Black Box – Singapore’s free curated box delivered to your doorstep!

I remember in mid march, I signed up for Black Box. Then in April, many subscribers had already received theirs, while there was still no news on mine… Then finally after a long anxious wait, my Black Box was delivered in the last week of April! Please don’t tell me that it has something to do with my name – Zoe, always last on the list! Probably not. I can only imagine the amount of people who signed up for it, because who doesn’t love surprises?

Black Box is the first curated box in Singapore that contains products from a balanced selection of beauty, lifestyle, home and shopping categories to be absolutely free!

Just gonna show you what was inside.

Tadah! All the goodies when I opened the box. :D How can all these be free, you tell me, you tell me.

Items from the food category.

Bioflora CollaBee Honey & Collagen drink (50ml) $78.80 for 10 bottles

NESCAFE CAFE MENU Cappuccino, Mocha, and Hazelnut Latte $7.05 for 8-10 sachets

I had an Oats ‘n Honey muesli bar from Nature Valley, but someone ate it without my knowledge. We sort of know who, but that person didn’t own up, so… :(

Lifestyle products

Vanish Pink Powder Sachet $9.00 (500g), $14.35 (900g)

Zappy Baby Wipes $3.95 for 3 packets

Darlie Expert White Toothpaste $5.90 (120g)

Love teeth-whitening products. Anything for whiter teeth!

Tons of discount vouchers!

Beauty Products

LOreal Revitalift L.A.S.E.R. X3 Renewing Anti-Aging Cream $39.90 (50g)

LOreal Revitalift L.A.S.E.R. X3 Renewing Anti-Aging Serum $49.90 (30g)

This shall be on the queue on my list of products to review. Stay tuned~

An entire set of Belif products that includes Cleansing Foam Mist, Aqua Bomb Serum, Eye Care Mask, and Daily Sunscreen Gel.

Yup, there are so many things in Blackbox! Still don’t believe? Let me reiterate, the box is free! It is distributed bimonthly, so the next one is in June. Register now at www.blackbox.sg! :) They also have a lot of giveaways on Facebook, so like their Facebook Page to join!

Post-flea review & thoughts.

Last Sunday, Beary Naise held its first flea at Pandora Flea market at Dempsey. To be honest, it was not easy being a total greenhorn, planted amidst all the regular flea -goers. My table was ill-prepared, I arrived late, my table cloth was not long enough (hahaha this was an honest mistake because I was initially given a smaller table dimension), and I was very nervous. My first potential customer asked me how much was the Strawberry Bucket Bag, and my heart was beating so fast that I couldn’t remember. Bleah, I resorted to jotting the prices down on my palm next. So cliche!

To make matters more intimidating, my neighbouring flea-owners had very prettily decorated booths. This, I have a lot to learn from. My first flea experience was not about myself nor was it about my products, it was about observance, and the feeling of just being in it, with everything happening around me. It was surreal, being in an actual flea market, and not the one shopping. Observing how other flea-owners interact with potential customers, interact with each other etc… Observing how some people are potential customers, and how some just want to suss out your products to see if they could make it themselves too. For the handmade flea market scene (not those of clothes), you have to be prepared for people who are DIY-ers or crafters themselves, and who will judge. For that, I really have to up my technical and design skills.

The first step you take is the longest stride. – Author Unknown

Looking back, there are a hell lot of things that I could have done better. But I’m very grateful for this opportunity given by my aunt, and people who were there to support me. My sister, who woke up early to lend a helping hand in setting up the booth, and provide entertainment relief. Haha. Hammy’s mom, who fussed with me about the table cloth the night before, and loaned me small change so I didn’t have to break my bank. Hammy, who drove me to the venue in the morning, then joined his family for mothers’ day lunch, then came back with his mom and cousin, Ashlyn, to pay me a visit. Then he drove his mom back, got me lunch, and then stayed till the end of the flea. Ashlyn, who came with Hammy and stayed to accompany me. And many others, who wished they could come pay me a visit, but had work (yes, mei hung) or simply because Dempsey was too out of the way. Thank you all. They say the first step is always the hardest, but my first step was a result of so many people’s support and well-wishes. Tears are welling up as I write this, but I am really thankful for everyone’s help.

After my first experience at flea, I am more mentally prepared for my next. There is much work to do, and it’s a continuous journey. Do I have the tenacity to keep going, and resources to keep myself afloat…?

He dares to be a fool, and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom. – James Huneker

I really hope the quote is right, and that I am a fool now, but heading for greater plans. Because even as I try to convince myself that this is what I want to do, and that one day I will succeed, there are people who look at me as though I am crazy, immature, lazy, irresponsible, good-for-nothing, and the list goes on. Sometimes they get to me, but more often, I’m determined to prove them wrong. I just hope time is on my side.

Love, Zoe

Hada Labo Whitening Lotion (New Nano Formula) Review + Free Sample Redemption for you!

[Sponsored Review] Read on to find out how to redeem a 20ml travel sized bottle of the Hada Labo Whitening Lotion!

I’m pretty sure Hada Labo is no stranger to many girls. Its PERFECT x SIMPLE philosophy has worked its way to many hearts because unnecessary ingredients such as colorants, fragrance and mineral oil that will burden the skin are omitted, and only the best are used to ensure maximum efficacy.

Just one step promises to give you 1) Natural fairness, 2) Super hydration, and 3) A bright glow. I use it after washing my face using Hada Labo’s Exfoliating Fash Wash Foam, and Nivea’s Refreshing Toner.

Its ingredients include natural bearberry (arbutin) that helps to fade brown spots and blemishes. resulting in a more even-toned skin. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which will be converted to Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) by skin enzymes. Vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant and co-factor in the process of collagen synthesis. Then finally, Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates, keeping skin soft and supple.

I’m a great fan of Hada Labo Whitening Lotion, and it’s not without reason.

Firstly, I like it for its lightweight and non-sticky texture. These two qualities are very important especially in our humid weather. If my moisturisers or lotion were any thicker and creamier, it would somehow cause my skin to produce more oil because it just can’t handle it. This also depends on how easily it is absorbed by the skin, which brings me to the next point.

It is quickly and easily absorbed. I usually drip a few drops onto my palm, into something like a 20cent coin. Together with the other palm, I spread on my face evenly. Then with a slight patting motion, I pat my cheeks, chin, forehead etc.. The lotion is very easily absorbed. In fact, it feels like water.

Lastly, it brightens up my skin. After using the Hada Labo Whitening Lotion from the whitening range for more than half a year, I can say that it really helps to maintain my skin’s radiance and translucency. Which is why I have continued to use it! :)

Here’s how you can try and decide for yourself!

You’re entitled to redeem a a FREE 20ml travel size bottle of Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion & Cleansing Oil samples at Hada Labo(sg) Facebook page!

Head over to www.facebook.com/hadalabosg and click on the tab that says FREE SAMPLE. Enter your particulars and you’re all set! Samples will be delivered within two weeks. Remember to pass this information around along to your girlfriends :)

Hada Labo Whitening Lotion is available at Watson’s, Guardian, and NTUC Fairprice outlets for $22.90.