Monthly Faves: May

Helllllo everyone! Yet another Hump Day we got through, almost there folks, almost there.

So today I bring you another Monthly Fave post, things of beauty and non-beauty I enjoy most the past month. Please continue reading to learn what they are. :)

Even though Summer doesn't officially start until the 21st of June, it's pretty much Summer here in Arizona. This is what I mean by Arizona only has two seasons; we're still in Spring but the temperature is in the triple digits already! As you scroll though my favorites for each category, you will see that they pretty much reflect Summer.

FACE: Avene Thermal Spring Water & DIY Cucumber & Aloe Vera Face Mask

I received a travel size can of this Thermal Spring Water in my May iPsy bag but have since purchased two more full sized cans since. I was skeptical at first but fell in love with it after testing it out. Yes it's "water in a can" and I can just "spray water" onto my face without having to spend $18. But somehow, this "water" feels amazing on my face. It's so refreshing and cooling. I use this to set my makeup, which keeps my face super hydrated throughout the Arizona day, I use this after I exercise which immediately cools me off, I use this before bed which looks in the moisture until morning. I don't know what it is about it but I cannot part ways with it now.

I usually use this mask on days I go swimming but even if I don't swim, I will still use it, as often as I could. I would alternate between this and the Hydrating Face Mask almost everyday if possible. The reason why this became a favorite and the other did not is because this recipe is also good for soothing sunburns... which is pretty much inevitable in Arizona. I'm actually still recovering from my sunburn, and this is what helped me through it. It is super quick and easy, requires only two ingredients and your skin will love it! Definite must try!

EYES: Clear Eyes Cooling Comfort

I am fortunate enough to not need contacts or glasses so I can pretty much use any eye drops, any time, any where I want. Arizona sun is so hot that whenever going outside, my eyes feel like someone pulled my eyes out and boiled them in hot, boiling water. Whenever that happens, I use this Cooling Comfort eye drops on my eyes. I am aware that I'm not supposed to use this often so I try to limit myself to like three times daily, with the exception of using it after taking off my makeup, before bed and after swimming. For those, I use a different eye drop but when my eyes are burning I cool it down with this eye drop. It's been a life saver really. When you live in Arizona, you gotta take drastic measures to protect yourself.

LIPS: Chap Stick Moisturizer with SPF15 in Green Apple

Last month, I raved about Nivea Kiss of Smoothness and declared that it is my new favorite night lip balm until I find a new one. Well...move over Nivea because Chap Stick is back in the picture! Before I used Nivea, I was using Chap Stick Candy Cane Peppermint, a Christmas limited edition, but I eventually ran out so that's why I picked up Nivea. At the beginning of last month, I was on drugstore.com and stumbled upon these beauties. Green freaken Apple scent! I looove the scent of green apple, it is absolutely refreshing. I've been wearing this to sleep, to exercise and just all around the house. It hydrates, moisturizes and it smells amazing...

HAIR: Hair Ties (Ouchless) & Silicone Rubber Bands

Even though a hair tie never leaves my body, it's either on my hair or around my wrist, ever since I can remember, they finally receive recognition this month. I chopped my hair off some months ago...maybe before Spring even, but all I've been doing with this hair of mine are high pony tail, high bun, high pony tail and braid. Point being, it's up and out of my face. When I'm asleep it's in a braid, when I swim it's in a braid, when I'm home it's in a pony tail when I'm out it's in a bun. None of that could be possible without those little guys up there. Amazing things they are. The only two brands I use are Scunci and Conair but I do prefer Scunci a little more.

SKIN: Dove Purely Pampering Body Wash in Almond Cream with Hibiscus

I love Dove Body Wash. It moisturizes my skin all throughout Winter and now it keeps my skin hydrated in the Summer months. The wonderful smell is just a plus really.

SCENTS: Fresh Gardenia (from the garden)

I have a couple of Gardenia shrubs in the backyard and recently started blooming...ugh! My yard smells AMAZING! I love Jasmines, Gardenia and those other flowers with scents similar; some people cannot stand them but not me. Nuh uh! I picked the flowers and put them in a bowl or plate and place them in each room of the house. Gardenia heaven throughout.

MISCELLANEOUS: Axis & Allies Spring 1942 Edition

I kid you not... this game is Addicting with a capital A. I blame my cousin. He just finished his freshmen year of high school in May but halfway through the school year, he joined a Board Game Club (I did not have that club in high school!). What the club does is pretty obvious, they play all sorts of board games; but one particular board game that stood out to him was Axis & Allies. He begged his parents to get it for him. Once he had the game in hand, he came running asking my brother and I to play with him. To be honest, I was just being a good cousin at first, lending a hand. Buuuut, two games later, I was as hooked on it as he was. My brother and I both actually. It really gets my brain pumping hard!

I'll explain a littler further for those who might not understand. Axis & Allies literally means the Axis and Allies power during World War II (WWII). There are five players, three Allies and two Axis. Russia(Soviet Union). U.K and the US make up the Allies while Japan and Germany are team Axis. There's a BIG board which is the map of the world and each country set up your land and naval control and basically battle it out... I'll leave that as it is as this can be a touchy feely topic.

FOOD/DRINKS: Homemade Fruit Salad & Detox Water

To make up for last month's unhealthy food choices, this month's favorite food is not only super healthy, it is super easy to prepare at home. All of last month, all I've been snacking on were fruit salads. Spring/Summer means fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, watermelons are in season, so my Mom, being the ever lovable Mom that she is stocks up the fridge with fresh fruits every week. Too much to snack on them alone, I threw some raspberries and banana into a bowl and poured on some vanilla yogurt to experiment. Oh my gosh, it was love at first bite! My brother nudged his way in to try some and he took my bowl and ran with it. The next day, I tried banana with strawberries and the next day strawberries, banana and blueberries. Ever since then, it's been a combo of fruits of  fruit salad, all day, everyday.

This was also last month's favorite drink and to no surprise, also made the list this month. It's so refreshing and body cleansing this Detox Water is. It's also called "The Flat Tummy Water" but to be honest, I'm not sure what's maintaining my weight loss, the exercising, eating healthy or this water. I'll just go out a limb and say it's a combo of all three. But anywho, this is super easy to prepare, one cucumber, one lemon and a few mint leaves. I have mint leaves and a lemon tree out back and cucumbers are crazy affordable so this is what I drink every other day this last month, as well as April.

Hooray for healthy favorites this month! :P

BOOK/MOVIE: Uppity Women by Vicki Leon & Pride & Prejudice

I actually didn't get to finish this book yet, because of that darn Axis & Allies game up there, but I love what I've read. I will finish it off most definitely. It's basically a book about how women are the best with proof through history. I like reading these type of books from time to time. I can easily stop reading at any give moment without being totally into it like I can with novels.

A rediscovered favorite movie. I almost forgot how much I loved this novel. I almost forgot how much I loved this movie adaptation. Still waiting for my Mr. Darcy to come around...

SONG(s): "Night and Day" - Wheesung & "Good-Night Kiss" - Secret's Hyosung

Wheesung finally came back and the title track is orgasmic to my ears. His voice, the song, they MV, him...

Secret's Hyosung made her solo debut and although I love her Mini-Album, my favorite is still the title track. Ugh, she's so sexy! My Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW is definitely Jun Hyosung.

And that's it guys, surprisingly most of my favorites are not even beauty related this month. Avene Thermal Spring Water is borderline skincare, sooo. This just shows you that when it's Summer here in Arizona, beautifying myself is not my first priority.

So I hope ya'll enjoyed this post and if you haven't read the previous months, please check out April, March and February. Thank you for reading and thanks for reading all! :)

Repairing Sun Exposed Skin

You guuuys....even though it is Saturday and I usually don a face full of makeup (I used today to experiment), that's not the case today... :(

If you guys read yesterday's blog, I was supposed to go swimming but I didn't. Since I was stuck at home waiting on the repairmen anyways, might as well make the best of it and get some house chores done. I spent the majority of the day outside yesterday, in the blazing Arizona sun, 95+ degrees. I generously lather sunblock all over my skin that is exposed to the sun and sprayed myself down every 30-40 minutes. Well... I ended up getting burned still, but if I hadn't gone through all those drastic measures, it would have been worst.

My shoulder, arms and neck are the most burned. I actually didn't even notice I was burned until I was getting ready to shower. I was bright red. BRIGHT. In the shower, my face felt a little tighter than normal and after getting out of the shower, I noticed my forehead was also slightly red. I was a mess.

I made a Cucumber and Aloe Vera Mask for my face and used the left over aloes for my shoulder, arms and neck. It felt sooooooooo good. I could have swore I heard a sizzling sssssssssssssss  my skin made as soon as I applied the aloe. Hahaha. So I reapplied the aloe after it dried and continued to do that for about five times.

Later in the night, as I was watching Music Core, I cut up some cucumbers and applied that on the burned areas. I kept it on until it loses its cool and replaced it with new ones for about three times.

When I woke up today, my burns cooled down a lot and it's not as red anymore. As for my face, it's very oily, but that's pretty normal when I spend all day out in the sun.  I gave it more love by using a Hydrating Mask to further keep my skin hydrated. I think my face is almost back to normal, but I will stay away from wearing any sort of makeup today. Maybe tomorrow too if possible. As for my shoulders and arms, I applied raw potato slices to 'em all day and the burning sensation  is almost gone.

I almost forgot to mention but I kept myself especially hydrated today by drinking lots and lots of water. Alternating with water, I am also drinking my Detox Water. I find that by drinking that, I heal a lot faster than I normally would. On top of that, I am also eating lots of fresh fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.

And that consists of what I've been doing all day. Fixing myself up and doing more house chores, indoor. It's not fun but I'd rather be indoors today and things gotta get done anyways.

So I hope you all enjoyed your day and will have a terrific weekend. Thank you visiting and thanks for reading all! :)

Monthly Faves: April

Well hello, hello, hello there everybody! It's that time of month again to share with ya'll my monthly favorites, beauty and non-beauties. Have you checked out my March and February favorites?

FACE: IPKN NY Moist & Firm BB Cream

This BB Cream is a a perrrrrrrrfect case of "you should use new products more than once before deciding", "don't judge a product from their looks" and why iPsy is a great investment. I received this product in my February iPsy bag, not the full size of course but a deluxe sample.

To be honest, I initially didn't think much of this BB Cream when I found it in my bag. I actually didn't even like it because it seemed too dark for my skin tone even though it was in Light. My skin was still fairly light back in February so the shade seemed too dark and yellow for me. As the months went on and the temp kept rising, my skin darkened a bit. The shade started matching me a little bit better. Eventually, without even realizing it, I used this on a daily basis. My sample is almost out and what to do??? So I placed an order...for Light and shade lighter, also the lightest shade they offer, in Fair. If anything, I can use the shades on their own, Fair for the Winter months, Light for the Summer months and mix 'em for the transitioning months.

I love this BB Cream so much it was included in my Spring Face Routine post. IPKN NY stands for Independent Professional Knowledgeable New Yorker; it is a Korean brand, pursuing the New York sophisticated style, very Americanized. And when I say Americanized, I do not mean it in a bad way, in any way. It's just that Koreans' and Americans' make up are way, waaaaaay different from each other. While the Koreans' go for the natural dewy skin, radiant skin, popsicle stained lips while Americans love to contour, full coverage foundation, mattifying and full lips. So it is very interesting to see a Korean brand targeting the American market like IPKN NY. Although this is a BB Cream, it's nothing like the BB Creams I've used  from Korean brands like Skin79, Lioele, Missha, Holika Holika or Etude House. For starters, most brands don't have shades selections, they come in one or two shades. Some brands are slowly releasing four or five shades now since their consumers are increasing worldwide. IPKN NY has four shades to choose from, Fair, Light, Light/Medium and Medium. As for the texture, IPKN NY is runny and liquidy yet thick, differing from other BB Creams which has a thicker texture. Depending on the type of BB Cream, it varies from light to medium to full coverage unlike this Moist & Firm BB Cream is a full coverage. It has such a full coverage that it can be worn alone without the aid of a concealer. This BB Cream has not broke me out, but then again, I don't have sensitive skin so that rarely ever happens. When I do wear a new product and it does break me out, I will not use that product ever again. I've used this since February, when the temperature was in the high-4os to low-60s up until now, when the temp is at 100+ degrees. It did not dry my skin out in the cooler months and controls my oily situation fairly well as of now. Like I said, I've worn this with and without concealer, on days if I didn't get a good night's rest, I'd use concealer for my dark circles or if I grew a pimple, I'll use a concealer, but on good days, this BB Cream alone is able to do the job. I have worn it with and without a setting powder, it works just as great either way; however, I like setting with a powder no matter what.

Exactly like the name suggest, whenever I wear this BB Cream, I feel like my skin becomes firmer, as if I was 16 all over again. As for moist, yes, it keeps my face hydrated throughout the duration of the wear and even afterward, my skin still retains the moisture from morning.

EYES: Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion

This mascara was the second mascara I've used since getting back into make up again, but it's the first mascara I've ever fell in love with. Of course, I have since moved on to love many other mascaras, but this mascara still holds a special place in my heart.... I just kinda forget about it every once in a while, but every Summer though, or when the temperature rises, I am reminded of how much I love this mascara. Seriously, this mascara, waterproof, does not smudge, budge or lose effectiveness even in the scorching Arizona weather. I'll be sweating bullets and my lashes are still curled and smudge-free. Just don't go swimming with it though... I made that mistake years ago and it was NOT pretty. :|

LIPS: Nivea Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care SPF 15

Even though I purchased this lip balm later in the month, it was quick to become my favorite lip product. This will continue to be my night time lip balm if or until I find a better lip balm. Now, if we're talking about overall favorite lip balm, it'll definitely go to EOS over and over again, every single month, so to have variety, EOS will not be named in any of the Monthly Faves, maybe at the end of the year. But yeah, this Kiss of Smoothness is very moisturizing yet lightweight and keeps my lips hydrated throughout the night. In the morning, when I brush my teeth, it'll automatically wash off, leaving my lips baby-bottom soft. I also apply this while I'm doing my make up and rub it off and put on EOS as a base for my lip colors.

HAIR: Suave Naturals Conditioner in Juicy Green Apple

I started using this back in high school and it's stuck around since then. It is seriously affordable, like less than a dollar at Walmart, but it does the job. No matter what shampoo I use it with, I always get the same results, conditioned, healthy, silky hair. I don't know how many bottles of this I went through already. I can probably build a fort with it.

I usually use this when I use a 2-in-1 shampoo. If I'm using a shampoo that has a corresponding conditioner with it, it's useless to use this also. So what I do is after shampooing and rinsing my clean hair, I would lather this all over my hair then tie it up and move on to bathe my body or shave. Ya know, the norms. After I rinse my body, I'll then rinse my hair as well. I'll let the conditioner run down my body. Just that, both my hair and skin are conditioned.

My Uncle has an outdoor shower so we can rinse after gettin' out of the pool. Immediately after getting out of the pool, I would lather my hair in this conditioner, tie it up and let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing. By doing this, I saved my hair from chlorine and sun damage last Summer. Yay for quick and easy hair care!

SKIN: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Yes, of all the fancy shamnacy lo-ti-on out there, this plain ol' Aveeno lotion made it to my favorite list. Surprising? Maybe, maybe not. Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion and jelly are still my holy grails, but for the sake of variety, I chose my other favored lo-ti-ion. While I used Vaseline Cocoa Butter for night time, I use Aveeno for the day time, whenever I'm at home. I don't usually wear lotion in the day time, but when I absolutely needed to, my go to is this Aveeno. I can't say it's scentless, there is a scent, I just cannot pin point what. It's not an artificial scent, like perfumes masking for chemicals, I think it just smells like oats and soy, their natural ingredients. I especially like this for the fact that it dries SUPER quick! It literally takes like zero seconds for it to fully absorb into my skin and leaves no grease whatsoever behind.

SCENTS: Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Morocco Orchid & Pink Amber, Tokyo Lotus & Apple Blossom & London Tulips & Raspberry Tea

I guess Spring and orchid goes hand in hand. Here is another scent that includes these gorgeous flowers with light, floral scent mixed with Pink Amber; this is my least favorite out of the three, but I still like it very much. It's just a bit too strong to what I'm used to. Tokyo Lotus & Apple Blossom on the other hand, is my absolutely favorite this month. I love anything apple scented and anything "blossom" smells great. It's very light with a hint of sweetness to it. London Tulips & Raspberry Tea is the in-between one. I like it, I just can't really pin point exactly why I'm not too crazy about it as the Apple Blossom. I think it's a little TOO sweet for my taste. Does that make sense? That I can smell sweetness? But yeah, that's probably what it is.

MISCELLANEOUS: Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap in Aloha Orchid & Honolulu Sun

Last month, I talked about the possibilities of repurchasing Caribbean Escape... It was tempting but I didn't repurchase it and bought a couple of new scents. Of the bunch, my favorites for this month are Aloha Orchid (again with the orchid) and Honolulu Sun. I usually dislike anything coconut scent, yeah I know, I'm weird, but I like this soap. There's a very faint coconut smell to it that I enjoy. I'm not entirely sure what the stand out scent for this one is, but I assume it's orchids. This soap has a sweet floral scent that isn't headache inducing strong.

FOOD/DRINKS: Blue Bell Ice Cream  Mint Chocolate Chip & Butter Crunch & "Detox Water"

My favorite food this month is so unhealthy...but it's so yummy. I can't help it! Two ice cream favorites this month, both from Blue Bell. The first is no surprise because Mint Chocolate Chip is my all time favorite flavor, Blue Bell just makes it THAT much better. The second flavor kinda surprised me a bit because I don't really enjoy peanut butter as a flavor. Butter Crunch is "vanilla flavored ice cream with chunks of crunchy chocolate peanut butter candy", it tastes even yummier than it sounds. It tastes almost identical to my favorite Dairy Queen Butterfinger Blizzards. I'm still drooling just thinking about it. Buuut it'll be another while until I get to taste those deliciousness in my mouth again. Since Blue Bell has many, many flavors, I'm trying to go through all of it, I might find a new favorite. It takes me a while to finish a tub though because I only indulge in this deliciousness once a week on Wednesdays when I'm enjoying my Criminal Minds.

Speaking of Criminal Minds, the second of the two part season finale airs tonight on CBS at 8 Arizona time. Ahhhhhh, the previews from last week has me super worried. :( Reid. Morgan. Nooooooooo.... :'(

My favorite food is unhealthy but my favorite drink sure is. The internet calls it a Detox Drink or Flat Tummy Water because it detoxes the body. The drink is a concoction of lemon (or lime), cucumber and mint leaves, ginger and orange are optional, brewed in water. Just throw all the sliced ingredients into a bottle, add water and let it sit overnight. It's so easy yet it's so yummy and effective. I'm not entirely sure if it really helps with flat tummies, because I've been exercising diligently and eating healthier, but I know for a fact it does effectively detoxes my body.

BOOK/MOVIE: Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino & The Swan Princess series

Another novel I started years ago and never finished, Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino; I believe it was translated, whether by the author herself or a translator. This novel is set in Japan and the narrator is an unknown, unnamed woman, she is the sister and old school friend of the two murdered prostitutes. If you're into the foreign, thriller, mystery genres, you might like this novel. This isn't the best novel I've ever read, surely isn't my favorite but it is a great relaxing read that kept me occupied.

I first watched The Swan Princess maybe when it first came out in '94 and I have yet to see it again until recently. I was not aware that it also came out with a second, third and fourth movie and a fifth impending. I totally forgot how much I loved this when I was a little girl. And honestly, you're never too old for cartoons, no one is. I really enjoyed watching this again and I was able to watch all of the parts thanks to Netflix. The first one is still the best out of the four in my opinion, the second one wasn't too bad either. Starting from the third, it kinda declined, but still.

SONG(S): "Ooh Ooh" - Eric Nam Ft. Infinite's Hoya & "Mr. Chu" - A Pink

I love me some Eric Nam, but don't let his baby face fool you; he is currently 25, turning 26 this year. :O I'm not complaining though, with all the idols popping up left and right, they just keep getting younger and younger...:'( So I appreciate Oppas like him.

His new song "Ooh Ooh" has been on repeat for the majority of the month. It's so dang catchy, he looks so happy and his dance is so freaken cute! What more can a fangirl ask for? Oh wait, he collaborated with Infinite's Hoya....yes, it just got THAT much better.

Aside from Eric Nam, I also enjoyed A Pink's new title track, "Mr. Chu". These girls never never fails at what they do. "Mr. Chu" is as catchy as "No No No" was. Their MV, live performances, dance, outfits and make up just screams Spring! They're just so beautiful, cute and sexy without even having to try. Pink Pandas hwaiting!

I am guilty again this month for favoriting two newly released songs. Gahhh, it is so hard to go through  3000+ songs when albums, mini albums and singles are released on the daily adding to the load. Just my luck that EXO released their mini album recently. Wheesung and G.NA finally made their comebacks, Hyosung made her solo debut, Infinite, GOT7 and Phantom are making their comeback and VIXX is rumored to make a comeback soon. 2PM and Beast will come back soon as well. New rookie group BTL is about to debut.... Woe is me. OTL

Alrighty, that concludes April Faves, I do apologize that it's a bit overdue; it was suppose to be up last week but things happened and everything got pushed down, but please look forward to May Faves in a couple of weeks, I'll try to be on time for that. Thank you for visiting and thanks a bunches for reading! :)