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By Amy Zhang March 17, 2020 in Beauty No Comments

Latest Empties – Beauty Products I Love

Just because we’re all cooped up at home doesn’t mean we have to let self-care fall entirely to the wayside. Even though my normal routine has been seriously shaken up, I’m still trying to stay committed to my skin and take care of it the best I can from home. The products below are some of my absolute favorite products of all time, basically my ride or dies. I’ve repurchased every one multiple times and have written about them on the blog before. I happened to have a ton of empties recently, which always fills me with a strange sense of pride and satisfaction. Seeing my bathroom counter a bit emptier also prompted me to write this post before placing another massive order online. If there’s something worth splurging on right now, it’s little luxuries for yourself to make staying home all the time a little more bearable.

The latest empties on my bathroom counter:

+ Glossier Solution

A very gentle exfoliator on your skin that can be used every day. I love it and will use it once a day, morning or night, and notice a huge difference in my skin when I use it consistently. I’ve read reviews stating that it helps acne-prone skin, but even my dry and sensitive skin loves it. I’ve had zero irritation whatsoever and find that my skin is so much smoother and brighter when I incorporate this into my routine. It’s not as strong as other peels and acids out there, but that might honestly be why I love it so much. [ Get 10% off your first order : )]

+ Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

Forever my favorite foundation. It’s expensive, so I like to mix in other foundations when I can to stretch out how long a bottle lasts. This is my go-to for shoots, special events, going out, you name it. A bottle lasts a long time (I try not to wear foundation every day) and applies flawlessly with a beauty blender. Personally I like more of a “glowy” look, this gives you an airbrushed finish that isn’t heavy and stays on all day and night.

+ Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

Sunscreen for your face is usually an unpleasant consistency and oftentimes clogs your pores, but not this one. The texture is so light and the gel consistency sinks right into your skin with no irritation. The finish is unnoticeable (hence the name “Unseen Sunscreen”) and makes wearing sunscreen every day a no brainer.

+ Peter Thomas Roth Eye Patches

Hi, under-eye circles. Every year you become more prominent. These eye patches help depuff and brighten the delicate skin under your eyes and add a boost of much-needed hydration. The skin underneath your eyes is the most delicate on your body, so extra care and TLC is needed to prevent fine lines and bags. I like to keep these in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.

+ Drunk Elephant C Firma

One of my favorite skincare lines, the serums from Drunk Elephant are not to be missed. If you’re looking for a solid Vitamin C serum, this one is on the higher end of serums (but not Skinceuticals price) and is pretty potent (15% L-Ascorbic Acid plus Ferulic Acid). Some people complain about the smell and texture, but I don’t mind. I do try to buy the travel size so the formula doesn’t oxidize before I use it up.

+ Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos

When used in conjunction with Babyfacial, I find my skin glows for days. I love products that work while I sleep, so exfoliating nighttime serums and gentle acids are some of my favorites. I don’t use this every night, maybe every other night or a couple of times a week (you might need to gradually work your way up to it) but you will wake up to softer, glowing skin in the morning!

+ Red Carpet Supplement

I started a pretty intense vitamin regimen a couple of months ago and incorporated this one from Hum. I received multiple compliments on my hair and skin from coworkers and friends, so wanted to share the ones I have been taking most regularly. Also, I got lash extensions a month ago, and my technician noticed that my lashes had almost completely grown out after two weeks – I honestly attribute the rapid growth to the vitamins I’ve been taking!

+ Glow Sweet Glow

Aside from the fact that gummy vitamins are inherently more fun to take (I find I never miss a day with these), it’s also an easy way to get a dose of vitamin C, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid – all ingredients that keep your skin bright and glowing! These are probably the best tasting gummy vitamins I’ve ever tried.

By Amy Zhang March 5, 2020 in Lifestyle, Recipes 2 Comments

Easy Weeknight Airfryer Salmon Recipe

I’m not the greatest chef and truthfully prefer not to spend all of my time in the kitchen. But, I’ve found that healthy and delicious meals don’t have to take much skill or time. I’m also not the biggest fan of kitchen appliances, but one that I absolutely cannot live without is our air fryer. Initially a skeptic, I’m now officially converted. As far as foolproof cooking tools go, this is it. It’s virtually impossible to mess up a meal in the air fryer, and you can cook almost anything in it. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me cooking salmon with it – I make this meal at least once a week. It’s so easy, delicious, and good for you.

My Easy Weeknight Airfryer Salmon Recipe

I love salmon and could eat it every other day. A few reasons I love salmon? It’s full of omega-3s (healthy fatty acids that are good for your hair and skin), protein, B vitamins, and potassium. I buy the BBQ cut filets from Trader Joe’s or, if we’re feeling fancy, we’ll get them from a local fishmonger. This entire meal takes about 15-20 minutes. All you need:

+ Salmon filet (4-8 oz serving per person)

+ Salt and pepper

+ Good olive oil

+ Lemon

Dry off salmon filet and place skin side down on a plate. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle spices and herbs generously over – you can use whatever you have on hand. Sometimes all I’ll use is salt and pepper! I also like adding garlic and red pepper flakes. You can honestly use most spices and herbs!

Preheat air fryer or oven. If you’re using an air fryer, many models will have a “fish” setting (as I said, it’s foolproof cooking) that will set the time for you – it’s usually around 15 minutes. For the oven, you can broil the fish for a similar result. This will take about 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the filet.

Once the salmon is cooked, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top. Serve with a salad or your favorite vegetables. Some ideas – roasted broccolini, sautéed spinach, arugula salad, avocado, or roasted sweet potatoes. Enjoy!

By Amy Zhang March 3, 2020 in Lifestyle No Comments

What I Want This Month

One way I’ve cut down on my shopping tremendously is to write down everything I’m looking to buy and keep it on a list for at least a week before pulling the trigger. This has helped curb a lot of impulse buys that my bank account is much happier about. Here are the items that are in my shopping cart this month.

What I Want This Month:

+ Olaplex Bond Smoother

Olaplex is one of my ride or die hair products. My colorist, Ashleigh, recommends their products to keep colored hair strong and healthy and used this styling cream before blow-drying. Olaplex Bond Smoother is a must for colored hair as it is already more prone to breakage and dryness.

+ Virtue Recovery Conditioner

Another product I was introduced to at the salon last month. I’ve been using the same shampoo and conditioner for years, but this conditioner left my hair so smooth and soft that I’m ready to make the switch to something new.

+ Gold Mirror

I’ve been on the hunt for a large mirror for the longest time. It doesn’t have to be specifically this one (although it’s stunning!), but a large gold or brass framed mirror with interesting details. For something a little more unique, local flea markets have great options. I need to visit the local flea market in the upcoming weeks!

+ Drunk Elephant The Littles

Some of my favorite skincare products in the perfect travel size containers so as not to take too much space in your luggage. Eyeing this set for my upcoming travels.

+ Pampas Grass

Although I think pampas grass should be used sparingly, I do love how it looks in the home. The local flower market sells it for cheap, but there are a lot of great Etsy sellers online if you can’t make it to a market.

+ Packing Cubes

I am so late to the packing cube game, but these are absolutely life-changing. They will change how you pack and how much stuff you can fit into a suitcase. You may think you’re an expert packer – but packing cubes will elevate your travel game. It also keeps you organized so everything fits just as easily on the way home as it did on the way over.

+ Travel Pouches

Stoney Clover Lane makes some of my favorite travel pouches. I put everything in them – makeup, skincare, brushes, medicine, tools, swimsuits, etc. They come in a variety of different colors and are customizable as well. I’m obsessed and want a million more to put everything in. They also make great gifts!

+ Black Denim

I reach for my straight-legged denim more often than skinny jeans, and have been searching for a pair in a darker wash. I wear my Re/Dones often enough that I feel justified in purchasing a new pair. Does anyone else feel the same way?

By Amy Zhang March 2, 2020 in Lifestyle 4 Comments

Weekly Trader Joe’s Grocery List

One of my goals for the year was to really improve my eating habits by cooking at home more. Even though I thought I was generally making healthy choices, I was truthfully eating more meals out than in and falling for my weaknesses, dessert and french fries, more often than I’d like to admit. Cooking at home has been such a gamechanger for my health and I can honestly say I’ve never felt better. There are also so many benefits to making your own meals – from better portion control and knowing exactly what goes into your meals, to saving a ton of money. I’ve gone from cooking exactly zero meals a week to now aiming to cook 80% of my own meals at home (I save a lot of my recipes under my Cooking highlights on Instagram).

The biggest misconception about cooking is that it takes too long.

As someone who sat firmly in that camp for many years, I can admit now that most healthy weeknight meals can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less. If you’re down to spend a couple hours meal prepping over the weekend, you can have a meal ready in even less time. That means NO EXCUSES.

More on easy meals later, but breaking down the barriers to cooking starts with a no-fail grocery list. I like to work backwards and plan my meals in advance (this helps to reduce food waste and eliminate unnecessary snacks making their way into my grocery basket), but if I don’t have time to do that these are the essentials I always pick up. We shop for our grocery list all over, but Trader Joe’s is a staple in our household. For specialty ingredients or meals, we’ll hit up the Farmer’s Market, Whole Foods, and the Korean or Japanese market, but for day to day I love Trader Joe’s. The prices are amazing and all of the portion sizes are perfect if you’re cooking for one or two people.

Healthy Trader Joe’s Grocery List

Produce

+ Spinach
+ Kale
+ Arugula
+ Broccoli
+ Onions
+ Garlic
+ Sweet potatoes
+ Lemon
+ Lime
+ Peppers
+ Cucumber
+ Spaghetti squash
+ Zucchini
+ Apples
+ Berries

I try to eat a green with every meal, so we usually alternate between some combination of different pre-washed greens in a bag. I love spinach in my smoothies and sautéed (the leaves shrink like crazy, so you can eat a TON of greens in just a few bites). In terms of vegetables, we try to stick with what’s in season and get as much of it as possible from the farmer’s market. When we don’t have time to do so, we’ll get whatever looks freshest at the store.

Protein

+ Salmon
+ Ground Turkey
+ Chicken Thighs
+ Shrimp
+ Eggs

Pantry

+ Quinoa
+ Brown rice/risoni
+ Black beans
+ Tuna
+ Coconut milk

Frozen

+ Blueberries
+ Mango
+ Pineapple
+ Shrimp

Other

+ Almond milk
+ Hummus
+ Kombucha
+ Almond Butter

By Amy Zhang February 3, 2020 in Beauty 5 Comments

How to Use Vitamin C Serum

If there’s one skincare product everyone should incorporate in their regimen, it’s a vitamin c serum. As far as skincare ingredients go, vitamin C is essential for your best skin possible. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that prevents sun damage, can brighten dark spots, and stimulate collagen production. An easy way to incorporate it into your skincare routine is with a serum. You might already be using one, but you may not be using it the right way. Read on to learn more about vitamin c serum, how to use it, and my favorite picks for every budget.

So, what is Vitamin C serum?

As noted above, vitamin C serum has a whole slew of benefits for the skin. Combined with retinol, it can be a powerful skin-boosting and anti-aging ingredient (more on retinol & vitamin C in a bit). Without a laser or more invasive facial procedure, vitamin C is your best bet at combatting hyperpigmentation and brightening your skin to give it the ultimate glow. Because it’s a collagen-stimulating ingredient, it can also soften fine wines and help prevent future wrinkles (which makes it also great in eye creams!). Serums are absorbed into skin quickly, so it’s an ideal step to add to your routine.

Vitamin C serums are also often mixed with other skin-boosting ingredients, such as Vitamin E or ferulic acid.

How and when do I use vitamin C serum?

Vitamin C is usually applied after you cleanse and tone, but before your moisturizer. Many people use it during the day, but it can actually also be used at night! Using it during the day has the added benefit of preventing damage from the sun and free radicals (but you still need to wear sunscreen!). Using vitamin C actually can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so a nighttime application can help mitigate that reaction. If you’re looking for the order to apply vitamin C, you can follow the order below.

Daytime skincare routine:

+ Splash with water (you usually don’t need to cleanse in the morning, but you can if you want)

+ Toner/essence

+ Eye cream

+ Vitamin C serum

+ Moisturizer

+ Sunscreen

Evening skincare routine:

+ Cleanser (if removing makeup, you may want to double cleanse to make sure you get all of it off. I use wipes when I’m in a hurry or a cleansing balm along with my usual cleanser. I also really, really love micellar water.)

+ Toner / essence

+ Eye cream

+ Serum – alternate between vitamin C and retinol

+ Night cream

Add or subtract steps as needed for your skincare routine.

One important thing to note is that vitamin C doesn’t always play nicely with other skincare ingredients. It can also be a harsh ingredient on the skin, and some people notice more sensitivity to it than others – including itching or redness on the skin. Personally, some products make my skin tingle a bit when I apply them (higher L-ascorbic acid percentage), but it quickly goes away without any irritation. If you aren’t sure how your skin will react, look for a product with lower vitamin C.

There are mixed reviews on mixing vitamin C with retinol, with some people saying they need to be used separately for optimal results. I prefer using vitamin C during the day and other serums at night. If I do use vitamin C at night, I alternate evenings with other serums and try not to mix.

The Best Vitamin C Serums

Below are my favorite vitamin C serums that I’ve personally tried. Before you go running out to buy and test every single one, you should know that vitamin C can break down more easily than other skincare ingredients when it’s exposed to air, heat, and light (so basically, as soon as it’s packaged). Some Vitamin C products come with a relatively short shelf life for maximum efficacy, so be sure to read labels and reviews before committing to one.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum

One of my favorite vitamin C serums, but a little pricey for what you get (the color of the serum changes quickly as the formula oxidizes) and the consistency is a little sticky, which some people dislike. I usually buy the travel size so I can bring it with me on trips and use it up before the serum oxidizes. Bonus – it’s actually a great value, ounce for ounce!

Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum

I’ve been going to Joanna Vargas for facials and love her products as much as the treatments itself. One of my favorite products from her line is her vitamin C serum. Hers smells amazing and absorbs quickly into the skin, and layers perfectly with her other products.

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

The most expensive serum listed here, but universally loved. It includes vitamin E and ferulic acid with vitamin C for a brightening and hydrating combination. I’ve only used a sample of this and am saving up to buy the full-sized bottle.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

The very first vitamin C serum I ever used! I still love this serum for daytime and it’s one of the more affordable vitamin C products. It doesn’t feel as potent as some of the other serums, so it’s a good starter product to see how your skin reacts to the ingredient.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Brightening Serum

This serum is 15% vitamin C, so it’s pretty potent and should definitely be worn with sunscreen! From reviews and personal experience, it is gentle on sensitive skin despite its high vitamin C percentage.

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner

Not actually a serum, this product is almost cream-like and sinks into your skin before you can rub it around. It’s unlike any other vitamin C serum I’ve used, and it does cause a slight tingle on my skin (it contains 20% L-Ascorbic Acid, which is very high for an over the counter product).