A New Journey Begins

It's my birthday today!

I wanted to review everything and one of them on my list was to revive my Beautification blog, with a focus on the healthier and natural life-style choices I've been making since end-2012.

One of the first things I did is to revamp the look of this blog! I have a new header!

I hope you'll stay and follow me through this new journey.

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DESIRE by DOLCE & GABBANA

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DESIRE by DOLCE & GABBANA is a new fragrance that was sent to me for review.

According to the press release, the concept of the fragrance is one of  "Desire, Seduction and Strength".

“Everything starts with desire. There wouldn’t be seduction, sensuality or passion if it wasn’t for desire. For us, it’s always been fundamental to let this sensation go, to break the mould and live freely by emotions.” Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

With such a description, I have to admit, I was afraid I might hate it. I dislike over-powering fragrances with too strong notes. However, I am glad to say I was proven wrong, and actually like this fragrance. It's a little strong for my day time usage and I feel it's best used for the night.

But first things first,  I find the design of the bottle elegant with its black and matte gold combination and its weighty feel. Not one of those flimsy fall-off-the-dressing-table type of bottles and pretty enough for display. For such a heavy bottle the soft rounded edges is a lovely added touch that lends an opulent sense when handled.

DESIRE has "fresh top notes of mandarin, lychee and bergamot play softly against the sweet innocence of lily of the valley. At the core of an intense heart is a trio of ultra feminine florals. The elegance of Madonna lily and the heady opulence of Indian tuberose are blended with velvety jasmine and addictively sweet plum nectar. Adding an indulgent richness to the base is a gourmand note of vanilla infused caramel, melded with warming sandalwood, and a touch of mysterious musk and Cistus Labdanum."

To be honest this fragrance contains many floral notes that are my favourites: the white flowers of Lily of the Valley, Madonna lily and jasmine. On top of that a fragrance that contains the warm foody essenses of vanilla and caramel cannot go wrong with me. When it first spritz this fragrance on myself, I find it very refreshing and not too musky or overpowering. As it warms up on me, though it becomes a little strong, might be due to my body's tendency to deepen intense notes, which might be the Indian tuberose and jasmine playing up too strongly on my skin. Then the dry down ends with a musky sweetness.

I admit not everyone will like such an opulent fragrance but I'm one for heavy florals. They are my favourite type of perfume and I'm glad DESIRE did not disappoint. And I don't think it'll be an everyday perfume for me. I might wear it if I needed to have some confidence at an important meeting or gathering. But ideally, if I were to wear this fragrance it would have to be during an evening outing, where I'm feeling relaxed and wanting to enjoy some time out forgetting about the drudgeries of day-to-day life. I imagine maybe at an art show opening (I've only attended 1 so far though - snigger at myself) or a   concert and quiet dinner. And I would personally wear it further away from my nose, so none of the spritzing at my neck (which I tend to do). I'd probably use it at the nook of the elbows and at the ankles, and very little of it.

I always have a hard time finding nice floral fragrances these days. Perfumers and perfume customers seem to find florals a little generic and old old old fashioned. Many tend to be making alot of sharp or fruity fragrances that don't do well on my skin. Fortunately the citrusy notes in DESIRE float off pretty fast for me. So I can say I do like this fragrance.

Here's some information on this fragrance.

THE LINEUP

Desire EDP 30ml SGD 112
Desire EDP 50ml SGD 151
Desire EDP 75ml SGD 190

Desire by Dolce and Gabbana will be available from mid-2013 in Dolce and Gabbana boutiques and licensed perfume stores.


REVIEW RECAP

Pros

• Elegant
• Loads of lovely white florals
• Sweet and musky
• Long lasting (I'd say use a little of it, it goes a long way, especially if your body chemistry is like mine that tends to deepen fragrance notes and turn citrus scents sour, fortunately I think this one has ).

Cons

• Might be too strong for daily use
• Some might find the scent too floral and cloying
• Too many florals - might be a put off for some people
• Price point is a little high

VERDICT - 3.5 / 5

 

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The Poison in You?

Created by: CosmetologySchool.org

Tangs Closed Door Preview and Sale

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Spa Review: The Ultimate

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Hi everyone, I decided to make an effort to update this blog! Thank you so much to those who took the time to contact me and ask after me. So yes, I need this blog as an avenue to express my thoughts about various things I try and recently, I went for a massage at The Ultimate spa, which I'd like to share with you.

I made a booking for a Ginseng Massage at The Ultimate Penthouse Spa at Shaw  under my DBS Card promotion at a special one-time rate of SG$38. I went alone and it was on a weekday afternoon. The reason for my attending this massage session was that I had a terrible body ache. All over my back, neck, shoulders and hips. Must be too much time at the computer that no amount of stretching, yoga or swimming could alleviate.

The environment at The Ultimate is very serene. As the name suggests, the spa is located at the penthouse level of Shaw Center. Once you step out of the lift, you'll find yourself at a beautifully designed lobby that leads to the spa. Stepping into the spa, you'll notice there's a way into a rooftop garden. I didn't get a chance to visit that garden, but I can imagine it must have a wonderful view of Orchard and Scotts Road, seeing that the spa is at the 27th floor.

There was little waiting time. I was served a warm ginger tea and then filled up a form, which included a space for indicating the level of pressure you prefer for the massage, and was sent into the massage room very quickly. There is a fresh set of towels and disposable undies, very cosy spa room, not too hot, not too cold and also not smelly with remnants of massage oils. The masseuse who treated me was very polite, unobtrusive and also strong enough to provide the "hard" deep tissue massage I requested for. At various points she asked me if her massage pressure was ok for me but other than that, she did not try to make small talk or sell products. Very good, I like that as I prefer resting when I'm having a massage. As part of the promotion, I had a choice of having a back or tummy mask. I chose the back mask and it felt warm and relaxing.

Normally the serenity and relaxation you obtain after such promotion spa sessions is quickly destroyed when you are greeted with hard sell for packages at the point when you make payment. However, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no hard sell at The Ultimate. The consultant who spoke with me told me about special rates and packages but politely backed off after I told her I'm not interested. Major PLUS point! Well done, The Ultimate. Also I was presented with hot green bean soup and a cup of water after my massage. I appreciated the little detail of including a dessert for the customer.

So here's a summary of my experience. As always, this is a reflection of my personal view and my personal experience. This session was also not sponsored.

REVIEW
Pros

• Beautiful and tasteful spa design
• Good location (easy to access with public transport and very central if you drive)
• Clean and cosy private spa rooms
• Nice service, good extras provided
• Shoulder and upper back problem was resolved with good massage
• No hard sell for packages

Cons

• My stiff lower back problem wasn't resolved, but I guess I can't expect too much from a simple relaxation massage
• Could be quite expensive if you are paying for it at the normal, non-promotional rate

VERDICT: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ /5

Address:
The Ultimate
Penthouse Spa at Shaw Center, 1 Scotts Road, Level 27 (Access via lifts A,B or C only). Tel: 6737 3383

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Unhappiness Can Make You FAT

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Right, lately I'm working more on my inner-self, hence my absence from the beauty blog. You can find my sporadic "creative"-related posts at my newly re-started craft blog Aichaku Creates.

Today I just wanted to pop in to tell you something about weightloss.

Cue music from Oprah Winfrey Show
Oprah: Cathy here went for a Gastric Bypass Surgery, what we call "Stomach Stapling", and she lost more than 1000 pounds! Cathy tell us about what happened after your surgery.
Cathy: I was so beautiful, but I didn't feel beautiful inside. I still felt unhappy and empty, so I started drinking.
Oprah: Nodding So you used to eat to fill the void that you felt inside your heart and now you're drinking instead.
Cathy: starts tears Yes. I was soooooo unhappy. Until I dealt with the unhappiness, I was still a fat girl, even though I'm thin on the outside.

Well, I may not be so accurate with the dialogue phrasing. I mean, Oprah does have her very unique way of talking, but that was essentially one episode of Oprah Winfrey that I saw one afternoon.

I thought it was pure crap until just 2 weeks ago, I returned to work and found myself gaining weight! I noticed a trend.

When I was on my Sabbatical Leave in December, I was actually losing weight. I was happy and not fat. Now that I returned to work, I was stressed and unhappy that I didn't have enough time to work on my personal projects anymore. I started to think alot about food and ate alot of junk even when I wasn't hungry.

However, if on one particular night, I worked hard on a successful project, I wouldn't feel the need to eat so much on the day after.

So, I begin to think that there really IS a connection between food and emotions for me. Maybe weight-loss is just a simple matter of me making enough time for myself to ensure I am happy enough!

Maybe I'm over-simplifying things here, but I suspect there's some food for thought in here.

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Am I Transforming Into An Unwashed Hippy?

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hippie also hip·py (hĭp'ē)


n., pl., -pies.

A person who opposes and rejects many of the conventional standards and customs of society, especially one who advocates extreme liberalism in sociopolitical attitudes and lifestyles.



At the end of 2010, I started to wind down on my beauty efforts and although I'm back to work now, 2011 is turning out to be extremely minimalist for me.

I've stopped using base makeup and makeup in general, no deodorant (just a spritz of perfume/perfume oil), and no hairspray. I haven't been using my body scrubs or face scrubs, just some moisturising mask once in a while.

I haven't bought any new makeup or skincare or body care items since I came back from Japan.

It's not like I'm smelling bad or looking awful (just rather washed out and pale I guess).

I rather like the minimal effort needed before I leave the house. No one seems to have noticed anything different in me anyway (my office is conservative and few people wear loud makeup, if any). That is, I'm just wondering when's the next time another old lady will state matter-of-factly an unsolicited advice about how "aunty" I am. Again.

Not that I'm transforming into an unwashed hippy anytime soon, but I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't have bought all those new makeup palettes in 2010!

By the way, thanks for all the comments in the previous post. I agree with all of you! :D

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Does Foundation and BB Cream Clog Your Pores?

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A couple of months ago, I found my skin getting really awful. I had clogged pores, dehydrated yet oily skin, plenty of pimples and at one point I even eczema on my face! Things got better after I restarted using the Jurlique sensitive skincare range. However, my pores were still getting clogged up despite numerous de-clogging efforts (eg. extraction, masking, scrubbing etc).

In December, I started on my 1-month sabbatical leave from work. I was basically home most of the time, working on projects and left the house only 2-3 times a week for spots of shopping, and 2-3 hour classes. As a result, I only wore my sunblock and a light dusting of face powder when I went out.

Guess what happened?

Yep, my skin is no longer clogged! I don't even feel the need to mask and scrub 2-3 times a week.

I'm now thinking it must be the BB Cream and foundation that was clogging up my pores!

When I first came across BB cream, I thought it was the miracle solution. Skincare and makeup in one! In fact, some BB cream felt like they were doing pretty good stuff on my skin. Add to that the fact that I was religiously double-cleansing my skin to thoroughly remove makeup, I thought everything was going well. I certainly did not expect that BB cream and foundation would cause problems like clogged pores.

What do you think about this?

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Sponsored Review: Bio-essence Bio-Platinum BB Cream Plus Multi Effects SPF 25 PA/ ++

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Today I'll continue with a review of another Bio-essence BB Cream.

Don't forget, Aichaku Beautification readers can  redeem FREE Bio Multi-Effect BB cream and Bio Platinum BB Cream 2-in-1 sachets from my blog, using this link:

On to the review. The second Bio-essence BB Cream that I'll be reviewing is the Bio-essence Bio-Platinum BB Cream Plus Multi Effects SPF 25 PA/ ++ for 10-in-1 whitening and skin-nourishing benefits.

This BB Cream contains Platinum, which is believed to have anti-aging properties when applied to the skin. The product also has Tanaka Bark Extract, with hydrating, cooling and anti-inflammatory properties; Bio Energy Fluid that contains mineral and trace mineral elements, essential for healthy, youthful skin; and Ginseng, which promotes cell-regrowth and helps prevent the signs of ageing.

Updates on Links to Redeem Free Bio-essence BB Cream

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My previous post has been updated with some links for readers to redeem free Bio-essence BB Cream samples. Do check it out.


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Sponsored Review: Bio-essence Bio Multi-Effect BB Cream SPF25/PA++

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I was recently sent 3 tubes of Bio-essence BB Cream for trial and review.

Aichaku Beautification readers can also redeem FREE Bio Multi-Effect BB cream and Bio Platinum BB Cream 2-in-1 sachets from my blog, using this link:

I'll begin today with a review of the Bio-essence Bio Multi-Effect BB Cream with 8-in-1 benefits, including SPF25/PA++.

SkinCareRx.com Friends and Family Sale Coupon Code

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SkinCareRx.com is a site that is linked to Apothica.com and they are having a Friends and Family sale now.

Below is the discount coupon code that you can use on the site. La Roche-Posay is among the wide range of brands available at the site.

Friends and Family Coupon* Code: FF25

*Excludes some brands. Expires Dec. 1, 2010.

I had previously ordered from the site before. The items were well packed, makeup and breakable containers arrived in perfect condition. Direct shipping costs from US to Singapore are reasonable and prompt. In all, I was very pleased with the purchases I made and the customer service from the site.

Enjoy your shopping discount!

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Sponsored Review: Fancl Limited Edition Dance Series

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Long-time readers of my blog know that Fancl is a favourite brand of mine. I had previously positively reviewed their Mild Cleansing Oil in a non-sponsored comparison review post.

Fancl products are preservative-free to assure no potentially harmful preservatives and additives will damage your skin and health. Hence, it has a "safety and gentleness" assurance.

Recently, I received some of Fancl's famed cleansing products in their Limited Edition release containers. The products within are the same quality items but the containers are beautifully illustrated designs that can be kept and re-used.

There are in total three limited edition designs: Ballet Dance, Hula Dance and Samba Dance, all illustrated by Japanese Fashion Illustrator Licaco.

Sponsored Review: Clinique Age Defense BB Cream

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Clinique has launched its own BB Cream in November, which is available at Clinique counters for US $21 at Asia Pacific airports and Duty Free Downtown stores as well as selected airlines.

Targeted at frequent travellers, the Clinique Age Defence BB Cream promises to be the skin-perfecting, multi-tasking cream for the jet-setting woman. It contains SPF 30/PA+++, that provides broad coverage from Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Other active ingredients include caffeine, that calms and soothes irritated skin while reducing appearance of lines and wrinkles, glycyrrhetinic acid that reduces skin irritation from stress, and a seaweed extract that reduces production of oil.

I was sent a tube of the BB Cream for review.

Sponsored Review: Heme 24Hr Hydrating Skin Care

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Fronted by S.H.E, a popular Taiwanese girl group whose members are Selina Jen, Hebe Tien, and Ella Chen, Heme, a Taiwanese beauty brand is huge on cute and sweet packaging. As I am writing this, I feel compelled to just send out a word of prayer for Selina, who was in the news recently, for having suffered severe burns in a filming accident.

I've mainly seen Heme products on Watsons shelves and recently received a set of skincare from the brand for review. The first thing that caught my eye is the pink-pink-pink packaging. It's just the right shade of pink that spells cute and sweet. Just the sort of shade that I like.

Here are the products that were sent to me.

The Truth About Beauty

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Just read an interesting article about the psychology of beauty.

It makes a valid argument against those who are riled up by people who place importance on looking good. I feel it is particularly relevant for us beauty bloggers who sometimes receive criticism for being so-called "superficial".

I especially like this statement it makes about the striving to make ourselves better, even in terms of appearances.

"We consider it admirable when people strive to better themselves intellectually; we don't say, "Hey, you weren't born a genius, so why ever bother reading a book?" Why should we treat physical appearance any differently? For example, research shows that men prefer women with full lips, smaller chins, and large eyes—indicators of higher levels of estrogen. Some lucky women have big eyes; others just seem to, thanks to the clever application of eyeshadow. As the classic commercial says, "Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline." (If it increases her options, who cares which it is?)."

And this point that it makes about taking a balanced and truthful approach when handling our own self-esteem and looks.

"French women ... take pleasure in cultivating their appearance, and in accentuating their physical differences from men. They don't give up on looking after their looks as they age, nor do they tart themselves up like sexy schoolgirls at 50. They simply take pride in their appearance and try to look like sensual, older women."

"Like French women, we, too, need to understand that a healthy approach to beauty is neither pretending it's unnecessary or unimportant nor making it important beyond all else." 

Read the entire article: The Truth About Beauty


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Disaster of the Diabolical Bath Foams

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I had a series of shower foam mishaps in the month of October.

Somehow, I have a very bad memory and I couldn't recall why I had to use such "expensive" organic bath foams and handmade soaps. So last month, I attempted to be thrifty by getting some commercial shower foams that come in large quantities for an attractive price.

Through the weeks, I had one disaster after another. I shall  do a short and quick recap of each shower foam I tried in sequence. Hopefully you can benefit from my learning experiences.


Shokubutsu Whitening Body Foam

Review: Jurlique Sensitive Skin Care

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My skin was acting up with all sorts of blotches, rashes, pimples and bumps in the past few months. It felt tight and dry, yet oily at the same time. I thought I should return to one of the basic skincare staples that got my skin in order in the past.

Here's what I used to get things back to their normal state: Jurlique's Chamomile Soothing Mist, Soothing Herbal Recovery Gel, and Herbal Recovery Eye Gel. Coincidentally, I purchased these items at the right time. There's a 50% discount on the price of Soothing Herbal Recovery Gel now, with a purchase of one full-priced item.

It has proven to be the trusty rescue for me once again. My skin is getting back its natural balance and while I have a few scars left to clear up, I'm on the way to recovery.

Jurlique is an Australian brand and in the past, when I used to be in Australia a lot, I found Jurlique to be, for me, the best skincare that can be purchased there. I know the brand doesn't get plenty of raves on review sites like Makeup Alley. In fact, some people complain it's overpriced and that the products do nothing for them.

Sponsored Review: Biore Make Up Removers

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As a person who enjoys makeup, using a good makeup remover is a very important step in my skincare routine. I was very pleased when The Sample Store, together with Kao Biore, recently sent some Biore Make Up Removers for my review.

Blog readers can also redeem a FREE Biore Sample kit which consist of 1 Travel size of Biore Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip, and 1 Travel size of Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Sheets (2 Pcs).
Please use this link from my blog: FREE Biore Sample kit from Aichaku's Beautification. 

Read on for my personal views about the products.

The 3 sponsored products that were sent were
- Biore Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip
- Biore Cleansing Oil Cotton Facial Sheets
- Biore’s new water-based makeup remover

I'll be reviewing the Biore Makeup Remover for Eye and Lip and Biore’s new water-based makeup remover.

Essential Bloggers Challenge - "Like" Aichaku's Pictures

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Click photo to view enlarged version



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