skin care ritual

Irresistibly Cute // The Face Shop x KaKao Friends

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Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends - Sunscreen Cushion and Lip Creamer.
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends - Sunscreen Cushion and Lip Creamer.
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends - Natural Sun Eco Sunscreen Cushion.
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends - Natural Sun Eco Sunscreen Cushion.SCENT is essentially non-existent. I love how this has none of that typical sunscreen smell.TEXTURE is just like foundation cushion, which is a blendable…
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Natural Sun Eco Baby Sunscreen CushionBLENDABILITY is just ok when I use the applicator pad to apply to skin (top, using hand for more clear demo). You can still see the white-cast on my skin even after tapp…
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Natural Sun Eco Baby Sunscreen Cushion// LIKE //- Super cute collectable packaging...who can resist those KaKao Friends characters!- Sunscreen has nice texture and doesn't irritate my skin. - Love that …
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Melting Color Lip Creamer
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Melting Color Lip CreamerSCENT is that of Jolly Rancher or fruity candies. Super yummy and doesn't smell too artificial!TEXTURE is very creamy! It's actually pretty tough to blend it evenly wh…
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Melting Color Lip CreamerPREP is needed because of its creamy texture. Best to prep lips with Vaseline Lip or the equivalent. My first try was a complete failure as I didn't prep my lips -&nbs…
Reviewing The Face Shop x KaKao Friends – Melting Color Lip Creamer// LIKE //- Same as the sunscreen, it's hard to resist the super cute collectable packaging.- Soft color that's perfect for everyday & can also build up to fuller colors.- Love t…

Do you have a tough time resisting these adorable KaKao Friends, too?  Hope you've enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

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24 Hours in New York City // Korea Town Beauty Shopping & Yummy Dessert Tasting

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Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Beauty shopping in Korea Town. Shown here: Nature Republic Store on W 32nd Street.

My brother flew in from Asia and one of his short stops was New York City, so I flew down there to meet up with him.  We had some great meals and museum visits, but of course, when it came to beauty shopping in Korea Town, he opted out.  No worries, my trusted roommate from college @concon95 (who lives in NYC) was more than happy to go with me since she's just starting to dabble into the exciting world of Asian Beauty!

Given my 24-hours time limit in the city, I could only afford to be in K-Town for 1.5 hours.  It's not an issue as it was a Sunday and all the shops were pretty quiet.  I drew up this so-not-to-scale map of the key part of K-Town we ventured to - On West 32nd St, between Broadway and 5th Ave.  In this short block, you can hit all the major K-Beauty brands and taste some super yummy Korean food and desserts.

~ FUeling up before our express shopping spree ~

I've been to a few really great dessert places in NYC, but I've never ventured into K-Town before.  I did some homework prior to arrival and found Grace Street as one of the new faces in the K-Town dessert scene.  It has some rave reviews and it sure did not disappoint! 

P.S. I included 2 honorary mentions on the map for food - BCD Tofu House (which I frequently visit in California and love their tofu stews) and H-Mart (which is a Korean supermarket...I don't think I need to tell you why it's a must-see!)

Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Fueling up for the shopping spree at Grace Street Coffee & Dessert.Highlight // Korean Dessert and Perfect Hangout SpotHighly Recommended // Hodduk (Korean donuts), Shaved Snow, Savory Waffle Sandwich
Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Fueling up for the K-Beauty shopping spree at Grace Street Coffee & Dessert.The food here is the star, but Grace Street is also a great place to hang out or use as your remote ffice!  The st…
Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Fueling up for the K-Beauty shopping spree at Grace Street Coffee & Dessert.Shaved Snow:You can order Grace Street's signatures or you can make your own.  I opted for my own creation - Milk snow, swee…

~ ready for some k-beauty shopping?? ~

With that yummy meal in our stomach, @concon95 and I said goodbye to Miss S and began our express shopping spree.  

Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea Town.Having to do an express shopping spree in less than 1.5 hours, I was only able to hit 3 stores.....But I've vowed to return!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks @conco…

 

// The face shop //

Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownHIGHLIGHT // You can load up on those cute character masks here!  And don't forget the super cute KaKao Friends Collection.  I am also in aw…
Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownWHAT WE BOUGHT // My Stash...New Real Nature Peony & Lily for Brightening and Revitalizing.KaKao Friends Character Masks for Brightening, Soothing and …

 

// nature republic //

Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownHIGHLIGHT // I love NR products, but every time I walk into one of their stores, I am more drawn to their store designs. - The dramatic…
Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownWHAT WE BOUGHT // My Stash...Real Fresh Olive & Blueberry for Hydrating and Revitalizing.Aqua Collagen Solution Marine Hydrogel Eye Patch.Multi Patch A…

 

// The Mask Bar//

Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownHIGHLIGHT // If you're looking for a 1-stop-shop for sheetmasks, this is the place to go (especially if you're under a huge time crunch!).  …
Sharing my 24-Hours Adventure in NYC // Shopping for Korean beauty products in Korea TownWHAT WE BOUGHT // My Stash...I'm Sorry For My Skin for Pore Care, Brightening, Revitalizing.Holika Holika Juicy Mask Sheet Blueberries for Bright…

~ must shop more! ~

I can't believe I live so close to New York City and I don't go down there more often!  But now that I know all the "treasures" I can find there, plus having found my new Asian Beauty shopping buddy, I'll be making more visits to the fabulous Big Apple.  I do want to venture into Chinatown on my next trips to explore other Asian Beauty brands that are not available in K-Town.  Any suggestions on other Asian Beauty brands I should explore?  Leave me a comment below!

~ and i want to share this with you... ~

Needless-to-say, @concon95 and I have collected quite a few pieces of new masks to try (and nose strips for her)!  It's been so much fun reading all of your mask reviews on Instagram and I love it when you ladies share some honest insights to help me figure out if a mask is "worthy" to be added to the stash.  With that inspiration in mind, I am launching a new series where me and a few guest writers will share our utmost honest reviews on sheet masks we love and, sometimes, meh, not love.  I hope you'll join us on this new adventure on Hula With Me!

Thanks for stopping by!

If you're curious about the other legs of my NYC adventure, click links below for previous posts:

The Food Edition @ Caracas Arepa Bar + Spot Dessert

All About MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)

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Skin Health Series 1.2 // Taking Skin Health Beyond Rituals & Products

// Part Two //

Taking Skin Care Beyond Rituals and Products - Improving Your Skin Health Through Food

 

Continuing our skin health journey in this part two of the Skin Health Series.  If you've missed part one, where I've discussed in length the "what" and the "why" behind a multi-steps skin care ritual, I'd recommend reading that first (check it out here).  It'll help you connect to today's story much better!

 

Skin Health Eating Habits: A change in mindset about your skin from just skin care to skin health will make a huge difference.

I also used to focus only on the skin care and the associated products.  Nothing wrong with that at all as they are integral parts of our overall skin health.  At the same time, I've learned that what we eat and how we live also play a key role.

Skin Health Eating Habits: "Healthy eating" doesn't have to mean going on a diet. 

Oh gosh, I love to eat and my favorite foods may not be considered super "healthy".  But similar to skin care, we don't have to follow the trend because the key is to create balance - Eating my beloved Asian desserts every night wouldn't be the best choice for me, so I balance it with fruits on most nights.  Remember, key word here is "balance"!

Skin Health Eating Habits: Become friends with your fruits and veggies and know how they are helping you maintain skin health.

A friend recently asked me if she should do a detox.  My own experience didn't turn out that great...I almost fainted at work!  I've since opted for adding more fruits and veggies to my eating habits as not to shock my body like that again.  The key here is the same as in skin care - Listen to your body!  For me, my body didn't like detox, so I look for a different way to cleanse my body.  I'll share some my of favorite foods along with their skin health benefits and super easy recipes that you can make! 

Skin Health Eating Habits: I want to be completely transparent about one thing...

I'm sharing my personal skin health journey with you and, same with skin care products, foods or habits that my body takes in well may or may not work for you.  Always listen to your body and cater to your own needs.  Also, always consult with your family doctor or nutritionist on any dietary needs or if you have any pre-existing health conditions. 

Skin Health Eating Habits: I hope you'll walk away with 3 key points from reading Part 2 of the Skin Health Series.

1. You start to think of your skin in terms of overall skin health that incorporates rituals, products and eating habits.

2. Always listen to your skin and your body. 

3. Skin health is a journey and there's no shortcut to it, but the rewards that you get along the way are simply priceless.

 

Ready to take your skin health one step further?

Let's go!!!

skin health super hero nutrients

As I was thinking about how I should write this post, I realize there are soooooo many nutrients and foods that have great skin health benefits and I can probably write a 100-pages blog post about them all!  But of course, who has the time to read that and I definitely want to give you something that you can easily absorb and, more importantly, take action on!  So I've narrowed down to these 3 "super hero" nutrients based on the foods I eat regularly and on the promise that the recipes are super easy to make.

~ 1. Antioxidant ~

Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: AntioxidantWhy Do We Need It?1. I know we're all familiar with topical antioxidant from our favorite skin care products, and there's even greater benefits by absorbing it from its most active form, which is the kind …
Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: AntioxidantWhat Are Considered A/O?1. There are 3 major A/O - Vitamin A, C and E. 2. Within each one, there are many different foods/veggies/fruits you can choose from.  3. What I'll show later on are some …

 

~ 2. omega-3 fatty acids ~

Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: Omega-3 Fatty AcidsWhy Do We Need It?1. Omega-3 is more well known for promoting heart health, but the lesser known benefit has to do with skin health, too!2. They help maintain the health of cell membrane, which is …
Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: Omega-3 Fatty AcidsWhat Are Considered O-3?1. You can get healthy dose of O-3 from seafood such as tuna and salmon.  That is the most common way of getting O-3, but other foods such as walnuts, flex seeds, and c…

 

~ 3. vitamin b6 ~

Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: Vitamin B6Why Do We Need It?1. Vitamin B6 has many health benefits that sometimes indirectly affect our skin health (such as hormones, metabolism).2. For skin health, V-B6 helps us maintain good skin condition. &nbsp…
Skin Health Super Hero Nutrient: Vitamin B6What Are Considered V-B6?1. The list here is endless!  It covers whole grains, nuts, meat, seafood, veggies. 2. One I like the most is banana.  It's very universal as you can make a lot of di…

Now it's time to feed our skin some yummy goodness!

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a terrible cook!  Fortunately, my mom has some exceptional cooking skills and I occasionally figure out a way to copy some of her causally-whip-together recipes.  She's also probably the healthiest 60+ person I've known and it's because she understands how her food affects her body.  Despite our occasional disagreements, she remains my motivation in my quest to live a balanced life, inside and out.  Enough of my mushy stuff, let's move onto the fun part!

First, I want to share this chart with you - These are the foods I eat regularly and I dub them "Skin Health Super Foods" because they contain the skin health nutrients we've just talked about.

 
Skin Health Super Foods: Strawberries, Blueberries, Chia Seeds, Banana, Matcha, Carrots, Beets, Avocado, Fish Oil. They contain skin health nutrients Vitamin A, C, B6 or Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
 

Now that you have a good idea of what skin health goodness these foods provide, I'm going to share below how I incorporate them into my everyday eating habits! I promise you that these are very easy to make!

~ Chia seeds + blueberries ~

Perfect For // Breakfast, Snacks

Substitutions // Any toppings will work!  If you want protein, you can add protein powder or bananas.

 
Skin Health Recipe - Chia Seeds Pudding with Chia Seeds & Blueberries (Antioxidant).Ingredients:Honey 1 tspn, almond milk 1 cup, vanilla extract 1/2 tblspn, a dash of cinnamon, blueberries, quick oat 1/2 cup, chia seeds 1 tblspn.To Make This:1.&…
 
 

 

~ matcha + bananas ~

Perfect For // Breakfast, Snacks, pre/post workout snack.

Substitutions // You can use any type of milk.  I use almond milk because it's dairy-free.

 
Skin Health Recipe: Matcha Banana Smoothie with Matcha Powder and Bananas (Antioxidant + Vitamin B6)Ingredients: Almond milk 1 cup, honey 1 tblspn, vanilla extract 1/2 tblspn, matcha powder 1 tblspn, Korean grain powder (optional), 2 bananas, a hand…

 

~ carrots ~

Perfect For // Lunch, Dinner (with entrees or side dishes).

Substitutions // I would stick with carrots as the base and sub green carrots/radishes (if you don't like them) with tomatoes or melons.  You basically want at least two kinds of veggies to get a good flavor.  Note: Tomatoes are not suitable for people with GERD or suffer from heartburn.

 
Skin Health Recipe: Chinese-Style Veggie + Pork Soup With Carrots as Base Ingredient.Ingredients: Chinese herbs (optional), dried orange skin (optional), 2 dried dates, 6 dried scallops, 1 green carrots/radish, 2 carrots.// To Make This //1.  P…
 
 

 

~ carrots + beets ~

Perfect For // Lunch, Dinner (with entrees or side dishes).

Substitutions // I would stick with carrots as the base and sub beets (if you don't like them) with tomatoes or melons.  Note: Tomatoes are not suitable for people with GERD or suffer from heartburn.

 
Skin Health Recipe: All Veggie Soup with Carrots and Beets as Base Ingredients.Ingredients: Barley 1/4 cup, 4 carrots, 2 dried dates, 4 beets, 1.5 potatoes, 1/4 cabbage, 6 dried scallops.To Make This:1.  Prepare ingredients as shown.2. In an 8-…

 

~ avocado ~

Perfect For // Breakfast, lunch, pre/post workout snack.

Substitutions // You can use any kind of bread.  Also, you can switch out the toppings, but definitely stick with at least the boiled eggs.

 
 
 

 

~ strawberries ~

Perfect For // Dessert, snack.

Share The Love // This is a recipe by the fab Mary-June who runs Southern Meets Urban blog.  Mary-June is a nutritionist by training and a mom of twin girls.  She is always cooking up something in her kitchen and whipping up what I call magic with her Vitamix.  For more of her recipes, go check out her blog here.

 
Skin Health Recipe: Ruby Red Strawberry Sorbet with Strawberries and Bananas (Antioxidant and Vitamin B6)Ingredients: 2 Bananas (frozen), raw honey 1 tblspn, strawberries 1.5 cups (frozen), 2 pitted dates.// To Make This //1.   Prepare ing…

Many thanks

I had so much fun writing this particular post because I get to talk about foods I love!  I hope you've enjoyed it as well!! 

In full disclosure, the list of recipes here is a combination of my trial and error, my mom's homecooking and word-of-mouth from friends.

I've narrowed down the content for ease of reading, but if you have questions about anything in particular, comment below or email me...I'd be happy to help dive in further!

I also want to say thank you to all of you who have been super supportive of this blog and just want to send you lots of hugs and kisses!!! 

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Skin Health Series 1.1 // The "What" & The "Why" Behind a Multi-Steps Skin Care Ritual

// Part One //

What Is A Multi-Steps Skin Care Ritual + Reasons Behind Each Step

 

I've been following a multi-steps skin care ritual for such a long time that I have forgotten how confused I was when I was just starting out.

A few friends recently asked me what the steps really are and how they would know what products they should use.  And that prompted me to write this series on skin care ritual and share what I've learned throughout my skin health journey!

I realize when you don't know what you should be looking for, skin care is a super confusing thing to figure out...

I used to dive head first into the products and the trends, but now I realize it's most important for me to first understand the reasons behind each step in the ritual.  When you become well-informed about the "why", then finding products your skin loves comes much easier.  

And remember - Skin care is about listening to your skin.

This is why I look at it as a "ritual" because it is something that allows you to connect at a deeper level with your body.  It is beyond just the mere action of putting products on your face.  And since our skin is the largest organ in our body (yes it's true!), it needs all the love we can give to it, both inside and out!  

I hope you will walk away with 2 key points from reading this Skin Health Series.

1. You will always listen to your skin. 

2. You will become a well-informed skin care lover who will make your own choices and not the choices brands want you to make.

 

Ready to jump start your own skin health journey?

Let's go!!!

skin care ritual At a glance

Here is a look at the multi-step skin care ritual from 30,000 feet

Steps for a day time skin care ritual
Steps for a night time skin care ritual

Notice I am showing no more than 8 steps and can be less based on your skin.  That's all you need - Don't believe in the urban myth that you have to use 20 products all at once to maintain your skin health!

one step at a time!

I made these play cards below to help you understand why each step exists, what to look out for, and how to maximize each step.  I will minimize product talks as what works for my skin may or may not work for yours.  However, I'm happy to share my thoughts on the ones I do use.  Just ask away!

Also, in case you want to have a hard-copy of these play cards, you can download a copy by clicking on the Dropbox file link at the end of this story.

Let's start with your Day Time Ritual

(Note: 4 of the 5 steps will be repeated in your night time ritual)

Steps in a day time skin care ritual

~ 1. CLEANSE ~

Step: CleanseThe Basics:  It's basically washing and cleaning your face with a facial cleanser.What To Look Out For#1:1. Your post-cleansed skin should feel soft and supple. If your skin feels very dry after cleansing, it's time to find a new c…
Step: CleanseWhat To Look Out For#2:1. Always use lukewarm, not hot, water to cleanse your face as hot water dries your skin.2. Beware of foam cleansers as they tend to be more drying than cream/gel cleansers.  Some even contain astringent whic…

 

~ 2. tone ~

 
Step: ToneThe Basics:  A toner preps your skin for ultimate absorption of the essences and serums that will come later in the ritual.What To Look Out For#1:1. Many toners out there contain alcohol, which dries up your skin in a very bad way.2. …
 
Step: ToneWhat To Look Out For#2:1. A key difference between Western and Asian skin care is that (most) Asian toners tend to be more mild.  2. It's not there to strip oil - It serves a more positive purpose which is to get your skin preppe…
Step: ToneWhat To Look Out For#3:1. Your post-toned skin should feel soft and slightly moistened.2. If you feel any dryness, I suspect that your toner contains alcohol.3. Time to look for a new one!

 

~ 3. treat specific needs ~

 
Step: Treat Specific NeedsThe Basics:  A few essences or serums that carry skin health benefits to target specific needs (eye cream included). These products contain powerful ingredients (for example, anti-oxidants, retinol) that come in very c…
 
Step: Treat Specific NeedsWhat To Look Out For#2:1. Splurge vs Steal:  If you're on a tight budget, this is the step where you should splurge because you get what you pay for.  2. I've tried my share of affordable vs expensive essence…
Step: Treat Specific NeedsWhat To Look Out For#3:1. Be Patient! I can't stress enough on being patient and not pile on the next thing right away. 2.  You'd only be wasting your time and money if you do that because the skin is not fully ab…

 

~ 4. moisturize ~

 
Step: MoisturizeWhat To Look Out For#1:1. Skin-type personalization is needed for this step. For example, I have oily combo skin, so I'd look for a moisturizer that is not a heavy cream (like a gel-cream) and something that is possibly oil-free.2. I…
 
Step: MoisturizeWhat To Look Out For#2:1. Similar to skin-type personalization, you should also switch out moisturizers based on the season.  2. For example, I use a gel or gel-cream moisturizer during summer months (when my skin gets the oilie…
Step: MoisturizeWhat To Look Out For#3:1. For day time only, use a moisturizer with Broad Spectrum or PA + SPF, but this shouldn't be the only time you apply sun protection on your face! 2. Most day time moisturizers with sun protection has low…

 

~ 5. apply sunscreen ~

 
Step: Apply SunscreenThe Basics:  Apply sunscreen that reads "Broad Spectrum" or "PA" on the packaging along with SPF #'s. This notation means the sunscreen protects you against both UVA rays (cause aging) & UVB rays (cause burning).What To…
 
Step: Apply SunscreenWhat To Look Out For#2:1. Sunscreen ingredients can be confusing.  They are typically categorized as either Chemical or Physical Filters.2. Chemical Filters form a thin protective layer on the skin & absorbs UV rays bef…
Step: Apply SunscreenWhat To Look Out For #3:1. The word "sunscreen" can be misleading as UV rays are the culprits of skin damage and they penetrate through the atmosphere even when sun is not out.2. Think about this tidbit:  40% of sun's UV ra…

Time to pause for any questions...

I know we've covered a lot in just this section, but hey, we're talking about your skin, so the more informed you are, the better it is for maintaining your skin health!  If you have questions at this point, ask away because I want to make sure you have a good understanding every step of the way!

Now let's talk about your Night Time ritual

Steps in a night time skin care ritual

Notice 4 of your day time steps will be repeated at night.  I'll be focusing on the 2 steps indicated by the white circles above that are dedicated to your night time ritual.

 

~ 1. remove makeup & sunscreen ~

 
Step: Remove Makeup & SunscreenWhat To Look Out For#1:1. Makeup and sunscreen contain ingredients and come in textures that are harder to remove with just a regular facial cleanser.2. Letting any residual from these products remain overnight on …
 
Step: Remove Makeup & SunscreenWhat To Look Out For#2:1. Products here come in all shapes and forms, literally - Wipes, cleansing oil, remover liquid.2. I'm not against using wipes at all...Just a few things to note: 1) Wipes that contain alcoho…
Step: Remove Makeup & SunscreenWhat To Look Out For#2:1. On cleansing oil: Don't be afraid of the "oil" part.  I have oily combo skin, so at first glance, I really shouldn't be putting any more oil on my face, right? 2. Not quite - Onc…

 

~ 2. weekly bonus treats ~

Step: Weekly Bonus TreatsWhat To Look Out For#1:1. Your options here are endless! Sheet mask is a popular one, which does take at least 15 minutes, but that's not the only bonus treat you can do and some take much less time.2. Think about an eye mas…
Step: Weekly Bonus TreatsWhat To Look Out For#2:1. A sleeping mask is another time-saving option: It's a leave-on moisturizer mask that you put on your face before going to bed (no, this "mask" blends in just like a moisturizer, so none of that craz…

Time to pause for any questions...

I know you're in an information overload stage right now, so I'll stop here.  I hope so far I've helped you gain a better understanding of what a multi-steps skin care ritual looks like and, more importantly, the reasons behind the different steps.  Again, ask away with any questions.

create your own mini book of skin care rituals

Click on the link below for a printable version of all the play cards that you can turn into your own mini book of skin care ritual.  This file is in PDF format.  If you'd like it in other formats, email me and I'll do my best to get you a version that works for you!

http://bit.ly/printable-skin-care-ritual-playcards

coming up next...

I am a firm believer that skin health includes not only skin care (products, rituals) but also food intake.  In the next post, I'll share a few of my favorite foods along with some simple recipes.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about anything we've discussed today, don't hesitate to ask me! You can comment below or, if you prefer a more direct route, email me here.

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