1st Bloggiversary + New Blog Design!

Hi guys! You may notice something a little different about the blog...haha! My blog turned 1 recently (10 days ago actually) and I wanted to give shiwashiful. a bit of a spice up! 

Galaxy texture by takmaj

I actually cannot believe it's been a year since I started up my little 'baby', it seems like no time has passed at all! I started the blog sort of on a whim and I had no idea what would become of it, whether it would last a few months, or years or whether I would even enjoy it. I thought I might get tired of blogging, but I still actually look forward to sitting down and writing a post, or taking photos (though at times it can be frustrating!). Blogging has become such a huge hobby of mine and I never expected the things that have come from this blog to have happened. I've met some amazing gals who I think of as my beauty blogger friends (and hopefully they think the same of me!) and I really enjoy reading and replying to the comments you guys leave me! I actually had no idea whether anyone was going to read my blog, or if it was 'worth' doing but I'm so glad that I kept at it. I really hope that my blog continues to grow, but I do appreciate every single one of you who takes even a moment to read my blog, comment or even just glance at my photos - getting pretty cliche, I know! 

Anyway, even though I loved shiwashiful.'s old design, I really wanted to give it a fresh lick of paint since it's been rocking it for a whole year. Although I loved the colourful-ness, I felt it could get a little busy at times. I wanted the design to 'grow up' a bit and take on a cleaner, more minimalistic design. I'm extremely happy with how it turned out! It definitely took me a while to compose all the images and then code it all in - am I the only one who hates coding? Even my studying ITS didn't help...haha. Big thanks to Lena for helping me out with my Popular Posts section, and to all you beauty blogger girls for giving me some much needed inspiration!

Do you guys like the new design? Let me know!

Exfoliate and Brighten

It's been a little while, but I'm finally writing my review on the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner*. I've been using it for the past three months or so (though I didn't take it travelling) and I have definitely formed my opinion. This toner is very much raved about and hyped up in the beauty community and for good reason.

The toner is packaged up in a substantial feeling plastic bottle with a lid that twists tightly shut. The 'hole' that the toner is dispensed through is effective enough though the bottle is not very 'squishable' so you sort of have to wait for the product to drip out - it's not at all an impracticality though. You won't get an excess of product coming through which is a plus.

This toner claims to be a gentle chemical exfoliant that will brighten the skin's tone, smooth skin texture and refine and tighten enlarged pores. It contains glycolic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and helps to remove the dead skin cells on the outer layer of your skin. The toner does contain alcohol, but the next ingredient along is glycerin which prevents the toner from being drying on the skin. Glycerin is a humectant which helps retain water in the skin, therefore helping keep the skin from feeling dry. Despite the directions for use of 1-2 times a week, I have been using this every night and haven't experienced any issues. I don't have sensitive skin at all so please be weary. I apply it with a cotton pad and don't experience any stinging or irritation and find it quite comfortable and refreshing on the skin. It also has a very pleasant, light scent that doesn't bother me at all.

I've found my skin has definitely benefited from the use of this toner. I noticed in a matter of days that my skin felt really smooth and the redness in my acne scarring was slightly reduced. I had previously been exfoliating my skin manually twice a week, and with this added into my skincare routine additionally, I've noticed my skin in general has been in better condition. I haven't noticed drastic reductions in my dark spots and scars, though I've learnt that this sort of thing takes time, but I have hope that with continued use it will help fade them. I think the more regular, gentle exfoliation has also helped with acne and any active breakouts, both helping to prevent the bacteria related spots and to help them clear up faster. I think the salicylic acid included helps. I haven't noticed any tightening of enlarged pores, but I don't have very large ones to begin with.

I will keep you guys updated as I continue to use this (I've only gone through about a centimetre of the product, so I think it will last a while yet) but so far I really like it and think it has done a lot of good for my skin. I think it's a great way of helping with cell renewal without having to use manual exfoliators which can be rough on the skin. I've noticed these chemical exfoliants have been 'trending' in the beauty world lately and I'm hoping more continue to be released, especially from lower end brands. 

Have you guys tried the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening toner* or any like it?

*product was sent by RY.com but chosen by me

Under the Mistletoe

Yep, today I have a review on a holiday themed palette a few weeks late but I thought it might be worth a review anyway! It is the Stila Under the Mistletoe Collectible Holiday Palette which is actually from the 2012 holiday collection. Despite this, I stumbled upon it while shopping a week back where it was on sale for $12 from $25 - which I thought was a pretty good price! Also, my Mecca at least had about twenty of them, so they definitely weren't running short. As far as I'm aware, none of the shades in this palette are permanent.

The palette contains six eye shadows and one of their Convertible Colour dual lip and cheek creams. This is all housed in a small and thin cardboard case with magnetic closure, and windows to see the products. The shadows are arranged in a snowflake pattern which is very cute but the pans are still easily accessible with a brush.

What I was quite pleasantly surprised to find was that out of the six eye shadows, four are matte. It's rare to find the majority of shadows being matte, especially in a small palette. The colour range is quite purple-y toned but whilst still being neutral.

Snowfall, Holiday, Mistletoe, Snuggle, Garland, Candy

As I said, the colour tone to this palette is quite purple. Mistletoe, Snuggle, and Garland are the most purple-y in the palette. All three are matte and all have a dusty, muted quality allowing them to be more wearable. However as they are not bright, if applied too heavily or not properly blended these sorts of purples can tend to look a little bruise-y especially Snuggle. Snowfall is the other matte shade being an off-white but leaning more to the grey side rather than cream. This can tend to look a little ashy on my skin tone. Holiday has a matte cool dark brown base with a fine silvery shimmer running through it. Candy is a light, cool toned pink that borders lavender. It has more of a light frosty finish.

I've heard a lot of raves about Stila's eyeshadows, however I have to say that I found these eye shadows quite disappointing. Although they are soft to the touch, they just aren't very pigmented, the matte shades in particular. They can tend to apply patchily or unevenly and require multiple layers to reach a good amount of colour. Another issue is that the shadows are too blendable, so much so that with a lot of blending, you can blend the shadow away which results in the need for multiple layers. Even when applied over primer the formula isn't much improved and the lasting power is actually pretty poor (also even over primer). They don't really 'stick' to the lids. They aren't chalky at all but when compared with other higher end shadows I've tried, I just found these very lackluster. 

Swatched, blended

The Convertible Colour in Pink Poinsettia was probably the main reason I bought the palette as I've heard so many good things about these cream blushes. The shade itself is a very wearable, medium neutral pink, something similar to Lillium from the permanent range. This pan contains just over half the amount of a full size which retails for $40, so I think the palette is worth it for even the Convertible Colour alone!

The texture is very creamy that when you put your finger in the pan it's quite slippy and emollient. The pigmentation is good and it blends very well, layering may be required if you desire a brighter colour. It is not a cream to powder formula, however it still has a relatively matte finish on the skin. It can be worn on the lips also, though I find the matte finish a little drying and line accentuating. The lasting power is average, it's pretty good for a cream blush in my experience. I like applying it with either my Real Techniques Stippling Brush or my fingers.

Overall, I don't regret purchasing the palette but I probably could have gone without it. I'm glad I got to try out a Convertible Colour and it's definitely something I will continue to use and enjoy! The eye shadows on the other hand were quite disappointing though I find the purply shades to be quite unique. If you see this around, I wouldn't recommend getting it for the eye shadows, but I think it's worth the Convertible Colour.

The Standouts of 2013, part 2

Time for the second part of my favourites which are sort of the random other things I've loved throughout the past year! They'll include TV shows, books, etc! Get ready for some major geeky fangirling.

I'll start out with TV shows because god knows I'm obsessed with them.

• Sherlock

If you know me, you knew this was coming. Fricken love this show and season 3 premiered on new years day and it was fricken beautiful. After two years since the Reichenbach fall, it was heavily anticipated! I remember watching season 1 when it was on TV a few years ago but this year I watched all the episodes there were (6 - such a small number :( ) and became so obsessed. I just love how the show and its characters are written, the storylines and how mind-trippy it can be at times. Probably my favourite show ever and a new episode comes out today!

• Game of Thrones

I also started watching Game of Thrones this year (all three seasons in less than a week - that's how I roll) and when I marathon a show, I tend to get very obsessed. I've never really been interested in this show but my friend convinced me to watch it and omg I love it - aside from the sex scenes of course which really aren't necessary. I'm not typically a lover of medieval fantasy type shows but this one just seems so REAL. The costumes and sets are so beautiful and I just love (and hate) the characters. The storylines are really, really good and they're not afraid to be ruthless. 

• Doctor Who

This one's a newie - I just finished watching it a few days ago. I watched seven seasons in under three weeks (I didn't watch classic who) and gotta say I fell in love. Ten (David Tennant) is definitely my fave doctor (of who I've watched) but dayum eleven (Matt Smith) I fricken love you. I cried in both regenerations :( . I've never really been a sci-fi fan at all but my friend (yes same friend, love ya Yas) convinced me to watch. It's really not too geeky-sci-fi as I thought and again I just love the characters sooo much. I love that it can be really funny and that there's a whole history behind the show which I find really cool.

• Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

This show started this year and being the huge Marvel fan that I am, I knew I had to watch it! I didn't have super high expectations but it totally impressed me! It has fast become one of my favourite shows. It's got action, comedy and heaps of shippable relationships (which I'm always on the look out for ;) ). 

• The Good Wife

The Good Wife is actually so good and I love it to bits. I find I sometimes forget about it but when I'm actually watching it I remember just how darn good it is. I just love the way it's filmed and I don't know - I just really like it! I feel like not many people watch it? It's great if you love a good drama that's not too heavy.

• How I met your Mother

My favourite comedy was very hard to narrow down but has to be HIMYM. It's on its final season (cries) but I just love it so much. I laugh (out loud) in every episode - guaranteed. My other faves from the year would have to be The Mindy Project and The Big Bang Theory.

Six shows is quite a lot...but considering I watch 20+ I'd say that's quite an achievement haha!

• The Fault in our Stars by John Green
• A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
• Divergent by Veronica Roth

TFIOS was a really beautiful story that was just a teensy bit depressing and emotional, but also light hearted. It was a really interesting story too about all these really serious issues but looked at in what I thought was a new perspective. It was just so beautiful - if you haven't already read it, please do so! I'm so ridiculously excited for the movie!

My reading of AGOT was spurred on by my love for the TV show. I also went ahead and bought the whole box set of the series so far and I've got pretty high hopes for it! I really enjoyed the first book. If you really love the TV series, I highly recommend getting into the books. I feel like they provide a lot more information and detail about the history and in general that was excluded from the TV show or not properly explained. Despite the quite heavy storyline, it is quite easy to read and doesn't at all feel like a chore which can sometimes be the case with these huge books. It's written so wonderfully and the world building is awesome. I'm on the second one and I'm very excited to continue reading!

As I've already said on the blog before, Divergent has been my favourite book of the year, and possibly all time. While the trilogy on the whole isn't my favourite, this first book is and it could even be read alone (though I do recommend reading all three!). I just adore the fast paced action  and character development and the whole storyline of a dystopian society is absolutely stellar. Again I am so excited for the movie - it looks so good! It's quite funny though that both Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort are in both TFIOS and Divergent movies - brother and sister in one, and lovers in the other haha.

• Tumblr

Halfway through the year I created a tumblr blog which can be found here (be warned, not at all beauty related!). It has definitely been a fave as I feel like it's an awesome place for people with similar interests to gather and share stuff about the things they love. It's equally an awesome way to pass the time and a horrible distraction and source of procrastination. Ahh I could scroll through my dash for days hours... It has introduced me to new things (*ahem* Tom Hiddleston - who, let's be real, has also been a favourite) and has really amplified my pre-existing obsessions.

• Beauty Blogging!

And of course beauty blogging has been an absolute favourite! I started this blog early last year and I've absolutely loved writing my blog posts and reading your comments! Sitting down and writing a blog post is something I look forward to and I love sharing my thoughts and loves here on this little blog. I'm so excited to see where this next year takes shiwashiful and hopefully I can stay as consistent and enthusiastic as I was last year (what with the upcoming of grade 12!)! Obviously I also absolutely loved watching Youtube videos and reading blog posts throughout the year!

Phew! That was longer than I anticipated. Please let me know what your guys' fave TV shows and books were! I love reading about other people's obsessions haha!

The Standouts of 2013

Hello 2014! I hope you guys all had a happy new year! I cannot believe another year has been and gone, and it will probably take me a while for the fact that we are in 2014 to sink in. Anyways lets live in the past and take a look at my most favoured products from 2013! I haven't covered all categories as I didn't necessarily have a FAVOURITE favourite for every area. Despite that, I still had trouble narrowing things down so you're in store for quite a few products! Also, I haven't touched on tools or skincare, haircare, bodycare or nails. For tools, pretty much all Real Techniques and for skincare, check out my skincare routine posts here, here and here. Reviews have been linked where applicable! Let's jump in!

Face:

• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
• Maybelline Dream Pure BB cream in shade Medium
• Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in shade Light Beige
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid makeup in shade Natural Beige

I find the Laura Mercier primer generally good at prolonging the wear of foundation and keeping it looking better for longer. My BB cream favourite was hard to choose, but I found myself reaching for the Maybelline a lot. Good colour, coverage and finish. Foundation wise, for a lot of the year the Bourjois was a go-to but I found the shade quite light towards the end of the year. I've used it by mixing with other products and a hefty load of bronzer. Lovely finish on the skin and a nice light-medium buildable coverage. The Neutrogena is pretty much a spot on colour and offers a good medium coverage with a very natural skin like finish. Not too dewy or too matte.

Cheeks:

• Models Prefer Desk to Date
• The Balm Instain Blush in Toile
• Essence Silky Touch blush in Natural Beauty
• Sleek Contour Kit in Light
• Jane Iredale Bronzing Powder in So-Bronze 1
• The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer

I am a self-professed blush junkie but these three were probably my most worn. I like Desk to Date for an easy, goes-with-everything light peachy pink, Toile for something slightly brighter but still natural and Natural Beauty for a bit of a 'nothingy' cheek - it's the perfect blend of a blush, bronzer and highlighter in one. For contouring my main favourite has been the Sleek (mainly just the contour shade), a nice brown that isn't hard to work with and creates a natural looking shadow. For bronzing all over the face, Jane Iredale has been my pick. A nice warm brown that is only slightly darker than my skintone and gives warmth and colour to the face. Highlighter fave is hands down Mary Lou-Manizer. It provides an amazing champagne-golden glow which I love.

Eyes:

• Essence I love Stage Eyeshadow Base
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint in shade Halo
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in shade Bad to the Bronze
• MAC eyshadow in shade All that Glitters
• Essence Gel Eyeliner in shade BBC All Night Brown
• Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Nude Palette
• Lorac Pro Palette, particularly shades Taupe, Espresso, Gold, Lt. Bronze and Pewter
• Dolly Wink Eyebrow Powder in shade Dark Chocolate

The sadly discontinued Essence eye primer has been my most used and loved this year. My two favourite cream shadows were from Estee Lauder and Maybelline. Bad to the Bronze made the perfect single shadow eye look while Halo was both a great base and all over lid shade. All that Glitters was definitely a favourite - I love the pinky-beige metallic colour! Also discontinued is the Essence Gel Liner which I used quite often for both a winged liner and smudged on the lower lashline. The deep bronzy brown made for a perfect casual liner look. The Napoleon palette is filled with matte shades which I used both on their own or to accompany other eyeshadows. Also filled with mattes is the Pro Palette which contains a bevy of shades to create a multitude of looks! Also some of the best formulas were found in this palette. Pretty much the only thing to grace my eyebrows was the Dolly Wink powder - perfect shade for my black hair!

Lips:

• Essence lipstick in shade All about Cupcake
• L'oreal Nutri-shine balm in shade Nudy Coral
• Estee Lauder Signature Hydralustre Lipstick in Venetian Rose
• L'oreal Nutri-shine Lipstick in shade Pink Nude
• Estee Lauder Signature Hydralustre Lipstick in Soft Amethyst
• NYX Butter Gloss in shade Peaches and Cream
• Witchery Lip Gloss Wand in shade Blossom
• Nivea Lip Butter

All about Cupcake and Nudy Coral were probably my most worn lipsticks of the year. All about Cupcake being the perfect my-lips-but-better (and more pink) and Nudy Coral being a lovely tinted lip balm with the tiniest hint of colour. Venetian Rose is sadly discontinued but is probably the best peachy nude I've come across so far. It's not really nude but it's really the perfect neutral peach for my skin tone! Pink Nude is just a beautiful colour. It's got hints of pink and peach, with a neutral tone - lurve it! For the wearable purply-plum lip, my fave has to be Soft Amethyst. Lovely formula and really flattering! It's purple without being PURPLE. The NYX gloss has a lovely texture and the colour is just really lovely. The Witchery gloss however, is the lipgloss that got me liking lipglosses. Probably my favourite lipgloss formula yet (though the NYX is rivaling it) - thin, non-sticky and pigmented. The Nivea lip balm has definitely been my fave. My lips have been very fussy and lip balms that I used to love seemed to irritate my lips. The Lip Butter saved my lips and has been pretty much the only balm I've used since!

Fragrance:

• Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Camellia

This scent has definitely been my most used. It's light, summery and really nice for every day wear.

So that concludes my beauty favourites for the year that was! I will be doing a part two concerning more 'entertainment' favourites I guess you could call them, including favourite TV shows, books, movies and other varying ways to procrastinate.

What have been your favourite products of 2013?