Monday, June 25, 2012

Boost your skin with this beauty secret!

Like many other people, I also do struggle with very dry skin on my body. I learned a few tricks or two over the years to fight this. What's better than share one of my beauty secrets with our readers?

The secret is - BODY OIL. For several years I have been using body oil to keep my skin hydrated and soft. I usually use Johnson & Johnson baby oil, because it is cheap and simple, and it moisturizes pretty good. But the last couple of years, I have found Bio-Oil. It claims to work against scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, ageing and dehydrated skin - or at least improve the skin. This one is much thinner than baby oil since it contains "PurCellin oil", so it should absorb better into your skin. It is preservative free and has natural oils like lavender, chamomile, rosemary and calendula, and vitamin A and E.

I bought this oil after reading fairly good reviews about it online. (Generally, I recommend everyone to read reviews about a product online, if you are not sure whether to buy it or not.) To be honest, I have not seen much difference in acne scars or stretch marks (maybe because I am not good at using it every day), but it does moist your skin pretty good. I recommend to use the Bio-Oil right after you shower, since that gives you the best effect by locking in moisture. Even though it says you can use it on face and body, I only use it on my body. You are supposed to apply it twice daily for at least 3 months. If you are pregnant, you should apply it more often and for a longer time to avoid stretch marks.

Either way, it works as an extra boost to hydrate your skin in combination with your regular body butter/ moisturizer, if a regular moisturizer is not enough for your skin. (We recommended our favorite body butter and body lotion earlier here, which can be combined with this body oil.) Bio-Oil is fairly priced, and you can either buy it online, or get it at drug stores such as Long's. The Bio-Oil also comes in different sizes depending on your need. If anyone tried this product, please leave a comment under the post. Thanks!

xoxo
Pineapple

Monday, June 18, 2012

Our favorite body butter and body lotion that makes a difference!

Pineapple:

Do you have super dry skin? Does it even itch sometimes because it is soooo dry? Well, I admit it...I do. I even get eczema on my elbows, especially in the winter since cold weather makes your skin even drier. I tried pharmacy brands such as Apobase and other heavy creams, that are supposed to help against this. But it did not help me. One day my friend showed me Shea Body Butter from The Body Shop. I have tried other types of body butter from this brand, but nothing have worked in the same way such as the Shea Body Butter. In days I saw improvement against my dryness and eczema. It really made a difference! It feels heavy to begin with when you take some in your palms, but it does not feel greasy. It really hydrates your skin, and leaves no residue. After using this product, my skin is much softer, even and moist than before. It is perfect to use after shaving. Just let it soak in for a bit, before you put your clothes on. And the smell....Mmmmh, I love it!

The only downside is that it cost 170 NOK in Norway, which is about US $28. You can buy it online at The Body Shop's homepage here for only $19 for the regular size (6.9 oz). This one is also available in jumbo size (13,5 oz). There is also a store at Ala Moana Mall where you can get it. When I go back to the US, I am sooo getting a couple of the butters.

Mango:

I am also a huge fan of Body Shop. Actually my love of the mango scented Body Shop products was partly how I earned my nickname. I use the shower gel, the body scrub and the new multi-purpose beautifying oil (I use it for the hair). I have tried the Body Butter, and while I love the feel and texture of it, my skin does not. My skin is pretty smooth with occasional dryness, but for some unknown reason, it has always had a very hard time absorbing lotions. Most sunscreens and moisturizers will leave me shiny for hours and hours, and if I apply lotion or moisturizers before going to bed, I still feel it on my skin in the morning. For people with this problem, I do not recommend the Body Butter, as it is very thick. Instead I recommend using the Mango Whip Body Lotion. It has the same effect, but it is a bit lighter and therefore absorbs better and faster. If you get the Body Butter for this skin type like mine, you will just end up washing off a lot of it next time you shower. If I have a really dry spot I use the Body Butter, but otherwise I stick to the Body Lotion, which really works wonders on my skin. And don't you just feel better when you smell like the tropics? I know I do!

xoxo
Mango & Pineapple

A new makeup brand from Victoria's Secret - VS PRO Makeup

Victoria's Secret just launched their new makeup brand called VS PRO Makeup. This includes primers, powder, concealer, face illuminator, eye brightening pens and so on. They are supposedly inspired by the world's top makeup artists, and these are the results.

The prices are pretty affordable, and range from $ 12 to $ 18. They remind me of Sephora's own brand, and if they are as good as them, I might wanna try some of the products. If I do end up trying out some of these, I will definitely write a post about it.

You can buy them at the VS shop at Ala Moana Mall or in Waikiki (Kalakaua ave). They can also be bought online here.

xoxo
Pineapple

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Make your iPhone shine!

Aloha,

Are you tired of having the same phone or at least tired of looking at the same old phone day in and day out? Well, what is a better way than to spice up your phone or make it shine with a new cover? Personally, I like to change the cover for my iPhone 4S now and then. It is a creative way of renewing your phone whenever you want.

There are tons of different covers for this phone, and I want to share with you some of my faves.

I just bought this one from H&M today. It was only NOK 29,50 (it is about $5). They have similar cases in different colors and patterns.

IPhone case from J. Crew - $ 25.

Bow tie crystal covered case from Girly Shopping - € 53.

Handmade Butterfly Crystal covered Case for iPhone 4/4S from Ebay. $20.99.

From J. Crew - $ 25.

Case from Louis Vuitton - $ 300.

Case from iphonexcases.com for $ 8.99.

Hawaiian inspired cover with plumeria flowers from zazzle.com for $ 47.95.

Other inspirational covers:

xoxo

Pineapple

Friday, June 8, 2012

Golden inspiration

Aloha,
How about some golden inspiration? Gold is very flattering during the summer months, especially on tan or darker skin tones. Gold can look tacky or cheap if you choose the wrong shade or material. Be careful about over-doing it. So the secret is; less is more.

I put together some of my favorites accessories in this blogpost. Some of them are cheap (in price) or rather pricy. But you will find something suitable for your budget here.

PS. We appreciate that our page is seen/ read by more and more people for every day that goes by. Please share our blog with your friends, family or co-workers, and please leave a comment. Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much)!

xoxo
Pineapple

Necklace from H&M

Ring from H&M

Bracelet from H&M

Ring from H&M

Clutch from H&M. I am still debating on getting this clutch or not.

Golden ear studs from Forever21 - $ 3.90.

Gold peep toe shoes from Christian Louboutin.

Gold nail polish from OPI. Love it!

Set of bracelets from H&M

Gold eyeshadow is very flattering on darker skin tones.

Gold bracelet watch from Guess.

I just adore this cute necklace with sea shell pendant from H&M. Just got this yesterday.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Beach it up!

Aloha,

So when you live in Hawaii, a beach bag is essential. So I thought a post about beach bags would be appropriate on our blog. A beach bag should have a lot of space; space for your towel, sunglasses, shoes, extra clothes, sunscreen lotion, bikini, maybe a bottle of water and so on. And it should feel light, not too fancy, and should tolerate getting sand on/ in it. Here are some of the beach bags that I like, that might inspire our readers to get one that they like.