Hello & Sephora Moisturizer + Clinque Review

Yes! From a 2 year hiatus, I AM BACK!

I am currently in New York City for the summer and hopefully will be posting more on my new buys! It's been a long time since I blogged so I might be kinda rusty.

Anyhoo, since it's the summer and the sun is almost always out all the time, I've been looking to try out a new moisturizer that comes with SPF. I decided to try the Sephora Age Defy Moisture Cream with SPF 15 Sunscreen. While I wasn't really looking into the age defying feature, this moisturizer is suppose to be very good with my skin type - dry. My face gets super flaky especially with the sun and humidity. I barely get any oil but I did start getting some rough patches that scared me a little. This moisturizer may seem heavy, but it is actually really light-weight after application. It smells great and does not leave my face oily. It leaves behind just a layer of moisture that your skin will absorb within the hour.

Seeing that I tan super easily, this has definitely shown results in terms of preventing me from excessive tanning. One of the downsides of this product is that I don't know if it is as hydrating as it should be. My face still feels dry and rough in some parts. This would probably be perfect for normal/combination skin types as it does not leave the face oily.

Before I switched to that, I have been using Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. This is for dry skin in particular. I absolutely love and recommend this product. It keeps my face moisturized and has been a blessing during the cold winters. It is slightly heavier than the Sephora SPF Moisturizer and I do know that I have some cream on my face. But it gets absorbed into the skin pretty quick as well. The only downside to the Clinque Moisturizer is that the smell isn't too pleasant. I have seen some people commenting about how it smells kinda chemical-y. To me, it smells like it has a vague hint neosporin. But don't let that scare you! It isn't strong at all. In fact, I think I will continue using this when I don't really need all that sunscreen anymore. 

Well, that's all for today! Please let me know if there any products you would like a review on and I will try my best to make it happen.

The Balm SASA Sale!

Hey guys!

I know it's been FOREVER since I've updated. But not to fret! I've got loads of goodies that I've got to share but I don't seem to have to time for :(

Just wanted to let everyone on a little secret (if you already don't know), SASA is having their mega sale and everything is on sale! There's this brand that I've been DYING to try out called The Balm. They're a US company and everything of theirs is made in the USA. I really really love their concept. Every product of theirs come in really cute packaging I can die. If you're into the whole sexy, pin-up girls kinda era, you'll love the packaging. Their prices are a little higher than your normal drugstore make up but its around the same price as Benefit (or even cheaper!).

Check out their website! http://www.thebalm.com/ Sephora Malaysia does not carry The Balm products if I remember correctly but if you want to get reviews from product users you can go onto www.sephora.com which is the Sephora USA to check some of the products out. After conversion (yes, I did the math before buying!), the prices at SASA are even cheaper than in Sephora.

DO go check it out and if you do have some spare cash, splurge! Sorry, I'm such a bad influence sigh.

I'll try to do a blog review on their products as soon as I get my Statistic research paper done! 


You can find SASA in almost every mall:
One Utama, Mid Valley, Tropicana City Mall, Bangsar Shopping Center, The Curve, Berjaya Times Square, Pavilion, IOI Mall, Ikano, Empire and Aeon Bandaraya Melaka (yes, I went all the way to Melaka to look for The Balm products).

+ There's a 5% extra discount on top of the already discounted price if you show your student card!

*For those in Malacca, hurry up cos the salesgirl told me that they are running out of stock!


Another thing I would like to add is that Sephora at Paradigm Mall is now open! It's as big as the one at Bukit Bintang and the products they carry are the same so YAY for us suburbans!

Cheap Lip Balms!

Hey guys!

Sorry for the really, really overdue blogpost! So today I'll be talking about something that I have been using my WHOLE LIFE. I only started with make up and stuff like that when I was about 16 years old or so? And that was only eyeliner and occasional lip gloss! But I have been using lip balm since FOREVER. It's like an addiction I just buy and buy and buy cos they look and smell so pretty :/ The thing is, I usually go for drug store lip balms and haven't really tried out the branded ones because I didn't really see I need to but I have tried out some of the Body Shop ones though!

Unfortunately, I kinda did some spring cleaning in my room and tossed away a few lip balms so I'll be  doing reviews without the images.

I'll start off with the Body Shop ones. I only have 2 of it.

Born Lippy (Old Design) - Satsuma Shimmer and Strawberry

Okay let me start of with what I love about it. I really love the smell of the strawberry one, not so for the satsuma (orange flavor) one cos I personally don't quite like the smell of oranges. The strawberry lipblam gives a slight red tint to the lips and the satsuma shimmer gives a little glitter. I've had this particular 2 lip balms for almost 2 years now and it is still as moisturizing as when I just bought it. So I give it a thumbs up for being long lasting! Body Shop has come up with new packing for both these lip balms but they are still the same product (yes... I went to check it out!).

What I don't like about this product is it's just too damn messy! After application, the residue on my fingers are kinda gross and I have to take out a piece of tissue or wash my hands :/ and these lip balms are very sensitive to heat so never put it in your car or anywhere that is very hot! The price is RM19 which to me is pretty okay actually for something made in UK. Body shop has come up with a new product which is the strawberry stick lip balm that smell exactly the same as the strawberry tub lip balm. And yes, being the fanatic I am, I'm gonna get that to try it out!

Lip Smackers - Red Raspberry, Wild Raspberry, Kiwi, Strawberry Vanilla, Cookies 'N Cream, Mango, Coca Cola, Coca Cola Vanilla, Coca Cola Cherry

One thing I love about Lip Smackers are there great variety of flavors! I just love sniffing them and the scent is overwhelming. Even though all the lip balms are colored, they leave no trace of color/tint on your lips. So if you're going for a natural moisturizing look, Lip Smackers is for you! Its also very very convenient. I always have a Lip Smacker in my bag wherever I go and whenever I put them on, everyone in the room can smell it! I bought a few individual packs and got the Glossy Girl Lip Collection that come with 6 lip balms.

What I must say about this brand is that is not really for chappy lips. If you have really chappy lips and looking for a medicated lip balm - DO NOT GET LIP SMACKERS. This brand is more of a gimmick? I have generally dryer lips that tend to peel off and every time I put on my Lip Smackers, the skin just peels right off and into my mouth which is kind of disgusting. But nevertheless, it is still moisturizing but it only lasts like about an hour and then you have to reapply. I have like so many others that I didn't show you guys that I haven't used because there are just too many of it and I can't finish it!

And yes, besides the stick lip balms, they also come in squeezy packs! I tried the Coca Cola Cherry and... I HATE IT. I hate the smell ugh. It's disgusting. Please people, read the flavor carefully and think if you REALLY like that particular scent before you buy it. But the texture of this is really good. Its like a lipgloss but with no tint (even though the color of it is red).

Lip Smackers are about RM10 for the normal range and are more expensive for the Paul Frank range.

Maybelline Color Bloom - Peach Blossom

All I can say about this product is that it gives your lips a pink tint and moisturizes your lips for quite a long period. You can get these at any drugstore for less than RM15 which is really good price because this also acts as a lip tint! It has no particular scent so if you're not into the scenty types, I recommend this lip balm. Don't be fooled by the colorless balm at first! The color will only appear after a few seconds so don't overdo the lip balm! I THINK this costs around RM12, not so sure.

Hope you can see the slight pink tint! My camera isn't very good :/


Maybelline Baby Lips - Mango Pie

This product is called Mango Pie but I smell no mango or pie -.- But yes, it is very extremely moisturizing and it does stay for a longer period compared to the other lip balms I've tried. It also comes with SPF 20 which is a really good lip balm to use if you're going to be exposed to the sun! Other than that, I really love the packaging of this one. It kind of looks like the Marc Jacobs/Loius Vuitton patterns. I think it's around RM15 for 1 stick? Not too sure either :/

RIGHT?!

Anyway, Baby Lips also has a tinted lip balm range that I'm DYING to get my hands on but they don't have it here in Malaysia :( :( :"(

Other lip balms I've tried were the Nivea Lip Care Range in Strawberry, Cherry and the Essential.

These... I threw away cos they were too old! But these are really really moisturizing. They don't really carry thaaaat much of a scent (Cherry and Starwberry) though. But they are extremely sensitive to heat. Once, I left it in my bag for a few days and Essential started to melt -.- so I had to refreeze it in the fridge -.- Strawberry and Cherry have tints. Strawberry is mo lighter red tint which is kind of like pink. Cherry on the other hand is darker in color. But the colors are obvious. I would say this is more natural looking? It's still a moisturizing lip balm just that it's tinted. Which is good if you're not the lipstick wearing type cos lipsticks are a bit drying. Nivea Lip Care costs about RM10. Wait for the sales at Guardian or Watsons! It'll be much cheaper then!

You can get Nivea, Maybelline and Lip Smackers from any drugstores and there are plenty of Body Shops located in almost every mall. *Watsons and Guardian is having their sale now!

So that's all for today! I'll be blogging about BB creams in my next post! Happy reading guys! :)

Next post preview!

Hey guys!

Sorry I have been reaaaaaaaaally busy this past weeks but this blog is definitely due for a new blog post! Will be talking on some of my favorite lip balms and the AMAZING BB cream :) stay tuned!


xx

Soap and Glory Haul & Review

Hi guys. This would be my first blog post for Pink Mess and I hope I'll be able to handle the constant need to update on new products for you guys!


So, recently I was out with a few girlfriends at KL to shop and we landed up in Sephora @ Starhill Gallery. I was actually on a hunt for a good nude lipstick (but I was unsuccessful, unfortunately :/) and Erica actually introduced me to SOAP AND GLORY which is a UK brand. I literally stood there for almost an hour reading each description carefully and got only hand soap + hand cream set. When I got home, me being my usual self, I started my research on this brand and LO AND BEHOLD, I went back to Sephora and got a whole load more of Soap and Glory products. I'll be going back for more, no doubt! I am in LOVE with Soap and Glory and you will be very, very soon!

 Soap and Glory haul (AHHHHHH...!)

So I'll start of with the face cleanser - Face Soap and Clarity

It kinda has a minty-fresh smell which I think smells really refreshing personally. What I like about it as well is that it has these microbits in them that gives you that massaging feeling when you apply. Didn't really see much reviews on this facial wash so I thought I'd give it a try. The other cleanser I THINK is call Scrub Your Nose In It has been reviewed more because it is an older product.





Next is the hand moisturizer - Hand Food

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS PRODUCT. IN LOVE! I really love the smell and I just keep sniffing my hands like a dog after applying, I LOVE IT. Most S&G products carry this signature smell that I have no idea comes from what but again, I LOVE IT. This hand cream is not greasy AT ALL and it really lasts for hours. I put it on before I went to bed and when I woke up, I could still feel the cream on my hands. It doesn't really have much affect on my skin yet (I've only used this product for about a week now?) but I guess it will take some time till we can really see the results. I'll update in about a month or so's time on the results. Mind that the texture of my hands are extremely rough!



Foot Cream - Heel Genius

THIS WORKS! Really! I've only been using this for like, my third time?, and my feet have instantly gotten smoother! Even my mom said that she was going to give this a try! Forget pedicures guys! This cream works wonders. I'm not even kidding. I would let you touch my feet if you want to... So if you really have a problem with your feet/heels like its really rough and if you have my problem which is layers and layers of dead (thick) skin due to too much walking or flaky skin, this will do the trick. It doesn't show results instantly, of course. But for the amount of time that I've used it, my feet are visibly smoother which I'm really happy about because now I don't have to go to the fish spa or have a pedicure session which would both cost me a bomb!


 

Gift Pack - Hand Food & Wash Your Hand Of It

This gift pack I thought was really cute and I couldn't resist OMG. Hand Food cream is basically the same just that this is in a pump container instead of a tube. I haven't tried it yet but I have smelled the hand soap and OH MY LORD! I LOVE IT. + I love the packaging.





Body Scrub - Flake Away

I've read lots of reviews on this body scrub and I thought I'd give it a try. Exact same smell as Hand Food and apparently it helps remove cellulite. It's not stated on the packaging but one review I read said that it got rid of cellulite (hmmmm....). It's a really large container (300ml) and I have a feeling it'll take me months to finish it... Hope to see good results!


I'm definitely going back for more! Thinking of getting the moisturizing cream and facial wipes!

I also got a Sephora Loyalty card thingy and I got a free gift (which I haven't redeemed yet). Those of you who haven't redeemed it, remember to PRINT OUT the email the sent. I went twice and the salesgirl told me a could just flash the email to them and when I did the next time, they didn't accept it now I have to go back again -.- PLEASE do it by 18 JUNE 2012 dateline! Personally I find this Sephora card quite useless. Unlike the Fashion Fast Forward card which is RM1 = 1 point, this card is RM5 = 3 points and you only get a 10% discount voucher when you have collected 250 points which means you have to spend at least RM 417 -.- but either way it's free and you get a free gift so what the heck!


One thing about Soap and Glory that I really love is that everything is pink, everything smells so good and I love their packaging! Their prices are really affordable as well. I wouldn't say they are cheap as some of your drugstore brands but I would say for what you are paying, you are getting back way more.


So, I hope you like my first blog post! Let me know if there's anything I can improve on :)

You can find:

Sephora @ Starhill Gallery

Jalan Bukit Bintang, 181
Starhill Gallery Terrace
55100
KUALA LUMPUR
MALAYSIA

Opens everyday 10am - 10pm

*If KL is too far, there is a Sephora opening soon at Paradigm Mall @ Kelana Jaya