Beauty Favorites 2014

Happy 2015 Everybody!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

I have to admit, as cliche as this may sound, I absolutely love the start of a fresh new year, because who knows what you'll end up doing within those 365 days. The start of a new year also means that you get to sit back and reflect on all the things that have transpired in the previous year, the good, the bad, the weird, the crazy people that you met, the amazing people that you met, the new friends you made, the things that you managed to achieve, the things that you did not...... (why is my yoga mat super dusty?), you know, the incidents/memories that make you the very person that you are today. Have I lost you yet?

Now on to the fun stuff, 2014 have been a great year for me -beauty wise, I finally got my skincare regime under control, found my staple skincare products, and as for makeup I think I've finally found the type of look that would work for me. Trust me, I've committed some serious makeup "faux pas" in the past, we're talking crazy orange cake mess (when I first discovered foundation),  asian oompa loompa face (when I discovered bronzer), crazy chapped red lip monster (when I discovered red lipsticks), crazy amy winehouse eyeliner (when I discovered eyeliner), you know, the works. I would show you some photos, but lets leave that for later shall we?

So here are some of my favorite beauty products of 2014..... [insert drum roll here]

Skincare

Like I mentioned in my previous posts, I am absolutely in love with all of my Derma RX products, however, the other non Derma RX products that I also love this year are the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (I use this both in the AM & PM) and the REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Balm (This bad boy replaced my Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil as it was too difficult to get a hold off in Malaysia). The REN cleansing balm is amazing at removing makeup, I have been using it for about 4 months now, and so far so freaking good. It's a bit steep at RM169 per bottle, but you only use a tiny amount each time, so I think that a 100ml tube should probably at least last me about 8 months or more. It's available at KENS Apothecary in One Utama & Bangsar Village, if you are a bit skeptical, you can always just ask for a sample first before taking the plunge! Another love of mine is the First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser (RM78 a bottle, available at all Sephora outlets)- a simple no fuss cleanser which cleans extremely well. If I had to pick 2 skincare brands this year, it would without a doubt, be the Derma RX Skincare products and the First Aid Beauty products. 

Base

This is no surprise, but for base, my NO. 1 favorite product would without a doubt be - the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (RM100). Words can't describe how much I love this thing, it's good for everything, under eye-bags, redness around the nose, those pesky blemishes, everything! However, right before the end of 2014, I discovered the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation when I was in Singapore. I have to say that so far, I am absolutely loving it. I've only been using it for about 1 week, so I will report back! Sadly though, it's not available here in Malaysia, so you gotta make a quick trip to Singapore to purchase it #onlythingnotinMalaysia

Makeup

So, if you know me, you know that after 2 years of spotting the infamous "amy winehouse" look, trust me guys, I had the hairdo to match, I've realized that eyeliners are not really my thing, I prefer to wear eyeshadows instead. After a few eyeshadow disasters (we're talking unblended patchy shadows, colors that were waaaay tooo dark, colors that were waaay to pale, shadows that were waaay too shimmery- you catch my drift? I've come to the conclusion that I think (and I could be 100% wrong here) warmer tones suit me best. Enter the Stila Eyes Are The Window Shadow Palette in "Mind". Like I said just now, I love warm colours on my lids and I prefer matte shades to shimmery shades as well. So naturally, I had to get this palette right? It's extremely versatile, and you can wear it to work, because us #corporateslaves need some excitement in our lives or you can wear it on a night out. Truly one of the best purchases that I have made this year. The one problem that I find with this palette is the lack of blend-ability of the shadows, this means that you need to apply it with a proper brush and take some time to blend it accordingly, but the final result if done right is still gorgeous! Another eyeshadow favorite is the By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock - trust me when I say this eyeshadow lasts all day eerrday! At RM139 a pop, it can be a bit daunting but, I have been way too patient with this one, so forgive me for caving in ok?

Next favorite for the eyes - the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion. I have quite greasy eyelids, and this baby locks in my eyeshadow like a charm. I much prefer this to the Nars Primer Potion, which makes me look like an oily mess after 6.00pm!

As you may or may not know, I've got crazy bushy eyebrows. Not in the Cara Delevingne sense, but in the crazy "bushmen" sense. It's extremely wild and unruly! I think sometime in August, I decided to give the Benefit Gimme Brow a try, and whaddayaknow? I fell in love with it almost instantly. I don't even need to fill it in with anything else, this alone works wonders at keeping my unruly brows nice and tamed! 

For lips, after my whole chapped lipped fiasco since well forever.... I never really like to put anything on my lips........ until I discovered the NUXE REVE DE MIEL lip balm, which is in one word :AMAZING. I put it on every night before bed, and I wake up with the softest lips, truly a miracle worker this one given the condition of my chronically chapped lips, this thing manages to turn it around, so now I can wear lipsticks again - HOOORAY! My favorite go to lipstick of this moment is the Revlon Matte Lipstick in "Mauve it Over", a beautiful mauve shade which I find perfect for everyday use. 

Hair

Wow, I can't believe I have not talk about my love for hair in this blog. I have an obsession with hair products, hair tools, hair treatments? hair salons, the whole shhbang! I'll keep it short and sweet for this post though, for shampoo and conditioner, nothing really stood out to me this year, but I have been using the Percy & Reed Super Soft range for about two weeks now, so far so good, so I'll definitely report back! And although it's not in the photo above, I must give a shout out to my beloved GHD Hair Straightener, I mean how could I not? I burnt my forehead yesterday when I was using a different straightener, serves me right for cheating on my beloved GHD!

Alright folks,  I think that's it from me today, I'll insert some random photos taken throughout the year to  "liven" up the blog a little. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY :)

Some crazy brunch at Dean & Deluca in Singapore

 A Green Juice to balance it out from La Juiceria, because life is all about moderation no?

That one time when I was trying to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn

Some #afterworkweshopsessions

That one time when I attempted to be "artistic" #Iwasonmykneeswhenitookthisphoto #wedoitfortheinsta

This is me after burning me forehead with a straightener #willnevercheatonmyghdagain

Annd finally this cute panda called "Jia- Jia" at the Singapore Zoo! What I'm basically feeling cause it's back to work tomorrow. May the force be with us all. Have a great week everybody!