Cyleina Organic Soaps

I bought some organic soaps last week. This brand is called Cyleina Organic soaps and if I'm not mistaken, its from Philippines. Here's a description i found about:

Cyleina sets the standard of ORGANIC soaps in local manufacturing and distribution.Cyleina only uses the finest and most natural ingredients that we could possibly find in the creation of these healthy soaps and we make sure that the quality is always the best for your skin! This explans why your skin just feels amazing after each use.Cyleina assures you that you always feel that way because CYLEINA IS SKIN CONFIDENCE!

Even though Cyleina organic soaps are created using the finest ingredients, we still suggest that you check for the ingredients indicated that my trigger allergic reactions.Cyleina soaps can help you improve your skin condition, however good diet and proper hygiene still tops the list for achieving a perfect glowing skin. Genes play a major role in determining your skin condition, so thank your parents for it! What we offer in Cyleina are healthy soaps that aim to meet your skin's needs and give you blissful bathing experiences, we never offer false promises. Enjoy Bathing!

Anyway, I bought the following soaps from Aster in Lowyat Forum [link to her thread]. She is offering free samples for every full size soap bought

• Full size 125gm Honey Oatmeal soap (RM20)
• Full size 45gm Black Pearl (RM18) **
  
• Free sample Tomato **
  
• Free sample Kojic

** bought for my sister. will try to get her to write a review. I will also be writing a review on it after I've used it for some time.

Daiso : Eyeliner Coat

I love wearing black eyeliner but i hate it when it smudges. Using liquid eyeliner helps but sometimes liquid takes a bit too long to put on so I prefer pencil.

Luckily daiso has an eyeliner coat. Its a light blue-ish liquid that drys up transparent - so your eyeliner won't turn blue, I promise. It creates a protective top coat on your eyeliner making it smudge proof. I've got nothing bad to say about this eyeliner coat.

The only thing is, I don't know where else to buy it besides Daiso and lately I've not been seeing it on the shelves :(

Read a more detailed review + complete with testers on various eyeliners here :
http://chaborkia.com/2009/03/04/makeup-review-thank-goodness-for-daiso-eyeliner-coat/

Where is Daiso? Currently there are three Daisos in Malaysia. One in Curve, Mutiara Damansara, another is in IOI Mall, Puchong and the last one is in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick - Pink Lemonade

ELF or EyesLipsFace is a cosmetics line from US which offers cosmetics starting from USD1 and up. That's roughly RM4 here. However, with the cost of international and local shipping, the price of the product is more expensive.

I remember paying RM 10 for this Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Pink Lemonade. Its packaging is similar to Stila's Gloss but of course with less product (and cheaper). Note that the pic above was taken after I've used it for some time so the product is less.

It was my first time having this kind of applicator where you have to twist till it clicks a few times to get the product out. The tip has a few holes and is covered by a sponge. The cap is a tight cover that won't come out in your makeup pouch.

Okay, this lipstick is actually more like lipgloss to me. Its light and a bit shimmery. Not like a liquid lipstick. I think the Stila lipgloss is more thicker than this. Anyway, the lipstick smells quite okay. The website says Vanilla mint but to me it has a light mint smell. It has no taste - which is good because some lip stuff can taste yucky.

It feels a bit tingly on my lips - not too sure if its the mint or not - which adds a slight plumping effect. The colour is really nice, a light pinkish tint with slight shimmer. Its not too dark which makes it great for a light day use. But because its more like gloss than lipstick, you might hv to reapply it if you're using it for long hours

One thing I don't like was that sometimes, esp when its hot, i find that some of the product oozes out at the tip. But all in all, I really like it because its in a convenient and slim package.

What I LIKE
- Cheap
- Nice smell
- Good for light makeup
- Slight plumping
- Nice colour

What I Don't Like
- Sometimes product oozes out
- Doesn't last long

Purchasing : I bought this from sgdrugstore in Lowyat.Net forum. This is the LINK to his profile where you can see his posts and msg him

Note : Do remember that if you're buying cosmetics online, it might not be true to colour. The pic below shows what Pink Lemonade looks like in their website.

Pic from ELF Liquid Lipstick website HERE

Get MiLab Good Night Mask Free Sample

I was blog hopping around and came across this blogpost : http://101-compiled-beauty.blogspot.com/2009/08/milab-good-nite-mask.html about MiLab Good Night Mask. So I’ll just copy the info from her

MiLab Good Night Mask is a sleeping mask – which i presume means that you use it while u sleep.

Benefits of a sleeping mask

• "Some cosmetic ingredients are light sensitive and can be destroyed by sunlight if used during the day."
• "It maximises the benefits of your beauty sleep, boosting hydration level and moisture retention as well as renewing and improving your skin overnight"
• It is convenient to use because you do not need to wait for it to dry like other masks before washing it off. Simply apply it all over your face before going to bed and rinse with water the next day.
• Suits hectic ladies especially OL's who do not have time to treat and pamper their skin .
• Not heavy like night creams and are usually made from water base.

Instead of only offering hydration, they came out with four fruit formulations: grape, papaya, pineapple and strawberry to further assist in repairing and rejuvenating your skin after a good night sleep.
GRAPE

• "For reducing the signs of ageing, grape seed extract, a powerful anti-oxidant helps fight against free radicals and promotes the production of collagen."

PAPAYA

• "For pore-refining, papaya contains a natural enzyme that softens and digests dead skin cells, while encouraging new ones to develop. It helps reduce pore size and improve overall skin texture to reveal a softer and more vibrant skin."

PINEAPPLE

• "For break out prone or oily skin, pineapple soothes the skin by reducing inflammation and swelling."

STRAWBERRY

• "Rich in Vitamin C, strawberry brightens the skin as it can be quickly absorbed into the basal layer of skin to help fade away melanin, improve dark or sallow sin colouring, supply moisture and leave skin youthful-looking and supple."

Lynn, the blogger behind 101 Compiled Beauty, was kind enough to share info that you can get a free product sample by calling 03-78802932 or emailing biovita.events@gmail.com. Just choose the specific Milab Good Nite Mask free sample you would like and they will forward the sample to you.

The MiLab Good Night Mask retails for RM 38.90 for a 50g jar.

I just sent them an email and they instantly replied me, so I’m waiting for my mask now. Yay! Thanks so much to Lynn of 101 Compiles Beauty for the information.

Daiso : Black Charcoal Mask

Yet another Daiso product. I cant read the name on this one, so i'll just call it the Black Charcoal Mask for now. On the tube u can see the words 'masque' and 'Natural Pack'.

This is a mask that can be used for the whole face (there was a sticker on it with a picture of a girl's face that's all black) but I use it only for my nose area to get out the white and blackheads.

This is the result


As you can see, its quite effective in extracting all the blackheads and whiteheads from my nose (urgh! so many). Though of course it can't get all of it out.

I would suggest steaming your face first - tho most of the time I don't because I'm lazy. Also dont forget to put toner afterwards to close up the pores that are open.

What I like
Works, tho not 100 percent
Cheap
Smells pleasant

What I don't like
Have to wait for a bit before it dries fully

Splurge : Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup SPF10

** The post below was contributed by G **

After the Missha Liquid Foundation, I was determined to find the perfect liquid foundation shade for my skin. The problem with my skin is that I have uneven skin tone. My chin area is darker than other areas of my face, i have pimple scars and fresh ones ( ie, red and ugly ). So one fine day after class, my sister dragged me to KLCC's Estee Lauder counter. She wanted to get their Blockbuster set which required a min of RM250 spent on products, to purchase the set for RM220.

The beauty advisor was a nice lady who was very helpful. I wanted something with heavy coverage because I was so obssessed with addressing my uneven skintone, so she recommended this particular foundation. She applied it and was explaining abt what to do to achieve flawlessness.

Tip 1: Exfoliate regularly ( IMPORTANT STEP ) to ensure the skin is not clogged with dead skin cells etc.

Tip 2: Always moisturize first before foundation so that the foundation adheres better.

Tip 3: DONT forget to apply on the neck also!

Tip 4: MUST use loose powder after foundation to set the foundation and avoiding it from melting.

I must say that this foundation made my skin looked so flawless! No doubt it is abit heavy, I would use this for party/clubbing nights where I require a heavy coverage with all the dancing and sweating. Cant risk pictures on facebook with my makeup melting = patchy skin ( makeup FAUX PAS! ). Haha.

However, I went to a house party one night and from the pictures, my face & neck looked white (flash lighting) as opposed to my body. I was HORRIFIED to see those pictures. I looked SO pasty! So I tested my foundation in natural lighting, and it was a bit too light for my skin color :(:(

NOTE: The beauty advisor tested out this foundation at the counter under yellow lighting and it looks so fantabulous.

Tips I think are important:

1. Try the foundation, walk out of the mall and check it out under natural lighting. Even though you may think you look stupid ( especially if its the wrong shade)
   
   I totally regretted not checking it in natural lighting after she applied it on me ( boo hoo). I was blinded by the flawlessness(under yellow lighting) that I immediately bought it on the spot. ( impulsive i know ).
   
   I should have taken a shade or two darker than what she recommended under the yellow lighting. It was a pricy mistake as Im now left with a foundation that I cant use.
   
   
   
2. I would recommend you go to a beauty counter where they use white lighting ( ie. Jusco One Utama ) so that it would be easier. BUt still go out and check it in natural lighting. Cause if the foundation looks good under natural lighting, it would look good under yellow lighting too.
   
   There is no need to feel shy to tell the beauty advisor that you want to walk around with it first. After all you are making a purchase for something that should complement your skin ( no matter what the price is ).
   
   
   
3. Also, it is best if you apply the foundation (tester) on your own. And use your own loose powder to set the foundation. This is because, you want to recreate a flawless look on your own, at home where there arent any beauty advisor to help you. So you would know how to work with the product you want to buy, with your own skill. Or you can watch the beauty advisor apply foundation on your face and perhaps opt to use your own loose powder.
   

Pros:

1. Gave me a FLAWLESS face.
2. Coverage was true to the description, it lasted almost 8 hours without melting although my skin was oily and so i needed to blot the shine after 4 hours.
3. I am in LOVE with it
4. I thought the price was worth it.

Cons:

1. I thought the screw top bottle was kinda unhygenic because I have to pour out the foundation every time I needed it, exposing it to the air thus inviting bacteria/germs, also possibly drying it out faster.
2. Because the coverage was heavy, the foundation was thick and velvety, making me use alot for my skin and face = finish faster.
3. Apart from my mistake, the coverage for this foundation is AWESOME. I would love to repurchase this product ( and get the right shade of course haha ).

Retails at RM125/30ml at Estee Lauder counters.

Daiso : 6 Shade Eyeshadow Palette

Okay, I don’t have the name for this palette but since its a single colour with 6 different shades, i’ll call it the “6 Shade Eyeshadow Palette” from Daiso. Its the one of the bottom left in the pic below

This is how it looks like up close. Like I said, six different shades. Top left is a yellow-ish shade, then the rest are varying degrees of green. The bottom two boxes are actually cream shadow which you can use as the base. It comes with two applicators (refer top pic).

This is how it looks likes on my eyes (minus eyeliner or mascara). As you can see, it only has a hint of glitter (I dont like glittery makeup). And the fact that you can layer the cream shadow on first adds to the staying power of the eye shadow.

Damage :  RM 5 from Daiso
What I like

• Both cream and powder eye shadow
• Powder doesn’t crumble easily
• Small size
• Cheap

What I don’t like

• Only 1 colour option
• The powder can get mixed into the cream coz its close together

Tools : Epistick/ Epicare for Facial Hair Removal

I used to go for threading in Bangsar to thread my eyebrowns. I made a mistake once of threading my upper lip hair as well and since then, I’ve grown really self concious about it growing thicker and darker.
For eyebrows, we can pluck it using tweezers but upper lip hair is much more difficult – and not to mention painful (for me at least). But I recently bought this tool/device/whatever you want to call it that is totally effective!

Introducing the Epistick (or epicare as some call it). Its basically a tight spring with two rubber handles. Hold the epistick on either end. Bend it. Put it against the face (where ever you want to pluck hair) and roll it between your fingers and thumbs in an outward motion. The spring pulls the hair in a quick swift motion. Its really very effective. It stings a little but the hair is all gone.

This youtube video shows what it is and how to use it but it’s in japanese (i think?). Watch this english youtube vid in case you want to know more

Oh, and did I mention that its a mere RM4 bucks?? I bought it from a pei2 in Lowyat.Net forum HERE. Highly Recommended!

Where To Buy

LowYat Forum Purchases (http://forum.lowyat.net)

sgdrugstore (Ryan) - http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showuser=148001
Have purchased some ELF stuff from him. He conducts pre-orders for US cosmetics

• ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick
  
• ELF Candy Shop Lip Gloss
  

pei2 - http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f=135&t=620393
Sells Taiwan/Korea/Japan stuff cheaper than outlets like Sasa.

• Epistick/Epicare

Aster66 - http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f=135&t=614004
Bought my Cyleina Organic Soaps from her.

• Cyleina Organic Soaps
  
• Cyleina Honey Oatmeal 
• Update 2nd Nov : It seems that Aster has not being replying that thread that I posted. I'm not sure if she is still selling the soaps or not
  

Welcome!

Hi all! Welcome to this newly created blog!

First up, I guess I should explain the name. I’m sure everyone knows that staying beautiful can be expensive. What more with brand name stuff like MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, etc.

As I’m someone who has a shoestring budget* for beauty products, I always look for affordable makeup or other beauty stuff. So, this blog will be featuring items from drugstore brands (from Watsons/Guardian) and shops like Daiso (my fav. lol).

Of course, there will be the occasional splurge. A girl cant resist a good sale can she? Hehehe!

Anyway, I hope that you will follow this blog and comment :D

Oh yes, some posts are moved from my old (and un-updated) beauty blog at http://beauty.zestful.org

*A shoestring budget refers to a very limited or small amount of money to spend on something. Shoestring budgets can relate to anything such as a budget for travel, an event or even a lifestyle.