Hi Everyone,
I hope your having a good week, I'm going on break from my beauty reviews. My hubby and I will be going on vacation. I will not be posting any beauty blogs for a few weeks but feel free to check my personal/everyday blog, for my travel experiences and thoughts.I haven't been home in a long long time, I will try and update that blog in regularly.
I hope you guys are having a nice summer, I know there is a heat wave and So Cal is super hot and dry. I promise when I get back that I will have a beauty haul for your and will have new and exciting items to try out. I'll find a reputable seller or store here in So Cal or website for those who are interested in trying out the products I have purchased. Don't forget to keep cool, hydrate drink plenty of water and make sure to wear sunscreen.
For now I'll see you guys later
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
store review: MARUKAI GARDENA LOCATION
Hi everyone,
I hope your doing well today.I have signed up for a membership at Marukai. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I decided to try and look around the place. I was quite mesmerized with all the products.
For all of you who doesn't know what Marukai is. It's a grocery store/chain that specializes in Japanese merchandise. From fresh produce, snacks, liquor, house hold items even a small section is set aside for make-up and skin care products.
Asian products are big in California right now. BB creams, skin care and make up is so such a big hit that even American companies are trying to copy them. Japanese skin care is well known for it's high quality, that the American can't get enough of them.
I signed up for a 1 year membership, there are a few stores that doesn't require a membership card. The membership fee is not bad $10 for one year and you get a grip of $1 coupons and a monthly information of items that will be on sale. To sign up for membership is easy, you just have to fill out a page form, it ask basic information like name, address etc. The application form is short I took me a while to receive my membership card because the cashier that was helping was uncomfortable with computers. With the membership card you also receive some $1 discount coupons to be used for every $20 purchase. Basic information about Marukia and some regulations and a catalog of up coming sales events.
This particular branch has a few smaller food stalls inside, they have a bakery and beard papas.
So here is the Store Locations around Los Angeles area
There is three locations in Gardena
Gardena (membership market)
1740 W Artesia Blvd Gardena, CA 90248
Tel: 310-660-6300
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Marukai Pacific Also in Gardena (no membership required)
1620 W Redondo Beach Blvd Gardena, CA 90247
Tel: 310-464-8888
hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 to 8:30 pm
98c Plus Store Gardena (no membership required)
1360 W Artesia Blvd Gardena CA 90248
Tel: 310-516-8160
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
sun 9:00 am to 7:15 pm
Costa Mesa (membership market)
2975 Harbor Blvd Costa Mesa CA 92626
Tel: 714-751-8433
hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
Sat 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
West Covina (membership market)
1420 South Azusa Ave W Covina CA 91791
Tel: 626-214-9590
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
sun 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
West LA (no membership required)
12121 West Pico BLVD
Los Angeles CA 90064
Tel: 310-806-4120
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Torrance (no membership required)
3832 Sepulveda BLVD
Torrance, CA 90505
Tel: 310-375-4900
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
Little Tokyo (no membership required)
1234 S Onizuka st #105
Los Angeles CA 90012
Tel: 213-893-7200
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sat 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
I hope your doing well today.I have signed up for a membership at Marukai. I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I decided to try and look around the place. I was quite mesmerized with all the products.
For all of you who doesn't know what Marukai is. It's a grocery store/chain that specializes in Japanese merchandise. From fresh produce, snacks, liquor, house hold items even a small section is set aside for make-up and skin care products.
Asian products are big in California right now. BB creams, skin care and make up is so such a big hit that even American companies are trying to copy them. Japanese skin care is well known for it's high quality, that the American can't get enough of them.
I signed up for a 1 year membership, there are a few stores that doesn't require a membership card. The membership fee is not bad $10 for one year and you get a grip of $1 coupons and a monthly information of items that will be on sale. To sign up for membership is easy, you just have to fill out a page form, it ask basic information like name, address etc. The application form is short I took me a while to receive my membership card because the cashier that was helping was uncomfortable with computers. With the membership card you also receive some $1 discount coupons to be used for every $20 purchase. Basic information about Marukia and some regulations and a catalog of up coming sales events.
This particular branch has a few smaller food stalls inside, they have a bakery and beard papas.
So here is the Store Locations around Los Angeles area
There is three locations in Gardena
Gardena (membership market)
1740 W Artesia Blvd Gardena, CA 90248
Tel: 310-660-6300
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Marukai Pacific Also in Gardena (no membership required)
1620 W Redondo Beach Blvd Gardena, CA 90247
Tel: 310-464-8888
hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 to 8:30 pm
98c Plus Store Gardena (no membership required)
1360 W Artesia Blvd Gardena CA 90248
Tel: 310-516-8160
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
sun 9:00 am to 7:15 pm
Costa Mesa (membership market)
2975 Harbor Blvd Costa Mesa CA 92626
Tel: 714-751-8433
hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
Sat 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
West Covina (membership market)
1420 South Azusa Ave W Covina CA 91791
Tel: 626-214-9590
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
sun 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
West LA (no membership required)
12121 West Pico BLVD
Los Angeles CA 90064
Tel: 310-806-4120
Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Torrance (no membership required)
3832 Sepulveda BLVD
Torrance, CA 90505
Tel: 310-375-4900
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am to 8:30 pm
Little Tokyo (no membership required)
1234 S Onizuka st #105
Los Angeles CA 90012
Tel: 213-893-7200
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sat 10:30 am to 9:00 pm
Sun 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Product review: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream
Hi everyone,
I hope you had a fun and yet safe 4th of July, today I will review the shisheido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55. With a lot research in beauty and medicine we now know that lot of sun exposure is no longer a friend. It can cause pre-mature aging, sun spots and even the dreaded melanoma.
I have always used moisturizer with SPF but now I'm finding out that what I have been using is not enough. I I found out that it is hard to find a moisturizer combo with SPF that is not too greasy on the face.
Product claims
Product experience:
After I have finished with my skin care routine and just dot on the sunscreen all over my face and neck and then blend it in. This leaves me a semi matte finish.
You get 2 bottles of 30 ml or 1.02 oz for $20, 50 ml 2 oz $35
Pros:
Comes in a variety of sunscreen protection I bought the SPF 55 travel size
Doesn't leave you looking like a grease ball.
Leaves a semi-matte finish on the skin
Smells very nice
Available at sephora, Macy's and Nordstroms, participating or online
Cons:
Pricey: $35 for 50 ml or 2 oz
I know for sunscreen this is really expensive. It is worth it and it doesn't leave you feeling greasy at all. It's great to layer under make up. I bought mine after the new year shisheido was having a pre package deal from the holidays. I bought 2 bottle of the SPF 55, for $20. I will try and find a drugstore alternative.
I hope you had a fun and yet safe 4th of July, today I will review the shisheido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55. With a lot research in beauty and medicine we now know that lot of sun exposure is no longer a friend. It can cause pre-mature aging, sun spots and even the dreaded melanoma.
I have always used moisturizer with SPF but now I'm finding out that what I have been using is not enough. I I found out that it is hard to find a moisturizer combo with SPF that is not too greasy on the face.
 |
| packaging, comes in a plastic bottle or this one is a squeeze bottle |
Product claims
A highly nourishing cream-formula sunscreen for the face that defends against powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause sunburn, cell damage, dryness, roughness and premature signs of aging such as fine lines. Smoothes on with no trace of stickiness. Invisible on skin.
- An anti-aging suncare cream that protects skin against the UV rays ausing photo-aging with an excellent UVA/UVB protection effect.
- Very water-resistant.
- Perspiration-resistant.
sample
After I have finished with my skin care routine and just dot on the sunscreen all over my face and neck and then blend it in. This leaves me a semi matte finish.
You get 2 bottles of 30 ml or 1.02 oz for $20, 50 ml 2 oz $35
Pros:
Comes in a variety of sunscreen protection I bought the SPF 55 travel size
Doesn't leave you looking like a grease ball.
Leaves a semi-matte finish on the skin
Smells very nice
Available at sephora, Macy's and Nordstroms, participating or online
Cons:
Pricey: $35 for 50 ml or 2 oz
I know for sunscreen this is really expensive. It is worth it and it doesn't leave you feeling greasy at all. It's great to layer under make up. I bought mine after the new year shisheido was having a pre package deal from the holidays. I bought 2 bottle of the SPF 55, for $20. I will try and find a drugstore alternative.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
product review: BB cream, blemish balm, beblish balm
Hi everyone,
Today I'll be reviewing BB creams, or blemish balm or beblish balms. What it is a multi purpose product for very, very sensitive skin, that needs a lot of tlc and some make up coverage. BB creams has a lot of uses for the basics it performs as your moisturizer, primer and foundation. Some BB creams contains sun protection usually an SPF 25 and pa+++ others come with anti-aging benefits. With that being said BB creams are the wonder product in Asia. I know its all the rage today and a lot of american brands are coming up with their version of a BB cream. For the sake of making this review short I will be reviewing the skin 79 brand and Legere brand BB creams.
BB creams are great in terms of their multi-function product. You have one product and has multiple use. You don't need to buy separate items such as moisturizer, face primer and foundation or base. Your BB cream is all that you will need. Each brand is unique and will function differently. Some has anti-aging in it to firm up the skin. Depending on your skin what you need I suggest to purchase a sample kit so far the most popular brand like skin 79 and legere have sample kits. This way you will know what works for you and how each product will react on your skin. There by saving you time and a lot of grief just incase BB creams doesn't work for you.
The Skin 79 BB creams
This product is amazing it's very light blends easily. It's by far one of the darker BB creams available.
Legere BB cream
It's a thicker BB cream it's a little difficult to blend.
My experience:
I used the BB cream a few weeks before my vacation and didn't noticed any side effects. I was using the skin 79 in the bright pink tube. It blended easily and gave me a very light coverage.
I brought my BB creams with me while vacationing. It's convenient because I didn't have to carry several items like sun block, face primer and foundation all I needed was my BB cream I used it for 2 days straight one day using a light oil as moisturizer and applied on top. The next day using just the BB cream on my face.
Pros
It's multi purpose eliminating the need to purchase several different products.
It's easy to use, unlike regular foundation that can turn mask like, it gives a very natural finish.
Contains Anti-aging.
Contains broad spectrum sun protection.
Inexpensive because of the variety uses.
Is starting to be widely available.
Some are easily blended on to the skin.
Cons
This products broke me out, I used the legere and skin 79 on different days.
Not a lot of color variety it comes in light or medium or sometimes just light. Definately not for women who are very dark.
Asian brands can only be purchased online or specialty stores.
Some have the grey cast because of the high SPF content.
Does not give full coverage, light to maybe medium depending on your skin type and your needs.
Needs to set with powder.
BB creams are a great product especially if you want an everyday, natural look and a streamlined routine. You don't need to pile several different products on your face. You have light to medium coverage with out placing a face full of products. If you need a little extra you can always use a tiny amount of concealer on the problem spots a little bit of powder and your all set.
Unfortunately I can't recommend any of this BB cream I used one from each brand and it broke me out. I will try out lioeli BB cream and some American brand BB cream in a later date hopefully when my break out has cleared up. Also I got so annoyed with this product that I got rid of the packaging and samples. I don't have any pictures but I will post a link so you know what I bought. I'm not trying to say don't buy it or use it since our skin and bodies react differently. Hopefully you will have a much better expereince than I did.
http://www.imomoko.com/product_detail.php?ID=4718
http://www.imomoko.com/product_detail.php?ID=2311
Today I'll be reviewing BB creams, or blemish balm or beblish balms. What it is a multi purpose product for very, very sensitive skin, that needs a lot of tlc and some make up coverage. BB creams has a lot of uses for the basics it performs as your moisturizer, primer and foundation. Some BB creams contains sun protection usually an SPF 25 and pa+++ others come with anti-aging benefits. With that being said BB creams are the wonder product in Asia. I know its all the rage today and a lot of american brands are coming up with their version of a BB cream. For the sake of making this review short I will be reviewing the skin 79 brand and Legere brand BB creams.
BB creams are great in terms of their multi-function product. You have one product and has multiple use. You don't need to buy separate items such as moisturizer, face primer and foundation or base. Your BB cream is all that you will need. Each brand is unique and will function differently. Some has anti-aging in it to firm up the skin. Depending on your skin what you need I suggest to purchase a sample kit so far the most popular brand like skin 79 and legere have sample kits. This way you will know what works for you and how each product will react on your skin. There by saving you time and a lot of grief just incase BB creams doesn't work for you.
The Skin 79 BB creams
This product is amazing it's very light blends easily. It's by far one of the darker BB creams available.
Legere BB cream
It's a thicker BB cream it's a little difficult to blend.
My experience:
I used the BB cream a few weeks before my vacation and didn't noticed any side effects. I was using the skin 79 in the bright pink tube. It blended easily and gave me a very light coverage.
I brought my BB creams with me while vacationing. It's convenient because I didn't have to carry several items like sun block, face primer and foundation all I needed was my BB cream I used it for 2 days straight one day using a light oil as moisturizer and applied on top. The next day using just the BB cream on my face.
Pros
It's multi purpose eliminating the need to purchase several different products.
It's easy to use, unlike regular foundation that can turn mask like, it gives a very natural finish.
Contains Anti-aging.
Contains broad spectrum sun protection.
Inexpensive because of the variety uses.
Is starting to be widely available.
Some are easily blended on to the skin.
Cons
This products broke me out, I used the legere and skin 79 on different days.
Not a lot of color variety it comes in light or medium or sometimes just light. Definately not for women who are very dark.
Asian brands can only be purchased online or specialty stores.
Some have the grey cast because of the high SPF content.
Does not give full coverage, light to maybe medium depending on your skin type and your needs.
Needs to set with powder.
BB creams are a great product especially if you want an everyday, natural look and a streamlined routine. You don't need to pile several different products on your face. You have light to medium coverage with out placing a face full of products. If you need a little extra you can always use a tiny amount of concealer on the problem spots a little bit of powder and your all set.
Unfortunately I can't recommend any of this BB cream I used one from each brand and it broke me out. I will try out lioeli BB cream and some American brand BB cream in a later date hopefully when my break out has cleared up. Also I got so annoyed with this product that I got rid of the packaging and samples. I don't have any pictures but I will post a link so you know what I bought. I'm not trying to say don't buy it or use it since our skin and bodies react differently. Hopefully you will have a much better expereince than I did.
http://www.imomoko.com/product_detail.php?ID=4718
http://www.imomoko.com/product_detail.php?ID=2311
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