Thursday, March 21, 2013

Empties: February 2013

So late on my February empties, its already the end of March! I went through quite a few sample sizes last month and found a few that I liked so much I purchased the full size. Here goes:

Make-up removers, cleanser, toner, serum...
1. GARNIER Clean Sensitive 2 in 1 Waterproof Make-Up Remover One of the best eye and face make-up removers I have ever used. I don't usually go for 2-in-1s as my face doesn't take well to cleansing waters (either makes me itch and feels tight or doesn't completely remove all makeup) But this was perfect for my sensitive eyes and skin. No milia or stinging, it even removes the budge-proof Bobbi Brown eyeliner where many eye makeup removers fail to! I've gone through quite a few bottles of this and I LOVE it.

2. Carole Franck Delicat Fluide An essential oil for the face, meant to soothe sensitive skin prone to irritation, and seasonal allergies. I found it too rich and oily for my face so I ended up using it mixed into my body lotion. The ingredients are similar to CLARINS' Skin Beauty Repair but I found the latter formula more suitable for my skin. 

3. CLARINS Pore Minimizing Serum [Trial] I previously used this when I was in my teens but found it didn't do much for my skin then. I've recently rediscovered this product and I find it does a good job of purifying my pores without drying the skin. I use it under another serum in the mornings and I find I don't even need to touch up my T-zone by the end of the day. Excellent! Am currently using a full size.

4. CLARINS Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum [Sample] Love the scent of this product! It is an anti-wrinkle serum and contains Nopal Flower extract which stimulates skin’s natural exfoliation process, speeding cellular renewal for a supple, toned, glowing complexion. Most anti-ageing products irritate my skin as what they essentially do is stimulate cell-renewal using harsh ingredients. However this one didn't and I quite like how it works in synergy with the other products in my regime currently.

5. CLARINS Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate [Sample] Am currently using a full-size.
6. CLARINS Defining Eye Lift [Sample] 
7. CLARINS Gentle Renewing Brightening Peel [Sample] This sample has been sitting in my stash for quite some time; I never bothered with it as I usually avoid anything with the word "peel" for fear of burning my face off. But after reading a review here, I gave it a go. Outside of Asia, it is known as the Gentle Brightening Toner but the ingredients are the same. I'll be happy to report that while I experienced a tiny bit of redness as I swiped it over my skin, there was no actual feeling of irritation. Might consider getting a full-size. 

8. CLARINS Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Tamarind [Trial] I've used this cleanser before and I do remember liking it. It was back in 2011, and where I happily declared having tried all cleansers CLARINS had to offer. I've since re-tried their Cleansing Milk and I do like it, it really was my skin acting up previously.

Toners, face mists..
9. CLARINS Toning Lotion with Iris [Trial] LOVE! I use this with my Lotus Oil at night and it has worked wonders for my sensitive, congested, acne-prone skin. Am still going through Trial sizes which I have accumulated but I also have a full-size waiting for me.

10. Melvita Cornflower face mist [Trial]
11. sukin Hydrating Mist Toner Review here. Not a must-have now that my skin has calmed down so much, but still good to have around.

Body and hair care..
13. Dove Nourishing Oil Care Hair Mask
14. Dove Gentle Exfoliating beauty bar
15. L'OCCITANE Verbena Body Milk [Trial]
16. WELLA Sunset Shampoo
17. CLARINS Foot Beauty Treatment Cream [Sample]
18. L'OREAL Reconstruct Shampoo

Items which didnt work for me..
19. GARNIER PreActive Spot Roll-On 
20. NIVEA Deodorant
21. LANEIGE Power Essential Skin Refiner
22. Melvita Soothing Toner
23. L'OREAL Renewal Lash Serum
24. & 25. SHEERCOVER Lip stain

Total January - February: 52

Click for January Empties.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

안넹! Winter in Korea

Back in February, my family visited Korea during the Lunar New Year holidays.

It was already the end of winter but it was still snowing lightly in Seoul.

Some people say that winter is the most dull/sad of all seasons in terms of fashion but I think it's just a matter of accessorizing and wearing a pop of colour instead of just black/gray/navy.

The temperature was below zero daily, the day we landed it was -19 Celcius, one night it was -25. I LOVE the cold! Here's what I wore to keep myself warm and toasty throughout the trip:

At Incheon Airport, in comfortable plane-wear
Sneakers for sight-seeing days
Collar necklaces instantly transform an otherwise blah outfit
Wooly snood and balaclava
Loving my sister's cape
Snoooowwwwww! The wind was really cold at the ski resort and we had to cover our faces as we walked
Cute papa
Removed our face-covers for a pic. So cold that my nose, lips and cheeks were turning raw
Checking out headgear in the shops
More sightseeing at Mount. Sorak; beautiful views
Family!

Showing us whats under her cape
Lotte World! It's been 10 years since my first visit!
One of the not-so-cold days
The first thing we did was get kitty-ears to wear
My most favouritest (is it even a word?) cape-jacket!

Underneath my cape...

I brought 3 jackets with me for the week (too little? too many?) but they all kept me very warm. I need fashion that functions, but if I had to choose comfort over looking good- I'd definitely pick looking good.

Life is too short to dress down; or eat crappy chocolate.

*There have been no edits to any of the pictures above except for adding frames.



Friday, March 1, 2013

Nails: CHANEL Eastern Light & RIMMEL French Rose


My first attempt at a French manicure.. much easier than I expected!

Etude House base, 1 coat of RIMMEL French Rose #445.

CHANEL Eastern Light on my tips, topped with a coat of Seche Vite.

Clean and prim! ♥


Thursday, February 21, 2013

CHANEL Beauty Updates

A few upcoming items from CHANEL:

Polishes from their Summer 2013 Makeup collection-
Source: Chiara
Definitely picking up Azure and possibly Bel-Argus. Not too keen on the rest of the collection, though they do have something new- some crayon shadows. You can read more here.


CHANEL Avant Première de Chanel Makeup collection-
Image: Beautezine
A small collection consisting of a few Rouge Cocos, Coco Shines and polishes.

Image: Beautezine
LOVE! Can I have them all please??


CHANEL capsule collection for Hong Kong-
Source: Armocromia
Created especially for the opening of a new fashion boutique in Hong Kong, this reminds me of the Ombres Matelassees, 51 Montaigne made for Paris last year. Swatches of Western Light here. Not too keen on this collection either.


CHANEL Les Beiges collection, Healthy Glow Sheer Powder (want!!!)-

Image via Beautezine
A new compact powder from CHANEL? Need. to. get. my. grubby. hands. on. one!


No mentions of the CC cream anywhere because I personally think its mediocre. Been using a sample of the CLARINS BB cream lately and it is amazing, can't wait for it to launch!


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Nails: CHANEL Frisson #543


A soft, sheer, princessy pink with micro glitters.

Etude house base, 3 thin coats of polish & Seche Vite top coat.