Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

I love multi-use products: The more use I can get out of one thing, the more I like it. 
The bigger the bang for the buck~ The better!

One amazing product that has so many different uses is Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure-Castille Soap.

Unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.

When Life Hands You Lemons... Rub It On Your Face~*

So I've been on a "Natural Beauty" kick lately.
I'm trying to steer away from putting weird products/chemicals that I can't even pronounce all over my face and body.
That means I've been experimenting with random things in the kitchen to see what works and what doesn't.

My latest trick that I was testing out at home, but was put to the test in Africa is an easy, cheap, and natural way of getting fabulous skin.

 LEMONS.

Queen Helene Grapeseed Extract Peel Off Masque

I've always loved putting on masks.
Maybe it made me feel older and like all the glamorous women on t.v. and in the movies I'd see.
It was also fun to see your face get really dry and crackly (with a mud) or feel like you have plastic on your face and be able to take your "face" off!

Personally, I prefer Peel-Off masks~ I feel more of an immediate difference and like the peeling off aspect
(The grown up version of putting Elmer's glue all over your hands and peeling it off!)
I use mud masks on my T-Zone to get rid of oiliness (Across your forehead, on your nose, and on your chin).
As for my favorite Peel-Off mask... the award goes to Queen Helene Grapeseed Peel Off Masque! (Applause, Applause)

I've been using this baby for YEARS.  I've probably gone through at least 5 tubes...
It leaves my skin smooth and soft as a Buh Buh's bottom!
* It's cheap, fast, and easy to take off.  I like to put on a really thick layer... I feel like it does more and it's more fun to peel off when its thicker.
* It's a great skin pick-me-upper~ When  you feel like your skin is a mess and there's nothing that is helping it, this is my go-to to make it feel better (even if it is only a quick fix)

Some reviews claim the smell is too strong.. but I don't mind it.  It's kind of like an alcohol smell... but once it's on, I never notice it.

I would use this product around once a week. I think you could probably use it more, but I never remember to...

I always buy mine at Harmon (one of my FAVORITE beauty stores), which you can find throughout NJ or in some Bed, Bath and Beyond stores.  Get a 20% off coupon and you save even more!  You can also find it online.

So try it out. And if you hate it, you're only losing out on $3!

Things to Splurge On- Beauty on a HIGH Budget

Dad: "You just love to spend money!"

Irene: "Sorry... My parent's never taught me the value of a dollar..."

If you've gone shopping with me, or seen my room, or seen my car... you know that I love to shop. 

My mother always tried to teach me to use money wisely~ Don't buy lots of cheap things. Invest your money on quality items.  She wore designer clothes, had Chanel and LouisVuitton bags, and used Estee Lauder and Shiseido makeup. However, she wore them forever and didn't go on crazy shopping sprees.  My father also never shops.  I don't know where they found me, 'cause I love to shop!

* In actuality... I don't like to spend money... I just like having lots of stuff. One of my biggest thrills in life is getting something for free, or getting something great at an amazing discount.  I am THE bargain shopper.
* For example... find someone who can get a pair of Dolce and Gabanna shorts for $25, a New with Tag Diane Von Furstenburg dress for $40,  and a pair of Christian Louboutains for $60.  Yes. I'm an awesome shopper.

Now I do spend a lot of money... but I RARELY buy things full price and don't usually spend a lot on one item.  Here are the things I AM willing to spend a lot of money on.

Creme de la Mer- This is the cream of the crop (haha).  One of the first "luxury" cremes. It is my favorite moisturizer for my dry skin.  You need only use the slightest amount and it lasts forever.  It is EXPENSIVE, but worth it. I'm on my third jar.  Give yourself the gift of good skin. You're worth it.  Just skip a few meals like I do. Then you'll have great skin AND be skinny!!!  ;)

 Coats- I LOOOOVE coats. I have tons. My favorite ones are fitted winter coats. I think it's worth it to invest in a good coat. For cold winters, you can't beat a Northface. They are ridiculously warm (and I'm ALWAYS cold). My favorite coat is a Teal Zac Posen coat which I spent hundreds on... It's worth it. Mackage is my favorite line. They make beautiful fitted coats with lots of style. You don't have to dress ugly to stay warm. Invest people.  It's worth it.

Jewelery- I love buying huge fake jewelery, but you can't beat a pair of beautiful diamond solitaires or a strand of pearls.  Every woman should have a pair of diamond and pearl earrings (You don't need to spend like crazy... but it's nice to have the real thing), and a strand of pearls.

You can find beautiful pearls for cheap at Overstock.  Surprising.. but they really are very nice.  And if you buy a diamond, make sure it's not a Blood Diamond! Do you want a little African child to have lost his limbs, family, or his life so you can sport some bling???  =(

 
Chanel- I love Chanel. It's my weakness.  The quality.. The designs...It's unparalleled. I am willing to shell out lots of cash for Chanel.... but only if it's discounted and I get it at my favorite consignment stores!  =)

A Quality Handbag-  For everyday use, you can use a cheap bag, but every woman should have at least one beautiful Designer Handbag.
Please don't spend a lot of money on the new "IT" bag because in a few months... everyone may be carrying the Chinatown knock off and then it's not so special.  I like to buy handbags that don't have the label written all over (Unless its' Chanel!).  If you're only going to buy one, get it in a neutral shade (Black/ Tan) because you'll get the most wear out of it. 

Cashmere- It's expensive, but it's much easier to find at good prices nowadays.  Cashmere is worth it's weight in gold.  You're not going to find something that is so thin, yet gives so much warmth. The more ply, the better.  I have a 4 ply sweater... it's FABULOUS. It's worth it.  And if it starts to pill, just get an electric sweater shaver.

So, there are definitely tons of ways you can spend your money.  As someone who is a thrifty shopper but loves fabulous things, these are my picks for things that are worth spending your money on.  Invest in a quality item, and it'll last you forever. 

Makeup Brushes- "Crown" for a Queen

One of the most asked questions I get as a makeup artist is what kind of makeup brushes to buy.  I'm always a little hesitant to answer.
Brushes DEFINITELY make a big difference in makeup application... However, it's hard to say which brushes are best... and how much is a person willing to spend on a brush?

If you are willing to spend the money, I definitely recommend investing in quality brushes.  With good care, they will last you YEARS.  I still have my first Prescriptives brushes from when I was in high school (the paint is kinda chipping on them... but whatever.. they work... and I don't throw away ANYTHING!)

I have many favorite brushes from different companies, but since I rarely write about budget items (Sorry people... Unfortunately I have really expensive taste... Sucks for me... Good for the economy) I am going to introduce you to one of the best beauty secrets in the biz that you've probably never heard of.

Crown Brush is a family run business that have been making brushes for years.  They are great quality brushes for an AMAZING price.  They actually make brushes for many cosmetic lines (but of course, once they are branded, the prices are jacked up too!)

I was first introduced to this line at the Makeup Show in NY.  I was skeptical at first because the brushes were so cheap... but after doing a little detective work, I found out that the people that know their stuff also use Crown Brushes.  So I bought a few.  And the next day I bought more. and more. and more.  Now I have a huge collection of Crown brushes (some multiples), but I DO use them all the time.

Crown has been manufacturing brushes for over 20 years. Our expert staff is specially trained to help guide you through every brush purchase. Whether you are ordering from our open stock catalog or creating an entire private line; Crown is the leader in quality, price, and customer satisfaction. These are the key principles that have made Crown a leader. We offer the highest quality brushes to the international beauty, nail, and skin care market; at the lowest industry price. When you buy from Crown, you are buying factory direct. 

Most of my brushes are from the Luna Series (especially BK5, BK3, BK9, and ESPECIALLY BK13 for blending).  I think buying the brushes individually are better than the sets... but that's up to you. 

You can't go wrong with Crown Brushes.  They're cheap, reliable, soft, and don't shed.  What more can you ask for in a brush?  So, now you know.  You're welcome.  Now go get yourself some brushes and blend, blend, blend to your heart's desire!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Times Are Tough... Beauty on the Cheap

"Today, there are three kinds of people: the have's, the have-not's, and the have-not-paid-for-what-they-have's" - Earl Wilson

Times are tough~ It seems that overnight... America went from "Land of Excess" to "Land of What the Hell is Going On ?!?"  Now, I have never been a staunch follower of the news and things going on in the world (I know it's horrible... my cousin actually took a picture of me reading a newspaper)  but it seemed that the way people were living and spending money (including me) could not continue to go on.

For instance, even just a few years ago... if you see the shows that were on American T.V..... it was ridiculous!  Shows that annoyed me the most were of the extremely rich and stupid people that would throw away money like it was toilet paper.  The best example I can think of is the MTV show "My Super Sweet Sixteen".  Now, I have been accused many times in my life of being a spoiled brat (what can I say... I'm the youngest of all my friends/cousins and I'm an only child!), but these girls (and occasional boys) took SPOILED to another level.  "GIVE ME MY CAR !/ Let's go on a plane to find me a cute dress"  COME ON.... ARE YOU SERIOUS??  Ohhh.. those show annoyed me soooo much. OK..enough ranting~*

Anyways.. my point is that nowadays, everyone is being muuuucchhh more careful about how they spend their finances.  Personally, I have tried thousands of beauty products throughout my years (My mother would yell at me cause I wanted to try wrinkle creams at 13...) and I have found that the cheap stuff... is cheap not only in price, but also in quality.  By buying 3 or 4 cheap eyeliners.. I could have purchased one quality one.  On the other hand, just because something is expensive doesn't mean that it's the best.  I have tried many a expensive creams that are such a waste... and it is torture for me to have to use the whole thing because I can't bear to throw it out.

Now... I think you need to find the right products that work for you.. and even if it's more than you would normally spend on something.. it can be priceless when you find that perfect shade of lipstick or the eyeliner that stays on all day.  I am willing to spend a lot of money on beauty products (obviously....), but that is not the case for everyone.
SOOO for all those thousands of readers out there reading this (dream big Irene... dream big), here are the beauty items that I feel you don't need to spend a lot of money on:

Makeup Wipes-  I would not invest in expensive Makeup Wipes.  They are unecessarily expensive and can be oily.  Instead I use baby wipes.  They get the job done for almost everything...When wearing hard-core eye makeup, I use a cold cream to get the eye makeup off first and then use a baby wipe. I stock up on the Target brand Up and Up~ It's cheap, lasts long, is soft, and gets the job done.

Face Wash- I personally don't see any difference when I've bought expensive face washes over the years.  CETAPHIL is a liquidy product that dermatologists swear by.  There's no bubbles, so it may take some getting used to, but it doesn't leave your skin dry and stripped. It is great for dry and sensitive skin. PURPOSE and BASIC are other brands that are cheap and are bubbly.

Brush Cleanser- First of all... I hope all of you are washing your brushes reguarly! I have yelled at many a friends that have NEVER washed their brushes... omg...just thinking about those brushes makes me sick.

Now most of you aren't makeup artists, so obviously you don't need to wash your brushes everyday like I do, but if you wear makeup every day or even at least a few times a week... I STRONGLY suggest you wash your brushes once a week or at least every other week.  This will keep your brushes for longer ( I have brushes that are over 10 yeasr old), keep the germs at bay, will make your makeup application look better, and can keep you from breaking out.

Now one thing I don't feel is necessary to spend money on is an expensive brush cleanser.  Many brush cleansers are oil based and you're supposed to basically wipe the makeup away with a paper towel. But where do all those chemicals go that take away the makeup? Onto your precious face and skin!  Instead, I wash my brushes with a little bit of Johnson's Baby Shampoo and water.  It gets rid of everything... although the foundation brushes may need to be washed twice. When drying, take the big brushes and roll quickly between your hands to get the water out.  Shape the brushes and lie all blushes flat to dry.
For Makeup Artists that are on the job and need to clean their brushes right away... I use baby wipes. No more makeup.. No residue!

Mascara- Unless the mascara has a really different type of brush.. I find there's no need to pay a lot of money for mascara.  It's recommended to be thrown out every 3 months, and there are many great Drug store brands.

Lipstick- I don't think you need to spend a lot of money on lipstick.  Invest in the few colors that really work for you.. but for fun, trendy, or special occasion nights... I would just buy a Drug Store brand.  Lipstick comes off so quickly anyway, and for me... I'd rather have a lot of colors to play with.  If you do find a cheap lipstick you like, you can make the lipstick last longer by lining lips with lipliner first, or putting foundation on your lips, swiping lipstick on, blotting with a tissue, and adding another layer of lipstick

Nail Polish- I am an expert at turning nail polishes chunky.  I don't know why.. but nail polish does not survive well in my beauty arsenal.  Therefore, I will not be going to the Department store counter to spend $15+ on nail polish that won't last that long. I love OPI, ESSIE, and SALLY HANSEN nail polishes

Shampoo- I don't have the typical straight shiny Asian hair.  I have tried soo many things that don't really make much difference.  Shampoo is just like soap.. so I feel it's unnecessary to spend a lot.  Conditioner is a different story and if you find an expensive one that works... go for it.  Over the years, shampoos I've always gone back to are the Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo (used only once a week or when my hair feels oily), and the John Freida Blonde Shampoo (haha.. yes.. I know I'm not blonde.. but it really highlights your hair).  I've also used Head and Shoulders and it did seem to get my hair really clean.

Wax (Hair Remover)- I don't get waxed professionally... I'm Asian so I'm not very hairy in the first place.  I've always used Sally Hansen Wax Strips (the ones that came double sided on clear strips) but I think they've discontinued it (WHY do they do this to me?!?) so I now use an organic microwaveable company called MOOM.  I love it.  But don't heat it for longer than 30 seconds cause you'll burn yourself... trust me....  For the stray hairs that you don't get? Grab a pair of tweezers and pluck them away!

Contact Lens Solution- When the heck did Contact Solution get so expensive?  Now when I was studying abroad in London, it was ridiculously expensive so I had my friend mail me solution from home (Thanks Gracie!), but one day I looked and saw that solution was going to cost me $12?!?  No Thank You!  I use the cheapest Bausch and Lomb brand... I won't spend over $5 on contact solution... It's only saline! But.. that's just me...

Toilet Paper- I buy toilet paper in bulk and I love SCOTT toilet paper.  It lasts long, It's cheap... and it's only going into the toilet! Do you really need a blanket to wipe your bottom? The Extra Soft SCOTT is also really good and still cheaper than the expensive Quilted Toilet papers...
I've also started using Toilet Paper instead of Facial Tissue (i.e. Kleenex) because I ended up going through boxes of tissues so quickly.  It gets the job done.


So...there are my list of items that I scrimp on.  I think there are definitely cheap alternatives to the rest of the beauty products (which I will be writing about later on), but I think that the other things are worth the investment... May you all live long and prosper~*



"The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money"