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Into The Wild.

Posted on by Hanan.

2016 isn’t too exciting for me on the gaming front, mostly sequels to already popular games. After watching some trailers, it all seemed like a bunch of “same old same old”.

Until this.

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Firewatch is like the underdog that comes out of absolutely nowhere and knocks you out. You end up lying on the ground, wondering how you even got here. That was how I felt playing this game that released February 9th, available on Steam.

How the hell did I get this far into the game? How the hell did they make me so emotionally vested in this character? How are they making me open this giant can of FEELS?!

These were all questions that were running laps in my mind as I played.

Firewatch works like an indie PC game. It is a first person adventure type that emphasises a lot on the sensory experience, along with an strong storyline. The whole experience is not so much gaming to me. It’s more like being in a movie and you are playing the protagonist.

The setting is in the 80s, in Wyoming USA. You are Henry; a married man, with a messy personal history who decides to take up a summer job as a ranger in the woods to get away from “real life”. You hike to your tower and meet Delilah, your fellow neighbour in the next tower, via your handheld radio. The radio is your main line of communication. And it is your only connection to life outside your tower. There is a deep sense of loneliness and stillness. Your job is to keep the forest safe from fires, watching for smoke from your tower. Which seems simple enough until a fire unravelled a series of mysterious events that were happening to just you and Delilah. You explore the wilderness further, equipped with your handheld radio, compass and nerves of steel. The journey will make you learn more about yourself, your interpersonal relationships and cause you to make choices that will affect Henry’s path in life.

Visuals in this game are absolutely stunning, in the most underrated way possible. It doesn’t boast realism, or special 3D technology. It’s highly stylised and artistic, but very endearing and not at all intimidating. The game play is simplistic with heavy emphasis on the small choices the player makes.

The soundtrack is also well-done. With a plot driven game like this one, soundtrack plays a key role and this one made me feel all kinds of emotions. I was already an emotional wreck 15 minutes into the game. Together with the visuals, I felt calmness, loneliness and the fear of the unknown all at once. You are by yourself for most of the game and that makes it a very unique gaming experience.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much at all. The trailer was beautiful, but it didn’t get me excited. Currently, all the major gaming channels on YouTube are playing this game and doing walkthroughs. I’m sure PewDiePie will make this game very popular indeed. That was how it caught my attention. Word of advice : DO NOT WATCH THE WHOLE WALKTHROUGH.

Don’t do it. Don’t do this to yourself.

This is the type of game that needs to be experienced first hand. It is something that you have to go into blind, without knowing what to expect. Only then will you get the full, amazing, emotional experience that this game has to offer. In terms of “replay-ability”, it isn’t something you can keep playing again and again as there isn’t any levels to achieve or side missions to complete. In my opinion, it is still worth it, just for that virgin experience.

Firewatch is a breath of fresh air from the zombie apocalypses, alien invasions and war battles. It is so realistic from start to end. It’s almost as if it actually happened. I sat there with my heart in my throat, watching all my assumptions and expectations of this game go into flames.

I sat there and watched.

It was epic.

 

 

Aren’t we all Superstars?

Posted on by Hanan.

I love people watching. And I don’t mean that in a creepy, “stalker-ish” manner. I mean it in a very laid-back, observant context. Perhaps sipping on a cup of coffee whilst gazing out a large glass window in a highly “Instagrammable” cafe.

Now that I have painted the setting, let’s move along.

Trends are one of those things that are constantly evolving. It’s what I both love and hate about being in a society. I love being a part of something and seeing the trends evolve and change with the times, but I also hate the generic mass-consumerism and bland public opinion that all of us tend to be influenced by. However, I also love seeing the trends that are different in different parts of the world, even though we can all agree that trends are translating internationally quicker than ever before.

Shoe trends are the Thing. It is an easy trend to pick up on and its something that you can add to your wardrobe easily, without changing your entire look or style. Remember the time when Supergas blew up the young adult scene and everyone started wearing them? Similar things have happened with Nike Roshe Runs a few years back. Currently, the “in” thing are these babies.

 

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The Adidas Superstars!

 

Another popular one, in a similar design would be the Stan Smith editions, also by Adidas. Take a stroll around Orchard Road and you will see these everywhere nowadays. I could count at least 30 sightings of this pair or similar in a single trip to town.

These were very popular when I was in secondary school, eons ago and they are making a comeback. The Adidas Original range has been increasing in popularity again with their eye-catching designs on classic silhouettes. These Superstars are classic, sporty and chic. I’ve had this pair since I was young and it’s still going strong. The stiffer shoe material does make it a lot more durable. It’s also VERY basic. But that’s precisely why it is so popular.

An easy staple in anyone’s closet.

My favourite way to style this pair is with dark denim and a plain white T-shirt. It’s such a clean look; Presentable, even though I did not try very hard at all.

Throw on those Raybans I was talking about before in this post. And Boom!

You look like a superstar.

Magic Stick?

Posted on by Hanan.

Hold up, Magic Mike! Because we got ourselves a new contender.

Mascara is one of those things that transforms a face. I personally cannot live without it. Usually for quick, minimal looks, I would even out the complexion, put on my brows and load up the mascara. I end up with a fresh, girly look without even trying.

The key to my kind of ‘minimal make-up look’ is mascara. Its the makeup item I obsess about and I am always game to try on a new mascara. We are all in search for that “perfect” mascara, aren’t we? I think I have found one.

The Nudestix Lengthening Mascara is a total underdog.

 

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You don’t hear any buzz about this item as Nudestix is mostly known for their unique “stick” makeup, such as their lip pencils and eyeshadow sticks. With its unassuming packaging, a simple black tube, it often gets overlooked by the average shopper. But don’t overlook it again, ladies, because this mascara is AMAZING.

I, first heard of this mascara from Serein Wu, an American Youtube/Blogger. I was not born with thick, dark, fluttery lashes, much to my dismay. While my lashes are relatively long, they are really sparse and fall out a lot. Hence, I require a volumizing formula that is jet black and holds a curl, without clumping or making my lashes stick together. The Nudestix Mascara also boasts lash lengthening ingredients (ie. peptides) in its formula that help with the growth and strength of your lashes, the more you wear the product.

This is the ultimate selling point for me. I often fiddle with harsh mascaras that make my lashes feel brittle and ‘stick-like’, and some of my lashes break off whilst I remove these harsher mascaras. It helps me sleep better at night knowing that my lashes are being nourishes, even when I’m wearing makeup. And hey, who doesn’t want longer lashes?!

Another thing to note is that this mascara is amazing from the get-go. Most mascaras tend to perform better after it has been opened for a while as the formula gets dryer. But not this one. This is just two solid coats on my lashes. BEHOLD.

Before

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After

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I mean, what more could we want, really? Its fluttery and separated, plus its not a pain in the ass to take off at night. People comment on my lashes when I wear this mascara. That’s saying something considering that I have barely any lashes to begin with.

In terms of its “lash lengthening” claim, I will have to use this product for longer to determine its results. I can safely say that my lashes look a lot more nourished and less brittle from using this mascara daily.

Truly magical!

Anti-Aging Virgin

Posted on by Hanan.

As someone in their mid twenties, teetering on the edge of late twenties, the concept of aging scares the crap out of me. I’m sure many young women out there feel me on this. Aging is certainly inevitable, so my main concern is not to prevent aging but instead to age as gracefully as possible.

A hero anti-aging ingredient that has been used for many years is retinol.

 

What is Retinol?

Retinol is basically vitamin A that is applied topically on the skin. Vitamin A helps with the renewal of skin cells and is a resurfacing agent to reveal brighter, younger skin. The strongest form out there is called Retin-A. However, that is prescription only. You will be able to get it from a dermatologist, depending on whether your dermatologist feels it is necessary. The side effects are quite extreme as the skin is likely to turn red and peel. The skin will also be highly photo-sensitive and thus, SPF is absolutely mandatory when using retin-A or a retinol product.

Retinol is the over-the-counter version and is much less potent than Retin-A. But that does not mean that it is any less effective in terms of its resurfacing capabilities. Granted that the side-effects are far less severe, and results are more gradual. Retinol is used for many purposes besides anti-aging. Some claim that it can help with acne as it helps the skin regenerate at a rapid rate and pores are more likely to shrink and be less prone to clogging. There has been many recorded successes in Retin-A and retinol products, helping people suffering from acne. However, it is still very subjective to the individual’s skin type and reaction to the product. Therefore, it isn’t the answer to all acne woes.

 

Side-effects of Retinol

Going back to anti-aging, I wanted to try a retinol product to keep my skin looking clear and plump as I age into my late twenties. After a bit of reading up, I was a little worried on the side effects that were mentioned by people. Many experienced skin sensitivity, redness and peeling. The scariest ones are the ones who had allergic reactions to retinol, or experienced “skin purging” with cystic acne. At the same time, there are many who praise it to the heavens and say that the side-effects are worth it for the end result.

 

Best Product for an Anti-Aging Virgin

 

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I present to you Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Brightening Solution. This is GODSEND for someone dipping their toes into the anti-aging skincare front. Dr Dennis Gross combines ferulic acid which is an amazing antioxidant with the resurfacing power of retinol to create the perfect facial cocktail. The ferulic acid helps brighten the skin, helping create a more even canvas while the retinol refines texture and helps the skin regenerate. This powerful cocktail is water-based, making it perfect for all skin types, even oily. It sinks in quickly and is an easy addition to your current skincare routine. This solution also has salicylic acid and glycolic acid to target troubled skin and help exfoliate.

I was initially really confused when I opened the package and saw some cotton pads that came along with it. I believe you can soak the cotton pads with the product for a more saturated and exfoliating application. But I ditched the the pads as I felt that it would waste too much product. And considering that this is expensive, I was not going to waste a drop!

 

Results

After using it consistently for over 8 months, I am just about done with my bottle (30ml). I used it daily before my moisturiser and after my toner at night and made sure that I wore SPF in the morning. My skin is definitely more even toned, brighter and it helps clear acne scars a lot more quickly. It did not break me out at all, even with my acne-prone skin (THANK YOU, water-based formula), and I did not experience any of the side-effects that retinol products usually give.

*Keep in mind that I have been using AHAs and chemical exfoliants for many years to help combat my acne. So my skin might be more resilient than some.

I love this product so much! It really helps with the overall texture and appearance of my skin. My pores are less visible and my complexion is more luminous. However, if you are looking for a retinol product to help with acne, I don’t think this is a product for you as it did not help me clear up my acne break-outs. But what I can definitely vouch for is how bright and youthful my skin looked after using this product consistently. Thus, I think its perfect for retinol virgins!

The age of grace is upon us!