I’m using the most amazing serum ever invented…I am not even joking. The formula was engineered to repair the DNA that damages the skin called AC-11. If that DNA is repaired, it reacts like a chain and repairs the rest. Scars are improved, skin texture etc. I’ve used it for just one day and I see a different. I was skeptical as usual, but I’m really blown away. The only problem, it costs a fortune to produce. Skin care is not cheap to make. This is why some products are expensive because the ingredients are so complex. When you work in the skin care industry that deals with cell base repair, you cannot just use water and aloe and call it a day. Majority of the time it’s packaging yes, but when they’re no advertising or marketing expenses, you are ultimately paying for the real deal. Rule of thumb, if you’ve never heard of it and it is expensive, it’s because it works. I will keep you all updated on this amazing find. I am still touching my face…holy moly.

-M

I really do miss home. I am in one of the greatest city in the world, yet I cried today because I still miss my family, my loved ones, and Mr. Bun Bun.  Sometimes I just want to get a ticket and go home now, but I’m here for work and I cannot risk that. Success comes with many sacrifices. If you truly want something, you have to sacrifice. Life is never fair. When you gain, you lose. Even in mother nature there is Yin and Yang. When one side of the world receives light from the sun, the other is in darkness. You cannot expect everything to be perfect. Remember that quote I love so much?

“Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

Things may not all go according to plan, but that is the beauty of it. You can either do 2 things.

1. Be upset and moan and groan.

2. Accept the beauty of spontaneity and seek for an opportunity within it.

Life is all about embracing the imperfections in life. I’d like to call them happy accidents.

Ending with an emo photo of yours truly, and no I’m not going to jump you crazy loons.

Kindly,

Michelle

Wow, I finally got my rest. 20 hours flight from Florida to San Fran to Hong Kong is not fun (I loath flying…period), but I survived. I got situated at my hotel, but I could not sleep. My internal clock is all sorts of fugged up. Instead I just took photos and waited for my friend to arrive in Hong Kong. I went out sight seeing and there is so much shopping. Ironically I am in no mood to shop (I outshop myself to death whenever I visit New York) , but hopefully I will soon because the prices are not so bad (but not as cheap as I expected). I’ll try and update from time to time. I cannot wait to get home and see my baby, Mr. Bun Bun…

I also decided to cut my bangs before my trip. I used kitchen shears, but hey, it works!

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday…or err…Tuesday for me.

Cheers

Kindly,

-M

Many girls have asked me what is the easiest and most natural looking makeup you can use?

The answer is simple, and most of you will roll your eyes to it.

Don’t wear any makeup…

It’s as easy as that.

Believe it or not, your skin benefits from makeup. Wearing foundation gives your skin sun protection, about SPF 8. Now you need at least 15, but SPF 8 is better than nothing right?

Don’t let this give you an excuse to wear makeup at every waking hour. You should give your skin a break from makeup. I usually don’t wear makeup on Sunday. I just wear a light moisturizer  and lip balm.

The trick is, when you don’t need to wear makeup, remove it right away. If you have to go out later, apply a fresh application of makeup instead because your pores will build up sebum and block your pores if you leave your makeup on for more then 10+ hours. Thus clogging them and later forming nasty pimples.

I ALWAYS remove my makeup before I sleep. Even after I am so so tired that I can barely brush my teeth, I remove every inch of makeup on my skin. It takes a great deal of discipline to grow accustomed to this routine, but it is a MUST if you wear makeup on a daily bases. It will pay off later. Sleeping with makeup on ages your skin faster…unless you crave to have wrinkles now then go for it!

Now I am not one of those girls who takes photos of herself with no makeup and claim how ugly I look. I don’t fish for compliments from people to reassure me that I look good without makeup. I know I’m not hideous without it (rememeber it’s not ego, it’s confidence), but I know for a fact I look a BAGILLION times better with makeup. It’s okay, I’m confident to post photos of myself without makeup. Heck, you’ve seen videos of me with no makeup. Shrugs, doesn’t bother me. No one is perfect.

So give your skin a break, and let it breath. You air out your carpet and house, so why not your skin?

But I’ll tell you this. It’s easier to pull off the all natural look if you have clear skin. You don’t need big doe like eyes, a tiny nose and great hair. You can have all of the above, but if your skin is in bad shape, you’ll have a harder time pulling off the no makeup look.

Remember, reduce your dark circles. Clear your blemishes. Even out your skin tone, and you can pull off the no makeup look with ease. Haha, I know it’s easier said than done, but I am confident you can do it!

I’ll help along the way too =)

Kindly,

Michelle Phan

So I’ve had many readers requested for photos of the Summer Sunset look I created.

Remember?

Here is an example of some of the inspirational colors I took off of. I’m sure you have all seen this default wallpaper for Windows I think? It’s so flippin gorgeous, I swear it has to be photoshopped! Haha.

Some people were disappointed the I did not push the colors more, but I diluted the colors for a reason.

It looks more wearable and modern. If I were to pushed all the color’s saturation, I would end up looking like a circus clown. I toned it down to create a more celestial yet subtle look.

This photo was taken in natural daylight with no flash. Contacts are geo lens in nudy green.

I achieved this look with Ben Nye Lumiere palette. This is what makeup artists use for performances on theater. The colors show up better from afar. Ben Nye’s color output is phenomenal. The intensity is vibrant and rich. I recommend this to all the color lovers out there.

Here are some more snapshots I took. I played around with the color overly because the lighting (besides the first one) was so dull and blue.

It’s amazing what a few colors can do. It can create illusions of sunsets on your eyelids.

Speaking of illusions, check out these cool wall paintings. Nothing is photoshopped. All paints and line work were strategically placed to create 2 dimensional illusions in each room.

Amazing right? I’m sure a lot of mathematics were involved. And a steady hand.

I’ll end this quick post with a photo of the ever so charming Mr. Bun Bun and I trying to look like muffins. I fail though from his cute overload.

Kindly,

Michelle Phan