Sharing : Shu Uemura Shupette 2014 Holiday Collection

I'm aware my blog has been very quiet of late. So many things has happened and I can't seem to put a stop to it, just have to go with the flow. Feeling unmotivated to do anything does not help either. Working on this blog, my upcoming classes for Masters, and teaching will definitely be on my 2015 list with the aim to share more, be consistent in my studies, and be a better educator. I'm human and am fully aware that I won't be able to do everything on my own. My dear readers, you are my drive to be a better blogger. Thank you for being with me from the very beginning till today. Hope you will continue this journey with me :) 

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It is the time of the year where a year comes to an end and a new beginning is approaching. Some of you may have already come across this new line from Shu Uemura. I'd truly believe that it is the best collection from Shu Uemura for the year 2014.

They really did end the year with a bang, or maybe it is because I have an undying love for cats. Yes, cats. Shu Uemura does have a way with women. Their 2014 Holiday Collection is Shupette - Shu Uemura X Karl Lagerfeld.

According to Shu Uemura, "This holiday season, "Shupette," the most spoiled feline of celebrated fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld takes you to the beauty journey from Parisienne chic to Tokyo kawaii with her glistening blue eyes!"

"I'm a famous furry beauty Shupette Lagerfeld, queen of catnaps, 
spoiled glamourpuss, and social media's most wanted."

eye-need-shu trio - RM120

Shupette's Flair Eyelash Curler - RM65

CUTENESS OVERLOAD! :D

I should have taken back the Shupette cardboard home. Regretting it.

The ever talented Lisa Yap, the Elite Make-up Artist prepping the model for a day to night look.

eye-need-shu false eyeslashes (RM100)

Daytime look

Close-up. 

Products used (eyes) : 

• tsuya eye (eye cream & as a base) - RM160
• shu-eye-need trio in 02 - RM120
• eye-need-shu liner in Gala Brown - RM75
• eye-need-shu false eyelashes - RM100

Lisa Yap working her magic by transforming the day look to a night party look with only a few tweeks! 

furry fantasy premium false eyelashes - RM250

Night time/Party look

Close up

Watching and observing Ms. Lisa Yap demostrating with the new Shupette products made me feel like a cat playing with its toy - filled with interest, passion, and curiousity. I have been observing her since I got a chance to work part-time with Shu Uemura in two separate events. She's famously known for creating purr-rfect, natural-looking eyebrows. That I kid you not. She has this classy and elegant vibe and her makeup skills is purr-fect. I may sound like I am trying to do some serious buttering here but don't get me wrong. She never once came off as snobbish, always ready to impart knowledge when asked. It was an honour being able to work with her even if it was from afar. *gleeful*

Shu Uemura took this opportunity to introduce two new comers to their eyebrow liner line - Shu Uemura Eyebrow Manicure and Shu Uemura Eyebrow Ink during the session. I'm unable to comment much on the product as I haven't gotten the chance to test it out yet. But I have my eyes on the Eyebrow Manicure. Say no to Crayon Shin-Chan eyebrows! 

Shu Uemura's Eyebrow Manicure comes with a unique double-sided bristle which is specifically designed for the recommended application method by using the shorter bristles to apply and longer bristles to blend to achieve natural coloring. It comes in two shades which are Ash Brown and Honey Glaze. If I'm not mistaken, the swatch above is the shade Honey Glaze. It contains 3.5g per tube and it is priced at RM100. 

Whereas for Shu Uemura's Eyebrow Ink, it claims to have a 24-hour wear for an ultimate artist-like lasting natural eyebrows. I think I would leave it to the Shu Uemura Sales Assistants to explain and demonstrate how you can make it work for you. It does seem like a promising product if used properly. So if you are in mall, just swing by at one of their counters to test it out. It comes in 4 shades which are Ash Brown, Honey Glaze, Palm Beige, and Tawny Gold. It is priced at RM100 each. 

Here's a swatch from Shupette Pampearl-me Face Powder.

Shu Uemura Shupette Shu Uemura Pampearl-me Face Powder. The name given for this powder is truly spot on. It has micro-fine pearly shimmer with a satin finish but fret not, it doesn't make you look like a disco ball. This powder is meant to be used light-handedly to kill off any dullness which may be caused by extremely matte liquid or powder foundation. Technically, it gives that pearly glow to your skin minus the oil shine. But again, heavy application may lead to possible heart-attack that your boyfriend or husband may experience if they were to encounter you without prior notice. Teehee.

Read individual product reviews here.

Please excuse the quality of the pictures. All of them are taken with my handphone, Sony Xperia TX. I adjusted mainly the lighting in most of the pictures, watermarked them, and that's about it. No heavy editing whatsoever.  

Disclaimer: The products were given as gifts. All reviews and thoughts are my own and they are not affected by any parties. 

Review : NEW Dettol Anti-Bacterial pH-Balance Body Wash

Germs.

They are everywhere.

The smudgy, oily screen that you tap and swipe about 50 times a day.
The greasy, dusty keyboard that you type on.
The money you received from the char kuey teow lady or mamak.
The chairs of all sizes that has received countless warm posterior and silent farts.
The awkward hugs or handshakes you receive from all walks of life.
The cute, cool silver buttons on ATM machines or elevator.
The black, sticky, endless-like escalator handrail you unknowingly hold on to.
The sweat that trickles down your back after a long day.
The weathered car door handles and god-knows when was the last time you cleaned your gear stick.
To the very last doorknob you touched.

source

Feeling exposed now? Ha. I do. It's like a sudden realization or awareness because we are so caught up with work, studies, friends, and families. My handphone, television remote, and laptop are my most used gadgets at home. Not realizing the germs and dirt we pick up or leave and it is a never-ending cycle. Since my car's air-conditioning system isn't working, I drive around with the windows open and with that, I am exposed to all sorts of pollution. You think it, you'd name it - dust, exhaust fumes, rain, and sweat. It's really no fun being in nature's hands - you'd either be sweating profusely under the mercy of the sun or completely drenched by the rain. 

My boyfriend, my siblings, and I are surrounded by pets. So imagine how many times do we have to sanitize ourselves after showing love to our furry pals??

Besides being exposed to pollution, I have a pet cat that I love to hug, cuddle, and smother her with kisses whenever I see her. Cats are like happy pills, I tell you. They melt your worries and problems away. It's magic weh. Anyway, back to the topic. I usually let my cat roam around, conquering the neighbourhood. Cat does what cat do. She would roll and sunbath on the cement floor, sharpen her claws on her favourite tree, stalk birds from under the car, squeeze her way through the drains, and etc. And, I still hug her. I can't help it. I must show my affection to my beloved cat. How not to be exposed?

That's why men created Dettol! To protect cat lovers such as myself from external factors. *cough cough*

Think about it, how much can you do or not do to protect yourself against something you cannot see, touch, or feel? Not knowing when it will strike or blow over. But are you really going to deny yourself or your family from all the freedom to have fun or create memories? As a child, I have seen quite a few Dettol ads and wondered what was so special about Dettol. Now as a woman, with hopes of having a family of my own, I have observed and seen young mothers stress and worry over their precious child's welfare. I understood that there's only so much you can do to protect them. You can protect them from bodily harm by taking extra precautions but what about protecting them from germs and bacterias? How many times can you stop your child from putting his or her hand in their mouth after crawling on the floor? How many times can you stop your child from running around, having fun with his or her friends? Think about it.

I am no science student and I must admit, it is and can be challenging trying to comprehend facts but nothing is impossible. Here's what I understand about pH balance, with special thanks to Kerry from Skin and Tonics who did some in depth research on the skin's natural barrier and acid mantle. After reading her article, I am determined to check every product I use to ensure my skin is receiving the right amount of pH.

What is pH? 

Things I do to help myself understand better. Hope this helps you too! 

source

What is the Moisture/Natural Barrier?

source

The epidermis is the visible part of our skin compromising of multiple layers. The outermost layer is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the protective layer, also known as the “moisture barrier” or “lipid barrier.” It compromises of dead, flattened cells called keratinocytes that continuously shed and replaced by newer keratinocytes, and held together by fatty acids, ceramides, and other lipids.

The lipids and keratinocytes act together as a waterproof barrier that effectively keeps water in the skin and prevents bacteria, irritants, allergens, and other microorganisms from penetrating the skin. The lipids also play a key role in encouraging acceleration of new cells in the deeper layers of the epidermis.

source

Left : A normal and healthy skin.
Right : Moisture is lost through unprotected cracks in the outermost layer of the skin and the skin is more prone to infections.
source : google 

What is the Acid Mantle?

The layer outside of our stratum corneum/moisture barrier has an acidic layer called “acid mantle/hydrolipid film” which is slightly acidic (pH 5.5). It is naturally secreted by the skin and pH levels that are considered healthy ranges from 4.5 to 6.2. The acid mantle is essential in supporting the barrier functions of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. 

The acid mantle’s low pH serves :

• to stop the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other pathogens.  
• maintain the durability and structural integrity of the keratin proteins in our keratinocytes. 

What causes the acid mantle to disrupt?

• When using products with a high/alkaline pH. Alkaline products cause the keratin proteins to soften, and as they lose their structure, they also lose their protective qualities. 

What happens when the acid mantle is disrupted?

• Skin becomes prone to external factors such as allergens, irritations, weather, infection.
• Prone to internal factors such as stress, hormones, diseases
• Leads to sensitive and dry skin.
• Bottomline : skin inflammation.

How to care for your acid mantle?

• cleansing (with a slightly acidic cleanser) & moisturize for healthy skin
• antibacterial prodctection for germ free skin
• sunscreen for sun-protection (optional)
• targeted treatment for the damage - wrinkles, pigmentation (optional)
• treat your skin gently (optional)

Do you know? Once the acid mantle has been compromised, it takes somewhere between 14 and 20 hours for the pH to return to normal, assuming you’re vigilant about the pH of your skin care products throughout the healing process. During that time, your skin is more vulnerable to pathogens.

pH pen Demonstration

Items used in the experiment. I love experimenting! It makes me feel like a mad scientist :P

Previously, you may experience Dettol leaves your skin dry and tight but NOW - Dettol has a new pH balanced formula that not only protects your skin from germs and bacteria but also helps retain skin moisture, preserving the natural barrier of your skin. - True story. 

The Hydrion pH Pencil used to test pH levels of the skin or solution.

I grabbed every shower gel I could find in my house. Note, there're a total of 6 people living at home :)

The pH level results. 

Alright, let's talk about the pH results. 

In this pH level testing, I gathered shower gels from 5 different brands including Dettol's pH Balanced Body Wash. The brands were labelled as W, X, Y, Z, and D for Dettol. I started off by testing the pH level of my skin by applying about two drops of distilled water on my skin and used the Hydrion pH pencil on the dampened area. As you can see in the picture above, the result is shown on left side on my hand at the beginning of the strip. The pH pen reacted almost immediately when its tip touched the damp area. It around pH 4 to pH 5, which is good because our natural acid mantle is at the pH 5.5. 

Let's talk about shower gel X and shower gel Y. I am a fond user of these two shower gels, mainly because of its scent and claims. For shower gel X, I was using it for the past 4 years as an undergraduate on campus. To be honest, I was sincerely shocked and taken aback to see my staple shower gel has actually been harming my skin more than protecting it. As dramatic as it may sound, I felt betrayed. This explains the countless skin problems that sent me visiting the student clinic during my undergraduate years. On the pH scale, both pH levels of shower gel X and Y falls into the scale of pH 8 or 9. It's quite incredulous as they are quite well-known brands in the market. 

You may notice that shower gel W and shower gel Z showed the same results as Dettol. Before you jump into the conclusion thinking there are other brands that serves the same function as Dettol, you would want to think again. It is understandable that a shower gel's main purpose is to clean. But as the time changes, men have infused aesthetic purposes into the equation to meet various demands of the masses. Shower gel W, priced at RM18.90 for 490ml, does not have anti-bacterial properties whereas shower gel Z, priced at RM39.00 for 250ml does have anti-bacterial properties. If you compare all three products carefully, Dettol has value for money, protects our skin, and aids in maintaining the pH levels of our acid mantle. Talk about 3 in 1! 

Dettol pH Balanced shower gel :  

• 250ml, RM6.90 
• 650ml, RM15.90 
• 950ml + 550ml (while stock lasts), RM21.90 

Take the Dettol pH Challenge

Now you know what pH balance is all about. So take the Dettol pH Challenge now! 
Go to http://goo.gl/fJMpxS and get RM5 off any Dettol pH balanced 650ml shower gel variant, on top of instore discount from 1 Nov - 31 Dec at all participating Guardian outlets. 

Review

Let's talk about their packaging. After using it for more than two weeks, I found no fault in the packaging. I brought it along with me to my sister's place a few times and there was no leakage or spillage as the cap was shut tight and the overall packaging is really sturdy. I like how the bottle has a curved shape in the middle, like a perfect waistline. Easy to hold or grab in the shower without slipping from wet, and probably cold (mornings) hands.

Most importantly, I love how Dettol's pH balance shower gels leaves my skin feeling soft, supple, smelling and feeling super clean. Ironically, Dettol's pH Balance shower gel variant in Original appeals to me more than the other three variants which is Skincare, Fresh, and Re-energize. Please don't ask me why. There's nothing wrong with the other scents, it's just personal preference.

A selfie with Dettol!

There are a few variants to select from. My favourite Dettol pH Balance bodywash is Original! 

Back of the bottle.

But one thing I can vouch for is that the Original scent does not have that overpowering and sometimes nauseating medicinal scent. Nope, you won't step out of the shower smelling like you just came out of the hospital. After researching and reading up on how the pH balance works, I am more vigilant on what I use on my skin now. You bet I will be testing my shampoos and facial wash for their pH levels. I got the body covered, thanks to Dettol! At the end of the day, it all boils down to the price tag. Priced at RM6.90 for 250ml and RM15.90 for 650ml, I dare say it is bank account friendly. Especially if you are a university student! Affordable protection against germs for everyone.

You can purchase them at all pharmacies or hypermarkets near you. But don't forget, the RM5 voucher is only applicable at all GUARDIAN outlets from 1 Dec to 15 Dec. 

On the left, Dettol Healthy Fresh range comes in 3 variants to provide protection from germs and freshness that lasts for up to 12 hours : 

• Fresh 
• Re-energize 
• Cool

On the right column, Dettol Healthy Skin range comes in 3 variants to provide protection from germs and on top nourish your skin to keep it healthy and beautiful : 

• Skin Care 
• Radiance
• Nourishing 

RM6.90 for 250ml

RM15.90 for 625ml

Follow Dettol Malaysia for future updates!

Website : http://www.dettol.com.my/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/DettolMalaysia

Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/dettolmalaysia

Which scent do you think you would go for? Comment below!

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Sarah :)

Disclaimer : This is a sponsored post but experience and thoughts on both brand and product remains unbaised. Blogged from the heart & mind. 

[Sharing] Loreal Paris Beauty Countdown Contest

Hello my dear lashesandstroke-ians!

How has November been treating you so far? I can't wait for Christmas!   

Wokies, anyway I wanna share something really cool with you. 

Have you been shopping for makeup lately? 

If you have been shopping for yourself or your friends or loved ones..  You would want to read on.

If you or your friends have been purchasing L'Oreal products totalling more than RM20,

you would want to join L'Oreal Paris's Beauty Countdown Contest!

L'Oreal Paris is giving away amazing daily and weekly prizes over the next 10 weeks to reward their highest spenders! If you spend the most overall on L'Oréal Paris products by 31st December 2014, you'll drive home our Grand Prize - a brand new car worth over RM100,000!

So, what are you waiting for?

Start digging for your receipts! 

How to join? No worries, I shall guide you through it!

Step 1 : Go to www.lorealbeautycountdown.com.my

The link will bring you to this page!

Step 2 : Sign Up

Step 3 : Submit your entries

Steps on how to submit your entry : 

• Step 1 : Key in the total amount spent on L'Oreal products ONLY stated on your receipt. 
• Step 2 : Take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the website.  
• Step 3 : Select the correct answer. Please read the question carefully. 
• Step 4 : Click on the yellow box to tick the "I accept the Terms & Conditions". 
• Step 5 : Final Step. Click ENTER to submit your entry. 

Easy peasy.

I have read the Terms and Conditions and it didn't say anything about not allowing backdated receipts. So, better start digging for the receipts! For this contest, you can submit in as many entries as you can or want. The more entries you have, the higher the chance of snagging one of the prizes. 

You can keep track of your entries by clicking on the "MY ENTRIES" tab on the top right of the website which is located in between "JOIN NOW" and "PRIZES". Look at the red heart below!

L'Oreal Paris truly knows how to show their appreciation towards their loyal fans by holding this contest. Good for you, L'Oreal Paris! Check out the prizes : 

• GRAND PRIZE : A car worth over RM100,000. 
• WEEKLY PRIZES : A mystery prize will be revealed each week on their Facebook page. 
• DAILY PRIZES : 3 x L'Oreal Paris Hampers worth over RM100 each. 

Here are the line ups for the Weekly Prizes I found in their Terms and Conditions:

Note that the brands and value of prizes given are at the Organiser’s discretion.

***
10th Week: Slow Juicer
9th Week: Slow Juicer
8th Week: iPad mini
7th Week: iPad mini
6th Week: Kitchen Aid Mixer
5th Week: Poh Kong jewellery
4th Week: Poh Kong jewellery
3rd Week: Poh Kong jewellery
2nd Week: Poh Kong jewellery
1st Week: Poh Kong jewellery
***

To not miss any of these awesome contests in the near future, make sure to follow L'Oreal Paris on every social media platforms.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/lorealparismalaysia

Twitter : https://twitter.com/LOrealParisMY

Instagram : http://instagram.com/lorealparismy

I'm pretty sure they would love to hear from you. That's what social media is for, to socialize.
Alright, that's about it I guess. All the best in the contest!
Go get 'em tiger! :D

Love,

Sarah :)

Sharing : Carousell Flea Market, 8th & 9th November 2014

Dear readers,

I would like to share with you that I will be selling my preloved treasure at Carousell Malaysia's first Pop-Up Market @ Bangsar! Do watch the space on my Facebook page & Carousell account as I will be uploading more stuff.

• Date : 8th & 9th November 2014 (Saturday & Sunday)
• Time : 10am - 6pm
• Event Page : Carousell Malaysia's Pop-Up Market
• Facebook Page : Carousell Malaysia

Here are the links to my Facebook page and Carousell account :

• Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/lashesandstrokes?ref=br_rs
• Carousell : http://carousell.co/day24-ff/

Here's the map. Hope it helps!

If you still feel unsure about the location and prefer to use GPS, here's the address :

38, Lorong Maarof
Taman Bangsar
59000 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

And the Google Maps link to the place :
GAWPS Community Hall, Bangsar

My sister (Arisa) and I will be sharing a booth! Look out for us at Booth 11 on the 2nd Floor ya! :D

There'll be other bloggers and friends as well!

I really hope to see you in person and thank you for the continuous support!
See you there! :)

Love,
Sarah :)

Swatches & Review : Dark-coloured Lipsticks

I'm aware that Halloween has come and gone but dark lips are still in the rage. I have always been intrigue with dark lip colours since 15 years old, but I didn't know how to get my hands on a black coloured lipstick. At that time, I owned only a Silkygirl black eyeliner and pressed powder. I loved lining my eyes just like Avril Lavigne when she was my style model, the 'Sk8er Girl' before she turned.. 'Hello Kitty'. Oyvey. Yes, I did go through a phase where I wore everything black. Ah, those were the days. 

Anyway, allow me to present to you my beautiful collection of dark coloured lipsticks! 

First up, we have Sleek True Colour Lipstick in Mulberry. Now, this is my very first almost-black coloured lipstick I own. 

Source : google

As you can see, it looks almost black in the tube but when swatched, it has that red-purple (plum?) base to it. It isn't entirely pitch black. The given name, Mulberry is suitable for the shade as it may be inspired by the mulberry fruit. I'm glad to share that Mulberry glides on the lips quite effortlessly because I didn't experience any tugging even when I did not prep my lips. Mulberry has a sheen finish, hence the easy application but that's where the pigmentation is questionable. At the first layer of application, it seemed patchy but after layering it, it turned out fine. It's accessible at most online beauty stores such as Luxola, Colours Cosmetics Malaysia, and Mesmerize.

Next up, we have Wet n Wild Megalast Lipcolor Vamp It Up. Vamp It Up has a very obvious purple base to it which reminds me of black grapes. The finish is matte hence it does affect the application but nothing too serious to be peeved about. All you have to do is prep your lips well by exfoilating and moisturizing your lips before applying Vamp It Up. In the pigmentation department, there's no arguement as you can get a full colour in one swipe which means no layering is needed. 

If you are looking for a black-ish lipstick that's affordable, do look out for Make up Revolution Black Heart from Vamp Collection. It does not disappoint. Based on the swatch above, it looks black at a glance but if you look closely, it's not entirely jet black. It has purple - red undertones. To be honest, I was expecting it to be waxy or patchy when applied like MUA's but to my surprise, it glided on my lips beautifully without tugging. I didn't even have to use a lipbalm! The finish is in between a cream-sheen finish and it's pigmentation is amazing for it's price. I had always wanted pull off a vampy look and now, I'm able too! Just need to find the courage to work it out without freaking people out. 

The lightest among it's peers, MAC Matte Lipstick in Smoked Purple was a gift from a dear friend. I literally squealed with joy when she passed it to me. My second MAC lipstick that I own. As much as I love MAC's lipsticks, it is expensive for a student's budget. Funnily, the colour doesn't really match its name. I was expecting a gorgeous, dark purple but as you can see from the swatch above, it's undertone leans more towards reddish plum - quite similar to Sleek's Mulberry, don't you think? Since its a matte finish, as usual it somehow affects the application. It didn't go on smoothly but if compared with Wet n Wild's Vamp It Up, this applies better but layering it need to achieve a full, even colour.  

Another lipstick from Make up Revolution's Vamp Collection, Make up Revolution Lipstick in 100% Vamp is without a doubt - worth every penny. It has a strong purple undertone and it looks pretty similar to Wet n Wild's Vamp It Up but it is definitely much more moisturizing than Vamp It Up. I would say it has a cream-sheen finish and pigmentation is amazing. 

Last but not least, Make up Revolution Velvet Matte Lip Lacquer in Vamp. I haven't got the chance to try this out yet but based on the swatch, the colour looks so much better than it's Vamp lipstick peers. It is a beautiful plum colour that looks flattering and has a matte finish. No debate on the pigmentation but I have come across some reviews sharing that it has a tendency to crack throughout the day and it does not look pretty when it does. I haven't got a chance to confirm that yet for myself but will update here when I have tested it out. 

Before I sign off, there's one thing you have to know about applying dark lipsticks. Since the colours are dark, there's a high chance of mistakes being obvious. Here's some tips on how to tone down or avoid making lip-stakes (pun intended) :

1. Prep your lips. Exfoliate, moisturize, and prime. The lip primers I use are ELF Lip Lock Pencil and Sephora Universal Lip Liner Waterproof.
2. Try using a dark-based lip liner as close to your preferred lipstick. It will help reduce the chances of your lipstick feathering or bleeding. Sephora carries NYX has an affordable, wide range of lip liners in various colours at RM19 each. 
3. Like it or not, a good lip brush does come in handy when applying dark colours. The lip brushes I'm currently using are Real Techniques Retractable Lip Brush, Stage Lip Brush, and Covo Magic 4 Stack Up Brush. 

Well, that's all for this post. There will be more post on lipsticks coming up. I hope this post has helped you in any way possible. Enjoy! 

Love, 

Sarah :)