Monday 18 June 2012

Announcement: Year Abroad Sub-blog!




For those that don't know, I'm migrating to Australia for a year from July onwards to do my year abroad in Brisbane! I've never been to Australia so there are going to be many new things to experience! =D 

So to document what I'm up to over there, I'm planning to create a new sub-blog dedicated just to my Ozzie adventures and my other travel plans outside of Australia. If you're keen to find out more about Brisbane through an international student's eyes, make sure to check it out! =))




Review: Bare Minerals Foundation


One thing that was on my last-minute to-pack list for Hong Kong was to find some mineral foundation, so that my face can survive the hot and humid weather without my pores being clogged up. In the past, I've always used the Skin79 Hot pink BB Cream, but seeing as it just melted off my face whenever I get super sweaty and hot, it leaves my skin looking majorly oily-- not particularly attractive..

One thing that I do know about mineral foundation is that it is supposedly good for the skin, and it contains elements in the powder that doesn't make your skin look as oily when its humid outside. And this is the sole reason why I opted to try out Bare Escentuals' mineral foundation.

So I wore it for a few days in England, and my skin was fine. But I found that I had to put a lot to cover my blemishes (because it also acts as a concealer) which looked heavy on the skin and slightly off my skin-tone the more you apply.

However, once I touched down Hong Kong, my skin did not look too great after 2 days of use. My face became incredibly dry and bumps and dry patches on my skin appeared. The more I sweat, the more my face burned and became itchy! Needless to say, I had an allergic reaction to the mineral foundation.

I googled searched the stuff and found that Bare Escentuals mineral foundation actually contains a chemical called Bismuth Oxychloride which is the culprit for causing my face to burn and itch so intensely! It is used to help the product blend more smoothly on the skin and some of its by-products contain metals of lead and copper nature which enhances acne growth. -_____- ughh. This also explains why I've been breaking out so much too!

I am not one to usually have such sensitive skin, but I would definitely not recommend this to anyone who does!! This product has seriously damaged my skin and I'm still having a hard time trying to fully recover from the scaring and bouts of breakouts that I'm having.

Despite my unfavoured reaction to the product, it is possibly not to say that I should never try mineral foundation again, but in the future, it is noteworthy to look at the ingredients beforehand and watch out for the deadly Bismuth.



Saturday 9 June 2012

(All) things sweet and beautiful ;)







I don't have much experience in baking, so deciding to make Red Velvet Cupcakes the other day was definitely an ambitious attempt to eliminate my post-exam boredom! I found a cookbook at home which contained a series of sweet recipes in which I saw red velvet! In hope it would taste anything like the ones you get at LOLA's, London.. I tried as hard as possible to stick to the instructions so I don't screw up. Lols. 

And the end result... 

It tasted like salty crap. lol 

Yea... in the cookbook, it said I should add 1 tsp of salt, and instead of interpreting it as teaspoon, I used a tablespoon. *facepalm* MAJOR FAIL! lol Oh wells, I guess I'll learn for next time! On the other hand, it looks like one? xP 

Lola's Cupcakes -- what they should taste like ;P 


Laduree Macaroons -- absolute LUSH! 
My next goal -- some ridiculously expensive Macaroons which you can make under £5 for a batch of at least 10. ;) Watch this space! Haha 

Friday 1 June 2012

Glossy Box UK - May, 1st Birthday Edition 2012







This month's glossybox arrived incredibly on time, I mean so quick that I got a confirmation email saying that it has been dispatched in the early hours of Wednesday morning and then just a couple of hours later it was sitting outside my bedroom door! Whoop for speed and efficiency! xP

Following on my slight disappointment with my last glossybox, I was hoping that this box would be more promising, and boy am I happy with what I got! Since its the birthday edition, a pink balloon and a compact mirror was also thrown in for good measure!

Despite all the negative comments I read about this box on their facebook page, I think all the products that I received are decent and would be things that I would try out. I know I said I'm not a big fan of sample sized shampoo/shower gel, but the one that I got smells absolutely divineee! My favourite so far is the Berber hair oil which has made my hair amazingly silky smooth.

I probably got lucky with the set of eyelashes, as I've seen some not-so-great ones which people got. I'm also looking forward to try the masks and the only thing I'm not so keen on are the sample perfumes which aren't really to my taste.

Glossybox can either be a hit or a miss, and I'm glad this month's one has given me some great products for me to try. Sadly I'm not able to continue using this service in the UK, since I'm moving to Australia for a year! But I'm most likely to try Glossybox Australian edition just to see what products they have to offer!

Overall, I'd give this box a /★, 

For more info on the May Glossybox, click here.