And the travel begins!! I will be headed to Bali in a week, so I bought a new carry-on duffle bag because I am committed to traveling as minimally as possible this year. For once, I packed it neatly and organized my skin care, makeup, and accessories into pouches so I figured I would share it! I once used to cram as much product into my carry-on as possible, but in general, I wear less makeup and I finally learned to bring only what I truly need. I hope this inspires you to pack less, too!
Since I have traveled so much this year, I've discovered several tips and tricks to making my beauty routine a little less clumsy. I'm all about streamlining and efficiency these days! I always pack my Anya Hindmarch Inflight Case whenever I fly, since I can access my skin care and makeup without having to dig into a dark bottomless bag. The separate zipped compartments make it so easy. There are more affordable copies of her case, but nothing comes close to the Inflight. It's stylish yet sturdy!
Let's kick off Asia Week with a shopping guide! After 3 trips, I am now familiar enough with Tokyo to share where to find the best product selection. Tokyo remains my #1 destination for makeup and skin care, especially for exclusives and ultra luxe brands. The language barrier can be intimidating, but sales associates in Tokyo are always so accommodating and have, for the most part, always gone the extra mile to help me.
Even though my subscribers have asked me for daily vlogs, almost all my days consist of work and Beau. Yes, that's it. There's really nothing glamorous or entertaining about my everyday life! I wear glasses and sit in front of the computer or my camera. That's why I always emphasize that Instagram and Facebook and other social media outlets are merely a highlight reel. It's not real life. But this month was unusually different! I actually had something to vlog about!!
Firstly, a lot of you have been asking about my weight loss. It's hard to believe, but it's all thanks to changes in my eating habits. I do walk Beau a few times a week, but I haven't been to the gym at all. Basically, I eat less meat and more vegetables + fruit. I try my best to have fresh juice every day. Since it was taking up so much time and costing a lot of money either way, it was time to invest in a juicer.
I chose the Omega first, but I purchased the Hurom thanks to my friend (another enthusiastic juicer) Derek's recommendation. Now that I have had a couple weeks to try both, I decided to return the Omega and keep the Hurom. Although the Omega is easier to clean and creates less foam, I think the Hurom juicer creates tastier, purer juice. It's also significantly quieter.
The Hurom does not struggle with hard veggies like beets or carrots nearly as much as the Omega does. If you are looking for a multi-tasking juicer, try Omega. If you're a strict juicer as I am, try the Hurom! It takes me 30 to 45 minutes every morning to prep the produce, make the juice, and clean the Hurom, but my new health-conscious routine has definitely been worth the effort!
My jaw felt tender and sensitive early on this month, and it was then that I realized my bottom left wisdom tooth had broken the surface. I was talking to my friend Stacey about how hard it is to find a good dentist, so her dentist's office gave me a great referral to the doctor I booked with. My phenomenal surgeon was kind and efficient. The surgery cost me an arm and a leg, but it was worth every penny because the entire process only took 2 hours - incl. x-ray, consultation, prep, sedation, surgery and post-op home care chat).
I was expecting the worst, but thanks to his skilled hands, I experienced only minimal swelling. My wisdom teeth were impacted and touching the nerves, so another dentist warned me that I could even have nerve damage with the extractions. Dr. Park (he's in Santa Monica) reassured me that I would be fine, and I'm so happy that I will go back to him if I ever need oral surgery again.
Now for my super quick trip to Miami! I was there to attend the European Wax Summer Goddess Model Finale, so it was my first outing since my chemical peel and wisdom tooth extraction. It felt great to curl my hair and wear makeup again! It wasn't nearly as hot as the first time I visited Miami, but I was sweating at the event nonetheless. A lot of you commented on my Instagram selfie that my skin looked better and asked for a strobing tutorial, so I have duly noted that request!
And since I've never shown the contents of my awesome Tumi makeup bag, I figured this vlog was perfect opportunity to share! I switch it up depending on where I'm traveling to, but staples such as my concealers and false lashes are always ready to go in this case! I never use everything I carry, but like I mentioned in the video, I bring more because I like having options. I know I never got around to reviewing my ADDICTION eyeshadow palette, but I will try to purchase the new colors and swatch them for you.
You might have noticed my Anya Hindmarch case in my Rimowa carry-on luggage, but I've talked about it many, many times now. I use it to store my liquids such as skin care and hair care as well as face masks. Check out my Tokyo vlog if you want to see what I pack for long flights!
My second trip to Tokyo was a whirlwind of work and play! I was able to dress up as a geisha, whittle down my foodie wish list and even visited a tourist attraction (other than a mall, of course). My first trip to Japan was pretty stressful, but this time, I made sure to pause and capture some footage to share my visit with you! I'm still a novice vlogger, and it takes more courage than you could imagine to vainly shoot oneself in public, but I tried my best! Many thanks to my talented friend Tony for helping me edit this travel vlog ♥
For those curious, my Chanel eyeglasses style number is 3292A. I got them earlier this year after randomly stopping by an eyewear boutique in Los Angeles. They're lightweight and comfortable. I actually purchased another optical frame during this trip to Tokyo, but I will share them with you via my travel series "Everyday Luxe" on ICON in a few weeks!
My Proenza Schouler bag is the classic PS1 Medium in Smoke. I love it so much that I'm considering the new Pepe suede version here. The design is understated and casual, crafted using a luxurious yet lasting leather. I have a few different handbags ranging from Chanel to DailyLook, but the PS1 Medium is the most functional! I highly recommend Proenza Schouler if you're trying to stay away from logos.
My jewelry during this trip was all gold — a pretty rare switch for me. I'm obsessed with the mix of Dior's bold earrings and Gjenmi's delicate necklaces, so it was effortless in the way of planning. I am not naturally talented when it comes to styling, unfortunately, so I usually have to try really hard to put outfits and accessories together. I love finding pieces that always coordinate well because that makes packing (and my life in general) much, much easier!
I revisited several department stores such as Isetan and Takashimaya as well as specialty boutiques in Hakajuku to shop. I plan to compile a Tokyo Shopping Guide next month to highlight the best fashion and beauty stops. Let me know if that would be of interest to you! Now that I've been to Tokyo twice, I feel much more confident in recommending where others should make time to browse! I've visited during the sale seasons, so I have been lucky in the shopping arena and can clue you in on what the best deals were.
Now for some foodie tales.. I cannot begin to explain how much I love eating in Tokyo. I wish I had a larger appetite so I could eat more. I am very sensitive to salt and MSG, but I have no problems eating out in Japan because everything is fairly healthy! I especially enjoy eating seafood in Asia, but Japan takes freshness to a completely different level. Even the veggies taste better! The giant scallop at Tsukiji was inexplicably succulent and I had the best sashimi I've ever eaten at Inakaya, so I may not be able to stomach the sushi in LA anymore. I hear from many seasoned travelers that the food is Osaka is tenfold better, so I plan to make a trip out there just to eat my heart out!
Last but not least, here are some more images from my geisha photoshoot with fellow blogger Ivy! I arrived at the studio with a made up face, so I requested a subtle but signature geisha look. The makeup artist kindly obliged, so she used a dusting of white kabuki powder all over my face with pink eyeshadow on the corners of the eyes. She heaped on a brighter pink blush in a c-motion around my eyes to the top of the apples of my cheeks. The kimono was much heavier than I anticipated, but the most interesting costume element was the wig. It looked so intimidating when she brought it out! Once she formed and styled my bangs, however, it looked much more natural against my face. It's hard to imagine that geishas of the past used only their natural hair to achieve those full looks. No wonder they had to grow their hair down to their ankles! Hope you enjoy the pictures (taken by photographer Ash) xo
I can hardly believe we are halfway through 2015!! June was a very stressful month because of the move, but I am glad we survived with all body parts intact. I will look back fondly on that first apartment, because living on my own was my first big girl step and I learned too many things to count! Now, I hope this new apartment will allow me to grow creatively and share with you more beautiful lifestyle inspirations, such as home decor and beauty organization. Plus, expect more pictures of Beau since my new place has more space and light!
I'm still in the process of unpacking and waiting for my furniture orders to arrive, but in the meantime, I wanted to share my latest skin care display. I thought more of you would be curious about the products, but I got an overwhelming response for the tray! It's actually a kitchen server from Crate and Barrel. I loved it immediately because I have a weakness for marble, but I knew it would be perfect for skin care because of the height between the shelves. I had used acrylic organizers from The Container Store for years, but they are too high maintenance and cannot accommodate larger bottles and jars. Now my bathroom (and yours, too) can be clutter-free!
Note: I did not feature any skin care in this episode because I plan to do another skin care video later this month. Would you prefer a current skin care favorites or morning/evening skin care routine? Let me know!
With summer vacation season in full swing, I get lots of travel related questions! I've tried countless brands and styles in the last two years, but here I'll present the very best beauty bags that keep me organized while flying. Plus I show you how to use the T3 Compact Folding Dryer that I have been packing on all my trips! I had been obsessed with the Bodywaver for months, and it is still my favorite curling iron, but I never full grasped the concept of looking like you've had a blow out without having to use a blow dryer. Now I finally understand it! Since I tend to be bare-faced during my flights, a clean bouncy blow out makes me feel confident but not overdone. Minimal yet polished is the way to go when traveling!
Now, since I get asked about my luggage regardless of the time of year, I wanted to answer your questions regarding my beauty bags and carry on suitcase. I am petite at 5'0, so I prefer to travel with bags that I can carry and lift on my own. The Rimowa was an investment, but it was worth every penny! It does scratch occasionally, but overall, the white color is not difficult to maintain. I just wipe it down with a damp microfiber towel after every trip! I've talked about my Anya Hindmarch a lot, but I love it the more I carry it. It's so useful for storing my in-flight skin care, hair care products, and other liquids (3.3 oz bottles or smaller). Also, I now separate my makeup products into the Tumi toiletries bag because it actually fits all my makeup essentials! I tend to carry powder makeup only when flying to avoid having it thrown out by the TSA staff. I hope these tidbits and tricks will help you pack for your next trip!!
Haul videos are still some of my most popular, and they're the most fun for me to film! Win-win! Today, I added a personal touch with my weight loss journey. It has been a slow and steady journey, but with every passing week, I am closing in on my goals. Many of you have noticed and asked me to talk about how I did it!
I want to make it clear that this is a lifestyle overhaul, not just temporary cutting of the number I see on the scale (although it definitely feels nice to see it shrink). I officially gave up ice cream, which I have never done before, and I rarely ever eat fast food now. I avoid MSG like it's the plague, and I try to eat fresh whole foods like leafy greens and nutrient-dense carrots whenever possible. I went vegan at the end of December to start the purging stage, which was 10 days of torture, but now I have few cravings for red meat! I eat a lot of seafood these days. Pizza is still my weakness, but I have pretty successfully changed the way I eat and see food (particularly meat and carbs). You see, I am a stress eater. And I was very, very stressed for a while, meaning I was eating excessively large portions and in general, a lot of ramen and ice cream and Jack-in-the-Box at 1 AM. Of course I knew better, but I stopped caring after a while, even when none of my clothes fit.
Since eating cleaner, I have been sleeping better. I drink a ton of water and caffeine-free herbal tea so my skin also looks better. I am more productive and the best part is, I am finally exercising regularly again! I was in the best shape of my life 2 years ago, and I have truly missed sweating it out. I have a long way to go in terms of my ideal figure, but I am optimistic. I ran three miles today, which I physically had not been able to do a mere 3 months ago. I usually don't get this personal, but I just want others to know that LIFE HAPPENS! Poke fun at my double chin and acne scars, but that's life — the sad, depressing, ugly stages are all part of the process. We succeed, we fall, we crawl back up, we change, we move on and grow up! Have courage and be kind (new Cinderella movie reference), and I promise, good things will come xo
I still haven't found time to photograph all my beauty acquisitions from Japan, but I did manage to shoot my Hakuhodo haul. Even though my trip to Japan was a whirlwind of events, I made it my mission to visit the Hakuhodo showroom in Omotesando, Tokyo, and I am so glad I did! The showroom is neat and pristine — consistent with the Hakuhodo tradition. The selection at IMATS is always impressive, but the entire Hakuhodo lineup was truly a sight to behold. I was in heaven! Check out the details after the jump xo
As much as I adore skin care basics and skin care layering, my latest obsession has been with masks! I truly find that using sheet masks and treatments like peels can boost the results of my standard skin care regimen, so today I will share my favorites from Nordstrom. Some of these are more budget friendly and others are substantial splurges, but all of them are true gems. All details after the jump!
Another month, another haul.. tons of skin care, makeup, and lashes! I included updates on my hair color by Guy Tang as well as my new obsession with leather jackets. Also, I'll include clips from my trip to Beijing in my Favorites video next week for those curious about what I experienced there! Hint: scorpions.
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