Sunscreen

A new sunscreen I am using. I actually went to purchase my regular NV perricone sunscreen or sunblock? But the store did not have any. The saleslady did recommend a nice sunscreen that is very light and provides protection from the sun with a nice spf of 55 without being thick. So this is the first day I am using it and so far, I really like how I don’t feel it being thick or oily at all. Not much else to say about it but because it is light, it is kinda liquidy so watch out for that when applying.

qiora - Cleanser, Clarifying Lotion, Clarifying Cotton

Ok! Since I moved to SoCal, my skin has been acting up pretty bad. My dr tells me that it's adult acne but I am done trying oral medication and topical treatment since it dries up my skin crazy. Instead I decided to try different face cleanser with salicylic acid in it. It was bad.. bad.. bad... idea. My last resolution was going back to the face cleanser I absolutely loved and can't live without. Again, I love this qiora cleanser (shisheido-$35). This product deep cleans pores and wash away impurities but doesn’t dry up your skin.

In addition, I tried some samples for this clarifying lotion with their cotton pad. “A purifying and softening lotion that lifts away skin-dulling impurities and keratin buildup while maximizing conditions for further care.” I didn’t really believe this until I start seeing the glow on my chic again. This absolutely picks up all the makeup and purifies your skins further and leaves soothing texture.
I use both, cleanser and clarifying lotion, at night (maybe over-kill for dry skin) and I absolute recommend this cleanser to all skin type.

Cream Foundation

After years of using liquid foundation, decided to simplify my life a little and try something different. Was mostly unhappy with the way my face would feel after having the foundation on for the whole day and having to do powder touch-ups. Was at the time, using face cleansers from Shiseido and happy with their products, so decided to try one of their foundations. The saleswoman recommended "the make-up hydro liquid foundation". It's a cream foundation that goes on with a sponge and feels clean on your face. It gave a natural look when I had it on and didn't feel heavy on my face. And of course, it had SPF 20 for those SoCal rays.

You buy the case and the make-up separately and the first purchase will set you back about $40.00. The case is only about $10.00, it's the makeup you pay for. I don't recall this causing any break-outs, but everyone's complexion is different and cream foundations may not be the way to go for some people. Although I did like the product, for the price, it just didn't last long enough for me and I was just getting lazier and more frugal. So a few years back, I wanted to simplify my life again and started using tinted moisturizer instead. Laura Mercier - that's a whole other post though.

Men's Issues - Gatsby Face Wash

I'm writing this on behalf of the man in my life who is just not the kind of man to start blogging about the beauty products he uses. I mean really, if he was, he probably wouldn't have married me. So with the intro taken care of, I'll get to the main entry - Gatsby Facial Wash "Perfect Clear" by Mandom, Corp. of Japan. That "Mandom" name should say it all - it's a men's facial wash. Looked up the brand - it's an old company that evolved into a men's skin and hair care company.

Using the words of my husband to give a review of this product - "Man, I can't believe this was only $5!". He pretty much said it's good stuff, really good stuff. He said it was pretty identical to the Shiseido men's face wash (which I've heard other men actually rave about).

Unfortunately, this is another product that you probably will have a hard time finding unless you live near a well stocked Asian or Japanese market.

Shadow

I kind of joke around that, except for my husband, I have commitment issues. I try and try all types of different hair and makeup products, with no real preference for brands, just looking for something that works for me. I find something, get bored, and try to find another one.

Back before I got tired at 10:30 PM, when going out for the night started at 11:00 PM - had so many different colors of eye shadow. MAC had one of the best varieties of color to choose from and was relatively cheap. The color came on vividly and more importantly, did not dry my lids - I'm not really sure why this was a problem for me with some of the drugstore brands. Recently, the last couple of years has brought a comperable drugstore brand - think you can now get the same vivid color palettes now from Loreal's HIP line. Tried some, color was indeed opaque, but nothing too memorable about the wear time or application.

The post is going to end with my current favorite - Shiseido's "the makeup" Silky Eye Shadow Duo. Colors aren't very exciting, but there are some brights. They don't go on as opaque as the HIP or MAC colors - really more subtle. But as the name promises, the application is very smooth. Makes blending with the included applicator, brush, or finger pretty easy. Color hasn't creased on me yet (though to be fair, I'm not overly generous with my shadow any more). This is definitely a recommended shadow for anyone looking for a subtle, clean, eye shadow.

Foreign Languages - Hair Care

If you happen to live near a Japanese market that sells Shiseido haircare, you might be a little confused which one to get because the English translation sticker reads like a two year old trying to talk.

After a trip to Japan, my little brother brought back travel samples of Shiseido's Ma Che'rie shampoo and conditioner - the yellow and orange bottles which after looking it up are for dry/damaged hair. Bought the pink bottles at our local neighborhood Marukai. The pink one smells like cherries (subtle) and made my normally wavy/slightly frizzy hair smooth and still a little wavy. The bottle is just too big and for someone like me who gets bored of products fast, there was just too much of a good thing. Still, I would use it again.

Recently tried the green bottles of Shiseido's Super Mild shampoo and conditioner (they sold a travel pack at the . The smell isn't as strong and works really well. Removed all the buildup and like the last Shiseido brand, made my hair smooth without hairdrying. This one does come in smaller sizes so when I'm done with my Paul Mitchell (that'll be another post) I'll probably try this for more than one day.

toning with the hippies

Remember the time before green was hip???

This movement towards all natural was bound to happen but there were always companies that made their products all natural before it was cool to be all natural.

That said, Burt's Bees has been around for a long time - why I never tried it til this past year, well, didn't have a reason to. But trying to save some cash means you can't buy those expensive toners and you need to find something that works as well but is under $15.

Used to use Shiseido's "the Skincare" Hydro-Balancing Softener Lotion - for the step between washing and lotion time. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin, doesn't over-dry skin, and has a mild scent. But the costs can add up.

So found a recommendation in a makeup book for toners and spent $12 on Burt's Bees Rosewater & Glycerin Toner. 8 fl oz of 100% natural goodness! After using it, your face does feel extra clean. Smells like witchhazel though but since I started using it, those mild breakouts before those monthly visits just don't come. Too bad it can't stop those cramps from coming.