I had remembered why I don’t wear red lipstick often, it’s messy and I guess I haven’t really gotten the grasp of how to put it on first time without making mistakes. Glad that I had decided to do my lips before foundation as I had to clean up around the mouth and redo the lips a few times to get the right shape and ombre look. Colourpop Lippie Stix in Lady and L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Exclusive Reds Blake’s Red was used for this ombre look.

But anyways…

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Happy year of the Dog. I wish you all good health, prosperity, happiness and lots of luck.

祝大家狗年大吉，新年快乐！
恭喜发财，身体健康，旺旺旺！

Friends and I always joke around saying that this second new year is another chance for a fresh, new start. This is the first time I’m celebrating Chinese New Year (aka Spring Festival) abroad so it’s a new chance to experience something new, something authentic.

On CNY eve, it was a weird experience seeing the streets so empty. I’m so used to the hustle and bustle of the streets however everyone goes back home before the first day of the New Year to celebrate with family and loved ones, the New Years travel rush as they call it here. Therefore, walking around without the crowds, a lot less vehicles on the roads, but with an increase in police control was sort of refreshing in a way. Stores, restaurants and cafes close very early or not even open. I can always count on 7-11 for my post-dinner munchies.

During CNY celebrations, people traditionally wear red as it symbolises luck and fortune so I’ve decided to kit it out all in red wherever I can, hair, lips and dress. It’s also a reason for me to wear something other than an all black and or grey for the first day. It’s considered a taboo to wear black or white as it’s associated with negativity and mourning, however, with the younger generation and those living in populous urban cities, it’s sort of discarded. There are many, many, many more traditions out there where some are actually slowly disappearing.

I can’t wait to check out the Spring Festival temple fairs. I had to avoid them today as I know that it would be crowded, crowded is actually an understatement. Fingers crossed starting from tomorrow, it’ll be a little less “crowded” but will see. I will take you along this journey as well as trying to figure out how I should post my East China travels.

Over and out.