Sooooo, besides feeling demotivated and falling off the blogging bandwagon a little bit…I’ve been rather adventurous too. The adventurous bug bite me when I was too fed up with having oil secretion on my face before mid of the day. That’s the downside of having oily skin I started going through all my base products, digging them out from every corner of my room. I have this crazy idea of using primer over liquid foundation, before finishing powder for a better oil control. However not all makeup base / primer works. It must be something that is able to matte the surface after application. Here is my Top 3 pick of primer that works well as perfector :D. Let’s start from bottom.

No. #3 – Talika Skin Retouch (RM162/30ml)*

Skin Retouch is one of the best seller in Talika. It is often referred as “photoshop in a bottle” by various user and beauty bloggers but yet often misunderstood as a product that didn’t work because most user would expect their pores and wrinkles to disappear. In actual Skin Retouch is a product that gives a soft focus appearance just like photoshop effect by tricking the eye illusion with soft focus look. In another word… it blurs pores, wrinkles and fine lines but not removing or shrinking them. I use this product on the weekend as transparent foundation because it covers imperfection well and brighten my face too.

I put Skin Retouch at No. #3 because it takes a fast hand and full concentration when patting the product over liquid foundation. The texture is more thicker and yet dries down fast therefore I would need to do it fast while using moderate amount. Too much of this will ruin the whole makeup. As you can see from the “After” picture, Skin Retouch sort of vaporized my foundation away leaving me with patches all over the face. It dries down fast so there is no way I can try to smear it even. The foundation will budge if I do so. The more I pat, the patchy it gets. Skin Retouch gives me a better oil control than without. However the downside to applying this over foundation is that the oil secretion seems to be accumulating underneath so a slight touch on the face can smudge the foundation away. What I like about this product is that it managed to blurs away my large pores and fine lines. Product review – http://www.street-love.net/2013/01/review-immediate-younger-and-smoother-skin-with-talika-skin-retouch.html

No. #2 – Benefit The POREfessional (RM115/22ml)

I suppose this is crowd favorite makeup base / primer due to it’s unique texture. Actually I like the texture as well. What POREfessional do is that it immediately minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for a smoother skin. It is extremely lightweight with a light scent. It doesn’t contain any oil so it’s slightly dry but yet silky and velvety. Many people use this as makeup base but do you know that POREfessional can be used over foundation too?

I have high hope on this. This product goes over liquid foundation like icing on the cake. It just glides on. With POREfessional I can apply either using swiping or patting. Usually I’m too paranoid of smearing my makeup so I would prefer patting it over. It gave me an instant matte finishing and covers up my pores nicely. I put Benefit The POREfessional at No. #2 despite me loving the finishing it gave me because this is really baddddd at oil control. Remember the purpose of this post? Yes, to find a primer that can give me better oil control. Although it does matte the surface of my face, my face doesn’t stay matte at all. Benefit The POREfessional doesn’t work on my skin as makeup base and even over the liquid foundation. However I do like the finishing the product gave me.

The Top 1 primer on my list is this.

No. #1 – Sampar Glamour Shot (RM173/30ml)

Glamour Shot is marketed as ‘transparent foundation” by Sampar. It is a serum and it’s also the 1st transparent foundation to be applied over daily moisturizer. This product is said to eliminate shine, fines lines, pores, redness and blemishes in just seconds. To date, this is my favorite weekend foundation. It doesn’t give any coverage at all because it’s transparent but it smooth out all the fine lines, large pores and redness. Simply amazing. The downside of this product is the heavy alcohol scent.

If you ask me what is the different between Glamour Shot with Talika Skin Retouch, I would say both is pretty similar. Skin Retouch is thicker and scentless while Glamour Shot is runnier like serum and comes with heavy alcohol scent. It doesn’t dries down as fast as Skin Retouch, which is good and which I like. The finishing of Glamour Shot over liquid foundation is a combination of Benefit The POREfessional and Talika Skin Retouch. It gave me a smooth, matte surface just like The POREfessional but it’s a bit patchy upon application just like Skin Retouch. However…the good side of it is that I can build coverage slowly and using fingers to correct mistake or budging foundation. This solved the patchy issue :D. Glamour Shot doesn’t dries down as fast as Skin Retouch so I can stop patting immediately when signs of patchiness is forming. What I like about this product is the flawless look after brushing on finishing powder. I list this as No. #1 primer that is just as good as apply on itself because of it’s superb oil control for me. Glamour Shot kept the oil at bay for the first five hours. That is like miracle to me. What else can I ask for beside matte coverage, covers up imperfection, patchy at first but mistake is easily corrected. If the oil secretion is floating underneath Skin Retouch, it doesn’t do the same with Glamour Shot. One thing you should know about Glamour Shot is that you cannot apply liquid foundation after that, but it do works well as perfector over foundation. Dusting powder is not a problem too. Product review – http://www.street-love.net/2012/09/review-sampar-glamour-shot-the-transparent-foundation-for-the-weekend.html

The above three product works for me as I was judging it based on my skin type. I get quite a number of email asking me if products that I reviewed suits normal or dry skin. Actually it depends. For example cleanser may not suits you as it is formulated for oily skin user so more oil from the skin surface will be stripped off. These three primer on the other hand will definitely work for normal or dry skin user as it’s only primer. I believe it is formulated for all skin type I’m beginning to like the idea of thinking out of the box. Maybe I can find more discovery from my own stash eh? Have anyone of you use your primer over foundation before? Which would you recommend for oily skin? Do share!

Disclaimer: Product marked with * was previously provided for review consideration. Product without * mark is either gift or purchased on my own.

The post Top 3 Primer That Are Good As Perfector, Just As Good On It’s Own appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

I remember when this Sampar So Much to Dew Midnight Mask was launched last year I was attracted to it after hearing the explanation and testimonial from Sampar International Training Manager; Mélanie Montier. Mélanie said that if we feel that the skin condition was in bad state and in need of emergency rescue, So Much to Dew Midnight Mask is the one that we should reach to.

Well, my skin’s bad state normally would means pimples popping out here and there. Not quite the dry, harsh or skin peeling state. But that doesn’t stop me from leaning over to this overnight mask. That leaning could only mean I was too lazy for a proper night skin care regime

I like the interior pink on the inside of the box very much! So pweetty! The box is much more larger than the tube of mask so there’s a build-in inner housing readily to protect the actual tube itself.

The product claimed to be a uniquely concentrated skin care that nearly perfectly mimics the skin’s original hydrating film. It also claims that starting from the first night, this mask will replenishes the skin with soaking the skin with the goodness form the mask. Skin would be 31% more moisturization in 1 hour, skin is plumped, supple and younger-looking.

The product is just at 50ml. It is housed in a smooth, slim and long tube that comes with a brush applicator. I was particularly happy to see the brush applicator FOR a mask although a bit troublesome to wash it after that lol. Never used a mask with a brush before.

Using this is pretty simple. Just twist to ON until you hear a “click”, squeeze the mask out and apply using the brush applicator.

Mélanie said that there is no need to apply other skin care prior before using this. She added that So Much to Dew Midnight Mask is enough even for emergency. I followed Mélanie’s advise and only use toner and eye cream before brushing the mask on.

The mask dispense out in white. It’s quite watery for a mask. The most watery one I ever used. If you over squeeze the tube, the essence will over flow from the brush and dropped on the floor! A word of advice – squeeze while brushing on

It is strongly advisable to wash the brush after each use. I know human can get lazy sometimes including me. But I never fail to wash the brush. Afterall I don’t use this often

There is no need to apply a thick layer. I know how overwhelming this mask could be, but trust me you only need a thin layer.

The mask will stays on the surface of the face for quite a bit. It takes a longer time for it to be totally absorbed in and disappear.

On the left is how it is after applied. I’ve hyperlinked the photo so you can click to view. It will be more wet after applied. After it’s slightly absorbed in or disappear it appears like you just applied serum on. Skin definitely looked more hydrated.

One thing you need to note is to NOT applied too thick. I tried that once during CNY and I had a few pimples popping out the next morning. Maybe my skin was too drenched and hydrated LOL!!

Do I woke up to a plump face? Yes I did. Maybe because I have oily skin as well so my face never feels dry at night time. I don’t really use this mask very often mainly because I like to put on my skin care. When I’m too tired to apply all the skin care I’d grab this tube because I know So Much to Dew Midnight Mask would keep my skin properly hydrated all night long, plus waking up to a plump and supple skin the next morning.

Here is the ingredient list for those that are interested:-
Smart Hydrating Complex – perfectly mimics the skin’s hydrolipidic film, locking water within cutaneous cells and restoring the skin’s lasting moisturization.
Hyaluronic Acid Capsules – diffuse hydration in-depth, tonifying and replenishing the skin.
Urban Advance Complex – a powerful alliance of 3 active ingredients (shea butter serum, mint endorphin and probiotic sugar), acts as an anti-oxidant shield, neutralizing any cutaneous imbalances linked to pollution, strengthens the skin’s natural defenses and shocks the skin back to life on a cellular level.

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Review: Sampar So Much to Dew Midnight Mask – The Rescue Mask For Lazy Days appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Earlier this month I was invited to attend the long-awaited press reveal of SAMPAR Paris in Malaysia. This time I didn’t attend the event as a blogger so I suppose you can figure out I went as media.

The event is held at Alexis Bistro & Wine bar, The Gardens. I like that venue as it’s quite intimate and suitable for press launches and medium size event. Absolutely a good choice.

I reached by 2pm and guests were slowly arriving making their way into the press reveal area. The decor is simple yet comfortable. There’s also an array of SAMPAR products lined up for guests to have a look. It’s pretty simple if you ask me. Just 6 range namely Essentials, Pure Perfection, Age Antidote, City of Light, Cosmakeup and Winsome Body.

I never been to a launch with so many celebrities before. I am actually quite surprise to see one by one celebrity making their way in. What a sight that day.

Makeup expert Fabien Wong is also present at the press reveal together with the gorgeous prominent celebrity Angeline Tan.

Asia Top Model; Wilson Tan is also present.

The list of celebrities doesn’t end there. Miau Miau and Wilson Tin also take time to be present. In fact Miau Miau came without any makeup on. At first I was wondering why but then I found out she’s the model for a demo at Robinsons counter after the press reveal. Did I mention she’s really cute and friendly too?

It’s a full house that day with all invited media and celebrities. That show how successful the press reveal is.

SAMPAR International Training Manager, Mélanie Montier is also present that day to share with everyone her knowledge on SAMPAR products.

SAMPAR bearing the tagline – Smart Skin in the City is the pioneer of urban skin care. It only has an ambition which is to awaken the sleeping beauty in every woman, uncovering and revealing her natural allure.

According to Mélanie, the skin is an intelligent organ which is capable of adapting to it’s environment. But it has it’s limit. Age and repeated external aggressions weaken its ability to rebound. The skin will becomes sensitive, dull, marked and unbalanced. It will then become dehydrated and wrinkles will deepen. That’s when SAMPAR comes in and help. By using SAMPAR products the skin’s intelligent response system will reset and it will support the natural healing actions.

The brand’s exclusive complex Urban Advance is an innovative formula act at the heart of cells to wake up and reactivate the skin’s vital functions.

After bringing us through slides of history and infos on SAMPAR, Mélanie officially introduce us the latest product in SAMPAR which is So Much To Dew Midnight Mask which is a hydrating sleeping mask. It is a unique concentrated skin care that nearly perfectly mimics the skin’s original hydrating film starting from the first night. This mask contains all the elements of the hydrolipidic film.

In just overnight it will transform the face in an oasis of calm, that frees the mind and the skin from stresses of the day. What I like about this overnight mask is that it comes with a brush applicator!

After the press reveal all of us are guided to Robinsons counter for a product demo.

Robinsons counter is the latest SAMPAR counter in Klang Valley besides Parkson Sunway Pyramid since being present in the Malaysia market earlier this year. The counter bears a brand new and updated concept which is more classier and exclusive.

Product demo will be done on Miau Miau and on another model of the day by Fabien as well as Mélanie.

I was standing close to Miau Miau that day. Her transformation was done by Fabien personally. While demo-ing Fabien also explain to us the product benefit and usage direction.

Fabien only use 3 products that day. First he tone and hydrate Miau Miau’s skin with Skin Quenching Mist. After the mist had absorbed in he applied Glamour Shot on half of Miau Miau’s face for us to see the difference. Follow by Glamour Shot Eyes.

I learnt something new that day. According to Fabien we can also dot Glamour Shot Eyes on the outer corner of the eye to “lift” the eye for brighter and awaken eyes. That’s a trick beside using Glamour Shot Eyes to cover fine lines.

Fabien also introduce us a good eye cream which is Eye Rule. Because the packaging and usage is quite unique, Fabien did a demo on Miau Miau for us too. Basically it’s an eye cream in a tube which you need to roll onto the eye area directly from the tube.

Other guests wanted to try too! One by one guest didn’t hesitate to walk up and ask for a treat.

The crowd is quite huge so everyone mingle around the spacious counter exploring and trying out the various products by SAMPAR.

Happy Miau Miau with Mélanie and Wilson Tan.

The goodies prepared for members of the medias, VIPs and celebrities. The most generous I ever seen.

The press reveal was a great success! Thanks to SAMPAR Malaysia team for the wonderful afternoon of infos, product introduction, demo, yummy food and drinks.

Lastly thank you for inviting me

I bet by now you should know SAMPAR is not a stranger in Street Love. In fact I have reviewed a few product of SAMPAR before. If you want to read more about SAMPAR and the product reviews just look for “SAMPAR” under Categories on the right side of the page.

* Pictures credited to SAMPAR Malaysia Facebook

The post SAMPAR Malaysia Press Reveal & Launch of So Much To Dew Midnight Mask appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Healthy skin is well hydrated skin. That’s the philosophy I hold on to. I’m obsessed with skin care products that claimed to give me hydrated skin. So when Sampar sent me a bottle of their Skin Quenching Mist to try, I was more than delighted. I mean just look at the name of the product; Skin Quenching. Doesn’t it sound delicious? Maybe not to you but it is to me! Quench my thirsty skin pleeeaaassseeee.

What it claimed?
Skin Quenching Mist wrap your skin in well-being, comfort and freshness. Its barely-there texture locks in make-up and shields against outside irritants.

Results: Soothed and free of impurities, the skin reclaims its soft, supple and serene natural state.

Especially suited for sensitive skin.

I must say…I like the bottle. It’s well-made enough that I dropped the bottle so many times and it’s still not dented at all. Sorry, I’m that clumsy. And the cap doesn’t flew off the bottle! Pretty good eh? The spray nozzle works perfectly. Unlike other face mist that sometimes “squirt” out content in a rough manner this one mist out content in a very small particle but yet able to cover the whole face. The pump is dense but easy to manage. Most probably I’m going to recycle the bottle for other product when I’m done with this. Maybe toner perhaps?

Not sure if this comes in a box packaging like other Sampar products cause mine is without a box.

You know how much I love rose scented product right? Good news for me, this smells exactly like a rose! It’s my kind-of-thing. As I mentioned earlier the mist particle is small and dense which covers the whole face. I’d hold the bottle further away from my face to make sure I get the whole face covered in a single mist. If not I wouldn’t mind spraying again and again.

SAMPAR Hint: Spray a cotton pad and try as a compress for the eyelids.

If spraying directly on the face is not your-thing, you can try the above tips from Sampar. But I still prefer the no-brainer way – mist directly onto face. I like that the mist absorbed in very fast. Sometimes when I’m on the rush I’d just pat it in. It’s more faster that way.

Everyone I know doesn’t like their face to be sticky. Well, this is nothing close to sticky. Maybe I’m used to layering skin care so even with 4 mists I still doesn’t feel stickiness on the face.

I’ve been using Sampar Skin Quenching Mist for near to 2 weeks now. So far this deliver what it claimed. My skin is instantly hydrated and plumped up each time I use the mist. I never skip misting this on my face after toner especially. Absolutely love this.

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Review: My Quest for Hydrated Skin Continues with Sampar Skin Quenching Mist appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona