2017 Beauty Favourites (Cosrx, The Ordinary, ColourPop, Klairs, Jouer, etc.)

Hi! I am back with another blogpost! I apologize for being MIA for months. 2017 flew by way too fast and I achieved and learnt so many things this year. This year was a really busy year for me.

Anyway, here are my favourites of this year. Most of them consist of skin care products as I have mentioned before, I limit myself to only buying 5 makeup products in 2017, which was not really a difficult challenge as I thought it would.

Skin Care

1. Cosrx Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser 

I featured this in one of my posts (Summarized Skin Care Reviews Part II) earlier and I mentioned how excellent worked for me. This cleanser not only cleanses your face, it exfoliates and helps reduce acne breakouts. I could see a notable difference with my skin texture and also, the amount of pimples I get are much less than before. I highly recommend this for those who get frequent acne breakouts and need the occasional exfoliation.

2. Neogen Green Tea Foam Cleanser

Another cleanser that I loved in 2017 is the Neogen Green Tea Foam Cleanser. This was gifted to me by my bestie for my Christmas present in 2016 and boy, this product is so good. This cleanser is very gentle and feels really soft on the skin. After rinsing, I noticed my skin got smoother and softer. Moreover, this cleanser has green tea leaves, and green tea is known to be an anti-oxidant that calms the skin and has anti-aging properties. This cleanser is very calming and soothing on the skin, and does not leave the skin feeling squeaky clean. Plus, it smells so good.

3. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%

I tried the 5% version earlier this year and then later, I tried this one, the 10% version. I have to say, they are only a few cents different in price, so I highly recommend getting the 10% version over the 5% version because it works two times better than the 5% version and it's way more effective and stronger. If you're a beginner, try out the 5% version as it's lighter. This really exfoliates the skin well and it peels off all the unnecessary dry skin or dead skin on the face. Best part about this is that it works instantly, plus, it's affordable.

4. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

I also recently mentioned this product in one of my blogposts. I absolutely love this because it calmed all my acne breakouts and reduced the size and the amount of my blemishes and pimples. My face also got less redder. I recommend this product to those who also get frequent acne breakouts.

5. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Do you need a product that can help minimize pores and reduce blackheads? Look no further because this product can achieve all that within a couple of uses. I noticed my pores became much smaller and my blackheads slowly faded (not completely but it is not as noticeable anymore) away after trying this out for a couple of times.

6. Sarining Bhuana Green Clay Mask

I bought this in Bali last month and tried this out when I had a really serious sunburn, and holy crap, this actually reduced the redness on my face. I was actually not expecting that because usually, clay masks help reduce pore sizes and blackheads, but this also calmed my face instantly within one use. It was a very huge difference and everyone noticed that. This can be very drying, but it easily comes off when I rinsed my face with water. I am really impressed with this product, however, it is not easily accessible because this is a local product I purchased from Canggu Shop.

7. Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Eye Cream

If you're looking for a reasonably priced eye cream that works wonders, check out this product! This eye cream contains green tea, which is an excellent antioxidant that helps to reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. This product is also really moisturizing and I definitely noticed that my eyes feel softer, smoother and more hydrated within a week or two.

8. Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)

One of the best moisturizers I've ever used. It really moisturizes the skin from within and does not leave the skin feeling greasy and oily. My skin also feels smooth upon using this product. My skin glows, but it is not oily. It also helps to maintain water on and under the skin and water is very essential for the skin so it's very hydrating.

9. Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++

Sun cream is really important for the skin as your skin needs UV protection and sun cream helps to protect your skin from sun rays and protects your skin from any damages that can be caused by the mighty sun. This product has SPF of 50 so this will really protect your skin from the sun rays, which is excellent. Moreover, this product is very moisturizing, but it also does not leave a greasy or oily film on the skin. This product beautifully absorbs into the skin as well. It also has aloe vera, so it has soothing and calming skin properties.

10. Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Mask Sheet

This is one of the best sheet masks I have ever used in my life, along with another sheet mask that I will be mentioning later. It is super moisturizing and hydrating for my skin, and I noticed a beautiful, soft glow on my face, but it was not like the oily and greasy kind of glow. It is much like the glow from within the skin. My skin felt smoother, softer and more supple and plump after using this for two nights. I swear by this sheet mask and will be continuing to purchase this over and over again.

11. Papa Recipe Bombee Mask Sheet

Another amazing mask sheet I want to talk about is this mask sheet. I also swear by this because of its effects. Super moisturizing, very hydrating (much like the other mask I mentioned), and the scent is really nice and fresh. It comes with a lot of essence, so you can either smear the essence over the mask, apply it after masking or apply the essence the next day (but make sure the mask is secured and locked in place so no air will be able to contaminate the essence). My skin feels extra soft and smooth after masking with this for a few times as well and leaves a healthy glow on my skin.

Makeup

1. MAC Prep + Prime Fix +

One of the most iconic makeup products from MAC is their setting spray. This setting spray makes a huge difference in my makeup routine. Earlier this year, I did my makeup once without the setting spray and the next day with the setting spray, and the results were very noticeable. I noticed that without this spray, my skin was very dry and my makeup was very cakey and flakey. However, the next day when I used this, my skin was so smooth, well-hydrated and clear. This also made my makeup last a lot longer and sets them in place, so it does not move around. This product is really a game changer.

2. Aritaum Full Cover Liquid Concealer in 01 Light Beige

This concealer has a matte finish with intense coverage. If you have dry skin, I suggest you stray away from this product because it didn't work out for my best friend who has dry skin. If you have oily to combination skin, this may work for you, like it did for me. This concealer covers everything. Dark circles, redness and spots. However, this can be quite difficult to blend into the skin, but it lasts for the whole day. However, because it has a matte finish and the consistency is thick, it creases quite badly. It still gives amazing coverage.

3. NYX HD Finishing Powder in 02 Banana

This was a very spontaneous purchase because I've never heard of this product but I bought it anyway because I really needed a pressed powder. This product actually performed better than I expected. It does not leave a cakey finish (which most powders do), it's not drying at all and feels very smooth and silky on the skin. This powder is perfect for those who have dry skin. However, the lasting power is not very long as I do occasionally touch up every now and then whenever I use this powder. Overall, the powder does its job well and doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

4. Wet 'n Wild Color Icon Bronzer with SPF15 in Ticket to Brazil

I bought this on Christmas day (which was only a few days ago) and this bronzer is pretty amazing. It gives you a really nice peachy, light bronze finish, which is perfect for me because I'm fair (even though I did tan a bit in Bali, Indonesia). It has a beautiful glow and shine (only on the cheekbones) and does not highlight any texture. It is not too warm and it doesn't appear too orange, which is a plus. I really love how easy it was to blend this bronzer into the skin as well. It's also really big, so it'll last for quite some time.

5. Too Cool For School Enlumineur

This is probably the best Korean highlighter I've ever used. Mainly because, it is has a beautiful, wet, metallic finish and the colour is absolutely stunning. It has a light champagne pink shade which is great for those who have fair to medium skin tone. It's not glittery either and it does not highlight texture and crease up. It doesn't last for very long, though.

6. ColourPop Creme Gel Liner in Mr. Bing

This was one of the few collaborations that ColourPop had with beauty guru, Kathleen Lights. First of all, Kathleen Light's collaborations with ColourPop are top notch and on point. All the colours she chose are really pretty as well. Anyway, it was love at first sight with this eyeliner. It's a very rich warm matte brown that is very flattering on the eyes and it is suitable for all skin colour. In addition to that, the formula of this eyeliner is really creamy, pigmented and draws a very smooth and clean, precise line. It does smudge a little and it is not waterproof, but it's very affordable. One of the best pencil liners I've ever used.

7. NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown

This is my ultimate favourite eyebrow pencil I've ever used. I'm not exaggerating. The thin pencil creates a beautiful hair-like line, which is perfect for those who want to achieve natural brows. The colour also matches my skin tone and hair really well. It also blends really nicely and it's really to shape and draw my brows with this eyebrow pencil. It also comes with a spoolie.

8. Jouer Cosmetics Lip Creme in Lychee

This is the first Jouer product I've ever purchased and I absolutely love the formula of this lipstick. It is a tie with Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipsticks in terms of formula. I found both of them to be very similar in terms of the formula. It's very soft, silky, not matte but appears matte, easy to apply, creamy, highly pigmented and super long-lasting. It has one of the best formulas for liquid lipsticks and I love it so much! The colour is also really pretty, it is a neutral pinky mauve which is great for every day wear. In addition, I prefer the doe foot applicator over Jeffree Star's because it's smaller and dantier, so it's easier to maneuver and gets into smaller areas very easily, a.k.a the oral commissure.

9. ColourPop Lippie Stix in Poppin

I bought this last year because I was tired of always wearing nude lipsticks and funny enough, I ended up loving this colour a lot! To me, it's a very unique colour because it appears reddish pink on camera but rasberry pinkish red in real life. The colour is super pigmented and pretty. Also, the formula is very creamy, easy to apply and doesn't feel drying or too matte. It's more of a satin than matte even though it's supposed to be matte. It's also long-lasting and affordable.

10. ColourPop Lippie Stix in Sure Thing (Creme)

This product was from their 2017 Valentine's Collection which was limited edition. I absolutely love this lippie stix because it's very wearable, great lipstick for everyday and it's super moisturizing. It feels exactly like a lip balm, because it is absolutely hydrating and moisturizing. My lips do not crack or bleed when I use this and it's really nice and lightweight on the lips. It's super comfortable and pigmented as well. Plus, it's affordable! However, it is not long-lasting and it is not on sale anymore.

11. Biore Makeup Remover Wipes

This is my go-to makeup remover wipes whenever I am really tired or just lazy to remove my makeup properly with a cleansing balm. It effective removes all of the makeup and does not sting my eyes as well. It's also very gentle and the price point is excellent!

Tools

1. BH Cosmetics Vegan Large Powder Brush V1

If you're looking for a really large powder brush, definitely consider buying this one because it's really, really big. I love it because it feels very soft and the bristles/hairs are not harsh and rough. Since it has a huge surface area, it's faster to buff it onto the skin and takes less time compared to using a smaller powder brush. It also picks up all my powders really well. Plus, it's vegan and the handle is really nice to hold.

2. Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge

This is also a real game changer for me and I definitely prefer this over Real Technique's makeup sponge. I usually apply this damp (soaked in water), so the water from the sponge transfers onto my skin and that helps to hydrate the skin. With this sponge, you can achieve a more natural finish (damp) and a full-coverage finish (dry). It's also very easy to squeeze and it works on all my foundations, concealers, powders and even other cream products like cream contours and highlights. It blends really well into my skin and the finish is usually not cakey or drying.

3. BH Cosmetics Vegan Blending Brush V5

Love, love, love this brush a lot. I use this for my crease and sometimes, for transition colours. This blends really well onto my lid and doesn't leave weird, streaky lines. Since it's not dense, it's less likely to mess up your eye look with this brush. The bristles are also very soft and feels very nice on the skin.

Hair

1. Morphosis Sublimis Oil Hair Shampoo

One of the few reasons why I like this shampoo is because of the smell. It's very fresh and pleasant. Also, this washed off most of the dandruff that were present on my scalp and it really cleans the hair properly. However, it is pricey.

2. Morphosis Sublimis Oil All Day Hair Emulsion

If you're looking for a product that moisturizes and hydrates the hair properly, this product really does the job. Besides the amazing scent (which is technically the same scent as the shampoo), it actually performs well. It leaves my hair feeling hydrated, smoother and softer.

3. Watsons Naturals by Watsons Argan Oil Hair Oil

I know a lot of people believe that hair oils will help prevent split ends, and it's actually just a myth. However, this product proved me wrong. I had quite a lot of split ends a couple of years ago until I used this product earlier this year. I had not trimmed or cut my hair for 13 months and I still do not have any split ends, and I believe it is because of this product (even though using hair oils to prevent split ends is a myth). It also nourished and moisturized my dry ends as well.

Nails

1. The Face Shop Trendy Nails in PK111

I've been looking for this kind of colour on a nail polish for a really long time, and I finally found it! It's a really pretty mauve, dark pinkish-brown shade with a cool undertone. It's a really trendy colour and it's gorgeous. It's also quite opaque, but it is recommended to apply two coats of this nail polish. It lasts for a week (with top coat and base coat), so you could say, it's not very long-lasting.

2. Winmax (by Daiso) Matte Finish Top Coat

Looking for a really cheap matte top coat? Well, this will probably work for you (sort of). This top coat is pretty good, for its price, at least. Two to three coats of this on top of your nail polish will do the trick. However, it doesn't last very long. It only lasted me for about a week and then it turns a little bit white and wears off. However, it is only $1, so I did not expect much. It still worked quite well though.

That is all for my 2017 Beauty Favourites! I hope you guys enjoyed my blogpost, and see you all again soon!

2015 Beauty Favourites

Hey guys! 2015 is over and this year really went by so fast. It just passed by with a blink of an eye. I could have sworn it's still August 2015, but it's already the end of the year.

2015 had been a crazy journey for me (mostly because I've been travelling a lot) and I have met many new friends, people and of course bought a year worth of skin care and makeup products! :D

Here are my 2015 Beauty Favourites:

Skin Care

1. Too Cool For School Egg Mousse Pack 

I have yet to blog my review on this product but here's a brief review on this: This product definitely did a great job on tightening, brightening, whitening and smoothening the skin with instant results after using it for the first time. Plus, the texture is in mousse-form, which is totally cool.

2. Son&Park Beauty Water

Again, this product has been raved by hundreds of people. This toner double cleanses, balances the pH, exfoliates and it doesn't dry out the skin like most toners do. Plus, it's more moisturising than the toners that I have used before. It's also a big bottle so I can really make use of this product for the whole year (hopefully it lasts that long).

3. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I have done a full-on review on this eye cream so if you're interested, please do check it out here: CLICK HERE. This eye cream definitely moisturises my under eyes and lids and prevents my eyes from producing dry, flaky skin. It nourishes and refreshes my eyes. It also gives a cooling sensation as well.

4. CURE Natural Aqua Gel

I have also done a full-on review on this exfoliator so check it out if you're interested: CLICK HERE. This exfoliator is amazing because it is made from 90% water (so you know it's natural) and when you massage your face for at least a minute, you'll see some small white flakes or balls forming around your face (those are the dead skin cells). This exfoliator removes dead skin cells and plus, it's very gentle on the skin.

5. Banila Co. Clean It Zero

One of the best make-up remover out I've ever used. Banila Co. makes great make-up removers (they have three other versions of the Clean It Zero) and I have to agree because they remove all the make-up and gunk out of the face, very gentle on the face and has a very fresh scent. Also, when I was massaging my face with this, it really removes the make-up quickly. It melts all your make-up off (with a tiny amount of product). 

Makeup

1. IOPE Air Cushion XP Matte Finish

One of the best foundations I've ever used in my whole entire life. I'm not exaggerating, seriously. This foundation is totally awesome! It's my first and only cushion foundation I've owned. I am going to do a full-on review on this foundation so please look forward to it. It has a medium coverage, it blends well, high sun protection and also, it's very natural-looking and lasts long.

2. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

Easily one of the best drugstore foundations out there. I wrote a full-on review: CLICK HERE. It definitely has a light to medium coverage with a radiant finish, sun protection and easy to blend the product. Packaging is great too, because it has a pump. It also smells great.

3. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

Coverage is really good, the application is easy, it's easy to blend, plus it's light, portable and easy to carry around. Also, one of the best drugstore concealer out there. Here's the full review: CLICK HERE.

4. Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer

Innisfree has one of the best Korean skin care products out there and their No-Sebum Blur Primer is really good. It mattifies the skin, leaving your skin with a matte finish, blurs out the pores and blemishes (very sheer though, not a foundation) and helps your makeup last longer. It smells nice and it spreads very nicely and evenly.

5. Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder

This powder really mattifies my face and prevents my face from getting oily and greasy throughout the day. As a girl with oily to combination skin, this is a necessity because it prevents my face from getting any shinier and plus, the powder is translucent and fine. 

6. Too Cool For School ArtClass by Rodin 

I have done a full review on my blog so please check it out if you're interested: CLICK HERE. This is the best-selling product in Too Cool For School and it's worth the hype because this contour palette is great. It has 3 shades (one highlighter and two contour shades) so it's great for travelling so you don't need to buy a separate bronzer and a highlighter. The colour is very buildable and not too pigmented. It's just a good contour palette and it's also really affordable compared to other brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills and Kat Von D.

7. Missha M Black Art Liquid Liner

Amazing. It's so pigmented (super black), dries fast, fine and thin liner brush and glides easy when applied onto the lids. This liner is also waterproof and long-lasting. Trust me, I wore this for 12 hours and it still looks fresh on my eyes. It does smudge (just a little bit, mostly because I have a habit of rubbing my eyes) but other than that, this liquid eyeliner is almost perfect.

8. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

This is probably the best thing I received in 2015 (thanks mom, by the way). This is the palette that I've always wanted ever since it was officially released and thankfully, I got it at a more affordable price compared to Singapore's price. All the colours or shades are amazing and I especially love Strange, Limit, Trick, Nooner and Factory the most. They make great nude and neutral, everyday wearable shades but this palette has a more feminine-feel to it. It has more pinks and shimmer in this palette whereas the first and second palette have more warmer and super nude/neutral shades. I am in love with this palette. CLICK HERE for the full review on my blog if you're interested.

9. Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara

This mascara is the best mascara I've ever used. Better than Benefit's Rollerlash or Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara. This gives off a very natural look, curls the lashes very well and lengthens the lashes. It does not really volumize (it does, but you just have to keep applying it over and over until you're satisfied). It's the perfect mascara and I love it so much. The packaging is quite cute too. The mascara wand as well is good too.

10. The Face Shop Design My Eyebrow Lovely Me:ex

The one and only eyebrow pencil I ever owned and possibly the best. The colour is just right for my skin tone and hair, very buildable and not too pigmented, has a precise pencil shape to draw and it comes with a spoolie at the end so you can brush your eyebrow hairs or blend everything in. It's also super light and travel-friendly. 

11. 3 Concept Eyes Matte Lip Color in #402 Fuchsia

Colour pay-off is amazing, super pigmented and vibrant, very matte-looking but creamy and moisturising for the lips and long-lasting. What more can I ask for? It's like the perfect lipstick (just without SPF/sun protection in it). I absolutely adore the packaging because it's so classy-looking and the formula of the lipstick is amazing. It glides on so well and it doesn't really transfer.

12. NYX Butter Lipstick in Hot Tamale

Here's a full review on this lipstick: CLICK HERE. I love the colour. It's a great spring to summer lipstick colour and it's very bright and fun. Quite pigmented and super creamy and moisturising. It also glides on very well but I don't really know about the long-lastingness of this product. I guess I'm a little bit iffy about it but other than that, this works great for me.

13. Sephora Rouge Lipstick in R23 Crush 

I love dark colours because it's great for fall and winter. This lipstick is so moisturising that it felt like a lip balm or a chapstick. No lies. It feels very light on my lips and it feels like I'm just wearing lip balm. The pigmentation is amazing, the colour pay-off is amazing, the packaging is unique and it glides on very well as well. It makes me feel super classy and elegant, it'll look so good on anybody. Full review right here: CLICK HERE.

14. Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips Talk in BE101

This nude colour is so nice and natural on the lips. Super moisturising and glides on the lips very well. You can't really tell if you're wearing this colour, but it does make a difference. It makes my lips look more healthier and better. It's like a 'My-lips-but-better' lipstick. The packaging is super cute and it's so affordable. It's also light and travel-friendly. It also comes with a pink ribbon ring (you can see it in the picture) and apparently, you can take it out.

15. Peripera Peri's Tint in #1 Cherry Juice

Peripera makes great lip tints in South Korea. It's a beautiful cherry red colour that looks feminine but strong and overpowering. You can use this tint for gradient lips or full-on lips. It stains really fast and spreads out like wildfire (lol). It lasts really long and it's very pigmented. You might want to apply your lip balm before applying any lip tints because it might dry out your lips. The dry areas around your lips might show up when you apply the lip tint so do be aware.

16. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

The best makeup sponge I have ever used. It blends so well, super squishy and soft. It is super light and has two parts in the sponge. The pointy part that helps to blend in corners of the face and the flat surface for your forehead and cheeks. It makes my makeup look more natural and doesn't leave any weird or strange marks or lines. Check out the full review here: CLICK HERE.

17. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Love love love this brush a lot! It's very firm and soft, the strands of hairs don't come off at all and it's so easy to blend foundation and powder around my face. I really like the shape of this brush and it's really fancy-looking. Haha.

18. Olive Young Makeup Brush (Foundation)

One of the coolest brush I've ever owned. It's actually very travel friendly because the bottom of the brush is actually the cover for the brush. It is soft, firm, easy to blend everything in and light/travel-friendly! 

Hair

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo in Clean & Classic Original

The first dry shampoo I've ever owned. I love this so much because it really works! It prevents your scalp or hair (in general) from getting oily, it makes your scalp or hair smell fresher and cleaner (doesn't really have scent, but has a fresh and clean smell to it) and it's easy to apply on the scalp of the head. It's a really great go-to product and I use this on days when I don't want to wash my hair. This is seriously a holy-grail for me.

2. OgX Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco Hair Conditioner

The best hair conditioner I've ever used. I have used so many hair conditioners in my life (Pantene, Lo'real, Sunsilk, Head and Shoulders, Tresemme, etc.) and this worked so well on my hair. This was featured in one of Zoella's YouTube video and I was intrigued so I decided to pick this up and boy, I was so lucky I found it in Brunei. It really softens and smoothens my hair, I even got so many compliments from my parents and friends after using this for at least 4 times. It also smells really great! This also prevents my hair from tangling. Check out my full review on my blog: CLICK HERE.

Nails

1. Essie Nail Lacquer in Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low

The colour is so beautiful and gorgeous. It's like a shimmery metallic silver with a slight glitter in it. It's quite pigmented and you can rock this look on any day at any occasion. It's great for everyday-wear, great for weddings or birthday parties. It's just an all-around wearable colour and everyone is going to compliment your nails because they're gorgeous af. Haha. Plus, it dries super fast and it does not chip off at all. Once, I did not apply top coat (because I was lazy af) so I skipped it and guess what? It lasted for two weeks without a single nail polish being chipped off. It felt like it was just painted on.

2. Essie Nail Lacquer in Licorice

This is the blackest of the black I've ever seen. This nail polish is so pigmented, one swipe and you don't need a second coat of this nail polish anymore. It's super opaque black, it's crazy. Just like all Essie nail polishes, it dries super fast (like I swear, 1 minute after applying this and it felt so dry, no sign of it being wet) and does not chip off at all (unless you didn't apply your top coat). Bonus for the brush too, for easy application. Check out my full review on these nail polishes (including Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Low): CLICK HERE.

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So that's all of my 2015 Beauty Favourites! Hope you guys enjoyed this blogpost! :) May 2016 be a happy and joyful year for all of us!