Tokyo Lash Bar

I am in LOVE with Shu Uemura, not like I wasn't already before....

Today was the Tokyo Lash Bar event at the Shu Uemura counter at Barney's New York. They flew in celebrity make-up artists from the Tokyo Lash Bar in New York and gave free makeovers. I made an appointment for 3... I wanted a new "daytime" look with lots of color, my little sister wanted a look for prom, and my 3rd friend just had eyelash extensions put in (more on this later) and wanted simple ways to dress her eyes without overdoing it.

Let's start with me :)



I love Shu's new pallette for Spring/Summer... but of course I'm weary of using bright colors. First they primed my face with the basic cleansing oil-toner-moisturizer combo. Then they used the Water Perfect Water-In Cake Foundation.


Rather than using the foundation straight on (which can be too heavy for daytime looks), they sprayed some depsea water right on the foundation (regular water can be used here) and smudged it around with the sponge first, for a lighter application. Ingenious! The foundation went on smoothly and flawlessly, without a cakey finish. Then she set the foundation with some loose powder.

For my eyes she put on:
Pressed eyeshadow in Beige. As a base, brushed softly all over entire lid.




Pressed eyeshadow in Yellow. Lightly over the lower half of the eyelid and blended in the insides of the eyes for a highlighting effect.



Pressed eyeshadow in Turquoise. Blended softly near the lashes, for a pop of color.





Then to complete the look, she used bronze mascara on my upper and lower lashes. My natural lashes are black, so the lighter bronze actually highlighted the whole area, making my eyes look bigger and brighter. I was kind of shocked with the color use at first but then I realized I shouldn't be too afraid to use a little color :)

On my sister she used the same foundation but for a little more coverage she applied it with a foundation brush. Then she used a metallic bronzy-silver eyeshadow and smudged on her top lid for a smoky look. She used an iridescent white to highlight the brow bone, a really nice contrast to the smoky eye. Then she applied some fake lashes- the ones with the little crystals- to complete the look.

On my friend he applied some blue eyeshadow to her eyelids close to the lashline. Then he softly lined her eyes with a darker, iridescent blue for some definition. The look was simple and not too bright but it really brightened up her eyes, which accented her eyelash extensions nicely.

Now on to the eyelash extensions... how cool are these? I can't believe I haven't heard about them until now. Eyelash extensions are permanent silk extensions that are individually glued to each of your eyelashes. The application takes about 2 hours and lasts 2 full months before you need any touchups. Your eyelashes grow in cycles (just like any hair on the body) so a fraction of them naturally fall out every couple months. The initialy application can range anywhere from $150 - $300 depending where you go and touchups are usually about $50. The lashes look completely natural- they just look longer and curlier. You never have to put on mascara (in fact you shouldn't, they will compromise the longevity of the extensions) and you never have to curl your eyelashes. Imagine waking up everyday with naturally long flirty lashes... sign me up! I am going to get these done sometime next week, so I'll be back with updates and pictures!

Murakami Fan

I met Takashi Murakami!

We are moving offices at my work. I was over at the office when someone who was interested in the warehouse lease came by to check it out. There were 4 people, a Japanese guy (!!!), two girls, and a translator. I barely looked up at the computer, just enough to say hi, and let my boyfriend give them the tour of the place.

Then the next day our realtor calls us to ask us how it went... turns out it was Takashi Murakami!

Auuuuugggghhh!!

If I had only known. He was much chubbier than I saw him last in the media... so I didn't recognize him at all. Plus the week before my boyfriend mentioned that some porn company was coming by to take a look at the place so I actually assumed that he ... was ... a "director"... especially because of the two girls following him around... o~.~o

Seriously Worn-In

We all have that one favorite pair of jeans... the ones that are the perfect length to wear with flip-flops. Unfortunately, our flat shoes have completely deteriorated the back hem of the jeans...

I have a pair of Citizens' Kelly jeans in Colorado with just this problem. The top half of the jeans are still intact, it's just the hem is so ruined and the fabric of Citizens jeans just don't look good destroyed.

Then I realized... the last time I was at Bloomingdale's I saw a pair of Kelly Capri's... very cute!



So I measured the inseam on the new capri length and took my jeans in to Elias Tailoring down the street from where I live. Wah-lah! "New" jeans :)

On my to-do list:
*Transform my Sevens (with a horrible mystery stain on one of the legs) into bermuda shorts.
*Cut one of my extra-long Rock & Republic jeans to flip-flop length for the summer.

Summer Wish List

Marc by Marc Jacobs, $298. neimanmarcus.com.
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Ella Moss, $70. eLuxury.com.
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Rebecca Taylor, $240. shopbop.com.
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Cut & Paste, $25. cutxpaste.com.
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12th Street, $275. scoopnyc.com.
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Kimberly Faith, $136. girlshop.com.
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Pegah Anvarian, $225. thefashionpulse.com.
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Abercrombie, $34.50. abercrombie.com.
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Be&D, $995. bergdorfgoodman.com.
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La Rok, $248. activeendeavors.com.
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Lola, $85. lola-style.com.

Cutie flats -

Donald J. Pliner Zora Flats

I am in love with these flats! They are perfect to pair with a white pair of bermuda shorts or some cropped jeans for the summer. Even with a flared spring skirt.

Anyone a size 7.5 - 8 - 8.5 - 9 ???
If so they are marked down to $59.36 from $110 on bluefly.com... great deal!

I hate my size 10 feet. !!! I am going to hunt for these at Loehmann's and Nordstrom Rack later this week.. if you have seen this shoe anywhere, please let me know!

Bermuda Shorts

I am loving this season's new cropped length: the bermuda short. They look great paired with flats and with low heels. At the right length, they elongate the legs. On my wish list are a pair of Hudson destroyed bermudas. I tried on a pair yesterday at M.Frederic @ the Grove, $144. They can also be found online at shopbop.com for $148 + shipping.

Shu Uemura

Shu Uemura is quickly becoming one of my favorite lines. About a week ago I went to Barney's with my little sister where she picked up some face-care basics:



The High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil takes a little bit of getting used to. I was very skeptical that an oil could clean and refresh my skin (it just sounds so... oily) but this light formula really does its job. After softly smoothing it around your skin, you just splash some water on your face and the oil turns into a milky cleanser that washes right off. It thoroughly rids the skin of make-up (even waterproof) and impurities but it leaves the skin soft and balanced. Although I love the results, I haven't quite committed myself to switching to this oil yet. But this is a good alternative to those of you that have overly sensitive skin or blemished skin.

The Depsea Therapy Moisture Recovery Equiwater is actually used like a toner. After cleansing, you apply this to your skin using soft cotton pads. Most toners from other lines are meant to wipe away excess dirt from your skin that your cleanser left behind. Since the Cleansing Oil does its job so well, the sole purpose of the toner is to balance and tone the skin and prepare it for moisturizer. I love the clean, refreshing scent of the Equiwater- it also serves as a cleansing water to refresh your face in the middle of the day.

The Depsea Therapy Moisture Recovery Emulsion is a water-based moisturizer. Sometimes even oily complexions can have dehydrated skin. This moisturizer is great for infusing water back into the skin but not leaving any shine or oily residue.

..So after trying her products, I decided it was time for me to go and see what they could do for me. I have very "normal" skin. It's not dry (although sometimes harsh cleansers will definitely dry out my cheeks) and it's not oily. I don't normally do the whole cleanse-tone-moisturize routine twice a day. Okay, I rarely even do it everyday (I tend to get lazy). I only cleanse in the shower and I only moisturize when I need it. So recently I've been noticing that although my skin is hydrated and blemish-free, it's very dull. You know how your skin looks the morning after a long night out? That's me without make-up. Unfortunately, I can't wear foundation all day in this Los Angeles heat and definitely NOT to the gym. So I went to the Shu Uemura counter for help.

They prescribed me the same toner (which was great because I was already planning on stealing my sister's) and some ß-G Reinforcing Gel Cream. They quickly cleansed and toned my skin and then applied the gel cream. I literally saw a difference right away. The gel cream strengthens weakened skin by infusing vitamins.. and what I saw immediately was that my skin was more "plump" and it was glowing. (And I touched my face... the glow was NOT from oil)


My only vice is that the gel cream comes in a tub rather than a pump. I tend to get paranoid about bacteria and other dirty things transferring into my make up so I usually opt for a pump dispenser whenever possible.

Then they showed me the UV Under Base SPF 8 which is a "mousse foam makeup base that is light-textured and helps brighten skin". It's actually tinted so it can be used alone to subtly even out skin tone (they only have one shade but I've been assured that it works on all skin colors) and minimize the appearance of pores. For heavier make-up days, this works as a foundation primer, by filling in your pores so that foundation comes on smoothly and looks natural. But what I like best about it is that it is so light and sheer I can use it daily for my "no make up" looks... because really, in this heat I can't afford to put on a lot of make up just to make it look like I don't have any make up on. Plus, since it technically isn't make-up, I can wear it to the gym and it won't sweat off or cause breakouts.



So with all of the above on, my skin instantly looked new and refreshed. I was convinced.

So the last thing I had to tackle on my list was some Spring eyeshadow. I've seen all the new bright pastel colors and I wanted some. But I didn't want to risk looking like a teenager on her way to a rave with glitter make-up.



They gave me a very, very light shimmery purple. I was skeptical. They assured me that purples would be good for my eye color (brown) so I tried it, knowing it would be too light for me. But then they showed me how to apply it... I've never done single colors before... I usually stick to palettes where I can control the shadowing... and I was pleasantly surprised. It actually looked good!

So here's the secret to applying a light sheer color. (Keyword here is sheer)
1) Tilt your head up so that you are looking down at yourself in the mirror. That way, your eyes are almost closed but you can still see out. Also, you can see the shape of your eyeball on your lid, and it gives you kind of an outline of where to start and stop.

2) Use a flat, rounded brush (like the one below) and position it so it is perpendicular to your lash line with the brush pointing down and the handle pointing up. Slowly pat the brush as close to the lashline as possible and slowly bring the brush up in small strokes, building the color from the lashline and fading out as you get to the top of your eyeballs. (This will make more sense when you're actually looking at yourself in the mirror, I promise) The key here is to make sure that you fill in the entire space above the lashline, because if you leave spots of bare skin then the application will look messy and unnatural.



3) Take it slow and apply layer by layer until you are satisfied with the color.

That's it! Easy schmeasy. It's all in how you hold the brush :)

Fine Accessories

As the days get hotter and our dress gets simpler, it's imperative that we choose our accessories carefully. I love ornate pieces that make a statement, so when I saw this oversized cross, I immediately fell in love with it. It is a bit large (about 4" long) but it would look great on a simple silver chain worn over a plain white top.


Christian Lacroix, on sale for $136 @ eLuxury.com.

Another piece of jewelry I'm dying for is a chrome hearts ring. Just a small simple band with either a series of fleur de lis' or daggers.



I'm not a fan of wearing charm bracelets or other pieces of jewelry with evenly spaced out charms. However, I've always been a sucker for clumped charms, especially lucky charms.


Maven by Tori Spelling, $540. shopintuition.com

MJ + LB = <3

This reminds me of one of those jokes...

What happens if Marc Jacobs marries Luella Bartley?


Teehee :P

Yoga Things

The best thing about a new hobby? Stocking up on all the accessories :) [muhaha]


Gaiam Retro-Stripe Mat in Fern
I am not sure about what effects stripes and patterns have on your yoga experience, but when I was shopping for my mat they told me to look for a mat that inspires you, makes you happy, and for me it was this green one. :)


Nuala yoga bag by Marc Jacobs
Since these were from way back when, I haven't yet got one. I haven't got one yet. I don't have one yet. Whatever. But I'm avidly searching eBay.


Stella McCartney dance shoes
Okay, okay. I don't actually wear the shoes IN the yoga studio (we have to leave them outside) but these make for a good pair to walk around Montana Ave in, they complete the 'yoga' look :)


Yogitoes Skidless Towel
In color combos that represent the healing energies of color, these towels are skidless and extremely asorbent (micro-fiber)... great for Bikram yoga! They come in a mat size for a layer of protection between you and your mat, and also a smaller size for personal use during your yoga session. Mine is Blue/Ether: Communication and Self Expression.


Glaceau Smart Water
The best way to recharge and quench your workout during and after a workout. Electrolyte-charged water that tastes waaaay better than Evian.

These are a few of my favorite things...

New weather, new routine... the environment has done some unforgivable things to my skin and hair. First of all with the weather being hot one minute and cold the next, my skin has become parched and confused. Same goes to my dehydrated hair (which has been bearing the gruesome task of being washed twice a day because of my new workout schedule). Dull skin is NOT what I when summer weather comes. So... the best way to stay moisturized and looking fresh?

Body:
There is an urban myth that you need to switch products for them to stay effective. At first I thought this was a marketing ploy to get us to keep buying and trying new prodcuts... but now I'm beginning to think it's true. I *loved* Kiehl's Instant Satin-Soft Body Rub Moisturizer but I am not getting the same results as I did 3 weeks ago. I did an experiment... I switched lotions for a week and then I switched back... I got the same super-soft skin I did when I first tried it! So... now I keep 3 body lotions in stock (Kiehl's, L'Occitane, and DDF) and I switch whenever it feels like the lotion isn't doing its job.

Hair:
The frequent hair washes, the harsh midday sun, and the dry night winds have reduced my hair to tough stickly strands. The repair remedy? A quick 3-step solution.


After the shower, spray this Frederic Fekkai reparative spray on damp hair, and twist into a bun to let it soak in. I have to admit I am not a fan of the scent (a little bit powdery) but it does wonders to soften up your strands to look smooth and healthy.


After five minutes (i.e. leave the Fekkai spray in your hair as you put on your body moisturizer, face moisturizer, etc), I pump two servings of Kerastase smoothing hair foundation into my palms and I work it into my damp hair. This not only smells GREAT, but it protects your hair as you blow dry while using the heat to smooth out your hair.


The last but crucial step is the Kerastase Serum Nutri-Sculpt which is kind of like an oil. I warm it up in my hands (two squirts in to my palms and rub it around) then I slowly comb my fingers through my hair to apply it evenly. This provides "Lustrous Repair for Damaged and Sensitised Ends" and it gives your hair a smooth, shiny finish.

Face:

Les Quatre Ombres de Chanel in 'Influences'.
I'm always looking for ways to make my eyes look 'big' and 'awake' but 'natural' and 'fresh'. This palette definitely does the trick!

The top left color looks like a shimmery white... a great highlighter for the browbone and the insides of the eye to make the eyes look bigger and brighter.

The pink and peach are just the way I like it- not too pinky and not too peachy. They are light and not shimmery at all... a great way to freshen up the eyes with a little bit of color.

The brown can be used as a wet or dry liner, or I like to smudge it close to my eyelashes for a naturally smoky look.

These colors work great for during the day when you don't want to look like you have too much on, but combined with an eyeshadow primer you can get a nice bolder look at night.

The Ivy Chronicles

How better to spend Spring Break than outdoors at a Santa Monica cafe sipping a Chai Tea Latte and reading the latest "guilty pleasure" novel? Even though the subject is one we've seen before, it's not one I'm tired of yet. Along the lines of The Nanny Diaries, this book also shows the ups of being the Manhattan elite and the downs of being employed by them. However, Karen Quinn infuses her own sense of humor making this a lighthearted and captivating beach read. The only complaint I have is that there are too many dated cultural references (i.e. Paris Hilton) making this book too "six months ago".

When turbocharged Park Avenue mom Ivy Ames finds she's been downsized from her high-powered corporate job and her marriage, she swiftly realizes that she's going to need a whole new way to support herself and her two private-school daughters. At first she does the obvious thing: she panics. Then she decides to put her years of marketing savvy to work and dreams up a brilliant new business-helping upscale New Yorkers get their little darlings into the most exclusive kindergartens in the city.

Ivy enters a parent-eat-parent world where the egos are directly proportional to their owners' enormous incomes, peopled by her only-in-Manhattan clients. From the backstabbers of corporate America to the leading toddlers of Fifth Avenue, The Ivy Chronicles is more than an insider's look at this elite and utterly preposterous universe. It is also a tale of midlife reinvention and unexpected romance - for anyone who has ever lost what she holds dear and had to start over again.

24-Hr Shopping

Ever since the post about fitness, amazingly I've been sticking to it and I've been busy gym-ing during the week. So busy, in fact, that I've only been to the mall once this past 2 weeks. (shocker!)

But of course I haven't left it at that-- I've been busy online browsing at nights to satisfy my craving. Even though I promised myself I wouldn't buy new clothes until I get fit (for size reasons- don't want another wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit)... well this time I couldn't resist. Besides, Rachel Pally's boleros are a one size fits all so it doesn't really matter whether I buy it now or later ;)

You've seen it in my earlier post about Rachel Pally's Spring line in persimmon:



Unfortunately most colors were sold out everywhere but I did get one in sand (). I bought it at TheFashionPulse.com (great site for hard-to-find labels). I got 15% off with a coupon code (they always have some type of promotion going on) plus free shipping so it was a great deal! But the one thing I dislike about purchasing online is how long it takes for your package to come. As opposed to real-life shopping where you get instant gratitude (usually in the car on the ride home where you can't help but take a look at the item again), online shopping is roughly 4-5 days of checking your tracking number on ups.com in the hopes that the package will arrive early.

But I'm happy with my purchase! Even though the color is lighter than I expected (I was expecting California/Santa Monica beach's dirty brown sand, instead I got a much lighter sand, the clean type you would get at tropical resorts like in Maui, hehe) the bolero is a very good fit. It is loose around the shoulders and body so it is a very flattering shape. The longer sleeve is great for hiding the upper hand. And also, who doesn't love Rachel Pally's springy, soft fabric? Once my shopping hiatus is lifted, I will definitely be going back for some dresses and skirts.

Spring Fever

The best thing about Spring?

You can step out in a white ribbed tank and your favorite jeans and still look great. Just add some fancy-schmancy earrings and a hot pair of shoes and you're all done!

earrings courtesy of anthropologie.com
shoes courtesy of eluxury.com

Chloe Paddington

Sigh.

I <3 heart this bag.


Click on image to zoom.

By the way, does anyone recognize who these jeans are by? I am loving the cut & wash.