Growing up, my grandmothers used to remind me to moisturize my skin every day. As Chinese immigrants, they were extremely frugal people and never spent a dime on anything...except good moisturizers. Why? In Asia, there tends to be a holistic attitude toward skincare,
which is reflected in the use of ingredients inspired by nature and the
belief that our skin is a reflection of our inner health and wellness.
Within the last few years, beauty has gone viral. People everywhere have been able to share skincare tips, product reviews, and makeup looks through YouTube videos, social media, and blogs. In the process, beauty secrets from different countries have crossed borders and spread to places like the U.S. Many European beauty brands entered the American market decades ago, and more recently, more Asian brands have made their way here as well.
There is a lot that we can learn from Asia when it comes to beauty. The Asian philosophy is to be as gentle
as possible to your skin, which means refraining from pulling or tugging on skin. While we in the U.S. as well as in the Western world like to tan, Asians strive for fairer complexions. Why? Well, it all relates to status. Historically, in the Western world, having a tan signified that you had the financial resources to take vacations in expensive, sunny destinations. On the other hand, in the Eastern world, a tan complexion meant that you were a part of a poorer class that made their living from physical labor in the sun. Thus, in Asia, sun protection is important (parasols and wide brimmed hats are a must on sunny days).
Different Asian countries have different beauty rituals. Here are some valuable beauty secrets from some of the most influential Asian beauty capitals:
1. Korea
First impressions are extremely important in Korean culture, and skin health certainly plays a part. Having good skin demonstrates that a person is healthy and takes care of him/herself. Tons of recent cosmetic staples like BB creams that we've recently discovered in America have been around in Korea for years. In general, Koreans are pioneers in hydrating cosmetics and often use products like water masks and cleansing oils regularly that keep skin looking radiant. One of the newer trends that has made its way from Korea is royal jelly in skincare products. Royal jelly is naturally derived from bee pollen and offers healing, moisturizing, anti-aging, nourishing, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. So, all skin types - mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, normal, etc. - can benefit from it. Additionally, Korean products often incorporate ginseng, which is a
strong antioxidant and provides defense against aging.
Korean Brand Product Recommendations:
2. Japan
Japanese women age really well because they take excellent care of their skin. Many of their skincare habits originate from the days of geishas. Geishas wore bright lip sticks and dark eye brows, so Japanese color cosmetics are often bolder than other Asian brands. Although it was typical for geishas to cake on piles of makeup, they still had beautiful skin because they took measures to repair and replenish it when they weren't working. While most women in the U.S. stick to the core 3: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, it is common for Japanese women to have daily 7+ step regiments. In the process, they nourish their skin with super ingredients for the skin like rice bran and nightingale droppings. Rice bran is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E that is an extremely powerful skin softener that soothes, smooths, and leaves skin feeling elastic and supple. It also provides antioxidant protection that helps slow signs of aging. Nightingale droppings sound nasty, but the ones used in facials are sterilized so no need to worry! Celebs like Victoria Beckham get nightingale dropping facials regularly. It's worth trying if you can get over the thought of
it because it has enzymes that help break down dead skin cells to exfoliate. The droppings are also full of guanine to bring out a healthy and beautiful sheen. Interestingly, Japan is a small country with a smaller population, but it is the second largest world beauty market. It is the home to many powerful plant botanicals that are becoming popular in American skincare products. One of my favorite skincare brands is Boscia, which is essentially a Japanese/American fusion brand, combining powerful Japanese BOtanicals with Western SCientific techniques (Get it? Botanicals + Science = Boscia).
Japanese Brand Product Recommendations
3. China
Skincare has always been a priority for most Chinese women, since skin appearance is a reflection of how healthy a person is. Ancient beauty secrets such as applying crushed pearl powder to the skin started in China. Pearl powder is expensive because it is perhaps one of the most powerful skincare ingredients that you can use. First of all, it is detoxifying and healing. It also smooths and softens skin by stimulating processes including collagen production, cell regeneration, and cell repair. Most importantly, it is brightening, leaving your complexion more even and with a pearly luster. On the other hand, makeup is just starting to become popular in the China. Decades ago, Mao Zedong outlawed self-expression through fashion so that wearing makeup, accessories, certain hairstyles, and colorful clothing were illegal. However, now that the social and political climate in China is changing and people have
more disposable income, Chinese women seem to have a newfound love of beauty products. In fact, the Chinese interest in beauty has grown to the point that it is currently the fourth largest beauty market after the U.S., Brazil, and Japan. Estee Lauder even launched a brand called Osiao specifically for the Chinese market. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the growth of more Chinese brands in the near future...
Product Recommendations (there aren't really any major Chinese brands yet in the US)
4. Indonesia
Indonesian personal care is based on Jamu, traditional, herbal Indonesian medicine. Because of the tropical climate in Indonesia, exotic super plants flourish, and have been worked into cosmetics. For example, turmeric, a part of the ginger family, is a strong spice that is used in Indonesian cooking. However, it is also a strong antioxidant in the fight against aging, and its healing powers make it suitable for
blemish-prone skin as well. Drinking health elixirs such as kombucha supports the philosophy that what you put into your body affects skin appearance just as much as what you put on it. Kombucha is fermented black tea that helps tighten and smooth fine lines and provides antioxidant protection. And don't forget that the caffeine helps reduce puffiness so that you appear more awake.
Product Recommendations
For more on Asian beauty secrets, check out Asian Beauty Secrets: Ancient & Modern Tips from the Far East by Dr. Marie Jhin who is a dermatologist and beauty expert. I attended her book signing and can say from experience that she is a really knowledgeable and sweet person. And not to mention that she does not have a single wrinkle or dark spot ;)
**All product recommendations are toxin-free.
What's the one makeup product women can't seem to live without? Surveys show that it is mascara. I tend to agree because a little mascara can make a huge difference. It only takes 2 minutes to apply and can really open and highlight your eyes more naturally than eyeliner or eyeshadow can.
But the market is so saturated with mascara products these days. How do you narrow down your options? First, I like to start by focusing on paraben and sulfate-free products (like the product recommendations below). In general, try to look for smudge-proof formulas. Save water-proof formulas for the beach because they often peel or clump easily. Many mascara formulas are similar, so it's really all about the brush. Different brushes serve different functions. Most women with normal lashes are looking to boost lash definition. Fine toothed comb brushes like the Juice Beauty Lash Defining Mascara ($19 at Ulta) can help sweep lashes upwards, while depositing clump-free color onto lashes that won't transfer to skin or stick lashes together. Volumized lashes can offer a slightly more dramatic look. I absolutely love the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($19 at Sephora), and it is definitely a fan favorite. It is "clinically proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 424%," and the natural formula is very gentle on lashes. Overall, I like the mascara's light, soft feel and natural look.
For those of you with sensitive eyes...try Almay's mascaras, which are hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist recommended for contact lens wearers. I especially like the Almay One Coat Triple Effect Mascara ($8 in drugstores). Almay is an affordable and effective brand with products for people with sensitive skin and eyes, and their mascara is no exception. They make specific lengthening, thickening, volumizing, etc. mascaras, but the One Coat Triple Effect is a very general mascara product. It builds, extends, and sculpts lashes in one simple sweep.
For those of you who prefer waterproof products...try the bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara ($18 at Ulta). The formula is waterproof, but it is not as sticky or flaky as many other waterproof products, while the fine bristles help brush lashes upwards and allow you to easily reach all of your lashes. With beautiful shades like Ripe Plum and Espresso, you had definitely a color that goes with any look.
For those of you with sparse lashes...try a thickening formula like the Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara ($33 on dermstore.com). The large brush adds a lot of color with each sweep (you only need 2 coats) while separating lashes. Like all Jane Iredale products, this mascara is good for your lashes too. A good tar-free mascara is hard to find, but this is one of them. Also, it contains seaweed to condition and fortify lashes.
For those of you with short lashes...try a lengthening formula like the Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara ($8 at Ulta). I didn't think that the fatter brush on this mascara was going to work well for lengthening, but it's actually really nice! Since my eyelashes are pretty short, this is usually my go-to mascara. The formula glides on really smoothly, and the brush makes for a neat and full application. This product comes in multiple shades, but my personal fave is the Black Shimmer. The "shimmer" is very subtle, but really adds a sparkle to the eyes.
And don't forget about your lower lashes to complete the look. Since they're smaller, they can be harder to reach. If coating the lower lashes is tough for you, invest in the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10 at Sephora). The short brush is designed for reaching all of those lower lashes, and the formula removes easily when exposed to warm water.
Make sure you curl your lashes BEFORE you put on your mascara. Curling them with mascara on can make your lashes brittle and cause them to stick to the curler. My personal favorite curlers are the Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($18 at Sephora) and the Laura Mercier Eyelash Curler ($16 at department stores), which has a cushy pad that prevents pinching and unique compact shape for travel. Also, heating your curler with a blow dryer helps your curler curl (just be careful not to burn yourself because the metal will get hot). You can even buy heated curlers like the Sephora Heated Eyelash Curler ($17 at Sephora). If you have lashes like mine that don't curl very easily, you can use a brush with a curved wand like the Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara ($19 at Sephora) in addition to curling your lashes. As the name implies, the S-shaped wand will help sculpt and shape lashes more effectively than a straight brush. Many drugstore brands make a product with a curved wand, but I like the Buxom one because of the ultra fine brush bristles and the vitamin-rich formula.
Another way to improve your mascara wear is by applying a primer first. This will hold the mascara onto your lashes for a longer period of time and prevent smudging, flaking, and fading. Like your hair, your lashes can get brittle after being coated with mascara day after day. Primers can also protect your lashes from mascara. The Tarte MultiplEYE Clinically Proven Natural Lash Enhancing Primer ($22 at Sephora) is a natural option that nourishes and conditions lashes with HydroPlant peptide to help them naturally appear longer and fuller.
The nice thing about mascara is that there are many great options for wallet-friendly prices. So, picking up your favorite mascara from the nearest drugstore can be a guilt-free treat. After all, there's nothing more elegant than luscious lashes!
What is your favorite mascara?
...continuing from last week's post, there are also many beauty trends that have emerged over the past decade. There's always one product that acts as a catalyst for these trends. However, many brands have later presented new and improved as well as healthier versions of these original products. Check it out:
1. Gel Eyeliner generally comes in a pot or pan. It has a creamy formula that glides on when you apply it with an eyeliner brush. The liner dries on your eyes and doesn't budge as easily as pencils often do. Plus, they have a more natural finish than many liquid liners do. Overall, gel liners produce a rich color and allow for a neat application.
Out with the old...Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23 at Sephora)
Today, many color cosmetic brands make a gel eyeliner, but Bobbi Brown was the founder of this magnificent concept. I must say that I'm a huge fan of gel liners, and Bobbi Brown definitely has the best color selection with plums, blues, light browns, shimmers, etc. However, it contains parabens as well as BHT. Also, compared with other brands, Bobbi Brown's liners are smaller and dry out quickly given the price.
And in with the new...Buxom Lashliner ($16 at Sephora)
In general, it's tough to find a paraben-free gel liner, but Buxom makes one. The only downside with the Buxom liner is that it only comes in 2 shades, brown and black, though it is equally as creamy and long lasting as the Bobbi Brown one. I prefer to stick to the Buxom for everyday work/school wear because of the healthier formula. But I break out my pretty Bobbi Chocolate Shimmer or Graphite gel liner for special occasions and nights out :)
2. Mineral Makeup is makeup that is derived from compressed minerals. Some of the benefits are that minerals tend to be more natural, more nourishing, and have large particles that don't get absorbed into pores. Thus, they may be less irritating than other makeup products for sensitive skin and those with acne.
Out with the old...bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($27 at Sephora)
I know many of us swear by our bareMinerals makeup. The company is definitely a genius...it started the mineral makeup craze, making their foundations a beauty best-seller. Now, minerals are in blushes, eye shadows, powders, foundations, etc. The problem with bareMinerals foundation is that it contains bismuth oxychloride. Bismuth Oxychloride is derived from a processed
form of lead and is generally used in mineral makeup to improve the product’s
texture and long-lasting effect. Many consumers find this ingredient
extremely irritating and like talc, some research shows that inhaling bismuth
oxychloride may be associated with respiratory disorders. From my experience, the coverage of this foundation is really nice, but it gives my oily skin an unnatural and excessive shine. It also was a little bit drying and looked cakey by the end of the day.
And in with the new...Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder SPF 20 ($42 on skinstore.com)
Jane Iredale also developed a mineral foundation that is in the same loose powder form as the bareMinerals one. Since this product isn't sold at Sephora, you may not have stumbled across it yet. But if you love bareMinerals, you'll love this loose mineral powder. Like bareMinerals, it also offers mineral-based protection and medium coverage, but I've found that the Jane Iredale formula was a little bit silkier and more hydrating. More importantly, it is free of bismuth oxychloride.
3. Cheek Stain is a more natural-looking, light-weight form of blush. In the old days,
people piled on the "rouge" to make a statement. Now, people tend to use blush to give a slight boost of color that gives the appearance of a natural, healthy glow. Cheek stains usually come in a gel or stick form and offer a sheerer level of coverage.
Out with the old...Benefit Cosmetics Benetint ($30 at Sephora)
Benefit came out with the first major cheek and lip stain a few years ago. Although I must say that's pretty natural looking and easy to apply, it also contains a large amount of methylparaben as well as BHT.
And in with the new...Perfekt Cheek Perfection Gel ($28 at Sephora)
Perfekt is a relatively new brand that makes some very nice healthy products. The Perfekt Cheek Gel is not only toxin-free, but also contains vitamins and antioxidants. It is much more light-weight and natural-looking than the Tarte product, so your glow looks like it comes from within. And the gel allows you to more easily build your own level of coverage.
4. CC Creams or complexion
correcting creams are a hybrid skincare makeup product that has multiple benefits. They
combine multiple skincare products - moisturizer (hydrates), primer
(protects and smooths), serum (repairs and protects), foundation (blurs
imperfections and evens skin tone) - into one, easy step. Although they are are very similar
to BB creams, the focus of CC's is on color correction for issues like
redness or dark spots, meaning that they often have slightly heavier
coverage, a lighter feel, and contain more vitamin C than BB's.
Out with the old...Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($42 at Sephora)
Although tons of CC creams have hit the market by now, Smashbox made one of the first ones. The coverage, hydration, light-weight feel, and long-lasting effect make it a good CC cream. However, this product uses oxybenzone as a sunscreen ingredient, which is controversial because there is some research that it is related to hormone disruption. Another downside for me personally is that it's not oil-free, so it's not as ideal for my blemish-prone skin.
And in with the new...Stila Color Correcting Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20 ($44 at Sephora)
Stila does not use oxybenzone or other toxins in its CC cream, but the formula offers all of the same CC benefits (looks and feels just as nice) as the Smashbox product. Instead, it uses physical sunblocks, which provide a strong defense against sun damage. And it's oil-free!
5. Retinol is probably the
ingredient you hear about most with anti-aging products. Retinol is a
form of vitamin A that is naturally occurring the body. It boosts
collagen production and promotes cell turnover, keeping your skin firm
and fresh. So, retinol creams are a part of many women's skincare
routines.
Out with the old...RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($18 in drugstores)
Many of us may have seen TV ads for RoC. RoC is the mother of retinol products with their retinol eye cremes, face cremes, serums, etc. Although RoC retinol cream can be conveniently found at most drugstores, it contains parabens and BHT.
And in with the new...Kate Somerville RetAsphere 2-in-1 Retinol Night Cream ($85 at Sephora)
Parabens in the RoC formula shouldn't stop you from using a retinol cream. Other brands like Kate Somerville make a comparable, healthier product. This retinol cream also contains ingredients like seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration as well as a RetAsphere Smart Release Carrier system to prevent irritation and dryness associated with retinol use.
So, if you love these products, make sure you're using the healthiest, more effective versions of them. Hope this helps you do so!
First impressions are extremely important in Korean culture, and skin health certainly plays a part. Having good skin demonstrates that a person is healthy and takes care of him/herself. Tons of recent cosmetic staples like BB creams that we've recently discovered in America have been around in Korea for years. In general, Koreans are pioneers in hydrating cosmetics and often use products like water masks and cleansing oils regularly that keep skin looking radiant. One of the newer trends that has made its way from Korea is royal jelly in skincare products. Royal jelly is naturally derived from bee pollen and offers healing, moisturizing, anti-aging, nourishing, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. So, all skin types - mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, normal, etc. - can benefit from it. Additionally, Korean products often incorporate ginseng, which is a
Japanese women age really well because they take excellent care of their skin. Many of their skincare habits originate from the days of geishas. Geishas wore bright lip sticks and dark eye brows, so Japanese color cosmetics are often bolder than other Asian brands. Although it was typical for geishas to cake on piles of makeup, they still had beautiful skin because they took measures to repair and replenish it when they weren't working. While most women in the U.S. stick to the core 3: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, it is common for Japanese women to have daily 7+ step regiments. In the process, they nourish their skin with super ingredients for the skin like rice bran and nightingale droppings. Rice bran is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E that is an extremely powerful skin softener that soothes, smooths, and leaves skin feeling elastic and supple. It also provides antioxidant protection that helps slow signs of aging. Nightingale droppings sound nasty, but the ones used in facials are sterilized so no need to worry! Celebs like Victoria Beckham get nightingale dropping facials regularly. It's worth trying if you can get over the thought of 
Skincare has always been a priority for most Chinese women, since skin appearance is a reflection of how healthy a person is. Ancient beauty secrets such as applying crushed pearl powder to the skin started in China. Pearl powder is expensive because it is perhaps one of the most powerful skincare ingredients that you can use. First of all, it is detoxifying and healing. It also smooths and softens skin by stimulating processes including collagen production, cell regeneration, and cell repair. Most importantly, it is brightening, leaving your complexion more even and with a pearly luster. On the other hand, makeup is just starting to become popular in the China. Decades ago, Mao Zedong outlawed self-expression through fashion so that wearing makeup, accessories, certain hairstyles, and colorful clothing were illegal. However, now that the social and political climate in China is changing and people have 
