My Everyday Makeup Routine | JUNE 2019

Hello June! Yes, posting regularly was the goal I set out in my last post, but again, life got in the way. Apologies! But I’m treating June 1st and my January 1st, so let's get right to the first makeup post of 2019!

I have no idea whether people are still interested in posts like these, but I am! So here goes nothing. These are all the products I've slapped on my face for the past few months without fail. I've really tried to prioritise my spending and limit my beauty buys (#adulting?) and I think you can probably tell - most of these are old school products that probably only I still swear by.

The Ginza Hybrid Day Protector SPF 30 |

I would repurchase this forever and ever if it didn't cost an arm and leg. Lightweight and creates a perfected and smooth base for makeup application. Love!

Maybelline Matte Poreless Fit Me Foundation | 128 Warm Nude

Just a solid choice for foundation - blends seamlessly, offers medium buildable coverage and lasts throughout the day without fading or creasing. Bonus is that it's affordable too!

Maybelline Master Conceal Camouflaging Concealer | 20 Light

I don't hear much buzz about this concealer, but I've been using it religiously for quite a while. It offers good coverage, blends easily (better with a BeautyBlender) and brightens the under eyes. It doesn't completely erase zombie eyes but instead like you got a good night's rest.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder | Diffused Light

TBH, I don't know if this really makes that much of a difference but I have to dust this all over the face after base application for me to feel like I've completed my look. It does seem to blur pores and lines and the tiny flecks of shimmer look quite flattering on the skin.

Jordana Sculpt N' Go Creamy Contour Stick | 01 Light and 02 Medium
Yes, these are very well loved. The lighter shade is my go-to contour shade, even over my Fenty Beauty Match Stix in Taupe (it also helps that it's less than a quarter of the price), and the medium shade is perfect for bronzing. So blendable and easy to use - just use your fingers, blend and voila! Great for travel too.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder | 720A Sunny
One of the OG bronzers (I don't even think it's sold anymore) and it's easy to see why it's so loved. The orangey undertone warms up the skin and makes you look sun-kissed and healthy.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush | Exposed
A really pretty, neutral nude shade for those of us who aren't super into blush but still want a hint of colour on the cheeks. Perfect shade to complement any makeup look.

Shu Uemura Hard Formula Hard 9 Eyebrow Pencil | 06 Acorn
I made an entire post on this so no need to say more. Holy grail status.

Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Duo | Medium and Candlelight
This is such a useful little duo - I use the contour shade all over the lids as eyeshadow and lightly down the sides of the nose. The perfect contour shade, IMO. The highlighter is also very aptly named - not as intense and blinding as the Becca highlighter in Champagne Pop, but soft and pretty nonetheless and perfect for everyday.

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Angel Mascara | Waterproof formula

I'm not the pickiest with mascara, but this makes my lashes look long and fluttery and doesn't smudge. So a win in my books!

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat | Pillow Talk
This lip liner deserves all the hype - a gorgeous nude-pink that really does perfect your pout and the creamy formula feels uber-comfortable on the lips.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick | Pillow Talk
This was the only new makeup item I bought this year - was in love with the liner so obviously had to pick up the lipstick as well. I use this everyday without fail - perfect MLBB shade and a matte formula that isn't drying on the lips. Eyeing the nude-taupe shade Very Victoria next!

A little BTS action with Rileymoo. Until next time!

HAUL | Sephora VIB Sale 2017

So my dad just came back from Beantown after running his third consecutive Boston marathon, and it just so happened that he was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong the day after Sephora's VIB sale officially started. So - yes, you guessed it - I sent my dad detailed instructions (pictures, maps, floor plans, blueprints, the whole nine yards) and had him venture into Sephora on his own to pick up a few items on my wishlist. What a champ!

The first item on my list was the Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash that I had tried out and reviewed in a previous Sample Sunday, and I knew I needed it in my life after just one try - it's a gentle yet incredibly effective scrub that makes my skin feel new again. I had instructed my dad to get the 8oz bottle, but he went ahead and got the 16oz instead because "it worked out to be a better deal"... Asian parents, I'm telling you. Next up was the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer that I had heard rave reviews about ever since it launched two months ago. I've been a longtime fan of their Radiant Creamy Concealer, but reviews kept referring to this as even smoother, creamier, and long lasting with full coverage. I picked up the shade Cannelle, which is actually a shade darker than its counterpart in the other formula, so using it under the eyes is a no-go (until I get more tan). But so far, this is working wonders on the face (I'll be comparing the two concealers in an upcoming review so stay tuned!). Since it's approaching summertime, I thought it would be a good idea to repurchase an old favorite in a darker shade, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Ginger 06. The last tube I used up was in the shade Buttercream 03, but because this base blends out to be quite sheer, the shade difference isn't too drastic. I love how natural and healthy this looks on the skin, while also providing SPF protection - a definite win for effortless, summery makeup! I also repurchased my trusty Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel that I swear by for helping treat and clear up any breakouts, and another tub of the BeautyBlender Solid Cleanser that is the only product that I feel thoroughly cleans out my sponges and brushes.

The only other item I wanted was the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Press Powder - phew, that's a long one - but unfortunately it was out of stock in stores. I've heard somewhat mixed reviews on both this and the loose powder version, but I was intrigued about the poreless and airbrushed perfection claims, so I definitely will keep an eye out for it to test it out for myself!

Lastly, my dad went off script and brought back this Lancôme Say It With Your Eyes Essential Eye Kit that, and I'm trying hard to hold back tears as I write this, he had accidentally used my Beauty Insider points to redeem - 500 of them! And keep in mind, I have never redeemed anything with my points ever, 'cos I just wanted to accumulate and save up for something epic. Sigh. I am not a big Lancôme fan - only because I haven't tried much from the brand - and could've definitely lived without this set, but, I'm just going to take a deep breath and be thankful that my dad went to Sephora for me in the first place - and grateful he didn't use up all my hard-earned points. This set comes with the Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara, Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Génifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream and the Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover. I sincerely hope these are good products and that they can make up for all my quiet sobbing and silent tears. Keep an eye out for these in upcoming Sample Sundays!

HAUL | Sephora VIB Sale

It's officially the last day before 2017 - a very Happy New Year to all of you! I've been having a wonderful Christmas break spending time with family and Riley, just huddled up on the couch watching classics like Home Alone and The Santa Clause while sippin' on hot cocoa. It was Riley's first Christmas with us as well so the highlight has been dressing her up in Santa outfits.. hehe. Dog owners, right?

Before 2016 is over, I wanted to share everything I picked up in the Sephora VIB sale earlier last month - again, I had my order shipped to my best friend's house in the states and she kindly brought everything back for me when she flew home for the holidays. Thanks girl! This time, I really capitalized on the 20 percent off discount and splurged on a few much needed skincare products, while making a conscious effort to minimize makeup purchases - props to me.

Let's start off with all my new goodies! I picked up not one, but two eye creams to add to my skincare collection - the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate and Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. Both samples left my eye area smooth and rejuvenated, and also wore well under makeup, so I splurged and got both. Guilty as charged! I also got the Bobbi Brown Protective Face Base SPF 50 after trying a sample my sister gave me, and really appreciated how lightweight it felt on my skin and under makeup. I've always had to mix shades Vanilla and Custard together to use as concealer, so I went ahead and picked up one of the new NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer shades in Cannelle, which thankfully turned out to be the perfect light yellow shade with a peachy undertone for my under eyes. I never had the intention to try out the Beauty Blender Micro Mini, but with such a significant discount I thought, 'why the heck not?'. I can't wait to try these tiny sponges out for concealer as well as detailed contouring and highlighting. The last thing I need in my life is another foundation brush, but the Sephora Collection Pro Featherweight Complexion Brush #90 had overwhelmingly positive reviews - some people even raved that it gave a more flawless finish than the Beauty Blender - so I just had to try it out for myself. After just a few uses, I have to wholeheartedly agree with the masses - softest bristles ever and blends like a freakin' dream.

Sephora Collection Pro Featherweight Complexion Brush #90

As for repurchases - which translates to tried-and-true favorites - I got a new Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer in Medium to replace my old (and quite possibly expired) jar. I also got another trusty Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, my favorite Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, and another backup of the Beauty Blender with a Mini Blender Cleanser Solid. Last but not least, I redeemed my annual birthday gift from Sephora - the Marc Jacobs Birthday Gift including the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer 42 and Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 216. I don't own any Marc Jacobs makeup as of yet, so I'm itching to try these out. Thanks Sephora!

Marc Jacobs Birthday Gift

That's a wrap - thanks for checking out my Sephora VIB haul! I hope that in 2017, I can give you guys more exciting hauls, reviews, first impressions, travel diaries and all that good stuff! 

I'm off to go countdown now - thanks for a great year and see you all in 2017!

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!