Hello everyone, how have you been? We are merely a month away from 2012 – now, time really flies doesn’t it?

For the month of November, I have been mainly focusing on skincare and face products because my skin has been rather dry. I suspect it’s due to the medication I was on for flu and cough. Having said that, I have been testing many coloured products from the holiday collections – and I am not ready to include any favourites as yet.

Due to my dry and flaky skin, I have been using Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief daily as a moisturizer during the day. I think it has really helped “locked” in moisture, making my skin look less dry. My foundation blends over effortlessly. This product also feels really light on my skin. However, I wish it comes in a tube for easier access – I usually use a cotton bud to pick up product from the tub and I find it so troublesome.

MUJI not only does smart storage systems, stationeries and clothes, they also have some awesome toiletries. I picked up a pack of MUJI Cut Cotton Large a while ago and have totally forgotten about it until I ran out of cotton pads one night. I always purchase my cotton pads from Watsons or Guardian and I had no clue why I bought the MUJI ones. Anyway, they are fabulous. Each piece measures 9cm by 7cm – I love the size, it can be placed between my fingers comfortably and the thickness is approximately 0.7cm. It feels super luscious and soft on the skin.

These cotton pads retails at S$6.90 for 102 pieces. Worth it or not, I think so.

My current sunscreen (reviewed here) is finishing so I invested in a new one, Shiseido Multi Defense UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++. I tried some samples before and I have done a short writeup about it here. I don’t know how much it retails for in town but it’s S$43.60 at DFS for 30ml of product, made in Japan (versus Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40, S$74 for 30ml, made in France). I love it, it’s so light – almost “invisible” on the skin and it has high SPF which is ideal for Singapore’s weather.

It doesn’t smell as attractive as the Clarins’ one (it doesn’t smell bad or anything) but I think it is more suitable for my skin type (combination skin). The Shiseido sunscreen is lighter and kept my T-zone shine-free longer.

However, if I am not wearing any makeup, I do prefer Clarins’ because I think it provides a very natural, healthy and glowy sheen.

I have been enjoying Shu Uemura Face Architect Illuminating Moisture Fluid Foundation this month due to my temperamental skin conditions (medication, stress, lack of sleep, menstruation). On normal days, this foundation tends to look a little too shiny on me but I guess, it could be due to the change of weather lately as well – the rain made Singapore a tad cooler plus my skin is dry – perfect. I have actually done quite a few looks with this foundation recently, if you don’t like the dewiness, you can powder over like I do.

Finally, we have Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant. Not only my skin is dry, my cuticles are dry too. This tube of balm finally came in handy – I got it last year, just before my horrible sun burnt experience (view related posts here and here but please be warned – they are pretty disgusting). Anyway, I am glad I am not using the Eight Hour Cream for the same reason this time. I have been applying a small amount on my cuticles every night before I go to bed and it seems like its working.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a multi-functional product which I think everyone should have. Besides the obvious, it can be used over lipstick for that extra dose of shine (view NikkieTutorials video here), on the cheek bones as highlighter (view Pixiwoo video here) or over the lids.

So, that’s it, here are my 5 all time favourites this month, what are your favourites?

Thank you for reading, have a wonderful December.