Follow:
      Haircare, Makeup, Skincare

      Out The Door in 5 Minutes: Skin Care, Makeup, Body Care, Hair & Fashion

      In honor of Mondays… Ooh, the most dreaded day of the week, I’ve decided to post this to help you all out there who often had too much fun on Sunday nights and totally forgot you’ve got to work/go to school the morning after.

      So…

      Woke up late? Need to be out of the house in literally 10 minutes? Or even 5?

      This, honestly, happens to me a lot ever since my highschool days!

      My morning rush must-haves!

      If this also happens to you a lot, I strongly urge you to have the following items handy at all times at home:

      • Face Mist or Toner
      • Tinted Moisturizer with SPF
      • Tinted Eye Cream
      • Tinted Lip Balm/Lip Butter
      • Body Moisture Spray
      • Dry Shampoo
      • A set of go-to clothes
      • Protein/Granola/Muesli Bars or Liquid Breakfast
      • Mints/Breath Fresheners
      So, here’s my out-the-door in 5 minutes routine for your inspiration:

      1. Brush your teeth

      After jumping out of bed and realizing you only have 5 minutes to storm out of the house, BRUSH YOUR TEETH, there is no excuse! You don’t want to suffocate people around you with your lovely morning breath. LOL!

      But then, when you’re rushing you tend to forget things. So at the end of the post I have a list of things you always need to have in your handbag – one of them are mints or breath sprays. However, these should never be a replacement for a good ol’ conventional teeth brushing. (30 seconds)

      2. Tone your skin

      Forget about washing your face if you have a well-cleansed and well-nourished skin from the night before. You weren’t sleeping rolling around in mud so you don’t really need to wash your face, simply apply toner with a cotton pad to get rid of any excess oils or dirt on the surface of the skin, or mist your face with your favorite face mist/spray to freshen up your complexion.

      Lush Tea Tree Toner Water
      Lush Tea Tree Toner Water

      If you have problematic skin, the Lush Tea Tree Toner Water is super freaking awesome because it will also help treat your acne/congestions. (10 seconds)

      3. Protect your skin

      SPF is so important – this is one step you should never skip, even during the winter! If your skin is in need of coverage, opt for a medium-coverage tinted moisturizer that contains SPF. If not, a moisturizer that contains a minimum of SPF 15 will do.

      Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer,  Etude House 2NE1 Lip Tint in Pink Follower, Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel & Garnier BB Cream Eye Roller
      Makeup must-haves for the occasion!
      (L – R) Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer,
      Etude House 2NE1 Lip Tint in Pink Follower,
      Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel & Garnier BB Cream Eye Roller

      My favorite tinted moisturizers are the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer and NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. You don’t have time to moisturize, apply SPF foundation, and concealer separately, so a tinted moisturizer, BB or CC cream is the way to go! Applying with your clean fingers is much faster. (1 minute max.)

      4. Treat and conceal your under eyes

      Brighten up your eye area as you most likely would still have puffy/red/dark under eyes from being sleep deprived, or maybe allergies?

      Garnier BB Cream Eye Roller’s rollerball

      Quickly dab on a tinted eye cream/treatment like the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer, First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy, or Garnier BB Cream Eye Roll On. This will help hydrate and treat your under eye throughout the day while also concealing any dark circles/puffiness/redness you may have. (30 seconds)


      5. Enhance your features (Optional)

      If you have more than 5 minutes to get out the door, you can always choose to apply an additional 1-2 makeup items that is a MUST for your face.

      How to decide? Simply choose two features of your face that need to be enhanced the most.

      For me, it’s definitely my eyebrows because I have thin and sparse, almost non-existent, eyebrows. The second makeup item I choose is normally mascara or cream blush. Or both if I have the time, but my eyebrows are my number one priority!

      To save time, I usually opt for a tinted brow gel instead of brow pencil/powder.

      Anastasia Brow Gel
      Anastasia Brow Gel

      I also prefer cream blush over powder because they usually last longer and give a very natural flush to the cheeks. My favorite is the Josie Maran Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape and the Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Pravella.

      Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Pravella
      Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Pravella

      Another item I usually add when I have the time is tinted lip balm. It’s important to keep your lips moisturized, but it’s nice to add color to your lips too. I have so many favorites but one of them is the Etude House 2NE1 Lip Tint in Pink Follower, which has a blue bullet but when applied on the lips, turns into a pinkish hue. The final color varies depending on the natural color of the lips and how many layers of the balm is applied – the more layers, the more intense the pink gets. Best thing is, this balm has SPF23!

      Etude House 2NE1 Lip Tint in Pink Follower tinted lip balm

      Make sure you don’t choose to do complicated things like contouring, or colorful eyeshadow application, or doing a winged liner. Keep it simple, neutral and fast. If you really want eyeshadow, opt for long-lasting cream shadows like the Maybelline Color Tattoos. My favorite is the shade Bad To The Bronze.

      6. Moisturize your body

      Of course you won’t have time to slather your skin with body lotion, let alone shower! Grab a body moisture spray (basically a body lotion/moisturizer in a spray bottle) like the Sanctuary Spa Body Moisture Spray or the Vaseline Spray & Go that will moisturize and add a glow to your skin, and spray liberally all over your body to fake an “I showered this morning!” look.

      Sanctuary Spa Body Moisture Spray
      Sanctuary Spa Body Moisture Spray

      With these products you don’t have to spend too much time rubbing the product in like you would with lotions and creams. One swipe is enough to rub the product in. (30 seconds)

      7. Apply deodorant

      Please do everyone around you a favor and don’t forget to use deodorant. It’s so much more important than perfume, especially if you live in hot and humid climates! Hehe. It’s because perfumes cannot control the odor the comes from your underarms, only anti-perspirants can do that.

      Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit
      Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit

      My favorite is the Dove Deodorant Anti-Perspirant Aerosol and Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla  Grapefruit(10 seconds)

      8. Fluff up your hair

      Got limp, flat, oily hair? Always make sure you have dry shampoo, especially if you’ve got dark hair. Blondes can get away with baby powder, but people with dark hair will end up looking like they’ve aged overnight if they use baby powder, if you know what I mean!

      Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume, Lush Tea Tree Toner Water,  Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit, and Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturizer Vaseline Spray & Go
      Bod, hair and skin must-haves!
      (L – R) Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume, Lush Tea Tree Toner Water,
      Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit, and
      Vaseline Intensive Care Spray Moisturizer (Spray & Go)

      My favorite is the cult classic Batiste Dry Shampoo in Cherry and on days when I need more volume, the XXL Volume version. Quickly spray it all over your hair (try to get to the roots as best as you can) and massage it into your bed head to add volume.

      If your hair’s a really hot mess, just bun it up! And if your hair gets super tangled a lot, make sure you have a tangle teezer handy! (1 minute)

      9. Dress up

      The quickest way to get out the door looking decent is by always having in mind your set of go-to clothes and accessories. The key is to choose clothing that is easy for you to slide into. Avoid clothes with buttons, and opt for zippers instead. As for shoes, choose something you can easily slide into without having to worry about bits and pieces falling out, causing you to stumble.

      For me, it’ll be a pair of leggings, an appropriate top/shirt, a cardigan, a statement necklace/bracelet(s), and a pair of flats. Ideally, it’ll be better if you had these prepared the night before if you know you’re going to wake up late in the morning! (1 minute)


      10. Carry breakfast to-go

      Do NOT skip breakfast! But you only have a few seconds left? Always keep in your pantry some protein/granola/muesli bars that you can just throw in your bag and eat on the way. Or, a liquid breakfast like Up & Go milk, which is my favorite! (10 seconds)

      Aaand…VOILA! You’re ready to storm out of the house.

      I hope that does not inspire you to wake up late all the time, but I do hope it’ll help if you ever have to rush in the morning!

      Is this similar to your routine if you ever wake up late? Let me know in the comments what you’d do differently/the same! I’m always looking for inspirations 🙂
      Just wanted to add one last thing. If you’re a morning racer (i.e. always having to race out the door every morning), it’s a good idea to always have these in your handbag/purse:
      • Breath mints/spray: Just in case you forget about brushing your teeth!
      • Dry shampoo: I always have a mini sized dry shampoo handy just in case my hair gets all cray-cray on me.
      • Perfume: You never want to smell offensive, but you didn’t have time to shower or use deodorant, so having a mini sized perfume handy is never a bad idea!
      • Protein bar: Or any other “bars” in case you don’t have time to grab breakfast.
      • Touch-up powder: This is a must if you have oily skin!


      What else do you think should be added to this list?
      Hope you enjoyed this post! XO
      Favorites, Skincare

      Pregnancy Body & Skin Care Favorites

      Our bodies go through a lot of changes during pregnancy, including the skin. Stretch marks, veins, dryness and rashes are just some of the road bumps our bodies will have to go through during this incredible life-making journey, so it’s crucial for us to invest a little more of our time and energy in nourishing and replenishing the skin to aid in the healing and prevention of these skin issues.

      Skin problems I’m personally facing during this pregnancy are dryness, stretch marks, and hormonal acne. So today I’d like to share with you my personal body and skin care favorites that have really helped me maintain my skin’s health!

      1. Body

      a. Body Boost by Basq

      These two are my babies! My mom got them for me and I can’t be happier about the quality of these products. 
      I use these two every time I get out of the shower.

      I apply the Basq Body Boost Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Oil all over my belly, taking it down to my upper pubic area where my stretch marks start, and the sides of my hips up to my waistline where I have stretch marks too. 
      I really, really regret not using this ever since I found out I was pregnant! It could’ve prevented the stretch marks but I was way too sick in my first trimester to take care of my skin. So I’m urging you ladies out there who are still early in pregnancy or are thinking of getting pregnant to find time to take care of your body no matter what
      My stretch marks have not gotten worse, I haven’t gotten any new ones ever since I started using this in my early second trimester when the stretch marks started to appear. So I’m really happy about that, and I’m hoping this will aid in the healing and fading of the marks.
      I love how the oil does not leave a sticky, greasy or gross residue. It is oily, of course, since it is oil, but it does not bother me at all because it gets absorbed into the skin pretty fast and just leaves the skin supple and moisturized. I love that it also nourishes my hands when I apply it.
      Best of all, it smells amazing! Paired with the body butter, I feel like I’m swimming in a pool of milk and honey. Literally.
      After applying the oil, I slather the Basq Body Boost Milk & Honey Stretch Mark Butter to the rest of my body, sometimes even going over the area where I’ve applied the oil with this.
      The thick gel-type consistency is not too difficult to work into the skin which makes it perfect for use right before bed because it won’t make your skin feel tacky and greasy. It just makes the skin feel super smooth and supple.
      Sadly, I think this has been discontinued for a while. However, there are lots of other alternatives out there!
      Here’s a list of my other pregnancy body butter/oil favorites:
      Sanctuary Spa Collagen Boosting Body Butter is an alternative I’ve been using on days when I want a bit of a change in scent. It smells sweet, but not as sweet as milk and honey. It has this soothing rose-infused sort of scent, mixed with shea and cocoa butter. The texture and consistency is of a thick, buttery gel, similar to the Basq.
      Estelle & Thild Pregnancy Body Oil is an alternative body oil I’ve been keeping beside my bed on days when I’ve forgotten to apply body oil while in the bathroom (and can’t be bothered to return to the bathroom. LOL). Honestly, the cute pink packaging is the only reason I got this. The scent isn’t as pleasant, although not off-putting, and the packaging is very fragile. Mine has already gotten a dent from where I’ve squeezed it, and the cap is broken. Scent and packaging wise, not the best. But it’s organic so I guess that’s my favorite thing about it 🙂
      Mustela Stretch Marks Double Action is another product I use a lot of. I use this in the morning, all over my belly, hips and thighs because I don’t shower in the morning since it’s winter here and I prefer showering at night. I find that the body oil and butters are too much to be used in the morning. This cream is so much lighter in consistency, but does require a much longer time to get rubbed and massaged in to the skin. Oh, and the scent isn’t pleasant at all, I actually really dislike the scent. But I’ve heard great reviews about this product and it does work tremendously well for a lot of people, including my sister in law who actually recommended this to me. She only got stretch marks in areas where she did not apply this. So I’m hoping this will prevent more stretch marks for me!

      b. Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner

      I’m sorry I don’t have a photo of this since it’s already wet and grubby in my shower! :p

      This is basically a body moisturizer that you apply in the shower as your last step. How cool is that? If you’re lazy or tired and really don’t have the energy to moisturize after you shower, this is the perfect solution for you!

      Once you’re done shampooing, shaving and doing everything else you need to do, turn off the shower for a bit and scoop out this product and slather it over areas you want to moisturize (for me, it’s the whole body!) and massage it in. Turn the shower on again and rinse it off. You’ll see the product get rinsed off, it doesn’t lather at all, but it does leave an oily film on your skin. Don’t fret though! It’s a good thing! It does feel weird when you’re still rinsing it off in the shower, but once you step out and towel dry your body, it will feel soooooo moisturized. It’s safe for you to go straight to bed or go about your day without applying an additional body moisturizer after showering with this.

      For me, this is perfect for days when I’m fatigued and super exhausted after a long day out. I sometimes don’t have the energy to slather on different types of products on my skin after a long day, so I just hop in the shower, finish up with this body conditioner, towel dry and go straight to sleep.

      A popular alternative is the Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturizer (it’s only A$5 at Chemist Warehouse!) but I’ve never tried it before. I’m halfway through my Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner, and will be purchasing this after I run out since the Lush is so expensive at A$32.50 for 225g! This one is only a crazy A$5 for 250ml!

      c. Sanctuary Spa Body Moisture Spray

      Words can’t describe how much I love this product. Since it’s winter, I only shower at night because that’s when I need it most, and showering twice a day during winter just worsens my dry skin.
      So I use this in the morning before I start my day.
      This is basically a body moisturizer in a bottle. It’s a very, very light oil that you spray on your body and you don’t even need to rub it in too much, unlike body lotions and creams. It doesn’t leave any kind of film or residue on the skin, so it’s great for use when you’re in a rush! You can immediately dress up after spraying your whole body with this without having bits of cotton and materials sticking on to the skin. I often rush in the morning so this is perfect for me.

      The scent is also amazing and it lingers for quite a while!

      An alternative I’ve been loving lately is the Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer. It has more of a lotion than a light oil formula, and it requires a bit more rubbing in than the Sanctuary Spa, and it’s slightly greasier and absorbs slower. Scent-wise, I also still prefer the Sanctuary Spa, but this is an excellent alternative nevertheless.

      2. Skin

      a. Hydrating Facial Mists

      I can never get enough of facial mists! My skin gets so dry and dehydrated during the day, especially if I’ve spent a majority of my time outdoors, and ever since I was pregnant. So I always have one in my purse, even on my bedside table.
      Facial mists really help your skin stay hydrated, it’s a great boost of hydration for when you don’t have time to re-moisturize of if you’ve got makeup on. These mists do not mess up your makeup at all. If anything, they can help your makeup stay on longer.

      I have three favorite face mists, here they are:

      My all-time favorite is the Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water because it’s the most basic and reliable of its kind. I keep this by my bedside and also have a mini size in my travel toiletries bag for when I’m travelling by plane. This is an air travel staple for me!

      This was featured in my Holy Grail post – I’ve been repurchasing this over and over again for years no matter how many other face mists I have because this is the most reliable out of them all. It is created for sensitive skin by Avene, a French skincare company that specializes in skincare for people with sensitive skin. This one is the safest to use, and the only one I use, when my skin is a bit reactive, allergic or is breaking out because it’s non-comedogenic, oil free and fragrance free. It is the lightest in formula compared to my other mists, it just feels like you’re spraying fresh water on your skin. The mist is very fine, which makes it so easy for the skin to absorb, and it also has a continuous spray and there is no need for you to pat your skin dry after spraying.

      So no matter how many other face mists I have, I will time and time again return to this face mist because this really is the most reliable. I know for sure that this will not break me out or cause irritations.

      Another one of my favorites is the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. I love how the soothing rose scent lingers for quite a long time, I seriously love the smell of roses that are subtle and refreshing.

      The spray isn’t continuous but it is very fine, and about 4-5 sprays are enough for the whole face. It doesn’t leave any kind of residue on the skin and does not require to be patted or rubbed in to the skin, which is always a plus.

      However, one thing I’m not quite happy about is how heavy the packaging is. I’d love to be able to travel with this and throw this in my purse, but it’s so heavy! This 100ml bottle is the smallest they have, but the opaque, matted bottle is so thick and heavy. I hope they will release a travel-friendly version soon!

      This is the one I’ve been keeping in my purse, the Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist. Gosh I love the scent of this whole line, I’m currently using the Chanel Hydra Beauty Serum as well, and am loving it. I have also tried the moisturizing gel and it is divine.

      Like the Avene, this also has a continuous spray and has a very fine mist. What I love most about this is that unlike the other face mists, this actually adds a glow to the skin!

      The only downside to this is the price. It retails for US$90 at Nordstrom for 48g and the Avene is only about A$6-7 at chemists for 50ml! The price difference is insane but I would still repurchase this (and use it rarely) because I love the scent and the glow it gives!

      b. Lush Tea Tree Water Toner

      On mornings when my skin feels tight, and don’t want to dry it out even further, I avoid washing my face. However, since I do need to treat my hormonal acne, I still have to get any skincare residue from the night before to start fresh. To do this, I go straight to toning my skin. 
      A toner/facial pad I’ve been loving is the First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Blemish Patrol Pads, but I’m currently running out of it and won’t be able to repurchase it until I head back to the States at the end of the year. So I went looking for an alternative and am glad I remembered loving this back when I was in college.
      This is a super safe, all-natural option for pregnant women out there who are afraid to use skincare products with ingredients such as Salicylic Acid, but still need to treat nasty breakouts.

      This can be applied in two ways: by spraying it straight on to the face, or spraying it on to a cotton pad. On mornings when I don’t wash my face, I apply this on to the skin with a cotton pad to make sure it really gets the skin clean, but I spray it straight to the face on days when I do wash my face, just to freshen it up, balance out my skin’s ph level and prep it for moisturizer and sunscreen.

      This feels like water on the skin and does not have an off-putting smell even though it is tea tree infused. I’m currently alternating between this and my First Aid Beauty pads until it’s finished (I probably have about 4-5 pads left) and my skin has never looked better.

      This is a must have during pregnancy for me because it’s pregnancy-safe, is alcohol free, has natural ingredientstreats and prevents acne, and does not strip the skin.

      c. Pure Paw Paw Ointment

      Another one of my staples is paw paw ointment!
      Paw Paw ointments in general are described as a topical ointment to treat cuts, burns, rashes, insect bites, chafing, open wounds, nappy rash and dry/flaky/chapped skin. This is not just a pregnancy must have for me, but a general must-have! Everyone needs to have this in their lives.
      I used to use (and still have) the good ol’ Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment which everyone and their mamas love. However, I recently spotted these cuties at Priceline!
      Pure Paw Paw Ointments come in four different scents (or flavors?) and my personal favorites are the Grape and Strawberry. I forgot what the other two were, but one of them was Watermelon, I think.

      These ones aren’t as thick as the Lucas’ Paw Paw Ointment, they’re much more slippery and thin in consitency but that’s why I love it. It’s a bit difficult to layer the Lucas with other lip products like lipstick and lip gloss, but these ones are so light that applying a light layer and then topping it off with lipstick makes the lipstick appear glossy and pretty.

      But what really got me into these are the yummy scents! Well, obviously the cute packaging too. But the scent is seriously what makes me gaga over these, the grape scent is so divine! It doesn’t linger for too long, but when you apply, you can definitely sniff it. So adorable!

      At night, I apply this not just on the lips but around the mouth area as well because I tend to get flakey skin around there. Sometimes around my nose as well. 

      3. Inner Health

      Aside from all the topical stuff, you really need to focus on what you’re doing on the inside too. What your body is like on the inside is reflected on the outside, so if you have a healthy body, it will also be reflected on your skin.

      These are the additional things I’ve been loving that’s been so beneficial for my skin:

      a. Nails, Skin, and Hair Supplement

      Prenatal multivitamins are a must, of course, but for those of you suffering from stubborn hormonal acne problems, taking additional supplements for the skin is unlikely to be harmful. My OB has given me the green light to add this supplement to my daily vitamin intake, and ever since I’ve been taking it, I’ve had no additional hormonal breakouts!

      I’m currently only struggling with the acne marks/hyperpigmentation but don’t actually have any active breakouts. Maybe it’s my skincare routine, but it could be this as well!

      PLEASE NOTE: Always consult with your practitioner(s) before taking extra supplements during pregnancy.

      This supplement contains Zinc which is known to be great at reducing acne, and it is considered safe for consumption during pregnancy because it doesn’t contain Vitamin A, which is generally a no-no during pregnancy.

      Consult your OB for additional skin health supplements to help with your acne. This has personally made a huge difference for me.

      b. Greens

      I’m not gonna write an essay on this, even though I could! But seriously, greens are so important, even when you’re not pregnant, but you need it even more when you’re pregnant. Not just for the health of your bub, but yourself, and your skin!

      Check out this great article about the benefits of kale, my favorite green veggie! I drink kale juice every single day and love it blending it with berries and apples.

      I’d love to do a separate post on this one day! 🙂

      c. Water

      Yes, so cliche. But it’s true! Water hydrates your whole body and thus nourishes your skin. There are numerous benefits of staying hydrated with water, not tea, coffee or carbonated drinks – but pure water.

      This has been fun! Of course I have a lot of other skincare favorites, but these are just a few of my staples.

      Hope you’ve enjoyed this and do share with me what your pregnancy favorites are/were!

      XO

      Makeup

      Review: Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches

      I remember encountering these for the first time at a Sephora in Singapore mid last year and getting a mini heart attack from excitement when I swatched them for the first time. Eyeshadow sticks really appealed to me because I’m a jetsetter and am always on the go, so I really like eyeshadows that don’t require much brush work and are creamy, pigmented and long-lasting.

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows

      So I purchased four shades, they were:

      • 03 Fuller Fudge (bronze chocolate brown with gold sheen)
      • 06 Mighty Moss (frosted moss green)
      • 07 Pink & Plenty (pink with golden sheen)
      • 09 Lavish Lilac (medium lilac with metallic sheen)
      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches

      To sum it up: Out of the four I purchased, my favorite has to be the Mighty Moss, and my least would definitely be the Pink & Plenty. There are so many better eyeshadow sticks like Fuller Fudge out there in the market, and Lavish Lilac, although it swatches beautifully, translates a bit too ashy and grey on to my warm/neutral skin tone.
      Read on to see the products in more detail! 🙂

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows

      And the swatches…

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches

      Individual Reviews

      03 Fuller Fudge

      This chocolate brown shade transfers quite smoothly on to the lids and is quite opaque at first swipe on the lids, so I was impressed. It did tug on my lids a bit but I didn’t mind. I liked using it on its own by applying it along the lash line and then using my ring finger to blend it outwards toward the crease, creating a subtle smokey look. But I also liked topping it off with a variety of bronze/brown powder eyeshadows, and it lasted throughout the day pretty well. It did crease a bit without eye primer, but its vibrance and longevity is definitely improved with the use of an eye primer (I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion).

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches fuller fudge
      I used this shade on top of a primer a couple of times when I was travelling through Israel, Jordan and Egypt, and I must say, its longevity pretty impressive as a base color. I forgot which powder eyeshadow I used on top of it to set it, but I remember it being quite vibrant throughout the whole day, fading only after the 8-hour mark, which is pretty impressive considering the crippling hot climate in the Middle East! (Should be noted that I don’t have oily lids, so I’m not quite sure how this would last on oily lids!)
      However, I just haven’t been reaching out for it too much for the past year, and I think it’s because there are so many other eyeshadow sticks/creams in this shade out there, and with much better quality. A current favorite of mine is the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Amber Haze and its close second, the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon, which isn’t a dupe because it’s much more pearlescent and shimmery, but it does have a brown base color and it lasts so much longer even without primer, which makes it a better option for when I’m travelling.
      I think it’s just that I have a preference towards eyeshadow stick shades that have much more dimension. Fuller Fudge seems to be rather flat compared to other brown eyeshadow sticks/creams out there and while it’s great when mixed with other eyeshadow products, I really prefer using one product that makes it seem like I have a number of eyeshaow shades on my lids.
      For a list of dupes for this shade, check out this list from Temptalia

      06 Mighty Moss

      As I mentioned earlier, this is my favorite out of all the shades I purchased (although I think 12 Massive Midnight would be my favorite – if only they had it in stock!).

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches mighty moss

      When I was travelling in the Middle East, this was definitely the shade that I used the most. First, it is just flattering against my skin tone. Secondly, when paired with a dark brown powder eyeshadow in the outer corners, it creates the most beautiful sculpted green-eyeshadow look. The “green” isn’t that bright either, so it’s not intimidating.
      It applies smoothly and does not tug on the skin too much, although it’s not superbly opaque. I definitely had to swipe a few times to get the right opacity.
      Longevity is remarkable. Again, as tested in the Middle Eastern climate. I even forgot to use primer one time, but this surprisingly did not budge or crease until about the 6th hour mark when its vibrancy started to fade a tad.
      Since I still haven’t been able to find a shade like this that I really gravitate to, this remains a staple in my stash! Definitely my go-to green shadow base when I’m feeling… green?!

      07 Pink & Plenty

      Words cannot describe how much I hate this thing. Yes, hate is a strong word. So, why the hate? It literally gave me a migraine. LOL. No joke.

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches pink & plenty

      So, when I swatched this shade on top of my hand at Sephora, I did have to layer it up a bit to get the color to show up, but I didn’t mind because the gold sheen was so pretty amongst the pink pigment, I knew it would add a great dimension to my eyelids.
      However, little did I know, when trying to apply this to the lids (which I did the day after I purchased it) it isn’t that easy. Swipe after swipe, no color showed up on my lids. I pushed the stick against my eyelids even harder, and harder, and harder – and still no color, just bits of gold shimmer here and there, even after warming up the stick on top of my hand. After about 15 swipes I finally managed to get a little bit of color on my lids, but it was so sheer I decided to top it off with a light pink eyeshadow to match it.
      Minutes later I started getting a thumping headache, coming from my eyes. I immediately knew it was because I applied the shadow with too much pressure against my eyeballs!
      Never will I use this again. Terrible. Just. Terrible.

      09 Lavish Lilac

      This is just a “meh” one for me. Didn’t really tickle my fancy. When swatched on my hand, the mildness of the lilac made it very wearable and I really liked purple on my lids so of course I wanted to give this a try. 

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches lavish lilac

      However, after a few uses, I’ve just never really been satisfied. For some reason the tone of the lilac shade translates a bit greyish against my skin tone. I had to play around with various eyeshadow powders to help counteract the greyness in the shade. If you have a cool-toned light skin, this might work really well for you. Unfortunately it just looks way too ashy on neautral/warm skin tones.

      Final Thoughts

      Overall, I really like the shades Fuller Fudge and Mighty MossPink & Plenty is simply rubbish. Lavish Lilac is a beautiful shade, but would only work on cooler skin tones.
      But before I wrap this up I just want to point out a major flaw that I really didn’t like from these sticks: the packaging is terrible. I’m not sure if this only happens to the ones I have, which I purchased in Singapore, but the sticks would somehow detach from its base from time to time, causing it to slide out uncontrollably from the tube when I pop open the lid. See below:

      clinique chubby stick eyeshadows swatches

      This happened merely 2 months after purchase. And it’s not because I’ve been travelling with it because I’ve only travelled with two of the shades, yet all of them have at one point detached from its base.

      So, the product itself is great (except Pink & Plenty) but I’m just not too sure about the packaging.
      Have you ever tried these sticks? Would love to hear what your thoughts are!

      XO

      Makeup

      Review: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set in 310 Shock Wave

      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave

      Was so excited when I saw this at Priceline the other day, I immediately had to get one for myself!

      It’s basically a gel polish that does not require light, and it can also be removed with a normal nail polish remover. LOVE!
      And of course I had to get the pink one. By now I’ve lost count on how many pink polishes I have. I seriously can’t help it!

      Read on to see my first impression (and update) on the product.

      In the following image, I’ve only applied two thin coats on my fingernails, except my thumbnail – I’ve actually done four coats and one thick layer of top coat on my thumbnail so you can see the difference.
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      The polish itself does apply a bit streaky if used lightly. It’s better to apply one coat in one thick glob to avoid getting the streaks.
      Oh, and I love the brush applicator! It has a slight oval shape to it so it follows the shape of fingernails, which makes it so much easier to apply.
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      With four light coats, or two thick coats, of the pink polish and one coat of the top coat – my nails look so opaque and shiny! I love the glossy finish.
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Set 310 Shock Wave
      Here’s the final look, up close.
      Will update you on how long they last in a few days!
      XO

      Final Verdict

      Update: 18 August 2014


      It’s been exactly two weeks since I first applied this, and here’s a picture of my nails:
      Can you believe those were the only chipping/signs of wear I had?!
      I’m an active person so nail polishes will usually only last about 4-5 days on my nails before they start to show signs of wear. 
      With this one, THAT was how it looked like after two weeks! I’m not sure how much longer it would last if I hadn’t removed it, I’m guessing it would still be able to last another two weeks. No kidding.
      The only reason I decided to remove the polish was because I had to review another nail polish.
      So, all in all, this set is definitely a 5/5 product for me, and I will be purchasing more shades for sure!
      Favorites, Makeup, Skincare

      July 2014 Beauty Favorites

      As we creep towards the end of July, it’s time for me to reflect on what I’ve loved using/wearing the most over the past month! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by, I’m 3 months away from giving birth – I can hardly wait!

      So, this month’s been a lot of fun – probably the best month I’ve had so far this year because I finally got to travel! After months of confinement due to pregnancy, which was literally eating my soul (you jetsetters out there will understand), I finally had an excuse to hop on a plane!

      I spent the first week of July in Sydney for the annual Hillsong conference (which was a blast!), and the second week at Mount Hotham. So some of the things I’ve been loving lately are those that I used while travelling, or new discoveries as I did some shopping with my mom when I got back to Melbourne!

      1. Eve Lom Cleanser

      This is currently my favorite nighttime cleanser, but because of its steep price I only use it when I’m wearing heavy makeup. On days when I’m not wearing makeup, I would cleanse using my morning cleanser (La Roche Posay Lipikar Syndet with a Clarisonic if I’m washing my face in the shower, or Fresh Soy Face Cleanser if I’m washing my face in the bathroom sink).
      eve lom cleansing balm
      Eve Lom Cleanser
      I’ve only ever tried a handful of cleansing balms before, namely the Clinique Take The Day Off, The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser and the SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Gel – but for me, none of them have been able to excel in both makeup removal and skin cleansing, they’re only good in one or the other. The Clinique one is a great makeup remover, but I still need to use a proper night cleanser afterwards. The Organic Pharmacy and SK-II are great cleansers, but doesn’t remove eye makeup as well as the Eve Lom.
      This Eve Lom cleanser is insanely good IMO because it:
      1. Removes and dissolves makeup, including the most stubborn mascara residue on the roots of the lashes
      2. Cleanses and nourishes the skin (does not leave skin feeling tight and dry afterwards)
      3. Exfoliates the skin (balm contains soft, little exfoliating granules)
      4. Hydrates the skin, and preps it well for skin care regimen 
      I love that this cleanser eliminates the need for double cleansing at night! So this is perfect for me as I’m super lazy when it comes to skincare these days.

      eve lom cleansing balm
      Eve Lom Cleanser

      Will do an in-depth review really soon, and plan to purchase the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm once I run out so I can do a comparison!

      Eve Lom Muslin Cloth

      I’d also like to acknowledge the muslin cloth for being so remarkable – it is unlike any other muslin cloths I’ve had.

      First, makeup is easily washed away from the cloth, compared to my Organic Pharmacy muslin cloth. Took forever for me to get rid of eyeliner and mascara stains from my Organic Pharmacy muslin cloth, but with the Eve Lom one, I just simply have to run it under hot/warm water, wash it for a bit, and everything’s gone! I don’t even need to use soap or detergent!


      Secondly, it exfoliates the skin really well without being too abrasive or harsh. It’s actually really, really soft. Major love!

      2. By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream

      I am constantly on the hunt for a great moisturizer, and am glad I finally found this cream!
      By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream
      By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream

      This is my current go-to nighttime moisturizer (night cream). The cold and dry weather is taking a toll on my skin, especially my chin area (where all of my breakouts are) which is super dehydrated and dry because of my acne treatment. I started using Cetaphil in late April/early May but the finish is somehow rather oily and greasy – it somehow doesn’t get absorbed into the skin and sort of just sits there on top of the skin.

      I started using this mid-June and haven’t stopped since! It’s the only moisturizer that’s been working well for me – it normalizes and hydrates my chin area really well but doesn’t over-hydrate the other areas of my face.

      It also doesn’t clog pores, I’ve never broken out from this product and I’ve been using this nightly for the past month and a half. My skin is very sensitive to products that clog pores – if a product is pore-clogging, next morning I will end up with clogged pores around the nose, and after a day or two, will break out around chin and cheeks. Didn’t happen with this one!

      The thick texture reminds me of Creme de La Mer, except this smells like a field of roses. Ooh la la! However, it doesn’t feel thick upon application because the cream has to be warmed up between fingers first to melt the product, similar to Creme de La Mer, and it has a very smooth finish – absorbs quickly, no greasiness or tackiness, but skin feels nourished and hydrated.

      By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream moisturizer

      By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream moisturizer
      By Terry Creme de Rose Nutri-Lift Comfort Cream

      I’m currently about halfway way through the whole pot (I’ve actually started using this in April, but stopped for a while when I had an allergic reaction to a medication and my skin got irritated – I had to use Cetaphil for a while) because I sometimes use this in the morning only in my chin area. As much as I love this, it hurts me that I don’t think I would repurchase this any time soon since it’s so expensive! I actually didn’t purchase this myself, I received this from a swap.
      By the time I finish this product it’d probably be Summer here, so I don’t think I would need a moisturizer this thick, will probably repurchase close to Winter. I’m currently eyeing the Murad Essential-C Night Moisture and Origins GinZing for Summertime! 

      3. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Amber Haze

      Simple, easy and perfect on-the-go makeup item. 
      Just swipe, blend, and voila!

      Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze
      Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze

      This is perfect for travelling or when you’re in a rush. Just swipe this all over the lids (focusing on lower lash line) and blend upwards and outwards with finger. Makes it seem like a bit more effort was put into my eye makeup, although it was just one swipe of this!
      The product dries out pretty fast, so have to work with it pretty quick. It stays put all day and doesn’t budge or crease even without eyelid primer. However, you may need to prime your lids first if you have oilier lids.
      I featured this in my simple travel makeup bag post. I love pairing this with the Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Kitten!

      Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze stila kitten
      Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon Amber Haze and Stila Kitten
      I’ve also been liking By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon but it’s too shimmery for everyday use. This one doesn’t have too much shimmer (or glitter) so it’s the perfect neutral, everyday bronze/brown base.

      4. Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Kitten

      I raved about this product here! So I’m not going to go into much detail with this one.

      stila kitten
      Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Kitten

      stila kitten
      Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Kitten – Close Up

      I simply love it, and it’s currently a makeup staple!

      5. Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer in 13 Sand Beige

      This is simply the best highlighter I’ve ever encountered thus far. The quality of this product really does justify its price.

      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige

      First of all, can we just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the packaging? Ooh! 

      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige
      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige

      It comes with a beautiful, cream velvet pouch.

      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige
      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige – Velvet Pouch

      Inspired by the way a seashell radiates light, this powder adds a natural luminosity wherever it’s applied. Cle de Peau claims that it uses “innovative light-diffusing technology to define contours and illuminate your complexion“, and it really does live up to its claims. 

      The powder is made up of a prism of warm colors, namely pinks, creams, reddish bronze and taupe. When blended together it creates the most amazing luminosity on the skin.

      I seriously hate (and hate is a strong word) highlighters that appear streaky, chalky and too apparent! So I really appreciate the quality of this powder for being so finely milled that even the “glitters” are not too apparent when they melt onto the skin.

      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige
      Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer 13 Sand Beige

      I usually apply this on the tops of my cheekbones before blush, and on the bridge of my nose and my chin. My flat and dull-looking face immediately looks so much more radiant and awake.

      The best thing is, it never looks streaky and it won’t look like I’ve applied a highlighter in purpose. With some highlighters, you can definitely see where the line between the skin and the line where the highlighter starts is drawn. However, this highlighter is able to blend seamlessly with the skin, it’s very subtle and people won’t notice you have a conventional “cheek highlighter” on your skin, it radiates a lit-from-within glow. Unlike most highlighters, this does not sit on the skin and slip around, spreading glitter all over the face, throughout the day. This nicely melts into the skin, thus creating the dubbed “lit-from-within” luminescent glow.
      It comes in four shades, and mine is in the shade 13 Sand Beige and it is the warmest out of four shades.

      Runner-ups are for my favorite, most natural looking highlighters are Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight and Soap & Glory Glow All Out!

      6. NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

      I no longer bring a powder foundation in my makeup bag, this is the only powder I bring wherever I travel. I also don’t bring huge powder brushes anymore, a slim Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush is all I bring to apply this product only on areas I’ve used concealer on. So I basically use this powder to set my all my concealing and it makes it stay put all day, and smooths out the tackiness/greasiness of the concealer or foundation.
      On minimal-makeup days I just use Cle de Peau concealer on areas that need to be concealed and this setting powder.

      NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

      NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

      The finishing feel on the skin is very akin to Make Up For Ever HD Powder and Tarte Amazonian Clay Smooth Operator, but this one has tiny micro shimmers in it to help luminize the skin, which makes it amazing for the undereye area. I really like those ones too, but prefer this one because it’s pressed, and the packaging is very slim and travel friendly. It comes with a pouch and a slim puff.
      So sleek and beautiful!

      Hope you all had a fun July! Can’t believe we’re halfway through 2014! XO 🙂