Wellage Black Aqua Roll Mask Pack

My happiness meter understandably rocketed when I saw not one, but two masks in the care pack BNTNews sent over. You know how much I love my masks~

(Source: wellage.co.kr/)

Name: Wellage 웰라쥬 Black Aqua Roll Mask Pack 블랙 아쿠아 롤 마스크팩
Price: ₩ 35,000 for 1 box (25 ml ×10)
Made in: Korea

Coming in a box of 10, the Black Aqua Roll Mask Pack emits ion and far infrared radiations to moisturise and de-stress the skin with the help of 25 special ingredients including caviar, malt, ginseng, pearl powder, aloe vera and sage.

The packaging is something to look at right? They may resemble coffee sachets (which reminds me that these babies are super portable!) but they hold a sheet mask each. The sheet masks are tightly packed in a whole lot of essence, and I unravel it by holding it to my forehead and then rolling it down.

After twenty minutes or so (I even stretched one session to an hour to put through its paces!), I slip the fabric off to reveal a firmer and radiant complexion that feels cool and refreshed. That said, the essence leaves my skin rather sticky and I have to wait a long while for it to fully absorb before applying moisturiser.

Decent mask all around but sorry to say that the sticky residue was deal-breaker for me. Mayhaps someone with drier skin will like it better than I do?

The full ingredient list for Black Aqua Roll Mask Pack:

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

Besolbo Skin Purify Smog Mask

The Skin Purify Smog Mask by Besolbo doesn't just moisturise; it goes a whole lot further! Offering an amazing combination of natural plant extracts and multiple peptides, this formula increases skin elasticity to keep the skin healthy and radiant. What's more, it also promises to protect the skin against daily exposure to air pollution.

Name: Besolbo 비솔보 Skin Purify Smog Mask 스킨 퓨러파이 스모그 마스크
Price: ₩ 90,000 for 1 box (27 g ×10)
Made in: Korea

The Skin Purify Smog Mask is just what I need. If you have been following Southeast Asian news, you know that we choke under a thick haze annually (there is no getting used to appalling pollution!), so the Besolbo Skin Purify Smog Mask was a gift sent by God, or in my case, BNTNews, haha!

Made from 100% pure cotton manufactured in a special polymer network structure, the fabric is the stuff dreams are made of. It feels so soft and thin that it is a travesty to peel off, but do it I must after my prerequisite 20 minutes is up. And not a minute longer because the fabric loses moisture very easily!

It resulted in visibly clearer and more translucent skin. My skin felt plumped-up and insanely soft. In fact, the effects lasted well into the next day – an unheard of phenomenon! So far, I have used up two sachets, and I shall endeavor to save the rest (it is too good to put down!) for a rainy day - which I believe will come soon enough.

Unfortunately, the mask may just break the bank, at ₩ 90,000 for a box of 10. It is obviously a bit of a posh purchase but everyone deserves a little treat now and then.

The full ingredient list for Skin Purify Smog Mask:
Water, Sodium Lactate, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Propanediol, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Honey Extract, Pearl Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Thioctic Acid, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Brassica Acea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Lactic Acid, Cellulose Gum, Allantoin, Algin, Urea, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Glucose.

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

Chuu Beige Ampoule Glotint #132 Why Pink

I am not the hugest fan of glosses, tints or what have yous - they leave me with hair stuck to my lips every time the wind blows and what's worse, some of them taste weird (I know I am not supposed to ingest them, but it is inevitable because of my non-stop munching!).

(Source: en.chuu.co.kr/)

Name: Chuu Beige 츄 베이지 Ampoule Glotint 베이지 앰플 글로틴트 #132 Why Pink 와이핑크
Price: ₩ 17,900 for 7 g
Made in: Korea

Oh how wrong I was; I quickly found how much I loved Chuu's Beige Ampoule Glotint! It is shiny without being sticky and it doesn't taste of artificialness. On top of that, there's none of the patchiness and clumpiness that unavoidably happens after a couple of hours when the glossy sheen fades off.

The colour that I am wearing, #132 Why Pink, is a gorgeous everyday pink that goes with everything and anything. Add to this the fact that it has an flexible triangular doe foot applicator that makes application so easy, and you have the makings of a perfect tint!

And need I tell you the other advantage of this tint? Yes, the unbearably sleek packaging! There is no shame in totting it about at all! It may not have the heft traditionally associated with designer makeup but no one would be able to tell, haha!

Chuu's Beige Ampoule Glotint is available in two other shades at en.chuu.co.kr for US$ 22.

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

Mamonde To Debut In Malaysia This August 2016

AmorePacific Malaysia held a launch preview of its latest brand, Mamonde (French for My World) on May 13th. Fully imported from South Korea, Mamonde is set to reach Malaysian shores in August 2016 with the opening of its first beauty counter at Aeon 1 Utama.

"Mamonde's skincare is the first of its kind in the cosmetics market as it uses only flowers as its key ingredient in the formulation for all its products," said Margaret Chin, General Manager of AmorePacific Malaysia. Mamonde brings women's beauty into a bloom by instilling the wisdom of nature found in the flowers' vitality into their products. It aspires to provide skincare solutions for every woman so that they may radiate in blossoming beauty.

Among Mamonde's star products include The First Energy Essence/Serum, Cover Powder Cushion, Age Control Power Eye Cream, Moisture Ceramide Cream, Lotus Micro Cleansing Foam, Rose Water Toner and Floral Hydro Cream.

After the introduction, we were ushered into the 'Mamonde Garden' where we were given a detailed briefing on the R&D of Mamonde which covers the 5 key flowers used in Mamonde formulation, flower science technologies and its floral properties. We then continued on to the product experience area and completed our journey in all things floral in a 'Flower Beauty Class'.

Price range of Mamonde's products is expected to be between RM 6 to RM 169. Perhaps read my reviews on a couple of products from the brand while you wait for August to roll around? *wink* For more information, visit

✤ Facebook: facebook.com/mamondemy
✤ Instagram: instagram.com/mamondemalaysia

Amp Up Moisture Levels With Laneige’s Upgraded Water Bank Creams!

Daily moisturisation ensures that the skin does not develop extreme dryness or oiliness which could in turn cause common skin problems like blemishes and acne. The Water Bank range by Laneige goes a step further by activating the skin's natural ability to create moisture on its own with the infusion of Hydro Ion Mineral Water and Moisturising Biogene Technology™.

Apart from activating the skin's ability to create moisture, the Water Bank Gel Cream and Water Bank Moisture Cream has been upgraded with the introduction of Mini Hyaluronic Acid and Air-Wetting Formula. This new upgrade will not only help the skin to naturally create moisture, but also work to strengthen the skin's ability to hold and retain moisture. The skin is then able to achieve a 360° moisturising care, leaving it feeling plumped and well-moisturised with a proven 24-hour moisturising effect.

Water Bank Gel Cream (RM 150 for 50 ml)

A translucent gel type moisture cream that regulates skin sebum. Its refreshing and light finish makes it suitable for oily and combination skin especially for hot, humid weather. The Water Bank Gel Cream is able to penetrate 20 layers of skin, triggering the activation of moisturising gene to relieve dry skin and repair skin damage.

Key ingredients include Winter Cypress Polysaccharide to soothe and cool reddened, flushed skin by 3℃ for fresh and shine-free skin throughout the day. Other than that, it contains Quinoa Extract which is rich in mineral and nutritional contents.

Water Bank Moisture Cream (RM 150 for 50 ml)

A cream type rich-moisture cream that combats skin dryness from within and improves skin texture and dry lines, the Water Bank Moisture Cream is best suited for normal to dry skin. Similar to the Gel Cream, the Moisture Cream deeply penetrates 20 layers of skin, triggering the activation of the moisturising gene to relieve dry skin and repair skin damage from within.

Squalane extracted from olives is one of the key ingredients of this cream. It helps to retain moisture for 24 hours and also reinforces the lipid barrier in the epidermis. Different from the Gel Cream, the presence of Glasswort Extract helps to maintain the skin's osmotic pressure and retain moisture as it is rich in minerals.

Disclosure: Press release.

Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Nail Care System

Filing and grooming nails can be a rather tedious task. With this in mind, Scholl is offering us a new and quick way to get naturally healthy, shiny nails in just 3 steps with the Velvet Smooth Electronic Nail Care System!

This tool comes with three attachment heads: a file, a buffer and a shiner. After I removed the battery seal and attached the file, I was able to shape, buff and shine all TEN of my talons in under 15 minutes. Normally, forming them into a satisfactory squoval shape alone takes what feels like forever.

Getting a decent manicure is just too easy with the Velvet Smooth Electronic Nail Care System. I simply hold the filer, buffer and shiner over my nails, and let the tool do all the rest. For someone who leaves her nails in a derelict condition, this electronic pen has completely transformed the way her nails looks. Yes, I just referred to myself in the third person...

I can't believe that it could almost (no cuticle care here) rival the results from a professional at the salon. I even had the leisure to admire my smooth, glossy nail in front of the telly before I had to run out of the door for a flute of French Martini later that night!

Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Nail Care System (RM 135.20) and Nail Care Heads Refill (RM 29.90) are available at pharmacies and supermarkets including Caring, Guardian, Watsons, Giant and Tesco. For more information, visit Scholl Malaysia's website at scholl.com.my.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Kose Sekkisei Herbal Gel

Dubbed the 'wonder gel', the all new Kosé Sekkisei Herbal Gel is a multifunctional gel that combines six benefits in one jar, making it the perfect companion for people who are always on-the-go:

① Hydrating
② Radiance boosting
③ Smoothening
④ Anti-inflammatory
⑤ Suppleness enhancing
⑥ Ultra nourishing

Name: Kosé コーセー Sekkisei Herbal Gel 雪肌精 ハーバル ジェル
Price: RM 130 for 80 g
@cosme rating: 4.2 ★
Release date: 2.3.2016
Made in: Japan

On top of Sekkisei's proprietary trio oriental plant extracts - Angelica, Melothria and Mugwort - which are present in all its products, the Sekkisei Herbal Gel contains fermented Coix Seed (improves skin barrier function) and Loquat Leaf (promotes blood circulation) to effectively moisturise and promote translucency to the skin.

The gel-cream spreads easily and lends the skin a dewy finish that supposedly lasts more than 8 hours. Celebrities including KeQing, Jeffrey Cheng, Hunny Madu and Monika Sta. Maria testified that it possesses a non-sticky texture but my encounter with it is the polar opposite - it does leave a tacky film. Is my skin that finicky?

This one item delivers the effect of an emulsion, serum, cream, massage gel and a nourishing sleeping mask. After prepping my skin with lotion, I need only apply this gel to experience a full 6 course meal, well, in terms of skincare, of course, haha! And thanks to the handy holder, my spatula will fit snuggly next to the jar (no more vanishing into thin air!).

While I wouldn't necessarily advocate the use of the Herbal Gel on a daily basis, I recognise the convenience it gives on busy days when all I can spare is a quick dab before I fly out of the door!

The full ingredient list for Sekkisei Herbal Gel:
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-400, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, PVP, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum).

Disclosure: Press sample.

SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence

Through extensive studies, SK-II discovered that UV exposure causes damage to the skin, leading to visible and hidden age spots and dark and dull skin tone. These issues in combination create skin clouds that blocks the skin's aura even amongst panelists in their 20s.

Name: SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence ジェノプティクス オーラ エッセンス
Price: RM 790 for 50 ml
@cosme rating: 6.1 ★
Release date: 21.2.2016
Made in: Japan

These discoveries lead to the launch of GenOptics Aura Essence; containing an infusion of Prunus Extract and Pitera™, in addition to D-melano P3C™ and Inositol to mitigate melanin formation and increase clarity in cells. The formula penetrates deeply into the skin, efficiently delivering the ingredients where they are needed.

The new auto-fill dropper is specially designed so that one full pump dispenses the optimal dosage. It may look like a lot, but it sinks into the skin so quickly that one wonders where it has all gone. And this is coming from a combination skin's perspective! I follow it up with a hydrating serum, or I could go straight to my moisturiser, the SK-II RNA Power.

In conjunction with the new release, SK-II upgraded its Magic Ring program with a 'Cloud Meter', where 'cloud areas' measure UV induced damage while 'aura areas' measure the brightness of the skin. Unfortunately, the Magic Ring tool that I happened upon during the launch did not receive the upgrade, so I will not get to quantify my brightness level in this post...

To the delight of my little heart, there may not be a need for the Cloud Meter after all, for even my naked eyes noticed a difference! While my complexion looks more radiant, it is not nearly enough for me to go out bare faced (all those pesky spots dotting my cheeks need to be cleared away first!). Then again, I have only been using it continuously for 2 weeks, and apparently, marked results will be visible after 8 weeks.

The SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence is available in 30 ml and 50 ml bottles for RM 555 and RM 790 respectively.

The full ingredient list for GenOptics Aura Essence:
Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron Nitride, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Panthenol, Inositol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Polyacrylamide, Aminomethyl Propanol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Benzyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyldecanol, Fragrance, Laureth-7, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Methylparaben, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, CI 77891.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Oxy Whitening Oil Control Wash

Name: Oxy Whitening Oil Control Wash
Price: RM 13.90 for 100 g
Made in: China

The Whitening Oil-Control Wash promises:
① Fairer, brighter skin
② Regulated sebum production
③ Minimised pores
④ Deep cleansing
⑤ 72-hour moisturisation

This latest innovation from Oxy accomplishes all of its claims with the help from Giga White™ Technology (whitening and brightening), REGU® SEB (controls shine) and Pentavitin (hydrating).

Those who read this blog regularly would know that I am not the hugest fan of sulphates, so I have recruited a guinea pig to test out this cleanser: my sister! She just returned her verdict and she loves the herbal microbeads in the formulation, saying, "Just like the gentlest of exfoliators!" She noticed that she could go longer periods before breaking out her blotter and she acknowledged that the cleanser wasn't moisturising, but neither did it leave her skin feeling tight or dry.

The Oxy Whitening Oil Control Wash is available at all leading pharmacies and supermarkets in two pack sizes i.e 50 g at RM 8.50 and 100 g at RM 13.90.

The full ingredient list for Whitening Oil Control Wash:
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate/Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate/Water, Acrylates Copolymer/Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine/Sodium Chloride/Water, Glycol Distearate, Lauric Acid, Mannitol/Cellulose/CI 77492 (US: Iron Oxide)/Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract/Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract/Primula Veris Extract/Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract/Veronica Officinalis Extract/Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract/Achillea Millefolium Extract/Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil/Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil/beta-Sitosterol/Tocopherol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyglycerin-6, Polyquaternium-63/Water/DMDM Hydantoin/Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate/Butylene Glycol/Formaldehyde/Water, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Saccharide Isomerate/Water/Citric Acid/Sodium Citrate, Butyl Avocadate.

Disclosure: Press sample.