comfort clothing; a skinny affair

A pair of dark washed jeans or pants are old news by now. I think everyone might have two or even more folded neatly inside their wardrobe. But a pair of really good dark washed jeans or pants (plus point if they're skinny)...are rare.

It's not that it is that hard to find one that really fits you in a way that you can exclaim, "Heaven!," of course you could find abundance of them in stores like Guess and GAP, but for a savvy, to really find a good quality one is as hard as to find the last airbender. Eh?

I've been asking my friends on where they score their skinny jeans as I have been on a hunt for them. I admit that I have always been the tops and shirts buyer rather than paying attention to the pants. Maybe again, it was influenced by the fact that I have really no luck in finding my perfect match in jeans. There were a lot of futile attempts in making my jeans fit- always a problem of altearing them or having to wear a belt around the waist. Not until a few months ago did I manage to get myself a 24 super skinny fit jeans at Forever 21. Oooh that has been my baby.

I went again to check for other colors, this time aiming to buy a dark washed one in black (the first one that I got was in dark blue). I walked into the store, tried it on in a fitting room and it looked a bit ehh on me. I simply don't know why but I guess luck doesn't shoot its arrows two times for moi. So I went to another favorite store of mine, just to check on the clothes without expecting to stumble into the most purr-fect dark washed skinny jeans that I have always wanted...err, as of now :)


Bought at a store called Viva in one Utama...was originally priced for RM79.90...on the sale rack for 70% the original price...bought it for less than RM30.00!

The typical story ends here.

Only I noticed that the material of this pants are not jean-like, if you get what I mean. I felt it to be like those corduroy pants. But I don't care how it looks like, I just like the way it fits! It hits just around the ankle and I don't have anything of this sort.

Black blouse: read here
Blazer: AGENDA
Pants: VIVA
Heels: Nichi
Necklace: read here
Bag: Robinson

Bai all =)

p/s: maybe next time my mission will be on the real corduroy pants!

the dryer in the fryer gets higher!

Nice view, ain't it?

As you all may or may not know, I have severe dry skin. Okay, maybe I'm just exaggerating the 'severe' part, but that's how I would put it when if my skin consultant back in my hometown suggests it. On every appointment, she would go, "Norlaila, kulit awak masih kering. Sila kurangkan pakai Meeeeeekap,"

Yep.

But for starters, I dislike people calling me Norlaila. We all have the names that we don't want people to call us because that would reflect the total opposite of us. Norlaila is that name to me. Instantenously, I would feel the need to be all shy and respectful just to give credit of the name. but what does Norlaila has to do with the topic right now? Nothing.

There is absolutely nothing I can do with the makeup part. I mean, I like makeups and I want to be able to wear them regardless of my skin condition. As long as I have a face lah senang cerita. Hehe, the exaggeration this time is also mine, so my apologies.

The only way I know, and which is obvious to me in order to still wear makeup and maintain the condition of my skin is by way of skincare. First of all, like in my of my posts when it relates to skincare, I would like to state that EVERYONE is different, and EVERYONE should consult his/her skin consultant for suggestions on types of skincares to be used. Because of my skin is the kind of normal to dry, and because I can still pass using sensitive-tested products thanks to the dryness of my skin, I don't need to be on doctor's medication or wear just few limited recommended products. I am free to survey around, and survey I did.

Be warned again that everything I stated here is from my own personal encounters with skincares. And mostly are directed at normal to dry skin so if you're one of the oily skins, can't help ya thur. I used 99% affordable skincare line because I don't have any major problems other than my dry skin which sometimes flakes out. But thanks to the wet weather right now, my skin is doing pretty okay. Thus I could safely used products of the shelf without having major breakouts.

In the past, I've used most of the International drugstore brands like Clean & Clear, Biore, Nivea Visage, Neutrogena (still very fond of this skincare line), Dove (my first ever- worn it when I was 14!) , Ponds and Oil of Olay(was deeply influenced by TV Commercials at that time on this one, I remembered they even have series out feauturing Melissa Maureen). The one that I've been using occasionally from then till now is Fair & Lovely. I've also used local products such as Shurah, Safi (the green one) and Safi Balqis (the blue one). Not enough, I score on Temulawak as well. Those jamu kiosks really sold me out on those days. The only high end brand that I've ever tried-twice- is Clinique.

Until this day, I haven't had any breakouts resulting from my skincare, even when I have dry skin since way before. All my breakouts are - as put nicely by my 'Norlaila-calling' skin consultant, are contributed by my makeups.

Okay, let me rephrase that. It is not attributed to my makeups. It is attributed by the way I clean all the makeups that I wore at the end of the day. Yes, that's the acceptable excuse.

As of now, I am very keen on using products which are specially made for dry skin. And I noticed that I have leaned towards products enriched in nature ingredients. Those are the above and I shall explain them further.

I have used all products for a couple of months now and so far, though there are no extraordinary differences, but it does keep my face at "normal dry" level...and not worse than it is. I am not seeking to make my skin whiter or polisher, but merely to prevent any future breakouts that never happens to me. Probably because I don't have really major skin issues to change, so these products work fine for me.

Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturizer
This is, to me, a moisturizer speacially formulated to hydrate your skin, as the name suggests. I bought it because my skin obviously needs slap of moisturizing and nourishing and my pocket loves the extra money saved. Now I know that most people break out from Simple products, and to me that is because their lines are actually specially formulated for sensitive skin. If your skin is dry or oily but neither is it sensitive, please avoid using sensitive formulated products as the extra concentration in it can clash with the issues that your skin is dealing- most especially if you have oily skin. (notice that 'most' and 'especially' are redundant, so please take extra note!)

This moisturizer is okay in my opinion. Used it to replace my old Neutrogena one and I think if it's not better, it certainly isn't worst. And what I like about it is that it is free from harsh chemicals. Yep, I have a thing for things au naturale now.


Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
For the love of God, you wouldn't even want to know how dry my hands are. Not even in comparison with my face. I have dry and chapped hands especially around the nails. The reason from old habits of biting them I think. This hand cream is a gel formula that seriously gives the extra moist that I needed. And because I trust in all things Neutrogena, I couldn't pass this one up.


Garnier Body NutriRepair Milk Lotion
As you can guess by now, this bottle of body moisturizer is specially formulated for dry skin as well. Put this all over the body after shower, and it will just milk into you. Okay maybe that sounds wrong but ya know what I mean. This is for dry and rough skin, so suitable for people who are dry on the elbows and the knees. Not that I'm saying I am one *looks away*


Clinelle Blemish Clear
Bought this a couple of months ago just because I got sick of Oxy and couldn't find the rare Rose-T oil for blemishes, I opt for the Clinelle line. This is not of dry skin purposes, but if I am faced with some breakouts, this will do the trick. Recently, my forehead suffers from blemishes because of excessive makeups applied on during a play. I diligently used this (maybe diligent) should be an emphasis somewhere here in this post), and the blemishes eventually cleared away. For now, I'm going to stick with this one here.


Now for a few tips and tricks that I used (on my own personal basis) but you guys are allowed to try out are this:

• steam your face with a bowl of hot water to open up pores. This will allow your cleanser to sink in easily into your skin. But if you are a savvy like me, splash your face with warm water during shower is sufficient before you put on your cleanser.
• to tone, make sure to do it in upward stroke motions ie place your facial tissue with toner and gently pat in from the chin upwards.
• to moisturize, I would apply it only on areas which are really dry on my face ie the nose area, my cheekbones and my forehead. the reason being that I apply makeup and I used other products like makeup base that would cover up just as well as moisturizer. And because I'm using BB Cream now, there's no need of me to apply lots of moisturizer. To me, the key is not on how thick you apply it, but how many times albeit just a dab that you apply it.
• I don't scrub my face often like most people do. I only scrub like once a week cuz of my dry skin.
• wearing facial masks works wonders. I'm still using the Himalaya Neem Face Pack and loved it till today.

You might have different skincare and skin routines as I do. This is just my fair share of it. My advice is; work on whatever it is best for you and don't be scared to experiment. I have walked the road of skincare since (read above) 14 years old, that the only thing that I can say about product usage is your way of using it ie once you buy a product, don't be lazy in using it. Follow the right instructions. I have not left my 3 steps cleanse-tone-moisturize since I was 14 regardless of what products I was using at the moment.

In the end, it's all in here. Mindset.

Bai all! (=

comfort clothing; the box that was never opened

I don't know what I'm doing at this late hour- this is bizarre of me staying up to write a post. I am usually always forcing myself to sleep at this hour. But I guess the sudden urge to just write and share my latest addiction woos really beats that yawning and sleepyhead sometimes.

But because it IS very late in the night and I shouldn't be up this late, better make this quick and precise!

As if. Okay, the subject of this post that has got me nocturnal ;


Remember the post that I made about wearing baggy clothes? I think this one justifies it more. This just screams baggy, obviously it is. And again, just like the maxi skirt that I have shown previously, I got this in a peach color that I know in real life (isn't it is?) I wouldn't be dead wearing this.

I got this a long time ago, maybe about a month or two at local boutiques in Penang. Now, you all must know this part of me that if I go back to my hometown, I would always without fail, hit the local boutiques first. Why? Because not only are there a bajillion of them littered almost in every corner of Penang, but the cheap prices and the sudden discounts that you get from friendly chinese salesperson (if you often go there enough for them to recognized you) has always got me booted. I just love Penang for that.

But because it was bought at a local boutique, I can't really tell you the brand of it. However worry not as I know (and you know too) that boxey baggy shirts like this are everywhere. Blogshops in my opinion always covers the best of them.

Anyways, at first I was quite sceptical to wear this because a) I am short and b) I am dead skinny, so baggy clothes as I have mentioned earlier would look extra baggy on me. That's partially the reason why I didn't wear this until recently. I've asked opinions from a friend who knows a thing or too about fashion that I love and she convinced me that IF I WANT TO WEAR IT THEN I SHOULD WEAR IT.

So I eased up. I wore it. I levvit.

Shirt: local boutique in Penang
Brown braided belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Skinny jeans: Forever 21

It has two breast pockets which don't work but comes in this cute polka dot theme which I think compliments the fun color of this outfit. It's definitely flowy at the armpits which I think is my biggest problem with these kind of shirts, but on the picture it looks quite okay that I think it's just normal that way. I tried wearing a belt and not wearing a belt with this and strangely, both look quite good on. I'm definitely no longer hesitating in buying baggy clothes after this.

Seeeeee I'm so missed out in all these fashion things that I don't know if the box will cater for me after this!


Bai Semua!

p/s: am going to have my first trial tomorrow. praying hard for a good start!

art is subject to arbitrary

Hello semua!

Before I even get started, let me tell you that if you think the reason why I'm writing this post is because I felt sorry for depriving myself of such good new products out there, you are completely wrong. Sorry lovelies.

I'm writing this post because I have been depriving myself of such good new products. There is nothing that I feel sorry about. Na-da. Not in my list. Not when I know I can't restrain myself. Not even when I know I have to save for supposedly exciting little 'plans' that I have.

I'm just human afterall *insert sheepish guilty look*

Well I have made some happy purchases today. Watsons in my area have recently been upgraded and Essence cosmetics was there. I had to sneak in. i told you how unreasonably cheap they are, and for the thrill of me I've just found out that they've come with a new collection. Some rock-n-roll theme that comes with nailpolishes, eyeshadow base, lipstains, eyeshadow palletes and some cool spraying mist. Funny, for collections always carry the necessities of limited edition eyeshadows, eyeliners and lip colors. This is the first time that I've seen collections carrying eyeshadow bases. And lipstains for heaven's sake.

The two that I bought are the only two in the collection. The front in the picture is called Your Pink Is On Fire while the second one is called Let Me In Rose. Such catchy names that naturally got me.

The reason why I got lipstains is because I know for a fact that Revlon came out with one but somehow the products never reach Malaysia. Probably it never would, considering the span of time for Photoready to get here. And I don't seem to find anywhere else carrying lipstains. Bless Essence for having 'em.

Yes peeps, I just need to snap a photo by only using my old trusted webcam in the wee hours of the night. I'll let you guys to do the imagination.

If you don't know what lipstains are, they are pen-like product that distributes color to the lips by simply, well, coloring them. As you can see from the photo of moi above, it is really more of a marker-like. The point with lipstains is that they're supposed to linger on your lips longer than creamy lipsticks or sticky lipglosses do. I wore Let Me In Rose as soon as I bought them to a dinner out with the family, had steamboat and by the time I got home, my lips are still stained with the color. The only downside of lipstains that I could give here is that, it will dry your lips. Definito. It's like painting your walls, your walls will dry up for the color to stay. So my advise is, layer on vaseline or chapsticks of your choice before wearing this.

Second thing I bought is the Elite Paris Intense Kajal in Dramatic Black. I've only bought their primer so far and I am happy with it. It has now enter the phase of the need to be repurchase. As a matter of fact, I should very well be buying that instead of this liner.

Oh wells.



I've worn this as soon as I got home too- and I levvit. It is not too creamy that it smudges so badly, so definitely you can have a bit if control with it. It is also soft, despite it's pointy looking product, so you can apply it many times onto your lids. The only thing I'm worried about is if it gets no longer pointy when I have used it up. But we shall wait for that to happen in the mean time, we enjoy the present company of kajal liner as inspired by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City II.

Wearing it on my lower lash line with my webcam as the mirror. Heh, a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do.

So long for now dolls!

a penny for my thoughts

Hye all! It's been a loooooong time since I last laid words into a readable post here. Believe me, it has been one hell of a hectic absence from blogging, and Thank God for that, or I wouldn't have the brain, the heart (not to mention teh stomach) to ease it all in one. Believe me too that I am doing you as well as myself a favour by not checking in as I would love too. However that being said, I would not leave out the righteous explanation of this exhaustive behaviour.

I have

• been busy. LLb is taking a toll on me, seriously. Like three years of theory lessons aren't bad enough, the practical year that I'm facing recently has add salt to the injury. I remembered barely going through my second week of the first semester. Barely, no am not exaggerating. It is that bad. Returning to my room most of the night at 10-11 pm the latest and have to stay up for more works after that. It ain't fun, but it's a learning process. Law is tough, but everyone gets there eventually. I have to wait for my turn.
• been sick, really really sick. read above.

Now, that done, onto the main obejctive of this post.


Makeup!



Yes, as sad as it seems, it's true. Just two makeup purchases made over the span of my absence (that will be between the period of this post and the previous post). But hey, at least some people let themselves be consume by work more than sidetracking like a million times..no pun intended!

This is because less purchases requires more pictures. And that little eye does freak me out!

This is a mascara from the Essence line, a brand from Germany that is now available at Watsons and Guardians. I bought mine from the outlet itself in Mid Valley, hence the cute little pink bag. Now first thing's first- the bag. I bought this mascara for RM12.90 which is insane and got me thinking that if drugstore products were rain, this would be the flood. It is super cheap that for me, it has stretched out to being unreasonably cheap. And to think that the salesgirls there are kind enough as to give me this cute paper bag? Dear someone out there, please marry these salesgirls!

But if that's far-fetched, it would be okay just to pop into Essence outlet or the nearby pharmacy to get your hands on their products.

As far as I see, other products from this brand are super duper cheap as well. A lipliner for RM4.90? Even Elianto has to have it's July sale before they could reach that kind of prices on their products. And this line came with it's own bronzers, which is a rare find here in Malaysia but I don't doubt that. Oversea products tend to carry bronzers, shimmers and highlighters into their range. They have a huge collection of mascaras...which made me had a hard time picking the right one...and which explains why I only bought a mascara from that brand. Because usually when a new brand came out, or in this case, came into Malaysia, I would take my time to browse through their stuffs, doing appropriate research on the internet and 'abuse' the salesgirls with a lot of questions instead of jump right into it...which could happen considering again, the unreasonable price.

This baby is called the Essence Multi Action False Lashes Mascara. It was an okay mascara in my book. Better than the last Rimmel one but Loreal Ultra Volume Collagen was still the clear winner in my book. But this one coated a few times together with the Rimmel Glam Eyes would make quite a good dupe for Loreal. Would not repurchase this once it dried out because as I said, they have a huge collection of mascara in their range.


The next item is a Topshop Concealer in Light. Currently I am still using the Soap & Glory concealer but this I would use interchangeably. As you can see, I have barely ever swatch it as my former concealer was sufficient enough for the coverage that I needed, and I particularly don't like using cream concealers as they tend to crease in your faceline. But this one turn out to be okay. Not great though, just okay. And the packaging has a lot more in common with what I'm studying right now than me myself LOL.

Seriously, as of now..nothing much to be said. So please allow me a paragragh (or two) to continue rambling on about my life these past few months.

Big changes.

That's the exact words to describe it. No need two paragraphs, as with the case of my concealers, those two words are, sufficient. Sufficient, and excited for it. One thing for sure, instead of going with the flow as I always have all my life, I could finally and safely say that all are about to change and I have been living over plans now. 5 years plan, 10 years plan, 20 years plan...finally feeling the sense of grasping onto something and work hard to keep it.

So despite all the hectic and turbulences these past few months, there lies a better road ahead.

p/s: If you're wondering why I have been absent, as in put my blog in private and suddenly crop out of the blue..please check this out. Hope it clarifies everything :)