fotd: bronze + glowy

Here's a quick 'face of the day' I came up with using a shimmery brown eyeliner, bronzer to warm up the skin, and liquid highlight on the cheekbones for that JLo glow. I also tried a new foundation sample by Koh Gen Do that I received in the mail the other day (loving it so far!). This look is great for spring/summer because it gives you a sun-kissed, healthy glow- say 'buh bye' to your drab winter face!

For my base I tried a sample of the Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation- a sheer coverage, water based foundation with a natural skin-like finish. For this look, you want to use a light-weight foundation since you're layering bronzer and highlight on top (a heavy foundation will make this look cakey). I used a little concealer to cover spots then lightly dusted on Tarte bronzer all over the cheeks, forehead, and jawline with a fluffy brush. To finish the base, I took a tiny bit of Benefit's High Beam on the tops of the cheekbones and blended it out with a clean finger. Voila~ sun-kissed, glowy face!

For eyes, I wanted to achieve a soft, smokey look with minimal products so taking the Rimmel ScandalEyes in Brown, I tight lined the upper waterline of the eyes and smudged it out with a q-tip. This pencil is easy to blend so I took what was left on the q-tip and applied it to the lid. I did the same to the bottom waterline and made sure to blend out any harsh lines. For a bit more glow, I took L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Amber Rush on the inner corners of the eyes. Lastly, I curled my lashes and put on a thin coat of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. For lips, you can use any color with this look, I chose a sheer orange one from Maybelline.

Get yo' glow on~

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)

gift guide: mother's day

cracking jokes at her wedding lol

My mom is hilarious. I always tell her how she could've been a comedian lol. But instead, she studied math in college (didn't get those genes haha) then taught high school kids in Korea until she immigrated to Chicago back in the 80's. Even after years of working in a hot and stuffy dry cleaners and now at the gas station, she still smiles with her perfect teeth and dimples and greets every customer (even when they're not so nice). Did I mention she makes seriously good Korean food? Every. Day. Because my dad refuses to eat anything else smh lol. She's not perfect but she's MY crazy umma who makes me laugh in tears and cooks me noodles late at night when I'm hungry :]] Seriously, how can we give back to the crazy mamas in our lives?! I decided to put together a little gift guide for those of you who don't know what to get for your madre and also just out of appreciation to all the hard working, amazing mums out there who read my little ol' blog =] <3

1. Laid back/Practical mom
This is my mom- wakes up super early, takes the lil sis to school, slaps on bb cream/brushes teeth, makes breakfast, goes to the store/run errands, works all day, showers, makes dinner, watches Korean talk shows/hangs out with me and lil sis until bed. I bought her perfume one Mother's Day and she goes...'where am I going to go wearing this [perfume]??' I ended up returning it because she literally did not use it even once lol. For moms like this, get them what they need or your gift will collect dust/be re-gifted haha- take her to get her hair done (she was going to get it cut and permed anyway), take her shopping for new shoes (practical ones, of course), or get her skin care products that you know she'll use. I got this Origin's face cream for my mom another time and she loved it!

source-origins.com

2. Fashionista mama

You know these moms...they have like one baby in a backpack looking thing and another munchkin in a stroller all the while looking fabulous and put together (how?! it's a mystery). I aspire to be this mom lol. Just because you're a mom, doesn't mean you have to look like a scrub all the time (if you do, no judgement doe, it happens ;]). Fashionista mamas were probably already fashionistas before popping out kids so they'll want the latest trendy stuff (as long as it's kid friendly :])-- get her a pair of pretty stud earrings (dangling shiny thing=danger), a cute crossbody bag (to throw on when she's on the go), or some sassy sunglasses (protect the eyeballs in style)!

14k rose gold earrings- catbirdnyc.com

3. Sporty/Healthy mom

Instagram...where you find moms who are in better shape than you 2 months after popping out a bebe T_T haha! Serious props to these mums who make time to take care of their body! If you're not feeling healthy and well, it's hard to take care of your family/work/function. These moms discipline themselves to actually work out and eat well (respect) in the midst of their already busy schedules. You should get an award. But instead we will give you presents ^^ For these active mommies, gift them some new active wear (who doesn't love a lil lululemon), or even sign up for a series of yoga/spin/zumba classes together! If your mum is a health nut who loves to make smoothies, get her a personal blender so she can take her drinks on the go =]

source-target.com

4. Beauty obsessed/Glam mama

Have you heard of the VIB Rouge? It happens to mamas who have a room (a room) dedicated to their beauty and luxury items. Basically, if you spend a grand on makeup/year, Sephora becomes your b*tch (or is it the other way around lol!) In any case, not many mamas are privileged enough to have unlimited expenses, but for those who are, it can be a tough crowd to please! Whether your mom works her tail off at a professional job for the cash monies or she just appreciates the finer things in life, what do you get for someone who has high standards? Do not fret my friend for I am a picky lady haha. For this mom, I'd suggest gifting her with a high end parfum (make sure you buy it somewhere with a good return policy in case she doesn't like it) or luxury foundation (again, get it somewhere easily exchangeable like Sephora in case the color match is off). If your glam mom loves to travel, get her one of those 'wallet on a chain' purses so she can go sightseeing whilst looking fabuloso ;]

chloe clare mini-netaporter.com

I hope you enjoyed my little collection of gift ideas for Mother's Day! If you're not financially in a place to buy anything, don't worry! After I came home from college my sister and I got my mom some reasonably priced Riesling wine and made a charcuterie/dessert platter at home (trader joe's has all you need). A vase of fresh flowers is always a good choice, too =] Have a great Mother's Day this year and remember to appreciate your mama even when it's not Mother's Day!!

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)

          

skin care basics

Recently I was talking with someone who said they wash their face with dial bar soap lol to which I said, "noooo that's so bad for your skin !" Granted, this someone was an adult man but still...it's no good =] I get it though, who has time and energy to use multiple products morning and night? Skin care routine? Sounds a bit excessive! Well it's time to say goodbye to that attitude and start taking care of your skin (the largest organ on your body)!
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, just ocd about skin stuff because mine's sho~ sensitive! ;]

source-nomoredirtylooks.com

Step 1: Cleanse 
The reason why I advise against bar soap is because the common ones contain some bad ingredients that strip the skin and cause irritation. A couple of these ingredients include SLS (sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate) which are both commonly found cleansing agents, Triclosan (an anti-bacterial that kills all the good germs), and Fragrance/Parfum (unnecessary and highly irritating). Look for products made from coconut and vegetable based soap that are fragrance free ('unscented' means chemicals are used to mask any foul scents, so basically fragrance used to mask fragrance -.-). If you wear makeup, I highly suggest using makeup remover (oil cleanser, micellar water, etc) first.

Step 2: Moisturize
I still haven't found a facial moisturizer that works well for me but since I use mild cleansers, my tinted moisturizer is enough for my combination skin (p.s. if your face feels dry and tight after washing, it's time to ditch that cleanser). A general guide- the drier your skin, the thicker your moisturizer should be. If you have oily skin, I suggest using a watery lotion or even a serum, for normal to combo skin (oily t-zone/dry cheeks), try a water based gel-cream, and for dry skin, you may need both a serum and cream especially in the winter months. Again, look for moisturizers that are fragrance free and mild- the ingredients list should be relatively short.

Step 3: Exfoliate
This is probably the step where some of you are skeptical- isn't soap and lotion enough already?! I think exfoliating is just as important and necessary, here's why- when you're a human being living in a toxic filled world, a lot of nasty stuff gets in and on your skin every single day. Of course by cleansing you are taking some of that gunk off, but who knows what lies deep in the depths of your pores (insert horror movie music). Scary, I know. Depending on your skin type, you can exfoliate between 1-4 times/week- the oilier your skin is, the more you can exfoliate. There are a ton of different types of exfoliants on the market, I suggest a mild liquid one (salicylic for oily/acne prone, lactic/aha for dry skin) or a mild scrub if you suffer from dry, flaky patches like me. ALSO exfoliating is important for guys who shave- if you're experiencing ingrown hairs and bumps, try adding an exfoliant to your routine couple times/week.

Step 4: SPF
Growing up I never wore sunscreen. My childhood photos consist of a scrawny little brown girl baking in the sun lol. Now I wear sunscreen on my face every day (spf 25-35 is all you need) to prevent future damage like premature wrinkles, sun spots, and melanoma. Here's a scary stat- Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for people between 25-29 years old o.o Read more about it HERE ! It's better to prevent potential sun damage now versus dealing with cancer later.

I know this post is super basic but I hope it inspires you to take better care of your skin! It's not only about beauty but your overall well-being and health. If you have any specific questions about certain products or ingredients, let me know! Oh and HAPPY EARTH DAY! =D

<3yaeinn
(Ecc3:11)

stalking sephora + coupon code!!

It's that time of the year ladies... Sephora sale!!! ^^ Even though I love makeup and all that fun stuff, on a daily basis I use like 2 products lol. But that doesn't mean a girl can't dream about owning ALL the pretty things heheh. Sephora only has this sale twice (or 3 times?) a year and for some reason, this time it's only 10% for Beauty Insiders and 15% for VIB (usually it's 15% and 20%, boo~). In any case, it's a great time to stock up on essentials like skin care, your fave eyeliner etc., or get a couple high end goodies (Marc Jacobs, please) you've been wanting to try! The best part is Sephora has a bomb return policy so if the product doesn't work out for you, you can exchange it for something else. I just took a screenshot of some products I've been stalking for a while now haha ;] Let me know what's on your "loves" list and if you get anything!! :D

Coupon code: BILOVE for Beauty Insiders and VIBLOVE for VIBs

Offer expires online and in-stores TODAY

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)

casual red lippie + ootd

I had to wear glasses all week 8] my left eyeball felt like a needle was pricking it every time I put a contact lens on lol. Sho~ I took advantage of it by busting out a casual red lip and leopard sneakers ;] I love how red lips look with glasses- classy and sassy at the same time mmhm :D

Happy Friday all!

Baseball Tee- Style Mint/ Jeans- Zara/ Leopard Kicks- Target
Lips- Wet n' Wild Balm Stain in Red-dy or Not
Baby- Bwi Bwi

tarte cosmetics + coupon code!!

When you have sensitive skin, it can be tricky finding makeup products that 1. don't irritate your face and 2. have on trend, modern colors to choose from. I first heard of Tarte Cosmetics when I started shopping at Sephora a while back. It was the first high end natural brand I knew about but that's not what initially drew me... I'm a huge sucker for packaging and aesthetics (just look how cute everything is ugh). I still remember the very first thing I got from them- a metallic royal purple palette with every color eyeshadow a teenage girl could ever want lol. It was a long time ago (like 10+ years!) but that eyeshadow palette remains in my memory as my first (makeup) love <3 ;]

*Cruelty/Gluten/Paraben Free & Vegan Friendly*

You can find Tarte products at Sephora, Ulta, and various online shops.

BONUS JONAS- you can get 20% off by using the coupon code APRIL or signing up as a new customer on tartecosmetics.com ! 

=D Happy shopping~

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)

the "no makeup" look aka embrace yo face :]

I truly believe every woman is b-e-a-utiful without makeup ... but instead of embracing what the good Lord gave us lol, we tend to obsess over our flaws- those wrinkles formed by laughing too much, scars from squeezing every little pore as a teen, cray cray eyebrows that are near impossible to tame...

When I was younger, I used to obsess over every flaw on my face- my pores are so big (cries)! my eyebrows are bushy! (cue that scene from Mean Girls haha). Now that I'm in my late 20's, I've let go of those tedious obsessions. I try to focus on the good things- my almond eyes, bushy eyebrows (now I like 'em lol), and high cheekbones (thanks umma!).

Instead of nit picking over things we really have little to no control over (unless you're daring enough to go under the knife- different topic for a different day), I genuinely hope YOU (whoever's reading this) will embrace your face for all the good and the bad! You only get one face...screw what society says about what's beautiful and LOVE YO FACE =D

For this "no makeup" look, I kept it simple by using a light base (tinted moisturizer + a bit of concealer) and just a wash of color on the cheeks and lips. 

Step 1: Love your skin! 

I know this is probably the hardest part for most of you and I totally get why! I used to break out so bad when I was in high school/college (I still have scars from back then) and instead of being gentle on my skin, I used harsh stuff and caked on foundation >.< Once I switched to more gentle products (click to see post on my skin care), started drinking more water and sleeping like a normal human being, gradually I started to see a difference. Your skin is never going to be perfect, but that's okay! Once you accept that fact, you can be free from the constant obsession- trust me, it's a good feeling.

*If you have any questions on skincare, feel free to reach out and I'll do my best to help =]

Step 2: Use a light hand 

Like I mentioned earlier, I used to use foundation on a regular basis. After switching to lighter products, I really hate the feeling of makeup on my face. Depending on what you're comfortable with (whether you use a full coverage foundation or powder foundation), try using a bit less of what you normally use. Instead of putting foundation all over your face, try this- take about half of what you usually use, place the foundation where you need it most (for most women, this is the center of the face where there is redness). Concentrate it where you really need it, then blend it outward. By doing this, you can cover what you want to cover and still look natural. 

Step 3: Enhance

Look at your face. Like really look at it lol. What do you like the most? You're not being vain by doing this, I promise! God created us in His image so embrace the art of how He has made you! If you like your eyes, enhance them by using a wash of shimmery eyeshadow or define them with some eyeliner. If you have some bushy eyebrows like me, enhance them by plucking (just a little bit) and highlighting the brow bone. My general rule is- choose one or two features of your face to enhance; let your natural beauty shine through versus hiding/burying your face underneath makeup.

Here are the products I used to enhance mah face ;]

L to R: Maybelline Fit Me concealer & Lash Discovery/ Tarte BB Tinted Moisturizer/ Marc Jacobs Gel Liner/ Tarte Lip Tint in Elite & Tarte Bronzer Blush Duo

Couple tips n' tricks- I used the gel liner with an angled brush to create a softer line/ I used a bit of the bronzer on my eyelid for definition/ Curl your lashes, ladies! 

embrace yo face!!

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)    

ask me anything: skin tone & makeup

Recently, a friend (and mama of 2 little nugget boys :D) asked me to share my knowledge on skin tones and which colors work best when it comes to makeup. Since I'm not an expert on these things, I did a little research and found some helpful tips-

source-target.com

For the most part, people of Asian descent will have a warmer skin tone and Caucasians (Anglo) tend to have cool tones. By looking at your veins (ick) you can easily see if you're cool tone (purple/blue), neutral (both purple/blue & green), or warm (green). If you have tanned, greenish skin (commonly known as olive tone), you are most likely neutral to warm. For those of African/Black descent, unless you're skin is extremely dark, you're most likely also neutral to warm.

source-andrewnewland.com

Now that you've determined if you're cool, neutral, or warm, let's talk about complementary colors. Looking at the chart above, you can see which colors complement each other. Since most people who read this blog are probably warm/neutral toned Asians lol, let's take a look at the greens and yellows. The arrows point to the opposite side of the spectrum which are reds, pinks, blues and violets. I'm guessing many of you wear these colors in your wardrobe, right? =] 

Okay, so now that you know what color your veins are and what color dress you should buy next, let's talk makeup! I find this to be the trickiest part because sometimes, a warm orangey red lip looks great on both cool and warm toned gals! So what's the deal? Are there rules to what makeup colors I can and can't use? My answer is- NO lol. In all honesty, you really need to trial and error to see what works for YOU no matter what color/tone your skin is. Because there are so many different shades of skin (ivory, pale golden, tan golden, pinky white, ebony black, etc), there is no right or wrong when it comes to makeup, in my opinion! BUT since this seems like a cop out answer, I'll list a couple tips that have worked for me-

1. If you have brown eyes, a lot of different eyeshadow colors will work on you since brown is a natural color. However, I'm pretty sure the bold, bright eyeshadow trend died in the 80's so unless that's your thing, stick to the basics- if you're pale/light with brown eyes, try rosey pinks, champagnes, and taupes (greyish browns). If you're medium to tan with brown eyes, you can pull off a bit more color such as a dark purple or teal eyeliner but for the most part, bronzes/golds and warm browns will enhance your skin tone and eyes.

source-pixshark

source-makeupforlife

2. For blush, a simple trick to remember is- don't go darker than your natural flushed cheek color. In other words, lighter skinned gals probably shouldn't go for a deep berry blush (unless it's a sheer formula) and darker gals will find that a light peach blush won't even show up! Same goes for bronzer- don't buy a bronzer that is significantly darker than your natural skin (unless you're going for a strong contour in which case, always go for a cool/grey toned bronzer).

source-makeup.com

3. Lastly, lips. Like I mentioned earlier, this can be tricky because a lot of colors look nice on many different skin tones. I've seen super pale girls pull off a deep berry lip and tan girls rocking a nude lip. Just like blush, I would suggest not going too light or dark in comparison to your natural lip color (for daily makeup). A fool proof tip: find a shade that is slightly brighter and darker than your natural lip color. When it comes to red or bold lips, the chart below shows a couple examples of cool and warm reds. I personally think both cool and warm reds look great on anybody, it's more a matter of preference. Keep in mind though that cool reds and pinks will make your teeth look whiter while warm toned colors (like orangey reds and nudes) bring warmth to your face but also your teeth (which will cause them to look more yellow than usual).

source-bellabox

Even though I didn't really answer my friend's question (sorry, Di! haha), I hope this post was somewhat helpful! Now go buy a purple dress and a red lipstick (but don't wear it together...unless you want to, THERE ARE NO RULES!!!) ;]

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)

the korean girl pout

My mom once told me how major beauty brands test out new products in Korea first before launching in other countries. Reason being- Korean women are on TOP of their skincare and makeup game...maybe a little too much lol.
One trend that came out of Korea in the past couple years is the ombre lip (aka gradient lip). The ombre lip is where you use a bright, vibrant color on the inner part of your lip then a nude toned gloss or lipstick on the outer edge to give an ombre, faded effect. Although it seems tricky, it's actually super easy and low maintenance!

Step 1- Find your shade
Most Korean girls gravitate toward hot pink and orange for this look because it awakens and brightens yellowish or dull complexions. For very pale skin, choose a bright pastel and if you're tan-dark, a bold red or deep berry. There are no rules, do what you want and play around with different shades! ;]

L to R: Wet n' Wild Balm Stain in A Stiff Pink/ Maybelline Color Whisper in Coral Ambition

Step 2- Prep & Apply (Bright)
First step in prepping the lip for any color is moisturize! I use an organic lip balm from Dr. Bronner's. Before diving in with the bright color, make sure to remove any excess lip balm so the product sticks to the lip. Start slow...(a stain of some sort is best, but if you're using a lipstick make sure it's more matte and pat it on to build up color versus swiping full force!) Using your finger or q-tip, slightly wipe away color from the outer rim of lip.

Step 3- Ombre Away (Nude)
Lastly, after you've applied the vibrant shade, take your nude lip product (a non-sticky nude gloss or a sheer moisturizing lipstick is best) and apply just on the outer most part of your lip. Blend in the middle where the bright and nude colors meet and you're done! =D

I like this lip combo because the bright stain lasts all day and you can touch up with just the nude color after eating/drinking. Plus, you don't have to worry about lipstick on your teeth or the dreaded chola lip liner look at the end of a long day haha =]

<3yaeinn
(Ecc3:11)

ootd: good friday

Black blouse: Theory/Dress: Kirna Zabete for Target

Tights: Asos/Shoes: Michael by Michael Kors

"...having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." (John13)

<3yaeinn

ootd: chambray & stripe

Stripe tee: Zara/Chambray shirt: American Eagle

Distressed jeans: Zara/Crossbody purse: Michael by Michael Kors

brand overview: acure organics

I started using more natural/organic products about 4-5 years ago before all the hype. I've struggled with sensitive, acne-prone skin ever since I was a teen so I tried countless numbers of products from drugstore to department store and even proactiv (those cheesy commercials got to me...). Throughout college I got pretty good at researching from studying Sociology and Psych so I applied those skills and searched for more natural, gentle products online.

Fast forward to today~ The thing is, just like you need to trial and error with drugstore and high end products, the same goes for natural/organic products, too. Not all natural ingredients are gentle-sometimes it can be even more irritating than synthetic ingredients. Just because it's natural, doesn't mean it'll work or be good for you. Thankfully, I found a couple brands that use non-irritating natural/organic ingredients, one of them being Acure Organics! I love this brand because 1. it's affordable, 2. they use fair trade ingredients, 3. it's easily accessible, and 4. it works! (for me anyway). To read more about the company and products, visit their webpage HERE.

I'm going to talk about the 2 Acure products I use everyday that I've purchased over and over again-

Left: Brightening Facial Scrub (~$10-15)/Right: Sensitive Facial Cleanser (~$15)

Brightening Facial Scrub: I love exfoliating my face on the daily because I tend to get dry patches and I want to scrub it all off (maniacal laugh)!! At first, this scrub feels like it's going to rip your face off, but I promise, it's gentle. The best way to use it is to squeeze out a dime sized amount, add a little water, vigorously rub your hands to create a light foam, THEN put it on your (damp) face. If you go straight in without foaming it up, it might be too harsh. The cool thing about this scrub is you can adjust the strength by adding more water (so basically making it as thick or thin as you need). Sometimes if I feel like my t-zone is oilier than usual, I'll use the scrub with minimal water and keep it on like a mask for a couple minutes, then wash it off. Here's what it says on the back of the bottle- 'Organic sea kelp and lemon peel gently exfoliate while French green clay removes impurities. Organic chlorella growth factor and argan stem cells work to stimulate new cell growth and repair. Madonna lily stem cells help brighten.' (I use this once/day in the morn).

Sensitive Facial Cleanser: One of the best feelings is washing your face at the end of the night before you crash. Although I don't wear much makeup, I still need to do this step before I sleep or I feel funky. This cleanser is basically my skin's best friend because it's gentle but effective- it takes everything off without stripping my skin (don't you hate that tight feeling after washing your face?). It's fragrance free, foams well, and doesn't clog pores. Here's what it says on the back- 'Take a deep breath and relax with this soothing blend of Organic Argan Oil, Probiotics, and Pumpkin Seed Oil. Rich in omega fatty acids, this gentle creamy cleanser will have your face feeling fresh, clean, and hydrated.' Like the scrub, I add a little water and rub it in my hands to create a foam before putting it on the face. If you wear a good amount of makeup, I suggest using a wipe or cleansing oil first, then this cleanser (I usually just wash my face twice with this at the end of the night).

You can find most Acure Organics products at Target, Whole Foods, or online (I get mine from drugstore.com). They also carry a haircare line (I've tried a couple of the shampoos and they are pretty good!).

<3yaeinn

(Ecc3:11)