Just An Ordinary Girl

Photo By: Elin Chow

A while ago, I received an email from Q-Depot.com offering to send me a korean skincare product for my review. Being a huge fan of Korean cosmetic and skincare, naturally, I could not say no. So I asked the product to be sent to me, and I received it within 2 weeks.


For those who do not know, Q-depot.com is an established online store offering a wide variety of high quality Korean cosmetics and skincare for wholesale or retail consumers worldwide. All their products are shipped directly from their warehouse in Korea and all purchases on Q-depot are guaranteed to be 100 % authentic, new and without defects and damages.


Q-depot offers one of the largest Korean cosmetics and skincare online with 30,000+ products from over 60+ brands. But the best thing is they offers a 30 days free return policy with no questions asked. Return is  accepted at their cost if any items you received is damaged, defective or incorrect. Return is also accepted for other reasons, but at your cost. But please make sure the products are new and unopened.

Free shipping is available for orders over US$49. For orders below US$49, shipping is fairly affordable. Flat rate shipping fee starts from US$2.99 will be applied for Asia and US$ 4.49 for US, Canada and Europe, regardless of weight and the number of items you purchased.

But what impressed me the most is their strong sense of social responsibility. The company will donate 3% of their net profit to the under-privileged in different countries. This means that the more you buy from them, the more you will help the needy people.

The Face Shop Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme Moisture Aqua Radiance Cream

For my review, I received the Face Shop Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme Moisture Aqua Radiance Cream. The product is packaged nicely in a box and is shipped directly from Korea. It took slightly over a week for the package arrive.

A few years back, I have wrote a review for the Face Shop Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme Moisture Essential Cream. To be honest, I did not like the product at all because it smell strongly of fragrance. thus might not be suitable for people with sensitive skin.


The Face Shop Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme Moisture Aqua Radiance Cream formulated with Bamboo and Wild Pansy extract, which are believed to help retain moisture and provide nutrients to the skin. It is free from 7 harsh chemicals - Paraben, colorings, alcohol, raw animal ingredients, benzophenone, mineral oil and triethanolamine. But unfortunately, it is not fragrance free.


The cream comes in a small glass-like pot containing 80 ml of the product. The glass jar is quite thick, which makes it durable enough to survive most of the fall. Despite being small in size, the glass jar is quite bulky and might not be travel friendly.


As for the texture of the cream, it is rich and thick with a runny consistency, so a small dab of it actually goes a long way. My face actually feels a little greasy after application, thus might not be suitable for people with combination or oily skin, especially those who live in a hot and humid country.

However, it should works great for people with extremely dry skin. The cream is very moisturizing and leaves skin looking clear and glowing. Despite its thickness, the cream is easy to spread and absorbed by the skin.

Will I recommend this product to anyone? Well, probably not, since I am really not a fan of it. Even so, I still recommend checking out Q-depot.com if you are a huge fan of Korean skin care and cosmetics.


For anyone who are interested to make a purchase on Q-depot.com, please use this code "SW10OFF" upon check out to get 10% off your first order.

No monetary compensation was received for this review and all opinions expressed were my own. 

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Photo By: Elin Chow
Official Website: Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas

My husband and I went for a short getaway to Phuket recently. This was also our first overseas trip for this year. While we were looking for our accommodation in Phuket, we realized that we need to decide which resort town or area we would like to stay. To decide that, we will first have to decide what kind of holiday we want. Do we want a wild nightlife and partying or a relaxing getaway or something in between?

After much discussion, my husband and I decided that we wanted a relaxing and quiet getaway. While many choose to stay in Patong area, we chose to stay in Kamala, simply because we read that it is less touristy and crowded than Patong. which makes it a perfect place to relax in peace.

So after reading through tons of rave reviews online, we decided to book our stay with Cape Sienna Hotel & Villa, a luxurious 4.5 stars all sea-view resort nestled on a hill overlooking Andaman sea and Kamala Bay.

Airport Pickup

Booking a minimum 3 consecutive nights stay at the hotel will entitle us a complimentary one way pick up or drop off airport transfers service. Once booking is confirmed, I proceeded to email the hotel to arrange for a pick up from the airport. Reply was prompt and our pickup from the airport was confirmed.

Our flight to from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket was slightly delayed and we arrived at Phuket International Airport 30 minutes later than the initial expected time.Upon arrival, we were delighted to find a driver holding waiting for us with a sign written our name at the arrival gate.


He greeted us warmly with smiles and led us to the car. Once we got in the car, he handed us a cold towel and bottle of mineral water each to refresh ourselves while he drove us to the hotel.

Cape Sienna is approximately 45 minutes scenic drive from Phuket international airport. The hotel is located at the beginning of the Millionaire's Mile, along the southern part of Kamala Bay on the west coast of Phuket. The area has been nicknamed the ''Millionaire's Mile'' due to its abundance of multi-million dollar hotels and villas nestled on its hillside. There is no budget accommodation in this area.

Cape Sienna is located just next to Andara Resort & Villas. Further up the hill, you will find the luxurious Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa and Paresa Resort sitting high on the rocks, overlooking the sea. Most of the properties along the Millionaire's Mile offer luxury seclusion and exquisite sea views over Kamala Bay. Although you can enjoy some of the nice views from the public road, most are still reserved for the private property that these luxury hotels and villas sit on. Thus, the best way to enjoy such views and stunning sunset is by staying at one of these hotels in this area.


After a 45 minutes car ride. we finally arrived at the hotel. The entrance to the hotel is somewhat underwhelming, with a large arched wall looming over the driveway, and a short flight of stairs leading to two lifts that will transport you to the lobby located on the second floor.




The lift slide open to reveal a stunning unobstructed panoramic view over the Andaman Sea and Kamala Bay. I was greatly stunned the moment I see the beautiful view of the sea. It was amazingly breathtaking! The view is what makes the resort worth every penny we paid.




Cape Sienna is built on a sloping hillside, so wherever you go around the hotel, you can enjoy spectacular view of the sea. Every corner at the hotel is so picturesque and tranquil. Whether it is the lobby, its 2 main restaurants, the pool, the treatment rooms in the spa or from your suites or villas, there is always a photo opportunity wherever you are in the hotel.


Cold towels and ginger honey tea were served while the staffs performed check in procedure for us.

Renovation

Cape Sienna is undergoing a renovation during the period of our stay. The renovation is only expected to be completed by October 2017 and the hotel will be rebranded as the Cape Sienna Gourmet Hotels & Villas from November 1st. In order to compensate for the disturbance caused by the renovation, we were offered a choice of complimentary items from their Wish Basket:

The Wish Basket includes:
1. 1 x Complimentary 45 mins Spa massage for 2
2. 1 x bottle of Prosecco
3. 1 x Complimentary Craft Cocktails for 2 at Vanilla Skybar
4. 1 x Complimentary Thai Set Dinner for 2 at Poolside
5. 20% discount for Plum Prime Steakhouse
6. 50% discount voucher for all regular Spa treatment

Choice: 
For 1-2 nights stay - choose 1 item from the Wish Basket
For 3-4 nights stay - choose 2 items from the Wish Basket
For 5-7 nights stay - choose 3 items from the Wish Basket
For 8 nights above - choose 4 items from the Wish Basket

Since we were staying for 3 nights, we were given an option to choose 2 items from the Wish Basket. We chose one Complimentary Craft Cocktails for 2 at Vanilla Skybar and one Complimentary Thai Set Dinner for 2 at Poolside.

Accommodation

Cape Sienna offers 146 accommodation options - from studio rooms to jacuzzi suites and penthouses in order to suit different needs. But no matter which room you choose, you will be able to enjoy sweeping sea views right from your balcony.

The hotel has an Adult-Preferred policy. Children under the age of 2 are not allowed in the hotel. Please note that the hotel does not have any children facilities, which makes it a perfect choice for couples who are looking for a romantic and peaceful holiday. But this only apply to the main hotel. Children are still welcome to stay at one of the private villas at the hotel.


We booked a Sea View Jacuzzi Deluxe room, but surprisingly, we got it upgraded to the Sea View Honeymoon Junior Suite by the hotel for free. The Sea View Honeymoon Junior Suite are all located in the corners of the buildings and boasts slightly bigger interiors and balconies than the Sea View Jacuzzi Deluxe room that we have originally booked.


Combining style, luxury and comfort, the front door opens directly into a cozy sleeping area with attached bathroom leading to a living area and a large balcony. The sleeping area features a super comfortable king size bed with curtains and special decor to enhance the romantic feel.

Elegant dark wood furnitures and warm colors tones provide a comfortable feeling to the room. The wooden furnishings and fittings may look a little dated, but are well-maintained and in great condition.


On the bed, you will find two cotton bathrobes provided by the hotel. I love the bathrobes very much! It was so comfortable and lightweight that I can wear it all day.


The room is fitted with flat screen satellite TV, but with limited channels, and a DVD player. Free WiFi is available in the room as well.


Other in room amenities include private room safe, full body mirror, mini-fridge, well-stocked mini bar and complimentary coffee and tea making facilities. There is also a large built in closet in the room with plenty of storage space.


The living area features a large working station facing the sea, just perfect for those who have some work to catch up. Other than that, the comfortable living area also comes with a sofa and coffee table for guests to gather around and enjoy a cup of coffee.


On the table, there is a small welcome gift from the hotel. It was nothing fanciful, but I really appreciate that little extra effort by the hotel to make our stay a wonderful one.




The room opens onto a private L-shaped balcony with two comfortable chairs, a coffee table and a large private jacuzzi bathtub tucked nicely into a corner. Offering spectacular views over Kamala Bay, this is a great spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or relax with a book. During our stay, we enjoyed sitting on the balcony for hours, watch the waves and do nothing. It was very peaceful and relaxing.



The jacuzzi bathtub is large enough to accommodate 2 persons - perfect for a romantic soak with your other half.  Life is great when you can enjoy a deep soak in your private jacuzzi while you watch the stunning sunset over the sea.


Modernly decorated, the bathroom comes with separate toilet compartment, shower stall and vanity area. Both the toilet and shower compartments are fitted with frosted glass swing door to allow some privacy.


Complimentary toiletries replenished daily includes cotton pads, shower cap, cotton buds, sanitary bags and disposable toothbrush and toothpaste. Shower gel, shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion are provided in the room as well.

Dining

Cape Sienna offers 2 main dining options, 2 bars and 2 outdoor pools.

Poolside Bar & Restaurant

Just as its name suggest, the restaurant is situated by the pool, overlooking the turquoise blue sea. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves Asian and international cuisines.


The restaurant has an open view kitchen and offers plenty of seating for everyone.


Beside the restaurant is a 30 metres swimming pool overlooking the ocean. Guests can take a dip in the pool, sip on cocktails poolside and enjoy the views of the sea.

The hotel has two swimming pools. Other than the pool at the poolside restaurant, there was also an infinity edge pool with a bat at Sienna Rocks, which is located right across the road from the hotel. But unfortunately, we could not visit the other pool because Sienna Rocks is closed on 1st June till 31st August for renovation.


Beside the pool, you will find a lounge area where you can relax and chill out in comfort.


Next to the lounge area, there is a large oceanfront sundeck with white umbrellas and laid-back sun loungers complimentary for guests use.


You can grab a newspaper or magazine, order a snack or drink from the Poolside bar and spend your day relaxing by the pool.