Healing my Cracked Hands with Curél

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

All opinions are mine alone.  #EndYourDrySkin #WetSkinIsBestSkin #CollectiveBias.

I've struggled with dry skin pretty much all my life because I wash my hands a bajillion times a day and don't moisturize enough.  In a perfect world, I'd get my lotion on every time, but I'd skip because of piano.  I know that sounds super strange, but have you ever tried tickling the ivories with greasy fingers? It feels awful, and you seriously have zero control, which is a BIG issue when you're trying to"perfect" your craft to become a successful pro musician.  

I've always been really self-conscious about my hands - not only did they feel awful, they looked awful as well.  I remember binge-watching New Girl (one of my fave shows BTW) with a friend a while back, and during the scene where Jess described Nick's hands as hooves, she turned to me and said, "kinda like yours."  She wasn't trying to be hurtful or anything, but it still made me feel bad because I knew it was the truth.

I didn't want to deal with ugly, cracked hands anymore so I decided to give Curél® Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer a go.  The combination of ceramides + Hydra Therapy is unlike anything out there and cures dry skin when used daily.  All you have to do is apply this on wet skin straight out of the bath and towel off afterwards! 

When you shower, your skin cells expand like a sponge when wet, providing an easy pathway for it to all soak in and penetrate, leaving your skin baby smooth with no greasiness whatsoever.  I'm not going to lie to you, it's going to feel kind of weird at first!  I mean, I've NEVER applied moisturizer on wet skin before, but once you get used to it, you seriously won't use anything else.  If you're worried about dirtying your towels, don't because you won't get any product on there.  

Now that my dry skin's cured, I can sport all the cocktail rings I have in my jewelry collection and feel confident doing so.  End your dry skin by purchasing this product and incorporating it into your post-shower regimen - available at Walmart here.

Find of the Day: The Striped Romper ($29)

A few days ago, I published a post on SS called, "How-to Look Polished AF in 5 Minutes or Less."  I focused on my summer makeup routine because I was partnering up with Jordana Cosmetics, but I saved some pics for today's find of the day.  This romper is, hands down, one of my absolute faves; lucky for you guys, it's currently on sale online at ASOS for $29 (originally $42).

I can't even begin to tell you all how much I love this romper!  It's made of a lightweight woven fabric that'll keep you nice and cool during the hottest of days, and it has a relaxed fit so you'll feel super comfortable wearing it.  The fine folks at ASOS call it a "beach romper," but IMHO it works for all occasions.  Wear it with white sneakers for a casual everyday look or pair it with fancy sandals for a lunch date.  For those of you wondering, I'm wearing a size 4, and it fits me perfectly - purchase it here before it sells out!

Other styles that are perfect for summer (all under $50):

I topped my look off with a fabulous sunhat from Dynamic Asia because it's the ultimate warm-weather accessory anddd it's cool to practice safe sun.  They're wholesale though so you have to buy a minimum of 3 per style.  I suggest getting together with a few friends and splitting costs because they're selling super high quality pieces for helllllla cheap.  I own several so I can seriously vouch for their quality!

 Shoes:  Nine West || Romper:  ASOS ($29) || Hat:  Dynamic Asia

Shot by the amazing Sung Shin.

How-to Look Polished AF in 5 Minutes or Less

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walgreens. The opinions and text are all mine.

Anddd just like that, we skipped spring and went straight to summer.  It's my fave season so I'm a little bummed, but I'll get over it - at least I get to wear cute mini-dresses and experiment with new makeup!  Anywho, Jordana challenged me to go to Walgreens and put together a summer for under $20 for their #BestBeautyBuyChallenge, and I don't like to toot my own horn, but I totally owned it!  3 products under $10 for today's FOTD (face of the day), what what!  

I personally like to keep things extra simple when it's hot out - I'm talkin' minimal makeup, y'all BECAUSE I may or may not have had a terrible experience with foundation melting, like dripping off my face [insert weak laughter]. So without further ado, here are the three fabulous Jordana products I got:  their twist & shine moisturizing balm stain in nude chic ($2.99), their cat eye liner in black leather ($2.79), and their best lash extreme volumizing mascara ($3.49).  I didn't use anything on my skin because I wanted to let it breath, except good ol' sunscreen of course.

I used the liner to start, and it glided on beautifully - I felt like I had the utmost control during application, which is amazing because I'm not the best with liquid liner, ha.  I then finished my eyes off with 3 coats of mascara and experienced zero clumping (!!!!) which was all kinds of awesomesauce.

To wrap things up and incorporate a pop of color, I applied their moisturizing balm onto my lips. They only have one color in stock online (in sweet pink), but there are a bunch of other options available in stores for those of you interested.  As mentioned previously, I'm wearing nude chic, but I'm definitely going back ASAP to pick up the other hues as well, especially since Walgreens has a bomb promo going on right now: $1 off Jordana lip & eye cosmetics until June 24th.  Definitely take advantage of this deal while you can!

And voila! A finished shot of my look for you guys.  What are some of your current makeup must-haves?   A huge thanks to the wonderful Sung Shin for shooting these photos.

10 Movies That'll Scare the Sh*t Out of You

I haven't done a movie round-up in a while so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite horror films with you guys! Andddd it also helps that my bf was recently visiting and we spent a big chunk of our time binge-watching scary movies.  Most of these are Asian so I hope subtitles don't annoy you.

1.  Audition
This movie left me seriously disturbed for days on end.  It's originally based on a novel, and it's about a widower who sets up a fake audition with a producer friend to meet his "future wife." With his son's blessing + encouragement, he finds the woman of his dreams and pursues her even though she's shady AF.  Asami, the love interest, takes crazy to a whole 'nother level in this film, and her performance will leave you feeling physically ill.

2.  A Tale of Two Sisters
This movie was so popular that it was remade in the US as "The Uninvited."  It was an ok adaptation, but as I'm sure you've guessed, the original's way wayyyy better, like there's no comparison. Basically, a disturbed teen gets released from a mental hospital and rejoins her family at their secluded estate in the countryside.  She's happily reunited with her younger sister whom she adores but has to deal with her POS stepmother who abuses them both physically and verbally.  This film masterfully incorporates supernatural elements throughout as well.  I can pretty much guarantee that you'll be on the edge of your seat from start and finish, and the crazyyyyy @$$ twist at the end will leave you stunned.

3.  I Saw the Devil
Another Korean gem!  This movie's the ultimate revenge film, and it features one of my favorite actors:  Lee Byung-hun.  The dynamic between him and Kyung-chul (the antagonist) is gold.  Byung plays a badass secret service agent named Soo-hyun whose fiance was murdered by the aforementioned serial killer.   After he confirms that his girl was indeed brutally killed by Kyung-chul, he hunts him down and tortures him time after time.  The vengeance gives him great pleasure...until it backfires.  

4.  Train to Busan
I was skeptical when I stumbled upon this movie on Netflix, but it turned out to be exciting as hell! I'm not usually a fan of zombie movies, but this one's money - it's super entertaining, and I love that it doubles as a social commentary, addressing problematic issues in Korean culture regarding status and greed.  

The movie focuses on Seok-woo (a divorced workaholic) and his daughter, Soo-an.  Soo-an lives with her dad but wishes she could be with her mom in Busan.  All she wants for her bday is to visit her mother, but Seok-woo tells her he's too busy to take her!  However, after seeing a video of his daughter crash and burn at a school performance, he changes his mind and heads to the train station with her.  While they're there, an infected passenger manages to sneak on, infecting the entire train within minutes leaving only a handful of survivors.  

5.  It Follows  
I already talked about this film on SS, but I couldn't resist listing it in this roundup because it was that good.  The description sounds dumb, but don't be fooled, this movie is scary as hell.  It's honestly the best American horror film I've seen in the last decade or so.  The movie follows a beautiful college student named Jay who's being chased by a supernatural entity after sleeping with her new boyfriend, Hugh.  He drugs her afterwards and takes her to an abandoned lot to explain the sitch - she will only be able to see "it," and it will follow her relentlessly at a walking pace until she's dead at which point it'll pursue the previous person (aka Hugh).  I know, I know - it sounds lame, but I swear to god it's good.

6.  Arang 
A supernatural film based on a real South Korean myth!  In this movie, two detectives (So-young and her partner, Hyun-ki) look into the mysterious death of a young girl ten years back. During the investigation, SY's plagued with visions & nightmares while gruesome murders continue to happen on her watch. 

7.  Dark Water 
I don't know what it is about Japanese films, but they're all so damn scary.  Based on Koji Suzuki's novel, this plot follows a devoted single mother who moves into a shoddy apartment with her daughter.  Their rundown place has a lot of problems, but the water leak from the unit above causes them the most drama, hence the name.

8.  Sinister  
This movie follows a successful (and fictional BTW) crime writer named Ellison Oswalt (aka Ethan Hawke).  He moves his fam into a home...where murders occured on site...to work on his next novel. His wife + kids obviously have no idea, but when they find out later? NOT pretty, ha.  Anywho, while rummaging through his attic, Oswalt finds an old box with home movies that seem innocent but turn out to be something entirelllly different.

9.  Ju-On:  The Grudge 
If you haven't seen the Japanese version yet, you seriously need to.  It's WAY scarier than the American version - there's just something about asian ghosts that are terrifying, don't you think?  I'm sure you guys are familiar with the premise, but basically, when a person dies with a deep and powerful rage, a curse is born, and anyone who encounters it ends up on a spiritual sh*tlist.

10.  Shutter
Quite possibly the scariest Thai movie I've ever seen!  The film follows Tun, a well known photographer, and Jane, his beautiful girlfriend.  After he gets wasted at a party, Jane drives him home - she's not drunk at all, but she ends up running over a young woman who seems to appear out of nowhere.  Her boy freaks the eff out and forces her to drive off out of fear, only to discover white shadows that look like faces in his photographs later on in the movie. His gf suspects that they're pics of the girl they hit on the road, but he shuts her down, refusing to believe in ghosts. Anddd there may or may not be other secrets that emerge, hint hint.  Shutter was remade in the US in 2008, and I actually really enjoyed the adaptation.  I didn't think Joshua Jackson could pull off the role, but he did a solid job with it all.

Alright guys, that's it for today!  Are any of you horror buffs? If yes, what are some of your favorites? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think?

The Best Face Wash for Hustling Millennials

I'm all about hustling all day, every day to become the best version of myself, and that includes finding time to take care of my body, both inside and out.  It may be tempting to just pass out at the end of the day with a full face of make-up on, but you literally have no excuse now thanks to Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths.  They're convenient, affordable, efficient, and most importantly, effective.  You'll feel squeaky clean post face wash, which will in turn make you feel confident enough to sport a no-makeup look on the daily.  

How to wash your face like a boss...

These wipes are textured with soft cleansing pockets to break up and lift away dirt, oil and makeup (even mascara) for a clean that leaves your skin gently exfoliated and smoother in texture.  The formula contains a cleanser, toner, mask, and scrub; the cleanser washes away dirt, the toner tones skin with an essential cleansing formula, the mask hydrates with specialized Olay conditioners, and the scrub exfoliates to smooth skin's surface.  Simply wet with water (no soap necessary) and rub to lather!  I personally have combination skin, but that's irrelevant info because these wipes are intended for all skin types.  

Face wash tips...

These cloths contain hydrating ingredients that leave your skin moisturized, but feel free to slather cream on top if you're still feeling dry.  If you're using this product in the AM, remember to wear sunscreen afterwards.  FYI, it's best to apply lotions and the like immediately after cleansing to maximize absorption! Also, remember to rinse with lukewarm water - hot water may feel amazing on your skin, but it strips it of healthy oils leaving it sad and dry.  Anddd last but not least, pat your face dry with a clean towel. I always have two hanging in my bathroom - one for my face and one for my body - and I change them frequently to prevent breakouts.  

Alright guys, that's it for today. I hope you found this helpful.  If you decide to give Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths a try, let me know how you like them - available for purchase here. Happy pampering!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay . The opinions and text are all mine.

The BEST Wings You'll Ever Have

Oh man, I can't even begin to tell you guys how much I loved the food at DCity Smokehouse.  My bf used to work at Order Ahead (similar to the Postmates app), and he said that it was one of the most popular restaurants on there in the DC area, BUT for some reason it didn't have the best reviews on Yelp? Soooo, I didn't know what to expect, but after eating their food, I'm a die hard fan...like they should just take all of my money right now because I'd happily eat there every day for the rest of my life, ha.

We met up with the lovely Whitney Stringer and ordered several dishes to share.  First up, the Meaty Palmer ($10).  Holy freaking crap, this sandwich straight up slayed!  It was literally one of the most amazing sammiches I'd ever tasted, and Robby enthusiastically agreed.  It contained turkey, pork belly, avocado, tomato, chipotle aioli, and everything else good in life.  The toast was super buttery, and the meat just melted in my mouth.  Also pictured below: their jalapeno cheddar grits - super yummy and flavorful ($6 for a large).

I'm a sucker for all things cheesy so I obviously had to try their mac and cheese.  The boyf and I spent a good amount of time shooting pictures of everything so by the time we dug in, this baby had (sadly) congealed, but it still tasted nomtastic AF!  The noodles were cooked just right, and the flavor was on point. 

Now onto my fave platter of the night:  the Ribs and Wings Combo ($15).  It came with 2 sides so we went with house pickles and fried brussels sprouts, which BTW were ridiculously tasty - I highly recommend both!  Anywho, the sprouts and wings were both seasoned with their scrumptious rub, and I seriously couldn't get enough of either!  I honestly didn't think wings could taste so good?  They were cooked to perfection, and the crunch of the pickle complemented the texture beautifully!  I didn't get to try the ribs, but Robby said they were ah-maaa-zing and tasted extra smoky (in the best way possible).

The last dish we got was a sammy called The Big Snoop (with an order of spiced fries on the side): half smoke sausage, pulled pork, coleslaw and BBQ sauce.  This was my least fave out of the bunch, but that's not saying much because it was still yummy!  Honestly, nothing could top their wings + Meaty Palmer so it's almost unfair to compare.  I definitely want to try the Tommy Gun (smoked turkey, cheese, crispy onions, bbq sauce and cilantro ranch) and brisket the next time I go.  OH, and make sure you guys get a side of cilantro ranch when you go because it's stupid good.

That's it for today's nom adventure!  I hope you guys enjoyed my latest recap - make sure y'all stay tuned for more.  Remember, I publish new posts each and EVERY weekday so keep your eyes peeled.  Sending lots of love from the DMV! Let me know how you guys like the restaurant if you go.

Shop for a Cause at Elegantees

Excited to feature yet another fabulous piece from Elegantees on SS - clicky if you missed their first post!  This gorgeous summery number is currently available on their site for $55 in both cabana (the color I'm wearing) and grape. Made of a cotton/spandex blend, it has a modest neckline and loose dolman sleeves.  It has a boxy cut throughout, but it comes with a sash so you can change things up if you like.

I don't know if you guys remember, but Elegantees is more than just a cute clothing company.  Their purpose is to provide meaningful employment for women rescued from sex trafficking.  Each elegantee is made in Nepal, and you can meet your sewers here!  Please support them by shopping their site or giving this post a share.  

They've currently ran into a bit of trouble with funding since consumer spending has been down.  It's affected them greatly, and without $ they'll have to let sewers go.  If you'd like to donate to their cause, click here - there are 4 packages available and residents of the US get free shipping.

Option 1:  5 items of your choice for $150 on July 15th

Option 2:  Preview of their Fall collection + 7 pieces of your choice for $275 on August 15th

Option 3: Hassle-free holiday shopping, wrapped gift pieces to 5 friends for $240 on Dec. 1

Option 4: Choose 1 design per month for 2018 for $500

The Plunging Maxi Dress

If you're a fan of maxi dresses, you'll absolutely love my latest find from Last Call Neiman Marcus.  Designed by Leon Max (aka Max Studio), this goddess-like number features a plunging v neckline with slim bands that cinch one's waist to create a flattering yet comfortable silhouette.  It's food friendly so no sucking in necessary -  I used to LOVE bodycon everything, but lately I'm all about "forgiving" designs.

For today's OOTD, I styled the piece up for date night, but it definitely works as a casual everyday dress as well. I'm wearing a size 2, but I had to get it tailored because it was too big for me - 0 would've been perfect, but it wasn't available.  Definitely size down if you're interested in purchasing this - FYI, it's still available in 2-12 online here!

Other fabulous Max Studio designs:

Showing off my new evening bag!  Isn't it ridiculously cute? I got it from J Wholesale a while back, and I still can't get over how adorbs it is.  I've featured their jewelry on here too many times to count so you guys know all about their baubles, but they sell other high-quality accessories as well including bags, bag charms, belts, phone cases, and more!  Definitely make sure to check out their clutches - I own several and they're super legit.  You're welcome in advance!

 Earrings:  J Wholesale || Dress:  Max Studio via Last Call ($89) || Shoes:  Nine West (similar) || Bag:  J Wholesale

Photos shot by the amazing Sung Shin.

Beauty Products that are Worth Your $$$...and the Ones that Aren't

I know it's been forever since I posted anything non-fashiony, BUT that's going to change drastically this month! I'm planning on posting a ton of stuffs on food and beauty so make sure you guys keep your eyes peeled.  I've been trying a ton of new products so I'm really excited to update you on what's worth $$$ and what's so NOT. Here's what I can't get enough of...

Bioderma Hydrabio Makeup Remover (pricing varies depending on size):  I don't know why I waited so long to try this out!  I swear by Bioderma now, and I truly believe that there's nothing better out there in the market, at least for the time being.  This product will remove ALL your makeup within 2 minutes, and your skin will feel ridiculously fresh and clean. I "double wash," but a lot of people don't because they view it as a leave-on cleanser.  I seriously can't recommend this enough!  Rating: 5/5.

Origins Ginger Bar ($16):  I'm a body wash kind of girl, but this soap changes the game.  It smells like heaven, and it moisturizes like nobody's business.  Although pricy, the bar's huge so it'll last you forever!  I've been using mine for months now, and I seriously look forward to bathing with it every day, ha.  Rating: 5/5.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Sheet Masks ($3.99 at Ulta or 6 for $15 on Amazon):  If you're a fan of sheet masks, and let's be real, we all are - or should be, ha - you'll love, love, LOVE Garnier's new SkinActive mask line.  They sell for $3.99 a pop on the Ulta website, but you can get a bundle for a fraction of the price on Amazon here (6 for $15).  I haven't had a chance to try each kind, but I really liked the hydrating (pink packaging) and mattifying versions (green packaging).  They'll leave your skin glowing, and you don't have to rinse it off afterwards which is a bonus.  I personally like to use it at night post-shower, and I layer on heavy cream for max moisture, but if you decide to use it in the AM, slather on sunscreen on top before applying your makeup (if you use makeup that is).  Rating:  5/5.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes ($6.99 for 25 count): Obsessed with these towelettes.  I've been using one a night to remove my makeup, and it works like a charm!  After wiping off my foundation, I wet it with the Bioderma product mentioned above to thoroughly remove my eye makeup.  Rating:  4.5/5.

Bliss Body Butter in Grapefruit + Aloe, Maximum Moisture Cream ($29):  I've featured their body butter on here previously, but I gotta do it again because 1, it's a different scent and 2, it's just that good. For those of you who know me personally, you know that I have seriously dry hands (they're more like hooves), especially during the wintertime.  Well, this moisturizer has (very miraculously) cured the issue overnight - like, I'm not joking, my hands are smoother than a baby's bottom now.  I didn't have to wear socks on my hands or layer anything else on top.  I just rubbed a bit of this cream in, slept, and woke up with soft AF hands.  Do yourself a favor and grab a tube of this!  Grapefruit's perfect for summer, but if you prefer something else, there are a butt ton of other choices so go wild, frands. Rating: 6/5.  

Aveda Purifying Scalp Cleanser ($35):  Aveda can seriously do no wrong in my book, and this cleanser is no exception.  I have super long hair so it's especially important for me to take good care of my roots, and this product expertly balances sebum levels while exfoliating.  It's made with their own pure-fume aroma (featuring grapefruit, neroli, cypress + other blooms and plant essences), and it smells ah-maaaaa-zing.  A must for at-home spa nights, and although pricy, a little goes a long way so this will last you months!  Squeeze out a dime-size amount and massage it into your scalp for a truly luxe experience.  Use code LOVE to get 20% off + free shipping.  Rating: 4.5/5.

L'oreal Damage Erasing Balm ($6.99):  If you're looking for an affordable yet effective conditioner for your mane, definitely give this product a try.  For $6.99, you get an intensive product that repairs split ends and rehydrates!  It's not my fave hair mask of all time, but it gets the job done without breaking the bank.  Apply a nickel-sized amount to your ends after shampooing and leave it in for 10-15 minutes before rinsing - use 3x a week for best results (in my experience)!  If your hair's extra dry, you can use this daily.  Rating: 4/5.  

Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover ($26):  As a longtime fan of all things Urban Decay, I was beyond STOKED to hear about this new makeup remover line.  Although the cleansing oil stick SOUNDS awesome, it simply doesn't work.  It's formulated to remove "even the most stubborn waterproof makeup," but it doesn't even remove my foundation (????)  It's a 3-phase product that's supposed to transform from balm to liquid oil to microfoam, but I didn't experience any of that, ha. Save your moolah and get the Bioderma remover I recommended above.  You're welcome in advance! Rating:  0/5.

Bliss Fabulips Sugar Scrub ($18):  I could buy a lot of stuffs with $18, several cups of coffee, a cute new dress, a mountain of junk food, a delish meal at my fave restaurant...but instead I purchased this sugar scrub, which ended up being a total fail.  I get dry lips often so I wanted to give this product a go, but unfortunately, all it did was give me a greasy pucker.  Does it exfoliate well? Nope, nope and nope.  My toothbrush does a wayyyy better job for sure, AND I don't need to re-wash my face afterwards.  I'm trying a different scrub later this month so I'll update you guys ASAP - hopefully I'll have a better experience with Glamglow.  Rating:  1/5. 

Casual Summer Dresses FTW

....I totally should've saved this look for the 4th of July, ha.  I couldn't wait that long though - I'm not that patient, and I wanted to feature my new LWD from ASOS sooo here goes.  This summery number is made of oh-so-soft jersey and features a cute bow detail + cutout up front.  The shirred stretch back is comfy so it doesn't pinch and is SUPER flattering.  Dress it up for date night or pair it with sneakers or summery sandals for a casual daytime look.

It was raining out when I shot this so I threw on an old denim jacket from Oasap for extra coverage! I've had this piece for years now, but I'm still obsessed with the lace-up & quilted detailing.  To finish things off and tie everything together, I wore adorable pom-pom shoes from AMICLUBWEAR and carried a mini-crossbody to match.

Other cute LWDs for your shopping ease (under $50):

Obsessed with pom-pom everything...

A closer look at my choker from J Wholesale!  Definitely make sure to check out their jewelry selection for affordable pieces that impress.

Photos shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.

The Coolest Art Exhibit You'll See in DC This Summer

Oh man, I didn't think anything would be able to top Infinity Mirrors, but I seriously loved XYZT: Abstract Landscapes just as much!  This exhibit is a world-travelled installation by acclaimed French contemporary digital artists and multimedia choreographers, Adrien M & Claire B; think art meets tech!  There are ten digital "landscapes" total, and they're all interactive.  You'll feel like you're walking through a different dimension, one where you can manipulate art with movement.  

The exhibit opened a few days ago at Artechouse and will be up until early September.  Tickets are $15 a pop and $10 for kids, students or seniors.  Bring a photo ID to get timed passes (45 minutes) for the exhibit - open during the day from 10-4 and in the evening from 5:30-10.  Click here to reserve passes!