Asian Beauty

Let me know if this is too off topic and I'll delete.
I'm Viet, but 4 people today told me that I look far from Viet and my face looks more Hong Kong. So what facial features of Viets are different from Hong Kong people? They stated that Viets tend to be darker.

Okay, this is REALLY terrifying news.

I stumbled across this website today: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, which is a site by the Environmental Working Group that reports which cosmetics are harmful to the body and which are not. To my surprise, I looked up some eyeliner and big names like MAC, Avon, Vincent Longo, Physician's Formula, Too Faced, etc. all have a moderate-high hazard rating. A high hazard rating means that the chemicals in the product can lead to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies, etc.

What is even more terrifying is that the government (the FDA) actually doesn't regulate these products at all!

"The unfortunate reality is that the government does not currently require health studies or pre-market testing for these products before they are sold.."

All of this information is listed in their FAQs, and I thought that since all of us are so into make up, we should probably be more well informed before we buy/use any products.


X-posted to all my makeup communities.

Does anybody know how to cover up a black eye? I have a job interview this afternoon and this sucker isn't going to go away in time. It's mostly an angry purple and it's still slightly swollen but I've been icing like a mad woman so it's gone down significantly. I still look like I've just been in a boxing match though.... But yeah...is it even possible to cover it up?

Should I try to change my interview date to Friday (the last possible date...do black eyes disappear within two days?) or would it not go away in time and I should just go?

Please help!!!

I have the frizziest, most aggrivating hair ever. I really love having my hair straight or at least less frizzy. I used to put my hair in a ponytail right after I'd get out of the shower so that my hair would dry straight closer to the roots and be really curly on the ends, but that ended me with uneven curls. The ones in the back longer than the ones in front.

I don't have the time or patience to actually STRAIGHTEN my hair with a hair straightener every day. I use the 'dangerously straight' shampoo and conditioner, I even used to use the mousse from the same line. But my hair is STILL frizzy and wavy.

Are there any really good shampoo and conditioner sets that you girls use to help your hair stay flat? I'm looking for anything that isn't extremely pricy or time consuming. Thanks a lot!

I need a haircut. I have split ends, somewhat grown out side bangs, and an unfortunate "gradient" effect going on with the color because I dyed it red over a year ago and it will NOT come out. The roots are blue-black and the middle to the ends are red-brown.

What do you recommend I should do? About the bangs, color, length, etc?

There are pictures of the current length/color here, here, and here.

I'd like to keep some of the length, but I don't know what's "in" right now, or what would flatter without being overwhelming. I'm able to spend up to $60 on this, so what should I address first?

I Want to buy some shoes and i found a Japanese website(Because i live in Japan) but I can't pick between 3 shoes to buy! Which pair do you think is the best and can be worn the most? Or you can tell me if all 3 shoes are ugly or they look like they would well, die easily!

I'm looking for good music to workout to. Something with a good beat that will keep me motivated to run. Recommendations of songs are great, but I'm not looking to download individual songs from different artists (I will if I have to!). But what I'm really looking for is a website that I can download premade playlists, if there exists something like this.

What do YOU workout to?

As posted in my own LJ:

The Beautyblender was the fab find of 2007.

( I'm thrilled to have discovered more this year! )

Hiya girls,

Just wondering how many of you have heard of this method. I came across this link in this community a while ago: http://beauty-treatments.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_oil_cleansing_method
and thought it sounded interesting. My skin's developed some minor acne problems recently so I decided to give it a two-week test run, but I'm not sure I'm doing it right!

I've been using extra mild olive oil (the same as extra virgin? Unsure) without mixing other oils for now. I rub it in, steam towel my face for a bit, then wipe off with the towel and rinse my face with lukewarm/mildly cold water, followed by toning/moistursing.

The thing I'm not sure is whether I should be rinsing my face after I have wiped off the oil, or whether I should be leaving it. One can only wipe off so much oil and I'm not sure whether the intention is to leave a layer of oil on, to act as moisturiser. And also whether toning/moisturising is necessary after the oil application/removal. Some opinions on that site seem to think the oil is all you need, some others still tone/moisturise...

Questions questions?
If any of you could help out, would be GREAT. :D thanks x

I understand what gets waxed when you get a Brazilian, but I'm wondering about that area above your private area. Does that get waxed as well? Or is that something you take care of on your own?

( I'm talking about this: )

Thanks!

Hi all, I looked through the memories and archives, but couldn't find anything that matched this, and ljseek is broken!
Anyways, I have 1 question and 2 non-questions.

1) I sweat like crazy and I can't find any deodorant that works. I don't have a problem with the odor part (I'm squeaky clean!), I just have a problem with the anti-perspirant (or lack of) part. No matter what deodorant I use (men's deodorant, clinical strength, or wax based) I sweat right through it. Like I said, its not a odor thing, I just having wet or even damp armpits. Especially since I'll be working in an office soon, where I'll have to walk 5 blocks to and from the metro everyday--I dont want to show up to work with wet spots under my arms! Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, have you found a solution?

2) I found a nailpolish I *love*. Even my boyfriend loves it (erm.. on me), and he prefers my nails natural. So, my question is, do any of you have a nailpolish that you love so much that you would go on a search for it, or go out and buy it after you got it via mani/pedi at the salon? Mine is here: http://www.opi.com/Classics/Classics-n.asp?LcolorType=BlackWhite&ID=308 - "Birthday Babe" by OPI (I also like their gold, but not as much as this silver)

3) A recent post about dry shampoo reminded me that I could use a dry shampoo, so I went to my local ULTA. I scored a $10 super small Oscar something brand but then read reviews about it and returned it the next day. Mid-return, the sales associate said they had a Sammy Salon dry shampoo (which she personally uses and loves) that was half the price, neat, and you got twice as much. I tried it out and I LOVE it! I recommend this for anyone that skips days or works super long days because it freshened up my hair immediately! It also required NO brushing out and was in spray format so it was good for a quick touch up (and I could pinpoint where I wanted it to go).
Anyone else have experience with Sammy Salon?

Hi girls!

So, I'm on a mission to find a nice hand bag. I've always carried around cheap flimsy hand bags made of cloth, but now that I'm working I'd really like to purchase a nice leather bag that's cute and durable.  The problem is there aren't many stores near me so I've resorted to on line shopping.  Since I'm a newbie, I was wondering if you  guys had any tips for purchasing bags online.  Also do you guys have any reccomendations for websites/ types of bags.  I'm looking for a bag that is medium sized- i definitely don't need a clutch.

I found this bag on banana republic:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=32966&pid=586072&scid=586072022

yay or nay?  also which color choice do you guys prefer?

Thanks!

 Hi ladies,

I'm going to teach English in Japan in a few weeks, and I need to find a suit to wear during school ceremonies and special events.  I'm not sure if there's a different term for it, but I'm looking for one with a skirt as the bottom rather than pants.

I've looked at the Ann Taylor Factory Outlet in Gilroy as well as Jones NY and Banana Republic, and checked out the H&M in downtown SF briefly (am planning to go back to both of them).  Most of them have suits with pants as the bottoms, or blazers that are too trendy (I'm looking for just a classic suit--hoping for a subtle pinstripe one).  If you know any good places to look in the SF Bay Area (preferably SF, the Peninsula or the South Bay), please let me know!

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I looked under tags and I'm shocked I didn't see any questions about dieting. I hope this is allowed. So 3 years ago I lost 90 lbs through low carb dieting and exercising 60-90 min/day. Now I am 20 lbs heavier and it's been killing me. I keep flip flopping my diets. I've done low carb again and the 6 small healthy meals. The weekend comes and it goes to crap. I end up eating out a lot or having parties to go to and what not. So my main problem is I have a very difficult time remaining consistent, especially on weekends. I find it difficult to exercise more than 30 min/day now unless it's an activity where I'm not concentrating on working out (i.e. playing basketball.) but it's hard to always find someone to exercise with and i rather be independent when i work out. So my question is what are somethings I can do to make myself stick to a diet during the weekends? and how can i get myself to going back to doing 60-90 min cardios? i know i need to shock my body again but it's so much harder the 2nd time around. argh.

thanks in advance!

Hey guys, anybody ever read about The Revitalash?
I was tempted to get it but I changed my mind after I looked at the price, $150. 0_0

Does anybody know any cheaper alternatives?
Thanks!

I don't have time to fly out to the mall this weekend (nor next week), so I was wondering if I could have some opinion on which of the new Sonic Chic blushes would go well on a medium to medium-dark asian skin tone.  I am NOT pale and colors tend to look dirty on me...I'm a bit wary of using bolder colors too, but if it looks good, hey I'm all for!

I haven't bought anything MAC in over a year, but I'm drooling over these little jewels! =D

Pics would help...

TIA! 

SUNDAY SALES!
- Sellers, you may post your sale by using the comment function
- Buyers, please contact the sellers by replying to their sales comment (creating a sub-thread)

Please keep this thread relevant to sales (sellers, buyers).

Hi girls/guys :)
So my boyfriend is a lifeguard and has been guarding almost every day this summer, and I've noticed his skin (face) has been getting a lot worse. A lot of inflammation and breaking out. I suspect it has to do with the chlorine from the pool, and the fact that he doesn't use any acne product for his face at home.
Do you guys have suggestions for something like this? Philosophy, Kiehl's, etc.?
Thanks a lot <3

This is my first review. I know you ladies are probably searching for good sunscreen so I thought I'd save you all the trouble of trying this one out.


(img aquired from google img search)

The Burts Bees products usually get an A+ from me. I have dry skin so the oily quality of the lotion does wonders for me. They also get bonus marks for being mostly natural and for using mostly recycled plastic for their bottles. But the sunscreen? Not so great. Not only does it smell a bit weird (to put it kindly) it also feels chalky while you apply it. It leaves a film of a sticky powder-like substance on your skin that you (and others) can feel. And in my case you could see it as well! I'm a bit on the darker side and the lotion is yellowish so looked like I had something on my skin. Almost as if I had smeared mustard mixed with baby powder on myself. Let's just say I was happy to wash it off when I got home. I would have washed it off sooner but it was the only sunscreen I had.

What are your favorite RMK products? I live in the states where unfortunately, it isn't sold, but I have a friend in the UK who is willing to pick some things up for me. So for those of you who are into this brand, what products would you recommend?

I'm also wondering if it would be a bad idea to try some of their foundations, since I won't be able to test them out in person. I'm pale with yellow undertones and an NC15 in MAC... Anyone have any idea what shade would work for me? (From the website, "101" looks like a good match, but it's probably safer to ask for an opinion here).