Hand moisturizers that actually WORK

Living in southern California, I'm always told to put sunscreen on my face for protection, but often forget to keep my hands protected and moisturized. I started paying a lot more attention for a year now and have gotten some favorites that work well, some better than others. I usually use a hand moisturizer and then put sunblock on top if I'm going to be outdoors for awhile. Putting sunblock alone sometimes make the hands a bit dry, so it's great to have a base.

For travel size, the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Formula is perfectly sized, and very moisturizing. It feels a bit thick when initially put on, but it soaks in quickly with some blending with a clean finish. They used to have the SPF 30 version, but unfortunately haven't been able to find it in the states.

I've been disappointed by Bath and Body Works lotion in the past, mainly because they were mostly very thin and watery and didn't seem to really moisturize. However, the Fresh Picked Hard Working Hand & Body Cream has been pleasant compared to others. Even though it has a very strong fruit smell (some might prefer unscented, but may be good for fruity scent lovers), it doesn't merely function as a scent-oriented lotion, but rather a solid moisturizer cream for the hand and the body. 

But my favorite one has to be the Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. It feels the lightest when applied, but nonetheless, moisturizes and softens better than any hand cream I've came across. It soaks in very quickly without any stickiness, and only after a week of usage, my hands felt noticeably softer. Some people might not like the smell, but I actually don't mind it too much. It almost smells unscented, in a way that they left the natural ingredients' smell come through rather than covering it up, but it will be best to sample it first at the store.


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Cream Bronzers: Natural Golden Glow

I've always been curious by the cream cheek products, mainly because of it's emphasis on 'natural' and 'dewy' look that is easily blendable and buildable. Before purchasing Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, I wanted to test a cheaper dupe that will convince me that Chanel bronzer will be put to good use over the years. The Bourjois Bronzing Primer was a very similar dupe according to many people, and through ASOS, I purchased it fairly cheaply. After applying it around my cheekbones, I immediately fell in love for the natural tint it gave and the multi-usage quality of the cream. It worked lightly over the whole face for a tanned look, or to emphasize the cheeks as being 'sunkissed', I've applied all over the cheeks. Simplest way to apply this product is to use fingers and pat it on the area and blend it with the Real Techniques Stippling brush. I still had the urge to apply a little blush after to lift up the tone a little bit. After being convinced that I needed the Chanel bronze universal, I purchased the rather large creamy product that's not as liquid-y, and more solid as the Bourjois bronzing primer. With a bit of a skepticism that it was an overpriced product, I purchased a Eco Tools kabuki brush and applied it onto the cheeks after swirling the brush into the container. After the first stroke and a little blend, it was magic. I loved the tone it had which lifted my complexion much more than the bronzing primer somehow (rather slightly, but still enough to make a difference) and I had no urge to add a blush after as well. It was a perfect every day, easily wearable color that will lift up the complexion but didn't look over done. It naturally contours without the look of being too chiseled, but simply makes a natural distinction between the cheeks and the rest of the face. 

Now before owning these two lovely products, I've owned the Hourglass Illume Creme-To-Powder Bronzer Duo in Bronze Light which was a cream highlighter, bronzer duo in a one sleek, easy packaging. The cream bronzer in this product looks very orange, but when used as a bronzer+blush on the cheeks, it leaves a lovely sun-kissed look on the cheeks. It's slightly more red and lifting than the Chanel Universal, but is a perfect fusion of bronzer and blush in my opinion. The highlighter is equally lovely, and is most usable with a finger. It's a warm highlighter which looks very natural and subtle. 

The next thing I would love to check out is the Daniel Sandler's cream bronzer in Riviera, which is suppose to be very close to Chanel Universal. The only drawback is that it's rather expensive for the size (Chanel gives you a lot of product, Bourjois is cheap, Hourglass gives you two different products).


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Favorite Concealer : Undereye

I'm not much of a foundation person, and if I do whip it out every now and then, it is a low-coverage, thin foundation that is simply there to even out the skin tone and not much else. However, I do adore concealers, and one of my favorites has been the Clinique's All About Eyes for years and years due to the following reasons:

- Has a light texture if you use the right amount
- Easily blendable using fingers
- Liquid (and thus, dewy, not cakey)- Lasts a very long time (on skin and the tube itself is fairly large for the amount used)- Cheap (compared to higher end cosmetics), 17$ for a large tube

Now I've tried other ones such as the infamous Bobbi Brown Corrector, MUFE Full Cover, Origins Plantscription, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, and the new Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Eyes, and I just haven't been able fall in love with any of them for undereyes, specifically, and end up going back to this one over and over. I believe it's due to my hatred towards cakey-ness (which at times coincides with thickness) and the fact that I'm satisfied with the medium coverage concealer for my eyes (which doesn't cover all the horrid darkness, but good enough to make my overall skin even and polished). It looks natural and lasts a long time which is what I try to aim for in every makeup. And if I want the full coverage, I add the Benefit Bo-ing 02 on top of it to brighten and add extra coverage. Some cosmetics don't go well together, but these two pair blend well and doesn't make it look too 'heavy'. You could even use it for blemishes which works just as well. Hope this one never gets discontinued!

For highlighting effect, I add a very small dot of Becca Shimmering Perfector in Moonstone with the concealer, which creates a light-reflective quality undereyes.

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NARS Newbie: One Night Stand

The only NARS product I have ever own was the lip pencil that I got for free in a sample set awhile back. I was always put off by their overly sexual titles for marketing, and I remember swatching the infamous Orgasm blush at the store and thinking that it was way too glittery for my taste. I heard about the limited edition palette through some blogs and two colors immediately caught my attention: Mistinguette (bright pink) and Goulue (medium pink). They were both limited edition colors in the palette, and with the Sephora VIB sale, I got extra curious and immediately purchased. After using it for months, I'm happy to say that I'm enjoying my first NARS product. The colors are pigmented just enough that it's manageable. I wasn't too impressed with the bronzer, but my most frequently used colors are the highlighter, Mistinguette, and Deep Throat which are so easily wearable. Mistinguette works well on top of a muted bronzer to lift up the complexion, and Deep Throat looks good with or without anything as a base. It's a limited edition, but there seems to be a lot of similar shades/dupes in their permanent collection. Now my wishlist includes the peachy Taj Mahal and a pop of pink Gaeity.

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Favorite Summer Wedge: Lucky Brand Kyndra

When it comes to shoes, comfort along with solid support and stability is a must for me. I don't own many high-heels, but wedges are a different story. I spotted the Lucky Brand Kyndra sandal awhile back at Macys website, but the price was a bit too much for what I usually pay for casual sandals. Couple months after, opportunity knocked when LuckyBrand website was having a sale, and so I managed to purchase it in the tan color. The height was perfect, the curve of the platform (which usually decides the comfort level of the shoe for me) wasn't too steep, and the simplicity of the design and the color made this sandal super versatile. Here's some reasons why I think this sandal is great:

- fairly low heel wedge (for me, wedges are much more comfortable and safe considering I trip every second). Slightly over 2"
- color beige: with my slightly tanned skintone, this light beige makes my legs look slightly more tanned, which I love. It's not so light that it makes my leg pop (like I've been to the tanning salon too many times), but it's light enough that it gives that healthy toned look to my legs. 
- reasonably priced 
- simple style and neutral color makes it wearable with almost any wardrobe
- feels well made and sturdy

It's available in various sites (Macys, Luckybrand, Shoes.com, Zappos, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales) in multiple prints and colors. I found the sandal to be very true to size.