grease up that face and wash it off!

OIL CLEANSERS! This is a rather new innovation over in North America, but over in Japan it is everywhere!

these are the ones that I own = (left to right) approx $5, $10, $20 Cdn. 

now for those who don't really know what oil cleansers are. It is like an eye make-up remover for the face! except it doesn't leave this greasy film afterwards! (well the good ones)

use a couple of pumps, be pretty generous and massage on your face and eye area very gently, you will feel the make-up coming off without a lot of aggressive rubbing.

then splash water and the oil cleanser will turn into a milk cleanser

after the water goes clear, your skin will feel supple, refreshed and spotless clean (even deep into your pores)

Now where to buy this in Vancouver??? First comes to mind of course is the SHU UEMURA oil cleansers, available at Holt Renfrew! I know other brands like Estee Lauder, Lancome, bobbi brown, Laura Mercier, Nars..... all have oil cleansers........but I've tried all of em and sorry to say but I think they can't top off SHU's oil cleansers, HANDS DOWN!!!!! (I mean it also depends on skin type...but at least shu has a selection to suit most skin types, whereas other brands only have one type of oil cleanser)

If you are a newb to oil cleansers I really recommend going to the Holts SHU UEMURA counter and get an associate to help ya pick out one that is perfect for your skin! good luck and lemme know the results!!!

STAY! not Fade AWAY~!

a very frequent question I was asked throughout my make-up counter career was this:

HOW CAN I KEEP MY MAKE-UP STAYING ON LONGER?

the answer? just prime'n spray, with urban decay!!! (wow it rhymes!)

to prime the eyes:

this product is great for oily eye-lids and lets face it, eye-shadow creasing on the eye-lids look pretty nasty.......with this product, I can go from work to dinner and clubbing without touching up my eye area! dead serious! 

how to use? 

just smooth it over the eye-lids up to your brow bone and just on the corners of your eyes, or anywhere you put eye shadow!! It prevents smudges too!

and finish with this spray:

this is the miracle worker: it keeps your make-up lasting on FOREVER!~!! amazing stuff! It does this thing where your skin looks amazing... especially when you take pictures, it looks like you've been photoshoped!

here is proof! there is no photoshop done! if I may say so, I'd say my skin looks pretty darn good!

Urban Decay is definitely a brand that doesn't get enough attention, not because they are bad products but I believe that their packaging and how they market themselves really limits their clientele. The whole potion idea and odd names of their products makes them sound gimmicky! ANYWAY putting that aside, I have used many MANY eye primers because it is a pet peeve of mine to see eye-shadow creasing......and urban decay is down right the best one.

PLUS the majority of make-up lesson video's on YOUTUBE use urban decay eye primer as their number one choice. SO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!

It is only $22 cdn at sephora! 

MUST TRY!!!!!

the LOCK to a girl's heart!

on the note of cleaning and making things look new, I have another great tip for you all!
this may be a bit more handy then the previous post. If you own a Louis Vuitton BAG that has theiR signature LOCK, you would know that the brass starts to tarnish....TARNISH PRETTY BAD! and it looks super UGGOOO!!
I took a before and after picture so that it is more convincing then my last post (I'm learning everyday!) so here is my lock from my speedy.....it is approx. 3 years old....and I take pretty good care of my bags....but as you can see, it looks pretty bad.

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

so SHINY you can even see the reflection of my iphone cover!!! (hello kitty)

WHAT IS THE SECRET?

TOOTHPASTE AND A BIT OF WATER!

take a cotton pad or a paper towel, wet it and add a bit of tooth paste so it bubbles.

Then wipe away!

TRY IT!!!

Peanut butter and Christian Louboutin SHOES?????

There are some shoes in my shoe closet that I take extra care of....the reason being.......I AM IN LOVE! or THEY WERE SIMPLY DAMN EXPENSIVE ! and I'm pretty OCD about my shoes and how I organize them. I keep them in their original box and even put a mini picture on the front. This makes it easier for me to match  my shoes to my outfit!!!

I was cleaning up my shoe closet when I realized that many of my shoes need repair or a good polish. I am actually a big advocate of purchasing SHOE CARE!!!! many shoe sales associate's try to sell you the appropriate shoe care along with your purchase in a gimmicky kind of way but people, pay ATTENTION because THEY ARE TELLING THE TRUTH! Shoe care REALLY does PROLONG the life expectancy of your shoes! 

So I have purchased and used many over the years, for practically every type of shoe material; leather, cloth, suede, nu-buck.........you name it, I have it all! And they work!!!

So today I thought I'd share some products that restores your leather shoes all for about $8 to make it look NEW AGAIN! works super well EVEN ON A PAIR OF LEATHER CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN'S. 

this is recommended for high quality leather shoes where the color of the leather isn't just sitting on the surface (or else color might rub off and please do not use on patent leather)

THE OUTER SURFACE WITH:

this product is super easy to use, it dries quick and the oil distributes evenly to give you the best shine!

You can purchase this at walmart in the shoe section.

THE LEATHER SOLE WITH:

Now, I know you are thinking WTF, and why would you need this for the sole of your shoes? 

WELL this may be a bit circumstantial.

BUT, I find that from the back when you walk, IF the heel of your shoes along with the curvature arch of the heel is clean and shiny it is SEXY and REALLY makes it look NEW!

OCD much? but ELEGANCE is all in the DETAILS MY FRIENDS!!!!

IT IS FOR:

1. Removing the sticky guck from the bottom of your shoes from sale price tags! (SO UNFLATTERING)
2. AND TO MAKE THE RED SOLE OF YOUR CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN's SHINE!!!!

THE PROCESS:

1. First you take a slab of peanut butter (creamy is best but crunchy works too) thin even layer
2. Then leave it on for a few minutes
3. Lastly take a paper towel and remove it in a circular motion.

I KID YOU NOT, IT REMOVES THE GUCK OFF AND MAKES IT SHINE!!!!  

try it, I just finished doing that on my LOUBOUTIN's! 

tell me how it goes!

just when the guilt set in from too much chocolate......

Today I was shopping for groceries at Walmart and browsed around the whole store...plus I just think every place has potential for inspiration, as I trotted along the undergarment area I came across some body shapers.
Then the image of my dress for my friends engagement party came to mind... and a body shaper was a must.......
It was only Walmart and the variety of these body shapers was crazy!! SOOO MANY! I know I know, I should go to an actual lingerie boutique, but I thought this would be a good trial one, I mean who can say no to $16 rite?
So I got the one that best suited my needs, tuck in the tummie and the muffin top! So here it is girlies!

the result?AMAZING! 

not very flattering huh? but BOY DO THEY WORK!

until that day when I magically lose 10lbs, these will do!

next post will be me wearing them, so stay tuned!

do you know any other great body shapers?

butter soft hair.....mmMMmm

Since I got my hair bleached and dyed, my hair has been DRY AS HAY!! And treatments only last for so long....but I say no more, cause my hair has been
RESCUED BY THIS

this product, is AMAZING!

I first used it when I saw my younger sister using it, (she's like abnormally crazie when it comes to her hair)....anyway I used about a dime size amount on semi-wet hair, try to only massage it on the ends of your hair and after simply blow dry! You can tell instantly the difference in the texture and shine of your hair!!! I have thick brassy hair to begin with so having smooth buttery hair like this is unreal! 

YOU MUST TRY, it beats Fredric Fekkai, Bumble by Bumble, Orbie, Kerastase and any other brand you can think of. Now walk over to your local salon and BUY IT! I swear you won`t be disappointed

hi floral, meet argyle~!

today is lazy easter monday! so here is a casual outfit that is super comfy: wearing an oversized cardi like a dress with argyle print nylons, army green knee high sox and POW put on some pumps and we got ourselves a cute outfit to do a quick errand or two.

everyone MUST TRY this SOX WITH PUMPS/HEELS/WEDGES look this SPRING/SUMMER 

hi floral, meet argyle ~ :)

floral tank: talula / cardi and sox: H&M / nylons: Jacob / floral scarf: F21 japan / shoes: Aldo

what is ur chic-comfy wear? 

"a witty woman is a treasure; a witty beauty is a power" ~ George Meredith 

hair change = make-up change!!!

drastic change? bring it!! 

have you had those moments when you just feel like a CHANGE? change in look or change in SOMETHING? 

well I did, and I wanted a brand new look! I always had long dyed brown hair...but last year I decided to dye it back to....BLACK, my hair color at birth. It was to mark the start of taking life more seriously, whether that be my goals, or my ambitions......but.........

WHAT WAS I THINKING!

 so what did I do?

CHOPPED it and COLORED IT!!!!!

jacket: talula / top: club monaco / cardi: silence and noise  / jeans: american eagle / hat: urban outfitters / jewelry and shoes: aldo / purse: vintage

oh ya and new hair color MEANS NEW MAKE-UP 

DROOOOLLLLL

so here are my new colors, WARM TONES, with that olive color that I'm obsessed with rite now.....

as you can see above....

I love creating your own pallet <3 I bet a lot of you already know this, but for those who don't, at MAC make-up you can pick out your own colors for an eyeshadow pallet!!! You can buy shadows in a disc format and all you do is pop it in the pallet (you buy the pallet only 7 dollars and the eyeshadow discs are cheaper than the single packaged ones...trust me it's a better deal) YOU CAN ALSO keep on changing the color pallet, great for seasonal changes...less clutter on ur make-up table AND great for travelling! so next time you go to MAC, I say do this instead!!!

"if you don't create change, change will create you" ~ anonymous 

what has your recent crazy change been? do tell :)

HEY, I'm not cheap!! just SMART :)

I was walking along the mall, and I came across this beautiful leaf necklace...I have always wanted a leaf necklace, but one that looks classy and elegant a.k.a expensive looking.....without breaking the bank and I FINALLY found one but while I was finishing up this transaction it got me thinking...what makes a cheap necklace, pull off that expensive look?  to hunt that question down I first went to the fav. place in my room, my jewelry box!

now to start with my new leaf necklace ( it is fairly long)

and might I say, VERY VERY PRETTY !

what you should watch out for when buying cheap fashion jewelry!

CLASPS AND TAGS

however small it maybe big name brand jewelry designers make SURE they have stamped their logo on their piece of jewelry, usually with TAGS.... so we already have this image in our head that if a tag is dangling off of it, it must be some trendy brand, when it actually is from ALDO in my case.....

and as for CLASPS, there are some generic clasps out there but if the clasp is unique then your jewelry is unique too!

DELICATE or go GAUDY

when you have very delicate looking chains, with small delicate pendents on the end OR go crazy and get something chunky, extreme and gaudy pieces....

here are some delicate pieces:

*** also the uniqueness of the rice shaped beads or chains mimics expensive jewelry***

here's an outspoken, gaudy piece that make an outfit rockin:

METAL FINISHING

this one I think is the most important, because what ultimately distinguishes cheap jewelry from expensive is the material being used. If you are at F21 or H&M which one should you pick out? what should you watch out for? answer is to focus on the finishings of the metal!  the ones with brush strokes that makes it have an aged, vintage look 

also hammered metals that produces a wavy texture!  It is so hard to beat the shine of diamonds or real gold, so instead try to find muted, matte golds and silvers, they are JUST as elegant and pretty!

****all the jewelry pictures were a mixture of my tiffany's to, holt renfrew, to blue ruby to boutique brands and  F21****

but the question is, can you tell?? <3

"only great minds can afford a simple style" ~ Stendhal

behind the lashes!

I'd say long, full lashes are pretty important.

On a daily basis I spend the most time on perfecting my lashes because that is what makes my eyes pop. I bet the invention of faux lashes transformed the life of many girls! It does amazing things to the eye and face!
BUT now the problem is, there are WAY TOO MANY brands and WAY TOO MANY kind of lashes out there!!!! with the prices ranging from $1 to $150 and in various colors it is hard to figure out which one to purchase! We can't try them at the store, nor return them so we have to take the risk and hope to god they look good on you! So I thought since I have applied and bought so many types/kinds of lashes through out my time as a make-up artist, why not tell you some of the observations I have made!

and at the very end, I used a pair of lashes to create a look.....uhhh I don't know if this was my best work. but hey it was fun doing it!

Here is a variety of different lashes, I got most of them in Japan, but I think you can purchase similar ones at daiso/shoppers/london drugs/holts. 

1. These lashes have more lash concentration at the center of the eye. Therefore it is great for people who have flat, slit-like eyes that want to make it look more round.
   
2. These ones have more chunky lashes at the outer corners so this will be great for people who want to elongate their eyes with a bit more funk!
   
3. This is a basic criss-cross lashes that you can get from shu umemura (the luxe) and this gives ultimate volume. Looks great on EVERYBODY, so you can't go wrong with this one.
   
4. Again this one has more lash density at the outer corners, hence your eyes will open up and make it look more elongated. The outer corners of your eyes will have more volume. Similar to 2. but this one doesn't have the chunky ends, instead it layers the criss-cross lashes to acheive the lash density(volume).
   
5. This would be the mimic of natural lash; this is great for deeper set eyes to add a bit of volume.
   
6. These guys are my favorite, this one looks great for Asian eyes, it has gaps in between so it makes your eyes open up  with lashes similar to dolls! put on some bottom lashes and you got yourself some doll eyes!
   
7. This the same criss-cross lashes that will look the most natural, no one believes me when I say that, but you will be surprised. The criss-cross gives the most volume at the lash line without it looking fake. This particular one has more space in between the criss-cross so it will have the most natural of looks. Great for weddings and when you don't wear lots of eye shadow!

Hope those pointers will help you pick out the perfect pair of lashes!!! Let me know what is your fav pair of lashes!

Now here is a fun look I saw on a Japanese magazine and always wanted to try. I bought this eye tape that makes your double eyelids more defined, cool huh?

here is the lashes I used:

the tape I was talking about:

how the tape looks on the eyes open:

how the tape looks on the eyes closed: (looks so natural, it is unbelievable)

 starting the make-up: we are doing the slanted puppy dog eyes!

hence the lashes and liner going downwards:

now to make an illusion that the eyes are bigger by putting skin colored liner on the bottom water line and drawing a fake bottom lash line in black: (looks funny)

NOW TO ADD THE LASHES, TOP AND BOTTOM:

and the end result? since my eyes look bottom heavy, it makes me look very kind of sad! haha!

all for fun guys, I would never walk the streets of Vancouver in this, but in Japan many girls rock this look! and they do a WAY WAY better job than me. This look needs practice, time and patience!!!

"the only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in" 

~ Paris Hilton

Devil wears PRADA.............IN PINK!

I got my inspiration from the movie "devil wears Prada".
 I swear after that movie, when the word Prada was mentioned you'd think of a sexy but devilish image (well the poster) and so I'm gonna defy that by an opposite image with softer colors and small detailing to make you look more angelic? K, that definitely was not the word to explain it, k maybe cute would be a better choice of words.
ANYWHO since PINK in all shades are classic spring colors, that steered my look into this direction.

love at first sight, my Prada

the color is a bit washed out, it is actually more of a creamy pink, hence the picture in the corner!

DETAIL in an outfit is what makes an outfit truly ORIGINAL

numero one: the PINK BOW in my hair! (F21 Japan)

numero two: my CUPCAKE necklace! (Betsy Johnson)

Accessories you can go crazy with and get away with it!
From the small details, a.k.a bow hair clip, cupcake necklace and floral tank the outfit isn't just a CUTE outfit but  cute-CHIC and with the Prada shoes, cute-chic-ELEGANT<3

cardi: silence and noise from Urban Outfitters / tank: talula 

numero three: LIP COLOR

Hey  make-up is an accessory too! so with this outfit here's some PINKs that goes! light for day and brighter for night!
I have super small, thin and pale lips so it is hard for me to pull off bright colors, even when I have simple eye make-up, hence my brightest pink ain't really that bright. Also I know there are many many MANY pinks out there so I say go explore, but heres what looks good on me!!(I put two sets of lighting)

Indoor lighting:

Outdoor lighting:

 and here are the lipstick/gloss brands:

bright ----- light

Lacome color fever #312 lipstick with Candy doll gloss(japan)

Lavshuca lipstick(japan) with Shu Uemura PK 33S gloss

Dior Addict High Shine #260 with Bourjois Max. 3D shine #62 gloss

YSL Rouge Volupte  #2 lipstick with Chantecaille Mirth gloss

When I wear lipstick, I hafta finish off with a lip gloss, its like the cherry on top, it just doesn't look the same without it!

TIP: if you want the TRUE color of the lipstick, get some concealer to take down your original lip color! I use a "lip concealer" but regular foundation or concealer will do!

I would love to hear what kinda detailing you do to your outfit!!!

"ideas are the beginning point of all fortunes" ~ Napoleon Hill