Emily's Anthology - a Malaysian beauty blog

Product Review: Organique by Olinda Spring Whitening Skincare

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 09:47:00 +0000

The entire world is hopping onto the organic skincare trend, and for good reason. Products that are organic are safe for the skin, less likely to irritate sensitive skins, and gentle, yet effective. Today I'm reviewing a range of organic whitening products, so if you're looking for bright, luminous, clear skin - you're in the right place (or at least, reading the right article). Here we go.

Product

Organique by Olinda Spring is a skincare brand that formulates their products using the natural spring waters of Olinda, in Mt. Dandenong, Australia. The waters are not only naturally filtered and pure, they're also mineral rich and supposedly good for health and highly beneficial to your skin. They've been making waves in Australia and beyond with their effective, natural, and affordable skincare, and they have, happily, reached Malaysian shores.

I received their entire whitening range. In this Whitening range there is the Gentle Cleanser, Multi-Active Toner, Facial Serum, Day Care Lotion, and Eye Cream. The range utilises Magnolia extract - high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and prevents UV-induced pigmentation.

I have been using and testing the products over the past 3 weeks. My skin at the beginning of my trial was pretty good - dehydrated, but clear and even. I did have freckles and sun spots around my cheekbones and temples, and I was hoping to reduce their appearance with continued use of this range.

Packaging

What struck me immediately about Organique's packaging was the high quality, despite the product's price point. The bottles are made of a beautiful frosted glass and have the weight and feel of a luxury product. The pumps and covers all function beautifully and smoothly, and in these 3 weeks of use their functionality has remained top notch. I was incredibly pleased and impressed.

Performance

As is expected when you receive an entire range, I used all the products together in my daily skincare routine, only swapping out the day cream for a heavier, more hydrating moisturiser (the one I was using daily before trialling this range) at night.

The cleanser is foaming but doesn't give you the kind of crazy foam that you get from most - I personally prefer this because I feel it doesn't strip the skin as much.

I expected the lotion and day cream to be heavy and sticky, but they were both very lightweight and absorbed into the skin very quickly. My entire experience using the range was delightful and refreshing. The eye cream was slightly heavier, but still very lightweight, and almost felt like a heavier serum instead of a cream. This range is mildly scented, but I found it quite pleasant and the smell disappeared pretty quickly after application.

Verdict

After my 3 weeks of use, I've found that my skin is brighter and more luminous - there is this glow about it when it's photographed, and my skin is less flaky in the dry areas around my cheeks and mouth. I haven't noticed a significant reduction in the darkness of my freckles and sun spots, though I do think this range is much more effective at preventing the development of new spots than it is for removing pre-existing spots.

In my opinion, this is a beautiful starter range for anyone looking to begin an affordable, complete whitening skincare routine. It covers all the bases - great value for money, good hydration, good protection for the skin. If you're looking to solve a more serious pigmentation problem, you might want to look at more extreme options instead (e.g. laser or peeling treatments).

This range retails at the below prices and is currently available at www.organique-skincare.com.my and I have a promo code! Enter EMILY20 for 20% off at checkout on their site.

Gentle Cleanser RM69
Multi-Active Toner RM79
Facial Serum RM129
Day Care Lotion RM89
Eye Cream RM99

Product Review: Celmonze The Signature Appelution Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 07:48:00 +0000

OK, I admit, it's been a hot minute since I last went for a full-on facial. You're meant to get your pores cleared and blackheads extracted at least once a month, but I haven't had it done in a while (you really don't wanna know how long it's been), so suffice it to say, my skin's been suffering.

I was approached by Celmonze The Signature and given the chance to try out their Appelution (anti-aging) treatment recently, and obviously I was game.

Celmonze the Signature

Celmonze is a Paris-based professional skincare salon, with research labs based in Europe and North America. They introduced Celmonze The Signature salons, which is currently celebrating its 2nd anniversary. They've launched a pretty interesting campaign in conjunction with their anniversary - "Where Beauty Meets Innovation", featuring 3 successful women who have "successfully innovated themselves to achieve their goals in life". Check the campaign out here if you're interested, it features Carey Ng, Anjoe Koh and Shiha Zikir.

Celmonze's extensive product range.

Back to the treatment, Appelution is an innovative facial treatment aimed at solving 5 skin problems - dehydration, sagging, dull skin, pores and pigmentation. The treatment is based on and utilises swiss apple stem cell, derived from a special species of apple called Uttweiler Spatlauber. This treatment took 7 years of research to perfect. It is meant to make your skin look more youthful and luminous.

In case you were wondering, it's needle-free (phew!). It uses a device called a Titanium Mesojet to deliver the skincare treatment deep into the skin. It feels like a very tiny massage device on your skin, and only stings the tiniest, teensiest little bit when the device hits your facial bones like the cheekbones.

I won't bore you with the details, I'm sure you want the real-life treatment process instead, so here it goes.

When I first arrived, I was taken into consultation, where they analysed my skin with a micro-camera. They then decided that my skin was too sensitive and troubled (read: badly maintainted!) to proceed with the Appelution treatment from the get-go, so we started with 2 facial sessions first called 'Medify'. These really helped clear out my pores, and cleanse and hydrate my skin. That took about 2 weeks to complete, and then I was ready for the Appelution treatment itself.

My consultation session with the micro-camera.

The facial rooms were extremely well-maintained (I visited their Sri Petaling branch) and clean, and the facial therapist was lovely. There's an awesome hot stone massage at the end of each facial, and she immediately changed the pressure of my massage to suit me when I told her that her initial pressure was too strong for my liking.

In the treatment room

On to the facial itself. We started with the usual facial cleansing, massage, a light peeling exfoliator, and then my favourite - extraction (it just makes me feel like my skin is going to be so clean and fresh after). Once that was done, the actual treatment began. The Titanium Mesojet device was brought in, and the therapist started loading the treatments into the machine. All in all, there are 5 activators/concentrates that are applied to your skin - Fresh Makeover for hydration, Fast Recharger with antioxidants and to boost blood circulation, Quick Fixer to cover fine lines (yay!), Insta Younger to smooth pores, and Visi-Illuminator to boost the skin's glow. Each activator is used for 1 facial session.

The application process was very quick, maybe about 10-20 minutes in total, and the entire facial was an hour long, so I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a relaxing lunchtime skin-boost. There is no downtime for this facial - just bring along some makeup to touch up after you're done and you'll be ready to head back to the office with 'glowier' skin.

The Appelution treatment package

Once I was done, I was taken into consultation again to check on the progress of my skin. It was definitely instantly more glowy, it felt hydrated, and I felt friggin' amazing after that hot stone massage. There are skincare products that come in little vials that you're given to take back so you can maintain your skin after the facial, the Appelution Stem Cell Concentrate and the Appelution Power Repair - both to boost your skin's youthfulness. There are also extra skincare products you can purchase if you want to - a Stem Cell Complex infused with Vitamin C and antioxidants, and a Lifting Flash Essence with hyaluronic acid to restore the skin's elasticity and firmness.

It's been a week since the facial, and I can definitely see how much smoother and firmer my skin has become. As far as my pores go, they're slightly smaller, but they're definitely still visible, and the makeup still settles in there (my pet peeve), but I'm still optimistic because they have actually shrunk in size a little, and that's a win for me. I'll keep an eye on them and see if there are any further improvements, but do bear in mind that even if a treatment shrinks your pores, they're not gonna stay shrunk for long if you don't upkeep your skin and go for monthly (at least) extraction facials (and yes, I am talking to myself when I say this!).

I'm really happy with my entire experience at Celmonze The Signature, and I will definitely be going back to get more facial treatments done. I'll be releasing a more in-depth review of the Appelution treatment once I've had the chance to observe my skin a little bit more, and I will be sharing that soon.

A little comment about the "Where Beauty Meets Innovation" campaign - I think it was a wonderful idea for Celmonze The Signature to launch a campaign featuring beautiful (and I mean both inside and out), successful women, to encourage and inspire other women out there to innovate, create, and be the best version of themselves. Innovate yourself for the better, but don’t define your success by someone else’s idea of what success is. Achieve innovation and success on your own terms, in your own way.

If you're interested in trying out the Appelution treatment for yourself, you can get a discount for the Appelution Flash Lifting Essence (60ml), Appelution Stem Cell Complex (30ml) and Complimentary Appelution Travel Kit (7pcs) – for RM388 instead of RM488. Also, if you sign up at this link below, you might stand a chance to win a free Appelution treatment for yourself worth RM680. Sign up and discount link below:

www.celmonzethesignature.com/campaign

Alternatively, you could also try their Signature Facial Facelift Massage for just RM99 – it’s their best selling facial treatment and solves acne, sagging, pigmentation, and sensitive skin. The massage sets 7 types of facial muscles. Click here for more details:

https://goo.gl/rnqEKD

Product Review: Meeracle - Gemstone Infused Skincare

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:59:00 +0000

Here's a brand-new skincare trend you probably haven't heard about yet - gemstone-infused skincare. It's long been believed that precious and semi-precious stones give off an energy that is beneficial to the body. People all over the world place crystals in their home to redirect the energy and flow. I myself use crystals here and there (they worked beautifully for me when I was stressed out and homesick during my uni days) so of course I was highly intrigued by the concept of putting them into skincare. What exactly would they do? How does it work?

Meeracle has the answers. They're a new-ish player in the luxury skincare market, owned by Edelsteen Sdn Bhd - a Malaysian company. Their gemstone infused skincare uses active organic ingredients, alongside a very unique combination of diamond, ruby, and pearl extracts.

These gemstone extracts are gaining traction in the skincare market because they are very mineral-rich, and able to restore the skin's radiance and luminosity.

The two products in their range are a Facial Serum, and a Facial Cleanser.

Both products have simple, classic packaging. The serum comes with a pump dispenser, and the cleanser is simply packed in a squeeze tube. Both hygienic and practical.

Meeracle Facial Cleanser

This product removes excessive oil (malachite), minimizes the appearance of pores (avocado), is anti-aging (malachite, apple stem cell), eliminates and treats acne (malachite, green tea, aloe vera), and moisturises the skin (aloe vera, avocado).

It definitely is moisturising - I don't feel that dryness and tightness in my skin after cleansing, which is my number 1 pet-peeve and the main thing I look to avoid when it comes to cleansers. It foams and lathers up quite a bit, so a little goes a long way. I'm a huge fan of the smell, because it's quite nostalgic, and reminds me of a face cream that my mom used to use when I was younger.

Meeracle Facial Serum

This serum is basically an all-in-one - it brightens, whitens and reduces pigmentation (diamond, pearl, alpha arbutin), reduces acne (diamond, alpha arbutin), protects the skin from UV damage (verbascum thapsus flower), and is anti-aging (diamond, pichia ferment lysate filtrate).

It's lightweight, has an almost sort of cooling effect on the skin when you apply it, and absorbs pretty quickly. The smell is a little strong for my liking - you know me, I only like subtle, natural smells - but fades into a subtle scent after a while. It is highly moisturising and you wake up in the morning to supple, soft skin. I'm so drawn by the texture and colour of this serum - it's extremely pearlescent, and has a pink tint to it. It almost looks like an otherworldly highlighter. When you apply it to your skin all it does is just provide a subtle glowy sheen, but it's so beautiful to look at up close. I'm considering using it as a natural-finish highlighter on top of my makeup, it's so beautiful.

Overall

These two products are meant to work together, so to buy them in a duo would be best. I personally enjoyed using them and I think they're a great all-rounder skincare product. They're moisturising and very well-packaged, and the concept of the serum is just so interesting, I am thoroughly fascinated by the look of it. I think they're a fantastic, affordable (both products together only cost RM150) option to have if you're looking for a skincare line that addresses multiple skin concerns. I'm definitely going to be using the serum though, on top of makeup this time, because it's really such a gorgeous looking product!

Do I think the gemstone-infusion is a gimmick? Not at all. I think this product is well-researched, and I do see the benefit in using skincare infused with gemstone extracts. My skin feels moisturised and tighter since using the serum in particular.

To find out more about Meeracle and their gemstone-infused skincare, visit their website, Facebook page and Instagram.

Product Launch: Meeracle Gemstone Infused Skincare

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:07:00 +0000

Just over a week ago was the launch of a new skincare concept in Malaysia - gemstone-infused skincare. The brand behind this? Meeracle. A Malaysian-owned brand, this skincare uses a unique blend of extract of ruby, diamond, and pearl as its main ingredients, alongside active organic ingredients.

The product range includes a facial cleanser and a serum (best used together), and both have gemstone extracts as their main ingredient. The serum is a brand new and improved formulation, and now contains 23 different active ingredients (previously, it had 21). I know it's strange to hear the word gemstone when you're talking about skincare, but the gemstone extracts have genuine benefits for the skin like anti-aging, whitening, skin cell renewal, oil reduction and pore cleansing.

These products are formulated with interesting textures, too. Most products are foam or gel based, but Meeracle's are lotion-based, and very moisturising. Plus, their serum is tinted and turns a beautiful, skin-flattering pink when applied.

Meeracle is currently the leading skincare brand in gemstone-infusion skincare and is the first product in Asia to utilise a blend of 3 gemstones in their product. You can find their products in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and Dubai.

Their products are affordable enough so you can incorporate them into your everyday skincare without breaking the bank - the Meeracle Facial Cleanser retails at RM49 for a 50ml tube, and the Meeracle Facial Serum comes packaged in a 30ml bottle and retails at RM79.

During the launch, the brand (to my surprise) also announced a CSR campaign called EMPOWERING YOU, where they plan to reach out to disadvantaged women to help them improve their situation in different ways.

Meera Nordin, Founder of Meeracle and the Managing Director of Edelsteen Sdn

Bhd, Raja Mohd Nasrullah Haziq at the product launch event

If you're as fascinated as I am by this skincare concept, check out Meeracle on their socials here:

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/meeracle_my/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Meeracle/

Website : www.meeracle.com.my

I'm also so excited to announce that I've got a promo code for those of you who are thinking of purchasing the product! All you need to do is call +6010 298 5279 (Ika) and by quoting 'MeeracleEmily', you will get a 20% discount on the cleanser and serum set. This is only available to the first 50 callers, so get in on it quick if you want your discount!

What do you think? Will you be testing out this brand new concept skincare? I'm excited to try it out! Stay tuned for my updates J

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Product Review: THE FACE SHOP Yehwadam Skincare Range

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 07:02:00 +0000

Ah, Korean skincare. Always at the cutting edge of technology, always pushing boundaries. That's what I like about Korean skincare.

Plus, skincare formulated specifically to cater to Asian skin concerns?! Come on, what's not to like!?

So when THE FACE SHOP wanted to send me skincare, I was like "BRING IT, THANK YOU!"

So I received this box of goodies (Thank you again THE FACE SHOP, seriously) and of course, had to share my thoughts.

Product

The Yehwadam range uses traditional herbs to restore and retain moisture in the skin. Their new Revitalizing Moisturizing range has been formulated with a gel-like texture, so it's lighter and more refreshing for people with oily skin, or people who live in warmer climates (hello, Malaysia).

I got the chance to try out the Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Fluid, Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Cream, and the Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Sleeping Pack.

As an added bonus, I also got to try out their premium anti-aging cream, the Nokyong Collagen Contour Lift Gold Capsule Cream. This is very interesting, because it comes in 24K gold capsules that contain collagen targeted at lifting the '8 aging lines' (Forehead, between the eyes, laugh lines, around the lips, facial contours, neck, under eyes, and around eyes).

Packaging

The entire product range has a minimalistic aesthetic, and they all have a lovely 'heavy', luxurious feel. The jars come with their own spoon, so you can keep the product clean.

Performance

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Fluid

This is a very lightweight, refreshing gel that basically is your toner and lotion in one. On its own, it already feels really moisturising on the skin. I love how cool it feels when I apply it. The bottle is a beautiful frosted glass, so it feels cool as soon as I pick it up. The entire experience is just so pleasing, I look forward to doing my skincare each night now.

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Cream

This is only very slightly creamier than the Moisturizing Fluid, but it is still light as air and barely feels like anything on the skin. I prefer to use this in the morning because it makes my skin feel refreshed for the day. Makeup glides on beautifully after this. It ticks all the boxes for a daytime moisturiser - hydrating, plumping, and lightweight. At night, I tend to prefer a heavier moisturiser to really hydrate my skin while I sleep.

Yehwadam Revitalizing Moisturizing Sleeping Pack

This product wasn't my favourite, because it left a sticky film on the skin. It most definitely did a great job moisturising my skin, and if you're in the market for something like that and don't sleep on your side (read: squish your face into your pillow) at night, then this is a great option for you.

I, however, do squish my face right into my pillow at night (not a good thing, I know, but I can't seem to stop doing it) so this was a deal-breaker for me.

Nokyong Collagen Contour Lift Gold Capsule Cream

I love this. First of all, I love the concept of it! The product comes in little gold-infused balls suspended in a gel, with its own handy little scoop of course. You're meant to use 2-3 balls at a time, and crush them (it's easy, the balls are like jelly) before you apply the cream onto your skin. It feels very luxurious and smooth when you apply it, but it also absorbs beautifully and doesn't leave a film on your skin at all. My face feels smooth, and my skin feels plumped the next morning when I wake up.

I've been using all 4 products in my skincare routine for the past couple of weeks and have seen changes already. My skin is glowy and hydrated and plumped. I would definitely restock the Moisturizing Fluid and the Capsule Cream - those are my two favourites from the range.

I would highly recommend this range as a base range for all skin types (except very dry skin), especially for those with oily skin. These products are lightweight, refreshing, and soothing on the skin.

These products are currently available at all THE FACE SHOP counters and stores.

Product Review: Eucerin Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000

Ladies and gents, I am back with an update on the Eucerin Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity range! Recently I shared that I received the entire range and would be trying them out for review. If you want to find out more about these products and what they’re meant to do, check out my last post.

I’ve been using the 4 products for about 2 weeks now – I’ve listed them below in case you want a little refresher:

Eye care: RM169

Serum in Oil: RM269

Day Cream: RM229

Night Cream: RM239

Product

I’ve never tried Eucerin products before – all I know is both my sister and husband were (separately, on different occasions by different tattoo artists) recommended Eucerin body lotions after they got their tattoos, because it would help to reduce flaking and dry skin so the tattoos would come out nicer. So needless to say, I had a good opinion of the brand, but never had a chance to use their facial range.

The Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity range is neatly bundled into 4 products, an eye cream, a serum oil (my favourite product by far), a day cream with SPF, and a night cream.

The range targets sagging skin in these areas:

· Forehead

· Expression lines around the eyes

· Cheekbones

· Jawline

· Neckline

All the products feel very rich and moisturising, but not oily or heavy. Products absorb into the skin beautifully, even the oil. Bear in mind this is an anti-aging range, so it’s a lot more emollient than your regular moisturiser and therefore might be a little too heavy for the oily, acne-prone skin that younger people living in tropical climates tend to have.

I’m a huge fan of the SPF in the day cream, not because it replaces my sunscreen, but because I feel like even at home especially in a house with a lot of windows you’ve got to have a bit of sun protection, so this covers me for lazy mornings lounging about the house and I love how convenient it is.

The serum oil is also fantastic because oils are skin-saviours, whether or not you’ve got oily skin. This one feels very lightweight and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy. Add it into the moisturiser and you get a beautiful, very emollient texture, which is great for facial massages. I’ll share a quick facial massage in my next post which is great for draining lymph nodes, slimming your face, and keeping your facial muscles from sagging.

Packaging

Although the products are packaged in plastic, they still feel very luxurious, with matte champagne gold lids and a clean, sophisticated design. The moisturisers come sealed, so you know they’re brand new and ‘fresh’. They’re relatively travel-friendly too – I took them to India with me on holiday and they didn’t leak or break, despite my luggage being handled pretty roughly during multiple transit flights.

Performance

Here’s where it starts getting interesting. I’ll discuss performance of the range as a whole, since that’s how I experienced it.

Personally, my main concern areas when it comes to aging are fine lines underneath my eyes, the general sagging of my hooded eyelids and undereye bags, smile lines around my mouth, and sagging at the corners of my mouth. I’ve also found that the skin around my neck has changed its texture and doesn’t feel as firm anymore. As much as I could, I tried to track the changes in these areas of my skin to gauge the performance of these products, and here’s what I found:

Fine lines underneath eyes – these didn’t go away, though they so seem less pronounced. I like that the eye cream helps my undereye concealer sit a little bit better and crease less, so it’s still a sort-of win for me.

Hooded eyelids – not much change here.

Undereye bags – I’ve definitely seen a big improvement here – I’m pretty sure it’s the combination of this cream plus my finally catching up on sleep that I lost whilst on vacation.

Smile lines – I think I do see a slight improvement here – they weren’t very prominent to begin with but I feel like my skin texture in this area looks a little better in photos now.

Sagging mouth corners – these are a big issue for me. I really don’t like how this particular feature ages my face, so I was definitely looking out for changes here. It might be a little too soon for a big change, but I can already feel a change in the texture of my skin. I find this really promising, because the range is, after all, specifically formulated to target sagging skin as an alternative to fillers. So stay tuned to my Instastories to find out if this continues to improve over the course of the next few weeks!

Skin texture on neck – this is where the products showed the most difference. Before I started the trial, my skin was dry, and had a soft, almost crepe-y texture? (Eww, I know.) But after these past 2 weeks, my skin is already feeling firmer and fuller.

So far, this range is on the right track, as far as I am concerned. I am pretty impressed, considering this is a drugstore brand, and that the products are quite affordable in comparison to other anti-aging products out there on the market! As I mentioned above, I will be posting a facial massage technique video, and will update you then if there are any further changes in my skin.

If you want to learn more about your own skin, don’t forget to head over to a Guardian outlet in Suria KLCC or Mid Valley Megamall this month to test it at one of the ‘Eucerin Face-Age Test’ Mirrors. This innovative test evaluates skin elasticity, firmness and overall radiance of the face to determine the age of your facial skin!

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More info on the range right here, and you can follow me on Instagram and my Facebook page for more updates!

Product Launch: Eucerin Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:55:00 +0000

Let's face it - we all age at some point. I'm feeling the effects of gravity already, and I am trying to take steps to prevent any further damage. It's always better to start early, in my opinion, and that's definitely what I'm going to teach my daughters (or sons!) once they hit their twenties. I'm always on the lookout for anti-aging products, and this brand new one is supposed to be hot stuff.

Eucerin has been around for over 100 years (can you believe that?!) and is known as a well-researched, well-trusted brand. Their Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity range is Eucerin's foray into anti-ageing skincare, and is designed to target ageing skin, particularly in areas like the forehead, expression lines around the eyes, the cheekbones and jawline, and the neckline.

The range is pretty complete – it’s made up of an eye cream, a serum, and a day cream and night cream.

Its key ingredients are hyaluronic acid for boosting hydration and plumping wrinkles, burdock plant extract for skin elasticity and firmness, and lady thistle plant extract for improved skin radiance.

Eucerin is marketing this as a safe, non-invasive, and effective anti-aging solution. According to a study, 97% of women found their skin felt smoother and had improved elasticity. So I'm very interested to test this claim for myself. I've already heard a little bit about this range and the reviews are reallygood so far. Here's more of the study results:

Obviously, I'm extremely intrigued. I have myself a box of the products and will be diligently testing them out over the next couple of weeks to see what kind of results I get. I cannot wait!! Stay tuned if you want to see what happens with my skin. For updates, you can subscribe to my Facebook page or follow me on Instagram.

In the meantime, if you want to find out a little more about this product, check out Eucerin's website here. Prices are below:

Eye care: RM169
Serum in Oil: RM269
Day Cream: RM229
Night Cream: RM239

Product Review: Zahara Daredevil Lashes Mascara

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 04:17:00 +0000

Trust me when I say, mascara is absolutely essential as part of your daily beauty routine. And an eyelash curler, of course.

Don't believe me? Check out all my makeup tutorials and see the before-and-after's for yourself. Curled and enhanced lashes look feminine, flattering, and really help to open up your eyes.

Now that I've convinced you (I hope) that mascara is an important part of your beauty routine, here's a review of a mascara to help you decide which one is best suited for your eyelashes.

Zahara Cosmetics is a Singaporean-based makeup line that's halal and cruelty free. They make some gorgeous halal liquid lipsticks, and have now branched out into mascaras with their Daredevil Lashes mascara, which launched on the 8th of September.

The Daredevil Lashes mascara is made using only halal ingredients, and is designed to lift and thicken your lashes. It comes with a massive brush wand meant to catch even the smallest of lashes.

Packaging

Simple and elegant, the white bottle with gorgeous rose gold accents is sturdy, and closes securely so you're not going to find splotches of black all over your makeup kit or handbag.

The wand is massive, and picks up a lot of product.

Product

The product itself is a beautiful jet black, with a lovely matte finish. Jet blacks (instead of charcoal blacks which look a little more grey) are great because they really bring out your lashes and make them look nice and thick and voluminous, and you always want to look for a nice matte finish, so your lashes look natural - no one wants to walk around with shiny, plasticky-looking lashes!

Performance

I love the way this mascara enhances the lashes! It never clumps, so you're not going to get that 'Twiggy'/spidery look to your lashes. Instead, they always look natural, and beautifully enhanced. By 'enhanced', I mean that my lashes look longer and thicker, and they're always very beautifully fanned out.

The product lasts well on the lashes - I find that some mascaras break down and start to come off in tiny little grains on my lower lids, but that never happened with this mascara. My lashes never feel crusty or dry, and are still soft to the touch. Even though the product is not waterproof (that I know of), I find that it stays on very well, with no smudging or melting at all.

One thing about this mascara that didn't do it for me was the fact that it couldn't hold the curl in my lashes. After curling my lashes, I applied this mascara and found that my lashes started to lose their curl slightly. Disclaimer: my lashes are stick straight and require a lot of help (as you can see in the picture below), and very few mascaras are actually able to maintain the curl in my lashes in particular, so unless you've got lashes like mine, you shouldn't take this part of the review into account when deciding if you should get this mascara.

My natural lashes, no product or curling.

My natural lashes, curled with an eyelash curler.

The big brush was a plus and also, a minus for me. On the one hand, it separated my lashes and deposited product really well and anyone would absolutely love the finished result.

But on the other hand, I have small eyes, and the brush would, well, brush (haha) against my eyelids and cause a few smudges, and it was a little too big to reach the inner and outer corners of my eyes.

Lashes curled, Zahara Cosmetics Daredevil Lashes Mascara applied. No eyeliner.

Overall, I would recommend this mascara for anyone who loves a natural finish, and also wants to be able to build their mascara to achieve a more dramatic finish without clumping problems. The only people I wouldn't recommend it for are those with small eyes and extremely stick-straight lashes that won't hold a curl - in that case, you're gonna need a little bit more help. Try a waterproof mascara instead!

The Zahara Cosmetics Daredevil Lashes Mascara retails for SGD$22 and launched on the 8th of September, 2017. For more information, head on over to the Zahara Cosmetics website.

YouTube Road Test: KAO Curel skincare

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 03:17:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent a new range of skincare to review - the KAO Curel Intensive Moisture Series.

I'm sure you guys know by now, I'm a huge advocate of keeping your skin well-moisturised to retain the skin's protective barrier, and to keep your skin looking youthful and supple. I have dehydrated skin, and not a lot of skincare products are able to rectify the condition of my skin.

The KAO Curel range piqued my interest because it's a Japanese skincare range (and you know the Japanese make amazing skincare), and it's affordable (this is a huge plus). I test out 4 products from this range:

Makeup Cleansing Gel (130g)
Foaming Wash (150ml)
Moisture Lotion III (150ml)
Intensive Moisture Cream (40g)

Obviously I was super excited to see if it was effective, and I tested it out for a little over a week before I was able to come up with this video, and my review of the products:

I hope you enjoyed the video, and my review of the KAO Curel Intensive Moisture Face Care range! Here's some more information if you're interested in checking these out:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/curelmalaysia/

Instagram - @CurelMY

Curel Official site : http://www.kao.com/my/curel/index.html

Kao Official site : http://www.kao.com/my/

Curel is available here:

Lazada - http://www.lazada.com.my/kao-malaysia-official-store/

11 Street - http://www.11street.my/store/curel

Lmall - http://www.lmall.my/store/curel

Also, 11Street is selling trial kits and a discounted price (from 17th - 27th July), so get in on that before they sell out!

Road Test Vlog: MAC Next to Nothing

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 07:04:00 +0000

So MAC has released a collection called 'Next to Nothing', and it's made waves in the beauty world.

This skin colour and powder duo are meant to be no-filter-needed base products that you can apply underneath, on top of, or instead of your foundation to give you that flawless skin for your selfies.

Are they worth the money, and do they live up to the hype? Find out with me below!

Fat Blasting with Zimmer Aesthetics

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000

If you're a woman looking to get rid of love handles, you'll know - it's not very easy. Luckily for us, there are always new, innovative methods of getting rid of difficult body fat being invented, and luckily for you guys, I got to trial one such method, and I'm going to share with you my experience!

So a few weeks ago, I was invited to Esadsa House in Mid Valley City to experience a fat-loss treatment from Zimmer Aesthetics, called 'Cryo-Lipolysis'. This treatment is all the rage in Singapore at the moment. It utilises a machine that essentially targets your fat and freezes it. This destroys the fat cells, which are then eliminated via your lymphatic drainage system. Much science, no?

Let's get down to the actual procedure, and my experience with it.

So with this treatment, you need to determine which areas you'd like to target. You can choose any area on your body like your arms, thighs, waist, or belly. I chose to do my belly and my lower back (where I carry what you could call 'love handles').

The preparation process generally takes about an hour, and this is where they get you to change into a hospital gown, and the doctor takes a look at your body (with underwear on, of course!) to consult you and decide how best to proceed, as well as advise which areas they feel are best to target.

Next comes the actual treatment. Because your body is essentially going to be facing freezing temperatures, your skin needs to be protected. So firstly, a gel pad is applied to the skin.

The doctor and her assistant applying the gel pad to my tummy, the first area I chose to target for this treatment.

Then, the actual machine is held to the gel pad. The machine then essentially 'sucks' your fat into it, and starts to freeze it.

Applying the machine to the gel pad - it is held to the gel pad and skin until it starts working, and once it sucks the fat into the machine, it sticks there.

The machine shows the process - how much time is left for the treatment, how much fat was sucked into the machine, and how strong the suction is.

This process takes about an hour, and since the machine has only two heads, you can only target two areas at a time. This means that if you'd like to target your thighs and your belly, for example, you'll have to do them in two separate one-hour sessions, because each thigh requires one head, and the belly will be left for the next session (or vice versa).

To start, the machine pulsates its suction. This means it sucks your fat in, then lets go, then sucks it in again, and repeats this for about 5 minutes before it sucks it in holds it. This whole process is slightly painful (but only very slightly), because it does feel like something is pinching you. You get used to it after a while though. Then you can relax and wait out your hour with your phone (bring a powerbank!) or a book or magazine. You can even bring a friend to hang out and chat with you whilst waiting.

After the fat-freezing treatment is done, another treatment called Z-Wave is also performed. This helps to move the dead cells along your drainage system, speeding up the fat-loss process. Usually, a massage is done, but results have shown that Z-Wave treatment helps to increase fat loss by up to 44%. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being painless and 10 being the most painful, I would say this was a 3? There is only mild pain when the doctor presses the machine a little harder against any taut muscles.

Z-Wave treatment done by the doctor right after my Cryo-Lipolysis.

Getting the treatment done on my lower back. This was a little difficult as the machine is curved, and my lower back isn't quite as curved.

A close-up of the machine being applied to my lower back.

My personal experience of the process was very pleasant. The doctors and assistants at Esadsa House were professional, thoughtful (I got pillows and blankets to make the treatment more comfortable and to prop me up so that the machine could do its work), and very accommodating. They were very careful to make me feel comfortable with my body and in my own skin, and for that I am grateful.

So what can you expect post-treatment? There is no downtime, so you're free to do anything you like after your session. I did experience slight bruising and discolouration in the areas where the machine was applied, but this subsided within a week. Some people have reported a slight sore feeling, almost like muscle soreness after a workout, but I didn't experience that. Zimmer claims that the treatment has virtually no side effects. As far as fat loss goes, this is meant to take place over a period of 10-12 weeks (I'm in week 4, by the way). Zimmer guarantees fat reduction by as much as 12-20% (including weekly shockwave treatments). So far I'm seeing a slight improvement, particularly in the area of my lower back that usually sticks out above the waistband of my jeans. I'll let you know if I see more improvement when the 12 weeks are up.

If you want to find out a little bit more about this, as well as where you can find your nearest clinic, you can visit the Zimmer Aesthetics website here:
http://zimmer-aesthetics.com.my/

Product Review: Olay Regenerist Miracle Duo (Night Cream)

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 01:17:00 +0000

Some of you may remember my blogpost about the Olay Regenerist Miracle Duo. If not, click here to read my initial review and thoughts.

I focused my review on the day cream and serum in that blogpost, so today I'm going to be telling you a little bit more about the night cream.

The Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream is Olay's most advanced, award-winning, best-selling anti-aging cream. It came from 50 years of research and is formulated with the most concentrated ingredients, aiming at lifting, firming, and micro-sculpting the skin.

So far I've been using it for about a week, so I can't say much about its effects until a little later, when I've had more time with it.

What I can tell you, are the effects it's had on my skin so far. Let me preface this review by telling you that I have also been using the Day cream as well as the Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence.

Product/Packaging

The Night cream looks exactly like the Day cream - it comes in the same jar with the same lid (only, of course, the Night cream says 'NIGHT' on it) and the same stopper that I have trouble removing.

The Night cream is heavier than the Day cream, and has a slightly stronger scent. It does leave a tiny bit of a film on the skin, but I honestly don't mind it at all because it's barely noticeable, and it's nighttime, so I don't really care if my skin is oily or not. It's still a lot lighter in texture compared to a lot of night creams I've tried, so if you're not a fan of heavy creams, this is one to try.

Performance

As with the Day cream and Pre-essence, I did notice a slight improvement in my skin once I started using this. As is, my skin has been pretty well-behaved, what with the Day cream and Pre-essence I've been using, as well as upkeep with sunscreen of course! But I did see a tiny bit of improvement especially under my eyes. Usually, when I conceal my under-eyes, I have little creases in the inner corners of my eyes that become more prominent. They're not as prominent anymore, so yay! This is my biggest problem area and I am really happy that this cream kind of addresses that issue.

Overall, this is a happy little addition to my little Olay family, and I have to say, if you're looking for anti-aging products that won't break the bank, you really need to check out this range. Olay is well-known for having some pretty kick-ass products, and these are no exception. The proof is in the pudding - just look at all the awards they've won. Find out more about the range here: https://www.everydayme.com.my/tag/olay

SaSa Haul: Unboxing Some Interesting Products

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 06:33:00 +0000

Hey ladies (and gents)! Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, it's been pretty crazy here, as some of you guys may already know (follow my Snapchat to hear more of my story), but 2017 is here, and I am coming back with a bang!

So I recently received a lovely box of goodies from SaSa, and there were some pretty interesting products in that box. Some are unconventional, and I thought I'd share them with you guys to get a good feel of whether you guys want me to make a video out of any of these.

Also, just so you guys know, all products are available at
http://www.sasamy.com.my

Follow them on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sasamalaysia
#SasaMalaysia

Too's Smile White Up Essence

Too's Smile is a Japanese brand that has invested 40 years into developing their brand and product. This product is bleach, abrasive, and foaming agent free, and uses honeysuckle and plant-derived silane extract to whiten teeth. Its results are (apparently) instant, as shown in this video I found whilst I was researching it:

Its application and use are extremely easy too, unlike some other brands out there that require you to keep retainer-like moulds on with the product in it for a while whilst waiting for the product to take effect. With Too's Smile White Up Essence, all you need to do is drop a couple of drops of the essence into your toothbrush, then brush your teeth like you normally would, without brushing your gums.

I'm curious to find out how often you can use it, and for how long. I am also super interested in filming a live video of this product in action to see if it works, since my teeth are a little yellowed from this thing called fluorosis (and a heck of a lot of coffee, of course). Let me know if you guys want to see this!

Avance Lash Serum in Mascara

Avance is a well-known lash growth serum brand from Japan, and it's received rave reviews from everyone from all corners of the globe. It is more affordable than a lot of lash serums out there, and comes in a nice fat tube so you're really getting your money's worth.

When I saw this in my package I was immediately intrigued. I love multi-tasking products, and remembering to put a lash serum on before I do my makeup is really asking too much of lazy old me ;)

So obviously, this is perfect for me and I cannot wait to try these! At the moment my lashes are a normal length, but quite sparse (especially on my right eye, for some reason) from being pulled and yanked at whenever I remove my false lashes. We'll see how it performs!

Guerrisson Horse Oil Hydrogel Gold Mask

I've always found Asian skincare a little weird. I mean, come on. We use essence of snail, bee venom, deer antlers, and now horse oil?

Yep, Guerrisson is a Korean brand famed for its horse-oil infused products. Honey Lee, Miss-Korea-turned-media-personality, endorses the brand and has raved about their products on the hit show Get It Beauty (I watch it sometimes too - a kind soul on YouTube uploads the shows and includes English subtitles, bless their heart).

This hydrogel mask (fancy version of a sheet mask) is 24k gold-infused to combat sagging and wrinkles, and of course, contains horse oil for deep hydration and moisturisation.

The brand has received mixed reviews on the world-wide-web, and I'm curious to find out just how this product stacks up against other sheet masks that I've tried and loved. Oh, and in case you're wondering, I checked, and this mask smells nothing like horse or meat. It smells of citrus (phew!). You're welcome.

Daeng Gi Meo Ri Vitalizing Hair Essence

I swear, it's like I don't need to research Asian brands anymore, because all I need to do is walk into SaSa and I'll find a cult product I've never heard of that's making waves in the Asian market. This is one such product. The Daeng Gi Meo Ri brand is blowing up in Korea at the moment because of the brand's supposed ability to prevent hair loss, greying, and thinning. So many people have tried and loved their products, particularly this Vitalizing Hair Essence (which smells quite floral and fragrant, instead of herbal - you'll see why I brought this up in a minute). The shampoo smells strongly of herbs, but the smell disappears after a while, and besides, if it's going to increase hair growth, who cares what it smells like?!

I myself have brittle, damaged hair (and I'm pretty sure I suffer from hereditary hair loss) so I'm really looking forward to trialling this one. I might use it alternately with my current favourite shampoo, and see how it performs on my hair.

Prima Age Remover

This one is by far the product that most intrigued me when I discovered the contents of my box. I'm sure by now most, if not all, of you have seen that viral video where a woman taps a product into her large eye bags, and after a few seconds of tapping they virtually disappear. I have been all over the internet trying to find that product, and then finding it and trying to find a seller that ships to Malaysia, and then finally trying to justify the cost of buying it and shipping it to me.

I guess I don't have to look anymore, do I? This pen claims to do exactly that - erase your fine lines, wrinkles, and sagginess in just 60 seconds! I wouldn't have bought into these claims if I had not seen that viral video, but now I cannot wait to test this bad boy out. Road test vlog, anyone??

Neogence Deep Pore Cleansing Mask

I suffer from enlarged pores - inherited from my father - and am always looking for a way to reduce their appearance. Keeping your pores clean is one surefire way of reducing their visibility, so I'm always game to try a pore cleansing mask. This one, you're meant to apply to the oily areas of your face, like your T-zone and any other areas with enlarged pores.

Some masks, to be honest, aren't really all that good, so I'm hoping this one will work well, and I'm happy to report back when I do!

Dr. G Brightening Up Sun SPF42 PA+++

I love multi-tasking products!! This one is both a makeup primer and sunscreen in one product. It smooths and brightens the skin, creating a great base for makeup to go over. Plus, it's slightly tinted, which means you get a smooth, even base, which means you can wear it even without makeup. It also controls excess sebum with an ingredient called tannin complex. I've been looking up and down for a product that might help control the oiliness in my T-zone, and hopefully this is the one!

Moving on to some other products in my little box of goodies that are already products that I know are awesome - makeup!

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes

One of my favourite packs in this box! This is a little gift set of TheBalm's liquid lipsticks, which are divine! So if you're looking to try out a great brand of liquid lipsticks and love wearing a large array of colours, or want more colours in your lipstick wardrobe, this is a great way to try some out! I think this is a pretty awesome set of colours, too - not too dark, and not too boring.

chosungah22 Dong Gong Minn Brow Maker

How cute is this brow mascara? It is Korean made, and is supposed to last FOREVER on the brows. It has a little doe-foot tip (like those on lip glosses) to help you colour in your brows where there are no hairs, which is perfect for those of us with really sparse brows, or sparse areas. It comes in two colours - the one I have here is the lighter and I think suits me better. I will use it in a makeup tutorial soon, so you guys can see the effects on my brows!

ARTDECO Most Wanted Contouring Palette

This is a palette I absolutely love, and that I've already used in multiple tutorials and Instagram videos. See below!

A video posted by Emily (@emilyquak) on Jan 12, 2017 at 4:44am PST

A video posted by Emily (@emilyquak) on Dec 30, 2016 at 5:07am PST

So these were just some of the products that caught my eye in my little SaSa haul unboxing! Let me know if you'd like to see anything on any of these products, and thank you SaSa for introducing these products to me!

See you guys soon! x

Product Review: Olay Regenerist Miracle Duo

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 02:41:00 +0000

Any skincare fanatic worth their salt has probably heard about Olay Regenerist. This unassuming drugstore skincare brand has been winning awards left, right and centre for being one of the most effective anti-aging products out there, period. This means they've been put to the test alongside much higher end products, and still managed to come out on top.

Because of that, Olay has always been on my radar. I've gifted Olay products several times to my parents, in the hopes that they would give the products a try and that I would be able to witness the miracle anti-aging broth in action. Alas, my parents are too set in their ways (read: CBF) to try the products out.

So, it's up to me to discover just what these products can do. I received 3 products from Olay - 2 Regenerist Micro Sculpting Creams (Day, and Night), and the Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence.

First, a little background about the products:

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Day and Night Creams

These are meant to lift, firm, and 'micro-sculpt' your skin, using a combination of Amino-Peptide and Hydra-Firming complexes (I don't know what that means either, but heck, as long as it works, I don't mind!)

Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence

This basically acts as a serum, helping to boost the penetration of the moisturisers and increase the skin's metabolism to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and pores, and firm the skin.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, bear in mind that I've only had about a few days with the Night cream, but I have been using the Day cream and the Pre-essence for at least 2 weeks now, and this is what I think:

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Day and Night Creams

Packaging

Olay manages to strike a good balance between not spending too much on packaging, and still managing to make it look pretty. These creams come in the signature red Olay colour, with silver lids. One thing that bothers me is the lids that separate the top lid from the product - the white caps that help prevent liquid from spilling out - this cap always somehow gets suctioned into place, and I always need Jas's help to remove it because I don't want to chip my nails. #firstworldproblems, I know.

Product
The day cream absorbs very easily into the skin, and leaves it feeling quite smooth, bouncy, and moisturised.

Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence

Packaging

The packaging on this product feels slightly cheaper than the creams, but still looks striking on my skincare table. The dropper is very convenient - screwing it into place also activates the dropper, which then pulls up just the right amount of serum to be dispensed on your next use.

Product

This serum is extremely lightweight - it feels refreshing on the skin and I like how it absorbs very quickly into the skin without leaving a film or residue.

Performance

Both these products have worked really well on my skin so far - I do see a reduction in pore size and wrinkle appearance, and my skin is more luminous and feels 'tighter'.

I must note that this product says 'micro-sculpting', and I do know what that means. The range has helped to reduce the appearance of my pores and wrinkles, but so far has not yet had an effect on my overall 'sagging'. I hate that word and it makes me feel weird to say it, but there is a visible lack of elasticity especially around my mouth, which this range has not managed to lessen. It probably doesn't work that way, and I'm not surprised. Overall, I'm already pleased as punch about the reduction in wrinkle appearance. I will continue to use these products, and if I do see a difference in overall elasticity, I will report back on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram or Snapchat. Stay tuned!

Makeup Tutorial: Brown Smoky Eye with Glitter Liner

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 07:52:00 +0000

Hey guys! I finally have another tutorial for you guys - a beautiful brown smoky eye that's really easy to do on monolids and hooded eyelids because it creates its own gradient and doesn't rely on the contours of the eye to look pretty.

This is also a first impressions makeup look - all the products that I use in this video are brand new to me, with the exception of the glitter liner (I threw that in to make the look more interesting, plus it goes so well with the brown eyeshadow!).

I hope you guys enjoy the video!

YouTube: K-POP Inspired Makeup Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 03:56:00 +0000

Welcome back, guys! I posted another YouTube video recently - a K-Pop Makeup tutorial inspired by PONY Makeup and K-Pop star Seulgi from the band Red Velvet.

It's a pretty simple tutorial, but one that gives you maximum impact, especially with that gorgeous smoky, iridescent red colour on the eyelids. I hope you guys enjoy it! x

Would you wear red on your eyelids? I quite like it, and I will definitely be trying this look out again!

Product Review: Biore Perfect Cleansing Water

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 02:31:00 +0000

Hello, my lovelies! I hope you're all doing well!

As you guys probably know very well by now, either from following my blog or Snapchat, I'm a massive believer in affordable products that do the job. I feel like technology has taken leaps and bounds since I first started trying out makeup, so that companies nowadays have access to so much information and are more able to produce quality, effective products.

So of course when I heard of Biore's new and improved Perfect Cleansing Water, I was dying to try it! If you guys are beauty savvy, this cleansing water might remind you of another cult water-like makeup remover, and that's what I'm basing my review on. So let's get to testing!

Packaging

Cute little plastic bottles with pump dispensers. I'm not a fan of the pump, to be honest, because the pump itself tends to fall off and it's a little inconvenient to take travelling. I like that the bottles are light though, because it's convenient and travel-friendly.

One thing some brands take for granted is making the 'straw' inside the bottle long enough so that all the product can be reached and dispensed. But as you can see in the photos below, Biore does just that - the straw reaches all the way to the bottom and even bends a little, so you can get all the product out and get the most out of your money (which brings me to my next point).

Price

This product retails for about RM35 at local pharmacies.

Product

These Cleansing Waters come in 2 different types - one for normal/dry skin, and one for oily skin. The Perfect Cleansing Water Soften Up (for normal/dry skin) is their star product for many reasons - it cleanses without stripping the skin, so it's suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Cleansing 'water' like this is also great for removing makeup residue and sebum from your pores, giving it a nice, deep clean so you can prevent breakouts even if you're using makeup and sunscreen daily.

Biore Soften Up Perfect Cleansing Water - for normal to dry skin

Biore Oil Clear Perfect Cleansing Water - for oily/combination skin

Performance

I tried both these cleansing waters and have concluded that they both perform exactly the same. The only difference is that the blue bottle makes my skin feel less oily than the pink one, which is exactly what it's meant to do. If you have sensitive, red skin, I highly recommend the pink bottle, because it's gentle and great for sensitive skin.

To test the effectiveness of these products, I broke out my trusty waterproof mascara and smeared it on my arm. As I mentioned before, they both perform exactly the same so I'm only going to show you one set of photos. The first swatch is the mascara, freshly smeared. In the second swatch, I used a cotton pad doused in the Biore Perfect Cleansing water and swiped once. In the final swatch, I had to use a heavy hand and rub the area repeatedly. It's not entirely visible, but there are still traces of the waterproof mascara on my arm, and my arm is slightly red from the rubbing.

I performed the test once more and realised that if you make sure the cotton pad is soaked until it is wet with the product, and then lay the cotton pad onto the makeup for it to 'sink' in, it is much more effective. So if you're removing stubborn, waterproof makeup, make sure to wet your cotton pad with the cleansing water, lay it onto your eyes/lips and massage it in for a minute or so, and only then, start to swipe to remove your makeup. Otherwise, you'll be tugging and pulling at your skin, which could cause sagging and wrinkles.

Here's the test I performed on a full eye makeup look, including waterproof mascara, eyelid primer, eyeshadow, and waterproof eyeliner. All I needed to do was let the product 'soak in' a little bit - I left the cotton pad on my eye for 30 seconds - and it wiped everything off easily, including my difficult waterproof mascara.

As you can see in the photo on the right, my waterproof mascara was cleanly removed.

Overall, here's my product rating:

Performance: 4/5

Price: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

YouTube video: First Impressions - Cathy Doll

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 06:25:00 +0000

Cathy Doll is a brand that's been on my radar for a while now, because of their well-performing products and low price points.

I decided to try a full face of new Cathy Doll products and review them as I tried them, in a 'Full Face of First Impressions' video on my YouTube channel.

If you're interested in finding out a little bit more about Cathy Doll and how their products perform, then please watch the video!

YouTube Makeup Tutorial: Easy Day to Night

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 04:14:00 +0000

If you're a working professional, you have probably been in that situation where you've been invited for post-work drinks, and you don't have the time or energy to go home and freshen up, but you still want to look better than you normally do, at the office, in the daytime.

In my latest makeup tutorial, all it takes is a quick lip change (and if you want, a little freshening up of your base doesn't hurt) to bring your daytime makeup look into night:

This makeup look is also really quick and simple. Here are the products I used:

L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation

L'Oreal Paris La Palette Nude 'Rose'

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Superstar Liquid Eyeliner

L'Oreal Paris Le Blush True Match 'Rosewood'

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Moist Matte Pink 'Naomi'

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Star Pinks 'Julianne'

Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray - http://bit.ly/2cdOgW8

Too Faced Born This Way Concealer 'Very Fair' - http://bit.ly/2c91Ivq

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Anti-Aging Finishing Powder - http://bit.ly/2bZgDc0

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 'Eden' - http://bit.ly/2bXaMEZ

The L'Oreal Paris lip products I used in this video are the brand new Color Riche Star products, and my favourite by far has to be Julianne - the lip colour I wore in the nighttime video. I hope you guys enjoy this video, and let me know what you thought!

Product Review: Laneige Perfect Renew Regenerator

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 04:07:00 +0000

If you're familiar with Laneige, you might know of their Perfect Renew range, and its star product - the Perfect Renew Regenerator.

This blue bottle of goodness is a serum aimed at rejuvenating and renewing the skin. Basically, it's anti-ageing.

Laneige has an interesting take on ageing - they break down the skin into what they call triangles, claiming that young skin starts off with 'baby triangles', which soon distort through the stretching of skin, causing bad texture, sagging, and loss of luminosity. Their serum is meant to restore this 'shape', hence restoring the skin's texture, luminosity, and firmness.

I've just started using this serum (I received it about a week ago), so I'm only just getting a feel of how it performs on my skin. So far, here's what I think.

Packaging

Love the bottle, it's really pretty and I like that it comes with a dropper, which is really hygienic. It is a little light, and I personally would prefer a heavier, more luxe feel to the bottle, but hey, it travels well, so that's a plus. I love how it looks on my dresser though!

Product

The serum is a white, semi-opaque liquid, and it feels very smooth and silicone-y. It absorbs quickly into the skin, but leaves what I would describe as a moisturising (but not greasy) film on the skin. It is described as being safe for expectant mothers, so you are free to use it whilst pregnant (I hear that skin conditions tend to worsen after pregnancy).

Performance
As I mentioned, I only received this serum a few days ago, so the effects I've experienced are only just the beginning. I brought this on vacation with me (I was in Paris a couple of months ago, you can check my vlog out here), and I always break out when I'm on vacation, but surprisingly, this time I barely experienced any breakouts. My skin, though it went through four flights, endless amounts of sun, and countless car and bus rides, not to mention dust and dirt from being out and about every single day, stayed smooth, happy, and healthy. I think that says a lot about this serum, since I always, always experience dry, bumpy skin and breakouts when I put it through the stresses of travelling. I can't say much about its firming effects since I've only used it for such a short while, and I have pretty firm skin as it is *touch wood*. As an overall, skin-improving serum though, this does the job of several other, more expensive serums, at a decent price. It retails for RM225 at Laneige counters and stores throughout Malaysia.

Yay or Nay: Collagen and Royal Jelly Supplements?

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 08:20:00 +0000

Before I start the review, let me just say that I am not normally one who tries out supplements, so I don't have much experience with products like this.

Obviously I needed to do my homework before starting this review as well, so I did a little research and found out a few things about collagen supplements:

1. Function

Collagen supplements are meant to work a lot like retinols for the skin - when ingested, the intended effect is for the collagen to be absorbed and delivered to the skin where it then would be able to boost elasticity, soften wrinkles, and plump the skin.

2. Studies

There are differing points of view in terms of the efficacy of ingesting collagen. Some say that collagen supplements are broken down too quickly, meaning that when you ingest collagen, it gets broken down as a protein before it can be absorbed and do any good for the skin.

Other newer studies, on the other hand, have tested and shown that the ingestion of collagen managed to boost skin elasticity, reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, and reduce pore size on participants. These studies are relatively new, but show a promise that these collagen drinks may be the answer to younger-looking skin after all.

3. Products

I was recently sent the Collagen range from Nano Japan and had the pleasure of trialling these products. Here's what I found:

They taste surprisingly decent.

I was afraid they'd taste much like my protein supplements (horrible!), but they ended up being surprisingly palatable. I mix them in with my coffee in the morning, and it just makes the coffee slightly thicker, and has a little bit of a sweet, almond-milk type scent.

They don't take up much time.

It's pretty easy to add these to your routine without really thinking about them too much. Just toss into your coffee mug in the morning and you're set.

They do seem to work.

Now I can't be 100% sure of this, but it seems I do see/feel a difference in my skin when I use this. I haven't been drinking them recently (I stopped before I left for Paris), but when I was, I noticed a slight improvement in the tautness of my skin. I feel like the area where it's shown the most is around my mouth, where my smile lines are. The skin around my smile lines generally tend to droop a bit, but when I took the Nano Collagen supplements, I saw a slight reduction in the visibility of those smile lines, and if it was all down to this drink, that's one hell of a supplement!

4. Overall

I think if you've got the extra pocket money, most definitely shell out for collagen drinks and just keep them in rotation since they aren't very cumbersome or overly expensive. If you're on a budget and need to properly consider your options, stick with products that are proven to work, like Vitamin C and Retinol, and wait till the studies definitively prove that consuming collagen can help boost collagen levels in the skin. Don't expect to wait very long, though. There's so much promise in this area, we should definitely keep an eye on the studies that come out on the subject in the near future.

Side Note:

I also received Nano Royal Jelly supplements to try and I am fully impressed. Royal Jelly helps to:

1. Boost your immune system

2. Deliver anti-ageing benefits to the body

3. Is a probiotic (helps with the immune system and neurological disorders)

4. Ease menopausal symptoms

5. Treat diabetes

6. Treat osteoporosis

7. Heal wounds...

And a whole host of other benefits. These are fantastic supplements to throw into your daily intake, and I am doing so right now!

How To Prevent Sensitive Teeth

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 03:35:00 +0000

I love food, and I love sharing food with the people I love. Naturally, I love being able to share meals with Jas, and introducing him to the foods that I like. So imagine how disappointed I was when Jas started developing sensitive teeth, and felt pain whenever he ate hot or cold foods.

I started doing a little bit of research, and found a few ways to help alleviate the pain. We tried quite a few on Jas, so I wanted to share these solutions so that if any of you guys suffer from sensitive teeth, these might help!

1. Avoid sugar, fizz, and acidic drinks

I know this one's a bit of a pain, but you can kind of kill two birds with one stone here! Sugary treats, carbonated drinks, and acidic juices all contribute to stripping the tooth enamel, so avoid them when you can. The good thing is that these all contribute to a growing waistline as well, so you double up the benefits!

If you're like me and you can't help but reach for that sugary treat, try rinsing your mouth right after you're done eating.

2. The type of toothbrush matters!

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. I love the super fine charcoal bristle toothbrushes because they seem to clean pretty well, and they're so comfortable to use. In fact, when I go travelling and don't bring along my charcoal toothbrush, the regular toothbrushes actually irritate my gums.

3. Avoid quickly switching from hot to cold foods, and vice versa

Switching from hot to cold foods, or the other way around, really does cause a lot of sensitivity and pain. Avoid that whenever you can, so try not to order a cold drink especially when you're having hot soup - that's a recipe for disaster. Try ordering a hot or warm drink instead, it helps with digestion anyway.

4. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth

This is really important! A major change happened when Jason chose to switch from regular toothpaste to toothpaste for sensitive teeth, and I think this is the most important thing to do when you suffer from sensitive teeth.

If you're looking for a good brand - this one from Biorepair is the one that Jas is using right now. It is developed specially for sensitive teeth, and works like a charm. It was developed in Italy and is currently sold worldwide.

It contains an ingredient developed by Biorepair called microRepair® that basically helps to build and repair the tooth enamel. The reviews on Amazon are stellar, and Jas hasn't experienced any issues with sensitive teeth since he started using it.

They have specific methods of application that help amp up the protection of this toothpaste - apparently you are meant to apply it onto your teeth as well after brushing, and leave it there. Jas hasn't tried this method but regular use with brushing seems to be working more than fine.

I've got proof of its effectiveness too, because Jas didn't pack it with him when we went on our trip to Paris, and by the end of our trip (it was a little over two weeks long), his tooth had started experiencing sensitivity again. He's back on the toothpaste now, and has already started to experience less sensitivity in his tooth (it takes roughly a week for the toothpaste to start taking effect).

I hope this helps you guys with sensitive teeth! If you've got any more tips for Jas, please let me know, we're open to more suggestions!

Foundation Review Series: L'Oreal Genius True Match

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 03:48:00 +0000

Hey guys! Today's review is going to be in the form of a video - I'm testing out the L'Oreal Genius True Match, a foundation that claims to be a primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder all in one. It's quick, I'll give it that. Check it out in my latest video!

All in all, I found this foundation to be perfect for when you're just looking for a quick, good-coverage foundation to wear on an everyday basis. For more important events and occasions, I would prefer my full face routine and a normal foundation, but this is a really good, affordable and quick option for when I'm heading out to run errands or for a quick bite to eat.

Cetaphil Experience 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 07:06:00 +0000

Did you know, that this time last year, I was having the time of my life with Cetaphil in the Philippines, and learning about self-confidence and skin-confidence? It was an enlightening trip, and my first trip with my dear friend Charis. Going with Cetaphil exposed me to the brand and made me more aware of the positive message that they send with their campaigns, and I'm so happy to help them announce to you guys that they are re-organising that campaign this year, and giving some lucky winners the amazing opportunity to be a part of the Cetaphil Experience, 2016!!

This year, Cetaphil will be holding the Cetaphil Experience in Karma Kandara Bali, Indonesia, and the entire 4 days, 3 nights trip worth RM15,000 is up for grabs! If you want to join, click this link right here:

http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilExperience

I took part last year and really benefitted from this trip because it helped me come out of my shell a little more. I met the most amazing girls on the trip, who I still keep in touch with to this day, and who have gone on to do amazing things.

I don't have perfect skin. I have acne and acne scars, but I'm working towards healthier, happier skin, and more importantly, a happier, more confident self, so I have the courage to show myself for who I am, and my skin for what it is. I want to accept my skin's journey and show people that they're not alone in theirs. This Experience helped me with that and with so much more, and I do believe it will help anyone who has the courage to join as well.

All you'll need to do is head to the above link, share your skin insecurities and how you think the Cetaphil Experience might be able to help you overcome them.

I'm going to be checking out the contest as well! It's such a fabulous opportunity, and I'm not gonna lie, a 4 day stay in a fabulous Bali retreat doesn't sound half bad! :)

Contest details are listed in the link above, so click through to find out how you can participate and stand a chance to win. There are other prizes up for grabs as well, so even if you don't win the getaway, you might be walking away with an awesome hamper!

I hope you guys will take this step towards a more confident you. What have you got to lose, right? Good luck! x

Website: http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilWeb
Facebook: http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilFB
Instagram: http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilIG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilTW
YouTube: http://bit.ly/EmilyCetaphilYT

My Trip to Singapore: Skincare Travel Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Emily Quak) — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 06:26:00 +0000

If you follow me on Snapchat or Instagram, you'll know that I was recently in Singapore for a quick trip for a friend's wedding. Because we know so many people in Singapore, I knew the trip was going to be jam packed, and I had to pack accordingly. I don't fuss so much with my outfits, but boy do I fuss when it comes to makeup and skincare! So much so, actually, that even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to fit my ramblings about what to pack into a simple blogpost.

So in this blog post, I'm simply going to share with you my essential skincare items - the products I knew I needed to pack or appreciated having with me on the trip. So let's get on with it, shall we?

1. June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist *

Our travel to Singapore was by bus, and it took us about 5 hours to get there, and a whopping 7+ hours to get back. Obviously, the bus was air-conditioned, so despite not being subjected to dry cabin air, the air in our little bus was also pretty dry. I had this spritz on hand, and it was an absolute thirst-quencher for my skin! It smells really relaxing, and I love that the bottle is large enough so I don't have to worry about running out if I spritz too much on. Plus, it's paraben and preservative-free, and jam-packed full of antioxidants, so I'm gonna keep spritzing away.

2. Clarins V-Facial Intensive Wrap

Now this is not something that you throw into a travel bag without a second thought. This mask comes in a large jar, so it's not quite travel-friendly. But I had to bring it along, because of the difference it makes for my face!

Can you guys tell what the mask does yet? It's pretty awesome, isn't it? It removes any water retention from the face and slims it in a mere 10 minutes, so I obviously had to use it before the wedding luncheon! It is perfect to use before big events, parties and nights out, because it really does slim the face down enough to to make your photos look better. It's formulated especially for Asian women, too.

3. This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up *

This stuff is bomb. It's that oomph-factor product that just makes your skin look better. It brightens the complexion, moisturises the skin, smooths the surface of the skin, and keeps makeup on for much, much longer. I noticed that my skin wasn't getting as oily (the Singapore trip was my first time using this product!) and my makeup wasn't melting off as easily as it did before I tried this, which is quite amazing, because my makeup melts a little around my forehead, nose, and chin area every single day without fail. If you're going on vacation, this is the perfect product to take with you, trust me on this. This is another one of those all-natural products, so you know you're not harming your skin in any way when you're using it.

4. Edible Beauty Skincare *

To be honest, the only reason I brought this skincare set with me on my trip was because it was easy and convenient. It was right there in small, tiny bottles, all labeled and in a nice little set. But I actually really enjoyed using these. They are also all-natural - they literally are edible - so they won't cause any harm to your body or your skin. They smell amazing and they do an amazing job moisturising the skin.

4. This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray *

I've had this forever now, and I cannot stop using it! I've got a few friends who have it as well, and all of them tell me they love it. This is another all-natural product that you can spray onto your pillow to help induce a deeper, calmer sleep because if the relaxing lavender scent. I spritzed it onto my seat on the bus, as well as my clothes and shawl, and it was heavenly! So much love for this product, and this is so great if you're an anxious traveller. I highly recommend this!

I hope you guys have enjoyed this list, and if you've got some suggestions as to which other products I should be taking with me when travelling, please let me know!

* All products marked with an asterisk are from Sephora. Sephora is currently running a 'Natural Allure' campaign that promotes their all-natural products for safe and environmentally friendly use.