The Little Bra Company

I have small boobs. That's a given, once you look at me. When I was in middle school, and all my friends' boobs were coming in, I excitedly waited for mine. They never came. Over the years, I've gone through many stages of mixed emotions on my little boobs, but have come to appreciate and actually prefer my smaller chest over more voluptuous ones. Small boobs are more high fashion (when have you seen a Vogue editorial with DDs?) and I don't need to wear a bra or even bikini top with serious support like gals with probably C+ boobs do. Plus, big boobs just aren't my style (side note: I actually am really fascinated with big boobs. I love them, but they're just so not me). I just feel like I would be really uncomfortable with them and afraid that I'd look like one of those heavily-made up skanky Asian chicks. Many girls can pull off big tatas - I am not one of them.

However, small boobs aren't without their disadvantages. While it's nice to have a smaller chest for the reasons stated above, finding bras and bikinis can be a laborious task. Growing up, I always wore Victoria's Secret because they were the go-to brand of every teenage and college girl. They were younger and prettier, unlike the matronly bras at many department stores. But I really, really didn't know my size. I'd start out with 32A, because that was always the smallest size, but then would sometimes purchase 34A (totally wrong!). A couple times I was measured to a 32B, and one time a few years ago at Bloomingdales, the lady measured me to be smaller than a 32, but told me they only carried 32. So I then started buying 32B bras. But even after purchasing all these bras in a plethora of small sizes, they almost always gapped at the top of the cups (especially when sitting), and looked too big for my body. I rarely bought bras anymore - the time-consuming failure of a search had turned me into a bra-pessimist. Woe was me.

The bras that fit the best until TLBC. From top to bottom: Victoria's Secret Pink Push Up Bra 32B, Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Demi Bra 32B, H&M printed bra 32B, The Little Bra Company Yvonne 30B

Then one day, I randomly came across a video on YouTube and discovered The Little Bra Company. These bras are made especially for petite women and small boobs such as my own. After much debate and research on bra styles and sizes, I ordered the mocha Yvonne Bra in a size 30B. When I received it, I finally knew what a properly-fitting bra should be. It was almost perfect - maybe slightly tight in the band and a smidgen small in the cup, but I'd read they stretch, so it was fine. I did the LBC's scoop technique, and lo and behold - I was boobilicious! Or more accurately, I gave off the impression that I was boobilicious. From the side particularly, my boobs actually looked somewhat big. Not only did the bra fit, the bra was pretty. The lace detail on the band and the straps adds a nice feminine touch, so if I ever wanted to wear a shirt where they may be exposed, I wouldn't need to worry about thick ugly lactating-bra style straps showing. I fill out the cups and there is no gapping. Finally, I'd found a bra that fit. And because I was so excited, I wanted to get many more. Next on my list? The Lucia, possibly the Sascha if a strapless is needed, maybe the Nicole for something more fun?

I've recommended these bras to my fellow small-breasted friends and will continue to do so. Just as big boobs need specially designed bras, so do little ones. Now if only TLBC expanded to swimwear (hint, hint)!

For reference, I am 5'4", approx 97 lbs, size 24/00/XS, extra narrow torso.

Vintage Peignoir

The only thing I miss about my old, odious job from 2008-2011? The House of Return thrift store on Washington, just a minute away from the office. It's a no-frills type of place run by some lady with lots of makeup and heavy brown bangs who really isn't too friendly, but who cares? This is a Jewish thrift store, not Barneys. As long as she isn't a total heinous bitch, I don't mind. I can usually find something great and unique here, and that alone overrides the lack of customer service. Of course this type of store isn't as edited as a place like The Way We Wore, and you have to dig through lots of faded black Express dresses from the mid-90s and shoulder-padded Escada suits to find your silky beaded tops, but it's totally worth it.

Anyway, after a short day at work a couple weeks ago, I decided to make the trip out to Culver City and take a gander at what was in store. Immediately, I found this lacy, perfectly flowy peignoir set sitting in front of their "designer" rack. It's by vintage designer Tosca, and similar or exact peignoir sets like this go for $200+ online (under $50 for me!). I pictured myself in this, perched at my mirrored vanity whilst spritzing perfume on or powdering my face with a big, exaggerated pouf. I had to have it.

The picture obviously doesn't do it justice. It's super pretty and delicate, with pearl buttons, and is in excellent vintage condition. Once I get my own place, I will wear this and float around my apartment with a cigarette and glass of champagne in hand. I mean, what else would you do with a peignoir set such as this?

P.S. The cigarette is all for looks. I think smoking is one of the worst things in the world, next to bleu cheese and dentists.

BBMine

So... I'm a bad Asian. I can't speak my language, I'm bad at math, and I just bought my first BB cream. And I love it (the cream).

About a year ago, I posted about Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer and how much I loved it, that I had found a makeup product I would happily smear all over my face. And while I do love it, for some reason, I just never really wear it. I still have the tube, but I don't wear it regularly, or even once a month. I think it's because although I do like it, it's not very matte, and it makes my face feel kind of slippery or wet or something. I know, I know. This can probably be fixed with some loose powder. But I really don't like the feeling (and look) of a lot of makeup on my skin.

That is, until I bought the Missha Perfect Cover BB cream last week. I was at the Japanese store inside the mediocre Westside Pavilion mall, and picked it up in shade 23. It wasn't a complete impulse buy - I had researched this particular BB cream before and had the same cream in shade 27 in my Amazon cart. 23 was the darkest shade the store had (for all the Asians who want pale, porcelain skin), but I wanted to buy it anyway because it was available in person.

As it goes whenever I get new beauty products, I went online immediately for reviews. I had heard that Asian BB cream shades were slightly grey and that was what worried me most since I'm tan with yellowish undertones. Another concern was that I seemed to be darker than most of the reviewers who used this shade. Most recommended shade 23 for NC25-30 skin tones, and I think I'm more of an NC30-35+. But surprisingly, this BB cream was fine. It comes out of the tube greyish, but oxidizes into my skin without any major issues. It's thicker than my Laura Mercier TM, but it also leaves my skin more matte, and really doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my face. It evens out my skin and covers minor flaws like undereye darkness. And the best part? The SPF42, and the supposed fabulous qualities it has - anti-aging, whitening, and overall evening out of the skin.

And even though shade 23 works fine for me, I'd probably still try shade 27 because I do think it would be a better match overall. I've read it has more yellow undertones and is more suited to those who are NC30+. I think the 23 may leave a very slight grey cast on me, but nothing that anyone would really notice unless I pointed it out. I would also recommend the Asian brand BB creams over the American versions. I've heard the American ones are just glorified tinted moisturizers without as many skin benefits, and I always like to use the version closest to the original as possible.

So far, I've worn it every weekday (I avoid makeup Saturday mornings/afternoons) and I haven't felt like I did with the Laura Mercier - somewhat wet, and afraid that if I touched it with anything, it would leave a big orange/brown smear. We'll see how long this honeymoon period lasts. I find it really hard to continuously use certain makeup products on a daily or regular basis. Aside from eyeliner or mascara, everything else just kinda sits in my bag and expires (hello Tom Ford Indian Rose lipstick). But so far, so good!

Update 3/19/13: Still loving and wearing this BB cream on a week-daily basis! I think the combo of high SPF + slight coverage did it for me. It's more than just a makeup product, it's a skincare product as well. I just ordered the 27 from the Missha site, however, so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully it'll make me more glowy.