Upcoming Sephora VIB Sale

Sephora is having a VIB 15% off sale this weekend starting Thurs.  There are a few items I have been holding out for in anticipation for this sale:

1. Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

As much as I love the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil (the pink version for combo skin), I don't like that it's primarily composed of mineral oil.  The Josie Maran cleansing oil looks like it doesn't contain mineral oil, rather it is made up of argan, grape seed, and grapefruit oils.  I have heard some great reviews about this brand, but I haven't had a chance to try any of the products because I am scared to use oils on my skin (other than an oil-cleanser because I do a double cleanse with something that will take off excess oil).  I don't look for products that are oil-free, but the thought of using an oil deliberately on my skin makes me think of the potential break-outs that might happen.  I am looking forward to using this cleanser.

2. REN  Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum

In a magazine article that was published a few months (I feel it might have been Allure, honestly can't remember), the article talked about the different signs of ageing that appear based on a person's ethnicity.  The article indicated that Asian skin doesn't tend to wrinkle, rather it loses elasticity and volume.  Since I am approaching my mid to late twenties soon, I am starting to use more anti-aging skin care products that are targeted towards my preventative needs.  Based on my research, I have been looking for products that stimulate collagen growth.  I've been researching serums that also contain Vitamin C, which helps with brightening the skin and treating dark spots.  This REN serum also contains peptides, which boosts collagen production, so this seems like the perfect serum for me right now. 

This year I plan to test alot of anti-oxidant serums and vitamin C serums, so I will keep posting my thoughts on good finds. 

3. Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

My number one mascara of all time is the L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara, but lately I feel like it's been smudging under my eyes alot more, and it's given me a reason to try other mascaras out there.  The brush on the YSL Faux Cils is very similar to the L'Oreal Voluminous, which is very dense and seems like it would cover alot of lash surface area.  I've tried the Radical Noir version of the YSL Faux Cils, which is a super super black version, but this one did smudge quite a bit.  Based on some research (mostly reading other reviews), the regular black version of this mascara doesn't have this problem.

4. Dior Addict Lipstick

So many of the beauty blogs have put up reviews for the relaunch of the Dior Lipstick, but I have yet to purchase any, simply because I am overwhelmed by the selection of colors (somewhere around 56 shades).  To make it even more difficult, the colors of the plastic testers are not good indicators of the actual color, so I spent quite some time at Sephora trying to determine which shade was which name, remembering which ones I liked based on the name or number, so I gave up.  But I did find one color that I really like, Paris.  It's a bright cool pink, very pretty for spring.  I'll probably also pick up a nude as well (I would love to hear if anyone has any suggestions!). 

For VIB members, the code for the 15% off, valid April 14 - 21 is "CHICWEEK".  If you attend the opening party (Thurs from 6pm-9pm) the invitation indicates there will be a goody bag!

Life with Eczema

I never knew what eczema was until a year ago. What I thought was normal itchy winter skin quickly turned into  raw red angry itchy eczema skin. After the diagnosis, I became a tad depressed. Every time I looked in the mirror my body was red and dry and itchy. I have never been so uncomfortable and depressed at the same time. Knowing there is no cure for eczema, I turned my depression to anger. I told myself "I will not let this depress me or ruin my day. I will treat it somehow!"

So that started my quest of buying every product in the market that was sold as a miracle cure or snake oil. According to my dermatologist, my eczema is a tad harder to treat due to the severity/non-severity of it. This means the light steroid medication does not work on me and the sever steroid creams are too strong. After much research, I realized I could not depend on medication along. As anyone can tell you steroids are never good to use for an extended period of time. One of the side effects is that it will thin out your skin. There was a point when I would bend my back and my entire back felt like there were thousands of paper cuts.

After spending hundreds of dollars on these products, I have finally been able to figure out a regimen that worked for me. I still have occasional breakouts and when that happens I use the steroid cream (only on affected spots).

In the mornings I take a quick shower in luke warm water for 30 seconds. No soap. Just want to hydrate the skin.


While still wet, I apply medication as needed. Then, with damp skin, I apply Cutemol. My dermo suggested I use this because my skin was so dry and flaky that NOTHING helped. I mean even if you poor pure oil on me and I have tried, I would become dry again in 1 hour. Cutemol traps moisture on your skin and prevents skin from getting dry. It's a very pasty texture so your body needs to be moist in order to spread it easily. Make sure to spread lotion in one direction or risk rubbing lots of extra skin off.

At night I take a quick shower (no shower should last longer than 15 minutes and I have super long and thick hair) for 15 minutes.

I have used everything from Aveeno (every version, even for babies) to Dove. This is the only body wash that worked for me. It doesn't smell that great but I was never one for fragrance soaps. With this body wash, my skin actually did not become super dry or itchy 2 minutes out of the shower. 

Apply medication as needed. 

After trying olive oil, jojoba oil, vitamin e oil, calendula oil, lavender oil and etc, this is the most moisturizing oil out on the market. I use this on damp skin. This has a light nutty smell but not offensive in anyway. 

After the argan oil, I spread this shea butter on my body. Again, lightly nutty scent. This comes in a grainy texture so it's best to rub it in the palms of your hands and spread it on your body while your skin is still damp from argan oil. 

Depending on the weather (winter vs summer), I might end up putting Aquaphor on my skin right before bed. All the creams in the world won't matter if there is no barrier between the moisture and the dry air. Aquaphor seals in the moisture on your skin. It is the most greasy thing I have ever used but it works. I usually use it at night since it takes awhile for it to skin into your skin and dry. Trying to put on skinny jeans with aquaphor on your legs can be the most annoying and exhausting thing EVER. 

I hope this post helps some eczema sufferer out there! 

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 35

Last month I started using the Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream.  I discovered it randomly when I was at the Shiseido counter at Saks to ask about men's face cream with SPF (btw did you know Shiseido launched men's products?).  They didn't have anything for men with sun protection, but the SA told me about this new sunscreen.  It's supposed to be the city version of the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream (the blue one, which comes in SPF 55 and SPF 38).  At the counter, I tested a few drops of the Urban sunscreen and the Ultimate sunscreen, and the SA pointed out that the Urban version is supposedly lighter and that you don't need an oil cleanser to remove it either.

The packaging is identifical in size and shape as the Ultimate version, just different coloring.  While I thought it was less creamy and more smooth as I tested it out on the back of my hand at the counter, in applying it to my face it was almost the same consistency as the Ultimate.  I don't really think it's too different than the Ultimate, except that its a tad smoother and requires slightly less effort to rub into the skin.  (However, I think less tugging on the skin is probably better in the long-run, as the skin sags with age.)  In fact, I actually think that the Urban version is slightly more greasy than the Ultimate version. 

I think I will continue to purchase the Ultimate sunscreen when I run out of this one.  While I like the Urban, the Ultimate gives me a better finish.  Both apply great under makeup, make a good base (especially if you like the slightly dewey look), and offers a good amount of sun protection. It's probably worth getting a sample of both to see which one suits your skin better.  Somehow the original version just works better for me.

L'Oreal Sublime Mousse Hair Dye

Since the start of the recession, I've pretty much been dying my hair on my own, trying all sorts (semi permanent, permanent) and brands of dyes.  My personal favorite is Perfect 10 by Clairol, which I find to be the "healthiest" for my hair, as it does the least amount of damage, in my opinion.  However, anyone who colors their own hair knows how challenging it can be, especially if you have long hair, large quantity of hair, etc. to reach each strand from root to tip, AND the underside of the hair (lol, you know what I mean), in order to get uniform color throughout. 

I've been noticing alot more ads in magazines lately for DIY mousse hair dye kits, and of course I had to try it.  I picked up the L'Oreal Sublime Mousse in Pure Medium Brown (I had black hair) to test out.  What sold me was the speed and accuracy of the product; it's supposed to be really easy to apply, pretty much like shampoo.  This was the fastest application in my experience as a self-dyer, and I probably finished (from the time I opened the box until I started the clock) within 10-15 minutes.  You mix the two liquids together in the larger container, put on the cap, swirl it around (do not shake), squirt a few "test" squirts to get the foam started, and apply.  Once you coat your hair, massage your head to get the dye throughout, and wait 30 minutes before washing it out.  The dye also washed out of my hair within two minutes, which was also amazingly fast. 

While I love how quickly and "accurately" I was able to dye my hair at home, despite the 30 minute wait time, I don't know if I can give an accurate review due to the resulting color.  Since I have been dying my hair a natural black for the last year, a la Kim Kardashian, the color didn't really show up as I had anticipated.  For the record I have naturally dark dark brown hair, and the one inch or so of dark dark brown hair is now just dark brown, while the majority of my then black hair is very dark brown.  I don't necessarily blame this on the dye, since you're supposed to go only up to 2 shades outside of your current hair color, whether its natural or dyed, and I went for something out of the range, so I'm not surprised at my results.  As far as the quality of my hair, I feel that it is slightly drier, also expected, but not really noticeable and it doesn't cling together when my hair is wet. 

I think I will continue to try different mousse dyes, maybe the John Frieda one next. Maybe ill go for a medium brown again next time around, and will do another review in a month or so.  Overall I am very happy with this new technology.

Btw, this is random, but I also think hair dye kits have the BEST and most moisturizing deep conditioning hair treatments ever! I especially like the Perfect 10 hair treatment.

Vince Camuto Malaya

My shoe crush of the moment is the Vince Camuto Malaya Black. I am seriously loving the intricate studs on the back and heel of the shoe. Platforms are my new best friend since it's awesome to fake height. This shoe is currently retailing for $118. Even though that's super reasonable, I just can't bring myself to pay retail...EVER. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Since it's still cold in NYC, I will not be needing this shoe anytime soon. Can't wait for it to go on sale!

After seeing the photo below at The Sartorialist, I couldn't stop thinking about shoes with detailing in the back. Would love the Chanel pair below, but am happy with the Malaya. 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua vs Nars Sheer Glow

Chanel recently launched a new foundation, Vitalumiere Aqua.  It's a sheer coverage foundation that is oil-free and feels very weightless.  I've been using it for about a week now and I am loving this just about as much as I love the Nars Sheer Glow.  I feel that these two foundations are very similar in wear.  Both are great foundations for day, offer sheer coverage that, while do not completely cover my blemish scars, neutralizes them.  Both provide a glowy, fresh, natural look that lasts throughout the work day. 

In some ways I like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua more, in that after setting my makeup with a dusting of powder, the Vitalumiere Aqua immediately looks slightly more natural, whereas the Sheer Glow needs about twenty minutes for the oils in my skin to break through the powder.  Also, the Vitalumiere Aqua offers SPF 15, while the Sheer Glow does not provide any sun protection. The Vitalumiere Aqua may also be slightly better for spring/summer since it's oil-free, especially for those like me who have combination skin.  But, the Sheer Glow advertises that it contain ingredients that improve the quality and texture of skin, while the Vitalumiere Aqua does not mention anything about the effect on the skin. 

The one noticeable difference, and this is slight, is probably the color.  I am using Deauville in the Nars Sheer Glow and Beige Pastel B10 in the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.   Deauville is described as a perfect balance between pink and yellow skin tones, but to me it is a tinge more on the yellow side, while the Beige Pastel is a true beige. 

After considering everything, I really can't decide which one is better, or which one I like more.  But I will say that I'll probably be using the Vitalumiere Aqua more and more as the weather gets warmer. 

Weekend at Barneys

When I went to Barneys a few weeks ago to pick up the foundation pump that I was so excited about, I passed by the Chanel counter, where my girlfriends and I signed up to have our makeup done at a Chanel National Artist event, this past weekend, in conjunction with Barneys' beauty bag event (where you receive a goodie bag with purchase).  At the event, I had my makeup done by Judy, who picked out some really great shades for me, including the Mystic Eyes eyeshadow palette, and a stunning red Rouge Coco, Paris.  I also had some of my makeup done by the featured artist, Roberto Casey, who taught me how to do a red lip without bleeding around the lip line, how to de-emphasize the roundness of my face by contouring with the Soleil de Tan, and who also picked out a new blush for me. 

When I first saw the eye shadow palette I wasn't entirely impressed, but once I tried this on I changed my mind after seeing the effects of the colors on my lids.  Personally my favorite of the four is the silvery gray taupe with gold flecks.  Today I am wearing this as a base, with the lighter bronzey brown color on the outer third of my eye.  I also used the darker chocolately brown color on the crease, and the pink shade above to blend out the edges.  

In Love is a coral with peach and brown tones and gold flecks.  It's a complex color, like many Chanel blushes.  I haven't tried this out yet (Since I've only had it for a day) but I can see myself using this a great deal this summer. 



I saved my favorite piece for last, the Paris Rouge Coco.  Paris is a gorgeous pink red swatched, but looks brick red on the outside.  I received so many complements when I wore this, but what sold me was really the name. This is the type of red I imagine a chic Parisian woman would wear. 

Overall I really enjoyed the makeup event and meeting the artists.  I picked up some great tips and went home with great products that I would never have found, without their help. 

Oh, and I also received this as my gift with purchase: