Allure Beauty's Best of Beauty Awards have been around for some time now, and I'm always fascinated by these beauty awards because I love finding products that I've never tried before, and of course, having my love of some other products validated by beauty experts :)

This year's Best of Beauty winners were top-notch, and I've put together my own top picks from that list, of products I've tried and love, and products that I am dying to try!

1. Bioré Acne Clearing Scrub, 130mL

(Malaysia: Anti Blemish Micro Scrub, RM9.90)

(Australia: Blemish Clearing Scrub, AUD10.99)

I'm such a huge fan of these salicylic acid-infused scrubs! They are so affordable, clean out the skin quickly, and don't dry out the skin too much. Twice a week (they're very mild), they keep the pores clean, and the skin clear. I've made the littlest sis a convert too, and I bet I can make you one. Just try it!

2. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (RM9.90, ~AUD15)

I started using these babies back in 2001 - that gives you and idea of how long they've been around. And the reason why they've been around is simple - they work. These sheets don't mess your makeup up at all, and instead do exactly what they were made for - absorb the heck out of your oily skin. 

3. Shiseido Ibuki Refining Moisturiser, 75mL (RM175, AUD68)

I was introduced to Shiseido skincare (my first foray into the brand's skincare products was, in fact, the Ibuki range) early last year, and have been using their products on and off ever since then. What I love about the Ibuki range (specifically the Softening Concentrate and Refining Moisturiser) is how they help the skin retain moisture, and keep it hydrated throughout the day. This range is aimed at 20-somethings as somewhat of a preventative measure against aging, and helps to not only plump the skin with moisture, but also reduce the damage that free radicals and environmental stress can cause to the skin.

4. L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows (RM35.90, AUD19.95)

I'm not sure if Malaysia still sells the Infallible eyeshadows because I can't seem to find them anywhere, but I know Priceline still stocks these, and I absolutely love them. They have a unique, cream-to-powder type formula, and are intensely pigmented, with a gorgeous, shimmery finish. They also last extremely long on the lids, and are perfect on their own, without the need to put anything on top.

5. Benefit They're Real Push-up Liner, 1.4g (RM100, AUD35)

This liner is a definite must if you're new to gel liners or liquid liners. Its soft, rubberised tip helps to guide you as you apply your liner, and creates a beautiful, perfect line. The only gripe I have about this product is that it is a bit of a bother to use - it comes with a stopper to cover the rubber tip when you're not using it so that the product doesn't dry out, but it's so cumbersome to keep track of it (I've long misplaced mine), and so the product that comes out at the start of each use is a little dried up.

6. Make Up For Ever HD Powders, both loose and pressed (RM150)

This powder is a skin-blurring, oil-absorbing, makeup-setting godsend. It does all this with ease, and using the smallest amount possible (which is great, because if you over-apply this powder, it will flash back in pictures!). I have been using these for almost a year now, and I have nothing bad to say about these powders (OK, maybe if you could decrease the price a little, MUFE, I will love you forever!). These aren't the only products from MUFE making my favourites list, too. I've fallen hard for the brand and don't see myself falling out of love anytime soon!

7. Revlon Bold Lacquer by Grow Luscious Mascara

(Lash Potion Volume & Length Mascara, RM34.90)

This is another one of those products I can't find in Malaysian drugstores, but I am super keen to try it! Malaysia's Revlon counters sell a mascara called the Lash Potion Volume & Length mascara, and I might try and get my hands on one of those, because I have heard great things about Revlon's growth mascaras! Make sure to get the waterproof formula, because these hold a curl better and stay on for so much longer than their non-waterproof formula.

8. La Mer the Cleansing Oil, 200mL (RM310, AUD100)

This luxurious cleansing oil is at the top of my must-try list! I am a huge fan of cleansing oils - they're the only things that will remove my go-hard-or-die-trying-esque mascaras - and I love to cleanse my skin and get rid of all the makeup and dirt before I start using my regular cleanser. This cleansing oil would not only look good on my dresser (yes, I display my pretty products!), I think it would do a pretty good job, too. La Mer calls it a thorough, detoxifying cleanser that contains precious marine oils. Talk about a skincare treat!

9. Kjaer Weis Highlighter in Radiance (US$56, AUD76)

My goodness, this highlighter looks amazing! When I saw it in the Allure Best of Beauty list, I knew I had to have it! This product is sold in various countries including the US and Australia and New Zealand, so you're in luck, Aussies! For Malaysians, you can get your fix at Net-a-porter. Allure's beauty review says this highlighter can make your cheekbones look 'like they're bathed in candlelight' - if the packaging didn't get you, this review has to! I'm sold. *runs off to grab credit card*

Did you check out the Allure Best of Beauty 2014 list? I agreed with some, but not all of them! What about you?

Hi guys! I've decided to introduce a new series to my blog, and I hope you guys will enjoy this one!

As you guys probably know/have guessed, as a beauty blogger I receive a ton of products to review. I prefer to feature products in themed posts, but sometimes certain products don't fit within a theme, and sometimes other products didn't work for me, but I want to be able to share why they didn't work, and perhaps help you decide what products to buy depending on your skin type.

So I decided to start this series, sharing with you guys the latest products to hit the shelves (and my desk!) and my opinion of them!

This first post might be a little long, but I'll try to keep the next posts in this series to about 4-5 products. So here goes - products brand new to me and in stores in October!

Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Fall 2014

Laura Mercier's Fall collection this year is beautiful and as its name suggests, sensual. The brand has injected gorgeous plums and greens into this collection, and I love the amazing eyeshadows in this collection. I was only able to try one of their eyeshadows - the Satin Matte Eye Colour in Gold Seduction - and I love it! It is a rustic, almost olive/bronze gold with shimmery gold flecks in it. Its texture is very soft and buttery, and it is very pigmented, which is something that I love about it. All I need to do is apply a few swipes and then blend. The colour is so flattering on my skin, and I think it can be super flattering on other warm skin tones as well.

At the Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections event.

Diorskin Star Foundation
Dior's latest foundation offering is inspired by the illuminating techniques of makeup artists, and contains hollow silica beads that capture and diffuse light, creating a correcting halo that glows, but doesn't shine. I adore this foundation (and its accompanying, Beauty Blender-inspired applicator - which is a lot more dense, and therefore doesn't absorb as much product, leaving all the foundation on your skin instead of inside the sponge). I love the coverage (medium to full), the texture on my skin (glowy, lightweight), and its oil control qualities (only minimal powder needed at midday). Here are a couple of shots showing you the foundation on my skin:



Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint
I have obsessed over Clinique's Chubby Sticks ever since they were just Chubby Sticks! Now that they've released new Chubby Stick Baby Tints, I am over the moon. These sticks are so moisturising and good for the lips - I feel an obvious softness and smoothness to my lips a few hours after I first apply it. They also add a lovely, natural colour to the lips. I received the colours Budding Blossom and Flowering Freesia to try, and here they are:

Budding Blossom

Flowering Freesia

Both colours are quite similar, though you can see a more plummy undertone in Flowering Freesia, and a more pinky tone to Budding Blossom. I think this is something that I would have loved back in high school, for its natural colour and moisturising properties. My favourite of the two is Budding Blossom, because it's such an uplifting, brightening colour. If you're looking for a lip balm that can give you a little colour for school, or if you're new to makeup and don't want to make the leap to full-coloured lipsticks, then this is definitely the product for you.

Colours Cosmetics Kabuki Brush
Colours Cosmetics is a Malaysian brand, and they have released a lovely, short-handled kabuki brush made for applying foundations and powders. I received this to trial a few weeks ago, and in trialling this, I have come to discover that my favourite way to use it is as a powder applicator. This allows me to pack on powder where I need it (on my T-zone, to absorb oil), without having my skin look too cakey. The short handle also helps when you want to get close to the mirror to apply your foundation. I've knocked my brushes against my mirror one too many times, so I appreciate a shorter handle when I can get it!

For Beloved One skincare
For Beloved One is a Taiwanese skincare brand, and I have really been enjoying trialling their products! My absolute favourite by far is their SPF50 Sunscreen, which is tinted and provides excellent coverage, plus a bonus, extremely glowy, dewy finish. Also on my list is their Melasleep Whitening Essence, which has helped me reduce the appearance of my acne scars.

Bobbi Brown Sheer Brights eyeshadow
I love pastel eyeshadows, because they can brighten up any eye look. I tried the colours Pistachio (a light, pastel satiny green), and Berry Sorbet (a shimmery pink) and though the pink didn't stand out (I'm not a fan of pink eyeshadow), the green certainly did! I love putting this in the inner corner of my eyes to brighten a neutral smoky eye look. Just remember to lay down a white base (my favourite is the NYX Eye Pencil in Milk) before applying your pastel eyeshadow, because it's really going to help the colour pop!

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
This amazing serum is the result of decades of research in the Shiseido labs, and after months of trialling, I can finally say that that effort has most definitely paid off. This serum was formulated with the aim of providing the skin with ultimate immunity, hence the name 'Ultimune'.When I first started trialling this serum, I wasn't quite sure it was effective. I started it right before a bout of travelling, which didn't help things because I started breaking out and this serum didn't seem to be doing anything to help that. Fast forward almost two months, and I can see why it is such a highly celebrated release. My skin is luminous and healthy (though admittedly, I am still breaking out here and there!). A huge zit that I had on my cheek is just starting to disappear, and I feel like the time it took, and the way in which it started to disappear, was much shorter and less harmful to my skin. My overall skin condition is better than ever in terms of firmness, luminosity, and smoothness. I am very impressed!

And that sums up my first ever 'New In Stores' post! I hope you enjoyed this post, and that you will continue to tune in for future posts in this series. If you have any questions about the products above, leave me a comment and I'll get to it as soon as I can :)

Thanks for reading!

Facials are god-sent - seriously. They help to clear away clogged pores, and restore and rejuvenate your skin. Have you ever had that feeling post-facial, where you're walking around just thinking how smooth and clean your skin feels?

Have you ever felt disappointed when you could no longer feel that clean, smooth skin? Well, here are a couple of tips and tricks you can use to help prolong that post-facial glow.

1-Minute Post-Facial

Apply your sunscreen! Most times when you get a facial, there's some sort of peel or exfoliation involved - to remove the upper, dead and dull layer of skin. This leaves your brand new (clean and soft) layer of skin exposed, and vulnerable to UV damage. Make sure you apply your sunscreen right after your facial (most good facial centres will apply sunscreen for you right after your facial), and continue applying it everyday, like you're supposed to!

My current favourites? These two amazing ones from Astalift and Shiseido - both SPF50. They are light on the skin, and spread easily, and offer more than sufficient sun protection for daily use.

1 Week Post-Facial

A good week after your facial, it'll be time to start using exfoliators. The facial cleaned out the gunk from your pores, but they're not going to stay clean for long! This is where a good exfoliator comes in handy - it will help clean out your pores and clear out the dead upper layers of skin to help make sure that your skin stays clearer, longer.

These two are my absolute favourites - from Simplicité - and you guys know how much I love the skincare from this brand.

2 Weeks Post-Facial

To keep your skin really clean, a deep-cleansing mask is your best bet. I've tried and tested these masks and they are all strong favourites when it comes to sucking the impurities right out of your skin. Alpha-H Balancing and Pore Refining Mask, Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque, Blissoma Refine Clay Renewal Treatment, and Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Mask. These are some pretty powerful masks, so be sure to follow with a moisturiser, as well as some moisturising masks like these. I have an upcoming review on some pretty good sheet masks, so look out for that!