September & October Favourites of the Month

Time flies! September and October were 2 pretty extreme months for me. Other than a couple of indulgent weeks spent touring Penang and Thailand, much of the remaining days were spent in bed, in bad shape (like literally). I feasted like a king in Penang with an aim to lose the weight before my next feast in Thailand, but alas, I suffered a very bad knee sprain during training the very next day I got back. As the saying goes, it never rains but it pours. 2 weeks later my right eye swelled up really bad, got sent to A&E for the very first time in my life and in summary, I probably had more needles in me in the 3 weeks compared to my past almost 30 years of life. More detailed stories next time.

So this explained my lack of activity over here and on Instagram, but I promise to catch up now that I am back and rejuvenated from my Thailand trip. Since I wasn’t very much ‘alive and exploring’ through September and October, I’ve decided to merge my favourites from both months. I was also pretty much living from the my luggage too, so don’t be surprise to see that many of my favourites are also travel friendly. Here goes!

1) Laneige x YCH Edition – Eyebrow Cushion-Cara in Two Tone Brown 

Honestly I was skeptical at first. I had thought that Laneige had went over experimental with their cushion-craze but they got it right once again. Other than the fashionably fun polka dots design, the Eyebrow Cushion-Cara is a super handy, ingenious and easy-to-use eyebrow kit with a high-quality (DO NOT THROW AWAY THE APPLICATOR) 2-way applicator that conveniently folds away when not in use. The sharp diagonal shaped brush applicator allows accurate drawing and quick filling in while the comb brush end gives you a natural finished look. The kit comes with a mirror for application on the go (travel friendly!) though I seldom bring it out as the eyebrow liquid sets in smudge-proof and long-lasting.

2) SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier

I was given 2 deluxe sized samples and already through both of them. I didn’t have much skin dryness issues during my hotel stays this time and I think SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier helped a lot. Basically it’s a corrective lifting serum that amplifies and retains the skin’s hyaluronic acid by 30%. It’s key potent ingredients, Licorice Root Extract (2%) and Purple Rice Extract (0.2%) work together to help retain skin moisture. While it claims to lift skin sagginess and fortify skin firmness, I didn’t feel any changes, perhaps it’s because I have used it for only 1 month. I do however feel that my skin is more plumped up, does not dry up as fast with improvements in my skin texture, which I am pretty satisfied with given that I was only using samples. Read more: why you should start your anti-aging skincare game in your early 20s.

3) Loccitane Pivoine Subline Masque Hydration Flash Moisture & Overnight Perfecting Mask

I had used them as part of my pre-wedding skin prep back in July and they are my skin’s life-savers. I can’t believe I had forgotten about them until I used my last pack a few days ago in Bangkok, post night-market harsh environment. These Peony #SelfieReady Masks do what their name claims. The overnight perfecting mask is formulated to prevent dull skin after late nights which was the life I was leading a week before my wedding. I was glad I had these in time to counter my wedding blues. They made my skin look deliciously plumped and radiant as though I had my beauty sleep.

The Flash Moisture mask enriches my skin in just minutes, I can feel it. It has a quick absorption formula made with peony complex to plump and moisturize your skin. I shared one capsule with my hubby and we both wake up with velvety smooth skin the next morning!

4) Mamonde Rose Water Toner 

This is actually a hydrating and soothing toner that is made up of 90.89% rose extract but I have found out that I can use it in 5 different ways, making it a super versatile and convenient beauty product to have on every vanity table. I have previously written a separate article about this, so click on this link if you wish to read on but don’t forget to come back here when you are done!

5) Orbis Smooth Mat Base

I have been using Orbis products since the first day the brand landed in Singapore. This Orbis Smooth Mat Base is a 2-in-1 primer that effectively conceals my enlarged and saggy pores as well as balance and absorbs sebum production. It helps to keep my skin matte-looking for a longer period of time. I use it on top of my usual moisturizing primer and only on troubled areas to keep my skin looking as natural as possible. Unlike some silicon based blurring primer, the Orbis Smooth Mat Base stays in place and does not slide down the face even when I perspire.

6) Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF30

When on holidays, the last thing I want to be weighed down by is the foundation on my face. I find myself picking up my new Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Foundation more often than other foundations that I have brought along as it is waterlight and fluid yet provides enough coverage to look presentable on Instastories. It evens out my skin tone and I only need build on for coverage. With it’s SPF30 and anti-oxidant, it also provides defense against UV rays and pollution (Bangkok traffic jam especially!)

7) Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Central

These are the bombs. I was gifted with 5 shades, these 3 are my favs. You can read my first impressions and swatches of all 5 shades here. The lip pigments glide onto the lips smoothly with clean lines and great accuracy which I highly favour as there is no need to use a lip brush or line my lips with a lip-liner. The colour lasts long and comfortable on the lip, melts and leave a nice, even stain after some hours of wearing. They are also non-drying. In fact, I banged on them to keep my lips moisturised throughout my 10 days travel in Thailand as I have forgotten to bring along a lip balm. The product do set into the liplines, but giving them a new coat of lipstick pretty much solves the problem. I think I’ll be wearing them through November as well 😛

8) PUMA Ignite Netfit

I normally prefer to wear casual shoes, loafers and heels on a normal basis however due to my knee injury, I switched to my trusty Puma Ignite Netfit. With one knee down, my left knee was also strained to hold my body weight and thus, both legs needed all the support and comfort they can get. Other than the versatility over how it can lace up, it also features PUMA’s proprietary PU foam with a brand-new chevron design providing superior energy return and comfort with every step! It also helps that the sport shoes look sleek with a gorgeous deep blue colour for photo opportunities too!

Let me know what you think of my favourite picks for the month. If you have tried anyone of them or have any questions, feel free to shoot! I’d love to know your thoughts!

Tags: Beauty, Estee Lauder (Brand), Laneige (Brand), Loccitane (Brand), Makeup & Beauty, Mamonde (Brand), ORBIS (Brand), Review, Shu Uemura (Brand), Skincare