Quick Update and 5 Things I’m enjoying using while on a break

Hi everyone

My apologies for dropping off the face of the earth or what seems like it for the past month. I’ve been told I don’t have to explain myself and I won’t because this break’s just something I’ve had to do. But I’ve received many heartwarming messages and emails (Thank you!) that’s made me feel pretty awful about not updating, or at least not delurking for a bit to say Hi and that I’m still alive and kicking and for the most part alright albeit feeling a little battered.

The thing is, I’m not ready to come back to blogging for various reasons, so this doesn’t mean we’re business as usual here at MWS, but I just wanted to stick my head out of the sand to say thank  you for your concern and well wishes and continued support. It means more to me than you realise 🙂

Since I have a post up anyway, I thought I’d quickly share some of the beauty stuff I’ve been using during this period. I’ve been maintaining a very simple routine while on a break and I like it! So here are the 5 things I like that I’ve been using a lot of and if you are the lazy sort (ok, not lazy, but minimalist perhaps? 😉 ) then you may like these too.

1. Kiehl’s Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum – RM195/50ml

Truth is, I did not expect to like this serum. This is Kiehl’s newest serum targeted at delivering hydration to the deepest layers of the skin and then maintaining it, so skin remains plumped and looks better. While Kiehl’s tells us that this product is exceptionally good at addressing age-related dehydration (yeah, no need to remind us we’re all getting older yes?) which is dehydration that occurs naturally as we age, I think this one will be nice for anyone who has a problem with dehydrated skin, whether dry skin or that pesky oily-on-surface-dehydrated-underneath skin.

I have to warn you that it contains dimethicone and therefore silicones and is in fact quite heavy on it. But the beauty of this product is that it doesn’t coat your skin with a film of silicone despite what you may expect from the texture. On contact with skin, the silicone texture breaks down to a very lightweight watery texture that absorbs almost immediately into the skin without leaving any residue or film or greasiness. It’s great. I like using it in the day under a moisturiser and I do believe that it keeps my skin feeling hydrated despite the long hours spent in an air-conditioned office.

I really like this one and if you can, ask Kiehl’s stores for a sample so you can test it for yourself and see how it fares for you 🙂

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone/PEG 10/15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, p-Anisic Acid, Disodium EDTA, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Perilla Ocymoides Extract/Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Citric Acid. fmla 685657 4 Code F.I.L D164356/3

2. Pai Skincare Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream – S$55/30ml

This day cream was another product I wasn’t expecting to like but I do. Pai Skincare is a natural and organic brand from the UK and this was introduced to me by Pure Tincture, a webstore from Singapore that ships here. The texture of the cream feels a little thick when pumped out into my palm so I was a little unsure about it’s claims for day use. I had tried a similar texture from Antipodes but found that a bit too thick for day in our climate. But my worries were for naught.

The Avocado & Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream is formulated for those with dry or dry-sensitive skin so if you have oily or combination skin then you may find this a little heavy. For me however, although it feels a little thick to the touch, once I spread it out on my skin, it sinks in very nicely and disappears without any greasy or oily feeling. Best of all, it doesn’t make me get oily throughout the day and doesn’t mess with my makeup! This is very nice, a little goes a long way so if you have drier skin, then take a look at this one 🙂

Ingredients: aqua, simmondsia chinensis seed oil* (jojoba oil), persea gratissima oil* (avocado oil), carthamus tinctorius seed oil* (thistle oil), cetearyl alcohol (coconut-derived emulsifier), glycerin* (vegetable glycerine), borago officinalis seed oil* (borage oil), butyrospermum parkii butter* (shea butter), cetearyl glucoside (corn-derived emulsifier), mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e), helianthus annuus seed oil* (sunflower oil), pelargonium graveolens oil* (geranium oil), litsea cubeba fruit oil* (may chang oil), jasminum officinale flower extract* (jasmine oil), sodium levulinate (corn extract), sodium anisate (basil extract), glyceryl stearate citrate (from sustainable palm oil), sodium lauroyl lactylate (from coconut oil), lactic acid (derived from sugar beet)

Naturally occurring in essential oils: citral*, citronellol*, geraniol*, limonene*, linalool* *Certified Organic by the Soil Association (Organically produced 77% of product). Suitable for Vegans. Not tested on animals.

3. Face Oils

For some reason, I’ve simplified my evening routine so much it almost feels like I barely use anything on my face. It’s not true of course, I do. And the product I use the most of are facial oils. In my current rotation are just 2 – the Human Nature Overnight Elixir which is a brilliant and affordable oil that I’ve reviewed prior to this and the Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil.

I used to breakout from products that contain a high concentration of rosehip oil, but for some reason, this one from Pai doesn’t break me out. It is quite thick and you do need to massage it into your skin and I do so after a generous misting of my skin (read more tips here on how to use facial oils) but it leaves my skin feeling moisturised and seems to work as well as using a serum so I now just use this oil and then a layer of moisturiser over. My night time routine has never been so simple!

4. Cream Eyeshadow Sticks

Since I stopped taking FOTD photos of myself, I’ve slipped into a very simple, and quick makeup routine and I’ve found myself reaching for cream eyeshadow sticks a lot. My favourite are the Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Eyeshadow sticks and Laura Mercier Caviar sticks although my personal preferences lie with the latter. I prefer the texture of Laura Mercier’s and if you can get your hands on the mini set that’s out for Christmas, please do! They’re excellent value (I got a set last year) and this year’s has a much better selection of colours.

What I’ve been doing is just slicking on the colour and blending it out very quickly for a very simple look. Use it alone or blend 2 shades. It’s so hard to get this wrong, and that’s why it’s so great for me right now when I don’t really feel like picking up a makeup brush and fiddling about with powders and colours and combinations. Best of all, it’s budge and water proof. Once it goes on, it stays on all day and through sweat and tears so trust me on this one. If you’re not a fan of wearing eyeshadow, these sticks will change your mind.

5. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth Effect Makeup liquid foundation

I’d been warned about this one. Apparently, it’s a wonderful foundation but some people find it drying. The Velvet in the name might give you a hint that it dries down to a semi-matte or velvety finish on the skin, and when you’re someone like me, who has slightly dry skin, it’s usually a sign to just stay away. Couple this with the fact I’ve never had any luck with Chanel foundations. They all tend to oxidise on me or just not be the right shade.

Well, this works. I take it in Beige 10 which is pretty much a perfect match and best of all, it does not oxidise at all. The second best thing is that while it does dry down to a velvety finish, it isn’t drying for me. It offers light-medium coverage depending on how you use it which is pretty much how I like my foundations. The texture is light, there is no discernible scent, the packaging is compact, it lasts without oiling up and it’s an excellent foundation for our tropical weather! I’ve lots of love for this one and some day, I might actually do a full post about it and even remember the price 😛

Have you tried any of the products here and do you like them too? Are you also being minimalist in your skincare or makeup routine?

I’m going to disappear again for a bit but I just want you to know that I appreciate all your kind words and support here on the blog and on Instagram (where I’m also conspicuously missing for a spell) and I’m doing my best to hold everything together so I can come back to business as usual here at MWS again.

Thank you.

Paris B

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