[Sneak Peek] NYX In Your Element Palette

Recently, NYX Malaysia held 'In Your Element' concept runway show. I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of NYX latest line of eyeshadow palettes at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.

 

Mamonde - Journey of Flowers @ Parkson KLCC + New Products

Mamonde recently opened another beauty counter at Parkson KLCC which is a reflection of its latest brand concept 'Journey of Flowers'.

[Review] Althea Petal Velvet Powder

I was really excited when I got to know that Althea came up with the first of their very own product range, the Petal Velvet Powder! Using the national flower of Korea as the main ingredient, it has many benefits which is:

• Contains natural antioxidants that protect the skin's barrier from dehydration by increasing moisture levels.
• Protect the skin from effects cause by sun exposure and ultraviolet radiation
• Helps to repair damaged skin cells and restore elasticity to premature aging skin.

Curél Sebum Care Series Review

During my stay in Japan, I came across Curél and used their Foaming Hand Wash which was pretty good but I did not purchase as my luggage was already packed! However, I found out that recently, Curél is officially available for sale in Malaysia by KAO :)

KAO MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask Review

Looking at the computer screen for long hours cause the eyes to feel tired easily. Especially in this world of technology, many factors affects the eye health. KAO MegRhythm is a product from Japan that helps relieve tired eyes. 

Veet Sensitive Touch Electric Trimmer Review

While attending the Veet Sensitive Touch workshop previously, I also had the opportunity to test out the product thanks to Veet Malaysia! After trying it out for a few weeks, below is my verdict on this product!

Veet Sensitive Touch Workshop @ Talent Lounge

What comes to mind when you think about Veet? For me, it will be their hair removal products, mainly the hair removal creams and wax strips. When I heard Veet was launching something new, I was excited to see what it was, as I love using their products especially the hair removal cream!

KOSÉ Lip Gel Magic

Lipsticks are a tricky thing especially with staining and most of the time the colour fades off after a while, which I have to reapply constantly. Imagine staining the coffee cup, wine glass and sometimes the lipstick even transfers to the food!

Enchanteur Paris Personal Care Range

Famed for its French inspired fragrance, the ENCHANTEUR PARIS body care products are infused with fine fragrances to provide women with an overall freshness. With the humid and hot weather in Malaysia coupled with hectic lifestyles, us women always slather on lotions or serums to protect our skin daily. The ENCHANTEUR PARIS is available in 3 mesmerizing scents.

Park Shin Hye @ Mamonde Flower Day 2016

Social media was abuzz with the arrival of popular Korean actress, Park Shin Hye in Malaysia for the first time. She was appointed as Mamonde's brand ambassador in 2014. The LG, Oval Concourse of 1 Utama Shopping Centre was transformed into a flower garden in theme with Mamonde's tagline - Inspired by Flowers.

Green & Glam Beauty Workshop

Our general well-being is constantly affected by various factors such as our lifestyle and surrounding environment. Recently, I attended the Green & Glam Beauty Workshop at Nutz n Boltz Restobar to learn more about holistic beauty - focusing on skincare, grooming and also the hair. 

[Sneak Peek] Mamonde in Malaysia

Flower - A sign of beauty and a symbol of grace, is also magical with its ability to speak to the soul in a way which words cannot express. There is much more to this extraordinary plants, where AmorePacific Institute discovered the close relation between flowers and a woman's beauty.

The Butterfly's Project x Althea - Bake & Shop Party

Time flies! It doesn't seem like too long ago when I first attended the first ever tea party hosted by The Butterfly Project Malaysia. Now, it is already the 3rd year anniversary of The Butterfly Project and the community has expanded ever since! :)

3 Things You Need to Know About Mentholatum Botanics

[Review] STAYOUNG The Amazing Animal Mask

I have been spotting some Animal Face Mask in the market for some time now but never really gotten to trying them as I still have my usual face mask in the house. However, I got the chance to try them out after STAYOUNG sent me a few samples of their The Amazing Animal Mask series.

[Review] Mario Badescu Skin Care

Recently, I was sent 2 products from Mario Badescu courtesy of Luxola! I have heard about the brand before from one of my favourite YouTuber Essie Button but never had a chance to try it out! The 2 products I received from Luxola were the Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion and also the Mario Badescu Silver Powder.

Mario Badescu Skin Care begun in 1967 when Mario opened his salon in New York City to develop his signature skin care product line. He spent many years doing research in his laboratory and testing his innovative product in his salon, and the result of his hard work can still be seen today. Morio Badescu Skin Care line are botanically-based, which is expertly designed to keep the skin luscious and beautiful.

The Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion is said to fight against oily build-up and bacteria that can cause acne. It is a refreshing, disinfecting and deep cleansing astringent/toner that is effective in drying up existing acne blemishes while preventing new eruptions.

[Direction of Usage] Use twice daily after cleansing the face. Apply lotion to a cotton ball/pad and wipe skin in an outward direction until cotton comes up clean. Avoid eye area. Suitable for combination and oily skin.

Using natural ingredients to draw blackheads, excess oil and other impurities from the skin, the Mario Badescu Silver Powder is super effective in combating t-zone shine, decongesting pores, and balancing oil in the skin.

[Direction of Usage] Dip a water-dampened cotton ball into the powder and press onto nose, chin or other areas where pores are clogged. Remove after 10 minutes with a toner or astringent. Use 1-2 times each week. Suitable for all skin types.

Let me show you how I use this two products hand in hand!

After cleansing my face, I will press the damp cotton pad onto the Silver Powder and then swipe it evenly across the face. I would advise to do this in the toilet as it gets pretty messy during application with the powder flaking off the cotton pad as I applied it on my face. Another option is to place the powder on the lid, add a few drops of water and make it into a paste. This way, it is easier to apply on using your fingers or a brush and you wouldn't waste as much product as the cotton ball/pad direction tend to make the powder clump together and fall off easily!

The Silver Powder will dry-off after 10 minutes. If you have combination skin, applying it on the T-Zone will suffice but if you feel your pores are clogged, you can apply it on those areas as well. After my trip back from Taiwan, my skin was really clogged and had those little bumps which made me very anxious. Luckily this product had arrived when I got back and I tested it out immediately!

After waiting for 10 minutes, I will use the Special Cucumber Lotion and clean the Silver Powder off my face.

Usually I will use two cotton pads soaked in the size of a 50 cents coin to make sure all the Silver Powder is removed fully.

After removing the Silver Powder, I will follow up with my usual skin care product to keep my skin moisturized!

[Verdict]

Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion: This toner/astringent is very mild and does not irritate my skin and so far no pimples have surfaced during this 2 weeks which is why I am happy with it. Some of the pimples that was going to surface on my T-zone was reduced, which I believe is due to the help of the Silver Powder as well. However, I try not to apply too much of the toner on my skin, as it contains alcohol which will make my skin dry. Therefore, I apply it moderately.

Mario Badescu Silver Powder: One of my least favourite product from this range due to the messy application. When I first read the instructions, I was pretty surprised as it being a powder form, things are sure gonna get messy! And I was right. I guess there are trial and error in applying the product and so far the paste method has worked for me. Being messy aside, this product has greatly help decongesting my pores upon my arrival back from Taiwan. I guess it is due to the cold weather over there and my skin was not used to it. During the first application, I did not notice any big changes but after consistent use, the bumps on my skin has been reduced except for the ones my my chin. Those are pretty stubborn but I am definitely looking forward for my skin to be clear again!

If you are interested in purchasing Mario Badescu Skincare, there are good news for you, my readers! Use the code 'BLX-STRINGS' during your checkout and you get to receive 15% off on all first-time orders! This code will expire on 3rd June 2015! This coupon is not valid on non-discountable brands as found on Luxola FAQ Page.

[Review] Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream

Recently, I received a package from Natta Cosme and it was for the review campaign I was selected for! Spot the cute envelop :) Besides the product, I also received a vintage hair bow and a powder puff!

Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream SPF40 PA+++ (40ml)

When I first received the product, I was asking myself what is a blemish cream? I thought it was a tinted cream that helps to combat spots. After reading further on the product description, I finally realize that it is a BB cream! It is made in Korea and approved by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KDFA) for its 3 functions certification which is mainly:

1. For Intensive Sun Block

2. Blemish Balm

3. Whitening/ Wrinkle Care/ Sebum Control

The product also does not contain paraben, is alcohol-free and cruelty-free (no animal testing).

The blemish balm is a light brown/beige colour which gives the skin whitening and wrinkle improvement effect while retaining the natural skin tone! It contains sodium hyaluronate which is the sodium salt of the widely known hyaluronic acid. As the particles of sodium hyaluronate is smaller than hyaluronic acid, it helps to keep the skin moist and supple, making the skin look younger.

[Direction of usage] Apply after basic skincare routine. Blend evenly with fingertips and gently pat into skin.

Sometimes, I apply it using my fingertips but most of the time, I use the Cerro Queen Natural Emulsion Powder Puff to apply the Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream instead of using my fingers as it is easier to blend the cream onto my skin evenly using the sponge.

Before & After

What I really like about this product is that it gives a natural dewy finish without the grey undertone that most BB cream does. It also brightens up my skin which makes me look more lively instead of a zombie. Hehe...

However, it has very light coverage which you'll need to apply more layers if you'd like the coverage to be better. When my skin has no breakouts, I would go for the blemish cream without any concealers which is sufficient. But if I had breakouts at my chin or any other areas of the face, I would apply additional concealer to hide my pimples.

My mom even complimented me and said that the Klairs Illuminating Supple Blemish Cream looks really natural on me! Additionally, I would brush a layer of powder to keep my T-zone from being too shiny as I have combination skin.

Another thing to take note is that the product will tend to spill out a little if you put it down without closing the cap which is what happened to me. Always remember to close the cap after squeezing out the appropriate amount on the back of your hands or put it in a vertical position!

For more information, check out Natta Cosme's:
Website | Facebook

24/7 silky soft skin with NIVEA!

Does your skin feel tight and itchy sometimes? This is a sign that the skin is dehydrated and you will have to moisturize your skin. However for me, I dislike putting on body lotion as it takes super long to absorb and it has a tendency to leave my skin feeling sticky. Therefore, I skip body lotion almost everyday except when my skin feels scaly where I have no choice but to apply it. I have a love-hate relationship with body lotions.

According to research, 70% of Malaysian women do not apply body lotion everyday! As a global skin care brand that thrives for driving innovation, NIVEA now has made body care easier for everyone!

NIVEA has discovered a unique water-activated formula that works on wet skin. When the skin's wet, it would be the best time to moisturize because the nourishment absorbs easily through open pores to fully moisturize and repair dry skin. This product is called NIVEA In-Shower Skin Conditioner, the 1st rinse-off body lotion that helps women keep their skin moisturize!

Thanks to NIVEA, I received a whole bunch of goodies for myself, as well as to give it to my friends to try out the products!

NIVEA In-Shower Skin Conditioner is a convenient new way to moisturize skin while in the shower. After cleansing your body with shower gel, rinse it off and apply the skin conditioner, and then rinse off again. There are different variants of the NIVEA In-shower Skin Conditioner specially formulated for different types of skin!

NIVEA In-Shower Intensive Skin Conditioner

Specially formulated for dry skin, the formula contains rich nourishing almond oil to leave the skin feeling noticeably softer and smoother.

NIVEA In-Shower Whitening Skin Conditioner

If you have dull skin, this is the variant for you! It is enriched with 50x Vitamin C from Camu-camu, which is known for its natural antioxidants and skin lightening properties. It retails at RM18.90 (250ml) and RM24.90 (400ml).

NIVEA In-Shower Skin Conditioner

For those with normal skin and want added moisture, this variant is enriched with Sea Minerals to leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated. It retails at RM16.90 (250ml) and RM22.90 (400ml).

NIVEA In-Shower Smooth Milk Skin Conditioner

Enriched with shea butter, it is specially formulated to nourish dry skin. The result is an irresitably smooth skin feeling without any stickiness or waiting around.

If you don't fancy the In-Shower Skin Conditioner, you can always stick back to traditional body lotion or body milk by NIVEA!

NIVEA Intensive Moisture Body Milk

Suitable for people with dry to very dry skin, it claims to give dry skin visible moisture within 7 days. Enriched with highly concentrated Vitamin E, the new non-sticky formula repairs dry, rough & cracked skin. Together with Grape Seed & Avocado Oils, it provides effective and natural care for softer and smoother skin.

NIVEA Extra Whitening Skin Therapy Body Milk

Comes with SPF15 for sun protection, it is for people with skin who look dull, dark and dehydrated. It is formulated with 50x Vitamin C nutrient formula from natural Camu Camu that help to protect the skin and repairs 10 sign of dull & sun-damanged skin. Suitable for all skin types.

NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion

Suitable for people with normal to dry skin, this ultra light formula absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves it soft and supple immediately. It also has a unique formula with Sea Mineral and Hydra IQ to supply moisture all day long!

As my mum is a big fan of body lotions, I let her try the products!

NIVEA Pure & Natural Body Lotion

Formulated with valuable Argan Oil to intensive moisturize the skin to leave it smooth and beautiful all day long. It acts as a powerful moisturizer and supports the natural skin balance providing a light, fresh scent. This product has NO parabens, silicones, colorants or mineral oil. It contains 95% natural origin.

NIVEA Body Intensive Moisture Serum SPF 25 PA++

Extra light and non-sticky serum formula that absorbs quickly into the skin that provides UVA & UVB protection against sun damage and pre-mature skin ageing. With 100x concentrated Vitamin E and Grape Seed Extract, it repairs dry skin in the moist efficient and natural way.

NIVEA Q10 Plus Age Defying Hand Cream

Smoothing hand cream with Coenzyme Q10 visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use. It also helps to prevent first signs of skin aging. The UVA/UVB-filters help to prevent sun induced age spots from developing. Suitable for people with dry hands.

NIVEA Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream

Rich hand cream with Macadamia nut oil that strengthens the skin's protection barrier whilst keeping the hands and cuticles smooth and soft. It keeps the hand moisturized all day long with its Hydra IQ formula. Suitable for people with dry hands.

My mom love to use hand cream especially after dishwashing to keep her hands moisturized and soft! Occasionally, my dad will use it too as he has dry hands.

In conjunction with International Women's Day! I am giving away some products for my readers. 10 lucky winners will stand a change to walk away with ONE product of their choice. All you have to do is:

1. Like NIVEA Facebook Page.

2. Like Strings of Memories Facebook Page.

3. Follow Strings of Memories via Google Friend Connect.

3. Comment below with your name, email, which product you would like to win and why.

*Winners will be contacted by 31st March 2015.

Below are the list of product that I am giving away! Choose only ONE! :)

• NIVEA In-Shower Intensive Skin Conditioner (400ml)
• NIVEA In-Shower Whitening Skin Conditioner (400ml)
• NIVEA In-Shower Skin Conditioner (400ml)
• NIVEA Intensive Moisture Body Milk (400ml)
• NIVEA Extra Whitening Skin Therapy Body Milk (350ml)
• NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion (400ml)
• NIVEA Pure & Natural Body Lotion (400ml)
• NIVEA Body Intensive Moisture Serum SPF 25PA++ (350ml)
• NIVEA Q10 Plus Age Defying Hand Cream (100ml)
• NIVEA Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream (100ml)

p.s: There is also a giveaway on my Instagram (@lichuen) where you can win NIVEA products also! :)

2015 Weekend Spa Routine

I always treasure my weekends as time seems like fly by especially when I am busy working. Most of the time, my weekends are spent recuperating at home or spending time with my family. Personal well-being is definitely one of my top priorities in life! Pampering myself makes me feel good :)

Starting off with my crown jewel, Biolange SmoothProof cleanses my hair and controls the frizz, which gives me smooth hair all day! Of course, I will need to use the conditioner & serum as well. It wouldn't work with just shampoo alone! Moving on, I will use the Garnier Sakura White Pink Radiance Gentle Cleaning Foam as it deeply cleanses my skin. Just a pea size and it really lathers well and the scent is lovely too! This formula is suitable for sensitive skin which is suitable for me as it does not irritate my skin :) A moisturizer is very important after cleansing the face which the Garnier Sakura White Pinkish Radiance Moisturizing Cream provides with a blend of Sakura Extracts, Vitamin B3 and Vitamin CG to nourish the skin deeply and help to lighten the skin tone and dark spots. It also has SPF21 properties which is great for day time usage.

To boost the skin's moisture, I will apply the Glam Glow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment which is a hydrating mask that provides deep instant hydration. The product looks creamy but when applied on, it goes on smoothly. It does have a sticky feeling though but it's not uncomfortable or anything. I also experience a tingling/cooling sensation after a few minutes. It contains many moisturizing ingredients like ground olive leaf, coconut oil, honey blossom honey and ginger root, botanimoist ams, hydraclay, oat beta glucan, hyaluronic acid and citric acid. Usually, I just apply it on for about 20 minutes and then wipe it off with a warm cloth instead of leaving it on the whole night.

Face masks is essential to lock in the moisture and let the skin further absorb the benefits! Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask does the job by further hydrating the skin. It contains the next generation 3D hyaluronic acid which claims to hydrate the skin from beneath the surface for 24 hours of long lasting moisture retention. I can't vouch for the 24 hours moisture thing but my skin definitely feels softer, smoother and plumped after putting on the mask for 15 minutes! Another option is the Nature Republic Snail Solution Hydrogel Mask Sheet. Snail extract is a popular ingredient in Korean skincare products which claims to regenerate cells and moisturize the skin. This mask really sits well onto the skin due to the texture of the gel mask which also gives a cool feeling to the skin without the need of putting it into the fridge first!

Not forgetting the body, it also needs some additional moisture to keep the skin smooth and moisturized! I take in particular consideration for the hands as it is constantly exposed to all forms of elements! The L'occitane En Provence hand cream is really handy for me to bring around to keep my hand constantly moisturized and the scent is lovely too! I would also apply the hand cream on the dry area of my elbows as well!

To keep myself refreshed throughout the day, I always carry around the Always 21 Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist which contains 96% of aloe vera. Especially under the air conditioned environment, the skin tends to get dry and this gel mist helps to keep my skin moisturized and refreshed. Not forgetting the unforgiving hot weather lately, I also use it to sooth my skin from the heat. 

That is all for my weekend spa routine! Any products that you'd recommend?

2015 Make Up Routine

As usual, I will say time flies! Its 2015 already and we are already heading towards the end of January. February is another short month where I foresee it is going to pass in a blink of an eye! Especially with Chinese New Year coming around, there is so many things to prepare!

Anyway, I would like to share with you my makeup routine that I usually go for. I don't wear makeup often as it my skin breaks out pretty easily. I am more of a skincare type of gal and I often let my skin breath as much as possible, but here is my simple & basic makeup routine!

Usually, I started by prepping my face with concealer or sometimes foundation (depending on my skin condition) by trying to conceal away those dark circles and pimples! Then, I will move on to eyeliner where liquid eyeliner is my favourite choice. I have used Dolly Wink when I was in college which was introduced to me by a friend and absolutely loved it!

As time passed, I moved on to using other brands as well but recently revisited Dollywink again as it was part of the Butterfly Project Beauty Box that I received last year. One of the main reason I like Dolly Wink eyeliner is because of its intense black colour and also their thin tip which makes application an easy one. I am able to build up the eyeliner slowly without much error.

It is pretty much smudge proof and stays put throughout the day. However for my case, my eyelids get pretty oily and sometimes it smudges off easily towards the edge of my cat eye flick which irks me. Till today, I still haven't found a brand of liquid eyeliner that is extremely waterproof and smudge proof except for the Elianto eyeliner that was discontinued few years back.

After applying eyeliner, it is time for the lips to be prepped! I would start off with lip balm to keep my lips moisturized before putting on lipstick. With Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm, I am able to keep things simple. It is both moisturizing and adds a lovely colour to the lips which saves me time whenever I am in a rush. The colour pigmentation is pretty sheer and suitable for an everyday look which gives pop of colour to my lips :) 

Sometimes, I would add on lip gloss to give my lips a more glossy finish / plump look. The Hotlights Lipgloss from Collection is very unique as it has a built in light which is super convenient especially during the night when you are in a dark-lit restaurant or washroom. It is also equipped with a side mirror which I found it pointless as the mirror is not really clear where you can't see the shape of your own lips perfectly. 

Whenever I am in the mood, nail polish is my go to item! I don't usually apply them on my fingers as I am a very rough person which I have mentioned many times before. So I only apply nail polish on my toes. The Maybelline Colour Show nail polish in Pink Voltage (#010) is a pretty sheer pink nail polish which needs to be layered up to at least 2 layers for the colour to show.

Here's my complete makeup look! Products used are:

1. Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner (Black)
2. Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm (Pink Shock)
3. Collection Cosmetics Hotlights Lipgloss (#4 Sparkle)
4. Maybelline Colour Show (#010 Pink Voltage)

What's your 2015 makeup routine?