Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint vs. Herbal Essences Argan Oil of Morocco. Which one is better?

Hair care is one of those things that I seldom compromise. In fact, I am pedantic about ensuring the right product for my crown. (Just because it’s hidden, doesn’t mean we’re not crazy about our hair)

I have gone through years of experimenting with various copious hair products – from the cheap-yet-wonderful results to the criminally expensive brands – I’ve tried ‘em all.

So, giving in to the craze of Herbal Essences which I first discovered on Twitter, I decided to jump onto the bandwagon. I did at one point grew up with the hair care brand, anyway (we all did, didn’t we?) – It’s the crazy selection of heavenly smell – they’re doing the persuasion, I tell you. (No resemblance to real herbs, unfortunately)

The first range that I experimented with was the eternally viral Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner set which my sister bought for herself but which I – by virtue of my natural undying annoying and stingy sister trait – also regularly use.

Herbal Essences boasts that its bio:renew Hair Repair* Argan Oil of Morocco range “cleanses and helps repair for smooth, beautiful hair bringing it back to life. With 90% natural origin, this shampoo will act as hair hydration and help frizzy hair, restoring the smoothness.”

My verdict on the Argan Oil range? Superb. They do a decent enough job at making my hair happy and manageable after each use. My hair feels softer and sufficiently moisturised. My hair essentially feels loved. This range also does not make it feel like you’re committing a crime if you incorporate it for your regular daily use (if needs arise) as it is so gentle to your scalp and tips. And if you decided to go by 2 days or more without a hair wash – so that your scalp can collect the natural oils essential to the health of your scalp – you’ll feel that your hair volume increases massively without the gross greasy feeling in your scalp. Not to mention, the smell still stays after 3 days of use. My fine, brittle hair simply loves this product. No wonder this has become such a cult product.

And when this almost runs out, I undertook a frantic search for a replacement – perhaps with other wildly huge selection of superficial botanical fragrances on offer. (Did I tell you that I can tolerate only an unforgivingly small selection of scents?) So many on offer and yet I can – and should – only try one range at a time. This time, I decided why not try the White Strawberry & Sweet Mint shampoo and conditioner set? Both the main ingredients seemingly sounding exotic (read: paradoxical) than ever. But, in truth, it’s the fuchsia pink packaging and attractive graphic that got me. (Capitalism had a field day with me this time)

Having done very little research on the range, I plunged into purchasing the set online (Shopee has a wide variety of independent sellers selling authentic products like this one) and waited giddily for the items to arrive.

Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint range promises “to cleanse and lift for voluminous, touchable hair” and has a “multilayered scents of white strawberry, delicate jasmine, and invigorating mint”.

My verdict on the White Strawberry & Sweet Mint shampoo and conditioner set? Disappointing. Despite my initial thrill at the exotic sounding scents, I was upset on my first usage of the shampoo and conditioner duo. In contrast to the Argan Oil shampoo which is creamy in form, the White Strawberry & Sweet Mint shampoo has a clear, gel-like look and feel to it. I never thought that was necessarily a problem until I discovered that it takes a handful of my hair out while I was showering. I mean, it literally was balding my scalp! The shampoo felt stripping (I guess its mission to cleanse your hair does give that stripping side effect a pass) and harsh on my scalp. The harshness can only be remedied through a generous squirt of the conditioner for my hair tips. It’s safe to say that my already-fine and fragile hair was not having its best day with the set. And I later discovered that instead of giving me the much-needed volume for my hair, I had to contend with, guess what? – dandruffs! Yes, I could feel that dandruffs are getting more prominent in my hair after regular use of the set. Not even the scents can salvage the damage that the shampoo has done to my faith.

In short, as much as I hate to say that my sister is right (she did warn me to simply follow the crowd and ONLY buy the viral item – Argan Oil range), I’d say if you are looking for a shampoo that can help with a hair fall problem, delicate enough for your oily scalp and frizzy tips and also offers reasonable volume, go with the bio:renew Hair Repair* Argan Oil of Morocco shampoo and conditioner set. But, if you want to experience that cleansing and refreshing feeling for your scalp, you can always give the White Strawberry & Sweet Mint range a go.(My advice: Get the travel size set.)

In a battle between to repair and to cleanse, in this case – I’d choose to repair.

Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint and Herbal Essences bio:renew Hair Repair* Argan Oil of Morocco are available in most drugstores nationwide and can also be purchased online through independent sellers selling 100% authentic products on Shopee (Malaysia) or Lazada (Malaysia). Prices may vary depending on available promotions.

Handpicked Local Drugstore Products To Help You Score Your Essential Skincare Routine

Now, we know how skin care can be the “it” thing of today. From countless YouTube tutorials to skincare threads on Twitter plaguing the internet sphere, people;  men and women, young and old have started to give this once a luxury knack (attended by those with time and money), its proper attention.

Skincare has generally been known to be pricey. Here, we break down for you the step-by-step skincare regime that you simply CANNOT miss out on in order to have a healthy skin while saving your much-needed ringgits at the same time. (You’re so welcome!)

1.Double Cleanse

Regular makeup wearers everywhere, this one is for you! No one can deny the importance of cleansing your face after a whole day of wearing all those layers of makeup. Double-cleansing is a Korean skincare staple using an oil-based cleanser followed with a water-based cleanser.

Oil-Based Cleanser

A MUST in any double-cleansing routine, it dissolves all the oil-based ingredients in your layers of makeup and sebum along with other dirt and impurities, thoroughly cleansing your pores as you wash ‘em all away.

Our pick: We pick Biore Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover – RM23.30 (Watsons) simply for being the cheapest yet so gentle and effective. Perfect for double-cleansing noobies and skincare junkies! We’re obsessed with it!

Water-Based Cleanser

Double-cleansing is incomplete without a water-based cleanser which comes in various forms; gel, foam, and cream. Whichever you end up choosing, it acts as giving that extra boost to your cleansing ritual, washing off any residues that a cleansing oil can’t handle.

Our pick: Senka Perfect Double Wash 120g – RM15.94  (Watsons) for its superb cleansing power. A cream-based cleanser, it feels very light as you lather it on and leaves a squeaky clean feeling to your face without drying it out. And did we mention it’s less than RM20?!

2. Exfoliate

We can’t stress how important exfoliating is in any skincare routine. It’s just SO important! Why? Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells giving you a fresher, glowing and radiant look. Depending on your skincare type and how often do you wear makeup, you may exfoliate up till 3 times a week preventing clogged pores and thus, acne! Hallelujah!

Our pick: Whether you have a normal, oily or combination skin, it will certainly love this SKINFOOD Black Sugar Mask – RM30.86 (Guardian). There’s a reason why this has been almost everyone’s fav in the blogosphere. With fine organic black sugar as the champion ingredient, this manual exfoliator will leave your skin nourished, glowing and radiant after application. We’ve tried it and it’s totally worth t the searching for in your local Watsons store!

3. Tone

Your cleansing routine can be made more comprehensive with the usage of toner. Toning your skin helps to remove the remaining dirt, impurities, and debris that your double cleansing step might have missed out. Besides, it also helps to restore your skin pH balance, soothing, hydrating and gives the much-needed nourishment to your skin.

Our pick: We just can’t boast enough about this apparent everyone’s fav toner; Thayers Original and Aloe Vera Toner – RM50.95 (Watsons). Despite hitting a little bit above the RM50 pricing mark, this toner is suitable for all skin types for its super-gentle and hydrating formula. And we have major love for the refreshed feeling that it leaves your skin!

4. Slap a sheet mask on!

Got an extra time in your hands? Slap a cool sheet mask on and let the skin-loving stuff seeped into your skin after applying the toner. Sheet masks are essentially masks made of thin fibre cloth or wool drenched in serums or essences promising to offer you a burst of hydration and luminosity in a simple and quick way. Many prominent dermatologists have agreed that sheet masks are a great addition to your skincare routine with a growing trend seen among celebs such as Gigi Hadid and Cate Blanchett.

Our pick: Garnier Serum + Hydra Bomb Mask 1 pcs – RM6.59 (Watsons) proves to be a superstar despite being the cheapest. Infused with pomegranate extract sealed with heaps of serum, no wonder many have vouched for its quick boost of hydration and the long-lasting rejuvenation that it guarantees. This mask made with 100 percent natural cellulose fibre tissue is definitely FTW!

5. Moisturise

Nobody can deny the importance of moisturising in any basic skincare routine. I mean, you might skip all the serums but NEVER the moisturiser!  This is because it is a simple step that helps to provide your skin with a quick hydration slowing down the ageing pace of your skin. Cleansing might strip away all the natural oils in your drying out your skin, and that’s where moisturiser comes to the rescue! There’s just too many adverse effects by not using it, so make sure to NEVER skip this one!

Our pick: We have major love for this Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser 125ml – RM20.75 (Watsons) Just because it’s essential doesn’t mean it has to be pricey. Sometimes, the simplest formula can be just exactly what your skin needs! We found this gem in the local drugstore and it is hands down – perfect for every skin type! With “kind to skin” ingredients and it’s creamy but non-greasy formula, it works in pampering your skin with moisture and is brilliant under makeup too! YASS!

6. Lather on ya sunscreen!

The common skincare myth is that you don’t need any SPF protection unless you’ll be going under the sun. That cannot be more untrue according to the majority of dermatologists who advocate the use of sunscreen as the final step in any basic skincare routine. Sunscreens help in preventing your precious skin from the direct exposure of harmful UVA/UVB rays that can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation and to an extent, skin cancer. An important tip here is to lather on your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going under the sun to maximize the benefits of the SPF.

Our pick: We have major love for this Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50++ 50g – RM28.82(Watsons). If you’re looking for an SPF product that glides smoothly onto your skin, a brilliant watery makeup base and one that doesn’t hurt your pocket, this one is a clear winner. Boasted as one of Biore’s bestselling SPF products, make sure that you grab this beauty at a promotional rate whenever it goes on sale in your local drugstores!

Who says you have to break the bank to get glowy?

This article was first published on http://www.xtra.com.my dated 13th August 2018

10 LOCAL DRUGSTORE MAKEUP PRODUCTS THAT YOU NEED TO TRY!

Who says slayin’ with your looks have to be costly?!

It’s 2018 and as we just entered the new year, one of our new year’s resolutions would definitely be to spend less and save more right? I mean, there’s just not enough shelf space for that extra bottle of foundation or extra palette of eye shadows right?

Or maybe there’s some more space to spare now that you know you don’t need to splurge in order to slay? *winks*

Here we list down for you 10 essential local drugstore makeup items that are worth tryin’ and most importantly won’t break your bank account: (you’re welcome!)

1. Primer – Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Smooth 

Deets: Looking for a primer formula with a decent pore blurring power for less than RM50?

Then, this is the answer to your prayer. Retailing at less than RM30, this is definitely not a dupe to the infamous Benefit POREfessional, but certainly works wonders at blurring your pores and helps you achieve that flawless complexion.

Coming in a silicone gel-like formula, this primer is brilliant at keeping your makeup lasts decently throughout the day.

Retail price: RM26.91 (Watsons)

 

2. Foundation –  Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

Deets: Cheap certainly doesn’t mean meek with this liquid foundation. If there is an epitome of a magical coverage that is super affordable in a bottle, it would be this one!

Staying true to its claims of a HD finish and not leaving a cakey feeling at all to your face once applied (the second skin effect claim), no wonder many Youtube MUAs have been raving about this. My foundation holy grail! 

But, the shades are limited to only 4 unlike its competitor, the Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless Liquid Foundation and since they’re only available in selected Guardian stores nationwide and when for some reason they’re always running out of this one, make sure you quickly grab one when you see one!

Coverage: High to Full coverage

Retail price: RM38.90 (Guardian)

 

3. Concealer – Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer 

Deets: We alongside the Youtube makeup universe just have MAJOR love for this one!

Perhaps its the unique sponge tip applicator and its claim of rewinding your age that got us but its coverage and the comfort that the sponge gives as you conceal your dark circles certainly makes us don’t mind splurging a little bit for a drugstore concealer although it sits at a rather high-end spectrum of drugstore concealers.

However, as you can easily get this almost anywhere, don’t forget to keep checking for its many seasonal promotions too!

Coverage: Medium to Full Coverage

Retail price: RM29.93 (Watsons) NP: RM39.90

 

4. Pressed powder – Essence Mattifying Compact Powder 

Deets: For those of you who have oily/combination skin, this pressed/compact powder is an inexpensive option at setting your makeup after foundation and at touching up your T-Zone when it gets oilier in this humid weather that is Malaysia. *sigh*

However, one downside that we can think of this product is the absence of mirror which sucks when you wish to touch up your face on-the-go, right?!

And remember this, Essence is  a brand that can be found in Watsons ONLY and perhaps due to its price point, they always run out of the hot-selling products, so make sure you go grab ’em quick when you see ’em!

Coverage: Medium Coverage

Retail price: RM15.90 (Watsons)

 

5. Eyebrow Pencil – Daiso Eyebrow Pencil

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Deets: We know what you’re thinking – a makeup product from Daiso? But, seriously guys, once you get a hold of this really cheap but really good product, this shall become your eyebrow holy grail in no time. No joke! 

Worry not – if you’re a newbie to this whole eyebrow application (which is a real art *sigh*), this eyebrow pencil is one to save you from the inevitable makeup breakdown. Okay, we understand there’s a whole lot of choices to choose from when it comes to eyebrow products in Daiso and given that you can’t even try and test them, one will become slightly of wary of which one to choose from.

But, since we’ve tried for you, we can say that the pink twist one is the best one in store. Coming in a twist pencil alongside a spoolie, this eyebrow pencil is pigmented enough to allow you to safely shape and fill in your brows and not make a huge mess. With 2 shades of brown to choose from (Dark Brown and Brown), you have the freedom to go with the dramatic or the natural Korean eyebrow look, depending on the shades you opt for.

A downside to this is that the lead easily breaks, so since its RM5.90 you might wanna get yourself several pieces to spare!

Retail price: RM5.90 (Standard Daiso price)

 

6.  Eye shadow – Lakme 9-5 Eye Color Quartet

Deets: We got it. With only 4 small squares offered at such a high price point for a drugstore makeup option, this can look like such an unattractive choice.

However, when it comes to eye shadow, we all know how pigmentation plays an important decisive factor in whether to spew your cash on a particular palette.

Standing out among all other drugstore eye shadow palettes for its amazing pigmentation (fun to swatch guys!) , this 4 colour quartet comes in 4 shimmery high intensity shades giving you vivid and edgy looks suitable for daily office wear and a fun night out.

A downside to this? Correct, again, there ain’t no mirror! Seriously, they have to start putting in small mirrors for all these palettes y’all *sigh*

Retail price: RM43.15 (Guardians)

 

7. Eyeliner – LAKME 9-5 Eyeconic Kajal

Image via Style Craze

Deets: For some people, eyes without eye liner is no eye at all. And factors such as pigmentation, smudge and water proof properties are some of the properties sought out before deciding to splurge your cash on such a small but significant makeup product.

This LAKME 9-5 Eyeconic Kajal is proof that the Indians are the best at making an eyeliner product because this one just da bomb y’all!

With pigmentation (major love for the Black shade) that is enough to drive traffic to your eyes alone, this eyeliner is also created to allow you to sit through 3 hours plus long Bollywood movies shedding tears and not making any smudge AT ALL. This is hands-down a Bollywood movies tear proof eye liner!

Retail price: RM22.95 (Guardian)

 

8. Mascara – ESSENCE I Love Extreme Crazy Volume

Deets: If you’re a mascara lover, look no further than your nearest Watsons store because guess what Essence mascara range is one the most highly raved mascara range of this age!

Raved by Youtube beauty bloggers local and international, I Love Extreme Crazy Volume is one of many Essence’s mascara products that can easily be found in many Watsons stores compared to other mascara products.

With less than RM20, you can get a mascara product that will give you the false lash effect that many premium high-end mascara products have simply failed to do.

And…since many of Essence’s mascara products including this one are not waterproof, this means the gentle micellar cleansing water is sufficient for your face and in this case your beautiful pair of eyes too!

However, the formula CAN get a bit thick and thus can get very clumpy if you’re applying your mascara in a rush! So, no rush please girls! 

Retail price: RM15.90 (Watsons)

 

9. Blusher – Palladio Matte Blush 

Deets: If there’s that one makeup item that is important even historically, it would be a blusher. And Palladio, a drugstore makeup brand from the US that has invaded Guardian recently is proving that you should never mess around with their blush range.

It was a pretty tough search to find the most pigmented and best value for money when it comes to a drugstore blusher product, but Palladio is definitely not one to disappoint.

We love how pigmented and matte this blusher looks on our cheeks after application and of course with less than RM30, we dare to swear that this can be a makeup dupe to some of the most raved high end blusher product (read: NARS Orgasm)

Retail price: RM26.90 (Guardian)

 

10. Lipcream – Silkygirl Matte Junkie Lip Cream

Deets: There’s simply a multitude of bargain with quality when it comes to drugstore lip products. With the matte lip cream that is still trending though it is slowly contended by the lip gloss phenomenon ushered in by celebs such as Rihanna with her premium line, Fenty Beauty, we just couldn’t resist telling you our ultimate fav.

If you’re looking for a lip cream that is long lasting, non-drying (coz man when the lips cracked, they sure ain’t and don’t look pretty) and retails at less than RM30, you simply have to grab one of these babies.

Offering 5 beautiful shades in its range (our personal favourite has to be the nude Retro), do look out for regular promotions and when its on promo, be the Malaysian that you are and buy them all and since these babies are simply Malaysian drugstore best selling products, they are always out of stock *cries*

Retail price: RM24.90 (Watsons and Guardian)

 

The world is your runway. Now, get slayin’! 

 

Disclaimer: As I am not a beauty expert, and recently have just been venturing into the makeup scene, you may find that any of the claims made here are based on my own humble product reviews as well as snippets of those rave reviews made by local bloggers and YouTubers. And fret not, you may get all of these products in your nearest local Guardian or Watsons store. Happy shopping ladies! 

This article was first published on http://www.xtra.com.my dated 9th January 2018

5 Local Drugstore Foundation Dupes for Oily Skin

Those with oily skin know too well the inconvenience that comes with finding the right foundation to keep your shine at bay all day every day!

The wrong formula for your skin type can lead you having to blot your face or touching up your make up every hour just to keep your face flawless and oil-free *sigh*

Admittedly, there is a plethora of suggested foundation products offered by beauty gurus and bloggers online.

And most of them would surely share with you their cult-favourites that 99% of the time happen to be high-end and can only be purchased either in Sephora or sleek department stores.

The local drugstores are beauty treasures ready to be explored for their unique gems.

And that includes their vast array of foundation choices. Not everything is worth trying but there are a few that are almost exact dupes to the cult-favourites and some that are so excellent they might give the premium choices a run!

Here are 5 drugstore foundation dupes for your oily skin that can be found at your local drugstores that they might just be your new favourite beauty swaps! *smirks* And did we tell you that they all retail for less than RM100?! Oh yeah!

1.Maybelline Fit Me Matte vs. Mac’s Studio Fix Liquid

Many beauty gurus have sworn by this amazing foundation dupe to many high-end cult-favourites. And we just can’t resist to jump on the bandwagon! This drugstore favourite comes in a vast range of shades, and your acne-prone skin will love the medium coverage that is buildable thanks to its creamy formula.

And just like its premium counterpart, MAC Studio Fix Fluid, the Maybelline Fit Me! Liquid Foundation leaves a matte, smooth, flawless base without leaving it cakey upon hours of wear! Plus, your purse will thank your beauty swap alternative as this dupe rarely hits above the RM40 price mark due to it being selected as a usual drugstore sales item! Nice!

2. L’oreal Infallible Liquid Foundation vs. Cover FX Power Play

This drugstore alternative to banish sebum in your base has been put side by side to many excellent oil-free high-end choices. Not only the foundation provides excellent coverage but true to its name it instantly absorbs any excess oil on your face, leaving a mattified poreless finish.

Deemed to be the foundation that broke the internet, this foundation is also very comfortable to wear and you can bet your money on its long-wearing guarantee. Perfect coverage, shine-free game on!

3. Wet n’ Wild Photofocus Foundation vs. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup

If you’re looking for a medium to high or even HD coverage, then look no further than this infamous Wet n’ Wild Photofocus foundation! Apart from its paint-like smell (awesome if you can stand it!) this foundation stands on par with its high-end beauty junkies cult favourite, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place for its heavenly pigmentation, shine-free airbrushed finish!  Totally your ringgit-to-go!

And although it hasn’t got the added bonus of SPF like the Estee Lauder, you can sure rock your selfies shine-free for a fraction of the price with this drugstore steal!

4. Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation vs. Fenty Foundation

Looking for an oil-free base that won’t budge? Then, this Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation is your drugstore answer to the high-end bestseller Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Matte Longwear Foundation. Staying true to its name, this foundation has a potential to give your Fenty Beauty foundation a run for its HD coverage, perfect for long wear keeping shine at bay throughout the day.

The only downside that makes this foundation lose to the Fenty Beauty is its poor shade range with only 4 fair shades available. Other than that, this is a budget-friendly oily-free foundation option that definitely flies off the shelves!

5. Nyx Total Control Drop Foundation vs. Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation

If you’ve been on the hunt for a velvety matte finish for your base then you can probably say hi to this Nyx Total Control Drop Foundation. We had a bit of a dilemma whether to categorize Nyx as drugstore brand or not as it is widely available in most Sephoras here in Malaysia. But, since its price tag fall below the RM100 mark, it may well be a drugstore brand, right?

Most beauty influencers and vloggers shared the sentiment that this Nyx foundation does a great job at providing your face full coverage with a blurring soft semi matte finish, similar to the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation. Retailing at RM65.10 for 13ml of product, it can be quite pricey compared to other drugstore options. But, if you’re looking for a product that feels light on the skin, hydrating yet mattifying, full coverage and long lasting, then why not give this a go?

 

Disclaimer: The prices stated above are taken at their normal prices. The pricing may slightly differ during sales/promotional periods.

This article was first featured on http://www.xtra.com.my on 18th September 2018