I still can't believe it's been more than a month since I moved to the United States! It feels like a life restart again because everything is different from what I'm used to. Thank God, I truly enjoy life here in Missouri, especially the people and the weather. There's not so much pollution compared to the city where I lived before, that's for sure.

Several days ago, the ladies of my husband's family arranged a bridal shower party for me. I truly had no expectations, but one thing I knew for sure, they put so much effort into doing this. On Saturday morning, they came to our house and asked me to hide because they were going to prepare for the party. After only a few hours, they allowed me to come out - they turned the garage into a beautiful tea party! I couldn't believe they made it perfect, I couldn't help but burst into tears.

I would say it's a very sentimental moment for me because I am far from my home in Indonesia, but they truly treat me well as a new member of the family. It was one of the best days ever in my life. We spent the afternoon tea with some foods, sweets, games, and a lot of gifts. 

I am showered with love! Truly blessed to have my mom-in-law, grandma, and my twin sisters. Don't you think they are really talented?

They decorated the tables with a lot of pictures of me, my husband, and our families ❤️

I met my mom-in-law's best friend, Ashley. She's very friendly!

Watch more here:

A pre-wedding photoshoot is tricky sometimes, especially when your partner is not into the camera and you love the camera. Yeah, I feel that situation. I am blessed with a man who doesn't really care about his look on the camera, but it also challenges me when we plan for our pre-wedding photoshoot. Did I get stressed? Obviously. This moment only happens once in a lifetime, of course, we want to make it memorable and sweet. So, since we successfully passed this phase, I am urged to share with you my pre-wedding photoshoot tips so you can make the best of it.

1. Set a budget

First things first, budget. Make sure you and your partner have discussed the budget for the photoshoot, including the photographer, videographer, studio or photoshoot location, outfits, and stylist (if you prefer to use). For my fiancé and I, we are very blessed to collaborate with Indonesian photographer and videographer based in Surabaya, MATE. They specialize in pre-wedding and wedding photoshoots and I can tell that they're really professional and friendly. By collaborating with them, of course, it cuts the budget for the photographer and the videographer, plus I am my own stylist. Super blessed!

Notes: When you do research for the photographer, make sure their portfolio aligns with your dream photoshoot.

2. Create more than one moodboard

Going with one concept is fine, but you can't expect what happens in the location. Hence, opt for more than one concept so when the first plan doesn't look satisfying, you can try with the second plan. For my fiancé and I, I made two concepts: West Meets East and Alpha and Omega. I brought those concepts because he comes from Western culture and I am from Asian culture, and also, he is the firstborn while I am the lastborn in the family. 

On the set, he initially wore a cowboy hat, but it turned out the location was not as good as we expected, the sun was also too bright, and the cowboy hat doesn't really represent a cowboy. Thank God we still have more moodboards, so we can go ahead with another one. 

Notes: I use Pinterest to collect the references, then I put them on my Google Slides.

3. Do not follow trends

Stick to what will everlasting instead of following the trends because trends will fade with time. Imagine if you hang your pre-wedding photo on the wall and you did it based on the current trends (for example: Y2K trends), 10 or maybe 20 years later, you might find it weird or silly. For us, we stick to simplicity. Plain background, homey studio, neutral color scheme, so the photos will be more focused on our moments, not the ambience. Please remember that the location is just to support your photoshoot, not to become the center of attention.

4. Communicate with your photographer team clearly

Explain your ideas, concerns, and difficulties at least a week before the photoshoot. Make sure they are aware of your insecurity, for example, I prefer my left side profile rather than my right side, and I also asked them to speak in English because my fiancé cannot speak in Bahasa Indonesia. 

5. Build mood with your partner before the photoshoot

I still remember that time in the morning, I was quite cranky because of a lack of sleep (I stayed up all night to make the bridal veil, lol). Thank God, my fiancé really knows how to win my heart. He comforted me on the way to the studio until my ice broke, so we could have a very good connection during the photoshoot. Trust me, your mood truly impacts the result (watch the video below).

I hope these tips are helpful, and if you're still waiting for the right one, don't worry. Keep praying to God to prepare you and your future husband or wife, so by the time you meet them, you know he or she is the one from God. 

Here's the result of our pre-wedding video by MATE team, enjoy :)

xoxo,

Chelshea Flo

As someone with combination skin, finding the right skincare products is a real challenge. Oily in the T-zone, dry on the cheeks, and prone to breakouts - it's a delicate balance that can be tough to maintain, especially when I live in a tropical country, Indonesia and you want to achieve Korean glow looking skin.

But recently, I've discovered a skincare gem that has transformed my routine: XTRACARE. If you haven't read my recent article about it, let me explain to you a little bit. XTRACARE is a brand that prioritizes skin health under the well-known pharmacy company in Indonesia, Interbat Aesthetic. XTRACARE aims to combine leading technology with clinically proven natural goodness with a range of skincare products that are dermatologically proven to be efficacious and safe. Science and nature are in harmony.

Based on my skin concern, I tried their Xtrabarrier series which has 5 types of skincare, but this time I am going to review 4 of them, so without any further introduction, let's get into the review!

1. IONIC GENTLE CLEANSER

What it is:

Review: 

Xtracare Ionic Gentle Cleanser is a true game-changer for those with sensitive skin. Its soft, creamy texture feels incredibly gentle on the skin, and the fresh scent is invigorating without being overpowering.

Key Features:

• Gentle Cleansing: Removes impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture.
• Soft and Creamy Texture: Provides a luxurious cleansing experience.
• Refreshing Scent: Uplifts the senses.
• Easy Rinse-Off: Leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed.
• No Greasy Residue: Ensures a non-greasy finish.

I'm impressed with Xtracare Ionic Gentle Cleanser. It's a fantastic option for those seeking a gentle, effective, and refreshing cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling clean, soft, and hydrated, without any irritation.

Rate : 4.5 out of 5

2. IONIC REGENERATING BOOSTER

Review:

Xtracare Ionic Regenerating Booster is a lightweight, gel-watery serum that promises to hydrate and revitalize the skin. While it has a calming scent and a pleasant texture, it does take a bit longer to absorb than expected.

Key Features:

• Lightweight Texture: Feels refreshing on the skin.
• Calming Scent: Provides a soothing sensory experience.
• Hydrating Formula: Delivers essential moisture to the skin.

The serum has a unique, gel-watery texture that feels refreshing upon application. However, it takes a bit of time to fully absorb into the skin. Once it does, it leaves the skin feeling hydrated and supple.

While the product is effective in hydrating the skin, the longer absorption time might be a drawback for some.

Rate: 3.5 out of 5

3. IONIC NOURISHING CREAM

What it is:

• Nourishing face cream for dry, delicate and stressed skin
• Formulated with patented XTRABARRIER™ technology
• Combines Ion Balancing Minerals, Vegan Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrolized Collagen
• Provides weightless hydration & redness relief for sensitive skin

Review:

Xtracare Ionic Nourishing Cream is a delightful skincare product that offers a luxurious and hydrating experience. The sleek, elegant tube packaging adds to its appeal.

Key Features:

• Lightweight Texture: Easily absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy.
• Hydrating Formula: Provides deep hydration to the skin.
• Calming Effect: Soothes and calms irritated skin.
• Elegant Packaging: Adds a touch of luxury to your skincare routine.

The cream has a lightweight texture that glides smoothly onto the skin. It absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft, supple, and well-hydrated. The calming scent is subtle and pleasant, making it a relaxing addition to my skincare routine.

Xtracare Ionic Nourishing Cream is a fantastic choice for those seeking a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer. Its elegant packaging and effective formula make it a luxurious treat for the skin.

Rate: 5 out of 5 (highly recommend)

4. IONIC HYDRATING LOTION

What it is:

• Non-greasy hydrating lotion for dry, delicate and stressed skin
• Formulated with patented XTRABARRIER™ technology
• Combines Ion Balancing Minerals, Vegan Ceramides, Jeju Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside
• Absorbs quickly to provide lasting hydration, skin barrier protection and redness relief

Review:

Xtracare Ionic Hydrating Lotion is a lightweight, refreshing lotion that provides an extra boost of hydration to the skin.

Key Features:

• Lightweight Texture: Easily absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy.
• Hydrating Formula: Provides essential moisture to the skin.
• Pleasant Scent: Offers a subtle, refreshing fragrance.

The lotion has a pleasant, light scent and a thin, watery texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and refreshed without any sticky residue. While it does provide additional hydration, it might not be enough for those with extremely dry skin.

A small addition of SPF would make this lotion even more versatile and protective.

Rate: 4.75 out of 5

Overall, I am happy with the result of Xtrabarrier series, it keeps my skin glowing, healthier, and plumpy. If you're more into whitening series, they also have another series, Xtrawhite.

Did you know that this brand is the only brand that uses calcium and magnesium in the world? 

So, if you're interested, you can check out their product soon at:

Venus Glow Clinic by dr. Dinda Yuliasari, M. Biomed (AAM)

Instagram: @venusglowclinic @dr.dindayuliasari Google Maps: https://g.co/kgs/aVV32nb

Or you can also checkout their website at: xtracare.id

Also read: Natural, Tech Skincare is The Most Sophisticated Beauty Trend of 2024