January Favourites

My first favourites post of the year!

This month has been great in terms of beauty discoveries (definitely not uni-related discoveries ugh) and I'm so happy to be able to talk about them with you! I purchased most of these in my Christmas Haul last year and I have not been disappointed by those that I added to my regular rotation. I've finally come to terms that I no longer have dry skin (cries) so I had to make a few adjustments with the products I use.

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

I started using this starting Christmas time and I've slowly fallen in love with it! As I keep mentioning my first foundation experience with the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation was horrible, and this foundation did exactly what I expected the BB one to do and more! I use two pumps and it covers what I need covering (except acne marks, I still use concealer for that), is still on my face after a good 8 hours, and gives this beautiful, luminous glow that I have not seen in any of the bases I've tried. I'm so happy with this foundation! Will definitely do a review soon!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

This works extremely well with the KGD Foundation in applying and blending it on my face. It easily takes away streak marks and makes everything look seamless, and is great at buffing foundation into the skin as well. I preferred sponges initially, but just for the KGD Foundation, I have to use this.

NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

I've already mentioned this in my favourites from my October Favourites, but I've started using it again as it not only adds luminosity, but also makes my base makeup last a bit longer. I've already hit pan on it so now I'm trying to take the product from the sides to even it out. It feels silky on the skin and sets makeup well. It lacks a bit in the oil control department, so I think the loose version would be better for that.

Kiehls Calendula Deep Cleansing Foam

I got a sample when I bought the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate and I did not expect to like it as much as I did! The smell isn't my cup of tea but I love how it leaves my skin feeling clean minus the squeaky, tight feeling as most (if not all) of the cleansers I've tried usually do. It also helped reduce the oil on my face a tiny bit, and less sebum means less pimples! I couldn't resist purchasing the full-sized bottle and at 230mL and only using half a pump per wash, I think this will last me a long time.

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Being Kiehls' bestselling product as well as a favourite in the beauty community, there hasn't been anything that hasn't been said about this already. I love that it doesn't aggravate my acne, absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy mess, how 3 drops is enough for my face, and the lovely brightness it adds to my skin the next day. I look forward to my night routine just for this product!

There you have it! I hope that the start of 2015 has been great so far and if not, lets hope the next 11 months are going to be better! If you have any favourites this month or have used any of these products before, feel free to leave a comment below!

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Friday, January 30, 2015

January Favourites

By Pauline Read More

Christmas Haul

Helloooo everyone!

I'm really excited to share with you this huge haul that I bought for myself for Christmas! I was really stressed out from uni work (thesis year!) as well as some personal problems, so I thought I deserved to get some of the products I've been lusting over for a long time. I also picked up some items I needed in my collection as accompaniments to other products. Some of these items might be familiar as I've included them in my Christmas Wish List!

BYS Synthetic Blending Brush

I remember I was with Alex when she suggested this brush. I saw it on her September Favourites and got interested in it as I wanted to start expanding my eyeshadow brush collection, especially after seeing this post from Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup. This brush is soft yet really inexpensive at P299, so it'd be really great for beginners!

Etude House Play 101 Pencil (#23)

I knew I needed a lip liner for my NARS Audacious Lipstick in Audrey, and this was the closest from all of the lip liners in the Play 101 line to that shade. I tried it out at home and it turns out that it was a perfect shade match! It was really easy to apply and looked pretty good on its own. I can't wait to purchase more pencils from this line!

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I have read hundreds of reviews on this miracle serum, and I wanted to splurge on something that would help with anti-aging as well as brighten my skin. I've been using it since I got it and I love how lightweight it is! It also made my skin smoother than it already was (thanks to the new additions to my routine) and made my pores a little less visible. I can't wait to see the change it'll make after a month of use!

Kiehls Mango Lip Balm

I was running low on lip balms and decided to try this out. It's pretty lightweight and doesn't leave a gloopy film on my lips like other lip balms do. I rotate this with my EOS Lip Balm and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, depending on my mood. 

I got a pretty good amount of samples, and I was surprised by how much each packet contained! I'm excited to try the Skin Rescuer as it addresses redness, and the Microblur Skin Perfector as I'm looking for a new primer.

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation

It's embarrassing to say that I've swatched this foundation every time I enter Beauty Bar (which is quite often). I'm paranoid about my Fairydrops Candybar BB Cream running low, and I wanted a foundation that I already tried, so I decided on this. It's definitely a splurge, but so far so good! I heard this was a more lightweight version of the NARS Sheer Glow which I also considered purchasing, and it's true! Even with two layers of this on, I didn't feel like it was on my skin. I also love the glow it gives my skin. I'm sensing a new foundation favourite!

NARS Satin Lip Pencil (Mandore)

It's labelled 'Limited' on the NARS website, so I assumed it meant 'Limited Edition' and would therefore not be at my local NARS counter, so I was surprised to see it among the other lip pencils! Unlike other reds, this does not have that hint of berry and is described as more of a cranberry colour. I got to try it in store and I loved it, and did not hesitate in buying.

NARS Sharpener

I knew that I would be purchasing more lip pencils because they seem so easy in terms of application and maintenance versus lipsticks (and I'm a sucker for NARS products, lets be real), so I knew I needed a sharpener. I gave in when the SA said that this was the last one, and it usually takes a long time for NARS to restock on their products. At least I'm sure that it will fit the NARS Lip Pencils, and it saves me the trouble of trying and testing other cheaper sharpeners.

And that's it! It's going to be a while before I do another haul so I hope you all enjoyed this! If you guys did your own hauls this Christmas, or have some things on your wish list that you're planning to purchase soon, feel free to leave me a comment below! Also, tell me if you've tried any of these!

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Friday, January 02, 2015

Christmas Haul

By Pauline Read More

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

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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 Favourites

By Pauline Read More