Monday Masks : SexyLook Intensive Moisturising Black Cotton Mask

Hey all! Merry Christmas! Hope you're all in the holiday mood. For me, I'm definitely in the holiday spirit as I've been on holiday the past few days (yes, I've turned over a hardworking leaf, and I'm schedulling posts even when I'm away now!). It hasn't been very relaxing though because I've been muthatrucking tramping up and down the streets of Bangkok. I thought I would've lost massive amount of weight by the time I come back to KL, but it seems like I've gained even more, wtf? My ideal weight goal is looking damn damn far off... *pissed off Leech*

On a good note, I've had time to review even more stuff and despite my own restraining order, I've got even more haul posts to publish! My husband said that the shelves are actually warped from carrying the weight of so many beauty products. *guilty* At first, I was a very hardworking reviewer in Thailand, trying out new make-up, new creams... but then I had an awful break-out, which I've never gotten before for so long. It's like taunting me... I'm on holiday and I can't have nice pics of myself! Really brings my mood down. Never mind, it's Christmas! Gotta cheer myself out though I am now fat and have bad skin. Seriously fat, ok! I've never weighed this much IN MY LIFE.

Well, now for the review. This was from my Penang trip early this month --- I don't know why, when I'm on holiday, my skin gets really dry. I don't know if it's because of the trip there (car air-conditioning? Aeroplane environment?) or what... but I will get my dry-skin syndrome. Since I'm already saddled with extra weight and pimples, I didn't get dry skin this round. :-) Small consolation, I just grab it. Anyway, since I was having dry skin, I decided to use my SexyLook Intensive Moisturising Black Cotton Mask. It was free with the Vanity Trove x Watsons box I got. :)

I first read about this mask on Xiaxue's blog, and if I'm not mistaken, one single sheet is quite expensive already. Like RM8-RM10? I am glad that I got it for free! Hehehe...

What is "Black Cotton", I hear you asking. Well, it's apparently cotton fibers with activated carbon fibers meshed together. Carbon is used because it helps to absorb dirt, excessive sebum, and refine pores. The mask says that it will help rehydrate and repair skin, leaving you with a natural, glowing complexion. The mask is also rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants, ocean nurtured black pearl --- all which will help to moisturise your skin, leaving you with pearl-like radiance. Interesting.. using pearl to give you a pearl-like appearance. Why not diamonds so that I can sparkle like a diamond too? Don't need to answer rhetorical questions, btw. ;)

Well, one thing is for sure.. the mask is of REALLY good quality, putting to shame all the cheapo masks that I've been using so far. It's thin, soft & silky,  able to absorb and retain a lot of essence, and stretchable! Except for the gaping large eye holes (maybe i didn't position the mask *that* well), I think it's a pretty good fit. However, I definitely did not look as sexy as the girl on the mask packaging. I look more like I'm ready to rob someone's house.

She's climbin in your windows
She's snatchin your people up

However, the mask was really a nice fit, it smelled pleasant enough (but can't remember of WHAT, just that it smelled really nice!) and it felt oh-so-soft against my skin. I fell asleep while I was wearing it! I don't know how long I slept off for, but I woke up with a jolt when I heard my sister coming in to the hotel room (they had gone for swimming... I had gone for a "pampering nap"!). I didn't want her to walk in and shriek, seeing me with my mask on! :) No matter how long I had been asleep (definitely longer than the recommended time to have the mask on!), the mask was still super wet and cold against my skin. :S

When I washed everything off, my skin did indeed feel very moisturised and silky-smooth as well. There was not even a bit of grimy black stuff on my face, so rest assured that the mask was not just merely dyed black in color! Hahaha...

Not sure whether I would repurchase because it's really above-average drugstore prices. Maybe if they have promotions / boxsets? Anyway, I'm starting to be more keen on "spread masks" already. :)

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My First (Free!) Vanity Trove

So while I was in Singapore, I was lucky enough to run in to this Vanity Trove x Watsons promotion that they were having. Basically, buy up to SGD$80 of stuff from Watsons (doesn't matter what it is) and you will get a FREE Vanity Trove beauty box. In case you do not know what Vanity Trove or beauty box subscriptions are, basically, if you pay a staple amount of $$ every month, this company (Vanity Trove) will send you a box of beauty-related samples each month. It may not necessarily just be skin /hair care. It could be make-up as well! I think it depends on what you state is your preference when you are signing up. I never signed up for it because I didn't know how good it could get, so I was happy that shopping at Watsons allowed me the chance to get a sample box for free!

This is how the box looks like. I really, really cannot wait to open it! *glee* And my husband was so **ho hum** ... he will never understand my obsession with trying different types of skin care / beauty products. He will stick to just one product, possibly the rest of his life. ;P Today he was just trying to influence me to buying the same hair gel as him! Lol...

What greeted me after I opened the box. The faux grass layering at the bottom of the box is a nice but IMHO, unnecessary touch. Give us more stuff! I don't care if the "present" doesn't look pretty!

A sample of 4 different products from DHC, all made from the goodness of olive oil. I like the brochures that come with the items, so you can learn more about the stuff that you will be using. I actually carted all of it back to Malaysia for more intensive study. Hahaha... 

Black cotton face mask from SexyLook. I am not sure if it's the same one as the one Xiaxue just advertised about recently... (lazy to double check). I think hers is from LoveMore, and I'm not sure if these are sister companies or not. Anyway, black face masks are apparently now the trend? :)

The "moisturisers" picture... stuff from Palmers, Hada Labo, Watson's own in-house brand of masks and Bio-Oil. Stuff that I've thought about trying but never bought.

Cristalle 21 Skin Solace serum (in a plastic? case), which is really unique (read: strange). Kinda scared to use it! Sunscreen lotion that came in oh-so-useful because I was going to the zoo and Universal Studios and I totally did not pack any sunblock! I was actually thinking of running out to the nearest pharmacy again to grab a Banana Boat, but this nifty little packet did the trick. Separate blog post coming up just to rave about it.

A sample size packet of MJ fruit smoothie mask (just enough for one application I think... the usual packet is usually enough for multiple applications!), a Neutrogena deep clean face wash in grapefruit (love love love citrus scents!) and a Pure Beauty moisturiser. Another Watsons in-house brand!

Voucher for 15% off Zalora... but the Singaporean site only. Drop me a comment if you want the code! First come, first served.

And then my husband was nagging me to go for the happy hour in Swissotel, so I just dumped everything into the picture and snapped. There's stuff from Biore, Uriage, L'oreal, Rachel K, etc etc. Never fear, I will definitely review each item I got!

Meanwhile, is this a great introduction to Vanity Trove? Well, I think this box doesn't do the company justice because there are too many "mini samples". I heard that the real Vanity Trove sends in much bigger samples, but maybe less products. If you expect me to pay RM60 for this box, then definitely it's not worth it. However, getting it free with my Watsons purchases definitely made this a sweeeeet deal as I like to try many different types of products. Sorry, but definitely can't recommend the beauty box subscription to you based on this. However, would love it if Watsons and Vanity Trove collaborated more in the future!

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