2015 Beauty Favorites!

Hi there! I am here wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! It's been a while since I last updated something. 19 days to be exact! Fuhh, that's long! Well, I am back now! For good, and since it's going to be a new year soon. I've promised myself to commit more on blogging. Cause in the end of the day, that's what bring me joy! Seeing others, enjoying my posts. 

Well, since its been a while. I thought this post, would be a great idea to round up my year. And soon, we could start blogging on new interesting things. Right? This post will be a special on my Beauty Favorites in the year 2015. BOY, don't I have many. If I were to put them all in one post, it would probably be, 3 times longer! And so, I decided to narrow it down to only 3! 3 beauty favorites, I drag with me all year long! Let's get started shall we?

                                                                         

Seaweed Clarifying Toner by The Body Shop

First favorite, Seaweed Clarifying Toner by The Body Shop. My oh my! This is AMAZING! I've never fell so hard and deeply in love with a face toner. To be honest, this is the first time a toner leaves me feeling this way! I mentioned this product before in my "August 15' Favorites" my thoughts on this has never changed! This retail at RM 55 on 200ml! Worth the purchase, if you are combo skin like me. TRUST ME!

Catrice Eyebrow Filler

Favorite number two. *Drumrolls! This one, I cannot live without, second purchased on this. An Eyebrow Filler by Catrice Cosmetics. Catrice The color of it, is a bit ashy for my eyebrows. But I however love the effect it leaves my eyebrows! It sets my brows, and the color of it would stay in even better with this! What's not to love right? Retail at only, RM 16.90 at any of the nearest Guardian to you!

 

Clean on Me, by Soap & Glory

Third favorite, I don't know where to begin with on this one. I mean, save the best for last right? This is my definite holy grail. I cannot live without this baby for even a day, Whatever I do, I would at least use this once in a day. if you're wondering, yes I do have them in travelling size as well. EVERYWHERE & ANYTIME! I started using this, this year. However with even, other body wash being there in my shower. There's always a bottle of this in there, This is my fourth bottle this year! The scent, is actually from the Original Pink range. Which I LOVE! I don't know if you know, but I can never deny sweetness! Hope you you could understand, how I enjoy this, and still is obsessed with this baby! This retail at RM 55 in 500ml.

There you have it guys, my Top 3, 2015 Beauty Favorites! Tried to keep it as simple as I could, hope you enjoy it! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Love, 

Aleen Abdollah

Perfect Cleansing Water Make Up Remover by Biore' Review

Perfect Cleansing Water Makeup Remover by Biore

Hello there, before we begin, I would like to say, that I have been a fan of Biore's Make Up Remover for a long time. But never had the chance to try the one in "Cleansing Water". After a couple of weeks, using this. I must say, there's more cons than pros using this. Keep on reading, and I'll tell you why. I don't know if you are aware, but I've had a post on one of my favorite make up remover which is also from Biore, in the form of Cleansing OIL. (Picture below)

Cleansing Oil Make Up Remover by Biore

Now, the cleansing oil. I love so much! All I had to do, is pump 2 - 3 times and rub it all over my face to get the make up out and rinse right after. Simple as that. The bottle only cost about RM 19.80. Now keep that in mind and let's get back to the one I'm actually reviewing today, which is again the Cleansing Oil. Okay, I will attach pictures of me actually using it. With full make up, until I have nothing on. Shall we?

1. Now this is when, I still have my make up on at the end of the day.

2. Following instructions, *pump an appropriate amount on cotton and gently wipe off with no scrubbing*

 3. I don't know if you could tell, but that's what I got off my left eyelid. As an experiment. First impression I thought, "ey not bad".

 4. I know this is disgusting, but with four in total cotton pads of Cleansing Water were the amount that I need to remove all the make up I had on my face. 

5. And Wa-lah! My face is now make up free! 

Not bad right? That's what I thought at first. However, this bottle of 300ml cost RM 28.80 whereas the Cleansing OIL cost RM 19.80 that's more or less RM 10 difference. AND, to top it up, I needed cotton pads for this, also instead of just 2 -3 pumps to get all my make up off. I needed like 15 pumps using the cleansing water, Which I thought is a bit of a waste. Overall, as much as it works. I'd still prefer the Cleansing OIL by Biore. Let me know, if you agree! 

Hope you enjoy this random, review!

Xx,

Aleen Abdollah

My Lipstick Collection by Shifa' Azham

Hello all! 

Finally I had the time to actually sit down and write a blogpost for Aleen. Hehe. Well, actually I stalled on the idea for a while because firstly, I preferred to lie down and scroll endlessly on Twitter and secondly, reading her posts seemed more fun than writing my own. 

So I would like to share with you guys my lipstick collection! It's not a big collection but it's enough to fit my small make up organizer, which is good enough for me. 

L-R : Kissproof 012, Kissproof 016, Silky Girl's Moisture Boost in Ruby, Nyx's Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp, 

Silky Girl's Go Matte Lipcolour in Nearly Nude, Silky Girl's Moisture Smooth in Sunny Rose, 

Nyx's Soft Matte Lip Cream in Athens, Kissproof 005, Kissproof 011

See, there aren't many but these are my strengths that gets me through the day. I have phases where I would wear dark lipsticks religiously for months then wear only my lipbalm, followed by another few months of wearing nude lipsticks. 

Right now I'm between wearing the Kissproof 016, which is in a nice coral-pink colour, and making it into an ombre lip colour by adding the Nyx's Athens's lipstick in the middle of my lips. They usually complement my make-up look for work and it's the one I'm just really into currently.

The Kissproof Gang

I am super positive that I may be the only one who has had no trouble wearing these. I've had read some reviews saying that they sort of cake on the lips, causing the colours to sort of clump together when you press your lips to distribute the colours, but so far the most that I have had trouble with them is that they chip when you place the cap back. But other than that, I haven't had any of those issues while wearing them.

Before applying them, I apply my lipbalm then line my lips from the outer corner of my lips inwards. I then apply the lipsticks the same way I lined my lips using them and fill them in. 

Another one of my favourite way to wear them is by mixing two colours at once, sort of like creating an ombre effect, which is amazing. I usually pair them with either two contrasting colours or of the same shade. 

In this case, I'd pair them like this: 

1. Outer colour 016 + Inner colour 005
2. Outer colour 012 + Inner colour 016
3. Outer colour 011 + Inner colour 012
4. Outer colour 012 + Inner colour 005

They really do give the lips a more fun and arty appearance. I usually wear the first pairing to work and the others when I go outside with my friends. Do note that the 011 and 012 colours are both very deep wine colours so when you pair them together, with a dark look, you look very broody and no one would want to approach you. Trust me, I once wore that during work time and my students didn't want to ask me anything regarding their homework. Haha.

The Silky Girl Gang

It does seem to me that Silky Girl has grown on me, I didn't use to like their make-up products before because I usually think local make-up products would sort of give you a very cheap-looking effect. But I am so glad that they proved me wrong! 

I would also pair my Kissproof 016 with the Silky Girl Go Matte Lipcolour together, with Nearly Nude lipcolour being the inner colour. It gives me a really soft appearance, which makes me seem almost nearly innocent. I have no complains about the Sunny Rose coloured lipstick, it does what it says, it's very moisturising and has a very gentle colour.

However, I have to say I did choose the Moisture Boost lipstick in a wrong shade because Ruby is just such a bright red colour, it just makes me look like I have almost yellow teeth. So when I do wear this colour, I tend to not talk too much or just not show my teeth in general. But since this lipstick is in my make-up bag, I would just wear it in a very tinted manner. I'd use the tip of my finger to gently apply it, so it doesn't stand out too much.

The Nyx Gang

I swear, thanks to Instagram and the explosion of make-up tutorial videos on YouTube, I too have suddenly became obsessed with Nyx. 

These are very matte lipsticks, which I truly advise that you wear your lipbalm before applying them. I would also pair Antwerp with Kissproof 016, with just filling in the middle of my bottom and top lips with it. I do the same too with Athens.

I really do not like wearing these on their own, because they sort of give me a very dry afer feel at the end of the day. But they do stay very long on the lips, around I'd say 5 hours? 

Because I usually apply my lipsticks before the students come to class as well as so that I can prepare myself by looking presentable before I meet any parents who come for inquiries. So I'd definitely say that these are in my work bag almost all week.

So in the end, I think my ultimate favourite lipstick is definitely a tie between Kissproof 016 and Kissproof 011. Because these two has been with me for a while, and they are the two lipsticks that I would undoubtedly take from my lipstick jar. 

That's it for now. We'll meet again when I have fun things to tell you about, and of course, when I have added more lipsticks to my collection.

Until then, stay healthy and be beautiful! 

xx Shifa' Azham xx

MAC Lipsticks Review & Swatches

Hi all, I’m so excited on writing this post today! It’s because, I finally have my very first lipstick from MAC Cosmetics! Not only one, but two! After so long, learning make up. I finally own it! Okay, I have been wanting their lipsticks for so long! But my boyfriend thinks that I have too many lip products, that I should just stop buying for a while, and only get things that I need. However, this time around, they’re actually gifts from my beloved boyfriend! Surprise, surprise right? I thought, oh my god. How sweet of him to do so. He knows I’ve been wanting it for so long. Why am I getting these gift if you are wondering. I have been working under the same company for quite some time. Specifically, for two years. So being a supportive boyfriend. Yearly, he would give me presents. To congrats me, on standing strong for this long. I know, how spoiled of me! Last year, I got a set of the Body Shop’s limited edition set of body wash.

MAC Matte Lipstick in Diva

I was not expecting lipsticks at all, especially from MAC! I am officially the happiest girl alive, at the moment! He got me two. One in the matte range, in “Diva” and the other one in the amplified crème range in “Craving”. Now my favourite one out of these two, is Diva. I must say, he knows me best even on the selection of lipsticks that I would actually wear. I have been loving, dark colours on my lips for so long! And Diva, I must say is something I would wear every day! It is mostly like a very dark cranberries. Like, a purple mix maroon kind colour which I love! It is what it is called after all, “Diva”. LOVE! And, the matte texture. Amazing though, how it is very easy to wear. However, there is a downside to this. I don’t know if it was just me or anything but I was expecting it to be as matte as other lipstick out there that it would last longer than this. I had this for a day on my lips, and I had to reapply many many times, as the color do fades out. Even worst when I am having a heavy meal. Everything would go off, just like that! Hmm.

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Craving 

Now, the one in “Craving” I find works best during a daily basis. It’s definitely A to go lipstick, if you’re already having a heavy makeup and wants something to tone down the look with a tinted but natural lipstick. “Craving” is A to go! I’m actually grateful my boyfriend got me these. Not only that, he also got me the lipsticks, from different range so I could try which fit me best. The color “Craving” is like very taupe colour. More neutral, and warm pink kind of tone. Something Kylie Jenner would wear, if you get what I mean. Now the “amplified crème” as they called it is a lot creamier that the “matte” ones. It is however, very pigmented. I am fine with this one, it seems to work out very well. There’s still a lot of exploring to do with MAC Lipsticks, I guess. If you're wondering how much this cost, it's actually RM 74 per bullet. Other than that, I can’t wait to try out more from MAC!

 Swatches on "Diva and Craving"

P/S : Let me know, your favourite MAC lipstick or any other colour that you think I should try in the comment box below!

Love,

Aleen Abdollah 

Daft Punk // Random Access Memories

It will be different this time around. What do I mean by that is, this post will not just be another “beauty post”, I have been inspired listening to their music. Too inspired, I simply just have to write about them. And that is, about Daft Punk. I’ve known them for so long, as they are main stream. However, I’ve never been the biggest fan. That is until, I heard their full album on “Random Access Memories”. Oh my god. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Electronic/Auto Tune Music. But this album catches me. Why? Listening, to each song from this. Learning their story behind it. It’s not just good music. It contains of many stories. Stories, I’m interested in.

“Meaningful, free feeling, mind – blowing.” Is what I thought understanding this album. This album was done in the year, 2013. I know how outdated of me right? I actually started listening to their full album, in my brother’s car in a road trip. And once, I got back home, buying their album is what I know I needed to do. No regrets, clearly. Why I am such a big fan of this album, is that I enjoy how they could capture the old good sound of the 50s – 70s, and turned it into their own modern version of music. I mean, that’s like a good combo that no one could think of other than Daft Punk themselves. I must say, I am influenced to listen to this album because my brother. He was so obsessed on this album for years now. It never bore him in any way. And he would tell me all over again what each song meant to him on his own perceptions. Which I thought was great, how he appreciates it. I mean, I fall in love deeply in music easily as I think there are many genre out there that is great in their own special way. It’s how you enjoy loving it,that matters.

I have been playing this album for almost a week now. On repeat. In fact, I find this album a good start of the day as they have many happy songs in it. And the beats of it.  Amazing. Such as, Give Life Back to Music, Giorgio by Moroder, Instant Crush, Get Lucky, Lose Yourself to Dance, Fragments of Time, etc. Knowing that, Daft Punk actually collaborated with many good artist on this album attracts me more.  Tell you what, to make this post even better, I’ll be telling you my perspective on the 3 favorites songs I have in here. Keep on reading! J

1.       Give Life Back To Music

This track is actually the first song to be played on this album. It’s like “love at first sight” I must say. How happy the 70’s modern beats make me once it is being played. The lyrics were catchy as per below;

“Let the music in tonight

Just turn on the music

Let the music of your life

Give life back to music”

This went on repeat throughout the whole song, what could be better than these words, for a start of a record right? I find it amazing, as if, there’s a ride to this album, and I am heading somewhere with it. This song definitely, drives me to it!

2.       Giorgio by Moroder

Now this song, is by far my favourite from this album. The song was created as a tribute to Italian electronic music innovator, Giorgio Moroder. It starts with a monologue by the synth legend in which he narrates his life story,beginning with growing up in a German small town wanting to be a musician, driving to the disco, sleeping in car, and how he decided on using a synthesizer because “I knew that could be the sound of the future”. Inspiring right? This guy practically created electronic music 40 years ago! And based on the sound of this song, it’s impossible of anyone to not like it! Believe me, you’ll not regret one bit listening to it!

3.       Instant Crush featuring Julian Casablancas

First of all, the vocal from this song was actually Julian Casablancas who is also the led singer of The Strokes. And I have been the biggest fan of The Strokes, which explains why this song is in my top 3! Well, to be honest, I did not enjoy this as much as I did enjoy The Strokes, because of Julian’s auto tuned vocals. In fact, I even had trouble understanding this song. But once, I go through the lyrics. I thought, hmm. This is something different, it is so deep, to understand. One dark, lonely song. I thought. I’ve seen reviews, many had interesting perceptions. Which could relate. Until now, I am not sure what this song is about, some said, “love triangle”, others said its something about his relationship with his wife. Like I said, so many perceptions, I guess that’s why it’s one of my favourites. Its because, I’m so curious of what its about. I just could not stop listening to it, going through the lyrics, till I get my own perception. 

Alright now, I hope you enjoy this post. If you are interested as I was, do get a copy of this album. It's the finest! It basically brings, a "Back to The Future" feeling . You won't regret it. Trust me.  

Xx

Aleen Abdollah