skycart - #skycartishere

Today's review is a little different, instead of the usual beauty review that I do, this is on Skycart. Skycart is a personal shopper for all things you can buy from Taobao. They work like an agent who processes your order all the way from payment to shipping then to delivery.

Disclaimer: I've always been a fan of 65daigou, I personally feel that their site is user-friendly and there's a wide range of products to choose from through their categories such as "cash rebates" for their partner shops and "best buys" for various collections. This review is sponsored, but I will still be sharing my honest opinions.

Skycart has kindly sponsored me S$75.00 worth of credits to review their app, this includes products made available via their app and no "buy for me". "Buy for me" is a simple copy and paste url to get the item directly from Taobao to the agent.

Skycart claims to be the industry match with zero service charge and the lowest sea shipping rate at S$0.80/500g. This is absolutely true as 65daigou charges S$1.30/500g for parcels from 0kg to 30kg.

The above snapshot is the homepage for Skycart's app. The unique and wow factor of Skycart's app is definitely its availability of Korean beauty products. We're all constantly worried that if we purchase these products online, they are not authentic and may in fact harm the skin. However, Skycart has ensured that they are all directly from Korean suppliers themselves (I have yet to verify it).

The Skycart app includes categories such as Babies & Kids, Home, Women, Skin Care, Beauty and even Kpop - swipe left to see more!

Tapping on skin care showcases these Korean beauty products that are available for purchase.

I personally feel that the variety available via the app is too little, as there are only about twenty products for the "Women" category. If you want to purchase a larger variety, do go search for what you want on Taobao and copy the link over to "Buy For You"!

Tapping on the top left corner reveals other functions such as Order Tracking (tracking of the orders you have purchased), Skypay (your payment or balance) and Buy For You (copy and pasting of the url directly from Taobao for a purchase).

Tapping on your profile picture reveals these details - add in your address to make home delivery easy!

These are the items I've purchased with the S$75.00 credits from the various collections suggested on the app!

1. VDL Lumilayer Primer  - S$24.00 (Beauty Best Seller)

2. Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask - S$14.85 (Skin Care)

3. 1 Day 1 Pack - S$13.20 (3 Pack Mask)

4. Volcanic Black Head Out Balm - S$8.91 (Skin Care)

5. Wooden Coaster - $4.90 (Wood Work)

6. Wooden Phone Holder - S$4.90 (Wood Work)

Total: S$70.76

Will do a review on the some of the items once I have the time!

After checking out, pick your collection method! There are three to choose from - Home Delivery (directly to your home), Warehouse Collection (Skycart's warehouse is located at Tai Seng) & Collection Point (this includes neighbourhood stations that Skycart provides).

I chose the home delivery method, and this includes and additional charge of S$5.00 but hey, right to your door step! This is the exact same home delivery charge that 65daigou charges for parcels 5kg to 8kg.

You can immediately pick your collection time and date - be sure to keep your schedule free for the day you've selected for home delivery as they do charge again if you miss it! I would prefer choosing my collection date at a later timing so that I can better plan my schedule. 65daigou offers choosing of a collection date once your parcel arrives in Singapore.

If you want to check your order status, simply tap on "Order Tracking" and your current orders will appear!

Received on the 19th of March - Skycart will inform you when your parcel has arrived in Singapore and when it's on the way to collection! Perfect reminder for the busy!

The package arrived on the 22nd as per scheduled, it arrived at approximately 9.55PM. It was packaged very nicely in this brown paper bag, which pleasantly surprised me. Each beauty item came in its original packaging whereas the wooden phone holder and coaster came in a bubble wrap.

This packaging is much nicer than 65daigou's, who packs everything in a ton of bubble wrap before storing it in a polymailer and plastic bag. Talk about wastage!

I checked back on the Skycart app, and viola! Look, they have new additions - that's fabulous! Although, they did remove some categories from the home page, leading to a low variety once again.

Verdict on Skycart's app (excluding the "Buy For You" function):

Convenience: ♥♥♥♥♥ (accessible anywhere, any time)

Variety of Products: ♥♥ (limited selection of items)

User-friendliness: ♥♥♥♥ (simple, clear cut)

Loading Time: ♥♥ (took 3 minutes to load the next page of items although I was running on 4G)

Price: ♥♥♥♥ (definitely cheaper than 65daigou by S$0.50/500g just based on Sea shipping alone) Packaging: ♥♥♥♥♥ (got to love the brown packaging and minimal wastage)
Download the Skycart app via the App Store or Google Play Store today! #Skycartishere to join in on the fun, easy and affordable shopping today! The Sky is in your hands. Follow Skycart on: Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest With love & till next time,
mel ♥

vanitee - 100% happiness guaranteed

A huge thank you to Aidan and the Vanitee team for sending S$50 my way for a pampering session last weekend! If you haven't heard about Vanitee, Vanitee is Singapore's largest online beauty and wellness marketplace. 

Vanitee is an app that bridges beauty professionals and the consumer to explore, discover and book beauty services all around Singapore. This Chinese New Year, Vanitee is working with their artists to ensure that all users get to book beauty appointments on the app easily and quickly.

For bookings between 18 January and 14 February, Vanitee ensures that all appointments are confirmed and guaranteed - it's 100% happiness guaranteed!

This is the homepage of the Vanitee app - it includes services such as nails, makeup, hairstyling and even brow and lash!

You can filter your search by browsing popular or nearby locations - making it more convenient for you! Moreover, some professionals do housecalls for an additional charge. Filter your search to your liking!

With the S$50, I decided to pamper myself by getting my nails done for Chinese New Year! Here are some of the works and artists I browsed through.

Once you have picked a few designs, chat with your desired beauty professional by sending them a picture and getting a quote. It works just like at a nail salon - this ensures the price that you'll be paying, and also gives the artist ample time to prepare for the appointment.

These are the designs that I've picked and these are the quotes I've received from various artists (their Vanitee handles will not be shared). I eventually settled on Racheldoesnails as her location was very convenient for me! Booking services on Vanitee is real easy. All you have to do is select a date and timing and viola!

Don't forget to key in your payment details! You can book now and pay later, after your session is complete.

Be friendly to your artist and decide on one final design before you meet her! She can then prepare or practice the artwork before meeting you so that it'll turn out the way you want it to be.

I chose the second design! Here's how it turned out!

This Chinese New Year, book your beauty services through the Vanitee app and get 100% happiness guaranteed! With 500 beauty professionals, there's definitely something for everyone.

Thank you Rachel! I had a wonderful time and am really pleased with the results!

P.S. Quote <YOKEFONGCNY> when you make any bookings on Vanitee by 14 February and get a FREE Beauty Kit from VanityTrove worth $30! Share the love with your friends too!

With love & till next time,
mel ♥

christmas shopping on althea korea

Althea Korea has kindly sponsored me with S$50 to do some Christmas shopping on their webpage. In case you haven't heard, Althea is an online beauty marketplace with affordable and popular K-beauty products. I was previously sponsored by them - check out what I got with S$60 here. Stay till the end for discount codes and exclusive news!

Althea's website is very user friendly, with a navigation menu such as skincare, make up and even trendy items for you to find your perfect beauty product. As for me, I love surfing through their trendy items.

That's how I found the Black Kill Pore Tightening Pack (Vampire Pack) - currently my favourite beauty product (this will be my second time ordering it). At below S$20, this black mask tightens by drying up and peeling off is made easy. Your pimples ripen and blackheads cleansed out in only twenty minutes!

Once you've added things into your cart, you can view them via "my cart" on the top right hand corner of the page. Editing your orders are easy peasy with the edit function next to your order. Clear details of each product chosen is also included below the name of the K-beauty product.

Here, you can see that I've also chosen the CP-1 Protein Clinic, a haircare product also found under "trendy items". The CP-1 helps to repair and strengthen already damaged hair. It's great for over-coloured hair!

Scroll down further and you'll see options such as using your points (a.k.a credits) and the grand total you'll have to pay upon checking out. Better yet, with their estimate shipping and tax function, you can roughly check the additional amount you'll have to fork out to get the items to you.

Singaporeans often say "good things must share!" Althea Korea offers free shipping for orders over S$50 - these items are shipped directly from Korea in their signature pink box. Don't say I didn't tell you so.

Click "proceed to checkout" and you'll come to this page. A breakdown of the discount and shipping you'll receive is stated clearly. If you have a discount code, key it in the "coupon code" box!

Did you spot Innisfree? Yes! Althea carries Korean brands such as Innisfree, Laniege and even Tony Moly - all these products are 100% authentically guaranteed by Althea. If you're unhappy with your purchases, Althea even offers an unconditional returns for 30 days.

The final page after checking out! Althea sends you a confirmation email upon placing your order. If you'd like to refill items ordered previously, they have it at the side too. How convenient!

This is how I spent my S$50:

1. Black Kill Pore Tightening Pack (Vampire Pack) - S$15

2. CP-1 Protein Clinic (CP-1 Ceramide Treatment) - S$9

3. Super Effect Animal Mask (Super Leopard) - S$2.50

4. Peri's Tint Crayon (Pure Red) - S$8

5. Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener - S$14.40

Total spent: S$48.90

They even threw in a complimentary Skin Food Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum and Etude House Real Art Moisture Cleansing Oil! Thanks Althea! 

Before I say goodbye, here are some discount codes and exclusive news for you this Christmas!

1. Althea offers free shipping for orders over S$30 instead of the usual S$50

2. Quote <XMAS-SG> to receive S$7 off S$50 purchases

3. Althea offers a limited edition Christmas Beauty Box (while stock lasts), perfect for give gifting

4. Endless Christmas sales and promotions will be released on Althea Korea Singapore

5. Watch out for their Daebak Deals too!

Thank you Althea for gifting me a K-beauty-ful Christmas!

With love & till next time,
mel ♥

food tasting @ ippin cafe bar

Back to writing and reviving this blog which was dead for a few months due to me being busy with commitments in council.

Here's snippets of my food tasting session at IPPIN CAFE BAR. I'm really digging the interior and the authentic #BetterThanMom homemade Japanese dishes that they offer, especially the Wasabi Salt/Garlic Soy Beef Steak! Not to mention, their Strawberry Yoghurt Sake takes a whole new twist on alcohol.

Their Cold Yuzu Noodles had my taste buds delightfully flying, with it being a 'lil sour and refreshing. We were served with Darjeeling Tea where for the first time, the tea is fermented twice and water from the mountains are used. It was also turned into a form of jelly, where the taste was light and smooth.

Thank you Hazel and the staff at IPPIN for the hospitality!

With love & till next time,
mel ♥

biore aqua jelly makeup remover

Biore has recently launched a new makeup remover! This makeup remover is unlike any other, with its revolutionary jelly-like texture. With a smooth and lighter consistency, this jelly makeup remover has the same cleansing abilities that lifts makeup off in a wipe!

Made with 40% more moisturising essence, Biore's new makeup remover nourishes and hydrates skin for a dewy moisturised finish. It's lightweight formula leaves skin feeling refreshed, with no sticky or greasy after-feel. Not to mention, it smells exceptionally great!

How To Use

1. Pump an appropriate amount (2-3 pumps) onto hands and spread evenly over face and eye area.

2. Massage gently to dissolve makeup.

3. Rinse thoroughly with water. It is not necessary to remove cleansing liquid with cotton pad or tissue.

4. For best results, apply on dry face and hands. Do not use facial cotton pad or tissue.

You can grab your very own Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover at all leading supermarkets, personal care stores and western pharmacies & departmental stores at only S$24.90!

With love & till next time,
mel ♥

hiruscar post-acne

Squeezing pimples, scratching them and once it heals, oh no, there's a scar! These scars leave a nasty mark on your face, having you to put twice the concealer in order to hide it. Hiruscar Post-Acne has a clinically proven 3-in-1 formulation that helps you to remove your post acne scars and dark marks! It is alcohol free, suitable for oily and acne-prone skin!

Being non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, the fast absorption gel does not clog pores and irritate your skin! Best of all, you can use it under your make-up, making sure that your scars get the best treatment!

Before

My favorite feature for the Hiruscar Post-Acne is its possibility to prevent acne reassurances with its anti-bacterial agent, pionin - I mean, no pimples, forever? I would gladly smear this gel all over my face if I could!

After - You can see that the color of the marks on my chin have become less obvious!

Simply apply this gel two to three times a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Use the gel only after your toner and before your moisturizer - remember to wash your hands before and after use to keep them germs away!

If you would like a go at the Hiruscar Post-Acne gel, you can purchase them from Watsons, Guardian, Unity, Independent Pharmacies and Polyclinics for only $22.90/10ml!

With love & till next time,
mel ♥