Seoul Trip Haul

I finally got the time to post this, this time it's not the writing take slows me but transferring of pictures... I was just lazy to get the wire and transferring the picture, bluetooth all 400+ pics from the trip.... haihhhh lagilah. 

And it's Ramadhan, so I wasn't really blogging actively as well there's some stuff that need my attention.

So apologies to my blog!haha!

So again I want to keep this simple, I got some other post to publish but I thought I started with this.

The Seoul Trip I had in July was really really a BLASTT!! IT was eleven of us, 12 days in  Seoul, total chaos, hahaha! It feel a bit unfortunate that I don't get to go to other places in S. Korea like Jeju but seriously nevermind that. Not visiting other places might mean  I would visit South Korea again. There were a lot of adventure and I surely want to share it here though I really want to finish previous summer trip post, but it will happen. 

That's kind of like an intro of the trip and here's the haul!

Seoul HAUL!! - 

So other than albums I definitely aims to spree on skincare and cosmetics. The thing is, I'm kind of a 'generous' traveler, I'm definitely not too thrifty for pocket money when travelling. I would spent on food; meals and snacks, I definitely not the type who eat just bread for dinner to save money. This result that my shopping budget is not as much.
I do admit that there's some of thing I would like to buy but didn't get to, like YG Family latest Concert DVD, but I got 2NE1 Nolza Concert DVD. Other albums I got BIG BANG Still Alive (Big Bang version) *ergghhhh I should have gotten the TOP's version* and 2PM Hands Up *they didn't have the concert '-.-* and at the last minute I just pickup Big Bang Alive as well, first it's the packaging, which is really damnnnn! And I thought of getting TOP's version and they sold out? '-.- since the price is not that pressing I just pick up GD's version, hahaha! some part of me do think of getting other albums, but I still end up paying for that! I was also looking for Brown Eyed Girls but they don't have it... haihhhh... the sad story of buying albums...'-.- continue on

Note: I don't include some stuffs that I bought for other people

As you might know skincare market are BIG in Korea. In every area I went to I will see these stores; Tony Moly, Etude House, Missha, Nature's Republic *some of the popular stores, kind of high street* and many more. Even in the subways station!! And they close at 9 or 10 pm or even later, oh my god! Shopping paradise! You know I have been staying in the UK which stores close by 6pm, so shopping later at night did make me feel refreshed. And when we got there it's the summer sale, and at airports we got goodies bag that contain free generous sample of skincare even a premium line *dying of happiness* not to forget that when I shopped for cosmetics not only they were discounted but they also give out free stuff... these what they call "SERVICES" or "EVENT", cool!

The free samples I got including a 5 sheets of facemask (the green one) - Nature's Republic, Tony Moly

I have used some of free samples and I might come up with a post on like short review or first impression.

For skincare I was looking for something uniquely Korean *something of a big hype* and premium.

My eyes caught the PREMIUM SNAIL Intense Care from Tony Moly,

Yes,  it's snails! Before this, I had read about snail's secretion (mucin) skincare goodness, it's good for rejuvenation and it has healing properties, very good for acne prone or post acne prone *like me*. In Korea snail skincare was the hype a while back. Most brands have their own snail skincare range, but I decide to get this because it's discounted. 

So from the Tony Moly Intense Care Snail I got the:-

• Snail Cream (45ml) which include a sample of the Snail Eye Cream (15ml) in the box
• Snail Essence (35ml)  which include sample of the Snail Skin (20ml) which a toner and Snail Lotion (20ml) in the box. 
• Snail Foam Cleanser - FREE full size package. OH MY GOD!

 I love them! Like I said before these are premium skincare, so it's quite pricey. I thought getting the mask but it's sold together with the ampule which are too pricey for my budget.

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  Picture below, from left: *Tony Moly Intense Care Snail* Foam Cleanser (free), ** Essence ( 38,000 won),
  **Cream (35,000+ won? can't really remember),  Tony Moly Floria Berry Anti-Wrinkle Sleeping Pack (15,000 won? Can't remember as well)

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• Tony Moly Floria Berry Anti-wrinkle Sleeping Pack. 

Sleeping pack/mask, again, very popular in Korea. This is suppose to be put on after all your night skincare, you sleep with it and wake up with healthy great skin. For this range, there's another one for whitening which I want to get first but this had more discount, hahah! Not that expensive and the discount reduced it's price a lot. It contains blueberry flower, and no I don't recall this ingredient before, but I trust Koreans, hahah! 

I haven't use these stuff yet, will do soon probably when I'm back in Belfast. 

Next skincare products that are popular there are face mask in sheets, ok they have these around the world but not as many and as popular as in South Korea that even guys regularly use them. They have many affordable and cheaper version, but they are still very good.

Now, I just realize that I only bought snail related mask, I'm not sure what was I thinking, but I just didn't get to buy other type of mask.

• Nature Republic Snail Therapy 1000 Hydrogel mask sheets 5s
• Nature Republic Snaytox Anti-Wrinkle Hydrogel mask 5s
• Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination watery mask 5s (FREE)

 Snail Therapy and Snaytox mask are the most expensive mask sheet I found there with price at almost 5,000 won per sheets, so these mask almost cost 50,000 won.

• Tony Moly Natural Pulp Essence Sheet Mask in Snail  10s, price at 10,000 *I should have gotten other type too... oh man*

From Left: Nature Republic Snail Therapy 1000 Hydrogel Mask sheet, Nature's Republic Snaytox Anti-Wrinkle Hydrogel Mask, Tony Moly Nature Pulp Essence Sheet Mask Snail.

From the skincare shopping experience I had in Seoul, I just had to say that most of the staff does not speak English, but usually they do have one or two staffs that speaks English especially in popular area like Myeongdong. Some of them are really good and explain well and convincing, some are good enough to be helpful. Now with that, foreigners definitely have no problems getting explanation on the products and some product have English explanation but you might get a bit iritated due to the ridiculous error *ko-nglish*. I wonder how would it be shopping at French pharmacy...

Ok now on makeup. As you can see, I don't buy much. I think because uniquely Korean makeup style is not really my style and I'm not really into looking like typical Korean stars which they usually go for natural simple look and lot of eyeliner.Only a few Korean celebrities manage to amaze me, usually singer like Lee Hyori since singer they experiment with look. Korean actress? Drama and film? Not really. So again, I look for something popular among Koreans and suit my style as well and I got these three items.

From Left: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ in No.23 Natural  Beige (25,000+ won), Tony Moly Crystal Light Pink Beam (less than 10,000 won), Tony Moly Tony Tint Red Apple (less than 10,000 won)

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 PA+++ in No.23 Natural  Beige 

BB creams are the mother of base makeup in of the Koreans. There, believe me even each brand can carry up to 10  type of BB cream and then we got varieties of brands, so IT IS A LOT of variety to choose from. However, thank god that I am dark tanned not many will actually suit me. I don't think there's any that matches me exactly and I had my experience with BB cream which I decide it's not really my style, but since this is popular in Korea I had to get one no matter what.

• Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in No.23

It is one of the most popular BB cream *internationally*, there's tons of reviews on the internet, and what make's it really really popular is that it's coverage is really good and that it matches darker skintone better. This was the first BB cream I always wanted to try, but I just didn't get the chance. After a while I just didn't bother.

I already used this and it's actually quite good, and the coverage is interesting. It's not about how much it covering, but how the covering feels *does that make sense?*. I would simply said it covers unlike how full coverage foundation  do, which is better... I'll explain more in a deeper review in the future. Other than that, I also like that it is not only SPF 42 but also PA+++.

Left: Tony Moly Crystal Light Pink Beam, Tony Moly Tony Tint in Red Apple.

 Another staple in Koreans makeup that suite my style is liquid HIGHLIGHTER or they call it "pearl". Koreans usually go for that overall glow by mixing into their base*BB creams usually* and add more of this on high points of the face. I never had liquid highlighter before but I tried cream type like MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl. 

•  Tony Moly Crystal Light Pink Beam

At first I bought this for my sister because I don't like the colour being pink, I prefer it in champagne or gold tones *warmer tone* but they don't have that. But since I'm quit an avid highlighter user, I end up putting it on. And it's actually look decent. It definitely does not show up as pink, and it applied almost sheer. At first I thought it's quite shimmery and glittery but it does not seem that way when I put on, it give a nice sheen 'glowy' effect. I'm impressed with it for now. At one look, it's actually a dupe for Benefits High Beam. It is I think, but I think it might be better than Benefit. I tried swatching on Benefits Sun Beam before, and it's surprisingly very shimmery unlike what I see in review by vlog, so I reckon High Beam might be same... hmmm.

• Tony Moly Tony Tint in RED APPLE

When I beginning to wear makeup I do like the stained or tinted look, natural pink/red lips but not so anymore since now I'm so into deep and bright lip colour. However, my friends on the trip was making a fuss on lip tint and I thought I check it out.  Again, there are  a lot of varieties and definitely very popular and I would say uniquely Koreans. There's shiny type, pale pink, bright pink even orange... If you think Korean celebrities are baring their lips naked and got a healthy pink colour, think again. They are 98% probably wearing lip tint. 
What actually make me purchase this, is the shade, Red Apple. I swatched it on, and it's really a decent colour that really suit my style. It can be deep red, not pink *though you can stained it to light* and it's matte. It stained lips so it should stay on longer. However, it is quite a mess to get it stained my lips and for now, I think it's just an ok product. It's totally fine since it's cheap

As I was visiting places and others I always notice they sell compact mirror. There's lot of beautiful and elegant  design and by the end of trip I decide buy one. I got mine from Insadong and it's 10,000 won I think. I like it that it's white with slight iridescent  and design is pretty, got a bit of hangul, definitely a sweet token from Korea. Plus I want to touch-up my lipstick, I don't have to take out my compact powder which is convenient

Non-cosmetics/fashion Items : Mirror, slingbag, necklace, bracelets

In the trip, I do want to get a bag, but I don't know, probably I didn't set up a budget so I was not sure what bag to get and I already set my eyes for a certain bag of certain brand and by then I have spent most of my money for skincare. 

However, I manage to get this one very  lovely and very inexpensive bag. I first saw one in green at Myeondong and thought I will get it when I go to Myeondung for serious shopping. But when I went there again, the green is gone!! argghhh... So there were only black and orange and I choose orange so it is more interesting. Anyway, since it's cheap I would experiment with bolder colour.

Orange Slingbag - 10,000 won

Although it's cheap and well, synthetic materials *you know how much I like my leather*, to me it looks expensive. It's simple, no brand attached, I hate those imitation brand stamp... The design is nice and the leopard print definitely interest me and it's quite boxy, long strap/handle and bright coloured, totally Korean style. hahah!

Necklace 9,000 won, blue beads bracelet 3,000 won, leather band bracelet 8,000 won

I bought old gold necklace and blue orange bracelet at Hongdae.
It's actually intresting to shop at Hongdae as well, the small boutiques and standup stall. Probably because that Hongdae is the place for artist etc, there are actually a lot of cool interesting design in for fashion items, though it's not always cheap. I like the necklace being old gold, the wing is of decent size and there's a 'touch' of leather and makes it a bit interesting and it's actually look simple.
Now the bead bracelet! I totally love it! I've been wearing it a lot a lot since I got it, the colour is really nice the patches of blue and orange in beads makes it's stood out on my wrist. I should have got more, arghhhh... but that time it was quite early in the trip so I was a bit careful when purchasing stuff.

Then I got thin leather bracelet at Dongdaemun, it's quite pricey, but the cheaper alternatives didn't look as good as this one. I actually wanted to try to the spiky one, you see them quite popular these days but after a lot of thinking, I forgo it. I thought if I want to get spiky bracelet, it's popular now, so I can get it elsewhere. So I end up buying this since again it looks elegant, simple, I definitely will wear it piled on *if I want to style up to the max* . I like the golden clip and I did have a hard time choosing the colour but I guess you can never go wrong with tanned leather.

I just realize that I didn't take individual pictures of the scarf I got there as well, it was from Insadong, 4,000 won per piece, which is quite cheap. I bought two *again, should have gotten another one*, one with large blue floral print, and one with small red flowers, you can see it on the first picture above.  And probably in the future I put up OOTDs with the scarf.

So I hope you guys enjoy this haul and hopefully this post give a peek into what you guys getting while shopping in Seoul, South Korea.

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.