Sa Sa Haul!

I went to 1B last weekend and surprised to see theBalm on their racks. I chose two items from TheBalm and 1 box fake eyelashes.

My haul from Sa Sa

1) MNK Accent False Eyelash rm9.90

Mink Accent Eyelash, @rm9.90

This demi lashes looks pretty natural on me. Since I found out about demi lashes from YouTube, I really wanted one for myself because those thick full lashes looks very unnatural. Because of that, I don't like to wear them. Right now, I'm wiling to spend more money to buy good lashes rather than to buy cheap lashes where you can get rm5 per box (contains 10 lashes).


2) TheBalm Boy's Blush - DownBoy, rm55.25 (15% discount - rm65)

I like the packaging, very vintage.

I feel like I want to have all theBalm products just because of their vintage style packaging.

So many men, so little time.... :D

Sa Sa have three of theBalm blushers, I got this pink blusher because the other two is either too dark for my skin or contained shimmer. This blusher is a matte finish and so pigmented, I only have to dab a little and it will give me a cute pink blushing ;p

I hope Sa Sa will get more of theBalm blushes in the future. I really love their product, it's not only about their packaging but also the product itself is worthy.


3) TheBalm Meet Matt(e) 9 Colours, rm84.15 (15% discount - rm99)

Meet Matt(e). 

Again, I love the packaging, simple and cute.

Gorgeous colours!  especially Mr. Matt Batali :)  All eyeshadows is MATTE! 

Ooo mmm geee.... This matte eyeshadows are super likeable! I've tried Matt Batali (lid), Matt Ramirez (crease) and Matt Smith (blending) the other day and that was the first time I think I look pretty in super purple dramatic look, ever. My Painterly Pot of course helping by popping the colour more on my eyes. Oh,  this palette doesn't have a highlighter eyeshadow, so I use MAC Shroom. 

Absolutely amazing and I'm going to buy this soon! (and I meant it soon..for a backup ;p)

And I got this tinted lip gloss for FREE :D

Plump Your Pucker tinted lip gloss in Cocoa My Coconut.
(the dark brown spots on the bottle is chocolate stains, ehem.. hehe)

The swatches.

Another, Ooo mmm gee... I love this tinted lip gloss! Why? the scents is like chocolate, every time I put it on my lips, I wanted to lick it so bad, like real bad.. the texture is quite creamy and smooth on my lips. When I use this, I feel like I'm walking with my lips covered with chocolate :D I definitely gonna buy this again!

Dangerous Ingredients in Cosmetics & Skin Care

I become interested to know whether products that I apply on my skin is safe for me. I searched online and found tone of them and they all stated the same lists of ingredients that harmful/ dangerous to us. 

Below are some of the ingredients that widely use in cosmetics although they are consider toxic/dangerous to use (Taken from Health Food Emporium, Aurora Group Inc, healthy-communications. Click on the link for more info).

1) Propylene Glycol

Ideally this is a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. It has been known to cause allergic reactions, hives and eczema. When you see PEG (polyethylene glycol) or PPG (polypropylene glycol) on labels, beware—these are related synthetics. Although exposure to high levels of Propylene Glycol is known to cause serious and potentially irreversible health conditions, the chemical industry tell us that "small" quantities or low level exposure of Propylene Glycol is "safe" to use on the skin and in food. According to the safety data sheets of industrial chemical manufacturers, chemicals such as Ethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol will cause serious health conditions, including liver and heart damage and damage to the central nervous system if sufficient is absorbed by the body.

2) Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben

Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Studies have shown that they are weakly estrogenic and can be absorbed by the body through the skin. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic.

3) Parabens (Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben)

Increases a person's risk of breast cancer. These class of chemicals are also endocrine disruptors and have been linked to fertility problems.

4) Titanium Dioxide (MSDS)

Declared a carcinogen, 2001

5) Fragrances

The label of "Fragrances" can mask a multitude of toxic, synthetic chemicals, many of which suppress the immune system, are endocrine disruptors, and cause cancer. When looking for scented products, make sure it's scented by essential oils -- which are expensive; therefore, companies usually list what essential oils are contained in the product without reverting to the generic term "Fragrances".

6) Collagen 

Derived from animal skins and chicken feet, the collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. They rest on the surface and prevent the skin from breathing comfortably.

7) Glycerin 

Draws moisture from inside the skin and holds it on the surface for a better 'feel'. Dries skin from the inside out. Listed on MSDS as hazardous.

Ooo mmm geee.... I found almost all my cosmetic products contained all the ingredients above except for collagen, hurmmm... Talking about collagen, I was planning to get Holika Holika: Three Seconds Moisturizing Collagen Starter this morning, looks like I won't be needing any *insert-product-name-here*-collagen after this.

My Skin79 BB cream has Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, and it used the term "Fragrances". Wow... It's quite shocking to know what exactly I put on my face every morning. I don't know what to do after this, either continue using it or leave it. I know that they may put just a 'small' dosage of those harmful ingredients thus labeling it 'safe' to use, but if all my cosmetics contained them, it may turn into something else, right? hurmm..

I want to use natural product after this. However the term 'natural' is also not clear. I read in one of the article that every company has the right to call/ claim their products 'natural' because there is no clear term what is the ingredients in 'natural' products. This is hard.

These two websites Environmental Working Group: Cosmetics Database and Safe Cosmetics are quite useful if you want to check whether your cosmetic product contains harmful ingredients.

*still thinking*

My Chocolate Valentine

 Dear hubby sent me this package for Valentine :D

Wow, I'm surprised.. it was neatly packed.. 

Chocolatessss

Estana dark chocolate, never heard this brand before, but it is delicious! I love dark chocolate!~

Durian Truffle in dark chocolate.. hehe, durian + dark chocolate, both my favourite.

It traveled 1000km++ to get to me, that's why the chocolate melted but it's still okay, it tastes good!
thank u hubby! luv ya!