Tag Archives: skincare

K-skin, Korean Express Facial at AEON Bandaraya Melaka

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I went for an impromptu facial at K-Skin yesterday. On my day off, I brought my daughter to have lunch at Aeon Bandaraya. I was intrigued by their selling price – RM58 for a 15-minute facial. I could choose between 3 service options: Cleanse, Glow or V-lift. However, they also have another option which is the Combo treatment at RM98 for 30 minutes. I went for the Combo since they throw in a box of mask sheet as well. I chose Combo A.

Unlike other facials I have been to, they don’t pick on your blackheads and acne. I was very thankful for that because the last time I went, my face was really red the next day. It was so embarrassing coming into work like a lobster. I liked that the beautician was not excessively chatty too.

The facial area had private curtains around it and since my daughter is very well-behaved, my beautician loved having her sit near me. She was as quiet as a mouse. The facial was very cooling and relaxing. Maybe because I was the only customer during that time. Anyway, I believe it’s a good place to go if you have a long lunch break on Fridays. It does not require an appointment and you could easily go for lunch afterwards.

I wished I could say there was a glaring difference in my complexion – before and after. Unfortunately, I did not feel that way. Perhaps I could opt for the Pigmentation Service next time. My face did feel fresh though after the 30-minute pampering. And since I did an immediate Google Review afterwards, I received an extra sheet of Vitamin C mask sheet.

Malaysian beauty and skincare products

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Social media has convinced consumers like myself to try our local products. Although some can be on the much pricier side – as long as I believe it is good for our economic cycle, I can afford to do so. These are the skincare and beauty products I have tried this year and I have to say, they leave quite a positive impression.

Simplysiti

I used to be a big fan of this cosmetic and skincare range, especially during the times of Dermagic in dark purple packaging. However, I stopped because I noted that the formula of their moisturizer (back then) felt a bit off and that was when I realized that their main manufacturer had changed from South Korea to Indonesia. They must have tweaked the ingredients a bit, out of innovation, only that it was too noticeable and did not appeal to my liking.

This time I got their serum, moisturizer and sunscreen. The sunscreen was my least favourite because the scent of bubblegum was too overpowering. I did love their moisturizer and serum.

CUURA

I was intrigued by this brand because beauty influencers were all over them with the ‘ooohhh’ and ‘aaaahhh’ for their sunscreen and supplements. I did buy their sunscreen which was great as it had the texture of BOJ and up till now I am still consuming their GLO NECTAR. Recently, I purchased their Travel Kit which has 5 items inside: DetoxCleanser (10mls), Dew Drops Essence (10ml), Hydra Boost Serum (10ml), Aqua Boost Moisturizer (10ml) and Brightening Sunscreen (10ml). It was priced at RM124 but I wished they could make it for less than RM100 or at least lower than RM110. The application is straightforward. I rationed them as I didn’t want them to finish too quickly. Ha ha. It’s great as a trial kit of their products as well.

HYGR

I was sceptical about trying their deodorant at first but once I did – I was in love. Yes, it is pricey but honestly, with it’s combined compact look and lingering scent, I would repeat my purchase. I bought the Citrus and Tea Tree deodorant. I also bought 2 sticks of lip balm in the code, Hibiscus. I gave one stick to my cousin. I chose Hibiscus because I think it complements my skin tone nicely. The fascinating thing about the lip balm is that it is pigmented enough to be used as a mono eyeshadow and a blusher. Hence, it became a great companion for my travels. In fact, I did bring it with me on my trips to Kuching and Miri.

LADY.NURTURAL

The owner of this business was a blogger that I really loved reading about since her younger years. Based on her blogging style, I have always regarded her as one of those with a flair for creativity and empathetic reasoning. Thus, I am overjoyed to see her translate these traits into her home business. You could see the love she put into the making of her product, the packaging and the marketing. I wouldn’t expect any less.

I bought some soaps from her website. I was terribly influenced to try the HUTAN soap bar because I wanted to experience the earthy-wet smell after a shower. Indeed, I did feel like I just got out of a forest, hiking maybe with all the sweat. It had that sort of fresh smell. I also bought the TAWAS soap as a means to reduce body odour. I have another 3 soap bars that have yet to be tried, so it will definitely last me throughout next year. They are too precious to be given away as gifts.

NIHON

NIHON is a skincare line formulated by dermatologists. I didn’t immediately jump on the bandwagon because the founder and those who promoted it in the first place did not appear convincing. However, as times passed with me being desperate to get my pigmentations under control, I decided to take the plunge. I knew that there was no way I would get skin treatment unless I went to Renora Clinic one day and took leave many days afterwards to heal. So, this is perhaps a reliable solution for me to take care of my skin at home.

So I bought the Essence and the Night Repair Creme. I loved the essence immediately and am seriously contemplating replacing my SKII Pitera with it. The creme has retinol which is something I always aim for in my night cream products. However, what I loved most about the creme is it’s tangy, citrus scent. It was uplifting yet calming at the same time for the nighttime application. I am looking forward to exploring other products like their day cream and sunscreen but it will have to wait until I have finished the many others I have at home.

Would you know of any other Malaysian products I can try?

Trying Hada Labo

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A colleague asked me to smile a few days ago. Then she stared at my face really hard looking for something. I was curious but I kept smiling. then she exclaimed, “You don’t have it!”. I asked her back, “Don’t have what?”.

“You don’t have crow feet!”

I never actually realized that until she made the comment. Then she urged me to share what other beauty products I have been using apart from SKII Pitera Essence. Yes, she knew I was using SKII as well. It is after all a wonderful product. Anyway, I had wanted to move away from Korean skincare for a bit. I was looking for products from Japan with a lower budget than SKII. Although I love and am still spending money on its Pitera essence, I do feel that spending a few hundred ringgit on other skincare products in their range is burning a hole in my pocket. Especially when the amount is so little.

I did come across products from Shiseido, Kose and DHT. I was not keen on Hada Labo initially because I had an unpleasant experience with one of its products many years ago. However, looking at brands other than Hada Labo made me hesitant to get them. I was torn between the desire to get the results I yearn for when using skincare and the exorbitant price. Yes, I can afford to buy them. However, do I actually want to spend >RM250 for an eye cream or >RM 400 for a lotion? For the face? Not really.

I eventually gave in to the temptation of giving Hada Labo another chance. I was intrigued to do so because I found out that they had this beautiful bright blue packaging for their premium range. As premium as it is, it was still within my budget. It was a good decision in the end.

Hada Labo Facial Wash

Although the scent was ‘plant-ish’, it had a rich, smooth texture to it. I liked that it left a soft, supple after-wash feeling afterwards. I still use it interchangeably with my Mary Kay facial wash but I use Hada Labo in the morning as it felt more gentle on the skin. Once this one’s finished, would I get a new one? Ermmm no. I’d explore other options.

Hada Labo Gel

This product was marketed as a hydrating gel for oily/combination skin. I was hoping for it to tackle my uneven skin tone and lighten my acne spots. As I am approaching 40 (soon), I do feel that the scars heal very slowly as compared to how it was when I was younger. The collagen dilemma is real ladies. I try to incorporate more greens into my diet, greens are good to lessen the body odour too, but still, I needed a product that could help on the surface. I have to say this is one of the products that I enjoy applying on my face. I would repeat this purchase as I feel it is very hydrating on my skin. My skin barrier is very thankful to have this on board. As you can see, I am running low on this one.

Hada Labo UV sunscreen

I have been very consistent with my sunscreen use for the past 2 years. This sunscreen has an SPF50++ and I am so glad that it doesn’t leave a white cast on my South East Asian honey skin. The texture is milky and smooth to apply. Almost like a lotion. Almost like the viral BOJ sunscreen that I’ve used before. BOJ was a great product and I saw that it has widened its range – trying to conquer the sun category. I will look into that later. I recommend this Hada Labo sunscreen. It is a 5 out of 5 for me.

Hada Labo HA Supreme Vita

This is not from the premium range but I was attracted to its claim for deep hydration and brightening complexion. This is a serum I applied after using the gel. This concentrate has four types of Hyaluronic Acid that provide intense moisture. I was curious to trying the interesting plant extracts in it such as Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Brassica Rapa (Turnip) Leaf Extract and Algae Extract Sodium Citrate.

Hippophae Rhamnoides is sea buckthorn fruit which is well suited for mature skin. It stimulates the formation of new skin cells and metabolic processes. The fruit has high amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and other skin favourites.

Rose canina contains high levels of antioxidants. The flower itself can be consumed in salads or preserved in honey. In the cosmetic industry, it serves as a microbial barrier. It also has calming properties for sensitive skin. In other words, it is suitable for acne.

Myrciaria dubia is a riverside tree growing in the Amazon rainforest. I don’t know how the Japanese chemist got a hold of it. Anyway, the tree has flowers with sweet-smelling aroma. Traditionally, the fruit is harvested directly into canoes due to its sturdy nature. It is used in skincare due to its high Vitamin C content and we all know in the world of beauty, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and it brightens the complexion.

Brassica Rapa is again another antioxidant to add up to the existing line of skincare barriers. See how powerful this little bottle is.

I don’t use night repair cream or anything of that sort as I am already using retinol in my night skincare regime. I apply retinol at least 2 to 3 times/week. Ironically, although Hada Labo is a Japanese product, on its packaging it is ‘Made in Korea’. I guess you cannot get away from the big giants of the skin care industry after all.

Beauty products I ditched

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I am easily influenced. It gets worse with the flooding of adverts and endorsements through social media. Everything is K-beauty nowadays but I have to admit, their products are good. Even then, there were some brands that did not work for me. Mind you, it may work for you but not for me.

GRAFEN ANTI-HAIR LOSS PERFUME SHAMPOO

RM288.00 (a bundle of 3)

I was smitten by its beautiful packaging and the promise of long silky hair. This was the time when I hadn’t embraced the beauty of having curls. My first thought was the scent was too strong. And that it did not meet my expectations. I am still using it on days when I need a quick wash. But I have since then, gone to the salon and invested in better hair conditioner and cream.

JULYME PERFUME HAIR ESSENCE

RM45.00

I bought the Sunset Freesia (80ml). I was influenced to get one because of the adverts. I stopped using it after 2 attempts because the scent (again) was overpowering. And of course my hair remained as frizzy as ever.

SNP EYE PATCH

RM36.80

I purchased the gold collagen/birds nest aqua. It gave me quite a sting at the undereye. It gives you a cool feeling on application but then it hurt me after a few minutes. Maybe, my skin barrier was not optimum at the time. I dare not try it again afterwards though.

LUXFUME WHITENING CREAM

RM9.50

I wanted to lighten my hyperpigmented knees and elbows but I did not see any improvements. I then learned that exfoliation and moisturising of the area is a better practice. And I discovered AmLactin on Instagram, as recommended by a Japanese beauty influencer. She said the ammonia in Amlactin does the job better. Give me a few months to give my review on that.

SKIN MENU EXFOLIATE REPAIR FOOT MASK 40g

RM5.90

I love foot mask, especially those with that peeling effect. My problem with this mask is that the peel takes too many days to complete. It is irritating to have the dead skin hanging out or sticking to your socks.

LANEIGE CREAM SKIN REFINER 15ml

RM5.80

I am pretty sure this is a genuine product but why do I feel that the texture’s a bit oily. I mean, it is liquid and it passes through the big hole at the opening quite easily but it feels oily. Perhaps, that is what beauty influencers meant by good hydration? Talking about the hole, are they supposed to be that big? It always catches me by surprise when the fluid comes out. Out of control!

Finally, any W. Dressroom Dress & Living Clear Perfume. Any scent is just a no for me. Just get a proper perfume. While I am aware that the scent does not last long, it does have a peculiar after-effect smell to it.

On my vanity part 1

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Stash 1 : A mix of products from Japan, Korea, Indonesia and the USA . We have SKII, IUNIK, beauty of joseon, Wardah, skinlab, Apieu,

Approaching 40 and the obsession is with skin care, as a good base (face) will enhance the makeup and complexion as a whole. I have been very diligent in applying my moisturiser, sunscreen and retinol for the past year and am pleased with the results. My skin breaks out infrequently which is a hurray.

After tackling facial acne, I plan to reduce the hyperpigmented areas on the elbow and knees. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. For this, I have incorporated Amlactin into my body lotion regime. It smells horrible though because of the ammonia and the results are not visible since I am not consistent yet.

Evidently, an avid fan of SKII.

Stash 2 : the contact lenses and hair accessories

I love adorable hairbands, especially the ones with ears or anything of that sort. I share this collection with my daughter of course. I have also been trying other contact lenses brand because FreshKon takes ages to arrive online. Probably due to high demand. The new brand I am trying is Horien (Kira Kira) from Taiwan. The colours are pretty. My favourite is Ash Rose but the ones available in the store are the daily disposable ones. I am still loyal to Blincon because the brown looks natural on my eyes.

I also keep my hair rollers in this basket. Claws and clips are somewhere underneath there.