A few of my fave things for the first half of 2020!

 

2020 has been the longest yet the quickest year in my entire lifetime yet. A lot of you would surely agree with me that this year has been the craziest yet. Majority of the reasons for these are uncontrollable so I salute to everyone who are remaining strong despite everything that happened. Wishing for everyone’s wellness too.

For the past 3 years, I have featured a biannual list of my favorite things that somehow helped me and those little things that I enjoyed throughout the past 6 months. Here’s my not-so-little list for this year and a short review on some of them!

 

Beauty (Makeup/Skincare)

• Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad

After falling in love with a few Some By Mi products and seeing how amazing the effects are on my skin, I’ve decided to try some more of their products and these clear pads were on my list. Daily mild exfoliation is important. With these clear pads, you will surely get that especially that it has all needed ingredients, AHA, BHA and PHA but it also helps with moisture and prevents future breakouts as it is powered by Truecica.

• Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum

I initially reviewed this product, encouraged by its ads on social media but, this blew me away. It was amazing how this helped keep my acne scars fade slowly while keeping my skin moisturised. I have used 3 bottles of this already and so far, all I could hear were good things about my skin. I’m definitely on the right way to having that flawless, glass skin.

• Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Cream

Another Some By Mi product, because why not? To pair with my repair serum, I recently purchased this cream. At first, I was surprised that it wasn’t as thick as my other snail creams but I thought, this was actually perfect for the warmer months, like now. This is made of 2 products I totally swear by, snail and cica which are great for acne-prone, sensitive skin, like mine.

• Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Mask

If not a sheet mask, I usually put on a sleeping mask to treat my skin. This Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Mask had been my companion for nights when I wanted extra hydration for my skin. I didn’t react to this as well which is really something big for me. 

• Nars Aqua Glow Cushion Foundation

Another product that I have reviewed which I’m really pleased about and something that I’ve been using is this glow cushion foundation from Nars. I first purchased a shade darker for the summer season, as the weather started warming up, I’ve been picking this up more. I love the glow it gives without any oiliness and it lasts a decent 8 hours as well before touching up.

• Macqueen My Strong Eyebrow Pencil in (#104) Gray Brown

I always preferred using eyebrow pencils to line my brows so when I ran out of my usual one, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one. Then I found this! This is my most used beauty product now plus it’s very affordable.

• Gucci Baume à Lèvres Lip Balm in (#4) Penelope Plum

The first of 8 lip products! During the 3 months of lockdown, I barely applied any makeup on but to perk me up a bit, even when I’m just at home, I do apply a bit of my favorite beauty products, mostly lippies. It’s but right that the first mention goes to this lippie.

Gucci just recently launched their beauty line and I was excited to try their products. It even made me more excited that my first product from Gucci beauty was a lip product.This is actually a gift from a really good friend for my birthday early this month but ever since then, I’ve been using this. This lip balm is very mositurising and the color is really vivid, so let’s say, I’ve been giving so much love to this baby. 

• Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Colour in (#7) Pink Peony

Another luxury brand beauty product that was given to me as a gift by one of my good friends on my birthday. One thing that made me fall in love with this lippie was the color. It’s totally a color I can wear all year long as it’s a very pretty pink that’s very vivid when applied but not too flashy or bright. It’s also not drying on the lips and true to it’s name of hydrating.

• YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Sheer Matte Lipstick in (#106) Pure Nude

I featured this on my post about lippies perfect for Spring but this isn’t for Spring only as it’s actually perfect for everyday use too. This is sheer matte but doesn’t dry the lips at all. 

• Romand Glasting Water Tint in (#05) Rose Splash

This lip product changed my mind regarding water based tints. I’ve been wearing this to work lately. I just love how easy it is to apply and how it keeps your lips plump. It doesn’t have a sticky feeling as well.

• Heimish Varnish Velvet Lip Tint in (#05) Dry Rose

Another lippie that impressed me was this tint from Heimish. I tend to think of velvet matte lippies as drying but this one keeps your lips moisturised. It’s really lightweight too despite having a matte finish.

• Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in (#72) Rush

I’ll be honest, I got this lippie because this was used by a celebrity I follow. I had high expectations because of that and it didn’t disappoint. The color is just so beautiful and it’s not sticky even when it has a glossy, oil finish.

• Nars Afterglow Lip Balm in Orgasm

This lip balm just never left my bag and I’ve been taking this with me to work, to go grocery shopping, I even use this at home. This is basically an essential to me now.

• Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Rouge in (#260) Eccentric

I must say that this is my second most used lip product this year yet. I’m just in love with this lippie. From the mlbb shade to its creamy finish, I just love it.

 

Bodycare/ Haircare

• Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Exfoliating Shower Gel

This shower gel just smells so fresh and would totally be great, especially for the Summer.

• Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

I use an aloe gel to soothe my skin of the cold during winter months and of the heat during the summer months, in short, I use it all year long to soothe my highly sensitive skin.

• Jo Malone Silk Blossom Cologne

Silk Blossom is my most favorite Jo Malone scent ever and I’m just so happy that they released it again for Spring this year. It even came with a different but still very pretty packaging.

• Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Perfume Pen

I usually tend to bring the perfume I use with me wherever I go, and when Jo Malone released a perfume pen, I got excited as it would totally be handy. It even came in with a scent I really like.

• Byredo Tulipmania Rinse Free Hand Wash

With everything that’s going on, washing your hands is very important so I ended up hoarding on a few hand care products. This rinse free hand wash from Byredo is one of them. I love using them as these are really practical and the scent is just hypnotizing.

• Byredo Blanche Hand Cream

Frequent hand washing tends to dry your hands so I see to it that I have a hand cream with me and this hand cream has been my companion whenever I’m out to run some errands, in my favorite scent from Byredo too.

• & Other Stories Miami Muse Hand Lotion

This is the hand lotion I’ve been frequently using at home and I love how moisturising it is plus the scent is just so nice.

• Function of Beauty Customized Hair Serum

With my wavy hair growing back and having lots of baby hair, I usually need a serum to keep my hair look neat whenever I tie them up, usually at work. This hair serum from Function of Beauty is a must needed essential.

• Function of Beauty Customized Hair Shampoo and Condition

With the hair dressers closed for months, I was in dilemma as I usually go for regular treatments. Good thing, I discovered Function of Beauty, it is basically a personalized hair care brand that is known to be cruelty, sulfate & paraben-free. They customize the products according to your hair type by taking a quiz and subscribing to their different packages. I was really hoping they could help me. After a month of use, I can definitely say how much difference these have done to my tresses. My hair don’t look dull and they’ve grown stronger too. It’s like I’ve been to the hair dresser’s even when they’re closed. (Here is a link for a £5 off on your order: Function of Beauty!)

• GHD Gold Styler

I got this for Christmas last year but I only started really using them this year. Because of the lockdown, whenever I got to go out for an errand or an essential trip, I was encouraged to style my hair. Well, we only get to go out very seldom, so why not grab this chance to put on some makeup and beautify yourself.

 

Fashion

• Kate Spade Double Zip Mini Crossbody Bag in Pink

For my fashion items, I would stick to bags as I was just at home most of the time and I was satisfied with comfy clothing when running errands but styled with bags. These were more like the most grabbed bags (LOL). This has been a favorite ever since I got it during my trip to the USA. I just love how small it is but still fit all my essentials and the color is just so pretty.

• Michael Kors Small Purse Wallet in White Monogram

These three items were all from my trip to the USA late last year. I just decided that it was time to change my wallet and I found this one really cute.

• Michael Kors LG EW Satchel in White Monogram

I’m in love with this bag as it just tends to fit everything I need plus the color is so lovely.

 

Home Scents

• Jo Malone Seoul City Candle

Since I’m just staying at home most of the time, I purchased a few home scents as I love having a fragrant place. The first one on this list is a Jo Malone Seoul candle. Seoul is my favorite city and I was supposed to be back there for my birthday holiday but since that can’t happen at the time being, I’ve just been reminding myself of how it was being there with this candle.

• Soohyang Cherry Blossom Candle

My friend got me this from South Korea as she knows very well that I love South Korea and I love candles. The Cherry Blossom scent is just so sweet too.

• Soohyang Scented Beeswax Tablet in Pink Cotton

This beeswax tablet has been keeping my closet smelling fresh and sweet. I have never used one of these but I’m already in love with it.

• Diptyque Freesia Candle

A new favorite Diptyque candle. I’m quite picky with candle scents but it was a love at first smell with this one.

• Wood Wick Coastal Sunset Candle

I just recently discoversed Wood Wick and I love how homey this candle makes me feel. I love the sound of the crackling of its wooden wick as it making me relax and calm. Coastal Sunset is also very aromatic that it reminds me of the beach during the sunset back home.

 

Lifestyle

• Lemona Vitamin C Powder (500gm)

Vitamin C is very crucial these days and I love these Vitamin C powder I got from Lemona as I can take them to work with since these come in small sachets that they just fit in my pocket so if ever I forget to drink them at home, I just stock up some inside my work bag, and take them while at work. 

• Kakao Friends Apeach Galaxy Buds Case

It’s quite difficult to get galaxy buds case so when I found one from Kakao Friends, I immediately got them. This even came in Apeach, one of my favorite characters from Kakao Friends.

• Cloth Face Mask

Having a mask or face covering on is already mandatory so when I found this cute cloth face mask, I was really happy.

• Kakao Friends x TWICE Ryan Face Cushion

I love Ryan and I love TWICE so when the TWICE x Kakao Friends collab came out last year, I’ve been eyeing on this. Gladly, Kakao Friends just recently opened their EU online store, I finally got my hands on this cute cushion. (Use the code KAKAOFRIENDS_HONEY5 for a 5% off on your purchase!)

 

Books

• You Do You by Sarah Knight

I love reading nonfiction, inspiring books and You Do You is just a good read. This was so uplifting and self encouraging!

• The Korean Skincare Bible

I love my skincare and I would read anything about it, most especially when it’s all about korean skincare. This book was a quick read but was very fun and informative.

• The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie is one of my favorite books so when my friend lend me this book, I got excited to read it. I learned so much from this and it’s given me so much motivation.

 

Music Albums/ Songs:

• BTS Map of the Soul

Did you say the best album this year yet? Totally! Words just can’t describe how amazing this album and the tracks in it are.

• TWICE More & More

A much awaited album and I was impressed. More & More didn’t disappoint and I was pleased with the cover I got. (I do album unboxings too on my IgTV!)

• IU x Suga’s Eight

I love this song so much that it’s been on repeat ever since it came out.

• Lauv How I’m Feeling

I really like this album from Lauv. It’s just filled with awesome tracks like Never Not and Who.

• Novo Amor’s Carry You

For motivation, I’ve been listening to some uplifting songs and this one’s really good.

• Leeland’s Waymaker

Another inspiring song that I’ve been listening to motivate me.

 

Concerts:

• Day6 Gravity Tour in London

The second Day6 concert I saw and totally enjoyed. I’d love to see them again for the third time and even the fourth. They’re just an amazing band.

• SuperM We Are the Future in London

This was one very exciting concert as it never crossed my mind that I would actually see them in person and even perform live.

• The Script Sunsets and Full Moons in London

I’ve been a fan since my highschool days and seeing a concert by The Script was something I looked forward to. This happened way back in February and we were pretty lucky this happened weeks before the lockdown.

 

Movies/ Television Series:

• Weathering With You

This was the first movie I watched this year and hopefully not the last for this year. I loved this movie and I would love to watch it again.

• Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim 2

The first korean television series I finished this year. This was very enjoyable and informative to watch at the same time. This made me realize so much things and would love to binge watch again on my days off.

• The King: Eternal Monarch

This wasn’t received as expected it would be but I totally loved it. This was really dreamy to watch and this deserved so much better.

• Break the Silence

I’m always up to any BTS content and what more a documentary. This made me love the guys of BTS even more.

• Seize the Light

This is a documentary about TWICE during their world tour and this was so endearing. 

 

Travel:

• Paris Trip

I will always have a soft spot for the most romantic city in the world. Luckily, I still got to travel to Paris again, back in January for a few days and, this will surely be remembered as a great memory. I’d love to go back when it’s all safe to go on a trip as Paris is always a good idea!

 

During the lockdown and just staying at home, I have explored different hobbies. One hobby I unexpectedly enjoyed was drying flowers. My fiancé sent me flowers to cheer me up and for my birthday. I wanted to preserve them as remembrance and found a way by drying them to make them last longer. Aren’t they so pretty?

Be pretty, be happy, be you! H~

Follow my blog with Bloglovin