Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar Unboxing Review

Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar RM269

The one and only advent calendar I purchase this Christmas (for myself) are the Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar from Ken's Apothecary BSC. The reason why I bought this was that I've become obsessed with colognes and essential oils lately and wanted to own something different to wear next year. With colognes, I find that they can be mild and subtle but long lasting like EDP (some better, depending on what notes are used). I didn't hear of this brand in Malaysia so after reading reviews and checking out their website, I quickly purchase one!

the front features the facade of the actual Atelier Cologne store in France

Why? Because it's 21 scents + 3 soaps for only RM269, a great way to discover different scents under a brand right away. Atelier Cologne is a French cologne brand created by co-founders Sylvie and Christophe Cervasel. They called it the Cologne Absolue [ pure perfume ], featuring their best seller Orange Sanguine that is said by Sylvie to put a smile on your face. This brand is unique, using natural raw ingredients and highest concentration of essential oils to give the cologne it's lasting power. They boast citrusy scents that are uplifting and refreshing. Individually, you can purchase them at 30ml (RM300 something onwards), 100ml (RM800 something onwards) or at the whooping jumbo 200ml which can cost from RM700 something to RM1.4K+ (liquid gold).

Collection - Joie de Vivre [ fresh and lively citruses ]
Collection Chic Absolu [ clean, transparent and elegant ]
Collection Avant-Garde [ warm, audacious and unexpected ]
Collection Haute Couture [ powerful, rare and precious ]

24 days for you to pop open & discover something new

unboxed for your viewing pleasure

Which comes down to my no.1 reason why you should buy this!

You're seriously getting a good deal by buying this advent calendar for only RM269 and use it as your precious discovery set. Unlike other mass advent calendars that come with samples (sachets, etc) and non-product items (gift tags, ribbons, etc) this advent calendar is fully jam-packed with their fragrance products. The total ml = 57.4ml. Total products 24. On average, you're paying RM11.20 per item here.

A great gift this Christmas for yourself or loved ones.

There's the spray (I previously mentioned on my FB that it's a roller, it's not sorry) in Orange Sanguine (their best seller), three miniatures, 3 soaps and 17 vials of pure perfume for you to go crazy. While their brand is unisex, I feel it's quite a manly vibe it's giving out.

What's Inside This Advent Calendar?

1 x 7.5ml Orange Sanguine Cologne Travel Spray

3 x 7ml Cologne Pure Perfume Mini Deluxe Dabbers in
Clémentine California
Vanille Insensée
Mandarine Glaciale

3 x 40 g Soap in
Orange Sanguine
Pomélo Paradis
Cédrat Enivrant

17 x 1.7ml Cologne Pure Perfume Dabbers in:
Pomélo Paradis
Bergamot Soleil
Cédrat Enivrant
Grand Néroli
Bois Blonds
Vanille Insensée
Rose Anonyme
Vétiver Fatal
Silver Iris
Santal Carmin
Oud Saphir
Mandarine Glaciale
Sud Magnolia
Cédre Atlas
Poivre Electrique
Mimosa Indigo
Tobacco Nuit

You can purchase this advent calendar from any of Ken's Apothecary outlets near you. I bought mine from Norena at Bangsar Shopping Centre. It was Norena that first introduce me to this and I went back to read reviews about it before deciding to make a purchase - hours later, on the same day. She's very friendly, I love her service! P.S: Bangsar Shopping Centre still has stocks!

This post is not sponsored by Atelier Cologne or Ken's Apothecary. I bought this advent calendar by myself. All opinions are my own.

How Different Emotions Influence Your Skin Condition

How Different Emotions Influence the Condition of Your Skin

Find useful tips how to preserve your health and beauty. Learn more about the emotions able to improve your skin condition or contribute to its ageing.

How Different Emotions Influence Your Skin Condition

Everyone knows that there is a thin line from love to hate but not all people know that all our emotions have an impact on our appearance and particularly the skin condition. 

Our beauty and health depend not only on the quality of foods we eat or cosmetics we use. There is a direct connection between the internal harmony and beautiful look. One may surprise, but the best cream fighting against the wrinkles is the state of happiness. 

Nowadays there are a lot of articles about the healthy, lifestyle and even college students are assigned to write essays how to remain beautiful as long as possible. However, not everyone is familiar with the secrets of beauty. Those who know nothing about this topic can order scholarship essay from 10-page papers writing service.

Each time you experience positive or negative emotions, your body produces certain hormones, which can affect the condition of the skin. For example, if you often under stress, you risk suffering from dermatitis or acne. 

Fall in Love and Make Your Skin Shine Brightly

It is not a secret that love is the most powerful feeling in the world able to make miracles. When a person loves somebody, it seems that he shines from inside and this is really true. In moments of happiness, the visible transformation really happens and concerns everyone without exception. Spending time with people whom we love, either our friends, relatives or sweethearts, our organism produces a special hormone of happiness able to fight against signs of ageing effectively. 

Moreover, it not only provides your cells with oxygen but helps to keep the hormones of stress in the necessary balance. This complex action contributes to the effect of skin illumination. That’s why you shouldn’t forget to thank your beloved people for saving a huge amount of money on the cosmetic procedures for skin care. Love is by right the best cosmetic for any woman.

Don’t Be Sad and You Will Never Have a Grey Color of Skin

Usually, people who feel sad and depressed prefer staying at home and not go outside. You may wonder how this can be connected to the skin quality. When you prefer staying inside, you deprive yourself of sunny rays that help our body to synthesize vitamin D, which lack may lead to the grey colour of the face. 

Moreover, grief and sorrow make you look pale as they have a negative impact on the blood vessels. And tears may become the cause of the bruises under eyes because they are salty.

Avoiding Stress and Anxiety You Can Get Rid of Acne

In moments of anxiety or fear, the body frees the cunning cortisol. The raised level of this hormone has a negative impact on your skin condition as it:

• provokes an inflammation of cells of skin;
• increases work of sebaceous secretions;
• leads to a decrease in hyaluronic acid necessary to eliminate wrinkles.

The effect of stress, as a rule, is cumulative, and hence the consequences are more serious. For example, dark circles under the eyes are much more likely to appear in people suffering from nervous overloads rather than from insomnia. In addition, stress makes us frown and contributes to the appearance of the deep wrinkles on the forehead. 

Constantly experiencing stress and anxiety, the body begins to adapt and react in advance, preparing for reciprocal actions. When you become paler, blood recedes from the surface of the epidermis, concentrating on the muscles, and along with it - all the nutrients also go away. Another consequence of life in stress is pimples. On a nervous basis, many of us begin to touch the face, sure that not after washing hands before. Most often, pimples pour out on the area of the chin and cheekbones.

The good news is that if the cause of your nervous state is a positive situation (for example, an unexpected pleasant surprise or excitement), then the effect on the skin is flattering. Adrenaline begins to pulsate in tiny capillaries so that the cheeks acquire a healthy glow, and the face looks fresh and beautiful. 

Where To Buy Sea Cucumber Soap?

Nirmala Sari Sea Cucumber Soap

Did you know that the Japanese and Koreans are crazy over sea cucumber soap? I didn't even know that until my Korean boss asked me where to get (points at photo his wife sent him) 3 pcs of products - sea cucumber soap, sea cucumber body cream and lip balm. Apparently, this is really popular amongst tourists and they would hunt this down when they visit Malaysia as souvenirs! (yes I read blogs).

Locally this is known as Gamat (sea cucumber) and more popular in oil form. It's been made into beauty product such as soaps and creams to be marketed. Sea cucumber has healing properties according to traditional medicine and is also said to help with improving pigmentation, wounds, pimples, black spots, sunburn, skin itchiness, and control oily face. It also believed to improve the immune system.

this is a cute sea cucumber

this is where to buy sea cucumber soap

Nirmala Sari, Central Market 

many tourists come here to buy

So I went to the city to find Nirmala Sari, a handmade beauty product shop in Central Market (tourist bazaar mall). The shop is just right at the back, you won't missed it. Yellow colored walls, and a whiff or exotic scents filled the air. There's a big banner that says "Sea Cucumber Soap". Most of the products sold here are made from sea cucumber oil, but there is no indication of ingredients on the products (I wonder how they got approved by KKM).

You can find all kinds of sea cucumber soap here. From ones with no collagen to soaps with no fragrance. The best sellers are the ones with collagen and they're sold in small RM12 and large sizes RM25. I like the fact that they're wrapped in batik cloth so it looks pretty good as a souvenir to take home. They come in various scents - lavender, lemongrass, strawberry, apple to name a few. I liked the lemongrass scent, it smells very natural.

The ones with no collagen are slightly cheaper RM10/pc. The shop also sells them in gift packs which you can save just a bit. Sea cucumber body creams are sold a tub for RM25 or a gift pack of 3 for RM70. Sea cucumber lip balms are RM12/pc or a gift pack of 5 for RM40. 

 There so many soaps, I got confused on which is which
(there aren't labels to identify what's what?)

wrapped in batik cloth, small RM12 big rm25

 collagen vs no collagen soaps to pick from

(no collagen is slightly cheaper)

sea cucumber body cream RM25
sea cucumber lip balm RM10

Papaya scented Sea Cucumber Handmade Soap RM25 

 a gift pack of 6 for RM60

(you can choose any 6 scents for RM60 as well)

Interesting discovery, I now know what to buy for my Korean and Japanese friends when they visit Malaysia lol. I did try one of the soaps I bought and it made my skin silky soft! Wow.. but glycerin soaps always have that effect isn't it. I was a bit wary about the lack of transparency on the soaps sold here but hey handmade products are often that way right?

Lot G-41, Ground Floor Central Market,
Jalan Hang Tuah Kasturi,
50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

blog.nirmalasari@gmail.com (e-mail)

+6012-6296614 (whatsapp/sms only)

Jo Malone London Malaysia Bad Service

an open letter to Jo Malone Malaysia

Hi Jo Malone London,

I'm from Malaysia and I am appalled at the lack of respect and service given at Jo Malone, Mid Valley Megamall, Malaysia. I would like to make an official complaint regarding the discrimination given to customers, kindly direct my complaint here or please give me the contact of Jo Malone Malaysia so I can redirect my complaint to their attention.

On 10th Nov, I and my friends visited Jo Malone, Mid Valley Megamall store in hopes to find the perfect birthday gift. We were sampling the various scents on the fragrance table and here comes the promoter. She wasn't friendly or welcoming. She asked if she can help us (no smiles, stern tone) and I responded with a question on what are (Jo Malone's) best selling scents? At least this would give us an idea of what to look for.

Coldly, she told us that we (Jo Malone) do not have best sellers. Every scent is unique to individuals. Full stop.

Now, this wasn't the kind of service I expect from a premium brand like Jo Malone. 

Not only was I offended by her answer, I felt disrespected as a customer as well. FYI, it is common sense that fragrances are a personalized preference, I'm not an idiot. But interestingly I now know that Jo Malone does not have best sellers -  thanks to her.

Jo Malone does not have a best seller!

The promoter proceeded to "re-arrange" the fragrance testers we touch (we were checking out which scents). I felt this is uncalled for, are your promoters professional trained to ward off customers make customers uncomfortable at your store?

just put out a sign to so we normal people don't come in

Such discrimination and lack of manners. Maybe I do not look the part of a rich socialite to be shopping at Jo Malone but I doubt your promoters are rich socialites as well to be acting this way. A better way would be to put a warning sign at your store "ONLY FOR THE RICH" or a dress code warning: Materialistic Ladies only.

Thank you but no thank you.

Regards,

You Just Lost A Customer

Jo Malone Malaysia contacted me the next day after reading my complaint. They apologised for what happened, and said will investigate and view the cctv footage. They also said that it was a part-timer and that they do have recomendations on scents. I was invited to have a complimentary hand massage, a signature of Jo Malone's where you can get to know more about creating your bespoke scents while enjoying a 20-mins luxurious hand massage utilising the scents picked out. I was sceptical at first, but gave in when they urge me to go. I choosed Jo Malone KLCC (no more Mid Valley definitely) and was attended to the store manager, Moon who was all smiles with great service. So different compared to Jo Malone Mid Valley. I will be blogging about it because I was indeed impressed and informed from this second experience.

Aircond Cleaning Kit Review

Pure Life Crystal Aircon Cleaning Kit 

Last week my aircon was leaking and I was deciding if I should call the aircon service guy or DIY cleaning myself. Boy, I should have saved my money and gone with the professionals. I stopped at this bazaar selling Aircon cleaning cleanser and DIY kit, I was intrigued with how easy it was to clean your aircon with the Pure Life Sales & Service salesman showing me a simple demo (WRONG! Demo is always made to look easier than it is).  Initially, I wanted to buy the non-toxic aircon cleanser RM68 (bazaar price) to just do monthly maintenance. It was just spraying into the coil (the filter is of course removed and cleaned prior to this step) and then turning on your air cond.

Aircon Cleaning DIY

The kit was another thing, it came with a cleaning kit ( a plastic bag with pipe connected), the portable water spray can and the aircon cleanser. It's sold for RM178 (slightly cheaper than Mr. DIY store). My conscience was telling me not to buy it, it's too expensive! Just call DustBox to come service your air cond.

the video on how to use the kit

Unfortunately, I fell for "how easy it is" demonstration and paid for the kit. Brought it home and disaster happened. It took a good few hours to really complete all this. Maybe we were beginners. It wasn't as easy as it looks. While it may just be 3 things to get you started, it caused more inconvenience and time which could have gone to better use.

First, the plastic baggy was a free size. It didn't fit my aircon well so while cleaning, the dirty water went every angle it could. The bag didn't hold the water well for the pipe to drain it.

Second, the pipe was flimsily connected via a hole which fell out a few times when we tried to control the drainage. You can literally just poke back the pipe into the hole (omg). The pipe was also SHORT that you need another stool just to put your bucket on it. So this means one ladder which you're on to clean your aircon, one for the bucket so the pipe reaches it. SO STUPID.IMPRACTICAL!

Third, the portable 1L water spray can, is a waste of time if you're doing a real clean up of your aircon. During the demonstration, they did it so easily and only demonstrate the cool spraying of water to clean your aircon coils. In reality, it's a 1L can which needed to refill a few times back and forth from the bathroom in order to clean the aircon coils. I think we did 5 takes, just for this. The pressure wasn't lasting as well, you need to keep pumping the can so water pressure can shoot out.

You definitely need two people to carry this out. Otherwise, you're going to slip (it's messy! water everywhere) or waste your god damn time cleaning it with this amateur kit.

I'm so frustrated ARGHH.. my room is a mess. I wish I hadn't bought this. I will be honest, it's my first time and I've watched all the videos the sales guy gave me. It's nothing like what you're going to do. The videos are just covering up things you do not see. I regretted buying this, and I'm not even sure if it works, which means my RM178 has gone down the drain.

Reality is, it's not going to be as easy as it looks, if you can pull it off, I salute you! You've been warned. Think twice about buying DIY Aircon Cleaning Kits because it may not be for you!