Friday, January 22, 2016

Angel's Best of 2015

10 days left for January 2016 to come to an end - there are so many things to do and yet I have been procrastinating like mad. Life hasn't been at all that pleasant when it comes to studies. I have to complete the Chapter 1 of my thesis but I haven't done much.

Anyway, since January is coming to an end, I might as well share a little bit about my holy grail items that I have enjoyed using in 2015.

Let's move into the first category...

Skincare
I have to admit - as I age, my skin condition has changed. It doesn't deteriorate but it's just a matter of having dryer skin. At a certain age as you grow older, your skin's sebum production will decrease hence, it explains why an older person has dryer skin compared to those who are still in early 20's or even a teenager.

When it comes to total cleansing, I am a bit paranoid due to the flaky skin especially on my nose. My best solution is to remove the flaky skin via Mary Kay's Electronic Cleansing Brush.


This device makes my face-cleansing routine a lot easier.

Alongside with the device, there are several products that I have enjoyed using and these products made it to my BEST OF 2015.


Etude House Perfect Multi Cleansing Foam is so foamy that I had to get two of them during my last trip to Korea in November 2015. It makes my skin feels extra clean and best of all, my skin doesn't feel tight after using it. It's a very, very affordable cleansing foam - I bought mine at 5000 won for 2 big tubes.

Mary Kay TimeWise Sun Protector is yet another product that I can't live without. I am a bit anal about the stickiness that you will experience once you apply sunscreen but this product is water based and so light that you almost feel nothing on your skin. TimeWise by Mary Kay specially targets those who are in late 20's or early 30's.

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack is my love and I have been purchasing it over and over again for the last 4 consequent years. It's one of the best sleeping mask that I have tried and well, it's suitable for a lazy person like me. Sometimes, when you are just too lazy to use sheet masks, sleeping mask will be your best solution - slap it on and you're ready for bed. You will wake up with not-so-dry skin.

Kuan Yuan Lian Cucumber Water Mist
has been highly raved by many Taiwanese beauty enthusiasts. During my last visit to Taiwan in August 2015, I managed to buy a number of this product since they are having promotions every now and then. Since it is made from cucumber, I find this mist to be very refreshing and especially good on those days my dry skin is acting up. It's cheap too, provided you get it in Taiwan - NTD$109, which is approximately RM12 for two bottles.

Mary Kay Misty Device is one of the devices that got me hooked on using it. With it's small size, I can easily bring it anywhere I go and at the time my skin is feeling so dry, I just need to take it one and it will deliver moisture to targeted areas of my skin. Misty ejects a mist of delicate moisturizing particles and scatters them evenly onto the skin for hydration.

Banila Co Clean It Zero has to be my best cream-based make-up remover. It removes basically everything. By everything, I mean my waterproof mascara and all. Imagine that, with one application, all you have to do is just to rub your skin gently and the residues will come off like magic! However, this product doesn't come cheap. When I was in Korea, one actually retails for around 22000 won, which is approximately RM80.

Biore Perfect Cleansing Water is yet another of my favourite make-up remover on those days I feel lazy. All of you have to do is just pump out the cleansing water onto your cotton pad and then, wipe off your make-up. I have to salute Biore for always having the best make-up removers!


SKII Facial Treatment Essence lives up to its claim. I bought this big bottle for RM565 in November 2014 and finally finished it in early August 2015. For the money that I've paid for, I would say it's worth it but since I'm jobless, I won't be repurchasing this any time soon. This essence promotes cell growth and it did a good job in balancing my skin. I really do love it. Hopefully I will get a job soon.

L'Herboflore masks made it into my Top 3 favorite sheet masks in 2015. I was introduced to this brand by my best girlfriend earlier in 2015 and I immediately fell in love with all of their masks! Unlike some cheap quality masks out there, L'Herboflore's masks are different. Each sheet is so thin that absorption is quick! These masks can be purchased from L'Herboflore counter in 1 Utama. Each piece of mask is priced differently.

Dr. Morita face and eye masks made it into my Top 3 favorite sheet masks too! The reason is simple - after each use, I notice how my skin reacts to it. Their masks actually made my skin glow and they kept my skin hydrated too! Too bad Dr. Morita is not available in Malaysia. If you have friends going to Taiwan, remember to get their help to purchase these masks for you. I bought the facial masks at NTD$299 for 2 boxes in Taiwan. The eye masks come in a box of 10 and it was around NTD$109 per box.

Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner has to be my best buy. I bought them during Etude House's 1+1 sales and paid around RM110 for two big bottles. Each bottle contains 500ml worth of product. I use them as my toner. Although I do not notice my pores shrink but well, for that price, you can't complain much. I even stock up on this when I went to Korea and the price in Korea is so much cheaper. After conversion, I think I paid less than RM40 for each bottle.

Missha Time Revolution Borabit Ampoule is said to be dupe of Estee Lauder's night essence. I don't know much about Estee Lauder's essence but then, this product certainly has gotten me hooked because of how it makes my skin glow every morning when I wake up. I am certainly going to hook myself to this ampoule for quite some time.


Cosmetics
I do not really splurge on cosmetics these days but if I do splurge, I will make sure I spend my hard-earned money on good products. I do not condemn drugstore products but I certainly have tried out my fair share of drugstore products and in the end, you get what you pay for.

Hera UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture is yet another splurge worthy items of mine in 2015. Although I have only been using this for 2 months, I have to tell you, I love it! Priced at 48,000 won, this cushion is not cheap. It doesn't highlight or settle into my pores, which is always a good point. It doesn't cake up or even crack on my skin - thumbs up!

Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream is the love of my life. If you are looking for high coverage BB cream, this is the exact BB cream you have to go for. It doesn't oxidize on my skin and shade No. 23 is the exact match for my NC25 skin.

Make-Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder Foundation is my go-to powder foundation on those days I am too lazy to apply liquid foundation or BB cream. This is the only high coverage powder foundation that I know of and have been using for the longest time. I love how it covers all my imperfections so well.


SKII Facial Treatment Advanced Protect Loose Powder UV contains Pitera, okay? Hahaha... indeed all of SKII's products contain Pitera, the key ingredient that promotes cell reproduction and growth. One thing that I notice when I use this - it makes my pores appear smaller and best of all, almost invisible! This is water and sebum resistance too! Well, for the brand, you know it doesn't come cheap but it's totally worth it! I'm a convert now!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation is my go-to foundation. Finally, after all these years of toying around with different foundations from drugstore to high-end, I have found my love. This is my second bottle and I can tell you I'm hooked onto this foundation for life! It's long-lasting on my skin and it doesn't clog or settle into my pores at all!

Benefit POREfessional PRO Balm is my HG primer! Not only this is my limited edition 44ml tube, this is also my second tube! Upon application, it instantly erases fine lines and pores! What is there not to love about this product? So, so, so much love for Benefit for this product - it totally saves my life and I'm sure it will remain as my HG primer in years to come!

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed is truly a gem. This is my second blush from the same line and I am still very much in love with it. What else can I say? It lasts long enough on my skin and the shades are amazingly beautiful!

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color Quad in Sandstorm has to be my favourite neutral eyeshadows throughout 2015 until now. It's small and easy to carry around. The colours blend beautifully together and the pigmentation is quite good!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm is my favorite nude shade and I completely enjoyed using it throughout 2015. In fact, I have a number of different shades from the same line.

Sleek Makeup True Colour Matte Lipstick in Stiletto is smoking hot! I received this as a gift from a friend and fell in love with it at first sight. Although it is a matte lipstick, it is not dry. Application is surprisingly easy!


MAC Matte Lipstic in Ruby Woo has been raved by a lot of beauty bloggers and Youtubers for being the perfect shade of red. Well, what can I say? I do have to agree with them. This shade of red complements my skin tone perfectly! At any time I wanna go classy, this is my go-to red lipstick!

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in No. 8 has won hands down in my favorite shade of pink! I bought this in Bangkok and I totally didn't think I would love it so, so much. This is the perfect shade of pink that complements my skin tone. With a bit of shine to it, it certainly brings cuteness to a whole new level! The plus point is that YSL always has the fanciest packaging!

I am not going to explain much on the brushes because I will let the picture below does the talking.


VOV Tulip Sponge is my best liquid foundation applicator. The shape actually distributes the foundation evenly on the skin and the sponge is gentle enough to be used even on the eye area. Price? It's sold at The Sops Seoul @ Publika for only RM15.

Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Black has been my HG eyeliner for a total of 5 years now. During these years, I have used up a lot of them! I love them for their fine tip and ease of application. The black shade is so black that I couldn't find any other black liquid eyeliner that could compete with them. This eyeliner is water proof and smudge proof once it dries ant set. It doesn't transfer at all nor will it cause panda eyes.

Maybelline Hyper Sharp Eyeliner in Black is my second favorite among the other eyeliners that I have. The tip is very, very fine that it could create the finest and smoothest line ever! However, the downside to it is that the black shade isn't at all very black and it is not smudge proof even though after it dries up.

Empro Triangular Brow Pencil is also another HG item of mine that I have been using since 5 years ago. I have been hooked to it ever since. This particular eyebrow pencil is so, so easy to use and there are a wide variety of shades available for everyone! I usually change the shades depending on my hair colour.

Body Care
I do not particular use certain products on my body. I do not like applying lotions or anything because I hate it when my body feels sticky. That explains why I have dry skin :)

However, I do have some products that I have totally enjoyed throughout last year.

Yardley London English Rose Body Mist and Perfume are my favourite drugstore items! On days I feel like freshen up my mood, I would just use these two products that they totally lift my mood. The body mist is available only at AEON Big.

Coach Legacy Eau De Parfum may come out to be too strong for certain people but I like it. I like overpowering perfumes and this is totally one of the perfumes I would repurchase.


Nivea Anti-Perspirant Whitening in Happy Shave is my go-to deodorant spray. I do not particularly perspire but sometimes I do want to ensure my armpits are dry. It gives me the impression of being cleaner.

Bubblegum Wax B1 The Soothing Lotion is used on your vajayjay. This particular lotion is used after Brazilian wax to ensure no ingrown hair. Best of all, it has the minty after-use sensation that I love. Did I tell you I love everything minty? It can be purchased at any Bubblegum Wax salons throughout Malaysia.

Hair Care 
I have to admit that I am a bit paranoid of my hair. I believe my hair is my best asset and I have to invest in order to keep it healthy and shiny.

AT Professional Collagen Silk Hair Cream is the only hair cream that I would apply on my hair. Our hair ages too and in order to make it healthy, collagen is needed. This particular hair cream is only available at selected hair salons. You would have to ask around in order to purchase it.

Hair Depot Crystal Liquid Hair Serum is just like any other liquid serums out there but this one has nice scent to it that is not overpowering. It is not oily as well - my hair loves it!


The Hair Story Hair Milk Leave-In Conditioner is the product I will use if I were to straighten or curl my hair. It serves as heat protectant and it moisturizes my hair like no other products do. Best of all, it smells like milk! You can purchase this at any Hair Depot outlets.

L'Oreal Deep Nourishing Hair Spa smells very coconut-y. I believe everyone knows how coconut oil and cream can benefit ourselves, right? Well, I'm not sure if they do have coconut essence in them but well, it smells of coconut. I notice that every time after using this hair treatment, my hair feels smooth and it doesn't tangle easily.

Naturals by Watsons Green Tea and Peppermint Hair Treatment Mist has served it's purpose well. On days when my scalp feels hot and greasy, I would spray it and the peppermint extract instantly cools my scalp down with fresh peppermint and green tea scent. I would spray it on my hair too to keep it healthy due to it's antioxidant properties. I bought this in one of the Watsons outlets in Taiwan for only NTD$89. I don't think we have this in Malaysia.

Fashion
I am a girly girl at heart and I have to admit as well that I spend a lot in buying new clothes every other week. In 2015, my best find has to be VS Bra from Twenty3.


I know there are some issues between certain customers with the boutique but personally, my shopping experiences with them were all pleasant. I guess the most important thing in online business is trustworthiness.

In the past, I have tried so many stick-on bras and none of them actually would sit still on my breasts. This particular stick-on bras would stick to my breasts even when I sweat profusely during exercising.

Tried at tested!

Contact Lenses
If I have the guts to go and get my eyesight fixed, I would but sadly, I do not have the guts as well as money to do so. Spectacles are good but sometimes, they could be a nuisance especially when it comes to days when you have to doll yourself up.

BIOMEDICS 55 is my best bet for clear monthly disposable lenses. I was introduced to this brand more than 8 years ago and since then, I have been stuck to this brand. Their lenses are so comfortable! They can be purchased at any leading optical stores.

Bionics Color Touch Color Lenses are my favourite monthly disposable lenses too!


The rest of the lenses are not available in Malaysia hence, I am not going to talk much about them. One thing for sure, they are all very, very comfortable.

Rohto Lycee Eyedrop is only available in Japan. Every time a friend or relative goes to Japan, I would get their help to buy several packs for me. I do not use this everyday but I only use it during those days when my eyes are red and tired. It totally freshen up my eyes with minty sensation.

Bausch + Lomb Renu Multipurpose Solution happens to be the only solution that I would buy over and over again. I am not sure about other brands but whenever I run out of solution, my mind automatically would tell me to reach for it.

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There you go... all the products that I have enjoyed using throughout 2015!

What are yours?

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