Red Velvet from scratch!

Finally, a non-beauty related post! Aside from makeup, I also enjoy cooking and baking very much. One of my favourite cakes to eat is the Red Velvet- a moist buttermilk cake with a hint of cocoa and a cream cheese frosting. YUMS!

Having tried many Red Velvets from the usual raved-about spots in KL, I still have yet to find one which I like. My issues with the cakes: too dry, not enough cream cheese, too much cocoa powder, bland.. and the list goes on.

I'm not very picky with my cakes (most of the time a Secret Recipe cheesecake satisfies my cravings) but even I found it rather disappointing that there was not ONE which I wanted a second piece of. None of them tasted like the ones I've had in Melbourne! Little Cupcakes, how I miss you so!! And it's not just the taste, it's also the texture which didn't cut it for me. That said, if anyone in KL or PJ knows of a good Red Velvet bakery, please do share.

So I took matters in my own hand.. imported ingredients are aplenty at B.I.G so I always shop there whenever I want to cook/bake. 

Cake batter

Baked cake, set overnight and filled middle with cream cheese

Attempted to decorate it, looks small but its a 9" cake

Time to eat! Speckled bits are from the vanilla pod I used.

Wonky insides

The Red Velvet I made was a success, I loved it and so did everyone in the family. Even my sister who's a Red Velvet cake aficionado. 

It's relatively easy to make this, I am actually craving for a slice as I look at the pictures. I tweaked the recipes found online and used most of the things I had on hand. The cake was moist but not oily or chewy, the frosting was delicious- vanilla pods all the way; its more expensive compared to vanilla essence but so worth it. And the ratio of cake to frosting was perfect, I was worried initially there might be too much frosting but it worked out.

It's sorta obnoxious to say that I enjoy my own cooking/baking.. but I really do. However, I am still up to trying out Red Velvets sold in restaurants; having to wait a day before I can dig in is a bit tormenting. I like to have my cake and eat it (pronto!). So, any suggestions?

Empties: September 2012

I've been writing way too much about beauty products, but bear with me as I try to clear backdated posts!

In the past week I actually made an inventory of what I had, both opened and unopened to know EXACTLY what the current situation was. You might be interested to know that I have approximately 35 opened skincare products and another 35+  brand new. This does not include makeup, bases, and body care.

The only things I am allowed to even consider buying are lipbalm and neck cream. In like, 3 months. I've finished up quite a few products this month, so I am quite happy and am looking forward to emptying even more before the month ends.

Here's what I finished up in September:

CAUDALIE. L'OCCITANE. CHANEL. CAROLE FRANCK. CLARINS.

First up, solely French beauty products (total coincidence, I promise..)!

1. CAUDALIE Grape Water Mist
A soothing, moisturising face mist for sensitive skin. This was a skin-saviour for me! It really calmed my irritated, red skin down and the nozzle also dispenses the perfect mist, neither too light nor too heavy. I used it after cleansing, after moisturising, any time my face felt the slightest bit of irritation. I found it to be better than the Beauty Elixir which I emptied rather quickly. Repurchase? Most definitely! However, most SaSa outlets I have been to are sold out and no one seems to know when they would be coming back in. That aside, I have stocked up on quite a few mists so hopefully by the time I am done, they'd reappear on shelves.

2. L'OCCITANE Rose Hydrating Face Mist
This was gifted by my sister, I've had it for a while but only recently finished it up (my face was in constant need of misting). The scent is lovely- if sweet roses are your thing, thought it dissipates after a while. Performance wise, I think it hydrated my skin more than the Caudalie above but it didn't really calm or reduce the redness. Repurchase? No, I do like rose scented mists but am quite particular- the Sukin one is my current favourite.

3. CHANEL Eau Douceur Cleansing Water, Balance + Anti-Pollution [Sample]
A cleansing water for the face and eyes which rids the skin of pollutants, impurities and light makeup. I used this sample on my flights to remove concealer and light eyeliner. It worked very well, did not irritate nor dry my skin out and my face was left smooth. It might not work as well on a full face of makeup though. I found it similar to Darphin's Azahar Cleansing Water. Repurchase? I do like it, but currently there is no need for this in my regime, plus the full-size would be too big to bring on travels. As much as I like this, I have to say No.

4. CAROLE FRANCK Purifying Aromatique Oil
This brand is not found in departmental stores (though they did have a *brief* stint in Isetan years ago), my mother got me this from her usual facial salon but I never got round to finishing it. I remember using it on spots but not loving it completely because I felt it made my skin greasy. However! Once I found the right way to use facial oils- my skin loved it (warm in palms and "press" into skin). I am a big fan of essential oils as I find the scent very therapeutic. Not to mention my skin condition DID improve. Repurchase? No, because I've found a new favourite face oil which gave me even better results- CLARINS Lotus Facial Oil!!

5. CLARINS Chamomile Toning Lotion
I used to think CLARINS was a "old" and "mild" brand which didn't work as well as others such as Clinique, Biotherm, Estee.. but in the past few months I have come to really like it. I mentioned moving into more "natural" skincare and this brand fits the bill. Those non-plant based skincare I was using was actually damaging my skin in the long run and while it showed almost immediate effects, was really harsh on my skin. This toner is great as it is alcohol-free and my face feels soothed using it. Repurchase? Yes, after I finish the others I have on hand.

L'OREAL. BATISTE. VASELINE

6. L'OREAL Everstrong Reconstruct Shampoo
On my search for a affordable yet effective "natural" shampoo, I stumbled upon this. Sulfate-free and made with rosemary and juniper.. I really like it! It cleans my hair well, doesn't make it limp/flat/oily and the scent is nice too. My current favourite shampoo!  Repurchase? Already did.

7. BATISTE Dry Shampoo in Diva [Travel Size]
My absolute favourite dry shampoo, I really hope that it would be available in KL. I've raved about this here and this is the 6th can I've gone through in a year. Repurchase? If only they were available here!

8. VASELINE Healthy White Body Lotion  
Am trying to lighten my darker arms and legs, not sure if it works well but the scent is nice and it absorbs quickly. Repurchase? No, results weren't obvious (if any).

ETUDE HOUSE. MARC JACOBS. JAP LIPBALM. SHEERCOVER. ETTUSAIS
(thrown out)

9. ETUDE HOUSE Nail Polish Base 
The BESTTTT nail base I have used (sorry CHANEL!), it dries really quickly and doesn't bubble either. It's really cheap and the formula is amazing, even my sister who previously used Sally Hansen, OPI, and Seche Vite thinks it's the best of the lot. Repurchase? 2 bottles sitting in my stash. Would repurchase even if it was expensive!

10. MARC JACOBS Lip Gloss, 11. JAP BRAND Peach Lipbalm  
A sheer gloss which came with the Marc Jacobs perfume I bought and a peach shaped Japanese brand lipbalm, both have been sitting for way too long in the lippie box- time to get rid of it. Repurchase? No.

12. SHEERCOVER Nourishing Moisturizer with SPF15 [Trial size]  
Received this in my Sheercover mineral foundation purchase years back, only recently got round to using it. It is supposed to be oil-free but I found it not easily absorbed and it always left my skin feeling tacky. It also has a heavy sunscreen scent. Repurchase? No, made my oil-prone skin oilier.

13. ETTUSAIS Patta Patta Compact Powder 
A limited edition touch up compact. The powder is quite finely milled and I used it mainly to set my BB cream. It's a pity its not part of the regular line. Repurchase? No, because I have other compacts to finish up and I prefer to set with loose powder.


Total products emptied: 8
Total thrown out: 5
Total: 12
Total Feb - September: 79

Happy 22nd, Kittypops!

Melbourne: September 2012

Not the best picture of us, but you are the best sister anyone could ask for.

♥ HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY ♥

xoxoxx

September purchases..

   

L'Oreal Reconstruct Shampoo, Etude House Skin Malgeum Smoother/Toner, Nivea Whitening Body Cream & Milk, Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel, Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick

Jurlique Chamomile Soothing Mist, Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol, Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, Sukin Facial Scrub, Foaming Facial Cleanser, Facial Moisturiser , 2x Hydrating Mist Toner, Face of Australia Anti-Aging Stick Foundation

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, MOR Lychee Flower Body Lotion, Marshmallow Perfume Oil, Lychee Flower Body Cream, L'Oreal Elnett Satin Mini Hairspray, Batiste XXL volume Dry Shampoo (this product is AWESOME! I want to kick myself for not buying more!!)

CHANEL Le Vernis in Vertigo, Suspicious, Frenzy and Beige

CHANEL Le Vernis in Infidele, Provocation, Delicatesse, Rouge Allure Velvet in L'Infidele

CLARINS Aqua Essence Morning Energy, Lotus Face Treatment Oil, Whitening Starter Set

Boscia Clear Complexion kit *Google images*

Ole Henriksen 7 Skincare Sensations kit *Google images*

From 2 mists to 6 in a month..

Was that a lot? This month I've crossed out 4 items on the Makeup-Materialist and ended up with more than I expected. I've started on the Boscia set and a few other products but the majority of it has not been opened yet- am trying very hard to finish existing/older unopened products first!

My skin was not happy with the weather change when I got back from my first trip and my face turned very sensitive, red and was pain to the touch. I even broke out in tiny bumps near my ankles and on random spots on my body (later identified as mild eczema). Face mists really helped calm my face and I was using the Caudalie Grape Face Mist (review coming up in September empties) which really soothed the irritation. Since then, I have been on a rampage, getting my hands on mists from various "plant-based/natural" skincare brands. 

Am currently using the Boscia, which came in the Clear Complexion set pictured above, as well as the Sukin Hydrating Mist. Among the mists above, the Sukin one is the cheapest, I got mine for AUD9.95 at Priceline and so far so good. 

CHANEL polishes are one of my weaknesses as well, and it doesn't help that they have had so many beautiful colours in the past few collections.. but 7 in a month? I've really got to calm down. Everyone has a weakness right? Right?! Mine just happens to be face mists and Chanel polishes... 

... at the moment.

Empties: August 2012

Empties post for the month of August..

1. LIESE Hair Cocktail
A leave in moisturizing serum for your hair. It has a fizzy peach scent to it and you have to shake it to combine the two layers of liquid. It works okay, but then again my hair is usually in a pretty good condition. Repurchase? No, nothing awesome about it plus I have heaps of other hair products to finish. This bottle took me 2 years!!

2. MY BEAUTY DIARY Peach Soda Eye & Lip Makeup Remover
This is also a bi-phase makeup remover, so you have to shake it to mix the liquid. I use the Bobbi Brown eyeliner gel and it is very tough to remove, but this remover performed very well and did not cause irritation to my sensitive eyes. There is a light peach scent but nothing too strong. Repurchase? Not at the moment. I have others to finish up.

3. CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir
A face mist which contains essential oils. I love the scent and the slight tingly sensation but the mist dispenser is not as good as the Grape Water Face Mist from the same brand. Initially I did feel a difference on my skin but after a month, my skin felt the same with or without it. I also ran out of it fairly quickly (I was probably over-misting due to the dispenser). For the price, I expected it to do more for my face. Repurchase? No, I would prefer to use face oils and a separate face mist.

4. CLARINS Foaming Body Exfoliator
This was a trial sized product I received, and is definitely a keeper. It's a two-in-one which scrubs and cleans. The granules are fine but you can still feel them, it is a perfect my sensitive skin. It really did leave my skin much smoother and I like it that I don't have to use it separately from a body wash. Repurchase? Yes!

5. SHU UEMURA Deep Sea Hydrability Toner
Also a trial sized product, the toner from this range is supposed to hydrate the skin. It has a marine scent and leaves my skin a little tacky after use. I used this on-off for a few weeks as I suspected it broke my skin out everytime I used it. Perhaps it would be better for someone with dry/normal skin. Repurchase? No.

6. SEXY GIRL Body Mist (Baby Savon)
This body mist was purchased in Singapore about 2 years back together with the Liese Hair Cocktail. It smells like baby powder and is a body mist. I can't vouch for the moisturizing properties but it does leave me smelling fresh and clean. Repurchase? No. I have given up on body mists, only proper lotions/creams for me now.

7. SK-II Eye Treatment Film
One of the more affordable items from this brand- this eye film has a gel-like texture which is refreshing on my eyes and absorbs quickly. One tube lasts me a long time and this is my second tube, it does not irritate my eyes (like most eye creams/gels do) and seems to keep my eye area smooth. Repurchase? Yes.

8. PERFECT WHIP Cleansing Foam
Bought in Taiwan, I used this on my face to remove makeup on lazy days. It does an okay job but does dry the skin out a little. I had such a hard time finishing this as you only need a little bit for each wash (it really foams up). I ended up using this generously on my body just to get rid of it. Repurchase? No. But I still have half a bottle from my sister, am using that to clean synthetic makeup brushes.

9. HADA LABO Moisturizing Lotion
A lotion which is meant to be used after cleansing, this lasted me for approximately 3-4 months. A friend of my uses this and has really smooth skin so I picked this up. It does moisturize my skin a little and did not break me out but that was about it. I have tried other products which work better for my skin. Also available is a firming lotion (red packaging) which is touted as the alternative to SK-II's Essence, I have also tried that but I still find SK-II's to be superior. Repurchase? No.

Total products emptied: 9
Total thrown out: 0
Total: 9
Total Feb - August: 66