Review | Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

In almost every medical article I read - it says retinol is the only skincare in this world that can reverse fine lines. So I introduced retinol into my regular skincare routine  I thought I’d get the Drunk Elephant retinol cream since Drunk Elephant is known for its green skincare reputation and it has 1% retinol, which is the highest percentage retinol in off-shelf skincare. 

If your main skin concern is fine lines & wrinkles, do read on to find if the product is suitable for you.  

Brand name: Drunk Elephant

Product name: A-Passioni Retinol Cream 

Purchase from: Sephora, Shopee

Price: RM340 / 30ml

Price breakdown: RM11.30/ml

Review | Chanel No.1 De Chanel Revitalizing Serum

When Chanel first tease us with the red camellia newsletter, I was intrigued. My guess was a new fragrance, but it turns out to be an entirely new product range from Chanel. The No.1 range from Chanel uses the recently discovered red camellia as an active ingredient. And the bonus is - this range offers an eco-sustainable packaging. The products are packed in recycled and reusable packaging, and the product information print-outs have been minimized into a printed QR code on the box. 

To feed my curiosity, I purchased the star product which is the Revitalizing Serum. Click below to read the full review. 

Brand name: Chanel
Product name: No.1 de Chanel Revitalizing Serum
Purchase from: Chanel
Price: RM475 for 30ml | RM650 for 50ml 
Price breakdown: RM15.84 for 1ml | RM13 for 1ml
Made in France

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-tight Toner Review

I purchased this Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-tight Toner together in a set with the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drop Serum. The two products complement each other. 

Brand: Glow Recipe
Product Name: Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-tight Toner
Purchase From: Sephora, Cult Beauty
Price: RM160 / 150ml, RM1.07 / 1 ml
Made in Korea

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum Review

I admit that I bought this due to the over-hyped reviews on the product. A lot of comment says that this product gives an immediate glow after just one night of application. The Glow Recipe brand pride itself as a clean beauty brand. The ingredients that are used in their recipe are natural and gentle on the skin. This Watermelon serum (the full name is such mouthful, I thought I’d just call this as Watermelon serum), has been a best seller under the Glow Recipe umbrella. 

Brand: Glow Recipe

Product name: Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

Purchase from: Sephora, Cult Beauty

Price: RM160/40ml 

Made in Korea 

November 2021: What's in my trash

The last time I posted on beauty products I completed/toss out was back in January 2020. I can't tell what happened in between because it seems like just a blink of an eye and we fast-forward to a year and a half later.

This is going to be a long post, with so many products empties that I have used up and also I did a little spring cleaning to toss out those I don't want to use further. 

La Mer The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator

 

As long as we are stuck in lockdown mode, I will continue to drop my review on skincare. There is literally no chance (or no motivation) to try out new makeup products. 

The La Mer Replenishing Oil Exfoliator works hand-in-hand with the Cleansing Foam which I talked about in the previous post. I use this exfoliator around 2-3 times weekly, right after my regular cleanser with the La Mer Cleansing Foam.

Brand: La Mer

Product name: The Replenishing Oil Exfoliator

Purchase from: Sephora, La Mer 

Price: RM470

Size: 100ml

Price breakdown: RM4.70/1ml

La Mer The Cleansing Foam

 

When I was much younger, I always think that a face cleanser is something I shouldn’t spend much on. So I stick to drugstore brands and even picked up the cheapest I can find. But now I have a totally different perspective. 

If you ever going to invest in your skincare products, you should invest it in the cleanser. An effective cleanser is really the only thing that you need. Since it is also the first step in any skincare regime, you should pay attention to your skincare performance - do is clean your skin thoroughly, will it harm your skin (some cleanser contains ingredients that might strip off your skin), does it retain the moisture level of your skin? 

I really never give much thought to cleansers until I bought the La Mer The Cleansing Foam. I purchased this out of curiosity and it was also the time La Mer debut in Sephora, so I thought I would give it a try. This is when it changed my perspective of facial wash entirely.

Brand: La Mer

Product name: The Cleansing Foam

Purchase from: Sephora, La Mer

Price: RM385

Size: 125ml

Price breakdown: RM3.08/1ml

CS12 Miracle Mask

CS12 is a well-known indie skincare brand in Hong Kong, but surprisingly it is actually a Malaysian brand. I have been seeing a lot of hype about the Miracle Mask, which is a sheet mask, especially in magazines and social media. I tried to get it sometime at the end of the year, unfortunately, it was out of stock. That resulted in me contacting the owner of the brand to reserve it for me when they have it in stock. I thought she had forgotten about my request, surprisingly, last month she contacted me and told me the mask is back in stock. 

Brand: CS12

Product name: Miracle Mask

Purchase from: Directly from CS12 website

Price: RM218

Size: 7 sheets; 30ml per sheet

Price breakdown: RM31.15 per sheet

New In: DIOR Forever 3 New Makeup Must-Haves

The most important part of makeup lies in the skin. The perfection of flawless skin is the base for all types of makeup whether you want to go for a no-makeup look or a full runway fashion show makeup. Hence, I’ve invested a bit in the new Dior Forever range - Dior Forever Skin Veil SPF20 Primer, Dior Forever Fluid Foundation & Dior Forever Cushion Powder to achieve the flawless skin illusion. 

Continue reading to discover further.

DIOR Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum

This is by far the most expensive skincare product that I've ever bought. Off the shelf, it is RM1380. That's a price tag above minimum wage in Malaysia. It is ridiculous! It is unnecessary! What a show-off! But yet, my irrational mind thinks I should get it. In my defense, I was presented with a good opportunity. My bff (his blog is Fishmeatdie, do show him some love), told me he has some Isetan vouchers and he could give it to me. So technically, I spent RM800+ on this serum. It is still a hefty price tag, but at least I got some value back. In any angle that I tried to present my case, behind my mind there is still a little whisper that says, I shouldn't have bought it. Anyway, we have come to this, so, I might as well make use of my experience with this luxury serum and share with you some thoughts. 

Brand: DIOR Prestige

Product Name: La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum

Purchase from: Dior Beauty counter/boutique

Price: RM1380

Size: 50ml

Price breakdown: RM27.60 / 1 ml

Tatcha - The Water Cream Review

You should concern about the quality of your skin hydration at all times. No matter your age or skin problems, well-hydrated skin will help you overcome your skin issues faster and more efficiently. That is why I’m constantly on the look for a good moisturizer. Here’s one which I can recommend right away - the Tatcha Water Cream. 

Brand: Tatcha
Product name: The Water Cream
Purchased from: Sephora
Price: RM300
Size: 50ml
Price break down: RM6/ml
Rating: 

Trying Out La Mer Products For the First Time

 

This is going to be a general discussion on La Mer products, and not meant to be a specific product review. Before this, I've never tried La Mer products before, mainly because of the sky-high price tag. When the opportunity comes to try out these trial sizes, I jump upon it. The skincare set contains the whitening range. Albeit I do not need any whitening products, but this set does have some iconic La Mer products that I eager to try out.

Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 PA+++ Review

It is crucial to use a good primer if you are using a foundation. This is because a primer can multitask in protecting your skin, as well as preserving your foundation. I've seen some beauty YouTuber using the Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection as their base and it got me intrigued because everyone claims it is lightweight and hydrating. There is only one way to find out, which is to try it myself.

Brand: Bobbi Brown

Product name: Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 PA+++ Base de Tint

Purchase from: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Sephora, Nordstorm

Price: RM153

Size: 40ml

Price breakdown: RM3.82/1ml

Rating: 

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado Review

The Kiehl's avocado range took a few years of hiatus. I got to know it when I went to a newly opened Kiehl's shop early this year to look for this eye cream and the sales assistant looked at me with a puzzled expression. I believe she thinks I'm lying or crazy because her response was, "We don't have any avocado products." I was equally puzzled, because I know clearly that they had the avocado eye cream and it was my favorite a few years back. Finally, it is now back and I hope it's going to be a permanent range.

P/S: They also discontinued the acai range which I loved.

• Brand: Kiehl's
• Product Name: Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
• Purchase From: Kiehl's, Bloomingdale's, Ulta, Selfridges, Macy's
• Price: USD48 / 14g
• Product Summary: This creamy preparation with Avocado Oil gently moisturizes the delicate eye area. The unique, concentrated texture does not migrate into your eyes. Tested under Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist control.
• Rating:

Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence

I love my SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, but let's be honest... it is expensive! Also, I heard that a lot of people are not suitable to use the SK-II FTE because of its fermented essence. Hence, I want to recommend Kiehl's Iris Extract Treatment Essence that I have used for a long time. This is my second bottle, and I can say that I can't live without it.

• Brand: Kiehl's
• Product Name: Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence
• Price: RM188/200ml
• Purchase From: Kiehl's, Selfridges, Bloomingsdale 
• Product Description: With age, skin’s texture begins to look rough and radiance is lost. The causes are three-fold: skin’s hydration levels and cell turnover rate decrease, and the integrity of the skin’s layers is reduced. To reactivate these properties and impart essential nutrients, Kiehl’s proudly introduces Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence – a multi-action formula that optimizes penetration of subsequent skin treatments and instantly reveals radiant, smooth and younger-looking skin.
• Rating: 

My Favorite Sunscreen for Underneath the Makeup: Shiseido Perfect UV Perfector SPF50+ PA+++

I love a good sunscreen especially if it is good for applying underneath the makeup. I believe that sunscreen and foundation should go hand-in-hand, they both should be best friends because both of the products are worn together during the day. Currently on my favorite list is the Shiseido's Perfect UV Perfector SPF50+ PA++++ (that's a mouthful, isn't it?)

Brand: Shiseido
Product Name: Perfect UV Protector SPF50+ PA++++
Purchase from: Saks Fifth Avenue, NordstormPrice: $38
Size: 50ml
Product Summary: Powerful sun protection featuring WetForce technology, and offering multi-protection against damaging environmental assaults such as UV rays, pollutants and dryness.
Rating: 

November 2019: What's in My Trash

A lot of beauty bloggers and YouTube beauty gurus often feature their monthly posts on product empties. This post is similar to that, but my take is on what I toss out of my beauty shelf. There will be some products that I discard because it is so bad and I don't want to continue using it. Since I have the opportunity to try out a lot of beauty products, some didn't make it till the last drop. So I dedicate this monthly post to all the best products that I have dry up or the worst products that I don't want to waste my time on.

L'Occitane Immortelle Reset Review: It Works!

If only there’s a device that can reset our youth back in a natural way to our younger days, it would be amazing. Although, there’s no advanced technology to do so at this moment, we can definitely use the L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Serum. I got this serum as a sample from sending all my beauty empty bottles for recycling at L'Occitane, after one use, I knew I had to get it.

Brand: L'Occitane
Product Name: Immortelle Reset Oil-in-Serum
Purchase From: QVC, Nordstorm, Adore Beauty
Price: $59
Size: 30ml
Product Summary: A delicate oil-in-serum dual texture that melts perfectly into the skin, with Immortelle Essential Oil, known for its anti-aging properties, encapsulated in golde, caviar-like capsules, and Acmella Oleracea extract known for its immediate smoothing properties, and Marjoram extracts to help reawaken skin, infused in a translucent serum.
Rating: 

Do You Actually Need A Beauty Fridge?

Now, here’s something we never thought we need and suddenly, it’s in everyone’s shopping cart on Amazon. I don’t think there’s a need to explain what a Beauty fridge is, it is pretty much self-explanatory. But, the question is... do we really need it?

5 Uses of Micellar Cleansing Water That You Didn’t Know

Micellar Water is a beauty game changer. This product has been in the market for years, however it did not receive the recognition it deserves until recently.

Micellar water is made up of micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules) suspended in soft water. The micelles attracted to oil and dirt, so they are able to clean out impurities without disturbing the skin's condition.

1. Brush cleanser

Because of its ability to attract impurities and remove makeups, it can also be used as brush cleanser. Put the micellar water in a small cup, soak the brush bristles in the cup for five minutes. The makeups should be easily washed off with warm water.