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

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

Cameleon Rinko: Pulling off drastic looks with ease & grace

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

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

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

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

...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

Tuleh wins the Sunday award - Runway Report #1

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...

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

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

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