Beauty Bay Shopping :)

I only got around to posting this today, but my order from Beautybay came in last month or even earlier. :p

I got the 1 inch Ceramic Dial A Heat Tong from Babyliss and the 34mm Babyliss Pro Ionic Thermal Brush

I love these two. The curling iron I got is just the perfect size. The ceramic coating makes it really smooth and I believe prtects your hair from heat damage as well. It does not tug at your hair when you close the clamp like most curling irons. It's just very smooth. You also get to adjust the heat settings depending on your hair type.

Some people compalin how this curling iron is too light and that it doesn't feel sturdy. My first Babyliss curling iron has been with me since 2008 and it has worked as well as the first day I used it.

The best part about Babyliss is that they are so affordable and with Beautybay's free international shipping, it makes it all the more worth it. Here in Singapore, these curling irons retail from $75-$100. I got this for much less. STEAL!!!

Trivia for Babyliss: They were the first creators of the curling iron. So there. Go figure. :D

The Thermal Brush on the other hand is perfect for those people who struggle with holding a blow dryer and a brush in each hand. This makes it MUCH easier. Although it's not as strong as your normal hair dryer so you need to be more patient when drying your hair. That's about it. Nothing special to rave about. Just a 2-in-1 hair gadget that works. :)

For Audrey + Lush and Luxe

Woke up early enough to paint my nails. :)

Nothing much to say, I love this combination. And that irregularly shaped glitter/confetti, whatever you call it, is just gorgeous. It looks like foil or gold leaf except it's not gold. :P

Oh, one not so good thing about Lush and Luxe is that you really need to make sure you get the glitter on the brush because it doesn't adhere very well. if you don't check, you might just end up adding a layer of clear polish on your nails.

But that little bit won't stop me. It's too much fun to look at. :D

Review: China Glaze White Crackle in Lightning Bolt and Sweet Hook

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this combo. 

As an individual polish, I love China Glaze's Sweet Hook from the Electro Pop Collection. I like the color and the consistency. A perfect alternative or match with this Spring's mint greens (Although we don't have Spring in Singapore. #WishfulThinking).

Now, the Crackle polish, I hate. I'm not a pro at applying nail polish and I proudly admit to being slow and to doing a sloppy job. If you're anything like me in this regard, this nail polish is going to be a pain for you to apply. 

Once you take the brush out and start swiping it, you need to be fast. If you take time, the polish thickens on the brush and on the sides of the bottle. Turning into what looks like a chalky paste. As thick or even thicker than all purpose glue. And once it reaches that stage and you accidentally apply it on your nails, you'll have that thick gunk on top which no longer cracks and just sits there.

Lastly, I find that this white from China Glaze is not opaque at all. You need to apply quite a thick coat at one go for it to work. If you apply too little, it's translucent and the finish isn't nice. I haven't tried double coating though but I'm not sure that would work with a cackle polish.

Lucky for me, I'm not a big fan of the crackle nail look so I don't have to go out searching for the perfect crackle/shatter nail polish.

Review: OPI My Pointe Exactly

Pardon the awkward three-finger photo. This nail polish is just horrible. I give up.

I applied a layer of base coat and 4 coats of nail polish on each finger. On the last finger, I put a single coat of white nail polish to give it a bit of opacity but that still failed.

At 4 coats, it takes almost forever to dry. I was really looking forward to this collection from OPI. I thought I'd get the jelly, semi-translucent finish without struggle and even get away with converting it into an opaque one with a layer of white polish. But no. :(

It looks really pretty on the bottle and the vendor I got it from does not allow you to test the products, so there.

Anyway, I buy my polishes from D.Y.O.N in case anybody's interested. They sell China Glaze at S$8.00 each and OPI at S$10.00. Probably the best deal you can get in Singapore. Only downside is you can't test the products out.

You can find them on Facebook for the latest additions to their stocks and at the Scape flea market from Fridays to Sundays.

Bellabox

Bellabox Singapore!!!

What's inside:

Caudalie Eye and Lip Creme

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and $50 Voucher for a salon in Jurong West

A'kin Lavender, Geranium, and Jojoba Hand and Nail Creme

Royal Cosmetics Royal Herb EX Cream

L'egere Shiny Pearl BB Cream

Dermalogica Overnight Repair Serum

What is Bellabox? Rather than explain, here's their website. Link! :P

My thoughts:

Packaging is great. Sturdy and pretty. I wasn't really expecting much for $15. With all the products they included inside, they must cut costs somewhere, right? But, no. Even the tissue paper and the pink ribbon tied around it and that little sticker that held everything together, was all very tastefully done and chosen.

They claim on their website that they "handpick" products for you. And they do! Reading the box of the BB cream, it mentioned that there were 2 types. One which is more moisturizing, and another which controls oil. I was thinking that this makes or breaks my subscription. If I get the moisturizing one, that only means one thing. That they did not take my profile into consideration. But, again! They gave me the oil-controlling one. Happiness!

I like how you get a very well rounded combination of products. From make-up to skin care. And that they come in deluxe sizes, too. I never understood how some samples are only good enough to be used once. Clearly, using a product once does not at all give you enough time to tell if it really works for you. Especially with skincare. But if there's one product out there that makes a significant difference from first use, then WHOAH! Ha ha ha

I like the unexpectedness of it all. I like how I get to be surprised with products to try and that I never know what I'm going to get. It's like having a birthday present. Except you get it every month.

Product Review: Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense

This is my new favorite sunscreen! Link!

I'll jump to the pros and cons straight away. No beating around the bush here.

Pros:

• Fragrance-free
• Doesn't make my face oily/greasy
• Doesn't make me break out
• Not sticky
• Does not leave any white residue on my skin once the sunblock dries - I get this a lot when I rub my face once my sunblock dries. Maybe when applying foundation/concealer/any liquid or cream product. I'll notice that I have little white particles sloughing or rubbing off.
• Lasts the whole day
• SPF is high enough to be used at the beach
• Does not leave a white cast after the product dries
• Packaging wins a +++ for me, too because of the flip top cap and that it stands on the cap side so the product will always flow down to the tip especially when you only have a wee bit of product left.

Cons:

• You need to use a separate moisturizer. So that's an extra step in your skincare routine
• A bit pricey at S$68 for 30ml
• Takes quite a while (3 minutes, give or take) to absorb into the skin after I work it in.

I learned from Kiehl's that if you add another "0" to the SPF number like SPF50, that's how long it protects your skin from the sun. So if this is SPF 50, that means 500 minutes of protection.

Avene Cleanance Toner vs Kiehl's Calendula Toner

So the last time I spoke about this product, I said it wasn't really anything special and that it doesn't really do anything for my skin.

I might just be wrong. :|

A week ago, I bought tons of Khiel's stuff and the lady there gave me a deluxe sample of their Calendula Toner.

I was actually pre-decided on getting a full-size toner since I was convinced that the Avene wasn't working for me. Anyway, to cut the long story short. My skin hates the Calendula Toner and I'm currently breaking out like crazy.

So, I guess Avene does work at keeping my breakout level at a minimum. OR Maybe there's no magic toner out there which can help to stop all these pesky pimples from sprouting. Or maybe I just haven't found it yet. Although I could swear I've tried more than a dozen products already. From the lowest to the highest end.

HEEEELLLP

Mandatory elevator shot :p

At last week's DND.

You know you do it when nobody's watching. :p

Kiehl's Stash

New Kiehl's stash. :) review soon.

Current obsession

This came in the mail last week care of my beautifil SIL. I personally think that people should read more. I'm saddened by the fact that a lot of youngsters nowadays are not familiar with the classic books and the famous authors of the past. Most kids are glued to the tv or to the latest gaming consoles.

Currently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman

OOTD

Two good friends are moving to Japan this week. We had a simple farewell dinner at Marche @ 313 Somerset. Marche because they both miss Swiss food. They met and studied their masters in Swissland and came over to Singapore for work. It was an early, informal dinner so I decided to go with a simple (read: plain) outfit.

• Pearl and diamond stud earrings with a drop pendant set in white gold. I feel compelled to match all my jewelry with my wedding and engagement rings. :|
• White, long sleeved Zara cardigan with the sleeves bunched up to 3/4
• Black Topshop dress
• Dark gray messenger bag from Mango
• Dark gray ballet flats from Charles & Keith. :p
• Gong Cha Milk Melon Tea :D

There's a DIY-gal in all of us :)

I'm fortunate enough to grow up in the hands of a very creative and hands-on mom. She cut my hair, made my costumes for school, prepared my lunch, sew most of my dresses, and she also taught me most of the things I know about hair, nails, and make-up. I love you, mum. :)

Found this little DIY video on how to make a little girl's dress out of recycled shirt hems. A nice gift and a nice activity for a boring weekend. I don't have kids yet, but this is a nice video to keep in my archive for those days when I'm feeling all creative.

Click here for the video.

Can't seem to upload it. Pfft.

Avene Cleanance Lotion-Toner Review

Let's hope I do this review poperly, shall we?

What it is according to the product description on the website:

• Astringent toner purifies skin and tightens pores without stinging or irritating sensation. [sic]
• Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum and leave skin shine-free. [sic]

Use it if you suffer from the following:

• Oily, blemish prone skin
• Visible shine
• Enlarged pores

What you can expect:

• Purified skin with tightened pores.
• No stinging or irritating sensation
• Helps regulate sebum secretion
• Mattifying powders help absorb excess sebum, leaving skin shine-free
• Avene Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

Okay. Now, the truth.

I use the toner twice a day, morning and evening after I wash my face. You need to give the bottle a good shake to mix the powder into the toner. You'll see that the solution is divided, before you use it. The dominant top part is clear, and the lower part is cloudy white. 

I put a pretty good amount on a facial cotton and dab and swipe across my face very gently. I don't put it on my neck because, I don't need it there. Then I let my skin absorb it first and apply serum and moisturizer. Or if it's during the day, sunblock and moisturizer. Now for the findings.

Pros:

• Very light, clean scent.
• Does not sting at all. No redness, irritations, or any warm sensation which most acne toners have.
• Doesn't leave my skin dry.
• Does a good job at mattifying the skin. In Singapore's humid weather, it lasts a good 6-8 hours.
• Mild and neutral that you can use it in conjunction with other acne medications or serums, etc without over-drying your skin.

Cons:

• I'm on my 3rd or 4th bottle and my pores do not seem that much tightened. But I do notice some minor/minimal skin improvements.
• About the purifying part. I'm not sure what it means but I still get black and whiteheads and occasional acne.
• Feels a bit tacky after application. But that disappears after awhile.
• It's too mild that it needs help from other products to do its job. Like a serum or a specialized acne moisturizer. This could actually be a good thing, though. :)

Final verdict:

• If you have acne-prone skin which is sensitive and is easily irritated by strong toners for acne, use this product. Just don't expect it to work as fast and as rigorous as some other stronger acne treatments. This toner will not aggravate your present skin condition but it will take time to work. Patience is key. :)
• I've suffered from acne since high school and I've used acne products since then as well. I used to think that stinging and redness were signs that a product is working. That's a very big misconception. Sometimes you just really need to be patient and wait for the products to take effect.

Last piece of advice:

• Remember that what goes into your body has a huge effect on your skin as well. Eat fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water too. And lastly, if you have time, exercise and sweat all thouse impurities out. ;)

Good luck.

Trading items :)

Hi, hi. :) If anybody's looking for someone to trade items with from Singapore, just let me know. I'm also looking for people to trade items with from other countries. Just let me know what you want from here, and I'll send it over to you and vice versa. :)

Moisturizers and Toners and some other stuff

Other than the ton of cleansers I use, I also use quite a bit of moisturizers. Mainly because I am still in a desperate search to finally find what really works for me. It's been a long, tedious journey and the moment I find my holy grail product, I'm going to let the whole world know.

Okay, here we go again. Products below and their links. An in depth review for each product coming soon as I am pressed for time. A swimming/barbecue party is commencing as I write.

1. Avene Cleanance Lotion - Toner -I'm on my 3rd, maybe 4th bottle

2. A sample of Khiel's Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment - will definitely buy this one again

3. Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care - 2nd tube

4. La Roche Posay Effaclar K - Not for me. Just simply not for me. :|

5. A sample of the new Khiel's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution - Love!!!

6. Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF15 - Been using this for almost a year but I have mixed feelings about it. Not the best SPF under foundation.

7. Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk - I'm only at my 3rd day of using this. Will give this a more detailed review last to give myselft time to test the product out well.

Sorry for the teaser. :D

Accessorizing your bikini

What goes best with a bikini other than the perfect summer dress/tunic, sunglasses, sunblock, and fit flops? Why bikini abs and sexy, toned legs of course! Here's a video from Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up to get you in your best bikini shape ever.

Cleanser Threesome. :p

Happy heart's day! :) This post is all about loving...your skin. Sad intro there. ha ha ha

Just a brief on my skin type, I have oily, acne prone, sensitive skin. Sucks to be me, I know.

Anyway, I've been able to keep my skin pretty much under control lately. I've never had great skin so I start sending prayers to the heavens when I only get 3-5 pimples a month. Well as long as I don't get stressed out too much and as long as I don't get a lot of night shifts, my skin stays fine. I wear pretty heavy make-up on a daily basis which doesn't really help at all either.

So here's what I use to wash and exfoliate my skin with.

Okay. You can't really see anything, can you? ha ha ha Here's a list of the stuff I wash my face with.

Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser. This is gentle and never leaves my skin dry. I use this when my skin feels fine and relaxed. This 200ml bottle has lasted me for 6 months already. Yes! 6 months! Talk about value.

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser. Again, another soap-free cleanser. This one though, I find is a bit stronger. So I use this before I get my period, before/during/after night shifts, and simply on those days when my skin needs help. But this product can get pretty drying so I don't use it more than 4 days in a row.

Another cleanser which I use about twice a week is the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, also from Mario Badescu. And as the description suggests, this is for dull, congested skin. The Glycolic Acid in this helps break-up the build-up from your skin's surface. This one, since you only use it 2x a week, lasts a lifetime. And it smells nice and herby and leafy.

Lastly, to exfoliate, I've been using this for years and although I feel that I need to find a less abrasive scrub, I still can't seem to part ways with this. It's the St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Blemish and Blackhead Control. I feel that the grits/granules in this can be a bit too harsh. The formulation is a bit strong, too so I skip cleanser when I use this so I don't overdry my skin. I use this every 2 days.

When I don't scrub, I use my Clarisonic Mia every 2-3 days with whichever of the 3 cleansers I feel like using or to remove makeup with my Shu Uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil. Instead of emulsifying the oil with my hands, I use the Clarisonic instead. I just run the brush underneath warm water and scrub away. When my face feels dry from all the acne products, I skip cleansing and exfoliating and just use this oil. And it's a 2-in-1 product as well which is great. Most people think that this is just a make-up remover because it's oil based. But it can actually replace your cleanser already. I tried this for a while but my skin really just needs extra help. To be honest though, I wouldn't be repurchasing this since it doesn't really make a remarkable difference.

Toners and moisturizers coming up next. :)

Working shifts messes up not only your body clock, but your skin as well.

I love my job, I love my hotel. I just hate that we work on rotating shifts. I worked 4 nights on graveyard last week and now I'm back on the 7am roster.

I hardly slept last night because, really, how do you transition from working to sleeping at night?

It makes my skin condition even
More unstable and stubborn as well. I've been trying to figure out which item in my regimen i needed to change. Maybe none. I can't really quit my job either. Tough luck.

Will post a photo on my skin care regimen soon. Maybe later if I'm still breathing after my shift.

To compensate. I made me quite a hearty brekkie. I had a grilled egg and cheese on multi grain sandwich, iced vanilla coffee, and a banana.

Summer all day, everyday!

The thing I enjoy most about living in a tropical country is that I get to wear summer clothes anytime the sun is out. Fun, summer colors. Hooray for that.

I was at the Quiksilver store the other day and decided I wanted a new bikini. I got one in a peachy coral shade. It's one of those mix and match ones they have which is perfect 'cause I'm never entirely one size. I normally wear a UK10 top and a UK8 bottom. For some reason the color looks so much duller on the site. :|

Here's a photo of the bikini I got along with some other summer essentials.

Other than the bikini, I got these other stuff as well.

Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs. Perfect for summer days. It's light and floral and sweet and it smells happy. :D

Nars blush in Crazed - A little goes a loooong way. I swear. This color makes your cheeks look like you've been out in the sun. On my skintone atleast. I'm a Mac NC35. Strange. I think this has just been discontinued. I can't find it anywhere on the Nars site.

Carmex SPF 15 Original lip balm. I love this. It's very moisturizing. It's weird how it works for me though. The first time I apply it, my lips will start to get flaky and all the dry skin will come to surface. So, I wipe it off and reapply. After that, it's all soft and smooth.

Laura Mercier Pressed Mineral Powder in Rich Vanilla. This one, when applied with the sponge it comes with looks hideous. Cakey and thick and mask-like. But with a kabuki or a powder brush, it's lovely. It gives you just the right coverage, evens out your skin, does not break me out, and it's lightweight. What I love most though is how the product reacts with the natural oils of my skin. I have super oily skin and for some reason, this product does a good job at controlling it and after awhile, when my skind does start to get shiny, it get's so evenly diffused. If there's even such a thing. But it looks natural and glowing and healthy.

Sunnies are from Dior. Old ones which I like to use all the time. :)

Longest post to date. Hooray. :p

Pre and post workout snacks!

Finally got my hands on Luna and Nut-Thins. Whoopee!!!

Learned about these power snacks, again, from Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up. The Luna bars taste great. These can very well take the place of any chocolate bar if you're craving for a sweet something.

I grab a bar if I'm rushing in the morning and have no time for breakfast, before or after workout for protein, or as an afternoon snack to get me through the long gap between lunch and dinner.

Nut-Thins, I've never tried before but with peanut butter or brie or any spread on top, you can't go wrong.

Here's to healthy, yummy snacking. Yay! :)

Confetti Nails!

It took me a month to get my hands on this nail polish. It's Rainbow Connection from OPI. It was sold out everywhere I went that I had to order it from EBay.

Anyway, 1-2 coats of this on top of any white nail polish is super duper cute.

If you want to start living healthy, start with your pantry. :)

 I found these girls on YouTube while searching for new exercise routines. And in that search, I still managed to stumble upon food. :| Well, healthy ones at least. Watch the Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina and learn which foods you should stock up on.

Too bad that we have a limited selection of organic and all-natural foods here in Singapore.

To the Tone It Up girls, you guys are so much fun. :)

I don't wear boots, but I LOVE these!!!

My style is slowly taking a turn. My daily uniform is a boring basic outfit with ballet flats. My wardrobe has very little color and very few patterned pieces. So it's a bit odd that I've had my eyes fixed on this baby since Christmas.

I can only imagine pairing this with a loose-fitting top and leggings/jeggings. I'd like to pair it with a dress similar to the one below but I'm afraid I'd look silly. I can picture someone petite with a slightly rockstar-ish vibe to pull this look off. I'm neither. So, yeah.

A short intro

This is nothing more than a shallow shopping blog.

First real post will be up soon. Let me just organize my thoughts for a little bit. :P