Jukebox #72 Someday ♥︎

I haven’t been very good with introductions. I’ve written so many weekend Jukebox Song Reviews by now, I’ve run out of cool things to say at the beginning of posts. Maybe it’s also a good idea that we jump right into the post anyway! Let’s do that!

This week, we have a rather old song. It’s IU’s Someday from the Dream High OST.

Dream High was actually released in 2011. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years already! I still can remember watching Dream High on TV with my sisters and debating which male lead we liked. Of course, there was the Taecyeon team and the Kim Soohyun team. At that time I was in the Taecyeon team. I liked Taecyeon from 2PM anyways. Hehe.

Prior to Dream High, I don’t think I liked IU very much. I didn’t have a particular reason but I just didn’t like her. Through Dream High, I was quite impressed with her acting and grew to like her a little. However, the dating scandal with Eunhyuk happened shortly after but I guess since I still listen to her songs, I don’t dislike her that much.

Anyway, it must have been strange for IU to work on Dream High considering JYP was in it and she was rejected from JYP previously. If she had made her debut with JYP, I think he would have made quite a lot of money considering she is quite popular now. If I’m not wrong, JYP wrote this song Someday and it does suit IU’s vocals pretty well.

For those who have yet to watch Dream High, I suggest you do! It’s a pretty good drama staring Suzy, Taecyeon, Kim Soohyun, IU, Wooyoung, etc. Plus, they have a pretty good soundtrack as well!

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That's all I have for this week's Song Review! There'll be more exciting Song Reviews coming up in the following weeks so do come back and check them out.

UK Drugstore Haul ♥︎

Compared to others, I would think that my hauls are generally quite small. Getting more than three items is pretty much considered a haul already. I don't really get a lot of stuff at one time but with all the little purchases, it does add up. Teehee.

I got all these products from two different drugstores, Boots and Superdrug. Personally, I feel like Superdrug has more options, plus my sister is a member at Superdrug so it made more sense to shop there. Then again, if it weren't for the membership, both Boots and Superdrug has quite regular sales. Sales like '3 for the price of 2' or something like that. I can't remember the exact terms they use. It doesn't matter how they call it, sale is sale!

Let's jump right into what I got! 😊

I realised I bought products for the face, probably because I already have enough items for eyes and lips 😝

• L'oreal Le Blush 163 Nectarine
• L'oreal Glam Bronze Mono 00 Blonde Sun

I got these items on the first day I was in Manchester. Yes, we went shopping on the first day. My sister brought me to a really big Boots outlet in the Manchester town and we got these items along with the Rimmel foundation which I will talk about next.

Decided to put these two items together because I got them together. If I'm not wrong I got them using the '2+1' sale. I can't really remember what they meant, probably it meant getting the cheapest item for free. My sister got a gloss to make it three items.

I knew I had to get the blush after seeing it on one of Zoella's videos (Boots Haul, if I'm not wrong). It's a peachy pink shade that surprisingly really suits my skin tone very well. I wore it on the second day in Manchester and it looked really quite fabulous 😍

I got the bronzer because, well, ever since I've added contouring into my daily makeup routine, it doesn't feel the same without it. I really like this bronzer for it's matte finish and it does look quite natural. The Korean contouring is usually on the natural and faint side compared to the western contouring. (Probably will do a post on my bronzers in the near future too)

The bronzer was a little bit troublesome though. I didn't check it when I got it, just took it and went to pay. When I got back and opened it, the powder was everywhere. It was cracked! I didn't drop it or do anything to it. So I brought it back to Boots the next day and did an exchange. The sales lady didn't look too happy but she did the exchange for me nonetheless 😊 It was a good experience though, experience of shopping overseas.

• Rimmel Match Perfection 200 Soft Beige

Once again I saw this product on one of Zoella's video and personally I don't have any liquid foundations. I've always used BB Creams or cushion foundations. Thought I'd give it a shot since Rimmel isn't too expensive.

Aside from the funky scent, I think it's pretty good! It has pretty good (medium to full) coverage which I really fancy.

It's of a pretty thick texture, more creamy than liquid, and because of that, I prefer using a brush to apply it. Using my fingers would make it feel thick and the application will not be as even as compared to a brush.

So far, I'm pretty pleased with this foundation! Although at times it does feel a little thick, after patting it down with my hands and applying powder, it does feel better. The only downside is that it has SPF20... I wouldn't wear this on a day when I've to be outdoors. The sun here is crazyyyy.

Also, I quite like that they have a large range of shades. I'm in the middle and actually towards the lighter side. I thought I'd be a Sand or something but I'm still in the Beige range. I'm not that tan. Yippee!

An extra interesting point, I used to think the testers at drugstores in SG were badly maintained until I shopped overseas, I realised, all the testers are badly maintain 😣  I guess it's not easy to keep an eye on all the testing counters.

• Real Techniques Expert Face Brush 

This is a new brush I got that I absolutely love! I first saw this on one of Weylie's videos and it really did a good job blending out her foundation. I first saw it on the first day at Superdrug but didn't get until we returned from our holiday. It retailed for £8 which converts to about $16. In the end I got it because it costs more in Singapore so I thought, why not. Plus I'd totally regret it when I came back.

So far I've been using this brush to apply the Rimmel foundation above and it really does do a good job! Unlike applying the product using sponge or fingers, I think using a brush like this would apply liquid foundations more evenly. I like how it doesn't absorb the foundation thus providing a pretty good coverage, making it seem that I have good complexion.

• Maybelline Baby Skin Cool Rose

I wasn't intending on getting this product but there was the 3 for 2 offer for Maybelline products.... I've heard that the blue tube one, Pore Eraser, is pretty good but since they have that in Singapore, I decided against it. Since sometimes I feel like I look quite sleepy, I got the Instant Fatigue Blur one. The colour is similar to my Etude House Face Blur one but the texture is more watery than that. It does make my skin look brighter and thus livelier?

It actually appears a little pinkish but after applying in on the face, it's no longer visible. So far I have been using this product in small amounts but I'll probably need to apply more to see how it works. Will definitely update you guys then.

• Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Nude

Wow, that's a really long name. This product is highly raved about! This is the product that I was planning to get as they don't have it in Singapore (some people have said to have seen it in town now). On the first day in Manchester when we went to the drugstore, the Maybelline section didn't have this product at all. I was totally disappointed! I thought it was sold out and left the shop totally heartbroken.

Thankfully when we returned from our travels, it was fully restocked! Maybe this is a new packaging or something but it doesn't matter, I was happy to get my hands on it!

When I first tried it out in Manchester, I kept twisting it but the product wouldn't come out. I gave up and decided to wait until I got back to use it. As seen in the swatch above, it looks rather light but it isn't too bad after blending it out as it doubles up as a highlighter as well.

I like using it for my dark circles because of the brightening effects, it really makes it less obvious. Plus, it doesn't feel sticky or thick which most concealers feel like after you put them on. I also use this to highlight my forehead and my nose bridge. Definitely recommend this product 👍🏻

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In fact, my hauls are quite mini compared to other people. I really just buy what I (think I) need so that I don't overspend and end up with things that I won't use. Nonetheless, if you're there to shop and are more adventurous with makeup products, I'm sure there are a lot of more products that you can get and try out. It's really nice to have a drugstore. Watsons doesn't count as a drugstore because their prices are quite high since all the products are imported.

That brings me to this end of this rather long UK Drugstore Haul post! It took me a few days to type this whole post out. Of course, I was distracted in between... Anyway, hope this post was useful for those who are traveling to the UK ☺

Jukebox #71 Oops ♥︎

This weekend! We have a collaboration song between Super Junior and f(x). It's none other than Oops from Super Junior's 5th repackaged album A-Cha.

Apparently the song's lyrics were co-written by Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Shindong and Heechul. It makes this song more unique than it already is. I really think this kind of song is something only a group like Super Junior can pull off.

It really isn't easy to make a funny diss song like this. The lyrics tell of guys who like to brag and tell lies about what they are and what they can do. I think the funniest part would be after Heechul's part when Shindong goes, "형, 뽕 아니잖아 Hyung, you're not lying". It's like the members can just joke and tease each other like that without any worries. That's why I think Super Junior will always be a special group to me despite their decreasing popularity in Korea.

Do check this song out if you do have the time! There isn't any MV for this song, it was performed during SMTOWN concerts and also at SS4. It seemed like SS4 was just a few years ago but I think it was 4 or 5 years ago. I did see it when it came to SG, means I would have watched this performance too but it's but a vague memory now (highlighting again how old a group like Super Junior really is).

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That's all I have for this weekend's song review! More song reviews next weekend! Although I think Kpop is still popular all around the world, newer and younger groups are gaining more attention and the older groups are slowly fading away.

슈퍼주니어오빠들 사랑해 많이 주세요 ♥︎

Jukebox #70 아름다워 ♥︎

This weekend, we'll be listening to SHINee's 아름다워!

I think I've quite a lot of song reviews to write and therefore we should get on quickly with it! Shall not drag the introduction any further.

Although this isn't my top favourite SHINee song, I do think that this song showcases SHINee's style that is quite unique to them. From the beginning, when talking about SHINee, we would always say that they have this style or concept that allows everyone to recognise them just by listening to their songs. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, it could be their vocals or their music. Though personally I would think that the have quite special and unique group dynamics that adds to them just standing out.

Of course, that's the thing with SM groups and that's what makes them successful. They just are able to stand out somehow. Marketing? Concept? They're quite different from the rest of the KPOP scene. I'm not sure if I've explained that well enough but I'm sure any KPOP fan would know what I mean.

Also, I'm really proud of SHINee for remaining as a group of five. Even though previously there were rumours that Onew might be leaving the group or some conflict was going on within the members. Glad that they were able to work everything out and remain as a group ☺

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That's all for this week's song review! Although I wasn't really going on about the song much. Lol. Do take some time to listen to it and fall in love with SHINee. Just some extra information, Onew, the leader of the group also acted in Descendants of the Sun. I thought I should mention it considering he did a pretty good job.

Innisfree: Green Tea Balancing Skin ♥︎

A new change to my skincare routine! I think I might end up switching to all the green tea products eventually. You'll see why as you read on~ I've really grown quite fond of the Innisfree skincare products!

Innisfree
Green Tea Balancing Skin

Basically after purchasing The Green Tea Seed Cream (read review here) I really was quite impressed with its moisturising properties. I also realised that my skin was actually drier than I thought it to be. So instead of a pore reducing toner, I should go for a moisturising toner instead to prevent flaking of the skin around my T-zone.

Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, I had to send my mum to purchase this for me. I didn't know that there are a few different green tea lines. Apparently, the different green tea lines cater to the different skin types.

• Oily skin: The green tea fresh line

• Combination skin: The green tea balancing line

• Dry skin: The green tea moisture line

• Special moisturizing and nourishing care line: The green tea seed line

She had to check with me what my skin type was before making the purchase. I'm of a Dry-Combination skin type so my mum got this toner for me.

Here's a description of this product from the Innisfree site:

A moisturizing and nourishing toner with eco-friendly Jeju fresh green tea & green tea seeds
More moisturizing and refreshing than ever before!

1. Green tea extracted from fresh green tea leaves harvested on Jeju Island is rich in amino acids and minerals that help keep the skin moisturized.
2. With a water-like texture, it applies smoothly and absorbs quickly without any stickiness.
3. The natural moisturizing agent betaine, derived from amino acids, provides intense moisture for combination skin to restore the skin's natural balance.

My Thoughts

It actually caught my by surprise when I first tried to use the product. Unlike the liquid texture of previous toner I've been using (unfortunately, didn't write a review for that), this toner has a thicker, gel like texture. I was a little skeptical at first on how it would feel on my skin but it felt fine ☺ It's not sticky neither did it feel thick.

The Green Tea Balancing Skin retails for around SGD $24 for 200ml of product. It is quite reasonably priced and toners do last quite a long time. Especially for this toner, I don't have to pour a lot out onto my cotton pad, around a 10c or 20c coin size would suffice 👍🏻

The Verdict

After using this product for around a week or so, I've observed that my skin seems more hydrated. Previously, if I skip out a day applying lotion, my skin would be quite dry and my foundation would be patchy. With this toner, my skin doesn't appear dry or patchy as quickly. I can't comment if there has been lesser oil secretion as the weather is really hot right now ☹ But really, hydrated skin really makes a huge difference; lesser dry patches, lesser breakouts.

I would recommend this product for people with combination or combination-dry skin. I'm not so sure about the oily skin type, as moisturising products might cause the skin to appear oily or shiny.

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Hope that this review was useful though it was a short one. I'm really starting to switch to mostly Innisfree skincare products. Probably going to be getting the Green Tea Cleansing Foam next!