WEEK IN REVIEW // 12

A week of rediscovering old loves, and slowing down on the debit card damage...

kikki.K pencil case and notepad - On a whim I walked into kikki.K, seeing that they were on sale, and ended up walking out with these two. Which made me realise that I really shouldn't go 'window shopping'... But I do see myself getting a lot of use out of them, so I'm not beating myself up about it just yet (only time will tell?). And I'm on makeup ban, after all that haulin' (well, with the exception of, maybe, a NARS concealer...)

Batiste Diva Dry Shampoo - I've been using this to extend time between washes - but only when I absolutely have to, as I mentioned yesterday (what is Third Day Hair, anyway?). You could say that it trumps Cedel's offering based on scent alone, though I find that Batiste also works better on my hair - when applied overnight and massaged in well, that is - to remove the chances of discovering unsightly white streaks or patches.

MAC Fluidline in Black Track and Ecotools Angled Eyeliner Brush - I recently rediscovered this duo, having only used them a handful of times in the five-ish months that I've had them. They are fiddlier than, say, a pencil, but I suppose that's the trade-off for longer lasting eyeliner. I guess I'd subconsciously labelled them as 'too much effort', because when I dusted them off again this week, I was surprised to find that they applied with ease. They lasted a decent several hours, which is quite a feat for someone who touches their eyes as frequently as I do! No doubt I'll be pulling this one out more...

Neways Firm Up - My go-to 'night cream' for these cooler months. It's wonderfully hydrating and smells equally scrumptious - and a little goes a long way. That is all.

Lindt Creation Sublime Mint Chocolate - This week's indulgence, and, man, is it good! It's described as "A luxurious layer of mint coulis on top of a soft vanilla truffle bed with crisp pieces of cocoa nib, encased in rich dark chocolate." Yup, it's all that - and more. If you're a fan of mint and dark chocolate: run, don't walk!

Happy Monday! Here's to a brilliant rest of the week :) x

DEPARTURE // THE RECAP

As I'm in the process of unpacking and tidying the mess I call my room, I thought it'd be interesting to review the numerous products I brought with me overseas (the majority of which I didn't really use enough to justify bringing). And I ought to apologise right about now, because the stuff pictured in my previous 'Departure' post isn't even half of what I actually brought... I know, I know. Um. A hoarder in every sense! In my defence, my frantic tossing of other bits and pieces into my suitcase was mainly induced by my mindset of 'just in case', rather than 'practical and necessary'... I'll be wiser for next time. Hopefully.

What I packed in carry-on luggage:

- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30

What I actually used on the plane:

- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- Neways Barrier Cream
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

Admittedly I was too distracted by the movies on the plane to be bothered about being meticulous with skincare during the nine-hour flight. My skin prep beforehand seemed sufficiently hydrating, though I did apply a layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ about half way, and hand cream and lip balm frequently throughout. The Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ absolutely exceeded my expectations and I credit it to my happy complexion upon landing. Full review coming soon.

What I used the most while overseas:

- Neways Barrier Cream
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen
- La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream
- Nivea Daily Face Veil SPF 30
- Maybelline Baby Lips in Anti-Oxidant Berry

What I didn't really use:

- Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
- Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent Powder
- Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Candy Apple
- Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Universel
- Real Techniques Buffing Brush and Stippling Brush
- ModelsPrefer Airbrush
- EcoTools Deluxe Concealer Brush
- Natio Spa with Organics Heavenly Hand Cream
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm with Sunscreen
- Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Rose
- B Collection by Bloom Cream Blush for Lips and Cheeks in Barossa Valley
- MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NC30
- Garnier Clean Detox Makeup Wipes

I know. Yikes.
Granted, while overseas, I couldn't care in the slightest how I looked. SPF was my priority, along with lip balm, and I didn't bother too much with eye makeup as I was wearing sunglasses most of the time. However, I did use these products less than a handful of times, when we went out for lunch or dinner at places that required patrons to look at least socially acceptable.

What I wish I'd brought:

- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+
- Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

Thankfully there aren't too many products in this category! I found myself wishing for Clinique's DDML+ when my face was randomly dry and irritated, and there seemed to be no cure (which is largely the reason why I ended up bringing the Clinique Moisture Surge home...), and lip butter when my lips wanted something richer after spending a little too long in the sun and wind.

What I learnt:
Pantene conditioner makes an excellent shaving cream in a pinch.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face SPF 15 PA++ is fabulous and I should feel ashamed for overlooking it previously.
Make do with fingers instead of brushes where possible.

What I know for next time:
Bringing excessive amounts of stuff that won't be used makes for a painful trip and limits the haulage that can be brought back (lose-lose situation).
Generally speaking, there's no need to bring so much carry-on as I'm more likely to be watching movies or sleeping on the plane than making use of the liquids/gels/aerosols that I brought with me.


What are your travel essentials?
Are you a hoarder like me?

WEEK IN REVIEW //

My week overall was quite busy (well, busier than usual), with a couple of days of work, a few dance classes, and some long-overdue catch-ups with friends. The highlight of my week was probably catching up with friends, and listening to Disney songs as I cleaned my room (also long-overdue, and a hoarder's worst nightmare!) As most of my week consisted of casual gatherings, I found myself reaching for Mecca Cosmetica's In A Good Light (light coverage with added SPF 30) over MAC's Face and Body (usually reserved for work and 'going out').