Cambo Soup

Wedding Earrings and James Avery Charm Holder

2012-01-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

Wedding Earrings

I ended up finding my wedding earrings from a local costume jewelry shop instead of ordering a pair off etsy. They are super sparkly and I can wear them on regular days as well.

James Avery Charm Holder

I was so excited when my James Avery package arrived last week. The charms and chain were very well made. They felt heavy, sturdy, and looked lovely. Unfortunately, the combination I picked was not aesthetically pleasing. The charm holder really does look like a bottle cap. I would have worn the chain alone with one of the charms but the only reason I made the order was to have an everyday necklace that doubled as a wedding set holder. I ended up returning my James Avery order. I think their products are high quality but their charm holder just looked odd in person and on my neck. It was also expensive so I did not want to keep a pricey necklace that I did not absolutely love. Sorry for the lame cell phone picture. The James Avery pieces did come nicely wrapped in individual red boxes though. I guess I will order the Tiffany Charm Enhancer.

Boots No7 by Poppy King Glamorous Gloss Product Review

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Boots No7 Presents Poppy King Glamorous Gloss $10

Poppy King is the creator of an amazing lip product line called Lipstick Queen. Her normal range of products is pretty expensive at $18 a tube. I've reviewed two of her Saint lipsticks in the past, see HERE. I a big fan girl of the Lipstick Queen brand and would gladly buy more colors if the price tag was lower. I was super psyched to see that Poppy King collaborated with Target/Boots to create a more affordable line of lipsticks and lip-glosses. The product's packaging was cute and eye-catching as well.

I purchased a Glamorous Gloss in Allure for $10. The color swatch on the promotional stand do not really match the color in the tube however. Allure is on the super sheer side of pigmentation but it's still a nice and wearable natural shade. It provides only a hint of color but a lot of shine. The gloss does not feel sticky at all and is quite moisturizing. The product's ultra smooth texture lessens the appearance of lip lines. If you're looking for strong color payoff, I would skip the Glamorous Gloss however. I'm quite disappointed about the pigmentation given the higher than average drugstore price though. Poppy King's other brand Lipstick Queen is known for rich color pigmentation and saturation so it's unfortunate that her collaboration with Boots No7 lacks oomph. I like the Glamorous Gloss in Allure mainly for its great watery texture but I would not buy another product from the line. I say save up for the real Lipstick Queen . Maybe the gloss was designed as a complement to the lipstick and not as a standalone product. The fantastic and non-sticky texture of the gloss makes it a great product to keep in your purse for touch-ups though.

A Makeupalley user posted more swatches HERE.

Glamour Gloss Allure w/ flash and w/o flash

Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial

2012-01-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Julianne and Justina from Pretty by Julianne came over this morning to do my wedding hair and makeup trials. Both of these ladies were very professional and super talented! If you are in the East Bay area, I highly recommend both of these artists for special events in your life. They are very reasonable in cost and worth every penny. Prior to hiring Julianne and Justina, I was pretty stressed out about doing my own hair and makeup for the big day. I am definitely a newbie when it comes to makeup. After my trial session, I felt beautiful and confident. Most importantly, it was completely stress free and my only job was sitting still.

It was really overcast today so the lighting is terrible in these photos. I regret not using flash. I was also in the middle of taking off the false lashes Julianne had applied earlier before I remembered I had to take "after" shots! If my eyelashes look wonk-y, it's my own doing and no fault of my awesome makeup artist. Justina (Intertwine Hair Design) is a genius when it comes to working with the hair. She gave me several braided styles and each one was amazing. I wish I knew how to do hair. They both had train cases filled with beauty products, it made me nostalgic for all my makeup buying and wearing days! I took my wedding makeup and hair out for a test drive today and everything looked great hours later. I just need to stop messing with my bangs and let them grow out now.

I have airbrush foundation on in the photographs. I believe Julianne used MAC eyeshadows and eyeliner. She shaved my brows a bit and I love it. Julianne used a MAC lip pencil on my lips and applied a clear gloss on top. I really like how she applied my blush as well, but you can't really see it in the pictures below.

This or That? (Wedding Accessories)

2012-01-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

What accessories do you think will go best with my overall wedding look?

Pieces I am wearing for sure:

My mother generously gave me a gorgeous pendant as a wedding gift.

A super slender and sparkly rhinestone bracelet.

Earring Options

My mother kindly let me borrow these yellow gold and pearl earrings. I'm wavering on wearing them since everything else will be white gold or silver. I'm not opposed to mixing metals, but I'm still not completely sold on the gold pearl earrings. I do love the delicate gold accents though. I am also considering purchasing one of the following earrings from etsy:

I feel bad buying earrings just to wear to a short ceremony though. I want to buy something I would wear again on a normal everyday basis as well, like the rhinestone bracelet above.

Hair Piece Options

I'm planning to have my hair styled in an up-do. I can't decide between the headband or gardenia flower. LOL I already bought both.

Hair Inspiration

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara Product Review

2012-01-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara ($15)
The Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara has many great reviews on Makeupalley, but it was a completely underwhelming product in my experience. The mascara comes in two colors: jet black and jet brown. Let's start with the positive aspects, Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara does not clump even with multiple coats of the product and as the name suggests, the mascara looks very natural. The mascara adds some length to lashes as well. It makes a nice daytime mascara, but I doubt it's dramatic enough for special events or photographs. I like how the mascara is easy to remove and does not flake throughout the day.

However, the mascara cannot hold a curl at all. My lashes lose volume and fall flat minutes after application. Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara is hardly terrible but it's certainty not the best choice in the big wide world of mascara. I am especially disappointed because I paid $15 for the mascara. I will not be repurchasing the product. I mainly use mascara to open up the eyes and the Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara fails to do so due to the lack of curl holding power. What is your favorite mascara?

Tiffany & Co. Charm Enhancer and James Avery Charm Holder

2012-01-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

EDIT 1/13/2012: I'm returning the James Avery necklace, the charm holder just is not aesthetically pleasing. :( Their silver and charms are great quality however.

I've temporarily lost my engagement ring more times than I care to admit and I haven't even owned it for very long. I always take my rings off before washing my hands (emeralds are delicate due to natural oils and should not be dried out by hot water or frequent cleanings), putting lotion on, or doing household chores. I usually put my ring in a spot that I think I will remember but I end up walking away forgetfully more times than not. I don't enjoy the frantic scramble of trying to locate my ring while simultaneously pushing away dark thoughts that I forever misplaced it.

I was on the Weddingbee Boards and saw an awesome thread about charm holders on necklaces HERE. The very helpful ladies on the board suggested putting rings on charm holders attached to a necklace for temporary safe keeping. The idea really appealed to me because I do not like putting my rings on a public restroom sink while I wash my hands in case they fall down the drain or I absentmindedly leave my jewelry behind. My supervisor even told me she took off her diamond ring to wash her hands, forgot it at the bathroom, and the ring was gone by the time she had returned. I definitely want to avoid that scenario since my ring has strong sentimental value.

I considered the Tiffany & Co. Charm Enhancer Necklace in sterling silver. It was $100 and could look like a regular necklace when paired with one of the famous company's charms. Unfortunately, the necklace was out of stock online. The customer service representative told me I could call the flagship store in New York and have the personal shopper mail the item to me if I needed the piece before March. It's a simple necklace with minimal design but it has a useful open and close clasp where one could easily and quickly secure a wedding ring.

The generous KeeKalena from the Weddingbee kindly let me use her photos of the Tiffany Charm Enhancer, which she picked up in a physical Tiffany's store location.

I was drawn and tempted by the Tiffany charm enhancer because of the famous name attached to it to be honest but I was also worried their product would be too small to fit two rings (engagement and wedding ring) and a charm after seeing real life photos.

I searched the internet for other options and came across James Avery, a famous charm store in Texas and the southern United States. I ended up purchasing their sterling silver charm holder instead because it was bigger (1 inch in size). I admit it looks like a bottle cap though lol. I really like how the opening hinge is positioned on the side of the product as well because I will not have to worry about the pendant or rings falling off when I'm switching or moving things around.

I bought two other charms and a chain to make a complete everyday silver necklace. I'm not exactly breaking the mold with a skeleton key pendant and a heart charm but I wanted something I could wear with most outfits. The Tiffany charm enhancer with one lower priced charm from their store and a James Avery charm holder, silver chain, and accompanying charm are about the same price. I like the execution of the Tiffany charm enhancer better since it's smoothly integrated into the chain and does not hang off the necklace like the James Avery option but again, the former looked too small for both of my rings.

Buying a necklace just to store your rings on in certain transitory situations may seems silly but if you tend to lose or misplace important items a lot, I think it's a practical and neat idea. I haven't received my package yet but I plan to attach the key directly on the chain (as shown on the right) and attach the charm holder (w/the heart charm attached to it) behind the key pendant. I hope it all works out and I'll update date with James Avery pictures. Have a great weekend!

A Few 2011 Favorites Pt. 1

2012-01-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

Skin Care Favorites

PanOxyl-4 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Creamy Wash: I did not like the PanOxyl-4 acne creamy wash at first because it dried out my skin. However, I just had to lessen the amount of product during each use and my skin eventually adjusted to the new face wash. My skin has been consistently clear ever since I introduced the PanOxyl-4 face wash into my routine! I'm really happy because I've been struggling with acne for so long. I used BCP (Yasmin) for 3 month last year for its skin clearing properties, but the hormone medication made me crazy and exceptionally emotional. It was not worth the side effects in my experience so I stopped using BCP and began regularly using PanOxyl-4 again. My skin hasn't been this clear in years and I seriously credit this acne wash.

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46: I also did not like Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 sunscreen at first. I was previously using Japanese sunscreens so I was accustomed to sunscreens with a super matte finish but Elta MD has a somewhat dewy finish. However, I now prefer the extra moisture Elta MD UV Clear provides, especially in cold and dry weather. Japanese sunscreens will sometimes accentuate the dry flakes on my skin and they are a pain to remove at the end of the day. Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen still feels extremely light, has no discernible scent, and the product does not leave a white cast. Most importantly, it does not break me out. I've already purchased a back up bottle.

Lovely Jubblies: LOL Lush's Lovely Jubblies is a firming cream for the neck, décolletage, and chest. My more well-endowed friend recommended the cream to me to help keep the girls up and looking their best. The cream has a strong herbal scent, common to many Lush products, but it's very pleasant and relaxing. The cream sinks in quickly and leaves skin silky soft. Lovely Jubblies is a little expensive for such a small pot but I think a preventive cream is worth it.

It Starts With A Shoe

2011-12-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

I wanted to order my bridal shoes way ahead of time because evening shoe sizes tend to be tricky with my feet, and I wanted to break them in. I was also concerned with price since I'm not going to be taking out special occasion shoes very often with my lifestyle. I was immediately enamored with this Nina Electra heel in satin red.

I knew I wanted a bright pop of color in my wedding photos, but I axed the red idea because my engagement ring is emerald. Yes, I thought my tiny ring would look a little Christmas like with a bold red shoe.

I also fell in love with the China Blue color and Josh also liked the soft blue for pictures. The shoes could be my something blue. I have too much time on my hands because of vacation and made collages to envision my overall look better. I used photos from the flower vendor I am working with so I could just ask her to recreate her past work.

The blue theme was cute.

Josh thought the silver theme was a little boring.

I didn't think I wanted green shoes but I loved everything when it was put together in the collage. I also love the pink and green combination for the flowers.

The florist then suggested the white flower bouquet and I loved how the flowers tied the overall look together. Josh also liked the contrast between the white and black within the flowers. The wedding bouquet will look exactly like the one pictured on the bottom left, I love the rhinestone handle, and my green wedding shoes are on their way. My wedding band is pictured on the top left but it's being resized so it won't stick out as much like in the picture.

On non-wedding related news, I got all A's this past semester and am very thankful for that. I have piles of products to review but wedding seems to be the only thing on my brain. Have a safe and happy New Year!

Civil Ceremony + Wedding Dress Fittings

2011-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

I went home after the holidays to visit family, but I ended up doing wedding stuff. I realize most weddings take a year or more to plan in order to give guests sufficient time to save the date, visit different venues, and all the other time consuming tasks that go with a big emotional party. However, we are not having a traditional wedding. We are having a civil ceremony in beautiful San Francisco City Hall. I wish I had the moolah to rent this entire gorgeous location out.

It's just going to be the two of us and the professional photographer on the big day. A lot of brides who get married in SF City Hall still dress up so I want to look nice too. LOL I actually did not know that a license and a ceremony were required to be legally married in California, I just thought you had to fill out paper work and you would be done. Anyways, I randomly walked past a wedding/formal dress shop back at home and ended up trying on a few dresses. I wanted a knee length dress because I knew I would be walking around the city and the ceremony would be in the morning. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pictures.

Pink raw silk dress in vintage cult. The dress looks a lot better in person. It was a bridesmaid dress but I'm fine wearing non-traditional colors on my wedding day. I probably would have had the dress altered to be slightly shorter.

I really liked this dress too, but with alterations, it would have been over my dress budget. LOL That headband cost $150! It was super pretty and sparkly but not even close to being worth the price. I liked how the dress had tons of tiny buttons down the back. I tried on two more unflattering and inappropriate dresses. LOL One dress was way too short and pageant-like then the nice sales lady put a tutu wrap on it. T_T

Here is the dress I ended up buying! I was wearing one of those special bridal bras/corsets so there will not be as much cleavage in the final dress haha. I already went in for an initial fitting/alterations and my second dress fitting is in February. The top is super sparkly and has lovely details. The bottom flows very nicely, and I think the skirt movement will look great in pictures. It feels nice to have big things checked off the wedding to-do list. I hope everyone had a great holiday and happy new year!

Longchamp Planetes Tonal Tote

2011-12-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

I really wanted a Longchamp Planetes Tote after reading Extra Petite's blog post HERE. I didn't think there was anything special about Longchamp nylon bags before, but I think they're very practical and classic now.

I know every college girl owns a Longchamp Le Pliage Tote, but the Le Pliage noticeably sags at the bottom when it is filled with heavy items. The Le Pliage does come in an awesome variety of colors unlike the Planetes though. I went with the Planetes Tote because it looked more structured, was made of thicker nylon, and the straps were black. Both the Le Pliage and Planetes are water resistant. My non-water resistant North Face backpack always sticks out from under my umbrella, exposing my laptop and wallet to water. The Planetes does not fold up into a tiny rectangle like the Le Pliage but it can folded flat. Fans of Longchamp on the Purse Forum also say the brand's nylon bags look new for years.

I have the Longchamp Planetes Tote in Large with the long handles. 11"W x 11.5"H x 7"D. It's bigger than I thought it would be, but I'm excited to use it in the Spring 2012 semester. I think the bag will carry over well to the work world as well. I'm also happy because I got the bag using a $25 off and free shipping code at Bloomingdale's, they let you stack codes on the website. The Nordstrom stores in my area do not carry the Longchamp Planetes in their physical stores.

The downsides of the Longchamp Planetes Tote include the lack of interior pockets and organization, there is just one zipper-less pocket on the inside. The bag does not stand up on it's own like leather bags with feet; however, the bag looks fine once it is filled with a wallet, folders, and books.

Holidays

If you guys still need to get someone a present for Christmas, I highly recommend the Kindle Fire. The affordable little device is great for reading books, watching movies, and browsing the Internet. The screen is so nice and clear. I'm hardly a tech expert so if you're interested in the Kindle Fire, you can watch this review video. I might review the Kindle Fire down the road.

Mission Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol was a fun action-packed movie. The director Brad Bird really revived the dead franchise, the last two movies were awful. The fourth installment had exciting action and some great funny moments. I wish I could kick butt! Paula Patton is so pretty too, and she is married to singer Robin Thicke.

Exciting News

2011-12-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

I apologize for neglecting my blog for so long. I hope to get back into blogging very soon! Sorry for not keeping up with blog commenting as well. I just finished finals and am engaged! I'm super duper happy. Even though I was supposed to be studying, I stared at this particular ring online at a local jeweler's website all during the week.

We went to the mentioned local jeweler's store today. I was very sad to find out that the first location did not have the ring but they actually had it at the second store front. I thought I would look around at a lot of stores for the perfect ring, but I really loved this emerald and diamond ring. The sales lady said I jumped up and down in excitement. We got the ring on our first shopping trip and I am over the moon. I saw the perfect wedding band to get there too. ^^

Protect Costume Jewelry with Krylon Crystal Clear

2011-10-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I've been catching up on a ton of homework for midterms and school papers. I hope to return to regular posting and commenting by the end of next week. In the meantime, I made a quick video on using Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss to protect costume jewelry. I also reviewed some of my newest JewelMint pieces in the video. Thanks for watching!

EDIT: Forgot to mention, please spray your jewelry outside or in a well ventilated area. The initial fumes from the spray are very strong. You don't have to leave your jewelry outside for the whole 2 hours but maybe just until the strongest scents fade away (15 minutes or so).

JewelMint Haul and Review: Brixton Earrings, Versailles Earrings, and Forever Audrey Earrings

2011-10-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

ON BLOG HIATUS: Good luck to my fellow students on their exams and studies.

JewelMint Brixton Earrings (paid $22, normally $30)

The Brixton Earrings look like fangs! They feel plastic sadly. The website said they were resin so I was expecting the earrings to feel differently. The Brixon Earrings are light weight and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They are definetley edgy and cool. I'm not enamored with them yet. I haven't found the right outfit/hair style that really does them justice. I haven't seen anything like the Brixton Earrings at Forever 21, H&M, or Target so I like how unique they are and fully intend to keep them in my collection.

JewelMint Versailles Earrings (paid $21, normally $30)

I was a little disappointed when I first got these ornate earrings because people kept saying how heavy and well-made these earrings are. Don't get me wrong, I think they're super pretty and gorgeous. I adore the intricate and sophisticated curves of these sparkly earrings. They don't feel cheap and flimsy in the least, but I thought they would be more sturdy and substantial based on some fan reviews. JewelMint did a great job in even giving the back of the earrings detail though. Overall, I still really like the Versailles Earrings and its great vintage design.

JewelMint Forever Audrey Earrings (paid $21, normally $30)

The Forever Audrey Earrings are my absolute favorite thing from JewelMint! A total must have in my opinion. The Forever Audrey Earrings feel incredibly durable and have excellent craftsmanship. They sparkle like crazy too! I love these earrings to pieces. I kind of want to buy a back-up. They are supposed to have a black center stone but it's basically clear. I like the overall neutral color scheme because the earrings are able to go with any outfit.

Bonus picture of JewelMint Tailor Made Earrings (reviewed in the past, see HERE).

THE GOOD

JewelMint offers many discount codes and promotions, particularly in the middle to the end of the month. I buy their jewelry using their Facebook Application, build points, and redeem points for discount codes. Discounts codes from FB points can only be redeemed once however. There is also a daily Vote-A-Deal feature so there are usually three pieces sold for slightly less everyday.

The company packs their jewelry in lovely and cute packaging. It's fun getting their jewelry in the mail, it feels like a little personalized present. They offer a lot of styles and a variety of looks to suit different tastes.

Quality seems to be all over the place, I guess it depends on the piece. For $20 to $30 a piece, I want nicer quality items. The JewelMint pieces generally feel nicer than Forever 21, H&M, and Target but you're paying more of course.

Honestly, I was going ga-ga over JewelMint for the last couple of weeks. I still have two more orders coming. It's fun participating on their Facebook Wall and seeing how other girls style the jewelry. I think I'm over the honeymoon period with JewelMint though. I need to buy more clothes now. I'm still a fan, but I'm hoping the company re-releases some of my favorite past pieces. I haven't ordered anything from their new October collection yet.

THE BAD

JewelMint offers a far from perfect buying experience however. I realize they are a young company (they just hit their one year anniversary), but they seem to have so many problems with their website and Facebook shopping application.

People on the JewelMint Facebook Wall have complained about having their perfectly fine credit/debit cards declined but then having a pending charge from the company on their accounts with no purchase on their order history. I think the pending charges are supposed to fall off in a few business days but it's still lame not to have access to these funds. These customers miss out on awesome deals and sales due to website problems as well.

Customers with credits built up will suddenly have them missing from their accounts with no notice or explanation. It really makes me worry and hesitant about making an order in October with all this website and ordering issues. I can say firsthand that it is a pain to get in contact with customer service sometimes (calling or live chat). It's best to call right when their customer service line opens at 9:00 a.m Pacific.

People claimed to have clicked the skip of month option and still have been charged the $30 membership fee anyways. I haven't had this happen to me luckily.

Returns and exchanges can be a pain according to some customers. You really have to follow up and call customer service to get your credit pack. If you want a monetary return, there is a $5 restocking fee now. An exchange is free of charge though.

Their shipping and tracking system is in need of improvement as well. I've received orders that still say processing on their website. I received my orders from September 26 and 27th today but my BOGO order placed on September 23rd is still processing. I chatted with a customer service representative and he said the order had shipped but could not give me a tracking number or any other information. I'm worried it's lost.

EDIT (10/5/2011): Last week, JewelMint Customer Service representatives Charles W and Tatiana S told me my order from 9/23 had shipped on 9/27 and there was no tracking info. Today, JM CS rep Connie H. tells me my order form 9/23 actually shipped on 10/3. Tracking information was finally available online, and it turns out the shipping company only got my package from JewelMint today 10/5/2011. Geez, JewelMint really has frustrating and inconsistent customer service.

I'm sure JewelMint is doing pretty well financially, I hope they hire more people to work in customer service and on their webpage.

Some people have complained about their JewelMint pieces tarnishing and fading as well. I decided to buy jewelry cleaner and a protective gloss for my costume jewelry. I'm going to test the Krylon clear gloss spray out and then update my blog with a review.

Limited Edition Hello Kitty and Forever 21 Collection

2011-09-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

The collection comes out on November 18th. Prices range from $3 to $30.

I really like the camel colored grandpa cardigan, but I feel like everything else might be too young for me sadly. I'm an avid Hello Kitty fangirl so I still think these clothes are really adorable and fun in general though. I'll try to pick up the cardigan and some cute socks when the Hello Kitty line hits stores. The crew neck sweaters have a nice 80's retro flair to them. I'm drawn to the printed bow blouse but it looks like it falls a little short of the hip and I prefer longer tops. The beautiful model is rocking some awesome platforms as well.

What do you guys think?

Photos found on becomegorgeous.com.

NOTD: Essie Splash of Grenadine + Jewelry Box

2011-09-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Essie Splash of Grenadine

2 coats. Smooth and pigmented formula.

Karma Jewelry Box

I ordered the Karma Jewelry Box from Walmart.com ($25 shipped) at the recommendation of the JewelMint Facebook ladies. I wanted the silver one but it was out of stock. I got the red box in the mail last week and it's absolute love! It's so well made and affordable. The material inside is very soft and the actual box is heavy with quality. The turn key lock is very cute as well. Walmart shipped the package very carefully, tons of padding and extra boxes. I don't have many accessories so I'm looking forward to filling the jewelry box up.

Cristina from Facebook was kind enough to let me feature her Karma jewelry box on my blog.

Outfit of the Day + Magazine Scans

2011-09-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

I thought it was really cold when I was in Chicago (52° when I landed). I was shivering and wishing for a heavy coat everywhere I went. The flight attendant joked that I looked like I was dressed for snow because I was bundled up with a scarf, trench coat, and travel blanket. In contrast, it's been quite warm and sunny in the Bay Area this week (80+°). I wore a lavender dress today. I love ruffles and things that tie just below the bust.

My closet really is too dress heavy though. Dresses are my favorite thing to wear but they don't always translate well to winter, even with tights and boots. The super sweet and knowledgeable Bessie from Bravoe Runway convinced me to subscribe to Instyle for fashion inspiration. I scanned some of my favorite pages from this month's issue.

Orange is totally on my radar right now. I'll take anything: a bright scarf or envelope clutch.

Dooney & Bourke bag. I like the shape and color a lot.

10 Ways to Look More Polished

I can't believe I don't have a blazer yet. I always see girls put together chic outfits with their fitted blazers but I haven't found the right one yet.

S'mores with white chocolate and jam sounds so good right now. I actually went to Trader Joe's last night to get the necessary ingredients but they only stock marshmallows seasonally. :(

Expert Advice on Acne: Very Helpful Things I Learned from the Dermatologist

2011-09-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not an expert on acne. I just wanted to share some things I learned from the awesome and funny dermatologist who spoke at the CLEAR Forum in Chicago.

Acne

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the dermatologist said the stuff about pores opening and closing is totally untrue. I hate when magazines recommend using hot water to open pores and then cold water to close them.

You cannot have acne without hormonal changes. There is no correlation between when you get acne (onset) and how bad it is (severity). The number of adult females suffering from acne (like me) is on the rise. Acne on the jawline is hormonal.

I definitely got the feeling she did not believe in theories that fault stress or diet as the cause of acne... or there was data to support those conclusions yet. She said that everything about acne is already genetically predetermined. The dermatologist made a good point in that you never hear people tell men that their problems are because they stress too much.

Oily skin has nothing to do with acne. It's just epidermal grease. Acne occurs when sebum is trapped under the skin. People with dry skin have to deal with acne as well.

Apricot scrubs and products like the Buff Puff produce micro-calluses on the skin, which worsens acne.

The further down hyperpigmentation is on your body, the longer it takes to heal so the face will recover faster than the feet.

Benzoyl peroxide will not cause anti-bacterial resistance. Check out the graphs I made on photoshop lol. It took my way too long to figure out how to make clear shapes.

Accutane is so effective because it decreases sebum, clogged pores, inflammation, and starves the bacteria. My personal acne regimen is using Differin (retinol), BCP for sebum, and I'm going to start washing my face with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser.

The average dermatologist will prescribe 2.6 treatments to help with acne, it's multi-therapy. You should use the prescription for at least three months (right dose, time, regular basis) to see any results. I've been through this waiting period and it's tough in the early weeks but absolutely worth it in the end.

As for the idea that going on medication initially makes breakouts worse, the dermatologist said it's due to an acne cycle. However, she did say those on Accutane will experience an initial flare.

Manage Side Effects

1. Don't over-wash or over-treat

2. Moisturize despite oiliness

3. Use sunblock

4. Start slowly, apply every other day in the beginning

Acne is a Chronic Condition

When you begin acne treatment, you need to have the right expectations. Acne cannot be cured, but it can be managed. I know some people who've gone through Accutane (sometimes several cycles) and while their skin is exponentially better, they still get a few pimples here and there. After improvement, there still is a need for maintenance to avoid relapse and control the appearance of oily skin.

Retinoids takes off the top layer of skin so people can become irritated in the process. Check out my second graph on the different prescription irritation levels.

The active ingredient does not make you sensitive to the sun, it's the taking off the the top layer of skin that causes sensitivity. She recommends using retinol indefinitely for anti-aging purposes.

Light treatment for acne is very helpful but expensive and not covered by insurance. The light is absorbed by the p. acnes and the bacteria explodes. It's 2500x the cost of benzoyl peroxide.

Doctors will tell you to discontinue acne treatment while pregnant. If you get pregnant while on Accutane, there is a 50% chance of birth defect. If you are on Accutane, you have to get a pregnancy test every month at a certified lab.

Blackheads

Blackheads are not black because dirt is trapped but because it has been exposed to air and has oxidized. The dermatologist recommends treating the area with retinol for a bit to loosen the clogs first and then extracting them with a comedone extractor. Someone else can use the comedone extractor and press straight down the blackhead. You might need an ice cub for the redness afterward.

My First Video Review: Coconut Oil (Great for Dandruff and Keratosis Pilaris)

2011-09-20T01:10:00.000-07:00

My First Video Review

LOL I said "um" way too much in this video! Sorry. I desperately need to work on my speech skills, but hopefully, I will improve and become better organized with more videos. I also just filmed it on my old MacBook. I think I will choose a better area to film (better lighting) next time and use my digital camera/ my boyfriend's DSLR / MacBook Pro instead. I didn't make a script, I just talked about my experiences with coconut oil.

If you don't want to watch the video, I'm basically saying that I'm a big fan of coconut oil. It's great for dandruff, keratosis pilaris, use as a pre-shampoo treatment, and cuticle moisturizer.

Prevent Dandruff: rub a tiny amount of coconut oil into scalp, massage further and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse out. Repeat weekly or every two weeks.

Pre-shampoo: rub a small amount of coconut oil into the ends of dry hair. Let sit for 20 minutes, shampoo and rinse out.

Coconut oil has seriously improved the KP on my boyfriend's arm. You just rub a miniscule amount of melted coconut oil into the upper arms and wait for it to sink in.

Stupid Beauty Confession: Hydroquinone (Skin Lightener) Under the Eyes

2011-09-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Using Hydroquinone Under My Eyes

I used to have terrible dark circles a few years ago. I still have them but they are not nearly as severe as they used to be. I tried a lot of products to lighten them but many did not work. I was unnecessarily obsessed and self-conscious about my dark circles as well. I remember picking up an issue of InStyle magazine as a college freshman and seeing the beauty writer recommend using La Roche-Posay Mela-D Skin Lightening lotion (contains hydroquinone) for dark circles.

Hydroquinone is generally used to treat skin uneven discolorations like age spots, freckles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone prevents the skin from making the substance responsible for skin color. I thought if such an ingredient could lighten brown dots on the cheek, why would it not lighten up dark shadows as well? I immediately went online and ordered the $75 product. BAD IDEA. TERRIBLE IDEA.

The hydroquinone stung ad burned the sensitive skin around my eyes so much. My eyes would tear up sometimes. I foolishly thought this was a sign that the product was working. Wrong again Kalmo. I continued using the skin lightener for a long time there after until I just threw it away because my dark circles were not improving.

Please do not make the same mistake as me and use a strong skin lightening ingredient like hydroquinone around your eyes or sensitive facial areas. It was a waste of time and money. I'm sure the product only damaged and irritated my skin since it's not meant to be used in that area. La Roche Posay does not even sell this product anymore, they sell a reformulated version without hydroquinone.

If you ever read or hear such silly advice, just say no.

(found via reddit.com)

Have you guys done stupid things in the name of beauty?

CLEAR Forum and Acne Scars vs. Hyperpigmentation

2011-09-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

CLEAR Forum by Ortho Dermatologics

I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the CLEAR Forum in Chicago this weekend. Ortho Dermatologics (maker of the famous Retina-A Micro) was incredibly kind to sponsor the event. I was undoubtedly nervous and awkward, but it was great meeting so many new people who shared similar experiences with acne or a passion for skin care. I am beyond grateful for the trip and chance to attend CLEAR Forum.

Chicago:

I learned so much from the event, speakers, and participants. I feel guilty because I feel like I did not contribute much, but I'm very happy that I attended. I'm still struggling with active acne and hyperpigmentation so I cannot attest any treatment has healed my acne 100%. I'll make an another post with more event details down the road.

I was blown away by Cassandra, also known as DiamondsAndHeels14, because she was so articulate, composed, and passionate about the fight against acne. I could not believe she was only 18 either! I really and truly wish her luck in her career in skincare and on youtube.

I was really impressed by the facilitators of the event as well. They were consulting, and pharmaceutical, and medical professionals. The level of work, creativity, professionalism these kind people put into the event was inspiring. I have not stepped into the professional or career world yet, but I was quite amazed of their level of dedication and talent. They were really hard working people, and their model makes me want to increase my own effort levels in school/work/blog.

After meeting all these great, interesting, and driven people, I really want to work on my communication and speaking skills. Thank you again to Ortho Dermatologics and everyone else who made the event possible.

Acne Scars vs. Hyperpigmentation

One of the most important things I learned was the difference between acne scars and post-inflammatory hyerpigmentation. I had been using the term acne scars wrong the entire time! Acne scars have texture (you can feel them if you run your hands over the area) and are possibly depressed into the skin.

My old acne scar (depressed into the skin):

Post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation are the stubborn brown/red stains I get after a pimple goes away. These flat discolorations take forever to go away without treatment (AHA, etc). LOL I had to go back and correct my past posts where I used the terms incorrectly. MUAC Mandelic Acid works really well for hyperpigmentation in my experience.

Post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown stains):

I also really want to try Retina-A (since it's for acne and anti-aging), but my doctor would not give it to me last time because she wanted to start my skin on something low on the irritation level like Differin.

I just bought PanOxyl Creamy Face Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide because the dermatologist (who was super funny and knowledgeable) at the CLEAR Forum strongly recommended the product. I'm also almost out of my Purpose face wash so the timing worked out perfectly. The cleanser used to be prescription only and it came out for over-the-counter sale in May 2011.

NOTD: Revlon Starry Pink

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Revlon Starry Pink

2 coats. I'm a little iffy about this nail polish shade. It reminded my sister and me of some stone you could buy at a gift shop. The color looked kind of flat with two coats. I definitely prefer the color with only one coat applied as less coverage would some visible naked nail and make the look more interesting. With only one coat, the shade looks like a pretty and glittery snow flake top coat. Application was great for Revlon Starry Pink, smooth and fast drying.

Travel

I'm very excited to be going to Chicago this weekend, and then I get to visit Disneyland next weekend! It's my first time traveling to Illinois, and I didn't want to leave Disneyland last time I went. I'm even going to meet the awesome Bessie from Bravoe Runway. Please visit her amazing blog. She posts lovely chic outfits and continually inspires me to update my look.

LOL I re-used sparkly costume jewelry from my old Halloween costume as an ancient Greek.

Food Spam + Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enchancer Review

2011-09-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

This pho place was too stingy with the meat! Other times they are really generous but I dislike inconsistent restaurants.

Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer ($45)

The Kevyn Aucoin SSE is quite pricey for such a tiny pot of product, but the makeup is incredibly pigmented and one does not need to apply very much to achieve full coverage. One pot will last a long time. I did not use Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer as a foundation as it was extremely thick. I think one would need to thin the product out with moisturizer to use it all over the face.

I only purchased Kevyn Aucoin SSE to use as a concealer for my dark under eye circles. It was a failed endeavor in the end. As mentioned, the makeup is quite opaque, but Kevyn Aucoin SSE creases terribly under the eye and looks cake-y when set with powder. The makeup was not long lasting when used in the under eye area either, there was significant fading halfway through the day. I tried varying the amount I used many times but the makeup never looked good or natural. It was just too high maintenance for me.

I discontinued use of Kevyn Aucoin SSE because in flash photography, the makeup also looked super yellow and obviously different from the rest of my skin. In real life, this yellow tint was not obvious as shade 08 matched me perfectly.

Kevyn Aucoin was a waste of money in my experience. I threw my pot away a long time ago. I vastly prefer Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Coverage Makeup to the Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer when it comes to covering dark circles.

There are a lot of positive reviews for Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer so I'm sure it works better for other people though. I've seen some amazing before and afters using Kevyn Aucoin SSE.

My Beauty Diary Chocolate Truffle Sheet Mask Review

2011-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

My Beauty Diary Chocolate Sheet Mask ($11 to $15 for 10 pieces)

Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 (MUA = N/A)
Conclusion: The MBD Chocolate Truffle sheet masks smells like delicious dark cocoa powder, brightens the face for a temporary radiance boost, and hydrates dry skin.

My skin looks very dull in the morning and I sometimes have to battle dry flaky skin. Differin .1% (my prescription acne gel) dries out my normally oily skin even though I only use a pea sized amount every night and moisturize after treatment. I can't complain too much though since the gel helps with my troublesome acne. My skin looked particularly rough and lack-luster yesterday:

I thought an Asian sheet mask would perk my skin right up. The My Beauty Diary Chocolate Truffle Sheet Mask has enough essence for one use. The amount is fairly normal. There was a little extra serum left in the packet so I applied that amount to my neck. My Beauty Diary sheet masks always include a plastic backing behind the cotton mask so it makes unfolding the delicate product easy. The box packaging is really cute and darling.

The scent is lovely. It smells like high end cocoa powder or a boutique chocolate store. I left the mask on for 20 minutes. The MBD Chocolate Truffle Mask has a superior cotton compared to other MBD "flavors." The cotton is thinner and retains the product essence longer.

You have to pat the leftover serum into the skin and then you can apply your normal facial products like moisturizer. The leftover essence soaked into my skin quickly and did not feel heavy at all.

My skin felt very hydrated, bouncy, and watery post-treatment. I know these adjectives sound odd in regards to skin but once you have used a good sheet mask, you will know what I am talking about. It was a very refreshing way to start the day. The mask whitened my skin quite a bit but the effect is temporary of course. My skin felt so much smoother after this treatment and any gross scaly dry skin patches had been vanquished.

I would recommend My Beauty Diary Chocolate Truffle Sheet Mask to my readers who are already fans of sheet masks in general. Sheet masks will not cure any skin conditions or wrinkles but they are a nice hydrating supplement to my normal skin care routine. I would definitely purchase this "flavor" again.

Weekend Purchases

2011-09-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

Fossil Stella Rose Gold Watch $115

Rose gold is very trendy right now. I just really love the warm tone of this watch. It's so shiny and pretty. It feels like jewelry. The store removed two links for me for a snug fit. I think the flash washed the color out a tiny bit, the watch has strong pink undertones in real life.

This is my old Fossil Decker Silicone Watch $95 (Men's). I love watches with huge faces. I'm a fan of Fossil watches because they're affordable and aesthetically pleasing.

H&M Leopard Print Scarf $14

The scarf has a nice ombre look in some areas. I feel like leopard prints are timeless and perfect for the colder seasons.

JewelMint Astoria Necklace $15 ($30 normally)

I raved about this necklace in yesterday's post, and I am of course still very much enamored with this statement piece.

Weekend LOL

Life Rambles #2 + JewelMint Change of Heart

2011-09-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of updates and blog commenting this week. I've been going to sleep at 11:00 p.m. these past few days because I'm so tired from school and work. I only went running once this week but it's more exercise than I've gotten all summer. I hoping working out will give me more energy in the long run.

Losing a little weight and toning up would be nice too. I went to San Francisco to have lunch and shop with a friend today. Nothing opens my eyes to the need to exercise more than trying on ill-fitting jeans. I did go back home with some goodies though. I'll post pictures soon.

Fall Wish List

1. Cable Knit Sweater (that doesn't make me look heavier)

2. Ankle Boots

3. Geometric Earrings

~~4. Rose Gold Watch~~ ✔ Purchased at Fossil

~~5. Leopard Print scarf~~ ✔ Purchased at H&M

6. Jo Malone Fragrance

7. New gray or black handbag.

JewelMint: A Change of Heart?

OK, I know I already announced that I cancelled my subscription to JewelMint. However, I made another account and ordered their famous Astoria Necklace using the $15 promo code. I love it and am totally a JewelMint fangirl now. The Astoria design goes with everything, the necklace has a decent weight, and I love the textured details. The shipping envelope was totally sealed this time too.

I'm going to continue my "new" subscription to JewelMint. I practically stalk their Facebook page now because there are always promo codes going around. I think I'll always skip their $30 credit charge in the first five days of the month though because you can always find discount codes online and apply them to purchases later in the month. Their jewelry is $30 a piece regardless if you have membership credit or not.

I pulled the trigger on JewelMint's Brixton Earrings tonight. I can't wait to get them! I think the earrings will look really cool with hair that is pulled up and away from the face.

DulceCandy87

I'm sure you guys know who DulceCandy87 is. She's a fun and bubbly beauty guru on youtube. I follow her blog (see more awesome pictures HERE) and just about died when she posted pictures of her closet/office. Isn't it dreamy?