Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm

I was spending some time researching about ingredients that are in cosmetics and skin care. And there are substances that are speculated to be harmful. And like I mentioned on my article on SLS, it is a personal consumption choice on whether you purchase the product or not. If you are interested in that article, click here

Therefore, I have been going around checking out natural products. And I found out that Burt’s Bees have arrived in our shore. I saw the brand in Singapore and Taiwan but never tried before. So I decided to check out their branch in The Gardens. Here is a picture of their new outlet.

It was actually a pleasant experience getting to know their products. The sales person that attended to me was really helpful and patiently explaining the whole range that they have. They have Skin Care, Hand care, Baby care, Body care and Lip care. They have all sort of lip balm and lip shimmer. Some in the normal cylinder kind tube where you can twist up and down and some in a small aluminum tin.

I have decided to buy their honey lip balm and radiance lip shimmer (will review the lip shimmer soon).

The honey lip balm really smells like honey and it is 100% natural. It gives a layer of wax on my lips that keeps it moisturize. The smell feels so natural; it is a natural honey scent. Below is a picture of all the contents.

The only thing that I was doubtful is tocopherol and lanolin. So what I did was I google them up. And here is a summary of what are these 2 substances.


Tocopherol - a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity.

Lanolin - A pure, natural product, lanolin is simply the wax taken from sheep's wool, after the sheep has been shorn.

I guess they are not harmful.

Verdict : It is a good buy though a bit pricey compare to those in the pharmacy. I like it that I am assured that the lip balm is made put of natural product and it is ok if I eat it :)

Price : Mid Range – RM 18 (0.15 oz)

Where : Gardens at Mid Valley (near cold storage) & The Curve (near Borders)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - is it harmful or harmless?

I am currently researching on main ingredients in basic toiletries, cosmetics and make-up. These articles are NOT meant to scare anyone from using products containing these ingredients that are speculated to be harmful to human health. This article is meant for knowledge purposes. At the end of the day, it is really up to one self on the choice of consumption.

Today's article is about Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This substance is in almost everything that has foam. This is because SLS is the main ingredient to create foam.

What is Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate started its career as an industrial depressant and garage floor cleaner. It is used in lower concentrations with tooth paste, shampoo and shaving foams. It is an important component in bubble bath formulations for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather.

What is the side effect of SLS

SLS has not been proven to be carcinogenic (substance or agent causing cancer ) when either applied directly to skin or consumed. Below are some side effects that i have researched.

1) Can keep children's eyes from developing properly. Children under six years old are especially vulnerable to improper eye development.

2) Can cause cataracts in adults and delays the healing of wounds in the surface of the cornea."

3) Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has a low molecular weight and so is easily absorbed by the body. It builds up in the heart, liver and brain and can cause major problems in these areas."

4) Causes roughness and dryness on the skin.

5) Corrodes the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair."

6) Do you also know that SLS is routinely used in clinical studies deliberately to irritate the skin so that the effects of other substances can be tested."

Scary or not, you decide for yourself. I went down to the pharmacy and check out the content of major shampoo brand and all of them contains this substance. From off-the shelf brands like Sunsilk to salon brands like Keratase. I guess you must have this substance to create lather!

BUT i have also googled and read a number of articles and NONE of the articles say that it caused death. There are articles that speculate that it is cancerous.

My own opinion on cancer is that, it is something that is caused by various factor and not only one. This includes your health, your genes down to your lifestyle; meaning what you consume and how often you get your heart pumping. I do not think that cancer is caused by ONE single factor.

But again i would just like to stress that this article is just meant for knowledge/reading purposes. It is really up to you when it comes to your consumption choices.

Anyway, Here are my source for the article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_lauryl_sulfate

http://www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.html

Origins Mid Year Sale

Origins is having their mid year sale starting today till this sunday.

Purchase above RM 350 and receive a 7pc gift worth RM 168.
Additional top up to RM 480 and receive and receive 2 pc gift worth RM112.

Unfortunately, this promo is only available at The Gardens and Queensbay Mall.

For more info go to
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ORIGINS-MALAYSIA/30443354206?ref=ts 

Cellnique Exclusive 10% discount for bloggers + youtubers + your readers

I opened up my e mail today and found this.

Here is what the email says

Dear Cellnique Bloggers and Youtubers Community

Thank you for blogging and youtubing about Cellnique products.
We would like to offer an exclusive 10% discount to you and your readers as the privilege of being part of our Cellnique Bloggers + Youtubers Community.

Details as following:

Where: www.cellnique.com
Promo Code: BGJUNE10 (in caps)
Valid: now till 30 June 2010
T&C: Not applicable for promotional items (Just Arrived, Expert Kit, Perfect Glow and Derma Brightening Complex)

How? Enter the promo code at shopping cart.

Hope that you and your readers will enjoy the discount :)


I am kind of happy because i am consider a blogger :)
If you are interested, go check out their website.
And if you decide to buy, remember to key in the promo code.

My Sleeping Products

Stress at work and other forms of stress really does make me have problem sleeping. That is why I fancy sleeping range products (regardless of whether it works or not). I don’t think there is a lot of sleeping range products available here in Malaysia though. I have previously reviewed the Faceshop Rasberry Sleeping Mask (it does not help you sleep, but it is an overnight mask that you can wear to bed). Today I am going to review 2 products that are said to help you sleep better.

This Bath & Body Works Lavender Chamomile hand cream was a gift from a friend. Bath & Body Works is a US brand & sadly, this brand is not available in Malaysia :( I wish it will come to our shore some day. This cream contains Lavender and Chamomile essential oils that soothes calms and enhance your sleep. I really like the smell and also the texture. It has a pleasantly relaxing scent. I tried going to their website and purchase the rest of the product from this range BUT it is so sad because they do not deliver outside the US. Haihhhh….that is also why I am using this product sloooowwwly.

Another sleeping product that I have tried is Quiet Night Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist. This mist contains Jujube date extracts and Chamomile. I do not fancy the scent too much but it is kind of relaxing. I normally spritz on my pillow, blanket, and bolster. You may ask why I spritz at so many places? This is because the scent does not last; it vaporizes after about 5 minutes. On the instruction it says “night time movement releases the natural fragrance” but I seriously do not smell anything after 5 minutes.

Verdict: To be honest, these sleeping range does not help you sleep, but it helps you to relax. So do not think that these will let you sleep like a baby, it does NOT. They just release a relaxing scent. As for The Body Shop’s body mist, I do not think it is worth investing because I do not like the scent and it is not long lasting.

Price: Expensive
Body Shop Quiet Night Pillow and Body Mist - RM 59 (100ml)
This Bath & Body Works Lavender Chamomile hand cream – N/A

Where: The Body Shop (Body Shop Quiet Night Pillow and Body Mist)

L’Oreal UV Perfect

I use this as a make-up base cum sun block. It is very light and it does not give me the sticky and oily feeling like a lot of sun block. They have 2 different range, one for anti dullness and another for even complexion. I heard a radio commercial last week that they just launched a new mattifying range. Honestly, the current one that I am using is already mattifying enough. I mean it does not feel oily or shiny on my face. And the best thing is that it has SPF 50 UVB and UVA PA +++ so I am well protected from the sun.

On the back of the tube, it says that it hydrates the skin, but I don’t think it does, but it also does not leave the skin dry.

Verdict: This is a sun block that is worth investing in. It is not thick, oily or sticky. Glides easily on your skin and can be use as a make-up base.

Price: Affordable - RM 32.90 (30ml)

Where: Watson & Guardian pharmacies nation wide

Maybelline Magnum Volum' Express Mascara

I bought this mascara because of all the hype in magazines and also the super huge billboard right in front of 1Utama. And also I was thinking, it is not very expensive so what the heck! I bought it :)

It is said to be able to volumize your lashes by 5X. Ok here’s my take on this mascara. I tried using it alone and I think it does work what it says, volumising. Lashes look more and it is really black. I use it together with my other mascaras. I normally pair it with the rest of my mascara (I have 3 different tubes of opened mascara; Benefit Get Bent , Kiss me and Fiberwig) and it works better for me. I will normally put either one of the 3 mascara first then followed by this Maybelline mascara for volume.

This mascara is also waterproof and smudge proof so you do not have to worry about getting panda eyes at the end of the day.

Verdict: It works best with other lengthening mascara. If used alone, it does not work much magic for girls with short lashes. It does clump-up so it is best to use a metal brush to comb your lashes after applying the mascara. I think it is ok to invest in this mascara because of the price and most importantly, it is waterproof.

P/S – The mascara comes in a tube as it is without a box, and there is no ingredient listed on the tube. So I do not know what goes into this tube of mascara. So for those who are really cautious about ingredients in cosmetic, this might be an issue.

Price: Affordable - RM 28.72(30ml) (this price is after discount normal price is about RM 30++)

Where: Watson & Guardian pharmacies nation wide

Lost...

Once upon a time, in a far far away land there live a funny prince and a chatty princess. They were living happily and lovingly for the longest time. Then one fine day, something mean happened. And the next thing they knew, a war has begun between the prince and princess.

They started saying and doing more hurtful things to each other. The princess turned green, mean and ugly and a lot of nasty and hurtful words came out of her once nice and sweet mouth. The prince who used to be so kind and devoted to the little princess on the other hand choose to ignore the little princess and the poor princess got more frustrated and say even nastier thing to get his attention. Everything blew out of proportion and there was silence for a while and it all repeated itself again and again.

Then one day after a long silence, they both decided to meet and talk at the prince palace. They sat at the prince's garden. It was a peaceful night with thousand of stars shinning upon the two souls. They both sat down quietly. The princess refuse to look at the prince. They asked each other 1 question at a time and get a 1 word answer in return.

Then the princess decides to look at the prince. Her heart sank at first glance. The prince looks horrible. He looked so tired and lost. And then again there was silence. They continued their conversation and the both of them got more comfortable. It was getting late and it was time to go home.

The both of them felt like staying but neither of them say anything. They kept asking each other to leave the garden first. The both of them stood, getting ready to leave.

They turned away from each other.

Started walking away from each other.

Then they stopped.

They turned around, the last thing they knew, they were hugging each other and tears started streaming down their cheeks.

Silence follows...

Very heavy heartedly, they walked away from each other that night when the stars were shinning bright.

Author
Your LiTtLe PrInCeSs

(The above article is merely a fiction imagined & created by ~Miss La-La Land~. All rights reserved)

Goodies From Taiwan

I was in Taiwan last week. It was a good short break. I am not exactly at my best these days and kind of problematic. So the retail therapy does help a little. Felt sad when i landed in Malaysia because it's back to reality haihhh....

That aside, Taiwan is a place where you can get a lot of cosmetics and skin care at a cheaper price compare to in Malaysia. Shoes are also pretty cheap and the quality is better than those in Bangkok. If you are planning for a shopping and eating trip I would recommend you to go to Taiwan instead of Bangkok, looking at Thailand's political situation. Food is also very good in Taiwan. Remember to try their Bubble Milk Tea, it is extremely GOOD. Nothing compare to the ones you get here.

Here is all the beauty stuff I bought from there. 4 boxes of mask. I bought the Strawberry and yogurt, Aloe Vera, Apple, and the Cooling Mask. I also bought different types of Mascara. They still have Kiss me mascara there and I bought 2 tubes. I also bought 2 tubes of fiberwig extra long and lash knockout which are not available here in Malaysia. Another mascara that is not available here is Sky Long Mascara. I bought canmake mascara as well because it is much cheaper in Taiwan.

Last but not least is a double eye lid glue. The brand is Eye Talk. All these are either from Watson or Sasa.

I will definitely review them once I use them. This will take a while especially the mascara because I currently have 4 open tubes which I am struggling to finish!! I am a greedy little girl :p