July 13, 2012

Cleanse My Soul

I am a beauty product whore.  There, I've said it and now it's out in the open for all the world to know judge me if you want.  I just can't help myself.  There is just something about beauty products that make me feel a lot more put together and give me that boost of whatever I'm lacking on any given day.  Maybe this all stemmed from the acne that decided to camp out on my face as I hit the stress wall of high school, who knows, but I've invested quite a bit into products.  In the past two years, I decided to make a conscious effort to better my addiction habit and I've become a lot smarter about the things I actually shell out for.  Lately my focus has been on getting my skin healthier and in better condition.  As much as I love me some makeup, the better my skin, the less makeup I have to slap on in the mornings.  Here are a few cleansers that I've tried out as well as am looking to possibly give a test run.

Already in my shower:
Ole Henriksen - On the Go Cleanser

I happened upon this cleanser because I was on this major citrus kick.  I craved the scent of things like blood orange and satsuma, especially after receiving a gift set of Pacifica's Blood Orange perfume, hand lotion, and shower gel from my friend Samantha as well as purchasing a gigantic tub of The Body Shop's satsuma body butter.  This cleanser smells amazing but really isn't anything special.  I wish it did so much more for my skin.  It has vitamin C which is great, if only I could see it being put into action.  It has become the cleanser in my shower that fills in when I run out of what I'm currently using or when I feel a little tired and need a jolt of citrus all up in my face.  


Yes to Tomatoes - Clear Skin Acne Control Gel Cleanser

I really like this cleanser.  It's easy to get, easy to use, free of harsh chemicals, and not a hazard to my wallet.  The first time I ever used it, my skin cleared up pretty significantly and helped to keep it that way.  The second time I repurchased it, I got the same results.  It can be a little drying but nothing a good moisturizer can't fix.  The downfall: packaging SUCKS.  It's so SO horrible that it makes me really think before I consider repurchasing.  It leaks no matter which way you have the bottle and you end up wasting a good third of the product.   

Philosophy - Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser

I've always heard so much about this cleanser but never really got around to trying it until a sample size was a part of my Cynthia Rowley edition Birchbox.  Over all this is a very gentle cleanser which I like.  It's perfect for those days when I felt like my face took a beating from the Hawaii sun or when I wear a bit more makeup than usual.  It does feel a bit heavy when I use it consistently on my combination/oily skin but I deal with it by following up with my Breath of Fresh Air toner from Lush.  

New candidates for my shower:


Amore Pacific - Treatment Cleansing Foam

I first heard about this brand on a shopping trip with my friend Sarah.  We popped in a Sephora to browse and ended up in the skincare section.  A rep from the brand was there and enticed us with demos.  Amore Pacific is a Korean brand that specializes in bringing back the skin to peak condition.  The rep did a fantastic job at selling me the product, especially with her own skin because let me tell you it was flawless.  It would have been a done deal had it not been for the price tag and the fact that it really doesn't work the best unless you use it in the treatment set it is meant to be with.  


DERMAdoctor - Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser

Geez that's a mouth full!  I was introduced to this cleanser by a lady at Sephora.  I was browsing, yet again, one day and decided to ask her for her opinions on the best cleansers in the place to target and treat acne.  She told me this was a good choice, especially for acne that is triggered by hormones and stress.  It's supposed to be all pH balanced, whatever that means, and help your skin adjust and heal.  I got a little sample of this but it was hard to try out because of the consistency.  The product really didn't like being put into a jar-type sample container and wouldn't really come out in the amount I needed to really try it out.  It didn't have the greatest smell either but I'd be willing to give it a go if it helped to heal my skin.  



Boscia - Detoxifying Black Cleanser

I am dying to try this.  I've read so much about charcoal in cleansers being great for people who have oily skin like me.  It draws out the dirt and oils while all the other fantastic fancy ingredients like artichoke leaf extract and willowherb improve pore walls and calm redness and irritation.  Boscia also has a really good reputation of being preservative-free which I appreciate as well as just making products that work.  It isn't cheap but I feel like it will definitely be worth the investment.  Goodbye next paycheck, hello happy skin!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and Yes to Carrots



July 6, 2012

Daisy

I know, I know, Daisy is old news.  Julie and I were obsessed with it when it first came out and are still obsessed.  When Julie brought it home from Boston with her as my birthday present, it's all I've been wearing.  It's so light and refreshing, effortless if you must label it.  A no brainer, slap (or in this case spritz) it on, and go type of ordeal.  Not to mention it looks damn good on your dresser.












July 4, 2012

A trip to Godiva for the 4th of July!


Follow me on Instagram @kiyanananana

July 2, 2012

Summer Fun No. 1







This beach day at Waimea was quite a while ago as Julie is now back in Boston, but it was such a good day that I thought what the hell and decided to share.  The weather was a bit overcast but good enough to relax in!  Definitely looking forward to a sunnier day so that the underwater shots come out better!

July 1, 2012

Heat Wave: Twelve for '12 Summer Playlist


The Library is on Fire || They Don't Know You (Like I Do)
Right On Dynamite || Outta Here
Michael Rault || Lay Right Down and Die
Beyonce || Countdown
Shout Out Louds || Show Me Something
Datarock || I Will Always Remember You
Lily M || Loving Universe
Purity Ring || Lofticries
Jake Bugg || Lightning Bolt
Rooney || Blueside
Gold Motel || Summer House
Citizen Cope || One Lovely Day


I've been home sick this weekend, unable to enjoy summer's official arrival.  So in the hopes of being proactive and waiting for my body to recover, I made a playlist to enjoy when I can finally soak up the sun.

Photo from my Instagram: @kiyanananana

June 24, 2012

Liebster Award

I was graciously tagged by Amy of Scenique Route! The Liebster Blog Award is for bloggers with no more than 200  followers.  I've never really done this sort of thing so I thought I'd give it a go!

The Rules:
  • You must write 11 things about yourself
  • Answer the questions the person who tagged you has set and add 11 questions for the people you tag
  • Choose 11 people and tag them in your post
  • Go to their page and tag them
  • No tag backs

11 things about me
  1. I am the eldest of three children, my sister being the middle and my brother, the youngest.
  2. I am Japanese and Okinawan yet I have a Hawaiian middle name.  Actually, I'm the only one in my family who has a Hawaiian name.  Long story short, my mother's adoptive family, or hanai family, is Hawaiian. 
  3. I'm going to be a junior in college this upcoming fall semester where I am studying English.
  4. I love to eat.  If you want to try out a new place, call me up!  I love exploring what's out there. 
  5. I get sentimentally attached to things and find it hard to part with them.  Possible hoarder tenancies?  Nah, I eventually give in to the clutter and purge. 
  6. Music is a big part of who I am.  I connect better with people and ideas when I can relate it to music.  People have told me that I'm a walking ipod; I sing to whatever song is playing.    
  7. I can get lost in books.  I have quite the vivid imagination and tend to "see" the book as I read.  This makes it difficult when there are film adaptations because I get very annoyed when it doesn't turn out how I envisioned in my head.
  8. I'm addicted to scuba diving.  If you haven't done it, what the hell are you waiting for?
  9. My favorite movie of all time is Grease.  
  10. I would like to move to the East Coast, preferably New York.  
  11. I may like to shop a little too much. 

Questions from Scenique Route
  1. What is your number one goal in life?
    • I would like to have the opportunity to travel the world.  I'd love to become a fashion/travel writer and document my finds and ideas as I globe-trot.  
     2.  What do you gravitate towards more, shoes or makeup?
    • As much as I love shoes, I'd definitely say makeup.  I am obsessed with makeup.  It's a little strange as well because I don't wear much, yet I have and know about so many products.  I enjoy doing other peoples' makeup more than my own.  
     3.  Are you more of an outdoors or indoors person?
    • Ooh, this depends.  If we're talking full on nature outdoors, I'm definitely an indoors gal.  I hate getting dirty so things like hiking are out of the question.  The only exception is the beach and being in the water.  But I love being on boats and at parks on a nice day.  
     4.  What is your favorite restaurant?  
    • I have far too many.  But one of my favorites is Himalayan Kitchen.  The food is amazing and I love the atmosphere.  I'm all about the right kind of atmosphere of places and this place definitely has it.  Laid back, eclectic, yet simple and effortless.
     5.  What is a talent you'd like to possess? 
    • I'd love to be able to sew.  My life would be so much easier if I could make exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it.  I would save so much money and be able to tailor items to fit my body rather than the general public's.  
     6.  If you could have one material item besides money, what would it be?
    • I'd love my own rent-controlled loft or brownstone apartment in NYC (does that count?).  I thrive on independence and Hawaii is way too slow for my liking.
     7.  What is one place you'd like to travel to?
    • Italy.  I've wanted to go there since I was in the fourth grade.  It's the perfect blend of the old culture and new.  Not to mention it has amazing museums, art, architecture, fashion, music, and culture.           
     8.  What is the last thing you purchased?
    • Food/Drink: Mocha Cookie Crumble frap at Starbucks
    • Clothing/Shoes: Black suede ankle boots from Target that totally look like the Dolce Vita Jamison boots
    • Makeup: New shade of Chanel Vita Lumiere Aqua Foundation
    • Random: EOS hand lotion 
     9.  Shoes of bags?
    • BAGS, hands down.  It's a problem...
     10.  Who is your favorite musical artist?
    • Noooooooo. This question is impossible!  Too many too possibly just choose one.  Always on rotation are: Citizen Cope, Michael Buble, Led Zeppelin, Ella Fitzgerald, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, old musical movie soundtracks, and...so many others. Hahaha this question is hard!
     11.  If you could meet one person in the world, who would it be?
    • I'd really like to meet J.K. Rowling because I think the woman is genius.  I am such a fan of Harry Potter and I cannot believe how detailed and extensive of a world she created in the series.  I'd love to have a chance to pick her brain. 
My questions
  1. If you could live in a foreign country, where would it be?
  2. What is your favorite type of food?
  3. Is there anything that you hold onto (physical object) from your childhood?
  4. If you had $5000 to spend, would you spend it on a plane ticket, a handbag, or a killer pair of shoes?
  5. If you could see one musical artist, living or not, who would it be?
  6. What is a book you can read over and over again?
  7. How did you become close to your best friend? (I'm curious because I can't remember for the life of me!  It just seems like we've always just been best friends.)
  8. What is your dream job?
  9. What do you splurge on?
  10. If it was impossible for you to fail, what is one thing you would love to do?
  11. What is one thing you'd like to accomplish in your lifetime?
Tag! You're it! 
I'm drawing a blank...I'll tag more blogs as I remember them.
http://kaimanadivers.blogspot.com/ (Kaimana Divers has like, a billion fans because they're so damn awesome, but do check out their blog!)
I wish I could tag Amy back but that would be against the rules haha. But do check her out!
http://sceniqueroute.blogspot.com/