Warning: some of these are NSFW. But the creativity and technique of photographer Edy Hardjo are well worth a look…especially if you’re into the Marvel and DC superhero-verse. Enjoy!
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Giveaway: 5 Items from the Shiseido Spring 2015 Collection (A $150 Value)!
A couple of months ago, Shiseido invited me to the launch of their Spring 2015 line at the luxurious Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca.
I was naturally excited to go out, sans kids, to what seemed to be a sophisticated, adults-only affair. What I didn’t realize was how fish-out-of-water I would feel at this event; I felt severely underdressed, inelegant, and flat-out dumpy in a room full of tall, thin, impeccably-dressed women — most of whom were beauty journalists/bloggers and editors at fashion magazines.
But it didn’t matter, because I was super stoked to meet Heidi Manheimer (CEO of Shiseido USA), and Tomoko Yamagishi (Senior VP of Marketing of Shiseido USA), who introduced to us the Spring 2015 collection.
After the presentation, we got to nosh on delicious food and drinks while trying out the yet-to-be-released products for ourselves. The best part? Each attendee received a large gift bag full goodies from the Spring 2015 line!
And I’ve decided to pass on some of these products to one lucky reader!
This second giveaway in my triple-beauty-giveaway-extravaganza features FIVE items from the new Shiseido Spring 2015 collection, all of which were released just this month! The retail value of these products total $150!!!
The first item, and the most exciting to me, is the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce™. WetForce™ is the newest suncare technology from Shiseido. Formulated to change the way water and perspiration interact with sunscreen, WetForce™ doesn’t just resist water; it recruits water into the protection process to actually boost the UV protective veil.
I was able to witness a live demonstration of the WetForce™ technology, and the comparison between regular sunscreen (which tends to separate from water) and WetForce™ sunscreen (which dissolves and interacts with water) was simply amazing. And this Ultimate Sun Protection Cream? It absorbs wonderfully into the skin, creating a strong SPF 50 barrier against harmful UV rays, all while providing additional skincare benefits that fight wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
The winner of this giveaway will receive a full, 50ml (2oz) bottle of the Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce™! But that’s not all, because there’s more…
The second item included in this giveaway is the Ibuki Multi Solution Gel. I have been a big fan of the Shiseido Ibuki line ever since it launched a couple of years ago, and the Multi Solution Gel is the latest member of this skincare line designed specifically to meet the unique skincare concerns of women between the ages of 25 and 34.
According to Shiseido, the new Ibuki Multi Solution Gel is a “high impact gel solution for skincare emergencies that appear as a result of stress and lifestyle habits.” It is suitable for all skin types and can be used as the last step in your skincare regimen or directly over makeup.
I tried the Ibuki Multi Solution Gel at the aforementioned Shiseido Spring 2015 launch event, and it quickly became my favorite product from the Ibuki line. As its name suggests, it is multi-functional and a great solution for anyone who needs a little skin pick-me-up. 🙂
The next two items included in this giveaway are 2 of the 4 new shades that Shiseido released for the Shimmering Cream Eye Color eyeshadow line: PK224 Mousseline (a soft, airy peach-pink), and GR125 Naiad (a delicate, pale platinum with a faint greenish tint).
These cream shadows are smooth and easily blendable, but once applied, they become smudge-free despite a dewy finish. They can be worn alone or blended together, and I can attest that they feel divine! The pictures above do not do the shades justice; each color provides just the right level of opacity (which of course can be layered for more color), and they are just so pretty in real life!
The last item is from the newest lipstick line from Shiseido: Veiled Rouge, which is developed via the Veiling Formula technology. Upon applying pressure through application, the “veiling oil” spreads over the top layer of the lips, and the wearer can re-apply the effect simply by pressing the lips together again.
And despite the fact that it is a long-lasting lipstick, it does not feel dry or caky; the formula remains soft and smooth throughout the day with a delicate shine. I have the Veiled Rouge in RD707 Mischief, and it’s become my favorite lipstick for going out!
As you can see in the picture above, the shade I am giving away is RS308 Sloe, which is a vibrant, berry pink — a cheery pop of color that would delightfully suit the upcoming spring and summer months. It also doesn’t hurt that this lipstick is a shade of bright, yet soft pink that is so popular with celebrities these days. 😉
To sum up, the winner of this giveaway will be receiving the following five items from the Shiseido Spring 2015 collection:
- Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce™ sunscreen (50ml net wt. 2oz)
- Ibuki Multi Solution Gel cream (30ml net wt. 1oz)
- Shimmering Eye Cream Color eyeshadow in PK224 Mousseline (6g / .21oz)
- Shimmering Eye Cream Color eyeshadow in GR125 Naiad (6g / .21oz)
- Veiled Rouge lipstick in RS308 Sloe (2.2g / .07 oz)
That’s a total value of $150! (Well, $149…but let’s round up. 😉 )
To enter this giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Not sure how to use Rafflecopter? Watch this 52 second video for a tutorial on how to enter a giveaway using Rafflecopter. There are 5 methods of entry, with the first method (commenting on this blog post answering the question “Which product are you most excited to try?”) being mandatory while the third method (Tweeting about the giveaway) can be used once per day:
This giveaway will end on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015, at 12:01am EST, at which point a winner will be randomly chosen and announced here. If the winner has won the drawing via a fraudulent or illegitimate entry (i.e., not commenting on this post, using different accounts to enter multiple times, using a Twitter account that is only used to enter contests on a frequent basis, using the same Tweet URL to enter multiple times) I have the right to choose another winner.
Sorry, this giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada who are over 13 years old.
Please use a valid email address and/or Twitter handle so that I can contact you if you win! If the winner fails to respond within 48 hours of my contacting them, another winner will be selected.
Good luck, and thank you for entering!
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“Bad Sleeper”
Sleep and I do not have a good relationship. We have never been friends. I am constantly chasing sleep and then pushing it away. A good night’s sleep is my white whale. Like Ahab, I am also a total drama queen about it. I love to talk about how little sleep I get. I brag about it, as if it is a true indication of how hard I work. But I truly suffer at night. Bedtime is fraught with fear and disappointment. When it is just me alone with my restless body and mind, I feel like the whole world is asleep and gone. It’s very lonely. I am tired of being tired and talking about how tired I am.
The phrase “going to sleep” has always given me great anxiety. I don’t like doing things I am bad at, and I have been told since I was very young that I am a bad sleeper. As soon as I become prone, my head will begin to unpack. My mind will turn on and start to hum, which is the opposite of what you need when you begin to switch off. It is as if I were waiting the whole day for this moment. Trying to sleep is often when I feel most engaged and alive. My brain starts to trick me into thinking this is the moment it should turn on and start working overtime. It is a problem. I need some rest. I have a lot to do.
– an excerpt from Amy Poehler’s Yes Please
(because I feel EXACTLY the same way)
A futile attempt to nap with the girls.
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Mega Korean Skincare Samples Giveaway (42 Pieces!)
I know I’ve been promising some giveaways since…gulp…last year…and I’m so sorry to not have delivered sooner!
To make it up to you, I’ve decided to run 3 giveaway just 3 days apart from each other. 🙂
This first giveaway may not seem like much, but it’s ideal for anyone who would like to try a multitude of Korean skincare and beauty products without breaking the bank.
And by multitude, I mean 42 pieces. 😯
The winner of this giveaway will win every Korean skincare/beauty sample pictured above. The full list comprises of the following…
- Cleansing:
- Etude House B.B. Deep Cleansing Foam
- Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam
- Nature Republic Snail Solution Foam Cleanser
- Skinfood Aloe Vera Foaming Cleanser
- Toners, Emulsions, Essences, Serums, Lotions, and Creams:
- Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Cream
- Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum
- Etude House AC Clinic Daily Skin Care Kit (includes toner & gel lotion)
- The Face Shop Myeonhan Miindo All-in-One Cream
- The History of Whoo Whitening & Moisture Cream
- IPKN New York Hyaluronic Acid+ Skin Care Primer in Natural Glow
- IPKN New York Liquid Ice Cube+ Pore Essence in Radiant Finish
- Nature Republic Snail Solution 80 Emulsion
- Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect First Serum
- Skinfood Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore Toner
- Skinfood GoldKiwi Cream
- Skinfood Royal Honey Gift Set (includes toner & emulsion)
- Skinfood Royal Honey Hydro Massage Gel
- Skinfood Verdure Pure Cabbage Toner
- su:m37º Time Energy Skin Resetting Moist Firming Cream
- Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Cream
- Tony Moly Timeless EGF Power Cream
- B.B. and C.C. Creams:
- Banila Co. It Radiant C.C. Cream
- The Face Shop Face It Aura CC Starter
- Missha M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream (no. 21)
- Missha Signature Complexion Coordinating B.B. Cream (beige, 2x)
- Missha Signature Complexion Coordinating B.B. Cream (white)
- Missha Signature Real Complete B.B. Cream (no. 21)
- Skin79 The Oriental Shining Pearl B.B. Cream Plus
- Skin79 Super+ B.B. Cream
- Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ B.B. Cream
- Sheet masks:
- Etude House I Need You, Green Tea! Mask Sheet
- Etude House I Need You, Pomegranate! Mask Sheet
- The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Blueberry sheet mask (x3)
- The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Rice sheet mask
- Mamonde 7 Days Project Sheet Mask: Brightening
- Mamonde Flower Essential Mask: Lotus Cooling & Soothing
- Nature Republic Snail Solution Mask Sheet
- Tony Moly Floria Whitening Mask Sheet
- Misc:
- Skinfood Tomato Whitening Point Pad
Yes, those sheet masks are all full-size, and YES, some of those brands are high-end, luxury lines!
Overwhelmed yet? I know that I was, when I looked at my humongous box of samples and realized that I may never get around to using them…but then realized that you might benefit more from it!
Even if you only want to try a few items from the lot, you can always share the rest with your friends and family!
To enter this giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. Not sure how to use Rafflecopter? Watch this 52 second video for a tutorial on how to enter a giveaway using Rafflecopter. There are 5 methods of entry, with the first method (commenting on this blog post answering the question “Which product are you most excited to try?”) being mandatory while the third method (Tweeting about the giveaway) can be used once per day:
This giveaway will end on Saturday, February 28th, 2015, at 12:01am EST, at which point a winner will be randomly chosen and announced here. If the winner has won the drawing via a fraudulent or illegitimate entry (i.e., not commenting on this post, using different accounts to enter multiple times, using a Twitter account that is only used to enter contests on a frequent basis, using the same Tweet URL to enter multiple times) I have the right to choose another winner.
Sorry, this giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada who are over 13 years old.
Please use a valid email address and/or Twitter handle so that I can contact you if you win! If the winner fails to respond within 48 hours of my contacting them, another winner will be selected.
Good luck, and thank you for entering!
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Global Luxury Shoe Designers Reimagine Cinderella’s Glass Slipper
In celebration of the release of the live action film Cinderella, Disney has enlisted 9 global luxury shoe designers to create their own interpretation of the iconic glass slipper. Take a look!
Paul Andrew:
“Cinderella’s glass slipper represents every woman’s dream shoe. The story, being a classic, inspired me to use my iconic pointed toe silhouette, which I embellished with an array of hand encrusted Swarovski crystals to create the ultimate fantasy shoe. I used transparent PVC to create a ‘glass’ effect and ivory suede for luxurious texture and dimension.”
Alexandre Birman:
“My vision of the glass slipper was inspired by the timeless and feminine beauty that I believe Cinderella and the Alexandre Birman brand both share. I reinterpreted our classic Johanna pump, this time giving it a fashionable and romantic twist with satin and Swarovski crystals. It’s a shoe I imagine a modern princess would wear.”
René Caovilla:
“‘Works of arts called shoes’ to grant wishes and raise emotions. Passion and never ending research don’t draw the line at fantasy and creativity. This is how dreams come true in our fairy tale.”
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Parody Posters of 2015 Oscar Nominated Films
Presented to you by the 2nd Annual RIPTcademy Awards. I would totally watch some of these; The Grand Arkham Asylum looks especially badass! And Quailman? I used to love the show Doug!
The Theory of Everything – The Theory of Everything is AWESOME!
American Sniper – Canadian Sniper
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Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation Review: My New HG Foundation!!!
Can it be? Have I finally discovered a new foundation to replace my beloved “complexion perfector,” the Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation?
The Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation was released late last year to rave reviews. It is the latest in the liquid-to-powder foundation trend that began with the launch of GA Maestro two years ago. (You can read my thoughts on some of the other liquid-to-powder foundations here.)
So what made me want to try the Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation? It was an article in Refinery29, “Foundation Just Got Way More Amazing” — which talks about the liquid-to-powder foundation trend and reviews 6 of the most popular ones — that first sparked my interest. And the more I researched the Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation, the more I realized it may provide the additional coverage and longevity I had been seeking with the YSL Fusion Ink.
Even the sleek product design appealed to me, and the fact that it uses the silver “button” at the top of the bottle to operate the hygenic dispenser — it works just like an eyedropper, except you press instead of squeeze — made it even more enticing. (The GA Maestro can be difficult to travel with because of the eyedropper top.)
So when my foundation began to run low, I decided to use the money I would have spent on a new bottle of GA Maestro to buy the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation instead.
And I am so glad that I did. 😀
How does the Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation stack up against the other liquid-to-powder foundations I’ve tried? It provides the most coverage of all of them (in other words, more bang for the buck since I don’t have to use as much) and lasts the longest too!
For the purpose of this post, I used a heavier hand than usual in applying the foundation in the pictures below so that you can see the beautifully medium coverage it is meant to deliver. (I usually only use a few drops right after moisturizing, for a sheerer finish.) Additionally, I purposely didn’t wear my contact lenses because my glasses leave my face oilier at the end of the day and I wanted to show you the Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation’s lasting powder!
Right after applying (I should’ve taken a picture before using setting powder…sorry!):
And here I am, a full 8 hours after taking that initial picture:
I did NOTHING to my face between the two pictures — not even blotting paper! And as you can see, the only difference seems to be a teeny bit of shine along the t-zone.
And if you can recall, my biggest complaint about the YSL Fusion Ink was its strong flowery scent. I’m sorry to say that the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation is also scented. 🙁 However, it is a subtly sweet, nutty aroma that reminds me of roasted almonds (I’m not too familiar with Kevyn Aucoin’s other products — do they smell like this too?) and it doesn’t bother me nearly as much as most other perfumed makeup.
Now, for the price. At $65, it is slightly more expensive than the Giorgio Armani Maestro’s $64 (GA raised the price of the Maestro by $2 since I first wrote about it). But since the difference is only a dollar, and because I’m using less per application than I did with the Maestro, it is certainly worth the extra buck, IMHO!
Interested in seeing the shades offered? My go-to queen of swatches, Beauty Professor, has once again come through in this extensive post. (I use SF05, if you’re wondering.)
You can purchase the Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Fluid Foundation at many major department stores and online beauty boutiques such as: Barneys, Beauty.com, Beautylish, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Space NK.
Want to try a sample before you buy but can not get to a department store? Camera Ready Cosmetics sells samples for $5!
Questions? Comments? Please leave them below!
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Into the Great Unknown
YOU. GUYS.
You’re probably aware of the fact that both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies were made by the same production company, Lucasfilm.
And you have to know that Han Solo and Indiana Jones were played by the same actor, Harrison Ford. (Right?)
So what if they could meet?!???
“Into the Great Unknown” is a 10-page non-canon comic story that was included in the comic book Star Wars Tales 19 in 2004. It serves more as a fanboy fantasy than a serious addition to either Star Wars or Indiana Jones worlds, but it truly is mind-boggling and leaves one almost wishing it were true.
(Almost. Without giving anything away, something big happens in the storyline with which most Star Wars fans have a big problem.)
Check it out below!
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35 Movies of 2015, Each Symbolized by a Single Image
Can you recognize these anticipated movies of 2015 from just a simple icon? (Hint: the numbers represent sequels.)
See my answers in the comments section below. I couldn’t find the answer to row 6, image 4 (the orange one with the suitcase). I know it’s a sequel since it has the number 2, but I have no idea what it could be. Any guesses?
Via Sploid.
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Where to Buy Korean Skincare & Beauty Products
I’ve been getting some great feedback on my Korean skincare posts — thank you! But one thing that keeps coming up in my discussions with friends and readers is: where can I get this stuff?!? Admittedly, any idiot knows to Google a particular product, but aside from eBay and third-party Amazon sellers, which are the best online stores to procure these items?
Before I start, I should mention that while eBay and Amazon (via third-party sellers) certainly carry the widest selections (at great prices, to boot), you need to be careful when placing your order. Aside from checking the sellers’ ratings, you should check to see where they will be shipping the items from — more often than not, they will be shipping from Asia, and sometimes it can take up to 6 weeks for on order to arrive!
Fortunately, the popularity of Korean skincare products has brought us consumers some wonderful online retailers, both here in the U.S. and Asia. 🙂
My two favorite U.S.-based stores are Soko Glam and Peach and Lily. They were both founded by, and run by women who are passionate about Korean skincare and beauty, and travel to Korea often to learn about the latest trends and innovations.
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These two retailers carefully curate their offerings — meaning that they do not just sell anything and everything Korean beauty on their sites. Rather, they only feature products that have been researched and tested by the owners and staff members, so it’s safe to bet that you will be receiving some quality products! And although their prices are a bit higher than other retailers, the fact that they ship from the U.S. (i.e., much faster shipping times) and the assurance that their products are genuine and trustworthy more than makes up for it.
Another U.S.-based shop I recently discovered is Glow Recipe. They differ from other K-beauty retailers in that they offer only “natural, harsh-free Korean beauty products” by ensuring that the brands/companies use environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices, the ingredients are safe and free of potentially harmful chemicals, and every item is thoroughly tested by their staff and an outside panel. I have not had a chance to order from them yet, but I do love the idea of their store and have heard great things about them!
Momomango is another North American-based retailer, but unlike the others listed above, it is based out of Toronto. As such, it has a fairly large Canadian and American customer base. It is probably the largest North American online store I’ve found in terms of product selection. In fact, its website is set up very much like Korean online beauty outlets!
Now, onto the Korean stores! Here is a (relatively) short list of my favorite ones:
The biggest advantage that Korean retailers have over the ones mentioned above is the price. They do not have to deal with international tariffs, and they can often obtain their products directly from manufacturers at discount prices. (In fact, many of them offer wholesale options themselves!) Which means that their prices will be some of the lowest you can find — sometimes they’re even cheaper than in the physical stores in Korea!
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Many of the stores on this list also sell samples (usually in packs of 10) of popular products. Samples are a great way to try out new products before committing to them. What’s more, you usually pay a lot less for the same amount of samples than the actual item itself, because you won’t be paying for the pretty packaging. And when I recently took my trip to LA, I ordered a bunch of samples of my favorite items to save room…and IIRC, I just stuck the sample packets into my makeup bag, not my 3-1-1 liquids bag, and TSA didn’t even bat an eye!
Additionally, Korean stores tend to be a lot more generous with FREE samples. The U.S.-based stores usually send me 2-3 samples per order, but the Korean ones include handfuls of samples. This past holiday season, I ordered just two items from HonestSkin and look how many samples I received!
That being said, shipping can be a killer. Regular shipping usually take 2-3 weeks, but it is not uncommon for a shipment to arrive 5-6 weeks after placing the order.
(Luckily, the longest I’ve had to wait was 2.5 weeks. One time, it only took a week for an order to arrive from Korea…via regular shipping!)
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Many stores offer expedited shipping — usually via EMS — but even that can take up to a week. Additionally, some of these stores can take a while to collect, pack, and ship your items…I have heard too many stories where an order doesn’t ship out until a week or two after it’s been placed. (This is especially prevalent during large sale events and holidays.)
So in the end, it comes down to your own personal preferences. Do you prefer to receive your orders quickly, with the peace of mind of knowing that each item you receive has been carefully vetted…albeit at a slightly higher price? Or do you not mind waiting longer for your shipment to arrive (or pay a lot more for shipping), because you will be paying less for each product, and you will most likely receive a lot of samples?
The choice is yours. 🙂 None of the above are affiliate links; I honestly want to help you in procuring the best products for your skin and beauty needs!
Lastly, I came across a thread on /r/AsianBeauty yesterday titled “How do you save on AB?” There are so many great tips and suggestions on there that I had to share it with you guys. (And yes, /r/AsianBeauty is a great resource for all things Asian beauty-related! Be sure to check out its giant list of Asian Beauty sellers for more retailers, and its “Resources” section on the right sidebar for much, much more useful information!)
Questions? Comments? Please let me know in below!
I like books, gadgets, spicy food, and art. I dislike shopping, hot weather, and the laws of entropy. Although I am a self-proclaimed computer nerd, I still have a love for handbags and makeup... and I am always teetering on high heels. To learn more about me, visit the 
