Welcos Rich Hand Treatment

Hand creams are so essential to the daily grind of the office. I don't think I need to emphasize that one bit! One of my friends from Taiwan bought me a few hand creams when she came to visit and I've been in love with this one. The silkiness, the scent, and the great feeling that I associate with moisturized hands come into play in all aspects of this cream.

Upon doing some research, Welcos is a Korean brand of skincare. They have bb creams, and facial treatments on the market. They also seem to have a huge research facility in Korea. I actually don't see much reviews on this particular hand cream since their website focuses on their business model mostly o_o Although interesting, i think their focus is kind of oddly placed. But oh well!

The packaging of this cream is very standard in a 1.8 ounce tube (53 grams) of product. The twist cap is also very standard. The artwork on the label is really cute and reminds me of Asian hand creams. It must the bows ;)

The texture of this hand cream is lovely. It's just really silky and smoothing upon application. I absolutely adore the formula - it absorbs so quickly and has a non-greasy base which I love! The feeling of it on my hands is no different than when I use Crabtree & Evelyn or L'occitane. 

The formula is long lasting as well. Although I cannot translate the ingredients, I think it has a lot of Vitamin E, and shea butter. My hands stay really smooth until healthy looking for hours until I wash them again. This cream is neither too rich nor too light - just the perfect balance of moisturizers to use in the daytime. 

And the scent....! It's like really gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers and tropical fruit. I don't know what it is but I think the Koreans are spot on when it comes to scents! I would love this in a perfume since it has that really soft floral scent. 

The one bad thing about this cream is that it's kind of hard to find. I scoured the web but I could not find this except in random wholesale sites. It seems to be more a local flavor where people go to buy them in night markets or local stores?

But I have a few that I'm going to give away through Instagram and Facebook. I'll be posting that up shortly! ;)

In the meanwhile, California is experiencing some dry weather. So dry that flowers are so confused with the climate. We have a ton of cherry blossom trees growing at my work campus and it's barely going to be February.

Have a great week, friends! :) 

Review: Kose Medicated Sekkisei Lotion

I've been using the Kose Medicated Sekkisei Lotion for a few months now and I'm liking it a lot. It's a hydrating lotion in the form of a liquid (toner). 

This lotion has been in the market for almost 30 years - famously well known for its blue bottle, and often doted as miracle water. 

I bought this from Apothica awhile back because of all the reviews I've been reading. I also have some relatives who are in their 60's-70's that have amazing skin and they gave credit to this lotion! Gotta get me some of that, right?! :)

This lotion claims to freshen and brighten your skin with herbal extracts such as Coix Seed Extract, Angelica Extract, Melothria Extract and Licorice Extract. 

I've been using it for a few months now and I've come to like it a lot. The packaging is really standard where you have to pour the contents into your hand or cotton pad. 

The texture is watery, and very clear, almost like water. When I pat it on my face, i can feel a slight tingle from the bit of alcohol that's in it but otherwise it feels like a light lotion. Absorbs instantaneously and leaves my skin feeling on the supple side. After this step, I would suggest wearing something over it because while it's hydrating enough, the alcohol in it dries out your skin. It's a very light layer of moisture that smells and feels clean, and nearly the perfect "prep" for your nightly skincare routine.

Within the few months I've used this (3 months consistently), I noticed my skin is a lot more clear - I haven't had issues with oil, or dryness. I think it's effective in that way where you don't have bad skin days. This has given my skin a more translucent "glow", certainly where it's effectively making my skin tighter and younger looking. Pores are smaller, skin is clearer. 

I can't really anything about its whitening properties. A lot of people claim their skin's brightened a lot since using this lotion but I haven't noticed anything in that aspect. 

I do recommend this lotion if you don't have an aversion to alcohol. I wish it didn't, but I suppose it's what makes all the ingredients work together? O_o 

Life Updates!

Cantaloupe Martini! SO delish! 

Hi lovlies!

I hope you are all having a great week so far. TGIF, right?! :) 

January is flying by so quickly, I can  hardly keep up! o_o I'm going back to school, y'all! Well, part time. For me. After 4 years of being out of University and working, it feels so strange to be sitting in a lecture room. I'm still working full time, but during some evenings I am taking courses for advanced accountancy and yeah, I know it's nerdy but I kind of like it. I'm also taking law courses. I have a background in English so law is almost like second nature for me, which is enjoyable, haha. For now :)

My US friends, are you ready for the long holiday? I sure am! 

San Francisco is having their Dine About Town event again and I'm really excited! What it is is they get a ton of restaurants to participate, usually high end restaurants and they provide a menu for a 3 course dinner that's only 36.95 per person!!! That's an incredible deal for SF, and more incredible to try out new restaurants and be exposed to all the awesomeness!!! I was able to get a reservation to Luce - they're a michelin rated restaurant in the city. I hope it's as good as it sounds! :)

 What are you all up to these days!? 

Review: Benefit's They're Real! Mascara

I've been using Benefit's They're Real mascara for a few weeks now and I have to say it's complete LOVE!!!! I never thought I'd say that about any mascara that cost more than drugstore ones but I'm kind of shocked but in a good way! 

The bristles on this mascara is short and flexible. The tip on the top is the most unique I've seen because it's a bit rounded and can get every hidden lash. 

For this look, I used my very basic (and daily) eye makeup routine so you can see the difference it makes with mascara. 

The items used are Loreal's Sultry Seductress quad, Skinfood Salmon Concealer, Shu eyelash curler and mascara. 

With Skinfood Salmon Concealer

I really like the Loreal quad a lot. The purple shade is so romantic and pretty and looks so polished. I normally use a lot of earthy browns and taupes but I find that purples can be just as work-friendly as long as it's not too bright. I also used a bit of the darkest color on the eyelash line to deepen the look.

I used two coats of mascara on the right eye. 

Both

Before

After

Doesn't it make such a big difference?!

This mascara holds a curl incredibly well! It also feels really flexible after it dries so I haven't had any experience with flaking. I was able to use many coats without it clumping up and looking bad. The brush is truly the winner here. It lifts and separates the lashes without compromise and I haven't had a mascara that could do that yet. Loreal's Telescopic mascara comes very close but the Benefit one is amazing!

I absolutely love this look for work! I think the purple eyeshadow compliments my really dark brown eyes and the mascara makes my eyes pop with clarity, and wakefulness. It lifts the lashes so much that mascara by itself makes a difference already!

Have you tried Benefit's They're Real Mascara? Do you like it!? :)

New Year! Mini Vacay, and Gifts from Taiwan

Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a safe and FUN one!

I went to visit my family in LA and had a great time! It was one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever took for the holidays! Why? Because we went all went on a cruise. So for me it was like a vacation within a vacation! LOL. Score!

en route to Mexico!

We were on the Carnival Inspiration Cruise from Long Beach, CA to Ensenada, Mexico.

Me, my mother and brother! We were really tired after checking in but we managed to snap a few photos.

they were hungry seagulls waiting around to take people's food when they're not looking!

The inside. There were 14 floors on the ship! All elevators, of course. It was literally a floating hotel.

Duty-free store on board! I saw many LE palettes from Lancome, Estee Lauder and Clinique.

In Ensenada! This was a public flea market where they sold leather items, sterling silver and random stuff. 

Gorgeous view of the coast. Ensenada is just below San Diego, past Tijuana on the Pacific Coast.

This is La Bufadora - the blowhole geyser that blows air every 1 minute. Really cool and very much a sight to see.

Kayakers!

Delicious ceviche! So fresh :)

My mother and I enjoying a delicious pina colada while browsing the flea market!

View of our ship from downtown Ensenada

Local town

the hardworking people who open shops for tourists

there's a lot of this everywhere when you're not in the touristy areas

homes

touristy part of Ensenada

Saying goodbye to Mexico!

goodbye

"formal" dining on the cruise. It was such a fun experience. Everyone got all dressy but it wasn't enforced or anything so there were people who went casual but for those who wanted to get in on the theme actually wore long dresses and evening wear. It was a sight to see. We were definitely under dressed for sure!

Btw, I did my mom's eye makeup! haha

Beautiful!

They made heart shaped towels for us every night during dinner! They came into our rooms to clean and would leave this behind with chocolates everyday! SO sweet!

I love this photo of my mom! It's so sweet :)

My cute brother! haha

ME! I felt like a little kid here!

Overall, I had an incredible time. My experience on the cruise was amazing! I felt so relaxed and taken care of while there and everyone was so nice and the accommodations were great. The staff went above and BEYOND their call of duty to make sure you're having a nice time. It was such an experience that I would love to go back again and again!!!!

Before i went on vacation, i also got some new bedroom furniture! 

In LA, my family and I went to the Griffith Observatory. Beautiful sights, seriously. The stars were bright, skyline was beautiful. I miss SoCal!

It also happened to be extremely hot!!!!

My simple daily makeup while in sunny SoCal. Anything more would just melt off!

Sorry for the horrible pic. No makeup except for mascara. My mom bought me PJ's! LOL They're kinda old fashion-y, but I love them. They were thick as blankets. Perfect for the weather back in NorCal!

Selfie... o_o

I also got some gifts from Taiwan from my friend. So very spoiled, I tell ya!

Beauty stuff - shampoos, hair treatments, hand creams, skin care, tons of mascara!!!! 

I can't wait to review them ALL for you gals!

Cute socks, iPhone covers, fuzzy pants and a scarf!

Snacks!!!!!

I spent my New Year's Eve at the Basement Tavern/Victorian in Santa Monica. 

We toasted the New Year with champagne, lots of laughs and great music!

That concludes my little holiday adventures. I had an incredible 2013... and I am looking forward to 2014 with so much joy and optimism! 

2013 brought me great challenges, success, and most of all...lot of laughter! Blogging and chatting with you lovely beauty bloggers has given me such a positive influence on life as well as confidence to be who I am.

horseback riding for the first time! eek! loved it.

2013 was the year of full wine glasses and cheerful chatter, dinners with colleagues who became some of my closest friends, healthy loved ones, family gatherings, delicious coffees and lattes.  

Me and Bacon ;)

Goodnight, loves! and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! 

Talk to you all soon!!!