Hand Luggage: Beauty stuffs

So I finally back at home, my mind at peace since my exam results are out and I pass! Yeay! I finally got to blog because my dad decided to postpone internet bill payment.
When I got back home, my parent told me that they renovating upstairs which include my room, why noww??? So I'm basically roomless, I don't have a wardrobe so my old clothes is nowhere to be found *ok, exaggerating, but I have to look for it* and I don't have a bed. Then I got my sister at home, my aunt staying for a week so I end up sleeping in my living room on a mattress... how sad is that?? *my sis took the couch* .My brother just got back, and I still have no idea when I will get my room ready, nevertheless I still happy since my room will be improved especially the toilet wall and floor ... ergghhh since my sis practically just left the room to ruin *we shared room, and last year I was shocked!*. I got to tell you that all my family are all big, so there's no way we share a bed unless it's a double.
 I'm not sure if I'm jet-lagged, but I practically sleep in the day, cause I can't really sleep on the mattress, on floor. My sis always take my bro's bed *when he wasn't home yet* after my aunt wake up early in the morning  and I'm not comfortable sleeping in the couch where the workers always passing, I even not that comfortable to watch the TV.. not to forget the NOISEEEE!! so basically I'm started to become stressed here and quite grumpy, especially when I am 24/7 at home and I had the awful thought of missing my rented house in Belfast only after a week getting back here... 
I'm going to Seoul this 5th July so hopefully I can be calm. Thank god I'm going for a while so it should finish by then.


So let just get this post started:-
I may not fly very frequently as many beauty blogger/vlogger out there but since I started studying abroad in Belfast and as I remember in my first year here I do travel by flight *to Mainland* occasionally, through this I learn and develop interest in packing my my beauty stuff into a single 1 litre clear plastic bag. However this year I didn't fly anywhere but I am confirmed to have an annual 13 hour flight from Belfast back to Malaysia so I have to keep this kind of packing in mind.

In general a flight back to Malaysia is not really a big deal in case of packing since I will always check in a luggage and in there you could just throw all your toiletries, skincare and makeup bags *even the ones in jumbo size* but just to be safe, some items I would like to keep with me and especially for long flight with long connecting hours, you're bound to need some beauty touch-up/refresh throughout the journey.

So for this post I will just share what exactly I stuffed into that standard airport clear ziplock plastic bag *mine is George Belfast City Airport* and probably I think I would like to try to comeup with some skincare regime during the long flights which I am so totally inspired after watching some of the famous beauty vloggers on this subject. I am diggin' in the idea of looking fabulous when you touch down.

Top:The plastic zip-lock and red makeup bag in my hand-luggage
Bottom: Makeup I kept in my hand bag

So these is what I brought with me for my Belfast City-Heathrow-KLIA flight. These are not checked in and I brought it together with me. I changed for time to time and even for my Seoul trip I will have a different packing and I will do that as well *not sure when it will be post, if I could I scheduled sometime when I'm away, but if it's not finish I guess it has to be after I got back*

Everyday in my handbag

This is actually I always bring with in my bag, to class or out with friends bla bla bla... for touch-up. 

I'm not really the type to bring all sorts of stuff...maybe sometimes, but basically these must be in the bag everyday.

I got my Chanel Mat Lumiere  Powder Makeup compact in #80 Contour which I really like for my touch up, and love the luxurious feeling of taking out Chanel compact from your handbag *the velvet pouch* . I know I know it sounds like a bit show off.. but whatever, hehe. Now I hate the sponge applicator unless I found some disposables that will fit into the compact*fail! I couldn't find them* so I apply with Eco-Tools Retractable Kabuki, which work really fine. If only the packaging is shiny gold it would have look more sophisticated and mega-luxurious.

Then I always have a lipbalm, this one is the Nivea Repair and Protect which I totally love.

Finally definitely a lipstick which I change for time to time depending on my look. For this journey I brought the Maybelline Watershine Pure in P22 which quite a deep pink fuchsia but sheer. It does look nice but not really my style and it look's cheap at time, being shiny and all. I brought it with me for this journey because it's easy to wear, hydrating *I put it on and pat to get rid of its shiny and left with pink tint* and it's cheap so  I don't mind if  I lose anywhere in my journey or I had to throw stuff from my bag... and definitely this process will help me to finish it. Haha! *I have been wearing this a lot too get it finish*

My Fluids which was in the plastic zip-lock bag

For my fluids...
From left:-
Clinique High Impact Mascara  in Black - Black mascara is a must, and it's counted as liquid.
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation - I love this foundation for travelling, it's full coverage and the tube packaging make's it easy to be packed into a small zip-lock bag.
The Bodyshop Crayon Concealer - This is not really my favourite, but I guess it's easy to bring and to wear and I can encourage myself to finish it. This type of makeup is tricky, it seems like a solid like a pencil but I was told that only standard pencil size are allowed to be brought freely, abnormal size like jumbo size lip/eyepencil/foundation stick/concealer is counted as fluids and has to be in the zip-lock bag.
Origins GinZing for my eyes and with it's caffeine content, it should be great to wake up the eyes after long flight.
Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea - An everyday moisturizer is very important for me. I would thought of putting it into smaller container but I'm not really comfortable with that and I think it's just fine in its original container.
Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash - I found this in travelling size *50ml* most cleanser are usually 150ml so this is just great to stuffed into a zip-lock bag and I think Simple do make decent cleanser. But I am still looking for ways to bring Origins cleanser...
E45 cream - I transfer some into a small pot and it's cheap so I don't mind if it's spill or whatever. I love this for my dry patches on my face, I would put it into my bag but since for a flight it's counted as fluid I put it into a zip-lock.
Dove Silk Dry Anti-Perspirant  Deodorant - I definitely have to keep my pits fresh. Now I do prefer a liquid deodorant but I brought a stick thinking that it is not counted as fluids and I just stuff into my hand-luggage but I was wrong...  it still counted as liquid and I had to stuff it into the zip-lock bag at the security... If that the case I should just ditch this, and just find one deodorant which is not that bulky.
Origins Brighter by Nature Serum - this is one of my regular serums, I would want to bring both but that will be too bulky so I had to choose and I brought this one because it's a smaller bottle.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF50 - My regular sunblock, definitely very important.
 Origins A Perfect World  Age Defense Treatment Lotion - I've been searching for ways to bring this into the zip-lock bag. The original bottle is 150ml and previously in standard traveler bottle, it's always spill! That's annoying thinking it's a pricey toner, I almost thinking of not bringing it at all. But finally I discover the spray travelling bottle, before this I use it for my brush cleanser but then I don't see why I should do that hahaha!.. So I use the mini spray bottle for my toner, it definitely DOES NOT SPILL and plus since it's a spray, I can spray directly and I don't need to bring cotton pad. How come I never thought of this before???
PanOxyl 2.5% Aquagel - Benzoyl Peroxide gel is also important for me since I'm acne prone. I don't think I can ever be without it.
PERFUMES - Definitely important! Usually I would bring more than one perfume at least two so I can alternate in a trip. Naahhhhhh! that's not the reason, I would be suffice with only one. You know what I get annoyed by? when someone saw me putting on perfume and asking me for some?? It's not really I don't want to share, I just hate the fact we are wearing exactly the same perfume. So if someone ask for some, the least I can do is spray her the other one I wasn't wearing at the moment. Here I got small bottles of free sample which is really really great!! Now I can bring these and maybe just another bottle. The one I got here is Yves Saint Laurent Opium and Stella Mc Cartney Lily. They smell divine.
Another thing I brought is actually a mouthwash. I transfer some into small bottle but it spill after a while so I throw it before I reach Malaysia. I brought my my toothbrush but not toothpaste. So even if I brush my teeth without toothpaste at least the mouthwash still make my mouth refreshing.


For travelling I definitely kept a different bag for my non-fluids makeup and to be honest I don't think much about this packing and I put it the red makeup beg which I got from Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Set. I thought of bringing the stuff I love most especially lipstick and my lipliners... but for some reason I can't remember if those counted as fluids or not. Since I wasn't so sure I don't pack much and just put more cheap stuff like the lipsticks to be safe *note that even in my hand bag I just brought the cheap Maybelline lipstick and cheap Nivea Lipbalm*. Well all these and lipsticks are allowed and I am so totally happy for that! Definitely I will pack something else next time.

The makeups which I kept in the red makeup bag

Nevertheless, I will still list down what I bring.

The Bodyshop Traveller Brush Set - Small and easy to bring and it contain the blush brush which I use for my highlighter *not really crazy about blush, I can live without them*, standard flat applicator brush for applying eyeshadow, slanted flat brush for my eyebrows and lash line as well, and a lip brush.

Then I brought my foundation brush, the Real Techniques Stippling Brush, Elianto Blending Brush and Eco-Tools Finishing Brush from the Touch-up Set and I keep the three brushes in the same pouch from Eco Tools Touch-up set. And of course I bring my eye lash curler and this one is from Elianto.

One definitely great to be brought traveling is eye makeup pallete, it's easy to packed and have the colours you need. Mine is the MAC Warm Smokey Eyes from the Packed To Go Edition. It got great colours such as Showstopper which is a matte dark brown great for  lashline and to smoke up your eye look and plus, my brows,. The they have Stormy Love which I think the frosty dark green, but it's actually dual chrome of dark green and dark brown. Others are Greensmoke (lustre tarnished olive), Tempting (lustre sinfully rich coco), Naked  Lunch (frosty minimal pink with shimmer) and Shrooms (satin soft beige). So perfect for an eyelook, colours, mid tone and deep tone and highligter.

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark - For my contouring which I used with the finishing brush. I would forgo blusher for my contour.

Revlon Bronzer in Sunkissed - This is used to higlight my cheekbone and the bridge of my nose. 

Then I brought my dark brown eyeliner, my MAC Mahogany Lipliner, a black eyeliner MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline and nude pink lipliner which is the Silkygirl in Nude. 

For lipstick I brought the Maybelline Watershine Pure in B24 which is a beigey pink, and one in terracotta brownish red which Revlon Colorburst in Sienna. I almost finishing the Revlon one... *foreseeing Empties post*

Long-haul skincare

Alright the flight from Heathrow to KL is approximately 12 hours and mine is a night flight.

So I would get ready as usual with makeup and all and into the plane they will serve the late dinner.

After the dinner just when everybody is going to sleep, I just went for my hand-luggage and got my zip-lock bag and facial wipes. Yes, thank god facial wipes can be brought without having to stuff it into the small zip-lock bag. The one I bring is the Nivea Daily Essentials Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes and I remove all my makeup with this. I would love it if I got something like Bioderma or cleansing water, that would be nice or at least I would bring a liquid eye makeup remover but I forgot to pack that. What's great about them is that I don't have to rinse my face which can be a pickle. This is done in my sit since I'm just too lazy to go to the toilet and I will be hogging the toilet too long if I were to do this regime in the toilet. So wipes is all I got and I just have to try to remove as much... I wouldn't really remove my mascara but just clean the messiness and smudgey it makes. 

After that I spray my Origins A Perfect World  Age Defense Treatment Lotion onto my face and pat it.
Follow by the Origins Brighter By Nature Serum, Origins GinZing around my eyes, and finish with my A Perfect World Moisturizer. Then if there is active acne I would put on PanOxyl 2.5% around the area. I also apply some E45 on the dry patches.

And I probably went to the toilet especially when a lot of people is sleeping so toilet is not occupied and it's not obvious that I went to the loo. In there I would also take my mouthwash and for extra step you could also brush your teeth. So I'm not really a toilet fan and I just want to go there once, so to be safe I get everything I want to do done that time including applying my deodorant.

After that, I pretty much try to sleep as much as I can, but it's hard... I can't sleep easily generally especially on vehicles. Then when I almost reach the destination, it's time getting ready again.
Hmmm if I really fall asleep when I woke up I would just wash my mouth again and probably brush my teeth,
but I didn't so I just get on with the day.
 I would start to touch up my face. If I'm tooo conscious I would go and apply my liquid foundation a bit and change my clothes bla bla bla... but I'm not.
So I would just apply my Chanel Mat Lumiere Powder Makeup with the brush, but since I put on the drying acne gel and I have to remove that first. So I would just remove the acne gel by wetting my face and wipe it, I can just went to the toilet to wet my face, use my toner or just use the facial wipes. Then put on some more my moisturizer and definitely my sunblock. Before the powder makeup I apply some of the Bodyshop Crayon Concealer especially under the eye. I finish of the look with coats of black mascara, and if want to smudge some brown eyepencil or eyeshadow on the outer corner. Then the lipbalm and lipstick. 
FINALLY, fresh sprays of perfume. 


And that will be all.
Well I got to say, that if I didn't get to do these in the plan, I would go to a toilet as soon as I get off the plan.

SO hopefully this post will help those that will be on a trip and going to be on a long flight.

OOTDs #2

I do wish to blog ootd, but to blog one ootd at a time seem like 'mehhhh'.. so I thought I would just compile the ootds I tweeted before and probably provide the information like where I got the stuff, etc. To be honest I would be more satisfy if I could take better selcas with decent lighting but since these pictures are tweeted spontaneous so I really couldn't set up much since I should be on my way that day, so sorry for the crappy pics or selcas. I am more satisfy if I do a look-book like what I did with skinny pants post last time, but it does take more effort. I am considering it, but we will see how it goes. Other than that probably for next ootds compilation I also include accessories *like arm candies that people been instagraming, lol*  and closer details of the outfit as well like prints etc.

Formal dinner last February

Leapord print Headscarf: H & M

Grey Blazer: Next

White lace dress: Dorothy Perkins

Black Legging Jean : Gap

Nude Beige Heel : Primavera

Maroon Headscarf: online 

Oversized Navy Bomber: Urban Outfitters

Pink Plaid Shirt: H & M

Light Wash Blue Skinny *larger size* : Gap

Black Suede Desser Botas: Toms

Beige with Floral print Headscarf: random stall in Ampang Point

Beige Knit Jumper : Royal Ampang Point

Light Denim Shirt (worn inside) : Primark men's

Dark Blue Skinny: Tom Tailor

Floral Tapestry Satchel with leather details *my school bag* : River Island

Brown Flats: Barrats

Black with floral print headscarf: Primark

Oversized Navy Bomber: Urban Outfitters

Dark Brown Suede bag: Clarks

Purple Skinny: Primark

Gray Sneakers: Adidas

Yellow Purple Graphic Pattern Headscarf: online

Black cotton boxy top: Ampang Point

Purple Skinny : Primark

Brown Flats: Barrats

Review: Clinique Superbalanced Foundation

This is one of the first high-end foundation that I tried, despite being a MAC-fan I end up trying Clinique foundation first prior to MAC ones. 

The day I purchased this I actually went to the Clinique counter after Chanel's and manage to obtain a generous sample of Chanel Mat Lumiere, so I was hoping to get some from Clinique as well. When I got to the counter I asked for something medium to full coverage, so she recommend the anti-blemish one, but I would not want that since my face is quite dry so I thought that it might be too drying. So I asked about Superbalanced Makeup and she said that it's up to medium coverage, and I still want to try that. They don't have free samples to be given but for some reason I endup buying it straight away *thank god that they give me a free sample of High Impact Mascara, a generous 4g tube* It was quite an impulsive purchase.  When I went for a colour match, it seems fine and I don't know how, after a few days I just realized that it's too dark to my liking. Now that's the sad story behind this, other than that it is actually a really good foundation.

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup #14 Wheat 

From the website:-

"The great equaliser for combination skin. Provides moisture and absorbs oil where needed. Minimises appearance of fine lines.Helps protect skin from environmental damage. Contains anti-irritants and antioxidants. Water resistant. Non-acnegenic and oil-free. Ophthalmologist tested."

From the description it sounds like lovely foundation.

This foundation definitely help me during last summer when I got the dry skin issue, it's really moisturizing. So plus point for dry skin. The finish is definitely not matte, it gives slight dewiness due to its moisturizing effect. Although it does not make you shine as well probably due to its oil control features *something that act like a sponge that soak up the excess sebum I think it said on the packaging*, so definitely great choice for those with combination skin (eg. dry cheeks+oily T-zone)

 I find the finish it gave is definitely what most people would prefer, not too flat matte and not too dewy luminous shiny.  

I really like the finish and the feel of this foundation on my face, I feel less congested and much lighter.

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup in #14 Wheat - left: without flash, right: with flash

After blended into the skin - left: with direct flash, right: without flash

When I use this foundation I usually compare it to my Revlon Colorstay. Eventhough it is said to have medium coverage but it's actually quite thick *thicker than Revlon Colostay*, and I would say the 'medium' coverage it gave is very decent and buildable. I really enjoy the slightly thick formulation and it's very easy to work with, I never endup looking cakey. 

 This foundation has no fragrance which is new for me because the Revlon Colorstay really have a strong smell. After a while I got used to this fragrance-free foundation that when I reach for Revlon Colorstay I got taken by a bit surprise due to the strong scent. So people who got turnoff by cosmetics scent will definitely enjoy this odourless foundation.

I also like that it contains anti-irritants and anti-oxidant as well non-acnegenic and oil-free, which is very very good for the skin. I was really attracted that it is like a skincare foundation and protect skin from environmental damage.  I don't think I ever got breakouts from this *nonetheless my skin issue at the early times I purchase this is dry so I was acne-free*.

Despite all that good stuff, I didn't notice that it would minimise fine lines appearance probably because I don't really pay attention to that, as well as the water-resistant features that it claims. 

The thing that bothers me is definitely the packaging, the NO-PUMP bottle. Why why Clinique??? Why don't you provide a pump?  It is more annoying when this foundation is quite thick so it doesn't flow out that easily and it is a bother to pour it out from the bottle... haishhh...

Also I am quite disappointed with the colour match I got, Wheat #14 is so much darker... if this foundation match into my skin this would have been my everyday foundation. 

It is a hassle to lighten up the shade through mixing. I should have realize it sooner and took it back to the counter...Never  mind that sad story, I still use this foundation by lightening it. I mix it with my too light MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC30 or the Revlon PhotoReady Makeup in Vanilla which I bought just for the this reason *lighten up the darker Superbalanced Makeup* and get it match to my liking. Although process of mixing is easier*less hassle* for the two foundation compare to the foundation with a cream concealer, I really prefer the Clinique Superbalanced+MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer combination. It felt more comfortable, the colour match better and easier. Other than that as well it upgrade it's coverage since the concealer is a high-coverage itself and most of the time I forgo the spot concealing process. 

The price of this is £21.50 for a 30ml bottle which is pretty much a standard price for a high-end foundation.

Overall rating : 4 out of 5

(point deducted due to the bottle as well because I couldn't enjoy this due to bad colour-match)

I really like this foundation and would love to repurchase it in my shade, but I'm not sure yet since I'm interested to try Clinique Even Better Makeup foundation, and I still not sure when since I do have a number of foundations now. We'll see how it goes.

May 2012 Roundup/Favourites

So this would be my first *hopefully not my last* favourites/roundup post, it's basically some picks of stuffs I like/wear/reach for most during the month. Hopefully this post make me pay more attention for stuff I use too often or stuff I don't reach for or unsuitable for me.

I was suppose to post this on 31st May but for some reason I had quite a hard picking out stuff that I like/wear/reach for most during the month. At first I would want to make it only beauty items, then I was thinking like why not just add fashion/clothing items... 

ok, ok enough about explaining this post.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush for Foundation application

I have given up standard paddle flat synthetic brush in exchange to Stippling Brush for foundation application ever since I got it. Alright, I admit I jump onto different dual fibre/stippling brush foundation application quite too late... Most people would say the MAC 187 or stippling brush is sooooo oudated... now many is more interested in using flat top kabuki brush or buffering brush, or even MAC 109 instead of MAC 187. 

I hardly see stippling brush used for applying foundation and when I look for latest youtubers who used Real Techniques Stippling Brush, most of them don't use these for foundation. Actually I got this as the 3rd free items in Boots for their 3 for 2 offers and I actually plan to get the Buffer Brush in the set but I got this one first and thought about giving it a try. Despite the fact I'm new to applying foundation with stippling brush but I'm not new to the brush itself. I actually have another one from Etude House which I use for my blusher. So I give this a try with my liquid foundation and I really love how Real Techniques Stippling Brush work. The bristles is quite sturdy and not too 'floppy' which can really work my foundation into my skin. For my liquid foundation, first I would stipple and swirl the foundation and get a light even application all over my face, blending it making sure there's not streaks or whatever. Then I would stipple some more onto areas that need a bit more coverage. This tend to be my cheeks and chin. I love how little of foundation I used with this brush and it does not absorb too much product like a standard flat paddle brush do. I especially love to use it with my MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation which is much of thicker formula.  I'm not sure whether I will keep using this since plan to try Buffer Brush or Expert Face Brush or even splurge on MAC 109 but for now I'm loving this.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

I admit I just want to feel luxurious when I got the infamous Eight Hour cream, and what's great was that I got this in a set which I got the full size tube with others products (creams, hand body lotion, lipbalm) for price less than the standard price for just the full size tube. I kept this by my bed side and always reach for it to be put on my lips and as well as some dry patches on my face. My lips has never been this soft and I felt great putting on lipstick or even leave with just this balm on. It also reduces the appearance of the dry patches ad flakiness around my eyebrow, mouth and nose area. This was definitely not a waste of my money especially when I got this at a very reduced price. 

For clothing items I found myself loving wearing this light blue chambray or denim shirt that I got from Primark in men's section and this light beige *oatmeal* legging jeans I got from Gap. 

Primark Men's *Primark hauls coming soon!*

Sorry you'll be able to see the wrinkled since I wore it too much
and it was in the laundry basket hehe.

I just cannot stop wearing these since I got them until I put them in the laundry. Sometime I pair these together which I love too, or I pair the light shirt with dark skinnys and the beige skinny with dark or black tops for my usual light+dark combo. 

I love how the men's shirt actually give this loose fit look and the material is really light and not to rigid so it doesn't really look like I wore a man's shirt. The colour is so basic and layback look. 

The beige legging jeans is really really comfortable! I think I almost live in these during May until of course I had to put it into laundry. It fit snugly in my waist with enough stretch-ability for my comfort and I love that it's not a low rise  *almost come up to my belly button* so I can stick my love handles in, hehe. Again this is just a basic since it's plain and I've been dying to get this skinny in this colour, finally I manage to have a proper one.

That's all for my May Roundup or favourites, till next time!

Spring Summer Trip and Conquest of Europe, Kelana Convoy 4: Frankfurt, Fussen, Innsbruck

I manage to dig up old pamphlet as well old notes of last year trip. So hopefully I manage to get this trip series done especially before my Seoul trip this July. Hehe, so the journey continued, I still got to finish blogging about this trip I had, I just felt it's a shame to let it pass just like that. 

This post would be on Germany and Austria.

 After we left Netherland we head to Frankfurt, Germany. To be honest, nothing much to do Frankfurt, just look around.

Frankfurt is definitely a modern city however it changes when we reach Romerberg.

European Central Bank - Frankfurt

I believe we were hanging around the Römerberg, old central square in Frankfurt Alstadt(Old Town).
This was important in the old days I believe. 

Römerberg-

Ostzeile *the 2nd buliding on left with white and brown finish, two large triangle with smaller in between*

Alte Nikolaikirche * the first building on right, with pillar* - gothic church

I remember I just walk around and take a look at stuff, I remember I walk until cross the Main River for a while, but nothing much there. I guess the rain quite kill mood and everybody was busy looking for souvenirs which I wasn't.

Römer- City Hall

I walk and walk and reach here... but I didn't take a closer look... I was too lazy, and it was raining.

Frankfurt Cathedral: Dom St. Bartholomäus

Again I can't remember the name of the campsite, but I remember I really liked it. I remember it was raining that night, we were eating 'nasi lemak' in the rain, what a nice night, comfort food in the cold rainy night.

The next day we went to Fussen, to visit the ever so popular Neuchawanstein Castle *wiki*, 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen. This castle is believed to be the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, so that's nice I guess. 
Again for some reason I did not take any pictures....Hmmm ... I don't know ... maybe it was scorching hot that I was too busy queing up to get ice-cream instead of taking pictures.... and not to forget we had to hike up the hills to get to the castle *well they got horse carriage service but I'm trying to save money*. I say even from afar the castle look marvelous and even the the environment view *minus the heat* is really nice.  Well to be honest I didn't really explore the castle and I didn't walk up to the spot where you take picture of the castle as your background. which is nice... but I was just not in the mood?? haha!

But what I love most about this place is LAKE SCHWANSEE. It's very cooling and calming on that hot day just to sit around the lake and rest. The water is so cool and it does feel great and 'homey' in a way when we dip our toes in the water. 

Lake Schwansee - Lovely isn't it! I say one of the best picture I take

Other than a great place for a picnic, there's also canoeing service for the lake, and that lake is really wide, I don't think there will ever be a time where you feel the lake is so crowded. And if you're more 'daring' just go for a swim, or 'skinny dippin' , hehe jokes... *seriously don't, awkward for other tourist there*

So I enjoyed the cooling toe-dipping rest I had at Fussen and it's next destination to Austria.

What is great about this trip is that when you're in a convoy, you might think the road journey is too long, I mean what do you expect we cross one country border to another, but what's great is that the VIEW is really magnificent. 

My parent's hometown is in Seri Menanti and we have to go through Bukit Putus all the time which I find nice, sometime nauseating *because we keep turning* and sometime even creepy *at night where I thought of some supernatural stuff*, this is journey is like that but times 50 or even hundred... You really get that OVERWHELMED feeling.

Then we arrived at Innsbruck, Austria. 
So Austria, think of Vienna *classic music capital though unfortunately not included in this trip*, apple strudels and their famous people:-

Marie Antoinette (the Archduchess of Austria who became Dauphine and the Queen of France) - quite the tragic her life is *I watched Kristen Dunst Marie Antoinette as well some documentary on her

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer) - Try his Lacrimosa for his Requiem Mass 

 Sigmund Freud (father of psychoanalysis) - he's famous for analysing dream and  the psychosexual 

 Arnold Schwarzenegger *actor*- the ever so famous Terminator

Alright back to Innsbruck.
So we walk around the alstadt, 'old town' after visiting Swarovski crystal shop  and nope nothing amaze me there.

 I visit the famous Goldenes Dachl, 'golden roof' and not sure what exactly it was before but it is museum now with all the history of Tyrol sovereigns *I remember I read tyrolean stuff there, though absolutely no memories of it anymore now* 

Walking along Alstadt (old town) toward The Golden Roof- straight front

Midtown Innsbruck
Tower with the 'green top' - Hofkirche (Court Church)

As I walk along following the others who's looking for souvenirs, I noticed the nice big building which is actually the Imperial Palace or Hofburg.

Hofburg entrance .. or exit? can't remember haha! 

Well we just got to the lobby  by entering from the 'back'... and the inside is definitely amazing... I mean what do you expect right.  Lot's of artwork showcase and I took a pamphlet with me and when I look into it, not to over sell it and said it so amazing and what not... it's just that sometimes I enjoy feasting my eyes with these 'artsy royal stuff'... in malay, 'cuci mata'.

Dom zu St. Jakob
 (St. James's Cathedral although often wrongly called St Jacob's Cathedral)

After a while of walking and looking around as well as getting my taste of Austrian's famous apple strudels, we gather back again around Renneweg, we went to the ski jump ramp/stadium, Bergiselschanze that was famous for Winter Olympics. Nothing much there especially during summer. 

So we hop into the coach again for the next destination, Italy! To be precise, Venice.

I am actually quite excited for the next post because I really enjoyed Venice and Florence. It is quite unexpected but actually I do enjoy a bit looking up for infos on the places I visit to put into these blog post. So I really hope this post is helpful for people and that they got a bit of idea on this trip, either on the places or the Kelana Convoy service that I joined.

Spring 2012 Beauty hauls - mostly makeups!

Alright just finish my exam. It's just one module that I sit for the 3rd time so hopefully 3rd time is a charm, and I scored this finally... haihhhh...


So continue on... first post after exam, beauty hauls.


This season for some reason I was into brushes. Just thank goodness, I was not sucked into MAC brushes crazyness, I was spending more drugstore brands *cheaper*. and I would thank the Boots's 3 for 2 offer for this.

so I'm not sure where to start but since I talked about brushes, so let's start with that, again these are all in random order because there's is no way I can remember when I got all these stuff. This seems a lot *and expensive* but you see I'll just put up the retail price here but most of the stuff I got for free or discounted from store offers or my beauty card club claim *rebate* and note that all price in GBP.

So as you know I am a big fan of Pixiwoo channel on Youtube, I really like that Samantha Chapman has comeup with a brush collection "Real Techniques" and it's all synthethic brush and affordable.
The face brush might cost a bit more than 10 quids, then there's brush set for a bit more 20 quids and in set they got about 4 brushes, making this collection really affordable.
Real Techniques

Top: The packaging,
 Bottom: Brushes in panaromic view style  brush  pouch,
 from left: pixel point eyeliner, accent brush, brow brush, base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush

Starter set (eyes): 20.99
I admit I got this because of the rave on the 'Deluxe Crease Brush' that is an amazing brush for putting on concealer. The other brush included in this are the base shadow brush, accent brush, pixel-point eyeliner brush and brow brush. Then there is a nice brush pouch which is really great for travelling especially.

Stippling brush : 10.99
I was just really tempt for some reason. After watching a few videos using stippling brush with foundation and I was more convinced.This one is all synthetic bristles and supposedly 'stippling and swirl' method can be used with this brush instead of the traditional dual fibre stippling brush method which is just to stipple.

Eco tools brush is also one of those recommended by Pixiwoo and love it because it's affordable.

Recycled Retractable Kabuki 12.99
I got this for touch up purpose and I don't really like the sponge that come with powder compact. I used to bring my Bodyshop Kabuki brush because it has pouch but it's just too much effort that I had to get it out from the pouch so I have to get those retractable one. This is a good option because it's a good quality and cheap.

Touch Up Set 14.99
I think I got this in the Boots offer 3 for 2, and instead getting something cheap for free, I make sure all the stuff I bought is of about the same price so I save more than 10.00 pounds. Great! The reason I snatched this set because I was attracted that it has lip brush and lash brow groomer because I don't have proper one. Other brush included is the Finishing Brush and Eye Shading Brush which is great for under eye sockets and it come with an extra pouch.

MAC Brush Cleanser 8.50
Did you know how long does my brush take to dry itself after cleasing?? Days!! Which I found so inconvenient so I got this brush cleanser. It's alcohol base so it disinfect, clean and condition, plus with faster drying. What's greater is that it's good for cleansing between use since it's fast drying as explained by MAC sale assistant when I was at the counter.

As you all know I am quite a MAC junkie so these what I got.

MAC

From Left upper:  MAC Lipliner in Dervish, Prep+Prime Eyes #Medium Dark, Lipstick  # Taupe, #Diva

Lipstick in Diva  13.50
A great deep red burgundy matte colour, with enough red pigment since I don't really like 'too much purple' like Rebel. Finally a decent lipstick for the wine lipstained effect.

Lipstick in Taupe  13.50
I got to thank ThePersianbabe for introducing me to this lipstick on Youtube. I'm buying this so it could be a great day to day lipstick since it's not so 'full on' and also it's a matte which I always prefer. It actually look quite nude but a bit darker on me but it's great! I would love to explain more but maybe on another post.


Prep+Prime Eye in Medium Dark 12.50
I thought of getting the MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre because it's a better match for my skin but I hate the idea of getting another paint pot for the same purpose because then what I would do with my Painterly Paint Pot?? So I decided to try this one. For days I'm doing simple wash of colour or simple eyeliner when I feel Painterly Paint Pot is just too much but I still can't forgo eye base, this is great. It's quite sheer and the sales assistant explain to me to use it very sparingly and before my concealer or even under paint pot.


Lipliner in Dervish 10.50
I can remember exactly why I got this, I think I was trying to get a lighter brown nude lipliner *lighter than Spice* but the sales assistant match me to this which is pink one but I kinda like it and got it which mean I end up not buying what I originally want to... haihh...*I wasn't on top of my game that day* But, I'm not really into wasting stuff as well as  returning so I still use it. It's lighter than Whirl  and has a bit of sheen.

From Left: MAC Eyeshadom (Refill Pan) # Cork, #Print

Eyeshadow in Cork 10.00
Eyeshadow in Print 10.00
So since I got the Z-pallete *large one* I was only thinking of getting eyeshadow or blush in pans so it's more cheaper. So I got MAC Pro Pallete  Refill Pan in Print to add a dark grey into my collection and it has some shimmer but not glittery. Another one in Cork which is a matte medium yellow toned beige, great for subtle contouring since my Brun is a bit too dark.

Packed To Go: 3 Assorted Black Eyeliner 27.50
I bought this just because it's a great bargain. Three full size MAC eyeliner for less than 30.00 pounds??? Woww! It would be really perfect if it got brown in it... haiihhh. So this include the Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved and Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline.

Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle 21.50
Definitely the latest purchase,  a bit of retail therapy during exam mode. I always wanted to get MAC skinfinish and when MAC In Extra Dimension come up with 'to die for' golden tone Whisper of Gilt, I really want to get it, but UNFORTUNATELY they ran out. I missed it. There's some stock of Glorify which is more bronzy but I don't want that. So to make myself feel better I got the Mineralized one, Soft and Gentle. I might make another post on highlighters.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Somptueuse #39 23.50
I got to say I had to get an injection of luxury at times and Chanel does it for me, that's is all.
This is a matte to satin finish, very light and airy and the colour is just a divine deep red and very much 'me'! The luxury effect definitely obvious with the amazing packaging with 'click on' and 'Chanel' engraved.

Origins A Perfect World Anti-oxidant Cleanser with White Tea 17.00
I used Neutrogena before and I love the Refreshing Cleanser *blue bottle* but it ran out when I was back in Malaysia last summer and I asked my sis to get it since I want to stay at home that day, but she got the Deep Cleansing (orange liquid) instead which is very drying for me. After a while, I just had to change it. It takes me to use it up 3/4 of the bottle that I finally decided to throw it, haha! So instead of looking for the right Neutrogena cleanser I thought of getting Origins instead since I'm using their skincare.

These definitely I bought because of the offers in Boots. Nevertheless a little comment why I reach for these.

From Left: Revlon Photoready Makeup #Vanilla, Revlon Bronzer #Sunkissed, Barry M Dazzle Dust #Old Gold

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup in Vanilla #002 12.99

I thought of getting a lighter foundation to be mixed with my very dark Clinique Superbalanced makeup so that it matches my face better.

Revlon Bronzer in Sunkissed #02 7.99
I was attracted to it's finish, I thought it would be a great subtle highlighter.


Barry M Dazzle Dust in Old Gold #24  4.59
I was attracted as a cheaper pigment, and Old Gold seems like an easy colour to pull of.

Okay I got to admit this post is quite compact... I don't put much comment so that this post is not too long...
Though most I would include ins certain near future post.


So it's summer holiday for me now, I have about a month in Belfast before I go back to Malaysia and then I have my trip to Seoul Korea in July so can't wait for that. That reminds me that I haven't finish my post on my Europe trip last summer... I'm lame at this... '-.-

Review: Origins Make A Difference Night Skin rejuvenating gel-cream

I know I should be in exam mode but I thought I just want to make a quick review on this product... I just realize Origins discontinue it, or at least in the UK.... and I don't really know why?... 

So this review might have no purpose, but I still want to review it.. hahaa!

Now I can't remember when actually I got this, sometime last summer... after the exam I think.

I thought I blog a haul on it but I guess I didn't get to, hmmm.

Well I couldn't get the exact details on this products as Origins has discontinued it (no information from website) and I also lost the box it came with so I can only include my opinions.

I remember I was one of the earliest one to get this (it was new when I got it), since I did not find many reviews on this when I got this. I remember I got this to help with my dry flaky patches around forehead, jaw area during the exam period last spring...  I notice they coming up lately, but not as bad as last year, just around the outer corner of the eyes... *ok try to relax please...*

Origins Make A Difference Night Skin Rejuvenating Gel-creme 

The price should be about GBP 30.00+ which is standard Origins and is included in the Make A Difference range which targeted for dry-dehydrated skin. You see in Origins, in each range they will have a specific ingredient which contained in all of the products in a range. For example, White Tea in the A Perfect World range. However I find it's quite weird that this one product has a different active ingredient in it from other product of the same range. For the other products (toner, serum, cleanser, moisturizer) it would be the Rose of Jericho, but for this particular product it is Evening Primrose ... hmmm....

I specifically chose this product because it's for dry skin and it suppose to get rid of the dry lines.

It's actually an extra treatment which you layer on before your moisturizer... I'm all into layering skincare... hahaaa! What really attracted me is the formula which is actually a gel-creme... now I'm not sure which skincare style, Korea, Japan or Taiwan? But I was attracted to their style of layering multitude of products, which  is to cleanse then apply toner, milky lotion, serums (more than one), gel creme and a rich cream. It's a lot, I know! So since this was a gel-creme I thought I could imitate these skincare style.

So I use at night after serum and Benzoyl Peroxide gel and continue with my A Perfect World Moisturizer. You can go without another moisturizer but that time I was really dried so I had to top my A Perfect World and besides that I had to have my dose of antioxidant at night.

I remember it really clear up the dry flaky problems I had last year, and reduce my dry lines. It does say rejuvenating and I think they did mention that in the description and it makes sense since night creme do usually has rejuvenating/renewal features.

I really like the texture, very light and refreshing even the scent. I tried the other Make A Difference moisturizer at the Origins counter, they had a strong unpleasant herbal smell, where as this night gel-creme has much much nicer scent.  As for moisturizing I got to say I don't feel it much, I mean I don't really feel 'soaked damp' where I expect in a hydrating treatment. It says it can be on it's own without another moisturizer but I don't think it's moisturizing enough.

Overall, it's is a good decent product, if you think your day moisturizer is not enough to be used at night, this is a good addition to night skincare regimen. However, if this is still available I probably still would not repurchase it, I rather try another product because it's really not that great of a product. Nevertheless I still say it's a shame that Origins discontinue it. 

Rating: 3.8/5

(minus 0.2 for being discontinued)

Well since I'm at it, I think I should just list down my night skincare and they are mostly Origins product, hehe.

1. Cleanse with Origins A Perfect World Cleanser (latest change, I started about a month using this product)
2. With cotton pad, apply the A Perfect World Age Defense Lotion (a clear liquid toner)
3. Apply Origins Planscription anti-ageing serum and focus on where I got lines, middle of forehead, crows feet area, mouth area(smile lines) between brows.
4. Apply the Brighter By Nature skintone-correcting serum (which I think recently discontinued as well from Origins since I could not find it in the website and Origins also has also come up with Mega Bright, a new skintone-correcting serum. I will get this after I finish my old serum) 
5. Apply the Ginzing eye treatment around the eyes using ring finger and pat it a bit. 
6. Layer PanOxyl 2.5 Benzoyl Peroxide Aquagel on the whole face very thin layer and gently without rubbing it in. I would avoid area with dry patches if there is any. Apply a bit more on a active spots/acnes.
7. Apply the Make A Difference Night Skin rejuvenating gel-creme.
8. Apply my regular moisturizer, A Perfect World Antioxidant moisturizer with White Tea.

Sometimes if I'm doing exfoliation/mask treatment that night I would forgo my PanOxyl 2.5 % BP, and sometime would exchange the Make A Difference Night gel-creme with Origins High Potency Night A-mins renewal cream which I received a sample from Origins. I would love to explain in more depth but this would be really longg.... But basically the above steps is what I do regularly.

So I'm not sure what's going to change more in my skincare, I would try my best to update as much as possible via blog post and twitter.