Juicy Watermelon

Photo’Perfexion Light Fluid FoundationPhoto’Perfexion Light Fluid Foundation Review

GloriaYangBB — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:48:06 PDT

I finally got around to trying Givenchy’s Photo’Perfexion Light Fluid Foundation, and it’s kind of cool. The Light Fluid Foundation offers a sheerer coverage, more along the lines of a tinted moisturizer, but at the same time it evens out your skin tone and dries relatively matte. It comes enclosed with an anti-bacterial sponge tip, so you squeeze a teensy bit of the foundation out, then quickly blend it all over your skin with the sponge. It feels cool upon application, spreads easily, but it does dry quite fast. Once it’s on your skin, it stays put at least 8 hours. According to the Givenchy rep it also has a build in primer, as it’s infused with “linear silicones”, and it doesn’t require setting powder either.

There are 7 shades to choose from, which is a tad limited, but my NC30 skin tone was able to find a pretty good match with #4, Light Beige. I do like the product, but I’m not 100% in love with it and it’s to no fault of the product at all. I simply prefer something with a fuller coverage.

With that said, if you’re looking for a lightweight yet long lasting sheer foundation, give Givency’s new Photo’Perfexion Light Fluid Foundation a whirl. The sponge makes it really fun to apply!

What Sephora Says:

$47.00 by Givenchy at Sephora

What it is: An ultra-light, natural-looking SPF 10 foundation. What it does: Like a veil of perfection, this foundation perfects the complexion with incredible radiance and natural coverage. Its fresh, extra-thin, and comfortable fluid texture melts into the skin upon application due to a high concentration of water and linear silicones. The formula is also enriched with a mineral sunblock and chemical sunscreen to protect skin. Research results:

The complexion looks transparent and natural: 93 %*
The foundation creates a "bare skin" effect: 93 %*
The application is pleasant and comfortable: 90%*
The complexion is evened out without losing its natural beauty: 90 %*
The complexion is smoothed without losing its natural beauty: 93 %*
Imperfections are concealed without a thick buildup: 86 %*
The complexion looks luminous: 90 %*
Product application is easy: 83 %*
*self evaluation over four weeks Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product. Size: 1 oz

Beauty Fix 101 - Cleaning Up Eyeshadow Fall Out with Ease

GloriaYangBB — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:53:06 PST

Don't you hate it when you've taken so much time perfecting that gorgeous smokey eye just to end up looking like a panda due to eyeshadow fall out? I know I hate it! Check out my video to learn how to fix that booboo quickly and easily!

Guidelines For Men - Sephora! Part II

GloriaYangBB — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:10:25 PST

When I first started at Sephora last year, I wrote up this post, giving some pointers to the men who brave their way into this makeup mecca. A year later, I still see the same type of men milling around, and have encountered more interesting.. no, awkward questions and requests from men.

So this is for all guys who are looking for the perfect gifts at Sephora:

1) Asking for the BEST foundation will not get you far. What's the best foundation for me might be the worst for the girl you're trying to please. Every woman has a specific type of foundation they like, whether it's the texture or simply the brand. Some women may only wear Dior foundation, while others swear by brands like Cover FX. If you think your girl needs new foundation or new look, why don't you book her a special events makeup session, which is free with the purchase of a $50 gift card? That'll certainly cover the foundation you think she needs to purchase, and she'll be able to update her makeup wardrobe with a help of a color consultant! PS - pale but not too pale is not descriptive enough for me to choose a foundation color for someone I've never met.

2) Please don't sniff us and tell us that you want your girl to smell likes us. That is just creepy. If anything, get those Sephora Favorite Fragprance Sets if you truly do not know what she likes, or get her something popular like Marc Jacobs Daisy/Lola, Chloe, Stella McCartney (my favorite), or D&G Light Blue. You can ask us to make a sample of whatever perfume you get, so she can try it on first without opening the bottle, and also ask for a gift receipt! For those living or visiting Los Angeles, I strongly recommend that you come in and look for THE fragrance guru, Loretta. She's amazing and will awaken your sense to perfume.

3) When it comes to individual products like lipsticks, blush, or eyeshadow, just don't get them. A bright orange lipstick is not for everyone! In fact, very few people actually wears bright orange lipstick on a daily basis. That goes with bright green eyeshadow or bright hot pink blush. Play it safe and get her a palette or lip gloss set. It's a lot less awkward gifting her a set than gifting her a lipstick she has to pretend to like. Or, refer to tip #1 - schedule a special events makeup for her that's complimentary with a $50 gift card.

4) Now you might think getting her an expensive jar of cream would be nice, but again, unless you know exactly what she uses, she will most likely be confused or underwhelmed by it. Imagine giving someone an eye cream! What is that suppose to mean? I'm getting old and I have puffy eyes? To avoid that, you can get her a nice starter set or travel size kit of the product she uses, or if you truly want to delight her, get her a Clarisonic brush. I don't know any girl that doesn't want one of her own. And a Clarisonic does not say "your face is dirty," but rather it says "I did my homework online and in magazines and everyone loves it."

Hope my new 2011 version of Guidelines for Men - Sephora! helps everyone. If you are constantly getting weird gifts from your boy, definitely forward this along to him and all of his guy friends!

Best of luck to the new year!

More Marc Jacobs...

Stila and TheBalm = Time Savers

GloriaYangBB — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 01:35:53 PST

Working in retail, the holidays are the busiest time of the year. I don't have extra time to spare. I'm running on close to nothing right now as I'm writing this post, but I have to share my best friends and the best time savers in the world.

Stila's Cheek and Lip Stains in Yumberry, and TheBalm's TimeBalm Concealer.

Stila Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain

$24.00 by Stila at Sephora

TheBalm TimeBalm Concealer

$18.00 by TheBalm at Sephora

Holy bejeebuz,without those 2 products, I can not get to anything on time and look semi-decent! I'm not going to mention all the great ingredients that are in these products in detail, but both products do contain tons of beneficial ingredients that normally go into serums and creams. Both the stain and the concealer are filled with antioxidants and vitamins, so what's not great about it?

I first use my ring finger to pat in then blend the TimeBalm Concealer underneath my eyes and on any huge offensive pimples. If my skin looks extra horrid, I blend it around any areas that are just red and ugly. I also use it on my lids to smooth out the coloring if I'm not wearing any other eye makeup, or as a base for my eyeshadows.

Then I rotate on the clicker of my Stila Cheek and Lip Stain in Yumberry once to get just a small dab of the product onto my fingers, and I dab it along my cheek bones, starting from my cheeks and going upwards diagonally. I blend it onto my cheeks, which is really easy to do due to the soft liquid-y gel texture. I then rotate the clicker once more to get the stain onto my lips, and voila, I look hot, I look cute, and I am ready to fly out the door!

If you have an extra minute or so, you can use a powder foundation to mattify and even out your complexion a bit more, and add some mascara to pop open your eyes too. Follow my words and you will look gorgeous in less than 5 minutes.

Thanks for reading!

New Camcorder Leads to New Videos

GloriaYangBB — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:13:59 PST

For Black Friday, I ordered a Toshiba Camileo camcorder off Amazon.com for less than $100. The idea was that I'll start recording beauty videos with reviews, differences between products, and short tutorials. I come up with all these ideas for videos but needed something better than my webcam to record them.

The problem? I've been recording my puppy nonstop. I just turn the camcorder on and automatically point it at him! What can I say, he's uber adorable. Here's 2 videos I took yesterday. The first one was around 5 PM, during which he normally lays around to chew on bones, toys, blankets, or pillows. The second video was shot using the cool time elapsed function on the camera, and was shot on a tripod as my husband and I were getting ready for bed. You can see that he just hops onto bed and stakes out the best spots!

Anyhow, to shortly update on the few people who may or may not be reading my blog anymore (due to my lack of updates), I've been stretched quite thin. I'm working nonstop at the lab and at Sephora Century City. I've also starting on my makeup portfolio, borrowing girls to practice on. I was invited to assist the makeup artist on an Elle Norway photoshoot and that was awesome. Lastly, I'm also building my website, www.gloriayang.net, which will incorporate my portfolio, beauty resume, and also a blog. On top of all that, I'm still taking a class through a MSQA program, so I'm kind of drained.

Enough of my ramblings and here are the videos of my super duper cute Sniffles!

Best Eye Makeup Remover

GloriaYangBB — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:25:18 PDT

I used to think that when it comes to waterproof liners and mascaras, the best makeup removers were oil based. While oil based products do get the job done, it's messy, greasy, and irritating to my eyes. Also, while working at Sephora, I need a makeup remover that'll not remove my clients' makeup quickly and effortlessly, I need one that won't leave any residue behind. Oil-based removers just don't give me a clean canvas to work on!

My go-to for both in-the-store and at-home use is Make Up For Ever's Sens'Eyes - the best makeup removr you'll ever use. This soothing and cooling gel removes even the most stubborn mascara with ease, and it does not irritate even the most sensitive eyes. Tip - it's also safe to use on your lips!

While others swear by Lancome's Bi-facil makeup remover, I swear by this. Simply put, it gets the job done.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Sens'Eyes - Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

$23.00 by Make Up For Ever at Sephora

The Ultimate Skincare Splurge and Investment

GloriaYangBB — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:24:40 PDT

Ladies and gents, I have grand news.

*drum roll*

I bought a Clarisonic! I finally plunkered down the cash to get my own Clarisonic.

Clarisonic Clarisonic® Plus Skin Care System e; Spot Therapy Kit

$225.00 by clarisonic at Sephora

Was it worth it? OH YES! Every single cent! I've only started using it on Monday, and already, I'm in love. My skin just feels cleaner, there are no makeup residue left on my face, and it's also just fun to use. It really does make washing your face exciting!

Since it's only been 3 days, I won't say whether or not it actually "works." The idea behind using a Clarisonic is that it removes more dirt and makeup from your pores by gently coaxing them out. It's gentle enough to use twice a day, and unlike a manual exfoliating scrub, it doesn't irritate your face. It's also suppose to allow your products to actually go into your skin/pores so your facial treatment products can work better. In the long run, you'll use less products to get the same results. It's suppose to be great for all skin types and skin concerns, as it's an addenum to your skincare routine. It's just a more efficient way to cleanse your skin.

Again, it's only been 3 days so I can't say whether or not the claims made by Clarisonic are true. What I can say is that I love it for how it feels!

NARS Makeover and Tips

GloriaYangBB — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 02:16:13 PDT

I had my makeup done by A.J. Fresquez, a stylist and account manager with NARS last Sunday. He's an incredible makeup artist who teaches easy to learn techniques for all women to feel beautiful. Using the new summer collection along with some favorite permanent items, he created this awesome look.

Close up of the eye:

A.J. taught us that when using any cream/liquid/etc. products, it's best to warmed them all up first on the pam palm, then use the third and ring finger to stiple them onto your skin. The colors came out truer, and the products just looked more natural and better. He also taught that us to downplay any redness on your face by applying a neutral blush, such as Madly, on the apples of then cheeks, then use a deep peach shade, such as Torrid, higher up on my cheek bone. It totally sculpts your face and give it more definition without overloading it with color. Lastly, use the Orgasm Illuminator beneath and over the foundation for a natural and glowing complexion.

I really wished I had brought my digicam to take the pix, but alas, the pix from my iPhone will have to do. What do you guys think?

Rant Rant – Haters Can Suck It!

GloriaYangBB — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:01:08 PDT

SEPHORA COLLECTION EDUN for Sephora Palette - Harmony

$36.00 at Sephora

The other day I was helping this lovely young woman who was graduating from grad school, and wanted help to find a palette that she’d love, and also tips on how to apply the colors. This young woman picked this gorgeous warm eyeshadow palette, Harmony from the EDUN for Sephora collection, and she totally had the skin tone to rock it. One of the colors she loved was this fiery coral red, which looked awesome on her. With bright colors, on me, I’m conservative, but everyone is different. This gal had the personality to rock bright colors all over her lid, so that’s what I did. I applied a golden yellow under her brows and in the inner corners of her eyes to brighten up those areas. To keep it simple, since she’s not too experienced with makeup, I just applied the fiery coral red near the outer corners of her eyes, from her lash line to her crease.

Now, before I go on, there are some things I have to state first. I might be new to makeup, but I study how eye makeup is applied to different eye shapes quite religiously. I’m also very meticulous about my work, and I make sure that my client/model’s is comfortable with what I’m doing. Lastly, I speak conversational Mandarin quite fluently.

So in comes in these girls, and the first thing I hear out of their mouth in Mandarin is, “Oh she made her makeup look so ugly.” I saw them out of the corner of my eyes, but didn’t say anything as the gal in front of me deserves my attention. However, when I made eye contact with them later on, the one who said it smirked at me all haughty taughty. Girl, you’re makeup is that of every other Asian girl – thick eyeliner, light color eyeshadows, and pale lip gloss. You can’t pull off any other look, and you also can’t apply makeup onto any other ethnicity, so STFU.

Sadly, I kept that all in, just shot back haughty taughty looks at them, and wondered if they ever figured out that I might have been able to understand them.

Anyhow, just had to get that off my chest and go back to watching So You Think You Can Dance! The dancers this season are all so good!!!

So You Think You Can Dance Results Show - Show

Brands to Love - and I'm Back!!!

GloriaYangBB — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:35:50 PDT

I hate it when I don't update for even a week, because it makes updating after that just so much harder. How do you come back? What do you write about? Do you say sorry for our absence when everyone has already left?

Ugh, I totally hate this side of me.

So what have I been up to? Oh, just about EVERYTHING!!

First and foremost, my 10 year anniversary with the hub is tomorrow!! We went to his junior prom together, originally "as friends," but as the prom date loomed closer, our friendship just naturally grew into well, a love story! 10 years later, we've gotten married, we've adopted a puppy, and we're living our lives with each other as support. I know, that sounds totally cheesy, but I do love CHEESE! Yum.

Work has also been kicking my arse. No idea if I shared this before, but I've been working at Sephora as a secondary source of income since last December. My other job starts at 7:30 in the morning, and lately, it's just not as stimulating. I get a natural high when I'm busy at work, but unfortunately the lab hasn't been as busy as everyone would like. Everyone is in panic mode - are we getting laid off or are we going to be safe for another month? Sephora on the other hand, has been super fun and exciting! I love love love makeup, and I love hanging around with other makeup addicts all day long! But I've realized that I really love showing makeup to people who are mostly new to makeup. Newbies tend to be more easily wowed by all the awesome products in the store - the super savvy people tend to be alread have bought or have tried everything already. On the bright side, I love it when I help people who have been using a recently discontinued product for 5, 7, or 10 years find a replacement that's even better!

So.. some brands and products that totally rocks but probably haven't been introduced to you:

CoverFX

Cover FX Acne Treat + Conceal Kit

$49.00 at Sephora

For flawless complexion, you go to CoverFX. They have a super wide range of colors for people with every skin undertone and overtone. Their products are developed in a dermatology institute for patients suffering from psorias, excema, rosacea, acne, etc., to achieve natural looking skin while still covering up their skin issues. It's great for everyone, but especally great for people with sensitive skin. Their line is oil-free, paraben-free, fragrance free, and non-comedogenic. Aside from their awesome foundations, also try out their primers! Their primers and foundations are also filled with anti-aging ingredients to help treat your skin!

theBalm

TheBalm TimeBalm Concealer

$18.00 by TheBalm at Sephora

theBalm is a cult-favorite brand, with timeBalm concealer being the most popular of it all. Its eco-friendly packaging contains awesome products, ranging from mineral based eyeshadows, the most beautiful bronzers, awesome lip and cheek stains, and non-irritating lip plumpers. Like CoverFX, theBalm packs their products with nourishing anti-aging ingredients to help treat your skin while wearing makeup!

Time for me to do my laundry! If you think I haven't updated this blog in a long time, just imagine how long it's been since I've done my laundry!