The Accidental Fashionista

No matter what shape or size you are, there is definitely something that every woman can relate to - fear of wardrobe malfunctions. Whether you’re wearing a deep cut V-neck gown to your company’s annual dinner, or wearing a simple nice cardigan to a coffee date with your crush.

Wardrobe malfunctions can happen anytime, anywhere. It might not happen as bad as Janet Jackson, but you might want to take the necessary steps to make sure that you have just the item for a quick fashion fix.

The Hollywood Fashion Tape is a specially formulated clear double sided, hypoallergenic, tape that leaves no residue on the fabric .

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Sunscreen (also known as sunblock or suntan lotion) is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation and protects the skin.

The SPF of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen — the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). The SPF indicates the time a person with sunscreen applied can be exposed to sunlight before getting sunburn relative to the time a person without sunscreen can be exposed. For example, someone who would burn after 12 minutes in the sun would expect to burn after 120 minutes if protected by a sunscreen with SPF 10.

With the earth’s protective ozone layer getting thinner and thinner each day due to the effects of global warming, we are more prone to damaging our skin by the sun’s rays. So sunscreen is above all, the most essential item that we need to put on our face and body before we leave the house.

Here are one of the best sunscreens/sunblocks on the market listed by InStyle which is both effective yet inexpensive.

Best Sunscreen For Face - Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 (Retails at $10/3 oz)

Best Body Sunscreen - Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 85 (Retails at $11/3 oz)

Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin - Vanicream SPF 60 (Retails at $17/4 oz)

So, remember! Always, always slather on your sunblock!

Love,
S.

CONGRATULATIONS!!
First Commenter:

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! That’s the only advice I get from my mother and the people at M.A.C. or any other makeup store that I go to to buy makeup. They take a look at my skin and that’s what they say. Yes, I have dry skin and there are days when I am just too too lazy to slab on moisturizer. Okay, I’m lying. It’s not “there are days”.. it’s “most days”..

The good side about having dry skin is that you are pretty much pimple-free. HOWEVER, the bad side is, you are prone to have more WRINKLES!! Aaaahhhh!!!

Wait!! Before you go running away from my post and go lathering 3 inches of moisturizer on your face, check out the moisturizer that you’re using first. Is it right for you?? Know your skin type first before anything else. Is your face oily?? Do you have combination skin?? Is your skin dry??

When purchasing moisturizers, always look out for the label on the moisturizers you find in the drug stores. Look out for the words cream, lotion and gel.

• Cream = for very dry skin. It contains a lot of moisture and is thicker and heavier when you lather it on. A no-no for oily skin.
• Lotion = Lotion is light and more runny than cream. It is ideal for combination skin tones. Look out for the oil free ones if your skin is more oily-prone.
• Gel = Gels are ideal for oily skin because it’s cooling and is usually water-based. It gives moisture without the oil.

For sensitive skin, try looking for hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free formulation or with healing properties such as “green tea extract”.

Also, a reminder for all of you, just because La Mer Crème de la Mer is one of the best top selling moisturizers that celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Eric Dane and Halle Berry swear by it, don’t go out spending so much on it because it might not be right for you. Especially for those living in tropical countries where it’s hot and humid all year long, you might want to rethink your purchase.

It is indeed a “miracle in a jar”.. however, only for those with parched skin. Or when your skin is all chapped up like during winter. It would definitely be too rich for those otherwise. Trust me! But if your skin is really dry (and you have cash to spare), go ahead and go for it!!

So here’s a couple of moisturizers that have received great reviews by users worldwide:

For dry skin: La Mer Crème de la Mer - The cream claims to make your skin smoother, firmer, and wrinkle-free over time because it contains seaweed that is harvested during certain times of year under certain moons. Get ready to hand over your salary, though.. this one retails for about $142 for 1 oz. About RM500 per 1 oz jar.

For normal/combination skin: Biotherm Aquasource Non-Stop Ogligo Thermal Gel - Intense moisturizing, this fresh-textured gel is enriched with a patented hydrating complex to provide a reservoir effect on skin. Retails for about $33 per jar.

For Oily/Acne Prone skin: Ahava Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin - Formulated with natural Dead Sea ingredients. Quenches skin with long-term hydration throughout the day. Reduces formation of blemishes. Keeps oily & acne prone skin shine free.Leaves skin fresh supple & healthy. Hypoallergenic & oil free. Retails for approximately $32.99.

So there you have it! So lather up already!

Love,
S.

CONGRATULATIONS!!
First Commenter:

One other item that is never missing from my makeup bag is my eyelash curler. I am one of those women out there who are not blessed with looonggg, sweepy, thick and curling lashes. Mine are very very straight and average. Therefore, when I want to look my best, I need my eyelash curler, so help me!!

However, just any eyelash curler won’t do for me. I can’t go to a drugstore and buy ‘em.. it just does not work for me. My fave beauty item in my makeup bag goes to: my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. I think those with my predicament, will be thankful for this divine creation! I kid you not! My lashes will transform unbelievably!

The emblematic Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler featuring enhanced design and upgraded features for ultimate precision that delivers the perfect curl.

• Upgraded silicone pad in a new “mushroom” shape provides a protective, stay-put edge for improved safety and optimum curl.
• Upgraded patented hinge with precise engineering applies perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes
• Curved angle suits all eye shapes
• Calculated shape and size of frame length and ergonomic handles ensure stability and control

The Shu Uemura eyelash curler retails for about $19 and if I’m not mistaken, the last time I bought mine here in Malaysia was RM40. Not too sure about that.. but seriously, it is definitely worth it. Don’t believe me?? Just ask Oprah! LOL!

Love,
S.

CONGRATULATIONS!!
First Commenter:

What is a primer?

Primer is a layer of silicone-based gel that you apply on your face before you apply your makeup. It is the base of your makeup and used after moisturizer but before foundation. It does help act as a moisturizer and contains propertise that help ease out fine lines, smooth out any bumps. They also help even out skin tone, help your makeup stay on longer and absorb oil with salicylic acid. . Most makeup artists nowadays don’t even use foundation after applying the primer instead just applying concealer to cover up any dark spots, etc.

One of the inexpensive but really good primers on the market right now is the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I personally love the primer a lot, although I am using the tinted Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation SPF 15. A girl definitely needs her SPF, right? I really recommend this primer and it only retails for about $36 for a 27.5 ml primer. That can last you a long time too!

It definitely is one of my must haves in my makeup bag and those looking for that natural glow that seems to illuminate the skin of A-list celebrities, then this is the product for you!

Love,
S.