Tag: review

FUN FRAGRANCE

Betty Boop, the flirty cartoon character with black hair (thanks for the thought). Now in fragrance too!

A classic look of Betty Boop now standing tall on my beauty drawer, thanks to Beauty Box Indonesia who sent me the fragrance “PRINCESS”. Comes in 75ml bottle of Eau De Parfum (yes it last longer!), with fruity top notes such as Grapefruit & Bergamot, dries down to floral middle notes like Jasmine Petals, Gardenia & Velvet Rose, to the base notes Liquid Amber, Sandalwood, Tahitian Vanilla & Soft Musk.

If you love vanilla scent, its’ light vanilla will not overwhelm. It’s truly a fun & flirty fragrance, just like its’ character. IMHO, perfect for day use for its’ lightness. After I finished the whole bottle, I’ll definitely keep the Betty Boop figurine for collectibles. She’s just too cute.

FOR THAT SLEEK & NOURISHED LOOK

I’m in that never ending battle for super soft look and feel of long hair.

Ever since I’ve grown my hair long (and longer these days), I’m getting more serious of my hair care. Seriously, longer hair need more attention, more TLC than shorter ones. I believe in using good shampoo, conditioner and mask, as ordinary hair care products in supermarket just don’t cut it anymore (I ended with that non long lasting scent of clean hair, oily scalp & tangled long hair). 

That’s why I believe in salon quality hair products. Currently, I’ve been using the latest from L’Oreal Professionnel Innovative Serie Expert, Pro-Keratin Refill shampoo and masque. Combination of Keratin (FYI, our hair is made up of 85% Keratin that gives hair shine, flexibility & strength) and Incell work together for stronger and more resilient hair. They’ll help to strengthen weak and damage hair too! So, cleansing, strengthening & nourishing? Yup! After a week or so, I do feel my hair is more resistant to breakage. They feel softer without the oily scalp at the end of the day, easier to comb and their fresh scent last. Even without the help of flat iron, a simple blow dry made my hair looked sleek (check out my Violet from The Incredibles’ impersonation pic above #LOL). 

BRIGHTNESS ON A BRUSH

I can live without colors on my face, but I can’t make it through the day without a concealer.

Who woke up looking like Miranda Kerr (except her, of course!)? For mere human being like moi, I woke up with the worst dark circles, and those aging spots are catching up too. That’s why I need concealer, stat! I tried so many concealers already, some met my expectations, some not. I love having a concealer which can conceal correctly (hellooooo!!!!), blend easily (read: nice texture) and didn’t cake.

Recently, I’ve been using L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Touch Targeted Corrector, the latest tinted brush concealer from Immortelle range. And my beauty verdicts are:

  • It’s very compact. Brush inside a pen made application easier for its’ precision to help conceal the right spot.
  • Non greasy and very light texture. It absorb easily as I pat through to blend.
  • It doesn’t just conceal blemishes or age spots, it seems to brighten my dark sides of the face like areas sides of nose and dark circles (thanks to the active ingredients like Bellis Perennis & Vitamin C).
  • It doesn’t settle in fine lines or creases, even though I applied face powder afterwards.
  • I love the fact that L’Occitane also recommend to apply this over makeup for touch up. Nice!

L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Touch Targeted Corrector is now available throughout L’Occitane Indonesia’s stores or you can go online, here.

 

 


0
0
1
279
1591
PM
13
3
1867
14.0

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
JA
X-NONE

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

TIRED LOOKING EYES?

Try GlamGlow BrightMud Eye Treatment before piling of too many concealer.

Their face mask is amazing, and I can say the same about this eye treatment. It’s not an eye cream, and it’s definitely not an ordinary eye mask. Let’s just say it’s a quick fix to brighten up those silly Panda’s eyes. How quick? 3 minutes. Yup, from the instruction inside the packaging (which remind me of those contact lenses container, by the way), GlamGlow BrightMud Eye Treatment is a 3 minutes TapWipe. Just tap on the product underneath the eyes, wait for 3 minutes then wipe it off. Super easy and very practical, as (seriously) who wants to wait for more than 3 minutes? And don’t expect the mud to dry like their famous face mask. It won’t. It consists of a non-dry bioactive mud and bentonites to absorb toxins. That’s why they recommended to tap on the product so it’ll deliver the range of advanced active ingredients into the skin. Why wipe? So it’ll leave a micro layer of actives for extended result.

I’ve tried it on last night, hoping to wake up like I rested for more than 8 hours. The box consists of 12 sealed pods for each left and right eye, and each pod can be used only one time. I wish they made it less product in each pod, because I found it too much for one time application only. The texture is gel-like with a scent and tiny bits of peppermint leaves similar to GlamGlow face mask. It felt cool and tingling too. I waited for 3 minutes and wiped with dry tissue. Result? I didn’t see much improvement after I wiped, but when I woke up in the morning, I saw my dark circles lessen and it did pretty well on those fine lines too (see after pic above). I really recommend to use this product at night, leave the effect to stay while sleeping. And wakeup with less dark circles and no puffy eyes like moi!

Get GlamGlow Brightmud Eye Treatment at Beauty Box stores. 

GO GLAMOROUSLY GREEN

Widen your choice of makeup, ladies. As bo.ho makeup is coming to town.

What comes to your mind if you hear about green makeup? Mine will be: natural, not tested on animals, and environment friendly (from the ingredients to the packaging). And that’s exactly what bo.ho makeup offers. Launched back in 2012, this French organic (yes, it’s organic) makeup brand offers quite a complete range of affordable makeup products. The label: bo.ho does remind me of free spirit and hippies, which are the true characters of a true bo.ho, founded by Vincent Honnart & Christele Bombana. Knowing that green makeup in the world is still very limited, both Vincent & Christele were dedicated to create a gourmet brand with natural ingredients & professional quality.

If you see the green concept packaging, you can tell that they were inspired by all things natural, right down to the ingredients. FYI, all packaging is biodegradable, as they’re using cardboard and plastics that are made for plants.

In Indonesia, bo.ho is sold at Beauty Box and the nice people at Beauty Box Indonesia sent me some bo.ho products to try. Here’s my beauty verdict (see the final result pic on me above!):

Eyeshadow (Rp 175.000): The dark purple color in PRUNE is perfect to fill up the outer corner of the eyes to create that purplish smoky eyes. Very pigmented and not easily crease, this pressed powder eyeshadow is a must have.

Compact Foundation (Rp 250.00): Mine is BEIGE DORE, and this is the tiniest packaging of foundation I’ve ever tried. Very compact, I like the creamy texture which turn to powder sensation after application. Final result: matte, even without powder on top. Just make sure you put moisturizer or primer before applying as I feel it can be too drying for those who have dry skin type and always blend.

Eye Pencil (Rp 110.000): I tried the WHITE pencil, a great eyes opener for that fresh eyes look. It has a quite hard lead to create that precise line under my eyes. Just be careful not to poke on your own eyes.

Lipstick (Rp 180.000): This red wine color #103 is really bold. I applied a single layer only for the final result pic above, because it’s really that pigmented. With its’ matte texture, make sure you apply lip balm before application to keep your lips from drying out.


0
0
1
289
1649
PM
13
3
1935
14.0

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
JA
X-NONE

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

MATTE TO PERFECTION

I’m a (not so) proud owner of oily skin. People said it’ll delay my aging skin process. Mmm..maybe so. Stil…I want a perfect matte and soft skin like … all the time.

And in my line of work, I need my shots to be perfectly matte. Who wants to see my shiny skin, right? Thank goodness for SAMPAR Glamour Shot Matte Perfection. Four years ago, SAMPAR, the beauty brand from Paris invented Glamour Shot, the first transparent anti-wrinkles foundation that create a cosmetic revolution. And the latest addition to the Glamour Shot Series is Glamour Shot Matte Perfection, specially made for people like me who try our best to combat unwanted shine every hour or so.

This transparent mattifying concealer contains Ultra Matity Complex, stated to ensure 6 hours matte finish, balance sebum secretion to control shine, reduce size of pores & unifies the complexion. Apply on cleansed, moisturized skin if you do have all over oily skin, or just a tiny amount only on the shiny areas like T-Zone.

Sounds too good to be true until I’ve tried the multi-tasking product myself. What I personally like about this product is you can use this as a concealer before makeup, and also as a touch up during the day over makeup. Well, I decided to try it for touch up. See my pics above, and you’ll see that my pores looked like they shrank, my skin looked softer and more matte after I applied Glamour Shot Matte Perfection over my makeup. Surprisingly, the milky liquid texture didn’t disturb any makeup that I put on. 

I read somewhere that oil blotting paper actually make oily face worsen because of all that repeatedly pressing on the skin surface with dirt bonus. So I’m happy to say goodbye to those oily papers, because Glamour Shot Matte Perfection kept me shine free for 5-6 hours.

SAMPAR is available at their boutique at Kota Kasablanka or Beauty Box Stores. To get updated on their promotions, log into their Facebook.

BYE BYE BULGE

No need for photoshop. No wonder Oprah and other Hollywood’s A-listers stocked SPANX and have been praising the shapewear brand found by Sara Blakely.

I’ve been Spanx’ed from day 1. When Oprah listed SPANX as one her favorite things, I just got to try them. Then, Gwyneth Paltrow came forward, claiming that SPANX helped her post-baby body. And, as a mother of two, SPANX had me at my bulge. Not a big fan of going to the gym and eating well, I have to admit that it’s ridiculously hard (next to impossible) to get rid of that mommy’s fat. Oh yeah, aging doesn’t help too. It seems like those fat begin to sag as well. Oh well, what can I do?

Of course, I turn to SPANX. I remember the pre-SPANX era, while those tough looking corsets were just horrible even to look at (might as well wearing it). Am I glad I’ve got the chance to live in the SPANX era, when the functions of shapewear meet the needs of modern women. They’re comfortable to wear and look good. And for me who live in this unbearable hot & humid city, I need my shapewear to bare the heat too. Who want to look slim but sweaty underneath, right?

Thanks to SPANX Indonesia, they sent me two of their latest SPANX for me to try: Bra-llelujah! Lace Underwire Contour & Trust Your Thinsticts High-Waisted Mid-Thigh. I love how SPANX creatively named their products. As they said: you have to try it to believe it, don’t just read my post and believe what I wrote. Look at the before after pics above and tell me what you think. There are absolutely no photoshop pics, (FYI) my hubby took the pics with my iphone.

Hallelujah for Bra-llelujah! It has gorgeous lace, and my back never look so flat. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22 (again). LOL. It’s underwired to give the perfect support, but really comfortable. And the hosiery material is so soft and smoothing, it’s literally invisible under a tight top.

Trust Your Thinsticts High-Waisted Mid-Thigh is ultra thin. So thin, it really fits like a second skin and it goes right up to below the bra line (more longer than my previous SPANX Power Panties). Please mind the bulge when I wore ordinary panties (see pics above) and see for yourself how being Spanx’ed did great things to my bulge. And thanks to the sticky strips on the top of the shapewear, I felt it has more staying power than Power Panties. It didn’t roll down when I walked around. Bonus point: no VPL aka Visible Panty Lines, so I can use it as underwear.

My SPANX are so precious and I want them to last wear after wear, so I really take care of them specifically based on the information on how to launder each product. Some can be machine wash, but generally for bras, they need a cold water hand wash. After all, they are not ordinary underwear. They’re SPANX!

ESSENCE OF YOUTH

More skin care products are now made by cosmetic brands specifically for Asian Skin. And this product is one of them.

One more revolutionary product from Estee Lauder, Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion claimed to create a stronger more resistant skin foundation to make skin looks healthy & emanates the angelic glow of youth from within. Promising to activate the skin’s multiple pro-youth functions and sort of reset the appearance of skin. The key ingredient? Micro-Nutrient Bio-Ferment, which created through a highly scientific process that features a unique calibration of micronutrients & peptides with a precise blend of ferments. The inspiration? Extremophiles, a special type of living organisms, which are able to naturally survive & thrive in the harshest environment.

Yes, it is a treatment lotion not a toner, even though the liquid texture resembles one. We can use this with a cotton pad then apply by patting. Or directly pour a few drops onto the palm and pat. Me? Considering that it costs 1million rupiahs for 150ml bottle, I chose to use my hands instead of cotton pad. 

At the press launch party last April at Morissey Hotel, Jakarta, we were told that Micro Essence will work even better with Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery 2. They proved it on our back of hands, and no surprise that the one with Micro Essence applied first, absorbed the next product better. They also recommend to apply this light lotion for daily use, straight after cleansing, before serum and moisturizer. This product is great to tackle dehydration whatever your skin type is. I rejoice the fact that it was developed for Asian skin, so it’s definitely lighter and absorbs really well. Even my oily skin feels hydrated afterwards. As for the scent, it wasn’t as yeasty as I expected, so it’s really refreshing to use, especially in hot days like these couple of days. 

FROM KOREA TO THE WORLD

Yes, another Korean ‘beauty invasion’, please.

As a little girl, raised by a mother who truly believed in the power of ginseng as traditional medicine, Korean brand SULWHASOO had me at their main ingredient alone. Founded by Sung-Whan Suh (that really sound like the brand, don’t you think?) who as a young boy lived in Gaeseong, Korea, a city known for quality ginseng, SULWHASOO is known as a holistic skin wellness regimen drawn from Korean Herbal Medicine.

Having tested mostly all skin care brands which available in Indonesia, I am a firm believer of Asian brands, as I do believe they’re more skin-friendly to Asian skin. And SULWHASOO is one of them. At their website, I read something interesting: “In Korean Herbal Medicine, it is believed that the body undergoes internal changes every seven years. At each milestone, energies within the body change. Historically at the age of 35, vital energies begin to taper and fall out of balance. As vital energies diminish in the body, the skin becomes prone to dryness, dehydration, and significantly more vulnerable to the aging process.” I started counting my seven years itch after I read those, but relieved to know that SULWHASOO blends the Korean medicinal herbs with science to balance those inner energies of the skin for that final results we’ve all longing for: nourished & healthy complexion.

Thanks to SULWHASOO Indonesia, I’ve got a chance to try their products and one of the brand’s best seller ‘First Care Activating Serum’ (released in 1997). Currently, 9 bottles of SULWHASOO ‘First Care Activating Serum’ is sold every minute. This is not a typical serum, it also a booster to assure optimal skincare results by amplifying the effects of treatments that follows. If you are like me, sometimes you feel like all those serums & lotions didn’t absorb well and stay on the surface only, you’ll love this. The texture is very light and clear, it instantly absorb to the skin without any filmy feeling. As for the scent, I found it relaxing (thanks to those natural herbs such as lavender & ylang ylang). The star product of SULWHASOO is recommended as the first step of skin care after cleansing.

And talking about cleansing, I found my favorite cleansing oil in SULWHASOO, ‘Gentle Cleansing Oil’. Honestly, I was skeptical about cleansing oil as I’m an avid fan of Micellar water. But that changed after I tried the product. Unlike any other brands that I’ve tried previously, it’s not that oily (surprise, surprise!), it doesn’t sting my sensitive eyes and it cleanse well. And unlike any other brands, I don’t have to mix it with water to create that milky texture, just massage to clean the whole face, including eyes area. My beauty verdict: it’s a winner in cleansing oil category.

I also tried SULWHASOO ‘Essential Firming Cream’. Another winner from SULWHASOO Essential Line, for skin refining effects. No feeling of tightness after I applied and the slightly balmy texture didn’t feel heavy at all. It glides easily and absorbs well! Claimed to stimulate collagen for a long term lift, this product can also be used day and night to promote elasticity & detoxify as well.

As I wrote this post, SULWHASOO has two counters in Jakarta, Indonesia: Seibu Grand Indonesia & Sogo Plaza Senayan. Check out my pics above from their counter at Sogo. Well well well, they do carry ‘Men’s Line’ as well as their base makeup line, ‘Evenfair’. They have different lines for specific skin needs, such as ‘Time Treasure’ for anti aging and ‘Hydro-Aid’ for extra hydration. So, make sure you pick the right line for your need.

AN EYECONIC SOIREE

One lovely afternoon me & fellow beauty and fashion bloggers were invited by Wardah Beauty & Fimela.com to celebrate the launching of two Wardah’s latest eyeliners, set at the chic Portico, Senayan City, Jakarta.

Since 1995, Wardah has been accompanying every Indonesian women with beauty products which are made with all natural, premium, halal and safe ingredients. Once a favorite for Moslem women, the brand now revamped to be favored by broader public. And in conjunction with Fashion Nation Event last end of March, 2014, Wardah Cosmetics launched their EyeXPert Series, consists of two eyeliners, Staylast Gel Liner & Staylast Liquid Liner.

Being a fan of gel textured liner for most of my beauty life for its’ consistency and easy to apply formula, Wardah Staylast Gel Liner caught my attention first. My beauty verdict of this liner:

  • Great texture, it’s very soft & creamy so it made easy to apply (especially if you’re a first timer gel liner user).
  • What a black. I mean, really pitch black! Perfect to achieve those bold or cat eyes lines.
  • It’s matte, waterproof & smudge proof! Come on, with our hot & humid weather, what else do we expect from an eyeliner product, right?
  • The packaging is very compact, the brush provided on top.

Moving on to the second eyeliner, it’s Staylast Liquid Eyeliner. Surprisingly, even though I was never a big fan of liquid liner as I found it harder to apply and longer to dry, this product had me at its’ first stroke. This will be the perfect eyeliner for party look as it’s more glossy and a bit shimmery when applied. And thanks to their volatile solvent formula, it dries faster than other liquid liners I’ve tried, without those tight feelings.  

Above all, these two eyeliners are recommended for their performance and very affordable prices. FYI, currently I’m also an avid user of Wardah’s lipsticks for their soft and non-drying formula (I’ll post about their lip palette soon).

For more infos about Wardah, you can follow their Instagram & Twitter @wardahbeauty.