O'slee Honey Sugar Mask

My favourite brand from Hong Kong, O'slee came out with new offerings: Pomegranate Milky Mask and Honey Sugar Mask. No prizes for correctly guessing which one I have - the title already gave away the secret. Haha!

Name: O'slee Honey Sugar Mask 蜂蜜黄糖煥膚面膜
Price: RM 59.90 for 100 ml
Made in: Hong Kong

How to use:
1. Dry face
Apply the mask on dry face, gently massage in circular motion for 1 minute, then rinse.

2. Wet face
Apply the mask on wet face, gently massage in circular motion, then the sugar will melt down. Let the mask stay for 5 - 10 minutes then rinse. (Source: O'slee's press release)

Honey Sugar Mask is housed in a heavy duty ceramic jar, topped off with a plastic lid. It comes with a spatula and a sponge (not pictured) to facilitate the rinsing process.

It requires a little more effort than regular wash off masks or exfoliators to rinse off because of the slip from the carrier oils.

Vat of goodness equipped with the warning this is not food.

A wet surface is a must for it to be used as a mask. Upon contact with water, the grains of brown sugar melt to form a paste-like texture.

I have used this product for a month, long enough to get a gander at its effectiveness:

☑ Peeling
It does not peel per se, but it does exfoliate, which I believe is its goal. Exfoliation is a better term, peeling just begs for misinterpretation.

On a dry surface, the mask acts like an exfoliator to slough away dead skin cells. It is abrasive due to it having scrubby bits (thanks to the sugar), but it won't irritate in any way. Just remember to use a light touch!

☑ Whitening
I was not convinced that it would brighten but I was proven wrong. In order to snap the pictures seen in this post, I applied the mask on my left hand, and it miraculously became so much brighter compared to my neglected right hand.

☑ Moisturising
This mask is packed with carrier oils like jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil and olive oil. These oils leave a moisturising film that absorbs quickly and leaves my face soft and nourished.

Before.

After.

☑ Removes blackheads
Naturally, the exfoliating action helps to loosen the comedones lodged deep in my pores.

If you are a fan of sweet scented products you will enjoy this. I don't particularly care for the scent but I know many will rave about it. It has a high potential to get messy, so be sure to apply over a sink or during a shower.

You can pick this up, along with the rest of the O'slee line at oslee.com.my and selected Guardians nationwide.

The full ingredient list for Honey Sugar Mask:
Sucrose, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Isononyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Grapeseed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C12-18 Alkyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lithium Magnesium Silicate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Honey Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Sampar Velvet Cleansing Milk

If you are someone who wears makeup day in day out, you need more than the bog standard cleanser to take it off. This is where cleansing milks come in.

Velvet Cleansing Milk includes rose water and lime-blossom water alongside Sampar's signature Urban Advance complex to lift traces of pollution and make-up from the skin. This gentle makeup remover will even suit the most sensitive skins.

Name: Sampar サンパー Velvet Cleansing Milk ベルベット クレンジング ミルク
Price: RM 126 for 200 ml
Made in: France

The Sampar team mentioned that their cleansing milk should be used on dry skin. Then, you can either use a cotton pad or your fingers to rinse off the grime with water.

The cleansing milk has a mild rosy scent that soothes and makes the whole cleansing experience a delight. It leaves my skin soft and moisturised without the dreaded oily film like some of its competitors do.

My only gripe is the amount needed for it to distribute and cleanse nicely. The 200 ml bottle will only last me a little over five weeks if used on a daily basis (number extrapolated from my 15 ml tube). Replenishing frequently will cost a pretty penny.

Here is it tested against Burberry Beauty Velvet Foundation, Etude House Drawing Eye Brow Pencil and Chanel Luminous Matte Lip Colour (from left).

As shown in the pictures above, it fares well when faced with light makeup. I would recommend this product to users with all skin types and people who wear minimal makeup. If you do purchase it, keep in mind that it calls for a separate eye makeup remover.

Sampar's Velvet Cleansing Milk is available at Parkson Sunway Pyramid and Robinsons The Gardens.

The full ingredient list for Velvet Cleansing Milk:
Aqua (Water), Ethylhexyl Cocoate Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Carbomer, Oleth-25, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Propylene Glycol Isostearate, Ceteth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Tilia Platyphyllos (Linden) Flower Water, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lactitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Citronellol, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Seedcake Extract, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Rachel K CC Cream Original And Neutral

Have you heard of CC Creams and wondered what they are all about?

CC Cream is the next generation BB Cream. CC Creams retain all of the benefits that BB Creams have to offer with additional colour correcting properties, therefore they give better coverage to even out flaws.

Rachel K Cosmetics popularised the term CC Cream and it is set to dominate the CC Cream market. The endorsements by leading makeup artists and beauty queens around the globe make the brand stand out in the highly competitive beauty industry.

Rachel K's Mineral Color Control Blemish Balm (shortened to CC Cream) promises a 10-in-1 functionality: brightening, moisturising, nourishing, protects with SPF35 PA++, rejuvenates with Epidermal Growth Factor, collagen enriched, anti-ageing, non-comedogenic, smudge-proof and water-proof.

(Source: rachelkcosmetics.com/)

Name: Rachel K Mineral Color Control Blemish Balm
Price: RM 45.90 for 40 g
Made in: Korea

Rachel K CC Cream comes in two shades, Original (black tube) and Neutral (pink tube). Original is meant for skin with pink undertones whereas Neutral is for those with golden undertones.

I find that Original really flatters as a highlighter. It gives me the prettiest, most natural glow when applied under the eyes and along my nose bridge. Neutral looks dark on the paper swatch but adjusts accordingly once on my face. I am careful with the amount used because a little pastiness is noticeable when I get too squeeze happy.

Original - Neutral

Original - Neutral

The creamy texture blends easily with a finish that looks like second skin. The creams are so lightweight that they virtually feel like nothing on.

Coverage is pretty light and is a touch sheerer than what I was hoping for. It is sufficient to ease the look of uneven skin tone and dullness but it won't conceal dark circles, hyperpigmentation, blemishes and the like.

I am wearing Neutral

The perfume-y scent should be tolerable to most noses and it quickly dissipates after application. This factor may be the deal breaker if you are sensitive to fragranced products.

Whilst using these CC creams, their ability to suppress shine came to my notice. My T-zone does not oil up as much and when it does show oil breakthrough a good four hours later, it is nothing a blot sheet can't correct. I can even forgo blotting if I wished to. In terms of oil control, they are a level above the rest!!

Both Original and Neutral have a solid wear time as with most base makeup that I have tried. They stay on all day long without oxidising much or needing touch ups.

Original.

Before - After twelve hours

Neutral.

Before - After twelve hours

Do I recommend? Yes! Wearing Neutral garners compliments. And coveting - I am keeping tabs on my tubes when I am around family members.

Rachel K products are sold online at rachelkcosmetics.com, where international shipping is offered. For more information, please visit

✤ Facebook: facebook.com/Rachelkcosmetics
✤ Twitter: twitter.com/RachelK_CCcream

The full ingredient list for Mineral Color Control Blemish Balm:
Water, Titanium Dioxide/Mica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Acrylates/Ethyhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone, Disteardimonium, Hectorite Mica, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone, White Tea Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Silica, Sorbitan, Olivate Lecithin, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Aloe, Sodium Citrate, Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Methyl Paraben, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Iron Oxide Black, Iron Oxide Red, Iron Oxide Yellow, Ultramarines.

Disclosure: Press samples.

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February 2013 Vanity Trove

To think that the exact same time last year, I was green-eyed over the marvelous beauty subscription services in the UK and the US. Fast forward to a year later, beauty subscription services are thriving over here with new boxes debuting every so often.

Vanity Trove has been very active in the beauty subscription service sphere and is the only box that I know that has subscribers outside its home base. Previously, everyone received the same box but now, Malaysian subscribers will receive products and vouchers curated to the Malaysian market.

Vanity Trove's debut Malaysian box was delivered to my doorstep a few hours ago. The boxes are supposed to be shipped out between the 21st and 25th of each month but the February trove was delayed due to the burst of public holidays and long weekends.

Slides open. Drawer-like packaging made of thick cardboard.

Laced with shredded paper.

Handy product information leaflet.

Handwritten card.

A lifestyle extra! Mini box of treats for the chocolate lovers'.

Now, on with the show!

① Wella SP Smoothen Shampoo & Smoothen Mask (30 ml each) | Made in France

② Oriks Wild Ginseng Stemcell Twister Essence (5 ml) & Wild Ginseng Stemcell Essence Twister BB Cream (2 ml ×2) | Made in Korea

③ Benefit the POREfessional (15 ml) | Made in USA

④ b.liv by Cellnique Off With Those Heads (3 ml) | Made in Singapore

⑤ Di Palomo Tuscan Rose Moisturising Body Wash (25 ml) | Made in England

The hype built up by the Vanity Trove team as well as this being the debut box made it worthy of anticipation. Would they go all out and spoil us with a host of full-size products? The reality paled in comparison to what I had imagined... I was let down by the lack of a full-size product, doubly so, considering that subscription is steeper than others at RM 60 a month.

That said, the February box featured an interesting meld of brands, both domestic and foreign, which gave the box a global feel. I was particularly charmed by Oriks and Di Palomo and I would not have known about the latter if it was not for Vanity Trove.

I am looking forward to using everything in the box, but I would hold onto my horses and observe a few of their upcoming boxes first before I sign up for their service. Hopefully it will improve as the company finds its footing in the saturated Malaysian beauty subscription service market.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Talika Lipocils & Black

Lately I seem to be having an affair with French products. I bet you did not see it coming... and neither did I!

Vive la France!

It is my utmost pleasure to introduce you to the French brand Talika. Talika began in 1948 when a doctor at Hôpitaux de Paris developed an anti-bacterial cream with plant extracts to treat war victims suffering from burns. This cream had an unexpected benefit: the lashes of her patients grew expeditiously! This discovery led to the birth of Lipocils and it is now used by millions of women everywhere.

Lipocils has come a long way from its debut in 1948 and it is accompanied by a mascara in the latest incarnation.

Name: Talika タリカ Lipocils & Black® リポシル&ブラック
Price: RM 142
Contents: 2 x 2.5 ml
Made in: France

ღ Eyelash conditioning gel
After 28 days, I conclude that Lipocils really works!! My diligence paid off in longer top and bottom lashes. Not so much thicker though as they remained more or less the same in that aspect.

Be glad that I am mortified to show the before picture...

The massive improvement becomes apparent when I am applying mascara - my lashes do not require as many coats as before.

Lipocils mentioned on their website that no side effect other than mild irritation upon contact with the eyes has been noted. So don't you guys worry on that front!

The full ingredient list for Lipocils:
Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat (Alcohol Denatured), Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Allantoin, Methylparaben, Alcohol (Ethanol), Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) Leaf Extract.

ღ Black mascara
The French cosmetics houses certainly know a thing or two in creating mascaras. This mascara is a masterpiece! It defines, lengthens and volumises beautifully with a single coat.

Without - With

For a non-waterproof mascara, it holds a curl well, is non-smudgy (although a tiny bit of transfer under my eyes is unavoidable after a long day) and is so easy to remove. Even regular facial cleansers do the trick!

Update: The mascara is actually waterproof. Getting it off easily with facial cleansers makes it a keeper!

The brush applicator has a conical shape - it tapers in to form a narrow point at the very tips. The short and stubby bristles makes it easy to quickly coat each lash with just a quick swipe.

The full ingredient list for Mascara:
Aqua (Water), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Strearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Lecithin, Butylparaben, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid.

RM 142 might seem a daunting amount at first but envision it as a long-term investment. If you have straight, mediocre lashes (like myself), you will want to give Lipocils & Black® a look.

Talika counters are available at:
✤ Isetan 1 Utama
✤ Isetan KLCC
✤ Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall
✤ Parkson 1 Utama
✤ Parkson Gurney Plaza
✤ Parkson KLCC
✤ Parkson Pavilion

(Source: Promotional images from facebook.com/TalikaMY)

Disclosure: Press sample.

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