Beauty tips and tricks....

hello againnnnnnnnnn......

how r u all??? i hope everyone's well
in this post i am going to give you beauty tips and tricks to make yourself fabulous without going into debt...

When i was in college, i could only work part time, so i didn't have a big budget for my beauty products... so i tried beauty products from my own kitchen and found out which one works which one doesn't... and i'm going to share it with you.....

FACE:

I like masks.... my favourite type of masks are those made with natural ingredients... like the eminence mask

it's made with 8 different kinds of plants... please don't make me list them coz i don't remember what they are....but the mask has this gel consistency which greatly hydrates the skin ....

i was inspired to make a home made mask... while so many others fail.... i was able to make one that works very well..

GREEN TEA YOGURT MASK:
I made this mask when i learned about cosmetic ingredients at the beauty school... i was inspired by the fact that CLEOPATRA used to bathe in sour donkey milk to maintain her smooth skin(as it has enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells).. the YOGURT has lactic acid that also takes away the outer layer of dead skin cells..... and the GREEN TEA has antioxidant properties which will give you a glowing skin.... it's perfect for dull skin that needs exfoliation

the secret ingredient is honey.... HONEY helps calm the skin that might otherwise get irritated by the acidity of the yogurt...

The key is to choose FULL FAT UNSWEETENED YOGURT.... the full fat is important(vs the low fat) as the fat will nourish and moisturize your skin......

also, the green tea part comes from MATCHA POWDER, not green tea leaves!......the matcha powder is able to dissolve itself in the yogurt.. and it gives the yogurt a pretty light green color...

Now just add enough matcha to turn the yogurt into PALE green.... 
and add just a touch of honey (don't go overboard).. i never measure things,, i just put them together...

put the mask on for 15 minutes.. and you will have super smooth skin... (i tried it on my brother and it lightened his complexion also)

the best part of this mask, is that if you have some left over.. you can eat it as a healthy snack.. lol.. or you can put it on the fridge.... 


ASPIRIN MASK
i learned this from a famous beauty blogger...this mask is perfect for oily and acneic skin...i don't really understand the exact mechanism of it... but it has said that it will clear up and dry up pimples in no time....

what you do is take 1 aspirin tablet and ground it... and add 1 table spoon if water.. don't worry if you can't turn it into a fine powder, the water will dissolve the aspirin(as long as it's uncoated)... and after that put the mixture lightly in your skin.....

DON'T put it on too long.... it gave me a headache.. i think 10 minutes should be enough.. i was also scared of putting it too long coz the drug can get into the bloodstream through your skin....

the results?: well it definitely work as the pimples dry up way quicker.. but it also made my skin drier in the process....

if you have acneic skin this would be perfect to try... 

THE WACKY:

EGG WHITE MASK: i learned this from a collegue.... this is really simple also...just take an egg and put the egg white on your face.... but i was too disgusted to put eggs on my face so i never tried it... plus she has really bad wrinkles... so i don't trust that the mask work (im so mean huh? lol)

PEPTOBISMOL MASK: yes,. you read that right.. peptobismol as in that neon pink liquid you drink when you have a tummy ache,

claims that the enzymes in peptobismol clears up your complexion... i personally haven't tried this... but if you have and got good results.. please let me know...

HAIR:
a lot of bloggers recommend putting MAYONAISSE as a hair mask ... but i just don't have the heart to put that stuff in my hair...

i did try COCONUT MILK though... totally doesn't work.. it makes my hair even worse and tangled!!!!

what works is COCONUT OIL...

i buy it from health food stores.. they come in these jars... not too expensive.. about $10 dollars for a big jar... they are solid at room temperature but as you take some in your palm and warm it up , it turns liquid... i put a generous amount in my hair... and wrap a towel soaked in HOT WATER (for steam) for about 30 minutes.... and afterwards i shampoo it off and my hair is so silky...

it also works as hair oil.. during those days where your hair looks extra frizzy...

I love that it made my hair smell like coconut, i just love the smell of coconut oil.. and coconut oil is sooo versatile... you can use it as nail oil to moisturize the dry skin around the nail, or you can put it on your eyelashes as eyelash conditioner(to make them grow longer and thicker)...

i also use loreal HAIR MASK as conditioner..i always find that conditioner dries my hair... and that putting on hair mask every week is not enough.. so i started using hairmask as conditioner everytime i wash my hair.. but i leave it on for 5 minutes vs 30... 

I use the loreal total repair masque... it isn't really expensive (about 5 bucks/jar?) and it is easy to find(you can grab one at a supermarket) it's really viscous so a little bit goes a longgg way....

I dye my hair a lot so the ends are really dry... but when i religiously use this for 3 weeks.. it made a huge difference.....hair is silkier, shinier, smoother,, less tangled....

ONE thing that i urge you to buy is HAIR SERUM/ hair oil.... i buy one from paul mitchell...(kerastase is also good but it's a bit pricier) i put it on when my hair is stilll wet and before i BLOWDRY.. it helps protect the hair from heat...  a little goes a long way with hair serum... it will last you a longgggggggggg time

I also find it helpfull if you airdry the hair a lil bit before blowdrying... it cuts the blowdrytime in half(hence your hair is not exposed to the heat as long).....

If you have problems with thin hair.. i suggest growing aloe vera plants, as they mature, cut the stem and spread the gel on your scalp... when i was young my mother always put aloe vera on my scalp.. and i have super thick hair now... i never worry about hair loss... sometimes my hair is so thick that my hairdresser complained that it takes forever to blowdry.. lol

BODY:
scrubs are ridiculously expensive, yet they are so easy to make... i was taught how to make scrubs at beauty school...

first you need an ABRASIVE, either SALT , SUGAR or GROUNDED COFFEE....

i like to use salt since it's cheap and readily available...
 second, you need a carrier oil.... COCONUT, JOJOBA, OLIVE OIL, or PALM oil will do...

simply add a few drops of oil into the salt until the salt is saturated....and scrub away.... (while you moisturize your skin)

If you want to turn it into a spa experience.. add a fragrant essential oil.. such as LAVENDER, JASMINE, ROSE or whatever you like... you need only a few drops (as long as you can smell it it's enough)...
my favourite essential oil is lavender as it has calming properties...

L'occitane has pictures of lavender fields in provence in their shopping bags... everytime i smell lavender i picture myself being there....

PIGMENTED SKIN
I have pigmented skin on some areas of the body.....such as my armpitt... lol.. it's so embarassing to admit.. it's not that i don't shower or anything.. but no matter what i do it's just slightly darker than the rest of my body( i have really pale skin)...

so i looked around the internet, and one optioni have is IPL(laser)
as it's really expensive i looked at other options....

LEMON JUICE is another option.... so what i do now is squeezed lemon juice every night before bedtime(i don't recommend it during the daytime as it will make you smell really funky)... lol

i don't know the results yet... i will let you know in 3 weeks...

I hope all the beauty tips help... and i hope it inspired you to try some of the things i did.... hopefully it works for you too

Note: it is also important to eat a well balanced diet for healthy skin, hair and bones.... as for me, i find that eating tofu/soy products really help made my skin glow... one time my mom went into a crazy and cooked tofu products everyday... one morning after eating 2 weeks of tofu everyday.. i found that my skin was glowing like crazy.... i think it's the phytoestrogen in tofu that made my skin glow... lol
todeloo...
xoxo

sweet touches part 2....

Hi guys... as promised.. this is part 2.....

in the last post.. i was talking about jewellery holders... and i gave an example of a box.. a box certainly is a classic.. but nowdays there are many different jewellery holders that are unique and fun...

like this wedding dress jewellery holder

it can hold only a few necklaces or a pair of earrings.. but look how pretty it is.. lol..

or how about this ring holder in the shape of a shoe??? totally brings out the cinderella in you huh??

another element that must be included in your bourdoir is the sense of smell... 

i'm in love with the idea of aroma reed diffusers... they look so pretty..while making your bourdoir smells like heaven... aren't they 100 times better than room sprays??? lol

i love sabon's  aroma reed diffusers(but i can't save their pics) ... they come in this little glass bottles that you can re-use as decanters (perhaps as a container for body oil?)
you can check out their reed diffusers from www.sabon.com
they are a beauty company from israel that bases itself in new york... i was introduced to their products from a friend who lives in new york.. i lovee their lavender rose hand cream!.. i love their packaging.. it's so luxurious...

you can also add candles.. or anything else that makes the space totally your own...

one thing that i love doing is showcasing my shoes collection... i don't believe in putting my shoes away in boxes.. shoes are meant to be adored, so why not show em off in your bourdoir?

this is an extreme example of course... lol.. but it's an illustration at how you can shelve your shoes...look how pretty they are... 
the cherry on top would be a round chair in the middle of the room, under the chandelier so you can sit while you try on your pretty shoes! :)

the same goes for bags too... you can shelve your bags instead of putting them away in boxes or hanging them..

now.. i'm going to end this blog with a favourite trinket of mine..
this one's a jewellery holder...
it was a wedding favor from my cousin's wedding.... she has a good taste in fashion.. and i totally adore her favours... 

it's the same of a vanity desk... and it has enough space to hold my pearls.. totally adorable :)

Sweet touches...part 1

a lot of people has asked me.. "Flo, how come you're so obsessed with period movies, royalty, and things related to the boudoir?"

I guess it's human nature to want something they don't have....
To be honest I am bored living in the 21st century.... sure we have ipods, ipads, computers, wi-fi, tv, electricity and things that make our life easier... but i'm always intrigued by the lifestyles of the past.. where things are much more simpler... more wholesome....

Period movies fulfill my cravings for those times... long long ago.. where fine arts was much more appreciated...attention to detail was put in everything that was made... whether it was buildings, dresses, furniture, architecture...people took the time to make the effort to create something that will probably go unnoticed today...

and that is why i love to honor that lifestyle... that way of living.. where people lived elegantly, sweetly, eloquently...how i wish that i could go back in time, even for a day.. so that i know what it feels like to walk in their shoes...

Even if time travel is impossible, there are little knick knacks,things that i collect that captures the feeling of ladylike grandeur that i so long crave for... and i'm going to share you a few things that evokes my inner femininity..


Are you familiar with the term Boudoir? according to wikipedia it is
private suite of rooms of a lady, for bathing and dressing, adjacent to her bedchamber, being the female equivalent of the male cabinet

In other words, it is the dressing room for women... the place where women primp themselves(put on makeup, get a bath, get dressed). It is their own private space where they can escape and be pretty...

In the modern world.. it would probably consist of the washroom, walk in closet and the dressing table. I put a lot of effort into making a space my own... and so I've created a lost of things..  things i already have, and things i have yet to buy for my 'bourdoir' 
the list includes objects, products, and other toiletries..

First thing you must do is decorate your bourdoir... in my new house.. my wic will have a classic french design... dominated by white color... much like this

  

 the wall panels are expensive if they are made out of wood, if you want to save money you can use preformed cement/gypsum...and then paint it over ... if you want to be even more frugal, just add wallpaper to the wall

 i suggest to add a chandelier in your space... they are not that expensive if they're not made out of crystal .. you can find one in ace hardware for around 3jt(300 bux)... it totally change the feel of the space.... 

1)a pretty vanity desk and mirror is a must... 

this is a sink but i just love the detailing of the cabinet , especially the legs ...

Picking a pretty chair is also important to create an elegant atmosphere(no plastic chairs please... lol)... i like chairs that has a fabric cover.. especially if they are made of brocade... isn't the chair super pretty??? won't u feel like a princess if you sit in it?? totally something marie antoinette would pick...

2)decorate your vanity table with a jewellery box... it serves as decoration and as your jewellery holder.. pretty and functional? i love it...

this is the jewellery box featured in the marie antoinette movie.. i've been in love with it since the moment i saw it.. but couldn't find anything similiar.. but i browsed around on the internet and found something cute that i liked 

 i totally love the heart crystals.. and plus the box has a lot of compartments to hold your mountains of diamonds n pearls... lol

i'm planning to write a longer post but since i'm extremely busy and haven't uploaded in a while.. i'll upload part 1 first...

todeloo 
xoxo

Dare to Dream

Hello readers!!! sorry for the long hiatus...

Christmas and New years happened and since a lot of relatives are visiting, i didn't want to write a blog so i can spend time with them...

So, who else did major damage to their credit card during the holiday season??? i did too but not *THAT* much damage... *cough* lol... i just bought a dress and a sweater from Zara... and also and eye compact, lipstick and lip gloss from etude.. Zara had a sale... so yeah.... and I've been wanting Etude's lucidarling gradation eyes eye palette...

I bought the one on the bottom.. the colors are so dreamy... i love it.. it makes me look like a 17 year old.. but... that's a good thing no??? lol


and then the sweater.. i've been dying to get it... but i didn't want to because it was too expensive.. and then yesterday.. it went on sale.... .. i was so happy i grabbed it right away..

so many wonderful clothes.... but too many clothes and too little wallet.. lol...


however this post is not about my purchases...or the purchases i have made... rather... this is about my DREAM shopping.......

I always wished i can get everything i wanted but money is always an issue since girls always want everything.. so i created scenario in my head... IF i won the lottery(still hoping to win btw, lol) , say... $100 grand??? what would i buy???


1) the absolute thing i want ever since i knew it existed...
the HERMES KELLY..... omg..

 It cost a gazillion dollars... hahaha .... actually it cost about 8000 usd, but it cost like a gazillion dollars to me... lol...but seriously though.. look at it... it's so pretty... and if i could get one it would be orange color, because when you see orange... you know it's Hermes... right???

For those who aren't familiar with the Hermes Kelly/Birkin bag... there is a long waiting list to get these bags... supposedly a year or so.... these bags aren't cheap... yet there's so many people wanting to get it that there's a year long wait list???? what has the world come to?????

you know when you buy an expensive bag.. you feel guilty... coz you see all those ads about the starving children in Africa..... and you're buying this luxury bag... but then... *someone* has to get the economy going right??? lol....

Anyways.. since i couldn't afford to get a kelly bag.. i got the next best thing.. i got a Herbag...which is way cheaper than the Kelly but still has that same shape...

That isn't the exact picture of my bag... but it's the same type... i also added a twilly across the handle... i love those girly accents.. <3<3... the bag is so high maintenance though,. since it's canvas.. it gets dirty easily.. and the leather is easily scratched.... so i never took it out... i kept it in it's dustbag....like an antique... lol

 anyways to other kelly lovers... the herbag should satisfy your Hermes craving.. without breaking your budget! :)

2) a really hugeeeeeeeeee solitaire diamond ring...emphasis on the "huge" hahahahaha

I really LOVE DIAMONDS.. and i loveeeeeeeeeeeee rings..i think it's my favorite piece of jewellery..because with necklaces and earrings you can't look at it.. but if you wear diamond rings.. you can constantly look at the ring... so you can show it off to your friends while you can enjoy the beauty of it too.. lol.. WIN-WIN right??

my engagement ring is a halo type...( centre stone surrounded with smaller stones)... similiar to the picture above.. but the center stone is not that big... so i chose a halo style.. because those smaller stones surrounding the diamond is actually making the diamond look bigger... it's kinda like...... a pushup bra for your diamonds... lol (sorry i can't find a better analogy)... so girls.. if you want to make your diamonds look bigger... go for the halo type styles... trust me, they give the illusion of a bigger stone! :)

my hubby is really lucky i have small fingers.. even small diamonds look big on my fingers.. lol

anyways.. i am really fascinated with asscher cut rings, because i am so bored with round cut..the majority of jewellery has round cut diamonds.. that's why i don't want to go for a round cut anymore.. asschers are so rare.. and they have this elegant look...

I actually took this photo from another website.. selling vintage... engagement ring... but it's sold..... DAMN YOU LUCKY B.. who gets to have this.... >:(..... so pretty isn't it?? sigh.... i wish i have her ring ... i love it's clean lines.. it's not fussy yet so elegant....

someday i'll have you... someday...!!! sigh...


3) the third thing i want is a Patek Philippe watch.... now i don't own any expensive watches... every time i save enough money... i always ended up buying a handbag.. not a watch..

I like their pagoda style.... but u know.. i want one.. but i don't LUST one like i lust a Hermes Kelly bag. a watch is just a watch for me.. but still... this is a dream list ... so i can put anything i want here right??

I think this cost about 30-40 grand ( don't quote me on that) because i don't know the exact price.. (too scared to ask at the counter as well) lol..
I really like the rose gold and the croco leather... i've always loved croco.. it's so interesting...! :p
i would probably never own this watch though... never.. i just don't think it's worth the money.. and i'd rather use it on something else...

I actually got a watch but it doesn't cost an arm and a leg like a PP... i got a Michael Kors rose gold watch... I've always wanted one since i saw a sales associate wear one.. i thought it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice....
i got this one for my christmas present

Michael Kors rose gold watch, $255

by "got" i mean secretly using my hubby's credit card to purchase one.. :X lol
i like it a lot though.. it looks like a rolex ? doesn't it?


4) i want a Mercedes e class.... i don't drive... well i do but I'm a terrible driver.... but look at how nice it is.. sigh

it's the kind of car that makes better than plastic surgery...... it'll make a 40 year old look like a 29 year old! n so much more attractive... :) lol

and again.. i'll probably never own a car like this.. but hey with hard work a lil luck.. maybe i will.. who knows.. :)

5)Christian Louboutin Cinderella shoes...

OMG..



SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY.....

seriouslyyy.. how pretty are they??? they're the kind of shoes that Marie Antoinette would wear....
can u imagine wearing that???? it totally makes the wearer feel like a million bucks...

sooooooooo pretty.....


there's only 20 of em being made right now.. but hopefully Christian Louboutin will mass produce them soon ! :p

6)a stay at the Atlantis underwater hotel...(at Dubai)

The 1,539-room, $1.8 billion megaplex is situated on the The Palm, an artificial sand island shaped like a palm tree.
can you imagine.. staying at that hotel.. I'd never leave!! they'd have to drag me out.. loll

anyways.. that's my list.. I'll probably add on a few things.. but that's all i could think of right now..

i'll keep daydreaming i guess.. lol


todeloo
xoxo