Sunday, August 31, 2014

He loves me, he loves me not.

A girl always swoons over the guy holding doors for her, and the one who gives flowers just because they reminded him of her. She thinks such romantic actions signify his affection for her and thus falls madly in love: lost in a lustful daydream filled with future wedding plans, life together....
Reality. Check. Now.
Girls, do not be fooled by a romantic guy who flourishes you with compliments, flowers, and chocolates. These "cute" acts of love are worthless if they are all he does. Flowers die in two days, chocolates are bad for the teeth, and we are capable of holding our own doors. 
So look beyond these frivolous actions when evaluating a guy's affection and instead focus on his ability to work hard, make sacrifices, and compromise. A guy who really loves you will take 5 hours out of his day to drive you to the airport, alter his schedule just to see you again, and change his bad habits to win your heart. He'll actually make your life a little easier by washing the dishes, cooking, cleaning around the house. A man who's worth your time will know the importance that commitment and effort has in a strong relationship. The other sweet nit bits are icing on the cake, not the cake itself. So do not become so mesmerized in the little, momentary actions that warm our romantic hearts, and remember that a man's true character lies beyond sending a bouquet of roses.

Peace, love, baby ducks,

-InkSister 

Friday, August 29, 2014

"Not Pretty Enough"

Insecurities happen to the best of us. But do not ever let your insecurities dictate your life. Do not ever think you are not good enough for someone.

Insecurities come in many kinds, but today, I'm focusing on beauty because my own physical insecurities inspired me to write about this. Many times, I see a good looking guy and think "Geez his eyelashes are four times longer than mine, his eyebrows are on point, his face structure....He's prettier than I am.... he'll never fall for a plain faced me".

Girl, don't you ever think like that. First of all, you're already limiting the way you are perceived by being less confident. Second of all, every guy has a different taste. A girl one guy thinks is hideous will be beautiful to the next. And third of all, the most important point: your personality will outweigh your looks in the long run. It's undeniable that guys are visually stimulated, we all know and hate that (unless of course, you're banging gorgeous). But everyone, even the immature boogers, will eventually love the gal whose personality shines through. Making him lust for you only requires some makeup and cute clothing. But enticing a guy's heart to the point where he falls madly in love with you -- that takes someone who is beautiful on the inside. 

So don't get so caught up in your physical traits, and instead work on being the best person you can be. There's no such thing as "not pretty enough".

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How to Get Your Best Night's Sleep

We all know how important adequate sleep is, so I'm not going stress the need to sleep 8 hrs or describe the effects of sleep deprivation. Besides, some people can function on 7 hrs while others need a full 10 hrs to feel their best, so how much sleep you need varies. And when life is busy, it can come down to the fact that we just do not have time to sleep enough. So if your time is limited, but want to make the most out of the precious few hours of sleep you do have, read on my friend.

So first off, let's go over the two deciding factors for better sleep: sleeping faster and sleeping soundly.
These two factors go hand in hand and the tips I will provide can help you sleep faster and more soundly.

1) Cut down on your electronic usage 1-2 hrs before bed. The blue light from computers, television, phones, will make your brain think it's daytime. Daylight has more blue light while the evening has more orange, red light. When your body thinks it's daylight, it will suppress your melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone controlled by light exposure and more of it will induce sleepiness.

2) Exercise during the day. Exercising will make you tired, which in turn will make you more drowsy when it's time to sleep. I personally feel like I get better rest after exercising. Just make sure you don't exercise too close to your bedtime because that will increase your heart rate and have reverse effects.

3) Keep a nightly journal. If you're one of those people whose minds go haywire once laying on bed (I am guilty of this), writing down your thoughts will help. Once you end the non-stop thinking, you'll sleep so much faster.

4) Associate the bed with only sleep..and sex. So don't live on your bed all day everyday, doing your makeup, eating, watching tv, doing homework on it. Once you associate the bed with sleep, you'll psychology want to sleep.

5) If you still haven't fallen asleep, get up. This may seem counterintuitive at first, but it works in the long run. If you feel like it's been a while and you're still wide awake, do not force your body to still sleep. By training your mind to sleep in less than 10 minutes or not sleep at all, you can be sure to fall asleep quicker.

6) Eat a melatonin rich food before bed. Now this doesn't mean have a great big feast, no feasts or bad. But an empty stomach is also bad. Oh the conundrums of life. Having a light melatonin rich snack about 30 minutes before sleeping will help you feel sleepier. Melatonin rich foods include bananas, milk, oats, tomatoes, and pineapples.

I hope you guys have learned something from my few tips. If you have a method of getting better sleep that works, I'd love to know.





Saturday, August 23, 2014

10 Point Scale to Rate Attraction...um

Warning: this is a rant. read at your own risk ;)

I've recently been reading the blog "The Rules Revisited", and while Andrew writes really insightful
posts, his constant use of the 10 point scale to describe women irks me. I get that men like to have some standard type of rating, and that the scale is completely subjective to a person's taste. And if their peers all use it, it becomes an easy form of communication. But is rating a potential partner with numbers that necessary? I have never rated guys using the 10 point scale, but maybe some women out there do. Or maybe men tend to use it more than women.

Either way, I think the scale is stupid. If you like someone, you like him/her due to a culmination of looks, personality, achievement. And sometimes you guys simply click. Using the 10 point scale turns the whole romantic endeavor into some game. You start looking at potential partners like you would a painting, and everyone wants to snag the best one. People  are not linear and love is not a video game you can defeat. Love is more like a reckless adventure full of emotion and confusion. 
Using a scale sucks the enjoyment out of what you are experiencing.

And there's something else that bothers me: people love judging a couple based on their so called "difference in points", by saying how strange a 4 girl is with an 8 guy or vice versa. How superficial. In relationships there are aspects to a person so much more important than looks. When you're married for 20 years plus, what's holding the marriage together will not be your relative attractiveness. You guys need to compromise, understand each other, and communicate. In successful relationships, there will be a deeper connection that others may not see on the outside.

So if you haven't figured by now, I believe the 10 point scale was invented by naive 15 year olds with nothing better to do.
What do you all think about the 10 point scale? I'd love to know.

-InkSister

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Mannequin

A shadow in the headlight. A presence you barely know. But somehow his aura entices, invites, and strangles until you only have a blazing fire left. And you only have the two phrases, or looks, or imagination to fuel that fragile flame. But it is a flame nonetheless, and you keep it tucked inside the depths of your heart. So is the way of meaningless lust and far fetched fantasies that confiscate our being. Maybe it was his eyes, or his shoulders. Maybe it was the way he walked, or how he looked at you as if you were a somebody. 
So run. Run away from the shadow. Do not let the fire consume your entity, do not get burned before you even feel the warmth. Do not let the sparks confuse you. They are only lost bits of the fire, not awakened stars. 
And you, you are only the fleeting bluejay that once passed his path. 
A presence he never knew.

Being Single Rocks


This one is for the single nuggets out there. 

I'm single. Been single for 17 years and running. So my dating experience is a big fat zero, and I like to just tell myself I'm a "late bloomer". Sometimes, I imagine how sweet having a guy would be: the kisses, strong hugs, late night talks, warm fuzzy feelings every day...oh I could go on and on. He'll be there when I'm sad and I won't feel so alone in the world.
And other times, I wonder if there's something wrong with me. Am I some hideous being, or horrible at social interactions? Well yes, probably a tad true actually... >.<
I'm sure my fellow single ladies out there can relate. 
But despite the benefits of being in a relationship, I realize that it's not all that it is cracked up to be. Being in a relationship requires time, energy, and emotions. And I don't know if I'm ready to dedicate so much of myself for one booger (aka guy).

So I am content with being single. Actually, I'm absolutely, bumbling happy being single. I can flirt with whoever I want, and beautify myself not to impress some guy, but to make me feel good. And, at this point, I'm still learning to love myself. I am trying to accept my insecurities and feel confident every day. Not to mention, as a senior, the next four years of my life are on the line in the form of college applications. Oh dear. 
So I'd rather make sure I'm the person I want to be, before welcoming a guy into my confused soul. 

If you're also a single chick or a single guy, enjoy da single life. Mingle with others, make friends, widen your connections, and most importantly, make sure you're absolutely content with being alone. You should be happy on your own, instead of depending on someone else to make you happy.
You don't need anyone else to complete you.
Complete yourself.

With love,

-InkSister

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

How to Be More Productive

With summer almost ending, our lives are going to be much more hectic. And busy. And full of work. And stressful. We need to get our lazy butts off the couch and actually do stuff...yay....Since we will all need some motivation and inspiration, here are some tips for being more productive. 
I'm no perfect human, and I still struggle with keeping up with a schedule and actually doing everything I plan to. So maybe this will help both of us hehe. 
Let's try to better ourselves, end procrastination, and reach our goals.

1) Be more organized. Organizing everything you need to do in a planner will subsequently organize your own thoughts and mind. 

2) Prioritize what's important. Is planning for that party really more important than studying for tomorrow's test? Is texting your crush more important than doing your homework? No sweetie, they aren't. So do what's most important first. You're brain's still fresh and it'll make you feel like a weight's lifted off your shoulders.

I should listen to my own advice hehe, since I'm currently writing this blog when I should be writing college essays...

So you're not alone. Many of us could use some improvement in our habits.  ^.^


3) Do NOT get distracted. Like many, I am a victim of wandering thoughts and daydreams. So I
understand how hard it is to concentrate on a boring task when your mind is buzzing with other things. You're thinking about what he said that morning, the test next week, what you'll wear to that dance, what you'll eat tomorrow...everything but the work you have in front of you. Concentrating will need a strong will. It's almost like giving up drugs if you're an addict (okay maybe not the best analogy).
But you can do it. I know you can. We'll work on it together.


4) Give yourself awards after completing something. For instance, you can allow yourself a break or a snack once you're done with studying. This will motivate you some more and allow a positive reflex in your mind. Kinda like giving a dog a treat after he does a trick. Yes I'm comparing us to dogs. I used to eat chocolate or something before working because it made me less stressed. Do not do that. Eat that chocolate after working :D

I hope these tips help! I know they're easier said than done. Changing bad habits and being more productive will require a lot of will.
I find that with most things in life, we're battling ourselves. They're often the hardest battles to win. But once you do, you'll feel uplifted and accomplish so much more.

So hang in there my friend. You can do it.

-InkSister



Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil

Hey guys, here's a quick review of the Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil. I use this eyebrow pencil daily and
after about 2 years, it's become the length of my palm. Since this length is a perfect travel size, I have been contemplating on buying another eyebrow pencil and saving this one for on-the-go purposes.
I like this product, but it has not been perfect. If you're on the fence about buying it, my review will definitely help.

CONS:

  • It is a pencil that needs sharpening. Maybe some people prefer this. I do not because I'm lazy haha and sharpening is more of a hassle. 
  • After sharpening it, the pencil will have a more waxy texture than before, like a crayon versus a color pencil. I did not like this change in texture because it was harder to control and I'd sometimes smear on too much.
  • Brush sucks. It's stiff and hard. I never use it.
  • Not precise. If you have sparse eyebrows and plan to draw them in, this babe is not your gal. You'll enjoy a thin, automatic pencil such as the Maybelline or Anastasia Brow Wiz ones.
PROS:

  • Cheap. (about $3 to $5 depending on retailer). Great price for something that will last a long time. 
  • Good staying power. This does not claim to be waterproof or anything, but I think the waxy texture makes it more resilient to water. After washing my face, the product will sometimes still be seen on my brows. 
  •  It comes in three shades: hazel, dark brown, and black brown. I've heard a lot of people with blonde or brown hair like hazel. Dark brown has a reddish hue though, so be careful about that. I really like the black brown: it's almost black but warmer than a plain black or grey pencil and fits my hair/eyes perfectly. 
And also, the gliding power is good at first but get's worse after sharpening. Some people love the gliding power though, so I may just be using a crappy sharpener. 

Despite the cons, I will probably repurchase this because a lot of other drugstore brands I've researched do not have a color that fits me. And as of right now, I don't plan to splurge on a more high-end brow product. 

I hope this review was helpful. I'd love to know your HG brow pencil, or your thoughts on this one.

-InkSister

Monday, August 18, 2014

Do You Have Sanpaku Eyes?

Hey nuggets, I just learned a new terminology for describing eyes: Sanpaku. It originates from a Chinese term also used in Japanese that literally means "three whites". There are two types of Sanpaku eyes: Yin Sanpaku and Yan Sanpaku. Yin Sanpaku is when the whites of your eyes is visible under the iris, and Yan Sanpaku is when the whites are visible above your iris.

Some believe that sanpaku eyes indicate a mental, spiritual, or physical imbalance, due to drugs, bad diet, alcohol, stress, or fatigue. One's psychological state can stress optic nerves and pull the muscles up, thus revealing the white space underneath. While this imbalance may cause Sanpaku eyes for some people, for others it can just be a matter of the way your lower lid is positioned.

 Sanpaku eyes are seen as a rare condition in oriental countrie
s, but they're more common in other places due to different bone structures.
 John F. Kennedy, Marylin Monroe, Indira Ghandi, Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, Robert Pattinson, Lauren Bacall are all reported to have had Yin
Sanpaku eyes. And Charles Manson had Yang Sanpaku eyes.

I think Sanpaku eyes are really attractive. From now on, I'll probably creepily stare at my friends' and strangers' eyes just to see if they're Sanpaku... so watch out XD

Do any of you guys have Sanpaku eyes? Leave a comment below :)

-InkSister


Saturday, August 16, 2014

THE KEY TO ATTRACTION


Hey nuggets, today's post is on another loveydovey, romantic topic:
attraction.
Attraction is a tricky little devil because everyone has different tastes. And sometimes, we cannot even pinpoint the cause of our own attraction toward someone. I know first hand because I've crushed on all kinds of guys, and for half of them, I did not know why I even liked them. I just did. Simple as that.
Fast heartbeat. Rush of happiness. Non-stop replay of our interactions. 
But now, I realize a similarity: eye contact.

Eye contact is essential to communication, and when a potential partner gives you a full on gaze, them butterflies kick in. Locking eyes with someone, even a stranger, is an intimate experience because as the saying goes "eyes are the windows to your soul". Although I don't know about the whole "soul" thing, it's true that our eyes often display the emotions we feel. Strong eye contact portrays confidence as well, which is always an attractive trait.

It's a simple and easy flirtation trick that will make you seem interested, yet not desperate. So when you're out there trying to attract your crush, try looking him/her in the eyes. Subtly of course. Don't want to come off creepy ;) 

Hope this helps you guys in your romantic endeavors 

-InkSister

Friday, August 15, 2014

What Are Your Pimples Telling You?


Hey nuggets, today I wanted to share acne face mapping with you all. Face mapping is entering modern clinics with blazing popularity, and has its roots from ancient Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Using the technique of face mapping you can pinpoint the cause of your acne depending on where it exists. 
I really like this idea because it treats acne from the inside. It'll not only help blemishes, but also improve your whole well being. Natural and everything. Count me in. XD

Here are some changes you can make using face mapping:

Upper Forehead:  linked to Digestive System
  • Antioxidant foods
  • Less processed foods, control fat in diet
Lower Forehead: irregular sleeping, stress
  • Sleep earlier (ideally before 11pm), wakeup earlier
  • Meditate, deeper breaths
Between the Brows: linked to Liver
  • Adequate sleep (to rest liver)
  • Lighter foods: avoid alcohol, foods high in fat
  • Avoid late night snacks (again for that liver)
Nose: linked to Heart

  • Check blood pressure and Vitamin B levels
  • Lower cholesterol (eat good fats like omega 3 in nuts, avocados, fish)
  • Less pungent food, less salt and meat
Ears: linked to Kidney
  • Drink more water
  • Less salt and caffeine

Cheeks: linked to Lungs/ Respiratory System
  • Check allergies
  • Avoid smoking,

Mouth and Center Chin: linked to Stomach
  • Eat fresh food, high fibers
Sides of Chin: Reproductive Organs and Kidney
  • Hormonal Imbalance and Menstrual Cycle huge factors
  • Relax, eat foods that help balance hormones

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Types of Crushes

There are plenty of different crushes out there. Which one are YOU experiencing right now?


1) Friend Crush: This is the most common type. You start off friends, get to know him, then bam: them darn feelings and jitters start. It's especially complicated, annoying, yet heartwarming when your friend crush is your best friend.

2) Celebrity Crush: One of the more silly crushes, especially if this celebrity has a girlfriend, wife, or kids. There's a 99% chance of it never working out, yet you hold onto that 1%: hope with all your might, stalk his social media, and drool over his pictures. 

3) Stranger Crush: Another silly crush, but at least you've seen this guy in person ;) He's the guy who's in your 5th period class, working next door, getting lunch at the same time, working out on the treadmill next to you
. You've never talked to him, and know only snippets of information. Sometimes, you don't even know his name or how his voice sounds. You have this idea of the guy to fuel your desire. That is all. My advice: try getting to know him ;)

4) Never-Ever-Happening Crush: This is a crush that you know will never occur. Some celebrity crushes will definitely fall into this category, but friend crushes can as well. These crushes are off limits: he's your friend's crush, another girl's longtime boyfriend, etc. You know it's not possible...yet...you guys would be so compatible together... Oh the agony. My advice: Quit dreaming. I know it's harder said than done, but tis possible girl. You can do it.

5) Unreciprocated Crush: He just does not like you back. No matter what you do, how pretty, how funny, how awesome you are, he does not feel the same. These crushes can be heartbreaking and annoying to no end. Don't worry, we've all been there. And it sucks, I know. :(

6) Going Smoothly Crush: Now this is the kind of crush we all envy. The kind that has barely any complications. He actually seems to like you back, you guys connect from the beginning, and sooner or later, you'll probably be dating each other. If you're experiencing this kind of a crush, girlll, you lucky. And tell me your secrets >.<

So here are the most common types of crushes. Having a crush is like going on an emotional roller coaster. It can be frustrating, devastating, time-consuming, or...sometimes, great.

But don't forget that crushes can work out. Some boys, men, boogers, whatever you call them, are decent and worth your love. Until then, we're stuck here simply crushin'.

Peace&Love

InkSister

Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner




Yo nuggets. Here's a quick review of the  Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner. Now I use this eyeliner everyday, so definitely one of my holy grails. It comes in a ton of colors: brown, black, blue, purple, gold, bright blue, green. I use the brown one for a more natural everyday look, and the black one when I want added drama.

Background of my eyes:
Asian monolids (aka no crease). Also rather watery and oily so a lot of eyeliners smear on me.

CONS:

  • Brush tip applicator: I personally think this is a con because it gives me less control and precision than felt tips
  • Does not dry quickly: I've smeared the eyeliner by accident..oops. And drying slowly does not make it easier to redo if you make a mistake...nope 

PROS:

  • AMAZING staying power. It's incredible. Stays on for more than 10 hrs.  I've gotten drenched in rain, swum laps in a pool, taken a shower, and this stuff does not budge. 
  • Very pigmented and smooth application once you get the hang of the brush applicator. 
  • Great color selection. The purple and dark blue are not too bright, but add a nice subtle pop of color

FINAL VERDICT:

I will definitely continue to purchase this product because my biggest problem with eyeliners is staying power. If you have similar problems and are more experienced with applying liquid eyeliner, you'll love the Milani Infinite. If your eyeliners don't usually smear and you simply want a convenient, fast applying liquid eyeliner, there are other eyeliners that can top this one.

What's your favorite liquid eyeliner?  :)

-InkSister

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Natural Acne Fighter: The Tomato


Hey gals, looking for a natural way to improve your skin? Well a tomato could be your best friend.  

Free radicals are one of the root causes of acne: they breakdown protein and fatty acids on the skin, disturb skin's pH, and harms sebaceous glands. And tomatoes, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants (carotene, lycopene, anthocynanin), break down these horrible free radicals. Physically applied to the skin, they act not only as acne fighters, but also as astringents and sun burn treatments. 

 I used to have a DIY Acne phase where I'd use all kinds of natural treatments for my stubborn pimples. And tomatoes have helped my skin the most. I used a tomato mask every day for a week, and saw instant improvement. 

Here's how I use it:

1) Cut a slice of tomato, and smear the juice on my face
2) Leave for about an hour. Yes ONE WHOLE HOUR. I find it works best this way because the tomato juice absorbs into the skin and does its thing.  

And by the way, I have combination skin: oily t-zone, blackheads & frequent clogging in my nose, but rather normal skin on my cheeks. I usually get acne on my forehead, between the eyebrows, and have redness around my nose. Since everyone has different types of skin, what works for me may not work for you. 

But you'll never know if you don't try it ;)  Let me know your experience with tomatoes in the comment section below!

Monday, August 11, 2014

Ready for HIGH SCHOOL?

Hey nuggets. School's soon approaching...crap. Let's all run and hide before they steal our summer away. XD

Too bad time can't freeze. We gotta face our fears, dread, and plain annoyance like a pro. This post is for the new high schoolers out there. If you're in middle school or elementary,  you may also learn a little and have some early mental preparation. As a rising senior, I have a ton of advice for all of you.

1)  People will change. You will change. Change is not necessarily bad; it comes with the territory of growing up. So don't be surprised when your friends act a little different or hang out with other types of people. I know it's hard to accept at times, but just remember that it's a natural part of life.

2) There will be "cliques". But it's not the cliques that you see in movies (Mean Girls *coughcough*). Most people will have a group of people they eat lunch and hang out with more often. And there are groups associated more with "popularity", but at least in my school, they're the ones who party more, drink alcohol, and hook up. If that's what you want, go crazy, but in my opinion, that life is not appealing. So don't spend your time envying the "populars".

3) Value your education. These next 4 years are vital for your future. Your grades and standarized testing will partly dictate the college you get into. So don't forget to study hard.

4) Join a lot of clubs. Sign up for plenty of clubs because they will email you and update you on meetings. After attending a couple of meetings, you can then narrow the clubs down to the ones that you want to focus your time on.

5) You will survive. There will be times when you feel alone in the world, times when you think no one understands you. You might experience a couple of heartbreaks or unreciprocated crushes. But even though it may feel like the end of the world, it's not. Just stay strong, and I promise life will get better.

These are just a few tips/info that I could think of right now. Hopefully they broadened your perspective a bit. Remember to enjoy every moment of this new experience. That's something I wish I did more. If you guys have any questions, leave them below and I will answer them!

Peace & Love,
InkSister

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Sunscreen101: What Broad Spectrum Really Means

 A lot of brands like to flaunt the fact that their sunscreen is a "broad spectrum" sunscreen, oh how fancy. But what does broad spectrum even mean?? Well you're in for a treat because I'm going to demystify this mysterious label for you guys :)





UV stands for Ultraviolet radiation, which has wavelengths shorter than visible light, thus making it invisible to the naked eye.
These wavelengths are classified into 3 groups:
UVA, UVB, UVC. 
UVA is the longest, UVB middle, UVC shortest wavelength 
UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer (it doesn't reach the earth!), so UVA and UVB are our main       concern for skin cancer and other skin diseases.



A broad spectrum sunscreen is one that "provides proportional protection against UVA and UVB rays". Yes, that how a sunscreen can pass the FDA's Broad Spectrum Test.
In other words, broad spectrum means UVA and UVB protection. Simple as that. 
I hope this helps!
-Twangster

Sunscreen 101: Breakdown of Ingredients

Hey nuggets! In lieu of summer, I wanted to create a SUNSCREEN 101 series. I bet you guys think I'm a sunscreen addict (cough*previous post*cough). And I guess I am, just a little bit. But it's because sunscreen is an essential way to protect your skin. Neglecting sun protection is like butchering the foundation of a house. Since I'm sure you don't want a crappy house that will crumble in a few days, you should incorporate sunscreen into your life. ;)

Breakdown of the Ingredients:
In order to find a sunscreen that fits your needs, checking out the ingredients is very helpful.

--- First off there are chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreens:     
"absorb UV rays and convert the sun's energy into heat energy"
- They are carbon compounds made in the laboratory. About 22 now exist.
Ex: avobenzone, ecamsule, octinoxate, oxybenzone

Physical sunscreens:
"deflect and scatter rays before they penetrate your skin"
-They are natural minerals ground into fine powder. The two types are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

CHEMICAL VS PHYSICAL?
Alright here's a comparison of chemical and physical sunscreens:

Physical sunscreens are technically more natural, since they are not laboratory processed. They also do not decompose after sun exposure, therefore lasting longer on your skin. In addition, you can storm out of the house right after physical sunscreen application, while with chemical sunscreen, you'll need to apply it 10-20 minutes before sun exposure. Downside of the physical? More greasy and usually leave a white cast. Due to this greasiness and all, physical sunscreens might clog pores and cause acne on acne prone/oily skin. Chemical sunscreens usually feel a lot lighter and nicer on the skin, and are much more makeup friendly.

So the type of sunscreen you choose depends on your skin and your skin's needs. I personally like the idea of physical sunscreens. If you do to, but have oily or acne prone skin, try out powder sunscreens. My previous post was about a powder sunscreen that I really like, so check that out if you are interested. 

This Sunscreen101 thing was actually supposed to be one post, but I'm breaking it up into a series of posts because there's just too much to talk about haha. So yes there will more.. I could probably dedicate this whole blog to sunscreen...yikes. ^.^






Saturday, August 9, 2014

Colorscience Powder Sunscreen


Now we all know how important sun protection is. But most sunscreen are oily, thick and plain annoying. Good news guys, I've recently discovered the Colorscience Sunforgettable Broad Spectrum Spf 50 Powder Sunscreen. Powder sunscreen, what an invention haha. I'll begin with basic info, cons, and pros. If you guys want to simply read my very helpful tip, just scroll down a bit :)

Here's the basic  info :

  • "Powder Brush" Container, swirl brush on face for product to come out
  • Comes in 3 colors: Light, Medium, Tan (I believe there is a translucent one for Colorscience Spf 30 , couldn't find one for Spf 50)
  • Water Resistant (80 minutes)
  • Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (23.9%) Zinc Oxide (24.1%). This means it is a barrier sunscreen, not a chemical
  • Size: 6 g 0.21 oz
  • Price: $60 on Colorscience Website,  $25 for refill container         $50 on Amazon, $24 for refill container

CONS:
  • Packaging is horrible. Very hard to get product out through the brush.
  • Expensive
  • Low color range, and I've heard the translucent version has a white cast, which is understandable since the active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
PROS
  • Great sun protection. I especially like it being a barrier sunscreen, more natural
  • Nice, fine consistency
  • Can be put over makeup, or used alone for light coverage
VERY HELPFUL TIP:

So as you guys will notice from the pros and cons, I like the product itself. Packaging and cost are atrocious though. Luckily for you guys, I have devised a way to get around the packaging and expense. 

Loose Mineral Powder Container 
  1. Buy the refill container, yes I repeat buy the REFILL container, which is $25 versus the $60 bucks.
  2. Transfer the product to a loose mineral powder container. Now a loose mineral powder container is like the bare minerals makeup containers: aka contains a sifter. (I am personally going to buy the Purity Refillable Compact because it's convenient for on the go usage.)
  3. Use a powder friendly brush like a kabuki brush and YAY. YOU NOW HAVE A WAY AROUND THE PACKAGING AND COST.
I hope this helps you guys. If it does, please let me know! 

Thursday, August 7, 2014

An intro..

I've decided to write a short intro to my blog because intros are like templates to everything that comes after them. Beginnings are always tough, whether its a new friendship, first paragraph, or first date. There's something about prowling a new territory that is both exhilarating and terrifying. So here I go. Beginning this blog...yikes.