Isabel Lee | Malaysian Beauty & Lifestyle Blogger: May 2011

My 20th

Maybe no one noticed but I disappeared for a little bit (there were some scheduled posts and a pause). My part time job took some time getting used to and my 'internal clock' got messed up. But yesterday was my last day anyway.

The Bf and I have broken up so you won't be seeing photos of him on my blog anymore (I believe I've posted some in the past? o_0).

So it was my 20th birthday on the 21st of May (Sat). Happy BELATED birthday to Jen! Lol

Oh crap.. So now my age has officially gone from 1_ to 2_. Fine lines, wrinkles, crows feet and saggy skin is catching up with me! Oh well.. At least all those signify I've had an amazing 20 years, full of smiles, frowns, tears, laughter and probably squinting through my old glasses that should have been changed a long time ago lol I wouldn't say my life has been eventful but it hasn't been empty either. With so many great people around me, all those signs of ~~aging~~ happiness are worth it

Anyway.. Before my birthday, I had a mood to buy myself some presents.

That's just an excuse to shop. Pathetic..

No it isn't! Everyone deserves to have presents on his/her birthday.

Whatever you say..

FOTD. Bleh.. I'm getting boring with my makeup lol

We went to watch Something Borrowed, which wasn't as good as I expected =_= Just meh.. You might wanna skip this.

First time stepping into Body Bar. I've read reviews on the Madara stuff sold here and was curious.

Wasn't quite impressed with the odd smelling products there so I left with just 3 mini soaps. It's not that I like heavily perfumed stuff but if it's not going to smell good, I would prefer it to be scentless.

You know I like my handmade soaps... =) I think the wording at the back is really cute too..

Goodie bag from Nicole (who forgot my birthday, btw!) lol Thanks =) I've already used the Aster Spring voucher and discovered that I'm an underweight binge eater =_= More on that later in another post.

Angel informed me that the Stage sale was still going on so.... =x She's bad influence, I tell ya! I got the Picture Perfect Liquid Camouflage because it suits my skin tone quite well and I like the coverage. As for the gloss.. Well.. We all get something we don't really need once in a while =x

Bro got me a red Angry Bird plushie lol Which my mum thought another guy gave to me =_= It's now beside my pillow ^_^

Oh I almost forgot! Part of my birthday haul. My Beauty Diary Sweet Teatime set which includes Black Pearl, Bulgarian White Rose and Earl Grey Tea & Macaron masks ^_^

I also watched Pirates of the Caribbean but it was disappointing =( Having watched the trailer, I really expected it to be good but I felt like sleeping halfway. How could they have messed up such a good storyline?! Maybe my expectations were just too high..

Best movie I watched recently has to be Fast 5 ^_^ I've watched all the previous ones and I still like it. Wish there were more cars though o_O

So I guess that's all for now~ I should be heading for a short trip with my friends this weekend (actually starting on Thurs) so blogging is on hold again lol

Malaysia's 1st Bed & Breakfast Rental Website

I'm not the adventurous type but recently my friends from college suggested to make a trip to Kedah & Penang. Part 2 would be to Johor & Singapore but we'll leave that for later. We've had it all planned.. We'll take a bus to Kedah, stay with a classmate for 1 night, attend another classmate's sister's wedding the next morning then off we go to Penang, where we will stay a night or two before flying back.

There's only one problem though.. Where are we going to stay in Penang?! Sleeping on the streets is definitely out of the question. We are all still students and cannot afford fancy hotels. Then I chanced upon a site where we can get rooms from as low as RM50 for 3 pax. Almost unbelievable right? Didn't know these kinda things also exist in Malaysia. Thought only the guai lou countries have it.

After some clicking, I discovered CariBilik Homestays also has rooms in KL (actually they have rooms all over the country). I get car sick on the bus and I'm not sure how I'll react to being in a plane so staying nearby is safer =x Hey.. It'll be like a sleepover except you can stay up late chit chatting without your parents scolding you =x I can invite my classmates from Kedah, Nilai, Johor and wherever else to come join me too so we don't have to travel all over Malaysia to see them. Yay!

The rooms go from budget basic rooms to more comfortable hotel rooms (which obviously cost more). There are a few shots of the place so you can have a peek at how the place looks like. There's also a map and other details like if you can cook, which public transport is it near to etc.

And to make planning your trip easier, they also provide a calender with available dates.

Isn't that just convenient.. ^_^ Now I just gotta convince my friends to have a stay-cation instead!

If you have an empty room and feel like making abit of moo-lah out of it, you can post it there as well =)

Playboy Play It Spicy

What's the first thing that comes into your mind when I say spicy? Chili? Curry? Overwhelming sensation in your mouth yet wanting to take another bite? You KNOW it's gonna be hot but you still want it. Now.. Don't you want guys to feel that way about you? To be so irresistible?

No, you don't have to smear chili all over your body. That will really hurt. You just need a bottle of the latest Playboy Play It Spicy Deodorant Spray.

To tell the truth, this is the first perfume I own. I'm really picky with my scents so it's hard to find something I like. When the bottle reached my hands, I took a cautious sniff and... Actually liked it! Do you know how rare that is? xD

Product says : A sparkling floriental, Play It Spicy is the sexiest and edgiest of the three fragrances, full of excitement and allure. This glamorous night-time scent opens with a vibrant burst of pomegranate, bellini cocktail and pink berries, evoking the dazzling spirit of a sensational party. At the heart, a luminous floral fusion of elegant tiger lily, passionflower and heliotrope seduces the senses. This gives way to the rich and mellow tones of amber, sandalwood and vanilla essence, creating a sensual signature that can't be ignored.

Okay I'm bad at describing scents (even though it's already clearly stated in the product description =_=). IMO at first sniff, it hits you with a powerful punch to get your attention but if you sniff longer, it turns into a lighter, more alluring scent that makes you wanna smell it some more. It's not too overwhelming which is good since you are supposed to be the star while the scent is your opening.

If this isn't your type, you can try out Play It Lovely or Play It Sexy.

I like that each one has it's own unique look that compliments it's scent ^_^ For the low price, you can even get all 3 to suit your mood of the day!

Ingredients : Butane-Isobutane-Propane, Alcohol Denat, Parfum/Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, ButylPhenyl Methylpropional, Triethyl Citrate, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclehexene, Coumarin, BHT, Citral, Geraniol

Size : 150 ml

Price : RM 16.90

Pros : Smells good, not too overwhelming, cheap

Cons : -

My conclusion : Not sure if I'll repurchase since I rarely use perfumes/deodorants. Will decide when I finish it.

** Product was provided by Yuberactive for review purposes. However, this has not affected my thoughts on the product in any way.

Montagne Jeunesse White Chocolate Ultra Deep Cleansing Masque

Lol.. MJ masques are unique with their signature girl-with-masque-and-other-stuff-on-face pic slapped on the front of the packaging. I applied for this sample because the word 'chocolate' attracted me.

Product says : The creamy chocolate face mask comes with cocoa butter and cream. It has ultra deep cleansing properties that draws out impurities and soothes sensitive skin. Luxurious and packed with mud, this face mask will leave your skin feeling pure, nourished, and refreshed.

MJ masks are usually enough for about 2-3 proper uses so they have this little tab you can tear to take out the masque bit by bit to make sure it's fresh for the next use.

I just keep mine in a small plastic container anyway. *sniff sniff* This smells.. Heavenly x_X Or er.. Chocolatey.. I don't know if heaven smells of chocolate but it should!

Spread it evenly on your face using a brush and wait 15-20 minutes before washing off. It's so creamy like melted chocolate and easy to apply ^_^ Unlike some clay masks, this was as easy to remove as it was to apply. No scrubbing required and no residue left behind either.

It'll dry like any other clay mask and crack if you smile. When dry, I noticed 'oil spots' on the masque where it has absorbed the oil from my pores =_= Kinda gross.. Lol Didn't know I had so many pores. Ewww..

Even though it contains kaolin, this masque wasn't drying but I still follow up with moisturizer. It was satisfying to see all the oil coming out. With continuous usage, I'll probably get better results =)

Ingredients :

Size : 17 g / 0.6 oz

Price : RM 5.90

Sold at : Pharmacies

Made in UK

Pros : Creamy, smells amazing, easy removal, no residue, not drying, absorbs excess oil, cheap

Cons : -

My conclusion : For the low price of RM5.60, this masque is worth repurchasing! Maybe I can use it on days I have chocolate cravings as well. Just gotta keep reminding myself not to lick it cos it smells so yummy!

** Product was provided by Yuberactive for review purposes. However, this has not affected my thoughts on the product in any way.

Rimmel The Max Bold Curves Mascara

Whee~~ I love trying out new mascaras ^_^ I like to emphasize my eyes so a good mascara is a must-cara.

Product says :

Be bold. Be beautiful, with lashes that boast exponential volume and lift … instantly! Giving you the most incredible curves… Rimmel introduces The Max Bold Curves Mascara with its biggest curvaceous brush ever! The lashes are pumped up and lifted to new heights: up to 70% more lift and up to 14 times more volume.

The proprietary formula, enriched with collagen and keratin is paired with Rimmel's most curvaceous brush ever. Together they take lashes to stunning new extremes of volume and curve. Lashes are BIG, fat, boldly lifted – and completely free of clumps, of course.

The Max mascara packaging is reinterpreted in eye-catching green with pink printing for The Max Bold Curves Mascara. Like a magic wand that works eye-opening wonders in a few strokes.

The print ad features the lavishly lashed Lily Cole with Big Ben in the background to project the bold London look instantly. Lily’s lashes have fantastic volume and spectacular, almost non-stop curves for maximum style. The kind of lush, curvy lashes every woman wants for herself!

Great big curvy lashes taken to the max!

Get the London look!

The brush is HUGE O_O And it's curved in a way that it's easy to apply. It doesn't pick up too much product which is a surprise since the bristles are kinda long.

Now on to the performance. Click to enlarge. It's supposed to add volume and curl but I think it focuses more on length. There wasn't much volume and it did weigh my lashes down =( Curling it with a heated eyelash curler gave better results and it didn't clump at all.
Edit : If you wait for it to dry a little before reapplying, it will add volume to your lashes.

Here's a better picture of my other eye. I would categorize this under natural looking as it's non clumpy and separates well. Even though it weighs my lashes down during initial application, it holds the curl after that.

I normally prefer a more volumnizing mascara but I guess this is a different kind of look. It smudges slightly but still bearable. Still easy to wipe away with a small bit of tissue. As for removal, I feel it is quite easy to remove with a proper makeup remover.

Yes yes.. Ending this post with a vain pic of myself xD I must say.. I'm liking the striking green colour of the tube.

Size : 0.27 fl oz / 8 ml

Price : RM 35.90

Sold at : Watson’s Personal Care Store, Guardian Pharmacy,Parkson (Pavilion, 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Sg. Wang, Klang Parade, Gurney Plaza, Terminal One Seremban, Square One Shopping Mall)

Made in England

Pros : Easy to apply, lengthens, clump free, separates lashes, holds curl, adds volume

Cons : ~~Not much volume~~, weighs lashes down, smudges slightly

My conclusion : I will use this for days when I have time to recurl my lashes (but that doesn't take up too much time anyway). As for repurchasing.. I'm not sure as this needs more effort than my other mascaras. Perhaps I'll play with it more first.

** Product was provided by Yuberactive for review purposes. However, this has not affected my thoughts on the product in any way.

A Little Love For My Nails

Thanks to Jess, I was at Starhill for some nail pampering on my birthday last Saturday ^_^ It was my first time getting a professional manicure (usually do my own nails).

Here's me with the lovely ladies, Rebecca, Jess, Sharon & Nicole. Thanks Danial for helping us take the pic =)

Ooo.. The stash~~ I spot OPI Nail Envy <3

There wasn't really a wide selection of colours at the booth itself. I chose the middle 'white' in the event palette. The other palette were gel nail selections. I just LOVE the look of the pink glitter, gold glitter, orange and red glitter x.x

Hard at work.. She used fully OPI stuff on me : base coat, polish and top coat. Application was clean and precise. She held my fingers with the perfect pressure and control. Glad to know their staff are well trained ^_^

And look what I spotted! Lol

Oh.. The joy of being a female.. xD

The end result after 2 coats. It's still pretty sheer but I like the effect. You can see a hint of pink or green, depending on the angle. Obviously, I was being dumb and didn't ask for the shade name =_=

A list of the services available~ FYI, I only had the nail lacquer application so I can't comment on the rest.

One of the promos going on.

Website : http://www.bmic.com.my/index.html

Oh, btw.. It's really long lasting! One week after application and it still looks so pretty =)

I'm so addicted to My Beauty Diary masks.. Love the way they smell, feel, look and leave my face hydrated. By reading the name, you would expect this to smell of cherries, currants, blueberries and whatever-berry.

Actually it smells like the Smint candy, Berry flavour (which happens to be my fav flavour).

Almost wanted to lick the mask =_= But I'm quite positive it doesn't taste as good as it smells..

Cos I was lazy, I didn't moisturize my face for a couple of days at night. Then it was peeling and felt so dry.

My face doesn't deserve me~~

After leaving this on for 15 minutes and patting in the essence, flaky skin was no where to be seen! My face was brightened, super smooth and plumped up.

If you look at the ingredients list below, some of the ingredients are..

Blueberries

Raspberries

Mulberries

& Bilberries

So berry-licious indeed! ^_^ Can I just apply mashed fresh berries on my face? ~~And hope no ants find out.~~

Product says : Brightening & Clarifying

Ingredients : Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polysorbate 20, Methylparaben, Hydrolyzed Albumen, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonium (Lemon) Peel Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Lithospermum Officinale Extract, Squalene, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dimethylselanol Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Polyglutamic Acid, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide

Size : 30 ml

Price : RM 63.88 for a box of 17 pieces

Bought from : Pharmacy

Made in Taiwan

Pros : Smells good, thin sheet, moisturizing, brightening

Cons : Mask unedible

My conclusion : Worth repurchasing ^_^

Heynature Mixed Ersungcho Pack

This Angel must really be an angel cos she not only gave me Suncoat nail polishes and Heynature BB Cream but a huge tub of mask as well.

Cos the mask is in powder form, the bottle is sealed to keep it fresh and away from moisture.

Product says : The stems and leaves send out the fishy smell named as "Ersungcho", which has function to soothe sensitive skin, trouble and tired skin, and prevent acne.

How to use :

1. As Mask

Put desired amount with water. Apply evenly after cleansing. Wash off with water after about 10 minutes. Use twice or three times per week.

2. As Cleanser

Mix up pack with soap or cleansing foam and massage with a gentle touch using circular motions. Wash off with water after about 10 seconds of facial massage. Use everyday.

When I saw the description, I was like oh no... Fishy smell?! I hate fishy smell... But to my surprise, it didn't smell of fish at all. In fact, it smelt like green tea!

I would suggest mixing this in a container as it doesn't seem to like water lol I used one teaspoon of the pack and gradually added water until I got a paste. My sis said it looks like shit =_="

And I agree with her.. Looked like I was spreading horse manure on my face lmao! Except it smelt of green tea and was cooling..

Ok sorry for being disgusting =_=

After about 10-15 minutes, it will dry up and look like this. I simply wet my face and gently rubbed it. It was very easy to remove and there was no residue left.

Even though it felt tight when dry, my face didn't feel dry. My pimples felt soothed and weren't so angry looking too.

Ingredients : Houttuynia Cordata Powder 25%, Saururus Chinensis Powder, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder, Unpolished Rice Powder, Mayuen Powder, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Powder

Size : 130 g

Price : RM 10 (expiring Sept this year so on major clearance)

Sold by : Angel

Made in Korea

Pros : Smells of green tea, cooling, very easy to remove, not drying, soothes pimples

Cons : Requires more effort than a sheet mask, also not as hydrating

My conclusion : I generally prefer hydrating masks but it's nice to have a change once in a while. At the low price of RM10, this is very affordable! I can even mix my own proportions of pack and water to suit my mood.

** Product was provided by Angel for review purposes. However, this has not affected my thoughts on the product in any way.

Ok, I don't know why it looks like cheapo gloss in the pic above but it doesn't look like that in real life! This is the true colour. Shimmers are fine and really pretty, not chunky.

Colour is coral-like but appears slightly pinker on my lips. It's sheer and shimmery, delivering a light layer of colour. I'm not so sure about the plumping effect but it's moisturizing and erases my lip lines. It's not very sticky and feels quite light on my lips.

There are 10 shades for this lip gloss. I'm eye-ing strawberry soda and sheer peach but I seriously shouldn't be buying any more lip stuff.. =/ This shade actually reminds me of the NYX Round Lip Gloss in Peach. The shade is similar but this is thicker, more shimmery and darker.

Product says : Give your lips perfect clarity and depth with our new lip items. Fill-up collagen replenishes your lips with rich moisture while Plump-up pearl , with its light diffusing effect, makes your lips look incredibly plump and smooth.

Size : 3.5 ml

Price : RM 27.90

Bought from : Watson's

Made in Taiwan

Pros : Fine shimmers, moisturizing, erases lip lines, not very sticky, light

Cons : Sheer

My conclusion : This gloss is okay.. At least it doesn't dry my lips out =) I'm not too happy with the shades available though. It's almost 3 times the price of NYX but I'm convinced that this lasts longer and looks better.