Taciturnity Serenity

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

kimoko — Tue, 06 May 2014 00:19:23 GMT

I was a little late in getting this BB Cream from L'Oreal BB Cream that is pretty unique as it is a skin transforming / adjusting shade but I never got around to try it since it is not available in Singapore.

Ingredients

It is a white liquid when you first dispense it out of the tube

Blending it out, you'll start to notice that the shade is transforming to adjust your skin tone..

Still adjusting

Blended. I have this in Medium which was a tad darker for my skin.

Shine alert! The picture on the left is taken just 5 hours after the application and the picture on the right is taken after I have blotted my face with a piece of facial tissue.

To depict the medium coverage of the BB Cream. Work stress lately has got me with some slight breakouts and the BB Cream could not quite conceal them.

L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

Coverage: Medium
Texture: Very liquified
Shade: There are 4 shades and I have this in Medium which was a tad dark for NC20-25 skin tone.
Undertone: Yellow with a tinge of orange
Fragrance: Fragrance-Free
Oil-Control: 5 hours
Finish: Dewy
Other Comments: Despite the fact that oil control isn't the best, I actually kinda like this BB Cream. I do like the liquefied consistency because it feels extremely light on the skin. It is like applying water that you almost do not feel you have something on your skin. Only when your skin starts to oil up, you'll realized you are actually wearing a BB Cream. If I have Normal / Combination Skin, this is quite a HG product.

Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack

kimoko — Mon, 05 May 2014 01:14:25 GMT

I have almost forgotten the existence of this hair mask that I hauled from Seoul in 2013. I was rummaging through my stash 2 weeks ago and found this baby and had to try it out.

I was not that into hair care back then since I have not bleached my hair but I occasionally do a deep conditioning treatment mask for my hair so when there was a 30% storewide for Nature Republic when I was shopping for my Snail Therapy ampoule serum and BB Cream, I decided to add this into my shopping cart because it was approximately 5,000 Korean Won after the 30% discount. Quite an affordable price if you ask me.

The texture of this hair pack isn't your typical hair mask that is thick and creamy. Rather, it is a cross between a gel and a cream. A thicker gel consistency but a slightly lighter texture than creams. You get the drift.

Ingredients

Ingredients Part 2

Ingredients Part 3

My overall experience for this hair pack is that it was well worth the 5,000 Korean Won that I paid for. I probably will not pay more than that because it kinda works like a deep conditioner instead of a hair mask. For me at least. I used it in 3 ways, as a typical wash & rinse conditioner, an in-shower quick 3 minutes treatment mask and a hair mask that I left on for 30 minutes. They all reaped similar results, nothing noticeable. Well, it does a better job as compared to a normal hair conditioner leaving my hair softer but the hair ends were pretty much still very dry. It might be because my hair is extremely damaged that I am not feeling this hair pack BUT I wouldn't mind repurchasing it if it was on sale for 5,000 Korean Won. Oh yes, this has a very sweet flora fruity scent which is not too overpowering that does not quite linger in your hair once you have rinsed the product off your hair so no worries about those who are sensitive to fragrances.

If you have hair that is not too damaged, I reckon this Argan Oil infused hair pack will work for you. Anyone heading to Korea should keep a look out for this inexpensive hair pack from Nature Republic.

Labour Day + Weekend

kimoko — Sun, 04 May 2014 12:29:56 GMT

Missed an entry yesterday so I'm making it up by posting a combined entry for the Labour (May) Day holiday and yesterday.

We had a girly gathering at Mrs Yeo's place for her 2nd pride and joy, Isabelle's 2nd birthday and I brought these to her place. A cake version of Chocolate Brittle and Orange Squares with a citrus bursting cream cheese frosting.

My little precious baby and me. Can't stop loving this little cheeky fella whom I am extremely proud of whenever he calls me God-Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa loudly. He loves dragging the Ma and I absolutely love it whenever he does it. -giggles-

The day after, there were some pictures from the gathering / party and in the background of 1 picture was Ryan clinging onto me while we were watching the other kids play in the foreground. I absolutely love this candid picture as it has captured a priceless moment between me and my precious baby darling Ryan...

My FOTD on May Day which is kinda my typical weekend / public holiday look.

Fast forward to Saturday, together with Ryan's parents, we brought the little fella to the Zoo where he was so excited about the animals and started calling out the names of the animals whenever he spots one.

Despite being all exhausted from the sweltering heat, this cheeky little fella had the energy to play with me in the car on our way back while his father fell asleep and his mother concentrating behind the steering wheel. Love this little man to bits!

And just so to keep this post beauty related, this is my FOTD for the Zoo. I had initially wanted to leave my hair down but decided to have it up just before leaving the house and that was the best decision made ever! It was extremely warm and humid and I was a total hot mess when I got home except for my eyes... Loving the combination of K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Liquid Liner on my upper lid and Miss Hana Pencil Eyeliner on my waterline!

And there you go. My May Day and weekend outing to the Zoo in a summarized entry..

Empties / Products completed in April 2014

kimoko — Fri, 02 May 2014 00:59:10 GMT

Did not complete a whole load of products in April but it is always nice to complete products.

1) Daiso side-sealed cotton puffs - I love this particular side-sealed cotton puffs from Daiso and have used several boxes. Each box is S$1 for 90 pieces. They actually come as a bundle of 2 boxes for S$2 so that makes 1 box S$1.

2) NuTeen Acnes & Pimples Away Sleeping Mask - No stranger to my HG sleeping mask that I am currently using as a moisturizer as my skin has been acting up from work stress.

3) Mentholatum Acnes Sealing Jell - I am using this as a mattifying primer for my acne skin lately from work stress and it works wonders!

4) Elizabeth Arden Ceremide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara - My HG mascara from quite a while ago. This is in a deluxe sample size that I have quite a few in my stash as my aunt is an avid Elizabeth Arden skincare fan and will always get me a couple of this mascara whenever she is hauling.

5) Heroine Make Kiss Me Liquid Eyeliner - This was a sponsored product from quite a while back which was coincidentally the first liquid eyeliner that I could master the skill of applying liquid eyeliner in straight precise line. Unlike felt tip liquid liners, such a liner take a little more skill in the application and I am glad that I can now apply all sorts of liquid eyeliner! Unless this goes on sale, I will opt for the felt tip version as this takes a little more time to dry than the former. But as soon as it is dried, it is so smudgeproof that it can last me the entire day of work including a game of badminton in the evening!

6) Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray - This is a deluxe size of the previous formulation / packaging that I bought for travel. It is a pretty good product but I still prefer my Skin Food Red Orange Makeup Finish (Matte Type) for the oil control. I have another bottle of this Urban Decay in my stash for my next trip.

7) Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 - My skin has been really terrible lately from work stress and this is one pimple cream I totally swear by now. Unfortunately, it is not available in Singapore. I get it from drugstore.com in which they often have a sale on this and I will pick up at least 2.

Sample Store Free Samples Part 2

kimoko — Thu, 01 May 2014 10:51:49 GMT

I redeemed for yet another 4 free samples from Sample Store which I did not have to pay a single cent for!

I paid nothing for the above 4 samples to be delivered to my door step!

The all new My Beauty Diary Imperial Bird's Nest Mask that is said to be optimally nourishing, invigorating and moisturizing.

The all new Essential Damage-Care Sleeping Mask. I wrote about the Pantene Pro-V Overnight Miracle Repair Serum back in March and mentioned that there are not many similar products in the market and out comes this Essential's version! Can't wait to try it!

I am very excited to try this Hiruscar which is said to help cure scars even keloid scars which if you have been reading my journal in the past know that I have a huge burnt scar on my right hand from a domestic accident that has bothered me over the years. I hope this can help because I have tried countless of other off-the-shelf products but nothing has helped.

Lastly, the Itoh Collagen Powder.

Isn't it amazing to have a platform like free samples from Sample Store that allows you to redeem for Free Samples? Go join this amazing platform and receive free samples like the above!

Organix OGX Argan Oil & Shea Butter, Moisture Repair Hair Serum / Oil

kimoko — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:39:32 GMT

Found yet another hair oil from Organix from drugstore.com when there was a 20% off all Organix aka OGX hair products. For US$6.40, it sure was worth the try especially since the other Organix products worked pretty well for me.

This weightless oil is said to restore moisture while:

•Balances Hair & Scalp
•Restores Luster & Shine
•For Silky Smooth Strands or Soft Natural Curls

Massage a dime size amount of Organix Moisture Restore Oil between palms of hands and then apply to clean, damp hair. Style as desired. Can also be applied to dry hair to moisturize split ends and tame fly-a-ways. Do not rinse. For best results, use in conjunction with other Organix products. Use within 24 months.

Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Fragrance, Yellow 11 (CI 47000), Red 17 (CI 26100)

I have tried 3 other Organix hair products and I have to say this has gotta be my favourite so far! The oil when dispensed through the pump is not weightless as described. It is of a rather thick viscous texture with a sweet scent that almost resembles a cake frosting or a flora flavoured tea. Unlike the Vanilla Silk Serum which has a too sweet a scent that might put one off, this is rather pleasant.

Why do I love it? It leaves my hair tangle free when it is damp and it is dry, my hair is silky smooth without the heavy residue and looks so naturally healthy! Some hair products that claims to give you a sleek straight finish often have a silicone finish on each strand of hair but this almost seems like it is your natural naked healthy hair! Or that it is weighing your hair down that looks almost un-natural.

My hair feels less dry and not as damaged. Really loving this hair serum! Can I now ditch the rest of the hair oils/serums that I have hauled recently? Including this and the other 3 bottles I am reviewing, I actually have 14 bottles of hair oils/ serums that was purchased since January 2014! Among the 9 hair serums/oils that I have tried and reviewed, this OGX Argan Oil & Shea Butter, Moisture Repair Hair Serum is my current favourite for my dry, damaged hair!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35

kimoko — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:36:02 GMT

I am a fan of the Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15with Dermaxyl Complex Foundation Primer (I am actually about done with my 2nd bottle!) and when they launched a Camera Ready BB Cream, I had to try it!

It is described as:

PRIMES: Wear alone, or under your favorite foundation to create a smooth canvas.
PERFECTS: Tinted formula in 5 shades evens out skin for a flawless finish.
HYDRATES: Improves skin moisture in 4 weeks. Guaranteed.
PROTECTS: SPF 35 guards against UVA/UVB rays.
CONTROLS OIL: Minimizes shine with no chalky finish.

I was actually sold on the fact that it actually controls oil!

Ingredients:
-Octinoxate 7.5 %
-Octisalate 4%
-Oxybenzone 2.5 %
-Titanium Dioxide 1.10%

Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Peg-40 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract (Extrait D'Orge), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Oryzanol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Urea, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Lacylate, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)].

A light weight plastic squeeze tube no-frills packaging

It has sorta a gel-like creamy texture which I really like as it is not thick and pretty easy to blend.

You can probably notice that this shade, 'Light' has an orangey yellow undertone and it is a tad too dark for me.

These 2 pictures were taken approximately 8 hours after application and I was out and about in the day (thus the shades) with no touch ups except blotting my face with a piece of facial tissue at least twice. You will be able to notice the dewy finish which seems like a highlighter's job but is actually the dewiness of the product. It also has an optical blurring effect that creates a flawless finish canvas on pictures. Must be doing of the Camera Ready property!

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35

Coverage: Medium
Texture: Gel-like Creamy
Shade: There are approximately 8 shades and I have this in Light which was a tad dark for NC20-25 skin tone.
Undertone: Orangey Yellow
Fragrance: It is supposedly fragrance free but there is a slight cosmetic scent which is almost not noticeable
Oil-Control: Less than 7 hours
Finish: Dewy
Other Comments: I am a little on the fence about this product. I do like the camera ready property as it create a flawless looking almost optical blurring effect on pictures! That is very typical of HD / camera ready / photo ready products but at the same time, such products do not control oil well. I had to use a mattifying primer and set it with a mattifying powder to avoid the greasy mess on my face. And because oil control isn't the best, the product does not really gets absorbed by the skin well. It sits on your skin and gets transferred easily. Therefore, the claim of the oil control is definitely not true despite having dimethicone as the 2nd ingredient. It might photograph well but in reality, when your face starts to shine up, the life span pretty much goes down-hill really quickly! I do like the gel-like creamy texture as it is not thick and is a breeze to blend. The SPF of 35 is pretty decent if you are not one who is constantly outdoors so it saves you the additional step of a sunblock. I have yet to find a product that is camera ready that creates a flawless complexion in pictures with a very decent oil control. For those with normal to combination skin and do not want / require a full coverage foundation/base, you will probably enjoy this BB Cream which is a multi-tasking product that photographs really well! Or it might actually work in a less humid / dry climate.

Mentholatum Acnes Compact Powder

kimoko — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:31:26 GMT

I was in Batam, Indonesia in October of 2013 and came across this compact powder at the Hypermart in Mega Mall for less than S$3. It was retailing for Rp28,600 but there was a 35% discount and I paid Rp18,590 which was extremely affordable!

I love the Mentholatum Acnes range but have never seen this powder before and so without hesitation, it was in my shopping cart!

As it is manufactured in Indonesia, the packaging was naturally in Bahasa Indonesia and not English.

Even the ingredient list is in Bahasa Indonesia but you can probably make out what the ingredients are or maybe hae it translated.

Instead of a fancy velvet pouch like that of luxury brands, the product was contained in a plastic 'pouch' instead.

When I first saw this, it kinda reminded me of a feminine product. -cheeky giggles-

The plastic 'pouch' separates the compact powder from the powder puff which I thought was quite thoughtful but the pouch is too flimsy to be used for long as the quality isn't as sturdy as a textile material.
*doesn't it look like a feminine product?

I tossed out the plastic pouch without realizing that the powder puff is unable to fit into the compact case. That was the reason why the plastic pouch was given to separate the puff from the actual compact. Oh well, I do not like using powder puffs and so I soon passed the powder puff to my sister who prefers to pack on her powder instead of a brush like how I like to apply my powder.

If I remembered correctly, there are 3 shades to this powder. 1 is an extremely pale shade followed by this Natural Beige which is an extremely yellow shade and finally a rather dark shade.

In a rather sturdy but a little bulky plastic compact case, there is a mirror beneath the cover.

It almost looks like a Banana Corrector powder from Pure Luxe or Ben Nye.

I should not be expecting alot from this powder especially since the price is extremely affordable (I don't want to sound barbaric by saying it is cheap) though I have had good experiences with wallet-friendly products too but this product is probably a if-you-see-it-you-can-give-it-a-shot but not something that I will desperately need to hunt it down.

The color of the powder is so yellow that it almost makes me look sallow especially when I am wearing a yellow undertone base product like my MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC25. I usually put on my makeup at about 6.30am in the morning and lighting isn't the best at that hour so I did not quite see the sallowness of my complexion till I got into the office. DAMN, it really looks horrible with that yellow sallow complexion.

It does work better if I am using a grey or pink undertone base product and if the shade is a little fairer than my skin tone.

Oil control wise, for its price, it is rather decent. Not the best that can replace my HG Maybelline Dream Matte Powder but pretty decent at about 6-7 hours. The powder is pretty fine in texture but does not create a huge powder mess when I stipple my flat top foundation brush on the powder.

I have not experienced any breakouts with the powder and will continue to use it. If you ask if I am going to repurchase, I will, but probably in the fairer shade. If it is a translucent shade, it will be quite perfect as a powder for touch ups.

One drawback about the powder is that the scent is pretty strong. It smells of talc or rather, an old lady's makeup powder, if you know what I mean. Other than the scent, for its price, it is a pretty good compact powder!

L'Oreal Paris EverStyle Energizing Dry Shampoo

kimoko — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 12:29:26 GMT

I found this in the bathroom earlier this week and knew it belonged to my elder sister who is back in Singapore for a weeks' visit. I asked if it works and if I could have it since this is an aerosol can and I can't have it shipped to Singapore. Without hesitation, she gave it me since she could always repurchase it when she's back and that she has 1 less item to lug back to Las Vegas.

I like this range of shampoo and conditioner especially the EverPure range which is meant for colored treated hair so I was kinda excited to try this out!
*Review on the shampoo & conditioner will be written soon!

Not sure how much she bought it for but it is US$7 on drugstore.com

I try not to wash my hair on the weekends unless I have special occasions or I am out and about to avoid over washing of my extremely damaged hair so I do use a dry shampoo on weekends to help refresh my 2nd day hair.

Ingredients

Just like most dry shampoos in an aerosol can, you have to shake it up prior application by holding the can 6-8 inches from hair and spray lightly throughout dry hair, concentrating at the roots. I like to massage the product lightly at the roots before brushing it out first with my fingers which helps to give a little boost on volume before combing it though with a wide tooth comb.

It is described as: Cleanses and refreshes hair for ease of styling. Our virtually invisible, talc-free formula with micronized minerals, renews your hair by instantly absorbing excess oil and odor, extending the life of any style. For hair that is refreshed and touchable without any buildup.

I actually tried it throughout the week by using it after work which my hair has been cleansed at least 13 hours after and at the end of the work day, at times, hair do get a little greasy and can I say this actually works! I have also tried it this weekend and my hair was last cleansed on Friday morning and it is Sunday evening, which has been over 62 hours since I last cleansed my hair and though it is a little flat but my hair does not have a greasy residue nor the powdery talc texture when you run your fingers through your hair, which is very typical of dry shampoos! Sounds absolutely gross but things I do just to test products are such. Even when I spray the product directly on my palms, it does not give me a powdery texture! I am sold!

Oh! Did I mention it smells extremely sweet? Like berry-sweet (pun super-intended!)

My elder sister said it did not quite work for her so she didn't mind leaving it in Singapore though, even if it works, she would have gladly pass it to me. Pity that this can't be shipped to Singapore since it is in an aerosol can so I will probably get another can or 2 when I next visit her!

Watsons Singapore Members Only Sale on 24th April 2014

kimoko — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 13:21:43 GMT

Quick haul from the 24th April's Members Only Sale of Watsons in Singapore.

The Maybelline Hyper Sharp Liner is my elder sister's HG liquid liner! The usual price is S$19.90 per liner but it was on sale for only S$13.90, a good S$6 discount. To sweeten the deal, for every purchase of S$30 worth of Maybelline products, you get a free Maybelline Total Clean! Clean Express Makeup Remover (worth S$12.90). Top up the purchase to S$50 and you get an instant S$5 OFF. I had nothing else I really wanted to get from Maybelline and bought 4 eyeliners for her to take them back to Las Vegas next week. That actually works out to be S$12.65 per liner which was slightly over 35% off its original retail price with a free makeup remover! In addition, I get to earn my Watsons points for every S$5 spent and an additional 6% rebate into the Watson's credit card of choice, the POSB Everyday Card!

I was roaming around the store, looking out for other great bargains when I came across Watsons House Brand Side Sealed Facial Puffs going for Buy 1 Get 1 Free and it was S$2.30 for 2 boxes! I am a fan of side sealed facial cottons and do not like the typical cotton squares. I have been buying the Daiso ones and this promotion was actually cheaper than the ones sold in Daiso! I had to get 4 boxes of course!

I walked out a happy camper although I only have 4 boxes of facial cottons.

I love Watsons Members Only Sale and can't wait for the next sale with other great bargains!

In the review lab of mine aka Upcoming reviews

kimoko — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:50:23 GMT

It has been a busy friday in the office and I could not write a review today but here's a sneak at upcoming reviews!

They are all currently being tested but keep on reading for the reviews real soon!

Till then, Hope you have had a wonderful TGIF!

Renpure Originals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo & Conditioner

kimoko — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:22:15 GMT

Finally getting around to review the Renpure Originals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo & Conditioner that I bought off drugstore.com.
*I have reviewed the deep penetrating oil treatment here.

Each bottle that contains 473ml of product was retailing for US$5.99 on drugstore.com but I bought them with a 20% discount so it was really affordable for such a huge bottle.

What actually sold me on it besides the price was its description:

Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo
Organic argan oil has unique structure that penetrates the hair cuticle, reducing friction and breakage during shampooing and provides a natural micro-barrier that protects from styling heat and UV rays. The result is amazing shine with a silky-soft feel for healthy, beautiful hair.

- No sodium chloride, salt, dyes sulfates, parabens, gluten
- Not tested on animals

Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Conditioner
Organic argan oil has unique micro-properties that absorb instantly into the hair for deeper damage as the natural micro-barrier protects from styling heat and UV rays. The result is radiant shine with a silky-soft feel for healthy beautiful hair.

- No sodium chloride, salt, dyes sulfates, parabens, gluten
- Not tested on animals

Ingredients of the Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo

Ingredients of the Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Shampoo

Most damage to hair occurs during shampooing when individual hair strands are rubbed against each other breaking and cracking the cuticle layer. Argan Oil lubricates and smooths the cuticle layer reducing friction allowing hair to be cleaned while reducing damage.

Ingredients of the Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Conditioner

Ingredients of the Renpure Orginals Argan Oil Luxurious Conditioner

- Damaged hair occurs when moisture is lost, causing the cuticle layer to become dry, brittle and cracked. Argan oil moisturizes and smooths the cuticle, locking in moisture and returning your hair to its beautiful, natural state.

There are mixed reviews of these 2 products but since it was not too pricey, I decided to give it a shot despite having to ship these bulky and heavy bottles into Singapore. Having tried it over several weeks, all I can say is that I am glad I bought these while on sale because I will probably not repurchase them. The shampoo does not lather well. I like my shampoo to lather really well as I feel that my hair and scalp is cleansed thoroughly with the rich lather but this shampoo requires quite a lot of product to lather up a little.

The conditioner on the other hand was pretty on the fence. I do not feel my hair extremely soft and moisturized after washing my hair but it will somehow be soft during mid day onwards It will be a little stiff and dry in the morning but mid-day onwards, my hair becomes so silky soft and I really like that! I have tried with other shampoos and conditioners and none gave me this similar texture so I am pretty positive it is the doing of the shampoo & conditioner.

Well, my overall experience on this shampoo & conditioner was not really pleasant and I wouldn't quite recommend it to anyone. Having tried 3 RenPure Originals products, I am not very impressed and will not repurchase them again.

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

kimoko — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:24:21 GMT

Ever since I saw this foundation on YouTube, I was really itching to try it. Anything that screams MATTE especially for base products attracts me almost instantly!

I got this off drugstore.com for US$5.49 excluding shipping which is a pretty good deal for a 30ml tube!

Sounds absolutely promising yes?

Ingredients

It is described as:

Feather-light, liquid mousse blends flawlessly for natural-looking, all day shine control.

Airy, lightweight texture won't feel heavy or greasy. Minimizes the appearance of pores. Oil Free

I got it in Shade #103 True Ivory which is almost a match to my skin tone except a wee bit darker. I can work with this shade but I would actually like to go a shade lighter.

It is a thick mousse-like texture which seems a little difficult to blend so my recommendation is to work in small areas. My preferred method of application is with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush which gives an absolutely flawless finish.

Coverage of this foundation is medium to full and it is 1 of the best drugstore foundation that I have tried for oily skin. Stay Matte? It definitely did! The finish of the foundation is almost matte that you actually do not require a powder to set it but because I wear my makeup for long hours, I prefer to set it lightly with a powder to help with any shine department which is very minimal.

One thing I did notice is that without a primer, the foundation tends to melt away but with a primer, it pretty much stays put. On my face at least.

I am extremely satisfied with this foundation and will definitely recommend to those with oily skin. You will love it as much as I do!

In comparison to another drugstore foundation that is highly raved for oily skin, the Revlon ColorStay, Rimmel has better oil control and a matte finish without a powder to set it but Revlon ColorStay wins hands down in terms of lasting power without a primer. In terms of packaging, Rimmel is so much easier to travel with because of the lightweight plastic packaging instead of a glass bottle that does not have a pump and you'll end up with a mess after pouring the foundation outta of the bottle.

In summary, I really like this Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation except for its thick texture. But the pros are definitely out-weighing the cons so this product gets 2 thumbs up from me and that ALL with oily skin SHOULD give this foundation a shot!

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm

kimoko — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:09:22 GMT

Got this of Drugstore.com with a 20% discount which came up to about US$5+ and I thought it was a pretty reasonable price for a L'Oreal Paris product. And that this range is not available in Singapore, it was worth-while to try it. Afterall, the grass is always greener on the other side yes?

What sold me was the claim of "Repairs 1 Year of Damage in 1 Use". For US$5+, if it really works as it claims, I will have no problems treating my hair chemically!

Ingredients

In a rather bulky plastic tub just like most hair mask that is said to:

Deeply repairs and constructs dry, chemically treated hair

Specially formulated for damaged, over processed and chemically treated hair. This intense luxurious reconstructing balm instantly repairs the 5 signs of damage:
•Split Ends
•Weak
•Rough
•Dull
•Dehydrated

Advanced Formula with Ceramide that helps mend broken hair fibers

Just like its name suggests, it is a balm, a thick and almost not creamy texture that you will require damp or wet hair to be able to massage the product into your hair.

My verdict? I will probably not repurchase this not even if it is on 20% because I did not like the thick texture of this balm and maybe my hair is way too damaged specifically the bleached portion that my hair did not quite seem to be as moisturized and nourished as what it is marketed to be.

It probably will work for someone with less damaged hair but for me, it seems like a normal conditioner instead of a deep recovery hair mask.

Belated Bath & Body Works Haul that never made it back to Singapore with me in January

kimoko — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 13:55:50 GMT

If you are following me on Instagram (KimokoMasada) back in December 2013 and January 2014, you would have seen my insane haul from America as I posted my hauls after every shopping trip either to the mall or outlets. 1 of which was Bath & Body Works when back then, it was till not available in Singapore.
*Bath & Body Works is now in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands The Shoppes if you have not heard about it.

Towards the end of the trip, there was a post Christmas/holiday sale which prices were too good for me to pass on and so I did buy a couple of stuff knowing how bulky they were to be brought back to Singapore...

Bought these during the 'Up to 70% OFF' sale but soon realized our suitcases were close to exceeding the weight limit from the excessive shopping and I had to abandon these bulky babies with my sister till she makes a trip home. I only managed to bring back the smaller bottles of pocket-bacs anti-bacterial hand sanitizers as gifts and they are finally home with me when my elder sister returned home over the weekend.

My favourite holiday scent! Twisted Peppermint! Amongst the holiday scents, the Twisted Peppermint is my favourite! My elder sister had a bottle of the anti-bacterial hand soap in her bathroom and I absolutely love it that I decided to get the Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Cream and Fine Fragrance Mist. They were on sale for US$4 each bottle except for the hand cream which was US$2.50! Tell me, could I possibly pass on them when the usual price of the shower gel & body lotion was US$12.50, fine fragrance mist was US$14 and the hand cream was about US$6? Love love love the peppermint scent!

These triple moisture body creams were on sale for US$4 each tube, down from their usual price of US$12.50 each. Midnight pomegranate is my 2nd most favourite scent in Bath & Body Works. *My favourite is Sweet Pea by-the-way!

The Cucumber Melon Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap is Jo's favourite scent which is close to being discontinued and she really wanted it so I bought a bottle for US$3 when the usual price is US$5.50 for her.

Carried Away is my 3rd favorite scent from the Bath & Body Works Signature Collection and I had to get it when it was on sale for US$4, down from US$11! Love the crisp clean sweet scent of Carried Away that smells a little fruity.

The prices of Bath & Body Works is pretty overpriced in Singapore but I suppose it is a great alternative channel to get your favourite Bath & Body Works products since they are way too bulky and heavy to be brought back to Singapore from America.

What is your favourite scent from Bath & Body Works?

And we're done!

kimoko — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 14:14:52 GMT

With heart-shaped balloons, sweet treats at the Candy Buffet, a simple Chinese Tea ceremony and the wonderful company of close relatives, my elder sister & brother-in-law is finally 'official' in terms of the chinese customary.

Beauty entries resumes tomorrow!

Sweet Treats at an East meets West Wedding

kimoko — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 14:37:41 GMT

And tomorrow is D Day! An East meets West Wedding Party that my family have been waiting for.

For the past 2 days, my younger sister and myself have been busy trying to put together a candy buffet for the party including making neapolitan chocolate treats and also baking mini bite-size Red Velvet Cookies amongst the other sweet treats.

Can't wait to put everything together tomorrow!

Wedding in the Family!

kimoko — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:05:36 GMT

It is the long Easter weekend in Singapore and it does not get any better being busy for a Wedding in the family!

Will post some sneak preparations tomorrow prior to the party on Easter Sunday!

Meanwhile, pardon my lack of beauty entries till next week!

Chanel Les Beiges All-in-One Healthy Glow Cream SPF 30 / PA+++

kimoko — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 00:35:54 GMT

Got this through a blog sale together with the Clinique CC Cream and it is probably 1 of the best product I have used in 2014!

For 30ml, it sure is pricey of S$82 but hey, its a luxury brand alright!

As described on the website: Inspired by the passion for freedom of Gabrielle Chanel, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio has designed LES BEIGES, a new spirit of makeup that is simple and intuitive. Free like a breath of fresh air. Spontaneous like the perfect getaway. Enveloping like a caress of light. LES BEIGES reveal the healthy glow of each woman and provide a sensation of lightness, well-being and freshness.

All year round, LES BEIGES Cream gives your skin a fresh, healthy glow. TRUE THAT!

This all-in-one product is a complete even-toning, moisturizing, protective and soothing step that instantly lights up the complexion.

The Soft Focus powders diminish imperfections, reduce the appearance of pores and even out the skin. The two pink-toned shades make the complexion look fresh and rested.

Perfect for all skin types, even the most sensitive, LES BEIGES Cream provides a sensation of comfort and hydration thanks to a hyaluronic acid derivative. TRUE TRUE THAT!

Cotton flower and white rose plant cells, combined with a high SPF 30 / PA +++, protect the skin from environmental stress, such as pollution, free radicals and sunlight. Like an imperceptible caress, the light and silky texture leaves the skin fresh, soft and moisturized all day long.

Pure and dazzling, the complexion reveals its healthy glow, as if you just spent a weekend outdoors. TOTALLY TRUE THAT!

Can you see that subtle glow on the right where I have blended the cream into my skin?

Chanel Les Beiges All-in-One Healthy Glow Cream SPF 30 / PA+++

Coverage: Medium
Texture: Creamy
Shade: There are 2 shades No.1 and No.2 in which I have No.1 that fits fair skin with yellow undertones
Undertone: Yellow
Fragrance: Very pleasant Flora scent
Oil-Control: 6 hours
Finish: Semi-Matte
Other Comments: I am pretty impressed with this product even after the first use! The cream dries pretty quickly so work in small areas. As it gets absorbed by the skin (which by the way, is pretty quickly!), it dries to a semi-matte finish almost immediately. If you have normal to combination skin, you can probably leave it as it is but because I have oily skin, I did use a powder to set the base and I'm good to go! What I really enjoy is that the skin will have a very natural glow by the 2nd hour of wearing this cream and it is in no way a glow produced from the excess oil on my face. The product gives a very subtle natural healthy glow as the name of the product suggests! But by the 5th or 6th hour, my oily skin did produce some excess oil but hey no worries, all I need is to use a mattifying powder to set it and oil control can be further enhanced! Coverage is medium but you can always boost the coverage with a full coverage powder and/or concealer. Overall, this gives my skin a very natural healthy glow that one probably can achieve it by busking in happiness like a glowing bride. Only downside is the price tag is a little hefty but I am so willing to pay for the retail price once I am done with this because I cannot stress how natural the glow is on your face that no highlighters can achieve. I urge you to try a sample because of the price tag and you really wouldn't want to waste $ on something so pricey and yet does not work for you.

Renpure Originals Argan Oil Deep Penetrating Oil Treatment

kimoko — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 00:50:29 GMT

Got this off Drugstore.com where it was usually retailing for US$5.99 but I bought it with a 20% and that is quite a bargain for an Argan Oil that is said to be organic.

Its description reads: Organic argan oil has a very small molecular structure that easily penetrates and smooths the cuticle layer as it repairs damage in the deepest areas while restoring strength. Argan oil provides a natural micro-barrier that protects from styling heat and UV rays. The result is brilliant shine with a silky-soft feel for healthy, beautiful hair.

It is also said to contain no sodium chloride, salt dyes sulfates, parabens, gluten.

Well, I bought this with the shampoo and conditioner in which I will write about them in a separate entry. I am a little on the fence about this product. I use it both as a detangler after I step outta the shower to help detangle and manage my damp hair when I am air-dryig my hair while I work on my makeup and dress up. It does a pretty good job in detangling but the scent is a little too over powering for me. For someone like myself who isn't sensitive to scents, this was a little too much for me to bear so for those who are sensitive to scents will not like this product due to the strong scent which is almost choking.

It is said to provide a natural micro-barrier that protects from heat styling and UV rays and I can totally comprehend and agree with because after application, it has sorta a layer on your hair that feels like a whole ton of silicone if you use slightly more product. Well, my hair did stay straight and frizz free the entire day but only because there is this waxy silicone protective layer over each strand of hair. I mean, I do like that my hair stayed sleek and straight the entire day but did not quite appreciate that 'protective layer'. To avoid that, I will have to control the amount I use to a very minimal and restrict using it towards the very end of the hair.

I wouldn't recommend that you run out to go try this but if you happen to see it on sale and is looking for a new argan oil for the hair, you might want to give this a try. Afterall, it is really wallet friendly and does what it is suppose to do, except for its choking overpowering scent and that waxy silicone protective layer (if you use too much). I do like it on my ends though. It helps to tame frizz and prevents split ends.

Oh, if you happen to have this product and do not like it as it is, you might want to mix it into your daily conditioner or deep treatment mask to enhance the conditioning factor.

e.l.f BB Cream SPF 20

kimoko — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 00:36:31 GMT

Bought this yet again from the Black Friday 50% Sale in 2013 for US$3 after the discount.

I bought 2 shades, Nude and Buff since I didn't know which shade will fit my skin tone better but turned out both was a little darker than my skin tone but Buff was slightly fairer than Nude.

I only have the packaging of Nude as I have tossed out the packaging of the tube I am currently using before I left Las Vegas in January to minimize luggage space.

Ingredient List

In a no frills plastic packaging, there isn't any other description printed on the tube except for the name of the product.

Buff was just a tad darker but I could still work with it.

Totally appreciate the pump dispenser!

It is a tad darker if you can notice in comparison to the back of my palm.

You can notice the gel-like texture of this BB Cream

Upon blending, it seems to blend into my skin huh?

e.l.f BB Cream SPF 20

Coverage: Medium
Texture: Creamy-Gel like texture
Shade: 'Buff' suits NC25
Undertone: Yellow
Fragrance: Soothing Cucumber / Aloe scented
Oil-Control: 5+ hours
Finish: Semi-Dewy finish
Other Comments: To be very honest, I wasn't expecting much of this BB Cream especially since I have read some reviews on the site but I just HAD to try it myself just because it is a BB Cream. And for US$3, it was pretty worth trying. Well, it wasn't that bad in my honest opinion. I like the gel-like texture that feels very light weight on the skin. Unlike other BB Creams that is very thick and creamy which tends to sit on your skin, this gel-like texture feels like water that melts into your skin. You get what I mean yes? Coverage is pretty average, not full but medium which helps to cover up minor discolorations and minor flaws. Oil control isn't the best with slightly over 5 hours of wear before traces of oil starts surfacing. I wore this when I was in Vegas and quite liked it for its light weight and medium coverage. I was using a powder (the nature republic snail therapy skin pact) that does not have good oil control when I was in Vegas and the BB Cream held up pretty well but since it was extremely dry in Vegas, I had to try it in Singapore before I conclude my thoughts about the product. As it contains aloe and cucumber, it is a very hydrating product so my skin really liked it when I was in the desert. I didn't think I will like the product but ironically, I did! I am probably half way through this tube and my next trip to the United States, I am so gonna get another tube, a shade lighter though.

As for now, I am still deciding if I should sell the tube in Nude away or conduct a give away?

Bio-Essence Bio-Energy Snail Secretion Repair Serum

kimoko — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 00:34:12 GMT

I am a huge fan of the Nature Republic Snail Therapy Ampoule Serum and started trying other brands of snail secretion products but they all broke me out except for this Bio-Essence Bio-Energy Snail Secretion Repair Serum. Infact, this is my 2nd bottle that I have purchased! If I am onto my 2nd bottle, it definitely has to be of some good yes?

I bought my first bottle at the Bio-Essence Warehouse sale when the product first launched quite a while ago. The discount during the sale was minimal as it was a fairly new product but I still bought it since I really wanted to give it a shot.

It is said to:

•Enhance absorption of nutrients and moisture to help rebuild skin’s ability to retain moisture
•Replenishes collagen, makes skin more refined, smooth and radiant; also enhances skin’s vitality
•Reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Enriched with many different vitamins to slow down aging of skin, for a newborn like skin
•Repairs pimple scars and marks, keeping skin smooth and refined
•Soothes skin and protects skin against harmful pollutants
•Restores newborn skin texture, revealing a supple, refine and smooth complexion

In a glass bottle with a dropper applicator like that of L'Oreal's Youth Code and Lancôme Genefique, the product is actually quite liquefied. A very runny, almost water-texture so it is extremely light with no sticky residue.

I have noticed significant difference to my skin especially my post-teenage acne scars on both my cheeks. For the longest time, it was my biggest enemy on my face and I finally got rid of those nit-picked scars that prevented me from wearing nice blushes as it will only accentuate those scars that seems like pit-holes on my face.

It helped in the overall complexion and I am so sticking to this serum as it is readily available in Singapore, as compared to the Nature Republic's version.

I will so stock up at the next Bio-Essence Warehouse Sale as I have bought this 2nd bottle there for over 35% OFF it's retail price!

Have you tried any snail secretion products? Share your thoughts with me!

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

kimoko — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 12:33:24 GMT

When I first start shopping online via drugstore.com and conducted beauty sprees back then to share shipping costs, 1 of the most popular item that spreers will place an order for was this Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. I wasn't quite tempted back then since my hair was pretty much normal with no dry or damage through chemical treatments done.

But having been through bleaching and coloring, I decided to try it. It is retailing for US7.49 but it is often on sale with a 20% but the tub is pretty bulky so that savings will probably go into the shipping cost.

It is said to be a Concentrated weekly treatment for soft, lustrous hair - TRUE THAT!

Professional - developed to treat extra dry, over-processed and color treated hair -TRUE THAT!

This intensive moisture treatment rescues even the most dehydrated hair strands. Use this restorative mask each week for effective treatment of extra dry or over-processed hair. So powerful, just a small amount is enough to restore dried out strands to be soft, lustrous and shining in minutes. TRUE THAT!

Three naturally derived extracts penetrate to help moisturize each layer of the hair strand:
•Olive: penetrates to the center
•Meadowfoam Seed: helps moisturize the middle
•Sweet Almond: wraps the surface

HELL TRUE!

With the first use, I could immediately feel an instant result with my hair being extremely soft, in the shower and OUTTA the shower! I don't know about you but I comb my conditioner through my hair with my fingers and at times, typical conditioners can't comb through smoothly but THIS deep recovery hair mask is like an instant detangler, treatment, restorative miracle product all in one! And a little definitely goes a long way! I have approximately shoulder length hair and just a small amount is sufficient to free my hair of all tangles, leaving it extremely smooth and soft even after drying my hair!

The scent is really sweet which I think was derived from the sweet almond so if you are sensitive to scents, you might not like it but I am EH OKAY with scents so I totally love it!

This has gotta be the best hair mask I have ever used and it is a pity it is not available in Singapore. I am so gonna stock up when there is a sale and/or when I next head up to Las Vegas to visit my sister!

It is totally worth the shipping cost in my honest opinion so if you happen to come across this online, consider this product! If it doesn't work for you, drop me a note and I will gladly buy it over from you!

My 2nd hobby - Baking

kimoko — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 05:22:23 GMT

And because I wanna document some of my baking projects here so here goes...

Our very attempt at Rainbow Cupcakes - September 2012

Rainbow Cake for 1 of my girlfriend's 7th Year Old daughter, Emma who insisted on a Rainbow Cake.

Yet another Rainbow Cake for Ryd's 35th Birthday, September 2013.

Halloween 2012 in the office

Christmas 2012 in the office

Carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Halloween 2013 in the office

Mini Honey Yogurt Oat Bread

Raisin Milk Bread

And we ventured into using Fondant to decorate cupcakes. Cartoon themed cupcakes for our nieces.

Wedding cupcakes for my sister's colleagues. Eric & Guiying.

And my precious Ryan's 1st Birthday, July 2013 Safari Theme Birthday Party with a dessert candy buffet that I set up specially for my little precious darling.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting for my ex-colleague, Rou's birthday in August 2013.

Red Velvet Cookies for 2014's Lunar New Year

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30

kimoko — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 00:41:58 GMT

After being exposed to the whole BB Cream world came CC Cream in which, it took me quite a while to be willing to try it especially since it was sorta marketed as a Color Correcting Cream and I needed to rid acne / blemishes more than color correcting my skin tone.

I came across this CC Cream through a blogsale and thought, let's give this a shot as I have had good experiences with Clinique base products and I have recently stumbled upon the Dramatically Different Gel which I kinda like too!

Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30

There are 9 shades being formulated with 3 that is formulated specially for Asian Skins.

Reading its description, it pretty much seems like a tinted version of 1 of their best sellers, Moisture Surge which is meant for dehydrated skin. Oh yes, not forgetting an SPF of 30 to help fight those harmful UVA and UVB rays.

The shade I have is Natural Fair which is lightest shade among the Asian favourites' shades.

It is of a creamy gel-like texture that is pretty easy to blend.

Looks like a full coverage in this swatch but it is not.

Pretty good match for my skin as it has blended into my skin towards the top of the swatch.

I have worn it for less than a week to decide that this CC Cream is not for me. The picture on the left was taken half an hour after I have worn it (still looking very fresh) and the picture on the right was taken slightly after 6 hours of wear in an air-conditioned office (pardon the weird expression. I was totally exhausted by 3am but still wanted to take a picture for comparison). Not sure if you can notice but the product has worn off my face. I did not touch up but did blot with a piece of facial tissue as my face was slightly shiny.
*I was on a graveyard shift 2 weeks ago and was in the office from 8pm to 3am so there was no direct sunlight, no outdoor humidity.

Coverage is light to medium that covers slight discoloration and evens out your skin tone but you'll need to help boost the oil control if you have oily skin like mine. A mattifying face powder to set it and a makeup setting spray to avoid the product from sliding off your face.

If you have dry / normal / combination skin, you will probably enjoy this product but for those with oilier skins, you have to work a little harder in controlling the oil. And if you need coverage, this is probably not something you want to try either.

I will probably pack this with me to the United States when I next visit my sister as I do like the hydrating factor (not in humid Singapore though) but in Singapore, I can only wear this if I need some coverage with SPF for a couple of hours.