Easy Layering - An Outfit Post

Spring is a funny season. It is like that Katy Perry song Hot and Cold, where one day sun gleams from up high just to have the wind blowing us sideways the next day. 

Dressing during spring takes a hot and cold approach too -- you want to dress light, but layer up.

This button-up and jacket combo is the perfect ensemble for a windy spring day in Seattle -- just the right amount of layering to battle the cold, if it ever decides to come.

What about you? Do you layer in spring?

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara Review

Illegal length? Sounds dangerous, but for a beauty junkie -- yes please! 

I've tried fibre mascara before, the type of lash lengthening mascara that promise instant gratification. Some, like Ana Sui, lengthened lashes, but had disoriented fiber extensions that looked unnatural. Others, like L'oreal Double Extend, took an extra step to apply. When I heard about the newest mascara by Maybelline, Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara, with a one-step lash lengthening mascara formula, I had to give it a try.

The Claim
on Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara by Maybelline.com

• Build 4mm of measurable extensions!
• Fiber-fix brush has 6 different contact points with each lash for optimal fiber placement
• Breakthrough formula contains fibers up to 4mm in length
• Sealing formula stretches lashes and seals fibers to lashes
• Washable, also available in waterproof formula

My Take

• Absolutely lengthened lashes up to 4 mm. I saw a difference right away.
• Formula was rich yet smooth. No clumping occurred at all.
• Fibers stayed on and out. Did not fall away or become disarrayed at all.
• Created a natural, beautiful look.
• Brush was amazing. Touched every lash and separated them too.

Pros

• Excellent brush. 
• Brilliant formula. No clumping at all.
• Lengthening fiber really performed.
• Two coats and you are good to go.
• Easy to take off.
• Fantastic price (around $7 - $9, depending on which store). 
• Available almost anywhere in the U.S.

Cons:

• Formula weighed lashes down over time. Lashes did not remain curled.

Overall Rating:

4.5/5

Repurchase?

With pleasure!

Here are some pictures...to complete the picture:O)

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara 

Sleek packaging isn't bad either.

Wonderful lash-separating brush performed extremely well.

Before

Lashes are unnoticed.

 After

Natural, long lashes

 

Have you tried Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extension Mascara yet?

What other fibre mascara do you recommend?

Reminiscing College Days

Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend girlies! How are you celebrating?

Ever since we moved to Seattle, we haven't celebrated St. Pat's. But when I lived in the mid west, and especially in college, St. Pat's was a big deal. Our school was known for its annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, which lasted all week long, with games, parties and parades.

But it's not the drinking that I miss the most. Our school, a small, mostly boring, and tightly knit community full of engi-nerds, provided opportunities to develop long lasting friendships. While most people I met later in life have either lost touch with their old friends, or just haven't kept as strong of a bond, I have never lost the few that I made from school.

That must have been a fun girls' night out.

Relationships are developed over the amount of quality time we spend with each other -- let me emphasize on the word QUALITY -- and how we support each other through thick and thin. I remember crying on friends' shoulders during break ups, listening to them rant about their love lives until 3 a.m., and helping each other with homework until the sun came up. Those are times that none other experience can replace, when trust was affirmed through action, and not just lip service, or a quick wall post on facebook.

Chit Chatting in my room - one of our favorite things to do.

After graduation, whenever we can, we have always gone back during St. Pat's to relive our wild, crazy college days -- and again, not for the partying, but to be with each other.


Now that we are in Seattle, miles away from school, I haven't gone back in years. (Though I can still order that infamous annual St. Pat's shirt. Too bad my school isn't like Alabama Apparel -- go Dr. Bross :O) -- where alums can get University of Alabama shirts online.) But maybe, someday, we'll all meet up (at that dungeon of a bar) again.

What about you, girlie? What do you reminisce the most about the past?

 

The Franco Sarto Mom Purse - Even Moms Can Look Stylish

Yeas ago, I was the girl who refused to wear "mom purses." I believed that no fashionable girlie should walk around with big bags when they can strut the streets in something small and slinky. 

A blue Franco Sarto mom purse fits everyday jeans perfectly

Lo' and behold, I became a mom, toting a toddler everyday. Bring on the sippy cups, diapers, and anything that screams "mommy." Oh yes, bring on that mom purse too, the one I despised so much.

To my surprise, mom purses really aren't that bad. Strategically designed to fit your entire life, and cute enough to match just about any outfit, they are both essential and fashionable.

During my last shopping trip, I picked up a blue Franco Sarto bag, aka. mom purse, and instantly fell in love with it.

This color really suits the spring-y days ahead.

So roomy and comfy inside.

Oh look. It came with an umbrella. How handy!

And a coin purse too? Now I have a place for all that lose change.

 Love toting this bag around town.

Life changes, and our fashion changes with it. Doesn't it feel good to embrace how far we've come?

 What about you? Do you like mom purses?

How to Apply Eyeliner for Asian Eyes - Eyeliner Makeup Tips for Bigger Eyes

Posted by GirlieBlogger@Beauty Fashion Blog Seattle

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For a lot of Asian women -- myself included -- we behold big eyes as beautiful. This perception is possibly because most Asian women were not born with big, gorgeous eyes. We also constantly search for ways to make our eyes appear larger.

Some Asian women have gone to drastic measures, like getting double eyelid surgery -- ouch! But most of us try tamer options like using makeup. 

In fact, you don't even need a lot of makeup or fancy tricks to create bigger eyes. Just an eyeliner can do the job. 

Don't believe me? Try the three tips below.

Eyeliner Makeup Tips for Asian Eyes

Tip 1: Use the Same Color as your Eyes

Although contrasting colors bring out and brighten eyes, to make eyes bigger, it's better to use a color that is close to your natural eye color. This way, color compliments your eyes instead of competing with them.

For myself, I used a dark brown liner by NYX.

Tip 2: Draw a Camel Hump

Cat eyes may be sexy, but bigger eyes need the "camel hump" eye makeup application technique.

Draw a thick line at your top lash line. Make a "hump" in the middle part of the line.

A little hump in the middle...

...makes an instant eye opener.

Tip 3: Line Only 3/4 of Your Waterline

Instead of lining your entire bottom water line, line only 3/4 of the length. This way, your eyes are not "enclosed."

There you go. Easy eyeliner makeup tips for bigger eyes -- three steps and you are done.

Before: Small Asian Eyes

After: Lined and Bigger

Do you have any beauty and makeup tips to make eyes bigger?

Authentic Chinese Food in Seattle at Henry's Taiwan

Posted by GirlieBlogger@Beauty Fashion Blog Seattle


There is Chinese food. Then there is real Chinese food -- authentic, home cooked meals comparable only to something your Grandmother could make.


On Friday, a few mama friends and I brought our little ones to Henry's Taiwan in International District of Seattle, a small, local Chinese restaurant that offers the finest Taiwanese cuisine. 


First of all, eating out with little ones is hard. But Henry's Taiwan accommodated our every demand, despite that the little ones demanded every detail -- big table, small forks, extra napkins, please!


Then, there's the food -- oodles of noodles swimming in broth, tender pork slices decorated with tangy sauce. Everything tasted like Grandma's Sunday meals.


Good, authentic Chinese food in Seattle is hard to find. We are certainly glad to have stumbled on Henry's Taiwan.

Authentic Chinese food from Henry's Taiwan Seattle

Just a few pics of deliciousness to share

Traditional beef noodle

Pork slices in BBQ sauce

Dried tofu with preserved duck eggs

Pan fried hand shaven noodles

What are some authentic Chinese food restaurants from your city?

Skin Care Blog Post - Luminaze - How to Get Rid of Age Spots Fast

Posted by GirlieBlogger@Beauty Fashion Blog Seattle

Have you noticed changes in your skin as you age?

Age spots, or often known as liver spots, are hyper-pigmented spots on your skin. They become more abundant, as well as apparent, as you get older. Though they are mostly harmless, age spots make your skin appear unattractive.

What Causes Age Spots?

Age spots comes from overexposure to the sun. Skin has an agent called "melanin pigment," which naturally protects it from UV. However, as you age, your "melanin pigment" deteriorates, and your skin is subject to UV damage, resulting in dark spots on face, hands, shoulders, and anywhere that receives the most sun exposure.

How to Get Rid of Age Spots Fast?

Age spot treatments are not miracle creams. Even more invasive procedures take more than once to work. But some age spot treatments do work faster and better than others.

Natural Treatment for Age Spots

Scrubbing away dead cells help. Use a loofah in the shower, and vigorously scrub your skin for several minutes a few times a week.

Also, applying natural treatments for age spots such as lemon juice and buttermilk helps. 

Topical Treatments for Age Spots

There are many topical treatments for age spots. For example, face wash, skin lighteners and age spot treatment cream. 

Here are a few of the best skin care products for age spots that I recommend:

Luminaze Age Spot Removal Cream

Why it works: Uses the natural lightening properties in mushrooms to break down melanin in the skin. 

Price: $120.00 for 1 fl oz. bottle

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

Why it works: Contains natural ingredient chamomile to calm coloration and even out skin tone.

Price: $8.29 for 6 fl oz. bottle

Clinique Repairwear Foundation

Why it works: Matte foundation provides full coverage to conceal dark age spots.

Price: $32.50 for 1 fl oz. bottle

Do you have any suggestions on how to get rid of age spots fast?

What are your best skin care products for age spots?

Plaid Shirts and Pencil Skirts - an Outfit Post

Posted by GirlieBlogger@Seattle Beauty and Fashion Blog

Happy Monday, fashionable girlies! How was everyone's weekend?

If you haven't noticed yet -- plaid is everywhere! Possibly because it's such a versatile style of clothing. 

For a recent event, I barely had time to change from mommy gear to business wear. So, I threw on a pencil skirt over the plaid shirt I already wore. 

The result? Instant dress up!

 What about you?

How do you dress up plaid shirts?

 

How to Use Adwords Effectively - Blogging Tips Weekly

In past "blogging tips," I expressed the importance of using keywords for seo. I also showed you how to add meta tags and meta descriptions for both your blog (see here), and your individual post (see here).

To use keywords for seo, you need to find the right keywords to use. One way to do this is by using Adwords, a free seo keyword research tool by Google. 

Today, let's learn how to use Adwords effectively, so you get the most out of one of the most powerful seo keyword suggestion tools. 

Step 1: Write Really Good Content

Your writing counts. More than the technology you use. More than the pretty pictures you post. (Although beauty and fashion blogs have amazing photos.) What you write is what search engines care about the most. So write well, and provide substance.

Step 2: Find SEO Keywords for Your Content

With your content, identify seo keywords. Make sure they are related to your post's subject.

For example, if my post is an eye makeup tutorial for Asian women, then my seo keywords might include "eye makeup tutorial."

Step 3: Log into Adwords SEO Keyword Research Tool

Go to this address https://adwords.google.com and log in with your Google account if you haven't yet.

Step 4: Go to Keyword Tool

Click on "Tools and Analysis" tab > Drop down shows up > Click on "Keyword Tool"

Step 5: Filter Keywords

Filter 1: Match Type

On the left side, under "Match Type", click on "[Exact]"

What each Google keyword tool match type means:

Broad:

If you select "broad," the search volume returned involves the keyword you searched for, but isn't exact.

For example, search volume for "eye makeup tutorial" might include volume for other words like "best eye makeup tutorial," "eye makeup tutorial books" or "eye shadow and makeup tutorial."

The numbers returned are large and inaccurate.

"Phrase": 

If you select "Phrase," the search volume returned includes words with the exact phrase, and other words.

An example for "eye makeup tutorial" might have "eye makeup tutorial for women" or "best eye makeup tutorial."

The words won't be broken up, but still might return undesirable results.

[Exact]:

This is the most accurate selection -- and one I suggest. Results match exactly your search keywords.

Step 6: Enter Keywords. Click Search

Step 7: Interpret Results.

This is what your search results looks like for your seo keyword:

There are three columns to interprete: Competition, Global Monthly Searches, and Local Monthly Searches

"Global Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched globally in the past 12 months.

"Local Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched in the United States in the past 12 months.

"Competition" in Adwords Keyword Tool does NOT mean how competitive the keywords are to other websites and blogs. (You look at global and monthly search volume for that.) 

Competition actually means how willing companies are likely to pay for that keyword. So "high" is good.

As you can see, there were a lot of searches, and competition is medium, for "eye makeup tutorial." This means that "eye makeup tutorial" isn't desirable for use.

Step 8: Change SEO Keywords

Even though "eye makeup tutorial" did not work out, you can always update it. In this case, I updated it to "Makeup for Women of Color."

Results look much more promising:

 

Use Suggested Keywords

To get the keywords you want, you can also use Adwords Keyword Tool's "Keyword Ideas." It appears below keyword results. 

Step 9: Optimize

Now that you know which keywords you want to use, add them to your title, meta tags, meta description, and content.

For example, the title of my fictitious post would be "Makeup for Women of Color - an Eye Makeup Tutorial for Asian Women"

 Wow. I am finally done with this post.

Do you have any suggestions on how to use Adwords effectively?

 

Today Why Don't You...

Have a relaxing night in, instead of bouncing from bar to bar.

Call your friends up, have a real conversation, and tell them how much you appreciate them, instead of posting the same message on facebook wall just so your other "friends" can see.

(If you are really that good of friends, you don't need to tell EVERYONE.)

Learn a new craft, or a new hobby. Perhaps you will discover a hidden talent?

Try out that intimidating contraption at the gym. Better yet, ask the hot trainer to show you how.

Ditch your diet for one night, and grab some Taco Bell!

Happy Friday everyone!

Emily Maynard the New Bachelorette - is She in it for Love or Fame?

Can you find love on reality TV? 

For a few, it has worked out wonderfully. But for most, not so much. Remember Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi? Monstrosity!

Emily Maynard, who won Brad Womack's heart on the Bachelor, is now the new bachelorette. Blond, beautiful, and sweet as southern iced tea, Maynard looks perfect for the show. However, is she in it for love, or is she after fame like so many others?

What do you think?

Skin Care Product Review - Bliv Glow and Shine Skin Smoothing Mask

Are you in need of a treatment for big pores?

New skin care products line Bliv (by Cellnique) offers a skin smoothing mask that promises to deep clean, reduce appearance of pores, and give skin a shiny glow.

Treatment for Big Pores - Bliv Glow and Shine Skin Smoothing Mask

I had the pleasure of testing this pore minimizing treatment. (Thanks to Bliv for contacting.) Here are my initial thoughts about Bliv Glow and Shine:

The Claim:

"Scrubs away flaws and imperfections, and brings out a noticeable smoothness and glow to your complexion."

"Deeply exfoliates damaged, scarred and unhealthy skin, to reveal the smooth, flawless complexion lurking within.

My Take:

• Creamy formula contained tiny beads that felt really nice on the skin
• Skin experienced a tingly sensation during use
• Beads scrubbed and exfoliated well
• Skin was left with a healthy, lively glow
• Yes, skin did feel soft and smooth after use. And tight too.

My Likes:

• Beads felt pleasant on the skin
• Product's faint fragrance smelled fresh but not overwhelming
• Smooth, creamy formula was consistent and easy to apply
• Strong cleaning power
• Skin felt soft, smooth and fresh after use
• Easy to wash off

My Dislikes:

• I felt tingly sensations during use. May not be suitable for sensitive skin
• Price - retails at $25 per 1.7 oz bottle.
• Takes longer to use than other masks or scrubs. (You have to wait for the mask to settle first and then scrub it with wet fingers. This to me takes too long.)

Overall Rating: 

 

4/5

 

Purchase? 

 

Maybe. As far as pore minimizing treatments go, I'd like to give the product some time before determining if it truthfully works.

However, so far so good.

 

This treatment for big pores has a creamy formula consisting of micro beads

After leaving the skin smoothing mask on, you are supposed to wet your fingers and scrub in circular motion.

This exfoliating face products left skin shiny and smooth

Have you used Bliv Glow and Shine Smoothing Mask before?

What kind of pore minimizing treatment have you tried?