Wearing Eyelid Tapes Long Term

Ola guys,

I've been testing out a few eyelid tapes to see what works and what don't. Here's one that I've found that has been working great for me. It's called:

COSMOS Lovely Eyelid Tape (Large)

These are awesome! They come in a pack of 30 pairs for about $3 bucks. You can get them on Ebay or Sasa.com. I got them on Sasa, but as of this moment they're out of stock. Keep an eye on them though, because this brand sells fast! Make sure it is the "Large" version, because sizes do matter :-) and I'll tell you why!

As you can see, eyelid tapes come in different sizes depending on your lid shape and what look you're going for. The larger size makes your eyes seem rounder. Whereas the smaller size gives you a more natural look.

Now, don't let the word "natural" fools you! If you're going for a temporary result, meaning that you want to use them for one day only, it's absolutely fine! Beacause after one night of sleep, your lids will go back to the usual shape. However, if you're aiming at reshaping your lids in order to give them creases, you'll be better off with the larger size. This is especially for people who have monolids, like I do!

So, why do I want to use eyelid tapes and can't just let it be natural?

Here's my serious confession:

I've been told by many people, including my family members, since I was 13 that I look sad/sleepy all the time. I even had one incident when in my past job, my manager actually told me that "you need to let the customers know what you're doing, because when you squint at the screen you look very mean!" Ouch! She wasn't mean when she said this, because it was an honest comment that's why it hurts my feeling even more!

My pictures below reflected my original lids, which don't seem like I have any creases...

Though, on some occassion, now and then my creases do show a bit but not much...

Either way, it doesn't matter...! I want my creases to show! I WANT to have creases, not in an effort of me trying to raise my eyebrows in order for them to show. Cause for a while I did that and that was fucking tiring, because for the longest time it made me feel anxious and that I had to keep remembering to raise my brows. No... Thats ridiculous and I will never do that again!!!

For those of you who've been in my shoes, aren't you just tired hearin the same thing over and over about you looking tired/sad/upset/shitty... etc...? The normal phrases would be similar to this:

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, why?" 

"Oh coz you look tired!" 

Or

"Hey are you mad?"

"No... Why?"

"Oh coz you look upset!"

Ok... I know that people were just trying to be nice by asking me if I'm ok. But honestly, I'm just fucking tired of hearing the same questions and answering the same answers over the years from different people. So I want to MAKE a change!

Why don't I just get an eyelid surgery?

I'd like to... But I don't have that kind of money to travel back and forth from the States to Asia and spend 1-2 weeks in Korea (knowing that it is a #1 leading country in plastic surgery and if you're thinking about getting one, might as well just get it done in Korea to avoid any mistakes made by inexperienced surgeons). I don't want to do it in the US either! Too many Asian eyelids got messed up by plastic surgeons here. Doubled eyelids just ain't their specialty and I'm not willing to take that risk!

How do you know it helps with changing your expression?

I had tried temporary eyelid tapes before and yes... I look LESS tired/upset/sad/mean, etc! I received positive comments from people when i have creases while I wear them, so I do know what I'm doing!

You should be happy with your facial features and you should just let it be natural. Don't try to change who you are!

Nooo... Cosmetics in general, should be done in a way that it ENHANCES your look, not changing you into a different person! To be honest, if we were so happy with every natural feature on our face/body, we shouldn't even use makeup (i.e. Eyeliner, bb cream, etc.)

Enough for emotional talk. Let's talk positive now! So... Check this out!

I've been wearing the eyelid tape since August of this year on a daily basis. I'm so happy that I do see that my creases actually show more! I wore them everyday - day and night for about 2 months straight and here's the result:

Me wearing my eyelid tapes. They hardly show right?? Now you know why I can wear them even during day time - at work.

Now, I don't really wear them everyday anymore, not even at night. In the morning when I wake up, my lids would still have the creases. Yay!!

Bottom Line:

Please don't let any body stops you for doing things that boost your confident level and ultimately your happiness! If you  want to get a doubled-eyelid surgery and you can afford it, go for it! Do not let your friends and family talk you into not doing it. If they're your close friends and beloved family, they should understand how much a part of your facial feature is bothering you and should give you all the support that you need to end this low self-esteem factor!

A New Way to Organize your Shoes

How many pairs of shoes do you have?

Compared to others I probably don't have that many. My financial consultant said she has about 200 pairs of shoes in total. One of my teachers in high school said she has around 100 or so pairs and they're all organized in shoe boxes with pictures of each pair shown on the outside of matching its matching box.

Bottom line is that, it doesn't matter how many pairs of shoes you own. What matters is, how do you organize your shoes? Fashion bloggers that I follow seem to have less than 100 pairs, but each of their pair run for no less than $300. Therefore, I often see pictures of these fancy shoes being stored in the closet along with their expensive clothes.

It makes the closet looks nice wgile adding some aesthetic looks to it, but I don't totally agree with this idea... I mean realistically! Do you really want to store all the dirt get stuck on the bottom of your shoes in the your closet with your clothes? It doesn't matter how expensive the pair of shoes may be, shoes are shoes and they meant to be for you to walk on. They deserve a seperate place, away from your clothes!

I chose to put all my shoes in a built-in storage in the garage. First of all, I wanted to make sure that they have doors to prevent my shoes from getting dusty. Secondly, the garage is the perfect place for to store all my shoes because it is so convenient, on my way out to the car. Of course, I make sure I have a mirror put near by to pull the look together!

Though my storage has doors, but I still fear my precious shoes somehow might get dusty. So I make sure to keep all the shoe boxes along with the paper wrap liner inside and I would consistently put my pair of shoes back into the box after each use.. Of course, wrap the paper liner around them before closing the lid! I enjoy doing this most of the time because it makes me feel like I'm wearing a new pair each time and just the act of taking of my precious shoes is special. However, as my collection grows and I try to organize them in the same colors and styles for the convience of finding the right pair fast when needed. Especially, when I'm running late, I get a little frustrated and can't remember which is which so I'd hopelessly flip the lids open and try to find the right one... Urrgh...!

Don't you need to be able to ser the entire collection of what you have, at the same time keeping them away from dust?

Clear Shoe Boxes is the solution!

Check this out...

Before

Found these at Walmart.com for about $11.94 for a set of 4.

So I decided to order 12 sets of them (4 boxes per set).

Ta-daa.....

Not a bad idea right?

How To Create Effortless Hair without Effort!

Do you want pretty hair in the morning? Do you want a hair style that doesn't require much effort to get ready for? Do you want effortless hair without putting much effort? 

I'm sure you want all of that! Who doesn't? We're all women and we share a common thought that, having nice hair is just as important as wearing nice clothes. However, we also share the same pain, time!!! Time is everything, nowaday guys. As we grow up, 24 hours in a day is not enough. Especially in the morning when you try to rush through everything, time becomes essential. Then, you'd become selective with your time frame... Ok, 10-15 mins to brush teeth and put facial creams on (depending on how many layers of creams you put on that will determine the time... Like if you have toner, serum, morning cream, etc.). 15-20 mins for makeup, and then another 15 mins for hair (I don't know about you but it'd take me 15-20 mins to do my hair, just because it's stick straight and it's a freaking pain to create waves). This is already taken 45 mins of your precious time, not including the time that you take shower in the morning and the 5 mins of pick-and-chose the clothes to wear because you wanna look pretty for work, of course! 

I've seen and tried a few different ways to save time while still creating volumous hair, but sadly none had worked. I'd tried tying my hair in a hair tie in a high pony tail and sleep with it, didn't work! Tried putting my hair in a plaid, didn't work either! Slept on a satin pillowcase for soft skin and hair, and no, I didn't see any result in my hair getting softer or my face has less wrinkle like they advertise. All I know is that it's pretty annoying coz it's slippery and you keep on having to scoot up all night long... Annoying!!! By the way, what really makes your hair and your skin soft is by installing a water softener system in your house. What it does is that it filters out all the harsh chemicals that are still in the city water and mix the water in accordingly. So as you use the water for your living activities such as washing your clothes, dishes, taking a shower, etc., it is less harsh on your skin and on the stuff that you use. It is surely expensive, but well worth it for the long term!

I have found a solution to end this pain for goods, well... For me anyways! What I do to save time in the morning but at the same time achieving nice hair is:

1) I take shower the night before right off when I get home from work (Once when you're out of work, who cares how much time you have.)

2) I flip my hair over and blow dry my hair upside down to create volume (especially my hair is so dead flat)

3) Then I roll my hair into 1 bundle high up on my head crown, using the Sponge or Foam Rollers that looks like this and sleep over night with it on.

Yes, they might make you look like a 60 year-old granny, but who cares. You're at home and going to sleep anyways, only that after you wake up you'll more beautiful with this effortless hair. Rolling your hair up like this not only helps to prevent it from getting tangled and split ends, but it also saves you A LOT of time in the morning too! And I really mean A LOT. The foam is definitely soft enough for you to sleep on. Plus, you'll be rolling it up high almost onto where your crown is so you won't even lay on it. The higher you roll, the more volume it will have the next morning. Ever since I started using this method, I ditched doing hair in the morning. 

What I usually do is, before brushing my teeth I brush my hair out and then re-roll it so it'll come out more in shape. Because I have bangs so I usually roll another one for my bangs while I'm getting ready with other stuff. There, I've just saved 15-20 mins... And I don't have to worry about battling with my straight hair using the curling iron because my hair would have been already wavy the minute I wake up. If you want more defined waves or curls, you can use the curling iron but it's gonna be nice because you only have to hold it for less than a minute. All you really need to do at this point is just to add a finish touch to it! Otherwise, you just need to brush it out again in the end and off you go! No need to put any styling products on, because it'll set like that for the whole day.

Sorry for the crazy lighting..

With my hair, I usually don't put any styling products on except for just the heat resistant spray for blow drying the night before. By the end of the day, I still be able to keep my volume and Volume is everything to me!

Cheers guys. Have you tried this method before? If not, what do you do?

I'm not a Girl, not yet a Woman!

Plaid... The upcoming "hot" fashion style for Fall/Spring 2014. I love them! They remind me of the good old days when I was still a high school girl.

The little black dress... A basic item that every woman should have in their closet. When mixed with Red and Gold, especially with the super fitted long boots... Oh boy, you've awakened a devil out of its shell. I've always loved the combination! It carries an unspeakable sense of womanhood, sexiness, yet elegant.

 I'm challenging myself to mix these two for the result! Either wear a gold statement necklace without the plaid blazer, or add it in with the blazer for a pop!

I'm not a Girl, not yet a Woman! by tina-mai featuring red handbags

Lauren Ralph Lauren fitted dress, $395 / Lauren Ralph Lauren embroidered jacket, $500 / Christian Louboutin boots / Chloé red handbag / House of Harlow 1960 spike necklace / PUR makeup / Yves Saint Laurent fragrance, $71

My take on this, a more afforadable version of course!

How to Turn a Shitty Looking Picture into a Good One!

Have you ever tried to take a good picture of yourself, with a broken camera?

Do you caught yourself staring at your own reflection everytime walking by the bathroom mirror? And then, when you try to take pictures, you realize that the lighting was just off and the whole picture somehow just looks... odd and ugly...?...

People, I have a solution! If you have an iPhone and if you're one of those people that obssess with taking pictures for yourself (like me), download the app called "Camera 360." This app is beyond amazing, I think! It lets you edit pictures like a pro without much complications, thanks to the awesome effects that it has.

I used the iPhone camera to take these "before" pictures. Now, keep in mind that mine is a shitty iPhone ok... It's a 4 and the back AND front camera is cracked, so obviously it can't capture enough light. All the pictures that I take always turn out darker and have noise; they make me look like I'm 5 years older than my age. Haha.  How annoying isn't it?

Check this out! (On me: 1-Day Acuvue Define in Vivid Brown)

This is the "Natural" under "Quick Fix." It makes your skin smoother but I don't like it as much as the "Cool" because it does't change the lighting and exposure of the picture.

This is "Moe." Notice how freaky my eyes look?? Woow!

The "Cool," still my favorite amongst all. It not only lighten and smoothen your skin but also blurs oit the lighting making somewhat dreamy.

On me: Bausch & Lomb Naturelle in Black

The "Sweet" is my 2nd to favorite. It does have some pink overcast to it.

I Love Camera 360! It does its job sooo well and it doesn't crash much, unlike some other apps.

*disclaimer: post is not a company's sponsored."

"In the middle of the dark night"

"In the middle of the dark night" by tina-mai featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs

Zara blazer / Oasis black skirt, $130 / H&M black tight, $13 / Zara leather boots / Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings / Chain jewelry / Illamasqua nail polish, $23

The bright pink blazer is just like a streak of "hope" standing out... Strong...

 in the midst of hardships.

Golden necklace and earrings are my essences to complement the brightness.

Tips for Getting a Pretty Haircut

I got a new hair style since the last time i blogged. I haven't gitten back to bangs in ages, so this actually feels refreshing to have them back again. Makes me feel youthful again... Haha! I also got ombres but very subtle ombres. I told my hairstylist lady that I want it to look as natural as possible. Pretty happy with the result!

For those of you live in Phoenix, Arizona, you should really try Denise Tanigawa at Perfect Glamor Salon.

7045 E 3rd Ave

Scottsdale AZ

United States

Tips for Getting That Perfect Haircut that You Dream For:

• Do your research - ask around close friends and family if they have a fav hairstylist of their own and observe see if you like their haircut. 

• Look on Yelp.com for reviews before choosing a salon.

• Google - what hair style do you like? What's the length that you wanna go for? What color? Do you want bangs or no bangs?

• Look for the pictures of the celebrities or images that you like and either print them outnor save them on your computer/notepad to show your stylist. The more the better, so they can grasp an idea of what you're trying to go for, especially if it's your first time with them.

• Not to be racist or anything but honestly speaking, if you're Asian, try to find an Asian hairstylist and pictures of Asian celebrities or hairstyles that you you're going for. The same goes with others such as whites, black, Mexican, South African, etc. Simply because before you can do people's heads, you gotta practice on yourself and close ones to gain not only experience and the hair textures and head shapes of each ethinicity are designed differently, that only familarity becomes expertise!

On me: I'm wearing the 1-Day Acuvue Define in Vivid Style, false lashes and natural makeup!

*not a sponsored post*

The School Girl

Ladies,

I know this is a bit late since the Paris Fashion Show was over a few weeks ago, but while going through my Pinterest list I can't help but amazed and feeling excited about "The School Girl" show by Valentino Ready-to-Wear fashion for Fall/Winter 2013. Check it out! I really hope we will be seeing this trend for our Winter 2013.

Simple Face

Simple Face by tina-mai featuring short false eyelashes

Forever 21 flower hair clip / NARS Cosmetics blush / NARS Cosmetics lip shine / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics eyeliner / eylure short false eyelash, $8.04

Put Vaseline onto your lips prior to your makeup routine, it will absorb and make your lips super soft. BB Cream is the way to go for everyday makeup to conceal any imperfections on your skin, yet light enough allowing skin to breathe. Top off with a high pigmented pink blush right onto the apple of your cheeks close by your nose wings for a more youthful look. Draw a thin liner using gel liner close by your lash lines. Throw on a pair of natural looking falsies and finish off with a high shine lip gloss. Definitely simple enough for an every day look!

Bausch & Lomb Naturelle Black & Brown

Bausch & Lomb Naturelle Black & Brown contact lens Review

The Bausch & Lomb was the first company that launched soft contact lens in 1971. The purpose of the Naturelle series is to "enhance and complement" Asian eyes so they look naturally beautiful and captivative. The Bausch & Lomb Micro-Encapsulation Technology ensures that color pigments are encapsulated within the lens material, while the ComfortMoist Technology keeps the lenses bathe in moisture. The micro-encapsulation pigments are non-toxic and non-irritating to the eyes. Furthermore, the colors do not reduce the oxygen flow through the lenses, therefore allowing the eyes to breathe well suitable for all-day use.

The Bausch & Lomb Naturelle daily disposable lenses come in 2 colors: Natural Black and Stylish Brown.  I purchased both of the colors to compare.

BC: 8.6
DIA: 14.20

I'm going to show you pictures from both colors and then I will do a review between the 2 colors.

Natural Black

Picture of me wearing the B&L Natural Black

A close up one...

Taking pictures of me wearing the Black with my iPhone....

 

Stylish Brown

Another close up with a different lighting...

Here are some pictures of me wearing the Brown with my iPhone.... Please excuse me from being just woken up (no makeup you know and I already tried my best to Photoshop these 2 pics to the Z... haha)

Conclusion:

Ok... So after you have taken a look at both colors on me, what do you think? The Natural Black definitely looks natural and more enhancing. I don't like the Stylish Brown, to be honest! They make me look tired, even with make up on, as I also receive a lot of comments on me looking tired when I wear these B&L Brown. The Black contacts make me look more alert and awake, even with minimal makeup on!

Comparing the Bausch & Lomb Naturelle with 1-Day Acuvue Define....

I honestly still like the Johnson & Johnson 1-Day Acuvue Define series WAYYYY better. Do you know why? Because the 1-Day Acuvue lens though don't feel as soft as the Bausch & Lomb Naturelle, but they seem to provide more moisture to my eye balls. When I wear them I don't have to re-drop saline to the eyes every 5 - 6 hours like when I wear the Bausch & Lomb Naturelle. I feel like the Bausch & Lomb Naturelle are more prone to dryness versus the 1-Day Acuvue Define. In addition, though they both have the same Diameter listed, just different Base Curve by 1mm, the 1-Day Acuvue Define seems to make the eyes look bigger than other brand.

To read my post on 1-Day Acuvue Define is here:
http://www.fashionpassionbeauty.com/2012/04/1-day-acuvue-define-accent-style-vivid.html

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.