Miracles in December: EXO’s Winter Gift

Only a few months after Growl took over everything, EXO suddenly came back with a winter mini-album. It feels like a small gift for fans who stayed with them through this whole crazy year. Miracle in December is completely different from their usual powerful dance songs. Instead of choreography and heavy beats, it leans into slow, emotional ballads. This isn’t the EXO I thought I was getting this winter.

The title track isn’t some corny holiday song. “Miracles in December” is a piano-and-strings ballad with real regret in it. It hits even harder when you’re already missing someone. What really stays with you is the vocals. The song ends up belonging to Baekhyun, Chen, and D.O., with Luhan shining in the Chinese version. Chen’s high notes hit first. Baekhyun sounds quieter than usual here. D.O. is what keeps the song from breaking. Luhan, in the Chinese version, makes it feel even lonelier.

The music video is basically just snow and members looking sad in winter coats. It never really warms up. Seeing them prep gifts for someone who’s clearly not coming is kind of depressing. I like that they brought back the MAMA powers, too. Tao trying to turn back time only to realize he can't fix anything. The ending feels heavy. Not in a dramatic way, just.. quiet. Especially if you’ve been following them since debut.

The album as a whole sticks to the same winter mood. It’s over sooner than I wanted it to be. “The First Snow” is easily my favorite. Just simple, nostalgic track that I can already tell I’ll be replaying every December. "Christmas Day" is smoother and has that R&B vibe, and I’m glad we get to hear the other members' voices for once. But then "My Turn to Cry" starts and it just ruins you again. It’s Baekhyun, Chen, and D.O. sounding like they’re completely drained. "The Star" is kind of the odd one out here. It’s a bit too sleek for the mood, but it’s the one that stays in your head after the album ends.

The focus during this era was clearly on the main vocal line. At first, it felt strange seeing only a few members promoting the title track, but focusing on Baekhyun, Chen, D.O., and Luhan made sense for songs this vocal-driven. The debate over the Korean and Chinese versions is very real. Many listeners feel the Chinese lyrics flow more naturally, and Luhan’s voice carries a softness that fits the album beautifully.

Miracles in December isn’t just a seasonal album. It’s tied to a very specific December in my life. Cold nights, overthinking, and that soft sadness that comes with the end of the year. It showed a side of EXO we didn’t usually get to see. Sometimes, just voices and quiet songs were enough. This album ended up becoming my December soundtrack in 2013. Every time the year starts to slow down, I think I’ll come back to it.

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My 2013 Beauty Favorites

Can’t believe 2013 is ending already. To be honest, I didn’t experiment with a lot of new stuff this year, but I did find some holy grails that I kept repurchasing over and over. Nothing fancy or expensive, just stuff that actually works for my skin and makes my morning routine a bit more fun.

1. Etude House Shini Star Clear BB Lotion

I’ve been using this since 2012 and I’m already on my fourth bottle! I initially bought it because of SHINee (obviously, haha), but it turns out to be so good. The coverage is light and dewy, and it has this subtle sweet scent that I love. It has SPF 20 too, which is perfect for campus. It looks so natural, like I’m not wearing any makeup at all.

2. Etude House Fresh Cherry Lip Tint

The best lip tint I’ve tried so far. My natural lips are pretty pale, so this has been a lifesaver to add some "life" to my face. The texture is a gel and it's so easy to blend. It gives that natural pink flush that doesn't look too much. I always have this in my bag for quick touch-ups after lunch!

3. Etude House Wonder Pore Freshener

My daily toner and a total savior for my pores. It feels so refreshing and really cleans off the gunk after washing my face. It keeps my skin balanced and less oily throughout the day. Plus, the huge pump bottle is so convenient and lasts forever!

4. Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener

Obsessed! It’s an exfoliating toner but the texture is like a soft jelly. It’s so satisfying to see it lift away dead skin cells on a cotton pad. My face feels so smooth and bouncy afterward. And the smell! It’s like sweet wine, so relaxing to use at night before bed.

5. Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

I reach for this whenever my skin feels "clogged" or extra oily. Unlike other clay masks, this one is creamy and doesn't make my skin feel tight or dry. It’s been a total game-changer for my T-zone and blackheads this year.

6. The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam (Acerola)

My morning go-to. It lathers up so well and leaves my face feeling squeaky clean but not dry. The tube is huge and super affordable, it feels like it never runs out! Just a simple, honest cleanser that does its job.

7. Secret Key Snail Gel Repairing Cream

My first ever snail product! I know it sounds weird, but I'm a convert. The texture is a clear, lightweight gel that absorbs instantly. It’s so cooling and helps a lot with redness or those annoying small breakouts. I use it as a day moisturizer because it doesn't make me greasy at all. Best budget find of the year, definitely.

So, those are my 2013 favorites! Most are affordable and easy to find. I'm sure I'll try new things in 2014, but these will always have a special place on my vanity. Thanks for reading and hope you guys had an amazing year!

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Review: The Body Shop Strawberry Body Puree & Body Mist

Hi everyone!

I hope you’re all having a great week so far.

To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of strawberry-scented products. I usually prefer flowery or musky scents over fruity ones, but I’ve been eyeing these at The Body Shop for months. After a lot of thinking, I finally decided to get the Strawberry Body Puree and the Body Mist. So, here’s my review!

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Puree

Packaging

It comes in the classic TBS 250ml clear plastic bottle. I love that it’s transparent because you can easily see how much product is left! The pump has a handy twist-up lock, making it super mess-free. You’ll find the ingredients on the back and the expiration date at the bottom.

Texture & Feel

The texture is more of a gel-lotion, and it’s this pretty pink color that is just so aesthetically pleasing! On the skin, it feels really soothing and lightweight. It feels a little bit sticky right after application, but definitely not greasy. It takes a minute or two to fully sink in, but the good news is it doesn't leave any residue on my clothes!

The Scent

It has a very light, slightly sweet strawberry scent. But if I’m being honest, it smells a bit too artificial for me. Compared to other TBS lotions, I also find that the scent doesn't linger very long on my skin. It’s nice, but not exactly what I expected.

• Moisture Level: Not quite moisturizing enough for my dry skin, though it does leave my skin feeling soft.
• SPF: None! So you’ll definitely need to layer some sunscreen over it if you’re heading out.
• Ingredients: It does contain parabens, but personally, I don’t mind that.
• Ethics: TBS is against animal testing, which is always a huge plus in my book!
• Price: Rp 149.000 for 250 ml (September 2013)
• Rating: 3 out of 5
• Repurchase? Probably not.
• Recommend? Yes, for those who just need a light-textured lotion for daily use!

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

Packaging

This one comes in a 100ml glass bottle. It’s a bit bulky to carry everywhere and I’m always afraid it might break. I actually preferred their old plastic bottles, but the glass one looks much more elegant on the dressing table. The spritzer works well and distributes the mist evenly.

​The Scent

This is a total winner for warmer days! Unlike the puree, the mist smells sweet and lovely without being too "sugary" or "childish." It feels very summery and surprisingly, it doesn't smell artificial at all. It’s perfect for daily wear when you just want something fresh.

Longevity

Since it’s a body spray, it doesn't last very long on me, it only lasts about an hour or so. You’ll definitely need to re-spritz throughout the day.

• Price: Rp 139.000 for 100 ml (September 2013)
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5
• Repurchase? No, I think I'll try a different scent next time!
• Recommend? Yes, if you’re looking for a fresh, fruity summer scent.

Fun Fact!

Did you know The Body Shop uses organic alcohol from sugarcane in Ecuador? You can watch the video I’ve linked below if you want to know more about their community fair trade projects!

Thanks for reading. See you in the next post!

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If Life Deals You Lemon, Make a Lemonade

I am not talking about recipes today.

I am not really talking about lemons or lemonade either. I just don’t know how else to say this: I think I chose the wrong path, and it feels like it is ruining me, slowly.

I am a seventh-semester student at Universitas Indonesia, majoring in Metallurgical Engineering. Two semesters left. Just two. Everyone says it like it’s nothing. But every day feels heavy. Seven semesters of staring at metals, equations, and things that never quite make sense to me. Sometimes it feels like a foreign language I keep trying to learn, even though I know I will never speak it well.

This major requires math, chemistry, and physics. I know that. Everyone knows that. I’ve tried to accept it. I’ve tried to like it. I’ve tried to understand it. I read until my eyes hurt. I study until I feel sick and tired and empty. I stay up late, do the assignments, finish the lab reports.. putting all my effort into everything. But the grades stay bad. The understanding never really comes.

It hurts because I am not lazy. I am not careless. I am trying. I really am.

But somehow, I am always behind.

Sometimes I look at my friends and I feel smaller. They talk passionately about corrosion, extractive metallurgy, heat treatment, future plans, careers. They sound so sure. In those moments, I feel like I don’t belong there at all. Like I’m just sitting in the same room but living in a different world. In their eyes, I feel like the stupid little person who can’t keep up. I envy them. I envy how confident they are. I envy how clear everything seems for them.

My GPA is a mess, and I know it. I don’t need anyone to remind me. With only two semesters left, I don’t even know how much I can fix. The future feels blank. Empty. Like a screen that won’t load. Everyone else seems to know what they want to be, while I’m still stuck asking myself the same questions over and over again.

Metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, nanotechnology.. these words fill my books, but my head feels full of nothing. I read and reread, but it slips away so easily. Sometimes I honestly think maybe I’m just stupid. Maybe I’m not meant for this at all.

People say if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. So I try. I really do. I sit here with my pile of sour fruit, forcing the sugar, hoping it will somehow taste better. But right now, everything just tastes like rust.

I’m tired. I’m stressed. I feel like I’m failing. There are days when I don’t even want to step into the lab anymore. I feel like I’m drowning there, surrounded by experiments and reports, learning how materials break under pressure while I’m the one who is falling apart.

I know I have to keep going. I don’t really regret the past. I just don’t know what to do with the future.

Graduation is getting closer. Instead of feeling relieved, I’m just scared. Sometimes I ask myself what I’m even doing here. What happens when I graduate and everyone expects an engineer, but all they get is.. me?

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Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ Review

Penggunaan tabir surya menjadi salah satu langkah perawatan kulit yang tidak lagi bisa saya abaikan, terutama dengan aktivitas harian yang cukup sering dilakukan di luar ruangan. Untuk penggunaan sehari-hari, saya cenderung memilih tabir surya yang mudah ditemukan dan nyaman digunakan dalam jangka panjang.

Salah satu produk yang sudah cukup lama saya gunakan adalah Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ dari Rohto Indonesia. Skin Aqua memiliki beberapa varian tabir surya, dan setelah mencoba beberapa di antaranya dengan SPF yang lebih rendah, saya memutuskan untuk beralih ke varian SPF 50+ untuk perlindungan yang lebih optimal.

Dari segi kemasan, Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk hadir dalam botol plastik ramping yang praktis dan mudah dibawa bepergian. Teksturnya cair berwarna putih susu, tanpa tambahan pewarna, alkohol, maupun aroma. Formulasi berbahan dasar air membuat tabir surya ini terasa ringan dan mudah diratakan di kulit tanpa meninggalkan rasa lengket atau berminyak.

Selain perlindungan SPF 50+ PA+++, produk ini juga mengandung Improved Hyaluronic Acid (AcHA), kolagen, serta vitamin B5 dan E yang membantu menjaga kelembapan kulit. Saat diaplikasikan, tabir surya meresap dengan baik dan memberikan sensasi sejuk di awal pemakaian.

Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ dapat digunakan langsung pada wajah dan tubuh sekitar 20 menit sebelum beraktivitas di luar ruangan. Produk ini juga cukup nyaman digunakan sebagai dasar makeup Hasil akhirnya memberikan tampilan dewy yang natural. Untuk saya pribadi, penggunaan bedak tabur setelahnya sudah cukup untuk menyeimbangkan hasil akhir agar tidak terlihat terlalu mengilap.

Setelah berwudu atau berkeringat, pengaplikasian ulang tentu sangat disarankan. Tabir surya ini cukup fleksibel untuk langsung ditumpuk tanpa harus selalu mencuci wajah terlebih dahulu. Saat mengakhiri hari, double cleansing perlu dilakukan untuk memastikan tidak ada residu produk yang tertinggal di kulit.

Selama pemakaian lebih dari dua botol, Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ tidak menimbulkan masalah seperti breakout, jerawat, maupun iritasi pada kulit saya. Sebagai dasar makeup, produk ini juga bekerja dengan baik tanpa membuat foundation atau bedak terlihat patchy dan cakey. Pada kulit kombinasi cenderung kering seperti kulit saya, ketahanan minyaknya tergolong standar, tapi masih dalam batas yang nyaman untuk penggunaan harian.

Dengan harga sekitar Rp45.000 untuk ukuran 40 gram, Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ merupakan pilihan tabir surya yang praktis, terjangkau, dan layak dipertimbangkan untuk pemakaian sehari-hari, terutama bagi yang mencari tekstur ringan dengan hasil akhir lembap alami.

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My Friends Keep Asking Me..

“Ikah lagi di mana?”

“Ikah ke mana aja?”

Pertanyaan yang seharusnya sederhana, tapi entah kenapa aku belum punya jawabannya.

Aku masih di sini. Di sebuah sudut yang tidak ada di peta kalian. Ruang kecil yang mungkin terasa pengap, tapi entah kenapa menyelamatkan bagiku.

Di luar sana terlalu banyak mata. Terlalu banyak tuntutan untuk menjadi “sesuatu” yang belum mampu aku capai. Aku lelah harus terus berpura-pura tegar di bawah tatapan-tatapan yang bikin aku mengecil. Rasanya aku ingin berhenti. Berhenti berlari. Berhenti mengejar apa pun yang ada di balik gerbang itu.

Aku tidak hilang. Aku hanya sedang tidak ingin ditemukan.

Mungkin aku egois. Mungkin aku sulit dipahami. Tapi mencoba menjelaskan diri sendiri saat hatimu sedang berantakan.. rasanya terlalu melelahkan.

Jadi, biarkan aku di sini sebentar lagi.

Jangan diketuk dulu.

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My hot chocolate went cold

It’s almost midnight, and I’m supposed to be cramming for finals. My desk lamp’s still on, and I’ve been sitting here forever staring at my laptop. Somehow I ended up on YouTube, watching this talk by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad about Al-Ghazali. And everything stopped. Whatever I was trying to study didn't even matter anymore.

He talked about Sabr and Shukr. Patience and gratitude.

I used to think patience was only for the big hard moments. Like losing someone you love, or trying your hardest at something and still failing. To me, it was something you turned to when everything was falling apart. I never saw it in the small boring stuff like waiting ages for a bus, or sitting through a class where you feel out of place, counting every minute until it ends.

But tonight, I heard it differently. Shaykh Murad explained how Al-Ghazali taught that patience is like the head of your faith. If you lose your head, the rest of your body’s useless. It’s a constant battle inside yourself, against your own wants.

Sitting here with my messy desk and piles of books, I can feel that fight happening right now. Part of me wants to stay put and focus, but my hand keeps reaching for my phone. It’s hard to sit quietly, especially after spending the whole day dealing with stinging words and cold shoulders. You pick up your phone to check anything, anything at all, just to keep your mind busy. It’s kind of embarrassing, how my brain jumps from one thing to the next, always thinking I need something else. I’m so caught up in wanting more, more, more, and I don't even know why.

We’re always told freedom means getting whatever you want, satisfying every little desire that comes up. But he said real freedom is actually being able to say “no” to your own nafs. And I realize I don’t want my whole life to be about getting distracted by every little thing.

Then there's Shukr. I realized tonight that I've been completely blind. Shaykh Murad talked about ghaflah, this spiritual sleep where you enjoy a blessing and forget who gave it to you. Earlier today I wanted nothing more than to be left alone at home. Now I'm back in my room, door locked and safe. I got exactly what I asked for. Allah gave me this so I could rest my mind. But instead of being grateful, I act like this silence is a problem. I keep picking up my phone just to stop myself from thinking too much. I’m taking every bit of comfort for granted, and forgetting the One who kept me safe and warm tonight.

But he said gratitude isn't just saying thank you. It's what you do with what you've been given. That makes me look at myself. If I have eyes, what am I using them to look at tonight? If I have this quiet time, why am I wasting it for no reason? I’m so tired of always looking for some way to escape. I don’t want to keep running after things that only leave me feeling emptier afterwards. All I really want is a sound heart.. qalbun saleem. To be the kind of person who stays steady, even when everything outside feels too much. Maybe by learning to be content with simply remembering Allah instead of wasting hours online and feeling worse afterwards.

My hot chocolate’s gone cold, by the way. I made it like an hour ago and completely forgot it was even there.

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Salam tout le monde!

Hey! So here I am, finally starting a blog.

There’s this saying in Bahasa: Tak kenal maka tak sayang. Basically, you can’t love what you don’t know. So yeah.. now you know me! I’m Ikah, an engineering student in Depok, almost done with my final year. Jakarta’s still home, obviously. I’m somewhat obsessed with cats. I seriously can’t handle how cute they are sometimes!

To be honest, I have no idea what this blog will become. Maybe I’ll ramble about my hobbies. Novels, movies, K-dramas, music.. whatever I feel like talking about that day. I’ll probably fangirl a lot too. Maybe write beauty reviews if I feel like it. And yes, definitely K-pop! 

Some days I might even share a few secrets.. which is actually why I named this blog Voici mon secret! (French for “Here is my secret”). Maybe this blog will show a side of me you don’t usually see. The name was inspired by The Little Prince and I barely know French hehe. I just thought it sounded cute!

I’ll probably mix Bahasa and English here. Don’t judge my English too harshly.. it’s my first try, after all.

Oh, and Ramadan’s here. Third day already. Alhamdulillah, we get to see this month again. May Allah give us strength and energy to fast. Let’s do our best!

Anyway.. that’s it for now. More randomness, fangirling, and maybe even a little chaos coming soon. Stay tuned :)

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