Winter Blossoms

Review: NYX Black Label Lipstick in "Natural"

2013-06-18T17:09:00.001+08:00

♫ B1A4 - 이게 무슨 일이야 (What's Going On)

NYX Black Label lipstick

After my previous NYX Black Label Lipstick review post, I was really tempted to get more colours from the range but unfortunately, my local Sephora doesn't stock the Black Label range. (ーー;) Therefore, I was really excited when Blanc to Noir once again offered to let me review some items from their online shop. Of course, I just had to get another NYX Black Label lipstick to try, ngehehehe (≧∇≦)

NYX Black Label lipstick in "Natural"

This time around, instead of picking my usual pink or red shades, I opted for a nude colour, so I chose #167 Natural. I had read quite a few reviews saying that this was a really great, almost perfect, nude shade of lipstick. I hardly have nude lipsticks in my collection, so I decided this colour would be a nice addition.

NYX Black Label lipsticks come in a squarish plastic tube with black lace patterns on its silvery-grey cover, similar to the design on the box. It has a clear base showing the colour of the lipstick inside, making it easy to identify individual shades.

BLL 167 Natural

A creamy, dreamy lipstick with a velvety smooth finish and hyper-glamorous shades for every look and every inclination. NYX's Black Label Lipstick has rich emollient properties that ensure that the color glides on and envelopes your pout at the same time.

BLL 167 Natural

The shade Natural (cream formula) is described as a "neutral pink-beige" on the NYX website. In the tube, it looks very much like a brown lipstick, but once applied on the lips, it does indeed show up as a pretty beige colour with a hint of pink.

Below is a half-lip swatch of the lipstick under sunlight:

And these are the full lip swatches of the lipstick:

Honestly, I think that's I've found my perfect nude lipstick in this NYX Black Label lipstick in Natural! ヽ(；▽；)ノ It's the perfect MLBB (my lips but better) shade, and is nude enough to pair with smokey or colourful eyes, yet doesn't give me the dreaded 'corpse lips'.

The formula of the lipstick is great - creamy, opaque and moisturizing, with a yummy grape soda scent that I like. (＾▽＾) It's both suitable for days when you want to keep your makeup simple, or times when you want to balance out that smoldering smokey eye with nude lips.

Worn with simple natural makeup

I also used this lipstick in my See By Chloé blog post photos, where I had on some ~~fiercer~~ darker eye makeup. ;)

Rawr!

✓ Pros: Huge variety of colours available, opaque colour, moisturizing, velvety sheen finish, easy to identify individual shades from lipstick base.
✗ Cons: Plastic packaging is very light, has grape soda scent that might not appeal to all, not easily found in Malaysia (NYX is available in Sephora Malaysia but with limited products).

You can buy the NYX Black Label lipsticks from Blanc to Noir here, along with lots of other NYX products. Their June 2013 special is 30% off NYX products, so do check it out!

*This item was sent to me by Blanc to Noir for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Vanity Trove Malaysia - Obsessive Beauty (June 2013) Edition

2013-06-18T00:56:00.003+08:00

♫ 임창정 (Lim Chang-jung) - 오랜만이야 (It's Been A Long Time)

Hello lovely peeps! We're halfway to July already, can you imagine that? ⊙▂⊙
I received the June VanityTrove earlier this month, but didn't have the time to unbox it until this weekend.

VanityTrove M'sia June 2013 - Obsessive Beauty

Editor's note

I think that everybody, to a certain extent, cares about their appearance, so it's only natural for us to want to look good every day. :) Well, this month's trove claims to feed our beauty obsession, so let's check out what's inside!

Inside the June 2013 VanityTrove Malaysia

There were quite a number of items inside the June trove, with a total of 8 items compared to previous troves which had about 5-6 items.

L'Oreal Professional Liss Ultime Shampoo (deluxe sample size)
L'Oreal Professional Liss Ultime Masque (deluxe sample size)

This range promises to repair and smooth the thickest and most rebellious of hair. Wow, just this claim is enough to make me want to try it out the next time I shampoo my hair! The shampoo contains argan and olive oils to soften and nourish, while the masque helps to protect hair against humidity and frizz.

Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover (sample size)

Gently removes the heaviest of eye and lip makeup without tugging. Suitable for sensitive skin and lifts makeup instead of melting it (no rubbing required). I've read some really good reviews about this makeup remover, so I'm looking forward to using this. :D

Decleor Hydra Floral Moisturising Cream (deluxe sample size)

This is a reparative hydrating cream that has anti-pollution and deeply replenishing properties for normal to dry skin. I like that it has a floral scent, just like the name indicates. However, as I'm going through an oily-skin phase at the moment, I probably won't be using this cream.

Celeb Beaute Celeb Lash

Green lashes! :O

Celeb Beaute Celeb Lash in "Avril" (full size; 1 pair)

I received this Celeb Beaute eyelashes in the style "Avril". When I first saw the lashes, I thought the green glints were just a trick of the light, but a closer look revealed that indeed, there were green lashes mixed with the black ones! Pretty cool eh? Celeb Lash(es) come in a variety of styles and colours.

Cocolab Aromatic Body Oil (sample size)

To be honest, I have no idea how I'm going to use this body oil. (^_^;) The description says that it can be used as a luxurious moisturiser, massage oil and skin repair treatment with potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Soap Artisan Natural Lip Balm with Beeswax and Vitamin E (full size, 4g)

The packaging looks simple, but the lip balm smells quite nice, and very natural (as in, you can smell the raw natural ingredients, lol). Suitable for everyone, and keeps your lips moisturised, soft, and kissable. (¬‿¬)

Payot Pate Grise Purifying Care and Speciale 5 Drying and Purifying Gel (1 sample sachet each)

This wasn't included in the info card, so I guess it's an extra 'member' of the June trove. The Pate Grise cream helps to accelerate the maturation of minor spots, while the Speciale 5 gel activates and dries mature minor spots. According to the instructions on the back of the packet, they are supposed to be used in sequence (first the cream, then the gel the next day).

Of course, what trove would it be without vouchers? :P Included in the trove is a Natural Wellbeing/Soap Artisan RM5 voucher, and also a Decleor facial voucher.

I appreciate that the Obsessive Beauty trove had so many items for us to try, but again, I was disappointed by the lack of colour cosmetics. I mean, with obsessive beauty as the theme, you'd expect at least ONE lipstick/eyeliner/eyeshadow or something along those lines, right? (x_x) Anyway, I was really glad to see the L'Oreal shampoo and masque set, as well as the Bifesta makeup remover.

What are your thoughts on the June 2013 trove? Let me know in the comments! （＾ｖ＾）

*This item was sent to me by VanityTrove Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

See By Chloé: Dare To Be Me!

2013-06-13T15:57:00.004+08:00

Don't be shy ;)

I'm pretty sure you all know Chloé, but her little sister just made her debut in the fragrance world, and is ready to meet her adoring fans with a cheeky wink. Introducing the new fragrance, See By Chloé!

The fresh new fragrance from Chloé

See By Chloé

A breath of perfume, an intriguing personality...

Draped in the elegance of her well-known sister, the See By Chloé girl twirls. Playful, chic, urban, self-confident, she welcomes the unexpected and cultivates contrasts. Assertive, seductive, cheerful and mischievous, she stirs the air, captivating those who look at her.

Gorgeous model Bette Franke for See By Chloé

See By Chloé, created by perfumer Michel Almairac, has an addictive floral fragrance, perfect for those who are in the flower of youth yet retain their childlike sense of mischief and daring. The scent opens with sparkling notes of bergamot, stirring the senses and slowly giving way to a hint of apple blossom and jasmine. The scent mellows down to sensually soothing notes of sandalwood and vanilla, just like the end of a good game of hide and seek.

♥ the pretty bottle!

When I first heard that it was floral fragrance, I was quite keen to get a whiff because I really love floral scents (my blog is called Winter Blossoms for a reason, ha!) (◕‿◕✿) THEN I got to know that the perfume not only had apple blossom and jasmine, it also contained sandalwood and vanilla bottom notes. At that point, I was literally (ノ☆∀☆)ノ because I absolutely adore the scent of sandalwood. My mum likes to burn sandalwood aroma incense, so to me, it's a very calming and familiar scent that brings back many good memories. (´∀｀)♥

Do you see me?

Glowing softly in the sunlight

The first thing I noticed about the bottle is that it looks like a glass bird cage! A silver ring outlines the pink letters of the logo, a nod to the Chloé girl's favourite colour. The multi-faceted pleats on the bottle, silver ring cap and stubby 'feet' makes it look like a sparkling cage, where the precious liquid is held captive. Just a single spritz sets free a playful aura of joy and youthfulness, flowery and sweet without being overpowering, just like the Chloé girl.

Dare to give it your all

Dare to fall in love (with Chloé)

Dare to sing!

Dare to be your(nerdy)self (◑‿◐)

Here's one of the videos made specially for the launch of the See By Chloé fragrance. There are 4 of them, but I like this one called 'Funny Trouble' because it's really cute! :3

Check out the video I made using the See By Chloé movie maker website! All you need to do is upload 3 photos and wait 90 seconds, then viola! Your very own See By Chloé video is done.

Check out my video here!

What can I say? It was love at first scent with the See By Chloé fragrance. (♥‿♥ ✿) I have always preferred floral scents over fruity or minty ones, add to that the soothing scent of sandalwood (which I love) and vanilla (yummy~) as it mellows down, and we have a winner in my book! My friends have also commented that it smells really nice, as I've been spritzing it on every time I go out for the past week. :D

Dare To Be - See By Chloé

The See By Chloé range retails at:

EDP 30ml - RM187
EDP 50ml - RM277
EDP 75ml - RM340
Shower Gel 150ml - RM109
Body Lotion 150ml - RM137
Deodorant 100ml - RM133

P/S: I even managed to find a nail polish that matched the coral See By Chloé box perfectly! （＾∀＾）

A special shoutout to TheLilacBox for giving me the opportunity to test and review this fragrance! Thank you so much, guys! Muacks~ <3

Review: Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream with SPF 40 PA++

2013-06-11T22:47:00.000+08:00

♫ Henry 헨리- TRAP (feat. Kyuhyun & Taemin)

Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream

Have you heard of Klair's? I had not, until I joined the WISHTrend community and got to know more about various Korean brands. Among the recent hype of BB and CC creams, I was glad to see a company introduce a cream that didn't claim to be any of those things (sounds so hipster, lol) and mainly focused on what was important - taking care of our skin. WISHTrend was kind enough to send me a tube of Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream (with SPF 40 PA++) to review, so read on to find out more! :D

Click for larger image

Klair's products are specifically designed and formulated according to dermatologists' recommendations, and are hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. They also practice a No Animal Testing, No Paraben and Alcohol-Free policy to produce eco-friendly products.

Note the prints inside the box. Useful to identify genuine products. :)

The product packaging

The packaging of the blemish cream is very clean and simple. The actual tube of the Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream is exactly the same as the picture on the cardboard box, except in inverted colours. I find this really cute and amusing. |･ω･｀)

Squeeze tube design

The blemish cream has a screw cap and squeeze tube design (reminds me of toothpaste ^^;;), which is great because you can totally control how much you want to use. Not so great is the screw cap, because it can be easily misplaced or get kinda dirty while you're putting on your ~~war paint~~ makeup.

Swatch (back of hand)

Upon swatching, the cream looks a shade lighter than my natural skin tone, but once blended out and left to settle for a couple of minutes, it matches my skin tone quite well. It has a slightly thicker texture than most BB creams I've used, but is still fairly easy to blend out using fingers. Check out the before and after comparison photo below:

Before & After

The 'before' photo is my prepped and primed skin, while the 'after' photo is with a layer of the Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream. As you can see, it works to reduce redness and has whitening effect.

Some of the properties of Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream:

Sun protection (SPF 40 PA++)
Whitening
Wrinkle improvement
Sebum control
No grey undertone

I'd say it has sheer-to-medium coverage, and is more suitable for fair to medium skin, even though the product claims to fit dark to light skin tones. As per usual, I love facial products that have SPF, and this cream has additional whitening function. The sebum control claim is pretty spot on, as my skin does not feel oily even after 6 hours, yet does not feel dry either.

Klair's Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream (40ml) retails for US$22.99 on WISHTrend, but you can grab it now at their Beauty Steal price of US$18.50!

（*＾3＾）/～☆

Till we meet again, 안녕 ('ahn-nyeong' goodbye!)! ー( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

*This item was sent to me by WISHTrend for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Clothingloves.net - Online Shopping at Wholesale Prices

2013-06-11T22:00:00.000+08:00

Let's admit it.

If you're like me, and spend most of your waking hours online, then more often than not you'll be stalking Facebook, watching videos, or... window shopping.

Yup, online window shopping. You can check out the latest trends, compare prices, search for bargains/sales and receive your purchases, right from the comfort of you own home. Recently, I've discovered a great site to window shop, which is ClothingLoves. Below is a collage of some of the items that caught my eye from the website. (◕‿◕✿) (Okay, except the boots. They don't sell footwear. T_T)

Edgy black, sweet florals and elegant gold

My favourite item is definitely the dainty golden wings! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Dainty golden wing earrings

Clothingloves.net not only has a huge variety of casual and work-appropriate wear for both men and women at very affordable wholesale prices, it also has a wide range of dresses and evening dresses that cater to every style and occasion. They even have a special category just for wedding apparel, perfect for ladies who want to find their dream dress for the big day (without having to fork out a few thousand bucks)!

Sign up now at their website to get 15% off your first purchase! :D

HiShop May Ambassador Surprise Pack

2013-06-07T22:01:00.000+08:00

♫ SHINee 샤이니 - Lucifer

Tadaa! Winter Blossoms' May Surprise Pack from HiShop :)

As part of the HiShop Beauty Ambassadors, I was looking forward to receiving my pink box this month, as it was supposed to be a box curated especially for each individual blogger according to their preferences. Sure enough, the parcel arrived at my doorstep right on time, and I wasted no time in opening up the bright pink box to see what surprises awaited me. (☆▽☆)

Farmasi CC Cream (Light to Medium)

In my May Surprise box, I received 3 items and 3 vouchers. The first thing that I saw was a small box covered in bubble wrap, which turned out to be a tube of Farmasi CC Cream. The shade I got is Light to Medium, which should suit my skintone. I've seen reviews of this CC cream from other bloggers who received in their previous box, but I haven't opened it to try yet.

Mircoz Premium Brightening Mask

The second item is a sheet mask, which is the Mircoz Premium Brightening Mask. I'm glad to receive this in my May box, because I've been on a mask craze lately and using sheet masks about twice a week. The mask is described as "the ultimate powerful mask with whitening and moisturizing effects" on the HiShop website, and retails at RM 35.00 per piece ━Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)━ so I definitely have some high hopes for this mask.

Twistband in Red

Last but not least was this interesting little piece of 'cloth', which is actually a Twistband. I'd heard of Twistbands before from overseas bloggers, but felt kinda skeptical of how good it was, since to me it just looked like a regular hair tie. I usually use a big clip to keep my hair up, but after using this Twistband for a few days, I really liked it! It was very soft, extremely stretchy, didn't leave marks in my hair even after leaving it in a ponytail for the whole day.

My only complaint was that my Twistband was damaged when I received it (see the hole there?) and the knot immediately came undone even before I'd taken it out from the paper holder. >_< Had no choice but to re-tie it with a dead knot.

Discount vouchers

As usual, they also included discount vouchers for White.my, MilkADeal and HiShop. ::)

Pinky red theme for May Surprise box! :P

I quite liked the contents of my May Ambassador Surprise Pack, although I was slightly disappointed that I didn't receive any of the Jelly Pong Pong products. (ᴗ˳ᴗ) Also, did you notice that my entire box had a sort of red/pink theme going on?! (≧∇≦)

If you like any of the products here, just head on over to HiShop.my and use the code HISURPRISE to get RM20 off any purchase (minimum RM99).

That's all for today! Hmm... I wonder what surprises the June surprise box will bring. ;)

Review: Mentholatum Lip Pure (Orange) Lip Balm

2013-06-05T12:58:00.001+08:00

♫ OneFM

I'm back again, with another lip balm to share with you! :) I've been using it alternately with the Maxilip lip balm, and there are a few differences between the two, which I'll mention in the post, so keep reading on to find out what they are. ( ﾉ^ω^)ﾉ

Mentholatum Lip Pure lip balm

Lip Pure Orange variant

Introducing the Mentholatum Lip Pure lip balm, which now comes in an Orange variant in addition to the original Fragrance Free variant.

Some info about the Lip Pure Orange lip balm

The Lip Pure lip balm is formulated with handpicked ingredients from all over the world, giving lips the best natural lip care and keeping it healthy and moisturized all day long. The key ingredients of Lip Pure Orange include:

Natural Beeswax (South America)
Has emollient, soothing and softening properties; helps to retain moisture and prevent dry, chapped lips
Shea Butter (Africa)
Helps lips regain its natural elasticity by locking in moisture for long-lasting hydration
Olive Oil (Italy)
Helps reduce fine lines, prevents dryness and chapping, keeps lips soft and supple; excellent for extra dry and sensitive skin
Macadamia Seed Oil (Australia)
Provides nourishment, repair and moisturization
Natural Phytosqualane (France)
Creates a natural shield to protect lips from irritation, hydrates lips and easily absorbed.
Vitamin E
Anti-oxidant which fights free radicals that damage skin, soothe lip damage caused by sun, wind and excessive dryness

Simple off-white packaging

Similar to Maxilip, the Lip Pure (Orange) lip balm comes in a simple off-white plastic tube with "Lip Pure" printed on the cover. This makes it light and convenient to carry around.

Lip Pure (Orange) lip balm

The lip balm itself is colourless, but gives a nice shine to the lips when applied. This orange variant has a very light and pleasant orange fragrance. I'm not a fan of oranges, but I find myself liking the orange-y scent because it really does uplift your senses and mood. (⊙ω⊙)

Again, as it is a transparent lip balm, I can only show you how it has helped to make my lips more smooth and moisturized.

Lip Pure lip swatch

Just like the Maxilip, I love how this Lip Pure lip balm helps to make my lips soft, smooth and moisturized. Although colourless and tasteless, it has a very nice, light orange scent that helps to uplift your mood. However, it does feel a bit greasy, which I (strangely) like, LOL. （＾～＾） I don't apply this before going to bed though, as the slick feeling feels kinda weird when you're going sleep. I know, I'm weird like that. (×_×;）

I love re-applying this lip balm, whenver and wherever :P

Mentholatum lip balms were the first ever lip balms I used (back in primary/secondary school) and although they were nice, I didn't like the menthol scent and taste, so I stopped using them. After using the Maxilip and Lip Pure lip balms, I'm happy to say I'm really impressed with how their products have improved, particularly by taking into consideration customers who dislike the minty menthol feeling.

✓ Pros: Does not contain preservatives and colorants, affordable, simple and convenient packaging, pleasant orange scent
✗ Cons: Feels a bit greasy/slick on the lips

The Lip Pure lip balm (Fragrance Free and Orange variants) retails for RM 14.90 at all major pharmacies and hypermarkets.

*This item was sent to me by Mentholatum Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Review: Mentholathum Maxilip Caviar Anti-Ageing Lip Balm

2013-06-03T22:12:00.002+08:00

♫ EXO 엑소 - 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)

As you probably know by now, I'm a lip product junkie, which is why most of my reviews are about lipstick or lipgloss. :P However, using all these lip products on a daily basis isn't very good for my lips, even more so when I have to take lip swatch photos.

Mentholatum Maxilip anti-ageing lip balm

The secret to having smooth, moisturized lips? Lip balm! (⌒o⌒) Today I'll be reviewing the Mentholatum Maxilip Caviar Lip Balm.

The Maxilip lip balm comes in a simple white plastic tube with the words "Maxilip" printed in silver. Nothing fancy, but it's convenient to carry around even in a small handbag. The white colour actually makes it easier to locate, especially in the dark recesses of a bag or among a bunch of lipsticks.

The lip balm is colourless, tasteless and scent-free. I particularly appreciate that it has no menthol taste or smell whatsoever, because I dislike the scent and sensation on my lips. ┐(‘～`；)┌

See the pink center?

The picture on the packaging shows that the lip balm has a pink caviar center. However, the pink inner layer is not as obviously pink as shown. No big deal though, since it is a transparent lip balm.

Details of the Maxilip Caviar Lip Balm

Inner and outer layer of Maxilip

The outer layer of the Maxilip is infused with ceramide which helps to lock in moisture, while the inner layer is formulated with 3 anti-ageing ingredients:

Caviar (anti-ageing, brightening, reduce fine lines)
Olive oil (moisture without feeling greasy)
Hyaluronic acid (long lasting hydration)

There's nothing much to show by way of a lip swatch, since the lip balm is colourless, but a single application does show that it really helps to moisturize my dry, chapped lips.

Before and After (first application)

Overall, I recommend this lip balm for everyday use as it works well to keep my lip smooth, supple and moisturized. One of the things I like about it is that it does not have any menthol scent or taste (which most Mentholatum lip products seem to have), and is virtually scentless and tasteless. It also does not feel greasy on the lips, and lasts around 4-5 hours. I usually apply this lip balm under lipstick, or before going bed so that I wake up with nice smooth lips. (✿ ♥‿♥)

✓ Pros: Does not contain fragrances, preservatives and colorants, affordable, simple and convenient packaging
✗ Cons: Only sold at Watsons (for now)

The Maxilip Caviar lip balm retails exclusively at Watsons at RM 15.90, while the Maxilip Original is sold at all major pharmacies and hypermarkets.

*This item was sent to me by Mentholatum Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

April & May 2013 Empties

2013-05-31T12:35:00.000+08:00

♫ 张杰 - 突然想爱你

I've never done a monthly empties post before, mainly because I usually just throw away a product after I've finished using it. However, after reading so many empties post from fellow bloggers, I decided it would be fun to share my thoughts on some of the products I've used. Who knows, it might come in useful to you. ;)

April-May 2013 empties

These are some of the products I've used up from April and May. Most of them are sample/travel sized items, except for the big orange container. Read on to find out what they are and what I think of them! :P

1. Kérastase Reflection K Bain Chroma Riche shampoo
This shampoo is described as a "luminous softening shampoo for highlighted or sensitised colour-treated hair". I started using this because I recently dyed my hair and wanted to make sure the colour didn't fade so fast. To my surprise, this not only helped the dye last longer, it also made my hair softer and less dry and frizzy! ♥

2. Kérastase Elixir Ultime Serum
This hair serum/oil is similar to L'Oreal Mythic Oil, and has pretty much the same effect. Makes hair smoother, shinier and less frizzy. However, it is more expensive than the Mythic Oil.

3. Kiss Me Medicated Hand Cream
I received this as a sample when I bought the Kiss Me eyeliner. It smells very strongly of medicated herbs (similar to Tiger Balm or medicated oils), which I dislike. The hand cream itself is thick and very moisturizing, but tends to feel a bit oily until it is fully absorbed into skin, after which it leaves your hands feeling silky smooth and soft. Great if you love these scents, not so great if you dislike it. More suitable for use in cold weather.

4. Bio-Energy Firm & Brighten Eye Cream with SPF 15
I don't really see any difference/improvements after using this eye cream. What I liked was that it has SPF 15, and the cream has a light and easily absorbed texture.

5. Bioré UV Aqua Rich with SPF50+ PA+++
This sunblock looks like a cream but applies like a gel, and has a cooling sensation during application. Pleasant scent and easily absorbed, but for some reason, I dislike applying it on my face. Applying it on arms/legs is okay for me though. I still prefer the Bioré Face Milk as a sunblock for face.

6. Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution
As a frequent contact lens user, I find that this multi-purpose solution works really well with all my contact lenses. It doesn't irritate my eyes, and my lenses don't feel dry even after more than 6 hours.

7. Essential Ultra Honey and Shea Butter Rich Premier Intensive Hair Mask
This is my 2nd or 3rd jar of this hair mask, so you can probably guess that I love this product. If your hair feels dry or frizzy, this will definitely help a lot! My only peeve is that it isn't sold in Malaysia. >_<

That's all for today! Hope you enjoyed my first ever 'monthly empties' post! (^o^)

Review: Canmake Brown Eyeliner (Liquid)

2013-05-29T22:28:00.000+08:00

♫ 東方神起 - I Know

Canmake Brown Eyeliner

If you've read my previous eyeliner reviews, you'll know that I'm a big fan of brown eyeliner. To me, brown eyeliner is not as harsh as black, and gives a softer, more natural look. I received this Canmake Brown Eyeliner in the goodie bag from the Canmake workshop.

Canmake Brown Eyeliner outer packaging

Described as a 'sweet angelic brown'

Canmake products always give me a very pink princessy impression, and this eyeliner did not disappoint. It comes packaged in a pink plastic box with lots of Japanese words, which I unfortunately cannot understand. (^_^;) However, from the description at the bottom and the explanation during the workshop, I gather that this particular eyeliner's brown shade is mixed with a bit of red to give a 'sweet angelic' look, which is perfect for kawaii makeup.

Canmake Brown Eyeliner

The pen-type eyeliner is brown with golden wording and accents. Pretty, effective and convenient.

Felt tip eyeliner

It is a felt tip liquid eyeliner, which is slightly thicker than the brush type eyeliners I use. You can still draw pretty fine lines with it though, as the tip is quite firm and tapers to a point.

Canmake Brown Eyeliner (liquid) swatch

Above is a swatch of the Canmake Brown Eyeliner. As you can see, the brown has a hint of red in it. One swipe yields the result you see above, so it is very pigmented indeed (yay!). It dries to a matte finish.

Here's a comparison swatch:

Canmake is the most vivid and pigmented, while Kiss Me is much darker. Kate is very watery and the least pgimented.
Now for the water test!

I used a wet cotton pad and wiped the swatches twice. Not exactly waterproof. Canmake had the best staying power, followed by Kiss Me and Kate.

Applied as eyeliner

Here's how it looks like when applied on the eyelids. I'd say this eyeliner shade is more suitable for black, brown, grey and green eyes (or contact lenses). I was wearing blue lenses that day, so it didn't look as nice. (¬‿¬;;)

Full (well, almost) face shot

I like how the colour is so pigmented, and dries to matte finish. The firm felt tip also makes it easy to draw flick it at the end for the classic winged look. :)

The eyeliner lasted a good 6 hours on my eyelids without fading or smudging. It even survived a non-air conditioned steamboat dinner, so I daresay the lasting power is pretty amazing. o(≧∇≦o)

Canmake Brown Eyeliner retails at RM46.90 and is available at most SaSa Malaysia outlets.

✓ Pros: Long lasting, pigmented, smudge-proof, vivid colour, natural brown shade suitable for natural/cute makeup, matte finish (good for oily skin), reasonable price.
✗ Cons: Cannot draw extremely fine lines, not completely waterproof.

*This item was provided by Canmake Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Experience @ STRIP Ministry of Waxing

2013-05-26T15:48:00.000+08:00

♫ 동방신기 - 인생은 빛났다 (Viva)

Monkeys are hairy, but we don't have to be! :P

If you're a frequent waxer, or considered going for waxing, then chances are you've probably heard of STRIP Ministry of Waxing. I've done waxing there before, and the service, outlet ambiance and staff professionalism really impressed me.

Interior of the outlet

A couple of weeks back, I visited the Bangsar branch of STRIP to try out their IPL underarm treatment.

Staircase to STRIP Bangsar. Do you notice sexy Marilyn? ;)

A very homey, vintage ambiance at the Bangsar store :)

What is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment?
IPL is an advanced semi-permanent hair reduction method which uses specially filtered beams of pulse light to disintegrate unwanted hair from the root. This technique delays the growth of new hair and furthermore, a percentage of hair may not re-grow. At the same time it aids in the lightening of skin pigmentation and aids in diminishing ingrown hair issues. Not to be mistaken with laser hair removal, IPL is a way more comfortable treatment.

STRIP's treatment rooms

Cute lil squishy friends if you need some 'pain support' while waxing, lol!

All the treatment rooms in STRIP are furnished according to the outlet's theme. :D I was led to a small but cozy room by my 'waxpert'. I love the scent in the rooms, which come from both the aromatherapy burner in the corner as well as the different waxes (orange and chocolate, anyone? :P) used for waxing.

STRIP's specially customized IPL machine equipment

There are different grades of IPL machines in the industry, and STRIP has the Ferrari of IPL machines! These IPL machines used at STRIP are specially made and customised to STRIP's standards, which ensure that customers get the best experience and optimal results for every session. ｡.:*☆ (⌒▽⌒)☆

Media articles for you to browse (and to showcase STRIP's achievements, lol)

I expected the treatment to last about 30 mins, but to my surprise, it took only about 5 minutes, and was relatively painless! Each time the pulse light went off, it just felt like a teeny weeny ant bite, and both underarms were done in (almost literally) a flash! （＾∀＾）The treatment will only show results after a few days (unlike waxing which is instant) but it really does work! It's been a couple of weeks since the treatment, and I already see results - underarm pigmentation is slightly reduced and less hair growth.

With the signature STRIP orang utan :D

6 sessions are all you need to be hair-free! The interval between each session is about 4-6 weeks, after which you can kiss goodbye to your hair woes for about 2 years or more (as it is a semi-permanent treatment). Even laser hair removal treatments are not completely permanent, and costs a bomb compared to IPL.

	IPL	Laser
How It Works	Broad-spectrum heat energy	Focused point heat energy
Effectiveness	Up to 80% hair reduction	Up to 80% hair reduction
Cost (scale of 1-5)	3.5	5
Pain Factor (scale of 1-5)	1	4
Speed of Treatment	Fast due to big area per pulse	Slow due to small area per pulse
Safety	Generally safe with no side effects	Dangerous to operate, subject to burns
Side Benefits	Reduces occurrence of ingrown hair, lightens pigmentation	Reduces occurrence of ingrown hair

Picture credits: STRIP

Why should I go to STRIP for IPL?

STRIP is an established brand with 35 stores in 9 cities worldwide (and expanding!)
STRIP has completed over 500,000 successful IPL treatments for customers all over the world
The IPL machines are propriety to STRIP and have been customised for maximum comfort and effectiveness.

The Verdict
IPL is more comfortable then laser treatments (for both you and your wallet ≧∇≦), and a much longer-lasting solution to waxing (without the ripping-off-a-band-aid sensation)!

Strike a pose with Marilyn, tag STRIP Kuala Lumpur and post it on the STRIP Facebook page to enjoy your special IPL treatment offer! :D

From now until 30 June 2013, first trial customers can enjoy the following IPL offers:

IPL Brazilian treatment @ RM188 (usual price RM900)
IPL Bottom Half Leg treatment @ RM188 (usual price RM900)
IPL Underarm treatment @ RM88 (usual price RM450)
IPL Upper Lip treatment @ RM38 (usual price RM112)

This offer extends to customers of STRIP who have done waxing before but not IPL treatments, so if you're a STRIP regular, you should definitely consider giving their IPL treatment a try! (ノ*゜▽゜*)ノ

STRIP's specially customised IPL equipment

STRIP outlets in the Klang Valley are located at Solaris Dutamas, Bangsar, The Curve, Sunway Pyramid and Lot 10. You can visit the STRIP website for more details, and also interact with their friendly staff via the STRIP Facebook page.

Review: NYX Love in Paris Eyeshadow Palette in "Merci Beaucoup"

2013-05-24T19:26:00.000+08:00

♫ Fuying & Sam - 分开以后

NYX Love in Paris collection

Thanks to Blanc to Noir, I was given the opportunity to review several NYX items of my choice to review, so today I'll be showing you the NYX Love in Paris eyeshadow palette in "Merci Beaucoup". 'Merci beaucoup' means 'thank you very much' in French. ( ｡◕‿◕｡)

NYX Love in Paris palette - Merci Beaucoup

Click to enlarge photo

The NYX Love in Paris eyeshadow palettes are housed in a shiny black plastic flip case with a large clear window in front, which makes it easy to see which shades are inside. It is fairly light but sturdy, and the lid closes firmly so it won't accidentally open. However, I highly recommend you try not to drop it on the floor. (⌒_⌒;)

Small safety seal at the side

The first time I tried to open the palette, I was surprised when it wouldn't open. Then I realized that there was a black NYX safety seal sticker at the side, which was cleverly camouflaged with the black plastic casing. I love this little feature, as it assures you that the product is brand new and not tampered with.

Love the pretty bow detail <3

What I love about the NYX Love in Paris palettes is the cute little bow detail at the snap closure part. Isn't it adorable?! (✿♥‿♥)

I've reviewed NYX's lipstick before, but have never tried any of their eye makeup products before, so I decided to pick a neutral palette as they'd be more practical for everyday use. I chose the NYX Love in Paris palette in "Merci Beaucoup" because it contains a good mix of nude, brown and pink shades for mixing and matching, suitable for day to night looks. :) It comes with a double-ended sponge applicator.

Here's a closer look at the 9 shades of the "Merci Beaucoup" palette:

And here are the swatches of the eyeshadows:

Top row

Shimmery champagne

Shimmery brown

Shimmery pink nude

Middle row

Matte brown

Shimmery dark brown

Shimmery salmon pink

Bottom row

Matte brown-black

Matte cream

Shimmery brick red

The colours are generally very pigmented (except for the three matte shades) and glide on very smoothly without any fallout. My favourites are the brown in the top row and the shimmery dark brown and pink in the middle row. The shimmery red in the bottom row is also very pretty, but the colour doesn't really suit my skintone for some reason. （；￣д￣）

Simple neutral eye makeup

Here's a quick and simple look I did for a lunch date with my BFF yesterday. :) Pictures above are about 8 hours after, and the colours still look quite fresh with minimal fading. Quite amazing, really, because I didn't apply any primer underneath. ∑(O_O；)

If you're looking for a versatile yet affordable eyeshadow palette with a variety of colours and good colour payoff, I cannot recommend the NYX Love in Paris collection enough. There are several different palettes to choose from, each with 9 coordinated shades that compliment each other. The palette is small and light, great for traveling, and comes in cute and user-friendly packaging. (*^▽^*)

You can purchase the NYX Love in Paris palettes from B2N, along with lots of other NYX products.

*This item was sent to me by Blanc to Noir for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Mivva Box May 2013 Edition

2013-05-21T18:49:00.002+08:00

♫ Singer - Song title

Remember the introduction to Mivva Box I did a while back? Well, it's finally time for me to review my first ever (official) Mivva Box! :D I had previously won a Mivva Box from a giveaway, but did not review it as it was already a backdated box by the time I received it. >_<

Love the new box design! :)

Earlier this month, I received the May 2013 Mivva Box to review, which is also a special edition for Mother's Day. :) Naturally, the items inside the box are curated to suit the Mother's Day theme.

I love how the info card had a really sweet and meaningful quote on the front. 世上只有妈妈好~

A very thoughtful card and pretty tea cup was the first thing that I saw in the box. My mum is a great fan of roses (as am I) so it was perfect for her. ｡◕‿◕｡

Here's a quick glance at the beauty/skincare items in the May 2013 Mivva Box:

Mivva Box May 2013 edition

Aupres Ultimate White Extra Intensive Spot Serum (travel size)
Aupres Aqua Active Sleeping Mask (travel size)

I tried the sleeping mask overnight, and it seems to work quite well to keep my skin moisturized all night, but the spot serum made me experience some minor breakouts after using. >_<

Aupres serum and sleeping mask

Garden of Eden Jojo E Serum (5ml)

This serum contains 100% natural concentrates and essential oils, and helps to improve skin elasticity, lighten stretch marks and hydrate dry and itchy skin.

Garden of Eden Jojo E Serum

Nature's Lab Antioxidant Body Scrub

I very rarely use body scrubs, so I can't say how well this product works, but winning the Harper's Bazaar 2011 Best Body Scrub award has got to count for something, right? :D Gonna try this out soon.

Nature's Lab body scrub

O'slee Rosehip Hydra-White Cleansing Powder (30g)

This is one of the products I'm most eager to try, because it's rose-scented and a cleanser in powder form. My first ever (proper) cleansing product was also a powder cleanser, so you can say this product brings back some good memories. :P

O'slee cleansing powder

Somang Danahan RGII Premium Ex Deep Wrinkle Line Cream (sample sachet x3)

"This botox-like cream is a double functional cream for whitening and deep wrinkles." Definitely a product for ladies with aging skin concerns. (¬‿¬)

Somang Danahan RGII wrinkle cream

Claire Organics Handmade Soap - Guinness Stout

Claire handmade soaps are made using fresh and natural high-quality ingredients so it is gentle on skin. They have various 'flavours' of soap, including mulberry yoghurt, aloe vera shea butter, evening primrose, etc. This Guinness Stout soap has revitalising and anti-acne properties. :)

Claire Organics Handmade Soap

I'm pretty pleased with the contents of this May 2013 Mivva Box. Most, if not all, the items inside are great for mums and daughters alike, as well as introduced us to some new brands and products. The card and tea cup were a nice touch to highlight the special occasion.

You can subscribe to a Mivva Box for RM38 per month (they also have 3 months/6 months subscription), and you can check out their latest updates on the Mivva Facebook page.

*This item was sent to me by Mivva.com for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Canmake Spring 2013 Workshop X International Beauty Expo 2013

2013-05-20T22:30:00.000+08:00

♫ Tohoshinki - B.U.T.

Have you heard about the International Beauty Expo (IBE) 2013 held at KLCC? I attended the one last year, and it's as big (if not bigger) as ever this year. It's one of the most comprehensive exhibitions and sourcing platforms for beauty, hair, nail, cosmetics and spa professionals. I was invited by Canmake to attend their Spring 2013 workshop at IBE 2013 with several other beauty bloggers, and boy, was I glad I was there! .｡.:*☆ (⌒▽⌒)☆

The 2 Canmake marketing ladies from Japan, makeup artist sensei from Japan, and the first model :)

Canmake is a Japanese cosmetics company that was established in 1985, and is used by teenagers, office workers and professional makeup artists in Japan as all over the world. Their concept of "cute, high quality and reasonable prices" have made their products a hit in many countries, particularly Asia, and they have 831 outlets worldwide. In Japan alone, they have a few thousand outlets! Σ(゜ロ゜;)

Pink x Kawaii Style makeup points

Orange x Healthy Style makeup points

The makeup artist, Ms Toshimi, started by using the Smooth Skin Primer, Smooth Liquid Foundation and Marshmallow Finish Powder (all 3 are new products!) to create a flawless base for both models.

Applying the Smooth Liquid Foundation

Setting with the Marshmallow Finish Powder

After that, she proceeded to apply the eye makeup, followed by cheeks, and finally the lips. She demonstrated how to use the various Canmake products to achieve both Pink Sweet and Orange Natural styles, and the results are really pretty! :) The makeup trend now is the kira-kira (sparkly) 。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。eyes look, so both eyeshadow palettes used have shades that contain pink pearl pigments to give off that sparkly effect.

Pink x Sweet Kawaii style

Orange x Healthy Natural style

Most people believe that pink makeup is more suitable for those with fair skin, and orange makeup for tanned skin, but the Ms Kaori (the host) assured us that both looks can suit either types. So for us girls living in sunny countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc, don't worry, we can play with colours too! (＾▽＾)

So many cute and pretty makeup items! Beauty blogger heaven~ :D

After the demonstration, we were invited to try out the products used during the demonstration. Of course, all of us wasted no time in 'molesting' and snapping pictures of all the pretty items there! (ノ＞▽＜。)ノ

Base products

Smooth Skin Primer (new!)

Smooth Liquid Foundation (new!)

Marshmallow Finish Powder(new!)

Primer, foundation and powder

Cheeks

Cream Cheek

Powder Cheeks

Canmake's famous and bestselling Cream Cheek blusher

Powder Cheeks to layer over the Cream Cheek

Eyes

Gokubuto Mascara

Eyeshadow Base (new!)

Coloring Eyebrow

Pen Eyeliner - Perfect Black and Brown

Four Shiny Eyes (new!)

Gokubuto Mascara (bestseller) is a film type mascara that can be washed off using warm water

Canmake Eyeshadow Base

Eye makeup products

Lips

Stay-On Balm Rouge (new!)

Creamy Touch Rouge

Stay-On Balm Rouge

Creamy Touch Rouge

There are also a few more items like the Shading Powder, Jewel Star Eyes and Powder Eyebrow that I didn't manage to snap pictures of, but are part of the array of products used to achieve both makeup looks. After the demonstration and testing session was over, I requested Toshimi-sensei to teach me how to do contouring, and she very kindly showed me how as well as let me try it out myself. :D

Canmake cosmetics display

I seriously cannot resist such pink and pretty makeup display shelves! They're having 20% off all their items at IBE, so it's a great opportunity to get some pretty makeup items. :P

All of the bloggers were given a door gift at the end of the event. Just a look at what they put inside! (≧∇≦)

Blogger door gift! So cute and pink, right?

So many awesome goodies inside the goodie bag to play with! (✿ ♥‿♥)

After the workshop at the Canmake booth, I took a walk around the expo hall to see if there were any interesting items or good deals to grab. XD

I came across this booth at the Korea Pavilion, and couldn't help but be attracted by their pop art design facial mask packs. The company is called SNP, and they have all sorts of skin care products in addition to the masks.

The masks in the top photo were RM9 each, while the 4 (different design) at the bottom were RM6 each. The lady at the booth told us (I bumped into a friend and we were walking around) that their masks were widely sold in Korea but have yet to enter the Malaysian market. I'm on a mask craze lately so I decided to grab a few to try. (◠‿◠)

IBE 2013 haul

Here's my IBE 2013 haul from yesterday! Bought some nail art stuff, a couple of nail polishes from Canmake, and 3 masks from SNP.

I'm glad to be able to visit the International Beauty Expo again this year as media (hehehe) and learn more about makeup and cosmetics. If you're a beauty junkie like me looking for some good beauty deals, or just a casual consumer interested in personal grooming, why not drop by the expo and take a look? Admission is free, and you'll be able to see lots of new brands and haul some bargains (masks, anyone?) from the expo. Tomorrow (21st May 2013) is the last day, and IBE is from 11am - 7pm at KLCC, so there's still time!

Thank you so much to Canmake for inviting me to the blogger event at IBE, and kudos to the Canmake representatives for their hard work, especially the cute and friendly Kaori-san! :D I definitely enjoyed the workshop, and look forward to reviewing the items from the goodie bag! (｡♥‿♥｡)

Review: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Red Porcelain

2013-05-14T01:08:00.000+08:00

♫ Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble

(Picture source: The Brigade)

Mention pin-up girl, and the first thing that comes to mind is the colour red. Not just any red, but a fiery red-red that just oozes confidence and sexiness.

Red Porcelain by Maybelline ColorSensational

That's exactly the kind of red that is Maybelline's Color Sensational lipstick in Red Porcelain. Now, I'm definitely a pink lipstick kind of girl, and I've never tried such a bright, vibrant red lipstick before in my entire life, so this is a first for me. (⊙﹏⊙)

Transparent red cover

This is what the lipstick tube looks like after unwrapping the outer plastic layer. The cover is a bright transparent red that corresponds to the colour of the lipstick inside (as do the other lipsticks from the ColorSensational range). Too bad that the pretty black flower motif isn't printed on the tube. :(

Shade name and number

The bottom of the lipstick, where the lipstick shade, number and manufacturing date are indicated. Red Porcelain is RP41.

Bright red!

Hand swatch of Red Porcelain

Red Porcelain is a vibrant cool-toned red that claims to suit every skin tone. To me, it seems to lean slightly orange, making it more vibrant than any of the usual reds. I guess that's what they call a true classic red, right?
Lip swatches below.

Lip swatches: Before & After

Try out this lipstick and you will know the true meaning of opaque. Seriously, Red Porcelain is hands down the most pigmented lipstick I've ever tried! Two swipes is enough to achieve the result you see in the lip swatches above. ∑(O_O；) It is super glossy too, so you don't need any lip gloss at all.

However, you will most likely need to use a lip brush to touch up the edges, as bright red shades like this can get messy. ^^;;

（★ｏ★）

I am not one to use red lipstick on a daily basis, as I feel that it's too bold for me, but this one is perfect for special occasions. :3 The lipstick is very creamy and moisturizing, and gives a super glossy, shiny effect so you don't even need gloss. Plus, it's super long-lasting, and leaves behind a gorgeous red stain even after eating and drinking. This is one lipstick that you don't need to touch up!

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Red Porcelain

✓ Pros: Extremely pigmented, long-lasting, creamy, moisturizing, affordable price, colour is suitable for all skin tones.
✗ Cons: Will stain upon contact, recommended to use a lip brush to touch up edges after application.
The Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks retail at RM29.90 in Malaysia.

XOXO, Laura

Are you a red-lippie lover? How or when do you rock your red lipstick? Tell me in the comments, I'd love to know! :D

VanityTrove Malaysia - Awesome Wholesome (May) Edition

2013-05-07T15:02:00.002+08:00

♫ Romantic Punch - 레디메리Go! (Ready-Merry-Go!)

Ready for a peaceful journey to channel your inner zen and bring out your outer beauty? Well, it's time to go organic!

Awesome Wholesome May edition

"Awesome Wholesome" is the theme for this month's VanityTrove Malaysia. I, for one, am not really the type to go for organic skincare products, mainly because I stick with my usual skincare routine and prefer trying out all types of cosmetics (not many are organic).

The first thing that hit me when I opened this month's trove was the scent. It smelled very fresh and herbal, reminiscent of aromatherapy spas.

Items inside the May VanityTrove Malaysia

Without further ado, let's take a look at what's inside the trove!

Pure South Organic Body Lotion with Fresh Goat's Milk (deluxe sample size, approx 50ml)

Scented with native Australian plant extracts and pure essentials, this lotion is suitable for both face and body, and has a light, non-greasy texture that is easily absorbed. I'm not quite sure how to describe the scent (besides using the word organic), but it's nice if you like that sorta thing. (^_^;)

Schwarzkopf Essensity Natural Shine Serum (full-size, 50ml)

I can never pronounce this brand name correctly. (╥_╥) This serum contains a combination of organic essences of sesame and olive oils to improve quality of hair. Say goodbye to frizzy, flyaway hair and hello to smooth, shiny hair! Haven't tried this out yet, as I am still using this hair oil to nurse my hair back to health, lol.

Avene Thermale Spring Water (50ml)

This is probably the only product in the trove that I have seen and heard of, but never tried before. This face mist is suitable even for sensitive skin, and helps to soothe and soften skin. Can be used as often as necessary, which is great for ladies who study/work in air-conditioned areas. :)

Heaven on Earth Essential Oil - Lavender (sample size, 1.5ml)

This essential oil is made of steam distilled Lavandula Angustifolia flowers of French origin, and can help to promote sleep, balance tone skin, reduce anxiety/aches and soothe insect bites. I usually use essential oils with an aroma burner bowl, but the brochure also suggests that you can mix a few drops with 100ml of water, place in a spray bottle and use it as a room refresher. You can even spray it on your pillow to aid sleep! Definitely gonna try that out. :D

Tilley Goat's Milk Soap (full size, single)

This wonderfully creamy goat's milk soap bar is chemical free and enriched with skin conditioning ingredients such as organic shea butter, organic jojoba oil and organic cocoa butter. One look at this soap bar, and I knew my mum would love using it. (◕‿◕✿)

There were also vouchers from HiShop, Mary Chia and TNS Skinlab in this month's trove. :)

VanityTrove Malaysia "Awesome Wholesome" May edition

I must say that this month's VanityTrove Malaysia is definitely a success. Even though I'm not really into organic products, I appreciate the variety of different brands and items in the trove. There were even 3 full-sized products, which is really rare in a beauty box. All the items also fit the wholesome organic theme really well, which I give two thumbs up! d(^_^)b

Looking forward to more awesome troves! :D

Eager for more beautiful surprises to arrive at your doorstep each month? Subscribe to VanityTrove Malaysia now, or check out their Facebook page for more updates! ;)

*This item was sent to me by VanityTrove Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

505 - Malaysia's Big Day

2013-05-05T17:45:00.000+08:00

5 May 2013

Today is the day Malaysia decides her government for the next 5 years. 5 years that can drastically change our beautiful nation, for better or for worse.

By the time I finish typing this post, the polling stations will have closed (5.00 pm) and everybody will be waiting with bated breath for the results to start trickling in.

Today is the first time I'm exercising my voting rights as a Malaysian citizen. I don't think I'm a particularly politically involved person. Sure, I do share the occasional GE13 post on Facebook, and laugh at the various "Ini karilah!" jokes, but that's about it.

Taken from my Instagram

The thing is, today reminds me a lot of a few other notable days in Malaysia's recent history. Remember the Bersih 2.0 rally in 2011? Or last year's badminton finals for the Olympics? Scrolling through my Facebook news feed, I am strongly reminded of these events that made Malaysia a topic of conversation, both online and offline, among strangers and countrymen alike.

Why, you ask? Just one word: unity. It is during times like this that I truly appreciate how our countrymen, despite the differences in culture, race, language, can come together to fight for something that we believe in. How we can all work together to achieve a common goal, and to protect something that we love (whether we realize it or not) - Malaysia.

Rain or shine, ain't gonna stop people from voting!

Just like on the day of the Bersih rally, or during the badminton match between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei, the support and encouragement of citizens from all walks of life is touching indeed. Scrolling through Facebook, we can see so many photos, stories, messages that inspire us to hope for a better tomorrow. (All the cries of foul play, however, is another topic entirely, and will probably result in a full-on rant, which isn't the point of this post, so yeah. Not gonna go there.)

These are just some really amazing things from various parts of the country that were shared on Facebook.

Supporters from Penang staying back after voting to make sure the polls stayed clean.

More people from other places protecting their right to a fair and clean election.

This lady who came to vote on her wedding day (in her beautiful wedding gown, no less)!

Elderly voters who were bedridden but determined to cast their vote.

Even Nik Aziz, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, has to line up just like anybody else to cast his vote.

Lots of overseas citizens also came back to cast their vote, or voted via post, and voiced their thoughts on the election. Even our local celebrities/singers who are now based in other parts of Asia also came back to vote! Remember, every vote counts! :)

Photos taken from respective artists' official Facebook pages

Now, the only thing we can do is wait for the results, and hope for a better Malaysia. I wonder how this election will turn out, with the eyes of the global media on our little country. *fingers crossed*

Sorry, cat, you're not eligible to vote, even though you're over 21 in cat years. (╯_╰)

Review: Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow in 070 Mauvie Star

2013-05-04T11:00:00.000+08:00

♫ SHINee - Fire

Remember my beauty swap post from last year? Well, the cream eyeshadow I'm reviewing in this post is one of the items I received from the swap. :D (I know, it's been ages since that post.)

Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow

Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadows are said to be good dupes for Chanel's famous Apparence Illusion d'Ombre Eyeshadows. This particular shade, 070 Mauvie Star, is said to resemble the Chanel Apparence Illusion d'Ombre in #83 Illusoire, but I can't compare them since I don't have the latter (nor the moolah to buy it lol).

Before the swatches, let me show you the packaging!

Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow packaging

Compared to the Maybelline Color Tattoos, this Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow is slightly smaller in diameter but almost twice the height of the Color Tattoos. It also has 5g (20% more product) in comparison to the Color Tattoos' 4g. The pot itself is made from sturdy, heavy clear plastic with a solid black screw lid. No worries about this baby shattering upon impact (or messing up your cosmetics bag)!

Close-up so you can see the pretty shimmer + colour shift!

Love the soft, creamy texture

The eyeshadow is very soft and creamy to the touch, and blends out really very well. It is quite pigmented, but if you over-blend it, the pretty grey-mauve colour will disappear and you'll be left with the glittery shimmer. I recommend layering it to get a stronger colour, and blending it out if you want a subtle shimmery look. :)

Swatches (2 swipes)

It's a great eyeshadow for both day and night, as you can layer it for a deeper shade. My camera couldn't capture the fine shimmer properly (refer top swatch), which is really pretty. Mauvie Star can look grey, brown, mauve, or taupe, depending on different angles and lighting conditions, which makes it a very unique eyeshadow shade. ♥

Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadow in 070 Mauvie Star

It's no wonder that cream eyeshadows are becoming the rage among beauty junkies lately. They typically wear longer on the lids, don't require a primer and have better colour payoff compared to powder eyeshadows, plus they're easy to carry around without making a mess in your bag.

You can check out the Catrice Made To Stay Longlasting Eyeshadows from their website. Unfortunately, Catrice is currently unavailable in Malaysia, but their sister brand Essence Cosmetics can be found in selected Parkson and Watsons outlets.

So tell me, what's your favourite cream eyeshadow at the moment? ;)

Malaysia International Gifts & Premiums Expo (MIGP)

2013-05-03T14:38:00.002+08:00

Do you love retail therapy during your free time? Never one to miss an opportunity to window shop? Can't resist going into shops because you saw something cute and quirky? Well then, the Malaysia International Gifts & Premiums (MIGP) Expo next week is just the place for you!

Malaysia International Gifts & Premiums (MIGP) Expo 2013

Date

13 - 15 May 2013 (Monday - Wednesday)

Time

10.00 am - 6.00 pm

Venue

Hall 4, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)

Admission

Visitors aged 18 and above

"If you want to delight someone, give them a gift."

This saying is a driving force in the gift and premium industry. The art of gifting has been practiced on a personal and corporate level. Companies present gifts and premiums to show their appreciation to their customers and partners as well as for branding and incentive programs.

MIGP Expo 2013 is making its comeback as the 3-day intensive business gathering for gift & premium suppliers to showcase their latest range of products to potential customers from the corporate and public sector. It is the event where potential buyers visit to source for new gift ideas and meet the industry suppliers face-to-face.

For more information visit http://www.migp.com.my.

Review: L'Oréal Professionnel Couture Edition Mythic Oil by Dilek Hanif

2013-05-02T18:51:00.002+08:00

♫ 林俊杰 - 友人说（feat. 怀秋）

It's not often that I do a hair product review, but this is one item I just need to share with my lovely readers! My hair is in serious need of some major TLC, so this review opportunity came at just the right time. (Thank you, WonderBox Malaysia! ♥) Say hello to my new friend, the L'Oréal Professionnel Couture Edition Mythic Oil by Dilek Hanif!

Turkish fashion designer, Dilek Hanif

So, who is Dilek Hanif?
Dilek Hanif is a Turkish fashion designer who has been introducing her collections in Paris since 2004, and conquering the international fashion stage with her distinctive aesthetic approach, half-way between the elegance of the Ottoman culture and the glamour of contemporary style. Today Dilek is a designer-entrepreneur that conveys the values and the tradition of her country with great energy and talent, and is thus recognized as one of the most representative figures of modern Turkey and of the valuable creative connection between the East and the West.

Take a look at some of her fashion designs, which inspired the creation of the Couture Edition Mythic Oil. My favourite is the short black dress! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Mythic Oil Couture Edition fashion inspiration

What inspired Dilek Hanif when designing this special Couture Edition Mythic Oil?
"My inspiration came from my SS 2012 Couture collection presented in Paris Fashion Week. I based the design on the colours and patterns that I used in my collection. I maximized black and gold shades, playing also with transparencies to gain on elegance, mystery, femininity and modernity but keeping the oriental inspiration, which is also a key identity sign of Mythic Oil. I decided to add a bracelet of Ottoman inspiration for the product to be even more luxurious."

Mythic Oil Couture Edition by Dilek Hanif

The word "luxurious" certainly came to mind when I first saw the gorgeous black and gold box nestled inside the elegant black and gold paper bag. (☆▽☆)

Couture Edition Mythic Oil by Dilek Hanif

The outer box packaging is made from plastic, and has the signature Dilek Hanif Ottoman-inspired design embossed on it. There is a small round clear window which enables you to see the bottle inside, and the unique bracelet included with the couture edition Mythic Oil.

Mythic Oil Couture Edition bottle

The bottle which contains the Mythic Oil itself is made from plastic, and holds 125ml of product. The special bracelet is tied at the top of the bottle, where it can be seen through the outer box's clear window. :)

Close-up of the bracelet

Here's a closer look at the pretty bracelet. The charm itself is very thin and light, and comes with an adjustable rope bracelet.

Mythic Oil pump dispenser

The Mythic Oil is a clear liquid, not golden (that's the bottle colour)

The bottle has a pump dispenser, which is my favourite type for liquid products. In the photo above, you can see the amount of product that is dispensed from one pump. The oil itself is clear; the golden tinge is the bottle colour itself.

Now for the results! Pics or it didn't happen, right? o(｀ω´*)o
Do note that my hair is thick, naturally wavy (which makes for bad hair days more often than not), frizzy and been through several dye jobs, thus rather dry and damaged especially at the ends. (⌒_⌒;)

Instructions: Depending on hair type, dispense 1-2 pumps into your hand and apply to dry or damp hair. I use around 3 pumps for my hair.

I applied the oil in the afternoon, on dry hair. 1st application is before I washed my hair at night.

First application

The pictures below are taken the next day after the 1st application. I washed my hair the night before, after the 1st application the previous afternoon.

2nd and 3rd application of Mythic Oil

The oil, which is a blend of avocado oil and grape seed oil, among other nourishing ingredients, smells very nice. It is easily absorbed into hair, has a very nice lightweight texture, and does not feel oily or sticky on the hands. I could definitely feel my hair become softer and look more glossy just after the first application! (*⌒∇⌒*)

Here are some DIY steps to your very own Mythic Blow Dry:
Step 1: Section hair into eight sections after shampooing and tower drying.
Step 2: Warm your Mythic Oil blend in the palms of your hands. Apply to each section, starting from the ends and working your way to the crown.
Step 3: Leave for two minutes to allow it to penetrate before blow-drying. Style as usual. Hair has never looked this gorgeous, healthy and shiny!

The Verdict?

I am absolutely in love with this Mythic Oil! (≧∇≦)♥ My hair hasn't felt so smooth and silky, not to mention looking glossy and healthy, in a long time, so I'm really looking forward to some "good hair days" ahead.

L'Oréal Professionnel Mythic Oil (125ml) retails at RM75 in all L’Oréal Professionnel salons nationwide. For your nearest L’Oréal Professionnel salon, contact the L’Oréal Professionnel Hotline at 03-7727 2215 or log on to www.lorealprofessionnel.com. You can also find out more about the Mythic Oil hair care range at the L'Oreal website.

*This item was sent to me by WonderBox Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

A Surprise Welcome from HiShop!

2013-04-30T18:01:00.004+08:00

♫ TVXQ - Easy Mind

A couple of weeks back, I received an email from HiShop Malaysia inviting me to be one of their Beauty Ambassadors. Being a total beauty junkie, I of course happily agreed. (。⌒∇⌒)。

Last week, a mysterious package from HiShop appeared at my doorstep. Hmm... I wonder what's inside? (¬‿¬)

HiShop Beauty Welcome Box

One look at the bright pink box, and you can guess that it's for girls. :P

What is HiShop?
HiShop [pronounced as 'hai-shop'] is an online beauty and cosmetics store. They carry only genuine products, and their main philosophy is the belief that beauty can and should be made accessible for everyone - anytime and anywhere.

HiShop Beauty Welcome Kit

Okay, now that you've been formally introduced to HiShop, let me show you what I received in my welcome kit! :)

Deoproce Hydro Green Tea Face Mist (100ml)

The first item that caught my eye is the Deoproce Hydro Green Tea Face Mist. It comes in a 100ml mist spray bottle, and retails at RM19.90. The product is made in Korea, and even though the packaging is simple, the mist smells really, really nice! The details at the back are all written in Hangul though, so I can't understand a word of it. ^^;;

As a self-confessed lip product lover, I'm really glad to see this Bloop LV Lip Gloss (shade 215) in my welcome box. The simple tube packaging contains 2.5g of lip gloss, and retails at RM28.00. There are 8 shades of lip gloss to choose from, but I'm glad they sent me this one because it's a pretty pink gloss with tiny pink and purple shimmer. (*⌒∇⌒*)ﾉ

Nature & Co Pure White Lotion Light; Nature & Co Pure White Milky Lotion Light

Nature & Co Vital Purity Lift Mask

I also received two Nature & Co sample packs, which includes the Pure White Lotion Light (toner) and Pure White Milky Lotion Light (moisturizer), as well as the Nature & Co Vital Purity Lift Mask. I've always been eager to try Nature & Co products, as they are under the same company as Kose.

MilkADeal and HiShop vouchers

Last but not least, there were also two vouchers included in the beauty kit. One is an 8% discount voucher for MilkADeal, and another is a RM20 cash voucher for HiShop.

Special code for Winter Blossoms readers!
Exclusively for Winter Blossoms readers, HiShop is giving away RM20 off any purchases above RM100 from now until 30 June 2013. Just key in the code LOVEHISHOP during checkout and your discount will be applied! o(≧∇≦)o

HiShop Malaysia website

HiShop Malaysia Facebook page

HiShop Malaysia Twitter (@hishopmy)

*This item was sent to me by HiShop Malaysia for review without financial compensation. All opinions expressed are completely honest and strictly my own.

Timeless Truth Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask 极透瞬白冰沁面膜

2013-04-29T21:19:00.002+08:00

♫ B.A.P - One Shot

Timeless Truth Malaysia recently had a mega awesome mask review party, and I'm glad to join in as one of the bloggers to review their Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask. :D

Timeless Truth masks

3 pieces of the Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask were sent for review, while the Q-10 mask is from their Facebook Easter giveaway event. (◠‿◠)

Timeless Truth Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask

The mask contains a generous 25ml of essence, which is more than enough to fully soak the mask sheet. There's also enough leftover essence inside the packet (after taking out the mask) for you to apply on your arms and legs.

Click to enlarge

Here's the ingredients list and instructions on the back of the packet. :D The original instructions are printed in Chinese, since it's made in Taiwan.

Close-up of the sheet mask

The mask sheet is fairly thin, and has tiny holes all over it to enable your skin to 'breathe' and help in absorbing the essence. As you can see from the inset, the mask sheet is well soaked with the essence with plenty leftover for the body.

The scary mask face photo! (HAHAHAHA) The mask fits well on my face, and feels very fresh and cool upon application. However, I the eye holes seem to be slightly too big (I find this to be a common problem with most sheet masks though). As this Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask is also known as the 'ice mask', it has a very cool feeling when you put it on. For an even cooler mask experience, I'd recommend you place the mask packet in the fridge about 15 minutes before using. I did that, and it feels totally cool and refreshing indeed! (≧∇≦)

极透瞬白冰沁面膜

Overall, I liked how it feels very cool and refreshing, and it does help to moisturize my skin. The mask it self fits quite well on my face, and the generous amount of essence makes sure that my arms and legs also get some well-deserved treatment as well when I'm chilling with the mask. :D

The Timeless Truth Instantaneous Brightening Cooling Mask (25ml) is sold at RM8 per piece. You can purchase it from the Timeless Truth e-store, or at MaskSlim outlets around the Klang Valley. Check out their Facebook page too for all their latest updates!

Review: Lioele Dollish Lipstick in #9 Bordeaux Wine

2013-04-21T01:22:00.001+08:00

♫ G-Dragon - 미치GO

Lioele Dollish Lipstick

Remember my Lioele mascara review? Well, earlier this year I was lucky enough to win this Lioele lipstick from Sara's giveaway, so I'm gonna test it out and share my thoughts with you. :D

#9 Bordeaux Wine

The Lioele Dollish Lipstick shade I received was #9 Bordeaux Wine. Wine red, plum red - I can never really tell the difference between these 2 shades, so I'll just go along with the lipstick shade name and call it a wine red lipstick. Sara described it as a deep raspberry shade, and I guess that's a pretty accurate description.

Lioele Dollish Lipstick packaging

The colour theme for the Lioele Dollish Lipstick packaging is primarily metallic pink and classic black. The lipstick tube is matte black with a metallic pink band in the middle, and with the words "Lioele Dollish Lipstick" printed in light pink on the cover. It feels like holding a MAC lipstick, but very much lighter.

Removing the black cover will reveal a pink and silver inner tube, printed with the signature Lioele carriage logo. It looks very girly but elegant. :)

Lioele Dollish Lipstick in #9 Bordeaux Wine

Swatch of Lioele Dollish Lipstick #9 Bordeaux Wine

This particular shade is very pigmented, as you can see from the swatches above. 1 swipe is good enough for a burst of colour on the lips, but you can add a couple more layers to get a deeper and richer colour.

Lioele Dollish Lipstick #9 Bordeaux Wine lip swatch

This is how it looks like on the lips. It's actually a deeper shade than shown in the swatches, but you get the idea that it is very pigmented, and true to the colour in the tube.

This Lioele Dollish Lipstick has a very creamy texture, and glides smoothly onto the lips in one swipe. It has a faintly sweet scent, which dissipates very quickly after application. The colour is very pigmented indeed, and lasts around 4-5 hours with minimal eating and drinking. One good thing about this lipstick, besides its vibrant colour, is that it feels very moisturizing and doesn't dry out my lips.

Nerd look (O-O)

The Lioele Dollish Lipstick range retails at RM43.90, and can be purchased from the MyLioele online store, or at selected counters in Parkson. Made in Korea.

✓ Pros: Smooth and creamy texture, pigmented, moisturizing (does not dry out lips), long-lasting, wide variety of colours, nice packaging.
✗ Cons: Has faintly sweet scent, slightly higher price than drugstore brands.

Blanc to Noir - Your Online Makeup Store

2013-04-15T15:30:00.000+08:00

What is Blanc to Noir?
Blanc to Noir is a USA-based online makeup store which carries a good range of affordable drugstore makeup products and brands. All your beauty needs can be met within the convenience of a one-stop, one-click, fun online shopping experience at Blanc to Nour. Their trained and friendly Blanc to Noir staff are sure to help you through a trustworthy, credible, and effective shopping experience. I cannot agree more, as my queries have always been replied promptly and efficiently by their customer service. :)

Why should I shop at Blanc to Noir?
Blanc to Noir offers a great variety of affordable beauty products, cosmetics and beauty tools. Brands available include Rimmel London, Sally Hansen, NYX Cosmetics, Revlon, Maybelline, and L'Oréal. Best of all, many of the products are available at discounted prices, sometimes up to 70%!

Source: Tumblr

The inspiration behind Blanc to Noir is...?
Blanc to Noir is inspired by the true beauty and just love makeup! As their name suggests, anything from 'blanc' (white) to 'noir' (black) and every colour in between can be used to inspire you and your makeup creations. So for all of you out there saying: “K'aime le maquillage!”, “Amo maquiagem!”, “Me encanta el maquillaje y cosméticos!”; “I love makeup!”, "我爱化妆！”, remember to keep a look out for their promotions and discounts! Don’t forget to join the Blanc to Noir e-newsletter for extra discounts and promotions.

Winter Blossoms x WishTrend Giveaway: Argan Treatment Oil

2013-04-13T15:13:00.001+08:00

It's time for another Winter Blossoms giveaway! :D

Update: The winners have been chosen and contacted! Congratulations to Nicole S, Siew S and Sabrina T! :)

Use this image to share on your blog sidebar

What is argan oil?
Argan oil is the oil extracted from the fruit of the Argania tree, which only grows in the desert of Sahara, Morocco.

It contains twice as much vitamin E than olive oil, and its moisturing ability is 4 times that of olive oil. Argan oil also contains oleic acid and linolenic acid to help maintain healthy hair and skin. It helps protect hair from external damage, as well as alleviates skin trouble and aging.

Besides using it on hair, you can also use this Confume Argan Treatment Oil on your body, hands and nails.

How do I use this argan oil?
Just pour a small amount into your palm, and apply it on dry/damp hair before drying, body (dry parts like elbows and heels) and hands + nails.

WishTrend has very kindly provided 3 bottles of Confume Argan Treatment Oil (25ml) for my giveaway. This giveaway is international, so everybody can join, and there will be 3 winners! (≧∇≦)

Prize(s):

♠ 3 random winners will win a bottle of Confume Argan Treatment Oil (25ml) each

Rules:

♠ This giveaway is international.

♠ Giveaway ends on 28 April 2013 (GMT+8 Kuala Lumpur time)

♠ Participants must create an account on www.wishtrend.com (so that WishTrend can directly send the prizes from Korea)
♠ Be a public follower of "Winter Blossoms" via GFC.

Ready to enter the giveaway? Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below, and good luck! ^^
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*The prizes for this giveaway are sponsored by WishTrend.