037 - MU MIEUX Collagen Beauty Drink

*Edited

As you would have known by now, my face to me is of utmost importance as compared to the rest of my body. I spend so much time, effort and $$ on skincare, makeup and even supplements just to have good skin! And my latest obsession is now anything collagen - all just to have doink doink skin!

Have been on the search for the right collagen drink for my skin in this past 6 months, and boy was I glad to be invited to try out the MU MIEUX Collagen Beauty Drink!

Just a little extra information for all of you out there. Why is collagen so important?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body needed to maintain the structure and density of your skin. Collagen proteins derived from fish contain high amounts of amino acids and peptides directly involved in the formation of collagen and elastin. Approximately 80% of young and heaalthy skin is made up of collagen. However, our skin gradually loses the ability to regenerate naturally and produces less collagen in our mid-30s. Around 35 and 55 years of age, the level of collagen drops to 40%, resulting in the loss of firmness and the formation of wrinkles.

Although I still have a good 10 years before I reach 35, I would not want to start replenishing my collagen only when I have lost them! I want my skin to be firm for as long as they can!

The MU MIEUX Collagen Mu Nutrition+ by Mary Chia is formulated with BHN (Marine) Collagen, and enriched with Ceramide and Apple extract for enhanced skin hydration, elasticity and luminosity. Every bottle of MIEUX (50ml) contains 3000mg BHN Collagen and 10mg Ceramide and it is recommended that 1 bottle is to be consumed per day, on a daily basis.

Each box of MIEUX contains 8 bottles of the beauty drink and I have just finished my last bottle last night! I took this premium collagen product nightly just before bedtime as recommended so that I can wake up to beautiful skin! Do remember to chill the drink before consumption for best enjoyment! I love the fruity taste of the drink and note that 50ml is just about the right amount for me! I have tried other brands of collagen drink, with each bottle at 30ml and I have always felt that the amount was too little! The bottle of beauty was gone even before I can fully enjoy it.

Have taken a Before and After picture of my face on the first and last day of drinking the beauty drink. Was a little reluctant to post it coz my complexion on the first day was pretty bad due to a sudden breakout. But glad that my face is almost back to its normal state now!

Although there's a difference in lighting, to me, my pores have become visibly smaller and skin has become firmer and more supple too! Scars too, have lightened by quite a fair bit! =)

Readers Exclusive!
**FOR FIRST 100 READERS ONLY!**

Get 1 box of MU MIEUX Collagen Beauty Drink @ only @ S$88 (U.P S$108) and get a complimentary Collagen Facial with S$145 simply by quoting "XiuZhen" and "Sample Store Exclusive" at any Mary Chia/ Urban Homme outlets.

Call 1800 250 2001 for redemption! =)

Promo is valid from 1st Feb to 31st Mar 2015.

036 - Contours Express

Ever since my last zumba session from almost a year ago (I think), I haven't exercised for a single bit. I was contemplating whether to accept the campaign for Contours Express which included a 29-minute personalised workout session. I decided to do it anyway, thinking it's high time I get my muscles moving and fats going. Lol.

Contours Express is an international franchise gym exclusive for women. 

I went to the club at Jurong East, which is the nearest one to my place and you can find the whole list of clubs HERE. They have Contours Express Clubs all over Singapore, each located for your convenience.

When I first stepped into the club, I was a little surprised, because it was much cozier than I thought. There was a friendly trainer and I felt comfortable when I was inside because people inside were all ladies and I was pretty sure I would not be getting weird stares as when compared to a public gym. I bet you know what I mean.

My friendly trainer, Thiba, got me started with a short questionnaire to get to know my body and my concerns before planning out the suitable training for me. We tested for my amount of body fats too and  although I am underweight, my body fat is still too high for my age and would require some improvement. 

My total fat weight is 12.5kg (sounds heavy right, I imagined 12.5kg worth of lumpy fats in my body. Yuck!) and is split into 3 parts; Essential fat, Reserve fat and Excess fat. Thankfully I have no excess fats and Thiba told me that it is quite rare that people have no excess fats at all and that is very good! =D

And so we got started with some warm-up and I realised that I was really weak coz I was already panting when warming up! Lousy me!

The circuit training included alternating machines and board exercises, each for 45 seconds. 45 seconds may sound like a short while, but it isn't really that short when you're doing the exercises! Thiba guided me closely for each station and taught me the right way of breathing which helped in achieving the outcome that I want.

I did 2 rounds of the circuit training and Thiba shared some useful stretching tips which will help in strengthening muscles and relieving back pain. Really appreciate that! By the end of my workout session, I was so tired but I was glad that I am finally moving my muscles hard enough. I could really feel the right areas stretching and tightening with Thiba's guidance and this is what we probably can't find in regular gyms. I will just do what I think feels right in gyms, without knowing if I am really doing it right. Not a good thing to do because you might hurt yourself unknowingly!

Me at one of the machine station. Maybe seem easy, but I guess I am really too weak to say it's easy!

Thiba guiding one of the members when I was done with my session.

Demo of the board exercises playing, and we just have to follow suit! Comes in 2 levels. Moderate and Advance!

Can opt for the advance one if you have got good coordination!

You can now redeem a circuit training session at Contours Express from Sample Store and stand a chance to win 15 sessions of circuit training worth $299!

All you need to do is to:

1. Upon receiving your complimentary voucher (valid till 31 January 2015), call Contours Express at 1800-2668687 and choose your preferred center to book an appointment.
2. Present the voucher when you arrive for your appointment.
3. Post a selfie of yourself working out and a review of your free trial experience at Contours Express at facebook.com/contoursexpress.sg
4. In your review, tell us why you deserve to win 15 sessions of circuit training at Contours Express worth S$299!
5. Closing date for contest is until 31 December 2014 so hurry and redeem your complimentary voucher and book your appointment before 31 December 2014 to participate in this contest!
6. Contest winners will be announced on 5 January 2015 via email.

P.S Fret not if you didn’t manage to book your appointment before 31 December 2014 to participate in this contest, your complimentary voucher is still valid till 31 January 2015 so you can still book your appointment before then!

Good luck all!

035 - Black Paint

Yes, you read that right. I'm introducing you Black Paint today! But of course I'm not gonna introduce you paint "paint".

Black Paint is an organic skincare brand established in Kyoto 15 years ago by Miyuki Maeda. Combining ancient wisdom of beauty secrets, modern bacteriology and contemporary natural and organic lifestyle, Miyuki has successfully found the formula to solve skin problems rooting from skin pores by leveraging on the power of nature.

Based on this concept, Black Paint skincare products are made from natural, organic materials which are blended from more than 100 types of plant oils, more than 50 types of essential oils and Kishu Binchotan Charcoal, all known to have powerful beauty effects since ancient times. No longer using synthetic and artificial products to suppress our skin's reaction to the external environment, Black Paint works instead to build harmony between our skin and nature.

There are approximately 200,000 pores on our face. When dead cells mix with oil secretion (sebum) in our skin layers, they clog our pores and prevent our skin from breathing which may lead to troubled skin. Taking care of pores is the first step in maintaining great skin and that is why Black Paint came out with the 4 Steps Pore Care.

Step 1a - Black Paint Soap

The handmade Black Paint Soap comes in the form of cake and is able to cleanse the pores gently and effectively with the right use. It  removes oil and dirt without stripping away the skin's essential moisture, leaving the skin feeling fresh and silky smooth!

Along with the soap, a brightly colored bowl was also given thoughtfully for us to place the soap and soak it before use!

How to use:

1. Immerse the soap into 40 degree celsius water for at least 40 seconds. The soap is ready if the surface of the soap melts into the texture of a paste.

2. Apply directly onto skin, even with make up on because the soap can double up as a make up remover.

3. Try to use all 6 surfaces of the soap and not just 1 side. This act will consume all the melted soap surfaces which allows the soap to dry during idling and preserves the form of the soap, prolonging its usability.

4. Massage face gently for about 1 minute. This allows the charcoal particles in the soap water to seep into the pores and adhere themselves to whiteheads and oil deposits for more effective cleansing.

5. Rinse with warm water with gentle massage.

Looks just like black camp!

Massage gently and spread it across the whole face!

After rinsing it off! Don't my face look so clean? No filter for all pictures in this post!

Step 1b - Black Konjac Sponge

Conjured from natural konjac fiber, the Black Sponge assist the pull of partially exposed comedones from your pores gently, giving your skin a radiant and smooth surface!

How to use:

1. Soak the sponge completely in warm water until it is totally soft. 

2. Press out the excess water. Do not twist the sponge.

3. Massage face with the Black Sponge in a circular motion.

Soft and spongy after soaking!

Remove excess water!

Massage face with sponge in circular motions! 

Step 2 - Best Water (Toner)

Best Water nourishes and hydrates with 30 minerals that penetrate deeply to restore the skin's barrier and prevent moisture loss from within.

How to use:

1. Use 3-5 pumps of Best Water on the skin.

2. Gently pat skin for better absorption.

Love how quickly my skin can absorb it! Skin looking soft and supple now!

Step 3 - Oil Water Rose (Lotion)

A dual layer emulsion that regenerates, protects, soothes and softens the skin keeping the skin soft, supple, radiant and young-looking, while a delicious rose scent uplifts the spirit.

How to use:

1. Shake well before use.

2. Apply 3-5 pumps of the Water Oil Rose onto skin.

3. Repeats these steps for 2-3 times.

You can't see it from here, but I love love the touch of my skin after application of the Water Oil Rose! Skin does looks brighter doesn't it?

Step 4 - Water Cream (Moisturiser)

A water-based moisturising cream that protects the skin from dryness and maintains dryness all day long. Works great as a make up base too!

How to use:

1. Take a pearl -sized amount and spread onto face.

2. The cream transforms into water droplets upon application.

3. Wait till the face dries before applying make-up.

A small spatula given with a smart lock-in within the container! No more trouble finding a place to keep the spatula!

A light-weight cream!

=)

I have used this range of products now for about 5 days and I am loving the effects, especially the texture of my face. I don't really have a problem with acne (luckily and thankfully), so it would not be obvious even if I show a before and after photo. But I do have a case of dry skin occasionally and that makes my skin dull and not as radiant. With the use of this set of products, my face is now more glowy and definitely softer to the touch!

If I have to choose a favourite out of this set, it will certainly be the Water Oil Rose lotion! It has amazed me with its effects after the first use and I am quite sure that this will not be my only bottle! =D

You can find and purchase Black Paint products at the following locations:

Stores:

Takashimaya Basement Level 1

Isetan West Gate Basement Level 2

Online:

http://blackpaint.sg

034 - Reduze Pro

I know I am not the best person to be introducing a weight loss supplement because almost everyone around me thinks I am too thin. But hey, friends close enough would know that I am not thin throughout la. I have my own fatty trouble areas too! >.<

So when Sample Store invited me to the Reduze Pro campaign, I was more than happy to try it out! Other than being an extra strength weight loss supplement, Reduze Pro works as a body cleansing and detox supplement too. This was also one of the major reasons why I decided to try this out! Coz I have too much toxins and waste within me! You must be wondering how I know right? Easy. I have super infrequent bowel movements in other words, constipation. =x

Reduze Pro contains a triple action detox formula which:

1. Rebalance gut flora
    - Increase weight loss bacteria
    - Decrease weight gain bacteria

2. Improve digestive function
    - Increase bowel frequency
    - Reduce fat/ toxin accumulation

3. Allows sustainable weight loss
    - Increase fat metabolism
    - Increase satiety


Facts and Figures:
- 8X more weight loss
- +52% bowel frequency
- -29% calorie intake
- 20 billion live probiotics per dose


According to the International Journal of obesity published in 2010, weight loss release excess toxins into the body. Therefore, it is important to detoxify your body the same time when you start a weight loss regime.

Direction of use:
For normal effect, take 2 capsules once daily before food.
For fast effect, take up to 3 capsules once daily before food. When the desired effect is achieved, reduce dosage back to 2 capsules daily.

As mentioned earlier in the post, I said I have some trouble areas which I'm really concerned about so I took some measurements of my thighs, hoping to see some results after taking the supplement! Apart from my thighs, I took measurement of my tummy too! Flatter tummy please! No girl will mind having a smaller waist! =D

Left thigh (before): 18.5 inches

Left thigh (after): 18.1 inches

Right thigh (before): 18.9 inches

Right thigh (after): 18.5 inches

Tummy (before): 25 inches

Tummy (after): 24.3 inches

As seen from the pictures, the size of my thigh has reduced by a significant bit given that I have only taken the supplement for 2 weeks! Same for tummy! They are not lying when they say it helps to flatten the tummy! Other than these visible results, I now visit the toilet more regularly to clear my bowels too! I believe it's the supplement working for my body because there was no change in my diet except for a decrease in appetite which led to lesser calorie intake each day. I do not feel lethargic nor do I have any side effects from the pills and in fact I feel that I have a brighter complexion now too! Could be one of the wonders of detoxing! =D

Reduze Pro can be found at Guardian, John Little, Metro, NTUC Fairprice, Robinson, Sasa, Unity and Watsons.

If you are lazy (like me), you can get Reduze Pro online too at Rakuten! Best thing is you can get $10 off your purchase (minimum spending of $128 - which is the cost of 1 box of Reduze Pro) simply by keying in the discount code "REDUZEPRO10" before making your payment. Please note that the codes are all in uppercase and each coupon can only be used once per member. The shopper must logged in as a member of Rakuten to use the coupon! Do note that the discount coupon is not applicable with any other discounts and the coupon is valid from 17 Nov till 31 Dec 2014. =)

033 - QQ's Birthday 2014

Finally some personal stuff on this space.

Shall kick off with QQ's birthday celebration this year! We celebrated it over a few days because it was a long weekend! And we extended it to an even longer weekend coz we had leave to clear! Our initial plan was to fly to somewhere to celebrate, but as the date drew nearer and we still had no clue where to go, we gave up the idea of flying and decided to stay in Singapore instead.

3 Oct 2014

The start of our long weekend! Met up at Holland Village for our Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao Steamboat buffet! But because we opted for the supper timing, we had lots of time to kill before we can have our 'supper'. The supper steamboat buffet starts at 10.15pm and ends at 11.45pm. Each adult costs $25.90++, comes with free flow xlb and drinks!

BUT. I was hungry way before that. My stomach was growling at like 7plus? Meh. So we went to the food centre opposite to grab some small bites and chit chat until almost 10pm! Finally time for a proper meal!

Looking young that day! Definitely don't look 32 like that! =)

Tee from Phuket!

First round!

Not sure if we were lousy, but we can only manage 5 longs of xlb in total. We had ordered a 6th, but decided to return it to them coz we were too full!!

We were suppose to finish eat by 11.45pm, but we stayed on until slightly after midnight coz we were not done with our food! >.< So needless to say, we were the last table to leave. Hehe. A duper filling meal! 

4 Oct 2014

His actual birthday! We had planned to go for dim sum brunch at Ah Yat but had to cancel coz we were still full from the previous night! Plus, it was a rainy morning so we decided to sleep in! Woke up only at noon to slowly prepare for the day. Decided to go for light hi-tea, although it's still a buffet. But really, it's light la.

Did my curls using my Babyliss Pro! It looks so nice and bouncy!

We went to Albert Cafe at Albert Court and although the variety of food wasn't that great, the place was pretty nice and cosy. =)

Please don't be mistaken that the place is empty without any customers. I took this after everybody left!

Looking pretty happy with the food!

We had a slow walk around the vicinity as it was not often that we go out dating on a weekend. So we walk walk and take pictures!

I had a a deep cut on my leg right after this photo coz there was a sharp edge at the corner of the table jutting out. And all I can do was to see blood slowly oozing out. No more nice legs.

But that cut is not gonna ruin my day! Continue taking photos!

Saw this nice grass patch at Laselle and can't help sitting on it to take a photo! Love this photo coz it makes my legs look longgggg..

Went to explore the building and up on the bridge!

This photo is damn throw face. But I still post it anyway. So this is why I fail as a model. The expression cmi. Lol.

Our stomachs have really shrunk over these few months and we were still super full from high tea even till 8+pm.

We moved on to Cuppage at Orchard and settled down at Harry's to catch a soccer match. Can't remember if it was a Liverpool game.

Ordered a bucket of HPL to share!

Happy birthday boy! Got him a slice of his favourite fruit cake!

A helpful staff offered himself to help us take a photo! =D

Our shared dinner. Too full from tea to manage anything else.

Home sweet home~~

6 Oct 2014

It's a trip to JB again! We started the day early and reach there at about 11am! Went to Neway for their KLunch! Their KLunch now is pretty different from the one we had when we went earlier this year. Instead of lunch sets, Neway now offers buffet lunch. But comparatively, their set lunches tasted much better! I wished they didn't change! But anyway, with lunch and 3 hours of singing each pax cost about SGD11-12 if I remembered correctly. Free wi-fi provided too! So still very much value-for-money!

We booked a room at Grand Paragon Hotel for a night's stay so we quickly went to check in after singing! This is our second visit to Grand Paragon Hotel and we decided to stay there again coz the previous experience was pretty good and it's pretty near KSL! Furthermore, they have this pasar malam every Monday beside the hotel where they sell all sorts of stuff. Good to grab some small bites for supper! =D

Check in was fast, we expected it to be fast anyway coz it was a weekday and a day after PH, so by right the hotel would be pretty quiet. Got the keys to our room at level 13.

We booked the deluxe room, same as previously, but this time the room seemed to be much smaller. Rested awhile in the room before exploring the hotel and going to the gym to workout abit. HAHA. Yeah, you got it right. I actually went to the gym. So unbelievable. I didn't use the treadmill. Seriously, I cannot run. So I used the cycling machine (sorry I dunno the right name for it) for about 30 minutes. And I actually sweated. ABIT. Lol.

After that we decided to head to Farmland Porridge Steamboat Restaurant for dinner. Problem was, we don't know exactly where it was located. We saw it when we took a cab last time and vaguely remembered it was beside the main road. So we walked along roads, hoping to find it. Thinking back, it was kinda dangerous coz we had no idea if we were going the right way and we could have lost our way. But luckily (and thankfully), we didn't walk in vain and found the place before the sky got dark! =)

Saw this old school playground with a swing while searching for the restaurant!

I remember I used to play this every weekend when I was really young last time! But this seal was sooooo wobbly I thought it was going to break! >.<

Very yummy and crispy sides!

The recommended set which we ordered and porridge was free flow. O.O

The overall taste was not bad, something different to try! Apparently they have a branch in Singapore too. But I'm not quite sure where it's located at. I'm quite sure the piping hot stuff will taste even better in a rainy weather! =D

Walked back to where the pasar malam was and it was so crowded! Didn't buy anything back from the pasar malam but instead tabao-ed a pack of hokkien mee and some chicken wings from the food centre right beside the hotel. This was later at night of course. And I love love the hokkien mee! The thick bee hoon used were very different from what we see in Singapore. Theirs is very springy and chewy! SLURPS* But it seems like only I appreciate it. >.<

Anyway, here comes the bad part of the trip. If I haven't mentioned explicitly, We were back in the hotel room. I was going to wash my hands after finishing my food. And to the shock of my life, the water gushing out of the tap was brown, tea-like color.

Totally the color you see from the picture above. No joke.

I literally screamed in horror from the bathroom coz it was so disgusting la. I had no clue what water did I just washed my hands with. Not knowing what to do, I just soaped my hands and wipe it off with tissue. And we called the reception to check on the problem.

The receptionist didn't seem shocked to hear from us and just gave a brief explanation that there was some piping issues and assured us the the water will clear in 10 minutes. In fact, after 30 minutes the water was still not clean. The water was yellowish and with particles in it.

Saw how yellow it was! 

So of course we made another call to tell them on this. And they said they would send a technician up to check on the problem. I also made a request for them to send additional bottles of distilled water coz there was no way I can boil water with the dirty water right? They actually wanted to charge me additional RM3.00 for each bottle. 

Me: Why are you charging me for the additional bottles? I do not want to pay for these additional bottles.

Receptionist: You have two complimentary bottles in your room.

Me: I have finished it.

Receptionist: You finished the free ones then you have to pay for additional ones.

Me: (Boiling up) If I take water from the tap to boil it's free. Now your tap water is dirty, do you think I can still boil and drink it? If no, then do you think it's fair for me to pay for additional bottles?

So she she checked with her duty manager and sent up 2 bottles of water later on. Not that I'm trying to save that bit of money, but it just doesn't make any sense for me to pay.

Anyway, initial problem still not solved. Technician came up and and we checked with him on the cause of the problem. He said they have changed the filter (they do it every 2 months) and the water usually takes half a day to clear. Meaning we will only see clear water from the tap the following morning. Well done.

So we called the shift manager, Bob (yes I remember your name) to make a complaint after the technician left. After 5 minutes of talking, he then revealed that the problem occurred between levels 6 to 13 (remember we were staying on the 13th floor). Other levels were not affected. He then agreed to shift us to level 20.

I'm not trying to be hard to please, but we were really not satisfied with how things were done. Does it mean that if we did not make the call to complain then we would be stuck at the room with dirty water to bathe and wash our faces or NOT bathing and washing our faces at all? We definitely didn't pay for this. 

Not sure was it due to the previous night's bad experience, the breakfast next day didn't taste as good as I last remembered too. Sighs.

Having a dip at the pool before check out.

I guess there probably won't be a third visit from us to this hotel. Bye.