March 01, 2007
Hello (again)!
Haven't been posting in a VERY long while, so I would like to welcome myself back! Welcome back *Tammy! Also, I'd like to re-welcome everyone who reads, well, read my earlier blogs. Welcome back everyone! To new readers out there, welcome, welcome, welcome! Thanks for bein' here, people!
Now, let's get back to business! Since I've been gone, I've been going to school and very recently started getting serious about starting my own handmade organic skin care and cosmetics company! YAAAY! I make the greatest lip balm ever, people! EVER! Look out for my lip balms soon! Eventually this site will become my company website, but don't worry, this blog will still be apart of it :- )
So anyway, happy march, ya'll! You didn't think I'd be gone for so long without trying any new beauty stuff, did ya?
I'm still stickin' to my guns on the Oil Free Makeup by LORAC
I've discovered some really great products from luminizers to bronzers to lip glosses! Need a little glow? The Oil Free Luminzer from LORAC
Bronzers! I love, love, love bronzers because they look so much more natural than blushes. Blush on me tends to look too, well, blushed. A favorite of mine is HOOLA by BeneFit
Another company that makes great bronzers is CARGO
I know, I know, I said I was going to tell you about some great lip glosses, but it's almost midnight! It's definitely sleepy time. Thank goodness there's no class tomorrow so I can sleep in! YAY! I'll tell ya 'bout the glosses another day. Stay tuned! Until then, good night and good luck. ;- )
Posted by *Tammy at 11:59 PM
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February 04, 2006
Cheap Salon
Tired of paying 50 to 100 (or even more!) bucks for a basic hair cut? If you're looking to maintain your hair style, but get rid of damage, try going to a beauty school. Under the supervision of instructors, advanced cosmetology students can cut your hair. Most schools have full salon services, including nails, facials, waxing, makeup, etc. at very low prices (i.e. a haircut and blow dry at Marinello is about 11 bucks). Ok, so it sounds a little scary to get salon services from someone without a cosmetology license, but think of it this way...
...Remember when you and your girlfriends used to have slumber parties and you'd all give each other makeovers in the middle of the night while pigging out on junk food and watching late night TV? Well, think of the student as one of those girlfriends at a slumber party, but one who actually knows what she's doing. In other words, you be the student's live practice mannequin and she/he gives you the cut (or color, manicure, etc.) you want.
NOTE: It's best to get the school EARLY becuase these places get busy fast! Call ahead to see what times the advanced classes start (make sure it's a class where people can come get their hair done) and get there a little earlier than that time. Don't know where the nearest beauty school is? Google it (duh)!
:::Save your money, get your hair done at a beauty school!:::
Posted by *Tammy at 03:48 PM
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HairTips
January 31, 2006
Kajal!
Back in they day, when I was a Thai Classical Dancer, it took hours to get ready for a five minute performance. One day, as I was getting my makeup done by one of the teachers, she lined my eyes with a black, cone-shaped thing that was packaged inside of a lipstick case. I asked her what it was and she said that it was the liner used by Indian women. I said, "cool" and never thought of it agian until now.
I was looking for expensive eye liner at inexpensive prices on Ebay when Kajal popped up in my search results. Kajal is the black eye makeup used by Indian and Middle Eastern people. The natural sunscreen in it protects their eyes from the hot sun and, of course, makes eyes look nice. Kajal comes in sticks, powders, and cakes inside tins. Kajal sticks are applied straight from the tube, like a pencil liner. The powder is applied with a brush that has been dipped in oil (olive, sweet almond or other high quality oil); this doesn't sound very appealing, but don't knock 'till you've try it. The solid is applied with a brush, like a cream or gel liner. Not only can Kajal be used as a liner, the powder and cake forms make great mascaras also! I like the Kajal stick the most because it glides on easily, doesn't smudge, and seems to make my mascara do its job even better; oh, and it's convenient.
A lot of big cosmetic companies make chemical filled eye liners that mimic Kajal, so don't be fooled by fakes. The real stuff has ingredients you can pronounce and actually know what they are. I like the ones from Hashmi Surma which can be bought online at KohlQueen.com. Give all natural Kajal a try today!
Posted by *Tammy at 06:05 PM
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November 14, 2005
The Holidays Are Coming!
Ok, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but Christmas decor has been on sale in every store here in Los Angeles since October (before Halloween)! Before you know it, Christmas stuff will be up all year round and ads will be telling you to get an early start on Xmas in the middle of January. "Stock up now! These savings won't be here for long," the announcer will say.
I know it's early, but it doesn't hurt to get a move on with your holiday shopping. So, beat the after-Thanksgiving chaotic rush and start now without even getting out of your seat! Click to shop at these great online stores!
Posted by *Tammy at 04:15 PM
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HairTips
SkinTips
October 29, 2005
Brighten Up!
Not a morning person? Been up all night? Jump start you body and brighten up your look with these simple tips. Get ready to fake awake!
How To Fake Awake
- Once you're out of bed, do some jumping jacks to get your heart going and the blood flowing. If you aren't a morning person or hate morning exercise, skip this step.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lots of warm water. The splashes of water should help wake you up a bit.
- Moisturize, apply sunscreen, and your usual base (foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, whatever). Set with loose powder.
- Apply black or brown eyeliner to the top lids making sure to stay as close to the lash line as possible.
- Using an eye shadow brush (for powder) or your finger (for cream), apply beige or champagne eye shadow on the lid and just above the crease.
- After curling lashes, apply black mascara.
- Using a blush brush, apply a peachy-pink blush to apples of cheeks.
Don't know where the apples of your cheeks are? Smile. See the parts of your cheeks that pop out the most? Those are your apples.
- Apply a peachy-pink lip gloss, finish with another dusting of loose powder all over the face, and smile!
TA-DA! You now look awake, but you still feel like crap, right? My favorite way to perk up is with, you guessed it, caffeine! Not with a giant mochaccino with three shots of espresso, but with green tea. Tea has more caffeine than coffee and is packed with antioxidants. So, instead stopping at the coffee shop for a high calorie (and high priced) mocha-frappa-cappa-al-paccino, brew a cup of green tea at home (Ten Ren is a great brand of tea and is my favorite). If you don't like the taste, add a little honey for some sweetness.
Have a Nice Day :-)
Posted by *Tammy at 08:30 AM
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October 21, 2005
Sunscreen in Winter?
Anti-aging products may help plump up skin that's already wrinkled, but suncreen protects against future damage to the skin. It protects your skin from the aging and burning rays of the sun which is why I call it the real fountain of youth. Suncreen should be worn everyday, not just on the beach or during the summer months. Both UVA an UVB rays can poke through clouds, so protect your largest organ from wrinkles and sun damage with a dollop of sunscreen everyday.
I know I've been skimping on the updates lately, so I'm going to make it up to you all with a brand new product review! Here goes!
I got a free sample of Murad Waterproof Sunblock SPF 30 with my latest order from Sephora.com
. So, I decided to hold off on my usual Coppertone Ultrasheer Sunscreen SPF 45 ($10)
and give this Murad stuff a try.
A full size (4oz.) bottle of Murad's sunblock is $27. Is this sunscreen really worth all of your hard earned pretty pennies (in this case, tons and tons of pennies)?
...Absolutely not!...
Where do I begin? Just the smell of this stuff scared me. It smells like medicine masked by essential oils. Yup, there are oils in this sunscreen and oils can clog pores, even essential oils. Not only does it smell bad, it's greasy and leaves a nasty film behind. The only good thing I have to say about Murad's sunscreen is that it did protect my skin from the sun. I can buy stinky yet effective sunscreen from the dollar store! I'll definitely be sticking to my Coppertone Ultrasheer Sunscreen, SPF 45 ($10). It's not greasy or smelly and full of vitamins and antioxidants. The best part about Coppertone's sunscreen is that it's only 10 bucks and comes in a bigger bottle (6oz.)! Thank goodness for effective, inexpensive sunscreen! Woohoo!
Posted by *Tammy at 04:47 PM
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Comparisons&Reviews
October 10, 2005
Gettin' Healthy
Woohoo! My classes were canceled today! So, what did I do? I went to the market. See, I've been on a fast food diet for the past month (sooo not good for me...or anybody) so I decieded to get some food that's good for me. No more fast food for a loooooooong time, or maybe I'll just give it up. That'll be really hard for me because I am a fast food queen. Ok, let's just see if I can go without fast food for one month. If I can, I'll keep on not eating fast food and eventually just forget it completely. You heard me people, I, Tammy Suriwong, will not eat fast food for one month (or longer) starting today, October 10, 2005.
Anyway, if you're wondering what healthy foods actually taste good here's what I like...
I'm not much of a leafy green veggie eater so I eat lots of fruits and veggies that are other colors. I also have a major sweet tooth so I try to eat fruit or yogurt to satisfy my cravings. If I want to sweeten something, I use half a packet Splenda (trust me, a whole packet is way too sweet) instead of real sugar.
Usually, the more colorful the foods are in your diet, the better. So, just try a little of everything and see what tastes best to you. In case you don't know what to try, here's what I like (and also bought at the market today):
- hummus with red peppers (tastes great with rye crackers or 100% whole wheat pita bread)
- hummus with artichokes and garlic
- light yogurt (Yoplait is my favorite)
- cantaloupe
- Ready Pac of sliced, washed carrots and celery (you can save more money by getting the whole veggies and washing and cutting them on your own)
- apple cinnimon oatmeal
- cereal (Total)
- chocolate soymilk
- vanilla soymilk
- granny smith apples
- nectarines
- low fat string cheese (makes a great mid day snack)
Ok, so there's more sweet stuff than veggies, but it's a start for me. Give these foods a try and your body will thank you. Not only does eating healthy help you on the inside, but it helps you on the outside too because the condition of your inside reflects on the outside. Yay for good health! Woohoo!
Posted by *Tammy at 12:40 PM
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HealthandFitness
September 24, 2005
Smells Good!
Aromatherapy this, aromatherapy that...what the heck is aromatherapy anyway? It's the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from herbs and plants. Each essential oil has its own healing qualites such as relaxation, stress relief, and skin care, oh, and they smell good also. There are various ways to use these oils such as dabbing them directly on the skin, adding them to handmade soaps, or even mixing them with unscented lotion.
Here are two essential oils that are great for skin care and stress relief. Give them a try!
Lavender - Lavender is an evergreen woody shrub about 3 feet tall, with gray-green narrow linear leaves with the most beautiful purple-blue flowers perched on a long stem. The name Lavender is derived from the Latin word 'lavera' to wash. The Romans used Lavender frequently in their bath routine, and it is said to have been introduced by them into England, where it soon became a favorite.
Lavender has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves, relieving tension, depression, panic, hysteria and nervous exhaustion in general. It is also effective for headaches, migraines and insomnia.
Neroli Oil - Neroli oil is extracted from the flowers of Citrus aurantium var. Neroli oil has a sweet, floral and slightly haunting aroma, the color is pale yellow and the viscosity is watery. This essential oil is also known as 'orange blossom' and it takes about 1000 lbs. of orange blossoms to make 1 lb. of Neroli oil. The name Neroli is said to originate from the Italian princess, Anne-Marie de la Tremoille, Countess of Nerola, who used the oil as a perfume and to scent her bathwater and gloves.
Neroli oil helps with the regeneration of skin cells and is useful for scar tissue, skin care and stretch marks; it is also very relaxing and can relieve chronic anxiety, depression, fear, shock and stress.
Give these a try!
Aura Cacia 100% Pure Essential Oil, Lavender (Calming)
Ananda Aromatherapy Pure Neroli Oil
Thanks to Lush Cosmetics and the Lush Life Online Newsletter for the info.
Posted by *Tammy at 11:15 AM
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HealthandFitness
SkinTips
September 22, 2005
DIY Body/Face Scrub
Exfoliation is the process of scrubbing your body and/or face with gritty ingredients to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating your skin two to three times per week is the key to keeping your skin soft and smooth.
The ingredients in some scrubs include dyes, frangrances, and even stuff you can't pronounce! Those pricey "all natural" exfoliators have ingredients that you can find in the the grocery store.
You don't need to spend tons of money on a scrub, just make your own! Here is a simple recipe to make your very own face/body scrub!
DIY Scrub:
1. Pour some sugar into a bowl, tupperware, jar, anything that will hold it.
2. Add a little water to make a paste and scrub away! This can be used for both face and body.
- Tip: Wet face or body with warm water before scrubbing.
Some variations of the recipe:
- Substitute sugar with sea salt for a salt scrub or mix both sugar and sea salt together for extra scrubby goodness!.
- Instead of mixing with water to make the paste, try mixing it with olive oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, or even honey. All of these ingredients are very moisturizing and won't clog pores.
- Don't forget to mositurize, moisturize, moisturize after exfoliating! -
See, I told you it was simple. Talk to you later my little beauty hunters!
Posted by *Tammy at 11:45 AM
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SkinTips
September 20, 2005
The Real Fountain of Youth
No, the fountain of youth is not a plastic surgeon. It's in a bottle which contains a lotion called...drum roll please...SUNSCREEN!!! This stuff isn't just for summer or beaches anymore, it's the anti-aging secret that's, well, not much of a secret now that I've told you. This broad spectrum miracle lotion protects your skin from the aging (UVA) and burning (UVB) rays of the sun. Sunscreen should be used everyday, even on cloudy days; just becasue the sun isn't out doesn't mean it won't poke through the clouds once in awhile. So, which suncreen should you choose? How do you apply it?
How to Choose the Right Suncreen
1. Pick a broad spectrum one that protects against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
- Some key ingredients to look for in sunscreen are oxybenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate, sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide
2. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- SPF refers to the product's ability to screen the sun's burning rays. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin.
Let us take for instance a fair-skinned person who would normally turn red after 10 minutes in the sun. Ten minutes is their "initial burning time." If that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 2, it takes 20 minutes in the sun for that person's skin to turn red. Now, if that person uses a sunscreen with SPF 15, it multiplies the initial burning time by 15, so it takes 150 minutes, or 2 and half hours, for that person's skin to turn red.
3. Non-greasy ones absorb quickly and don't leave a thick film behind.
4. Just because it's more expensive does not mean it's more effective. Why shell out thirty bucks for a 3oz. bottle of sunscreen when you can get a 6 oz. one for one third of the price?
5. Some ingredients in sunscreen degrade over time, so be sure to check the expiration date.
How to Apply Sunscreen
1. Before applying, shake the bottle well to mix ingredients that may have separated.
2. Apply at least thirty minutes before going out in the sun. This gives it time to absorb into the skin so it's less likely to rub off.
3. Be extremely careful when applying around the eyes.
4. Use sunscreen on all exposed areas of skin including arms, back, legs, neck , ears, etc.
5. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen, one ounce (an entire handful) should be used for the entire body.
6. Reapply after swimming or sweating.
7. Wash your hands after applying sunscreen. If you don't wash your hands and you rub your eyes, they'll turn into a painful, stinging, blurry mess.
- If you do get sunscreen in your eyes, flush with cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If I were you, I'd just wash my damn hands right after applying.
So, which sunscreen is my favorite?
I use Coppertone Ultrasheer Sunscreen, SPF 45
everyday. It's non-greasy, doesn't leave a filmy residue, and doesn't seep into my eyes. It also makes a great makeup primer!
Thanks to WebMD Health and MedicineNet.com for the information.
Posted by *Tammy at 09:00 AM
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SkinTips
September 13, 2005
What's the Difference?
Is there a difference in quality between beauty products sold in durg stores and beauty products sold in department/specialty stores? There are diffrences, but some have larger ones than others. For instance, most foundations sold in drugstores have more "filler (stuff that really does't need to be in there)" ingredients than actual pigment. Most foundations sold at department/specialty stores have more pigment, less "filler," and gentler ingredients. I have not seen much of a difference in quality between expensive and cheap eyeliners; the ones I've tried have glided on nicely and stayed in place for most of the day or night (my favorites are Avon Oval Options Eye Pencil, Wet N' Wild Eye Liner, and NYC Eye Liner, NYC Oval Pencil).
Every month or so, I'm going to put my skin, hair, nails, and wallet at stake just so you can know which products really do what they claim to do and which ones don't. I will compare two of the same product, one from a drugstore and one from a department/specialty store. After trying them out, I will let you know whether there is a significant difference between them or not. Sometimes, I will try only one product (I'll try my best to test fairly new ones) and review it. I'll let you know which products I feel are best and which ones to stay away from.
I know everyone has a different opinion, so I invite you to try them also and email me your opinions! The very first product comparison is between Bourjois Coup de Theatre False Lash Illusion Duo Mascara
Posted by *Tammy at 08:50 AM
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Comparisons&Reviews
September 05, 2005
Flawless Skin part 2
How to apply foundation:
1. After cleaning your face and hands and applying sunscreen, follow with a primer. Let the primer "set" (most product instructions say to wait for one minute).
What's a primer? It's a product you apply to your face before foundation. It keeps oil at bay and helps make up stay on longer. It's colorless and made of silicone (some also have vitamins, some are even tinted) which gives your face a silky feel and helps make up go on more easily (which results in using less make up). It can also be worn alone on days you don't want to wear make up. It's also great for men to use after shaving. See, silicone is great for the outside of your body (skin, hair), but not inside (silicone poisoning, ouch).
2. For liquid foundation users:
- shake the bottle well before applying.
- dip a cotton swab into the bottle (never stick fingers into the bottle, bacteria from hands can grow inside of the bottle, yuck).
- dot the make up filled swab on forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
- use fingers, clean sponge, or foundation brush to blend make up outward and upward, don't forget to blend into the jawline.
- finish with a colorless powder to set the foundation.
3. For cream, stick, or compact foundation users:
- use a foundation brush or clean sponge to apply and blend (following the liquid foundation instructions).
- finish with a colorless powder to set the foundation.
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. Start with a small amount of makeup. You can always add more if you want extra coverage.
Once you are finished using make up sponges, throw them away. Bacteria grows on them and you don't want those nasty germs on your face, do you?
Wash foundation brushes after use with baby shampoo or mild soap. Reshape the bristles and lay flat to dry. This keeps bacteria away and the bristles in tip top shape.
This is definitley a no brainer, wash your hands after applying make up (duh!).
Here are some product suggestions. I use these products and they work very well on my oily, acne prone skin. These products are also great for other skin types also because they are oil free and won't clog pores. So, if you're searching for some new make up, give these a try.
ModelCo Face Base
is a great foundation primer that's packed with vitamins to nourish skin. It's a great base for make up, but can also be worn alone as a moisturizer.
LORAC Oil Free Makeup S6
is a great sheer foundation that literally melts into the skin. It blends very well and neutralizes redness. There aren't very many ingredients in it, just the essentials to help even skin tone. It doesn't irritate skin so it's great for all skin types, even sensitive skin. If it's applied right, people will start complimenting you on how great your skin looks (instead of complimenting on how great your makeup looks).
Paula Dorf Loose Powder
is a colorless powder that works with all skin tones. It sets makeup without changing the color of it and is great for touch ups. I carry some in a small retractable powder brush
Posted by *Tammy at 07:25 AM
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September 04, 2005
Flawless Skin part 1
Celebritites have perfect skin, right? Absolutely not! It takes foundation to give them the look of flawless, even toned skin. You don't need a glam squad to fake flawless skin; all you need is a good, simple skin care routine and a little foundation. Now, when I say foundation, I don't mean that scary, goopy stuff your grandma used to use. Like most beauty prducts, foundation has come a long way thanks to technology. They blend well on the skin and are much more gentle than your grandma's stuff. There is a shade to match every skin tone on the planet. Afraid to take the foundation plunge? Try a tinted moisturizer. It's a moisturizer with just enough pigment to even out skin tone, some even have SPF. Before I go on about foundation, know that great skin starts with great skin care.
1. Wash your face with a cleanser morning and night. When I say wash, I mean massage the cleanser into your face for at least one minute to let the active ingredients (acne fighters, vitamins, etc.) penetrate the skin. Rinsing it off in less than a minute will just wash away the active ingredients without doing anything to the skin.
2. Most skin specialists say that toner is essential because it helps get everything off that the cleanser didn't clean off. It's supposed to close the pores and make your moisturizer work better. My opinion on this? It's completely illogical! If your cleanser doesn't get the gunk off, then why use it? If toner closes the pores, then how will the moisturizer penetrate the skin? It doesn't make sense at all. I stopped using toner a long time ago because all it did for me was strip all of my natural oils and sting my skin. If you really can't live without toner, try using an alcohol free one.
3. If you are acne prone, apply a treatment like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Most ance treatments dry out the skin, so follow with a good moisturizer.
4. Apply a moisturizer to finish off. Don't forget to apply sunscreen during the day.
Finding the right products for your skin takes a lot of experimentation. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to see real results of the product, so be patient. If it doesn't work for you after that time period, throw it out and try a different one. Oh, if it stings or burns in anyway, run for the hills. Ok, don't run away, just throw the product away and don't use it ever again.
...Now, moving on to foundation...
There are four types of foundtions:
- Liquid - the most versitle type of foundation. Comes in sheer, medium, full, or even buildable coverage. Water based ones are good for all skin types. There are oil based ones out there, but they can clog pores.
- Cream - thick and creamy with medium to full coverage. Can be applied with a wet sponge for extra coverage. This type has an emollient base which is good for dry or mature skin. People with oily or acne prone skin should use water based liquid foundation instead.
- Compact - also known as powder foundation because it's both powder and foundation in one. Usually has medium coverage, but can be appled with a wet sponge for more coverage. Good for people on the go.
- Stick - comes in a swivel stick, emollient based, thick consistancy that can double as a concealer. Looks like a snap to apply, but it takes a lot of blending. Medium to full coverage.
How to find the right shade:
- yellow based shades work best with all skin tones. There are pink and peach based foundations, but who actually has those undertones?
- apply a small amount to your jawline and blend it in. It should "disappear" into the skin. Check it in natrual light (sun light) to make sure that there are no obvious lines.
- once you've found the right shade and formula for yourself, get happy and congratulate yourself because it probably took you awhile to find it, right? YAY for you!
...Application tips to come in part 2...
Posted by *Tammy at 03:13 PM
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