How are You? #1

One |  I came to know about cheese tea and is seriously addicted.

Two | One of my goal this year is to invest more on my health in general, mainly my legs. I was naive enough to think that 12 sessions of therapy would be enough, but obviously, it isn't as I can practically feel it's deteriorating every single day. The first step is getting a static bike, I managed to get a portable one, so I can type while exercising my poor legs!

Three | In line with previous goal, I finally registered myself to another health insurance. While there's national health insurance, I think it's better to be safe than sorry, plus, my legs really need extra special, and great attention.

Four | I managed to accomplish my minimum posting goal; 4 a month.

Five | Nabbed this SUN PRINT MEMOIR from RIFLE PAPER & CO, and is ready to certify myself as Rifle Paper & Co. hoarder.

Six | January went well. I didn't set much goal for myself because I fear I'll be too overwhelmed to finish everything, so I started small. It's as simple as speaking up more or ticking of at least 80% of my daily task.

Seven | Finally, managed to perfect my fluffy pancake recipe! It's also a great quality time with my sister (she's as helpless as ever in kitchen).

Eight | Got my first Olivia Burton watch, it's my watch of dream!

Nine | My goal next month is being annoying aka. being more critical of anything and everything, instead of keeping it all for myself. Honesty is harsh, but honesty is good.

Ten | Made a dent in my THE SAEM BLUSHER. What an accomplishment, time to get a new one!

How are you this month?

The Lisptick Wardrobe

My love for dark, bold lips is well documented in this blog. I think. At least I think so. I'm never shy about them, I whip them here and now regardless of the season, which is quiet obvious since where I live, we don't know any other season than wet and dry. I pretty much have the liberty of wearing dark lips all year around; yessssssssss!

When did it begin, again, if I recount correctly, it all began 3 years ago when I picked up MUFE ARTIST PLEXI GLOSS in a whim. It's very glossy, highly-pigmented, wet, and, erm, messy? (as it transfers everywhere) product. Still, the goods overcome the bad and it's the only thing I had on my lips until I find my one and only, my holy grail, my sun and my shine; BURBERRY LIP VELVET IN OXBLOOD.

It's something I never stop raving about in this blog for how lovely and utterly incredible it is. I swear there's no better lipstick in this world for me but this one baby, encapsulated in hefty, magnetic packaging with Burberry's iconic check printed on it. It feels luxurious. The lipstick itself is equally so, having the said check printed on the bullet.

Another matte lipsitck in my arsenal is GLASTONBERRY from CHARLOTTE TILBURRY. I bought this one as birthday present, and, honestly, it's a purchase I regret, a little, for the color is rather hard to pull. But still, I can never seem to get rid of it for a reason that I'd admit to be shallow; the photogenic packaging!

On the creamier side I have CLINIQUE POP LIP PRIMER in BERRY & MAC BRAVE RED. Both have more forgiving formula. My lips are quiet difficult to work with, I don't think it gets along well with tinted lip balm and some lipsticks. I'm still yet to pin point what is wrong, but by the end of the day, I'd end up with flakey, unflattering lips that makes some formula hard to work with (like matte, for example).

In liquid lipstick category, I'm utterly smitten by NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAMS that I bought two in just a span of a week (let me tell you, this is an achievement!). I think other bloggers have raved about this little bottle of magic and wonder enough, so, I'll refrain from making long paragraph on why they are amazing, and they're truly deserving of the love they received. BODY SHOP MATTE LIP LIQUID wasn't something I appreciated enough when I got it, but lately, it's been my favorite choice for a dark lip days.

What's in your lipstick wardrobe?

The Importance of Keeping Clarity + Clay Masks for Oily Skin

STRUGGLE OF OILY SKIN

The struggle of us, oily-skin gang, is real. Not only having overly active sebaceous glands, we have to deal with overly shiny face during the day. Our skin produces higher level of sebum as result of our large pores, and these large pores are not only prone to clog, which can lead to acne, but also adds difficulty in choosing every single product to put on our skin.

I'm sure we've all been there, religiously checking every singe blogs and reviews, every single products for anything with shine free, matte, doesn't clog pore, oil-free, long wear, etc before actually biting the bullet and shell our money. Wrong product can easily trigger break out, which will trigger us to find another product that can conceal it while we try to banish the leftover scar (which probably require us to find yet another product to add in our skincare arsenal). In conclusion; the struggle is real!

I've been having this skin type since I can remember, my mom even joke that she can fry an egg on my face! Yes, my face is that oily. Living in tropical country with high level of humidity, and highly-polluted area isn't helping either. However, lately, I'm starting to find peace with my skin, I think it's in best condition yet!

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOUBLE CLEANSE

Often times, you'll find yourself too done to actually clean your face after a long day. All you want to do is dive face-first on the bed and embrace the sweet, sweet dream.

Then wake up with a red spot on your face. Upcoming acne. Oh, no.

That was me. And probably you. Yes, been there, done that. It's such a horrible thing to wake up in the morning to find a red bump anywhere in my face. Especially on the nose!

Although acne is not necessarily caused by clogged pores, when pores are clogged by excessive oils, it can set a perfect condition for acne bacteria to bred. Our skin's fight against the bacterial-infection causes inflammation which is the acne itself.

Other problems that often occur on oily skin is black and white heads. Whiteheads occur under the skin and can easily be removed while blackheads are on the skin itself. Luckily, I don't have any blackheads but whiteheads! They're like an entire troop on my face! Other than my skin looking unsightly, they also ruin any chance of flawless skin because they add these gritty, little bumps. Can you relate with me???

All these skin conditions are caused mostly by sebum and clogged pores. Hence, it's extremely important to make sure my pore is as clear as possible to avoid any bacteria party. If I cannot fix the biochemistry of my skin, at least I can stop the break out by preventing it.

Cleaning my skin has become something I religiously do over the years, especially as of late after I struggled with the worst break outs yet back in March~April. Double cleansing - makeup remover, followed by regular cleanser - isn't enough. Some extra care is needed to ensure the clarity of our skin, namely clay masks.

THE PURIFYING MASKS

Clay mask has been staple for everyone with oily skin and pesky, gigantic pores. Clay mask contains kaolin that's been known to absorb excess oil, draw out dirt and impurities. Often times, they're volcanic clay, which is known to have the best and good minerals, as volcanic ash is supplies high nutrients to the soil. Clay also has anti-microbial properties to deal with acne. The only downside is they can be drying, although volcanic-clay is said to be a lot gentler.

I find that my nose and my chin are the spots that I break out easily. My pores around there are the worst; they're large, home for black and white heads alike, the bottom line is they're horrid! Instead of applying the mask all over my face, usually, I just put them on these two area since they can be too drying for my forehead and other face area.

KIEHL'S RARE EARTH DEEP CLEANSING MASQUE is the second clay mask I've tried. The first one was from TBS but it was too harsh on my skin, often times leaving my skin feeling tight and raw due to its high level of alcohol. This one is a lot gentler as it contains aloe that soothes and hydrates the skin. The bentonite in this works to absorb the sebum, while amazonian clay removes the impurities from the skin.

INNISFREE JEJU CLAY MASK is highly coveted among k-beauty for being the best mask for oily skin, however, seeing that I still have a whole tub of clay mask left, I decided to go with INNISFREE JEJU VOLCANIC 3 IN 1 NOSE PACK. This one is specifically targeted to use on nose area, as the name suggested. Ingredients wise, it's more or less the same with KIEHL's, but this one offers ease of black/whiteheads removal after use.

INNISFREE is something that I use on weekdays while KIEHL's is often used during weekend. I avoid using both on the same day in fear that it'll over-stripe moisture from my skin which leads to irritation. To make sure my skin isn't too overly dry after, I usually put on sheet mask that I've cooled on the fridge or immediately continue with my night skincare routine which includes facial oil.

THE PEELING MASK

The downside of clay mask is I have to wait until they dray for at least 15 minutes. They're not perfect on the go, nor when I'm too sleepy or tired to properly wait 15 minutes before rinsing off my face. At those times, I turn to peeling mask.

LANEIGE CLEAR C PEELING MASK might not cleanse my pore, but it ensures my cell turn over on top of getting ride of my dead skin cells, that not only make my skin looking dull, but also contribute to forming of acne. It contains plant-derived malic acid AHA from sugarcane, orange, lemon, and bilbery. The strawberry seeds in it ensures my skin staying smooth while gently removing the dead flakes.

This is incredibly easy and quick to use. After washing my face, I apply this on and massage it, focusing on my nose area. Wash with warm water, then proceed with regular skincare. I notice that my skin always feels plumper, brighter after usage.

How do you deal with your oily skin?

2017 Best of Skincare

I didn't realize, until I snapped these pictures in one December morning (quiet bright, there were people outside working on the house's canopy, and they probably question why the lady of this room is always taking photos of, of...things), that my skincare drawer has been overrun by Korean skincare. Specifically; INNISFREE. From scale 1 to 10, how big is the possibility that you're only using one brand for skincare? When you're a beauty junkie? Probably around 5, but mine is high on the 8th (because I'm still faithful to KIEHL's MRC and LANEIGE's LIGHT BALANCING EMULSION).

I pondered; what's with Innisfree? and realized i'ts combination of; 1) my Korean trip last January, 2) Innsifree's local store, 3) they're simply AMAZING. None of their products has disappoint me so far. Price-wise, they're cheaper than KIEHL's or LANEIGE (my two favorite brands for skincare), so I'm naturally attracted to try their products.

I have oily skin, enlarged pores, and struggle with whiteheads everyday. It's incredibly important to keep my skin as clear as possible, no matter how lazy I am (22 at night and just wanna face-plant on the bed), I always make it to remove my makeup.

INNISFREE GREEN TEA FRESH MAKE UP REMOVER OIL is k-beauty's cult favorite for makeup remover. This one is targeted for oily skin. My sister have the other for dry skin, and indeed, the texture feels different as this one feels lighter and thinner in consistency. It doesn't clog pores, nor does it break me out (like another oil cleanser I've tried in the past), and I'm already in my second bottle (with the third sitting pretty in my drawer).

Following in is JEJU VOLCANIC PORE CLEANSING FOAM. JEJU VOLCANIC-line is INNSIFREE's stand-out line against black heads and enlarged pores. I purchased it on a whim after I ran out of my beloved SHISEIDO PERFECT WHIP, I might have love this more than SHISEIDO one's (gasp!). It feels super thick, lathers well, and has small granule particles that might act as incredibly gentle exfoliator. It also contains orchid extracts which helps soothes and moisturizes skin. I noticed after using this, I got less and less break out.

Which probably means this is a lot better than SHISEIDO, but I'm still on the fence...

JEJU VOLCANIC 3 IN 1 NOSE PACK is another thing in my arsenal to battle sebums, but I will talk about this hybrid of pack+scrub+cleanser product in later post that specifically address treatment for oily skin (keep your eyes on the blog).

For troubled, sensitive, and blemished skin, INNSIFREE comes up with BIJA-line. Since I'm also battling with acne scarring and prone to acne in general, I picked up the BIJA TROUBE SKIN, a toner, randomly before I went to see THOR:RAGNAROK, alone (is this piece of information important? Yes, it is. Maybe). Bija is korean version of nutmeg, the oil extracted from this seed has great anti-inflammatory effect.

Last but not least is sunscreen, which is the most vital part for any skincare routine and anti-aging effort. I didn't incorporate it as religiously until I find PERFECT UV PROTECTION CREAM FOR OILY SKIN, as I found most sunscreen is too heavy for my skin. It boasts SPF 50+ with PA+++++, which is  perfect in the condition when I'm living in.

That has been my favorite skincare finds in 2017. What's yours?

2017 Best of Beauty

2017 is a pleasant surprise in term of beauty, I didn't expect myself to get so into it. What I thought will be a rather chill year with less money spent on makeup took a 180 degree turn, and, voila, I think I ended up with more new products that I did in 2016?

I ventured a little bit away from high end, in fact, the only high end products I got this year were NARS eyeshadow duo and foundations, which is a major level up from last year when most of things I bought were from high end category. What can I say, I'm that shallow and I do love good, high quality makeup product.

In 2017, rather than going drugstore, I think it's more appropriate to say I fell in love with an old love, being korean beauty. While I do love k-skincare consistently through the years, I stopped trying their makeup products because I used to think they're not pigmented enough for my skin tone. Plus, in the phase when I was all for k-beauty, they never really wow-ed me.

It could be for their aesthetic, and as I sit down here, contemplating, maybe; yes, they didn't wow me because of their aesthetic. I wasn't that into the whole shimmer/glitter on the lids, wasn't that big on brows either, not even reds on the eyes! But they're definitely what k-beauty is all about, and now, they fit me to the t!

Prior to UD Naked Heat, it was sooooo difficult to find warm-toned eyeshadow, can you believe it? Not the neutral-warm with good selection of reddish brown, but the warm-warm with tasteful picks of red, pink, and orange. Thankfully, k-beauty is all about them, and after the initial purchase of red matte eyeshadow, I'm hooked! Now, I have enough warm-warm toned eyeshadow to last me a lifetime (I talked about my collection here).

2017 was also the year when I finally embraced eyebrows. I'm still far from the instagram-worthy on the fleek! brows, but at least they're no longer looking like a sad, overgrown, caterpillars. INNISFREE AUTO EYEBROW PENCIL is a very beginner friendly product, it comes with spoolie  and a waxy, yet soft pencil on the other. Mine is in darker brow color, it isn't highly pigmented which is perfect as I'm still learning.

Another love that I rekindle is for eyeliner. Since I have hooded eyelids on top of small lid space, I have to choose between my eyeliner of eyeshadow. In the end, because I have too many eyeshadow to even finish, I always forego eyeliner. THE SAEM POWERPROOF SUPER SLIM EYELINER changed it! This pencil liner is very soft without being smudge-party (which I find often happen with soft pencil liner). The fine, yet blunt end allows me to tight-end easily. Usually, I just fill the outer corner of  my eyes to give appearance of fuller eyes. I'm not in the epic-liner level yet, but, just watch!

Still on the topic of eyes, out of the many eyeshadow purchases I did this year, ultimately, my choices fall on these three. NARS DUO IN ISOLDE was something I've always wanted ever since I started blogging. It's your perfect duo for quick, fuss-free eyes; swipe the gold all over the lid, smudge the darker bronze on the outer and some on lash lines.

For a cream eyeshadow with bright, reddish-orange color and sparkling glitters, ETUDE HOUSE ENAMEL EYES sounds like a recipe for disaster, especially put on my oily lids. The truth is, it's nothing like! I can pack them all on the lids for bright red eyes with a hint of golds, or swipe them with light hand for more understated look. It doesn't transfer throughout the day either, which is always my problem with cream eyeshadow.

To finish everything, I love to pat ARITAUM MONO EYES in CORAL MOD on the center of my lids. It gives such a nice sparkles and breathe of coral. No matter what color I wear underneath, pat, pat, and my eyes look instantly better!!

Of course I must no forget mentioning NARS SMUDGE ROOF EYESHADOW BASE. It's been favorite of many, especially for people with oily lids and I can see why. This is the first time a base managed to stop my eyeshadow from becoming a horrid smush of color by the end of the day.

On the cheek, I got SLEEK CONTOUR KIT for birthday present, and it's the only thing I've been putting on my face ever since? It's like, I mean, I forgot I even have something called blush?? It might not be as pigmented as NARS' contour kit, plus, it's more on neutral shade and has no ounce of redness on it. Strangely, my cheeks always look polished? as in I do not need blusher to top it, just the contour shade and dusting of highlighter on the cheek bones, and I'm done?? It's, well, strange, magical I'd say. Whatever it is; I love it!

I talked about my base products and routine (in this post), but the stand out definitely belong to THE SAEM PERFECT PORE POWDER, UD ONE AND DONE HYBRID SKIN, PAUL & JOE PROTECTING FOUNDATION PRIMER, and UD ALL NIGHTER to seal everything and promising me a flawless face throughout the day.

Lazier day will find me smoothing PAUL & JOE all over my face, dust loose powder with big, fluffy brush, and be done with it. Productive morning, or on weekend before a day out, I'd take time to make sure my base is perfectly done, committing to full face routine from primer-concealer-foundation-powder-setting spray.

To be honest, it's rather difficult to find a morning when I could summon enough will power to properly apply my makeup like my whole life depends on whether I have them on or not. But on the days I do, I pampered myself by using the extra time to either apply blusher again on top of contoured-cheeks, or swipe highlighter on top of my cupid bow.

On the lips, I've been loving everyone and their mother's favorite NYX SOFT MATTE LIP CREAMS. At first, I only have one in PRAGUE. My lisptick stash was in dire need of variety, I only had dark berry colors and nothing else! This one came swooping to save the day, and followed by its sister in BUDAPEST, a darker brown color with hint of red. My definition of MLBB?

They're what I always wear for the latter half of the year, and I'm not seeing myself stopping, unless one of them come to end of course (I think PRAGUE is getting there! How exciting!). I'm tempted to try another color, but I'm hanging on until I finish one of this. Have any color suggestion?

That rounded up my 2017 beauty favorites. Do you spot any of yours?

On to 2018

It's 2018! To say I can't wait for 2017 to end is an understatement; I cannot wait to get over this year. It's been a long, long arduous year for me. There were good things, of course, but the bad over-weighs it, I think? I think I definitely spend more than 2/3 times of the year in bad place, I just want to leave, occasionally looking back just to remind myself what not to do, and move on.

I started 2017 on good note, good footing. I was ball of positive ions, you might have remembered if you were there reading y blog post. I went to Korea, finally! What not to love about it, really?

But good thing doesn't last long, they said, which I hope goes the same for bad thing as well. Everything rolled downhill somewhere in March, and I was never the same anymore. I struggled just to fall, and struggled again to get back up. It's just struggle all year along, both mentally and physically. I always see myself as durable? person who doesn't get down easily, but this year has been a slap on the face, that, no, you're not that able.

I won't go into details but I'm stuck in a certain place that I'd die to get out but I can't. No choice. Nothing, but to shoulder and suck it up.  I'm still there, trekking the path, and I sincerely wish 2018 will be a lot kinder to me in my way.

My blog, my photography, and my health had to suffer the consequences. I went into hiatus since March-April, my posts around then were all auto-scheduled since late February. I didn't touch my camera for so long, and the moment I picked it up again, although I marvel at the nostalgic weight on my palms, I'm just lost.

I didn't know what kind of photo I want to take. Why did I even take it in the first place? The same went for my blog as I've previously mentioned in my post last month. I just didn't have a freaking clue about what I wanna do. With my life. With this blog. With myself in general.

Later half is spent with me trying to rediscover myself. Cannot say I find it yet, but at least now back in my new home (my house went under renovation, and having to live temporarily somewhere else after living here for almost the entire 25 years of my life, it's incredibly stressful), I have retrieved even a little of what I've lost.

Right now, instead of thinking about what and why, I'd rather just do first. Think later. I realized my bad habit of overthinking is what led me to where I am, along with my selfishness and my ignorance. And my fear of being in public or any social event in general.

A true introvert who never try to deal and cope with it, I think I have fallen into this bad comfort-zone, and I need to break free from that. Little by little is fine. I always tell myself that everyone have their own pace and maybe, maybe mine is just incredibly long.

Of course not everything was bad. I gained many new friends, people I can open up to regarding myself. A new best friend who struggle along with me up and down. Meeting new people, and familiarize myself with socializing in general. I'm incredibly chatty online, but face to face, I'm quiet as a mouse!

Altho I, basically, ditched this blog, my other creative writing outlet flourished! I have always loved to write, anything, but I love to write story. Spin a tale. Describe emotions like painting with paint called words. I think I wrote more than 150.000 words this year alone, and I still have unfinished which had reached 25.000 words mark.

In 2018 I just want to get better in general; better person, better writer, better writer, better speaker. I'm not expecting a drastic change for myself knowing how I love to take everything easy. I just hope by the end of 2018, I'm a little bit proud of myself despite the bads that will surely follow me again next year. Still, everything happen for a reason, and bearing that in mind, I do wish my 2018 will be on better note.

Have a happy new year!