Hadalabo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion review

Yes, I bought 3 bottles of toner from Sasa. Don't judge me -__-
In my defence, they were labelled as "lotions", and to my poor pirate mind, lotion = moisturiser. It doesn't help that this particular one was called "MOISTURISING" lotion.
I'm well familiar with the Western concept of toner - horrible smell, stinging feeling, leaves face oddly tight and greasy at the same time. To this day, I'm still unsure as to what exactly toner is suppose to do to your skin, it claims to shrink your pores but seems to have absolutely no effect on my crater sized pores. Hence, it is no surprise that I haven't used toner for the past 6 years.
Hadalabo, in case you didn't know, is a collaboration between Rhoto Japan, and Menthalatum USA, however, their products only appear to be available in Asia. The advertising on the bottle claims that a bottle of this lotion is sold every 4 seconds in Japan.
Unlike their Western counterparts which mostly have a clarifying function, Asian toners in general have a moisturising function. As in, it's a moisturiser you use before your moisturiser - capiche?
According to Google, Japanese women have gorgeous skin because they use a double moisturising routine - Google also told me that there are many single Japanese women just waiting to meeting me.

What they say:

"One drop locks an Ocean…

Instantly hydrates skin and helps preserve its optimum moisture balance. 

Replenishes and locks-in moisture for complete hydration. 

Skin feels significantly soft and supple. 

Helps improve dry and dehydrated skin, leaving it silky smooth. 

Skin pH balanced. 

Low irritation. 

Free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol & colorant."

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Disodium Succinate, Methlyparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Succinic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

What I say:

Le sigh, I'm starting to see the first signs of age. My once chip basket skin has now turned into a combination of a chip basket and the Kalahari desert. My T-zone would drip grease, but my under eyes would be wrinkled like a prune from dryness. I guess one could always spread the oil around for even distribution - I had an ex who would wipe his forehead on his wallet, he said that the oils would keep the leather from cracking, but that's neither here nor there.
This lotion contains SUPER Hyaluronic Acid, as in, it's not Clark Kent, it's Superman! Hyaluronic Acid is some kind of chemical that occurs naturally in the human body, in your connective tissues n whatnots, but is lost every day. There is a reason why my brother is the chemist. I just know that it's the main constituent of injectable skin fillers, and that it works by increasing cell hydration so that your skin appears plumped up, and less wrinkly.
So I've been using the lotion morning and night for the past 3 weeks, and I must say I'm impressed! The lines underneath my eyes are no longer deep and visible and my skin is definitely plumper and bouncier to the touch! As an added bonus, it has also balanced out my combination skin to the point where I hardly need to blot!
The product itself is slightly viscous, colourless, and fragrance free.

The way that you apply this lotion is quite different to the way you'd apply a traditional toner. Instead of wiping it onto you face with a facial cotton, you simply pour out 2-3 drops into the palms of your hands, rub your palms together, and proceed to slap the product onto your face. Continue slapping until the lotion is fully absorbed and skin is no longer sticky to the touch.
Yes, I meant slap in a literal sense, observe:

So twice a day, I can be found slapping myself silly in the bathroom. The first time I did it, the bf ran into the bathroom and ask me if I was "shot jor" (crazy), I told him I was busy slapping myself pretty.

Before: 

After:

Damage:
$11 for 170ml from Sasa.com
Verdict:
Great for people with combination and dry skin! Will get rid of those pesky dry patches. Gives bouncy, baby bum skin! Some might find this lotion too bothersome as it does take a while to be fully absorbed, and in that in-between stage, skin feels weirdly sticky to touch.
Unfortunately, this product does contain parabens, and this might not bode well with everyone's skin.

Edit: My apologies for not clarifying this point, but I use this lotion after cleansing and before moisturising. The "After" photos were taken after using the lotion alone - without moisturiser.

Nunu's Kitchen - Dry fried beef rice noodles

Dry fried beef rice noodles (乾炒牛河), also known as Beef Chow Fun, is one of my all time favourite noodle dishes. It makes a great breakfast or lunch with some congee xD

While the ingredients are simple, this dish is almost impossible to replicate at home as a lot of the favour comes from "鑊氣" (wok breath or "wok hay"). Think of it as an unique flavour that is imparted on stir fried food by the wok itself. Since this "wok flavour" only comes out when a metal wok is heated up over a large gas or wood fire, this dish will definitely taste less authentic when you make it at home. However, the outside version tends to be really heavy on oil and MSG, so I do like to make my own.

You will need:

• Approx 150g-200g thinly sliced tip sirloin;
• 1 packet dried thick rice noodles - soaked in luke warm water for 5 or 10 minutes;
• 1/2 white onion - chopped thinly;
• 100g bean sprouts - washed and with the root tip removed;
• 3 or 4 stalks of green onion - chopped into half finger lengths;
• 2 or 3 slices of fresh ginger - thinly chopped;
• Light soy;
• Dark soy;
• Splash of Maggie seasoning;
• Vegetable oil;
• Corn starch;
• Salt;
• Sugar;

La Methode:

• Make marinade for the beef by mixing together: 1 tbsp light soy; 1 tbsp dark soy; a dash of Maggie seasoning sauce; 1/2 tsp vegetable oil;  1 tsp sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp corn starch. Add a little water if needed. Marinate the beef in the marinade for at least 15mins.
• Put heat on high, and lay beef slices down flat. Flip once. Cook the beef until it is 60% done. Try not to stir the beef otherwise it'll curl up.

• Once beef is 60% done, remove from wok.

• Saute onions and bean sprouts together in a bit of vegetable oil. Saute until onion browns and becomes fragrant.

• I skipped photos here because I had to move fast >__> but when your onions start browning, add your drained rice noodles. Stir the noodles around the wok quickly using chopsticks, your spatula will be useless here.
• Add 1 tbsp light soy, and 1 tsp sugar to the noodles. Stir.
• Add the beef and any remaining juices to the noodles. Stir.
• Switch off heat. Taste. If noodles taste too bland, add some dark soy.
• Add the green onions. Stir.
• Eat. 

My NARS makeover

Remember my "they put BROWN eyeshadow all the way up to my Mcdonalds eyebrows!" makeover disaster from MAC earlier this year? I swore off getting makeovers after that. So I have absolutely no idea how I got roped into getting a makeover from NARS - (in actuality, I was busy enabling a friend of mine to buy NARS blushes, the MUA kindly told us about the makeover event that was going to take place on 24+25 July. Since my friend has never had a makeover before, I grudgingly put our names down).
So it was with much trepidation that I arrived at my appointment...
I was completely blown away with the results.
My MUA was Ty, and I would recommend her in a heartbeat! She is extremely knowledgeable, she is experienced with working on Asian faces, and she constantly asks for your opinion of her work - she makes you feel so at ease and she truly wants you to be happy with the results.
She managed to balance my one brow that constantly looks surprised, and NO MCDONALDS EYESBROWS OR BROWN EYESHADOW!
She's also hilariously funny, her and Jay from MUFE had me constantly in giggles the entire time I was there. Oh and in case you're wondering, it's Jay of this gorgeous piece of work I photographed at the IMATS.

Ze results:

What's on my face:
Foundation: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Punjab mixed with Orgasm Illuminator and a bit of their Hydrating Moisture Cream.
Cheeks: Gina blush, Albatross highlight, Laguna bronzer.
Eyes: Strada, Night Fairy, Goldfinger, and Alhambra eyeshadow, Mekong as upper lash liner, China blue as lower lash liner.
Lips: Sexual Healing lipstick with Orgasm lipgloss.

Needless to say, I pretty much bought everything she used on me xD I particularly loved their foundation, I will definitely get a bottle once I'm done with my current one.
Thank you very much Ty! I had an absolute blast with you!
If any of you are interested in booking an appointment with Ty for a makeover, head down to the the NARS counter at The Bay downtown, or call 604-681-6211. Tell her Macnunu.com sent you xD

My haul:

Hopelessly Devoted Gift Set containing:
- Blush & Bronzer duo in Deep Throat and Laguna;
- Orgasm lipgloss;
- Crepscule lipgloss;

Swatches:

Gina blush

Swatches:

Escada eyeshadow

Swatches:

A post with no photos.

Hello me luvs! I am alive and well! Apologies for the lack of posts lately, blame it on the lack of motivation and being busy all round.
I seem to have misplaced my camera somewhere, I know I had it in my bag the other day, but now I can't find it... No wonder my mum had to string my eraser around my neck back in primary school, I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached to my neck!
So yesterday was the final day for entering my giveaway! did you all enter? I can't wait to read all your awesome replies! I will announce the winner of the giveaway some time next week so keep your eyes peeled! I have a good idea on what the prize will be but it will all be dependent on whether or not I can get my hands on it. If I can't, I'll have to think of something else xD.
I have a lot of ideas for posts (hah! note the use of the word "ideas"), but I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys with regards to what you'll like to see on here. Do you want more recipes, more reviews, or more FOTDs? If you guys want recipes, what kind of recipes would you like? Asian? Western? More things you can whip up to eat in under 30mins?
If you guys could leave a comment with your reply that would be great! I feel like my blog is too random some times. I'm a weird, random person who blah blah blahs too much and has no shame. My mum must be so proud! As always, any other questions you guys have, feel free to ask!
It's actually been sunny for TWO WHOLE weeks here in Vancouver, so I'm gonna get my tan on xD
See you all next week! Have a great weekend!

Nunu's Kitchen - Seafood pasta

Apparently a lot of people are turned off by cooking due to long cooking times. Let me assure you, yummy food can be made in a very short period of time. Case in point - this pasta only took 20mins to prepare and cook.

Seafood Pasta:

You will need:

• Pasta - boil in salted water and drain. Mix in a little olive oil to stop them from sticking to each other.
• Assorted frozen/fresh seafood - You can use shrimp, mussels, calamari, clams, scallops, anything really! I used frozen merely because they are cheap and convenient. Defrost under running water and drain as much as possible.
• 1 tin diced tomatoes - drain and reserve juices.
• Assorted vegetables - I used peppers and frozen veggie medley. Once again, just use whatever you have in your fridge! Peas, carrots, celery, courgettes, onions etc.
• 2 bay leaves.
• 1/3 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Small bunch of Coriander - chopped coarsely.

La Methode:

• Olive oil and garlic in pan - high heat until garlic is fragrant.
• Add vegetables to pan - saute for 1 or 2 minutes.

• Add drained diced tomatoes, fennel seeds and bay leaves to pan - medium heat, simmer for a few minutes.

• Add assorted seafood. Add prawns LAST! don't be stupid like me -__-. Cover pan with lid and let simmer until seafood is cooked. Add salt and pepper if needed.

• Add drained pasta to pan, add chopped coriander, toss and eat.

O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask

What they say:

"Purifying + Hydrating + Relaxing + Anti-Oxidant

Apply a thin layer before sleep and give skin a Clear Spa Treatment overnight.

Purifying: Botanic Clarifying Complex purifies skin and neutralizes skin toxins, making the skin more absorbent.

Hydrating: Spa Moisturizing Factor (SMF) provides non-stop hydration to skin which enhancing skin revitalizing action overnight.

Relaxing: The natural scent of rose helps realize relaxation and nice sleep. And skin becomes receptive to nutrients and moisture from skincare products.

Anti-Oxidant : Newly added Licorice Extract and Vitamin E avoid skin from oxidation and provide skin with extra moisture overnight."

Ingredients:

What I say:
So what exactly is a "Sleeping mask"? well supposedly, it's there to provide your skin with continuous moisture while you're asleep - good thing for those of us who sleep in ACed or heated rooms. Oh and it also doubles as a sexy time killer. I don't know if this is true of all sleeping masks, but this O'slee one never dries and just remains sticky until you wash it off the next morning >__&gt. So unless your SO happens to be turned on by rose scented goo, I would only take it out he goes camping with his buddies to that godforsaken place by the river where tripped out teens have conversations with their imaginary dog outside your tent the whole night, the same teen then ask you if you want a "throw down" when you ask them to move, and where there is no toilet, just a never ending pit where you can't even hear the splash...
Basically, you spread the product onto your clean face just before you pop off to bed. Why not before then? because you don't wanna look like you just clawed your way out the stomach of that blue singing alien from the Fifth Element when your in laws, who recently moved into the same complex as you, just happen to pop by unannounced with a tupperware of watermelon.
...
Yeah.

Right, where was I again? Oh yes, so you slap it on before bed, and then you just leave it on to work its magic while you sleep.
Exactly what magic does it do? I'm not quite sure to be honest. For me personally, all it did was hydrate. In the morning, my skin is visibly plumped up and feels very smooth. Did it clarify my skin and neutralise my "toxins"? hmmm...not quite sure, but the first night that I used it, the next morning I did wake up with a few tiny white heads which could mean that it's clearing out my skin...but I'm not entirely convinced that waking up to white heads is a good thing -__- although they did disappear in a day. No more breakouts after that.
Is there any reason why this HAS to be left on overnight? other than the fact that it's called a "sleeping mask" that is, because I'd imagine it to be absolutely brilliant to store it in the fridge to be used when coming home from a hot summer's day - and rinsed off afterwards! Actually,  I think that's exactly what I'm gonna do!

Excuse the bloodshot eyes, I've been really pooped lately.

Damage:
$13 for two 50ml tubs at Cosme-de with free shipping with any sized order.
$14.20 for two 50ml tubs at Sasa.com with flat rate shipping of $16 for orders under $100
If you're in Asia, Manning pharmacies sell these.
Verdict:
Try it if you're looking for a hydrating gel mask and don't mind the mess. Otherwise stick it in the fridge and use it as a rinse off cooling mask.

FaceQ Red Pomegranate & CoQ10 mask review

What they say:
"FaceQ Red Pomegranate CoQ10 Mask is designed with the unique hydrogel micro-emulsion technology provides deeper skin penetration to ensure long-lasting moisture retention. The hydrogel micro-emulsion complex provides the best solubility, which is also suitable to make into nutritional supplement. The minute particles of micro-emulsion can be easily diffused and penetrate deep into the skin to boost the effectiveness of delivering the nutrients your skin needs.
Red pomegranate and Anthocyanin are two powerful anti-oxidant ingredients. It fights against dullness and dehydration. Camomile extracts is also added to avoid further dark pigment formulation, helping skin to restore its natural glow.
After applying the facial mask, you will notice an immediate increase in luminosity, which leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and firm. The facial mask provides ultra-moisture while reduces lackluster complexion."

Ingredients:

During:

Before:                                                                                              After:                          

What I say:
FaceQ masks are from the same Taiwanese pharmaceutical company that brought us My Beauty Diary masks. The story behind the line is that despite the differences in lifestyle and tastes, all women ultimately aspire to have skin like that of a hard boiled egg, and FaceQ masks will help you attain that desirable hard boiled egg face - their words not mine xD
I don't know about hard boiled egg face, but this mask did hydrated and brighten my face pretty well - if you click on my Before photo, you'll see I had lines underneath my eyes due to dryness, but these lines are gone in the After photo.
The mask also took away all the redness and blotchiness I had on my face courtesy of the recent Vancouver temperature spike.
The fit of these masks are absolutely amazing! They really put MBD masks to shame in this department! Regular MBD masks would have these areas where they separate and lift away from your face, the FaceQ masks don't do this at all! The mask fabric is much thinner and adheres to my face much better than MBD masks, yet it won't tear easily like the MBD premium masks.
These masks come very well soaked in essence, even more so than MBD masks. There's enough serum in the packet to cover my neck, my arms and my legs - am I the only one who does this?xD
Some girls like to rinse the remaining essence off their face, me I like to rub it in and let my skin soak it all up.

Damage:
$17 for a box of 10 from Cosme-de.com with free shipping
$12 for a box of 10 from Sasa.com with flat rate shipping for all purchases under $100
Verdict:
The fit and the fabric of these masks are, in my opinion, far superior to that of the normal Beauty Diary line, instead they are more akin to the MBD premium line in terms of fit.
The results they give are similar to the results you'll get from a MBD mask, although I find the brightening effect to be less than what I'd get from my beloved Black Pearl MBD.
I would buy these instead of the MBD premium line.

Summer Brights FOTD

Final Look

Products used:

• UD Alice - Muchness and Oraculum
• Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette - coral red
• MAC - Shell Pearl Beauty Powder
• MAC - Hue Lipstick
• MAC - Mimmy Lipglass
• The Body Shop Roseflower Blush in Pink
• Dollywink eyeliner
• Annabelle Smudgeliner in Blue Sapphire
• L'Oreal Voluminous mascara
• Olay Regenerist Eye Cream Touch of Concealer

Method:

• UD Muchness - all over lid
• UD Oraculum - outer half of lid
• CS coral red - crease
• Dollywink - upper lash line
• Annabelle Blue Sapphire - lower lash line
• Mascara
• TBS Roseflower - apples of cheeks and blend upwards
• MAC Shell Pearl - cheek highlight
• Hue lipstick
• Mimmy lipgloss.

My skin has really improved since I started using Vitacreme! 

I can't help these poses...I'm genetically coded to pose like this!

Yes I wear glasses xD

Peek of things to come xD

It's my birthday and I'll have a giveaway if I want to!

In celebration of reaching 100 followers and leaving my mid twenties behind, I've decided to spread the love and have a giveaway.
I have absolutely no idea what the prize will be, but be assured that you will be handsomely compensated.
To qualify, tell me if you had the power to control time and space (yes like Hiro) at what moment in your life would you stop time? Only condition is that you, and everyone else around you will have to relive that moment over and over again for the rest of your and their lives.

Irritating but necessary rules:

• This giveaway is open to everyone! 
• Enter by either leaving your reply as comment under this post or you could email your reply to nunu@macnunu.com
• As usual, I am not one to beg for followers so there is no need to follow this blog in order to qualify.
• Be prepared to have your entry published on my blog should you win.
• Entries close 22 July 2010.

Questions? email me at nunu@macnunu.com
Get those creative juices flowing!!

Canada Day celebrations and other things - very very very pic heavy!

July 1st is Canada Day so the boy and I went downtown to join in the festivities.

OMG!!! I finally found myself a mountie!!! I dedicate this photo to Etherealprey xD

Look at the sea of people inside Canada Place!

Canada Place Soccer Expo - there was a disabled soccer match going on, first time I've ever seen anything like it! Big respect to these guys! I moan and grown and refuse to go to the gym when I've got muscle aches, just look at these guys! p.s. spy my country's flag in the background xD

A stage performance with girls hanging from the ceiling on ribbons.

The Army Expo. We joked that if Canada had to be under attack at that very moment, we'd be unable to respond because the entire Canadian artillery was probably there xD

A jazz performance outside Canada Place.

We reckon there was more people on the street that day than the amount of people that was there for Olympics.

If you go to the windows, you can see Vancouver's north shore.

They opened up the area around the Olympic cauldron!

They even lit up the cauldron for the day! I wonder who coughed up the $10K.

This is the closest I've ever been to the cauldron xD

Haha! Olympic Men's Hockey Gold game was being show on the big screen.

A hat from a street vendor but the boy said I look funny >__>

Street performances.

My FOTD

In case you're curious, I used Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in VI213, MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl and MAC Creme D' Nude lippie.

Also had on falsies! I used the invisible method I posted about here

Thought I'd let you guys see what I wear to work xD my first fashion post! Sorry I am really hopeless in fashion.

Another work OOTD

Foodables!!!! Seafood pot with Basa, Enoki, Shrimp, Mussles, mushrooms; veggies and Vermicelli. So yummy and so easy to make! just throw everything into a pot! Yes we love Coriander haha!

Dinner at Chez Nunu xD

My version of a Tom Yum Goon - Salmon, Tiger Prawns, Enoki mushrooms, finish off with a handful of coriander.

London Drugs, a local pharmacy, was clearing out their stock of Annabelle cosmetics. I picked up a bunch of Smudgeliners and Smoothliners for a blogger buddy and myself. The formula is a good dupe of UD's 24/7 pencils in terms of staying power! but at a fraction of the price.

Swatches - sorry I don't remember which was which any more as I did these in the shop.

A recent Cosme-de haul - will review the O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask soon!

Last but definitely not least, a surprise gift from a very special "Denmarkian" xD. When we last met, I complained about how Canada doesn't sell Labello (yes I know Nivea bought them out but I feel the North American formula is different) and she totally hooked me up!! She also sent me Gosh lippies xD. The bf has nommed the choccies already, he says they're his "SO tax"! Thank you sooo much Chyi!!! I love it!!!