Bridal Skincare Tip: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

When this product first came out I wanted it right away but I knew it was for the wrong reasons. I wanted this product because my favorite Chinese singer, Sammi Cheng did a commercial for the product. When I learned of the price, that was another factor for not getting it right away. (There was no way I could pay over a $100 for a toner as a university student. Back then, I didn't know the difference between toner and essence. There is a difference!)

Years later, I heard more and more great things about this product from friends and the occasional bad review. Last November in Vegas, I was buying a new SK-II product from a very pushy sales lady. She insisted that I purchase the Facial Treatment Essence in addition to what I was already buying. She met her match as I was not going to budge. She ended up giving me a large sample of the Facial Treatment Essence. I tried it out and I am in love. My skin feels instantly smoother and hydrated.

I use this product after fully cleansing my skin, no toner, then add a serum, and maybe a moisturizer. Obviously this product is available in the States (Saks Fifth Avenue, no less) but I plan on getting my friends from Hong Kong to pick me up a full sized bottle from duty free the next time they come visit. I'm not sure of the availability in Canada but a quick search indicates you can buy it online at Sephora for $163.00 (5 oz.).

If you have tried this product, please let me know what you think of it too!!

~Monica
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Disclaimer: All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am not a skin doctor rather a wedding planner obsessed with her skin.  I hope to share the skincare products that work for me. I am not paid for any of my reviews. Just sharing tips girlfriend to girlfriend.

Weddings + Starbucks

If Starbucks is very much part of your love story, or if you won't be able to start the wedding day without something from Starbucks, you might as well turn your Starbucks into a photo opportunity. Here are some super cute wedding + Starbucks pictures.

~Monica
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Kay English Photography / kayenglishphotography.com

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Bayside Bride

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Trevor Brucski

Your Duty As Bridesmaid

So you have been asked to be a bridesmaid, are you excited or are you dreading it? Likely you will be excited if it is your first time (but also confused by your actual duties) and dreading it if you have done it before. Embrace your new role and stand by your fave girlfriend as she walks the down aisle. If she turns into a bridezilla before then, remember it is just one day and she will likely turn back into thecharming self that you once loved and would do anything for.

~Monica
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Overwhelmed Bride

Bridal Skincare Tip: Cure Aqua Gel

I learned of this product in a youtube product review video. I was a little intrigued and creep-ed out. The person reviewing the product explained you slather Aqua Gel on your face and then rub it. Your dead skin cells will then start to rub off into little lumps. I jumped immediately onto Ebay and found this product for $50 and it ships from Tokyo. (Feels more legit!) I thought it was worth a try given that tons of Japanese girls swear by this product and it is Japan's best selling exfoliator.

I use this product about once a week when my skin is fairly clear and dull looking. It is a very gentle exfoliator. When using it, you will think it is doing nothing (and you got ripped off) but your skin feels super soft afterwards and you will still be glowing the next day!

I'm not sure if this product is available in Canada, but certainly available through Ebay and Amazon.

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!

Disclaimer: All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am not a skin doctor rather a wedding planner obsessed with her skin.  I hope to share the skincare products that work for me. I am not paid for any of my reviews. Just sharing tips girlfriend to girlfriend.

Papilio 2014 collection

Last week we shared lace gowns from the collection of Stella York. If you weren't able to find a lace wedding gown to your liking,  check out the unique lace detailing of the Papilio 2014 collection. Lace is used in unconventional ways and as accents. If you just want hints of lace on your gown, this collection might just have what you have been looking for! Good luck finding your dream lace wedding gown!!

~Monica
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Your Role in the Wedding Party

You have been asked to be part of the wedding party and it is a huge honor. With huge honor, it comes with huge responsibilities. Whether it is your first or seventh time being part of the wedding party, it is always good to have a refresher on what your actual role and responsibilities are. Knowing your responsibilities will prevent "stepping the toes" of others in the wedding party too! The infographic from Great Speech Writing will definitely keep you in line and ensure you are doing your "job"! 

~Monica
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Bridal Skincare Tip: Kiehl's Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser

I was going to blog about the cleanser that I use with my Clarisonic but after my blog post of last week, one of my blog readers told me she is really excited about this new blog series because she is currently battling with some major breakout. Thought I would share this post first! Good luck R and thanks for reading!!

This is my hard core cleanser I use when I have lots of breakouts due to that time of the month or lack of sleep. It is more on the drying side but I think it is a good thing cause it dries out the acne too. I follow this up with an acne treatment (will discuss in other blog posts cause obviously I don't just use one.) Also, a light weight oil free lotion.

If your big day is coming up, this might be worth a try. Of course, don't over use it for the first time and don't use it with your Clarisonic for the first time. It might be too over-drying if you use both awesome products at once.

Cheers to great skin!

~Monica
If you like our weekly ramblings, LIKE us on our Wishahmon page too! More goes on there!


































Disclaimer: All of the opinions expressed are my own. I am not a skin doctor rather a wedding planner obsessed with her skin.  I hope to share the skincare products that work for me. I am not paid for any of my reviews. Just sharing tips girlfriend to girlfriend.

Celebrity Wedding : Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Although I never had a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head growing up (or a My Little Pony), I have always loved them and grew even more fond of them when I started watching the Toy Story series. I have watched Toy Story a number of times and the latest one showed how brave Mr. Potato Head was to save his friends, how adaptive he was (with the tortilla), and how proud Mrs. Potato Head was of her loved one.

When I saw on Buzzfeed that wedding photographer, Chris Thornton staged a wedding for Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head to teach his young son what he did, I thought he was the coolest dad and he made a dream come true for me. I was able to "see" these two sweetheart' wedding pictures! And most of the gang from Toy Story also attended their wedding too!!

~Monica
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Chris Thornton/Caters

Candles On Ceremony Aisle

Often I've had brides wanting candles on both sides of their ceremony aisle because they want to create a soft and romantic ambiance. I have always been wary of this request only because I don't stop being a worry wart until the bride walks up and down the aisle without catching on fire. When I came across these ceremony pictures, I then realized how silly I have been all these years worrying when I could have just elevated the candles. Duh.

For all my future brides with this same request, this is what I will be suggesting from now on. I think it will create a stunning ceremony for you and it will keep my blood pressure down when you walk down the aisle.

~Monica
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 LUVROX Photography 

Bridal Skincare Tip: Clarisonic

Obviously the Clarisonic is a cult favorite but there is a reason for it. My pink Clarisonic Mia was a gift to me from my BFF. She gave it to me not because my skin needed work but she knew I would really enjoy it. (And I do.)

Most experts say you shouldn't exfoliate your skin more than once or twice a week because it leads to overdrying the skin. I personally exfoliate more than that during the week, (not necessarily with my Mia.) The reason is because I have thick combination skin. (Do what works for your skin.) Without regular exfoliation, I find my skin to be quite dull and grey and prone to blackheads. I recently started to use my Mia in the shower with a cleanser after I've been in my shower for at least five minutes. I like to wait until all my pores are opened up before I start buffing away. Works like a charm every time.

The Clarisonic is available on their website and at Sephora.

~Monica
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Guest List: Who's IN or OUT?

Determining who is IN or OUT on your guest list is a daunting task. Some couples want to invite everyone including the cashier at their favorite sushi joint. Some couples barely want to invite their rowdy family members. The two biggest worries my clients have is the reception costs (More guests = more food needed = more $$$$) and whether to invite people that might not want to spend money on them and waste a weekend.

I've had many clients ask me who they should invite and what the criteria is. One particular couple comes to mind. The groom didn't want to invite his dad because he wasn't part of his life growing up or ever. Having made this decision, the entire family refused to come to his wedding. He was now stuck with over 10 empty seats at the wedding. He wanted to invite his coworkers but he just started his job a couple of months ago. I asked him if he likes his coworkers, if he wants them there, and if they would actually come and be happy for him. The groom answered yes to all the questions and his coworkers were all invited. Judging from the pictures after the reception, everyone had a great time. No "rules" were broken.

If you are trying to determine whether to invite a certain person, here is a handy guideline from Overwhelmed Bride. The chart really gets down to the basics and it works. Couple more questions than I asked my groom, but whatever works. Remember this is your wedding and you can invite whoever you want. Heck you can even invite the Starbucks barista that gets your order right every time without you even ordering and puts your name on your cup correctly. "swoon."

~Monica
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Overwhelmed Bride 

Stella York Fall 2014

When brides decide they want to be a romantic bride, they immediately think of having a lace wedding gown. Stella York's Fall 2014 Collection has a variety of lace gowns in a many silhouettes. Lace wedding gowns for all the romantic brides out there! 

~Monica
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