Category: Lists

Sephora Spring 2021 VIB Sale (4/9-4/19) Recommendations

EmmaLeave a comment

Skincare

Fresh Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence: A great toner for ALL skin types (I’m combo to oily- FYI). Get mini size to try, or see if part of a skin set (good value). This brand is ONLY at Sephora, not at ULTA (where I mostly shop).

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum: I already like it, though have ONLY been using it for the past 3 mos. I (luckily) found it over at my local TJ Maxx. I’m NOT so knowledgeable re: serums, BUT this works on me!

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40PA+++: Having grown up under the desert sun of AZ, I take sunscreen very seriously! This is a great choice, esp. for those of you who have tan to deep skin tones (leaves no white cast) and/or need a natural-looking sunscreen under makeup.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42: Another great SPF choice, if you’re seeking something non-greasy and natural.

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator: I’ve used this 2-3x in the past- need to get one soon. My lips are just in bad shape!

Makeup

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: I almost couldn’t believe that I used up the bottle in early 2020; I rarely finish my foundations! (FYI: My shade is 300). This MAY be a bit too thick/full-coverage for some, if you’re in hot/humid weather this Summer.

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick: These were recently on sale (Sephora and on the brand’s site). I’m all stocked up for myself and gifting! Here are the best colors for those w/ tan skin tones: Spanked (my everyday color), Thicc, Ma’Damn (red), S1ngle (nude), and Freckled Fiesta (terracotta- great for Fall).

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer: If I didn’t have a stack of new lip glosses, I’d get this product again- LOL! I used the original color (Fenty Glow) in 2019; the brownish color (Hot Chocolit) looks fab for tan skin tones.

Sephora (Fall 2019) VIB Sale Recommendations

EmmaLeave a comment

Top 5 Products I’ve Tried (& LOVED):

  1. Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder (for gentle/daily exfoliation, or try a kit w/ a selection of products in smaller sizes)
  2. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Face Butter (great for Winter or those of you w/ dry skin all year round)
  3. Supergoop SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen (current sunblock; won’t leave white cast on tan or deep skin tones; great under makeup)
  4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (a must for nights, incl. in Winter)
  5. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Fenty Glow (a current fave)

Products I’m MOST Interested in Buying:

  1. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (tried before; great reviews from those of all skin types)
  2. Fresh Evergreen Routine Gift Set (b/c love this brand)
  3. Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm (b/c just always into lip balms, starting from my “low maintenance” years)
  4. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer (great reviews; tested the product before)
  5. Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (Y355 is my shade; recently tested product)

Oscars 2019: Predictions

Emma1 Comment

Best Picture

The Favourite

Actor in a Leading Role

Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody

Actress in a Leading Role

Olivia Colman, The Favourite

Actress in a Supporting Role

Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk

Actor in a Supporting Role

Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Directing

Roma, Alfonso Cuarón

Adapted Screenplay

BlacKkKlansman, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, and Spike Lee

Original Screenplay

The Favourite, Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara

Foreign Language Film

Roma, Mexico

Original Score

If Beale Street Could Talk

Original Song

“Shallow,” A Star Is Born

Cinematography

Roma, Alfonso Cuarón

Production Design

The Favourite

Sound Mixing

Bohemian Rhapsody

Costume Design

Black Panther

Film Editing

BlacKkKlansman

Sound Editing

A Quiet Place

Makeup and Hairstyling

Vice

Pick-up Lines for Trump’s America

Emma4 Comments

The following lines were said by President Donald Trump:

They’re fighting for love. A lot of people are fighting for my love. 

All of the women flirted with me– consciously or unconsciously. That’s to be expected.

You have to think anyway, so why not think big?

I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That’s where the fun is.

The following lines were inspired by Anthony Scaramucci (“The Mooch”): 

I’ve done nothing wrong on my financial disclosures… 

I’m not a paranoiac. 

I would report to you directly… anyday. 

Girl, I loved your hair and makeup the last time I saw you. Your should keep doing that. 

I sometimes use colorful language, but will not give up the passionate fight for your heart.

The following lines were said by Ivanka Trump (advisor/daughter to The President): 

I personally love the word “curious.”

I believe that we each get one life and it’s up to us to live it to the fullest.

It’s enormously important to unplug and devote that time to each other. 

At a work happy hour, preferably: Cultivating authenticity is essential to creating strong bonds with your coworkers. 

On a business trip, perhaps meeting w/ a cute client: You have to be able to look the other guy in the eye and know that there is value in the deal on the other end, too – unless of course, you’re a onetime seller and just going for the gold.

The following lines were said by First Lady Melania Trump (a fomer model/immigrant): 

Happen to run into a dapper (stylish) man? Impress him!: I love my closet, and I always buy things that I love 100 percent. I’m very organized, and I like everything sorted by colors, even the shoes. It’s important to know exactly where everything is when you walk into the closet.

Spot a cutie on Capitol Hill? Try this one: I’m very political. I’m not political in public; I’m political at home.

I think the mistake some people make is they try to change the man they love after they get married. You cannot change a person.

I am not a “yes” person. No matter who you are married to, you still need to lead your life.

Other lines:

To a lawyer (or law student), preferably: Can you form an obstruction case? 

I’m not a drone, but I could surveil you any day. 

Emma’s Faves of 2015: TV Shows

Emma9 Comments

Daredevil (Netflix)

daredevil_cast
The main cast of Season 1 of “Daredevil” (Netflix): Vincent D’Onofrio, Rosario Dawson, Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, & Elden Hanson

This show (unlike Jessica Jones- sorry, big fans) has a likeable lead character, blind vigilante/lawyer Matt Murdock (played by the boyish Charlie Cox), a terrific/multi-layered villain- Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), and even some humor (Daredevil’s best bud/law partner, Foggy).  The writing is quite strong, as are the recurring/side characters; I LOVED the flashbacks (esp. Matt’s relationship w/ his struggling/loving boxer father).  One of the unusual (for our time) themes of the show is hero’s relationship w/ his religion (Catholicism, in this case).  I just found that SO refreshing!  As for D’Onofrio, he was the main draw for me (WOW, I was NOT disappointed)!  There are strong/interesting ladies on this show, too, including the nurse (Rosario Dawson) who also appears in Jessica Jones.

Fresh Off the Boat (ABC)

FRESH OFF THE BOAT - ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat" stars Randall Park as Louis Huang, Forrest Wheeler as Emery Huang, Constance Wu as Jessica Huang, Hudson Yang as Eddie Huang and Ian Chen as Evan Huang. (ABC/Bob D'Amico)
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” stars Randall Park (Louis Huang), Forrest Wheeler (Emery Huang), Constance Wu (Jessica Huang), Hudson Yang (Eddie Huang) and Ian Chen (Evan Huang). (ABC/Bob D’Amico)

You probably know the history behind this (much lauded) show, BUT it’s VERY funny, clever, and (at times) emotional.  I’ve recommended it to MANY folks, esp. to those who are 1st gen growing up in U.S.  (I even got my parents into watching it, though they prefer films.)  There are some jokes that are even MORE funny if you’re from an Asian-American background!  Constance Woo (just aged 29- WOW)  has recently gotten a LOT of positive reviews; they are well-deserved.  With each ep, I see the lead actor (Hudson Yang), getting more stronger, confident, and on point.  He reminds me of a few boys (and even girls) that I knew back in JHS and HS.  The BEST thing about this show (IMO) the solid, loving, cooperative marriage between Jessica and Louis (Randall Park, an actor I always liked). 

Master of None (Netflix)

master-of-none-poster
Promo poster for “Master of None” (Netflix)

This comedy series (created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang) is unlike ANYTHING I’ve seen on TV- you NEED to see it now… or VERY soon!  Ravi Patel (Meet the Patels) is a recurring character on the show; he plays an Indian-American actor (just like Dev).  Ansari (just in his early 30s) cleverly brings up themes like typecasting in Hollywood, which even someone of his popularity has been subject to in the past.  The ep focusing on the creators’ parents coming to America stories has been highly recommended by friends, critics, and MANY of you out here online. 

The Affair (Showtime)

affair2_pr02_blue_portrait2_4c_300-jpg
Season 2 promo photo of “The Affair” (Showtime): Joshua Jackson (Cole), Ruth Wilson (Alison), Dominic West (Noah), & Maura Tierney (Helen)

Hopefully, you were able to see the finale (WOW, it was a surprise) last SUN.  I thought that the show (which features 4 strong co-leading actors in their 30s and 40s) was taking a weird turn, BUT it got back on track quickly!  Let me know- are you #TeamNoah (as I tried to be) or #TeamCole (it’s tough to decide)?  Are you excited about Season 3?