Hello, spring!

Spring is officially here in many parts of the world but for us in Malaysia, it's hot and humid all year round. Well, that does not mean we can't celebrate spring, right? There are actually quite a number of products that have been released or are going to be released in Spring 2013.

I am quite ecstatic over few of Urban Decay's products. Actually, there are not  very new but in Malaysia, they are quite new. Introducing the Naked line of Urban Decay cosmetics.

I have done quite a number of researches on the products - Naked Beauty Balm, Naked Basics and Naked Flushed. I wouldn't say they all work for everyone but I'd say, it's give-and-take. Some of us will love them while of course some of us will not like them at all. I guess it's all down to personal preference.

I have added three of those items into my wishlist and best of all, I have crossed out Naked Basics and Naked Flushed. Right now, I am still waiting for Naked Beauty Balm to be available in Sephora Malaysia.

In addition to the spring collection, I have also gotten one of the long-wanted item from Urban Decay.

Yes, it is the All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray.

Urban Decay has released the setting spray with a whole new look of white and purple. I guess the new packaging looks more sleek and easier to travel with. Now, Sephora Malaysia has two sizes available if you would like to try it out - 30ml or 118ml with the prices of RM49 and RM109 respectively.

On my list, there are several items from Tarte Cosmetics that I really would like to try - well... Tarte always has creative and some kinda spring feel to their packaging.

I have really large pores on my cheeks so, if there is any primer that can minimize the appearance of my pores and makes my foundation lasts longer, I'm all in! So, one of these days, Imma gonna try Tarte Clean Slate Poreless and also Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation. Let's just say I need to use up my current products as of now, hence, I won't be getting these at the nearest time.

So, are there any spring products that you're looking forward to?

Annie's Way Mint Cooling Mask

Hello, hello!

I hope everyone's doing fine because yes, I am doing fine and it's just that I've been busy catching up with friends in KL since I will be leaving this place for good - really soon. A part of me is heavy-hearted while there is a part of me that really wants to leave.

Talking about torn in between, aye?

All these thoughts really get to me really bad and soon, I began to notice bumps, pimples, acnes and whatever you call them. I do know Benzoyl Peroxide works for pimples and acnes but I don't want to risk my skin getting dry. Yes, I do know products with Benzoyl Peroxide is only meant for the pimple or acne and NOT for the whole face. Some more, it is so difficult to find skincare with peppermint fragrance to it. I simply adore peppermint. So, the other day, when I first visited Mask Slim outlet in Sunway Pyramid, I was excited when I saw they have peppermint mask!

It's called Annie's Way Mint Cooling Mask - it mainly targets acne prone skin and soothes while moisturizes the skin.

I thought to myself that for the longest time, I have been trying to find peppermint masks but somehow, I couldn't... I am quite particular about masks because I don't like leave-on or wash-off mask. It was really a joy when I saw Annie's Way has it in Mask Slim.

Basically, the packaging of the masks from Annie's Way is really, really simple. They come in pastel pink, green, blue gold, white and silver? It may not look that cute but as long as it works, I guess I am gonna like it.

Once opened, I could almost smell the infusion of minty herbal fragrance! Love, love, love it so, so much! The mask comes with a protective film.

The mask itself is made of very thin and smooth material. It is certainly not like the mask material from My Beauty Diary or other brands.

Personally, I think the absorption is really fast due to the material because within 15 minutes, I could see the mask drying up. To maximize the effect of the essence, I leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Usually, when I use other masks from other brands, I don't really see them drying up so soon.

As far as the essence goes, well, I kind of slap on every bit of it every time I use this mask because I like the cooling sensation a lot.

My thoughts... I love this mask because of the minty fragrance.

I do notice the mask actually does refresh my skin and it controls sebum production at least for 24 hours. Furthermore, I think I get less acnes and pimples nowadays after using this mask every weekly.

Well, it works!

Oh, if you're interested, you can pick up this mask at Mask Slim outlets for RM5 per piece.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel Cream Liners

Hi, everyone!

Finally, I get to sit down to do a backdated entry.... I haven't been too busy but it's just procrastination, I guess. Anyway, if you haven't read my brief entry on Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel Cream Liners for Hazel Eyes, you can click here.

Oh, wow, that is one long name for the product. If you are wondering what are they... they are gel eyeliners. Yes, gel eyeliners that are custom-made to enhance the natural colour of your eyes.

I didn't review or discuss much about the product because I hadn't been using them long enough to comment but sad news, it was stolen, so I never got around raving about this product.

This time around, I got a surprise gift from Jo when the postman delivered the parcel. It was few months ago and when I opened it, I was screaming in ecstasy, like literally. I kept on asking myself, "Is this for real, is this for real?"

One thing I have to be honest about this gel eyeliner - I really did enjoy using it every other day before it was stolen because the formula for the gel eyeliner is so, so amazing that you wouldn't believe you did not know about the product earlier! I told Jo about it and it such a pleasant surprise I got this coming in the mail for me. I couldn't express my heartfelt gratitude to Jo for sending this to me!

Like I have mentioned earlier, these are gel eyeliners that are custom-made to enhance the natural colours of our eyes and I believe they have in several different shades like for brown, blue, hazel, green and other eye colours. Best of all, it comes with three shades of eyeliners in one. Awesome, right?

I guess personally, you'll be killing three birds with one stone with a single purchase. Oh, well... that is just so me!

A bonus - the packaging of the eyeliners comes with a step-by-step application for each colour.

Better still, if you are just starting out with gel eyeliners and you don't really feel like purchasing a brush to go with the liners, fret not because these babies come with a free application brush.

I do realize there are some who do not like the brush at all but personally, I'd say the brush is awesome. It makes application so easy and it does not scratch at all. I wouldn't say I am lucky to get a good brushes in the packaging-s because this is my second set and I love both brushes because they work amazingly!

The set that Jo sent me was custom-made for blue eyes but it doesn't really matter because I think everyone can pull off different colours of eyeliners depending on how they use it. Regarding the shades, if you are interested, for every eye colour that the gel eyeliners are made for, you will find specks and shimmers of the respective colours in the gel eyeliner. Erm... this might be confusing but lemme try to make it easier to understand.

Blue eye - black, brown and blue eyeliners with blue specks.
Hazel eye - black, brown and plum eyeliners with purple specks.
Green eye - black, brown and green eyeliners with green specks.

I think the picture below will show a little bit of the blue shimmers in the gel eyeliners. You don't really have to worry because the shimmers are very minimal that they are barely noticeable. Well, in another word, the shimmers are not overwhelming.

Please bear in mind that this is only two-time application on the back of my hand and they might not seem to be the most pigmented but believe me that for the price of USD$10 to USD$12, you get three eyeliners of different colours and best of all, they are so creamy and the three shades glide like magic! Well, certainly no complain on that but I do have an issue with the blue gel liner of not being able to show up like the black and brown eyeliners though.

I like the fact that these eyeliners can be applied to my waterline and they can be used for tightlining as well. It have pretty sensitive eyes and fortunately, these eyeliners do not irritate my eyes at all.

Drawing a cat-eye with these gel eyeliners is really easy. Furthermore, remember the step-to-step instruction? Yeah, that does help!

No matter how good the product is, however, I do have a slight complain. It is waterproof and it is quite difficult to remove because once the eyeliner set, that is how it will look for the rest of the day! My complain is that if you're thinking of tightlining or using the eyeliner on your waterline, think twice!

That was what happened after about 3 hours!

These eyeliners smudge on the waterline! 

I really was hoping it would stay there as it would be staying when I applied it on my eyelids but somehow, it did not last. I guess no matter how waterproof it is, these eyeliners are not meant for the waterline or tightlining.

Oh, well... nothing much to complain because all in all, I still enjoy using them and yes, I will still keep on purchasing them as long as Physicians Formula still produce them!

Made in China

It never really struck me before that I own quite a number of products be it beauty-related or non-beauty-related that are made in China. Yes, iPhone is made in China and some parts of Samsung products is also made in China. I don't have any issues to that but when it comes to skincare and cosmetics, I do have my preferences. Well... let's just say I prefer skincare products made in Korea.

I am not stating Korea has the best skincare and make-up products. It's personal preference, remember?

Honestly, I do own beauty related products made in China and no doubt, some of the products are my favourites. Take for example, NYX Cosmetics.

Everyone loves NYX Cosmetics because they are very affordable and best of all, some of the products even made it into magazines or runways.

Even the infamous Sigma Cosmetics has their products made in China as well.

The Paris Palette that I have is not cheap... it retails at USD$59 and yes, it is made in China. I know there are people who are really bothered with the issue, "If it is made in China, why is it so expensive?"

Even my favourite eyeshadow primer from MUA is made in China!

Will have a separate review on that later.

As far as I know, even though some of the products from big companies are made in China, these products need to go through certain examination and they need to meet certain qualifications to be able to categorized as 'safe' products since these products are not tested on animals. Well... we all pay for our safety, right?

Well... hopefully what I think is right.

So, I have no issues at all with that. It only struck me while I was still with a cosmetics company last year, a customer approached me and said, "I want to get any skincare that is not made in China." 

I was surprised because obviously, he entered an all-Korean skincare outlet and wanted something that is not made in China. Then, it struck me suddenly when he said, "I used to use Hada Labo before I realized all products from Hada Labo are made in China. China has the highest rate of animal testings and their products are not safe to use!"

My colleagues and I were surprised because honestly, when I buy something, I never bother to check where it is from. So, that taught me a lesson. No, I am NOT indicating China-based products aren't good but well, let's just say we have our own preferences.

Okay, let's not debate on whether or not we should buy made-in-china products and shift our attention to what happened to BFF and I last week.

I went out with BFF for our cosmetics shopping at KLCC the other day when BFF went to Guardian Pharmacy to check on some products. Somehow or rather, we were talking about Bio-Essence products when the Bio-Essence promoter approached us. We had this very disturbing attitude and conversation with her when BFF asked her if Bio-Essence products are worth the prices and if they are good.

Well... for sure the promoter will promote her brand to death because that is what she does for a living. When BFF mentioned about 'made-in-china' and 'if the products are safe' topics, her expression changed. She started bombarding BFF with her who-do-you-think-you-are attitudes and condemning BFF.

Hey, hey, hey... I was there too and I saw the way she promoted Bio-Essence. No, she wasn't friendly to us. She talked to us as if we were inferior and that we would not afford to buy her products. Hey, c'mon, we are using SK-II, Clinique, Bobbi Brown and a lot other brands that are obviously NOT made-in-China, so who did she think she is to talk to us like that?

Yes, I am quite paranoid about what I put on my face so, my skincare products are NOT made in China. I always have in mind a deformed face so, I don't want that to happen to myself or people around me.


I had the urge to throw her out of her position at that point of time. BFF was just being nice and asking if the product really does what it claims that this was what she got. WTF is wrong with the promoter from Bio-Essence? Her attitude got on my nerve when she said stupid stuffs that she thought we didn't know like this, "Do you actually know what world we are living in now? Everything is made in China. Even your iPhone and Samsung are made in China. L'Oreal has the biggest manufacturing factory in China and countless other products that you may put onto your skin are made in China."

Bitch!

I do not put made-in-China skincare products onto my face nor will I condemn made-in-China skincare products. I don't think I am standing in the position to criticize or condemn these products just because I don't use them.

Hey, getting the made-in-China topic out of the context, is that how a promoter should treat her customers?

The thing that really made me angry was that when we went to other counters, that bitch of a promoter actually dragged her colleagues and finger-pointing BFF and I while gossiping. Hey, I am not blind, okay?! I saw everything. Even if she wanted to bitch about us, she could do so when we have left the place and not dragging her colleagues around and bitched about us in a secretly manner. That was just so unprofessional of her!

I told BFF from then on, I am going to condemn Bio-Essence products because of that bitch of a promoter who is so unprofessional and judgmental. I don't even know why Bio-Essence would hire someone like her - she is going to make Bio-Essence going doink with her attitude!

I certainly hope what other promoters from other brands know what they are doing. If they are dealing with a difficult customer instead of BFF and I, well... let's just say, "Bitch, good luck!"

VOV Tulip Sponge

Those days when I wasn't really aware of the use of cosmetic brushes, my fingers did all the so-called magic from foundation to eyeshadows.

Gone are the days when fingers would do all the tricks because after brushes came into the big picture, I finally could achieve a better make-up result with suitable tools.

Little did I know I would have spent RM15 to get a sponge applicator that would work fine in applying primer, foundation, BB cream or any liquidy products. Lemme introduce to you, my new-found love - VOV Tulip Sponge.

I guess the only reason why it is called Tulip Sponge is because the sponge is shaped like a tulip flower. The sponge is also shaped to fit the curves on our faces for an easier application. Well, you can take a closer look at the curves in the picture below.

See... it does fit the curves on my face, right?

Best of all, this is really cosmetic grade sponge and it is very, very soft.

Which brings this to a whole new topic - application.

Application of foundation is really easy with this sponge and you don't even need to worry that the end result will turn out messy because you can just hold the sponge on the handle part.

I found out that applying foundation or BB cream with this sponge does give a quite flawless finish. Furthermore, application is really easy and blending is effortless too!

I really enjoy using the tulip sponge so much!

However, I do have one issue with the sponge - storing it. I don't really like the fragile plastic container it comes with because I accidentally spoiled mine by sitting on it. I really do hope VOV would package the sponge with a better container or something. Another issue is that after using the sponge, I don't like leaving it there, all exposed to bacteria so a better storing place would definitely answers my query.

I am not too sure about Beauty Blender because as far as I know, even though I really do wanna splurge on Beauty Blender, moo-lah is the factor I would consider and then again, I don't really like going through the hassles of having to wait for shipments. If Beauty Blender ever comes to Malaysia, I guess I will be trying it out.

If you are interested, you can always drop by The Sops Seoul outlets at Publika, Midvalley, Fahrenheit 88 or Beauty Premium @ KL Festival City Mall to get it.

Exposed

Hi, everyone!

I thought I would just share some swatches from my favourite blush - Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed.

Initially, I was planning to get NARS Orgasm but since I am not really into shines and shimmer, I settled for this one instead.

Well, no regrets because I love this blush!

If I were to describe the shade, I'd say that this blush is a very natural nude shade with a taupe undertone that goes well for those with fair to medium complexion.

The colour itself is quite pigmented despite being nude.

Normally I would pat on two applications for the shade to be seen on my cheeks. Well, most probably I have gone darker with so much exposure under the blazing heat of the sun.

Ah... it doesn't really matter, right?

The blush itself is very, very buttery soft that it is almost like a dream if you were to swatch it with your fingers. Yeah, one fact that makes me fall in love with the blush.

I have in mind to get Amused and Tipsy soon.

My favourites of Jan and Feb

Well, that pretty much means February just ended.

LOLX!

Anyway, I thought I just share with some of you what I've been loving and obsessed with throughout January and February 2013.

First up... I guess if you're a close friend of mine, you'll probably know how much I love doing my nails. It is just sometimes, laziness struck and thus, I don't do anything to my nail. No wonder people often say that beauty is hard-work because there is no ugly girls, only lazy ones.

I am so glad that I have found and tried out these 3D Nail Seal.

If you don't know, it is basically some stickers that you stick to your nails and then, you apply top coat over them to keep them in place. I know I am kinda late bloomer in these but I never trusted these stickers would really be so easy and long lasting. Best of all, they all stay put even though I've been doing housework like crazy during CNY.

They are just so easy to use and best thing ever - they are really cheap. I got them for around RM2.90 to RM4.90 and believe me, one set of the stickers can last for several applications!

So, yeah, I love those stickers and I foresee myself getting more of them really soon because it's just so fun to change your nail designs from time to time!

 Second, third and fourth products are all nail cares and nail polish remover.

Seriously, Elianto does have one of the best nail polish remover... for about RM8.90 only, these nail polish remover really does remove nail polishes without leaving residues! I have had bad experience with Guardian and several other nail polish removers that never worked.

Aside from that, the nail strengthener from Elianto is pure love! I have really weak nails and they chip and break whenever they are long. My only hope is to find a nail strengthener to keep them stronger or at least make them not chipping so easily. This is my second bottle already!

I have often heard about fast-drying top coat but since I am such a cheapskate and don't want to waste too much moo-lah on brands, I am so glad I found this - Essence Quick Dry Top Coat.

It dries pretty fast and well, of course it does it's job quite well. For the price of only RM8.90, what else can you complain, right?

Okay, time for beauty stuffs...

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed and NYX Matte Bronzer.

I have been obsessed with both of these items ever since I got them. Nothing much to say but yes, I am still not over using these two powders!

I always have issues of foundation transferring to the screen of my phone whenever I answer phone calls. For quite some time, I have been searching for foundation that doesn't transfer, at least, doesn't transfer like mad and well... I am glad to have found VOV Light Lasting Foundation.

This foundation gives a very healthy glow to the user and best of all, it's not oily and the coverage is medium. Although I do love full-coverage foundations, there are times when I want to go for a natural look without looking like I am trying too hard. So, love the foundation!

As far as eyeshadows go, I find myself reaching out for my Urban Decay Shadow Box all the times.

It's just like the other eyeshadows have disappeared because I no longer reach for them. LOLX! This palette really has been getting so much love from me!

For lip products, I have to admit, I do have a lot of them but throughout January and February 2013, NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams have been my favourite lip products!

They're quite long lasting and best of all, they glide on the lips smoothly and effortlessly! For only RM25 to RM26 each and so many shades available, these babies are really great!

Aside from that, two brushes that I have been using so frequently these days - Colours Cosmetics Fat Top Foundation Brush and MAC 168.

These two are seriously best brushes of their kinds in my collection ever!

Last but not least, few friends have been spotting that I'm way over Burberry obsession because they noticed I have different 'aura' lately. Hahahaha...

It's not really 'aura' but fragrance from Vera Wang - Truly Pink.

I am left with probably 20% of the fragrance and have been trying to find this in Sephora but so far, I have no luck with it. I got it as a gift and now... I am in love...

Okay, I shall end this entry... Gonna do some spring cleaning today!