Dear Etude House Happy Teatime Peach Tea Cleansing Foam,

When I just got to know you, my first impression was “Why is your name is such a mouthful?” As the day goes by and we got to know each other better, we both agreed to just call you Peach Tea, since this is my favourite drink for hot humid days.

You always smell so amazing, with a lovely peach scent (duh, of course!). Just by sniffing you already make my dullest and gloomiest day seem so much better. And not to forget I smile every so often just by sniffing you.

You are such a delight to use because you foam up easily and you clean my face well. I love the squeaky clean feeling although at times you do leave my skin feeling a little tight. But that’s alright, a moisturizer will fix things immediately.

You promised me that if I were to have you around, I’ll have brighter skin because you contain Peach Tea extract for brightening purpose. I’m sorry to say you have broken your promise, but it’s okay, I’ll just use something else to get brighter looking skin.

I’m sorry to see you go as we had such a wonderful relationship despite you breaking your promise, but thank god the price to pay to bring you home once again is within my budget (you’re really affordable at RM13.90, even more affordable during sales, approx RM10).

Till then, I’ll miss you so. But I know I’ll see you soon again, maybe even bring home your other sisters too!

with much love,
plue

Update: Psst! Actually I have finished using the product and it went into the bin, I didn’t give it away or throw it just because it didn’t help to brighten my skin. LOL, I forgot to mention that in my post! Sorry!

Anyone missed me? I know I haven’t been around lately, have been working like real hard! Even weekend I am at work!

I have been wanting to review this sunblock which I have been using for quite a few months and since it’s on sale, I reckon I should be reviewing it!

I brought this sunblock with me to Melaka and Bangkok too!

Can you guess which sunblock is that? No, it’s not Biore.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Ok, I’ll tell.

Tada!

Etude House Super Aqua Sun Guard SPF35 PA++

What it claims to do…

It’s texture and blendability…

A dollop of it, spread it out, no white cast or greasiness!

Pretty much sums it up with pictures ya?

Here’s my thought.

It’s not as runny or as liquid as Biore which I am so used to, however it isn’t as thick as Neutrogena. It’s a bit hard to spread, maybe I am biased because I am so used to runny liquids, but don’t let my remarks put you off! I’m still using it anyway. LOL.

Unlike Neutrogena, this one isn’t heavy on the skin, it doesn’t feel like you have a mask on. And neither it gives you the shininess the minute you put it on. It dries down to a slightly matte powdery finish, but leaves your skin a bit of a glow. If you don’t like it, pat a bit of powder and everything is okay.

I took this along with me to Melaka and Bangkok, along with my Hada Labo Whitening Toner (i really should be reviewing this!) and Neutrogena Fine Fairness Serum, I haven’t gone any darker at all despite being under the sun for like 2 whole weeks!

It retails for RM29.90 but it goes for sale quite often in Etude House, 30% if I am not mistaken. If you are running out on sunscreens, maybe you want to give this a try? Currently going for 30% off in Etude House until 4th April!

Oh snap! Where did my ingredient list go? >_< Ugh, will try to find it, if I do, I’ll update the post!

I had been wanting to review this for ages, but never really gotten around it. Finally when I wanted to review it, Ning also requested for it. Better do it fast ’cause I don’t know when I’m gonna be lazy and stop writing again!

Long story cut short, this is a product which is meant for dry skin. Aloe vera, as we know, it’s well known for it’s softening and hydrating properties. In the olden days, me mum used to cut aloe veras that she planted at home, and apply it on her skin. It calms her skin and left her skin soft and well hydrated. Well, that’s what she told me anyway. I can’t say it works for everyone because I think most people now don’t it anymore, neither do I!

I don’t have aloe veras now at home, so if I wanna use them, I’ll need to get skincare that contains them!

I bought this last year and have been pretty happy with it ever since.

It comes in a semi transparent glass bottle. One thing I like about this is I can monitor how fast am I finishing it One thing I don’t like it it’ll break easily if I am not careful! But I guess that’s okay. It has survived for 2 months or more!

It comes in a little pump dispenser like this, I am not sure what type of mechanism this is as my vocabulary/ memory is kinda limited at the moment! But it doesn’t matter right? Got peeeek-ture to show you!

So one drop is all I need for my big face.

It is very watery and spreads really easily. It’s like water but of course not as fluid. It has a very light fragrance which I can’t pinpoint what scent it is, but it’s nothing strong.

It says…

Aqua Sherbet contains mineral rich glacial water from Alaska and the moisturizing of Aloe Vera to supply skin cooling complexion care. Aloe Ampoule revitalizes and protects complexion with an oil free formula.

Sounds good ya?

The SA recommended me to use this like a serum and then top up with another moisturizer to lock the moisture in. I myself feel that it isn’t necessary because this ampoule is lightweight yet it moisturizes pretty well. I hardly need any other moisturizer if I am using this already. Unless I am in a super dry country, that’s another story altogether.

I usually dot this on my forehead, cheeks and chin and then gently pat it into my skin. I noticed that by patting it in, it reduces the stickiness and product gets absorbed into skin a bit more faster than massaging it in. Weird right? But the method works to my liking so I am okay with it.

So it leaves you a gentle glow because your skin is properly hydrated.And I am happy.

My foundation usually goes on better when my skin is properly moisturized and it doesn’t flake as easily. I have combi skin, dry on cheeks oily on T zone. This product doesn’t make me go any oilier and keeps my cheeks fairly well hydrated. It doesn’t clog up my pores either which is great too!

If I am not mistaken, it’s 30ml and retails for RM58.90. Do keep your eyes peeled for promotions and discounts in Etude House! I remember seeing it going for 30% discount!

p/s: I forgot to take note of the ingredient list and the product’s description, will update it later!

Update: Ingredient list!

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Alcohol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glycyrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Angelica Dahurica Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Paeno Lactiflora Fruit Extract etc etc etc…

Ingredient list su-pah long! So I am stopping here, LOL! Don’t hate me for being lazy! Pretty please???

Sorry for delaying!

My first brush from Etude House is the Etude House Dual Fibre Cheek (Glow) Brush, I won’t be reviewing this again since I have reviewed it before, so click on the link to read about it more But honestly, with the sales that’s going on, (40% off on brushes!), get it!

And my second brush is this…

The Oblique Shading Brush!

It measures more or less the same length as the Dual Fibre, so I didn’t take a snapshot of it.

It’s very very soft, and dense and fluffy! The softness is comparable to EDM’s Angled Blush Brush, and I think it’s even softer than Posh White Angled Blush Brush, maybe I’ll do a comparison if there’s any request

I’ve already washed the brush and no bleeding. However, there’s a little bit of shedding, say 2 or 3 hairs? But otherwise everything’s fine. Made of pony’s hair and definitely feels great on the face!

Picks up enough powder for a nice wash of colours on my cheeks, doesn’t streak and even if it does, a quick buffing is all it needs

This is the oblique shadow brush.

I have also washed this before using it, and like the Oblique Shading Brush, no bleeding but a little shedding did happen. But it’s still as full and dense just like how I bought it.

Made of pony’s hair, it’s the same softness as the Shading Brush.

It’s quite a multipurpose brush, especially if you are only working with only 2 colours. I use the flat side as an all over wash brush, and then using the slanted tip area to put a darker colour on my small crease area. Gently blend away, and you are done!

As the brush is rather big, if you really small eye area to work with, you might find this a nuisance. Best get a tapered crease eye brush like MAC 226 or other similar eyeshadow brushes.

The last brush i bought is the Eye Contour Brush.

It is pretty much similar to the Oblique Shadow Brush, and this is a very very common brush. Great to apply colour on your entire lid. Same softness and puts on colour evenly.

I haven’t use the Pink Liner brush, so I can’t review that, but Etude House brushes are quite worth looking into. For the price and with the on going sales, you should pick some brushes from them.

My recommendations?

Get the Dual Fibre! If you don’t want to fork out RM180 for a MAC187 or RM140 for MAC188 (which prices will increase soon!), then this is your best bet! Great for foundation application, whether it’s powder or liquid, great for blushes and bronzers too! Liquid, cream, powder, you name it!

If you are a makeup beginner and have a tight budget, get the only the Dual Fibre and Oblique Shadow Brush then, because you can get put your lid colour and also your crease colour using the same brush effortlessly.

If you are a makeup beginner and have the moolah to spend, get ALL brushes! I think Etude House brushes are really lovely without breaking your bank, and with the sales, you save more!

Etude House is available in 1 Utama, Kepong Metro Prima (the one with Jusco), Sunway Pyramid and Times Square. Last I heard it’s available in Sg Wang too.

Have fun!

But anyway, I have both now. I really shouldn’t be carrying too much cash around… I tend to get into hauling mode!

Let’s get into the details!

Packaging:
I like both, honestly. One is pretty in pink, another in a cool shady blue. Not a big factor to decide on which to buy.

Scent

Laneige: A fresh watery scent, rather soothing.
Etude House: A warm floral scent, makes you feel girly at heart.

Me like both!

Quantity/ Price

Laneige: RM80-RM100 for 80ml (can’t remember exact price already)
Etude House: RM35.90 for 180ml

Looking at the quantity vs the price factor, of course Etude House wins! But don’t get yourself too excited yet, we haven’t finish analyzing! :p

Texture

Laneige: Blue watery gel like. Not as firm as Etude House.
Etude House: Pink jelly like. Not as watery as Laneige.

Absorption rate

Laneige: Sinks into the skin fast, plumps up the skin without a layer of film on the skin the next morning.

Etude House: Absorption rate is much slower, doesn’t plump up the skin as much as Laneige, and it has this gel-like film on the skin the next morning even though I have massage it quite a bit before going to bed.

I guess you know who’s the winner already. Of course judging by price and quantity, Etude House would be a winner, but when it comes to usability, it doesn’t even comes close to second. >_<

I am rather disappointed with Etude House honestly, and had hope it did better. But sadly, what’s the use of an overnight sleeping mask that replenish moisture to the skin but it doesn’t sink into the skin properly?

No point right? Might as well save the money and go get yourself Laneige.

Hm… Now that Paris and Connie has reviewed the ~H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment Gel, I might just go check it out. But RM159 for 50ml? Maybe I’ll just stick to Laneige.

But if you are looking for something that’s not too expensive, you can try considering Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Plus. It’s really nice!

Click here if you want to check out the round up on skin, body and hair for 2008!

Part I: Skin, Body, Hair – Round Up 2008

And the award goes to…

Face

Primer/ Base: Etude House Peach Pore Erasing Base, Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie OD Control

Foundation: Kate

Why: Lightweight, doesn’t oxidize very much, stays on quite well, not drying, provides medium coverage, easy to spread

BB cream: Etude House Magic BB Cream (Refreshing)

Why: Provides medium coverage, doesn’t oxidize, stays on well, not drying, easy to spread. Downside: Colour range very small and a little too white

Concealer: Avon Personal Match Concealer, Canmake Colour Stick

Why: Cheap, provides decent coverage

Powder: Chacott Loose Powder, Etude House Peach Skin Pact

Blusher: NYX Rouge Cream Blush, Daiso blusher, Origins Pinch Your Cheeks, Majolica Majorca blusher

Why: NYX rouge cream blushers are pigmented, soft, creamy and easy to blend. Long lasting too. Origins Pinch Your Cheeks is quite cheap and long lasting. Majolica Majorca blusher is pigmented and smooth.

Eyes

Eye primer/ base: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Why: They really do what they claim to do! Downside: A little expensive and not available in Malaysia.

Single eyeshadow: Majolica Majorca

Why: Pigmented and smooth. Better quality than the palettes IMO.

Eyeshadow palette: Kate Deep Trap Eyes, Shu Uemura Midnight Sakura from Mika Holiday 2008 Collection

Why: Gorgeous colours! And definitely worth the money!

Gel liner: Coastal Scents gel liners, Shiseido Maquillage gel liners

Why: Smooth, creamy, hardly budge. Maquillage is easily available here, but not CS.

Pencil eyeliner: Secret pencil eyeliner, Silkygirl Funky Eye Lights

Why: Secret is cheap and the black is dark enough, though it smudges a little. Silkygirl comes in a lot of fun colours and are easy to use! Cheap too!

Mascara base: Kate

Mascara: Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Neo, Kiss Me Heroine Make mascaras, ZA Cutie Curl(Long Lash)

Why: MJ is well known for it’s mascara, need I say more?

Lips

Lipstick: Avon Ultra Moisture Rich

Why: Smooth, creamy, pigmented! And cheap!

Lipgloss: Cynthia Rowley for Avon LE lipgloss, Majolica Majorca Honey Pump Gloss, Rimmel Vinyl Stars/ Vinyl lipgloss, Rimmel Shock lipgloss

Why: Rimmel lipglosses are quite cheap and not sticky. Has quite a sweet smell. The colours are lovely too.

That’s it! For 2008! I hope I have not missed out anything

^_^

May there be more lovely makeup to be bought in 2009!

Insane right?

But it’s worth the money!

I am just too lazy to go try other dupes after buying CS Silver Duo Fiber Stippling Brush one. It’s not really comparable at all! >_<

Anyway, because I had good experience with MAC 187, I decided that I also want a MAC 188, the same thing as MAC 187, but smaller. It is said to be perfect brush for highlighters, blushers and foundations for those hard to reach areas.

But I don’t want to fork out another RM140 for MAC 188. I have so many other things that I want on my wish list *hint hint, look at the left sidebar*.

So dupes, here I come!

The first item that sparked my interest was the Etude House Dual Fibre Cheek Brush (Glow) that Kathi has bought.

I had asked her opinion about the brush whether would it suit for liquid foundation or not, because I was trying to get a dupe for MAC 187 at that time, but she wasn’t too sure, so I didn’t bothered with it anymore.

But now, since I wanted a dual fibre brush that’s a good dupe of MAC 188, this again has sparked my interest. And honestly, I am glad I got this!

Read on!

I don’t quite like the packaging, as it squishes the brush’s head. >_< Not good. But then, giving a few quick flicks, the brush's head goes back to it's original state. :)

The length of the brush is about 15cm, as you can see. I’m not sure if the brush is bigger or smaller than MAC 188, but I am giving it a quick guess that the size is similar, or slightly bigger than MAC 188.

Please excuse the brush’s colour, it is a little dirty because I have used it with my blusher before I took the picture.

The brush is quite dense, and it is soft. Again, I can’t compare with MAC 188 as I don’t have one. But comparing it with MAC 187, my sister and I find that it as actually as soft as MAC 187, and not scratchy at all! Yeah, I ask my sister to test it for me, since she was free and was at home with me, and she agreed that it’s soft!

The brush’s head diameter is around 2.5cm, which I think is quite okay as a blusher brush By the way, the brush is made out of 2 materials, goat hair and synthetic hair

I washed the brush prior using it, and it did shed a few strands of hair, which is fine by me. It did not bleed though. And the brush did not smell before washing either, which is nice!

It did shed a few strands when I used it for the first 2 times, and then it stopped shedding. Good! Unlike the CS one which sheds like crazy! I know I sound like I hate my CS brush, but then, well, I think it should have performed better!

This brush picks up colour well, so for pigmented blushes, be light handed as usual, and blend blend blend all the way! It does perform very well in giving you the natural blush kinda glow, if you get what I mean, without overdoing it.

It’s now my everyday blusher brush! Seriously! I think I can sell all my other blusher brushes already, since they are now untouched and barely used like 5 times?

Since this brush is made of a mixed of goat’s hair and synthetic hair, just like MAC 188, I think this would work on any formula like the MAC 188. I haven’t test this with my cream/ liquid blushers, but I think it should be alright.

So the verdict is?

This is a really good dupe of MAC 188, if I may say so. For the price of RM39.90, it’s really good! I am thinking of getting another one just for backup!

Next time, I show you my collection of brushes! Not many, but more than enough to last me a lifetime!

And though I love this brush, I am still kinda lemming the MAC 188. >_< Bad bad me.

And to cap it off, I show you something that’s off topic.

Cute no?

It’s a super cute chocolate mirror! I have 2 actually, in different sizes! I love buying mirrors! Insanity! I show you those next time too!

Hope you have enjoyed the brush review!

Have a good weekend! ^_^

Blackhead Off Oil Ex

Honestly, I think this one is a waste of money.

Doesn’t really help as much as I thought it would.

The oil is quite thick, yellowish in colour and comes with quite a strong, unpleasant smell >_< I hate the smell most! Eww!

I use the oil in conjunction with this little item:

The scrubs comes in two, each with 2 sides. I am showing you each side. One is a round tip, and another is a washboard-like surface.

This is how I use it.

1. Squirt some oil on the nose area and chin. Both places are most prone to blackhead. >_<
2. Then I use the round tip side and gently brush my nose and chin in circular motion. According to the SA who taught me this, she said that this helps to loosen the blackhead.
3. After 1 minute of gentle rubbing, I flip to the other side of the scrub. Now using the washboard-like surface, I moved it horizontally. The SA told me this helps to get pulled out the blackheads.
4. After a few pulls, rinse.

Do note that this oil is a little difficult to emulsify and to rinse off. I so do not like that.

But there’s one thing I like about this.

My nose and chin is SUPER SMOOTH!!!!

Blackheads are reduced a little, and my nose is smooth! Really!

But then again, I feel that if I use ZA Cleansing Oil, it still does help me to reduce my blackheads by just massaging it without needing a scrubber to help.

I’m not going to spend extra money on this Blackhead Off Oil anymore. Once I finish using this, I am NOT buying it anymore. It’s selling at about RM40, but ZA is like half of the price! Why should I spend extra just on the nose?

And the scrubber, it cost me RM14.90! Ah!

Please don’t use the scrubber everyday, I think it’s a little too harsh to be used everyday.

I hope the post has helped you, Eng Min!

For my toner, for my makeup removal, for my nail polish, for my brushes… I use them everyday.

And of course, cotton pads is super important to me when it comes to using it with my toner and also makeup removal.

And so… today I will review about my new found love, the cotton puff/ pad, from Etude House. I previously use Premier’s cotton pads, in case you are wondering.

100% cotton puff

In this cute little pink box, it contains 80 pieces of cotton pads.

And those cotton pads are not your typical everyday cotton pads.

Really!

It comes in 2 different texture, and it’s just in 1 piece!

Look!

Wooly side

Quilted side

Notice the difference? They both have different functions apparently. Shall get down to that… soon. And if you look carefully, they have sewn the cotton pad’s side. Interesting…

The picture says it all. How to use both the wooly and the quilted side of the cotton pad.

I tested it out myself, and it did not tear. It did not leave any white cotton fibers on your face or on your nails when you are done using it. I think the stitches help to minimize it from tearing too easily.

And it’s quite thick. It consumes a little bit more toner than usual for me to use. Same goes for the nail polish remover and makeup remover. Oh well, I don’t really mind. The amount used isn’t really too much anyway. And even if I did used a little too much, it didn’t drip like those really thin normal cotton pad (Thanks to Tine I remembered this little detail!)

The only thing about this I can’t tear it into thinner pieces to do a quick mask using toners. So I guess I will have to resort to normal cotton pads for that purpose.

It retails for RM5.90 for 80 pieces, not too bad eh?

Update: LOL, I forgot to mention that I will be repurchasing this. It’s quite nice to use and comes in a nice pink box!

How’s weekend?

I have some updates for everyone! ^_^

If anyone of you have gone to Midavalley Watsons recently, did you notice there’s a new brand around?

It’s called Komeie.

It’s just right beside the shelves that Loreal, Neutrogena, Olay etc are on.

I was there checking out some toiletries, and it caught my attention.

The price for a tiny nail polish is RM3.90, while for their eyeshadow quad and blusher are RM18 respectively. I am not too sure where is this brand from, but the packaging written behind it is in Japanese. I won’t say it’s from Japan, but with the packaging and stuff, it looks more like a homegrown brand to me.

There were no testers, so I can’t quite show you any swatches or anything. But it looks pigmented, and kinda glittery. I am a little worried that it’s nothing but glitters only.

Here’s a sample of the eyeshadow quad.

Blue-green eyeshadow

Pink blusher

And now I move on to MJ. I see MJ SA working even after 7pm! So maybe Midvalley Watson staff finally decided they are not letting her finish work at 7pm? Anyway, I will be taking note every now and then just to make sure it stays that way

And since I was at Sunway, I dropped by Etude House. According to the SA, they will be having a few branches around KL and PJ. One is already in Kepong Jusco, one is already in Times Square, one to be in 1 Utama (I’m so delighted!), one more to be in around PJ area which she can’t remember the name, but it’s somewhere around Sunway, or so she said. Hm… Maybe Midvalley? Ahahahaha!

I think that’s all from me during the weekends. I am kinda tied up with quite a bit of work, so FOTDs will have to wait >_< And I so wanted to try out my new brushes!