I haven’t been doing a haul post, haven’t I? I’ve been a good girl for the past three months ever since I quit my job and stays at home for a short break. I do buy small little thing like RM5 Daiso Eye Brow Pencil, RM5 Daiso brush holder or RM23 The Brush Guard but there was no major haul that could break the bank. Now that I’m going back to work soon, I’ve slowly started with my usual Sunday beauty shopping at KLCC and yesterday I gave myself a day off and spend a tiny bit of money on some stuff.

This is my haul.

I never knew anniversary for hand cream ever existed but I just found out L’Occitane Shea Butter hand cream turns 20 this year. Last Friday I received their newsletter on a 10ml hand cream redemption. I registered, chose my preferred outlet for redemption and I received the email notification immediately.

In the email there was a promotion on purchasing any 75ml or 150ml hand cream to receive a trio of mini hand cream 10ml in a limited edition sock. I honestly don’t need any hand cream but I couldn’t resist the promotion so I’ve decided to get a 75ml hand cream. Unfortunately my favourite Shea Butter Hand Cream doesn’t come in a 75ml tube so I was introduced to Cherry Blossom Hand Cream. I tested out the hand cream at the outlet and I like it. I paid RM77.90 after 5% member discount. I have to keep reminding the BA to not forget my 10ml hand cream redemption because she was a bit blur and kept on asking me what redemption and what hand cream I was talking *facepalm* about eventhough I’ve shown her the email as soon as I step into the outlet. As a token of appreciation in conjunction with Mother’s Day, I received a small box of chocolate with any purchase as well. Not bad eh?

Yesterday was also the last day of Naraya 50% discount. Last week I bought several items like sanitary pad holder and makeup pouch. This time I wanted to get more makeup pouch for gifting but most of it was sold out. I managed to get a medium size elephant makeup pouch (RM7) that I couldn’t find last week. I also grabbed another sanitary pad holder (RM6) as I like the color, a matching makeup pouch (RM5) and a bag for mum (RM24.50). I don’t know why but I wanted to get mum something. She like those small purse, which I managed to grab one for RM5 last week but to no avail this week. Yesterday I thought mum would like a bag so I started to search for a simple design for her. This bag is so thick, it comes with a base shaper, a zipper on top and it’s very spacious too!

Something unexpected happened. I was gifted with a Burberry Effortless Mascara by a dear BA (who shall remain anonymous) whom I bought several times before. I shall break into this once I’m done with my current Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara

I ran out of lip balm for night and all my current lip balm is tinted. ALL OF IT. I wasn’t keen with the idea of sleeping the whole night with tinted lip balm on. What if the color will somehow darken my lips after a long duration of time? That would really sucks. I happened to saw L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm but that was RM40+. So I went to Sephora and I saw Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm for only RM22. I’ve heard good reviews on this many years ago.

I also redeemed Shizens Time Resistance Essence 7 Days Trial at Isetan KLCC. This new essence was just launched three days ago on 2nd May 2013. I’ve decided to do a redemption on the essence to show you how the trial sample looks like. It’s not in sachet *hooray* but instead it’s in a bottle for convenient use. If you’re curious on the essence, do read My Current Skincare Routine: A complete Shizens anti-aging skincare to maintain a youthful skin review.

Last but not least, my monthly local magazine purchase every single month – The Malaysian Women’s Weekly May 2014 issue . This magazine comes with a cracked heel cream deluxe sample. One more local magazine (couldn’t remember which) comes with a Darlie toothpaste. Nothing interesting this month.

Eventhough I don’t get to shop much lately but I absolutely love reading or watching video about other people’s haul. I was just as excited as they are! . I do have small purchases from time to time but I never thought of doing a collection haul post. Hmmm, why I never thought of that? That’s too late now because I’ve used up all of it haha!

How was your weekend? Did anyone of you managed to redeem the L’Occitane 10ml hand cream? I hope you do because they don’t give out that cutie so often these days.

The post A Pleasant Sunday Morning Casual Shopping Trip and My Haul appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

After nearly three years of getting both feet into a proper skincare regime, I’ve toned down a lot on mixing my skincare products. The last time I did an update on My Latest Day & Night Skin Care Routine is back in 2012. That’s two years ago! A lot has changed since then. A few months ago I’ve been thinking to do an update on my current skincare routine but was distracted to something else. Now is the perfect timing as I’ve recently embark on a new skincare range. Just one brand, with five products only. Yes, no more three serums layering on each other

Let me introduce to you my current skincare routine. I’m using none other than Shizens, starting from cleanser down to moisturiser.

This might come shocking to you but can you believe that Shizens is my first full range of skincare that I’ve ever used? I never believe in using a full set of the same brand skincare all these while. After one full month of embarking on this new journey, I must say it’s really an eye opening for me. You better get yourself a hot cup of coffee or cocoa because this will be a long post. Afterall I’m going to talk about FIVE products . Don’t worry, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet this time.

Hydro Cleanser (RM158 / 100ml)

Hydro Cleanser is a gel-type of cleanser that is able to remove dirt and impurities. The word “hydro” means it’s able to clean your face without stripping the skin’s natural moisture. Instead it helps to increase the moisture level. It’s the most gentle, non-irritant cleanser I’ve ever used. The pump pumps out very small amount of cleanser so I’d usually use 3-4 pumps. It also doesn’t foams up a lot so I’d suggest adding warm water to forms the bubble.

The cleanser has a silver-ish sheen with tiny red dots in it. It contains Aloe Barbadensis leaf extracts which is antimicrobial, antioxidant and these ingredients are able to moisturize dehydrated skin. Especially for dehydrated skin user, you will notice that your skin’s moisture level may increase up to 70% after continuous day and night use for one full week.

I don’t have much requirement for cleanser usually. Hydro Cleanser is quite nice to use but if I’m using it as day time cleanser especially after I woke up, I find it too light to wash away all the night skincare, oil and dirt from my face. Afterall, I do have super oily skin to begin with.

Hydro Enhancing Lotion (RM188 / 100ml)

Here’s a fun fact. I believe most of us use tap water to wash our face, am I correct? Unless you are quite well-off to use Evian water to wash face . Tap water in general contain chloride and other impurities that is not visible to human eyes. This is part of the reason why following up with lotion after cleanser is important. Hydro Enhancing Lotion serves as a “second cleanser” to further cleanse your face.  I used to skip lotion when I’m younger because I find it unnecessary. As I grew older I know that’s not true. Lotion helps to get rid of what’s left on the face after cleansing and prepare the skin for better absorption of the following skincare products.

Hydro Enhancing Lotion contain licorice root (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) extracts to repair skin cells for deceleration of skin aging and witch hazel extracts which is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Same with cleanser, I too don’t have much requirement when it comes to lotion. Oppss! Hydro Enhancing Lotion is very light, smells great and doesn’t leave the face feeling tacky at all. I mentioned that I find Hydro Cleanser to be gentle and light so I rely very much on Hydro Enhancing Lotion to help further “cleanse” my face. And it did! My face certainly feels much better after this step.

SHUĬ (RM228 / 50ml or RM588 / 180ml)

Now, this is one unique product I tell ‘ya. I believe SHUĬ is Chinese word for water? SHUĬ was inspired by the clear purity of mountain water as one of the best beauty elixir for better skin. It is created especially for women, to strengthen the skin’s immune system and to help regain the skin’s youth. Used after lotion, SHUĬ is a watery aqua-base product that is a pure and natural way to detoxify negative substances and replenish nutrients for healthier, supple and luminous skin. I must admit I was quite confuse with this product because it looks and feel like a lotion. But now I treat it as an activator or pre-essence product. The essence is enriched with the Ganoderma Lucidumextract from a type of mushroom known as ‘Reishi’ or ‘Ling Zhi’. This particular ingredient helps to enhance the immune system of skin and delays aging. Ganoderma Lucidumextract, also known as “Medicine of Eternal Life” that is also capable to inhibit the formation and deposition of melanin and irritations in the skin.

Other key ingredients:
– Patchouli extract and Corallina Officinalis extract – stimulate regeneration of skin cells and improve intercellular adhesion, contributing to improve skin elasticity.
– High content of trace elements and mineral salts in the extracts – nourish and revitalise the skin, ensuring there is sufficient moisture within.
– Ginkgo Biloba Leaf extract and Kalanchoe Spathulata extract – provide maximum anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory protection.
– Centella Asiatica extract and Root extract – helps decelerate the skin aging process.

I cannot tell you enough how much I love this SHUĬ! SHUĬ may look like an extra step in the whole routine but somehow SHUĬ is also the product that helps to accelerate each product efficacy. I don’t know how to explain but I can feel the difference with SHUĬ and without SHUĬ. By now I’ve used up 3/4 of my 50ml bottle of SHUĬ. The smell is absolutely divine. It feels so comfortable and much better than lotion (in my opinion).

NEW! Time Resistance Essence (RM618 / 30ml)

I was a part of a handful media that get the first hand preview of the NEW Shizens Time Resistance Essence that was held mid of March 2014 at KLGCC. It’s hard to keep a new product hush hush for two months! No Instagram and no Facebooking on it’s existance.

This my friend, is the main product of my skincare routine. The star product that seals everything.

I like that this product is easy to understand and it helps with main skin aging issues. Time Resistance Essence main focus is nourishing, firming, moisturizing and brightening the skin. Simple and straight to the point right? If you remember a few weeks ago I was telling you about Shizens “Stand Firm Stay Firm” campaign as a means of acknowledging and recognizing the efforts of all women. Also in conjunction with the same campaign, this essence acts as a confidence booster for women. As a busy women nowadays, performing daily tasks with ease and at the same time showcasing inner and outer beauty that exhibits the true attractiveness of a woman.

The key ingredients for Time Resistance Essence is Ceramide (plant-derived lipids), Kalanchoe Spathulata extract, Sodium Hyaluronate.

Ceramide is a natural lipid that is essential in protecting and moisturizing the skin. What happens when using Time Resistance Essence is that it reinforces and supports the renewal of the skin’s natural protective layer and forms an effective barrier against moisture loss by restoring Ceramides level in skin. That is because the essence is designed to counter harmful factors and decelerate skin aging. So by plumping up the barrier, the essence is able to ensure the skin to retain more moisture, therefore the skin is looking firmer and healthier.

Shizen’s NEW Time Resistance Essence comes in a dropper bottle, with glass pipette. However it is not the auto-load type of dropper bottle. I have to do it manually. Each time I’m using the essence, I would need to push the button on top of the cap a few times to load the essence up to the glass pipette. Perhaps due to the fact that the essence texture is thicker, I find that pushing the button once doesn’t pull the essence entirely up the pipette. What I like about the dropper is that the pipette doesn’t unload all that is inside. Instead I get a drop only and usually I’d push for one more drop.

The essence is quite thick in texture but yet light and easily absorbed into the skin. The scent is similar to SHUĬ, a scent which I love the most among the range. This Time Resistance Essence is the bomb diggity (totally the awesomest), that sometimes I feel like ending the whole skincare routine with this essence at the end but that would mean all the goodness will “leak” away if I do so. I’m already 3/4 down the bottle after a month of using. Not bad for someone who can’t stick to one full range eh?

Replenish Nutrient Expert (RM148 / 10g or RM380 / 30g)

The only skincare that I running out now is the Replenish Nutrient Expert. Moisturizer not only important as a lock-in barrier for essence applied earlier, it also act as a moisture replenishment to stratum corneum, deep into granular layer to promptly improve skin moisture barrier. Replenish Nutrient Expert is enriched with powerful humectants that attracts and hold on to water. It’s tiny molecule is able to penetrate into deeper layers of the skin, resulting in 50% more hydration after application. What this means is a well-hydrated skin will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles subsequently.

As for the ingredients, this moisturizer comprises of various botanical extracts and marine extract.
– All the botanical extracts – synergize perfectly with each other to deliver the best result to our skin, stimulates the collagen production, restores elasticity of skin and repairs the damaged collagen fibers and neutralizes free radicals caused by environmental factors. It is a potent anti-oxidant formula that acts against skin premature aging by stimulating skin cells activity as active skin cells eliminate toxins easily and optimize nutrients absorption.
– Marine extract – boost skin regeneration, improves intercellular adhesion that is crucial for skin elasticity restoration.

I would say this cream is suitable for all skin type and everyone regardless if you like to use cream or disliking it. That is because the cream has a light, non-greasy texture, which I find it to smells like grape. Light texture cream allows for a deeper absorption into the granular layer of skin to moisturize as well as prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Of all five products, I started off with this Replenish Nutrient Expert cream first because I ran out of moisturizer and this cream is perfect for day and night use.

Before I started the full Shizens skincare routine, my skin was at it’s best state despite having one or two pimple popping out during menstrual cycle, which is normal. However ever since I started using Shizens, I have a few new pimples every morning. I don’t know what is it or why, although the products is light-weighted and not greasy at all. It could be that I have super oily skin and a full anti-aging skincare range is too hydrated for my skin or my skin is not used to sole brand treatment. During this one month period I did not mix any other brand serum or any other brand product into my routine. Despite the daily breakout I still continue the routine as I do like how the product feels on my skin.

Being someone with oily skin, I’m blessed to have no wrinkles or fine lines. Eventhough so, I still prefer to implement anti-aging skincare as a prevention. Afterall I’m not getting any younger. No, my face doesn’t slim a bit. It’s the angle ya. What I really like is that the under eye area is somewhat smoother and dark circle is somewhat lesser. It could be when I apply my skincare I applied it too near my eye unintentionally . My laugh line is also less deeper than before. I feel that this range is best if used together with each other, not mixing in other brand.

Lastly, here’s all five products’s ingredient list for those who are interested.

TIME RESISTANCE ESSENCE 7 DAYS TRIAL SAMPLE REDEMPTION

Good news for you who is intrigued and interested in trying out the all-NEW Shizens Time Resistance Essence. You can now pick up a 7 Days Trial sample at Shizen’s road show location and at selected outlets.

There’s two way on how you can redeem a sample.

Option 1: Present the invitation from Female and NUYOU Magazine May 2014 issue (not the flyer below) from 2nd May – 31st May at below roadshow location and Shizens counters:

Roadshow Location:

• 30th April – 4th May – 1 Utama Ground Floor, opposite information counter
• 6th May – 18th May – Berjaya Times Square, Ground East
• 19th May – 25th May – Mid Valley, North Court
• 27th May – 1st June – The Curve, opposite information counter

Shizens Counter Location:

• Pavilion KL, 1 Utama, Paradigm Mall, Gurney Plaza, Parkson Pavilion, Parkson Ipoh Parade, Parkson Wisma Sanyan, Parkson Bintang Plaza Miri, Parkson Mahkota Parade, AEON IOI Puchong, Isetan KLCC, Metrojaya Mid Valley, Metrojaya Suria KK, Metrojaya City One

Option 2: Visit http://www.shizens.com/, fill in your details for Time Resistance Essence 7 days trial redemption. You can choose your preferred counter to redeem. Only available at selected Shizens counters.

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post My Current Skincare Routine: A complete Shizens anti-aging skincare to maintain a youthful skin appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Earlier this month I shared with you one meaningful photography contest STAND FIRM STAY FIRM by Shizens that is held currently to display the outer beauty of women while also revealing their inner strength, which serves as an encouragement for them to stand firm within our society. As we are drawing towards the end of the contest this 30th April 2014, I’m going to be like a broken tape recorder and remind you about the contest as well as to share with you more info.

We cannot deny that nowadays almost everyone are very much into photography. I only started to learn a bit about photography after I started blogging. With the price of DSLR getting more and more affordable, smartphones as well as tablets is getting more and more high tech and affordable too, the interest towards photography is even greater now. Now…this STAND FIRM STAY FIRM Photography Contest is the easiest I’ve ever seen. There is two category to choose from – Photography Enthusiasts and Mobile Photography. For Photography Enthusiasts you will need to submit via website at http://www.standfirmstayfirm.com/entry-form-photography-enthusiasts/. As for Mobile Photography, there is two way you can submit your entry – via Instagram with hastag #standfirmstayfirm or submit via website at http://www.standfirmstayfirm.com/entry-form-mobile-photography/.

The theme of your photo entry MUST REPRESENT Strong emotions, Human & Feminine.

The prize is quite attractive. You can easily score a RM3,000 cash prize if you are a Photography Enthusiasts :D. Otherwise RM500 cash prize is also not bad for Instagram entry. Here’s the list of prizes to interest you further.

I was searching and searching for a photo to put in my entry. I remembered when I took this photo everyone was shocked to see a different side of me. I’m always portrayed as the easy target for bully, for some reason. Maybe because I always smile a lot and I’m always saying okay so that makes me an easy target eh? This is the fearless side of me, the strong side of me…with a hint of smile

Remember, Shizens STAND FIRM STAY FIRM Online Photography Contest ends this 30th April 2014. For more information and to submit your entry, please visit http://www.standfirmstayfirm.com/ or visit Shizens Malaysia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ShizensMalaysia

The post Shizens STAND FIRM STAY FIRM Online Photography Contest: How to join, prizes and my entry appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

How do the society perceive the role of a women during the ancient times? During those days women inner strength can only be seen through their roles of giving birth to new life, taking care and protecting their family. As time goes by, as we moved towards a more civilised society women began to demonstrate other capabilities such as undertaking more responsibilities, raising a family as well as being part of the workforce and contributing to social welfare. Nonetheless these women still recognized the importance of physical beauty and strived to maintain their outer beauty through various means although time and evolution increased the confidence level of every woman allowing them to showcase their inner strength.

Shizens acknowledge and recognize the efforts of all these women give by launching a “STAND FIRM STAY FIRM” online photography contest which will be held from today, 2nd April to 30th April 2014.

Shizens STAND FIRM STAY FIRM Online Photography Contest is classified into two categories – Photography Enthusiasts and Mobile Photography. All participants can submit their best shoots that represent strong emotions, human and feminine at www.standfirmstayfirm.com or on Instagram with the hastag #standfirmstayfirm to win prizes worth more than RM18,000.

The prizes are quite attractive and tempting I would say.

That’s not all. You can also win a prize from Shizens by being the Lucky Voters!

• Shizens Cash Voucher RM500
• Flissco Cash Voucher RM500
• The Shorea 2 Days 1 Night stay for 2 worth RM600

I believe in strong women. I believe in the woman who is able to stand up for herself. I believe in the woman who doesn’t need to hide behind her husband’s back. I believe that if you have problems, as a woman you deal with them, you don’t play victim, you don’t make yourself look pitiful, you don’t point fingers. You stand and you deal. You face the world with a head held high and you carry the universe in your heart.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Seriously, this is one very simple photo contest that anyone can participate. Show your photography skill and show your Instagram skill, I know most of you are good at it. Show us your strength and stand a chance to win loads of attractive prizes! Find out more about “STAND FIRM STAY FIRM” campaign and info on the photography contest at this link http://bit.ly/1rtxVPb

The post Shizens STAND FIRM STAY FIRM Online Photography Contest, from 2nd to 30th April 2014 appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona