How To Deal With Colleagues Who Turn A Cold Shoulder?

I wonder how many of you have faced this kind of problem, with colleagues ignoring you for no good reason. In the past few weeks, I have experienced this kind of treatment from a colleague in another department.  Every morning I will walk past her seat and I will greet her good morning.  But there are many times when I arrived earlier, she would just walk past my place without a greeting. For instance, this morning, I greeted her good morning when she walked past me. But she did not response. Perhaps she did not hear it or pretend not to hear it.

I do not know what causes this. She used to reciprocate, but most of the time, she responded to my greeting without even looking at me.  She replied good morning for the sake of saying, while staring at her computer monitor.  Even her good morning was cold and indifferent. Sometimes, I tried to get to my place from the other door so that I don't have to walk past her desk.  Save my breath.

I do not like such feeling since we are all working adults, not children in school.  There are two ways to handle this, either I ignore her by entering through another door, or continue to say good morning to her and strike up small conversation to get her attention on me.  If I choose to be indifferent, things will never turn out positive.  So I have to be positive myself.

I am not a talkative person, I seldom engage in small talks in the office.  Perhaps because of this, colleagues who do not know me well find tend to find me aloft.  Most of the time, other colleagues will walk past my desk without saying good morning to me, but they do so to the colleague sitting next to me.  She is an older lady in her 50s, who is chatty and well-liked by all.  I don't feel good. But I tell myself I have to stay positive.  Perhaps I should greet whoever walking near before they greet. It is not easy, but I have to take the initiative.

Have you experience such situation before?  How do you overcome it?

First Purchase In Zalora

Zalora is not a new online shopping portal to me.  I have always seen advertisements of Zalora over the internet and billboards on the streets and MRT.  But I have an impression that the things are in the expensive designer's price range.

On Monday, I happened to click on Zalora's website out of boredom.  I went to the discount section and saw many eyes catching clothes on sale.  The price after discount was a major draw for me to make my first purchase.  Most of the clothes' design are in fashion, stylish and have a neat cutting. You can buy two or more nice dresses without burning a hole in your pocket. 

I used to buy clothes from Taobao, mainly because of the low price.  Now after I discovered Zalora, I will no longer buy from Taobao.  There are 4 reasons.  First, Zalora's clothes have better designs and workmanship.  Second, Zalora offers free exchange and refund.  Third, Zalora's delivery is very efficient. I ordered a dress on Monday, and I received it on Wednesday!  Fourth, Zalora offers cash on delivery option. So there is no need to setup credit card account or worry about internet transaction. 

The color and cutting of the dress that I bought closely resemble the one posted on Zalora. Price after discount is S$14.90 (with no shipping cost).  A good buy, isn't it?

  

DERMALAB GENESIS By Fabulous Aesthetics

As a working mum, I seldom have time these days to go for a facial or spa.  The hectic schedule for the past two years after my gal was born, has dulled my complexion.  Perhaps due to hormones change, my face has become oilier, numerous small clogs have also formed on my forehead. 

I have always been on a look out for good facial treatment with good service.  I came across many trial facial promotions in Groupon but I have been reluctant to try.  Always remember a saying, ‘don’t expect good service for things that come cheap’.  These facials are priced cheap so as to entice customer to go and then spend the next half an hour listening and rejecting the hard selling.

I was recommended by my sister to try the Genesis facial treatment at Fabulous Aesthetics (Bugis).  This treatment uses an intense light pulse to penetrate deeper layer skin while blasting the epidermis, which can help to rejuvenate your skin.

The treatment lasted about 1 hour 15 min.  It began by cleansing and extraction.  The therapist said it will be a light extraction as the light pulse was intensive.  Perhaps I have not gone for a professional facial for quite some time, the extraction was painful.  I got a shock when I was handed the mirror.  The extraction wasn’t light at all!  It was very detailed and my face got angry red marks all over.  The therapist used a considerable amount of strength during the extraction.  In a way, detailed extraction is good, as it helps to remove those stubborn blackheads.  However, the fearful moment came when the Genesis intense light pulse strike.  As it was done immediately after extraction on a swollen and sensitive face, the pain from the light pulse was moderately high.  It felt like your face is being repeatedly snapped by a forceful rubber band.  Yes, forceful.  The loud snapping sound coupled with a burnt smell (from the mask applied), you could not help but feel that your face has been burned.  The pain level was rated 7/ 10.  It was more intense when it hit near the eyes and upper lip area.  The light treatment lasted for 5 – 8 min.  The therapist halted the treatment temporarily as I was too tensed up.  After the light pulse treatment, I was handed a mirror.  Fortunately, there was no burn or red mark.  The therapist asked if I can feel or see any difference, for which I could not really tell as all I could see were those red extraction marks.    

A smoothing mask was applied after the light pulse treatment. I was left to cool down for almost half an hour. Miraculously, after washing off the mask, my face was less red and the swell has subsided 70%.  But the marks on my forehead were rather obvious.

Throughout the facial, the therapist did not hard sell any products or make sarcastic remarks about my existing condition.  She did not talk much except telling me the step she was going to do next.  Although it was good for a detailed extraction, it might be overdone unconsciously by her, which probably caused the light pulse treatment to be more painful. 

For this type of light pulse or laser treatment, one can only see visible result after 5 or more treatments.  Perhaps Genesis is more suitable for those with little or no sensitive skin and older woman (40+) who wishes to have a more intensive treatment.  Personally, I would not take up the package which consist of standard 8 treatments.  The Genesis trial is priced at $128. Actual package price per session is much higher.

The overall experience was still a good one. My face is less clogged now.  I did sign up a normal facial package for maintaining dewy complexion.  

3D/ Creative Eyebrow Embroidery At Amy Beauty Link (Update)

My first creative eyebrow done at Amy Beauty Link was a failure.  The color faded alot to almost non existence on my right eyebrow.  Now, after the touch-up on 25 July 2014, the color is darker, but after peeling off, the stokes or lines are not defined. I know that if I go and seek an explanation, the beautician would say, the final result is subjected to each skin condition.

Although the result looks better after the touch up, I am not totally happy and satisfy with the result.  I have paid $400+ for creative, but the result is not to expectation.

3D/ Creative Eyebrow Embroidery At Amy Beauty Link

After years of drawing my eyebrows, I decided to go for 3D embroidery to get it done nicely, and to save time on drawing everyday. I zoomed down to 3 salons:

Bio-Beauty (Toa Payoh) - $480
Perfect Brow House (City Plaza) - $480
Amy Beauty Link (Far East) - $428

Bio-Beauty
www.biobeauty.com.sg
Their website states 3D Nano Korean embroidery that comes with different price range. I called up to clarify and basically they offer the followings:
Normal Colouring - $180 (they state it as 'natural embroidery')
Colouring + 3D - $380 (first half of brow is normal colouring, only end of brow is done in stroke)
3D Creative - $480 (full brow done in stroke)

I find that although their website is professionally done, at the same time, information is very misleading and confusing. They should not put the word '3D' in all their price range, and should clearly explain the difference. The word 'Korean' is just to capture young ladies' attention. There is no special difference.  The sales person or consultant who picked up the phone, will tell you to go for the $480.  Unlike what most bloggers claimed that their eyebrows were done by Irene personally, the $480 tag is not done by Irene but other beauticians. Many such blogs were sponsored review.  I was told that Irene only do those $680 & above embroidery.  If my brows are going to be done by an unknown beautician, then what is the point of going to Bio-Beauty, who pitch their advertisement on Irene?

Perfect Brow House
www.facebook.com/PerfectBrowHouse
Perfect Brow House has only 2 types of embroidery, the normal colouring and 3D creative. Price is straight forward, $480. The salon is run by the boss, Kelly, who is also the beautician doing the embroidery. I almost wanted to go there have they not shifted from Toa Payoh to City Plaza. They have many positive reviews on its FaceBook.


Amy Beauty Link
www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Beauty-Link/176013265928447?ref=stream
I chanced upon Amy Beauty while searching for the best 3D embroidery in Singapore. Many bloggers (some not sponsored) have good reviews for brows done by the beautician named Angle. Appointment can be made easily, and I asked for Angle.  She drew 2 types of brows for me to choose. Although she felt that my face suit the arched type more, she was willing to adhere to my preference for straight type. The whole procedure from drawing, numbing to actual embroidery took about 1hr 30min.  Some bloggers claimed that pain level is 2/10, but I can tell you, for first timer like myself, the pain can be 7/10 even with numbing cream. If you have sensitive skin, be prepared to bleed alot! Yes, Angle told me that I bleed very easily and alot! After the procedure, my brows were red with lines of blood stain. I was shocked and in pain. But have to bear with it. My brows look thick now, but Angle assures me that after the scar peels off, the brows will look natural. I trust her words. It will take about 1 week to see the result. Oh my.....
If you quote some bloggers' name, example Sophia Chong, you will get a discount price of $398. However, you will need to pay $30 for the scar/ healing gel. Total is $428, which is the cheapest among the 3 salons.

Please read my updated post before going to Amy Beauty Link at Far East.


Above is a non sponsored review

Spa Rael Singapore Review

Bought a Groupon voucher for a 120 min full body scrub and massage for two. Phone call to make an appointment was without hassle, even though we are using voucher.  My hubby and I booked a slot on 11 Apr, Friday, 11.30 am and requested for couple room.

Upon arrival, the receptionist greeted us and asked if we wanted green tea or ginger tea. We were asked to fill in a form, after which, we were led to the therapy room and began with the scrub.  I am relieve that the 120 min do not include irritating consultation time.

I felt that we were short-changed for the scrub, as it was not exactly 30 min. Rather, it consisted of 20 min scrub and 10 min shower time.  As there was no clock on the wall, I could not tell if it was exactly 20 min. But I felt it was shorter than that.

Although there is a Jacuzzi tub in the couple room, we did not get to soak in it, because we were only given 10 min of shower time before the massage started.  I did turn the tap on, but the hot water was not hot enough, and there wasn't enough time to fill the jacuzzi half full.  On a positive note, the couple room is very spacious.

The massage was decent. How good a spa is generally depends on how good the massage therapist is. At the end of the session, we were persuaded to sign a package.  Initially, we were offered 6 sessions at $720. We declined a few times and the sales girl allowed us to make the payment of $38 for couple room usage. At the cashier, she re-offered us a cheaper package.  We declined her offer and negotiated for a better deal that consists of 120 min instead of just 60 min. Reluctant at first, she returned after checking with her Manager, and accepted our deal.  My advise is, not to accept their initial offer, which is often high priced. If you are keen, keep negotiating for a lower package with longer treatment time.  Just pretend to walk away, and they will make a last minute offer.

We made a purchase of 4 sessions, and the sales person waived the $38 couple room charge. It is not bad a deal, considering that per session is 120 min, and the spa environment is clean, room is spacious.  There will not be any charge for couple room for future booking too.  There is no expiry date and is transferable, which means, I can bring my mother there.

Spa Rael always have promotions going on. Get a promotional price and try it yourself!

Glow Vs Raspberry Ketone Plus

The other day while browsing Qoo10 website, I was very tempted to buy the Raspberry Ketone Plus.  It is made in UK by a company called, Evolution Slimming. It is selling at a promotional price of S$29.90 for 60 softgels. This is much cheaper when compared to Glow, which is retailing at S$105 (or S$88 after store discount) for 60 softgels.

I made a comparison on the ingredients in both products, and found out that both carry the same key ingredients.  But after scrutiny, the ingredient concentration per pill differs sharply between the two products.

I have provided a screen-shot taken directly from the companies' websites.

Glow The Original Raspberry Ketone Diet

Raspberry Ketone Plus

Although the Raspberry Ketone amount in Ketone Plus (200mg in 2 pills) is higher than Glow (135mg in 2 pills), the rest of the ingredients in Glow has a higher concentration of 135-130mg compared to Ketone Plus, with concentration of only 55-50mg in 2 pills. According to Ketone Plus website, the daily recommended dose for Raspberry Ketone ingredient alone is 200mg.

In other words, one will take a longer time to see the weight loss effect. Let's do the maths:

Glow 60 pills S$88
Take 2 pills per day, 1 bottle only last for 30 days.

Ketons Plus 60 pills S$29.90
Take 2 pills per day, 1 bottle only last for 30 days.
If one buys 2 bottles to see result, it will be $$59.80 (close to $60)

On the long run, it seems that Ketone Plus is more value for money, even if one were to take about 2 months to see the result.

Although Glow claims that it is the no. 1 best selling weight-loss ingredient in US, I don't seem to find this product in US websites.  There seems to be very little or no product review on US websites. I also cannot find the company name or address who manufactured Glow.  Under the 'Contact' page, there is no phone or email address.  You can only fill in an online form to contact them.
The website is: http://glow-raspberry.com

Ketone Plus's website has proper company introduction and contact number.
The website is: http://www.evolution-slimming.com

So what is your take on these two products?