Month: December 2012

COULD YOUR PILLOW CAUSED ACNE?

The answer is yes.

Wondering why after all that 7 skin care routines, you still have pimples? Have you checked your pillow? How long did you have it already? How many times did you change the case in a week?

Except skin care products, we use pillow to sleep on every day. Especially for those side sleepers, those ugly combinations (oil, dirt and germs) are pressed against your face every night, causing the pores to become clogged. Add dirty linen and old pillow to the picture, voila! Your face will be the perfect canvas for acnes to grow. Your long hair can contribute to this problem as well (imagine those oil and dirt, collective from unwashed hair for two days). That oil and dirt will transfer on to the pillow, and goes straight to your face.

OK, enough about the dirty causes. Now on to the solutions.

1.    Reminder: there are no such things as best pillow or linen for acne fighting. Ordinary pillow will do, but have extra linen for casing change, at least once a week. Don’t tell me you’re still using your baby pillow because you can’t sleep without it. Try to change your pillow once a year (it’s more hygienic and fluffy to sleep on too).

MY PICK : SERTA (available at big department stores in Jakarta, Indonesia).

2.    You don’t need an Egyptian Cotton pillow case which cost a fortune. Yes, it cost that much because it is the best. But for cheaper alternative, a fine cotton with 300 thread count (check on the packaging before buying) already feel soft and smooth. Stay away from polyester which might leave you feeling scratchy.

MY PICK: AUSSINO (available in Metro Department Store, Jakarta, Indonesia).

3.    There’s a new material (for pillow case) from bamboo which claimed to be anti bacterial, and supposed to be more breathable. Might be helpful for acne-prone skin.

4.    Bought a new one? Wash before using, as it might contain sizing coating which can irritate sensitive skin. And always use gentle laundry detergent when washing your pillow case. Harsh detergent can irritate skin, pronto.

5.    While we can’t control how we sleep while sleeping peacefully, try to sleep on your back, face away from the pillow.

6.    Too lazy to wash your long hair before bed time? Pull your hair into a bun or ponytail to keep it off your face and pillow.

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

So, how did you rate yourself this Christmas?

Need help? Let’s ask the big guy himself, Santa! Check your rating, here

Have a fun and fashionable Christmas.

WHAT TO DITCH & WHAT TO BUY 2013 – BEAUTY 

As beauty trends come & go, just like happiness and sadness in our life.

Need to change for the better in 2013? Here are some beauty inspirations and products to start with.

1. To ditch : Red Lipstick – enough is enough.
    To buy : Bright Pink Lipstick – because pink is the new red?
    My pick : NARS Lipstick in Schiap. 

2. To ditch : Black Eyeliner – as Twilight is (finally) over, bye bye black eyeliner.
    To buy : Blue Eyeliner – go for navy is a safe bet for non darer.
    My pick : MAC Technakohl Liner in Auto-de-blu. 

3. To ditch : Dark Long Nails – it’s just too much.
    To buy : Nude Nail Polish – looks natural and healthy.
    My pick : OPI Nail Polish in Bubble Bath. 

WHAT TO DITCH & WHAT TO BUY 2013 – FASHION

Please wake me up when 2012 trend ends. 

Here are some inspiration for what you should be having first before the year (finally) ends. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

1. To ditch : Polkadots – it might be a classic print but come on. Please move on.
    To buy : Stripes – from Jason Wu to Burberry, be prepare for stripes attack.

2. To ditch : Mullets – never dig the trend in the first place, I’m glad it’s over.
    To buy : Asymmetrical hem – particularly on shoulders & collars.

3. To ditch : Tangerine Orange – bye bye Pantone color of 2012.
    To buy : Emerald – hello Pantone color of 2013.

4. To ditch : Cut outs – only those who dare wore them, so why bother?
    To buy : Cut outs collar – it looks more sophisticated anyway.

5. To ditch : Wedges – sad to hear, right?
    To buy : Kitten heels – not as killing as stilettos, with a lady like effect. Perfect! 

BB WHAT?

Wait! Before all of you beauty addicts move on to CC Creams, there’s still one more BB related items to explore.

Beauty Balms or Blemish Balms, or widely known as just BB Creams, have been so popular and the hype is still there to stay. Expanding to other BB products, Bourjois launches its first BB Gloss. A new lip care/makeup product with its caring formula and specially selected pigments to enhance all colorings, it promised to protect our lips while creating an instant healthy lips effect. 

STILL THERE IN 2013

Will the world still be there in 2013? Another calendar finish?

One thing for sure in the fashion world, prints will still exist in 2013…on pants. So printed pants lovers, indulge.

Check out the Pre-Fall 2013 collection above, from digital prints at 3.1 Phillip Lim, ethnic prints at Tory Burch to houndstooth prints at Carolina Herrera. 

WE LOVE THE LIPGLOSS, NOW WHAT?

There’s no beautiful makeup without beautiful skin, yes?

Another makeup brand expansion. Bobbi Brown did it, Nars did it, now … the beloved beauty brand, Stila, launch their skincare line. This new range will be the first official full-on skincare line, because Stila actually has made a couple of skin care products in the past.

Meant to work together, this line consists of face wash, toner, moisturizer, cleansing wipes, brightening serum and facial scrub, which contain essential oils of geranium, orange and peppermint combine with Swiss Alpine Rose extracts. The Alpine Rose Stem Cell Technology said to closely mimics human epidermal function and is responsible to renew, maintain and repair skincare tissues. They’re not using synthetic fragrance, mineral oil, sulphates, parabens or phthalates. Packed with those ingredients (and technology) this brand new skin care line promise to improve skin and create a flawless base for makeup application. Currently available through Stila’s website. 

SHE BROUGHT THE CROWN BACK

In the middle of apocalypse fables and rumors, there were Miss Universe 2012 pageant.

Last night event in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas, was quite interesting even though our own Miss Indonesia didn’t even make it to top 16 semifinal. 

Thumbs up to Miss Philippines with all her elegant swoons and answer. I personally thought that Miss South Africa will win, but Miss USA seem to won over the judges’ hearts. Olivia Culpo, 20, officially brought back the Miss Universe crown back to the United States of America after Brook Lee won the title way back in 1997. 

Firstly, I wonder why Olivia wore the red velvet long gown and her hair up at the finale though (I love Miss Brazil’s gown which look so Zuhair Murad). But, when she was crowned by the previous Miss Universe, that crown was perfectly placed on the high bun. Oh, okay. 

WHEN FASHION & BEAUTY COLLIDE

Only 100 pieces available, ladies!

This is a cute collaboration minaudièr by Olympia Le-Tan and Lancome. If Olympia’s name rings a bell for you, it’s because this French designer is famous for her minaudièrs that feature classic book covers. Yup, she’s inspired by the world of literature and old hand-stitched books. 

For this minaudièr that took 18 hours to make (each), Olympia also personally chosen 12 of her favorite shades from Lancome’s Rouge in Love lipstick and Vernis in Love nail polish which will be placed inside the minaudièr. Instead of having gold finish clasp and side like her other designs, Olympia used silver for this imaginary novel. Perfect for a mirror replacement for a quick touch up on the go. 

The US$1000 minaudièr will be available through Lancome’s website starting February 1, 2013.