[Review] Mamonde - Rose Water Toner

Hello everyone! :)

I know I came across this product waaaay too behind from the hype. If you are interested to read on my personal thoughts on this toner or perhaps you are still considering on whether to purchase, continue scrolling. ;) Bear with me, I will be quick.

Mamonde's Rose Water Toner | 마몽드 로즈워터 토너 | 250 ml

Fun fact on how to pronounce the brand name. How would you pronounce "Mamonde"? Aha! It caught me too. The word 'Mamonde' is originated from French (translated as 'my world' in French, pronounces as "may-mon-d"). However, in this case, Korean brand Mamonde is pronounced as "ma-mong-deu". Have you got it correctly now? :D

It is made of sturdy pink plastic bottle. Not squeezable. At first, I thought the toner itself carries subtle pink; that's because I got the wrong illusion from the pink transparent bottle. So yeah, the bottle is transparent, so you know exactly when to stock in.

Basically, the product description everything is written in pure Korean, printed in white font on the packaging itself.

Don't worry, there are always English-translated product description for us all. ;) Source Althea.

Great. One of the selling points is that Mamonde's Rose Water Toner is made of 90.89% of Damask rose water from Bulgaria than just water. That's a very bold claim.

Besides, they also claimed that they maintained the rose water essence by undergoing low temperature ultra-high pressure sampling process to minimize the change in the active ingredients.

Last but not least, the product is free from 3 ingredients: synthetic pigment, animal ingredient and mineral oil. Hence, slogan as "3 FREE".

The product came in just the bottle packaging itself, without any box packaging or wrapping material. There is a pink seal adheres on the flip-top white cap to indicate the product is new. Do check on the pink seal before purchasing it (at physical stores, if possible).

Untwist the top cap on your first use. There is a protective seal which you need to remove before using it (as below). Another indicator that the product is new.

As you can see (below), the toner itself is transparent. I do noticed that it's consistency isn't exactly like water, but slightly slippery and heavy than water. That's when I read about ieyra h.'s review then I learned that the slippery feeling is due to glycerin. Source: ieyra h. So that wasn't an illusion after all (heh).

One thing that kept me off-guard was the strong rose scent. Geez, I did not expect to be that prominent. To a certain sense, it is successful in delivering that selling point. For decades, rose scent is known as therapeutic and relaxing because of its aromatic scent.

Generally, people would love to carry the scent, but too much of one thing does not necessarily pleasing. I am not too sure whether it is artificial scent or whatsoever, but bear in mind, if you are sensitive to fragrance, perhaps you have to reconsider on your purchase.

Now, this toner is claimed to be multi-functional: 1) normal use on cotton pads, 2) moisturizing mist, and 3) calming DIY sheet mask pack.

So far I have only tried on the first 2 methods for the past few months. Not really into DIY sheet mask, so yeah (I skipped).

Usually I will dab my cotton pads with Mamonde's Rose Water Toner in my morning routine. It helps to freshen up. A gentle morning call for the skin and mind. And I will proceed with the remaining AM routine accordingly.

My personal favourite would be the mist. Pour the Rose Water Toner to an empty spray bottle and carry them around (as below). Use when necessary. I used to put a mist bottle in my bathroom, so that I can spray it on my face once I cleansed my face. To lock the moisture in.

I bought this product from Althea for RM48.

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Rating: 2.5/5

Recommend: As a toner, not really. As a scented mist, yeah.

Repurchase: Maybe.

For your reference.


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[Review] Mediheal - Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask EX + First Impression

Hello everyone! :)

One of my new year's resolutions for my blog is to introduce and share various kinds of mask sheets (which I never tried before) every week. I have my eyes on a good amount of mask sheets for now, and today I will tell you about my first impression after using Mediheal's Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask EX.

Mediheal's Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask EX | 24 ml

Mediheal has a good range of mask sheets that not only offer good quality skincare solution, but also affordable price. Take for Essential Mask EX series for example. They cover from deep moisturizing, brightening, firming, anti-aging, pore care solution... you name it.

Speaking of Mediheal's Tea Tree Care Solution, it says it could help to tackle skin stress by providing skin care and calming effect.

It contains Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract which especially used to tackle on oily / sensitive skin and large pores.

Since it contains Tea Tree Leaf Oil, you can observed its prominent smell once opening the packet. The complete ingredient list is as below (photo).

This is not my first time using Mediheal's sheet mask, but yes, my first time trying it's Tea Tree Care Solution.

It's Tea Tree Leaf Oil smell, like I mentioned earlier, very prominent. If you are first-time user, it might be a foreign scent, a bit like herb medicine. Feels like the essence is healing my skin (or some sort heh).

Overall, the mask sheet is mild and gentle. Is there any prominent skin improvement on the next day? I would say nothing prominent for my case. Perhaps a constant use would see the effect better?

It does help to suppress my skin problems for a day, but what needs to breakout "breakthrough", they did eventually. By that I mean pimples (HAHAHA).

I bought this mask sheet from Althea for RM6.

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Rating: - First impression, won't rate. -

Recommend: Would recommend for youngsters and teenagers. Simple skincare to start off.

Repurchase: I would consider to stock up some for special occasions.

For your reference.



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[Review] Guerisson - Red Ginseng Eye Cream

Hello everyone! :)

I may go off to bed without sleeping mask or moisturizer, but I cannot without eye cream!

Reason why? Actually I have serious dark circle concern ever since I remember (countless nights of studying hahaha), it worsen when I needed to work with computer for 8 hours a day. My eyes are strained and tiresome, which eventually caused poor blood circulation in the area around my eyes. That's when eye cream comes in handy.

Guerisson's Red Ginseng Eye Cream | 게리쏭 레드 진생 아이크림 | 20 ml

Particular, I am very fond of this Red Ginseng Eye Cream from Guerisson's Red Ginseng Series.

Are you a fan of Lee Kwang-soo? He is well-known being the brand ambassador for Guerisson. A charming person indeed.

Anyway, I believe you are no stranger to Guerisson's 9 Complex Horse Oil Series, especially the 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream (it's super popular in Malaysia!). The fact is, Red Ginseng Series is an upgraded version of the 9 Complex Horse Oil Series.

The Guerisson's Red Ginseng series formulation is said to be a perfect synergy between Horse Oil (intensive skin moisturizing) and Red Ginseng (youth energy complex). South Korea is particularly an expert in growing and exporting good quality ginseng. What more to combine ginseng with skincare product, voila, anti-aging here I come!

I bought this eye cream from my last trip to Hong Kong. It was sold for HKD99 as special offer. (It was HKD265 initially). I was quick to spot its eye-catching red packaging on the bottom of the shelves, and without much hesitation, I grabbed 2 into my cart. (My parents are using the other one since last September, and they are still using the same tube now hahaha).

Let's check out its texture.

The cream itself is light pink to nude in colour. Similar to Horse Oil texture, it is slightly on the oily side. As you squeeze the product, there is a noticeable Ginseng scent flowing out. I wasn't really fond of the smell at first, but I am slowly getting used to it.

A close-up shot (below).

As you can see (below), you can notice oil trace once you apply on the skin. Not much a worry, continue massage until the cream is fully absorbed. The formula is very moisturizing and the ginseng smell keeps on reminding me of "regenerating" and "revitalizing".

To use, take a pea-size and apply along the eye area with fourth/fifth finger. The tip here is, the less pressure you use around your eyes, the better. Massage in a circular motion until the cream is fully absorbed.

Well, not that I can see significant improvement on my dark circles, but it feels better after a throughout eye massage. Since the eye cream formula is slightly oily, it makes the whole eye-massage process much easier as it glides smoothly on the skin, until it has fully absorbed.

As you read this post, you may have questions like below:-
(1) You are just in your 20s, is it necessary to do anti-aging now?
Answer: Yes, I believe anti-aging should start in early 20s to "preserve" your young look.

(2) Is Red Ginseng Eye Cream too heavy for youngsters?
Answer: It really depends on your skin type. For my case, the skin around my eyes are particularly dry and dull; so it fits me well. Plus, I'm using a pea-size amount on each side, not that I apply thickly around the eyes.

This product is available on Guerisson Online.

Read more:
5 Reasons Your Skin Will Love The Guerisson Red Ginseng Series by Pamper.my.

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Rating: 4/5

Recommend: Yes!

Repurchase: Not really as I would like to try out other eye cream products after this.

For your reference.


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[Review] NYX - Soft Matte Lip Cream SMLC (04 London, 27 Madrid)

Hello everyone! :)

Are you a matte lip hippies like me? If yes, you are at the right post. Scroll down and read on! :D

NYX's Soft Matte Lip Cream SMLC (04 London, 27 Madrid) | 0.27 fl. oz. / 8 ml

NYX Cosmetics (pronounces as "niks") is a cosmetics company which is part of the L'Oréal group. The company was founded in Los Angeles by Toni Ko which it was named after Nyx, a Greek goddess of the night. Wikipedia

With its comparative pricing and quality, the cosmetic line quickly went across the globe, and now it is available in Malaysia (thankfully!). Don't missed, I will link the websites where you can get these babes at the end of this post.

As of date, there are a total of 46 shades available from the Soft Matte Lip Cream (SMLC) line. Here below I'm attaching a photo of 22 shades which were introduced at the very beginning.

You might notice, all the shades are named after a city. I like that idea, that's really lovely!

In terms of personal preference, particularly, I was really into matte nude lips last year. Then I came across sichenmakeupholic's Youtube channel (link here) where she features NYX's SMLC 04 London in her GLAM Smokey Burgundy Eyes Makeup tutorial.

Almost right on the spot, I have marked this item into my wishlist. Further on, I purchased another shade - 27 Madrid, as I am also a red lip hippie (as you all might know from my previous posts).

The goodness is packed inside transparent plastic containers, and technically you can tell the color just by the packaging itself. Well of course, there might still slight inaccuracy.

Untwist the cap and you will find an applicator wand attached. Pointy end and slightly slanted tip. Easier on application.

Here are the color swatches.

04 London - Mid-tone beige

27 Madrid - Cranberry red

There is a creamy buttery pleasant smell to it. For those who haven't try this product, I know it might sounds strange here, but rest assured, it doesn't smell like the butter spread that we know (heh).

The application is smooth, like butter, both velvety and creamy. There is a subtle silky sheen right after application, but it soon settles down to a matte-finish.

I must say, the color payoff is superb! Especially for Madrid, highly pigmented. The color really stands out although with just single swipe.

However, these are not long-wearing lip products. Though some says the product won't transfer when it is dried, as for me, somehow it transfers anyway. Yes, touch ups are definitely needed after a meal or a drink.

Here I am also putting them on my lips. Which one do you think suits me better? Comment below and let me know! :D

Personally, 04 London is my favourite of two. Overall, I love these SMLCs. Prior to this, we tend to hold ourselves when purchasing matte lip products. (why?) Because they tend to dry our lips. Particularly, I would recommend SMLC because their buttery-creamy texture which doesn't dry out the lips like other products do. On top of that, I would highly recommend SMLC because not only they offer a wide range of shades to choose from, but also color payoff.

This product is available on Official NYX Cosmetic, Hermo and Sephora.

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Rating: 4.5/5

Recommend: Absolutely! But if you have super dry lips, perhaps no.

Repurchase: Most likely I will try out other shades or lip products from NYX.

For your reference.


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[Monthly Project] #14 Moisturizer and Serum : A simple guide.

Monthly Project (January 2018)

#14 Moisturizer and Serum : A simple guide.

Hello peeps! Here we are on the last day of January 2018. Welcome back to another chapter of Monthly Project after two months hiatus.

Perhaps you been through this, "Tell me dear, what are the differences between moisturizer and serum?" This question has been frequently asked among my circles. I wasn't definitely sure about the answer, that's why it leads me to read more and understand better.


What you can expect from this chapter:

• Basic understanding on moisturizer and serum (texture, function and how-to);
• Sneak-peak on my current choices of moisturizer and serum.

Shall we begin? :D

First thing first, what is a moisturizer?

A moisturizer is a moisture-trapping products either fall into the category of an "occlusive (1)" or an "emollient (2)". (refer here)

(1) Occlusive : A type of moisturizer which sits on top of the skin and hard to be absorbed into the skin. The effect is visible and instant, but it may lead to clogged pores. I.e.: Vaseline.

(2) Emollient : A type of moisturizer which can be absorbed into the skin and cement gaps created when the links between dead skin cells are broken.

You see, instead of providing moisture to the skin, moisturizer is a product that traps moisture and locks it in our skin. To quote Reviews.com, in fact moisturizer is a misnomer (wrong terminology).

Did you know? Water is the only substance that hydrates skin. That's why you must drink more water!!!

However, merely by drinking more water is not sufficient to keep you skin supple all day long, because by nature, it evaporates. The process is also known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL).

Here on Reviews.com, they provide a simple illustration to explain on TEWL and the basic function of a moisturizer.

Okay now I understand what is a moisturizer, so how about serum? Are they the same?

When you heard people describing to you the functions of a serum, it sounds pretty similar to a moisturizer. However when they insisted these two products aren't the same thing, you are confused. 

In fact, they are not lying to you. Moisturizer and serum can be differentiated by purpose, weight (molecules) and texture.

Besides retaining skin moisture, serums often contain potent and active ingredients which are designated to address a variety of skincare issues. For instance, anti-aging, skin brightening, acne prevention, pore minimizing and the list goes on.

In terms of molecules' weight and size, serums have smaller molecules compared to moisturizers, whereby they are able to penetrate the skin deeper and treat skin issues more effectively. Probably that's the reason why serums tend to be more expensive than other skin care products.

Perhaps a much more direct way to differentiate serums from moisturizers will be their texture. Moisturizers tend to be thicker and heavier of the two products. Serums generally have slippery texture and lightweight in application.

How to choose, moisturizer or serum?

Don't crack your head so hard in answering this question. Use both! In fact, it is advisable to apply a layer of moisturizer over serum to seal it into the skin. (Why?) Although serums can penetrate into the skin deeper compared to common moisturizers, they do not serve as a protective shield on top of the skin like moisturizers do, as the song plays "two is better than one~".

There are tons and tons of products in the market, but picking the right ones for your skin, be it moisturizer or serum in this chapter, is rather personal.

For instance, if you are concern with hyperpigmentation, choose a serum that contains Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) for brightening and apply on targeted areas.

A good tip is to understand your skin type and skin condition before purchasing any product.

Sneak-peak on my current choices of moisturizer and serum

Finally. Below are the products I am using currently in relation to this topic. Spot anything familiar to you?


① B.liv's Shrink and Tighten [larges pores reducing serum] 30ml

Function(s) : Pore minimizing and collagen boosting.
Remark(s) : The texture is almost like water, yet on the oily side. Warm sensation is observed once applied on skin. Notable pore shrinking effect after applying for 2 to 3 weeks.


② ISKIN's Vitamin C Serum 5% 30ml

Function(s) : Brightening and anti-aging.
Remark(s) : The texture is slightly thicker than B.liv's serum, still on the watery side. Notable brightening effect (especially freckles and pigmentation) after applying for 2 to 3 weeks.


③ Nature Republic's Ginseng Royal Silk Watery Cream 60g

Function(s) : Moisturizing, whitening and wrinkle improvement.
Remark(s) : The texture is thick and rich (thou it might not seemed to be from photo). Instant moisturizing effect once applied on skin. My all-time favourite watery cream. ❤

④ ALIVE:LAB's Multi Ice Cream 100ml

Function(s) : Moisturizing and whitening.
Remark(s) : The texture is firm and rich. Instant and long lasting moisturizing effect being observed.


⑤ Hatomugi's Skin Conditioning Gel 180g

Function(s) : Moisturizing.
Remark(s) : Just by looking, the texture is almost like ALIVE:LAB's Multi Ice Cream. In fact, it is lightweight than the previous. When apply it on the skin, it melts instantly, like watery cream. Instant and long lasting moisturizing effect being observed.


That's all for now. If you would like to read more posts like this, do leave a comment below and share with me your thoughts. Let's learn together! :D

'Til the next time. Cheers!

Read more:

Facial Serum vs. Facial Moisturizer — What's the Difference? by LiveAbout

The Differences Between Moisturizers & Serums by Skin Obsession

The Best Face Moisturizer (Day and Night Cream) by Reviews.com

The 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine by Soko Glam

[Review] Elastine - Bio-Therapy Conditioner

Hello everyone! :)

This time round I am going to share with you a hair product that will make people to look at you twice. c;

I've bought Elastine's product for the second time now, and it didn't fail to impress in every purchase.

Elastine's Bio-Therapy Conditioner | 600 ml

Elastine is in fact a household hair care brand name in South Korea under LG Household & Healthcare Ltd.

"Elastine treats your hair like skin"

One of the reasons why people choose Elastine over other brands is because of its unique scent. To mention, its Perfume Love Me Shampoo/ Conditioner are always the top seller and the most beloved products of all.

And yes, you can expect its signature unforgettable scent in this Bio-Therapy series too!

Front                                                           Back

This conditioner contains of royal jelly, propolis, marin collagen, Quinoa extract, Moringa oil and phyto-keratin as the main ingredients.

Well, basically the whole product description on the packaging itself are in Korean. (heh)

According to customer evaluations, the Bio-Therapy series has gained 100% satisfaction whereby customer do find improvement on hair tangling, easier hair arrangement, softer and smoother hair.

As one of their customers, I do agree with the above results.

Nevertheless, I am going to demonstrate to you here with my newly-bought Sia-inspired wig. (^0^)

As you can see (below), the hair is dry and tangled, makes it difficult to arrange.





Give it a full pump of Bio-Therapy Conditioner.

And apply it from roots to ends.





At this stage, I do noticed that the wig is much easier to arrange with a comb.

Then rinse with water.





I left it overnight for it to dry. And ta-da!!!

The wig is more manageable now as you can see from the photo! Too bad I couldn't show you the whole process with my own hair (as I don't know how to :x).

As I started to keep my long hair, it began to be my struggles to keep my hair in shape and manageable. Ever since I started to use Elastine's products, it changed the game! For my case, I can feel my hair became softer and smoother. The effect can lasts for a good 1-2 days. The reason I said so is because usually I will wash my hair once in 2 days. Anyway, the effect might differs from individuals.

This product is available on Hermo.

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Rating: 5/5

Recommend: Absolutely recommended! Just give it a try ;)

Repurchase: Yes and I would love to try out other products from Elastine too!

For your reference.


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Is this product review helpful?

Leave a simple comment below because I long to hear from you. *^0^*

Cheers!^^