Welcoming 2013

Hello everyone! (Hopefully) I am finally back to blogging!

Let's start of with the change of url. I've been meaning to switch url for the longest time but never really got down to doing so because I wanted a change in layout together with the url, but somehow I was caught up with school, then a career move, everything else in between and the next thing I know, bam! We're already in 2013.

The alias dalilprincess does mean a lot to me and it carries most of my memories with it, but I guess at some point of time, everyone needs to move on and I guess, I finally felt like it was time for me to move on. I've had to turn down a number of offers since, because I've been really focusing on my career and at the same time, I didn't want to commit to something that I felt half heartedly about.

I wouldn't say that making a change in url means that it is no longer part of me, because deep down, that part of me still exists. But when I think about the person who I am today, I am a completely different person altogether. Friends (old and new) can attest to this.

In the past year, I've gone through the hardest tests of life which were more trying and painful in comparison to getting over the break up of my past relationship. Although I believe that at some point in time, reflecting and understanding the break up did contribute to one of the hardships, 2012 has certainly been a test of my perserverance and will to move forward.

The maturity that I found in myself has surprised many, including myself and I only have to thank the people around me for the constant encouragement, support and believe that they had in me. I've previously shared about my struggle with anxiety and depression, and I've really glad to exclaim how I've manage to overcome them and cope a lot better these days. No doubt there are some days where I question my strength, but I'm really glad to say that it's been more than a year since I've gone for counselling and went off my medications. And for those of you who are struggling with this problem, the first step to getting over it, is having the mindset and will to become better.

All that aside, I've finally gotten a new look for the blog, although I believe there is much tweaking to be done! The banner is actually an illustration (inspired by me when I was a child) by my brother, for a children's book that my sister-in-law had written, called "Fatimah and Her Magic Socks."

I am really looking forward to blogging more and here's wishing everyone, a wonderful and successful 2013 ahead! :)

Xoxo.

Outfit Diary

This entire week has been pretty hectic. I've been busy with a piling load of work and juggling my social life at the same time. But as I've mentioned earlier, I am trying to go back to my roots of blogging.

So I was pretty impressed with myself this week, because I've been making an effort to dress up and even wear make up to work. Normally, I'd just slap on some tinted moisturizer, some blusher and do my brows. But this week, I even made the effort to have at least mascara on!

An update with pics from Instagram!

Saturday Night at MBS

Monday Blues

Cold Tuesday

 

Rock Chick Wednesday

 Lazy Thursday

Been absolutely obssessed with my new armswag (close up on Wed's OOTD)

from Love That On You The owner of the newly launched accessories store, 

Evelyn aka BlackHighHeels was very kind and sent me some items of my choice!

There were a few things that I caught my eye, but I finally decided to go 

with the Heart Drop Leather Bracelet and the Bronze Leatherette

Received my items almost immediately by post and the items were

individually packed and bubble wrapped, so you don't have to worry

about any damages on your items.

Love That On You is also on facebook, so be sure to lend a support and like it! 

I'll be back to blog about a series of events, so look out for more entries coming up during my break away from work! Mad excited and counting down the days to hopefully a short holiday and time for me to enjoy life without worry.

In the mean time, have a fabulous weekend everyone! Xoxo.

Story of My Complexion and Me

WARNING : MANY HIDEOUS PICTURES OF ME W/O MAKE UP!

I know a lot of you guys have been asking me about how I improved my complexion, so this is my secret/story! :)

About 1.5 years ago, a friend of mine commented that I shouldn't call myself a girl, because I don't take care of my complexion. I didn't go for regular facials, which caused my face to develop a lot of black and white heads.

This is a picture of me before I had started going for regular facial treatments, with 2 way cake on and as you can see , there is some redness on my nose and the area around my lower cheeks. What I'd usually do was to slap on more foundation to conceal these redness.


Now I know you guys are probably thinking, "Whaatt.. You're complexion is not bad at all!" Yup, until I went for my first facial treatment in years and had all the hidden black and white heads extracted.

I headed to Amore Fitness Boutique Spa for my first facial treatment. The therapist had assessed my skin type, which was oily and had then recommended that I do a Dermo-Purifying Facial Treatment, which is "designed to rebalance oily skin, thanks to sebo-regulating, mattifying and purifying active ingredients."

This picture was taken right after my first facial treatment,

Yes, my skin was very clogged and congested because I didn't take care of it despite my mum's constant naggings! After my first facial treatment, I was advised not to use any foundation because it would further clog my skin. So from there, I completely stopped using make up altogether for about 4-5 months.

Ever since my first facial treatment, I had made it a point to go for a regular facial each month! The next few pictures were taken after every facial treatment that I had undergone.



And after my 4th or 5th facial treatment, I started breaking out in acne :'( I hear many people going, "ARE YOU SURE?!" Nah, proof!

Acne can be caused by several factors, such as stress and hormonal imbalances. However, from my personal experience though, I had an outbreak because the first few facial sessions that I had gone through, had only cleared the visible black and white heads, and not the excess sebum that is trapped on the underneath. Once that had been cleared, the excess sebum that is clogged on the underneath can now come out. Thus, the outbreak.

My acne problem was so bad, that even with BB cream, you can clearly see the acne and blemishes. I didn't want to apply concealer directly on the acne, fearing that it might further clog my skin. This problem continued for about 3 months before it started to heal!

After my 10th treatment or so, my complexion is left with just some redness and scarring,

This was taken about 2 months ago! :)


To date, I do have various scarrings due to my acne, but they are hardly visible except for the one above.

The improvement of my skin condition did not only stop at the treatments that I had been undergoing at Amore Fitness Boutique Spa. Having good skin, also means having the discipline when it comes to home care.

I had purchased a Dermo-Purifying Mask (which is the mask that is also used during my treatments) from the spa and use it once or twice a week, depending on the condition of my skin. What I have noticed is that, this mask would calm my skin and cause it to be less inflamed. And this is one of the products that I swear by.

I had also purchased a Dermo-Purifying Gel, which I had used to treat my acne. Another product that is really awesome, but very expensive for upkeep. These two products had really worked wonders for my skin!

However, due to the Dermo-Purifying treatments that is very drying for the skin, my skin type has now changed from oily to dry. So now, I only use the Dermo-Purifying Mask, once a week, if not when needed. Other than that, I use hydrating masks and products to ensure that my skin doesn't become excessively dry.

I am really glad with the outcome of my skin condition and after the experience that I've had with my complexion, I have now become more disciplined in looking after my skin!

Here's a comparison from my first facial treatment, to the most recent! :)

Stay tuned for my next entry, about part 1 of my recent experience at a facial session at Amore Fitness Pte Ltd, that they have kindly sponsored me with! :)

Avenue M & Laneige

Advertorial:

Avenue M is Metro’s online identity, that is created for every girl and style, whether it’s glamourous, rock chick or geek chic.

Christmas has always been my favourite festive season and in collaboration between Metro and Laneige, I was given this Limited Edition Laneige Holiday Makeup Kit to try out!

I am an absolute junkie when it comes to makeup and what more, if it’s Limited Edition! Also, I am quite a fan of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Pack and also their Loose Powder, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on these babies to try them out!

I received the Styling Romantic Blusher II (S$49), the Styling Romantic Eye Palette (S$45) and the Styling Lip Duo (S$32) in Coral Beige.

The products come in a pretty white and gold packaging, certainly bringing out the extravagant and romantic feel!

One thing that I liked about the products was the detailed baroque motifs embossed on the product itself!

The Styling Romantic Blusher II, which is a four-colour multi blusher, consists of a matte orange, matte peach, a shimmer rose and shimmer lemon for highlight! If you look closely, the shimmer rose has very pretty golden flecks in them!

The 3 colour multi-eyeshadow Styling Romantic Eye Palette that consists of a pearly beige highlight, a shimmery pink eyeshadow and a shimmery deep brown eye shadow.

Both the blusher and the eye shadow palette were surprisingly very pigmented and apply very easily. However, in order for the colours to appear more vibrant or to intensify your look, you would need to build up the layers on your eyelids! I would also suggest using an eye shadow primer prior to applying the eye shadow, so that it stays on longer.

The Romantic Styling Lip-Duo consists of a moisturizing tinted lip colour and gloss.

I absolutely love the lip-duo! Not only is it moisturizing, the colour is amazing!

Christmas has always been a rather dressy occasion for me, so I created a soft romantic dinner look!

For the eyes, I used more of the pearly beige and shimmery pink to create that soft romantic feel and lightly used the deep brown in the crease to create depth. To darken the look, I used black liquid eyeliner.

For the cheeks, I swept a mix of the matte orange, matte peach and shimmer rose. I then highlighted the top of my cheekbones and my nose with the shimmer lemon!

You guys can get your hands on Laneige's Limited Edition Styling Romantic Makeup Range at all Metro Stores – City Square Mall, Paragon, Sengkang and Woodlands.

Once you have, don't forget to share the looks that you've created!