Can't believe I'm actually writing a post on my birthday (although posted two days late), especially since I have not written for a month. I have been very buried with University coursework - it's been nothing but assignments this semester. And it seems like they have our Christmas holidays all planned out as well. Anyway, enough of university blabbering - it's Christmas time! December is my favourite month of the year, and it is not just because of my birthday and Christmas, which are just one week apart. It is usually during this month that you get to meet up with people and have a proper catch up, be it for cocktails or a proper night out.
I have also been on holiday to London during the first week of December, which is where I have done most, if not all, of my Christmas shopping. It's not that Maltese people aren't festive, but the British seem to celebrate Christmas way better than here. Not mentioning Oxford Street's decorations, which are incomparable to anything here, you seem to hear Christmas carols in coffee shops, restaurants, in the street, markets... everywhere. I am actually a bit bummed that I did not get to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, however we were a bit tight on time. Also, on our last day it was pouring rain, and we had to leave Southbank Market and go back to our hotel. If you live in Malta, you would have a highly offbeat idea of a market.
Covent Garden is magical by itself, let alone in Christmas time. It is where we had the best meal compared to the mountainous amount of junk food we came across when stopping for lunch in the afternoon.
Considering I ended up more skint than I thought upon coming back from London, it may be while until I return to London. I am planning something a bit more relaxed for my next holiday, consisting of no shopping whatsoever. Maybe Greece?
As of this week the weather turned chilly in Malta and it got me searching online for some snuggly winter accessories. Not that I'm allowed to buy - I'm restricting myself for when I go to London. Three more weeks to go. Anyway, scarves are one of the main winter must-haves for me. You can never have enough - there are so many different textures, colours and styles. I've compiled some of my favourites below.
In yesterday's comeback post I mentioned that I've been using a new hydrating mask which has been a savior for my skin lately. As promised, here's the review!
AHAVA Time to Hydrate Hydration Cream Mask made it into my shopping bag as soon as I read "... including sensitive skin". I'm quite apprehensive about trying out new masks out of fear that they would not suit my skin type, especially if they come with a price tag. I tend to look for ones that include sensitive skin in their description - that way I know that there's a high chance that I won't be disappointed.
AHAVA's cream mask can also be used as an overnight intensive treatment, which I do once every week. Since the texture is quite thick (it does say cream mask), you only need a small amount to massage into your face. A little goes a long way. I use this mask twice a week, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays. This reminds me of the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, which I still need to get my hands on when I come to London.
BeautyBay is right in saying that this mask keeps your skin "unbelievably soft and smooth" - my skin is left feeling like a baby's bottom. Not my intention to leave you all imagining baby bum cheeks, but let's carry on. AHAVA Time to Hydrate mask is supplemented with mineral skin osmoter complex and glycoproteins. From what I remember from Biology class, the osmoter complex is involved in a process called osmosis, which has to do with transporting water in and out of cells. Without getting into more science, it's how this mask helps to keep the skin even more hydrated. It's one of the most luxurious products I've ever used, replacing my previous Michael Todd Avocado & Mango Hydrating Facial Mask.
If I'm not leaving it overnight, I keep it on my face for 15 minutes, then remove the product with a lukewarm muslin cloth.
Would I repurchase? I will be trying out the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask after this - the product is too hyped to let it slide by. However, as soon as I run out, I will be having this in my cabinet again. Hands down.
So I haven't been the most loyal blogger these past two weeks... I apologise for that. Before I started this blog I swore I'll keep it updated and never neglect it. However, things have happened lately that barely left me any time for myself, let alone sit down and write on here.
I'm not used to doing these rambly kind of posts, but anyway. Aside from having some personal issues, I have been very busy with school. It's like our lecturers decided to conspire against us to ruin the rest of the month by giving us most of our assignments in one week. I'm not entirely complaining, at least most of them are practical and we actually get to learn something, rather than just skimming through books and including anything that seems relevant. Oh, and I've also been elected as Student Representative at the Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences, which is the faculty of the course which I'm following. I've finally went ahead and done it, which is something I've been contemplating over in the past year.
I have also been writing articles for a Maltese website, EVE. I sent them an article a while ago which still needs to be published - can't wait for that one! I also need to find time to write more articles. I need to learn to write in advance. The same goes for this blog. That way I'll always have something to put up, hopefully every two days at least.
I have been trying out some new products which have been helping my skin to keep up with the changing weather. In Malta we've gone from wearing t-shirts to layering on jumpers. I have been slapping on a new hydrating mask by a brand which is completely new to my skincare cabinet. It deeply nourishes my skin, however it deserves a post of its own (which will be up by tomorrow, hopefully).
My favourite month of the year is fastly approaching. December never fails to get me all excited, with my birthday and Christmas just a week apart. However, this year I'm also going on holiday, which adds to the frenzy. It also motivates me to finish up most of my assignments before the 1st of December. How that's gonna work out, I'm not entirely sure.
Having ordered this around three weeks ago, it was only last
week that it found itself in my mailbox. With winter approaching, I was on the
hunt for a good hydrating day cream – specifically for daytime and for combating
dehydration that tends to come with the colder months.
Pai’s Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream is the man
for the job. Although I have combination skin, it does tend to get dehydrated
in winter, but I was still a bit worried when I read, “Hydrates and protects
DRY sensitive skin”. However, upon applying it to my face the following
morning, my skin absorbed it within seconds. It felt so quenched and revived
afterwards without the cream sitting on my face that I could just go ahead and
apply my foundation straight away. I’m already noticing a difference in my skin
– I’m not sure whether it’s due to this cream, or some other new products I’ve
been trying out, but it surely is not doing any harm.
The avocado is rich in vitamins A, D and E that moisturizes
and gives life to dull skin. Jojoba’s composition is close to that of the
skin’s natural sebum, hence why it absorbs quickly, leaving me with a smooth,
glowing complexion.
The scent is very floral, being infused with Jasmine and May
Chang, which I don’t mind at all. It’s quite refreshing to have on your face
early in the morning.
What makes me trust Pai products is that they list all their
ingredients, one by one, together with what they are derived from. I’ve never
seen this with any other brands. Pai's Hydrating Day Cream is a definite repurchase!
As we ease into the colder months, I tend to reach for darker, 'more appropriate' autumn shades. This MODELS OWN nail polish in Pinky Brown from the Beetlejuice collection always makes the cut. Unfortunately, ModelsOwn have stopped shipping to Malta for reasons I'm not aware of, but last year I managed to place my order without any obstacles.
MODELS OWN nail polishes do what they say in the description. They are long lasting and hardwearing indeed - this has been on my nails since Saturday evening, and there aren't any signs of chipping yet. I did need to apply three coats before the colour came out fully opaque, however the drying time is amazing. I always seal my nail polish with the Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Anti-Chip top coat, which does help in reducing the drying time. But excluding the top coat, these polishes do not need more than five minutes to set. This beauty changes shade in different light - the main colour is purple, but it does have some orange and bronze undertones.
Since this is glittery, extra care needs to be taken when removing the polish. The ideal way is to soak a cotton pad in nail polish remover and press it to your nails for around one minute. Then rub the remaining product.
What are your favourite autumn/winter nail polishes?
Having a stationary that sells makeup just outside University is not financially healthy at all. I had 30 minutes or so to kill this afternoon so I decided to go have a look at the Revlon stand. There were a few items I've been eying up for a while, and I've been wanting to update my makeup in the lipstick department for autumn/winter.
Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude 070, Lip Butter in Pink Champagne 047*, ColorStay Liquid Lipstick in Brilliant Bordeaux 040
I ended up getting two lipsticks and received a free lip butter, which I believe is discontinued (I stand to be corrected).
Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude (070)
I find nude lips to be a staple for every season, whether you're going for a 'no makeup' makeup day, or whether you're going for a heavy smokey eye, therefore I got the Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude (070). Having tried another colour from this range, I'm already in love with their perfect-for-winter formula - moisturizing, soft and sits well on the lips, it's one of the few lipsticks that doesn't give me flaky pouts.
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Lipstick in Brilliant Bordeaux (040)
This, on the hand, is something I needed to spice up my makeup bag. Perfect to ease into fall and winter, this red-plummy colour is something I don't usually go for. It's a liquid lipstick, thus it initially applies like a gloss, then it dries up, staining the lips. The first application was a complete mess, and I almost regretted buying it. However, when I got home I gave it another go as I needed to take pictures in order to write this post. Second time lucky. I'm now in love with this colour. The only hitch is the formula; it leaves my lips slightly thirsty, but my lips are quite dry naturally. I think I will be purchasing the ColorBurst lip gloss in Bordeaux to apply on top of this. Who'd want to see this beauty go to waste anyways?
Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Champagne (047)*
This definitely is a colour I wouldn't have noticed at all, since I'm not the type that tends to go for pink coloured lips. HOWEVER, I may have been converted. The divine formula aside, I'm loving this natural coloured lip. I can see myself wearing this with a heavy brown smokey eye, and it's quite a nice change from always opting for a beige nude lip. It being a butter, it's perfect for the cold winter weather, which favours sucking all the hydration out of those rims.
Where do I even begin? I've decided to do this post around 15 minutes ago, after realising how stressed I've been these past two weeks. If things were worth stressing over, I do not know. Probably not, though. I have the tendency to make a mountain out of a molehill, and it seems that I will never learn otherwise.
Anyway, since this post is about ways of coping with stress and not me rambling, let's get down to it.
1. Take deep breaths
When you are on the verge of breaking down, stop, take a deep breath and relax. Although it may sound silly, it's like a slap in the face - it gets you thinking about stuff in a rational state.
2. Cherish your loved ones
These are the people we tend to take it out on. Afterwards, I'm plunged by a guilty sensation worse than how rubbish I was initially feeling.
3. Find a hobby
If you're anticipating one of those moments, stop what you're doing and go do something which you actually like. It could either be watching YouTube videos, television, reading books or blogs, going for a walk... anything as long as it takes your mind of things. Some hobbies are less accessible than others, so I suggest finding something that you could do anytime at the comfort of your own home.
4. Make lists
Being an organised and undiagnosed OCD freak, I enjoy making lists, and ticking off my efforts once accomplished. Having things systematized puts me at ease, rather than having uncounted things to do and not knowing from where to start, let alone finish.
5. Set deadlines
After making your list, set deadlines for your to-do acts. If things are related to school or work, they will probably already have their own, but I prefer to set virtual limits for myself. This will prevent you from leaving things up to the last minute.
6. Do separate research after lessons
Okay so this is aimed for those still at school - don't just rely on your class notes. They are not enough! I have developed a habit where I find time to gather my notes and start researching and elaborating on what I wrote in class. Doing it subject by subject prevents you from getting overwhelmed with all the extra information, but it makes you feel much richer knowledge-wise.
7. Take long baths
I still need to indulge in this, but I presume it does work.
8. Take an early night
Avoid staying up late when feeling at the end of your rope. Make a cup of your favourite hot drink, whatever it is, and tuck yourself in bed. I find that hot water with honey and a slice of lemon eases me into my sleep.
9. Learn to say "NO"
There was a time when I embarked on a bountiful of to-do items, then wondering how the hell I'm gonna do everything in time. Now I'm learning to not take on more than I can chew, and if I feel that I don't want to do something, or go somewhere, I just don't. If you feel that that little something is going to send you over the cliff, just don't do it. There's nothing wrong in saying "no" sometimes.
These are most of the things I exercise when I'm under stress, or to avoid stress altogether.
Are there any other things which you find useful? Let me know! Until then, it's good to remember that 99% of the things that we worry about don't happen.
This very morning before the start of the 9am lecture, I went with a couple of friends browsing through beauty counters outside University. It was my friend almost ending up buying the wrong shade of foundation that tempted me to write this post. Going to a beauty counter to purchase a new foundation can be frustrating, and something that we tend to delay.
After seeing countless beauty videos and reading tips on choosing the right foundation, here are my main tips in a nutshell.
Skin type
Probably the most important thing to be aware of. Most foundations, if not suitable for all skin types, target:
oily/combination
normal
sensitive / blemish-prone
dehydrated
dry
Firstly, if your skin is sensitive it doesn't necessary mean that it's oily - fact. In winter, my sensitive skin chooses to deprive itself of all hydration, but it still goes bonkers if I apply an unsuitable product.
Coverage
Decide on the amount of coverage you want - light, medium or heavy. If you're looking for a daytime foundation, the best route to go through is light-medium coverage. A little SPF is also beneficial to avoid slapping numerous products on your face. On the other hand, if you're looking for something to hit the clubs with, go for medium-heavy coverage. Also, avoid any foundation containing SPF if you're going to have your picture taken with flash. Ever wondered why your face turns out much paler than the rest of your body in photos? Yes.
Right shade
Take note: your hands are not the same colour as your face. It's useless trying to blend the foundation on the side of your hand; your chance of getting the right shade is second to none. The way to go is to apply the product on your jawline and blend it down to the side of your neck. Keep in mind we have different colour zones on our face.
Samples
It's not rude to ask for a sample, as long as you don't march up to the counter and demand it from the salesgirl. Take a small pot with you, and after trying different shades and showing interest, ask for a small pump of the product. It's best to try the foundation in your own environment and spend some time with it, see how it blends with your skin under natural light. Remember that the light in beauty stores is artificial. You'll also have time to ask people for their opinion. If you get compliments without asking, it's even better.
Making the decision
Don't be pressured to buy - if you don't like it, don't buy it. It's you who'll be pouring out the gravy. You should take your own time at buying a foundation, it's something which should not be done in a slapdash manner. There are plenty of foundations for each and every one of us.
Rather than just sipping coffee and catching up with friends during University Fresher's Week, this year I attempted something different. Along with those, I got a friend of mine to accompany me with her camera, and we went on a hunt for A/W'13 trends on campus.
A while back I was not one that thought of makeup in terms of seasons. Not that I do so strictly now, but it's nice to actually play around and see what suits you. While in summer we tend to shift towards the cooler, more vibrant tones, winter time is perfect to experiment with darker colours.
If you are in need of revamping your makeup bag, here are some bits and blobs which I think are worth investing in. Today, we'll be tackling those peepers...
This palette contains matte and glittery shades, therefore it's perfect for both daytime and evening. The colours are perfect for autumn, and you can apply them with a damp brush to intensify the pigmentation.
While bronzey-brown eyeshadow looks great with all eye colours, it's especially suited for the blue-eyed folks.
Purpley and reddish shades are a nice alternative to brown-toned eyeshadow for those with brown eyes. While wearing such shades on the eyes can sound terrifying, finding the right shade can prevent you from looking dull, or worse, like you have allergy eyes.
Cheaper alternatives that are worth investing in are the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Shadow Sticks. My favourites are Bulletproof Beige and Bad Bronze (at €5.84 each), which go perfectly well blended together.
Little pots I can't wait to get my hands on are the Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24H Cream Eyeshadow in And On Bronze and Metallic Pomegranate. I believe they are around the €10 mark in Malta, which is quite expensive compared to the UK (£4.99 each). However, I've heard nothing but good things about them, so hopefully they would be worth investing in.
I know, I know, this is cheating. A multi-purpose palette featured in an 'eyes' post. But I just couldn't resist. Although it looks expensive at first glance, this NARS palette would be a gem to invest in. Considering the prices of NARS eyeshadows and blushes, this palette is a fairly good price. It consists of four eyeshadows (All About Eve, Nouveau Monde, Bellisima & Condura), a blush in Deep Throat and the famous bronzer in Laguna. With all these products, it would be the perfect palette for travelling.
Do you own any of the above products? Are there any others which you think are worth investing in? Leave your A/W must-haves in the comments below. In the mean time, keep your peepers open for A/W lips and cheeks.
I don't usually take photos during Fresher's Week, but this year it was concluded otherwise. While I decided to combine A/W trends and Fresher's Week (more info later on next week), we also got our pictures taken ourselves. My friend Laura got her Nikon camera and started snapping away. As an aspiring photographer, she is seriously competent at what she does. Here are some pictures that made the cut.
Day 1
First day of Fresher's Week; with Laura & Lara (taken by Insite)
Day 2
Writing notes
Day 2: Stopping students for my article
Snapping some pictures of ourselves; with Lara
Day 4
Chatting over a cappuccino on Thursday morning
In between lectures on campus with Annabel
Day 3 is missing as there weren't any pictures taken. We only had one lecture, and were at University for only about three hours. On day 5, which is today, my only lecture got cancelled and I stayed at home to work on an article for Eve, which will be up by some time next week.
I have a feeling this photography spree is about to become a habit. Photos are possibly the only physical way to keep track of memories. In the meantime, while I'm currently contemplating which camera I should invest in, Laura... we could put your beloved Nikon to some more use.
The jumpsuit, or boiler suit as it's called here, is especially for those fashion risk takers. Expect strange looks from people, especially in Malta... but it screams "CONFIDENCE". Top off the outfit with a pair of boots and a leather bag.
The parka is something I would totally wear.I have never bought one for myself as being only 5"2, the ones I came across always seemed to swallow me up. However, I think the ones below are a decent size, and most importantly, they're in camo print.
I cropped the whole picture for the purpose to see how you could put the whole outfit together. Apart from this, I find leather and camo to be a fit combo.
A jumper could also be worn with a pair of leather pants or leggings. In case of leggings, go for an oversized jumper - you don't want to moon anyone with your buttocks.
Wear with a plain white top or shirt, depending on the style of the skirt.If the weather gets chilly, top off with a leather jacket, and you're good to go!
Fashion is all about taking the trends and adjusting them to your own personal taste. It's common to not like camo just because you don't like the colours, which can sometimes look dull in one's eye. Camo does not have to be on the scale of green and brown - it can include a combination of other totally different colours.
