Melvita and Women’s Weekly Anti-Aging Workshop

Posted on October 4, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

The battle against anti-aging is a never-ending challenge, isn’t it? So when The Malaysian Women’s Weekly announced an interesting workshop last August, I took the chance to learn more about anti-aging…

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The free Melvita skincare items in the goodie bag

It’s always interesting for me to attend beauty workshops. I find it worthwhile to discover latest products and to observe how consumers respond to what different beauty brands have to say during such events. It’s also amazing how thirsty we are for advice and knowledge when it comes to techniques, tips or secrets to combat the dreaded ‘a’ word…aging.

How did I acquire a seat for the workshop? The Malaysian Women’s Weekly announced the Anti-Aging session in its August magazine issue. For a minimal fee of RM30, you secure a seat to the workshop, which also comes with refreshments and goodie bag.

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The session was held at Lavender Bakery in 1 Utama, at the open air section, where we enjoyed the breeze of a cool morning. Before the session started, Melvita conducted this ‘spin the wheel’ mini-game to get something that addresses aging. I got a small packet of fresh raspberries. So cute.

Refreshments from Lavender were provided, together with a lovely bottle of Esprit Raspberry Sparkling Water. Don’t worry, what you see on my plate here isn’t all of it. I just chose to take a little amount of food.

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Workshop items such as sponge, wash bowl and mirror were provided for each guest. We got to sample and apply different anti-aging products from Melvita, ranging from cleansers to beauty oils.

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Some of the products tested at the workshop

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Melvita also introduced their latest skincare range, Bio-Excellence Naturalift, which consisted of 3 products: Youthful Day Cream, Youthful Night Cream and Eye Contour. These can be combined with other items such as beauty oils and floral water.

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Melvita Bio-Excellence Naturalift Skincare

Naturalift Youthful Day Cream 40ml – RM208.00

This formula offers the protective and firming action of the bud complex, to smooth wrinkles and fine lines. It also contains shea butter, to nourish the skin, and the combination of rye, oat and hibiscus, which together redefine facial contours. The skin is deeply replenished and firmer; it appears visibly smoother.

I think this is a good product to try, especially for those who are looking for organic skincare solutions.

Naturalift Youthful Night Cream 40ml – RM225.00

The rich texture of this cream sinks gently into the skin, to nourish and moisturize throughout the night. In addition to the firming and protective action of the bud complex, which smoothens wrinkles and fine lines, this formula also contains nourishing shea butter, as well as evening primrose oil, known to help prevent skin ageing. These ingredients are combined with rye, oat and hibiscus, which help redefine facial contours, to provide intensive regenerating action.

For rejuvenating the skin overnight, it is good to have a night cream, which is normally a bit thicker than the usual moisturizer. This night cream has a lovely texture that is suitable for overnight skin recovery. I like the gentle scent, too.

Naturalift Youthful Eye Contour 15ml – RM170.00

Formulated with the firming and protective bud complex, this eye cream is enriched with plankton – known for its draining properties, which help to reduce dark circles. It also contains rice powder, for a delicate powdery finish. Rye, oat and hibiscus provide complementary action, filling out wrinkles and fine lines.

This cream has a light texture that doesn’t feel thick or heavy around the eyes. I guess with the rice powder ingredient, it leaves a nice powder finish so you have no risk of developing those oil seeds or milia.

The session ended with a Q&A game where 3 lucky guests bagged gift sets. Too bad I wasn’t listening carefully; I didn’t answer the question correctly, ha!

Ooohhh, and I enjoyed this yummy dessert!

Overall, the workshop is fine and enjoyable, except for the set-up of the venue. The seating arrangement is too tight, squeezing in around 30 guests. Where I sat, in front, I had to keep asking other guests to stand up so I can access food. I can’t blame the other ladies who were probably rolling their eyes but they also can’t blame me. Well, it was a non-working day for me, I don’t want to be a bitch on a weekend, and so I just keep my cool. The table setting was also tight to conduct self-application of the products. I hope these points will be considered by brands when conducting workshops. Guests must have comfortable space for beauty sessions.

We were given a RM30 voucher to use at Melvita outlets, so it’s like giving back the workshop fee paid to reserve a seat. No worries, you can buy an item with this RM30, such as natural or organic body soaps.

My beauty loot that day:

Organic Rose Floral Water 200ml – RM122.00

Certified organic and fair trade (EFT attested), our floral water is obtained by steam distillation of fresh Rosa damascena petals. Our unique extraction method enables us to obtain a floral water that is particularly rich in active ingredients, making it a naturally powerful formula. With its fresh, delicate scent, our floral water helps to combat dehydration and regenerate the skin.

I love this floral water. I’ve been using it for more than a month now and I’m enjoying the immediate hydration and convenience. It comes with a spray so I don’t really need to use cotton with it. I used to have reaction to rose products but this one proved to be safe for my skin. I spray it on my face in the morning, afternoon at work, and at night.

Eye Contouring Avocado Oil 50ml – RM112.00

100% of the total ingredients from Organic Farming. Very rich in non-saponifiable components, avocado oil is obtained from the flesh of the persea gratissima fruit. An excellent natural anti-ageing treatment, this oil is recommended for dry and delicate skin. Extremely nourishing, it is recommended for the eye contour, the neck and for stretch marks, especially if used with shea butter, which contains non-saponifiables that are remarkably complementary.

I think it’s amazing that this product can be used on the eye, neck and body stretch marks. So I bought one for my mum-in-law. She’s enjoying the multi-function, too.

I also got myself these 2 soap bars:

Lavender Flowers Soap Bar 100g – RM20.00

Vegetable Soap Bar 100g – RM35.00

I am using the Lavender Flowers Soap Bar every morning. The light scent is just nice, unlike other lavender products that often have a strong aroma.

For an organic beauty brand, I think Melvita is worth a try. I signed up as a member as well to enjoy more privileges. My next purchase would probably be a brightening eye serum and another bottle of floral water. I’m now addicted to spraying rose water on my face every day.

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Membership card came with this adorable green beauty pouch that has print of bees inside

Stay connected to Melvita Malaysia via:

http://www.facebook.com/MelvitaMY

Or visit their online shopping site at:

http://my.melvita.com/

Covo Cosmetics – 3 Makeup Brush Set

Posted on September 28, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Looking for makeup brushes that are affordable yet perform well?

Five years back, I was used to applying my makeup with fingers for foundation, and the basic eyeshadow brushes for eye makeup. Guess I was lazy to explore using makeup brushes before but my desire to create more dramatic looks finally won me over…and spawned an addiction to collect good brushes.

I admit that I am a fan of famous professional makeup brands like MAC and Nars. They have a great selection of brushes and the quality is just superb. These brands have the brush for every makeup application requirement to achieve the look you want.

But it wouldn’t hurt to test other brands that are on the lower price range. I did try Ecotools and I must say not bad. And this time around, I’ve tested brushes from Covo Cosmetics, which were a gift from a good colleague for my birthday a few months ago.

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Covo Cosmetics – Essential 3 Brush Set

RM89.00

The Covo Cosmetics Essential 3 Brush Set houses 3 top essential brushes. This chic collection of dipped tips brushes are made from super-soft nylon bristles. The set contains a powder brush, liquid foundation brush and eye shader brush.

This 3-brush set comes with a brush pouch, making it easy to bring to travel or carry with you in the bag. Each brush is packed in plastic when newly purchased. The black pouch has a compartment for each brush, keeping them neatly tucked in its place while travelling.

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Covo Cosmetics Eye Shader Brush on my Eye Paint Pot

The first brush I tested was the eye shader. I tested it on my favorite Nars eye paint and it worked very well. The bristles were suitable for the cream texture of my eye paint and application was easy. This brush may not be ideal for powder eyeshadows because the bristles are “semi-stiff” but it’s perfect for cream ones.

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Covo Cosmetics Liquid Foundation Brush

Next I tested was the liquid foundation brush. I tried it on my Guerlain Lingerie de Peau cream foundation and Lancome Teint Miracle liquid foundation. What we, ladies, want from foundation application is that even, flawless look and I gotta say that this Covo brush did the job well. The next question I had was, would it last after regular washing? After using it for 2 months with regular washing, it’s still intact and not a bristle fell. Not bad.

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Covo Cosmetics Powder Foundation Brush

Last one was the powder brush foundation. This one is very soft and feels nice on the skin. I normally apply liquid or cream foundation then finish it with powder foundation. This Covo brush picks up the powder well and application is smooth and flawless.

These 3 brushes are a good option if you’re looking for lower price range of makeup brushes. They do the job well and are great makeup accessories. Personally, though, I think the brush handles can be improved for grip comfort and feel. Professional brands have that certain comfort and ease when holding their brushes, which allows me to apply makeup easier and with more confidence.

You can check Covo Cosmetics selection via their website at http://www.covocosmetics.com

Stay connected to Covo Cosmetics via their Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/CovoCosmetics

For more information and to order products online, visit:

http://www.covocosmetics.com

About Covo

COVO seeks to harness the continuing growth of the COsmetic eVOlution (hence the name COVO) to bring the best in makeup artistry to even the most discerning user without anyone missing out on the total “luxe” shopping experience. COVO puts the focus on the consumer experience whilst the latest technologies are utilized to capture every woman’s beauty needs and nuances. The products are designed to be smartly intuitive and multifunctional to delight the expectations of a COVO woman. The red carpet treatment isn’t sacrificed from the luxury perspective hence COVO’s – Luxe for Less should appeal to one and all!

Guardian Launches Jeju Face Mask Range with Powerful Ingredients From Korea

Posted on September 17, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Wish you had the flawlessly radiant, dewy skin of your favorite K-Pop singers and Korean drama actresses?

Nutrients-infused sheet masks are an essential part of many Koreans’ skin care regime, providing a pick-me-up for common skin problems such as dry skin, uneven skin tone and breakouts.

Guardian, the largest pharmacy, health and beauty retail chain in Malaysia has introduced the Jeju Face Mask Range, which harnesses the benefits of plant-based ingredientsfrom the unpolluted and pristine Korean island of Jeju, that can help you achieve the glowingly healthy skin of your dreams.

Jeju Island is untouched and has been declared a UNESCO heritage site for its natural beauty. The fertile volcanic soil here is rich in beneficial minerals, while underground water sources filtered through volcanic rock provide pure water. These factors and the gentle climate help the flora thrive and concentrate active ingredients that are more potent and purer, making them ideal ingredients for delicate facial care product.

The Jeju Face Mask range comes in four variants for different skin needs. Jeju Lily is for brightening, Jeju Tangerine is nourishing, Jeju Tsubaki is ultra-soothing while Jeju Seaweed is moisturising.

Each single application of sheet mask is gently scented for some relaxing ‘me’ time and a soothing skin care experience.

How to use the Jeju Face Mask:

Apply the Jeju Face Mask of your choice on cleansed face.
Massage gently with fingertips to aid absorption of essence.
Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, and perhaps catch up on some of your favorite Korean drama series.
For best results the Jeju Face Mask range can be used up to three times a week.

According to Ms. Segolene Defline, Corporate Brand Director from The Dairy Farm Company, Limited, the Jeju Face Mask Range harnesses the efficacy of selected ingredients that are traditionally known and scientifically proven to be beneficial to skin.

“Korean skincare is garnering huge attention and positive feedback from users around the world, especially among Asian consumers. Guardian understands that our customers want the effectiveness of Korean skincare at an affordable price. After much research and development, Guardian selected ingredients from Jeju Island that have been traditionally used and trusted in Korea for centuries,” said Ms Defline.

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Jeju Seaweed for Moisturising

Seaweed is rich in marine minerals and helps in keeping skin moisturised and hydrated. Jeju Seaweed Face Mask replenishes daily nutrients in the skin, promotes skin hydration and locks in natural moisture, leaving skin soft and supple.

If you spend a lot of your time in drying air-conditioned environments, this mask is for you.

Jeju Tsubaki to Soothe and Revitalise

Tsubaki or Camellia flower extract has soothing property. It contains Vitamins A, B and E and protects skin from harmful UV rays and environmental damage. Jeju Tsubaki Face Mask aids in strengthening the skin barrier, leaving it soothed and revitalised.

Jeju Tangerine for Nourishing

Tangerines or commonly known as Hallabong by the Korean, are rich in the skin vitamin, Vitamin C. For healthy and vibrant looking skin, try Guardian’s Jeju Tangerine Face Mask, which nourishes skin with antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, for skin that is healthy from the inside out.

Jeju Lily for Brightening

Lily flower extract is used for its natural skin brightening effect as it evens out skin tone and increases skin flexibility. Reach for Jeju Lily Face Mask to brighten tired and dull–looking skin, leaving it radiant with a natural glow.

Price and Where to Buy

The Jeju Face Mask Range is available nationwide at all Guardian outlets and e-store at https://online.guardian.com.my at RM5.90 per single mask application.

About Guardian Malaysia

From a 200-sqft pharmaceutical retail outlet catering to the expatriate community to emerging as the leading Pharmacy, Health and Beauty retail chain in Malaysia, Guardian now operates a chain of 422 stores, providing unrivalled variety of Pharmaceutical, Health and Beauty products to more than 2.5 million Malaysian customers a month, across the country.

Guardian’s commitment to its customers’ needs is also reflected in a dedicated team of pharmacists, who impart professional advice and consultation to customers. Committed to strong corporate governance, which upholds responsible and ethical dispensing at all times.

Guardian is also an advocate of corporate philanthropy and believes in giving back to the community. Guardian celebrates four decades of success by making a pledge to contribute to worthy causes by getting involved in the efforts that help to provide and promote the care, development and well-being of the local communities and supporting programs that are dedicated towards those in need namely, women and children.

About Dairy Farm

Dairy Farm is a leading pan-Asian retailer. At 30th June 2014, the Group and its associates and joint ventures operated over 5,800 outlets and employed over 100,000 people. It had total annual sales in 2013 exceeding US$12 billion.

The Group operates under a number of well-known brands across four divisions. The principal brands are:

Food

· Supermarkets – Wellcome in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines, Cold Storage in Singapore and Malaysia, Giant in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei, Hero in Indonesia;

· Hypermarkets – Giant in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam;

· Convenience stores – 7-Eleven in Hong Kong, Singapore, Southern China and Macau;

Health and Beauty

· Mannings in Greater China and Guardian in the rest of Asia;

Home Furnishings

· IKEA in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indonesia; and

Restaurants

· Maxim’s in Hong Kong, mainland China and Vietnam.

Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a standard listing on the London Stock Exchange as its primary listing, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group’s businesses are managed from Hong Kong by Dairy Farm Management Services Limited through its regional offices. Dairy Farm is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

flexWorkLife.my Empowers Women with Flexible Work Practices

Posted on September 9, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Balancing time for family and career is never easy…but what if you can get the best of both worlds?

I’ve always believed that women have the toughest jobs in the society. We work hard to build our careers, climb the corporate ladder, be the best of who we are and then we reach a point in our lives when we have to raise or take care of our family, being forced to make difficult choices between career accomplishment and nurturing the family. This applies not only to mothers but to women who will eventually have to choose between succeeding and allotting their time to take care of their aged parents. Women are always expected to be THE caretakers of the family and THE ones who have to sacrifice their jobs. And while men are accepted to have their ‘me’ time or time with their friends, women, more often than not, have to sacrifice all these in favor of time for the family. We sacrifice our time, our careers, our potentials to reach the peak of our success…and don’t even get me started with expectations to stay fit and beautiful after birth or as we age!

I’ve been in the corporate work force for more than 10 years now and I’ve seen many women who had to make the painful choice of giving up their jobs for the sake of having more time for the family. I’m not saying that it’s wrong to choose family over career BUT it’s sad to see intelligent, results-driven individuals leave the organization where their skills and strengths can lead to more successes. It is a known fact; the long hours and demands of a job give us less time and strength to lead a balance between work and life.

How to balance work and life if work eats up all of our time in a day?

It was a very interesting and enlightening afternoon when I encountered Urban Mom’s talk show in One Utama last weekend. Did you know that there’s an organization in Malaysia that recognizes the need among individuals to have a work-life balance? For the first time, I got acquainted with a portal named http://www.flexworklife.my, an organization that aims to build a network of employers and talents to optimise work-life integration while maximising work efficiency and enhancing employee engagement. The talkshow, “I Made A Career Comeback”, featured 2 women who experienced the challenge of giving up their career for a while and successfully managed to regain their fruitful careers. But the great news is, this time around, these 2 women have made a career comeback that gives them flexible working arrangements or flexible hours, giving them the work-life balance they need. Say what again??? Flexible hours? Work-life balance? These are possible?

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At the Urban Mom & flexWorkLife.my talkshow, “I Made a Career Comeback” (from left: 1. Ms. Salika Suksuwan, Head, Industry Partnerships, Talent Corporation Malaysia, 2. Ms. Nisa Hidayah, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Standard Chartered, 3. Ms. Pauline Teo, HR Analyst, BASF Asia-Pacific Service Centre Sdn Bhd, and host)

Women have strong potentials and capabilities to make significant contributions in building businesses and economies. But did you know that in Malaysia, the labour force participation rate of women is lower than neighboring countries like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia?

And why do women stop working?

TOP 3 REASONS WOMEN LEAVE THE WORKFORCE:

1 – To raise a family

2 – Lack of Work-Life Balance

3 – To care for a family member

Source: Retaining Women in the Workplace, ACCA & TalentCorp, 2013

Should it really be a choice between motherhood/family and work?

Good news is, women (and even men) who find it challenging to return to their careers after some time can now gain support from flexWorkLife.my and organizations who have recognized the need to retain women workers and talents in the workforce. More and more companies are now working towards providing the best working practices for women such as flexible working hours, working from home and even childcare centres at the workplace. I was happy to find out that established companies are now part of this drive to empower women. Here are some of the companies that have started providing flexibility in the workplace:

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Whether you are a job seeker or an employer, you will find a lot of support and benefits via flexWorkLife.my and the organizations that have started flexible work practices. There is even tax incentives support for companies that practice parent-friendly working environment and efforts to retain women in the workforce. This is amazing.

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Several times in my career, I did experience sacrificing my job to spend more time with my family, mainly my growing up son. It can be stressful and frustrating when a mother has to sacrifice family time for the sake of holding a job, making an income or working to succeed. Personally, I don’t believe that longer working hours directly translates to productivity (in the same way I don’t believe that those who work overtime are necessarily hardworking or efficient). Flexibility in the workplace is a smart, strategic concept if a company aims to maintain diversity, strong talents and, most of all, the significant value that women play in the organization.

For more information, log on to:

http://www.flexworklife.my

Stay connected to flexWorkLife.my via their Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/flexworklife.my

Of course, that day in One Utama wouldn’t end without my son shopping for something…well, he found something at Hamleys…

GlamGlow YouthMud – Facial in a Jar

Posted on August 30, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Lights…camera…action. Designed as a professional ‘facial in a jar’ for behind-the-scenes use in Hollywood’s Entertainment, GlamGlow promises instant camera-ready skin in 10 minutes. Can this be for real?

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I don’t regularly exfoliate before. I guess I also get lazy or busy to be bothered by a twice-a-week treatment. But exfoliation is essential in maintaining a healthy, glowing skin. Even though we regularly cleanse, moisturize and apply serums, without exfoliation, our skin can get rough and dull. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. When dead skin cells are removed, the skin looks younger and healthier with new skin cells.

As we get older or as years pass by, the process of cell renewal tends to get slower, meaning dead skin cells stay longer on the surface of the skin and it takes longer time to generate new cells. This results to dull, dry, rough or older-looking skin. So if we want to keep our skin healthy or improve its appearance, we need to work harder and find the time to exfoliate on a regular basis.

Finding time is always a challenge, isn’t it? But GlamGlow YouthMud promises results in 10 minutes for radiant, glowing skin while it also provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation. If you haven’t heard of GlamGlow, just Google it and you’ll see lots of images showing faces with gray mud on. You can also check it out at Sephora.

GlamGlow has 4 different products available: SuperMud, ThirstyMud, BrightMud for eyes, and YouthMud, which I am reviewing here.

YouthMud^TM Tinglexfoliate Treatment

RM240, 50g

Available at Sephora boutiques

Leaves skin noticeably radiant and glowing

Activates collagen synthesis

Provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation

Helps to leave skin smoother, brighter and softer

Provides tighter skin texture and tighter pores

Helps to provide a more youthful appearance

Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils

Helps to protect against free radical damage

How is it packed:

Like the ThirstyMud I’ve reviewed recently, GlamGlow YouthMud also comes in a matte box. This one is a combination of solid black and silver text, an easily recognizable signature of GlamGlow’s packaging style. On the front panel, a sticker saying ‘World’s Best Mask Winner’ is very visible, making me even more intrigued about this claim.

GlamGlow YouthMud has an inner card tray where the glamorous black jar sits nicely. The card tray reminds me of a photo wall where celebrities (or media guests) would stand against for photo ops. Oh, this is so Hollywood.

A brochure and info leaflet are provided together inside the box. Instructions on the small info leaflet are in different languages.

Upon opening the box, you’ll be welcomed by a sweet greeting, ‘Hello Sexy’, just like ThirstyMud. Now, that’s something every man and woman would enjoy reading, huh. Love this concept.

The black jar cover is topped with a silver star, reminiscent of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

The jar is sealed for protection, to maintain freshness of the mud and prevent spills. My advice is don’t remove the entire seal. Just open it halfway so you can seal it back afterwards. This will prolong the life of your YouthMud and prevent spills even when you travel with it.

The mud mask itself is in muddy gray color. Take note, it may darken and thicken over time. To re-liquefy, you just need to add a few drops of purified water and stir.

GlamGlow YouthMud contains the following potent ingredients for gentle resurfacing exfoliation:

Green Tea – brightens complexion, protects against free radicals, hydrates, balances oil production

Volcanic Pumice Rock & Minerals – detoxifies and awakens skin

French Sea Clay – provides delightful tingle sensation triggering 12 hours of collagen synthesis

Teaoxi – delivers a blend of time-release antioxidants containing fresh Super-Squalene, EGCG Super-Antioxidants & Polyphenols directly into the mud from real pieces of tea leaf in the jar

*Contains NO sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs or Triclosan

How to use YouthMud:

Cleanse your face

Gently stir your YouthMud prior to application (I use a small plastic spoon or spatula to stir and scoop)

Using your finger, apply a thin layer of YouthMud all over your face

Leave it on for 10 minutes, expect a ‘tingle-tastic tightening’ sensation

Remove mask with water, applying circular motions while washing to exfoliate

Use twice a week for glam-tastic skin

I’ve done a short video review of this wonderful mud mask, hope you’ll it!

Some may find it filthy-looking while the YouthMud is on the face but that’s just how this works. You can even see small pieces of green tea leaves all over the face.

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Then you chill for a while. I love the tightening sensation. After almost 10 minutes, the mud will be dry, turning into a lighter gray color. It’s hard for me to smile here because the mud has dried up, haha!

DID 10 MINUTES of GLAMGLOW do the trick?

It’s no surprise why celebrities love this product! At first, I was skeptical if a 10-minute mask treatment can really do wonders on the skin, but GlamGlow YouthMud does.

It’s easy to fall in love with the tightening feeling. The gentle resurfacing exfoliation makes the skin so smooth and refreshed in 10 minutes. The skin feels tighter, looks radiant and brighter.

This mask is definitely a must-have for every guy and gal! It can be your rescue product for very important events, especially when you have no time to go for a facial spa or treatment.

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My bare face, no moisturizer, no toner or serum, no photo-editing, just my skin after YouthMud

Check out my review on GlamGlow ThirstyMud, click HERE.

GlamGlow ThirstyMud Product Review

Posted on August 27, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Got thirsty skin? Does GlamGlow live up to its promise of super hydration in 10-20 minutes? This article contains written and video review…

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A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the much raved about mud mask brand, GlamGlow. GlamGlow, Sephora’s #1 seller of quick-fix skincare products currently sold in 56 countries, has recently launched another innovative product called the ThirstyMud. Sounds cool? Well, let’s see.

It is important for our skin to stay hydrated, especially once you reach my age of 30+. As we age, the skin tends to be more prone to dry skin; leading to premature aging, fine lines, wrinkles and eventually creases (no!). When the skin doesn’t have sufficient hydration, it becomes prone to irritation, itchiness and other diseases as it lacks the moisture barrier to protect itself from outside elements. Hydration is important in maintaining healthy and youthful skin.

But we all are too busy or lazy sometimes, aren’t we? We want fast solutions, immediate results or quick fixes. I do try to stick to my daily routine of day and night skincare. I haven’t even gone for a facial in years! I admit that work and family responsibilities come first so if there is actually a product that can provide instant results, I’m just soooo excited to try! If you could have magnificent skin in 20 minutes, without going to the spa or facial salon, wouldn’t it be worth a try?

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NEW! ThirstyMud^TMHydrating Treatment

RM240, 50g

Available at Sephora boutiques

provides deep instant, extreme hydration for long, medium and short term results
hydrates, moisturizes, restores, replenishes and calms for instant super sexy skin
can be used during the day, at night or while in-flight
ideal for both men and women

How is it packed:

I’m in love with this matte blue box, combined with silver accents on some texts and borders. It just feels and looks so elegant, like a true star product. When you lift the top cover, you’ll be welcomed by a ‘HELLO SEXY’ greeting, making you feel beautiful and gorgeous as you are. I love the motivation of this message. I agree that everyone is sexy in his or her own way.

The box contains a product brochure and information leaflet. The blue and silver jar sits like a queen on inner card tray, with silver text and star accents. Isn’t that really sexy?

The jar cover has a silver star on top, making it look even more ‘Hollywood-ish’. Removing the cover, you’ll see an extra white cap to prevent spills, especially when it’s travelling with you.

The mud mask itself is of a light brown color, oozing with sweet coconut aroma. Try this on your skin and you’d want to lick it. It smells really delicious.

GlamGlow ThirstyMud contains the following potent ingredients for advanced hydration:

DewDration 2% – provides long-term hydration with a powerful trio of liquid acids designed to provide the most significant hydration and barrier actives; provides the deepest skin penetration for an instant dewy, youthful result.

HydraPack 7% – provides medium-term hydration with an innovative creation of specialized hydration actives to refresh and nourish depleted skin. It leaves the skin with an instant silky, soft and supple feel.

GreenEnergy 3% – provides short-term hydration with a combination of powerful natural ingredients for immediate skin conditioning. It leaves the skin smooth and energized.

Teaoxi Ground Olive Leaf – patented active technology for instant super sexy skin.

Another thing I love about GlamGlow ThirstyMud is that you can use it while in-flight. Ever noticed that your skin tends to be dull and dry while travelling? The ThirstyMud can be your flight companion. You simply apply it before or even during the flight, rest and chill, then wipe it off upon landing or just leave it on.

How to use ThirstyMud:

Cleanse your face
Apply an even layer of ThirstyMud all over your face, neck and decollete

For DAY USE

Leave it on for 10-20 minutes
Wipe it off with tissue and massage the remaining product into skin OR
Wash it off with water

For NIGHT USE

Leave on to infuse the skin with moisture and wake up with extremely hydrated skin

For IN-FLIGHT USE

Apply at the beginning of the flight and leave on for flight or travel duration

Here’s a short video review of GlamGlow ThirstyMud, hope you’ll like it!

So this is how ThirstyMud looked on my face…then I chilled and relaxed for 20 minutes. Maybe lie down on the bed or start drafting a blog article…

glamglow_thirstymud_hydrating_treatment_product_review

My bare face after ThirstyMud. No makeup, no moisturizer, no editing.

I washed it off with water, as I’m more comfortable with this method. And OMG, I love how my skin feels! Really smooth, silky and supple. Almost feels like baby skin! And this was only my first time use.

glamglow_thirstymud_hydrating_treatment_blue_cupcake

My naughty son had a kick from GlamGlow event’s blue cupcake, thanks GlamGlow & The Butterfly Project!

SO HOW WAS IT?

GlamGlow ThirstyMud did live up to its promise of instant hydration and even more. It’s amazing. The price might seem a bit high for some but you can compare it with the time and convenience of having facial spa results at the comfort of your home or flight instead of spending time and money at a real spa. Of course, you can still do both and make GlamGlow ThirstyMud a complementary product to your facial routine.

I’m already excited to continue using ThirstyMud as part of my weekly routine. This can be used 2-3 times a week or as needed (if you have an event, wedding or important function to attend). I’d also try leaving it overnight and see the difference it can do to my skin.

And don’t forget, you can use this on your partner, boyfriend or husband, too!

I’ve also tested GLAMGLOW YouthMud. Stay tuned for my article and video review!

Elianto Online Beauty Shopping now available!

Posted on August 24, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Great beauty deals at your fingertips…shopping online is so good!

elianto_online_beauty_shopping_malaysia_cosmetics_makeup

Online shopping is a good companion for my beauty needs. Aside from the convenience of having beauty products delivered at my preferred address, I also enjoy the feeling of receiving a parcel like a ‘surprise’. Most of the time, prices combined with promos online make beauty products such a steal!

I recently discovered that elianto now has an online shop and I was tempted to try their website. Like a lot of you, I’ve known elianto mainly for its wide range of nail colors and colorful cosmetics. Have you seen their eyeshadow color palettes and refills? They have beautiful, popping colors that are great for those who love to put on different colors every day.

Elianto’s online shop caters to various beauty needs:

Skincare

Makeup

Nail Care

Fragrance

Body Care

Hair Care

Accessories

We all love makeup, don’t we? You’ll be happy to see elianto’s selection of makeup items. They have very affordable lip colors. And if you’ve seen my review or heard about elianto’s new brilliant riche transfer-proof lip colors, you can also buy it online (and it’s only RM25 per tube!).

Skincare items are also available for ordering online. Love anti-aging products? You’d be happy to hear that elianto’s anti-aging range, Youth Compact for lifting and wrinkle reduction, has attractive offers online.

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You can now buy nail polishesat the convenience of looking at more colors while sitting down on your sofa, lazing on the bed or having coffee at a shop.

elianto_online_beauty_shopping_malaysia_nail_polish_price

DELIVERY Charges are reasonable. For West Malaysia, you’ll enjoy FREE delivery with orders above RM80. For East Malaysia, you’ll enjoy FREE delivery with orders above RM150. Minimum purchase for free delivery is a bit higher than Luxola but you can easily reach these amounts if you’re also buying bodycare and skincare items. Or you can combine orders with your friends.

elianto_online_beauty_shopping_malaysia_delivery_fees_charges

PAYMENT methods accepted by elianto

• Debit Cards

ELIANTO accepts Visa and MasterCard Debit Cards where subject to bank availability. All data submitted will be protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• Online Banking

Online banking transfers are accepted from: AmBank, Bank Islam, CIMB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank, Public Bank, RHB.

• PayPal – my personal preferred payment method

ELIANTO also accepts payment through Paypal

I decided to make my first order a few weeks ago. I picked a Feather Lite Airbrush foundation, Celestial 2-in-1 Eyeliner in gold and Celeste 2-in-1 Eyeliner in white.

I’m very happy with the speedy delivery. I made my order on a Monday evening, and by Wednesday afternoon, I already received my parcel! Delivery to PJ within 2 days is great!

The delivery packaging is also good. The products are carefully wrapped in bubble pack. This way, you’re sure the products are protected from shock and certain amount of heat. Elianto’s products have tamper-proof seal as well.

So if you love beauty products at an affordable price, if you love having the feeling of ‘surprise’, or if you’re busy and you need the convenience of shopping quickly and efficiently, try shopping at www.elianto.biz

You’d love their promos and deals, too! Happy online shopping, everyone!

Stay connected to Elianto via their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/eliantoMalaysia

Win a Trip to Bangkok with Dinoscovery Count-D-Eggs Contest

Posted on August 22, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

Want to spend 4 days and 3 nights in Bangkok with your loved ones for FREE?

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Dinoscovery by Dinosaurs Live!, Asia Pacific’s first-of-its-kind edutainment exhibition is inviting its visitors to join the Count-D-Eggs contest and stand a chance to win the Grand Prize of a family holiday package to Bangkok, Thailand.

The contest will require participants to guess the number of plastic eggs in the giant egg sculpture placed at the lounge area at the end of the exhibition. All contest forms must then be placed in the entry box for submission where the participant with the correct or closest guess to the total number of eggs in the egg sculpture will be awarded the Grand Prize of a 4-day, 3-night stay in Bangkok, Thailand worth RM2,000.

dinoscovery_by_dinosaurs_live_contest_win_trip_to_bangkok

Participants will be required to ‘Like” Discoveria’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/discoveria.kl upon participation where the winner announcement will be made.

The family holiday package for 4 is inclusive of return airport transfers in Bangkok, breakfast and accommodation at a centrally located 4-star hotel.

“Dinoscovery by Dinosaurs Live! is more than just an average exhibition, we are also intent on providing a fun, learning experience through exciting activities for the whole family. Through Count-D-Eggs, we are providing the kids an opportunity to learn math in an enjoyable way and encourage positive attitudes and appreciation in the subject. Moreover, this activity is also a great way to spend some quality time with the family,” said Lee Yew Jin, General Manager of EMS Discoveria Sdn Bhd.

The contest will run from 9^th August until 9^thNovember 2014 and is open to all visitors. One contest form is available upon purchase of either two Dinoscovery tickets or with a minimum spend of RM10 at the Gift Shop or at the Discoveria Cafeteria.

Dinoscovery by Dinosaurs Live! is a year-long exhibition which features reengineered, life size animatronic dinosaurs in true-to-life adventure-like settings. Opened to public on 21^st March 2014, it has been enthralling thousands of visitors with 15 interactive activities including its star attraction, the Dino Quest which transforms visitors into paleontologists in search of dinosaur specimens with the help of a map and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) band.

Other engaging activities include challenging a Gallimimus in a 10-metre race and excavating fossils in a custom-built sand pit. Visitors may also enjoy delectable fusion food while quenching their thirsts with a variety of unique mocktails and freshly brewed coffee at the Discoveria Cafeteria at the end of the exhibition.

Members of the public who are keen to visit Dinoscovery by Dinosaurs Live! can contact the exhibition hotline at 03 2181 7218, log on to www.discoveria.com.my or visit Discoveria’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/discoveria.kl.

Opening hours are 10am to 10pm daily including school and public holidays with last admission at 9pm.

Dinoscovery is located at:

Level 4, Avenue K

156 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Call: +603 2181 7218 for details

Covo Cosmetics – Luxe for Less

Posted on August 7, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

It’s wonderful to discover a beauty and cosmetics brand that aims to make beauty accessible to all without burning a hole in the pocket.

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I first encountered Covo in 2012 while doing my store visit routine in Berjaya Times Square for a brand that I used to manage. When I saw the simple, sleek counter design in mainly black color, I already found it interesting. Colors pop up nicely against black and it was easy to be captured by Covo’s color collections.

On my birthday last June, my good friend, Sulo, generously gave me a beautiful set of Covo cosmetics. She’s a dear friend who understands my beauty addiction (haha!). My present, a set of 5 items, were neatly arranged in a box inside a paper bag adorned with a French-themed drawing. I liked this feminine and artistic touch of the brand. It’s not the typical photo of a celebrity or model but this one also manages to show style, fashion and glamour.

I haven’t tested all the items yet but I’m excited to talk about what I got. There’s just something very clever with Covo’s items. The prices fall into the affordable level but each product is very competitive and worth trying. After all, beauty and style should be accessible to many, not just the rich, isn’t it? Let’s see what’s inside my present:

HD Picturesque Primer – RM69.00

Made in Korea

High definition, mineral enriched, conceals wrinkles & pores, deeply nourishes, prolongs foundation wear

I think that this is amazingly affordable. Now, High-Definition makeup is not just limited to those who can spend a lot on cosmetics. I’m just finishing my current HD primer but I’m very excited to try this one soon!

Fearless Waterproof Shadow Liner – RM35.00

Made in Germany

Waterproof, 8 hours wear, Shadow and Liner in 1, Highly Pigmented, Glides Smoothly

This liner comes with a built-in sharpener, isn’t that genius? Now, I don’t need to find my sharpener, or even buy one. The texture is great and easy to blend.

Stardust Quad – RM65.00

Made in Italy

Highly Pigmented, Blends Evenly, Creamy and Smooth, Nourished with Vitamin E, Contains skincare benefits

I find it great that this eyeshadow set contains vitamin E. That’s makeup plus skincare in 1 product!

3 Free Nail Polish – RM29.00

Made in Australia

No formaldehyde, No toluene, No DBP

Well-pigmented, glossy, long lasting

Most 3 Free nail polishes in the market would cost a lot more than this. And it’s great to find a brand that can offer a 3 Free nail polish at this price.

Essential 3 Brush Set – RM89.00

Powder brush, liquid foundation brush, and eye shader brush

Compact sizes, comes with a 3-brush pouch, travel-friendly

It’s not easy to get good quality, affordable makeup brushes but this set is probably one of the best you can find. I’ve started using the liquid foundation and eye shader brush; they’re very effective in makeup application and the bristles don’t fall off even with regular cleaning. Good ones!

Thanks again to my good friend who gave me this makeup set. Stay tuned for my upcoming reviews of the items!

Stay connected to Covo Cosmetics via their Facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/CovoCosmetics

For more information and to order products online, visit:

http://www.covocosmetics.com

Hey, that loose powder looks nice!

About Covo

Where to find COVO outlets in Malaysia:

Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur

CAG-02, Ground Floor

Parkson NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

Lot No. G1, C1, L1.01 & L2.01

Terminal KLIA2, Sepang

Lot S1-1A-A10, Terminal KLIA2

03-87878445

GATEWAY @ KLIA2 (VOIR Gallery), Sepang

L2-90, L2-91 & L2-92,

Level 2, Gateway @ KLIA2, Terminal KLIA2

03-87878190

Sunway Pyramid, PJ, Selangor

Lot G1.06A, Ground Floor

03-5622 1642

One Utama, PJ, Selangor

Lot FK 103, First Floor

03-7722 1739

The Mines, Seri Kembangan, Selangor

L2-37, L2-41 & L2-42, Level 2 The Mines

03-8940 8568

AEON IOI Mall, Puchong, Selangor

F50, First Floor, AEON IOI Mall, IOI Mall

AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, Klang, Selangor

F04, First Floor, AEON Bukit Tinggi

Klang Parade (VOIR Gallery), Klang, Selangor

Lot G.10-19, Ground Floor, Klang Parade

03-3359 7131

AEON Bukit Indah Shopping Centre, Johor

F02, First Floor, AEON Bukit Indah Shopping Centre

AEON Kulaijaya Shopping Centre, Johor

F01, First Floor, AEON Kulaijaya

AEON Bandaraya Melaka Shopping Centre, Melaka

F04, First Floor, AEON Bandaraya Melaka

Dataran Pahlawan (VOIR Gallery), Melaka

Lot G-022, Upper Ground Floor

First World Plaza, Genting, Pahang

Lot F/L2A.3, Level 2A, First World Plaza

03 61011032

AEON Ipoh Station 18, Ipoh, Perak

F25, First Floor

AEON Kinta City, Ipoh, Perak

G04, Ground Floor (Cosmetic)

AEON Kinta City Shopping Centre

AEON Mall Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

F01 (Cosmetics Floor), Level 1

GURNEY Plaza(VOIR Gallery), Penang

Unit No. 170-02-23A

04-2271960

China Glaze Nail Polish in Lovely Green Color

Posted on August 4, 2014 by CelesteDeJesus

My first time to try China Glaze nail polish and a green color for my nails…

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(photo from China Glaze FB page)

Oh, I haven’t done my manicure in a looong time. My pedicure is always done, though. I’m someone who cannot survive a work week without my toenails painted! Yes, yes, say I’m vain but I love my open-toe shoes and I find it necessary to have colored toenails. I normally just do it myself except a few weeks ago when I had it done at Nails Garden in e@Curve in preparation for a wedding. They have good service there, I must say. My pedicure lasted for 2 weeks and the foot massage was great.

Anyway, back to my topic. I haven’t tried China Glaze nail polishes before. I’ve had Butter London, Ciate, Elianto, Sally Hansen and probably a few more. But during my visit to Philippines 2 weeks ago, I saw China Glaze and noticed that it’s cheaper so yeah I was enticed to buy. And the sales lady was very friendly, too. Since she’s very nice, I bought 2 colors, hehe.

First color I picked was the metallic blue, code So Blue Without You (1258), then the green one, Agro (1127). Hmmm, I’ve never tried a green nail polish color before and this one looked attractive to me. It wasn’t the typical ‘leafy’ green shade. And since I am managing a brand with green color, I thought it was about time to have 1 green nail polish, ta-da!

I excitedly tested my new China Glaze nail polish last weekend and I’m so in love with it! I never thought I could get away with green on my nails! I used to dislike green but this China Glaze shade is just lovely. I love how different lighting changes the shade and sheen of the polish.

China Glaze

Nail Lacquer with Hardeners

Price: P350 or around RM30

(In Malaysia, I believe it’s around RM42)

Content: 14ml
Free from formaldehyde, toluene and DBP

Made in USA

Life after opening: 36 months

I used it with my other nail care products:

Step 1 – Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Nail Hardener as base coat
Step 2 – China Glaze Green Nail Polish
Step 3 – Sally Hansen Diamond Shine as top coat

Oh and I use my hair dryer to assist in faster drying in between each step.

My green nail polish is now on it’s fourth day and I’d say I’m very pleased with its long-lasting wear. I’m someone who regularly washes oily dishes, I handwash my undergarments with my bare hands and I wash my hands very often within the day. And so far, the nail polish still stays nicely with very minimal fading on the edges! This is amazing. Normally, my nail polish will chip off because of my daily washing habits but China Glaze survived nicely!

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And because it’s only minimal fading on the tips of my nails, it’s very easy to retouch. Love my China Glaze purchase and I think it’s worth the price.

Next up will be the China Glaze blue nail polish soon!

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Stay connected to China Glaze Malaysia at

http://www.facebook.com/chinaglazemy

Or check out China Glaze International at

http://www.facebook.com/chinaglazeofficial

About China Glaze Nail Polish

Long-wearing, beautifully-shiny, fashion-forward, carcinogenic-free, celeb-fave, manicurist’s best friend, loving and living in color.

China Glaze believes in the power and beauty within every woman. We believe in putting your best-pedicured foot forward. And we say, don’t hide those hands because you’re worried they show your age, but talk with them because the color at your finger tips speaks volumes!

China Glaze offers a broad selection of long-wearing nail lacquers with hardeners and essential treatments at a great value. The brand is dedicated to providing nail technicians with globally appealing, on-trend, high quality nail lacquers and treatments. We offer innovative and fresh ideas to the polish industry!

Visit www.chinaglaze.comfor more information

Celeste de Jesus

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