About Natural Candles

Non-beauty post!
Did you know there are differences between all natural candles and regular good 'ol fashioned wax candles?
I didn't know...
As you can see all natural candles burn much more evenly.  I got this Scensational Natural Soy Candle from Marshalls for $10, which is about the same price of any other candles.

This one is a regular wax candle.  Do you see how it burns only around the wick?  I hated this because I always felt like it just wastes the candles around it and sometimes the wicks are harder to light.  I even tried moving the candle around so the hot wax can melt around it, but that didn't work... lol

Side by side comparison after.

Since it's the same price, why not go for the Natural Candles right?  Some of the higher end candles can get really expensive, so don't forget to check out your local Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and Ross!

Is Baby Oil Safe & Chaper Solution to Eye Makeup Remover?

A friend of mine suggested that baby oil is the cheaper way to remove eye makeup.  Hmmm... why didn't I think of that?  It's safe for babies, it's made of mineral oils (which I believe is non-comedogenic), so it shouldn't clog pores... so got me thinking, but decided I was going to research before I slather that all over my eyes....

To cut to the chase, the answer is NO.  Baby oil is made to moisturize and retain moisture on your skin.  It may do a great job of releasing your heavy eye makeup, but it may not be safe to use on your eyes or it may leave residue that can continue to enter your eyes every time you blink. 

Quoted from http://www.dcareaeyecare.com/ (looks to be an optometrist website).  To see the entire post, go here:

If you wear heavier eye makeup, you may need to use a make up removal product. Do not use baby oil or Vaseline. "Light" makeup removal products are better. The key is that AFTER you have used the makeup removal product, wash your face and gently "shampoo" your eyelids with a mild, non-creamy facial soap or cleanser. And, in the morning, wash your face and eyelids again.

I think if you want a safer, cheaper way to remove eye makeup, you can try Baby Shampoo.  According to Dr. Oz:  See the entire post here:

Baby Shampoo for Easy Makeup Removal
There’s no excuse for going to bed with your makeup on. If other makeup removers irritate your  skin or are too expensive, baby shampoo is a good alternative. It contains lauric acid, derived from coconut oil, which is non-toxic, making it safe for eye-makeup removal. Simply pour some baby shampoo onto a cotton ball, tissue or wash towel and wipe away your makeup for a clear complexion.

Personally, I have sensitive eyes, not overly, but enough that my eyes will water up from time to time.  And it was due to the eye makeup remover.  Everytime I try to start fresh from day to night time makeup, I remove all my makeup and my eyes start to water up!  My solution to that was, cleansing waters. I use the Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water.  This only happens, when I try to put on full on makeup twice in one day.  For my daily routine, I always use Clinique Take the Day off Makeup Remover, which is really great at taking off waterproof makeup.  I've tried many of others, but this is my holy grail eye makeup remover!

I researched this quite a bit, to make sure it's safe for me to use, and I've seen "Yes, it's safe and great!", to "No, it's not safe".  I say, when it's not intended for that use, especially your eyes and your face, it's not worth the risk.  Like I wouldn't put body lotion on my face, just because it's lotion.  They are just made differently to suit different needs....

Sometimes it's great to find cheaper alternative to expensive cosmetic/ skincare items.  But I think when it comes to your eyes, it's better to be safe than sorry.  So I'd have to say NO! DO NOT USE BABY OIL! If you are someone who have been using them and are completely fine with it, just becareful and try not to get it to close to your eyes, and make sure you completely cleanse around your eyes with your face wash.  But if you really do want cheaper alternative to eye makeup remover, go with Dr. Oz's recommendation and try Baby Shampoo.

I also hear, Neutrogena's Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover is really good.  Haven't tried it yet... And this is only $8!

Let me know if you tried using baby oil method and your experiences...

Spa Week: April 11th ~17th Mark Your Calendars - $50 Treatments!

$50 Spa Treatments at Participating Spa Week Facilities!!!

Mark your Calendars People!  The List will be announced Monday, March 14th and the booking begins!
They book fast especially on weekends, so decide and book fast!

Check http://www.spaweek.com/ on Monday morning for the list of participating spas.
If you have not been to this site before, it'll require you to sign up with an e-mail as a log in. 

I've gotten $100 to $250 spa treatments and massages at some nice Spas in Los Angeles and Las Vegas during spa week for $50!  Great way to try the pricier Spas without getting too disappointed and a dent in your bank account. 

I think Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery participates (I mentioned in my previous posts and video).  They have participated in the past but we will find out on Monday!   I highly recommend the Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion.  This normally costs $150. 

In Las Vegas, my friends and I were lucky enough to try the new Aria Spa.  Big spas in Las Vegas normally do not participate, but they did last year, because they weren't opened for very long and I think they wanted to get their name out there.  Out of all the spas I've been to in my life, this is my favorite place!  They have infiniti pool style jacuzzi (co-ed) overlooking the outdoor pools of Aria Hotel.  It's like a private pool.  Plus, the water is at comfy 90 degrees, so you can even visit during the cold winter months. :) 

And unlike other Spas, Aria Spa has many many co-ed areas.  So if you are just going with your significant others, there are many rooms you can enjoy together.  Even if you don't want to try any of their services, I highly recommend you paying the entrance fee (I think it's either $25 or $30) to use the facility.  It's heavenly. 

 

From my experience, these two places are worth mentioning. 

I'll probably go back to Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery MediSpa to visit Pearl or try a new spa!  Can't wait to tell you guys all about it!

Mark your calendars!!!  Go Pamper Yourselves!  You Deserve it! Cuz I said you do! hahaha

Random Ramblings...

First of all, I really didn't realize it takes a lot of prep to just one post...  I give props to all the great bloggers out there!  Seriously, you have to make sure you have pictures, links, and research all done before you can post.  Goodness... so that was my excuse for not blogging as often as I should... well that and I've been quite busy lately!

Anyhow.... on to my random ramblings for today.  There's been so many things I've been wanting to write about... but haven't had the time, so I've decided to do a mixed post about little posts that I can get out of the way so I can work on my big posts later. :)
Here we go....

1. I just want to say, my skin's been feeling muchO FABULOSO lately!!! Like this morning, I felt my face after washing it, and it felt sooooooo awesome! So soft! and I can feel my skin is breathing and so ALIVE and Radiant!!!! I may sound crazy to you, but that's how my skin and I truly felt.  And my skin has not felt like that in a REALLY REALLY LONG LONG LONG ASSS TIME!  Especially after left side of my face was breaking out non stop leaving bumpy red scars for over a month now....

So got me thinking.... why is this happening? I haven't really been doing anything different lately... then I remembered I have added two different steps to my skin regimen.

Remember I've been using Philosophy Turbo C Booster Powder?  And my mom got me this mask/cleanser/exfoliator from Korea called Oseque Oxygen Mask (It was stashed away, and I found it recently cleaning, so decided to use it... why not....)
You already know about the Turbo C Booster Powder.
So let me talk about the Oseque Oxygen Mask.

It's in a gel form.  You use it to remove make up by putting 5-6 pumps of these goodies on your DRY face and letting it sit till the foam starts to form (it forms automatically) then you start to feel tingly feeling on your face.  It tickled at first and funny, but this step supposedly is supplying oxygen to my pores.  It really did feel that way!  Then you massage your face and wash it off.  Then voila... 3 in one!
I wasn't sure if it was really working, but I'm starting to think this is what is making me feel FANTASTIC!  Also... I think the Turbo C Booster Powder has really helped in lightening my pimple scars.  The scar has almost all diminished.... But maybe it's also mixture of both of those new products!  I don't care... I'm in HEAVEN!!!  My make up felt and looked really good cuz of it! ^_^

2. My current obsession... The Body Shop Pink GrapeFruit Body Butter  ($6 for mini size)

This smells heavenly! I love it! And it's Body Butter- it's great for really dry skin!  It melts right into your skin.  But forget all that, the scent alone is AWESOME!  I'd recommend the mini size cuz it's only $6 (or 2 for $10) and they last forever and tend to change scents, if you don't use it up. And easy to carry in your bags.  The big one is a tub size! Might be too big.


(Do you like my nails?) ^__^

3. Spring Colors...

It's been really cold here in So. Cal but I feel like March is supposed to be spring!  So I've been adding coral, pinkish items to my usually dark wardrobes.  Usually scarf does the job.

In addition, I've painted my OWN nails as you can see above.  Let me just tell you, I know how to do my own makeup and hair... but one thing I can't do is paint my nails!!! So for me to do this at home, I was desperate!  I had no time to stop by my nail lady... so was forced to do it on my own before heading to my long time friend's bachelorette party.

I took off my old nail color, cut my nails, filed it, then washed my hand with moisturizing soap and scraped off the nastiness on my nails with my nails.  This makes the new coat of nails much fresher without adding all the bumpiness to your new set of nail color. Then base, color, second coat, top coat. 
TIP: Make sure you start from outside in.  This means, start with pinky and work towards your thumb.  This is so you don't mess up your other nails that you've done.  Try it and you'll know what I mean.

I picked two colors and mixed it together to get the peachy coral color.  I first tried mixing it on my napkin to see what it might look like.  It obviously dries a lot faster on paper than your nails, so it's much faster to see the results if you are mixing.

I used The Face Shop Pink Color and old orangy glitter color from Beauty Credit (they used to have on in the States at Beverly Center... but not anymore)

After my base coat, and two coats of pink, then two light coats of the orange glitter, I wanted to add a little more BAM to my nails, so I added jewels to both of my ring fingers. 

For sticker type jewels for your nails, you can use your tweezers and gently place them where you want it, then tap on the jewels, to make sure it's on there.  You want to do this step while your nails are not completely dried, so it adhere better.  If you are using the individual jewels (like you see at your nail place) use a dab of clear coat on a tooth pick to pick up the jewel and place it where you need it.  Then make sure you put a clear top coat!

So there's my spring nail color! Not too shabby! ^__^

I could have sworn I had more to write... but can't remember now... I promise I'll write more useful stuff more often! :)

My TV Debut....

I posted about my visit to Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery on my last post. And remember they were shooting a beauty segment? hahaha  Well, this segment was aired in Chinese Television Network in the U.S. and also all around world with Chinese Television Network... hahaha Not that you can recognize me in the segment anyways.  But whatever the case, if you wanna see what the facials are like, and see my first TV debut, you can see it here.  The video is about 7 minutes long.  And I show up sparingly.  I think it starts at 2 minute and then again around 5 minutes into the video. 

Enjoy! kekeke

Facial Modeling at BHPS