw a thin line starting from the inner corner with a sharpened point until you get to the area right where the whites of your eyes start again closer to the outer eye corner. Then, apply more pencil tip surface to the lid by tipping the eye liner at a closer angle to the face and create a thicker line that gradually goes up and away from the outer corner. To end the line, pretend the last flick of the pencil line is another eye lash, thin with a slight natural curve. This creates a more opened, fuller lashed eye look, especially paired with mascara and eye curler that is still natural yet enhanced looking. I've found that the Rimmel Soft Kohl Eye Liner in JET BLACK has the perfect texture and slight smudgeability to create a stark yet sexy, natural line that if needed, can be reapplied during the day without looking heavy. Plus, it's cheap so I never have to fret about shaving it every morning to get the thin line. Pleeeeease don't try the thick flick line at the edge of the eye - it's only meant for Geisha stories or 60's mod-cat woman outfits - perfect for Halloween, yes. www.RimmelLondon.com

For evening: Use a vampy, blackish but not quite colored eye-liner with a little shimmer or metallic glaze using the same application technique for the upper lid. Slate dark greys, anything with an asphalt sort of name, any midnight blues, dark purples with a metallic sheen or dark khaki's are great for the evening, eye liner as eye shadow look - especially since darker eye shadows are hard to wear. Also apply the same colour but in a lighter tone in the inner corner of the eye on the lower lid to accentuate the slight colour above and wala, you've eye-lined your way enough to pull off a vampy evening look without piling on the darker shadow which will make lids look heavier. I love Nars Eye Liner Pencil in Manon (Violet), Kaliste (teal) and Kitty (turquoise blue that amazingly flatters asian eyes and opens them up by accentuating the dark lashes when applied to the bottom lid). www.Sephora.com

And last tip for single lid girls? Always carry a sharpened eye liner pencil and thin-tip makeup Q-tips for quick touchups! Eye-liners make a huge difference, making you look refreshed and awake.

xox