Review: Herbaline

There are 2 herbaline outlets that I've been to.

I first went to Herbaline Sri Gombak as a recommendation from a friend due to my bad skin condition. They used to be up above the shop lot. I guess that was back in 2011 or 2012. That was my very first time visiting a beauty parlour. I went with my mom.

Not knowing what to expect, I registered myself and made an appointment with them for my first ever facial. First impression, quite professional even though they're "shop lot" kind of beauty parlour. They wore uniforms and have a certain list of questions and face analyzation during the enquiry.

They have promotion price for first timers. Less than RM50. As it was my first time, there were a lot to clear. It was definitely very very worth it. My blackheads were squeezed out and by the end of the extraction, they'll show the gunk that was collected. So what's included if I remembered clearly were facial cleansing (face, neck and shoulder), steam, extraction, eyebrow shaving (shaping), mask, point massage and shoulder massage. Overall, I was satisfied with the service.

Few visits later, I feel like they're more pushy on their products. I bought a few times. But honestly, the products weren't cheap. So is the facial package, the ones they said suitable for my skin condition was over a RM180 each session. I wasn't seeing a lot of progress too. Strike 1

They later moved on to a shop. I guess that's why the price went up a little. Then comes GST in Malaysia. What I didn't like was that according to GST law, the shop has to provide a receipt with valid GST number to be able to charge GST. But for many visits I went, they always claim to run out of receipts and only issue handwritten receipts without GST number but with GST tax included. Strike 2.

This branch specifically, also offer other facial packages of different brand. "Analyzing" my skin condition, they recommend me Decleor's package. As I know, Decleor is another aesthetic brand (probably a rival to Herbaline, since they also have their facial package). Not sure if they're allowed to.

Anyway, my skin eventually looked better after 3 years of Herbaline.

I've stopped going after a few months to the Sri Gombak branch ever since the GST issue. Then, I tried going to the other Herbaline branch over at then called Festival City. The package price were similar but they don't provide eyebrow shaping service, and what's separates the room and the walkway was just a curtain. And the room was rather small. But what's extra from their line of services was fish spa. I kinda enjoy that. Customer has no time limit to that. They can soak their feet into the water for the fish to bite off their dead skin for as long as they wanted. Here, they do issue a real receipt with GST number on it.

This branch wasn't as pushy to sell off their products to the customer where as they advice customer on what not to buy especially when I enquire for Vitamin E at one point. I thought Vitamin E was good for skin and so happens my new bottle was broken due to my clumsiness so I actually intended to get a new one, but the beautician told me it's not suitable for my skin. Wow. Why didn't the previous branch told me so? strike 3.

I went hiatus from Herbaline after a while.

A year later, my breakout got worse. So I returned to Herbaline Sri Gombak since I feel more familiar with that branch. This time around, they offer me to do a different brand, Sensual because my skin condition was so bad. This package was about RM300. Feeling no other option and wanted fast result, I go for it. I didn't feel much difference since I only went for  3 treatments. It was too expensive for me to carry on and since my wedding was near, I stopped again.

I remember on my last visit, the branch owner were the one trying to sell me products. She drew pictures of how my skin routine should be and saying that the way I apply my sunblock was wrong. I shouldn't be using SPF 50 sunblock. So she wanted to introduce me to their sunblock product which is SPF25. Price? I don't remember how much it was, but it's expensive. She taunted me by saying if I don't buy it, my skin condition will only gets worse. Well, come on. I've been buying many products from them and when the days my skin was good, I didn't even tell them honestly what I did. (I did nothing to it, not using their product at least.). So, how can they prove that their product was good? Strike 4.

Overall, I do not recommend going for the Sri Gombak branch. I feel they're only there for the money instead of really helping customer to do well. From what I heard, the staff were also forced to sell of coupons otherwise the leftovers would be paid from their salary. Ouch.

Review: Borghese Fango Active Mud

Ever wonder why people slops on mud on their face and body? Well, known for its numerous benefits, mud mask is one of the luxurious pampering and inexpensive (some) method to get that nice skin! I've got the change to use Borghese Fango Active Mud when it was on sale one day. So I said to myself, why not? It can be use on face and even on body!

These are the pros commonly when mud mask came to thought:

1. Nutrients.
Natural mud masks contains nutrients and minerals that is used by our skin to maintain a healthy cell. In addition, mud also has the property to detox! Isn't it great to be able to remove those bad toxins away from the body as we feed our skin with these natural minerals and nutrients?

2. Skin tightening.
If you have trouble with pores, mud can help to minimize it. How? As it dries on the skin, it tighten the skin as well as removing oil and impurities. Followed by toner and moisturizer steps later, the skin will be able to absorb the product better.

3. Cleansing.
It is able to do a deep clean the pores because it has the property of absorbing impurities and oil. A whole day of make up and exposing ourselves to the pollution around us, there's definitely a lot of build up. Cleansing with mud as it draws up all the toxins within the pores will also help to reduce blemishes which are mainly caused by the build up of excess sebum.

So with all that benefits said, let's talk about this particular product. What are my thoughts on it after trying it on few times.

The jar looks cute (and heavy - depending on what size you bought it at) . There's a 212ml and 430ml version. The one I got was the 212ml one. What lures me to buy it was because of the sale! It was less than RM20!

What I like about it was that it's able to use for face and body. My body needs some pampering too. But when I open the jar, there is a smell that I don't like. The smell of natural mud. It smells too... green. Well, given the benefit of doubt, it smell natural.

The texture is soft. like mud, but you're able to dig into the jar and scoop up the "paste" of mud and apply it to the face/body. To use, after cleansing the face/body, pat dry then apply it on to the desired area. I went all over my face, leaving the eyes and mouth area just like how other apply on mask would be. I also apply it on my neck till the shoulder. I didn't go all over my body. Wait for it to dry for about 15 minutes. You'll start noticing the color changes to lighter, drier texture. Some may experience irritation; wash it off immediately and do not use on broken skin.

After that, wash off the mask. I like to exfoliate my skin while washing it off. Bear in mind, it's a little messy when cleaning it off. Wash your face thoroughly to make sure you're able to remove the mud completely. After cleaning it off, apply on toner and moisturizer for better absorption of the product to keep the skin moisturized.

Overall after the application, my skin feels softer. Not sure if my pores are tighten as I don't have sample of big pores to compare to.


Summary:

Effectiveness: Yes! (3/5)
Price: Fair.... (3/5)
Re-purchase: Maybe no...

Review: RapidLash

I have always been annoyed with my lashes and brows. They're short and sparse. I would have to put on eyeliner and eyebrow make up on every time I walk out of the house, otherwise I felt like I don't have any eyebrow on. In fact, it actually made me look pale.

I never knew about eyelash serum until my make up artist suggested me about it. She too has the same problem as me but it got better after applying it over time.

Obviously the quickest way would be going through eyebrow embroidery and eyelash extensions. But I'm just worried that it might not look natural and they are quite costly for one transaction even though the result may last for weeks or months maybe.

I went to cosmetic shop and was recommended to try this brand, RapidLash.

Besides eyelash, it can also be applied on to eyebrow! I am so happy with it because it's 2 in 1. Kinda solved my problems of both. It was priced RM 13x .. I forgot the exact number.

Application is very simple. Just apply to eye waterline just like how you would apply eyeliner for eyebrow, just apply over it. Only apply on evening before bedtime. If you have missed it on the night, just apply on the next night. Don't have to apply it the next morning.

It lasted me for 3 months.

First time application

After 3 months

My eyelashes and eyebrow indeed got darker and slightly longer.

It isn't as rapid as it says obviously you don't expect instant result right on the next day. It takes some time. My lower lash did grew more too. I'm satisfied!

Summary:

Effectiveness: Yes! (4/5)
Price: Fair.... (3/5)
Re-purchase: Yes!... (5/5)

Review: London Weight Management

Every single time I go for my treatment, I HATE MYSELF. I regretted for being greedy.
Here's my experience. It will be long. But here's the TLDR (Too long didn't read) summary: I don't like their sales marketing.

Here's my story.

It was near to Christmas when I received a promotion from LINE sponsored by London Weight Management for a free trial. So I registered myself and very quickly the next day I got a call from the branch I've selected to make an appointment. She suggested to do it the day after. Which I told her that I can only come over after working hours. She suggested to do it at 7pm. Knowing that it would be horribly jam on my route to the branch, I told her I will be late. Which we both then agreed to set the time to 7:30pm. 

So on the appointment day, I was indeed late, I arrived at 7:30pm+ due to the bad crawl. The person at the counter looked at me rather annoyed that I was late. First strike. What kind of customer service is this. Showing the annoyed face to customer. Well, perhaps because I was a "free" customer at that point of time. 

Then I was told to wait for the consultant in a room. Which I did, for another 30 minutes because she was soooo busy. Strike two. Couldn't you get another consultant who were less busy? I wasn't served tea or water at that time. I just waited blankly. I should have leave that time. Silly me.

Then after the long awaited consultant, which she was very cheerful and positive so that makes me feel better, I was ushered first to measure my weight near their locker room. After that, I was brought  to one of the room to change out of my clothes. I was given a disposable panty, a shower cap and a towel.

One of the room with hot blanket.

After changing, I was brought to the locker to keep my things and were brought to the steam room. I was given a wet towel and a cup of water that I must finish while I was in there for 10-15minutes. First time experience for me for the steam room wasn't as fun. The air was too humid for me to breathe.

After about 10-15 minutes, I was brought to one of the room for the so called lavender treatment. I had to take off my towel and lie down flat on the bed (with a small towel covering the boobs of course) but nothing else but that and the panty. They then rub on sea salt-like all over the body then cover me with the hot blanket for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, they came in and remove the hot blanket. In there were plastic sheet to contain water released form the body. They told me that I have a lot of water retention in my body hence why I released so much water.  Well, true that since I don't have enough sleep and always eat salty food.

Since that was my only treatment for the free session, I was brought to the weighing machine again. This time, with them holding on to my towel while I stand on the weighing machine,I lost almost 700g. I don't know if it did help much. I was in my jeans when they took the first measurement.

They then proceed with the consultation of why I gain that retention/weight. After the explanation, I was sweet talked to to sign up for package with them for about RM 4k++ for 10 sessions. Here's their tactic.

•  They will make you worry with your problems.
•  They will give you a ridiculous price of 20-30k for 30 sessions or so for the so called original price.
•  Then you will get discount if you disagree with it.
•  Try haggle a bit more. You will get the first time discount of 50%. ONLY if you sign up at that instance.
•  Because they really want to help you, you will get even cheaper if you keep declining.
•  Saying you have not enough cash at that point of time doesn't help. They will ask you to make an installment. (I told them I still want to use my credit card. - I did not know how installment work at that time. They say with installment, you can slowly pay back. Little did I know, the full amount will already charged to my credit card and it almost already hit my credit card limit. I was suffering for that few days trying to live without the convenience of my credit card. Couldn't even use my card at petrol station. I HATE YOU FOR THAT!)

I suck at haggling and declining. In the end, I signed up for 10 treatments. I was told to buy their coffee and oat drink for maintenance. Well, it was okay - after drinking a few times, I realized the coffee actually helps me with my bladder. It was pretty good, except that I still have doubt and it's really expensive. About RM210 for a packet of 20?

----- Fast forward to the 5th or 6th sessions with some purchase of coffee along the way ----

I was told that my treatments were not good enough to flush out all the toxins. They were just good enough to break down the molecules, but it would be best if I could flush them out. I was halfway through my treatments, naked, under the blanket. I declined.

Even when the timer for my treatment went off, she continued to persuade me to sign up another few more sessions to so call flush it off. Frustrated, I agree to it. I was thinking why not just finish the course since it's just few more. I shouldn't. Ever since then, I regretted my move.
 This time, I asked to divide the payment to few times instead of installments, since she mentioned that she's not worried about the money, she's more worried about how well I do my treatment. Right.. I divided the payment into 3 times and each time I come for treatment, she reminded me that I have not pay. NOT WORRIED BOUT MONEY? REALLY NOW? zzz...

---- FAST forward again to the last 4 treatments including the new one that I just signed up.---

She "upgraded" me to a VIP treatment where I was left into a capsule that looks like for tanning. So called that it can burn 600 calories and at the same time do some brightening. That machine was okay. That day, the treatment was simple. Capsule, steam room, hot blanket and ampoules with aloevera gel. That day too, she mentioned that I don't have enough treatments again to complete my course. WTH. I just signed up few more from you can't you adjust the treatments? I told you that was my last and I was really in a tight budget. Here yet again you asked me to signed up for more and even pretended to be a good friend to offer me RM1000 rebate coupon. So called she got from a staff lucky draw.  

"I have this coupon, I got no use for it because I've just signed up the treatments myself. My other customers still have ongoing treatments to go but since I feel so close to you now, I give it to you this rebate RM1000 coupon. You can sign up for few treatments"

Wow.. the way she said it is like scripted.

Perhaps it's the way how they always try to be "your friend". Talk to you about your problems or share their experience that make you feel really nice and comfortable with them. As for me, I feel bad for turning them down.

I didn't signed up in the end. I still have 4 more sessions to go, perhaps each time I go, she will persuade me again. Let's see. I need to stay stern!

Summary so far:

Effectiveness: Okay, I did lose a couple of cm around my thigh (3/5)
Experience: I hate the hard selling. (1/5)
Price: Ouch!.... (1/5)
Re-purchase: Never!... (0/5)

Review: Laneige water sleeping mask

A little profile before I start my product review; I have always sleep late - A little googling will tell you that having not enough sleep will result you with dull skin. As an office worker, I'm always under the cool - sometimes too cold air conditioned. Back home, I'm sleeping with the air condition too. So I'm always exposed to cold air that will dehydrate the skin moisture.

On my lazy days, I'd like to keep my skin hydrated especially while I'm asleep! I put on the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.

To me, sleeping mask is a work of genius! Whoever introduce this idea of mask, I LOVE YOU!!

See, I have been using sheet mask before I was introduced to sleeping mask. I almost ALWAYS fall asleep while having it on. That's probably because I always put them on at night before bed time. So my excuse was, "It's alright, just let my skin absorb fully all the serum from the mask while I was asleep. That way I can even make full use of the mask!"

WRONG!!!

I was told by my beautician that we should not leave sheet mask longer than the prescribed time. "Why? The mask still has its serum and it's such a waste to throw them away while it's still wet!", the question marks on my head were popping one after another after I heard the warning.

The reason was that, when the mask was wet and your face is dry, your face is absorbing the serum from the sheet mask. That is how we want it to be. After we left it for 15-30 minutes(the normal prescribed time), your skin has fully absorbed all the needed moisture or serum from the mask. You should remove the mask by now. If you leave it longer and as the sheet gets dry, it'll be its turn to absorb moisture back into the sheet. The moisture it could get from is from your skin. The sheet sounds like a moisture-drinking monster here.

Believe it or not, that was what my beautician told me.

Alright, let's get back to the product;

This product comes with a small spatula as shown in the picture above. As soon as I open the aluminum lid behind the cover, there is a tinge of fragrance. Not sure how true, but I've read elsewhere that fragrance in beauty product should be taken with cautions for people who have sensitive skin. So far for me, I didn't (I hope I wouldn't) get bad reaction from it. I actually like the scent. Apparently the scent can help to relieve stress according to the instructions and helps you to sleep better. I don't know how it would help because I still couldn't get to snooze earlier.

The texture is somewhat gel-like. I felt a little cooling sensation when applied to my face. It can also be applied to the neck area.

The application is very simple. Just take an appropriate amount(2.5cm in diameter is recommended), mark on nose tip, cheeks, forehead and chin area and enjoy the scent for about 3 seconds (Ohhmmmmm~~ Must relieve stress after a long day of work~~) 
Then gently spread over the face from inner to outer part along the skin texture.
Then go to sleep! Leave it on till the next morning and wash it off.

It says to use it once or twice a week on the instructions. But on its product explanation, it says "Every night before going to bed, apply lightly on skin and leave it on overnight without washing it off".. Someone please let me know if I should apply it once or twice or EVERY NIGHT?

Photos are captured with phone camera. Please don't mind the bad quality.

After applying, my skin does feels more hydrated, plumped and softer the next morning. I like the smoothness feeling that it leaves on my skin.

I guess the main concern about applying sleeping mask is if it is sticky and how fast does it "dries up" so that it wouldn't smudge over the pillow.

The answer is: Don't worry! It dries up after a while and it's not sticky. Yet, it still does its job and leaves you to more hydrated skin the next day!

Tips: This would be great to slop it on to the skin on a long distance flight to keep the skin hydrated.



Summary:

Effectiveness: YAY! (4/5)
Price: Uhmmmm.... (2/5)
Re-purchase: Likely (3/5)