Archives for November 2017

YOUR SAY: Are you interested in local (Malaysian) cosmetics? Do you use any local brands?

November 30, 2017 Paris B 46 Comments

I’ve been thinking about this recently, so I posed this question on Facebook and received a good response with some good suggestions. So I wanted to open this up to you on the blog, because I know not everyone is on every social media platform.

I have noticed a bit of a boom in local, Malaysian cosmetics in recent years. I am, as you will know, Malaysian and based here in Malaysia. I may be grumpy about how things are run, but I am patriotic. There is a difference. However, be it due to my not being of the target market, or perhaps, just being a snob (ha!) I am quite unaware of, and unfamiliar with, the local brands and products that are out there.

This is where you come in! If you use or know of a reputable local cosmetics brand, or perhaps you own one, please feel free to share, and reach out.

GIVEAWAY: Count down to Christmas with the L’Occitane Advent Calendar 2017

November 28, 2017 Paris B

One of the sure signs that Christmas is around the corner, is the arrival in stores of the Advent Calendar. Traditionally a religious concept, counting down to the arrival of Christ, today, it is, like everything festive, a commercial concept. Advent calendars today contain everything from chocolate, to mini luxury beauty products and costs of these calendars are similarly reflected.

My grinching aside (I feel a little strongly about how the advent calendar is commercialised and how many people don’t even know or care what it is about) I still wanted to get into the spirit of Christmas. It is after all, just quite literally around the corner!

I was gifted with an advent calendar by L’Occitane Malaysia, during their early Christmas tea, as a door gift, and I thought it would be nice to gift it on in return. This year, L’Occitane had 2 versions of their advent calendar – One that you see here, is the regular version, and there is another deluxe version in a larger box. I am told that they are, for the most part, sold out. But if you still want one, you may still be able to get it at some of the smaller L’Occitane stores, or in stores located out of the Klang Valley.

While I’m not personally big on having lots of little sample sized products, this is a lovely way to try different items from the brand, and in fairly generous travel sizes. And with December 1 just a few days away, I’d like one of you to have this 🙂

The Leahlani Skincare Mermaid Mask will have you looking like a denizen of the deep – but with nicer skin

November 27, 2017 Paris B 6 Comments

I pride myself on being all adult and rational, and not falling for rainbows and glitter and only just went and did just that! For some reason, when I first came across Leahlani Skincare on Instagram (where all lemmings are born), I was drawn to it. Was it the pretty pastel packaging? Or perhaps the quirky names of products like “Siren Serum” or “Mermaid Mask”? Or perhaps the lovely, relaxed vibe the brand gave off. I could almost feel the warm, balmy Hawaiian breeze against my skin.

But I ran into a snag. It was very expensive to have it shipped to me here in Malaysia from Hawaii. So I heaved a regretful sigh, and resigned myself to admiring it from afar. Until one day, the brand popped up on one of my favourite etailers, and I hauled!

One of the first items I added to my cart was the famed Leahlani Mermaid Mask. Like unicorns, mermaids were enjoying their day in the sun for a spell, but it seems more shortlived. Unicorns are still going strong aren’t they? 😛

Leahlani Skincare is a natural skincare brand, with a holistic slant. The owner, Leah, wanted to create a skincare range that was not only good for the skin, but that people would enjoy using. Each item in the Leahlani Skincare range is a sensorial delight. The colours are different from what you’d see in most skincare, ranging from deep green in the Mermaid Mask, to the warm pink of the Bless Balm, and to the golden champagne liquid of Siren Serum. The glass packaging is luxurious and the scents are intoxicating, soothing and delicious. This is a brand I am definitely looking to delve further into, but I’ll kick off with the Leahlani Mermaid Mask.

Being Thankful

November 24, 2017 Paris B 26 Comments

I’d started a little practice a few years ago, of sharing a brief post around Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not a celebration that exists where I live, but I feel that it is good practice to pause for a moment, and give thanks, so I adopted Thanksgiving. I also previously adopted Black Friday sales but that’s a different story LOL! (this year, I’ve stayed away from most of the year end sales … thus far and hope to make it through the rest of the year unscathed)

I looked back in the past 3 years, and realised that I’d stopped this practice. Truth be told, the past 3 years weren’t pretty ones, and I was too wrapped up in my own misery to be thankful for much of anything.

Although I still traverse stormy seas, I think these posts are something I should maintain, because it serves not only as a reminder to me, but also maybe to you 🙂 So, I’ll share a little of what I’m thankful for, and you can do the same. Or if you’d rather not, just pause for a minute today, and think of 3 things you are thankful for. I promise you, the day will look a wee bit brighter – before you head off for your Black Friday sales 😛

Archives for November 2017

The fun and previews happen on Instagram @parisbmws