[Review] Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

I finally had the chance to purchase a moisturizer this week, and I went out of the department store with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. It is suited for dry to normal skin. So far, I've been pleased with the texture of this moisturizer. Though it's a bit thicker, in density, compared to the bottled version of the same product line, I don't feel like my pores are clogged up and oily due to the creaminess. Its claim of being a 24-hour hydrator has been true so far. I put on this cream in the morning and at night, before I go to sleep, and my face doesn't feel dehydrated and crinkly. Another thing to point out, I noticed that my skin tone has a healthier glow after I put on this cream. 

The glycoprotein, one of the main ingredients in this product, helps with the extreme dehydration, suitable for the present hot summer weather. Not only for the hot weather, the glycoprotein also protects the face from the winter winds that freezes our skin's pores and dehydrates it. Another essential ingredient is the "Squalane", a botanical lipid that restores the face's moisture due to its insipid and effective nature. 

I feel comfortable with my brand new skin and so far, I'm extremely satisfied with this purchase. 

-Gloria

Clarity [Mood Board]

It's a Monday night and I just had to share these images of some of the amazing and immaculate skin these models have. They are probably a tad bit airbrushed, but who cares? It's close to what they actually have, and I'm jealous. This got me thinking of some saying that I've read before in a beauty article: it goes a bit like this, "the skin you have in your 20s is simply youth, the skin in your 30s is the skin you have been taking care of, and the skin in your 40s is the skin you truly deserve." Cheesy but it has some truth to it. Maybe, we should stop being lethargic and start becoming efficient in our daily skin regime, even at a young age. With reality and its increasing competition in the career and education realm, stress and exhaustion had cunningly stolen our skin's youth. Wrinkles, dark spots, under-eye dark circles, dullness, and many more queuing to be listed. It's summer, enjoy it while it lasts (3 more weeks for me). Drink that min. requirement of 1.5 liter water each day, soak in some sunny vitamin D, restore moisture on your face through face mask, and relax. 

Products:

1) Clinique's Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20

2) Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 

3) Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Skin Brightening Exfoliator

4) The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cream Face Cleanser

5) Philosophy's Hope In A Jar Oil-Free

Work Etiquette

I recently started interning at a media TV company, and I thought to myself, what is the appropriate amount of make up I should put on my face. I personally hate putting on foundation or BB cremes so I'm definitely skipping that process. After stumbling on this picture of the beautiful Chinese model Liu Wen, I knew that this was the perfect amount. I love the subtlety of nude colors and the natural glow she has on her moisturized skin. I want to be able to go to work and have a face that feels comfortable when I'm talking. You all have experience a dried-up face moment, when you feel like the surface of your face is too frozen to move from the layers of make-up and ineffective moisture present. Let's avoid that..

To start things off, I would moisturize the skin after taking a hot shower. The fresh heat will aid the moisturizer and give your face a healthier and natural glow. Then I would use a dab of concealer on some part of the skin that needs to be covered up. A hint of pink/red blush is perfect to show your boss that you are alive and ready to work (NARS blush in orgasm). Then I would start on the eyes, apply some natural color eyeshadow like Clinique's Chubby Stick Shadow in Ample Amber. It's bronze-pink color that has a tad bit of shimmer in them. Then I would apply a thin line of black eyeline, and to top it, very black mascara on the lashes to make my eyes pop. 

Afterwards, I apply my favorite lip balm, Burt Bee's Lip Balm (Peppermint) , and a hint of color with a soft pink/nude lipstain that includes a lip moisturizer too. 

For those who don't have a natural glow like Liu Wen, you can use Benefit's High Beam to enhance your complexion. A little swab is about the right amount. 

For the nail lovers, I discovered an amazing YSL nail lacquer color. It's called Bleu Cobalt N17, and it has the most beautiful cobalt blue color I have ever seen. It's the right amount of shimmer and silvery highlights.

-Gloria 

Asian Glow

Image was found in tumblr without a source.

Curled lashes, foundation, contouring, red lips, perfectly brushed brows, and straight hair. I love this entire look because of it's effortlessness and yet, it's still effective for almost any occasions. The pop of red color on the lips is the quick solution to brighten the face and adds accent. 

Eyes: I personally use Shu Uemura's eyelash curler that a friend gave me, and I would definitely recommend this product. The curls last for a really long time. 

Foundation: I don't really use a foundation for my skin because sometimes, it feels like my pores are extremelly trapped and dried from foundation. I also usually get breakouts the next day. However, from what I heard, Giorgio Armani has some few excellent foundations, and so does Make Up Forever HD Foundation.

Contouring: Bronze + hint of blush. Some of my favorites are from Sephora products, NARS in Orgasm color, Maybelline, and Benetint. 

Red Lips: Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar in Harlot , NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, and YSL Rouge Volupte in Red Muse are some of my favorite colors in the red spectrum.

Hair: Straightened hair + Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme or any natural hair oil (Argan, Moroccan, Coconut, Jojoba oil) 

-Gloria

[Review] Red Stain

You can purchase this from Sephora, Benefit website, or Amazon for international buyers.

I love Benetint by Benefit when it's used on the cheeks, not the lips. Truth to be told, when I apply Benetint on my lips on a really hot weather, it makes my lips crack and look super dried. What I dislike the most is that the stain doesn't last for more than an hour on the lips.
When applied on the cheeks, Benetint gives me this rosy natural glow that I adore. If you're looking for that, Benetint is the perfect product to buy.

-Gloria