- Page 11 of 13

By Amy Zhang March 29, 2017 in Beauty 17 Comments

A Little Secret, All Natural Beauty Tip: Use AMBER OIL as Perfume.

Here’s the thing. When I find something that’s new (to me) and share-worthy, I’m going to spill the beans. What’s the fun in hoarding tips and tricks? My most recent discovery is amber oil. Specifically, how to use amber oil as perfume. If you’re like WTF is that?! – hear me out. It might just be your new favorite perfume.

A couple weeks ago, I was standing in the elevator at work next to a girl I didn’t know. Now if I see a dress I love or a pair or shoes I just have to have on someone, I will always ask. Whatever perfume this girl was wearing not only smelled absolutely incredible, it was also unique and unlike any scent I’m familiar with. As much as I love my Le Labo 33, it seems like everyone and their mother is wearing that scent these days.

Naturally, I just had to ask (in the least creepy way possible).

“Hi, excuse me. Do you mind if I ask what perfume you’re wearing?”

Her response: “Amber oil. You need this perfume.”

Not some big name brand of perfume from a department store, but a blend of essential oils that comes in a tiny little bottle. The craziest thing is she said she got it off Amazon.

I had to look it up right away when I got home and immediately ordered a bottle. Look for Nemat brand. While I was at it, I just had to pick up a bottle of the “sandalwood” scent as well.

Here’s the thing about amber oil – it may not be for everyone. But, if you like musk and wood scents, you will love amber oil. The fragrance mixes with your skin and honestly blooms throughout the day.

Oh, and if you’re interested in trying it out – a small bottle is only $15!

After doing additional research, I found out that amber oil is actually Kristin Bell’s favorite perfume (LOVE her!) and she even wore it on the red carpet. Not to mention, amber oil is amazing for aromatherapy and is even said to be an aphrodisiac and help calm the mind and body. Still not sold? Amber oil can be used in some many different ways.

Amber Oil Uses

+ As a perfume

+ Aromatherapy – the scent of amber oil can be incredibly calming and relaxing

+ Added to your skin or haircare products

+ For massage

+ Diffused as a scent around your home

If you’re into natural health and beauty products, definitely check out amber oil. Can’t wait to share more of the posts I’ve been working on with you guys!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang February 13, 2017 in Beauty 4 Comments

My Favorite High-End Luxurious Lipsticks

A great lip color has the ability to instantly transform your look and pull together an outfit. In my daily life, I tend not to wear too much makeup. This can be problematic when I have plans after work or something unexpectedly comes up where I want to look a little more polished and put together. This is why I always, always keep a few luxurious lipsticks with great color on me – at my desk, in my purse, gym bag, and car.

As I talked about in my last post, I’m a huge believer in little daily luxuries. Fancy, luxurious lipsticks definitely counts as well. I love the way high-end lipsticks feel, how pigmented they are, and how luxe the packaging is. Here are my favorite high-end luxurious lipsticks at the moment.

My current 5 favorite luxurious lipsticks

MAC

MAC was the first “high-end” lipstick I ever bought for myself. The formula isn’t always as creamy and luxe feeling as some other brands, but you can’t beat the color selection and the price is comparatively a steal relative to high-end brands. My everyday go to nude? Velvet Teddy. Date night red? Ruby-woo. And vampy dark color? Sin.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide

I LOVE this product. It goes on like a gloss, but has a satiny, velvet finish. I personally find super matte products to be way too drying and make me look older, but glosses are overly sticky. This is a beautiful marriage of the two.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Damned has been my go-to for years. The perfect dark berry color perfect for nighttime.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Oil in Stick

YSL makeup products never fail. The packaging is sleek and beautiful, the colors vibrant, and this lipstick is so moisturizing. It feels like a gloss/balm and has a shiny finish – I adore this product for spring and summer.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche

My absolute favorite luxurious lipstick at the moment. SO many colors, goes on smooth, lasts forever, and the texture is hydrating and rich. I have it in 4 shades, but my favorite is FIG.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day ; ). If you’re looking to complete your makeup look for Valentine’s Day, make sure you check out this list of the absolute best bronzers. What are your favorite luxurious lipsticks? I LOVE drugstore versions as well.

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang January 4, 2017 in Beauty 5 Comments

Hair Essentials

As you may already know, I colored my hair for the first time about a year ago. I didn’t realize how high maintenance coloring your hair is, not to manage the damage it does on your hair. Since then I’ve had to completely rethink my hair routine and find ways to keep it as healthy as possible. My mantra is always quick and simple, I can’t be bothered to spend hours doing my hair every day (not to mention the number excessive styling does to your hair) so I’ve assembled a little arsenal of products I use on the reg but still feels relatively low maintenance. These are the hair essentials products I’ve tried, definitely check them out if you haven’t.

Hair essentials I use everyday

1. Wet Brush

For a long time I didn’t brush my hair often. I like it a little beachy and dirty (lol). Unfortunately, my hair did not like that – especially when I would go a little too long in between cuts. Talk about a tangled mess. I really didn’t feel like paying out for a boar’s hair brush (I’m sure they’re amazing), so instead I got the Wet Brush. Under $10 on Amazon and it does the job. Tangles and knots are gone, even on wet hair (hence the name).

2. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

My holy grail hair product. I try not to use too much product in my hair (I like to go as long as possible in between washes and too much product weighs your hair down) but this is the only thing I use every time I style my hair. I run a curling wand through my hair (really randomly and quickly, the whole process takes less than 10 minutes) – happy to do a tutorial someday – and then spray this stuff all over. It smells amazing and gives your hair the perfect second day gritty/beachy texture you want if you’re into that stuff. A bottle lasts me a long time – if you’re going to buy one hair product this is it. So worth the price tag, I promise.

3. T3 Micro Featherweight

I usually air dry my hair, but if I’m going to blow dry it myself, I use this baby. It dries my mop insanely fast and leaves it so soft. Love.

4. Drybar Hold Me Hair Clips

I really have to thank The Skinny Confidential for this one. Her sleep bun tutorial changed my life, but more than anything I like wearing these around so I can put my hair up without creasing it with an elastic. I get a lot of comments and weird looks from people who think I’m wearing a chip clip in my hair but I don’t even care. Not a fan of blowouts, but these clips are just my favorite.

5. R+Co Pinstripe Detangling Spray

See #1 Wet Brush. This product helps with the brush when sometimes my hair is just too tangled. It happens. This spray helps. I’m super paranoid about my hair thinning, so this conditioning and detangling spray helps me avoid yanking out too much hair with my brush.

6. R+Co Palm Springs Masque

I use this masque before I shampoo once a week (if I remember). It smells so good, reminds me of my favorite weekend getaway spot, and helps treat and condition my colored strands. I know a lot of people go on and on about coconut oil but it just seems to weigh my hair down and doesn’t do anything for my texture, this stuff actually feels light and refreshing.

7. Oribe Gold Lust Oil

Oribe products are my fave, but they’re really pricey. This stuff is worth its weight in gold and therefore appropriately named, but if your hair reacts well to coconut oil that’s a good cheap alternative. Keeps my ends soft and like all Oribe products, smells like paradise.

8. Olaplex

My colorist swears by this stuff, you use it once a week before shampooing. I like to put it in the night before and let it soak in before rinsing it out, it helps strengthen and repair colored hair and I swear is the one thing that has kept my highlighted hair as close to its natural state as possible.

So there you have it – all the hair products I use regularly. Have you tried any of them? What are your go-to products and styling tips?

xx, Amy

Shop the best hair essentials

By Amy Zhang November 7, 2016 in Beauty 5 Comments

Beauty Products Worth the Splurge

While there are several products that get the job done whether they’re from the drugstore or a high end department store, certain things are worth saving up for. It’s important to know when to spend and when to save – so here are the beauty products I think are worth the splurge.

Beauty Products Worth the Splurge

Foundation

This is definitely a beauty product that is worth splurging on, in my experience. High end foundations tend to have better formulas and more pigments. It’s worth trying out a variety to find the right coverage and finish for your skin. I love Nars tinted moisturizer for daytime (it has SPF!) and Armani Luminous Silk foundation for when I want slightly more coverage and a flawless finish. I had to look twice at the price tag, but it is 100% worth it (makeup artists and celebrities everywhere agree). AND right now it’s 20% off at Sephora for VIB Rouge members (use code: 20ROUGE) and VIB members from November 11th – 14th (use code: 20VIB).

Hair Care

I think high quality hair products are SO important, especially if you color your hair. It’s important to use products that are paraben and sulfate free to preserve your color. My favorite line of haircare products, by far, is Oribe. Needless to say, I’m completely #oribeobsessed. I love everything from their Gold Lust line as well as their dry texturizing shampoo.

Because I wash my hair infrequently (aim for 1-2 times a week… call me gross, whatever), a bottle of shampoo and conditioner lasts me almost 2 years (to the point where I should just throw the remaining product out). So I really don’t feel bad splurging on Oribe products because they last forever and the quality cannot be beat (bonus: you won’t be able to get over the scent!).

Skin Products

Your skin is your largest organ and the one that everyone sees (duh). I would prioritize skincare over splurging on makeup products ANYDAY. Obviously diet and lifestyle factor into the quality of your skin, but the next best thing is nourishing your skin with the right products for YOU. This takes a lot of trial and error over time, but once you get your skincare routine down pat – whether it’s simple or a crazy 10 step regime – it’ll be one of the best things you can do for your appearance.

Lipsticks

Something about a nice lipstick just makes you feel more put together and honestly, fancy. The formulas of high lipsticks (Chanel, YSL, and Tom Ford especially!) are tough to beat – they glide on smoothly, stay put, and have the most gorgeous, vibrant shades. It might feel like a lot to spend $30 on a lipstick, but it’s one of those small little luxuries that is perfect for the days when you just need to #treatyoself.

What products do you splurge on, and where do you save? If you’re a VIB Rouge or VIB at Sephora, take advantage of the 20% off sale right now (this stuff NEVER goes on sale). Have a fabulous week, babes!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang September 3, 2016 in Beauty, Lifestyle 10 Comments

Skincare Update

Skincare Routine featuring Murad | The Luxi Look

Hello, hello! It’s been almost a year since I last posted my skincare routine. Since then, I’ve incorporated some new products I want to share. Skincare is so important – even more so than a solid makeup routine IMO. Especially when it comes to your face. Remember my post on eating your water featuring a fun Murad giveaway?

Here are some skincare updates to my routine I’ve made:

Murad Refreshing Cleanser

This is a great, light cleanser. I like to workout in the morning before work, and this has been a lifesaver in my gym bag. Takes away any traces of makeup gently and isn’t drying. LOVE.

Murad Advanced Active Radiance Serum

I always make sure to use a product that has a concentrated amount of Vitamin C. This helps your skin fight sun damage and improve your skin’s radiance. I’ve been told Vitamin C is basically the all natural fountain of youth… so drink up. I also throw this in my gym bag to use after my cleanser and it’s a great on-the-go product.

Emininence Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

I love the Eminence line because everything is all natural and organic. A lot of their products have yummy fruit-based ingredients – this serum smells like strawberries! Also, hyaluronic acid is AMAZING for your skin. Why? It helps your skin retain moisture, which in the long run will keep your skin firm and wrinkle-free longer. DEFINITELY get a product with hyaluronic serum.

Dermalogica Phytoreplenish Oil

I was using Aesop’s Facial Oil (LOVE!) but recently ran out. Since then I’ve been using this one by Dermalogica. I have dry skin, so facial oils are especially great for my skin type. However, even if you have oily or combination skin, don’t let that shy you away from trying facial oil! The moisturizing benefits are unreal and help give your skin a dewy, glowy look with or without makeup.

Sheet Masks

as much as I love facials, I think sheet masks are a great alternative (especially for your wallet). I try to do one once a week, usually on Sunday nights. I bought a bunch from Peach and Lily (Korean skincare ftw!) and to be honest can’t tell the difference between most of them. I do love them all, though! Since I have dry skin I just look for masks that are hydrating – my skin sucks up the serum and actually glows for days after. They have different masks for every type of skin, so check out Peach and Lily or Sephora!

Oh, and if you haven’t entered the $150 Murad gift card giveaway yet, it’s not too late! Seriously no strings attached, and their products are AMAZE. See below for details : ).

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! What are your plans??

xx, Amy

Murad $150 Gift Card Giveaway