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Best of H&M Beauty

Posted on by Hanan.

If the H&M beauty launch last Saturday is making you go hmm, let me put your mind to rest. It is worth the trip to town because it is BOMB. I have been waiting for this to launch in Singapore for almost a year. H&M beauty launched in the UK and US in the last quarter of 2015 and I have been patiently waiting ever since. It’s amazing that Singapore is the first to launch the ginormous beauty collection in Southeast Asia.

And ladies, it was worth the year long wait.

The prices do not disappoint. Nothing is above SGD$20, that includes liquid foundation, powders and bronzers. Which is impressive, considering the quality and other drugstore brands like Revlon have foundations priced at SGD$30.90.

 

First and foremost, let’s talk packaging.

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It is monochromatic goals! Everything is black, white and gold. Though they don’t feel luxurious in your hands, they are a sight to behold. And that is good enough for me, considering the price. Packaging aside, the formulation of the products I’ve tried are incredible. I would never have guessed that it was drugstore. Part of the reason, I think is because majority of the makeup is made in Italy. Italy is known for their superior makeup formulations are unreal prices. Most of my favourite drugstore brands, such as Catrice and Essence, are European. Hence all the formulations can be encompassed in two words: Creamy and pigmented.

If you are overwhelmed, like I was, on where to start, here are my recommendations.

 

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1. Single Eyeshadows, S$9.90

The H&M single eyeshadows can put MAC to shame. The formulas are buttery and blend like a dream. Not only that, they have impressive pigmentation which means that you don’t have to work very hard to get them to show up true to colour. They have every colour you can think of from neutrals to bright greens and blues. Collectively they are pricier than a Maybelline eye palette, but the quality is far superior. I suggest getting a statement shade that you will reach for or a matte neutral that you need every single day.

 

2. Colour Essence Eye Cream, S$9.90

These things are INSANELY good. I want every single shade. I am not even joking. This is what I wanted the Maybelline Colour Tattoo eyeshadow pots to be like. Dare I say, I prefer this even to my MAC Paint Pots, which have been my go-to cream eyeshadow formula for years. The texture is luxurious and light, almost whipped and moussey. They have mindblowing pigmentation and a sophisticated sheen. Once blended out on the lid, they set and do not budge. These cream shadows blend so well with my finger, it’s effortless. They make the perfect one-shadow eye look that makes it seem as if you spent hours doing your makeup. Most shades that they offer are shimmery, but that’s what I love on a day to day basis. I cannot recommend these enough.

 

3. Cream Lipstick, S$14.90

Currently, H&M is only offering one cream formula for their lipsticks. Although they also have Lip Lacquers and other types of lip products, the traditional lipstick bullet houses very creamy lip colours that just glide on the lips like butter. These lipsticks go on fully opaque in one swipe, so they aren’t messing around. They are comfortable but do not feel overly thick or balmy. Hence, it stays on your lips for a long time, unless you are eating or drinking. The colour choices are as vast as choosing paint in an art store. They offer unique shades on top of popular neutral ones. Even if you are a lipstick hoarder like me, you will find a shade that you have yet to add to your collection.

 

4. Cream Blushes, S$14.90-S$19.90

Their blushes in both the powder and cream formula are amazing. You can’t go wrong with owning either. I went with a lip & cheek pot because I fell for it’s chic all black packaging. Also, even for a super oily skinned gal like me, their cream blushes do not make me look overly greasy. In fact, they have a velvety finish that is flattering and natural looking. This is the most natural looking blush I own. Granted because of that, they are not the most long lasting, but they last a decent amount of time and I love pulling out the dinky compacts to reapply. They are so silky and are a joy to put on.

 

5. Lip Definers, S$7.90

If there is ONE thing that you need from this launch, it is THIS. I have tried many lip liners, both high-end and low-end. But this lip liner formula tops EVERYTHING. First of all, the colour range is perfection. It goes from nudes to deeper nudes, reds, corals and even a berry. A lip liner to go with any lipstick in your collection. I was most impressed by how easily they glide on the lips. They aren’t drying at all, but don’t let that fool you. These liners will not budge. I had the hardest time wiping them off my hand after swatching a bunch. They are matte and they will stay all day. I would say they are very similar to Huda Beauty Lip Contours and Urban Decay Lip Liners.

I am OBSESSED with them. I want every single shade. Considering they are just 7.90 a pop, that claim isn’t too far a stretch either.

 

So there you have it my top 5 picks! Needless to say, I will explore deeper. But for now, the Lip Definers and Cream Eyeshadows are MUST HAVES.

Trust me.

You can thank me later.

 

Briefcase Free

Posted on by Hanan.

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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.

 

 

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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

Empties #3 : Makeup

Posted on by Hanan.

More and more empties! This, in particular, is a round up of makeup items that I’ve thoroughly finished up, along with my thoughts and whether I am willing to repurchase ’em. You know the drill by now, and yet I still preface these posts.

God knows.

Makeup tends to be my kryptonite when it comes to empties as it is really tough for a makeup addict like me to actually use a product constantly until it is completely done. Hence, majority of the products mentioned are my makeup essentials and are always in my makeup routine, regardless what eye or face look I end up going for that day.

My number one essential is of course, BROWS.

The one thing I cannot leave the house without doing are my brows, which sadly are non-existent. Therefore, I am not only very picky with brow products, but I tend to use them up quite quickly.

 

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Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Colour, S$30

Eyebrow pens are my favourite type of eyebrow product. To me, they are better than pencil, powder and pomade. They can mimic the look of hair most realistically, in my opinion. I tend to use them for the front and tail end of my brow, which are my most sparse areas. I draw them on with hairlike strokes and they last all day on me without fading or smudging.

The Stila version in medium has been my go-to for years. I have repurchased many times, but have since then found drugstore dupes that work just as well for half the price. The Etude House Tint My Brow Pen, particularly, is a pretty spot on one.

 

Anastasia Brow Wiz, USD$21

One of the brands that has not made its way to Singapore shores, much to my dismay. Anastasia was all the rage a year ago and the hype died down a bit after other companies started to make their own micro brow products, pomades and liquid lips. We tend to forget that Anastasia was one of the OGs.

I love this brow wiz. I go back and forth with this product because as much as I enjoy using it, I cannot warrant the price tag, with very similar products available at the drugstore. The brow wiz has a tiny nib, making it perfect for creating hairlike strokes on the brows. While it does create the illusion of fuller brows, I think it’s a little TOO pigmented for my taste. I have to consciously use a light hand, for fear of blocky “Instagram” brows. Instead, I prefer its hip younger sister…

 

Urban Decay Brow Beater, S$33

She is the cooler, edgier sister to the brow wiz. The packaging is just stunning. It feels luxe but young. Not mention, the writing doesn’t rub off as easily as the Anastasia one does, so you won’t lose track of your shade. Besides the outward appearance, the product itself is very similar. Retractable, micro fine nib with a handy spoolie at the other end.

To me, the result I get with the Urban Decay is more desirable. The formula is waxier than the brow wiz, doesn’t deposit too much pigment and gives me a more natural looking brow. Only problem with stiffer formulas is that they tend to break off easily, which was what happened with mine. The price hurts my wallet as well. So I didn’t repurchase this one.

 

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Anastasia Clear Brow Gel, USD$22

More brow products! Can you tell I have a problem? This is the coveted brow gel that everyone swears by. It’s so bloody expensive for what it is. The packaging is lovely. I wish all clear brow gels are housed in such an elegant, opaque casing such as this one. It’s weighty and the brush is slightly large-ish, though it doesn’t really matter as you don’t have to be super precise with a clear gel. It holds my brow hairs in place without looking wet or stiff. Plus, my brows stay that way all day.

But is it worth repurchasing? No. Personally, I get comparable results with the Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel and the Elf Brow and Lash Clear Mascara. Granted the packaging isn’t as amazing, but it does the job.

 

Nudestix Lash & Grow Mascara, S$37

Possibly the best mascara in the world. Ever. I wanna sing love songs to this mascara. That’s how good it is. It lengthens my lashes to the point that they actually look like falsies. You can layer coats without ever getting clumpy. Your lashes just look long, volumized and fluffy. It’s sexual.

Plus, it has peptides and ingredients inside that help your lash grow too. I can definitely attest to the fact that my lashes are so much stronger when I use this compared to other mascaras. Can you tell I love it? My only issue is the price. That is honestly the only reason why I have yet to purchase a third tube. 37 bucks for mascara is painful. I’m definitely repurchasing once I can afford the splurge.

 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in ‘Light’, S$19.90

When this concealer finally made its way to Watsons, I literally squealed. I have heard nothing but rave reviews. The coverage is amazing with a thin consistency. However, I found that it looked a little dry under my eyes, despite having eye cream underneath. I felt that the tiny lines under my eyes were more prominent, even though it completely cancelled out my dark circles. I prefer the Maybelline Fit Me concealers instead. They are less heavy duty in terms of coverage, but far more hydrating and blendable. If dark circles aren’t a big issue for you, I suggest switching to the latter.

 

There you have it. Mini reviews of makeup products I’ve gone through. Safe to say, I have a brow addiction. I’m on a mission to use up more products because I can never completely finish up one thing before moving on to another. It’s an awful habit and something I am determined to get better at.

Here’s to more makeup related empties to come!

Club Night Chronicles #1

Posted on by Hanan.

As me and my girls were blasting our group chat, we started the topic of makeup looks that are not only long-lasting but make-out proof and sweat proof, because as we all know, nights out can be pretty eventful. This got me thinking, I have five girls in my squad and they all have specific (and semi ratchet) expectations for their makeup whenever they go out.

I’ll particularly be looking into long wearing lip products for the ladies that wanna get down, or y’know get dirty. Whatever that means to each individual. Even with all that dancing, sweating and drinking, your makeup should still look on point until you decide to take it off (which could be the next morning, we’ve all been there).

On top of that, I thought it would be fun to dedicate makeup looks according to my friends personality traits and needs when the sun goes does and the booze goes up. Come on! We’re gonna get the party started.

 

Roll with me here.

 

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This is for the bitch that will most probably go home with a guy so needs makeup that will look cute in the morning AND not stain the guy’s pillow.

 

And here is the look!

 

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Base

The base needs to be long-lasting. Always, always wear a primer to increase the longevity of your makeup. I suggest a mattifying primer because it’s going to be hot, stuffy and sweaty in the club and you want that grease to be kept at bay.  I love the Makeup Forever Step One Mattifying primer. That stuff is hardcore.

Foundation is up to your preference, but setting that face with powder and a setting spray is a must. Nothing is worse than hugging and dancing with someone and then accidentally leaving chunks of your face on their clothes. Go with the coveted Laura Mercier translucent setting powder and then follow with the Urban Decay All-nighter makeup setting spray.

Because gurl, we gonna be up all night.

 

Eyes

Keep the eyes simple! This look is for girls like my friend, Munira, who don’t want to fuss around with brushes and eyeshadows but still wants to look 100. Go for a cream colour base like Mac’s paint pot in ‘Groundwork’ that neutralises veiny lids. Then, I opted for a sophisticated all-over-lid colour that preferably has a little shimmer. Here, I went with Burberry’s ‘Pale Barley’, a soft taupe with subtle shimmer. It’s a barely there colour that just enhances the eye.

To add a little pizzazz, I smudged a glittery kohl at the lash line. The Sephora glitter gel liners are unbeatable. So smooth, gorgeous colour pay-off and once it sets, it lasts the whole night and all through the next morning, if you want it to. The colour I used is ‘Cappuccino‘ – an earthy brown with gold glitter. It adds interest to the eye look, without being overbearing. I did a baby wing, followed by tons of mascara. False eyelashes are not ideal for the ‘morning after’ look as they are a bit of a hassle, so opt for a jet black volumizing, waterproof formula.

 

Brows

This would be a case of ‘you do you, boo’. My little tip would be to make sure that it’s waterproof. Whatever it may be – pencil, pomade, powder. Here, I used Stila Stay All Day waterproof brow colour marker for the tail end and the Elf Instant Lift brow pencil  in ‘Neutral Brown’ for the body. The key here is to set that bitch in place with a waterproof clear brow gel. I used a cheapie, but a goodie; Elf clear brow mascara. The gel will seal all your hard work and make sure they don’t budge all through the night.

 

 

 

 

Cheeks

Do whatever you want with the cheeks. I went for a subtle blush and contour combo – Nars ‘Madly’ blush with Catrice sun glow matt bronzing powder in ‘Deep Bronze’. Cheek products are always the first to fade, plus the alcohol will give you a natural pink flush. So go easy on the blush. Let nature do its thang.

One thing you can’t skip out though is highlight. Highlight yourself to the gods! I used a highlighting eyeshadow from Catrice on the cheeks, just to create an angelic sheen for a devilish night.

 

Lips

This is the main event. For this look, we are going bold or going home. I went for the Tarte Matte LipSurgence in the colour ‘Lively’. But any colour from this Tarte range will do. These handy lip pencils have intense colour pay off. The matte finish means that these formulas are long lasting and are less likely to transfer. Furthermore, these lip surgence stain the lips. So the morning after, you will be left with a soft pink stain. Hence you will wake up looking a lot better than you usually would.

 

 

 

There you have it! Simple night out look that will still look lived-in but fresh the next day, if the occasion calls for it. It’s also one that can easily be taken from day to night. Thanks for indulging this mini series on my site! There’s more where that came from!

 

 

 

Lookbook #2 : Spacey James Bay

Posted on by Hanan.

I’m back at it again with a different type of fashion post. Is it bad that I still reference the ‘Damn Daniel’ vines? It probably is. Though I can’t promise that it’ll be the last you’ll hear of it from me.

For months now, I’ve been trying to switch out my wardrobe and wear outfits that are more mature and sophisticated. My aim this year was to look chic and put together. Unfortunately, I failed miserably because I couldn’t get away from sites like ‘Lazy Oaf’ or ‘Stupkid’ that has insane clothing that speaks to my soul.

I am in love with the patch trend and feel the overwhelming need to add iron-on patches to everything I own. Of course, this is far from the initial look I was going for. Lazy Oaf was a brand that I’ve been pining for. However, their prices are slightly insane in my opinion and they are a UK based brand. Hence, it’s really difficult to try and shop their products. Most of them will have to be blind buys, in terms of sizing.

Enter Stupkid, an Indonesian brand that has made its way to Singapore shores. Their clothing line is quirky and fun, but great quality. Their collection is sold at Orchard 313, but they also have an online store. It’s for people who are loud and don’t take fashion so seriously.

Needless to say I love their stuff.

So far my favourite purchase is this oversized baseball jersey jacket that looks like it came from outer space. I decided to pair it with other crazy things that I don’t really wear in Singapore, for fear of people staring at me. Such as, my awesome hat that I got at the Jewish quarter in Paris. It reminds me of James Bay. So much so that whenever I put it on, “Let It Go” is absolutely stuck in my head all day.

Also I threw on a homemade choker, because why not.

 

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The makeup look I went with is a purple shadow. You can’t really tell in these shots but I went all out.

Here is the breakdown of the makeup worn.

 

Base : Givenchy Eclat Matissime foundation, Make Up Forever Step 1 hydrating primer, Nars Laguna bronzer

Eyes : Max Factor Excess Shimmer in ‘Pink Opal’, Bare Minerals Ready eyeshadow quad in ‘Happy Place’, KIKO eyeliner in ‘Dark Tide’, Maybelline One by One mascara, ELF Instant Lift Brow pencil in ‘Neutral Brown’, ELF clear brow mascara

Lips : Mac Velvet Teddy

 

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Top : Stupkid Space Baseball Shirt, basis white tee

Bottoms : Abercrombie & Fitch black leggings

Shoes : Converse all black high tops 

Accessories : Black fedora & handmade velvet choker

 

Not the most practical thing to wear. But it was nice, pulling out stuff in my wardrobe that I thought were bit over the top for everyday and wearing them out. We all have that piece of clothing that we bought cos we thought was cool and then rarely wear for one reason or another.

 

I say, screw what other people think. And do what makes you happy.

 

 

Photos by Josh Magbanua

Empties #2 : Japanese Faves

Posted on by Hanan.

Recently, I am making a point to use up my current rotation of products before buying any new ones. And so far, I  have been doing really well.

Japanese products are where it’s at when you want something that is effective and affordable. I initially fell in love with their “no-nonsense” approach to skincare, and slowly found myself in the middle of a Japanese product invasion – right down to the toothpaste I use.

It all started with my desire to use more affordable skincare, after finishing up my SK-II facial treatment essence. I found that with daily use, though effective, high-end skincare products are just too burdensome for my measly pockets to warrant repurchasing again and again. I realised that there were many offerings in the Japanese drugstore category that perform amazingly! *cough* Hada Labo *cough*

After using a couple items up, I thought I would do a small round up of my thoughts from using these products from start to end.

 

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1. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, S$99

Let’s begin with the item that kickstarted my Japanese product craze. I bought a trial pack of the coveted SK-II treatment essence after reading countless raves about this “miracle water“. Their patented ‘pitera‘ is made from fermented rice and is said to be the key ingredient in keeping your skin balanced and fight against aging. The trial pack came with an SK-II sheet mask and a 75ml bottle of their essence, which lasted me a long, long time (more than a year). I did see an improvement in my skin clarity and it does help balance my skin. My acne scars faded more quickly and overall, it was a great addition to my skincare routine. However, I found that there are now a lot of other essences, priced affordably, that feature their key ingredient ‘galactomyces saccharomyces ferment filtrate’, also known as ‘pitera’.

Therefore, currently I have switched out my SK-II for Missha’s First Treatment Essence and it has been working well. There were more visible results from the SK-II, but in terms of its anti-aging benefits, the Missha suffices.

 

2. Hada Labo Tamagohada Mild Peeling Lotion, $17.90

Speaking of essences and lotions, this Hada Labo one is absolute holy grail status for me. This is the 8th bottle I’ve gone through and needless to say I will continue to repurchase this amazing skincare item. For people with sensitive skin who want to exfoliate without irritation, this is your answer. I use this as a very mild exfoliating toner as it contains ‘gluconic acid’, a natural enzyme occurring in fruits and wine. On top on that it also has ‘tranexamic acid’ that helps to brighten the overall complexion (similar to ferulic acid).

As with all Hada Labo products, the pH is slightly acidic and perfect to protect your skin’s acid mantle, making this a suitable for all skin types. It doesn’t dry out the skin and can be used day and night, to prevent the build up of dead skin cells and clogging of pores. No nasty ingredients in this one. More importantly, it’s affordable and effective. I highly recommend.

 

3. Hada Labo Air Aqua UV Day Emulsion, SPF 50, PA+++, $19.90

While we are on the Hada Labo train, I finished up my holy grail sunscreen, also by the same brand. This is my second bottle that I’ve gone through and I already have a back up waiting. I can’t stress enough how much I love this SPF. It’s perfect for everyday, super lightweight and sits well under makeup. It comes in two formulations, one for oily/combination skin and the other for dry skin. I’ve tried both and both work well! The dry skin formulation is perfect for lazy girls that want to just slap on only one thing. It definitely can be used as both a moisturiser and SPF, thanks to the addition of skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, resveratrol and vitamin C.

I would repurchase this again and again. It’s alcohol free and fragrance free, perfect for sensitive and acne prone skin types that usually break out due to SPF. So affordable and beats a lot of high-end SPFs I’ve tried, even the coveted Shiseido/Kiehl’s ones.

 

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4. LuLuLun 7 Days Premium Face Masks, $10.90

I’ve always had an issue with sheet masks, particularly the Korean ones that are over saturated with essences. I find them too rich for my oily skin to use on a regular basis, even though I want my skin receive the extra nutrients. So I stopped using sheet masks for years, until I was gifted this one by my best friend. The LuLuLun masks are super popular in Japan, not just due to its adorable packaging, but also because of its ‘daily mask’ concept. These masks are formulated to be used daily and come in a pack of 7, folded into one zip-lock bag. My prayers were answered with this one.

It has no alcohol and parabens. Everything in the ingredients list is lush. More importantly, the masks are saturated just enough to hydrate the skin deeply, without over burdening the skin or clogging it. It’s because it is more serum based and is formulated to be used every day. Thus, it’s much lighter. I use this every other day and I am loving the results. My skin is so much more radiant and plump. I managed to find a seller in Singapore that carries it, so I’m already on to my next packet.

 

5. BCL Tsururi Ghassoul Oil Cleansing, $18.90

I call this my underdog pick. I found this one at Tokyu Hands (a magical place by the way) and read the ingredients at the back. I had just finished my previous favourite oil cleanser, the Muji Mild Oil Cleansing, and was itching to try something new. This particular one drew me in because it is olive oil based, just like the Muji one, but has the added benefits of Moroccan lava clay, charcoal powder, honey, oat extract and organ oil. It comes out a black oil and takes off makeup like a dream. It’s more purifying than other cleansing oils, without leaving the skin feeling stripped. The clay and honey also helped my acne prone skin tremendously with its anti-bacterial properties.

The only drawback is that is comes in a measly 145ml bottle! Lasts roughly 2 months. I switched it out because of that but after a week of using something else, I came back to this one. My skin just loves it too much.

 

6. Ora 2 Stain Clear Premium in Aromatic Mint, $8.90

BEST. TOOTHPASTE. EVER. I know you’re thinking, it’s just toothpaste. How amazing can it be, right?

Wrong.

This stuff has SAVED my coffee-and-tea-stained teeth. If I had not found the Ora 2 Stain Clear range, I probably would have the yellowest teeth, known to man. Pirate-like. I initially tried the range because it has cool flavours like ‘peach mint’ and ‘apple & rose mint’. But then I realised how amazing it is at keeping my teeth looking white. Granted, it does not replace whitening strips. However, it’s amazing for daily maintenance and keeping stains at bay. Plus, I get compliments on my teeth and trust me, that wouldn’t be the case if I didn’t use this one. I’ve tried other whitening brands, but always go back to this one.

 

7. KOJI Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Brown, $24.90

As much I love Japanese products, I tend to use their skin and body care more than their makeup. But if there’s one thing the Japanese got down, it’s their eyeliner formulations. The Dolly Wink eyeliners have a brush, calligraphy tip and the most adorable polka-dot packaging. It lasts forever, even on my oily eye lids and is saturated with pigment. I tend to use brown liquid liner more than black because it offers a softer look, plus it’s less likely to show uneven wing liner application.

I love this one, and would probably go back to it. Though I am not particularly loyal to this brand yet. I feel any Japanese or Korean eyeliner would do the trick.

 

 

And there you have it! My recent Japanese empties. Loads of them I’ve already repurchased. Most are affordable and so effective. I am just enamoured by Japanese products currently.

Who knows which country I will be obsessed with next time.

The Battle of The Dry Shampoos

Posted on by Hanan.

Like many women out there, I have a deep, deep love for dry shampoos. Ever since I discovered its existence at the age of 16 (I was late to the dry shampoo party), I couldn’t live without it. I consider as much a necessity as an actual shampoo or oxygen.

Despite that, I realise that there is still a certain stigma that comes with using dry shampoo or proclaiming your love for it as I have. Some have the misconception that dry shampoos are for lazy, unkempt girls who don’t bother washing their hair everyday. It isn’t a reflection of your personal hygiene or a mark of your laziness. Simply put, dry shampoo is a convenient way of reviving hair on the second (or third or fourth) day  and is brilliant at creating volume and texture.

Busy women and men use it to refresh their hair in the morning and I personally use it because I don’t think washing your hair everyday is good for your scalp. I find that the less I wash my hair, the healthier it looks and feels. My natural oils help my hair grow quicker and my scalp is less likely to be dry. Furthermore, it helps me conserve my hair colour for a lot longer.

Sometimes I use dry shampoo even after I shower to add body and volume to my limp hair. It’s much less drying than sea salt spray and gentler than a full-blown hair spray.

Needless to say, I have gone through hundreds of bottles over the years and have tried many different brands. I thought I would share with you my thoughts and preferences of the four that I have used in the past year.

 

Let’s commence, The Battle of The Dry Shampoos!!

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The Holy Grail

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (for brown to dark hair)

I’m going to start with a bang. The Klorane dry shampoo formula is something that I picked up in Paris and it’s a complete revelation, especially when I got my hands on the tinted version for dark hair. It leaves no visible white marks in my roots that makes me resemble a senior citizen. It smells clean and fresh, nothing overpowering and does not interfere with any fragrances you would like to wear after, but effective enough to make your hair smell clean. The aerosol spray distributes product evenly so, you don’t have to worry about accidentally spraying too much. The gentle formula is my favourite because it is effective at sucking up all the oil and grime, without drying out my sensitive scalp.

While it’s currently my holy grail, there is still room for improvement. It comes in a 150ml bottle, which is minuscule in my opinion. If you use dry shampoo as much as I do, this bottle will typically last you slightly over a month. To me, that makes it quite a pricey purchase at $14.90 a pop. Pisses me off every time I finish a bottle quicker than I anticipated, but I still go back to it. Every time.

 

The Smelly One

Toni & Guy Matt Texture Dry Shampoo

This giant bottle lasted me a good number of months. Part of the reason is that it comes in a massive 250ml aerosol can. Another part of that reason is that I couldn’t spray too much of it without gagging and choking in fragrant fumes. Fumes is not a exaggeration. I would pick this up if I’m on my third day hair and I want to make sure that my hair smells as if I just washed it. The fragrance is very strong and will definitely interfere with your perfume. But it’s a great refresher after gym.

It comes out as a white powder, but it doesn’t leave too serious of a white cast, if I’m careful. I also can’t spray too much because I get a massive headache from the overpowering fragrance. However, it’s very effective at getting rid of oil and creates amazing volume. It definitely has elements of a texturising spray in it because my hair has a lot more body and is easier to style whenever I use this one. It does mattify my hair quite a bit, so go easy on this one. Great value for money and my hair looks (and smells) fresh all day.

 

The OG One

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Eden

Ah, Batiste! The original formula that made dry shampoo a household name. Comes in a standard 200ml bottle and a million different “flavours”. The one I am using currently is one that smells of sugar melon and honeysuckle. It’s super fruity but not offensive. The scent dissipates after a few minutes and doesn’t interfere with your own fragrance. I have tried both the tinted and the regular formula and unexpectedly, I prefer the regular one without tint. I found that the tinted dry shampoo for brunette made my hair look dirtier for some reason, as if I had rubbed soil or cocoa powder in my scalp, no matter how little I use. So the white powder formula is the better one, in my opinion. I never get too much of a white cast, if I apply the product from a distance.

It refreshes my hair, soaks up grease and gives it some body and volume though it is not at all gritty in texture. It doesn’t build up in my hair like the Toni & Guy one does but is definitely more drying than the Klorane formula. The bottle lasts me at least 3 months of regular use, making it a great drugstore purchase. My tip is to find a scent you like and you’ll love this one.

 

The New Girl In Town

COLAB Sheer + Invisible Dry Shampoo

As a follower of Ruth Crilly’s blog and youtube channel, I was so delighted to see that her range is finally being sold at Watsons. I’ve heard so much about her range of dry shampoos and was desperate to try them. To be honest, after finishing a bottle, I’m a little ‘meh’ about it. Perhaps I was hyping it up too much. This dry shampoo is perfect for any coloured hair because it is truly invisible. I was the most heavy handed with this one and I can attest that it’s truly invisible. Also, ‘Monaco’ smells absolutely divine! So fresh, lightly floral but with a certain depth. I would wear it as a perfume. The scent lingers quite bit in your hair, but it will disappear after about two hours. It gives me lots of volume without being as heavy as the Toni & Guy one.

However, my only gripe with this is that it takes a lot of product to get rid of the grease in my hair. Therefore, I finished this 200ml bottle in slightly over a month and that angers me slightly. Granted it is cheaper than the Klorane one, I still wouldn’t want to repurchase it every month. Perhaps it’s due to its invisible formula that it is less mattifying than the others, but the whole point of a dry shampoo is to get rid of grease. I think for someone with a dry scalp this would be great. The product never builds up or weighs my hair down, even after the third day. I’m just disappointed that it didn’t last longer.

 

Ultimately, my search for the perfect dry shampoo continues! But these are the tried and tested. I’ll keep you posted if anything bumps my current holy grail.

 

Red Hot Summer

Posted on by Hanan.

While it is full-swing summer mode in most of the northern hemisphere, here where I live, it is a constant summer. Living smack dab in the equator has its pros and cons, one being an eternally summer styled wardrobe and makeup. I’m always wearing a light base and tons of bronzer.

What got me thinking was how to incorporate more colour , not in my wardrobe, but on my face.

As much I love the nineties look that has been taking over the world, it got me reaching for my neutral browns over my bright lipsticks and shadows. Personally, I want to get more comfortable wearing brights and donning classic red lips during the day. I tend to have the habit of shying away from red lips, for fear of calling too much attention or just avoiding the hassle of lining my lips and avoiding smears.

Hence, I made it a mission to wear red lips on a regular basis during a day. Slowly I became more comfortable and actually enjoyed how red lips transformed my look into something more chic and polished. To avoid looking overly “done”, I opted for warmer reds that have a more youthful vibe, and also perfect for sunny weather.

Here are my FAVOURITE summery reds.

 

summer red

 

 

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1. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in ‘Teroso’, S$32

The brightest and loudest shade of red I have. It’s practically orange with a hint of red. These Stila liquid lipsticks are the OG matte liquid lips that have been around before everyone started making their own version. The formula is thicker and moussey, but dries completely flat matte.

The only issue I have is that this formula leaves no room for mistakes. Lip liner is a must for me so that my lips don’t look horrifically lopsided. It’s also pretty drying, as with most liquid lipsticks. But its amazing  for bold day time looks.

 

2. Catrice Ultimate Stay Lipstick in ‘Behind The Red Curtain’, S$8.90

This is my everyday red. And it’s so affordable to boot. It’s a new colour to the ‘Ultimate Stay’ range, which offers a semi-matte finish and claims to be long-lasting. To me, this is the most comfortable lipstick that does not compromise on pigmentation. It’s not completely opaque at first pass on the lips, which I prefer as it makes it more versatile.

I can wear this all day, without feeling like my lips are cracking. The colour is a warm red, bordering on neutral. I usually pair this with a coral lip liner to make it warmer and more orange toned.

I would also dab my lips with a tissue after application and reapply a second layer to increase longevity and create a more matte finish. Obsessed with this shade!

 

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Nudestix ‘Satan’ on my lips

3. Nudestix Lip + Cheek Pencil in ‘Satan’, S$25

I am absolutely gutted because I think Nudestix doesn’t make this specific shade anymore. I got this from their holiday lip kit that came with mini sizes of their coveted lip pencils that I love. Out the three in the tin – Mystic, Whisper and Satan – I love ‘Satan’ the most. As blasphemous as that sounds.

It’s a vibrant neutral red shade with a satin matte finish. It’s to die for! The lip pencils are creamy and glide on the lips like butter and stay comfortable the whole day, without any bleeding or patching issues. They are not transfer proof but the pencils make for easy reapplication.

UGH DEVASTATED that I can’t buy it in full size. But I’m waiting for the Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencils to come to Singapore. ‘Stiletto’ looks similar to Satan.

 

4. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in ‘Strawberry Kissed’, S$24

The name screams summer! The Sephora cream lip stain are essentially liquid lipsticks that leave a stain on your lips. These have been around for a while and have one of the best formulas – long-lasting, without being overly drying and a beautiful matte finish. Strawberry Kissed is a bright pinky red. A great option, if you prefer a blue-toned, bold summer lip.

For a less defined lip look, sometimes I dab a bit of this at the centre of my lip and blend it out, to create a gradient lip. Almost as if I have been sucking on a strawberry popsicle.

 

 

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reds

 

Stila ‘Teroso’ on my lips

Pair these bold lips with a classic looking eye. Throw on a light crease colour, winged liner and some blush. Let the lips make the statement.

Personally, as someone who is enamoured by eye shadows and cannot leave the house without throwing a colour on my eyes, I find that gold shadows work so well with these reds. It brings out the warmth in your skin and makes the look more summery.

 

Go on now, show your bold lipsticks some love!

 

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Caffeinated Festivities

Posted on by Hanan.

As the hype finally died down, I thought it would be a good time to post my thoughts on the Singapore Coffee Festival that happened a couple weeks back on 9 to 12 June. I personally bought a one day pass the instant I heard that this festival was happening. According to what I read, the Singapore Coffee Festival was supposed to be a gathering of both niche and mainstream coffee companies and cafes, to showcase their beans and brews.

The location was inside the F1 Pit Building. Though the air conditioning was much appreciated as it was completely packed with people, I had expected an outdoor, fair-like event. It didn’t feel like a festival, more like an exhibition. The different coffee brands had booths and it was incredibly hard to navigate due to overcrowding in such a small limited space. Half the time, all I saw were the backs of people’s heads as I shove through the herd of people to even catch a glance of the booths.

My height was a definite disadvantage here.

I will summarize my Singapore Coffee Festival experience into 5 main points.

1. Local brewers outweigh the international ones.

There were the usual suspects such as Common Man Roasters, Chye Seng Huat and a couple of familiar coffee places popping up. Some international booths too, such as the “Roasted in Japan” booth consisting of three Japanese coffee roasters, Indonesian coffee beans and some Aussie ones. However, most were local and the international booths are less attractive. Some just selling their beans and roast without the facility of a coffee maker.

 

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In that case, there isn’t a significant different between going to the actual cafes and going to the festival. The only advantage would to try out all the popular coffee brews in Singapore all at one go.

This brings be to my second point.

2. It’s almost impossible to try everything.

To be honest, I couldn’t try as much coffee as I would like because the lines for all the popular booths were insane. But it did drove me to pay attention to the emptier booths.

But other than that, you will find that most of your coffee fest experience is just you waiting in line to get your cuppa. For example, the “Roast in Japan” booth took me about 30 minutes to get my hands on a cup of hand drip coffee, costing me $7. Food booths were equally crowded. Particularly the third floor as we had to purchase tokens in order to pay for the food.

 

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3. The token system was a total rip off

The second level had an area where majority of the food stall are located at. Nestled in the middle of the crammed area is a sprinkling of tables and benches, random hammocks and a small stage where local acts were performing. The cafe food was made fresh, which a plus. However, the confined environment of the Pit Building meant that the entire floor will smell like a mixture of every single food you can think of. And it will stick to your hair and clothing, all day long.

Ventilation was definitely an issue here. And the token system. Basically for the food stalls in that level, we had to purchase tokens in order to purchase the food. The lines for the tokens were so long that you would want to bulk purchase these tokens, resulting in wasted tokens, if you don’t finish them up. And unless you buy the right amount of food and drinks, you will end up with small tokens you can’t use to purchase anything.

I don’t understand the reason for this completely separate system, other that to exploit us for more money. The other booths in the levels below accepted cash, no problem. Just the food stalls, funded by DBS had this ridiculous system.

That aside, the food was decent. Mostly cafe food, such as burgers, fries, pasta… The usual suspects. Everything had to be purchased, not at all at reduced prices. So expect steep cafe prices.

 

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4. Coffee was the saving grace

Despite all that, coffee managed to save the day. I didn’t get to try as many as I would want, considering that I had to pay for entry. Latte art was practically non-existent due to the mad rush for coffee and long lines. Yet the beans spoke for themselves.

Cold brews are all the rage it seems. People love the cool, apothecary style bottles that houses the smooth brews. Cold brews are made by steeping the coffee grounds in cold water for 24 hours or more. This makes the coffee smoother, less acidic and less bitter as well. I prefer mine with milk and a little sweetened. Though the one I had from Two Bakers in French Vanilla was way to sweet, there are some which are sold completely unsweetened.

My favourite is Huggs Coffee, especially their Latte Gula. It was bomb! Their beans are nutty and lightly sweetened with gula melaka, creating a coconut after taste that’s so different and lovely. Plus they were on of the very few booths that were giving out free coffee. A close second would be Chye Seng Huat’s brews that were bold and more acidic in flavour, but still very aromatic and smooth.

 

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Overall, it was a good caffeine driven event. However, it was a bit of a waste of money to be honest. Most of the cafes featured are in Singapore and you can visit them at your own convenience, without the giant crowd. The freebies are cute, but not enough to warrant the amount of money your will be spending on the food and drinks. Personally, I feel like the prices should be slightly reduced for the event. Also, the location is not ideal at all, a nightmare for anyone with a fear of crowds.

I wouldn’t go for the one happening next year. But I’m glad I went for it this year to form my own opinions on this.

 

Life’s a Peach.

Posted on by Hanan.

Let’s talk about something that has taken the makeup world by storm and is almost impossible to get a hold of.

 

Behold! The Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette!

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This is a limited edition eye shadow palette to release from Too Faced, just in time for the summer season. It was released in the US a couple months ago and because of some major YouTube hype, people made a mad rush for it. It was constantly out of stock and therefore, you know how it is. The moment you can’t get your hands on something, you want it even more.

Seems like Singapore is the same thanks to our YouTube culture. My friend, Liz, told me that its everywhere in France because they don’t really gravitate to these peachy colours, which I thought was really interesting.

Currently this palette is out of stock in all the major Sephora’s in town but I’m pretty sure it will come back, otherwise, they would’ve just gotten rid of the display.

I’ve actually highlighted this ages ago on a summer post about product I can’t wait to get my hands on. People are going bonkers, either obsessing over this palette or completely bashing it, saying it’s just another neutral palette. Despite all this craziness, I managed to get my hands on it and I have to say, I don’t regret it at all. And even if there wasn’t all this hype, I would still go ahead and purchase it – based off the simple fact that these are my preferred eye shadow colours.

Is it another neutral palette? Yes. Definitely.

But it’s neutral with a warm twist. I personally am not a fan of any of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. Even though I own the original, I hardly pull it out because I felt the colours didn’t mesh well with my skin tone. I did not rush out to buy the other Too Faced Chocolate Bar palettes or the previous Chocolate Bon Bons either. We all know how huge the hype was on those. Personally, they never called to me as I truly preferred an entirely warm palette.

My favourite palette had always been the Lorac Nude Skinny Palette. And if you look the colours in that one, they all very warm and peachy. So naturally, the Sweet Peach palette is my jam.

Seems like warm orange-peach colours are on trend for Summer and I ain’t mad. So when my prayers were answered and the Sweet Peach palette finally made its way to Singapore shores, I was ecstatic. The palette did not disappoint.

 

 

Formulation is stunning. One of the best I’ve tried and I dare say, superior to Urban Decay that tends to deliver colour with lots of fall out. Though it’s rich in pigment, the colours have barely any fall out, and it holds true even for the matte shades. Which I think is bloody impressive. All the colour appear true to colour, as in the pan, except for “candied peach”. That one shows up more matte on the lid, with specks of random pink glitter. Hardly noticeable, to be completely honest. I still use it as a crease shade to warm up a look and it works brilliantly.

The one thing I would say that this palette lacks is a solid mid-tone blending shade. The matte browns are way too deep on my skin, and tend to darken eye looks, making them more dramatic than I intended initially. The other gripe I have with this palette is the smell.

*cue gasp* Yes. To most, it’s the major selling point. People seem to be obsessed with the Too Faced palettes because their powdered products are infused with sweet fragrances. The Sweet Peach palette is supposed to smell like peaches, though to me, it has a very synthetic fruity scent. Imagine a combination of fruity candy and cough syrup. I don’t enjoy it at all, and it’s very strong. So strong, that it actually scents up my room whenever I open it up.

Perhaps I am the only old-fashioned one here who prefers my eyeshadows unscented, particularly as it will be around my eyes. But it seems like I’m alone on this because everyone else is raving about the scent.

So what’s the verdict on this one?

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k]sweet

 

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I would say get it if you are a fan of large palettes, smooth buttery formulas and a completely warm toned look. This palette isn’t multi-faceted and thus, you can only create one sort of look even if you mix and match the shadows. You can’t do cool-toned looks, there aren’t any sophisticated, muted colours. Everything is pretty much bold and warm. And if that’s your thing then the Sweet Peach palette is worth the hype.

If you are looking for versatility and are looking to achieve a wide variety of looks, then skip this one. Also, if you are very sensitive to scents, most definitely skip this one. There are other shadows and palettes out there that can help achieve similar looks, so it isn’t incredibly unique.

But it’s a nice one to have, especially for a warm toned makeup lover like me.