Shiny Cocoa

Your wanderess slash beauty and fashion junkie in the flesh.

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Travel diary: Bali #3, lunch at NOOK.

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Travel diary: Bali #2, The Mulia in the morning.

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Travel diary: Bali #1, Pandawa beach from above.

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In my bag: YSL Black Opium, Moleskin, Dior glasses, Balenciaga wallet

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Skin is IN!

Hellloooo my dear Tumblr!

It’s been a long long time since I have last posted something here but alas here I am. So today’s title is about Skin as you can all see, but first let me do a disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist or beautician and the products that works for me might not work for you and this post is not sponsored by the brands that I mention.

Okay so moving on, I’ve been having some good days with my skin lately I don’t know how though. I still get those PMS acne from time to time but not as bad, and you know what’s changing? Yep you guessed it! My skin care routine, here’s the full detail.

1. Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser

Once upon a time my skin was super sensitive with my (then) skin care and decided to upgrade to this milk cleanser and the rest is history. I use this to remove my makeup as a start to a clean skin and yes since I frequently wear makeup I fall to the double cleanse routine.

2. The Body Shop Moisture White Shiso Make-up Cleansing Oil

I was not a huge fan of cleansing oils back there and instead used a cleansing cream to double cleanse, afterwards when I ran out of cleansing cream my friend told me to visit The Body Shop since I have to go out of town the next day I picked out the cleansing oil based on its travel friendliness. Come to think of it, I am glad I did because it has been my favorite and never have I look forward to remove makeup but because of this baby, I am.

3. Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser

At first I was going to try the Charisma Cleanser, but I decided to purchase this because it is said that the cleanser is targeted for more oily prone skin. And mine is combination with a lot of dryness and a messy oily T-zone. I don’t like the smell but for the hefty price tag, I have to say it is worth it. I use it twice a day; morning and night since late January this year until now. Still have about half of its content so I will probably purchase another one by the end of the year. After using it for a while I noticed my skin is becoming more and more (well) like a skin instead of sand paper.

4. Laneige Clear-C Advanced Effector

I stumbled upon Laneige when I was walking around with a friend of mine and decided to pick this up. I am a firm believer in SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, but I want to know whether this is working for me or not. And it is! I usually wait until a week prior using but three days after religiously applying this on my face, no break outs, no redness, nothing. The bonus part is my skin is much more touchable now.

5. Laneige Water Bank Essence_EX

I am not that fond of Korean skin care line since my very bad experience with a certain shop of theirs which completely break me out. But when my cousin in Japan raved about it, I know I have to give it a try. This essence is designed to hydrate the skin and its claim said that it can keep skin hydrated for 24 hours. Well not 24 hours to me but this don’t break me out like those other brand so yeah, well done me!

6. Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream

First impression, I don’t like the smell that much. But once I get pass it I loveee how it actually helps my skin feel smooth and moisturized during the day even. Of course my T-zone is oily as usual but not as much. Will be purchasing the other cream just in case the weather is colder.

7. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

You can check all the raves about this product on google perhaps but to me this is worth the hype. I decided to book myself a facial yesterday and the previous night I used the sleeping mask before I went to bed. You know what I hate about facials? Extraction. But with this baby the night before it does not hurt as usual, even the facialist was shock when I did not even wince when she pulled out all of my blackheads and whiteheads. I usually put this on after I use the Water Bank Essence and skip the gel cream.

8. Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil

What to say about this oil? Pricey? Yes, Hype? Yes, Worth it? YES!

This I use twice or three times a week substituting cream because to me the oil itself is enough to keep my skin supple til the morning. But beware to those who cannot stand lemon scents, this smells so so lemony. If you can bear it, give this a try. It might seem a bit off, you have oily skin yet you use oil. Well I thought about this before I purchase my first bottle (currently on my second bottle now) and what if the oils we have on our skin is actually the result of skin trying to stay hydrated? What happens if I put oil on top of my skin? Will it be more oily? Wronggg.. In the morning my skin is less oily and supple beyond belief with frequent use you will get the result.

Take care of your skin now before regretting it in the future, babes.

XO,

DM

[shinycocoa]

July Favorites: YSL Cushion in B40, MAC Lipstick in Taupe, Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette.

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XOXO

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Current fave: Messy bob

In pic: Phoebe Tonkin and Lea Seydoux

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Yours and Only Yours

No, I’m not going to go and discuss about my relationship with someone hahaha. This is actually a post that will discuss about self love before you can love someone other than yourself. Now, can you answer this question.. how many times in a day did you look at yourself in the mirror and wish that you could change something from your look? A more straight nose, skinnier, tanner, or maybe wishing you can grow a few inches taller. Do you ever have those days when you just want to drown because your friend look so much better than you?

Those self doubts and insecurities are normal but letting it get to your head too much may cause you to degrade yourself and lower your self esteem. You don’t need prince charming to tell you that you’re beautiful . And sure as hell you don’t need Bruno Mars singing it to you 24/7. If you ask me whether or not do I have those doubts and insecurities then I’m going to answer your question with a yes. I am not perfect, I am far from it. I hate how easily my skin reacts to certain temperature or how super duper easy it is to spot a few breakouts on my skin, and not to mention how actually short I am in real life (Hence the sky high killer heels).

But I am comfortable with my own skin, even if it takes so long to accept it as they are. I mean so what if I get breakouts once in a while because of stress or hormones? Isn’t that normal? I mean it certainly means I am still a human being. My mom told me once that the first step of loving someone else is loving yourself. I’m not talking about being a narcissistic here, just that we need to embrace what we already have.

So honey, don’t hide your freckles or your dimples. They are a part of who you are. Make up is there to help you embrace it not to hide it. If a guy tells you you’re ugly then he doesn’t deserve you, Never ever ever depend your self worth to anyone’s opinion of you or their reaction. You are yourself and no one else can be you. The more you feel comfortable with yourself, the more it will show on your outer self and trust me when the time is right someone is bound to be drawn to you.

BE HAPPY. BE CONFIDENT. BE POSITIVE.

[shinycocoa]

Current Mood

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Color Treated Hair: Dos and Don’ts

I know, I know, I’ve been writing too much but I guess this one is worth to share. Ok long story short, I’ve been dying my hair since I was in my early teenage years and apparently now I am sticking with more neutral colors rather than vibrant ones. From strawberry blonde to cherry red and blue, I’ve done it all and you know what I got from all those? A super dry and weak hair. I’m talking about serious hair fall and dryness that I have to pay with trips to my hairdresser so many times in three months just to regain its strength back.

My hair (according to my colorist) is super easy to absorb the dye, that’s why I get a satisfying result when I dye my hair but the downside is well... my hair tends to be so dry and falling after I color it. Once I went through a bad hair fall that my hairdresser keeps telling me to give my hair a break once in a while and just let it breathe. After a while putting her advice to work, my hair stops falling so badly. Of course I use some products she suggests. So here’s the Dos and Don’ts.

Dos:

1. Give your hair a time to breathe after coloring, do not color your hair again if it’s not satisfying enough for you right after the first one. Give it two weeks or so before that.

2. Invest in color-enhancing products. Ammonia free products designed for colored hair helps you to keep the color alive.

3. Use conditioner. Why? because when you dye your hair the chemicals are breaking the nutrition for your hair so it is very crucial that you help your hair maintain it by using a conditioner. Do not rinse it out until the end of the shower because the steam from your shower will help the conditioner penetrates deeper.

4. Protect your hair from the sun. If the sun could cause non-colored hair to be dull, chances are it will cause the same to your colored hair.

Don’ts:

1. Shampoo too often. It’s best to leave your hair greasy because the oils will help your hair promotes its shine. But if it gets too greasy you can use dry shampoo instead.

2. Do not use hot water when rinsing your hair. Hot water will strip your color because it opens up cuticles and it will cause color loss.

3. Do not overheat. High heat will also dull your hair color by roughing the cuticles. If you can’t air dry, a tourmaline and ceramic grill blow dryer will help smoothing cuticles without damaging it. Flat irons can dry out hair, so use heat protective product like sprays or serum to protect your hair.

It is also important to know exactly what you’re doing before you decide on coloring your hair, as expensive as it may cause, it is better for the salon to do it rather than by yourself at home. Why? Because they know what they’re doing to your hair and will help guide you to the right hair color that suits your skintone. I would personally rather do that than dying my hair at home because my colorist will definitely help me with color choices and what products are best for my hair.

Products I’m currently using for my colored treated hair:

-L’Oreal Color Glow Mythic Oil: My colorist got me addicted with this stuff, used to be in love with the regular one but hey this one also helps.

-Natures Organics Dry Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner: A friend of a friend told me about this and I was curious so I tried and damn, my hair is so easy to manage and I love the smell. Maybe I’m going to try the Colour Shield one, once I’m done with this.

-L’Oreal Mythic Oil Masque: I still am a total Kerastase fan but the price is a bit overwhelming here. So I found a replacement albeit not the same.

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Eyes to Kill: How to Find Your Mascara

I have developed a new habit in terms of beauty, as of lately I have been crazy about mascara! Like I am obsessed with it that I bought two different ones in one night.

So as someone who swears by Maybelline’s Magnum Volum’ Express since it’s easy to find, I cannot help but to feel curious about finding my perfect mascara match. Of course this doesn’t come easy because I tend to be incredibly moody when it comes to putting on mascara, some days I want a fuller lashes, then the next day I want a false lashes effect. It’s impossible to keep up with the effect so yes I bought different mascaras for different effect.

1. Brushes defines the mascara

Like other products the applicator defines how well it will look on you.

Crescent Shape: Helps you to curl your lashes

Bristle-free: Gets right to the lash line (they usually have ridges still)

Cone-shaped: Lengthen and stretch the lashes

Double-tapered: Thicken all the lashes

Comb: Extreme definition

2. Formula Matters

Well duh, everybody knows that formula of the product  does matter.

Volumizing/thickening: Promises to fatten up your wimpy lashes (Maybelline Magnum Volum’ Express)

Defining: Darken your lashes individually fro root to tip (Lancome Definicils)

Curling: Bend straight lashes (Dior Iconic Overcurl)

Lengthening: Elongate lashes (Benefit Bad Gal Lash)

Waterproof: Lasts through tears, sweat, and water related activity.

Brightening/enhancing: Usually not in black, accentuate eye and help them look bigger depending on the eye color.

So there you have it the guide to find your perfect mascara. And here’s a tip for you, no makeup doesn’t mean you’re not wearing anything. 

My tips:  

1. Sunblock (mine is Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Water Light Lotion)

2. Mascara (whichever do you prefer) (I go with Maybelline’s Magnum Volum’ Express)

3. Eyebrow Pencil (usual fav of mine is Maybelline’s Fashion Brow pair with NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil)

4. Lipbalm (I use Fresh Tinted Balm in Petal)

You can wear what’s best for your skin in terms of products and brands.

Toodles!

xo

[shinycocoa]

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Lip(sticks)

You guys are probably rolling your eyes at the title hahaha, how do I know this? well cause I’ve been raving on and on about my love for lipsticks and I found myself incapable of not trying new shades, types, or brands that it got me thinking to actually turn my instagram into a lipstagram. But, to see that I am still sane enough maybe I will just create another account. On the other hand I did try a few news shades and types of lipsticks.

1. ColourPop Lippie Stix

ColourPop was born and raised in LA. They thook the phrase “if you can dream it, you can do it” and specialize in making super killer (killaaah) makeup in every shade imaginable with a price everyone can afford. So that’s the company’s background, now let’s skip to my favorite part! The review! So I bought this lippie stix online and after careful consideration my heart was set on the shade Lady, I remember my mom cringed at the thought of me wearing a deep burgundy shade but I just went on with it. One day afterwards, the package arrived. At first I thought, with a pencil-like package the texture would be like my kohl eyeliner a bit stiff although applicable but boy I was wrong. It glides on smoothly and the color is very pigmented! I wore it today almost 8 hours and even though I drink and eat the color lasts all day! A plus for me because I hate it when my lipstick fades. To say the least, I am impressed with their very pigmented color and definitely will repurchase this in the near future (i’m talking about next month *wink*).

Ratings: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Pros: -Pigmented Color

         -Easy to apply

         -Lightweight (both the packaging and lipstick texture)

         -Moisturizing although matte (luuuurv!)

         -Affordable

Cons: -Transfer when you eat or drink

          -Not kiss proof

2. Wet n Wild Megalast Lip Color

Another winner for me personally because it doesn’t cost that much yet the colors offered by wnw covers everything from nude to vampy. And in case you guys are on a tight budget this is definitely your go to lipstick! I found out recently that several MAC lipsticks are quite similar to wnw shades. Like the uber famous MAC Diva is quite identical to wnw cherry bomb. So, in case you never give this baby a chance. You should! P. S I bought mine in Ravin Raisin.

Ratings:  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Pros: -Affordable

         -Pigmented color

         -Matte

         -Easy to find

         -Offers lots of colors

Cons: -Feels a bit lumpy when your lips are chapped (scrub em first ladiess before applying this lippie)

3. Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color

Well this one is a bit over priced than the two above, but needless to say I need to review this. I bought mine in the shade 404 Julia, which was named after Coco’s family and in this collection it is honored by the nudes color. They apparently have a system. Nudes are family, Pinks are best friends, Reds are lovers. Corals are muses, Plums are artists. I didn’t get it at first but well, I asked a few friends and have to re-read Coco Chanel’s biography to understand it again.

Ratings:  ☆ ☆ ☆

Pros: -Buildable coverage

         -Luxurious packaging

         -Smooth texture

Cons: -Transfers

          -Not that pigmented (they are but still I see very little color on my lips after eating and have to reapply)

          -Expensive (for suree)

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Dope!

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Emma Stone for Interview Magazine May 2015