Beauty Empties 43.0 | September

I've got to admit that it's been more than 4 years since I last posted an Empties post but here I am, 20 quarters later with some of the products that I've personally finished for the past 3 months; you'd notice some other products that I've shared on my Instagram Stories but those are the products that I've been using together with my mum so those don't count here.

First, let's start with skincare and finally I'm back on track with my all-time favourite brand which is LANEIGE. I've started getting my mum to use their Perfect Renew skincare line for the past 5 years while I was enjoying their basic and Water Bank skincare line but it's time for me to also get on their anti-ageing line too - at 36 years old!

I've finished my first tub of that Perfect Renew Youth Regenerating Cream quite recently and instantly fell in love as it really helps in maintaining the hydration however little I have as I've been experiencing dehydration for quite some time with more and more hours spent in air-conditioned offices and cafes. I can't wait to repurchase the upgraded version of this moisturiser soonest!

That Clear C Advance Effector EX is the fourth generation of the original Clear C; a super berry infused booster and the last bottle that I've had in my stash. I've been having this product in my daily skincare routine for the past 10 years and I doubt I'm going to replace it with other products with similar claims. Again, I can't wait to repurchase the fifth version that's recently integrated into the brand's current brightening care line hence it has been renamed Radian-C Advance Effector. 

For hair care, I've been really selective towards the products I use especially after I've bleached and dyed my hair but the above Ginger Shampoo and Conditioner from The Body Shop have been working wonderfully at keeping my scalp healthy and less dandruff. Absolutely will be repurchasing this combo.

As for hair treatments, I did loved both of these Cleansing Scalp Scrub and Hydrating Mask from Sephora Collection especially now that my scalp gets dry and flaky quite easily. I'll repurchase these for sure but at this point, I still have a lot to go through so maybe sometime next year? I'll keep you guys posted in a Haul post.

With my skin feels drier; not just my facial area, I've been reaching out to more and more moisturising body wash like that Almond Milk & Honey Soothing and Caring Shower Cream from The Body Shop with Guardian's own Antibacterial Shower Cream Ultra Moisture which contains almond and chamomile that give similar effects. Already repurchased both of these in newer packaging.

So that's all of my take for some of my emptied products from this Quarter. I'd sure hope I can finish more of my opened products in time for the last roundup next month; before the recycling programme at L'Occitane being paused for the holiday season. 

Do you recycle your emptied skincare products? Or do you prefer refillable products? Let me know in the comment section.

Log | Recycling at L'Occitane Suria Sabah Shopping Mall

I went to L'Occitane again last week to bring more emptied skincare products and this time I brought facial cleansers, toners, some serums and hair care products. I don't personally finished these products by myself as I gave them away to my relatives as most of these products no longer suits my skin needs. I simply request for them to return the empty bottles for this recycling program.

I brought 30 emptied bottles this time so I'm at 58 out of 100 this time around. 2 more months before this program going to be on pause again so hopefully I can bring more to complete the 100 empties sheet!

Log | Recycling at L'Occitane Suria Sabah Shopping Mall

It's been months since my last purchase at L'Occitane and even much longer since I last brought emptied skincare product bottles for their recycling program; Big Little Things .

As members, you're entitled to redeem either mini sizes of the brand best selling items or collect 10 points of every 10 bottles you've recycled at the shop. I'll try my best to gather as much empties as I can as I'm also trying to update my skincare and makeup routines so do expect Empties posts real soon.

Log | Coffee Date

It's been months since my last coffee date and after rescheduling several times over, we've finally made it and I went with soft pastels and muted colours for my outfit as we're going to a local cafe today. As per usual, we didn't take any photos as none of us remembered to but not to worry, I'll share that on my other blog later as I'm planning to go by myself sometime next week. 

I had to go pick up my beauty essentials from Sulwhasoo after lunch but I felt like I need another cup of coffee hence the quick stop at ZUS Coffee for my favourite Spanish Latte with Coconut Milk and less sugar.

On that note, I've been sitting on the idea of actually going back to local beauty community as it's been about 3 years since I last posted on my Instagram but life really gets in the way and I've only been focusing on doing my routines as part of my daily self-care offline. The little time I've had left after long hours at the office or running errands around the city is usually dedicated to sorting through my laundry and stocking up my fridge with different kind of soy-based beverages I could find at local 24-hour supermarket. 

But now that the audits for the company has finally comes to end, I decided to tackle the number one task I want to do for my apartment as part of the process of sorting my current living situation which is doing a makeover for an empty small room; my younger brother is no longer staying with me so I'm turning the room into a walk-in closet. At this point, I've already gotten a couple of IKEA shelves and racks for my outerwear; I'm obsessed with jackets, trench coats and blazers these days and those were taking majority amount of space in my wardrobes hence they're getting their own racks.

But the one shelf I really want to sort properly is the one for my bags - these are just my hand bags and I still have several backpacks that I also need to find space to place them accordingly so I'll do an update on that once I'm done with the repainting the room and maybe the window frames as well. Indeed lots of work need to be done for the room but I'm just taking things slowly as I still have mountains of things to settle at work and with my birthday is coming up next weekend, I really just want to go for a quick getaway with my family or just going to enjoy a quiet time at my parents house. 

How's your July so far?

Log | Hair Oil

It's been about 3 months since I've bleached then dyed my hair and on days when I don't have the time to properly condition or skipped my weekly hair mask, this L'Occitane Aromachologie Intensive Repair Enriched Oil saves my hair from being dry and brittle. 

I loved that this oil is making my hair soft, shiny and frizz-free in the morning as I usually apply several drops after drying my hair with hair dryer and such a bonus that it's making my hair smells so nice!

Log | Formal with Pastels

Off to a meeting with our subcontractor to finalise some documents so I had to wear formal but I had coffee date with my girlfriends in the evening so I tried to tone down the look with pastel blouse, scarf and that muted beige pants.

Log | Long Day at Work

I'm becoming more and more attached to cotton clothes these days because it can be so hot from mid morning till early evening and then it'll be pouring heavily right around when I usually get off work. Instead of going with my usual slightly stretchy polyester pants from Poplook, I'm switching to the ones from their COTTON line instead hence that Fidella Straight Cut Pants in black. Not going to lie, I'm so tempted to get another in beige colour to include in my capsule wardrobe so here's hoping for restock.

I've been carrying that TUMI bag everywhere too these days and it's made of nylon so perfect for this kind of weather although I kind of in need of a bigger briefcase so I'm considering to just get a tote that can fit my documents and laptop, all in one place.

I feel like coming back to my old routine where I'd be hanging out at cafe after work but at the same time I do want to be more active so here's hoping I can get through audit safely by the end of this month and start my gym membership right after.

 

Log | Capsule Wardrobe

Presenting my first capsule wardrobe. While I've only been wearing mostly blacks and whites for my daily work outfit, I've started adding beige and browns to my repertoire recently.

For tops, I've always been faithful to my UNIQLO white shirts so I've added cream blouses from Poplook and Tucz this time so I can have more options. Although I'm not loving the satin material, they do help in soften the formal looks for meeting clients outside the office buildings. I'd be changing into my favourite cotton graphic t-shirts from UNIQLO whenever I want to hangout with my guy friends in the evening.

As I rarely buy clothes in physical UNIQLO stores due to their plus sizes only available via online, it took me a like second to grab the last piece of that trench coat as soon as I've tried it on myself. I've been wanting for one in that particular colour for years and I had to wear it as I spent more than 6 hours sorting my luggage at KLIA recently so money well splurged indeed. I took some time off my schedule during the trip to hunt for a beige blazer and I've found one that I really like but it was pointed to me that I also need one on black hence I got another one from Tucz. There are several choice available at Suria Sabah branch and I went with one that has 2 buttons. On days that I need to run errands or going for site visits, I'd be sure to bring that utility parka with me; I actually got two in dark olive and wine a couple years ago and I remember that I wore them almost every day during this time of the year so I got another two in that light beige and pink this time around.

Now for bottoms, I went from black khaki pants that I've been wearing for the past several years to those stretchy straight-cut pants from Poplook in different materials to match with my tops to have a much more feminine looks. I've also been obsessed with that linen pants from UNIQLO for my outings with family as well as that parachute pants made of nylon with UV protection technology also from the same brand. 

It has been raining almost every day these days so I just had to add sandals to this lineup along with those black loafers and kitten-heeled pumps for office, buckle-strap heeled mules in chalk white for coffee date with my girlfriends and I've been loving those sneakers from FILA lately even though I can only wear them indoors i.e. window shopping as it's partially made with suede.

So that's my current capsule wardrobe at least for another couple of months which give me a lot of combo and save me hours of getting ready in the morning. I'd totally recommend for you guys to do this too if you have trouble going through your wardrobe while looking for what to wear for your daily outfit like myself. 

Log | Work Outfit on Rainy Day

Got up around 4 o'clock this morning because I had a real early meetings with clients before their flight at KKIA and then I went to get coffee from ZUS Coffee at Aeropod before coming into the office. My heels are still healing after the horrible blisters that I've gotten thanks to the Charles & Keith loafers that I wore to an event last time so I still had to wear those Skechers sandals literally everywhere but it's been raining every couple of days anyway, so.

Log | Work Outfit

Now that the trend-wise Spring fashion is here, I'm switching to lighter yet still muted tones for my tops but sticking with blacks for the rest of my outfit to keep things formal for my daily work outfits.

I got that flared top from Poplook SOGO KL during my recent trip to the big city and I'm already loving the shorter front hem. The slightly puffy shoulder joints are giving feminine looks but I'm a bigger fan of the embroidered sleeves and hems of the blouse. As I've only been spending my hours in air-conditioned office today, this top feels comfortable but I don't think I'd be opting for this during hot sunny days.

I've always loved palazzo throughout my 20s but now that I'm in my 30s, I've been wearing a lot more of stretchy straight-cut pants that go with different kind of tops like blouses, regular shirts even graphic t-shirts so I actually own these pants in different materials to match with the tops. Belt loops are non-optional for me.

For hijabs, I've always been loyal to TudungPeople so Hawa in Espresso is an absolute staple in my work wardrobe.

That kitten-heeled pumps from Charles & Keith have been my top footwear for daily office hours these days and they're quite comfortable to walk in.

I'm still wearing that Classic Cornwall watch from Daniel Wellington that I got from their Hong Kong-based webstore more than 5 years ago but I do think it's time to replace the band so I'm going to visit their Suria Sabah branch the soonest.

When it comes to work bags, I've been using that Halsey backpack from TUMI's Voyageur collection and I'm already obsessed with the gunmetal accessories. Loved the fact that I can carry my laptop, water bottle and notebooks along with my other essentials in separate compartments.

 

I'm just going to keep my work outfits minimal like this as I've been trying to focus on my latest hobby which is outdoor activities; nothing extreme as I've only been walking around the park next to my office buildings but I've also been investing in camping gears recently so I'd be sure to give you guys update right on my other blog soon so do stay tuned.