A beauty salon is an establishment providing services related to beauty.
Anyone who has spent a meaningful amount of time with me knows that I have a fascination with personal care products: its usage, the packaging, and the industry. Who else's childhood hobby was collecting product brochures from the Estee Lauder Company's line of brands? Some people are members of EMACS usenets, I look forward to receiving Heather Kleinman's Cosmetic Connection newsletter in my inbox each week.
This idiosyncrasy drew me to Vicky, a great friend and essential fashion reference. Jen and I, beyond serious discussions of Taiwanese politics, also share a yen for beauty care. I used to think every guy knew how to apply a mask till my freshman year in college, when Kuo goggled at me as I walked around the entry with a mask. I then realized that Galen, my younger brother, is wise in the ways of skin care because of my influence.
I remember cornering him when he was four, educating him about the importance of lip balm and trying to apply it to his lips.
My skin tends to be oily. Thankfully, I no longer have to deal with acne as often as I did during adolescence. Five years of living in Boston also contributed to my first experience of dry (!) skin. My skin has been on a roller coaster of behavior since I moved to Taiwan last September-but change is good because it challenges by forcing one to pay attention.
I don't skimp on facial skin care. That said, I don't believe in using expensive cleansers. The product is usually on your face for less than a minute-will that ten times more expensive per ounce product really make that much of a difference? I don't think so.
Somehow, I've never really spent that much time or money on the rest of me. I rarely comb my hair and I never blow dry. My fine hair has withstood nearly nine years of competitive swimming and done just as well or better with inexpensive drugstore brands than specialty brands. I remember to moisturize my body when my skin itches from dryness.
More (as in harder scrubbing, layers of products) is not better. Simple and gentle is best.
beauty salon
Monday, July 28, 2003
Galen brought back my boscia order from the States. I started using their smoothing facial polish, and I like the product. It's similar in texture to PTR's botantical buffing beads, but with grey-colored flecks in a clear, brown-tinted gel. The polish has a very light botanical scent.
10:42 PM |
Saturday, July 19, 2003
I have been using Paula's Choice Essential Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 15 with Antioxidants for nearly two months now. I really like the product--it's my new favorite daytime moisturizer, as it doesn't add any oil to my skin, is lightweight, and absorbs quickly. The only drawback is that the product has a touch of that medicinal sunscreen smell, but I'd rather have a product that works well than one that just smells good.
I've also been using Paula's Choice Blemish Fighting Solution. I have been having more breakouts recently, due to the heat, humidity, and general sleep deficit. The blemish fighting solution is a better product than the generic CVS-brand 2.5% benzoyl peroxide I had previously used: it's lighter, dries clear, and is more effective. Actually, the first two days, my skin looks like the product has no effect at all, and then the zits thankfully disappear on the third day. This is one of those products that takes its time to work its magic.
Still, the best skin booster of all is a healthy diet, lots of water, and plenty of rest!
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Incidentally, I tried Chanel's Glossimer Extreme lip gloss while at Nordstrom's. I was intrigued by the ads in fashion magazines and on billboards, that had a very strong, shiny lip look. Ick! The product went on very tacky, like colored glue with large chunks of glitter. I immediately tried to take it off with a tissue, but had to ask a salesperson for some makeup remover.
5:56 PM |
