Nature Republic Coenzyme Q10 solutionmask

It's been a while since I've applied sheet mask and I figured it is about time.  It's been raining everyday in the afternoon or evening and today's no exception.  I'm holing myself in my room and with the wonderful breeze, I really want to enjoy myself now.

So I went to my fridge to grab my Nature Republic Coenzyme Q10 Solution Mask.  It's written that it is formulated with MD 202 Water.  I did a search on it and found no returns, except for Nature Republic products.  I kinda assume that it's for hydration purpose.  Anyway, I tend to skew myself to Nature Republic's sheet masks cause I find them a better fit for my chubby face.

Like most korean products, their descriptions are in korean and because I am not korean nor am I brought up to know the language, I have no idea what's written.  One thing though, they have a few pictures to show you the sequence of order:

The first thing that hit me when I open the package is the smell.  It carries a tinge of smell that's kinda cloying.  But it's for a split second though.  Thank goodness, for I cannot imagine having to smell that cloying smell for 20-30 minutes whilst the mask is on my skin.

Hydration wise it looks good.  I do find my skin well hydrated throughout the day after using the mask.  Mind you, this is without putting any moisturisers on my skin after the mask.  At the end of the day I do find my skin feeling a little oily.  But it's okay since I am at home and if I were to use this on normal days, it will be used at night rather than during daytime (today is kinda like an exception).

Will I rebuy?  Typically, I find Nature Republic's masks fits me snugly as compared to the others, so I would still buy and explore others.

This one costs about RM7.90-RM9.90 if my memory serve me well.

p/s: Good news! My friend updated me that Nature Republic will soon be open in One Utama.  For those who are staying in PJ, you don't have to drag yourself all the way to KL (as they are only available at Fahrenheit88 and Berjaya Times Square) to get them.  As for the dates, I have no idea =p

Benefit Strut

Have I ever told you that I love Benefit products?  However, I find them too expensive here due to the mark up.   Hence after reading Paris B's blog about Strawberrynet.com, I decided to explore it and on my first few checking of it, I landed myself with two Benefit's Creaseless cream Eyeshadows/Liners: Strut and Flatter Me.

 I've mentioned before that I find pencil eyeliners and even sometimes gel liners run on me.  It's quite  pain because it really does look terrible to look like a panda!  Guess what, I use Strut as my eyeliner and it stays perfectly for the whole day.  I think I just found the best eyeliner that suits me.  Woo hoo! Of course, that is, besides the Empro Diamond Black Eyeliner.

I don't have to worry about it smudging throughout the day.  Granted, there it does fade a little after about 6-7 hours of wearing, but it's quite minimal, given that I do have oily lids and most eyeliners don't last me even 2 hours before turning me into a panda @.@

Strut is described as smokey denim at Benefit's website.  Some described it as Charcoal Black.  I'm not sure if it fits the bill totally, but when you open it up, it looks dark grey in the bottle and when applied, it is dark grey with blueish tint.  Since I work it as an eyeliner, it does seem a little light for night use.  I tend to use this for day time because it just sits nicely on my lids and makes my eyes pop still =D

There are days where I wish Benefit does have a black creaseless cream eyeshadow/ liner because they really do work wonders for me.  I am definitely eyeing Benefit's Skinny Jeans.  However, I find that it's overpriced here (at RM85) and am not exactly keen to pay so much for an eyeshadow/ liner that isn't black.

Maybe when I go a bit crazy I might do some ordering.  In the meanwhile, I am still on the lookout at Strawberrynet.com in hopes for good deals for Benefit Creaseless Eyeshadow/ Liner.

Etude House Sun Guard Natural Covering Color Base 42 SPF/ PA ++

I find myself getting lagging in terms of blogging, and many-a-times I ended up blogging items when it's near binning time! Gosh.  This item is no exception.  Man, what a long name for a sunblock: Etude House Sun Guard Natural Covering Color Base 42 SPF/ PA ++.  It is definitely a mouthful.  I shall keep it as Sun Guard Natural Covering Sunblock.

Not long after I bought, used and finished my Etude House Glow Base Sun Guard did Etude House changed its entire range of sunblock.  This is one item that is supposed to be nearest to the one that I used previously.  I really liked the previous item and I had really high hopes that it will work the same.  However, I have to say that both items are very different.

The one I had is pretty much a sunblock cum make up base.  Whilst it's good to know that one does not have to apply sunblock and base(2 in 1 formula), I have a little gripe about this one.

For one, I cannot apply this like any typical face sunblock because of its colour.  Otherwise, I look like I'm wearing a mask.  This then causes me probably not to have enough sunblock on my face.  I've not seen any "results" from the lack of sunblock (thank God for it) but I do worry because it can creep onto me later on.  Most days, I do just risk wearing "mask" with this item and apply a little more just to ensure that I have ample coverage.

Even if I do apply more, there is another problem.  It runs.  It kinds slip off my face after a while.  This kinda annoys me because whilst it's supposed to function as a base, it doesn't.  It causes my make up to slip.  Now I have to resort to using another make up base before my powder.  Talk about heavy layering!  But still once I do apply another base on top of the sunblock, it works.  My make up stays, and I don't look as though I am wearing a mask.  Phew for that.  Otherwise, this item would really be a waste of my money.

Will I re-purchase?  I don't think so.  I'm already on the look out for a different sunblock because the ones from Etude House doesn't interest me anymore.  Any recommendations from you guys?

Loreal Hydrafresh Anti-Shine All day-Hydrating & Matifying Icy Gel

This Loreal Hydrafresh Anti-Shine All day-Hydrating & Matifying Icy Gel is something that I bought months ago.  I've been sitting on it and decided to pick it up again and share about it.

 Here's some description of the items.  What really caught me was the fact it's matifying and it's Icy Gel claim.

To be honest, I'm not very sure of my thoughts on this item.  I am kinda sitting on the fence right now.  Why?  Because it's awesome to use when your skin's well hydrated and under make up, because it's matte and I don't have to worry about my moisturiser competing with my make up to make my face glow too much (you know what I mean right?)

However, there are days when my skin's so so and I used this, and I ended up with flaky skin!  It does not hydrate my skin well enough to ensure that it's good and dandy on those days.  I did manage to make it work though, my adding another layer of a different moisturiser before I apply this.  However, that means I rarely reach out for this product because, heck, if I am using another moisturiser that works, why do I apply another one?  Still, I do use it, as I mentioned above, on days where I don't want my face to turn overly oily on me.

I do like the icy gel feeling when applied.  Then again, I have to make sure that I don't apply it too near my eyes, otherwise I'll get the stinging.

Looks like this ain't going to be an item that I would re-purchase.

Updated on 23rd Nov 2011: Okay, I found a good use for this item.  Recently, some weddings came up and there was always a need to make up.  I used this as the moisturiser before my make up and viola, it kept my skin oil-free during the weddings.  Love it when used for slightly heavier than usual make up.  Dislike it when I use it on everyday basis with very light make up.

Vaseline Healthy Sunblock Water Resistant UV Protection Lotion SPF30

Having finished my sunblock earlier, I have been scouting for a replacement.  Guess what I landed myself with?  It's the Vaseline Healthy Sunblock Water Resistant UV Protection Lotion.  I'll keep it to Vaseline Sunblock for short. What attracted me was really the orange colour.  Yes, besides pink, I am always attracted to bright colored stuff...>.<  I was quite stunned when I picked it up and look at the price.  At the time of purchase, Watsons was selling this for RM10 only. Yes, no joke.  I remember kept staring at it because it's the cheapest sunblock ever (given its size) and that made it all the more harder to resist this purchase! RM10 for 100ml is definitely worth my money.

The description:

Non Sticky Water Resistant Sunblock Lotion

Protect and nourishes your skin to keep it healthy

With Yogurt Protein known for skin nourishment and Aloe Vera Extract known to replenish skin moisture

SPF30 & Broad Spectrum Sunscreen PA++ to effectively protect skin from harmful UVA and UVB.

What caught my attention as I was checking the ingredient is that it contains Zinc Oxide.  I understand that there are some that find themselves having breakouts due to this particular ingredient.  However, I don't have such issues and I do use it for the face when I am running out of the face sunblock =p

I like the fact that this sunblock isn't too thick or creamy.  It feels as though I am applying body lotion rather than sunblock.  That's quite decent as it makes it all the more easier to apply.  I have to agree with its description that it's non-sticky.  Like body lotion, once applied, it doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky.  Instead, it feels quite comfortable and I pretty much slap it on and not having to worry about it.  (you know sometimes the stickiness feeling makes you keep thinking about it, but with this, I don't have such worries).

Best part of this is there's no funny or cloying smell attached.  It's just a plain smell; not even those chemical-ish or the typical sunblock smell.  This is good because I don't find myself being commented upon when I am using this sunblock.

Granted, it's only SPF30, so there are times when I will tote it around with me so that I could apply it.  And it's with ease too given that the bottle isn't too big and easy to slip into the bag.  I don't worry about it spilling either because it has sturdy cover.  Packaging is simple, and like I said, if you are attracted to colours, the packaging itself would attract you too!

I'm half way through my first bottle and I've already gotten my hands on two others.  Granted, it seems a lot but I guess it's fine since I use sunblock everyday.  At RM10 per bottle, one cannot complain too much eh. But of course, of all the sunblocks I've purchased, I find myself being happy with this one the most.  I guess, if Vaseline does end up producing one with SPF50, I'd probably be all hyped up for it!

*Noted in Guardian this item is selling at RM18++ instead of RM10 at Watsons.  I guess it's a promotion by Watsons?

Binnings for August 2011

There isn't a whole lot of items that I binned for the month of August, but they are still items which I would proudly share here.  Why?  Because these are proofs that I spent my money wisely and they are used to the very last drop.  This is a rather personal to me and it is my ideals.  Even for items which I find is not suited for me, I would either give them to my mom or relatives or even friends rather than throwing them away.

I love beauty items and at the same time, I value wisdom in finance, so this is one way of giving a pat to myself that I've done well and not simply spend eh =D

(Right): Ocean Potion Anti-Aging Sunblock SPF 50 Ultra Light 

Blogging about it here.  Like I said, I like it but if you cannot handle cloying smell, this is a passover for you.

(Left): Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

I've yet to come to blog about this but in a short update, this is my loved product!  Since it is only available in Hong Kong, I got my friend to buy it for me and they got me two bottles! Whee... will update on this as soon as I could =D

New Specs!

After a number of years, I finally got my new specs.  There was a promotion at MOG and I landed myself a pair of trendy specs for the price of RM299.  I would say that the price is pretty decent, given all my previous ones tend to be more than RM300.  Honestly, I do seriously wonder if the price of specs are to be so expensive, because majority are made out of plastics, no matter how long lasting they could be.  But then again, I don't have a choice but continue to wear specs and contact lens given my eyesight is pretty bad.  Oh well, maybe there will be a day where I would save enough for LASIK eh?  =D

I love my new specs!