Before KL became a concrete jungle, it used to be a place that's full of warmth and friendly faces, with foot carts all around selling local delicacies. Many would gather around and bonded over the food, while sharing how their days or weeks have been. I could still remember the stories my dad told us, how he used to roam around the streets and everybody were just like one big family.
Sadly, as the years went by, shop lots were taken down and replaced by office buildings and shopping mall. Shop owners were forced to move out and find a new place for their business. Eventually, what used to be "the taste of KL" is slowly being forgotten. However, there are people who are working very hard to prevent it from getting lost forever, for example the owners at Uncle Chong's Local Delights.
The business was founded by the grandfather of the current owner, and it has been running for 3 generations! Grandpa Chong started by selling ONLY curry noodle at Petaling Street and they have been doing this for more than 40 years! Could you imagine how perfect a dish would be, when a person has spent 40 over years perfecting it?!
Uncle Chong's Curry Laksa (RM 8.90 - Small | RM 11.90 - Big). The curry laksa at Uncle Chong's is exactly how I love my curry to be - thick and aromatic curry broth with tender chicken and the most important part - cockles! For me, perfectly boiled cockles are must-haves in a bowl of curry laksa.
Ayam Penyet (RM 10.90). When it comes to Ayam Penyet, many would immediately think of a piece of perfectly fried chicken paired with spicy sambal. However, this is not how Uncle Chong serves theirs. Instead, you'll get a piece of ayam penyet generously coated with aromatic sauce. This is the version of ayam penyet that the owner's dad had when he was travelling in Indonesia. He loved it so much, and decided to bring the flavour back to Malaysia. The sauce has similar taste to rendang, but it's lighter.
Assam Laksa (RM 8.90). I'm not a big fan of assam laksa, but I like ones at Uncle Chong. They use fresh ingredients to make their laksa broth, and it has a nice balance of spiciness and acidity.
Dry Curry Chicken Noodle (RM 8.90). This is another dish that was a crowd favourite. Compared to the curry laksa, the dry curry has deeper flavours.
Salted Chicken with Chinese Herbs Rice (RM 9.90). If you are not a fan of spices and curry, this homey dish is perfect for you. The chicken is tender and well-marinated with Chinese herbs. All I need is a bowl of rice and this would be a perfect meal for me!
As much as I love my espresso-based coffee, I enjoy sipping on local coffee too. In order to preserve the flavours, they have been using the same coffee supplier since the family first started business. Thick and smooth local coffee is the perfect match!
When it comes to Uncle Chong's Local Delights, it is not about the interior but the authenticity in their dishes. With over 40 years of experience and determination of preserving the "taste of KL", this is definitely a place to go, if you are looking to reminisce on the good old days or to tryout authentic local food.
The pricing is very reasonable too. During the day, the traffic at the area might be a little bit busy. Hence, I would recommend dropping by during dinner hours - as the traffic would have died down and is easier to get a parking spot too.
To know more updates on Uncle Chong's Local Delights, check out their Facebook.
Address: Commercial Center, Aked Esplanade, No. 3-G, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 13, 57000 Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
Operation Hours: 10am - 10pm (Monday - Saturday) | Sunday CLOSED
Contact: +6016 330 0555
Hello, people! I'm finally back to my blog after taking a 6 months break. The past 6 months have been the craziest season of my life. I've started my church's Kingdomcity Leadersip Academy, worked on a TEDX event, trying to make things work for my business and also having a whole new revelation on myself.
Anyway, now I'm back! And hopefully, this time round I'll be able to spend more time on my blog. Today, I want to talk about a hair makeover I've had recently. I for one, am very precious over my hair and don't really like to cut it short. So, usually I'll do lots and lots of research to really decide which hair salon to go to. In fact, even with my usual hair salon, I'll think really hard before even deciding to change a hairstyle or colour it.
Recently, I paid a visit to 90's Hairstyle at Sri Petaling to have my hair coloured and do some long overdue treatment too. My hairstylist of the day was Stephy and she was very friendly. She was very patience in getting to know what I want and don't want for my hair. After brief discussion, we ended up with a caramel brown using the balayage technique.
Because my hair is really dry, instead of using normal shampoo to wash away the hair dye, they uses the CRONNA Moisturizing Spa Shampoo Honey. The shampoo is infused with honey to moisturize dry scalp while suppressing colour fading.
After that, I had my hair treatment done using CRONNA products too. There are 2 steps in the After Colour Treatment and it provides luminous shine and smoothness to hair which is unachievable with home care. The treatment was really quick and I like how smooth my hair is after the treatment! Also, not to mention the scent of fresh fruit with lily was very calming.
I really love the outcome of my hair a lot and have been receiving lots of compliments from people around me.
90's Hairstlye is currently running an August promotion:
25% off for hair colouring & hair treatment (weekdays only)
20% for hair colouring & hair treatment (weekend and Public Holiday only)
I'm already planning to pay them a visit real soon to get another round of hair treatment done before my mission trip in end of August.
To know more updates on 90's Hairstyle, check out their Facebook and Instagram.
Address: No.8, Jalan Radin Bagus 6, Bandar Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Operation Hours: 11am to 8:30pm (Monday to Saturday) | 11am to 7:30pm (Sunday)
Contact: +603 9054 6881
The Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist is Althea's first ever celebrity collaboration and it is with a famous Indonesian celebrity - Titi Kamal! Titi Kamal is an actress and singer from Indonesia with beautiful luxurious long black hair, and also known for her sense for fashion and style. Honestly, I was very surprise that Althea is now offering body mist, but am curious at the same time too.
So, let's take a look at the Althea x Titi Kamal Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist.
The Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist is a sparkling mix of sweet orange and peach, followed by an ever-graceful for a long-lasting scent. It also has a non-sticky formula that feels comfortable on the skin, and it embodies the elegance and beauty of Titi in a bottle, perfect for the urban femme.
Some of the main ingredients in the body mist are:
Damask Rose Water - Keeps the skin hydrated and gives a gentle fragrance.
Orange Flower Extract - Refreshes the senses.
Elder Flower Extract - Cools and soothes the skin, while giving out a feminine scent.
Application of the body mist is really easy - spray it on the body just like you would with a perfume! However, I would recommend starting off lightly in order to test out the scent., as you wouldn't want to overwhelm yourself and others with strong floral notes.
The Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist feels very light-weighted and non-sticky. Also, I notice the floral note tends to fade off after a while, leaving an almost candy-like sweet scent. Personally, I'm not a fan of floral or sweet scent. So, I only sprayed in on very lightly onto my skin.
The Althea x Titi Kamal Stay Fresh Body Sparkling Mist is available on Althea Website at a retail price of RM 35(100ml). If you would like to know more updates about Althea, do follow their Facebook and Instagram too.
Many people might get confused when first heard of the product, especially with the name "serum cleanser". Is it a micellar cleanser or a serum? It is actually BOTH! The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser is both a cleanser and a serum. Still confuse? Scroll down to read further.
The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser has the combined powers of a cleanser and serum. It whisks away makeup, dirt and oil while ensuring the skin stays cool and hydrated throughout thanks to a dual moisture cell system that envelopes the skin in a serum-like formula. It prevents the skin from drying out and effectively minimizes enlarged pores, keeping it smooth to the touch. The cleanser also helps to balance the pH levels of the skin to keep it working in tip-top shape.
The packaging is very simple and I like the idea of transparent plastic bottle, so I could see the content in it.
The key ingredients of the cleanser are:
Mint Leaf Extract - Cooling effect that lowers the skin's temperature and calm blemishes, antibacterial properties to keep the skin healthy and soothe inflammation caused by acne, and removes dirt and dead skin cells effectively plus minimizing enlarged pores.
Jojoba Seed Oils - It has similar structures to natural skin, allowing effective makeup removal and purification of pores. Also, deep moisturizes the skin without feeling heavy.
Tea Tree Leaf Extract - Has antibacterial properties that purify the skin.
There are 2 ways of using the Althea's Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser:
Daily Cleansing
1. Damped the skin and apply a small amount of cleanser onto it.
2. Gently massage in circular motions for 5-10 seconds before rinsing it off with water.
3. Alternatively, you can damped a cotton pad with the cleanser and cleanse your face with it.
To Remove Makeup
1. Pout an adequate amount of the product.
2. Massage the cleanser onto the skin in circular motion to remove dirt and makeup.
3. Rinse off with water.
4. If needed, continue with a second cleanse to remove residue completely.
The first thing I noticed is its watery consistency, and it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. Also, it has a refreshing scent which I personally find it to be quite soothing. My daily makeup is very light and the serum cleanser works very well in taking off my makeup. On the other hand, it wasn't very effective on my water-proof mascara. The other plus point is it doesn't dry out my skin but my skin feels fresh and light after that.
Regardless if you are wearing light or heavy makeup, it is very important to double cleanse. If you are looking for a decent facial cleanser, I would say the Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser is worth a try.
The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser is recommended for:
1. Skin that is sensitive to oil-based products
2. Sensitive skin that needs a mild cleanser
3. Quick and effective cleansing solution
4. Those who need moisturizing cleanser for daily beauty regime
The Althea Pore Purifying Serum Cleanser is priced at RM 33 (150ml) and you can purchase it on Althea official website.
To know more updates on Althea, check out their Website, Facebook and Instagram.
Another beauty review! And yes, another product from Althea ^_^
Ever since Althea came into Malaysia, it has quickly become of the most visited beauty sites for my friends to get their beauty hauls. Started as a site that sells Korean beauty products at a lower price, Althea is now also producing their very own line. One of their products is the Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask.
I wasn't quite sure what the product actually was when I first saw the name. Is it a milk-based cream mask? Is it a peel off mask? The answer is: It is a gentle exfoliating mask with milk. Some of you might wonder if it's really important to exfoliate, and my answer would be "Yes", especially if you put on makeup regularly. But then again, you don't want an exfoliator that is too harsh on the skin too.
Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is a gentle peeling mask that contains both AHA and BHA extracts. The mask transform from clay to a whipped cream lather, whisking away dead skin cells to prevent flakiness. It is also formulated with casein protein from milk to revitalize and moisturize the skin. It is said to give the result of a radiantly smooth, healthy skin that's bouncy to the touch.
The product is said to be suitable for all skin type and has 3 key ingredients:
Milk Protein Extract: Moisturizes and strengthen the skin.
AHA & BHA: Gently exfoliates away dead skin cells for a smooth complexion.
Kaolin: Detoxifies and pulls out impurities from the pores.
The Milk Peel Cream Mask is suitable for:
Combination Skin Types
Enlarged Pores
Rough, sensitive skin that needs gentle exfoliation
Dry skin that needs to stay moisturized even after peeling
The mask comes in a plastic bottle with a pump dispenser. The packaging is very simple, and I think the colour of blue and white fits the "milk" theme perfectly. Another plus point of the packaging is that it comes with a sturdy cap that doesn't fall off easily.
The application of the mask is pretty straight forward:
1. Dampen the skin.
2. Apply a thin layer of mask onto the skin.
3. Massage till it forms a rich lather.
4. Leave on for 30-60 seconds before rinsing away with warm water.
Personally, the 30-60 seconds of waiting time is a huge plus point, especially during the days when I'm too exhausted or rushing for time. The mask comes in a creamy-clay texture but it turns into bubbles when apply onto the skin. As I continue to massage the mask, it turns into a rich lather that has very similar texture to very fine whipping cream. Also, I like the powdery-milky scent of the mask. I wasn't expecting much from the mask, but I realized my skin looks clearer and brighter the next day. As for the moisturizing part, I don't feel any much difference after using the mask but it didn't dry out my skin either - which is good, considering I have dry-combination skin.
Overall, I had so much fun trying out and using the Milk Peel Cream Mask. If you are looking for a mask that requires a minimum amount of waiting time yet still deliver results in giving you a brighter looking skin, I would say it is worth giving the product a try.
You can purchase the Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask (50ml) @ RM 36 on Althea. To know more updates and products from Althea, you can check out their website and follow both their Facebook and Instagram.
Sunscreen plays a very important role in your beauty routine. You can use the best skincare and put on the best facial mask, but without a good sunscreen that protects your skin from all the harmful rays of the sun, you'll soon find problems like aging skin, pigmentation and many more start to arise. Especially when it comes to tropical country like Malaysia, we get to enjoy the sun all year long; but this also means we need to have long-wearing and strong protection sunscreen.
Many sunscreens can be too heavy on the skin or probably clogged up the pores. If that's your concern, I would like to share with you a new product from Althea - Petal Velvet Sunaway.
Like all Althea's products, Petal Velvet Sunaway comes in simple packaging. Just in case you are wondering, the sunscreen is the latest addition to their Petal Velvet range. Hence, the soft pink packaging and do expect the product to have a hint of soft rose scent.
The sunscreen has an SPF 50+ and PA++++ so the skin be kept protected. Since the sunscreen is part of Petal Velvet line, it contains micro-powder particles that give your skin a smooth, petal-like complexion.
Some of the key ingredients in the Petal Velvet Sunaway are:
Damask Rose Extract - Deeply hydrating and soothes irritations, leaving the skin feeling healthy.
Geranium Oil - Gives the skin a radiant boost and heals acne.
To use the sunscreen: Shake well, gently squeeze it out from the bottle and apply a generous layer evenly onto the skin.
The sunscreen has a fluid texture and thanks to its light-weighted formula, it blends and absorb easily into the skin. It doesn't leave any white cast and certainly did not leave any sticky or greasy feeling on the skin. This is really a plus point for me because though my skin is combination-dry, it tends to get very oily at the end of the day. But the sunscreen really helps to keep that under control. I noticed my skin is less oily at the of the day. Also, I really really like the velvety finish of the sunscreen.
As for the scent, I've mentioned earlier, there's a hint of rose but some might find it a bit too strong. Personally, I find it to be on the strong side; but then again, this is very subjective. If you like matte-finishing, you might want to give this a go.
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| #0 Translucent |
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| #23 Warm Beige |
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| Pink Lavender |
Apart from the Petal Velvet Sunaway, Althea has previously released their own version of loose powder - Petal Velvet Powder, and there are 3 shades to choose from - Translucent, Warm Beige and Pink Lavender. I've tried a few other loose powder, and Althea's is one of my favourite. Not only it is convenient to bring around, but I also find it works well as a touch-up for my skin. You can read the full review on the Althea Petal Velvet Powder here.
The Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway (55ml) is priced at RM 43 on Althea's website. Alternatively, you can get the sunscreen + loose powder at a bundle price of RM 53.10. Also, they are offering FREE SHIPPING on all Althea Exclusive with code PBSHIP.
To know more updates on Althea, you can check out their Website, Facebook and Instagram.
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