Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Hada Labo Mild Peeling Lotion

The month of February has been one of discovery. New products trickling in kept my mind away from the sweltering, unrelenting heat that continues to suffocate (even now at the time of writing).


First up is Mild Peeling Lotion. It is from Hada Labo, a brand well known for its moisturising products.


Name: Hada Labo 肌ラボ Mild Peeling Lotion マイルドピーリング化粧水
Price: RM 49.90 for 170 ml
Made in: China

Mild Peeling Lotion is the ideal product to introduce AHA's to my regimen. The AHA used in this lotion, Gluconic Acid, works as a mild exfoliant to slough away accumulated dead skin cells on the skin's surface. The benefits are twofold: an improvement in the absorption of nutrients while simultaneously restoring skin hydration, leaving skin smooth and supple.


I use it immediately after cleansing with a cotton pad. The consistency is on par with water... perhaps the slightest bit more viscous? It is nothing like the texture of the famed Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion.

It absorbs quickly and does not strip the skin of moisture. I am currently subscribed to a 'no night cream' school of thought and Mild Peeling Lotion has proved to be more than sufficient to soothe my skin. That said, if you have dry skin, you might want to follow up with a hydrating serum.


As with all Hada Labo products, this lotion is free from fragrance, alcohol, colorant and mineral oil - a boon for users who prefer to shun unnecessary ingredients in their skincare products. The blurb says for dull and oily acne prone skins but, in my opinion, all skin types will benefit from it.

A word of caution: it is advisable to load up on your sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product. AHA's may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn.


Like? Get this little gem at all leading pharmacies nationwide!

The full ingredient list for Mild Peeling Lotion:
Water, Gluconic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tranexamic Acid, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Metabisulfite.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Etude House Chocolate Kiss Review: Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Lip Set, Chocolate Kiss Nail Kit, Chocolate Kiss Hand Cream Set, Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Spray

For the month of love, Etude House galvanized our salivary glands into action with the delectable 'Chocolate Kiss' collection. I read somewhere that is exclusive to global stores? Let me know if you have further deets!


Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Lip Set



Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Lip Set 초콜릿 키스 퍼퓸드 립 세트 #1 Pink Kiss 핑크 키스
Content: Lip Essence 10 g / Lip Tint 3.3 g
Made in: Korea

Lip Essence 립 에센스 has a secret identity; it is actually a lipgloss! It is sticky and imparts a juicy colourless sheen. Lip Tint 립 틴트 does exactly what its name implies. This tinted lipbalm brings the lips to life with a hint of colour and supplies the lips with moisture.

Chocolate Kiss Nail Kit



Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Chocolate Kiss Nail Kit 초콜릿 키스 네일 키트 #2 First Kiss 첫키스
Content: 8 ml ×2
Made in: Korea

Smooth to apply and practically a solid one coater (two to get it completely opaque), No.1 Foxy Pink is a dream to apply. The same could not be said for No.2 Baby Yellow for it suffers from the ailments commonly associated with yellow nail polishes, namely uneven and streaky application. There is something about them that flummoxes even the greatest nail polish houses, and Etude House is no exception to the rule.

Chocolate Kiss Hand Cream Set



Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Chocolate Kiss Hand Cream Set 초콜릿 키스 핸드 크림 3종 세트
Content: 30 ml ×3
Made in: Korea

Just when I thought hand creams could not get better, Etude House rolled out this wondrous set with three delightful flavours: Cherry Blossom 체리블라썸, Rose 로즈 and Lily 백합. They soften and nourish my paws with a bevy of plant extracts (Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract and Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract to name a few) without leaving greasy traces.

Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Spray



Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Chocolate Kiss Perfumed Spray 초콜릿 키스 퍼퓸드 스프레이
Content: 150 ml
Made in: Korea

This rosy scent is sweet and feminine without being cloying or headache inducing. The longevity is severely lacking though, I could barely make it out a mere 5 minutes after spritzing it on (liberally). That said, if Etude House ever creates a matching shower gel and body lotion, I would be first in line. It is no secret that I am a rose lover...

Are you getting any of these items or did you already purchase them (considering my posts are usually on the tardy side)?

Disclosure: Pink Bird samples.

Monday, February 17, 2014

~*Giveaway*~ O'slee Rosehip Q10 Moisturizing Lotion

Edit: Giveaway closed, prizes sent. Thank you for participating!

I have been duly informed that you guys might enjoy a giveaway. Who am I kidding? I love giveaways as much as you guys do!


Time to win double:
10 winners will each win 2 bottles of O'slee Rosehip Q10 Moisturizing Lotion worth RM 119.80. You can share your winnings with a friend/family member or even your own readers (if you are a fellow blogger)?

To enter:
Fill out the form below.
Complete the 4 mandatory entries to unlock additional bonus entries. You must earn a MINIMUM of 5 entries to be in the running to win my giveaway.
An entrant must be a Malaysian resident. Minors must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to be eligible to receive the prizes. Employees of O'slee and its parent company are ineligible to participate in this contest.
Giveaway ends on February 23rd 11:59 pm MST (GMT+8:00).

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Please read over the rules before proceeding as I will go through each and every entry carefully. Good luck!

Disclosure: Sponsored giveaway.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Face Shop Mango Seed Cleansing Butter

Cleansing oils, cleansing waters and now cleansing butters?!

(Source: thefaceshop.com/)

According to The Face Shop, Mango Seed Cleansing Butter is:
A butter type cleanser that melts away makeup and impurities. Its mango seed substance provides both moisture and nutrients to the skin.


Name: The Face Shop 더페이스샵 Mango Seed 망고씨드 Cleansing Butter 실크보습 클렌징버터
Price: ₩ 7,900 for 200 ml
Made in: Korea

I have always avoided buying products that come in a tube because of the whole dipping/germs scenario. I thought sod it when I came across Mango Seed Cleansing Butter for I am always up for something new the name itself is already a winner.


If you have used cleansing oils, it will feel familiar to you because the buttery texture melts into an oil upon massaging. Unlike cleansing oils, this cleansing butter will not remove all traces of waterproof point makeup. Fortunately, it is not a deal-breaker because I always have an eye makeup remover on hand.



On the upside, the mango scent is really appealing and it has piqued my interest into trying the rest of the best selling line.

To demonstrate its cleansing prowess, I have applied a number of products onto my arm in the picture below. I have got Rouge Bunny Rouge Sketches On Water Tinted Moisturiser, Sasatinnie Super Dolly Powerful Curling Mascara and Etude House Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips (from left).



Fancy it? You can purchase it for US$ 14.40 including shipping at twofacemall.com.

The full ingredient list for Mango Seed Cleansing Butter:
Water, Mineral Oil, Propanediol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-8, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ether, Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, C18-21 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, PEG-150 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trideceth-6, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Taiwan Beauty Shopping

This title is slightly misleading, I should replace it to Beauty Shopping at Ximending, Taipei because this was where I camped spent all my free time.


Taiwan is full of personal care stores and I am only going to address the leading ones. Judging from the perpetual flow of customers, these stores seem to have a leg up on the competition.

And please accept my apologies for not taking pictures of the stores or the displays because I was being an extremely good shopper/bad blogger.

86 Shop

Address: 台北市萬華區成都路27巷5號1樓
Telephone: (02)2370 6257
Hours: 周一至周四 13:00-21:00; 周五至周日 13:00-22:00
Brands: 3CE, Bevy C, Bioderma, Bonanza, Cremorlab, Dr. Hsieh, EJG, Hanaka, Miss Hana, Solone


Cosmed

Address: 台北市萬華區成都路54號
Telephone: (02)7729 8278
Hours: 09:00-02:00
Brands: Dr. Morita, For Beloved One, My Beauty Diary, Neogence, Nuxe, Opal, Shiseido Senka, White Formula


Mirada

Address: 108台北市中華路一段88號
Telephone: (02)2314 6311
Hours: 週一至週四 10:30- 22:30; 週五.六及例假日前一天 10:30-23:00
Brands: Bonanza, Dr. Morita, Kuan Yuan Lian, Meishoku, My Beauty Diary, My Scheming Beauty, Sexylook, Solone


SaSa

Address: 台北市萬華區峨嵋街45號1樓
Telephone: (02)2370 0226
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Brands: Bonanza, Meishoku, Neogence, Nuxe, White Formula


Watsons

Branch: 武昌 
Address: 台北市萬華區武昌街二段37, 39號
Telephone: (02)2388 9107/2388 9108, (02)2389 2346
Hours: 24H

or

Branch: 西門 
Address: 台北市萬華區成都路15號
Telephone: (02)2314 0833/2314 7837, (02)2314 7837
Hours: 24H
Brands: 1028 時尚彩妝, Beautymate, Bourjois, Canmake, Cezanne, Dr. Wu, For Beloved One, Kanebo Media, Kose Junkisei Prime, Naruko, Neogence, Unitec


Additional information:
Majolica Majorca, Integrate, Sofina Jenne, Sofina Primavista, Lavshuca and Kate are found at most places.
Etude House, Skinfood, Nature Republic, The Face Shop, Tony Moly and Too Cool For School have stores at Ximending.
Foreign currencies are exchanged upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport or at banks. Bring along your passport and keep your exchange receipt; it must be presented in order to exchange unused NT$ before departure.

Feel free to leave any queries in the comment section, I will try my best to help!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Bloop Party Nails

I am sorely lacking in skills for nail art. At best, I am a one colour wonder but when the occasion calls for it, I know I can rely on some help from a few friends...


Bloop does these stunning nail appliques - precut nail strips and stickers - in a variety of designs. They have zero dry time, and offer excellent air permeability as well as easy removal. The selling point? These strips come with nail files. How handy is that?



They last up to 7 days


This unnamed and unnumbered polish comes in a shocking neon orange shade. Despite the thick consistency, at least three coats are needed to erase translucent patches. The lasting power is on the average side - I started seeing wear to the tips the third day I had it on. The selling point? Its accelerated drying time!


From left: one to three coats

To buy, you can go to bloop-bloop.com. Cheating at nail art has never been more glamorous!