nyan cat nails!

Ever since my JASS big sib showed me this picture, I've been wanting to try this out! (Still need pink, gray and yellow polish first, though....) She ended up doing her own variation of the look on her toenails, and although I hate feet, I must admit that it looked pretty cool!

Until then, nyaaaaaan!

$6 facial at SFIEC!

What better exchange than to help out a friend and be pampered at the same time? On Friday I went to the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology for a facial. When I was in high school, I wanted to attend SFIEC and become a licensed esthetician. But as "Americanized" as my parents seem, my dad wanted me to do something more "ambitious" with my life than attend beauty school. (I know for sure he wouldn't have paid the tuition) So my dream of attending the school never became reality. However, I found the next best thing!

One of my friends from high school recently started taking classes at SFIEC. She and her classmates were responsible for booking their own clients and performing various hair and skin services for them last Friday. I booked a facial and looked forward to seeing an old friend.

The first and only time prior to this where I got a facial was at a dermatologist's office several years ago. Making awkward small talk and getting extractions made it a less-than-relaxing experience. Not so this time- I was at the hands of (ha ha...) someone I've known for years and was therefore comfortable with.

After lying down in what reminded me of a hospital room, my treatment began with a pre-cleanse. An instructor came over to ask my friend what products she was going to use on me. She seemed knowledgeable about her craft, professional without seeming arrogant, and seemed nice without being fake. (Signs of a good instructor!)

I wish I could remember the rest of the products used during the facial. I know for sure they use Dermalogica products, but I'm not so sure of the names. Unfortunately, as a broke college student, I knew I couldn't afford to buy the kit my friend showed me. ($40. Which I blew the next day at a ramen shop and a wine bar. (Fail...)  My favorite step was when she applied a mask that smelled like oatmeal. Getting a light neck massage wasn't bad either!

Under the skin care services menu, facials are advertised at $45. I went in fully expecting to pay full price- so I was definitely surprised when my total came out to $6. I could have splurged and gotten my eyebrows done!

Can't wait for my friend to graduate and become certified- I know for a fact I'll be going back to visit her in the future. Millie, you're the best! <3

Self-Intro

This is a blog about beauty, so I suppose it only makes sense that I write about something beauty related.
Here goes!

For as long as I can remember, I've loved makeup and other beauty products. Like many little girls, I used to love going through my mom's lipsticks and trying them on when she wasn't home. Two of my favorite toys were a light-up Hello Kitty mirror/jewelry box (very 90's....) and my first makeup palette.

But as an Asian girl, I quickly came to realize that the colors of my child-sized makeup palette were not one-size fits all. The colors, which were most likely intended to be worn by fair-skinned white girls with blue or green eyes, only looked muddy or garish against my yellow-toned skin. Then came the issue of the crease (or in my case, a lack of) - many makeup books and how-to instructionals in magazines were geared towards white, black and sometimes Latina women.

Thus, I'm inspired by the Asian ladies out there who show us how to rock bold, dramatic shadows in ways that are complimentary to our eye shape. (Jinahchae is by far my all-time favorite! And mytigerlily is my go-to girl for bright color eye candy) I still sometimes struggle with making shadows work on my sans crease-less eyes without making it look like I got punched in the face- but it's a skill I'm definitely willing to work on.

I'm inspired by anything dramatic. Not so much the avant-garde looks that make up the MAC homepage (although I do like those too) but anything with rock/retro edge. I loooove girls who can work the rockabilly/pinup look. Red lips, perfect cat-eye swoops.....HAWWTTT!

Although I rarely wear them myself, I love super-bright shades. I've been fascinated by Amy Doan's (aka Shrinkle) look since middle school- I'm pretty sure she's mentioned that she's inspired by drag queens and Japanese street fashion. I was too excited when she came out with her makeup line last year. I'm proud to say that two Sugarpill shadows were my first-ever online purchase!

Unfortunately I am almost always on the verge of being BROKE. As a result, I have a humble makeup collection. Most of what I have either came from free samples or places such as Rite Aide, Target and Wal-Mart. While I love browsing Sephora, I actually only buy products twice a year- after Christmas and after my birthday. The joys of being a college student...

I'm pretty sure I could go on for days, but no one, myself included, likes to read posts that ramble on...and on. I'm excited to see if I can keep up with this! Peace.