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.
