Daiso Haul

It was one of those days when I was broke but I still feel like shopping. I figured I can buy something inexpensive. So I decided to pop by DAISO. I bought 4 items last week and here they are.

The much raved about Detergent for puffs and sponge. I will be doing a separate review on this later.

Disposable Powder puffs. 1 pack comes with 13 triangle puffs. This is very useful for foundation and BB cream. I used this for some of my BB cream. I read the instruction at the back and there is a caution line that says that this sponge may turn yellow when it’s exposed to light and air but if that happens it is still safe to use them. So far it hasn’t turn yellow on me.

Sandwich bag. The reason I bought this was because I wanted to make cucumber pads and store the pads in the bag and put it in the freezer. It is really affordable and sometimes I reuse them.

Hair pin. This cute little silver box that comes with 20 hair pins. I have to admit that I was attracted to the packaging rather than the pins. It look like a little mint box that you can slide open. It is very useful to carry around.

I am very happy with all these products and most of all it answers my cravings for shopping and more importantly it did not burn a hole in my pocket J

Verdict : NIL
Price : Super Affordable RM5 for each of the item
Where : Daiso IOI Mall and other Daiso

Hanskin & Skin 79 BB Cream

I am stuck with work and I have neglected my blog for more than 1 year. Time really flies and in a blink of an eye, it’s already 2012. I am going to start amplifying (a new way to use this word that I learned from my boss) my passion again.

Even though I have not been writing, but I have been buying and trying cosmetics and skin care as usual.

I am really into BB cream recently. This is because I feel that it is better than foundation because it have skin care properties in it. I will start off with the 2 that I am using, which are the ones that comes with a pump. I will review another 2 different types of BB cream in a separate post in the near future.

I asked a friend to pick up the Hanskin Caviar Gold BB Cream for me in Korea. When I first used it, I find it thick and too white for my face (I am already very fair) it does not look like my own skin. It looks like I have a veil of white on my face.  If you look at the picture below, it is a very clay like color. I did not liked it at all when I first used it.

Top is Skin79 and bottom is Hanskin

Then I figured another technique to use this. I used the triangle sponge (Review Here) I bought from Daiso, I wet it and squeeze the access water off, and use the wet sponge to apply this BB cream and the result was FANTASTIC! It reduces the white ghostly color but it brightens up my face and I look fairer (but not ghostly) and fresher. I really liked the effect. Here is a step-by-step guide.

Step 1 – Squeeze the BB cream on to your fingers.

Step 2 – Dab a dot or 2 on you cheek

Step 3 – Use the wet sponge and apply to the entire area

*note : Work on one area at a time or your BB cream will dry out.

The other one that I am using is the Skin 79 BB Diamond Collection which is a gift from a friend who came back from Taiwan. But recently, I saw this in Watsons. It has 3 functions wrinkle improvement, whitening and it comes with SPF25PA++ Protection. This has a very little coverage and it goes on quite light. This is good for people who do not need too much coverage. I use this with a decent amount of concealer and finish up with loose powder. This can be applied with your fingers, no need for a wet sponge application because the texture is not a thick as the Hanskin one.

Verdict : I have been using BB cream for about 2-3 months now and i feel that it keeps my skin moist compare to foundation. I sometimes get flakes when using foundation. Out of this 2, I personally prefer the Hanskin BB Cream comparing to the skin79 one. Simply because I feel that it brightens up my face more. The other one is ok and i'll definitely will not have trouble finishing it but i don't think i will re-purchse it.

Price : Skin 79 (40g) (mid-range)  RM69+

          : Hanskin (50ml) (Premium) RM98 after conversion

Where : SKin 79 is available in Watsons. Hanskin is not available in Malaysia, I got mine from Korea and you can buy in bulk (about 5 bottles) and get a good price at the duty free shops in Korea.

Clinique Youth Surge

I have not been blogging for a while simply because I started a new job and was busy adapting to work and the culture. So therefore I have tons and tons of products that I have not reviewed. I have even decided not to review some because I don’t think they are good :p

Anyway, I have purchased this promotional pack sometime end of last year and i have just finish using this. I also bought the hydration pack but I will only review later because I have just started using it.

The pack consists of a cleanser, a day moisturizer and a night moisturizer and all these come in a pouch.

The one item that I do not like most is the Cleanser. I think that it is very drying. This is not my first experience with Clinique cleanser. When I was a teenager,i  used to use their cleanser and it was the same problem for me. I had hoped that their cleanser formula would have improved after so many years.

As for the moisturizers, the day one is lighter and the night one is thicker and they both smells the same. I think they are ok to be used for maintenance, but a serum is definitely needed. I have been using these with my Cellnique Hydrating Complex, so it works alright for me. If I take the Cellnique Hydrating Complex out of the routine, it may not be sufficient.  This is just based on my experience and my skin condition. I am exposed to air cond EVERYDAY, at work at home and in my room, so my skins tend to be very dry.

Verdict: hmmm… I am never a big fan of Clinique products and this did not change me either. Hopefully the hydrating range will score a better review.

Price: Slightly high range – Promotional pack – RM 40

Where: Clinique counters nationwide (at the time of writing, the promotion period is over)

Sephora Blusher & Perfection Primer

I have purchased this for a very long time in Singapore.  I should have reviewed this much much earlier.  But I somehow ter-left it out. Since now there is a big hoo haa on Sephora opening soon in Malaysia, it kind of reminded me that I purchased something from there some time back. 

Let’s go one by one. I have been using the primer on and off simply because I’m not so much of a primer person. I find it a bit troublesome to put another layer of product all over my face. But I must say, my makeup especially my blusher lasts longer with the use of a primer. So sometimes, I just apply the primer on my cheeks. 

When I squeeze out the primer, there are some glitter elements but once it is on the face, you hardly see any glitter. The primer glides smoothly onto your face and your foundation will go on nicely. Aside from keeping my blusher sticking longer onto my cheeks, I think I have nothing else to comment about this product .But come to think about it, that’s what primers should do so I guess it does its job :)

Now the blusher. I really love the color! I bought the Framboise attraction no. 3.  It is a combination of pinkish and orangey and a hue of earthy tinge. I think it will work for both fair and dark skin. The funny thing, is that the color on the palette and when apply on the skin is very different. If the SA did not suggest for me to try this color on my cheeks, I would never have picked it up. It has a little shimmer which is just nice, not too much so you will not risk looking like a disco ball. It is very suitable for day use.

Verdict: I can live without the primer. I adore the blusher, right color and shimmer for me. I will consider re-purchasing it when Sephora opens here in Malaysia.

Price: Mid-Range :  Primer (30ml) – SGD 30 approximately RM 70+ after conversion . Blusher  (0.1 oz) – SGD 22 approximately RM 52+ after conversion

Where : Sephora Singapore and hopefully Sephora Malaysia soon

My Grown Up Christmas List

Do you remember me?

I sat up on your knee

I wrote to you with childhood fantasy

Well I’m all grown up now

Can you still help somehow?

I’m not a child but my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish

My grown up Christmas list

Not for myself but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart

That war will never start

And time will heal our hearts

Every man would have a friend

That right will always win

And love would never end

This is my grown up Christmas list.

Michael Bubble - My Grown Up Christmas List

Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Silk Masque

This was a free item that I got when I purchased the Intensive Hydrating Serum beginning of this year. I have read some reviews about this mask and most of the reviews said that this is nothing to shout about. This is the most expensive sheet mask that I have ever used. That is why, I only used it to the rescue when my face is in a very bad condition. 

 

For the past 1 week, I have been suffering from dry, flaky, red  and itchy cheeks. I am not sure what causes it, probably my Ipoh trip because I was walking under the sun for quite a while. I used the mask yesterday after the Origins Scrub. I place the mask in the fridge for 20 minutes prior to putting it on my face. The mask was quite wet but because I put it in the fridge beforehand, it wasn’t dripping. The mask is a little thin and I accidently tear of the part near the cheeks but it was ok. After I place the mask on my face, I can feel a little tingle. I left it there for about 25 minutes, then I massaged the essence onto my face till it is fully absorbed.

The next morning I woke up and I felt really happy because when I touched my cheeks the flaky texture is gone. It is still a little red but it felt much much smoother. I will use the Taiwan mask I bought tonight and I think by no time, my skin will be back to normal.

Verdict: Aside from it being a little wet and thin, it is a hero mask for dry flaky skin.

Price: Premium

Where: Cellnique Salons

Origins Moden Friction – Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion

I bought this together at my Origins haul about 2 months ago. This is a sample size and it is also my new favourite scrub because it is easy to use and fast comparing to my Bio-Mask from Cellnique. I think it gives the same effect but the Bio-Mask smells much nicer because of the tropical fruit ingredient.

This scrub contains rice starch which is the main ingredient that helps remove sluggish cells, and uneven patches. It also contains aloe which keeps skin calm and comfy and I think that is why my skin does not feel dry after the scrub instead it was smooth. 

According to the instruction, this scrub can be used 2-3 times a week. First, make sure your face is dry. Squeeze a reasonable amount of scrub on your fingertips and start working onto the face in circular motion. If it is too difficult to go in circular motion, squeeze out a little more scrub. 

Then wet your fingertips and start working a circular motion again on your face for a gentle lather (add water when necessary). At this point you can already feel how smooth the lather feels. After that, rinse off clean. It really makes my face very smooth and prep it really well for any skin care that follows.

Verdict: Easy to use, convenient, keeps skin smooth. Scent might be unpleasant to some but I am fine with it and I will definitely re-purchase

Price: Pricey RM 150 – 125 ml

Where: Origins store nationwide. ( Gardens MidValley, Parkson Pavillion, Metrojaya Mid Valley, Parkson 1 Utama, Isetan KLCC, Queensbay Mall, Parkson Gurney Plaza, Johor Tebrau City)

LÓccitane Honey Miel & Lemon Citron Delightful Cream

I bought this quite sometime ago. This was from Singapore and LÓccitane does not carry this in Malaysia. For those who have read my post on the L'Occitane Honey Miel & Lemon Citron Hand Cream would know that i LOVE this range. You can read the review HERE. Unfortunately, when i purchased in Singapore, the sales person told me that they are also going to discontinue this.

The texture of this cream is very smooth and light and it glides very easily onto the skin. It also absorbs pretty quickly. It really keeps the skin moisturize and the best thing is i adore the scent so much! Because i only bought 1 jar, i am now using it for the top half of my body and bottom half, i am using another lotion. Sayang to use up so quickly because i know i cannot get this any more.

And this cream can also be use on your face. I tried using this cream to massage my face a couple of times but then i got lazy :p anyhow, i think it is a little too oily for the face.

Verdict : Nice texture, glides smoothly on skin without the oily feeling. Very nice strong scent (if you like lemon and honey). Too bad they will not have this anymore :(

Price - Premium - SGD 56 (250ml)

Where : Not available in Malaysia (have been discontinued in Singapore)

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I bought this during my Origins haul more than a month ago. I have been using this since then. The color of the cream is a very light orange. It looks like thousand island dressing hahahaha. The key ingredients are caffeine from coffee beans, Panax Ginseng and magnolia extract. I have researched a bit about the properties of the main ingredients.

Caffeine – Might not be good when over consume as it caused hydration, but if it is applied on delicate area like the eye area, it is known to tighten fine lines and smooth puffy surfaces. Some might already know that it is also use to combat cellulite

Panax Ginseng – Is also known as Asian, Korean or Chinese ginseng. The word Panax is a Greek word that means all-healing. Ginseng is known in general to help combat fatigue and for overall wellbeing.

Magnolia Extract – It is known to release stress, anxiety and depression. So it helps keep your eye area stress free :)

The eye cream does help in moisturizing my eye area and also preventing my dark eye circle from getting worst but I do not think it lightens my dark circle that much. Maybe because it’s only been 1 month of usage.

The instruction says that you can use under or over makeup. I feel that it does help brighten up my eyes if used over makeup. But if I apply the eye cream first, then only my concealer, the brightening effect will not be that apparent. The cream contains small shiny particles and I think these particles are the main ingredient for the illuminating effect. I personally feel that this product delivers better as a beauty fix more than an eye cream. Maybe that is also why the instruction says it should be used in the day.

Verdict: I have a mix feeling about this product. This is a nice to have eye cream for beauty fix but I am not so sure if it delivers the best result as an eye cream. I think the best way to complement this product is to have a night eye cream (firming or anti aging) and this GinZing eye cream for day use.

Price: Pricey- RM 135 (15ml)

Where: Gardens MidValley, Parkson Pavillion, Metrojaya Mid Valley, Parkson 1 Utama, Isetan KLCC, Queensbay Mall, Parkson Gurney Plaza, Johor Tebrau City

My Revlon Haul

I ran out of powder foundation as I have finished my benefit Hello Flawless foundation. Read my review HERE. Really liked it but I am kinda broke these days so I was out looking for a more economical option :)

I tested the new Revlon Photogenic foundation but I feel that it is too shimmery for day wear and I did not pick the Beyond Natural powder foundation because I wanted to try something else. So in the end, my pick was Revlon New Complexion one step make up and because it is a liquid with powder finish foundation, the sales advisor said that I need to top up with loose powder, so I also bought the loose powder from the same range.

This is my first time using 2 in 1 liquid & powder foundation (something new mahh). I would normally settle for liquid foundation or powder foundation but never tried 2 in 1.

The foundation glides on very easily and gives a pretty good coverage. On the other hand, I think that it might not be too suitable for people who have oily skin. Maybe in general oily skin should stick with powder foundation as it gives a sheer finish.

I feel that I cannot skip the loose powder if I am using this liquid with powder finish foundation or else I will look pretty “shinny” after my moisturizer and sunblock. But I have also tried using this loose powder alone after my skin care and sun block. It works as well but of course coverage is minimal. I am using 03 sand beige for the New Complexion one step make up and translucent 01 for the loose powder.

Verdict: The foundation comes with SPF 15 and glides on smoothly. Both also come with a sponge. The packaging is not very appealing. Nothing much to shout about, for me this is just normal, value for money.

Price: Mid-Range

New Complexion one step compact make up – RM 52 (9.9g)

New Complexion loose face powder – RM 50 (30g)

Where: Watson & Guardian pharmacies nation wide