Summer must-haves

Summer Beauty Must-Haves

The hot temperatures of summer and my sensitive pale pink skin are not exactly friends. I rely on these products to keep my skin exfoliated, cool, hydrated, and smooth.

Azure Window, Malta. June 2016.

Face

Fresh. Rose Hydrating Gel Cream. 

This hydrating gel cream is lightweight and seems to keep my skin hydrated for the balmier days of spring and summer. I usually layer this in between my serum and balancing oil for extra moisture. This gel also smells great and the pump bottle keeps everything clean and sanitary. I hate getting moisturisers in jars because keeping the jar and product hygienic takes a bit more effort. ie. constant washing of hands. 

Jurlique Advanced Eye Serum

Another lightweight stunner in my skincare routine. I recently started using this eye serum because I'm not a big fan of the ultra-creamy eye creams out there on the market. If its lightweight, moisturises well, smells good, and works - I'm a fan! Jurlique products are from natural sources and I go to their spa for facials every now and then to give my skin a good cleaning and brightening. Their products work well on my sensitive-prone skin. This eye cream keeps the area around my eyes looking bright and hydrated. 

Jurlique Skin Balancing face oil

Last year, I moved to the mountains and drier climates. I needed some extra-duty moisturisers and was recommended to try this balancing oil for extra moisture by the facialist at Jurlique spa. I've been pretty hooked on this since then. I use it almost daily and notice the difference when I skip this extra layer of moisture to my routine. A small amount of this oil seems to act as a humectant and keep my skin hydrated all day. I was never really a fan of face oils until I discovered this product. As we get older, the ability to create natural oils within our body seem to diminish so we need a little extra boost from our nutrition and skincare routine to keep our skin from drying up. This little balancing oil will be in my skincare arsenal for a while. 

Make up

Nars Multiple in Orgasm

The multiple sticks that Nars cosmetics has are brilliant. Its perfect for traveling as it can be used for cheeks, eyes, and lips. I like to use it as a blush and eyeshadow base. Orgasm is Nars #1 best-selling blush for many years now and it is a peachy-blush with some highlighters inflected in the formula. I've been into cream blushes for the past few years and the application of this with fingers makes it fool-proof easy and fast. I also use the Laguna illuminator cream as a bronzer and contour and will soon purchase the multiple stick in Copacabana as my highlighter when my current highlighter runs out. Creams and sticks are good for glowing summer skin and they are also lightweight enough to wear to the beach without looking like a clown. 

Body

Molton Brown Eucalyptus Body Wash

I'm obsessed with this body wash and have been for a while. I tend to take my daily showers at night before bedtime so I need to have relaxing scents in the shower. Eucalyptus is the scent that puts me in the sleepy time state of mind. I've tried other Eucalyptus body washes and shower gels but Molton Brown's version is the most potent Eucalyptus scent I've found. I stock up on this body wash whenever I can. 

Rituals Hammam Olive Secret shower paste

I exfoliate my skin 1-2 times a week in the shower to get rid of dead skin cells and the built up grime that accumulates especially if I'm traveling on the road and constantly out and about. This shower paste has tiny exfoliating particles that creates enough friction to exfoliate my skin thoroughly. I use this on a loofah for a bit of extra exfoliation. Rituals is available in Europe so I purchase this whenever I'm in the vicinity of a Rituals store and running low. This tube lasts me about 4-6 months though because I don't use it everyday like I do with my Molton Brown body wash. 

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here.

These beautiful faces are my friends

I have beautiful friends who are beautiful from the inside and out. Inspiring friends who never ceases to amaze me with their energy, passion, kindness, and drive. We should always appreciate those we choose to become friends with. Whether its an old friend, a new friend, an acquaintance that profoundly affects you. 

This post is dedicated to my lovely and beautiful Woman friends around the world.  (Some of these pictures bring back some good memories)

Photo Credit: Bill H.

Coffee or Tea?

Fika time! Kanellbulle (Swedish cinnamon bun) with strong black coffee

Fresh Mint tea at cafe Dudok in Rotterdam

Which do you prefer: Coffee or Tea?

I choose both!

I have been a tea drinker since I was a young kid due to my Chinese heritage of going to Chinese restaurants and pairing the food with a dark blend of Chinese brewed tea. Usually its oolong tea. Its supposed to detoxify and help aid with oil and grease detoxification. I always pair Chinese food with  hot Chinese tea whether its Jasmine, Oolong, Chrysanthemum, Green tea, or White tea. It does seem like it helps with the grease. 

Lately, tea has been classified as a health drink loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging benefits.

Green Tea contains catechins which fight free radical damage. These means that if you've been out in the sun, you may be able to help reverse the effects of sun damage by drinking green tea. I would pair it with a high SPF, cool shades, and drinking green tea aprés sun. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that is great for your skin and tons of health benefits too. I love a cold iced matcha on a hot summer day! I'm not really a fan of Starbucks but I do like this drink on a super hot day! 

Black Tea, Oolong Tea, White Tea are also high in antioxidants and provide a lot of health benefits that also translate to glowing skin! (Drink it all! :-) )

You can read more about Tea's benefits here

I am also an avid coffee drinker and started drinking coffee in my teens then stopped drinking it regularly for a number of years thinking it was bad for health then started drinking it regularly again a few years ago. The result: I lost weight really easily! (along with a slight lifestyle change and drinking more wine too ;-) )

Coffee has gotten a bad reputation but lately its being reversed by research done on coffee consumption. Researchers have found that coffee has lowered the risk for liver disease, liver cancer, heart disease, parkinson's disease, depression, type 2 diabetes, and contains loads of antioxidants to fight free radicals (Translation: premature aging!). Read more about the health benefits. 

Caffeine in skincare has been known to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles, cellulite, prevent inflammation. Read more about coffee's benefits. There are so many benefits to caffeine in consumption and in skincare so whether you're a coffee or tea drinker, incorporate it as part of your skincare routine as well as for overall health.

Trend alert: Acne Studios eyewear

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here. 

I am kind of obsessed with Acne Studios at the moment and their eyewear collection is just so retro cool that I want a pair. (but alas! it is a bit on the pricey side so we can all just dream and pin their lovely shades but maybe if they ever go on sale or a stroke of luck....) Look at all these fun shades! I'm usually with my sunglasses especially on a sunny day wherever I am in the world. Its sunny today in Brussels (a rare treat!) and I wish I had more time to bask in the vitamin D glory. 

Library - I want this pair!!!

Sigmund

Mask Junior

Spitfire

Mustang

Can't live without products right now?

I moved back to a dry climate with four seasons this year and my skin wrecked havoc by being sensitive and dry. These two products save my life.

1) Dr Hauschka Revitalizing mask 
After putting this mask on for 20 minutes, my skin doesn't feel so parched. This is also a perfect mask for rehydrating my skin after a long haul flight. Somehow this mask balances out my sensitive skin.
Dr Hauschka products are really simply packaged but the products are overall excellent from the ones I've tried over the years. I'm currently using a gel serum from Dr Hauschka and it delivers just enough hydration to prepare my skin for moisturiser and sunscreen.

2) Jurlique Skin Balancing Oil

This oil kept winter skin and wind-burn sensitivity at bay for me all winter! I never leave my room without putting this oil on after my moisturiser because it leaves the right amount of hydration and creates a protective barrier on my skin against the drying weather elements. I never thought to ever put oil on my face because for most of my life, my skin errs on the side of oily patches. I'm a big fan of this skin balancing oil by Jurlique because it also smells really good and keeps my skin hydrated and glowing all day.

One of the best things about both these brands is that its natural-derived and packed with lots of hydrating essential oils. My sensitive skin loves this as the weather conditions keep changing for me, I'm constantly slathering on hydrating skincare products on my face and body.

Travel finds: La Chinata

I was traveling this summer in Europe and stumbled upon a little store in Sevile that specialized in olive oil goods. This little store stocks everything related to olive oil products from chocolate to bath and beauty products. 

La Chinata

I have been using the purifying milk cleanser (€7.60) for a couple months now and my skin is soft. At first, I wasn't too crazy about this product because it feels like there is residue left on the skin. This cleanser is gentle on the skin and would be perfect for the dry winter months.

To combat the residue feeling, I use a calming cleansing water as a toner for extra cleansing yet won't strip my skin dry. 

My favorite product from La Chinata is the body lotion(€4.95)

The smell is light, the lotion is hydrating yet not sticky or too creamy. I can even use this lotion before going out in warm and humid Singapore. It melts into your skin. 

Every product in this line uses organic extra virgin olive oil and it is always nice to support a small business. Especially one that has affordable prices! 

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here. 

Scents that evoke memories

My very first foray into purchasing a perfume was when I was in 6th grade. I was obsessed with CK One and Gap Dream body spray. Scents evoke memories of a time and place. Even to this day, if I get a whiff of either of those two scents, I am transported to my 11 year old self. That loud, giggly, blushing, confidant, and silly 11 year old girl who would recite lines from monologues and plays.

Over the years, I've obviously changed and experimented with many different types of scents. High school was a heady mix of sweet fruity smells but most notably Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea and all the Bath and Body Works body sprays were a main fixture in my dance bag. College was definitely Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue and Coco Chanel Mademoiselle. Very sweet scents in my opinion. Post-college life in New York was definitely Burberry Brit then later on Fresh Sake; Sugar Lychee, and Jo Malone's Jasmine White Tea. 

I am currently on rotation with Fresh Sake, Jo Malone's Jasmine White Tea, Jo Malone's Lime & Basil, and recently acquired Bvlgari Omnia Coral for the summer scent.

Fall in Central Park 2009

We associate different scents with different things and times in our lives. With that said here are some of my favorite scents:
Roasted chestnuts on a wet and rainy day.
The smell of my pet bunny Heppi's head.
Mint
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Earl Grey
Sephora smell
New shoes
A crisp fall morning dew
Sambal
Coconut flavored rice