All posts by Shirley

All Posts, Fashion, Top Five

5 Things to Try This Month – June 2013

There are many new beauty and fashion items available each month. Here are my top five things I would like to try this month.

Personalized Your Manolo Heels

The Made-to-Order Blahnik BB Boutique

Visit Neiman Marcus’ “The Made-to-Order Blahnik BB Boutique” (available through June 30) to customize your perfect pair. Who can say “no” to 5 heel height and 20 color options?

Switch to Cool Blue Lipstick

Hello Sailor by Lipstick Queen

Hello Sailor by Lipstick Queen ($25) contains vitamin E and “turns into more of a pretty raspberry or plum color when you put it on.” Try this cool hue in place your normal lip color for a change.

Indulge Your Skin With Weekly Treatment June2013_Chanel_ResynchronizingSkincare_Weekend_2

Le Weekend De Chancel is Chanel’s new weekly renewing serum (Nordstrom exclusive). Use it two days in a row on weekend to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin for the upcoming week. I just started to use it and I like how my skin feels.

Cool Cover-up for Bathing Suit

Buy Leopard-Burnout Zip Vest from Adidas by Stella McCartney

This is the season to hit the water. Try this new . It gives you enough coverage while you show off your style.

Crystal-Covered Bag

Buy Valentino Small Crystal-Covered Crossbody Bag from Neiman Marcus

We are in wedding season now. This versatile classic and unique Valentino Small Crystal-Covered Crossbody bag is perfect for any special events.

All Posts, Beauty, Travel

How to Protect Your Skin from Dehydration Caused by Airplane Travel

Our skin can get really dry when we travel, especially by airplane. This dryness is partly due to the high altitude and the recycling of the air in the plane. After traveling for years, I have my own skin care routine to protect my face from dehydration throughout the trip. The routine consists of a three-part treatment: before, during, and after the trip. I will also show you the facial masks I use.

Before the trip:

The night before I travel I exfoliate my face after using a cleanser. The purpose of exfoliating your face is to get rid of any dead skin cells and help the skin to effectively absorb any products I apply. After cleansing and exfoliation, I gently pat my favorite toner onto my skin. Then I use a facial mask in place of my regular serums.

The facial mask is the key to my skin care routine before airplane travel. The facial mask is usually made of cotton or a silky sheet which is soaked with nutrients and hydrating ingredients that help to boost the moisture level in the skin. One of the common ingredients in many brands of facial masks is hyaluronic acid, which effectively enhances the hydration level of the skin.

By applying the facial mask and keeping it on my cleaned face for 15 to 25 minutes, I am “bathing” my skin in the highly concentrated serum. Once I remove the mask and massage the remaining serum into my skin, my face is visibly more radiant and healthy. The last step in the before-trip treatment is to use a regular moisturizer to lock in the moisture I just applied to my skin.

This part of the routine prepares and protects my skin from dehydration during the airplane travel.

During the trip:

On long trips, on the night before arrival to my destination, I will apply another facial mask to my face before I go to bed. This part of the routine goes like this: cleanser, toner, facial mask, and moisturizer. There’s no need to exfoliate my skin since I already did so the night before. The purpose of using a second facial mask is to replenish the hydration level in the skin. This part of the routine is important, especially if I was staying in hotels; the air conditioning usually make my skin dry.

After the trip:

After I arrive home from the trip, my skin gets tired and dry from the travel. I would repeat the same routine as the day before the trip – cleanser, toner, facial mask for 25 minutes, and moisture.

Facial masks are really popular and less expensive in Asia than in the U.S. Whenever I travel to Asia I generally buy a lot of the facial masks and bring them back home to the U.S. for later use. Here are some of the brands that are available oversee as well as in the U.S. — My Beauty Diary, Kanebo Sensai Collection, SK-II.

I hope this skin care routine will be helpful to you the next time you travel.

How to Protect Your Skin from Dehydration Caused by Airplane Travel

All Posts, Beauty

How to Wear Blue Eye Makeup from Day to Night

Blue is one of my favorite colors for sunny days. This year, blue is also one of the fashion trends for Spring’s eye makeup. I’ve been experimenting with the new Stylo Eyeshadow from Chanel’s Summer 2013 Makeup Collection. I have so much fun and I would like to show you one simple way to transform your look from day to night.

For Day Time

First, I prepare my eye area with Dior’s new Diorsnow BB Eye Cream with SPF 20. Then, I put Chanel’s Stylo Eyeshadow in Jade Shore (green) on my eye lid and use Blue Bay as eye liner. Jade Shore is really light, which complements Blue Bay very well.

For the bottom area of my eye I use two lightest shades out of Dior’s 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow in Electric Light. The two colors are light shimmery blue and light matte blue. To bright up my eyes, I put the shimmery blue around the inner corner of my eye and smudge the matte blue on the rest of the bottom lash line. These soft blue colors on the bottom help to emphasize the green/blue shades on the eye lid very well.

To finish the eye makeup, I use YSL’s Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in High Density Black on upper lashes. This will help to define your eye with the summery look.

For Night Time

With this day eye makeup look, you can easily transform it to a night-out look. All you need is a black eyeliner or Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Black Stream to make the blue/green eye shadow pop. I’d also put Chanel’s limited edition waterproof mascara in Blue Note on upper lashes as well as bottom lashes. This will give your eyes a dramatic appearance for both Spring and Summer.

What I present here is just one of the many ways to wear blue eye makeup for this season. With the makeup mentioned in this post, you can mix and match the products to create your ideal looks.

Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow

Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Blue Bay
Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Jade Shore

Blue Bay (left) $34
Jade Shore(right) $34

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara

Buy Chanel INIMITABLE WATERPROOF in Blue Note from Nordstrom
Blue Note $30

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow

5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow in Electric Light
5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow in Electric Light
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Jimmy Choo Spring 2013 Sale is Now On

It’s the time for Jimmy Choo’s sale for Spring collection. If you missed the pre-sale last week, don’t miss the official sale which started on Saturday, June 1. The sale is available online as well as in-store. Selected Spring products from both women and men shoes, handbags, and accessories are now available at 30% off original prices.

Jimmy Choo is one of my favorite brands for shoes. I am constantly looking for any sales on Jimmy Choo. Both Nordstrom (save up to 40%) and Neiman Marcus (save up to 33%) are having a sale on Jimmy Choo shoes. However, the items on sale are quite limited.

I have to admit that shopping on Jimmy Choo’s web site is a lot of fun. I feel like a little girl going into a big candy store while I am going through the pictures of the sale items. There are three shoes showcased in each row. While I scan through each row I get excited from the anticipation of waiting to see what items will appear next. There are more selections available if you get on the site early enough when the sale begins.

I couldn’t resist the temptation of Jimmy Choo’s famous Lance strappy sandals, especially when I see them on sale in tangerine metallic watersnake. What can be more gorgeous than wearing this pair of Lance with a white or yellow dress during the day and a simple black dress at night in Summer time?

If you like Jimmy Choo’s Lola in floral printed python, featured in the Spring Summer ad campaign and mentioned in my post Print is the Fashion Trend for Spring 2013, you are in luck! It’s on sale for $1,001 (originally $1,495).

If you like Jimmy Choo, make sure you don’t miss the sale on Jimmy Choo’s web site, and Nordstrom. Enjoy your shopping!

Jimmy Choo Lance in Tangerine Watersnake
Jimmy Choo – Lance in Tangerine Watersnake
Jimmy Choo – Lola Floral Python Platform Pump
Jimmy Choo – Lola Floral Python
Jimmy Choo - Biel in Orchid Glitter Fabric
Jimmy Choo – Biel in Orchid Glitter Fabric
Jimmy Choo - Belle
Jimmy Choo – Belle
All Posts, Beauty

Chanel Summer 2013 Makeup Collection

Chanel Summer 2013 Makeup Collection Chanel recently released its Summer 2013 makeup collection, COLLECTION LÉTÉ PAPILLON DE CHANEL. This collection is inspired by the colors of butterflies, where we see shades of blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, and gold. I have to say that Chanel, as a trendsetter, does a great job of offering products in fashionable colors of the seasons –blue and green for eyes, and orange for nail polish.

The new makeup products in the butterfly colors brighten up the eyes and give them a summery touch. The new makeup items include waterproof mascara in new electric shades, Aqua Blue (blue), Blue Note (light blue), Lime Light (light green), and Zest (yellow); a new eye shadow palette in Metamorphose (hues range from light green to dark blue); one waterproof eyeliner in True Blue.

Chanel also has launched Stylo Eyeshadow, a new cream eye shadow pen, in six colors: Moon River (beige), Cold Gold, Pink Lagoon, Jade Shore (green), Blue Bay, and Black Stream. Chanel’s new Stylo Eyeshadow, unlike a traditional eye shadow in powder or cream texture in a palette, is eye shadow in sparkling cream formula in a retractable pen applicator. You can apply the cream eye shadow right from the applicator or use a brush. I think the Stylo Eyeshadow is great. You can carry them in your bag and touch up your color whenever needed. The cream eyeshadow formula is very unique; it has a special ingredient that gives you a cool sensation on your eyelids when you put it on.

All the colors for Stylo Eyeshadow are gorgeous. I couldn’t resist getting Moon River, Jade Shore, Black Stream, and Blue Bay. Moon River is a good neutral and base color; it goes well with almost any colors for both day and night. Blue Bay and Jade Shore colors are eye-catching; they can be used standalone or paired together. I think Black Stream is the most versatile color; I sometimes use it as an eyeliner with other colors.

Chanel’s Summer collection puts a lot of emphasis on your eyes by using electric colors to achieve the butterfly effects. To complement the vibrant eye colors, Chanel offers new warm shades of lip glosses and lip sticks. My picks are Rouge Coco Shine lip stick in IDYLLE and LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossmier in Envolee. They are neutral and draw subtle attention to lip areas. They are perfect for everyday use.

For nail colors, Chanel offers three new hues – Le Vernis in Azure (green), Bel-Augus (blue), and Lilis (orange). If you want a bright and summery nail color, Lilis would be perfect. It’s one of the hottest hues for the season. If you want to be more adventurous, I recommend you to try both Azure and Bel-Augus. They are my favorites!

Chanel Summer 2013 Makeup Collection
Chanel Summer 2013 Makeup Collection

All Posts, Fashion, Travel

Louis Vuitton Neverfull Monogram for Summer 2013 with Articles de voyages Theme

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Louis Vuitton Neverfull Monogram in Grand BleuLouis Vuitton’s Neverfull bag has been very popular since it was launched many years ago. For Summer 2013, Louis Vuitton has reinvented the Neverfull bag with the “Articles de voyages” motif. The new Neverfull is different than traditional Neverfull Monogram. First, it comes with colored leather trim and handle. Second, it has ikat flowers design on the interior. Third, it has “Articles de voyages” text and motif on the outside of the bag.

The Neverfull Monogram for “Articles de voyages” is available in two sizes: Neverfull MM (medium) and Neverfull GM (large). And there are three hues to choose from: Rose Velours, Indian Rose, and Grand Bleu.

The Neverfull Monogram bag for “Articles de voyages” is very eye-catching. The first time I saw it was during a private styling event at a Louis Vuitton store. I love its design with colored trim and the print inside and outside of the bag. The three available shades are ideal for the warm weather, and the flower print inside of the bag complements the simple Article de voyages print outside of the bag well. My first impression of the bag was that it is delightful and refreshing.

The Neverfull is perfect for travelling and Summer. I have a Neverfull in Damier Ebene (bought when it was first launched in November 2008), which has been one of my travel essentials for overseas (such as Taipei, Beijing, and Shanghai). The bag is light and versatile. I can fit it in my suitcase easily. I can also carry my essential items when I am out and about. I also use the bag when I hit the beaches in California.

Several of my friends asked me if the thin straps of the bag are strong enough to hold the weight once you put all your items inside. I can say from my personal experience that the straps are very sturdy.

If you’ve never owned a Neverfull and are thinking about getting one, the Neverfull Monogram for “Articles de voyages” collection is a great way to start. Even if you already have a Neverfull in a different material, I think it would be worthwhile to invest in the new Article de voyages.

Neverfull Monogram in Rose Velours
Neverfull Monogram in Rose Velours
Neverfull Monogram India Rose
Neverfull Monogram India Rose
Neverfull Monogram in Grand Bleu
Neverfull Monogram in Grand Bleu
All Posts, Fashion

Gladiator Shoe is in for Spring 2013

One of the essential fashion trends for Spring is the gladiator shoe. This unique trend is being featured in fashion magazines (such as Jennifer Lopez wearing Tom Ford Strappy Buckled Sandal Boot in Harper’s Bazaar, Feb. 2013) and stores, which make it impossible to miss for this season.

Gladiator shoes comes in three major styles: knee boot, high-heel sandal, and flat sandal. Shoes with skinny straps usually give your outfit a classic and sexy appeal. However, the gladiator shoe for this Spring consists of bolder straps (such as Alexander Wang Marta Runway Cutout Knee Boot) and designs with multiple thin straps (such as Valentino Rockstud Ankle-Wrap Sandal). This innovative style takes this Spring’s accessory fashion to a different stylish level – it’s creative and sexier than ever.

In my opinion, the gladiator shoe is refreshing because it’s a great fashion accessory to transition from Winter to Spring. The style consists of an element for Winter, which is knee boot, and an essential component for Spring, which is a sandal with cutouts and a strappy design.

However, I want to point out that gladiator knee boot is not designed for everyone. I think it looks better on women and girls with slimmer calves. A good example would be Jimmy Choo’s Mogul Tall Cage Gladiator Boot in Orchid. The thin straps are designed to showcase the legs. If paired with a light color floral dress, you’d complete a very stylish look. However, a gladiator knee boot wouldn’t look as nice on someone with more muscular calves. It might look a bit bulky and out of proportion.

Luckily, there are gladiator high-heel and flat sandal which are designed for everyone. In my opinion, wearing gladiator high-heel sandal with either jeans or dresses will make any women look sexy instantly. And gladiator sandal is perfect for both day and night.

If you want to make a fashion statement with your Spring outfit, a gladiator shoe is a must-have for your wardrobe. Below are some of my favorite picks for the three major categories of gladiator shoe.

Knee Boots

Brian Atwood – Electra Suede Laser-Cut Open-Toe Boot
Tom Ford – Strappy Buckled Sandal Boot

Brian Atwood – Electra Suede Laser-Cut Open-Toe Boot $1,750

Tom Ford  – Strappy Buckled Sandal Boot $3,690

 

High Heel Sandals

Giuseppe Zanotti – Lace-Up Suede Gladiator High-Heel Sandal
GladiatorShoeIsInForSpring2013_TomFord_Triple-BuckleMetallicSandal_mx

Giuseppe Zanotti – Lace-Up Suede Gladiator High-Heel Sandal $1,195

Tom Ford – Triple-Buckle Metallic Sandal, Gold $1,450

 

Flat Sandals

Manolo Blahnik – Vestalamod Suede Gladiator Sandal, Luggage
Prada – Studded Strappy Flat Sandal, Gold

Manolo Blahnik – Vestalamod Suede Gladiator Sandal, Luggage $965

Prada – Studded Strappy Flat Sandal, Gold $620

All Posts, Fashion

Lafayette 148 New York Spring 2013 Collection

Lafayette 148 New York is a company with an unusual name (which is based on their Manhattan, NY street address) that advertises that they design clothes for “the modern woman and her multi-faceted lifestyle”. I’ve seen Lafayette 148 NY items in many department stores, but never really paid too much attention to the brand. I went to one of their Spring 2013 collection events yesterday and got the chance to try on some of their clothes.

Lafayette 148 NY collection reminds me quite a bit of Ann Taylor. I think the main difference between the two designers is that Lafayette 148 NY is somewhat more upscale in my opinion.

Lafayette 148 NY’s Spring 2013 collection offers clothes in linens, cottons, and silk in neutral colors. It also incorporates many essential trends for this season, such as print (animal and floral), leather jackets, and black/white graphics. One of the most noteworthy items I saw was the Kendra Exotic-Print Blouse. It combines both animal and floral print on a loose fit lightweight silk. It looked really nice on the hanger, but I was a bit disappointed with how it looked on me. The uniqueness of the two prints on the blouse seemed to overwhelm me visually. However, I really like its short sleeves with drawstrings on the front. It’s a minor detail, but makes the design unique. I’d love it if they had the same blouse in solid orange or white.

I also tried on some other pieces including the Galia Print Top, with a nice multi-color graphic; the Lambskin Tunic, a simple sleeveless leather item that goes well with any color of pants or skirts.

My overall impression of the Lafayette 148 NY collection is difficult to describe. They do offer some very nice items, especially for women who are a bit older than me and prefer slighty more conservative attire, but Lafayette 148 NY wouldn’t be my top choice for most of my fashion needs. That said, I recommend you check out their collections to make your own decisions.

Print

Kendra Exotic-Print Blouse
Galia Print Top

 

Kendra Exotic-Print Blouse (left) $498

Galia Print Top (right) $498

Leather

Lambskin Tunic
Tissue Weight Lambskin Top

Lambskin Tunic (left) $998

Tissue Weight Lambskin Top (right) $598

All Posts, Beauty

Five Beauty Essentials Under $25

We are now in Spring, where the weather is warmer and sunnier. Do you ever adjust your skin care products to make sure they are suitable for the weather? For example, switching to a lighter moisturizer for Spring instead of using a richer formula for Winter. Or adding higher SPF products to your routine to protect your skin from sun damage.

I alter my skin care routine slightly when the season changes, but there are several items that I’ve got to have on hand throughout the year. Below are some beauty products that I’ve been using for a while and have worked very well for me. The good thing is that they cost no more than $25 each.

Anastasia Beverly Hills – After Tweeze Cream $20

This cream has vitamin E and chamomile extract that soothe sensitive skin after brow waxing. It helps me to avoid acne and covers the redness.

Buy Anastasia Beverly Hills – After Tweeze Cream

Elizabeth Arden – Eight Hour Cream $19.50

I’ve been using this for many years. It’s one of my must-haves for traveling. It rehydrates chapped lips and dry skin (also good for sun-burned skin). Some makeup artists also use it on eyelids and cheeks. (Did you know that it is also Catherine Zeta-Jones’ all-time favorite skin care product?)

Elizabeth Arden – Eight Hour Cream

Fresh – Soy Face Cleanser $15 (1.7 oz)

It’s my new favorite facial cleanser. It’s gentle on my skin and cleans all the makeup residue. It leaves my skin soft and moisturized.

Buy Fresh – Soy Face Cleanser

Fresh – Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 $22.50

Did you know that there are no oil glands on our lips, so they age faster than the rest of our face? To prevent aging on lips, you need to exfoliate and nourish them regularly. I love Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15. They keep my lips hydrated and smelling great!

Buy Fresh – Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

Clarins – UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40 $25 (1 oz)

This is an ultra lightweight sun screen that blends into the skin well. It’s one of the must-haves to protect your skin from the sun damage.

Buy Clarins - UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40

All Posts, Fashion

Print is the Fashion Trend for Spring 2013

One of the essential fashion trends for the Spring is print. Prints can be spotted on handbags, clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Popular prints include animal prints (such as leopard and snakeskin), floral prints, and graphic arts.

Many designers, such as Dolce & Gabanna, Marc Jacobs, Oscar dela Renta, Roberto Cavalli, and Stella McCartney, have launched their unique print items for this season.

When it comes to wearing a print, it’s better to minimize the number of the print items on you. Do not wear the print head-to-toe. For example, if you are wearing a snakeskin print dress, don’t pair it with print shoe or handbag. Instead, pair the dress with a mono-tone accessory, such as black pump or light colored handbag. If you want to wear a print shoe, avoid wearing eye-catching clothes that will divert attention away from your shoe. In another words, the print shoe is the focus and rest of your outfit becomes the accessories.

Below are a few examples of the prints launched for the Spring.

Leopard Print

Marc Jacobs – Belted Leopard-Print Dress
Roberto Cavalli – Mixed-Print Dress & Metallic Belt

The Marc Jacob belted leopard-print dress is a classic. (left) The black belt and sleeves add the balance to the leopard pattern. The dress by Roberto Cavalli is very sexy. (right)  The leopard print in the middle blends well in the mixed print. And the silk material makes the dress stand out.

Marc Jacobs – Belted Leopard-Print Dress $895

Roberto Cavalli – Mixed-Print Dress & Metallic Belt $5,260

 Snakeskin Print

Gucci – Light Green Jacquard Python Motif Tunic Dress
Valentino – Rockstud Medium Snakeskin Tote Bag, Ivory

I really like the Python print dress by Gucci (left). The mixture of green and dark snakeskin makes it a sexy dress for Spring. This Valentino snakeskin bag (left) reminds me of a leopard bag Valentino made for Fall. They are equally nice in an eye-catching way.

Gucci – Light Green Jacquard Python Motif Tunic Dress $2,250

Valentino – Rockstud Medium Snakeskin Tote Bag, Ivory $4,695

Floral Print

Versace – Cutout-Waist Floral Dress
Jimmy Choo – Lola Floral Python Platform Pump

Floral print is in for every Spring. The dress by Versace (left) is ideal for a night out. The gorgeous floral python platform by Jimmy Choo (right) is perfect for the season. I’d pair it with a simple white dress, such as Herve Legaer’s Cap-Sleeve Bandage Dress to show off the floral print on this shoe.

Versace – Cutout-Waist Floral Dress $2,250

Jimmy Choo – Lola Floral Python Platform Pump $1,001 (original $1,495)