May Beauty Favorites

June 4, 2019

When summer hits my makeup definitely becomes more minimal than any other season throughout the year. I usually only wear lipstick and mascara with a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Just enough coverage, but still light enough for my skin to breathe. In today’s post, I’m sharing my monthly beauty favorites for the month of May, which include my in-between skincare regimens for the summer which does include some K-Beauty as well as other classic brands. I also have a favorite new prebiotic mask that’s great for anyone that’s a city dweller. And it’s fun because it changes color after applying. Continue reading to see more of my latest faves, such as a red orange lipstick and texture hair spray for beachy waves.

CLINIQUE FRESH PRESSED CLINICAL DAILY BOOSTERS

Turn your moisturizer into a de-aging powerhouse. Clinique 's breakthrough day and night Boosters with Pure Vitamins C 10% and A(Retinol) are freshly activated to deliver prescription-level results against visible wrinkles. Simply mix a few pumps with your favorite Clinique moisturizer—Vitamin C in the morning, and Vitamin A at night. Enjoy a potent de-aging boost without changing the moisturizer you love. Everyday, Vitamin C 10% works on skin's surface to instantly brighten. See remarkably even-toned and retexturized skin with continued use. Everynight, Vitamin A (Retinol) penetrates deeply into skin's surface. Overtime, skin appears revitalized, lines and wrinkles 're-filled,' youthful tone recaptured.

GIVENCHY LE ROUGE LIPSTICK COUTURE EDITION IN NO. 304 MANDARINE BOLERO

Le Rouge defines lips with its intense, pigment-rich color. Its feather-light, non-sticky, velvety texture glides across the lips to deliver a semi-matte finish and long-lasting wear. The case features the “scribble tiger” pattern straight out of Clare Waight Keller’s first Givenchy runway show. Use this limited-edition case on all your Givenchy Le Rouge lipsticks. The shade is a muted red orange, the perfect vibrant bold lip for summer.

GIVENCHY PRISME LIBRE COUTURE EDITION

Unify, set, and perfect with Givenchy’s Prisme Libre. Upon application, imperfections appear diminished, skin looks more even, and makeup is set with a lasting, radiant, matte finish. The cap features the “scribble tiger” pattern straight out of Clare Waight Keller’s first Givenchy runway show. Use this limited-edition cap on all your Givenchy Prisme Libre loose powders.

LUNE + ASTER REALGLOW SKIN TINT IN MEDIUM BEIGE

This light-diffusing Skin Tint covers and perfects with ultra-lightweight, customizable sheer to medium coverage for a naturally radiant look. Your skin, only better! After trying this product, I have given up on foundation as well as BB & CC creams. A tiny bit covers those imperfections and smooths my skin tone without looking like a heavy makeup! You can dab on extra to cover specific spots and it does not look cakey like other tinted moisturizers that I've tried before. It’s the perfect formula for flawless skin, while the ingredients help repair while you wear it:

Hyaluronic acid helps to plump and replenish the skin’s moisture level.

Vegan collagen helps to improve hydration and smooth the skin.
Vitamin E helps to hydrate, repair and protect.
Licorice extract helps to support skin's elasticity, fight inflammation, soothe irritation and reduce redness. Consistent use over time has been known to fade dark spots.
Apple seed extract helps to hydrate, repair and protect skin.

COSRX FIRST CLEANSING MILK GEL

COSRX's Low pH First Cleansing Milk Gel gently removes makeup, dirt and excess oil, without leaving behind a greasy residue. Olive oil and witch hazel are added to this silky formula to alleviate visible pores, oiliness and redness. Maintains skin's pH level, tightens pores, and refreshes skin without stripping the skin. I’ve been using it every other day when I do not do a double-cleanse and it’s a great balancer in between.

COSRX CENTELLA CLEANSING POWDER

Mildly acidic cleansing powder is infused with enzymes to gently exfoliate, and centella extract to soothe sensitive skin. Promotes a healthy-looking complexion with youthful radiance. I use it as an exfoliator once or twice a week, especially if I have had several shoots and am using more makeup than usual. They’re also a great travel companion due to its size.

URBAN DECAY PERVERSION MASCARA

So intense you might need a safe word, Perversion glides on and gets you sexy in one stroke. (Yet it won't quit until you say when.)Like a second skin, Urban Decay's ultra-creamy, lengthening, volumizing mascara coats each lash with triple-black pigments and a deeply nourishing ingredient blend - for bigger, blacker, badder lashes. It's sick how black it is...the purest, deepest, most intense black color imaginable. Perversion has a creamy, full-bodied texture that's not too dry, not too wet. This allows just the right amount of ""pull"" so it glides through lashes. The result: Incredible control for insane lashes. Go ahead and pile on coat after coat. Want to apply more before you go out at night? No problem. Even if it's been all day since you applied, more Perversion always means more beautiful lashes. It NEVER gets brittle or clumpy.

URBAN DECAY PERVERSION WATERPROOF FINE-POINT EYE PEN

If you want to nail an eyeliner look that's perfectly exact, you'll enjoy total control with Urban Decay's Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen, a super-smooth, free-flowing pen that draws crazy-precise, waterproof blacker-than-black lines that last all day.The pen's unique cartridge system allows for a constant flow of ink. Plus, its ultra fine tip glides on smooth without skipping or pulling, providing a smooth, controlled application. Easily create everything from fine lines to bold, thick lines. The waterproof formula lays down long-lasting black lines with ink that dries quickly and won't smudge, run or feather.

PEACE OUT DARK SPOT BRIGHTENING DOTS

Using microneedling technology, these revolutionary treatment dots create micro-channels within the skin that help deliver results in half the time of most treatments. Niacinamide, licorice extract, and tranexamic acid work together to visibly lighten and brighten without causing irritation. All dark spots are different—this product best treats dark spots from post-acne inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Now that I’m older it takes longer for an acne spot to clear up, and these brightening dots are doing the magic trick!

PEACE OUT ACNE HEALING DOTS

Zap that zit! These patent-pending acne-healing dots are the only acne treatment to combine absorbent hydrocolloid technology with active blemish-fighting ingredients. Infused with salicylic acid to kick acne-causing bacteria to the curb, they also contain vitamin A to help support natural skin turnover and aloe vera to soothe redness. Hydrocolloid technology extracts impurities while creating a protective barrier that guards against external irritants. By protecting your blemishes from bacteria, inflammation, and picking, these dots also reduce the potential for acne scarring. Whether you're struggling with hormonal acne, whiteheads, or inflamed pimples, your blemish is less red, less painful, and significantly less irritating in as little as six hours.

SGX NYC ‘THE DO-IT-ALL’ 3-IN-1 DRY TEXTURE SPRAY

Tired hair? Revive flat, 5pm hair with this multi-talented dry texture spray. Designed with dry shampoo to instantly add texture by refreshing and volumizing while hairspray provides brushable hold for that that perfectly undone tousled style. I love to use this dry texture spray all by itself on towel-dried/damp hair. During the summer, I’m not as into styling my hair with a blowdryer, curling iron, straightener, etc; that all do so much damage in the long run. So for those all-naturalé days, it’s my go to for wavy, beachy hair.

ALGENIST ALIVE PREBIOTIC BALANCING MASK

Algenist ALIVE Prebiotic Balancing Mask is a transformative mask that re-balances, detoxifies and leaves skin feeling alive and hydrated while enhancing clarity for an even, radiant look. Formulated with a probiotic, and prebiotic from algae, paired with our patented Alguronic Acid, to target concerns that may result from unbalanced surface skin bacteria. Probiotics and prebiotics are good for you ingredients that help balance skin's natural surface ecosystem. Skin is more resistant to pollution and the appearance of lifestyle aging. I use it every 2-3 days and it’s so fantastic! I love how it changes color, as if its really getting down to business and cleaning my face, ha ha!

LOVE & XX’S,

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February Beauty Favorites

March 5, 2018

BEAUTY FAVORITES: SULWHASOO ESSENTIAL TRAVEL KIT | CLARISONIC MIA 1 SKIN 
CLEANSING SYSTEM | CLARISONIC THE ESSENTIALS SET | ALGENIST GENIUS LIQUID COLLAGEN | 
FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR TINTING MOISTURIZER in MEDIUM | LANEIGE LIP 
SLEEPING MASK | BLISS® LEMON + SAGE SOAPY SUDS BODY WASH | BLISS® LEMON + SAGE BODY
 BUTTER | JIN SOON NEO POP COLLECTION | GIVENCHY EAUDEMOISELLE DE GIVENCHY PERFUME | 
URBAN DECAY COSMETICS DISCO QUEEN HOLOGRAPHIC STICK | URBAN DECAY COSMETICS 
HOLOGRAPHIC POWDER | MOUNT LAI JADE ROLLER

I'm well overdue on last month's beauty favorites! You'll have to excuse the delay. With two weeks of back-to-back fashion weeks in New York and London, travel, and nonstop content creating since coming home, it's been rather the most difficult in terms of time management. I just can't do it all by myself, mind you it's still this way. Nonetheless, here are my top ten favs this past month - trust me it was hard to narrow it down to these! Continue reading to learn more about what's trending in the skin care & makeup world, from neo pop nail polish to a lip sleeping mask, these are all great beauty products you need to have in your hands right away come spring.

1. SULWHASOO ESSENTIAL TRAVEL KIT

When it comes to traveling, I find it best to bring compact sized items in my beauty and makeup products. Which is why this month I've been using Sulwhasoo's Essential line. It was perfect for my five day trip to London for fashion week as it is travel size. There are three items included in the kit. Sulwhasoo's essential water soothes and hydrates, leaving your skin supple. The water containing Matrimony Vine and Purslane provides hydration, leaving your skin with a delicate veil of moisture. The essential emulsion helps improve skin texture, providing rich moisture to leave skin dewy and smooth. Mountain Peony extract helps improve skin texture while Yai Jiu Hua helps elevate skin clarity. It spreads easily over the skin’s surface and absorbs completely, leaving it soft and supple. Lastly the cream seamlessly absorbs into skin for a naturally healthy complexion.
The cream helps fortify aged and loosened look of the skin, completing an overall younger-looking appearance. Formulated after dedicated research of skin resilience, Sulwhasoo developed JISUN Firming Complex™, a special ingredient complex of goji berries, black beans, and arrowroot. The proprietary complex effectively supports a more firm look of the skin. The cream helps skin to retain moisture, and makes its surface appear firm while hydrated. The whole collection together is thorough - my skin never looked fresher while traveling.

2. CLARISONIC MIA 1 SKIN CLEANSING SYSTEM

I've been using this with my regular face cleanser from La Roche Posay with Clarisonic's Mia 1™ features one speed for basic sonic facial cleansing. Oscillation technology distributes 300 micro-massage movements that happen every second to work within skin's natural elasticity to sweep away dirt, oil, and makeup to unclog pores, while fluid forces allow the water on the device to flush pores clean. After only 60 seconds, these patented technologies in the Clarisonic facial brush cleanse skin up to six times better than hands alone. This leaves skin ready for treatment products and prepared for smooth, flawless makeup application. This set contains:- Clarisonic Mia 1 White (with Radiance Brush Head) with a USB enabled charger.

3. CLARISONIC THE ESSENTIALS SET

The 4 brushes included in this set, the Clarisonic Acne Cleansing Brush Head is for sensitive, acne-prone skin and has extra-plush bristles to provide gentle cleansing. The Deep Pore Brush is for all skin types with enlarged pores, the Clarisonic Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head is engineered with graduated dual-action bristles to help flush and dislodge oil and debris that clogs pores. The Radiance Cleansing Brush Head is specifically engineered with extra fine bristles to deliver a luxurious and highly effective sonic cleansing experience. This unique and patented brush head helps to remove sebum and dullness. And lastly, the new sonic foundation blending brush from Clarisonic utilizes patented oscillation technology to generate more than 18,000 micro-blends per minute. The makeup brush gently provides a flawless, full foundation coverage look in 60 seconds or less. Equipped with anti-microbial and non-porous bristles, it is easy to clean and ensures minimal absorption so you use less foundation. You can also use it to apply contour, concealer, blush and more. But nothing powder-related, it has to be liquid/cream form.

4. ALGENIST GENIUS LIQUID COLLAGEN

This breakthrough fountain of youth leverages a clean, vegan formulation design to help replenish and preserve a healthy, youthful skin matrix by delivering vegan collagen to the skin in its most active state. The anti-aging formula contains 13,000 microalgae oil beads naturally sourced and sustainably produced, omegas 3, 6, and 9, and a natural source of vitamin E. Skin is left more resilient, brighter, and youthful-looking. Since using it, my skin looks bouncy, radiant and well-toned.

5. FIRST AID BEAUTY ULTRA REPAIR® TINTED MOISTURIZER

A multitasker with sun protection that provides up to 12 hours of soothing hydration, imparts a natural, luminous finish, and reduces the look of visible imperfections. Formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and other nourishing ingredients, this tinted moisturizer provides skin with up to 12 hours of soothing hydration and broad-spectrum SPF 30. Colloidal oatmeal and allantoin help to reduce the appearance of redness, while calming and soothing sensitive skin. Natural mineral pigments and micro-pearls deliver good, clean, buildable coverage to enhance skin's natural radiance, while minimizing the look of redness, pores, uneven skin tone, and other visible imperfections. The whipped, mousse-like formulation will not clog pores. I've linked the product in the shade I've been using which has been 'medium'.

6. LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

The Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex™ offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses. Exclusive Moisture Wrap™ technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. A generous layer of this soothing mask at bedtime helps reduce flakiness so you can wake up to lips that feel refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch. Moisture Wrap™ - an exclusive technology that features a mineral network of moisture-rich beta-glucan to form an 8-hour time-release moisturizing layer over skin. It locks in active ingredients and mineral water. What's the best part? It tastes like watermelon and yes, it's the best lip sleeping mask I've ever tried!

7. BLISS® LEMON + SAGE SOAPY SUDS BODY WASH

Bliss Lemon Plus Sage Soapy Suds jump-starts your morning with its invigorating body cleansing action. This fragrant body wash or bubble bath gently removes dirt and oil while comforting and moisturizing your skin. Glycerin acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin. Aloe soothes inflammation and irritation. Vitamin E softens the skin and fights free radicals.

8. BLISS® LEMON + SAGE BODY BUTTER

Lemon + Sage Body Butter - Bliss' Lemon + Sage Body Butter restores moisture to even the most 'rough and scaly skin' as it protects the skin from free radicals. It smooth's, softens, and hydrates dry skin, without making it feel greasy. Used in over 70,000 Bliss Spa massages every year worldwide, this superior skin-smoothing formula has gained a huge following - making it one of Bliss' best selling products. I am a definite fan of the product.

9. JIN SOON NEO POP COLLECTION

Pop art has been a major source of inspiration since the inception of the JINsoon nail lacquer line, so it was only fitting that JINsoon teamed up with Korean Pop Artist, Hyang- Sook Yun, for the JINsoon Neo-Pop Collection. Hyang-Sook is known for super-imposing dot matrix patterns as a transformative medium over silhouette-like archetypal images. The various shades, all yielding an Andy Warhol-like result goes perfect for an iconic product such as JINsoon nail lacquer. I've been using their collections for years and it's my favorite nail polish brand.

10. GIVENCHY EAUDEMOISELLE DE GIVENCHY EXTRAVAGANT

Magnetic spices are blended with green citrus notes, followed by blossoming tuberose, and heightened by the warm, animalistic, and milky facets of vanilla bean on a sensual woody background. Adorned in matte black warmed by the golden lettering, the bottle presents a refined and modern design. Extravagant celebrates a heady and addictive flower, revealing an intense and sensual floral trail for a bewitching, self-assured, and intrepid woman.

11. URBAN DECAY COSMETICS DISCO QUEEN HOLOGRAPHIC STICK

This holographic highlighter creates an iridescent, multidimensional sheen that looks amazing on any skin tone. Use a little for a subtly ethereal shimmer, or keep layering for an intensely holographic highlight. This silky, lightweight formula glides on, flashes down, and has an airy finish so it won't interfere with your complexion makeup.

12. URBAN DECAY COSMETICS HOLOGRAPHIC POWDER

A lightweight, insanely pretty powder that comes in a translucent, iridescent lavender shade and creates a luminous, holographic sheen. Take your glow into the next dimension with this lightweight, insanely pretty powder that creates a luminous, holographic sheen. Use a little for a more subtle glow, or build and layer to achieve a high-watt highlight. UD infused this velvety formula with lustrous pearl pigments. There's never any white cast just a pretty, luminous glow. And because this formula isn't pressed, the feel is ultra-lightweight.

13. MOUNT LAI JADE ROLLER

The jade roller is a Chinese skincare tool that has been used for thousands of years. Perfected throughout the centuries, this facial massager was built to have a cooling, soothing effect on the skin. Besides improving overall health and radiance of the skin, jade rolling has a multitude of benefits such as improving blood circulation, reducing puffiness and inflammation of the skin, and relieving facial and jaw tension. I have to say it might seem silly using something like this when it comes to skincare, but it's really great for de-puffing. (Love it around the eye area.)

LOVE & XX'S,

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Holiday Gifting with Babbleboxx

November 21, 2017

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY BABBLEBOXX.COM

Happy Tuesday, guys! I hope you're all getting well prepped for Thanksgiving Day! With all the to-do lists, last minute running around and even traveling (for those that are), we all can relate to how crazy this week can get. So, let's take a breather and catch up with one amazing event I went to last week. I had the pleasure of attending Babbleboxx's "Holiday Preview" Event where multiple brands came together at the luxurious 404 NYC event space hosting pop-up shops filled with holiday inspiration and gift-giving ideas for the upcoming season. It was a lovely evening with tasty bites and bubbly, along with running into old friends and networking with new ones and in today's post, I'm sharing my top five favorites brands that I think would make for the coolest and trendiest gifts this year. Ranging from beauty products to tea and even DNA kits, and with Black Friday right around the corner, this list will certainly come in handy. Don't miss out, come check out these awesome gift ideas for everyone you know, and/or even for yourself!

What better gift you can give (or get!) than the chance to understand what makes someone who they are? With 23andMe, you can share your genetic information with your family members to get an even clearer picture of who you are and where you come from. How cool is that? They offer two Personal Genetic Services: 1) their Ancestry Service and 2) their Health + Ancestry Service. How do they work? Provide your saliva sample from home. Mail it back to their lab in the same kit it came in- the postage is even prepaid. In 6-8 weeks, they will send you an email to let you know your reports are ready in your online account. I'm even considering doing an entire blog post on this, as there is a huge debate that I may be part Ukrainian. I'm half-Korean and half-Polish, but from further travels and studies, it is possible this may be the case. I can't wait to share my results - so stay tuned!

Algenist, the first ever vegan, plant-based collagen formulation with the highest concentration of active collagen helps condition the skin to visibility improve resiliency and bounce. With 13,000 beads of Microalgae Oil in every bottle hydrates, nourishes and restores skin's radiance. Plant collagen is a new innovative technology created by binding together corn, soy and wheat protein fibers resulting in vegan amino acids that structurally mimic collagen that allows for a functional equivalent to animal-derived collagen. Even just sampling this collagen serum at the event showed significantly smoother and cleaner skin after one try! I'm so happy I was introduced to this skincare brand; I'll definitely be trying more of their products! If shopping at Algenist use promo code: LOVECOLLAGEN to receive a FREE Sample of GENIUS Liquid Collagen ($16 value) with orders $75+. Enter code at check out. Excludes gift cards. Valid 11/4-12/31/17.

Okay, one gift that can never go wrong if done the right way, and yes this isn't exactly some ground-breaking, creative present idea, but for both men and women, or a gift to yourself, perfume is always a win in my book! At the event, I went with La Vie est Belle by Lancôme, its floral accents of iris, orange blossom, and vanilla bean put me in such a delightful mood. To me, fragrance makes and is part of an entire look and represents you. And at Perfumania, they will help find your next fragrance obsession among the hundreds of designer brands! Indulge in a fragrant experience curated by fragrance experts at any of their 150+ retail locations. Or visit them online where you can get your fragrance fix at any time, day or night. Perfumania, it’s your one-stop shop for all of your fragrance essentials.

For many women, obtaining thicker-looking eyelashes and fuller, bolder-looking brows are definitely on their wish lists this holiday season. Let me introduce you to Grande Cosmetics: their GrandeLASH-MD Serum and GrandeBROW Serum are revolutionary lash and brow enhancing serums that promote these desired features. These are perfect stocking stuffers for any holiday beauty lover.

Tea Forte 2017 Limited Edition Holiday Collection – Warming Joy is a collection of festive teas beautifully presented and exciting to receive. Comforting holiday tea blends are festively donned to celebrate the spirit and joy of the season and are a great collection for the tea connoisseurs we know of. Holiday tea blends include Raspberry Ganache, Rum Raisin Biscotti, Spiced Ginger Plum, Winter Chai, and Ginger Snap (not available in the Petite Tea Tree.) The perfect holiday gift for any tea fanatic! And how adorable is the packaging?!