In Love With.. Skin Care

I have always loved experimenting with beauty products, 

constantly on the hunt for something to make my skin look brighter, smoother, firmer. 

In fact, I've probably been doing it all wrong for the past couple of decades, 

since most professionals (which I am nowhere close to),

 recommend sticking to the same skin care regimen for at least two to three months for the products to adjust and behave to their full potential. 

But I get antsy, you see?

I want results, and I want them now!

Which is why if I don't see glowing skin after about a week or so, 

I tend to move on to the next "big thing".

That being said, I have found a few products that live up to the hype and deliver results.. QUICKLY.

These five products have done wonders for my skin,

so I wanted to share them with anyone that may be seeking that butterfly-crown snapchat filter effect in real life. 

Please keep in mind that we're all different, 

so just because these products worked for me, does not mean that you'll get the same results. 

But if you're willing to experiment, I would highly recommend for you to add these products to your skin care regimen.

One: Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil. I am pretty much the opposite of granola when it comes to skin care. If it doesn't burn, it's not working. At least that was my mentality for years! But after trying this natural cleansing oil, I'm that much closer to joining green peace. Kidding. But seriously, have you tried washing your face with oil before? It defies all logic, and sucks up all the grime and grease from your face in seconds. And call me crazy, but I feel like my skin has gotten LESS oily since I've started using this stuff? It must be magic. 

Two: Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask. Collagen. Let's talk about it. As we age, our skin loses some of its elasticity and firmness. Some of this is due to the loss and breakdown of collagen in the dermal layer of your skin. Maybe it's the fact that I turned 30 this year, but for some reason, I have started paying extra attention to these features of my skin lately. Obviously, prevention is key, and this Mario Badescu collagen mask is money, honey. I use it once a week, leaving it on for about 40 minutes. I swear each time is like a mini at home facial. It smells like a high-end spa, and the best part is that my skin gets a little oomph after I wash it off.

Three: Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner. I'm not gonna lie, I had to use my expert google techniques to figure out how to use this product when I first bought it. The reviews are killer for this stuff! The instructions? Not so much. Is it a gel? A toner? Do I use it alone or under a moisturizer? Huh?! So here's what I do, and whether it's right or not, I don't really care because I feel like my skin stays grease-free for hours when I use this toner. After washing my face in the morning, simply pump a nickel sized amount into your hand and massage onto your face. This may take a little while to get used to, since this stuff is quite liquid-y, but you'll get the hang of it after a few tries. Let it dry and then apply moisturizer if needed. I go directly to a tinted moisturizer and then a light dust of powder to set it all in place, and voila! Shiny forehead be gone!

Four: Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil. Okaaayyyy so two things: 1) clearly I'm on an oil kick lately, but the hype is real!! This one in particular is seriously the best I have tried to date. It's a quick-absorbing, medicated dry oil that clears congested pores, treats and prevents acne, all while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Um, yes please? I've been using it for about a month, and I am obsessed! 2) I am sucker for packaging, so while this stuff is not exactly cheap, it goes a long way and looks so chic on my vanity. A+ for boxed luxury.

Five: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. Unfortunately, no matter how diligent I am with my skin care routine, every once in a while I still get those pesky blemishes. My go to cure has been this drying lotion. I swear by it! Spot treat with a q-tip before bed, and wake up with a clear face. I'm all about that overnight action, you know what I mean?

Simple Pleasures

1. Nivea Creme // 2. Essie Good to Go Rapid Dry Coat

Wanted to take a second to capture some little things in life that I'm currently obsessed with. 

Well... "currently" may be a wrong description...

You see, the two items above have been my beauty staples for years. 

In fact, I love them so much that I figured I should spread the wealth. 

I know, I'm SO generous. 

First, an oldie but goodie. 

Nivea creme has been around for ages,

and that's about how long I've been using it. 

The original creme makes my skin as soft as a baby's butt,

and the clean scent never gets old. 

My favorite pastime is to slather this stuff all over my cleanly shaved legs and then roll around in fresh sheets. 

I may or may not do this as I blast Your Body is a Wonderland through my iPod dock. 

Don't judge me. 

As for the Essie top coat,

well, let me just tell you ladies -

this is THE BEST drug store find EVER.

I've always hated painting my own nails because I'm too impatient to ever wait long enough for them to dry,

which always results in about 7 smudged finger nails. 

You guys... this top coat is a godsend. 

Not only does it make my nails look salon-shiny for days,

but it really flash dries the polish so I can be on my way in minutes! 

This is not an exaggeration, nor am I sponsored by Essie. 

I've already gone through two full bottles of this stuff,

and as I was stocking up at Target the other day,

I figured I should tell you all about it, just in case I'm not the only one who suffers from "morning sheet scratches on your nails" syndrome. 

You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

What are your simple pleasures?

Please share, I love trying out new products.

P.S. I'm currently in Vegoose (Las Vegas + Grey Goose, naturally).

Pictures coming next week, but for now you can follow along with me through instagram, @inlovewsandiego. 

Oh BB

Get excited friends,

because I think I finally found the perfect beauty buy. 

Recently I've noticed more and more ads popping up all over the blogosphere 

about the miraculous power of BB creams. 

I'm not going to lie,

I was a bit skeptical about them at first...

a few of the reviews that I read said that BB creams may not be the best alternative for sensitive skin,

which I unfortunately have to deal with.

But nonetheless,

during my latest visit to Ulta,

I decided to try out the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream. 

I tried a tiny bit on my hand while I was still at the store,

and it practically melted on, 

and made the surface look almost air-brushed.

So I figured, why not?

Ladies,

let me just tell you..

this was the BEST impulse buy ever!

I'm absolutely in love with this stuff. 

I smooth on a pea size drop onto my face every morning after my usual moisturizer,

follow it up with some blush,

and I'm on my way. 

So easy,

and it miraculously lasts all day,

without turning greasy, cakey, or blotchy. 

BB creams are packed with tons of benefits on their own,

since the product was originally developed to aid in recovery after laser skin surgery,

but I personally feel that this Smashbox version takes it to a whole other level. 

The Camera Ready formula works to prime, perfect, hydrate, protect and control oils.

Yep, that's 5 benefits for the price of 1,

in case anyone was counting. 

The hydration part is my favorite - 

apparently this product can improve skin in as little as 4 weeks. 

Sold!

Anyway,

like I already mentioned,

I'm pretty obsessed with this stuff. 

Have you ever used BB creams?

What are your thoughts?

Birchbox

My April Birchbox arrived today,

just in time for me to link up to Mrs. Stephanie T.'s Little Bits of Happiness post.

Every week, she highlights just a few little things that make her happy.. 

Genius. 

We should all be more thankful for the tiny things in life.

1//2

This month's goodies transported me straight to Europe.. 

Among some of my favorites were the the Atelier Cologne, 

with its intoxicating fragrance of blood oranges, jasmine and sandalwood,

as well as the organic beauty balm, 

that goes on as smooth as butter, and is just the perfect shade of bronze.

3//4//5

This is my second Birchbox to date,

and I can honestly say that I'm a very satisfied customer.

A few of you responded to my last post about this program,

and told me that it was unclear whether it was free or not. 

Well... just to clarify,

you do have to pay a membership fee,

but the nice thing is that it's only $10 a month! 

I know, I know,

you can probably go out an get most of these samples for free at some fancy schmancy department store,

but here's the thing,

I have personally never heard of any of the brands I was introduced to this month,

so the chance of me seeking them out on my own is minimal. 

Plus,

there's always the fact that you get to open up a pretty pink box every few weeks!

These are the little things that are making me happy today. 

What about you?

And Another One..

Here's a fun fact. 

My yoga studio is located right next door to Ulta. 

Do you know what this means?

It means I can't go get my ohm on,

without purchasing a beauty product. 

Or two. 

Whatever, 

yoga is supposed to make you beautiful inside and out, right? 

That's how I roll. 

This week I fell for another lipstick.

Even though I already have too many enough nude shades at home,

I couldn't resist purchasing this pinkish hue from Too Faced.

It goes on as smooth as butter,

and is even infused with champagne essence!

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a little bit of bubbly..

I absolutely adore wearing nude lipsticks,
because I feel like it makes my lips look... large and in charge, ok?
But here's an issue I've come across a few times -
depending on how fair my skin is at any given moment,
sometimes wearing a really light shade on my lips can make me look like...
well, like I don't have any lips at all.
The perfect solution is a little bit of nude lipliner.
Nothing too dark people!!
I've donned the "chola" look a few times in my junior high years - it wasn't the most flattering on me.
This new liner that I just got from Smashbox seems to be the perfect hue for my skintone.
It's about a level higher than most nude lipsticks I own,
and blends perfectly to make my lips stand apart from the rest of my face.

I combined my latest purchases with a dramatic brown smokey eye this weekend for my friend's bachelorette party,
and was pretty satisfied with the results.
I'll be sure to post some pictures here later so you can let me know what you think.

Happy Monday everyone!!

Clean It Up!

I've been planning to do a juice cleanse for a LONG time.. 

In the past couple of months, I have found numerous reasons for putting it off,

but at the end of the day,

the benefits outweighed my fears (of starvation, obviously).

Last week, I finally committed to consume nothing but juice for two whole days.

If you've detoxed before,

you're probably reading this and thinking:

"Wimp. Two days? That's nothing!"

Maybe you're right,

but for a virgin cleanser like myself,

two days sounded like a mighty long time. 

Choosing the right program was tough..

there are so many cleanses out there, 

and it's easy to get overwhelmed. 

I knew I couldn't survive on water with lemon and cayenne pepper alone, 

forget about it. 

I wanted something wholesome and nutritious,

and that's when I came across Nekter Juice Bar.

The Nekter Cleanse is different from fasting;

it provides enough nutrients with limited calories.

The drink formulas are specifically designed to rid your body of toxic buildup in the organs, digestive tract and even in the skin. 

I can't say that it's the best-tasting formula I've ever consumed,

but I'll tell you one thing,

those juices sure keep you full! 

You're supposed to consume a 16 oz. bottle every two hours or so,

and I could barely get through five bottles each day! 

The last drink of the day was my favorite -

if you like cashews, I'm sure it will be your favorite too. 

What can you expect as far as results?

Well... I did lose three pounds in two days,

and my skin does seem brighter this week. 

I can't say that you will react the same way as me,

because obviously everyone's body is so different.

However, I do feel healthier,

and whether that's true, or if it's all in my head,

I don't really care. 

At the end, all that matters is how you feel, right?

And I feel great! 

Have you ever tried a cleanse before?

Is there a specific brand you recommend?

P.S. I'm currently in Miami,

so I apologize for the lack of posts. 

I promise lots of fun photos upon my return!

In the meantime, you can keep up with my adventures through my Instagram.

Birchbox

It finally came!!!

I've been a really good girl,

and now I get to open up a teeny-tiny christmas present every month!

For those of you who haven't heard of the beauty box concept yet,

you seriously need to get on board asap.

Basically,

you sign up,

and then once a month, a mailman drops off a box full of amazing beauty samples at your front door. 

Awesome concept,

right?

Birchbox is just one of the numerous companies in the business.

I've read a lot of good reviews about the quality of products they deliver,

so I decided to go with them. 

Check out what I got in my March box below:

Deborah Lippmann Stripper To Go laquer remover wipes, Orofluido Beauty Elixir,  and Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien perfume
I'm seriously obsessed with every single one of these items!!
And check out Annick Goutal's website through the link above...
it's so pretty!!

Eye Rock Designer Liner and Hollywood Fashion Secrets tape
This eyeliner should be quite a show-stopper, and I'm sure the fashion tape will come in handy this weekend.

These are just some of the items I received this month. 

Have you heard of Birchbox before?

Is this something you'd be into?

I want to hear what you think!

Smashing!

I've kind of being doing a little lot of shopping lately...

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Miami,

I realized that I needed to freshen up my wardrobe, beauty case, 

and anything else that may come in handy for a bachelorette party. 

I'm such a girly girl when it comes to make-up. 

I've been testing out different brands and conjuring up various looks since high school,

and attending last year's IMATS was this girl's ultimate pleasure. 

During my latest haul at Sephora,

I settled on two items from Smashbox - 

a step-by-step contour kit and a legendary lipstick in Vivid Violet.

I always go through phases in my make-up routine. 

One day I'll be really into rosy cheeks,

and then a few weeks later, 

I'll ditch blush all together and stick strictly to bronzer. 

After watching Kandee Johnson's latest video on how to "slenderize your face",

I was on the prowl for a darker foundation/powder. 

The kit above seemed perfect for my needs -

it includes three different shades for contouring, bronzing and highlighting.

What I like the most about it,

is that the powders are shimmer-free. 

Sometimes a little glitter is nice.. but the older I get, the sillier I feel when my face shines like a disco ball.

Not everyone can pull of J Lo's glow... 

well, maybe just on special occasions,

and I have another set of products to achieve that look. 

I've been experimenting with different colors of lipstick lately,

and this new addition is unlike anything I have ever tried before. 

This is my first Smashbox lipstick,

but so far, I'm pretty impressed with how pigmented it is, 

and the amount of moisture it retains after a few hours. 

The picture above doesn't do this color justice - 

I posted a better picture of what it actually looks like on my lips on my Instagram.

I'm planning on bringing both of these items to Miami,

so stay tuned for more pictures of the combined look!

One Minute (Wo)Man

There are times,

when one minute is all you need.

Minds out of the gutter people.

I'm referring to your daily hygiene regimen.

I think I've mentioned it before,

but I'm cursed with extremely sensitive skin.

Breakouts are sweet little surprises,

that seem to always spring up when I least expect them.

Um, ya, hey body, you're not 13 anymore, remember?

These flare-ups can be so annoying!

I'm constantly on the look-out for new "revolutionary" products,

that can supposedly make my skin smooth and clear.. forever.

Editor's note: I think one of my problems is that I don't use new products long enough... I read somewhere that you should give new products a three-month grace period before deciding whether they're right for your skin type, but honestly, who can wait that long when their skin is flaring up like a pissed of blowfish?!

I recently stumbled upon a system that seems to be working on my skin,

but I'll write more about it later,

once I'm sure it works long-term,

and is not just another fluke.

What I do want to tell you about today,

is a little,

vibrating,

magic machine.

I'm sure you've heard about the Clarisonic cleansing systems before.

Right?

I mean, these things are everywhere lately,

so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I bought myself the Clarisonic Mia,

and have not put it down since.

The concept is simple -

based on the same technology as Sonicare toothbrushes,

the Mia works with your skin's natural elasticity

to gently remove the impurities that traditional methods leave behind.

Once you hit that power button,

the machine vibrates for exactly one minute,

and by the time you're done,

your skin is softer and smoother than before you started.

Bam!

I personally love the way it makes my skin tingle,

and can use it over and over again.

Have you ever tried timing yourself when washing your face with your hands,

to ensure you're massaging long enough?

Those seconds draaaaaaag.

Not the case with my little Mia here.

One minute flies by faster than you can say,

one mi-ssi-ssi-ppi, two...

You get the point.

So I bet you're wondering about the results.

Does the damn thing work or not?

The answer is..... yes.

Since using my beloved Clarisonic, my skin does feel smoother and softer.

Of course I'm not gonna pull your leg and tell you my skin is perfect.

Yes, I still get flareups,

{stupid hormones},

but I have seen improvements.

I promise.

{And I'm not even paid to say that. Darn!}

My final verdict for this product?

Love it, buy it. 

Even if you don't suffer from breakouts,

a daily facial massage is always a pro. 

Oh Hana

Ello loves.

Happy Sunday.

I'm spending the day outside - 

taking in the California sunshine,

and catching up on some blogs and magazines.

I've been getting a lot of compliments about my hair lately,

so I'd like to tell you about some new products that I've been using.

First,

I need to point out that I'm a creature of habit. 

When I find something that works well for my body, skin and hair,

I tend to buy wholesale amounts of that product.

My secret fear is that it will all get discontinued at one point or another...

Don't laugh at me,

this has happened before, 

and I was devastated!

I have been using Chi Hair Straightners on my hair ever since high school. 

They've been doing a fabulous job of making my hair look healthy, 

despite the constant damage I put it through while highlighting, teasing, and styling. 

To be honest,

I've never given much thought about the type of blowdryers that I've been using. 

I've had the same cheap Conair one for the past few years,

and felt like it was sufficient enough...

That was until the lovely people of Misikko sent me 

the best blow dryer evah!

I promise you I'm not exaggerating. 

I came home one night to find a box waiting for me on my doorstep,

and when I opened it, 

I squealed like a little girl on Christmas morning. 

Talk about a care package - 

I got so much cool stuff!

Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner,

styling shields,

and of course the big Kahuna-

the Hana Air Blowdryer.

I never realized how much of a difference the air flow makes. 

Ever since I started using the new products,

my hair is shinier and fuller.

And the best part,

is that it takes half the time for me to get ready now. 

Success!

Fishy Business

You've probably read about the benefits of fish oil, oh, everywhere.

In the grocery store,

at the dentist's office,

in your bathroom magazine? Don't lie.

I know. I thought it was a tad bit overrated myself. I mean, I eat fish all the time.
Clearly I get enough fishiness without taking additional supplements;
and trust me, my skin is already oily enough - no extra oil necessary.

So I thought...

I was in the drugstore the other day, lolligagging in the vitamin isle while my prescriptions were being filled, and what do I see? Fish oil. On sale. Staring directly at me.

I pick up the bottle and start reading, (what else was I going to do? I already went through ALL the Revlon lipstick colors).
So I'm reading, reading reading, and suddenly, one little word pops out at me...

...ability to aid in treatment of heart diseasses, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, low immunity, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, arthritis, weight loss, ACNE, fertility, skin care...

Wha chu say? Helps with acne? Count me in!

Ladies and gents, I have been struggling with my face issues for a longer period of time than I care to admit.
Now don't get me wrong, I know that my case is by no means severe... but still! Those little bumps are so flippin irritating!

And I feel like I've tried it all... proactiv, benzol peroxide, retin-a..
fail, fail, fail.

Long story short - into the grocery basket went the fish oil.

This was a month ago.

Today I'm a happy girl. My skin has visibly improved and I don't want to sound like an infomercial buuuuut..
I didn't change much else in my daily regimen except for the fact that I started taking these little babies.

Of course I am by no means a doctor, and you don't have to take my word for anything.
I simply just wanted to share a little success story with you all, about how these little fishy pills helped me out.

That's all.
Take it as you will.

Happy hump day. By the way.

Fall Beauty Favorite

I finally got a chance to catch up on all of my September fashion mags, thanks to a massive blackout that took over San Diego yesterday, and I'm honestly so excited about the upcoming season! Autumn has always been my favorite part of the year.. the weather allows for the perfect selection of accessories, my beloved booties get to come out to play again, and this year, I'm even updating my fall beauty regimen. In the past year I've become a serious lipstick junkie. God only knows why I didn't start using lipsticks earlier in life, but we live, and we learn. The upcoming season opens up an array of possibilities, and I'm planning to try out as many rich lipstick shades as I possibly can. 

I am a proud owner of several top beauty brands, but when it comes to achieving a high level of pigment via lipstick, I have a new go-to brand - Illamasqua. Ever heard of it? This stuff is a-maze! The color is unbelievably rich, and never feels dry. The formula hugs onto the lips resulting in a seriously long lasting finish. My top choices so far? Test, Scandal and Box. How gorgeous is that crimson red?!

What are your go-to beauty picks for the upcoming season? Will you be playing it safe or changing it up? Please let me know if there's a product you love that I must try. Happy Friday everyone!

Orange Ya Glad It's Summer?

{ripe blood oranges, purchased at the farmers market this weekend}

{vintage necklace, last seen worn here}

{canvas Tory Burch beach bag}

{Oranger eau de toilette - purchased at Fragonard Parfumerie, Eze, France - perfect for summer!}

{new Revlon nail polish in Siren}

{Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - the last book of my favorite series that I'm trying to frantically re-read before the midnight movie premiere this Thursday}

Wanted to do a quick post about some of my favorite things about this season... The hidden pops of color (in my case orange), that creep up all around us during these warm summer months. 

Have a great week my sweets!

Summer Faves

Let's talk summer beauty routine. Living in San Diego, I'm fortunate enough to enjoy fairly great weather all year round, but even then, I still have to change it up for a few months. Ladies, drastic bronzer in February is not the business... Just sayin. I've been needing to refresh my make-up drawer for a while now, and I had a chance to do just that, at the IMATS a few weeks ago. Now I'm not going to give you a full on review on each of the products that I bought, but I did want to share with you some of my new favorites. 

Let's start with the face. I'm doomed with extra sensitive skin.. mood swings all the way around. One day it's happy, the next day it's a raging loonatic. For those of you who suffer with the same fate, I'm sure you've heard this numerous times before... mineral make-up is key. I've tried a few different brands before, but my latest obsession is Napoleon Perdis. 

Napoleon Perdis Mattifying Mineral Primer

Napoleon Perdis Advanced Mineral Makeup SPF 15

Napoleon Perdis Blush Patrol

Napoleon Perdis Lip Gloss in Nude

Australia's biggest make-up brand, Napoleon Perdis, is finally making it's way through the U.S., and I'm loving every bit of it! Their new mineral line suits my skin needs perfectly, and I couldn't be more happier with the results. 

MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Overtime

MAC Prep + Prime Lip

Pro Colour x4 Compact with Honesty, Kid and Carbon shadows

I've been using MAC since I was aloud to wear make-up.. My kit is getting pretty full, yet somehow this company keeps coming out with new things that I absolutely need...

Bobbi Brown Tortoiseshell Eye Palette

Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Bobbi Brown Blush in Nectar

Smashbox Black Eye Liner

I nearly died when I turned the corner at the IMATS and saw the Bobbi Brown booth. If I didn't die then, than I definitely went to heaven when I started filling my basket and heard the sweet sales lady murmur that everything was 40% off! Are you kidding? Love, love, love it all. And the limited edition Tortoiseshell collection? I meaaaan... does anything else scream "summer" louder?

What are your must haves for summer? Do tell!

IMATS!

I spent the past weekend in Pasadena, attending the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS), make-up world's biggest gathering. It was this girlie-girl's dream come true - a place where thousands of make-up artists, vendors and enthusiasts discuss, display and collect the best the industry has to offer. I had a chance to sit in on some awesome classes and demonstrations, stock-up on tons of discounted make-up, and socialize with numerous industry professionals, as well as fellow bloggers. Here are just a few photos to summarize my experience. Did any of you attend IMATS this year? What did you think?

{cute and weird at the same time, right?}

{with the beautiful Kandee Johnson}

{crazy power of make-up}

{what I want to be for halloween this year}

What a great day it was.. I love playing with make-up!