New Year, New Make-up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, READERS (if you're still there because I have gone missing for an entire month)! I seriously need to clean the cobwebs and all the dust that has settled on my blog. I was on a self-proclaimed blogging break to do some eat pray love (in New York City). To be honest, I felt a little lost in the last few months of 2016 so I needed to just step back a bit and figure out what it is that I really want.

But I am back! And to kick off 2017, here's a beauty haul because those are my must-clicks on youtube when I'm snuggled up in bed after a long tiring day.

HAIR

• Batiste Dry Shampoo - Ever since I tried Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray (which can double as dry shampoo) in the mornings when I'm too lazy to wash my hair (I wash it at night okay... it's only half disgusting but sometimes I choose to have a few more minutes of sleep over washing/drying my hair... you feel me right?), I have been kind of obsessed with using a dry shampoo to keep it fresh and... pleasantly.... fragrant?
• Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo and Conditioner - This makes my hair as soft as a baby. Hazim and I first used it back in 2013 during our honeymoon at the hotel we were staying in. I decided to finally purchase it this year... and bought more bottles during my trip!

SKINCARE

• Tatcha Bestsellers Set - I've heard so many good reviews about the Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. I wasn't even intending to purchase it because the full size costs about USD48 (I mean come on... 50 bucks for something that's essentially 99% water?) but when I saw this set costing USD62 (I'm a sucker for sets btw).... it just fell into my basket. Don't know what happened.

• Too Cool For School 1/2 Dozen Egg Cream Mask - This is a pack of six masks for hydration, firming and pore-tightening. Again, sucker for sets. I know I'm pretty late to the party but apparently Asian skincare has been using a lot of 'egg' as an ingredient for radiant and nourished skin for quite some time! I hope it's true because... boy... I am not aging gracefully.
• Boscia Tsubaki Oil Deep Hydration Hydrogel Mask - You know how Sephora has all those stuff on the sides when you're queuing for the cashier? Yeah that happened. Whoever thought of doing that should be given some award or commission from Sephora. It's so genius... and I fall for the trap every single time. 
• Boscia Sake Brightening Hydrogel Mask - Same as above. Shake my head. May we all have stronger willpower in 2017. Amin.

• Sunday Riley Brightening Enzyme Water Cream - My moisturiser ran out and I wanted to try something new. I have tried a lot of moisturisers but I always turn back to Origins because they're easy and light and smell so refreshing. We'll see if I end up loving this or not. Beauty Youtubers, Hello October and I Covet Thee, seem to adore it--it's always up in their favourites. So you better be as good as they say, my friend. 

• Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser - I was looking for a new cleanser and the lady at Sephora raved about this. I am not one to care about high-end cleanser... All this while I have been using drugstore cleansers from Simple and Oxy, which I quite liked. I also just recently finished my Innisfree White Pore Facial Cleanser, which I also quite liked. Even Caroline Hirons says you shouldn't be spending too much on it (read: where to spend your money here). But I wanted to just check it out. I bet you, I'll turn back to my trusty Oxy Acne Control Whitening Wash once this trying phase is over. (Note: Laneige Brunei sent over a couple of things including a cleanser that I tried and also liked--more on that next time!)

• Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil - I love facial oils. My skin is extra dry and dehydrated that sometimes moisturisers aren't enough (or too thick and tacky that I feel like dust and germs are just going to stick to my face). So far, I have used the MV Organic Skincare Rose Plus Booster and the Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil (I prefer the latter because the booster is just too slippy under make-up but I do use it at night for a thicker consistency). 

I bought these ones at a duty free before the long flight home.

• Clarins One Step Cleanser  - This toner-like cleanser was an easy thing to travel with. My face instantly freshened up after that 12-hour flight.
• Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - Okay... I hate having anything shiny on my lips especially sticky tacky gloss. But I have to say, I'm borderline obsessed with this lip oil. It's not tacky at all! It's just nice and comfortable to wear, and it smells super duper heavenly! And most importantly, it saved my lips. My lips have never gotten that dry, ever. In the last few days in New York, it hurt to even smile! At one point when I did, my lip cracked and bled. True story.

MAKE-UP

• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (Medium) - This is a repurchase. I think I found THE base, you guys. It's so easy AND has an SPF of 50+. 
• IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer - Trying this out because... well it's 3.30AM and I'm still wide awake and I need to not look like a zombie tomorrow, please. 

• Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita - ANOTHER REPURCHASE! This is... probably... my most loved lipstick. I don't normally finish lipsticks, so that says a lot about this baby. Try it if you haven't!
• Blinc Mascara - Again, I'm not usually big on expensive mascaras because I used to splurge on high-end ones but eventually realised that drugstore mascaras that are a fraction of the price can do the same or even better. I do love the Estee Edit one though but after I ran out of that, I was using L'Oreal's False Lash Flutter Midnight Black Mascara and completely fell in love with it. No smudges, no overpowering scent... and the wand made it easy to coat my bottom lashes!

I'm so excited to try them out and I'll make sure to let you know if I really dislike something. Until the next inspiration to blog, goodnight! (I'm sure no amount of concealer can reverse time and make me look youthful again).

Love,