Quarterly Faves [Beauty]

If you hadn't known, I watch a LOT of beauty-related videos on YouTube. I don't know why, really. Something to do..? To get some inspiration..? An excuse to shop -- because somebody recommended something..?

Yes.. Yes.. YES!

Hahahahha!

Anyway, those "beauty gurus" on there always posts their "monthly favourites" and though they're one of my favourite things to watch, I honestly can't fathom how they could have different favourites each month when my favourites normally lasts all year! (And more!)

So anyway, I've had awesome discoveries this past few months and I just had to share them. An excuse to talk about something light, really!

First, the Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush #57 (retails at RM89). It's almost Godsend! I don't know about you lot, but I can never seem to blend my concealer seamlessly with my fingers. My fingers tend to pick up the concealer instead of distributing the product onto the intended areas. The bristles on this brush are soft and dense yet long enough to move along your skin and blend the concealer perfectly!

I just can't be without it and so I LOVE the fact that it comes with a cover so you can travel with it, no problem!

Second in the list is Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Khaki. (Retails at RM89) Oh wow.. This is the stuff that I grab when I have less than twenty minutes to get my face ready! (I keep sleeping through my alarm lately. bleh!)

Just swipe a thick line across the lash line, blend it with my finger and voila! Eyes done! And it'll stay all day long without creasing -- at all! This shade in particular is described as "chocolate brown with bronze pearl" and it does have that pearlescent finish.

I also love NARS Velvet Eyeshadow Stick in Nunavut (retailed at RM99) which is a matte dark purple shade if I wanted a darker "look" but the line is limited edition so I'm not too sure of its availability by the time this post goes up. (They were still available in late February when I went to get the matte black shade Flibuste.) 

Seriously though, I think I'm addicted to these crayon eyeshadows. They are very creamy and so easy to blend out! I also love that they're twist-ups instead of pencils that you need to sharpen. Makes me really curious of By Terry's Ombre Blackstar now, to be honest! (On the wishlist!)

Bio-Oil! (Retails at RM54.95 at Watsons for the 125ml) Hahahha! It could be considered as something for beauty, right? I've been struggling to calm the rashes on my legs from extreme dryness. Tried a bunch of creams, Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Up (RM62) refused to work on me anymore, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (RM128) -- which smelled straight up like Eurax -- did nothing, even Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil  (RM184) just made my legs slick -- but still itchy!

So far, only Bio-oil has stopped my urge to scratch my legs like a mad-woman -- if I remember to apply twice a day, as suggested. Not sure if it reduces my existing scar as the rashes are pretty much raging still.

Extreme dryness.. It's a problem, folks!

Honestly, I should just go and see a dermatologist already.. but.. ick! Damn.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed. (Retails at RM117) Well, I got the "tester" size sometime last year (or was it late 2013?) for RM30. Described as "nude" but it straight up looked mauvy-pink on me! Apart from being matte, I love that the shade is pretty muted so it works well with whatever colour I have on the rest of my face. Plus it lasted well more than 12 hours with very minimal fading on me.
I use it so much that I hit pan on it! That's right.. I hit pan on a blush!! Though it's a teenie baby size of a blush at 1.5g, still.. whoaa..

I must say that I am pretty excited about the idea of using something up.

This next one was a calculated splurge. A "splurge" because I don't need another perfume. "Calculated" because I've been wanting it since.. August, I would say.
It's Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Parfum. (RM300 for 50ml, RM430 for 100ml) Smells really sweet, fruity. Reminds me of mangosteen for whatever reason although it isn't listed as one of the notes! haha!
Smells a bit heady if I sprayed on too much but then again it was my first eau de parfum that I own, oddly enough! For whatever reason, I've only been keen on eau the toilette before Si!

Anyway, I really liked the way it smell. Thought of finishing up one of my existing perfumes first before getting it but I saw it being sold cheaper while I was walking along the counters in Perth airport. So I just.. grabbed it! (#crewlife perks!)

I've also been loving NARS Velvet Lip Liner in Patong Beach. (Retails at RM85) Described as "pink rose", it is your-lips-but-better material! It may not be the best texture on my lips (as all lip liners are) but with my Nuxe Rêve de Miel underneath, the liner glides on like a dream. Actually, even without a lip balm I would still wear this because I LOVE the colour!

Also worth mentioning, the Audacious lipstick in Anna, (retails at RM95) described as "smokey rose". I'd wear this on an offday, damn it! That's how much I love it. Yet another YLBB product. I once wore it for work and the grooming people stopped me because my "lipstick seemed too pale" apparently. hahaha! Can't wrap my head around a seemingly mauvy shade to be "pale"..

Basically I'm all over these two if I feel like wearing make-up on an off day. Something that I can put on without looking "too much".

Earlier this year I decided to actually note down the nail colours that I use. Mostly because I have way too many of those.. and it should be near impossible to choose a favourite when I pretty much change the colours every single time I paint my nails. Surprisingly though, there is one colour that I've painted my nails with TWICE in the course of this three months.

It's Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up The Ante. (AU$16.95 from Priceline) It's a bright pinky-purple shade that somehow says "happy". hahaha! I do love the formula of the nail polish and it has a wide brush -- yayy! I also love the top coat from the line. I'm keen to get more shades from the line (I can honestly say that there are three more that I'd like to get!) but as aforementioned, I have a LOT of nail polish.. So I'll be waiting for some good discounts to come along! heehee
Sorry if this range isn't in Malaysia yet.. or is it? I haven't been looking around the makeup aisle of Watsons or Guardian for fear of getting things that I don't need. heh!

A surprise favourite was the Bath & Body Works Body Scrub in Wild Madagascar Vanilla. (Retails at RM65) I'm not sure if BBW's body scrubs are created "equal" but mine actually lathers up, which makes showering a total breeze! I've used body scrubs before, Soap & Glory Flake Away (RM55..?) definitely did not lather up. I love that the one I have here has a mild scrubby texture so it does not aggravate my skin and because it lathers up, I don't need to wash myself again with a foamy soap. Oh and the smell..! I really can't say no to vanilla scents.

And my top TOP favourite; Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in the shade Soft Brown. (Retails at £12.21) I feel bad for neglecting my Tarte Brow Mousse but damn this Brow Wiz is SO easy to use! A twist-up pencil on one end, a spoolie on the other. The point is very fine so you can't possibly over-draw, unless maybe you do your makeup in a badly lit room!
Sure, £12 (roughly RM70) for an eyebrow pencil is a lot, but I've had mine since November and I still have a good amount of it. And I rarely EVER leave home without my eyebrows on!

I got mine from BeautyBay.com -- they ship internationally and offers free shipping with purchase over US$15. (Takes about 2 weeks for the shipment to arrive.) The Brow Wiz is US$18--something, but you'll be charged in GBP on your bank statement.

Quite a long entry, this one. Hope you don't mind this sort of entries every once in a while. Perhaps it'll inspire you to try out something new from Sephora. They should be having their 20% off sometime in April/May! Gotta keep a lookout on that! (Make a wishlist/shopping list -- I am!)

*Prices stated are from Sephora, unless mentioned otherwise.

**An exception for NARS' products as they are only available from their stores in Pavilion, KL and Parkson Gurney Plaza, Penang.

#FeelingSpendy

I could go on weeks without having the urge to shop for anything.. then I could have a blip of moment where I'm "feeling spendy" and leave my account balance to just RM44.
HAHAHAHHA!

One would think that by this age I would learn how to actually save money -- but Nope!
Good thing Encem "accidentally" brought my credit card with him so I've been spending the money that I have instead of building up my debt. heh

Started earlier this month when I went to Origins to repurchase my favourite night cream, but of course, Azilah; the sales person in Midvalley store talked me into getting some other things! (No regrets though, I haven't found anything that I hate from all the Origins stuff that I've tried so far.)

Perhaps I should mention that I pretty much always end up getting a couple of Washi tapes whenever I go out? sigh. I should stop, though.

Then I did Kansai flight.. Walked around Rinku Outlet -- with no intention of shopping at all. HA!

And then two days in Darwin.. oyy! I do find it funny how crew normally spends their money on groceries in Australia, because that's what I did. Honestly, Woolies and Coles are what I am most excited about when thinking about Australia! hahaha
Managed to repurchase my favourite hair masque -- AU$32, ka-poww! Actually I've seen the Macadamia Natural Oil line in SaSa here, but the last time I went looking the hair masque was out of stock. Now I wonder if I could actually get it cheaper here. hmm..
Anyway, I also got some bits of things from Priceline (their drugstore) naturally. Then I bought some tops from Cotton On because I felt like it. heehee! I'm such a girl!

Five days 'til payday! teeheee

Something random.

Home for the weekends.

This time when I say "home", I meant the place where I grew up in -- Shah Alam.

It's not often that I get the weekend off! And I could only see my family during the weekends, pretty much. Dida works crazy hours during the weekdays (and on the phone most weekends too, to be honest) and the parents are in Bangi during the weekdays to look after their grandchildren.

So yeah, since Encem isn't around.. Weekends are my #familytime now.

And while I sit here in the bedroom that I share with Dida, I find myself irked that I forgot to throw in my lip balm and body moisturiser into my duffel bag. Ughh! Those stupid little things that irks so much!

I came back from Kansai last night where the average temperature was 9°C so naturally, my skin is as dry as a desert and itches like hell!!

It's been a long week. Safety recurrent on Monday and Tuesday (passed and free to fly for another year!) then followed by KIX trip on Wednesday.

It's annoying that I adore the cold weather (a perfect excuse to whip out my boots and jackets!) but my skin disapproves of it so much.

Anyway, I had a pretty good time in Kansai. Mostly shopping, since Rinku Premium Outlet was within walking distance to the hotel we were staying in. I accidentally spent a small fortune at Nike and GAP. heh!

Then of course.. The 100¥ shop! gahhh!! I swear I can never go into one without buying something! This time I got my hands on some Washi tape dispensers! One that holds six tapes for 100¥ (108¥ including tax) -- a BARGAIN!!

I was SO excited about getting those that I began to arrange my Washi tapes as soon as I got home (Bukit Jalil) instead of packing my bag for Shah Alam and making sure that I had my moisturiser and lip balm were included!

HAHHAHAHA!

There you go.. A totally random, and pointless entry for you to read this week.

Have a good week ahead!

Bath & Body Works

How did I manage to forget blogging about one of the most exciting store-opening in the country!

Bath & Body Works is now in Malaysia, folks! It used to be one of the stores that I would buy online from -- and the online store doesn't even ship here! Or even accept Malaysian credit cards!

Seriously, I went through all kinds of trouble just so I could get my fix!

Note: I also used to order from Victoria's Secret but now that they're here, I've lost interest in them somehow -- even though I was mostly ordering their clothing items and we don't get them here!

Anyway, back to BBW.. Their first store was opened in Gurney Paragon, Penang of all places but the one in Nu Sentral opened not long after that! Few weeks ago it opened a store in The Curve. (And they're now open at Komtar, JB too!)

I would say that the prices are reasonable. Our currency pretty suck against the US Dollar so two of their 3-wick candle for RM120 isn't too bad.

They are normally USD22.50 (RM 81.40 according to XE) so that's quite an offer! Of course, at the time I am typing this out, BathAndBodyWorks.com is having a two for $24 offer on their candles -- and I don't think we'll ever get such offers in our shores.

My first puchases (at both the Nu Sentral and The Curve stores) were the Concentrated Room Spray (RM 25), the Wallflowers (RM 30 for the plug and RM 25 for the refills) and the Wild Madagascar Vanilla bodyscrub (RM 65).

Priced at US$ 5.50, getting the 1.5oz room sprays at RM 25 is really not bad at all. I got the Paris Amour scent (I think!) first and because I loved how potent it was, I got the Fresh Linen on my second visit

Love the scent! I carry this in my trolley bag to all my layovers. Since I am a smoker, I would spritz this once right after I had a stick and the room would smell like I had just done laundry! Hahahaha

The wallflowers lasted about a month if you just leave it on. Not too sure if I prefer this to candles. The scent doesn't travel well in my household but it is safer.

The bodyscrubs were not made equal. While mine lathers up, and I could skip washing myself with a foamy bodywash, Bestie said that the one he got (a different scent) did not create any foam. Also, I noticed that the aromatherapy line was RM10 cheaper. (But I didn't check if they were the same size.)

I didn't purchase any candles since I still have a few still unused from my previous online purchase! heh

Also, I would like to point out that I honestly prefer Yankee Candle (which you can now find at Great Eastern Mall -- where? and Sunway Pyramid!) but they are pricier..

If you're hitting up BBW and don't know what to get, I'd suggest their Scentportables! Okay, they are pricey for car air-freshener but Bestie got them and his car smells lovely!

Also the room spray, of course!

One thing though, the sales person would stick on a little sticker on the items you intend to buy for whatever reason. Commission? I just find that especially odd.

Anyway, I'm still stoked that we have Bath & Body Works here!