April 2014 Favourites.

Why, hello there, May. It's shocking how quickly the year seems to be slipping by. Anyway, April has seen the resurrection of my blog (hooray!). April has also seen me in total desperation when the temperature fell below 10 degree Celsius on certain nights when I just so happen to have missed the last operating tram and had to walk 30minutes home. FYI, that walking home thing happened twice. 

Sad story aside, here's what I have been loving the past 30 days! 

Click to enlarge.

Shoulder bag from Forever New 

Although I am not a huge advocate of light-coloured bags (too high maintenance), I am absolutely in love with this new buy! It's very versatile and comes with a detachable gold chain shoulder strap. 

Also, because of the limited space available, I am forced not to lug around unnecessary garbage, which is something my shoulders will thank me for in the long run. 

Escada sunglasses

I hardly ever buy designer shades. Simply because I am a klutz and will destroy them after a week. But when I do get one, I make sure it's big enough to give me bug-looking eyes. So much more flattering on my chubby face. 

Btw, tortoise shell frames are the way to go. Black is too plain, sorry.

Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter

You can never go wrong with S&G. The scent of this is to die for! Please check this out if you get the chance. Rub this on after a hot shower and you'll smell delicious for the next few hours. Warning: it doesn't taste as good as it smells. I would know (; 

Tresemme Heat Tamer Protective Spray
After hearing so many YouTubers rave about this on and on, I caved and got myself a bottle last year while on a trip to Bangkok. Never really got round to using this before coming to Australia, as I seldom use heat on my hair back in KL. It's a different story altogether here in Melbourne. Should you decide to step out of the house with dripping wet hair, you will freeze to death.

Not 100% sure if it works in terms of protecting your tresses, but this shizz definitely smells ahmayzing.

EOS lipbalm in Sweet Mint

The packaging is cute, but impractical. I mean, how does one fit this in one's evening clutch without it ending up with awkward bulges? So for that reason, this egg-shaped lipbalm doesn't get the privilege of being toted around by me. Instead, it earns a permanent spot on my nightstand. 

Maybelline Baby Lips in Berry Crush

I was running out of my other Maybelline tinted balm and decided to give this one a try. I just picked the reddest of the bunch and went straight to the cashier. Didn't swatch it at all but ended up loving it! It's really pigmented for a drugstore lipbalm and pretty moisturising as well. 

Sportsgirl rollerball perfume in In a Daze

This has been my go-to fragrance in April. I normally layer it on top of VS's Secret Charm body mist, but this smells good if you wear it on its own too. The only way I can describe the scent is: summer in a bottle! In a Daze is light and fruity and sweet :D 

Danone Greek yogurt in Raspberry and White Chocolate
Cannot stress how delicious this tastes! The texture is super creamy and you get bits of raspberry in the yogurt. Danone has other flavours like Honey, Apple & Rhubarb, Strawberry, etc but this is by far my favourite.

Sherlock kissing Molly
In case you didn't already know, I have been binge-watching Sherlock.
And I present to you my favourite scene:

*swoons* That coat fix. *hyperventilates* That hair ruffle. *ovaries quivering*

You have no idea the amount of times I have hit replay on that scene. 

Now here's me selfie-ing with my tortoise shell sunnies.

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Dolce EDP by Dolce & Gabbana Review.

It's Summer 24/7 in Malaysia, so I always love me a nice and light perfume for everyday use. You know, one that is suitable for both work and play. Oh, and also to spritz around my room. Am I the only one who does that? 

Cue Dolce & Gabbana's latest fragrance. 

Dolce is like a fresh bouquet of white flowers with occasional whispers of fruitiness and a warm dry down of earthy musk and Cashmeran accents. It opens with a sweet-smelling burst of Neroli leaves and Papaya flower, dissipating into an opulent combination of White Amaryllis, White Daffodil and White Water Lily as the core of the fragrance emerges. If you love fresh florals, Dolce will probably capture your attention.

The elegant packaging is reminiscent of a vintage flacon, while the clear glass and softly curved lines lend a contemporary edge to the bottle. 

As for the flower stopper, the design is carefully handcrafted; the petals fan out in three rows, with colours graduating from milky-white, through to cream, and soft pink at the center. (My photos do no justice T.T)

The overall packaging is just so girly and romantic.  

This is an EDP with reasonable staying power. It lasted about 7hours on me before needing another spritz. Having said that, Dolce is one of those "lighter" EDPs. It is a feminine and complex blend but still unoffensive and undetectable unless at close range. Very suitable if you're in a professional environment. 

Psst, if you spray this around your room, the entire place is going to smell like a garden in Spring!

My attempt going all floral! :D

For those of you out there with sensitive olfactory receptors, this might be helpful:

Top notes: Neroli leaves, Papaya flower

Heart notes: White Amaryllis, White Daffodil, White Water Lily

Dry down notes: Cashmeran, Musk, Sandalwood

The Lineup

Dolce Eau de Parfum 30ml RM244

Dolce Eau de Parfum 50ml RM331

Dolce Eau de Parfum 75ml RM439

Dolce Perfumed Body Lotion 200ml RM160

Dolce Moisturizing Perfumed Shower Gel 200ml RM148

Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana is available starting April 2014 in all major department stores and perfumeries. 

Disclaimer: Product sent to me by Dolce & Gabbana as PR sample for review consideration. As with everything on my blog, my opinions remain 100% honest.

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Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Review.

WOOHOO! This much awaited review is finally live!

The Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System. Is it any good?

Ever since my post on the Olay Aquaction Long Lasting Hydration Gel Moisturiser, I've been getting a lot of requests to review Olay's dupe for the insanely expensive Clarisonic. Thanks to Olay, I got sent the product so here's my two cents!

This is what you'll get for RM99.90:

• A brush head
• The device
• 2 AA batteries
• A 20ml tube of the Olay Regenerist Skin Renewal Cleanser

In terms of size, this thing is quite handy and easy to travel with. The only complaint I have is that there isn't a case to store the brush head. Without a proper container, the brush head might get squashed in your travel bag and then the bristles will go all wonky :/

Before getting to test this baby out, I spent about 10minutes trying to open the battery compartment -.-
IT. IS. A. PAIN. IN. THE. BUTT. TO. OPEN.

This may seem like an easy task, but it's sealed so tightly that you'll have to pull and yank and wiggle the battery cover before it pops open. It does get easier after the first few times though.
Why is it fitted so snugly? Because the device is water resistant. Yes yes, you multitaskers can use it in the shower.

To install the brush head, you just have to press it onto the connection pin until it locks into position. You'll hear a click sound. For the Cleansing System to really work, be sure to replace the brush head at least every 3 months.

I like how the device has a smart memory component installed. Once you set a speed, the Cleansing System remembers your setting, so you'll start with the speed you last used.
A word of caution: The HIGH speed is quite cray cray. Be sure to start off with LOW first. Don't be overenthusiastic!

Speaking of over-exfoliation, Olay recommends you use this no longer than 60seconds. To make your life easier, I've created this guide. So whip out your phone and set the timer!

Also, while Olay says it's alright to use the brush morning and night daily, I'd suggest you don't go all gungho in the beginning. Save it for nighttime use, okay? Over-exfoliation can cause your skin to go berserk.

Another thing is that the brush rotates in a clockwise motion. Why is this so important for me to point out?
Answer: If you place the brush too near your hairline, your hair WILL get caught in the bristles and swirl around your face. You'll end up with wet, sudsy hair. All over your face.


How to use the Cleansing System?
Dampen brush head slightly. Dampen hands. Dispense the Regenerist Skin Renewal Cleanser on palms and massage over face. Switch on cleansing brush and move it around face for 60seconds according to face diagram above. Avoid the eye area!
Rinse face and brush head with water.

Oh btw, the Skin Renewal Cleanser contains micro scrubby beads. If you find it too harsh, you can use your regular cleanser instead. It also has a creamy scent, if that makes any sense.


On to how well does the Cleansing System work! 
Here's a test*. As you can't see, I've drawn an invisible line down the middle of my heavily made-up face. I've also labelled the two parts A and B respectively.

Part A will be removed with a regular cleanser, while Part B will be removed with the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System.
Both sides will then be wiped with a cotton pad.

Cleanser X vs. Olay's Cleansing System!

After the "experiment", here's what's left:

SHOCKING RIGHT?!

SO AMAZING. I actually spent quite some time rubbing cleanser A over my face. But check what remains :O
For B, look at the brush hahahah. Most of the makeup/dirt/grime got caught in the bristles. The cotton pad is relatively clean.

*Test done without makeup remover. Yes, I know this isn't the correct way to remove makeup. Bear in mind that this is just to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Cleansing System. Don't flame me for not using a proper makeup remover. Results would have been be harder to capture on camera if makeup remover was used.


VERDICT?

I SUPER LOVE THIS THING!

Apart from giving your face a thorough cleanse, the brush leaves you with nicely exfoliated skin as well! Products you use will also be better absorbed too! :D

Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System is available at selected Watson pharmacies and is priced at RM99.90.
Extra brush heads can be purchased separately. RM25 for a set of 2 brushes.

Product sponsored by Olay. 

PS:
Are there any products you'd like me to review? If so, leave a comment in the suggestion box over in the sidebar! 

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I AM BACK!

Hello there, lovely readers of this blog. This very much abandoned blog.

First of all, I believe apologies are in order, so.. AYAM SORRY. I know I've been on hiatus for two months.

Now on to the big question: WHY?
Well, for those of you that do not know (obviously because you bunch don't follow me on Twitter & Instagram - shame on you! :P), I am now a university student.

Yeap. I'm currently living the hyped-up, once-in-a-lifetime university life. Translate: no sleep, shitload of assignments, caffeine, instant noodles, negative bank balance and cereal for breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper.

That's my main reason for being MIA. Settling in and being independent for the very first time while juggling coursework and homesickness is no easy feat. It feels damn shitty coming home after a long day and still have to do your laundry, cook, read pre-lecture materials, etc.

Education related excuses aside, I haven't exactly been happy with my site's design and layout before this. Took me quite a while to finally get it to look the way I want. Will write more on that in an upcoming post.

Anyway, I'm currently on a one-week Easter break, so I foresee a couple of entries getting published over the next few days! :D (no promises though!)

Short story shorter, I hope you guys will give poor me a second chance at reviving this dead thing I call a blog.
(And maybe a third chance in future as well, cause you know what they say: third time's the charm!)

SO GLAD TO BE BACK!

PS:
What should I blog about? Any thoughts? Leave an idea in the suggestion box over in the sidebar if you wanna! (:

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