Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub Review

Hello Lovelees!

Sorry I've been quiet but Rachelle has been cooking up a storm with all her awesome DIY fashion.  You guys' readership has been totally fuelling her passion and practice makes perfect cos she's getting pretty fast at showing off her new projects and rocking them!

I've just been back from 3 wks in Hk/taipei and have some makeup and skincare haul and shopping tips  to provide you guys with.  I've been a bit slow cos i'm getting weirdly hindered with a lot of aches and pains lately sighz...

To ease back into it I want to share with you one of my new skincare faves - Lip Scrub!



WHY?
Summer/spring coming up it is an even bigger opportunity to rock a bright happy lipstick or gloss.  But if  you've ever tried a lipstick that is especially light and matte -either pastel or just bright- if you haven't been taking care of your lips then this will definitely show you up! :(  The lipstick would gather in your lines and dead skin .  Your lips will look uneven and clumpy - and that will be the first thing others will see with your attention grabbing lipstick...



BEFORE:
I mean I thought I knew a thing or two with lip scrubbing and exfoliating, e.g. use a toothbrush to massage it when you are brushing your teeth; or use a warm wet towel to massage it when you are washing your face; and of course the DIY home remedies with sugar lip scrubs (ok so I didn't try that one because I'm lazy and seems a waste and hassle when you make up a batch and really you only need like a tablespoonful at a time).

NOW:
So I've read good things about the Tony Moly Kiss Kiss Lip scrub so I've decided to try it! The texture of the scrub is a light mousse feel with small visible granules with a gentle strawberry aroma.  This is all packaged in a cute hot pink plastic lip shaped container, inside it also has a plastic cover slip to help avoid product leakage.

INSTRUCTIONS:
 from Sasa.com (where you can get it from) is

1. Gently massage a proper amount onto the lips for 1 – 2 minutes.
2. Rinse with lukewarm water.
3. Apply once or twice a week.

According to Sasa.com: It is made with natural ingredients that will not irritate your lips including argan oil that will nourish and hydrate them.

A quick google though also has other information eg from ebay saying it has UV control Lip essence for antiaging, macadamia and jojoba oil to soothe dry lips, honey to provide a variety of nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acid, with the vegetable grain scrub.

I'm sorry I can't read Korean on the labels so can't say definitively but there is in the Kiss Kiss range also the Kiss Kiss Lip Essence Balm (same size/shape packaging but red coloured lips) .  I wonder if the UV part of the above is talking about that despite the picture/description,  because I know for a fact that the Lip Essence balm does have UV protection.

But let's just say for sure from it's actual usage I don't have the unsightly dead skin bunching the lipstick and immediately post scrub my lips feel moisturised and the following lip balm almost slips, rather than glides along my lips when I apply it!


If you prefer video talk and live demo:

BONUS:
I tend to have some hyperpigmentation on the corner of my lips and i feel that scrubbing around that area has also lightened the darkness there :) Note - don't be too vigorous with the scrubbing otherwise you will leave yourself a stinging and ravaged kind of sensation...I learnt it the hard way haha - i missed the word GENTLY in the instructions...

If I run out of it I will definitely be buying again!

;)Connie

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DIY Lace-up Back

Hey Lovelees!

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've been busy with school and Connie over here has been traveling again! Today's DIY is inspired by this picture from Vogue Street Style. It just perfectly mixes the sporty trend with a classic leather jacket. The lace-up back is a small detail with a whole lotta oomph. So go ahead, take a teeny break from those darn awful finals, and try out this DIY!

Materials:

- leather jacket
- black leather/faux leather scraps
- red cord

- e6000 glue
- scissors
- ruler
- lighter
- optional: plastic cord stopper (mine is from an old backpack)

Instructions:

1. Cut the back of your jacket, so you end up with 2 pieces. Try to use a jacket that has a seam at the back, so it will make this step easier.

2. Cut the vinyl into 10 rectangles measuring approximately 1 cm x 3 cm.

3. Fold these in half and glue. Make sure to leave enough space for your cord to go through! Let dry.

4. Place 5 loops on one side of the jacket and glue in place. Do the same on the other half of the jacket. Let dry again.

5. If your jacket has a lining, glue it to the outside of the jacket, sandwiching the loops between the two layers. I used paper clips to keep it in place while it dried. Ghetto I know, but it works!

6. Thread the cord through the loops to create a criss-crossing pattern.

7. Use a lighter on the cord ends to keep them from fraying.

8. Knot the ends together or thread them through the cord stopper.

And know you have an uber sweet lace-up back leather jacket! It's perfect for the spring weather here in Edmonton, and trust me, it will go with every outfit. Please don't hesitate to let me know how it goes!

LOVE
Rachelle
Follow me on Twitter! @RachelleMLee @makeyoulovelee
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DIY Grid Shirt - Western Canada Fashion Week

Hey Lovelees!

The last week has been so exciting, as I showed some of my DIY pieces during Western Canada Fashion Week! I participated in the Stylist Competition, but I also helped a student group from the University of Alberta called ECO-Style. ECO-Style's show consisted of DIY'ed clothes created by the whole group. I decided to have a tutorial for one of the pieces I did for the show: the grid shirt. Click here to see it on the runway!

It's mod but in a delicate way, and it's super easy!

Materials:

- white/cream blouse or shirt
- black fine permanent fabric marker
- ruler

Optional:
- black beads
- needle and thread

Instructions:

1. Lay your blouse out on a flat surface. Put some scrap paper inside, so that the marker doesn't bleed onto the other side of the shirt.

2. Lay your ruler on the shirt, and use the marker to draw horizontal lines across the shirt. I left about 3 inches between each line. Drawing the lines may be tricky, but just take your time, and carefully make short strokes along the ruler.

3. Draw vertical lines across the horizontal ones, with 3 inches between each line again. Don't worry about making perfect 90 degree angles, it looks better if it's imperfect!

Optional step: Once the marker has dried, sew a bead onto each intersection of the grid.

And now you have a classic white shirt with a mod twist. This patterned shirt seriously goes with everything!

Rachelle
@RachelleMLee @makeyoulovelee
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*updated by Connie Apr 8 2013*
look what I found at Zara in Hong Kong after I saw the post from Rachelle!!

Orange and Pink Spring Look

Hello Lovelees!!

This look would be great for summer/ spring coupled with bold coloured outfits.  Not busy. Just bold and sharp block colours.




Products used:

Face:
Skin79 Super + Hot Pink BB cream
Amazing Cosmetics Concealer (Given by a friend - but I know you can buy from Sephora!)- Medium Beige
Tarte Smooth Operator Translucent Powder
Arezia  Eyeshadow and Blush palette (Given by my same friend -it's a Japanese brand she found to try) - Peach blush
Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer -Heat Wave

Eyes:
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - Milk
Arezia Palette  - Fiery Tangerine orange, Medium Blue-based pink (ie pink leaning very subtly to purple),
Lorac Pro Palette - Taupe, White, Espresso
Sephora Aspen Summit No.23 Eyeshadow (shimmery white)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil - Yeyo
Wet n Wild Liquid Eyeliner -Black-Brown
Maybelline Full n Soft Waterproof mascara - Black

Lips:

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick -Airy Fairy
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick -Twinkled Pink

Check out the Vid tutorial:

As a brief review the Arezia palette is a very fun and colourful palette with amazing presentation and variety.  However I think the colour payoff is not the strongest but the powder is fine enough to not leave chalky chunks on a single swipe swatch.  Be mindful to make sure you prime your lids well- the orange eyeshadow did stain my lids mildly and temporarily after I first removed my eyeshadow after wearing it for 5hrs.

Wet n Wild Liquid Eyeliner in Black Brown was a new purchase for me and the performance being budge-proof will not hold very well against oily lids. So prime and oil control well.  I found laying down a combo of Tarte Smooth Operator plus some eyeshadow powder before applying the eyeliner worked well.  Wearing the eyeliner by itself will not, as opposed to how Loreal Lineur Intense (my favourite liquid eyeliner) can hold its own.  The applicator comes to a stiff pointed tip so control is quite easy.  In conclusion, long as you put in the correct oil control preparation on your lids - this liquid eyeliner is a pretty good bang for buck!

Hard Candy So Baked Bronzer in Heat Wave - it costed about $CAD10 in Walmart and I think it's awesome quality.  Baked powder products has a characteristic dome shape and they're always so cute!  Baked products also mean that it can be used dry, or wet for a more intense colour. It has the mildest gold shimmer without looking glittery and it's also not too orange.



Try it- it might be a bit out there but it's actually pretty wearable and striking, fun look to do!

;) Connie  Follow Twitter @makeyoulovelee ; Facebook: makeyoulovelee

DIY Wood Grain Print

Why hello there Lovelees!

Printed pants are all the rage right now, from sweet polka dots to insane snake skin. I thought of a print of my own to put on a pair of jeans: wood grain! It's an interesting pattern that isn't too overwhelming, especially with the color combo I used. So go ahead and try out this unique and easy-peasy print!

Materials:

- a pair of jeans/pants
- fabric paint
- wood grain stamp (I got mine from Michaels)

- paint brush

Instructions:

1. Lay out your jeans on a large, flat surface.

2. Squeeze dollop of paint on a paper plate or scrap paper. Brush the paint onto the stamp to create a smooth and consistent layer.

3. Place the stamp on the pants and press firmly.

4. Continue stamping until the whole front side of the jeans is covered.

5. Let it dry completely, then flip the pants over and continue stamping the other side.

6. Leave it to dry overnight. Be patient!

And now you have a pair of the coolest printed pants! I think it would also be so styling to paint white wood grain onto black jeans. AND you can also use the stamp on pretty much any article of clothing. The possibilities are endless...

Love you my lovelees!

Rachelle @RachelleMLee @MakeYouLovelee

Parabens in cosmetics:the debate

Hello Lovelees!

A “paraben-free” product trend has been noticed particularly in the last few years, and therefore increasingly more mainstream cosmetics companies are producing at least some products in their line to be “paraben-free”.

So what are parabens? I did a bit of research for myself and tried the best I could to simplify and share what I managed to absorb...

Parabens are a family of chemical preservatives found in a majority of cosmetic and personal care products.  They increase shelf life by inhibiting the growth of bacterial and fungal contaminants.  Most often on ingredient labels they are listed with the suffix "–paraben" eg methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben etc. Even at very low levels (usually between 0.01% to 0.3% in skincare) they are extremely proficient at combating bacteria and microbes.  Bacteria love water and the fats in your cosmetics, plus the warm moist environment of your bathroom where your products are often stored.  They are introduced everytime you stick your finger in a jar or make any contact with the product, and without preservatives, your product will go off by changing to become rancid, smelly and/ or separate.

So we definitely need some sort of preservative in our cosmetics – what’s the problem with parabens?  They happen to be cheap and effective…sounds awesome!

The most notable study in the parabens debate was conducted by Darbre in 2004.  They had found parabens to be present in 18 out of 20 samples of breast cancer biopsy results.  It was criticized however for the small study size and that it was not definitive where the parabens had come from or if they had caused the cancers, but rather simply, that they were present. 

Consider that there are many other compounds in the environment that are able to mimic estrogen activity.  Parabens do have weak estrogen-like properties, being 10 000 to 100 000 times less strong than natural estrogens (the estradiol hormones) , if we are analyzing the role of estrogens in breast cancer development. Parabens are widely present, in personal care products, cosmetics and even foods (can even be naturally occurring in blueberries!).  There have been other studies that have found some form of parabens in 99% of US adults’ urine samples. This confirms that parabens come from many sources and may not causally link to particular health problems.  The concern was that paraben residues were discovered at concentrations up to 1 million times higher than the estrogen levels that would naturally be found in human breast tissue, from a study that collected 40 mastectomies of women with primary breast cancer.  This more than compensates for the comparative weakness of the parabens compared to estradiol. 

On this it is important to note however, that estrogenic activity and mutagenic (cancerous) activity of estrogens are not the same.  Mutagenic activity is rather dependent on free radical chemistry.  That is the why a longstanding health buzz word is “antioxidants” to aid in combat of free radicals in our body.

Handy link regarding  free radicals: http://buzinthenet.hubpages.com/hub/Sources_of_Free_Radicals

Cancer organisations such as the American Cancer Society obviously continue to keep an eye on the debate and studies available on the subject .  To date, parabens are still listed under “factors with uncertain, controversial, or unproven effect on breast cancer risk”.

So why not just eliminate the risk of parabens and use their alternative preservatives? 

These alternatives tend to require 6 or 7 times higher level of concentration than parabens to have the same efficacy.  The more preservative content in your creams more potential for skin irritation and often a tradeoff on the overall texture of the creams. Parabens are in fact FDA approved and for some reason fuels a lot more controversy than other “natural ingredients” such as soy or ginseng or even coffee extracts that have also been found to be a possible breast cancer risk.

PERSONAL OPINION: just because something is not proven yet, doesn’t mean it does not exist (in this case, parabens being a cancer risk). However, because there have been some red flags raised it does not hurt to be careful where possible :p  
Pathetically in my case, it simply translates to me feeling better when I buy a product that I like due to its performance and proven results, and see that it actually happens to be paraben-free too!! 

Everything in moderation I think is the key.

If you are somewhere in the middle of the bellcurve then the odds are not necessarily against you.  There are so many “health dangers” out there in the modern environment and lifestyle it is hard to police everything you do or use. 

Having said that I think if you have a strong family history of breast cancer, where possible it doesn’t hurt to take a more conservative approach with your personal care products, and try opt for preservative free alternatives.  The most under attack in the paraben debate is anti-perspirants or deodorants that are applied directly to the underarm.  Due to the ester-bearing form of the parabens found in the tumours , it has been suspected that the parabens that they came from something applied to the skin and helped to explain why up to 60% of all breast tumours are found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast nearest the underarm.  Breastcancer.org actually also reminds readers that parabens are found in many other tissues in the body,  because of their wide use.  A resourceful link if you want to look up cosmetic products:

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)'s where they give a hazard score based on the ingredients' links to health issues or allergies.

Conclusion: Stay beautiful, but stay safe ;) 
Please share this if you learnt something so others can do the same!

;) Connie    Follow on Twitter @MakeYouLoveLee ; Facebook: /makeyoulovelee

Links I looked up:

http://www.naturalnews.com/022113_parabens_cosmetics_chemicals.html

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/look-great/beauty/parabens-what-are-they-and-are-they-really-that-bad

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nalini-chilkov/parabens-breast-cancer_b_1230018.html 

http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/myths/_/parabens-are-they-really-a-problem

Wikipedia– Parabens

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/antiperspirants-and-breast-cancer-risk?sitearea=MED

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/cosmetics
http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/parabens-and-breast-cancer
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/human-hormones-are-being-eclipsed-synthetic-chemicals

DIY Zipper Pants

Hello my lovelees!

We all have an old pair of pants that are in need of a little extra TLC. Just add some zippers and you've got a new, edgy addition to your wardrobe. I used a geometric pattern to create the illusion of panels, and it turned out looking pretty darn cool. So go on, shop your closet and try this out!

Materials:

- a pair of pants or jeans
- 2 5-inch zippers
- 2 7-inch zippers
- 2 8-inch zippers

- needle and thread/sewing machine
- scissors
- ruler
- marker
- pins

Instructions:

1. Use a seam ripper to remove 5 inches from the inside seams of one leg.

2. Pin one 5-inch zipper to this opening

3. Measure a 7 inch straight diagonal line from the inside seam to the outer seam. Make sure that this line continues from the top of the zipper in Step 2.

3. Mark this line and cut out.

4. Pin one 7-inch zipper to this diagonal opening.

5. About 5 inches above this line, measure and mark another diagonal line that is 8 inches. The two diagonal lines should be parallel to each other. Cut out.

6. Pin one 8-inch zipper to this opening.

7. Repeat Steps 1-7 on the other pants leg.

8. Sew on the zippers carefully. It's easier to sew them one while the zipper is open. I also suggest occasionally closing and opening the zippers while you're sewing to make sure you didn't accidentally sew too close to the metal teeth.

And there you have it: an old pair of pants that now feel new and trendy!

Happy DIYing!

Rachelle
Follow me on Twitter @RachelleMLee @MakeYouLoveLee
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