August 2015 Beauty Haul

It's almost the end of August and I can officially say that this summer has been totally rubbish. As a result of this (yes, I blame the weather), I've been shopping a lot. Here is a snapshot of few items that I got in the past couple of weeks.

My foundation shades

Here is my foundation matrix. 

For your reference, I am South Korean and have a light-medium neutral/yellow skin tone. 

B

• Bare Minerals Original Foundation : Medium Beige 
• Bourjois 123 Perfect Colour Correcting Cream: 32 in Light Beige
• Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum: 53 Beige Clair

C

• Chanel Aqua Vitalumiere: B20 (winter) & B30 (summer)

G

• Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation: 4.5 

L

• Loreal Paris True Match Foundation: W2
• Loreal Paris Nude Magique Eau de Teint: 100 Porcelin

M

• Mac Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15: NC 20
• Make Up For Ever Face & Body: 20 (winter) & 32 (summer)
• Make Up For Ever Water Blend Face & Body: Y305

R

• Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation: 130 Shell
• Rimmel Match Perfection: 103 True Ivory

Y

• YSL Touche Eclat Foundation: BD40

Disappointing product #2: Eyeko London Eye Makeup Remover Wipes

If you are a mascara addict like myself, you must have heard of Eyeko London. In a recent few years, its liquid eyeliner pencil also became famous thanks to the collaboration with the 'it girl', Alexa Chung. I have tried both its mascaras and  liquid eyeliner pencil and to be honest, I wasn't very impressed. Another hyped up brand... :-(

Eyeko eye makeup remover wipes: Type 1(matte)

Loreal Paris True Match concealer battle: Pen vs. Tube

We all heard about rave reviews about Loreal Paris True Match Touche Magique concealer. I also recently came across Fleur de Force YouTube videos where she talks about how great Loreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Perfecting Concealer, AKA True Match concealer. I usually like the products recommended by Fleur de Force, so I went to Boots and got myself a True Match concealer. Here are my thoughts on the two concealers of the Loreal Paris True Match line.

One shade matches all?!! Review: Tony Moly BCDation All Master

For the past couple of years, I heard a lot of good reviews f South Korean makeup/skincare products in fashion magazines, newspapers, YouTube channels, etc. I remember a lot of my friends telling me about products from new high street brands such as Missha, the Face Shop and Skinfood nearby the university. This is more than 10 years ago. Since then, I feel like S.Korean brands have stepped up thousands of miles. From facial masks to the most adorable lip tints, they've got it all.

I did a little bit (?!) of shopping last time when I was in Seoul (Dec/2014-Feb/2015). Most of the products have been used about six months now and finally I feel quite confident talking about my thoughts about these products. I am going to start with BCDation All Master SPF30 PA++ by Tony Moly.

Tried & Tested #2: Clarins Paris Daily Energizer Lotion SPF15

Welcome to the 2nd episode of Tried and Tested. 
Here, I am going to review Clarins Paris Daily Energiser Lotion SPF 15.

Meet my new best friend: Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil

I love Ole Henriksen. I first heard about the brand from Fleurdeforce YouTube channel. The glorious facial wipes from Ole Henriksen are one of the staple products in her travel skincare bag.

I've got a deluxe sample bottle of Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil (15ml) from Look Fantastic Beauty Box December 2014. I loved the oil and other items in this box so much that I ordered two more boxes (read the review of the box here).

Discovery of the cleanser of 2015

I know it's only May but I am pretty sure that I've just discovered THE best cleanser of 2015: Clarins Paris Pure Melt Cleansing Gel with Marula Oil.

The best travel-friendly palette EVER: the Balm Jovi Rockstar Palette

Hello, everyone!

The weather is getting warmer and I know all of you out there just like myself are getting excited about the next holiday destination! Wherever you are heading, if you are interested in travelling light, you NEED this baby: the Balm Jovi Rockstar Palette. (Of course, I am assuming that you DO want to wear makeup on a holiday).

Tried & Tested #1: Vichy Normaderm Purifying deep cleansing gel & Purifying pore-tighening lotion

Welcome to the first episode of a new series: Tried & Tested. In this series, I'd like to share my thoughts about deluxe sample- or travel-size products introduced to me via various beauty boxes, gift or travel sets.

Vichy Normaderm deep cleansing purifying gel & purifying pore-tightening lotion

Talking about holy grail mascaras

Do you have short, straight lashes? How about non-existing eyebrows whose colour mismatch your hair? If you answered yes to both questions, it is QUINTESSENTIAL you read this post.

Empty product #3: the Body Shop Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish

Hello, everyone!

I am not sure what's going on with the weather recently. I remember back in April, it was super hot (almost too hot) and I got tons of summer clothes and accessories last time when I went shopping. But since then, it has gone back to the end of winter and all it reminds me of is the fact that I live in Scotland. With this being said however, there is a product in my bathroom which always takes me to the beach on a hot sunny day even when it is in fact, the most miserable day outside: yes, it is the Body Shop's Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish

A perfect summer catch: Penhaligon's Violetta

It is a mystery, but I can't help wondering how things (e.g. shampoo, shower gel, toner, etc.) always run out at the same time. It has to be always the ones that I adore most so it saddens me deeply. Spring has finally come and I was rearranging my fragrance collection the other day but guess what. My three signature spring/summer eau de toilette/cologne (Diesel Fuel for Life Her, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay and Stella McCartney Delicate) had literally a couple of spritz left. Oh no!!!!!

Calm down and carry on. 

Instead of running down to a pharmacy, I decided to save the purchase until my trip down to London which was coming soon. While there was a definite plan, I didn't see it coming so soon. It didn't take no more than a couple of hours since I arrived in London to find the absolute gem: Penhaligon's Violetta.

Penhaligon's Viloletta

Nars Tahiti Laguna Bronzing Powder

Hello there!

If you are getting ready for summer-perfect skin/makeup, you know bronzer is quintessential. Some of my all-time favourites include Chanel Soileil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel, Benefit Hoola Bronzer Powder and Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder. I have been relatively happy with what I've got so it's been a while since the last time that I shopped a bronzer (almost two years!) and the timing couldn't be more perfect. My Chanel Bronze Universel was getting a bit minging (so I threw it away) and the rest of the powder-based products are running extremely low. Yes, it's time to discover a new favourite and Nars has just brought about Tahiti Laguna Bronzing Powder.

Nars Tahiti Laguna Bronzing Powder

Latest in Beauty: Clinique the British Beauty Blogger Edit Box

Are you ready for this?

I couldn't be luckier in terms of the day that I decided to come back from London was the day that I received the Clinique the British Beauty Blogger Edit box! 

Empty product #2: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation

Oh, dear...

I can't believe the day has finally come. For the very first time, I actually managed to use up an entire bottle of foundation! Yes, I am talking about my beloved Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Foundation.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion foundation (shade 4.5)

'God sent' Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Hello, everyone!

I know I am little late on this bandwagon, but frankly speaking, after spending a fortune on discovering new items (and a lot of fails), I decided to go a little late than early. Besides saving money, it saves a lot of hassles to chase the actual products, too. As long as I remember, Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette was always sold out everywhere when it first came out (which was about two Christmas ago). It's now available on Debenhams and price has gone down as well (even better!).

Better than Real Techniques?! Royal Langnickel Makeup Brush

Hello, there!

Today, I'd like to share my discovery of affordable, yet soft and very beautiful Royal Langnickel makeup brushes which are potentially better than Real Techniques brushes.

Seriously Rita Ora moment

For the longest time, I've been disinterested in nail polish department as a whole. No particular reason; I started spending a lot of time typing so after a while it just became a waste of time. Besides, it seems that people have gone made for gel nail for the last couple of years, which I am so over... Of course once upon a time (which is 6 years ago), I was also crazy about gel nail, then I moved on. Seemingly, the technology has improved a lot since I've been away from nail polish/manicure world and I have to tell you that I am very impressed by my recent discoveries including the one that I am going to talk about today. It's Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine by Rita Ora collection.

Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine by Rita Ora (Go Wild-er-ness)

My experience of Chinese online retailers (Romwe, Choies and Alibaba)

Hello, everyone!

Today, I am going to talk about my experience with Chinese online retailers, specifically Romwe, Choies and Alibaba.

Possibly best hand wash: Original Source handwash

Hello, everyone!

Today, I'd like to share my thoughts on two hand wash by Original Source: Mint & Tea tree and Vanilla & Raspberry.

Enjoy the Grand National with Steak & homemade chips

Who else is watching the Grand National today?
I've been living in the UK for 6 years and the Grand National is definitely one of the most British or (dare I say) English thing. Personally, my experience with horse racing is mostly with Hong Kong jokey club at Happy Valley (doesn't this place sound heavenly?!). In conclusion, I haven't got a clue what's going on. Sigh.  Anyway, usually when such things happen, I go into the kitchen and start cooking.

Today, I cooked steak with homemade chips, using the recipe from Gousto Cooking. Recently, I came across quite a few companies offering a recipe subscription box. I am currently subscribing Gousto Cooking and my experience with the company has been GREAT so I decided to share with you. First is first, here is the result of the food I prepared today.

Steak and homemade chips (recipe from Gousto Cooking)

Spring is here!

Hello, sunshine!

Spring has finally come to Scotland and I am just so happy everyday. I absolutely love having four seasons, but I do believe that sunshine makes people (extra) happy. :-)

I wouldn't call myself a foodie, but I do enjoy nice, homemade meal. As spring has finally come, there are a lot of seasonal ingredients available and my palate changes accordingly. The pictures below are a snapshot of meals that I've been cooking in the past couple of weeks

Chicken risotto with fresh basil (Recipe from Gousto Cooking)

Empty product #1: Lush shower jelly (Whoosh)

Hello, everyone!


Welcome to the first chapter of my new project: Empty product. This will be where I mostly discuss about products that I used up (just like the ones that you see on YouTube) and give my honest opinion about how much I enjoyed the product and, most importantly, whether or not I would repurchase.

I'd like to embark on this new journey with Lush's shower jelly called Whoosh. What a brilliant name!

Disappointing product #1: Collection Work the Colour Eyeshadow Pencil

Hello everyone,

Who doesn't like a quick, yet long-lasting makeup routine? Eyeshadow sticks are a nice addition to your existing collections and it can't be better if it only costs £3.19! I am talking about Collection Work the Colour Eyeshadow Pencils. It comes in 6 different colours and I own two: Vanilla Sky (white with silver glitters) and Denim Diva (metallic navy with hint of blue glitters). I discovered them at my local Boots store whilst hunting for an affordable eyeshadow stick and was quite impressed by it. The colour is so saturated, the texture is creamy and most importantly, it is LONG-LASTING. I recently came across a well-known YouTuber StyleSuzi talking about the product as one of her monthly favourite (and best drugstore discovery). It's been just over a year since the purchase and I can't say that I agree with her. Here is why.

What I got for our 1000 days

It's been 1000 days since my boyfriend and I have been together! It nicely coincided with Easter weekend and his birthday this year so we decided to celebrate extra BIG. We didn't do anything special but both came up with brilliant gifts for each other. It was a total surprise for me because my boyfriend had never given me a personalised gift. I instantly became a happy bunny after opening the presents and my boyfriend was exactly the same. Here is why.


1. Card from me
As usual, I am the one who gets a card. This was ordered from Moonpig.com, my favourite online card company and the inside was personalised with stickers that I got from South Korea a while ago. He thought the message on the card is brilliantly funny (yet true) and inside was very cute, showing my all important TLC for him.

Foreo Luna for sensitive/normal skin

Hi everyone,
I've been using Foreo Luna for a couple of years and feel like that I can give my honest thoughts for those of you out there who are hunting for a new skincare gadget.

What I got for my boyfriend

April 5th is a very important day at my house: it's Mike's birthday! 

Every year, mooooonths before, I get worried about what I should get for his birthday. I want to impress him but doing so isn't always easy when you've been with each other for a long time. 

Here is a couple of things that I prepared for him this year. Hopefully it gives some of you who are going through the same experience as me a month ago a brilliant idea which will make both you and your partner happy...

1. Personalised card

I am one of those people who think card is one of the most precious gifts of all. It doesn't take much time nor does it cost a lot of money. Yet, those few words always manage to move us. I got mine personalised at moonpig.com. There are couple of similar services out there but I like moonpig.com most because they are always on time. Besides I get to save 20% with prepay. I love this card so much because it has a little jumping "polar bear" on it which is a nickname that I gave to my boyfriend. ;-)

Lush shampoo bar: Karma komba

Hello there,

This is my very first blogpost and I wanted to write about something special but mundane enough for everyone's pocket. This is my review of Lush's shampoo bar: Karma komba.