Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate

For my skin routine, I am always in search of a good eye cream.  Although I recently read that eye cream is a fake since the ingredients are the same as moisturizers, I do believe that good eye cream can perk up the eye area by brightening and reducing fine lines.

The Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate is a beauty blogger favorite with rave reviews from multiple sources.  At $70, it is not cheap for a 0.15 ml pot of this rich cream.  The texture is thick, creamy with just a small pinky swab is sufficient for each eye at night.  Because it's so thick, I only use it at night to avoid any creasing with concealer and makeup.  

This small container lasted about 6 months and did keep my eyes hydrated.  However, at this hefty price, I will keep looking for cheaper substitute.

Where to buy: Sephora

Teforia Teapot

A few months ago I discovered the b8ta store in Palo Alto, CA whose mission is to provide startups with a store front space for retail customers to discover new innovations.   Upon review of all the new gadgets, I came across the Teforia tea pot.  It was an interesting design with features similar to Keurig coffee maker.   The sleek design reminds me of Apple phone where less is more.   As an avid tea drinker, I was interested in how this teapot would make tea better or make my life easier. 

Similar to a Keurig coffee maker, the Teforia has pods with different kinds of tea.   The one that I tasted (and in the picture) was chamomile.  It took about 5-8 minutes to brew and my understanding is that once the pod has been used, the tea leaves can be brewed again.  Upon tasting the tea, the taste was subtle but not different or memorable.  Their selection of tea is also very limited, no sencha or matcha.

I googled Teforia today and it looks like the company is closing.  For $1,000 per tea pot, this is a very expensive hardware without dramatically changing how tea is made.  I will stick with my sencha and matcha bought from Japan.

Hotel Collection: Le Grand Bain at Sheraton Fairplex

When I travel for work I try to stay at SPG properties.  In my recent trip to SoCal I stayed at the Sheraton Fairplex and was happy to find that they've changed their hotel beauty products to Le Grand Bain.  Not only are the packaging more contemporary and functional but the products are more effective too.   The products include citron for faint fragrance, vetiver for calming effect, and aloe and vitamins for moisture.  These products are also paraben free.  Great change Sheraton!

SK-II and Tatcha at Sephora!

SK-II and Tatcha are two of my favorite beauty brands and I'm so psyched they are available at Sephora!  Beauty junkie rejoice!

My Beauty Diary - Platinum Mandelic Acid Brightening Mask

I love the My Beauty Diary brand and wanted to try more products.  I purchased this Platinum Mandelic Acid Brightening Mask from Taiwan back in April and have been itching to try it.   This sheet mask is super thick and feels more like a wash clothe than a mask.   There was not enough essence on the mask and it was hard to apply to the face.   This is not my favorite and I'm debating on what to do with the rest of the masks.

Where to Buy: Taiwan

Fairmont Sonoma Inn - Le Labo

I travel a lot for work and love trying out the beauty products at the hotel.   On a recent trip to Fairmont Sonoma Inn, I was introduced to the Le Labo brand.   This brand is based out of NYC.  These products are AMAZING!!!  I love the smell of rose and this Rose 31 is unique and memorable. The fragrance really lingers.  I was so in love with the products, I requested for more from the concierge.  I hope to re-create the rose garden at home =)

Travel Essentials

On a recent trip to Sonoma, I brought all my travel skincare essentials:

* Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

* Tatcha The Deep Polish

* Clarins One-Step Facial Cleanser (was planning to use this as a toner but it was a fail)

* Tatcha The Essence

* Cosrx Triple C Lightening Liquid

* Lirikos Marine Ampoule

* Tatcha The Water Cream

* EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

Where to buy:  purchased on Tatcha.co, Sokoglam, and dermatology office

Fairmont Sonoma Inn - Willow Stream Spa

Last week I was fortunate to join a group of colleagues at an offsite at the historic Fairmont Sonoma Inn where we had a full day meeting followed by luxury spa treatments at the beautiful Willow Stream Spa.  I booked a facial and indulged in top line beauty products, facial massage, and total glam and glow makeover.   The only disappointment was the blackhead extractions which I'm never a fan of.   Since I have not had a facial for over a year, I had some blackheads in the T-zone area and had to brace myself on the pain.   This was followed by an extremely calming and relaxing facial massage which I loved!   

Unfortunately I forgot to bring my swimsuit and could not partake in the thermal spring pool but I did try the steam room where eucalyptus scent was added to the steam.  

I was fully invigorated and relaxed for the work dinner that ensued.    It was quite hard to come back to reality and the office this week.   Still dreaming about spa day at the Fairmont Sonoma Inn...

Pxe Anti-Acne Trace-Free Repairing Essence Mask

On a recent work trip, I brought along this Pxe Anti-acne trace-free repairing essence mask because with all long flights, timezone change, and summer heat, I wanted to prevent breakouts.   This masks were one of the dozen boxes I purchased from Taiwan trip back in April.  

The Pxe brand is not available in the States and I was curious about its claim of "removal of acne".   First of all, the sheet mask has an opening for the ear and requires one to fit the mask over the ear as well.  The fit is extremely weird and does not cover the face well.   The sheet mask is also too thick and did not include sufficient essence.   Since I was using this mask for preventative measures, I was unable to detect whether it truly helped in the removal of acne.   However, due to the lack of essence in the mask, I would say this mask is a dud.

Where to Buy: Taiwan

Timeless Hydrating Eye Cream

I'm always on the market looking for great eye cream.  I was looking for the next morning eye cream/gel to replace the erborian bamboo eye gel.   I heard about Timeless skincare through the fabulous Instagram beauty mavens.  Ladies were raving about the Timeless Vitamin C serum.  Since I am quite happy with the Cosrx Triple C Lightening Liquid, I decided to give the Hydrating Eye Cream a try.

It's been nearly a month now and I just love the Timeless Hydrating Eye Cream.  Similar to the erborian bamboo eye gel, this eye cream is light, almost gel like, yet hydrating.  It's great for the morning because it's not shiny and absorbs well into the skin.  My eye area instantly feels plumber.  And for less than $20/bottle, this one is a keeper.

Where to Buy: Amazon

Cosrx Triple C Lightning Liquid

I was really happy to buy into Charlotte Cho's collaboration with Cosrx for the Triple C Lightning Liquid.  I've been using this vitamin C serum for 2 months now and love it!  Compared to the klairs vitamin drop, this is non-sticky and not shiny.    I also like the fact that this comes in black bottle which means it's harder for the serum to discolor.

I only apply the serum at night after eye cream but before moisturizer.  I've applied it to my scar above my eye and it's starting to heal better.  

Where to Buy: Sokoglam

Espa at Sofitel Heathrow London

As part of the hotel collection, Espa products are used at the Sofitel Heathrow hotel in London.   The product is a mix of bergamot, jasmine and cedarwood - all pretty strong.  The lotion is thick, perfect for the cloudy and somewhat chilly weather (although there was a heat wave in June).

Naisture Aqua Brightening Mask

I have yet to try a Naisture sheet mask and thought this mask was intriguing because it included a 3-step process.  Not only did it include ampoule, but it also had essence and sheet mask.  I usually put the essence prior to sheet mask so it was a worth a try to see the difference in changing up the routine.

The ampoule was quite light while the sheet mask was thick.  After getting used to the Taiwanese sheet mask, the Korean kind does not compare.   The mask did last a while, more than 30 minutes.   Afterward, I waited until the essence from the sheet mask absorbed into the skin before I applied step 3 - refresh essence.  

The whole process took longer than normal and although I'm not a big fan of the sheet mask, my face did feel brightened and full of essence.

Where to Buy: pharmacy in NYC

My Scheming Raw Job's Tears Brightening Black Mask

After a long week of work, I decompressed by double masking.  I used the

Su:m 37 Bubble De Mask first and then applied the My Scheming Raw Job's Tears Brightening Black Mask.

From the packaging:  Raw job's tears, also known as dehulled adlay, contain rich Vitamin and dietary fiber on their outer layer of bran film.   With rich grain amino acids, they provide superior anti-aging effect for skin as well as soothing, nourishing, and moisturizing benefit on skin.  The protein in raw job's tears can decompose enzyme and soften skin keratin to reduce fine lines.

The Black Mask smells a bit like coconut but is smooth and nourishing.   After 30 minutes, it has not dried out and is still full of essence. 

After the two masks, my face feels refreshed and moisturized. 

Where to Buy: Taiwan

London Travel Glow

I travel quite a bit for work and for a recent trip to London, I brought all my essentials.  Little did I know London would go through a heat wave (over 90 degrees!) and it was almost stifling to walk outside.   Good thing I have some masks to make it through the week. 

Here are my travel essentials:

- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

- Clarins Facial Cleanser (which I used as a double cleanser and toner)

- SK-II Essence

- History of Whoo Brightening Gel

- Lirikos Marine Hydro Ampoule

- CeraVe Facial Lotion PM

- Sulwhasoo Eye Cream

- Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen

- Sheet mask for the first night: Nasture Aqua Brightening Mask

My Scheming L-Ascorbic Acid Whitening Mask

This is another find from my Taiwan trip.   My Scheming seem to be a big brand in Taiwan with a lot of choices.  I selected the L-Ascorbic Acid Whitening Mask because I want to target pigmentation.   L-ascorbic acid helps regulate uneven skin color while Arbutin enhances the protective function of skin.

This mask is truly invisible as it's thin and disappears into the skin.  Not sure if it's because I did a peeling mask prior to the mask but I do feel the tightness (and almost stinging sensation) of the acid in the whitening mask.   There is plenty of essence and the masks fits and stays on well.   Love this brand and this type of mask!! 

Where to Buy: Taiwan 

Apivita Royal Jelly Face Mask and Aritaum Fresh Essence Lemon Mask

When I have the time, I like to double mask because the sheet mask is best absorbed on super clean skin.  

I started with the Apivita face mask with royal jelly.  This brand is from Greece and I picked it up on my March trip to Barcelona.  It boast of natural ingredients with no paraben.   The face mask is silky and creamy like a moisturizer.  There's a bit of faint fragrance but not very strong.  The directions say to leave on for 10 minutes and after 15 minutes, my face did feel tightened.   Upon washing off the face mask, my face super tight - there's definitely some firming effect!!

I put the Aritaum Fresh Essence Lemon mask to restore moisture and essence back to my skin.   The mask is silky and fits well.  It has plenty of essence with a faint lemon smell.   The sheet mask lasted over 30 minutes and face felt refreshed with plenty of moisture.  After the double mask, I continued my night routine.

Where to Buy: Apivita purchased in Barcelona pharmacy and Aritaum mask gifted by a friend

Sokoglam #Onlygoodskindaysahead

I participated in the Sokoglam #onlygoodskindaysahead challenge by picking 3 kbeauty finds.   My list included the following:

- erborian Seve de Bamboo Eye

- Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion

- Cosrx Triple C Lightening Liquid

I also included my new cosmetic travel purse by Coach - love pink and butterflies!

Taiwanese Black Mask

It's cherry season and what better way to celebrate but to put on a black mask? =) 

This black mask from Taiwan was gifted by a friend.  I'm not even clear on what the name of the mask is since I can't read Chinese very well - although the name does have 'beauty' in it.  The mask did have a refreshing cucumber smell.  The mask was full of essence and fits the face well.   Face felt hydrated.

Where to Buy: gifted by a friend

Rootfoot Rose Water

I love face mist, especially when I'm traveling.  I was gifted this sweet smelling Rootfoot Rose Water and love it so much I can't stop misting my face when I'm home.  Not only does it smells like real roses but the spray is powerful and lasting.   Two to three mist is all I need for a quick face pick-me-upper!