Alpha Beta Glamour

Latest Discovery: BB Cream

2010-06-09T21:20:00.002-04:00

As someone who regularly puts on no makeup, I've always been curious about what other people use. I recently heard about "bb cream" blemish balm cream. It was created for people recovering from plastic surgery who wanted some kind of foundation/concealer/coverage but also needed something sensitive and healing enough for their post operation skin.

BB cream is a huge hit among asians, especially koreans. It's supposed to provide pretty good coverage and act as your foundation/concealer/primer, an all in one basically. Some people do put mineral power or pressed powder on top to 'set' the look, but I'm told this is not neccessary. BB creams are raved for being lighter on the skin than a liquid foundation, while containing healing properties to gradually reduce blemishes/hyperpigmentation and acne scars as well as moisturize. Sounds almost like the holy grail, right?

So like I mentioned, I'm really not a make up person but I'm really curious about this product and I want to try it. The only problem is: it's generally not sold in the US (mostly korean, taiwan, hong kong) and there's so many different brands and types that I'm totally not sure of which would suit me best!

Anyway, this is something I'm going to look more into and test out. I'll let you know what happens!

Roadtrip

2010-04-14T10:47:00.003-04:00

Hm...to graduate early or not not graduate early? I never wanted to, but now I'm getting increasingly persuaded by my friends who are doing so and are making amazing travelling plans.

I wont really have time this summer for fun, since I start my first 10week summer internship but I'm planning on going to Seattle in late August to visit a friend.

Things/Places I want to do:

-visit some US national parks

-Lake Tahoe, California

-go to places on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive Ins & Dives

-buy a round the world travel ticket

-Japan & Korea

-Taiwan, revisit Hong Kong & China

-Australia

-Southeast Asia tour (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc)

Bottle Service to Bottle Hooker?

2010-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Read this fascinating article on Bottle girls at NyMag. As I was reading, I kept comparing NY nightlife to Shanghai. Shanghai wins, hands down for me. Great clubs, good beats, hot girls, and yes, bottle service...everything clubs need but without the pretentiousness that is new york cityy.

The New "Rachel": Blake vs Leighton

2010-04-11T04:17:00.003-04:00

Should be sleeping but I just can't pull myself away from the screen...

Interesting piece of news I just read: Leighton Meester was announced as the new celebrity endorser for Herbal Essences. Surprised that she got the vote over Blake Lively? I am. Leighton is gorgeous, but Blake definitely has that perfect hot mess hair every woman wants. Are you a Blake or a Leighton fan?

via nymag

Latest Obsession: Chambray

2010-04-05T22:48:00.000-04:00

seen effortlessly chic here:

Latest Obsession: Statement Jewelry

2010-04-01T22:13:00.001-04:00

I'm a total jewelry junkie- I've got more pairs of earrings than I know what to do with, but I always wear the same 5 or 6 pairs haha. My latest obsession though, is necklaces. Necklaces (and accessories overall) are getting bigger and bigger. When 'statement pieces' came out a couple seasons ago, I wasn't sure if the trend was here to stay but it seems as if it is and I definitely want to give it a go! Currently loving Tom Tom, a line launched by new designer Elena Coleman who comes her background in architecture with traditional jewelry design. Isn't this gorgeous?

...I'm Back!

2010-03-31T22:01:00.003-04:00

Hello again!

Decided to take up blogging once again, for two reasons: a) because I was never successful at keeping a journal or diary when I was a kid but have always thought it would be good to keep a progression of things and b) in a couple years or so, I want to be able to look back at what I was like at age 20/21

I'll admit, its going to be a challenge. I have a track record of picking up a lot of things and sticking to very few but there were forces moving against me last fall! I was studying abroad in Shanghai and it was virtually impossible to get access to blogger, especially after the 60th national anniversary :(

Speaking of Shanghai and my semester abroad there, I miss it so.incredibly.MUCH. Saw this ad today of Marion Cotillard for Christian Dior and it brought back all the memories. That's pudong and the pearl tower in the background! I love how the image is a bit hazy- it conjures up a futuristic, timeless look but also makes me laugh because shooting in such a pollution/smog filled city probably made the picture come out like that unintentionally!

The scene is called "Lady Blue" and its the third in a four part series. Dior is coming out with a short film on May 15th! Check it out at ladydior.com

Shoe Genius

2009-08-21T00:02:00.012-04:00

I recently bought a pair of Dr. Scholl's "For Her High Heel Foot Pads". They're clear orthopedic foot pads you can insert into your heels to make them more comfortable. Given how much I love heels, I thought they'd be a good investment.

After buying them, I found the product packaging to be a little misleading - the pads seem much more cushy inside the box than they really are. But I stuck them on my highest pair of stilettos to test them out and my shoes do feel much more comfortable!

THEN I found this awesome shoe makeover guru on A Girl's Guide to Shoes who can literally transform your heels into feeling like sneakers. Watch this video here, via Glamour, to see Bob Schwartz transform a girl's Manolo's by widening them, inserting memory foam insoles, cutting down the heel, and adding a thicker sole. The best part? Despite all those changes, the shoes don't look like they've been altered at all!

Fashion & Style Inspiration: Space Age

2009-08-20T14:04:00.005-04:00

Jacket- Julian McDonald. Clutch- Fendi. Dress- Balmain. Earrings- Flutter by Jill Golden. Necklace- Barneys.

Red Carpet Glam: Emma Watson

2009-08-20T12:22:00.009-04:00

Hermione's all grown up!

Ahhh!

2009-08-20T00:07:00.009-04:00

My friend Helen from Helen Hearts has just passed the Honest Scrap Award to me! I just started blogging (after being inspired by her) so this is incredibly exciting! Thanks, dear :)

"'The Honest Scrap' award is not one to hold all to your self but it must be shared! The recipient has to tell 10 true things about themselves in their blog that no one else knows. The recipient has to pass along this prestigious award to 10 more bloggers."

10 true things you might not have known:

1. I've been to almost every country in europe.

2. I'm going to Shanghai for four months as part of a study abroad program at my university. It'll be my first time in asia and i've made a blog to document my time here

3. In high school, I was part of the colorguard. I can spin a saber and rifle.

4. I've tried an uncountable number of hobbies (swimming, ice skating, tennis, lacrosse, flute, piano, violin, ballet, tap, cross country, track, knitting, jewelry making, and the list goes on...) My latest addiction is photography!

5. I am an only child.

6. I love grapefruit and kiwi

7. I am addicted to ice coffee and will drink it anytime of the year, even in dead winter.

8. Taylor Swfit, Miley Cyrus, and the Jo Bros are my (music) guilty pleasures.

9. I'm terrible parallel parker.

10. I love the beach, nature, & the outdoors. My goal is to visit every major national park :)

I'm new to the blogging world so I'll pass on the award to a couple of sites that have recently caught my fancy: greedy girl . project beltway . bonbon rose . an indian summer . v . bonbon oiseau . a girl's guide to shoes . paris atelier . clothespin . fashion nation

A Vision in White: Time Traveler's Wife Premiere

2009-08-19T23:51:00.009-04:00

The young and adult 'Claire' at the Time Traveler's Wife premiere in NYC both sporting white dresses. I love the white rosettes on Brooklyn Piroux's dress but I'm not sure what to make of Rachel McAdams' plunging neckline. What do you think, is it a do or a don't?

Brooklyn Piroux & Rachel McAdams

Together though, they look adorable. Soft hair, peachy blush and pink pouts- I'm loving the finishing touches!

The Thigh's the Limit : Over the Knee Boots

2009-08-18T15:15:00.017-04:00

Knee High Boots

The latest fall shoe trend is without a doubt over-the-knee boots. I know there's some debate over how they look but I have to say, I am definitely in love! The trick is to pull them off without looking too risque...a la Miley Cyrus. To be on the safe side, pair them skinny jeans or leggings so not too much skin shows.

Rodarte over the knee boots, Elle magazine

I love this soft grey suede pair that Serena's rockin, but I'd go for a dark brown or black pair too. I'm still undecided about the heel though- what do you think, would a flat or stacked heel look better?

Serena Van Der Woodsen, Gossip Girls Season 1

Zara

Ankle Boots

For shorter gals, ankle boots would look equally glamorous and perfect for fall!

J. Crew

2009-08-17T11:59:00.004-04:00

This GORGEOUS three story penthouse in Brooklyn just sold for $25 million. Yes, those are four actual clocks!

the first floor layout

the four working clocks, glass walled elevator, & three story floating staircase.

glass crow's nest with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge

crewcuts <3

2009-08-17T10:47:00.004-04:00

Up until high school, I shopped at abercrombie kids. Their clothes were somehow just a tad cuter and cooler than the a&f store right next door that actually sold stuff in my size. Every extra year that I could still shop there was a mark of triumph (even if I needed a size XL).

Seeing the crewcuts catalogue makes me feel the same way. The stuff for kids is just so adorable! I love love lovee j.crew but their kids collection has that...funky yet classy and just plain FUN look that I wish they made sizes up to XXL/XXXL (or whatever size it takes so that I can fit!!)

via J.Crew

Maybe she's born with it, Maybe its Maybelline Photoshop

2009-08-16T12:28:00.004-04:00

We've all seen ads featuring impossibly beautiful women selling products which they claim help them achieve their 'look'. Some are less well executed than others. Take Twiggy's new Olay Definity anti-aging posters. Although the former model claims her "brighter looking eyes" are due to Olay, she sports wrinkle and blemish free skin- a glorious side effect of using Olay Definity? Given that she's a year shy of 60.... probably not. A far more believable miracle worker could be Photoshop.

via Jezebel

The uproar over digitally altered ads has even been expressed by the Queen! Er, more like Britain's Parliment (close enough though, right?) The UK is considering banning ads from being digitally photoshopped if the ads target children under age 16. For ads geared at adults, lawmakers advocate a full disclosure policy detailing any and all retouching.

What do you think? Would you want to know all the touch-ups that go into making celebs look great? Or would that just be TMI?