12.31.2016

ESSENTIALS | My Winter 2016 Beauty and Fashion Must-Haves



This is my last post of 2016 so I wanted to try something different and mix it up for you! I am relatively low maintenance on the day to day, keeping my routine as simple and time efficient as possible. My friends always joke that I look the same all the time, but I am a creature of habit so here are my trusty winter essentials. P.S. My sunglasses were purchased at Nordstrom, but Céline is not offered online. And many thanks to my friend Brian for braving the drizzle to snap these photos for me!

12.30.2016

INTERIORS | My Apartment Renovation ♡ Before and After Photos




I figured we should wrap up 2016 with my biggest, most stressful project of the year. Many thanks to Stella for making my dreams come true, interior designer Michelle for her sage input, and photographer Jeff Mindell for making my home look impeccable! As a full disclosure, I'm telling you now that I wish I could keep my apartment this free of Beau's fur and beauty clutter 24/7, but that is an impossible task. Also, many of you have waited for this reveal for months, but I lost (aka misplaced for a really, really long time) the SD card with half of the video footage, so I apologize profusely for the delay! Please enjoy xo

12.28.2016

HAUL | Winter 2016 Skin Care Haul featuring Dior, Arcona, Kiehl's, and more!



It is officially winter, even in Southern California! I have been feeling bored of my skin care routine lately, so I figured it was time for a complete overhaul with 2017 right around the horizon. My skin's progress has been steady in terms of clarity, but maintaining hydration and elasticity can be a struggle when it starts to get cold and windy. My friends and I were at Nordstrom picking out beanies and fedoras when I was hit with the skin care bug. We ended up walking around to every counter to examine all the new releases, so here's everything that came home with me!

12.14.2016

REVIEW | Best of Shiseido Serums #ShareBeauty



Even though beauty is my job, I enjoy shopping for makeup and skin care as gifts because I find them practical confidence boosters. Most of the women in my life, however, wear very little makeup so I've partnered with Shiseido for their #ShareBeauty campaign. I'll be reviewing the awesome serum duos I'm gifting my bestie, mother, and grandmother this holiday!

11.28.2016

HOW TO | Christian Dior Airflash Foundation Review + Foundation Routine



The DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation has always been one of my favorite formulas for a camera-ready complexions due to its velvety airbrushed finish. It feels ultra lightweight yet makes the skin look supremely smooth. Shared here is my foundation routine and tips for photogenic skin!

11.22.2016

BEST OF | Fall/Winter 2016 Mascara Haul + Comprehensive Review, Photos



Although many of you heard before that I've found my Holy Grail mascara in Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Wet Waterproof, I discovered several others worth trying. I visited all the counters at Nordstrom the past few weeks to explore different wand shapes and learn about new formulas, so here is a round up of those that made the cut!

11.19.2016

REVIEW | Clinique Cleanser Haul + Bonus With Purchase



Many of you have already started shopping for Christmas, so I wanted to share that Clinique is offering a sweet seven-piece Bonus With Purchase (worth $70) with your $27 purchase at Nordstrom. Use one of the following promo codes NEUTRAL, IVORY, VANILLA, and GOLDEN to select your foundation stick color at checkout and the set will appear in your cart. It's perfectly timed for the holidays since you can gift it to someone! 

10.30.2016

REVIEW | MAC Cosmetics Nutcracker Sweet Collection Photos and Swatches



In case you haven't seen the buzz online, the latest collection from MAC Cosmetics is out-of-this-world adorable! Nordstrom released all the Nutcracker themed products online before they hit the counters, but they are already sold out of the Face Compacts. Luckily, but none of my top picks are sold out yet! I have swatched every single product to help inform your purchases so please do check them out after the jump! xo

10.29.2016

HAUL | Best New Fall/Winter 2016 Beauty Launches ft. Tom Ford, Lancome, Louboutin and more



Although my recent obsessions are nude lipsticks and styling my short hair, there have been so many new Fall and Winter products that I've been collecting and enjoying. I rounded up all my favorite beauty launches because they're totally worth putting on your radar!

10.23.2016

ESSENTIALS | What's On My Vanity, Fall 2016



So the question I get asked most often by women is, "What are the products you truly can't live without?" This is an honest look at what I keep on my vanity tray — but none of it is new or totally picturesque since this is stuff I really do use daily. I suppose I could have called this a holy grail post, but the fact is that I change HG products at least a couple times a year since technology is always improving. But let's dive into my essentials!

10.13.2016

REVIEW | My Jewelry Collection ♡ Photos + Video



In case you missed the announcement, I launched my very own jewelry collection with my friends at Motif! There are a total of six pieces, each designed with love, care, and thoughtfulness. Since most of you have probably caught teasers on social media, I wanted to share the photos that I shot with my talented friend Sharon here.


More after the jump!!

10.11.2016

REVIEW | Shu Uemura x Murakami Holiday 2016



Takashi Murakami is one of the most celebrated Japanese artists in the world. He collaborated with Shu Uemura for their Holiday 2013 collection, so I have been waiting season after season to see another masterpiece theme! This Holiday 2016 release is all about cosmic love, making this colorful and cheerful collection worth sharing. Check out my top picks after the jump!

10.03.2016

FAVORITES | Best of September 2016 Beauty + My Jewelry Collection Preview



My first video back from abroad was naturally a favorites episode! I spent a lot of time in the humid climate of Asia so many of my picks are great for those of you with oily skin and flat hair. More importantly, though, I was finally able to share a big project that I've been working on. On October 5th, I'll be releasing my very first jewelry collection! 

Please download the Motif app so you can be notified first if you're interested in any of the pieces below. The collection launches October 5th, 2016!




S E P T E M B E R  F A V O R I T E S

M A K E U P  W O R N


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9.28.2016

Burberry Summer 2016 London with Love Collection Review, Photos, Swatches



It's time to bid a final adieu to summer, even though Souther California has been experiencing an extreme heat wave this week! In honor of this scorching hot weather, I wanted to share my Burberry Summer 2016 London with Love collection picks. I already posted a review video a while back but I thought an update was necessary because I'm still so obsessed with the products! Luckily, they're still available. I took two of the lipsticks with me on my Southeast Asia trip and wore them the entire time!

9.24.2016

Gucci Guilty Pour Femme Eau de Parfum and Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Review, Photos



Gucci has taken the beauty world by storm with their new #GuiltyNotGuilty campaign. According to the brand, guilt comes from accepting rules and conforming to society. The whole premise of the relaunch is to encourage self-expression and embrace sexual indulgences. In this day and age, I do believe it is important to open up dialogue regarding the confines of gender norms because since are so many, especially in the beauty and fashion industries, that do not fall into neat traditional boxes. This campaign is a rebellious yet refreshing start. Gucci is reinforcing the idea that millenials should indeed "put their passions and ambitions before the expectations of others and indulge in life’s pleasures, saying to the world #SorryNotSorry."


The Gucci Guilty universe tells a new story, one that is led by the unconventional actor Jared Leto. I thought he was an unusual choice at first, but all the pieces fell into place when I watched the Guilty film. The fragrance story is tied to the concept of emancipation, whether that be in your sexuality, your occupation, your dreams. It's all about shaping your own identity and being whoever you want to be!

That's why Gucci Guilty is now touted as the smell of liberation, the smell of freedom. I love that the brand encourages women to wear the men's fragrance and vice versa. As much as I find the Femme Eau de Toilette elegant and wearable, I prefer the vibrance and zest of the Homme Eau de Toilette. I've always had a soft spot for sporty fresh fragrances, but they can be a challenge to find in the women's fragrance department. I recommend layering them and wearing the two Guilty scents together for a more unisex feel if you have any doubts or reservations!




In case you're curious, here is a quick breakdown of the top notes. Keep in mind that the original Gucci Guilty technology was used to develop both scents, but the magical allure of Venice and the fluidity of gender were the priorities this time around. Long story short, certain ingredients that are typically categorized as "feminine "were used in the Homme Eau de Toilette whereas typically "masculine" notes were used in the Femme Eau de Parfum.

Geranium was used in the female fragrance, orange blossom in the male. Both share the polarizing and powerful patchouli note, which once arrived in Europe as a mysterious exotic ingredient from the Silk Road. These blends are both traditional and modern, creating a scent experience that feels nostalgic yet relevant.

Each of the Guilty fragrances are intended to boost confidence and sensuality. Lilac is known to give positive confidence while pink pepper adds a touch of excitement, offering inspiration to find adventure!

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9.02.2016

HAUL | Collective Fall 2016 Beauty Loot from Chanel, Armani, Dior



Fall collections have rolled out in perfect timing with my Southeast Asian vacation! A few of my closest girlfriends planned this vacation months ago, but I've actually been stressed out about it because I've been so busy lately! To decompress a little, I swung by Nordstrom to pick up some new color and stock up on essentials. I’m so pleased with everything that I chose that I had to share!

8.19.2016

HAUL | ULTA Beauty Goodies from Urban Decay, Laura Geller, and more!



I've been shopping at ULTA Beauty lately because there's one on my regular route to the gym, so I wanted to share my most recent haul goodies with you! I honestly find it easier to shop at Ulta because I don't have to walk into a mall, which is far less convenient than a freestanding store. Plus, I love wandering aimlessly through all the drugstore aisles to see new releases and mass market trends.

7.22.2016

Burberry Full Kisses in Coral Red and Cherry Blossom Review, Photos, Swatches



I have been wearing very minimal makeup as of the past few months, but lipstick has become an everyday essential. When I wore eyeliner and eyeshadow daily, a sheer and shimmery lip gloss felt more appropriate. Now that I keep it quite simple with my base and mascara, I find that a swipe of a full pigment makes me look much more polished and feel more confident. It's mandatory to look alive!

6.27.2016

TOP 5 | My Amore Pacific Must-Haves Comprehensive Review + Photos



Most of you are probably aware that Amore Pacific is the leader of the Korean beauty product industry. They produce some of my favorite kbeauty essentials, like Sulwhasoo's Brightening Cushion and Snowise EX Masks, but they also have their own signature line of skin care. I tried Amore Pacific's basic Moisture Bound skin care range in the past and couldn't find anything that was compatible with my finicky skin. The Time Response and Future Response products, however, are a completely different story!

6.15.2016

HAUL | My Spring/Summer Hair, Skin, Body, and Makeup Picks



Hello, everyone! I can't remember the last time I shared a haul on the blog, so I figured I should share with you some amazing new finds that I ordered from Nordstrom recently. I haven't been shopping for much makeup these days. I keep it really simple with foundation, mascara, and lipstick. But on the flip side, my body and hair care routines have become a lot more thorough and shall I say.. complete?

6.02.2016

REVIEW | Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation



As many of you have known since I first started my YouTube channel, I have been wearing Luminous Silk on and off since I was 18. It has, however, become my go-to foundation for the last year now! There is truly no better formula on the market if you're looking for versatility. 

I have normal to dry skin, and adore it more every day because it wears so well. I can go ultra sheer, like a tinted moisturizer effect or layer on bit by bit up to medium coverage. Although I still have acne scarring, Luminous Silk covers them without looking cakey. I also love that it doesn't accentuate any dry patches I might have from using super strength skin care.

Powder is completely optional, and I only ever wear power to set any more unless it's super humid or hot that day. It's funny how our preferences change as we age. My skin and my makeup are so different that when I watch some of my videos from five years ago, I realize how drastically my look has changed. And no, I really haven't had any work done. No surgery, no injectables, no nothing.. just time, weight loss and gravity! LOL

M A K E U P  W O R N 
Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Eye Liner
Giorgio Armani Sheer Bronzer in 100
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill WP Mascara

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5.18.2016

SKIN | Q&A with My Dermatologist, Dr. Nancy Samolitis + Epic Retinol Giveaway


From my Instagram
My smart and sweet new dermatologist is Dr. Nancy J. Samolitis, who recently opened Facile Skin in West Hollywood, CA. I went to see her to try a chemical peel to boost the results I have been seeing with my retinols, and I loved her so much that I've decided to start seeing her every month! Since I've been using the PCA Clarity Retinol diligently for the last couple months, I had a handful of questions for her.


1. What exactly is a retinol and why is it a popular ingredient?
Retinol has been around for at least 50 years and is one of the few skin treatments that has been proven over-and-over to improve one's skin. Retinol is basically a Vitamin A derivative from animals so it's already in our bodies. 


2. What are the expected results from regular retinol use?
Adding retinol into your regular skincare routine will increase your skin's natural cell turnover rate, remove dead skin cells that clog pores and increase collagen production. Some of the other benefits are the reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, breakouts and discolorations. I really love PCA SKIN and its new collection of R-OH Retinol Solutions are formulated with additional support ingredients to effectively target areas of concern such as aging, discoloration or acne. One tip to remember with retinol is that you have to use it regularly as prescribed and be patient with it as it takes time to see results.


3. Since I suffer from hormonal acne, how can retinol help to fight breakouts?
Retinol helps to fight breakouts by reducing oil production, inflammation and by stimulating cell turnover so cells don't get trapped in the pores which is where acne starts.


4. Will retinol help with my acne scarring?
It certainly does help to fade any spots and minimize the appearance of scars and it will clear and brighten your complexion. In fact, we chose PCA SKIN as our only retinol product to carry at FACILE, not only because it's our favorite but it's a great option for people that don't tolerate Retin-A.

People concerned about breakouts and scars should consider the PCA SKIN Intensive Clarity Treatment because it's specifically formulated for acne with added ingredients — including niacinamide and the acne drug salicylic acid — that effectively complement retinol for fighting breakouts.


5. Which strength retinol is the best?
When it comes to retinol, stronger does not mean better. It's all about the delivery system and not the percentage that is stated on the package. Unlike over-the-counter options, PCA SKIN's R-OH Retinol Solutions do not base their efficiency on just percentages but uses its OmniSome delivery technology to protect and carry ingredients deep into the skin. This multilayered liposome delivers the retinol in a time-released fashion over ten hours to increase efficacy, delivering better results.


6. Why does retinol cause irritation? Can you use it if you have sensitive skin?
Retinol does have the potential to overstimulate the skin which can cause redness and peeling. A lot of retinol products are packaged in a way that does not carry the product in the best way. The good news is that the right delivery systems, like the OmniSome delivery system, can greatly help when it comes to irritation that is common with retinol use.

With a smart delivery system, retinol is delivered into the deeper layers of skin, instead of just sitting on the surface of the skin, which is what results in irritation. One reason retinol is a good choice for skin care is that is inherently less irritating that the prescription retinoic acid, which is effective, but quite irritating.


7. Do I have to avoid the sun completely while using retinol?
It's a wide myth that retinol makes your skin sensitive and turn red but there is no reason that you can't use retinol if you're spending time in the sun. Just make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, reapply frequently, and avoid direct exposure to the treated areas. It's a fact that the sun exposure is what causes a lot of the damage that we are trying to correct with retinol in the first place.


Now that I have fallen in love with PCA SKIN's Intensive Clarity Treatment for my acne, I absolutely can't live without it. PCA SKIN has generously donated three grand prize retinol skincare regimens — one for Acne, one for Aging, and one for Discoloration. Each of these PCA SKIN power house packages includes five handpicked products and is valued at over $300, so don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to try some of the most efficacious skin care on the market!

The best news is that my first two hundred readers to sign up for any of the grand prizes below, will receive a retinol trio sampler including the Intensive Clarity Treatment®: 0.5% pure  retinol night to reduce and prevent breakouts, the Intensive Brightening Treatment®: 0.5% pure retinol night to reduce wrinkles and build collagen, and the Intensive Brightening Treatment®: 0.5% pure retinol night to reduce dark spots and skin yellowing. So no matter what your concern is, there's a retinol solution for you! We will be emailing the first 200 very soon, so please make sure you sign up with an email address that you actually check. That way, we can send off the samples to you sooner!

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