lipglossaddict

guerlain liquid eyeliner

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:20:23 +0000

It took me a few applications before I got the hang of using the eyeliner brush and now I love it. The long handle and the thin yet stiff brush enables you to have full control over the thickness of the line so you can make a super thin line for a more natural look or thicker to create a sexy sultry eye.

brazilian wax – post care

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:26:45 +0000

While on my slipper vacation back in December, I learned some great tips about waxing. Before I hit the beach, I needed to make sure I was smooth in all the right places. I was lucky enough to find a great waxing salon that squeezed me in for the afternoon. Now, I’ve been waxed a couple of times before but never like this. There was a thoroughness that I’ve never experienced with my previous appointments. She not only waxed but tweezed ALL the hairs that the wax didn’t grab! OUCH! The actual waxing part was quick and painless but the tweezing was agonizing. She tweezed the entire area including my “starfish” area which was very awkward. The esthetician informed me that some hairs grow back at different rates so a little tweezing is necessary. Also because I was shaving there were lots of in grown hairs that could only be removed by tweezing. The whole experience was pretty painful but totally worth it. I was also reminded that waxing more often will result in finer hair and sparser hair growth. The stress of waxing inevitably weakens the follicles. Finally, the best part about this whole experience was the after care recommendations. I was instructed to stay out of the sun for 24-36 hours to avoid sun burn and to exfoliate every day with St. Ives Apricot Scrub to prevent future in grown hairs. Best advice ever. I’ve been using the scrub ever since and have been able to dodge the annoying in growns.

pleasure bath

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:51:29 +0000

By far, one of my favorite things to do is to indulge in a nice long bath. I did just that today! It’s been gloomy and rainy and I’ve been feeling very lazy and unmotivated. What better way to refresh my mind and body by taking a warm bath! My new favorite bath product is Shu Uemura’s Pleasure of Japanese Bath Oil – Hinoki. 2 cap fulls of oil is all it takes for 20 minutes of bliss. As your skin touches the water it fizzles like champagne in the emulsified oil. The effervescent bubbles gently cling to your skin hydrating and softening. It’s simply amazing. And the natural, woodsy fragrance of the Hinoki scent calms as I imagine myself in the middle of a beautiful Japanese forest surrounded by winter.

Create your own pleasure bath experience:
1-3 scented candles
2 scoops bath salt
2 cap fulls of She Uemura Pleasure of Japanese Bath Oil Hinoki
1 warm, plush towel

Farmers Market: Ferry Plaza

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:01:04 +0000

It was rainy and grey the other day but that didn’t deter me from walking to the Tuesday farmers market at the ferry building. In fact, I was really looking forward to it. I’ve been letting go lately and indulging in delicious, comforting and fattening foods. On top of that, I haven’t been going to the gym. Motivated by my parturitions, I decided it was time to get back on the healthy track. So for lunch, I walked 5 city blocks to the farmer’s market at the ferry building. They hold markets every Tuesday and Saturday. Saturdays are the full markets and on Tuesdays, there are only a handful of vendors that sell. Sampling all the fresh fruit and vegetables are always fun and all the vendors are more than happy to let you try everything. I made myself a medley of spring mix, some fava bean leaves, frisee, arugala, baby beet leaves, baby carrots and radishes. So delicious and totally kicks the butt out of the normal garden salad! I really enjoy the different textures and flavors of the greens. I think I covered every flavor in my salad: The baby beet leaves and fava bean leaves are a little salty; the arugala is spicy; the baby carrots are extra sweet and crunchy; just a hint of bitter from the radishes and sour and nutty from the olive oil and lemon dressing. I bought enough for 2 lunches and it only cost me $3.91!

Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market
Hours
Tuesday 10am to 2pm
Saturday 8am to 2pm

New Nintendo DSi

lipGlossaddict — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:09:36 +0000

I’ve been wanting a Nintendo DS for the longest time. When I had the choice of getting a DS or a PSP two Christmases ago, I chose the PSP to play one game: work time fun, which provided hours and hours of entertainment. But at last, I mastered all the mini games that I was interested in and now the PSP only comes out for road trips or plane rides. After watching the kids play cooking mama and conquering recipes with their stylus, I grew jealous and wanted one for myself. On the verge of buying one but just never got around to it. And good thing I didn’t! Because there’s a brand new DS launching this month, April 5th. It’s available in 2 colors, matte black and matte blue (matte white is only available in the Japanese, Australian and European markets) Some of the new features of the Nintendo DSi are 2 new VGA cameras, a larger screen, sharper speakers and is 12 percent slimmer than it’s predecessors. Japan released 3 fun new colors last month, metallic blue, pink and lime green. I would prefer the matte white but since my choices are limited, I’m kind of digging the blue one and will be pre-ordering mine from Amazon.com for 169.99 with FREE super shipper saving!

Givenchy Phenomen’eyes Mascara

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:10:00 +0000

This is so cool! What a simple yet innovative design. Givenchy’s new phenomen’eyes mascara has a sphere shaped tip that grabs every lash, curls and separates them. The round tip enables you to get down to the roots and corners to create a beautiful and perfect shape.
Exclusively at Sephora.
BUY Givenchy Phenomen’eyes Mascara

Charlie Palmer’s 4th Annual Pigs & Pinot Weekend

lipGlossaddict — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:12:27 +0000

Pigs and Pinot Weekend March 20-21, 2009

On March 20th you can join chef Charlie Palmer at the Fourth Annual Celebration of Pigs & Pinot at Hotel Healdsburg. This unique weekend offers an array of intimate dining and educational events hosted by Chef Palmer himself also featuring a cast of Master Sommeliers and international celebrity chefs showcasing some of the world’s best Pinots to pair with pork. All the proceeds go to benefit Share Our Strength and The Healdsburg School. There are a limited number of weekend packages and a la carte tickets are currently available.
Contact the chief concierge at 800-889-7188 or www.concierge@hotelhealdsburg.com

Location: Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Ave
Healdsburg, CA 95448

For more details, please visit www.pigsandpinot.com

Charlie Palmer At Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza

lipGlossaddict — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:33:36 +0000

Had a fantastic late night happy hour at Charlie Palmer’s this past weekend. This wine bar & restaurant is quietly situated at the corner of Bloomingdale’s in the South Coast Plaza mall. As we walked through the glass doors we followed an illuminated pathway that led to the bar/lounge area. The ambiance was intimate and modern. The waitress was extremely nice and attentive. The happy hour specials are half price glasses of wine, including champagne. In addition, there’s a cocktail menu if you don’t feel like wine and an appetizer menu that features delicious Kobe beef sliders. This is how and when happy hour should be.

humphrey’s witch hazel astringent

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:49:18 +0000

if your wallet’s tight due to the current economic climate, try humphrey’s witch hazel astringent for just under $4 bucks. witch hazel has been used as a natural astringent for centuries. humphrey’s witch hazel astringent will clean, moisturize and keep those pores in check the old fashioned way…100% naturally.

BUY Humphrey’s Witch Hazel Astringent $3.82

smith’s rosebud salve

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:23:19 +0000

it’s been really cold here in san francisco and we’ve been hit hard with rain. the sudden change in weather really does a number on my skin. even though it’s been in good shape because i’ve taken extra care by keeping up with my cleansing and moisturizing regiment, the weather really takes a toll on my lips. during this time of year, i tend to use lip balms and chapsticks more so than glosses. i need the extra moisturizing which lip balms provide. smith’s rosebud salve keeps my lips supple and is gently scented with the aroma of roses. my favorites are the regular rose scent and peppermint tins. also comes in a couple of berry scents.

rosebud tip: the balm itself is quite soft so be gentle when you dip your fingers into the tin. the first time i used this, i smushed my finger into the balm and made a big hole. : (

BUY Smith’s Rosebud Salve $5.59

winter dry skin

lipGlossaddict — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 03:04:31 +0000

every time there’s a change in the weather, my skin is highly affected. especially around winter it gets dry, itchy and tight. also contributing to my dry skin is having the heat on all day long. i tend to get small patches of rough dry skin and no matter how much i moisturize, it doesn’t go away. it looks awful under make-up, it actually just accentuates it. however, this year was different. a simple suggestion by the esthetician to use a wash cloth during cleansing has prevented that pesky winter skin this year. it really worked. she instructed to use a new clean cloth every time which i thought was kind of a pain because who has that many wash cloths? so i strayed from her instruction for a couple of nights because i ran out of clean wash cloths and what happened? an irritating scaley patch appeared. bleck. the crazy thing is that as soon as i started using a wash cloth again, the dry spot went away the next day. i’ve been using a wash cloth religiously ever since and my skin has been in tip top shape.

mashed potato salad recipe

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:17:52 +0000

this yummy side dish was a total accident. i forgot about the potatoes that were boiling on the stove and ended up with a mashed potato salad. it’s so simple to make.

ingredients
4 medium sized potatoes – peeled and cubed
1 granny apple – peeled and cubed
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 sour cream
dill – 2 to 3 sprigs roughly chopped
paprika
white pepper
kosher salt

boil potatoes in salted water 2-3 minutes past fork tender (about 7-8 minutes total). rinse under cold water and drain. combine potatoes, cubed apples, mayo, sour cream, scallions and dill. add white pepper and salt to taste and finish with a couple of dashes of paprika. as you mix the ingredients together, the potatoes will break down and turn into a creamy, crunchy, savory treat.

edamame poke

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:46:15 +0000

just returned from oahu with a new recipe. it’s simple and easy and most importantly – super yummy. i got the idea from shopping at the poke deli in don quixote, a japanese supermarket on the island. there’s no measuring, just season to taste.

all you need is:
edamame in pod (young soy beans) fresh or frozen
shoyu (soy sauce)
sesame oil
chili flakes
chili powder
scallions (finely chopped)
sugar

cook edamame. add enough shoyu to coat the beans. then drizzle sesame oil, about 1 table spoon. add scallions, chili flakes and powder to desired spicyness. finally, add a sprinkle or two of sugar and mix together.

tada! you now have yummy edamame poke to snack on.

honey and royal jelly

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:19:58 +0000

while in new york a couple of months ago, i met a cat while shopping in a soho boutique (the cat belonged to the owner). anyhow, i couldn’t resist and pet the creature forgetting that i’m deathly allergic. a few minutes later, my chest started to itch like mad. my skin turned beet red and bumps began to emerge. not realizing what was happening, i aggravated the outbreak even more and scratched it with the hand that i pet the fur ball with. at this point, my skin was on fire and i swear i could have scratched through to the muscle layer. desperate for relief, i popped into the nearest store which was loccitane hoping that they would have something to help. i explained the situation to the sales girl and she was sweet enough to confess that she had no idea if they had anything to relieve my agony. however, she tried as best she could to find something. we finally found a cooling gel that subdued my itch until i got back to the hotel to shower. as i slathered the gel on my chest, the sales girl suggested that their honey shower gel would help soothe my skin. i was sold and that’s how i got on this honey kick.

what is my infatuation with honey products? well first, i guess it’s the notion of bathing in honey just sounds so luxurious and indulgent. also, in recent studies honey, royal jelly and propolis have been found to have natural antibiotics when ingested and antibacterial when applied topically. the chinese have always regarded royal jelly as a cure all of sorts and have rejuvenating properties (which have not been scientifically proven).

nevertheless, whatever the health benefits may or may not be from honey products, i just enjoy using it. my favorite product is the honey foaming jelly for body and hair from l’occitaine. i love the golden color and it’s velvety, thick, smooth consistency. i also love the fragrance, it’s a subtle, sweet, warm scent – different from your usual florally-soapy scented products.

BUY L’Occitaine Honey Lemon Foaming Shower Gel $20

laser hair reduction

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:06:00 +0000

i went for my third treatment yesterday to zap my underarm hair and it was by far the most painful session ever. as a matter of fact, my underarms are still a little sore. the aestheticians/nurses claim that it’s not that painful and that they’ve gone through the process without numbing cream. lies lies lies. it hurts like hell and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. i guess it just depends on the person’s thresh hold for pain and/or how much they enjoy it just like how people like the pain of tattoos. i know i’m a big chicken but being zapped by what feels like electricity really really hurts. however, i must say that the 15 minutes of pain is well worth it. after my first treatment, i saw results right away. the hair grew back much finer and the time in between shaving was longer. i used to shave every 2-3 days to keep the stubble away but now i can go for about 1-2 weeks. with each session the intensity has been gradually turned up and my results improve. with my third session, i have bald spots (i know it sounds gross but armpit hair is much grosser).

laser hair reduction is not for everyone though. the best candidates are people with a high contrast in hair to skin color because the laser is attracted to the melanin pigment in the hair shaft so if you have less pigmented hair, the laser/light may not be able to pick it up. also, it’s not guaranteed that laser reduction is permanent. electrolysis on the other hand has a higher success rate but can cost substantially more. each session duration is about 15-60 minutes depending on the area that is treated and in a series of 5 treatments, one every 6-8 weeks. during your treatments, you’re not supposed to wax or pluck, only shave. you’re also not supposed to expose the treated area to sun. i recommend the best time to buy a package is during the beginning of summer. i noticed that most of the spas ran laser hair removal promotions at the same time in order to stay competitive. so with a little comparison shopping, you’ll be able to find the best deal. i bought my package around this time and locked in a great deal at $360 bucks for 5 sessions.

i have 2 more treatments to go and i’m not looking forward to the pain, but i am definitely anxious to see my final results.

stila lip glaze

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:29:17 +0000

i bought a new lip gloss from stila over the weekend. well…kinda new…i’ve bought it before but i was out and just needed a replacement. it’s their lip glaze in peach and it’s the one that clicks and has the brush at the end. i don’t know what it is about it, but i really like the brush feature. plus, it’s the prettiest peach color that i’ve found that really compliments my skin tone which is fair. also, it’s just plain glossy, no shimmer or glitter. don’t get me wrong though, i still love shimmer and shine, but sometimes it just doesn’t mix well with some colors (like peach).

BUY Stila Lip Glaze $22

eye make-up removal

lipGlossaddict — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:58:02 +0000

i learned a really neat trick from one of the gals from the make-up counters. i was browsing their facial cleansers (this is before i discovered 302 skin care) and got into a conversation about how tight my face feels after washing, especially when i have to use extra cleanser to wash away my mascara. she then gave me the best tip and said to apply the cleanser to the under eye area before the rest of the face so when my eyes are closed, the soap will help the mascara slide right off instead of getting racoon eyes.

she-laq by benefit

lipGlossaddict — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:46:03 +0000

want to get rid of eyeliner smudge? mascara smudge too? how about feathering from your lip liner? she laq from benefit cosmetics will do the trick. it’s a non-toxic paint on liquid sealer that protects eyeliner, mascara and lipstick from smudging or sliding away. the little blue bottle comes with 4 four different brushes and only takes seconds to apply and dry. the 0.5 ounce bottle will last you for months. when i know i have a long day ahead of me and not much time for touch ups, i can count on she-laq to keep everything in it’s place and looking sharp. it can take a few extra scrubs to get make-up off but well worth it.

BUY Benefit She-Laq $30

302 skin care

lipGlossaddict — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:12:42 +0000

so, i’ve been trying to get a hold of this product for the longest time but every time i’ve visited the spa, they were out of stock. i finally got a hold of the cleanser and the vitamin c boost serum a couple of weeks ago. after i wash my face it dries up, gets tight and itchy and then i apply extra moisturizer which then, leads to pimples. everyone says the same thing, “it’s the cleanser that’s drying out your skin, try ours it’s different”, so i try can tell you that i’ve tried a decent variety of brands from department store counters, drugstores and boutiques. i’ve tried foaming cleansers, gel cleansers, milk, exfoliating from origins, kiehls, shiseido, lancome, estee lauder, noxema (the worst cleanser ever), clinique, cetaphil, biotherm, l’oreal, neutrogena, nivea, nuskin, oil of olay, physicians formula, st. ives, avon, laura mercier, aveda, prescriptives, md skin care and the list goes on. i’m sure you get the point by now that every cleanser that i’ve used has left my face feeling like a dried up well…..until… i discovered 302 skin care. after my first time using the cleanser, my face felt “normal” if that makes sense…it wasn’t tight or itchy and dry. it was so great that i didn’t have to apply a ton of moisturizer immediately after. in fact, i intentionally didn’t put any on for like 10 minutes just to test it out. i’ve also been using the vitamin c boost serum and my skin has never felt and looked so good. my pores are smaller, texture is smoother and i have a more even skin tone. i highly recommend this to everyone if you can find it. 302 is a skin care line that is derived from avocados and is mostly sold by professional establishments and skin care experts. and it’s not that much more expensive than the other “quality” skin care lines out there. the cleanser was $25 dollars and the serum was $42. check out their website, they also have products that treat rosacea and acne.
BUY 302 Cleanser

Lime and the Coconut

lipGlossaddict — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:10:41 +0000

it all started with some left over green mango that i didn’t know what to do with. i was also craving fish so i decided that i would make some sort of thai inspired fish dish with a mango salad appetizer. so i found a great recipe on epicurious.com that i highly recommend. it was really easy to make despite the uncommon ingredients like kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. everything else like madras curry, ginger and coconut milk can be found in the asian foods isle at your local supermarket. what i liked most about this recipe is that there’s lots of room for substitutions/additions. for example, the recipe called for cod but i used fresh catfish. you’re also supposed to sear and bake the fish, but i was lazy and just put the fish in the broth and poached it…which also meant less dishes to wash! and it says to boil the bok choy separately but i just added that to the broth and fish during the last 5 minutes of cooking. it all worked out perfectly and was so yummy. i guess you could use the left over broth for soup the next day and add mushrooms and baby corn and have thai soup for lunch or something. here’s the official recipe for the fish and the mango salad (my own creation).

Cod with Coconut, Lime, Lemongrass and Curry

makes 4 servings
ingredients
The Sauce:
1 tablespoon butter
2 shallots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 lemongrass stalk, thinly sliced
1-inch knob ginger, thinly sliced
3 kaffir lime leaves
1 tablespoon Madras curry
3 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup fresh coconut milk, or canned
4 cilantro sprigs
Fine sea salt to taste
Freshly ground white pepper to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

The Cod:
2 tablespoons canola oil
4 7-ounce cod fillets, 1 1/2-inches thick
Fine sea salt to taste
Freshly ground white pepper to taste

The Garnish:
1/2 pound butter
Fine sea salt
9 heads baby bok choy, divided in half (quartered if large)
1/4 cup kosher salt

Special equipment:
2 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillets

preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. To make the broth, melt the butter in a small sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime leaves and curry and sweat until tender and with no color, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat simmer for 15 minutes. Add the coconut milk and cilantro, and simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Strain through a fine chinois and set aside.

Divide the 2 tablespoons of canola oil between the skillets. Place over high heat until oil is just smoking. Season the cod on both sides with salt and pepper. Put 2 pieces of cod in each skillet and sauté until golden brown and crusted on the bottom, about 2 1/2 minutes. Turn and sear on the other side for 30 seconds. Put the pans in the oven and roast until a metal skewer can be easily inserted into the fish and, when left in the fish for 5 seconds, feels hot when touched to your lip, about 6 to 7 minutes.

In a large pot, heat 4 quarts of water, the butter, and the kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the bok choy and cook until crisp tender, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a sheet pan in the refrigerator to cool quickly so they retain their bright green color.

To serve, reheat the sauce and finish with the lime juice. In each of 4 bowls, place a piece of cod. Place 3 to 4 pieces of bok choy around the cod. Pour the sauce over the cod and serve immediately.

Mango Salad
1 green mango (julienned)
1 ripe mango (julienned)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2-3 thai chilis (chopped)
1 clove garlic (minced)
juice of 1/2 lime

preparation
in a large bowl, combine sugar, fish sauce, garlic and chili until sugar is dissolved. add green and ripe mangos. add juice of half a lime. toss ingredients together.

can add more of any of the ingredients depending on your taste preference. if you want to be more adventurous, add shrimp paste (if you can find it, usually in asian markets)

benefit the gloss

lipGlossaddict — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:32:53 +0000

my favorite lip gloss of the moment is “the gloss” from benefit. i love the colors and it’s the perfect size and shape. also, another great feature is the application wand, the tip is nice and plush and doesn’t fall apart after daily use. you know how the fuzzies on the applicator tip sometimes disappear and you end up with a hard plastic tip? favorite colors are corsage, no peeking and kiss me. kiss me is a clear fuchsia color that is very complimentary on all skin tones (i bought this color for my best girlfriends for xmas one year). it’s about $14 bucks and lasts me for months. you can find this at their boutiques, store counters and online.

BUY Benefit The Gloss $16

10,000 steps a day

lipGlossaddict — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:30:58 +0000

I had an epiphany last month while on a business trip in New York and realized how walking clears the mind and frees the soul (yes corny I know). I walked 12 blocks back to the hotel from work one day. I NEVER walk anywhere but I think this trip may have changed that. As I dodged through the crowds and weaved my way through the streets, my mind suddenly cleared. Amidst the chaos came peace and I didn’t think about work or how tired I was, I didn’t think about anything. It was a long time since I’ve had that feeling – it was so relieving. After I turned the corner and escaped the jungle of people and cars on the main street, I found myself absorbed in my surroundings. Funny thing is that I’ve been there many times before but usually the perspective I have is one through a taxicab window. That day I finally took in the sights, the sounds and of course, all the heavenly smells = ). My head was fixed towards the sky admiring the beautiful architecture of the buildings and the dusty glow that surrounded them. The sun was low and it’s warm orange rays glowed off one of the buildings. The air was warm and humid and as I peered down the streets I could see this haze lingering between the buildings just below the blue sky. And of course, in my enlightened moment, I almost ruin it by tripping on a crack and almost hitting the pavement (I’m a clutz). Luckily I saved myself and continued on trek back to the hotel.

Now I make a conscious effort to walk more and I’ve recently heard that 10,000 steps a day keeps the doctor away. 10,000 steps is equivalent to about 5 miles which is really tough to do in one day especially if you’re couped up in a cubicle all day. I’ve found that taking walks during lunch is perfect and I come back to the office totally refreshed.