Mamonde First Energy Serum Review

Hey, ok, so it's been a while! I'm kind of busy these days since I'm studying Korean, and you know, learning a language can take up a lot of your time. I'm also in the process of applying to a language school in Korea so that adds up to the workload :) Anyway, let's get on to what I'm here to talk about today. Recently, Mamonde has become quite popular with Thai bloggers. So many of them talked about the brand and raved about their star product, the First Energy Serum. I was not really familiar with Mamonde, but a swarm of positive reviews made me curious so I decided it's worth a try. I've been using this religiously for over 2 weeks, and I think I've reached a verdict on it. Keep on reading to find out if it lives up to the expectation!

Best Toner for Normal to Dry Skin - Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile Review

A couple of days ago, I bought my third bottle of Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile, and I realized that I have yet to review this awesome product on my blog. It's very rare that I repurchase any skincare more than twice, so me buying this for the third time says a lot about how great a toner it is. If you are looking for a toner that does more than toning your skin, make sure to read on after the jump!

Christmas Gift Guide For Her

Running out of gifts idea is one problem many people (including me) often encounter during Christmas. You can always ask your friends and family what they would like to receive, but that basically ruins the surprise. Plus, if you were to ask, the answer is most likely 'anything' - it's probably the most hated word during holiday season lol. Here, I have compiled a short list of some things that I think would be a perfect gift. I hope this gift guide will give you some idea on what to give your loved ones this coming Christmas!

Wishtrend 2014 Black Friday Event - 24th to 30th November

Finally, after a long anticipation, Black Friday sale begins to pop up everywhere! It's that time of the year to enjoy huge discounts and savings on literally everything. Being a beauty addict like us, what's better than a good deal on skincare and makeup? Today, I'll be sharing with you the Black Friday event from Wishtrend, where you will find a wide selection of exclusive Korean beauty products with hugely discounted price, as well as amazing promotion on shipping and extra savings. Since it's the season of giving, why not take advantage of this incredible deal and get yourself and your loved ones some effective Korean cosmetics?

Primera [프리메라] Miracle Seed Essence Review

It's been roughly a month since I started using the Primera [프리메라] Miracle Seed Essence, and it's time for me to tell you whether it is indeed a miracle for my skin. For those who have yet to hear about this brand, it is a brand under AmorePacific, which is the mother company of popular brands like Etude House and Innisfree. Primera is a mid-to-high end brand that focuses on using natural ingredients for their products. I've used some of their bestselling products (click HERE for the review of their Alpine Berry Watery Oil-Free Gel Cream), and I loved them. Therefore, when I decided to try out this essence, I was expecting quite a lot out of it.

CNP Laboratory Anti-Blemish Spot Solution Review

I don't know why but my hormones have been going wild lately. I keep getting acne here and there, especially on my U-zone (which is usually not acne-prone). Thank God they are not painful cystic acne, but still! So, I searched for something to rescue my skin and ended up with the Anti-Blemish Spot Solution from CNP Laboratory, my favorite dermatologist-developed skincare brand. I absolutely love their blackhead clear kit, so I hoped that the spot solution would be as effective. And, I am not disappointed! Find out why it has become my staple product after the jump!

Introducing Wishtrend.com - a Hub of Niche, Exclusive Korean Beauty Products

It’s undeniable that Korean wave has swept across the globe, and one influence of such phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the beauty industry. Many women around the world now aim to achieve a flawless complexion with healthy glow like those of Korean actresses in dramas, so they begin to discover Korean beauty products and skincare regimen. Many Korean brands that have made it to the global market are usually mainstream brands, such as Etude House, The Face Shop, and Sulwhasoo, thanks to their huge marketing budget. However, do you know that there are many other smaller Korean brands that are loved by Korean women but are not widely available or known to foreigners? These brands are focused on effectiveness and results. They used to be exclusive to Korea, but they are now accessible to all of you thanks to Wishtrend.com, a hub of niche Korean beauty products.

Guerlain KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Color '343 Sugar Kiss' Review & Swatch - Yet Another Dupe of YSL '52 Rosy Coral'

I must have been attracted to all the rosy coral lipsticks out there after I fell in love with the phenomenally popular YSL #52. I don't know why, but I keep finding dupes of it without even realizing lol. I just thought, "oh, this shade looks pretty," and it turns out to be a good dupe of the YSL one. Well, so here I am with another review of a dupe for the YSL '52 Rosy Coral.' The product in question today is the recently released Guerlain KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Color '343 Sugar Kiss'. This is my first Guerlain lipstick ever, and I have to say I'm impressed. I'll get to that in a bit. If you are curious to find out why, keep on reading! By the way, click HERE if you want to check out the post on another dupe of YSL #52  (YSL '33 Rose Neillia').

Happy Halloween! Here are 10 of the Spookiest 2-Sentence Horror Stories

Trick or Treat!! So, Halloween is tomorrow! Are you guys ready to party? Sadly, Halloween is not a big thing in Bangkok. I miss how I used to dress up and party hard in the States lol. Anyway, since I'm going to be staying home, I might as well watch a good horror flick or enjoy some chilling ghost stories. While I was browsing for something to freak myself out (I swear I'm not insane =P), I stumbled upon some creepy 2-sentence horror stories - I'm here to share with you 10 of the spookiest ones I've found. I hope you are not reading this alone, or in the dark!

Rave Review: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Cleansing Water

Cleansing water was a huge trend last year or so. Everybody was talking and raving about it, especially about the Bioderma Sensibio H20. I hesitated to jump on the bandwagon as I doubted the cleansing power of 'water.' Come on, it does kinda sound gimmicky. I almost gave in several times, but my Shu Uemura cleansing oil was working well for me so I resisted the urge to splurge. It was not hard since Bioderma was only available online to me at the time. Then, last week, I saw the highly-raved-about Bioderma Sensibio at my local Boots, and I could not walk away without grabbing one. You know what, thank god I did! Oh my, I almost feel sorry for doubting its effectiveness. I'm pretty sure this is probably like the 100th time you hear someone goes crazy about this Bioderma cleansing water, but it truly deserves all the love!

Chiang Mai Photo Diary Part 2: Reconnecting with Nature

I'm here with Part 2 of my Chiang Mai trip! Last time, it was all about temples and architecture, but you will see a lot of green this time. After the temple tour, I went to indulge in nature at Mon Jam Mountain. Being from bustling Bangkok city, it was an incredible change of scenery. October is not a peak season for tourists so there were not many people, which was awesome. I could fully appreciate the beautiful view without having to go through a crowd of people. The weather was kind of cool, something like early Fall. I didn't need an outerwear but I saw several tourists with jackets. I guess I'm used to cool weather as I lived in New York for years. The air was so fresh I felt like I was detoxing my respiratory system lol. Up there is so amazingly beautiful that I think my photos didn't do it justice.

Chiang Mai Photo Diary Part 1: On a Journey of Faith

Hey guys! How are you all doing? I spent the entire past week on a family vacation in Chiang Mai, a northern province in Thailand. Due to poor Internet connection (and I forgot to bring my phone), I was not able to check out my blog much so I have to apologize for the lack of posts and comment replies. On the other hand, a week without being constantly caught up in browsing Internet and being on social network was a refreshing change of scenery. I got to communicate more with my family and fully appreciate what Chiang Mai has to offer. During the trip, I saw a surprising amount of foreigners, especially Westerners. I didn't know Chiang Mai has become such a popular travel destination. Contrary to the famous Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a slow-paced province. There are still many traditional architecture, and people are generally more friendly. While I was there, I went on a temple tour, which took me to 9 famous temples. I was amazed by their beauty and their interesting history.

Etude House F/W 2014 Dear My Wish Lips Talk 'PK003' and 'OR202' Review & Swatches

I feel like majority of my reviews these days are on lipsticks lol. Well, that's what happen when you are a lippie lover :P Anyhow, after the Innisfree Creammellow lipstick (reviewed HERE), I got another review of a F/W lipstick collection and it's from the famous Etude House. Come to think of it, this is actually my first review of Etude House's product. I mean, I've tried their products before but for some reason I didn't make a post about them. Oopsie! Now, before I get any more distracted, let's get back to what I'm going to talk about today - the Dear My Wish Lips Talk, a new hydrating lipstick formula Etude House recently released this Fall.

Go Vintage Style with Rosegal (Coupon Code Available)

Hey guys! Today, I want to share with you an online global fashion store that I just discovered recently - Rosegal.com. For those of you who are especially into vintage and feminine clothing style, you will love it!

Rosegal.com has a lot of cute vintage/retro inspired clothing, as well as timeless classic pieces and a wide range of modern design like bandage dresses. I'll say, whatever you style is, you will find something that you like at Rosegal.They also have a huge selection of adorable accessories including bags, hair pieces, jewelry, watches, scarves, and more. 

Oh, here is an important part - if you love bargain or fashion for less, you will love this store even more! Rosegal's items are very reasonably priced - the average price is around $15 I'd say. I saw some stylish dresses that are even below $10!  Not to mention that they offer free shipping worldwide. How can you not love this :)

While I was browsing their store, I saw a lot of items that I like. Let me give you a sneak peek of some of my favorites!

Innisfree F/W 2014 Creammellow Lipstick in No. 3, 8, 9 Review & Swatches

Many Korean brands have released their F/W makeup collection featuring glossy lipsticks, and one of them is Innisfree. Innisfree Creammellow lipstick is formulated to provide moisture and glossy finish with shades that are Fall-appropriate. As a person with chapped lips, I was really looking forward to try this out. Keep reading if you're interested in how it turns out for me!

The Beauty Blogger Tag!

Hi, hi, everyone! Today, I'm going to do something different instead of the usual beauty reviews, hauls, and wishlists! I was tagged by Mindy from Mymychen, so I'll be doing the BEAUTY BLOGGER TAG! I'm so excited to share some of the things about me with you guys :) Thank you Mindy for this fun opportunity. You all should check out her blog for beauty reviews, circle lenses, and many more. Her blog is super lovely! Now, let's get started with this, shall we?

Nature Republic Fresh Vegetable Pack Review

Time sure flies - it's officially October, one of my favorite months because of Halloween. But, since I'm back in Bangkok, I doubt there will be much celebration here. Boo :( Anyway, let's get on to what I'm going to talk about today! Vegetables is good for you due to the antioxidants and other good stuffs they contain, and in addition to taking them orally, vegetables can also be used externally as skincare to nourish and revitalize skin - cucumber mask, anyone? I'm really interested in homemade natural remedies made from beneficial veggie and fruits, but ain't nobody got time for that lol. So, when I came across Fresh Vegetable Pack from Nature Republic, I thought it might be a good product to pamper myself with (and more convenient than DIY version). I've been using it once a week for a month now. Read on to find out what I think about this mask!

GIVEAWAY WINNER: And the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam goes to ...

What's up guys! My mini giveaway of the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam has finally come to an end, and I've randomly picked the winner/verified the entry! And without further ado, I'd like to announce that the lucky winner of this giveaway is ALYSSA FORKELL! Congratulations!! I'll send you an email so please look forward to that :)

Thank you everyone who supports me by entering this giveaway. If you didn't win this time, don't worry - there's more to come! Again, thank you for being such lovely readers. I'd like you to know that I'm really thankful for all of your support :) See you in the next post!

UPDATE (7.10.14): Since Alyssa had not send me a reply and it's been over 5 days, I decided to pick a new winner. The new winner of this giveaway is ALWIYA! Congratulations!

Korean Cosmetics Haul ft. Innisfree, Etude House, Primera, and CNP Laboratory

Hey guys, hope you all had a great weekend. My weekend was quite special because my Gmarket package finally arrived! Yay! I'm a bit more excited than usual since it will be my first time trying out Etude House's lip products. I know, I know - you are probably thinking how is that possible for a beauty junkie like me lol. It just happens to be the case that I find other brands more intriguing. But, the new lipstick collection looks pretty nice so I would like to give Etude House a chance :) I also got new lipsticks from Innisfree as well as some skincare products from CNP and my favorite brand Primera. There are just so many things lining up for reviews and swatches! Let's look into more details on what I have received.

NOTD: Christian Louboutin 'Rouge Louboutin' Nail Color

Alright, let me warn you first that this NOTD post will be pretty photo-heavy. Well, how can it not be when it is featuring the extravagant Rouge Louboutin - one of the most anticipated beauty release this year! Of course, I was initially reluctant to spend 50 bucks on a bottle of nail polish, but the packaging did completely win me over. I knew it would look beautiful on my dresser :) Rouge Louboutin, which is the color of Louboutin's iconic red sole. is the first shade released, and many will be following (which I hope I won't be liking any, or else I will definitely become penniless).

YSL Rouge Volupte 'Rose Neillia' Review & Swatch - Dupe of the Famous YSL 52 'Rosy Coral'

I was casually browsing the YSL counter at Bergdorf when I suddenly stumbled upon a Rouge Volupte lipstick that really reminds me of the phenomenally popular Rosy Coral shade - it is the YSL Rouge Volupte in No. 33 'Rose Neillia.' I was like, ok, I already have the Rosy Coral so I'm gonna pass on this one. But then I saw some swatches online and felt I had to have it lol. Well, so I went back to the YSL counter, and you know what, it was sold out! The sales assistant told me it was a limited shade. Of course, I didn't give up - I searched all over the place and finally landed on one at YSL counter in Bangkok :) I feel like this can be an alternative to those of you who cannot get your hands on YSL Rosy Coral.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation Review

I haven't used many Chanel makeup products, but I like what I have tried from the brand so far - the eyeshadow palette, liquid liner, and eye makeup remover. When I was searching for a good lightweight foundation, Chanel therefore was among the list of brands I was considering. I decided to stop by Bergdorf in NYC to test out the products from the brands on my list to see which one I like most. Chanel counter was my first, and last, stop. As soon as I asked the sales assistant about foundations, she offered to do my makeup with Chanel foundations so I can decide myself whether I like the finish and feel of the product. I hesitated at first because I was afraid that the foundation she was going to try on me would turn cakey - I didn't have enough time to go back to the hotel and redo my makeup. But, I took a leap of faith and say yes :) And, I was glad I that I did! I didn't have to look further for a nice everyday base makeup as it was a love at first sight with the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.

MINI GIVEAWAY: My Holy Grail Cleanser - Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam (Open Internationally)! [CLOSED]

Hey guys! It's time for another mini giveaway! Yay! Actually, it is unplanned lol. A few days ago, I received a generous sample of my holy grail cleanser - the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam - from my local Sulwhasoo counter. Since I've already owned one, I thought it may be a good idea to give this away as a small token of my appreciation for all you lovely readers out there :) Many of you that have been wanting to try this out but not sure if it's worth a splurge, this is a chance for you! Since I haven't done a review on this product on this blog (I did it in my old blog), I'll briefly go over how awesome this cleanser is. The Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam contains potent ginseng and other plant extracts that hydrate, revitalize, and refresh your skin. It cleans efficiently without stripping your skin off natural moisture as it is free from harmful sulfates. From my experience, the skin becomes softer and brighter after use. Plus, I didn't get any irritations and breakouts from this. Moreover, it lathers up nicely and rinses off easily. This cleanser is good for any skin types, both young and mature.

  

This trial-size cleanser comes in a 50 ml pump bottle (the full size is 200 ml and retails at US$36). It's pretty small but this will probably last you around a month or so. You only need half a pump each time - a little does go a long way with this one. It has a lock at the bottleneck, which I suggest you keeping as it will come in handy when you want to take it for travel.

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So, let's get to the giveaway rule, shall we? It's really simple - just enter the giveaway and follow the the instruction on Rafflecopter. One entry per person only. 

Just to be clear, while the rest are optional (you can do them to get more points for higher chance to win), the following are mandatory:

1. Follow my blog via GFC
2. Follow my blog via Bloglovin'

Make sure you use a valid email cause that's what I will use to contact the winner. And as usual, no cheating or unfollowing afterwards please.This giveaway will end on 30th of September, 2 weeks from now.The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced/contacted by me. If the winner doesn't reply within 5 days, a new winner will be chosen.  

Thank you for all of your support and good luck guys! :D 
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Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Review

Lately, my skin has been so out of control. It would start to get oily in an hour or two, and there are more clogged pores than usual because of that. So, I got me a clay mask. I've never used a clay mask before because many people complains about it stripping their skin, but nothing seems to help with my currently oily skin so I'm giving it a try. I decided to go with the Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask from Innisfree since it  has received many positive reviews. Plus, it's very affordable so I won't regret buying it in the case that clay mask doesn't work on me. I have to admit I expected quite a lot from it, and well, I'm not disappointed.

Omorovicza Cleansing Foam Review

Just when I thought that no cleansers can beat my beloved Sulwhasoo Gentle Foaming Cleanser, I found out about this cleansing foam from Omorovicza. Not familiar with the brand? Omorovicza is a Hungarian brand focusing on incorporating unique ingredients from Hungary such as the healing water of Budapest into their skincare. There are so many positive reviews on this product, and people are raving about how awesome this brand is. So, of course, I gave it a try although it's way out of my budget. Well, when you're a beauty junkie, you sometimes spend more on your face than on food lol. Anyway, thank god my $75 didn't go to waste because the Omorovicza cleansing foam is da bomb - it's as good as the Sulwhasoo one if not better. The Sulwhasoo one is great but not very travel-friendly with the pump packaging, so this is definitely better in that aspect.

A New York Diary

Hey guys! I'm finally back in my lovely hometown Bangkok (and super jetlagged) after spending several years in New York. NY has become a second home to me, and I've made so many good memories there. Before I had to leave for good, I strolled around town while reminiscing about my time there, and enjoyed my last days in the city that never sleeps.

NOTD: 3 Concept Eyes Nail Lacquer RD02

It's been a long time since my last NOTD post so here it is, featuring a 3CE product from my recent haul! I have to confess it was absolutely an impulse buy to meet the free shipping requirement - I didn't expect a nice quality out of it due to my bad experience with many budget nail polishes (not that they are all bad but most of them are, in my opinion). But, this $4 nail lacquer turns out to be one of the best I've tried. I would rank it up there with all the high-end brands like Tom Ford or Dior. Yes, that's how much I love it. 

3 Concept Eyes Creamy Lip Color 'No. 4 Joyce' Review & Swatches

Next up for the 3 Concept Eyes product review is the Creamy Lip Color. I first saw this on my fellow blogger Filia's blog and fell in love with the color #4 Joyce. Since the lip lacquer from the brand dries my lips out, I really hope that this would not turn out the same way. It is a newer lipstick release from the brand and is more focused on being glossy instead of their usual matte finish. It claims to apply like butter and gives off vivid glossy color while moisturizing the lips. There are many beautiful shades but #4 caught my attention first, and I'm having a love-hate relationship with it. Keep reading to find out why.

3 Concept Eyes Water Gloss 'Funny Booster' and 'Lucky Strike' Review & Swatches

From my recent 3 Concept Eyes/Stylenanda haul, I've got several things I want to do a review on and I decided to start off with the brand's latest release, the Water Gloss. I was quite skeptical about this product when I first saw it since their lip lacquer didn't really work well for me, so I hesitated whether to give it a go. Well, I'm glad I didn't let my previous disappointment prevents me from trying new things from the brand. The Water Gloss turns out to be a worthy splurge as it exceeds my expectations in many ways. Keep reading to find out how :)

August Beauty Wishlist

It's been a while since I last shared with you my wishlist, and I feel like this month is a good time to share one since there are so many beauty products on my radar right now - some are released a while ago and some have just arrived. Let's get started with one of the hottest releases this month which got the fashion and beauty community (and me) obsessed over - yep, I'm talking about the Christian Louboutin nail color.

Lancome Lip Lover '336 Orange Manege' Review and Swatches

I've been meaning to do a review on the Lip Lover for a while but somehow I just couldn't find time for it. But, I finally brought myself to sit down and get working. I got this months ago (see my graduation haul here) and have been wearing it a lot. Needless to say, I adore this product.

Trending Item: Cruciani Bracelet

Hey guys! Today, I'll be talking about an accessory that has become a trendy item for many celebrities worldwide - the crochet bracelets from an Italian brand Cruciani. I was not aware of the brand until recently. I found out about it while I was searching for a nice couple bracelet for me and my boyfriend. It can be worn in shower so it's convenient for him who doesn't like the hassle of having to constantly taking off bracelet. Later on, I realized how popular it is among celebrities, and it is even worn by Gianna Jun in 'My Love from the Star.' Well, whatever she wears just become instantly coveted and highly sought after. 

Stylenanda / 3 Concept Eyes Cosmetics & Cothing Haul

Yes, yes, yes! My Stylenanda package has arrived after a long 2 weeks wait! The site had some trouble with order fulfillment at the time I placed my order, so it took them longer than usual to ship my package. The situation has just been solved :) It's been a long time since I last ordered from them because of the high shipping fees. I tried to order everything I wanted at once so I can get free shipping (they ship free for orders over $200). I usually only get cosmetics from them but this time I got some clothes as well! Most of their clothes come in free size so I didn't have to worry much about sizing. Well, the downside to free size is that it won't fit well for everyone. Anyhow, let's move on to what I splurged on. There are many interesting stuffs I want to share with you!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment 'Tulip' Review & Swatches

Here comes a long overdue review and swatch of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip shade. I bought this since it was just released and was still an exclusive for Sephora VIB. Now non-VIBs can get it as well. I first tried the original and Rosy lip treatment when I got them as a birthday gift from Sephora years ago and fell in love with them instantly, especially the Rosy one. So, I've been a loyal user of Fresh lip balms ever since. My current favorite would be the Advanced Therapy since it is just so hydrating. When I saw the Tulip shade coming out, I felt that the the color was so pretty and nice for everyday wear so I decided to get it.

Espoir Summer 2014 Beach Bombshell Collection: Lip Stain Flash Glow 'Kiss & Tell' and 'Merry Berry' Review & Swatches

Hey everyone! Today, I'll do a review on my first product ever from Espoir! I was not that interested in the brand before, but they've come out with many great products recently that peaks my interest. Their No Wear Lipstick is one of the most popular lip products in Korea, or so I heard. I've been tempted to try that out but then they released their Beach Bombshell Collection for Summer 2014 and it's just so gorgeous. I love, love the makeup on the model. So, I decided to get some of the lip products from the collection - the Lip Stain Flash Glow in PK001 Kiss & Tell and PK003 Merry Berry - which are currently sold out on the Espoir website. That was amazingly fast! Good thing I didn't take long to grab them lol.