Chapters

When I think about blogging and beauty and all things in life, we can't just limit ourselves to one thing. There are so many aspects in life that makes everything beautiful and unique and wholesome. 

After many months of back and forth, I've decided create a lifestyle/travel blog :) I will still write about makeup, but as you've seen I'm sure you've noticed that I started writing more about travel and incorporating photography in the more recent posts. 

I hope to see you there... =) 

The Bored Room :)

www.jenniferngan.com

March Empties: Smith's Menthol and Eucalyptus Balm & Leaders Collagen Fluid

If there is one balm I would buy over and over, it would the Smith's Mentol tin. 

This is the most effective multi use balm I've ever used! For lips, for dry patches, for smoothing out chapped/dry lips... this tin kind of does it all.  

I have been using this for many years, and mostly in the evenings. The tin isn't the most practical, but I use it primarily before i sleep with clean fingers so it's okay. There is something so nostalgic about the tin. I seriously seriously love this stuff.

It absorbs quickly, and keeps my lips smooth. It works best overnight because the next morning my lips feel super soft and lipstick ready for the day.

I have also used this as a 10 minute intensive treatment for my lips by slathering a good amount on my lips while doing my hair or makeup, then wipe all of it off my lips before applying lipstick.

Works perfectly! 

Another skincare product I've been using for months is this collagen serum from Leaders, a Korean brand that's sold in Asian skincare stores. I couldn't find much about it on the web here, but I've been using it and have repurchased a 2nd bottle already. Seems like it's strictly collagen, watery based. Has a nice subtle scent, and very easily absorbed into the skin. 

Review: Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Clarins  Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Skincare or makeup...?

Clarins claims that it's both, because they use nourishing oils in these glosses so it helps heal your lips while glossing you up. The skincare benefit is probably the only thing redeeming about this!

I have been using this gloss for a better part of a few days and the scent of vanilla is still wafting my senses. Part of me really wants to love it but another part of me feels like this is an expensive knockoff of a cheap product.

Boudin SF - Limited Time Spring Menu and Blogger Meetup!

A few days ago, i attended a local blogger event catered to foodies and yum enthusiasts! To say the least, it was a very lovely event filled with so much wine, beer and FOOD, 

FOTD featuring Hada Labo

Happy Friday!

Today I wanted to share with you a bb cream that I've been using that I absolutely love. It's v2 of Hada Labo's moist BB cream that came out years back. I loved that one too, and still love it! This version is slightly newer, came out early last year so I'm still late to the game! 

This bb cream isn't much different from the previous version. 

I love the way the BB air looks and feels on my skin. I bring it with me to travel, and i've had no issues with it. The bb cream is actually really hydrating, and the best part is that it does not oxidize over time. It doesn't turn sallow or muddy ruddy looking which I find happens a lot with Korean bb creams. This one is a bit more yellow based and stays looking quite natural.

The finish is really semi-matte but really beautiful. The bb cream in my experience hasn't enhanced any imperfections on my skin. It has a slightly dewy finish at first but dries semi-matte. 

I usually use one to two layers, and it is good enough to last for a day without other makeup on. I don't really powder my skin since it's on the drier side and I sometimes dot a bit of cream blush around my cheeks for some color. This bb cream blends beautifully with no caking that I've experienced! 

It is a bit pricey in the US, but considered a drugstore brand in Asia. I purchased it last year in store when i was looking for sun creams. I don't regret the purchase and I think it's one of the better bases out there in a sea of bb creams. I find that Hada Labo has made really consistent products and you can read my last review about my experience with the Hada Labo skincare line. My skin hasn't been more healthier, and I think it's because of Hada Labo.

Have you tried this or any Hada Labo  products?

Happy Friday, everyone! 

hada labo gokujyun | review

Over the past few months, my skincare routine has reduced significantly. Namely to these two super amazing products from Hada Labo's Gokukyun line - the clear toning lotion and the milk. 

My skin has mostly been parched from dehydration and the cold, and these two have attributed to much more supple and hydrated skin, healthy to the touch and clear. I'm very pleased with these and am surprised how readily available they are due to their popularity. 

The main ingredient in this line is the hyaluronic acid, which draws in moisture and locks it, retaining that hydration on your skin for hours. I have used a lot of products that contain hyaluronic acid in it but I find that Hada Labo does it best. They claim their products retain 2x the amount of HA, making it even that more effective. 

SF, LA, Death Valley Travels

Lovers Lane in San Francisco

Over the last week, I traveled from SF to LA to Vegas and to Death Valley before coming back to SF. We had some friends visit from Asia and wanted them to get the West Coast experience in a week. We did a TON of shopping, as most people from Asia do! haha. We hit up the outlets like nobody's business (ie spend hours upon hours at Coach, Nike, Gap, etc) Basically ALL the stores.

After Day 1 of all shopping, we did some sightseeing around different parts of California.

We traveled down Highway 1 from SF all the way to LA. It was a LONG drive, but it was truly scenic and beautiful. We enjoyed fantastic sunny weather, and stopped by so many towns on Hwy 1.

First stop was Big Sur and the Bixby Canyon Bridge. The Bixby bridge is one of my California bucket list must-see's. It was truly spectacular! Big Sur is so beautiful :)

Yosemite in Photos: A quick guide and commentary

I'm 

Over the long weekend in January (MLK), i visited Yosemite Nat'l Park. I've always wanted to go there but it was always so far when I lived elsewhere, too inconvenient; whatever it is, I'm sure there was an excuse. But now that I'm in the Bay Area it's SO much closer. In fact, I can't believe it's taken me this long to even think about going. What was I thinking? Sure, photography may have motivated me just a tad. You can't deny you can get effortlessly gorgeous shots in one go.

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer Review

Source: Pinterest

Last month, while perusing on Sephora, I stumbled upon the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer. This is not a new foundation - it came out in early 2015 to very mixed reviews. I meant to test it out for myself but never had the chance to since I have WAY too many bases. 

I finally did purchase it during the holidays and I'm very much in love. 

Weekends and Photos: Coffee & Tea Edition

Just wanted to say a warm hello and to wish you guys a wonderful Monday! 

What have you been up to?

Visiting the Great Southwest

HAPPY 2016!!!! 

Did you all have a fantastic 2015? I remember around this time last year I made a few goals and my goals were to travel more, be more carefree, live and see the world as I am able.

I think I am quite proud of the fact that i did indeed do those things, whether planned or sporadic, i got outside and saw as much of the world as I could while balancing a full time job and other responsibilities. I think there was a getaway at least once a month, whether to staycation in a beach town in Monterey or a planned getaway to Vancouver BC, something was always in the works. I am so glad to have had that experience, and I feel even more grateful than I did a year ago. 

"The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page"

A trip to the Southwest of America was always one on my list. I mean, living so close by, why not?

It took a little planning, some research and voila! I have to admit that after Thanksgiving sales prompted me because a lot of airlines were also lowering their holiday fares. 

Our first stop was to get to our home base destination, which was Las Vegas. It's a nice driving distance between the Southernmost point of Utah and the Arizona/NV border. It made a lot of sense to us and we got to revel in the food delights that Vegas has to offer. We stayed in Vegas for two nights, gorging ourselves on more post-Christmas gluttony. It was awesome.

rare bit of quiet before NYE. 

This was a little eery, i have to admit.