John Masters Organics Rose Foaming Face Wash & Vitamin C Serum

I got these at the Sephora Sale as they were going at 2 for $40. Seeing no expiry date on the box, I queried the young sales assistant and her reply was 'oh, it's organic so there's no expiry date. Just use it up within 6 months after opening'. I was like 'haha'.

I wanted to get the Ginseng Exfoliating Scrub initially, but was worried that it was non-foaming. I do not like scrubs that do not foam. As expected, there was an obvious pause before the sales assistant claimed that it foams. I detected the uncertainty in her voice, and decided that getting something that had the word 'foaming' clearly written on the box was a safer bet.

I discovered upon trying the Rose Foaming Face Wash, that this is another product with misleading information. The face wash does not foam at all, unless they consider how the gel turns milky upon rubbing, foaming. The good thing is that is cleans perfectly, just like a gel cleanser would. It did not smell at all of roses of any kind, though the scent is very pleasant, somewhat like a soothing flower tea. I would not substitute this with a cheaper rose-scented face wash. It's unique on its own.

While the cleanser is a rather simple one, the serum contains vitamin C, A, E, acerola extract, algae extract, rice extract, phospholipids, shea butter and rose and blood orange oil. It has the texture of a light gel-cream or lotion, and not a clear silky liquid as I had expected. The pale orange serum doesn't smell too pleasant, somewhat like orange-flavoured Scott's emulsion - sweet yet fishy, but it does absorb quickly. Sensitive skins might feel a slight tingling upon application.


Both the products are organic and do not contain parabens, artificial colors or fragrances.

Cortry Starter Pack (Neck Mask & Hydration Mask)

Since I liked the Cortry Eye Mask, and given my recent craving for cloth masks, I decided to get the Cortry Starter Pack ($1.95 @ Watson's).



The Hydration Mask contains intensive Chinese herbal essences like lingzhi, as well as almond and pearl powder that aids in deep action hydration. According to the package, the effect is doubled when the mask is heated, therefore it would be better to place the sealed packet in hot water for 3-5 minutes just before use.

The Neck Treatment Mask contains nourishing herbs picked from mountaintop forests 1400-1800m above sea level, that replenish nutrients and water whilst whitening the skin. Like the Hydration Mask, the effect is doubled when the mask is heated.


The scent is a strong herbal, similar to the eye mask. However, unlike the eye mask, these don't cause a flush.

Trip to the Peranakan Museum 2010 (Ramayana Revisited)

There was free admission to the Peranakan Museum including the special exhibit 'Ramayana Revisited: A Tale of Love and Adventure' last weekend, so having nothing better to do, we went down for a look.

The exhibition features the epic and its narration in visual, performing and literary art forms of South and Southeast Asia. The story of Ramayana is told through shadow puppets, paintings and photographs of ancient monuments from South and Southeast Asia, relaying the message of idealism and the triumph of good over evil.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections based on the seven chapters of the epic. Here is the column letting me know I'm at Chapter 4:


A large part of the exhibition features shadow puppets.



Below are contemporary shadow puppets specially commissioned by the museum from the puppeteer I Wayan Nartha in 1996. Made from buffalo hide and decorated with Chinese inks and gold leaf, it depicts the death of the orge Kumbhakarna.



Shadow puppet of Lakshmana, the loyal brother of Rama who accompanied him during his 14 year exile.


Leather shadow puppets of Rama and his son, Hanuman, from a former incarnation.


Hanuman, a leather puppet from Andhra Pradesh, showing the unique characteristic of a combination of profile and frontal view.


A painting depicting Rama, Lakshmana, and their army of monkeys on their way to the palace of Ravana to rescue Sita, who has been abducted by the king of Lanka.


And this caught my eye. Nagalinga, a special form of "snake-lingam", worshipped by childless couples in the hope of getting blessed with a child.



There are various human and non-human masks on display as well and the stories are rather interesting, so if you do not have anything interesting to do over the weekend, why not pop by for a look? Special guided tours in English are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.30pm. The exhibition will be on till 22 August 2010.

Ed Pinaud Eyeshadow Ombres Quatuor

I found the Ed Pinaud Eyeshadow Quad that comes with the current copy of L'officiel magazine at Cold Storage Bugis, where I was grocery shopping yet again!

The compact comes with a mirror, a sponge applicator, and a brush applicator. Only 2.4g in total, each pan is tiny, with a diameter of only 1.9cm, as opposed to their single color eyeshadows, which are 3.5g. This is the first time I've seen an attached plastic protector for the pans and I'm liking it :)


The colors for Hazelnut Chocolate are brownish with the darkest color having a hint of purple. All are matte and long lasting, but needs building up.