Archives for September 2017

Visit the Clarins Open Spa and escape for 30 minutes that is just all about you

September 29, 2017 Paris B 2 Comments

PB SAYS: Clarins Beauty opened their first retail kiosk in the WORLD right here in Malaysia, at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya. Yay Clarins Malaysia! I was unable to attend, but despatched my guest writer, Lyn, to cover the event and to experience an Open Spa. Here’s her account of what is a Clarins Open Spa – the thing that intrigued me most of all.

I was extended an invitation to the official launch of Clarins Beauty’s first retail kiosk in IOI City Mall, Putrajaya early this month. The kiosk, on the Ground floor, occupies approximately 600 square feet and the space is quite well utilised. Not only does it have shelves displaying the full range of products, it even has two vanity tables, a waiting area with a fairly comfortable sofa, a consultation desk, and a gift wrapping station right at the checkout counter.

Besides offering skincare and body care, it is interesting to note that Clarins makeup has made a come back as well! They’ve been away for a few years, so it’s nice to have their cosmetics line back in the country. I’m quite happy that we have a pretty retail space to shop in, especially if you live around the area, and they also offer little makeup touch ups, and a sample wall where you can pick your own product samples. Also, I must mention the Travel Zone shelf where you can choose 4 travel sized products at RM130 which comes with a cute little pouch – quite a good deal and a good way to try a selection of products.

In the middle of the kiosk lies the Clarins Open Spa, a fairly new concept featuring 30 minute treatments ranging from facials to massages, catering to both men and women. This is the ideal quick getaway for busy people, and allows for a quick pick me up in the middle of the day, or in the middle of your shopping (Ideal for the coming festive shopping period!). Let me tell you a little about my experience there.

Give the Chanel Road Movie eyeshadow palette space in your Travel Diary

September 27, 2017 Paris B 14 Comments

The first time I set eyes on the Chanel Travel Diary collection was at the #MWS10 event. I was however, too busy running round to really pay attention. I did however, file one eyeshadow palette away in my head as one “to check out”. It was, without surprise, the very neutral City Lights eyeshadow palette.

During the event however, I noticed many of the girls trying out the new Chanel Road Movie eyeshadow palette, and they looked stunning! However, when I was actually faced with the palette at first, I was a little taken aback.

The bright teal in the top left corner was throwing me for a loop. Having shied away from using colours like these for a while (I’m playing very safe in my dotage 😛 ) I was not sure if I was brave enough to try it. However, when I eventually did dip my brush into the palette, I realised that it was, at its heart, a neutral coloured palette. The teal adds a pop of colour, or shade, but for the most part, it is supremely wearable, and quickly entered daily rotation.

While the Chanel Travel Diary collection puts at forefront the Palette Essentialle face palette, with the concealer, highlighter and blush, I’m unfortunately not sold on that one. It’s a good concept, if you like carrying your makeup around, and if you can find a shade that suits you, that you might like. While the concept fits right in with a collection conceptualised around travel, it is, I feel, not a product that will appeal to many.

My pick from the Chanel Travel Diary collection therefore, is this eyeshadow palette, because I think it’s unique enough, yet practical enough to serve you well with different looks.

Introducing : Caliata – the online store that brings cult beauty brands to Malaysia

September 25, 2017 Paris B 8 Comments

This post is kindly sponsored by Caliata.com

When people speak to me and ask about the products I use in my skincare routine, and I oblige with a list, I am often answered with a quizzical look. Brands like Oskia, Omorovicza and Emma Hardie rarely feature in everyday conversation. I may get a flicker of recognition when I mention REN Skincare, but often it is also followed by “Oh you really like REN don’t you?” LOL Good girl, you read my blog!

Ah, the perils and pitfalls of enjoying beauty brands that are often termed as “cult” and hard to access. This is more so here in Malaysia, where most of these brands (aside from REN) aren’t easily available locally. When asked, I always share where I buy mine – online, from overseas. And I’m then told “Oh, but I don’t know if my package will get lost, and I have a customs horror story to share” and most people leave it at that.

So, when Caliata.com, a new beauty online store based in Malaysia met with me and talked me through their approach and the brands they carry, I liked what I saw. Here was a chance for beauty buffs in Malaysia to get their hands on some cult beauty brands and products, quickly and conveniently. (And they’ve even kindly shared a discount code with all of you! 🙂 )

From the humble acorn comes the inspiration for the new Jo Malone English Oak colognes

September 22, 2017 Paris B 6 Comments

You know what you can sell this Anglophile? Anything to do with Robin Hood. I’m not sure why I’m such a sucker for the myth (or legend) of what really is, a marauding band of robbers, but I am and I spent some very happy years in the city at the very heart of this story, because well, Robin Hood! LOL!

So when, at the launch of the Jo Malone English Oak fragrance, we were told that the fragrance is inspired by the mossy woods of England and the very strong, very old English Oak tree, like the one in Sherwood Forest, where Robin Hood and his merry men used to camp around in, I was sold. Sold, hook line and sinker!

Unusually for Jo Malone, in releasing this new fragrance, they released 2 iterations at one go, both of which are quite different. So you get the Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut cologne, and the Jo Malone English & Redcurrant cologne.

The inspiration at the heart of these fragrances is the English Oak, a strong hardwood tree that has been a part of England’s history since time immemorial. This is the tree from which King Arthur hewed his round table at which he seated his knights. This is the tree in the heart of Sherwood Forest where Robin Hood and his merry men hid (it’s still there. Allegedly. A sprawling oak is, anyway LOL! :D) This is the tree from which druid staffs were made, and this is the tree used to make the ships which sailed around the world. The English Oak is steeped in history and mysticism and Jo Malone has drawn on that in creating their new scents.

Archives for September 2017

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