Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)

I have been getting breakouts for the last few years and it has been getting worst when we arrived in London. For the past months, I have been doing my research on skincare obsessively.

I can't be thankful enough to have found BHA as it has been helping my acne and skin tremendously. When I started using The Ordinary SA 2% all over my skin, my active acne has definitely subside and the irritation reduced. However at that time, my bottle was already opened for a while and it has changed colour slightly.

So when The Inkey List launched their BHA product, I bought it immediately! This didn't disappoint at all and I love using it. It reduce the irritation overnight and no more bumps. Sometimes I even mix it with Niacinamide or Lactic Acid.

Below is the breakdown of their ingredients. Both are amazing but I think it all comes down to your budget.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 30ml £4.20



Ingredients: 
Aqua (water), Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf water (soothing, antimicrobial/antibacterial), Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine (emulsifying), Salicylic acid (exfoliant, anti-acne, soothing, preservative), Dimethyl Isosorbide (solvent), Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate (chelating), Citric Acid (exfoliant, buffering), Polysorbate 20 (emulsifying), Hydroxyethyl cellulose (viscosity controlling), Triethanolamine (buffering), Ethoxydiglycol (solvent), Potassium sorbate (preservative), Sodium benzoate (preservative), 1,2-Hexanediol (solvent), Caprylyl Glycol (moisturiser/humectant, emollient)

The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid 30ml £9.99



Ingredients:
Aqua (water), Propanediol (solvent, moisturiser/ humectant), Betaine (moisturiser/humectant), Salicylic acid (exfoliant, anti-acne, soothing, preservative), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin identical ingredient, moisturiser/ humectant), Zinc PCA (anti-acne, moisturiser/humectant), Phenoxyethanol (preservative), Hydroxyethy cellulose (viscosity controlling), Maltodextrin (absorbent/ mattifier), Sodium Hydroxide (buffering), Ethylhexyglycerin (preservative), Biosaccharide Gum-1 (soothing, moisturiser/ humectant), Trisodium Ethylenediamine Dissucinate (chelating)

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

The Skincare Edit

In the past few years, I have been getting hormonal acne around my forehead, cheeks and jawline. Been trying to fix the problem with a lot of different skincare products too. 

Since we came to the UK, this problem have worsen probably because of the water although it seems to have subsided in the past few months. Plus, it's winter season now! 

1. CLEANSER

For my first cleanse, I have been using Clinique Take The Day Off Balm to remove my makeup daily. I also use a towel after I emulsify the cleanser to ensure that I have zero makeup left on my face. And then for my second cleanse, I would use Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. I have been using this for years! I love the smell and it makes my skin feels hydrated after using it.

Currently I'm trying a new cleanser - Kiehl's Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser after watching The Anna Edit rave about it in her videos. So I have stopped using Clinique cleansing balm and been using Oskia cleanser as my first cleanse and Kiehl's for my second cleanse.

I also need to mention these two cleansers that I have been using whenever my face feels congested and there's bumps coming out - Garnier SkinActive Daily Exfoliating Scrub Spot & Blackheads and Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Proofing Daily wash. I will use either one for my morning cleanser or as second cleanse in my night routine.

2. TONER

I use both hydrating and exfoliating toner - it has been the same for years. I'm using Indie Lee CoQ-10 lotion because of the ingredients - antioxidant, boost skin's from ageing effects, hydrates and soothes dry skin which I need. Basically this is my prevention for ageing skin. I also use Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist to refresh my face and when my skin feels tight. 

As for Exfoliating toner, every other day I use Pixi Glow Tonic. I used to use this on daily basis but I learned that I don't need to do it every single day from this article (here). I have been thinking to to try a different toner as I find it not making any difference to my skin. I might try this here once I have finished my current bottle.

3. SERUM

This is definitely my favorite part and where I would use my brain to figure out which serum does my skin need the most. And I should be splurging on these - not on cleansers or toners I supposed.

- Treatment serum
For now, I need to treat my acne blemishes and hyperpigmentation it left behind on my face. And also, few hormonal acne that likes to come out before that time of the month. I need something that will help brighten my skin and lighten the scars. During the day, I'm currently using mixture of The Inkey List Vitamin C with few drops of The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid. And for my night routine, I'll use few drops of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% which acts similarly to Vitamin C. And sometimes I like to alternate using The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution when there's bumps on my skin and it feels congested.

I have tried Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and my skin loves it. But I just can't splurge my money on it just yet. And I'd love to try Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum too. These will have to wait until that moment when I'm willing to splurge on them.

- Hydrating serum
This is a MUST in my skincare routine - both day and night routine. During the day, I'll have this mix as mentioned above, Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid. For night time, I use generously this serum - Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Lotion that I bought from Amazon. You can read the review (here). I have only been using this for few weeks now and my skin feels dry no more. Before this I also use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 which I still have backups in case I need to use it again.

4. MOISTURISER




Thursday, January 31, 2019

Winter Capsule Wardrobe.. Part 3

3. Bottoms

Next one we shall talk about the bottoms - jeans, leggings and a whole lot of different colours for it. I wasn't a jean-mom but now I live in them. I used to wear those smart pants since I was a working a mom. So I only have few jeans which my close ones usually laugh at me for.

Ever since we come here, I have bought more than I need. I didn't buy the expensive ones because I know that I will live in them - send the kids to school, pick them up from school, having breakfast out by myself or with some of the friends here and my ridiculous window shopping "exercise" are basically my routine these days. You probably want this life now. I'm enjoying it while it last but sometimes I feel so unproductive. Is that even the correct word to describe it?

The basic skinny jeans from H&M (here) and also, Uniqlo leggings (here) are my daily wear - dark blue, denim blue, mid blue, light blue, black, grey, brown, pink and white (my fav!). As you can already tell, I have them in more than one type. I wash them quite often so I see some of them have already some wear on it.

And recently, I have been thinking to whether buy an investment piece - this would include from Levi's, Topshop (which is a favorite for most people!) because they have in petite size and also, my new favorite shop - River Island. What do you think?


4. Shoes

Historically, I am a mid-heel to flats kinda girl and I have zero sneakers/ trainers in my collection. BUT today, I have 4 pairs of sneakers/ trainers in white and light pink - I still don't know what is their exact name and I plan to buy one more pair or maybe two. What does that tell you?  Cue for ridiculous impulse purchases!

How can I not since I live in them too especially now (it's winter now! *excuses*) that I have to walk a lot and my flats just can't handle all the walking.

Recently I have added two pair of ankle boots in my collection. I am still thinking of that socks boots from Stradivarius that I can't stop thinking about. And also over-the-knee boots that looks so pretty on those long-legged ladies. Pfft.

----

I'm going to stop this series on winter wardrobe here. I really should stop. Buy less but better. Quality over quantity. I NEED TO KEEP THESE IN MIND.

Thank you for reading my rants.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Winter Capsule Wardrobe... Part 2



I just got back from another window shopping session. Well, not really. I have few things to do actually. First of all, avo and salmon breakfast at Abasto, Connaught Village. Yumm!
  1. Debenhams - to return boots that I bought for Amni which she doesn't want at all. "I want a pink one instead". Because I bought her navy with glitter at the back of the boots which I thought was really nice.
  2. John Lewis - need to get a swimming top for Iqbal. He's too shy to only wear swimming trunk for his swimming lesson.
  3. Uniqlo - pick up my leggings after alterations. They do it for free here. I've been buying their leggings and heattech innerwear too! 
Ok back to what I'm supposed to do here. I went around at each Department stores - looking for Spring and Summer clothing. However I still find myself to look at knitwear which is not supposed to happen. I believe I have more than enough already. What is enough anyway. There were few knitwears that I was tempted to get but I hold on because I need to do this. I need to figure out how much I already have and do I need more!

2. Knitwear

WOMEN CASHMERE CREW NECK JUMPER
Uniqlo Cashmere Jumper
I first went to Primark for knitwear. I remember back during Uni days that place always have a lot of choices and affordable too. Then, along the way I tend to go to Zara, New Look, Marks and Spencer and my recent favorite, River Island and Uniqlo. My husband loves RI more than I do btw.

Cashmere jumper. I have 3 of them now. The warmest knitwear. This is my "expensive" obsession now. However, I find Uniqlo to be the cheapest than any other shops. Sometimes for the same material composition, it costs more than double. I know, it's the brand but I need to be smart. Same composition but at a lower price, I'M ON IT for more than just one! Although this kind is rather expensive to maintain. "Dry clean only"

WOMEN EXTRA FINE MERINO CREW NECK JUMPER
Uniqlo Crew Neck Extra Fine Merino Wool Jumper
Other than cashmere, wool is also another warmer material during this cold weather. Again, Uniqlo is my favorite place to buy 100% Extra Fine Merino wool jumper. I probably have this one in every possible colour - off white, brown, red, burgundy, blue, purple and coral (which have shrinked. laundry disaster!) This is such a treat especially when it's not so cold but you still want to feel slightly warm. Perfect for Fall and Spring I believe.

The other unnatural material would include acrylic i.e. man-made wool and also polyester which can be warm enough too.


I like to go to H&M for their basic knitwear. Especially because now they have my size XXS or UK4. Of course, I don't wear that for tops except for coat and jacket. I tend to wear a slightly loose top so UK6 and UK8 are still my go-to size. Here is some of my favorites.

H&M Textured Knit Jumper

(I have this in few colours - grey, beige, pink)
and similar one with polo-neck jumper too!
So the big question is, how many do I own? I haven't count BUT I will separate this to two categories - everyday knit for sending/ picking up the kids to/ from school and for going out with friends and to event. The special one which will be part of my capsule and I have invested more. That's fair right?

On to the next one in my next post!

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Winter Capsule Wardrobe... Part 1

First post. I need help. It's so overwhelming with clothing these days especially now that we live in a four seasons country. With my window shopping habit, it's not helping at all. Since I have so much "free time" that I would just walk to these high street shops carelessly.

So I have been watching How to make a Capsule Wardrobe on YouTube and again, it's overwhelming because 1. most of them do not wear tudong/ hijab/ scarf and 2. I still prefer to separate my clothing from normal everyday wear to special occasion kind of clothing. If before I would have work wear too!

I know that I do not necessarily have to follow instead to adapt the capsule to my own lifestyle. That's when I decided to blog about it because it's been in my mind for the past weeks. I can't see what else I probably need in this colder months, and what else I need to stop purchasing. Primark, H&M.. You're so bad. Can't.help.it.

So here I am writing all of these down hoping that it could help me along the way..

1. Outerwear (Coats and Jackets)

I love this the most especially during Winter season. Thicker outwear to warm our body and looking extra with the outerwear.

Before I make any purchases, I would check the composition of the coat. I made sure that the coat is made of at least 50% wool - which is a warmer material for colder season. And in terms of colour, I will shy away from black. I have one which I sort of regret and I couldn't return it because the time has lapse. So I'm left with CAMEL/BROWN colour and thought if I can get a BLUSH/LIGHT PINK - that would be perfect! And cream and white colour too - it just screams winterrrr!

1. Karen Millen Tailored Coat in Camel £199 from Bicester Village pre-Boxing day
80% virgin wool, 20% polyamide
2. All Saints Indra coat  £156 from their site post-Boxing day (This is the perfect blush colour! YAY!)
85% wool, 15% silk

I love LOVE love these coats!!! It's so warm and probably the price limit I can splurge on. 
Definitely tempted to get those Burberry ones, investment piece but my hometown don't need those! 
It's on the equator btw! For future holidays? I'm hoping these will lasts!


1. River Island padded jacket in Petite £45 (Still retail price in their site). Got this during Boxing day!
2. New Look padded jacket in Petite £40 - got this few months ago.

One is longer than the other. But both in neutral colour.

So far, that's 4 clothing for my capsule. I shall continue with Knitwear and other basics in my next post.