ChefSisi: Top Favorite Beauty Foods

In today's society, we tend to relate the term beauty in relation to outward appearances. However beauty comes in many different forms and it is what makes each of us unique. Beauty cannot be defined by outward appearances alone but rather working together with what is inside as well. If we don't take care of ourselves internally or are not emotionally happy with ourselves chances are it will show on the outside. Here are my top favorite beauty foods that are not only good for the outside but inside as well and remember beauty comes from within. 

AVOCADOS:

Great on toast and in face masks

Beauty Benefits

-Helps reduce wrinkles

-Great frizzy hair treatment

-Helps with dehydrated skin

Health Benefits

-Lowers cholesterol

-Good fat 

-Helps with digestion

-Reduces high blood pressure

STRAWBERRIES:

Delicious alone or in smoothies and awesome in facial cleansers

Beauty Benefits

-Vitamin C in strawberries as an important building block of collagen which supports the structure and elasticity of our skin

-Can be mashed and used as an natural exfoliate

-Contains elegiac acid that helps protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation

-Helps with hair thinning

Health Benefits

-Vitamin C to help support a healthy immune system

-Good for protection of the eyes (strengthen the cornea and retina)

-Good for bone health (strawberries contain about 20% of manganese that helps keep our bone structure intact)

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

Try it in salad dressings and dilute it with water for a natural toner

Beauty Benefits

-Can be used as a toner to reduce skin inflammation

-Sunburn remedy

-Teeth whitener

-Acne remedy

-Wart remover

Health Benefits

-Soothes sore throats

-Helps with bad breath

-Helps with indigestion and other stomach troubles

-Clears stuffy noses

-Helps with hiccups

DARK CHOCOLATE:

Eat it alone or put into a face mask w/avocado

Beauty Benefits

-Protects skin from free radical damage

-Skin detoxifier

-Dark cacao powder can be used as a natural vegan bronzer

Health Benefits

-Mood improver

-Contains antioxidants such as flavonoids that help prevent heart disease

-Reduces bad cholesterol  

HONEY:

Use as a natural sweetener in cooking or add it to your face masks for healthy glowing skin

Beauty Benefits

-Pore cleanser

-Moisturizing

-Scar Fader

-Acne Treatment

Health Benefits

-Cough suppressant

-Boosts memory

-Treats wounds and burns

-Alleviates allergies 

Weekly Playlist 5/28/15

CLICK TO LISTEN

1.) Blessings - Big Sean feat. Drake & Kanye West

2.) Black Skinhead - Kanye West

3.) Flight - Lifehouse

4.) League of Mine Own - Samantha J

5.) Work This Body - Walk The Moon

6.) Throw it Back - Aer 

7.) All We Have - The Royal Foundry

8.) Mercy - Muse

9.) Delilah - Florence + The Machine

10.) Baby's In Love - Jamie Foxx feat. Kid Ink

Eva NYC Clean it Up Shampoo (Review)

PACKAGING: 

-Comes in a plastic pink bottle

-Contains 16.9 fl oz of product

-Availability varies but can be found at most ULTA stores as well as some online retailers

-Retails around $5-$10

FORMULATION:

My hair has been feeling pretty dry lately with all these weather changes. I needed a little something more than just a deep conditioner. So wandering through the aisles of ULTA I found this little number. The Eva NYC is a restorative shampoo that cleanses and nourishes hair. It contains Argan oil that provides the hair with vitamins and nutrients to keep it shiny and healthy as well as Kervais protein that helps renew vitality and strength. Compared to most shampoos, I found this one to be more on thicker side. It does a great job cleansing all the dirt, oil, and other unnecessary things that fly into my hair on daily basis but at the same time doesn't dry out my hair. This is one of the first shampoos I have ever tried where I felt I didn't need to use a conditioner afterwards. The smell is so and so. It does have that Argan oil scent but nothing overpowering. If you are a fan of nicely scented hair products I don't recommend this but if you are looking for a moisturizing shampoo definitely give this a try! 

OVERALL 

4/5

NEW!!! Too Faced Sugar Pop Palette

Too Faced Sugar Pop

PACKAGING:

- Comes in the traditional Too Faced plastic tin covered with an adorable macron design

- Includes a mini look book showcasing 3 looks 

- The 3 larger eyeshadows are 6 g each while the 6 smaller eyeshadows are 5.4 g each

- Retails $36.00

Available at Ulta, Sephora, and Too Faced online

FORMULATION:

Not much has changed with the Too Faced formulation over the last couple of years. They are one of the few beauty brands out there that has maintained a consistent formulation of their products. The Sugar Pop palette is inspired by the ever so yummy and delectable French cookie, the macron. The palette has a great mix of mattes and shimmers with a variety of fun bright colors that is perfect for the upcoming summer. 

Like most of Too Faced palettes, each palette contains 9 colors. 3 base colors for all over the lid and 6 colors that can be mixed and matched to use however as you please. Each palette provides you with a little booklet that shows you 3 different looks using the eyeshadows. If you aren't a big fan of color all over the eye feel free to use the shadows as colored liners.

These shadows have great pigmentation and are soft and easy to blend. They have a decent staying power especially with a primer underneath. If you are planning to wear the shimmery colors wearing an eyeshadow primer is highly recommended. The shimmer does have a little bit of fallout. 

Sweet & Spicy (top row from left to right)

Rock Candy- off white (shimmer)
Macaron- bright coral orange (shimmer)
Malted Milk Ball- cocoa Brown (shimmer/satin)

Sugar Plums (middle row from left to right)

Strawberry Ice- light lavender (satin)
Sugared Violet- deep violet (shimmer/satin)
Blackberry- plum (matte)

Candy Coated (bottom row from left to right)

Peach Fuzz- yellow beige (shimmer)
Bubblegum- bubblegum pink (satin)
Blue Raspberry- aqua blue (satin)

NEW!!! COOLA SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray

PACKAGING:

-Comes in a plastic spray bottle (Very sturdy)

-Contains 1.7 oz of product (TSA APPROVED)

-Retails for $36.00 @ULTA as well as COOLA online.

FORMULATION:

COOLA is a fairly new brand to the skincare market. They are well known for their great smelling sun care products. All their products are eco-friendly, natural, organic, and sustainable. A very refreshing change to the world of skincare products. Not only good for you but for the world as well.

Recently they have expanded their venture towards the cosmetics industry with their SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray. This is the first organic SPF makeup setting spray on the market and with summer right around the corner this is a perfect product to go pick up.

This product doesn't really need an explanation it basically is what it says to be... a makeup setting spray. But for those out there who are not as familiar with makeup setting sprays all they are is a liquid that helps your makeup adhere to your skin for a longer period of time. It is really great for those who wear foundation but don't like the feeling of powder in order to set their makeup. The COOLA SPF 30 Makeup Setting not only sets your makeup but also contains green tea and aloe to provide nourishment and also help with sunburns on your skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid which helps moisturize your skin. It sets matte and is completely weightless. It does have a sunscreen smell right after you spray it however that fades and a more delightful refreshing scent sets in. You can use it before or after your makeup routine as well as taking it on the go for quick fixes throughout the day. You can also just use it as a spray sunscreen for your face no makeup necessary. This is a great product to have in your purse or beach bag this summer.

The only downside to this product is that it is quite pricey for a sunscreen and the packaging is pretty bulky for the amount of product it contains. 

Great for all skin types

AXE for Women? A Review

The infamous male cologne/body care line has finally gone to the other side... A couple years ago AXE came out with a FEMALE cologne called Anarchy for Her. It is probably one of my favorite body sprays of all time. It has a very fresh floral scent that left cooling feeling on your skin. Unfortunately it didn't end up being everyone's favorite and have been semi-discontinued (meaning that it isn't available everywhere and can get pretty tricky to find). However AXE did release a body wash in the same scent a couple months ago and happens to be in their permanent collection.

PACKAGING:

-Comes in the classic AXE body wash packaging.

-Contains 16 fl oz of product

-Retails for around $3-4 depending on where you purchase it

FORMULATION:

Anarchy for Her is a gel body wash. The idea for the scent was to try to mimic the cologne however it didn't turn out exactly that way. The scent of this body wash is a very concentrated version of the cologne which comes off with a few different notes. It isn't too much of a difference. The scent is amazing and plus the texture it is a very refreshing body wash. I love using this after my workouts. The scent unfortunately doesn't linger after your shower but still a great product overall. It is perfect for the spring and upcoming summer season. 

What's in My Bag Spring 2015 Edition

Hey guys! I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I have been trying to reorganize my schedule as well as taking a much needed break post finals. But I am back and hopefully my schedule will get me back on track.

Lately I have been obsessed with watching What's in My Bag videos on YouTube. I have always been a curious person and personally find it interesting to see what other people carry in their bags. Since I don't make videos I thought I make a little blog post on What's in My Bag. Hope you guys enjoy xoxo.

Let's start with my bag. 

I am the type of person to switch out my bag quite frequently because I get bored really easily and I am a purse junkie. Currently I am carrying this leather tote by Dooney & Bourke. The base color is a beautiful mixture of gray and blue. The handles and the bottom corners are light brown with white stitching. The interior has a tweed lining in a baby pink color (I didn't find it exciting enough to show you guys haha). It has the classic little logo plate on top. I am obsessed with this bag. It has a nice structure to it that helps it keep its shape but bendy enough that I can fit everything I need. I purchased my at Dillard's a couple weeks ago so I'm not sure if this is still available. I have seen this exact bag in white with blue DB logos covering it.

From left to right...

1.) Sephora Mini Makeup Bag-

I got this bag at a Sephora grand opening near where I  live. I don't think these are available for purchase. I don't carry a makeup bag as I find it unnecessary for me. I use this bag to carry my chargers and an extra battery. I am always on my iPhone or iPad so it is always handy to have extra chargers and batteries around and this little bag keeps everything neat and tidy so I don't have cords flying around in my bag.

2.) Micheal Kors Bi Fold Wallet-

I love this wallet not only for the way it looks but more for its functionality. The bi fold wallet is big enough to fit your essentials without taking up a lot of space. This is the first time in awhile I have carried a "small" wallet. It is about the same size as an iPhone 6. You can still find this wallet but it may take some looking since it is an older version.

3.) Glasses-

I usually have both my glasses and sunglasses with me at all times. My clear frame glasses are from Coach and my sunglasses are from Ralph Lauren (prescription).

4.) Betsey Johnson Makeup Bag-

I got this at an event where I met the designer herself. I use this bag as my essentials bag. I keep my medication, eye drops and just important stuff that I need to keep with me on a daily basis. 

5.) Keys-

Don't really need a description for this....

6.) Tissues/Gum-

And of course what bag wouldn't be complete without tissues and gum?