luxury beauty products totally worth the hype

The worst thing about paying an arm and a leg for a product is if you are not blown away, and you start making excuses to yourself about why the product is worth the hefty price tag.  Unfortunately this happens more often than not.  It's uncommon for the product to actually be bad, but if a lipstick costs 3 times more than other lipsticks you do want it to be magical, no?

However, on a rare occasion, I've taken the plunge (after watching all the hype on youtube or reading reviews online) and found myself absolutely amazed.  Like - where have you been all my life - amazed.  Call it luck or maybe it's simply too much shopping, but this year isn't over yet and I already have THREE AMAZING PRODUCTS WORTH THE HYPE!!!

sephora vib rouge sale (and ulta sale too) - tips and recommendations (april 2016)

Every year I look forward to the two VIB sales at Sephora (one is usually in early April (15% off) and the other one is in November (20% off)) to stock up on makeup, skincare and gifts.  Beauty products rarely go on sale so these events are a great way to save money (if you can control yourself)!  

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I'm a VIB Rouge member which means I get slightly early access to the sale.  Last Friday, I got my notice in the mail that the early access sale is scheduled for April 7-13, which means the sale should open up for other VIB members on the 14th.  Sephora used to do cool in-store events for VIB Rouge members and serve coffee and treats and give extra goodies, but they seemed to have stopped doing that last year (boo).  Regardless, I still got excited when I got my notice in the mail and started "planning".  (Ulta sent out their 20% off sale early last week so I was sort of expecting the Sephora sale to start soon since they are usually about a week or so apart.)

Typically I break down my lists as follows:  

how i keep my t-zone matte (skincare, primers, powders, etc.)

Like most women I know who have either combo-oily or oily skin, I struggled with keeping my T-zone matte while maintaining glowing, luminous cheeks.  After years of experimenting with matte foundations (that tended to look 'flat') and highlighters OR dewy foundations with matte powders and primers, I think I've finally found a combination that works for me, which mainly consists of skincare, primers, powder and blotting papers.

skincare and beauty empties (march 2016)

I really enjoy watching empties videos on youtube and learning about products that other people have used up.  To be honest, I'm often astonished about how much product the beauty youtubers go through, but since it is their job to review product, I suppose it isn't that astonishing.  

As an experiment I attempted to keep my empties for the last 8 months to see what I go through.  In viewing the results, it is obvious skincare is my obsession... but then I remembered that if I feel a makeup or skincare item isn't working for me, I usually give it away to my friends instead of letting it expire or wasting it.  Therefore this is a list of items I used up AND remembered to keep - with mini reviews.   I hope it's helpful!

I tried to group them in categories, so here goes:

restaurant review: veggie paradise - my family's favorite taiwanese vegetarian restaurant

Veggie Paradise is hands down my favorite vegetarian restaurant and it has been for years.  I'm not vegetarian but I do like vegetables, especially when they are well-prepared to bring out its natural flavors rather than boiled into mush or covered in cream.  I especially dislike fake meat - why even bother?

But at Veggie Paradise everything is delicious and there are a ton of varieties and flavors to choose from.  When I dine there, I do not experience any sense of deprivation because of the lack of meat on the menu .. (OK, there is fake meat, but I've always steered clear of those options.)

If you enjoy Chinese (or rather Taiwanese) food and you like vegetables, you won't regret trying this place out.  It's located in the 99 Ranch Market Plaza which means parking is crazy.  But we usually try to get there early - eat lunch, and then shop at 99 Ranch Market for Chinese groceries and snacks.  

Below are some of the dishes we usually order:

Egg omelette with turnips - sounds weird but it's so tasty.

Doesn't look sexy but it's a spicy mix of veggies and bean curd, and is fabulous over rice. 

Fried mushrooms - delicately battered, with a nice spicy kick.

Tofu in black bean sauce - yum!

Sauteed seaweed with basil and chili - super healthy but also tasty.

Tofu stew with sour veggies - probably not for the uninitiated - it's an old-fashioned favorite that my dad really likes, but isn't for everyone.

Stir-fried pea sprouts - simple and wonderful.

 

 

For dessert!  Almond jello with puff pastry - amazing!

Address:  140 W. Valley Blvd. #222 in San Gabriel, CA.

current favorite liquid eyeliners (2016)

Over the last few years I tried all sorts of eyeliners - liquid, pencil and gel - and I've finally settled on what really works for me consistently.  My favorite is the black liquid eyeliner even though I have to admit it took practice to learn how to apply a proper cat eye or puppy eye.  Pencils and gels are actually easier for beginners, but now I really only use pencils (black or brown) to smudge out my lower lash line or (champagne or nude) to brighten up the lower waterline or tear duct area.  And while I like the look and longevity of gel liners, I'm too lazy to use a separate brush to apply them.

So after all this experimentation, what are my current favorite liquid eyeliners?

my favorite skincare 2015

I'm a bit obsessed with taking care of my skin and whenever my friends ask me what I use for my skin, I'm a tad embarrassed about the multitude of products I use.  This year I did manage to streamline my routines (day/night) so I thought I would list out my favorite/most used products.

Now before I get into actual products - in order to properly nurture and protect my skin thoroughly - I know I can't simply rely on slathering products on my face.  I still have to eat well, exercise consistently and drink plenty of water.  Sunblock everyday is a must.  And obviously smoking and/or doing drugs will not help the situation.  When I was younger I was able to get away with eating lots of junk food and drinking lots of alcohol without any effect on my face or body, but age is a bitch and it has finally caught up with me.  With that being said, here are my favorite skincare products of 2015.