on the Kawaii tip. Thanks Dad

BB cream is a skincare item that originated in Germany for people recovering from cosmetic surgery. The public BB cream craze started in Korea after actresses started using it in place of their normal skincare routines. Cosmetics companies ran with it and turned it into a product widely available to the public. It is now extremely popular in almost all Southeast Asian countries.
BB cream AKA Blemish Balm Cream acts as a moisturizer, sunscreen, concealer, and foundation in one. It is also thought to be very beneficial to the skin, with anti-aging properties and ingredients to heal problem skin. BB creams even out the skintone while offering medium coverage and brightening properties. All these benefits while still having the finish of natural skin, Sounds amazing right?

The downside is that currently this product is only made for those with very light skintones. They come in 1 or 2 color choices and I would fit in the darkest color range. This means if you are darker than NC30 in MAC, this product will probably not match your skin. Southeast Asian countries are known for their obsession with pale skin. This probably explains the limited color options. I think if this phenomenon makes its way to the U.S. there would be some additions to the color ranges.

One popular brand of BB Creams is Skinfood. I actually visited a Skinfood Store while I was in Manila and picked up their Mushroom Multi-care BB cream. Check out my random video clip and listen to the song that happened to come on while I was in the store.

Would YOU be interested in using BB cream if it was widely available to you?

I was wandering Union Square dolo went these little jewels caught my eye. Since little things aren’t always as promising as they look I decided to dive-in for full on FF review. HANDS DOWN absolutely adore Baked by Melissa. I’ll be bringing EVERY flavor back with me this week.

I tried these 3 flavors. They’re literally the size of a quarter.

Cinnamon, Cookie Dough, and Peanut Butter = $3.00

Hit the jump to see what else I got into on my quick trip to NY!

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with Phoenix Urbaninity. Curated by Central Phoenix native and resident, CAKES, the blog features reviews on restaurants, art, cultural landmarks, and many more areas of interest in 602. YES, WE HAVE THEM. If you’re all about hidden gems and treasure hunts like I am, don’t sleep on this site.

If you missed the opening reception (like I did ), check out Upper Playground’s photo recap of Paper Dolls, an exhibition (put on by the lovely ladies of M.I.S.S.) featuring the works of Claw Money, Lanie Alabanza-Barcena (of Hellz Bellz fame), and many more industry giants. The show is a collection of each designer’s interpretation of the paper doll and runs until March 3rd. Click HERE for more photos.

Los Angeles, despite its gorgeous weather and culturally rich background, has an awful reputation. No thanks to the movie industry and reality t.v. (UGH, SPEIDI), L.A. has spawned several misconstrued perceptions; the glitz, the glamour, the FAKERY. Sure, the more affluent areas are enticing: The Beverly Center, The Sunset Strip, Robertson Blvd., KATSUYA. Anymore it seems people now visit L.A. vicariously through the pages of U.S. weekly. What a shame. Enter L.A. based graff god and tattoo artist, Nerv One. If you’re TRULY an Angeleno, you more than likely have seen his work several times at some point. I first met Nerv in September of 2003 during a vacation in Puerto Rico. After many cigarettes and rum punches, we became instant friends. Underneath the to-the-point, sometimes gruff demeanor lies a TRUE artist who has never sacrificed his integrity for the bullshit demands of Tinseltown. In addition to his craft, Nerv has consistently raised awareness in his community by serving meals to the residents of L.A.’s notorious Skid Row (without the aid of an organization, meaning he arrived with food HE bought and served by himself). Embracing the underbelly of his city, he simply RUNS Los Angeles from Hollywood to Highland Park, WITHOUT all the fake flash. I recently spoke with the artist about my birthplace; the wondrous “City Of Angels”. Here’s his take on bargain shopping, food, love, and life in the fast lane. Read the rest of this entry »

YES, i’m a bit of a health nut….but EVERYONE has to have a cheat day. most of mine were caught on my camera phone!….here’s my favorites from 09…can’t wait to eat across the globe in 2010!

My birthday cake. Greatest bday I’ve had in years. + i learned that it’s bad luck if u make ur own birthday cake. well according to moms, she wouldn’t let me help lil sis in the kitchen!

Pineapple upside down cake. Haven’t made it at home since my uncle passed. I just couldn’t. It would make me cry. I got over that fear this year.

Postino’s in phoenix is one of my fave spots but they forgot to put me in me and Annie’s order so they hooked up dessert for FREE. made it taste better!

Finally made it back to Oceanside to visit my Oba (japanese for grandma) and she greeted us with homemade sushi!

Had my FIRST potluck ever at the casa. had these dipped in chocolate for dessert! quite the hit

no dessert ever tops the simplicity of strawberries&chocolate. My Lola Zeny who is currently battling cancer put me on to these. Battling for your own life sure makes u aware of the sweetest things in life.

Sharing with friends. Two Hippies was the meeting spot for almost everyone at my job at some point or another this year. Pear Lemonade was a crowd favorite. Those little umbrellas really did help through the rain.

1st time I was ever able to eat with my lil Bro (who is battling Autism) at a REAL restaurant. thanks to the GFCF pizza available at Picasso’s in phoenix!

Fort Greene, NY stole my heart in SO many ways this year. Chez Oskar is was my fave for breakfast, all thanks to Annie!

I used to travel ALL the time between LA and NY for new movie junkets. But since times are rough for everyone, those trips hardly come. When they do, they’re awesome. I always get my turkey burger and fries at The Four Seasons

Ventured to the Art Institute of Phoenix for lunch. 10.95 for appetizer, entree, and dessert! try sometime…they have different themes every week!

Lee Lee market trips with the family are always good for strange birds.

Speaking of the uncommon. Dry cuddlefish or squid is something I got reconnected  with at the Aloha Stadium.

Spent a friend’s birthday at Havana Cafe in phoenix. I always hold a special place for Cuban food right in my heart!

I overdosed  on Li Hing Mui pineapple. It was rad.

Genki Sushi wasn’t new to me this year, but the first time they had the cutest spam musubi ever. at 1.50 for two couldn’t beat it. yum!

Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream from Beard Papa’s. Cold enough to carry all the way to the beach and enjoy. and so small I never feel guilty.

Udon. Makes me miss Japan for real…maybe a rewind for 2010?

Can’t wait for new eats & special treats in 2010. So much of our culture and life gathers us around the dinner table. I encourage FIENDS all over to try something new, go somewhere new, make something new,  and share it with someone special. Happy New Year!!

Since I’m a proud globetrotter and encourage EVERYONE to set time and money aside to do so whenver is possible. Here are a few things to consider when visiting MY favoritest place on earth…Hawai’i

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