Sony WF-1000XM5: Are These Earbuds Worth the Hype?

Okay, folks, let's talk about earbuds. Specifically, the Sony WF-1000XM5s. These little guys have been making waves, and I finally got my hands on a pair to see if they live up to the hype. Spoiler alert: they kinda do.

First Impressions:

Right out of the box, the XM5s feel premium. The case is sleek and compact, and the earbuds themselves are surprisingly lightweight. I was a bit worried about the fit, as I've had trouble with earbuds staying put in the past, but these fit snugly and comfortably in my ears.

Sound Quality:

Now, let's get to the important stuff: the sound. In a word, it's impressive. The XM5s deliver rich, balanced audio with clear highs, punchy bass, and a wide soundstage. Whether I was listening to my favorite tunes, watching a movie, or taking a call, the sound quality was top-notch.

Noise Cancellation:

Sony is known for its noise-canceling technology, and the XM5s don't disappoint. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is incredibly effective, blocking out a significant amount of ambient noise. I tested them out in a variety of environments, from a busy coffee shop to a crowded train, and was amazed at how well they silenced the world around me.

Features & Functionality:

The XM5s are packed with features. You've got touch controls for playback, volume, and calls, as well as wear detection that automatically pauses your music when you take the earbuds out. The Sony Headphones Connect app also offers a range of customization options, including EQ settings and ambient sound modes.

Battery Life:

Battery life is decent, with the earbuds themselves lasting around 8 hours on a single charge and the case providing an additional two full charges. That's plenty of juice for a full day of use.

The Verdict:

Overall, I'm really impressed with the Sony WF-1000XM5s. They offer excellent sound quality, top-notch noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit. They're not exactly cheap, but if you're looking for a premium pair of earbuds that deliver on all fronts, these are definitely worth considering.

Pros:

• Superb sound quality
• Effective noise cancellation
• Comfortable fit
• Sleek and compact design
• Long battery life

Cons:

• Pricey
• Touch controls can be a bit finicky

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend them? Absolutely.

P.S. - I got these at a significant discount - it was RM 899 and they also have a RM100 T&G credit offered once you register the device. If you're an audiophile or someone who values peace and quiet, these earbuds are a game-changer. Trust me, your ears will thank you.

Apple Airpods Review

RM 849 where they sell Apple stuff.

So after subtly hinting at the wifey using pinterest (Things i want at some point), i finally got my hands on the Apple Airpods. We still celebrate our "date-versarry" which was on the 30th of August, 12 yearsago. Man time sure flies when you're having fun eh?

Anyways back to the Airpods. For my "listening while commuting" pleasure, i have a Jabra Move over the ear headphones that has served me well. It's red and not discreet, but i've yet gotten anyone thinking that i was a DJ and ask me to spin some tunes yet. I was looking for something smaller and i did look around at other options but somehow i came back to the Airpods. The lure of yet another apple device is so strong!! But then again, the wife will never say anything if i wanted to get anything from Apple. They just work!

Unboxing

So we got mine at epiCenter at the Curve, she told me that she wanted to get it online from the apple store but it took almost 2 weeks for delivery. Who has time for that? So while we were out scoping out Ikea, we popped into the the first store that sold it and got it. I remembered when it first came out, it was really hard trying to get hold of one but i guess they've replenished the stock eh.

Minimalist packaging.

The first thing you will notice is how simple the packaging is, but then again if you're using Apple, its really all you can expect from them. The design language is consistent across all their products. There's some instructions and the Airpods in the charging case, and u get a lightning cable to charge the pods. Setting them up is easier than to set the apple watch. The first time you flip open the case, your phone will automatically detect and ask you to connect. That's it. Your done. Put them in your ears and you're good to go.

What you get in the box.

Flip it open and it automatically connects.

These are some very smart earphones. It has sensors that tells it if it is in your ears or if you have taken them out, stopping music and continuing it accordingly. You can program different actions when you tap on the Airpods, and you can have different actions for both left and right airpods. I set mine to call up siri on the left and skip to the next track on the right. But of course you can always google up the specs to know about the finer technical details of the airpods here.

Tada!

So how does it fare on normal use? So far i have only gotten a few minutes airtime whilst going to the carwash, but they sound good, but to be fair i'm not really an audiophile to be able to distinguish the different aspects of a good headphones. Calls sound clear and double tapping works as advertise. It fits me alright, tried jumping up and down and thankfully it stayed in my ears.

Settings appear and is accessible via the bluetooth options.

If the standard earpods that comes with the iphone fits than you won't have any problems with the airpods. In fact, it's difficult to tell them apart with a glance eh. Well the wires are a dead giveaway. You can use just the one airpod on its own, as a bluetooth headset, if you talk a lot then you would have one that can theoretically last you for days. 

Which is which?

Anyways, it's early days yet for me, and the Airpods does have a lot of potential. Here's hoping i don't lose them whilst out on a run or anything like that. Yeah right, me running eh. 

Crazy About Cleansers Part 1 - Chanel Makeup Remover, Sisley Buff and Wash, and Estelle & Thild Cleansing Milk

 

When editing the above photo, I cannot believe that I have that many cleansers right now on my bathroom shelves. I am crazy about cleansers and as far as I know, I would usually have at least 4 different cleansers at any one time - the balm cleanser (which I have depleted and didn't replenish), milk cleanser, oil cleanser and cleansing water or micellaire for my 1st step in removing makeup; exfoliating cleanser with fine beads if I feel I needed to intensify my cleansing ritual; and foamy or cream cleanser, to finish up the cleansing step. 

No, I don't use all 10 cleansers at one go. So, why do I need so many? Well, let's just say I wasn't born with perfect flawless skin. I work hard to achieve good skin and knowing what is good and what is not good for me and cleansing is the most important step in achieving good skin. In the morning, just one cleanser will do and after a hard day's work, I would use 2-3 cleansers, depending on how my skin is feeling. Sometimes, I'd feel that the skin is so congested that I'd go for the balm. Sometimes, I'd want to soothe my tired skin, and I'd go for the milk cleanser first. When I'm lazy, I'd just pick up the micellaire (which I've omitted recently from my cleansing products due to having too many cleansers already!). 

I also have so many types perhaps from greed (sigh! 😝) but more so because when I was reaching my 40's, I felt that the skin behaves in a way that it wants to behave, as and when it likes. I've tried many brands, from the drugstore brands to not so costly ones and as you can see in the photo above, even those of slightly expensive range, all in the name of getting my cleansing ritual right. And I'm not loyal to one brand when it comes to getting a cleanser because through experience, the brands don't always have it right with each and every product they sell. They can be good with certain type of serums or moisturiser but they can suck at producing a good cleanser.. well, that is for my skin, at least. And I always go out to look for a good one but I'm never really stuck to just one brand.

1. So, let's start with the first one - Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Tri-Phase Makeup Remover:

 

I chanced upon this by accident as I was in a Chanel outlet getting some other stuff. As I am crazy about cleansers, I got this out of curiosity, without even checking out reviews. As I mentioned before, the Chanel brand is kinda not talked about much when it comes to its skincare range and the perception that it must be very very very expensive. But if you have been using luxury skincare brands like Guerlain, Dior and the likes, you will find that the price of some of the common products in Chanel is not that bad. What's more, the quality of packaging and the product inside is something that  has impressed me so much.

From Chanel, I've tried 3 types of cleansers but since I've used up and thrown the other 2 empties, I am only left with this. It has a clear gel-like texture that's suppose to work like an oil cleanser - to be applied sparingly all over a dry face. Using dry fingers, massage in and it turns into oil, attaching itself to the layer of makeup. Ooops but before all these, please remove your eye makeup first, using the right eye makeup remover. I don't believe any of these cleansers (not even the oil cleanser) do a good job in removing eye makeup totally nor do they protect the delicate skin from the extra tugging and pulling.

When the cleanser has transformed into oil-like texture, you're supposed to add water to your palms, and continue to massage the face and you'll see the cleanser turn into a light milky texture. Hence, this is where it gets its name, Tri-Phase - from gel, to oil, to milk. 

How do I like it? Well, let's just say, this was probably one of the expensive mistakes I've made. Compared to some other products I've gotten from them, this was quite a disappointment and which is why it is taking ages to finish. It is not one of my favourite go-to makeup cleanser, as the gel feels too thick to be spread and I can't see how it lifts makeup off, that effectively. I'm of course, comparing this cleanser to the hundreds of other cleansers I've used. My skin doesn't feel clean enough for the next step and not rested. You know, when makeup is lifted off your skin, you'd feel like thousands of burden being lifted off your face and you feel free? Well, I didn't every time I use this. So, don't bother getting this. As for brightening, well, it didn't help brighten at all. In fact, I don't think any cleansers can brighten up your skin, so I wasn't expecting anything on the brightening claim.

Rating: 2/5 ❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤

2. Next, Sisley Buff and Wash Facial Gel: 

I was intrigued with Sisley. I had been experimenting on some luxury skincare for my ageing skin and hey, who doesn't want to age gracefully, right? And in order to age gracefully, other than all those healthy habits you're supposed to adopt (which I haven't), I thought I should start with using a friendly brand - friendly to the environment, and one that respects the skin.

From my research, Sisley has amazing claims to how they build the brand and develop their products. Their products contain highest quality active ingredients to ensure potency of their products. What I was intrigued most was that their products contain botanical ingredients and don't contain harmful substances like parabens and other preservatives that can harm the skin in the long run. But their products are super expensive, which kinda contributed to the perception that quality = steep price.

My daily exfoliating cleanser was already empty and I thought I'd like to satiate my curiosity, and I started making cost comparisons to my current favourite brands. I mean, if I wanted to use this long term, I really should do all the calculations, down to going to the Sisley counter myself and taking note of how much they cost if I were to get them from StrawberryNet with the additional 10% loyalty discount I have been enjoying. 

Their counters at Robinsons, Metrojaya and Isetan Mid Valley/Gardens KL however, totally put me off the brand. They don't have knowledgeable beauty consultants and are very poor with product knowledge. Service was poor too, something you won't find at Guerlain or SKII. But since I had known the price at the counters, I decided to save the commission for poor service, and ordered from StrawberryNet as the prices were similar. For this, at just 100ml is over RM300. Pretty steep for an exfoliating cleanser, no? 

So, did it live up to my expectations? It didn't, unfortunately 😔 well, to be fair, the beauty consultant didn't have good product knowledge and from the reviews I read, they said this can be used as a daily exfoliating cleanser. However, as I started using it, this shouldn't be used daily. It is a scrub, and doesn't contain fine granules. The granules are pretty large in an orange watery-gel formula which at least smells citrusy nice and I'm a little bit happy for that scent. All is not wasted.

For over RM300, the scrub isn't magic and perhaps the St Ives apricot scrub does the same 😑. I am heart-broken but at least it is still on the bathroom shelf for me to use once a week. It's not bad but I won't recommend you to buy for the steep price and mediocre result. Perhaps the friendly ingredient may be what you need in your long-term beauty goals but it isn't in my top priority list. If it is, it's a bonus. For me, it's all about results worthy of the price.

Rating: 3/5 ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤

3. Over to - Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Silky Soft Cleansing Milk:

 

I got this at last year's 20% Sephora Black Card sale. I was out of my cleansing milk and this brand was a new addition to the Sephora stores. I liked that it is a Certified Organic brand and although I've had my fair share of sucess and failure rate in using organic products, the 20% discount pulled me to trying this out.

I bought this out of a whim and didn't check out any reviews. The price was somewhere slightly over RM100 for a 150ml pump bottle and with 20% off, I was happy to put this into my shopping basket.

As a cleansing milk, it is a very straight forward product and sad to say, I didn't like it. I had such big hopes for this brand, but the milk cleanser just didn't meet expectations. The milk wasn't smooth in texture and I was put off by the smell. It's like getting an expired product with a musty sour smell instead of the fresh scent you'd expect out of a cleanser. So, with that off-putting experience of what should be a start of a fresh experience, me no likey and hence, me no usey. Another big waste which I should just persevere and live with the mistake until at least 3/4 of it is used and because of that, I haven't really thrown it away. I do think the smell shouldn't be so bad since I did smell it in the tester bottle before buying. Perhaps I got a bad batch. But it shouldn't be so bad like it has expired.

Rating: 1/5 ❤️🖤🖤🖤🖤

Well, it looks like the first part of me entry on cleansers are unfortunately, those I didn't like. It isn't done on purpose as I didn't give it much thought when I laid out all the cleansers to be photographed. There is one ultimate favourite in there and the rest that I like a lot but not love... but you shouldn't guess based on the size of the cleansers (note that some of them are deluxe samples because the retail size are finished and discarded and I'm left with travel sizes that I continuously keep to refill so that I can travel lighter). More positive posts ahead.

To be continued in Part II 🙋🏻

 

 

The 2 makeup items I can't live without - Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Makeup Base and Chanel CC Cream

 

One thing I realised is that Chanel makeup is pretty much underrrated or less talked about. Perhaps it is because they don't do mass PR for the brand or perhaps they believe that the brand speaks for itself.

Before I tried Chanel makeup, my perception of the brand was that it is expensive. But as I went into my comfortable early 40's and my curiosity were centred around luxury brands, I was taken by surprise that firstly, their foundation and loose powder are exceptional and value for money and as my curiosity developed into more products, like lipsticks, makeup base and CC cream, I think it's hard to not include this brand into my daily routine. Case in point, is the Le Blanc Light Creator Brightening Makeup Base with SPF 40 and the CC Cream with SPF 50. I have already gone into my 3rd bottle for the makeup base, and my 2nd tube for the CC cream. No matter how much I'd avoid from repurchasing them due to lack of access in PJ area (their standalone boutiques are only in 1Utama and Sunway Pyramid while their counter in Parkson Subang Parade is now closed), I find that I just have to brave the traffic and hunt for a parking spot in order to get my hands on these.

When I first purchased this, it was only around RM190 before they had the price increase early 2016. At just 30ml and now priced at RM220, it may be a tad bit expensive for a lot of us. I find that though it is a little bit on the high price, it works so well with my skin. The formulation is liquid, it feels so light yet covers up the skin pretty well as a makeup base that sometimes when I'm lazy, I would just layer on loose powder and my complexion looks smooth and radiant. No kidding. Best part is, the make up base last an entire day at work and when I do work extended hours (which I normally do) and the skin becomes a little oily, my skin still look naturally radiant, as if my natural oil blends well with the base. That effect, I can't find with any other makeup base or SPF products and hence why, I keep going back to it.

 

The packaging is a handy little squeezable tube and you only need very little to cover the entire face. They have 4 base colours to choose from and this one, in Mimosa is the right one for me to neutralise the redness of my complexion.

 

I'd usually just use a blob like this and as you can see, it is light and watery. According to Chanel, it uses "the Akoya pearl from Japan which is widely known for its exceptional luster, delicate colour and smooth surface. The pearls are cultivated especially for Chanel over the course of 2 years in order to ensure greater maturity for the highest quality pearls. Present in the Brightening Makeup Base, it lights up dull complexions and prevents yellow-toned skin, while moisturising. Combined with Liquorice Extract, a key brightening ingredient, it enhances the complexion with lasting purity and translucency."

 

As you can see in the above pix, the complexion and age spots look matt and blurried with just a layer of the makeup base. As the skin grows more mature like mine, sometimes wearing foundation doesn't necessarily really help make my skin look smooth and I find that minimal makeup can be best. 

 

As for the CC Cream, well I stumbled upon this by accident and glad that I did. Again, I tried to replace this with something else but I just cannot get the same positive effect I get from this especially on a long day at work.

 

 

It is slightly thicker than the makeup base and if I use this, I won't use the makeup base. It has the thickness similar to using a foundation but somewhat smoother, somewhat in between using a fluid and cream foundation. I have tried using a cream foundation as I find that the fluid and compact powder doesn't give me the smooth effect nor hide flaws well anymore but as my skin is not dry and just in between normal to dry, cream foundations just won't sit well, making the skin look really oily into the afternoon. So, I went back to the Chanel CC Cream and I don't even have to blot nor touch up towards the afternoon. Just like the makeup base, it comes on smooth and stays so well even on an active sunny day when I need to be outdoors at work. As it works just as well as a foundation but with much higher SPF protection, I have hardly worn a foundation for the past few months - just the CC Cream and loose powder and my skin looks done.

 

2 empties and 2 fully loaded packs. The CC Cream is at RM225 for a tube of 30ml.

There have been many more stuff I've tried from Chanel and I wonder why the brand has gone under my radar all these while, perhaps due to the perception of it being costly, perhaps also because when I had more youthful skin, luxury brands never truly hit me hard. Then again, I did use some of their makeup before once in awhile but it was just recent that they became generous with their samples and that was how I discovered their products. I especially love their simple packaging and hence, the minimalist packaging makes their makeup cost even lower than say, Dior, Lancome or Guerlain, and it is great that most skincare brands these days incorporate skincare ingredients into their makeup products, making the skin feel even more pampered.

Ran out of eye-liners? No sweat. A dark eye shadow can do the trick too.

 

Ok, when I typed out the header of this post, I realised I don't have a photo of any dark powder/compact eye colour, simply because I don't use eye shadows anymore. I've totally omitted that makeup step from my makeup routine as I start work at 8am, and I don't have time for that step. Also because I think an eye-liner already does it for me and I'm done for the day.

Looking back, I've not been very dependent on a sole tool for eye-lining. I used to have my favourite one, but when they ran out of stock, I just don't go looking for it as I'd wet my eye-liner brush and dab on a powder eye shadow, and the step just worked. Over time, I've tried the trick on my favourite eye cream pot and walah. I tried using the popular Bobbi Brown eye-liner gel in a pot as I think they were the first brand who made it popular but the thing didn't really work for me as it doesn't stay on my oily eyelids and it was quite an expensive mistake for me. The gel also dried out too quickly and I didn't like it at all. As for those gel-pencil eye-liners I've discovered and loved, I realised they're just too costly as they run out very fast and I always fail to get the same colour for replacement as outlets like Sephora Paradigm Mall and Clinique in 1Utama is poor in replenishing their stocks for this item. So, I have kinda given up on my favourite gel-pencil eye-liner.

But when I started using the eye shadow in cream formula, I realised that the cream stayed put from morning til night time. So when brands started to come out with eye shadows in chubby sticks, I felt that this, was it - I finally found the best eye-liners for me, as they're so easy to use, they last quite long, they don't need sharpeners or brushes and they can also be used as eye shadows, as what they are originally meant to do!

 

(L-R: Marc Jacobs in Twinkle Pop, Bobbi Brown in Bittersweet and Sisley in No. 3)

I discovered this awesome tool when I bought the Christmas set of Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Sticks. From then on, I've gotten cream sticks from other brands to try and they all work just the same - good staying power and very easy to use. And as I am not a big fan of dark colours like black, I usually use less darker tone like those above. The MJ Twinkle Pop is a tone of greyish silver, BB's Bittersweet is obviously a dark brown and Sisley's No. 3 is a tone of greenish bronze. While the dark brown is a bit flat boring, I would always go to the other 2 shimmering colours.

 

My makeup routine in the morning is cut by a good 1-2 minutes. Timing to me, is everything. If you want a sharper effect, I've tried using the eye-liner brush, slick it on the cream stick and apply on the eyelids. It gives a better effect but won't give you better timing if you're in a hurry.

So, if you're out of your favourite eye-liner, don't worry. I'm sure you'd have a dark coloured eye-shadow somewhere and they work just as well.

Skincare for tweens, how early is too early? - Mustela Hydra Bebe Facial Cream

 

Recently, I have been doing some reading on skincare for tweens, for girls aged as young as nine who's almost/experiencing hormonal changes to their bodies. It's for my daughter, really and as far as I can remember, I only started using moisturiser at the age of 13 when I already started getting my menses. 

But moisturisers back then were just plain oily and it wreaked havoc to my oily skin. My skin was stripped from hydration due to using too much scrub and alcohol toners and genetically, my mom and dad had open pores. So, what I did back then, made it worse. I didn't get severe acne and stuff but my skin was very dehydrated with open pores. It looked hideous to me.

These days with girls facing "women stuff" earlier, I've noticed changes to my daughter's body. What saddens me is that although she is not yet plagued with acne and active sebaceous glands, her skin showed signs of dryness and some parts of her face would be wounded as she would scratch when itchy. What didn't help is that most advice given on the internet for tweens her age (around 9-12 years) suggest skincare more suited for acne-prone skin, those of drugstore brands with high chemical content and one or 2 safe skincare brands like Clinique and Dermalogica, which aren't really suitable for tweens.  

I feel that, for my daughter, she would need a cream moisturiser without emollient and fragrance, that is safe from harsh chemicals - lightweight, yet protects the young skin, to keep her skin moisturised enough, while teaching her the basics of good skincare habit, to prepare her for the changes that will be happening to her sooner or later. Hence, I decided to go to a baby supply store, and I discovered this amazing skincare item - the Mustela Hydra Bebe Facial Cream that is especially made for babies. Who would have thought that babies need facial creams?

 

If this is safe to be used on babies (I believe this is especially helpful for babies with eczema), this would definitely be suitable for a 9-year old girl. True enough, after 3 days of use, I could see positive changes to her skin where it looks softer and more moisturised, without the oily feel. And we love the scent that comes with the cream. The scent is natural, can be quite strong upon application but goes on smooth after it is applied.

If you check on various Malaysian websites, the facial cream varies in price, depending on which store you're purchasing. This one, was just RM40 after discount and I think goes a long way as she only needs a small dollop at a time. 

She now lathers the Sebamed ph.5.5 for babies to cleanse her face, spritz on Evian water as a faux toner, that acts to freshen her skin (and to facilitate better absorption of moisturiser) and the facial cream. I know I am supposed to get her to use an SPF but I shall let her get used to this routine first and especially the importance of cleansing her face before I introduce an SPF cream. 

 

She's lucky that she has a mom who's sort of a skincare "senior". I always hope that she'd inherit the traits of skin from her dad though, so that she doesn't need to go through what I had to go through. 

The quest for the sweetest pink lip colour

In recent months, I've been intrigued with pink lips. Not fuschia and not those pale pink tones as I have warm coloured skin and any pink shade that is too strong or pale will make me look weird. I mean, I've always been using deep reds, berries and burgundy. A sudden change in preference would perhaps draw unecessary attention as I keep being told that those pinks I like look "young"... and I am not.

(Top: MAC Lip Glass in Candy Yum Yum; bottom: 2014 limited edition Pink Set by MAC)

  

Why the sudden interest? Well, you see the above photo was something I could find on the net  the most beautiful 2014 limited edition Pink Set by MAC which I have every come across and used. Unfortunately, I don't think I took any photos when I purchased this set. The Lip Glass (named Unlimited Style, frost) has a bluish undertone, which made my complexion somewhat brighter. It's weird that a bluish undertone does this to me and not peach or orangey. It's so pretty and light that made my whole look just natural. Basically, it's a match to my natural lip colour, with a hint of brightness to a dull, lipstick-dependent aged lips. As Unlimited Style was a limited edition collection, I have since failed to find a replacement. Well, perhaps until now, that is. 

 

Some of the expensive mistakes I've made but definitely a good lesson learnt, while I've also tried those drugstore brands that are still of good quality like Revlon and Catrice but I guess I failed miserably. I should have just given up on the search as I've acquired too many lip colours due to the search. And because of the miserable choices, I went back to my reds and berries. That is, until a light bulb just switched on on me and I went looking for a matchy colour on the net. And boy, do we all underestimate the internet a lot - not only can you find another alternative colour to your discontinued colour, you can even find the code of another matching foundation of other brands! Still, they're all trial and error, depending on your preference.

At a moment like this, I need some motivation and this kind of "problem" motivates me.

And I think I found my match, finally, in Candy Yum Yum, MAC. I heart.

story cubes

Once upon a time there was a man who just can't stop walking.
He could go on and on for days and he will never stop. One
day he found himself in very strange place. The people around him were
very small! It was a very weird experience. But still he still
couldn't stop. He kept on walking and before long it was already
night time. He has walked for hours.

Rory's Story Cubes

The Original Set

So we went to Gardens, MidValley on CNY day and came across the newly revamped Borders. They had a new lifestyle concept going on with books, gadgets and even a Starbucks inside the store. Was browsing through some of stuff when i came across this. Story Cubes.

Opened.

It is a simple enough game. There are 9 cubes with different images on them. The idea is for you to roll the cubes and then starting with "Once upon a time" try to make up stories based on the images. 

I tried playing it with my 8 year old, and she instantly pick it up. It's an excellent exercise in creative thinking and story telling. 

There are more variants of the standard pack which you can purchase if you want to enhance the game play. They also have an app for both ios and android which you can purchase at their respective stores.

The Story Cube standard set of 9 cubes is RM 64.90 at Borders, Gardens.

For more information click here

First Post for 2016 - The Right Skincare

I have been awfully slow in my postings, partly because I've gotten a day job since the past 1 1/2 years and those familiar with the PR line would know how much the job doesn't rely on normal working hours or weekdays. But, the key reason to the awfully rare posts would probably be because the last few skincare products I was trying out from reputable names in the world of skincare wreaked havoc to my skin. Took me more than a year (and lots and lots of RM$$) to repair the damage done to the skin.

Because of that, I had become a very timid mouse, avoiding totally from trying out the latest products launched to the public and politely declined those many freebies offered to me. They were all very enticing for awhile as I would never have turned down something so scientifically good to the skin but I had to be fair to my skin. Recovery was too slow but I got through it and the skin feels better than ever.

That begs the question of which skincare is right for me? That thought alone made me cringe in fear due to the too many choices out there, all promising the moon and the stars, whether they are from the more affordable range to those really expensive ones. Seriously, I pity you young lots. 

Lucky me, I have tested some of the ones that worked well for me the last few years and now that I've entered a new decade in my life, I'm matured enough to tell myself that I shall stick to what I know and scratch those itchy hands, whenever they feel itchy. 

I've had one conversation with a person who was formerly from the skincare line who mentioned that she hated being in skincare and preferred it better when she was transferred to makeup instead. Makeup is pretty straight-forward - the colours suit or doesn't suit a certain skin type and it is something you don't use long term if you don't like it. They don't normally cost thousands of ringgit unlike those scientific creams that claim to do wonders and if you use a good makeup brand, the formulation doesn't usually scar your skin unless you sleep without cleansing your skin.

Unlike makeup, skincare is deemed insincere and a lot of bull, she says. Scientifically, a certain formula or chemical works in specific ways when tested in the lab. But when it gets mixed with so many agents and other chemicals, coupled with the different chemical reaction of different skin types, how are the claims true in so many different environment and weather? 

Those are valid questions but we don't quite wait for the answer because we are awed by the advertisements and the reputation of brands out there with so many positive reviews and endorsements. 

At one point, I was even eliminating a certain ingredient in skincare thinking that if it doesn't contain the ingredient, my skin would be trouble-free. But it isn't as simple as that... at some points, we drink less water, weather is more humid or that we indulge in super oily food. All those are factors that can affect how skin reacts on certain days. It's quite complicated and unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with flawless or problem-free skin.

So I think the conclusion is, use what works for you. If it works excellent on your skin, doesn't mean it works the same for your friend. I know one or two serums that work magically for anybody who's tried it but I also found that when I've stopped using it and then revisit, I don't see the same magic results as I had seen a year or two before.

As I've entered a new decade, I find that skin consultants are also open in recommending those more expensive range suited for the mature or aging skin. And I start to see the adventurous side of me in wanting to try them out. I know I shouldn't let my skin go through all that again and I'm cautious with my adventure mood.

We'll see how this progress :)

Happy 2016 and best wishes!

Catrice Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil.

Yes, I know I've been away far too long. Haven't been in touch with the latest beauty insights the past 10 months or so except for the short catch up here and there from the usual more popular beauty blogs/instagram I've been following.

I remember how much I've wished for the Catrice brand to come in to Malaysia. I came across it by accident when I was in Switzerland and I love it. It's really cheap quality stuff. Really.

I know it's been in Malaysia for awhile now but I've never really got the chance to check the entire range until about 2 weeks ago when I was at Guardian of Bangsar Shopping Centre and I had the itchy fingers to try out one colour from the Long Lasting Eye Pencil Waterproof range... also because that was the only colour left! Got myself an eyebrow pencil too and although that is just okay-nothing-to-shout-about, the eye pencil however got me crazy.

I've always had problems with eye liners, be it cream, pencil or liquid. None of them stay on my lids longer than 5 hours and even if they promise not to smudge, they would still transfer to my lower lids after a long day at work, even after I've applied eye primer to the eye area. Yup, that frustrating.

Recently, my most favourite eye liner has been by Clinique because it is not only much lesser in price compared to the rest of the branded beauty brands, it also has good staying power. But, it still smudges towards end of the day. 

The Catrice Long Lasting Eye Liner pencil however just doesn't budge, smudge or transfer. In fact, even taking it off using my oil makeup cleanser on my lazy days doesn't quite cut it. You must use eye makeup remover to get it off.

Yesterday when I was in Empire Subang, I was thrilled to see Catrice being carried in Guardian. And I got myself 2 more colours - my favourite blue, and a (dupe Clinique Peacock) green to replace or at least challenge the more expensive one that will run out really fast. Hehe.

Top to bottom: the grey, blue and green colours. Damn I realised I didn't even check the actual names of those colours. Too excited, me thinks. How else am I supposed to react for just RM11ish (read: eleven ringgit-ish) only per stick. It is an automatic pencil which means I don't ever have to sharpen it and that means super convenient to me.

I'm a happy lady. So happy that it is important enough to deserve a post in here after far too long.

The Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush for a cleaner, healthier skin.

When I was invited to try out the Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, I had a good mixed feeling of being excited about it yet at the same time a little anxious too.

Well, you know when it comes to using a cleansing brush for the skin, I have read too many ghastly stories of beauty bloggers getting sensitised skin and worse, over-exfoliated skin that are drier, with rougher surface and highly clogged pores when they were using a well-known cleansing brush that kind of took the world of cleansing by storm... for awhile, that is.

Therefore, although I was excited about attending the launch, I do caution myself to not lose touch with reality - that a cleansing brush, as much as a brand says it is gentle enough for the skin, must be taken with a pinch of salt - that not everyone has the same skin condition and not every skin behaves the same way. And I was glad that them folks in Clinique didn't discount all those concerns.

This is kinda interesting. I am very new with the cleansing brush because I wasn't into the cleansing brush craze when there was a hype to own one. So, I am not quite sure how easy it is to use a cleansing brush.

The Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush sounds so easy to use. You just have to charge it for 24 hours at the first charge and you can practically use without re-charging it for at least the next 4-6 months, if you use it everyday, once a day. Isn't that just great?

The handle is also so firm to the grip and the brush is designed in a way that allows you to use it even in the shower, without getting electrocuted by the device neither will the gadget fail when exposed to wetness. It's practically hassle-free except for the first 24-hour charge.

Bristles - I was initially worried about how harsh the bristles are but when all of us tried it at the back of our palms, we could feel that the bristles are just so soft. Of course, you can't be fooled by it as when it touches your gentle facial skin, the bristles can feel a little firmer, kind of like a texture good enough for use as a daily skin exfoliator - gentle enough to be used daily for most skins but no more than once a day because it still can harm the skin if used not according to recommended usage.

Rotating bristles - One touch of the switch (where you see the iconic "C" for Clinique logo), the brush rotates really fast that you won't even feel it rotating, more like buzzing and vibrations. And Clinique made sure to get this right with innovations engineered by a leading Swiss manufacturer to develop the most gentle and effective sonic brush technology. A combination of skincare expertise and technological savvy of a leading Swiss manufacturer.

Oval-shaped - As you can see the head of the brush is oval-shaped, mimicking the shape of the palm of your hand. Because you can use the brush in replacement of the circular movement you'd normally use to cleanse the skin, reaching the narrower facial contours around the nose, hairline and chin with the angular tip of the brush. 

Texture - As cleansing is the essential step in skincare, Clinique has designed the brush to have gentle bristles on the white area, while the pale green-coloured top portion consists of firmer, shorter bristles.

Angular - Doesn't it remind you so much of those oral-B electric toothbrushes that promise you cleaner teeth? ;P

It is quite a lovely package altogether - firm grip with a handle that's just nice to hold, it makes cleansing quite convenient. 

How To Use - Of course, you're supposed to use it as the first step to its 3-step cleansing but you can really just use an existing liquid cleanser. I prefer to use it in the evening when I'm not in the rush to cleanse my skin. You're supposed to remove your makeup first and then use the brush only after you have removed your makeup, as a double cleansing step.

Just wet the brush and pour a little liquid cleanser on the bristles, press the switch and walah... you're automatically in for a lovely experience.

Just 30 seconds - The switch automatically turns off after 30 seconds. And that is all you need to have good, clean skin. I must admit I was a little naughty in my first attempt, simply because I just loved the feeling of the bristles massaging my stressed skin. After its first stop at 30 seconds, I pressed on the switch again for another 30 seconds. And then another 30 seconds. 

Be careful not to overdo it - Now them folks in Clinique cautioned me against doing it for more than 30 seconds if I were to use this daily. Well, 1 minute is fine - 30 seconds on the face and another 30 seconds on the neck area, as you really cannot leave out the neck area. But that's it. To use it more than 30 seconds can actually bring more harm than good.

I've used this for almost 3 weeks now and I must say that the though the bristles are so soft to the touch, I don't think daily use quite cuts it for me. On a fine day, the cleansing ritual with the brush feels just fine... quite heavenly, in fact. But when my hormones are acting up and my skin gets a little sensitive, I can feel the bristles scrubbing over the skin, even when I'm not even putting pressure onto the brush. And you're not supposed to, either. It kind of feels like I could actually replace my scrub by adding the brush in my cleansing ritual. Skin feels super clean and I'd wake up with smooth, moist skin, as if the skin's able to fully absorb the night moisturiser and replenished the skin.

On the first 3 days of use, my skin looked magnificent! I kept looking at the mirror on my work desk because the skin looked so dewy moist, with a healthy glow even with minimal makeup but let's just say that as per any cleansing brush, I guess some of us may not get used to using it on a daily basis. When I started to feel that my skin became a little sensitive to the feel of its bristles, I chose to use this alternate days before I see any negative effects. I'm not sure if there is any negative effect to cleansing the skin, but I'd rather not see it and maintained the good results I've been getting by using it just 3 times a week.

Clinique did mention that for some people it's 30 seconds a day, some gradually to a minute a day but for some, alternate days would be just fine. You be the judge to what your skin needs and to not over do it. They also recommend that you replace the bristle head every 3-6 months depending on your usage.

This is what you get out of a package - the brush, a stand, a booklet and a USB charger. There is no power plug with it. So, you should be able to plug it into any regular device power plug.

Ok, I'm sure you'd like to know what's the damage like... the Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush retails at RM360, with the replacement bristles at RM93. Quite a big sum initially but I think the price is still reasonable compared to other brands with an almost similar system. Of course, I am entirely new in this and I may not be able to give a good apple to apple comparison.

Why does one need this? - Well, I really cannot answer this on behalf of the population. For me, I've always been using an additional tool in my daily cleansing... I use a facial sponge to assist me in my cleansing ritual because I think my skin feels cleaner rather than just the regular circular motions with the fingers. Plus, I dislike wiping my wet face with the towel I use for bathing. So, I have a separate sponge for that part of my skin. Hence, I take the brush as another tool for me to play with in cleansing.

I'm not sure if you have seen this yet but would you want to add this to your beauty secret? 

Tartę Maracuja Oil

Got this a few months back as a gift for shopping in a Sephora store during some special festive occasion and didn't even considered to use it.

I think I've been stressing my skin out after testing several skincare product in a short span of time. You can see the lack of updates recently because I've not only been busy at a new job but more so because I've somehow stopped being over-adventurous with my skincare excursions.

My skin has been good enough until early this year since I've been trying out organic and products without silicones, which meant plenty of trial and errors and finding out that natural skincare may not necessarily work as well as you expect it to work. Worse still when my skin's confused to it being oily to dehydrated to super sensitive and being so stressed out. Like I know when it is stressed out and I'd feel more stress with its condition. I get something to work well and then I add something anti-ageing to the regiment and there goes all the good results which I've been trying to maintain. It sucks...

Can't believe that I'm still in search for the right formula and trying my best to avoid committing to more skincare trials.

And tonight, I'm feeling all stressed up while I open up this deluxe sample of the Maracuja Oil which I've heard so much of... I can never use oil products for long term yet I have this small window of hope in me who'd want to believe that I'd find one that works perfectly... for more than 3 months, at least. Oh boy.

Now how do we use this thing... smells quite horrible too. 2-3 drops, ok. 

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum - targets your skin concerns and works to improve them.

Usually, before I am asked to test and review new products not launched yet in our local stores, I would find out more on the product and what others think of it. I am especially intrigued with products that promise to deliver superior benefits like the Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum.

First up, the packaging of the product itself was pretty tricky to shoot. The entire bottle is aluminum-like and efforts to take a photo of it under bad lighting and inferior photography devices would pose a big challenge. Though the package feels identical to those of other Clinique's serums, ie. the Even Better Essence or the Turnaround Concentrate, the presentation is a teeny bit different... there's like an inverted 2D effect that reading the label is pretty tough. Hence, the much manipulation in the photo above on its lighting and contrast.

Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF 45/PA++++

I am not new to Clinique's sunscreens. Having some bouts of sensitive skin symptoms every once in awhile since my student days, Clinique was always a go-to brand for their fragrance-free and allergy tested promise. I never really liked their chemical smell of SPF but since they're safe for my skin, I thought their sunscreen products are worth the investment.

Recently, the kind folks in Clinique gave me the Even Better Dark Spot Defense sunscreen to try. I must say I was thrilled to try it because I've used up another version of their Even Better sunscreen in a tube called, the City Block and liked it a lot (tried looking for the post but I guess I missed posting that up).

The Even Better line is known to have brightening properties and evening out skin tone. So, what better option than to have a sunscreen that not only protects skin from harmful UV rays while it treats skin. Better yet, enhancing the treatment of brightening and spot reduction if you're already using the entire Even Better line from Clinique.

The packaging is nice and cute. The small white colored bottle has a small nozzle where just the right amount of sunscreen can be dispersed with a small squeeze of the bottle. It comes in a 30ml bottle and just nice to be held in my palm.

I was more interested to check out the tinted version. I've been in the search for a nice tinted moisturiser or BB cream as I am trying to use less foundation. So, a tinted sunscreen would do just as well.

The formula in the bottle is such that you need to shake it well for the tint to come out or else you'd end up getting just clear liquid. 

Coverage wise, the tint gives a really light coverage. It won't cover your blemish marks nor conceal your open pores. What it does is that it applies smooth, you get that normal shine from an SPF and you'll either see a nice glow (if you like that healthy sheen) or you might want to layer on powder for a matte finish. For me, I achieve a matte finish when I layer this product on top of the sunscreen.

According to Clinique, the product comes in a refreshingly lightweight and silky formula which would offer a flawless, protective base that can be worn alone or under makeup. It and can also be used around the eye area. The Even Better Dark Spot Defense SPF 45 / PA++++ is suitable for all skin types and is available in two variations: Sheer, a non-tinted formula, and Sheer Tint, a subtly tinted formula. And of course, their signature claim to products that are allergy tested, 100% fragrance free, dermatologist tested and for this, also ophthalmologist tested in case you're worried about applying it on the eye area.

I've been using this for more than 4 weeks and although I don't get much coverage from the tint, I am enjoying the benefits of the Even Better promise - clearer looking complexion which I think looks immediately obvious upon cleansing my face in the evening. I'm not sure if it is due to just using the Even Better range (I'm using several items from the range) or due to the combination with a pore minimiser product which I've been using in the same duration. I do think that the several products   when used together will eventually show some positive difference to the tone of the complexion.

I definitely won't use this alone on a tiring day because the tint doesn't give sufficient coverage for me and if I compare it with the creamier tube of the Even Better City Block, I kind of prefer the tube because it is less shiny. But this one has a slightly larger amount of SPF than the City Block and some of you might prefer a more fluid formula rather than a creamy one. Plus, this one specifically treats dark spots as well. 

The Even Better Dark Spot Defense was launched in the first quarter of this year and retails at RM140. 

Have you tried it yet?