TRAVEL | April 2016 Part III | Amsterdam

Amsterdam has been on my wanderlust list for many years - canals, markets, architecture, museums and so much more - and it took me a few moments after stepping out of Station Amsterdam Centraal to accept the fact that I was finally here.

The city is pretty much exactly how I imagined it would be - beautiful and alluring, with blue skies and the sun reflecting off the tree-lined canals, and big intersections crisscrossed with narrow alleyways, dominated by the bustling bicycle culture that proves why Amsterdam is the "bicycle capital of the world". The city is mapped out in the shape of a fan, with canals and bridges forming concentric segments outwards from the city centre. Everywhere we went was so wonderfully picturesque that it was tough to say goodbye after our four day visit. The city is also unique in the sense that it's a melting pot of religions, culture, sex and drugs - where else in the world can you visit the Biblical Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Sex Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Jewish Historical Museum, and the Erotic Museum all in the same city? 

(And trust me, watch where you are going because it is so unbelievably easy to be navigating the streets and alleys looking for Chinatown, and find yourself instead in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District. With your dad. And his friends. And they're starting to ask questions. Awesome.)

Strolling down Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal on the first morning

Damrak Avenue, the main street leading from Amsterdam Centraal into the city center

Hopping on a canal cruise (such a tourist, I know)

View of Church of Saint Nicholas from the cruise

The corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht canal, where you can catch a view of 15 of the city's bridges all at once

Visiting the Van Gogh Museum 

Trying out Holland's #1 Fries (pretttty tasty, I'd say)

Lovely dinner at De Goudvis Club

De Goudvis Club again the night after - my dad couldn't get enough!

Possibly the creamist, fluffiest, most amazing whipped milk ice cream I've ever had in my life from Banketbakkerij van der Linde (my dad and I had this twice a day, no joke)

Shopping, shopping, shopping

The famous Dam Square

Incredible steak from Haesje Claes, one of the oldest Dutch restaurants in Amsterdam that's been open since 1520

Sunrise on our last morning

See you again, Amsterdam. You were incredible. 

Another one checked off my bucket list!

HAUL x FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Rituals Home and Body Cosmetics

The morning I arrived in the Netherlands, I immediately went online to look up - what else - beauty brands, or more specifically, Dutch beauty brands that seemed worth trying out, with products I wouldn't be able to get back home. All my research directed me to one brand - Rituals Cosmetics. And boy oh boy, a ten second scroll through their website was all I needed to make a beeline for the nearest store (#sorrynotsorry).

Founded in 2000 in Amsterdam, this luxury store sells everything from bath and body to fragrances and clothing, with its main inspiration rooting from nature and eastern traditions. The products are made only with "natural, renewable and organic ingredients", are never tested on animals, and carry quite a reasonable price tag. What more could a girl ask for?

I visited a total of three Rituals stores (two in Rotterdam and one in Amsterdam) and was taken aback each time by how wonderful the stores smelled and the overall aesthetics. I was offered tea upon every arrival (I'm so fancy, you already know) and allowed to wander and do my own thing without anyone bothering me - can I get a halleluuujah. There's a sink in the middle of each store that lets you test out the bath and body products, which is such a brilliant idea because I ended up leaving with six different bath and body products (oops), but half of them are gifts, people! I also picked up a mini home fragrance, and because I purchased (easily) over 40 euros worth of products, I was gifted with two travel sized skincare products for men and a Rituals cosmetics bag (all of which my dad swiftly claimed - rude).

Disclaimer - I am terrible at describing scents (they're all either fresh, fruity, or musky) so I'm just going to leave it to the pros aka Rituals' website. 

The Ritual of Karma Shower Foam | The Ritual of Karma Shower Oil | The Ritual of Tao Shower Oil 

The Ritual of Karma Shower Foam | €8.50 | 200ml | Limited Edition 

"A limited edition foaming shower gel, specially created for the Ritual of Karma. The gentlest shower foam your skin has ever experienced. Combines the sweet floral aroma of White Lotus with the refreshing power of Bergamot for a special summer feeling." 

This was the first product I tested in store because I was told it was limited edition, and you know us girls - limited edition = MUST BUY. But this turned out to be my favorite scent out of all the shower products they carried. It's sweet and girly but also has a hint of musk, and the foam really lathers up and feels nice and soft on the skin. I loved it so much I picked up this one for my sister, and the shower oil version for myself. Unfortunately, my sister didn't love it as much as I did - she found the scent a bit too overpowering, but enjoyed the lather. So try it for yourself in stores! Also, this makes shaving so darn easy, and dare I say, slightly enjoyable?

The Ritual of Karma Shower Oil | €8.50 | 200ml | Limited Edition

"A limited edition of our shower oil, specially created for the Ritual of Karma. This soothing shower oil changes into a silky foam that leaves your skin wonderfully soft. Combines the sweet floral aroma of White Lotus with the refreshing power of Bergamot for a special summer feeling. This shower oil helps to prolong your tan by nourishing and hydrating your skin while you shower, ensuring your skin loses less pigment." 

I was told by the sales associate that the shower oil is a tad more nourishing and hydrating than the foam, and therefore would be more suitable for dryer skin. The oil lathers up (not nearly as much as the other version) into a silky foam in the shower, and does feel more hydrating on the skin and would probably feel the best during the colder months. Ditto on the shaving.

The Ritual of Tao Shower Oil | €8.50 | 200ml
"This relaxing shower oil transforms into a silky foam on contact with water, leaving your skin feeling wonderfully soft. The oil nurtures and hydrates your skin while showering. Combines the relaxing fragrance of White Lotus with the nourishing properties of Yi Yi Ren, an ingredient traditionally used in Chinese medicine."

I picked this one up specifically for my mom because the scent smells less sweet and a tad more luxurious, and the oil would be so much better for her dry skin. My mom is super picky about scents and beauty products in general, but to my surprise she loves it! She said it makes her skin feel super soft and she's scared to use to up too fast. Ah.. music to my ears.

Samurai Ice Shower Cooling Shower Gel | Brilliant Bliss Nourishing Ultra-Shine Shampoo | Miracle Scrub Ultra Softening Hand Scrub

Samurai Ice Shower Cooling Shower Gel | €8.00 | 200ml

"Cooling shower gel with organic bamboo and Japanese mint. Enjoy a long-lasting cooling effect. Organic bamboo and Japanese mint nourish and cool the skin. Specially designed to use after sports and in warm weather."

I wanted to pick something up for my boyfriend that he would like and actually use, and this product was perfect. It is seriously cooling - I almost picked one up for myself when testing it out in the store - and makes your skin feel really minty and refreshed. The sales associate even recommended applying it before getting into the shower for the "ultimate" cooling experience. Apparently, the longer you wait before you wash it off, the cooler you get. This is perfect to use in humid and sticky Hong Kong weather, and so far it's a two thumbs up from the boyfriend!

Brilliant Bliss Nourishing Ultra-Shine Shampoo | €4.00 | 70ml (Mini)
"Nourishing ultra-shine shampoo containing Indian Rose and Shikakai, which is also known as 'fruit for hair'. Brilliant Bliss intensely moisturizes the hair, leaving it beautifully shiny and feeling silky soft. Combines Shikakai, a natural Ayurvedic conditioner that promotes healthy shine, with the relaxing properties of Indian Rose. Brilliant Bliss protects the colour of your hair, is ideal for daily use, and makes blow drying easy." 

This was the last product I picked up from Rituals while roaming the alleys in Amsterdam, and it's probably my least favorite product out of the bunch. Heartbreaking, I know. Don't get me wrong, the scent is lovely, as per usual, but I found the "shine" aspect of the product translating to "super oily" for my scalp. If you have dry, brittle hair, this might be good to try out.

Miracle Scrub Ultra Softening Hand Scrub | €11.50 | 75ml

"A hand scrub containing oils which are easily absorbed, restoring the skin's elasticity and moisture balance. Enriched with nourishing oils that are easily absorbed by the skin to restore suppleness and moisture balance. Enriched with Ginseng, the symbol of immorality. In Japan, Ginkgo Biloba stands for life and strength."

This might seem like my most useless purchase (just use your body scrub on your hands, Shirley), but I was so impressed when I tried it in the store. My dad (I had dragged him to the store two times) noticed it too, but he purposely picked the wrong hand when I asked him which was softer! He just didn't understand why I needed to spend almost 12 euros on a hand scrub. What do men know about beauty, right?! But he eventually agreed (very reluctantly) that this made a big difference.

Under A Fig Tree Mini Home Fragrance Sticks | Skincare Exclusives For Men Gift

Under A Fig Tree Mini Home Fragrance Sticks | €12.50 | 50ml (Mini)
"A natural and stylish way to make your home smell wonderful. Enjoy the sweet and warming aroma of Fresh Figs and the refreshing undertone of Copaiba. Will last for 2-3 weeks."

I haven't opened this yet, but in store this scent smelled the most appealing to me - quite sweet and refreshing but not too overpowering, which I find other fragrance sticks tend to be. And because of my puppy Riley, my apartment constantly needs help in the scent department. 

Skincare Exclusives For Men | Free Gift over €40 purchase
The free gift included the Samurai Shave Luxury Foaming Shaving Gel, Samurai Energize Energizing Face Balm, and a Rituals Cosmetics Bag. I didn't get a chance to take pictures of the products because my dad has them and tried them right away when we got back to the hotel in Rotterdam, but I'm happy to report that he is really enjoying it, and has actually requested I get him the full sized versions if I ever get the chance. That's huge! 

So that's it! I am really impressed with the brand (as are the people who got my gifts, except my sister, ugh) despite only having the products for about two weeks. I can't recommend it enough for those of you who want to try out new, luxurious bath and body products, or if you want to get gifts for your family and friends. They have so many different products and gift sets, so you'll definitely find something suitable. They also have a makeup line that I didn't get a chance to check out (unacceptable, I know), but rest assured I will be paying their stores another visit next time I get the chance.

Let me know if you've tried Rituals Cosmetics, and which products are your favorite!

TRAVEL | April 2016 Part II | Kinderdijk

During our last day in Rotterdam, we took a half hour boat ride out just 15km east to the quaint village of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 19 pristinely preserved windmills that were built in 1740 as part of an innovative water management system to drain excess water and prevent flooding of the land.

Since its addition into the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997, the windmills have been one of the most popular Dutch tourist sites. Lucky for us, it was possibly the most ideal, picturesque day for such an outing - birds were singing, the skies were clear, and the sun blindingly bright. If you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, this is a must-visit in my books! I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking...

Next up, Part 3 will be my adventures in the beautiful Dutch capital, Amsterdam! Until then..

TRAVEL | April 2016 Part I | Rotterdam

Hallo from the Netherlands! 

My dad just ran the 2016 Rotterdam Marathon held last Sunday, and I flew over with him as support (and to fill the role of his official race photographer). It's my first time here in the Netherlands, and it's been incredible so far - the food, the sights, the people. 

Here are the highlights from our first stop, Rotterdam!

Sunrise on the train from Amsterdam airport to Rotterdam Central Station

Our home away from home, The Manhattan Hotel, located across from Central Station

A flower shop just opening for business near World Trade Center

Market Hall (Markthal) and "The View" ferris wheel

Caught a glimpse of the famous Cube Houses by architect Piet Blom

Enjoying the sunset from the hotel lounge

Morning of the marathon, watching all the incoming runners arrive via Central Station

Race day! Sun's out, cameras out

Run, dad, run! Can you spot him?

A tasty dinner at Dino's Cafe after the big race, located near Central Station

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! Stay tuned for Part Two - a day trip out to a nearby village, Kinderdijk!

REVIEW | Colourpop Cosmetics

Remember that massive US haul I did a few months ago? Well, I'm a knucklehead because I forgot to include the most exciting part - a haul from Colourpop Cosmetics! I've been itching to try products from this up-and-coming beauty brand, and I am obsessed.

Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip

$6 USD at Colourpop.com

43 shades

I had a very hard time narrowing down my selection on Colourpop's website (take a look and you'll understand). I ended up picking up four Ultra Matte Lips, one Lippie Pencil and one highlighter. I absolutely adore the packaging (holographic logos and sleek silver tubes - yum), and the quality of the products are unreal, especially when factoring in the very affordable price point. I'll go through everything I got, and show you swatches of them all at the end. Let's get started!

Midi | Beeper | Bumble | Tulle

First off, let me warn you that these Ultra Matte Lips are exactly how they're named - super matte (aka drying), so don't expect these to be the most comfortable thing you've ever put on your lips. If you don't like dry-feeling lips, do not buy these. I personally don't mind it at all, as the product seems less likely to budge or smear. I make sure to put lip balm on before application, and (sometimes a lip liner if I'm not in a hurry) and I'm good to go. 

All four shades apply very smoothly and have really rich color payoff, but they do dry quickly so work fast. They are also very long lasting and usually wear a good five, six hours on me (unless I eat something super oily then they start breaking down - had to learn that the hard way). I also recommend applying this in one go - layering is not ideal as it can get cakey.

Midi | soft neutral beige

I despised this color the first time I tried it on - it was too pale on my lips and three seconds in the mirror was all I could stand before wiping it off and cursing my decision to get it. I gave it another shot a week later (this time letting it sit on my lips for longer) and lo and behold, it had oxidized into a slightly darker, muted pink beige - so, so pretty. Just had to be patient - story of my life. 

Beeper | warm mid-tone taupe

This is one of the most popular shades, and it certainly does live up to the hype. It's a mauve-brown shade that's very on-trend right now, so for those of you who love the brown lip and want a liquid lipstick that's wearable and long lasting, definitely give this a whirl. 

Bumble | dusty warm terracotta 

If you want a color that you can wear everyday and in any season, this is the shade to get. It's a muted brick-red color that instantly brightens the face and looks so flattering and effortless.

Tulle | dusty mauve burgundy

I saw a swatch of this online and put it in my basket straight away. I love a dark vampy lip, but it's not always that easy to pull off. This shade would be my pick for a wearable vampy lip that still packs a punch. So far I've only worn this around the house (my parents were not amused), so I need a good GNO soon to rock this baby outside.

Colourpop Cosmetics Lippie Pencil

$5 USD each

24 shades

Lumière | dusty mauve pink 
I feel like my entire lip liner collection is the same dusty mauve shade (oops), but this one is a really nice addition - it has a creamy formula and feels really comfortable on the lips. It's a bit deeper than Midi, and I find pairing those two together make a lovely, MLBB lip for everyday.

Colourpop Cosmetics Highlighter

$8 USD each

17 shades

Lunch Money | soft light gold with reflective golden duo chrome finish 

You need to go out and get this right now. This is b-e-a-utiful. I don't even know where to start. It's really easy to use and blends into the skin so nicely. There is really nothing else to say other than this shade will make you look like the glowy goddess that you are. #werk

Midi | Beeper | Bumble | Tulle | Lumière | Lunch Money

Swatched in natural light

So, obviously, I am super impressed with Colourpop Cosmetics and will definitely, definitely be picking up more products when I get the chance (which is soon! Stay tuned!). They have so many products on their website and the quality and price point are hard to beat. I suggest you guys head on over and pick out a few to try for yourself - you won't regret it!

P.S You get $5 USD off your first order when you subscribe, and free shipping over $30 USD. What are you waiting for?!

REVIEW | Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder x Translucent Loose Setting Powder

All you oily skinned girls out there like me know that there's a fine line between looking glowy and looking greasy. Because I live in a humid city like Hong Kong, it exacerbates the problem and I often look (unfortunately) like the latter. I'm super happy to introduce two powders from Laura Mercier that have become a lifesaver for me - not only do they keep the shine away, they also help set my under eyes beautifully so there's no creasing and I look more awake and less zombie-like. Score!

Laura Mercier
Secret Brightening Powder | Translucent Loose Setting Powder

$25 USD (0.14oz) | $23 USD (0.33oz) at Sephora, Laura Mercier, Nordstrom

Both these powders come in a sturdy plastic jar with a screw-on lid. It can get a little messy when you open them, but the product is so good I can overlook the messiness. I have the Secret Brightening Powder in Shade #1, and the Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Translucent. Both these powders are so finely-milled and feel oooh-so-soft on the skin. I just can't even.

The Secret Brightening Powder has been the only powder I've found (so far) that really prevents creasing under my eyes while also brightening the area up. I will admit - there is very slight creasing at the end of the day (because I have lots of fine lines under my eyes - sigh) but this does as good of a job as it possibly can. I also find it really does help brighten and diminish the look of my very dark circles. There are teeny tiny flecks of shimmer in the powder, which I'll be honest, threw me off at first, but now I really appreciate it since I can see how it helps add to the illuminating and diffusing quality.

The Translucent Loose Setting Powder is the only powder I've been using for the past few months to set my entire face, and I don't find myself stopping anytime soon. I find it really leaves my face looking flawless and I don't look ever look greasy by the end of the day like I used to. Hollaaa! The powder is super silky and it just feels nice and luxurious when I apply it.

I use the Secret Brightening Powder strictly under my eyes, but the Translucent Loose Setting powder I will use on the face and also under the eyes when it's just kind of a blah day and I don't need that extra coverage and oomph for my under eyes.

Secret Brightening Powder | Translucent Setting Powder

 Blended out

Blended out completely

As you can see from the swatches, the secret brightening powder is -wait for it- more brightening, while the translucent powder disappears on the skin. 

I usually apply these two powders using either the Real Techniques brushes or my beauty blender. First off, let me just say that the Real Technique brushes are aca-mazing and I have multiples of each brush to prove it. I use the RT Blush Brush to apply the translucent powder - I find that the large brush head isn't the best for precise blush application (as the name suggests), but is great for a light dusting of powder all over my face. I use the RT Setting Brush to apply the brightening powder under my eyes - the size and shape of this brush is absolutely perfect for this.  On days when I'm using my beauty blender to apply my foundation, I'll just use it to apply both powders as well -  I use the pointed end to apply under the eyes and the rounded bottom to bounce powder all over the face.

Real Techniques Blush Brush | Real Techniques Setting Brush | BeautyBlender

These Laura Mercier powders are, in my opinion, the best setting powders out there. Let me know if you love these as well, or if there's another powder that you swear by instead!