White + Rose

This is not a new release, but I began to take beauty seriously back in 2014. That is when I discovered Sali Hughes and her In the Bathroom  series. With the release of Pretty Honest, I was very excited and eager to have my hands on a copy. I've had this book over a few years now, so here's my review on it. Prior to this, I had never come across 'coffee table books'. Frankly, whatever is on the coffee table is what I'm reading in bed, and it happens to be Tolstoy's War and Peace. Sitting right next to it would be my phone, playing A Year of War and Peace , the podcast. The chapters are short enough and within a year, I'll have read the book, a chapter a day. In any case, I'm not much of a reader of beauty and fashion, or anything with impressive pictures to look at. Pretty Honest is what you'd dub a coffee table book and it'll look equally as fitting on a dressing table. Just don't put it near your makeup because if you smear anythi...

Cushion compacts have long been a staple in the typical woman's makeup bag in Asia. I've had a dabble with some of the affordable cushion compacts myself and thought I'd report on it. Personally, I don't think the cushion will be a long affair. It's more economical to get a bottle of foundation or a tube of BB cream, and less waste. Skin condition: Oily-combo, acne-prone, dehydrated L'oreal Nude Magique Cushion RRP: AUD$29.95 (I picked it up at 50% off in my local Coles supermarket's cosmetic section) Colour: 01 Porcelain Finish and coverage: Dewy and buildable light-medium coverage Lasting power: About 2-3 hours on face Notes: Porcelain was too light and slightly pink for me, though it oxidised to fit okay. Perhaps 03 Vanilla would be a better fit. The compact lasted me about 2 months but it should last roughly 4 months for someone who does not require more coverage. Packaging feels cheap but I like the choice of pink with a metallic lid. Oth...

These days, I find myself reaching for nude lipsticks over my brights. I feel like you can never have enough of them, and I find myself wanting more. You can find ones that lean more brown, more pink or more peach/apricot but a good pinky nude, leaning warm, is what suits me best. Clockwise from top: Essence In the Nude lip liner, NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu, Lipstick Queen in Pinky Nude Sinner, ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner in Nobody's Baby, Rimmel Kate Moss (nudes line) in 42, Maybelline Color Drama Pencil in Nude Perfection Essence lip liner in In the Nude: This is my only nude lipliner. I use this mostly with the Rimmel lipstick to give it more depth and dimension. It can be used on its own for a flat colour. NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu  -- Great for those lazy days. I'm not much of a gloss girl so this is my only gloss. Lipstick Queen in Pinky Nude Sinner  -- It goes on a warm pink on me. Great opacity -- formula similar to the NARS Audacious range in that it gl...

Priceline's 40% off skincare sale came around a few days ago. It was a chance to stock up on my skincare. I had finished my night cream a month ago (I didn't anticipate finishing it sooner), my Hydraluron serum was finished earlier this month, the last drop of my Garnier micellar water last week and I was on my last dollop of sunscreen. My current cleanser (Moreish Liberation cleanser) has about 1/5 of product left to go though. I could say it was all in good timing but no, I plan ahead and I know roughly how long it takes for me to finish a product. I picked up: Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Night Moisturiser People for Plants Pomegranate, Burdock and Shea Night Cream Deciem Hylamide C25  Simple Micellar Cleansing Water The only items I've repurchased are the People for Plants night cream -- the same kind that I bought last time around, and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lo...

This blog had always been around writing about things that inspire me or get me passionate over fashion or style. Since then, I've realised that I've talked more about beauty recently than fashion. I am now more fascinated with new makeup and skincare, and the innovations and trends, and I find this is taking precedence over my interest in fashion lately. It was during the hiatus on this blog that my makeup habits came to a cessation. I didn't know who I was wearing the makeup for, but it was not for myself. I started wearing makeup, partly to conform to those around me and partly to hide my insecurities. Needless to say, that separate blog never really kicked off. When I revived this blog, I was a born-again makeup newbie. I thought I'd share some of the items I've actually been enjoying that are relatively new to me, and some of the older finds from when I started regularly wearing makeup at the beginning of last year. Maybelline had always been one of my ...

I'm a little late for this since New York Fashion Week (S/S 2016) is old news. I'm loving the Spring 2016 blue eye trend. I know blue pops up here and there, but it was showing up a lot on the runway for the Spring/ Summer 2016 Ready to Wear. From your subtle blue liner and blue mascara to the bold coloured thick liner/ cream shadow -- it's everywhere. The 70s are making it big on the runways, and that means makeup that channel the flower child, or the barely-there look. Every hue from the lightest blues to navy for a smudged grungy look (a la Marc Jacobs) were featured on the runways. NYFW S/S16 RTW - (From top left clockwise) BOSS, Marc Jacobs, Jenny Packham, Jill Stuart, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg My favourite was Diane Von Furstenberg's RTW runway show. Pat McGrath did a wonderful job on the makeup. It's probably all the glitter and the mix of blue and teal/aquamarine eyeshadow that made it a multidimensional look. It keeps it more modern tha...

Brushes are vital to good makeup application. Investing in good quality brushes is the best thing you could do to improve your makeup. Two months ago, I bought a couple of budget brushes. I wanted to look for affordable brushes that didn't compromise on quality for the price. I wasn't very happy with the brushes I got from Royal & Langnickel, last September at IMATS . I had purchased an Ecotools and a Real Techniques brush off of iHerb  (my referral code is RBN281, in which you can use this for a discount if you're a new customer; $5 off if under $40, $10 off if $40+). I've only used the Ecotools fan brush thus far and it's been one of the most versatile face brushes I own. I use it for a sheer layer of pressed powder all of the face and powder highlighter over blush and other areas of the face. You may also use it for bronzer and contour. This is the brush I haven't used: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I hope to use it for mineral foundatio...

For a while, I had been sceptical of eyeshadow palettes, fearing that there isn't much value to be had when there are the few dud shades that you'd never use. Finally, I got my hands on a neutral palette -- pushing aside all the Urban Decay Naked palette releases because they weren't right for me. I've succumbed to the Stila Eyes are the Window palette in Spirit because it fulfilled all the things I looked for: A balance of cool and warm neutral shades Subtle shimmer and some matte shades I'm too much of a fan of colour to stick to a purely neutral palette, so Spirit was the best out of all the palettes offered in this range. I've had this palette for about a month now so I could discuss about them. The Eyes Are the Window range come in attractive metallic packaging, in which Spirit comes in a copper-tone lid (or rose gold, as it is marketed). It's not only aesthetically pleasing but also quite practical. It comes in a compact size, has a la...

I never thought there'd be a day when I actually have 10 lipsticks at a time. Most of my lipsticks are from the mid-range and high-end brands. Not sure why I don't buy more lipsticks from the pharmacy because they often work just as well. Nevertheless, I do not mind spending a little more money on lipsticks because I reach for them daily. If there was only one makeup item I could only own, it would be a lipstick. 

I decided to make a purchase from Sleek's website when they had their '15% off' offer so I could try their Rose Gold blush people have been raving about last year. Of course, the hype has died down but I'm still curious about Sleek as a brand and wanted to try them for myself. I purchased some items that are intended to be gifted and a blush for myself. I chose their best selling blush, Rose Gold. It is often regarded as a dupe for NARS Orgasm but I cannot vouch for that. I can say that when applied, it does offer me a similar colour to NARS Deep Throat, in that it is a pink/gold blush except that the NARS one appears more pink and less shimmery than Sleek's Rose Gold, which appears a little peachier. Initially, I was worried that the shimmer might be a bit too much for me but I like the way it looks when it is applied.  Overall, I had a positive experience. The shipping took a while but I was in no hurry to get my items.    I would purchase again if I want an...

I never feel adequately rejuvenated from a mid-semester break. This year, I've only ever felt profound fatigue -- far from the bright-eyed-bushy-tailed first year I used to be. Caffeine intake might have something to do with it too but I think I'm just feel uninspired with the things I'm doing. I tried to make the best of my break but I honestly didn't get much done. I feel like I'm fizzling out but it's almost the end -- I've gone through nearly 3/4 of the semester. Other than going to see a friend, lending her my manga, giving her some posters for her new room and some Buldak Bokkeum Myun  (seriously hot Korean instant noodles), I didn't meet up with any of my other friends. I did, however, had a nice dinner out in the city with my younger sister after a long day of studying (for her) and a day at the lab (for me). I treated her to one of N2's ice cream flavours: Ferrero Reveal  (Ferrero Rocher). I think the syringe of chocolate ganache is a nice...

Most people are familiar with IMATS if they follow beauty gurus from Youtube or other beauty bloggers because many of them attend this event. It's a trade show/ expo for makeup artists where vendors will offer their products, sometimes at a discount, and there's shows and competitions. I wouldn't consider myself a makeup enthusiast but I'm keen on picking up a few tips and I really wanted to get a few things. I bought a general admission ticket for Saturday and it costed me AUD$40 (including the booking fee). I figured that most of the popular items would be sold out on the first day, so I chose to go on a Saturday (if you want to haggle prices, Sunday's probably better but I haven't mastered the art of negotiation). The plan was to go alone because I'd be able to get around faster and a lot of that time would be waiting in queues. The venue was the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park, which isn't very far from the CBD but it makes going to the sh...

There's something alluring about vintage compacts. Not everyone gets it. These compacts were used to keep powders in and that was precisely what I intended to do with it. If I was purely in it for the sake of collecting, I'd probably buy them in mint condition, with box and original sifter and puff. I'd imagine someone like Dita Von Teese would carry her powder around in one of these ornate compacts. She probably does. I think it really does add that touch of glamour that makes touching up on powder a little more enjoyable. Particularly when some cheaper high-street makeup doesn't come in sturdy packaging. Of course, compacts aren't limited to Stratton. Kigu and Estee Lauder are just some other brands. There are various guides online that help you date the compact and how to reuse a compact. There are websites out there that offer replacement puffs and sifters too, if using another brand of puff doesn't feel authentic enough. The two compacts I have s...

It's all about nudes this autumn and winter but darker lips are appropriate for the colder seasons regardless of trends. I opted for a balm-type lipsticks because I'm not ready for the full opaque lip. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 2 Pourpre Intouchable This had a mango scent. I love mango but I'm not loving the scent. I'm partial to the subtle rose scented lipsticks. Out of the two, this is the sheer option in terms of pigmentation. The name roughly translates to 'untouchable purple' and is more of a plum on my lips. It doesn't leave my lips as shrivelled up as Chanel Rouge Coco Shine, so I like this. I just wish I could have the faint rose scent instead of the mango. Dior Addict Lipstick in 991 Perfecto There's a slightly sweet scent with this but I think it's mostly the typical lip balm scent without fragrance added. This offered more pigmentation and is a wine-red, burgundy colour. It is still less intense than an opaque lipstick...

Pulling off a red lip requires confidence. It'll make everything look elegant and refined - whatever you wear. It's a classic that intimidates those who prefer a more subdued lip, like me. I'm quite fond of MLBB (my lips but better) shades and the thought of having a full red lip scares me. If I were to opt for a red lip, I'd go for the sheer formulas like Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Monte Carlo (62) Monte Carlo is a pink-red but it's more of a pink in my books. Pinks are fun and flirty. I can wear pinks just fine but reds intimidate me. There's only one way to wear red lipstick: perfectly. You need precision when you apply a red lip and that means no slathering on straight from the bullet. I searched a few brands for red and settled for Illamasqua's Maneater even though MAC's Russian Red caught my eye first. I adore the matte finishes and Illamasqua is a little less expensive than MAC here, so that's what I sett...