Archive for 2013

My love affair with Bare Minerals

 I hated my oily skin for so many years. I spent my early teen years hiding behind my hair, and getting teased for my greasy skin. I would often eye other girls' skin enviously.  Long story short, it really made me feel ugly. So when I discovered makeup, I was ecstatic. It was around that time that there was a buzz about mineral makeups. They boasted how it wouldn't clog pores, and about its ability to offer lots of coverage with little product.  After seeing the Bare Minerals infomercial, I was sold. To me it was a god-send. 


Actually the first mineral makeup I used was Urban Decay's, Surreal Skin. It was my first real makeup purchase ever (apart from lip glosses and chapstick), and it worked. It stayed on all day, despite moisture. And my red zits were no match for its light reflecting power. It couldn't hide the bumpy texture of my skin however. I loved mineral makeup so much that I decided to invest in Bare Minerals when I ran out. It was only a bit more expensive at the time, so why not? 

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SoCal style, made in Italy

Brandy Melville. Have you heard about this place? I've seen it near the food courts in my favorite mall for several months, and never had any particular interest. This was mainly because their displays showcased a very girly soft style (i.e. breezy skater dresses, and a muted color palate). I found it peculiar that it didn't register in my mental database as well. So of course I had to go in. You don’t know if you'll like something if you never try it, right?

photo-editing skills level = MS paint
The store has a kind of rustic-cool theme to it. Its build with what looks to be reclaimed wood, and is decorated with worn wooden signs and vintage glass bottles. Their clothing is casual, with an airy beach feeling. They have lots of crop tops, and graphic prints. I was a bit surprised that the clothing they were selling was so light. They didn't have much fall/ winter clothes even though it was so late in the season. They did carry some vintage stuff as well (mostly flannels from what I saw). A lot of their clothing is of one-size-fits all, which had me scratching my head for a minute. The style of clothes has a nice drape, with a flattering slouchy fit.  The store is on the pricey end of the spectrum ($20-$100). This, considering it’s for a younger crowd, seems a bit steep. It’s slightly cheaper than urban outfitters, for about the same quality.   

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Portland Black Lipstick Company

Some swatches from PBL co.
Black lips need not be chalky or waxy,the days of dollar store and halloween black lipstick are in the past now. The fall trend of dark pouty lips is one I can really get behind. I had been doing some research on the subject and couldn't help but be intrigued by http://portlandblacklipstickco.com. They carry a variety of unusual colours from neon-ish green to white. So naturally I had to check it out. To be honest though, I had received my order from portland black lipstick co. some time ago, so this is a little late. Sadly I haven't been able to wear it as often as I'd like, since its not really a subtle look. 

 Some things to note about black and dark lip colours; they make your teeth look yellow , and will shrink small lips. If you want to wear a bold shade, remember to scrub your lips! Nothing looks worse than a flaky lip, powerful colors will draw more attention to it. For now I use my Yes to Blueberries facial scrub, but I'm lusting after LUSH's popcorn lip scrub (yum).
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image property of lush

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Ardene's Haul


So its that time of the season again. Time to move product. So why not help out the local economy and buy something, right? I hit up my local Ardene's and got way more than I should.




I purchased some cute skirts; a pleated dip-bleached jean skirt, and a stretch tribal pattern skirt. The jean skirt is actually a size small. Which kinda surprises me, since their clothing runs a bit small. ( I think its for young tweens, so keep that in mind).

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Freedom from tangles

The Original Tangle Teezer,

Revolutionary hair brush,

$17 @ Sally's


 Tangle Teezer, where have you been all my life? Here’s a little look into my hair troubles; I'm descended from the type of Koreans that have really thick, kinky hair. My grandma even rocked a K-fro. The weird part is that I have the majority of my kinky hair is in the back, whereas my hair in the front is much finer. My hair tangles easily.  Every time the wind blows I have to reach for my pocket brush. Long story short, brushing for me is a chore. I’ve learned it doesn't have to be that way! There is hope for your tangled hair.

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Muzzle rash sucks

WARNING!
Today I talk about gross stuff...



Perioral or periocular dermatitis is a curse. It combines the worst of both acne and eczema. Imagine, if you will, a sea of red inflamed skin dotted with pustules, blanketed in flaky hardened scabs. You should be glad I didn't keep the pictures from “the worst of times”, not pretty. Worst of all is how it makes you feel about yourself. I was quite depressed at one point, refusing to go outside for anything other than work. A person asking “What happened to your face?” was like adding insult to injury. It really hurt my self esteem. I've been struggling with POD for about a year now. Currently I feel as if I’m experiencing the tail end of it. Though, it wasn't too long ago that I was still shedding tears over my condition.

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Fickle In Love

Fickle In Love
507 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON
(let cupid`s arrows fly)
For years now I've been jealously peering into Fickle, just and outside observer. I found myself basking in glow of pink lights and happy faces.  How I longed to have a romantic night out there, with my lover. Endless hints dropped fell upon deaf ears. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and initiate myself. But was it as satisfying as I built it up to be? 

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On knock offs...

(image courtesy of mobground.net)
 Since my teenage years I have been a fan of Vivienne Westwood. Probably because of the manga "NANA" by Ai Yazawa. The manga itself is very touching, a must read, in my opinion. However, I don't think it would have had the same impact on the viewer if the main characters had milder fashion sense. That kind of punk-cool look became the backbone for my sense of style even now. Something about it was so powerful without even trying to be. I knew then, that it was the look for me.

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Grilled Fresh Daily

Grillies
2632 Danforth ave
Toronto, On

Recently, I've been ignoring the local restaurants I frequent, in favor of Grillies. A build-your-own burger and burrito joint. I'm sorry. I've been eating before I knew you guys, you know? Expecting that kind of devotion is a bit unrealistic.

(Thank you for being born!)

The sleek red and black decor sets its self apart from the other restaurants that line Danforth. It boldly professes its mission statement on its wall. "FRESH OFF THE GRILL, ALL DAY EVERYDAY...", and they deliver on that promise. 

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Crying in the rain with Givenchy (a review)


Givenchy
Noir Couture 4-in-1
Mascara
$35.00

Tears happen, that sudden passionate moment when you feel moved. The earth may not shake. The stars say affixed to the sky, but to your perspective is shifted. Those salty peals imbue you with wisdom of yourself and the world around you.

I purchased this mascara at my local Sephora. After receiving rave reviews from several of the shop girls, I understood this was no ordinary mascara. It can be used to fill in thinning hairlines, and will not smudge on puffy lower eyelids. To summarize, it stays put!

I put this to the test the other day. After having a dreadful spat with my boyfriend under an awning, I stormed off in the rain. Half an hour later upon entering the subway, I realized that it still clung to my lashes without falter.

In conclusion:
It works, but it has a longer setting time than normal ( ten minutes). Another thing that kind of concerned me is that one of the shop clerks that suggested it to me had really spider-y lashes that gathered in clumps. Girl, you're better than that. 

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