Category: Skincare

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Dropping Acid: Making Chemical Exfoliation Work for Me

01 Dropping Acid

Acids and I have a long turbulent history together.

Most recently, I flirted with Biologique Recherche’s P50 Lotion (see my beginner’s guide to buying P50), Sunday Riley Good Genes (40% lactic acid), and Pixi Glow Tonic (5% glycolic acid).

Before that, I had regular rendezvous with Neova Reveal Exfoliator gel (20% glycolic acid) and Peter Thomas Roth 10% glycolic acid toner (link to my review).

The appeal of uncovering new baby skin after sloughing off the top layer–with acne marks, sunspots, large pores, forehead lines, and slight textural imperfections–was undeniable.  And when you regularly follow Caroline Hirons–a big proponent of acid toners as a regular part of a routine–it’s hard not to feel as if you’re handicapping your skin’s full potential when you omit acids. It’s like writing blog posts instead of the brief that’s due tomorrow and still expecting to get that promotion.  ::quickly looks away::

Continue reading “Dropping Acid: Making Chemical Exfoliation Work for Me”

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One Pooed Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Uguisu No Fun Mask (nightingale poop mask)

I’m just gonna poot this out there: anything is worth a try IF it may give you eternal youth and beauty. So while you may think my idea of rubbing bird poop on my face is shit, I am doing a fecebility study on your behalf.

This whole bird poo thing has been dung before and skinandtonics had reviewed it briefly. But she got grossed out after 2 applications. I have a pretty strong stomach. I am stool doing this as we speak (it’s been over a week.) Behold my latest expooriment:

UGUISU POO UGUISU NO FUN – NIGHTINGALE POOP MASK

Continue reading “One Pooed Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Uguisu No Fun Mask (nightingale poop mask)”

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You Can’t Tatcha This – Tatcha Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate

First thing around New Year 2016, Christine from Tatcha emailed BeautyandtheCat with a lovely note announcing the newest additions to Tatcha’s growing Luminous Collection. Angela really loves the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist but it’s MY turn to bask in the goodies so I said send ME the samples for review. Yes, that’s right, you can’t touch this Angela!

I was ho-humming away at work when this beauty arrived. I mean, just look at it! It came in a white box with turquoise washi wrap. Inside is a white satin bed holding an orchid, note in a bottle, and gradient purple and gold containers of the good stuff. Siiiiiigh….it’s like a gift from some Japanese cat goddess.

Continue reading “You Can’t Tatcha This – Tatcha Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate”

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The Grape Depression – Hungover Shopping at NEW Ichimi Cosme

ICHIMI COSME JUST OPENED UP IN THE EAST VILLAGE!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ichimi-cosme-new-york

September 2016 Update: Ichimi was renamed Ume Cosme.  All the old Yelp reviews for Ichimi are on Ume’s Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ume-cosme-new-york.

Actually, this East Village gem of an Asian beauty shop “just” opened up 3 months ago on 9th Street between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave. But three months ago nobody was really in New York because holiday times are for LEAVING New York. Also, this store oddly closed at random hours during its infancy. I once came during its indicated business hours but it was inexplicable closed. At another time, there was a “be back in 5 minutes” sign like a message from a bad baby sitter.

So this past weekend, I was doing my best Gudetama impression in bed, on my back, one arm hanging over the bed, one arm rubbing my belly to keep the hangover nausea down, when Angela text-harassed me about doing a blog post on Ichimi Cosme. It’s only 6 blocks from my house. But I mean, 6 blocks is like crossing the Sahara when you’re in this state of mind! See the commitment I have to AB?

Behold the smug selfie in front of Ichimi. Not wearing makeup except for thin eyeliner so excuuuuse me for looking sm-ugly. See that giant pair of purrrrple catte ear headphones from Brookstone? My Pops got it for me. How kewl is my Pops? Btw, the ears become speakers if you press the wrong button. Be careful that you don’t leave the speakers on like I did, swanning around like the human equivalent of a noisy car with amplifiers, catching eye rolls from strangers and snapping my head back.

Continue reading “The Grape Depression – Hungover Shopping at NEW Ichimi Cosme”

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Don’t Stop Belifing – Belif First Aid Overnight Brightening Mask

LG Household & Health Care is the mother of the cosmetics dragons: The History of Whoo,  SU:M37, and Belif. So it’s no surprise that I became hooked on Belif without initially knowing the parental origin.

The new Belif aisles at Sephora made me squeal with delight when I first came upon them. Guess the KBeauty trend was really taking off for cosmetics giant Sephora to dedicate a whole aisle to this K brand, at its Times Square location no less. Better belif it, folks!

 

Belif aisle at Sephora in Times Square, NY

The price points were really good compared to the other stuff at Sephora, which usually run on average $40-50 for an ounce of product. This was $34 for 1.68oz of overnight brightening mask. Of course the addict in me couldn’t resist, behold:

 

Belif First Aid Overnight Brightening Mask

Continue reading “Don’t Stop Belifing – Belif First Aid Overnight Brightening Mask”

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CC Next Tuesday – IT Cosmetics CC + Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50

Foundation cushions are officially mainstream now that L’Oreal came out with the True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in 12 shades. But once upon a time in 2015, tanner shades weren’t easy to come by. To demonstrate her love and affection for me, even though I’m tan, Angela got me the below for Christmas. No, not the sushi cat, the cushion!

Behold the IT Cosmetics CC + Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50

The It Cosmetics CC+ Vail Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50+

Continue reading “CC Next Tuesday – IT Cosmetics CC + Veil Beauty Fluid Foundation SPF 50”

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2015 Furvorites

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If you notice something funny about my (Renee’s) lips, you’re right. It’s swollen AF after a Restylane injection. Because vanity. Moar on that in later post.

Our first full year of blogging is almost at an end. At the end of last year, we toasted to many more beauty-filled meowments, festive felines, and bad cat puns in 2015. We can confidently say “check, check, and CHECK” to them all.  See?

Now here are our furvorites that made 2015 a little purrrettier.
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Whoo-ville! – The History of Whoo Secret Court Lip Balm Set

In the spirit of holiday consumption I picked up this set at Magic Belle in San Gabriel (bitchy and cold salesgirls who didn’t even give me samples btw.) Swoooon! Or should I say swhoon? 🙂

Behold The History of Whoo Secret Court Lip Balm Set

Considering how  expensive The History of Whoo is, I thought it was a bargain at $35. It comes in a mini-sized box and it features a lip balm in the middle, a mini lipstick in their signature etched golden lipstick case, and a mini calligraphy style lip brush.   Continue reading “Whoo-ville! – The History of Whoo Secret Court Lip Balm Set”

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Moonday – Moonshot Oil Relief Concentrate Serum Restore

Seems like it was just yesterday when I was maniacally hoarding stuff at the Peach and Lily sample sale. Months later I’m still wading through the little that I actually kept (ahem, Angela.) Below is one of them. I was ecstatic when I grabbed this amazing little pastel pink package with promises of relief for oily skin during the summer. AND it was from the new line Moonshot AND the bottle was sooo cute:

Continue reading “Moonday – Moonshot Oil Relief Concentrate Serum Restore”