Review: Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Makeup Remover

This is an interesting product. A water-based makeup remover that actually functions like a cleansing oil. Cool huh?

If you've got dry skin, use relatively light makeup and find cleansing oils too stripping, you're going to love this makeup remover. Before you read this review, please bear in mind that I have exceedingly oily skin and so I use cosmetics that are long-lasting, designed to last all day and therefore are very hard to remove. That being said, I was surprised how much I like this product although I don't think I can use it daily or will repurchase.

Monday's Beauty Roundup: November, 2010

Hello ladies!!!

Ho ho! We're on to the last month of the year now, and Christmas is just round the corner. Started you Christmas shopping yet?

Anyhoo. Have a look at what my lovely blogging sistas have been up to this Nov.

• My Women Stuff: Paris shows us how to rock a green eye. And no, she didn't turn into a she-hulk.
  
• Red Luscious Lips: Yani's skin woes are over after finding her skincare dynamic-duo!
  
• Askmewhats: Want a contoured nose, but don't want to go under the knife? Never fear, Nikki has a simpler solution!
  
• Prettybeautiful: Have bath oil, but no bath tub. Xin shows you how that's not a problem.
  
• Lipglosseater: It's a sunblock, no it's a foundation. Jenn'll tell you what it is.
  
• Beautyholics Anonymous: Want to paint your face red? Tine can show you how. And look absolutely gorgeous too. *grin*

And now to see what's been making my heart go pitter-patter.

Review: Shiseido Perfect Rouge in RD732

Not the first Shiseido lipstick I've owned but certainly my first Perfect Rouge.

Apparently, Kahani took one look at it, and declared it "Syen's colour". And that's the short story of how it became mine.

And now that it is mine, I've gotten to know it a little bit better.

Review: Mentholatum Mogatate Kajitsu Lip Balm in Lemon & Lime, White Peach, and Orange & Mango

I'm sure you've seen these colourful babies around, tempting you with their kawaii fruity goodness. These latest lip balms by mentholatum are actually quite as much fun to use as they look. Mentholatum was kind enough to send in all 5 flavours, but ripping through all five at once was rather well... greedy. So I compromised and selected the two that most appealed to me - lemon & lime and white peach. Then when Syen cracked open Mango & Orange, I got to give that a whirl too. 

Wonderful: Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

I don't know if you remember Shiseido's TISS Deep Off cleansing oil? Priced at RM39, it was my introduction to cleansing oils. When it ceased to be available I tried other affordable alternatives, like Kanebo Freshel White C and even Maybelline's cleansing oil. But not only were these less effective, they broke me out. So I went back to using a cream remover (Neutrogena's Deep Clean Lotion) and separate eye makeup remover. Yes I love Shu Uemuera's cleansing oils, but for me, they're too expensive for daily use. 

Then I went on my trip to Japan and impulse bought this bottle of cleansing oil in a 7 Eleven (of all places). Priced at about RM20, I didn't really have much hope for it, but harboured visions of finally having an affordable cleansing oil that worked for me. Well guess what? It does work wonderfully for me. And of course, it's not available in Malaysia. *WAILS*

What I'm Loving Now!

Heya lovelies!

How's your week chugging along?

Thought of doing something a little different today, so instead of doing a review, I'll be sharing some of the products that I'm using and lovin' right now.

It's not going to be a super thorough run-through of everything (that list will be waaay too long), but more of just sharing the lovin'.


And while we're sharing the loving, here's a gorgeous Kuala Lumpur sunset shot I caught while I was at my parent's place. Note the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers on the lower left corner. (This photo is as-is, there was no colour tweaking whatsoever!)

Read on to get started!

Monday's Beauty Blogger: Lisa Eldridge

I'm devastated... DEVASTATED I tell you, that it took me so long to discover the fabulous Lisa Eldridge and her gorgeous blogger videos. Sure they're informative and yes she's incredibly skilled and puts you onto the latest products, but above all they're addictive. Something about that English accent I think. Is it dodgy that I find her makeup removal video fascinating?



And you have to love a makeup artist that shows you how to cover up pimples on a model who really does have bad skin.

Favourite Things: Johnson's pH5.5 Bodywash(es)

Can it be? Is it possible???

And if you're wondering what's all the fuss that I'm making, it's to do with the fact that I've never reviewed the Johnson's pH5.5 bodywash(es).


I've run through at least five or six massive 1L bottles of these. But why it's never crossed my mind to review them, I have no idea. In fact, it was only when I got started on a new bottle yesterday when I realised how badly overdue a review was.

I mean, this stuff is HG.

Ah well. Let's get on with it then.

Fragrance review: Gucci Guilty

I am extremely fussy about fragrances and seldom buy blended perfumes - preferring simple single-note fragrances or natural essential oil blends - as aldehydes (synthetic fragrance notes) tend to give me a blinding headache. Too sweet scents make me nauseous as do gourmand scents. Plus I hate oriental perfumes. So when approached to try this vanilla-based floriental I initially turned down the offer - until I found out it's inspired by Barbara Streisand's song "Guilty". I LOVE Barbara Streisand. Even so, I was really really surprised to find I really quite like this scent  - even if I have to be careful where I spritz it as too near my nose results in the inevitable headache. *sighs*

Shopping Pet Peeves: What Cosmetics do You Hate Shopping For?

It's a public holiday in Malaysia today so make a cup of tea and let's have a chit chat session on...

What cosmetics do you hate shopping for?

I hate shopping for concealers. Not because it's tiring looking for that perfect match but because it takes me a good 5 minutes to drill it into the MA's head that I am NOT looking for an undereye concealer - I am looking for a normal concealer to cover spots and blemishes.

Whenever I find a concealer I sort of like and wish to try out, I usually turn to find an MA hovering at my shoulder with a smug and pitying look of, "You poor child, you are so innocent, you don't even know what you are looking for". They usually sweetly advise me that the shade/ formula I am holding is inappropriate for concealing undereye circles with an offer to initiate me into the Mysteries of Concealer.

Don't condescend to me, damnit. I may not be wearing any makeup -- I usually go barefaced whenever I am looking for a foundation or concealer -- so I may look like a cosmetic innocent but I know exactly what I am looking for.

When I finally get my message through to them, the realisation is usually followed by a horrified look on the MA's face as they blurt out, "You... don't want to cover your dark circles?" as they brandish a tube of XYZ undereye concealer in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.

Lord grant me patience! Of course I want to conceal my panda eyes/the bane of my life but I already have a perfectly decent undereye concealer and am in the market for something to cover my spots and scars.

Of course, I might be overreacting a bit as my panda eyes are a sore spot with me. But, I do like MAs who pause to ask what exactly am I looking for instead of leaping to conclusions.

Loving: Marks & Spencer's Grapefruit Hand & Body Lotion

I'll admit I didn't like it at first because it doesn't smell of grapefruit. Nope it's a citrus floral. But after testing it a few times (at first, resentfully and then with increasing anticipation) the scent grew on me and I bought a bottle for my bedside. Then finding it working miracles on my dry cuticles, I went back and bought another for my office desktop. 

Monday's Beauty Bits: Storage Ideas

Heya chicas,

Hope this Monday's looking good for you.

Having friends who know you're quite makeup mad will somehow inevitably lead to them asking, "How do you use up all those stuff?".

The simple answer to that, of course, is: "I don't."


Then it begs the following question - "How do you keep all those stuff?"

The answer? After the jump, of course. (Bewarned. It's a photo heavy post!)

Review: Olay Cream Cleanser

I love cream cleansers.

I love that they're creamy (uhh.. duh) and on a light makeup day, it's pretty much sufficient to remove my makeup (powder and blush), without having to do the whole massageoilcleanserinroutine.

Awesomeness.

I love them almost as much Kahani hates them. And she hates them with a burning passion. Interesting we're besties, no?

This one was an impulse purchase. I hadn't planned to buy it, but since I happened to be in the mood to pick up a facial cleanser, and this piqued my interest, I thought why not?

And turns out I picked a winner.

Guest Review: Hugo Boss Bottled NIght

A male fragrance needs a man to review it. So meet Kenwick ladies. He's roadtested the cologne for a few weeks and here's what he thinks of it:

Sexy.

Invigorating.

Confident.

These are the words that came to mind when I spritzed on Hugo Boss Bottled Night before an outing one evening.

My first impression; I liked it. The pleasant, not overpowering aroma made me feel energised and my confidence level did go up a notch. The fragrance has a mild musky scent, which I attribute to the louro amarelo wood ingredient, making it an ideal night scent for the casual night about town.

After I left home and met up with my friends, I noticed the scent took on a warm subtle tone having been warmed by my body temperature.. However, it didn’t linger all night and could only be faintly picked up if the nose was very near to the skin.

When is a Gloss Not a Gloss? Lipstick Queen's Oxymoron Matte Gloss in Honest Politician

Earlier this year, I walked into Myers for a Saint and ended up walking out with two Saints AND an Oxymoron instead.

Trying to figure out why this range is called "Oxymoron"? Well, an oxymoron is a figure of speech which combines contradictory terms. This particular product claims to feel and apply like a gloss but looks matte on the lips.

Now that's an oxymoron for you.

When I saw that one of the glosses was named "Honest Politician", I had to pick it up. It seemed like the perfect way to celebrate 3 years of Political Science courses.

Mehndi Beauty ~

With the Deepavali celebrations in full-swing this past Saturday, me and a few friends decided we would get cheeky and join in the fun.


We got ourselves some mehndi done on our hands!

Monday's Beauty Bit: Pantene Blogger Party & Makeover

I should warn you, there are ALOT of gratuitous vanity shots ahead. But after posing for almost two hours I feel like it's warranted! After participating in the Pantene 14-Day hair challenge, the nice people at Pantene treated us to a tea-party and makeover. Lest you think the review was "paid for" by this event, it wasn't really. They used the party for a press kit that went out to the media so everybody wins. :)

I however, am NOT in most of the shots that went out to the media due to the nature of my work and certain rules it brings. So here's my time in the limelight. *flicks hair*

Review: Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Colour Trio in BR307 and GY901

Friday again! Whee!

For our Hindu friends who are celebrating Deepavali, here's wishing you a Happy Deepavali! For the rest of us in Malaysia, have a great day off.


And now, on to these two beautiful Shiseido Luminizing eyeshadow trios!

Blogger marketing, done right

I never intended this blog to be a soapbox, and for that I'm truly sorry to our loyal beauty readers who are shaking their heads and saying "get over it already, woman!". But it seems unfair of me to merely criticize and not offer suggestions. So I thought I'd offer some examples of blog marketing initiatives that I found really impressive that maximise, not undermine, the unique value that blogs present.

First off, let's get three general blog values down. Why do people read blogs and what sets them apart from mainstream media? (Let me know if you disagree with any of the following):

1. Blogs are personal - You read blogs for the bloggers and their individual unique value. Any blog post that doesn't sound like the blogger, is therefore, counterproductive.  
2. Bloggers have opinions - Right or wrong, the opinion expressed should be the bloggers own. If it's paid for, even if the blogger agrees, credibility is undermined. Advertisers LOVE this credibility as it amounts to word-of-mouth advertising - which 90% of consumers trust. Unlike mainstream advertising which, although audited, leaves most skeptical. So, anything that undermines credibility is also not a good thing. 
3. Blogs are unique - Unlike professional, polished mainstream media, blogs can be downright odd. I mean, there's a plant who blogs. So making a bunch of blogs sound alike, or all carrying the same professional impersonal tone, would again just not work.  

So, the above points are what makes blogs worth reading and why advertisers are desperate to get on board. What marketing campaigns would encourage rather than squash the above? Here are a few I've spotted - they are network and advertiser neutral by the way. One is even by Nuffnang. Australia. ;)

Give bloggers funds or vouchers to spend on a challenge

Why this works:

1. Even if bloggers don't win, they are compensated for time and effort.
2. It gives bloggers a chance to their charming, individual and quirky selves. 
3. Each post from the campaign will be unique and no one will be bored. 

Examples:

My Simplifieds @ MyWomenStuff

Coles &Nuffnang Australia @ VioletBeaux

OpShop Challenge @ Lady Melbourne

Review: Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation

Nothing beats Bobbi Brown for base makeup.

I tried looking for a usable drugstore liquid foundation for the longest time but nothing -- not even the famed Revlon Colourstay foundation -- matched my skintone. They were either too pink, too light or too dark. I couldn't carry off any of them unless I was going to be in a really dark room with a single candle.

Thank goodness for Bobbi Brown.

At last, I have a hair salon: Hair Atelier

My reasons for being reluctant to get a proper haircut (not trim) are many. But mostly it was to do with being unable to find a reasonably priced hair-salon where I trusted the stylists and felt comfortable with them. Thanks to the Pantene Bloggers Tea Party, I was introduced to Hair Atelier and Tom, one of their creative stylists. There's Tom in the picture above, everyone wave and say, "Hi!". Oh fine. Don't then.

After a conversation with Tom, I was convinced that not only could we communicate in English (a rarer skill than you might guess) but that he had definite ideas about styling my hair that nevertheless wasn't creative-Nazi. For example, he didn't ask me to let him crop my hair very short in the back, keeping it long in the front and then dye it all a bright electric blue. Yes, a hair stylist really has pushed me to do that.

Monday's Beauty Roundup: Oct 2010

Right. It's NOVEMBER already.

Another month or so, we'll be celebrating Christmas. And then it'll be New Year. And then it'll be 2011. Another year.

I don't wanna grow up. Sigh.

Anyway, while I sort out my Ihavegottobeagrownup issues, here's what the ladies have been up to in Oct.

• Thinking of foraying into pricey haircare? Paris dishes her thoughts on a RM200 hairmask.
  
• I don't need more makeup brushes, but it's not stopping me from drooling over Nikki's flat-top kabuki.
  
• Hot guys on a gloss? Connie loves her some surfer dudes.
  
• Need a new shampoo? Jenn's Holy Grail with Camelia Hot Oil might be worth a peak.
  
• Get all up close and personal with Xin, while she takes you on a gunk-fest.
  
• I've been wanting me some liquid foundation, and it would seem that Yani is too!
  
• Beetrice went out and had her makeup splurge of the year on a mighty fine lipstick.

And now, for some eye-candy.