[Review] Oral-B Genius 9000

        Hi there! It's been a while since I didn't post anyy update! Finally have some spare time to use for blogging, although it is not what people do anymore. Somehow blogging feels more fulfilling to me, rather than social medias. No one's here being negative towards a blog post, right.

        Recently, my electric tooth brush stopped working, so I upgraded from Oral-B Pro 500 to Oral-B Genius 9000. I wanted to try Oral-B IO lines but the brush head replacements are quite expensive just to have close performance to Genius. The price of IO 5 can be around Genius' depending on sales. Concurrently, I still have plenty stocks of Pro brush heads, which fits Genius.

        I have been eyeing Genius 9000 and the price was around RM800 ($230) but I was waiting for sale! Which can drop half the price to $130. At the same time, I was reading multiple review saying Genius 9000 is overpriced for only the extra features that was inconvenient, and IO is a lot better. Fortunately, after few weeks of considering, I saw Genius 9000 price drop drastically during 15th June sales - Malaysia throw sales like every single week (1.1 2.2 3.3... 12.12 , mid month 15th, paycheck sale on 25th, celebrational sales, you name it), with a Free Gift! I lovee free gifts! So I ordered it at that bargain price. After receiving it, surprisingly, the app feature has been updated to be not as inconvenient as what people used to claim. See, even people change for the better, let alone tooth brush! Never listen to what they say until you try.

The box

It opens like a magnetic gift box and display! Feeling luxury

The box and items are just thoughtfully organized to fit

Tooth brush with charger, 3x brush heads, smart travel case with charger, brush heads & charger organizer, and smartphone holder (which is not necessary after upgrade - I'll tell you more about this at the end), and guides

The smart travel case is OK

Except it won't fit my iPhone 16 with casing. This is iPhone 11 in the picture

        The travel case can fit tooth brush, and maybe hold a quite thinner phone. As well as charging the tooth brush when I plug in the charger for the travel case.  I really thought it's gonna work like a power bank which I can charge my phone through the USB port at the bottom of the smart travel case. It's only to charge phone while it's plugged in, and charging the tooth brush. So that I can charge two devices at once.

        So here comes the actual features and the app,

It connects to my smartphone easily, but what is it for? And is it going to be efficient?

Having an iOS actually helps, I can connect it to my Apple Health app, which monitors my health even though I barely use it until this Oral-B app

This is what set this apart. It has different functions which you could set as your goal. It's still manual work, maybe some sort of discipline, but I'm gonna try Whitening and see.
Mostly it will be based on your brush heads, I've been and still using CrossAction, cause it feels cleaner. There are few other brush heads that are suitable for the other features.

So this was the 'inconvenience' I said earlier. At the past, users will have to install smartphone holder on the bathroom mirror, and smartphone will open a camera while you're brushing your teeth, and it has to be at the center of your face. But they have upgraded the feature, and just use Bluetooth. That was why many people consider IO over Genius 9000 cause this feature will never be used as it can be quite troublesome.

        This wouldn't be a game changer to some, it does feels quite like my Oral-B Pro 500, but with extra features. The features heavily depends on user themselves. For me the promotional price justifies the features compared to my old tooth brush. It's a step up, like buying a Business Class seat over Economy. Haha.

Review: Kanebo Allie Extra UV Facial Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

 Assalamualaikum and hi,

We've been talking a lot about some really nice skincare routines with high end and special ingredients but we never really care about sunscreen. Like as long as it's called sunscreen or sunblock it works, right? If skincare budget is one of your concern, probably yes you can just grab any kinds of cheap affordable sunscreen. But if you're talking about how much you care about your skincare routine, which water base oil base serum moisturizers toners and essence, hey don't you dare to disregard your sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreen is the most important part of skincare. The UV ray would cancel out all your important benefits from your skincare routines, that's where sunscreen is here to save the day.

I've been using this for about 1 year? Finished 2 tubes (25g) and just bought another 2 tubes (60g). As far as I've concern, I haven't seen my skin undergo skin burn or any obvious tan.

Price: It's pretty pricey RM48 (~$12) for the 25g tube and RM97 (~$23) for 60g tube. But you can get some good deal during sales in drugstore. I got a 60g + 25g tubes for just around ~RM70 (~$17) and that was a steal! I've been using few other sunscreen before like Biore, Innisfree, Guardian, I can't remember what else but nothing really worked for me (judging from how quick I can tan). But still, it's not as pricey as high end sunscreens.

Ingredients: Water, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methicone, Polysorbate 80, C30-45 Alkyl Methicone, Polysilicone-9, Xanthan Gum, C30-45 Olefin, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Let's see the ingredient lists. Most of the sunscreen out there just mix everything up and put effective ingredients in the middle of the list. You know, as long as it contains just Zinc / Titanium Oxide even as the last ingredient, that's enough to call it sunscreen?

Zinc Oxide - Common ingredient in sunscreeen. Photostable, effective, and safe for sensitive skin. (Source)

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate) - Octinoxate is a common and potent UVB absorber, meaning it’s effective for sun damage prevention. Combined with avobenzone, they can both provide great broad-spectrum protection against burns and aging. (Source)

Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T150) - Ethylhexyl Triazone is a new generation, chemical sunscreen (not available in the US due to impossible FDA regulations) that gives the highest photo-stable absorption of all available UVB filters today. (Source)

Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (Trinosob S) - Found in chemical sunscreen. Tinosorb S can protect against UVB and UVA rays, long and short, making it one of the most ideal ingredients for sun damage prevention. Tinosorb also helps stabilize other sunscreen filters and is allowed in concentrations of up to 10 percent. To boost its efficiency and has yet to be connected to any high risk factors. (Source)

Although Alcohol is the top 3 of the ingredients, it doesn't really bother me considering how effective it is with other sun protection ingredients.

Other experiment: An experiment made on 2019 comparing different brands of sunscreen and this is the result after washing off the sunscreen, the crown stickers show the most effective ones, with the darkest one being without sunscreen.

Source: 乐乐_团长/Weibo

Source: 乐乐_团长/Weibo

Will I buy it again? Definitely. It's the best drugstore sunscreen I've got so far. Price point it's definitely worth it. It also can work as primer. It has a little bit of white cast on my tan-dark skin but it's not too obvious. I think it just makes my skin looks healthier not like something is there.

Thank you for reading. :)

Review: Sephora Collection Fresh Moisturizing Body Milk (Let's Have Fun)

I didn't see any review for this moisturizer in Google other than in Sephora Malaysia website, so I hope this post helps a little bit. This review might be pretty straight forward.

Price: RM41 (~$10) Sephora Malaysia which is relatively pricier compared to drugstore body creams.

Texture: Light and easily absorbed to the skin, leave the skin smooth. Not sticky at all and quick absorption!

Scent: Let's Have Fun - a really sweet and powdery scent. The closest thing I could say it reminds you of vanilla or marshmallow anything that kinds. The scent lasts around 6 hours.

Ingredients: Well I wouldn't list the full ingredients here but it's top ingredients are Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, and Stearic Acid. Which all of these moisturizes skin and provides skin barrier to prevent moisture loss from your skin. Doesn't that sounds great? It claims to have Pearl Extract as well but it's listed second last in the ingredients list as 'Mother of Pearl Extract' which provides collagen, cellular repair, antioxidant and much more benefits. But considering it's the last ingredient I don't know how that would give obvious effect towards our skin.

Effect: With all those ingredients, does it moisturize long enough though? I wouldn't say it will last the whole day 12 hours with all these sunscreen + alcohol sanitizer we've been using throughout the day along this pandemic, it will only feels moisturizing around 4 hours. But the moisturizing 'look' you know what I mean, could lasts 8 hours.

Will I buy again? Yes. Compared to previous moisturizers I've bought from my local drugstore, it's really nice to have this one because of it's fragrance and quick absorption to the skin. It looks good when I use it too, I can tell it's moisturizing my skin. In fact, the ingredients seem promising long term!

Review: Mario Badescu All is Calm, All is Bright

Assalamualaikum and hi.

This Mario Badescu holiday set consists of cleanser, toner, facial spray, serum and night cream. I bought this on December 2019 and almost finishing most of them after 3 months. I bought this in Sephora Malaysia for around RM125 (~30 USD).

My Skin Type: Combination to dry skin.

What it claims: Refresh and re-balance skin, then replenish with layers of comforting, complexion boosting formulas that restore luminosity. For fresh and glowing face.

I will highlight only the first few concerning ingredients for each products as in order.

Yellow - May cause irritation, avoid if you're pregnant/breastfeeding.

Red - May cancerous with high exposure of the sun, otherwise no prove of hazards.

Blue - Good chemicals for my skin! I'll state the reason in brackets.

My skincare steps:
Day: Cleanser > Toner > Moisturiser (other line) > Sunscreen (other line)
Night: Oil cleanser (other line) > Cleanser > Toner > Vitamin C Serum > Seaweed Night Cream


1. Enzyme Cleansing Gel (59ml Cleanser)

Enzyme Cleansing Gel (59ml Cleanser)

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin (Moisturizing), Propylene Glycol, PEG-8 Stearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Papaya Fruit Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Carbomer, NaCl, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc...

Texture: Gel

Scent: Contains sharp fragrance

Effect: My skin feels cleaner and brighter after each wash. I'm finishing this bottle after 4 months.

Repurchase: No, I'll try to avoid parabens.

2. Witch Hazel & Lavender Toner (59ml Toner)

Witch Hazel & Lavender Toner (59ml Toner)

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract, Lavender Flower Water, Lavender Oil, Aloe Barbadeus Leaf Juice, Citric Acid (AHA! Chemically exfoliates skin), Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate,  Propylparaben, etc...

Texture: Quick absorption on skin. Use cotton pad for cleansing effect.

Scent: Contains fragrance

Effect: My skin feels brighter, less new acne growth so far. I'm finishing this bottle after 4 months.

Repurchase: No, I'll try to avoid parabens.

3. Facial Spray with Aloe Chamomile and Lavender (59ml Facial Spray)

Facial Spray with Aloe Chamomile and Lavender (59ml Facial Spray)

Ingredients: -

Texture: Quick absorption on skin.

Scent: Contains fragrance

Effect: My skin feels fresh and looks hydrated after use.

Repurchase: Yes, but I don't really fancy facial spray. I haven't even finish half of the bottle after 4 months of use.

 4. Vitamin C Serum (4ml Serum)

Vitamin C Serum (4ml Serum)

Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Aqua, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C-oil soluble), 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), PEG-25 hydrogenated castor oil, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Lavender Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, etc...

Texture: Light and quick absorption on skin compared to my previous vitamin C by the Ordinary. I love this it doesn't waste my time.

Scent: Contains fragrance

Effect: My skin looks brighter after consistent use. The first week I can tell my skin looks brighter and my skin color toned up. However it still take a month to brighten hyperpigmentations or acne scars. But so far I don't really get a lot new acnes so this works.

Repurchase: Yes, I already did. This set just gave me 4ml and I already fell in love with it.

5. Seaweed Night Cream (4g Night Moisturizer)

Seaweed Night Cream (4g Night Moisturizer)

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate (Skin barrier - moisturising), Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Fucus Vesiculosus (Plant extract), Hydrolyzed Elastin, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Carbomer, Parfum, NaCl, Cetyl Alcohol, Aqua, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C-oil soluble), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, etc...

Texture: Heavy and slow absorption on skin. This is probably why it's for night time.

Scent: Contains fragrance

Effect: My skin looks brighter after consistent use. The first week I can tell my skin looks brighter and my skin color toned up. My skin looks hydrated when I wake up in the morning. I love how it contains all the moisturising ingredients.

Repurchase: Yes, but I never found it in any stores.

Would I recommend Mario Badescu? The bottom line is it works really good on my skin within 4 months of use. My skin looks brighter and healthier. I never got any acne breakout after using this skincare (which I was prone to). I do get just hormonal acne like once per month. However, I don't like how most of their products contain parabens and fragrance and I'm trying to look for some other comparable line. I might reconsider though as parabens aren't really harmful without UV exposure. But I'm exposed under the sun basically everyday, so I'll try to avoid parabens. I just repurchase their Vitamin C Serum because it works great on me and just trying their Rosehip Oil.

Thank you for reading.

Source: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Review: Alcon Freshlook One-Day Color Daily

Assalamualaikum and hi,

I've always wanted to wear contact lenses but I wasn't ready for it because I've seen so many people claiming that lenses are kinda dangerous which needs high maintenance. Until one day I came across to a photo of someone with a very natural look contact lens on my timeline, at least in her photo. And she has a pair of beautiful eyes, so I believe I have beautiful eyes as well that I decided to try them.

I saw it was on sale in Lazada during the Hari Raya sale, so I decided to buy it with my sister's advice because she is an experienced contact lens user. She told me that Alcon is a trusted brand but she had no idea why the promotion makes it very cheap. I got RM22 for 5 pairs of daily lenses. Which is around 5-6 USD.

The lens color I chose was green

Since it was my first time wearing contact lenses, my sister recommend me to choose daily lens since you need to only wear them for few hours and with a good moisture content. I really took a total of an hour to put the lenses on my eyes. I feel like they're too big for my eyes haha. I just don't get used to it.

Is it comfortable? For the first 2 hours, yes. I found it starts to cling on my eyes after 2-3 hours ignoring the case I was probably just tired. But I guess it's best to wear during daylight since your iris will closed more, making it smaller. When I used them during the night, I found that the circle wasn't at the perfect center of my dark eyes, with my iris was a little bit larger, the center frame of the lens slightly disturbing my sight.

Green lens under low light

This one was under IKEA lighting, moderate bright

I personally think the green color compliment to my eye shape and skin tone. The color of the lens under artificial lighting are just average, doesn't look that natural. However under high light like flash, it seems pretty. Since I was wearing these at night, so I can't really conclude the appearance during the daylight, which I believe would be a lot prettier and more natural. I really find this lens flattering on me. :)

Review: Innisfree Extreme Safety 100 Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++

Hi everyone!

For the past few weeks I had my skin dry and extremely dry due to extreme sun exposure. Therefore I decided to change my sunscreen since my previous sunscreen was milk based product.

So I did a little research about any recommended sunscreen for dry skin. The most common lines in sunscreen we could easily get here in Malaysia is Biore since it's available in every drugstore. But I just need something new, I found out my skin doesn't tolerate well with drugstore products. 🙄 such a baby. And finally I found some affordable options which are Cosrx and Innisfree. However based on reviews, innisfree sunscreen is more dry skin friendly since it offers products for dry skin compared to Cosrx.

Since I was away from home and I was running out of sunscreen while waiting for my order, I get my skin sunburn for 2 weeks 😂 and this sunscreen in this review is going to deal with my sensitive ass skin. Good luck.

So I just received my Innisfree Extreme Safety 100 Sun Cream SPF 50 PA +++ with sunflower oil and green tea [high protection | water base]

Skin Type: Dry, sensitive.

What it claims:

1. Double UV protection in summer.
It offers strong UV protection during the summer, which makes it ideal for leisure sports and outdoor activities.

2. Refreshing water base.
This is a water-based sun cream that leaves the skin feeling refreshed without leaving any sticky feelings and is completely removable using cleansing foam.

3. Contains sunflower oil.
Sunflower oil and green tea extracts keep healthy skin from becoming exhausted by UV rays.

I just started using this for 3 days now and I could tell some of the effects I have.

Texture: translucent, thick and creamy, I feel like icing sugar. Moderately heavy during the day. When you wear it long enough, easily wears off I guess it's wudhu friendly without need to remove it by micellar water. But that depends on your skin and humidity and temperature etc. It's thick texture providing more surface reachability with only small portion, which is more saving.

Scent: strong, stingy/acidic smell. Smells like shaving cream. Be careful that it contains fragrance.

White cast: since I'm having my skin tanned badly, I can say it has a minor white cast. You can see it's a layer on skin.

Skin type suitability: I used to have dry patchy skin after travelling, but after using this my skin becomes kind of oily (which it sometimes be when too moisturised). At least for my skin, it seems better on dry skin.

Texture

After application

It's just my third day wearing this. And I just have a sense that my sensitive skin is still trying to adapt with this product. Its growing some acne but I guess it's hormonal acne which has nothing to do with this sunscreen. Need some times to really see that. But so far, I love this sunscreen for it's not damaging my skin so far. Unlike other sunscreens I have used, they are giving me dry skin directly in one time application, and in continue usage giving me acne. I think I'm going to continue using this for the next bottle, otherwise I will try Innisfree Long Lasting for Dry Skin.

That's all, thank you for reading!