My inspirations will always be my mother for her courage, my father for giving me strength, Randy Pausch for writing an inspirational book, my tutor for making me realise my dreams, my every reader across the globe, and above
all- this beautiful World for bringing beauty, knowledge and joy to my life.
I'm Emyli, and I am a British chick.
I am a Professional Beauty Therapist and Make-Up Artist.
A full-time blogger who writes about all things beauty, reviews on beauty products, and skincare articles.
I specialise in Cosmetic chemistry and Dermatology, so ask me anything from the structure and science of your skin, how it works, and what's exactly in your skincare product.
I love my family.
I have a certain curiosity for life that drives me and propels me forward.
I like to fill my life with pretty things.
I love cracking Crème Brûlée with a spoon.
I will always love London.
Drinking tea is one of life's greatest pleasures
I love my small bunch of beautiful friends who are always true.
I like to dwell myself in romance
going to the bookshop for no reason.
the smell of fresh laundry and cut lemons
the smell of brand new leather
I have photographic memory
I love Tchaikovsky and Chopin's music.
I love Walt Disney and I am a huge Marie fan
I worship Longchamp Le Pliage bags
I love the fast, and the furious
I like writing in literature, and literature loves writing with me.
And finally, I would like to travel the world
where i can write a book, walk across every beach, and listen to world.
And yes, everything in this xanga is designed by me, and I made it. I actually have little secret super computer nerd in me.
All the skincare reviews and articles that I write here are all written by me unless stated otherwise. This means that all the information that I give is all that I have learnt and is all science. I shouldn't need to copyright it because I trust you won't go and steal my writing, or alter it to claim it as your own. :)
Things I love: Shopping and spending all my money, coffee shops, pampering and bathing, classical music, make-up and beauty, marie
from aristocats, kewpies, art nouveau, romantic movies, fierce and fast cars, Maximum Tune 3, Chris Brown, Ne-yo, Trey Songz, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Daniel Henney, and Prince William, Ji Maxx, LIP
SERVICE, Lil'marv, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Bvlgari, Chopard, and Loewe.
If you have any special requests for reviews on certain products, or if you would like some advice on products, feel free to e-mail me at queen.emyli@hotmail.com
-MUSIC-
Temporary Music.
Inside this playlist includes some of my most favourite pieces by Yiruma. May his music accompany the notes in all my writing.
UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
If you enjoy the following music playing, please help support the original artists by purchasing their music.
-LINKS-
Feel free to link me on your website.
Please let me know when you do, and if
I think my readers will love reading your
work then I'll be happy to link you here too.
Suggestions, questions, comments, and feedback are always welcome.
Please contact me via e-mail at:
queen.emyli@hotmail.com
I am currently based in London.
-THE END-
The Lotus icon and graphical art designs are registered copyrights of "Emyli Marie Wang" 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Please do not copy, edit or redistribute.
Blogs from Britain
As of the 1st January 2009, LOEWEmyli's Xanga site has gained 9000 hits a week and rising; 49% from UK and Europe, 31% from Asia, 20% of which are from other
countries.
At the end of every year, people are writing about the many things that they look forward to next year and how desperately they hope this year to finish faster than they can think of better New Years Resolutions.
I want to complete 2010 by dedicating this entry to things that I am grateful for this year- things that I am grateful for in my life that make me feel so much complete.
I am so grateful to be alive. To be able to read, to write, to smell, to taste and touch.. to feel and breathe the world around me. Without my heartbeat, would not be the words that you can see on this page. And without my soul, would not be the feelings that come out of it.
I am grateful to have a family that love and support me. To have a mother of whom I cherish so dearly and more so perhaps, the only person on this planet who cares about me more than I can care about myself. I could not therefore possibly begin to even imagine life without her gentle comfort because I always have been, emotionally dependant on her existence throughout my life. She is a fighter and my hero- a person with such empathy whom I saw grace and spirit united to great worth. She is my rock and has become the ultimate source of my energy. Family is home, and home to me is very important.
I am grateful to have a home, a roof on top of my head and a warm bed to sleep in every night. I am truly thankful for this and have always tried to express my gratitude in my prayers.
I am also grateful for the friends I have in my life. People are so engaged in and with their own lives but who will always make time to support and love each other, in every way possible. I am so thankful for all who know me and cannot ask for anything more than to live and share my life with you. I feel blessed to be loved and cherished by people around me, to have known and met these beautiful, genuine people who have placed me somewhere in their hearts- brings me to the above and beyond. And to the men who have once loved me, you have all filled my life with pieces of great music that play continuously in my heartstrings.
I am also, eternally grateful for all of the challenges I have gone forth to experience in my life that has created me. It is one of the greatest things that make me feel dignified because I feel that experience, has emotionally enchanted into my heart and soul, blossoming into the true beauty of a Lotus. My whole life I feel, is like the journey and growth through the nurture of mud and soil with blood and tears, to embrace beauty and life itself. Since I was born nothing has really stopped, or even for a quiescent moment to ponder upon- because my world is constantly spinning and the pages are constantly writing itself into a parody of beautiful music. And this is what my life is all about, this is what I was born to become. I have chosen to live my life with absolute no regrets because this is how I walk forward. If things have been easy, you have not yet lived. I am a fighter and I will conquer it all. Without any of this, would not have given me the driven passion and strength to write whole-heartedly, a desire to be the best writer that I can ever be. Inspiring dreams, for women all over the world.
What do you feel grateful for this year?
I hope that this entry will inspire my readers to do the same in their blogs, writing down all the amazing things that they are grateful for in life, that completes every living moment. Being grateful, brings you a little closer to the beauty of life.
Happy New Year to all my readers! May you be fulfilled with beautiful beginnings and opportunities in 2011!
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As you can see, I am reviewing yet another Garnier product. Never thought I'd make another Garnier skincare review for some time, but I was so impressed with the Garnier Fresh 24hr Moisturizing Day Cream that I would test another product from a different range.
The Garnier Light range is mainly directed to the asian market. So I guess I am making this review for all my asian friends and readers worldwide.
Coming to the peak of the summertime- (and for some of us, summer has already begun) we are all in the process of changing our skincare routines aswell as with our products.
For one, our day moisturizers are lighter- (but with extra SPF protection, and possibly with whitening ingredients,) our make-up is kept at minimum, and we want to look our best- even with no make-up at all. As summer approaches, the weather changes. And so does our skin.
Ingredients. The Garnier Light Whiten & Protect Moisturizing Cream contains a combination of excellent ingredients that help to brighten the skin's complexion. The main active ingredients in this product allows deep penetration into the skin, which targets melanocytes- reducing melanin production thus improving skin dullness.
Long Dan Extract / Gentiana Lutea Extract. The Garnier Light Moisturizing cream contains an active ingredient, long dan extract- which is well-known from chinese pharmocopeia.
It has been used for centuries and by Chinese traditional medicine as a liver tonic- to treat and stimulate loss of appetite, improve digestion, and other GI complaints.
For skincare, it helps to reduce melanin production, recovering a fair and flawless skin tone. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Garnier is not the only skincare brand that has used the herb- pharmaceutical brand Kiehl's, Dr. Haushka, Laura Mercier, and L'Occitane also have included the long dan extract in their skincare products.
Pure Lemon Essence. Vitamin C Do you remember my review for The Body Shop's Skin Boost Vitamin C? Well, we all know how powerful this vitamin can be when used in skincare.
In fact, Vitamin C does not whiten skin- its main responsibility is to repair the cells. I am guessing they chose the ingredient Lemon Fruit Extract because of its soft exfoliation to the skin which in turn, helps to boost a fair skin radiance.
The Garnier Light contains traces of Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate)- the anti-oxidant which helps to give further protection against UV rays.
I had a hard time opening this tub because it was closed so tightly. Which reminded me- vitamin C can become easily oxidized when exposed to air which can cause it to lose efficacy. So make sure with any product that contains Vitamin C- make sure you close the container lid properly and securely, and if you find that the product smells different, or it has changed in colour- do not risk it. Throw it away immediately.
At first, I thought the meaning of "Light" was describing the texture of the cream. However, it was referring to whitening- and as you can see, the texture of the Garnier Light Moisturizing Cream is more richer than the Garnier Fresh.
This is supposedly for daytime use with SPF 15 protection. SPF 15 is quite insufficient if you would ask me for advice- and so I think this may be the only downfall of this product.
Therefore, instead of using this as your day time moisturizer- I strongly recommend this as your night cream.
When we sleep, our body gets to work- and for our skin, this is no different. I am currently writing an article why having a good night cream is very important for your skin. But for now, you need to know that during the night- is the only time that our cells can have adequate time to repair and regenerate. Your night cream can help it by providing it with the hydration, moisture, vitamins and minerals it needs to coordinate.
I will be honest. The Garnier Light Moisturizing Cream feels like a night cream. And for the past three weeks- I have been using it as one. I had a couple of old zits from my previous period which caused me to have a few small blemishes but they have in fact lightened to almost skin colour now.
I was disappointed with the fact that it did not say what skin-type this cream would be suitable for. This cream is suitable for normal to combination/oily skin types. It is not suitable for those with sensitive skin types due to its citrus ingredients that may trigger a reaction i.e stingness.
I feel that my skin is less dull- more fairer, even toned, with dark spots less visible. I first noticed that my complexion was brighter after the first few days of using it. If there was a few words to describe this cream- is that this cream is good at lifting off the dullness of skin, brightening it to give it a natural, healthy glow. Reported Efficacy: Tested on 29 women over 28 days. - Immediately complexion is brighter : 80% of women agree - After 28 days - brown spots less apparent : 76% of women agree - anti-dullness : 93% of women agree I tried to use this product during the day- but I did not like how it was still feeling like a night cream even after an hour of applying it. I can think of better day creams with better SPF and that can also brighten your skin at the same time.
So, in conclusion- this cream is excellent as a night cream that can brighten your skin whilst you sleep- and that can help provide it with the moisture it needs. Wake up, to beautiful, radiant skin.
For 50ml, the Garnier Light Day Cream SPF 15 retails for approx. 5.25 GBP. The Garnier Light also comes in a huge range of their famous roll-ons, facial cleansers, body lotions, and masks. I would actually try their masks....
Emyli's tip: Do not forget to apply your moisturizer onto your neck area- which is also in constant need of moisture and hydration! If your neck area is visibly darker than your face, then a whitening moisturizer will be a plus :)
For more information please visit: www.garnier.com
Rating: 4/5 Pros: Contains effective ingredients to minimize dark spots, promotes a fairer skin tone and natural glow. Excellent as a night moisturizer. A good value for money. Dermalogically tested. Cons: It feels like a night cream, and should be a night cream. Does not contain enough SPF.
Editors note: Garnier has now released a Garnier Light Overnight Peeling Cream. Now let's see how that will turn out.... stay tuned :)
BEAUTY REVIEW GARNIER FRESH 24HR HYDRATING DAY CREAM
This is my first ever Garnier skincare product review.
Many props to my girlie Miyuki for discovering it- she raved on about it so much (was actually one of the first things that came out of her apart from- how are you?) that I eventually had to test the product- and to find that it is one hell of a great moisturizer.
Garnier released their 'Clean and Fresh' line dedicating mainly for normal to combination skin types.
It helps to provide the skin with the hydration and moisture it constantly longs for by providing the skin with vitamins to help protect it and maintain its well-being.
Ingredients. The Garnier Fresh 24hr Hydrating Day Cream contains some ingredients that are effective in maintaining great, healthy, looking skin.
Vitamin E. Tocopherol (TCP), a form of Vitamin E is used in this product. Vitamin E is one of the best known antioxidants found in the human body- and it's key biological role in our skin is to act as a protector. Not only can Vitamin E protect the lipids on our skin, it also helps to reduce further damage to skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes caused by UV sun damage.
Fruit Water. The Garnier Fresh 24hr hydrating day cream contains Pyrus Malus- the natural fruit water extracted from apples by using flash distillation. It is rich in polyphenols and AHA fruit acids which helps to refine the epidermal skin texture.
Pyrus Malus is commonly used in moisturizers (L'Occitane include and use organic pyrus malus from their own provence trees in their products!) cleansers, hair conditioners, acne treatments, and for many anti-ageing products.
Fruit Extracts. With my research, I also found that grapefruit(vitis vinifera) and hibiscus(esculentus) extracts were also used in this product, which may explain why this product smells so invigoratingly fruity and fresh!
Grapefruit extract- besides being highly worshipped for centuries (by wine-lovers, and known to man for over 200 million years)- it has also been used since the beginning of skincare history by folk healers as a natural remedy to skin diseases and infections.
Although more categorized as a herb/plant rather than a fruit- hibiscus extract provides the skin with Vitamin A, aswell as organic acids (Vitamin C, citric, tartaric and malic acids.) The anthocyanocides in hibiscus have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and astringent properties. And with the help of I-Hydroxy-acids, it also helps to increase the skin's moisture balance, thus improving skin flexibility and elasticity. What I loved most about this product is that everything that it claims- is pretty much spot-on. "The formula sinks in instantly to quench the skin" and "it makes an excellent base for make-up."
I tested this product for two weeks consequetively, and I am telling you- I already noticed improvements to my skin, aswell as the ability of this product within the first two days.
The Garnier Fresh 24hr hydrating day cream penetrates into the skin very quicklyand leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple all day long. This is because the consistency of this product allows the particles to be absorbed by the skin through the cells more quickly.
Reported Efficacy: Tested on 96 women over 2 weeks. - Quenches skin : 88% of women agree - Hydrates all day : 84% of women agree - Refreshes all day : 74% of women agree - Energises the skin : 84% of women agree In my opinion, providing that it contains effective ingredients, and that it is used correctly and by a suitable user with the right skin type- a good skincare product will be able to give results within 28 days.
It provides an excellent base for make-up- I had no trouble with my make-up during the day after I used this moisturizer as a base. If anything, it actually kept my skin hydrated under my make-up. I also love the soft, dewy texture of this moisturizer, which makes my skin feel comfortable all day long.
Another point that I could rave on and on about, is that this moisturizer smells so darn nice. That is, most probably, with all Garnier products in general but this is lovely! I could not think of a better word than: Fresh. I love applying this moisturizer every morning after cleansing, and the smell simply uplifts spirits!
You can also use this moisturizer as your night cream- it will provide the skin with the decent amount of moisture and hydration that your skin needs while you sleep. However, for better results I would recommend a more richer texture as your night cream.
For 50ml, the Garnier Fresh 24hr Hydrating Day Cream retails for approx. 5.25 GBP. If you are living in the UK- I believe you can only find Garnier's Fresh Line from Tescos.
I tried to look into Boots and Superdrug but to no avail. No idea why. For those in the U.S, the packaging maybe different. (I think it comes in a tube.)
Emyli's tip: Do not forget to apply your moisturizer onto your neck area- which is also in constant need of moisture and hydration!
For more information please visit: www.garnier.com
Rating: 5/5 Pros: Excellent fresh skin hydrator, leaves skin feeling soft and supple, non-greasy with a lovely soft, dewy texture. Skin smells delicious! Absorbs very easily into the skin. Light, and great for the summer. Dermatologically tested. Very cheap! Cons: It contains ingredients for protection against UV Filters, but please note: it does not contain SPF.
Today I'd like to talk more about our Eyebrows. Eyebrows are one of the first things that a person notices and sees on the face. Whether the brow is too short, too long, or even too thin- can change the whole appearance of your face.
Take Gwen Stefani for example. We definately like her with fuller brows.
from kissandmakeup.tv
As you can see, she looks a lot more healthier than she did before- and it just shows how much impact brows can make on a person's face.
First of all, I'd like to tell you more about your eyebrows.
The main responsibility of our eyebrows is to prevent moisture- (mostly from the salty sweat and rain) from flowing down to our eyes.
Our eyebrows act as a ridge to protect our eyes below. In the same way, these brow ridges also shade the eyes from sunlight, and also preventing certain debris such as dandruff and other small objects from falling into our eyes. Eyebrows also play an important role in our expressions of communication- by expressing certain emotions like surprise or anger. It has also become more common for men to pluck their eyebrows- especially in the middle of the brows, to appear more youthful and attractive.
I often help my boyfriend to pluck his brows! He admits it makes him look less tired, and much healthier.
Eyebrow Shaping.
Tweezers are most commonly used for plucking to shape eyebrows. Threading eyebrows has also become a popular method as it does not pull at the skin.
However, it is advised that you should use an Eyebrow razor to shave on the areas on top of the brow, rather than beneath and around it.
A most common arguementative theory is that- "The more I shave, hair will grow faster and thicker!"
This is true. But did you know, that by plucking or waxing hair will eventuallydamage your hair follicle.
-wikipedia
Think about it, you pluck your eyebrows lets say twice a week. And in the same places. That's eight times a month, and in a year that's ninety-six times. In ten years, that is nine hundred and sixty times you damage per hair follicle. End up, your hair follicle "dies" and there will no longer be hair in that area.
So when you become old, and you need thicker brows, or any hair on the brows at all to look more healthy- you can only draw them on as your hair follicle has been damaged throughout the many years of plucking!
Good if we want to get rid of armpit hair for good. But not if you plan to continue to have sexy brows when you are 70 years old. This is why we often use waxing, rather than shaving. DO NOT shave armpit hair. Period.
This is why I always advise clients to shave the areas above the brow, and to pluck the excessive hairs under the brow.
The Types of Brows.
I have used a model for my example today from Dear magazine that I found on the web. This is the original picture.
What do you notice first about her eyebrows? Slightly short, and one brow is higher than the other- but otherwise quite perfect.
The Hi-Low Brow. Some good news; it is a fact that majority of people will have high-low brows, so it is very common and very normal. Many people with assymetrical faces are also likely to have hi-low brows.
A beauty professor once told me, "It doesn't matter if you have high-low brows. We all have it. As long as they are both in the same shape, and co-ordinate with each other."
Here is an example of brows that do not match with each other. Do not mistake this for a hi-low brow. These are brows that have been shaped poorly.
-The 'Unmatched' Brow.
Therefore, the shape of your brows is actually very important. Remember, it is one of the first things that a person immediately notices on you.
Here, I've photoshopped the image to show two more examples.
The Mona Lisa Brow.
I really, really dislike this the most. I don't know why it's become some sort of mass trend. A thin brow makes you look unhealthy, compared with a person with full brows.
....An even thinner brow? Well, you'll end up looking like the Mona Lisa, or my personal favourite..... Blythe the heroin junkie!
Hmm... very attractive!
So please, don't do a Mona Lisa. It's social suicide.
The Closed Brow.
Also known as "Mcdonald Brows" In my opinion- definately better than having no brows at all! But a brow too close or too thick- makes it look like your frowning or angry all the time. Looking at the above picture, how does she make you feel?
So how should a brow look like? Natural. Do not go overdoing your brow by changing it to a shape it was not born to grow like. Do not get too overexcited plucking away that you end up making your brow like the Mona Lisa.
Instead, change it naturally.Do not follow street trends. It may look good for them- but it may not look good for you.
Here I have used "Angelababy" as my example. Her brows are actually very beautiful, but for some reason in this image I found that it could be even more perfect. See the difference for yourself:
BEFORE: AFTER: Finally, you can end up with a pair of very beautiful brows!
How to create theYour Perfect Brow. Every brow can be perfect. Use a ruler, the end of a brush stick- or any long material to measure the correct shape of your natural brow. Follow this image below as guidance.
STEP 1. First, place the ruler exactly straight to the inner corner of your eye like in the image. Your brow should START from this point.
STEP 2. Second, put the ruler on the side of the nose, going diagonally up passing on the side of your iris- finally, ending to the point where your brow should be at it's "highest point," labelled X in the picture.
STEP 3. Then, place the ruler again starting from the side of your nose, diagonally to the end corner of your eye. The ruler should then show you where your brow should finish.
Editor's Video: In this video, I demonstrate how to find your perfect eyebrow shape, and as requested- a tutorial on how to change the colour of your eyebrows to match your hair!
EMYLI'S EYEBROW TOOLS
1. KATE KANEBO DESIGNING EYEBROW N EX-4 Have used this for almost a year now, and I love it. Don't think I will stop using it! Comes in a palette of 3 shades to highlight, define and shade brows. Definate must-have! If you are looking for something similar, I definately will recommend MAC.
2. SHU UEMURA EYEBROW MANICURE 04 The eyebrow mascara that I use to change the colour of my eyebrows to a subtle brown that can match the colour of my hair. Lovely colour!
3. MAC SMALL ANGLE BRUSH 208 I lost the mini brush that was included in my KATE DESIGNING EYEBROW- so I went to buy a brush from MAC. Love this brush. Thin, slanted, and ever so easy to use.
4. FACIAL HAIR GENTLE RAZOR Beauty must-have. Cheap (costs about 2.50 GBP for a pack of 3.) Can be used with or without facial soap. Not entirely sure if you can get these sort of razors in the US or UK. But anyway! I'm getting personal orders for these handy gentle facial razors, so please send me an e-mail and I'll scoop them up for you!
5. STRAIGHT TWEEZERS FROM BOOTS Never liked using slanted tweezers, so I settle with a pair of straight-end ones.
I'm Emyli, and I am a British chick.
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-The 'Unmatched' Brow. 
EMYLI'S EYEBROW TOOLS