Travel Make Up

My essentials from my last trip. I kept it simple...and all teeny tiny!

Sephora Event Entry Eyeshadow Palette, Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation in Meet Me Latte, Smashbox Hydrating Perfecting Powder in Light, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Memorable, Chantecaille Rice + Geranium Foaming Cleanser,  Tarte Lipgloss in Kam, and Caudalie Eye & Lip Serum, Cream, and Radiance Day Cream

The Smashbox foundation is now my favorite. I'm wearing it as I write this! Unlike a lot of other loose powder foundations, it doesn't dry out my face and create wrinkles. I'm serious! With some powders, I get creases where I don't naturally have them. This product is described as hydrating, and it rings true! It also blends really well.

My go-to blush for a very long time was Tarte. So you already know I give it a thumbs up. The only thing with this color is that it has a bit of a pearl, shimmery effect. And sometimes you don't want that. The lipgloss: two thumbs up.

This was the first time I tried the Buxom Weightless foundation. (Thanks, Lindy!) It felt so light going on. Weightless, indeed. It also makes me happy that there's some good stuff in there: vitamin C, tamarind seed, and marine algae extracts.

I am in love with the way the Chantecaille cleanser foams. And it's so gentle while effectively washing away makeup! Another cousin Linda gift!

When I asked the Sephora associate what was a good, natural brand for moisturizers and serums, she packed me off with samples of Caudalie. The full sized versions are pricey, but I dig the fragrance, absorption, and the effects on my skin (can we say soft?!). I don't think all of the products in the line are 100% natural, but most consist of no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

The Sephora eye shadow was just okay.  A lot of colors brushed on unevenly.  But it did come in a beautiful glittery case.

Colors close up

Essie in Peach Daquiri.  I love it!

Being a Kid Again

I just returned from a trip to my hometown.

 I was born and raised in Atlanta, and my mom still lives there.  I'm not a huge fan of Georgia, but I believe a lot of it has to do with past negative experiences and the suffocating feeling (I gave MYSELF) of not being able to grow freely in a small community.

I went along with the usual rituals of our mother-daughter bonding: shopping at Marshall's, my mom showing me the fruits of her gardening labor, watching animal videos for far too long, eating some home cooked Korean food...she also brushes my hair. I know it's weird, but it's a thing. Like a combination of her preventing my hair from shedding in clumps throughout the day and probably wanting to show physical affection but not being able to (did I mention we're Korean?).

From the garden

Usually, I submit myself to painfully long periods of time in our house while she naps, falls asleep while reading, or falls asleep watching ridiculous Korean shows.  There have been way too many instances where I am talking to her and awaiting a response, only to see that my mom has passed out on the couch. Sitting up.  Slight narcolepsy? Maybe.  

Example of a REALLY bad Korean reenactment show about Robert Downey, Jr. my mom was watching during lunch. Yes, HE is supposed to be Robert Downey, Jr. Authentic accent, right? And the other dude's Jon Favreau. 

Summer Diary

Summer ain't over yet, but I just wanted to share some of the highlights so far!

 It's always such a treat to go to California.

Laguna Beach

Road Trip to Malibu Wines

Makeup for My Most Recent Photo Shoot

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I had the pleasure of working with my photographer friend Laura Vogels on a photo shoot.  I did my own hair, but for makeup, I scooted my butt on over to my neighborhood Sephora.  If you didn't already know, you can get a complimentary makeover with a $50 purchase.  Amanda, the makeup artist, did such a great job.  The photo below was not retouched, and you can see how fabulous she made my skin look.  I don't know if you consider this shine, but I thought the makeup held up really well in the heat.

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Check out the goodies Amanda used!