[Lipglosseater]

2016

2017-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

ps: super image heavy post

This year, I:

Finally decided to take fitness seriously.

After 8 months of going to the gym diligently + buckets of blood, sweat and tears, I have successfully lost 4 inches of my waist, reduced the cellulite on my thighs by ALOT, and am so much more stronger now than I was! :D

I'm still not as lean as I'd hope to be, but this is a good compromise for being able to have McDonalds every now and then :P

I also made a trip to my favouritest shopping place on earth - Bangkok! :D

Where I shopped and ate my heart out! And oh, 200 baht massages how I miss thee everyday!!! T_T

We also finally visited the Sirocco Skybar:

Where we paid too much for mediocre drinks :/

Crossed off a Bucket List item when I visited the magnificent Borobudur Temple in May:

Witnessing the sunrise from this magical place is an experience that I will always cherish in my heart:

It's sooooooo crowded though!! >.<

While in Yogyakarta, we made a detour to Dieng to hike Mount Prau. Was expecting this magnificent view at the top:

image from penabiru.com

But alas, luck was not on our side. We were greeted with this thoroughly disappointing view after climbing the mountain the entire night!!!

The mist was soooo thick that we can't even see beyond the edge :( *Cries a river*

However, I learnt that sometimes, the journey is as important as the destination. Looking back, my friends and I had SO MUCH fun, and we were really blessed to have a mountain guide that took very good care of us and was so hilarious we laughed our tummies sore! :D He also went above and beyond his duty by trying his utmost best to "make up" for the disappointing view (although it is 100% not his fault!!). Because of his kindness, we had so many beautiful memories that will last us a lifetime, like this picture of us:

The thick mist provided a nice feel to this pic, no photoshop needed! XD I just wished we left our bags out though... that water bottle is so AUNTY can?!! XD

We also went tubing down River Oyo:

And had the most AMAZING Nasi Liwet ever!!! I'm now salivating at the memory of this!! :O~~

We also managed to go on a jeep ride on Merapi:

You can't tell but I was damn scared the whole time I was on that car!!! Very high and slanting leh! XD

Come August, I manage to go on a short dive trip to the pristine Perhentian Island:

Spent that 5 days diving at various spots around the Islands. We also caught the nailbiting Chong Wei - Chen Long Olympics Badminton finals on the island - it was sooo exciting to see so many people from different nationalities cheering our Dato Lee on!!

Everything will be A-OK!!!

I was also so blessed to be able to revisit Japan in the fall this year.

We started out the journey at Osaka:

Where I did the very touristy thing of posing with the Glico Man! XD

Visited the Whale Sharks at the Kaiyukan:

We also visited Kyoto - it is so very beautiful in the fall!!

Started out at Arashiyama, where we walked along the banks of River Oi, just taking in the spectacular autumn colors:

Visited the bamboo forest:

Hmmm... I don't get the hype of this place though. It was pretty underwhelming for me (and SOOOO CROWDED!!! I waited for AGES to get this humanless shot!) :/

A surprising find was this paddy field outside Kameoka Station.

We had just got off the Sagano Romantic Train and right outside the station was this beautiful view! The sun was just setting, and the rice stalks glimmered in the rich golden light! So mesmerizing! <3

We also rented a bike to cycle around Eastern Kyoto:

Despite nursing a sore behind for days after that, I still think that it's a great way to explore Kyoto...

... just not during the fall when the crowds are INSANE:

In some temples you can only march single file due to the massive crowds and there are places with people with loud hailers yelling at you to carry on walking :(

The autumn foliage at Kiyomizu-dera was abit beyond peak when I was there:

But when you find pockets of colors left... you SELFIE!!!! XD

Fallen leaves are still beautiful though:

...and they remind us that beautiful things remain for but a fleeting moment, and we should never take anything for granted!!!

Some temples will have special evening illumination sessions in the fall:

Methinks they're a good and less crowded alternative to visiting the temples during the day! :)

I also visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine on a rainy day:

And had some awesome matcha at a traditional tea house in Uji:

Rented a Kimono to explore central Kyoto in:

And almost froze my toes off!! Still, the gadzillion compliments that I've gotten that day was worth it!! Lol!!! #bimbo

I also visited Nara:

where dears roam free in the city:

They're super cute and most will bow if u have a cracker for them! :D

People need to know that they bite, too!! They tore a hole in my brand new fleece stockings... and this is just the 1st time I'm wearing them!! T_T

I also had this MASSIVE strawberry matcha Daifuku here:

Soooo delicious and DANGEROUS to eat in the presence of so many greedy deers! XD

Talking about food, one cannot leave Japan without having a gastronomic adventure of a lifetime! :D

We went to Kobe to sample their world-famous beef:

So so rich and decadent, it's worth every squat I had to endure after that!! :D

Had many soft-serves throughout our trip:

These 3 are the most memorable: Matcha ice cream at Arashiyama, Lavender ice cream at Kobe and Black Sesame ice cream at Shinsekai! So so good!!

Had many awesome noodle meals too!! I LOVE RAMEN AND UDON!!! :O~~~

Ichiran Ramen - it was good, but not the best we've had. I will return only if the queues wasn't insanely long :P

Udon from Yamamoto Menzou... waited almost an hour for this but worth it!! The burdock fries are amazing!!!

Beef Kimchi Ramen from Tenkaippin. The thick tonkatsu-like broth is surprisingly made from chicken instead of pork, but it's still super rich and delicious! :D

This grilled sotong we had in Kyoto is the BOMB!!! I miss it everyday!!

And, no trip to Japan is complete without trying out fatty bluefin tuna:

I have died and gone to food heaven!!! So so SO GOOD!!!! :O~~~

On the beauty front, nothing much's changed since last year. My current skincare regimen is still working beautifully for me, and I'm not inclined to change anything for the foreseeable future (unless they raised the price by too much :( ).

I do think that I'm really growing to like the quintessential red lip on myself though... and I find myself wearing it ALOT this year:

MAC Russian Red is still my go-to red lip... but I think I'm ready to invest in more red shades now ;)

Overall, 2016 has been quite kind to me. After two consecutive crappy, emotionally-draining years (read it here and here), this year finally has finally restored some balance into my life. I'd like to think that after so much fighting and struggling for the past 2 years, I have finally grew and developed a muscle strong enough to fight back all the negativity in my life and and keep pressing on. I won't lie though - there are some days when I felt thoroughly incapacitated by rage and resentment, and will spent many hours wallowing in my own pity party, but what I do know now is that I AM strong NOW, and I CAN and HAVE overcome this - I just need to claw my way of of this sickening cloud of depressing thoughts that threatens to draw me back into that horrible, hopeless place.

How was your year? :D My sincere wish for all of you is to have a happy, healthy 2017, surrounded by love and family. And of course, to have many exciting and fulfilling adventures too!! :D May this year be even better than the last, and may all of us achieve everything we have set out to this year!!

Happy 2017 everyone!! :D

2015

2016-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

ps: picture heavy post

This year, I:

Spent 2 amazing weeks in Cambodia:

Where I:

Visited the magnificent temples of Angkor:

Went round island cycling at Koh Trong:

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go round island cycling on a lousy bike after not riding for more than a decade! Spent the next day walking funny!

Caught a glimpse of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins at the mighty Mekong:

Got my heart torn to shreds at Tuol Sleng:

Missed zipping down the roads of Kampot on a bike:

Do not miss getting myself bloody dusty though:

This is JUST FROM MY FOREHEAD, i kid you not!

Indulged in freshly caught and steamed crabs at Kep:

Got chased by bees at Koh Russei:

Dived in the frigid waters of Koh Kon:

And finally, relaxed at the paradise that is Koh Rong:

Come April, I visited Bandung, where I:

Breathed in the sulfurous air of Kawah Putih:

Visited the upturned boat (Tangkuban Perahu):

Got addicted to these spicy chicken bites from McDonalds:

Went shopping like a millionaire:

Indulged in amazing massages:

And climbed 1200 stairs to see the bottom of the rainbow falls:

In between months, I visited neighbouring Thailand thrice:

Managed to visit Songkla this time:

and got the WORST food poisoning this year :(

Made a trip to the City of Angels too:

Where I ate like a ~~man~~ queen:

And went for multiple guilt-free massage sessions:

So cheap and good - why Malaysia don't have :(

Come November, I also did a 11-day solo trip to Korea:

Started out in Busan:

Where I visited:

An umbrella-free Haeundae:

The underwhelming Haedong Yonggungsa:

Took me two bloody hours to arrive :(

The rugged coastline of Taejongdae:

Jagalchi Market for overpriced Sashimi:

Gamcheon Village where I got lost twice:

Ladies and Gentlemen, do not be cheap like me. Just pay eight bucks for a bloody map!

And the Diamond Bridge at Gwangalli Beach:

I also visited Gyeongju to see the adorable dome-shaped tombs:

and the beautiful Anapji Pond at dusk, among others:

I then made my way to the magical fairyland that is Seoraksan, where I managed to catch the last of autumn:

and busted my ass conquering Ulsanbawi:

An almost-vertical 800m climb - never again!!! >.<

After which I went northeast bound, where I visited the famed Nami Island:

Don't you know, I'm a #selfieninja! :D

and the beautiful Secret Garden in Changdeokgung:

Highly recommended in the fall!!

I then made my way south to Naejangsan, where I immersed myself in the soul soothing colors of autumn:

It was the peak of the season, and the reds were so splendid until my camera couldn't focus (lol):

#nofilter

My trip ended in Seoul, where I spent a wallet damaging day in the streets of Myeongdong, Itaewon, Gangnam and Hongdae:

Don't ask me why I bought Japanese stuff in Korea... I have no idea either :P

Career-wise, this was a good year too - I got a promotion at work:

50 cent beers I miss you everyday!

I also chopped off my waist long hair, and gone the shortest I've went for in the past 13 years or so! :D

Never thought I'd say this, but I'm really enjoying my new length! :D

On the beauty-front, I finally found a few products that really worked for my skin. I hope I don't jinx anything by saying this but my skin is now at the best it has been for the past few years:

#nomakeup and #nofilter. Ok maybe except sunscreen *jabs you - geddit, geddit? :D*. Still thinking of zapping my freckles away though... hmm maybe I will do it this year. Or not. Argh I can't decide >.<

Personally, it has been a year of tremendous progress and growth. I'm stronger now, both physically and emotionally. I have achieved my goals for the year, and I know that I'm capable of so much more. I found the strength to forgive both myself and the person who have wronged me, and on days when I struggle with the after effects of the shitstorm that came my way, to know that it's ok to still hurt and feel angry, and to find solace in the assurance that this, too, shall pass.

Most importantly, I am happy:

And I won't have it any other way.

Hope your 2015 has been as awesome as mine too!! Here's to an even better and brighter 2016! :)

2014

2015-01-01T19:00:00.000+08:00

This year features the highest of highs...

...where I realised my childhood dream of visiting the Land of the Rising Sun

... experienced snow for the first time...

... and managed to catch the first blooms of sakura in the city:

I also had the privilege of visiting the Tuna Auction at Tsukiji Market:

Waited 3 hours in the freezing cold morning for this:

The Mother of all sashimis... OTORO!!! :O~~~~

Walked across the crazy busy Shibuya Crossing:

... and crossed eating ice cream in negative degree (-7C) weather off my bucket list:

Nothing significant in the next pic other than me missing my violet brown hair... lol!

I also did two weeks of diving in the Perhentians, and saw my very first Pikachu (Thecacera pacifica):

Managed to visit the Capital and had my fill of my favourite protein:

So raw... so delicious!!! :O~~~

And oh, I graduated again! :)

This year had me reaching the lowest of lows in my life as well. I have arrived at the point of my life where all the lousy emotional investments that I have made thus far are hounding my door demanding for payment with compounded interest. I became accustomed to a pain so searing that I'm utterly convinced that I will never experience unadulterated, genuine joy ever again. So much pain, so much anger, so many burning questions unanswered.

What wouldn't I give to have this soul-withering emptiness taken away from me.

The upside to this whole ordeal? After being through hell and back, there is no more fear. You also realise how little you have to live for, and how little you can actually live for. Things that used to matter the world to you seemed almost frivolous now. It is time to get rid of all excess baggage and cut lose the snares that are holding you back.

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, its falling into place
Im on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

And I will be held. Because thats all I have left to hold on to.

Happy New Year everyone! :)

Jenn Asks: Do supplements / tonics make you break out?

2014-01-22T00:00:00.000+08:00

Not fun :(

I've noticed for the past few months that whenever I have Dang Gui Chicken (当归鸡), I would always have a pimple or two pop up on my forehead the very next day! For the uninitiated, Dang Gui, also known as Angelica or the Female Ginseng, is purportedly good for ladies (to regulate menstruation, improve blood circulation, and to replace the blood loss during your period). It is also incredibly heaty (if you subscribe to that school of thought) so one must consume a lot of water after eating it. It is usually steamed together with chicken thighs and goji berries (and sometimes rice wine) to make a nourishing and delicious dish.

My mother in law, bless her heart, has been cooking this dish rather often for me nowadays! While I super appreciate her efforts and LOVE the taste, I'm not too sure if I enjoy the pimples that come along with this dish! Lol!

So over to you! Do herbal supplements or tonics make you break out?

Product Review: Estee Lauder Nutritious Night Vita-Mineral Intense Nourishing Creme / Mask

2014-01-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM220 (approx. US$66.67)
Weight: 50ml / 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Made in: USA
Likes: Brightens complexion really well!
Gripes: Not moisturizing enough for my combi-dry skin, thick / hard to spread texture.
You would like it if: You already have amazing skin, and are looking for a good brightening cream.
Repurchase: Most likely not
Availability: All Estee Launder counters.

Product Description:

INFUSE. Replenish and restore your skin overnight, and wake up to the look of radiant health. This emollient creme, rich in nutrients, works all night long to restore skin's balance and deliver deep down hydration with pure Pomegranate Extract plus essential minerals. Helps skin reactivate its own natural defenses that may have been impared by the stresses of the day.

Can also be applied generously as an overnight mask whenever skin needs a surge of intense nourishment.

Created exclusively for and tested on Asian skin. Dermatologist-tested. Non-acnegenic.

Ingredients:

Texture and Scent:

This night cream is much thicker than your usual moisturizer - I find that it takes abit of warming up before it spreads easily unto your skin. It sinks in if I apply a thin layer, but it leaves a film on my skin if I apply a thicker layer whenever I used it as an overnight treatment.

This has a sweetish floral scent that dissipates quickly.

Packaging:

This comes in a plastic tub with a screw off cap. Love that there's another seal inside to keep the cream fresh:

Open sesame - this is how much cream you get with every tub:

As with all creams in a tub, I have a love-hate relationship with this kind of containers. On one hand, I can use up every morsel of product in the container. However, on the other hand, creams in a tub tend to spoil faster due to the added exposure. To keep contamination to the minimum, do scoop out product with a spatula (which is not included with this product).

This is the box this product came in:

Price & Availability:

This is priced at RM220 and is available at all Estee Lauder counters! :)

My $0.02:

I was given a generous sample of the day cream version when I bought my Advanced Night Repair from the counter. I ADORE the day cream to bits, so I thought I'd give this one a try too! :)

At the beginning (especially the first two weeks), I loved this night cream to death! It made my skin look so RADIANT! Remember in my skincare post I mentioned that I'm on a quest to attain super bright skin? For a month or so, I actually thought this is it! :D

Alas, all good things must come to an end. After a month or so, I realised that this product does not brighten as well anymore. Also, my skin looked (and felt) dry. It was then that I realised that it has been about two weeks since I last ran out of my beloved Advanced Night Repair - it was the ANR that kept my skin hydrated and healthy so this cream and do it's magic! :(

I personally prefer to use this as a bi-weekly brightening treatment instead of a night cream because of its thicker than usual texture. I use quite abit of product on my face every night, and it can get quite overwhelming with this cream. LOL. When used this way, it makes my skin radiant and glowy the next day without compromising on hydration (as I use another moisturizer).

In a nutshell, methinks that this works best as a brightening mask / treatment instead of a night cream, because it is not moisturizing enough on its own for my combi-dry skin. It is, however, DIVINE when used with the Advanced Night Repair. That'being said, I'm still on the fence whether I will repurchase this product or not because of the aforementioned dilemma. Lol. For now, I'm happy to explore and try other products. But who knows, I may just repurchase this again next time when I'm missing my super glowy skin! :D

Have you tried anything from the Nutritious range before?

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: Silkygirl Lash Prism Waterproof Mascara in 01 Blackest Black

2014-01-17T00:00:00.001+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM15.90 (approx. US$4.81)
Weight: 4ml / 0.34 Oz.
Made in: China
Likes: Lengthens well, rich black color, easily removed, cheap, easily available.
Gripes: Heavy formula that weighs down my lashes, clumpy, smudges, ineffective mascara wand.
You would like it if: You're looking for an affordable lengthening mascara and do not have oily lids :)
Repurchase: No
Availability: Watsons, Guardian, Caring, some supermarkets.

Product Description:

Enriched with unique Gel Flex Polymers to lengthen and volumize lashes from root to tip. Its 360° Cross Fiber Hook Brush is designed to deliver clump-free lashes and ensure ease of application.

Ingredients:
NA

Color & Pigmentation:
The shade I got is Blackest Black, and it is really, well, the Blackest Black! :D It's really dark and JET BLACK! :) It also comes in three other colors - Brown, Blue and Purple.

Texture & Scent:
This mascara is rather heavy, a lash comb is definitely a must because it can get quite clumpy! It weighs down my (already) poker straight lashes too, no fun!!

I also find the formula rather "wet" - while that makes it go on easily, I find that it takes longer than the average mascaras to dry completely.

This doesn't have a strong chemical scent, whoots! :D

Packaging:

^ Brand new in plastic! :D

This mascara comes in a typical tube with the applicator attached to the cap. It fits right into my palm:

The applicator is a oblong gourd shape with stubby bristles - I find that it is not long enough to coat each lash thoroughly:

Time Test:
This mascara weighs down my lashes almost immediately after application. Sadly, it also smudges from the 3rd hour onwards.

Price & Availability:
This mascara costs RM15.90, and is available at all Silkygirl displayers at Watsons, Guardian, Caring and some supermarkets :)

My $0.02:

This was going on sale (buy 1 free 1) when I bought it - so I only paid like eight bucks for it! Lol! :D

It's been ages since I last bought anything from this brand. Methinks that they have quite a few drugstore gems in their offering - I was quite into their (now discontinued) Silky White Magic Face Powder, which is a local dupe for my Holy Grail Pond's Magic Powder. I also adore their Blushes and Eyeshadow Duos. And oh, I used their Funky Eyelights Pencil to death too! :D

So, going into testing out this product, it's a mixed bag of emotions for me. On one hand, I have *some* sort of expectations for this, as I have so many good experiences with the abovementioned products! On the other hand, I won't be surprised if it doesn't really work for me because it's so cheap! :D

So, did this work for me?

Sadly, it did not! :( While it gives beautiful length and I love how pigmented it is, it also weighs down my lashes and smudges easily too (despite being labeled as a waterproof mascara). The formula also takes longer than usual to dry.

As usual, here's a bunch of pics for you to judge for yourself:

And side by side for comparison:

After 3 coats.

As you can see, it weighs down the lashes even from the very first coat. It does add quite abit of length to my lashes though, so all is not lost! If I have the time, I would try to make this work by thoroughly combing them through and perhaps fixing them in with powder or a makeup fixer, because I like the length it gives to my lashes. However, I can't get over how this weighs my lashes down, so I won't be repurchasing this (shame - if only all mascaras were THAT affordable!).

Have you tried this mascara before? Did you like it? :D

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go to supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Jenn Asks: Where have you travelled to in the past year? :D

2014-01-15T00:00:00.000+08:00

As mentioned in my 2014 Resolutions post, one of the things that I wish to achieve this year is to go to somewhere totally new! :) It's been coming to 6 years since the husband and I has explored a new country together, so now is the time to remedy that now!

The husband and I are in the midst of planning our next vacation... so we need some input and ideas! Sadly, Europe and the US are out of our budgets for now, so we're looking at travelling within Asia! We're practically deliberating over Indonesia, Philippines or Cambodia for now, so if you have any traveled to any of these three countries (or even others within Asia), please do share in the comments below!! :D

So over to you! Where have you travelled in the past year? And also, where would you recommend travelling to Asia? :D

Product Review: Loreal UV Perfect 12 Hour Longlasting UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++ in Apricot Even Complexion

2014-01-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM32.90 (approx. US$10)
Amount: 30ml
Made in: Indonesia
Likes: Long lasting UV protection, broad spectrum and high SPF protection, affordable, easily available
Gripes: Leaves my face looking shiny, non-existent coverage.
Repurchase: YES!! :D
Availability: Watsons, Guardian, Caring, L'Oreal displayers at your local supermarket :D

Product Description:

Every day, your skin faces multiple aggressions such as UV rays and atmospherical pollution - that trigger the creation of free radicals, responsible for attacking cells and breaking elastin and collagen fibers. The result is a deep alteration of skin and cells functions.

L'Oreal Skincare Laboratories create UV Perfect - enriched with a powerful Anti-Oxidant Complex - for an inside/out protection against brown spots, skin darkening and premature aging.

Ingredients:

Usage:

UV PERFECT can be used at the end of your skincare routine, as a daily moisturizing makeup-base.

Pigmentation and Color:

This sunblock is a light beige color fresh out of the tube, however, it goes on virtually colorless on the skin! :) Like its predecessor the Advanced Fluid Protector, I find that it leaves my face looking shiny. It's nothing a good dab of power can't fix though, so I can overlook this flaw! :D

Before and after - see how shiny my face is?

Texture and Scent:

This sunblock is rather fluid, so it spreads easily unto my face. I find that it is less oily than the previous version, which I much preferred! :)

Packaging:

This sunblock comes in a plastic tube with a twist off cap. I super heart the small dispensing tip because I can control precisely how much product I want to use:

Also love how the manufacturing date is printed on the tube itself so I know how old this product is:

This is the box it came in:

Time Test:

This product claims to protect the skin against UV rays for 12 hours! I haven't really tested it out for that long, but I do feel sufficiently protected for at least 10 hours! :)

Price & Availability:

The sunblock retails for RM32.90 (approx. US$10) each and is available at Watsons, Guardian, Caring and some supermarkets! :D

My $0.02:

Remember in my Lancome UV Expert Review where I compared it to the old Loreal Advanced Fluid Protector? I mentioned that the Lancome one lasts twice the amount of time the Loreal one did. The L'Óreal gods must be listening because not too long after, now we mere-mortals have the 12-hour protection drugstore version to enjoy too! :D *squeals and hops around the room in joy*

I have been using the UV Perfect range for almost 8 years now, and I'm happy to declare it my Holy Grail drugstore sunblock still! :D It's SPF50 PA+++, affordable, and easily available. And now even better with a 12-hour long protection to boot! Oh the joy!! :D

The only thing I don't like about this product is its tendency to leave a shiny film on my face. But it's nothing a dab of powder can't fix, so I can definitely overlook this! Also, this doesn't offer any coverage on the skin, so I find the term "even complexion" abit redundant la. For some strange reason, the Transparent Skin (clear) version is not available here... perhaps I should pick that one up the next time I'm in Thailand :)

In a nutshell, me LOVES this product to bits, and will definitely repurchase. However, as with all itchy backsides, I'm already onto another product - it's BB Max sister:

It's quite promising for now... I'll let you know once I've formed my opinion, so stay tuned! :D

Have you tried this sunblock before? Do you like it? :)

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions regarding my posting policies kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: Biore Cleansing Oil - In Cotton Wipes

2014-01-10T00:00:00.000+08:00

Warning: picture heavy post! :D

At a Glance:
Price: RM32.90 (approx. US$10). Refills cost RM25.90 (approx. US$8.48) for 48 sheets and the travel pack (of 10 sheets) cost RM6.90 (approx. US$2.12).
Amount: 48 sheets
Made in: Japan
Likes: Takes off all makeup (except waterproof mascara) easily and quickly, doesn't leave an oily residue, affordable, easily available, awesome travel pack that's perfect for touch-ups on the go!
Gripes: Takes a little longer to remove waterproof mascara (but then again, you SHOULDN'T remove mascara with a wipe! :D)
Repurchase: Yes! :)

Product Description:

Instantly removes all traces of makeup, even waterproof mascara!
Enjoy the convenience of quick and easy makeup removal anytime, anywhere with Biore Cleansing Oil - In Cotton Wipes. Every sheet contains a light and smooth cleansing oil that effectively removes all traces of makeup that accumulate in pores without excessive rubbing. Skin feels fresh, soft and smooth!
Thoroughly cleanses without leaving any trace of makeup
Cleansing oil does not remain on skin so there is no greasy, sticky feeling after use.
Made from 100% natural fiber for a pleasantly soft touch on skin.
Contains moisturising agent that makes skin feel soft, smooth and supple, not tight.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Texture and Scent:

This makeup remover sheet is rather thick (but still quite soft), so it feels quite nice against the skin! :) Despite being "cleansing oil-based", it doesn't leave an oily film on the skin after using it, which is really nice! I also like how it doesn't ball up into a gadzillion cotton bits after wiping around:

This has a rather strong floral scent to it, and it tastes pretty funky - I would definitely recommend washing your face and lips thoroughly after using this product! Haha! :D

Packaging:

This makeup remove wipe comes in two forms - in a refillable plastic box of 48 sheets and a travel pack of 10 sheets.

Let's start with the plastic box! This is how it looks brand new and unopened:

And after you peel off the packaging, this is how it looks like:

The plastic box feels really sturdy and well made, which I really like. And it's PINK! Haha! :D The plastic lid lifts easily although it shuts close snugly. I've elected to keep my wipes sealed in the foil pack to maximize its shelf-life so I don't know how effective it is at keeping the wipes from drying out!

Refill packs come in a plastic / foil pack:

Which you peel off the cover:

And pop it back into the box like so:

Tada - wipes at your convenience! Lol! :D For true convenience, I would highly recommend purchasing the travel pack:

It comes in a plastic / foil pack (much like a wet tissue packet) that fits in your handbag nicely:

Lift the seal and tada, mascara-run saviour! :D

Time Test:

As mentioned above, I keep my box of wipes sealed in its foil pack, so I don't know how long it will remain effective otherwise. As for the travel pack, I've had a pack opened for almost 6 months, and it's still pretty moist! :D

Price & Availability:

The full sized, refillable box cost RM32.90 (approx. US$10) each. Refills cost RM25.90 (approx. US$8.48) for 48 sheets and the travel pack (of 10 sheets) cost RM6.90 (approx. US$2.12). This is available at Watsons, Guardian, Caring and some supermarkets! :D

My $0.02:

This entry took me yonks to write... I never had the right photographs to showcase how much I love these wonderful wipes until now!! Haha! :D Ok, after the super long intro above and bombing your bandwidth with so many pictures, I'll do less talking and go straight to the point:

THESE ARE AWESOME! :D

Pictures to prove - let's start with my makeup plastered face:

Foundation: L'Occitane Sublime Beauty Cream in Light
Powder: Pond's Magic Powder
Cheeks: NARS Torrid
Brows: Daiso Auto Brow Pencil
Eyeshadow(s): MAC Smoke and Diamonds, MAC Charred, MAC Unbasic White
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black Brown
Mascara: Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express Mascara
Lips: MAC Kiss Manish! :)

And here's a side by side comparison after using the wipes on one side of my face:

A closer look - Eyes:

Lips:

All traces of makeup gone!! There's no oily residue too! Major love! :D

In a nutshell, I'm really loving these wipes - they're affordable and they WORK beautifully! You'll need to go at it a few times before it removes all traces of waterproof mascara, but then again, you shouldn't be tugging at your eyes like that - use a separate remover! Lol! :D I'll definitely repurchase these! :)

Have you tried these wipes before? Do you like them? :)

Jenn Asks: What are your new year resolutions for 2014?

2014-01-08T00:00:00.001+08:00

It's a brand new year! :D And what better time than now than to set some new goals and resolution to be achieved in the new year! :D

Personally for me, my resolutions for 2014 are simple:

1. Travel to a new place! It's been awhile since I last travelled to some place totally unfamiliar and just soak in the local culture and atmosphere, it's time to remedy that now! Now for the tough part of deciding where to go... :)
2. Eat and live healthier. I need to cut out as much processed food as possible and start exercising more... my metabolic rate aint what it used to be anymore (not that it was any great before, but hey, i'll take "not any great" over "non-existent" anyday)! :D
3. Save X amount of money. Gonna be tough with the price hikes and all, but I'm determined to see this through! :)
4. Be more disciplined - No working or Facebooking in bed, bathe before 8pm and no buying means NO BUYING! :D
5. Improve my stamina and swimming techniques - I want to be able to swim in strong currents! Lol! :P

Over to you! What are your resolutions for 2014? Do you even believe in setting resolutions for yourself? :D

Product Review: Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black Brown

2014-01-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM30 (approx. US$3.031)
Weight: 0.28g / 0.01Oz.
Made in: USA
Likes: Rich color, stays on well if set with powder, affordable, easily available
Gripes: Makes my eyes feel rather uncomfortable when wearing, harder than usual formula, flakes, smudges in hot weather
You would like it if: You would like a cheap auto eyeliner that works! :)
Repurchase: No

Product Description:

NA

Ingredients:

Color & Pigmentation:

Pictured here next to my (near) Holy Grail Photogravure Technakohl from MAC

This eyeliner is a very rich dark brown, even darker than the MAC Photogravure Technakohl (which is my favourite!)! :) It is very pigmented as well - the swatch above is achieved with two swipes! :)

I find that I have to be quite precise with my application when using this, because it doesn't budge after it goes on! :P

Texture & Scent:
This eyeliner has a harder than usual formula, which I don't like because it tugs at my lids. It feels a little waxy on too!

This doesn't really have a scent to it.

Packaging:

Brand new in shrink-wrap! :D

This eyeliner comes in a typical pen-like plastic body with a twist-up mechanism and pull-off cap. It also comes with a sharpener at the other end:

I didn't find a use for it though - I just turn it from side to side when applying to keep it sharp and precise. I find that using a sharpener wastes product :P

Just alternate sides when you're using to keep it sharp! :D

You get about 1.5" of product per eyeliner:

Time Test:
This eyeliner lasts an entire day on my lids if I set it with powder and stay in an air-conditioned environment. Sadly, this one doesn't really hold up in humid weather - it will start to smudge within 3 hours or so.

Price & Availability:
This eyeliner costs RM30 (approx. US$3.03) and is available at all Revlon displayers at Watsons, Guardian and Caring Pharmacies.

My $0.02:

Lol it's about time I catch up on all my reviews... this post has been in the making since 2012!! :O

I ran out of my beloved MAC Photogravure Technakohl, and thought I could save money and try this drugstore version out instead! :) Afterall, this is half the price of the Technakohl, so I reckon it is worth the gamble! Haha!! :D

So how did I find this drugstore product? Read on to find out! :)

What I like the most about this eyeliner is its rich, pigmented color! It's a super dark brown that is very flattering on my skin! :) It also works beautifully when I set it with powder and remain in a cool environment for the entire duration.

However, once I switch off the air-conditioner or step out into the bad, humid world (lol so drama), this smudges within 3 hours! >.< Here's a bunch of pics for you to compare and judge for yourself (left is freshly applied, the right is 8 hours later - I'll have to be fair and say that this is tested on a super HOT 35C day, with no base or setting powder):

As you can see, it looks fine when I open my eyes, but when I close them, you can see that it has actually smudges all over my crease! Haha! :P

Just in case you're wondering how this compares to my favourite MAC Photogravure Technakohl, read on to find out! :D

The most obvious difference between the two, is of course, their price difference! The Technakohl is RM68, which is double the price of this eyeliner (RM30).

Color-wise, both are pretty pigmented, with this eyeliner being a shade darker than the MAC one, which I really like:

Texture-wise, this one is alot harder and less creamy than the MAC one, so I find that it tugs on my lids a bit when I use it. It also sets quickly and doesn't budge easily after that, making cleaning up mistakes harder than usual (you'll need to use makeup remover, sadly!).

Finally, I'm sure the most important point is how they compare in terms of staying power right? :D Here're a bunch of pics for you to see for yourself (left is the MAC, right is Revlon. The top one is freshly applied, the bottom picture, 8 hours later. Once again, this is done on a super hot and humid day with no base or setting powder):

As you can see, the Technakohl held up alot better than this eyeliner, although both look pretty ok with my eyes open. I'll have to be fair and say that they're both pretty comparable in terms of staying power if I use them together with a base and setting powder, and stay away from the outdoors! At half the price, this is actually a decent drugstore option to try! :D

Still, I will NOT repurchase this one. For some reason my eyes would feel quite uncomfortable with this on, and i always end up with red eyes:

The left side was tested with the MAC Photogravure Technakohl, and the right side, with this eyeliner. See how it made my right eye really red?

This is definitely a deal-breaker for me. This aside, it is actually quite a decent drugstore eyeliner that I wouldn't mind repurchasing if not for the fact that it hurts my eyes, which is a shame!

Have you tried this eyeliner before? Do you like it? :D

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions regarding my posting policies kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

2013

2014-01-03T00:00:00.000+08:00

This year, I:

Crossed an item off my bucket list in Jan:

Visited and dived the absolutely breathtaking Similan Islands. I miss that place everyday!

Saw my very first Ornate Ghost Pipe Fish! Whoots! :D

Need to practice my underwater photography skills though - the white balance is seriously off in this pic! :P

We also sampled one of the best crispy roast pork at Trang:

100B for 250g! Sinfully good! :D

And marveled at the amazing limestone formations at Phang Nga:

So beautiful!!

Planned a short getaway to nearby Hatyai in April a week before Songkran:

Where I restocked my shampoos and bought one too many packets of potato chips :P

Attended my first ever event:

The ultra-secret preview launch of the newly reformulated Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ (DDML+) from Clinique! :)

Voted in my country's 13th General Election for the first time:

Exercised my rights as a citizen! :)

Finally invested in a clothes dryer:

I wondered what took me SO LONG to get one!! No more grumbling during rainy season now! #hugsdryertosleep

Took a week off work to frolic in the pristine waters of Perhentian:

Missing the water so so much!! :( :(

Went for my first ever drift dive:

And saw my first ever seahorse!! #sohappycandie

Celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary:

What?! It's been five years already?!!

Attended the official opening of the L'Occitane store at Gurney Paragon:

I learnt so much about this brand! :D Do you know that all furniture in their stores are sourced from sustainable forests or recycled materials? :)

Crossed another item off my bucket list:

Finally bit the bullet and got a brazilian. Hurt like a @#$%!!! and I'm not in a hurry to do it again! >.<

Went back to school:

Just when I thought my study days are over, my company decided to send me for another certification! Hello again, Sleepless Nights!

Finally grew out and chopped off the colored bits of my hair:

My hair took 3 years to be healthy again, but I'm already itching for a dye job! :/

Went to Hatyai again:

Got to sample the famous Tom Yum Goong from Kan Eng! :D~

Took a solo trip to the capital:

Where my flight got delayed and landed in another airport!

and guess who I ran into?

Beetrice, Xin and Connie! :D So ngam!! :D :D

In short, 2013 has been really good to me! Looking back at these pictures and memories really made me smile! I hope to keep this happy streak for 2014 as well!! Wish me luck!! :D

Happy New Year everyone! How was your 2013? What do you wish to achieve in 2014? :D

L'Occitane @ Gurney Paragon Now Open and the new Immortelle Divine Anti-Aging Range! :D

2013-10-13T16:07:00.000+08:00

I was very kindly invited to the official media launch of L'Occitane's new greenhouse concept outlet in Gurney Paragon last Friday! :) Staying true to their earth-friendly concept and commitment to ecodesign, this new store focuses on reducing the use of energy and water, as well as using only recycled furniture, FSC-certified wood and silicone-free paint to reduce the impact to environment wherever possible. I have to say that I'm quite impressed with their efforts to preserve our earth! :)

Once you stepped into their store, you'll be treated to a plethora of smells and sights! Bath and body junkies will have a field day trying out the different ranges of lotions, perfumes and potions! :) There are also many gift sets sold at a special price together (sometimes even with a free bag or pouch thrown in!)! With Christmas approaching in 1.5 months, these sets make beautiful and attractive gifts to give! ;)

Events are a great platform for meeting other bloggers and also putting faces to blogs that I have been reading too! So glad to be able to meet some of the awesome bloggers that I have been stalking previously (I'm not creepy, REALLY!)! :)

With the gorgeous Carmen and Jxhia! oh, what wouldn't I give to be as young as they are again! :D

We also had the opportunity to have a sneak peak at the upcoming launches for the next three months. In October, L'Occitane will unveil their newly reformulated Immortelle Divine Anti-Aging series! :)

On top of containing their proprietary Immortelle essential oil (which is used for its anti-inflammatory, cell regenerating, pain reducing and calming properties), the new Divine series is further boosted by a complex of 7 naturally-derived active ingredients: Marsh Clover, Corsican Myrtle, Corsican Honey, Bellis Perennis, Hyaluronic Acid, Evening Primrose Oil & Camelina Oil. According to L'Occitane, this cocktail of natural active ingredients acts at the heart of the skin’s cells to correct all signs of ageing and breathe new life into skin. Along with keeping the old Divine Extract (RM445), Cream (RM455) and Eyes (RM260) trilogy, this launch will see an addition to the family in the form of a Lotion (RM190), which is a skin-softener containing a high concentration of trace elements (zinc, copper, magnesium) to stimulate cell activity and turnover.

About around now, most outlets would have the newly reformulated Immortelle Divine series in store already, so if you're looking for anti-aging products, do drop by to try out this range! :) There're two bundled sets offering a great value for those who want to purchase two or more Divine products at a time:

Divine Deluxe Set - RM580 (Worth RM645 - you save RM65!)
1x Divine Cream (50ml)
1x Divine Lotion (200ml)

Elite Divine Set - RM995 (Worth RM1105 - you save RM110!)
1x Divine Cream (50ml)
1x Divine Lotion (200ml)
1x Divine Extract (30ml)
1x Cosmetic Pouch

We were given the Divine Cream and Lotion to try out, so you'll be hearing from me in due time about them! Stay tuned ya! :D

That's all for now! Will keep the launches for November and December a secret until then! Hehe! :D Would like to shout out to Clarance, the awesome and enviably slim PR Manager of L'Occitane Malaysia for extending the invite to me. I truly enjoyed myself and have learnt so much about the values and concepts of the brand, so THANK YOU! :)

Arm, y u so fat? :P

Have you been to the new store at Paragon? What is your favourite L'Occitane product? Share away! :)

Product Review: L'Occitane Angelica Iris Sublime Essence

2013-09-03T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM195 / US$52
Weight: 30ml / 1 Fl. Oz.
Made in: France
Likes: Really works to reduce the appearance of pores and redness, makes skin appear super glowy! :)
Gripes: Expensive, tricky to use - balls up if rubbed, strong fragrance
Repurchase: Most probably not

Product Description:

The skin-perfecting Sublime Serum visibly leaves skin looking and feeling flawless.

Ideal for all skin type or tone, The Subline Essence, with its fresh, sheer texture, helps to correct skin irregularities and reduce redness. The skin’s texture is visibly refined; pores immediately appear tighter. Moisturised and plumped, skin looks velvety soft. The complexion is more even and more radiant.

This perfecting serum is made with organic extracts from two angelic flowers: white iris and angelica. A symbol of pure beauty, the velvety and luminous white iris offers its powers of sublimation. Known for its incredible hydrating properties, angelica gives the skin vitality.

Our patented, silicone-free formula leaves skin looking and feeling sublime.

Ingredients:

Texture and Scent:

I'm really intrigued by this product - this feels just like your typical silicone-based primer so I'm really surprised that it does not contain any silicones! :D This dries quickly to form a smooth layer on the skin. However, I find that this balls up if I exert too much force when applying any other products after this! :(

This has a lovely floral scent that can be overpowering sometimes, especially if you use this together with the BB cream!

Packaging:

This comes in a sturdy plastic bottle with a pump. I wished that the bottle was opaque though, so that I can see how much product there is left.

This also comes in a box, but I do not have a picture of it because the one I got is a press sample.

Price & Availability:

This is priced at RM195 and is available at all L'Occitane outlets! :)

My $0.02:

Once again, a quick shout-out to the L'Occitane team for providing this product for me to try out!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! :D

Although this product is labelled as an essence, I will personally recommend using it as a primer before your makeup due to it containing mica (glitters) and titanium dioxide (reflective pigments). It does, however, contain quite a fair bit of excellent ingredients, such as salicylic and hyaluronic acids and Vitamin E, along with the main ingredients from this line of product Iris (promotes skin renewal) and Angelica (for intense hydration) extracts :)

This product does live up to its claims for me. It effectively reduces the appearance of enlarged pores as well as redness! :)

Here's a comparison of how effective it is:

As you can see, it really does diminish the appearance of the enlarged pores around my nose and made my skin look more refined! It also toned down the redness too! <3 p="">
On the flipside, I find that this balls up if I do not use the gentlest of strokes when layering another product on top of this - it's not a very pretty sight! However, I've since found out that applying foundation over this with a stippling motion works best for me, so it's not so much of an issue for me anymore! :) I'm also not particularly crazy about the strong floral scent, especially when layered with the BB cream!

To be perfectly honest, it is not something that I'll personally repurchase for now - not because this is a lousy product (it is quite good, in fact), but simply because I do not currently include a primer in my makeup routine! :) One day when I have decided that I need to include primers in my makeup routine I'll definitely revisit this! :)

Have you tried this product before? What is your favourite primer? :)

This product was provided for consideration. Opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. Kindly purchase at your own discretion. For the nitty gritty on product sponsored reviews kindly refer to my disclaimer or drop me an email if you need any further clarifications :)

Product Review: Starwing Konjac Sponge from Sasa

2013-08-30T00:00:00.000+08:00

Warning: Large gif file ahead. Pay per use mobile viewers be warned! :P

Product Description:

NA

Instructions:

Translation:
1. Please wash thoroughly with clean water before first use
2. Soak in warm water for 3 minutes before each use to soften sponge
3. The Konjac sponge can be used on its own or with a facial cleanser. Use gentle massaging strokes to clean the skin.
4. Wash and clean the sponge after using
5. Hang the sponge in a dark and cool area to dry it

Texture:

This sponge is basically a domed shape ball. The dome shape makes it easy to hold - you're supposed to use the flat side to wash your face with (but hey, nobody says you can't do it the other way around! :D). Against the skin it is super soft and it feels really nice when you massage it all over your face! :D

My dome became lop-sided though after using it for a week:

Haha!! :D Perhaps I've been squeezing it too hard! :P

I SUPER LOVE how squishy this sponge is! :D As you can see in the gif file above, it bounces back up when you squeeze it! Toing toing! Hehehe!

Packaging:

This konjac sponge comes a striking pink sealed plastic packet. Within the packet, the sponge is sealed within another plastic packet to keep it clean and moist:

The sponge comes with a string for you to hang it when not in use! :)

Price & Availability:
This sponge is priced at RM12.90 each and is available at Sasa! :)

My $0.02:

Somebody please tell me that I'm not the last person on the planet to review this amazing little puff! Hehe! :D

I hopped unto the Konjac sponge bandwagon pretty late (only this year! :D). Not complaining though as I *think* Sasa seems to be wanting to discontinue the sale of these sponges for awhile now - they're on 50% off! Sooo cheap! :D

This Konjac sponge does live up to it's hype for me, despite only using a generic branded one (Starwing from Taiwan, but I can't find anything related to this brand online! >.<). Not sure how this compares with the Original one from the Konjac Sponge Company, but hey at almost a third of the price I'm happy to keep guessing! :P

It does what it's supposed to do - clean my face - really well, even if I don't use any facial cleanser. I do prefer using a facial foam with this though, for a thoroughly lush and enjoyable face washing session!! Hehehe! :D

I can't really fault this in any way (honest), maybe only one - this doesn't have any English explanation on the packaging. Although this is quite a straight forward product to use, I thought it would nice to have that so that people who can't read Chinese can also know what to do! :) Mine became slightly "deformed" after a week - but after 5 months of regular washing it is still holding up pretty well! :) There were some complaints that the sponge grew mouldy after awhile, but thankfully I did not experience that!

.
. .

In summary, methinks that this is not a must have, but it does make face washing very pleasant and fun! It cleanses the skin pretty well too! I'll definitely repurchase, but as with all itchy backsides I'm onto my next product already - a facial cleansing mitt! :D

Price: RM12.90 (approx. US$3.90)
Made in: Taiwan
Likes: Cleanses face well, super gentle against skin, fun to use! :D
Gripes: No English on the packaging, there were complaints of this growing mouldy (didn't happen to mine though).
You would like it if: Love using a sponge when cleaning your face! :D
Available at: Sasa
Repurchase: Yes! :)

Have you tried a Konjac sponge before? How do you like it? :D

Product Review: The Face Shop Collagen Essential Mask Sheet

2013-08-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM6.90 (approx. US$2.09)
Weight: 22ml / 0.74 Fl. Oz.
Made in: Korea
Likes: Moisturizes ok, brightens skin well! :)
Gripes: Drippy and messy, reeks of alcohol, mask has a bad fit
Repurchase: No

Ingredients:

Product Description

A Collagen Mask Sheet for firm, hydrated skin

What is Collagen?

An essential factor in the strength and elasticity of skin, collagen constitutes over 90% of deeper dermal layers and is responsible for keeping skin firm and hydrated resulting in smoother facial contours.

The concentrations of Collagen in this gentle mask sheet are effectively absorbed into skin to leave it firm and hydrated.

Directions:

Texture & Scent:
This mask is probably the wettest one i've came across so far - its still kinda drippy until you take it off after 20 minutes! >.<

Although alcohol is almost at the end of the list, this mask reeked of it :(

Packaging:

This mask is individually packed into their respective foil packs and is sold by the piece.

Like the other masks from this brand, the mouth part is ridiculously huge:

Time Test:
15-20 minutes!

Price & Availability:
This mask is priced at RM6.90 each and is available at all The Face Shop outlets.

My $0.02:

2nd week in a row for Masking Mondays... can I keep this up? Lol! :D

Back to the review! This mask moisturizes ok, but I wished that it was more moisturizing for my combi dry skin. It does brighten my face quite well though:

You get lots of essence with this product too... too much in fact! Haha! The price is not too bad too!

All in all, I find this an ok mask - I most probably won't repurchase though because 1. i don't like products with alcohol and 2. there are more moisturizing masks out there at the same price :)

Product Review: Loreal Fall Repair 3X Anti-Hair Fall Shampoo

2013-08-21T00:00:00.000+08:00

Product Description:

NA

Ingredients:

Texture & Scent:

This shampoo is pretty runny, so it spreads easily unto your hair. It foams up nicely too:

This has a nice floral scent which I'm ok with! :)

Packaging:

This shampoo comes in a plastic bottle with a flip top cap. This travels pretty well - I bought mine in Krabi and the lid did not bust open throughout the Krabi - Khao Lak - Phuket - Hatyai - Penang roadtrip! :D

The dispensing hole:

Price & Availability:
This shampoo is priced at RM18.90 for 350ml. There's also a smaller 180ml bottle, and it goes for RM11.90. This shampoo should be available at all Watsons, Guardian and Caring Pharmacies as well as your local Supermarket :)

My $0.02:

I'm pretty devoted to my Pantene Hair Fall Control Shampoo, and it has been part of my shower rack staple for the past 4 years now. While I love how effective the Pantene one is at curbing hair fall, I detest its sickly sweet Honeydew Melon scent. So when this launched I thought I'd give it a try, since this one smells ALOT better than the Pantene one! :D

Did I like it?

No. Not enough to replace the Pantene, unfortunately. While one cleanses my hair pretty well, it leaves my hair feeling a tad drier than what I'd like (nothing a good hair mask cannot fix though). I also find this not as effective as the Pantene one at preventing hair fall. I know they have a tonic out for this very purpose (and have read a few rave reviews about it), but if I were to compare shampoo to shampoo, this one clearly doesn't work as well the Pantene one!

All is not lost though - this is quite cheap (and it goes on sale often!). Its available everywhere and if you don't have a chronic hair fall problem like I do, you may like this one! :)

.
. .

While I love how this cleanses my hair well and how affordable it is, it doesn't work as well as the Pantene Hair Fall Control Shampoo for me. Since I have something that works better I will most probably not repurchase this product.

Price: RM18.90 (approx. US$5.73)
Weight: 350ml
Made in: Indonesia
Likes: Cleanses well, cheap, widely available.
Gripes: Doesn't work as well as the Pantene Hair Fall Control Shampoo for me, hair feels dry after using
You would like it if: You do not have a problem with hair fall and if you have oily hair! :)
Available at: Watsons, Guardian, Caring and most major Supermarkets :)
Repurchase: Most probably not

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go to supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Mask

2013-08-19T00:00:00.001+08:00

Product Description:

3 anti-aging ingredients for a beautiful ageless skin
Retinol Vitamin A helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Collagen to improve skin's elasticity for a firmer and more lifted skin
Super Hyaluronic Acid instantly locks-in moisture to hydrate intensely keeping skin soft and significantly smooth
Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A which is beneficial for a youthful looking skin

Helps to rejuvenate skin cells to significantly improve skin's elasticity and firmness

Instantly smoothes skin's surface to reveal healthy and youthful looking skin.
Skin pH balanced. Low irritation
Free of fragrances, mineral oil and colorant.

Directions and Ingredients:

Texture & Scent:
This sheet mask holds quite abit of essence, but not overly so until its drippy or messy. I find that this stings my skin just abit towards the end of the 15-minute duration, but nothing too bad. After removing the mask, I find that the essence sinks in pretty quickly, unlike the Original one that requires several minutes of slapping my face to aid absorption.

This product is fragrance free.

Packaging:

This mask comes in an eye-catching red box of 4. Love how the box is sealed to prevent itchy fingers from opening the box prior to purchasing:

Each of the mask is individually foil packed for freshness:

I'm happy to report that this mask fits my face quite well! :D

Price & Availability:
This mask is priced at RM49.90 for 4 pieces and is able at most Watsons, Guardian and Caring pharmacies :)

My $0.02:

Anybody miss Masking Mondays? I know I do! Hehehe! :D

I've been stuck in a mask rut for the past few months - I went nuts whenever my beloved Neutrogena Masks went on sale so now I'm stuck with more than 10 boxes to finish -___- That's going to last me for awhile!

Still, I can't resist picking this one up ~~when it went on sale.~~ A ~~sale~~ beauty junkie will always be a ~~sale~~ beauty junkie even though she is on a mask ban! Or shampoo ban! Or it could just be that she has zero self-control -___- Haha I'm rambling here now so let's move onto the review!

I had high hopes for this one because I loved the Original and Whitening ones (and also cuz this one costs RM10 more la. RM10 can buy me a large McDonalds meal already you know :P). Also, I notice that this one doesn't have alcohol in it, unlike the other two. And oh, who in their right minds will resist anything that claims to firm up your skin and prevent wrinkles? :D

So, how did this mask fare?

Well, it's just alright for me, unfortunately! While it moisturizes nicely, I didn't get that "toing-toing" bounciness I got from the Original one. I also didn't get the amazing glow from the Whitening one. Some people claim that their skin felt firmer after using this one, but I'm heartbroken that I didn't experience that :( Maybe one needs to use this more often to see more tangible results!

.
. .

While I like how this mask did a nice job at moisturizing my skin, I did not experience any obvious firming effects on my skin. Perhaps one needs to be using this more often and complement this product with other products in the Retinol range for more visible results. Personally I do think that it is abit pricey though for what it does for me.

Price: RM49.90 (approx. US$15.12)
Weight: 20ml x 4 sheets
Made in: Japan
Likes: Moisturizes well, mask fits my face well, does not contain alcohol like the other two masks, easily available.
Gripes: Stings my skin a little, no tangible firming results
You would like it if: You're crazing about maintaining an anti-aging regime or if you're already using their Retinol line and would like to complement those with this mask :)
Available at: Watsons, Guardian and Caring Pharmacies :)
Repurchase: Most probably not

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go to supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: Maybelline the ROCKET Volum' Express Mascara

2013-08-09T00:00:00.000+08:00

Product Description (Taken from Maybelline.com):

Explosive Volume in Rocket Time!
8X Bigger. Smoother. Even.

Now, the most explosive, beautiful lashes ever! Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara's patented Supersonic Brush with micro bristles loads on big, sleek volume instantly.

Our fast-glide formula keeps lashes smooth.

Zero clumps!

Ingredients:

Color & Pigmentation:
This mascara comes only in Black. If I were to nitpick, this one is less black than the blackest mascara I've tried, but it's still pretty black! Haha! :)

Texture & Scent:
This mascara goes on smoothly at first, but it clumps like crazy beyond the first coat, which is quite disappointing. It is quite comfortable to wear though - I love how it doesn't give that "crunchy" feeling some mascaras give! :P

Love how this one doesn't have a strong chemical scent too! :)

Packaging:

This mascara is slightly longer than the usual Volum' Express mascaras. Notice that the ones sold in US comes with a separate cap, but the ones sold here comes with the mascara wand already tucked in the tube!

Love how the manufacturing date is embossed on the tube itself instead of just printed on the shrink wrap:

The applicator looks just like an Easter Lily Cactus. Be very careful when you apply this mascara though, it REALLY HURTS if you accidentally poked your eyeball with the wand (like I did! @.@):

Time Test:
This mascara lasts the entire day on my lashes. Love how it doesn't smudge despite being non-waterproof! :)

Price & Availability:
This mascara costs RM39.90 and is available at all Maybelline displayers in your local pharmacies (such as Watsons, Guardian, Caring, etc) and supermarket :)

My $0.02:

This is the 4th Volum' Express mascara I've tried from Maybelline! :D

From the top: the ROCKET, the FALSIES, the MAGNUM and the Hypercurl

For some strange reason, this mascara wasn't as hyped up locally as the other previous Volum' Express launches. I didn't even know such a mascara exists until I saw the displayer at my local Watsons! Hehe! :D

My FALSIES tube is getting pretty clumpy now. Since I kinda liked that one, I thought I'd replace it with this new one! Being Volum' Express Sisters, they can't be THAT different right?

Wrong.

Other than the fact that they both have that signature Volum' Express ring below the cap and that they are both made in China, they can't be more different! Everything, from the wand, to the texture all the way to the final finish, is totally different from each other!

While the FALSIES give beautiful volume right from the first coat, I can't help but to notice that this mascara does not volumize as much as it claims to (8X!). The first coat makes my lashes look naturally long, and to be honest I loved that look (although I won't complain if it gives more volume). Love how it doesn't clump too, unlike the FALSIES!

However, from the second coat onwards, I can't seem to get a nice, even coat without busting out the eyelash comb. It clumps like CRAZY as you will see in the pictures below! :( I also didn't like how it weighs down and couldn't hold my curls.

I don't hate this mascara though. Ok, I do dislike it alot when it clumps, but if I apply just a single coat, it is magic - long, soft, separate lashes without that "crunchy" feeling! And the bonus? It doesn't smudge at all despite me doing laundry in the 34C sun! :D

Ok enough blabla for now, here's a bunch of pics for you to judge for yourself:

And side by side for comparison:

After 3 coats - grr so clumpy!! And this is AFTER using a lash comb!! >.<

I'm not having alot of luck so far with Maybelline mascaras, and I'm starting to think that I have "weird" lashes because they don't like things alot of other people do! :( Perhaps I should hunt down that elusive, seldom-heard-about-in-this-part-of-the-world Full and Soft mascara mascara to see if my weird lashes like the or not! Lol!! :P

.
. .

I have a love-hate relationship with this mascara. While I adore how naturally beautiful it makes my lashes look with a single coat, I can't seem to get the volume I needed without the clumps from subsequent coats. It has all the potential of being something really amazing, but alas it falls abit short in fulfulling what I look for in a mascara.

Price: RM39.90 (approx. US$12.09)
Weight: 10ml / 0.34 Oz.
Made in: China
Likes: Lengthens really well, comfortable to wear (no "crunchy" feeling), smudge-proof, looks super nice with a single coat, easily available, no strong chemical scent, easily removed.
Gripes: Clumps if applied more than 1 coat, dangerously sharp wand, doesn't hold a curl
You would like it if: You're looking for a natural, one-coat kaotim mascara~~, or if you don't have weird lashes like me! :P~~
Repurchase: No

Have you tried this mascara before? Did you like it? :D

This product was purchased by yours truly and opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go to supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Selamat Hari Raya! :D

2013-08-08T00:00:00.000+08:00

To all my wonderful Muslim readers, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and have a wonderful time with your families ya! :) For the rest of us, enjoy the long weekend and drive safe! :)

Product Review: L'Occitane Angelica Sublime Beauty Cream SPF30

2013-08-05T14:25:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM135 / US$39
Weight: 40ml / 1.3 US. Fl. Oz.
Made in: France
Likes: Beautiful dewy finish, difuses skin imperfections, comfortable on skin, lasting, SPF protection
Gripes: Expensive, strong yellow tones, turns a shade darker than my skin after oxidation, strong fragrance
Repurchase: No

Ingredients:

Product Description:

Achieve a perfect, flawless finish for your skin with Iris Angelica Sublime Beauty Cream.

This SPF30 sun protection BB cream combines all the benefits of a moisturiser and a light shade powdery foundation, leaving skin looking and feeling perfect without make-up. The complexion is enhanced, the appearance of blemishes is visibly reduced, the skin looks plumper, softer. Skin texture is smooth, light and supple.
The Sublime Beauty Cream is made with a patented combination of two angelic flowers: white iris and angelica. A symbol of pure beauty, the velvety and luminous white iris offers its powers of sublimation. Known for its incredible hydrating properties, angelica gives the skin vitality. Organic extracts from these two flowers leave skin looking and feeling perfect.

Pigmentation, Color and Finish:

This BB Cream comes in two different shades - Light and Medium. As you can see from the swatches above, both colors are darker than my natural skintone, but surprisingly Light is a good match for my skin (I'm NW20), albeit abit sallower that what I'd like:

Left: Bare skin, Right: This BB Cream in Light

As with most BB creams, coverage is medium at best. I'm quite impressed with this one though - it did manage to diffuse my acne scars making them appear lighter, as well as even out my skintone! :D And, I totally ADORE the glow!! :)

Texture and Scent:

This BB cream is a little thicker than usual, but it still spreads easily unto the skin :) I can't say for sure if this is the case for every tube or if I got a bad tube, but as you can see from the picture above, the cream separates easily so there's always a oily layer that comes out together with the cream everytime I squeeze some out from the tube (despite shaking the tube vigorously before dispensing). This doesn't impact the final finish though, so it's something that I can overlook.

This product has a lovely floral scent that lasts for hours. I like it but after awhile it starts to get a bit cloying for me.

Packaging:

This BB Cream comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a twist off cap. I love how the opening is hygienically sealed when brand new:

Open sesame - love how small the dispensing hole is too! Perfect control everytime! :)

Mine is a product sample, so I do not have the box to show, so sorry!

Time Test:

This BB Cream lasts the entire day on my skin, which is amazing! Unfortunately, I find that this oxidizes into a shade or two darker than my skin after 4 hours or so :(

Price & Availability:

This BB cream is priced at RM135 and is available at all L'Occitane outlets! :)

My $0.02:

First of all, I would like to thank the kind folks at L'Occitane for providing this product for me to review! THANK YOU SO MUCH! :D

I won't lie - the first time I squeezed some out of the Light tube, I was quite taken aback at how dark the shade is compared to the usual BB creams! Here's a picture to illustrate what I mean:

From left: L'Occitane Angelica Sublime Beauty Cream (Medium), L'Occitane Angelica Sublime Beauty Cream (Light), Garnier B.B Cream, Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream.

Very dark right? Don't be put off though, I'm thrilled to report that even more surprisingly, Light matches my NW20 skin quite well, although it leans a little too yellowish for me so methinks that those who are NC20-NC30 would find this a perfect match! :D

What I liked about this BB cream is how comfortable it is to wear! Some BB creams or foundations I've tried before makes my skin feel papery and dry, but not this one! This BB cream feels almost moisturizing against my skin! Hehehe! :D I also love the glow this gives my skin - makes me look really radiant from within! :D

Sadly, this BB cream is a touch sallower than my skintone, and especially so after oxidizing - it becomes a full shade darker than my original skintone after about 4 hours of wear so this is something I have to take into consideration before using.

All in all, methinks that this is a good BB cream if you have strong yellow undertones. Personally I won't repurchase this for myself as my skin is pink based, but do check it out if you're anything from NC20-NC30! :D

Have you tried this BB cream before? How do you find it? :D

This product was provided for consideration. Opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. Kindly purchase at your own discretion. For the nitty gritty on product sponsored reviews kindly refer to my disclaimer or drop me an email :)

Product Review: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + (DDML+)

2013-07-29T00:00:00.000+08:00

Warning: Super long post ahead!

At a Glance:
Price: RM68 for 50ml and RM145 for 125ml / US$14.50 for 50ml and US$26 for 125ml
Weight: 50ml / 1.7 US. Fl. Oz. and 125ml / 4.2 US. Fl. Oz.
Made in: UK
Likes: Moisturizing, sinks into skin super quickly, cheaper than most departmental store brands, makes my skin glow
Gripes: Breaks me out if layered with other serums
Repurchase: No

Ingredients (Taken from Futurederm.com):

Product Description (taken from Clinique.com):

Step 3 in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care System. The moisture "drink" developed by Clinique's dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. Softens, smooths, improves.

The big plus: with a new complex, this formula strengthens skin's own moisture barrier by 54%. More moisture stays in. Skin feels soft, springy. Has a glow.

Texture & Scent:

This moisturizer is really fluid, so it spreads unto your skin easily. I love how quickly this absorbs into the skin and leaves it comfortably moisturized without that heavy feeling.

This product is fragrance free.

Packaging:

This moisturizer comes in a plastic bottle which travels well! Mine came with a pump dispenser but I believe it comes in 2 other forms - bottle with a and squeeze tube. The dispensing pump works to dispense the right amount for each use, however, it may be a problem once the bottle is almost used up so I actually prefer the tube or the bottle with a screw off cap because I am cheap and I like to dig out every last morsel of precious product! :P

Mine is a press sample so I don't have the box it came in to show unfortunately. So sorry!

Price & Availability:
This moisturizer is priced at RM68 for 50ml and RM145 for 125ml, and is available at all Clinique counters as well as their dot com! :)

My $0.02:

Here's my verdict on this product, as promised in my introductory post! :)

I read that DDML users can be divided into two camps - one loves and defends it to death, the other one, not so much. My friend S has been raving about how this is the only moisturizer she can use for her eczema-prone skin, but on the other hand, I read that quite a few people experienced breakouts from it, so I was actually a little worried when I tossed it into my bag and brought it along to my week-long beach vacation (yes, that's when I shot the different-from-usual product photo at the beginning of the post - must be Dramatically Different mah! Ok I'll scoot back over to my lame corner now! :P).

And guess what? My sun parched skin loved every bit of it and soaked it all in!
I swear my skin never looked better during vacations - it was soft, bouncy and just felt so supple! And oh, that GLOW - haven't seen that in awhile since my skin was ravaged by stress last year (and no, it's not because the husband and I have been "honeymooning" during that beach vacation you dirty-minded people! :P)! :D The texture was wonderful as well - it doesn't feel heavy but it does a wonderful job at keeping my skin well-moisturized through sand and sea! I was SO HAPPY because I thought I have THE moisturizer for my skin! :D

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end...
...and this is no different - my vacation ended and so did the magic in this product! Trouble started for me a week or so after I got home. I started noticing tiny pimples popping up on all over my face! :( I went off this for a few days and the breakouts subsided, and ~~being my usual sadistic self~~ just to be doubly sure, I tried using this again a week after the pimples are gone and sadly, it's hello breakouts again.

After some "brainstorming" (no, not really, lol) and experimenting, I finally found the root cause of the breakouts. I discovered that if I used this on its own like how I did during my vacation, all is good (amazing, in fact). But if I combined it with anything else (like my beloved Advanced Night Repair from Estee Lauder or the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate which I'm trialing now), all hell breaks loose. Whether the combination of both that proved too rich for my skin, or maybe both products together created some kinda chemical reaction that my skin decided that it doesn't like, I'll never know what is the reason for this. All I know is that I can't use anything more than just the DDML itself for it to work for my skin!

It's probably unfair to fault the DDML+ for this as it is not meant to be layered with products from another brand. However, some, if not most of us do that so it's definitely something to to take into consideration. Personally for me, paranoia currently dictates that I must not give up my anti-aging serums lest my cheeks sag to my knees, so I'll most probably not repurchase this product for myself for now. However, I do like how it works on its own so who knows, maybe I'll repurchase a bottle just to relive that amazing vacation skin I had! :)

"So, how does the DDML+ compare to the old DDML?"

I'm sure at least some of you have thought about this question! While I can't tell you anything beyond the 2 days worth of product usage as I only have a sample sachet of the old DDML with me to do the comparison, what I can tell you all is the difference of the ingredients and general texture and feel between the two! :D

Let's start with the ingredients! :) The new DDML+ retained almost of the ingredients in the old DDML except Parabens and an emulsifying agent (TEA Stearate) - parabenphobics rejoice now! :D The new ingredients added into the new DDML+ are:

Barrier Strengthening Complex (to improve resilience and resistance to environmental stresses):
Sunflower Seed Cake
Barley Extract
Cucumber Fruit Extract
To boost moisture levels in the skin:
Glycerin
Hyaluronic Acid
Urea
To substitute Parabens:
Trisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol

Personally I'm not a chemist so I can't say for sure if these new ingredients will work better. I highly recommend reading this article from Futurederm.com as it explains the new ingredients in depth and much better than I could! :D From a strictly theoretically speaking standpoint though the DDML+ *should* be better as they provide additional moisture binding agents as well as ingredients to strengthen the skin from external aggressors. However, everybody's skin is different so it's hard to say for sure if the old or new one works better across the board.

Next, let's talk about the texture and feel.

On my skin, the old DDML feels a tad lighter on the skin and sinks in even quicker compared to the new DDML+. The new DDML+ feels heavier on the skin compared to the old version, but it's still pretty light compared to some other moisturizers that I've tried before. Both products are fragrance-free, but they smell quite similar to me! Hehehe! :D

That's all for now! Whew... what a long post! I hope you all enjoyed it (you know you are old when you take DAYS to complete an entry like this)! :D

Have you tried the new DDML+? Do share in the comments below! :)

This product is provided for consideration. Opinions, as usual, are 100% my own. I am in no way affiliated with them nor do I get compensated monetarily for this post. Kindly purchase at your own discretion. For the nitty gritty on sponsored products, kindly read my disclaimer.

Product Review: Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original (Clean & Classic)

2013-07-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

Warning: Gross, greasy hair pictures ahead!

At a Glance:
Price: 250 Baht / £2.99
Weight: 200ml / 6.73 Fl. Oz.
Made in: UK
Availability: Not available in Malaysia. It is available at Boots Pharmacies in Thailand and UK as well as Ulta and Asos.com!
Likes: Really works, cheap! :D
Gripes: Suffocating fumes, scent, leaves some residue on scalp, not available locally! :(
Repurchase: Yes!! :D

Ingredients:

Product Description:

Batiste Dry Shampoo banishes oily roots, giving dull, lifeless hair the makeover it needs without any water. A quick burst revitalises hair, adds body and texture and leaves it feeling clean and fresh too. No need to worry about skipping a shampoo.

Instructions:
Shake vigorously before use.
Keeping nozzle about 30cm from hair, spray into roots. Massage through with fingertips.
Brush and style.

Texture & Scent:

Who needs a Tripod? Not me! :D

This dry shampoo comes out in a strong jet of very fine white powder, much like a hairspray! :) After massaging the powder in and brushing / shaking it off, most of it will be gone but some will remain on your scalp. Do not use too much product though - otherwise you'll end up of large patches of white on your hair:

Packaging:

This dry shampoo comes in a pressurized aerosol can with a plastic cap. Unlike the nozzle on the Avene Thermal Water which spoils after a few uses, this one is still going strong (I'm almost done with my can! :D)

The plastic nozzle:

Price & Availability:
This dry shampoo is not available locally, except through online sellers. I bought my can from Boots Pharmacy in Hatyai, Thailand. It is priced at 250 Baht each.

My $0.02:

This has got to be the most UNGLAMOUROUS post I've ever written, period! Let me start by telling you that 1. I'm super adverse to oily hair, 2. I wash my hair daily, PROMISE!!! and 3. Now you how much I love all of you!! Hehehe!! :D

Ever since a few years ago, I noticed a change in the oil production of my scalp. I can no longer get away with washing my hair every other day without looking as if somebody poured glue over my head (ok exaggerating but you get my point). It has gotten better since - depending on which shampoo I use, it will only look like somebody poured glue over my head from the 2nd day onwards instead of just half a day like previously :P On most days my hair looks fine until evening. However, there were days when I had to attend a function right after work and wished I didn't have to make that trip home and waste time washing, drying and styling my hair before rushing off again!

Enter this dry shampoo! :D I'm really glad to report that this works beautifully for me! It removes the greasiness from my roots and gives it a little more volume.

Picture proof for you to see:

Left: Day 2 of unwashed hair, Right: after several blasts of this dry shampoo

Works, right? :D The price is not too obscene as well (approximate RM25 a can). However, one thing I can hardly stand about this product is the very strong fumes. I almost suffocated and passed out the first time I used this! The scent could use a makeover as well - at present it smells quite, er, matronly and it lingers for hours! :/

If you're wondering if you can still escape washing your hair for another day or two after this, no you can't, because the fine powder will cause quite abit of buildup in your scalp so you'll definitely need to wash your hair at the end of the day. This works more as a quick fix to refresh your hair to look my best before heading out again somewhere! :D

All in all methinks that this is a really good product that does what it's supposed to really well, but it can use some improvements in terms of the terrible fumes and the not-so-modern scent. It would be nice if any of the local drugstore chains would start distrubuting this too because it is currently not available in Malaysia :(

I really regret not stocking up during my last trip to Thailand as I wasn't sure if this was going to work for me or not. The next trip, you can bet that several cans will definitely be coming home with me though! :D

Have you tried this product before? Do you like it? :D

If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) Opinions expressed in this post are, as usual, 100% my own. If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: Maybelline Baby Lips SPF20 Lip Balm in Smoothing Cherry

2013-07-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM9.80 / US$3.99
Weight: 4g
Made in: China
Likes: Heals my chapped lips, SPF20, yummy scent, no horrible taste, cheap!
Gripes: None!
Repurchase: Yes!

Product Description (taken from Clinique.com):

INSTANT 8H MOISTURE
Shed away rough dryness for supple, smooth and cushioned lips all day long.

IN ONE WEEK WEEK REJUVENATES LIPS
It's proven: Centella Essence increases cell turnover to literally transform your lips:
Fine lines reduced
Elasticity increased
Suppleness increased

Ingredients:

Texture & Taste:

This lipbalm is a little softer than the usual lipbalms, but surprisingly it doesn't have the typical oiliness that comes with softer lipbalms! :)

This product has a yummy scent that really reminds me of the Cranberry Lipbalm from The Body Shop! I like how this doesn't have a terrible taste too! :D

This is how it looks on my lips (goes on clear):

Packaging:

This lipbalm comes in your typical twist up tube with a cap. You get slightly more than 3.5 inches of product in each tube:

This comes in a cardboard / plastic package to ensure freshness! :)

Price & Availability:
This lipbalm is priced at RM9.80 and it goes on sale often too! :) This is available locally at all Watsons / Guardian / Caring pharmacies.

My $0.02:

I purchased right before my Similan Island diving trip when I realised that I had forgotten to bring a lipbalm with SPF to protect my lips from the Andaman sun. Turns out that I didn't even remember to use this one during that trip - it remained brand new untouched until my recent beach holiday again! Haha! :D

This does everything a lipbalm does! It does a wonderful job at keeping my lips protected from sunburn and it moisturizes beautifully too! Can't complain about the super yummy scent and the price either! :D

I honestly can't fault this lipbalm in anyway at all and methinks that this is really a drugstore gem! Will be repurchasing for sure! :D

Have you tried this lipbalm before? Do share in the comments below! :)

If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) Opinions expressed in this post are, as usual, 100% my own. If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.

Product Review: The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

2013-07-22T00:00:00.000+08:00

At a Glance:
Price: RM9.90 / US$2.50
Weight: 6ml / 0.2 US Fl. Oz.
Made in: UK
Likes: Really moisturizing, gives skin a nice glow, travel friendly packaging
Gripes: Doesn't really "sink-in" - leaves a film on face
Repurchase: Yes

Product Description (Taken from thebodyshop-usa.com):

Sink some antioxidant Vitamin E into your skin. Bring skin back to optimum moisture level with this intensely hydrating mask.

Ingredients:

Directions:
Smooth a thin layer on cleansed skin. Leave for 10 minutes, tissue off.

Texture & Scent:

This mask feels like your usual cream moisturizer. Texture-wise it spreads easily until your skin, however, I find that it doesn't really sink in totally and it leaves a film on my skin (not the goopy kind or anything - I can hardly tell until I washed my face!).

This has a powdery scent to it.

Packaging:

This mask is individually packed into their respective foil packs and is sold by the piece, which IMHO is great for travelling! :)

I also like how there is a tear-off line with a small opening to prevent spillage - super convenient:

Brand new and sealed

Just tear and use! :D

For regular, at-home use, there's a tub version available too! :)

Time Test:
The instruction says leave on for 10 minutes then tissue off, but I chose to ignore that and leave it on the whole night and wake up to glowy skin! :D

Price & Availability:
This mask is priced at RM9.90 / US$2.50 each and is available at all The Body Shop outlets as well as their website! :D The tub costs RM66 / US$22 for 100ml / 3.38 US Fl. Oz.

My $0.02:

This was on sale awhile ago (at just RM5 a piece! Whoots!), so I jumped at the opportunity to try out this product! :D

So far my experience with stuff from The Body Shop has been a mixed bag - there have been products that I really love (such as the Honey & Oat 3-in-One Scrub Mask and the Tree Tree Body Wash) and products that didn't quite work for me (like the Tea Tree Blemish Gel). And this one? I'm glad that it worked REALLY WELL for me! :D

This reminds me of a richer, creamier version of the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_Ex. While the Laneige one sometimes leave me craving for a little more moisture for my skin, this one does the job beautifully on its own. And oh, I super love the soft, glowy skin I get in the morning! :)

Methinks that the foil pack is a great and convenient (albeit more expensive) idea for travelling (especially if you know that you'll be going off for more than a week as I was able to squeeze out four uses from a pack - not so great though for anything shorter than a week as you can't reseal the pack, unless you use it everyday or decant it into a small container but that defeats the whole purpose of getting the foil pack right? :D). I'll most likely purchase the tub for normal use as it makes more economical sense (RM66 for 100ml vs. RM10 for 6ml!), but I may repurchase the foil pack for travelling cuz it's so convenient! :D

Over to you - have you tried this mask before? How do you like it? :D

If you enjoyed reading and wish to help support this site, kindly consider purchasing from the affiliate links below. You'll get your product, and I'll earn a small commission which will go towards supporting the maintenance of this site - we both win! :) If you have any further questions kindly refer to my disclaimer for the nitty gritty on postings or drop me an email.