Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Princess Countdown!


A few of my favorite royal faces...


Princess Grace of Monaco

Princess Masako of Japan

Princess Victoria of Sweden

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco

Princess Peach of Mario World (love those lashes and glossy pink lips!)



Are you staying up for the royal wedding?





Monday, April 18, 2011

Why Prom Makes Me Smile

Memories...misty water colored memores...Call me sentimental, but I will always have a soft spot for proms. Working with Crystal and Mandi was like taking a trip down memory lane- the excitement and anticipation for the night ahead, the rushing around to coordinate friends, and jumping into that special dress.

Crystal and Mandi have been friends since the sixth grade and had loads of questions about college life ("Do boys get cooler as they get older? Is college more fun than high school? Is it hard to stay in contact with old friends?"). I don't think these two will ever grow apart- they valued each other's opinions on the looks we created and finished each other's sentences.


These two found me on yelp! and requested some fun colors for their special night. Together, we had so much fun designing their looks. Mandi wanted something soft and pretty with a focus on the eyes. We popped the eyes with a plum shadow and feathery lashes. Crystal, the bolder of the two, requested a deep smokey eye and over the top lashes.
Praise from Crystal: "Thank you so much for last night! Our skin looked great and glowing!" Hot tip: nude platform shoes look fierce with a red dress!
Best of luck in college ladies! You two are going to have so much fun making more memories, even if you are apart. You'll always have your senior prom together to look back on. Thanks for including me in such a memorable day!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Keeping It Real.

From my favorite sister. Another reason why skincare is so important... [via StumbleUpon]

Flowers, Friends & Fun!

Three Cheers for Katie! Hip, hip, hurray! My favorite redhead sure knows how to throw a swell party! We all gathered on Sunday at Sylvia's newly renovated castle for a "sweet" themed shower. Here are a few snapshots of Sylvia's bridal shower hosted by the fabulous Katie. With beautiful flowers from Trader Joe's, homemade felt magnets, bright paper pennants, and delicious treats- homemade scones, Sweet Tea and Vodka... mmMmm!

Highlights included the gifted Topsy Turvy Tomato grower from the creative Kim, multiple Home Depot gift cards to help spruce up the backyard, and a bedroom book that made everyone blush. And for me, meeting the other half of my beauty team, the talented Corrina of Bumble & Bubble and reconnecting with the insightful Nnekay. Hi Nnekay!

Check out our beautiful Bride to "Bee"! I fancied Sylvia up for her company with a smooth black eyeliner, loads of volumizing mascara and BRIGHT pink lips. Sooo looking forward to doing her wedding face at her farm wedding. Fun party ladies, see you all in June!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Beach Beauty

Special request from Hazelle! My SoCal sister is heading to the beautiful Philippine islands for a little r&r and family time at the end of this month. Lucky! The beaches in the PI are some of the most beautiful in the world- quiet, serene and warm. So, Hazelle has asked me to post a little info about my favorite products that can withstand the tropical humidity. Perfect, considering I just arrived back from a nice vacation in sunny Oahu! Here are a few fun photos of our trip!
I don't know about you all, but there are a few things I consider when packing my makeup:
1) I like my makeup to be with me in my carry on. You can never tell how roughly your check-ins will be handled, would hate to open up some shattered eyeshadows! Which means...
2) All liquids must follow the 3.4 ounces rule.
3) Products are best when they serve dual purposes.


My must haves include:
* tinted moisturizer, like Laura Mercier's Oil-free Tinted Moisturizer with spf 20. Can never have too much spf!
*A concealer stick for under the eyes and any little "friends" that decide to pop up
* cream shimmer eyeshadows swept across the lid
* waterproof gel eyeliner. You can define skinny and close to the lash or you can use it to create a fun smokey look for going out at night. And it won't go anywhere. Anywhere.
* waterproof mascara. My latest favorite has been The Falsies by Maybeline in Blackest Black.
* Coppertone Water Babies Sunsceen. The smell reminds me of my lifeguarding days!


My go to product for travel is Bobbi's Shimmer Brick. So many choices, but my current favorites are pink quartz and bronze. Use them on cheeks and as eyeshadow and you can create multiple looks with just one square. It gives the prettiest glow when dusted on the apples of the cheeks. If I've ever done your makeup for your wedding, you'll recognize the copper diamond- the perfect highlight for Asian skin tones!I usually pack makeup remover wipes instead of liquid face wash, sample size face cream for night, a handful of cotton swabs for melty touch ups, and travel size brushes. You really only need one for cheeks and one for eyeliner. Everything else you can apply with your fingers! Beach towns tend to be more laid back anyway, so don't worry about your makeup looking too perfect. Just a little glow and you'll be good to go!


I'm going to the OC next week and will likely be packing similar products that I brought to Hawaii. Warm(er) weather, here I come! Hope this helps Hazelle. Looking forward to visiting you next week and who knows? Maybe I'll bring you some beach friendly goodies. Thanks for inspiring this post! p.s. You're taking me with you next time!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Junior Prom is the Bomb!

News flash: jewel tones are all the rage! As are plunging backs and embellished straps. This was quite the departure from the soft watercolors my sister and her friends wore a couple of years ago, pictured here. While I didn't do any of the hair and makeup pictured below, I was inspired by the fun colors and patterns found among this group of friends. My beau's baby brother allowed me and big sis Denise to attend his pre-prom photoshoot (though it took a lot of arm twisting. Sisters can be embarrassing after all.). Aww, feel the sibling love.
I couldn't believe the rainbow before me! The boys looked quite dapper as well. Thanks Nick, for letting us bug you. Hope you had fun and made responsible decisions (ahem, ahem). I still can't believe that when we first met he only came up to my shoulder. Now I barely come up to his!Not sure if the girls coordinated their gem toned looks, but nevertheless, this group was fun, fresh and fabulous! And tall! I felt very, very tiny. As one prom mom said, "Wow! They don't make Asians like they used to!"
Voluminous bouncy curls, big lashes, pops of bright lipstick and color coordinating eyeshadow were the big trend among these friends. Ahhh, brought me back to my high school days! Looking forward to doing some fun prom looks this season!