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 

THE FUTURE OF SKINCARE IS NOW HERE

Throughout the history of mankind, we faced tons of obstacles when it comes to the field of science. I can't tell how many times scientist were told "it's impossible!" and yet, we overcome all difficulties hence we landed on the moon, we invented internet and mobile phones, we're simply unstoppable!

That's why when SCIENCE ON SKIN (SOS) approached me with their latest breakthrough technology in scientific skincare products - (AI) PLACEN+, I immediately say yes, I would love to try and see what amazing things science can do and improve on my skin condition. 

I've heard about placenta and its amazing result when it comes to regenerate cells for healing purposes. The first time I learn about placenta treatment was during my secondary school, I was watching football with my dad and there's this player who has his ligament torn so badly he had to lie not the floor and to be carried away by medics. Later he was reported to have use this "medical miracle" which was the horse placenta to speed up his recovery and be fit for his upcoming match. That's when I knew that placenta can does miracles to our body.

Of course, when it comes to animal, there will always be ethical questions about how does the provider obtain the said placenta and such. SCIENCE ON SKIN kinda remove this worry from the equation as their (AI) PLACEN+ does not contain any placenta origin from humans, animals or plants. It's 100% ethical and lab-grown which mimics the genetic structure as human placenta and its placental growth factors (PGF). There said, this bio-engineered concentrated serum provides the same effects as human placenta but is totally safe and 100% ethical.

Hence when I first saw the packaging of the serum, I was amazed by its lab and scientific resemblance - the serum was stored in a tightly secured vials to ensure it's hygienic purpose. I faced a lil bit of issue when trying to open the aluminium cap of my first vial because it was so tight it kinda breaks in half. Oops! But I did managed to break open then secured cap in the end and of course, I learned my lesson and opening up the second vial was much easier! 

Small vials, but powerful content

This concentrated serum has is colourless, odourless, and as light weight as water - which means it is 100% free from parabens, alcohols, fragrances, silicones, surfactants, mineral oils as well as artificial colourings. With the absence of animal contents also means that vegan user can use this AI PLACEN+ without any worries. 

With very effective skin-penetration nano-sized ingredients, it starts improving my skin condition even with the introductory pack (2 vials for 6 days use). You can see the application of this placenta serum is very simple too - just cleanse your skin thoroughly, shake and open the vial, apply the (AI) PLACEN+ on skin follow by your normal skincare regime and some SPF protection at last then voila! You're done! Each vials are good to use for 2 - 3 days, day and night twice a day. 

SCIENCE ON SKIN's AI PLACEN+ serum can be used along with your current skincare products as it won't have any reactions when combined, it will only deliver even better results because we all know that the power of science can be even more powerful when 1 + 1 equals 2. It is available to be purchase from reputable clinics, dermatology and aesthetics practices. They also shipped internationally if you're from other countries.

For More Info:

Science On Skin Official Website

Science On Skin Official Instagram

Science On Skin Official Facebook Page

HOW TO ENJOY A STAYCATION IN KUALA LUMPUR

As someone who loves to travel and would travel for more than few trips a year to other countries, the global pandemic COVID-19 has shifted my perspective on travel for sure. As much as I would love to expand my travel boundaries, but I found that Malaysia has many lovely travel location waiting for me to explore. I would love to start my cuti-cuti Malaysia right from where I was born - Kuala Lumpur.

So how to enjoy a staycation in a city? Firstly, choose your hotel wisely. Look for hotels that offers great services with best money value. A place that you can feel relaxed without all the long journey ride, a place that's close to the city for the convenience but still feel surrounded by greens. Having searched for a little, I would highly recommend this all-suite-hotel called MiCasa. 

Girls staycation at this urban oasis gonna starts now!

For those who are born and raised in Kuala Lumpur like me are familiar with the hotel name MiCasa, as it is one of the reputable luxurious hotel around Kuala Lumpur and my heart is filled with nostalgic sentiments when I stepped into this all-suite hotel. When I looked out from my parents' car window, I always saw MiCasa when they drove along Jln Tun Razak. 

Greeted with friendly smiles and gestures with all, the hospitality portrays by all the staff at MiCasa are impeccable. Helpful staff who helped me with my luggage to courtesy call from the front desk to ensure everything in the room was okay and well arranged, I now understand why MiCasa remained as one of the reputable hotel around Kuala Lumpur comparing with those that established later. 

A pretty welcome gesture from the talented housekeeper! 

As to follow the new norm due to the global pandemic, MiCasa take hygienic precautions seriously to ensure safety for all the guests. All staff and guests are required to wear face mask at public areas, temperature measurements are taken upon check in. Sanitizing are increased at public areas and UVC light sterilisers are used to sterilize and sanitise room upon check out to make sure it's clean and safe for the next guest. 

The room is exactly the same from what I saw on the website
Modern yet cozy design of the interior

I can sit here and admire the beautiful KL scenery all day

My room from another angle.
This room type is called One Bedroom Studio King

Cozy bed! Makes me wanna take a nap right now!

Squeaky clean toilet checked! 

Comes with all the toiletries for guests convenience. 

And what I didn't expect from this hotel is this:

A fully functional kitchen equipped with all the basic kitchen utensils for daily usage
Wow I'm seriously impressed!

Last but not least - in room coffee and tea supplies with complimentary bottled drinks as welcome gesture from the hotel!

Secondly, invite someone whom you can chill and enjoy the staycation with, be it your parents/friends/ or partner. I invited one of my bestie to enjoy this staycation with me. She loves good hotels, great food and good cocktails, so she immediately said yes when I invited her over to take a little time off the daily life's hustle-bustle. After checking in and rest for a while, we headed to MiCasa's all-day dining which is located at G floor at this restaurant called Tapas Bistro & Bar.

We ordered two sets of 3 course dinner with different mains so we can taste the different menu. The food was unexpectedly delicious that we keep praising the food and the chef. What surprised me the most is when I check the receipt, I was shocked at how affordable the 3 course meal was! Definitely worth every cent spent!

Appetizers:

• Classic Caesar Salad
• Farm Picked Mushroom Soup

Mains:

• Pan fried Halibut Fish
• Grilled Lamb Chop

Dessert:

• Crème Bruleé
  
  
  
  

Me and my friend enjoyed our meal from 7:30p.m. to over 9p.m.
When there's good food and good companion, time flies!

We too ordered a "nightcap" for an end of this relaxing evening with this special in-house cocktail which is a special drink menu in MiCasa's Tapas Bistro & Bar - Rambutan Cocktail. The sweetness of rambutan matches so well with the dash of vodka I wonder why it isn't a big hit in Kuala Lumpur as it should! 

Rambutan Cocktail! Sweet yet refreshing, a perfect ending for the night!

Cheers to enjoying a staycation together, creating memories! 

One hour later, we were already lying on the king size bed in the room, heart and tummy feeling contented. We chatted for awhile more before dozing off. I miss the late night chat with my bestie already. 

Good night~!

Thirdly, check out what facilities and activities are offered by the hotel of your staycation selection. As for MiCasa, they have frequently sanitised gym and natural salt-water pool. I opted for pool during the evening the day of my check-in because I wanted to sun tan a bit (been trying to change my outlook ever since I started diving).

From my observations, social distancing too implied at the pool area for sunbeds. Hence it was a perfectly comfortable environment for hotel guests to use the loungers. I had the luxury of having the pool area all by myself when I visited hence it was really a carefree session! Took tons of photos around this beautiful place too. 

Aside from hotel facilities, MiCasa All Suite Hotel offers variety of weekend activities too and I joined them all! Early in the morning me and my friend took part in the Urban Yoga hosted by experienced yoga instructor Intan Baizura. She has been practicing yoga for more than 10 years and teaching for the past 4 years. This Urban Yoga session was a 90 minutes yoga session and was held at the deck above MiCasa's pool area. 

Warming up to a 90 minutes yoga session

I remembered I struggled through the 90 minutes as I'm not as flexible (and active) as I used to be but it was a fun session because what can beat the feeling of doing yoga under blue sky with early sun as well as breathing in fresh air? Our yoga instructor guided us patiently throughout these 90 minutes and I was glad I joined! After going through a series of yoga poses, I can feel that my body felt so relieved and rejuvenated. 

Group photo of all attendees and our Yoga instructor Intan Baizura

This Urban Yoga weekend can also join by non-staying guests under the strict social distancing, temperature checking and sanitising SOP. If you're staying around KL and would like to join the Urban Yoga session, do checkout MiCasa's website for the latest event date. There are 2 types of packages available for the yoga session:

• RM35.00 per session with welcome snacks
• RM65.00 per session with welcome snacks and set breakfast

Welcome snacks - Healthy fruit juice with fruit tarts

Yoga session with welcome snacks and set breakfast - RM65.00
Having your delicious set breakfast by the pool - Priceless!

I had to let you know that their set breakfast taste super awesome, taste better than most of the cafes around Kuala Lumpur! RM65.00 per session is such a great deal! Hence me and my friend opted for the RM65.00 package and had a wonderful, hearty breakfast by the pool after the yoga session. What a perfect start of the day!

The highlight of my stay was this activity that started right after our breakfast - Mermaid Freediving course hosted by Steven Tan at MiCasa's natural salt water pool! Steven is a mermaid instructor with years of mermaiding experience and coaching. My very first mermaid tail wearing experience!!! I was so excited because I've been wanting to try mermaid freediving!

Mermaid Instructor - Steven Tan

Steven is a very patient and skilful instructor, he literally gives his all while teaching us from how-to-wear a mermaid tail to how to swim like a mermaid. We swam back and forth mermaid style for more than 2 hours! It was exhausting but fun, best of all Steven said that he managed to lose 15kgs in 6 month because of mermaid free diving. What???!!! Sign me up please!

As a beginner like us, mermaid tail is just a photoshoot costume because we're not familiar with its weight and it might be dangerous if we do not know how to swim with the tail on. Hence we need to practice the mermaid swimming style back and forth until we get the hang of it. I think the swimming just burnt all the calories I took during breakfast. 

Swimming with fins on without leg kicking is really challenging

After getting familiar with the swimming style, I put on another mermaid tail to try out a few laps. The photos and videos effect are stunning! Due to the salt water pool of MiCasa, I had no issues with opening my eyes under the water, I felt very comfortable! I should really consider taking this course, completing it and mermaiding as part time job!

Steven's Mermaid Freediving course is a collaboration program with MiCasa All Suite Hotel and this course will be held on a regular basis, info as below:

PACKAGE A - BASIC MERMAID FREEDIVING COURSE (2-3 hours)

RM300 per person

Course includes 1 pool session, land photography & mermaid tail wearing experience and RM50

Tapas Dining Voucher

------------------------------------------------------------------

PACKAGE B - FULL MERMAID FREEDIVING COURSE (2 full days)

RM1,100 per adult / RM700 per child (no cert)

RM1,588 per adult / RM800 per child (with cert)

Course includes 4 theory & pool session skill assessment, underwater shooting with mermaid tail and

RM60 x 2 Tapas Dining Voucher

------------------------------------------------------------------

-Minimum 12 years of age and above (adult) and minimum 6 years of age (child)

Must have basic swimming skills with no fear of water

All underwater photos are taken by my bestie on that day, thank you so much for your support in many ways! I think I just found my new hobby! (again!)

Our staycation ended perfectly with tons of stunning photos, learning new things, and creating memories together with tons of laughter. I'm glad I decided to go for a staycation within the city, it was such a great experience! After reading my blog post, I'm sure you know how to enjoy a staycation at MiCasa now!

For more information:

MiCasa All Suite Hotel Official Website

MiCasa All Suite Hotel Facebook Page

MiCasa All Suite Hotel Instagram Page

MiCasa All Suite Hotel

368B Jalan Tun Razak,

Kuala Lumpur, 50400, Malaysia

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3983.7634105010734!2d101.72060981583002!3d3.156965597701305!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x31cc37ccb3d75de5%3A0xb4ebc1457ed36184!2sMiCasa%20All%20Suites%20Hotel!5e0!3m2!1sen!2smy!4v1602426322089!5m2!1sen!2smy" width="600" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" tabindex="0"></iframe>

Contact number: 603-2179 8000

Email: infokul@micasahotel.com


*this post is sponsored by MiCasa All Suite Hotel.