Ms Nancy's Fancies

[Fancies] Xiang Xi Ren 香袭人 Rose Essential Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

OMG I found a new love! My mom went to China and brought back Xiang Xi Ren 香袭人 Rose Essential Oil. At first I didn't think too much about it since I've never really understood exactly why essential oils are great. But when I started using it in my skincare routine I immediately fell.in.love with it! First of all, it smells AMAZING, the scent alone makes the somewhat mundane daily skincare routine really additive - so additive that I actually look forward to putting this on my skin twice a day. I mix it with my eye cream and face cream and use it on my neck as well. I love smelling like roses now! It is very classy and womanly :) Regarding benefits of rose oil, I'm not quite sure, I did some basic search and seems like it has anti-aging benefits, and as far as I can tell my skin looks pretty healthy since I started using it a week ago. We'll see if it actually works.

For those of you who can read simplified Chinese, here's the product description. It talks about benefits like whitening/brightening, anti-wrinkle, tightening, moisturizing, calming, cell regeneration, brightening dark circles, helps with stretch marks, good for menopause , etc. You can put 5-6 drops in the bath, or use it for massaging the belly area to sooth cramps. I've not tried it in bathes nor massages, I only mix it (1 drop to be exact) with my eye and face creams.

If you haven't tried rose oil, I urge you to try it! :)

[PRK] Week 3 - what a clear week!

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:05:00 +0000

This week has been good, my eyes are seeing perfectly, or so it seems :). I'm also using less eye drops throughout the day; my eyes get the driest when I'm at work staring at the computer, but when I'm at home or just out and about they don't feel as dry. I'm also not that sensitive to light anymore :)

It's such a good feeling waking up with clear vision, and not have to worry about contacts :)

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Eye Firming Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:05:00 +0000

I finally finished using Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Eye Firming Treatment. I lost track of how long it took me, probably 6 months or so. Do you guys use up your current products before starting another one? I always do, mainly because I am kinda cheap and don't like to keep on buying new skin are :p

Anyway, on to the review. I don't have good thing nor bad thing to say about this product. It's one of those things that I wouldn't throw out but wouldn't buy again either, mainly because this eye cream takes awhile to get absorbed, I have to tap and tap and tap every time, it just takes too long for me and I'm lazy :p. The cream doesn't feel heavy, has no scent, comes out white from the pump. I think the pump is what I like the most, I know that air doesn't get into the product and it can stay fresh for the entire duration; this is extremely important since it is all natural and preservative free.

[Spotted] Hello Kitty 2012 Year Of The Dragon Compact Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Wow Sephora is really going at it at its Hello Kitty collection, they now have a golden compact in celebration of the dragon year! I think they should incorporate dragon designs on it though, like the ones I've seen in Asia where Hello Kitty wears a dragon outfit =p Also, I wonder if this compact is easily scratchable, it almost looks too cute to keep around in the purse along with keys and pens, and anything that might scratch it, know what I mean?

Available at Sephora for $18

[Tried and True] Laura Geller Baked Balance N Brighten + Balance N Bronze

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Yes yes, another post on Laura Geller Balance N Brighten Fair, you know I love Laura Geller! And I have proof! See how I didn't just hit the pan, I've used up the entire thing! Back in Aug 2011 I bought the Balance N' Brighten SPF15 in Porcelain after I hit the pan of the one in Fair, I've been mixing the 2 together since my color falls in between, and it's taken me 4-5 months since then to finish the Fair completely. These things last forever!!

Anyway, this is what I use to trick people into thinking I have good skin =p Highly recommend it if you haven't tried this already!

By the way, I've also used up pretty much my Laura Geller Balance-n-Bronze Compact, Fair. It is a split pan containing the Balance N Brighten in Fair and Laura Geller Bronze-n-Brighten, Fair which is a bronzer. I use the bronzer side DAILY for contouring. This is also a good compact to carry for traveling since it contains both the foundation powder and bronzer :)

[Spotted] Super adorable Hello Kitty Die-Cut Ring

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:22:00 +0000

Hello Kitty Die-Cut Ring: Pink Rhinestone - Size 6

I saw this Hello Kitty Die-Cut Ring today on their website today and I've never seen anything like it! It is shaped into the silhouette of her face. The ring features Hello Kitty's initials and signature bow in pink rhinestones. Too bad they don't show a a top-view of this ring because I do wonder if it looks bulky from above.

Comes in a cute jewelry box too!

~~$32.00~~ SALE $22.40

[PRK] Week 2 and a small fender bender...

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:03:00 +0000

Uh huh... I had a small fender bender today *sob

I went out for lunch today, and as I backed out from my stall I hit the other car that was backing out too. As much as I like to believe that I am able to see clearly enough I am really not... Last time at my post op appointment my eyes were 20/40, which meets the legal requirement for driving. Since then my eyes have been improving daily but they are not 100% yet. I am still sensitive to light, I still wear sunglasses inside the office and when I drive at night, and sometimes I still get fuzzy vision.

Since I know I can't see perfectly yet I haven't been driving to places I don't know, mostly just to and from the office. Today for lunch I went to a cafe next to my usual grocery store, and since I know the route pretty well I felt comfortable enough to drive there during my lunch break. Little did I know that I would have trouble seeing the car that was backing out behind me, that car was either dark grey or black that blended in perfectly with the road, and it was sunny which created a huge glare on my back window. I really couldn't see her!! So sad... @_@

Good news is that my car is near perfect with very minimal scratches and dings. But unfortunately her car has a ding which I am responsible for :(

Hopefully the damage isn't too bad and not too expensive...

Eyes, hurry up and heal!!

[PRK] Day 12 - First day back at work

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:17:00 +0000

I've been fortunate to do the surgery before our company's end of year shut down, so I had more than 10 days to recover before driving and before working.

Driving today was fine since I was familiar with the road. When I came home at night though I needed to put on sunglasses because all the lights from the street and cars were blinding me. Yes I wore my sunglasses at night in my car haha.

As far as working is concerned. I decreased the resolution on the screen so that things were bigger and easier to see. Staring at the screen was tiring for my eyes so I needed to use more lubricating drops than usual. My vision also fluctuated throughout the day, certain hours were blurrier than others. I also felt sensitive to the office lights as well as the day light coming into the windows when I sat in a conference room. Tomorrow I plan to wear sunglasses at work as well haha.

Hopefully tomorrow gets better.

[Deals] Caroline Chu Skincare is first time on Hautelook

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:33:00 +0000

Caroline Chu Skincare is first time on Hautelook! I've written a review for this line back in June, check it here. Hautelook also offers her new 2012 Anti Aging Starter Kit which is a pretty sweet deal - 52% at $29.

Join Hautelook if you haven't yet :)

[PRK] My minimal skincare routine during recovery feat Kiehl's

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:46:00 +0000

I was told not to use any eye makeup and eye cream for a week after PRK. I asked them what happens if my skin gets dry and if it's ok to still use face cream. They said yes, as long as I stay away from the eye area. The idea is to make sure that nothing gets into the eyes to prevent infections, not even water.

I knew I needed to be careful, so wanted to minimize using chemicals on my face just in case I accidentally get them in my eyes. I skipped eye cream entirely, used only Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate at night; in the mornings I used Kiehls Acai Damage-Repairing Serum and my beloved L'oreal Dermo-Expertise UV Perfect Long Lasting UVA/UVB Protector SPF50 PA+++. I know I know, I have been using a non-natural sunscreen but the Loreal UV Perfect is the best and I ain't going back to using Worst of 2011 - Loving Naturals Sunscreen SPF 30+!

As mentioned in [PRK] Day 1 + Cleansing Express Sebum, I wasn't able to wash my face and the Cleansing Express Sebum is a lifesaver. I think it works well but I think my skin is a bit whack now from this minimal routine. I am going back to my Clarisonic today and it is time to exfoliate and masks! Skin recovery mode - on.

[PRK] Day 6

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:34:00 +0000

Today was my post-op follow up appointment. They removed the bandage contact lens that were put in after the surgery. The contacts are to help minimize discomfort and remained in place for 5 days. Unlike the contacts I used to wear, these contacts were comfortable, I couldn't feel them at all.

I was pretty happy earlier today before the appointment because I was starting to see street signs. But after they took out the contacts, the street signs were blurry again. @_@

They said I'm recovering normally and everything is on track. I just have to make sure I continue to put in lubricating drops every 1 - 2 hours because the cells need to stay moisturized to grow back.

Oh, I had to ask when I can get water in my eyes. I'd like to wash my own hair and not pay for hair washes anymore. They said wait till Sat, same for makeup - that is a total of 8 days of no water in eyes and no makeup. I didn't want to wait to wash my hair though, I decided to jump in the shower anyway. But I did pay extra attention to keep my eyes shut while rinsing my hair and also made sure I didn't rub my eyes.

This is the place I went to: Furlong Vision Correction in San Jose. The staff is nice. The facility is nice. They even have drinks and snacks in the waiting area for patients and their family and friends.

[PRK] Day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:51:00 +0000

Today was probably the worst day since the surgery- I wasn't able to see for the bulk of the day; the world was blurrier than my original eye sight before the surgery without glasses, and I wasn't able to see the screen nor my phone. Surprisingly I am able too see again now before going to sleep so I thought I'd give you a quick update.

An improvement though is that my eyes felt pretty normal physically, they didn't feel sore like the previous days, and I didn't need to put in numbing drops. I think this means that my eyes are healing and now I just have to wait for the cells to grow back and then I'll be able to see!

Oh, I got my hair washed today. I'm not supposed to get water in my eyes so I haven't washed my hair by myself. I'm wondering how other people did it. I went to Imagine Salon, the same one I've been going to for months. They charged me $18 for the wash. A bit pricey but you gotta do what you have to do, right? I think I can wash normally after my follow up appointment on the 28th. Phew.

That's it for now. Good night, @_@

[PRK] Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:21:00 +0000

Merry Christmas! Today is the 3rd day after my PRK. The doctor was right, vision does fluctuate, I feel my vision yesterday was better. I went out for lunch today and I had a hard time keeping my eyes open even after putting in numbing drops. I think it was because of the sensitivity to light.

After I got home my eyes immediately felt better because it was dim. Now that it's night time I am feeling much better.

My vision is still a bit blurry, can't see street signs and can't read small fonts in the screen. But overall this recovery process isn't as bad as I imagined. It hasn't been painful or anything.

Can't wait for good vision. Happy holidays everyone!

[PRK] Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:07:00 +0000

Second day after my PRK: this morning I woke up sore eyes, probably because they were dry from the entire night. I needed to use a lot of drops. I have also been very sensitive to light, I didn't open any of the curtains and kept my sunglasses on all day and all night. I was able to watch tv, with my sunglasses on, even at night :p.

The numbing drops really help, this morning I had trouble keeping my eyes open and the drops really helped me stay functional. I am also able to see the computer screen. When I went out to get groceries I noticed my vision is ok but not as clear as wearing contacts, I thought potato was ginger haha.

Hopefully it gets better tomorrow.

[PRK] Day 1 + Cleansing Express Sebum

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:44:00 +0000

I had my PRK today! PRK is a laser surgery to correct refractive errors in the eyes like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It is an alternative to LASIK that people are more familiar with, it is mainly for people whose cornea tissues are not thick enough for LASIK. I can go into more details later but I can't see that well and my eyes are kind of sore so I just want to give you a quick update.

Basically, I had my surgery this afternoon, each eye took about 5 mon during the surgery. There were a lot of metal things going over my eyeballs, and the laser beams started. There were lots of bright lights and you can hear the pew pew laser sounds, and yea you can smell the burning ... At the end they put in lots and lots of cold water on my eyes to help with the swelling.

I could see pretty clearly right away, but my eyes are kind of sore and i have 4 different eye drops that I have to use, everything from antibiotics to steroids.

I came home, took a nap and now I feel better. The drops really help. With the PRK procedure, they laser directly on your eyeball, so it will take time for the cells to grow back, during which time the vision is expected to fluctuate and I think my vision will actually go down as the cells start to grow back.

They also say not to get water in the eyes, so instead of using water and soap to wash my face I'm using Mandom Cleansing Express Lotion Sebum, not sure what brand this is but I think it's some Japanese brand and I've seen it in Asian markets here. Basically it's like a toner with cleansing agents. Works pretty well :)

Will update you later on my recovery. Can't watch tv because it strains my eyes, will listen to my Steve Jobs audiobook now, good night.

[Frowns] Worst of 2011 - Loving Naturals Sunscreen SPF 30+

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:34:00 +0000

I don't normally write super negative reviews because I think every product has its goods and bads.... but I just don't think I've tried anything so horrible as the Loving Naturals SPF 30 Sunscreen, and I'm having a hard time thinking who would actually like it.

First of all, I bought it because I wanted a sunscreen that is natural (at least, one that isn't AS chemical) since it is something I use everyday and I should really try to minimize the amount of chemicals I put on my body. I figured if this is meant for babies, it should be good enough for my décolleté area.

But it's not really the case...

The product is very VERY greasy, see the oil that I squeezed out into my sink? I should probably shake it first beforehand but no other product is as oily as this. The first time I used it, I had no idea I was going to end up with oil in my hands.

The texture of the actual sunscreen (after you squeeze out the oil) is thick and smells like cement, and I actually do feel like I am rubbing cement on my skin. It takes awhile for the product to be fully rubbed in. The only thing that I can think of that is not that negative is that after the product is absorbed, the skin doesn't stay feeling thick and oily, and doesn't rub off on clothes, you just have to wait awhile... which is too "high maintenance" of a product for me. I need something that I can rub on quickly and get on with my morning routine - no time to sit around and wait for product to be absorbed.

But maybe this product is still ok for other people, maybe for babies, since it is all natural and vegan and all that good stuff, it just doesn't work for me, at all.

[Fancies] Hello Kitty iPhone 4/4s Hard Case

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:59:00 +0000

I opened my Christmas present early - yup I ALWAYS do, I am impatient and can't stand waiting =p One of the presents I got this year is the Hello Kitty iPhone 4 / 4s Hard Case.

I love everything about it, I think it is the BEST Hello Kitty iPhone case out there :) The plastic is white and bright and shiny, and the coolest thing is the ear, I call the "power ear" because instead of pressing the power button, you press the ear instead! Very cute :)

Thank you 哥哥and Stella!

[Fancies] Laura Geller Spackle - Tinted Under Make-Up Primer in Ethereal

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:35:00 +0000

You know I love Laura Geller, and I am adding one more to my favorites list - Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer Ethereal. Laura is known for her under makeup primers (amongst many other products), and since I am also a fan of her Ethereal Rose Baked Powder, I decided to give Spackle in Ethereal a try.

About Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Make-up Primer Ethereal:

Skin looks kissed by an angel when you start with this Spackle primer. Designed to revive and retexturize your skin like original Spackle, the Ethereal formula is infused with crushed pearl, licorice root, and nourishing botanicals to help give your complexion a bright, opulent glow. Lightweight and oil-free, it creates a flawlessly smooth finish and keeps makeup looking fresh for hours.

I love the way my Balance N Brighten looks with the primer, the result is very long lasting with a fresh dewy look - ethereal indeed :)

While the Spackle isn't as good at covering pores as BB creams, it still does a pretty decent job covering up the gigantic pores on my nose, see the with and without above. Overall, very happy with Spackle in Ethereal, love its super lightweight consistency too, you should give it a try!

[Sponsored] Proactiv Holiday Travel Kit + Oil Blotter Sheets

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:37:00 +0000

Are you racking up frequent flier miles this holiday season? You should consider the Proactiv Mini Maintenance System Travel Kits! This carry on-friendly kit contains 1oz. bottles of the famous Proactiv 3-Step System so you won't break stride on your acne treatment while on the road. And best of all, the Mini Maintenance System Travel Kits are available in all three versions of Proactiv's specially formulated solutions, so whether you have sensitive skin or require an extra-strength treatment, Proactiv has you covered while you travel :) The Travel Kits are also really good stocking stuffers and perfect gift for those that have heard of Proactiv but have yet to try it.

If you are like me, you'd appreciate having oil blotting papers with you at all time. I have them at work, in the living room + bedroom + bathroom at home, and in my purses as well. My T-zone gets shiny through the day and oil papers are my best friend. Proactiv Oil Blotter Sheets are pocket-sized, natural-fiber blotter sheets that deliver quick on-the-go mattifying for a shine-free finish, fast! What I love the most is the packaging, it's like those tissue paper boxes where each piece can be easily pulled out - it's much better than most that are hard to get just a single sheet out of the packaging :)

[Deals] 61% off Laser Hair Removal with Dr. Shahin Fazilat in Mountain View on Groupon

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:35:00 +0000

Teehee I bought the Groupon deal for Laser Hair Removal with Dr. Shahin Fazilat in Mountain View. He seems to have pretty good reviews on Yelp. I know laser treatments usually require 4-6 sessions and this deal is only for 3 session but I think if he's good I can continue treatment with him or maybe there will be another deal elsewhere, we'll see.

There's only 1 more day left and over 150+ deals have been purchased already. I can't wait! Hair no more! Pew pew pew!

[Deals] Too Faced's first time on Hautelook

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:44:00 +0000

Skin-brightening blushes, shadows and makeup from Too Faced are on sale on Hautelook! This is also their first time on the site :) Sale ends Thursday 12/1 at 8AM Pacific.

Don't have a Hautelook account yet? Sign up here!

[Giveaway] Soap Hope is giving away a $25 gift certificate!

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:23:00 +0000

Do you remember my earlier post Soap Hope, a company with a purpose? Soap Hope is an online store that offers premium, all natural cosmetic and beauty products, they invest every dollar of profit into programs that lift women from poverty around the world. Not just a portion of proceeds, or a matching product - every single dollar of profit that our customers generate goes to lift women from poverty.

Soap Hope is giving away a $25 gift certificate to readers like you!

Enter here!

[Sponsored] HANA Pro 1" Flat Iron

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:53:00 +0000

Misikko.com who specializes in salon grade flat irons and hair dryers sent me a HANA Pro 1" Flat Iron. As you can see, the box doesn't come with just the flat iron itself, it is full of surprise goodies!

It came with HANA Shine Shield, a HANA sleeping eye mask, a brush, a hand sanitizer, some nail filers, and even elf Shimmery Facial Whip in Camilia.

Let's take a closer look:

It comes with a pouch, great for traveling.

There's also a silicon pad for safety placement of the flat iron when it is on. The temperature dial is from 140-450. The LED lights up when the iron is on. I've got to say, when I opened this package, my first word was "WOW". The current flat iron I have did NOT come with anything! HANA wins every category, the iron is very light weight, the LED lights up in a very obvious way so I can easily tell that my flat iron is on. The silicon pad is nice so I don't have to worry about setting my carpet on fire. The pouch is nice so I have something to carry the flat iron with when I travel.

As I took the first slide down my hair with the iron, again my response was "WOW", it is so light weight, my arm doesn't get sore, it slides down SO smoothly, it doesn't tag on my hair, and the best part is that the handle doesn't get burning hot against my fingers.

I have A LOT of hair and I was able to straighten it in just a few min.

Super duper easy to use, and SO much better than the one I currently have.

If you are in the market for a flat iron, I'd highly recommend you check out Misikko.com and HANA Pro 1" Flat Iron.

Hana Professional Features:
Advanced Tourmaline Ceramic Plates for Accelerated Ion Generation and Maximum Frizz-Free, Conditioning Shine
Ceramic is naturally hygienic, protects color & retards fading
Floating 1" Plates Auto-Adjust To Glide Over Any Hair Texture
Curved Plate Edges For Versatile Styling - Curl, Flip or Straighten!
Adjustable Temperature Dial - 5 Settings from 140-450° F for All Hair Types
Flash Heats in Seconds with Instant Compensation for Heat Loss
Ergonomic Handle Design with No-Slip Grip
Smooth Grooves Keep Hair Strands Separate and Snag-Free
Tangle-Free Salon Quality Cord Swivels 360°; Convenient Hanging Loop
Energy Efficient at 38 Watts
Independent On/Off Switch
Includes Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch, Heat Proof Silicone Mat, & Special Edition Tin Case
Two Year Warranty

[Giveaway] Crème 93 by Yonka Paris from Verve360 Pittsburgh Hair Salons

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:55:00 +0000

Pittsburgh Hair Salons is giving away Crème 93 by Yonka Paris! This is a day base restorative moisturizer that protects, hydrates and re-balances T-Zone and combination skin from environmental aggressors. The entire Yonka line highlights the benefits of essential oils and plant extracts.

Pittsburgh hair salon is a holistic wellness salon, creating a new model for complete health and wellness that respects the client and puts them in charge of their own health and vitality. You can check them out on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @VerveWellness.

Here's how to enter:

Follow me publicly on this blog (click on the Follow button on the Google Friend Connect on the lower right of the page) and comment below on why you want to try Yonka, make sure to include your email address or your twitter so I can contact you if you win.

Bonus A) Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following:

#giveaway Follow @MsNancysFancies and RT to win Crème 93 by Yonka Paris http://bit.ly/yonkagiveaway

Bonus B) Comment on my Facebook page (if you can't that means you need to "Like" my page first).

This giveaway starts now and ends on Mon Dec 5, 2011 at 11:59PM PST. The only restriction is that you must live in the continental US (excluding Hawaii and Alaska).

[Frowns] Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Ms Nancy) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:23:00 +0000

So I purchased the Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil from the Sephora Friends & Family Sale 20% Off last month because I've been wanting to try this for months! (See [Fantasies] Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil, Blemishes R Gone Argan Acne Clearing Pads)

Unfortunately, I didn't like it at all :( This is very disappointing because I really had high hopes for it! I loved the Josie Maran Argan Oil so much that I was certain the Cleansing Oil would be just as great. But it just didn't work for me, the consistency of it is so thick that I have a very hard time spreading it out on my face. As with all other cleansing oils, which I've tried a ton of, you apply the oil on dry skin, massage it a bit, and then add a little bit of water until the oil turns milky and then rinse off. I've tried a lot of cleansing oils in the past (ie Shu Uemura, Shiseido, Biore, Philosophy, you name it), and I honestly think the Josie Maran one is the worst of them all, simply for the fact that I cannot easily apply this evenly to my skin due to its thick consistency. The scent and the packaging however is great. Love the clean scent and love the pump, but not enough for me to keep this around - will be returning this over the weekend =/