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The Miracle Skin Perfector

Advertorial

Raise of hands... Who would like to sleep in more everyday before going to work/school?

I know I would! Unfortunately, before we get out of the house we need to do so many things... Shower, change clothes, put skincare and makeup etc.

Just simply for our face we need to first put on moisturizer, sunscreen, then foundation (which can be also several steps in itself) before we get out of the door!

Presenting the solution to you sleeping in just a little more...

The GARNIER MIRACLE 

SKIN PERFECTOR!!

What is this?


I'm having a bit of trouble giving the Miracle Skin Perfector a name for what it is because it is 3 different things... Let's call it an All-in-One moisturizer!

Let's talk about the Perfector's THREE functions:

First, as you probably have guessed... IT MOISTURIZES!!

I usually shower before I get out of the house and I find that after showering my face turns exceptionally dry. Thus I usually put on moisturizer before putting on makeup.

Properly moisturized skin can make your makeup last way longer and reduce oiliness!

The Miracle Skin Perfector is a great moisturizer that can moisturize your skin for up to 24 hours!!!

Which leads us to the next function...

After moisturizer is usually sunscreen for me!!

BUT I CAN SKIP THIS STEP!

Because the Perfector is also a SUNSCREEN!!

It has SPF 26/PA+++, giving you UV protection from harmful sun rays!

Go away sun!!!

Don't want to sound naggy as I've said this many times before but the UV sun damage is the leading cause of aging so we must wage a war with it and not let it give us wrinkles!! *shakes fists*

Another thing I love about the Miracle Skin Perfector? Usually sunscreen tend to be thick and sticky and makes me feel uncomfortable. But the Perfector is very lightweight and smooth.


Let's go to function number 3!!

It also brightens up your skin with natural BB coverage!!


:D

It this my favourite function of all because you can definitely skip your foundation with the Perfector!

When I heard that the Perfector also acts like a BB cream I felt very apprehensive. I know a lot of you girls love BB creams but I never liked them... The reason?

The colour usually turns out either very grey and ashen or way too white for my face. When I apply them I always feel like I look like a corpse :0 So I always avoided bb creams!

I was never able to find a BB cream that matched my skin tone and made it all dewy and glowy!!

So imagine how pleased I was then I saw that the Miracle Skin Perfector can!! Look how it blends in so well!!

Plus the colour is very very nice!! I cannot emphasize how difficult it is to find a foundation colour that somehow suits Asian skin. Usually the foundation is too pink or too yellow... This is just nice.

The Perfector is supposed to be suitable for all skin types and skin tones... I don't know if it is true that the colour is great for everyone but it certainly does work very well for me.

For me this is the most important part about an All-in-One moisturizer... Sure you can save me time by letting me skip moisturizer and sunscreen but at the end of the day if the product doesn't make me look good, I still won't use it.

And this one does!!

Let's see some before and after pics!!

My complexion has been really bad lately... I think it's because I'm staying at my interim house which doesn't have a stove so I haven't been cooking... Eating out means eating unhealthier and it has been showing on my skin!!

Check out all the zits and blemishes. Didn't photoshop them! :(

Not to worry, Miracle Skin Perfector to the rescue!

Squeezing some onto my fingers... fuss-free application!

Blending is very easy as the Miracle Skin Perfector is very light. It spreads well and absorbs into the skin fast, leaving it dewy and smooth!


After applying on my whole face + neck:

TADAH!

My skin is no longer sallow and uneven!!

I specially left the blemishes unphotoshopped so you can see how much coverage the Perfector has.

Since it is a tinted moisturizer I thought the coverage would be minimal but to my surprise it isn't bad at all!!

It sufficiently covered the redness around my nose and reduced the visibility of blemishes!!

Guess what?

The Miracle Skin Perfector also does not clog pores and is oil and fragrance free! Hurray!!

Plus the packaging is so light and handy...

You can just throw it in your purse for touch ups later in the day!

After adding blusher and a bit of concealer on my big zits...

I love my Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector!!

Oh did I say it has 3 functions only? Four function is not hurting your wallet because the Miracle Skin Perfector is selling for only $18.90 wtfbbq... If you consider it is 3 items all rolled into one that's like less than $7 for each item hahaha... Not sure if it counts that way but $18.90 is definitely a good price!

 Want to find out more?

Visit the Garnier facebook page by clicking below!

http://www.facebook.com/GarnierSingapore

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Wake up to beautiful lashes

Advertorial

Do I look weird here or what? 

It is because I am missing something...

Figured it out yet? It's LASHES!

I simply cannot do without them!

There are many ways to get gorgeous, prominent lashes... Mascaras, falsies, extensions, perming, and even implants! Us girls will do just about anything to get our peepers to look brighter and bigger. ;)

So today I will be talking more about eyelash extensions!! As the older readers probably know, I am a big fan of lash extensions and I have been doing them with the same beauty salon since 2005. I'm such a loyal customer!!

This salon is Carragheen!

A little back story... Back in 2005 it was very uncommon for people to stick on falsies. If you do it people will think you are mad and have on way too much makeup. Falsies were mostly only used during photoshoots! Everyone used mascaras, but I always found mascara to be very time-consuming to put on... Not to mention the end result is highly dependent on the length and curl of your original lashes, and mine were not fantastic.

Then one day, I saw on another girl's blog that there was something called "eyelash extensions". This was the beginning of the lash extensions trend and not many people did it.

That blogger showed the before and after picture on her blog and I WAS SOLD. I cannot emphasize this enough... For someone who was constantly trying to make her lashes longer this was a freaking dream come true!!

I immediately called the number and booked an appointment with a girl called Cherlyn. Back then Cherlyn ran a one man show in Burlington Square. She did lash extensions for me, and I was so happy with the results, I went back to her for 7 years till today!

WHY LASH EXTENSIONS ARE AWESOME:

1) And this is the best reason... You wake up beautiful!! This is something that falsies and mascaras cannot beat!

Everyday you wake up and you are already half made up. You save time on your makeup routine, and on lazy days where you do not put any makeup at all you still look decent! That's why everytime I go on holiday I try to get extensions on, because during holidays you have to wake up early and you don't want to waste extra time fussing with eyelash glues etc. It's hasslefree!

2) It can look very natural, completely like REAL long lashes, or look very ultra thick and dramatic. It's all up to your perference!

3) Lash extensions usually last about 1 month to 3 months if you take good care of them.


Here are pics of me getting my lash extensions on!

Arrival at Carragheen, which is very conveniently located at 12A Liang Seah St, across Bugis Junction. I love the salon because it is so nicely decorated with an ocean/beach theme.

All the rooms come with nice, clean, comfy beds. The extensions take at least 30 mins to finish so it's great for a nap too! :D

As I've mentioned Cherlyn has been my beautician for so many years now. From a little one-man-show she ran to the 2 storey salon Carragheen is now, she has retained and gained so many customers only because she is always honing her craft and making sure her customers get the best and newest products and technology.

She has been a pioneer at lash extensions and I've seen her change so many glues and lashes until her technique has improved beyond recognition! She is a crazy perfectionist! Not to mention all her staff are personally trained by her. They are all very skilled!

When the lash extensions trend exploded in Singapore there were many... I wouldn't call them beauty salons... more like just shops set up by enterprising China ladies... claiming to do lash extensions too. Sometimes their services can go as low as $30. The prices may be cheaper but I will not advise anyone to go to these salons... Their beds (sometimes you don't even get a bed) are usually not sanitary and neither are their products. If glue isn't tested properly it can cause allergic reactions or worse! During lash removals it is also very important to be ultra gentle because rough tugging can cause your own lashes to fall off. It is better to just pay a bit more and go a trained, certified lash professional to do it for you.

Ok enough talking let's start!

First my eye makeup is removed!

A surgical tape is placed under my lashes... Don't worry it doesn't stick to your bottom lashes!!

You can pick from a selection of lashes...

The Princess Series where the lashes come in a bundle and gives a more dramatic look...

Or the Natural Series where the lashes come in singular form 

and turn out super natural and soft-looking.

Cherlyn is doing the Princess Wild lash for me because... I love drama!

Stick stick stick and one eye is done!! Tadah, see the difference!? The amazing glue she uses is very lasting yet won't sting your eyes.

Both eyes done!! You may notice the lashes also look a bit brown because she chose a subtle brown lash for me. :D

The effect is very pretty!! No photoshop I swear.

You may notice that two of my bottom lashes got stuck to the top. It isn't because of the extensions, it just accidentally got caught when I blinked. Easily took them out.

Was so pleased because I usually will not step out of the house without some eyeliner but with no eye makeup at all I already look pretty! :D

The lashes sort of form an eyeliner for me, elongating my short eyes and making them all fluttery.

Of course, you can still put makeup on if you want!! I love how Carragheen has a professional makeup counter there so you can use their products to touch up your makeup. :p

With makeup, even better! Love love love it!!

Interested to give lash extensions a try? I know you guys have a lot of questions so I will try to answer them!!

1) Will lash extensions cause you to lose your own lashes?

No. If you do not tug them off yourself and go to a good Lash Professional to remove them, there is no reason why you should lose your own lashes. However, I will say it is sometimes difficult to resist pulling them off even though you know it is bad for you, like plucking dead skin off your lips.

2) What happens after a month to 3 months?

Your own lashes grow out, pushing the extensions out. Or the glue is worn out, making the extensions loose. Some may drop out, others may dangle loose. When this happens you can go for a touch up with your Lash Professional, or choose to remove the lashes completely.

3) How do I "maintain" extensions for as long as possible?

As much as possible try not to wet them. This seems crazy but it is actually easy to wash your face without wetting your extensions at all!! If you swim, wear goggles.

4) Are they uncomfortable?

They are not uncomfortable to me unless they become very loose.

5) Can people with very sparse and short lashes do extensions?

Mostly, the answer is yes, except in very severe cases. It is best to book an appointment with Carragheen and have them assess.

6) Do I still put mascara on the lashes?

No you don't.


7) Is it painful?

No pain at all.

If you are keen to give lash extensions a try, I've got good news!!

The usual price of Princess Wild Lash is $95.

BUT JUST FOR XIAXUE READERS, 

it is $59 only!! 

Especially only for you guys!

Princess Natural Lash is even less at $49!!

Not only that, you get 1 session of Natural/Day Make-Up worth $58 FREE!!!

AND AND AND... As you get your extensions done Carragheen will also pamper your skin by giving you Silk Poreless Mask worth $30... ALSO FREE!!!

ALSO WORTH IT PLEASE!!!

Terms and conditions:


- To enjoy the promotion, readers are to present an electronic copy upon redemption. You can just printscreen what I wrote above on your mobile to show Carragheen!


- Subject to availability.


- By appointment only.


- Not applicable with other promotions or vouchers.


- Promotion valid till end of July 2012.

As you all know, it is now the GSS season so there are also other treats available at Carragheen:

If you don't want the Princess series of lashes, you are still entitled to the 15% off the Natural Series for single eyelash extensions... And you are still entitled to the makeup session and mask. Nice isn't it?

In order for you to get the Silk Poreless Mask, just click HERE to go to Carragheen's facebook page and click like + share on their GSS promotion.

CARRAGHEEN


12A Liang Seah Street


Telephone : 6222 3376


Email : info@carragheen.com

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100 Years of Nestle

Advertorial

Would you believe it? 2012 marks the 100th year that Nestle has been in Singapore!! A hundred years is an extremely long time, and I don't even know how Singapore looked like 100 years ago! But all I know is that throughout my entire childhood till now when I'm in my late twenties, I've been eating, drinking and loving Nestle products... They have shaped my life!!

Although this is an advertorial I was asked to share my memories and nostalgia with Nestle, so bear with me because there are so many and I really want to share them all before I forget about them!!

Tadah! I had loads of fun today shopping at the supermarket for my favourite Nestle products!!!

Let's start with MILO!!! OH HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!!

Did you guys know that Milo is not originated from Malaysia or Singapore where it is extremely popular but from Australia? However, there is a Milo factory in Singapore that is the largest protomalt factory in the world!! It isn't as popular over in Australia as in Malaysia and Singapore, where I can almost safely say every true blue Singaporean must have at least tried it before and a large majority drink it regularly. Whenever my friends order Macdonalds the favourite for drinks is always an ice cold cup of milo. :)

Milo now comes in so many varieties be it tiny convenient packs (like in the above picture), in a  chilled can, or in sachets where we can bring overseas to cold countries we are travelling to to rid some of that homesickness. Just a note... If you do that remember to put the sachets in a ziploc bag coz I didn't and one sachet burst, making all my clothes brown lol. And let's not forget milo dinosaur and milo ice cream!

And for us Singaporeans, our love for milo started young when milo trucks, if we are lucky, would arrive during Sports Days or after marathons...

 Never a more welcoming sight after a long jog

I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE these trucks!! I remember we had to redeem our milo drinks, which were in tiny little paper cups, with these coupons and each person is only limited to 2. There is always a very long queue too!

And here's a memory with milo I will never forget... When I was in secondary school, Eekean (or Wongsie as I sometimes call her) loved to drink iced milo. When the stars align and it just so happens that she is sitting in the canteen table directly opposite me drinking milo and I tell an unexpectedly funny joke, she would laugh violently and spray milo all over me.

I swear this happened not only once but many times. My school uniform was white too and it would be dotted all over with brown stains from the milo from her mouth -_-. I remember I had an ex boyfriend then who asked me why my school uniform was always so dirty. It's all thanks to Eekean!!

Next....

I rarely ever eat cereal at all but if I do, my favourite is always HONEY STARS!!

THEY ARE SO CUTE!! I love the puffy yellow stars, they always cheer me up!

I still remember when I was a kid and I first discovered Honey stars... I loved it so much and kept pestering my mom to buy them for me. I was very fascinated by how they have holes in the middle and even tried to pull a string through to make a honey star necklace but it proved difficult to do so I gave up.

Used to pop them into my mouth nonstop while watching TV. MY FAVOURITE WERE THE STARS THAT WERE STUCK TOGETHER!!! Like the honey glued two stars back to back. Loved it. :D

NOMS IT ALL!!

Just kidding, because Honey Stars are the best with MILK!!

Ultimate nostalgia now I'm thinking of how Momo used to wake up at 7am to make breakfast for me before school... ♥


Maggi Mee, of course, have also been a staple in my life!! Maggi mee is my guilty pleasure!! Although I try to refrain from eating too much carbs nowadays every once in a while I still indulge in a pack because it is not only super easy to cook but so extremely yummy. :X

Maybe some of you think instant noodles can't be that delicious but it is because you don't know how to cook it properly ok!! LOL (My recipe HERE)

What's your favourite Maggi Mee flavour?? Mine is Curry with extra coconut milk and 1 egg with either cabbage, spam, or mushrooms inside!! My second favourite is Chicken which I always somehow associate with comfort food when I'm feeling sick. It always makes me feel slightly better after I eat it!!

I still remember the very first time I cooked Maggi Mee. It was during a camping trip my school organised. We were all given flimsy mess tins and were instructed to cook the noodles with solid fuel. I had absolutely no idea how to cook it but the boys in my group said it was very easy and so they did it. I kept being uncertain that the noodles really got cooked but of course it was overcooked and soggy since it was done by amateurs lol. Still ate it anyway... Still delicious!!

Till today I still don't understand... There are so many other instant mee brands and so many of them have up to 4 packets of sauces/powder/ingredients for you to add into your cooking. Chilli, oil, onions whatever... Maggi mee only has ONE big packet of curry powder and yet it's still more delicious. Don't know how they do it, it's magic!!

Have you tried this before? If you are Singaporean or Malaysian I guess it's a likely yes...

A super innovative dish called Cereal Prawns, usually served at Zi char stores in Singapore. It's stir fried prawns coated with a generous amount of... yes... Nestle's Original Nestum cereal!!

I love this dish since the first time I've had it!! It's so delicious be it with prawns, crabs or crayfish. :D

The cereal is crunchy and sweet and buttery and oh-so-yummy!

I love to just put a forkful of it into my mouth!!

And who can forget Nescafe? For so many of us, this is THE taste of instant coffee... Personally, I don't drink coffee but Mike is an avid coffee lover and when I received so much Nescafe, he was so happy, like a kid during Xmas!! A bit ridiculous lol...

And I don't blame him because...

I didn't receive one flavour but FIVE!! To pamper every sort of coffee lover out there Nescafe is available in so many types... Hazelnut latte sounds so awesome, like milky foamy creamy goodness.

Ok my last nostalgic memory of Nestle's products I swear...

Did you know that Nestle's first product is Milkmaid Condensed Milk? That's right... This product is exactly 100 years old!!

When I was just a little girl my grandparents used to take care of me while my parents worked, so after school my grandparents will always spend the afternoons with me.

My grandma was a big fan of Milkmaid and always had a supply of it at home. She used to pour it into her coffee and sip it happily while watching afternoon tv. I remember the creamy Milkmaid milk at the bottom of the glass and the black coffee layered on top of it. I always offered to stir it for my grandma!

The sight of the Milkmaid tin tilted upside-down (with two holes pierced on the lid) on a cup to drain all its contents was a common sight because my grandma refused to waste even a drop!! Sometimes, if I'm being good, she would even just mix water with the condensed milk to form a sweet drink for me. I love it till today!!
 

So yes, Nestle has been in our lives and hearts for the past 100 years... And it hopes to still be here for another 100 years more!


As such, Nestle welcomes your feedback, ideas, and say on all their products!!


What I hope to see in the next 100 years?

I WANT MORE MAGGI MEE FLAVOURS!!!

I don't even know if this is possible can I want more atas flavours for Maggi Mee like foie gras or truffles or lobster bisque :D Ok one can dream, right?

And please, more exotic kit kat flavours in Singapore!!! WHY ONLY AVAILABLE IN JAPAN?!?! It's so unfair they have all the super interesting flavours like "mango pudding" (yummiest kit kat I've ever had) and "watermelon and salt" etc etc... I DEMAND THEM IN SINGAPORE!!

(For a whole list of kit kat flavours you can click here)

You have suggestions too? Let Nestle know!!

HOW?

By downloading the iFeedback app for Nestle on your mobile phone! 

(Available on iPhone and Android)

Search for the app and install it... It's free!

I've just tried using it and it's extremely simple and fuss-free...

Next... Click on a button that says "SCAN" and scan your Nestle product's barcode. I'm sure most of you have at least 1 Nestle product at home be it Nescafe, Maggi mee or chilli sauce or milo...

See? After scanning you can pick either "I like" or "I critique" for your Nestle product. Give your feedback in whatever form you wish... And that's it! EASY PEASY!! See how I wrote I want Strawberry flavoured honey stars in pink? (IKR, genius) Nestle would love to see constructive feedback and interesting suggestions on how to improve their products. :) OMG YES I WANT HONEY HEARTS. IN BABY PINK.


AND WAIT FOR IT...

Be innovative in your feedback and YOU STAND TO WIN PRIZES!!!


TWO TICKETS VIA FINNAIR, THE FASTEST AIRLINE TO EUROPE, TO ANY EUROPEAN CITY OF YOUR CHOICE!!!


How fun is that?!

Click HERE to see more details.

*************************************

Wait there is more! Are you a Blogger like me??

Well obviously not like me like me coz I'm special hahaha but if you are a blogger you stand to win  the 1st prize of $1,000 and the 2nd and 3rd prize of $500!!

It's really simple... Just blog a creative post about your own constructive and innovative feedback for your favourite Nestle product! Have fun! Maybe post up a picture of your own recipe of Milo cereal prawn or something. Ok that sounds horrible so go think of something else.

Talk about which European city you'd like to go to, and lead your readers to submit their own feedback as well.

More details HERE!

Good luck! :)

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Take on the World

Advertorial

Dreaming of a new holiday?

The world is so big, why should you be stuck in one little place?

Everybody loves travelling!! Everytime I travel I make sure I've got a few things with me - Good shoes so I can walk around in comfort, a good handbag which matches all my clothes, and of course...

A good luggage which is the perfect size, lightweight and easy to move around, sturdy so it can house all my shopping and won't get bent out of shape in the carousal... and preferably gorgeous too to let me travel in style!

This is my second advertorial for American Tourister! (Read my first one here!)

Just to reiterate about the brand a little in case you have not heard of American Tourister... This luggage brand has been around since 1933. They are well known for having very durable and high quality products!!

Recently American Tourister launched their new Prismo collection:

ARE YOU LOVING THE RAINBOW COLOURS OR WHAT??!

Luggage no longer has to come in the dull black canvas sort we so often see people carry! Why should your luggage be monotonous and boring when your travels are supposed to be exciting and vibrant?

Luggage should be chic and fashionable WHILE at the same time not compromising on its functionality, strength and durability!

If you are looking for that one luggage to travel the world with you, why not pick one from The Prismo collection? Afterall they have six bright and bold colours... Surely one suits your personality the best. :D

I personally love the pink and the green!

The Prismo collection comes in 3 different sizes so you can even pick one for your check-in luggage and one for your carry-on. Plus points for style when you have matching luggage!




Here's why you should get a American Tourister Prismo luggage:

1) TSA approved lock means that your luggage can now be opened by the TSA with a special key and you can lock your valuables from potential thieves at the same time.

2) The luggage is extremely lightweight which means you can buy more shopping!!

3) Even the small luggage has four wheels, which means easy rolling. It may seem as if pulling a two-wheeled luggage is not a big deal but seriously, some airports are so freaking ginormous and the pulling gets really, really tiring after a while! I super hate it!

4) I am loving how the interior is split into two for easy packing, with little compartments for your knick knacks. :D

5) Not to mention, American Tourister luggage lasts for a VERY, VERY long time so there will be no need to spend on a new luggage anytime soon.

Are you ready for the best reason??

6) American Tourister wants you to TAKE ON THE WORLD!!

Stand a chance to win a pair of return air tickets to... Wait for it...

NEW YORK

TOKYO

or

SYDNEY!!

Omg how to even choose?? New York is the furthest so it's the most worth it but I love Tokyo and I haven't seen Sydney before!! I wanna go to all!!

How to win?


Just spend a minimum of $200 on American Tourister merchandise between 15th March - 30th April 2012 to quality!

For more information just check out 

American Tourister's facebook

Am I giving you guys awesome prizes to win or what?! Good luck!!

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