Jenn Asks: Where are you from?

it's been awfully long since my last "cue" (can you believe it's been 2 years already!), so I thought i'd revive this! :P

Basically this is where I stop yapping and hand the stage over to YOU! :D Feel free to share your thoughts on the question of the week! :D

I shall begin by the very basic...

Where are you from? :D

Me? As most of you already know, I'm from Penang...

... founded by Francis Light:



... which is basically just a little island:



... known for its Asam Laksa:



... and char koay teow:




ok /abruptendofpost because I got hungry looking at the pics! >.<

It's over to you now! Where are you from? :D


ps: looking back at the old "It's ya Cue" banner sends chills down my spine... it's so geli (horrible)!!! >.<

Product Review: Maybelline Pulse Perfection Waterproof Vibrating Mascara in 01 Black

At a Glance:
Price: RM59.90 (approx. US$20)
Weight: 6.5ml / 0.22 Oz
Made in: China
Likes: Volumizes and curls well, nice waterproof formula (doesn't feel "crunchy")
Gripes: Applicator takes some getting used to (a little longer than usual), clumps
Repurchase: No



Ingredients:




Product Description

NA


Directions:




Color & Pigmentation:
This comes in only one color currently, which is the 01 Black shade. It is richly pigmented! :)

Texture & Scent:
The texture of this mascara is a little goopy, so you'll need to clean off the excess with a piece of tissue paper. It holds the curls and volumizes quite well, but unfortunately i find that it clumps easily too. Combing your lashes through with a lash comb and slowly adding on the layers instead of putting on one thick coat will yield better results.

Thankfully this one doesn't have a very strong chemical scent! :)

Packaging:


This mascara comes in the usual tube with an applicator attached to its cap. This being a vibrating mascara, there is a button on the cap which you press to start the vibrations and release when you're done :)



I have an issue with the applicator. Because it's longer than most of the other mascaras, it takes some practice before i stopped smearing mascara every now and then all over my eye area! lol!



This mascara comes in a box:



Time Test:
This mascara lasts the entire day on my lashes.

Price & Availability:
This mascara costs RM59.90 and is available at all Maybelline displayers in Watsons, Guardian, as well as your local pharmacies / supermarket :)


My $0.02:

This is my first ever Vibrating mascara! Me being a sucker for discounted items naturally HAD to pick this up when it was going for just RM45.90 sometime earlier. Whoots! :D

I know I'm very late unto the vibrating mascara bandwagon, but after my *meh* experience with the Lancome Oscillation mascara two years ago I just couldn't be bothered until now! lol!

So how did this baby fared for me?

While i think that the vibrating function did help to boost volume and I like how it doesn't leave my lashes feeling all crunchy and dry (like alot of other waterproof mascaras do), I find the formula a little too clumpy and thick for my liking. Cleaning the excess off prior to applying will make it a little better, but you still need a lash comb!

Ok, as usual, here's a bunch of pics for you to judge for yourself (no lash comb used):











A lash comb and some patience are your best friends when using this mascara. Personally, this is just an okay mascara for me so i don't think i'll be repurchasing.

Product Review: The Face Shop Cereal Sesame Mask Sheet

At a Glance:
Price: RM6.90 (approx. US$2.09)
Weight: 20ml / 0.67 Fl. Oz.
Made in: Korea
Likes: Super moisturizing, really brightens face! :D
Gripes: Sheet doesn't fit my face well, funky smell, contains alcohol
Repurchase: Yes



Ingredients:


Product Description

Sesame extract hydrates and softens dry, rough skin

The Benefits of Sesame: Known for its savory taste and nutrient riches, Sesame is also rich in Vitamin E and essential Amino acids which help hydrate and illuminate skin.

Made from all natural pulp for the gentle delivery of Sesame extract, this nutrient-rich cereal mask sheet hydrates and softens skin.


Directions:





Texture & Scent:
This mask is drenched in essence, so be careful whilst removing it from the pack. The essence sinks right in after using it, and i like how it doesn't leave a sticky film on the skin.

This has a horrible, sweetish scent that i don't like! >.<

Packaging:


This mask is individually packed into their respective foil packs and is sold by the piece. Like the other masks from this brand, the mouth part is ridiculously huge:



Time Test:
15-20 minutes!

Price & Availability:
This mask is priced at RM6.90 each and is available at all The Face Shop outlets.


My $0.02:

This has gotta be my favourite one out of all the sheet masks from this range! It moisturizes sufficiently, but what I love most about this one is its brightening properties - it really, really brightened my skin! :D

I was having a brain fart and actually forgotten to take a picture of myself after using this mask, so you just gotta take my word for it! :P

Despite its atrocious scent and alcohol content, i actually may consider repurchasing this one because I really love how it brightens the skin, especially if it goes on sale! Will post a pic of how i look like then when it happens! :D

FOTD #68

Here's a rare FOTD from mua! Lol! Had a week off from the office, so I decided to play with some colors! :D

I rediscovered my love for the MAC Pink Swoon blush, which is as pretty to look at as it is on the cheeks! :D   I also used quite abit of products for the first time since I've brought them home (some almost a year later *gulps*), so here it goes! :D





Stuff I used:



Face:
Pond's Magic Powder
MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder (MAC 136)
MAC Fix+

Cheeks:
MAC Blush in Pink Swoon (MAC 187SE)
MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Eversun (contour, applied with the MAC 138)
MAC Beauty Powder in Light Sunshine (highlight, applied with the MAC 138)

Brows:
Daiso Eyebrow Pencil in 738 Dark Brown

Eyes:



1. MAC Eyeshadow in Vanilla (MAC 239)
2. MAC Eyeshadow in Going Bananas (MAC 239)
3. MAC Eyeshadow in Lucky Green (MAC 239)
4. MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Dark Indulgence (MAC 239 & 226)
5. MAC Eyeshadow in Modelette (MAC 226)
6. Maybelline Hypersharp Liner
Sana Eyelash Curler
7. Maybelline Pulse Perfection Waterproof Vibrating Mascara in 01 Black (Then combed out with the TBS Lash Comb)

Lips:



MAC Prep + Prime Lips
MAC Lipstick in Ever Hip
MAC Lipglass in Strange Potion


Thats all for now! :D Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysians today! Did you all get the day off? What plans do yall have? To the rest of you girls out there, have a wonderful weekend! :D

Reader Question: Why is alcohol in skin care products bad for the skin?

Some of you observant readers will know that I prefer my skin care products without alcohol (no surprise really because I think I sound like a broken record already, repeating that so very often! Hehehe!). I got quite a few questions on this - some asked why alcohol is bad for the skin, and others asked why am I so afraid of alcohol in my skin care products. Well I don't claim to be an expert in chemistry (in fact, i almost failed chemistry in high school! :P), but these are my humble thoughts.


What alcohol in skin care product does to my skin... T_T


Before I start, let me clarify something - not all ingredient that has "alcohol" in it is bad. One good example is fatty alcohols such as Cetearyl and Stearyl alcohol which serves as thickeners or emollients that help to retain moisture in the skin, so these are ok to have. Another example is vitamin based alcohols, such as Retinol (Vitamin A), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Panthenol (Vitamin B5). These are "good" alcohols to have in your skin care products, although some people may experience sensitivity to them.

The group of alcohol that sends me running towards the other side of the room is the straight up "pure" alcohol - ethanol, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, or just simply "alcohol"! When these alcohols are among the top 5 ingredients in your skin care product, they are drying and irritating to the skin and it strips the skin of its natural protective barrier, opening the skin up to a whole can of worms - sun / environmental / free radical damage as well as potentially causing the skin to overproduce sebum then tada! - you'll get acne / clogged pores.

Personally, my skin hates alcohol and it will protest by breaking out in small little bumps + acne and rewarding me with beautifully clogged skin if I insist on using it for a longer duration (example: the Biore sunblock). I've read that if these ingredients are almost at the end of the ingredient list, they do not pose any significant threat. I have broken out from products with alcohol at the very end of the ingredient list too, so I can't vouch for that myself. It could take shorter / longer to see a negative effect for your skin, but even if you don't experience any side effects from using products with alcohol, I personally do not recommend using products containing this ingredient, simply because 1. there are similar products out there sans alcohol and 2. there is no real benefit to using alcohol on the skin :)


Hopefully this answers your questions, for those who asked! :D Do let me know what you think about this ingredient - do you stay away from it like I do, or are you not fussed about it? Comment away! :D

Product Review: The Face Shop Herbal Therapy Tea Tree & Bergamot Clarifying Mask Sheet

At a Glance:
Price: RM6.90 (approx. US$2.30)
Weight: 20ml / 0.67 Fl. Oz.
Made in: Korea
Likes: Skin feels really "clean" after using, affordable
Gripes: Contains alcohol
Repurchase: Maybe

Ingredients:


Product Description

This mild, all-natural mask sheet is formulated with Tea Tree and Bergamot extracts to cleanse and refresh skin while indulging the senses in its invigorating aroma.


Aroma therapeutic benefits of Tea Tree:

• Promotes pleasant sensation
• Soothes inflammation and pimples

Aroma therapeutic benefits of Bergamot:

• Relieves anxiety and tension
• Clarifies oily / combination skin

Directions:





Texture & Scent:
This mask is soaking wet, so use it over a sink or something to prevent the essence from dripping all over. I like how this doesn't leave a sticky feeling on my skin after removing the mask and it sinks right in! :)

I was half expecting this to smell like how a typical Tea Tree product would smell like, but am (pleasantly) surprised that this has a floral scent instead! :D


Packaging:


This mask is individually packed into their respective packs and is sold by the piece. As usual, the mask sheet fits my face well except for the mouth part:



Time Test:
15-20 minutes!

Price & Availability:
This mask is priced at RM6.90 each and is available at all The Face Shop outlets.


My $0.02:

I store my sheet masks in random order in my little pink drawer, so it was by pure chance that this reached its turn to be used! How timely too, because I've been experiencing breakouts all over my face!

Divine intervention or pure chance, its up to you to decide, but did this mask served its purpose? :D

I'm glad to report that it did! :D After using this mask, my face feels really "clean". This being a clarifying mask isn't terribly moisturizing, but it is sufficient. Gotta love how easily it sinks into the skin too! :)

This is how i look after using this mask:


My bare face... with acne and scars!! T_T *slaps on whitening treatments*


At the risk of sounding like a broken record, (yeah you guessed it) the only thing i didn't like about this one is that it contains alcohol. But since it's not at the beginning of the ingredient list, I guess it is fine? :D

All in all, me thinks that this is a good face mask, and I *might* actually repurchase if it goes on sale! :)

MAC Styledriven Collection Review + Swatches! :D

This collection got pushed out of the lime light because it launched at the same time as the MAC Me Over collection (which I gave up swatching because the testers were all over the place, lol!), and also because the items are permanent (at least in the States, its availability is still TBD for us Penang girls at this stage). I'm kinda loving this collection! :D The foundations surprised me because I would expect long a wearing foundation to feel very dry on the skin, but this one isn't! It glides beautifully onto the skin without accentuating every flaw on your face! Me loves! :D

Unfortunately, we only got one lipliner and one lipcreme from this collection, so I apologize for not having swatches for the rest of the stuff. Also, two eyeshadows got missing / stolen / damaged during the event so no swatches for those too, sorrrry!! :(

Ok without further ado, lets go onto the swatches! :D


Eyeshadows (US$20 / RM80):

All eyeshadows have a wonderfully smooth texture! They're not the most pigmented shadows MAC has, but I guess these shadows are meant to have a "softer" look to them.



Carefree (Frost) - Pale white gold
Sunny Outlook (Satin) - Bright golden yellow
Pink Frontier (Frost) - Soft golden pink
Hot Paprika (Frost) - Mid-tone burnt red 
Tease with Ease (Frost) - Bright fuchsia 
Plush (Satin) - Vivid purple
One to Watch (Satin) - Light warm brown 
Lie Low (Frost) - Dark frosted golden brown



Sweet Satisfaction (Frost) - Soft neutral beige
Fresh Flare (Frost) - Bright kelly green 
Styledriven (Frost) - Pale white blue 
Weathered (Frost) - Dirty blue grey 
Thru the Night (Frost) - Deep navy
Make Your Mark (Satin) - Dark chocolate 
Keep Your Cool (Satin) - Dark grey brown
Legendary (Satin) - Black Warm almost black


Pro Longwear Lipglasses (US$18.50 / RM80):



These lipglasses are definitely the STARS of the collection! They're oh so pigmented and the last through food and drinks!! They do feel a little hard to spread, but they're not drying at all on the lips! Super love!! <3

Patience, Please (Cream) - Light pink-blue
Infinitely Likeable (Cream) - Light pink
Ready or Not! (Cream) - Neutral light coral with slight pearlized pigments
Show Me! (Cream) - Mid-tone neutral plum
Whoops! (Cream) - Bright coral
Full Speed Ahead (Cream) - Bright pink-magenta
Driven by Love - Red-blue with slight pearlized pigments
Lasting Achievement (Cream) - Mid-tone purple with slight pearlized pigments
Dark as Night (Cream) - Deep mid-tone purple with slight pearlized pigments 


Lipcremes (US$17 / RM75):



As I have mentioned earlier, we only got one limited edition color for this collection - Dress it Up, the rest are part of the permanent line, so please excuse the first 4 swatches! :D

Dress It Up - Light blue-pink (Cream)
Good to Go - Loudmouth orange (Cream)
Prolong (Cream) - Clean red with blue undertone and pearl
Positively Dashing (Cream) - Mid-tone berry blue-red
Soft Sell - Light yellow-pink (Cream)
So Very Good - Mid-tone plum with pearl (Frost)
Till Tomorrow - Mid-tone dirty mauve (Cream)
To the Future! - Dirty neutral pink with pearl (Frost)
Extended Play - Dirty red, yellow undertone (Cream)
Endless Drama - Deep berry blue-red (Frost)
Soulfully Rich - Deep dirty purple with red pearl (Frost)


Thats all for this collection! Didcha get anything? :D

Product Review: Maybelline Hypersharp Liner

At a Glance:
Price: RM23.90 (approx. US$8)
Weight: 0.5g
Made in: China
Likes: Super easy to use, long lasting, cheap, easily available.
Gripes: Not really waterproof, flakes and smudges a little after awhile.
Repurchase: Maybe


Ingredients:



Product Description

NA

Pigmentation & Color:
This eyeliner comes in only black. I find that I have to go through the same area at least twice to get a nice opaque line.

The swatches below were achieved with 2 swipes:



Texture & Scent:
This eyeliner goes on liquid, but it dries really quickly. While it held up for the most part of the day, I find that it flakes on me after 5-6 hours or so. Though this is advertised as waterproof, some of it did come off after I've rubbed it with water:



This one doesn't really have a scent to it.


Packaging:


This eyeliner comes in pen-form with a cap. What I love most about it is its 0.05mm tip:



Being this thin, it gives me the option of drawing a super thin line, or use it angled for a thicker line (as seen in my swatch pic above). The tip is firm enough to ensure an even line all over :)


Time Test:
This eyeliner lasts all day on my eyelids, but I find that they start to flake after about 5-6 hours' wear.


Price & Availability:
This eyeliner goes for RM23.90 (US$8) and it's available at all Maybelline displayers at your nearest Watsons / Guardian / Supermarket! :D


My $0.02:

Everyone seems to be raving about this product! So being the curious cat I that I am, naturally had to pick this up when it was on sale! :D

It didn't go too well for me the first time I tried this out. I think something flew into my eye and caused it to tear up a great deal. I had forgotten that I had this on, so I wiped my tears away with a piece of tissue, only to see bits and pieces of this eyeliner stuck there! >.<

Pictures (left is freshly applied, right is after teary episode):




As you can see, some of the liner came off after it came in contact with my tears + the tissue paper, so girls with teary eyes may want to stay away from this product.

Not deterred, I tried again the next day, and as my luck would have it, I got another teary episode again after an eyelash fell into my eye!! Arghhhh!! >.<

Oh well, just my luck. Thank God for the long holidays! So I tried yet again on the third day, and succeeded! lol! (You might have read about my little embarrassing episode on my Facebook page - now you know how much I love you all! T_T lol!).

Here's the result (left: freshly applied, right: 8 hours later):




Not too bad huh!! Though it did flake and smudge (just a little), it held up well in our humid weather! :D


In a nutshell, methinks that this is not too shabby! I might repurchase since this is so cheap and does the job, but I want to try out other products first :)


ps: if you're wondering how this compares to the Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner Pen, I much prefer the latter because it is more pigmented and it stays on longer. Unfortunately I'm not able to provide side by side comparison pictures for you all because mind has dried up.