ULTA Fall 2015 Inspired Products

ULTA Fall 2015 Inspired Products by kkangshi featuring pink lips makeup

Ulta had an beautiful new fall look on their website here. I wanted to try to keep the same style, but try my own spin on it. So I give you:

How to get the same gorgeous look with these "green" alternatives! 

Keeping with the dark blue "petrol" eyes, try applying Zuzu Black Pearl to your lash line and smudging slightly before it dries. Then go over with Everyday Mineral Eyeliner in Blue velvet, blending up  and out from the lash line. To balance out the edgy look of the smokey eye, try Ilia's soft pink lip gloss in "The Butterfly and I". Lastly, if you already have the platinum blonde and want to add a hint of rosy highlights, lightly mist hair with water and then dust a bright rosy blush with a fan brush!

Liquid Eyeliner Black Pearl

Everyday Mineral's Blue Velvet Mineral Eyeliner

jane iredale White Fan Brush, 0.24 oz.

ILIA Beauty Lip Gloss - The Butterfly and I (Peach)

Upgrade your Lemon Shampoo!

Upgrade your Lemon Shampoo! by kkangshi featuring fruit wall art

There is nothing HERBAL about Herbal Essences shampoo. Loaded with nasty parabens and sulfates, it's not worth your time or money. However if you love that sweet lemony scent, and deep cleansing feel, try upgrading to Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying Shampoo!

5 Free Nail Polish Isn't Always Safe!

Over the past year, there has been TONS of buzz regarding the Mentality Nail Polish scandal, which left many customers with Onychomycosis (nail fungus) and chemical burns!  Adverse reactions included nail lifting, burning, redness, and pretty much just the entire nail dying and falling off. X_X 

One of the most disheartening (and scary) part about this whole scandal was that these products were praised as a 5-Free nail polishes! We tend to blindly trust nail polishes marketed as such because they are free of 5 of the worse chemicals usually found in nail polishes: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, and Camphor. However, just because they may not give you cancer in the long run doesn't mean they are completely safe!

Long story short, this is another example of how scary it is that the FDA doesn't require companies to test their products before selling them! To make this all even more pathetic, Mentality Nail Polish complained their lack of testing was due to the fact that it was too expensive to do (though it was later pointed out that it would have been only ~$1000)!

In general, when shopping for any sort of cosmetic that will be absorbed into your body, try to focus on companies you trust. Larger companies have more resources (and more to lose if something goes bad), so they may do a better job at testing for safety. However, some of theses massive corporations will still try to cut corner to increase profits. Indie companies on the other hand, like Mentality Nail Polish, will also cut corners due to lack of resources and experience. Personally I try to find the companies in the middle: large enough to have good resources, but not so big they only care abut the bottom line. As always, try to choose a company that is dedicated to it's customers and it's cause.

Here are some of my (personally-tested and approved) favorites:

Nail Polish I Heart You By 100% Pure
Vapour Organic Beauty Vernissage 3-Free Nail Lacquer-Captive
Mineral Fusion Natural Nail Polish, Coral Reef, 0.33 Ounce
Nail Lacquer Or Rose 10 ml by Kure Bazaar
Zoya - Nail Polish Summertime Summer Collection Sooki - 0.5 oz.

~KK

Your Purest Makeup Remover Ever!

It's pretty indisputable that RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream-2.5 oz.
is probably the BEST makeup remover for green beauty! That is because it is made from pure, unrefined coconut oil, which naturally has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. This all natural cream liquefies when warmed and easily smooths over makeup, wiping it cleanly off. It can also double as a moisturizer to nourish any dry skin on your body. RMS promises it's product "superior over 'other cold pressed coconut oil on the market.'"

However if the $7.20/oz price tag for RMS is a little outside your price range, then try using Organic Fiji Raw Organic Coconut Oil, 13-Ounce Jars, which is steal at $1.02/oz! This product is made in the USA and is USDA Certified Organic! Even better, with all your extra, you can make little gifts for all your friends and family using these cute refillable cosmetic jars!

However, if what you want is pure bliss and the most luxurious product money can buy, then splurge on Cocovit Coconut Oil. It has only has a hint of a coconut smell, since they implement a special extraction process that does not use any heat (much like RMS I assume). Whatever your choice, know that you have found the purest and best makeup remover of all: coconut oil!

~KK

Why autumn is the best time to buy foundation!

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Liquid foundation can be great! It gives wonderful coverage, is easy to blend, it comes in so many shades to match you skin tone. However, it also can also be time-consuming to put on in the morning, expensive, and heavy feeling on your face. The average liquid foundation expires in 6-12 months, and if you're anything like me, you never go through a whole bottle before it comes time to chuck it. 

So how do you get the most out of this pricey product? Find a way to use it all year round! Here's what I do:

1. Purchase your foundation in the beginning of fall. The short days and overcast skies of these darker months are wonderful for keeping harsh sunlight off your look (foundation can appear cakey under full sun). Try also experimenting with more dramatic looks, like burgundy lips and smokey eyes, which compliment well with full coverage foundation. 
2. As spring rolls around, you can lighten the look buy making a tinted moisturizer by mixing 1 part liquid foundation to 1 part moisturizer. My personal favorite blend is Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation - s120 and 100% Pure Purity Hydrating Lotion, 1.6 Fluid Ounce
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3. Lastly, in the summer you won't need to splurge on a new tinted sunscreen since you can simply mix 1 part of your same liquid foundation with 1 part sunscreen. Personally, I really love Loving Naturals Clear Body SPF 30+
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The One and Only Facewash You'll Ever Need

This has been my go-to face was for years! For just pennies per use, this face wash will give you sparkly, clean skin using no harsh chemicals or toxins. Also, by diluting the solution and putting it in a foaming soap dispenser, you'll stretch those pennies even more. Now you'll have enough to last you the whole year, with extra left over for your significant other, you friends, you mom, your mom's mom, your mother-in-law.., and her mom…. You get the point) I find one foaming pump is all I need to create a thick enough lather for my whole face. If your face is prone to dryness, just follow up with your favorite moisturizer (try one with SPF like this one from Juice Beauty)

For more eco-chic beauty tips, check out my blog at KathyKang.com

Leprechaun Loot

Create the perfect St. Patrick's Day look! Not only are these products free of harsh chemicals and toxins, they are also affordable (more beer money)! Check out www.KathyKang.com for more eco-chic beauty ideas:)

1) Zuzu Eyeliner Pencil in Leaf 
This creamy green liner will give your eyes a seductive pop

2) Jane Iredale Eyeshadow Trio in Golden Girl

This eyeshadow trio is all you'll need for that golden sparkle in your in eyes. No need to rob a leprechaun.

3) SPF 30 Tinter Mineral Moisturizer

This light tinted moisturizer will give you that sheer coverage while still allowing you to rock those freckles!

4) Beer Flavored Lip Balm
Sure, all that beer can be dehydrating, but with this balm at least your lips will still look luscious for that St. Paddy's kiss. (don't forget to wear some red!)

Go to Kathy Kang.com for more beauty tips and ideas!

Ipsy Glam Bag: March 2014

Just got my March Ipsy Glam Bag in!

Check out the links below to see each product's color-coordinated ingredients label to see how it rates on toxicity levels and other harmful concerns.

(click each link to see colored label)

1) Pixi Beauty Flawless Beauty Primer

2) bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick

3) Nicole by OPI Roughles Nail Polish - "On What Grounds"

4) Be a Bombshell Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad

My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

My Review:
This bag was a little more disappointing than last month's. I was really hoping for some really cute, high-quality products, but these items are kind of "meh". I like the nail polish, which  I'm probably going to wear later this month when my girlfriends and I are doing a beachhouse getaway. I thought the eyeshadow quad would be fun to take too, but then I saw that in contained parabens (and I don't need anymore other those in my body than I've already accumulated >.<). As for the primer and lipstick, I think I'll probably hand them off to one of my girlfriends, since I'm not comfortable with the amount of mysterious chemicals and the use of retinyl palmitate. Oh yah, the bag is kind of weird, but it reminds me of microbiology so I think I'll keep it! ;)

Check out kathykang.com for more reviews!

Ipsy Glam Bag: March 2014 by kkangshi featuring beauty products

BB & CC Creams to Love

Everybody has heard of/uses/WorshipsTheGodsOf the beauty crazy known as "BB Creams", but with so many options to choose from, how to we pick what's best? What do we look for?  After reading the EWG's SkinDeep article on BB and CC Creams I felt like I had more of an idea of what BB creams were the best for me. Here are some of their Top Picks! 

1) Dr. Jart+ Renewalist BB Beauty Balm, SPF 40
2) Supergoop! CC Cream Daily Correct, SPF 35

3) Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, SPF 30

4) Physicians Formula Super BB Cream, SPF 30

5) Boscia BB Cream (Bronze or Light), SPF 27

6) Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream, SPF 25

BB & CC Creams to Love by kkangshi featuring face moisturizers

DIY Resuable Face Scrubbies

If you're a crafty person like me, you probably have your fair share of random pieces of yarn. All those little left over tidbits from previous projects just seem to accumulate forever, yet you feel guilty throwing them away. Well you're in luck, because this simple project doesn't require much more than a tidbit of yarn and very little time. 

Summer Garden Circle Pattern

To make a basic scrubby, all you need is about 6-10 feet of yarn and a crochet hook that is the appropriate size for you yarn. Simply make a "magic circle" and build out until you've reached your desired diameter. For an aesthetic touch, you can add another color or try a pattern (see images above and left). For extra scrubbing power, use a a more tough yarn like Sugar and Cream, and for a gentle scrub try a brand like Bernat Softee Baby Yarn. Also, tighter weaves will hold more soap, whereas a slightly loose weave will absorb more water thus creating a larger amount of suds (my preference).

And if all this sounds great, however you'd just like to buy a nice handmade face scrubby for yourself, check out this one from Silvashop on Etsy. (It even comes with a strap, which can also be made by simply creating a chain at the end of the circle and tying if off to the opposite end).

DIY Resuable Face Scrubbies by kkangshi on Polyvore

Picks of the Week

My Wishlist for 3/3/14 - 3/9/14

Picks of the Week by kkangshi featuring Butter London

1) Butter London Nail Lacquer in Cake-Hole

2) 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pretty Naked Palette

3) Vapour Organic Beaauty Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector

4) Everyday Minerals Blush in Tea Rose

5) Juice Beauty Spa Set

My Ipsy Bag: February

Got my Ipsy bag for January! Check out what's inside! Also, click from the products listed below to check out their color-coordinated ingredients label (for all the details how the toxicity level of each chemical in the product). 

1) City Color Be Matte Blush - Fresh Melon

2) Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer - Odette

3) Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini - Fuchsia Freesia

4) J.Cat Beauty Eyelash + Glue

My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This was my first Ipsy bag, and I have to say I was a little disappointed. While the blush color was gorgeous, after looking at the ingredients, I'm not sure I'm going to use it much. Parabens and fragrance are HUGE no-nos, especially for daily use. While the lipgloss is cute and comes in a fun color, it contained WAY too many mysterious ingredients for me to be comfortable ingesting. As for the lashes, I'll probably use them, but with a safer glue (if I ever find one). The best product in the bag was the nail polish, since Zoya is a 5-Free brand, however I wasn't lucky enough to get the cute color and instead ended up with "Odette" which is a pale lavender I'm sure I'll never use.

The cute pink bag everything comes in is adorable. I will use the pink bag.

My Ipsy Bag: February by kkangshi on Polyvore