Whats your hair personality - Discover with Giovanni collection today

Sponsored post

Have you ever wondered what your hair personality would be? I know that it's good to stick with a brand once you know it works for you, but i always love to try out new products because you never know what gems you would discover in the market these days.

When Sample Store contacted me to write up a blog review for Giovanna - i'm thrilled because i'm always up to receive free products (oh cheapskate me), and new things to play around with. When you have a boyfriend who loves his hair more than his life, you tend to place more emphasis on your own hair too.

With the huge hoo-ha in the industry these days about how bloggers tend to praise and write the good things about anything just so to be paid, you can't blame me for taking a long time to churn this review out since i wanted to try and make sure the products were really good.

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2chic Ultra Moist Shampoo for dry and damaged hair

This was the first range that i tried because i had been using my heat curler every morning and i felt that my hair were becoming crispy and brittle. According the the website, this range helps to:

- Conquer dry, damaged hair 

- Replenish hair that feels dull, lifeless and brittle 

- Deep-conditions for deep luster 

- Leaves hair smooth & supple 

- Silkens hair with softness & shine 

- Nourishes with Vitamins & Omega Fatty Acids 

- Helps prevent splits & breaks

It didn't really help much to be honest, and my hair was still pretty dry and damaged. I am not too sure if its because i didn't use the product correctly because i don't really fancy long shower, so usually i just slap some shampoo on my palm and weave it through my hair.

Nevertheless, not really impressed so yeap.

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2chic Ultra-volume Shampoo

Some of the benefits as per mentioned on the website for this range includes:

- Builds body without adding weight 

- Plumps & thickens every strand 

- Softens & detangles 

- Prevents dulling build-up 

- Makes hair shiny & bouncy

My expectations went down a little following the first range, reckoning that at the end of the day, it's going to be another 'shampoo' in the mass market. However, started using this for a month and i really like the results of this range! My hair definitely felt softer and much easier to handle, but perhaps the use of argan oil also helped to expedite the showing results. 

Would recommend this to friend - not joking about the thumbs up on these bottles.

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2chic Ultra-sleek Shampoo

The next on my list because i see argan oil. I heard from Sijun that it's a really good ingredient to have and that it works, like when you see products with this, you know its good.

Some of the benefits mentioned include:

- Transport your senses as you lather in softness, manageability and glossy radiance 

- Smooth every strand With Brazilian Phyto-Keratin and Moroccan Argan Oil 

- Seduce with shine Banish frizz 

- Discover ultra-sleek vibrancy 

- Safe for color treated hair 

I usually avoid sleek formula because it makes my hair extra oily, but i am pretty keen to see how this goes. Sometimes i feel that i put my hair under extreme challenges by testing their limits, and if they could talk, they must be hating me haha!

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Smooth as silk deep moisture

I dont have the chance to try this yet but it's very tempting knowing that there's a thumbs up on the shampoo bottle. Some of the benefits mentioned on the website include:

- Pearlized formula glistens in your hand and transforms hair into a silky palette. 

- Lather and glow while prepping for your best style. 

- Luxurious lather soothes dry, chemically processed hair 

- Cleanses gently for manageable smoothness 

- Calms unruly hair to alleviate frizz Increases shine while smoothing dry or damaged hair 

Would definitely give it a go once i used up the others! :D

With this, i end this blog post. Ultimately, i feel that the brand offers a range of products which suit different hair type and it's important to find a type of shampoo/conditioner which works for your hair personality.

Ever since i started working, i dont have the time to doll up so hair become one of the more vital accessory for me since it can either make or break my look for that day. I try to minimize damage for my hair but yeah, you know the morning rush with girls. Glad that there are products like these to save us and give our tresses their well-deserved nutrients everyday!

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Giovanni wide range of hair products are suitable for any hair types and needs If you are interested to give them a go, head down to Watsons, Guardian, major Cold Storage, John Little, BHG and Sasa. 

If you are busy like me and has no time, just go to their E-store Maimee's Corner at www.maimeescorner.com 

Prices ranges from $14.90 - $15.90 , and you can find out more on their website at

http://www.giovannicosmetics.sg/

With that, good luck with your tresses ladies! :D

The Seacare hotel, Common man coffee roaster and random

My frequency at blogging seems to have dropped from once per week to once per month. Currently chilling at The Book Cafe @ 20 Martin Road with Sijun because he needs to study for a test. Funny how a year ago it would had been me studying and him using his phone and/or sleeping.

Nothing much to elaborate on work, busy as usual. It's getting better now because the peak period for my main account is dropping, but then again, you never know when it comes to prints. 

Usual Girls night out with my ladies whenever we are all back and gathered in SG. I think i am currently at the age whereby you have lots of friends going everywhere and subsequently either coming back or settling long term at other countries. 

We always go to Zouk because we went to other clubs before and it wasn't very nice. & yes, we pay for our own cover charge because #independentwoman ! Hahha no la, cause we rarely club too so the occasional expense is alright.

We stayed at 'The Seacare Hotel' this time round, a 15 mins walk away from Zouk and it cost us around $120 with a Queen-size bed and do-able room size. There is this like 'dirty KTV/bar' at the hotel itself and the patrons there were pretty er, non-traditional uncles.\

I wouldn't recommend this hotel to girls who are going to be dead drunk after a nights out because its SG but still, i just don't think its very safe for girls, nonetheless when you are drunk.

Great night just like always, lots of fun and even though some of them got hit on by guys, we stayed together and went back together lol. Girls night out yoz.

Went to Common Man Coffee Roaster cafe the next day with Cassia because i've been wanting to try their food and check out the place for the longest time. We reached at around 1+ and there's already quite a crowd in there.

But i really love the decoration and the whole vibe of the place. Very 'brunch-y' because there are lots of people chit-chatting and the whole place just gives off a very laid back atmosphere.

Definitely recommend if anyone is up for brunch around this area.

The French toast is really good, Breakfast so-so. Love their cafe latte, one of the better ones i've tasted around cafes, minus Coasta coffee which is still #1 in my heart <3

Alrighty, i will try to blog more yeah. I've actually also been thinking of getting inked because YOLO and why not?

I think being at the advertising industry is starting to have an impact on me - all the drinking, partying and also the expression of art. I mean i am not entirely doing all these now, but i am starting to think that it might be fun to do all these.

Puberty came late? But then again, working till damn late everyday so also no time to go and do these stuff LOL.

Okay, catch yall in this space soon!

What to do over at Bukit Timah? Rider's cafe & Pasarbella market

Very outdated, yes. Both on the number of entries on this page as well as the topic itself. I'm only writing about rider's cafe (only because i visited it recently) now! Can you believe it? Yeap, believe it, there's a girl out there who is too lazy to catch up with the whole cafe trend.

It was a lovely surprise by SJ, Joey and Yingting for my 22nd birthday. Rider's cafe! It's definitely a place i had been meaning to visit because there were so much reviews and pictures about it sprawled all over social media aka instagram. Gotta #hashtag that place myself now! LOL

Their burgers are actually really good (despite being burgers!) Love the softness and tangy-bite of the beef (is it wagyu) when its half done. One of the cheaper options on the menu so give it a good if you are looking for recommendation (Y)

The lighting damn cui but its already 8pm so pardon the bad picture lah! A group picture with all the lovely people & their present for me (love all of you dip dip) which is a xi-guay bag from Kate Spade. Xinni was saying that she didn't know i like such things hahaha. 

Liking quirky and weird things more and more as i grew up, a feeble attempt at trying to be non-mainstream perhaps?

Head over to Pasarbella market (last minute decision for drinks and catch-up) since it was not far and all of us haven't been there before, so jiu go lor.

Prententious moment whereby you act atas and eat cheese whilst drinking wine (yeah, coming from first hand experience, i would rather eat normal meat/seafood with wine lol)

*picture from instagram so its blurry

Ending the post with a #selfie & #wefie

Happy 22 years old to myself! WOOTS (a little too late but better than never)

Thank you to everyone and the girls and the boyfriend and the parents for making my 22 years old a simple yet magical one yet again.

... i promise my alice in wonderland party will come soon, when i decide that the worth-ness > money spent. 

Maybe 23 years old? 

HAHAHA see ya <3

Biore Uv Aqua Rich Watery Gel

Sponsored Post - Sample Store

Introducing the new Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50+ PA++++ which helps you to combat the scorching sun in SG/beach holidays!

The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel boasts benefits such as:

• Superior double UV block with enhanced SPF50+/PA++++ 

• Maximum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun 

• Retains its light and watery texture that allows smooth application without a sticky feel 

• Infused with hyaluronic acid & citrus extract to keep skin hydrated and fresh 

• Suitable for application on face and body

Similarly, it can also be used as a makeup base for ladies who love to soak in the sun! It's absolutely essential to take care of your skin (especially your face) as soon as you are at around 20? 

The Aqua Rich Watery Gel contains the breakthrough Aqua Micro Capsule a water capsule which breaks upon application on skin to release the UV protection agent while giving skin a cool and refreshed feeling. 

Unlike most sunscreens that have a higher SPF value which tends to compromise on the product texture, Bioré’s Aqua Rich Watery series retains its lightweight feel and at the same time provide maximum UV protection. The Aqua Rich Watery Gel is also infused with hyaluronic acid and citrus extract to keep skin hydrated and healthy. 

BEFORE APPLICATION

AFTER APPLICATION

I really love how non sticky this product is, as well as how easy it is to carry it around with me. To be honest, i don't believe in "tan" and the "sporty looks" because i always believe that girls should be fair and white. Of course, its simply a personal preference and you are entitled to your own thoughts as well.

It's just that yes, i cannot emphasize how much ladies should start caring for their face/body against the harsh sun!

Biore offers the highest level of UV protection recognized in the industry – SPF50+ and PA++++ rating (previously PA+++).  It's enhanced UV Series is your perfect shield against skin woes that could be easily prevented, like sun spots, wrinkles and freckles caused by damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. 

PERSONAL VERDICT

Ok time for personal verdict again lol! As much as i urge and understand the importance of UV protection, i am really lazy and holds the "ahya nvm lah a bit of sun only" mentality. I know this is super lazy and i will regret it when wrinkles and sun spots starts showing, but yeah, you get the gist.

What i love about this product is that:

1. Small and convenient to carry around. I simply pop it into my bag and fish it out when i need it.

2. NON STICKY (SO IMPORTANT) I have tried so many products that is sticky as heck and makes me feel really gross out and slimy. But i can assure you that this doesn't leave a gooey and sticky feeling on your skin.

So yupp!

The new Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Gel retails at SGD18.90 for a 90ml bottle. 

Available at all leading pharmacies, super & hyper markets, departmental stores, beauty stores and selected minimarts. 

The full range of Bioré’s UV Series enhanced with the PA++++ rating (previously PA +++) are: Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++ Bioré Whitening Cream SPF50+/PA++++ Bioré Perfect Face Milk SPF50+/PA++++ Bioré Perfect Milk SPF50+/PA++++ Bioré Bright Face Milk SPF50+/PA++++

Get your sun kiss AND protected skin today with Biore!

Tanuki Raw - A review

Decided to give Tanuki Raw a go because i've heard loads of reviews about it and the other time we walked pass it, it has a long queue of people lining up for their food.

Reached there at around 6.15pm so its better, we waited for around 5 minutes because we wanted to sit indoors instead of outdoors.

5pm - 8pm = Happy Hours!

We ordered 6 oysters (limit to this per alcoholic drink ordered) and it's goodddd. Not amazing amazing, but amazing good. So perhaps a 2nd tier delicious-ness (does such a word exist lol) for me. I still love the ones from Sunset Way - their oysters are divine.

Oysters are at $2 each during happy hours

We did not want to order any alcoholic drinks in the beginning because its pretty expensive to buy something of that amount for $10?

In the end, because we really wanted the oysters, we forgo the rockstar sushi rolls and went for this honey sake as recommended by the waiter.

ITS DEFINITELY A GOOD CHOICE

Really recommend everyone to try this out if you are popping over Tanuki Raw :D

Tried their signature beef don which reminds me of the one Ikumi made for the Shokugeki with Soma. I love the beef - so so so delicious! The beef is very tender and soft, super good.

But the rice was pretty substandard. I dont think it goes well with the entire dish. The egg doesn't complement the rice, and the rice is pretty ... meh? Even white rice would be better to be honest. But of course, its just my personal opinion.

Selfie to end of the post! We spent a total of $44 in total for the entire meal, inclusive of service charge (10%). There's no GST so yupp - or maybe its inclusive in the prices stated on the menu?

Regardless, really like the service here but it seems a little rushed if you are looking for a romantic dinner with your partner. I would say this place is good for small groups/couples due to the space, but don't expect a romantic ambience or whatsnot.  Its more of a like a fuss free dinner with food served up quick - kinda like a mid class diner?

Time flyyyy and we've been together for a good 1000 days already. I know it sounds pretty weird when you look at it like this, but haha, i always have this 'woah-ness' about being together with your partner for 1000 days. Something like 1001 Night - that arabian style storybook or something?

Would write more personal entries instead of advertorials/sponsored posts! :D

I try

Review - My Dining Room // June's muse

Hi! Its gonna be July soon and i'm really excited that SJ's ORD date is getting closer and closer. But of course, also the motivation to find a job and my official convocation in August as a university graduate. 

Went for interview today, albeit its for an internship. They told me that earliest they would get back to me by tomorrow, and latest by this week. Fingers crossed i get the job! I'm pretty sick of staying at home and nua-ing like some potatoes.

In any case, my family and i celebrated my dad's birthday in lieu with father's day over at My Dining Room, which is really because my mum bought the Groupon voucher for this place. Its $148 for a 9-course meal and we brought my grandmother and le maid along, haha.

Setting wise, i feel that its pretty elegant and classy for social gatherings, company dinners or even family dinners. I really love the entire decoration of the place because it exudes a particular sense of expensive dinner even though we did not pay that much lol

These are the dishes served for our 9-course dinner meal (excluding the dessert) and i love the layout and presentation of the food! They pretty much served us with accordance to the number of people present (i guess a way to save $$? Cause if you were to serve a dish, there's a set of prawns inside and if there's only 2 people, you kinda 'lose out'?)

Zoom in on the waitress dissecting the duck for us LOL. 

Yeap, this course comes with a Peking duck! But i still love Beijing's de most - its unbeatable

Not shark fins #savethesharks , but more of sea cucumber and whatsnot

This is the same duck which we ate the skin of

Behind-the-scenes

Overall, really love the service rendered to us! The waitresses were very attentive and meticulous despite the crowd during the peak hours. They were also fast and friendly with their attitude and that really makes my day! :D

Super recommend to anyone who's looking for a place which is affordable and yet kinda 'formal' in a sense for good food and HK Cantonese cuisine? 

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Address:

3 Temasek Boulevard #02-314/316 

Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983

Meal includes:

Claypot herbal drunken live prawns 

Roasted Peking duck 

Thick soup with sea cucumber and fish maw 

Braised fresh 6-head abalone with wild mushrooms 

Traditional steamed sea fish fillet 

Sautéed duck meat with ginger onion and XO chilli sauce 

Poached seasonal vegetable with bean dough in superior stock 

Stewed ee-fu noodle 

Dessert of the day

Click > Groupon voucher 

Back on the day, it was kinda like a family day for us and it was really enjoyable because i get to hang out with my grandmother and my family over at town (really rare since we dont have a car)

My grandmother whom i lived with since 5 years old - 12 years old. Those were the times whereby i would head to the coffee shop with her every morning to eat breakfast and play with her friends' grandchildren over at the nearby playground. Going over to this shop which sells all the small tidbits and toys, and forever taking $2 from her to buy this, buy that.

My grandfather, whom had passed away, walking all the way to my school just because i forgot to bring that particular book (and he lugged everything to me because he doesn't know English and Chinese)

Now that i think about it, i do really act like a spoilt brat when i was younger. I took many things for granted and i expected them to treat me like this because they are my grandparents and hence should treat me like this. 

I still think this way at times when i hear about my friends' parents voluntarily giving them money when they head overseas, or buying things for them because their original items are faulty. In retrospect, my parents expect me to pay for my own trips and most of the luxury stuffs that i own now (that includes handphone, camera, clothes, offering to pay for drinks when i am out with them every now and then etc) 

I do feel unjustified at times and even lament at my own family culture, but i realized that it made me independent against people of my age. My aunt and uncle spoils me a lot when i was young, and practically buy anything and everything i want despite the price. Unconsciously, it shaped my behavior and i projected this concept on friends and strangers as well. 

Its hard when your friends have parents who would slog and do anything for them (some lah, not all), or just buy them stuffs. I'm not saying that i'm damn poor or that my parents just don't care about me, because my mum and dad does ok. Its just that with the financial capacity of my family, its hard for them to do anything over their basic expenses.

Yeah but to be honest, i am glad i went through all that because i can definitely survive the high and lows in my life now. 

The experience forced me to save and always have a Plan B, and to think of all critical risks/potential problems that will arise and weave a safety net before it happens. It probably made me much more independent and in control of my life.

If i want something, i have to do it myself. 

There's no other ways, you only have yourself - you are your own best bet.

Ah, late night muse. I hope you enjoy the review and pictures of the restaurant's though! I definitely love it and would recommend to anyone who wish to give HK Cantonese cuisine a try to visit this cosy place.