Summer Essentials

I’ll be the first to admit that I am kind of vain and that I am a little obsessed with anti-aging. Over the years though, I have learned to accept that a completely “made up” face is not always necessary when going out. I mean, I can now go to the grocery store without foundation, CC cream, BB cream, or bases of any kind. However, there is one thing I never skimp on and that is sunscreen. As everyone knows, it is supposedly the most important part of your anti-aging arsenal. Here is the arsenal I am using this summer to defend myself against those harmful sun rays.

Hurraw Sun Lip Balm

Hurraw has got to be one of my favourite lip balm brands. I love the oval shape of the tube and how it fits the shape of my lips perfectly. The formula also glides easily over my lips and is very moisturizing. That is why I was excited to try their SPF lip balm last year. I enjoyed it so much last year I decided to repurchase it this summer as well. Why do I enjoy it so much? Most mineral sunscreens leave a white cast, which is not a pretty look on your lips. This one is virtually clear and it has a lovely citrus scent. Definitely my favourite SPF lip balm!

Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

I personally love kid’s sunscreen. First of all, they smell better than the adults versions to me. Thinksport was a brand that I stumbled upon when I was visiting our local general store. I had never heard of Thinksport before this, but soon learned that they are a brand that focuses on making “safe” consumer products. Like a lot of clean products, it doesn’t contain a myriad chemicals and is also cruelty-free and gluten-free. Most importantly, how does this sunscreen preform though? Since it is a physical sunscreen, it is definitely on the thicker side, but not that bad compared to others I have tried. My favourite thing about this sunscreen is that it dries relatively matte. I hate greasy sunscreen!

Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream in Grapefruit

Yes, I am one of those lucky people that doesn’t really sweat much. So I usually will opt for a deodorant most of the time. If it gets really hot, I might switch to an antiperspirant. I have used a deodorant from Schmidt’s for a long time and thought it was about time I switched things up a bit. What can I say. I always get sucked in by cute packaging and it is no different with this deodorant from Meow Meow Tweet. This is one of those tub deodorants where you have to grab a pea-size amount of the product and rub it into your armpits. Yes, I have tried the stick version of these more “natural” deodorants, but I find they tend to crumble more, so I prefer the tub version.

This is an organic, fair-trade, and cruelty-free brand. Instead of baking soda, the main ingredients of arrowroot powder and dietary magnesium help control moisture and odor. Essential oils also give this deodorant a lovely smell that doesn’t really linger too much. I find that it is great at keeping any odor at bay. You will still sweat, but it does minimize the moisture you feel. It is a great everyday deodorant, but probably not enough if you are super sweaty.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

I had seen this infamous green tube all over Instagram and have always wanted to try it. This cream is made of all plant extracts and is for those that have very dry skin. I had heard a light version of this cream had come out recently, so I did expect it to be thick. Boy, I had no idea how thick though! I wouldn’t recommend this as face cream, and maybe not even a hand cream. Like the script on the packaging says, this is meant for rough patches on hands, feet, and elbows. I love to apply this on my eczema and just dry patches on my skin. It has worked great in that capacity. Plus, it has this amazing citrus scent, which I love.

Review: Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream

The words “safe” and “natural” seem to be used a lot in skincare lately. Whether an ingredients has be natural to be safe is debatable, but knowing more about the ingredients that get absorbed into your skin I figure is a good thing. With only twelve ingredients, Make P:rem’s Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream sounds appealing as we navigate the endless news about the safety of certain skincare ingredients.

Background

Make P:rem is a Korean brand that aims to create effective products using quality raw materials at reasonable prices. Their brand focuses on using Nordic philosophy in its use of ingredients, technology, and design. The Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream uses 93% natural ingredients and contains 12 ingredients. It is meant for those with sensitive skin and they claim it is a non-irritating formula. Some of the main ingredients include squalene, glycerin, sage essential oil, and bergamot fruit oil. This cream is supposed to provide continuous moisture for 48 hours.

Application

Visually, this looks like quite a thick cream, and even when you pick it up from the tub, it seems thick. However, when you apply it, it actually is which lightweight and spreads out really easily on the face. In fact, you quickly learn that you need less than expected to cover your entire face. It sinks in really quickly and doesn’t feel really tacky or anything. It does a have a bit of a sage scent, but it is quite subtle and disappears quickly. Overall, I found it quite a lovely application process.

Results

This was surprisingly moisturizing considering it felt like a lotion when applied. I didn’t try it during the dry, winter dry months, but it kept all my dry patches around my nose at bay in the spring.

Review: Naturaglacé Emollient Cream Foundation

Before I went to Tokyo last year, I thought that “organic” and “natural” beauty products would be quite a niche market in Japan. However, I was surprised to find entire stores and sections dedicated to organic and natural beauty products. I have been a long time fan of this Japanese brand, Naturaglacé, which uses 100% natural ingredients. I loved their products so much, I have even ordered them off Ebay. So when I got to try their products in-person at one of their counters in Tokyo, it was hard not to buy everything. Luckily, I was able to restrain myself and only buy two products, which included their cream foundation and eye makeup remover.

Brand Overview

Naturaglacé is a beauty brand from Japan. It uses 100% natural ingredients and their ingredients are also organic. Their formulations are made with essential oils and plant extracts and are targeted at providing the benefits of skincare in makeup. The brand is also cruelty-free and attempts to produce less waste during its manufacturing process.

Claims

This foundation is meant to provide a glowy finish and smooth out the imperfections in your skin. The cream formula is supposed to be highly moisturizing because it contains ingredients like Blackcurrant Seed Oil and Streptomyces Leaf Extract. The foundation comes in six shades and has an SPF 39 PA+++. The sunscreen ingredients do not contain nanoparticles.

Application

I actually really love that this foundation comes in a tube. It is easy to control how much you squeeze out. Since it is a cream foundation, the texture is on the thicker side so the tube packaging makes sense. However, I don’t feel like it is so thick you have to really squeeze it to get the product out of the tube though.

This foundation is definitely best applied with fingers. I tried applying it with a Beauty Blender and it didn’t work at all. I have a feeling it has something to do with the fact that the oil from the foundation and the moisture from the Beauty Blender just don’t mix well together. Usually, I just dab it onto my skin and spread it out. As the name implies, it is definitely on the more emollient side, so it is does take a bit more work to blend it out.

Review

This is definitely one of my favourite foundations. It leaves such a beautiful glowy finish without looking oily. It does a great job smoothing out pores and fine lines. With a primer (I have been using Tatcha The Silk Canvas), your skin looks completely smooth. This is an ideal foundation for dry skin as it leaves even my super dry cheeks moisturized. Ironically, that is the same reason it might not be good for someone with oily skin or to be used as a summer foundation. Other things to note are the coverage is definitely on the light side and the longevity is good. It easily looks great for a 8-hour work day.

VERDICT: A glowy and moisturizing foundation that is perfect for the winter months or someone with dry skin. It provides that natural glow and also evens out your skin, which makes it perfect for everyday wear.

Current Favourites

After a long hiatus, I think it is time for another current favourites. Here are some of favourite things categorized according to the five senses.

Sight

I started collecting used vinyl a year ago. Most of the records I have collected are from the 70s and 80s and they are mostly classic rock albums. So when I went to watch the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, I was thrilled to learn more about an iconic band, like Queen. To be honest, I knew Queen’s music mostly through it being played during intermissions in hockey games. After watching this movie, I gained a greater appreciation for the band and the mesmerizing power that Freddie Mercury had over his audiences. Music can truly transcend our differences.

Taste

Lately, I have been obsessed with Southern American food. I visited a Cuban restaurant lately and became obsessed with pinto beans and rice. I realized I really didn’t know too much about food in South America. Moreover, my new coworker is from Columbia, and hearing her talk about Columbian food got me more intrigued. Lately, I have tried their national dish, Baneja Paisa, which consists of red beans, ground beef, rice, plantains, chorizo, and chicharron. To be honest, I am not a big meat eater, but I loved the homemade chorizo and really enjoyed the caramelized plantains. I was an Anthropology major in university. I realized one of my great passions continues to be learning about other cultures.

Smell

There are some beauty products you look forward to using just because you love the smell of them. For me, lately, it has to be the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask in Grapefruit. After seeing this sleeping mask all over Instagram, I had to give it a try, especially since it reminded me of my favourite Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm. This lip mask provides a lovely sheen on the lips and is not sticky at all. I actually don’t love even enjoy eating grapefruits (they are too sour), but I do love smelling them. So if you love citrusy scents, you will enjoy this. Plus, it really works. In the morning, even though your lips are no longer sheeny, your lips feel softer and less flaky.

Touch

I love the feeling of applying a thick moisturizer on my face. Somehow, it makes me think that a thick barrier keeps my skin more moisturized. One of my favourite moisturizers in the last few months is the COSRX Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream. When I scoop it out with my spatula, it is very thick. However, you only need a small amount because it spreads really easily over the skin. It sinks in quickly, but I feel like there is still a layer of product over your skin (which I don’t mind). Usually I have to resort to using snail mucus products during the dry, winter months to keep my skin moisturized, but this cream kept all my dry patches at bay. This is another solid product from COSRX.

Sounds

My sister is a big fan of Lady Gaga and I love her as well, so it made sense that we went to watch “A Star is Born” together. We both really enjoyed the movie and thought the acting was great. “Shallow” was the song that got the most radio play from the movie, but after my sister talked about how much she loved “I’ll Never Love Again,” I went back to listen to it and it is my favourite now too. It is such a heart-wrenching song and truly authentic to the feelings of the characters in the movie. You need to give it a listen if you haven’t already.

Loves of the Year

Let’s just get to it. These are my favourite beauty products of the year. This year, I have combined skincare and makeup in this post because I think I actually bought less this year. Ironically, having a blog and a couple of social media accounts has made me want to buy less. I think I realized how wasteful it can be to buy a bunch of products just to review. For this year’s favourites, I pretty much scrolled through my Instagram feed and picked out the products I wanted to repurchase or couldn’t live without anymore.

Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

If there was an award for products I just loved applying this year, this one would definitely make it on the list. This eye cream has that thick texture which makes you think that it is really moisturizing, but yet it sinks in and is not heavy at all. It creates the perfect cushiony base for concealer and you need so little, it lasts forever. Due to the shape of the jar, I couldn’t tell how much was left in there. I actually had to put my whole finger in to double-check how much product was left.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

For the mere fact that it makes my life easier, I would put this in my favourites list. Let’s just be honest, I am not into haircare or hairstyling. Makeup and skincare will always be my first love. However, the best makeup look will be hindered by terrible hair. I have always had issues with oily dandruff and buildup. I only use this once a week but it does such a great job of detoxing my scalp. The word exfoliating often brings up images of gritty particles sloughing away everything off your skin. This shampoo doesn’t do that at all. The vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators clean the scalp gently and leaves it refreshed and balanced. I highly recommend you try this product if you have a problem with oily dandruff.

Hurraw! Sun Lip Balm

I think I have found my favourite lip balm with SPF this year. I have been on a mission for years to find a lip balm with SPF that didn’t leave a white cast or was super thick. I have always loved Hurraw! lip balms. They hold their shape and glide onto your lips effortlessly. I have also always loved the oval shape of the lip balm because it fits the lips nicely. This lip balm is formulated to be a little thicker to stay on your lips longer to provide that sun protection. I don’t find it too thick, but you do feel a layer of product on your lips. It also has nice citrusy scent which I enjoy. However, it must be noted it only has an SPF of 15 (non-nano zinc oxide), so you have to reapply quite often, but I guess that is to be expected from a lip product.

Kosås Weightless Lip Colour

I don’t know where this brand came from, but this year, it seemed to be everywhere. If you wanted to get into more natural and organic makeup, I feel like lipstick is the easily way to switch over. For the longest time, I was in love with Bite Beauty’s creamy lipsticks, but now that I have switched over to Kosås lipsticks, I find that I love these more. Kosås lipsticks have a really lovely cream-oil formula that glides over your lips. It is again one of those products I love to apply. The formula is full of nourishing oils and butters, which keep your lips moisturized. The pigmentation is also pretty full coverage and adds a hint of shine on the lips. Plus, the scent is quite minimal, which I adore. I heard the new packaging also has a magnetic closure, which I can’t wait to try.

Herbivore Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask

If there is a mask that will actually get me to mask regularly, it is definitely a favourite, if not a revolutionary product for me. I have never been able to get into sheet masks because the sudden shock of putting a cold sheet mask on my face is too jarring for me. However, with a wash-off mask, you can apply it on gradually and only on certain areas. Let’s face it, I still don’t that much, but since using this Herbivore mask, I will mask at least once a week. I love the gel formula of this mask. It almost feels like putting on a sleeping mask. Most of all, you notice immediate effects, as your skin looks brighter (as per the name) and smoother. It is just a lovely pick-me-upper during the week and is totally worth the 10 minutes of having to wear it.

Recent Roundup

I thought that I would do a little roundup of things I have purchased, loved, and used up. I still enjoy blogging, but I have been really obsessed with Instagram this year, and post more regularly there. If you are interested, my instagram is itsmudges.

Recent Purchases

Herbivore Hydrate + Glow Natural Skincare Mini Collection

Herbivore is a brand that is hard to resist. It has the most beautiful and chic packaging. Their brand focus on safe and effective skincare also feels modern and appealing. I had previously never tried anything from Herbivore before so I thought this set was a perfect overview of some of their bestsellers. This set contains four products: Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme, Phoenix Regenerating Facial Oil, Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist, and Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Glow Mask.

Quick Impressions and Review: I have used up the Creme and love it. It smells lovely (not like roses though) and gives you this dewy glow. I would say it would be a great summer moisturizer. Out of everything I have tried in this kit, the oil is definitely my favourite. It doesn’t smell to strong, sinks in beautifully, and is so moisturizing. My dry cheeks have been loving it. I am still getting used to the mask as it is different from my really moisturizing Korean mist toners. The mask is lovely as well. It is a bit tingly, but gives you the most beautiful after you wash it off.

Melvita Face Care Oil

My love for facial oil continues with this purchase from Melvita. I was introduced to Melvita when I picked it up in Taiwan a few years back. Previously, I noticed it featured in a lot of Japanese magazines I read. Melvita is actually a brand from France that has been around for 30 years. They specialize in organic high-performance formulas in skincare. This particular face oil highlights the anti-aging benefits of argan oil and amino acids. As I was reading their website, I learned that argan oil is full of omegas and sterols which nourish and maintain the youthfulness of your skin. I am excited to use this oil as it says it is a dry oil. I hope it will sink in quickly unlike some other oils that will cause my makeup to shift throughout the day.

Sidmool AC Bye Trouble Skin Handmade Soap

I love facial soap so I am always on the hunt for a new one. Being a longtime lover of Korean skincare, I realized I had never tried any of their facial soap. So I decided to pick this one up by Sidmool. This soap contains olive oil and snail mucus as its top ingredients and is geared towards acne prone skin. I will report back after I have used it for a while. Also, if you want to be environmental, bar soap is usually touted as the better choice than liquid soap.

Conscious Consumerism

To be honest, I don’t even know what the best term for this is. There seems to be an endless amount of terminology to describe this action. There is ethical consumerism, environmentalism, green beauty, and the list goes on. Over the last few years, I have just become more aware of what I buy and how it affects the world. I am not a saint or anything, but if I can do a few things to help the world, I thought why not? Here are a few actions I have taken to become a more ethical shopper.

Just Buy Less

I find that this is harder said than done, but I feel I have just gradually bought less over the years. I guess, having a mortgage kind of jumped started this process. I started having a one-in and one-out policy with most of my beauty products. I mean, it is not perfect or as streamlined as I wish, but I try my best. For example, I usually only own one blush, but then I do spit it into a cream and powder blush.

Refillable Makeup

Nowadays, I tend to pause I think before I buy anything. It allows me to reflect on whether I truly need something, and most importantly, how my purchase will effect the environment. There are more brands that are putting out refillable makeup which I think is such a great idea. Many times, the case is so pretty, you don’t even want to throw it out. Some brands I have been loving with refillable makeup are Kjaer Weis and MiMC.

Green Beauty

Of course, the obvious way to be more ethical is to buy from brands who claim to be more clean, green, and sustainable. I know, a lot of these words have been thrown around without much respect for the original meaning and some brands just use it as a form of marketing. However, I would like to believe that there are some brands that truly want to make a difference. It is important to do your research. On the other hand, I don’t think any brand is perfect, and being conscious about your purchasing decisions doesn’t mean I nitpick every single thing that the brand does. Some of my favourites are Herbivore, Kosas, RMS Beauty, and Kjaer Weis.

If you are interested in reading some in-depth reviews of some products I have tried lately, check out my review of the RMS Beauty Signature Set in Pop Collection and Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream.

Review:RMS Beauty Signature Set in Pop Collection

One of my favourite things about browsing the Sephora website is checking out their beauty sets. I find that it is such a great way to get an overview of a brand. I have actually been loving my Herbivore set from them latey. Today though, I really wanted to talk about the Signature Set I got from RMS Beauty in Pop Collection. If you have read my blog for a while, you will know that I love their cream highlighter and base products. However, there are a few items I still wanted to try from their line, so I decided to get this set.

Overview

This Pop Collection set contains five products. It comes with two of their cream blushers, Lip2Cheek, in shades Demure and Beloved. It also includes a cream highlight in Magic Luminizer and a bronzer in Buriti. The last product is the Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm.

Packaging

Unlike other products in their line which are housed in glass tubs, the packaging for this set is made of plastic. The packaging is chic and minimal being all white with only their brand name printed on the front. There is no indication of what type of plastic is used in the packaging, so I am a little worried about how recyclable it is compared to their glass tubs.

Application

If you have watched RMS Beauty videos or read their website, you would know that they recommend you apply their products with your fingers. They praise the benefits of using your fingers or what they call “skin to skin application.” I personally really enjoy applying their cream formulas with my fingers. I find that the bronzer and highlighter are very creamy and blend out easily. I would say the blushes have a more putty texture and take a little more work to blend out. The balm is also very emollient and blends out easily.

Review

I am going to go through each product individuality and review whether I would purchase the full-size. There were definitely some hits and misses from this set for me.

Bronzer in Buriti

This was one of the surprising hits from this set. Since it only comes in one colour, I really wasn’t sure it would work for me. I am around a MAC NC 25. As claimed on their website, this bronzer is not orangey at all. In fact, it is more of a warm brown. It looks darker than it applies on the skin as it sheers out quite a bit. I am amazed at how well it blends out on me. It really gives me that summery glow from within look.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? Yes!

Magic Lumizier

Many of you might already be familiar with their Living Luminizer. Many celebrities love to wear it. It is also one of my favourites because it gives you a beautiful dewy glow. I must admit that when I started using the Magic Luminizer, I didn’t love it. I think I was so attached to the Living Luminizer that I didn’t see its merits right away. Unlike the Living Luminizer, it has a slight metallic sheen. I feel it takes a little longer to blend, but it is worth it because I was surprised that it had such great longevity for a cream highlighter. I think this highlighter gives a more subtle glow, which is perfect for a work day.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? Yes!

Lip2Cheek in Demure and Beloved

Their cream blushers seem to have a lot going for them. Are they pigmented? Yes! Are they long-lasting? Yes. However, since they have a more putty texture they are a bit harder to blend. They also can appear a little bit patchy on the cheeks. I do enjoy both colours. Even though the shade Beloved looks really intense in the pan, it does give you a very healthy glow. I just take a tiny dab and it is enough for one cheek. Demure is a lovely pink shade which is great for everyday wear. It can be easy to overdo either shade so I usually start off with less and add more if I want to build more intensity. Overall, the blushes wear really well throughout the day. I just wish they were less patchy.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? No.

Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm

Unfortunately, I am not try able to give a fair review of this product because the vanilla scent just got too strong for me. I am quite sensitive to scents and you smell it for a while after you apply it. It applies on smoothly and dries down on the matte side. It is one of those lip balms where you feel a layer of product on your lips as it doesn’t really sink in. I did try to keep it on for a few hours and it does feel moisturizing. I would just not purchase full-size because I disliked the scent.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? No.

Do you have any favourite RMS Beauty products?

Japan Beauty Haul – Drugstore Edition

So there is more. Several posts ago, I talked about the high-end beauty products I purchased from my Tokyo. Of course, I didn’t just raid the luxury beauty stands because Japan has some of the best drugstore makeup I have ever tried. I think that if you only purchased makeup from a Japanese drugstore, you would be very happy with the quality. Before I went to Tokyo, I had already made of list of drugstore makeup products I wanted to try using a Japanese makeup review site, called Cosme. To be surprise, they actually had a Cosme store, where they sold all the best ranked beauty products. Don’t even ask how much I spent there!

Visée Lip & Cheek

Like many beauty brands in Japan, they are usually part of one of the bigger companies in the Japan beauty market. After some research on their website, I found that Visée is a part of Kosé, which also owns other renowned Japanese brands, like Jill Stuart and Decorté. Visée’s target market is actually young adults, which at the drugstore price point, I can see that. However, I have really enjoyed everything I have tried, so I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a teen line. I guess, since the brand concept is to create trendy makeup for a more mature, and glamorous look, the more wearable colours can suit anybody. I chose to get this Lip & Cheek because I see that it often places in the Top 10 of Japan’s cosmetic ranking site, Cosme. Unlike Jill Stuart, the packaging is black and almost has a gothic feel.

Calypso Magic Concealer

One of the most exciting aspects of travelling is discovering new places and experiences. When it comes to beauty shopping, the most exciting thing is discovering a new beauty item with endless potential. For me, that would be this Calypso Magic Concealer. In the Cosme Store, it was rated in the Top 3 for best concealer. I had to get it, not only because it was such value, but I was hoping that this concealer would be the one! The concealer that will truly hide those dark circles and not emphasize those fine lines. As I did more research, I am guessing this product might be from a smaller brand as I can’t even locate their website. From their packaging, I know that it has won a lot of beauty awards. There are literally 5 stickers indicating the awards they have won. This concealer is supposed to address uneven skincare texture due to acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It also helps to even out dark under eye circles. It comes in two colours: salmon beige and pink beige.

Excel Powder & Pencil Eyebrow

Ever discover a new beauty product and wonder how someone didn’t come up with this before. For me, that would be the New Born W Brow EX. I bought this product on a whim and I have loved it since. It is a 3-in-1 product that includes a brow pencil, brow powder, and spoolie brush. The brow pencil gives you definition while the powder is great for filling in the front end of your brow and filling in gaps in your brows. Plus, it is pigmented and stays put for most of the day. So when I spotted a similar pencil made by Excel, I had to purchase it to perhaps do a comparison later on. I mean that packaging is exactly the same except for the colour. Later on, I did find out both companies belong to a beauty brand called SANA so I guess they are just using the same packaging. However, I did manage to swatch the Excel one in-store and I feel like it is more on the waxier side, which is bit more similar to the cult-classic Shu Uemura Hard 9 formula. Stay tuned for my comparison!

I have a lot more to share, so I have been slowly documented my haul on my Instagram. You can check it out if you are interested.

Current Favourites

If you are new to my blog, I usually do a favourites blogpost every few months. Even though I mainly blog about beauty, I like to include favourites from different categories so you can get to know me a little better. Like previous favourites blogposts, I am going to categorize my favourites according to the five senses inspired by Youtuber Ingrid Nilsen’s series called Sense of Self.

Sight

I was a huge fan of the TV show, House, a few years back. In each episode, I loved how House would save a patient’s life with his genius diagnostic skills. When I heard that David Shore, House’s creator, was producing another medical drama, I was super excited to see if it would be just as good. His new show is called, The Good Doctor, based on a drama from Korea with the same name. The main character is a medical resident named Shaun who has autism and savant syndrome. We follow his story as he is first met with skepticism at the hospital till eventually his medical prowess respected. Along the way, we see him learn to deal with new changes, like working alongside new coworkers and living independently. Like House, this show has a brilliant doctor who faces many struggles in his life and as viewers, we watch alongside celebrating in their successes and connecting to their struggles.

Smell

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that the only scents I really enjoy are usually quite citrusy. I’ve talked previously about how much I enjoy the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. Other than the effectiveness of this product, a big part of why I love it is due to the user experience. It smells so refreshing, like sweet oranges. I must admit it is a tiny bit artificial, but I don’t mind it. For me, the smell of product can be a dealbreaker, so I’m glad that that I enjoy this scent. On the flip side, I can’t say that for the Fresh facial oil I’ve been using lately though. I don’t think I will repurchase it again purely due to its scent.

Taste

I was racking my brain for a taste favourite and I couldn’t really come up with anything. Then, it suddenly hit me. Chocolate. All I have been doing is it eating chocolate lately. I mean, I couldn’t help it because it was everywhere during Christmas time. I tried to share and give some away, but for the most part, I selfishly saved them for myself. Lately, I don’t really discriminate anymore. I used to mostly eat dark chocolate, but I’ve been loving milk chocolate and even white chocolate lately. So what are some of my faves? Probably, my favourite are the Lindt truffles. I have had way too many of those. I also love Ferraro Rocher, just the original ones in the gold foil packaging. Oh, but my all-time fave that no one talks about much, are the Ferraro Rocher eggs! It is like eating the same flavours but with a smooth chocolate exterior.

Touch

I had bought a cashmere sweater over 5 years ago which I still wear often today. I had heard so much about how great cashmere wears and bought this particular sweater on sale. Since then, I haven’t had the budget or justification to get another one since they are usually priced at a few hundred dollars. So why do so many people love cashmere? I think it is because it doesn’t pill much, keeps you so warm, and feels so soft. Plus, it just wears so well over time. I have had mine for over 5 years and it looks almost like it did the day I bought it. I do take very good care of it and only dry clean so I don’t know if that has made a difference. So fast forward to today, I spot some cashmere sweaters on sale at Uniquo and I just had to buy one because it was sale for $50. So how does this new breed of “economical” cashmere compare to the previous more high-end versions? So far, I think the Uniquo cashmere sweater wears really good. It might be slightly more pilling than my higher-end version, but it feels just as soft. I’ll have to report back after several more washings to see if it keeps it shape and retains its soft texture.

Hearing

If you have read my last favourites post, you would know that I have been super into buying vinyl records. For me, this has been such an amazing musical journey because I am not familiar with most of the music before the 90s. It has been so fun to learn about why these artists have been so impactful in the history of music. I found Elton John’s Greatest Hits at a local records lately, and I am amazed at the breath and depth of his music. I am embarrassed to say that most of the knowledge of I have his music has been through his score of Lion King. I’ve been loving “Yellow Brick Road,” and “Don’t Let Sun Go Down On Me.” He has just announced his retirement from touring. Hopefully, I will have the chance to catch one of his last shows. Do you have any favourite Elton John songs?

I also have to mention to BTS. I do listen to Kpop on and off, but after seeing BTS on the American Music Awards, I had to seek out some of their music. “DNA” and “Mic Drop” have been repeat the last few months. For me, it has been so amazing to see Asian faces on American TV singing in their own language. Growing up, I never saw a lot of Asian representation in Western media, and it has been wonderful to see BTS perform on so many American media outlets. I so excited to see what they will do next and what other Asian artists will also enter the Western music arena.

Year End Favourites: Top 5 in Skincare

My post for year end favourites in makeup came out pretty late, and this Top 5 in skincare is even later. I am sorry about that, but I hope you will still enjoy it. Over the last year, I have mainly focused on using Korean skincare. I enjoy their focus on natural ingredients and the effectiveness of their formulas. Some of my favourite Korean skincare brands include Whamisa, Innisfree, and ID.AZ. Through a gift from my sister, I have also really enjoyed Ole Henriksen. I tend to judge whether I love a skincare item based on the experience of application, its ingredients, and how effective it was on improving my skin’s appearance.

ID.AZ Dermastic Foaming Cleanser

I don’t know when I started to assume that cleansers that foam up right from the bottle are automatically drying. Well, this one proved me wrong. If you love cleansers that are rich and really foam up, then you will enjoy this cleanser from one of the top skin clinics in Korea, ID.AZ. Overall, I find the experience of using this cleanser really enjoyable. It has really refreshing scent, which I find quite relaxing. The formula is not stripping, containing aloe vera extract, centella asiatica extract, and panthenol to soothe skin. This is definitely one of my surprise favourites of year.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich

This year, I have been super into vicious Korean toners, which are packed full of great ingredients. They are thicker in texture, and are meant to be patted into the skin. I’ve have tried quite a few over the year, but I still think this one from the Korean brand, Whamisa is my favourite. If you are big Kbeauty fan, you would have seen this brand plastered all over Instagram and for good reason. Their focus is on using organic ingredients, primarily fermented ingredients, which are more potent and easily absorbed. This toner is my favourite this year because after you apply it on your skin, it looks plumper and glowy almost instantly. It is also great for the 7 step method. My one con is that it is a bit sticky after application but I feel it is less stickier than a few others I have tried.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

2017 was the year that I discovered Vitamin C in skincare and wondered why I didn’t start earlier. I think the reason that I hesitated to try Vitamin C was that I was afraid that I would react to it negatively. However, I realized that when you are trying any skincare, you should always patch test because everyone responds to certain ingredients differently. I tried a few Vitamin C serums this year (e.g. Wishtrend and Drunk Elephant), but I think my favourite has to be the one from Ole Henriksen for several reasons. First of all, it did not irritate my skin, which I was surprised about. Secondly, it had a lovely citrus scent and absorbed so quickly into the skin. Lastly, it provides results. It doesn’t happen right away, but with long-term use, I was surprised how smoother my skin looked under makeup. Overall, my skin looked firmer and brighter as they claimed would do. It was so good that I actually bought the full size after my sister gifted me a deluxe sample.

Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

The first time I saw Belif products, I was attracted to the minimalist blue, black, and white packaging. Then, as I learned more about the brand, I learned their brand philosophy focused on using natural herbal ingredients with modern technology to create effective skincare line. It was then I was sold. I was having problems with concealer not applying well over my eye cream so I decided to switch to this eye cream and I have been loving it every since. This is a thicker formula but it blends it easily. It leaves a nice canvas for concealer application. It contains natural oils, like cupuacu seed butter and macadamia nut oil, which help to keep the under eye area moisturized. I also love that it is pretty much unscented as well.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Olive Leaf Mist

2017 was also the year I got into facial mist. Well, to be honest, I just tried this one. I alway thought that facial mist could only be used to freshen up or set your makeup. I didn’t know that it could also have another use as a toner, especially with this Whamisa Olive Leaf Mist. It is so vicious that you can pat it in as a quick toner. I love how efficient this made my skincare routine as I could quickly spritz this on after cleansing and be done with the toner step. The mist is not super fine as the texture of the formula is a bit thicker, but it is packed full of great ingredients that are good for the skin. Furthermore, it actually lasts quick a longtime even though the bottle is quite small. Now that I am no longer a mist newbie, I can’t wait to branch out and try more facial mist this year.

Have you tried any of my favourites and what it is one skincare product that you think I must try?