Wishlist ♔

I only have one more final assessment left so i figured I deserve some blogcrastinating time.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

snaps. (with lots of puppy photos to brighten your day)

Cannot believe it's nearly november! Exams start next week so this might be my last post until they're over. I say might because i'll probably find myself writing up another post when i procrastinate. Here are some recent snaps though.

Art Deco Glamour Eyeshadows: #350 + #358 (Swatch + Review)

First off, let me start off by saying that I LOVE THESE EYESHADOWS!!! 

I've never even seen or heard of the brand ARTDECO before i came across it in a drugstore in Seoul and boy am i glad i did.

Recent Dolling Up Occasions

In the last week of September, I had the opportunity to doll up quite a few times so i thought I'd share some snaps with you c: I honestly love getting ready, it's what gets me pumped to start the day and i enjoy every minute of it. I never plan my outfits or my make up, so the entire process is just such a joy for me because i never know what i'll end up looking like LOL, my life is so exciting. Savour the little things right?

First up, i had Biomed Ball. I don't actually study Biomed but a few of my friends do and we all decided to go. I've been hermiting in my own little hole for a few weeks so it was really nice to see a lot of friends i hadn't seen in ages, and all dressed up too! All the girls looked so stunning and the guys, mighty dapper. I always appreciate a man in a suit.

RiRi Hearts MAC: Fall Collection - Her Cocoa Eyeshadow Quad, Bad Girl Gone Good Blush, Talk That Talk Lipstick and 187 SE Brush (Swatches + Microreviews)

WOW. What a stunning collection and certainly one I could not miss. I went into Myer this morning as soon as they opened - I knew exactly what i wanted so I picked them up and came straight home to photograph them. I can't even decide which product is my favorite because I love everything so much already after one use.

Recent Favorites ♡

I thought I would start a new series of posts on my blog dedicated to my 'recent' favorites. I won't commit myself to monthly favorites because i don't want to limit/pressure myself to find favorites within a time frame. This month I rediscovered a couple of products in my stash as well as found new loves. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense: Mightiest Maraschino (Swatch + Review)

Hey everyone c: 

I apologise for how quiet it's been. We received the key to our new house about a week ago and we've been super busy doing it up before we move in next week! It's been really fun and I realised that I enjoy interior design and home decor. I have so many ideas/projects in mind and I can't wait to share them all with you. Honestly though, this really couldn't have come at a worse time, all my final assessments are looming up and I'm freaking out because for 2 of my subjects I'm not even halfway through the assessments and my final tasks are worth over 50%! 

As I'm writing this, i realise how much i turn to my blog in times of stress and how much i love it. I'm really grateful for all the people i've met through blogging and all the people, however few or many, who do read my blog. So thank you all! With that aside, today I have a review of something I've been using a lot lately.

snaps.

we've come too far to give up who we are

Wishlist ♔

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

1. I'm sure you're familiar with this product so i have nothing else to say apart from "gimme". Although I have no idea what shade i want.
2. When I got my hair done in Hong Kong, I flipped through 2 editions of VOGUE Japan and just fell in love. It's so pleasant to look through even if i don't understand it. I've been looking at ways to get it in Melbourne and I'm seriously considering subscribing to it. 
3. I want in invest in a new pair of sunglasses and I've been drooling over all the Karen Walker ones. At the moment i have my eye on "Number One" in Crazy Tort ones as well as "Orbit". I also came across a limited edition pair from last year that i've been scouring the internet for...I WILL find you. 
4. Yes you read right: Apple Juice perfume. I'm looking for something lighter and fresher for summer and this sounds heavenly. I've only read about it on blogs though, plan to check it out tomorrow in my uni break :3
5. Been really loving the transparent trend and this cuff is too cute!
6. I bought a couple eyebrow pencils in Korea but gave one to my mum and I'm nearly at the end of mine. I've heard great things about the Shu Uemura Hard Formula one so i'll probably go check that out soon.
7. I love Alexa Chung. I love her effortless style, her ability to pull off everything with so much chic and poise. So when i heard she was releasing a book which is basically a collection of her photos, inspiration, doodles and style tips, I was all over that. This will be the perfect light read and bedside table book.
8. I literally gasped when i saw this. MBMJ makes the cutest accessories. I already have their laptop case but my iPad deserves some loving too considering I bring my iPad out more than my laptop.

Haven't made one of these for so long. What's on your wishlist at the moment? Link me if you have a post, i love seeing wishlists ^^

=('.')=

chloé

Current Manicure: Etude House Ice Scream Nails #PP501 + Lioele Nail Polish PBK803 (Swatch + Microreview)

Today I'm showing you 2 nail polishes that I bought during my short trip to Korea. I knew I was only being sucked in by their adorable packaging so I controlled myself but I kind of wish I got a few more now because the quality is nowhere near as cheap as i thought it would be. In fact, it wasn't bad at all. 

Soleil Tan de Chanel (Swatch + Review)

A beauty cult favorite, one I'm sure you're all familiar with. Soleil Tan de Chanel has been on my radar for a while now however it was always sold out and I don't think it's even stocked in Asia.

My Go-To Masks for Troubled Skin and Hydration.

A while back, i did a review of the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque and i said i'd review some of the other masks i use. Instead of doing separate reviews for all of them, i thought i'd condense it in a micoreview for you c:

Hong Kong + Trip Haul (Pic Heavy)

Alrighty, last of my travel posts. I have to seriously apologise...I feel so at home in HK, i can never be bothered to take my camera out LOL. During my 2 week stay in HK, i literally brought my camera out with me 3 times. BAD BLOGGER! so here's a mix of photos from my camera, my iPhone and my instagram.

Dior 5 Couleurs Mystic Metallics Eyeshadow Palette: Constellation 864 (Swatch + Review)

The moment i saw this on Temptalia, my facial expression went from my usual "chronic bitch face syndrome" expression to (┛◉Д◉) ┛ to ۶ (｡♥‿♥｡)۶  ~ ☆★☆ and i'm not sure what i felt or looked like after, i was very overwhelmed with emotions. 

RiRi Hearts MAC: RiRi Woo, RiRi Boy + Heaux Lipsticks (Swatch + Review)

I have so many products to review it's not funny. I really need to get my game on especially for limited edition items! 

When i initially heard about this collaboration, i didn't think i would end up buying all 3 lipsticks from this collection...but i guess i did. LOL i'm not even going to try to defend myself. 

1940s.

What a hectic month it's been! I can't believe we're already halfway through august and 3 weeks into uni...and i'm also officially 21! For my birthday, i had a joint party with one of my best friends Mish, you've probably seen photos of her around my blog/instagram :3 Thank god i wasn't planning this alone. Everyone tells you that you should throw a big 21st birthday bash but no one tells you how stressful it is up to the point of the party! 

Our party had a 1940s dress up theme, we wanted people in uniforms (military, navy, pilots, nurses, factory girls etc) but a WWII theme sounded too morbid. We were so worried that people wouldn't dress up because it did take a bit of effort but the turn out was amazing. I just wanted to share some of the photos with you all and tell you a bit about the night c:

Heart & Seoul: Last Day + Seoul Haul

Our flight on our last day was in the afternoon so early in the morning we went to get my grandma some ginseng and herbal medicine for her health ^^ I bought my skirt on the second day around Ewha Womans University c: 

My grandpa and I

 Mummy and I

So in love with my iridescent oxfords. They were surprisingly so comfortable to walk in! I wore them the entire day for the last 2 days in Seoul and my feet were more than fine.

On the spotless train, we were really lucky because we had pretty good weather on this trip c:

The market we went to was called Gyeongdong Market and it is just a street market selling all sorts of medicinal herbs and ginseng.

At the station itself, there were a lot of 'traditional medicine' displays

My mum and my aunty picked out the ginsengs and some other herbs. I know nothing about Ginseng but thought i should take a photo anyway and this is it LOL.

Had the most amazing froyo before returning back to the hotel for check out. It was Green Apple, Pineapple and Strawberry flavored yogurt topped with kiwi fruit, mochi, and crunchy cookie crumble. Mochi is officially my favorite froyo topping EVER!

Back at the hotel. Hilarious story: We decided to stay at Lotte World mainly for Charlie. On the first night, he was extremely afraid of these Raccoon characters and he wasn't the only one, i was pretty freaked out. We stayed on the character floor so everything from the wallpaper to the bedsheets to the clocks to the couches to the carpet to the door to the soap to the shower cap, etc (you get the idea) had these characters all over them. We tried switching rooms on the first day coz Charlie was just bawling his eyes out but the hotel was booked out so we had to stay. He eventually warmed up to them especially after visiting Lotte World and this was him on the last day right before we had to check out ^

 There was a scenic lift at the hotel and Charlie and i went on it before boarding our airport bus and heading back to HK. How cute is this hat that my dad bought for Charlie, the little monster.

Snapped this while waiting to board

Annnnnnnd finally - the haul. This feels like nothing considering i was expecting to spend most of the money i saved up for this Asia trip in Seoul. 

 This is a close up of the skirt i bought and wore on the last day c: It's so adorable

The make up haul. Found some really decent products that i've been loving! Can't wait to do all the reviews and share them with you guys c:

All the samples i received! It was actually crazy the amount of samples they gave, it seemed really excessive especially when i got a bunch of samples for buying one small thing haha.

Shamless Selfies. Overall, i found Seoul to be a little overrated for shopping however i really did enjoy just seeing different parts of Seoul, all the yummy soups/food and spending time with the family c: I'm really hoping to save up enough to go to Japan early next year, that's somewhere i've always wanted to go and i'm sure i'll love! :3 

=('.')=

chloé

Heart & Seoul: Day 3

Played with some of my new make up on the 3rd day and really loved how it turned out ^^ I have to seriously apologise but i didn't take many photos at all on the 3rd day, and the photos i did take were a bit random so bear with me for this post!

Heart & Seoul: Day 2

Krispy Kreme is so popular over there, almost everywhere i went had stands/stores. I couldn't resist this flavor which was New York Cheesecake. Just thinking about it is making me drool, so so good.

Heart & Seoul: Day 1

Took me forever to go through and edit my photos but i'm finally getting my Asia posts up. After i got back from HK, i was immediately thrown into last minute planning for my joint 21st with one of my closest friends, since i only got back the week before it! But that's why i haven't been active on twitter/instagram/blogspot. I'm back now though, i'm ready to get back into blogging and boy do i have a lot installed for you c: 

Current Mani: Essie Who is the Boss? + OPI Lights of Emerald City (Microreview)

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow: Joy & Laughter + MAC Mineralize Blush: Warm Soul (Swatch + Review)

I actually haven't bought much since i've been back in HK, takes so much self control but i'm off to Seoul tonight and i plan to do most of my shopping there ^^ 

I did go for a MAC run, hoping to pick up some of the things on my wishlist but was really disappointed to find that HK doesn't stock many of the products i wanted ;c 

My Travel Make Up Bag

I thought i'd just share with you the make up products I ended up bringing with me. I'm actually so impressed with myself that this was all i brought. I wanted to bring more, sure, but i knew i had to be selective because it's not like i'm not going to buy more make up here :3

My Pre / In / Post-Flight Skincare Routine

A huge huge hello from Hong Kong c: 

I actually starting writing this post before i left but never had time to finish it between the end of my exams and leaving for HK. 

I'm not a fan of flying, I actually really really dislike it. I get a little anxious planes. I don't know what it is, I'm not afraid of it, i just always feel unsettled and as a result i feel sick and I don't have an appetite so i don't end up eating much on the flight. Then there's the fact that i can't sleep planes! It's really exhausting for me and takes me days to recover ;c

Cure Natural Aqua Gel Review

Ever heard of the expression "your skin is the best foundation"? It doesn't matter what make up you wear unless you have a good canvas to start with. I can't even begin to stress how important it is to look after your skin and i love pampering myself with masks. But before i use any mask, i always start off with exfoliation to get rid of all the surface impurities and grum. Exfoliation helps the skin absorb masks, serums and moisturizers better.

Our skin is constantly regenerating but a lot of times, the dead skin cells build up so we need to exfoliate to remove the layer of dead/dry skin and reveal newer cells. As the barrier of dry skin is removed, it prevents facial oils (that cause blackheads and blemishes) from building up. Cure is a Japanese gentle facial peel that does the job perfectly. It doesn't have any beads or acids that can be harsh on the skin and it is made with 91% water based ingredients. It is color free, fragrance free and preservative free. Personally i think there is a slight alcohol smell to it but its nothing too strong. Because of this, it is well suited to even the most sensitive of skin types.
How cute is this diagram taken from the leaflet showing you how to use it:

I use this after i cleanse my face with warm water and pat my face dry with a towel. The product is dispensed from a pump top and comes out as a gel. I pump about 1 and a 1/2 pumps onto my index and middle fingers and i pat it all over my face and let it sit for about 10 seconds. As soon as i pat it around my face, it turns to a more liquid-y form. Then with the same fingers, I gently start massaging my face in small circular motions, starting from the middle of my face and working my way out (concentrating on my T-Zone) for a minute or so. During this process, the product pills and clump all my dead skin particles into tiny white balls. I can't explain how gross but satisfying it feels LOL. Afterwards, i rinse my face with lukewarm water and then cold water to close the pores. Then i pat my face dry again then proceed to moisturize as usual c:
Here's a diagram of how it works in more detail, taken from their official website:

What i really love about this is how it leaves my skin feeling so clean, supple and smooth. A lot of facial scrubs/exfoliators can leave your skin dry/tight/red/sensitive because they are so abrasive but not this! Rewind back to a few years ago, my skin suffered a lot because i didn't know how to care for it. This exfoliator helped immensely with my blemishes and it even helped with the fading of my acne scars. You can also use this on other parts of your body.

On eBay and in Watsons in HK, it costs around $40. However, considering the benefits and the wonders it did for my skin; it's well worth it. This is already my 3rd bottle and each bottle lasts me about a year. 

I exfoliate my face once or twice a week. While it feels amazing everytime after i exfoliate, it isn't something you should do everyday no matter how gentle the exfoliator because the more you exfoliate, the thinner your skin becomes and therefore the more sensitive! I read somewhere that if you over-exfoliate, your skin becomes more prone to sun damage and aging and nobody wants that. If you have dry or sensitive skin, i wouldn't use this more than once a week.

Honestly, when people touch my face they are always surprised at how soft it is and I'm telling you now, this is my secret to brighter and healthier skin and i'm sharing it with you :3 

Is exfoliation part of your skin routine? What do you use to exfoliate?

=('.')=

chloé