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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Eyeliner - Liquid, Pencil or Gel?

Never been one to use make up before, I now swears by it.. meaning I hardly leave home without makeup... except occasionally when I need to rush out for a short while.

When that happens, I'll be wishing I dont bump into anyone I know... cos somehow there's the self conscious feeling like as if you're not wearing any clothes ;p

Anyhow I have tried a few brands and would like to give my 5 sen opinion on them.

1) Shiseido Maquillage eyeliner gel
RM75 and comes with an applicator brush.
VERDICT: only the brush is good. The gel smudges too much and too fast.





2) Cyber Colors
RM39.90 comes with a brush too but I did not like the brush as it is round tip.
VERDICT: better lasting power than Shiseido but it's not waterproof. So dont swim with it.





3) Chanel Waterproof eye liner
RM95 and comes with a sharpener at the back (cool design)
VERDICT: it is waterproof but not oil-proof meaning it does smudge at the end of the day since our eyes do excrete moisture and oil...







Tips:- To prevent extreme smudges first apply the liner then apply eye shadow on it.

FINAL VERDICT
So far all the eyeliner gel which I have bought smudge. It's a matter of how much. The best is Cyber Colour, followed by Chanel.

Perhaps for people like me who suffer from oily lower eyelids and like to smile or laugh with eyes tightly closed, to prevent smudges from top eyelid to bottom, the best would be liquid liner.

I have recently bought one from Shiseido Maquillage RM95 (refill RM40)... been working like a charm.. Should have gotten this product from the very beginning. Two thumbs up for it!!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Buying property, getting divorce.. being sued?? Gulp..


At one time or another we will need to engage in the help of lawyers.. especially when it relates to property.
Other times are when there are breach of contract or God forbid we get into criminal law trouble.

Lawyers are also needed in cases where there is death (distribution of assets) or getting a divorce.. but in these last 2 cases a different set of laws are applicable for the muslims which are the syariah laws.

So how do you know which lawyers to look for since the practice of law is so extensive... surely a lawyer does not know every areas of laws.

Well so far we have engaged these lawyers for help and find their services commendable:-

Areas of practice: Conveyancing (meaning sales or purchase of property / loans with banks)

Armiy Rais - 2 branches (Puchong and Damansara Perdana)
Contact Person: Mr David Soo 012-3827152 / 012-9166679
note: fast service and reliable. They can give instant quotation.


Areas of practice: Civil Litigation (meaning you want to sue someone or defending a suit)
previously I suggested Rommel and A Nagarajan (Jalan Tun Perak, KL) but now am looking for a new lawyer for this kind of suit. Will update when found.


Areas of practice: Divorce
R Paranjothi and Associates (Batu Caves area)
Contact Person: Ms Selvi 012-3669196
note: service may be slow but price is reasonable


Note that there is a standard way for computating the legal fees for conveyancing matters. That being said, there are many firms giving discounts even though it is strictly against Bar Council's rules.

You can also save on the fees in cases where both parties share lawyers. It is not encouraged but this method can really save a lot of money if both parties are genuine buyer/seller.

But the legal fees for all others matters depend on the lawyers, their level of expertise, experience and difficulty of the case.

Normally lawyers will not state a maximum amount because they can never predict the outcome of the case. Everything is usually 50-50. Bear in mind that even if you win a case, the other party have a right to appeal.

Another blog which is quite helpful is http://legal-malaysia.blogspot.com/ but I find their legal fees to be standard. Then again, sometimes what you pay for is what you get. But for the firms which we have listed above, we have tried them and they are good and get the job done.




Monday, September 19, 2011

Loose Powder


So far I have tried and tested 4 brands of loose powder. My ratings are as follows:-

1) Shiseido
I am now using my 3rd jar.. meaning I really like this product. I have very dry skin but at the end of the day this product did not dry it out further.

Only 1 shade - white / translucent RM135 for 18g.



2) Shiseido Maquillage
The powder itself is good but I find the applicator too small... very cutesy.

The difference between this powder and the other Shiseido powder is this has a subtle shimmer to it.

It's good except it's pricier cos even though Shiseido translucent powder is RM135 (18g). For Maquillage you pay less but you also get like 8 or 9g only. So in the end it work out to higher price per gram.

Shade - pinkish white only.




3) Chanel
I cant wait to finish using this product cos it's a bit drying for my skin. Not only that I find the applicator puff too harsh for my skin. Anyhow I just learned that the best way to apply loose powder is to use a large bristle face brush.

But it is cheaper/gram compare with the other Shiseido powder. About RM150 for 30g.

It comes in 3 shades.


4) Maybelline
Well perhaps it is not fair to put this in considering the price factor but after using this powder TOGETHER with Maybelline's foundation for less than a month, I noticed my face started to crack whenever I smile...so I immediately gave both of the products away.

Plus the size of the applicator puff is really too small.

Shade - light beige only.




CONCLUSION
Sometimes a product efficacy depends on the users' skin age etc.. So what might work for me might not be good for you.. At the end it depends on your budget too. For me once I finish my current Shiseido loose powder, I might try Ettusais or Cyber Colours loose powder (cos it's more economical).

Price
Maybelline $
Chanel $$
Shiseido $$$
Maquillage $$$$


Friday, September 9, 2011

Melaka - if you dont mind getting sunburn

Been wanting to travel around our Peninsula for a long time.. finally got around to doing it during the Raya break.

Was thinking of going to Pangkor Island / Penang / Ipoh and even Perhentian Island.. But alas these places were a bit too far so ended up in Melaka.

So if you are planning to travel there, my suggested places for lodging are:-


A) Melaka Raya area (near Plaza Mahkota)

1) Hotel Johan
www.hoteljohan.blogspot.com
room prices are from RM70 (non-peak)

Wanted to stay here but it was fully booked :(





2) The Trend Hotel
Tel: 06-286 1199
prices are cheaper than Hotel Johan and rooms are readily available.

Due to it's proximity with Mahkota Medical Centre, they even have special rates for guests accompanying patients of the hospital.

I actually stayed in this place... Rooms are ok. Quite small and not too clean, not too dirty.

Since the room is just for sleeping at night, I have no complains cos I only paid RM99 for the room considering it's on 31 August (Independence day + Raya) super peak season.






B) Jonker Street area
Note PRIOR reservation is required as normally fully booked during peak season
 
1) Hang Out Hotel
http://www.hangouthotels.com/malacca/index.php
Really nice establishment but price is mid range cos it is just around the corner of Jonker Street. Expect to pay at least RM147 (online) and RM210 (walk in).





2) Puri Hotel
http://www.hotelpuri.com/
I didnt actually see the place but was highly recommended by my sister. So on my second trip to Melaka I managed to go in and have a look...

Wow was I blown away by the hotel. It looked small from the facade but once you step in, it actually consists of a few lots, complete with a small outdoor garden. So I will highly recommend this place but remember to book early otherwise you might have to take the suite but it can fit more people.





C) Melaka River area
Casa del Rio
http://www.casadelrio-melaka.com/
really luxurious hotel. You know a hotel is luxurious when they offered in their public washroom hand soap, mouthwash and moisturiser. Gosh that's super lux.

Last checked with them, they are having promotional price of RM475 (with breakfast)


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides



All I can say the opening was predictable and the whole movie was so so.

The only interesting part was when the mermaids appeared... it's unbelievable how they can find such pretty gals (all innocent n sweet) and how the clergyman can be so buffed up.

It's not really a must watch but if you have the time, why not. BTW do stay for the end of the credits as there is a 2 second clip with Penelope in it.

I think it's an IN thing nowadays for there to be some eXTRAS during or at the end of the credits.

Well I'm not complaining cos how else can they get the audience to stay n see the number of casts and crews involved in the whole production. Another favorite of mine is to see the location for the shoot as well as music / soundtrack involved.

Sometimes there is also a "In memory of someone somewhere" cos I think the person die during production... Such a sad way to go but at least he/she got immortalised in the show.

I think staying back in a cinema for the end of credit is a bit difficult especially if it's a midnight show cos your party might be eager to go home plus you're getting in the way of the cleaners.

It's a lot easier if you're watching at home n you can FF your way through to the end.

All in all, do try to stay cos hey people put in a lot of time n effort to entertain you and the least you can do is just acknowledge their contribution big or small.