Is it just me or being in your twenties is confusing AF? It seems like there's this constant battle between "do it" and "I am going to mess it up". I might not know how to make the most of my twenties but I have recently thought about it and I thought it might be helpful to share with you.

I just want my twenties to be a journey filled with self-improvement and healing. I want to be selfish with my time, I want to look after myself more, pay attention to my mental health and love and be loved. 

Disclaimer: I get it. Blog posts like these are great for inspiration but my recommendation is pretty simple. Steal one or two things from the list and begin to apply them to your life so it's not going to be completely pointless. But keep in mind that it's okay to change your mind along the way. You might want to take it with a grain of salt. So — with that out of the way, here are 10 ways to make the most of your twenties.

1. Learn to live simply

I was obsessed with being "I want to be the best at everything and have the best things in life" in all my teenage years. I am so sick of it now. There's too much of that on the internet. Relax.

I just want to live simply. To go out and buy groceries and pastries, to take a walk in the park, to journal, spend time with my small family and learn that those little moments can make life big.

2. Find your peace

I was so happy to quit my previous job and have all that space in my bullet journal to myself. So folks quit all the things that cost your peace. It's better to start early.

3. Build skills and own it

Hear me out, anyone can take anything away from you, but no one can take away your skills. Just do things with your own hands, your own mind. Once you know how to do it properly, nothing stops you. For me, I love journaling so much and content creating — I do them with all my heart and no one can take that away from me.

4. Look after yourself

It's safe to say that the 15-year-old me was disappointed in the present-me for not looking after myself more in terms of self-care, skincare, exercising and all that jazz. Start paying attention now before it's too late. I can imagine it's a lot harder to try in your 30s or 40s. 

5. Just take a rest and don't feel guilty at all

If you're anything like me, who enjoy the feel of being productive, this is a sign for you to take that damn rest and forget about what people have to say. I have started to make a point to at least have one (sometimes two) unproductive day or have a nothing day as I like to call it. 

6. Not everything has to be perfect

I used to spend a lot of time perfecting my work and every situation in my life but you know what? It's exhausting. So I let it go and now I am learning to be okay with "good enough". It takes practice but it's definitely a work in progress.

7. Don't be afraid of changes

Changes are good. Everyone needs it at some point in their life and most of the time, it's in your twenties. You will make a lot of changes that will make more good than harm. Since it's still a learning process, I think the fear will always be there but instead of waiting for it to go away, just F it and do it. Start before you feel ready.

8. Saying "no" is a form of self-care

You have to know that saying no to others doesn't make you a bad person. Stop being a people-pleaser and only say yes to the things YOU love. Again, it's important to look after yourself even if no one else benefits. It's okay to put yourself first.

9. Get rid of bad people and keep your circle small

Oh, trust me. You don't need any kind of negativities in your twenties. Keep your best friends close and dodge any toxic ones! Also, having a million friends that you barely even talk to is unnecessary. Keep it small and avoid drama. I can count my best friends with my 10 fingers and I am thankful for them.

10. Don't be too hard on yourself

Your twenties is the right time to discover that you're not perfect because perfection doesn't exist. You will make a lot of mistakes and you just got to accept that they're a part of adulting. Accepting your mistakes is the shortcut for you to correct yourself and become a better person.

What are you doing to make the most of your twenties?  

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• Thursday, September 23, 2021
• lifestyle

10 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Twenties

Is it just me or being in your twenties is confusing AF? It seems like there's this constant battle between "do it" and "I am going to mess it up". I might not know how to make the most of my twenties but I have recently thought about it and I thought it might be helpful to share with you.

I just want my twenties to be a journey filled with self-improvement and healing. I want to be selfish with my time, I want to look after myself more, pay attention to my mental health and love and be loved. 

Disclaimer: I get it. Blog posts like these are great for inspiration but my recommendation is pretty simple. Steal one or two things from the list and begin to apply them to your life so it's not going to be completely pointless. But keep in mind that it's okay to change your mind along the way. You might want to take it with a grain of salt. So — with that out of the way, here are 10 ways to make the most of your twenties.

1. Learn to live simply

I was obsessed with being "I want to be the best at everything and have the best things in life" in all my teenage years. I am so sick of it now. There's too much of that on the internet. Relax.

I just want to live simply. To go out and buy groceries and pastries, to take a walk in the park, to journal, spend time with my small family and learn that those little moments can make life big.

2. Find your peace

I was so happy to quit my previous job and have all that space in my bullet journal to myself. So folks quit all the things that cost your peace. It's better to start early.

3. Build skills and own it

Hear me out, anyone can take anything away from you, but no one can take away your skills. Just do things with your own hands, your own mind. Once you know how to do it properly, nothing stops you. For me, I love journaling so much and content creating — I do them with all my heart and no one can take that away from me.

4. Look after yourself

It's safe to say that the 15-year-old me was disappointed in the present-me for not looking after myself more in terms of self-care, skincare, exercising and all that jazz. Start paying attention now before it's too late. I can imagine it's a lot harder to try in your 30s or 40s. 

5. Just take a rest and don't feel guilty at all

If you're anything like me, who enjoy the feel of being productive, this is a sign for you to take that damn rest and forget about what people have to say. I have started to make a point to at least have one (sometimes two) unproductive day or have a nothing day as I like to call it. 

6. Not everything has to be perfect

I used to spend a lot of time perfecting my work and every situation in my life but you know what? It's exhausting. So I let it go and now I am learning to be okay with "good enough". It takes practice but it's definitely a work in progress.

7. Don't be afraid of changes

Changes are good. Everyone needs it at some point in their life and most of the time, it's in your twenties. You will make a lot of changes that will make more good than harm. Since it's still a learning process, I think the fear will always be there but instead of waiting for it to go away, just F it and do it. Start before you feel ready.

8. Saying "no" is a form of self-care

You have to know that saying no to others doesn't make you a bad person. Stop being a people-pleaser and only say yes to the things YOU love. Again, it's important to look after yourself even if no one else benefits. It's okay to put yourself first.

9. Get rid of bad people and keep your circle small

Oh, trust me. You don't need any kind of negativities in your twenties. Keep your best friends close and dodge any toxic ones! Also, having a million friends that you barely even talk to is unnecessary. Keep it small and avoid drama. I can count my best friends with my 10 fingers and I am thankful for them.

10. Don't be too hard on yourself

Your twenties is the right time to discover that you're not perfect because perfection doesn't exist. You will make a lot of mistakes and you just got to accept that they're a part of adulting. Accepting your mistakes is the shortcut for you to correct yourself and become a better person.

What are you doing to make the most of your twenties?  

Follow

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Ever wondered why sometimes your skin lacking its own natural glow and radiance? You don't have hyperpigmentation and stuff but your skin looks dry and lifeless. Well, my friend, I am afraid you're probably having issues with dull skin. 

It's fine, you're not the only one. My skin is pretty much oily all year round but there were a couple of moments in my life where I looked at my skin in the mirror and asked myself “Where is my glow?” 

That turned me into a full-on panic mode and I started buying more skincare products that promise a healthy, glowing, and radiant complexion. You know what, it's actually not that simple. If you're a dry and dull skin sufferer, many factors can be working against you (environmental, lifestyle, ingredients to name a few) — but with every difficult situation, there are solutions. 

Read on to know exactly what you can do to rejuvenate dry and dull skin!

So what causes dry and dull skin?

Environmental stresses

I love living in Malaysia but getting exposed to harmful substances almost all the time is definitely not it. Things like smoke and getting exposed to the sunlight may damage the skin's protective barrier. I just wish I knew these sooner.

You may ask, “What it is like to live in Malaysia?”

Well, it's hot and humid all year round. You may want to consider having an air-conditioner in your house. Sometimes it's more like a must-have. But that's the thing though, to be in an air-conditioned space almost every day, that's a recipe for disaster. I mean, for your skin, of course.

Your skin will get super dry and flaky because you have been around in an air-conditioned room for a long period of time — your skin is screaming for moisture, and your complexion will just appear lifeless and uneven. Long story short, your moisture barrier is messed up.

You shower with hot water

Believe it or not, some people still shower with hot water. I know certain people in my life still does this. There's no amount of “Do not shower with hot water, it will strip your natural oils, which can cause dryness” that can get them to understand. You need to know that showering with hot water can play havoc on your skin, especially your face. That's all I am going to say. 

Not exfoliating enough

If you haven't been exfoliating recently, there's a chance you have a buildup of dead skin cells. Sometimes dead skin cells don't shed as they should. Instead, they build on the surface between you and your healthy glow. 

Not getting enough sleep

I mean, obviously? Not getting enough sleep will likely affect your skin's appearance, duh. When you're not taking enough care of yourselves with a good night's sleep, it shows on your face — say hello to dark circles and a duller complexion.

Here's how you can rejuvenate dry and dull skin:

Limit dry interior conditions

Let's just say, constant air-conditioning is not good for your skin. If it's unavoidable, you can always limit your usage and keep it on the 22-26°C region, which is the ideal temperature setting that's not too hot, or too cold. 

Drink enough water

Oh, how can I forget the #1 Beauty Rule! Drinking enough water (8 glasses a day) can help hydrate your skin from below the surface. This process makes sure to keep your skin's moisture level high and bring back hydration that you lose, also allowing your skin to not look dry and dull.

Avoid hot water

Please be gentle on your skin. Avoid using hot water while you're in the shower. Just like I said, it's going to strip your natural oils and leave you with dry and sensitive skin. Instead, use lukewarm water especially when it comes to cleansing your face.

Be gentle on your skin

Always go gentle with your skin. Harsh scrubs and drying soaps are a no-no. And do you know how some skincare products are drying as F because they contain a high level of alcohol? Yeah, you might want to avoid that too.

Exfoliate your skin

Exfoliation is a process that does wonders for the skin. However, please opt for a gentler option of exfoliator — alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which will penetrate the skin to get rid of dead skin cells. And make sure you don't over-exfoliate! Twice a week should be okay.

Healthy sleeping schedule

I always make it a habit to at least have 5-6 hours of sleep at night because sometimes getting a full-blown 8 hours seems impossible. Getting enough rest at night is so important for the recovery process to take place and that includes your skin's health!

Practice the right skincare routine

The 'right' skincare routine plays a huge part in my skin journey. It's important to know your skin before committing to any type of product. When my skin was slightly dry in some areas and dull-looking, I knew very well that it was dehydrated. Yes, you can have oily skin and dehydrated skin at once. 

Do you know what I did? I panicked. Yes, panic comes first and do the thinking later. But it's not helping at all, guys. Please don't be like me. Instead, do these and thank me later. 

Order matters!

I don't care if people said it's useless because our skin will absorb some of each product anyway. I think the order is important because of 1) efficacy; 2) I don't want to waste my money.

Double cleanse > Tone > Serum/ Actives > Moisturise > SPF

It's always this and this only. Simple. And once I got the order right, I started paying attention to put on water-based skincare products first and then the more concentrated and heavier ones after. 

Sheet masks are your best friend

What an excellent way to get your skin glowing. This is what I am most dedicated to. I am very fond of sheet masks. I always look for sheet masks that contain Tranexamic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Squalane, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol and the one I am using from Hansaegee Nature is just the best at keeping my skin hydrated and glowing.

Do not skip moisturiser

We need to moisturise regardless of skin type. Moisturisers prevent moisture loss, help repair and protect the skin's moisture barrier and plump the skin making it appear less wrinkly and smooth. My favourite moisturiser to use at the moment is from Hansaegee Nature. The texture is unbeatable and perfect for this hot weather!

SPF is a must

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I will always put on my sunscreen even if it's raining outside. Doesn't matter how simple or tedious your skincare routine is but if you skip this step, it's no use. Your skin will be exposed to the harmful UV rays anyway and when there's none to protect it, your skin will keep on acting up, it's going to be dry, lacking its natural glow, and puts you at risk of skin cancer.

While we're talking about skincare...

I know I have been hinting at Hansaegee Nature a little so this is a portion where we're going to talk about it more. Hansaegee Nature was kind enough to send me their Aloe Gel Mask, Aqua Whitening Cream (that I love so much) and my favourite Gold Nano CC Cream. Thank you so much Hansaegee Nature!

HANSAEGEE NATURE 92% Aloe Gel Mask

After all this time, an aloe vera mask is still my favourite type of mask to use because it's the OG sheet mask for me if I want extra moisture and hydration. This one, in particular, is so wonderful. It's packed with almost overflowing aloe essence that's perfect for both my face and neck!

Notes: The mask fits perfectly on my face and has just the right thickness to it.

Aloe vera gel is known for its many benefits and I love the fact that this sheet mask is not just hydrating and moisturising but it also helps brighten the skin, soften dead skin cells and makes my skin smooth and plumped. A great way to boost moisture in a snap of a finger and makes whatever makeup you put on top looks immaculate.

Notes: Packed with aloe vera gel

Notes: High-quality sheet mask, not too thick and not too thin

The perfect time to use a sheet mask is whenever you feel like it. I use it both AM and PM and usually after showering because I just love it. You have nothing to lose if you use sheet masks every day, it's fine. The order would look like this: Double cleanse > A toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Moisturiser (to lock in moisture!) > SPF

HANSAEGEE NATURE Aqua Whitening Cream

I have said it once and now I said it twice. Do not skip a moisturiser regardless of your skin type. Every skin type has its own moisturiser but Hansaegee Nature's Aqua Whitening Cream is appropriate for every skin type especially if you have dry and dull skin! It's crucial to apply moisturisers to lock in moisture so your skin is hydrated and healthy-looking all the time. 

What I love the most about this moisturiser is that it's water-based, has no sticky or greasy residue and is so comfortable on the skin even for oily gals like me. It has a gel consistency that blends like water and reveals these water droplets goodness. If you're in to have a glowy and radiant finish, this is the one. 

I use this moisturiser both AM and PM as well because why not? It has this cooling sensation upon application and that's just what I need in this hot, hot weather. I can't get enough of how radiant my skin looks with it all day and it maintains the moisture and sheen until I wake up in the morning.

So far, the order looks like this: Double cleanse > A toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Hansaegee Nature Aqua Whitening Cream > SPF

HANSAEGEE NATURE Gold Nano CC Cream

Ever since I got this in the mail, this is what I am reaching for every time I go out to run errands. It's literally what I need. As a fellow oily gal, it's getting an “Approved” from me.

It's not greasy, it has this nice dewy finish that makes my skin appear healthy and happy. I love it! It's perfect for daily usage and on-the-go, it's lightweight, colour corrects my redness, does a great job at filling in pores, instantly brightens and is suitable for almost all skin types.

Notes: It comes out white with tiny brown bits that will break apart and matches whatever skin colour.

With products like this, you don't need a brush or a sponge to even it out. All you need is your fingers (make sure they're clean). This is the answer to my “five-minutes-and-I'm-done” look. Being a CC cream it has very light coverage but honestly, I don't have that much to cover nowadays other than my redness so that's great. 

Now we're done ooh-and-aah-ing about the product, it's time for the actual protecting power to shine. 

This is not just a regular CC cream. Other than it colour corrects, it also protects. This CC cream has a built-in SPF50+ with PA+++ to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB! I love a good multifunction product. So this is what my full routine looks like as of recent: Double cleanse > Toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Hansaegee Nature Aqua Whitening Cream > Hansaegee Nature Gold Nano CC Cream

Notes: A little goes a long way and you can kinda see the eyeshadow shades from my ABH Soft Glam Palette are more pigmented on top of the CC cream. That palette is already pigmented but with the CC cream, it's getting a *chef's kiss* from me.

Notes: My pores are also more blurred and my overall complexion is instantly brightened without any greyish cast.

As far as ingredients go, this CC cream contains Niacinamide which we all love. It also has Mineral water to balance the skin's pH level and increase the skin's elasticity. It also consists of Ipomoea Hederacea Callus Culture Extract to relieve any skin irritation and has an anti-bacterial effect. Last but not least, the star ingredient which is Nanogold that will improve any signs of wrinkles as you age and is also known for its high antioxidative activity.

Just throwing these out there because it's worth mentioning. I don't really recommend products if they're not working for me. That's just straight-up lying. If I mention a certain product on my blog, that means I tried them and they worked well. So this CC cream from Hansaegee Nature is just it for me. It makes a good pore-filling primer, eyeshadow base, and it's well-formulated for most Asian skin that even in this heat it's not gonna get blotchy and patchy. 

I hope these tips are going to help any sistas out there who are suffering from dry and dull skin. We've all been there, at least once in our lives. I really think the sheet masks, moisturising and SPF part did me good. I have come a long way and it's time for my skin to shine!

Check out Hansaegee Nature now:

Website: https://hansaegee.com/shop/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hansaegeenature/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HansaegeeNature

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS3EF4Qcc62cVFF9r5DSsZA

What are your favourite tips to rejuvenate dry and dull skin?

• Monday, September 13, 2021
• beauty

Dry and Dull Skin: Follow These 11 Steps To Rejuvenate It!

Ever wondered why sometimes your skin lacking its own natural glow and radiance? You don't have hyperpigmentation and stuff but your skin looks dry and lifeless. Well, my friend, I am afraid you're probably having issues with dull skin. 

It's fine, you're not the only one. My skin is pretty much oily all year round but there were a couple of moments in my life where I looked at my skin in the mirror and asked myself “Where is my glow?” 

That turned me into a full-on panic mode and I started buying more skincare products that promise a healthy, glowing, and radiant complexion. You know what, it's actually not that simple. If you're a dry and dull skin sufferer, many factors can be working against you (environmental, lifestyle, ingredients to name a few) — but with every difficult situation, there are solutions. 

Read on to know exactly what you can do to rejuvenate dry and dull skin!

So what causes dry and dull skin?

Environmental stresses

I love living in Malaysia but getting exposed to harmful substances almost all the time is definitely not it. Things like smoke and getting exposed to the sunlight may damage the skin's protective barrier. I just wish I knew these sooner.

You may ask, “What it is like to live in Malaysia?”

Well, it's hot and humid all year round. You may want to consider having an air-conditioner in your house. Sometimes it's more like a must-have. But that's the thing though, to be in an air-conditioned space almost every day, that's a recipe for disaster. I mean, for your skin, of course.

Your skin will get super dry and flaky because you have been around in an air-conditioned room for a long period of time — your skin is screaming for moisture, and your complexion will just appear lifeless and uneven. Long story short, your moisture barrier is messed up.

You shower with hot water

Believe it or not, some people still shower with hot water. I know certain people in my life still does this. There's no amount of “Do not shower with hot water, it will strip your natural oils, which can cause dryness” that can get them to understand. You need to know that showering with hot water can play havoc on your skin, especially your face. That's all I am going to say. 

Not exfoliating enough

If you haven't been exfoliating recently, there's a chance you have a buildup of dead skin cells. Sometimes dead skin cells don't shed as they should. Instead, they build on the surface between you and your healthy glow. 

Not getting enough sleep

I mean, obviously? Not getting enough sleep will likely affect your skin's appearance, duh. When you're not taking enough care of yourselves with a good night's sleep, it shows on your face — say hello to dark circles and a duller complexion.

Here's how you can rejuvenate dry and dull skin:

Limit dry interior conditions

Let's just say, constant air-conditioning is not good for your skin. If it's unavoidable, you can always limit your usage and keep it on the 22-26°C region, which is the ideal temperature setting that's not too hot, or too cold. 

Drink enough water

Oh, how can I forget the #1 Beauty Rule! Drinking enough water (8 glasses a day) can help hydrate your skin from below the surface. This process makes sure to keep your skin's moisture level high and bring back hydration that you lose, also allowing your skin to not look dry and dull.

Avoid hot water

Please be gentle on your skin. Avoid using hot water while you're in the shower. Just like I said, it's going to strip your natural oils and leave you with dry and sensitive skin. Instead, use lukewarm water especially when it comes to cleansing your face.

Be gentle on your skin

Always go gentle with your skin. Harsh scrubs and drying soaps are a no-no. And do you know how some skincare products are drying as F because they contain a high level of alcohol? Yeah, you might want to avoid that too.

Exfoliate your skin

Exfoliation is a process that does wonders for the skin. However, please opt for a gentler option of exfoliator — alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which will penetrate the skin to get rid of dead skin cells. And make sure you don't over-exfoliate! Twice a week should be okay.

Healthy sleeping schedule

I always make it a habit to at least have 5-6 hours of sleep at night because sometimes getting a full-blown 8 hours seems impossible. Getting enough rest at night is so important for the recovery process to take place and that includes your skin's health!

Practice the right skincare routine

The 'right' skincare routine plays a huge part in my skin journey. It's important to know your skin before committing to any type of product. When my skin was slightly dry in some areas and dull-looking, I knew very well that it was dehydrated. Yes, you can have oily skin and dehydrated skin at once. 

Do you know what I did? I panicked. Yes, panic comes first and do the thinking later. But it's not helping at all, guys. Please don't be like me. Instead, do these and thank me later. 

Order matters!

I don't care if people said it's useless because our skin will absorb some of each product anyway. I think the order is important because of 1) efficacy; 2) I don't want to waste my money.

Double cleanse > Tone > Serum/ Actives > Moisturise > SPF

It's always this and this only. Simple. And once I got the order right, I started paying attention to put on water-based skincare products first and then the more concentrated and heavier ones after. 

Sheet masks are your best friend

What an excellent way to get your skin glowing. This is what I am most dedicated to. I am very fond of sheet masks. I always look for sheet masks that contain Tranexamic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Squalane, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol and the one I am using from Hansaegee Nature is just the best at keeping my skin hydrated and glowing.

Do not skip moisturiser

We need to moisturise regardless of skin type. Moisturisers prevent moisture loss, help repair and protect the skin's moisture barrier and plump the skin making it appear less wrinkly and smooth. My favourite moisturiser to use at the moment is from Hansaegee Nature. The texture is unbeatable and perfect for this hot weather!

SPF is a must

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I will always put on my sunscreen even if it's raining outside. Doesn't matter how simple or tedious your skincare routine is but if you skip this step, it's no use. Your skin will be exposed to the harmful UV rays anyway and when there's none to protect it, your skin will keep on acting up, it's going to be dry, lacking its natural glow, and puts you at risk of skin cancer.

While we're talking about skincare...

I know I have been hinting at Hansaegee Nature a little so this is a portion where we're going to talk about it more. Hansaegee Nature was kind enough to send me their Aloe Gel Mask, Aqua Whitening Cream (that I love so much) and my favourite Gold Nano CC Cream. Thank you so much Hansaegee Nature!

HANSAEGEE NATURE 92% Aloe Gel Mask

After all this time, an aloe vera mask is still my favourite type of mask to use because it's the OG sheet mask for me if I want extra moisture and hydration. This one, in particular, is so wonderful. It's packed with almost overflowing aloe essence that's perfect for both my face and neck!

Notes: The mask fits perfectly on my face and has just the right thickness to it.

Aloe vera gel is known for its many benefits and I love the fact that this sheet mask is not just hydrating and moisturising but it also helps brighten the skin, soften dead skin cells and makes my skin smooth and plumped. A great way to boost moisture in a snap of a finger and makes whatever makeup you put on top looks immaculate.

Notes: Packed with aloe vera gel

Notes: High-quality sheet mask, not too thick and not too thin

The perfect time to use a sheet mask is whenever you feel like it. I use it both AM and PM and usually after showering because I just love it. You have nothing to lose if you use sheet masks every day, it's fine. The order would look like this: Double cleanse > A toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Moisturiser (to lock in moisture!) > SPF

HANSAEGEE NATURE Aqua Whitening Cream

I have said it once and now I said it twice. Do not skip a moisturiser regardless of your skin type. Every skin type has its own moisturiser but Hansaegee Nature's Aqua Whitening Cream is appropriate for every skin type especially if you have dry and dull skin! It's crucial to apply moisturisers to lock in moisture so your skin is hydrated and healthy-looking all the time. 

What I love the most about this moisturiser is that it's water-based, has no sticky or greasy residue and is so comfortable on the skin even for oily gals like me. It has a gel consistency that blends like water and reveals these water droplets goodness. If you're in to have a glowy and radiant finish, this is the one. 

I use this moisturiser both AM and PM as well because why not? It has this cooling sensation upon application and that's just what I need in this hot, hot weather. I can't get enough of how radiant my skin looks with it all day and it maintains the moisture and sheen until I wake up in the morning.

So far, the order looks like this: Double cleanse > A toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Hansaegee Nature Aqua Whitening Cream > SPF

HANSAEGEE NATURE Gold Nano CC Cream

Ever since I got this in the mail, this is what I am reaching for every time I go out to run errands. It's literally what I need. As a fellow oily gal, it's getting an “Approved” from me.

It's not greasy, it has this nice dewy finish that makes my skin appear healthy and happy. I love it! It's perfect for daily usage and on-the-go, it's lightweight, colour corrects my redness, does a great job at filling in pores, instantly brightens and is suitable for almost all skin types.

Notes: It comes out white with tiny brown bits that will break apart and matches whatever skin colour.

With products like this, you don't need a brush or a sponge to even it out. All you need is your fingers (make sure they're clean). This is the answer to my “five-minutes-and-I'm-done” look. Being a CC cream it has very light coverage but honestly, I don't have that much to cover nowadays other than my redness so that's great. 

Now we're done ooh-and-aah-ing about the product, it's time for the actual protecting power to shine. 

This is not just a regular CC cream. Other than it colour corrects, it also protects. This CC cream has a built-in SPF50+ with PA+++ to protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB! I love a good multifunction product. So this is what my full routine looks like as of recent: Double cleanse > Toner > Serum > Hansaegee Nature 92% Aloe Gel Mask > Hansaegee Nature Aqua Whitening Cream > Hansaegee Nature Gold Nano CC Cream

Notes: A little goes a long way and you can kinda see the eyeshadow shades from my ABH Soft Glam Palette are more pigmented on top of the CC cream. That palette is already pigmented but with the CC cream, it's getting a *chef's kiss* from me.

Notes: My pores are also more blurred and my overall complexion is instantly brightened without any greyish cast.

As far as ingredients go, this CC cream contains Niacinamide which we all love. It also has Mineral water to balance the skin's pH level and increase the skin's elasticity. It also consists of Ipomoea Hederacea Callus Culture Extract to relieve any skin irritation and has an anti-bacterial effect. Last but not least, the star ingredient which is Nanogold that will improve any signs of wrinkles as you age and is also known for its high antioxidative activity.

Just throwing these out there because it's worth mentioning. I don't really recommend products if they're not working for me. That's just straight-up lying. If I mention a certain product on my blog, that means I tried them and they worked well. So this CC cream from Hansaegee Nature is just it for me. It makes a good pore-filling primer, eyeshadow base, and it's well-formulated for most Asian skin that even in this heat it's not gonna get blotchy and patchy. 

I hope these tips are going to help any sistas out there who are suffering from dry and dull skin. We've all been there, at least once in our lives. I really think the sheet masks, moisturising and SPF part did me good. I have come a long way and it's time for my skin to shine!

Check out Hansaegee Nature now:

Website: https://hansaegee.com/shop/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hansaegeenature/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HansaegeeNature

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS3EF4Qcc62cVFF9r5DSsZA

What are your favourite tips to rejuvenate dry and dull skin?

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Woah, let's bring back a series that was left untouched since 2018. Let's be honest, I am the worst at keeping series on this blog. I've never gone consistent with it but I am trying. I have brought back my Five Things posts that are just a hit, every single month now. Thank you so much, you awesome people!

If you're not familiar with how Lusts Lately works, it's pretty much self-explanatory. I will talk about a list of random things that I've been eyeing and lusting after that are just oh-so-beautiful but I might not need but let's just talk about it anyway. So here are some things that have been on my radar.

#1 | Archer & Olive A5 Sagittarius Dot Grid Notebook

Nothing makes me want a dotted journal from Archer & Olive so bad other than the fact that it's a fully female-owned company, they have the best customer service, they would go above and beyond to produce high-quality products and it's environmentally conscious too. I just had to stan.

Also, this is super pretty and close to my heart. I am a Sagittarius baby and I am proud of it. I would consider this as an investment if I were to get it one day since Archer & Olive is not at the cheapest price point when it comes to journals and notebooks but the quality is definitely worth it.

#2 | Slip Silk Pillowcase in Caramel

I have seen lots of influencers on IG with their Slip so I want one. To be clear, I just want the best for me in terms of self-care and lifestyle in my mid-20. I don't know why having a Slip is one of the important things right now, I just do.

#3 | These floral bedsheets

These floral bedsheets from Shopee at first glance almost look luxurious but they're priced reasonably. Not quite affordable but they're not expensive either. I am obsessed with floral beddings nowadays. I currently have quite a number of pieces that I adore so much and have been meaning to expand my collection but that would be unnecessary. 

#4 | Metal hair clips

I am a scrunchie kinda gal but these metal hair clips are actually so freaking cute?! I browse through Pinterest almost every day and I found lots of Korean gals have these metal hair clips on their hair and I kinda want one. Or two.

#5 | Huda Beauty Wild Obsessions Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Chameleon

Huda Beauty has been that brand that I will always question, be it her foundation or powder, I was always questioning the products. But recently I watched Tati Westbrook's review on the mini palettes and they're so stunning, pigmented and kind of playing with my mind.

I don't see myself in bright blue, purple colour but the palette is just nice to lust after! I mean, most of the shades are pretty wearable, particularly in the Chameleon palette so I might just wear those and call it a day.

#6 | Notebook Therapy Limited Edition Tea Party Collection Tsuki Boba Journal

This can't be on the list because I already bought it and as we're saying, it's on the way to my house. Let's just talk about it for a second anyway because I have been ooh-and-aah-ing their journals since forever!

Not to sound like a broken record but I got it. I finally got my hands on this and can't seem to stop talking about it. Notebook Therapy journals are pretty much cute stuff and this limited edition collection, in particular, has been on my radar for a hot minute. I believe they're sold out now but they will restock so don't worry. Once it's here, we will unbox them together, how 'bout that? :)

*Some links used are affiliated - Please note that no commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you buy products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links. Thank you~

What are the things that have been on your radar lately? Do you own any of these?

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• Saturday, September 11, 2021
• lifestyle

Lusts Lately #2

Woah, let's bring back a series that was left untouched since 2018. Let's be honest, I am the worst at keeping series on this blog. I've never gone consistent with it but I am trying. I have brought back my Five Things posts that are just a hit, every single month now. Thank you so much, you awesome people!

If you're not familiar with how Lusts Lately works, it's pretty much self-explanatory. I will talk about a list of random things that I've been eyeing and lusting after that are just oh-so-beautiful but I might not need but let's just talk about it anyway. So here are some things that have been on my radar.

#1 | Archer & Olive A5 Sagittarius Dot Grid Notebook

Nothing makes me want a dotted journal from Archer & Olive so bad other than the fact that it's a fully female-owned company, they have the best customer service, they would go above and beyond to produce high-quality products and it's environmentally conscious too. I just had to stan.

Also, this is super pretty and close to my heart. I am a Sagittarius baby and I am proud of it. I would consider this as an investment if I were to get it one day since Archer & Olive is not at the cheapest price point when it comes to journals and notebooks but the quality is definitely worth it.

#2 | Slip Silk Pillowcase in Caramel

I have seen lots of influencers on IG with their Slip so I want one. To be clear, I just want the best for me in terms of self-care and lifestyle in my mid-20. I don't know why having a Slip is one of the important things right now, I just do.

#3 | These floral bedsheets

These floral bedsheets from Shopee at first glance almost look luxurious but they're priced reasonably. Not quite affordable but they're not expensive either. I am obsessed with floral beddings nowadays. I currently have quite a number of pieces that I adore so much and have been meaning to expand my collection but that would be unnecessary. 

#4 | Metal hair clips

I am a scrunchie kinda gal but these metal hair clips are actually so freaking cute?! I browse through Pinterest almost every day and I found lots of Korean gals have these metal hair clips on their hair and I kinda want one. Or two.

#5 | Huda Beauty Wild Obsessions Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Chameleon

Huda Beauty has been that brand that I will always question, be it her foundation or powder, I was always questioning the products. But recently I watched Tati Westbrook's review on the mini palettes and they're so stunning, pigmented and kind of playing with my mind.

I don't see myself in bright blue, purple colour but the palette is just nice to lust after! I mean, most of the shades are pretty wearable, particularly in the Chameleon palette so I might just wear those and call it a day.

#6 | Notebook Therapy Limited Edition Tea Party Collection Tsuki Boba Journal

This can't be on the list because I already bought it and as we're saying, it's on the way to my house. Let's just talk about it for a second anyway because I have been ooh-and-aah-ing their journals since forever!

Not to sound like a broken record but I got it. I finally got my hands on this and can't seem to stop talking about it. Notebook Therapy journals are pretty much cute stuff and this limited edition collection, in particular, has been on my radar for a hot minute. I believe they're sold out now but they will restock so don't worry. Once it's here, we will unbox them together, how 'bout that? :)

*Some links used are affiliated - Please note that no commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you buy products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links. Thank you~

What are the things that have been on your radar lately? Do you own any of these?

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I think COSRX can never do anything wrong. At this point, my skin is loving all of the products I have tried from COSRX and this time it's their gel moisturizer that's pretty much everything its name says it is.

I spent quite a lot of time sifting through moisturizers that are suitable for oily, slightly sensitive and dehydrated skin. It didn't take too long for me to decide to grab this moisturizer from COSRX because we have to recognize that COSRX is one of the top tiers when it comes to K-beauty and we just have to stan. Period. 

I am just going to throw it out there right here right now that this is one of the best gel creams I have ever tried in my entire existence. I know. Shocking. Let's find out why I said such a bold statement.

COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

Is a part of their Hydrium line that focuses on hydration that I am all here for. It's a cooling relief for heated angry skin — offers lightweight hydration and moisture, combats any irritation and redness, all with a refreshing, cooling sensation in a jar. 

What annoys me with a lot of gel creams I have tried in the past is that while they feel really nice and lightweight on the skin, they tend to not deliver enough moisture to my skin. They do hydrate but then my skin will start looking like an oil city since I am not really moisturizing my skin. 

HOWEVER, this COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream legit feels nice and actually acts like a cream but with a gel consistency. I was shook the first time I applied it on my skin because it felt like I applied an actual cream moisturizer to my skin. It was the moment I knew that this is going to be a staple in my routine. Another bold statement.

Ingredient highlights

What I like about COSRX is that it definitely does use some of its key ingredients in a lot of the products but that's so typical for a lot of skincare brands out there. However, with COSRX, while they may use some of the same key ingredients each one definitely stands on its own and kind of has its own unique theme, if you will. 

I love the fact that they have a range that focuses on soothing and hydration. A perfect fit for my skin!

So notable ingredients in the COSRX gel cream include green tea leaf extract (obvi) which is an antioxidant that's amazing to help calm and soothe the skin. It's an anti-inflammatory and a top-notch ingredient if you have inflamed, heated and aggravated skin. 

Also, has glycerin and allantoin to help hydrate and calm the skin, aloe leaf extract to treat redness and irritation as well as vitamin B5 to moisturize and intensely hydrate. How many times can I say "hydrate" in this blog post?

Not only does this moisturizer feature a wonderful list of super good ingredients for your skin, but it actually feels wonderful on the skin. It really refreshes the skin with its cooling effect and provides a nice, dewy, non-sticky finish and makes my skin look plumped. It absorbs into the skin almost right away but still provides enough moisture and prolonged hydration.

This gel cream is also really and truly fragrance-free, it contains zero parabens and is also cruelty-free. We just have to undoubtedly stan a conscious brand!

I mainly use it in the AM after all my toners and serum and before my sunscreen. It works so, so well under sunscreen and makeup. It doesn't make my skin look greasy because of how quick it dries down. I just can't say enough good things about the formulation. I don't think you understand, but I am obsessed.

If you have oily, sensitive and dehydrated skin all in one, trust me, you need this in your collection. This is definitely the moisturizer that you will enjoy and can't get enough of. It's a banger. However, I can't say the same for my dry skin sistas out there. You may need to pair it with a thicker option such as their Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream.

*Some links used are affiliated - Please note that no commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you buy products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links. Thank you~

Have you tried this moisturizer or anything from COSRX? What do you think?

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• Sunday, September 05, 2021
• beauty

COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

I think COSRX can never do anything wrong. At this point, my skin is loving all of the products I have tried from COSRX and this time it's their gel moisturizer that's pretty much everything its name says it is.

I spent quite a lot of time sifting through moisturizers that are suitable for oily, slightly sensitive and dehydrated skin. It didn't take too long for me to decide to grab this moisturizer from COSRX because we have to recognize that COSRX is one of the top tiers when it comes to K-beauty and we just have to stan. Period. 

I am just going to throw it out there right here right now that this is one of the best gel creams I have ever tried in my entire existence. I know. Shocking. Let's find out why I said such a bold statement.

COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

Is a part of their Hydrium line that focuses on hydration that I am all here for. It's a cooling relief for heated angry skin — offers lightweight hydration and moisture, combats any irritation and redness, all with a refreshing, cooling sensation in a jar. 

What annoys me with a lot of gel creams I have tried in the past is that while they feel really nice and lightweight on the skin, they tend to not deliver enough moisture to my skin. They do hydrate but then my skin will start looking like an oil city since I am not really moisturizing my skin. 

HOWEVER, this COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream legit feels nice and actually acts like a cream but with a gel consistency. I was shook the first time I applied it on my skin because it felt like I applied an actual cream moisturizer to my skin. It was the moment I knew that this is going to be a staple in my routine. Another bold statement.

Ingredient highlights

What I like about COSRX is that it definitely does use some of its key ingredients in a lot of the products but that's so typical for a lot of skincare brands out there. However, with COSRX, while they may use some of the same key ingredients each one definitely stands on its own and kind of has its own unique theme, if you will. 

I love the fact that they have a range that focuses on soothing and hydration. A perfect fit for my skin!

So notable ingredients in the COSRX gel cream include green tea leaf extract (obvi) which is an antioxidant that's amazing to help calm and soothe the skin. It's an anti-inflammatory and a top-notch ingredient if you have inflamed, heated and aggravated skin. 

Also, has glycerin and allantoin to help hydrate and calm the skin, aloe leaf extract to treat redness and irritation as well as vitamin B5 to moisturize and intensely hydrate. How many times can I say "hydrate" in this blog post?

Not only does this moisturizer feature a wonderful list of super good ingredients for your skin, but it actually feels wonderful on the skin. It really refreshes the skin with its cooling effect and provides a nice, dewy, non-sticky finish and makes my skin look plumped. It absorbs into the skin almost right away but still provides enough moisture and prolonged hydration.

This gel cream is also really and truly fragrance-free, it contains zero parabens and is also cruelty-free. We just have to undoubtedly stan a conscious brand!

I mainly use it in the AM after all my toners and serum and before my sunscreen. It works so, so well under sunscreen and makeup. It doesn't make my skin look greasy because of how quick it dries down. I just can't say enough good things about the formulation. I don't think you understand, but I am obsessed.

If you have oily, sensitive and dehydrated skin all in one, trust me, you need this in your collection. This is definitely the moisturizer that you will enjoy and can't get enough of. It's a banger. However, I can't say the same for my dry skin sistas out there. You may need to pair it with a thicker option such as their Hydrium Moisture Power Enriched Cream.

*Some links used are affiliated - Please note that no commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you buy products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links. Thank you~

Have you tried this moisturizer or anything from COSRX? What do you think?

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Read more »

It's time for another 5 smaller daily things that made me happy and grateful.

Take a peek at my previous Five Things post here!

Oh, I LOVED August so much! August is surreal and will never not be bizarre. It was every bit as magical and wonderful as I'd hoped it would be. I survived another busy month but it's something that I'd be perfectly happy to live over and over again. It was yet another productive month for me. I spent a lot of time brainstorming, planning and researching for my small business that we will get into in a sec.

But first here are five things that made me happy in August:

1. My little baby got vaccinated

We adopted my little baby not long ago, probably over a year and I decided it's time to get him vaccinated and neutered. In order for him to get neutered, he must be vaccinated first to prevent any complications. 

So he just got his first shot last week and I am so proud of him. He's a tough boy. He was a little worn out after the procedure, he was sleeping all damn day and caught a very mild fever but nothing like his wet food can't fix. Other than that, he's just in great condition. I can't wait for his next shot!

As a cat owner, I know I have been pretty irresponsible for not getting him vaccinated earlier especially him being an outdoor adventurer, but vaccines are costly. I finally think now is a great phase for me in terms of finances and time so I am not going to second guess it no more. 

I will take extremely good care of him and hang in there for my next update!

2. Sisters & Brushes 2.0

Yes, if you haven't been known, we've elevated our small business and went 180. I feel like our previous plan wasn't getting the momentum and traction that I wanted. I knew deep inside I just wasn't ready for that one so I let it went down to the drain.

It's no use watering a plant that was already DEAD dead or so I thought.

Sometimes, you have to start all over differently and that's totally okay. Brands and customers alike, do evolve. I am not a fan of change and stuff. I am afraid of it. I feel like there's always something bad would happen if I change. But you know what? Change is good. Change is healthy. And you need that at some point in your life. 

So here we are, Sisters & Brushes 2.0 — soaring and flourishing. 

Long story short, we're just on the right track right now. It feels different, surreal and fitting. This is where we belong and it feels right. Just when we thought things were getting better, everything has skyrocketed. I am so so sooo grateful!

3. Little acts of kindness

A few weeks ago, a content creator named Athisha Khan on Instagram shared our little business on her Instagram story (disclaimer: we didn't pay her, it was her pure act of kindness) and I kid you not, we're getting so much attention left and right and it was frantic! LOL. 

Anyway, that has led us to have more than 500 followers now on Instagram and frequently have orders kick in up until today. That made me and my little sister so freaking happy and grateful. Athisha being the sweetest person alive and has shown me that even a little act of kindness means the world to someone. 

I have always believed that it costs $0.00 to be kind yet it can be so rewarding!

4. August's bullet journal flip through

And you guys, I can't not include my bullet journal because it makes me happy and it definitely sparked joy!

Notes: My cover pages. I am obsessed with quotes and stuff so I made a bunch of them and one of them is this. I tried a horizontal layout for my calendar and it turned out good. Very good.

Notes: I did pretty well in my skincare routine and my workout. I was a beast. I basically picked out most of Blogilates's workouts and I went for a run almost every day in August. Let's hope I can maintain that for the next few months. Oh and, I kind of redeemed myself in terms of my expenses for August. I took it down a notch as promised and I guess I did pretty okay. 

Notes: I think this is by far my favourite theme. Ever. It matches my current vibe and it screams "beautiful" to me. A 100% would swipe right! 

5. COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

I think I have found another pinnacle of gel moisturizer for oily skin. This is one of the best gel moisturizers I have tried in a long time. It feels super nice on my oily skin and it features a wonderful list of super good ingredients for your skin. I was shook when I first used it. If you have oily skin, this is a moisturizer that you're gonna want to try!

Anyway, please let me know if you want to read the full meal deal because I can totally do that. It's one of my best purchases in August. Worth every penny!

It's all the simple pleasures in life. What are some little things that made you happy in August? 

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• Wednesday, September 01, 2021
• five things

Five Things In August 2021

It's time for another 5 smaller daily things that made me happy and grateful.

Take a peek at my previous Five Things post here!

Oh, I LOVED August so much! August is surreal and will never not be bizarre. It was every bit as magical and wonderful as I'd hoped it would be. I survived another busy month but it's something that I'd be perfectly happy to live over and over again. It was yet another productive month for me. I spent a lot of time brainstorming, planning and researching for my small business that we will get into in a sec.

But first here are five things that made me happy in August:

1. My little baby got vaccinated

We adopted my little baby not long ago, probably over a year and I decided it's time to get him vaccinated and neutered. In order for him to get neutered, he must be vaccinated first to prevent any complications. 

So he just got his first shot last week and I am so proud of him. He's a tough boy. He was a little worn out after the procedure, he was sleeping all damn day and caught a very mild fever but nothing like his wet food can't fix. Other than that, he's just in great condition. I can't wait for his next shot!

As a cat owner, I know I have been pretty irresponsible for not getting him vaccinated earlier especially him being an outdoor adventurer, but vaccines are costly. I finally think now is a great phase for me in terms of finances and time so I am not going to second guess it no more. 

I will take extremely good care of him and hang in there for my next update!

2. Sisters & Brushes 2.0

Yes, if you haven't been known, we've elevated our small business and went 180. I feel like our previous plan wasn't getting the momentum and traction that I wanted. I knew deep inside I just wasn't ready for that one so I let it went down to the drain.

It's no use watering a plant that was already DEAD dead or so I thought.

Sometimes, you have to start all over differently and that's totally okay. Brands and customers alike, do evolve. I am not a fan of change and stuff. I am afraid of it. I feel like there's always something bad would happen if I change. But you know what? Change is good. Change is healthy. And you need that at some point in your life. 

So here we are, Sisters & Brushes 2.0 — soaring and flourishing. 

Long story short, we're just on the right track right now. It feels different, surreal and fitting. This is where we belong and it feels right. Just when we thought things were getting better, everything has skyrocketed. I am so so sooo grateful!

3. Little acts of kindness

A few weeks ago, a content creator named Athisha Khan on Instagram shared our little business on her Instagram story (disclaimer: we didn't pay her, it was her pure act of kindness) and I kid you not, we're getting so much attention left and right and it was frantic! LOL. 

Anyway, that has led us to have more than 500 followers now on Instagram and frequently have orders kick in up until today. That made me and my little sister so freaking happy and grateful. Athisha being the sweetest person alive and has shown me that even a little act of kindness means the world to someone. 

I have always believed that it costs $0.00 to be kind yet it can be so rewarding!

4. August's bullet journal flip through

And you guys, I can't not include my bullet journal because it makes me happy and it definitely sparked joy!

Notes: My cover pages. I am obsessed with quotes and stuff so I made a bunch of them and one of them is this. I tried a horizontal layout for my calendar and it turned out good. Very good.

Notes: I did pretty well in my skincare routine and my workout. I was a beast. I basically picked out most of Blogilates's workouts and I went for a run almost every day in August. Let's hope I can maintain that for the next few months. Oh and, I kind of redeemed myself in terms of my expenses for August. I took it down a notch as promised and I guess I did pretty okay. 

Notes: I think this is by far my favourite theme. Ever. It matches my current vibe and it screams "beautiful" to me. A 100% would swipe right! 

5. COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

I think I have found another pinnacle of gel moisturizer for oily skin. This is one of the best gel moisturizers I have tried in a long time. It feels super nice on my oily skin and it features a wonderful list of super good ingredients for your skin. I was shook when I first used it. If you have oily skin, this is a moisturizer that you're gonna want to try!

Anyway, please let me know if you want to read the full meal deal because I can totally do that. It's one of my best purchases in August. Worth every penny!

It's all the simple pleasures in life. What are some little things that made you happy in August? 

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Hello, gorgeousness! Today I have a very highly-requested blog post and that is my bullet journal must-haves. I always get tons of questions about what I use so I thought I share them here and have a chit-chat about some of my faves. 

Things I am going to talk about are pretty much a necessity for me and beginner-friendly too since I am still a beginner myself. Disclaimer: you don't have to have all of these in your collection y'know. Most of these are just my preference and I have loved and used them for years. The bare bones of bullet journaling is literally a pen and a journal and you're good to go. 

So here are my bullet journal must-haves:

The journal

I currently use an A5 dotted journal that I bought off Shopee that's under RM30 — happy! They're extremely high quality and hardly bleed on me. The key is to search for ivory paper with 120 gsm. It's quite a challenge to find one on Shopee but you gotta do what you gotta do. 

The one I am using, in particular, has a faux leather hardcover that is soft to the touch and comes with an elastic strap to secure it, 3 bookmarks and a back pocket that's so handy to keep all my receipts. I have lots of A5 journals in plain and marble patterned (I am still obsessed with marbles, please don't judge me). I personally love a dotted journal and would definitely recommend them for beginners. 

The pens

I always get questions like “What are the best pens for journaling?”

Honestly, you will end up with 10 different answers. There are no right or wrong pens to use. Just use whatever speaks to you and is comfortable to use most of the time. I have jars full of artist pens that I love the most. When it comes to pens, I don't really buy them because of the hype. I know for a fact it's going to end up collecting dust so I will buy the ones that are reliable, comfortable and easy to use. 

Fineliners

These are what I use most often in my journal, and all for different purposes. I can't live without fineliners. 

The Artline Drawing System Pigment Ink is one of my most used. I have it in 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.4mm. This is what I use for drawing lines, illustrations, and headings on pages. It's such a lovely pen to use, it's really smooth, doesn't bleed or smear and is quick drying. 

I also have the Pentel Pointliner in most thickness, especially 0.05mm! It's not a pen everyone would need and use in their journal, but sometimes you just need a suuuuper thin line and this one is so good. It's what I use the most to create a small little calendar. Perfect for that clean, minimalist look. The only downside of it is that it's not quick drying.

Then I have the BEIFA Gel Ink Pen in 0.38mm that I use daily for bulk writing of my daily logs, notes and so on. It's a great gel pen, but it's not quick drying by any means. It's great because it doesn't bleed, writes really smooth, has the perfect thickness for my handwriting and it's super cheap. You can find it at Mr D.I.Y or Shopee. 

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

I am really into calligraphy and brush lettering so this is a must for me. The Tombow brush pens are definitely an investment but they're so good and they will last forever. I mean, it's pretty giant compare to other brands so you do really get your money's worth.

I really love the fact that these are sold individually and in packs as well. I just love to get the ones in the pack. They have a lot of colour assortment and they cater to every colour you could think of that's more vibrant or pastel or neutrals, you name it. 

Zebra Mildliners Brush Pens

These are one of the first brush pens in my collection. I would say they're really great to achieve beautiful calligraphy and stuff but the tip is not as sharp as the Tombow brush pens. They can be a little bit blunt after many use so the edge is not as clean but it's a great option for cheaper brush pens. 

Zebra Mildliners Highlighters

I also love these Zebra Mildliners highlighters that are also dual-ended. They have a chisel tip and a fine tip. I use these a lot for colouring, highlighting and stuff. I have them in a very muted colour I would say, it's not super bright or harsh. I bought these in packs so I am not sure if it's also sold individually. 

Other supplies

Generally, my bullet journal is fairly simple. I don't use a lot of stickers. I tend to carry my gel pen and my chosen brush pens for the month with me and I am good to go, but I do have some other supplies I use when I am setting up some spreads.

• A good clear, transparent ruler - I just freehand my straight lines most of the time, I just love the look of a slightly wonky line that's “natural”. But there are days where I want a very clean straight line, that's when my ruler comes in handy. I can be picky with my ruler. It has to be a clear, see-through ruler so I know exactly where to start and end my lines.

• Paper adhesive - Sometimes I like to paste things into my journal so this is my favourite. It's the Tombow Pit Air glue tape. It's really handy to have and it's not messy. I remember back in the day I used to use a glue stick and stuff. Those are super messy and I hated it.

• Correction tape - This has never been a thing for me but over the past few years, I just hated seeing unwanted mistakes on my bullet journal so this has quickly become my must-have. I got it from Mr D.I.Y. Super cheap, it comes with a refill and it covers everything perfectly.

• Soft rubber eraser - I use these Faber Castell Dust-Free erasers in pastel colours because they're cuter and they don't break apart. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Anyway, it does a great job at making it look like nothing was there before.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. No commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you purchase any products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links, it just helps me out :) Thank you~

Do you keep a journal? What are your must-haves?

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• Sunday, August 22, 2021
• bullet journal

My Bullet Journal Must-Haves

Hello, gorgeousness! Today I have a very highly-requested blog post and that is my bullet journal must-haves. I always get tons of questions about what I use so I thought I share them here and have a chit-chat about some of my faves. 

Things I am going to talk about are pretty much a necessity for me and beginner-friendly too since I am still a beginner myself. Disclaimer: you don't have to have all of these in your collection y'know. Most of these are just my preference and I have loved and used them for years. The bare bones of bullet journaling is literally a pen and a journal and you're good to go. 

So here are my bullet journal must-haves:

The journal

I currently use an A5 dotted journal that I bought off Shopee that's under RM30 — happy! They're extremely high quality and hardly bleed on me. The key is to search for ivory paper with 120 gsm. It's quite a challenge to find one on Shopee but you gotta do what you gotta do. 

The one I am using, in particular, has a faux leather hardcover that is soft to the touch and comes with an elastic strap to secure it, 3 bookmarks and a back pocket that's so handy to keep all my receipts. I have lots of A5 journals in plain and marble patterned (I am still obsessed with marbles, please don't judge me). I personally love a dotted journal and would definitely recommend them for beginners. 

The pens

I always get questions like “What are the best pens for journaling?”

Honestly, you will end up with 10 different answers. There are no right or wrong pens to use. Just use whatever speaks to you and is comfortable to use most of the time. I have jars full of artist pens that I love the most. When it comes to pens, I don't really buy them because of the hype. I know for a fact it's going to end up collecting dust so I will buy the ones that are reliable, comfortable and easy to use. 

Fineliners

These are what I use most often in my journal, and all for different purposes. I can't live without fineliners. 

The Artline Drawing System Pigment Ink is one of my most used. I have it in 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, 0.4mm. This is what I use for drawing lines, illustrations, and headings on pages. It's such a lovely pen to use, it's really smooth, doesn't bleed or smear and is quick drying. 

I also have the Pentel Pointliner in most thickness, especially 0.05mm! It's not a pen everyone would need and use in their journal, but sometimes you just need a suuuuper thin line and this one is so good. It's what I use the most to create a small little calendar. Perfect for that clean, minimalist look. The only downside of it is that it's not quick drying.

Then I have the BEIFA Gel Ink Pen in 0.38mm that I use daily for bulk writing of my daily logs, notes and so on. It's a great gel pen, but it's not quick drying by any means. It's great because it doesn't bleed, writes really smooth, has the perfect thickness for my handwriting and it's super cheap. You can find it at Mr D.I.Y or Shopee. 

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

I am really into calligraphy and brush lettering so this is a must for me. The Tombow brush pens are definitely an investment but they're so good and they will last forever. I mean, it's pretty giant compare to other brands so you do really get your money's worth.

I really love the fact that these are sold individually and in packs as well. I just love to get the ones in the pack. They have a lot of colour assortment and they cater to every colour you could think of that's more vibrant or pastel or neutrals, you name it. 

Zebra Mildliners Brush Pens

These are one of the first brush pens in my collection. I would say they're really great to achieve beautiful calligraphy and stuff but the tip is not as sharp as the Tombow brush pens. They can be a little bit blunt after many use so the edge is not as clean but it's a great option for cheaper brush pens. 

Zebra Mildliners Highlighters

I also love these Zebra Mildliners highlighters that are also dual-ended. They have a chisel tip and a fine tip. I use these a lot for colouring, highlighting and stuff. I have them in a very muted colour I would say, it's not super bright or harsh. I bought these in packs so I am not sure if it's also sold individually. 

Other supplies

Generally, my bullet journal is fairly simple. I don't use a lot of stickers. I tend to carry my gel pen and my chosen brush pens for the month with me and I am good to go, but I do have some other supplies I use when I am setting up some spreads.

• A good clear, transparent ruler - I just freehand my straight lines most of the time, I just love the look of a slightly wonky line that's “natural”. But there are days where I want a very clean straight line, that's when my ruler comes in handy. I can be picky with my ruler. It has to be a clear, see-through ruler so I know exactly where to start and end my lines.

• Paper adhesive - Sometimes I like to paste things into my journal so this is my favourite. It's the Tombow Pit Air glue tape. It's really handy to have and it's not messy. I remember back in the day I used to use a glue stick and stuff. Those are super messy and I hated it.

• Correction tape - This has never been a thing for me but over the past few years, I just hated seeing unwanted mistakes on my bullet journal so this has quickly become my must-have. I got it from Mr D.I.Y. Super cheap, it comes with a refill and it covers everything perfectly.

• Soft rubber eraser - I use these Faber Castell Dust-Free erasers in pastel colours because they're cuter and they don't break apart. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Anyway, it does a great job at making it look like nothing was there before.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. No commission is earned through clicking links and no additional cost to you if you purchase any products in this post (or any other posts in this blog) using my links, it just helps me out :) Thank you~

Do you keep a journal? What are your must-haves?

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Read more »

At some point in your blogging journey, have you ever asked yourself, “Why is no one reading my blog?” Well, if you said yes then I want you to know that you are not alone.

It was disheartening and discouraging, didn't it?

I was in that exact same spot at the beginning of my blogging journey. I was frustrated because I was putting in effort and time into my blog but I wasn't getting the result I wanted. It seems like no one cares about what I am saying and then I go read someone else's blog, which naturally has hundreds of comments and that made me feel like I am an ant.

Many times I thought about quitting but that would never fix anything. I have taken a few long, long breaks but that's that. My momma didn't raise a quitter.

To make myself feel good about blogging, I even said to myself that it's kind of okay if nobody reads my blog. I used to keep a diary and it was something I kept under lock and key. I didn't blog it or post it on Facebook. So this should be okay, right? 

To be honest, it didn't do much. It didn't fix anything. My readers were still minimal, had zero comments, and my followers were basically people I kind of knew in real life. 

So I said “That's it. I am not giving up. Nothing great ever came easy. Let's start this all over again” 

Here's to the ones that are tired of getting rejected by the world and feel like no one is reading their blogs. Hopefully, by practising some of these tips you will get a ton of readers!

Keep writing, do not give up

First things first, the key to blogging for a lifetime is to not give up. I have series of breakdowns in the middle of the road but there's just something about writing that I can't just give it up like that, y'know what I mean?

I think this has something to do with being passionate as well. I think if you don't have that passion, people on the internet will be able to tell right away. If you speak to many of the successful bloggers here, you will notice one thing: they're passionate about what they do. 

It's not about the quantity

I always say this to myself like it's my blogging mantra. I mean, sure, publishing a lot of content will get you traffic and stuff but it's not always the way.

You never want to just post an article for the sake of posting it. I encourage you to take the time to write quality content. Just before you hit that publish button ask yourself questions like, “Will my readers get any value from this blog post?” or “If I am the reader, will I read this?”

Have goals other than traffic

I have been brainwashed by this one blog post I read a long time ago. It literally screamed “Screw traffic!” on my face. It doesn't really mean anything now that I am an adult and probably wiser. It's only there for me to look at and say something like “Ooh, today I have a lot of visitors from Sweden.” 

It's satisfying to have thousands of visitors to your site but blogging is much more than getting traffic. Set goals and once you have one or two, it will help you focus on what you should be focusing and it's often not traffic. 

Unless blogging is your source of income, then by all means. For the rest of us, we should rethink why we're blogging in the first place. Have goals. For me, I just want to have fun with blogging and if I can make money out of it, that's a bonus. 

Promote your content

This is pretty simple. As a blogger, you can't just sit around and expect people to magically find your blog. Once you start promoting properly you will start to see more and more people reading your blog.

At the beginning of my blogging journey, rarely did I actually promote my content on my social media channels. People don't even know I am pretty active here. I don't know why I was so embarrassed. That's just sad.

Fast forward to a few years back, I started to promote little by little on Twitter and Instagram. The key is to only focus on one or two social media platforms or you will eventually burn out. It's actually helping a lot with my engagement rate. I will never not promote my content now. So guys, be proud of your quality content and promote the hell out of it. 

“Go out” and “meet” people

This one deserves to be under its own point rather than to be under the previous one because it's technically not the same. Let me make it simple for you. It was called “blogwalking” back in the day. I don't know if it's still a thing, but it is to me. 

People normally do this by commenting on other blogs that kind of have the same audience as you. I know this sounds so simple but most people don't do simple things like this to grow their blog nowadays. 

I make it a habit to always comment on a certain number of blogs every day. It's a really nice feeling to have a little conversation with people online in my niche and to be honest, it does help my blog to receive tons of visitors from all over the world and getting valuable feedback and comments too. You have got to get out there to be known. Believe in the power of networking. 

Success doesn't really happen overnight

You need to remember this. This is not TikTok where you can gain fame overnight. Most people have been working for years before getting any kind of success.

Take it from me, I am nowhere near succeeding but I have been blogging for over 10 years and there are definitely some major blogging goals I have checked off. Everyone's blogging journey is different and mine took much, much longer than most bloggers. Don't ever compare yourself to other bloggers that you see. 

It's really the small changes that add up and make a big difference. What do you do in order to build your audience?

• Tuesday, August 10, 2021
• blog tips

When You Feel Like No One Reads Your Blog

At some point in your blogging journey, have you ever asked yourself, “Why is no one reading my blog?” Well, if you said yes then I want you to know that you are not alone.

It was disheartening and discouraging, didn't it?

I was in that exact same spot at the beginning of my blogging journey. I was frustrated because I was putting in effort and time into my blog but I wasn't getting the result I wanted. It seems like no one cares about what I am saying and then I go read someone else's blog, which naturally has hundreds of comments and that made me feel like I am an ant.

Many times I thought about quitting but that would never fix anything. I have taken a few long, long breaks but that's that. My momma didn't raise a quitter.

To make myself feel good about blogging, I even said to myself that it's kind of okay if nobody reads my blog. I used to keep a diary and it was something I kept under lock and key. I didn't blog it or post it on Facebook. So this should be okay, right? 

To be honest, it didn't do much. It didn't fix anything. My readers were still minimal, had zero comments, and my followers were basically people I kind of knew in real life. 

So I said “That's it. I am not giving up. Nothing great ever came easy. Let's start this all over again” 

Here's to the ones that are tired of getting rejected by the world and feel like no one is reading their blogs. Hopefully, by practising some of these tips you will get a ton of readers!

Keep writing, do not give up

First things first, the key to blogging for a lifetime is to not give up. I have series of breakdowns in the middle of the road but there's just something about writing that I can't just give it up like that, y'know what I mean?

I think this has something to do with being passionate as well. I think if you don't have that passion, people on the internet will be able to tell right away. If you speak to many of the successful bloggers here, you will notice one thing: they're passionate about what they do. 

It's not about the quantity

I always say this to myself like it's my blogging mantra. I mean, sure, publishing a lot of content will get you traffic and stuff but it's not always the way.

You never want to just post an article for the sake of posting it. I encourage you to take the time to write quality content. Just before you hit that publish button ask yourself questions like, “Will my readers get any value from this blog post?” or “If I am the reader, will I read this?”

Have goals other than traffic

I have been brainwashed by this one blog post I read a long time ago. It literally screamed “Screw traffic!” on my face. It doesn't really mean anything now that I am an adult and probably wiser. It's only there for me to look at and say something like “Ooh, today I have a lot of visitors from Sweden.” 

It's satisfying to have thousands of visitors to your site but blogging is much more than getting traffic. Set goals and once you have one or two, it will help you focus on what you should be focusing and it's often not traffic. 

Unless blogging is your source of income, then by all means. For the rest of us, we should rethink why we're blogging in the first place. Have goals. For me, I just want to have fun with blogging and if I can make money out of it, that's a bonus. 

Promote your content

This is pretty simple. As a blogger, you can't just sit around and expect people to magically find your blog. Once you start promoting properly you will start to see more and more people reading your blog.

At the beginning of my blogging journey, rarely did I actually promote my content on my social media channels. People don't even know I am pretty active here. I don't know why I was so embarrassed. That's just sad.

Fast forward to a few years back, I started to promote little by little on Twitter and Instagram. The key is to only focus on one or two social media platforms or you will eventually burn out. It's actually helping a lot with my engagement rate. I will never not promote my content now. So guys, be proud of your quality content and promote the hell out of it. 

“Go out” and “meet” people

This one deserves to be under its own point rather than to be under the previous one because it's technically not the same. Let me make it simple for you. It was called “blogwalking” back in the day. I don't know if it's still a thing, but it is to me. 

People normally do this by commenting on other blogs that kind of have the same audience as you. I know this sounds so simple but most people don't do simple things like this to grow their blog nowadays. 

I make it a habit to always comment on a certain number of blogs every day. It's a really nice feeling to have a little conversation with people online in my niche and to be honest, it does help my blog to receive tons of visitors from all over the world and getting valuable feedback and comments too. You have got to get out there to be known. Believe in the power of networking. 

Success doesn't really happen overnight

You need to remember this. This is not TikTok where you can gain fame overnight. Most people have been working for years before getting any kind of success.

Take it from me, I am nowhere near succeeding but I have been blogging for over 10 years and there are definitely some major blogging goals I have checked off. Everyone's blogging journey is different and mine took much, much longer than most bloggers. Don't ever compare yourself to other bloggers that you see. 

It's really the small changes that add up and make a big difference. What do you do in order to build your audience?

Read more »