5 products I absolutely cannot live without or my beauty regiment will be disrupted and my life will be over!!!!!

HELLO! Sorry that we've been away for quite a while, it's the work and mundane things we have to do as humans to survive ): Anyway, onto the topic today, 5 products that I cannot live without, okay actually, more like 5 most useful beauty products. Let's get started!

1. Currently this is my no.1 go to for an every day touch of lip colour. A while ago, we did a tutorial on Korean ombre lips, lips that give you the petal- bitten gradient effect (wow). But personally, being a super lazy person by nature, I can never find the effort in me to apply foundation on my lips first then tint to achieve this look. I mean, who has lots of time nowadays?! And also, being a foodie, when I eat, I really don't want to taste foundation in my mouth. Luckily, for me and for those of you who are like me or for some reason can't do it, a Korean brand - VDL cosmetics, has come up with a solution! It is called the Triple Shot Tint Bar!

If I'm not mistaken, they come in four colours, Triple Pink, Triple Red, Triple Peach and Triple Burgundy (an even darker shade of red). I use the triple pink! Each tube looks like this:

The interesting part is when I open the tube: 

When applying to your lower lip, the brown part should be at the bottom with the brightest pink at the top then flipping it the other way when applying on the top lip. Applying it this way, horizontally, will give you a pretty ombre lip in just one smooth slide!

This product, is more of a lip balm than a lipstick, pretty moisturising but not SUPER moisturising, staying power is not that good though, but I mean, after all it is still a lip balm.

You can get yours right here: 

http://list.qoo10.sg/ad?keyword=VDL%20tint%20bar%20triple%20shot&jaehuid=2000145206

2. Okay this is my second in command for lips, especially when I go out for important events where you have to dress prim and proper. Personally, I don't usually like applying lipstick but ever since I found this one, I've wanted to apply it on my lips every single day, even on the days that I spend at home, because of how it feels on my lips. The product I'm talking about is the Rubi Lip Crayon:

I find that most people don't pay much attention to the makeup brands that come from brands that are mostly well known for their clothings. This lipstick was an impulse buy but it's probably one of the best impulse buys I've ever made. The application is extremely smooth (oooohlalaaaa), it glides like a swan, not matte but not too glossy or shiny either.

The only negative thing about this lipstick is that it stains things really easily like with all other red lipsticks but other than this, I have absolutely no complains at all.

3. A couple of posts back, we sweared on an acne solving product called acne clear, today, another product I swear on is the Etude House - AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot.

These three things come in a set, which means they even give you the cotton buds. When you have a horrible pimple that you want to get rid of, what you do is dip the cotton bud straight into the bottle on the left (for nighttime use) and the cotton bud will come up pink because there's pink powder that settles at the bottom of the bottle in the liquid. Then, apply the product right on your pimple, the pink powder will settle and dry up on your skin, I swear that on following day or in two-three days, your pimple will BE GONE. LIKE MAGIC. The one on the right is for daytime usage, instead of a pink power settling on your face, it's more of a sheer covering that you can cover up with makeup and go about your normal day!

4. Skin Food's Black Sugar Mask

I know you can't see from the picture but the texture of it is gritty with exfoliating properties. The grits are really sugar (I've accidentally tasted them)!! This product reminds me of the exfoliating product for your lips to scrub off dead skin, this Black Sugar Mask does the same except that it's for the face. I usually use this product when I have an acne breakout, the sugar bits might be too harsh at first but the more water you mix with the product, the more the granules will dissolve, the oils in this also ensures that your skin doesn't dry out. Immediately after rinsing off, the first noticible thing is that the texture of my skin has amazingly become baby bottom soft and silky smooth. I'm not even exaggerating. Okay, maybe a bit. But it's really phenomenal. No joke.

5. Lastly, every good house has a good foundation and my face is covered with my trusty BB cream: IOPE Air Cushion XP

Usually in Singapore when we say BB Cushion, we think of the Laneige brand. But for me, IOPE Air Cushion XP gives a really nice dewy and glowing radiance that most k-actors have. It is hydrating without being cakey and is light and cooling. However, this BB cream, like most products, has its flaws, after a while in this tropical heat and humidity, blemishes will start to show minimally. Although the I would like for it to have full coverage, it sadly only has medium. I think this BB cream would be a winner for those with normal to dry skin.

Okay! That's all for today! Thanks so much for reading and good luck!

- Audrey!

Daiso 3 Steps DIY gradient nails

I love having pretty nails, how about you ladies? I have always been in love with all the gradient nail art and I was so happy to purchase this from Korea's Daiso.

This was sold at 3000 won = SGD 3.80! Super cheap for a set of 3 nail polishes.

There were many other colors, but I decided to try the pink one out. I was actually skeptical at first as some Daiso products were of lousy quality, therefore I have only gotten one. However, I truly regret  not getting more of this as they do not sell this in Singapore, ( Perhaps they do but I have yet to search for it) and it's effect on my nails is really pretty <3

The first step would to be apply this baby pink color all over the nails.

Next, apply this baby pink glitter on the top half of your nails.

Finally, apply this dark pink glitter polish on 1/4 of your nails ( from the top) .

And here is the beautiful result. It is really pretty, fun and easy to apply.

I would definitely recommend any ladies going to Korea to get this. Trust me you would not regret it and it's comparable to Faceshop gradient nail polish set which costs 4X more than this which gives you the same effect. So why not save the money and get 4 different Daiso gradient nail polish sets?

Kinohitmitsu BB Drink : Bird's Nest with Acerola Cherry

Hello everyone, how's your weekend? The weather for these past few months have been pretty wacky isn't it? One minute it is drizzling, the next minute it is blazing hot.
Because of this, some of us would have outbreaks on our faces, which is very frustrating.

However, I have found a temporary solution to reduce the acne and achieve a radiant glow in a week.

 

 

I was with my friend at Watsons, when we decided to try this out as it seems pretty promising, and I never regret it ever since. I religiously drank it every morning for a week and I was pretty amazed with the result for just a short period of time.

Let's see the result.....

                                                    Before                         After

Sorry for the gross pic :X   , but as you can see from the before and after picture. My skin is definitely less oily, more radiant and the "big acne" as seen on the cheek area has subside by a lot.

The ingredients in this product are as followed:

Hydrolysed Bird’s Nest is a Japan-patented ingredient (Patent No.: JP2003-095961; JP2005-206547; JP2002-068988). Bird’s Nest is rich in Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), sialic acid (200 times higher than royal jelly), amino acids and minerals which are essential to promote skin cell regeneration, enhance skin healing and promote youthful-looking skin. It is produced via an enzymatic process at a small molecule size for effective and optimum absorption without using any chemicals and bleaching agents.

 

Chicken Cartilage (a source of hyaluronic acid, HA) keeps skin hydrated. Well-moisturised skin is radiant. HA functions as a sponge. It is located in the inner skin to attract and bind water within the cells and tissues and prevent the skin from drying out. HA also helps to maintain the balance of water and oil in the skin, helping skin to look smoother and more hydrated.

 

Fermented Yeast (a source of CoQ10) functions to replenish the depleted CoQ10 level in our body where CoQ10 has the ability to increase collagen and elastin production in the skin and promote skin cell turnover. It also helps to re-activate other antioxidants e.g. vitamin C and E that are crucial to healthy, glowing skin.

 

Acerola Cherry has 32 times greater amount of Vitamin C than in oranges. It also contains mineral salts (iron & calcium) that aid in the re-mineralisation of tired and stressed skin.

 

Rice Bran Ceramide has a moisture-locking effect that helps soothe acne and reduce skin inflammation

I would definitely recommend this product , however it costs about $6.65 / *$3.99 per bottle, which means you will spend $46.55 / *$27.93 for a week.
* Prices in red are the offered prices as seen in Watsons. Watsons occasionally offer these prices which is definitely worth the wait if you are planning to purchase more than 1 box of this. I recommend you to wait for the offer and get a friend to share with you as you can mix with other kinohitmitsu drinks.

Therefore, if you have an event coming up and you are looking for a temporary solution to clear your acne asap, this is the right product for you.
This can be a long term solution too, but it will burn a hole in your pocket!!

I will recommend to take this for 1.5 month then stop. Monitor your skin condition, until there is small breakout again, then buy it again to drink it. This way, it will ease your burden on your wallet :)

To consume it, drink this consecutively for 6 days, followed by 1 bottle every 3 days for maintenance.

Do let me know if you have purchased this, and how's the effect on you ?

The original beauty blender

Hi everyone, TGIF :)  It's been a long time, how's everyone doing?
I have bought, tried and tested many products this year, and I am very excited to share these "babies" with you.

So without further ado,  let's proceed on with today's item, which is THE ORIGINAL BEAUTY BLENDER.
I am sure many of you have seen this product or are already using it. Isn't it pretty amazing?

It looks like a cute raindrop, and it comes in 4 different colors. It is easy to use and it is very soft.
I am sure some of you must be wondering how do you use this?

 

 

 

 

All you need to do is run the beauty blender sponge under the running tap water until it feels heavy. Followed by squeezing the sponge to wring out the excess water. Once you are done, you are ready to dab the sponge on any of your make up.

You will realize that the beauty blender sponge would glide smoothly on your face and the applied foundation would be consistent.
For me, I will use the bottom (base) of the sponge to apply my primer and liquid foundation all over my face. As for the tip, I would use it for my concealer and contouring purposes as its tip is able to cover the precise area.

I would definitely recommend this makeup accessory as it is definitely better than using makeup brushes. It is soft, does not "prick" your skin which some lower quality brand of brushes does, and it ensures your application is consistent.
What's more, it is washable, made from a latex-free, anti microbial foam to help fight bacteria and sensitive enough for those with allergies.

You are able to purchase this at any departmental stores near you, and it costs $29.90. There are many counterfeit products on the Internet, so do be careful !

Quick Dinner: Crispy Skin Salmon, Garlic Mash, Whatever Salad

First and foremost, I need to stress that alike most of my recipes, this one relies greatly on guesstimation.

The way I see it, tastes differ and the best way to go about cooking is to take a taste of your food while you're cooking. This of course, I wouldn't recommend for baking which requires precision.

This meal took me about a half hour to cook and serves 2







What you will need

For the Salmon:
Salmon ( I had two pieces about 250g each)
Lemon
Parsley flakes

Garlic Mash:
5 small potatoes
minced garlic
thickened cream

Whatever Salad:
Salad mix ( I had rocket, lettuce and spinach)
Garlic Aioli
Mayonnaise
Lemon 
Honey
Feta Cheese


Salmon:

Preparing the salmon takes no time at all. Rub some salt on both sides. With the skin facing upwards, rub some olive oil, squeeze some lemon and sprinkle on some parsley flakes.

Heat up a saucepan with enough oil to ensure the skin doesn't stick, or no oil at all if you've got a stonedine type non stick pan. Put on the salmon with the skin facing down. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-10 mins until the skin turns brown. While doing so, preheat the oven at 180 degrees celcius fan forced.

After removing the salmon from the heat, put on a baking tray/dish and into the oven with the skin facing up for 10 mins and it's done!

Garlic mash:

Prepare the potatoes and mash them as you normally would.
Heat up a sauce pan. Then add one teaspoon of garlic and about 1.5 cups of cream. Simmer on low heat till the garlic and cream combine.
Pour the sauce into your mash and stir well. 


Whatever Salad:

Mix your desired amount of all the ingredients I have listed above and you're done! Just a tiny bit of honey would counter the spiciness and bitterness of the rocket.




I apologise for the post being a little rushed through as I have quite a bit to get done tonight, but I hope that it makes for a great quick dinner idea for you girls. The bf cleaned his plate which is a rare sight that encouraged me to share this some-sort-of-a-recipe. Unfortunately I created this dish and cooked it quite hurriedly, failing to take note of the exact measurements of ingredients I used. However, I think cooking is meant to be fun and/or therapeutic, so just follow your senses and add the ingredients as you go.


Till next time, xoxo