Get Silky Straight Hair With Lakme Studio Sleek Mystique

Play it sleek & straight as Lakmé Studio delivers the latest salon innovation for silky straight hair styling with the launch of their new Sleek Mystique service. With the exciting addition of the Sleek Mystique range from Catwalk by TIGI launched at LFW Winter Festive 2010, Lakmé Studio rolls out this brand new service, setting trends for sleek, straight and shiny hair.

The service starts by using products from the Sleek Mystique range from Catwalk by TIGI to cleanse and deep condition your hair with oriental ingredients that smoothen and eliminate frizz, leaving hair sleek and ultra straight. The procedure continues throughout the styling and finishing process with Sleek Mystique Blow Out Balm to tame and control unruly hair and Sleek Mystique Haute Iron Spray, which leads to smooth, shiny hair while remaining protected from the heat of hairdryers and straightening-irons. Lakmé Studios and Salons are your one stop to get the fashion forward sleek straight hair style with perfect conditioning and protections.

Worst Shampoo & Conditioner EVER & Their Replacements

Bad. Bad. Regret. Regret.

L'Oreal's Elseve Re-Nutrition gave me the most lifeless, lacklustre hair I've ever had. Considering I just got my hair straightened, lustre shouldn't be hard to achieve with any shampoo and conditioner, don't you think?

Imagine this: You oil your hair before shampooing, then shampoo it. But you feel that there's still a bit of oil left on your hair. Yes, that's how my hair felt after using these. 

Imagine this too: Using body lotion as a conditioner (not that you can't use body lotion in emergencies). The Conditioner does feel like a body lotion. Ugh!

My scalp got greasy after only 1 day too.

So, I had to change after using them only twice.

Sunsilk Silky Smooth & Manageable Shampoo and Conditioner to the rescue. Absolutely love 'em!

I could touch my hair all day!

I know I should not tell people to buy or not to buy stuff and rely on their own opinions, but I can't help it this time. Please don't waste your money on L'oreal's Royal Jelly (that's what the Re-Nutrition range is made of), unless of course you oil your hair everyday to tame the frizz.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Pretty Japanese Store 'Yokoso Shiyuki' & Essential Tools Haul

Can I have those Japanese umbrellas to go, please? Pretty please? ;)

Yup, that's what I wanted to say before I left this Japanese store called 'Yokoso! Shiyuki' which sells all Japanese-made skincare, makeup, accessories, showpieces and more.

Those umbrellas are decorated on the ceiling. How creative! Don't you wish you had one room in your house done like that?! 

♫ ♪ You can stand under my umbrellas...Ella ella ay ay ay....under my umbrellas... ♪ ♫ 

The SA's wear kimonos. Authenticity at best.

I didn't want to buy their skincare products coz, you know, I'd never heard of any of them and most didn't have a word of English written on them. I can take chances with makeup but not skincare items...nah-ah. So I stuck to tools, a couple of them things I've wanted to get my hands on for a while now.

Here's what I got:

These are compressed cotton DIY Face Masks. You put them in your choice of skin nourisher- toner, milk, green tea, juice etc. and they'll splay out into a face mask. How cute! I got heart-shaped ones too. Can't wait to try them!

This is a twist and pull springy tweezer to pull out facial and body hair. I saw it everywhere in blogosphere and always thought it's such a handy tool.

Strawberry sponge hair rollers: Okay these I desperately wanted. If these can give me perfect curls in minutes, then I would just scream in joy

Oil Cleansing Pads

Malian Roller Makeup: Never got my most wanted Loreal Roller Foundation coz the first time they didn't have my shade and then later I just lost interest, so I got myself these. 

Hair velcro to keep your fringe/hair from your face while doing makeup or washing your face. Must-have for me

Dental Peeling Sponge. Okay, I'm not quite sure what these do exactly. They're for cleaning or whitening (?) teeth. The 'can-barely-speak-English-but-sweet & helpful' SA said "They take out yellow" =D haha...

They're all cheap too. I got all of these for about Rs.585 :))

That's all for now. Happy Friday all!

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Shopaholic With Tiny Feet ~ Shoe Haul & New Hair

Hi ladies, just thought I'd post some haul pics since I won't have much time to write about anything else. I'm having a great time in Kuala Lumpur, shopping mostly...with blistered feet hehe...

In case you didn't know, I have very very tiny feet ~ Size 2! ^O^ so I rarely find shoes that fit me. I love KL coz it's where I find my size more easily than anywhere else, including India & other Asian countries.
I get so frustrated! Sometimes my not-so-perfect shoes break my whole outfit! And yes, some do make me walk like a duck too!

Until now (day 4 of my vacay), I have got 4 pairs of shoes from here! Yay! =D

If you're somebody who has a hard time finding fabulous shoes that fit you, then you'll understand what it feels like to get the ones that *FIT* after all those times you had to walk away from those perfect shoes that'll go so well with the dress you bought for your friend's wedding, or hating yourself for hating Carrie Bradshaw so much in that episode where Miranda had Brady (Big's last night in NY?) for flaunting those gorgeous pink ruffle cascade Christian Louboutins...hmph! =\

Last year I fell in love with VINCCI, a Malaysian Shoes & Accessories brand. They did size 3 back then, but not anymore :(( . However, I still managed to find 3 pairs from the store. The ones in the non-white box are from a multi-brand shoe shop called TSC.

Those are all size 3 & 4 heehee...I do need some extra lining and heel grips, but desperate times call for desperate measures, right? ;D. Will wear the shoes later to give you a proper view.

Hoping to get 2 more pairs before I leave, i.e. if my budget allows me ;)

*Is it weird that I wanna courier the white shoe boxes to India? Oh, never mind... ;P

And my hair dilemma continued...

My hair was getting so frizzy coz of the humidity in Delhi and here, that I decided to get it rebonded again after 2 years. I got it done from a salon in Sungei Wang Plaza called Michael & Guys. I don't know how it'll look after washing but I have a good feeling that it won't frizz at the ends (touch wood!) coz the guy was so experienced and understood exactly what I wanted ~ straight but not so flat. He used L'Oreal X-Tenso Moisturist since I had sensitized hair (read extremely dry & aarggh!)

He didn't iron it in the end, just blow-dried & the result.....

*Happy Face*

And an even more happy face for the shoes =D

Until next time....

Good night & have a great week my fellow shopaholics! 

P.S: Don't forget to enter my Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipsticks GIVEAWAY!




♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

July Favorites ~ Featuring Colorbar, MAC, NYX, Marc Jacobs, Body Shop etc

I am loving so many things right now. These are just a few of my favorite things. Must-have products and worth every penny!

Marc Jacobs Daisy (RM.213.00)

Marc Jacobs Daisy is THE perfume for the girly girl. I just couldn't leave it behind when I left Delhi. If you tend to get motion sickness while travelling and strong perfumes make you feel nauseous, this is the one for you coz the fragrance is so soft & subtle. Plus the bottle design is beyond cuteness, would you really care how it smells? ;)

Buy A Satin Pillowcase Before Anti-aging Creams & Hair Treatments

For the last 1 year or so, I always make sure that I sleep on a satin pillowcase every night when I'm home. I don't care if the rest of the bed materials are of a different design and color, because the benefits are worth the daily mismatch.

I am telling you, it does wonders! My hair looks healthier and shinier than ever! And I really do mean 'ever' (say, 5-6 years ever.) And I don't see loose hair stuck on my pillowcase when I wake up anymore! If you have very frizzy, unruly hair, a satin pillowcase will calm it down.

Loving ~ L'OREAL Hairmix Supreme Smooth For Dry Hair (Review)

L'OREAL Hairmix range is especially formulated for thick, dry and rebellious hair, which most Indians are born with. Formulated with natural ingredients and essential oils to nourish and smoothen thirsty, rebellious and thick hair, Hairmix will leave your hair smooth, silky, defined and control.

What it is:

Nutri-smoothing cream for dry hair. Adds moisture, tames and smoothes the hair, whilst controlling the frizz. Protects hair against damage from heated styling tools.

March Favorites ~ Make-up, Perfume, Haircare, Skincare

♥ Make-up ♥

Koi Make-up Palette

I got this palette a while back but never really used it. I was too busy obsessing over my 120 palette. But recently I've been reaching for it most of the time because the eyeshadow colors are so bright and shimmery, so summer. The quality of the eyeshadows is pretty good too, considering it's an unknown Asian brand. This palette comes with blushers, a tiny mascara and lippies too, but I've never really used them.

Bourjois Hi-Tech Lip Tint in #83 Rose Virtuel

I just love the Bourjois Hi-tech Lip tints, especially the packaging. I had this in Rose Pixel too, but my friend liked it a lot and wanted it so I gave it to her. But Rose Virtuel was always my favorite of the two because it's more pink and a bit more subtle than Rose Pixel, which is more red.

♥ Perfume ♥

YSL Paris Premieres Roses

Since the teaser trailer of Sex and the City movie sequel came out, I've been feeling very impatient. This perfume reminds me of the last two episodes of the series which were shot in Paris. It smells very fruity-floral and girly. Very "Paris" =). I think I will be wearing it till the movie releases in May. Can't wait!

♥ Haircare ♥

Forest Essentials Virgin Coconut Oil

This is cold pressed, organic, nutrient rich and unrefined virgin coconut oil. I love to massage this on my hair before shampooing. My hair does feel softer. Sometimes use it on my body too, especially on my feet.

Price ~ Rs.325 for 200 ml.

♥ Skincare ♥

Body Shop Vitamin C Time release Capsules

As you can see there are only two left =). I love these. They make my skin feel so smooth and I really like the citrusy smell . I use one capsule right after cleansing before bedtime and use nothing else on top of it.

INATURE Herbals Sandal Face Pack

I found this mask in the supermarket. Never heard about this brand before, but I thought the ingredients sound nice. It contains Chandan (Indian Sandal) - Helps to remove dead cells, Kesar(Saffron)- Helps to enhance complexion, Turmeric -for blemish free fair skin. Daily use is recommended. What I don't like about it is that it stings my eyes while I apply it. Really really stings! Red eyes, tears rolling! So i'm not sure if I'll buy it again. But when I'd just started using this, one morning I saw that my skin looked like satin especially my forehead. That happened once! That's why I still like to use it hoping my skin will look like that again.

Price~ Rs.120 only.

Body Shop Pomegranate Body Polish

I like this so much better than the Strawberry Body Polish. I use this 2-3 times a week with the Body Shop Bath Gloves below....

Body Shop Bathing Gloves

I wonder why I have didn't buy these sooner. I think you have more control lathering and scrubbing with these and they could be a substitute for a weekly body scrub.

Rafael Salgado Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Would you look at how cute that bottle is! I love using this to massage my face and body. I've used it to remove my make-up too and it takes off everything, but I still have to wash it off with a cleanser, unlike a cleansing oil. I got this at the supermarket ~ Rs.250 for 250 ml.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser

First of all, I just love love love how this smells! And second, it does make my skin feel very clean and fresh. I've always wanted to try this but I had only seen it in the big bottle, so I always hesitated to get it. When i saw this smaller 50 ml bottle for Rs.80, I hesitated no more. 

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Hair Loss Remedies ~ Dermatologist Recommended

I want to share with you some products that were recommended for my hair fall (Alopecia) by a dermatologist (God bless him!) which have really worked for me.

There are so many factors that that contribute to hair loss. Hormonal inbalance, poor diet and a lot more (I won't bore you with the full list)

For me, I'm sure it was chemical related. The crown area of my head had very less hair and you could actually see my scalp playing peek-a-boo with everybody. Many people asked me why I was BALD! :O

The reason was I was doing too much to my hair. Straightening, coloring (at one time 3 times a month!). I stopped coloring my hair for about 5 months and now I've started seeing baby hairs poking up. 

Tugain ~ It is basically the same as Rogain because they both contain Minoxidil. 

Usage:  Apply 1 ml twice a day, at 12-hour intervals, starting at the center of affected area and spread evenly with fingertips (do not massage)

Read more.......

L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Review

L'Oreal 'Total Repair 5' promises to repair the 5 signs of hair damage.
5 problems = 1 solution
The 5 problems being :
1. Hairfall    2.Dryness    3. Roughness   4. Dullness    5.Split ends

Description:
Damaged hair can lack the natural cement which keeps the hair strong & resilient. To ensure cohesion and strength, the L'Oreal Laboratories have created ceramide-cement technology to replicate the hair's natural cement, targeting the 5 problems.

1. Repairs : the hair fibre, the hair structure is re-inforced and hair regains strength like new.
2. Transforms : the hair surface to a regular and smooth condition.

Review :
I am loving this range so far. The smell is perfume-like, a little bit like Dior Pure Poison perfume, in my opinion. I like. My hair that hardly shines has suddenly lit up. Not patent leather shine but I'm hopeful  it will get there (fingers crossed). I can't say much about whether or not it stops hairfall because I still catch a few loose strands while washing my hair. But that usually happens to me with other products too. 
I love the attractive packaging and the price too! L'Oreal  consumer haircare products used to cost so much more a few years ago but now I am very happy with the reasonable price tags.
Shampoo ~ Rs.130 for 200ml, Rs.72 for 100 ml
Conditioner ~ Rs.150 for 180 gms, Rs.80 for 90 gms
Repairing Masque ~ Rs.325 for 200 ml ( I love this stuff!)


Rating : ♥♥♥♥♥

Here's the ad for L'Oreal Total Repair 5 with Aishwarya Rai in it. Many of my friends find it hilariously over the top. I do too. "I'm on a mission to save the world", the applause, the walk. Uff!!! =D
Her hair looks great though.
What do you think?

♥ Cynthia Z ^_^

Reviews ~ Nars, Chi, Benefit, Tweezerman

Here are the reviews on the Pretties From StrawberryNet

Nars Multiple Duo ~ Maldives/Riviera

Two words. Love it.

I was very very surprised to see how big the packaging is. In my head, I thought it would be the size of the blush and each multiple would be the size of half the blush. I adore both the colors and I find the texture of the Multiples very interesting...smooth yet neither sticky nor oily. The pigmentation is also "Just Right"
I wish I was the one who created it ;p
Buy Again? Absolutely! In other colors, of course.

Benefit ~ Thrrrob Turned On Face Powder

This is too sheer to be worn alone, so I like to layer it over a cream blush. It does bring a nice glow to the face. The brush is nice, not to mention the fabulous corset box. But I can live without this for sure.
Buy Again? Nope.

Chi Silk Infusion ~ Silk Reconstructing Complex

Omg this smells *sooo* good! Ironing does go smoother with this on my hair. I haven't used it much, but I know that even if it does not improve my hair, I'd still buy it again for the lovely smell.
Buy Again? Answered already.

Tweezerman Tweezers

WOW! These are amazing. Tweezing feels so effortless with them. They are sturdy and they grip the hair so tight that you don't have to worry about not pulling from the roots. I love that they come in a vial and has a tip cover, this ensures that the tweezers will always be as good as new even when you carry them in a stuffed make-up pouch/bag.
Buy Again? I don't think I'll need to. But if I had to, Y-E-S.

I hope these reviews will be useful to some who are thinking about trying these products.

By the way, StrawberryNet has a Valentine's Day Promotion going on right now until the 14th of February. You can check out the details ~ Here 


Valentine's Day!!! Woohooo....! The first occasion of the year when you can really justify splurging :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

♥ Cynthia Z ^_^

Beauty Tips I Learnt a Long ~ Long Time Ago

Growing up in a small town in North-East India called 'Shillong', I used to love hearing stories that go way back. Like most people from my hometown, I believe in some 'Old People's Sayings' and 'Old Wives' Tales'

So, I just want to share some tit bits I learnt when I was a kid.

***You'll need that pinch of salt before reading the rest.

For long... long... hair

How? Braid your hair before going to bed. Tie the end with a band and then a piece of ribbon on top. Make sure one end of the ribbon is a few inches longer than the end of your braided hair. Supposedly the hair will follow the ribbon! Maybe hair is just competitive and wants to win the race, I don't know.

Tip from ~ My childhood friend's old housekeeper, whose daughter had ~long~ hair past her waistline.

For Soft & Smooth Lips

What to do? Put a drop of mustard oil in your belly button before sleeping.

It WORKS! I think any oil works though, because every time I apply Bio Oil or BS Monoi Miracle Oil on my whole body (including belly button) , I don't reach for my lip balms every 10 minutes anymore.

For Shiny Nails

What You need? A brick!

How I know this ~ When I was a kid, I used to love playing with bricks that were lying around my house. I don't know how I thought of it, but I used to rub the powder from the broken ones on my nails using the sides of my palms (where the pinky is.) It made them very very shiny and smooth!!! I haven't done that again since then, but I'm telling you, even buffers have never made my nails so shiny like the brick powder.

**Rubbing too much could make your nails thinner though.

What they applied all over me when I was a baby

Mustard oil with sliced garlic fried till golden brown and crispy in it. Mustard oil is warming and garlic has anti-bacterial properties, so the combination prevents babies from catching colds and infections. Where I come from, most people use this on their babies after bathing them. In fact, some of them still do even today. Not so much a beauty tip, but I thought it's worth a mention :)

To Lighten, Clean and Exfoliate Skin

What you need : A Pumice Stone

I don't mean the textured ones you find in the market. I'm talking about the natural and smooth ones you find near the rivers and caves. Personally, I really do prefer using these, because the textured ones scrape and hurt my skin.

Years & years ago: My mom went to a well-known homeopathy doctor because of the melasma/hyperpigmentation that covered her face. He told her that the best way to remove it is to use a pumice stone once a week to exfoliate it. The doctor died one week later!!! :O

Mom took it to be a valuable advice since, you know, he died soon after. And yes, she still uses a pumice stone and her face has really really improved.

***A little superstition: Some say that most of these rivers are haunted, so when you take these stones home, a part of the place and all the 'eerie' things come along with the them *shudders*

So you need to drop a few coins/pennies in the river, as a way to give something in return. What? That's what they say!

That's all for now peeps.

Will post some more later.

♥ DBA ^_^

♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥

7 World Experts Redefine Hair For Indian Women - Sunsilk

My eyes went straight to this article when I picked up Saturday's Delhi Times.

Its says that 7 internationally renowned hair experts - Rita Hazan, Yuko Himashita, Jamal Hamadi, Dr. Francesca Fusco, Tom Taw, Ouidad, and Teddy Charles, teamed up with Sunsilk to co-create specialised formulations for different hair types of Indian women. They created formulations like:

• Lusciously thick and long
• Hair fall solution
• Anti-dandruff solution
• Stunning Black Shine
• Damage repair reconstruction
• Dream soft and smooth 

Out of the 7, the following 3 experts created specific formulations according to their expertise:
Rita Hazan (Hollywood's most sought after hair colorist) ~~ Vibrant Colour

Ouidad (considered the "Queen of Curl") ~~ Defined Curls

Yuko Yamashita (famous for her Japanese hair straightening) ~~ Perfect Straight.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to get me some Sunsilk this week, 'coz "Life Can't Wait" or more like "I can't wait to go shopping" ;p

More info coming up after I see the range.

♥ DBA ^_^

Sexy Girl Hair Products

I'm so..so.. hooked on Japanese and Korean brands these days. I just want to try them ALL! 

It's like they have some magical powers to tempt us girly girls :)

Sexy Girl is a Japanese brand which  carries a range of haircare and body care products.

I'm religiously using two Sexy Girl hair products and I'm dreading the day I finish them up because they're not  available in India :(

1. Oil Essence Night Repair Leave-in Treatment-- Made with 12 plant-derived oils- jojoba, rice bran, avocado, soybean, camelia, meadow foam, grape seed,  hazelnut, macadamia nut, mango, squalene, olive.
2. Treatment Water Day & Night Leave-in Treatment-- Not exactly like a drink of water for my porous hair, but it smells nice-sweet, but not overpowering.

Having very dry and chemically-damaged hair, these really makes my hair more manageable, frizz-free and shiny.

Bought them both for  RM 46.58 = about Rs.700

You can check out their cute website here: http://www.sexy-girl.jp/e/product/index.html

♥ Cynthia Z *.*