Enjoy Japan's Celebrity Style Facial at Menard Plaza Damas

Japan beauty has been under my radar since my teenage years. I'm astonished by the looks of Japanese girls, how glowy and vibrant they look yet each possessed their own distinguishable uniqueness. Hence I'm a big fan of Japan-made cosmetic products and beauty regimes.

But Menard facial salon located at Plaza Damas escaped from my watch list. I didn't know this established facial salon is in Malaysia until recently, but apparently they have been around for many years in Malaysia! Oh my what did I missed? 

If you're familiar with Japanese drama, I bet you've noticed Menard as one of those major sponsors before. In fact, Japan's top actress Kyoko Fukada is one of Menard's ambassador for many years. When I read her news I was wondering what she did to keep her looks so in such great shape, so youthful looking and glowy! I think I found the answer to my question. 

Menard Plaza Damas is situated in the neighbourhood of Sri Hartamas with ample of parking and eateries. Just one floor up from Starbucks at Hartamas Shopping Centre, you can find Menard Plaza Damas just slightly on the left hand side ( same row as Artistic Lighting Gallery).

May, my beautician of the day is the second generation that runs Menard Plaza Damas. Her mother is the first generation that operates the very same facial salon and gosh her mother looks so stunningly youthful from the photos. I was welcome with cheerful smile and a cup of warm tea, and introduced to Menard's premium skincare line - Embellir. 

Patented and uses 7 nobel prize winning process (Ceramides - Chemistry, Talomers - Medicine, Cell Purification - Chemistry, Methodology of Beauty Expression - Physiology, Gene Restoration - Chemistry, Gene Alterations - Medicine, Gene Copying - Chemistry ), Menard's Embellir skincare line is more than luxury. It's attain beauty in skincare routine that can sustain for a long period. Contains red and black reishi 靈芝 mushrooms alongside with oriental fragrances and herbs like olibanum, myrrh and rose, Embellir products can protects skin from ageing at the same time restores skin's back to its youthful appearances. 

Its new Reishi SX extract encapsulated the concentrated extract of the reishi mushrooms, together with the new DDS system (drug-delivery system) and skin emulsion technology, these products can easily penetrates into deeper skin layers and let its active ingredients work its magic. 

Texture of Menard Embellir's Refresh Massage cream

The foam you can (and should) create for cleansing using Embellir's Washing.

Power Duo that cleans, protects and restore

After a demo of the power duo on my hand, I was then invited to experience Menard Plaza Damas's Embellir Standard Course Treatment (RM380), a 50 mins treatment that uses Embellir's products paired with holistic rituals, manual techniques as well as beauty gadgetry.

This facial treatment includes these:

1. Cleansing: deep cleansing to remove impurities from pores
2. Warming: increase blood circulations and enables absorptions of treatments
3. Facial & Décolleté Massage ( my favourite!): lymphatic drainage massage to accelerate skin's metabolism
4. Vibration: stimulate lymph movements and helps discards accumulated lymph fluid
5. Vacuum: removes excess sebum and stubborn impurities from pores
6. Lotion pack: intensive moisture replenishment using Embellir's Liquid lotion
7. Soothing: soothe and tighten skin with Beauness
8. Application of Lotion
9. Finishes with day cream and makeup base

This warming sensation is very calming

the immediate differences of face and décolleté massage, my left face can been "pulling" upwards after the massage. I'm sold!

Vacuum the excess sebum and stubborn impurities 

Lotion pack with Embellir's liquid

This is how I look after Embellir Standard Course Treatment:

I never knew I looked this fair(?)
or does the treatment polishes all the dead skin cells away and revealed my healthy complexion

After the treatment, me and my skin felt rejuvenated and nourished! The massage techniques and treatment procedures that Menard Plaza Damas uses the same as Menard Japan because May was sent and trained by trainers there, hence she also have loyal Japanese customers who visit the facial salon all these years. 

There's good news to my readers who wanted to try Menard Plaza Damas's Embellir Standard Treatment Course. May has agreed to give an introductory price of RM188 ( normal price: RM380) to all of you who are reading this and feel the goodness of the treatments by yourself! All you have to do is just email me your basic details at reiko0607@gmail.com and I'll assist you from there or DM me/ Menard Plaza Damas on IG.

Thank you Menard Plaza Damas for your warm hospitality and is it safely to say that I have found my favourite facial salon in KL?

For more details:

Menard Plaza Damas


Block N, Plaza Damas, 1-6,
Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Contact: 016-660 8304

Operation hours: 11am - 6pm (close on Mondays)

Menard Plaza Damas Official Instagram

Menard Plaza Damas Official Facebook Page

MURAD CORRECT & PROTECT SERUM

There's no deny that UV pollution is one of the main culprit that ages our skin rapidly and could done damage to our skin fast and permanently. Ones skin could've aged more if he/she constantly forgets to add this protective agent in their skincare routine for a long period.

Lazy people like me is always on the search of good sunscreen because I've encountered few bad ones all these years. They either leave a white cast all over the face or the texture is thick and they didn’t blend well with my make up foundation.

With Murad’s brand new correct and protect serum broad-spectrum SPF 45 PA++++, it is the perfect blend of serum and sunscreen that doesn’t have thick texture, corrects skin’s discoloration and protects skin against hyperpigmentation that forms dark spots.

Thanks to plant-derived beet root extract, this sunscreen-serum helps to improve skin’s hydration and hydration has always been the key to skin’s vitality and boosts skin’s Vitamin D production that regulates skin cells’ ability to multiply. 

Healthy skin cells also means that they could retain more hydration which will decrease inflammation, dullness, dryness, roughness, discoloration caused by sun damage. Which means if you are using a good skin care product that boosts hydration, it forms a good cycle of maintaining a healthy, glowy skin.

After testing this sunscreen-serum for weeks, aside from having no white cast all around my face, I find that my skin feels more hydrated and improved radiance. More importantly, some of my dark spots and uneven skin tone seems to have lightened plus corrected, my face looks fairer than before. Below is a before and after photo comparison, in just almost 3 weeks, my skin tone looked even out and I couldn't be more happier to have celebrate Chinese New Year with my current look!

Suitable for all skin types, this satin smooth sunscreen-serum can be use alone as the last step in your skin care routine or for dry skin type, you can layer it over your daily moisturizer. Easy and effective, I know this is the sunscreen-serum that you’re looking for in year 2023. Do check out Murad Malaysia’s official website for more information.

For more information:

https://www.murad.com.my/product/correct-protect-serum-spf-45/

Price: RM358 - 30ml

EDOBIO HAIR AND BODY CARE LINE

Hi there, I'm so excited to share with you all that one of my favourite Japanese skincare brand - Edobio has recently announced their launch of hair and body care line and they're so kind to send me a complete set to try it out.

Most of you who followed me on various platforms knew that I've been using Edobio skincare products now and then and I love their soufflè soap as well as saketernal skincare series that uses sake lees as their main ingredients. As one of the Japan's well known skincare brand that keeps their high standard of quality skincare products, it's no doubt that this new release of hair and body care line is gonna complete my holistic approach of skin and body wellbeing.

There are three products in this line: Smoothing Shampoo, Glossing Conditioner and Renewing Body Soap.

What I love about their packaging design is they fit so well into my minimalistic approach on home interior. White packaging with classic fonts and did you notice the small details on their pump head designs? Each bottle has slightly different pump heads so that users will immediately know which one they're using. This is such a brilliant idea for those who has weaker eyesight during shower time.

Edobio's focus has always been "rice bran beauty regime" that were inherit since Japan's Edo period. They incorporate biotechnology science with traditional beauty regime and created a modern beauty ritual that's loved by many. Hence these new products contain:

• fermented rice bran extract (BiProGe lactic acid bacteria)
• lactic acid
• blueberry stem extract
• yuzu fruit extract
• rich oils such as camellia oil, shea butter in the haircare line
• honeysuckle leaf, green tea leaf extract and etc

I love the smell of these products on first application! They gave me this home spa vibe that's very much needed in the urban lifestyle. My body slowly releases all the tension it withholds inside when I cleanse my body from head to toe. I immediately reckon that these products will be perfect for everyday wind down self-care routine. 

And did I tell you that Edobio's Smoothing Shampoo comes in my favourite colour - black? Yes, you read this right! This plant-based smoothing shampoo uses charcoal powder (hence the liquid colour is black) to cleanse, absorb dirt and remove odour from our hair and scalp, leaving them them clean for the next step: Glossing Conditioner. 

With shea butter, camellia oil, and rich amount of rice bran extract with lactic acid, this Glossing Conditioner hydrates and nourishes my bleached hair, however due to my hair's extreme condition (heavily bleached over the years), I find that I still need to apply hair oil after towel dry to ensure my hair's silky smooth condition, but for normal circumstances, this Glossing Conditioner will work wonder. 

Last but not least - Renewing Body Soap. This body soap balances skin's bacteria, it doesn't dry up my skin but moisturizes, gives my skin that radiant glow after wash. Plus the scent is so spa-like hence I feel like I will finish this 300ml bottle pretty soon. 

I find that this set of hair and body care line from Edobio makes perfect Christmas and New Year gifts if one were about achieve healthy skin condition with products that are mostly natural and plant-based. You can get these made-in-Japan products at Isetan KLCC as well as Isetan Japan Store, Lot 10 or on their official website.

I FINALLY TRIED MURAD FACIAL TREATMENT

Ever since the pandemic started, facial treatments wasn't my lifestyle priority because we had strict lockdown in Malaysia and every business has been affected. It was a tough two year period for all of us hence it wasn't till recently that I feel should really give my skin some treatment and coincidentally Murad Malaysia invited me to try out their facial so of course I said yes.

Murad created by Dr. Howard Murad is an established brand worldwide and I have been a big fan of their skincare products. Their products have been delivering great results whenever I use it. And I always knew that Murad's store offers facial treatment but you know, as a shy Malaysian I just don't have the courage to went up and get to know more about it, hence I didn't know how much I've missed and my skin condition could've been better than now if only I started the treatments way earlier. 

My beautician Alice welcome me at the store with a big smile and greeted me warmly. She analyses my skin condition, says that my skin has become dry with uneven skin tone hence she recommended me their Vita-C Quenching Facial. It is to brighten, even out skin tone as well as smoothing the skin and increase its radiance.

I was then lead to their treatment which is dimmed lighted and it felt cozy. With a locker to store my belongings and changed clothes, I saw there are arrays of Murad products displayed on the shelf beside the treatment bed and I can't wait for the treatment to start!

First of all, a relaxing and breathing rituals was conducted right after I lie comfortably on the treatment bed. Relaxing music were playing at the background and my beautician held her essential oil soaked hands over my face to let me breathe in the soothing aroma that relaxes my mind and body. 

Then she did a deep cleansing by removing all my makeup, and thoroughly wash my face. My face was squeaky clean and gives clearer look of how my skin condition is. Alice also snapped some close up photos using the store's device so that after the treatment we can see the before and after.

Not long after, everything was a blur because I felt so relax and kinda wanna doze off a few times. I remember my pores were opened up by a facial steamer, extractions were made to clean my pores. Ultrasonic device were use to further infuse the goodness of serum then last but not least, a layer of mask applied to soothes my thoroughly cleanse skin.

I remember when I look at the mirror right after the treatment session, I was so amazed by the result! My skin tone looks so even and radiant even dimmed lighting and back camera could capture my healthy glow skin! Definitely one of the best delivered result facial treatment I've experience in recent years.

Alice was waiting for me at the store front with a cup of warm ginger tea and explained thoroughly to me my skin condition throughout the facial treatment, and she also introduced some products that can help me maintain my good skin condition. She also explained to me some of the great deals for facial treatment packages without hard selling them. 

Overall I would highly recommend anyone who loves their product to try out their facial treatment, because I've witnessed a drastic changes on my skin right after and I'm so satisfied with the outcome. I've included the price list of their treatments in the next photo but you can book a facial with introductory price (RM128) too if you're first time customer.

Now that it's already been awhile, I feel like going back for another treatment session already!

For more info:

Book your facial at https://facial.murad.com.my

MURAD'S RAPID DARK SPOT CORRECTING SERUM & BROAD SPECTRUM REVIEW

For Malaysia being so close to the Equator, Malaysians can get quite a lot of sun even during monsoon season, especially in the mornings when we commute to work and lunch time under the hot scorching sun, a good shield and prevention from the sun's harmful UV rays from our skin is a must. That's when dark spot correcting products come to the rescue.

I've reviewed Murad's products for a few times, I had to say that their products are one of my favourite, you can read my other blog post here, here and here. The reason I love Murad's products is because they delivers result that you can instantly recognise after a few usage, which is also the promise from Dr. Howard Murad, founder of Murad Inc.

My oily skin condition requires more attention due to humid weather and it dulls pretty fast due to excessive oil, oxidisation and also city pollutants. Thanks for Murad's love, I get to review their latest Power Pair - Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum and City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ which amaze me with fast result.

Murad's packaging is one of the reason I love their products - high quality, convenient and hygienic

I did a record of my skin's before and after usage of Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum over 2 weeks and I was amazed by how glowy my skin looked when all the dark spots I get during my diving trips for the past two years has slowly faded, effects recognisable with bare eyes. It has become one of my favourite dark spot correcting skincare product!

Unedited photo truly speaks for the product

Key ingredients in Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum:

If there's God of Skincare, this latest product innovation from Murad is definitely his creation which comes to save lazy people like me who dislike putting on sunscreen and causes formation of dark spots. Okay I may setting a bad example but there are good days and bad days in skincare regime and damages done during bad days sometimes need some saving. This serum is gonna be my staple routine for a really long time!

Also, if you're looking for a really high rating sunscreen, you have to try Murad's City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA++++. Unlike chemical sunscreen which absorbs UV rays and might cause blockage to pores and done damage to skin, mineral sunscreen like Murad's shields off sun's harmful UVA+UVB rays, blue light, pollutants, infrared radiations and doesn't cause burden to skin, leaves no pale ghostly appearances too. Ingredients in mineral sunscreen also clinically proven to be a better and healthier options. 

This isn't my first broad spectrum range products from Murad (view post here) , I've tried their Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF30 PA+++ and I love everything bout the products: packaging, texture, smell, coverage and after-application. The City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum is definitely an upgraded version of it.

If some of you found that your serum and sunscreen are piling up and giving a flaky appearance, there's high chance that your application of sunscreen is wrong (or you loaded too much serum and moisturiser prior, sometimes less is more). The correct way to apply sunscreen is squeeze dot all over the face and pat them in. Don't rub as sunscreen will then accumulate within wrinkles and sweat glands hence unable to give full protection. Rubbing method will slightly cause flaky appearances as well. Hence pat your sunscreen and let it set.

In a slightly tinted tone, this broad spectrum immediately lightens skin tone in a natural, glowy look. I notice there's glycolic acid as one of the main ingredients, which contributes in skin texture renewing. When paired together with Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, they've become the best combo: shield off UV rays while help to fight away dark spots.

Key Ingredients in City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++:

I really enjoyed my skincare routine with these Murad's products because they delivers result fast and I felt safe while learning about the ingredients these products used. In just few weeks I can see that some of my dark spots has faded, and my skin appears to be more radiant than before.

So if you're facing some dull skin and dark spot issues, I would highly recommend Murad's Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, then pair with the City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum. Both of these products contains Glycolic Acid and other effective ingredients which definitely helps to solve your skin issues without a doctor's visit.

Find out more information about Murad's Power Pair at:

Murad's Official Website

Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correction Serum - 30ml RM448

Murad City Skin Age Defence Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ - 50ml RM298