2014 Favourites

Hey everyone!

I won't be having a favourites for this month in favour of the ultimate favourites post - my 2014  Favourites! This is a special kind of favourites as it also includes my favourite travel experience from this past year as well. Not going to lie, this was a pretty difficult year for me in terms of everything, but it was easily the most eventful. Restarting this blog was definitely a big part of my year, and I hope to continue being more active and sharing all these experiences and products with all of you!

Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream (Review here)

I've said this before, but this is by far the best BB cream I have ever tried. No grey cast, great colour match, lightweight, light to medium coverage, and photo-friendly! This makes me look like I have healthy, almost flawless skin, which is definitely not the case. The shade range and packaging definitely need some improvement, but I have been so happy with this overall and would highly recommend it!

Innisfree Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Review here)

I used to use it twice a week when I first got it, but I like it better as a once a week treatment on Sunday nights to clarify my pores after wearing make-up almost the whole week. It also helps calm my acne though I don't use it as a spot treatment anymore. It also reduces the redness on my face, which is always a huge plus for me. It's easy to see why this sells so well!

Real Techniques Shading Brush

This wins as my favourite brush this year as it is the one that I didn't expect to work as well as it did. It works well to pack on colour as well as to blend harsh edges away no matter what type of eyeshadow. It also allows me a lot of control because of its small size. All in all, it's a really great multi-purpose first eyeshadow brush!

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow (Birthday Suit, My Two Cents)

These two have been my go-to for an easy wash of colour on lazy days, as well as bases to make similar colours sitting on top more vibrant. I also like how you can't find similar colours of these in the famous Maybelline Color Tattoo range, which convinces me to purchase the full-sized versions when I run out...which won't happen soon as I'm not even halfway through the tiny pots!

Laneige Water Bank Essence EX

This is the newest one among all my favourites, but it is the one that has made all the difference to my rough, dehydrated skin. It does exactly as it claimed - to smoothen skin and add moisture. I also like how quickly it absorbs into the skin without leaving an icky oily feeling unlike other moisturizers. I think I found another skin care staple!

Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence (Review here)

I like how this adds enough moisture and has just the right amount of silicone to make the application of whatever base I apply on top smoother without making me feel like I have a film over my face as most primers tend to do. I'm happy with the price tag as well despite its availability (rather, lack of) in most Etude House branches I go to. Highly recommended for people with drier skin!

Too Cool for School Marshmallow Puff (Review here)

I was in denial for a long time on choosing this sponge over my make-up brushes, but this gives the most flawless, skin-like finish, especially when paired with cream products like my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer! It also helps my base products to separate less when worn for a long time.  This combined with my Fairydrops BB Cream and NARS Concealer make for a (seemingly) good skin day. Another unexpected favourite, and it won't break your bank as much as the original Beauty Blender would!

Best Travel Experience

Singapore

I already consider myself lucky to have traveled overseas more than once this year, but what made my Singapore May 2014 trip better was that I got to visit a friend I hadn't seen in a long time, and experienced planning and paying for a trip all on my own. This was more of a vacation for me than my Seoul trip was, as I didn't have to stress over the itinerary and making sure my parents weren't lost. It was nice to go at your own pace and do what you wanted to do for a change. In a way, it was a semi-independent trip that I won't forget for a lifetime.

And there you have it! Feel free to share with me your own favourites for this year down in the comments below. I'd like to thank everyone who has made this year what it was, especially you guys! Here's to a happier, better 2015!

1. Laneige Water Bank Essence_EX
2. Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Essence
3. Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream
4. Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
5. Too Cool for School Marshmallow Puff
6. Real Techniques Shading Brush
7. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow

Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 Favourites

By Pauline Read More

TRAVEL: Seoul and Singapore Food Diary

As an extension of my travel diaries, I wanted to join my two trips during my break and give all of you my 'Food Diary'. This doesn't include all the food I ate, since there were repeats of the same yummy meals (especially that Samgyupsal in Seoul and the Laksa at Toast Box in Singapore) but I thought they deserved a spotlight of their own.

I combined this because...well I don't have enough from Seoul, really, and I didn't want it to be such an empty post. I hope you all appreciate it anyway. First up is my Seoul food diary!

My favourite Banana Milk! Got this almost everyday during my stay for either breakfast or for dinner since the hotel I stayed in had a 7-11 at the basement. They do import this, but not in this adorable container. :(

They also come in a strawberry, banana light, and melon variant. I've tried all of them, but I still prefer this one the most. It is cheaper when purchased in packs of 4 at the supermarket.

Of course I couldn't go to Seoul without eating Samgyupsal at least once. For those of you who are not familiar, this is thinly sliced pork belly (though not as thin as bacon) that is cooked over a hot plate until golden brown. This is probably one of my favourite Korean dishes ever (slightly losing to kimbap) and I can never get sick of it. This is usually dipped in sesame oil with salt and pepper, and wrapped in lettuce along with kimchi and other side dishes depending on your taste. 

It makes me hungry just thinking about it, to be honest!

This is the flavour Quarterback Crunch from Baskin Robbins. We don't have this particular brand of ice cream (yet - its opening at The Fort soon!) so its nice to try it at least once whenever I go. Baskin Robbins just opened a few weeks ago, yay! And yes, I do like ice cream even when it is already cold outside. :p

I shared this snack with my sister while waiting in Doota for my family to shop. It's quite good to take an eating break after all the walking and shopping.

Now, on to my Singapore food diary! This one is better documented than my Korea one, and I got to try a lot of dishes for the first time, all of which I loved. It's easy to say that Singapore was an eating (and shopping) trip for me, and I look forward to returning soon!

Laksa from Toast Box. I did get to try Laksa last time, but it was nowhere close to this. I love everything in this soup and it was quite filling even when I shared this.

Xiao Long Bao from Din Tai Fung! I never really got the fuss over Xiao Long Bao until I tried this and I was easily blown away. Also quite filling on its own.

Credits to Summer for taking this picture (and for being the hand model haha)! This is an ice cream sandwich sold by a local vendor which was really good. I didn't get one for myself because I had my own ice cream prior to seeing this, but now I'm thinking that I should have!

Sugarcane juice, Hokkien Mee, Carrot Cake, and Grilled Stingray all from Chomp Chomp in Serangoon. This was all cheap and very delicious. It was my first time trying stingray, and I'm surprised to say that I liked it! The sugarcane juice was quite different from the ones we have in the Philippines, but I'm a little partial to this one in particular.

Mango Pomelo Sago for me, and Mango Pudding and Peanut Mochi for Summer from Honeymoon Dessert. I told her how I really wanted to try all the different sago desserts in Singapore (as we only had Mango Sago, which is my favourite to order at Chinese restaurants) and I loved this one! I'm definitely going back to try more next time!

On my last night, we had a convenience store run in the middle of the night because we didn't get to eat dinner (and ate lunch quite late). It's always interesting to try the food in convenience stores because each country offers something different. I especially liked the instant noodles and the white fish snacks in the bottom row. 

Kaya Toast from Ya Kun! I did get a chance to try Kaya Toast from another place but it was nowhere near as good as this! I'm not much of a breakfast person, but I definitely wouldn't mind having this, which is saying a lot!

Cinnamon Toast from McCafé! Tastes similar to Cinnabon, which is a chain of pastry shops mainly selling cinnamon rolls, but this one tasted fresher.

Of course I couldn't leave Singapore without eating Chicken Rice at least once. This is one of my favourite dishes ever and no lie, I would eat this almost everyday if I could!

It amazes me as well because this is available everywhere - its as common as kimbap in Korea! I wish the same could be said here.

The flight home was a sad one because I really enjoyed my trip and spending time catching up with my friend Summer. My consolation was that I did get to fly business class for the first (and probably last in a while) time and the food was miles away from economy food. I love smoked salmon so I was in heaven.

This ends my joint food diary post! I do hope you enjoyed this and my previous travel posts. This will be the last in a while, unless you guys have any requests such as how I did my itinerary, where I stayed in both Seoul and Singapore, etc. Feel free to ask questions here and on my Twitter - I'll be more than glad to answer!

Friday, July 25, 2014

TRAVEL: Seoul and Singapore Food Diary

By Pauline Read More

Singapore May 2014 Photo Diary

Hello, everyone! 

It's been two months since my Singapore trip, but better late than never! Unlike my Seoul trip which was lengthy, my Singapore trip was short but very eventful and easily my favourite trip so far. It was the first time I got to travel without my family or friends coming with me which made it even more exciting but still slightly scary. In a way, I needed a vacation from everything as well, since my Seoul one was actually quite stressful.

I went to visit a very dear friend of mine, Summer, who I have not seen since 2012. I loved catching up with her and am grateful because she graciously took me where I wanted to go (and fed me all the yummy food). Thank you again, Summer! <3

I didn't want to do anything too exhausting when I arrived, so I saved the tourist-y places for the succeeding days. 

 

We went to the shoppes (I don't know why they spell it this way but oh well) at Marina Bay Sands the following day, since I didn't get to check it out the last time I went to Singapore. It was nice to have a look around, and question a few things such as the canal inside the shoppes. For ambiance I guess?

We visited Gardens by the Bay after looking around and eating lunch, which was just a few minutes away MBS. Both the Cloud Dome and the Flower Dome were lovely to visit and a good way to appreciate nature and how it works, as well as the different varieties of plants.

Probably the most tourist-y place of the lot was the Merlion, but I knew I had to see it at least once. It's quite an interesting landmark, and it was even funnier watching people do several silly poses with it.

Visited Chinatown the following day. I don't really remember why I wanted to go, but it was an interesting place as well with a lot of cheap souvenirs and very colourful temples and streets. I also read that this is the cleanest Chinatown in the world, and I can say that's true. 

Admittedly I don't have much pictures this time since I either a.) took them with my phone or b.) visited it already before on my first trip. I might be doing another series of pictures with a specific theme from this trip and my Seoul one, so stay tuned!

If you have any more questions regarding travel to Singapore in general, please feel free to comment below!

Friday, July 04, 2014

Singapore May 2014 Photo Diary

By Pauline Read More

Singapore 2014 Makeup Haul

Compared to my Seoul 2014 Haul, this was a little more planned out. I initially thought of just getting the Naked 2 palette (which I've wanted for years) and a lip balm my friend recommended, but after stepping foot into Sephora a few times...I couldn't resist. (/__\)

As I previously mentioned, I've been rebuilding my make-up collection and thought it would be a good opportunity to purchase some of the products I've been eyeing for a while. Needless to say I don't regret anything I bought!

Also stopped by Lioele in Bugis to get their Water Drop BB Cream and Artist Auto Eyebrow Pencil that I wasn't able to get in Seoul.

From top to bottom, L to R

1. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 PA+ in 3.5 Warm Beige | 2. Lioele Artist Auto Eyebrow Pencil in #3 | 3. Etude House Minnie Kissing Lips in #1: Minnie Red | 4. Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy Lip Treatment | 5. Clio Kill Brown Waterproof Brush Liner and O'Tank Volume Mascara | 6. Lioele Water Drop BB Cream | 7. Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed | 8. Benefit Porefect Hideaway Set (includes: a. Benefit Porefessional Primer and b. Benefit Fakeup Concealer in 02 Medium) | 9. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette | 10. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original)

Stay tuned for reviews in the future!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Singapore 2014 Makeup Haul

By Pauline Read More

PANORAMAS: Singapore May 2014

Easily my favourite trip ever.

In the recent years I found that I don't enjoy family vacations as much as I used to when I was a kid. It's at times much more stressful than it is relaxing, especially if you don't visit the place frequently. So being able to go on this trip on my own was very refreshing. I also visited a friend that I haven't seen since 2012, and it was nice to catch up and go around Singapore together. Thank you for everything, Summer!

My only regret is that I should have stayed longer - 5 days is not enough!

Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands

Viewdeck, Marina Bay Sands

Cloud Conservatory, Gardens by the Bay

Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and Merlion

Zhongshan Mall, Balestier Road

Stay tuned for my complete travel post!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

PANORAMAS: Singapore May 2014

By Pauline Read More