Beauty is Simple, Sophisticated Dressing

This post is dedicated to my deep love of fashion. And because beauty encompasses not only how we carry ourselves in our skin, our smiles, our teeth -- but I think, simply put, that it has just as much to do with how we wear ourselves too.

I hope you enjoy.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Smart Beauty Packing for Air Travel

It's taken me awhile to conquer the plum amount of products, in skincare and make-up, to bring along with me for my travels. There were the days in my 20s where I lugged the Samsonite travel case or Shu Uemura Box with me, and every new-fangled fashion and beauty accoutrement I had accompanied me. Now, with my busy mom i.d., it's all about being as weightless (therefore swift for being on the go) as possible. But of course, still having all the goods for prettying up and taking care.

Helpful Tips & Goods for Smart Beauty Packing (Air Travel) :

1) Travel Rules: A simple guideline from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for carry-on packing. Also, it's helpful to put your zip top bag with the liquids, gels and aerosols at the top of your bag, or wherever you can easily access it as TSA rules dictate you are supposed to take the bag out when you remove your shoes, for x-ray screening.

2) Beauty Minis: Drugstores always have travel aisles where you can pick up travel size containers of toiletries, if you don't already have them. Also, here are two great travel sets by Caudalie (Beauty on Board, $15) and Bliss (Sinkside Six-Pack, $22), which you absolutely can't go wrong with -- complete with bags.

3) Makeup Bag Chic: I love this sleek travel case by Marc by Marc Jacobs (Pretty Nylon Small Cosmetic Bag, $78), in the three lovely colors of black, plum and gray. The rectangular shape is optimal for both elegant aesthetics and functionality.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Conceal Like a Pro

Great Tools for Expert Concealing:

1) Disposable make-up sponges

2) Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer -- absolutely luxe!, ($70) 
Gentler to your purse option, with great color span: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, ($28)

3) Nars Flat Concealer Brush ($26)


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Beauty Gifts for the Winning Idea

Spring Gifts: St. Tropez Self-Tanner, Sephora Eye Makeup Remover, Orly Nail Polish, Almay Mascara

The sun feels great here in New York City, and I'm ecstatic that it's finally springtime! I hope you're enjoying the weather as much as I am wherever your home city may be.

I've also been enjoying, as I'm sure you've noticed, making videos for this site.  And I'd love to hear what you'd like to see me shoot about next. Name a general topic in the comment form below, for example -- perfume, eye cream, frizzy hair -- and the person with the winning idea gets the pictured beauty gift.

Winner will be announced next week. Enjoy your day :-).

Update: Due to the amazing response, and incredibly developed ideas, I was forced to pick the idea via random drawing. The winner is Melissa! Thank you all so much for contributing to something so near and dear to my heart -- you'll be seeing the video soon. Stay tuned!

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Outtake Fun: Getting Made-Up for Photos

Brows, eyes and cheeks are made camera-ready with make-up artist Jason Hoffman in this fun video outtake.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Make-Up at My House (Pt. 2): 4-Mins to Ready

Last summer, I posted a video of one of my quick morning make-up routines, with my daughter of course, joining me. This is a follow-up to that -- she's a little older now, and I thought it'd be fun to include a little more detail on what goes on during those four minutes I'm throwing my make-up on. And yes, it takes exactly four minutes. You'll see my clock!

Here's the everyday make-up I do when I'm wanting to look fresh but not overdone. It's just enough to cover up what I don't want to be seen (pimples, blemishes, tired eyes), and fast enough to do even if I'm running a little behind schedule. Enjoy.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

The Mommy Break Sandwich, a Recipe

The Mommy Break Sandwich: homemade simple banh-mi sandwich with a side of iced coffee

I adore my daughter, like all parents love their kids. After the struggle of putting her to bed, I'll sometimes find myself watching videos of her dancing or singing. Even though it seems ironic in a sense, that after those final hours of making and feeding her dinner, bathing her, having her hang and swing from me like a pet lemur, that I'd want any more of her (particularly if she throws an anti-toothbrush tantrum) instead of a break! But of course I do, and we all do. That's why we raise them everyday, despite the hard, because they're so irresistible.

But breaks are highly important. And as mothers, we work incredibly hard to support our families -- and our jobs, as caretakers are 24-7. We're designed to be highly attuned to when our little ones need breaks, but sometimes it's easy to forget when we need our own rest. The last couple of months I'd been running around with the usual busy mom plate, juggling a variety of different projects, and it wasn't until today that I realized what a break I needed. Daddy and daughter were gone to Grandma's for the day, and after some chores I made myself a sandwich. For the first time in a while, as I was tasting the crisp and crunchy cucumber while slicing, and feeling refreshed by the aliveness of the cilantro, I finally absorbed the moment I was in.

As I stood in the kitchen eating in quiet, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I then encouraged myself to go sit at the table and enjoy my tranquil and late Sunday lunch.

Nuy's Banh-Mi Sandwich Recipe 1-2-3:

In Honolulu, where I grew up, Vietnamese banh-mi sandwich shops were as accessible as the popular Subway chain. And one that my friends and I would always frequent after school when we were starving was Ba-Le Sandwiches & Bakery. Given that I am obsessed with cucumbers and cilantro, and both are in the banh-mi sandwiches -- well, I say no more! This is my easy version of the banh-mi sandwich:

1) Start with two slices of your favorite white or French bread, toasted. You may choose to spread mayonnaise (I recommend using the Japanese Kewpie version), or leave plain.

2) Add turkey cold cuts and/or sliced cheese (I suggest a mild one like Provolone or Swiss).

3) Also add sliced Hot House or Kirby cucumbers, and cilantro. Enjoy!

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.