December Manicure

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I'm ringing in 2022 with this nail set:

• Base Coat - essie all in one base coat base
  
• Color - OPI not like the movies (did 2 coats)
  
• Top Coat - Sally Hansen Dries Instantly Top Coat
  

Cold Weather Hair Care

I love Autumn (yay foliage!) and Winter (yay snow!), but ugh my hair doesn't 😑 

 

Specifically my dandruff re-appears every time the weather drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (probably due to the cold air, and dry indoor heat).

Yet, there was breakthrough this week from a recent trip to Ulta's clearance shelves. Cue: Phyto's Squam Intense Exfoliating Treatment Shampoo

Only ~$7 after tax, so I thought I'd give it a try. Also, if it didn't work, Ulta's return policy allows for a full refund!

You squeeze it onto your dry scalp in multiple sections and then massage it into your scalp. Let it soak for 5-7 minutes before rinsing, and voila your itchy scalp is gone!

Only con: this formula has a VERY strong scent that I don't enjoy (think traditional Chinese medicine). But this product's SO effective that I can't wait to use it again in 2 weeks!

Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Serum Review

I was on the look-out for a new serum, since my previous one (Enzo Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Skin Revitalizer Serum) was running-out.

I often shop Marshalls/TJ Maxx (aka Marmaxx) for discounted skincare, because they usually have cheap Asian skincare products.

 I wasn't looking to purchase this specific serum, however, this 3 pack of Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Serum was discounted to $19, so I couldn't resist!

Innisfree is a well-known Korean brand, which is why I bought these serums without doing any skin testing or review reading.  I did check the expiration year, which is 2023, so it'll last!

I paid ~$20 after tax for three 50 ml bottles, which is a steal for ~$7/bottle! As skincare lovers know, most big name Korean serums retail for double digits.

The bottle is a bright red, and the scent is not overpowering. I may gift a bottle to my mum or sis for Christmas or Chinese New Year!

UPDATE: I've been using it for a couple weeks now and haven't broken out. It's viscous and absorbs quickly, so I feel my skin is hydrated.  Time will tell if it improves skin’s elasticity, clarity and wrinkles.

Autumn Skincare Faves

Below are my current fave skincare products. I'm mainly using them to combat the drier air as we shift from autumn to winter.  

I apply the Shiseido Revitalizing Treatment Softener after my toner, and I can feel my skin sucking it in! A few pats and it's all absorbed!

It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Serum is the thickest serum I've ever used. It's not fast absorbing and feels more like a lotion, which is good in transitional weather.

To avoid flakiness and allow for products to penetrate deeper I exfoliate at least once a week. My current fave is Babor's Enzyme Cleanser, which is a physical exfoliator. You shake out the powder in your palm, and then add water to emulsify. My sister has sensitive skin and found this physical exfoliant gentle enough for her. However, she only uses it once a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

As we transition from autumn to winter the air itself is hydration sucking, so I start using a sleeping mask before bed to prevent moisture leaving my face! Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask is OG and I found this bottle discounted for $10 at my local Marshall's!

Loving Longchamp

One of my favorite handbag brands is LONGCHAMP! This French company's iconic nylon tote bags have spawned endless dupes and graced the arms of celebrities and regular folks, like myself, long before Facebook and IG.

I'm particularly loyal to their nylon totes. These le pliage totes are foldable, lightweight, and water-resistance. These qualities make it perfect for work, school, shopping, and travel. With a huge array of colours, patterns, and finishes the bag fits all casual events and lifestyles. 

 (I own 4 😅)

I love all my Longchamps and use them to "death". But fear not Longchamp will fix your bag free of charge one time! For example, the brick and mortar Longchamp in San Francisco fixed the corners of my first medium grey le pliage gratis, and even mailed my bag straight to my house for free! However, by folding in the old corners it does make the bag slightly smaller than before. This amazing customer service strengthened my loyalty.

TIP: If you're ever in Europe, shop the duty free to get the cheapest price on a new Longchamp! My long medium navy le pliage neo was only £87 GBP at Heathrow Airport!

One gripe is that dust bags do not accompany every bag. Just ask the sales assistant if they have any!

 Long Live Longchamp!

Seattle Stole My Heart

First time in Seattle, WA! Seattle has the nicest homeless population I've ever met. Combined with delicious food and crisp air with breathtaking views of mountains and water made this city easy-to-love!

(Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park)

(La Push Beach)

 

(Black bear sighting in Olympic National Park)

August Empties 空瓶

Below are my emptied skincare products from August 2021! I was too lazy to take photos of the emptied bottles, so I just re-used some old photos

KOSE Sekkisei Sun Protect Gel SPF 50 (would repurchase) - applied easily onto the skin with no pillage

 

Eve Lom Radiance Face Mist (wouldn't rebuy) - not a fine mist spray

My Sunnies

Man, it's brutal out here! #iykyk

With temperatures reaching 100s this week, everyone should be sun-protecting! Below are the current sunnies protecting my precious eye areas.

First loves are my Ray-Bans (American). I own the classic Clubmaster, Wayfarer, and Aviator!

Clubmaster was a gift to myself for graduating law school.

Aviators were both gifted. One lens is more blue (top photo), the other is more green (bottom photo).

Wayfarer was handed-down from my sis, because it kept sliding off her nose.

Rest of my collection are one-offs:

I forgot the prices for all of these (sorry!)

Bought this in Seoul, SK in 2017! They're not branded, but I loved the big cat-eye shape too much to care.

 

This Max Mara tortoiseshell cat-eye sunny (Italian) was a birthday gift from my lovely sis. She scored them at Nordstrom Rack!
 

This Prada Baroque black sunny (Italian) was my first designer pair of sunglasses. However, the seller didn't provide the original case, so it's likely fake :(  But I loved the curved frame and was on a tight budget, so I still purchased 'em.

June Empties 空瓶

Below are my emptied skincare products from the month of June!

Mist and Toner are the only products I would consider re-purchasing.

Essence was gifted, so unlikely to re-purchase.

Cleanser was also gifted, and not efficacious, so def not trying again.

Family Vacay Day 4: ZNP's Angels Landing

On our last day at Zion, we summited Angels Landing. This is Zion's most difficult hike, because of it's elevation and steepness, however, only 13 deaths since 2000 (and one of these was suicide).

We started the hike mid-day, because we slept in for optimal rest and energy. Noon is very hot with the sun directly above us, but we wanted to give ourselves enough time to complete the hike before sun-down.

Jump below for specific Angels Landing views!

Family Vacay Day 3: ZNP's Narrows

For our first full day at Zion National Park (ZNP), we rented electric bikes and hiked The Narrows!

We rented e-bikes from Zion Peddler.  We chose the Model Y types, because it came with baskets! Cost was $95/person for a full day. The rental included a parking spot, helmets, and bike locks.

 

We had a National Parks Pass aka America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which allowed our entire party of 5 to enter on foot without extra charges. 

Jump below for details on our Narrows hike!

Family Vacay Day 2: Road to Zion

After Grand Canyon, we spent a day healing from the Bright Angel Hike by driving north to Zion National Park.

We stopped by Page, Arizona for lunch at BirdHouse. This casual restaurant has delicious housemade honey mustard sauce with moist chicken tenders.

Understandably the Navajo Nation decided to close Antelope Canyon, so we stopped at the Toadstools (which are part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument) on our way to Zion.

Photo Credits: My parents

Family Vacay Day 1: Grand Canyon

For this year's family vacation we decided to visit Western USA! We are all fully vaccinated, so we flew into Las Vegas, and then drove a rental van for our road trip. We first visited the Grand Canyon's South Rim in Arizona!

We spent Sunday hiking into the Grand Canyon itself.

My mum and I made it to the 3 mile resthouse of the Bright Angel Trail before going back up!

My brother, dad, and sister hiked further down to Indian Garden before turning around.

Photo credits: My dad and mum!