Eyes of the day: Lime Green and Gold from Aromaleigh

Another working look, I used Aromaleigh's color to commemorate the closing of the store (sob sob....)

Face:

The Face Shop Arsainte Lotion
The Face Shop Quick & Clean Oil Free Sun Cream
Ristra Acne Cream
Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream SPF 20 PA+
Earthen Glow Minerals Mousse Foundation in Lynette
Meow Balancing Equilibrium Powder



Eyes:

The All Natural Face eye primer in buff
Aromaleigh En Pointe eyeshadow - Pavane, all over the lid
Aromaleigh En Pointe eyeshadow - Arabesque, outer half of the lid
Lumiere eye shadow in Black Cherry for crease
Black eye liner pencil for upper lash line
Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara in Black

Cheek:
Revlon Powder Blush, Toast of New York

Earthen Glow Minerals bronzer

Apologize for the face with breakouts.....

Got henna painting in Penang

I was in Penang Malaysia for office duty on Aug 20-22, 2010. We had ASEAN Operating Room Nurse gathering there.
At the dinner event on our first night, while waiting for Buka Puasa, the hotel provided henna painting artist for us. I decided to get the painting after the dinner, when I didn't have to wait for the long queue.
There were my colleagues and several of nurses.
The artist name was Dayang, she was with her fiance who is a photographer.
She was pretty. Too bad I didn't have my camera with me because the battery power was low, otherwise I'd take picture of the process.
She applied a kajuputih oil on the site of my hand which will be painted. She said it was to make the skin clean and brighter.
She used henna paste in tube. It took her around 10 minutes to draw the painting. I had to wait til it dries before I could take my shower. I ended up taking shower at 11 PM! She said it needs 10 minutes to dry, but in reality it was almost 1 hour before I can put my hand under the water.

It didn't last long for my painting. It's the fourth day, and some part of the painting has been washed away.
Dayang said the handmade henna paste will last longer.


I and my friend cloncluded that the darker the skin, the longer it will last, and the brighter the color appeared.

So here are the pics taken the day after painting made:

My henna painting

Upper: my friend's hand

Henna Painting no. 2

Henna Painting no. 3 and 4

Speaking about henna, henna is a naturally occurring dye traditionally used in fabrics and temporary skin designs. Henna tattoos are a popular option for people who are interested in body art but don't want to commit to the permanence or pain of a tattoo. Henna ink can be applied to the skin where it is absorbed over a period of several hours.
The henna painting is not just in Indian or Pakistan culture. Indonesian also has similar culture.
Usually it's done to a bride to be, the night before her wedding day.

For example, you can see here, the picture of my niece's wedding. Check out her hand.

Haul from Singapore, Part 2 (Sephora)

Part two of my shopping in Singapore.
This part is the Sephora haul

What I bought:

All items

Burt's Bees Exfoliating Body Wash

Burt's Bees Exfoliating Body Wash - Label

Benefit's The Porefessional

Benefit's The Porefessional - Side Label

Benefit's The Porefessional - Instruction for use

The Porefessional

Sephora bath cubes

Tragedy! My laptop was stolen....

I was so enthusiastic to know that I have lots of materials to blog about, especially I have a haul from Singapore... I have taken the pictures of the products and saved them in my laptop. All I have to do was edit the photos.
But alas! Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my sister saying that we both have lost our laptops!

A stranger came to our house, talked to our maid and saying as if he really knew me and my brother in law and he was instructed by my bro-in-law to pick my laptop because he broke it and asked this guy to fix it. To make the story short, I think my maid was hypnotized by this jerk, because he swore to her that he was doing our instruction and then she was asked to stare at his eyes.
She couldn't remember what has happened and who actually pick the laptops out of the storage place.
When she then conscious, she remembered that she needed to call my bro-in-law to check the truth, but the jerk has left!

He didn't take anything else beside the laptop units.
So odd.... He knew that my bro-in-law work in other town, and he usually comes home in the weekend. He knew that I'm called "bude" or auntie at home. He knew what type of my sister's laptop, the brand, and where sis keep it. My maid didn't know where my sis' laptop is!

Well, this is the second time I got robbed within 4 months. The first was on May 3, when my blackberry was stolen from my car under my nose......

It's sad because we needed the laptop to start and build our online business. We plan to resign from our jobs. My sister had taken time to save the money to buy that laptop.
And to know that a strange has been into our rooms and touched our stuffs???? Scarry!

Now I need to re-take the pictures. I only have my office laptop now and I'm not allowed to install any softwares for personal use.

To my friends, be careful out there, crime is everywhere!

Stay healthy during Fasting Month and my diet program

I watched a program on Trans7 channel last Saturday about the tips to stay healthy when doing fasting.
Ahhh yes, Ramadhan started on August 11, 2010.
I and my sister have planned to reduce our weight since a couple of months ago, so I discussed with her again, and we think fasting month is the right time to do it.
I bought Herbalife shake and fiber capsules to help our diet.

I've consumed Herbalife about two years ago to help my weight loss program. I didn't get much progress though, but seeing my landlady's husband got slimmer (he's around his 60s) so fast, I was amazed!
I want to try taking it again.

This week update, gone to Singapore

Yooo, what's up girls?
I was in Singapore for Asia Summit meeting on July 27-30, 2010. I took some pictures during my free time and off course did some shopping myself at Watson's, Sasa, and Sephora!
I need to edit those pictures first before I post them here.
For my travel pictures, I'll post them in my travel blog.

Ristra Acne Cream

Before I talk about the acne cream, let me give you a short description of this brand.
Ristra (http://www.ristra.co.id/) is one of skincare products made in Indonesia. The company owned by dr. Retno I.S Tranggono, SpKK, who is a famous cosmetodermatologist in Indonesia.
It was established in ebruari, 1983, the company offers skincare products under the many brands, such as RISTRA, Platinum by Ristra, Trustee by Ristra, dan Dermocare.
I'd say this brand can be considered as the Indonesian's Clinique.....

I've used its face powder and face cleansing milk long long time ago.

When I started to develop acne again a couple of months ago, I bought Acnes gel. It turned out it only worked well for small zits on my face.
When there was a Ristra promo counter at my office building in June, I bought the acne cream together with Ristra cleansing milk and face toner.

Ristra Acne cream tube

Ristra acne cream

The cream works well, although acne doesn't dry instantly. I put on the cream 2-4 times a day as instructed.
Usually I wear it after moisturizer and sun cream. The good thing about this cream is the shade is similar to skin color, so it saves you from the embarassement of white acne cream color which appears so obviously and can't blend well with your make up.

This acne cream is worth to try and its price is economical.

the acne cream

How it looks after blending (lower row)

I'm a consultant of The All Natural Face

Crystal, the owner of The All Natural Face, has revamped the website with the new design, lay out and user-friendly navigation menu. She also has created several new products.

I've been become her consultant since a couple of months ago, but at that time there was no supporting system of the website for consultant program.
So now, I'm pleased to announce that you can directly shop at The All Natural Face website through my link:
www.theallnaturalface.com/mubeautyshop.

Until July 31, 2010,  We are having sale, 15% OFF of EVERYTHING ON THE SITE!
Enter the code birthday at the checkout in the code box.

Sweet Sunnah Haul

Sweet Sunnah products

After knowing the benefit of Black Seed, and browsed around Sweet Sunnah website, and...... have the right forwarder to send to Indonesia (because send directly from Sweet Sunnah to Indonesia cost a lot!), I decided to purchase these products:


1. Shea Butter and Honey Indulgence, Dry Skin Treatment
Ingredients: Pure Shea Butter, Organic Honey, Black Seed Oil, Vitamin E.

What it says in the website:

It supports and soothes dry or sensitive skin while protecting it from harsh elements. Shea Butter Indulgence Cream is the ultimate treatment for overly dry or sensitive skin. Great against stretch marks and skin blemishes.

2. Black Seed Oatmeal Honey Soap
Ingredients: Organic Virgin Olive oil, Organic coconut oil, Nigell Sativa (Black Seed Oil), Honey, Oatmeal, Ground Black Seed, Essential Oil of Lemongrass, Vitamin E, and Rosemary Extract.

What it says in the website:
Oatmeal softens the skin and honey is a natural healer. My customers tell me that it also helps with skin blemishes like acne. Now you can treat your whole body to this affordable luxury

This soap gently exfoliates with added ground black seed.Your skin will radiate. A real bath time treat. Excellent for dry, sensitive or irritated skin. You wont ever go back to your regular soap! Contains no alcohol, animal ingredients, synthetic fragrances or colors.

Black Seed Oatmeal Honey Soap

Soap packaging

Soap packaging

Ingredients

I will post you the result of using above products later.

Shocking news: Aromaleigh is closing!

My heart is broken!!!

Since I've been travelling a lot these days, I have less time online and reading updates from friends and make up artists I'm following on Twitter and Facebook.
Miss K of Aromaleigh has been very active in social networks, and somehow I cannot find her updated and her account in Twitter anymore.
I also searched Aromaleigh's fan page account but not able to find it. I was wondering where she's gone.
Then I decided to go to Aromaleigh's website and found the news (dated June 17, 2010)




Aromaleigh News, June 17th 2010

Today we have a general overall update. I'm sure that many of you are curious about the many changes going on here at Aromaleigh.

Some details...

1. We are not closing, but have discontinued all "social networking" sites other than Twitter. You can follow the announcement Twitter account at http://www.twitter.com/aromaleigh

2. The Aromaleigh Fan Forum has been closed. The forum will disappear at the end of it's billing cycle. All users have been suspended to prevent the receipt of forum subscription emails (which has been confusing for many users and we could not get the system to discontinue sending them, or to totally shut down the forum visually).

3. Aromaleigh Mineral Foundations have been discontinued and there are no immediate plans to offer a replacement product. The foundations were discontinued for many reasons, the main one being that Aromaleigh is going through a time of change, restructuring and regrouping. We are simplifying, changing, improving and streamlining many product lines.

4. Order processing turn-around-time (TAT) has increased and is now 3-7 business days. All orders will ship faster when possible, however, at this time, Aromaleigh is taking life at a somewhat slower pace...

5. Third party items, such as brushes, Gel liners, Creme shadows, Concealers, etc.. we are not going to be stocking these again until Fall, and at that time, we will be condensing the offerings to provide the key necessities as opposed to carrying every color available. These items are currently on sale and inventory is in flux as the items sell out and are removed from the site.

6. Coupons have been simplified to include the New Customer offer and the Free Shipping offer. 25% off bi-weekly sales remain unchanged. We will be offering more code coupons and surprise sale items.

7. Several new Limited Edition eye collections are on the horizon.



8. Our Yahoo merchant ratings page is now gone, as Yahoo and Pricegrabber merged. We need to form an account to retrieve the lost post-transaction, third party reviews. We are also looking into a 3rd party post-transaction rating service for you to rate your Aromaleigh experience, other than Yahoo ratings.

9. The rewards program points for product review feature has been discontinued. Aromaleigh will be moving to a new ecommerce platform within the next 3-4 months, and the new platform does not support points for reviews, so at this time we have decided to discontinue this portion.

10. Kristen (aka Miss K) will not be personally responding to correspondence any longer. If you send emails or messages through to her, she will receive them, but she is not able at this time to reply. She does truly appreciate your messages! She misses blogging, and being there are Aromaleigh's spokeswoman to personally connect with all of you.
This is an aspect of Aromaleigh that so many have enjoyed and loved. It was one of the things that made us more than "just another company". Regretfully, being in the forefront for over a decade has created many issues, and Kristen made the decision to withdraw direct involvement not only because she is going through a very painful/personal time, but also because "putting herself out there" has put her under a microscope. She is using this break to get back to the roots of why she started Aromaleigh in the first place... and to remind everyone that it's about the products... and that at this time is what she will be focusing on.

11. Lastly, many customers want to know why all the changes? At this time, Kristen/Aromaleigh are going through a difficult time due to her divorce. Most of these changes have been made due to this time of transition and intense change/reflection. Kristen and Aromaleigh thank you for your understanding and support, but she also understands if you no longer support Aromaleigh because of these changes.

12. "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

====

I feel emphaty about her situation. Miss K is an active entrepreneur. Reaching out the customers with personal touch, but somehow I noticed a few people took the gesture in different way. It wasn't nice or positive at all!
I didn't know the details, though.

I finally found the new Aromaleigh's Twitter account and followed it.

Then..... I read the latest updates, dated June 28.

I was shocked! This is just one of impacts of having own business. Sometimes we need to put ourselves on top.
I feel you Miss K...... May God give you strength!

I will miss the nice lovely products.

====

Aromaleigh News, June 28th, 2010... The End.

Aromaleigh bids you adieu...

We'd like to thank everyone for the last 12 years of support and repeat business... it's been an amazing ride, but it's time.

Some of the happiest times of the last decade+ have been receiving emails from ecstatic women whose lives and outlook had changed from something as simple as makeup...

Aromaleigh never started off being about making a quick buck. I started the company with a dream of independence and creating my unique, natural line of Aromatherapy products and fragrances. We grew slowly... one customer at a time, and soon customers were requesting natural cosmetics.

Our first cosmetic product was a tinted lipbalm called "Color Wash".... our Pure Powder, in 5 shades, followed soon after... and in the months that followed, frost and matte eyeshadows, and more...

I've given my heart and soul to this company, and the last 12 years of my life. But I am unable to continue, as I have to be honest... there's nothing left inside of me to give. And what I do have is reserved for the most important person in my life.

I can't and won't provide a detailed explanation for this decision... those who know me well know that this has been a decision that has torn me in two for several months. Nothing I say or don't say can matter at this point. All I will say is "You've won... I'm gone. You can stop now..."

It's makeup. It's supposed to be fun, and empowering and beautiful. But it's all become ugly. More ugly than I ever imagined.

I'll be offering the following "Goodbye" coupon for the next 2 weeks...

ADIEU35

35% off the entire store, not applicable to previously placed, shipped or received orders... Aromaleigh reserves the right to refuse any suspect or incomplete orders for any reason, Large international orders, as per our international terms, are subject to additional ship fees.

First come, first served for inventory... most inventory is not real-time, and sold out product will be updated daily. Being able to order a product does not guarantee stock. Please allow 7-10 business days (possibly more, depending on volume) for your order to be processed.

With a very heavy heart, I thank you all for this journey... and I also look forward to a future that is serene and blessed... for all of you, as well...

Sincerely and with a bunch of tears as I type this,

Kristen
====

More links for your reading:

The Shades of You
Wintry Beauty
Robyn's Nest