Category Archives: Reviews

Trying Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun

Posted in Beauty Products, Reviews by

As the blog’s mini headline suggested, I am easily influenced to BUY something, EAT something, or TRY something. My favourite sunscreen, from the brand A’pieu in Natural, was finishing and I wanted to get the Biore one, but since Instagram is flooded with reviews on this Korean sunscreen, I decided to try it.

After all, one of the best rules of sunscreen is to just use whatever sunscreen you like so that you could be consistent in using it daily and incorporate it as part of your individual skincare regime.

I bought myself the Beauty of Joseon Sun Relief cream from Shopee. Priced at RM 45.90. I bought other things too as part of my beauty haul. Which I may or may not write about it in my blog. I am intrigued with the Daughters of Malaya product though, cause it’s local and looks superb. I hope the formula wows me. So, maybe I will share my thoughts on that. later.

These are my recent hauls.

The haul
  • DAUGHTERS OF MALAYA, Summertime Ceramide Liquid Moisturizer, RM35
  • IM UNNY Moisture Face Cleansing Foam, RM25.80
  • 3WCLINIC Fresh Mask Sheet, Red ginseng, RM1
  • 3WCLINIC Fresh Mask Sheet, Cucumber, RM1
  • 3WCLINIC Fresh Mask Sheet, White, RM1
  • SOMEBYMI Rose Intensive Tone Up Cream, RM45
  • SKINLABS C’ENSIL A+E Serum, RM190

Why is the Beauty of Joseon relief sun product famous?

Well, it could be one helluva effective social media campaign using the right influencers to reach the target market. OR it could be a really good product. Especially when the brand says it has extra UV filters in it which in a way makes you doubt the efficacy of other sunscreens. As of now, my personal holy grail is the A’pieu sunscreen for its light, no white cast finish and a distinct ‘ I am wearing sunscreen for a youthful appearance’ scent to keep me motivated to use it. So, I am intrigued to see if Beauty of Joseon is on par with it.

Is this Beauty of Joseon sunscreen equally good? Did I love it?

I have sawo matang skin, to begin with. Honey skin? is that what people in the beauty industry call it? Meaning I’m not as fair as Irene Red Velvet or Dahyun TWICE but more like Hwasa Mamamoo. When beauty influencers said that it doesn’t leave a white cast, I am like – ‘oh? is this brightening effect not considered white cast? Cause I do look a fairer tone after application. Perhaps I need to understand better what white cast means. Thankfully, I wear a hijab – so people wouldn’t really see the difference in the colour of my neck and my face. Unless I am at home but then, nobody is watching. Ha ha. Even then, this mild white cast is somehow absorbed and you’ve left with this invisible (read: transparent) barrier that is supposed to protect your skin.

This product does not have a scent. Which makes me miss A’pieu a lot. Cause A’pieu kind of reassures you that yup, this is a good habit, applying sunscreen. But I do agree that this sun relief cream gives you that radiant, healthy glow instantly. It can even function as a primer. As that base in your makeup or when you choose to go barefaced. I think that is the plus point for me. Not wearing makeup but the face remains flawless. If you have good skin texture to start with.

In short, I love it but my holy grail is still A’pieu Natural sunscreen.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cem8HgqBOxj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cem8ksZBSTl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Tumblers as birthday gifts

Posted in Online Store, Reviews by

I initially bought this tumbler for myself because I wanted to drink more water at home. Water that remains cool for a very long time. This is of course no ordinary tumbler because it is one of those subtle BTs merchandise that ahem, represents Suga. It was a collaboration between BTS x Built NY. I bought it from Shopee Malaysia for RM164.50 including postage. It took about 2 weeks to arrive as it was shipped directly from South Korea.

I loved this product and have been using it daily for my cold drinks. I sip my drinks using the blue straw I purchased from Zus Coffee.

My husband saw the tumbler. I don’t think he knows it’s a BTS thing but he seemed to be interested in it. And so I bought him a tumbler too but from the Stanley x Starbucks collection for his birthday this year. It was in navy blue with a straw. It is made from stainless steel making it a good choice to hold both his hot and cold beverages during the long hours at work in the office and on the field. Seems that he loved it loads and have been ‘showing it off’ on his table and all. Didn’t know it would mean so much, to gift a tumbler to a grown man.

Current picks on Netflix

Posted in Movie, Reviews by

It’s been a while since I enjoyed movies from India. Lately, Netflix has been airing really good movies and I am giving a thumbs up to these 2 movies.

1. Gangubai

This movie narrates the hardship of Gangubai as she paves her way from a low-tier prostitute to a prominent figure in the ‘industry’. Putting the moral issues aside, I understand her desire of wanting to legalize prostitution. Although legal means bounded by rules and regulations, legal also means access to the same resources that other mainstream industries can get. In the Gangubai context, it will mean equal access to healthcare, education, housing areas etc. This lady has a point.

Ajay Devgan made a cameo appearance in the movie.

2. RRR

This is a fictional story about the Indian revolution. It has Bahubali’s elements in it when it comes to fighting scenes and the athletic abilities of the actors. There were cringeworthy moments but it was a very cinematic, phenomenal piece. Guess what, Ajay Devgan was also in the movie.

TOCCA Mini Discovery Set

Posted in Beauty Products, Reviews by

My favourite perfume used to be Ralph Lauren Style but it’s not produced anymore. Apart from the nice scent, I think I loved it because it has sentimental value. It was a gift from one of my best friends I call Mimie. I still keep the bottle and the very little volume it has left at the bottom. It is a scent I go back to from time to time whenever I miss her or my time back in Manchester.

My husband gifted me with a few perfume brands when we got married. My sister too but none of them have managed to topple down RL Style from its throne yet. Which makes me open to the idea of trying as many perfumes as I can. I am not loyal to anything yet.

Recently I purchased TOCCA. To be honest, I have never heard of the brand before but it looked so cute on Shopee. The trial set looked so aesthetic that I needed to get my hands on it. They have very subtle scents and it doesn’t last that long. Mine lasts for less than 2 hours which makes me doubt its authenticity.

SIMONE – Highlights: Watermelon, frangipani, ylang ylang. It has a very fresh smell to it. The kind that you would use after a shower having completed a strenuous gym session or a heavy day at work. After the shower, you prepare a meal and just lounge in the living room with Netflix and your partner. I really like this one.

FLORENCE – Highlights: Bergamot, pear, gardenia. This one has a Spa vibe to it. Almost like a Balinese spa. It’s like I just came back from the spa kind of smell.

STELLA– Highlights: Blood Orange, Freesia, spicy lily. I would wear this to a funeral. You know how you hug people to comfort them? I believe the Stella hug has a fairy godmother/grandmother-ish comfort to it.

COLLETE – Highlights: Bergamot, sandalwood, pink peppercorn. I would use Collete if I have to attend a meeting dominated by men. You kind of blend in with the masculine scent. It’s like no one would notice there’s an XX in the room.

MAYA – Highlights: Wild Iris, blackcurrant, patchouli heart. This is my least favourite as I am not a fan of fruity scents. If you want to smell like Ribena, go ahead.

GIULIETTA – Highlights: Pink tulips, green apple, vanilla orchid. Another one which I do not prefer. Maybe it’s the apple. It’s like someone will put me in the blender and make me a human smoothie sort of thing. It just doesn’t work for me. I guess fruity scents work for bubbly personalities who emits the joy and fun in the world. Maybe those in the younger age group would love it.

GIA – Highlights: Pink peppercorn, tangerine, Turkish rose. I would wear this to a dinner date where there’s steak on the menu or to the opera. It’s very phantom of the opera-ish. I need a masquerade mask for the perfect OOTD.

CLEOPATRA – Highlights: Grapefruit, Jasmine, Vanilla musk. Smells like a woman with power. The power to do anything you want with a headache. I honestly cannot stand the smell. It’s too powerful for me.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. for me, I would get the Simone in a bigger bottle if available.

Pulse Grande Hotel, Putrajaya

Posted in Leisure & Travel, Reviews by

I wish I could say I enjoyed my stay. Unfortunately, I didn’t.

I was prepared that the place wouldn’t be as gah as it would have been before the pandemic, but I wasn’t prepared for what ensued. The only commendable thing about the whole experience was the staff. The communication skills were superb, but the service and the facilities/layout, whatever you call it, are slowly going down the drain. It would be pretty sad for all these young skilled staff to go just because the place is unable to serve as an exclusive abode for travellers.

So, what could be improved?

Check-in ritual

Taking into account that the lady could be new, I just feel that there is certain information that must be conveyed automatically to the guest. Which should be included as part of the training if you are to man the check-in counter. Such as the WIFI password, breakfast time, breakfast area and highlights of the hotel such as access to the garden park, pool, and directions to the kids club room. I felt that the lady failed to recognize that I actually booked extra service from the hotel which included the birthday room decor and kids package. It would be helpful to advise guests early regarding payment and such activities.

The rooms

My room is on the ground floor because I chose the garden view. Plus point is that it is near the breakfast cafe. The minus points are that you will be walking through the hallway that has public toilets. If they are cleaned regularly, they will not smell. Otherwise, merasalah kau bau hancing sepanjang jalan menapak ke bilik. You could also feel this damp, musty feeling as you walk through the hallway and also as I entered our room. Macam bilik yang tak pernah dapat cahaya matahari sort of thing. Lembap semacam. It is honestly very uncomfortable. The room lighting is also so malap with the switches macam haywire. Like, OMG.. porque? porque?

Not only that, my room is directly beside an open hall area where activities are held. So, be prepared to have people standing outside your hotel room door during the day. It’s like dah kenapa ko bersidai tepi pintu aku.

I was also very disappointed with the gifts that my kids get from the extra room package thing. I mean, how is a puzzle that has a tank at a dataran picture spells out cute for kids? Even if you give a standard, white embroidered towel with cute animals or flowers, the type that they can bring to the pool pun budak akan suka. But puzzle? Who’s great idea is that?

Thankfully, the birthday room decor was ACCEPTABLE although I was like, why is the Happy Birthday balloon decor in black? What happened to happier colours? I would suggest the fruits to be cut up though. Guest bukannya bawak pisau nak potong epal, oren bagai untuk kongsi dengan semua. Please don’t say something like, boleh gigit kan epal tu.. haih.. hempuk jugak lah.

Husband’s 37th birthday – yep, he is younger than me

Housekeeping

As of most 4 or 5 star hotels, you wouldn’t see a water dispenser anywhere. Hence, you would depend on the complimentary mineral water and kettle in the room for drinks. Can you imagine the horror when you realize that in the room tetiba no remote control for the TV, no kettle and there is only ONE cup to drink your hot beverage. Itu pun, bila tengok supplies tu macam, kau ikhlas ke nak terima aku as guest ni? Seriouslah.. I have never been so pissed. So we called room services and had these problems sorted out.

sedihnya housekeeping macam ni

Room service

Room service is supposed to be convenient. People order room service because they do not want the hassle to leave the room to eat. They are willing to pay extra just so they could attend to their matters in the room while having a nice, hot meal. This hotel does not have the usual hard copy menu in the room. Instead, we have to scan a QR code. Only, they did not tell where the QR code is. Jenuhlah aku mencari dlm laci, at the check in card and all for this QR code. Only later did they say they will send the QR code to the room and to call 0 to place an order.

Eh.

Might as well you give me the physical menu and take my order at the door, kan? Tapi takpe.. I will take that QR code, call O and place the order before 930pm. Now, a wait of 30 to 40 mins to me is acceptable but to wait for nearly an hour – is just ridiculous. Lebih me-ridiculouskan is that the staff said they are still busy with the buffet. Well lady, I don’t give a shit. I have kids who is having trouble to stay awake but hungry at the same time.

The food finally came. My initial order was a set of chicken briyani, honey bbq club sandwich, tomato arabiatta from the kids menu, 2 cans of Sprite and 2 additional bottled mineral water. They did not provide me with the mineral water, reason being, there’s already water in the room (masalahnya aku nak extra, and I am paying for it, part mana yg tak faham tu?) My problem with the meal was the spaghetti. They should put a chilli picture next to the menu to indicate the level of spiciness. Since it was under the kids menu, mestilah kita tak expect it wouldn’t be THAT spicy kan? Well no, it was damn spicy. Thankfully, the briyani saved the day.

Final verdict

This hotel has a really nice location. The garden park is wonderful. Cuma tuhlah.

I can imagine it’s majestic reputation at one point in time. I believe it could be what it was once again with time and a bit of improvement to the facility and service. You’ve already got the people. Until it buckles up, I have to say, it is not an option for my hotel stay in the future.

We checked in at 8pm, after hadap terrible traffic on the highway for hours, and I had imagined a night where everything is in place. I imagined a night where I could take my hot shower, hair in a turban, sipping hot coffee at the desk while eating my hot meal and watching TV. I’d imagined the kids be sleeping restfully after the meal while my husband and I have a chat. But no, it did not happen. Room service was so lambat that the kids were already asleep.

ntah berapa kali aku angkat tepon, call for this, call for that.. haih.. stress sangat. I am not paying for 280 per night taw.

I am paying RM360/night with an additional RM120 for decor (&cake) and RM125 for room service meals. Can you sense the disappointment?

In short, don’t waste your money here until you read a better review this year.