Here’s the second visual diary entry. This time, it’s just a regular week consisting of my random thoughts, a job interview and a party that me and my friends went to.
I’ve been playing with a more vlog style edit, with me talking to you guys. Let me know if that works? Because my initial plans were just to make videos to music. But I thought a change of pace would be good.
Enjoy!
Social media has created increased pressure to depict a pristine lifestyle at all times. Even though we all know that life is never all sunshine and rainbows. Here, in Singapore, there is very little light shed on mental illness or anything of that sort. We tend to believe that the brain is an organ that we have control over, that you can control your thoughts and actions. This is true to a certain extent. More often than not, we are at the mercy of our thoughts and like the heart, it is an organ that is constantly working on its own.
Many Asian households tend to instill this habit of showing your best and putting the best face on for the rest of the world. There is a tendency to sweep problems under the rug and pretend that it doesn’t exist, praying that eventually they will go away. It’s true in my family and the relationships that I have in my life. The whole mindset strikes a bad cord in me and it’s something that I fight against every day.
Why is it so wrong to admit our problems?
Negativity
Singaporeans are notorious for being overly negative and complaining a lot. I have grown up in a society that is constantly in discontent. We are always very vocal about how unhappy we are with one thing or another. As frivolous as this may seem, it does impact the mindset of millennials who fixate on the negative and feel entitled to the good. You would think that this means that we are open to listening to people’s problems but this is where society draws a fine line. We love commiserating and blowing steam on shared topics, not on individual ones. It is taboo to air your “dirty laundry” or talk about them in an open manner. It is considered rude and self-centred, which boggles my mind. Who do you turn to, to discuss your own personal struggles? More often than not, you are encouraged to find a solution for yourself.
Isolation
Which brings me to the point about having friends and a support system. This system is often botched by the false self-centred notions that I was talking about previously. We think our friends have their own problems to deal with. They are busy with their own lives and when we do have time to spend together, these are precious hours that you wouldn’t want to ruin with your personal problems. Thus, even with a close group of friends, ultimately we are incredibly isolated. No one knows who anyone really is. Life here is so fast paced that we often forget to check up on our friends and loved ones. Meanwhile, those friends and loved ones are too afraid to reach out and they end up feeling neglected. It’s a vicious cycle.
Catharsis
Being isolated, it is important to be comfortable on your own. Remind yourself that negligence is not personal, it is a way of life. We can’t solve everything on our own, but we can manage them. Finding a project or activity that is cathartic is important. When there seems to be no outlet for the negativity, find one that creates something positive for you. Be it working out, meditation or retail therapy. Writing is a cathartic experience for me and I have written journals, poetry and prose since I was 10 years old. As I grew older, I would kick it up a notch and create projects such as my self-published book, “The Unorthodox Cat Lady”, where you can clearly see instances of me releasing my negativity in the pages. Not everything that comes out of negativity is ugly, sometimes they push you to create or experience the most rewarding things.
Digging Yourself Out of It
When you are stuck in a rut, it is very easy to wallow. To prevent yourself from falling deeper into that hole, you have to acknowledge your feelings, release them in some form or other and then try to climb your way out of it. This is the most difficult step to execute on your own. Most times however, you are on your own. Realistically, it is difficult to reach out in an open manner without inciting judgement. Hence, I think it is equally important to find ways to climb out of that negative headspace by yourself. Leaving positive reminders is one way that I think helps. These reminders can come in the form of quotes, photos, even scents that evoke positive memories for you. Recently, I have started creating visual diaries of simple everyday things that to me are poignant and evoke positive feelings. They remind me of good times and I will watch them whenever things get rough.
My life is not exciting in the least, so everything is very ordinary. But I think it’s important to find joy in the ordinary. I truly enjoyed the entire process of making these videos and want to make more of them, even if they don’t turn out amazing. Sometimes, logging memories down into words is not enough. They need to be relived.
Hey guys! So I thought I would try something different with this post. Instead of writing down my Ultra Music Festival experience in Singapore, I thought it would be better to let you experience it with me. So, I’ve made a little vlog. It’s my first time dabbling in video, so excuse any kinks and glitches.
Needless to say it was hot, sweaty and amazing. I was dead exhausted after the whole thing, but it was unforgettable.
Hope you guys enjoy this one!
Unemployment is something no one really talks about where I live, in Singapore. It’s somewhat a taboo subject. Your friends are overly positive about your prospects, because they want to encourage you and keep your spirits up. Your parents don’t know what to do with you around the house, acting like they are walking on egg shells. Everyone else who knows you otherwise assume that you are employed elsewhere, even if you aren’t with the previous company. You have to be working for another, right?
People here think of it as a fleeting moment. Just a simple unfortunate incident that can easily be remedied.
I mean, just get another one, right?
Wrong.
I have been debating about writing more personal things on this site. Simply because no one really cares about personal experiences from someone they don’t even know. The futility of it makes this whole thing seem like a waste of time and effort. Everyone projects the false image of a perfect life, be it through conversations or social media. No one wants to talk about the horrible and real things that are going on. It’s uncomfortable and painful, so everyone, myself included, tends to avoid it.
Part of the reason, I think, is because the unemployment rates in Singapore are one of the lowest in the world. It’s at 2.1% currently. So to classify yourself under that small percentage means that you are not the norm, a failure.
Getting it Together
Having a job and career are all wonderful things. But not when it completely defines you as a person. Humans are multi layered creatures. It’s impossible to sum someone up in just one word, their occupation. There is this mentality that growing up and being an adult means that we have to have it together all the time. We need to be walking towards a direction or goal. If, like me, you have lost sight of that goal, you need to start working towards another one quick. Wandering around aimlessly, getting your bearings is not an adult thing to do, apparently.
Even if it is subconsciously done, the people around you will start pitying you, thinking that you’re losing it. Whatever “it” may be.
A tough concept that people can’t grasp is that confiding your problems with someone doesn’t automatically mean you are soliciting sympathy. Most times, it’s just stating the current fact of the matter. There are times, when I had to tell white lies, to avoid the standard looks of concern and pity on people when they learn about my state of joblessness. Then comes the onslaught of suggestions and advice. It comes from a good place yet it feels like salt to a gaping wound. Unless mentioned specifically, most people who are unemployed do not want their unemployment to be the discussion topic for the day.
We aren’t mentally unstable. It is okay to take some time off. We will get back on the horse when we are ready. To be honest, just a simple, “You okay?” is all we need. Not a discussion on what we are doing to land a new job ASAP.
Because god forbid that we are idle for a week or two. Adults don’t do that.
Helplessness
Job application is a job in itself. Sifting through Linkedin and Jobstreet, looking for something that would fit you and your abilities, but still aspirational. It’s tough. Not to mention the incredible competition you face. Typing out cover letter after cover letter, hoping to stand out from the other 500 applicants vying for the same position. It’s exhausting and demoralising, especially when you don’t hear back from the companies for a while. The whole thing is a merry-go-round of waiting, hoping and searching.
The helplessness settles in. You have to stretch that dollar, everything is suddenly a financial burden. Every time your friends ask you to hang out, you think “How much is this going to cost me?”. When they offer to pay, the weight on your chest doubles. It’s hard enough that you are a financial burden to yourself, now you are one to others as well. You just can’t enjoy moments 100% because there is always something nagging at the back of your head. You miss outings and parties to scrimp on cab rides and possible shopping. You end up barely meeting anyone and you feel everyone drifting away. When, in reality, it is you that’s drifting.
Taking Time
What we all need to realise is that this process takes time. This is a concept that I took a while to really understand. You can get a job overnight. But will it be the right one for you? That dream job feels like it is right around the corner, yet there seems to be a giant clock ticking away plus the uncertainty of the future. In addition to the tightening of the purse strings, so much so that it’s almost strangling you. You feel as if time is running out. There is a constant battle in your head whether you should settle. Or wait?
It takes time. And you shouldn’t feel bad for taking time. It’s something I struggle with as well because I always feel guilty for not applying and rushing into any job that pops up. Especially after the crushing defeat of not hearing from the initial one I was pining for. Patience is never my virtue but it has to be. Making a timeline is a good idea. Being open to part time jobs to help tide over this rough patch is something to consider. Settling, however, is not an option. So long as you are still alive, there is time.
Adulting
Finally, your entire personhood and level of maturity is not defined by your occupation or whether or not you are currently have one. It plays a big part, especially if you are passionate about what you do. But your job does not define you. It isn’t your only reason to live.
I would beat myself up for not being productive, for not being a busy worker bee. I am presented with all the time in the world and for some reason, I feel guilty. All of a sudden, I am transported back in time and I feel like a child again. What I needed to realise was that actively searching for a job is part of being a mature adult. I am adulting. Even if there is no swanky office or cubicle involved, I am an adult.
Either way, being jobless does not mean that you are a failure. It isn’t shameful or something that deserves pitying looks and sorry pats on the back. It doesn’t warrant talks about “how to get you on your feet”. You don’t owe anyone explanations. You don’t have to validate your efforts. There is nothing to prove. In fact, people take time off all the time. It is normal, as crazy as that sounds. And it is important for your sanity that you internalise that. I say this to myself as much as I am saying this to you guys.
You might be in the 2% right now, but that spot is in constant rotation, just like the Earth always is. It’s temporary and it’s just another chapter in this thing called Life.
Photos by Josh Magbanua
@stuntmannjosh
March came and went in a breeze. I almost didn’t realise that April had begun. It snuck in so quickly. Of course, I’m bringing a monthly round up of a few favourite things. I did some travelling in March so, I really got a good sense of what I consider an essential as I had to edit down the amount of stuff I packed. I’m far from a minimal packer, but I definitely strive to be. Don’t we all!
1. Kindle (SGD$ 250)
This is an absolute ESSENTIAL for me when I was travelling in Jakarta. I never went anywhere without it. With the crazy traffic in Jakarta, I spent long hours in the car trying to get from point A to point B. Though snoozing the whole way through is an option, I’m eternally grateful for my kindle because I managed to finish two books whilst I was there. Since I have the Paperwhite version, it has a lit screen, making it easy for me to read in the car even at night. It’s so light and compact, I can’t believe how I have lived without this.
2. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (SGD$ 27)
Besides it’s adorable frosted pink packaging that just looks so pretty on my vanity, this lip mask is a saviour for my dry, chapped lips. I wear lots of matte lipsticks during the day. Furthermore, the dry Jakarta air and airplane ventilation has ravaged my lips. Turning them into cracked desert ground. This lip mask is designed to be slapped on before bed, and you wake up with moisturised lips.
Firstly, I love the glossy, thick texture. This might not be everyone’s cup of tea as some don’t like the slippery consistency. I love it! It’s emollient, coating my lips with berry scented goodness. It isn’t the MOST hydrating thing I’ve tried, but it’s a pleasure to put on every night and it makes my lips very plump.
3. Hada Labo Air Aqua UV Day Emulsion, SPF50/PA+++ (SGD$ 19.90)
This is my holy grail sunscreen, hands down. Super accessible at Watsons or Guardian. It’s a light, runny moisturiser with a high broad spectrum SPF and it protects me from the tropical Singapore sun. I had initially regretted this particular purchase as I had accidentally bought the “dry skin” formula, instead of the one for oily skin. But I find that I am using this everyday as an all-in-one type product due to its extra moisturising properties. It truly acts as a moisturiser, sunscreen and primer in one. Helps me get ready quicker in the morning, cutting down all the product layering I previously had to do. It leaves my skin soft and velvety, also makes my pores look less apparent.
4. Real Techniques Setting Brush (SGD$ 18)
A brush sold by itself (thank god) in the signature Pixiwoo Pink. This can be found in our local drugstores at a reasonable price. While this brush is made for precise setting of areas of the face with powder, it is incredible at multitasking. Thanks to its small size, yet fluffy bristles, it is perfect to buff out concealer under the eyes and all over the face for a flawless, airbrushed complexion. The Setting Brush is also great for placing and blending highlight on the cheekbones, for a diffused luminosity. Perfection!! I definitely need more than one.
5. Anastasia Brow Wiz in Dark Brown (USD$ 21)
I’m back together with my OG brow pencil that I was once upon a time crazy about. This is still nowhere to be found in Singapore. I had to buy it off Beauty Bay and pray that it arrived to my house safely. Nowadays, I would recommend purchasing it from Beautylish. The hype for this micro brow pencil has finally died down and that was when I decided to pick it up again. I wanted to go through all the back ups I bought, due to the hype and I fell back in love with it. For people with sparse brows like me, this gives you the most natural looking full brows you can ever get. More so than the pomade, the definer and the brow powders, this brow wiz is the perfect consistency to imitate the look of hairs.
Special mention to Zayn’s new album “Mind of Mine” has been on repeat all through March. To be honest, I had no real expectations, despite loving his single “Pillowtalk”. I was actually blown away by the Robin Thick-ese style with some solid R&B tunes. I also loved the Bollywood/Urdu influences that’s sprinkled in the album. Honestly, my jaw dropped when I heard him sing “Intermission:Flower”. So. Bloody. Good.
However, my favourite song in the whole album is hands down “Borderz”.
And that’s about it for last month. We are already full swing into April. Content on the site is likely to change in terms of its upload schedule as my job is starting to get a little hectic. But I will definitely be posting weekly, as per usual. Look for them especially on the weekend.
Ahoy, April! Let’s go!
Happy April, everyone! Some might notice that there has been a short halt in content up my website. The reason being I had to fly to Jakarta, Indonesia for a work & vacation thing this week with my family. I was initially planning to whip up couple of posts while I was there but it seemed impossible due to extremely slow wifi. It would’ve taken me hours to upload all these photos.
So I thought, instead of the other posts I had in mind, let’s have some travel talk! A short summary of my trip there could be interesting for those who have never been to Jakarta, or who have not been there in a while.
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, a hot southeast asian country that is made up of thousands of islands and have hundreds of different cultures and societies within it. Jakarta is the metropolitan city where businesses tend to go, where most people who live in the outskirts commute to work. Temperatures are hot, hot, hot! Right around 32 Degrees Celsius. However, it is different from Singapore, because the air is much drier and less humid. Hence, it isn’t the cloying, moist heat I was used to. Dry heat is infinitely better. But be sure to pack lots of light clothing.
With the heat and smog of the city, the outskirts are actually much cooler in temperature. We went to ‘Puncak Gunung’, which is a pretty long drive to the countryside just outside Jakarta. This area is a mountainous region where tea plantations surround the entire base of the mountains. The weather there was cool and foggy, such a nice change from the city. It is a more rural side of Indonesia with more slums and poorly built housing, but in the midst of all that, there are tea factories and hotels to accommodate to the tourists that visit this area.
Here, we stayed at the Royal Safari Garden Resort & Convention. It’s a villa cum hotel that is affiliated with the Taman Safari (Safari Garden), close to that area. It’s a huge place with Safari themed rooms. Some rooms are more chalet like, others are more like apartments, with kitchens and a living room. We stayed at the “Giraffe Suite”, which was huge and comfortable. Plus, we had a great view of the mountains, during the day.
Puncak Gunung is a great place for hiking. The cooler air allows for a variety of plants and flowers to flourish. Which is why the mountains are covered with tea plantations. It was really cool visiting the gardens with gorgeous flowers and then going through rows and rows of tea plants. The whole area smelt like tea! For the daredevils out there, you can also parachute down the top of the mountain peak, sailing over all the plantations and greenery.
When in Indonesia, it’s good to note that Wifi is easy to find, but most have very weak signals and are not very fast. Hence, why I couldn’t upload any posts, nor even watch Youtube videos whilst I was there. It’s better to purchase a SIM card with data as that data signal is often faster than the ones provided by wifi. I bought a SIM card that had 4GB data for just SGD$10, which more than suffice. I barely even used 1GB after 5 days. It’s completely worth it. I would suggest using “Telkomsel” as the service provider, as I managed to get 3G signal everywhere, even in the mountains. Whereas, my sister who chose a different service provider, though it had a larger data, had a much weaker signal.
The main Jakarta city is a great place to shop and enjoy some relaxation. Lots of massage parlours that offer amazing massages for only SGD$20, using high grade essential oils. Or you could opt of a salon wash and blow dry for just SGD$10. I would recommend trying out the new coffee places that are popping up everywhere, very similar to the ones in Singapore, only much much cheaper and with very distinct coffee beans.
I was so surprised at how Jakarta has evolved over the years. Shopping malls are not only huge, they are revamped and looking more chic than ever. They housed every brand you can think of under the sun. And the best part is that they are rarely crowded.
It seems that shopping is a tourist activity. Locals tend to indulge in shopping trips overseas, but not so much in their own malls. Indonesians tend to prefer exclusivity and foreign products that other locals can’t get their hands on. The malls that I visited such as the ‘Grand Indonesia’ was gigantic and rather empty, which felt like we had the mall all to ourselves.
Here you will find many cool coffee places. My favourite being ‘Djournal’, with its super cute interior and amazing coffee. One of the best I have tasted, with a large latte being just SGD$3.70, I almost couldn’t believe it. I also visited ‘Blacklisted’, which was my least favourite but still very good and ‘Gambino Coffee’. Gambino has one of the BEST cold brew coffees I have EVER tasted in my life. So rich and smooth. UGH, I am obsessed! Needless to say, I had several cups in a day. Couldn’t get over the great quality and affordable price.
I was honestly surprised at how “hipster” Jakarta had become. There were fairs at the mall atriums by young fashion students that were starting out their own clothing business with super cool, funky designs. Amazing cafes and restaurants. Plus, the shops were huge with large variety of items. Even when I stepped into Forever21 or H&M, there were so many designs I had never seen before, in full sizes, no lines in the fitting rooms and everything was cheaper!
And don’t even get me STARTED on the food!! In Jakarta you can eat like a GOD, and still the bill would amount to less than SGD$50. Everything is so delicious, from the fancy restaurants to the cheaper street food.
Jakarta is, in my opinion, an underrated shopping destination. Most would go to Bangkok or Hong Kong. But these places have become rather expensive compared to the past. Right now, Jakarta is where it’s at. Much cheaper than Bali and a lot more satisfying, if you are looking for great shopping with well-known brands, amazing food and a buzzing coffee scene!
Today, let’s talk trash! I’m bringing a popular series from YouTube into the site called “Empties“. This is a common beauty series that most beauty gurus do where they literally keep all their beauty-related trash and show them to their audience, summing up their thoughts after finishing the product as well as whether they would repurchase them.
I don’t know about you but I get so satisfied when I finish up an item. Unless it’s limited edition or really hard to get a hold of, in which case I will be gutted. For the most part, it’s hard for me to use a single product consistently and finish it up completely before moving on to the next one. Simply because the options are endless and new things are always popping up every day! It’s difficult to stay loyal to a product. But when I am loyal to something and finish it up, you know the love is real.
So here’s a quick round up of my beauty trash!
1. Pixi Glow Tonic (US$30.50)
One of the most highly raved about AHA toners out there. Ever since skincare expert, Caroline Hirons, mentioned these, it blew up! Everyone in the UK started using it and it became a super hyped product in Europe and the US. Unfortunately, as with many things that are amazing, we can’t get this brand in Singapore. I actually picked this up when I was in London late last year. But do not despair! Recently ASOS has expanded their beauty section and you can now order this with free international shipping through them. However, be wary when purchasing items online (especially from ASOS).
That being said, I would repurchase this and take that risk in a heartbeat because this toner is EVERYTHING. The Pixi Glow Tonic is an acid toner. Hence, it is packed with 5% Glycolic Acid as well as Ginseng extracts to help chemically exfoliate the skin. The AHAs in this toner will get rid of your dead skin cells without tugging the skin to reveal youthful, clear skin and it definitely helps with any textural issues I had. It’s great for all skin types and gentle enough to use daily. It’s one of those cases where a product is truly worth the hype.
I’ve used other AHA toners such as the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner, but this is by far superior in its formulation. Definitely more forgiving on the skin, without losing its effectiveness. I’m already on to my back up bottle. Cannot live without this one!
2. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (SGD $15.90)
Holy Grail dry shampoo!! I know that dry shampoo isn’t exactly the most exciting thing to talk about. And it isn’t as widely used here in Asia as it is in the states. If you aren’t using Dry Shampoo, try some! It will change your life I guarantee it. It’s perfect for second day hair or refreshing your style after a low intensity gym session. Contrary to popular belief, it is damaging to wash your hair daily as it strips it of the natural oils it need to grow and become stronger. It’s especially bad for people with colour-treated hair as washing your hair too much can strip its colour.
This is the best dry shampoo I’ve found. And trust me, I’ve tried a substantial amount. The formula is gentle yet effective and does not leave a major white cast on your roots (hello fellow brunettes). This Klorane one also does not leave the hair feeling dirty or overloaded with product, like the Batiste one does for me. It’s very airy and has a gentle inoffensive scent that doesn’t clash with your perfume. Furthermore, it adds subtle texture to your hair whilst absorbing unwanted grease. When I found that Klorane made a tinted version for brown haired girls, you can just imagine the elation. Pure joy!!
Needless to say, I will definitely be repurchasing this, forever and ever. It’s completely flawless.
3. La Roche Posay Serozinc Spray (£8.50)
I think it is apparent that I am a huge fan of French Pharmaceutical brands. I find most of their formulas very gentle and suitable for my sensitive acne prone skin. Speaking of which, I have finished up another bottle of my Serozinc spray toner from La Roche Posay. This is my third bottle and I have 2 more back ups, ready for me. Yes, it is THAT good.
Although the brand is sold here in Singapore, this particular toner is only sold in France. But due to its popular demand, recently certain UK sites have started carrying it and they do have international shipping. Why are people going ga-ga over this? This is basically a zinc sulphate solution, designed specifically for oily, acne prone skin but people of all skin types are able to use it. Zinc sulphate helps reduce inflammation and soothes skin irritation. On top of that, it balances the skin and also contains sodium chloride, a mild astringent to help purify. Just three ingredients in total, including the La Roche Posay signature thermal spring water.
This is GODSEND for days when I am having breakouts and my skin is red and angry. It prevents the spread of my breakouts, whilst treating it and reducing its redness. As with all gentle products, it isn’t a miracle worker that cures acne overnight. However, I love how balanced my skin feels every time I use this.
Love. Love. Love.
4. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Eye Cream (SGD $21.90)
This is a standard eye cream that I enjoyed using. No fragrance, mineral oils plus a lightweight cream formula that sinks in quickly and does hydrate the skin under the eyes very well. Hada Labo features a super hyaluronic acid formula that contains 3 types of hyaluronic acid that really helps with oil-free hydration. Perfect day and night, works amazing under makeup. I’m not sure if I will go back to this, because this eye cream only targets hydration. I might graduate and take it to the next level by trying out a more anti-aging formula next.
5. Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution (SGD $120)
Amazing entry level retinol product that really does help with hyper pigmentation and scarring. I used this religiously for months, every night. You can read more here, where I explain in detail what retinol does and how this really helped my skin. I will definitely repurchase this for the ferulic acid, because it made my skin bright and even toned. However, I have since then moved to a stronger retinol formula so I will not be repurchasing this immediately. But I highly recommend this for its lightweight and effective concoction of antioxidants, acids and retinol. Say hello to bright, even skin!
Most of my empties are skincare products as I tend to use those up much more quickly than any makeup product. These kinds of things really give you a good idea of the prolonged performance of a product and encourages me to be less wasteful, to truly get every penny’s worth. I’m pumped to keep doing this and use up even more of my things.
Shop my stash more and be less fickle when it comes to beauty products.
Here’s a quick one for your weekend reading pleasure!
I always get so excited around this time of the year because all the major makeup brands are coming up with new collections for Summer. We get sneak peeks on new products that are made for hot summery weather. It’s all about glowing, bronzed skin in a lightweight formula. This is what I’m ALL ABOUT!!
As usual, the US has a head start to all the cool product launches. I’m praying that Singapore isn’t too far behind, so I’m thinking these might launch in June 2016. If it isn’t launched by then, most probably it isn’t launching at all in Asia. Which would be a damn shame. (Can you tell I’m still bitter about Too Faced Hangover X Primer not being launched here?)
I’ve been stalking websites and I’ve already made a small list of products I’m dying to see in person and try out. I thought I would just share with you my list really quickly as a small appetiser, to get your appetite going and peak your interest at some future launches.
1. Tarte Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation (US$39)
Lightweight gel formula with medium buildable coverage that can last through the Summer heat. It boasts bioploymer filling spheres to help reduce the look of fines lines and pores along with hyaluronic acid to provide moisturization. It’s oil-free and also has vitamin C and Barley extract for extra goodness. Though I am more interested in the gel formulation than anything else. It sounds perfect for oily skin gals like me, who still appreciate a little bit of hydration. It’s cooling with a soft rose scent to boot! Ticks all the boxes.
2. Too Faced Sweet Peach Eyeshadow Collection, Limited Edition (US$49)
Umm, can we just take a moment for this gorgeous palette? Though I am not a fan of large palettes as I find them rather bulky to travel with, and the choice of shadows tend to be quite overwhelming for a quick morning routine, I feel like I might need this palette just for the beautiful range of warm eyeshadows. Due to my yellow undertones, warm shadows tend to look most flattering on me and I am loving the reddish orange hues of this palette. Plus, it smells like PEACHES! Sadly this is limited edition so I’ll definitely be swiping one as soon as it launches.
3. Urban Decay Beached Bronzer (US$28)
I live and die for bronzer. My pale yellow skin has the tendency to look sallow and sickly, so I always find that bronzer helps to give my face warmth whilst defining my features. I never leave the house without it! While I have my tried and true NARS Laguna, the Urban Decay new offering is calling my name. From it’s palm tree packaging to the gorgeous matte brown shade, I am finding it hard to resist the temptation. I feel like whipping this out on a beach holiday and putting this on, just might transport me there (in my head).
4. Nudestix Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil (US$24)
Y’all know I’m a huge fan of Nudestix for their mascara and lip products. So when I found out that they will be releasing matte versions of their lip pencils, I was ecstatic! The NARS Velvet Lip Pencils have been my favourite formulas, though I find them quite drying at times. I have high hopes for the Nudestix formulas since they are made for both cheek and lips. The range of colours are stunning with great nude shades and incredible brights. From the swatches online, I am eager to get my hands on this one for an easy, chic matte lip.
5. Naked Skin One and Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector (US$34)
Another complexion product! They are truly my biggest weakness. I can’t get enough of them. Probably because I am always on the road to flawless-looking skin. It’s my biggest insecurity and something I obsess about constantly. This tinted moisturizer sounds amazing for oily, combination skin girls like me. With blurring technology and light reflecting spheres, it’s supposed to help you achieve a more perfected looking skin whilst still maintaining the look of “real skin”. The weightless yet long-lasting formula is perfect for daily use and claims to reduce the look of pores. Can we get a “HELL YES“?
Needless to say, the excitement is real! The Spring/Summer season has some of my favourite launches to date as it suits Singapore’s hot, humid weather. This, of course, is just the tip of the iceberg. This only covers mostly US brands that are sold at Sephora. There are still launches from Asian brands as well as the drugstore. I could really sit here for hours just researching and talking about this. However, these are just a few that I’m looking out for and can’t wait to try out.
Let me know what launches you guys are hyped about!
I’ve been wearing prescription glasses since I was 12 years old. That is genuinely decades of being bespectacled. Unlike some, I actually enjoy wearing glasses tremendously. Sure, there are times when I think contact lens are the way to go (i.e. working out, fancy dates). But for the majority, I love wearing glasses and if you invest in a couple of pairs like I have, you can consider them as fashion accessories to add to the look of your outfit.
I’m a big believer in having an eyewear wardrobe!
If you are a four-eyed person like me, it’s absolutely life changing. Being able to mix and match your outfits with your glasses will just add that extra bit to make you look 100%.
The ones I am currently obsessing over are my MCM glasses from their new eyewear collection that launched September 2015. MCM is a German fashion brand best known for their iconic studded leather bags covered in their signature logo. On top of that they have done amazing footwear and their luxury clothing brand is internationally recognised, especially popular in Korea. This time, MCM has expanded their range of eyewear to include some gorgeous vintage inspired prescription glasses with their own little twist.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
I first saw these in a regular optical shop in a heartland mall. So I would assume that these are quite widely available. Their price range is similar to any luxury brand eyewear such as Burberry, Coach and Raybans. However, not extortionately expensive like Oliver People, Tom Ford and Miu Miu. So for luxury eyewear, I would consider this mid-range.
The collection features thick frames and modern twists to classic shapes. I tried on so many! Because of their thicker frames, I would suggest trying them out before purchasing as the shapes look different on than they do off. They are not as straight forward to purchase as something like Raybans that seem to have a more universally flattering shape.
The one I went with is the MCM2600A model (S$259).
It has large oversized lens and a medium thickness in frame with the most gorgeous taupe/tan gradient. This style comes in other colours too, including black, brown and even purple. These feature a more rounded shape despite being oversized, which I love! The sides are the same thickness as the frames and is accented with a long gold stud that is engraved with “MCM“. A luxurious and sophisticated touch that really elevated the look of these glasses.
When choosing your glasses, you want to think about not only the look you are going for, but also what are the undertones of your skin and how versatile the shape is for your daily outfits. This particular one is able to look casual and “fancy” at the same time and I love that about it. It suits most outfits, save for maybe a ball gown.
But once again, glasses are so highly personal. It is a definite case of “You do you“.
This sturdy piece is going to get a lot of wear from me. Though I am lusting over pieces that I saw in the Garrett Leight’s collection. Unfortunately for us, they don’t sell it in Singapore. So until I figure out how to get my greedy hands on a pair of those.
I am content with this gorgeous pair! (for now)
The social media craze is alive and strong today and it’s not looking to die down any time soon. Just like with anything that becomes insanely popular, the capitalist nature in humans simply cannot resist monetising this venture. Social media has become such an effective marketing tool. Just when you think you can escape ads that have invaded your favourite spaces like YouTube and Facebook, it has even permeated Instagram with “sponsored” posts and product placement by influential accounts.
Nothing is sacred any more.
But perhaps nothing was sacred to begin with. With the developments of social media, I have ironically become more selective about the types of people I would follow and the types of websites I would read. I grew sick and tired of YouTubers raving about how *insert name of product* has CHANGED their life and then literally the next week *insert another product name* has changed their life AGAIN. Scroll down and you will find that everything was a LIE and it was all a #AD. Can you tell I’m bitter about this?
With this post, I would like to share my favourite Instagram accounts and websites. I’m excluding YouTube channels because my subscription list is out of hand. We will do a separate post on that entirely.
The bulk of these are fashion and beauty inspirations for me. However, I also enjoy photography accounts and lifestyle sites. The one thing I enjoy about all of them is that they have their own stylistic integrity and they do so despite the need to do sponsored posts or feature certain places or products. I don’t feel as if they are shoving ads down my throat as they are genuine in their creative endeavour.
A blogger for her own website and Vogue Australia. She is blonde, beautiful and incredibly stylish. Her style is relaxed but well-thought through. Also, she has a blogspot site that is just chic as hell. Who says blogspot is so “1999”? She also makes more flat chested ladies like me feel confident about my body image and shows me how I can look incredibly feminine, without the need to emphasise any cleavage and curves.
Absolutely stunning website and Australia’s leading e-magazine. With the drop dead gorgeous Eleanor Pendleton as editor and publisher, the site oozes “chic”. The e-magazines are free for you to browse and they have quality articles and tasteful ads. I love e-magazines more and more as they are able to play around with gifs and moving images, which adds a dynamic quality to an article. Furthermore, if you are interested in any item they are featuring, you can simply click on the image to shop the product. Internet shoppers rejoice!
Writer for the blog “sea of shoes”, one of the first fashion and style websites that I discovered and check religiously at the tender age of 15. Jane’s style is vintage and colourful, which is something I enjoy after a sea of monochromatic fashion shoots. I love her quirky style and her posts are simple and to the point with zero sponsorships. She genuinely loves sharing her fashion style and inspirations.
A gorgeous human being with an Instagram feed and website that I am obsessed with. Weston is an artist, currently in LA (he also kinda looks like Jared Leto *yum*). His signature pink accents are everywhere in his designs, photographs and website. Its creative, inspiring and a visual pleasure. His videos are also done in the same style, with his comments handwritten on the screen. If you are having writer’s block or are experiencing a creative rut, check out his work and I guarantee it will get your creative juices going.
5. Anna
Anna excels at everything from her blog, Instagram page to her YouTube channel. I enjoy her blog most of all the three mentioned. Her articles are the right length, relatable, witty and with good quality photos. Great and mostly honest recommendations. I love her girl-next-door personality. She feels like an old friend, which is why we are all on a first name basis with her.
And it’s a wrap!
All the names are clickable for your viewing pleasure. I highly suggest you check them out because they keep me inspired and give me hope that artistic integrity is still a thing, even when my YouTube subscription and Instagram feed is drowning in a tsunami of sellouts.
thebroadwalk.com 