Thanks Apollo Salon and Spa! We Have a Diva in Training. (Beauty Blog Post)

Seattle Spas are Like Seattle Men

Both come in abundance, leaving Seattle girls with a lot of choices when it comes to dating, and getting their nails done.

Or...do they?

Your next date will -- most likely -- be a bearded software engineer who types in Helvetica, and boasts about tagging Mt. Rainier. (But he could barely walk up Columbia Ave.)

Ya know what they say, "the odds are good, but the goods are odd."

 

 

I'm kidding :O)

Seattle men are awesome. But I couldn't say the same about Seattle salons. Some of them desperately need a face lift.

When I saw Apollo Salon and Spa bust into one of the city's neighborhoods, just streets away from two existing nail salons, I thought, "I'll give this place two years."

Sorry. Just being realistic.

With so much competition, a spa in Seattle must offer a unique experience to survive.  

How about a pleasant atmosphere, with new equipment, clean floors, and ornate decor? Let's show some effort.
 

But wait, Apollo Salon and Spa has all of that, and more.

 

 

Really. Apollo is beautiful!   

 

Polished floors, brand new furniture, and each station neatly set up -- it's not your old neighborhood nail shop, but a classy, refined space of relaxation. I immediately liked being there.   

 

Truth is: you can get a manicure anywhere. But a comfortable setting and enjoyable experience keeps customers coming back. 

 

"I can get used to this place," I thought to myself during a first visit two months ago. And I have. 

 

Diva in Training

My last visit to Apollo was actually for our toddler. 

Because Jo has been such a good big sister, I wanted to do something special for her. Because of Jo's new-found interest in makeup, I decided to treat her to a manicure.

Boy did the kid have fun. Unlike her active self, Jo stayed put the entire time, and enjoyed every moment of the experience.

Diva on the rise? I think so.

Pink and glitters - toddler's choice, not mine.

The friendly technician pulled out quite a decorative device for our diva.

Artistic, right?

All done. They look beautiful.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

If you are in Seattle, do pay Apollo Salon and Spa a visit.

Note: this is not a sponsored post.      

Aniston Wedding? We Hope So!

Is Jennifer Aniston planning a wedding?

The 44-year-old actress and her boyfriend Justin Theroux are rumored to be planning a small town wedding. According to People Magazine, after Aniston wraps up filming in Conneticut early in March, she will focus on wedding planning. 

Unlike her first wedding (to Brad Pitt), her second wedding will be small and intimate, with just family and close friends.

I think that is a good idea. 

Good luck, Ms. Aniston!

How to Get Out of a Bad Mood Fast? (Fashion Blog Post)

Seattle really does have 50 shades of gray. 

From October to July, it's either overcast or rainy. No wonder we are such coffee junkie here.

The never ending gloom can certainly effect one's mood. But don't worry, my trick to get out of a bad mood fast is to wear bright clothes. Somehow, brighter outfits always put me in a sunnier state of mind.

Got my yellow top for $7 at Ross.

The scarf was a gift from mom. I like its long fringes. They are fun.

A little windy today. Hair all over the place.

The dark jeggings looked perfect with the top.

Alright, last post before getting blown away.

Other ideas on how to fend off a gloomy day, and get out of a bad mood fast? Here are some:

Bright Accessories

The accessories below are from Ever Me, an Australian web store that offers quality, name brand hand bags, clutches and accessories for both work and play.
 

Olympia oversized flap over clutch By Kardashian Kollection

Melie Bianco Pyramid iPad/tablet case By Melie Bianco

Melie Bianco Cameron bucket-style tote with woven strap and fringe By Melie Bianco

Bright Foods

How can food not put you in a better mood? Especially if the food is a healthy bowl of bright-colored fruits.

Fruit salad - yum!

 

Bright Makeup

Another way to lighten up? Wear something bright on your face.

Burberry lipstick in Honey Suckle.

 

   

Thanks for reading.

How do you get out of a bad mood?

How to Do Asian Eye Makeup to Make Eyes Bigger - Value Shift Technique - Beauty Blog Post

How to do Asian eye makeup? 

First of all, all Asian women want their eyes to look bigger. Double lids, mono lids -- doesn't matter. To us, bigger is better.

Value Shift Technique 

An eye makeup technique that I have been using is called Value Shift. It is done by applying darkest to lightest eye shadows from the lash line up.

Not only does the Value Shift technique make eyes look bigger, it provides a smoldering, smokey look too.

How to do Asian eye makeup with value shift technique?

Want to try it yourself? Just follow the steps below.

Using: Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in "Don't Steal My Thunder."

 

Step 1

Line upper and bottom lash line with dark eye liner.

Step 2

Using an eye liner brush, smudge upper liner with darkest shadow color.

Step 3

Using an eye shadow brush, apply medium color to the crease, or the area just below the brow bone.

 

Step 4

Using a blending brush, apply lightest color all over brow bone.

       

Step 5

Curl lashes and apply mascara.

Done.

   

Very simple. Very effective.

 

I highly recommend the value shift technique, whether you are Asian or not.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

How do you make eyes appear bigger?

 

 

How to Save Money on Beauty and Skin Care - Skin Care Blog Post

True Story:

In college, I lived in a house with a "curious" girl, a gay guy, a basketball player from the Ivory Coast (who claimed that he is a diplomat's son, but we all knew he isn't), and an average white dude.

By the way, I was not on The Real World.

The gay guy and I got along the best.

We both love fashion, skin care, and cute boys. He is also equally as vain as I am. So you can imagine the pain he felt when I messed up his haircut. 

Luckily, Ricki* is smart, and suggested going to beauty school for a cheap fix. The students re-cut his hair, and did a wonderful job.

As Ricki enjoyed looking handsome again, I learned a bargain beauty trick -- beauty schools offer great cuts at a fraction of the price. In fact, many beauty schools offer discount services by students seeking real-life training.

Over the next 15 years, I learned other bargain beauty tricks. Read on to find out what they are.

How to Save Money on Beauty?

1. Tools Over Products

My Clarisonic brush is a treasure. Although it cost $200, it lasts a long time, and I haven't purchased expensive face wash yet.

Both expensive and drugstore face wash contain similar ingredients. It's your technique and tools that really cleans. 

 

2. Buy Like a Traveler

Not sure about a product? See if you can get a sample or travel-size version. Before making big purchases, test them in small doses.  

3. Groupon - It Works

So glad I finally got on the Groupon train. Some places offer half price services. 

4. Bartering Like the Olden Days

Trade your skill for service. It doesn't hurt to ask.

This is especially true for beauty and fashion bloggers. Why don't you propose trading a free review for service at a local salon? 

I have just been invited to review a local aesthetician. Can't wait.

 

5. Better Care = Less Spending

Honestly, if you take care of your skin everyday, you don't need facials all the time.

 Thanks for reading!

* Name was changed to protect person's privacy.