Be Right Back ...

Taking a creative break for a bit. After fifty posts, I want to recharge my creative juices and come back with even better content.

If you have a chance, do take a look at the previous posts; would love to hear your thoughts on them. Also, if there is anything you'd like me to talk about, let me now as well.

See you soonest!

xo Jane

Jane Talks: Hair Products

Today, I thought I would talk about the products I've been using on my hair. Whilst I do not dye my hair per se, I do have dry hair which gets very frizzy if I don't do anything with it. I have discovered, for me, washing my hair everyday only exacerbates this and am relegated to using dry shampoo on the off days when I do not wash my hair.

When I do wash my hair, which is every two or three days, I have been using the following products on my hair to help protect my hair when I use a heating tool, i.e. a curling iron or a flat iron. Also, I should note that I try not to blow-dry my hair; rather, I prefer to air dry if possible.

1) Chi Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray: I bought this on a recommendation of a YouTube vlogger and I will say it is just okay. I am *not* a fan of the scent which makes me eager to use it up and try something new. The scent is sharp and if you like that forest, piney scent, then this is for you. I, however, do not. That said, it does it job of conditioning the hair and I like to use it on my dry ends.

2) Garnier Fructis Mega Full Thickening Lotion: I like to use this on my roots to give them a bit of a lift. My mom likes to use a mousse-based root lifter which is also really good but I like this spray because easily found and I can pick it up on my Target run.

3) Etude House Heating Protector: This is the last thing I put in my hair. I like to take a quarter size of this and run it through my hair, especially in the ends. Like the Chi, this is a heat protector and perhaps I'm overdoing it but I want to really make sure my dry ends are protected. I really like this product. I like the scent but I am not 100% sure it really protects my hair, which is why I like to use both.

4) Etude House Silk Scarf Hair Treatment: I like to use this after I go for a run and before I take a shower. I like to put this on the ends of my hair and put a sheet mask on face. It's like a spa day before you take a nice hot shower.

I am still on the hunt of a heat protectant that I can use on my dry hair prior to the actual application of the curling iron. If you know of one that you would recommend, do send it my way.  Also, if you have hair products you'd like to use, let me know as well. I am always on the hunt for new and better products.

Until next time, xo Jane

April Favourites

April has come and gone so quickly! And since it's the end of the month, it's time to talk about my monthly favourites.  I don't have a lot of beauty products this month; I ended up using a lot of the same products I've discussed in previous posts.  That said, here are a few things I really enjoyed in the month of April:

1) 3CE Cream Blusher in #Baby Peach: I've had this cream blush for awhile now and I never really enjoyed using it before because I honestly felt it sat on my pores and really wasn't a good look for me. I have, however, been using this on a daily basis after discovering that using it with a wet sponge (I used a Beauty Blender)  and spreading the products on my cheeks really gave it a soft and natural look without looking like as if it is just sitting on my pores.  What I really love about this product is how it gives my cheeks just a hint of colour.

2) Etude House Bling Bling Eye Stick: I've been using this a lot this month to emphasise my aegyo-sal. I don't use this product on my entire under-eye, but I do like to use this closer to the front of the eye than the back.

3) Missha Aloe Sleeping Mask: As the weather is getting warmer, I've been using this sleeping mask to hydrate my face. LA, while hot, is very dry and wreaks havoc on my skin. I feel I must always hydrate my skin regardless of the temperature. I like this mask because it is lightweight and doesn't feel as if it is weighing down my skin. I also like to use it sometimes when I go running because it is so lightweight. I've also de-potting this into another container because I'm not really a fan of the packaging but really enjoy the product.

4) Uniqlo Soft Bomber Jacket in Pink: I've been looking for a light jacket to wear for the chilly nights here in LA.  Since Los Angeles is not as cold as DC or Seoul, I've been relegated to wearing my thinnest coats and also my leather jackets, if that. I found this at Uniqlo and I love it. It adds a feminine edge to my outfits. The soft pink colour and the cut of the jacket is very on-trend for spring. I've been wearing it with dresses as well as pants. Such a versatile piece of casual wear.

5)  Heated Eye Masks: I really like to use these when I am really tired. These eye masks heats up after opening the package and placing them on your eyes. The heat on the masks is not so hot and it really feels so relaxing when you put them on. There are also a variety of scents, as well as unscented. I like the rose and lavender scents, but unscented is always a good choice. I found these in a Japanese market but I am sure you can find them on Amazon. They also are available in Korea at Costco and Olive n Young.

6) Sweet Matcha Powder: I got this when I went to Japan but I've seen a similar product at Trader Joe's. When I first got this, I made hot matcha "lattes" with heated almond milk but recently, I've added a tablespoon of the powder with cold almond milk and ice to make my own green tea latte. I love to drink this when I am feeling hungry but don't want to eat anything.

7) Samarai Gourmet//Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories: Both are Japanese series that focus around food. Based on the anime books of their same name, I loved how each episode of each of these series focuses on a food. I kept getting cravings for the food of the episode during each viewing. If you like quirky shows, do give these two a watch. They are so delightfully binge-able. (On Netflix.)

These are a few things that I have been really into this month. Do let me know what are yours.

xo Jane

Jane Talks: Eye Primers

The last remaining eye primers

Whilst not as popular as when they first came out, loads of people still use it and I wanted to talk about my experiences with eye primers. I'll flat out and say I'm not a fan. Primers are supposed to help with the product, i.e. if I was to use an eye primer, the primer would help bring out the colours of the shadow. What I find, however, is that the primer does not do a very good job of staying on my lids. Instead, most eye primers tend to pill and does not allow the shadow to blend. Not good.

I suppose if you have really oily lids, an eye primer might not be a bad choice but I personally would prefer just to dust a little powder and then use a fluffy brush to blend out the eye-shadows. Also, if you're using a facial primer, I generally feel that is enough primer on your lids.

Lastly, sometimes, I use the leftover primer as an all-around face primer. One word of warning: using the eye primer as a face primer can break you out, as I recently experienced. Even thinning it out with lotion still broke me out, meaning if you're acne-prone, it might be best to throw them out if you're not going to use it for its intended purpose. Technically, both face primer and eye primer have the same intended effect and theoretically, since the eye is far more delicate, one would assume eye primer would work for the face. As I just stated, however, this wasn't always the case.

If you do use eye primer, I would love to hear what you use and how you use it. I'm always open to new products.

xo Jane

Jane Travels: Oahu

Recently, I got the opportunity to travel to Oahu. One of the islands in the state of Hawaii, it also is the most populated and the most with a "city life." Hawaii is a state I could go back to again and again. The food is such an amasing fusion of different Asian influences as each of the different countries immigrated to the islands. The beaches are absolutely lovely, with the water so warm and clear.

Hawaii is a place where there is so much to do if you love the outdoors. You can hike up trails and there are hidden beaches you can go and enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks.

If there is one thing that is a must-do, that is to go to the beaches. The water in the beaches are absolutely clear; it's the clearest beaches I've seen, even beaches in SE Asia. The one thing I will have to say is to be sure to apply sunscreen *before* you get to the beach, as there really is no good place to apply it there. And the sun is very hot and strong, regardless of the year, and you will get a nice tan if you're not careful.

Also, depending on the beach, the sand can be very silky or very rough; I highly recommend bringing a pair of flip flops if you plan to go beach hopping.

One thing I love about Hawaii is the local food. If I had a friend who visits Hawaii for the first time, there are a few items I would recommend:

1) Loco Moco: I know this is *the* local food people tend to know about but if you can get a good loco moco in Hawaii, get it. The brown gravy and the charbroiled meat patty over rice and topped with an egg is the most unimaginable yet perfect combination. A definite must.

2) Zippy's: This is a fast food chain and I absolutely love their food.  Their chili is really different and something for which they are known but, if you can, get the Portuguese sausage. The Portuguese sausage in Hawaii is a unique item and I haven't really found a good place in the mainland that carries this.

3) Plate Lunches: Plate lunches comes with two scoops of rice and mac salad. You pick the dish that you want with the rice and salad. I know there are plate lunches in the mainland but I generally find they are not as tasty as the ones in Hawaii. Get this and enjoy the food coma later.

Whilst this isn't the most extensive list of things to do in Hawaii, I wanted to share a little of my trip to you. I do hope you enjoyed it.

Until next time, xo Jane.

Life in Seoul: Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo

Although I have talked about the Starfield Department Store in Hanam-Si,  today I wanted to talk about the Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo, Seoungnam.  This particular department store is famous for its incredibly spectacular food court on the lower level.  In fact, when the department store first opened, it was so incredibly popular that there were such long lines to park and so many people.

Ryan!

When I went, it wasn't as bad, but there were still loads of people there.  Whilst the upper floors have some really cool stores, viz. A Land and a Kakao store popup, the Pangyo Hyundai Department Store is really known for their lower level food court. The food court did not disappoint. It was incredibly big and there was so much to choose from.  Not only had the traditional Korean foods but also really fun and interesting foods like a magarita bar and Italian. I believe they also have a Mr. Holmes as well!

We decided to try the Korean version of local food from Hawaii. We had the huli huli chicken and the poke.  The poke was basically the Korean hwedupbap and the huli huli chicken was kind of greasy. I wish we had more rice. I think next time I want to try their loco moco and maybe their malasadas.

Poke Bowl and a Passion Fruit Drink

When I am home, there is so many new restaurants and new foods to try. Easily accessible by subway, you can shop your hearts content and eat then, stroll down to the lower level and try a variety of foods in one location.

Until next time, xo Jane

Life in LA: Supper Clubs

Recently, I got the opportunity to go to a supper club in Los Angeles. I love this idea as it generally provides an intimate setting in unlikely areas.

I've been to supper clubs before and I will admit they are really inconsistent. The last one I went to before this one I left hungry and I ended up going out to get a burger afterwards, which defeated the purpose. It also is generally family-style, at least the ones I've been, which means you can just take as much as you want, since you need to be cognisant of the other people who are also probably as hungry as you. And, unlike a friend, since you are eating with strangers, you can't just take the last meatball, even if you are DYING to take it. (sigh)

The backyard

This supper club was bring your own alcohol, which is nice. They did, however, provide an aperitif when we first got there.  It had a smoky aftertaste which was really lovely.  Since I would be drinking, I chose to get an Uber, which was a godsend because I had driven to Dana Point that morning and I was too tired to drive to LA again.

Aperitif

In this reiteration, we were at the Schindler's House in North Hollywood.  I've never been here before and this place was absolutely gorgeous. Each room had one dining table and we were shown where we were seated by the "hostess." The setting was "shabby chic;" the eclectic vibe really worked well with the family-style meal and the familial setting of the supper club.

I loved how unique the table setting is

There was a group of musicians which played music and we started off with tomato bread and shisito peppers. The second course was this absolutely delectable salad of blood oranges and kale. I couldn't get enough. We then had meatballs which were so so good and the main was a whole fish branzino, aka European seabass. We finished the night with churros.

First course before the sun went down

Whilst supper clubs sound very exclusive, I think, if you have a chance, you really should give it a go. It's different and it's quite the experience.  And I really would like to argue that the exclusivity is just a facade; if you enjoy good food and you have a good friend who you enjoy the company, one night of hanging out with strangers and enjoying delicious food isn't a bad time.

Until next time, xo Jane.