Ma Cherie's Moisture Range Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Last October was sort of my Beauty Products Splurge Month LOL. Bought tons of masks, lotions and beauty products. One of them is the Ma Cherie Shampoo & Conditioner set (Amazon). I have been dying to try Japan brand hair care products since they started to come flooding into Malaysia market sometime around the end of 2014, if I’m not mistaken.

For a while now, I’ve heard tons of positive reviews on Ma Cherie’s hair care products so I decided to give them a try and see if they’re really worth the whole hoohas. But truthfully, hands down, I trust most Japan brand products live up to their names.

One thing that made me hold back was because they’re really pricey ranging from RM30-RM50 per bottle. My usual shampoo is less than RM15! #damnkiamsiapbeautyblogger

Thankfully, in Malaysia there are sales all year round and I got them both for 30% off! On top of that, since they sum up to above RM60, I received a Ma Cherie umbrella too. But it's so pink I don't dare to use them LOL

Ma Cherie carries 2 different range for their hair care products, the Moisture and Airy Feel range. The former is self explanatory while the Airy Feel works to give your hair more volumn yet light feeling. I chose the Moisture range one which I think is more suitable for my then unruly kinda hair.

For the shampoo and conditioner, there are options of 3 different sizes though I chose the 500ml bottle which cost RM47.60 and RM49.70 respectively. They are also available in 200ml for RM28.50 while the travel pack for both cost RM13.80.

Aside from the shampoo and conditioner, other products from the Ma Cherie hair care products line up includes the treatment and hair styling products. For full product line up, check out Ma Cherie Official Website.

Before I get to how amazing these products are, let me get to the detail of the design of the bottle first. The moisture range bottles are coral-ish pink in color with a gold color pump. Super obsessed with anything with a hint of gold color LOL. And the pump, the design is simply genius_you can actually lock it back again! (Goodness, what with me and bottles pump design recently.)

Furthermore, there are markings on the cap and at the sides of the shampoo bottles to differentiate it from the conditioner. I got to know about it from another blog and I find it thoughtful.

The bottles are just so pretty they make great bathroom décor LOL. So-o keeping these bottles even after I finish the content for the reasons mentioned.

I find the diamond pattern cap design for the medium-size bottles uber cute! Still opted for the larger bottle because of the price difference #calculative

The shampoo is silky and I was actually surprise by how watery it is.. The conditioner on the other hand is light and gel-ish. One thing I love about the conditioner is that how it is not greasy compare to other conditioners I have tried and could be easily washed off.

Results are noticeable in just days! My hair feels lighter but they do have the ‘weight’ from being more moisturized so they don’t fluff up and the locks stay together longer too (Yayyy!). Also, despite the lightness, my natural curls are still quite defined.

There is but one problem _ tying my hair with a scrunchy is more challenging now because it falls off easily! Hair too smooth liao.

So yeah, you already know my conclusion. I honestly think they’re worth every cents!

The Body Talk: Naturals by Watsons' Olive Shower Cream & Marula OilBody Lotion Review

In my previous post, I shared with you my recent body care products, the Naturals by Watsons' Olive Cream Bath and Marula Oil Body Lotion but didn't get to tell you in detail just how AWESOME these products are. So walah, dedicating this blog post specially for them today (^o^)v

Before I knew how amazing these products were, what tempted me to get them was the fact that they're certified organic (yayyy!) and the packaging! It's simple but pretty, in a classy way.

In case you're wondering why I didn't get the cream bath and body lotion from same range, it's because I was lost for choices and I am so impatient to try them all!! Though the three ranges I'm particularly interested in trying are the Marula Oil, Olive and Argan Oil range. Mostly because of their function in protecting & repairing the skin and also the scents are lovely.

Getting back to the design of the bottle, only after using it for a while I noticed that simply by twisting the pump clockwise, you can lock the pump!

Meaning no worries about accidentally pumping the content out say when you bring it along during travel/vacation (Hey, family size travel toiletries) or simply preventing younger children from messing around with it. While it may not be necessary or useful most of the time but it may come in handy.

I have noticed TWO improvements in the condition of my skin since I started using them.

The first is how the soles of my feet, especially my heels are so much softer now! I had really bad cracked, rough heels from bad footwear and all the walking I have to do. Initially I wanted to get rid of them by using a 'foot mask' which works by peeling off the hardened/rough skin of your soles. Recently they're tones of Japanese/Korean brands that carry this product and the mask isn't cheap with price ranging from RM20-RM50 per pack. But no, I really don't see a point in getting the foot mask now. Crediting the Olive Cream Bath for the awesome moisturizing effect!

Secondly, I notice my skin's more evenly toned and taut. Especially on my arms, there are less flabbiness yayyy~!! Two weeks ago, my friend commented how I seemed to have slimmed down a bit and I really think I've got the lotion to thank. FYI, I am neither dieting nor exercising (no time to do that!).

It may lie in one of the key ingredients in the lotion, which is the Mafura Butter that is said to "softens and improves skin elasticity". Another contributing factor is the lotion does take a bit of massaging, which I usually do so in circular motion, to be absorbed which possibly contributed to tightening of the skin.

My verdict? You bet I'm loving them! I bought them both for less than RM20 during sale (Normal price is RM19.90 for the cream bath and RM24.90 for the body lotion), so IMO for something that works well, they're SUPER WORTH IT!! Proves that you don’t need to burn a hole in your wallet to get quality stuff.

Do give any of the Naturals by Watson range a try and tell me if they work for you too~!

November OOTDs

Just noticed my last OOTDs post was 3 months ago! Things have been hectic here so I wasn't in the mood to snap photos (I'm obviously not a selfie person LOL). While I still go shopping, there are clothes I didn't have the time to alter.. #shortpeopleproblem

Anyway, here are some of my usual looks~

#1 Mango Boho top, belt from Forever 21, Boho clutch with tassel from Bershka, necklace, belt and my old pair of denim shorts

This was taken few months ago when I just cut my hair. I left it to the hairdresser and she cut them too short I wanted to cry (T__T)

That aside, I have many things I love in this coordinate. Firstly, I SUPER LOVE the designs of the top!! When I first saw it displayed on the mannequin at Mango, I knew I had to get it! Though I hesitated because it was pricey but luckily I found the last piece of my size on sale in another Mango branch.

Also, the accessories I wore here are some of my favorites too! Loving the boho-ish clutch and earrings! The earrings are not visible, so here's a close up~

#2 Padini lace-details top, Seed by Padini denim jeans and lace choker

To add more mix and match options to my wardrobe, I purchased a pair of jeans, my first in years! Truthfully, jeans aren't really my thing because I find it restricts movement (even so, I wasn't a fan of the skinny/legging jeans which are more stretchy..) and I feel I sweat a lot in jeans wth.

Anyway yeah, I have a change of heart though I still got something stretchy so it's feels more comfy.

#3 Final OOTD shot for this post is this monochrome dress from an online boutique and Taobao belt (old)

Loving the prints though I find the dress is not well made and I think it makes me look fat... (>Д<) LOL

me, the minimalist

Hello~!

In my last post, I was sharing about how I decided to adopt a minimalist lifestyle simply by reducing material needs and keeping my living space clean because mess stresses me out. Besides that, minimalism also means reducing the number of goals I have (trust me, I have tons!) so that I could actually tick them off my list one by one. Boy did it worked because my to-do list has never been shorter!

Alert! This particular post is super wordy.

de-cluttering and organizing

I first started by getting rid of things I didn't want. This begin sometime end of last year, even before I discovered minimalism or the KonMari method! I keep finding myself cleaning things up and it was simply tiring..

So I got rid of things.

I remember getting rid of other things but I don't remember what I did though most of them are my clothes. Because I was still experimenting on my style, I was guilty of buying tons of clothes which I ended up not wearing or only worn once only to discover they didn't feel like "me"... Of course, there are the occasional impulse splurges. There were a total of 6 bags, 4 of which I've recycled and 2 more bags which I'm hoping to get rid though I notice the second hand culture in Malaysia isn't very strong.. I don't know, never seem to be able to sell them *shrug*

After that, I get organize.

For my wardrobe, my clothes are organized by articles type (dresses, skirts, etc) and by color though the latter is mainly OCD factor. In my dresser, I folded my clothes to let them "stand" vertically instead of stacking up so I could see everything and actually wear them. I also organize my beauty products on my dresser, table top, books/stationeries and kitchenwares.

Finally, it is making sure that I actually return my things at the spots that I've assigned as suggested in the KonMari method. With that, I wouldn't need to bother cleaning the spaces so often save from my weekly dusting, sweeping and mopping.

My OCD alarm doesn't go off as frequently as it used to. Such a bliss.

less material needs

When I told a friend, YY that I am all into minimalism, she asked if that means I'll be toning down on my clothes shopping LOL. I said no.

Minimalism doesn't mean cutting down on everything and living with only 100 things. Of course, there are people who has succeeded in doing so but nah, it isn't my thing.

Instilling minimalism as a blogger means cutting down on unnecessary purchases just for the sake of reviewing. When I first started writing reviews, I felt like there was a need to jump into the bandwagon as other beauty bloggers to be the first few to review every single newly launched products in the market. So-o not gonna even deny that. Today I only buy things I need and if I feel adventurous to try something new, I tend to wait until I finish one product. Or at least I made it a point to have reviewed my current beauty stuff before treating myself to trying something new.

On the other material wants? When I see something I like, whether its clothes, cute decors/toys/etc., I'll make sure I think twice, thrice or more before I get them.

Prioritizing my goals

There's more to being a minimalist than just cutting down.

Minimalists don’t focus on having less, less, less; rather, we focus on making room for more: more time, more passion, more experiences, more growth, more contribution, more contentment. More freedom. Clearing the clutter from life’s path helps us make that room. - www.theminimalist.com

So yes, I do know I have 1001 things I want to do and achieve. But I have my plates full, hands on so-o many things on my to do list that never seemed to get ticked off, I simply grew tired.

Following the advice from the article I've read from another minimalist blogger, I let go of some goals. Not like let go and let them be forgotten. Just putting them aside, at least for the moment until I've accomplished :)

Today, I feel more relaxed and as though I have more time on my hand. On the downside, I have been taking my free time for granted and for that, I feel like kicking myself wth (≥Д≤) Though I did finished 2 books in a month which I'll consider an accomplishment ( ⌒▽⌒)v

Thanks for reading my lengthy post!

Embracing Minimalism

Of late I've been trying to clean up and get organized. I mean, of course I do that from time to time considering I'm someone with an OCD for cleanliness.

Nothing to extreme though! I've known people who are just way-y over the top about this issue but I rather practice moderation.

Anyway, I always find peace having a clean space but despite all the cleaning, the clutter remains. I find there are just too many things, material items that I don't find myself needing most of the time. At times it gets really frustrating and one time I find myself cleaning at 12am.

And so, I start asking myself what I can do though its mostly recycling clothes that are beyond wearing, trying to sell my unworn clothing (though unsuccessfully because I just don't know where to trade locally and apparently 2nd hand culture isn't something here...) and reduce my other 'harta benda' (material assets) a.k.a. 'sampah' (rubbish).

On my journey to a more organized life, I came across the term called "minimalism" which, apparently has been trending in recent years though still limited sources online.

Perhaps you have heard of Marie Kondo's best selling book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" instead, there are more videos/bloggers/articles about it. Basically, it's a de-cluttering bible. I haven't read the book but would love to get my hands on it and see I could find new ideas to well, keep my things organized. IMO KonMari method sorta relates to minimalism for reason I'll be sharing shortly.

Here are what I learn:

From the term "Minimalism", I learn

1) Minimalism can be instilled in just every aspect of your life_from lifestyle, personal finance, attitude, life goals. The main purpose is to de-clutter to give you more time and energy to focus on things that really matters.

2) Transitioning to a minimalist lifestyle does not mean getting rid of everything but simply reducing to things that you find useful.

From articles I read on KonMari's book, I learn

1) To keep only items that "spark joy" to your life.

2) Assigning a particular space for all items and always return them to their rightful place.

Based on these ideas, I managed to reduce my things further and while it still feels like there are many things around, at least they have their own uses. It feels good too I don't feel too stress up with the need of reorganizing my things and cleaning up too often *phew*

I wanted to share what are the efforts I put to exercise minimalism in my life (besides the cleaning up bits) but this blog post is getting a bit too wordy so I'll leave it for the next blog post~! Thanks for reading!