The Little Mermaid is Time Magazine's Top 10 Musical of 2008

7. The Little Mermaid

By Richard Zoglin

Disney can't win with the critics any more, and even some fans (including this one) had a hard time getting excited about the inevitable stage version of the studio's first animated musical hit of the modern era. But Disney once again scores with its sheer theatrical exuberance and polish. Opera director Francesca Zambello, directing her first Broadway show, goes for charmingly low-tech special effects (the fish "swim" on roller-skate wheelies) and gorgeous, variegated visuals to tell the affecting Hans Christian Andersen story of a mermaid who longs to be human. Ignore the critics, take the kids and don't pretend you're not enjoying it too.

cheap finds

These are some products i love that are cheap and effective.

Johnson's Softcream Melt Away Stress Dreamy Night Cream


It smells divine. I used to use the Sleep lotion from Bath and Body Works, but this one is much better (at least for me). the texture is very light and creamy and it absorbs really well. It hydrates and leaves a very light airy scent on your skin. I apply this every night after i shower and it really relaxes me. Not sure if it "melts away" my stress, but it's definitely very calming and relaxing.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub


This is one product that every person should have in their house. It is by far better than ANY other scrubs you can find on the market. it's more effective than any name brand. it helps with breakouts and they just came out with a new one that has anti-aging effects. It's a MUST!!!!

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm


My lips are severely chapped ALL THE TIME and this is the only product that's been effective on my lips. I've used at least 10 different other types and i always come back to this. it's the best!

Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion SPF 15


If you don't want to spend too much on a moisturizer, i highly recommend this lotion. it's very light and contains SPF. it smells very soft as well. it's great for even the most sensitive skin. I always keep a bottle to use when i don't feel like using my more expensive products.

Fresh masks

Rose Mask

I've used 2 jars of this mask and I can honestly tell you I still don't know what it does to my skin. I just like the smell of it and the idea of having rose petals melt into my skin. It's just a moisturizing mask with a very nice scent. it's a good mask to use when you're taking a bath (as if anyone actually take baths anymore) or just a hydrating mask to use daily. I am not sure if it does anything else, 'cause i certainly haven't seen a difference in my skin. However, it's nice to have a daily mask.

Grade: C

Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

This is another mask that i don't know what exactly it does to my skin, but i can "feel" it working after rinsing it off. The cool tingling sensation is amazing. it's hard to explain, but it's so refreshing. I like this scent better than the Rose face mask. it's much more subtle and light. The mask has a whip texture to it and it feels very cool on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, i'd suggest you using this instead of the Rose Mask. it's also supposed to have anti-aging effects. I do like the way my face looks after using the mask, but i think with the price, there are better masks out there. Maybe i need to use it longer to see the actual result. will keep you guys posted.

Grade: B

Umbrian Clay Face Treatment

I like this mask a lot, prob because i have oily/combination skin. I love the fact that it kind of sucks everything out of your skin without making you breakout. It dries very quickly on the skin and turns greenish white. I highly recommend this treatment facial for people with oily skin to use at least once a week. It's great treatment.

Grade: B+

An anti-aging product that will give you smaller pores and even skin tone

Alpha Beta Peels
This is a great product to minimize your pores and even out your skin tone. It will get rid of blackheads on your nose and fade acne scars while treating and preventing new breakouts. I suggest using this at night rather than during the day, because the peel creates sensitivity to the sun and you never know how your skin would react to it. the last thing you want is to have an allergic reaction to it and have a red face.

I think it might be a little too strong for sensitive skin. It tingles and burns a little when you put on step 1, so don't get too freaked out. I've also used the Patricia Wexler's 2 step peel, and it's nowhere near as effective as this one. This is a treatment so don't expect to see results within a day, but i say within 4 days you'll see a dramatic difference in your skin, especially the skin tone and the pore size.

Grade: A- (because of the price, otherwise it gets an A)

From Sephora's website-

Formulated to improve skin firmness, tone, and texture, Alpha Beta diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boosts skin density and vitality, and reduces pore size and breakouts, as it gently restores radiance to the skin, with a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Delivers cumulative benefits and optimal results with daily use.

No calorie sweet treats!! yumm!

Dylan's Candy bar came out with a line of beauty products that are deliciously sweet ( don't eat them, they are not edible) and smells like the real thing. In fact they smell so much like the real thing that most people would think you just spilled your dessert all over yourself and forgot to clean off!

My fav out of the line is the Cake Batter collection. i want to lather myself in it now and imagine myself eating the real thing. Best of all, it's no calorie!!

This would be a perfect gift for people as well. Rather than fattening your best friend, give them this instead!

Magic in a silky pink jar! Radically No Surgetics- $145

This is one of the products that i cannot live without. I love it so much that i always have one in stock so i don't have to wait for shipping in between. It's so rich and yet it never made my skin break out like most rich creams would. It evens out your skin tone and fades any acne scars, age spots, and sun spots that you have on your face. it also treats wrinkles, fine lines, lack of firmness, skin slackening, lack of density, dullness, and lack of clarity. it's everything in one single jar and more importantly, it actually works.

The scent is light and the cream melts into your skin. Definitely put this on your list of anti-aging products to buy. this is by far one of the best i've tried! it's up there with La mer.

from their website-

RADICALLY NO SURGETICS is armed with the DERMO-TARGET System :
A double-encapsulation technology that provides smart, powerful and strategically targeted action.
This revolutionary system, a first in cosmetology, combines two intelligent technologies for encapsulating ingredients that target the precise areas where their action is strategically needed:
1. Salicylic acid hyalurosome targets the binding forces between the corneocytes, for a controlled restorative effect:
This vector-reservoir releases the encapsulated salicylic acid like a drip. The binding forces between dead cells are broken*, enabling them to be eliminated, and activating the generation of new cells.
Result: Skin looks smoother, more radiant, glowing and even.

2. African birch cyclosphere targets the fibroblasts, for triple anti-aging effectiveness.
This patented nanovector rapidly carries an extract of African birch, selected for its triple anti-aging effect, to the place where it is needed.
- Deep revitalization: absorption of vitamin C, naturally present in the skin, is boosted*.
- Anti-wrinkle/firmness effect: collagen fiber synthesis is deeply stimulated*.
- Skin preservation: the collagen fibers are protected*.
Result: Wrinkles, fine lines and slackening are reduced; skin is firmer and denser.

Grade- A+

It actually works!!! RareMinerals Blemish Therapy

I'm always on the hunt for the next best blemish treatment and I was quite surprised by how good this product is. I originally got a sample size through my order from Sephora and after using the sample size, it was enough to convince me to buy the actual product.

What i like about it is that it not only treats your pimples, it covers them as well. the one negative thing is the smell. it's very unpleasant, especially if you apply this around your nose. I had a pimple on my nose once and i had to suffer through smelling this throughout the entire day, but it was all worth it. No pain no gain!

The product is avail on sephora and their website.

From Sephora-

What it does:

This Bare Escentuals breakthrough natural, mineral-based product is clinically proven to quickly and effectively clear and heal blemishes. RareMinerals™ Skin Blemish Therapy combines the non-irritating, exfoliating properties of our patent-pending 100% pure RareMinerals™ concentrate with the acne-fighting benefits of natural sulfur to treat acne and blemishes while preventing future breakouts from forming. It penetrates pores to control blackheads. Plus, its translucent tint neutralizes and diffuses the look of blemishes. Use it as an overnight spot treatment to heal blemishes and also as a daytime treatment under bareMinerals makeup. It's perfect for all skin types and ages.

Grade- B

Gel del la Mer $250

I still can't decide if i like this or not. the cream version is obviously too rich for my combination skin during the day, so i thought this would be my perfect fix for a day cream. However, it's not very moisturizing. it creates a nice matte look to your face once it's applied and you do get that "la mer" glow on your face.

I did find my face feeling dry at times throughout the day. I am not sure if it's just the gel texture that is making it feel dry when it's actually not or if my skin is actually dry. I have to keep using it for a few more days to decide. I know they also have the moisturizing lotion, but i think that might make my face shiny. i'll see if i can get a sample in the near future before i decide on which La Mer is right for me.

The other downfall is that it only comes in one size, so i highly suggest getting some samples before buying the whole thing.

Fresh Mamaku Night Serum $85

Fresh's products are always great whether it's a shower gel or a facial scrub, and above all, they all smell amazing!

I've been using this night serum on and off for awhile. i don't have the full product but i have a bunch of samples of it. What i like about it is that it sinks into your skin right away unlike some serum that kind of just stays on top of your skin and makes your face shiny. it absorbs very quickly and the scent is very pleasant, much like a peachy mango tea smell. I've also tried the Day serum as well, that one doesn't smell as good.

I do think the product works, but the price tag is very unpleasant. Everytime when i'm ready to buy a new serum, i always end up buying from another brand, because i feel like with $85, i can get something better. I currently use Givenchy's Plasti Sculpt Lifting Serum at night and Givenchy's Power Youth Serum during the day. I would love to receive this as a gift, but until then, i highly doubt i'll be paying for this.

Grade- B+


From their website-
MAMAKU NIGHT SERUM is a breakthrough formula that optimizes the skin's self-regenerative abilities during the night when cell division occurs and skin is most permeable to accept active ingredients. Immediate results include hydrated, plumper, firmer, smoother and more radiant skin.

Key Ingredients:
- Mamaku extract helps speed up skin cell turnover to reveal fresher, healthier, more radiant looking skin in the morning. Mamaku also has strong firming and soothing capabilities.
- Hydro Patches use time-release technology to continually hydrate the skin throughout the night.
- AVRC (Fresh's proprietary complex of encapsulated Vitamins A,C, and E), borage seed oil, grape seed oil, and white tea are powerful antioxidants that help prevent and repair the signs of aging.

Protect your face from the sun

Don't forget to wear sunblock whenever you're outside, even when it's not sunny! also make sure the sunscreen you're wearing has UVA protection. UVA rays are the ray that cause the aging process and that's where you get those sun spots and age spots. UVA activates the melanin stored in the epidermis, and produces a pigmentation effect. Most sunscreens only have UVB protection, which only prevents your skin from being sun burnt. UVA rays penetrates deeper into your skin.

Make sure to put sunscreen over your pimples after they've popped (don't pop them yourself!). It prevents them from turning into a sun spot with the damaging UVA rays.


I use Givenchy's Doctor White Pore-refiner brightening lotion every morning. it contains a dosage of salicylic acid, which is great for acne prone skin and i just think it's good to have this "brightening " lotion working before i even hit the sun.



I also use Givenchy's Twenty White Serum after the toner lotion before i put on my moisturizer. This is an amazing serum that has 20 whitening actions in a single product. It blocks all mechanisms and biological targets involved in the pigmentation prcess to keep your face from getting any sun or age spots.


You can get them both from www.strawberrynet.com


From their website-

Twenty White Serum
Ultimate Multi-Whitening

20 whitening actions in a single product!
Twenty White Serum - Ultimate Multi-Whitening

This ultimate dark-spot-fighting step is the multipleaction, super-intensive star product in your program. With its gel-serum texture that absorbs instantly into your skin, this high-performance concentrate is the first ever to combine 20 melanin-fighting and skin-whitening actions* to thoroughly block all mechanisms and biological targets involved in the pigmentation process:
• Neutralizes the oxidative factors that trigger melanin synthesis before they can act - 5 preventive actions fight free radicals, protein glycation and inflammation-related actions*.
• Blocks melanin synthesis inside the melanocyte - 8 blocking actions home in on biological targets directly involved in the pigmentation process*.
• Intensifies light reflection on the skin surface - 7 brightening actions eliminate dead cells, accelerate cell renewal* and improve skin quality and radiance.

Results:
A dazzling array of brightening actions to boost the skin’s radiance and clarity. Unprecedented brightness guaranteed with regular use. The skin is visibly brighter, perfectly smoothed and unified. The complexion is much more even, simply glowing with radiance and freshness.

The Little Mermaid: Broadway Musical

Must see if you're in NY!!!!!!

Best overnight pimple treatment

I've tried almost everything you can think of for treating pimples and breakouts including proactive, murad, Dr. Brandt, Patricia Wexler, Cosmedicine, Dr. Perricone, DDF, and various different spot treatments from different brands. Sonya Dakar's Drying Potion is the best overnight treatment out of all the ones that i have tried. I am not sure what makes it different, but everytime i feel a pimple coming on, i attack it with this and it usually does the trick within a day or sometimes overnight. It's one item that i cannot live without and i bring it with me whenever i travel.

Another thing i use is apple cider vinegar. It's a bit painful but it work wonders. Take a cottom swab and dab it directly on the pimple. sometimes my pimple goes down immediately. it's cheaper and more effective than a lot of stuff i've used.

From their website-

Recognized by many as 'Hollywood's secret weapon', this emergency solution helps treat and eliminate breakouts both above and below the skin's surface. Formulated with Dead Sea sulfur to reduce redness and puffiness; pure lavender and chamomile to calm breakouts, sage to disinfect and peppermint to stimulate blood circulation to promote speedy healing

Grade- A+

Recent purchase- Goat Milk Cream from Kate Somerville $55

I'm always looking for the weirdest things to put on my face (bird poo anyone?). When i saw goat milk, i knew i had to get it. it's made for combination skin as well, so it should work fine with my skin. Can't wait to try it!

From their website-
For years, Ancient Egyptians used goat milk to heal and nurture skin. Our delicate, daily moisturizer, enriched with nourishing goat milk proteins, vitamins & amino acids, similarly helps soothe & condition skin for optimum moisture balance and renewal.

scared of dry skin in the winter? Not if you use these!

Givenchy's Skin Drink

I personally use Skin Drink Soft, because i have oily/combination skin. it smells great and hydrates your skin without making your face look greasy. If you have very dry skin, i would go for Skin Drink Rich. I only use the Skin Drink Serum now when my skin is feeling dry, because my skin is usually oily.

You can get this line from www.strawberrynet.com



Chanel's Hydramax


This line smells even better than Givenchy's Skin Drink line, but i found it a little too rich for me. it tend to stay on top of my skin and doesn't absorb as well as Givenchy's Skin Drinks. However, most people with dry skin say it absorbs right away so it's prob just my combination skin.

You can get this at most big department stores.



Dior HydraAction

This is the only one out of the three that contains SPF, which is extremely important. The eye cream from this line even has SPF 20. It's very soft and light. the texture is more like a sorbet and it's got a very light scent, much lighter than Chane's Hydramax. I think this is perfect for people with normal to dry skin. It's not as moisurizing as Chanel's Hydramax or Givenchy's Skin Drink Rich, but i'd go with this one because of the SPF.

You can get this line from most big department stores and at sephora.

Bottom line-
If you have extremely dry skin, i would go with Chanel. If you have normal to dry, i'd go with Dior. If you have Combination to Normal/dry, i'd go with Givenchy. Hope this helps!

If you haven't seen "Australia", you should

It's the best movie of the year for me. it's disappointing that it's been snubbed for many awards. I think they released it too early, they should've waited till Dec around christmas time. Anyhow, if you haven't seen it it, i highly suggest you go see it before it goes out of theaters.

W Hotel in Time Square

Stayed at the W Hotel is Time Square. there's no better place to stay at than this hip hotel in NY right in the center of all the theaters!! The lobby has a cool bar for those who doesn't want to walk too far to get a drink. it's a very hip hotel with young people.

Here are some pictures i took-

Bergdorf Goodman Christmas Window display in NY

Much better than Macy's window display. These are the pictures i took. it's all about the little details!

Dylan's Candy store in NY

If you haven't visited the store. you should. it's plenty of fun. Although i didn't buy a single thing from the store. I do love the Cake batter body butter. When i was at the store, some tourist guy thought the body lotions and butters were edible so he took a spoon, scooped it, and ate it! it was disgusting, but made my trip to the store worthwhile.

here are some pics i took of the store.

On the topic of Broadway musicals

Since i just did a post on The Little Mermaid the musical, i thought i'd share my thoughts on 3 other musicals i just saw recently.

Billy Elliot
Hands down the best musical that i have ever seen. It's even better than Wicked and that is saying a lot. You have to see this show in person because the soundtrack doesn't give you a slight idea of how amazing the show is. The dancing, the sets, the staging, and the singing! I used to tell people if you are going to see one musical your entire life, you should go see Wicked, but this show is giving Wicked some stiff competition. The only drawback is that the show is not kids friendly. it's very adult oriented and deals with issues that people under 17 would prob not understand nor care.


In The Heights
Hmmm...it won Best Musical last year and I don't really think it should've. I thought The Little Mermaid is better than this (Yes, i love The Little Mermaid no matter what people say). It's very different and most of the songs are rap songs. the story is very predictable. I just didn't connect with the show. I wouldn't see this again even if i got free tickets. that's just my opinion


9-5
My, was i in for a treat! I knew nothing about the movie. i just saw some production photos and that was enough for me to buy my ticket to the show. It's such a fun show. it's funny, touching, and fun. I think this will be nominated for a lot of Tonys as well. However, Billy Elliot is still better overall. This is a very fun show i think women would enjoy.

Go see The Little Mermaid The Musical if you're in NY!!!

If you happen to travel to New York anytime soon. I highly recommend you going to see The Little Mermaid The Musical. Yes, yes i know it got very mixed reviews, but it is an amazing show and it's one of those shows that will put a smile on your face when it ends. it's a great story and the design of the show is spectacular. I've seen the show 3 times already and i can't wait to see it again. Maybe it's my inner child, but i really love this show!

TEMPS MAJEUR EYE CONTOUR $120

I recently purchased this eye cream for my mom as a Christmas present. She's been on the look out for a nice eye cream for the longest time. I've given her Cosmedicine eye cream, Dr. Brandt's R3p eye cream, and Patricia Wexler's Instant depuff eye gel and nothing came to her satisfaction.

I was debating between this eye cream and La Mer's eye concentrate, but after doing my research, i thought i should give this one a try first. Hopefully this will do the trick. Will post back her review on the product once she's tried it!

From their website-

TEMPS MAJEUR EYE CONTOUR Intensive Eye Creme
The ultimate in luxury and anti-aging performance, the TEMPS MAJEUR high-revitalizing line contains the most intriguing ingredient in Chinese medicine, the legendary "mushroom of eternal youth" or Ganoderma Lucidum: substances that are absolutely unique in nature. Extremely fine and silky, this complete eye contour treatment features a selection of high-performance active ingredients to regenerate, energize and enhance the eye area. Upon application, the eyes light up. The eye contour is smoothed and refreshed. Day after day, dark circles and puffiness fade away. Freed from fatigue, the eyes look visibly younger.

Givenchy- Le Soin Noir $360

I am a big fan of Givenchy's skincare products. They have a wide range of products to fit your needs including Doctor White, Radically No Surgetics, Skin Drinks, No Surgetics Wrinkle Defy, No Surgetics Plasti Sculpt, Power Youth, and Blanc Parfait. My favs are the Radically No Surgetics cream, Plasti Sculpt serum, and Doctor White's Twenty White serum. I'll go into details of those products in the future. But this post is all about my new love- Le Soin Noir (it sounds like magic already!).

Le Soin Noir cream is $360 (ouch) and it's only exclusively sold at Sephora.com and Sephora on 5th in NY.

From the Sephora website, it says --

"What it is:

A beauty-renewal skincare cream.

What it does:
Givenchy Le Soin Noir contains an extremely precious, natural age-defying ingredient that will secure its status in you're anti-aging routine. Used for the first time in cosmetics, Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate restores communication between the skin's cells. Givenchy's researchers have developed a method to infuse this potion with a rare black algae extract to help maintain and prolong cellular longevity. Parched skin drinks in the hydration it needs—leaving your complexion firm, glowing, and even-toned.

What else you need to know:
Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate is found in the depths of the ocean and reconstructs a catalyst in the skin to counteract the signs of aging. Only Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate contains these precious black molecules that are extremely rich in vital fatty acids. The result is skin that draws new strength to protect the cells' DNA from light-induced aging and wrinkles as it becomes firmer and restores itself. Smooth it on morning and night to form an invisible barrier that protects against the signs of aging caused by environmental and internal assaults."

it is supposed to be the next La mer. the key ingredient in this cream is the vital black algae sap, which is also from the sea. I recently purchased this on my trip to NY. Yes, it's extremely expensive, but i always tell people i only have one face and i plan to take care of it. The Givenchy representative told me that the product is to be used alone. it acts as a serum , a moisturizer, and an eye cream. there's no need to use any of other stuff. so i guess you save some money on buying other products. however, if you're like me, you'll still be buying new products.

I haven't used the cream yet. i am still currently finishing my jar of Givenchy's Radically No Surgetic. I think i'll get to this when i'm done with that. i wanna save it for some special time when i can use this continuously. I'll keep you all posted when i start using this cream!!!!

Inner Narcissist at work

After giving countless product recommendations to people around me, i have decided to start a blog to help all those out there that might benefit from my experiences with different skincare products. I'm not a dermatologist (although i do have a great dermatologist, Ava Shamban, you must go to her if you live in LA!) and I've never worked at any cosmetic counters, however, i have used many products out there on the market and everything is based on my personal experience. so there's no sales pitch. Also keep in mind that everyone's skin is different and we all react to different ingredients differently. what worked for me might not work for you and vice versa.

Why is the blog called "Your Inner Narcissist at Work"? because we're all narcissistic on the inside on some level. who doesn't want to look good? so let me be your inner narcissist at work!