Skin Care Blog Post - Burts Bees Radiance - Best Night Cream for Your Money

Don't you just hate women who look 10 years younger? 

Totally kidding. I don't hate them, I envy them. But I love it when they share their youthful secrets. A mama friend of mine, who is a few years older but looks about my age, told me that using night cream made a significant difference. I agree with her completely.

Why use a night cream?

Your skin loses more moisture at night. The older you get, the more so. Now that I am in my 30's, I can totally see it -- my skin always appears ashy and dry the next morning, if I don't apply night cream the evening before.

Night cream helps repair and hydrate skin while you sleep, leaving your face supple and moisturized when you wake up.

Benefits of using a night cream

Here are some major benefits of using a night cream:

• Moisturize and hydrate skin
• Reduce wrinkles
• Even out skin tone
• Boost collagen
• Help skin recover from damaging oxidants

Best night cream for your money

 

You don't need anything that costs an arm and a leg. Drug store products have the same quality, if not better. 

Burts Bees is a great drug store skin care line. Its Radiance Night Cream with Royal Jelly is a natural night cream that works superbly but costs significantly less than department store brands.

What I like about Burts Bees Radiance Natural Night Cream

• Contains royal jelly, a natural ingredient that has nutrients such as amino acids, minerals and vitamins.
• A 99% natural night cream.
• Has a faint honey smell.
• Thick consistency that lasts through the night.
• Skin felt hydrated as soon as cream hit the surface.
• Its low price point. (Anywhere between $10 - $15)

 

Love the fact that it's 99% natural.

Formula comes thick and rich.

So thick that cream remains even after a few rubs.

You really have to rub hard for cream to absorb. But skin feels moisturized and supple afterwards.

My other hand, WITHOUT night cream. It looks obviously drier.

 

Where to buy

You can purchase Burts Bees Radiance Natural Night Cream at any discount or drug store. 

You can also purchase it online at Amazon for only $9.25.

Have you tried Burts Bees Radiance Natural Night Cream?

What did you think of it?

 

No Exercises for the Face - Tricks that Slenderize Your Face During Pregnancy

Do I appose exercises for the face? Of course not! But during pregnancy, certain parts of your body just bloat for no reason :O(

Thighs -- thunderous. Backside -- double whammy. What else can get fat? Oh yeah, your face.

What causes bloating during pregnancy?

Blame it on pregnancy hormones, or progesterone. It causes muscle tissues, which are usually tight, to relax. One of these muscles is your gastrointestinal tract. Its loosening slows your digestion and metabolism, causing your body to bloat and your face to puff.

How to stop bloating during pregnancy?

Sorry girlies, there's nothing you can do about bloating during pregnancy. So why don't you just let Mother Nature do her thing.

However, you can relieve pregnancy bloating by trying the following tricks:

Ice it down

Ice, or anything cold, constricts blood vessels, which pump vibrantly during pregnancy and also cause your face to puff.

Put ice cubes in a plastic bag, and lay it on your face before morning makeup. Puffiness should reduce after a few minutes.

Ice in a bag - such a cheap trick.

My A.M no-makeup face again - really need to stop scaring readers.

Contour face with bronzer

Bronzer's naturalness can also slenderize your face, if you apply it correctly. 


Contour your face with a bronzer by brushing it on the areas below your cheek bones and towards the back. This creates a hollow look.

Love using N.Y.C bronzer and Ecotools brush.

A few strokes contours face slim.

Before

Round and well-endowed.

After

 

A little better. Hope you can see the difference.

 

Straighten your hair

Sleek hair not only exudes sophistication but also provides a slenderizing effect. Try it. You'll love the look.

A hair tool slims the face? Now that's a double whammy.

Before

Rounder with waves.

 

 After

Sleek, straight and slim.

Don't worry, pregnancy really isn't that bad. 

 

Just a few months of bloating and discomfort for a little miracle in the end.

Do you have any face slimming techniques?

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Review - Party Nails in "Candy Shop"

Parties are the last things on my mind -- unless you count the wild kicking in my uterus -- sorry, a little pregnancy joke. But I do like a festivity on my nails. Sometimes a girl's just got-ta glitter, gleam and shine.


I won a Deborah Lippmann nail set a while ago (from NYC and a Little Cannoli). One of the colors, Candy Shop, put me in a party mood. 


For a base, I used Sinful Colors in "Easy Going." The two made quite a jubilant combo. However, good looks doesn't guarantee quality. Read on to find out how I liked Candy Shop by Deborah Lippmann.

Color:

• Pretty in pink and full of glittery confetti, this color is both bubbly and fun. 
• If you like serious attention, you will love it.

 

Quality:

• Nail paint glided on smoothly.
• Confetti didn't shatter, not even after a few days' wear.

 

Brush:

• So easy to use. Two to three strokes provided lasting finish.
• One coat worked well. Two or more coats covered nails with allover glitter.

 

Likes:

• Excellent quality. Confetti stuck on for days. 
• Gorgeous color and beautiful glitters.
• Brush was wonderful to use.
• Fast drying, especially for glitter coating. Took only about five minutes.

 

Dislikes:

• Taking it off took a loooooooooooooooooong time. 
• It was so difficult that I started picking it off with my nails.
• Price. $18 at most stores. It's very expensive.

 

Overall Rating:

3.5/5

Re-purchase?

On the fence. Polish is pretty and has great quality, but it's just a party polish after all. $18 is too much.

 
A couple pictures of finished results:

 

Have you used Deborah Lippmann nail polish before?

How was your experience?

Blogging Tips Weekly - Beating Writer's Block after a Brilliant Idea

You've got the perfect idea for your next post. Now what?


Many times, I get brilliant ideas for blog posts, and can't wait to share them. Then, when I sit in front of a computer, my mind goes blank. How can I have nothing to write?


Writer's block -- Please tell me I am not the only one who experience this.


No worries though, this method seems to work.

Write like a friend

Your blog is not a term paper for English Lit. Your readers don't care if you sound like an intellectual narcissist. They do care, however, about your knowledge and passion for the subject.


Write as if you are talking to a friend. Convey your ideas in a conversational style. Not only will your blog be easier to read, your down-to-earth-ness will attract more following by NOT making others feel inferior.

How to write like a friend

Set the mood

You light candles for romantic dinners, play music for parties, and put up balloons for kids' birthdays -- why? Because you like to create an ambiance. Doing so puts you and your friends in the mood.

If you blog to your (virtual) friends, shouldn't you set the mood as well?

I like to put girlie shows on -- Desperate Housewives, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Real Housewives, etc. By playing these in the background, and watching women bond on the shows, I am always ready to talk about women's interest like makeup, skincare and such.

Ex-husbands, secrets and murder - these Desperate Housewives share everything.

Pretend

Pretend you are sitting across from your girl friend. You guys are sipping martinis and chatting about girlie stuff. From boys to lipstick to planning a bachelorette party, your conversation flows endlessly and intimately.

Now write :O)

Doesn't it feel so much easier now?

 

 How do you beat writer's block?

Pregnancy Fashion - Jeggings and Bubble Shirt

20 weeks now, and I am thrilled! 

The severe morning sickness resided some time ago, catapulting pregnancy weight to a healthy 117 lbs. Also, we find out the gender very soon.

Second trimester feels much better. It's also a wonderful time to show off your growing baby bump with various pregnancy fashion.

This week I'd like to share my favorites -- jeggings and bubble shirt. Jeggings are just like leggings -- stretchy, comfortable, and fits a growing bump. And bubble shirts are big enough for cover up, but still look cute and dressy.

My entire outfit came from Ross, and cost less than $20.

To add a touch of girlie, I wore fake pearls to decorate.

Of course, a side shot of the belly. Just felt it flutter last night - very exciting.

 

What do you think of jeggings and bubble shirts as pregnancy fashion?

 

 

Beating the Housewife Blues - How to Survive Your First Year as a Stay-at-Home Mom

You are a stay-at-home mom. What do you do ALLLLLLL DAY?

Though I was not offended by my ex-manager's question, I have been answering similar questions from other career women. 

Another friend, who just became a new mom and wanted to quit her job too, expressed similar curiosity. She was especially concerned about feeling like a lonely housewife.

Their curiosity is understandable -- for someone who always worked outside of the house, the lifestyle of stay-at-home moms must seem so foreign. To these women, as well as anyone contemplating on becoming a stay-at-home mom, I say, "you needn't worry at all."

Yes. A new baby changes your life drastically. Going from career girl to full-time mom takes adjustment, and the first year is especially difficult. But you'll get the hang of things in no time.

Here's how.

A not-so-appealing stereotypical depiction of housewives.

Create a daily schedule

Think a schedule is too stringent? Think again.

Even for the most free spirited mom, schedules make a convenient tool for planning your daily life. 

Everyday, figure out when your baby's nap and feeding times are, and stick with them as much as you can. Once a schedule is in place, you can then plan other activities within the gaps.

One thing to take note on is that babies' nap times change. So re-adjust if you must.

The aquarium is one of the many places you can take your baby to.

Get outside of the house every day

Speaking of activities, schedule one for everyday of the week. Make sure it's outside of your home. 

Hit the play ground, go to story time, or meet up with friends. You can do whatever you like, as long as you are not sulking at home.

Remember -- you are only as lonely as you allow yourself to be.

Here are some ideas:

Local libraries

Bookstores
Kid-friendly coffee houses
Shopping malls

Community centers

Parks and playgrounds 

meetup.com

You can always enjoy a walk on sunny days. I like to stroll along the waterfront of downtown Seattle.

Pick a regular activity to meet other parents

Once you have attended various activities, pick your favorite one(s), and consistently go to those each week. 

People become friendly only if they feel comfortable with you. So create a certain comfort level with other parents by making yourself available and familiar.

Once you've connected with other parents, extend casual chit chats into a lunch or coffee break. 

Eventually, you will become friends with these parents, and even get invited on play dates and birthday parties.

A few moms and I often go eat at the local Asian grocer for lunch.

Lately, we have been into bubble tea.

Don't set your expectations too high

Of course, friendships take time. Don't expect every parent to become a new buddy. Just because you both have a baby doesn't mean you have a lot in common. 

Be open. Be friendly. But also be understanding if you don't connect immediately. Great relationships are neither forced nor quick.

Take time for yourself and your husband

An easy way to adjust to a new life is to keep a part of your old life in tact.

Prior to baby, did you go on date nights with the Mister? Did you have girls' nights? Continue doing them once in a while. Taking a breather from 24/7 mom duty gives you both a physical and emotional break.

Local parks are always good places to go and meet people at.

Find a passion. Develop a hobby.

You don't need a paycheck to feel accomplished. Now is an opportune time to explore your passions and hobbies. 


Obviously, I took up blogging. But what about you? Do you like to knit? Sew? Bake dog treats? 

The possibilities are endless. And when you become really good, like my friend Susan with her photography (Susan Ulep Photography), you might even turn your hobby into a lucrative business -- how's that for accomplishment?

Are you a stay-at-home mom too?

If so, any suggestions?

Skin Care Product Review - Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer

Is the summer heat drying up your skin?

Whether you are the type to bake in the sun or hide in the shade, warmer weather can exhaust your skin. Now is the time to amp up on moisturizer, especially if the product protects against UV.

I have been using Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer for two weeks now, and I absolutely LOVE IT! To find out why, read on.

 

Product Performance

• Phenomenal moisturizing effect.
• A little pump onto skin provided a surge of moisture.
• No perfume-y smell, yucky grease or tingly aftermath. Skin felt smooth and relaxed after use.

Likes

• Its moisturizing effect, of course!
• No smell. No grease. Just plain moisturizer with excellent results.
• SPF 15 is always a bonus.
• Low price point. Only about $15 at local drug stores.

Dislikes

• The formula is thick. It took a lot of rubbing to even out.

Additional Perks

• Love the packaging. It's so simple, and doesn't take up shelf space.
• Easy-to-use twist pump allows one-step open and close.

Overall Rating

4.5/5

Re-purcahse? 

Abso-effing-lutely!
Outstanding performance, unbeatable price -- it's a keeper.

Twist top provided a convenient way for access.

Such a thick formula. No wonder this product is so moisturizing.

Please pardon all those blemishes. This is my A.M. no-makeup face.

A few extra rubs finally settled moisturizer onto skin.

Have you tried Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer before?

Do you love it as much as I do?

 

Makeup Tutorial - Summer Time Blue and Pink

Lighten up! It's summer time. 

You are already bringing on the neons and breaking out the sandals. Why not ditch your earthy makeup too, and attempt light and fun colors like blue shadow and pink lips?

Think -- Malibu Barbie rollerblading by the beach. Doesn't that sound like a refreshing idea to wear?

Summer Time Blue and Pink Makeup Tutorial

Step 1

Hide blemishes and under eye circles with a concealer.

Just dot on concealer and even out with a brush.

Step 2

Create a clear complexion with foundation.

A round foundation brush doesn't leave your face streaky.

Here's a tip: your skin might get darker in the summer. Blending a light and dark foundation generates a more fitting color.

Step 3

Using a shadow brush, apply a light blue color all over lid and crease.

Using L'Oreal Eyeshadow Single in "Reflecting Pool."

Step 4

Rim top and bottom with a dark eyeliner.

Using Almay Intense I-Color in "Midnight Black."

Step 5

Using a makeup sponge, blend top liner with a dark powder shadow.

Using CoverGirl Eye Enhancer in "Shimmering Onyx."

Step 6

Apply highlighter to the brow bone with a highlighter brush.

Using CoverGirl Eye Enhancer in "Pink Chiffon."

What I used:

Step 7

Curl lashes and apply mascara.

Using:

Step 8

Apply a light-colored blush to the apples of your cheeks.

A light blush on the cheeks gives you a healthy glow.

Using:

Step 9

Add pink lipstick and gloss.

Sheer gloss gives lips a sexy splash of pearliness.

Using:

And you are done!

Fun, flirty summer time blue and pink.

 

What do you think? 

Would you like to try these refreshing colors for the summer?