Hey tramanh, I think the problem with your feet is due to the fact you might be wearing tight narrowed shoes thats why the bunion has occurred. I wore ballet flats to work and suddenly I had sore bunions and they slowly popped out. Then I decided not to wear those shoes again and they had reduced itself and don’t pop out anymore!

Tramanh:  YEAH, MAN.  That’s partly the reason why I don’t wear ballet flats.  I find the sort of painful to wear for long periods of time.  Although pointy-toed shoes feel better to me for some reason.  Maybe I have trained my bunions to rest in a pointy stiletto shape. =(

tramanh - i should clarify, either i haven’t seen them or you haven’t posted outfit pics that reveal your tattoo since that original tattoo pic.

Tramanh:  I don’t often wear crop tops I guess?  It wasn’t meant to be seen on the regular lol.  You can kind of see it in this video.  http://www.phi-style.com/?p=2255

If you stop using the acv, do the blemishes come back? Is it a treatment that you have to keep up with?

Steph: Yes, it is a toner so just like any facial regimen product (face wash, toner, acne medication, etc.), it’s wise to keep it up.  I switch back and forth between ACV and a regular toner (Burt’s Bees) because I don’t want Ryan to call off our wedding, and my acne hasn’t returned….yet I still continue to use ACV at least 3-4x a week.  I really like the way my complexion looks using ACV so I don’t see a definite end to it yet.

Steph, did you try adding the oil to your acv to mask the smell? If so, did it work?

Steph: I MEANT to buy it this weekend, but I was so tired from my travels to and from Austin, I haven’t yet.  Also, since I’m in a hotel room all alone this week (back in Austin), I totally figured I have a chance to be as stinky as I want to be!

There’s a Whole Foods by my office in Austin, so I think I’m going to purchase a little vile this week.  I don’t know what smell I would want, a part of me wants lavender because I use ACV at night and would find it soothing, but I’m unsure how it would mix.  Another part wants me to try like a citrus smell (e.g. orange or lemon) because i think it’ll compliment ACV better.  

I’ll buy it this week or weekend & blog / Tweet about it.  Sorry for the delay!

tramanh, do you use retin-a while you’re using the acv toner? if so, do you use the toner first before applying the retin-a?

Steph: Gonna step in and answer this one in case Tramanh is too busy, and because I do both.

Yes, I use Retin-A as well as ACV for my nightly routine: I wash my face with my Clarisonic, then apply a diluted version of ACV with a cotton ball, let it absorb, apply Retin-A, and then a nighttime moisturizer.  So far, I haven’t seen any negative effects, my skin isn’t very dry (because I dilute ACV and I use a moisturizer).  So far, it’s been a pretty solid routine for my skin.

hey girls, does ACV work for sun spot? those spot corrector cream doesn’t work for me.

Steph: It doesn’t really help with sun spots, more for acne and overall a clearer complexion and glow.

I would recommend you seeing a derm for other treatment options.

Tramanh and Steph, how is the ACV working? Any improvements of skin (scars, clear-er, eveness, less pimplesetc.)? Do you ladies also drink it? Still hesitant to try it!

http://www.askphivy.com/post/21660370830/what-exactly-is-acv-supposed-to-do-for-your-face-i

http://www.askphivy.com/post/21327819337/thanks-tramanh-steph-for-answering-my-question-about

http://www.askphivy.com/post/21268139841/hey-tramanh-i-went-out-to-buy-braggs-organic-acv

http://www.askphivy.com/post/22851690717/does-apple-cider-vinegar-work-for-blemishes-i-have

Steph: Both Tramanah and I heart ACV; we love it!  Refuse to give it up even though it makes Tu and Ryan gag, lol.

Both of our skins (is it skin or skins?) have improved, less pimply, better tone, better complexion all around.  I wrote about it on my blog here: 

http://hoisinivy.blogspot.com/2012/04/opposites-attract-product-reviews.html

Tramanh did try to drink it once or twice, but that’s about it.  I’m afraid it’ll give me an ulcer, LOL.

Do you ladies have light hyper pigmentation on your upper lip? I just start to notice mine and I am severely annoyed of it. Any recs on how to make it go away? I feel super conscious about it and even makeup doesnt help.

Steph: Hmm I do not (I don’t think?), you might want to see a derm or even maybe a beauty consultant a beauty counter to see if they have any recommendations.  Sorry!! :(

tramanh, can you post pics of your tatoo?

Tramanh:  Day I got it.

Tramanh, where did you get your digital perm done in Houston?

Tramanh: Sorry, I forget the name, but it was a Korean place on Longpoint. My Korean friend had to accompany me lol.

hi Stephanie, I don’t know why when i try to line my lips i end up looking like a sad clown. I naturally have a pouty/unhappy lips when i’m not smiling. And lining it highlighting it even more. is there a proper way to line your lips? i can’t keep smiling the entire time because that would make me look crazy.

Steph: Is it just the lining that makes you look like a sad clown or is it wearing lipstick in general?  A great way to line your lips without looking like a chola (unless that is the look you are going for) is to line your lips after applying your lipstick.  

Doing that:

1. Helps blend in the color of the lipliner and lipstick if it doesn’t match 100%
2. Creates a precise line on the edges of your lips without creating a barrier between your lipstick and your lipliner.
3. Helps soften the look of the lipliner so you don’t know where your lipliner begins and where lipstick ends.

Tramanh and I personally use red lipliners for red lipsticks but nude lipliners for pinks and any other lipsticks.  Try using a nude to help soften the look so it’s not so sharp. Doing so should really help the way your lipliner sits.  

dru, is it a turnoff if a girl has a lot of piercings? are there particular parts of the body, where you would be turned off if the girl got a piercing there?

Dru- Depends on where the piercings are. If they’ve got a ton of piercings on their face, then yes, it’d be a bit of a turnoff. I don’t mind a million piercings on the ear as long as it’s not like, those plugs on the lobes- I think that’s a deal breaker. Not a fan of piercings on the face (lips, eyebrows, etc), but maybe it’s because I’m older now. The other piercings I’m indifferent to- they can go wild, I suppose, as long as it’s not too visible. Let’s just say piercings don’t really add to the appeal, but having it in a particular location would definitely detract from the overall aesthetic.

Steph, if you do get a microdermabrasion, can you blog about it let us know how it goes? (i.e. before and after/pain tolerance/etc) Thanks!

Steph: Yes, for sure!!

Best long lasting lipstick?

Steph:

• NARS semi-matte lipsticks (My favorite is Funny Face)
• MAC matte lipsticks (Russian Red)
• Sephora Cream Lipstain (Always Red)

I pick my face a lot, therefore I have a lot of faint scars on my face. Any recommendations for cream to help with scaring? Thanks.

Steph: Some OTC stuff like Clinique’s Dark Spot Corrector may help, but I haven’t used it long enough to see results.  I personally use a prescription Retin-A and have seen improvement.  As I mentioned before, I’m also planning on getting microdermabrasion and doing those types of “resurfacing” should also help with scarring.  Of course, the best solution is to NOT PICK YOUR FACE.  (Hey, I’m guilty too)