Another day, another manicure: RGB Cosmetics in Dusk, a gunmetal grey with iridescent purple undertones. It’s not out until fall but here’s a similar(ish) color.
Alessandro International, a new nailpolish brand that manicurist Myrdith McCormack used on me a few weeks ago, kindly (very kindly) sent me what feels like every.single.color of theirs. Happy Tuesday to me ^_^
I’m impressed—and you sound like you’re on the right track. Even if none of your products are explicitly labeled “Anti-Aging Cream For People Who Don’t Want To Look Old”, I’m sure they’re infused with antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and other ingredients that are healthy-skin staples. And, honestly, the most important thing you’re doing is setting up a consistent routine. That’s the hardest part and what most people dilly-dally over. “But it’s so much… work!” people mutter or they’ll dejectedly ask “What’s the point?”: I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. So much of skincare is being consistent. Skin, like a potted plant, needs to be fed and watered regularly. Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox to answer your questions: a) I personally don’t use a neckcream. But I do make sure to put SPF on it every single day (and ditto for the backs of my hands (and face, obviously)). b) don’t ever smoke. c) add a retinoid to your daily routine. It’s the only ingredient that every single one of the many dermatologists I’ve ever met agree on and like an insurance policy for your skin—you won’t have immediate results (but when you’re 35 you’ll be very glad you’ve been using one). Keep up the good work!
As promised, here’s another installment of Beauty Confidential (wherein I break down every single thing I use in painstaking detail). Now, the truth about my hair is that I’ve always, always wanted delicious typical Asian hair (thick, lustrous, black). Instead, I have fine, bleh, and medium brown (!) hair. What! I know, sigh. I wrote a whole article about my hair routine in ELLE (read it here). In any case, here’s what I used on it this morning to fake delicious typical Asian hair:
I use a Sultra blowdryer, brush it out with a Mason Pearson, and done (whew)!
Nailpolish is one of the best obsessions, in my opinion, since it’s a ridiculously fun and (fairly) inexpensive way to stay on-trend each season. Note the aforementioned word “fairly” because if you buy, say, thirty polishes a season, that can quickly add up cost-wise too. If you have friends who you’re rather certain are nail fungus-free (sorry to go there, but it’s true), may I suggest a seasonal polish swap? And I actually really, really love drugstore brand nailpolishes: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is my favorite. The brush head fits my nails perfectly and I have literally applied the polish in the back of a moving taxi (en route to a fashion show!) effortlessly. I also love L’Oreal Paris’ colors, they’re always on trend and the formula is super shiny.
And, as for your second question, depends what industry you’re applying to. Finance (& similarly stuffy ones): be low-key. Fashion: go for it, but exercise chic restraint.
Whenever I’m on set I make BFFs with the manicurist (because, well, you all know how much I love nails). If I’m lucky, they’ll give my nails a quick pampering. This week, the lovely Kelly painted my nails with Jinsoon Choi’s French Lilac. It’s the perfect dusky lilac, I adore it.
Lucky me! Sally Hansen kindly sent me a full set of their new Fuzzy Coat polish. The polishes have a sweatery look to them—I’m going to try layering them over like colors. Stay tuned…
Makeup artist Nessa was at my place in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and I couldn’t help but notice how perfectly her sweater matched my Marc Jacobs Daisy packaging. Adorable!
Another day, another manicure: spent the day on set on Friday and spent my downtime efficiently by getting a manicure (is there a better way to spend free time? I think not). Myrdith of M2M Nails painted my nails with Alessandro International (no, I hadn’t heard of the polish brand either!) in Lucky Lavender.
Ha—you’re not alone! I too feel lost when confronted with the numerous choices sent to me on a daily basis. But in fact, that wealth of choice has helped me figure out what my perfect daily routine consists of. Here are a few of my must-haves for a light, fresh face:
And that’s it! I know makeup can feel intimidating but really, it’s all about fun and experimentation! Go out there and enjoy yourself, you’ll get the hang of it.
I was very tempted to make a (I will admit very cheesy) joke along the lines of “I can’t believe it’s not Butter!” But then I realized… wait… A) Most people probably won’t even understand that archaic reference and b) This is Butter in all of its spring-summer glory.
Here, in painstaking detail, is everything I used on my face this morning (in order):
PS: I will be trying to do a post like this once a week… Hope you like it ^_^
A delivery of RGB polishes makes any girl’s day infinitely better. The orange and green, in particular, are making my nails go pitter-patter (I realize that analogy makes no sense).
I’ve been in Hong Kong for the past few days (more pictures to come). When I haven’t been gorging on dimsum, boba, and clothing—hey, I’m on vacation—I managed to find the time to get a gel manicure. It’s OPI’s Samoan Sand Axxium color, a perfect pinky-nude, with a demure pearly accent finger.
An epic rose in my Los Angeles garden looks even sweeter when paired with a silver tipped manicure from Chi Nail Bar (one of my go-to spots).
