Wicked Wednesday: So is This Goodbye?

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Maybe it's time to admit that I can't keep a blog. A proper one anyway. I may not be juggling as many things as others do but I am not as diligent as some are. I'd rather read a novel or watch an episode of Gossip Girl than blog. Now that I am out of creative juice, it has become a chore, instead of a joy, having to churn out two posts a week. Yes, I did sign myself up for it. Now, I am considering pulling out.

I can't complain though. It has been a really good run. I've dipped my toe into the pool of beauty blogging and found it quite a delight. I wish I can confidently say that I will continue with this side career of mine for the next few years. Unfortunately, with the kind of commitments I am expected to make next year (mentally, physically and emotionally), I don't think I can carry on with this beloved blog.

I'd like to think that I've improved when it comes to my blogging skills. I'd like to think that hundreds have enjoyed reading my posts. But one thing is for sure, I've received a lot of support and kindness from you, my readers. Thank you for all the wonderful comments you have left me. Thank you for all the helpful feedback you have give me. And most importantly, thank you for reading and following my blog.

When the time comes for me to shut this blog down permanently, I will let you know. For now, my posts will become more scarce as I work things out, both in my head and in my heart. Hope you've had a lovely Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year.

What do you think? Should I keep this blog or chuck it?

So Obessessed!

I've been obssessed with balayages for a very long time now. Yes, I know. The trend is kinda old but apparently it is still chic to have one. Why didn't I just go and get it done? Well, I'm just afraid it will look terrible on me, especially because I'm Asian. Here are photos of some that I like.

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What do you guys think? Should I get it done? Or is this hairstyle over rated?

P.S. Sorry this is a really short post. I have been really busy at work 'cause we're short-staffed at the moment. I promise that the next post will be a good one!

P.P.S. Have a Merry Christmas!!

Wicked Wednesday: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Review

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment  
Claims: Clinically proven to reduce acne. Reduces the number and severity of breakouts with minimal irritation. Non-drying. Dermatologist tested on sensitive skin. Fragrance-free. Oil-free. Paraben-free. Non-comedogenic.
RRP: USD$36.95 + tax

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: As I mentioned in my previous post, I picked up this product while I was in the USA. It was thanks to Ruth Crilly from amodelrecommends that this product came to my attention. I have been loving it ever since I started using it. This is by far the best acne treatment I have tried. All I need to squeeze is a tiny little pearl of product for every pimple. It clears my pimples quickly without damaging my skin. It contains benzoyl peroxide. So if I apply too much, it does dry up the area a bit. To counter that, I simply apply moisturiser after using this product. I have been applying this to my nose as well and I find that my blackheads have disappeared! I am truly impressed with this product. Since I use only a tiny amount each time, I believe this product will last me a very long time. The packaging is brilliant. The squeezable tube feels of good quality. The cap is a screw-on type and the product is dispensed through a pointed tip (so that you don't end up squeezing out too much). 

You can buy this product from a UK website. I don't believe Australia has stocked this product yet. If you're visiting the USA, I suggest you purchase one. 

Have you tried this product before? What product do you use for acne?

Triple S: USA Beauty Haul

You may have noticed that I have not been replying to comments for the past three weeks. That's because I've been away on a big holiday. Where did I go? USA! And of course, for every beauty blogger, it's a standard procedure to follow up with a Haul post. 

Sadly, I did not purchase as many beauty items as I had hoped/expected but I'm sure you're still keen to see what handful of products did I manage to grab.

In terms of makeup, this is what I bought: Duo eyelash adhesive, Stila Convertible in Lilium, UD eyeshadow in Bordello, UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion, MAC eyeshadow palette that I built myself (Brown Down, Naked Lunch, Sable and Satin Taupe) and a MAC 219 brush (it's brown at the tip because I've already started using it). I am in love with my Stila Convertible. I will be doing a swatch and review soon so keep an eye out!

As for skincare, I only got myself one product: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. I can tell you now that this is the best acne treatment I have tried so far. Review to come! I was going to buy myself a La Mer Moisturising Cream while I was there. Then, my mum revealed that she has an unopened jar that I can have so I didn't.

As for nail polish, I had initially intended to buy quite a lot of OPI from the US. However, we never managed to find a store that stocked a big selection. I know Sephora has their own version/collection of OPI but I wanted the originals. No big loss because I already have 20 over nail polishes that I hardly use. So all I got were these two: Essie Good As Gold and Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat in 09 Wave Break.

Lastly, I also picked up a copy of Allure Magazine. It was for only $4! I couldn't resist. Plus, Keira Knightley looks smoking hot in this issue. 

Before I finish up this post, here are some of my favourite photos from the trip.

New York

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Have you been to USA before? Which city is your favourite? I can't decide between New York and San Francisco.

Wicked Wednesday: Winner of My Birthday Giveaway

Hey ladies, sorry this announcement is late! I just came back from a huge holiday and I've been working the past two days. But here it is!

First, I want to thank everyone for reading my blog and for entering this giveaway. If you don't win this time round, please don't fret. I will be throwing more giveaways in the future.

I've made the mistake of closing the tab to the random.org website before print screening the name of the winner. So please forgive me but you'll just have to trust me when I say that the winner is Shaimaa.

Congratulations, Shaimaa! You will receive an email from me soon and you must reply within 48 hours to claim your prize otherwise a new winner will be selected.

I hope everyone has a lovely week. Keep an eye out for my next post if you love hauls!

Triple S: Style Files #2

It's been a while since I've done a Style Files post. Here are some outfits that have been insipiring me for this very hot summer:

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1. Must be her blue nails and shoes. Or maybe it's the floral dress and the flower in her hair. But I must say that I love her creativity in photography!

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2. Who doesn't love a good maxi dress and a pair of aviators for summer? Oh, and let's not forget the cute and casual side braid.

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3. I have only three words for this outfit: casual but chic.

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4. I know that balayage was all the rage last season but I firmly believe that it has carried on over to this season as well. Love her off-one-shoulder chiffon dress and sandals!

Out of the four outfits, which is your favourite?

Wicked Wednesday: How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger Tutorial

I know my tutorials usually have lots of step-by-step photos. Today, I've decided to try something different. Something simpler. Do let me know what you think.

1. Apply Virgin (from the Naked Palette) all over your eyelids, particularly on your inner corners and your mobile lid.

2. Mix Naked and Buck (from the Naked Palette) and sweep them into your crease.

3. Line your upper lash line thickly with black eyeliner.

4. Line your upper water line with black eyeliner. This is to give the illusion of very full and thick lashes.

5. Line your lower lash line (thinly) with black eyeliner. This is to give the illusion that you have a thick lower lashes.

6. Line your lower water line with a nude/white eyeliner.

7. Apply false eyelashes if you wish. The one I used is from Eylure (pictured below).

Can you see a difference between the right and left eye?

So, ladies, what's the verdict. Should I stick with this style of tutorial or go back to ones like these?

Please note this is NOT a sponsored post; in case anyone got the wrong impression.

Triple S: Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask Review

I'm a fan of Alpha-H products (recall from this review of 3 of their products). Their Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask is no exception. Here are my thoughts on this product after having tried it for a few months now.

 Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask
Claims: Eliminates dryness while absorbing excess oil. Designed to visibly improve all skin conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, sun-damage, clogged pores, blemishes, acne and acne scarring, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
RRP: AUD63 for 100g 

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: Many praises have been sung for this mask. I had high expectations when I received this products. I desperately wanted it to be the magic bullet for flawless glowing skin. But let's be realistic. No such product exists; and even if it does, it comes in something called Photoshop. However, I am happy to report that this skincare product is worth having in your arsenal. This mask leaves my skin feeling softer and more supple. It helps to dry up any pimples/acne that I have. The glycolic acid takes off all of my dead skin cells, giving me a slightly brighter complexion. My skin also feels fresher and more awake after washing the mask away.

 This product has a very soft and slightly creamy texture. It glides on the skin very easily. However, if you want to skimp like me; use very little product to cover your entire face, you will have to "work the product" until you get an even spread all over. Really, you don't need a lot. And if you get the mask in full size, it will last you a very long time. In the photo below, I have the mask on. It becomes transparent a minute within application. That's why you can't really see the mask on my face. So I guess if you unexpectedly need to answer the door, no one will be able to tell you have product all over your mug!

The first time I apply this mask it stung. It's because of the glycolic acid. But the stinging sensation disappeared after a minute. The "stinging time" lessened as I used this mask more. Now it only stings the tinest bit upon application and is gone within a second or two. This product comes in a convenient squeezable tube and I cannot find any fault with the packaging. Hence the 5 out of 5. So, this mask does not make my skin flawless (no product can instantly remove pimples/scars) but it does make my skin glow. And that's more than good enough for me! 

Have you tried this mask before? What's your go-to product for glowing skin?

Wicked Wednesday: 5 Skincare Tips You Need to Know

 
I recently stumbled upon this blog by a Singaporean skincare guru (Sesame) and now I'm an avid reader. Although the blog is mainly aimed at Asian women, most of her tips and advice can be applied to everyone. You can check her blog out here.

If you cannot be bothered reading pages worth of knowledge, here are 5 skincare tips that I have picked up from reading her blog. Unfortunately, I cannot write too much on them because she considers it as copying. So if you need further elaboration, just click on the link and it will take you to the article and explains the skincare tips.

1. Apart from Michelle Phan, she is the only other person that I've come across who says that it's okay to not wash your face in the morning. It is imperative that we do before we sleep but it's okay if you don't in the morning. If you do, please do so very gently. See why here. 

2. Wash your face after (not before) shampooing your hair. Article here.

3. Using a separate towel for your face. Avoid using your body towel for your face. See her explanation here.

4. Facial oil (ie rosehip oil) may be good for you but you may want to keep it well away from your eyes. Find out more here. 

5. Sesame has a number of tips on applying moisturisers and my favourite one is this: apply moisturiser to damp skin straight after cleansing.


Have you heard of these skincare tips before?

Triple S: Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color Review + Swatches

I've been excited about these matte lipsticks since an MUA from Bobbi Brown told me about them. That was back in July. It was a long wait but it was well worth it! I received these lipsticks last month when they were released and have been loving them!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color  
Claims: Highly pigmented formula that provides intense moisturisation on the lips due to soft waxes and emollients. It is designed to slightly soften with the warmth of the lips and forms a film to provide up to eight hours wear.
RRP: AUD$44

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: I'm really sorry ladies but I will be doing a lot of raving in this review! I will do my best to be concise. First off, these lipsticks are very creamy. It glides on with very little resistance but at the same time, it lays down a lot of product. It is highly pigmented and so usually I swipe it across my lips only once. It truly is long lasting. I went out to dinner with my friends wearing this lipstick in True Pink. Even though some came off as I ate, when I checked my lips after the meal, most of it was still intact. It stayed on all night. With my other lipsticks, most of it comes off when I eat, leaving only a rim of colour around my mouth afterwards. 

The packaging is simply luxurious. Although it may not seem obvious in these photos but these lipsticks come in very high quality plastic tubes. The packaging is what I would like to describe as an "all-rounder". It looks simple enough to be an everyday item. At the same time it can be glamorous or elegant. You can pull this lipstick out from any kind of bag in any type of event! The only downside that I can think of is that it feels heavier than other (drugstore/pharmacy) lipsticks. However, once you have it in your bag, you will not notice the weight at all. That is if you're not carrying around 20 of those... Anyway, I can't wait to get more of these gems; I am already eyeing the colour in Pink Lily!

Now on with the swatches! 

Natural light

In the shade

 Below we have Calypso on my lips. I can only describe it as a very fun orangey-pink. I think this would look even more amazing with a bit of gold lipgloss/eyeshadow dabbed onto the centre of the lips.

 Here we have True Pink on my lips. I'd like to think that it's a very neutral pink. It's not too dark or too light. It may have a teeny tiny bit of mauve in it. 

This is the only (relatively) close-up shot of me with True Pink on my lips at the dinner with my friends. Can you tell?

 What's your favourite matte lipstick? Have you tried Bobbi Brown's? 

Please remember that although these lipsticks were sent to me, these opinions are 100% my own! It does not matter whether I receive a product from a company or bought it myself, if I love the product I will rave about it. If I don't, I usually don't bother writing a review on it unless I deem it necessary. This is to clear up any confusion.

Wicked Wednesday: Skinvitals Hydraflex Eyes Review + Demo

Hey everyone! Hope you're having a good week so far. I have another review for you today.

Skinvitals Hydraflex Eyes  
Claims: Soothing eye mask that targets the entire eye area to reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags under your eyes. Replenish and rejuvenate the skin, as well as even out the skin tone and restore clarity.
RRP: AUD$14.99

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: Although this is the only eye mask I've tried and I can't make any comparisons, I have to say that I really like it. The instructions for applying this product are easy to comprehend and carry out. There is no rinsing or washing required afterwards. I found that after using this mask, my eye area feel soft smooth and hydrated. The dark circles under my eyes became less prominent. My whole eye area looks a bit brighter and more awake. Perhaps the slight cooling sensation is a factor. It just made me feel freshened up. 

This product is a little bit expensive (approx. $5 per cloth mask) but I have to say that they do give you your money's worth. They pack each mask with loads of serum (explained in the next paragraph). Also, the packaging is appealing and I can't find any fault with it, hence the 5 out of 5. To sum it up, I think this is a really nice eye mask. If you're like me and you've been lazy with routinely applying eye creams, this is how we can cheat our way to bright eyes for the day/night! 

Now on with the demo! 

Each mask comes in their own little packet. As you can see, it says 8mL. My guess is they are referring to the amount of serum that the cloth mask is holding, which is a lot! The mask was soaking with serum when I removed it from the packaging (they're really generous with it!). Application instructions are found both at the back of the box and the back of the packets. 

So there I am relaxing with this eye mask on. It covers a very large area of my face so I was essentially giving my eye area and the top of my cheeks a bit of a treat. After 15 minutes, I remove and throw the mask into the bin. It seems like a waste but I guess you can choose to put the mask on a little longer if you like. 

  
Then, I grabbed a tissue and patted away the excess serum. You may choose to massage and push more serum into your skin if you like. However, I felt that there was so much serum on my skin that there was no way my skin was going to absorb all of it! Please excuse my uneven eyelids in this photo.

And there you have it: bright eyes! And for the record, the "bags" under my eyes are from me smiling. For more products and stockist, you can check out their website here. 

Have you tried any of Skinvitals masks? Which one(s) do you like or would like to try? Please do share in the comments below!

Triple S: What's in My Purse/Wallet?

I don't know about you but I refer to "mini money-holding bags for women" as purses. I realise that Americans call them wallets and purses mean handbags to them. For me, wallets are "mini money-holding bags for men". What do you call them? For the purposes, of this blog entry, I will refer to these bags as purses.

Anyway, I just thought I'd do something fun and different today. I've poured all the contents out of my purse (and arranged them neatly) to show you what I carry around with me every day. I have actually left out one item but I will get to that later. 

 
So here are (almost) all the things that I have in my purse every day:

- Money
- USB (You might find it strange but it so handy! My friends are always giving me stuff like music, photos, etc. This way, I never run into the risk of forgetting to bring my USB.)
- Band-aids
- Eye drops (My eyes get irritated a lot and often when I am not at home.)
- Bobby pins
- Rubber hair tie
- Cards

I usually carry this many cards around with me. Some are very useful and others are hardly ever touched. I am not going to name any of the cards. Oh, and in case you're wondering, my purse is from Charles Berkeley. I bought it in Malaysia a couple of years back.

  Normally, I would keep a blister or corn patch in my purse because there's this one toes that has suffered a lot of abrasion and never fully recovered. I love these patches they help keep the agony at bay, particularly when I am wearing heels. I use Compeed because they are quite good. I only wish they weren't so expensive. I have tried a cheaper brand/version but it is just not good enough. If you do know of a good and cheaper one, do let me know! 

I hope this post has been fun and interesting for you. I plan on doing something like What's in My Shoe Closet next, since I have had one or two requests. Hopefully, I will get around to it!

What do you have in your purse/wallet?  

Big Birthday Giveaway CLOSED

I very recently turned __insert age__ and to celebrate, I am throwing another giveaway on this blog! And believe me, the prizes are AWESOME. So please pay attention to maximise your chances of winning!

But first up, what will you win? These:

And these (only if you are an Australian resident, due to shipping regulations):

Oh goody! How?

Make sure you:
1. are 18 years or older to enter. If you are under 18, please make sure you have a parent's consent.
2. are a follower of this blog (via Google Friend Connect).
3. fill out and submit the form below: you will gain one entry for this giveaway!

This giveaway is open internationally.

Want to gain more entries? Here are two ways:
 - Leave a comment on the blog posts I publish for the next 4 weeks (13th of Nov till 9th of Dec, 2012). Your first comment for every blog post will become an entry to the giveway. You're looking at 8+ entries!
Note: leaving a comment on this post does NOT count as an entry. 

- Link this post on the sidebar of your blog with the banner/image below and you will gain 5 extra entries! This will only apply if you are a legitimate blogger. The 5 extra entries will not be awarded if you link this post to a blog created just for the purposes of giveways and competitions.

You are allowed to do both options to maximise your chances of winning!

Banner/image

Competition closes on the 10th of Dec. The winner will be chosen through random.org and announced on the 11th of Dec. Good luck!

Wicked Wednesday: That Time of the Year...

Yes, it's that time of the year again. Yes, it is Halloween today but that's not what I'm referring to. I'm talking about exams. End of semester exams! Eeeks!

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Unfortunately, I'm terrible at concentrating if I have my blog to worry about. So I'm going on hiatus, again. But fret not, my pet! I promise will be back with more reivews and tutorials that you hopefully will love. For those of you who will be sitting for exams like I will be, I wish you the best of luck!

See you in two weeks. And Happy Halloween!

P.S. Feel free to leave a comment on what posts you'd like me to write on this blog when I return. 

Triple S: Formula 10.0.6 No Time To Shine Review

 I have been trying this oil-absorbing mud mask for quite a while now and I really like it! So I thought it'd do a review and a bit of a demo. Here it goes!

Formula 10.0.6 No Time to Shine  
Claims: Draws out impurities and eliminates excess oil, purifying and conditioning to balance and tone skin. Has cleansing, astringent, healing, soothing, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties
RRP: AUD$1.99/AUD$8.99 for 9.4mL/100mL

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Review: I have combination skin. I'm oily, but not extremely, on my T-zone (my forehead, nose and chin). The rest of my face is normal skin. This product is really easy to apply. It is creamy and slightly mousse-like. It comes in a plastic squeenzable tube that makes dispensing the product really easy. The product has a slightly greenish tinge and can stain your fingers but don't worry, it comes off after a couple of washes with water and soap. And no it does not stain your face green at all.  I find that my skin feels fresh and oil-free (not dry), after using this mask. However, I always follow up with moisturiser; to put some moisture back into our skin. Otherwise, my skin will go into hyperdrive and produce even more oils to compensate for the loss of moisture. My whole face is then "normal" for the entire day before any oils start seeping out again. 

Now on with the demo! 

Before

 Here's a Before photo. As you can see, my forehead and nose is a bit shiny from the oil on my skin.
 

I applied the mask all over my face, avoiding my eyes and lips. I concentrated the product on my T-zone to absorb all the oil.

When I'm done applying, I usually set my timer to 15 minutes. While I wait for the mask to dry up, I usually read a book or a magazine or watch Youtube videos. The mask has a cooling effect initially.

15 minutes later

You will feel your skin tighten as the mask dries up. At the end of the 15 minutes, I could barely lift my cheeks to smile.

I then washed the mask off with warm water and pat my skin dry with a towel.

After

 Ta-da! Naturally matte skin; less oily, less shiny. Man, I sound like an ad. Sorry! 

After

I'm quite happy with this mask. I'm already eyeing the other masks by Formula 10.0.6. The next one I am keen to try is the Keep Your Cool Breakout Calming Mask! 

Do you suffer from oily skin? Have you ever tried oil-absorbing masks before?