KOH Nail Polish: All the way from Amsterdam

Hi Lovelies

I am excited to share with you my new nail polish collection from KOH. KOH is a Dutch brand and it is not available in this part of the world and I believe many of you have not heard of KOH before. I was very lucky to win this set of lovely but unconventional colours from a lovely blogger who wrote a lot about KOH. 

KOH nail polish is made in Holland and it is priced at Euro14.95 for 10ml, which is slightly more expensive than OPI.

I am so happy to add them into my ever growing collection of nail polish. This year I have added 17 new nail polish into my collection. I am very thankful indeed for God's blessing. I have never owned such expensive nail polish before.

KOH nail polish contains Topaz, a gemstone that exudes crystal clear sparkle and ensure long lasting and intense color. It is really pretty. Sorry, I don't have any swatch here.  

Every nail polish comes with an elegant casing with a miniature fan. I thought the tiny fan is super cute.

I have used one of the colours and will be posting it soon. Do come back and see my nail art design using KOH. If you want to know more about KOH, please click here.

Have you heard of KOH before?

Do share and thanks for visiting.

Lavender♥

Korean Food

Are you a fan of Korean Food? Maybe you know SkinFood more than Korean Food. Or are you a fan of Korean drama?

I am not really a fan of Korean Food but I happened to eat Korean Food on 2 consecutive weekends. Last night I went to the Korean Village in Ampang area and had Korean Barbeque and came out smelling like human barbeque. Then, we proceed to the Korean minimart and got ourselves some Korean ice-cream that tasted so yummy. 

I ate the Korean Bibimbap last Sunday at KimchiHaru, Subang Jaya. This is the food that I always order when I go there. It is rice with vege, egg and chicken. I like it.

Generally, Korean food is less oily. Therefore, it is good for our health.

OK. that's all for today. Vist me again and I'll talk about other beauty stuff.

Product Review: Estee Lauder Crystal Lipstick

Imagine that you are in a reality show and you are only allowed to bring only one cosmetic item along in your handbag and you are about to meet someone for a date, which item would you bring? Mascara, lipstick, eye shadow, blusher or what? (Pls let me know in my comment box below)

No prizes for best answer.

What do you think my answer will be?

On a lazy day, it would be my Estee Lauder Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Coral

On a non-lazy day, it would be an eye shadow palette

The colour is a nice coral/peach colour that looks a bit pink here

My review:

The texture is lightweight and buildable

The lipstick is mositurising enough that I do not need to use a lip balm
I love the colour very much. I do own another colour which I reviewed earlier.

Rating: 4/5

Have you tried this lipstick before?

Have a lovely day!

Lavender♥

Product Review: Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 PA+++

Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50PA+++ was launched last year (I think).

As a person with very oily skin, it is really difficult to find the ideal sunblock that won't clog pores and provide the adequate sun protection. Before going into the review, I would like to share some useful information with you. 

What is UVA, UVB, SPF and the "+" symbol?

(information obtained from (http://jaxmed.com/articles/wellness/spf.htm)

UVA (ultraviolet-A): long- wave solar rays of 320-400 nanometers (billionths of a meter). 

- UVA penetrates the skin more deeply

- will cause loss of collagen, firmness, wrinkle and other types of "photoaging." 

UVB (ultraviolet-B): short-wave solar rays of 290-320 nanometers. 

- More potent than UVA in producing sunburn. 

- will cause Dark spot 

How I remember UVA & UVB?

A = Aging 

B = Burn (cause dark spot)

What is the Difference between Sunblocks and sunscreens?

Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays, sunblocks physically deflect them. 

Sunscreen can block UVB effectively, but have less UVA protection. However, new ingredients such as octylcrylene and benzophenones have improved sunscreen's defenses against shorter UVA rays, and the revolutionary chemical avobenzone (Parsol 1789) works against all UVA wavelengths.

Sunblocks with titanium dioxide can protect against both UVA and UVB.

SPF (sun protection factor): 

SPF 1 means that UVB can be blocked for about 20 mins.

SPF 25 blocks UVB for approximately 8.5 hours (25 x 20 mins = 500 mins)

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF's of at least 15, which block 93 percent of UVB. While SPF's higher than 30 block only 4 percent more UVB.

PA

The number of plus symbols indicates the effectiveness of UVA blocking

PA+ has the effect on blocking UVA

PA++ has a substantial UVA blocking effect
PA+++ has a powerful UVA blocking effect

Mousse texture

My Review:

Like

1. This sunblock has a mousse texture and it is not oily.

2. It is inexpensive

Dislike

1. It has a temporary white cast on the skin but it will dissappear within seconds

2. It contains dimethicone (a type of silicon) used in most cosmetics even the expensive brands use dimethicone to make the product texture smooth. Some people is allegic to dimethicone but I have no problem with it

Oil Control Properties

In terms of oil control for oily skin individual like myself, this Biore UV Aqua Rich is not very good in oil control. It is definitely not is not as good as compared to Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+++. However, you you have normal/dry skin, you will be fine.

After trying so many types of sunblock, I still think Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+++ has the BEST oil control properties. You can read my review here.

If you are interested, you can read my other sunblock reviews here.

Product Rating: 4/5

Available at major pharmacies in Malaysia

Price: about RM30 for 33g (as at 2011)

Have you tried this product before?

Note:

I bought this product after reading the review by Jess. 

Lavender♥

Product Review: Clinelle Moisturizing Lip Balm SPF36

Dear Friends,

I do not know whether you've experienced dry, chapped lips before. If you live in a cold country, you would have encountered extreme dry lips during winter season. Although I live in Malaysia where we do not have 4 seasons, the dry weather is often the culprit to my dry lips problem and not forgetting that most of us worked in air-conditioned office. The air-cond not only caused dehydration to our skin, our lips are no exception.

I have experience extreme dry lips to a point where my lips cracked and bled. It was very painful. Therefore, I always apply lip balm whenever possible.

Product Description

A moisture rich lip solution especially formulated to gently moisturize, soothe and protect the lips from harful ultraviolet rays.Ideal for dry and chapped lips.

Main Ingredients

Capric Triglyceride, castor oil, shea butter, Microcrystaline Wax, Silica, Titanium Dioxide

My Review

1. Clinelle lip balm is very moisturizing to the lips. Immediately after application, my lips felt moist and comfortable.
2. It does not have any weird taste. The moisturizing effect is quite long lasting. I am quite sure that it is due to the ingredient called Microcrystaline Wax in the formula. My lips are moist even after eating and gentle wiping. This is definitely a plus point as I do not need to reapply so frequently.
3. The packaging is good as it is easy to use.
4. Has UVA and UVB protection

Like

Non-comedogenic, no artificial color/fragrance, no lanolin, no mineral oil, no SD-Alcohol

Dislike

Contains Propyl Paraben

Product Rating

4.5/5

Tips for dry lips

1. Apply lip balm before going to bed
2. Do not lick your lips

I bought this lip balm for RM7 during Guardian warehouse sales last year. I will be done with the product in 3 months time as I use it daily. I would recommend this lip balm to those who have dry lips.

Have you tried Clinelle lip balm before? Do share what is your favourite lip balm.

Thanks and please visit me again for more reviews.

Lavender♥

Giveaway by Witoxicity

Dear Friends

There is a lovely giveaway by Witoxicity which ends on 29 Feb 2012. Do go over her blog and read the rules & regulations. 

There are 2 sets to be won. The giveaway is open internationally.

Good luck friends!

Lavender♥

Product Review: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme

Hello My Beautiful friends,

I bought this Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme in no 18 Pink Pearl last year and has not been using it for some time. This is because I did not bring it to the office where I put on my makeup. I think I have to bring this tomorrow and make good use of it.

This cream shadow is my first cream shadow. It is something like MAC Paint Pot though I have not tried them. I chose this color because it is very near to skin tone and can be used under various powder shadows in my collection.

Product Description

15-hour staying power. Intense, stay-true color goes on smooth and creamy for even, seamless coverage that lasts all day. Crease free. Ophthalmologist-tested. Fragrance free.

The color is no 18 in Pink Pearl

This picture is taken at day end

Swatch once. Texture is smooth and creamy but dries very fast

The texture is creamy and smooth but dries up very quickly. I use it like an eye makeup base. It is very useful for doing smoky eye.

How to use a Cream Shadow?

1. Spread the color evenly using ring finger or a flat brush (I do not use any eye base when using this cream shadow)

2. Apply a layer of powder shadow on top

3. If you make any error, you can clean it using a Q tip immediately before it dries up.

Like

1. The shadow lasts till evening. As I have oily lid, it does crease a little but generally it has good staying power

2. Easy to apply

Dislike

Price: RM65 (5g) (price as at 2011)

It is pricey but it can last very long.

Have you tried this product before? What other cream shadow do you like? 

Thanks for visiting and do come again!

Lavender♥

Product Sampling Review: Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream

I am sure some of you may have heard about Jurlique, an Australian organic skincare brand. Jurlique is available here in Malaysia and at SkincareRx too. Jurlique takes pride in their products because accordingly they grow the herbs and flowers and harvest them by hand. The ingredients are obtained from their own certified organic and biodynamic farms.

Product Description:

Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream is a daily non-granular exfoliating cream, rich in oats, almonds and honey to loosen and lift away dead skin cells. It promised to leave the skin deeply cleansed, smooth and radiant.

How to use:

Apply a generous amount to wet hands and form a smooth paste. apply paste to the face in a press-release motion, avoiding eye area. rinse well with warm water.

See the texture, I can see the oat and almond

Can u see the oat flakes and almond flakes?

My review:

Like

1. organic ingredients is good for the skin

2. Can smell the ingredients - almost feel like eating them. The smell is calming and I think they added some essential oil (sorry, I don't have the ingredients list)

3. Moisturising to the skin

4. Sensitive skin will sure to benefit because there is no harsh scrubbing involved

Dislike

1. Not sure whether the skin is properly scrubbed because there is no granules (as specified in the product). I am not used to non-granular scrub

Who would I recommend?

I would recommend this product to people with dry or sensitive skin. Normal skin will benefit too.

Have you tried any Jurlique products before? Any blogger friends from Australia can perhaps share your view here.

Thanks and have a great day!

Lavender♥

Product Sampling Review: Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream

Hi My Beautiful Friends

A while ago I reviewed Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream. Today, I will share with you Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream which I have finished using. It is a 15ml pack which I got from GWP.

The texture is creamy but not oily

Like

1. It has a very creamy texture but not oily

2. The smell is very soothing and I really love the smell, similar to the smell of Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream

3. It is very moisturising

Other Comments
Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream is suitable for my oily skin. I need to blot during lunch time. Even though it is creamy, it is not heavy and does not clog my pores. I do not experience any breakouts.

I cannot comment about the firming effect but generally I like the smell of this cream and would recommend to those in their mid 30's onwards to try this cream.

Dislike

If mistaken it is RM300 for 50ml

Have you tried Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream before? How do you like it?

Do share and visit me again!

Lavender♥

Product Review: Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

If you are my regular readers you would have known by now that I have super oily eye lid. I cannot stress this enough but on a brighter side, oily lid delays the onset of fine lines and wrinkles and this is true for me.

I bought this Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer after reading postive reviews from fellow bloggers overseas and decided to give this product a try. I am glad to report to you that this primer works for super oily lid. 

I must admit that before joining the blog world, I have the slightest clue on the existance of such a thing called Eye Primer. During the "dark" ages, I had trouble keeping my eye shadow in tact past lunch time. So, I decided not to use eye shadow even though I have quite a collection at that time. After discovering the magical Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion (UDPP) through blogging, I enjoy putting eye makeup as my effort can last for the whole day, even through the late evenings.

the applicator is soft and easy to use

After more than 10 hrs my eye shadow is still intact

Like

1. It holds my eye makeup for more than 10 hrs! Even after my exercise, my eye shadow is still intact

2. It is comparable with UDPP but it is way much cheaper - less than RM30 (price as at 2011).

3. Its packaging is transparent so I can see whether the product is finishing

4. The texture is less concentrated compared to UDPP but it spreads easily and will disappear into your skin

Dislike

None at the moment

My Rating

4.5/5

How to apply Eye Primer (Sequence of application)

1. As I have very oily lid, I do not use any eye gel for my upper lid. I straight away dab some primer on my lid and use my ring finger to gently spread the product paying special attention to the inner crease area.

2. I would dust some loose powder over the lid area 

3. Next I would apply eye shadow

If you are looking for a durable eye primer that won't burn a hole in your pocket, Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer is the answer.

Well, I need to get a replacement soon.

Have you tried this product before? Is it a Yay or a Nay?

Pls click here to read my UDPP review, in case you are interested.

Take care and see u again!

Lavender♥