|| muse of the moment || a beauty blog

Beaute Fabuleuse

2011-11-11T04:04:00.002+08:00

The blog has been revived under a new name and moved to http://beautefabuleuse.wordpress.com :)

Skincare Routine & Everyday Makeup

2010-08-03T20:38:00.009+08:00

Similar to my Beauty Profile, I will keep updating this page, so stay tuned :P

Morning:
Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser For Face And Eyes
Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray
Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum
Egyptian Magic Skin Cream

Evening:
Dermalogica Precleanse
Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser For Face And Eyes
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion
Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray
Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Eye Care:
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

Makeup:
Eyes: Guerlain Eye Pencil And Kohl in ME Black 1 (Top), Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (Bottom), Shu Uemura eyelash curler, MAC Plush Lash in Plushblack.
Face: Clarins UV Plus Day Screen SPF40 PA+++ in Tinted, T. LeClerc Pressed Powder in Banane.
Makeup Remover: Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover.

Beauty Profile

2009-06-24T13:28:00.017+08:00

Here's mine :)

My official blog.

Official Portrait for Estee Lauder Model Search 2009

Age: 25.
Skin Condition: Mainly sensitive. Dehydrated, slightly oily on nose, dry to normal on cheeks and everywhere else.
Main Problems: Sensitivity, uneven skin tone (Constant redness/flushing on cheeks), slightly enlarged pores on cheeks.
No-No Ingredients: Concentrated vitamin C, alcohol (Mainly denatured alcohol/alcohol denat., the others should be fine), mineral oil, artificial lanolin.
Holy Grail Ingredients: Honey, hyaluronic acid, olive oil, azulene, chamomile. Others yet to be identified.

SKINCARE
Cleanser: Cellnique Vital Repair Cleansing Milk.
Makeup Remover: Dermalogica Precleanse (Night), empro Perfect Eye And Lip Makeup Remover.
Scrubs: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (2-3 times a week).
Masks: Cellnique Intensive Soothing And Hydrating Masque (2-3 times a week), Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Silk Masque (Once a week).
Toner: Cellnique Soothing And Hydrating Lotion.
Serum: Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Complex (Day and night), Cellnique Intensive Soothing Factor (Night).
Moisturiser: REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream (Day), Melvita Argan Oil (Night).
Eye Treatment/Cream:: Clarins Eye Contour Gel.
Pimple Treatment: Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream.
Sunscreen: Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 PA+++ in Tinted.

MAKEUP
Skintone: Yellow-ish undertones with redness on cheeks and nose, light-medium fair, tans easily.
Primer: N/A.
Concealer: N/A.
Foundation: N/A.
Powder: T. LeClerc Loose Powder in Banane.
Setter: Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray.
Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion.
Mascara: Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara.
Tools: Sephora Collection Professionnel Mineral Powder Brush #45, Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler.
Lip Balm: Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment, Badger Balm Organic Lip Balm in Tangerine Breeze, Great Barrier Island Bee Co. Manuka Honey SPF 30 Lip Balm.

BODY
Wash: Dermaveen Soap-Free Wash PH 5.5, Kiehl's Lavender Foaming-Relaxing Bath With Sea Salts And Aloe Vera, L'Occitane Lavender Shower Gel.
Scrub: Extra virgin olive oil, organic sugar and organic honey mix.
Lotion: Clarins High Definition Body Lift, Melvita Satin Effect Dry Oil, Melvita Fondat Body Balm, O.P.I. Avoplex High Intensity Hand And Nail Cream.
Treatment: N/A.
Sunscreen: Banana Boat Sun Protection SPF50.

HAIR
Type: Thick, coarse, slightly wavy. Permed to medium curls.
Colour: Originally black. Now ombre-red.
Shampoo: Lakme Teknia Ultra Red Shampoo.
Conditioner: Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner.
Treatment: Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Hairtherapy Colour Save Colour Spray Conditioner.
Styling Products: Schwarzkopf Osis+ Upload, Schwarzkopf Osis+ Curl Me Soft.

Temporarily Out Of Service

2009-05-06T03:32:00.003+08:00

As per topic. I've run out of steam to do makeup/skincare reviews because I haven't been experimenting in a long time, and have found products that work wonderfully for me (Dermalogica in general for skincare, and Chanel, particularly Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in 30 Naturel/Translucent 2 for makeup), so yeah :P I might revive this when I do get around to experimenting around more (Particularly eyeliner and mascara- my favourite makeup products). We shall see.

Right now my active journal/blog is my personal one- click here if you're interested :)

In the meantime, I'd like to extend my appreciation and thanks to those who have supported MotM during its brief stint :D

Holiday Hiatus

2008-12-17T18:00:00.002+08:00

After some though, I've decided that I might be taking a semi-hiatus from my beauty blog until the end of the month.

Let's see. I might be going to Penang, I'm going to get my hair done, my bi-annual medical checkup is due and I am going to be a bit busy with the preparations for the Lunar New Year. Yes, it's on the 26th January 2009, but my family likes to get things started about a month early so yeah :P But who knows, maybe during spring cleaning I will unearth some old goodies I've hidden away and will review them!

Here's a picture of me during a recent trip to Genting Highlands, at the Chin Swee Temple. I only have on my Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder (Over my skincare + Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie) and gosh, I look pale and not tanned at all D:

In the meantime, I will be updating my personal blog whenever possible.

Be Right Back!

2008-12-13T19:49:00.002+08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I've been a very good girl and haven't been buying any new makeup/skincare products. Mainly because I've been quite busy with life- my Dad came down and so my family and me are busy spending time with him, my camera broke down (But I got a new one, details on which I will post on my personal blog :P), my sweetheart and me just celebrated our second anniversary and I've also been shopping for clothes for the Lunar New Year. I'm being quite picky this year in terms of clothes and haven't got as much as last year, but I got a silk yukata :D

That, and so far nothing interesting has really caught my eye for me to lust over and want to buy for me :( Plus, it's the festive season, so I'm feeling a bit lazy and want to relax. But I'll definitely be back with some reviews in a bit :)

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder

2008-12-07T12:06:00.000+08:00

I recently got the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder as an early Christmas present to myself... not that I really celebrate Christmas, but it was a good excuse to splurge! :P Plus I've been reading really good reviews about it and I decided why not? I went back to the Chanel store at 1 Utama to get this, and was again served by a very nice SA. I should really get into the habit of getting and remembering their names so I can look for them again... but then again it seems like their shifts always change!

She explained to me that I don't necessarily need a loose powder to set my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 foundation as it's designed to be an all-in-one foundation unless I'm going for a more heavy coverage or am attending more formal functions/dinners. She could have easily told me that yes I need a loose powder and get commissions form selling it to me, but she didn't :P She also told me that the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder can be used alone for a sheer, natural look, which is also a plus for me for days I want a more lighter coverage. She was very patient, answering my queries and all. It was actually a tie between this and the Chanel Purete Mat Anti-Shine Matifying Powder, but according to the SA the latter is more of a "touch-up" powder than a foundation finisher and not really used alone, so I didn't get that.

In the end after deliberating for a while I decided to get the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder, and was given this free sample of the Chanel White Essential Light Reflecting Whitening Compact Foundation SPF25/PA+++. I'm not really a fan of whitening products... since, well, if my face is "whitened", what about my body? D: It would look pretty mismatched in my opinion... so yeah :x Plus, I tan easily, so it's better for me to embrace my tan than to rectify it and be fair :P

It costs RM 152 for a huge 30g jar, and it's in an incredibly classy matte glass jar. OK, I'm not sure if it's really glass since it's quite light for glass but then again too heavy to be plastic. The lid is solid and embossed with the interlocking "Cs". Nevertheless- once again, luxurious packaging. No velvet pouch this time though, but then again I don't see why loose powders would need a velvet pouch :P

However, there is a powder puff included for application. To be honest, I've not tested and/or used it, so I can't really say much about it. That, and I prefer to use my Everyday Minerals Long-Handled Kabuki Brush to apply loose powders. I am completely sold by this product- so much so that it completely knocked the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder and The Body Shop Loose Face Powder right out off my HG makeup list!

The powder is extremely finely milled and has a nice, soft fragrance- not the usual powdery foundation makeup smell which I really dislike. It also doesn't really irritate my nose when I apply it around and on my nose (I tend to sneeze a bit when I apply the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder and The Body Shop Loose Face Powder).

I got it in 20 Clair/Translucent 1. The SA asked me if foundations/powder/makeup oxidised quickly on my face, and I answered yes. Now, don't get me wrong- I'm not saying that my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 oxidises, but it's a fact that if I have any foundation/powder/makeup on and I blot with a tissue, it comes off a bit (And darker) and shows slightly on the bridge of my nose despite using makeup primer and all. Pretty annoying. The SA then recommended me this shade as it's a light shade and even if it "oxidises" it wouldn't be too obvious. And since it's translucent, it doesn't really matter. The "white"-looking shade, 10 Limpide, is also translucent, but has more shimmers and is more for highlighting purposes.

I've used it alone- over sunblock and primer (After my usual cleanse-tone-moisturise routine) and it looks absolutely natural and gorgeous. My complexion looks even, glowy and the coverage is extremely light. And the best thing is, when I blotted (Although my skin didn't look very oily at all to be honest), nothing seemed to have came off! Great and perfect for those lazy days and when I feel like letting my skin "breathe", but still require some form of makeup to even out my skin tone. I love!

I've also used it over my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10, and it really does fix the foundation well and for oil control it's marvelous! No shinies at all for a longer period of time compared to when I fixed my foundation with the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder and The Body Shop Loose Face Powder. For comparison I've used my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 alone (Over sunblock and primer though) without the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder or any loose powder after it, and although I also do still get a lovely, radiant, matte-yet-natural look (But obviously the coverage is more heavier than loose powder, being foundation) from the foundation, it holds up better, lasts longer, resists oiliness better and even actually made my foundation look more natural when fixed with the loose powder.

Surprisingly, my makeup didn't actually look much more "heavier" and "formal" with the foundation + loose powder though as compared to foundation alone- although when I blotted there were some traces of colour. Powder alone of course gave the lightest coverage of all and I really like that. I will be alternating between using my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 and Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder- both if I have the time and the occasion calls for it :) After these tests I don't think I'll be using my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 alone much, although it is a good foundation, but honestly, I still am leaning more towards using just loose powder (I started off that way as well- using just loose powder) more often because it just looks so natural and light! :P

Traveling with the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder might pose a bit of a problem as the jar is huge! But I suppose I could always decant it into smaller jars for that purpose... hmm... or be like the Chanel counters and use a "shaker"-like container for it :D Which is kind of cute, really. Or I could get the Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte Natural Finish Pressed Powder... but is it as good as the loose powder? Hmm... I'd have to ask.

This is definitely my new HG loose powder and I would repurchase it if it runs out... which isn't so soon by the looks of it o.O

What Are Your Superpowers?

2008-12-06T01:08:00.003+08:00

My Dad came down to spend some time with us, and therefore I might be a little bit busy! Plus it's my Mum's birthday and my sweetheart is staying over for the weekend for the holidays :3 Might even be going to Ipoh and will be going shopping at Petaling Street with a lecturer! What a busy week it will be.

Oh, and not to mention finals and the wrapping up of the semester for 2008. I won't be attending this year's prom because it's organised by the same people as last year... and it sucked terribly. So no prom looks this year although I really look forward to it :(

I also have the review for my latest Chanel buy- the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder pretty much written up- I just need a few more days to test it under several conditions before posting it up ;)

Anyway, here's a tag taken from Skin Deco.

What Are Your Superpowers?
For me, it'd be blowing out light bulbs. I'm serious. When I get really, really, really angry, a light bulb somewhere in my room will die. It didn't happen just once but many times over the course of my life. Thankfully it's not the "explosion" kind of blowing out and they're normally normal light bulbs. I think I inherited this "superpower" from my Dad- when he's in a really bad mood there's some appliance in the house that just refuses to work...

I don't know what superpower I'd wish to have though... hmm. There's just too much to mention! :P

Reviews In Progress

2008-12-03T16:47:00.005+08:00

I'm such a bad blogger, but here are my reasons for my tardy reviews- finals are coming soon, I've been busy with a translating job, I need to arrange a suitable time/day to go shopping with a lecturer of mine within this week or next and my Dad is coming down which means less time online. For now I've recently gotten these and will be reviewing them once I've tried and tested them well enough and everything has settled down:

Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30
Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in 20 Clair/Translucent 1 (Yes, I've succumbed to the allure of Chanel) T.T

Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10

2008-11-27T23:29:00.005+08:00

Finally I am pretty much done with all my assignments for University, and the semester is coming to a close. That means I finally have the time to review my HG Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 foundation now ;)

As mentioned in my post here, this is my first foray into the world of Chanel. Usually I tend to "avoid" such high-end brands because they're quite intimidating to me- the SAs are always quite immaculately polished and their ranges looks very uptown and classy... not to mention potentially pricey. But I finally braved the Chanel store at 1 Utama.

I entered the shop with an intention to mainly browse at the foundations and the intriguing makeup range and perhaps ask a few questions. The SA that attended me was quite nice. Quite elderly, and definitely knows her stuff. For some reason I am more comfortable with more "elderly" SAs because I feel/think they have more experience, and the reason I chose the Chanel store instead of a counter is because I personally feel that the SAs there would also be more experienced and know about their products more compared to department stores such as Jusco and Metrojaya. Just a personal opinion, though and doesn't necessarily apply to all SAs :P There are some young, department store SAs that are really nice, like the one at the Shiseido counter at Jusco in 1 Utama.

I came out with this. To be honest I was actually looking for Chanel Teint Controle Extreme Extreme UV Protection Control Powder Foundation SPF25, but according to the SA it's already being discontinued and those that are available in the counters at department stores are the last stocks. I was looking at foundations from Chanel mainly because I felt that my Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation shade wasn't a good match for me. Their shades were either too light or too dark for my (now) tanned skin sadly :( I decided to give Chanel a look-see and maybe try instead, and I'm glad I did!

According to the official Chanel website, there are 11 shades (As shown above, I took a screenshot), but here in Malaysia we only get 5 if I'm not mistaken- 10 Lumiere, 30 Aurore, 40 Sable, 50 Poudre and 60 Secret. I was matched with 30 Aurore, which is actually more brown-based but is the second lightest shade in the spectrum. The yellow-based foundations are 40 Sable and 50 Poudre but are actually darker than 30 Aurore. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about the shade- will it match?

When I first applied it on my own the next day after my cleansing regime and prepping my face for makeup, I actually panicked a little because it went on quite light and was worried that I might have to get a shade darker. However, I learned not to be shocked because after a while the foundation actually BLENDS into your skin and matches with your skin tone! Amazing! It really impressed me. Coverage wise it's not as thick as Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation, but it's buildable. I love Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 because it actually makes my skin look flawlessly matte without looking too thick, cakey or dull, but instead radiant and naturally glowy! And it lasts for quite some time too, I had it on past 12 hours and it still looks good, although I needed to blot once or twice within that time span.

The embossed interlocking "Cs" in the foundation also looks very good, and to be honest, I really dislike foundations/powders that have embossed patterns on them, because I can't bear to run over it :( I've been using the Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 since I bought it, and the interlocking "Cs" have sunk in a little now, but it's still obvious. I've not used the sponge provided because I'm using my QVS Rubicell Foundation Sponge but it does feel nice and of good quality.

The packaging is pure luxury. The compact case is flatter and larger than Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation, with its signature black and the white interlocking "Cs" embossed on it, and the mirror is huge! The feel of the compact case is nice, steady and light, but the hinges feel a bit fragile to me though. Overall the packaging to me just screams out decadence in true Chanel style. It even comes with its own velvet pouch as pictured! If that's not luxurious, I don't know what is :P The compact case smudges though (As seen in first photo), but that's nothing a good wipe won't fix.

The whole set costs RM 175, which actually works out to be slightly cheaper than Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation, which totals to be RM 177, RM 2 more :P The refill for Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 is priced at RM 115 whilst the refill for Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation costs RM 129. That, and Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 actually has 3g more of foundation. Yes, I checked and compared that.

My only gripe with the Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 is that it has only SPF10! Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation has SPF25. And since I have to walk under the sun quite often for University, I needed more sun protection :( The other gripe I have with it is that the foundation cake might be too small for normal foundation sponges. As mentioned I am not using the sponge provided, so some foundation might smear on the sides of the cake and needs to be wiped off. But that's not a big problem to me :P

To combat the SPF problem I have gotten Dermalogica Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30, but that's another review for another day...

One Down One To Go

2008-11-25T01:03:00.003+08:00

Just finished my individual assignment and now I only have one more group assignment to do for the semester- which is not hard, I think I can finish it tomorrow :P Then I can resume with my review on Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 :D

Maybe it's my fatigue talking, and I've mentioned this before... but I feel incredibly lost and insignificant in the sea of better beauty bloggers.

Are my reviews too boring? Hmm... I don't know. I write as I think and/or feel. Maybe it's the lack of stuff I write about? I'm not particularly THAT adventurous when it comes to makeup (And my skin would take its revenge on me for the torture), but I sure am passionate about it. And skincare. Which is why I started this anyway. Oh well :P Readership (And friendship with other beauty bloggers) will increase hopefully in time to come- slowly but surely.

So for now I'll have to be patient.

Anne Dundas Phone Charm

2008-11-18T20:08:00.003+08:00

At this rate I'm writing... I won't be able to review Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 anytime soon! :P Not that I'm complaining- at least it keeps me (And this blog) active :P

When I came home today (From watching Quantum Of Solace with my sweetheart at GSC in 1 Utama), this envelope was waiting for me.

Look at where and who it's from! :D I placed an order on the 9th November 2008, so it took 9 days to reach me o.O I'm surprised it arrived in one piece and intact (And so quickly too, to be honest), considering my past (bad) experience with the postal service, especially when dealing with international mail.

So anyway, a little background: In a way I got introduced to Anne Dundas Jewelery through My Women Stuff and recently they were having a sale. I found that out while reading the post here, so I decided to take a look... and I was sold. The designs were all very pretty, and I'm a sucker for handmade items, especially with lampwork beads that nice! I saw a lot of things I wanted, and believe me, I had to exercise a lot of self-control to not break my PayPal account, which I also use to pay for hosting for my personal blog.

I settled on a phone charm as I wanted something to spice up and personalise my otherwise ordinary-looking PDA phone. I really wanted to get a keychain (I have my eye on this) or a suncatcher, but refer to my point about not breaking my PayPal account :P

The envelope- opened, and the contents are such. An invoice with a name card inside, and the packaging itself- tissue, wrapping paper and ribbon. Very luxurious and decadent-looking packaging. I love nice packagings like this- it's impressive and they make me feel good and warm inside :) A perk of shopping online from these "small" shops is that you get personalised services like this, and it's these little touches that truly pulls in buyers in my opinion. As I read somewhere on the site the products are all "packaged to give", meaning that once you receive it you can immediately give it to someone as a gift (If that's your intention), and with packaging like this, it truly is possible! I was very careful to remove them, and the packaging is still intact :P

*Open open open*

And voila! Aforementioned phone charm, named Oriental Cherry Blossom. It's one of the lampwork beads created by Anne Dundas herself and converted into a phone charm, which is really pretty :D It was a toss-up between this and this, but I preferred a black strap since it would match my PDA phone, so yeah.

Gently (Again) I removed the packaging and extricated the phone charm. Surprisingly, the bead was matte-ish in texture and surface, unlike most beads I'm accustomed to seeing which are normally glossy and shiny. I can feel the real handiwork of the bead- it seems to have a depression on one side like a finger pressed on it or something, which makes it unique and truly handmade. The swirls and flowers on it look delicate and pretty and lends a special charm (Pun not intended :P) to the bead. It's a very simple phone charm to be honest, but it's this simplicity that makes it special, and I believe the bead itself makes a statement on its own.

Another shot of the phone charm. The total I spent? It was during the sales period, so I got it for half price. Including shipping, it cost me AUD 9.95, which is not a lot (Yet not little at the same time), but I can say is pretty well spent considering it's a one-of-a-kind item and uniquely handmade! :3

I really like this pendant, for one. It looks elvish to me. Too bad my birthday is way over :( I'm also thinking of perhaps getting this for my sweetheart's impending new phone, but perhaps I'll wait for another sale >_>

How To Spend RM 95 In A Day

2008-11-17T16:06:00.008+08:00

So much for trying to control my expenditure >_> But it's money quite well-spent (Since I needed and wanted them anyway), and come to think of it I could have actually spent more but resisted the temptation! Yay me! I went to MidValley Megamall with my sweetheart with intentions to window shop and price check (Mainly on makeup bases/primers) actually. I still can't decide which to get, so I guess I'll stick with my Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie in the meantime until it runs out :P

So these are what I got: The Body Shop Loose Face Powder in 01 and Origins Smileage Plus Liptint in 03 Eco-Pink. The Body Shop Loose Face Powder is RM 55 whilst the Origins Smileage Plus Liptint is RM 40 (At Origins in The Gardens MidValley).

I would call this a cheaper version of the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder. I wanted to play Shop In My Stash by My Women Stuff, but I was a bit too late. I only dug up an old, 95% used up jar of The Body Shop Loose Face Powder a few days back and started using it (Until it ran out), and it's replacing my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder :P Hence buying a new jar. It's in 01- a more yellow-based powder. The SA (A guy named Man who was actually quite nice) was patient enough to answer my questions regarding the colouring of the loose powders. 02 is pink-based and 03 is brown-based basically. I went for yellow-based since it would match the skin colour of my neck, which is more yellow-ish compared to my arms, which are brown-ish. See, this is the problem with being a tanned Chinese :( I'm somewhere in between yellow/brown/pink, which is why getting a foundation match is so hard for me. I'd better keep tanned though, because I don't want to be getting a new lighter foundation shade XD

The Body Shop Loose Face Powder is actually my very first foray into makeup- I used to use no foundation at all (And had no prior experience in using one), I just dusted the powder over my face with my Everyday Minerals kabuki brush (I still do now, although after my Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 foundation). Then I craved more makeup products and wanted to experiment more (The main reason I recall was due to SPF, which The Body Shop Loose Face Powder lacked), and the rest, they say, is history :P

I'm glad I found this old gem back though- I think I put it aside when my compact foundations entered the scene. It's quite finely textured, makes my skin feel smooth and most of all, actually lasted longer than my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder in terms of oil control and lasting power. Coverage wise it's pretty buildable, just like the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder. They're both also loose powder, after all. And in my opinion, The Body Shop Loose Face Powder is also less "messier" than the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder- less spillage around the mouth of the jar/lid/table occurs when you're trying to get new powder up on top and opened it. For some reason my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder always "overflows", which is a problem during transportation/traveling and can get quite frustrating because it's wastage. This is the case where cheaper is definitely better for me. The Body Shop Loose Face Powder is half the size of the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder, but costs cheaper (2 jars of The Body Shop Loose Face Powder is RM 110 = 1 jar of Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder @ RM 120) and works the same if not better.

Another thing I've always wanted and managed to buy is the Origins Smileage Plus Liptint :D It's actually more of an impulse buy- I wanted some colour on my lips since I never did play with my lips unless I had my makeup done professionally. I normally emphasise my eyes (I love eyeliner especially), so this is a step towards experimenting with lip colours I guess :P I love the packaging and how slim the whole thing is, which makes it easy to apply on my lips. The colour is actually incredibly sheer though (So swatching is incredibly hard, so sorry, no swatches), but it makes my lips look healthier and enhances the colour of my lips, not to mention moisturises!

How it looks on my lips. I like how it's non-sticky- and doesn't have a very noticeable smell and/or taste. The initial scent reminds me of something for sure, but I just can't put a finger to it. I tried Benefit Cosmetics California Kissin' too, but it was RM 93 and I couldn't bring myself to buy it. It's quite nice, minty and cooling, but has sparkles in it, which I don't really like personally :P The Origins Smileage Plus Liptint leaves a nice, very light, subtle stain on the lips and if you kiss something (Or someone :P) hard enough you leave a little mark, but not as obvious as lipstick does.

M.A.C disappointed me with its Viva Glam lipsticks and the Passionately Red/Viva Glam lip palettes :| The palettes look awesome in photo and on the site, but in reality it actually looks a bit... cheap in my opinion. Not as classy as I expected. They're for charity (Which is why I even looked at it in the first place), but for RM 63 a lipstick and RM 115 a palette, I couldn't really bring myself to get it either.

The colours also didn't really match me and the SA was a bit meh. Sure, she assisted me, but either she didn't hear me or she ignored my request of recommending what lip colours would suit me (I was totally picking the wrong colours!), but I'm also a total klutz when it comes to applying lipstick and she didn't help me at all. She looked lost in her own world or gave me the impression that she's bored or something. Now I see why some people boycott M.A.C! It's too bad, since previously I had a good experience with the SA that assisted me when I bought their Brush Cleanser and I didn't think of them as pushy. Turns out that they ARE non-pushy, they just don't seem to care :P

Majolica Majorca Reviews

2008-11-15T14:38:00.006+08:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I've gotten my hands on some stuff from Majolica Majorca. Mainly because they were cheap and quite tempting. Normally I'm not a fan of such "princess"-y stuff, but I decided to give them a try since they're an offshoot brand of Shiseido The Makeup :P

So I will be reviewing the stuff I got- Majolica Majorca Pressed Fantasia 24H powder and Skin Lingerie makeup base.

The refill cake + sponge on the left (RM 57.80 for the whole set, I regret to say that I don't remember the individual prices as I've misplaced the receipt) and the case on the right. It looks very fancy, being Majolica Majorca, but I personally think that the Skin Remaker case looks nicer with it's gold and filigree detail.

The insides, once removed from the box and set up (A really easy process of course) :P The sponge, instead of a normal latex (Or latex-like material) sponge like that of normal pressed powders/foundations, is velvety. The sponge case is just a piece of plastic tray (As pictured) placed on top of the powder, which I find quite cumbersome since you'll have to remove the plastic tray (And sponge) to get to the cake. Not to mention that the plastic tray touches the cake, so you can't simply put it anywhere- it would be rather unhygienic. Imagine touching up outside in a public toilet! Where are you going to put the tray? D: I suppose Majolica Majorca could somehow improve on that- I was actually expecting it to be like individual flip-top cases for the sponge and the cake, seeing the size of the compact.

The powder looks really light, but in fact it goes on translucent. I don't get why cosmetics company like embossing things onto their powder- it pains my heart to swirl the brush/sponge on it and see the patterns disappear :( I've applied the powder with the provided sponge and with my Everyday Minerals kabuki brush- both give almost the same results. The powder is also actually quite finely milled and makes my skin feel soft. It sets my foundation, but oil-control wise and lasting power wise it loses when compared to my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder. My face started to show traces of shine and oiliness in a shorter period of time. So yeah, it's not replacing my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder as HG item.

However, being a loose powder (And quite big), traveling with the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder might be troublesome, so I guess Majolica Majorca Pressed Fantasia 24H will be useful if I travel. The case isn't exactly that small though (As pictured), but since it's also pressed powder, it will still be handier to lug around :P

Next up is Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie OD Control- a makeup base. I've stopped using the Silk Naturals Oil Control Primer after I've stopped using mineral makeup (Details about it here), so I'm on a lookout for a foundation primer as I find that it does help makeup last longer and look more radiant, glowy and natural. And at RM 39.90, it is quite affordable- which is mainly a reason why I got it in the first place.

It's texture is more to gel than cream, which is good since I prefer a gel-like consistency. BB creams for instant makes my makeup melt after a few hours, so I'm a bit concerned about that. It doesn't offer any colour correction, nor does it really minimises pores once applied onto skin on its own- but it does make makeup glide on more smoothly (And makeup application is much more easier) and enhances the pore concealing properties of the foundation, meaning that once I apply foundation it covers up my pores better compared to applying foundation just on bare, moisturised skin.

However, my skin looks more even after applying the Skin Lingerie alone- in a sense that there's no shiny-looking T-zone or dry-looking cheeks, just a smooth, even canvas for foundation. I guess that's the meaning of the OD Control- oily/dry control :P Skin feels soft and makeup does last longer than without it, and looks more natural. Normally I'm quite aversive to the whole "glowy, radiant" look as most of the time they make me look more oily and highlights my flaws (Mainly enlarged pores) instead, but with Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie that doesn't happen and my skin looks healthy, and I'm quite satisfied and a happy camper ;) I do need to blot my nose occasionally, but instead of blotting, for example, after 4 hours I need to blot around 6 hours instead.

However, I'm still on the lookout for more makeup bases/primers for comparison. I'm currently having my eye on Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse, The Body Shop's Matte It Face And Lips, Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Shiseido The Makeup Pre-Makeup Cream and even Chanel Base Lumiere Long Lasting Makeup Base, but as mentioned I'm currently trying to control my expenditure T.T Maybe I'll get one once I finish the Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie... but for now I'll do some research on which is better :P

Next up, I will be reviewing the Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10 :) I'm really digging the foundation.

Makeup Haul + New Bag!

2008-11-14T18:49:00.007+08:00

I've been a bad, bad blogger, but oh well... readership is few so it doesn't really matter :P I've been primarily busy with assignments (It's almost the end of the semester) and with my personal life (Trying to get a part-time job, etc.), which explains the lack of updates. Anyway, these are the few things I've gotten since the last update, and are on my list of "to review" (And with a summary) :D

Majolica Majorca Pressed Fantasia 24H- Pressed powder, mainly to set foundation. Alright for traveling purposes but not good enough to topple my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder as HG item.

Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie- Makeup base/primer. I like, but I'm still on the lookout for a better one :x

Chanel Mat Lumiere Luminous Matte Powder Makeup SPF10- My first ever purchase from Chanel and my new HG foundation! Forgive the smudges >_>

I've been trying very hard to keep my expenditure under control, which explains the lack of new stuff I've been buying.

I also got a new handbag from Borsalino from House Of Leather as a gift :D Which is about time I got a new handbag, since my Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag needs cleaning (I've sent it to the dry cleaners), being cloth and PVC and metal. Mum was also right in that once you get a nice, proper, branded bag, you'd tend to want more, but in my case it's justified by needing a spare handbag :P

It's almost the same size as my Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag, but instead of black and white like the Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag, this is white and gold. It was a surprise gift anyway, so I didn't have a choice :P It's a nice colour combination though, but of course being white it can and will get dirty. Thankfully it's leather (Wrinkly matte leather) so it's easier to clean!

A closeup of the tag. According to the tag it costed half the price of my Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag, but it doesn't really matter since it's a very nice quality bag.

An attempt to take a shot of the interior. The zip is wider in comparison to my Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag (But that also means that I can't leave it unzipped or the contents will be liable to fall out) and the interior is quote roomy. The inside is also just like the Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag- a zipped compartment, a cell phone compartment (Which I use to keep my Coach Hamptons Signature Mini Skinny wallet) and pocket compartment.

Overall, I like it- it's leather, easy to clean and the same size and all as my beloved Guess Osaka Top-Zip handbag. The cons are just that it will get dirty easier and I can't leave it unzipped, and oh, I'm not too fond of such handles as they slip off easily and it annoys me. I won't be replacing my Guess Osaka Top-Zip hand though- I'd just be swapping around :P

Get To Know Stephanie/Yukaeshi

2008-10-31T01:32:00.003+08:00

Here goes. Stole it from Plue :P

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

10 Years Ago (1998):
1. I was 12 and sat for my UPSR.
2. I went on a holiday back here to K.L.
3. I had long, thick, shoulder-length hair, which I cut short end of the year because I didn't like it (It was neither curly nor straight nor wavy and I constantly got teased for it- "beehive" was the nickname and I detested it. Looking back I wouldn't mind a beehive wahaha :P)
4. I was always top 3 in class.
5. My primary school headmaster retired.

5 Things On Today’s "To Do" List:
1. Get started on the group report for Philosophy.
2. Do a bit of educational reading.
3. Nap/Catch up on my sleep debt/beauty sleep.
4. Wash my hair (I wash it once every 2 days.)
5. Window shop if possible. Or shop online :P

5 Things That I Would Do If I Were A Millionaire:
1. Travel around the world.
2. Save and invest the money of course.
3. Shop without worrying too much about my bank balance- but within reason!
4. Buy presents for family and loved ones.
5. Indulge a little- spas/facials :P

5 Places I Have Lived:
1. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
2. Labuan F.T. (Where I basically grew up.)
3. Section 14, Petaling Jaya (During the holidays back to K.L. before moving back.)
4. Kepong, Kuala Lumpur (Where I stayed when I moved back here and was waiting for my current residence to be renovated.)
5. Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya (Current residence.)

5 Jobs I Have Had:
1. Student (Still am) :P
2. Office intern.
3. Administrative assistant to Dad's company (Still am when I do go back to Labuan.)
4. Part-time model.
5. Assistant Taekwondo coach.

Tagging anyone interested o.O

Crunch Time

2008-10-29T00:59:00.002+08:00

Going to be on semi-hiatus for a while to concentrate on assignments and reports for University- I have two rather complicated (It is Philosophy after all) reports due on 14th November 2008 and they're my priority for now :P

In the mean time, I've gotten Majolica Majorca Pressed Fantasia 24H and am loving it so far. I will review it in due time, perhaps after I've gotten those two pesky assignments out of the way.

Of Majolica Majorca And Primers

2008-10-26T19:36:00.005+08:00

I am currently looking for a good makeup primer- I'm having my eye on Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie and Shiseido The Makeup Pre-Makeup Cream, but Majolica Majorca is obviously more affordable. However, I am still not a very big fan of liquid/cream primers as I'm worried that it will make my foundation "melt" on me, as liquid foundations and/or BB creams do so :( That's why I prefer powder primers- but at the same time they have a risk of making my skin look excessively powdery :|

Any recommendations for a good primer? My skin tends to get a bit shiny later in the day without one, but at the same time I don't want one that looks/makes my skin look dry and flaky and look pale and pallid if I apply it. Preferably something matte-looking and mainly to conceal pores and control shine I guess :P

I'm also tempted to get and try Majolica Majorca Pressed Fantasia 24H powder... if only Majolica Majorca was available at Watson's nearer to my place! :( I've read reviews on Makeup Alley and that it's pretty good as a finishing powder (Who knows, maybe I could even use it as a primer?), plus it would be handier to carry around than my Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder when I travel :D

QVS Rubicell Foundation Sponge

2008-10-25T16:41:00.005+08:00

This was actually an impulsive buy, but I'm glad I bought it and I'm loving it!

As the name on its packaging mentions, it's called QVS Rubicell Foundation Sponge, and well, it's a foundation sponge. I picked it up from Watson's at 1 Utama and I am currently using it with my Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation. It costs RM 14- I'm not sure if that constitutes as expensive or cheap for foundation sponge standards, but for me I find it a bit on the pricey side.

The back of the packaging- due to the lighting some of the words may be un-read-able or difficult to read, so I'll type them out:

Micro-cell texture.
For oil or water based makeup.
Low absorption sponge.
The is nothing better!

When it comes to applying makeup, the right tools make an enormous difference for ease of application, maximum control and flawless finish.
"What is Rubicell? The latest Japanese technology, it is an ultra fine textured sponge that gives the most flawless finish to your makeup.
Oil resistant so it will not shred or swell, it can be used for applying liquid, cream/powder and stick foundation and also to blend concealer. Can be used damp for a lighter application.
To care for your sponge- It is important to keep your sponge clean. Regularly wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Gently squeeze out any excess water and allow to air dry."

A close-up shot of the Rubicell sponge, or at least a sad attempt at a close-up. It has a nice soft texture, not latex-y or stretchy like normal foundation sponges, nor it is very soft in a squishy way either. As you can probably see the "pores" of the sponge look smaller too. My initial impression of this sponge is that it is of quite good/high quality material and it impressed me.

It's also very thin as pictured, but like it's description, it doesn't shred or at least does not threaten to shred! With the sponge that my foundation came with I feel that my fingernails are "digging" into the sponge and I worry that one of these days I might damage it (Or shred it @_@), but this problem does not exist for this sponge. The Rubicell sponge is also extremely pliable and flexible, probably due to its thin-ness.

Usage-wise, it feels very nice, gentle and smooth on the skin. It picks up just the right amount of powder and applying it is actually far more easier compared to the Shiseido The Makeup sponge and doesn't seem to "tug" on my skin- a problem I do encounter when using the Shiseido The Makeup sponge that makes application not smooth and the end result of applying foundation uneven and maybe even blotchy. The pliability of the Rubicell sponge also makes it very easy to apply foundation to areas like the sides of my nose and around my eyes. Overall foundation application seems so much more smoother and even and the finishing result is just natural and flawless!

It does live up to its description and I am happy, and it's also right- using the right tools in applying makeup does make a significant difference ;) I'm currently also on the hunt for a good sheer powder brush... any suggestions?

My only gripe with the Rubicell sponge would be that it can't fit into my compact as it's a bit too big- hence it being kept in its original packaging (Which also scored points for being reusable, sturdy and handy too!) :( But I'm definitely going to use it in favour of my old foundation sponge from now on :D A keeper!

P.S. I am so obsessed with flare jeans now! I've always loved bootcut and flare jeans since they flatter my petite silhouette, and flare jeans are "back" in season so I want them! :( I've ordered flare jeans from Victoria's Secret and American Eagle Outfitters, and here's to me crossing my fingers that they will fit :x And in the meantime I want to get a pair of kick-flare cut jeans from Topshop, but I can only do so on Tuesday. I hope they'll still have my size and cut (W27, L30) by then though >_<

Adieu Mineral Makeup

2008-10-22T00:26:00.008+08:00

I've been reading Tine's post about Falling Out Of Love With Mineral Makeup when I, too, realised that I share the same sentiments as her in regards to mineral makeup.

In terms of foundation, I only have two "real" foundations, that is, foundations that are my Holy Grail and which I consistently and constantly use. They are The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25 and Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation. Yeah, it's a paltry amount of foundations to own, but apparently I have sensitive skin and I do not want to risk it- I've had a severe acne breakout when I was younger resulting in bi-weekly extractions and facials and medication to control my hormones and the acne, so yeah, I do not want a repeat of that if possible. It was quite damaging to my self-esteem :( And even in choosing foundations I stick to "safe" brands, e.g. Shiseido since it's an Asian brand (Not trying to be racist here, but I believe they were formulated for Asian skin since its creation, so yeah), The Body Shop for it's natural ingredients and mineral makeup for it's purity.

I've been using The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25 ever since it launched in August (I wrote about it here), and I noticed that I occasionally break out here and there and have whiteheads (Mainly around my T-zone and cheeks). Sometimes there are acne-like welts that do occasionally itch (They even do look like Tine in her post), but most of the time I'd just brush it off as being my hormones acting up since it wasn't very serious. Ah women, how we delude ourselves sometimes :P

Since mineral makeup is in general, loose powder form, and requires a brush to apply which equals to more time consumed, one day when I was rushing I decided to slap on my Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation (I've also reviewed it generally here)- and found that my complexion seemed to look better! I tried again the next day and the results were the same- my complexion did clear up using Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation compared to The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25. I then switched back to using The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25 and there came again the breakouts and the welts.

I've experimented around- normally my makeup routine now would be Silk Naturals Oil Control Primer- Untinted, foundation and finished with Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder and a spritz of Eau Thermala Avene, and yes, the breakouts and welts were caused by the usage of The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25.

I'm quite disappointed actually- I really look forward to mineral makeup especially with my skin condition and how natural and raved it is, but it just turns out that it's not for me. I was really sure it would work for me, but it did not :( Maybe it's certain ingredients in The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25 that I could be sensitive to? I can't be sure- I'm not going to spend money on trying other mineral makeup since I'm saving up for Chinese New Year shopping though, so I guess it's back to using Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation for me. I might as well finish using it anyway :P

The other sad news would be that my old Shiseido The Makeup Supplist Poreless Foundation shade, I20 Natural Light Ivory, now looks too light on me! And it was only 1/3 used T.T I blame University for making me constantly walk under the sun everyday. Now I'm using O40 Natural Fair Ochre since they did not have a shade darker than I20 Natural Light Ivory o.O There's not much difference though- I20 Natural Light Ivory has pinkish tones while O40 Natural Fair Ochre has more neutral tones, and my skintone seems to be neither pinkish/neutral/warm anyway.

I've also stocked up on my Dermalogica skincare products and gotten more free samples and a bath towel (Which I have to sweetheart) XD

So yeah... I guess I'll say goodbye to mineral makeup for now as well.

De Fennel Beaute & Skin Care

2008-10-13T16:45:00.003+08:00

So I went for my facial last Tuesday since I moved back here to West Malaysia (I haven't had a facial since, which is 2 years!), and I came out of it feeling very pleased and refreshed. Now my review might sound a little bit biased because the owners are my cousins (They're sisters working together) :P I also apologise for having no photos because my appointment was at 11 am and I was still feeling sleepy when I arrived there so I completely forgot to take photos- so you'll have to make do with photos of brochures I got from there >_<

It's going to be a rather long post too, so yeah.

The last time I went there (Before I got into the whole makeup and skincare thing and actually went for facials) their salon was only half a shoplot, but they've extended to a full shoplot now. I have to say that my first impression of the interior design is very comfortable, simplistic and welcoming- much like most facial salons. Their treatments rooms are also private as far as I know (Although I think they have "pair rooms" for those girlfriend bonding sessions)- dimly lit and have piped in soothing music. They also seem to have their own air-conditioning, which can get very cold, but once you get settled in they have a rather thick blanket to cover you! It's a first for me- I've experienced towels or cloths, but an actual blanket? XD

Their treatment prices range from *Gasp* RM 38 for a 45-minute Student Acne Facial to RM 200+ for more specialised treatments (Anti-aging or something along those lines if I'm not mistaken), but no more than RM 250, unless of course you add on services (e.g. eye treatments) and/or buy their products and such. The pricelist is displayed rather prominently beside their door, and I have to say that I find the prices quite affordable (I expected a basic facial to be around RM 50+ at the very least) compared to places such as Leonard Drake, but then they use Dermalogica so to each their own I guess.

I was attended by Yean Cheng, the elder sister who has been in the beauty and skincare line for more than 12 years. She used to work for Dermalogica for 9 years before opening this Cellnique salon of her own now. She analysed my skin and told me that I have inborn, very sensitive and dehydrated skin- very prone to redness and pimple-like bumps and aggravated by stress, heat, pollution and things like diet as well. The she asked me questions like what is my basic skincare regime now, so I told her:

Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser for Face and Eyes
Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream (Day)
Dermalogica Barrier Repair (Night)
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque (Twice a week)
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (Twice a week)

She told me that I am using the correct regime and I should keep it up- and gave me advice such as applying a light layer of Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream before bed if I sleep in an air-conditioned room to keep my skin hydrated, and that pore refining is out of the question for me at the moment because my skin is sensitive and pore refining products usually contains ingredients which may irritate it further, so it's best to deal with and tend to the sensitivity and dehydration issue first.

After the analysis she proceeded to manually extract any vagrant whiteheads and blackheads that have taken residence on my skin during the years and then I was shown those little buggers. For some reason I liked seeing that :P There wasn't much to extract though, even after 2 years, which is kind of surprising since my whole face used to be prodded all over but now it's just mainly the T-zone!

I was given an intensive soothing and hydrating aromatherapy facial treatment (2 masks, one of which smelt like pineapples and a scrub) with facial oils from Eve Taylor (Which smells of, well, lavender). I'm not sure if it's a package of their or it's customised for me (They can and do customise packages based on customer's needs and wants) as I was enjoying the pampering and massaging (My neck, shoulder and a bit of my back was massaged) too much to ask (And I actually fell asleep for a while) :x It cost me RM 105 after discount (Family member :P), which is quite worth it- as a similar treatment (For sensitive, dehydrated skin) at Leonard Drake would set me back by RM 210+.

All the while she did not even ask me to switch to using Cellnique products or push any package or services (Even though I am a family memver), although she did recommend a supplementary product for me so that I can deal with my sensitive skin problem:

Cellnique Intensive Soothing Factor- actually a salon exclusive product. The retail price (I'm not exactly sure if it's even for retail, but professional recommendation is definitely, err, recommended) is RM 210 and only 2-3 drops are needed, twice daily. According to Yean Cheng, it can last for about 7 months so it's very well worth the price. I haven't really tried it out yet as I just got it (They had to restock), so a proper review is in order (Along with many other reviews backlogged) T.T It's to be used after toning (Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray) and before moisturising (Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream or Dermalogica Barrier Repair). In a way I guess it's almost similar to Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster, but this is much more lighter on the wallet for me.

Here is their address and contact details:

De Fennel Beaute & Skin Care
No 14, Jln 9/125D,
Desa Petaling,
57100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-9057 1198

Yes, it is pretty far from where I am staying but I am very satisfied as a customer, although I can't say much since I am related to them. But one thing's for sure I'm definitely trying to make facials with them a once-a-month thing!

They are closed on Thursdays, although I highly suggest calling in to make an appointment before hand even though they have stated working hours (Which I am guilty of forgetting also) as they can be fully booked especially on the weekends and they mainly run on return customers now ;)

If you've tried them, let me know ;) Tell them Stephanie their cousin sent you along.

I Feel Lost

2008-10-11T15:15:00.003+08:00

Am I the only beauty blogger (Not even sure if I constitute as one in the first place anyway) who doesn't really like pink as a colour, as a whole? :(

Or maybe I just haven't found something pink that works for me... yet.

That, and referring to the title I also feel lost in the sea of better beauty bloggers. Don't get me wrong, I extremely love reading other beauty blogs and I'm passionate about writing about makeup/skincare/beauty stuff, but I do have other priorities in life. And I have a backlog of reviews to do, but I just need the time T.T

Girl From Ipanema

2008-10-10T01:07:00.004+08:00

After lusting for so long and waiting for sports shops to stock up on my size, the wait has paid off and I am now an owner of a pair of Gisele Bundchen For Ipanema sandals! Believe me, it wasn't very fun attacking every Royal Sporting House, Studio R and Stadium for the past month for these sandals in my size :P Most of the time they have them in sizes way too small (Think kids' sizes), and I'm normally a size 5!

I got them from Royal Sporting House in 1 Utama earlier for RM 69.90, which is actually considerably cheap for sandals these pretty and these comfy! When I first heard of them I was expecting it to be 3 digits, but the maximum was RM 69.90 and some (If I'm not mistaken) are RM 49.90 depending on design. And as far as I know, RM 3 of the proceeds go to some funds to save the Amazon forest, so you're doing a good deed as well ;)

A closeup shot of the front part of the sandals with the pretty rhinestones. Haven't really worn them out yet, but they really are comfortable from when I've tried them on. The soles are thin and very flexible, and are thus ergonomic. There's been news going around that flip flops/sandals (Normal ones at least) are actually bad for the feet, but flip-flops/sandals that conform to the shape of your feet are good. Mother has a pair of the Gisele Bundchen For Ipanema sandals as well, the thong kind with beadings and she loves it a lot too for a picky shoe lover with arthritis and knee problems!

Anyway, a preliminary video of the video shot my sweetheart and me did sometime in September as part of our University internship project is up on YouTube! Click here to watch it- it's about money and family matters though. My sweetheart and me acted as the children >_> I was actually forced to act since they couldn't find an actress for the role of the daughter... so yeah. My make-up and hair (And sweetheart and everyone else's too) was done by Shegar, a semi-retired make-up artist (Now interior designer) who has previously done make-up for VJs of MTV Asia.

I will review my facial experience at my cousin's salon sometime next week- as I will be going back there to pick up a product on Monday, so I will be taking photos and getting a pricelist of the services they offer :P

Mini Makeup/Skincare Haul

2008-10-06T23:47:00.004+08:00

I've been doing a fair bit of shopping lately... it's not as much as usual since it's mainly restocking of my HGs or Holy Grails.

I finally managed to get Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder in #12 Translucent Natural from the Make Up For Ever kiosk at Suria KLCC. The Make Up For Ever counter at 1 Utama is either always out of stock for the loose powder or for the colour, so since that day my sweetheart planned on bringing me to Suria KLCC I managed to book one the day before and pick it up :D I've been using #10 Translucent White all the while, but I prefer #12 Translucent Natural as it's tinted. A full review will come soon! And in the meantime, I'm trying to sell off my half-used #10 Translucent White here :P

Went to Parkson at 1 Utama today set on restocking my Origins A Perfect World For Eyes eye cream and getting the Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer after reading about it on My Makeup Reviews and researching on it on Makeup Alley.

The promoter at the Origins counter there was a very nice lady (I'm so sorry I didn't get her name though), and she introduced me to the the Origins Sensory Therapy Peace Of Mind On-The-Spot Relief. She just said that Origins also emphasises on relaxation and taught me how to administer the product on myself properly- that was all. She then went to write up the confirmation of my purchase for the my Origins A Perfect World For Eyes eye cream. There was no pressure to buy, no rude pushy further explanations, nothing at all. I was quite impressed. She didn't even ask if I wanted it until I asked her how much it was, and even when she replied she didn't do it in a "Buy it!" tone. Very professional in my opinion. It was when she confirmed my purchase for the Origins Sensory Therapy Peace Of Mind On-The-Spot Relief that I realised that it was part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion and gave me a pink ribbon and leaflet. So for the whole month of October Origins is doing a promotion for their Origins Sensory Therapy Peace Of Mind On-The-Spot Relief!

I didn't know it because the promoter didn't push it in my face obviously. And I liked it. I liked how, despite the promotion for such a cause, she didn't push for it directly, but with more subtlety and professionalism. If only more promoters can be like this! Most that I encounter are pretty pushy and scares me away x.X Even my sweetheart was impressed.

A close-up of what I've bought- Origins Sensory Therapy Peace Of Mind On-The-Spot Relief, Origins A Perfect World For Eyes and Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer. They will also of course be reviewed in due time... just be patient and bear with me T.T

I'm going to have a facial done tomorrow by my cousin- a beautician. I'm so excited XD It will be my first since I moved back here and goodness knows how much I need it D:

Total Beauty Total Cure

2008-10-03T21:29:00.005+08:00

In conjunction again with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I feel that I'll need to point you to Skin Deco (In conjunction with Total Beauty's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign) for its Paint It Pink! campaign! I'm personally contributing to her Fund-Raising Cosmetic Sale (From my selling blog here) and donating half the money to the Breast Cancer Research Fund- so do support it!

Meanwhile do bear with my updates :x I haven't been out in a few days and I'm currently working on part 2 of the eye makeup review- in which I need the prices for my eyeliners :P

Edit @ 11.54 p.m.: I've been reading My Makeup Reviews and got hit with her idea of HG (Holy Grail)- that one makeup/cosmetic/skincare item that is so important and/or essential to you. It gave me an idea to update on my HGs, but my cousin has borrowed my camera. We'll see how it goes!

Pink For October!

2008-10-01T13:24:00.006+08:00

Apparently October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with all the major (At least to me :P) beauty sites such as Beetrice's Reviews, My Women Stuff and Beautyholics Anonymous supporting the cause, I've decided to jump in on the bandwagon too! :P Not to say that I'm not a supporter of the cause anyway though >_>

I'm not going to be changing my website to pink (Honestly, I dislike the colour pink in general), but my little sidebar will have an icon supporting Pink For October. I find it very important in general to raise awareness amongst people about the various forms of debilitating diseases our society faces, not just breast cancer, so yeah.

Updates won't come so soon, as I'm going to be busy churning out my first article for the Just Money Asia e-magazine, and if you've also been reading my personal blog, you'll find out that I just got engaged too. Stay tuned though! ;)

Makeup Reviews Part 1/2- Eyes- Eyelash Curler And Mascara

2008-09-21T20:09:00.001+08:00

I'm so sorry for the delay of this entry. When I was writing this entry I realised that I forgot the prices... so until I got the (estimated) prices I delayed posting this up. So yeah... enjoy, I guess XD

Part 2 of my makeup reviews will go to the eye section and Part 1/2 will be reviewing my eyelash curler and mascaras. I've decided to seperate the eye section a little. Part 2/2 will most likely cover the rest of my stuff- eyeliners and eye makeup remover.

As mentioned, I'm not exactly a great makeup user, and I still don't know how to use eyeshadow! So yeah... there won't be any great eyeshadow reviews here. At least not for now. I'll try to learn :P

I curl my lashes first with this baby. It's the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, and it retails for RM 60. Quite pricey, although stil cheaper compared to Shiseido The Makeup's curler- If I am not mistaken, since the Shiseido counter I asked at 1 Utama's Jusco pointed out two different types to me. One was cheaper and darker in colour (e.g. bronze-ish) while the other more expensive one mentioned was silver like this one. It was quite difficult trying to take a decent photo of the curler though XD I can't compare it to the Shiseido curlers though, but I have used cheap, drugstore curlers before and I do have difficulty curling the lashes in my inner corner of my eye with them and experience pinching and not-so-thorough curling.

I have quite long lashes, but they're usually droopy and make me look sleepy, so curlers do help me make me look more awake. However, Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler fits perfectly around my eye socket and comfortably curls every single one of my lashes without fear of pinching and the like. It's also very ergonomic to hold and use and you don't have to hold the curler for long- just press gently, release a little and press gently again for about five times (For me) and voila! Curled lashes that looks au naturel. I said five times, but I have repeated it up to 10 (When I first used it) and the results are still the same. The curl on the lashes lasts the whole day too. I find they go back to normal only after I sleep at night and wake up :P

My mascaras are Deja Vu Fibrewig Paint On False Lashes in Pure Black and L'Oreal Telescopic Clean in Black. Both are my favourite mascaras and sometimes there are days when I can't decide which mascara to use, as both are, in my opinion, good. Although admittedly, both have their own pros and cons and all which I will elaborate further.

This is how the brush for the L'Oreal Telescopic Clean mascara looks like. Instead of those bushy bushy brushes you get a nice, clean (In a sense that you don't see leftover/dried up mascara gunk), albeit short-bristled plastic applicator wand. However, true to its looks and name, it gives a very clean and not to mention simple application to the lashes. It can even reach and coat the lashes on the corners of your eyes due to its rather small wand size, and dries quickly.

My lashes stay relatively curled for hours afterwards with no clumps, and removing them is the best part. Either you wash them off with warm water, literally, or you can use a cotton pad with eye makeup remover and gently rub them off. They come off like little bits of plastic film, for lack of better words to describe them, whether on cotton pad or washed off with warm water. They do kind of leave streaks under your eyes when you wash it with warm water but they're easily removed with more water/eye makeup remover too :) So yeah, I really love how easy it is to remove this mascara.

L'Oreal Telescopic Clean is available at most pharmacies, e.g. Guardian or Watson's for RM 33.90, although you can get it cheaper if they have discounts which I believe is quite often.

And this is the brush for the Deja Vu Fibrewig Paint On False Lashes mascara. You can see the small little fibres on the brush that will coat your lashes and elongate them, but not to blow my own trumpet, I have relatively long lashes so they don't really make too much of a difference to me. I have problems coating my inner lashes with this brush though, but I guess that's what the Deja Vu Tiny Sniper mascara is for (Or so I heard!). Another thing is that this mascara is different in a sense that you apply mascara BEFORE curling. I usually curl my lashes first then apply mascara, but then it kind of "weighed" my lashes down. So I tried applying it first, waiting for it to dry (Which is really quick) before curling, and lashes stay curled instead. I believe this is also mentioned in My Women Stuff if I'm not mistaken :x

It's just as easy to remove as the L'Oreal Telescopic Clean mascara. However, I would say that L'Oreal Telescopic Clean is my favourite mascara, since it can curl even my baby lashes and I like the wand better since it's easier to control and won't leave marks on my eyelids :P

Deja Vu Fibrewig Paint On False Lashes mascara is available at Sasa or Guardian pharmacies. I've not seen them in Watson's, so correct me if I'm wrong here. Retails for about RM 50+.

An interesting note is that the makeup artist that did me for my recent Money Talk filming project (Shegar also used to do makeup for VJs for MTV Asia) used this mascara on me!

The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation Review + Others

2008-09-06T15:12:00.000+08:00

It's my 22nd birthday today! :D I feel old.

Reiterating from my previous post about The Body Shop's new mineral makeup collection, I have been using the mineral foundation since then, and now I think it should be the ripe time to review it. Turns out that I bought it right on the day it launched! @.@

The foundation shade I am using is 01. It's not very very light as I would have expected a shade 01 foundation to be, nor was it dark. It suited my skin tone just nicely without changing the tone. I also found that the texture of the powder was really very fine, as also mentioned in the previous post. Coverage wise it's good- sheer but buildable to a heavier coverage shall you need/want it to. I find that around 2-3 full dustings around my face does the job nicely. It's also not "shimmery" compared to the other mineral foundations I've tried (e.l.f. and Laura Mercier, which seems to "shimmer" and thus draws attention to my pores instead!) and gives quite a matte yet radiant, glowy effect and finish without the pore-attention-drawing. My skin does look healthier and I've had comments saying that my skin looks better!

A close up of the interior of the foundation. Here you can see the mesh-like net instead of normal holes as the sifter. It's really very unique and handy in a sense that it minimises wastage and spillage when trying to get the foundation powder, as it dispenses just about the right amount of powder onto the top. Or at least I don't experience powder pouring/spilling out when you tip the jar, shake it a bit and then open it. You also don't "poke" the foundation back into the sifter holes when using a brush... not like it's a problem, but just an observation XD

In my previous post I've mentioned that the brush is incredibly soft with very dense bristles, but upon using it I found that it sheds quite a lot of hair during application. I've washed it (And it's drying at the moment- should take some time since it's so dense), but no hairs seem to have shed during the wash. It's pretty annoying to pull the stray, falling-off and shed hairs from the brush, from my face and/or from the foundation jar, but otherwise it does feel soft on the skin and doesn't irritate it. Ease of usage is good- it allows me to buff the foundation around my face nicely and evenly.

This is my current and favourite kabuki brush, which is from Everyday Minerals. Granted, the brushes are not as dense as The Body Shop, but it's incredibly soft and very user-friendly in a sense that it's really very nice to use. It's survived several washes and the usage of different powders, and it hasn't shed a single strand of hair @.@ I've used it with The Body Shop's mineral foundation as well, and it also does the job nicely. I bought this for RM 45 from a seller in LowYat.NET and it's very worth the price! I've been wanting another one for about 4 months now :x

After using The Body Shop's mineral foundation I dust a light layer of Make Up For Ever's Super Matte Loose Powder. It really helps keep my skin matte and healthy-looking when combined with the mineral foundation, but I shall a more detailed review of the product sometime soon ;) I use a duo fibre face brush from Etude House to apply it, but I'm not very satisfied with it and am currently eyeing the 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush from M.A.C. The reason I am using such a brush is because application is lightweight and more natural as compared to when using a kabuki brush, which makes quite a thick, powdery-looking layer due to the buffing and all.

I then finish my whole makeup routine with a light spritz of Eau Thermale Avene, as recommended by the pamphlet at the very start of the post (Although it mentions mineral water) :P It really does help "fix" the makeup and keeps the shinies at bay for much longer, whilst adding a healthy, natural-looking radiance and glow to the skin. Perhaps it's the minerals in the water that "adheres" to the minerals in the foundation and reacts in such a way. I don't know, I'm just being scientific here because of my educational background XD It's also definitely cheaper to use than M.A.C's Fix+ at RM 18.90 at all major pharmacies such as Guardian and Watson's.

Removal of all these is quite a cinch. I don't really need to use a makeup remover, I just cleanse my face with my Dermalogica's Ultracalming Cleanser (I've stopped using the Essential Cleansing Solution as it was too rich for me and made my skin oily) and it cleans off very well compared to when I was using my previous foundations. Goes to show that mineral makeup truly is fuss free!

The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Collection

2008-08-29T22:38:00.001+08:00

It seems as though no one has mentioned this yet at the time of my writing this post, and even I didn't know about it until I walked past The Body Shop at MidValley Megamall earlier today!

My only foray into mineral makeup was through e.l.f.'s mineral makeup range quite some time ago, which I didn't really enjoy because their foundation and concealer didn't have a matte finish and thus the "shimmer" kind of emphasised my rather large pores back then.

Since then I have always been on a lookout for a good mineral makeup range. L'Oreal came out with their mineral makeup range but I was quite put off by their bulky packaging and their brush which feels incredibly stiff. Revlon also recently came out with a mineral makeup range, but I wasn't too inclined to try it either for some reason.

However, I've always loved The Body Shop products and have always been wishing they'd come out with their own mineral makeup range. Looks like my wish has come true! :P

The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals range has foundation, blusher and eyeshadow, and being the minimalist makeup person I decided to get just the foundation. Look at how pretty and decadent-looking the packaging for the items are!

According to the sales representative that served me, the foundation has 6 shades, but they had only shades 01, 02, 04 and 05 available. I was recommended shade 01, the lightest shade, which came as a surprise to me as I normally use shade 03 for their loose powder. To my surprise, shade 01 suited me quite nicely with a slightly pinkish tinge, while shade 02 was more brownish. I'll have to try it on for a few more days before I can really comment on the foundation completely though.

It's not pictured but the sifter for the mineral foundation, instead of being holes like normal powder sifter jars, is actually a mesh-like net. I find it unique. The texture of the powder is also fine, very fine. It's comparable to the fineness of Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder (Which I also have and will review). Prior to purchasing The Body Shop's Nature's Minerals foundation I have tried Revlon's and Laura Mercier's mineral foundations, but didn't really like them compared to The Body Shop's. Revlon's was nice but lost in terms of powder texture, and Laura Mercier's was shimmery, which I didn't like.

The kabuki brush for the foundation. It's one of the softest brush I have ever touched and the bristles are incredibly dense. Feels very nice against the skin. It even comes with its own pouch for storage, which is really wonderful! That's all I can say for now about the brush. I will have to do a re-review after I've tried the products on for a few days obviously :P I already have one kabuki brush from Everyday Minerals and I love it a lot too!

The foundation alone costs RM 99 and the brush RM 79, but they're having a promotion in which you buy both for only RM 147.90! Really worth giving it a try I'd say. I'm not sure if the other The Body Shop outlets have it yet, as I went to the one at The Curve yesterday and they didn't have it, so yeah.

Semi-Hiatus

2008-08-21T22:15:00.001+08:00

As mentioned in topic. I am on a holiday in Labuan and K.K. with my sweetheart and family. Updates will resume as soon as I return, which is by end of August :)

How Vain Am I?

2008-08-16T22:21:00.003+08:00

I've decided to take this little quiz while reading the archives of My Women Stuff :P

You Are 65% Vain

You're a little vain, but you also work hard for your good looks.

Just remember, everyone knows you are a total hottie. You don't have to remind them.

How Vain Are You?

Here are the questions and what I think of them and how I answer them:

1. You check out your reflection in windows.
- Always. I always check to see if there's any shine on my face, if there's anything stuck between my teeth, etc. Sometimes when there are mirrors around I'd just admire myself and if possible assess how I look in my clothes that day too. Yeah. A very vain thing to do :P

2. Your closet is chock full of the latest styles, even if your credit card suffers for it a little.
- Never. I shop for clothes and styles that SUIT and fit me, and I don't follow fashion trends. That's why I never have trapeze dresses or bubble skirts/dresses even if they're in the vogue at that particular time. Simply put it they just don't fit me, so I'm not and won't be getting them... despite racks and racks of them everywhere.

3. You buy tons of personal care products, from expensive moisturisers to specialty shampoo.
- Always. Guilty as charged. I attribute this to the fact that I am curious person and my skin condition has been rather temperamental to say the least, hence the tendency of trying out different brands and such. Regarding hair, I used to have really frizzy hair that was neither straight nor wavy/curly, then I had them straightened but hated the regrowth period, so now they're permanently permed. Hence the "specialty" shampoo and styling products bit >_>

4. You dream of being a movie star or model.
- Sometimes. Who doesn't really? :x I'd like to be more of a model, but I don't have the height (I'm about 5'3") and my looks are pretty single tracked- as in I usually only have one expression that looks presentable on camera, or so I am always told. Plus, being a model is tiring. That said, I have been doing a bit of modeling for a friend lately... (Re: Tiring part)

5. If you started to lose your looks, your self esteem would likely suffer.
- Always. I used to have severe acne back when I was in my teens. So severe that I had to go for facials twice a week to rescue my skin, but *Touch wood* thankfully it did work and my acne was cured. Having people stating the obvious that you have severe acne problems isn't very pleasant, hence the paranoia. Even now I am not without skin problems (Especially enlarged pores!) and when I have minor breakouts I do kind of tend to panic. Although my skin has improved by a lot, it does affect my self-esteem, so if I started losing my looks I would be very sad.

6. If you weren't happy with your looks in some way, you would consider cosmetic surgery.
- Sometimes. I have rather "droopy" eyes (Eyes that "droop" at the ends), which even Mum comments upon, so I have considered going for surgery to rectify that. I have even considered cosmetic surgery for my nose and improvement (More of an enhancement) of my side profile (Which I dislike). But the urge isn't serious enough to get me doing them, and I'm just comfortable with the way I am for now.

7. You wear designer underwear.
- Sometimes. It makes a woman feel decadent and sexy sometimes ;)

8. Besides showering, it takes you at least 20 minutes to get dressed and primped for the day.
- Always. 20 minutes alone on average for my skincare, from cleansing to BB cream and foundation. However, the time also may include the application of eyeliner and/or mascara and wearing contact lenses, so it's pretty dependent really.

9. You enjoy getting your picture taken.
- Rarely. I'm pretty camera-shy (Re: model question) and don't really like the way I look on photos most of the time :x

10. If you see someone of your gender who is hot, you immediately start silently critiquing them.
- Sometimes. I can be a bitch at times :(

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

2008-08-13T17:21:00.006+08:00

This is one Dermalogica product that left me in a state of awe for it. It is supposed to be a scrub for exfoliation. According the the Dermalogica website:

" This unique, Rice-based enzyme powder activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes to smooth the skin and accelerate cell renewal. Our unique Skin Brightening Complex of Rice Bran, Salicylic Acid, Green Tea, Grapefruit and Licorice helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation. Papain and other active agents derived from Rice Bran and Rice Extract help to regulate melanin production while micro-exfoliating dead cells. A super-soothing blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo and Colloidal Oatmeal calms inflammation, leaving the skin extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. Professional recommendation advised.

How It Works:

Rice Bran and Rice Starch gently microfoliate skin surface to facilitate penetration of the Skin Brightening Complex.
Papain Enzyme and Salicylic Acid help dissolve excess surface cells.
Skin Brightening Complex of Rice Bran, Salicylic Acid, Green Tea, Grapefruit and Licorice helps even skin tone."

Let's see now. First of all, the packaging for the product, in my opinion, looks cheap-ish. The impression it gives me it that it looks like a cheap normal plastic container of some imitation bottle, as compared to the packaging for the cleansers which looks more "high class" and nicer. But that's my opinion anyway.

This exfoliant comes in powder form. Yes. Powder. Basically what you do with it is cleanse your face with a Dermalogica cleanser (Or any other cleanser really), wash off, then pour a bit of this powder into your hands, add a but of water, rub them together to form a milky-looking liquid and apply it to the face just like washing again. Directions say that it's best to massage into skin for about a minute. It's really very unique in a way- it does not feel like a scrub at all since it's so fine, but upon washing off the skin really does feel as though you have scrubbed/exfoliated it so it does work. Another thing to note is that it smells like... rice. Rice being the main ingredient of it, it really does smell like it XD These few factors are what left me in awe of it.

It really does a good job of exfoliating without being harsh on the skin- in fact, you can barely feel the exfoliation until after rinsing off since it's that fine. So yeah, if you prefer large, rough-ish granules in your scrub this wouldn't be a scrub for you. My gripe with this product would also be dispensing (Just like the cleansers)- it's either too much or too little, which can lead to wastage :(

Despite it's name of Daily Microfoliant, it's best to use it at most twice a week. I don't think anyone has actually recommended its use as a daily cleanser. For my skin condition though, I only use it once a week. Dermalogica (Or at least Fion, my consultant) suggests a at most a twice weekly routine of cleansing > exfoliating > mask > toner > moisturiser, but I've yet to get the Dermalogica mask I want... so yeah. But either way for me it's going to be a once a week thing as overdoing it would just aggravate my skin condition further and that would be defeating the purpose.

Daily Microfoliant is available at Dermalogica salons (e.g. Leonard Drake) for RM 212 for a 75 g bottle. Pricey indeed. But I got mine from Rayanne of LowYat.NET so it was very much cheaper for me :P

Dermalogica Cleansers

2008-08-12T23:56:00.006+08:00

Urgh. Been caught up with work and all that, hence the lack of updates.

In the meantime, I am a true Dermalogica fan now. I've always wanted to try out the brand but could never justify their price... but seeing how I'm displeased with my skin condition decided to just go ahead (I've mentioned this in my previous post) :P Anyway, in this post I will review the Dermalogica cleansers that I am using. I've been using them for about a week already (Religiously along with my other Dermalogica products), and I have seen a marked improvement in my skin condition.

We have the Ultracalming Cleanser and the Essential Cleansing Solution to review here. I use the Essential Cleansing Solution for daytime, and the Ultracalming Cleanser for night. Reason being the Ultracalming Cleanser removes any traces of pollution or trigger factors that may have accumulated on the skin during the course of the day, while the Essential Cleansing Solution is for my dehydrated-ish skin condition which also needs attention.

The Essential Cleansing Solution, according to the Dermalogica website:

"A milky cleanser for drier skin conditions to gently lift impurities and remove make-up. Water-soluble, this soothing emulsion rinses off easily, leaving the skin refreshingly clean, soft and supple. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. Professional recommendation advised.

How It Works:

Natural Safflower Oil softens and conditions skin.
Antioxidant vitamins C and E smooth and condition the skin.

Mild astringents, extracts of Rosemary and Lemon, refresh tired skin."

The first impression I got from this was that the smell and texture reminds me of melted butter! Well, not exactly like cow's butter and not exactly strong, but you get the idea. It's really creamy rather than milky as described, and goes on soft and smooth on skin (Really like butter). If you're the kind that likes a good foamy lather, this is not for you. However, washing off does not leave a filmy residue like "uncleansed" skin that you sometimes get with milky cleansers but rather this washes off cleanly and skin feels hydrated and supple afterwards. I even use it to wash around my eye area, but gently of course. Doesn't really work well to remove even light facial makeup though- if you have light makeup on I'd still recommend you to remove it first before cleansing, although I am not sure about eye makeup but I wouldn't count on it. Pores doesn't seem to be obviously minimised though.

Overall it works well combating against my skin's dehydration as I can really feel an improvement in my skin's hydration levels. Normally after washing my face (But not immediately after) before toning my skin would start to feel a bit dry and you can see little dry skin flakes on it. After using this cleanser the problem has minimised by a lot, but it hasn't completely gone away yet XD Skin tends to look more dewy rather than oily later in the day, but still, a bit of blotting solves the problem.

Essential Cleansing Solution is available at Dermalogica salons (e.g. Leonard Drake) for RM 149 for a 250 ml bottle.

The Ultracalming Cleanser, according to the Dermalogica website:

" An extremely-gentle cleansing gel-cream that combats environmental assault with Dermalogica's exclusive Anti-Ozonate Complex. Protects and soothes skin sensitized by pollution, temperature extremes, irritating cosmetic products, harsh detergents, chemical exposure, stress, poor diet or hormonal factors. Also contains Lavender, Echinacea and Raspberry extracts for their anti-inflammatory, calming and healing properties. This cleanser is effective enough to remove eye make-up, and can be either rinsed off or gently removed with cotton. Leaves no irritating residue and is formulated for even the most hypersensitive skin that cannot tolerate water. Contains no artificial fragrance or color. Professional recommendation advised.

How It Works

Anti-Ozonate Complex helps to shield skin from environmental assault.
Lavender, Echinacea, Raspberry and Cucumber extracts help calm the skin.

Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) help heal irritated skin."

This gel-cream-based cleanser is milkier compared to Essential Cleansing Solution, and like Essential Cleansing Solution, doesn't lather or foam too. I've not tried wiping it off with cotton as I prefer washing off with water, and this cleanser doesn't leave a residue on the skin after washing either. After washing any redness on the face is instantly diminished and my skin feels soft and smooth. This cleanser also effectively minimises pores after washing! Also doesn't really work well to remove even light facial makeup, so remove makeup properly :P Not so sure about eye makeup as I prefer using the proper remover instead, but this cleanser also can be used to cleanse around the eye area. The scent is pretty normal for this one- more lavender-ish really, but doesn't really leave a strong impression on me and neither does the the texture of it. It's just like a milky cleanser.

I find that the Ultracalming Cleanser really works well in battling my skin problems in the area of enlarged pores and sensitivity as my face looks less red (With less itches as well) and pores do look very minimised after cleansing. Skin remains pretty matte after usage too. If I had to choose I would prefer this cleanser more for the obvious reasons :x But then, my skin is also dehydrated, and although this cleanser does help up my moisture level, it's not as much compared to the Essential Cleansing Solution.

Ultracalming Cleanser is also available at Dermalogica salons (e.g. Leonard Drake) at RM 152 for a 250 ml bottle.

My only "gripe" about the cleansers are that it can be quite hard to squeeze out the proper and required amount of cleanser needed. Sometimes I squeeze out too much and sometimes too little. Not a lot is required, but still, I don't want to waste them T.T

Naughty Naughty Me

2008-08-06T22:17:00.002+08:00

I've been naughty in a sense that I am supposed to curb my expenditure, but still end up spending anyway! :x

I have actually finished my post on my second part of my makeup reviews... but I forgot the retail prices for my mascara! Being the perfectionist I am, I will not be posting it yet until I stop by a pharmacy and get the price tag for it first... so yeah >_> Please be patient with me.

For the past few days my intolerance for my skin condition has worsened. My gripes are mainly large pores, oily T-zone (Especially the nose) and the occasional little breakouts, and as you can see from my previous posts I have mentioned these several times and spent quite a lot of money on trying to solve them, but to no real avail or result. Perhaps I am not patient enough, but I have been using the products for quite some time and my spending was getting a bit out of hand... so I thought it was time to throw in the towel.

So I went for a session of Face Mapping at the Dermalogica Consultation Pod at The Curve's Metrojaya. I have done my Face Mapping there once before, about 4-5 months ago and once a few years back at 1 Utama. The few years back I got samples and found that they work nicely on my skin, but since then I could never find the reason to fork out money for their products since it's expensive, although I have always wanted them :|

Not to mention that the ladies at the Dermalogica Consultation Pod at The Curve's Metrojaya were generally nice and not pushy. I was attended by Fion that day, and she was very patient in explaining my skin condition and the products she recommended. Turns out that I have what they call sensitised skin, which is basically the cause of all my problems.

I walked out with these:

Actually I bought the Essential Cleansing Solution a day before I decided to go for the Face Mapping and find out for once and for all what's wrong with my skin, but when I mentioned this to Fion she said that it would suit me too, to keep my hydration level up, although our priority is to deal with my sensitised skin.

There was also a 5% discount for all Dermalogica products there too! I would buy from Rayanne from LowYat.NET as she sells them for way cheaper (About 20% cheaper than retail if I'm not mistaken), but since I'm not going to be using my own cash :P

So let's see. We have:

Ultracalming Cleanser- RM 144.40 for 250 ml.
Essential Cleansing Solution- RM 141.55 for 250 ml.
Soothing Protection Spray- RM 147.25 for 250 ml.
Skin Smoothing Cream- RM 166.25 for 50 ml.

But I am happy, because in spite of all these, I also got:

All for free! @.@ Exfoliating Face Brush, travel sized bottles of the set I bought, which is really handy because I'll be travelling from 19th-29th August and samples. I was also recommended the Skin Hydrating Masque and Daily Microfoliant, but I didn't want to break my budget. Maybe I'll buy them from Rayanne myself :)

Overall I had a nice experience there. I'm interested in getting facials there, particularly from Fion since she was really patient with my incessant questioning about my skin concerns and problems, and was not pushy and overall professional. Admittedly, her English isn't THAT good, but still, I like her.

I will most probably review the items one by one. I've only been using them a few days, so I can't really tell yet, but so far so good and I am happy!

Whoops.

2008-08-04T21:25:00.006+08:00

I know I haven't been updating lately, but I've been working on my draft for the next part of my reviews, plus I'm having internship priority work... so yeah. Do forgive the lack of updates dear readers :(

In the meantime, I've had several other buys (Which will most likely result in changes to my skincare regiment now) and I am going to get the oil control BB cream from Etude House tomorrow. Will definitely post up about them ;)

Also, I will most likely be getting (And reviewing) some Dermalogica samples I will get from Rayanne, a lovely seller on LowYat.NET (I get most of my clothes and skincare from her XD) soon. So much to write about, so little time!

Makeup Reviews Part 1- Face

2008-07-30T13:07:00.004+08:00

I've decided to separate out my makeup reviews, just so I'll have more posts to write about and so that scrolling won't be too much of a hassle hopefully :P

Part 1 will go to the face section. Admittedly, I am not a huge makeup user, although I am enthusiastic about it- I am a bit lazy to learn and I'm not exactly a fan of the huge, overly made-up look unless there's a special function (e.g. prom) :| So I just get by with the basics- whether for face, eyes, lips... so yeah, there won't be that much to review in terms of my personal makeup here :P

After my daily cleansing routine, I apply a bit of Etude House's BB Magic Cream all over my face. It's consistency and the like is similar to liquid foundation, but as mentioned in my previous post, it's actually an all-in-one multipurpose thing :P So I now generally use it as a makeup base of some sort, or if I'm staying in I just use it as the final step in my skincare without foundation.

I've tried using it alone- and the result is nothing short of being excellent. It makes my skin look practically flawless! Only a very little amount is required for my entire face and gives me good coverage- I wouldn't describe the coverage as being heavy, it does feel so at first when applied but it goes on pretty sheer. The label at the back of the box says it might go on white and then slowly blend into the skin tone, but I personally don't have this problem. It blends in well. It doesn't exactly mattify much on its own (Maybe because it's not the oil control version) as I can see the sides of my nose shine a little later in the day, but it's nothing really big- in fact it makes my face look a little radiant since it's so flawless :P The price is RM 45.90 for a 35 ml convienient pump-tube.

The reason I don't prefer to use it alone is because of it's not-so-mattifying properties. It means that I have to blot my face (Especially my troublesome nose!) every once in a while. Yes, I'm lazy, I love fuss-free makeup :(

And apparently I found out from Makeup For Life that BB creams, when used over a prolonged period of time, helps to improve overall skin condition. Awesomeness. Feel free to drop by and search her post on BB creams if you're interested XD But otherwise the site itself is a nice read too!

The foundation that I mainly use now is Shiseido Supplist Poreless Foundation and my shade is I20 Natural Light Ivory. The price for the case is RM 48 (It's a lovely case too!) and the refill cake plus sponge is RM 129.

It's a compact powder foundation, and once applied gives a slightly powdery look on the skin, although this does not last long. On its own, it delivers true to it's promise- giving me a refined, poreless look which I truly adore, although pores are still not 100% minimised, just shrunk by a large margin. Coverage-wise it is also not exactly heavy as it is powder foundation and gives an overall matte finish. It's not exactly as sheer as tinted moisturiser would be either. I guess I'd rate the coverage medium sheer. It's pretty sweat-resistant too- it can withstand an hour plus of vigorous Taekwondo class and I'll still come out of class looking every bit as polished as before I entered! Lasting power is good as well- I was once out for almost a whole day and after 10 hours and I still looked matte. It was only after about the 12 hour mark that I needed to blot the troublesome shine beside my nose.

When combined with the BB cream it makes me skin look even more flawless and pores are very, very minimised as when the BB cream or foundation is used alone.

The cleansing oil that I use is Shu Uemura's High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Classic. I normally cleanse my face first with this before moving on to my Cellnique Paramedical Gentle Foaming Cleanser, although as mentioned and shown above I don't use heavy coverage makeup, but I still prefer to work with a clean slate so to speak. The oil works well to remove my facial makeup, although I've not tried using it to remove my eye makeup since I have a makeup remover for that! I don't particularly enjoy the smell though- it's a, well, mineral-y and oily scent, but it does soften my skin and there's no post-wash tightness or tautness. It's RM 99 for 150 ml bottle.

Cleansing oil is generally applied on dry skin with dry hands, then emulsified with some water before rinsing completely :)

I'm going to be travelling in August for about a week, and as I'm writing my list of what to pack I am becoming increasingly conscious that my skincare and makeup products alone are going to take a lot of space, and some of them are not travel friendly- e.g. my Shiseido Eudermine Revitalising Essence. So I am in need of travel-friendly alternatives (Or travel bottles and jars, depends really), and I figure I should start with my makeup remover.

I just got this- Simple's Cleansing Facial Wipes. I like their Deep Cleansing Facial Mask and I used to use it back when I had oilier skin. Digressing, these will obviously be more convienient to use than my Shu Uemura's High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Classic. I've tried them and so far so good! They remove my makeup completely and does not give a tight, taut feeling afterwards- in fact it also claims to tone the skin as well, which it does, but I find it a bit redundant for me since I'm going to wash my face anyway. Handy for quick makeup removal and cleansing though. I haven't tried removing eye makeup with it yet, and when I do I'll do a follow-up review :P Retails for RM 17.90 for 25 wipes, but there was a 15% discount at Watson's where I bought it.

Guess What!

2008-07-26T23:36:00.015+08:00

Etude House, a Korean skincare/makeup/beauty brand, has recently landed on Malaysian shores! I didn't know it either, until I went to Sunway Pyramid today with my sweetheart. It was quite packed with people, and fresh flowers still outside told me that it had just recently opened! I was quite excited, because I've heard about it before on LowYat.NET forums and there was a post about how their BB cream (Or Blemish Balm cream) was recently voted the number one BB cream in some Chinese or Taiwanese magazine or something (I can't read Chinese... I'm a banana :P)

In case you didn't know, BB creams are the hottest and latest Asian beauty trend right now. It all started in Germany, where it was actually formulated by dermatologists for post-surgery skin (Where it is super sensitive) to soothe and regenerate the skin. But it got popularised by Korean artistes. It can be described as a moisturiser/foundation/foundation base, and, depending on what types you buy, anti-wrinkle/whitening/sun protecting/anti-blemish/pore minimising solution as well, and can even heal acne scars. All in one tube!

These are what I bought. Their BB cream, an emery board and some crystals, but I don't intend to use them for nails. I want to bejewel something... just not sure what yet though. Their BB cream costs RM 45.90, the emery board is RM 6.90 and their crystals are RM 4.90 per packet, but I'm not sure how many are in a packet. The BB cream is cheaper than Missha's (RM 60+ if I remember correctly), and about the same price as Skinfood (RM 44+ I think)!

If I am not mistaken, there are two types for this BB cream, one for oil control and one for moisturising. I didn't know which was which since the packaging was alike and there was no English on the front of the box to indicate that... plus all the sales people were busy. It was when I came back only then I realised that there's an English label at the back and it indicates what type the BB cream is (As well as ingredients), and luckily I got the moisturising one! Silly silly me :( I don't think oil control would have suited me due to my current skin condition- which is oily on the outside and dry on the inside. Face mapping by a Dermalogica representative some time ago told me my oil control was due to dehydration, so I need more hydration and moisturising properties, personally I want hydrating/moisturing and pore minimising :P I'm worried oil control will aggravate my skin condition and make me pop up more instead, although sometimes I do have a tendency to have a shiny nose area later in the day- but it isn't that noticeable and I just blot it away with tissue or Johnson & Johnson's Clean & Clear Oil Control Films.

There's also another BB cream with added SPF and/or UV protection (The tube is blue in colour- the oil control and moisturising one is pinkish-purple), but when I tried the tester for it it felt quite sticky and left quite a sticky feeling compared to the normal ones, so I decided to give it a pass and settled for the normal one. I tried all the three tester tubes there- and the moisturising one was the by far the best for me. The oil control one felt a bit dry-ish in a way, a little but not too sticky as well. I tried them all on my jawline, of course. I have yet to fully try and test run it though, so stay tuned for reviews on it!

Oh yeah, and they gave me this pretty free comb as well!

I didn't look around much as I mentioned, it was quite packed, but they do seem to quite have a wide range of makeup and skincare products, and the concept is much more like Skinfood's, although it is mostly pink and white in decor and frilly and stuff. I personally shun pink AND frilly. Pink is acceptable at time, depending on situation and all, but both combinations of pink and frills are not. The BB cream section was surprisingly empty (Thankfully for me so I had time to test out their BB creams anyway :P), and I saw they had various other types of makeup bases too.

Although that said... Sunway Pyramid is problematic to go to with the traffic jams and all, even though it's not far from where I stay. So restocking (Shall I need to) might pose a bit of a problem to me :( Open an Etude House somewhere nearby please? XD

Reviews Of My Skincare Products

2008-07-24T18:18:00.011+08:00

Reiterating from my first post, I am going to start off with reviews of the products in my daily routine skincare set :D It's going to be a long post, with many items to cover though!

Let's start off with the cleansers. I have two cleansers: one for day and one for night. My day cleanser is the Cellnique Paramedical Seaweed Cleansing Gel and my night cleanser is the Cellnique Paramedical Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

Cellnique Paramedical Seaweed Cleansing Gel is green coloured and smells of peppermint, because one of the ingredients is peppermint oil, but it's main ingredients are green tea and algae. It's mainly for normal/sensitive skin, and costs RM 99 for 200 ml. I use it in the mornings to cleanse my skin from the built-up it might have or has accumulated throughout the night, and as since it has antioxidant protection it works well when you're out at the day and exposed to all sorts of pollution and free radicals. Coupled with the rest of my regiment my skin doesn't get too oily or shiny later in the day though :D

Cellnique Paramedical Gentle Foaming Cleanser is almost white-ish in colour and smells lovely- like fruits. It's main ingredients are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and tomato, and it's mainly for normal/combination skin. Costs RM 109 for a 200 ml bottle too. I use it at nights to "deep cleanse" as AHAs can be exfoliating in a way (Although this is not abrasive at all), hence renewing my skin at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone! I can't use this in the mornings as I find that it makes my skin get oily or shiny later in the day, but used at night it keeps it clear... so yeah. A working combination here :P

Both cleansers seem to be able to last a very long time as only a little is needed for a full cleansing experience.

After cleansing, I proceed with my toner- Cellnique Paramedical Soothing & Hydrating Lotion. It comes in a convienient spray bottle- I generally spray about five sprays onto a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face, avoiding my eye area of course, and that's enough for me. It smells of ginger, and although I don't like eating ginger I don't mind the smell XD My face feels a bit tingly in a tightening way (But not drying or pulling though) after application with shrunken pores, and does feel smooth after a while. I can feel and see it calming any redness I might have after cleansing as well. It's RM 79 for a 200 ml bottle.

Next comes serum in form of Shiseido Eudermine Revitalising Essence. Previously I used SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, but at RM 289 for a 150 ml bottle it was getting pricey, so I sought for an alternative and found it. Plus, it's also one of the Japanese prized beauty secrets anyway and one of Shiseido's oldest product :P It's way cheaper at RM 149 for 125 ml and comes in a really lovely glass bottle with stopper and packaging! Honestly, it works just as well if not better than the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for me. The smell is lovely, it's fast-absorbing, softening, moisturising and doesn't make my skin look very oily or shiny later. In fact it kept my skin more matte than usual. And using it on a cotton pad (Dab on cotton pad three times for me) is much better and more saving than pouring it on the hands and applying it to the face as opposed to the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. The reason I'm using a serum is because my facial skin is rather temperamental- open pores with some dryness and oiliness as well (Hence two cleansers as well), and serums help keep my skin in check and Shiseido Eudermine Revitalising Essence does the job well to me :)

My moisturiser is SK-II Aqua Physics Hydrating Gel, a product from SK-II I really love. A truly hydrating moisturiser that works for me. It has a gel-like texture and consistency, but unlike most gel moisturisers it delivers its moisturising properties well. It may feel a little sticky upon application, but after a while it "soaks" in the skin and skin feels soft and smooth, and that feeling literally lasts the whole day! It's RM 205 for a 50 g jar, and very worth the money though since the last jar lasted more than 4 months for me- as I also only used very little to apply on my whole face. I've tried Creme de la Mer's The Moisturising Gel Cream sample, but it didn't hydrate well enough for me as my skin felt taut instead, so yeah... sticking with my SK-II Aqua Physics Hydrating Gel :P

For my eye area, I either use the leftover Creme de la Mer's The Moisturising Gel Cream sample or Origins A Perfect World For Eyes, although I generally use the latter. I forgot how much it costs since I got mine for second hand and cheap, but I think it's RM 100+ for a 15 ml bottle, although like all good items you only need a bit of it. I like how the skin area around my eyes feel smooth after application, and doesn't affect the eyeliner I apply afterwards should I use it. The antioxidant effects offered are a factor that got me buying it too >_>

I complete my daily skincare routine with Shiseido Pureness Pore Minimising Essence since as mentioned I have open pores I'd like to take care of, and this product helps a lot. It smells very nice and has a a cooling effect, and you can really see the pores shrink once it is applied. Of course, pores don't immediately disappear and/or shrink forever (They almost never do), but over time it did help me reduce their size. Another plus is that it also helps keeps skin matte and smooth. This costs RM 93 for a 30 ml tube- but since you only need to apply it to areas affected by enlarged pores, it's a no-brainer that it can last quite a while.

Once a week, I mask with Cellnique Paramedical Intensive Soothing & Hydrating Masque. My only gripe with it is that it's a wipe-off mask, not a rinse-off, and wiping the mask off, although it is a gel-like texture and consistency, can prove a daunting task and I don't feel it's thoroughly "clean", so I tend to rinse a little after wiping. Otherwise, it's a highly hydrating mask, and whenever I get blemishes it really works to soothe out the redness and swelling of the pimple. On normal skin days (And blemished days as well of course) it makes my face look rather glowing and radiant, and keeps the skin soft and supple. The price is RM 99 for a 50 ml pump-tube.

I also scrub once a week, using the Shiseido Pureness Pore Purifying Warming Scrub though not on the day of using the mask. It's RM 79 for a 50 ml tube. This scrub is used on dry skin and applied with dry hands, and once applied is warm, but not burning. Instead, it's quite soothing. The texture is grainy and takes a little getting used to, but after rinsing you can feel that the skin has visibly softened up, and true to its name and range pores are again minimised. Followed up with the rest of my skincare products, my skin does look flawless! It's recommended to be used once or twice a week, but due to my skin condition I only use it once a week. Excess scrubbing is also not recommended, so massage it on for only about 30 seconds.

Next I'll be reviewing my makeup products. Not like they'll be a LOT of products to review, but yeah :P

First Post!

2008-07-23T18:35:00.007+08:00

Hello and welcome to my first post here. As mentioned, this is going to be a blog solely dedicated to reviews of makeup and skincare products I have bought and/or tried. Inspired by Skin Deco, but since I'm not an avid makeup user there will not be tutorials or anything like that. If you want tutorials you can link to her site, there's a lot you can learn from there!

I've named this blog Muse Of The Moment because beauty products are, well, like muses. This post may feature one (Or two, or several!) items, and the next will feature a different item, and so on. Unless it's a follow up review, but still :P I've decided to make a beauty blog partly also because I didn't want to cramp my original blog (mnemosyne) with too much girly stuff.

So yes, let's start with the basics.

My current daily skincare routine set.

From left to right (back row):

Shiseido Pureness Pore Purifying Warming Scrub once a week.
Cellnique Paramedical Gentle Foaming Cleanser for night.
Cellnique Paramedical Seaweed Cleansing Gel for day.
Shiseido Eudermine Revitalising Essence as serum.
Cellnique Paramedical Soothing & Hydrating Lotion as toner.
Cellnique Paramedical Intensive Soothing & Hydrating Masque once a week.

Then from left to right (front row):

Shiseido Pureness Pore Minimising Essence as final skincare step.
Origins A Perfect World for Eyes eye treatment.
SK-II Aqua Physics Hydrating Gel as moisturiser.

Traveling will be hell with this many items XD I shall slowly review the items from my daily usual skincare set before moving on the other items, but for now I will just be introducing them! Stay tuned!