HAUL | & Other Stories

I was pretty excited to say the least when I found out that there was an & Other Stories store conveniently located just down the street from my hotel in Stockholm. So on the day of the Stockholm Marathon, I snuck away from cheering on the sidelines for a bit to see what goodies I could bring home with me.

I've seen countless clothing and beauty hauls online from this brand, but never had the chance to visit a store in person. Since our hotel was located right by the running route of the marathon, and the course involved lapping the hotel twice, I timed my shopping trip perfectly - I waited for my dad to run past the hotel the first time (and took awesome pictures of him in action), then made my way down to the shop and gave myself a good two hours to browse and look around before heading back for his second lap. Right when I walked in, I zoomed straight past the clothing racks and made a beeline for the beauty section.

Since I am not the most patient person when it comes to trying out new products I've just hauled, I took these pictures in our apartment in Copenhagen just the day after so that I open these bad boys up and use and wear them for the rest of my trip. I didn't do too much damage in the store, as I kept reminding myself of my very limited luggage space.

I couldn't resist picking up two silver jewellery pieces to add to my collection - a pair of thin bar stud earrings and an dainty open ring. Delicate, minimalistic jewellery is my jam, and although the store had quite a large selection of both silver and gold jewellery, these two were an instant favourite as soon as we locked eyes. 

My go-to, holy grail nail polish for years has been the Revlon Nail Enamel in Vixen 570, a gorgeous deep wine red (that can be layered until it looks almost black), so naturally the Miniver Wine Nail Colour screamed out to me. It's a lighter burgundy shade with more red undertones, and would look pretty on the nails all year long. The most exciting part of this haul has to be the Sunray Pleat Pearl Crème Highlighter that is just one of the most stunning highlighters I've ever seen! Mind you, the packaging is pretty lackluster, however the product inside is truly mesmerising - it gives off an iridescent, silver-pink-lavender pearlescent sheen that looks almost holographic. I don't have anything like it in my makeup collection! There was only one left on the shelves, so I snatched it up in a second.

& Other Stories Sunray Pleat Pearl Crème Highlighter

Pictures don't do this highlighter justice but I shall try - just look at that holographic sheen! Absolute magic. I will say that this isn't your typical, natural, glowy highlighter, but if you want to up your highlighting game and make a statement, you have to give this a try.

My first haul from & Other Stories was a definite success! And might I mention that the prices are also quite reasonable - this haul came out to be a total of 370Kr, which is around 43USD. For two beauty products and two jewellery pieces, that's a pretty good deal in my books.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream x NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream |
You all know that the only face cream I've used for the past few years is the amazing Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream, but hey, it doesn't hurt to experiment! Especially when it comes to Bobbi Brown products. I remember playing with my mom's Bobbi Brown makeup and skincare products as a kid (without permission, hehe) and now it's time to give it a proper test. Bobbi Brown claims this is a "light moisturizing cream that leaves skin healthy and prepared for a seamless makeup application". Yasss, sounds right up my street! I love the lightweight texture and how it doesn't leave that dreaded greasy film after it absorbs into the skin, leaving it soft and plump - no more dry patches! So yes, it does seem to enhance makeup application as claimed. Unfortunately, I've noticed some texture and clogged pores on my forehead and cheeks after using this for a few days, which has never happened with my Aesop face cream. I can't say for certain this is the culprit, but needless to say I'll be holding off on this for a while until I can give it another fair try just to be sure. For now, I'm sticking to my trusty Aesop cream!

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 |
After trying my luck with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, it was about time I gave their new(ish) foundation a go. Velvet matte sure sounded like a winner for my oily-combination skin, but I was so wrong. This NARS base is an "oil-free skin tint to protect and perfect with medium, buildable coverage and a soft-matte finish", and it has a whipped, mousse-like consistency that, while much thicker than other bases I own, was easy to spread and blend. The shade Alaska looks a shade too dark on my arm, but actually matches my face nicely. This felt comfortable upon application, but I was distracted by how visibly drying and cakey it looked, particularly around my nose, mouth and forehead. I was hoping it would look better as the day went on. Nope! In fact, I'm just going to come right out and say this was pretty terrible. This looks alright far away, but all sorts of bad close up - cakey, thick, dry, messy, settled into my fine lines (especially my smile lines), and worst of all, it faded incredibly patchy and streaky, to the point where I was self-conscious of talking to people up close! I will say that my dry, parched winter skin probably isn't the best canvas to try this formula on, but nevertheless, this just did not work for me. Shame.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base SPF 40 x Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body & Hand Wash

Chanel Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base SPF 40 |
Remember that Chanel beauty event I attended back in June? (Yeah, the same one where I failed miserably and took one measly photo for the blog.) The gift bag I received included a mini sample of the Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base in 10 Rosée, which Chanel claims can immediately correct imperfections and improve radiance for up to 8 hours with light-reflecting pearl extracts derived from Akoya pearls. Oooooh. The shade Rosée has a pink tint that brightens dull skin, and has a lightweight, watery consistency that dries down surprisingly fast - I had to work quickly with a stippling brush to buff it evenly over my face - and leaves a semi-matte finish that isn't tacky or heavy. It isn't a particularly hydrating base though, as I noticed it had dried out my foundation in several areas, especially around my nose and chin, as the day went on. The shade is very light on me, which I guess in turn did brighten my complexion, but I didn't find it too noticeable after foundation was applied over top. While I do enjoy the initial finish and the SPF 40, my nose did not agree with the intensely floral scent and I observed no striking improvement in radiance and longevity to justify $55 USD for the full size.

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Body & Hand Wash |
Ever since I hauled my Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, I've been keeping an eye out for covetable body washes from other brands. I remember receiving this Body & Hand Wash sample last fall when I repurchased my second bottle of the Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne. Out of all the perfumes I own, Jo Malone fragrances have the best longevity hands down. This Body & Hand Wash has a lightweight gel consistency that works up a gentle lather and isn't particularly drying nor moisturizing. Just like the cologne, the smell of this is seriously long-lasting and lingers on the skin for hours. When I first poured this into my hands, the scent was so potent that it felt like I was emptying out the perfume bottle instead. If you're already a fan of the Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne and want to enhance its longevity and intensity, this would be a great addition to your routine. For me personally, the scent was just way too overpowering and I actually felt a tad nauseous after constantly getting a whiff of it as the day went on. Next time I'll ask to try a sample from a different range, but for now it's a pass and I'll be sticking to my trusty Aesop.

HAUL x REVIEW | Aesop Skin Care and Body Care

So I've totally dropped the ball here - my last entry was posted almost a month ago. Sorry guys, so not cool! Life and work has been hectic recently but I'm finally back at it and so excited to share a juicy haul from one of my beauty obsessions, Aesop! My adoration for the brand is made pretty clear in a previous Sample Sunday post, but I'll say it again - everything about Aesop is #goals.

I hadn't planned on doing a haul so soon after lifting my shopping ban, but I recently received an email invitation from Aesop regarding a ten percent discount promotion they were having in selected boutiques around Hong Kong. To my knowledge, Aesop only offers this discount once (or maybe twice) a year, so you know your girl had to do some damage. Although Aesop is on the pricier side, I'm all for splurging on good, effective (and cruelty-free!) skin care. Good skin = great makeup, folks. Not to mention, all Aesop products smell absolutely incredible. I am sure to overuse words like 'amazing' and 'incredible' in the rest of this post to describe the wonder that is the scent of Aesop products, so please just bear with me.

Fabulous Face Cleanser | 200ml for $345 HKD
If you follow my blog, you'll know that my long-time HG facial cleanser is the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - I recommend it to anyone who wants a gentle yet effective cleanser that will take the day off and leave your face clean and soft. After staying loyal to Fresh for a few years, I was ready to switch things up and try something new. One small sample packet of this Fabulous Face Cleanser sold it for me (which is why it boggles my mind when companies are stingy with samples - like hellooo!) and I knew I needed the full size. This is a gentle, mild-foaming gel cleanser that is great for sensitive skin, and the smell is an incredible mix of rosemary and other botanical ingredients. I actually look forward to waking up and washing my face with this in the morning as I find it super refreshing and calming to the senses. Unlike the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, this does not excel in washing off heavy makeup, but it isn't really an issue for me since I always double cleanse with a cleansing oil first. The larger 200ml bottle does come with a pump, but I learned the hard way that you can't just stick the pump in from the get-go - it will overflow and ruin your bathroom floor and your day. Rookie mistake!

Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF 15 | 40ml for $275 HKD 
I was mostly intrigued by the name of this face cream, and when I saw it came in a tube there was no going back. I am a sucker for cool packaging! Yes, I know I previously went on a mini-rant about SPF 15 being too low for my daily sun protection, but for bare-faced days when I'm just lounging around the house or popping downstairs for a quick grocery run with Riley, this face cream with SPF combo is perfect. Apparently it took Aesop ten years to research, develop and perfect this formulation. An entire decade, and they couldn't bring the SPF up to 30? Just kidding (kinda). This has a lightweight consistency that leaves a healthy sheen on the face (without being oily) and of course, the scent is an amazing musky, lavender-esque concoction that has me excited every time I slap it on my face.

Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream | 60ml for $365 HKD
I have been repurchasing this face cream for a couple years now, and I am still obsessed - it's the only cream I use both morning and night. Aesop describes this as "a lightweight, citrus oil-infused moisturizing cream for normal and combination skin" and I find it provides the perfect amount of hydration for my combination skin that isn't too heavy or oily. The scent is wonderful - duh, citrus oil! - with a combination of mandarin, lemon and tangerine rind, and my face seems to drink this stuff up. Not much else to say except love, love, love!

Cepheus Set | $587 HKD
This was a completely spontaneous and unplanned purchase but I just couldn't help myself. Aesop offers six Celestial gift kits that pay homage to six of the eighty-eight modern constellations (such a cool concept!), and this particular Cepheus gift set contains the Geranium Leaf Body Care Trio that includes a body cleanser, balm and scrub. Aesop describes this set as "three aromatic Geranium Leaf Body Care staples offering gentle, thorough cleansing, invigorating exfoliation, and generous hydration and nourishment."

I've always been curious about this range - the green packaging is just so inviting - and kindly asked the sales associate to try the three products on my hand. Look where that got us. First up is the Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser. Sure, I tried to convince myself I didn't need an expensive body wash (since I would be rinsing it off seconds later) but I just couldn't get over the scent. Oh my goodness, the entire range smells like you're getting a massage in an outdoor spa (think mandarins, lemons, citrus oil with a dash of herbal deliciousness) and this cleanser leaves my skin feeling really clean, soft and refreshed. The Geranium Leaf Body Scrub has a gritty, sandy texture that manages to buff away and soften the skin without feeling scratchy or harsh, and you can really feel the botanical oils working together with the granules to both polish and hydrate. The Geranium Leaf Body Balm is slightly thicker in consistency than the usual creams I use, and is that much more nourishing without feeling sticky or greasy. To me, this acts like the top coat over freshly painted nails - it helps lock in all the moisture and keeps my skin soft and velvety and smelling like a freakin' spa. If only they came out with a Geranium Leaf perfume...

And a quick shout out to the packaging because I am still in awe of how beautiful the entire presentation is - from the reflective gold specks on the outside (that actually replicate the constellation of Cepheus!) to the quote by Vincent Von Gogh printed on the inside of the sleek tin box, "I know nothing with any certainties, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." Aesop, please stay the wondrous, poetic, creative brand that you are.

That's a wrap, I hope you guys enjoyed this haul and review! 

My Aesop collection is actually quite extensive - I have a bunch of other products that I absolutely love and one that my skin did not agree with - and I think it'd be helpful to do a review on all Aesop products I've tried and own. Keep an eye out for that soon. Until next time, happy hauling!

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!