My Everyday Brushes - No 7, ELF and Samantha Chapman

I absolutely love brushes. Applying makeup with brushes is so much easier, and not to mention how awesome the finished look is.

These are the brushes i use everyday:

From Right to Left (In the order of how I would use them)

1. No 7 Foundation Brush RM35 (For a smooth and polished base - recommended by Lisa Eldridge)
2. ELF Studio Concealer Brush USD3
3. ELF Studio Powder Brush USD3 (For loose powder application - big and soft)
4. Samantha Chapman Blush Brush USD8 (I love big blush brush as they give a more natural blush without the hard edges)
5. ELF Eyeshadow Brush USD1 (To smooth on eyeshadow all over the lid as base)
6. ELF Studio Contour Brush  USD3 (I use a darker brown to contour my eyes)
7. ELF Studio Eyeshadow C Brush USD3 (To pick up highlighter for under brows and nose bridge, inner eyes too)

I also have Ecotools brushes and they work really well too but I use them mainly on weekends when I have a bit more time to makeup. These brushes are all super affordable, and for their price points I would say they work pretty well. I've had some of these brushes close to 5 years, especially the ELF range. They are priced USD3 each and very soft, and surprisingly durable. However, these brushes are not available in Malaysia, I bought them all from US website and shipped it here. I bought all the ELF and Samantha Chapman at www.iherb.com, while No 7 can be found in any Boots pharmacies (I got mine from Bangkok).
Read my reviews here on how to get more savings in iherb.com.

I've heard so much on Suqqu brushes but they are extremely expensive. So, while I'm saving enough to buy Suqqu, these brushes will do just fine.

L'Oreal Everstrong Overnight Repair Treatment

 

I was doing my weekly shopping in Watson's when I stumbled upon this product. Didn't intend to pick it up until I turned the bottle around and saw "Made in USA". Now, this got me interested because it was so afford-ably priced at RM29 for a 100ml bottle. 

Here's what it says on the bottle:

EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System Overnight Repair Treatment  

• For hair that needs extra strength, now there is haircare that’s so gentle, yet so strong. The new EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System™ contains L’Oréal’s patented Bio-Ceramide complex, which strengthens hair after just one wash. EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment is a leave-in formula that penetrates the hair fiber while you sleep to improve strength after just one use. It absorbs quickly without leaving residue on your pillow.  

I was instantly sold after reading this. After using it every night for 3 months, I can confidently say that it is THE best hair treatment I've ever used. Seriously good. 

My hair is very brittle, and fragile with lots of split ends thanks to constantly dyeing my hair (almost every 3 months). This thing literally seal my split ends together, no joke. 

I apply 2 pumps every night. The treatment is a white gel, which doesn't leave a sticky residue on my hand. My hair is so soft and fluffy the next morning. I have super fine hair naturally and most overnight treatment will weigh down my hair and makes my hair super flat and dull. But not this one, it is light and I really can feel my hair getting stronger with every use. 

Recommended for severely damaged hair with split ends. You can find this in Watson pharmacies for RM29.

I will rate this 5/5. 

Shopping at Escentual.com - La Roche Posay, Bioderma and other French Pharmacies Favourite!

I've heard so much about French pharmacy skincare - high quality, affordable and gentle on the skin.
The two highly recommended brands by my most favorite makeup guru, Lisa Eldridge, are La Roche Posay and Bioderma. Sadly, both brands are not available in Malaysia :(

So, imagine my happiness when I found these 2 brands on Escentual.com which ships to Malaysia on 30% sale!!

Oh.My.God.

To top it all, shipping is so affordable - only 5 pounds for International shipping to Malaysia. If you are kiasu like me, registered shipping is only 8 pounds. I'd highly recommend registered, knowing how easy parcels get lost in bolehland.

They also have a reward point system called Pretty Pennies. 1 points = 1 penny, which translates to 1% reward to be used in the next transaction.

For those using Maybank Amex 2 Cards, more good news! Yes, they accept AMEX, so please place your order on weekends to get additional 5% rebates :)
I've just placed my order yesterday, so I'm still obviously waiting for the parcel.

I'm so excited about the products i purchased! Will definitely review the products in the future, so stay tuned. 

35th of May Giveaway!

More awesome giveaways!

35th of May Giveaway is giving away Etude house products:

http://35thofmay.blogspot.de/2014/06/35th-of-may-celebration-giveaway.html

Addicted to iherb.com - super cheap shipping to Malaysia! Queen Helene, Ecotools, Samantha Chapman and more brands!

Reading rave reviews on Ecotools and Samantha Chapman brushes online, I was about to drive to the nearest Shins Outlet to get the Kabuki brush and foundation brush. Then, I stumbled upon this US website called iherb. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it's significantly cheaper in iherbs (about 40% cheaper) than Shins! More so, they also sell the best-selling Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask at only USD 3ish (RM12) for a huge bootle of 226g!

Best.Deal.Ever.

Shipping to Malaysia is only a flat rate of USD4 using the standard international shipment and I was pleasantly surprised it reach about 6 days to Shah Alam. I did not get any custom taxes or whatsoever. They also have the option of DHL and other shipping method but being the thrifty me, I chose the cheapest shipping.

Oh, and please do not make the same mistake I did by not using the coupon code below to save USD 10 (RM32) off your first purchase:

That was a year ago :)

Since then I have purchased lots of stuff from iherb, especially on brands we cannot find locally like Physician's Formula, Aveda, ELF, Aubrey Organics etc. Most of the stuff are good quality but here's my 

TOP 5 FAVOURITE MUST BUY PRODUCTS FROM iherb: 

1. Queen Helena Mint Julep Mask 226g $3.84
2. EcoTools, Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set, 1 Set $12.99
3. Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman, Your Finish/Perfected, Blush Brush $9
4. Sierra Bees, Organic Mint Burst Lip Balm, .15 oz (4.25 g) $0.95 
5. Physician's Formula, Inc., Organic Wear, Loose Powder, Creamy Natural Organics, 0.77 oz (22 g) $13.39

These are the best mask, brushes, lipbalm and loose powder I've ever used. I used the lipbalm everyday and it moisturizes better than Burt's Bees. You can read up all the product reviews online in makeupalley.com, high rating and super affordable! :)