Winter/ Recent Favorites

Hi everyone!

Today I would like to share some of my favorite beauty products that I've been using!  Hopefully you'll take some of my reccommendations and try these products out yourself. 

This L'Occitane Ultra-Matte Face Fluid is for moisturizing, oil control and mattifying the face.  On days that I do not have time for foundation, I put this on for an airbrushed, velvety complexion.  I have oily/combination skin so this product works well and it never breaks me out.  I bought this product as Christmas gifts to friends who do not wear foundation and might want a velvet-y matte finish.  I think this product is gentle enough to not break people out.

 The Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed is my favorite blush and I've only been using it for 2 days! It was from my colleague, Iaisha, armadastyle-i.blogspot.com for Christmas!  Thanks!!  I love the natural flush it gives me.  I love wearing this over the L'occitane ultra-mattifying face fluid without any foundation.  It's a matte nude-y, pink color and I think it'll look amazing  on most light/medium skin tones. It's also very long lasting!

This Revlon eyeshadow quad, Lavender Meadow was on sale at CVS and I picked it up for under $2!  These shades of purple are great for any eye color and it's frosty/ lilac shades are perfect for a winter eye make up look.  You can even use this to create a purple smokey eye look.

These Physicians Formula Gel eye-liner for Hazel Eyes are just amazing!  I use my Tokidoki donut-girl eyeliner brush to apply this and it goes on very smoothly.  It comes in Brown, Black and Purple and the fun part is, it's actually stackable, so you won't lose them. (or if you do, you lose all three of them together LOL)

Please feel free to comment and ask me more questions about the products I mentioned!  And let me know if you would like me to do more of my favorites at the end of the month!

Fish Tail Braid is Trending

These Disney ladies rocked fish tail braids!  I think it's a fun, cute and young look to start off the new years!  Fish tail braids can make you look a bit more pulled together even if you're lounging at home in PJ's !

Delicious Korean Casserole Dinner!

32nd St. K-town Pocha's

Kimchi & Spam Casserole

Here's a youtube video on how to make it:  I absolutely love watching her!  She should have her own show on FoodNetwork!



Jewelmint Silver Swan + Michael Kors watch

Hi all!

Today I will be sharing my favorite new accessories!  I got this simply, yet beautiful watch from Michael Kors, I believe it's the silver mini runway, I forgot the name and I couldn't find the exact one online.  I bought it at the store on SoHo.  I like small dials and simple bracelet style for watches.  I was debating between this one or a more bling-y one, or perhaps a rose gold one.  Jen of  Frmheadtotoe, frmheadtotoe.com blogged about her Michael Kors Rose Gold Blair watch and I absolutely wished I had gotten hers instead! However, I decided to just stick with mine because it goes so well with the Jewelmint Silver Swan bracelet!  It's great for everyday wear and versatile enough for bracelet/mix and matching.  I'm definitely going to get the gooden goose (if it gets re-released again) on Jewelmint because I absoluely love this silver one!  I think they should make a rose gold one!!



Last Minute Affordable Gift Ideas

I'm not a  believer in gift cards. I really think it's the thought that counts!  I don't splurge on expensive gifts.  I really take the time to pick out gifts for each individual person.  I don't buy gifts just to get it over with.  I want my gift to be appreciated and put into good use!  I hope you find my ideas helpful!

1.  If you're still on the East Coast, it's not too late to order PIDA, Armada-style's gel exfoliator.  If I was a stylist, I would buy this product (only $25 at wholesale price!) and give it to every female I know!  It's the BEST facial exfoliator that's not too harsh and will not strip your skin's moisture.  It has improved my skin tone so much that I barely need any foundation anymore.  I can tell you for a fact that all your female friends will run to your salon for another bottle when they have used it all up!  This is also a great gift for all the teens/ men in your life!  My teenage brother loves it and it has drastically improved his acne condition!

2. Coin purses/ wallet

Everyone needs a little luxury in their handbag!  I always pay attention to details.  I always notice the type of wallet/ coin purse the lady in front of me pulls out of her bag when she's paying.  And it is likely, I have a little luxury envy.  I should just not buy what I'm standing in line to buy and save up to buy a nice presentable coin purse/ wallet!  I love Kate Spade & Michael Kors!  Not tooo expensive, but classy & fun at the same time.

3. Blush

Give your girlfriends universally flattering blush such as Nars Orgasm or Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush. You really can't go wrong!  My personal favorite is Tarte, Exposed, a nude blush that can double as a contouring shade/ bronzer for an allover, matte glow.

Exposed

Park Avenue Princess

 

4. Perfume Rollerball

I'm absolutely loving American Eagle's collection!  My favorite is Bohemian, a clean, fresh and slighty fruity scent that's absolutely irresistable! It's more affordable than the full size perfume. 

5. Jewelry storage

One of my favorite type of videos to youtube during my spare time are makeup organization videos.  I came across this awesome jewelry organizer on Asos.  On sale now!  I cannot imagine any woman not wanting this:

Holiday Shopping Stress?

Hi all!

Today I'll be doing a quick post on some of my FAVORITE shopping websites that's great for all your holiday shopping.

Sign up for
http://www.dailycandy.com/ for daily deals!  Great articles for gift ideas for everyone in your life
http://www.uncommongoods.com/ for unique gifts!
http://www.ruelala.com/invite/mtang18 for discounted designer gifts. FREE SHIPPING going on now!

Have fun shopping and let me know your favorite online shops!
REMEMBER to visit

http://armadastyle.myshopify.com/password to stock up on your client's favorite shampoos and hair products!  PASSWORD: HAIRSALON

Health secret: Blackberries

Today's post will be a spoiler the next e-CURE newsletter! 

Blackberries are one of my favorite fruits! One health advice I would always give to my friends is: Have fruits for dessert instead of pastries or cake!  Growing up, my mother always gave me fruits.  Coming from a Chinese background, my mother was never a fan of serving cookies or cakes or ice-cream.

Blackberries, or any type of berries are packed with antioxidants that's great for your health.  And hair.  In next month's eCURE newsletter, my colleague Iaisha of, http://armadastyle-i.blogspot.com/, will be talking about how M-3.2 works as an antioxidant for hair!  Stay tune for more hair and heath tips. 

Birchbox: Dry Shampoo + Updo Hair Tutorial

I love watching Birchbox youtube videos.  Birchbox is a monthly subscription service company.  For only $10 a month, Birchbox will send you a box full of awesome beauty samples!   They also do youtube tutorials to demostrate how to use those products.  The samples are usually worth more than the price you're paying for so if you're a beauty junkie who loves to try new products but afraid of investing in a full-sized product right away, then Birchbox may be an option for you! 

I personally don't wash my hair daily, so this tutorial will come in very handy for me!