This is What She Saw

26 April 2018

Favorite Drugstore Dry Shampoo for my Asian Straight Hair

A rare photo of SJ gleefully jumping (the shutter speed was slow enough to capture this)

You might be wondering why I'm bouncing around in this picture. It's because, when this was taken, that was my fourth day hair! And, yes, I still had waves from Sunday night's Asian Student Union's Heritage Celebration Dinner featuring the Youtube famous Wesley Chan as the keynote speaker!

(Let's be real here: I'm probably bouncing because I still can't believe that I met someone that I never thought I would since WHO COMES TO INDIANA IN THE FIRST PLACE? And because I've watched Wong Fu since I started my channel back in middle school and look up to them.)

So why is this such a big deal?

(The hair. Why is the hair such a big deal?)

To all of my fellow ladies and gents who have straight hair, we all know or are familiar with how greasy our hair gets within a day or less after washing. Some of us end up looking like Snape within a few hours, and that's not flattering at all no matter how good of a man he was.

Oh, Snape... If only you knew about dry shampoo...

We've sought help from Google for remedies. Many of the posts told us to cut back on washing our hair multiple times a week or to switch to the no-poo shampoo method. Eeek. Been there, done that in my hormonal teenage years! That was not fun or comfortable or fashionable or... (list goes on).

Cutting back on shampooing my hair felt like I had greasier hair after a week, so I quit the routine despite being told that it takes weeks before my scalp would learn how to produce a normal amount of oil by itself. I couldn't wait, and I'm sure many of you felt the same. So then I tried the no-poo shampoo method using apple cider vinegar. It was the oddest feeling knowing that I was willingly pouring this pungent liquid on my scalp to cleanse it and restore its pH. (I still shudder knowing how disgusting I smelled post shower.) To keep it short, the results were the same as cutting back on shampooing and I quit early on in the trial.

Fast forward a few years past high school and into university. Yes, it took me this long to figure out how to work with my hair, but it took me a couple of months ago to finally get it to the point we're at now.

Anyway, I learned that if I curl my hair with second day hair, I can go another day without greasy hair. Why is this? It's because curly hair doesn't get greasy as fast as straight hair since the curls keep oil towards the roots. This means that hair oil won't travel as quickly through your hair when you have a little wave or curl in it.

After figuring this out, I started curling my hair more often so that I could make it to third day hair. But then this presented another problem: heat damage. I didn't like how rough my hair was becoming, so I learned how to do heatless curls. The problem was, though, it sometimes took more effort than it was worth with my silky hair that everyone around me tells me they envy.

Please don't envy it. It is a pain in the arse to deal with when you want to braid it or put it into buns.

In the end, at least early in my undergrad (say sophomore year?), I learned that I could curl my day two hair and have decent hair on day three by using dry shampoo. Doing this would typically carry me throughout the third day but wouldn't last to see a fourth day.

SJ circa 2014 with greasy second day hair. Wow, my brows were thin.

I began to wonder if it was my hair being resilient to the dry shampoo or if I wasn't using the right one. And so began my journey through homemade and drugstore brand dry shampoos (because when you're in college, it's unrealistic to be dropping money on dry shampoo instead of your books). Baby powder or a mixture of cocoa and cornstarch worked for a bit, but I didn't want to smell like either of those all the time. Then I found Batiste and settled with it, but I didn't enjoy it because it made my hair clumpy and unnatural looking; it worked for the time being.

It wasn't until a couple of months ago, last year, when one of Tati's videos was recommended to me. I watched it when I was getting ready for school, and in the video she went on and on about Hask's dry shampoo. Which one, I don't remember, but she talked about it enough to leave an impression on me.

So the next day I grabbed a bottle at Walgreens.

I may have bought this one because it looked pretty...

And, honestly, I've never looked back. I can't wait to purchase another bottle (or is it can?) for when I finish mine. I love that it has a fine mist that disperses the product evenly. The scent, chia seed, is light and far from being overpowering. It's fresh without smelling like the typical cotton fresh, if you know what I mean. It's just a wonderful product that's made without any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial colors; just all around pure goodness that refreshes your hair when you don't feel like washing or have a grease problem because your hair is so freaking straight.

Hask Chia Seed Dry Shampoo Ingredients List

Ingredients List on the back of the bottle

I learned that if I curl my second day hair, and spray my third day hair with this the next morning, my hair can go up to day four or even five without needing to be washed. Does it give me volume like the name, Chia Seed Volumizing Dry Shampoo, suggests? That's debatable, but it does the job at keeping the oil at bay.

Now, you may be asking, "But, SamiJoie, what about straight hair? Does it work for your straight hair?"

The answer to that is, "Yes, yes, it does. It does the exact same for my straight hair as it does for my curly."

Color me impressed. 😍

Did you know that the charcoal version of this dry shampoo has Allure's seal of approval? I think that's the next one I'll try when I finish with the chia seed.

Have you tried any Hask dry shampoos? What are your thoughts? Have you tried any of their other products? If you want to read about another product I tried from them, check out these posts:

The Smell of Kalahari Melons in Georgia | Hask Beauty Shampoo Review, First Wash
Days 2 and 3 with Hask's Kalahari Melon Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Oil | Review

-s.j.

Indianapolis, IN, USA

17 April 2018

Flower Beauty Petal Pout in Poppy (shade 100) Swatches & Video

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: beauty . flower beauty . flower beauty petal pout in poppy pout swatch . makeup . makeup swatch

I am so excited to share this lippy with you since it doesn't seem to get a lot of hits online. I did a quick search to see if there were any swatches for this particular shade when I was grocery shopping, and it seemed pretty non-existent. So, here it is, a swatch of Flower Beauty's Poppy Pout Matte Lipstick.

Sleek and pretty packaging. The tube is unique.

Appearance

Let me start this off by saying that I love the packaging of this lippy. It's sleek and pretty in its rose gold tube and white base. Very #aestheticgoals, no? Also, the shape of the tube adds to its sleek appeal: it's a half moon so it will lie flat against any surface. No more rolling away!

Ingredients

Octyldodecanol, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lanolate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ozokerite, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Mica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacryladipate-2, Microcrystalline Wax, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Phenoxyethanol, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Ingredients list found on Ulta.com.

There are only two ingredients with a mild safety index based off of the CosDNA analysis, and surprisingly, the antioxidant is at the bottom of the list!

Description & Thoughts

The description on Walmart says that the lipstick is made with a long wearing, hydrating and nourishing formula that applies smoothly with an intense color payoff in one swipe. The colour payoff is evident. If you watch my video below, you'll notice that I needed one swipe to do the job. (Although, I did go in multiple times to clean it up and make my lips look even.) Another benefit of this lipstick is that it is full of antioxidants that protect the lips, which I also think lends to the hydrating/nourishing properties. Unfortunately for me, my lips are so dry that this didn't work for me in the sense that I think they intended.

Flower Beauty Petal Pout in Poppy hand swatch

Poppy Pout swatch on the back of my hand.

It's a lovely matte red lipstick with blue undertones. For me, it sat comfortably on the lips for about half an hour before it dried out and settled into the lines of my lips. I'll have to try this out with lip balm underneath as well as record a day test for both conditions!

Flower Beauty Petal Pout in Poppy lip swatch

Poppy Pout lip swatch

Have you tried this line of lipsticks from Flower Beauty? What were your thoughts? Also, what's your favourite colour from this line? Considering I got this for $3 instead of $6 at Walmart, I'm leaning towards buying another one! 😅 However, I might go to Ulta since they have a larger range of colours.

There are no affiliate links in this post. If there were though, any revenue generated from them are used towards this blog.

Indianapolis, IN, USA

03 April 2018

Hello, April showers and moisturised skin! Featuring I'm From's Ginseng Serum and Honey Cream | Affiliate Post

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: affiliate post . beauty . i'm from ginseng serum . i'm from honey cream . korean skincare . skincare

Read Me! for my info on the products.

So I opened my inbox and was surprised to see that the ginseng serum by I'm From is being promoted this season since it is one of my favourite serums that I've used thus far on my skincare journey. That said, I had to jump on the bandwagon and promote it so that you guys know about it!

With this promotion, you can get 10% off of the ginseng serum and the honey cream by I'm from with an additional 5% using the code WISHSPRING. You don't have to get both products, but if you have tired skin that is lacking in moisture and just livelines, I'd recommend getting both. I haven't tried the honey cream, but I have heard great things about it. It's next on my list to try out once my skin calms down! (Hormonal acne, anyone? Ugh.)

If you want to check out the products' pages, click here for the ginseng serum and here for the honey cream. AND, if for some reason you forget about it, I've updated the banners on the right side of my blog to reflect this new promo! Yes, these are affiliate links, but please know that any and all proceeds made from them go back to this blog. I greatly appreciate anyone who clicks them!

As a final note, before I bid you adieu and a wonderful day/evening/what have you, be sure to check out my review over I'm From's ginseng serum! I go more in depth regarding the benefits of using ginseng products.

This promo ends 30 April 2018.

See you around the interwebs!

s.j.

19 March 2018

By Wishtrend TECA 1% Barrier Cream -- Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: beauty . korean skincare . skincare . wishtrend

Close up of TECA 1% Barrier Cream by Wishtrend

Hello!

It's been a hot minute -- at least, since I last spoke about skincare, and I'll tell you why:

A few months ago (back in December?), Wishtrend sent me another product to try out. I wanted to get a solid review out at least the week after it launched, but I just couldn't bring myself to like the product when I used it.

What is this product? It's Wishtrend's TECA 1% Barrier Cream. Let's dive into some information about this product, shall we?

What is TECA 1% Barrier Cream?

According to Wishtrend, TECA (otherwise known as titrated extract centella asiatica) 1% cream is a cream that creates a protective barrier in order to retain moisture and any active ingredients you apply to the affected area. It also strengthens and calms the skin, making it the perfect post pimple popping ointment.

Now, if you don't know anything about TECA (like I did) know that it is a mixture of the four compounds (asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside -- note that madecassoside is omitted from the ingredients list below) that comprise the popular ingredient, centella asiatica. Centella asiatica is a wound healing ingredient common to tropical regions that blew up in popularity in Korea last year.

This popular ingredient also contains vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B3, and carotene. These ingredients contribute to its high antioxidant level that helps brighten skin and fight against premature aging. Among the big four active ingredients mentioned earlier, madecassic acid is great for acne-prone skin since it helps reduce inflammation and redness.

Ingredients List

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA

Packaging

It comes in this slick, metallic teal tube with a white c
ap. It's pretty sturdy, so I don't have to worry about it cracking and product leaking, but the cap cracked in my backpack. It's not a crack to be concerned with, thankfully! This makes it perfect to tote around whenever you feel the need to touch up. (Did you know you can use this product up to three times?)

On a different note, this teal colour is speaking to me and I'm loving it! I hope to see more of this product in the picture.

Thoughts

Well, here it comes! Actually, you were already expecting it since I opened this post: I didn't like this product. I didn't see much of a difference when I used it for both post squeezing a pimple and not squeezing one. I honestly tried and tried again for about two weeks, but nothing happened. So I went without this tube for a couple of weeks until last week.

Last week, a few days before my best friend's wedding, I decided to get my upper lip waxed. I have never had a negative experience with the ladies and gents at the nail shop in the mall until last week. This gent went HAM on me: he used a thick layer of wax and created a handlebar mustache on my face before applying the fabric and ripping it off. He managed to tear skin off under my nostrils (I was bleeding all evening) as well as in my cupid's bow. I typically reach for aloe vera to calm anything down on my skin, but I didn't have it with me during my day trip into the city. What I did have was Vaseline, so I popped that on zealously. When I finally got home, I decided to use TECA religiously and I can say that it reduced any sort of mess that could have potentially happened. I had a little scab in the cupid's bow in the shape of a line that was barely noticeable but, aside from that, no scabs! (I just checked in the mirror and I have no scabs whatsoever, just normal skin.)

So, do I think this works? I'd have to say I'm partial to the idea of it working. About a month ago, I started using pure centella asiatica (the one by Skin 1004) all over my face and neck), so I don't know if that changed the game for me. When I first tried TECA, it was by itself and I wasn't using the Skin 1004, so, again, I don't know if this was the game changer. All in all, I guess I would give this a

3.5/5 stars

because I really like the packaging since I've had issues with tubes getting punctured and leaking in my purse -- that and the colour is speaking to me on some sort of zen/spiritual level.

I had to knock off a few points because I didn't feel like it really worked but maybe just a little bit? I dunno. I'm conflicted here. It's supposed to be for post acne recovery, but I didn't notice anything when I used it for that purpose. I did notice a difference for when I used it for post waxing/tearing off my skin recovery along with Skin 1004's centella asiatica ampoule. When I used it for that, though, it stung like a MOFO, but that's probably because my skin was sensitive after (what felt like) a layer was torn off.

Anyway, have any of you tried this product? Did you have a positive or negative experience? Let me know down below! Also, if you didn't like it, what did you use instead of it?

--s.j.

You can buy TECA 1% Barrier Cream by Wishtrend here for $27.50 USD.

This product was sent to me by Wishtrend for review purposes. This is a 100% honest review. Please note that what may/may not work for me, may/may not work for you! Everybody has different skin even though we may have the same skin type. Also, there are affiliate links in this post. These links help run this blog whenever anyone uses them to purchase an item featured!

03 February 2018

Searching for the elusive mom jeans in the thrift store as a plus size gal

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: fashion . mom jeans . plus size fashion . plus size mom jeans . thrift store . thrifting

On Tuesday, I dropped in to Goodwill to search for some colourful Christmas lights for a photoshoot I did with a friend last Friday (02/02). Normally, I'm able to head straight to where I need to go -- when it's a supermarket with a familiar layout. All of the Goodwills in Indy have different layouts, so it is extremely easy for me to get distracted.

(You, thrift stores, you! I see you.)

It doesn't help that the one I went to on Tuesday, this particular location placed the jeans right smack dab in front of the door.

(Glares.)

Well, I obviously walked straight into the jeans section to see if they had a pair of the coveted mom jeans in my size.

Before we continue, I feel like I have to mention this: I've already tried a pair of mom jeans in my size, and they don't freaking fit at all. So for this trip, I decided to go up a size. I found a pair a size up from what I normally wear and thought, "Hmm, maybe this'll work." Hopped into the dressing room happy that I found a decent pair and slipped into them.

Do you think these fit?

They look like they fit, right? *laughs* They do not fit. That top is hiding the extreme muffin top that I got from squeezing into this quality pair of jeans that I had the hardest time letting go. It fit everywhere else except for around my stomach. These jeans amazed me because even though they were a size larger, they fit like a pair of jeans two sizes below mine.

Those jeans were a major confidence killer for me. I spent the night looking at how to lose the weight around my midsection (even though I already know how) along with looking into where plus size girls like myself thrift a pair of mom jeans. Let me just tell you that it was a major miss. Also, there were some Facebook comments where people said something along the lines of, "Why don't you save money and lose weight?" These types of comments were disgusting to come across, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't glance down at my tummy every now and then.

Despite being low in spirits about finding a pair of mom jeans, I tried again today on First Saturday Goodwill where everything is half off. I found a pair of jeans that were two sizes bigger than me, slipped into them and they fitted. Did they fit well? NO. A large resounding NO. They were loose in the midsection and lacked any definition everywhere else.

Sighs.

I have lost all hope of finding a pair of mom jeans at the thrift store as a plus size gal. Maybe it's a good thing I'm jump starting my diet and exercise regimen again.

Speaking of which, if you're on Tumblr, definitely check out my food journal where I keep track of what I eat in a day. I'm hoping this will help me make better decisions about what I eat. Check it out here.

To all of my plus size gals out there, do you have any pointers/tips on how to thrift mom jeans?

Till next time,
s.j.

Indianapolis, IN, USA

01 January 2018

Goodbye, 2017! Hello, and let's be friends, 2018!

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: end of year

So long and farewell, 2017.

Well, isn't this something?

I'm writing to you in the last few hours before the new year. By the time anyone reads this, it'll already be the new year -- more than likely. Anyway, I guess I better start this reflection on 2017 before I start rambling more than I should.

I don't know about you, but I truly get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach every time the new year rolls around while everyone else is celebrating. I feel like I haven't done enough to improve my life. It could be from the littlest things like picking up that sock I left on the floor to saying I love you more often or thank you, and I'm sorry, to bigger things like taking that trip I've been wanting to or taking a leap for a job or internship I'm highly underqualified for but would want to do in order to get out of my comfort zone. (And when I say underqualified, I mean it's completely outside of my degree.)

This past year leaves an even deeper pit in my stomach since it didn't turn out the way it should have -- or the way I wanted it to happen. There were more downs than ups for me. I learned that I made the stupidest mistake that I know now has been keeping me back the past few years. The one mistake that I subconsciously repeated (or maybe it was consciously, now that I think about it?) over and over again without realizing that no matter how innocent the intentions were behind it, it was truly awful and damaging to myself as a person.

But, that said, isn't that also an upside since I figured out the primary reason that's holding me back from my potential? (I'm sorry, but I won't be going into details about it. There are only so many things one can divulge about themselves before she turns into a blubbering mess and the reader is left sinking in that mess trying to figure out what's happening while there's a dolphin jumping about and moaning crab singing about how great it is on the other side.) So if we put it into that context, then a negative in my life is also a positive, which, segway, let's reflect on the positives from 2017!

Let me say that these are in no particular order... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That stupid mistake. I realized my stupid mistake and I'm going to be more conscientious of my thoughts and actions so I won't commit the same mistake again.
My skin. This year I let my skin heal and breathe after hitting a rough patch with a skincare line and then covering it up with loads of makeup that made the situation worse. My skin is so much better now after letting it breathe! It doesn't look bruised anymore (which it never was haha).
Youtube. According to my friends, my editing has gotten better over the past year. Nour recently told me (so a week ago when we last hung out), that she watched from my very first video to my latest and told me she was impressed with how I've improved. Thank you so much to everyone who supports me with Youtube! I hope to improve in the coming year and produce more content. Keep an eye out on my channel since I'm taking this time off to post all of the content I missed out on (or most of it) since I was sick almost every other month of the year.
Exercising. Okay, even though I'm not at my healthiest, I can say that for once that I made an effort to work out and pretty consistently except for the months when I was sick. Having asthma and getting sick with a cold is never a good mix for me. It tends to get worse even with rest and medication. 😒
Accepting okay. So this might not be obvious, but there are times when I have to be just okay with a situation. If you know what I mean, raise your hand and let's high five. Learning to be just okay is, well, okay! There are some things we can't change, at least for now, but can improve upon in the future. That or we just have to accept and move on and let go. For me, I tossed myself into situations thinking I could sprint when in reality I needed to take baby steps since I haven't exerted myself that much in a long time. (This is metaphoric; I don't do marathons...yet. Now or never -- I dunno, I haven't decided.) And I had to learn to be okay with that as I build myself up to that sprint.
I went to flipping Chicago by myself. That speaks volumes. I want to do travel vlogs badly. No, I just need to travel. I want to spread my wings and learn about the world around me that I've read about in books and saw on the telly. That's daunting and scary, especially to my parents. But, they finally let me go on my own to Chicago so I could take pictures of my niece's first birthday. If you want to see some photos, I'm about to flood my Instagram with them because I finally finally finished sorting through and editing (minor) them so that my cousins could have their pictures after a MONTH. Finally is an understatement at this point. Bottom line: I travelled by myself for once.

There are so many things left on this list now that I'm sitting here thinking about it while listening to Edward Avila's livestream playback on Instagram (@edweird0 -- we don't know each other personally. I follow him and that's it.), but I can't mention all of them. It'll turn into a novel and that's the last thing you need to read on the first day of the new year. I'm grateful I took this time to reflect because, honestly, I was feeling downright crappy about this year passing. I felt like it was completely wasted, but instead I noticed that there was more personal growth than I give myself credit.

As the new year begins in t-minus five minutes, I wish you all the best and brightest new year, the happiest and progressive! May you continue to be you and inspire yourself and those around you. In this coming year, I hope to finally finish the biggest checkmark off my list as well as to stop overthinking everything and just doing. I hope to let myself grow in more ways and I wish the same for you.

Thank you for reading this, and cheers, loves, cheers to 2018!

29 December 2017

Makeup & Skincare Favourites of 2017 ft. Cori (@agirlnamedcori)

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: 2017 . makeup . skincare

Hallo, luverlies!

It's almost the end of the year -- can you believe it? With that said, Cori is back on the channel with me to round up our favourites of the year. We have two videos for you guys to check out, one for makeup and one for skincare! Why two? Well... We can talk a lot, so it felt right to split it up into two videos so we can have that time to talk instead of squashing everything into one video.

Make sure that you've got something to eat and drink or maybe do your daily routine while watching these videos! They're 30 minutes if you watch them back to back, but separately they're 15. You could probably workout to them, now that I think about it....

Be sure to check out the description boxes on both videos for the list of products we mentioned! Cheers and have a great day/morning/evening/whatever!

Much love and warm vibes,

SamiJoie

Favorite Drugstore Dry Shampoo for my Asian Straight Hair