Lo and behold, the HIGHLY anticipated blog post that took me forever to write. You would think I am used to showing my bare (horrifying) skin even after being on social media for a good year or two. Turns out, immortalising the scary acne-filled predicament of my skin is probably one of the toughest decision I have ever done. Y'all know, acne is literally the bane of my existence and I am constantly so embarrassed by the state of my skin that I would NEVER leave the house without concealing my blemishes. Someone even referred to my face as a Magnum. If you do not understand, here's why:

Yup, tell me about it. Coincidentally, this is my favourite Magnum flavour too so props to a good reminder on how sad my skin was every time I take a bite out of this delicious goodness! Acne definitely packed a punch against my self-confidence. I did EVERYTHING to solve my acne problem and today, I will be sharing with you what works, and the other methods you should never waste your time on. Even till now, I still catch myself being overly critical about my physical appearance. Hence, writing this post not only serves as a reminder to myself, but to let you guys know that you should take a breather & be kinder to yourself! ​♥

Before I begin, I just want to highlight that acne is YOUR BODY telling you that it has enough. Enough of all the stress you put it through, enough of all the junk you ingest & enough of self-inflicted emotional/physical harm to yourself. There are many causes of acne, be it diet, stress, skincare etc; YOU need to find your cause and work towards solving that issue. Throughout the recent 2 years, I have discovered different causes of my acne and I will be sharing my journey along the way.

Wow, after a billion years of going MIA this year, I am finally back with a post and hopefully, just in time for you to snag up some amazing skincare must-haves! 2018 not only flew by for me, I barely have enough time to even sit down and talk to you guys. Nuff' said though, we have much to go through cuz' this 15% sale is definitely not one you want to miss! We only have a couple of hours left so let's get cracking!
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This limited edition baby is one you may one to invest in this sale. I have been putting this to the test for awhile before officially sharing my thoughts but so far, it has been nothing but an absolute pleasant experience. My skin LOOKS brighter, refreshed and rejuvenated after each use.

Light therapy has been an on-going aesthetic trend and it is great to give yourself an at-home facial instead of heading down to your aesthetic clinic. I used to pay about S$150 for a blue light treatment to get rid of my zits but now, I can do it at ease in my bedroom. Of course, the intensity is lower compared to the one in the clinic but having the Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light just beside my bed stand makes it so much more accessible. This device is updated with 2 additional therapy lights on top of their usual 3. The main function of the lights can be selected according to your skin's needs. The only downside is the hefty price tag. If you are looking to invest in this and can't wait for the annual 20% sale, this is definitely worth looking into!

I swear by REFA because it literally gives you an INSTANT face-lift without much hassle! You are advised to use this with their Face Up Cream but I use it on my bare skin every morning to give me a V jawline. However, do note that it does not work with any oil-based products so if you are unsure, just be like me! Bare skin is the way to go. ;)

If you are bored of your average sheet masking experience, take it to the next level with this nifty UFO device from Foreo! Tried, tested & loved, it is such a efficacious product that transforms your entire masking experience. Implementing LED Light Therapy & Advanced Hyper-Infusion Technology, the device helps to infuse all the goodness of the masks into your skin. Expect an ultimate, quick and easy facial for instant glowing skin. My personal favourite is the night selection as it has a calming heat treatment + sonic pulsations to calm my stressed out skin.
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I am SOY-OBSESSED and this is probably my all-time favourite cleanser that removes all my makeup without over stripping my skin. The limited edition version has 50ml more product but unfortunately, it is sold out online. You can always head down in stores to grab it. Trust me, this is definitely a deal you do not want to miss and once you go soy, you'll never go back! 

The Solid Cleansing Oil in this Double Cleanse is basically my ride-or-die! It is so powerful, it even removes your sunblock which is a well-known culprit for clogged pores! The Cleansing Cream isn't revolutionary but it does the job of being a good step-2 of your daily double cleanse. I love this so much and I will definitely repurchase it when it's out. 

Caolion is an underdog skincare brand in Sephora but their products are definitely formulated with a goal in mind! This Magic Black Powder Foam Cleanser gives a nice fluffy foam and effectively removes residual makeup and gunk from your skin. It is now permanently stashed in my luggage.
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I'm sure you saw this coming. A cult favourite of many and an instant sell-out in Sephora, this is definitely one not to be missed. It is a gentle exfoliating toner that leaves you with brighter, smoother & bouncier skin. My tough skin definitely needs some acid love so it is such a dream for me!

This is such a great calming toner for your skin and plus, it smells divine! I love soaking a couple of cotton pads with this toner and leaving it on my face like a face mask. After just 5 minutes, my skin feels refreshed and hydrated. If you have yet to try anything from Mamonde, I would highly recommend this toner that is well-loved by many!
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I only have one recommendation under this category cuz' nothing beats this powerhouse that works on ALL skin types. I have oily skin and it worked like a dream. I gave this to my friend who suffers from severe dry skin and it worked like magic for her too. It is a must-have for everyone and if you are a frequent flyer, this moisturiser will be your skin's best friend! 
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If you are new to Sunday Riley, I highly recommend getting the power couple set that consists of Good Genes & Luna Oil. Good Genes, used in the morning, is formulated with Lactic Acid to exfoliate your skin. Lactic Acid has the largest molecule size so it is much more gentler compared to other acids and suits even those with sensitive skin.
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A viral oil that is probably in every beauty junkie's shelf, Sunday Riley's Luna Sleeping Night Oil is one of the few oils that I truly enjoy. Applied nightly, the retinol in this oil helps to reverse the signs of ageing as well as minimise your pores for smoother, younger skin. Awake to a revitalised canvas every morning and watch your skin gradually improve with each use!

With a rose quartz ball applicator, this is the ultimate eye pampering experience to hydrate and refresh your eyes. It is not oily at all and I use this both day & night just cuz' I wanna be a step closer to being as gorgeous as Miranda Kerr. 
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​Starskin Pro Micro-Filler Mask Pack

You have no idea how AMAZING this makes your skin feel until you've tried it yourself. I had a small patch test on the top of my hand during Sephora's Fall Press Day and the results were AMAZING! My skin was bouncier, softer, brighter, hydrated & all the other good stuffs, I was instantly blown away!

It has HA micro-pyramids that is meant to create tiny holes in your skin (just like micro-needling). When you apply the bio cellulose mask after, it instantly dissolves the little Hyaluronic Acid pyramids which is then absorbed into your skin. The "injury" on the skin provides better absorption of the product. It is such a great mask but you definitely gotta be rich af to use it frequently! Nonetheless, it is still a product that I highly recommend.

Another instant miracle worker, Dr Jart+ firming rubber mask gives you an instant tighter jawline. My only issue? It is severely overpriced here in Sephora! If you can, get it in Korea. Otherwise, snag this baby up during the 15% sale.

Oh my goodness, this Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask is god-sent for those who are after the Korean glass skin trend. The first time I had it on, I woke up to glossy, plumped and perfect skin. It was love at first use and I wish I can have an infinite stash of this. BOMB AF, it is a mask-have for all luminous skin lovers!
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10 points for those who already guessed that this is going to be on my list. I am so obsessed with this mask (it smells funky though). Whenever my skin is looking a little tired or dull, I'll whip this out for a quick 5 minute pick-me-up and bam! My glow returns and my skin feels so loved right after! I have recommended this to many and they all tell me how much they love it. So if you have yet to invest in this, now's the right time to do so!

Strangely, Arcona is a brand that is not highly talked about even though their products are so good! This is my favourite out of the lot. A volcanic exfoliating mask that heats up when in contact with your skin. The heat opens up the pores for the clay to draw out any impurities. As you wash it off with water, the volcanic sand exfoliates the skin leaving you with smoother, brighter and ultra clean skin. It is my go-to heavy duty clay mask whenever my skin is looking like it has gone through the worst of hell and came back again. 
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The KING of all sleeping masks, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask should be in everyone's beauty stash just cuz' it is basically what started the sleeping mask trend. Not only does it actively restores moisture back to the skin, it even promotes better and deeper sleep all thanks to its fragrance technology! My favourite is the Lavender version as it instantly calms my nerves and puts me into a deep, restful sleep.

To be honest, this is the only product that I have tried once and made the list. I used it right before taking a 13 hour red-eye flight to Europe and for once, I had ZERO breakouts after the journey. I can only attribute it to this product and thank it for protecting my skin from all the germs on air. I will continue to put this to the test but first impression, score!!!
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Healthy, glowing skin is all that I am looking for right now and this is a clear winner amongst all the other skin mists in the industry. I can never leave my house without dousing my face with this! It is a cult-favourite for a reason and if you spot someone with glorious dewy skin, it's probably this!

Phew! That is a hefty post of recommendations. I hope you guys enjoyed reading through my quick thoughts on every product. I have tried them all personally myself so these are all my top-shelves which I highly recommend. Thank you for reading and see y'all in the next one!

xx
​Winter

Ever felt the need to DEEPLY condition or splurge on hair treatments after an intense hair colouring session? I guess we are on the same boat! Hair care is extremely important when it comes to prolonging the vibrancy of your hair colour whilst repairing the damage from all the chemical processing. You definitely do not want to waste those hard earned moolahs and watch your freshly dyed colour bleed excessively whenever you shower. That is why I choose to switch up my haircare to a sulfate-free formula. I prefer a sulfate-free haircare because it is strong enough to thoroughly cleanse the hair but yet not over strip the colour pigments whenever I take a shower. With my favourite sulfate-free L'Oreal Paris EverPure range, I know my hair (& colour) is in good hands. 

It feels just like yesterday, as I sit here in my living room, penning down my thoughts of what went down throughout the year. Time flies, and time waits for no one. 2016 was epic, new horizons, new friends, new experiences. I thought nothing could top it and then came 2017. Life is funny huh? When you think you went through it all but it just surprises you with more. ​

Don't you think that as the years past, time seems to be going quicker? I remember when I was younger, I would lament for time to pass faster and now, all I wish is for is the clock to stop ticking. Time, it's the most precious thing in the world because it is something that you can never get back.

2017 for me was a whirlwind. There were many exciting highlights but of course, yin and yang, there has to be a balance. I had my fair share of negative times; Faced and fought depression, removed negative people in my life, health issues and more. Despite it all, I managed to fight off all my demons and came out stronger than before. This is life I guess, not letting it hit you down but growing into something so much more than what everyone perceives you to be. 

Originally, I had no directions on how I want this post to be like. However, as I kept typing, I realised that I want this to be much more than just a self-reflection post on what went down in my life. I want this to be something that I know the majority of you could resonate with, which is about fighting your own inner demons, fighting depression, fighting all the negativity in life.

As you grow, you are bound to meet people who will love & hate you, violently. I recall typing in my post last year on how I am so lucky to have little haters because here I am, just minding my own business and doing what I love. Jokes on me bruh, 2017 took a huge turn and I saw "friends" whom I have trusted turn their backs on me. I couldn't accept it, and I was thrown into a vicious cycle of self-hate. For a period of time, I even went through depression. I was killing myself while trying to stay alive and that's when I knew it is time to get myself out of the rut. 

The thing about depression is, it hits you silently but it builds up. You won't even know until it escalates into a wave and drown you in a series of emotions. Depression isn't about giving up and taking your life. It is waking up and having the fear to live. That was what hit me hard. As a person so full of zest and life, to wake up each morning fearing for what's to come, it felt like my world was falling apart. You don't need a medical professional to diagnose this. Personally, I think everyone battles with depression, it is just to what extent.

I entered social media in the hopes of sharing my love and passion, to help fellow likeminded individuals and be a pillar of support for those who need it. It was amazing and my favourite times were actually sharing about my #MidnightThoughts & encouragement because it helped so many people to get through with life. Slowly, as life started to eat me from inside, I stopped. I couldn't pretend to be positive and encouraging when my mental state was in the darkest pit. Some of you who actively followed my #MidnightThoughts even noticed my absence and messaged me about it. 

Truth is, I was engulfed in the negativity of what social media brings about. It is a whole package, you can't just savour the good and get on with it. I could not accept being innocently attacked but neither was I keen in fighting back and stirring drama. I won't be talking about what happened because that is not my purpose. It is juicy gossip but I am not here to spread negativity, I am here to bring you guys out of it. I can write names, point fingers, gain views and traction, but that is not what I want. It is never what I wanted and I will never wish harm on others, even on people who have hurt me. 

​Aside from that, being an overachiever, I was killing myself trying to beat myself. When I was at a better place, I would question myself, "How can I do better?" As my mental state deteriorated, it became "What if I can't do it again?"  It is just a simple play of words but the damage was already done. From something positive, it turned into a sentence that carried so much weight. I became my own target and unknowingly, I was killing myself.

Everyone goes through this, but because it happens so fast, it only hits you when the pressure has accumulated into a giant ball of unhappy thoughts. At some point of time, I knew I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get myself out of this. It is not about seeking medical help or drowning in prescriptions. Only YOU can help yourself to get out of this depressive state. YOU need to find the source that is hurting you and extract it out yourself. I can't emphasise enough how powerful your thoughts are and if you can steer it well, you can live whatever the kind of life you wish to live. Change your thoughts and you can change your life. Depression will always be there, but it is up to YOU on whether you wish to let it win you or not. 

For me, I knew my source - it wasn't about the people who hurt me, it wasn't about my work. It was myself. I was being too hard on myself. I knew I had to get out to reorientate my thoughts. The Universe pointed a direction so I booked the next flight out to India and found sanctuary. Previously, I questioned all the failed attempts to travel to India (I REALLY wanted to travel to India, all my friends knew about it because I could go on about how beautiful the city is for a good hour) and to finally get there, at the right time and to meet the right people, it all made sense. Everything aligned and all I had to do was to trust the Universe.

What I am trying to say here is, nobody can help you until you decide to help yourself. To get out of whatever state you are in, DECIDE that you want to get out. Decide that you are so done with whatever shit you are going through, listen to the Universe, to your gods, to the stars, to the voices, listen to yourself. Help will always come to those who ask. Everything will fall into place when you decide that you are ready to get yourself to a better place. 

I decided. I decided that I do not need to take anybody's crap. I decided that I will not be victimised by others. I decided that I will be better to myself, I will not harm myself in the process of getting better. With that, opportunities started to flow in. I removed all traces of negative influences and allowed better things and people into my life. People who inspire me to be better, people who support me and my endeavours, people who think, feel and breathe the same air as I do.

A wise samaritan that I met in India taught me to let go of things that doesn't serve you. Accept people for who they are. Accept people who have harmed you but always remember to forgive and forget. Let go & move on. Everyone comes with their own baggage, some choose to hurt others just so to alleviate their own. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, it is your choice on how you want to lead your life. With that, for 2018, I wish for all of you to make good choices for yourself. Be strong and fight your inner demons, let go of whatever that doesn't serve you. Be kind to others, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.

Some may think that they have had a rough 2017, but I would like to see it as a wonderful one filled with lots of lessons learnt and self-growth. I am ready for the new year and I can't wait to see what the Universe has in stored for all of us. 

Love,
​Winter

It's the time of the year again whereby the online shopping sphere is going all crazy! Missed out on the massive 11:11 sales? Well fret not, Lazada has got you covered for 12:12 and it is happening TOMORROW! If you are planning to snag up some fabulous deals, read on for my tips + catch a sneak peek of my Neutrogena Surprise Box that is going for SGD$29 but is packed with products worth more than a hundred dollars! What a steal?!