Last weekend I went shopping @ Guardian with Mom and The Boyfriend. Pleasant trip as I always end up buying something :P Mom bought this Hydrating Mask from Guardian (about $13.90 I think). 5 Sheets per box. She is very into anything hydrating.. lol. Anyway she gave me one to try on. The Description: Intensively hydrates and nourishes your delicate skin. With: Phyto-collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pomegranate Extract, B-glucan, Vitamin E. -Formulated in Korea, made in China User Feedback: Upon opening the package, there are white colored essence inside. Similar to Cosway's Milk Mask. There aren't too much essence like My Beauty Diary or Watsons' Mask, but enough to wet the mask sheet. The smell isn't over-whelming, but nothing like pomegranate. I had it on for about 30 mins (the instruction says 10-15 mins). By then the mask sheet was already half dried. It left me with some stickish residue.. I massaged the essence in, but not comfy enough for me to sleep with it. So I wiped my face with sponge once-over and slathered on some moisturizer. Overall I find this a so-so product. I don't think I will re-purchase this although I do find it hydrating. But Watson's are better.

Yay! I went and redeem some samples from Estee Lauder today. The new Advanced Night Repair, the new Idealist Refinishing Treatment, Idealist Refinisher, and Cyberwhite Foundation :) Very generous of the SA~! And I guess also because of me being a regular EL customer? *grins*

The Javanese women use this wrap 40 days after childbirth to help them slim down. I was thinking, since this is slimming, we can use it too? The ingredients help to flush out toxins, bacteria and helps the lymphatic system rejuvenates. The Ingredients: - Eucalyptus (antiseptic, good for digestion) - Crushed sea stone / coral ( calcium & minerals, firms) - Fresh lime juice (astringent, flush toxins) - Betel leaf (to cleanse womanly odour) - Massage oil ( containing mint & eucalyptus essential oil, anti viral) - Cotton cummerbund (8-10 metres long, for binding) 1. Mix the ingredients with massage oil, about half a cereal bowl. 2. Rub the mixture to the tummy, let dry a while. 3. Wrap the cummerbund tightly, starting under the bottom and weaving upward the waist. 4. Leave for 20 mins, shower and moisturize.

Sometimes due to the unpredictable weather, our skin may react negatively. Common problems like dry red patches, itchy skin, gives unpleasant feeling. Aloe is known for its soothing properties; with a whopping 75 nutrients! Thus this will be an ideal easy to do home spa treatment! :) You will need: - Fresh aloe juice (you can mix with store bought aloe juice, but it is widely available, so why not use fresh ones?) - Some banana leaves (enough to cover the body) - Sarong or big towel - Lime / lemon - Lavender spritz (this is optional) How you do it: - First smear the aloe juice all over the body. (good time for a simple massage while doing this) - Spritz some lavender mist for relaxation - Cover body with banana leaves - Place the sarong / towel on the leaves (to capture heat) - Relax! :) ** Some culture frown upon lying down on banana leaves as it is similar to a cremation ceremony. Hence place them on top of body instead.. or replace it with plastic?

They recently offer a free session of "Skin Perfect Session" and a free set of skincare product to readers who SMS in their details. Being very curious to see what is their service level, I happily SMS away. No harm for a free trial, eh? ;)

NYSS' turnaround time is pretty quick. The next day itself, their customer service agent called me. Correct me if I'm wrong - the purpose of the call is "to set an appointment" for a facial. And I know for sure after or before the facial session, there will be a "consultation session" where they will try to suck out as much blood possible from you.

But this girl proceed to "educate" me about skin care, how our skin problems start, etc. It wasn't a problem for me as I was on my way out for lunch, but it annoys me when ppl who call themselves professional in the service industry appears stupid?

You don't tell a potential customer that you can pay by credit card installment when I have not even try out the service! What is the 1 hour consultation session for if not to explain all these craps? So fast forward a week later - today: I went for the session.

What I found out about NYSS:
- the girls do not speak fluent English
- they assume every Chinese customer speaks Mando
- they claimed to have a wide customer base including overseas customers. Ohh so all the foreign customers speak Mando? How convincing....
- they do not offer 1 time / individual facial sessions
- all the treatments come in 5 or 10 sessions - bloody expensive ( we're looking at $4000 for 10 sessions)

For this price I can get 6 stars treatment from a reputable salon. - the first consultant told me I can ask her questions if I don't understand anything. So I decided to test her a little. I asked her about the products.

Simple one - where are they manufactured. "Oh formula is from US, but we made them locally. Cheaper." Ok, so where is the factory? "Errmm I read before but I forgot, hehe" So much for TRAINED therapist. *cringe*

What puts me off:
- the consultant by the name Zeda was oozing friendliness and sweetness. Untill I told her I'm not interested in signing up any packages.
- I came for the trial facial to see how I like their basic service. She tried to get me upgrade to $ treatment. How convincing
- I dont even know if I like the way you carry out the facial, and you're trying to get me spend my money first?
- first - there are only 10 sessions. Then 5. And 3 when I declined further.
- the sweet face turned sour in a blink of an eye when I insisted to go for the TRIAL - BASIC session. Not that I care how your face soured anyway.

The Worse:
- the facial experience is as bad as Bluunis'.
- the swiftness and gentleness of the movements is nothing compared to Leonard Drake
- she was rough, and I could feel her unwillingness (those who frequent facial sessions will know what I mean)
- after the double cleansing
- she LEFT the room for an eternity
- without notifying whats happening or how long. There was no toner or any of that shit applied on my face.
- she made a few more trips in an out, and finally settled on a cool mist. Extraction was again worse than Leonard Drake.
- then a mask on me and left the room again. I was annoyed so when she came back I asked her how long is the session supposed to be - 1.5 hours. She put on some moisturizer and that was it. DONE. HELLO!!! 1.5 hours
- you actually wait 1 hour, the 30mins is for the mask and cleansing.

The Aftermath:
Zeda tried her luck asking me again if I'd change my mind about the packages. I'd be a dumb ass if I say yes. After the sour plummed face, and the sleaziest trial facial ever, ya think I'd part with 4k? If trial was that bad.. I do not wanna imagine the full treatment to customer who HAS PAID money.

The Worst?
You wouldn't believe this.. but they pretended they forgot my free set of skincare! I wonder how are these ppl called professionally trained therapists. If so, Leonard Drake's therapists must be Goddesses! All in all, it was also a benefit for me, ONLY because I stood firm and said NO. I have no intention of going back there - plenty of bad reviews out there. I just had to try it myself.

Oh there is a positive side of this - The skincare set is not bad! *pictures coming soon* Score out of 5: 1

Back Entry: 22nd July 2009 - On holidays back in hometown I went on a shopping sehhhpreeee again… I love it that Etude is having sales till end of next month. I got a nail buffer for $3.54 after a 40% discount. Next is the Moistfull Mist for mom. Priced $18.83 (NP $26.90) for 50ml. The description: Delicate mist spray supplies refreshing and immediate moisture relief. Mom loves the Avene mist, but not the price tag. So I got her this to see how it compares to Avene. And for moi – their Star Product Black Head Final Kit. Comes with a toner and a pore tightening cream – 60ml and 15ml respectively. So the toner is supposed to make the blackadees pop out, and the cream to close back the pores. Seems too good to be true? I have to try it. Priced at $41.93 (NP $59.90) Toner – 60ml Active Ingredients: Balm Mint, Peppermint, Sage and Mistletoe extracts Directions: Following facial cleansing, dispense toner to cleansing pad until wet and adhere wet pad to nose. Remove pad after 10-15mins. Gently wipe away raised blackheads with dry cleansing pad. Smoothing Cream – 15ml Directions: After black head remover application, use finger to apply cream to nose. Massage with finger until cream is absorbed into skin. The trip would be incomplete without popping into Watsons and Guardian. From Guardian, I bought Himalaya Herbals Purifying Mud Pack 150ml @ $21.15 (NP $24.90). Comes with a free dental cream on pack.. yippiee! Double bonus :) This mud pack is for oily skin, with fuller’s earth and walnut. Suppose to firm, tighten and rejuvenate the skin; and impart a natural glow. Also to clean the clogged pores, removes blackheads, restore skin’s elasticity, control blemishes and minimize wrinkles… (my all in one tube of mask?) Previously I tried their Neem Face Pack and I really like it. It really cleared up my blemishes, tiny bumps of pimpies and all. I didn’t re-purchase because I don’t have pimple prone skin anymore.. (perasanz, and touch wood!) Now thinking to try another product, so here it is. The Mud Pack. Will see how it stands next to the Neem Pack. The best time to shop really is when the sale is on! I wriggled my ass into Hot Market hoping to find some goodies on the cheap. Nothing particular in mind, I’m just happy not working and wanting to spend some happy money (me no Richie though). Turns out the hair combs are on 50% off.. I’m trying to grow my fringe and gets really irritated coz they are all over the wrong places, blocking my eyes. I’m so close to chopping it off during my monthly salon visit. Thought why not try hair combs. I don’t like looking like a china girl, but there’s always “elegant Chinese lady” *ahem* Puking is not allowed :P Those hair combs come in pair nowadays. Got a black pair and another with green jewels. $3.50 after a 50% discount. And then I saw it…. The 70% off sign. So I flew to the section where they display all the beads, bracelet and necklace. Most of them look blah.. and super common. Somehow my hands won’t stop touching; and finally found a nice necklace with brown pearl lookalike earrings.. for $1.80 (NP$6) *smiles* Matches my brown sundress perfectly!

Back Entry: 20th July 2009 - When I was on holidays, went back hometown :) I’ve declared that this whole week would be Clinique Week. I’ll be using all Clinique products to see how my skin likes them. Today is Day 3. I’m using their Basic 3 Step system, together with their 7-Day Scrub. The cleanser lathers well; and I don’t find it too drying for my skin. The 7-Day Scrub smells a little “clinic-ky”, not harsh, but grainy enough for a good scrub. Even though I use it everyday – it doesn’t irritate my skin. Plus point – it makes my skin really soft and smooth – and no redness *thumbs up* Priced at $88 I realized why some people find Clinique toner harsh. It contains alcohol, the moment I swiped it over my skin, it dried almost instantly. But if used according to what the therapist taught me – just wipe over one area ONCE; I see pretty good result. After that I massaged on Dermo Genesis Serum by Loreal (I have a tiny trial tube that I’m trying to finish). Smoothed on easily but I don’t see any obvious effects; err…. Because I have young good skin? *perasanz* Then the much raved about Dramatically Different Moisturizer; $135 for 125ml. The result? I likes! My skin feels supple and moist. I also tried their sample Supermoisture Makeup (64 – Cream Beige M-G). Stated there it is meant for “Very dry to dry combination Skin”. “Continuous hydration. Creamy texture is surprisingly refreshing and lightweight. Sheer to moderate coverage. Dewy finish.” All checked – so true. It blended very well, and doesn’t feel thick or gooey. And after a few hours, there was little shine (well I have oily combination skin) but passed as glowy I supposed. All in all, no breakouts. No red patches. No oiled roti canai pans… me likey!