Four New Products That Rock My World

Hey lovers, I'm back!

Before I proceed to tell you about the most amazing three weeks we had in Australia, it would be a cardinal sin not to fill you in on the new products that have entered my life. These products alone warrant their own blog post as well as that fantastically bright pineapple I picked up in Ocean Grove. Just look at it.

I was lucky enough to receive the Giorgio Armani foundation and the two MAC lip products for Christmas, so I have had a good old while to test them out. As for the Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes; I picked this up in Sephora in Sydney a few weeks back. Funnily enough that was the only product I walked out with - probably because I had two men following me around moaning that I was taking too much bloody time. Bores.

All I can say is that I am in love with all four of these products. Naturally.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 04 - This has been on my wish list for ages. Being one of the more expensive foundations on offer, I thought it was best to ask for this for Christmas. This foundation is so lightweight and applies to the skin like a dream. It has a light to medium coverage and can be applied either with a foundation brush or using your fingers. It is honestly like having my perfect skin in a bottle. Thats the only way I can describe it. I love this.

Tarte Waterproof Lights, Camera, Lashes -  Another product raved about in the beauty blogging world. I knew I had to get my hands on this when I found out Sephora had opened in Sydney. Alongside its quirky packaging this mascara lengthens, volumises and makes my lashes look luscious! Like many mascaras I believe that this will be even better when the product dries a little with time - I look forward to the day that I don't get it all over my nose and cheeks! All in all though, I adore this mascara - I will definitely purchase this time and time again.

MAC Ruby Woo - Since its feature in a previous post, I have been lusting after this lipstick for months. Like most of the lipsticks I reach for lately, this is of a matte formula and adds a beautiful pop of colour to any outfit or... face. If you feel a bit daring and want to feel like a sexy babe - get this in your life.

MAC Cherry Lip Pencil - So creamy, so soft and an amazing pinky red shade too?! What more could you possibly want? I bought this to line my lips before applying Ruby Woo, but to be quite honest I could just wear this colour on its own. Its super long lasting and a must have if you are on the hunt for a new red lip pencil.


I hope I succeeded in making you crave all of these products. If I did, then its a job well done.


K x

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The Test: Eye & Lip Makeup Removers

Are eye and lip makeup removers a necessity?

Yes, if you wear heavy eye makeup. If, like me, you only tend to wear mascara then I usually just reach for my cleansers - out of pure laziness. Now don't get me wrong, if I am feeling rather fruity and decide to go for eyeshadow, eyeliner and waterproof mascara then I will head straight to one of these three products for removal.

Each of these removers are for sensitive eyes and have a oil-based formula that you have to shake up before applying to a cotton pad.

L'Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Absolute Make-Up Remover Eye and Lip (£4.99) - The cheapest of all three products and a good one at that. It takes a good few swirls and swipes of the cotton pad to successfully remove the waterproof makeup from the eye and lip area. This does not irritate my sensitive skin in anyway. A good product at a budget price.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (£8) - By far the oiliest formula out of the bunch, but in a good way. I feel this helps to dissolve the makeup much faster. This product is definitely the quickest at removing waterproof makeup and does not upset the eye/lip area in anyway. This product is fragrance, colour and alcohol free - very kind for your skin. I absolutely adore The Body Shop Camomile range.

Vichy Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes (£11) - Fortified with thermal spa water, this feels very soothing on the eyes. I have to apply a lot of this product to a cotton pad for it to work to remove my makeup. Claiming that it is matte-based, it is definitely true to its word as it does not feel oily in the slightest. This is a slight bug bear for me as I feel I have to work harder to remove my makeup - who wants that before they go to bed?! However, I must say that it is successful at removing all traces of waterproof makeup.

So there you go - if you are on the market for a new eye/lip makeup remover then I hope that these mini reviews help your decision. Take from this what you like but my fave has to be The Body Shop one - it is just so low maintenance and removes my makeup quicker than the other two offerings. 

I would just like to add that all three of these bottles are a royal pain the bum for extracting the remover. It might be the way I am doing it (probably down to my burning desire to get to bed) but every time I empty each of these onto a cotton pad it leaks everywhere - the Vichy one more than the others. So watch out!

Can you recommend any good Eye/Lip removers?


K x

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A List of Loves, Covets and New Finds #2

Its time for the second edition...

Currently Loving
My favourite Blogger and YouTuber Vivianna Does Makeup. I have been following Anna for over a year now and she is one of the main reasons why I end up buying so much makeup & skincare. Damn you, Anna! Just joking, I bloody love it. Her ability to rock any makeup look and her great knowledge on anything beauty related definitely makes me her number one fan. Go subscribe to her YouTube channel and blog, you will not be disappointed.

I am totally digging my new OVERSIZED scarf from Zara (yes, caplocks is required for this bad boy). Just like the topshop boots, I never take it off. Put it this way, if I could sleep in both of these items, I would.

Currently Coveting
As usual, the biggest section of this post. Obviously, I want everything. First up is the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream - when I purchased the Bobbi Brown concealer and corrector, the lady prepped my under eye with this cream. It felt so silky and hydrating (obvs) and made applying concealer like a blooming dream. It has brilliant reviews too - sold.

I am on the market for a new leather jacket - said everyone ever. Well, I know I certainly am. I have a faux leather one back in the UK that is well loved. However, four years of constantly wearing it has started to take its toll (got a few holes on the arms). So doing what I do best, I checked out the All Saints website the other day and found this stunner - a little pricey but you know its going to last forever.

I had a couple of comments on my Concealers, Concealers, Concealers post about the causes of under eye darkness and some remedies. One of them being the use of a Vitamin E Eye Cream - this one from The Body Shop has fantastic reviews and a great price. It also claims to hydrate the under eye and reduce fine lines. I may just divert my daily stroll to Thai Boxing via The Body Shop next time.

I have been after a lovely notebook for a while, especially now I have started this blog. Every time I have a blog idea I have to whop the iPhone out - clearly not as sophisticated as getting a beautiful little personalised notebook out. Which brings me to the final product I am coveting this month - a personalised notebook from Jadeco. I spotted this in Metrobooks in Tsim Sha Tsui - it was super soft, red and had a personalised message in gold which read 'Love!' - I wanted it there and then. The only downside is that you have to pop into store to request personalisation - which takes seven to ten days. Bummer. I have submitted my request to Jack in the form of puppy dog eyes. It is such a good idea for a Christmas or Birthday present.

New Finds
I am always on the lookout for a good purifying mask. A friend recommended this one from Borghese. The best thing for us is that in Hong Kong you can find it for £6-£7 - in the UK the smallest one is £27! What is that about?! At the end of the day - me and Jack would still pay the extortionate price because its that good. It tingles A LOT when applying it to the face, after five minutes remove it with a warm/hot cloth and say hello to a smooth and brighter complexion. It really gets deep into your pores and draws out impurities - its going to take a good few uses to clear up my skin but it seems to be working. Jack loves it -  he is already making space in the suitcase to bring a bucket load home.

Oh and another new find is Nicki Minaj's new song The Night is Still Young. Definitely a guilty pleasure but I love it. Check it out.

I would love to know what you guys are currently loving or coveting?

K x

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Concealer, Concealer, Concealer - My Current Collection

Everyone has an addiction to something. For me, that something is concealer.

I have had a manic obsession with concealer since my early teens due to sporting panda like eyes. You name it, I have probably tried it - from Benefit's Boing, Fakeup & Erase Paste to YSL's renowned Touche Eclat (embarrassingly enough, I used this as a concealer and not as a highlighter - forgive me, I was young and naive). Not forgetting the countless drugstore brands I have tried and tested too.

So without further ado, welcome to my current collection;

BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CORRECTOR (£19) -I don't think I could ever be without this product ever again. It is fantastic at neutralising dark circles. This is always the first step in my concealing process. For £19, it is a tad on the expensive side but totally worth the splurge.

COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION  ULTIMATE WEAR CONCEALER (£4.19) - Time and time again I find myself going back to this one. With good coverage, lasting power and zero crease-ability, this has to be my all time favourite. For £4.19, its a no brainer people. It just does the job in hand; covering dark circles and blemishes, no question. I use the shade Cool Medium (2). *Beware: the black on the packaging melts and transfers onto your fingers - not cool*

MAC MINERALIZE CONCEALER (£17) - With a light to medium coverage, I use this as the last step in my concealing process. It is a little lighter than my skin tone so its great for brightening my under eye. It is very lightweight and is easy to blend with your ring finger or a fluffy brush. I have the shade NC20.

BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CONCEALER KIT (£24.50) - I have touched upon this one in a previous post so I won't bore you. Once warmed up on the skin, it blends in seamlessly. It has a light to medium coverage so I tend to use it on days where dark eye circles aren't much of a problem. Make sure you use the accompanying finishing power as this stuff can crease slightly. Still a favourite of mine.

SOAP & GLORY KICK ASS BLUR AND BRIGHTEN CRAYON (£6) - Meh. I had high hopes for this one when I swatched it in boots. It is so damn creamy and applies to the skin like silk. Coverage is not great. It claims to banish under eye circles but it certainly didn't banish mine! With a whole two shades to choose from this was a severe disappointment.

MAYBELLINE ERASER EYE CONCEALER (£7.99) - For a start this is a little too dark for my skin tone, I should have gone a shade lighter. Its ok, I shall say that. Coverage is light to medium but it doesn't seem to cover my dark circles at all. Eraser schmaser. 

MAYBELLINE PURE COVER MINERAL CONCEALER (Only available in Hong Kong) - I think I swatched this one in the dark too as it is just ever so slightly too dark for my skin tone. This one is of a thicker consistency, like the Collection concealer. It covers well but it feels a lot more cakey meaning it tended to crease a lot more. I wouldn't shout from the rooftops about this one, but for a budget buy, it does the job.

I also have my eye on the Clarins Instant Concealer and the MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream - both of these concealers have received rave reviews and I can't wait to test them out.

Now please excuse me whilst I attend my weekly CAA* meeting.

What concealers do you use? Can you recommend any good ones?

K x 

*Concealer Addicts Anonymous

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Bad to the Bronze

It's very rare that you'll catch me with a splash of colour on my eyelids, let alone eyeliner.

Picture this: My 18th birthday. Virgin Vie party. I was made up to look what resembled a drag queen. The result - scarred for life.

Nearly ten years later, I feel it is time to push that memory to the back of my mind and road test some eye shadows that I have been collecting. As I am a beginner at this I kept it quite neutral with a splash of liner, for that extra bit of definition.

On my lids is Maybelline's Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze. This is the first time I have used a cream shadow and thank lord I chose this one. From the pot, it seems quite dry but once it warms up on the fingers it applies to the eyelid like a dream. I use a fluffy brush to blend this in, but using your fingers can work just as well. You can really pack this product on for a more intense look or go completely the opposite and lightly blend in for a subtle hint of colour. For all of you worrying whether it will crease, then worry not - even without a primer on my lids this stuff did not budge.

I was recommended this eyeliner from my friend, its by Heroine Make (a Japanese brand) which is easily accessible in Hong Kong and equally as accessible if you tend to purchase products online in the UK. If you struggle to apply eyeliner then this is the bad boy for you. The brush is thin and not too stiff or floppy (apologies for the use of words there) meaning it makes for an easy application. Its very pigmented and stays on my lids for hours and hours. My only gripe with it is the time it takes to dry, so either apply it earlier on in your make up routine or curl your lashes before application - otherwise the curlers will sweep some of the liner off. I am sure you ladies already know what to do - I am just too new to the eyeliner world. I highly recommend this.

K x

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Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: A Skin Saviour

I have been reaching for the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil on and off for the past eight months and if I am being honest, it didn't float my skincare boat as much as I thought it would. Until recently.

Rosehip oil boasts so many skin loving qualities, one of them being its ability to boost the skins natural healing process. This is why it has jumped to the top of my skincare routine as of late.

Hong Kong has not been kind to my skin. Not only have I been suffering from very dry skin due to a change in the weather but an army of angry under-the-skin spots have been battling through. This is when I reach for the Rosehip Oil. It has quite a strong scent, but not one that is uneasy on the nose. I just press it into clean skin before bedtime and let this orangey goodness work its overnight magic.

I kid you not, by the morning the pesky under-the-skin spot has reduced significantly and the pain has decreased from a painful 10/10 to a friendly 1/10. The dryness that seems to have gathered around my nostrils (due to excessive nose blowing) has disappeared too.

This lovely little oil is also supposed to improve skin tone and reduce fine lines - personally I haven't used it enough to witness this but I will certainly be making it a regular in my skincare routine from now on.

If you are looking for a face friendly wonder oil that is perfect for all skin types I urge you to go along and buy this.

Have you ever used Rosehip oil? If so, whatcha reckon?

K x

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In Love With: Revlon Colorburst Matt Balm in Elusive

Yes, I know I am a little late to the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm party, but I just had to say my piece on this lovely little product.

I have been reaching for this near enough every day for the past 2-3 weeks. This lovely matte rosey pink shade has great colour pay-off and effortlessly sails on to the lips, feeling very moisturising at the same time. Its great to wear from day through to evening and smells minty which is very refreshing to the nose.
 
The only downside to this product is the staying power - it doesn't last on the lips very long, especially when you are eating and drinking. But for a mere £7.99, it doesn't really phase me.

I can't wait to pick up some more of these balm sticks. I already have my eye on Standout - a beaut berry red number.


P.S. This was the only half decent picture I could get and it doesn't really show the colour to its true potential, but you just have to believe me.

P.P.S. I got to dust off the old parka this weekend and I am very excited. Hong Kong is finally getting cold.

Have you tried any of the Colorburst Matte Balms?

K x

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A Girly Gift Guide for Christmas 2014

Ok, ok... this might just be everything that I want for Christmas.

I may as well try and hide it as a girly gift guide for Christmas, you know just to help all you ladies out that might be struggling.

So here is goes...

1. TERRY'S CHOCOLATE ORANGE SEGSATIONS (£3.00) - I was obsessed with these bad boys last year. Such chocolatey goodness.
2. VERITY BY ALEX MONROE HEART NECKLACE (£132) - So its a little on the expensive side but heaven on earth, its beautiful. I am totally into delicate necklaces at the moment and this one is stunning.
3. NARS DIGITAL WORLD LIP PENCIL COFFRET (£32 Space NK) - I currently only possess one NARS lip pencil but that alone makes me want more. I saw this little number on the Space NK website and knew that it had to be mine. Such a fantastic price for this set too.
4. LAURA MERCIER AMBRE VANILLE HONEY BATH (£32) - I took a long hard whiff of this jar of dreams at the Laura Mercier counter a few days back. This smells unbelievable and I need this in my life and so do you.
5. RIVER ISLAND LEATHER LOOK LEGGINGS (£18) - I am wishing I had never left my topshop wet look leggings back in the UK. They would go great right now with an over-sized jumper and scarf, a pair of heeled boots and a cosy parka.
6. MAC RUBY WOO LIPSTICK (£15.50) - I recently saw this on one of my favourite bloggers Anna and I knew instantly that I needed this lipstick in my stash. I also recently swatched the beautiful MAC Relentlessly Red a beautiful matte pinky red - I had to be torn away from the MAC counter, lets just say that.
7. GIORGIO ARMANI LUMINOUS SILK FOUNDATION (£31.95 House of Fraser) - My friend Yi wears this foundation and her face always looks flawless. With a medium coverage and dubbed as perfect skin in a bottle this was quickly added to my endless cosmetic wishlist.
8. NARS VIRTUAL DOMINATION CHEEK PALETTE (£45 Space NK) - This is definitely at the top of my Christmas list. Look at it - three blushers, a highlighter and bronzer in one slick little palette - utter perfection.
9. DUNE LORIS BLACK POINTED FLATS (£69) - These shoes are so versatile and would literally go with anything. Thats what I love about them. I know they might not be for everyone but I completely adore them.
10. ORELIA WUNDERLUST DROP & HAMZA DOUBLE ROW NECKLACE (£18) - Another beautiful delicate necklace.
11. BOBBI BROWN CREAM BLENDING BRUSH (£22.05 House of Fraser) - The only thing that I didn't leave the Bobbi Brown store with a few weeks back. Its a fantastic brush for blending in concealer and feels beautifully soft.
12. ZARA BUCKET BAG WITH ZIPS (£39.99) - I am completely obsessed with bags. My, doesn't Jack know that too. Its all I ever talk about. I spotted this handsome number on the website and would love it to be mine.
13. BOBBI BROWN FULL COVERAGE FACE BRUSH (£27 House of Fraser) - Again, my fave blogger Anna has got me coveting this brush. She knows her stuff and if she says its good, its bloody good. 
14. Because I can't end on 13!!

I hope that this list has given you some kind of inspiration?

Here's to hoping that the little Christmas fairy works its wonders and brings me some of these irresistible things. One can dream!

K x

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Stop, Its Pamper Time.

Pam-per: Verb (used with object) - to treat or gratify with extreme or excessive indulgence, kindness or care

Every girl must indulge in a little 'me' time every once in a while.

When Sunday evening approaches I enter pamper mode especially if I have over-indulged on the vino's the previous night. Do not judge me.

I start off by using my favourite cleanser by Oskia to remove the days makeup and follow it up with The Body Shop's Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask - this mask is fantastic for helping to clear up congested and oily skin. Once applied to the skin I leave it on for around ten minutes until the mask has completely hardened. I remove with a warm muslin cloth and straight away I can feel that my skin is much smoother. I have found that this mask tends to draw a lot of the impurities under the skin to the surface - something that a lot of clay masks have trouble doing. A truly great mask at a great price.

I like to give my lips a little bit of TLC by treating them to Lush's lovely Mint Julips Lip Scrub. I gently rub this into the lips to remove any flaky skin.This makes it much easier to apply lip balms and lipsticks as your lips will be as smooth as silk - Fo' sho. Be warned though: This smells divine, you will want to eat it.

Following the dilly-dallying of making my face look presentable, I like to unwind by twinkle-footing it into a nice warm bath (especially if I am aching from Thai Boxing!). I am absolutely in love with Lush bath products at the moment. I used the Northern Lights bath bomb last week  - once dropped into the water it swirls, twirls and fizzes turning the water into a purply glittery wonderland (it even has mini stars in it) - it left my skin feeling so soft and smooth and it smells beautiful. My next Sunday Lush sesh will involve this bubble bath bar, The Comforter. Oh lordy lord, this smells fantastic! I can't wait to submerge myself under the mountain of pinky purple bubbles. 

Once I emerge from the bath smelling truly wonderful but looking a bit like a wrinkled Sphynx cat, I like to slip into my comfy PJ's and thick socks and treat myself to a calming peppermint tea and scoff a little naughty chocolate snack.

Ahh, don't you just love a nice pamper evening?

K x

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The Makeup Edit: My Daily Essentials

I thought I would give you an insight into the products that I reach for on a daily basis. I like to keep my makeup simple and natural looking, especially in the day time. So here it goes...

To prep my skin before applying foundation I reach for the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. This product feels so silky and is so easy to apply to the face and covers my crater like pores in an instant. Its cheap and does what it says on the bottle. A must have in my eyes.

Next up is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Vanilla. It is probably a little too light for me at the moment but coming into the winter months it will be the perfect shade for my fair skin. On top of the Maybelline Instant Pore Eraser this foundation glides on to my skin and leaves me with a light to medium coverage with a near flawless finish. It doesn't cling to my dry patches and leaves me with a healthy glow. I apply this to my face using the Real Techniques Buffing Brush - perfect for applying foundation.

Ahh, now its concealer time. I am a self confessed concealer addict.  On my lookout for the next wonder concealer a few weeks back I stumbled upon Bobbi Brown. The very nice lady in the store sat me down and worked her little wonders on my dark bedraggled under eye bags. The way she made me look, I was sold in an instant. I suppose that's her job to do that though eh?! So I scurried home with the Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector in Light to Medium Peach and the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Sand. The corrector is the definite winner for me, once applied to the under eye the peach neutralises the darkness and all is left is for the concealer to do is to add a bit more coverage and to brighten. I then lightly dust the pale yellow pressed powder provided in the concealer kit to seal the concealer and prevent creasing. I must say that they are most certainly worth the money.

I must add that for days where I may need that little extra boost or coverage I tend to reach for my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Cool Medium and use that alongside the umpteen concealers I have already applied to my face. Constantly raved about in the beauty blogging world I must say that the hype is true - it is by far one of the best concealers I have come across. It covers, brightens and doesn't crease on my under eye (well for me it doesn't).

Ok, enough of the concealer talk. I told you that I get slightly carried away!!

To seal in the base I add a little of the MAC Blot Pressed Powder. Great for any of you ladies that struggle to get that shine under control. I have already hit pan since getting this stuff earlier this year. This is most definitely a handbag staple if you live in a humid climate like me or suffer from a shiny face.

To inject a bit of life back into my pale face I dabble in a spot of contouring, you know, to define the face and make me look like I have model-like cheekbones. For this I use the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder. This is great stuff, it gives you that little bit of summer glow without the orangey-ness and can be easily built up to reach the desired shade.

For a pinch of rosiness I either use the Benefit Hervana Face Powder or the Max Factor Creamy Touch Miracle Blush in Soft Pink. Both have great colour pay off and are very easy to apply. I highly recommend both of them.

For brows its the Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium. I am still not there on the strong eyebrow trend. This is perfect as it doesn't add too much colour to the brows but it makes them look more defined and tidy. This is a tad expensive for a brow product but fantastic all the same. If you are looking for more of a purse friendly offering, try Rimmel or Maybelline. They have similar products in their line.

As for the lashes, I am currently loving Maybelline's the Hyper Curl Volume Express Waterproof Mascara which doesn't seem to be available in the UK. Sucks to be you. If you want to check out something similar try Maybelline's the Falsies Waterproof Mascara. Both of these mascaras are fantastic. They lengthen, volumize and give your lashes curls that would give Kim K a run for her money. Once you go waterproof when it comes to your lashes, you'll never go back.

Last but very not least its down to the lips. Just like concealer I have an addiction to lip balms. I am like clockwork, every thirty minutes I find myself applying it, so a case of dry chapped lips just isn't the norm for me. So recently the unspeakable happened, I got chapped lips. Two lip balms down and no improvement I decided to take the plunge and buy the blogger famous Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Lip Balm. With a thick and nourishing non-sticky consistency, this product is like a hug for your poorly dry lips in a glass container.  One thing is for sure, I am in love.

What are your daily makeup essentials?

K x

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A List of Loves, Covets and New Finds #1

Currently Loving
Its no secret that I am a mahoosive blog fanatic. Whether it be fashion, beauty, lifestyle, wedding or food related. The best platform for collating all these blogs into one easy place is obviously Bloglovin'. Even more so now my blog is on there! I have downloaded the app for my iPhone which makes browsing through my favourite blogs much easier. Try it out guys.

Next on my list of current loves is the Evening Chill Playlist on Spotify. Its just the perfect list to chill out to, whether it be with a glass of wine or helping me focus on typing up my blog posts. I have discovered so many new artists through my daily indulge of this playlist. I love love love!

Currently Coveting
Ashley Madekwe (my current girl crush) posted this beaut of a photo on instagram the other day and I instantly fell in love with what was on her lips. The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl. Wow, what a cracking shade. A stunning pinky red offering. I need this in my life. Ashley Madekwe has a fashion blog, check it out. That girl can seriously rock some amazing outfits.

Now I need to let you all know about my addiction to concealers. I have quite dark under-eye circles and I am constantly on the hunt for the next miracle concealer. You name the product, I have probably tried it. So, after seeing Anna of Vivianna Does Makeup review of the Clarins Instant Concealer, I knew that I needed this in my make up stash ASAP. Hong Kong unfortunately do not stock Clarins make-up. What is that all about?! So I will just have to wait to pick up this little number on my return to the UK.

Boots, boots, boots. I fricking love a good pair of boots. I spotted these babies from Topshop on my weeky jaunt of the store in central. They definitely went on my Christmas list faster than I could say Jingle Bells. I must say, they look better in the flesh than on the website. Trust me.

New Finds
After reading Luce of Bonjour Luce post on Into The Gloss I checked out the site. I actually spent a good hour or so browsing through the other day. Its addictive. Its a one stop shop for all things beauty related with fantastic and inspiring interviews of many famous beautiful women. I urge you to go and have a read.

Ping Pong Gintoneria is hidden little gem of a bar located in the Sai Ying Pun area on Hong Kong island. The only way people hear about this place is through word of mouth. Clearly from the outside (pictured above) you wouldn't know what lies beyond that ominous red door unless someone recommends or takes you there. You are greeted with a steep set of stairs followed by a wall of breasts located at the bottom. With a wide selection of Gin inspired cocktails (I would know, I tried a few) its a great bar with a lovely chilled out atmosphere. Go take a look, its worth it.

What have you guys discovered recently?

K x

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The Lipstick Edit: Three Budget Buys

I have become a lipstick fiend as of late, always on the prowl for my next lipstick fix.

So here is my opinion on a few budget buys that I have picked up over the last month or so... 

'Coral Kiss' from The Body Shop Colour Crush range is a beautiful orangey nude colour, its quite sheer so it does require some applying before a desired shade is reached. These lipsticks glide on smoothly and feel quite hydrating if your lips are in good condition. Unfortunately due to the change in the weather, my lips are in a sorry state of affairs and this lipstick just clung to the dry patches.

Do not let this avert your decision though. As long as your lips are nice and smooth, this is a great formula and long lasting, which is always a pro for me as my biggest bugbear with lip products is the constant reapplying.

My inner Betty Boop appeared in this photo thanks to this next lipstick offering.

'Crazy Sexy Crinson' also from the same range is a deep burgundy/crimson red with a slight brown undertone. Perfect for autumn/winter time.

Just like 'Coral Kiss', this glides on smoothly (except for when you have dry lips) and can be built up to the desired shade. 

They have quite a smooth and shiny formula so if you are looking to make them more matte just add a touch of translucent powder or a setting powder to the lips after.

All in all, a good lipstick for the price but make sure you prepare your lips to resemble that of a baby's bottom or you'll be having problems.

I am totally into the bright bold lip look at the moment. In all honesty, it does scare me wearing such bright colours out in public. I suppose its the constant thought that I might smile at someone and low and behold, my teeth are completely covered in the stuff!

Anyway, that will certainly not deter me from purchasing eye popping bold colours such as this one from Maybelline. It doesn't feel like the most Matte formula I have ever tried but it is certainly true to colour. A rich orangey red that glides on nicely and doesn't cling to the dry patches like The Body Shop lipsticks.

I would recommend this range if you are looking for a Matte type lip product with good colour pay-off and a long lasting formula to boot.

See you on the f-lip side....

K x

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Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist - A Skincare Must Have

 Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist - £12.71 for 50ml

I have been eying up this little number for a while and whilst I was raiding the BeautyBay website a good month or so ago I decided to pop it into my basket. I have been on the lookout for a new toner and this one just happened to be right up my street - something to balance, restore, brighten and hydrate my complexion.

Housed in a glass bottle which is very simple and not all that eye catching, its whats on the inside that really counts. I have incorporated this into my morning skincare routine by either spritzing or spraying onto the palm of my hand and pressing into my skin just after cleansing. The latter seems to be more effective in my opinion.

This stuff is like 'instant face sparkle' in a bottle. You know the sparkly face that Edward gets when he hits the sun in Twilight? That is what I am talking about. Ok, maybe a little extreme but as soon as I apply this, my dull complexion is instantly brightened. My skin looks and feels plumper and much more hydrated.

It has all the right ingredients to give your face a little oomph in the morning. Obviously containing rose essential oils with a mixture of aloe and marshmallow (unfortunately not the type of marshmallow you are thinking about. Imagine that though?!)

I personally love this. A great product for normal to combination skin and a lovely little addition to my skincare routine.

What toners do you reach for?

K x

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The Facial Cleansing Lowdown

Since moving to HK I have had a growing obsession for facial cleansers and YouTube. I am subscribed to a hell of a lot of beauty channels and low and behold, three out of these four cleansers have been raved about on beauty blogs and YouTube alike. I had to see what all this commotion was about.

Enter the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 

This is by far one of the most luxurious and expensive items of skincare I own. Coming in at £25-£28 for 100ml depending on where you buy it. I tend to use BeautyBay if you're interested.

I have been using this cleanser since April and cannot put the thing down. It smells just like refreshers (the retro sweet) and glides on to your skin like a dream.

When applying it to the skin it feels like a gel/balm hybrid and with a few swirls of the hands it is quick to melt away make-up and even waterproof mascara - bonus!

It most definitely brightens my dull looking complexion and my skin instantly feels brighter and much smoother.

I honestly can not recommend this product enough. I have even bought a new bottle ready for when my current one runs out. If this product is anything to go by, I definitely need to try more products from Oskia.

My second cleanser of choice is The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter.

Sumptuous it is.

This has a much better price tag, coming in at £12 or $139HKD.

All you do is scoop a little out on to your hands and apply to dry skin. This immediately softens into a balm like consistency and is also quick to melt make-up, including waterproof. Once you resemble something like a panda, remove with a wet muslin cloth.

Just like the Oskia gel, this leaves your skin feeling refreshed and baby soft. A definite must buy.

I also have the Silky Cleansing Oil from the same range. This cleansing oil is for all skin types and definitely doesn't interfere with my already oily complexion.

Same as the cleansing butter, you apply this to dry skin and massage it in. This is also great at removing make-up.

I have to be honest though, this cleanser has taken a back seat since the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter entered my life.

I still highly recommend this product as it does what it says on the tin and is a bargain at £10 for 200ml.

Last but not certainly not least... I recently purchased this little number from Vichy which costs around £14 or $180HKD.

I needed something that contained salicylic acid as I have been getting a lot of milia spots (milk spots) forming on my cheeks lately. I did a cheeky (no pun intended) search on google and people recommended using a cleanser containing this type of acid as it is supposed to help remove impurities and excess sebum, yes I know that's disgusting, but we are all human here!

I have only been using this for a week or so but I have already noticed that the size of the milk spots appear to have reduced. My skin is obviously not used to this type of cleanser so I have broken out in a few areas on my face, but nothing too ghastly.

The cleanser tends to bring everything to the surface of the skin once I have wiped off the product with a warm muslin cloth. Is it me, or does anyone else find that satisfying?!

I haven't noticed my pores tightening as of yet, but I suspect that from continued use it might start to improve the appearance of my crater-like pores.

I purchased this here in Hong Kong and can not seem to find a link for it in the UK. Sorry guys.

What cleansers do you use?

K x

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Feeling Autumnal

Autumn is by far my favourite season of the year. The crisp cold air on a sunny day, the beautifully coloured leaves and relaxing in a little country pub with a roaring fire. That's my idea of autumn.

Being able to wrap myself up in a chunky over-sized scarf teamed with a big comfy jumper is my idea of bliss. I can only dream of this as I am currently sat with the air con and its 28 degrees outside!

A girl can dream eh?!

So the other day I reached for this little delight from Revlon, in the shade 406 'Hold 'Em'. A beautiful deep plummy purple, that's got autumn written all over it. Within 30 seconds of getting home it was already on my nails. The brush is wide which makes for an easy application and two coats is perfect.

I also picked up a stunning brighter purple from the same collection, in the shade 410 'Up The Ante', also great for this time of year.

As for the lips, I applied a mixture of the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Frambourjois (which by the way, is by far one of the best liquid lipsticks I have tried!) and the Rimmel Kate Matte lipstick in 107.

Big up the Autumn time...


K x

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There is no set path. Just follow your heart....

How often do people really follow their heart? I would say very few. 

If it wasn't for the important people in my life telling me to take the plunge, I would probably still be daydreaming now and wondering what if?

Now I am by no means an expert when it comes to make-up and skincare and the same for throwing a few pieces of clothing together to represent my 'own' style but the one thing I do have for these things is a passion. A kind of passion that gets me excited when it comes to buying a new pair of jeans or purchasing the next best thing in in the wonderful and varied world of cosmetics.
 
You are likely to find a bit of everything on here, whether it be a blow by blow account of every mouthful of food I take at a restaurant or showing you my latest beauty and clothing purchases. Oh and I have a few travel plans coming up, so watch this space for some holiday inspired posts.

Happy reading!

K x

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