only a few hours left!

Origins (thru 11/30): $10 off $25 order w/ code: TenOff09
NARS Cosmetics (ends ?): 22% off your purchase of $60 or more w/ code 0011290CP
Shu Uemura 11/27 to 12/1: 20% off purchases of $50+ plus free shipping w/ code: WISH09

source: temptalia.com

quickie update! cyber monday @ tarte

40% off, complimentary gift + free shipping at TarteCosmetics.com

use code: CYBERMON9

new skincare!

for the past couple of months, i've been looking for a new moisturizer/night cream to replace my old one (creme de la mer). don't get me wrong, i really like la mer but it's just so expensive! $230 for a 2oz pot!

when looking for a moisturizer, or any skincare product, you should first ask yourself what your skin needs the most. for me, my problem is hydration. i have combination skin (oily in the T-zone, dry in other areas) so it does have oil, but w/o makeup, my skin looks dull and lackluster -- this is due to dehydration. one of the best things you can do for this is to drink more water, but quite honestly, i don't like drinking loads of water because i hate having to go pee so often. that's why i need to seek help from some good topicals. ^__^

a friend of mine - who is actually younger than i am - recommended that i check out estée lauder. (yes, the brand your mama uses. but know this: they own more than half of the cosmetic companies you see @ the department stores.) from estée lauder's line of moisturizers/creams, i tried Hydra Bright, Daywear Plus, and Time Zone and decided on:

Hydra Bright


i liked Hydra Bright because it really sunk into my skin and made it feel well-hydrated and supple. my skin didn't feel like it had something sitting on top of it. unfortunately, by the time i made my decision to get this moisturizer, it went off the shelves to be "reformulated." grrrrr-eat. i guess i'll wait until it comes out again (in JANUARY!) and test it again.

another line i'm testing (and i did get to purchase!) is derma-e. for now, i'm only testing the moisturizer and the face wash.


why all the fuss w/ DMAE, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and C-ester? well ladies, we're not getting any younger! and even though we may not look old, we should do our best to preserve what we have now.

dimethylaminoethanol or DMAE has been found in clinical studies to tighten skin and to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, dark under-eye circles, and nasolabial folds (the "smile line" some ppl get). in addition, the results of this anti-aging agent has been noted to last even after you stop using it (so you know it's not just a quick, superficial pick-me-up). don't believe me? read here.

how about alpha lipoic acid? ALA is a powerful natural antioxidant found in plants and animals. when taken orally, it offers many benefits to your body (i.e., regulating cholesterol, blood sugar, liver function). for your skin, it helps to prevent and minimize wrinkles. maybe i'll start taking the oral pills in the future, but for now, i'll use the topical version.

C-ester (ascorbyl palmitate) - everyone knows that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, but vitamin c-ester is thought to be better by some skincare professionals because it is more soluble. per dr. weil (from the Origin's line), vitamin c -ester helps to "reduce the redness and inflammation of sunburn and thus protect against sun-related skin aging." and we all know (or should know) that sun-related skin aging is the most powerful and damaging kind!
ok, i'll update again when i've tested the goodz.

ciao!

mila's minishoot

had a mini shoot w/ mila last month. she did goooood. hehe

mila sez hi

just bought this bow today!

belated visit to hello kitty

FINALLY made my way over to the hello kitty exhibit @ Royal-T in LA. didn't snap any pics because i was lazy (hehe), but i did pick up a couple of goodies:


cute hello kitty tokidoki handbag. matches the wallet that mike got me from japan. =)


hello kitty & the humane society!
i love, love, love long fitted tees. this one was even more special - for every shirt they sell, $5 will be donated to the humane society.

happy november!

wow, can't believe it's november already!!

i haven't updated in a while but here are a few things i've been up to:
- moved to a new house! goodbye diamond bar, hello brea!
- took a trip to singapore
- got eyelash extensions but hated it!! took it all off AND half my own lashes too. time for more lash serum... =(

i also bought a couple new products to test:

dea bella eyelash conditioner (growth serum)

i haven't opened it yet but i heard it works better than revitalash. i tried calling the dea bella customer service line to find out what the active ingredient was but the lady who i spoke to didn't seem to know. (she just said "peptide" -- uhh, what type of peptide?! she couldn't give me details.) either way, word got around to me that it works well (and it's not as expensive as latisse) so i'm gonna give it a try. =D
**edit added: ok, i just tried it last night and it burned a little! i'm going to tough it out and keep using it as long as i don't experience any other side effects.**

mac dsquared sculpt & shape duo in accentuate & sculpt

i absolutely LOVE this contour compact. the accentuate/sculpt combo is great for medium/light olive skin. the darker color (sculpt) works great to contour the areas you want to shape in a nice natural shade. no reddish undertones! i like to use it on the distal edges of my cheekbones to make them look smaller (i hate my cheekbones!). the highlight color (accentuate) is very soft -- not too light. i like it because it gives you a nice, natural glow. the best part about this duo is that you get two contour colors for $21. can't beat that! the only thing i don't like is that there is no separation between the colors in the compact, so you have to be a little careful when brushing so you don't get both colors on the brush. i give this contour kit a 4/5.

oh, and something for the doggies!
efa hylyt shampoo

this has got to be THE BEST doggie shampoo ever. hypoallergenic and soap-free. mila's doctor recommended it because of her recent issue w/ dry skin, and let me say, her fur got REALLY REALLY silky after we washed her w/ hylyt. less shedding too, but that could also be due to her recent change in diet. (i'm changing her food from eagle pack holistic select to taste of the wild - pacific stream.) $12 from the vet but you can get it for less online. 5/5! (btw- the scent is coconut-y.)