PMD Personal Microderm – International

Whoa! This gadget means serious business. I am typing this with a face I can only describe as new. To be fair though, one would expect a product that costs US$ 181 to be nothing short of spectacular.

(Source: getpmd.com/)

Name: PMD Personal Microderm – International
Price: US$ 181
Made in: Vietnam

The Personal Microderm is supposed to give the results of an in-office microdermabrasion, which I can't attest to because I never got to experience it myself but I can safely concur that it gives similar results to a facial at the salon.

It resurfaces the skin to provide unparalleled softness and smoothness. It is a million times better than a scrubby exfoliator and the outcome last longer too! At least a week passes by before I think about picking up the tool again. Then again, I am scarily eager to maintain this effect so I do tick down the days till my next session.

One other benefit is that skincare products is able to fully penetrate the skin's many layers, increasing their efficacy up to 20 times more than usual. Finally get to unveil the maximum potential of that US$ 100 serum, eh?

Go through the instructions and the video attached to the kit before you start and nothing untoward should happen. Needless to say I was careless, hence ending up with suction bruises on my jaw and temple. They healed within a week and were easy enough to cover with a concealer so they weren't much of a bother.

I would love it even more if I didn't have to spend US$ 17/bimonthly on the discs, but I feel it is a worthy investment given the incredibly positive effect the Personal Microderm had on my skin. Oh well...

Buy on getpmd.com!

Disclosure: Press sample.

Philips Easy Natural Curler

If there's one thing I have learnt last week, is that I have not changed my hairstyle in over 5 years! I have been wearing it straight (as can be notwithstanding the humidity) all this while so a tweak in the form of Philips's Easy Natural Curler was much appreciated.

(Source: philips.com.my/)

Name: Philips Easy Natural Curler
Price: RM 169
Made in: China

It is quite an unusual tulip shape with plates that automatically clip and hold a lock of hair while styling, allowing me to curl my tresses with one hand. These plates are coated with protective ceramic, which apparently ensures even heat distribution for shiny and soft hair.

To minimise hair damage, the plates can only be heated to a temperature of 200℃. Safe to say that my hair suffered through temperatures averaging 250℃ with my old styling tools, but I have learnt my lesson now, haha! I also liked not having to waffle around much before I go into a curling frenzy due to the quick 30 seconds heating up time.

I can create loose or tight curls, depending on the way I hold it. My work is a tad messy but the great thing is it can be disguised! Brush them out with the Easy Shine Ionic Styling Brush, spritz in a little texturising spray and tadaa: results that are salon worthy!

The Easy Natural Curler is really easy to use. I am remarkably clumsy so if I can wield it like a seasoned pro somewhat proficiently, so can you. Interested? It is RM 169 on blipmy.com.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque 06 Feeling Reddy

Bonjour à tous! Today I have something to present from the land of romance - the highly raved Rouge Edition Aqua Laque! Bourjois boasts that this range possesses a water-light, non-sticky formula that doesn't run or feather. Let's see what happens in practice!

Name: Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque 06 Feeling Reddy
Price: RM 45.45 for 7.7 ml
Made in: France

The soft, dense flock wand is precise, making application a breeze. If you worry about making a mess, which is a real concern with brighter colours, then you can always employ the help of a good old-fashioned lip brush.

06 Feeling Reddy is a fire engine red. The other red liquid lipstick (Etude House Color in Liquid Lips RD301 I'm in Love) that was featured on the blog a few weeks ago is cooler-toned. Like all water based lip products, your natural lip colour will show through a little. You can leave it be or layer for full opacity.

What I love about Aqua Laque is how weightless it feels on the lips (like a gloss but without the gloop nor heaviness). It applies evenly, has a lot of slip and gives an ultra glossy finish (or wet-look shine as Bourjois dubs it). The only minor issue is the shine fades after an hour, but it leaves a gorgeous wash of color behind, so all is not lost!

Available in 8 mouth-watering shades from fresh nudes to flamboyant reds at Watsons and the Sunway Pyramid Bourjois kiosk.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Neesya LumiScience Brightening Eye Contour Gel

Name: Neesya LumiScience°® Brightening Eye Contour Gel
Price: RM 73.14 for 30 ml
Made in: Malaysia

I never gave eye creams much thought throughout my early twenties. Now that age is creeping up on me, I am chastising myself for this fragile area of ​​my face is in dire need of hydration and much pampering.

These days I try to make up for it by applying Brightening Eye Contour Gel every day and night. It is said to counter the causes of dark circles, puffiness and improves skin firmness and hydration with the use of Regu®Age PF, Silver Vine Extract, Alpha-Melight™, Acquacell™ and AcquaBiomin™ Gem Blend.

In addition to the complexes mentioned above, this eye gel also contains micro-shimmer particles (or in the brand's words, light diffusers) to refract light for immediate optical brightening effect. The problem here is that it doesn't really illuminate the under eye area, and even if it did, it would be a temporary fix since it gets washed away at the end of the day.

I would be more convinced by the eye gel if Neesya was to remove the pearly reflectors because the formula is pretty good - it absorbs quickly, has no discernible scent and leaves the eye contour soothed and moisturised.

Check it out on neesya.com or at the Subang Parade, SACC MALL, The Mines and Plaza Metro Kajang outlets.

The full ingredient list for Brightening Eye Contour Gel:
Water, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Pareth-12, Glycerin, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hyaluronate.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Aritaum Water Sliding Tint #12 Fruits Punch

For a brand that only registered in my peripheral vision fairly recently (safe to assume it has been around for a while), Aritaum sure drew me in quickly. One look at their Water Sliding Tints was enough for me to jump down that rabbit hole. Yes, ONE look!

Name: Aritaum 아리따움 Water Sliding Tint 워터 슬라이딩 틴트 #12 Fruits Punch 푸르츠펀치
Price: ₩ 9,000 for 2.4 g
Made in: Korea

#12 Fruits Punch is one of the star colours for the Water Sliding Tint line, so naturally I gravitated towards it. And what is there not to like? The grapefruit coral shade flatters my skin tone, and we know how hard that is to come by considering how out there Korean shades can get sometimes.

It doesn't need prepping beforehand, glides on smoothly (like a balm) and deposits sufficient amount of colour without the need for much layering. Perfection in a tube! I can't come out with a single detail to moan about this liquid lipstick aside from its lack of availability over here.

Even the gimmicky 1 mm sliding mechanism is a pleasure to deal with - no more accidentally smearing lipsticks all over the cap! It could be an astronomical Tom Ford (US$ 50), or an affordable Aritaum (≈ US$ 8), but my 'no mess or wastage' stance remains the same!

2015 is shaping out to be a good year for me lipstick wise (especially the liquid variety). The colours that I got last month were very much to my liking, thus it is a surprise that I ended up enjoying this month's selection as well. Y'know, due to Murphy's Law and all...

To buy, hop on over to amorepacificmall.com!

Dolce & Gabbana Intenso Pour Homme Eau De Parfum

Intenso is pure instinct, the power of an emotion that is freely expressed. It is the force of a determined man, with a heart that is rooted in tradition, yet revels in the modern world. Intenso ideally represents the new generation of Dolce & Gabbana men, who live in the present and express their emotions with abandon and intensity.

"Sincerity is the key of the Dolce & Gabbana man's elegance. He is strong, yet he is also able to reveal his frailties. He is handsome, modern and full of life, just like Intenso, the fragrance that we dedicate to him."
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

Name: Dolce & Gabbana Intenso Pour Homme Eau de Parfum
Price: RM 264 for 75 ml
Made in: UK

ღ The Fragrance
Intenso is a perfume for the manly man, or in Korean, 상 남자. It exudes raw masculinity that just envelops the senses. Be careful when you are around someone wearing this scent, one whiff is all it takes for you to swoon into his arms like what the ladies do on TV, haha!

The embodiment of the Intenso man: Colin Farrell

Jokes aside, I noticed something inherently new when I sniffed Intenso and I can't for the life of me, identify it. No surprises there because of the Moepel accord. Used for the very first time in perfumery, it is a sensual, almost animalic note with floral, balsamic and rich honey accents which drive a uniquely modern interpretation of the classic tobacco effect.

◆ Top notes: Basil, Aquatic notes, Marigold, Geranium
◆ Heart notes: Lavender, Absolutes of Bran and Hay, Clary Sage, Cypress
◆ Base notes: Sandalwood, Musky notes, Ambery notes, Moepel accord, Labdanum

ღ The Flacon
Intenso marks and celebrates its ties with Pour Homme by mirroring its iconic lines, where the difference lies in the colour of the flacon.

The dark tobacco brown colour palette is also reflected in the box, what with the luxurious dark brown velvet coating and metallic copper embossment of the Dolce & Gabbana logo.

Accidentally wiped away some of the letterings with a moist towelette *sob*

ღ The Collection
◆ Intenso EdP 40 ml RM 206
◆ Intenso EdP 75 ml RM 264
◆ Intenso EdP 125 ml RM 363
◆ Intenso Deo Stick 75 ml RM 106
◆ Intenso Shower Gel 200 ml RM 108

ღ The Composition
The full ingredient list for Intenso Pour Homme Eau de Parfum:-
Alcohol Denat., Parfum (Fragrance), Aqua (Water), Linalool, Limonene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, BHT, Coumarin, Geraniol, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, CI 60730 (Ext. Violet 2), CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 42090 (Blue 1), CI 19140 (Yellow 5).

Disclosure: Press sample.

Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream With Microbeads

Name: Clarins 클라란스 Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream 젠틀 리파이너 엑스폴리에이팅 크림
Price: RM 143.10 for 50 ml
Made in: France

In a moment of weakness, I rang in a purchase at the Clarins stand before I boarded my flight. I tend to lose my marbles over skincare products as well as French brands (a deadly double combination)...

Suitable for all skin types aside from the extremely sensitive, Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream contains soothing Mimosa Extract and is free of parabens. I apply it to cleansed, damp skin in a light, circular motion. The minuscule, evenly sized beads are amazing – they don't feel abrasive yet somehow they manage to slough off my dead skin cells. My skin after rinsing is brilliantly smooth. Better yet, the effect lasts a few days!

At RM 143.10, it is admittedly expensive, but not shockingly so. Considering this day and age, I am sure you have come across exfoliators with price tags that could vie with rocket fuel? Seeing as a pea sized amount is used each time, this 50 ml tube may even work out to be a great value product overall!

Do you use physical exfoliators or are you a chemical convert?

The full ingredient list for Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Cellulose, Isocetyl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Nylon-11, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Parfum/Fragrance, Phenoxyisopropanol, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Disodium EDTA, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate.

Etude House Color In Liquid Lips RD301 & OR205

The spring release, Color in Liquid Lips, is infused with a 'water sliding' texture that promises to make lips look supple and hydrated. You will face a tough time narrowing down a shade (or four) because there is a total of twenty to choose from!

(Source: etude.co.kr/)

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Color in Liquid Lips 컬러 인 리퀴드 립스
Price: US$ 9.50 for 3.5 g
Made in: Korea

Color in Liquid Lips possesses the slip and slide of Color Lips-Fit minus the matte look. And just like its predecessor, it shares the same grape juice scent. The glossy finish makes it infinitely more wearable, but that is just my personal preference. Despite the glossy effect I would still recommend a lipbalm underneath to minimise the accentuation of lip lines.

RD301 I'm in Love 아임 인 러브 is a crimson red.

OR205 Made in Sweet 메이드 인 스윗 is a vermilion orange.

After the intake of food and drinks, there was just a slight tint of colour left on my lips. A reapplication is necessary due to them fading off in uneven patches - so keep these liquid lipsticks in makeup pouches for touch-ups.

RD301 - OR205

Will you be picking up a Color in Liquid Lips for yourself?

Disclosure: Pink Bird samples.

~*Giveaway*~ Oral-B Ultra Thin Toothbrush

Edit: Giveaway closed. Thank you Li Na, Kylie Wenn and MissJasJas for participating! Full details on prize redemption was sent out on April 9th, 2015.

Not all ultra thin toothbrushes are the same nor white teeth alone does not mean a healthy mouth.

The colour of your gums determines the health of your gums. If gums are very light and pinkish in colour, they are healthy. If they are dark and reddish, you may have unhealthy gums.

If gums are unhealthy, they will most likely be swollen or be susceptible to bleeding when you brush your teeth. This is due to inflammation caused by the immune system to protect itself from bacteria. Poor oral hygiene or not using the right toothbrush can cause a build-up of bacteria in between teeth and on the gum line thereby, irritating gums and causing gum disease.

Most Malaysians are concerned with the health of their gums yet they do not know when they have a problem. It is with this in mind that Oral-B, the oral care experts with more than 50 years of experience, launched a campaign to drive awareness on gum health issues and how it can be easily addressed by choosing the right toothbrush.

The new Oral-B UltraThin toothbrush has 100% finely tapered 0.01 mm ultra thin bristles to ensure double precision for deep cleaning, while a small 25 mm head reaches the molar area for thorough cleaning. There are 3 colour indicators:

◆ Power Tip Blue bristles that effectively cleans those hard-to-reach areas keeping gums healthy in the molar area,
◆ Plaque Disruption Green bristles - strong core bristles that remove plaque for better oral health, and
◆ Stimulator White bristles that stimulate gums and positioned to maximise gum reach.

The new Oral-B UltraThin toothbrush is available at all leading pharmacies and supermarkets and is priced at RM 3.90. But you don't have to pay a single penny for it because I have 3 hampers to give away! Just be the first 3 to correctly answer the following questions in the comment section and you will walk away with this toothbrush along with a mouth wash and a floss!

① Name the 3 features of the new Oral-B UltraThin toothbrush.
② How do you know if gums are healthy?
③ Choosing the right toothbrush is important for teeth and gum care. True or false?

T&Cs:
① Malaysian residents only.
② Giveaway will end on April 10th 11:59 pm or when prizes run out, whichever comes first. A notification e-mail will be sent to the 3 winners.
③ Prizes to be mailed over by Key Message PR.

Good luck! ❤

Disclosure: Sponsored giveaway.