SKINCARE | Day Cream: With or Without SPF???

I know that many of us rather spend 1 more minute on beauty sleep than spend that on skincare, including myself, so we try to minimize the morning skincare as much as possible. One of the easiest solution is to combine moisturizer and sunscreen together, but I want to say, I do not recommend this combination.

If you have tried moisturizer with SPF, you will know that it has a sunscreen smell, it feels greasy, and it looks oily. Especially when my husband, who never common on my skin, told me that I look so "shining".

Ok... If my husband said that, then something seriously wrong with my routine.

At that time, I didn't realize what it was, then, less than a week, I saw there are small breakouts under my chin, an area where I never get breakouts. So i started to think, what did I do different?

My morning MOISTURIZER. I started to use a morning cream that has SPF 20!

Then I remember my previous experience with similar cream were never really good. No matter what brand it was. 

So if you have similar issue, the solution is beyond easy. Separate moisturizer and sunscreen.

Even though it is a separate step, it is totally worth it.

Currently my routine is:

+ 

I have to be honest, Neutrogena isn't my favorite, because I don't like the smell. Other than that, it is a fairly good moisturizer. However, you do not have to use the exact combination like I do, just remember, keep them separate.

Fall is here, so you don't need SPF 50, 20 would do. Unless you live in places like California, then "unlucky" you, SPF 50 is highly recommended.

There is nothing wrong to change your routine year to year, season to season, find a good one works for you!

JE

BEAUTY | Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro Lip Gloss #402 VS YSL Lip Gloss #10

This lip gloss became very popular as soon as it came out of market. Many many bloggers, youtubers have reviewed this, and I just want to add my thoughts to this.

I would like to compare this color with my Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain in color #10, Rouge Philtre. 💄

 

I compared both side by side, I have to say, it is VERY close.

As YSL promoted, it is a lip stain, therefore, wiping off after sitting on back of my hands for 10 minutes, compare side by side, you can see a significant difference. So if you are looking for a LONG lasting lip product, then YSL is definitely a better option.

However, what YSL is lacking is glossy. GA lip gloss is very glossy, especially after couple layers. But for a light wear, they perform very similar.

Overall, I love how both feel on my lip, texture, opaqueness, and most importantly, it makes my teeth looking much whiter 😄

JE

SKINCARE | Hydrating Mask: Sheet Vs. Bottled－PART 2

Now, let's talk about bottled mask. I mean, I like some of it, but I just don't Love it as much. Maybe because all I am looking for is hydrating, which by the way, it is "almost" the only thing you can expect from a sheet mask, I just don't see a immediate results like sheet mask provides.

For example, my Glamglow hydrating mask in blue bottle. I love the smell, I do, it is really coconutty, it is strong, but not so much that you can't stand it. It applys smooth, and feel good. After I rinse the mask off, I can feel the smoothness on my skin, but that's about it. I don't feel as hydrated as some of my very inexpensive sheet mask like the Hyaluronic Acid mask from Dr. Morita, it is so full with essence, and I can use the leftover all over my neck, décolleté, sometimes my feet. It is super versatile.

Here is my current bottle mask family:

However, there are things sheet mask cannot give you: sleeping mask. 🌙

This goes on the last step of my night time routine. You put it on, you don't have to wash it off until morning. It is great for "lazy" or "busy" people. When you are exhausted, all you want to do is sleep, but your skin is dry, uncomfortable, or it is in need of hydration, do you want to put a sheet mask on and then have to take off after 10-20 minutes?

NO NO NO... Sleep is soooo important and amazing

When this happens, bottled mask is great!! You don't have to worry until you wake up.
However, the key for sleeping mask is: it cannot block your pore.

I know I might get a lot of "hate" from saying this, but Origins' Drink Up overnight mask really didn't do much to me. I feel like it just sit on top of my face all night. My skin doesn't absorb it, it doesn't really hydrates, and I see some break-outs under my chin, which is a place I have never get breakouts. I even give this a 2nd, 3rd, 4th,..... chances, no, it was not great, unfortunately.

What worked for me, is the one from CLINIQUE. Their overnight mask was GREAT! How could I tell? My blackheads. You are like, what?? Blackheads?

Well, yes. I am not sure about you, but right after I wash my face, there is no blackheads anywhere near my nose. I have a perfect nose...hahaha. But after 5minutes, just 5minutes, here it is: BLACKHEADS >><<< So it gets me thinking, why? It was simple answer, hydration. I need hydrating my nose, obviously my nose is super oily, without enough water to balance, oil plugged the pore, and there is blackheads.

I was using CLINIQUE religiously after seen a results. I use this every other night, and after using for a month, my nose condition got better. Even though I also use other products to help to minimize my pore, I have to say this overnight mask did a good job.

I just purchased a overnight mask from Sulwhasoo, I will let you know how I like it. How do you like bottled mask compare to sheet mask?


JE

SKINCARE | Hydrating Mask: Sheet Vs. Bottled－PART 1

Today I want to talk about mask. I used to think mask is such a luxury treatment because in my mind, it is always so expensive and it is made for older people, like, after you turn 40. But I was wrong. I have to say that mask is the most effective skincare product out there. You see the results instantly. And it is made for ALL age group.

When it comes to hydrating mask, you have sheet mask as well as bottle mask. Thank to many Asian cosmetic companies, they have provided many many affordable but amazing sheet masks. I have used countless masks from both Western and Oriental companies, and I have to say, I prefer Asian brands, because I am an Asian. This is not a joke, it is solely because Asian brands are "made" for Asians. Most of us have yellow undertone, compare with Caucasians, our pores are smaller. We want our skin to be bright and natural glow, and more importantly, we like to have whiter skin. Not because we want to be white, simply because boys love it. >>>Crazy? .... I know<<<<

Now, for bottled hydrating mask, I have tried Glamglow, Peter Thomas Roth, CLINIQUE, Origins, Sulwhasoo, Royal Nectar. 

For sheet mask, I have tried Papa Receipe, N.M.F, Innisfree, My Beauty Diary, SNP Animal, Dr. Morita.......  >>>>many<<<< masks.

So what do I think?

I LOVE ❤️  Sheet Mask. Much preferred, and great in terms of value & money.
Here are few I have used & love... >>>I forgot to take pictures before I finished them, I will give you a "family photo" next time I promise!!<<<<

Like I said before, all the sheet mask I use are hydrating mask. If your skin is hydrated, you will not have to worry about breakouts, wrinkles, and many other skin issues. It doesn't bright your blemishes, so that's why we have serum to assist.

MAKEUP | 3 Minute Quick, Natural, Everyday Eye Look ft. Urban Decay

To be honest, I am not a makeup person. I have pretty hooded eye, very oily eyelid, which means nothing stays in one place, and most importantly, I am not great at it. Even though everyone wants clear, beautiful, flawless skin, it is hard. We all have days that we look tired, times we have acne issue, and nights we can't sleep, at the same time, we need to look beautiful. That is when makeup kicks in.

Like I said, I have super oily eyelids, so primer is very important. I haven't tried enough products to find my favorite one, so if you have any suggestions, Please let me know 😊

In this simple, natural makeup look, I only used two eye shadows from Urban Decay Naked Palette 2,  and the makeup brushes came with the palette.

BEAUTY | Giorgio Aramni Rouge D'armani Sheers 405

I have been looking for a hydrating lipstick, but also have some color.
I have the "classic" Asian skin, medium yellow tone. I want a lip color that is suit for everyday wear, hydrating, and easy to remove.

After searching online, and I discovered this one from Giorgio Armani. Of course I bought it when it was 20% off 😄 So it wasn't a total "spurge".

I chose the color 405 because it is a very neutral for my lip color, and here it is the product!!

Swatches on my hand

Natural Lip Color

Try on

I won't say it is long lasting, but it is very hydrating. Even after few times reapply, I didn't feel it dries my lip at all.

I would recommend to people who is looking for a hydrating, natural looking lipstick💄

JE