Timotei Shampoo & Conditioner

Have you ever seen this duo in the store before?

They are the Timotei brand shampoo and conditioner. I first saw them when I was in KK last Christmas holiday. I was staying at a hotel near Guardian Gaya Street, needing a shampoo, rushing to Guardian to get one and bought it. Just the shampoo though.

At first I was quite sceptical about it because I’ve never seen the brand before. Of course I doubt it; what if I use it and doesn’t suit my hair thus damaging it? But nothing else attracted me except this shampoo, so I just closed my eyes and picked up the one with avocado image on it (there were two others but I don’t remember).

It retailed RM 16.90 if I’m not mistaken. At Guardian. But I think I got in on sale, maybe 10% off, so I paid less than the original price.

Okay, so what attracted me so much about the shampoo? First, it claimed to be 100% natural extract. Second, it claimed it contained 0% paraben. However, when I looked at the ingredients’ list, it contained SLS so that threw me off a bit. But the smell was really, really good so maybe that was the third factor that contributed into me buying this product.

At first I thought it smelled like chocolate but after washing my hair, husband commented that my hair smelled like coconut oil. I sniffed…and it really did!

My hair did smell like coconut oil…and a bit chocolaty, I must say.

Fourth, it was made from avocado oil and macadamia oil. From the knowledge I got from watching beauty videos on Youtube, I know that macadamia oil was really good to nourish the hair. So I was sold.

The thing about the shampoo being intense repair/nutrition intense and specifically targeted for dry and damaged hair, I cared less about it. But I did have dry hair so I guess it suited me.

I left my shampoo back at the kampung and when I returned to Kuantan, I searched immediately for it. But if I only knew how hard it was to find this specific brand and type of shampoo, I wouldn’t have left it.

After countless trips to different Guardian stores (I only ever find it at Guardians), I finally found it. There was only one pair left for the Timotei avocado shampoo and conditioner duo, in bad condition nonetheless, but I didn’t care because I was searching for it for so long so I just bought them.

I liked how using the shampoo alone could make my hair less dry and smelled so good. Paired with the conditioner, it was less dry, smelled so good, quite shiny and less tangled. I think it was my hairbrush that did this but I also have less hair fall than before.

Oh, I think I can bravely say that this Timotei shampoo and conditioner duo would be a good dupe for Kiehl’s Amino Acid shampoo and conditioner that I was so crazy about before. But the Kiehl’s were really expensive, RM75 for 250ml of product, whereas Timotei you could get for RM16.90 for 300ml of product. They were similar in scent and performance so Timotei is a really great bargain!

Loving it and highly recommend it!

I Take It Back…

In this post, which I wrote way back in August last year, I talked about how Kiehl’s lip balm disappoint me. The reasons were in the post, if you want to know why. Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t throw away the lip balm even though I don’t like it very much (I tend to do that with products I don’t like) – maybe because it was kinda expensive – because a few months after that, it became an essential daily product to me. I could not live without it.

During the first few months of pregnancy, I had terrible morning sickness. My nose became so sensitive; I hated almost everything that smells. I stopped using makeup almost altogether. I still wore lip balm though – I cannot stand dry/chapped lips. But the one I was using at the time was flavoured, I think it tasted and smelled like strawberries. It made me sick.

I didn’t want to buy a new one because I didn’t know which one I would like – don’t want to waste the money. Plus, I didn’t have a mood going into Sasa or Watsons, etc. One day I sort of saw the Kiehl’s lip balm tucked in the corner of my vanity. I took it out, tried it and used it ever since.

The reasons were obvious: Kiehl’s lip balm didn’t taste or smelled like anything. It was easy on my nose and tongue, and it was the only product I can wear when I was suffering from morning sickness.

I take back what I wrote in my August post. It doesn’t disappoint me anymore. In fact, I love it so much now!

My Kiehl’s lip balm now. It is well-loved :)

My Favourite Youtube Beauty Guru #1

I watch Youtube beauty videos like I’m watching TV series, except more religiously. I subscribed to a lot of channels but there are some I watch on a constant basis.

My most favourite person to watch is probably Elle Fowler, also (famously) known as AllThatGlitters21. Her main channel are about beauty, fashion and decor. She also has a second channel called EllesGlitterGossip, where she vlogs, talks about stuff that is not beauty-related, and my favourite part is that she is also a hardcore reader (like me) so sometimes she review books on her second channel and gives many book suggestions!

Elle Fowler

(click on the picture for the link!)

Beauty Channel: AllThatGlitters21

Non-beauty Channel: EllesGlitterGossip

I think she is so pretty, successful, well-rounded and down to earth. She has a nice voice that is so soothing to hear. Watching her videos is like a therapy because she sounds so calming.

She also write blogs. Dreaming in Blush, where she review beauty products, and I Heart You Coffee, which is more like a lifestyle blog. I love both!

I will review more of my favourite Youtube beauty gurus in the future. Stay tuned!

Hada Labo Perfect Gel

I have a new product to rave about. Based on the title above, you know it is a moisturizer ♥

My skin has gotten so dry again (blame the pregnancy hormones!) so the Avene moisturizer that I used and loved before doesn’t work anymore. I had to find other solution, fast. I was thinking on switching to the richer Avene moisturizer but then I changed my mind. I don’t know why though.

I went to Guardian and there I saw it, the possible solution to my problem. I know Hada Labo is famous for its ability to hydrate the skin, and hydration is all I need. As I was browsing their moisturizers, I saw this Perfect Gel and immediately was drawn to it. Basically because it claims to provide intense hydration.

The fact that it acts as an essence, sleeping mask and moisturizer also caught my attention.

Label at the box said Hada Labo Perfect Gel contains:

1. Collagen – to replenish skin nutrients and refine skin for healthy radiant skin.
2. 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid – to provide intense and long lasting hydration.
3. Ceramide – to continuously penetrates moisture into the skin to deeply hydrate and repair dehydrated skin.

It is also pH balanced, offers low irritation and free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

Here’s the list of its ingredients:

The fact that Hada Labo never give me allergies making me wanted to try this product. I was also quite confident that it would give me the hydration that I need so I bought it without hesitation. Hada Labo Perfect Gel comes in a jar that contains 80g of product. The price ranged between RM75.90 – RM85.90, depends on where you buy it. I bought mine at Guardian with 10% discount so I only paid RM77.31.

From its name, you could guess that Hada Labo Perfect Gel has gel texture. It is quite slippery when I swatch it on my finger. It is quite sticky when I first apply it on the skin, like it gives a heavy feeling. I had to rub the moisturizer for about 30 seconds for it to fully be absorbed into the skin. And when it was completely absorbed, the sticky feeling was gone. My skin feels smooth and silky afterwards.

I noticed the difference in just a few days. My skin is more hydrated and smooth, and it seems that my pores have shrunk.

Overall, I think Hada Labo Perfect Gel lived up to its name!

Highly recommended!