Weekly Favourites #17

This was supposed to go up on the weekend but I've been so busy! So... what I've used most and have been loving last week were -

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation in 143 - One of the sheerest foundations I own, but if you like your skin to look like skin or if you have perfect skin (jealous!), then you will love this on its own. This doesn't quite justify the price tag of $80 bucks for me, but when mixed with other thicker foundations (I favour the Shu Uemura Lightbulb Foundation to mix or MUFE HD Foundation), the results are darn natural yet still with an oomph of coverage.

Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Concealer in 04 Glow - Refer to glowing review here. I've been getting so carried away in the morning just spot concealing but it's been worth it.

Hada Labo Air Aqua UV SPF50/PA+++ (fresh) - This sunscreen is HG material, babeh. Goes on like a serum, sinks in instantly, so lightweight that I can't feel it, leaves no white cast and keeps me matte all day long. This is a sunscreen like no other, beats the Biore ones hands down.

Selsun 2.5% suspension - This is a very strange item to be in favourites, but here's the backstory. I was stalking reddit/r/skincare as per my recent nighttime reading addiction, and came across some posts that talk about acne being caused by fungus rather than bacteria. The signs of the fungal acne include many small bumps around the hairline and jaw area that don't go away despite using all the traditional acne medications. The anecdotes refer to using anti-dandruff shampoo as a wash or a mask (diluted and spread as a thin layer), specifically Selsun or Head & Shoulders which have the active ingredient of Selenium Disulfide and Zinc Pyrithione respectively. I decided to hunt the Selsun down (no silicones) and give it a shot and whaddayaknow, my little bumps pretty much decreased by 50% after the first use. It also seemed to do wonders for cleaning out my sebaceous filaments (these are not blackheads as most people think!) on my nose and cheeks. I won't say the bumps have completely cleared, but they don't make me want to squeeze them out anymore! So if you are at your wits end like I was, maybe using an anti-dandruff shampoo will work for you. Also, this does tend to be drying so use with caution.

Have a good start of week everyone, and as always, let me know your favourites too!

May 2014 Favourites

May has been a really difficult month for me in terms of skin, and that has continued into June but with some luck, it's starting to look better. Since my skin was being unusually sensitive and reacting to anything and everything, I went back to a brand that I trusted and knew my skin liked and tolerated - Hada Labo. Only their face washes don't work for me and leaves my skin feeling overly cleansed and dry but that shall be a story for another time. 

The Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion has been a staple of mine for years. It is a hyaluronic acid rich liquid that sinks right into the skin. My skin sslluurrppps it up the way a kid drinks coke (or at least the way I drank coke as a kid, massive addiction right there) and there's no sticky feeling after. I think no matter what your skin type is, the boost of hyaluronic acid hydration can't be beat. I also much prefer the Arbutin version over the normal version because it really does brighten up the complexion after extended use. This is probably like my 4th or 5th bottle, not inclusive of the bottles of normal formula Hada Labo Lotion I've used. 

I've used one of the older versions of the Hada Labo Moisturizers a long way back and it wasn't a favourite because it did leave a tacky feeling to my face. Fast forward to the very impressive sounding Hada Labo Ultra Hydrating 3-in-1 Perfect Gel which is supposed to be an essence, cream and mask all in one little tub. While I do still find the formula tacky, this performs really nicely globbed on as an overnight mask and I wake up with soothed and softer skin the next morning. It also works well in very thin layers for day time use.

The Air Aqua UV Day Emulsion SPF50 PA+++ (fresh) is such a gem of a sunscreen. It comes out as a white super liquidy formula that is almost like a serum and basically weightless once on the skin. It contains vitamin C to brighten, sebonotmine that keep the face matte and hyaluronic acid that still keeps the face hydrated (and also some anti-ageing ingredients). In my opinion it almost performs as a primer! This didn't aggravate my skin and the texture is just so beautiful. I currently have dry skin and at the end of the day I can see that my makeup has turned powdery (but still there!), so I do believe this would work well on oily skinned ladies!

I've finally pulled out my Sleek Blush by 3 Palette in Lace, a palette that looks so beautiful but was previously so hard to use because it was so incredibly pigmented. I've finally gotten my hands on a much looser blush brush and that has made an incredible difference in the way these blushes look on the cheek. A looser brush helps to diffuse the pigment and leaves such a sheer wash of colour on the cheeks which is incredibly beautiful. I use the matte colours all over the cheek and pop the centre shimmery nars orgasm-esque shade just on the apples.

Finally, my last favourite is the Tony Moly Gel Eyeliner in 02 Brown. I've been favouring an all or nothing look, so I either go with purely mascara, or a very thick cat eye. With the very intense cat eye look, a black eyeliner look is quite fierce so the brown eyeliner does a great job at softening the look. This gel eyeliner is very creamy and pigmented with all day lasting superpowers and can do no wrong. The bonus is that the built in brush is in the unretarded category and actually usable for touch ups so you can bring this little baby around!

What were your favourites this month? Here's to a better month with skin issues folks! 

Weekly Favourites #17

Hello weekend! My apologies for the lack of posts this week - I have contact dermatitis. On my face. It's the strangest thing ever because I haven't changed my face routine but have large red patches on my face ): So I haven't really had the ability to test out much because all I've been doing is slathering my face in a hydrocortisone cream.

Anyway, weird mix of favourites this week! I purchased this jewellery case/holder in bangkok. It's what can usually be found in jewellery boxes but I've just bought this to slot into my drawers. Not the most ideal for larger rings but it's visual delight in my drawer! Also it's much easier to find my rings now compared to having them all in a bowl or dish and I can also keep track on how many (too many) rings I have! I also like that half of it has no ring slots so I can dump my larger items.

The HadaCrie N810 is something I begged my boyfriend to pick up for me when he had a stopover in Japan on the way back. I've only had it a few days and boy am I addicted. It's a tool that uses sonic vibrations to help cleanse and moisturize the skin. It adds about 20 minutes to my nightly skincare routine but so worth it for blackheads/sebaceous filaments that pop out ever so easily, smaller pores and super duper moisturized (by my standards) skin. I don't have SKII skin but my skin has definitely picked up since getting this tool.

I had a super pared down routine in bangkok and I decided to bring the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair as a do-it-all. I don't exactly remember why I fell out of using it (probably because I moved on to form a relationship with my oils) but it's definitely regained my love. It's a no fuss serum-moisturizer-in-one that does wonders. Also, no greasy feeling and waiting for it to absorb which is a refreshing change.

The Beauty Blender is my go to for foundation application now. It's magic. I don't know how it does it, but the finish it delivers is so refined and unachievable with a brush. Same with blending in concealer. It's also so much easier to wash after each use as compared to a brush and hence way more hygienic.

So that's my little bag of favourites this week (and the last actually). Hopefully my contact dermatitis goes away before monday because I have to go to work (yay//nay working adult!) and I can do some face shots for the upcoming reviews! Wish me luck and have a good weekend!

Weekly Favourites #16

My skin is extremely tiresome. I feel like ever since I visited my derm for my acne about a year ago (mixed results with that), the skin on my forehead has never quite been the same. By that I mean that I have scaly looking skin on my previously smooth forehead. No matter how much hydration and moisture/oil I've fed it, the skin has never been able to repair itself. So I've just about had it up to here and decided to ditch all products except to cleanse, exfoliate, mask and seal to see how it all goes.

The Dr. Morita Repair Essence Ultra Slim Facial Mask is the top dog of my routine right now. I've been using this daily at night and boy do I maximise my usage of each mask. Not exactly advisable to those of you with normal skin, but I actually leave this mask on until it's dried out and sticking to my skin. My skin loves it and drinks it all up. When I remove it, the skin of my previously scaly forehead is perfectly smooth, my face is brighter and more even toned. This is really one of those masks where results are visible. Though I can't say that the results are permanent, I do feel that prolonged usage would aid in making those results a permanent fixture. Oh and p.s. for those who have a squirmy stomache, this mask is not for you because it's based on snail essence.

Alpha H Liquid Gold is another instant results type of product. About an hour after the first time I used it, both my boyfriend and my dad commented my skin looked better. Though granted, my boyfriend could only see me through skype (which may or may not make it more impressive because of the poor resolution). I looked in the mirror and saw that my pores were gone. I find results best when used alone (as per the instructions) and don't be tempted to use it everyday because there really is diminishing returns. I use it more as a pick me up nowadays. Impressive, impressive. 

The konjac sponge is not an everyday fixture in my routine, but I have really been enjoying using it during my nightly cleanse/morning splash for an added bit of exfoliation. I love the spongey soft texture on my face, and don't be fooled by it's texture - it really gives an oomph in the exfoliation department. I also find my skin more moisturized after using this when I wash.

I recently picked up the Star Lash Gel Eyeliner in the pursuit of finding the perfect eyeliner. The packaging is not fancy, but if this eyeliner was just ever so slightly creamier, it would be my HG. But close enough, it's extremely black, extremely waterproof, extremely long lasting even in the waterline/tightline and barely smudges on me with my crazy oily lids. I only wish it tugged less going on like the Rimmel Scandaleyes (this one is sooooo creamy but also smudges like kerayzee on me). Also very pocket friendly at SGD14.90. Quite a winner!

Have a great weekend everyone! Do share with me if we have the same favourites or let me know your recommendations! 

October 2013 Favourites

Hello! It's November!!! I really can't believe how fast time is passing now. It seems just a moment ago I was lamenting the start of my final school year and now the end is actually in sight! Anyway, I'm here for a very parred down October 2013 favourites because I've been extremely nit picky about what has been going on my skin this month. Also, no thanks to my skin being uber sensitive this month, it pretty much reacted to everything that was going on it, even products that it previously did not react to. Sucks to be me! 

Well, let's start with my current obsession with small bags. I currently have 26 small bags dumped into my cart on an online shopping website. That's how obsessed I've been for the past month (or more hehe). I wandered into Topshop the other day, and found this little Topshop Box Chain Suede Bag on sale for half off! Navy blue + rose gold... No way I was giving it up. The crossbody strap is currently too long for me so anyone with ideas on how to shorten it please lemme know! Unfortunately, the not-so-little obsession has not been curbed...

Skincare wise, the star product of the month has to be the Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule. It heals new scars at a phenomenal rate, and provides just enough moisture for my dehydrated yet sensitive skin. I would put this on 5 times a day if I could!

L-R: Majolica Majorca Blush in OR211, Silkygirl Eyeshadow Duo in Mocha Latte, Everyday Minerals Concealer in Pearl Pick me Up, 3CE Full Cover Concealer in 02

I've been watching one too many korean youtube make up videos, which is probably why I'm favouring dewy skin and orange cheeks. The korean dewy skin look is just rather too dewy for my liking, so I make do with the Majolica Majorca Blush in OR211 which is a matte orange blush that isn't too pigmented, and the Everyday Minerals Concealer in Pearl Pick Me Up as a highlighter. Pearl Pick Me Up really isn't a concealer, rather it's a pearly pink powder that works beautifully to brighten up any dull areas of the face and I find using it on the cheeks, nose and inner eye works wonders.

For the eyes, I've been favouring the Silkygirl Duo Eyeshadow in Mocha Latte for its neutral colours. The pinky colour is an almost dupe for Mac's Naked Lunch, and the brown colour can be used to smoke things out for a more intense look. The pigmentation is really good considering that Silkygirl is one of the cheapest lines in the drugstore. 

Undereye concealer can be a pain to find sometimes, with most concealers being too drying for the undereye area. The 3CE Full Cover Concealer in 02 isn't the highest coverage concealer out there, but is very moist (for lack of a better word) for the undereye area and though it doesn't cover everything, it does brighten. It is the most comfortable undereye concealer I've ever used. Used in conjunction with a corrector, the finished look is somewhat glowy and nice. Mine is a sample, but if I had a chance to purchase the full size I would. 

So there are my very few favourites of a month - not a very good month for me in terms of skincare and makeup finds. What are your favourites?

Weekly Favourites #15

Hiya folks! How's the week been? TGIF eh? I actually woke up this morning thinking it was a thursday... and missed my classes because of that. Oops? On the bright side, it gave me time for this post. I haven't really been experimenting too much because my skin's been on the frizz. What I have found to be super duper useful is the Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule.

Yes, it sounds like terrible. I'm putting snail...bodily fluids on my face. Urks! But in all honesty, the Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule just feels like a normal serum despite being...80% snail secretion. That word really wants to make be gag. Anyway, I'm quite psyched about this new purchase because I've literally seen my scars really fade in the last 3 days of owning this product. I'm pretty sure this is physical improvement and not imagined because I've definitely been using less concealer. Also, my dehydrated forehead, something that nothing I used could alleviate, is showing signs of returning back to normal again. I cannot emphasize just how excited I am over the improvements in my skin! Thanks snails, I promise to try my best never to accidentally step on you again!

This week has been a pretty heavy week because of an important presentation I had on wedenesday. That means minimal sleep from last weekend till wednesday and my skin was showing signs of fatigue obviously. Not young anymore! Because of that I've been rather reliant on MeMeMe's Beat the Blues Highlighter in Sunbeam for a glowing complexion. The gold toned highlighter works wonders under foundation for the most subtle sheen on the skin. Fast and easy to use!

I also think I've finally hit the age where I appreciate my  mom's advice of not wearing eyeliner. Boy I am getting old... or maybe I've just hit the age where I feel that eyeliner just makes me look older. Whichever it is, This sample Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in Buttered Bronze has been getting quite some lovin' from me. I do rather like using the brown shade as a wash all over the lid and the white to highlight wherever. Or just the white as a wash to brighten my eyes. Versatile and simple, perfect for eyeshadow resisters like me.

Here are the eyeshadow and highlighter at work, what do you think? What are your favourites? I would love to know!

Weekly Favourites #14

Hiya folks! Sorry I've been slightly MIA, I've been busy with school and my cousin's wedding. Stressful! It was a rather simple and sweet affair, maybe that's why I've been favouring the pinks and nudes this week.

I've been looking out for a simple primer that didn't break the bank, and had an incredibly hard time trying to decide between the matte or hydrating base for the Bourjois Happy Light Base Serum. I'm quite happy I chose the matte version as it's been keeping my skin. The oil control on this is not powerful but it's exactly what I need since my skin tends to get dehydrated so it lets through just enough oil.

With the primer, I've found that I need even less powder and I'm really liking the E.L.F stippling brush to apply powder. Any stippling brush should do the job, but elf's rendition is cheap and doesn't have too many bristles to pick up too much powder. This is the little bear's just right brush.

The Collection2000 Shimmershades in Blushalicious is so awesome I don't even know how I managed to tuck it away. Pretty sure anyone can find their perfect shade in this. I can go pink, or coral, or just highlight even with this nifty little quad. Staying power is pretty darn impressive too.

With late nights galore, I like to pop on MAC's paintpot in Nubile on the lids just to brighten the lids. I find that it makes all the difference in looking that bit more alert. That and a nude liner on the waterline works wonders!

To top everything off, the Etude House Lucidarling Fantastic Rouge Gloss in #6 has been working a treat for a MLBB gloss that hides dry lips for a fantastic pout! A long wearing formula that lasts through small snacks, it's one of the better glosses that I've tried.

What have been your favourites this week? Let me know! 

Weekly Favourites #12

Does anyone else have the problem of blogger auto contrasting and sharpening their uploaded photos? Blogger seems to be doing that to me and I don't know how to stop it! -Tears hair out- I swear, my photos are much softer than seen on this blog ):

Anyway, TGIF friends! It's been a rather stressful week, and the Nip + Fab Pistachio Sundae Dry Skin Fix Body Butter (that's a mouthful) has been my sleep scent this week. This is such a wonderful, homely and comforting scent and really helps me to sleep happy. Some might find the scent extremely strong and artificial because no kidding, this is one heck of a strong overwhelming scent, but I find the scent to dry down to a yummy scent, and I take whiffs of it whenever I can. The consistency is not too heavy like the Bodyshop body butters and my dry legs thank this.

On my face, I've found myself rationing the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in shade 07 for just undereyes and have been reaching for the MUFE Full Cover Concealer for my spots and acne scarring instead. It's as the name says, full cover indeed. It's also quite tacky and dry, so it doesn't shift or fade too much through the day. If you know me, then you  know I'm always looking for ways to shorten the time I spend getting ready and this concealer covers fast.

I've also taken to using the Everyday Minerals Multi-Tasking Concealer to set my undereye concealer, to use as a eyeshadow to brighten up my eyelids, and as a highlighter for the bridge of my nose. Talk about multi-tasking, anyone? Really finely milled and subtly brightens.

Speaking of brightening, my go to blush (for when I'm not reaching for the bronzer trio) has been the NYX Blush in Angel and I use this right under my eyes for a flush of colour. This is light enough to almost not look like blush, and has a pearly sheen to it that adds to the brightening effect that I'm after. Slightly chalky to the touch in the pan, but brilliant on the cheeks!

And to round it all off, tweezing has never been so fun with those uber cute geisha tweezers that my mom picked up for me. I have no idea where she got them, but a quick Amazon search has found them here.

Do we share the same favourites? Let me know!

September 2013 Favourites

Gosh, the months of this year are really flying away! It's so hard to believe it's October already, seemed like just yesterday it was July and we were so proud of ourselves for planning in advance for Halloween! It's really been a busy month, and I've seen myself using these products religiously!

Skincare wise, my skin has been absolutely loving the Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque. I haven't had that oily skin for quite a while now, but this mask has not dried my skin out one bit. I love the refreshing feeling of slapping this mask on, and it really does the job in clearing out the excess sebum and gunk from the skin. My skin feels so soft when I wash this off too. In terms of performance over monetary value, this is definitely holy grail material.

I've also been mentioning the Kitoko Kalani  Super Aqua Gel to no end this month, so it's no surprise it's ended up in my monthly favourites. If you haven't read my past posts, this gel comes out a.. gel (wow big surprise) but upon spreading out on the skin, it turns into water droplets which are then absorbed by the skin. It's super moisturizing despite feeling like water (not even a serum!) and dries down to a nice matte finish. Skin is also smooth after because it does have a tiny amount of silicon in it (not obvious to feel though) and I find that it does calm skin down. I also like to use it on itchy areas of my body.

When I purchased the Kitoko Kalani Gel, the SA also recommended the Tsaio Herb Too Double Scrub Cleanser. I'm not the kind to stick religiously to any single cleanser because I haven't found the one yet, but I might've just found it in this cleanser. The scent is heavenly. It's probably just perfume, but I'm so addicted to the smell I actually look forward to using my cleanser day and night and after taking off my makeup. I've never smelt any other scent like this so I can't pinpoint what it smells like, but it's clean and herby and slightly citrusy. This cleanser is creamy with little pink spheres in it that gently scrub the skin. It's definitely a very gentle scrub and suitable for use everyday. After massaging it into the skin, upon adding more water, this cleanser foams up into micro-bubbles and washes off to leave the skin feeling ever so soft, yet not squeaky nor dry and taut. I can also vouch for its cleansing ability because my industrial strength toner doesn't remove any remnants after using this cleanser.

The Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Essence is something I don't use nightly as the name suggest, but I like to smother my face in this once in a while as a mask. It's not very strong, but I do find skin to feel substantially smoother and look brighter after washing it off.

My last skincare item is not really skincare, but it's this rather unique Chrisyl hairband that can be found only in Takashimaya. It's by no means cheap at SGD$10, but it's just about the most comfortable and secure hairband that I've ever used. When I use this hair band on my bangs, my bangs get a curl that is usually only achievable with tongs or blow drying with a round brush! Super useful for a lazy person like me. The Boy also liked this so much that he purchased one for himself because the teeth of the hairband leave a really nice effect on the hair when worn.

L-R: MAC Wonder-Woman Mineralize Skinfinish in Golden Lariat, MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Tea Ceremony, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, K-Palette 24Hr Real Lasting Eyeliner in Black

Make up wise, my routine has been simplifying itself as I just don't feel like too much makeup is appropriate for a school look. The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard hasn't been with me for a whole month, but it's definitely sticking around. I've been using this in place of any base and it's the best all rounder concealer I've had. It's got high coverage, is not too dry for the undereyes (MUFE Full Cover I'm looking at cha') yet not too hydrating to slip off blemishes. Major heart eyes for this concealer.

I used to think that the MAC Wonder-Woman Mineralize Skinfinish broke me out, but I recently pulled it out of hiding to give it another shot and my skin has not reacted. I think it's because I've gotten slightly fairer that this trio is working so well with my skin. I've been wearing the bronzer mixed with the blush on my cheeks everyday and absolutely loving how it's working with my skin tone now! I also use the highlighter and blush as an eyeshadow when I feel like getting a little more dressy.

Another surprise for me was that I'd been reaching for the MAC Sheen Supreme lipstick in Tea Ceremony as an everyday lipstick. This lipstick is a pinky brown colour and actually almost exactly the same colour as my lips. In fact, it has a little more brown in it than my lips. It doesn't sound great but it photographs quite a peachy brown and just pulls off any look with a bit more polish without being over the top. The vanilla scent of the MAC lipsticks is also irresistible!

I'm definitely an eyeliner girl, and I've ditched eyeliner in favour of mascaras but ever since getting my fringe cut, I've felt like my eyes needed more definition. I had thought that the K-Palette 24Hr Real Lasting Eyeliner I had was running out of ink, but after not using it for a month the ink seems to have come back in full force! This is the easiest eyeliner to work with, having a flexible brush tip. It's also very long lasting and my 2 sisters and I all can profess our love for this eyeliner. To complement the eyeliner with natural lashes, I've been opting for Majolica Majorca Lash King. My formula has dried since I first had it, but it's less clumpy than ever and adds so much length to my lashes that I cannot resist using it. No smudging or flaking and super long lashes, I couldn't ask for anything more!

So there's my lengthy monthly round up - what are your monthly favourites? I'm looking for a chemical exfoliant other than the Paula's Choice ones, any recommendations?

Weekly Favourites #11

How's the weekend going for everyone? Mine is taking a chill pill right before stress sets in, yknow, like the calm before the storm. What I've been finding extremely calming to use is the Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser. This cream is really serious cleansing business, I like to put it on quite thick and massage it into the skin for about 5 minutes, then take it off. Though it does get on my nerves because it does not emulsify with water and leaves an oily film on my face (I deal with that by using an extra gentle cleanser), it really does miracles at getting rid of blackheads and sebum plugs. My nose, an incurable sea of sebum plugs that resurface the moment I get rid of them, is almost poreless after using this. My face feels incredibly bump free after cleansing with the cold cream. I also like to use that 5mins as sort of a mind-clearing 5mins when I just have the massage on my mind. Am I crazy?

The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard is probably one of the harder to find concealers in Singapore, plus it was sold out for the longest time and I finally got my hands on it after being on the wait list. Yeah baby! This baby has a tacky consistency when applied but works beautifully with high coverage when stippled out and lasts and lasts. My face loves this and I'm down to a spot conceal and powder routine! My concealer and I are definitely in a serious relationship here.

The powder of choice to pull things together is the Palgantong Make-up Theatrical Powder in Original Beige. Now that my skin is properly hydrated, powder goes on just that bit nicer and the Theatrical powder is a extremely fine powder that subtly brightens up the face without making me a cake face (this just reminds me of Steve Aoki throwing cake into the audience during his F1 set haha).

Now, no look is ever complete without the right nail polish and fickle-minded me is always in a cyclical matte or glossy bind. Essie's Matte About You gives me a choice to have any matte colour I want and I can't ever see myself ever being without Seche Vite's Dry Fast Top Coat and have no idea how I ever lived without it before. A matte burgundy/oxblood nail is going to be my next polish pick.

Of course, to bring attention to your nails you gotta have arm candy and this right here, is the best DIY of the moment (though I may be a little slow with fashion trends). I actually made my bolt bracelet quite a long while ago (it only cost me $4 and I have leftover bolts to make something else) but have only been putting it on recently. This bracelet is serious street cred imo, and don't DIYs just make you so proud of your handiwork? The white cord tends to get grubby fast though, so I recommend a darker string.

Lastly... I cannot stop listening to The Fox, but this parody here makes me laugh just about everyday now.

Weekly Favourites #8

Hello lovelies! How's the week been treating you? I've had a rather breakthrough week with some of my products and I'm super excited to share with you how I use them.

I've had the Renew Rose Hip Oil for a rather long time. I've used it on and off, always put off by how my skin could not fully absorb the oil. I absolutely detested the oily film it left on my face no matter how long I left it on to sink in. However, I recently dug it up to give it another whirl. This time, on a rather sturdy cotton pad, I put quite a good bit of hyaluronic acid toner (I use the Naris Up Hyaluronic Skin Conditioner) and then 2 drops of rose hip oil, then swipe it all over my face. I find this method allows the mix to fully absorb into my skin and leaves it completely moisturized and plump. My skin seems to be healing more quickly too (might be a placebo effect) and I'm really loving it!

Ah Mac Pro Longwear Concealer... we have a serious love-hate relationship. I could never quite like the texture of the concealer and found it too watery and thin, affecting the coverage that it gave. However, since most of my scarring has gotten slightly lighter and I've gotten fairer, the coverage of this concealer is perfect. It works best with a flat powder brush or stippling brush, rather than fingers (that was my mistake) for higher coverage. It layers rather well, to a maxium of 2-3 layers before it starts to cake, enough to blur out the most obvious imperfections. Most days now I just use this concealer with powder and I've really got the 5 minute face routine down pat. -smug face-

Has anyone ever finished an entire tube of lip balm before it gets lost or purchasing a new one? I have to admit that I lose lipbalms like I shed hair (okay, that might be TMI). However, they more or less do turn up when I clear out my bags. The Maybelline Baby Lips in Smoothing Cherry turned up the other day. It's colourless and massively emollient. It might be odd but I adore the artificial cherry smell (don't judge me). I don't find the moisturizing effects last but the short term effect is just great. Doesn't help that the colour combination of the tube is so adorable.

A repeat favourite! I've been experimenting with the Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Ultra Comb and testing it to its limits and so far I have not been disappointed. This works well in a single layer (or 2) for the nicest, barely accentuated lashes. I am a sucker for a natural looking lash. I also tried layering this mascara wet, and after 3 layers or so, I got the most incredible volume and length, almost like I was wearing false lashes. The only problem is that the extended portion of lashes tend to droop if I wear the mascara for too long, but since I seldom wear mascara for such extended periods, it's perfect!

A friend once told me, girls are attracted to all things sparkly (upon looking at a Swarovski crystal display case and oohing and aahing) and I could not agree more. I just had to share this H&M ring. It's a blue, green, purple, gold sparkly glittery orgasm in a ring. I am obsessed. At SGD$6.90, it's the perfect pick me up for the day (or week if you must).

Hava great friday night everyone! I'm going to be tucked away at home performing magic on my dissertation. Wish me luck! <3

August 2013 Favourites

I can't believe it's already the end of August, it seems like it was just yesterday I took a year off from school. At any rate, TGIF people! Oh the good days. It was really hard to narrow down my August favourites because there was just so many things that I was using but wasn't absolutely loving. It's just one of those funks that I fall into... y'know, one of those I-have-nothing-to-wear-but-staring-at-wardrobe-full-of-clothes days. First world problems indeed.

What I have really been loving alongside with my clay masks are these Biore pore strips. I would use this everyday if I could. I love standing in front of my mirror and spending 5 mins just peeling the strip off ever so slowly and witnessing every single whitehead wiggle out of my nose. Just one of my disgusting obsessions. When I was younger, I would just peel the nose strip off so fast that all the plugs would just break off and remain in my nose and I would wonder why the strips didn't work. Slow and steady is the trick girls, slow and steady.

I also figured out the best combination for the Topshop BB cream in 3.0 which I mentioned here, and that is with the MUFE HD Foundation in 120. Together they give a high coverage, soft focused finish that feels like almost nothing on the skin. Also doesn't hurt that I have neither in the right shade (the SA matched the MUFE for me too...Sephora should really improve their lighting) so when mixed together it's a heavenly, creamy blend of the appropriate shade. The Topshop BB cream is slightly fragranced, almost like a grandma scent and the occasional whiff does have me wrinkling my nose. Still, price to pay for nicer looking skin.

My little sister purchased the Sleek Face Form in Light for me when she came back for the holidays and I finally realized the hype over Sleek's highlight/contour products. I'm not such a fan of the rose gold blush, since I already have similar colours and consider it a yesteryear colour, but the bronze shade really works in definition without being too orange on my nc30 skin. The highlighter really holds its own and I use it when I want a stronger highlight than the NYX mosaic highlighter. The kit is so nifty and versatile, i just wish it had a matte blush. Oh, I also used it on my other little sister who is darker than me, and the contour shade still worked! Like I said..nifty and versatile.

The Estee Lauder Double Wear ShadowCreme in Cafe Au Lait is something that I've recently opened after a good... half year? Patting myself on the back for patience. I had to open this to stop myself from purchasing the Maybelline Colour Tatto in Bad to the Bronze (addiction much?). This is a really nice bronze/taupe mixture with multicoloured micro glitter in it. It is not a dupe of Bad to the Bronze and comes off much lighter in colour. The glitter comes off more on the silver side, but for some reason, when on the lids it can look quite golden rather than bronze, especially when a darker brown is blended in. It's a nice subtle shade for all over the lid definition and catches light in all the right places. Best of all, no creasing or fading throughout the day.

Lastly, I've been wearing the Majolica Majorca Blush in OR211 quite a bit this month. In the pan it comes off a rather pale orange, but on the cheeks it transforms to a rather coral shade. The colour pay off is not super intense, which I like for daily wear. Also it's such a tiny cute pan I really can't resist it sometimes.

From L-R, MAC Studio Fix NC30, MUFE HD Foundation 120, Topshop BB Cream 3.0, Majolica Majorca Blush OR211, Sleek Face Form in Light bronzer and highligher shades, Estee Lauder Double Wear ShadowCreme 22 Cafe Au Lait

What are your August Favourites? Do recommend me some! Happy Friday everyone!

Weekly Favourites #7

Ah monday blues how I do not like you. As I've been mentioning, I'm trying to curb the spending habit so I've dug through my stash for some oldies but goodies.

Turns out my medication helped most of my face but nicely avoided my forehead. My forehead is a cyclical disaster area for comedones. When I realised that the medication wasn't working, I went to the root of the problem - blackheads. I've been using the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque quite excessively (every other day) to try to minimize the blackheads. This really works at deep cleansing the skin and ridding all the excess sebum. The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion stops the comedones from getting inflamed. I used to think the lotion was for under the skin pimples/cysts, but it seems to be working on comedones too. The pair have been working quite well together, enough for me to see steady improvement. My only worry is that I'm drying out the skin but we'll see how that goes.

My love for pinks have fizzled and I've gone orange. My outdoor cheeks have been adorned with the Barry M Blusher in Orange. Honestly, the neon orange scared me at first, but all I need is a little on my cheeks for some life. Since this blush is matte, the NYX Mosaic Blush in Highlighter pops on the subtlest of glows. On the cheeks, nose bridge, cupid's bow, eyebrows, inner tear duct... I probably overuse it. No glitter or sparkles, only a pearly sheen.

My new purchase of the Maybelline Mineral Concealer in 02 Medium was an old favourite 5 years ago and I've rediscovered why. I feel like this has a new formula that's slightly more slippery, but just dabbed on, stippled out with a powder brush and medium to high coverage, easy peasy. My face has never gone on faster. This has been a godsend for my forehead.

The boy has always said eyeliner ages me so I've been ditching the eyeliner in favour of the Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Ultracomb for school days (Y'know, to try to blend in with the 19 year olds, who am I kidding). This varies from the version with the normal brush as the effect is much more natural. Wouldn't say it gives my lashes that much more volume but I tend to favour lashes that actually look like lashes. 2 coats, definitely waterproofed it's way through a sweaty gym session hour.

Anyone shares the same favourites as me? What are yours? Have a good start to the week!

Weekly Favourites #5

This is the last weekend before school "officially" starts! I am absolutely unexcited. It's not really fun, being 24 and still in school when all my peers are working adults. I much prefer the working life. Not having to apply makeup everyday does have its perks though... here are my smallies but goodies for the week.

I have a chunky neck, not gonna lie. That makes it rather difficult for me to involve myself in the entire chunky statement necklace trend and I much rather prefer long necklaces. This Accessorize crystal bullet necklace has been making its way into all my outfits. I actually saw it at least 3 months back in shops, but hesitated buying it as it was $33 (If you follow me, you should be able to tell I like to buy things cheap). I liked it so much I even went on to make my own version which consisted of a swarovski ripoff crystal. Anyway, long story short, I snagged it at 50% off  recently (walked into the store by accident - score!!!). I really like it as it adds a certain attitude into plain outfits, and makes girly ensembles that much less girly. Similar ones can be found on etsy, which I am quite lusting after.

I've also switched out my Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti for the Revlon Lip butter in Sweet Tart. Pinks feel much more feminine than coral somehow. This is a shocking pink that goes on almost fuchsia if layered on the lips. I only like to dab this on in the centre of the lip for a subtle girly pink lip. Really does perk up the entire face!

The Essie Luxeffects in Shine of the Times has been making its way back to my nails after a rather long hiatus and I can't imagine why I abandoned it in favour of cremes. It is just the most gorgeous polish to layer on top of already duo-chrome colours, it just adds so much depth to the polish!!! It has large glitter flakes in it which refract yellow, blue, orange and green in quite a complex manner - the picture really does it no justice. I rather like wearing it on its own, on the tips of my nails so that my nails can just grow out. If you're into hashtags, then this deserves a #ican'teven in a great way. If there was one large glitter flakie polish to have in a collection - this would be it.

What do you like lately? I'm really liking lazy days. :D

Weekly Favourites #4

Hallo everybutty! I've been a rather good girl when it comes to purchasing makeup and skincare because 1) I'm lonelygirl89@hotmail.com ie. haven't been heading out and wearing makeup and 2) I'm still on the doc's skincare regime. But I did crack the other day and purchase some make-up and I've been wearing them (when I can) since because they've been just SO GREAT. 

I've been lusting after the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and/or the Nars Tinted Moisturizer for a longlonglonglonglong time but due to cost issues I've been holding out (that means looking for better deals online haha). Then, one fine day when I was browsing Topshop makeup I saw the Topshop BB cream and I tried to google for a review on the spot - there were none T_T. So I swatched it and was like HMMMMM this actually feels rather luxurious and I was also looking for a darker foundation/BB cream because I realized many of mine were a tad bit too light. I succumbed and bought it in the darkest shade (3.0) because I thought it matched and came home to realize that it's rather too dark for my nc30 skin. It works extremely well when mixed in with my foundations and BB creams (MUFE HD, aqualabel foundation, hada labo BB cream, Estee Lauder BB cream - I use a 50/50 mix, sometimes 60 Topshop/40 other foundation mix) and leaves the most flawless finish on the face that I could not achieve with my foundations alone. It does not seem to compromise the coverage of the foundations too, so I believe that the coverage of this BB cream is really decent. One shade lighter did seem too light for me though, but it also seems to oxidize slightly so it might work. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I cracked at the Essence stand in Watsons the other day. I cannot help it, Essence is just too darn cheap. Even if it doesn't work it's like... oh that's just the price of a bag of chips. I can do without a bag of chips. I have the Essence 3-in-1 concealer and didn't really like that, but this Essence Match-2-Cover was so reminiscent of the Bobbi Brown concealers (THAT I WANT) so I caved. This is a tub...2 tubs of creamy concealer goodness. The formula is slightly dryer than the Bobbi Brown Corrector's, but has the same amount of slip and boy does it cover. For SGD$4.50 (vs the over $50 you pay for the BB concealer + not so useful powder), this is so worth it. For my nc30 skin, the shades in this compact are too light for blemishes. However on my undereyes, it does helluva good job in correcting and concealing the darkness. Again, people, this is only $4.50. Please run out and get it now.

The next Essence item I got suckered into was the Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof Eyeliner. It's really tiny, like 8cm tiny and the brush is stuck so tightly in the container that when I pulled it out with too much force, the liner splattered onto my lips and face ): That aside, I saw there was only ONE of this eyeliners left in the display. Obviously I had to get it since it was under SGD$4.00. I am as Singaporean as it gets. If there's only one left, it has to be good. I was right! This is black as ... squid ink. It is a very watery formula that is slightly tricky to work with, and goes on glossy but dries a deep matte black. You can see it in the photo above. The brush is not that fine, but I'm not really a fine eyeliner girl so it works for me. One weird thing about this eyeliner is that IT IS NOT WATERPROOF. Sucks right? So don't believe those claims. While it is not waterproof, it is definitely OILY EYELID PROOF. See the world's better again. I have problems getting this off even with my oil-based makeup remover. It comes off in flakes with the oil. So girls, just don't cry in public. Or just bring the tube out since it's so tiny. I love this even more than I love my K-palette eyeliner cos that's not as black as this.

Lastly, my companion for being lonelygirl89@hotmail.com. My first ever piece of "proper" jewelry from the boy, a present for our 3rd year and also just before he left for the US of A for 4 years of study (It's crazy, because we've already studied for 4 years). I love snowflakes - thumbs up for him!

Apologies for the long post for just 4 items, hope it was enjoyed! If anyone has the same favourites, or likes it after trying, let me know. Have a good, restful Sunday.

Weekly Favourites #3

Halo happy thursday! I apologize I missed last week's favourites because I had just seen the dermatologist and could not use any of my own products on my face. I'm seeing encouraging results (NO MORE COMEDONES or actually maybe like 5 left but it's something!~~~) and I will blog about it if I'm happy with the experience.

Since I was not allowed to use any of my own skincare products, and also I haven't been out of my house (and pjs) much, I was really cracking my head as to what to write about. What you shall see here are not just just weekly favourites, but products that I tend to swing back to every once in a while.

On a side note, how cute is this case! It's got whales and polka dots! I can't even bear to use it, so I leave it around looking pretty.

This Collection 2000 Concealer of mine has been thrown around so much that the brand has completely rubbed off. I have shade 3 which doesn't nearly have enough yellow tones for me to use, but I love to use it under my eyes and in lighter areas of my face. It conceals, conceals, and conceals! I use it on top of the Bobbi Brown Peach corrector and it doesn't crease and doesn't look cakey and is just so easy to use. Just dab dab dab and blend it with a powder brush. This concealer has my favourite consistency of all time - it's not too watery (like the MAC Pro Longwear) and doesn't dry up too fast (MUFE Full Cover I'm looking at cha'), it's just creamy and easy like that. I wish I had a perfect shade to use all over my face.

The second BB cream that I've found that matches a nc30-35 skintone would be the Hada Labo BB Whitening Cream with SPF32. For some reason, until today I've always assumed this had SPF50. Yikes. Anyway, the colour of this BB cream is great. It is definitely yellow toned, not beige or pink or grey. It is of a rather thin consistency, making it really easy to blend all over the face. It's coverage properties are not ace like the KATE BB Cream, more of a light to medium coverage. For a brand famed for moisture properties, this didn't cut it for me in that department, but works well in conjunction with a moisturizer. I always go back to this when I don't want to use foundation because this is extremely lightweight on the skin and fast to use, oilier skinned people can even skip moisturizer with this!

I have an extreme love-hate relationship with the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer. I love it because it's so extremely pigmented, but I also hate it because the shade I have is only perfect for my forehead, but just a smidgen too dark for the rest of my face such that it makes me look muddy!!! However, that's also a good thing because wearing this all over the face does feel rather heavy, and I don't find it to ever totally set (gets into my laugh lines). I have an intense load of scars on my forehead from the comedones, and this concealer/pigment/whatever you call it, is so creamy and pigmented it covers the scars so nicely. It is my only concealer that can cover those scars and I love it for that. It does not look as great on dry skin as it does catch onto flakes, but it is definitely a moisturizing concealer. This is probably the most pigmented concealer on the market.

This last item is a new favourite. I got the Etude House Juicy Pop Tube at a sale near the MRT one day. I think it must've been all of 3bucks. I thought that with the price and the looks of the tube that this would be one of those 90% transparent kind of glosses. Boy I was SO wrong. This goes on with quite an oomph! It is barely sticky and really does have a nice shine that makes lips look fuller. Cheapo in me is like SCORREEEEE!

So there you have it, the products that I usually use on my outdoor face. Let me know if you like the products too!

Weekly Favourites #2

I should really set a specific day to get these posts out :S Nonetheless, here's some... mid-week entertainment?

I've been trying out a new oil-free skin-care routine recently to try and reduce the number of comedones I have on my forehead (seriously, I've gotten my cheeks in order but my forehead is a serious bitch). I haven't been very successful, but I did get my hands on this La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum. According to the SA (she sure was enthusiastic) this was sure to clear up dry skin overnight. I love (and that's quite an understatement) the texture of this serum. It's like a water but infinitely more hydrating and not at all sticky unlike say, the Hada Labo Lotion which takes a moment to sink into the skin. This works extremely well provided you don't use drying medications on the skin..

See my dingy ring in the centre? This is neither skincare/makeup but I thought I'll just give it some lovin'. I've been loving simpler rings lately but my fat fingers can't pull off above-knuckle rings so this was just perfect. Also, +10 points for boyfriend's approval when I bought this!

I cannot get my head around how amazing the Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray is. Granted, my only experience with setting sprays is the Elf one, which only seem to make my face wet. But this UD setting spray works brilliantly as a primer and setting spray and I will NEVER EVER go out without it now. This made my makeup last a 7am to 10pm day, throughout an extremely hot and humid photoshoot of a house where I had to move furniture around, and still look presentable enough for a dinner. Best of all, when I got home at 10pm, my blush (cheap blush that usually wears off middday) was still on my cheeks, no touchups mind you. How incredible is that!!! I'm also glad I got the Chill version because I still felt like my face was not hydrated enough.

I cannot admit to how long I've been lusting after this Mac Paintpot in Nubile and I finally got it at the Estee Lauder Sale. I don't know if it's only visible to me, but I really like how these brighten up the lid and undereye/inner corner of eye without being as obvious as a white shadow or highlight. Super duper subtle, and long lasting to boot. I've been loving using this on its own all round the eye.

Saved the cutest for last! If I was a lip product fiend, I would've bought the entire collection purely based on packaging. But I'm not. This Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bars are on par with the Revlon Lip Butters and wayyyyy cheaper. Like SGD7 cheap. I love the minty smell and feel and the colour payoff is pretty darn decent. Glossier than the lip butters too! The different colours have different bunny expressions too it's just too darn cute. I highly recommend!

Have a great rest of the week everyone! And let me know of your favourites or if we share any favourites!

Weekly Favourites #1

Hello hello my happies! It's a great day as it's the first week that I have after officially concluding my working life and restarting my life as a full time student. I technically should have more than enough time to do at least weekly updates so get ready to see more of me on this blog.

My new project is to do at least a weekly favourites, though honestly, don't expect them to vary too much as I'm not that fickle a person. But I'll definitely try to change my items up.

Moving on ->

/edit. I think this post is rather long, I will cut down the number of items in my future weeklies. /edit.

I found this vintage (I use this word very loosely) clutch during one of my site visits for my dissertation. Honestly, you can find the best deals in HDB estates *wink. To cut a long story short, I saw it when I started my site look-a-round, lusted after it for about 2 hours, and then bought it for myself as a reward after I completed my visit. What sweetened the deal was the discount the auntie gave me. Been carrying this around ever since even though clutches are a ton more irritating than a sling bag. Fits all my shit too! It can fit my bigass long wallet, my iphone, an umbrella/waterbottle....love it!

This Kate Moss Velvet Hour perfume is another all time favourite of mine. I got it after I finished my La Perla and Chanel Chance and Paris Hilton (sense my desperation for a new perfume?) and I got it because I like my signature scent to be...uncommon. Velvet Hour takes some getting used to, and I find it a rather complex scent (I hope, my nose is rather unsophisticated). It starts of rather peppery spicy but that smell wears off into a rather awesome floral musk. This is definitely gonna be a repurchase of mine. I find the scent matches the clutch too. Bonus!

California Baby Aloe Vera Cream was a desperate purchase of mine when my forehead broke out insanely in comedones (I swear it was ALL OVER I must've had more than 50 on my forehead) and was crazy dry and flaking at the same time. I was going so mad over it because I felt so helpless. My forehead has been loving this - one application and it stopped all the crazy flaking! I was sold! Though there has been some controversy over the brand reformulating its ingredients, the formula doesn't seem to irritate my skin. It kinda also has been working wonders on the lines under my eyes...This whipped cream is like a cool soft, waxy balm that applies matte on the face. It's leaves a little of a waxy/oily thin protective layer which does not interfere with make up.

My one and only Revlon lip butter when I succumbed to the craze is in Tutti Frutti . I'm not a big fan of lip products as I just don't want that much make up on my face. I already smother enough make up on my face for my complexion. Recently though, I've been rather loving the ombre lip look and have been using this to stain the insides of my lips. The colour is a gorgeous coral and is not too extreme. It's gone by the first meal but honestly I don't really care.

Natural Collection Blush in Pink Cloud has been my go to blush for about half a year now and I've hardly made a dent. It's just the sweetest, subtle-lest, matte pink blush to put on the apples of the cheeks. It's not a unique colour, I'm sure, but the formulation has just the right amount of pigment and is not powdery or chalky and it's pretty darn cheap too at 3 pounds (if I recall correctly). It's the perfect hint of flushed are you not wearing blush colour for me.

My mom really likes the Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara and gifted me a sample to stop me from wearing too much eyeliner. She really likes it. This really coats my lashes and makes them fuller and longer without making them look fake like most drugstore mascaras do on my thin chinese lashes. The only downside is that I don't think this is a waterproof formula, rather a smudgeproof formula. For my oily eyes, it does transfer to my lower eyes sometimes so I cannot wear it on my lower lashes.

Lastly and finally, I've had this Estee Lauder CyberWhite Brilliant Cells BB Cream for quite a while but only recently dug it out. This pinky toned BB cream has pretty much no coverage but does a brilliant job at perking up skin tone. This BB cream really makes me aspire for perfect skin so that I can wear it on its own ): I like to apply this on the center of my face just as a nice brightening base. Then I don't apply foundation on my T zone. Sounds weird I know, but it does the job.

Have a great week ahead and let me know your favourites! <3