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Beauty & Fashion

in Beauty & Fashion, Hair, Skincare

Beauty: Current bath time loves + Quick updates

September 20, 2014

Well, hello there everyone. First, just a short thank you for keeping up with me and reading this blog. Seriously. I didn’t really expect much of a turn out but apparently, people have been reading some of my posts and the feedback I’m getting is just heartwarming. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙂

Also, I just wanted to update you that I tried a new workout yesterday called Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) at Impulse Studio in Bangsar. It’s one of the most intense workouts I’ve tried so far – it lasts for only 20 minutes and is already equal to 4 hours at a normal gym! So yeah, I’m pretty much sore today. But I’m loving the feeling and I can’t wait to go back! Too bad we’ll be out of town for two weeks (will tell you guys about this later on) so I’ll be missing some precious fitness time. But come early October, I’m gonna be back there again. Do check out their site to learn more about EMS and if you want to try it out for free, just mention my blog at the counter and they will give you a free trial. 😉

I’ll write more about the experience soon so watch out for that.

Anyhoo, off to today’s beauty post: I obsess over beauty and skin care as much as my husband obsesses over tech stuff and appliances. The way he reads reviews and researches about his future buys is practically the same method I apply for my beauty-related purchases. We’re not the type to splurge on stuff we really don’t think is worth it after all. To me, beauty is not just about putting on the right makeup or having a gorgeous haircut. You always have to start with clean skin and hair so everything starts from the bath – everyday.

While I don’t have the luxury of using the bath tub every single day, I make sure I have ample time to enjoy my showers. Getting to scrub every nook and cranny of my skin is actually invigorating, relaxing, and very satisfying – or am I just weird. I dunno. Tell me you’re with me on this. While I often get compliments for having clear skin and bouncy hair, I know for a fact that they won’t last unless I take good care of them. And before you use any other product on your skin and hair, it’s best to make sure that you’re really clean. I can’t imagine how a moisturiser or a hair serum (no matter how good they are) to work properly when there’s dust and dirt on you.

They just won’t be able to penetrate. So for this one, I just wanted to share my current favourite bath time buddies which I get from Sephora here in Malaysia. I’m a huge Sephora fan and I would always stop by at at least one store every time I visited family in Europe just to stock up on essentials that I don’t get in Manila. I love how almost everything I need can be bought under one roof – especially my bath time essentials like this little baby:

Sephora Fizzing Bath Cube – Peony (RM5, Php68.83, US1.55, EUR1.20)

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in Beauty & Fashion, Expat Life, Fashion, KL What to Do, OOTD

Happenings + OOTD: Vision KL 18th Anniversary

August 22, 2014

Photo wall! Strike an (awkward) pose! 😉

Last night, the husband and I attended the Vision KL Anniversary Party at Signature by the Hill (The Roof). It made me totally excited cos it meant that I can wear something that’s not too formal for a change. The husband was tasked to attend the party in place of the our Ambassador who had a prior commitment. So, yay! Lucky, lucky!

Vision KL is a popular magazine-slash-city guide here in Kuala Lumpur. They have over a million readers and has been around for 18 years.

I loved Signature by the Hill’s interior. It’s pretty chill with striking elements. Like this:

An LED-lighted tree. It changes colour every couple of seconds.

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in Beauty & Fashion, Skincare

Beauty: Ziaja Phytoaktiv Cleansing Milk Review

August 11, 2014

Totally loving Ziaja’s Phytoaktiv Cleansing Milk!

I’m crazy about beauty, skin care products, and makeup. I don’t know if that’s already obvious but just in case people haven’t figured that out yet, I just wanna put it out there. 😉

I have this habit of changing my cleanser, moisturiser, and toner every couple of months. I was told by a dermatologist once that it is important to keep your skin on your toes and keep it from eventually becoming immune to products. She told me that using the exact same product over and over again reduces its effectivity on your skin. I’ve been following that advice for years and I am happy to report that my naturally dry skin is still very much clear and has never had a massive breakout – ever. (Just in case you are wondering, I apply the same principle to my hair. I change our shampoo and conditioner every couple of months as well.)

For my birthday last June, my friend Michaela got me Ziaja skincare products – the Phytoaktiv Cleansing Milk and their Argan Oil Moisturiser (I’ve been going through an Argan Oil addiction phase). I haven’t gotten around to using the moisturiser as I have yet to finish my current product. So for now, I’ll be reviewing the cleanser.

Ziaja is a Polish brand known for producing “pharmaceuticals and high-quality cosmetics based on natural ingredients for face, body and hair care”.

This 200ml bottle can last you for over 2 months (I still haven’t finished my bottle after opening it on June 25)

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in Beauty & Fashion, Diplomatic Incidents, Events

On Diplomatic Events + Egyptian National Day #OOTD

August 7, 2014

It is only now that I realised how long I have been attending diplomatic events – National Days in particular. For someone who’s not a diplomat per se, I’ve had my fair (ok, maybe more than fair) share of diplomatic parties back when I was working as a journalist.

When I married my husband, it was like sealing the deal: I’ll be attending these things for the next couple of decades or so. Not that I’m complaining. I find such events fun and very informative – a chance to learn about other cultures – and to make new friends.

To be honest about it, Diplomatic Events (be it National Days or cultural showcases) are very important. Whether you show up or not can be deemed a statement (so always RSVP!), friendships are made, bilateral relationships are strengthened, meetings are set over food, introductions that can lead to new and important projects between governments and private organisations are made, ideas are born, and some important talks and exchanges of views between diplomats are done on the sidelines. It’s not just a party as how some people would describe it. It’s so much more.

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