Saturday, May 18, 2013

Great Weekend Reads! The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup 5/17


Friday, May 17, 2013

Get Fit! Let's Hula Hoop!


Okay let me say first that I'm in no way a fitness guru. In fact, this word shguru gives me inexplicable goosebumps, especially when loosely uttered by some kiddos or inexperienced peeps from nowherelandia. Well you know what I mean so this statement needs no elaboration. 

Unbeknownst to most of you, I used to write fitness topics when my blog is still in its micro nano size stage, which was like two years ago. Then beauty and whatnot took the limelight and boom! I totally forgot about it. My my my bad! You see in my mid 20s up until early 30s, I was in my chunkiest but with exercise and diet, I triumphed over the bulge! So my personal goal as I approach my late (very) 30s is to be fit, ripped perhaps? Truth is, I want to be Fit and Fab when I hit the Four-O. 

One thing that motivates me to get my ass off the couch is to do something I seriously love. Dancing is one of them. Twenty minutes gyrating to J Lo or jumping to Black Eyes Peas music can burn 300 or so calories. That's  one slice of pizza for you mama!

Recently, hula hoop is gaining popularity again. Thanks to celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Beyonce, Zooey Deschanel, even our First Lady Michelle Obama! Then I remember we have this old and dusty hula hoop hibernating in the closet for years.

If you're on Instagram and happen to follow mine, you probably remember that my hula hoop amazement (obsession) started two weeks ago. Well I'm happy to say that moi is still on the roll, doing nonstop rounds for 15 minutes (with another 15 minutes dedicated to hip hop dancing), thrice a week. Yep, all of that twisting and turning happening in the backyard. Dogzilla enjoys it. Hubzilla supports it.

So if you're into hula hoop or simply looking for a super fun way to get fit, I highly encourage this hip and leg-shaping exercise! Blast that music girl and get ready to hoopla!

My warm-up: Raise leg while holding hula hoop (I do 50 sets each leg)
Amp it up! Hold the hoop up, down, side to side.

Shaking to Shakira
Woo! Get down on it
Scream and shout and let it all out

Stretch and shake baby shake

Girl move that body

What's your fave exercise to get fit?

Kathryne

P.S. If you want to know how I lost weight, click the "Fitness" tab section of this blog and there you will find my story and  tips (some routines have changed though).

Till my next fitness post beauties....


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

So Which Pink Are You? Victoria's Secret Pink Luminous Body Butter



Are you fun and fearless? warm and cozy? sun-kissed? Tell me your kind. Say anything except the third kind.

If you have Victoria's Secret store near you, I bet you won't miss these goody jars of luminous body butter sold for $15 each or $30 for 3. Great deal I must say! Depending on your olfactory inclination, you have eight variants to choose from: Pretty and pure, Wild and breezy, Fun and fearless, Fresh and clean, Wild at heart, Sweet and flirty, Warm and cozy, and Sun-kissed.

My personal picks from my last VS retail therapy were: Fun and Fearless (water lily and currant), my top fave; Warm and Cozy (toasted vanilla and peony) which smells more floral than vanilla; Sun-kissed (coconut water and sunny vanilla) which is perfect for summer, that is if you like coconut scent!


Now that we're springing into summer, are these body butters thick and heavy for the hot season? I don't know about your preference but for me (and I live in Hawaii where the mighty sun never sleeps; okay there are days it does!), I love 'em. They're quite thick but never greasy. There is subtle luminosity to it which makes your legs or arms glow. I alternate all three, as evidenced by finger marks you can see from the jar. Lavish much?

Have you tried Pink yet?

Kathryne


*Own purchase*

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Why Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lipstick (Pastille Lavender) Is Worth The Bite


Bite Beauty is a new acquaintance to my makeup arsenal. I'm supposed to be on a no-makeup purchase vow but this eye candy talked to me like I'm a damsel in need of serious counseling.

Ms. Pastille Lavender: oh dear, what brought you here?
Moi: I'm not telling, my lips are sealed.
Ms. Pastille Lavender: I can see that! Your lips are dry and dulll.
Moi: Yeah right, and who are you to tell me that?
Ms. Pastille Lavender: Tweety bird told me you like French pastille candies. 
That's my inspiration for this lipstick collection
Moi (picks and reads): Hmm, matte and creme, interesting!
Ms. Pastille Lavender: Honey, add this to your sweet craving: this lippy is made
from natural and food-grade ingredients
Moi: Really? The proof is in the eating. Wait a minute....

Damsel's swatch of pastille lavender: a sheer pinkish- lavender

Key ingredients: Trans-Resveratrol (antixoxidant), organic shea butter, vitamins E and C.

The real deal. This lipstick is housed in a sturdy gray tube with rubber-like finish.  While it is scratch-resistant and fingerprint-proof, uncapping is a tad difficult. C'mon, at $24 I look for magnificence! It is indeed creamy with a semi-matte finish. It survived coffee sips but was entirely wiped out after a hearty meal. It's so hydrating you don't need a lip balm at all. There are four lovely shades from the Pastille collection: Lilac (fuchsia), Violet (bright violet), Lavender, Rosebud (scarlet red). I like how lavender goes with any makeup I wear, or outfit to that effect!

Damsel in pastille lavender.
Distress? No more!
Long story short, that woman who was counseled (or tricked) by Ms. Pastille Lavender totally broke her promise. Reports say she's on her way to Sephora to buy and refill her Bite prescriptions. Story of her life. But 'ey, it's worth the bite!


Kathryne

Monday, May 13, 2013

We Didn't Forget! The Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup






  • Mama Fashionista: Attention Curly Girls! Quinn of Mama Fashionista shares her must have products from curly hair specialists, Ouidad!

  • Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Looking for a safe, highly effective, and cruelty-free organic facial peel? Then look no further than O.R.G. Skincare Organic Mineral Peel! It's truly amazing!

  • My Highest Self: The Sea Salt line from H2O Plus brings Tina back to her first beauty splurge!

  • TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla is summer-glowin' with Nars blush/bronzer duo in desire/blush.

  • Painted Ladies: Is the Spa Sonic Skin Care System a dupe for the Clairsonic?

  • BeautyTidbits: Need a little help in the eyeshadow department? Eye Majic Instant Eyeshadow may just be the thing for you!

  • Blushing Noir: It's getting HOT in here & the Temperature is Rising with the MAC Bare My Soul Eye Shadow Quad!

  • Pammy Blogs Beauty : Do you need more color to bare your skin for Spring and Summer? Pammy Blogs Beauty reviews Beautisol's Tea Tan Glow.

  • Beauty by Miss L: Miss L did lovely spring mani using Models Own nail polishes in Golden Green and Gold Digger.

  • D.G.S.Beauty: In need of new photography equipment? This Seamless Tabletop Background would be a perfect pick.

  • Beauty Professor: Forever on a foundation hunt, the Beauty Professor weighs in on the Hourglass Immaculate foundation in a review and video tutorial!

  • Lipgloss Break: Get a bronze glow the healthy way with Beautisol Tea Tan Glow.