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VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Published by Jessica Moy

Berlin was a grand ol’ time but onwards we went to our next European location, Vienna, Austria. As we entered the sophisticated city once home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud, I traded my litre of German beer for a fancy bottle of peach schnapps.

It was Christmas evening when we arrived in Vienna and what better way to spend Christmas than at a Mozart & Strauss Concert at Vienna Kursalon. The orchestra was phenomenal and included extraordinary opera singers and enchanting ballet dancers. The splendid Italian Renaissance styled venue was built between the years 1865 and 1867 and felt like an imperial palace. Maybe it is an imperial palace. I’m not quite sure, I was too busy staring at the chandeliers than listening to my tour guide.

The next day we made our way to the Old Viennese Scnapsmuseum. In use since 1902, the Fischer family have owned and operated this place for six generations. We got a tour of how the liqueur is made and even a tasting for ourselves. I personally loved the Apfelstrudel Liqueur, an apple strudel cream liqueur. Mmm, tasty.

We were all told to try the Doc Herb which is a liqueur that contains herbs to fight off the flu. We were all sick and coughing up a lung so yes, we needed this. The liqueur helped for an hour but the cough came back. Does that mean we would have had to continually drink this throughout the day? Probably.

Next up we wandered Vienna’s city streets until we got to Empress Sisi’s summer house, the Schönbrunn Palace. Empress Sisi had an obsession with beauty (I like her already). Apparently she lived on a diet of meat juice and fresh milk, even bringing her own cows with her everywhere she went. She slept with hot towels around her waist and kept her skin silky smooth by covering her face with strawberries crushed in vaseline. Do I dare try one day..

Here’s a little sneak peek of palace’s labyrinth backyard. I visited in the winter so it wasn’t at its full potential but I can imagine how beautiful it would look with flowers in bloom.

My stay in Vienna wasn’t long but I’m ready to go back to the fairytale looking city ASAP.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Published by Jessica Moy

Auf wiedersehen Berlin and ahoj to one of the most romantic places in the world, Prague, Czech Republic!

Prague was the reason why I wanted to go to Europe in the first place. After seeing it in the movie Chasing Liberty with Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode, I told myself one day, I WILL MAKE IT TO PRAGUE AND SWIM NAKED IN THE DANUBE! Ok, I didn’t do the latter but I did turn my dream into reality by finally setting foot onto the magical city of a hundred spires.

It was Christmas Eve when we got into Prague and the market at the Old Town Square was insanely busy. Live music filled our ears, scent of hot chocolate swarmed our noses, and the most beautiful Christmas tree stood tall in the middle of the bustle, beautifully lighting up the evening.

Before leaving on my trip, my mom raved about Charles Bridge. I suppose it’s with good reason. The gothic-looking bridge connects the Old Town and Lesser Town, with religious statues on both side. Construction of the bridge began after King Charles IV commissioned it in 1357 soooo, the bridge is *counts on fingers* 659 years old!

Walking through any part of Prague is like you’re floating in a fairytale. On Christmas Eve we went out to a bar, and at around 2AM my friend and I walked through the old town to get to the city streets to find us a cab. By this time no one was on the streets, just us, old cobblestone, rustic buildings, and flickering Christmas lights. The walk gave me a fluttering tingly feeling all over. I spun around and took in my surroundings, soaked in the moment and right then and there, I fell love with Prague.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Published by Jessica Moy

After touring the wonderfully entertaining city of Amsterdam we made our way to Germany’s capital city, Berlin. The city is best known for their rich culture, endless amounts of beer, sauerkraut, pretzels, and (tone change) a deep dark history.

When you first enter the city you immediately witness the reminisce of the Berlin Wall. The walls are mostly torn or have graffiti to cover every inch but some of the wall still stands and is one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War. Everywhere you look in the Berlin you witness a piece of history. Look up and you’ll see dim, eerie government buildings Hitler once ruled. Look down at the ground and see tiles representing tunnels that once connected East to West. I’ve only ever learned about the Cold War and World War II in history classes and to see it all in person is a powerful experience.

During our walking tour of Berlin we stopped at The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. This memorial honours the 6,000,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The Field of Stelae designed by Peter Eisenman consists of concrete rectangles that vary in size. As you walk through the narrow aisles the rectangles get taller and taller. Peter never spoke about the meaning of the memorial, it is up for your interpretation.

After our sobering walking tour we had free time to roam around the city. Obviously, we went straight to a Christmas market. There was an ice rink in the middle of all the festivities and my friend Josh mentioned he’s never been ice skating before. As a Canadian, I felt like it was my obligation to get his Australian butt onto the rink. He did pretty good for a rookie.

After Berlin we went to Dresden, Germany where 62% of the city is covered by forest and greenery making it one of the greenest cities in Europe. However, the area where we explored was 100% Christmas magic.

I made new friends, such as the horses pictured above and chowed down on some market food, such as the potato stick.. thing, pictured below. Honestly, Christmas markets should just be a thing all year ’round.

I didn’t capture too many pictures in Berlin but I did edit a coolio vlog! Everything from our walking tour, eating sauerkraut, ice skating, finding pretzels in weird places, and Christmas markets galore.

HOW TO FIND THE BEST BAR SOAP (yup, you read that right) FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Published by Jessica Moy

Question of the day: Do you prefer bar or liquid soap? While both effectively wash dirt, bacteria and oil off your skin, bar soap is the reigning champion when it comes to being more environmentally friendly, concentrated and generally cheaper in price.

Why else are bar soaps oh so good? They are typically made with fats, oils and require less energy to produce, while liquid soaps are watered down, contain detergents and produce 20 times (!) more packaging. If that doesn’t convert you to team bar soap, we don’t know what will.

Before you start stacking any ol’ bar soap into your cart, note that not all are made the same. There are different types for dry, sensitive, acne, aging and oily skin. We’ve rounded up five types of bar soaps that uniquely target various skin conditions so you can find the right one for you.

Sensitive skin: Beauty bars

For those with sensitive skin, beauty bars are formulated without lye (a common ingredient in bar soap), meaning they’re extra gentle and packed with hyaluronic acid. It’s even gentle enough to be used on your face, which is typically a no-no when it comes to bar soaps due to the fact that some of the concentrated ingredients could be too harsh for that area.

Dove Go Fresh White Beauty Bar (w ell.ca, $5)

Acne-prone skin: Black bars

Black bars don’t remove existing acne, but they do work to prevent excessive oil production and bacteria growth that cause acne in the first place. The ash from the soap naturally exfoliates and, unlike other acne products, black bars are gentle on the skin. It may take a few weeks for black soap to hit full effectiveness but in time you will see your skin start to clear up. Tip: Use black bars as a quick mask to really deep clean.

April Skin Magic Stone Black (Korea Depart, $19)

Oily skin: Cleanser bars

There is such a thing as over-cleansing, especially for those with oily skin. If you wash your hands or body excessively, you can cause your skin to dry out, creating more oil and clogged pores. Cleanser bars can be used daily and typically contain shea butter, which soothes, balances and protects oily skin.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Gentle Cleanser Bar (Sephora, $18)

Normal to dry skin: Glycerin bars

Winter is here and dry skin is a common concern for most of us. Bar soaps contain more ingredients that hold the soap together, commonly drying out your skin due to higher pH levels. Glycerin bars are gentler and have lower pH levels, helping skin retain its natural moisture. Glycerin is also hygroscopic, helping your skin moisturize throughout the day by attracting water from the air.

Dial Refreshing Coconut Water Glycerin Soap (Walmart, $5)

Aging skin: Herbal bars

Since herbal bars are all natural, your skin can really soak up the goodness from mother earth. Look for ones containing sandalwood, a scent that can uplift your mood and wards off wrinkles and saggy skin.

Cascadia Sandalwood & Comfrey Herbal Bar Soap (The Cascadia Soap Co., $4)

Read the original article on FASHION Magazine.

FEELING ILL? ESCENTS WILL BE YOUR RELIEF

Published by Jessica Moy

When I arrived back from Europe a couple weeks ago, Escents invited me to an amazing launch event in Toronto. I was looking forward to it all week but unfortunately, got extremely ill and couldn’t attend. Bummed and bedridden, I laid on my bed, too sick to even turn on Netflix (that’s when you know it’s bad).

Little to my knowledge, the Vancouver-based company came to my rescue! Here I thought Escents was simply a natural perfume but NOPE, I was wrong. The 100 per cent natural products use aromatherapy to reduce stress, combat cold & flu and increase energy. Escents was super generous and sent over a care package (THANK YOU!), talk about great timing, eh?

As I previously mentioned, Escents uses aromatherapy which is the science of smell and the use of essences and oils to heal the body, mind and spirit. For example, you can spray Escents Immune Boost ($20) above your head or on a pillow, and the tea tree & thyme ingredients help stimulate circulation to get your body back in order. Plus, if you do spray this on your pillow, tea tree is great for helping prevent dandruff and hair loss.

Another way of boosting your immune system is swallowing oil of oregano, especially when you feel a sore throat coming on. It’s disgusting, but plug your nose and suck it up because.. it truly does work. Escents has their own relief with their soothing Throat Spray ($13), which is packed with herbs and bacteria fighting ingredients like oregano oil that will bring relief to that dreaded sore throat.

One of Escents products I was most excited to try was their essential oil roll-on blends. If you feel a headache coming on, roll Head Aid ($24) onto your temples and neck. The smell of peppermint and lavender work together to ease tension, relieve nausea and increase energy.

The roll-on I will be using the most is the Stress Relief ($24) because, uhhhh, do you know me? I get stressed about EVERY LITTLE THING! Roll the neroli (citrus flower) and bergamot (citrus fruit) ingredients on your wrist and neck for a comforting smell that helps with nervousness, stress and anxiety. When you inhale this scent, it sends a message to your central nervous system that soothes your mood. When it’s absorbed into your skin, the molecules from the essential oils penetrate into your skin through hair follicles and pores, transporting the oil throughout your circulatory system.

When you’re feeling under the weather, taking a bath is the best remedy for relaxation. Sometimes I run the hot water just to relieve a stuffy nose (yuck, but it’s true!). You’ll need your sense of smell with Escents Lavender ($22, full size) bath gel, as it can provide a calming effect while treating muscular and joint pain. When you finish soaking, Escents Rejuvenating ($22, full size) body and hand lotion contains bergamot and grapefruit. Not only do these ingredients help with insect bites and eczema, but the scent is scientifically proven to uplift your mood.

I am SO ready to take these babies with me when I move to Busan next month (perfect for my carry-on). I’ll be rolling the Stress Relief all over my body because, a 15 hour flight will never NOT be stressful. I’ll keep you updated on how that goes.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Published by Jessica Moy

After my stay in London I hopped on a boat, passed the White Cliffs of Dover, and made my way toward the land of cheese, tulips, and clogs. Hallo Amsterdam!

My group and I got to the city late at night and our tour guide mentioned we should go to Theatre Cassa Rosso for some erotic entertainment. I thought it would be a strip club, but it was definitely performers having wild sexual intercourse on stage. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and of course it was awkward at first but as time went on you giggled and accepted the fun (and weirdness) of it all. For one of the acts a police officer waltzed into the audience and said he needed four female volunteers. I took a swig of champagne and shot up my hand (when in Amsterdam…). I walked nervously onto the stage and faced the audience with a man dressed (barely) as a sexy police officer. What happens next is up to your imagination (I explain more in my vlog below).

The next morning was a lot more tame as I ventured to the Anne Frank House. I read Anne Frank’s diary previously and highly recommend you do before you go. You witness the original wallpaper, magazine cut-outs in Anne’s room, the bookshelf that was used as the hidden door, Anne’s red and white checkered diary, it was surreal. I got a little emotional in the house, mostly after reading a quote that was plastered on the wall, “I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I’m free, and yet I can’t let it show.”

The windows of the house at the time were blacked out and when you’re in the rooms you felt trapped. I suddenly got angry and upset. I wanted to be Anne’s friend, hug and tell her everything is going to be ok. Anne passed away from typhus at the age of fifteen, a month before the war ended.

Anne’s diary is a prime example that words, feelings, and vulnerability is a gift that should be celebrated, especially from young creative minds. Their ideas and observations can be more powerful than we set to believe.

After an emotional morning I tried to lighten the mood by touring around the city. I sauntered past glorious canals and colourful townhouses. For lunch I sat down at Pompa Restaurant and had the BEST pasta, ever. Who knew? In Amsterdam! The chef made the pasta sauce just me for me (since it was still morning hours and they weren’t serving lunch yet) and added arugula on the top which made it THAT much more delicious.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Published by Jessica Moy

I touched down at Gatwick Airport in the early morning and my first thought was, “OMG I AM IN THE LAND OF SPICE GIRLS!” Embarrassing truth: The day I found out Geri Halliwell was leaving the most iconic pop group of the 90’s was the first time I experienced heartbreak. 💔 Just picture an 8 year old Jessica singing Viva Forever while crying on her bedroom floor clutching onto all five of the Spice Girl dolls.

Anyway, back to my trip to London (lol).

After a 6 hour flight from Toronto I checked into The Royal National Hotel, a HUGE hostel near Russell Square Station. I was a little nervous to stay at the hostel since I had no idea who my roommates would be and had to share a room with them, whether I liked it or not. In my two nights I got to know two wonderful ladies. One who was embarking on a European adventure (like myself!) and one who just finished. Sharing a room with a stranger isn’t as awkward as you may think, perhaps I lucked out on having two amazing roomies but I loved getting to know both of them even if it was for a short period of time.

Kristina (a fellow Canadian!) was my roommate on the first night in London. Her and I took the tube to Hyde Park for their Christmas market and oh my god, THE MARKET WAS MASSIVE! The entire area was filled with shopping, rides, mulled wine, and live music. We discovered a Carousel Bar where we spent most of our time that evening.

The best part of Europe during the holiday season? CHRISTMAS LIGHTS GALORE! The below photo is only a fraction of lights that were displayed throughout the city (this one was located in Hyde Park). Oxford Street was also a favourite of mine when it came to Christmas lights, it was like walking through a mesmerizing dream.

The next day I woke up and made a B-line toward Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross. I’ve seen many people on Instagram take pictures of the famous wall to Hogwarts so obviously, I had to get one for myself.

“Just do a little bit of a run if you’re nervous.”

After getting back from Hogwarts, I went straight to Buckingham Palace. It’s as grand and beautiful in person as it is on postcards. Can I please casually stroll into each of the 775 rooms? Do you think there’s a bowling alley in there somewhere? Or a McDonalds? Probably.

Around lunch time I got myself some fish & chips (with all the sauces) and sat outside on a park bench facing the London Eye, the world’s largest observation wheel. Not a bad spot to relax, nibble on some food, and do some people watching.

After lunch I crossed a bridge to make my way to Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster. I won’t go into detail on how lost I got getting there, more times than I would like to admit. I was trying to make my way from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben but ended up on the complete opposite side of the city. To make it easy for yourself just hop on the subway and go to Westminster Station.

BTW the tube cars in London are tiny, like one person standing room type of small. The stations also have a ton of stairs to walk in and out of the tube so wear comfortable shoes when exploring the city and travel during off-peak hours, the fare is cheaper and you actually have room to breathe.

Want to see my London trip come to life? Watch my vlog below!

HONG KONG

Published by Jessica Moy

Hong Kong is incredibly unique. It has the bustle of The Big Apple, a dash of British influence with double decker buses (makes sense since Hong Kong was under British rule from 1841-1997), and historic Chinese culture intertwined throughout the city.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lively streets, yummy food, easy-to-get-around subway system, night market shopping, and unique cafes. My first stop? Cat Store Cafe. Yes, I have fulfilled my lifelong dream of going to a cat cafe.

First off, CUTE KITTY MILKSHAKES!

Secondly, cats. EVERYWHERE! They roam freely throughout the room and are all calm, friendly and adorable. The kitty below was my favourite. I named her Snowball and we fell in love. IT’S SO FLUFFY!!!

When I wasn’t obsessing over cats, I did touristy things such as climbed the 200+ steps to Tian Tan Buddha. When you reach the top, you get a gorgeous view of the sea, mountain tops and Big Buddha himself. Did you know Big Buddha faces north toward mainland China? And the statue costs roughly $60 million HK dollars (which is about $11 million CDN)? The more you know. *cue rainbow*

There’s a charming community near Tian Tan Buddha where you can hike, eat great food, tour temples and make new friends! And that’s no bull.

(hehehe)

If you have an entire afternoon or evening free, head to The Peak. You can ride The Peak Tram all the way to the top. The tram feels like you’re on a roller coaster that’s clanking its way to the top, and you get a great view along the way. Lines for the tram can get pretty long so, go early.. unless you want to go at night, then bring something to entertain you. We went around 6PM and waited approximately two hours in the line. Oy.

When you get to the top, there are a series of escalators that lead you to the 360° viewing terrace that overlooks the vibrant city of Hong Hong. It’s pretty spectacular.

Spending a month in Asia has been the time of my life. Hong Kong was my last stop in my Asia adventure and it was a dream come true.

Throughout my entire trip in Asia, I have felt beyond grateful for the opportunity to have my own two feet planted high on Mt. Fuji one day and sinking low in the Pacific Ocean the next. I have been reminded of the incredible beauty and wonder of the world, the kindness and generosity of strangers and experienced a variety of tastes and traditions far different from my own. I have my dad to thank for being my travel buddy, reminding me that a ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for (woah, deep right?).

Now, it’s onto my next adventure! But before we do that, check out my Hong Kong vlog below. 🙂 kthanksloveyoubye

GUANGZHOU, CHINA

Published by Jessica Moy

I made it to the motherland, a place where my ancestry began many moons ago: CHINA!

I did not experience culture shock in Japan nor Taiwan, it wasn’t until we got to Guangzhou, China that it slapped me right in the face. The best way I can put it is, anything goes in China. Annnyyyttthinnnngg. You can do whatever you please. Want to smoke indoors even though the sign says you will be fined? Sure! Want to spit at other humans? Yup! Want to sell illegal merchandise because you DGAF? Heck yes!

China certainly has its quirks (to put it nicely) but there were parts I did like, such as Shangxiajiu Shopping Street, which stretched for ages (so many stores, so little time). The best part is that no cars are allowed on these roads so it’s a place to enjoy a wee bit of space to walk around.

I picked up Miniso Rose Water and Olive Oil Serum from the shopping strip, both under $5 CDN. Rose Water (with real rose pedals inside the bottle) is amazing for those with dry skin since it soothes and moisturizes. The Olive Oil Serum is great for your cuticles, tightening up your pores and giving a lit from within glow. For best results, I mix the serum with my moisturizer and pat it on a freshly cleansed face. If anyone knows good skincare, I put my trust into the Chinese.

Every girl I saw in China wore shin-length flooded pants so obviously, I had to get on the trend train. Also, do we love the bag? Yay or nay?

My favourite meal in China was from a fast food chain. I don’t remember what it was called (bummer) but it only took a few minutes to get me some pork, rice, baby bok choy and tea. My mouth is watering as I write this. Now I’m hungry.

Did I mention I ate pigeon? Sorry let me rephrase, I WAS TRICKED INTO EATING PIGEON! Watch my vlog below to see what happened..

5 CHINESE BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND TRENDS TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR ROUTINE

Published by Jessica Moy

If you ever go shopping in China, be weary of employees pulling you into their store and handing you every item you touch. These sales tactics took me by surprise, especially while I was browsing through beauty shops at the Shangxiajiu Shopping Street in Ghangzhou.

Despite the aggressiveness of store employees, China has an extensive selection of beauty items that caught my attention. I learned how to keep nails shiny, why slathering bean sprouts all over your face is a good idea, and was introduced to an anti-pollution cleanser currently #trending throughout the country. Here is my round up of Chinese trends and beauty products you need to know about.

Anti-pollution solution

Smog. In. Beijing. It’s a serious environmental concern, affecting the overall health of those who populate the city, or any city for that matter. If there is smog in the air, it’s likely hitting your face causing (among other health issues) skin to age faster. The Chinese cosmetics industry jumped on the opportunity to develop anti-pollution products that includes the fight against PM 2.5, particle matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size that can penetrate into your skin. Anti PM 2.5 is now an ingredient currently being added into skincare products such as Pond’s Whitening Refreshing Cleanser ($6, pchome.com). What’s the secret ingredient? Activated carbon, which dissolves pollution on your skin and does some serious deep cleaning of pores.

Nail essence

While swiftly dodging the storeowners in Shenzhen who wanted to pull me into their shops, a woman outside a salon mentioned if I wanted a mani/pedi for $10CDN. Yes, yes I do. I sat in a big red comfy chair, limbs ready to be pampered. Everything was fine until the woman taking off my nail polish nearly screeched when she saw the discolouration on my natural nails. I wear an obscene amount of nail polish so my natural nails are (cue: shudder) a tinge of stil de grain yellow (someone get me a base coat for Christmas?). The nail technician immediately reached for Snazii Herbal Fungal Nail Treatment Essence ($20, aliexpress.com) and started brushing the oil onto my nails and cuticles. There was an immediate difference. My nails were shining like crystal! The oil contains rhubarb, kudzu root and “other herbs made secret.” If it eliminates fungus and promotes nail repair, I won’t question the secret herbs.

Tiger Balm

The distinct smell of Tiger Balm reminds me of my dad. He would slather it all over himself after work or doing something strenuous and the smell of the balm would hit like a brick wall. Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Ointment ($6, walmart.ca) is an herbal treatment for aching muscles. It’s a distinct scent that I found a majority of men wore in China. I first noticed the smell in a cab and noticed the driver had the balm in his cup holder, then smelt again as I walked down various streets in Ghangzhou. If you work out or sit in an office chair for a majority of the day, Tiger Balm is your solution to relive shoulder and neck pain. It seems like a lot of Chinese folk wear Tiger Balm so, it has to be good stuff.

Bean sprouts

Used for centuries in Chinese medicine, bean sprouts can help nurture the body and calm the skin. Wei Mung Bean Sprout Stress-Reliving Soothing Mask ($80, weibeauty.com) is made from the secretion of the bean sprout right before it blooms so it’s at its most concentrated. The price point is a little high for a 6-pack of sheet masks that you leave your face for 10 minutes, but am still intrigued with bean sprouts as a beauty ingredient. Who knew you can use it for more than just your stir-fry?

Oolong tea

In China, tea is the answer for everything. You have a headache? Tea. You feel stressed? Tea. You have bad skin? Tea. I drank oolong tea every single day while I was in China and upon my research: Oolong tea can brighten your skin, clear age spots and improve eczema. Drinking 3 cups of brewed oolong tea per day relives itching, redness and scarring causing eczema and is the perfect winter skin solution for those who get it the worst this time of year. If you’re looking for a good one, try the Teavana ($13, at Teavana stores) Jasmine Oolong Tea.

Read original article at fashionmagazine.com

TAIWAN | PART 3

Published by Jessica Moy

I can’t believe my Taiwan trilogy is coming to an end (part 1 & part 2). The last few days of the trip were certainly my favourite, perhaps it was because I was getting used to the extreme heat and the I-don’t-know-what-meat-this-is meals. In all seriousness, I love Taiwan and would go back in a heartbeat.

The final few days we spent in the south so temperatures rose to a scorching 35 degrees. The heat didn’t stop us as we ventured off to the Buddha Memorial Center, the most visited place in Taiwan (25,000 visitors daily!). The place was stunning and Buddha was looking as ravishing as ever. We entered the memorial and attended a ceremony led by a monk. The ceremony was not in English so I followed what everyone else was doing (hands together, hands apart, kneel down, stand up, etc). If everyone started breakdancing, I probably would have followed suit.

The best part of blistering hot heat? Beaches! We went to Cijin Island, a five minute ferry ride from Kaohsiung Harbour. I ventured off from my family once I saw beach signs and made a B-line toward the golden sand and refreshing blue waves. Ahhh, it was blissful.

You can’t go to Taiwan without stuffing your face with delicious treats such as lemon green tea, dried pineapple, and a cheese donut. This is about as real as it gets. If you’re going to Taiwan, make sure to stop at Sun Moon Lake, the scenery is beautiful and the food is, well.. just look at the joy on my face. It speaks for itself.

5 TAIWANESE BEAUTY TRENDS AND PRODUCTS YOU NEED TO TRY NOW (like hangover-chic makeup)

Published by Jessica Moy

Two things will happen if you go to Taiwan: first, you will never be hungry thanks to the insane amount of street vendors on every corner (I recommend the ice cream spring roll) and second, beauty options will be bountiful. Whether you’re at Watsons, Cosmed or a larger beauty boutique, Taiwan does not disappoint in their selection of drugstore and high-end beauty picks. It’s no surprise since they are heavily influenced and geographically located near beauty giants such as Japan, South Korea and China.

Unique ingredients make up some of Taiwan’s most popular beauty staples such as silk, ginger, pearl and even snail (don’t knock it ‘til you try it). So I knew I had to experience the wonderful world of Taiwanese beauty for myself. I traveled all over the country to seek the latest in beauty trends and products, and this is what I discovered.

Hangover-chic

With the help of different eyeliner shades in Taiwan, you can choose to look like you got eight hours of sleep, or eight minutes. A couple swipes of the Lovedrops Urumi Eyeliner in Coral Pink ($21, amazon.com) will highlight the puffiness under eyes to, apparently, make you look youthful. I discovered this trend while at a drugstore in Taiwan, surprised at the amount of soft pink and purple liners on the shelf. You’re probably wondering, “Who wants to purposefully look hungover?” Some Asian women like the look since it can be sexy and mysterious. If looking hungover isn’t for you, I did see a lot of women wear a bright liner such as the Lovedrops Urumi Eyeliner in Ivory White ($20, amazon.com) on their lids. Asian women tend to have monolid shaped eyes so applying a bright liner to the crease of the lid provides a subtle brightness to their appearance.

Snail essence

Snails are naturally slow-moving creatures, but who knew they could also slow down the aging process? Snails protects themselves with the slime from their body, and that slime is packed with nutrients like hyaluronic acid and glycoprotein enzymes, ingredients found in most skincare products. The thought of putting a snail ingredient on your face is a little shudder-inducing, but Taiwanese women swear by it. The Eileen Grace Almighty Snail Repair Essence ($27, beautyskin.sg) contains snail secretion that helps diminish wrinkles by 50%, and after less than two weeks of use, skin is brightened, baby soft and colour complexion is evened out.

Ginger shampoo

I discovered DSY Taiwan Ginger Hair Shampoo ($20, aliexpress) at a night market in Taipei. Ginger is a popular ingredient in various Asian teas, medicine and now, hair. Ginger contains antiseptic prosperities (meaning it can treat infections) so it helps to stop itching that may cause dandruff. Ginger also stimulates blood flow, and blood flow stimulates hair follicles to help with hair growth. Now that winter is moving in, the cold weather can be harsh on your scalp (again, dandruff) and for that reason, any sort of ginger shampoo is the perfect winter hair staple. I also recommend The Body Shop’s Ginger Scalp Shampoo ($10, thebodyshop.ca) for a ginger product to try that is a little closer to home.

Pearl powder

Women in Asia have been using pearl powder as their secret beauty ingredient for thousands of years (according to an extremely nice yet talkative woman who gave me an hour-long lecture about it at a department store). She recommends Biomed Food Grade Pearl Powder ($64-$124, alibaba.com). It’s rich in amino acids, trace elements and calcium. You can use pearl powder externally by mixing it with rose water to make a mask or use it as a finishing powder to mattify your skin. You can also ingest pearl powder with a spoonful of honey. The calcium will help strengthen bones and teeth, as well as aid in mood stability if you’re feeling anxious or stressed.

Silk masks

Sheet masks are a Taiwanese beauty classic. One sheet mask in particular that’s super popular in Taiwan is a mask made out of silk. The Lovemore Snow Lotus Revival Mask ($3, melodycosme.com) has amino acids, nutrients and is made of natural silk. Just like a silk pillowcase can improve your hair and skin complexion by preventing moisture loss and hair loss while sleeping, a silk sheet mask will work wonders for the overall health of your skin. I tried it out, and it’s pretty wonderful in reducing redness and making skin supple and soft. BTW, make sure to take the plastic backing off the mask before you use it. I made that mistake the first time around. Whoops.

Read original article at fashionmagazine.com

TAIWAN | PART 2

Published by Jessica Moy

HAPPY FIRST POST OF 2016!

I am aware that I’m running a fair bit behind on my blog posts but I’m back/hoping to catch up with my own life/I missed you. Have you read Taiwan part 1? Do it, do it now.

This outfit below was one of the comfiest I wore in Taiwan. The sun was blazing each day (average 30 degrees) so there is nothing like a good pair of Nike sneaks and a breathable, cotton dress from Urban Outfitters.

First thing in the morning we made our way to a little community called, Jiufen. It’s a small town in north Taiwan and features quaint streets and the best view of the Pacific Ocean. I also made some furry feline friends along the way.

Next stop, Taipei 101! Not only is it the tallest building in Taiwan but it holds the Guinness World Record of the fastest elevator, ever. It’s no joke. It took approximately 40 seconds to get from ground level to the 89th floor and when you reach the top you have an unbelievable view of the Taipei and beyond.

We went on a road trip down south of Taiwan where the weather got a whole lot warmer. As we were driving, we stopped at a giant white pole which represented the exact middle of tropics and sub-tropics. If I ever wanted to be in two places at once, Jamie Sullivan style, I can say I did it.