Author

Carol RHM

in Beauty & Fashion, Skincare

Beauty + Events: A Day of Pampering with the Beauty Guide Tour 2015!

June 25, 2015

When we moved to Malaysia last year and finally got settled, I found myself thinking about how I miss Manila and my regular hangouts. The nail salon that has branches everywhere in Metro Manila – always so convenient for me to just drop by where I’m nearest to, anytime I’m in need of a manicure – my favourite waxing place, my go-to place for a massage, etc.

Oh, and how could I forget Oliver – the only person I trust when it comes to trimming my curls. (In case you’re in Manila, you can find him at Vivere Salon in Megamall)

A few weeks into moving here, I found myself with really long nails sporting chipped nail polish. A month later, I had dry hair and my curls were starting to become unruly. Oh, and don’t get me started on my need for waxing back then. Moving into a new country, starting from scratch, and trying out new things can be pretty exciting but when it comes to beauty-related services, I find it hard to take risks. I only want the best services as I cannot stand another waxing accident (more on that later) or a bad hair cut.

Along came Beauty Guide, a website that was brought to my attention by none other than my sister (all the way in Denmark!). A friend of hers recently put it up in Malaysia and was starting to make waves among beauty and personal care aficionados in the country.

Since I signed up late last year, I never had problems when it comes to where to go for any kind of service. I simply just click on what I want, where I want it, and voila – fail-safe recommendations! I love how I can review and also see what other Beauty Guide users are saying about the establishment as well.

Imagine my delight when I was recently invited for a Beauty Guide event where they took us around the city for a beauty day out. The best part? I got to do it with my friends. <3

The day started out at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Bangsar Village II. We had a little meet up and my friend Tammy found out early on  the best part of her goody bag:

Beauty Guide, Beauty Guide Malaysia, Beauty Guide Tour, #BeautyGuideTour2015, Strip Malaysia, Waxing, Strip Waxing, Bangsar, Mandara Spa, Massage, Sunway, WIP, Food, Foodie, Where to Eat, Bangsar Shopping Centre, ApronBay, ApronBay Nail Salon, Nail Salon Bangsar, Manicure, Pedicure

I approve of this! Haha! Kidding, la! 😉

Beauty Guide, Beauty Guide Malaysia, Beauty Guide Tour, #BeautyGuideTour2015, Strip Malaysia, Waxing, Strip Waxing, Bangsar, Mandara Spa, Massage, Sunway, WIP, Food, Foodie, Where to Eat, Bangsar Shopping Centre, ApronBay, ApronBay Nail Salon, Nail Salon Bangsar, Manicure, Pedicure

Off to start our day of pampering! But first, a #selfie with Arpita and Miriam! 😉

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in Expat Life, KL Food

Foodie Advisory: Australian MasterChef Adam Liaw Makes His Food Truck Debut

June 23, 2015

Adam Liaw, Mission Foods, Food Truck, Wraps, Food Truck Klang Valley, Food Truck Kuala Lumpur, Wraps, Dinner, Lunch, Light Dinner, Light Lunch, Asian Fusion, MasterChef, MasterChef Australia, Laksa, Rendang, Prawns, Chicken, Lamb, Hummus, Kimchi, Beef,

It’s like everywhere I go these days, food trucks are all the rage. From Manila to Kuala Lumpur, the latest buzz among foodies usually involves where to find food trucks that sell awesome food for dirt-cheap prices.

Recently, I was invited to try out Australian MasterChef Adam Liaw’s creations for a new food truck that will be going around Kuala Lumpur starting this June. Of course, I had to say yes to the invitation. I love watching MasterChef every time I catch it on TV. The kiddie edition even features kids who can cook way better than me. And it’s always great to learn from people who know better – even though they’re not really chefs or might be over a decade younger than you. 😉

Adam is the winner of the Australian MasterChef season 2. He gained popularity due to his artistic ability when it comes to food and for his Asian fusion dishes.

He was recently commissioned by Mission Foods, one of the largest producers of corn flour and tortilla wraps to create a menu for the Mission-sponsored food truck.

Adam’s menu consists of the following:

Laksa Fried Chicken Wrap with Pineapple Salsa

Adam Liaw, Mission Foods, Food Truck, Wraps, Food Truck Klang Valley, Food Truck Kuala Lumpur, Wraps, Dinner, Lunch, Light Dinner, Light Lunch, Asian Fusion, MasterChef, MasterChef Australia, Laksa, Rendang, Prawns, Chicken, Lamb, Hummus, Kimchi, Beef,

My personal favourite! I thought this was going to be too spicy for me but it was actually very pleasant – both in taste and texture. Each piece of chicken is marinated with the special laksa paste that Adam developed and the fresh, pineapple salsa is just divine.

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in Uncategorized

Fitness + In Photos: Impulse Studio is now in KL Sentral!

June 22, 2015

Bangsar, Easy Workout, Effective Workout, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, EMS, EMS Training, Fast Workout, Fitness, Full Body Workout, Gym, Health, Impulse Studio, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Gym, Malaysia, Malaysia Fitness, Modern Workout, Muscle Training, New Workout, Strength, Tone Muscles, Workout, Workout Video, XBody, KL Sentral, Platinum Sentral,

Just thought I’d share the great news with you guys! The gym I go to, Impulse Studio, has opened a branch right in the middle of the city – which means it’s now nearer to where I live! Just a short monorail ride away.

Oh, and that means no more excuses for me when it comes to exercising. 😉

You can now do your Electric Muscular Stimulation (EMS) training at Impulse Studio in Platinum Sentral, a building connected to the KL Sentral station. Yay for easy access! (Especially for people like me who can’t drive myself to places. Haha!)

(RELATED POST: Fitness + Photos: Major Improvements Just After 12 EMS Training/Workout Sessions (20 mins each) Later!)

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Travel: Cebu and Bohol for the 2nd Ambassador's Tour
in Asia, Bohol, Cebu, Travel

Travel: Cebu and Bohol for the 2nd Ambassador’s Tour

June 19, 2015
3 Comments

I’m an island girl through and through. I’ll always love the sand, the sea, and the all-year-round sun. Though we’re posted in Malaysia which is a tropical country with its own beaches, I must admit that I do miss the islands back home.

There’s just something about the Philippines that makes me want to go back and so I do grab any chance I get, mind you.

In early May, I was part of the 2nd Ambassador’s Tour hosted by – you guessed it – our embassy’s Ambassador. Following the success of the first one (held in 2014) wherein he brought 112 Malaysian tourists to Manila and its nearby provinces, the Philippine Embassy and our tourism representative here in Kuala Lumpur decided to bring even more people this year to Cebu and Bohol – two of the island provinces in central Philippines.

It’s quite easy to travel between islands these days in the Philippines with better ports and more ferries available. 😉

This time, the group was mixed with other expats. We even had quite a huge Thai delegation with us during the tour and a good number of Filipino expats who’ve been staying in Malaysia for 20 or so years.

I was lucky enough to be invited to join as a.) part of the embassy and b.) part of the media delegation. Being part of the embassy meant that I got to help our ambassador, our cultural attache, and our economic attache in bringing the humungous tour group from one place to another.

I also got the task of doing the PR for the whole trip. Side story: It’s a running joke nowadays that I’m the embassy’s publicist. But that’s cool since I do enjoy helping out by using my media experience. Better to get so busy than end up being rusty. 😉

It also meant that I helped in taking good care of the media whom I immediately bonded with during the trip.

We had a packed itinerary as there was so much to see in just 4 days. But we were determined to make it happen! And we did! Though it was hella tiring for us, there is really a sense of fulfilment when you get to do a bit of good for your country. (As cheesy as that sounds)

It’s a passion of mine to promote our islands to tourists and counter all the bad press we’ve been getting. There’s a certain charm to it, I tell you and you’ll see proof in the photos that I will be posting. 😉

So without further yapping (Notice how I tend to ramble? It’s the same when I’m talking IRL.), let me quickly go through some of the reasons why you should consider Cebu and Bohol for your next vacation! 😉

VITAMIN SEA

This sounds so much like a hard sell but it’s actually true: The Philippines has some of the best beaches in the world. And I’m not just talking about Boracay. We’ve got island sanctuaries that are the farthest thing from the word ‘touristy’. Some of them can be found just a short boat ride from Cebu City.

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in Beauty & Fashion

Beauty + Review: Shu Uemura Skin: Fit Foundation (Perfect for Summer!)

June 8, 2015

Shu Uemura, Shu Uemura Foundation, Skin:Fit, Skin Fit Foundation, Foundation for Oily Skin, Lightweight Foundation, SPF, Long-Lasting Foundation, Breathable Formula, Anti-Ageing, Beauty, Makeup, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Launch, Event

I’ve had my ups and downs with foundation. From not liking it to having to wear the thickest of its kind back when I was doing TV reporting, to finding the ones that I would actually like.

And one thing is for sure: For me to freely fork out money on a foundation, it has to be good to my skin. Nothing too harsh or too heavy (so over that!). Over time, I’ve met a couple who have met the criteria but I’ve often wished for a formula that would also feel lightweight and would let my skin breathe throughout the day. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt too if it’s long-lasting, right?

Back then, I felt that those things were too much to ask. You can always get a lightweight foundation but you can bet your your toes it won’t be lasting you for more than 4 hours in this humid Southeast Asian weather. You can get a thicker, long-lasting kind but that would just make your skin feel suffocated throughout the day.

Shu Uemura, Shu Uemura Foundation, Skin:Fit, Skin Fit Foundation, Foundation for Oily Skin, Lightweight Foundation, SPF, Long-Lasting Foundation, Breathable Formula, Anti-Ageing, Beauty, Makeup, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Launch, Event

So when I got the invite for Shu Uemura‘s launch for their new foundation, I’d have to admit that I had my doubts. A foundation that has all the things I’ve been wishing for? You’ve got to be pulling my leg!

But alas, I am amazed. By now, it’s pretty obvious that I will be raving about this product. But I suggest you read all the way till the end to see what it’s all about. Oh, and you guys do know that I nitpick, right?

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in Expat Life, KL Shopping

Events + Store Sneak Peek: Malabar Gold and Diamonds Opens in Kuala Lumpur

June 4, 2015

Malabar, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Jewels, Jewelry, Jewellery, Jewellery Store in Kuala Lumpur, Gold, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Sapphire, Pearls, Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kareena Kapoor Khan,

Ah, jewellery. Such pretty investments.

I’m all for the “treat ‘yo self” thing going around the internet these days as life can’t just be all about work and no play. So why not, right? As long as you can afford it.

I do love jewellery but I have yet to buy a piece that I can call my own since my collection is composed of my wedding and engagement rings from my husband and some pretty pieces from my grandma and mother in law. I love looking at jewellery and commenting about design and gem cuts but I guess I’m still in the receiving stage. 😉

 

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in Beauty & Fashion, Makeup

Beauty: Burt’s Bees Lip Crayon Review (4/6 shades)! Plus: Get your own at a DISCOUNT with this code!

June 3, 2015

Burt's Bees, Lip Crayon, Lip Colour, Makeup, Beauty, Natural, Organic, Cosmetics, Review, Blogger, Recommendations, Diplomat's Wife, Swatches, Lipstick, Hydrating,

It took a while but finally – Burt’s Bees’ Lip Crayons have finally reached our side of the world! I was lucky enough to be invited at the launch, held at Marini’s in Suria KLCC a couple of weeks ago.

Afternoon tea + blogger friends + makeup. What more can a girl ask for, right?

Burt's Bees, Lip Crayon, Lip Colour, Makeup, Beauty, Natural, Organic, Cosmetics, Review, Blogger, Recommendations, Diplomat's Wife, Swatches, Lipstick, Hydrating,

Six colours were introduced – Hawaiian Smolder, Napa Vineyard, Redwood Forest, Carolina Coast, Niagara Overlook, and Sedona Sands.

My friends and I had fun swatching the  colours during the event but since the lighting at the venue was way too yellow, getting you good pictures that are true-to-colour was quite impossible. But fret not! I took some just yesterday under natural light. And there will be a review of 4 out of the 6 shades that they came out with in this post. 😉 I made the extra effort because you know I love you guys, right? *virtual hugs for my readers*

Burt's Bees, Lip Crayon, Lip Colour, Makeup, Beauty, Natural, Organic, Cosmetics, Review, Blogger, Recommendations, Diplomat's Wife, Swatches, Lipstick, Hydrating,

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in Beauty & Fashion

Hair: La Biosthetique’s Scalp Treatment at Andy Ho Haute Coiffure

May 29, 2015

La Biosthetique, Hair Care, Salon, Salon Exclusive Products, High End Hair Care Products, Body Care, Face, Shampoo, Conditioner, Beauty, Andy Ho, Andy Ho Haute Coiffure, French Products, Scalp Treatment,

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to La Biosthetique’s Press Launch held in Damansara Perdana. I was thrilled, of course, as La Biosthetique is one of the salon-exclusive brands that I trust and I’m happy to find them here in Malaysia!

La Biosthetique, Hair Care, Salon, Salon Exclusive Products, High End Hair Care Products, Body Care, Face, Shampoo, Conditioner, Beauty, Andy Ho, Andy Ho Haute Coiffure, French Products, Scalp Treatment,

It’s always so comforting to know that there’s a go-to brand you can choose in a salon even when you’re in a different country. 😉 I’ve trusted La Biosthetique ever since it was first introduced to me in Europe a couple of years ago and my impression hasn’t changed.

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in Beauty & Fashion

Beauty: ISKIN New York’s LipAddict Voluptuous Lip Plumper Review

May 27, 2015

ISKIN, ISKIN New York, Lip Gloss, Lip Addict, Lip Plumper, Voluptuous Lip Plumper, Makeup, Skin Care, Review, Blogger, Diplomat's Wife,

Kylie Jenner lips are all the rage these days. But let me just put this out there: There’s a fine line between plump, healthy-looking lips and channeling Daisy Duck. There, I said it. Hit me, Kardashian/Jenner fans. 😛

I’m a fan of healthy-looking lips with just the right amount of plump. 😉 And speaking of plump lips, I was given a tube of ISKIN NewYork’s LipAddict Lip Addict Voluptuous Lip Plumper a while back to try and review.

It did take me a while to actually give it a whirl as normally, I’m more of a lipstick than a gloss kind of girl. In fact, I need the proper mood and hairstyle (all braided up or tied so it won’t stick to my lips when KL decides to be windy) for trying glosses. 😛

ISKIN, ISKIN New York, Lip Gloss, Lip Addict, Lip Plumper, Voluptuous Lip Plumper, Makeup, Skin Care, Review, Blogger, Diplomat's Wife,So on a bright, windy, and busy day in KL, I decided to braid my hair and see whether this gloss will live up to its promise of ‘plumping’ my lips. The info sheet it came with even discouraged women from getting lip injections since you can get the same effect with the product. Wow. That’s a pretty big promise and I was actually curious whether the gloss can live up to it.

I was given the shade ‘Sexy Seductress‘. Hmm. Sounds rather flirty, doesn’t it? *side glance* And the colour is actually rather seductive – a cross between a sexy pink and a bright red.

ISKIN, ISKIN New York, Lip Gloss, Lip Addict, Lip Plumper, Voluptuous Lip Plumper, Makeup, Skin Care, Review, Blogger, Diplomat's Wife,

ISKIN New York is quite known in the skin care department so I was quite surprised when I was given this product to review. I was told, however, that this gloss is also good for my lips as it has anti-ageing properties and even hyaluronic acid and marine collagen to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day.

The LipAddict also contains peptide which penetrates the top layer of your lips to create new collagen. Continued use of the gloss promises to make your lips smoother and look fuller.

With that said, here’s a quickie review on ISKIN NewYork’s LipAddict Lip Addict Voluptuous Lip Plumper:

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