DHC Skincare's First LA Event for Beauty Bloggers

Japanese Beauty Takes on LA

DHC, Japan's No.1 direct skincare brand, hosted its first LA media event last Thursday. Beauty bloggers and buffs from around LA gathered at Culina Restaurant within the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills to learn more about the iconic olive-oil inspired skincare brand. Guests also enjoyed cocktails, wine, and hors d'oeuvers while previewing and testing upcoming product launches as well as getting make-up touch ups by Jordana David and gift bags.
I liked that the product was laid out and each with a description and benefit list, see below. One of the most popular products is the Deep Cleansing Oil, a make up remover that dissolves traces of dirt and makeup. I got to take this cleansing oil home with me and tried it last night on a bare face; I needed to massage it onto a dry face and rinse, which I thought would be difficult to rinse since it is an oil, but it turned out to be easy and left my skin feeling moisturized and smooth. I'm going to try it tonight to remove a full face of make up, and also try the Beauty Lift Serum and Cream. DHC also has a line of beauty products, which were used to touch up my make up at the event, and I'm interested in getting into that make up line as well.

Why Olive Oil?

Benefits

Our entire skincare line was founded on the principles of olive oil. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it is a highly effective component in neutralizing damaging free radicals. Olive oil also helps balance your skin's moisture. With its unique ability to mix with water, our olive oil helps moisturize without clogging pores. Oxidized oils cause blackheads and a host of other problems, but because olive oil has a naturally lower oxidation rate than your skin's natural oils, it is a perfect barrier to protect skin from irritants.

Quality

Our signature product, DHC Olive Virgin Oil, is Flor de Aceite�the finest quality, extracted from organic Spanish olives that are handpicked when they are bursting with skin-beneficial nutrients. This superior oil is extracted from the crush before the first cold pressing to preserve its many nutrients. It is then carefully filtered under laboratory conditions in Japan to remove any potential pore-clogging impurities. What emerges is a premium, organic virgin olive oil.

Purity

The standards reflected in the way we obtain our special olive oil are applied to all of our ingredients. Incorporating the very best of science and nature, our products are scrutinized for high-quality, safety and efficacy. DHC's basic skincare products are free of unnecessary fragrances and coloring agents, and are clinically tested for irritancy at our labs in Japan and the United States.

Simplicity

DHC products are simple yet effective, with nothing unnecessary that might harm the delicate balance of healthy skin. Many of our products include olive oil because it continues to be among the best natural ingredients for helping you achieve and maintain radiant, youthful-looking skin.

Ciate Cosmetics Spring 2015 Preview

British Nail Brand Ciate debuts a revolutionary Colour Cosmetics Collection at Cecconi's Restaurant

Beauty bloggers, junkies, and enthusiasts alike were invited a few weeks ago to West Hollywood restaurant Cecconi's to experience award winning Ciate London's unveiling of an all-encompassing collection of vibrant, high-performance cosmetic eye, lips, and cheek products which will be exclusively sold at Sephora ranging between $10-$20. The Colour Cosmetics Collection caters to any look day or night and is split into three categories; Hero - which fits into any make-up bag, Core - these items are available in an extended variety of shades, and Trend - which highlight off-the-runway trends and innovative textures.

Olivia of B Public Relations guided me through each product and color options and I enjoyed getting to swatch each one, seeing and feeling how highly pigmented and luxe the products felt. The products that especially caught my eye were the Double Lines Eye Liner (available now), Liquid Velvet Lip Colour, and the Glow Pop Bronze and Highlighter. I just received a parcel of samples and I can't wait to use them and share them with you; with the innovative packaging and functionality, all of the products will be great for a girl-on-the-go like me without having to sacrificing quality. In the meantime, follow Ciate London on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook for updates on the launch and when you can purchase these fabulous products at Sephora!

Ciate London's CEO and founder Charlotte Knight wanted to create a colour collection to inspire and excite make-up lovers worldwide. Here's what makes the collection so special and integral to the spirit of Ciate:

Colour cosmetics that complete the beauty triangle of nail, lip, & eye - influenced by Ciate's award winning nail textures and trend-led polish collections

Innovation in both formulation and application - combining intensely pigmented product with amazing colour pay-off that deliver unique textures which won't require a make-up master class to apply!

Aspirational but achievable runway trend led fashion colour updates with 'need it now' appeal.

Trend capsule collections each season, with wearable finishes and textures taken from backstage beauty looks - set to become THE game changer for beauty junkies.

Extraordinary array of revolutionary componentry with brush-free, multi-tasking, built-in and even dual ended solutions, saving previous make-up bag space. 

Ciate encourages women worldwide to add a colourful pop to their make-up routine with 'LOVE. PLAY. COLOUR.' being their advice to all beauty lovers.

Photos taken by Andrew Nguyen. Information provided by Ciate London & B Public Relations.

Christmas Sequins Style

Dripping in Sequins & Faux Fur for the Holidays

I'm glamming it up this Christmas with a fabulous sequin romper from Dames & Damsels. It perfectly complemented the holiday glitter beauty look that Dee of Swell Beauty did on me and I shared in my last post. Wardrobe Stylist Rebecca of Tailored Tantrums added accents of gold with the jewelry and clutch which highlighted the gold glitter pigment on my eyes. The outfit exuded a bit of winter with the faux fur vest and rich burgundy hues. I can't forget the Jeffrey Campbell shoes, which, are to lust for, I need to get myself a pair if I can even find them; they are a versatile lace up heel and so comfy! What I love about the use of the glitter pigment on the eyelids and lining the lower lash line is it adds a huge pop and is a beautiful statement without being overwhelming on the face. As for the sequin romper, I absolutely adore the deep burgundy color and I can wear it alone or add a sweater or blousy top over to show just the shorts part of the romper. What are you styling this holiday season? MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!


Hair & Make Up: Dee of Swell Beauty
Photography: Shawna of Bleudog Fotography
Styling & Wardrobe: Rebecca of Tailored Tantrums
Romper: Dames & Damsels

Holiday Glitter Beauty Tutorial with Swell Beauty

A Make Up How-To Featuring MAC's Gold Glitter Pigment

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dee of Swell Beauty for an extra sparkly beauty tutorial, perfect for your next holiday or NYE bash! If you haven't seen the other tutorials or collaborations I've done with Dee, check out this edgy faux hawk braid or contouring tutorial and 16th Colony's 'Goddess of Mystery' shoot in Joshua Tree. Here are the beauty products you will need to achieve the holiday glitter glam look (shown in the order of use, some products can be substituted by what you already own):

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer $26

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Bare Study $21

MAC Gold Glitter Pigment in the Objects of Affection Gold + Beige Pigments + Glitter $35

MAC Eye Shadow in Sketch $16

MAC Tinted Lipglass in Prrr $15

Stila Eye Shadow in Bare (or your own matte ivory shade) in the In The Light Palette $20 (sale price on 12/23/14) and in Ebony (or your own matte shade to match your eye brows)

Laura Mercier Creme Eye Liner in Nior $24 (or your own black eye liner)

Ardell Natural Lash in Black #108 $3.99 with Duo Lash Adhesive in Dark $5.99

Dior Addict-It Lash Mascara in Black $26

Makeup Forever HD Foundation (or your own) $42

Anastasia Contour Kit (or your own) $40

MAC Powder Blush in Peaches (or your own) $22

Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray (or your own setting spray) $29-$39

Holiday Glitter Beauty Tutorial in 15 Steps:
1. Apply Benefit's stay don't stray primer on the eyelids up to brow bone
2: Apply MAC's Paint Pot in Bare Study all over eyelids, this will allow for the glitter pigment to adhere to your eyelids when applied
3. Apply MAC's glitter pigment in gold over the bare study paint pot on the eyelids. If you can use a small flat surface like a business card to catch any loose glitter that doesn't stick to your eyelids. Or be sure that you don't have base make up or foundation on your face so you can easily wipe the loose glitter off with double sided tape or make up remover wipes.
4. Apply MAC's eye shadow Sketch in the crease and on the top & bottom lash line towards the outer sides of the eyes.
5. Apply Stila's Eye shadow in Bare or another Matte Ivory Shade to brow bone above the Sketch eye shadow and blend both colors together.
6. Apply Laura Mercier's Creme Liner in Noir  or another Black Eye Liner and create a soft wing to the lash line & apply to waterline.
7. Fill in Eyebrows with Stila's Ebony eye shadow or another matte eye shadow that matches your eye brow color.
8. Apply Ardell natural lashes in #108 . Use Dark tone Glue by Duo (secret to applying , make sure glue is 80% dry before applying to lash line)
9. Apply Dior Addict-It Mascara or your own black mascara to lashes once dry & in place
10.  Remove any glitter fallout below eyelids with make up remover wipes, face towelettes or with double sided tape.
11. Apply Makeup Forever's HD Foundation to your face or your own foundation
12. Use Anastasia's Contour kit to create a contoured face -highlight under the eyes, bridge on nose, upper lip & around the eyebrows . Apply darker shade to cheek bones & around the hair line on forehead.
13. Apply MAC's Blush in Peaches to the apples of your cheek.
14. Apply MAC's Lipglass in Prrr. 
15. To keep a long-lasting beauty look, mist your face with Skindinavia's The Makeup Finishing Spray or another setting spray.
Photography by Shawna of Bleudog Fotography