Autumn Layers | "Thanksgiving Belly"

Hi everyone! 

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving. Who's excited?! I am! I so long a nice days off to just recharge. I have dinner plan with my friends and pretty much will spend the weekend at home or shopping =p. I was never crazy for black friday shopping but excited with the excitement. Does that even make sense? 

Here's an outfit idea for Thanksgiving. Since we all know Thanksgiving is a days of giving thanks and most people, including me, celebrate it with food, food and food, it's a great idea for layers. Cover up, what I call, "thanksgiving belly" with layers. lol.

Autumn Layers | Sweater over Dress

Hi everyone! 

I can't wait for Thanksgiving weekend! So excited. I've already imagined the food and how I'm going to spend the days off relaxing under the blanket with hot tea. Hmmm...

Here's another take on "Autumn Layers". Fall is indeed the best time for layers. I get to experiment with different pieces of clothing and I get to mix and match. 

This idea can turn a simple spring/summer dress to fall-appropriate outfit by adding an outer layer over it. Here I'm adding a basic oatmeal sweater over my sleeveless shirt dress. 

Adding the sweater creates a whole new look on it. 

I'm playing it safe with the simple monotone colors, but it will be interesting to layer different color schemes and patterns. 

Thank you for reading!

::Outfit::

sweater - H&M (old)

Dress - Ann Taylor 

Skinny belt - Ann Taylor (old)

bag - ebay

shoes - Vince Camuto (true to size)

Beauty Review | Dior Pore Minimizer Primer

Yes!

Y to the E to the S. 

YES!

That's my first reaction after I tried Dior Pore Minimizer Skin Refining Matter Primer. It's the first primer ever that manages to really keep my T-zone, most oily-prone area of the face, shine free. It works every time. I go out and about, and when I check my forehead, it feels much less oilier than usual. 

It claims to "instantly corrects imperfections by filling, refining, and mattifying skin for a high-definition flawless complexion". Although the name is "pore minimizer", I'm not so sure how minimizing can pores be. I do see the primer help blur out imperfection and smoothen the skin, prep it for foundation. It leaves the skin feel velvety, and it keeps that way for hours. I've used it for 10 hours straight, and I'm convinced that it's the best primer I've ever used. Don't get me wrong. It won't keep the face oil-free 100%, but close. It helps reduce oiliness and, thus, shininess. 

Another plus is the packaging comes with a pump which makes it easier and more sanitary.

What's the best primer you've tried so far?

Autumn Layers | Earth Tones and Leopard

Happy Monday!

Fall is the best time for layers. It's getting cooler every week here in San Jose, but it's still warm enough to wear dresses without tights. I wore this dress to my friend's wedding a couple of months ago when the weather was much warmer. I'm trying to create more looks with this dress, and I was inspired by this picture to pair the dress with a basic button-up shirt for something to wear to work.    

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

I was so excited when I found out that Hourglass launched their blushes in palette, just like they did with the Ambient lighting palette last year. The individual blush is retail for $35, so the palette is a much better deal for $58, considering. I took advantage of the VIB sale last weekend.

 Sephora website was down for hours on the first day, so I went to the mall during lunch break to make sure the things I had on my list weren't sold out. This is the only sale  I'm looking forward to the whole year, and possibly the only time I really shop at Sephora. Surely enough, there was only one left at the store, so I quickly grabbed it, along with a couple other things.

Things I'd Tell My Teenage Self About Beauty

Stop biting your nails!

Wear sunscreen everyday!

I wish dry shampoo existed at your time.

A little eyeliner and mascara wouldn't hurt

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Eye cream is not only for old people

Your hair needs some love too - use conditioner!

Eyebrows, meet tweezer.

Lip balm exists, you know.

Weekend Pampering | The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask

Sunday afternoon is the best time to pamper myself. Face mask, hair mask, body mask, you name it!

One of my favorites mask is Honey & Oat 3-in-1 Scrub Mask by The Body Shop. I picked it up several months ago, but didn't really use much of it. My first impression was the scent. It has his rich scent of oatmeal that I find calming. 

The mask has beads that are oatmeal grains, which should act as scrub. It claims to "cleanse, polish and moisture". The scrub isn't the kind that gets dry. It doesn't dry on the skin, which is great especially for dry skin on this colder weather. I put it on and leave it for about 15-20 minutes, sometimes more while I go about doing something else. Then, I rinse it off with lukewarm water. I read that lukewarm water is better for your skin. I use a washcloth to take it off if I don't go take a shower after.

My skin will instantly feel healthier, if that's even possible. It feels not tight, which cold weather does to skin, and smooth. I love this mask. The mixture of honey and oat makes a gentle moisturizing component for the skin. 

I also like The Body Shop Tea Tree face mask  for fighting acne. 

What's your favorite face mask?