Note: This post was supposed to be published in June 2016 (last year!) but it got stuck in my drafts and never saw the light of day! 😣

So let’s begin. As most of you all know, I’ve been a redhead for the longest time.

The moment I graduated from high school, it was the day where I no longer had to stick to the confines of being black-haired, as the school rules dictated. So, ever since I was 17 years old until well… just before today, I keep turning myself into a redhead with every visit.

Old photo of me circa 2012

Back then, I refused to let any of my hair sponsors dye my hair with any other colour.

Yup – only bright, crimson red. And nothing else. 😤

Read on, to see how a redhead turned brown for the first time!

Ciao! It’s not often that one gets to enjoy work and passion in the same session, but at the stroke of luck, fate and a little bit of pixie dust, today happened to be one of them! 🙂

I was working on an important beauty & wellness project by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in collaboration with Bologna Fiere and Cosmetica Italia, called the Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna Presentation Kuala Lumpur. Although we started working on it on a short notice and within a tight timeline, I’m glad we all managed to pull things together for a great day.

Joanna, Shini & Myself at the foyer of the Malaya Room, just before the seminar began.

This presentation was held prelude to the world’s biggest international trade show for the beauty industry – Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2018, from 15 – 19 March in Bologna, Italy.

Read on, if you’re keen to fly yourself to the land of pasta, pizza, olive oil and high fashion! 

Having bad skin and a not-so-perfect complexion (read: dreaded scars!), I try my very best to ensure I pamper my face with the necessary, corrective facial treatments once a month.

Not that my post-acne scars are entirely reversible, that is. 🙁

But hey, that’s the least I could do to lighten the marks.

 Sunday night regime

Seeing that I have used Cellnique’s professional care + B.liv products for a good 5 years now,  I was thrilled when Cellnique delivered a wonderful gift to my doorstep.

It was their 5-pack Intensive Hydro Repair Biological Masque! 

Pic credits: Angeline Tang

Now, this is no ordinary mask. Certainly unlike the ones I’ve received and reviewed before.

Why? We’ll see in a bit.

UNBOXING 

Pic credits: Angeline Tang

1 box contains five sheets of masques all sealed up.

When I tore open the packet, the masque was clearly luxuriously moist!

A result of being soaked in copious amounts of their special formula and concentrated essence. 

 Once I’ve placed the mask on my face, there was still so much more to massage onto my neck and shoulders. How generous! 😀

Each sheet consists of 3 different layers – of which two, would have to be peeled off.

It works as a protective layer and of course, to retain its moisture and hold its shape.

Only the middle layer is placed onto your face

This hydrating and soothing biological masque sliped on with ease, to bring the concentrated essence and hydrating benefits to overstressed and dehydrated the skin.

It contains a unique formulation of Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrergy and Syn-Hycan that helps skin achieve maximum hydration and revitalizes the complexion, while Faex and Snail Mucin provide immediate comfort by cooling, calming and restoring the skin.

All dried up after my skin has absorbed its goodness! 😀

As a result, we get to reap all these benefits just by applying the masque once a week!
• Immediate comfort
• Cooling, calming and restored the skin
• Skin emerges infinitely regenerated
• Achieves maximum skin hydration and revitalizes the complexion

 No need to wash it off! 😀

As the Cellnique Intensive Hydro Repair Biological Masque’s main ingredients are Snail Mucin & Hyaluronic Acid, I could already see visible results quite rapidly.

It was like a burst of regeneration to my skin!

You’re advised to cover your eyelids too, of course! 😀

Did you know that snail/slug slime has been used for centuries to speed up cell renewal, thus healing scars more efficiently? My long-time beautician previously recommended snail mucin products to me before too.

So hey, I’m no stranger to snail mucus! 😀

Slime me they way Nickelodeon does!

My favorite thing about this masque? 

The texture felt like second skin to me, literally. The masque was soft, cool, moist and gel-like to touch and its texture was really stretchy, thin and smooth.

INGREDIENTS

Shall we come to the geeky part now? 

Scientifically, for those interested to know, this masque is made of:

Purified Water(Aqua), Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylamino Butyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Magnesium Chloride, Algae Extract, Polyglucuronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glycoproteins, Yeast Extract (Faex), Aleuritic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance.

Pardon the jargon.

In layman’s term however, here’s what the main ingredients are all about:

Hyaluronic Acid

Young, healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of (HA) that locks in moisture. As we get older our bodies produce less and less HA. Skin starts to sag, lose its elasticity and fine lines and wrinkles appear.

The acid is known as the key to the fountain of youth because it helps to keep skin smooth and “plump” through the ability to retain and hold moisture which is the secret to youthful, healthy, vibrant skin.

It holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid attracts and binds water within the cells of the skin and tissue underneath, literally acting like a sponge to retain a supple, firm skin tone and youthful appearance

Snail Mucin

As mentioned earlier, snail slime provides superior skin cell regeneration and repairing to damaged, aged skin cells and restoring skin to its original healthy condition. 

– Helps promote the natural healing process,
– Reduces scars, removes damaged cells and imperfections
– Nourishes the skin, protects it from free radicals, improves elasticity.
– It also increases density, moisture retention capacity and skin’s firmness and leaves it baby soft and smooth
– It also treats acne, stretch marks, scars and sun damage.

Hydergy

It contains polyglucuronate, whose structure is analogous to hyaluronic acid, to soften and moisturise skin; and vitamins B1, B2, B12, and Niacin, to stimulate ATP production, boost the energy level of the skin and protect it from various forms of stress.

SYN®-HYCAN

This helps to fight sagging skin! 🙂

Hyaluronan (HA) plays an important role in the skin. The excellent moisture-holding property (see DSM’s Hyaluronic Acid BT for topical use) leads to a gel-like framework for collagen, elastin and skin cells. Also important is its ability to act as a filler, which helps provide the skin with mechanical cushioning. 

Fresh hyaluronan and stronger collagen fibrils result in a visible remodeling effect and a firmer skin.

 Two months in!

After about 2 months using this masque, I can testify that my complexion turned visibly clearer & radiant, scars were generally less visible and my skin sure feels more supple! That’s the hydration talking. 😀

Verdict?

This is an excellent masque for hydrating & healing damaged (post-acne/spots/scars) skin or mature (dry/ageing) skin. But if you’re lucky enough to be blessed with normal skin, then by all means, use this masque to maintain your skin’s flawlessness!

Thank you Cellnique, for this wonder of a product! 

The Intensive Hydro Repair Biological Masque is available for the retail price of ONLY RM180 for a pack of five.

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For more information on Cellnique’s masques:
Log on to their official website at: www.cellnique.com
LIKE them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/cellnique

It could be just another average (stressful!) Wednesday after work but thanks to PHILIPS Malaysia, the word ‘stress’ practically has gone out the window even before the day ended.

I was massaged, well-fed and beautified! My aching muscles were soothed and tensions eased, while my face & hair got their fair share of pampering.

Here’s the lowdown of my not-so-typical Wednesday night!

Adjourned directly from my office to the popular day-spa manor, Vila Manja in the city.

Wow! They’ve got a huge signage up too.

I was enthralled upon entering the vicinity – a lovely retreat, albeit just for one night.

Precisely what I needed! 

The water feature really gives a sense of serenity and

nature-centric feel despite being indoors.

It had a traditional, South East Asian-inspired interior design.

The whole floral-wood-stone combination makes the place feel so comfortable and cosy.

So zen!

Delicious homemade refreshments were served as well, thanks to Mary, Outlet Manager of Vila Manja, as she was the brains behind all the food today.

I was also greeted with freshly squeezed fruit juice – right out of the PHILIPS juicer!

We guests were then ushered to a comfy room to wait for our appointed masseuses.

My very own little corner!

The masseuse then begin kneading, rubbing and massaging our feet (reflexology) as well as our head & shoulders.

PHILIPS sure knows how to make sure we’re pampered and prepped for the primping and dolling-up session that they have in store for us!

They turned, twisted, contorted my neck & limbs gave me such a good rubdown in all the right pressure points. 

Being a regular at massages, I always prefer the hardest pressure of the strongest masseuse is able to assert.

And Villa Manja nailed it! 

***

Soon after, we adjourned into another room where the Q&A session was being held.

Three lovely ladies were present to guide us through everything we needed to know about facial-related topics as well as a brief overview of what the star product of the day – Philips VisaPure Facial Cleansing Brush – can do for us.

Some of my questions were:

1. When do I use it?
2. How often do I use it?
3. How long will it last before having to recharge it again?
4. Do I put the cleanser onto my face or do I put it onto the device?

Amongst them was a special guest, Dr. Christina Chea, ready to answer all our queries about beauty and skincare from an expert dermatologist’s professional point of view.

We were told that some women go to bed without removing their makeup. Whoops! Guilty as charged – sometimes.

I must admit that I am one of the many who accidentally falls asleep with my makeup on, especially after a long night out. The moment I step home, all I see is my bed to crash on.

Or maybe I just take ‘beauty sleep’ too literally 

Girls, I recommend to always have a pack of baby wipes or cleansing wipes by your bedside if you’re too lazy to wash off your makeup before bedtime!

She also shared that most women don’t double cleanse their faces, especially after a full day. Do you?

Again, I have apparently committed yet another beauty sin. I do endeavour to double cleanse, but sometimes I just can’t be bothered.

Maybe that’s why my skin is so bad. 

Also, here’s an interesting fact she shared that I’d like to share with you too.

Did you know that your skin is only able to absorb the first 3 solutions you put on your face efficiently? This means, if you slap on like 5 products on your face after cleansing, the last 2 products won’t be absorbed as much.

So be smart! Stick to – toner, serem & moisturizer or if you need to apply more solution, then swap it with the other solutions every other day.

Thanks for the tip, Dr. Christina! 🙂

During the briefing, the Philips VisaPure Facial Cleansing Brush was passed around for us to have our very first look at it up-close and personal!

It was a sweet pastel pink-peach coloured cylindrical-shaped curved object. It was love at first sight.

Yes, I do have a penchant for pretty things. Then again, don’t we all? 😀

The 3 different brushes were also passed around.

Perfect for different skin types! The normal brush (RM59) and sensitive brush (RM65) comes included in the box set, but if you want the exfoliating brush, you can always get it for an additional RM69.

Once the product sharing session was over, we were ushered upstairs where the product LIVE demonstration was to be held.

Best part was? It will be hands-on experiment.

It was going to be demonstrated to us on our own faces!

Lights, camera, action! Are we ready?

My beauty consultant and I

Let’s put the PHILIPS VisaPure to the test. It’s MAN vs VisaPure!

3 very interesting demonstrations were conducted.

We were very involved in all the steps.

TEST 1

The waterproof eyeliner-skin test

RESULTS: Left – cleansed by hand | Right – cleansed by VisaPure

So how does this work? 

Dual Motion technology is the answer. The vertical motion breaks up all impurities and removes makeup effectively.

Its rotating movement sweeps impurities away, leaving the skin deeply cleansed. 

Whilst on my skin, I also realized that the vertical motion provides a comfortable massaging effect – perfect for improving microcirculation!

TEST 2

The foundation/BB cream-orange test

RESULT: Left: cleansed by hand | Right: cleansed by VisaPure

Cleansing your face like how you usually would with your hands.

This works especially well as the silky soft & tiny bristles easily removes all impurities over the areas which the surface of your fingers cannot.

Imagine all the dirt clogging your pores! 

VisaPure cleanses pores in a gentle yet efficient way. You can literally, FEEL the bristles deeply cleansing your face. Words do no justice – you’ve got to try it for yourself!

VisaPure is 10x more effective than cleansing by hands but just as gentle

TEST 3

The facial self-experiment

Obviously knowing how it feels like to cleanse my face with my hands (who doesn’t? You’ve been doing it all your life, haven’t you?), I tried a hand  using the PHILIPS VisaPure – for the very first time!

We were also guided and taught the right way to use it too. Let me show you how 🙂

Start with your T-Zone

There are 3 rounds of 20 second  cleanses.

It briefly stops before continuing to the next round so you know when

to move to the next area of your face.

I had so much fun using it for the first time! It felt gentle yet stimulating to the skin.

The way VisaPure cleanses my skin makes me actually feel like it has the power to reveal my skin’s true radiance. You know how exfoliation feels like? Yeah, close enough. 

My face felt very refreshed and extra, extra squeaky clean.

Dear face, to make up for all the times I forgot to cleanse you before bedtime, I promise to pamper you with Philips VisaPure from this day forth! 

After the demonstration was over, the Philips VisaPure Facial Cleansing Brush suddenly reminded me of a toothbrush. Can you believe that this device is waterproof? That makes washing it so convenient.

No extra effort needed. 

Just clean it under running  water like how you would normally clean your toothbrush.

Or rinse it in a basin.

Once our faces were all cleaned – very thoroughly, if I do say so myself! – we were even treated to a makeup session by several makeup artists lined up for us.

The next station we moved to was the hair styling booth!

The hairdressers performed their magic on our hair with Philips hair tools such as Philips hair-dryers, curling tongs and straighteners.

I’ve always known Philips to be a reputable brand, heck, even some of my household products are by Philips.

But after today, it just dawned upon me that Philips really boasts a large range of beauty products – now with a newly added skincare product too!

Now that I’m all primped and beautified, I kinda wish that it was a weekend… because right now, I’m all dolled-up but have no where to go!

Oh I do. To bed, that is.

Thank you for a wonderful session and for the VisaPure Facial Cleansing Brush set too, Philips Malaysia! Truly a blessing, as my face doesn’t exactly have the best skin condition. I hope my skin improves 😀

Can’t wait to give this another try at home!

***

When I woke up the next day, I immediately unboxed my brand new set to check out the goodies inside.

It comes complete with a charger + dock, an extra brush (sensitive) and of course, instruction/manuals.

I love the customized pouch! 

Makes bringing it around so much more convenient and

to ensure the brushes doesn’t get damaged.

Here’s some deets you probably want to know about the PHILIPS VisaPure if you’re thinking of purchasing it:

Name : Philips VisaPure Gentle Cleansing Device (SC5275 model)
Price : RM 799 per set
Content : VisaPure with 2 speed settings, 1 normal skin brush head & 1 sensitive skin brush head
Where to Buy : Harvey Norman, ISETAN or other major Electrical & Departmental Stores 

Stay tuned for my very personal, hands-on review on this product… as I take you into the bathroom with me, where VisaPure and I engage our beautiful relationship! 😉

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For more information on PHILIPS VisaPure, stay connected with them!

Visit their official website at: www.philips.com.my

LIKE them on Facebook at: fb.com/PhilipsHomeLiving.my

Also, if you’re keen on also checking Vila Manja out, head over to: www.VilaManja.com

Chanel has always been known to be a timeless and classic icon of beauty, style and of course, luxury at its finest.

Needless to say, Coco Chanel has established an empire (or should I say, cult?) for herself with a strong  following of fashionistas aka ‘slaves’. And admittedly, I am one of them.

Introducing the Chanel Les 4 Ombre Eyeshadow from its Spring 2014 cosmetic collection.

Many thanks to Clozette Malaysia for hooking me up!

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Also, a shoutout to my accessories sponsors – The Wild Things – for the lovely Aztec earrings and the daisy chain necklace that you see in this post!  Go get your pretty accessories (especially their Pandora-inspired charmbracelets!) from them!Much love.

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Arguably every urban city girl’s (material, I must add) dream – Chanel.

Speaking of which, I recently got myself my very first Chanel handbag.  It made me happy; worked hard for it! Actually, I do *somewhat* feel a pinch of regret, as that money I worked hard for could very well be used for something more feasible. 

Because, to be entirely honest, many non-material things make me happy. But then again…

As bad and guilty I feel about, I remind myself… look – it’s a Chanel – and mine is vintage. Put these two words together and that’s enough of a justification or an answer you need; which marks the end of discussion. 

Mom, I hope you’re not reading this… heh. heh. If you are then – *gulp* I won’t hear the end of it! 

MOVING ON…. 

 So what’s this new collection about?

CHANEL writes a new chapter in the story of its cult palette Les 4 Ombres originally created in 1982. It’s new formula guarantees an even more creative make up result in a new collection inspired by tweed, the iconic fabric of the House.

Based on a selection of House tweeds, the CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio composes eight unprecedented LES 4 OMBRES harmonies.  Here they are!

Any favorites? I can spot mine from a mile away!

The four shadows are like the coloured threads of the fabric weave.

They match perfectly and each one redefines a new variation on the theme of elegance! 😀

Like the tweed jacket, which can be worn in so many different ways,

the LES 4 OMBRES palette is the most adaptable fashion accessory.

This is where colours, contrasts and effects come together in endless combinations for an infinite variety of looks based on a unique style.
An essence of chic elegance and pleasure for women who like to have as much fun with makeup as they do with fashion – much like I do!  I believe a majority of you are too. (Of course if you’re a dude and you’re reading this then it wouldn’t exactly apply to you…)

 What’s so special about this range, you ask?

The new formula of LES 4 OMBRES is a new, soft and long-lasting texture facilitates application, offers new colour effects and expresses all the intensity of the shades, whilst capturing the subtlety of the nuances and playing with textures.

In short, it just makes you runway ready – at all times! 

Exceptionally concentrated with pure pigments, its soft, fine and

silky texture glides over the eyelid like a caress.

This comfortable shadow easily dresses eyes in lasting, luminous and even-toned colours that adapt and blend together to perfection. Applying it was a breeze and goodness me, blending it with one another complemented each shadow and highlight so well!

FYI, their radiance and translucency are heightened by the complete absence of talc.

Within a single palette, a harmony of colours comes in diverse effects with an intense, even, luminous and long-lasting finish. And believe me when I say long-lasting.

I’m usually out for hours at social functions and events and when I come home, the makeup stays on like its ready for another round of rockin’!  (Please, can we go home already?)

Amongst the harmonies, LES 4 OMBRES guarantees that every woman will find the one that will enhance her eyes. I would know, because I definitely found mine.

4 eyeshadows, 4 shades, 4 precise functions for a combination of unique colours and countless makeup results.

Unboxing the palette of my choice – Tisse Gabrielle 208

How it looks on human skin.

Love how this is a palette that spells revisited classics for an unmatched smoky effect!It may look the same from afar but if you take individual swatches of it like I’ve pictured it above, the four shades are a brilliant combination of delicate grey, iridescent white gold, velvet black grey and lastly, greyish mauve.

So glad I chose this palette because as I mentioned before in my previous makeup/beauty blog articles, I prefer darker/smokier and edgier colours instead of plain pastel light colours. 

Love how it looks on my eyelids!

 The intense shadows reveal all the depth of dark shades. The satiny ones make a statement while remaining sheer and the iridescent or metallic colours sparkle with elegance.

Each harmony is composed of two contrasting shades to blend in a gradation or apply in contrast: one dark shade to intensify, sculpt and add depth, and one light shade to illuminate and give the eyes a wide-open effect. 

 See how shimmery yet bold and rich these colours are? Each function has its own place on the contours of your eye for different looks.

I had this eyeshadow on for at least 8 hours and it didn’t end up smudging everywhere or dusting off loosely like some of the other brands I’ve used before!

Here’s another look at it, in its full glory of a classy, compact palette case and packaging.

 Available in all Chanel cosmetic stores and selected retail outlets for RM200++

(will get the exact price for you soonest!)

Thank you Chanel Malaysia and Clozette Malaysia for this classy and fabulous opportunity.

For in the words of the late Coco Chanel…