Take the day off

Normally, I won't be spending on a fortune to get makeup removers because first of all, I found my love within Bioré and it is so affordable. Secondly, I don't want to spend too much since I am not rich. 

The other day, one of my girlfriends was actually talking about Clinique's makeup remover and she raved about how good this product is and she has been going back to get more. I was sceptical because I have countless experience with not-worth-the-money makeup removers. I hate tuggings especially when I need to remove my mascaras. 

Since this girlfriend has few sample bottles lying about in her room, I bought one of them from her for only RM10. I am not quite sure of the actual retail price though - about RM100, I guess?

It is called Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover.

From the appearance, this makeup remover does look good and at the same time, it's purple, one of my favourite colours! LOLX! I'm not gonna comment on the packaging because mine is not the full-sized product instead, I will be sharing with you on my experience with this makeup remover if you are interested to get one for yourself.

The product looks something like the picture above. You may see different layers of products within the packaging and that normally suggests one thing - you have to shake it before using.

Yes, time to brace yourself up and shake your bum bum!  

Of course you don't need to shake your bum off. LOLX!

So, after the two layers of mixtures are mixed together, it should look something like this...

When I was getting the product onto my cotton pad, I was hoping it wouldn't feel oily because Bioré makeup remover does feel a tinge of oiliness but I still love it because it works!

So, I soaked the cotton pad with the makeup remover and pat it gently onto my eyes to remove the makeup.

After about 15 seconds, when I removed the cotton pad, I was like, "Woah!"

It does work! Best of all, no oiliness felt although the product does look a little oily in the packaging.

The foundation and concealer came off! 

 It was so obvious because I looked something like this...

Hopefully, I didn't scare you guys out. Hahaha... I was freaked out how well this makeup remover actually works. Just 15 seconds and my eye makeup is removed!

After that, I soaked up the second cotton pad to remove the entire makeup on the left side of my face and yes, you don't need a lot of product to remove everything with this makeup remover.

Perhaps, one cotton pad for each eye and one each for both sides of the face. Calculation of cotton pads use  is 4, where normally, I would use up to 5 to 6 pieces.

I will definitely purchase the full-sized product once my existing makeup removers are finished.

Clinique Pore Minimizer, are you sure?

I don't know about you but in the past, I have neglected my skin. I used to have the stupidest hobby to squeeze my pimples, acnes blackheads as well as white-heads.

For those of you who are still in your teenage years and reading this entry now, believe me when I say, "No, you should never ever, ever squeeze your pimples, acnes, white-heads, blackheads or whatsoever!"

By the time you realize you have enlarged pores, it will be too late to regret so, if your hands are feeling itchy, well, go and do something else like scratch your butt manicure, pedicure or whatsoever!

Anyway, if you're someone like me who have enlarged pores, well... honestly, I don't really think something can be done when the pores have formed but, you can always shrink the size of the pores with certain products.

Remember? I did an entry on Lancôme Visionnaire and how much I have liked the product?

The retail price of Visionnaire is RM295 for 30ml and that is seriously expensive. So, after I was done with the product, I searched for a substitute and someone introduced Clinique's pore serum to me. I wasn't expecting much because Clinique's pore serum is only one third of Lancôme Visionnaire's price.

However, do not mistaken this serum with another product, which is the pore filler, I think. I'm unsure of the exact name of the pore filler but well, this is serum.

Another thing is that, I don't think this product is available in US or Europe because I've tried googling it up for information earlier but there isn't anything available on it. Even on Clinique Malaysia's official website, I couldn't find it too but it is available over Clinique counters.

I wonder why.

Okay, first thing first. Let's talk about this serum.

Clinique Pore Minimizer Refining Serum retails at RM125 for 40ml.

Is that average, affordable or cheap?

I'd say that the price is quite okay actually, considering one tube can last for 2 to 3 months depending on your daily skincare routine. I am on my second month and I still have maybe, one third of the product? 

As seen in the pictures above, this serum comes in tube form, which a lot of us will like since it is more hygienic. Once the product is squeezed out, you will notice milky substance.

The product itself is quite runny and watery. So, you have to be extra careful not to squeeze too much of it since it'll be wasted if you do.

The product feels like silicon but I was told it is not silicon by the BCs at Clinique. Weird, huh?

The weirder thing is that this serum is applied only after your cleanser-toner-moisturiser routine.

Huh? Huh? Huh?

I got those question marks when I heard about it when I bought it. I mean, usually, our routine should be cleanser-toner-serum-moisturiser but well... that's Clinique for you.

Once applied, you will immediately feel your skin being smoothed as if you have a baby-smooth skin. I kid you not - I feel the difference every time I use it.

However, yeah, the downsides of this product... actually, it doesn't do much justice in minimizing the size of my pores. Nah, it does nothing even though I've been using it religiously day and night for two months.

Lemme show you the pictures...

~ 1st Day ~

~ 7th Day ~

~ 12th Day ~

~ 20th Day ~

Honestly, at the end of the first month, I got a little agitated because I didn't see any differences in the size of my pores. Nada, nada, nada!

I told myself, "Perhaps, a little longer..."

So, I continued using it for a while longer...

~ 32nd Day ~

~ 40th Day ~

Finally, on the 45th day, I gave up. LOLX!

Gave up as in giving believing that this product would shrink the size of my pores... sad, huh?

~ 50th Day ~

Perhaps, I should really consider getting  Lancôme Visionnaire after this but well... I am still in the mid of job-hunt and I have an interview coming on Monday. Hopefully I will get this job and when I get my first month salary, Imma gonna get  Lancôme Visionnaire! Hahaha!

Aherm...

Although this product doesn't do a good job in shrinking pore sizes but I do find it is good in something else.

If you're looking for a product that controls the oil production, well, get this product!

I am not joking. It really did a great job in controlling the oil production for more than 8 hours!!!! Yeah, I refused to believe it when I first started using it and guess what, I have purchased the second tube just because it really controls the oil production so, so, so well that you won't feel oily throughout the day.

Best of all, if you're using this product on your T-zone, well, one tube can probably lasts up to 4 to 5 months!

My purpose on getting the second tube - oil-control instead of pore-shrinking!

Anyway, have any of you tried this out?

Rendezvous of the week

My life has been pretty dull and boring lately.

Yeah, I know - I am a boring person by nature hence it explains why I am still single and hating it.

One of my cousins came from Sydney for a visit and I was really glad to see her since it probably has been more than 2 years since I last seen her. I actually forgot to take a picture with her but this time around, she brought me some birthday gifts all the way from Australia - my favourite Carmex lip balms and some perfumes too. Too bad no pictures taken because I was too busy sorting out my gifts.

Just before she left for her 7-month expedition to Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Europe, she handed me surprise gift from Sephora. Indeed, I was wondering what she got for me since she said she chose them randomly since she wasn't sure what to get for me.

My first nail lacquers from Sephora thanks to my dearest cousin!

Mum was asking, "How much does a bottle of the nail lacquer cost?"

I showed her the receipt and she went, "What?! RM21 for just one tiny bottle?!"

Yes, correct, RM21 for one bottle. I'd never bring myself to spend more than RM10 for a bottle of nail lacquer actually. Call me cheapskate but yeah, that's me!

After my cousin left for Burma, mum and my stupid brother brought me on a shopping spree. Yeah, I forgot to mention that my mum came for a visit.

She got me my long awaited sunscreen because according to her, it is high time that I start using sun protection products since I will hit 30 like, real soon. LOLX!

I actually chose another product - a moisturizer with SPF protection since I ran out of my Olay Moisturizer with SPF. Since I have another an additional moisturizer in my possession, I figured out I should at least finish it up but I need a sun protection product!

Stupid brother actually gave me RM100 voucher as my birthday present which I gave away RM50 voucher to mum and I was left with another RM50. Initially, I intended to use that voucher to exchange for some skincare products but stupid brother kept on hinting that I should buy more and get more vouchers! In the end, I spent RM207 to get the following skincare products and an additional RM30 vouchers.

RM207 for two products from Clinique.

So, there I had it, no birthday present from my brother this year! Craps!

Mr. Elder brother, if you're reading this, I want SKII Miracle Treatment Essence!!!

Anyway, he did bring mum and I for nice lunch at Ben's at KLCC though. Our experience there was kinda pleasant but mum noticed a great big rat ran across the floor as soon as she was seated! She told the staff about it and they kept on searching high and low for that rat!

Rat issue aside as of now. These are the pictures of the interior of Ben's at KLCC. Pictures were 'borrowed' from Drops of Contentment and Goody Foodies since I forgot to take them.

The atmosphere was quite comfortable and cozy! Mum enjoyed laying back on the sofa after lunch just to chat with us.

The menu was quite unique too.

Something that looked like handwriting!

Okay, here are pictures of our orders of the day!

The soup paired with crusty and crunchy garlic bread tasted really good at Ben's. I mean, I am not that kinda person who is easily intrigued with mushroom soups served with garlic breads because I have eaten worst soups ever. This soup tasted buttery and it did smell good upon serving. The soup wasn't overly sticky or something like that but I did notice a generous portion of chopped mushrooms - which was good!

I don't usually order salads or stuffs like that when it comes to eating out. I mean, for that price that you're gonna pay, you can buy the ingredients and make 5 to 6 servings of salads at home!

Since it was my brother's treat and recommendation, I guess it was okay. Hahaha. Sorry that I am being a cheapskate again. It just happens randomly.

I truly enjoy Ben's House Salad. I've never tried avocado before and even though it did taste like butter, at least I knew it was healthier than butter. LOLX! The salad dressing was something I really like - couldn't figure out what dressing they used. Topped with sesame and edamame, I can only use one word to describe this dish - heavenly!

When this dish came, I was thinking, "Craps... how can they serve such a pathetic looking dish?!"

Honestly, it didn't taste as pathetic as it looked. Hahaha... I liked the taste of rice mixed with the fish roe. Nom, nom, nom... Topping salmon with sesame seeds is indeed a wise thing to do - crusty! Mum finished up the portion of salad that came with it.

We ordered Quiche Lorraine but I forgot to take picture of it since mum digged into the pie right as soon as it was served and I didn't make it to take picture of that dish. Hence, I 'stole' the picture from Goody Foodie.

Quiche has to be one of my favourite pies! I've had fair amount of quiches when I was with Starbucks and Ben's has tastier quiches! This pie had streaks of beef bacons and I loved it!

The final dish which came to us as a mistake and we ended up pushing it away because it was served wrongly and we only came to notice the wrong order after we digged into the pie!

Mum's Cottage Pie was superb. Mum was asking, "If I knew it was wrong order but it tastes good, I wouldn't send it away!"

She was right, when we digged into the pie, we saw a generous portion of beef. Since it was served hot, it tasted real good!

I guess I will be going to Ben's sometime next month or so. I am so broke this month!

If you're interested, here's the address.

Ben's KLCC (opposite Harrods)

Lot 140, 1st Floor,

Suria KLCC

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

50088 Kuala Lumpur. 

Tel: +603-21631655 

Opening Hours: 10am-11pm

Fret not for those who don't want to be caught in traffic jam going to KLCC. There's another outlet opening at Publika Shopping Center, Sri Hartamas. If you're staying somewhere nearby Jalan Ipoh, Segambut, Kepong, Damansara, Mont Kiara or Sri Hartamas, you can opt for this outlet instead.

The weekend ended on Sunday and I sent mum off to the airport. I guess it'll  take another period of time before I get to see my parents again.

Anyway, I'm signing off from here. Remember to wish me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY  tomorrow since I am hitting late twenties on 10th April!

P/S - Venue pictures courtesy of Drops of Contentment and Goody Foodies.

Clinique and me!

I can't believe I'm home for one week and yes, I've practically done nothing except going out with friends and watching dramas and movies. Hence, most of the time, I'm procrastinating over finishing my thesis.

Gawd...

But still, I am happy because life here is with minimum level of stresses although I do have so many things to do. Hence, let's talk about my favourite topic - beauty, skincare and perfume!

As much as I love cosmetics, skincare products, perfumes and also anything related to fashion, I'm quite particular about the brands I use. Erm... I'm a brand-specific person and yes, very, very choosy too.

So, Imma gonna talk about Clinique today.

Well, I don't think Clinique needs anymore introduction from me since they're famous for their skincare but as of cosmetics, I'm still quite doubtful of them. It's kinda weird I'm raving their newest anti-ageing product. Hahaha...

My aunt from Australia sent me a parcel last week and everything in the parcel are pretty much from Clinique - it was quite unexpected that she'd send so many things to me.


Hahaha... Looks scarce, right? I gave some of the lipsticks, eyeshadows and also day and night creams to mum, dad and stupid sister already.

Even the PINK cosmetic bag is from Clinique and also pink symbolizes another thing since it's October already!

~ Muka baru bangun tidur thought it's already 1pm or so ~

Hahaha... I've just cut my hair shorter and well... regretting it right now because long hair felt so much better but then again... hair fall is one of the biggest problems for long-haired girls.

Alright... back to my Clinique gifts...

I was searching for a good compact powder or foundation earlier this month and wanted to get Skin79's BB Compact initially and aunt saved me the pokai-ness of getting one by sending me Clinique's compact powder. More over, she gave me FREE refill - this can last me for one year or so!


The shade I've gotten is Matte Beige. At first, I thought this shade is tad too fair when I took pictures with it but after a while, amazingly, it didn't look ghastly or ghostly at all! It works like BB Cream for your information - slightly.

Price? I don't know - since it's FREE.

I've gotten 3 lipsticks too from aunt too - Clinique Long Last Lipstick range.


From Clinique's website, these are the swatches you'll see...


Well, they look quite good, right?

Lemme show you their REAL swatches.

~ Creamy Nude, All Heart, Dubonnet ~

I ended up giving All Heart and Dubonnet to mum since the colours don't suit me when applied on my lips - I'm more of nude-lipped girl. Hence, I love Creamy Nude to the max. It doesn't make you look like you have lipstick on but just good enough to give coverage and also moistens your lips - not sheer too, in which this is great for me.

I'm not a big fan of mascara honestly and from what I've tried, mascaras from Clinique don't look appealing to me too - they never gave me any volume since I have typical short, Asian lashes. What I've gotten in the parcel is something as below.


Err... The effect I've gotten is just about what I've achieved with L'Oreal's Telescopic Mascara - no uummpphh at all! Looks as if I don't wear any mascara - cheh...

I hate mascaras - better get false lashes!

Speaking of eyeshadows, I should refrain myself from getting more because I've gotten UD's BOS III and also Naked, so, with these 2 palettes together with few from Shiseido and also NYX, I think I have more than enough to last myself for 2 to 3 years. If I'm given FREE eyeshadows, I will not say no to them.


No swatches because I've given it to stupid sister since I figured out I don't need this mini palette and yeah, Clinique's palettes don't really get my attention.

I'm sorry if you're a fan of Clinique's eyeshadows.

Next up in the parcel are these...


Skincare range - I gave them away to mum since I'm not Clinique's user. I'm still sticking to my L'Oreal Revitalift products.

You see, there's one for The Mister also.


I gave this to dad because The Mister has yet to enter my life. Hahahaha... Dad is forever the King of My Heart.

Well, those are pretty much what are in the parcel. I have gotten some freebies from Christian Dior, Estee Lauder and Elizabeth Taylor too!

Lipstick from CD!!! This is pure love okay - pink!


Yippee... these things can last me for few more months but still, I'm a big fan of Burberry's perfumes but if I've gotten perfume freebies, I won't say no to them. Hahaha...

Well... Imma gonna stay happy for a little while more, I guess. Gotta go, need to dress up for my date!