CHANEL Resynchronizing Skincare

"Reset time for beautiful skin.

In an ideal world, your skin’s functions would perform in perfect balance. However, daily life, lack of sleep, travel and hectic schedules disrupt skin’s natural rhythms, causing signs of dullness, fatigue and stress to appear. The complexion can appear tired, with an uneven texture.

To restore the complexion to its optimal state, Chanel created three skincare products, customized to your weekly needs. Together, the products help to resynchronize skin’s natural rhythms throughout the day, the night and the weekend for a perfectly balanced complexion - even-textured, smooth, supple and beautiful."

The latest offering from Chanel skincare; which can be used in conjunction with your current regime- Le Jour, La Nuit and Le Weekend.

I have gone through the ingredient list and they seem promising, and safe enough for me to actually consider getting all of them (without testing it out). Le Weekend sounds very much like Alpha-H's Liquid Gold which I have recently started to use and I am very keen to see how this compares.

Will definitely be checking this out when it hits the counters.

Image source

Check out Weekend Rambling's Blog for more pictures/a review.

Indigo

This morning a friend shared something with me, and it struck me odd that I was not affected at all about it. I thought it would, and I waited for that pang of hurt to hit but it didn't.

Infact, I don't even feel a thing.

It's a good thing.

xxx

I remember a time when I only saw the light in everyone, even those who had hurt me or who shared different opinions/values. Somewhere along the way, I lost the energy to look at the light.. choosing to focus instead on their flaws and faults (to me). It was easier. Easier to say mean things and laugh it off rather than seeing the good in the person.

It wasn't always like that. Or rather, I, wasn't always like that. I can't take back the things I've said or made fun of but I can choose to light the flame I once saw in everyone.

When I was around 20, I wrote something along these lines describing myself in Facebook:
"I have strong opinions which may come across differently to people who dont know me well.
I still have strong opinions, but I never meant that other people couldn't have one. 
Even to people who know me (well), it still comes across wrong. I don't expect people to understand anymore.
I am judgmental and have a sharp tongue but I value trust and honesty above all.
The word "judgmental" isn't as harsh as it sounds, as I believe no one can truly judge you unless you accept it or believe it to be true yourself. Then you have nothing to be offended about.
I still have a sharp tongue. And I still value trust and honesty. Above all. 
I find it hard to let go of things which I love- be it material or relationships but once I do, I won't remember why I wanted it in the first place."
This still rings true, but it gets easier to let go. The memories of how I felt will always remain, but the people who were in the moment inevitably fade away.

It has been 7 years since. This was, is, and will always be me.

I will light the flame for no one but me to appreciate. If you happen to see the light too, then let's enjoy the view together.

xxx

I understand who I am and what I am.

Even if you don't believe or understand my truth, I still love you (all) the same.

There are those who are just like me in essence, and I am consoled knowing that it is okay to be different.

xxx

Empties: June 2013

Moving into the 2nd half of the year, my inventory is looking much much more manageable. 

When I first started the monthly Empties post last year, I was so hopeful thinking I could substantially downsize the beauty pile by this time of the year. I'm not quite where I expected but I'm getting there.

My purchases have been really minimal, rarely impulsive or compulsive. Staple items are also emerging and I am finally able to make a list of products which work for me.

Sometimes the best products for your skin might not be the most expensive or heavily advertised *looks at sukin foaming cleanser lovingly*. I've tried my fair share of luxury products, some work to a certain extent- others just caused me irritation no matter how many times I attempted after my skin cleared up *evil eyes at SK-II essence*.

In the shower..

1. Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque [500ml // MYR310]
Recommended by Ally, gifted by my sister. I like the scent which isn't full on rose but mixed with other plants, and also that I could use it as a scalp treatment. It didn't leave my scalp oily nor weigh my hair down. I find that it doesn't leave the hair silky smooth (as expected from a plant-based hair product) but it does feel nourished and bouncy. I still have a 120ml tube to go through but am not sure if I would repurchase. Like, not love.

2. Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub [200ml]

3. Crabtree & Evelyn Bath & Shower Gel [50ml]

4. Soap & Glory Clean Girls Body Wash [500ml] LOVE the scent and packaging from this brand! Not a "natural" brand but I like their body products, not harsh nor drying. This really has a lovely scent! Their price point is a plus too.

5. Joico Silk Result Shampoo & 6. Conditioner 

Mostly Clarins..

7. Clarins Gentle Refiner

8. Carole Franck Clay Mask

9. Clarins White Plus Gentle Brightening Exfoliator

10. Clarins Pearl-to-Cream Brightening Cleanser  

11. Clarins Whitening Pure Aqua Lotion [200ml]

12. Clarins Iris Toning Lotion [50ml] I rarely use this on its own, instead mixing it with the Lotus Face Oil, works wonders for my congested sensitive skin.

13. Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind

14. Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate I wish I had known about this product earlier! A must have SOS item in my stash currently and fully approved by Caroline Hirons. LOVE! Have gotten a bottle already!

15. Clarins BB Cream I've tried quite a number of BB creams- Korean versions (skin79, Dr. G, etc.) as well as Western versions (Garnier, Maybelline..) but this is in a class of its own. I LOVE IT! The colour matches my skintone perfectly and the coverage is the best I have tried. I dare say it is better than most foundations I have previously used and I don't even need a concealer with this. I use this over my moisturizer and set with loose powder, just as I would with a foundation. It is long lasting, has an SPF40, doesnt irritate my sensitive skin and is SO comfortable to wear. I have also purchased a bottle already and am considering getting the jumbo size. Seriously, if you have sensitive, acne-prone skin and need the coverage but still looking natural and moisturized please try this. This has effectively replaced my foundations!

16. Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent [200ml] This toner works well on oily skintypes, but now that my skin is balanced, I have found it to be drying. 

17. Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate

18. Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover LOVE!! Not the cheapest in the market but definitely the best performing. Removes waterproof and long-lasting liners like a dream. Chanel is good, but lost out due to price point; Helena Rubenstein is good too but not readily available in KL; Lancome stings my eyes; and I find Bobbi Brown drying. Would definitely repurchase and totally recommend!

19. Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum ANOTHER LOVE PRODUCT BUT NO COMMENTS TODAY AS I HAVE BEEN SINGING TOO MANY OF CLARINS' PRAISES IN THIS POST ALONE!!

I am really taken by quite a few of Clarins' products and I say it in an unbiased way. Some of their products really work well for me and I appreciate that they are plant-based which is much better for my sensitive skin.

Hand creams..

20. Cath Kidston Honeysuckle Hand Cream [30ml] Out of the 3 scents available, I like this best and am actually hooked on it (the scent, not the cream). Makes me want to purchase a Honeysuckle-based perfume.

21. Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream [30ml] One of the best handcreams I've tried, absorbs quickly and leaves the hands soft. However, the scent is not for everyone. My sister finds it offensive and has banned me from using this when she is around.

22. Etude House Mini Anti-germ Hand Lotion [30ml]

23. di palomo White Grape with aloe Hand & Body Lotion


24. Anna Sui LOVE EDT This scent will always remind me of my first year at college, the early morning classes, the people I met then.. it was one of the first few perfumes which my mother had gifted me. I stopped using it a long long time ago but I held on to it for sentimental value. About 1/3 of the bottle was left; the scent remains unchanged (surprisingly) so I used it up as a bathroom spray.

25. Clarins Par Amour Toujours EDT I actually really like this; soft, delicate but fresh. Lasting power isn't very strong, by mid-day it will start to fade. It is a limited edition from many years back as well but I still see a few floating around on eBay. Might try to purchase one there.

26. L'Occitane White Blossoms Scented Candle 100g

27. Guerlain Meteorites Perles Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer

28. Yves Saint Laurent YSL Radiant Brush Foundation This is a excellent foundation, great coverage and though scented it never gave my sensitive skin any problems. It comes with a brush head which works quite well but my only gripe is that I had to wash the brush applicator quite often as I am a bit of a germaphobe. Will not be repurchasing anytime soon as I have replaced my foundations with an excellent BB cream (above).

Total January - June: 145!!!

Previous Empties:
January
February
March
April
May

May/June Beauty Buys

I can step away from lipsticks, blushers and eyeshadows but not CHANEL polishes. 

Picked up all 3 from the latest Summer 2013 collection; Lilis, Bel-Argus and Azure; Taboo which just arrived and Quartz which I passed from a few seasons ago.

Taboo is beautiful! Looks darker once applied but still beautiful (please Google for more pictures). 

As predicted earlier this month, my current shampoo bottle is coming close to empty so I picked up the L'occitane Volumizing Shampoo and one of the shower gels from the new "Collection de Grasse". Vanille & Narcisse is not the usual blend of overpowering warm vanilla but actually has a fresh scent to it. Am looking to get the Jasmin & Bergamote as well as Magnolia & Mure next.

I also purchased a backup serum from CLARINS which I really like, as well as the highly-raved Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector. Smells delicious!

I've been eyeing this sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser twinpack for ages at my local grocery store but finally bought it last weekend when I noticed there was only ONE left on the shelf. I'm not exactly running out of cleansers but I was planning to repurchase this when I do- it expires in 2015, so I might as well.

Next beauty purchase would probably be the CHANEL Les Beiges Powder- tested it out over the counters and it is sooooo silky smooth!

Empties: May 2013

Almost into the 2nd half of the year, and so far I've been living off previous purchases and gifts but I might need to get some shampoo next month. I am currently using a Joico set that I received for my birthday (and before that I was using another L'Oreal set gifted for my birthday as well).

A few of the products emptied this month are staples in my current routine, I am quite happy with my skin at the moment. It's not at its best yet, but it is getting there.

Face care

1. CLARINS Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream [sample] I didn't like this very much but forced my way through a few tubes, it's supposed to be good for sensitive skin but I much prefer the other exfoliator from this brand.

2. CLARINS Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind [sample] Reviewed here previously. Would consider getting this as my 2nd cleanser to use after makeup remover at night.

3. CLARINS Lotus Face Treatment Oil BEST FACE OIL FOR SENSITIVE, CONGESTED, OILY, PRONE TO BREAKOUTS AND RED SKIN! This is my Must-Have product of all time!! Am on my 4th bottle, and based on previous empties, one bottle lasts me 2 months. I use 10 drops at night mixed with the Iris Toner (from CLARINS as well) and lightly press it into my skin. Under normal conditions you are supposed to only use 3-4 drops and it absorbs well without residue but my skin loves it so I'm okay with 10 plus I don't use a night cream after so the extra oil is okay for me. LOVE!

4. CLARINS Pore Minimizing Serum Another much loved product, as displayed here. Keeps my skin purified and I don't even need touch ups anymore during office hours. I use this as my first serum then followed by the 2nd below.

5. CLARINS Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum I'm still on the fence with this serum, I do notice my skin being smoother and not as dull as from 3 months back but somehow I expected more? It doesn't break me out at all (yay!) so I am keeping it in my regime for now, plus I still have another bottle gifted by my mother.

6. Aesop. Control A treatment for acne-prone skin, I use this on blemishes which are forming and no, it doesn't make them disappear or shrink them- instead it brings the gunk to the surface and pops it quicker. I've mentioned before that I much prefer toxins out than in so shrinking the blemish is a no-go in my books. The only downside is sometimes I get unexpected bumps when applied on a seemingly tiny spot. I still have one more tube in my stash.

7. 8. & 9. L'OCCITANE Verbena Body Lotion [Trials] I received a bunch of these and FINALLY! they are all used up. I don't love the scent plus I did not find it very moisturizing, it did absorb very quickly though.

10. CLARINS Eau Dynamisante Shower Gel I like the scent, am considering getting the fragrance when I finish up more perfumes.

11. Escada Rockin' Rio 100ml EDT I used to love Escada scents when I was in college, sweet and fruity, but now they don't appeal to me anymore. Its still smells nice, just not on me so I was using this as a bathroom spray.

12. L'OCCITANE Green Tea Scented Candle I really like this candle, but it doesn't burn very well. The scent is refreshing and crisp, but too bad the sides just didnt melt despite me trimming the wick and shaving the wax down.

Total January - May: 117

Previous Empties:
January
February
March
April