Olay Miracle Duo!

Olay has always been one of those drugstore skincare brands that I like. I've been using Olay (on and off) since I was 20 years old. They’re one of the few drugstore skincare brands that offer a good percentage of useful anti-aging ingredients like peptides and niacinamide, sometimes even more than what a number of high-end skincare brands offered. 

 Like I mentioned in my previous post, I've tried their Olay Miracle Duo range - the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Night Cream and the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence. I had great result on my skin! I thought my skin looked somewhat glowing and more radiant after using those two for a while. Hence, I thought I give their Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream try too since I heard it is one of their best seller item! ^_^

The Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence is designed to be applied every morning and evening after cleansing and toning. It features an advanced skin energy complex with hydra firming complex that instantly give a smooth, radiant and flawless skin. With its skin energy complex, it helps your skin look energized and strengthens skin barriers to give you a healthy looking skin.

 This Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence will allow the essence or serum that you’re currently using to work better as they absorb better. As they mentioned it on the box, the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence will work better when combine with their Olay Day Cream. So I thought I'd give it a try!

As mentioned earlier, this Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence is very light and watery. It is absorbed very well by the skin unlike most serums that leave your face a little oily.

 My serums are still performing optimally when I use this with them. From the list of ingredients, this contains quite a high percentage of niacinamide (Vitamin B3) that is a good anti-aging ingredient that can help improve skin’s elasticity, enhance its barrier function, help erase discoloration and revive skin’s healthy tone and texture. I used this after my toner and before applying my serum and moisturizer.

The Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream on the other hand is a really effective moisturizer. It is an anti-aging day cream moisturizer that aims to firm lines, smoother looking skin plus intense hydration. This cream moisturizer is loaded with (again) niacinamide and peptides too, which are great in improving my skin’s overall tone and texture.

My face is so dry most of the time and this is exactly what I needed to make my skin look healthier and dewy. I love that it is lightweight and gentle yet my skin remains hydrated with its star ingredient. It also has a smooth finish and absorbs/dries up quickly, allowing even makeup application that's safe from caking. It helps renew skin's surface layers revealing youthful look and it hydrates to help plump up the skin too.

These characteristics make them perfect to use during the day or even at night. And it's perfect for our hot weather too, because the products don't feel heavy or sticky on my skin. I would highly recommend this for women who would like to prevent fine lines. I’ve used this for a while now and I can see the difference in my skin!

For more info, do check out their website here https://www.everydayme.com.my/olay


XOXO,
Shazzy.

Be Your Best Beautiful!

For years and years my obsession with beauty and makeup is driven by insecurity. From a very young age, (around 12 years old) I’ve been in a constant state of wanting to look "perfect". Maybe because I was surrounded with negative people.. People who told me I'm ugly. People who told me I should be looking like her. People who said I can't do this and that. People who told me I'm not good enough.. and et cetera. Hence I always wanting to look better. Never feeling good enough with myself.

But as I grew older, things changed. Probably because I've been surrounding myself with positive, happy people. I don't really feel the same way I did when I was younger.. I chose to surround myself with phenomenal people who are confident and secure enough to know that there is enough room for all of us to make it to the finish line! And I learned that empowered women never bring each other down. They empower women to do more, to see more and to be more!

Sometimes I ask myself - do I want to wear make up because it makes me happy, or because I don’t feel good enough without it? Well..to be honest, I love being all girly and pretty. But I don't wear make up to impress others. I just wear them to make myself happy and feel good.

But the truth is, we all have been flogged with the idea that to look beautiful we need to look a certain way... thin/slim, youthful, smooth-skinned, fair-skinned, big-eyed, pointy/small-nosed, silky-haired, etc. As contradictory as it sounds, the individual is slowly becoming the determining factor in cultural standards of being pretty.

Blogging has actually enabled me to kinda break the beauty mould in order to have an influential voice. I used to be really insecure with the way I look...But now, I don't really feel the need to be in certain size and shape,  I don't need to have the most fair skinned and I certainly don't need to be perfect all the time to have a voice. I just need to be me. We all know that beauty is only skin deep. What's more important is to be kind and be your beautiful self!

I love the fact that technology these days is allowing a more diverse expression of beauty. I think that technology is creating a more open and accessible beauty culture now.. Which I love so much! We embrace individual beauty and find our own ‘beauty tribe’ online! It's amazing to see different shapes, sizes, colors influencing others! At the end of the day, the most important women to impress is the one in the mirror! ^_^

The real beauty is all about celebrating the unique splendor of every woman and enabling them to express their identity in the mode that they choose, rather than undermining their confidence. So let us embrace the diversity! Everyone know that true beauty comes from within. And with the right skincare products, it'll help making you feel good by bringing your beauty to the surface! ;)

We all know that skin is the foundation of all the beauty in the beauty industry. Feeling beautiful is powerful. It is vital to your health and well-being. Every woman deserves access to the best skin care possible, be it science, aesthetics and knowledge! Thus it's important to choose products that actually work for your skin!

Beauty remedy can be such a therapeutic experience that makes you feel so good about yourself and inspires confidence, and your unique style and most importantly restore radiance! With the new Olay Miracle Duo skincare, this product offers advanced anti-ageing skin care that help regenerate skin’s appearance without drastic measures. Healthy beautiful skin that is radiant, soft and smooth! ^_^

It has been awhile now since I last wrote a review on beauty product.. So today, I'll be giving my thoughts on these two products from Olay. I've been using the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence and Micro-Sculpting Night Cream for awhile now.. These two products are somewhat thin and quite light. They both go on so smoothly on the skin. It’s like patting a silky, liquefied cloud-pudding onto your face. Oh, heavenly!

With my combination skin type and the recent deathly-humid weather, I decided to use this duo as a final moisturizing step in my night routine because of its ingredients and, well, it says “Night Cream” on it. Lol. Anyway, I am in LOVE with these products!! I recently added the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence to my daily skin routine (day and night) and I'm loving the result I'm seeing, My skin is glowing!

After cleansing the face and using my toner, I apply this Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence before applying my night serum and night cream moisturizer. 

This Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre-Essence is a facial essence designed to be used in conjunction with a daily skin care regimen to help boost skin cell metabolism and renewal. The essence starts the renewal of a million surface cells and helps visibly reduce fine lines, pores and firms the skin. It penetrates quickly, leaving behind hydrated, smooth and supple skin.

The bottle dropper is genius, when you open the lid it draws the serum into the dropper providing the perfect amount to cover my face and neck, it is a clear serum with a nice consistency that the product doesn't run everywhere and covers the skin smoothly. 

It's so easy to dispense the product with a push of the applicator.. The pump makes it very hygienic to use and it dispenses just the right amount of product. 

Testing on my hands for you to have a clearer visual of them! I find that the fragrance is very subtle too, which is great as it isn't overpowering. My face is looking and feeling so smooth, and bright and I feel like I am glowing when I apply this product!

Look at that sheer light texture! It has a runny gel texture that is easily absorbed by the skin. I like how my skin feels moisturized and dewy after I use this pre-essence. 

The product rapidly penetrates into your skin and the key actives work within the epidermis layer. 

After applying the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence and my night serum, I apply the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Night Cream as a final step in my night routine. This cream also has the highest concentration of their signature amino-peptide complex and Hydra-Firming Complex to hydrate all night long. This is perfect to use with the Olay Regenerist Miracle Boost Youth Pre Essence as they both can work together so perfectly. 

Now let me show you the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Night Cream.

This night cream is actually more like a gel-type moisture cream that soothes the skin with a cool and invigorating texture. It luxuriously hydrates and supplies moisture and soothes the skin with a non-sticky, refreshing texture

The texture of this night cream is thicker than the pre-essence and it takes a little bit more time to absorb. Some gel products feel sticky though..and I am happy to tell you guys that this product doesn't feel that way at all!

This is a luxurious moisturizing and hydrating cream for soft and plump skin. It gives you long lasting moisture with strong hydrating effect and a rich texture to refine rough skin into smooth radiant skin! It absorbs so quickly and hydrates all night long!! 

After using these two in my skincare regime for awhile now, I can see that my face felt a bit plumper and firmer..and certainly more hydrated than usual when I woke up. Normally I had greasy skin when I woke up..but after applying these two, my face is somewhat glowing! It does provide moisture and hydration. So it's perfect for our hot and humid weather because the product don't feel heavy or sticky. I would highly recommend this for women who would like to prevent fine lines caused by dryness! I also love that I did not break out from using these products too! My skin is so sensitive that sometimes if I change skincare products so often, I'll break out like crazy! But with these two, none! In fact, I am glowing!! Love it! :)

The new Olay Miracle Duo range renews from within, plumping surface cells for a dramatic transformation without the need for fillers. The result is a stunning, youthful skin that is proven to look up to 10 years younger. Let's not settle for less. Let's be the #BestBeautiful you can be!

Oh and check out their products here! https://www.everydayme.com.my/olay


XOXO,
Shazzy.

The Cream that Saves My Time!

Babies can take up 100% of your time! I don't know whether they should say "You have a baby" or "The baby has you!" haha. I think it's the latter one because having a baby changes everything in your life! You no longer get the privileged to have your own sweet time to do just about anything that you used to do.

Lesser sleep time, lesser eat time, lesser shower time, and definitely lesser getting ready time for me! Ahhh....I do miss getting uninterrupted sleep and going out to the malls for hours without thinking about where can I pump my milk or nurse my baby in the next hour, or where the diaper changing room is. My mind is constantly thinking about the baby! huhu.

To be honest, the thing I miss the most since becoming a mom would be the getting ready part. If you've been following me, you'd know that I am the type that really spend my time getting ready because I feel like that is part of the fun part about going out! LOL. I used to spend like an hour AT LEAST, just to get ready for the skincare and make up! Goshhhh. I wonder what did I belek and tepek on my face?! -__-

As I grew older, my time for getting ready seems to be shorter and shorter. When I was single it was 60 minutes minimum...then I got married, it went down to 30 minutes. But now, with baby in my life, it went from 30 minutes to 3 minutes max!!! haha. It's not that I don't care about my looks anymore. But I kinda have my ways to cut my time in getting ready shorter. I no longer use a lot of creams and lotions and potions and serums and whatnot. I just use the one that already combined the things I REALLY need! Like the Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Pore Minimizing CC Cream SPF 15 for example. I don't really use my serum or essence or spot cream or eye cream or sun block cream and other creams I have in my skincare drawer! haha.

Olay Total Effects CC Cream and Day Cream are all I need as they fight the 7 signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, age spots, uneven texture, dryness, dullness and pores. The thing I love the most about the Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Pore Minimizing CC Cream would be the coverage it gives. It covers with perfect finish for visible pore reduction, giving you younger-looking skin! Oooh la laaa... ^_^

I use it alone as my foundation. It's lightweight and just the right coverage. This product blends well with my medium skin tone. The color is subtle, so I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup which is a good thing. It is also a good moisturizer, foundation and sunscreen, all at the same time! Exactly what this busy mummy needs! I love it and I highly recommend it.

Olay Total Effects is really great for today's moms (or women in general) who are always stressed out with work or life that it affects your skin. tskkk. But with a regular use of these creams, you really can fight the 7 signs of aging! Olay Total Effects is a daily facial cream that provides 7 anti-aging benefits in 1 bottle. Not only it has vitamins and antioxidants that your skin need, it also has SPF 15, that can help protect against sun exposure, which is the number one cause of premature visible aging.

Anyway, I must highlight that there's a promotion going on for Olay Total Effects products throughout the month of December in all participating Watsons pharmacies. You guys should check them out and go get yourself a bottle of Olay Total Effects cream!


XOXO,
Shazzy.

Fashion Accessory For Your Eyes!

Colored contact lenses are the most amazing innovation of the fashion industry. Me, myself cannot live without them! It either enhances your original eye color or completely masks it behind opaque contact lenses. I'm a seriously shortsighted girl, so I need glasses to see the world but I hate wearing them! I feel like I'm not free to do my things somehow, as the spectacles tend to move or drop as I move around. So that's why I opted for lenses. I know it's a bit tedious job to insert them in your eyes every morning, adding one more step of getting ready in the bathroom, but once you get used to it, you'll like it! And you'll feel like your eyes are normal again! haha. When I was in school, I used to wear the clear lens but now I prefer the colored ones. Cuz I thought, while I'm wearing them, why not add a little glam to it by wearing the colored ones, right? It's like instant make up for my eye! haha. A lot of people are now switching from glasses to colored contact lenses as they are more attractive, handy, beneficial and can give you a complete transformation!

Light makeup application is required to create a blending-effect with the colored lenses.

The underlying fact behind every successful makeup application is to go “natural”. Do not self-assume that more makeup means more beautiful eyes. Remember: less is more! Unless if you have a costume party or glam dinner or something to go to, then it should be fine to wear a little more. Otherwise, if it's just a normal day, you should just go natural. "As long as you focus on natural strokes, you are staying pretty", a make up guru once told me!

Enhancing the way your eyes look with colored contact lenses by proper makeup application can beautify your eyes and add glamour if you wear them properly with the right technique. According to my make up artist that I used during my wedding, which was the amazing BOSCO, you can embellish your eyes with the right choice of eye shadows to complement your contact lenses. I still remember, he asked me what were my dress' color and the color of my contact lenses, before applying my make up on that day. He wanted to ensure everything synchronizes and complements with each other! --- And I loved my look that night!!!

I love how unique the lace detailing circling the lenses

Anyways, today I'm going to share with you some tips that make your eyes look sexy with colored contact lenses. I have one new product that I recently tried on! A brand called Lacelle by Bausch + Lomb. Their colors are amazing, perfect accessory for the eyes! So when wearing a colored contact lenses, it's all about blending with colors! - Your overall make up look, your eye color and of course, your outfit of the day plays an important role as well!

Eye Makeup with Grey Colored Contact Lenses

I'm using Lacelle by Bausch + Lomb in Frozen Grey 

While wearing grey lenses, apply beige highlighter on brow bones and stroke lightly on the eye lids. Apply brown eye shadow to create depth into the eye socket. Light warm pink blush on the inner corner of eyes will really open up the eyes. And don't forget, the eyeliner and mascara to pop the eye of course!

I'm wearing a grey/black outfit to complement my make up and lenses

Eye Makeup with Purple Colored Contact Lenses

I loveee how natural this Jubilee Violet by Lacelle look on me. It doesn't look weird or "too purple" for the eyes, even up close! 

Apply white or beige eye shadow as a highlighter on brow bones. This will also give volume to your eye lids if applied on sparingly. Apply purplish grey or dark brown eye shadow to give depth to the eye socket while wearing purple lenses. Some sheer light pink eye shadow application at the inner corner of your eyes will make them sparkle!

Does my eye match with my outfit? ;)

Outfit of the day: Purple!

Eye Makeup with Black/Natural Colored Contact Lenses

Wearing Modest Black by Lacelle

Highlight your eyes using gold eye shadow when you wear black lenses. Apply a thin line of eyeliner. Wear your blackest mascara. Lastly, add a healthy fresh look by adding a touch of soft peach at the inner corner of eyes.

Wear a natural color outfits like brown/black to go with the look!

Lacelle Colors daily disposable contact lenses come in five different colors that are sure to accentuate your eyes’ natural color. They are Jubilee Violet, Sparkling Brown, Frozen Grey, Tender Brown and Modest Black. Each daily disposable contact lens has an intricate lace pattern that gives your eyes a fascinating and more appealing look. Whether you’re attending a formal event or an outrageous party, the colorful and unique lace pattern will surely turn heads your way! Wear it for extended periods of time all throughout the night without worrying about protein build-up and dry eyes. These contact lenses are made with materials that allow for high water content with an especially smooth and build-up resisting surface that will keep you feeling fresh even after sundown!


XOXO,
Shazzy.

Banking On Water to Hydrate Skin!

I was invited to the launch of a new range from a Korea brand called Laneige, that was held at the Gardens Lifestyle Store & Cafe last week. Their new range is called the Water Bank series, which is Korea's latest and hot skincare in the market! I've heard about Laneige brand before, but I honestly haven't tried it before. But now that I've have tried it, I really think I should explore more of this brand because I love most of their products! Especially their Water Bank range, which is totally new with its ingredients, benefits and packaging!

 This Water bank series is targeted for hydration. We were told that this is one of Laneige’s bestselling ranges

Four bloggers were there to try out Laneige products too.

 Ashley, Daphne, Yuyu and me!

The fundamental of Laneige skincare line is to replenish the skin with moisture. So if you have dry or dehydrated skin then their products are extra-worthy for a try.

The new Water Bank range with the new and improved 5 SKU has 8 times stronger moisturizing power compared to its previous Water Bank range. Plus, it can penetrate into the 20th layer of skin and activates the 4 dormant moisturizing genes with its new moisturizing Biogene™ Technology and Hydro Ion Mineral Water

Anyway, today I'll be reviewing the Water Bank Essence_EX and Water Bank Moisture Cream_EX, which I would consider to be the most essential steps in your skincare regime if you have dry skin. If you're always keen to try new products/brand but not sure where to start, then this essence and moisturizer would probably be the best products to test and determine how much you like the line!

The Water Bank range is not really that new in the market actually. They're already famous in Korea for their awesome result! I always envy those Koreans celebrities who have flawless skin despite putting on heavy makeup for performances each time. Oh I want flawless skin too! T_T

For me, the brand and the products are quite new because like I said, I've never explored this brand before...but having tried, touched and tested more than 5 of their products, I think I'm gonna love it for it's uniqueness!

Beautiful decorations which makes me want to try these products even more! =)

This is the Water Bank Essence_EX

I have only started using this for 1 week for now, but this has worked quite well for me. My skin was flared up red and started to flake due to some medicines I took from my doctor a few weeks ago. I also had stubborn cystic acne on my cheeks for days now, but after a week of using this together with my DIY Manuka honey spot treatment for my acne and the Water Bank Moisture Cream, I can see that my pimple has started to come out faster and my skin felt smoother and less redness! I use this at night before bedtime and woke up with a happy face because my skin didn't look and feel oily at all!!! Amaaazing!

The essence itself is sheer white and very runny and liquidy! It's very easy to be absorbed by the skin. It has a very fresh scent too!  One thing I love about this product is that it absorbs very fast on my skin (within 30 seconds) and it doesn't feel sticky at all!

The Water Bank Moisture Cream_EX

The texture of this product is light and creamy, which I love it as if it's not sticky at all. 

This cream is ideal for normal to dry skin, as the package indicates. If you have oily or combo skin it is recommended to apply their Water Bank Gel Cream_EX instead. I use their set cream during day time and Water Bank Moisture Cream_EX during the night as it is more moisturizing and suitable for my dry flaky skin inside air-conditioning room.

Next, introducing the NEW Brightening Sparkling Water range which includes Brightening Sparkling Water Whipping Cleanser, Brightening Sparkling Pop Essence and Brightening Sparkling Water Capsule Mist

The Sparkling Water found in this range is obtained from the volcanic regions of South-Central France. It helps to promote the turnover of dead skin cells and stimulate blood circulation, which in turn makes skin looks brighter, clearer and more radiant. This bubbly range is so unique and sounds very promising at the same time, like this Brightening Sparkling Water Whipping Cleanser for example!

The texture is amaaaaazing! It's like putting whipped cream on your skin! This cleanser is infused with sparkling water, which is known for its effect on health and skin! Korean women showed great interest in sparkling water. They drink with it, cook with it..and even splash it on their skin for facials! 

Here's benefits of sparkling water

Other things that I would definitely purchase for more would be this Water Drop Tint lip product! Seriously, I'm in love with this lip tint!!

This is the first time I tried a really different kind of lip product! Water coating + Synergy Glow Effect, a new technology I suppose! It gives you a beautiful natural tint for your lips and left your lips moisturized with shiny effects! Smells great too! 

Comes in 10 beautiful shades!

I feel like collecting all colors now! Definitely my favourite lip product so far! I kinda addicted to apply this to my lips every now and then! I gave my sister to try it the other day, and she loved it too!

Natural pink lips! I'm using the color code Neon Pink in this picture.

By the way, in conjunction with the launch of this Water Bank range, Laneige also started a local CSR program, an initiative called the "Waterful Sharing Campaign" to raise awareness on rainwater harvesting. Laneige Malaysia is partnering with Malaysian Environmental NGOs (MENGO), targeting to raise RM 60, 000 through a 3 month campaign to facilitate the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in selected children shelter homes. To support this campaign, Laneige is launching its "Waterful Charity Kit" featuring limited edition packaging design where every RM 10 from the Charity Kit sold will be contributed towards the targeted fund.

The "Waterful Charity Kit" will consist of Multi Cleanser (30ml), Power Essential Skin Refiner Light/Moisture (50 ml), Balancing Emulsion Light/Moisture (50ml), Water Bank Essence EX (30ml), Water Bank Gel/Moisture Cream EX (20 ml), and Water Sleeping pack EX (20 ml) together with a limited edition mineral water specially designed for this campaign 

Available at Laneige beauty counters nationwide starting July 2014. - I think it's very reasonable price for a trial pack! Great for traveling too!

Also, Laneige will be having their Water Bank Promotion at Pavillion KL, Level 3 Entrance from 30th june to 6th July 2014! It’ll be super affordable, so those who are interested should head over and grab them while you still can!

XOXO,
Shazzy.