Shoestring Beauty

[Sale] Bimba & Lola Off Season Clearance

2012-01-30T20:04:00.000+08:00

Bimba and Lola is having an off-season Clearance sale from 1-5 February 2012, Wednesday – Sunday. 1st Feb is also a KL holiday so you KL peeps can head down to 1Utama for some shopping!

Get up to 70% and an ADDITIONAL 5% discount for ONECARD holders!

Bimba & Lola is located at G302, 1Utama Shopping Mall

LUSH Sweet Lips Scrub

2011-08-23T21:09:00.005+08:00

Guest writer G

LUSH usually places their lip products on the cashier counter. I suppose it’s a marketing gimmick to tempt you to just pick one up and include in with your other LUSH goodies. Well, it worked because that was exactly what I did! I was just looking at the lip scrub and smelling it while the LUSH assistant was processing my goodies.

The one I picked up was the vanilla & chocolate one and it smells heavenly! I was busy weighing out the option of putting it back or picking one up for myself, when the sales assistant said “You can just scrub your lips and then lick it up because it’s edible!”. That was the tipping point for me because, (1) that sounded so cool/easy and (2) this would be fun to show the bf that my lips are irresistible! (haha). So I bought it and was happy.

Right: LUSH Sweet Lips Scrub
""Our fabulous lip scrubs are here to keep your kissers sweet. Sweet Lips is the lip scrub for chocolate fanatics. It smells like a bar of creamy milk chocolate. Vanilla extract keeps your lips moist, castor sugar gently exfoliates, and the rich, deep fragrance of cocoa absolute gives this an irresistible touch. Rub it over your lips when they're feeling the need for some sugar."

The scrub: It does scrub and exfoliate the lips well I must say and the sugar melts a little into your lips as you’re scrubbing it in a circular motion. I licked it a little and well it tastes like sugary chocolate. But after I licked it, it dawned on me that I could be eating up my dead skin / lip bits if I licked my lips after using the scrub! (Eek!). So no more licking my lips after using the scrub = totally defeated the whole purpose of me getting excited about this product!

Pro: Nice smelling and nice tasting; does what it is supposed to

Cons: Not worth the cash; when you put it on, you must do it over a sink because it gets all over the place once you start scrubbing

Overall, it’s just a sugar scrub that tastes and smells like chocolate and vanilla. There is nothing much to shout about this product. Infact, I think it would be cheaper for you to DIY at home with sugar and honey OR just by using a soft toothbrush and rub your lips in a soft circular motion. Judging by the length of this post, it is apparent that I will not repurchase ever again. Infact, I have only used it once and now its stashed somewhere.

It is priced at GBP4.75/0.25g (now I am wondering how did I buy this thing when I could have gotten a tub of Magnaminty for the same price!! ARGH) available at LUSH's website.

Or one of the Lowyat.net LUSH / USA sprees.

LUSH Mask of Magnaminty!

2011-08-23T02:44:00.010+08:00

Guest writer: G

LUSH’s Magnaminty is my HG (holy – grail) for facial masks for my skin type. Frankly, my skin can be quite problematic. Besides the combination (oily on the T –zone and dry on the cheeks) & sensitive skin type, I always get pimples when it’s my time of the month. Let’s not forget blackhead and whiteheads on the T – zone!

Obviously for me, it is very hard for me to find a brand / mask that will not make my sensitive skin react. I have tried the Dermatologica skincare range and although it is supposed to be suitable for sensitive skin ( hypo allergenic etc etc), my skin had a reaction towards it. From then on, I usually do not take risks and stick to whatever works with my skin (which also means I am usually scared to take chances in terms of trying new products / brands).

I decided to try LUSH because they use natural ingredients and it just smells and feels so yummy! Plus the sales assistants are very helpful and if you ask, you can get free samples of their products!

Anyway, I have tried the Cupcake facial mask(review coming soon) before and found that nice but this one is stupendous. The sales assistant recommended this because I told her I needed something for my blackheads & whiteheads. LUSH does not sell those sticky peel off strips or anything similar to that, for blackheads/whiteheads because doing that will strip the moisture and healthy oils off your face making it create more oil. So they believe in nipping things in the bud and using this facemask regularly will(supposedly) help with the blackheads/whiteheads.

The mask is a "deeply cleansing, detoxifying & exfoliating pepperminty mask. Refreshes and brightens everything it touches."

It feels minty and cooling. The texture’s quite thick yet you can choose to put on a thin layer or a thick layer. It is specifically for detoxifying, toning and helps with blemishes. You just slather it on, leave it to dry and scrub it off in a circular motion with warm water.

Why do I like it?

1. You don’t have to keep it in the fridge

2. It lasts long because of the reason above

3. You can use it for “bacne”( back acne ), I don’t have bacne but I use it when I have dry patches of skin sometimes and it helps soothes the skin. I have also used this when I had an allergic reaction to seafood where I got bumpy skin around my neck and it helped soothe the bumps with regular use.

4. It’s the best for my skin type and really does detoxify tone and cleanse my skin. I can feel my skin feeling better internally and externally.

I keep going back to LUSH for this mask and I honestly swear by it. It actually reminds me of the Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Pack (check out So Loverly's great review here) which I have used before. If you have used the Himalaya Neem mask before, you would know that it helps detoxify and cleanse the face properly and after using it you’ll feel like your face is so clean internally and externally. This LUSH mask works quite similar to the Himalaya Neem mask BUT it is minty & cooling, smells so so much better and the texture is thicker.

Don’t get me wrong I love the Himalaya Neem mask but the LUSH Magnaminty is just so much better, in my opinion.

It is priced at GBP4.75/125g (this is the size I bought) OR GBP8.25/315g at www.lush.co.uk

You can get it on Lowyat.net LUSH or USA sprees ( please correct me if I'm wrong)

*p/s: I found that So Loverly also blogs about LUSH's Magnaminty here

Benefit Warehouse Sale June/ July 2011 Haul

2011-06-30T12:43:00.001+08:00

Found out a couple of days ago that there’s a Benefit Warehouse sale in Menara Milenium. At first we thought it started yesterday, 29 June, so we went but apparently its 30 June – 1 July.
People close to me know I have a lot of makeup but dont really use them. So, to be safe, i only brought RM200 cash as I wanted to buy lemon aid and perhaps some other stuff to try.

So I bought the following. Original prices in USD frm website. Malaysia’s prices at the counter should be more expensive

Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Stiletto (left) & Flatter Me = 1 for RM 35, 2 for RM 55 (NP: $19 each)
Lemon Aid, color correcting eyelid primer – RM45 ($20)
BADgal Plum Mascara = RM28 ($19)

*note : Please check the mascara before buying. I'm a bit skeptical about the “newness” of the mascara I bought. As is the case with most warehouse sales, all sales are final and there are no refunds.
Other things I noticed but didn’t buy

High Beam = RM 55 ($24)
Velvet eyeshadow (powder?) = 1 for RM 35, 2 for RM 55 (NP: $19)
"honey... snap out of it" face scrub = Under 100 bucks. sorry cant rmbr exactly how much
some brightening eye cream, some moisturizers = under 100 bucks
Lipsticks/lipglosses = RM45 each
6 in 1 lip gloss ( 3 sticks of dual ended lipgloss) = RM90 (or 70..cant rmbr)
Brow Zings = Sorry didnt check price ($30)
There’s NO Benetint or Posietint (boo)

I think the sale ends tomorrow, so head down to Starlight Cosmetics, Level 13, Menara Millenium.

Soap & Glory Girligo Body Moisturizing Mist

2011-06-23T10:50:00.000+08:00

I read about this on a beauty blog and I was curious to find out how it smells but unfortunately, the only place I can get it (besides online) is in Sephora and the nearest ones are in KL. But seriously with results like “Sensible men have been driven to dizziness by this moisturizing mist”, how could I resist?

I got my dad to pick it up from Sephora KLCC and it was surprisingly cheaper than I thought. On the website its GDP 6.38 for 250ml and in Sephora its RM 32.00. Not too bad considering the exchange rate is about 4.8 or so.

I believe you can also get it at Boots (nearest is in Thailand) and in Malaysia, there are two Sephora outlets in Kuala Lumpur – namely Pavilion & KLCC.

A description from the site :

A fragranced spray-on body moisturizing mist. Do your own flirty work: Spritz Girligo™ on all-over post shower for temptingly fragrant, softer, smoother, more supple skin.
Scented with a tempting blend of bergamot, peach, strawberry, jasmine, mandarin and musk.

My verdict: It’s a sweet but musky scent. Well basically its like spraying a light lotion on your body. Its quite moisturizing but I have quite okay skin anyway so I can’t say if it’ll work for dry skin. But I really really like the scent!

How to use : I’ve read some blogs/forums saying that it drips when they spray it but it didn’t for me. spray it some distance away from your body and well distributed. At first I tried to rub it in but realized that it made my fingers overly scented. SO right after I come out of the shower, I spray it on and let it dry naturally before putting on clothes.

At this price and such a huge bottle, I think I will definitely buy this again after this one finishes. This is my first Soap & Glory purchase. I’ve tried the hand cream before so I might want to try out more stuff. Anything to recommend?

SILKYGIRL Double Intense Waterproof Mascara

2011-06-10T02:48:00.001+08:00

I recently threw all my mascara away when cleaning up some makeup because it already started to smell funky so was in the market for a new (and inexpensive) mascara. I actually don’t really use mascara that often because I sometimes have flu and when I sneeze, my eyes become very watery. I also have a tendency to rub my eyes when I’m tired (which is quite often) thus smearing everything – eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara - everywhere.

So I read a review about this in So Loverly (one of my fav beauty blogs btw) about this SILKYGIRL (yes its one word and all CAPS) and picked it up the “Bonus Pack” next time I was at Guardian. For some reason the price tag was RM 24.88 but I actually got it for RM18+. It came with a mini Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (55ml) which is worth RM9.90 so I guess the mascara ended up to be about RM10.

From their website SilkyCosmetics.Com:

Double Intense Waterproof Mascara
Formulated with collagen and protein nutrients to condition and strengthen your lashes. It’s also smudge-proof and clump-free. Its unique applicator features a highly elastic silica gel brush with a compact double-row bristles to stretch and add volume to your lashes. The shorter bristles on one side of the applicator catch on to the fine and short lashes to give them more volume and a fuller look. The longer bristles on the other side elongate your lashes while giving it a curling effect.

The unique think about their brush is that its not the feathered type, which I don’t really like to use because I feel that it clumps the mascara a little bit. This brush is more like a comb with short bristles on one side and long bristles on the other.

How to use this mascara? SILKYGIRL’s website (pic above) suggests that you use the shortest bristles first and coat your lashes in a zig-zag motion, then use the longer bristles to brush the tips of your lashes.

I tried it out before seeing the site, so I did not do exactly as they did but I was pretty pleased with the results. I don’t have super long lashes and mine are rather sparse. The pic below was done without curling my lashes so I’m quite impressed that it makes my lashes more obvious.

In terms of staying power, the first time I wore it, I was sick so my eyes were watery the whole day and I did occasionally rub my eyes. The mascara did not smudge the whole time. It did leave a bit of marks when I wiped my wet eyes with a tissue though. Later that day, when I was in a shower with warm water, the mascara came out quite easily in long lines/tubes – err understand or not? Basically it didn’t melt into a big mess under my eyes. I followed up with proper makeup remover.

I’ve used it a couple of times now and am happy with the result. Will most probably repurchase after this is finished. Now to actually put on makeup more often before letting it go to waste.

The Body Shop Sale 2011

2011-05-29T23:12:00.001+08:00

So I went to The Body Shop. Until 29 May 2011, all purchases with Maybankard Debit/Credit card get an additional 10% discount on top of the current discounts. I didn’t really get a lot of stuff because honestly, it wasn’t so interesting. I did, however, buy a few bottles of shower gels and a pressed powder. Prices below

Shower Gel – Peach (250ml)

Retail Price: RM19.90
Discount : 30%
Price after discount + 10% Maybankard = RM 12.54

Shower Gel – Pink Grapefruit (400ml)

Retail Price: RM35.00
Discount : 30%
Price after discount + 10% Maybankard = RM 22.05

Earth Lovers Shower Gel – Apricot & Basil + Watermelon & Eucalptus (250ml)

Retail Price: RM29.90 each
Discount : 10%
Price after discount + 10% Maybankard = RM 24.22

Pressed Face Powder – 04

Retail Price: RM59.00
Discount : 10%
Price after discount + 10% Maybankard = RM 47.79

Compared with last year, I didn’t find it very attractive. Perhaps because its already been a week since the sale started. Anyway, you can read my review of the last year’s sale HERE.

Invitation to Acca Kappa Skincare Launch (OneCard)

2011-05-04T11:17:00.002+08:00

Hey Ladies,
Below is an invite for the latest skincare launch from Acca Kappa
Date : 7 May 2011 (Saturday)
Time : 10.30am – 12.30pm
Venue : Acca Kappa 1 Utama
2X UPoints & Exclusive Offer for ONECARD Members Only
Fees : RM50 (entitles 2 pax)
* Fully redeemable against Acca Kappa products
* Includes goodie bag worth over RM100
I’m not sure if its only for ONECARD members but you can try and call Sook Mei or Winnie at 0377264788 or contact them via email in the mailer below.

Click to view a bigger size

Review : Watsons Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Tape

2011-04-27T11:04:00.002+08:00

I must admit that I’m blessed with pretty blemish free skin but my worst beauty woe are blackheads. I have tons on my nose, I’m not too sure if its because I don’t “take care” of my face or its just genetic – because my mom & siblings have the same problems. According to my dad, he remembers seeing my mom steam her face and sit in front of the magnifying mirror to tweeze out those black/white heads.

According to Wikipedia : A blackhead (medically known as an open comedo, plural comedones) is a yellow or blackish bump or plug on the skin. A blackhead is a type of acne vulgaris. Contrary to the common belief that it is caused by poor hygiene, blackheads are caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct. The substance found in these bumps mostly consists of keratin and modified sebum (an oily secretion of the sebaceous gland), which darkens as it oxidizes.

As I’m lazy, I don’t do the tweezing thing. Neither do I use those metal sticks with the metal loop. (1) coz its painful (2) and its tedious. I have tried a number of things to get rid of the blackheads – masks, pore strips, etc. I have even bought expensive (more than RM100) serums and creams to get rid of the blackheads. The serum works to reduce em (more on this on another post) but nothing can beat the squeaky clean feeling after getting the blackheads all off. And I don’t' quite fancy those peel off masks as they take a while to dry and a bit tedious and messy.

So I stick to pore strips. My current favourite brand of pore pack/strips/tape is Watsons Deep Cleansing Nose Pore Tape. It’s a made in Korea product and the best part is, each box of 10 strips are only RM9.90 and sometimes even cheaper during sales! Look out for a pink and purple box, as below:

I’ve tried out a number of nose pore pack/tape brands like Biore but some of them don’t stick hard enough or don’t seem to give satisfying results. However, I always buy this Watsons one because I think it works rather well. The formula on the “sticky” side seems to work best for me, effectively pulling out all the blackheads/whiteheads.

Here are the steps I take to ensure a blackhead free nose

Wash your face
Steam your face by using any of the following :

Electric face steamer – I don’t have one of these things :(
Take a big bowl, put in hot (not boiling!) water. Take a towel and bend your head over the bowl while covering your head with the towel. This traps the hot steam inside and steam your face
Take a hot shower – This is the ~~malas~~ easiest method but less effective

Making sure your nose is wet and your hands are DRY, press the post pack on your nose, making sure to bend the corners over the tip of your nose and also making sure it fits tightly on the side of your nose.
Leave on for 10-15 mins until it feels hard and tight. Being in an aircon room helps speed up this process.
Hold both ends of the pore pack and rip it off – much like you would do a bandage. Yes, this will hurt a little (or a lot, depending on your pain tolerance)
Inspect your pore tape and feel great accomplishment at the amount of blackheads you pulled out. Please refer disgusting pic below:

Haha! Sorry about that, perhaps I should have wrote a warning. Anyway, as you can see it very effectively removes the blackheads. And you can use it for your chin as well (if you’re having white/blackhead problems there as well). If you see that the strip looks shiny after use and no blackheads come out, it could be because your nose was not wet enough and did not dissolve the sticky formula to adhere to your skin.

Note : I wouldn’t recommend using this too often though. The tightness of the glue can’t be exactly good for your skin so I’ll keep the usage to 1-2 times a week, or less if possible. Also for those with sensitive skin, do cut off a small piece and do an allergy test.

Ingredients as below :

Hope this was helpful in your Blackhead Busting mission. Do leave a comment if you’ve tried it and tell me what you think!

Amante Nail Spa & Body Care opens in Kota Damansara

2011-04-20T10:49:00.001+08:00

So I saw from Tammy (plussizekitten) Facebook post where her friend Yvonne commented that Amante had a special opening promotion with free, yes FREE! Manicure and Massage. Tammy highly recommended it as well so I decided to check it out earlier today.

So anyway, they just opened on the 15th of April so they are having an Open House Promotion from 15-24 April 2011, 10am – 7 pm where they are offering:

1) Free Treatment for new customers. Choose one of the following :

30 min Aromatherapy Massage
30 min Hot Stone Massage
Manicure. I’m not sure if the nail art is included in the manicure or not.

2) Voucher for 70% off any ONE of the following treatments below. Valid for 1 month from purchase.

NAILTEK Spa Manicure & Pedicure = RM54 (NP RM180)
Aromatherapy Body Massage 90 mins = RM35 (NP RM117)
Tummy Slimming Massage with Hot Mask 60 mins = RM41 (NP 138)
Bra Yoga™ Bust Firming Treatment = RM56 (NP 188)
Christian Breton Supreme Whitening Facial Treatment = RM 71 (NP RM238)

I chose the Free 30 min Aromatherapy Massage and the 90mins one with the voucher. Yes I love massages!

Besides the items above, during these 10 days (until the 24th April) you will be able to enjoy the offers below. I forgot what the actual names of the offers so I’ll just write what I remember.
1 for 1 Treatment Offer

Buy a minimum of 5 treatments to enjoy this offer
All treatments have to be above RM100
Mix and Match Treatments if you buy 10 treatments or above

Pre-Paid Promo – pay RM xxx and use it to redeem ANY treatment

Pay RM1000 and get Rm700 free
Pay RM2000 and get RMxxxx free
and so on..cant quite remember the exact number

The reception are is filled with posh wallpaper and plush seats, giving a high class feel to the whole area. Its very clean and nice (partly because its new) but I really like the relaxed environment. My 30 min massage was nice, the lady kneaded all the knots in my back and shoulders really well. I wished it lasted longer.
And yes, I bought more of that massage packages since they don’t expire (I think). So, any one wants to go for a 90 min Aromatherapy Massage with me? Only RM60
View Shoestring Beauty in a larger map
Its quite easy to get to Amante. If you are coming from Persiaran Surian, turn into Jalan PJU 5/13. After Sunway Giza on the left, look out for Starbucks on the right and turn right after it. Enter the Public Parking to Level 3 & you will be able to see the entrance to Amante. Refer the map and address above.
Amante Nail Spa & Body Care Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Level L3, Central Park, No 3-03, Jalan PJU 5/13, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel : 03 6141 7613
H/P : 016 2021669, 012 3769911
*Closed on Mondays*
Note: Parking is supposedly free for customers so don’t forget to ask the reception for parking money

Bedak Sejuk Muntah Belut or Miracle of Clay NNMK

2011-04-08T23:45:00.000+08:00

Haha weird name I know. The literal translation is Eel’s Vomit Cold Powder. But don’t worry, there’s no actual eel’s vomit in it. According to some Googling, its 100% made of clay. It is touted as a natural, traditional treatment/remedy from the East Coast especially Terengganu and Kelantan.

Its in the form of small discs slightly over 4.00pm in diameter. And comes in packs of two in a plastic bag. If I recall correctly it was RM5 per pack. As you can see in the pic below mine shattered during shipping but its ok because you want to make a paste out of it anyway.

Bedak Sejuk Muntah Belut

Cara Penggunaan : Campurkan sedikit bedak sejuk dengan sedikit air. Sapukan ke seluruh muka. Biarkan selama semalaman, kemudian cuci muka seperti biasa di sebelah pagi. Untuk hasil yang lebih memuaskan, campurkan dengan air gamat.

Untuk kulit berminyak/bermasalah : Gunakan bedak sejuk setiap malam sebelum tidur.

Untuk jerawat batu : Sapukan lebih bedak sejuk di kawasan yang bermasalah.

Untuk kulit normal/kering : Gunakan bedak sejuk selama 2 hingga 3 hari berturut-turut. Penggunaan berselang hari memberi hasil lebih memuaskan

Basically you take less than a quarter of a disc and dilute it with water. As the instructions above, its best if you can use air gamat (sea cucumber water/juice?) but you can just use plain water. Make a paste by mixing in a bit of water at a time. And I do mean a bit. The first time I did this, I ended up putting too much water. haha.

I’ve seen blogs where they make the paste a bit runny, like pancake batter but personally I make mine a bit thicker because I want to put a thicker layer. Leave it on overnight and wash your face in the morning. You can also use it for a few hours then wash off.

Results : I must admit that I’m a bit lazy and have not been using it constantly but I’m quite happy with the results even after 1 use. The skin on my face feels softer, smoother and a little less oily.

Repurchase? Yes I might buy this again. Its cheap at only RM5 for two discs which can be used for about 8 applications. Also its all-natural and I think can be kept (in its dry form) for quite a while.

I got it from NNMK - Beauty Remedies Facebook Group. Just leave a message and someone will get in touch with you. I bought 2 packs and paid RM10 inclusive of postage (standard envelope).

A Shower Gel Obsession

2011-02-28T10:32:00.000+08:00

Some people have a makeup obsession, some people have a lotion obsession. Well, not to say that its really an obsession but I do like to buy different types of shower gels/creams.

*looks at pic below* Ok well, perhaps just a little obsessed? Hehe!

Here’s a breakdown of what I have (for now):

Ginvera Green Tea Spa Shower Crème – I got this cheap during a warehouse sale. I think it was like RM9?
Guardian Sherbertz Yogurt Bath (pomegranate, Passionfruit & pear) – These were Buy 1 Free 1 some time ago. Probably less than RM20 for 2.
Lush Shower Jelly (Calacas, Iced Wine, Sweetie Pie) – These are all the smallest sizes one, costs about RM17+ after conversion. Got this from my sister in the UK. Sadly they’re not available here. I really like these!
The Body Shop Shower Gel (Raspberry) – this is a new bottle. I really like the scent of this. RM24.90 I think.
The Body Shop Bath & Shower Gel – limited editions (Fuzzy Peach & Dewberry) – these are actually scents that were discontinued that they brought back. Costs slightly more than the standard shower gel range if im not mistaken. Love the peach one.
The Body Shop Body Polish (Pomegranate) – This is actually not a shower gel but I use it when I shower, so just included it in. This has the exact texture and colour as strawberry jam. Very yummy (but not for eating!)

So that’s my shower gel collection (not including the soaps I have). As you can see, I very much favour fruity, sweet smells. Also I don’t quite believe in buying really expensive shower gels as it’ll get washed away.

So what do you have in your shower/bathtub? And most importantly, do you have any favourite shower gels to recommend?

The Face Shop Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Foam (Migamsu)

2011-02-28T04:32:00.000+08:00

I got a free sample of TFS Migamsu Brightening Rice Water Cleansing Foam

Like
- not tight
- feel clean
- smell fresh
- lathers nicely
- not drying

Concept
A moisturizing and brightening cleansing line with rice water and Moringa oil. Moringa oil known as ‘purifying tree’ in India has very strong detoxifying quality. People used to put grinded Moringa plant in the polluted river water to detoxify.
Description
Contains rice water(10%) Fit Protein orchid extract Vitamin B5 complex. Its creamy and cushiony texture eases handling and moisturizing ingredients leave skin feeling hydrated after cleansing by minimizing moisture loss.

RP: RM40 (I think)

Review : Logic BigEyes Series

2011-01-17T11:07:00.000+08:00

To be honest, I’ve not heard of this brand of contact lenses before. Then again, I haven’t really been wearing/buying coloured contact lenses. These lenses are worth RM90 but I got em slightly cheaper at a promotional price.

I took the Monthly COLORVIEW in Irradiance (Black) and Brown Irradiance. The lenses have a base curve of 8.60mm and have a dark ring around the edge with spike-like designs pointing towards the inside. The pic below shows how it looks like.

The lenses are comfortable and easy to wear. I have a problem of lenses that are too big sometimes with certain brands but this is not too big (base curve & diameter) that the lenses move around in the eye.

The effect of these lenses are subtle as you can see from the photo above. The photos below show a comparison of how my eyes look with and without the lenses. Not too sure why it looks darker in the above photo but in this picture you can see that my eye with the lenses look bigger.

Would I buy this again? Yes, if the price is right. This is because I seldom wear coloured contact lenses. However, if you are looking for the big-eyed look without looking to obviously barbie-doll and fake, this contact lenses are recommended.

*Disclaimer* This pair of contact lenses were given to me for review purposes by Malaya Optical. I liked the contact lenses so I bought some pairs for myself. Read my experience at their outlet – http://me.zestful.org*

Happy New Year 2011!

2010-12-31T18:19:00.000+08:00

A new year is coming up and I’d like to wish you all a happy new year. As with every new year, 2011 brings much promise. One of my resolutions this year is to write in this blog and post up reviews more often in the new year. This year I’ve been slacking off and only posting about once a month (eek!) but I promise I will work on being better next year.

For now, enjoy the party, don’t drink and drive and have a good time!

Brush Guard Variety Pack

2010-12-20T06:04:00.000+08:00

I’m sure you’ve heard from The Brush Guard. They are a pack of mesh tubes to keep your brushes in to prevent fraying or “kembang” bristles. I decided to try it out and got myself the variety pack from Ryan @ sgdrugstore on LYN.

The Variety pack consists of SIX (6) different brush guards:

1 x Shadow/Liner (1/4” extra small)
2 x Blush (3.8” small)
2 x Foundation (5/8” medium)
1 x Powder/kabuki (1” large)

As I don’t have many brushes, I split the pack with my sister who has more brushes. I took the extra small, medium and large brush guards. My little ELF Kabuki fits nicely into the large one. One tip about the brush guards is that you can use them to dry your brushes upright, bristles down so that your brushes retain their shape as they dry. This tip was from Michelle Phan in one of her videos.

I guess the question is, should you get it? My answer is YES. Especially if you have lots of expensive brushes, you would want to keep them in the best condition to make it last longer. I use cheap brushes (because I mostly use my fingers) and I find these brush guards very useful to keep the shape of the bristles/hairs when my brushes are in my makeup bag.

Where to get it:

www.thebrushguard.com ($5.50 + Shipping frm US)
Ryan @ sgDrugstore’s USA Cosmetics Spree (RM20 + waiting time + local shipping)

What are your tips to keeping your brushes in good condition?

Green to a Tea at Enak KL with Alive Skincare and Zuii Cosmetics

2010-11-14T16:38:00.000+08:00

Green To a Tea is an event organized by the people at Green Sentral to showcase green products in a tea-time setting. This round of Green To a Tea is done at Enak KL in Starhill and showcases ALIVE Organic Products and Zuii Cosmetics.

ALIVE is more than just organic products. It’s founder believes that the way to genuinely benefit from organic products is to live an organic lifestyle. So they have products from mineral cosmetics, skincare, hair dye, aromatheraphy oil blends, shampoos and laundry detergent. Yeap, safe, eco-friendly laundry detergent.

The friendly staff from ALIVE were also on hand to give a nice relaxing neck massage using their special blends of oils. What impressed me was the lady who attended to me (right in the pic above) enquired if I had respiratory problems when I was looking at their products. In fact, I’m actually an asthmatic (since young) and was just recovering from a bad flu. Later, she used the appropriate oil for my neck massage.

Zuii Cosmetics (top right photo) is from Australia and their tagline is “wear flowers on your face”. Their ingredients are pure natural ingredients. I did look at some of the glosses and eyeshadows. The shadows have nice colour payout and the glosses are richly coloured without being sticky. Also, their liquid foundation appeared in one of CLEO’s beauty award as “Best Liquid Foundation”.

We were served with teatime snacks from Enak KL. Pic on left shows the selection of food. We had some kind of cucur sayur, sticks of tapioca/potato keropok, roti jala (in the spoon) and gado gado. The latter was really nicely stacked up so uniquely. For drinks we had tea and this really nice lemongrass drink called “Step on the Grass” which was really refreshing and cooling. Its also their best seller.

Thank you Green Sentral for organizing an interesting session! Had a lot of fun learning about ALIVE and Zuii products. Also thanks Enak KL for the venue! I loved the “lounge” area where u could sit on cushions on the floor. Some pics above taken from Green Sentral’s Facebook Page

One thing I noticed about organic products (even food products) is that most of the time, its more expensive than normal products due to the quality of the ingredients or the time consuming process used in producing it. Would you fork out extra money for organic products/items?

Been busy

2010-11-11T16:47:00.000+08:00

Sorry I’ve been on such a long haitus on this blog. I’ve been very busy at my new job (well about 3-4 mths old) and really need to sort out my time at work, personal life and blogging.

I try to update my main blog – http://me.zestful.org – as often as I can, especially when I get invites for events but I promise that I will get cracking on reviews for this blog soon.

So many products to review, but so little time! Hang on to your horses, coz there will be an even coming up this weekend.

Meanwhile, check out my blog post on the Anya Hindmarch Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection Tea Party by clicking on the photo of bags below

Samples Galore

2010-08-03T10:29:00.000+08:00

A couple of samples I’ve received lately. I think you can still get the Hado Labo one on from their website http://www.hadalabo.com.my/index_EN.htm (flash heavy). Good chance to get a sample of their famous lotion.

Enjoy!

Lush UK Haul to Malaysia

2010-08-01T14:15:00.000+08:00

I’ve heard so much about Lush that I decided to just buy a few items. I didn’t get to buy it when I was in Perth because the shop was closed :( so got it online shipped all the way from UK to Malaysia.

Two things to remember when buying Lush online

Its gonna be expensive coz of shipping and what not
The items are handmade so don’t go and buy things like the masks which are made fresh because when you finally receive it, it’ll be moldy. Disgusting I know but it’s happened to some friends.

So anyway, I took the plunge and ordered the following from ‘sgdrugstore’ in Lowyat Forum. Prices in RM are the prices he quoted me as of May 2010.

The Joy of Jelly = GBP 2.80 (RM28+)
Demon in the Dark = GBP 2.85 (RM28.27)
Charity Pot Trial Size = GBP 1.00 (RM11.56)
Aromarant = GBP 4.00 (RM 35.24)

More detailed review of each soon!

Jurlique Aromatherapy Workshop

2010-07-30T18:24:00.001+08:00

Last 3rd July, Jurlique organized an Aromatherapy Workshop to teach people about how to use and blend essential oils to benefit your mood and body.

We got three amber glass vials each and a big bottle of Almond Oil Carrier and a couple of essential oils. Oils should be all kept in a dark glass container so that its properties won’t be affected by sunlight.

Stress Relief
Mix 15 ml Almond Carrier Oil, 3 drops of Lemon Essential Oil, 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil & 1 drop of Geranium Essential Oil.
How to use : Place two drops on your palm, rub your hands together and rub on temples/neck if you’re heaving a headache or press/rub it on your tummy.

Muscles Aches & Pain
Mix 15 ml Almond Carrier Oil, 2 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil, 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil & 2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil.
How to use : Apply on your body or use as massage oil.
Cold and Flu
Mix 15 ml Almond Carrier Oil, 3 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil, 2 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil & 1 drop of Lavender Essential Oil.
How to use : Place a few drops on your fingers and rub it along the sides of your nose.

We had some refreshments then we had a sampling of their facial products. All of which were very soothing and smelled awesome. Then we got to see some of their products. This Herbal Recovery range is one of their newest.
Oh we also had a discount voucher for on that day for their products so I picked up a big (100ml) bottle of Rosewater Balancing Mist. Hope to write a full post on it soon.
We all went home with a goodie bag of a voucher of RM50 off any facial and some sample size products of the Rose Body Care Lotion, Rose Shower Gel, Balancing Cleansing Lotion, Daily Exfoliating Cream, & Herbal Recovery Gel sachet.

Isnt the box just cute? Almost like an egg carton. Well I thought it was a great and informative workshop. Quite cheap too (RM30 i think). Thanks Jurlique!
Jurlique Outlets
Mid Valley Megamall – 0329383282
The Curve – 0377280163
Shoplex Mont’ Kiara – 0320931163
Pavilion KL – 0321421418
Isetan KLCC – 0321711063
Queensbay Mall - 046406162

Baviphat booth in e@curve

2010-07-18T16:14:00.005+08:00

Was lining up for tickets and saw a counter promoting Baviphat. Baviphat is this Korean brand that just launched here - I believe they hv a booth in Parkson Pavillion.

So anyway they're promoting their products especially the fruits mask. Also if you buy any item at the booth, you get the sheet masks for Rm 3.90 (retail price is RM 10.90)

There's a promo for EM 79.90 for these items (worth RM 90+):

Any fruit mask (they have 5 different tubs - mango, peach, lemon, apple & strawberry). Retail price = RM49.90
Any Lip Balm (apple or lemon). Retail price = RM20
Paprika hand cream. I forgot to ask the retail price for this

The SA also gave me a small bottle of BB cream (worth rm50) for buying the package. Awesome right?

I also grabbed two sheet masks - Strawberry & Tomato. Sadly she didn't give me samples though she said she would (guess she forgot :( )

Here's the brochure for the fruit masks

Freebie : Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

2010-03-25T14:20:00.001+08:00

Clinique is launching their Moisture Surge (tm) Extended Thirst Relief and so they’re offering samples. Just give your name, handphone num, IC & email and they’ll send a M-Coupon to you phone

http://www.clinique-malaysia.com/moisturesurge/

Have you tried this? Thoughts?

Freebie : Clinique Lash Power Volumizing Mascara

2010-02-10T16:57:00.001+08:00

New Lash Power Volumizing Mascara.

Cultivate a lusher, fuller lash.

A few strocks of the new Lash Power Volumizing Mascara and sparse, barely-there lashes blossom into their most full bodied look yet. Never heavy or clumpy – the look is irresistibly pretty thanks to a one-of-a-kind brush that works in great detail. 24-hour wear, ophthalmologist-tested and easy on even the most sensitive eyes

The price of this mascara in Malaysia is RM75 for a 6ml tube.

Here’s a chance to get a FREE SAMPLE (3ml) tube. That’s like half of the full size mascara.

Just go to this page and fill in your details and real phone number. The number is important because they will send u a MCoupon to your phone to flash at the Clinique counter. The MCoupon looks like this.

Enjoy this freebie!

DIY Aspirin Mask

2009-11-05T02:34:00.000+08:00

I first stumbled upon this (So Loverly ) beauty blog that talked abt this mask. At first I was sceptical about this mask because I have sensitive skin so most products cant work for me. But after reading her blog, I find myself quite immersed in it because we share some skin traits ( acne prone skin etc ).

The turning point for me to try out this mask was when I read, in one of her acne related articles, that this mask was better than the Clinique Turnaround 15 Minute Facial Masque.

So back to the aspirin mask, according to So Loverly, she used aloe vera gel, 3 tablets of Aspirin and her own facial cleanser. Because I have sensitive skin and I wanted to try it out, I only used 1 tablet of Aspirin, half teaspoon of honey and a tiny dollop of my Clinique liquid facial soap (RM78/200ml). I did a little digging abt this aspirin mask and I found on Skin Deco that she got her Aspirin from Guardian for RM1.60. However I got mine from Watson for RM1.90. The brand to get is Dispirin, it comes in a sheet containing 12 tablets. I used Capilano Pure & Natural Honey bought from Tesco for abt RM8 for the whole bottle.

Dissolve one tablet in palm with 1 teaspoon of water. ( I used my finger to 'stir' the water so that the tablet dissolves fully without any solid residue). You'll feel its grainy in texture
Mix the concoction with 1/2 teaspoon ( i used 1/2 tsp so that I use less of my facial cleanser) honey & 1 tiny dollop of my facial cleanser.
Apply evenly on the face ( I also applied on the neck ), and wait abt 10-15mins.
Wet fingers and gently scrub face( in a circular motion ), concentrating on blackhead areas ( nose,chin ) and I usually scrub VERY lightly on areas with blemishes. I usually scrub areas with blemishes the last because I dont want to scrub all over because this will transport the bacteria frm those blemishes all over my face ( and will cause breakouts all over).
Wash off excess and pat dry with clean soft face towel. Finish with your usual moisturizer.

After I was done, I must say, she was right. My face feels almost similar ( if not the same ) as if I were to use my Clinique 15mins Turnaround Masque. And there is no shimmer (yippeeee)! And no rubbing off the product! No messy floors! I am quite satisfied with the results but Im still putting it on a 4-week trial(because sometimes my sensitive skin doesnt react until sometime later). Once a wk, for a month and Ill monitor the changes ( if any) and what not.

Anyhoo, girls you should try this out! :) Cheap and effective. How awesome is that! :)

**Guest Post from G**

Blook (Malaysia) Plus Size Model Search

2009-11-02T16:28:00.000+08:00

Can you fit size 14 to 22?
Model Casting on Saturday 21 Nov between 11am – 3pm @ blook Bangsar.

Winner gets…

Free blook wardrobe up to RM1000.00
to be blook+ model for 6 months
special blook lifetime VIP priviledges!
photoshoot by prefessional photographer

Criteria

Female, Age 18-35 yrs
Size 14 to 22
Min Height 5′5″

Apply at any blook shop or download the form here and send to op@blook.com.my

~~~~~~~~~~~

So any of you girls thinking about participating? I’m a bit too short at 5′3″ to apply – not that I want to anyway. Shy lah :P

Review : Daiso Cream Blush

2009-11-02T04:51:00.002+08:00

Yes, yet another Daiso product. What can I say? Im pretty adventurous in trying out new and cheap makeup because I don't agree with the stigma that cheap is not good. And this is one example.

This is a cream blush that is packaged in cute flowerish shape. The actual blush itself is in a plastic rounded pot with a dome see-through screwtop cover. The blush is not a mousse or soft creamy type as many would expect. Its actually solid and retains its dome shape, something like a soap bar where it won't loose its shape when you touch it.

Its small size and product makes it very conviniently portable. The colour is also surprisingly quite nice. Its a pinkish, almost coral kind of shade (as you can see from the swatch above). With just one swipe, the colour would stick on your cheeks. Its really easy to use by just rubbing/swiping it over your cheeks in a circular motion. Then you may want to smoothen it out more by using your fingers or your brush.

All in all, this is one of the products that I liked from Daiso. If I'm not mistaken, it comes in 2-3 colours. Because the packaging is see through, I think it shouldn't be a problem to choose your preferred shade.

Rating : 4/5

Shop/Store : Daiso outlets (Curve, Mutiara Damansara & IOI Mall, Puchong)

Price : RM 5

Review : 24K Active Gold Eye Mask with Botanical Essence

2009-10-23T02:39:00.002+08:00

Ultra micro gold leaf - gold element undergone multiple activating processing, vitamin B3, mulberry extract, grape leaf essence. The active gold boosts the blood circulation for eyes, making the ective ingredients penetrate the skin around the eyes more easily, rapidly abating swelling or tiredness around eyes, effectively removing dark circle, eye bags.

This is one of the cheapest eye sheet mask I have bought. Its only RM1.50 from a forumer in LYN. The sheet is very moist and cut out to nicely fit your eye area. I got a slight tingling sensation while using it. My eye area felt moisuturize after leaving it on for some time.

Its a nice feeling but I wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin because I’m not sure what it contains. However, for that kind of price, its quite good

Splurge : Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup SPF10

2009-09-23T09:58:00.004+08:00

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 abit 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:

Gave me a FLAWLESS face.
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.
I am in LOVE with it
I thought the price was worth it.

Cons:

I thought the screw top bottle was kinda unhygenic because I have to pour out the foundation everytime I needed it, exposing it to the air thus inviting bacteria/germs, also possibly drying it out faster.
Because the coverage was heavy, the foundation was thick and velvety, making me use alot for my skin and face = finish faster.
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.

Review : ELF Candy Shop Lip Gloss

2009-09-20T03:15:00.001+08:00

I recently bought a whole lotta goodies from the elf website (http://www.eyeslipsface.com) for myself and my sisters. Its a brand in the US that sells really affordable makeup at only USD1 onwards. Yes! For only ONE buck! Anyway, after shipping fees + taxes, I manage to get 6 items for RM50, that's less than RM10 each (RM8.34 to be exact).

One of the things which we bought was the Candy Shop Lip Tins. The best thing I love about this lip gloss is the size. Measuring around 1 inch x 2 inches, its so compact that you can easily put it into your handbag, purse and even jeans pocket. The top slides sideways revealing the gloss inside which you can then apply using your fingers or a brush. Below is how the Lip Tins look like compared to a 20 cent coin. As you can see, its full of gloss which will probably last for a long time.
According to the website, "Got a sweet tooth? With double the amount of gloss you can enjoy the candy without the cavity! A modern twist to an old favorite, the unique ultra durable sliding lip tin holds your favorite lip gloss in 7 deliciously juicy flavors to choose from. Coconut Crazed, Frosting Fanatic, Mocha Maniac, Berry Pop, Melon Mayhem, Cherry Bomb and Candy Fix. "

I got the Berry Pop and the Cherry Bomb so I'll review them only. The Cherry bomb has a chocolaty cherry smell which is sweet but not too pungent. The colour is also a very nice red that when swiped on the lips almost looks like a lip tint, but with that glossy look. Berry pop is a purplish tinted gloss with small glitters that sparkle and brighten up your lips. It smells like grapes.
First the CONS. Some might find the smell a bit too sweet. Besides that, the lip glosses are applied using fingers (or a brush) meaning its less hygienic than the tube types. The isn't much moisturizing properties in this one, so don't expect it to be a lip balm + gloss.
Next, the PROS. These Lip Glosses aren't those types that are are thick and sticky - which I absolutely hate because it feels like you slathered on a really thick glue on your lips. A big No No for me. I apply the gloss using my fingers, which personally I find is very convenient (I apply most of my makeup using my fingers). The bf also liked the smell. Very nice he said. So big plus.

So, all in all, I'm really happy with this lip gloss. And for the price of only RM8+ you get a gloss that will last you a long time.Now if only they would add a mirror to the back part of the sliding cover then I'd die happy.

BEAUTY-O-METER:

Packaging : 4/5
Smell : 4/5
Functionality : 4/5
Boy Meter : 5/5

Review : Sunsilk Summer Fresh Hair Mist Spray

2009-09-17T02:56:00.002+08:00

This is currently my favourite hair product. Its the Sunsilk Summer Fresh Hair Mist Spray. It offers Sun protection with Cooling Watermelon Essence. Its actually a very light mist to make your hair smell nice - especially after a night out in clubs with all that smoke stuck in your hair. Perfect for those days that you're out the whole day sweating and need to freshen up.

Best part is, I got it from a forumer for RM4 including postage. Cheap eh? Well its only 60ml.

Bad part, its a limited edition product and I can't seem to find it sold anyway - not even online (there is this gal selling a half empty bottle on ebay though). Disappointing.

Review of MiLab Goodnite Mask

2009-09-15T22:39:00.003+08:00

Last month, I wrote about how you can get samples for Milab Goodnight Mask [link]. Milab sent me a few samples to test out and review in my blog.

According to the brochure:

(Front) MiLab Goodnite Mask. Sleeping Beauty comes alive! Now with fruity essence that revitalize your skin overnight. For all skin types
(Inside left) Start Every Morning with Rejuvenated Skin! MiLab Good Nite Mask replenishes skin moisture and nutrients continuously for 10 hours while you sleep, giving your a moist and healthy skin everyday.
A convenient and translucent no-mess, leave-on gel mask to be applied just before bedtime. Infuses skin with an intensive supply of moisture and nutrient during sleep. Moisture and nutrient is absorbed quickly and conveniently, giving you the pleasure of soft, supple skin in the morning.
How to use : Apply liberally over entire cleansed face. Massage for 10 seconds and leave on overnight. Wash your face the next morning and feel the visible difference to the skin

There are four different types of Goodnite Mask available:

Grape (Age Defense)
Contain extracts from grape seeds, which offer powerful anti-oxidant properties to fight against free radicals. It also promotes the production of collagen. A vital defense against the sign of aging

Strawberry (Brightening)
Strawberry contains the highest concentration of Vitamin C, an anti-oxidant and helps promote production of collagen protein. It can purify pores and epidermis, softening skin and removing dullness, yellowness of skin, giving you a healthy brightening glow. Also contains yogurt that replenish the skin with vitamins B1, 2, B6, B12, protein, calcium and yeast, nourishes and repairs skin, giving it elasticity

Pineapple (Soothing)
Its main application is reducing inflammation and swelling. Especially formulated for acne prone and oily skin, it works primarily by preventing the formulation of compounds that lead to inflammation

Papaya (Pore Refining)

It contains a natural enzyme extracted from papaya fruit, which is a non-irritating, anti-aging agent that softens and digests dead skin cells while encouraging new ones to develop. It reduces pore size, improve overall skin texture and reveal a softer more vibrant looking skin

They gave me two samples – the Strawberry and the Papaya one. As you can see in the pic above, they give the samples in cute little pots that are labeled. The Strawberry one has a few dots in it that dissolve when you rub it on your face. Its like little scrubs for ur face. The Papaya one is a smooth orangy gel that really smells like papaya, i almost feel like tasting it.

Apply both on your clean face. The samples given is enough for one or maybe two applications. When you apply it, you will feel that it is very gentle. I didn’t not get any negative reaction from it. The next morning, my skin really feels moisturized even though I sleep in an aircon room.

Rating : 4/5
Price : The MiLab Good Night Mask retails for RM 38.90 for a 50g jar.
Store/Shop : I saw this at Caring Pharmacy with 10% discount

Review : Cyleina Organic Soap - Honey Oatmeal

2009-09-10T05:16:00.001+08:00

I bought this soap some time ago [posted here] from Aster in LYN. Because its quite a big bar, i cut the soap in 1 inch cubes to use.

The first thing I liked about this soap is that it smells really pleasant but not too overpowering. In fact, it smells just like honeydew. As you can see from the pic, its a white bar with bits of real oatmeal in it which give a kinda scrubbing effect. It also lathers a lot - creating a lot of bubbles/foam that makes it easy to wash your face.

After washing, it feels really clean, but not too tight that you'll feel so uncomfortable. I gave some to the guy and his face seems less oily after using it. In conclusion, I really like this soap and because its so big, its a really good buy.

Oh yes, you can also use this soap for your whole body.

Soap Ingredients: saponified olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable shortening, and beeswax, ground oatmeal, honey, sweet orange essential oil, clary sage essential oil.

Honey is rich in nutrients, enzyme and antioxidant which eliminate free radicals. It is an excellent moisturizing agent and natural cleanser due to its anti-microbial property.

Oatmeal's grainy little flakes perform mini-miracles when applied to skin. It whisks away dead cells, irritation, and redness, leaving a soft, moist glow behind There are four reasons why your skin adores oatmeal

Dryness fighting: Oats contain polysaccharides, which become gelatinous in water and leave a fine protective film on the skin, preventing dull, flaky dryness.

Moisturizing: Oats are full of healthy, lubricating fats.

Defense building: The proteins in oatmeal help maintain the skin's natural barrier function, which is what ensures that the world outside the skin stays out, and what's inside the skin stays in.

Pore cleansing: Oats are filled with natural cleansers (called saponins) that gently remove dirt and oil from the pores.

Enjoy the beauty rewards of these superb ingredients with this soap. Infused with all the benefits of honey and oatmeal plus Milk proteins are also added to restore the smoothness of the skin!

Retails : RM20

My Collection of Makeup

2009-09-08T13:45:00.002+08:00

I'll be the first to admit, I'm a hoarder. I don't like to throw things out. I like to collect. Also, I cant resist a good deal (wait, every girl can't resist a good deal right?). But now, I am stopping myself from buying makeup. Why? Because I have tons and tons that I buy and I never even touch. I guess I could sell some of them in forums but I feel 'sayang' (reluctant).

And this is why :

Yes, that's how much I have i total. Most of it is bought, some of it are freebies. Its grouped by categories:
(from top left)
Cheek/Face (a) - this includes blusher, face powder, foundation
Freebies & Samples - I like to collect samples because I can try out products and also its easy for travelling
Skincare (b) - These are SOME of the creams and cleanser I have. There's summore somewhere but this pic was more for makeup
(bottom left)
Lips (c) - Lips glosses, balms, lipstick
Eyes (d) - Liner, mascara, creams
Palettes (e) - Mostly eyeshadow palettes. there are some blushes tho

I didnt really jot down the full details of all the items - like the colour and all that) so I'll just write what I remember

(A) Cheek & Face Stuff

(top left) Stila Cheek/Lips Colour Converter - omg this product is one of my fav
(pink tube) BB Cream sample
Stila shimmer
Dior Foundation - I got this and a free makeover from Dior 2 weeks ago
Daiso Concealer - this one seems a bit too fair for me, but I've only tried it once
(square 2 colour box) Clinique Blush - Freebie when I bought the 3 step product
(rectangle box) ELF Powder blush - nice but it shatters easily
(round and pink) Daiso Cream Blush - Oh I really like this one. the colour suits me and its so easy to apply
(round and silver) Elianto Powder blush - This comes with a powder puff attached. I don't quite like the cover tho, opens up easily
(round with mirror on right) The Body Shop Pressed Face Powder #04 - This color really matches my shade. Im on my 2nd one already
(bottom left) The Body Shop Blush - this is a pink that is a bit too light for me
Anna Sui Foundation - This was a freebie from a magazine
Stila Lip and Cheek tint in Pomegranate Crush
Skin Food Aloe Vera BB Cream

(B) Skincare

The Body Shop Aloe Vera Day Cream
The Body Shop Aloe Vera Night Cream
Clarins HydraQuench Smoothing Gel - freebies
Clarins Shaping Facial Lift x 2 (small and bigger size) - freebies
Clarins Pure and Radient Mask - freebies
(bottom) Sothy's Cleaner - won this one from Miu
First Lady Cleanser - Freebie
Estee Lauder Cleansing Milk
The Body Shop Total Energy Lotion (i think)

(C) Lips

(from top round and red) Daiso Rouge
Clarins Lipsticks - freebie
(from left) ELF Lucious Liquid Lipstick - Review
Estee Lauder Lipstick
Estee Lauder Lipgloss
Victoria Secret Lipgloss - This lipgloss is rather odd. Its clear with Gold sparkles. Got it as a freebie
Clinique Lip Gloss
Bonne Bell Lipstick - I dont like this one.
Lip Cream
Nivea Lip Balm - I think this is Cherry
(bottom left) Maybelline Lipstick - sample frm magazine. I really like this colour. suits me
Stila Lip Glaze in Banana
Stila Lip Glaze in Dark Cherry
Stila Lip Gloss
The Body Shop Lip Gloss
The Body Shop Satsuma Lip Butter

(D) Eyes

(top) Some Eyeliner - not sure what brand
Estee Lauder Eyeliner
Maybelline Eyeliner
Clinique Eye cream
(left) Daiso Brown Mascara
The Body Shop Mascara
Estee Lauder Mascara - Im currently using this one till it finishes before i start on the rest. lol
ELF Black Eyeliner
Daiso Black Eyeliner
Stila Mascara
Kajal - Given by my friend. Very nice black eyeliner, but smudges easily
Falsies - Given by my sister
(bottom) Garnier Eye cream

(E) Palettes

Eyeshadow Palette - The ones on the right and left are eye shadows, the middle ones are Blushes/Highlighter
Daiso Eye Palette in Brown
Daiso 6 Shade Eyeshadow Palette in Green - Review
ELF Eyeshadow Quad - It shatters easily, I lost 2 colours
Estee Lauder Blush - This one is barely used. Mayb I should sell it
Stila Get The Look Palette - 3 are eyeshadows, 1 is a blush
Stila Eyeshadow Quad - I like the packaging and of course the colours
Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Duo - My mom gave me this, yes I know its similar to the stila one

So I'm currently imposing a self-ban on buying makeup. Hehe! I wonder what's in your makeup box?

10 Day No Shopping

2009-09-07T23:53:00.000+08:00

The "10 DAYS NO SHOPPING" challenge starts today 7th September - 16th September, 2009 (11.59pm). This is a challenge that everyone and anyone can participate freely without obligations. For 10 Days you SHOULD refrained from shopping (but buying food is ok). Shopping for shoes, clothes, cosmetics, presents, etc is not allowed! The goal of this challenge is to see if we can survive 10days WITHOUT SHOPPING.

To make it interesting, I will drop tasks for everyone to do (whether you're participating or not). Tasks are little "let's get our mind off shopping" activities that you can do. They can be workshops (free), sampling activities, collecting/redeeming samples, anything that does not involved buying/shopping/seeing your moolah run away.

If you pledging or following this 10 DAY NO SHOPPING CHALLENGE, you can drop your name & blog links here. If you're a blogger, you may post daily about your thoughts & "planned" activities for everyone to read. It's like keeping a 10-DAY NO SHOPPING DIARY.

GOOD LUCK ALL, I'm also on the 10 DAY NO SHOPPING challenge!

I found out from this "10 Days No Shopping" challenge from Miu's Blog. She challenges you girls to try and not shop for 10 days and to help in the process, she will give out freebies (yey my favourite!). Its also encouraged to write about ur progress :D

I'm going to TRY and attempt it. Hopefully it works. Hehe!

The Body Shop Shopping Bag

2009-09-07T06:35:00.001+08:00

I was walking around in Pavillion today and a friend of mine dropped into Body Shop. Its really been a while since I've been to The Body Shop and it seems like they have a lot of new products lately. My friend bought me this Shopping Bag. I think its great that TBS is encouraging people not to use plastic shopping bags and selling these nice bags for only RM5.

So yea, go get one for yourself and help save the environment too :)

Cyleina Organic Soaps

2009-08-31T14:31:00.002+08:00

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

2009-08-29T10:51:00.001+08:00

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

2009-08-27T10:30:00.002+08:00

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

2009-08-25T13:37:00.001+08:00

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

2009-08-24T02:15:00.000+08:00

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

2009-08-19T01:17:00.000+08:00

** 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:

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.
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 ).
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:

Gave me a FLAWLESS face.
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.
I am in LOVE with it
I thought the price was worth it.

Cons:

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.
Because the coverage was heavy, the foundation was thick and velvety, making me use alot for my skin and face = finish faster.
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

2009-08-15T14:47:00.001+08:00

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

2009-08-14T05:18:00.000+08:00

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

2009-08-12T05:04:00.002+08:00

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

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!

2009-08-11T22:49:00.000+08:00

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.