Practical Charm

Produced in Spain, this has got to be one of the better eye drops in the optical and contact lens care market.

I never encourage the use of Normal saline for rewetting your contact lenses. They don't contain any antibacterial properties, and some of them are not pH buffered. I borrowed a friends normal saline solution once and it stung when I tried rewetting my contacts! He even soaks his lenses in that stuff. Cheap yes. But really bad and uncomfortable for your eyes!

AMO's blink contains Hyaluronate, a dissacharide unit mostly found widely distributed in connective, epithelial and neural tissues. In most opthamological surgical procedures these days, (e.g. cataract surgery, retinal detachment, glaucoma etc). This bottle claims to create 'moisture cushion so eyes stay refreshed and comfortable'

The people at AMO sure know how to make its consumers feel more comfortable. OcuPure, a peroxide-free preservative which later breaks down to water and sodium chloride when exposed to light (And thats why it's in a opaque green bottle). Very gentle stuff

Product : Amo's Blink contacts eye drops
Price : RM11.90
Application : Lubrication for soft and Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
Shelf Life : 45 days after opening
One Tube of 10mL: Regardless of frequency of use, bottle is to be disposed of 45 days after use.
Tips: No real tips! This product is so good, if i could afford it I'd slather it on every minute of the hour!

April has run out of moisturizing hand cream! What a perfect excuse to go do some shopping and try a new product!

So happens I was passing by a Crabtree and Evelyn branch when my then bottle of moisturiser exuded it’s last drop. A bright pink sticker for ‘Women’s Weekly Malaysia choice of best hand treatment’ was plastered next to a wide selection of tubes of fragrant hand creams

Results are immediate and you'll have hands that anyone would die to hold!

The great secret in these products is mostly can be explained through it's chemistry.

Shea Butter: Used particularly in high end moisturising products for a softening effect and as an emollient

Bisabolol: A natural extraction from chamomile that works to soothe irritated skin and stimulate skin healing.

Glycerin: I figure very much that this works as a humectant (moisture attractor) Chemically, it's hygroscopic

Either way, one is sure to tickle your fancy

Rosewater
Goats Milk
La Source
Summer Hill
Nantucket Briar
Gardener's Hand Therapy cream

I personally had this rubbed on my shoulders one night while out for a club and there was a guy who just couldn't stop breathing me in. (Most decently of course!)

Product : Crabtree and Evelyn's 'Hand Treatment' Cream range (Available in 50mL & 100mL tubes while gift packs come in three tubes of 25mL)
Price : RM43.00-120.00
Application : For instant soft silky hands
Shelf Life : Not available
One Tube of 50mL: I'll be using one tube so often i think i can run through one tube in a month!
Tips: No real tips! This product is so good, if i could afford it I'd slather it on every minute of the hour!

Everyone!

April will be away for the week and be back with more to bring you features from the wonderful world of Bangkok shopping!

Please leave me a message or comment if there is anything that you'd like me to check out for you over there!

I'll still be sending my usual updates for the site over here!

Be back soon and don't miss me!

Love,
April

If you're looking for a exfoiliator of a decent price, with an afterglow, look no further than searching the shelves for Za's Metavoltage cream.

Marketed under it's True White whitening range aimed to promote translucent, milky white skin by exfoilating excess keratin and melanin (dead skin)

Like all exfoiliating products, you can't use it too often. I found it rather tiring to keep moving my fingers in circular motions and to really rub the cream against your skin

This is a product of various mixed reviews. It is the job of a critic to be sincere about what I think. From my own personal take there was a noticeable improvement to my skin. With all the dead cells taken off, there is a slight snowy glow to it. However upon first use there was a tinge of redness from overrubbing. It's hard to actually draw a line between rubbing and over-rubbing until the product is used.

Some tell me that there is no glow but a softer feel to it. The only way is to try it out yourselves. Would I really recommend this product? Yes. As a choice of a smoother exfoilating product.

Product : ZA's Metavoltage cream
Price : About RM28.90 per tube
Application : For removal of horny cells (cells of the stratum corneum) and a bright glow to skin
Shelf Life : Not noted
One Tube: Used as an exfoilant: 2-3 times a week. Lasts for 3-5 months depending on frequency of use

I first of all would like to thank the first people who came up the with the ingenious idea of inventing facial wipes. You are life savers I don't have to bring a bottle of heavy liquid makeup remover all the time.

However, you have got to love this product! I have a pack at home, one in my car and one in my bag ALL THE TIME! Now you know why there are over 6,000 packs sold a day alone in the U.K.!

I've used a couple of brands along the way (including alcohol baby wipes) before landing this God Sent package. It's Alcohol free, oil free, pH balanced, neither colored nor perfumed! I mostly use this as a daily refresher to wipe all the sweat and grime off me face.

It's proclaimed use as a makeup remover is however debate-able. Some ladies are able to completely remove makeup with just one sheet. Others find it a little more difficult to get a complete cleanse from this. My personal take is that, it depends how much make up you slab on your pretty face, of course its difficult to take out all of that makeup with a single wipe. I would still strongly advise on still using a cleanser at the end of the day to completely remove the makeup.

It's proclaimed use as a makeup remover is however debate-able. It depends how much make up you slab on your face. However I would still strongly advise on still using a cleanser at the end of the day to completely remove the makeup.

What sets this apart from other brands available in the local market is it's fresh after feeling. Some brands leave a real sticky feeling after a good wipe but this doesn't. Simple has also been really generous with the surface area of each strong bound towel like sheet. You can practically stretch the entire sheet to cloak your face!

As of recent there has been a slight change in the packaging but personally, if there was something more that could be done to the re sealant, I'd gladly appreciate it!

Product : Simple Facial Cleansing Wipes, Available in most pharmacies
Price : Ranging from RM13.00 to RM16.00 depending of available discounts
Application : For basic makeup removal, refreshing and cleansing face on the go.
Shelf Life : Not available
One Pack: Of 25 sheets usually lasts me a fortnight
Tips: Cleanse even after use to completely remove makeup.

I live in a country where the sun is scorching hot… which within minutes can get really humid. I hate the idea of getting my hair all veraciously dry and superbly and flat the next.

Gah! I needed a hair glossing serum!

Alright, I bought it because of it's adorable golf ball sized blue and green package with the striking pink tag. (It looked too cute compared to the others!) It's CUTE! THERE'S NO BETTER REASON TO BUY IT! Then again. I'll elaborate anyway.

Again, my weakness for compact items, this is an easy bring along item small enough for travel and daily use! Love the sturdy features on the dispenser so you don't accidentally 'pump' serum by accident.

I have a crown of dark brown hair with touches of Caramelized honey shades which can appear very dry and frazzled. (Especially after a hard clean wash!) I simply lather a lil bit on my hair and I can get that famous Jennifer Aniston or Britney Spears smooth silky hair effect! (Yes! THERE IS HOPE FOR US ALL!)

The scent is an amazing hints of grapefruit and lemon! If I’m stuck at the club with the scent of heavy smoke in my hair, this helps with getting rid of that nasty smoky smell.

It says on the side of the bottle 'Outshine everyone'.. and trust me this is the BEST product I’ve ever used for a glossing serum although it’s price is abit on the high side

Product : Bed Head’s Girl Toys Shine Serum, Available at SaSa outlets
Price : About RM68.90 a bottle
Application : For shine on hair that is simply amazing!
Shelf Life : 18 months
One Bottle: 6 months for every 3-4 times a week use. 3 months for everyday use.
Tips: Best used on hair that has been washed. Use only very little or hair may appear incredibly greasy.

If you do happen to meet me, I'm very proud to show off my feet cause it's one of the most paid-attention-to spots of my body ^^

Ever since as of late, my feet have not been really well looked after. My job requires me to move up and down alot… so go figure.

It was then I decided, enough was enough. I need pretty feet (although they are not bared as much as the rest of my body) BEFORE it starts accumulating a mass of callus, stink bomb fungi and disfigurements of toenails.

Here are some rules I've developed in a long line of my years of experience with my own feet and I guarantee a difference in your foot texture when you follow these diligently and regularly

April's Guide to Beautiful Feet

1) NO HOT WATER!
As much as we have the idea of thinking that absurdly hot water will do some necessary bacteria of fungi assasination, Hot water tends to dry your skin incredibly fast. Opt for warm water instead and a rinse with cold water after everything is done.

2) Its all about the shoes baby!
I'm so sorry to say that it's definitely those pairs of kitty heels and sandals that aren't doing justice to your feet. Confound air conditioning if you like, but exposing the tips of your toes and heels to dry air is just plain asking for it.
Also hard surfaces of certain shoes tend to thicken the skin further.

Instead of wearing pretty heels at all times, give your feet a rest and try sneakers in college. For the working ladies like me, I keep a pair of socks in the drawer to wear around the office, or you could by a pair of those furry cute bedroom slippers.

3)Sandwich your feet!
I like to put body butter and dressing on my feet every gosh darned night. Forget it if you just put on your favourite lotion or cream, and then plop off to bed. All that hard work won't pay off much. Sandwich your creamed feet in fresh/clean cotton gym socks! You'll see the difference the next day!

4) File, Pumice, Brush
Most women I know don't even own a decent foot file! Or even worse, owning one but not going into changing their foot file when necessary. Always file your foot once a fortnight, Pumice everyday in the shower and brush of dead skin and file and pumice dirt which get caught in between skin linings with a medium strength brush.

5) The nails need some loving too!
Always trim your toe nails straight across! Cutting it in too deep can lead to in-grown toe nails! Buff your toe nails constantly although no one is going to go upclose and run their index finger on your nail to go "OOOOOOO SMOOTH!". Grains of dirt can get easily trapped in between the surfaces of uneven toe nails making your feet look incredibly dull.

Treat yourself. Go get a pedicure.

6)Bloody-flow
Massaging, cutting down smoking, and physical activity helps with ciruclating the blood flow and maintaining a healthy glow on both skin and nails of your feet. My nails are a healthy pink from all that pampering. Yes Sir-Ree!

7)You're already sweet enough
Watch your blood sugar. Diabetic stories can be told from the feet alone

I'm going to add some of my favourite foot care products to share with you all

Favourite foot moisturising cream: Body Shop's Peppermint Cooling Foot Rescue Treatment - I love the easing sensation peppermint leaves on tired feet.

Favourite Foot File: OPI Foot File - Easy to handle with it's ergonomic shape, the dual grit (80 grit and 120grit) leaves a fine smooth almost baby soft finish

Favourite Foot Pads for heels: Party Feet by Scholls! - Anti Slip and great for the balls of my feet

Favourite Foot Soak - My own recipe of peppermint, eucalyptus, germanium and honey in a foot soak bowl filled with marbles - A refreshing and invigorating foot soak with marbles to massage the bottom of the feet.

Let us know if they work for you! Give it a week or two to check it out the amazing results!

My family swears that I could be a Caucasian sometimes..since I can have a cup of tea anytime of the day. *snicker* It's not easy to find a good blend of tea nowadays, and I'm tired of having a cup of locally highland grown tea like everyone else.

Being a random insomniac there are times when I get stressed or stay up to the point that I find it hard to sleep, it's hard to get a decent good night's sleep. The last thing I should be doing is actually scourging around for a cup of tea. That is when I stumbled upon some really pleasant tea that claims to put the restless insomniac at ease.

There is a long history to the Celestial Seasonings brand. And being the number one herbal tea producer in the US, when they mean caffeine free, you can bet your precious sleep time it is.

A wonderful tasty blend of chamomile flowers, spearmint leaves, lemon grass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn berries, and rosebuds. I personally can't stand the taste of solely chamomile tea, but there are only slight hints of the flower in the blend, and slightly stronger hints of the spearmint, blackberry leaves and orange blossoms. The spearmint leaves a mild cooling trail as you sip on the tea and from experience (I dab a bit of peppermint essence on my pillow once in a while), it really helps to knock you out.

Non-addictive, calorie-free, caffeine free, gluten free, definitely halal and kosher too! I personally have a cup before I sleep after a rough day and take it when I want to ease my tensions too so that I can still look good and feel good the next day.

Product : Sleepytime herbal teabags from Celestial Seasonings
Price : About RM12.90 for a pack of 20 bags
Application : Insomnia, restlessness, destress
Shelf Life : 13 months when stored properly (keep away from spices or food stuff with strong scents and essences)
One pack: Available in 10s, 20s, and 40s or in sampler packs of 3 or 5 bags.
Tips: 1)Purchasing or even finding a box of Sleepytime is difficult in Malaysia. You may want to try grocery stores where imported goods are the prime attraction such as Cold Storage. Other than that, order online at www.celestialseasonings.com
2)Adding honey gives a lil flavour and a mild taste to your tea. Honey amplifies the notes of orange blossom in the tea

Hi Everybody!

April here! Minishorts has delegated me some responsiblities to improve and prep up the site and so here I am!

I have big, humongous, gigantic, crazy, fun and fresh ideas for the site that I will be incorporating. Shopping parties, networking sessions, Health and Beauty tips, salon experimenting just to name a few!

Minishorts will still be making her contributions to the site, and two new writers will be joining us for the ride! One includes a writer from the northern region of the Peninsula for all you shopaholics up north!

What we want from you is your feedback. It's so important and delightful to hear from you so that we can still continue to be critical to give you the best that we can!

Oh wow! I'm so hyped up, I'm going to get started right away!

P/S hope you all love the new look!