In Your Face!

By Cynthia Lee (Guest Blogger)

Are you getting deprived of sleep due to endless assignment due dates? Urgent deadlines at work? Or perhaps excessive exposure to the outdoors?

These are just some symptoms that we girls (and guys) have to encounter. The stress nevertheless does not end there. It shows in the face! Your absolute prized possession! People say that eyes are windows to your soul, but you must admit that before checking out a person's eyes the first thing you notice is usually their face. Plus, what with pollution, gravity and the inevitable aging, your skin's natural ability to heal itself lessens. And that's where Darcy and Jones comes in! They provide a huge amount of beauty products for you to protect your youthful beauty.

Some of my loots

Those plagued by nose blackheads and whiteheads can use the Shiseido Nose Mask. I've seen a few people with severe blackheads and whiteheads on their nose! It's so bad that upon looking at their faces you can literally see the heads standing up on their nose. It's really quite disturbing. (check own nose)

For face masks, they have a plethora of them! Remember, people usually stare at your face before anything else, so keep them looking young, fresh and with a bounce to your skin with these selection of masks!

Your body is made out of 75% water. Keep it hydated and nourished with Catena H2O Eight Cups of Water Series.

For those who love the scent of Lavender and Rose, they've got 2 masks just for that! Dainty Design Lavender Mask and Dainty Design Rose Mask.

If you're a fan of the famed BB Cream, they've got it in stock as well! Lohashill BB Cream comes in sample sizes for you first timer. Selling at RM7 for 5ml or RM55 for 50ml, the sample tube is perfect for newbies who would like to have a peek into the wonderful wonders of BB cream. Also great as a travelling kit. As I am a use of BB Cream myself (Missha), I personally feel it is a great replacement to liquid foundation for those who opt for a lighter make up application. It may not provide as much coverage compared to foundation, but there is always this essential item called concealer that we can use together to create the natural and flawless look ;)

Before | After

Using the Lohashill Rose Sun Blemish Balm with SPF20

Before | After

Using Lohashill Essential Blemish Balm

Fully BB-creamed. A more toned complexion and slight coverage of my overly enlarged pores ;(

Last but not least, our eyes. The very window to our soul.

Scary eye no? Baffled with puffy eyes?

Deck Out Women Eye Mask. Sad to say, it's sold out on their site but do drop them an email to see if they are able to restock it. :) I have personally tried this once only and it's rather difficult for me to tell you the result immediately, but I would say that sort of treatment is better than no treatment ;)

This is how it looks like, cooling gel pieces.
And you can refer to my uneven skin tone
as compared to the one which has been BB-fied.

Slow down aging now!
Check out Darcy and Jones for more beauty products created to make our skin glow!

Happy Shopping!

Cynthia Lee a.k.a Guest Blogger for YSK

Edited by YourShoppingKaki

Product Review: The Scarf Trend

By Cynthia Lee (Guest Blogger)

Product Review: A Trend To Scarf Down

Available at: Posh Chics

At the mention of scarves and shawls, please do not assume this is a post to teach you how to wear a tudung =D But I am keen to one day write a review on tudung perhaps =P I am a big fan of drapes. Mannequin draping, chair drapings, saree draping and all things I can drape.

My visual drapes at work

My ambitious head drapes =P

I have always love the invention of those small lil piece of cloth that comes in pretty colors - scarves. I suspect it could have been due to the constant folding of it at work place.

Neatly folded square scarves at work ;)

I have recently gotten some colorful scarves to add to my collection of scarves. Yes, I am a collector. After all, who can resist those fine prints on those glossy silk or chiffon? Great to wear as accessories, or even to frame up! ;)

While it is very easy to purchase scarfs or tudung online for those who wears it, it is often rare to find a site that sells 'decorative' scarves. These are slightly smaller in sizes (about 20" x 20") and definitely will be insufficient to cover a head fully. The most that it can cover would perhaps be used a bandanna.

So you may feel that it is very unnecessary to have this small little handkerchief lookalike piece of cloth that doesn't look like it can absorb sweat at all!

Ooh! Those vibrant colors shining on glossy silk!

The colourful collection from Posh Chics

And so you may ask what can you actually do with this piece of thing, that absorbs no sweat and covers no head. Personally there are a few functions that appeals to me:

• Liven up your dull attire - many of us prefer to don the all black ensemble due to many reason - to create slimmer look, due to work, you make very bad decision on colors or you simply hate colors =P

Add some color to your corporate blazer | Tied at the neck to replace the heavy necklaces ;)

Tied at the neck with knot in front and slipped into blouse and create a small collar

Create a wide collar with this rainbow scarf! | Do the Korean air-hostess style?

Of course, if you wish to wear these scarves, you are not confined to only wearing the funeral black attire. A black attire normally creates a good base for any other color except black color accessories ;)

You can also wear the scarves on any other attire with a single colored base. For example, match the polka dotted scarf with a lavender fitted blouse or round neck dress. Or match the rainbow colored scarf with a pink or orange top ;)

See how vintage wearers too don the scarf! ;)

(pic credit to Stellar)

• Add details to your bags - tie it anyhow you wish to add details to your monochrome hued bag. The finer prints of the scarf definitely bring a dash of fresh air to your favourite plain bag ;) There isn't a straight rule as to how you want it to be tied on. As long as it is secured and is pleasant to your creative mind and sight, it should be good enough. I have some pictures of how I tied mine ;)

tied the toga way | a knot on the handle

a knot on the handle | rainbow twisted handle! <3 <3

You can see this drape very often on blouse. Why not try on your bag ;)

The horizontal strap <3 <3

• Do the things people don't do! - yeah, be creative and wear as your creativity allows you to ;) After all, if quirky people wear neon colored tights with miniskirt and Crocs, why cant we wear the scarves anyhow we like?

Wear as a bikini top during your beach vacation

As a bandeau top

• Back to basic - and of course, the versatile scarf is most commonly used as a head tie since way back when the cowgirls are busy herding cows and feeding chickens ;)

Do the rabbit ear head-band tie, without the hard wire of course ;)

The milkmaid style?

And the prairie style

I hope by now you are super excited with these colorful prints of scarves. Because I am! I wish I had more time for more pictures on more ways to wear it, ridiculous or not! =P

Head on the Posh Chics
and pick your favourite scarf now!

Happy Shopping!

Cynthia a.k.a Guest Blogger for YSK

Edited by YourShoppingKaki

Product Review: Goodbye Bloodshot Eyes!

By Sabrina (Guest Blogger)

Product: Rohto V Arctic Eye Drops
From: Supermodel's Secrets
Price including delivery: RM48 (WM) | RM51 (EM)

intr.v. chick•ened Slang
To act in a cowardly manner;
Sentence example: My friends, despite being insanely excited to try the Rohto V eyedrop, chickened out of trying them after seeing my eyes squint shut and water and hearing me yell out, “Argh my eyes please just make it stop!”

But then again, I think they must have forgotten what dramatic reactions I’m known to have :P

I think Rohto V’s arrival on our shores is one of the most exciting in awhile simply because it’s the only one of its kind (that I know of). I remember reading about a “secret weapon” that supermodels used and swore by, an eye drop that whitens the whites of your eyes to a sparkly white and I was so intrigued. It just sounded so out there.

Over the years it’s slid from my mind, but then when Michelle brought these in I was so excited! Well actually, my friends were super excited because apparently they said that brighter eyes were scientifically more attractive to the opposite sex, and it gives them the impression of seeing right through your eyes, yada yada - I just smiled in amusement and teasingly said "I hope they don’t see through my eyes to the girl behind me". But they didn't back down. And enthusiasm is infectious. :P Which is why by the time I was roped in to review the Rohto V, I found myself squealing in excitement when the parcel arrived at my doorstep! *cue bloodshot eyes and girly scream*

BEFORE

I have no recollection of the thought processes as I tore open the package to try it, but I do remember my thoughts as I twisted the cap off and leaned back and started the process: *squeezing* why isn’t this little glass tubey thingy doing anything?? *squirts out* AAAAARGHH MY EYES!! *uses fingers to pry and keep the lids open to poor success* (please take note though I have the lowest pain threshold out of any single person I’ve ever met, if you pinch me I will cry).

Amidst the girly screams and flailing arms, I finally gave in and closed my lids as my body was begging me to. And then I had my first eyegasm. Apparently I was supposed to keep my eyes closed anyway, LOL. My eyes were still watering but I had Mentos in my eyes. The nicest cooling menthol feeling that I never thought my eyes were cut out to experience. I kept it shut and enjoyed the feeling for an extra five minutes for good measure (you don’t have to shut them that long) and when I opened them again, joy! It was like a magic eye fairy scooped out my bloodshot eyeball, dunked it in bleach and plopped it back in again, squeezing it into place. (I can see you squirming reading that masochist sentence :P) But really, the best part was how refreshed I felt – the feeling you get after a shower, and eating mint candy, centered on your eyes.

*flutters eyelashes prettily*

AFTER

Can you look through the windows of my souls better now 

after the Rohto V-induced ehem, window cleaning? :P

It definitely rids of all redness of my eyes, and I feel like the whites of my eyes are whiter, too. Although to be fair when I did the one-eye comparison test (used it on one eye only) and asked my brother which side was whiter and he keeps saying the “control” eye was, not the side in which I used the Rohto V. (But then again, aren’t 8 percent of males colour-blind? That could probably explain it, haha!) Or perhaps I asked him too soon after using, because I do notice that after using the eye drops, my eyes will be a lot more watery and redder than before, but give it time and it’ll be worth it :D By the way I just have to mention that when I tested it on him, his response and girly screams far surpassed mine.

chick•en

n.

a. The common domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) or its young.

b. My cowardly, possibly colour-blind brother.

My friends really enjoy it though – so the dear Rohto V drops have been passed on to those who appreciate it more. By appreciate, I really actually mean addicted. She says it really wakes her up first thing in the morning. It stings her to life *facepalm* It’s worrying, but she can’t stop using it every few hours. Literally, without any of my dramatic exaggerations. Readers, please don’t do this! For me, every time I used it was better and more tolerable than the last, and I can see how once you've passed the 5-times usage mark you'd be tempted to reach for it when your eyes are dry and when you're feeling sleepy and when you're bored and...

By the way, the packaging itself is way cute and just nice to add to the junk stashed in your handbag. I’m addicted to the twisty-clicky cover, clicking it open and clicking it shut. Haha. Rohto V actually has 4 lines in different levels of intensity – Hydra, Cool, Ice and Arctic. Cool combines redness relief with a gentle cooling sensation, with Artic being the most intense formula for red relief that they have. According to their official website, Arctic revives strained, overworked eyes and relieves redness with a more intense "pick me up" sensation. As far as I know though, Supermodels Secrets only carries the Arctic version :)

Note: Please please please don’t make a habit out of using this too much! It’s fine for those rare special occasions when you feel like you need those extra bright eyes for a boost, but definitely don’t use it every few hours everyday! These aren’t your usual lubricating eyedrops!

And if you’re a contact lens wearer, be sure to wait AT LEAST 15 minutes before putting them on for the drops to dissipate from the ocular surface – I guess that’s the downer for this eye drop. I’m sure most of the ones interested in it are the contact lens wearers because wearing them tend to dry out the eyes and make them creepily bloodshot, but if you plan on using them in the morning, factor in about 20 minutes for your getting-ready time. You could use that time to put on your face, it’s all about time management :) Oh and if you’re going to carry them around in your handbag for when you need them, make sure you bring along your solution and contact lens case too since they’re going to have to stay in the case for about 15 minutes (20 to be safe.) Do not under any circumstance use they eyedrops with your lens still on! And I really wouldn’t recommend using them when you have conjunctivitis or pinkeye.

But on the bright side –brighter eyes. LOL!

Ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: NAPHAZOLINE HYDROCHLORIDE 0.012% (REDNESS RELIEVER), POLYSORBATE 80 0.2% (LUBRICANT). INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ALCOHOL (0.1%), BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE, BORIC ACID, CHLOROBUTANOL, EDETATE DISODIUM, MENTHOL, PURIFIED WATER, SODIUM BORATE.

Warnings: For external use only. Ask a doctor before use if you have narrow angle glaucoma. When using this product: Do not touch tip of container to any surface to avoid contamination Replace cap after each use Do not use if solution changes color or becomes cloudy Overuse may cause more eye redness Pupils may become enlarged temporarily Remove contact lenses before using Stop use and ask a doctor if: you feel eye pain. changes in vision occur. Redness or irritation of the eyes lasts Condition worsens or lasts more than 72 hours Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Use only if imprinted carton overwrap with ROHTO is intact at time of purchase.

For the soon-to-be addicts reading this article, do comment below once you’ve had your first eyegasm, I’d love to hear all about it! :D Perhaps my friends will team up to make a Rohto Fan Club - every person who's tried my eye drops have become converts! Well except my brother, of course. ;P

“Whatever you did last night... Your eyes won’t give it away!”

Supermodel's Secrets Beauty Store"
SS Gallery: 1st Floor, 41A, Jalan SS 15/4B, Subang Jaya
Website : http://www.supermodelmy.com
Blog    : http://www.supermodels-secrets.com +6016 280 1990 (SMS/Whatsapp)
 talk2us@supermodels-secrets.com
 @supermodels_secrets
 http://www.facebook.com/iloveSupermodel2u

Happy Shopping!
Sabrina a.k.a. Guest Blogger for YSK
Edited by YourShoppingKaki :)

Video!

I'm a bit backlogged with uni assignments and YSK work, but I'm always up for appreciating something different and praiseworthy - in this case, Lazyshop Fashion made a video of their photoshoot and uploaded it on YouTube. :D Not very lazy at all, lol!

Check it out:

Excellent way to market their online store! :D Here's hoping to see more videos from blogshops, hehe!

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Bazaar Alert: Millennium Bazaar @ Millennium Square

We really do love bazaars! :D There's something exquisite and exciting about seeing items we usually see online - touch it, try it on for size, see all angles and the real colour - and it's fun to meet our favourite blogshop owners too! :D

So here's a heads up on one of the newest events in town!

Bazaar @ Millennium Square, PJ

When?
9 & 10 April 2011
Saturday & Sunday

What time?
11am-7pm

Where?
Millennium Square, Jalan 14/1, Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya 46100
(directly above OK24 convenience store)
*Click here to see map*

The bazaar organizers are calling for vendors to fill the 50 booths now, so here are a few things I think are great about joining this event:

• This is a FULLY INDOOR event: This means air-conditioning (yay!) and it doesn't matter whether it rains or shines! :)
• Changing rooms: This makes shoppers happy! If you're worried about your items being damaged, take a leaf out of Sungei Wang's fitting rules - if it's white, it can't be tried on - and if it's below a certain price, it can't be tried on either. If you're worried about losing count of the items you let shoppers borrow to try on, keep the hanger to keep the count!
  
• Great location: Only 2 minutes from the old Jaya Supermarket (now a construction site) and Digital Mall - which means famous landmarks that most people will know how to get to.
• Crowd-ready area: Located directly adjacent to an apartment complex of 440 apartments, with the majority of the tenants being students, they'll be sure to go to Millennium Square to check out the bazaar for sure! :D
  

For more information, please visit their Facebook page or contact millenniumbazaar@gmail.com. :) Do leave a comment below if you're participating at the event!

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)

Product Review: Diva Essential - Oh Those Nails!

By Cynthia Lee (Guest Blogger)

Product: Nail Polish
Available at: Nail Fiesta

At the mention of Nail Fiesta, who is still unaware of this wonderful, colourful website that dominates the local blogshop scenes with pretty painted nails. With brands like Zoya, OPI, Orly and NuBar to name a few, you are spoilt for choices with the exxxxxxtensive range of colors!

Are you familiar with these images?

Just between you and me, I have never been a fan of nail polish. Why? Because I am never good at painting it, despite being in a job that requires me to play with colors daily! And I am seriously dead lazy in even cutting nails at times =P

I had gotten some range of nail polishes for this review from Nail Fiesta. Please pardon my lesser than artistic nail painting technique. I must admit after much trial and error, nail painting seems like some fun thing to do! ;)

Zoya, Nubar, OPI and Orly from Nail Fiesta!

It is amazing how nail polishes nowadays are so advanced in technology that nail polish manufacturers no longer only produces the reds and the blacks and the whites, but the pastel and the glitters and the crackling ones too!

As I am merely an amateur nail polish wearer, I find it hard to dabble with slightly diluted varnish. The OPI Banana Bandanna was tad too diluted for my liking and till now I still wonder how did they manage to create this glossy yet solid surface which I so fancy!

The outcome as displayed in Nail Fiesta. Oh so Banana!!

My attempt herewith - the single layer of yellow looking frail -__-

And thence, with much perseverance and blog stalking and tutorials and Facebook advise, I attempted again. And voila! I got the creamy banana hue on my nails! Awwh.. it isn't that hard after all. All it needed was some practise and patience. The tip to handling these slightly diluted varnish is to put a coat and let dry completely. Not partially dry. But really dried. Then only do you layer again with another coat. Perhaps, everyone does the same method, and I am merely not aware of that =P

The much better attempt ;)

OPI - Banana Bandanna from the BRIGHTS collection - RM33

This cement colored varnish from Nubar is my favourite of all. The Nubar varnish come slightly thick and is easy to apply for first timer like me. It claims to be Formaldehyde, Phthalate & Toluene free (of which Toluene is similar to paint thinner). So if anyone of you are sensitive towards these chemical substance, you are safe from it! However, do heed advice first because, I am not sure if each bottle is free from these substance or only a certain collection :) I particularly like the texture of the Nubar varnish and the almost-matte appearance it gives after dry.

Nubar - Citadel (NF 275) which is from the Fortress collection - RM29

Can you see how clean is the surface of the grey varnish? Great for amateur!

(on flash)

The Zoya varnish in Dusty Rose (most probably it is not called Dusty Rose, I simply gave the name as it reminds me of dusty roses! =P ) is so pretty and I can imagine wearing floral dresses and licking lollipop to compliment this hue. Perfect shades for those who likes their fingers to look as glossy as their lip balm ;)

Despite being slighty diluted, this is also easily applied without creating uneven textures. A single coat for those who wants a sheer luminance and not so visible to eye appearance. Add on another coat for more intensity. The sparkling particles in the varnish enhances the gloss after drying. In fact I notice most of the Zoya range have got these sparkling particles that makes it shimmery at all times :)

Love the creamy texture yet glossy!

The last bottle of varnish I had was from Orly in Margharita. I would assume most of us are familiar at the mention of the brand Orly which has been in the market for some very long time. It has the thickest texture of all that I have tried. Thick is normally good as it means you need not re-coat for multiple time to achieve the solid surface :)

However, it is slightly too thick in my opinion as I am not as fast when it comes to applying it. Hence it tend to get dried up before I can coat half the nail. But there is no denying the color is intense and it gives a layer of luxurious sheen to it ;)

The Orly range is also slightly pricier (from RM29 to RM39) than the above, considering that it does give you a 'luxurios sheen' ;) Totally fit for the diva community =P

Orly - in Margharita

These are just a handful of colors and brands available in Nail Fiesta.

Head on to Nail Galore to get some inspiration on all the pretty color swatches. And when you think you are ready, direct yourself immediately to Nail Fiesta and be prepared to spend at least 2 hours clicking through shades and shades of pretty pastel, funky retro hues, elegant shades and many more fanciful colors awaiting you.

Note: The above review are merely the depiction from someone who is new to the world of mani-pedi. The results may vary depending on your choice of collection and your skills obviously ;)

Advise: While it is fun to play with nail polish, it is adviseable not to be too adventurous and try to smell every bottle you own. I just did and it is not pleasant. Extremely hazardous O.o

Happy Shopping!

Cynthia a.k.a. Guest Blogger for YSK

Edited by YourShoppingKaki

Shoes, shoes, shoes!

There are some things in life that are universally agreed to be "never big enough" - bank account totals, wardrobes, bag collections, and shoe cupboards.

I wish I had one of those humongous shoe cupboards that celebrities have, the kind you walk into and you're surrounded by four walls of shoes, shoes, and shoes! :D Unfortunately, my shoe cupboard only reaches to my knees and is overstuffed with shoes... leaving the rest of my poor darling shoes in their own shoeboxes in... *gasp* the storeroom.

Shoe mistreatment aside, the reason why we womenkind need shoe cupboards larger than kitchens is because shoes are just so beautiful, so dangerously attractive ... that this kind of promotion at Mezzanine Time is perfect for us! :)

Mezzanine Time - Clearance Sale & Special Luxury Shoes Pre-Order!

Mezzanine Luxury Shoes Pre-Order

These shoes are making my jaw drop! From boots to pumps and wedges to sandals, there isn't a design that isn't here - so knock your socks off and slip into a new pair of shoes or two! :D

These shoes are also very competitively priced in my opinion! :) For quality assured goods, it's between RM50-RM200 at Mezzanine Time.

Happy Shopping!
Your Shopping Kaki :)