Stepping Through Time with Wong Side of Time at the 2026 SheNYC Festival

August 3, 2026 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

One of my favorite parts of covering theater in New York City is discovering new works that leave a lasting impression, and Wong Side of Time was exactly that kind of show.

All photos credited to Danielle DeMatteo

I had the opportunity to attend the production as press during the 2026 SheNYC Festival, and from the opening number I was completely drawn into the story. The musical was such a fun, heartfelt experience while also exploring themes that felt incredibly relatable. It balances humor, emotion, and history in a way that keeps you invested from beginning to end.

Inspired by the life of pioneering Chinese American actress Anna May Wong, Wong Side of Time follows present-day law student Lucy Wong alongside Anna herself in 1935. When the two women mysteriously switch places across time, they each experience the other’s world, navigating questions of identity, ambition, family expectations, and what it truly means to be seen. While the premise is fantastical, the emotions at its core feel grounded and deeply human.

Presented by Epheverie Theatre Company as part of the 2026 SheNYC Festival, the production features a book and lyrics by Scarlett (Chenchen) Long, music and additional lyrics by Wren Mied, direction by Alexandra Haddad, and music direction by Emma Bella-Bass Lawrence. Every creative element worked together beautifully to bring the story to life, from the thoughtful staging to the seamless transitions between eras.

The cast was fantastic across the board. AJ Liu brought incredible depth and charisma to Anna May Wong, while Mia Soriano delivered a heartfelt performance as Lucy Wong that made her journey feel both authentic and relatable. The chemistry throughout the ensemble created an energetic atmosphere that made every scene engaging, whether the story leaned into comedy or more emotional moments.

One aspect I especially appreciated was the show’s queer representation. It felt naturally woven into the story rather than treated as an afterthought, allowing the characters to exist as fully realized people with complex relationships and identities. Seeing that representation alongside a story centered on Asian American history and legacy made the production feel even more meaningful.

As someone who enjoys musicals that combine entertaining performances with thoughtful storytelling, Wong Side of Time struck a wonderful balance. It celebrates the importance of understanding where we come from while reminding us that every generation faces its own challenges in finding acceptance and pursuing their dreams. Even though the story spans nearly a century, its themes remain remarkably relevant today.

I’m always grateful for opportunities to experience original theater, especially productions that amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives. Wong Side of Time is a wonderful example of how new musicals can educate, entertain, and connect audiences through stories that deserve to be told.

Thank you to the production team and SheNYC Festival for the press invitation. It was a joy to experience this musical!

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Top 5 J-Beauty Products: Haircare Edition

April 16, 2024 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

In today’s post, I’m going to go over my top 5 J-Beauty haircare products! Everything in this post I’ve personally used and consider part of my holy grail list. You can buy any of these from YesStyle – be sure to use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order — yes, you can layer this on top of any ongoing sales and discounts! And YesStyle always has sales going on.

Shiseido – Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask – I first discovered this product when I went to Japan in 2023. This hair mask is the holy grail of hair masks. It makes my hair soft, even if the starting point was really rough and crunchy and dry. My hair is damaged from bleaching, and I noticed that this hair mask works even better than Olaplex for restoring softness.

ViCREA – &honey Creamy EX Damage Repair Hair Oil – This hair oil is so rich and nourishing! I love using this before and after I blow dry my hair to protect my hair, plus add additional moisture. It smells just like honey too!

ViCREA – &honey Melty Matomake Stick 4.0 Super Hold – I love using this for my bangs! It helps my bangs stay in place. The easiest way to style your bangs when you don’t have time to use a curling iron or hair roller. The applicator resembles a mascara wand. And it smells like honey!

DARIYA – Momori Peach Moist & Cohesive Hair Cream – This is another product I discovered during my first time traveling to Japan! I use this hair cream on the mid-lengths and ends of my hair after I finish shampooing, and I leave it in my hair when I blow-dry. The cream also doubles as a hand cream, so rub it into your hands too! It smells like peaches.

Mandom – Gatsby Moving Rubber – When I had short hair, this was my holy grail for hair styling! My favorite is the Air Rise Green version. Perfect for defining short layers, adding volume, and making short hair more fluffy. I also use this to style some of my cosplay wigs! It smells like green apple. Spiky Edge Pink is great if you want spiky hair, and Loose Shuffle Orange works well for messy-on-purpose looks.

Have you tried any of these products? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to ask me any questions you have. If you shop on YesStyle, use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order. Happy shopping!

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K-Beauty Products from YesStyle: Skincare Edition

February 1, 2023 / lolitaland / Leave a comment

In today’s post, I’m going to go over my favorite K-Beauty skincare products from YesStyle. These are all products I’ve used and absolutely love! If you shop at YesStyle, be sure to use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order — yes, you can layer this on top of any ongoing sales and discounts!

FRUDIA – Pomegranate Nutri-Moisturizing Serum – This is the most recent addition to my skincare routine. It’s a great serum to add additional moisture to your skin! This is great for the winter months. You can read my full review of this product in my Instagram post here.

NEOGEN – Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine – I’ve been using this product for about 2 years now, and I love it! It’s a gentle gauze that you can use for a gentle at-home peel. I’ve never tried a peeling facial at a professional salon, so I’m not sure how this compares to a professional facial, but it works great for my sensitive combination skin. I’ve never found any irritation. The gauze also is 2-sided so you can choose which side you want to use (or you can use both!). So easy to use and it’s super fast so you can do it even when you’re short on time.

BANILA CO – Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original – This is my favorite cleansing balm product! It’s creamy and gentle, and it even removes stubborn waterproof eye makeup. It hasn’t irritated my eyes like some other makeup removing products. Highly recommend using this as a first step of cleansing, and then using your face wash or cleanser of choice as a second step at night.

LANEIGE – Water Sleeping Mask – This is my favorite sleeping mask and I use it every winter! I’m currently using their lavender version, which one of my friends gave me as a birthday present. This is the original version, which I used last winter. You apply this mask as the last step of skincare at night, and it doesn’t feel like a mask — it feels more like a moisturizer. It absorbs quickly into the skin and it doesn’t get messy; you don’t have to worry about the mask getting on your pillow when you sleep. In the morning, you wash your face with water and you’re done!

MAY COOP – Raw Sauce – I sometimes try other toners, but this is one of my all-time favorites! I love that it’s a combo toner, emulsion, and essence. It’s literally 3 steps of the Korean skincare routine combined into 1 step! Perfect for busy days where you just want to use this and your moisturizer and you’re done.

COSRX – Acne Pimple Master Patch Set – Whenever I see acne popping up, I stick one of these patches on and it’s gone the next day or within two days (I use the patches at night). So convenient! It’s also great for travel since you can bring one of these with you without any issue in your carry-on bag. The patches are basically round stickers and you stick one on top of the acne.

NEOGEN – Dermalogy Real Fresh Foam Green Tea – This is my favorite cleanser! I’ve been trying lots of different cleansers, but I want to go back to this one. It’s a gentle foaming cleanser that makes your skin feel fresh! I love that there’s real green tea leaves in the bottle. Such a cool touch! The foaming dispenser works fantastic as well and always gives you the perfect amount to cleanse your whole face with just one pump.

THE FACE SHOP – Real Nature Face Mask – One of my favorite sheet masks! The Face Shop Real Nature series has so many options. My personal favorites are the aloe, green tea, honey, lotus, rice, and tea tree masks. They’re so easy to use — just open them up, put one on your face after your toner, leave on for 10-15 minutes, and then remove and pat the remaining essence into your skin. Be sure to save the packets too — there’s always extra essence in there which I use on my neck and arms.

COSRX – Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence – This essence is an affordable product featuring luxury ingredients. It absorbs quickly into the skin, and is safe for sensitive skin (it’s fragrance-free and doesn’t contain any paraben, artificial color, and other unsafe ingredients. There’s 96%. concentration of snail mucus extract in it.

Which of these K-Beauty products have you tried? Let me know what your favorites are in the comments. Use my code 3PEARLS for an additional 5% off your order at YesStyle. Happy Shopping!