BEAUTY | HIGH-END SKINCARE PRODUCTS

Kalau mengobrol soal skincare atau makeup bermerek high-end, pasti ada rasa ragu atau cemas tentang kualitas produk-produk tersebut, 'yakin bagus nih? harganya kan selangit, sayang banget kalau ternyata harga tidak sebanding dengan hasil!'. Aku beberapa kali kecewa dengan produk-produk dengan harga yang menguras kantong tersebut, tapi, gak jarang juga benar-benar puas dengan hasil akhirnya! 

Sebenarnya membeli produk skincare atau makeup tergantung pada kebutuhan kita sendiri. Biasanya aku membaca ulasan dari produk tersebut sebelum membeli, kalau 4 dari 5 ulasan yang aku baca setuju dengan kualitas produk, aku mulai yakin. Ketika membaca pun perhatikan apakan si pengulas memiliki jenis kulit yang sama dengan kita, tinggal di kota atau negara beriklim sama, baru deh mikirin harganya.

Kemudian, aku juga membiasakan diri membaca kandungan formula yang terdapat dalam produk tersebut. Ada banyak bahan kimia yang harus kita hindari karena bisa merusak pigmentasi kulit bahkan mengakibatkan penyakit kulit seperti kanker. Bahan-bahan tersebut adalah parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, toluene, sulphates, silicone, dan lain-lain. 

Buatku, skincare itu semacam investasi karena efeknya jangka panjang, makanya aku lebih berhati-hati soal skincare. Sementara makeup kan hasilnya langsung terlihat tapi efeknya juga jarang banget yang jangka panjang.  

Berikut ini adalah produk skincare yang menurutku hasilnya sebanding dengan harganya. Kalau kamu memiliki jenis kulit yang sama denganku (normal cenderung kering dan sensitif) mungkin bisa mencoba produk-produk di bawah ini! 

BEAUTY | SKIN CARE ROUTINE

It's been ages since I shared the products that I used. I wasn't in the best place to show my skin or even talked about it in 2018. There are a few reasons why. First, because I'm still struggling with hormone imbalance and it was getting worse last year when I had to battle the stress and depression over an abusive relationship. I never had acne problems before so when they started to pop out in my face, it freaked me out. It caused more stress, and of course, more acne. Second, because I'm really into my life experiences in Australia so I didn't actually spend time to write. I just wrote things that fairly easy to write and to edit. Third, because I was still trying to find the best products that actually work on me. 

2018 was a real journey for me, even for skincare routine. But now, my acne was starting to clear up and I finally have enough courage to show my skin. So, without further do here's my skincare routine! 

BEAUTY | FAVOURITE FACE MASKS

Hai! Beberapa waktu lalu aku sempat bikin poll di instagram dan kasih dua pilihan ide blog post antara pelembab kesukaan atau masker kesukaan aku. Ternyata, dari sekian yang ikutan memilih, 62% memilih favourite face mask.

Sebelum aku sebutkan masker-masker kesukaanku, ada beberapa hal yang harus diperhatikan sebelum maskeran. 

Pertama, kulit harus bersih. Kalau kalian habis pergi dan pakai makeup, selalu double cleansing. Aku biasanya pakai makeup remover untuk area mata dan bibir, micellar water untuk wajah baru setelah itu aku cuci muka pakai pembersih.

Kedua, exfoliate. Kalau gak suka pakai physical exfoliate bisa juga pakai chemical. Ini masih jadi perdebatan ya dikalangan skin care guru dan dokter kulit. Beberapa merekomendasikan untuk menggunakan chemical exfoliate supaya gak terjadi iritasi di permukaan kulit. Tapi memilih chemical exfoliate juga harus hati-hati karena kalau salah pilih bukan cuma permukaan kulit yang iritasi, tapi bisa juga merusak pigmen kulit. Seram ya? Jadi itu sebenarnya terserah sama kalian. Aku lebih memilih pakai physical exfoliate karena aku merasa punya kontrol dalam proses pengaplikasian ke kulitku. Iritasi terjadi kalau kalian menggosoknya terlalu keras. Sejak dulu aku selalu pakai St. Ives Apricot Scrub atau Frank Body Creamy Face Scrub dan dalam pengaplikasian, aku selalu super hati-hati terutama di daerah hidung karena area itu adalah area yang paling sensitif (selain bawah mata, tapi ya kali scrub dipakai di bawah mata). Untuk chemical exfoliate, aku lebih memilih toner yang mengandung salicylic acid karena lebih aman dibandingkan dengan actual chemical exfoliate. Saat ini aku pakai Caudalie Vinopure Toner. 

Ketiga, pakai masker sesuai kebutuhan. Kenali jenis kulitmu dan apa masalah utama dari kulitmu. Misalnya kulitmu kering, pilih masker yang melembabkan (hydrating) atau kulitmu sedang bermasalah, cari masker yang fokus utamanya sesuai dengan masalah kulitmu. Biasanya aku pakai masker juga gak semuka kok. Kalau di daerah pipi dan hidung sedang bermasalah, aku pakai masker detoxifying hanya di area tersebut dan sisanya aku pakai masker yang melembabkan karena kulitku memang kering atau yang brightening supaya lebih segar. Ingat ya brightening itu bukan memutihkan tapi mencerahkah.

Keempat, jangan memakai masker secara berlebihan. Sesuka-sukanya aku pakai masker, aku gak pernah maskeran setiap hari. Aku pakai sheet mask dua atau tiga hari sekali dan seminggu sekali aku pakai masker krim. Terlalu sering pakai masker bisa merusak tekstur dan pigmen kulit. Gak mau kan di usia 30 sudah punya flek hitam? Selain itu, jangan memakai masker lebih dari waktu yang disarankan. Kalau disarankan 20 menit, biasanya aku cuma pakai 15-17 menit. Menambah waktu dari yang disarankan bukan memberi khasiat lebih justru overdoing. Lagi, ini bisa mengakibatkan kulit kamu kehilangan minyak alami dan nantinya kulit kamu akan overproduce minyak yang tentu saja mengakibatkan komedo dan jerawat.

Kelima, cuci muka menggunakan air hangat kuku. Supaya kamu lebih mudah mencuci muka dan menghindari penekanan yang terlalu keras pada kulit. Apalagi untuk masker-masker berjenis mud mask biasanya lebih sulit untuk dibersihkan. Saranku juga jangan memakai tangan ketika membersihkannya tapi pakai sponge atau alat pembersih lainnya. Aku pakai FaceHalo karena produk ini terbuat dari microfiber jadi lebih halus dan lebih ramah pada kulitku. 

Setelah yakin kulitmu bersih, baru mulai deh maskeran. So, here are my favourite face masks!

BEAUTY | CAUDALIE VINOPURE TONER

I'm a lucky girl to be one of the Sephora Indonesia's giveaway winners! The gift was pretty good actually, one of the products from the Caudalie Vinopure range. I'm a big fan of Caudalie especially their beauty elixir and grape water. Back when I lived in Australia, my skin was really dry during winter and these two saved my life. Now I'm back to Indonesia, my skin is breaking out so bad and it is stressed me out! I never had acne in my life, so having acne on my cheeks and chin is a big deal for me. 

Vinopure line claims as a range for combination skin type and specifically for fighting acne. The key ingredients are salicylic acid to decongest skin, grape seed polyphenols to prevent oil from oxidating and diminish blackheads, and a complex of essential oils to provide antiseptic properties and calm the skin. It sounds like a dream, right?

Here's a little before and after I use Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner for a week. 

BEAUTY | SKIN CARE FAVOURITES

Today I want to share the products that I've been obsessed with. For the past year has been a year of discovery for me on both skin care products and makeup. I've been into less is more and simpler look lately. Reorganise my life affected my routine too. So, I always looking for something that really works on me and works as a multitasking product. It might sound weird for some people but I personally believe, if that product can do two jobs at the same time, why not? 

Here are my current beauty obsessions. 

BEAUTY | BITS MY SKIN LOVING RIGHT NOW

My skin is freaking out lately - it gets drier and also breaking out every now and then, although I'm not on my period, it happens. I figured, it's because the weather is getting worse, so hot on the day and later in the evening it's pouring rain. 

Here are products that I've been using constantly to help my skin heals. 

L'occitane Hydration Face Mist - this product is so good! I keep repurchasing, just to have it handy at my home in case I need it, like these days. The formula helps to moisturize and heal dryness and even sunburn (I once had a really bad sunburn few years ago, and this product helped so quickly!). I don't use it as my regular face mist, but I do like to use it when my skin is at its driest. 

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer Gel - I know I supposed to use the lotion one, but honestly I hate the feeling of it. The lotion feels too thick on my skin, makes my skin sticky not like the Moisture Surge one. However this gel one is absolutely amazing! It makes my skin smooth, moisturizes it well and of course, my skin is getting better now.

Laneige Water Bank Essence_EX - I like to use this product before my moisturizer and wait at least one to two minutes so the product sinks into my skin. It moisturizes my skin really well. I'm no longer have dry patches on my skin. 

L'occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil - like I said, my skin is angry these days. I literally have dry skin in all over my body and it's not something I'm proud of. I even have dry patches around my armpit area. Thank God, this product existed! It really helps to moisturize my skin. I love to use this product right after shower and use it as my regular lotion before bed. Next morning, my skin is so smooth!

What's your current favorite products? Let me know! :) 

BEAUTY | SKIN CARE ROUTINE

When I was a high school student, my skin care was very basic. Cleanser and moisturizer. I also didn't wear makeup, and very lucky to have a very clear skin - not even whiteheads. 

Now, I'm in my twenty-something, being a graduate student, live in a place where the pollution level is quite high, and I have very different activities compare to on my younger years. I have breakouts every now and then, my redness looks crazy, and of course, whiteheads. 

I don't have very bad breakout nor that I have acne-prone skin. My breakouts come when it's the time of the month but still, it's quite bad for someone who never had breakouts before.

Before I share my skincare routine, I have to explain my skin condition first. I have pale skin and also have a sensitive skin, not normal but also not very dry. I have some dry areas but it's not bad. My dark circles are genetic, not something that I can heal using eye cream or herbal. I have to do surgery if I want to get rid of it. Sucks, I know.

Conclusion: pale skin - normal to dry - and sensitive skin.

AZTEC INDIAN HEALING CLAY

Today I'm gonna talk about my holy grail face mask - well, everyone's actually. Claimed as 'world's most powerful facial', Aztec Indian Healing Clay is seriously a big deal. It is that amazing and I'm so in love. I've been using this mask for almost a year now and I can feel the difference. 

The benefits of this product are very impressive. It reduces pores, acne scars, and tightening your skin. I don't have much skin problem, but I do have whiteheads around my nose and it's a lot less than I used to have before. I noticed my skin is getting clearer.

FIRST IMPRESSION | ELIZAVECCA CARBONATED BUBBLE CLAY MASK

You know I never have any interest toward Korean beauty products but this one is really interesting! I saw it for the first time when Shannon or Shaaanxo on YouTube and I was like, "Okay that's really interesting!" she also gave a good review about it. But then, because Korean beauty product is not my thing, I forgot. Two days later, another favourite beauty guru from Indonesia, Harumi (MyTipsCantik) tried it in front of camera, doing first impression as Shannon did. Alright, this mask is really a thing!

I went on my Shopee app on my phone, type the name and bam! Ordered it! What I like about this app is if you shop for more than 70K rupiah, you get free shipping payment! That's a win win right? 

I got this mask three or four weeks ago but I haven't tried it yet because I was so busy, then I was very sick, so today, I finally tried! Here's my first impression! ;) 

psssttt this post is surprisingly contains something unattractive but very funny at the same time ;)

VANITY: FACIAL AT HOME

My face is breaking out lately and I don't know what the triggers are. I don't change my skin care routine, neither my foundation or any face makeup products. I pamper myself with this facial at home and seriously, it helps so much!

Facial at home is very effective for me because we do this by ourselves and also it costs us no money! Well, you buy this products but it won't cost us as expensive as facial at skin care clinic or dermatologist. 

Here's my facial at home routine! Hope it helps :)

VANITY: MORNING SKIN CARE ROUTINE

When it comes to skin care, I always be the one who really selective. My skin is really sensitive, combination of dry and normal. It's hard to find skin care products without making my skin ridiculously red or making it drier. I almost never changed my skin care because I think skin care is not something to try on but something to stick into. 

So without any further do, here's my version of skin care routine that really helps to make my skin looks better :

MONTHLY FAVORITES: BEAUTY & NON-BEAUTY FAVORITES

Hi Sweethearts <3

I know this is kinda late to share may favorites but I had been so busy with tasks and final exams but finally... it's done! YAY *happy dance*

I wouldn't say this is my may favorites post, I prefer to say this is monthly favorites. So, let's dig into it...

2013 FAVORITES

Hi everyone!
2013 is almost over and we're so ready for new chapter, new journey, new challenge in 2014, right? this year, personally for me, gives a lot of lesson to learn and somehow, is it good or bad, I've been through this, I pass this. So, I achieved many things in this year, this good year. I hope you guys feel the same! But, I'm here want to share all of things I've been loving in this year not my stories!

Let's start!

FAVORITES (early month)

Hello!

I've been buy and try so many products and new stuffs since earlier this month, and mostly are impressive and I love it so much, and also some product which I regret to buy. Here they are...