Bikini Fashion Celebrity

Low Blood Sugar, P90X, and Opportunities

Hi everyone,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEv-6TjH-iHX8wsUAEhTgQX7glTeksOenK8JckYbjavZjcDOy5uIE_ZqHGFQA8-4Yz8oMNr9jceCcj-2F9JnmLRHEeQu5GCBEJPtbS8BW9cHnagVRpxBCytBkg78LPsZCCnaXG0LcsCS2a/s1600/IMG_5416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEv-6TjH-iHX8wsUAEhTgQX7glTeksOenK8JckYbjavZjcDOy5uIE_ZqHGFQA8-4Yz8oMNr9jceCcj-2F9JnmLRHEeQu5GCBEJPtbS8BW9cHnagVRpxBCytBkg78LPsZCCnaXG0LcsCS2a/s640/IMG_5416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Today was supposed to be nail day but seriously, it has been a crazy, crazy day. From the moment I woke up, I had a conference call. It happened even before I had a chance to eat. Then, I started packing for a meeting later in the day. It was one thing after another and another. By the time I got home, I was so tired that I decided to take a nap instead of eating. Crazy, yah?<br /><br />However, it wasn't even that bad, compared to yesterday. I did my stuff before doing P90X. About 15 minutes into it, I had a feeling that I was going to crash. So I wrapped it up as quickly as I could before going downstairs to find something to eat. Now, this had never happened to me. Low blood sugar? Nah. Usually, it's the opposite but for some reasons, I had low blood sugar while doing P90X. Which only means one thing: I was hungry before exercising and it was not good for me.<br /><br />Last but not least, if you follow my Twitter, you already know that I am a contributor to a couple of prestigious beauty and fashion magazines in the city (and even in the whole country, for God's sake!) At the beginning of the year, I applied for an editor position in a prestigious magazine. I'm not going to tell you which one but name the two most famous beauty and fashion magazines in the world and I applied to one of them. I waited and waited for a month and nothing happened. Then, out of the blues, I was asked for an interview. It went well and I thought I had it in the bag.<br /><br />And then, bam! I got the rejection email. I felt sad for a week because that editor position was what I want. But then came the consolation price: the referrals! I guess I made an impact on the interviewer after all. Not only I am a contributor to that magazine I was interviewed but another one wants me as their contributor as well. While I want to have a salaried job with health insurance and benefits, I guess I still have to start from somewhere. I hope things are going well for me this year because I have an eye on a D-SLR and a couple of lenses. And mama needs money to bring them home!<br /><br />That's all for now, kids! Please send positive energy toward me because I really need things to happen as soon as possible.<br /><br />Love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br />  P.S: Also, please remember to follow my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribe to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Low Blood Sugar, P90X, and Opportunities

Hi everyone, Today was supposed to be nail day but seriously, it has been a crazy, crazy day. From the moment I woke up, I had a conference ...

3:20 AM

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel is My Skin Savior

Hi everyone,<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdJRxcci8kmJE5UCmeTnkwBvB71p7rZiavlXE2pyVsch2O5qYfEqQbJhcJTe1l0tdSa0u8SxCMjOagZzk2CxZRUAmqyc3eOlYyqWFexnMhMFcJvn3ea80ublSh4retMkSFdZuaxRtcnuG/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdJRxcci8kmJE5UCmeTnkwBvB71p7rZiavlXE2pyVsch2O5qYfEqQbJhcJTe1l0tdSa0u8SxCMjOagZzk2CxZRUAmqyc3eOlYyqWFexnMhMFcJvn3ea80ublSh4retMkSFdZuaxRtcnuG/s640/IMG_3944.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />I carried that much makeup and skincare products with me when I went to China last year. Since I like to travel, I have to find a way to pack the best of the best with me. When it comes to skincare, I want my skin to look good and blemish-free when I'm on the road. Believe it or not, <a href="http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/catalog/correct/Phyto-Corrective-Gel.htm">SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel</a> has been my companion to various trips within the country and overseas as well. I was so lucky that Dr. <a href="http://www.skintypesolutions.com/home">Leslie Baumann</a> suggested this product and sent it to me. And you want to know why? Because this green gel rocks!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorPRoIeDmI8zs7dnvE-GnqAC0n5iJFnlMqIbigoyKP6fltLvvdgjIazCdmEIhbjobL9-3q0WYZPmnR5Fdb4YuKy-XOGcAFuMlNbhI5tsd5jQ8bGLhGcreu1RgWrZaycTTl-POeVHIswHF/s1600/IMG_4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorPRoIeDmI8zs7dnvE-GnqAC0n5iJFnlMqIbigoyKP6fltLvvdgjIazCdmEIhbjobL9-3q0WYZPmnR5Fdb4YuKy-XOGcAFuMlNbhI5tsd5jQ8bGLhGcreu1RgWrZaycTTl-POeVHIswHF/s640/IMG_4110.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEVvcPEBWhNV0Q2NrcwlPqExjUde7GFY5X05SoKGzMgfHO-RZgx1ju1Mou2ZD915gBTzmJCR8ROHRse5SvdUEJ0O7QjZ_IF-kUgr6FOvzht2MCS8lTJrnprc5zyNr-UyAEIdUtDGbhGsV/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEVvcPEBWhNV0Q2NrcwlPqExjUde7GFY5X05SoKGzMgfHO-RZgx1ju1Mou2ZD915gBTzmJCR8ROHRse5SvdUEJ0O7QjZ_IF-kUgr6FOvzht2MCS8lTJrnprc5zyNr-UyAEIdUtDGbhGsV/s640/IMG_4114.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />First of all, let me get this right out of the ballpark: I don't love the price. It costs $60 for a 30ml bottle of serum that smells like freshly cut grass. However, Phyto Corrective Gel is a thing of a legend. Before I used it, I kept on hearing about it from all over the place: from high-fashion magazines, famous beauty editors, to some really really extraordinary beauty bloggers. On top of that, dermatologists like it a lot, too! However, I could not wrap myself around the price. It is just so bloody ridiculously expensive!<br /><br />However, after using it, I believe the hype and Phyto Corrective Gel worth every single penny of that $60. No joke, this is true. I have been using it since the beginning of last year (not continuously, though. You already know how expensive it is, right?) Each and every time I use it, all I need is 2-3 drops to cover my whole face! Even in the cold and dry nights in Beijing, I rarely exceeded 4 drops. By the way, 1ml contains 20 drops of the stuff and 30ml has 600 drops, taking or leaving a few. At the rate that I am using, it will take me about 2-300 times to finish a bottle. Which means if I use it continuously on a daily basis, it will take me a little bit less than a year to finish a bottle. Not bad at all since this is the good stuff.<br /><br />So, what's so good about it? I used to have sensitive skin that's less sensitive since I moved to Vietnam and detoxed the heck out of my livers. However, once in a while, I do have this dry and itchy feeling on my face that would exacerbate to a couple of pimples if I scratch my skin. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel takes care of that. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and skin lightening properties to help sooth, calm, and lighten my skin without using harsh ingredients. On top of that, it has hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin from within. When I was living in Florida, I would use this with a heavy night creme on top during those cold winter nights. But now in sunny Vietnam, the Phyto Corrective Gel is all I need for a night serum. Yes, it is that good.<br /><br />If you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, this is for you. Also, if you have scars left from acne, it will make them fade faster with licorice in the ingredient list. I felt the calmness on my skin after the first use and since then, it has been my pal whenever I feel like my skin is about to act out again, which luckily is less and less every day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.skinceuticals.com/">SkinCeuticals</a> is a company with great reputation and I am glad <a href="http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/catalog/correct/Phyto-Corrective-Gel.htm">Phyto Corrective Gel</a> is a fantastic product. Thank you, Dr. Baumann for introducing it to my skincare routine. I highly appreciate it!<br /><br />With love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br /><br /><br />  P.S: Please support by following my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thank you so much!

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel is My Skin Savior

Hi everyone, I carried that much makeup and skincare products with me when I went to China last year. Since I like to travel, I have to find...

4:30 AM

I Get a Break from P90X. Well, Kinda, Sorta

Hi everyone,<br /><br />Guess what? I'm at week 4 of P90X already. Time really flies. It felt like yesterday when I put my first shy step toward this program by putting the play button on the DVD to start Core Synergistic. An hour later, I was alive and well. It made me believe that I could survive the first week of P90X and I did, with the help of Twitter and Fitocracy.<br /><br />Week 1 brought me a lot of pain. I have done a lot of painful things in my life and so far, nothing beat the afterburn of Yoga-X. That was a vicious workout that left my biceps too sore for me to sleep. Lucky me, I have my new best friends Deep Heat and Icy Cold to ease the pain just enough for me to get some sleep. Week 2 was a little bit easier and so was week 3. Now, recovery week is enjoyable since I don't have to lift any weights.<br /><br />So far, here are a few things I've learned from P90X:<br /><br /><b>1. You can't spot reduce your fat:</b><br />When I started exercising, I was wearing 36C bras. Now, my bras are 34B. Yes, my boobs shrank. And so is my butt. And my thigh. And my arms. And my tummy. Really, I'm losing fat all over. Even my shoes are looser and I don't wear them as often. It's crazy!<br /><br />I did some research and Davey Wavey explains it best (warning: he's shirtless!)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/etPTFvpHxoY" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><b>2. The scale is stupid:</b><br />Say it with me, everyone: "The scale is stupid!"<br /><br />Why?<br />Because it doesn't tell you everything. On the scale, a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle. During the first two weeks of P90X, I was not losing weight. However, I noticed everything fit better, especially my pants. But the scale just refused to budge. So frustrating!<br /><br />But then, I read a blog of one of my Fitocracy buddies and he linked to <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/nue8c/6_month_progress_weightlifting_female">a Reddit post</a>. I read it and all of the sudden, things began to make sense: the number on the scale does not determine how slim or fit you are. The lady in that post did not do any cardiovascular exercises. She only lifted heavy weights. Her start and end weight was the same (137 lbs) but her "after" body looked amazing!<br /><br />I was losing a lot of weight during Hip-Hop Abs and during my month-long teeth extraction diet. However, I was not as toned as I am now. The weigh-lifting exercises in P90X make a difference and they are the testament to muscles burn fat.<br /><br /><b>3. You may gain some before you lose some:</b><br />Shocking, isn't it? It happened when I started exercising back in last August. I worked my pretty butt off and I gained 2 lbs within a week. My cousin, who was my gym buddy at the time, laughed at me. It happened again after week 1 of P90X. I shot up to 165lbs after weeks of being at 163. However, since I knew it would happen, I did not let it get me down.<br /><br />Turns out, there was an explanation for it and I would let Chalene Johnson (she of Turbo Jam and ChaLEAN Extreme) <a href="http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan">explain it to you</a>. It makes perfect sense to me and as I allow my body to adapt, it eventually yielded. After weeks of being at the same place, finally I am down to 162 lbs.<br /><br /><b>4. It might take longer than you think:</b><br />When I was younger, like in 2004 younger, I was able to lose 15 lbs over a summer. It was almost effortless: I cut out junk food, soda, and fast food. I lifted weight and did a lot of cardio exercises (think 1 hour sweating over the treadmill.)<br /><br />Now, it doesn't happen that way. If I am lucky, I may lose a pound a week. My metabolism is not as fast but again, I don't let numbers ruining my day. I keep on pushing and eventually, good things are bound to happen.<br /><br />One of the wonderful things about P90X is the testimonial videos on YouTube. Since I was frustrated at my lack of weight loss during the first two weeks, I did some look-see. I targeted at videos of women who had my starting weight and are as tall as I am and watched their progress videos. To my surprise, most of them did not have dramatic results during the first phase. Even after the second phase, they looked slightly better than the beginning. However, at the end of the 90 days, their bodies looked amazing!<br /><br />I guess phase 1 is more of a muscle-fat restructure. Phase 2 would bring that even further but phase 3 brings everything home. Also, the women in those videos lift heavier weights by the end, which further pushes their metabolism higher to burn off those fat.<br /><br />Right now, I am really sleepy. P90X and staying up late do not mesh. Also, P90X and eating badly do not go well together, either. If I don't treat my body right, I would feel it during my workouts. Therefore, my life is like that of old people now. Boring but the trade off is a hotter body. Um, I'll take that!<br /><br />That's all for now. Thank you for reading (really, thank you. I know this is a long post and I was rambling a lot because I need to sleep.)<br /><br />I hope my frequent fitness updates here and on Twitter will inspire you to exercise. It's not an expensive hobby and the trade off is really amazing! Please, treat your body right!<br /><br />Love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br /><br />P.S: Please support by following my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

I Get a Break from P90X. Well, Kinda, Sorta

Hi everyone, Guess what? I'm at week 4 of P90X already. Time really flies. It felt like yesterday when I put my first shy step toward th...

9:20 AM

Fave 5: Books

Hi everyone,<br /><br />I love reading. Before I found out that I could actually borrow books from the library, I spent a lot of money on books. Really, like a hundred dollars a month on them only to find out some of them could disappoint me greatly. Since I move a lot, owning books can be quite a hassle when the time comes to move to a new place. I ended up donated lots and lots of books and only keep the ones I love and read often. Here are my favorite 5:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT9L8dPUXLkWFzidfYS078WbIPTW1M_3LAHc5Jx-4gZtdUqMaHcB4_OAxl3rXKuYsVG-vwm5JDRUSExlUdi0EhCW-72R-2YPS8WaEpEQIbHoYXi3VTNfyiO4ZWSGQRaFYBz1XQgx1IuS7/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT9L8dPUXLkWFzidfYS078WbIPTW1M_3LAHc5Jx-4gZtdUqMaHcB4_OAxl3rXKuYsVG-vwm5JDRUSExlUdi0EhCW-72R-2YPS8WaEpEQIbHoYXi3VTNfyiO4ZWSGQRaFYBz1XQgx1IuS7/s640/IMG_6246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Beedle-Standard-Edition-Potter/dp/0545128285/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332497081&sr=8-1">The Tales of Beedle the Bard</a> (J.K. Rowling)<br />If you are a Harry Potter fan, this is a must-read for you. Of course, the book was mentioned in book 7 but you don't get the whole idea of what the stories are until you read the book. It's short but is a very engaging book for Muggles and wizards alike.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Society-S-A-Novel/dp/141653458X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c">The Society of S</a> (Susan Hubbard)<br />No, S doesn't stand for sex. In fact, this book has nothing to do with sex. It is about vampires but please don't give me that face. It is a beautifully written book with a different aspect about vampires. Definitely not your typical Twilight book but it's not one of your Anne Rice vampire stories, either. You will be surprised at the eloquence and melody this book has. I already read its sequel, "The Year of Disappearances", and had no idea that the latest one already came out.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Thirteenth-Tale-A-Novel/dp/B004H8GLXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332497527&sr=1-1">The Thirteenth Tale</a> (Diane Settterfield)<br />Another beautifully written book in my stash. This one reminds me a lot of "Wuthering Heights" with its dark and gothic story. I won't tell you what the story is, you have to read to find out but one thing I know for sure:  it won't disappoint.<br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Bonesetters-Daughter-Amy-Tan/dp/B002YDQA82/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332497665&sr=1-3">The Bonesetter's Daughter</a> (Amy Tan)<br />To me, this is the best book Amy Tan has ever written. The story is beautiful and the book has a certain melodic quality with an air of melodramatic in it. It makes me think of the old world and the tragedies that bounded women to the ground. If you have ever read Amy Tan's memoir, you will find out this book is probably the closest to her own family history.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Dead-Pendergast/dp/0446618500/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332497862&sr=1-1">The Book of the Dead</a> (Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child)<br />I went through a phase of not buying any books after discovering the local library. However, the yearn to own books is something I couldn't run away so far. I found this book in a slush pile at Border's (RIP). It was 5 dollars and since it had the words "New York Times Best-selling Authors" written on top, I bought it. I was blown away by the writing! Since then, I have been a faithful follower of Agent Pendergast. He is an extraordinary character and if you haven't read the Pendergast series, you should. The good starting point should be "The Cabinet of Curiosities" although "Still Life with Crows" is a good one to start, too.<br /><br />That's all for now, folks! What are your favorite books? I'd love to hear from you.<br /><br />Love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br /><br />  P.S: Please show your support by following my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Fave 5: Books

Hi everyone, I love reading. Before I found out that I could actually borrow books from the library, I spent a lot of money on books. Really...

3:23 AM

Lemony Goodness: What Lemon Can do for You

Hi everyone,<br /><br />To paraphrase President Kennedy, "Ask not what your lemon can do for you, ask what you can do for your lemon." Well, dear Prez, I can make lemonade, of course!<br /><br />But wait, don't stop there. Lemon is good beyond making lemonade. And squirting into pho and various kinds of soups. And making lemon pie. And lemon cheesecake. And lemon tart. Well, you get the idea.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dhrr0xNFcJ8bKo9naIYiyBt6rh8RO5nEHQ9pDr6S6Qk0Zaquja84-HOxTXOzl5gLpps75dY1TtT9gl2TDW1NuVjFwYK3HNUaSnm1FuJ7bIt7mE0rQAYmB5DCMc6CSysJah6-ujGRwSlz/s1600/lemons-are-good.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dhrr0xNFcJ8bKo9naIYiyBt6rh8RO5nEHQ9pDr6S6Qk0Zaquja84-HOxTXOzl5gLpps75dY1TtT9gl2TDW1NuVjFwYK3HNUaSnm1FuJ7bIt7mE0rQAYmB5DCMc6CSysJah6-ujGRwSlz/s400/lemons-are-good.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So true, lemons are pretty good!<br /><a href="http://proutils.github.com/lemon/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>But what you may not know is lemons are good for your nails, skin, and hair, too! Here are 3 ways to make the best out of your lemons:<br /><br /><b>1. Hair:</b><br /><br />When I was a kid, I used to cut up half a lemon and use it as a conditioner for my hair. Conditioner did not exist until I was eight so in order to detangle hair, lemon was the only way to go. After shampooing, I squeezed half a lemon all over my head, used my finger to toss the hair around, and then rinsed it well. My hair was softer, untangled (of course!), and smelled like lemon.<br /><br />The only down side of this hair conditioning method is since lemon contains citric acid, it can lighten your hair once you go out in the sun. Hence, the rinse well precaution. However, if you want to have some bleach-free highlights, just take out a few strands of hair and soak them with lemon before going outside. Once you shampoo out the juice, you'll have some subtle highlights.<br /><br /><b>2. Cuticles:</b><br /><br />If you have thick and difficult cuticles, please do not throw away your lemon (or what's left of it after you juice it out.) This is a trick a lot of manicurists here use to help cuticle removal easier. I happen to have some tough cuticles on my feet, especially the ones around my pinky toes. They are thick and no matter how long I soak my feet in warm water, them cuticles just refuse to be pushed back.<br /><br />However, the manicurist who did my pedicure used a small piece of lemon and rubbed it all over my toes. She let it soak for a couple of minutes before using the cuticle pusher to push away that thick layer of skin on my toes. Bam! The cuticles that refused to be pushed were going waaay back! Way to go, lemon!<br /><br />Again, this has to do with the citric acid that lemon has. It works wonder to remove cuticles as well as callouses. You should give it a try.<br /><br /><b>3. Elbows:</b><br /><br />If you are like me, you'll soon realize there's a price to pay for placing your elbows on the table. They will darken and they will get dry and flaky. Not cute. We all overlook our elbows but once in a while, we get a picture of ourselves with two dark dots at where the forearms meet the arms and we wonder what went wrong.<br /><br />Well, as I mentioned earlier, lemon can lighten stuff and it can definitely lighten your elbows. I don't encourage you to use lemon to lighten your face since it is acidic and can mess up your skin's pH balance. However, the skin on your elbows are thicker and if you want to lighten them, just rub some lemon, wait, and rinse it out. Then, moisturize the elbows well before going to bed. It works really well but you have to be patient and do it as often as possible (once a day if your skin can take it, otherwise every other day.)<br /><br />See, you have 3 ways of using lemon already. I specifically love using lemon as a cuticle remover as it works wonderfully. Please give lemon a try and if you have some other tips, please let me know.<br /><br />With lots of lemony love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br />  P.S: Please support my blog by following and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Lemony Goodness: What Lemon Can do for You

Hi everyone, To paraphrase President Kennedy, "Ask not what your lemon can do for you, ask what you can do for your lemon." Well, ...

4:00 AM

Dot, Dot, Dash

Hi everyone,<br /><br />Lately, I've read a lot of awesome nail tutorials and they make me itch as I want to do something fancy for my nails. You see, besides the occasional glitter obsession, I'm kind of a one-color nail kind of girl. But with the dotting nail trend that has been blooming lately, I couldn't wait to bust out my fancy smancy dotting tool.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_3dQgEj1azMHCI5RTM9A74CdAT19M2hIqwu1wsRMGC1XytMtxegNBvh4fAjc3eQUqIQn0CwAOCZI2-cy1UwT3FCgfewIoKdYp13bEa7KWtQhXcwhCsRYMvW4AUlj73KM_L3CRHI37eTB/s1600/IMG_6236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_3dQgEj1azMHCI5RTM9A74CdAT19M2hIqwu1wsRMGC1XytMtxegNBvh4fAjc3eQUqIQn0CwAOCZI2-cy1UwT3FCgfewIoKdYp13bEa7KWtQhXcwhCsRYMvW4AUlj73KM_L3CRHI37eTB/s640/IMG_6236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fancy, I'm telling ya. On top of that, they are free. These are the pencils I collected during my trip to China last year. Before I started, I needed to calibrate my instrument (fancy way to say dotting the pencil on paper with nail polish.) Like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmsOqPtitZGOeVH0z1vpX_BN_5yM8AIsPxnB-rdNS5aWG3Gnbxt7m18cIXVHxCcGEJSuSnmoUzrc6uNfq0_6ceRZM8wA5oZt5tBmYAyUF9eCLzR4PR4sTDoi-1ZwgfbTRkC6xM_jwCKBN/s1600/IMG_6234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmsOqPtitZGOeVH0z1vpX_BN_5yM8AIsPxnB-rdNS5aWG3Gnbxt7m18cIXVHxCcGEJSuSnmoUzrc6uNfq0_6ceRZM8wA5oZt5tBmYAyUF9eCLzR4PR4sTDoi-1ZwgfbTRkC6xM_jwCKBN/s640/IMG_6234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then, I painted my nails with a base color, placed a dot of nail polish and do my first dotting to see how it goes. Sometimes, things can go really well on paper but in real life it looks like a disaster.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh_Ix6rlbYhLyyq7IX9NbGEN0SZve0Qk7JU2chouQa5L2YoKzzS4B3MJx9FXaK4fPiTzGm0cgslk5z1CD9kD9lDHROdafovjYufMcKCDw2xrWun_Y2X3olyyfGnvgBlGK40uFv8sx_iOP/s1600/IMG_6235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh_Ix6rlbYhLyyq7IX9NbGEN0SZve0Qk7JU2chouQa5L2YoKzzS4B3MJx9FXaK4fPiTzGm0cgslk5z1CD9kD9lDHROdafovjYufMcKCDw2xrWun_Y2X3olyyfGnvgBlGK40uFv8sx_iOP/s640/IMG_6235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well, so far so good. The dots looked round on the nails. So I went to town with it...maybe a little bit too much :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqF0_N7nD06EnWUJ-QU6tIflfW-zwrQj2MTpzw86-Ud7l5udQP7gZf3FCtwZAKibS_8uQpTFpMi1UPUv6rLv7QHmrxRb5hdMpB2bLcy0tJJbekR3KZ40-rjtSmxKBB0A8idQjYu7_H9xK/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqF0_N7nD06EnWUJ-QU6tIflfW-zwrQj2MTpzw86-Ud7l5udQP7gZf3FCtwZAKibS_8uQpTFpMi1UPUv6rLv7QHmrxRb5hdMpB2bLcy0tJJbekR3KZ40-rjtSmxKBB0A8idQjYu7_H9xK/s640/IMG_6244.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />See, told ya! This is a cornucopia of dots and colors. Please don't mind the scar on my ring finger. I had it a couple of days ago when I was playing with my brother.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BBIA8ySt7Xz1lQuGL0UNX-PjQEacLohOb5SGEtV9XGFVj3e_vPbj4t_Y4yQlc2v0m6y-OHvGlnr_Oied2as0m2GX37vlBDVFXRB32XRiVjp2vMPqNBgveuVNoyMG2jp3_MMHvy15Xx3q/s1600/IMG_6240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BBIA8ySt7Xz1lQuGL0UNX-PjQEacLohOb5SGEtV9XGFVj3e_vPbj4t_Y4yQlc2v0m6y-OHvGlnr_Oied2as0m2GX37vlBDVFXRB32XRiVjp2vMPqNBgveuVNoyMG2jp3_MMHvy15Xx3q/s640/IMG_6240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I like the "designs" on these two fingers the most. They are not designs or anything. I just went wild with the color placement but they look nice here.<br /><br />After the dots were dried, I placed a clear top coat and call it a day. The pencils are comfortable to use but you have to make sure to work fast before the nail polishes used to dot gets dry. Also, you can customize the diameter of your dotting tool by sharpening it to get a smaller tip or writing it a little bit to get a bigger one.<br /><br />That's all for now, folks! I'm loving the dots so far and hopefully we can work this into a regular segment. What do you think about that?<br /><br />With lots of nail love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br />  P.S: Please show your support by following my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Dot, Dot, Dash

Hi everyone, Lately, I've read a lot of awesome nail tutorials and they make me itch as I want to do something fancy for my nails. You s...

4:00 AM

Review: Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Silk Shine Free Two Way Cake Powder

Hi everyone,<br /><br />Last Sunday, I went to a friend's wedding and literally had 5 minutes to do my makeup. While I was doing my eyes, I realized I had about 15 minutes to get to the premise before the reception started. Chop, chop, Dao! I had no time to do some fancy foundation routines so I grabbed the best option possible: <b>Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Silk Shine Free Two Way Cake Powder.</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rhJfjLkmu8PBlR7QcLn8BujTMEvIq2kkzrbi46u-3DK1nJCTu0n30hb3YGHolPgjhVyz17-J7nGVHoCGvHFVUQQF18QFoyLEAB_wo1HAQ7Al_KWjGouNp7LXdaQ014LBWNc-Dfj_6XH9/s1600/IMG_6213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rhJfjLkmu8PBlR7QcLn8BujTMEvIq2kkzrbi46u-3DK1nJCTu0n30hb3YGHolPgjhVyz17-J7nGVHoCGvHFVUQQF18QFoyLEAB_wo1HAQ7Al_KWjGouNp7LXdaQ014LBWNc-Dfj_6XH9/s640/IMG_6213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Exhale. What a long name for a makeup product. I did have lots of fun at the party and my makeup was simple yet flawless. Also, I learned a lot about this foundation that day, too!<br /><br />First of all, last Sunday was not the first time I used this product but it was the first time I wore it out. About a couple of months ago, I was looking for a finishing powder since my HG The Ultimate Powder was running quite low. I went to my trusted makeup/nail store and asked one of the sales people there if they had a good finishing powder. They did, but most of them were out of my reach. One girl suggested me to try this Maybelline BB Silk two way cake powder to use as a finishing powder. I looked at the price tag and since it wasn't so bad, I bought it.<br /><br />At home, I tried it out as a finishing powder and it was a cakey mess! Turned out, a two-way cake powder is not a finishing powder. It is a pressed foundation that can be used wet or dry. Think <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/251/Studio-Fix-Powder-Plus-Foundation/index.tmpl">MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation</a> but with less silicone and way less coverage. I wish to know that back then so I could chalk up a little bit more cash to get a loose powder instead.<br /><br />However, it was not all lost. As a sheer coverage foundation, it works well when I use a primer underneath. The oil control property was good as I left the party without looking shiny. However, since it does have chemical sunscreen, I did feel some tingling when I did not use a primer. When used wet, it darkened significantly but the coverage did not improve.<br /><br />Here are some photos for your own perusal:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkswoRGS6PAyKrzQBjwgz5BZCrOn1XeM9SeRhdZqXus_q-rBdwsRlVyRORAIpmMV0jPhY9oNFkOIwMSW9FwNYrVl_0WMlligSDjZTcaS1r1C6-1pNpmVnzPmfCJGYGTi7BklNo0tQmNXye/s1600/IMG_6219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkswoRGS6PAyKrzQBjwgz5BZCrOn1XeM9SeRhdZqXus_q-rBdwsRlVyRORAIpmMV0jPhY9oNFkOIwMSW9FwNYrVl_0WMlligSDjZTcaS1r1C6-1pNpmVnzPmfCJGYGTi7BklNo0tQmNXye/s640/IMG_6219.JPG" width="466" /></a></div> I love the soft lavender of this packaging. It's very sweet. Like Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation, it has a bottom compartment to store the sponge. It was made of good quality latex and believe it or not, I got the best coverage when I used it. The powder brush just makes my foundation look too heavy and cakey. This foundation is not the blending type at all!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUd3pAse4U7ZEaSilnfYM2KnIp60DfKLR2NuIDIVc0uLniZIVcXAvJlCHu8Ak-s8PbiYLO-b6SP_ZXfj8yFS63hi0OiIO3HunDkt5onYW6p6K0gj5q2gigljdbvR1lf8cRAlltHrDJ8ES/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUd3pAse4U7ZEaSilnfYM2KnIp60DfKLR2NuIDIVc0uLniZIVcXAvJlCHu8Ak-s8PbiYLO-b6SP_ZXfj8yFS63hi0OiIO3HunDkt5onYW6p6K0gj5q2gigljdbvR1lf8cRAlltHrDJ8ES/s640/IMG_6221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoVJbtGRQ2JStk0fxQ5QRC4ISIuPiYLSGw109cYQh_Dzn_Y_bkj29HvH-4_Lxg64_58qLoppQpQUgZtkVQ2QNLNly7DuXv01vMRjbK8CImrt2ccC40MG2LT3kenffj7K6oTdQck8JnkRi/s1600/IMG_6223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoVJbtGRQ2JStk0fxQ5QRC4ISIuPiYLSGw109cYQh_Dzn_Y_bkj29HvH-4_Lxg64_58qLoppQpQUgZtkVQ2QNLNly7DuXv01vMRjbK8CImrt2ccC40MG2LT3kenffj7K6oTdQck8JnkRi/s640/IMG_6223.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYfw7lpgobWIRjtkAHP7WuQAQHHECIwf5zD63NWwOLA7d8-XCFK5yhe1EvmhRKTWDT3Z7J_XUKedmE96f2-gCb5SyaPthuIoOL_900oLWKSMojTNOcSMYsM1qX8IvAu81DJMngK9EB1tT/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYfw7lpgobWIRjtkAHP7WuQAQHHECIwf5zD63NWwOLA7d8-XCFK5yhe1EvmhRKTWDT3Z7J_XUKedmE96f2-gCb5SyaPthuIoOL_900oLWKSMojTNOcSMYsM1qX8IvAu81DJMngK9EB1tT/s640/IMG_6224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> My shade is in Nude Beige (shade #2). It looked perfect after I applied to my face but about 5 minutes later, it began to oxidize to a shade darker. I should have bought shade #1 instead but it looked really, really pale. I wish the shop had testers, though. Makeup is non-refundable here :(<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6J2tSotxkz74nnR5fzGgavHqutYRNTfrQIOc1UEomJkKzQUSDE7r2g_39YwesJQnS7PHL0WYMKeUTk9BeSDoi2h9gtjmdickNpQxZi_O1HXVhZP1e-O3bjlhz5UYLMnbKr8z7id3Xfln/s1600/IMG_6226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6J2tSotxkz74nnR5fzGgavHqutYRNTfrQIOc1UEomJkKzQUSDE7r2g_39YwesJQnS7PHL0WYMKeUTk9BeSDoi2h9gtjmdickNpQxZi_O1HXVhZP1e-O3bjlhz5UYLMnbKr8z7id3Xfln/s640/IMG_6226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> A little bit about the "BB Silk" thing: I guess you guys already heard about BB Cream. It is supposed to be the best foundation/skincare product out there right now. Maybelline also has their own BB cream but I didn't buy it. This BB Silk two-way cake powder is supposed to be the powder rendition of the BB cream, I guess. It is really silky and glides on smooth without feeling heavy unless you overload it. Like BB cream, it is not supposed to give you a lot of coverage.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhERhY-cIYXFRhK0cdy4-iB6E1kefyR4MbuWaorjVd-gHYTWW2wyDfu9A_-9HtTE0TK5d-Ralq81HktI8H5ACXipBhd5w0-qq8IH7RerwmeC8gzSh8wXHyC7jZz35fRuvtexy7jHrw9vw/s1600/IMG_6227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhERhY-cIYXFRhK0cdy4-iB6E1kefyR4MbuWaorjVd-gHYTWW2wyDfu9A_-9HtTE0TK5d-Ralq81HktI8H5ACXipBhd5w0-qq8IH7RerwmeC8gzSh8wXHyC7jZz35fRuvtexy7jHrw9vw/s640/IMG_6227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The ingredient list.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPhpBt6m8AqI9rhSI8ndaE5G54p7lD7z9JDO7U9_OVMhrDPAsrEnp0GLy4ni3X84hHNuJW3UxK0PW66RfyZX2VyPl8tHX1qoy67ysHv4gN_ZM4DxAzirUMptGV4SEGPxnsauLzbd-ukom/s1600/IMG_6229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPhpBt6m8AqI9rhSI8ndaE5G54p7lD7z9JDO7U9_OVMhrDPAsrEnp0GLy4ni3X84hHNuJW3UxK0PW66RfyZX2VyPl8tHX1qoy67ysHv4gN_ZM4DxAzirUMptGV4SEGPxnsauLzbd-ukom/s640/IMG_6229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The swatch. It's the darker area closer to the lower edge of the picture</div>When I took this picture, everything looked fine and dandy but immediately after I put my camera away, it oxidized into a darker shade. Grrr!<br /><br />And finally, how it looked on me:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BETgKKdshJeTQ4_Jg1k4-at-vfQJouz3PTNlwkwFdTo_Dlqi74AsFDL3TPzYgmwpY75ciPy80ShNeZ3YezevA5JjVbR5BDnpJ0eQrW3_C-hOX9OyATm0rIFYN6ctfBbsTeGBCmICbzL9/s1600/Dao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BETgKKdshJeTQ4_Jg1k4-at-vfQJouz3PTNlwkwFdTo_Dlqi74AsFDL3TPzYgmwpY75ciPy80ShNeZ3YezevA5JjVbR5BDnpJ0eQrW3_C-hOX9OyATm0rIFYN6ctfBbsTeGBCmICbzL9/s640/Dao.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br />See, no shine at all! I love the oil control power of this thing. However, look how tan my face was compared to my neck. This picture was taken after the party so it had plenty of time to show its true color already. Don't you hate it when your foundation oxidizes?<br /><br />Overall, I would give this product a B. While it does what it is supposed to do, it also manages to oxidize, which is a no-no to me. I believe this Maybelline BB Silk powder is a product for the Asian market. If you only need a sheer coverage powder foundation, this would do. But remember to get one that is a shade lighter than your skin color as it does oxidize.<br /><br />That's all for now. Have fun, everyone!<br /><br />Love,<br />Dao xoxo<br /><br />  P.S: Please support by following my blog and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/MyMakeupBlog" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">subscribing to my feed.</a> Thanks a lot!

Review: Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Silk Shine Free Two Way Cake Powder

Hi everyone, Last Sunday, I went to a friend's wedding and literally had 5 minutes to do my makeup. While I was doing my eyes, I realize...

6:26 AM