SKINCARE

Skincare Routine for the season transition

June 22, 2015

A quick skincare post for the transition season from Fall to Winter. As always moisturizing is the core of my routine. I opted for some richer face products to cater for my very dry and sensitive skin in this weather. This post only covers the basic moisturizing products that I use daily, and I combine these products with a lot of other skincare products accordingly that target at specific skin conditions such as pigmentation, brightening, anti aging etc.

La Mer The Radiant Infusion – is the most hydrating serum-like lotion I have ever used. It instantly re-hydrates and plumps up the skin upon application without the tackiness, and helps to improve the luminosity of the skin overnight. And on a lazy day, I can get away with only using this lotion as it keeps my skin supple and hydrated for many hours. Not happy that this product is being discontinued, so next on my radar is the La Mer The Treatment Lotion!

Decleor Aromessence Angelique Nourishing Serum – I am a big fan of face oil, and after trialing tons of new oils I decided to go back to the old but good Decleor. Love the pure essential oil smell, as it helps to sooth and wind down the day for me. It does a great job for moisturizing and nourishing my dry skin for the whole day with only a drop, and I wake up with a glow. If you like the foundation to appear more dewy and radiant on the skin, this oil also serves as a good base.

Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil – Every model raves about rosehip oil – often found in affordable organic beauty brands. The Trilogy oil was completely sold out in UK after The Duchess of Cambridge credited her ultra radiant complexion to this oil upon receiving a bottle during her tour to New Zealand. I am quite neutral about it, as it does help to moisturize the skin but the oil is not as finely milled as the expensive ones so it tends to sit on top of the skin. Otherwise it is a lovely and affordable oil to use for both the face and the body, and I like rubbing a thick layer on the scar areas with the use of derma roller and I have seen a great improvement.

FRESH Creme Ancienne Anti Aging Treatment – I have had the FRESH cream for over a year now and I am finally using it up! It is ultra thick, rich and heavy. It has a wax-like texture and you only need less than a pea size of this cream for the whole face. It feels a little heavy on the face, and forms an invisible barrier on the skin that traps the moisture for the whole day, and protects your skin from external hazards. This would be the perfect cream for very dry skin types, or if you live in an extreme cold weather condition. Otherwise it would be way too rich and may clog your pores. A lot of people compare this cream to the Creme de la Mer, but I personally prefer the latter for everyday use.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel (reviewed here) – This is my second tub – a multi-purpose luxurious vitamin E balm that can be mixed with other moisturizers that deeply nourishes and helps to repair the skin. It can also be used as a lip balm and mixed with other products for a makeup base. This gel is more heavy duty than the face oil, and I normally go for this one at night if I want a boost of moisture and radiance the next day.

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Labels: DECLEOR • FRESH • Jo Malone • LA MER • SKINCARE • Trilogy

Best Drugstore Hydrating and Moisturizing Face Masks – My Recommendations

April 2, 2015

I have been using face masks religiously (at least once every two days) for the past few years so I have had my fair share of them. I find that I am opting for wash-off type more frequently since I became a mum as I get really lazy at the end of the day, and sometimes I just fall asleep whilst wearing a face/sleeping mask! Here is the edition of some really affordable drugstore hydrating face masks that I would repurchase over and over.

1. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Concentrate (Asia exclusive)- This is the most refreshing, lightweight gel mask that is packed with hyaluronic acid. It is marketed as a sleeping mask, which means you can leave it on till tomorrow morning. I personally like to wash it off before I go to bed, since I find that the result is not significantly better than if I had left it on overnight. Overall the mask provides immediate hydration to the skin for up to a day, and my complexion feels more supple and plumped. I would recommend this mask to anyone who has oily, combo and normal skin but dehydrated. The texture is light enough to not cause any congestion or breakout.

2. Elizavecca Collagen Jella Pack – My absolute favorite mask. Each jar contains 50,000 mg of collagen peptide from pork rinds (not for vegans!) so it claims to provide hydration and collagen to the complexion. It has a firm jelly like texture which makes it fun to apply. It feels refreshing and non greasy, and it is more moisturizing than a typical gel/cream mask. Even during this change of season, it is nourishing enough to keep my dry skin at the bay for one to two days. Highly recommend this to all skin types. This product is parabens, mineral oil free.

3 MORITAYA Tofu Mask – This mask is extremely popular in Japan as it was constantly rated the best drugstore mask in the beauty magazines. It contains a mixture of soy based yoghurt to hydrate and brighten up the skin. The texture is like a delicious creamy yoghurt with a heavenly soy milk scent that I am obsessed with. It leaves my skin very moisturized but not greasy, soft and appears more evenly toned after each use. This is another really good value for money product that I highly recommend to anyone with all skin types.

4. NUXE Creme Fraiche 24hr Soothing and Rehydrating Fresh Mask – This is my last resort if my skin becomes very dry and irritated. It has a milky texture with a really lovely vanilla scent that feels very calming to the skin. Like most rich European masks, this one tends to leave an oily film on the skin that acts like a protective barrier. It guarantees to replenish moisture and repair my desert dry skin, but I only use this one in colder weather otherwise it would be too rich and might cause a break out.

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Labels: MASK • SKINCARE

All About Sunscreens

March 14, 2015

I have been road testing a lot of sunscreens in recent years, and in this post it covers some of my absolute favorites. As we all know, there are two different types of UVS – the UVA and UVB . What you probably aren’t aware is that UVB rays can burn the skin, whereas what we women really have to watch out for on a daily basis is the UVA rays that causes aging and pigmentation. SPF is only for blocking UVB. In most western brands, if the sunscreen also protects you from UVA it is indicated by the word “Broad Spectrum”, however how much coverage it provides is unknown. I personally prefer the Asian standard of labeling for UVA protection as it is denoted by the PA+. The more plus signs there are, the better job it does for blocking UVA which is valuable information for those who are sensitive to the sun.

1. Estee Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Brightening UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++: My top favorite and I would repurchase it over and over. It has all the protection I need, and the texture is like a lightweight gel cream that feels invisible and hydrating on the skin. It is neither greasy nor drying. And unlike other gel sunscreens, this one does not flake up and sits well under makeup. Highly recommend! (Asia version here)

2. DIOR DIORSNOW White Reveal UV Protection SPF 50 PA+++: It’s a sunscreen with moisturizing and brightening ingredients, so it doubles up as a makeup primer as it helps to brighten up and even out the skin tone. The texture feels very rich upon application – almost like a heavy moisturizer for dry skin but it absorbs into the skin after a few minutes without the oily residue, leaving your skin supple and slightly dewy. A lot of my friends who have dry skin really love this sunscreen because of the dewy finish. (Asia version here)

3. Lunasol Control Essence UV SPF34 PA+++ : It feels just as good as the Estee Lauder -very lightweight, and has a luxurious serum-like lotion texture that feels refreshing and hydrating on the skin without changing the skin color. I would rate this one as my second favorite because it has a lower SPF.

4. BECCA Mineral SPF30 Face and Body Sunscreen: This is a mineral sunscreen so it is better for sensitive as well as acne prone skin types, and more importantly, they become effective immediately upon application as opposed to the classic sunscreens that should be applied at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. The texture of this is lovely – it is creamy but non greasy, feels refreshing on the face but it might leave a white cast if your skin tone is darker than NC30.

5. ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen FACE SPF34 PA+++ – A Japanese drugstore brand and their UV CUT line that is highly raved about and just blows the western drugstore sunscreens out of the water. This is a mineral sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has a watery milky lotion texture with more than 80% moisturizing ingredients that just melts into your skin and prevents oxidization. It sets immediately to a semi-matte finish without feeling drying nor powdery. I love using this one on days I don’t wear makeup, as it is tinted with a pale beige color that makes the complexion look really fresh and clean. My top pick for an affordable sunscreen!

6. ORBIS UV Cut Sunscreen SUPER SPF50 PA++++: Offers maximum protection, and the texture is very similar to the face product without the beige tint, so it can be used for both the face and the body without leaving a white cast as it goes on invisible. Since it has the highest PA protection, it is great for prevention from being tanned.

7. Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral: Another mineral sunscreen but in powder form! I thought this is a brilliant idea as I like to re-apply sun protection every few hours without having it messing up my makeup! It applies pretty much like transparent loose powder, but the brush feels coarse and it doesn’t fit into the cap so it can get messy for carrying it around.

Swatches from left to right: Estee Lauder; Dior; Lunasol; Becca; Orbis Face; Orbis Super

slightly blended

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Labels: BECCA • DIOR • ESTEE LAUDER • LUNASOL • ORBIS • Peter Thomas Roth • SKINCARE • SUNSCREEN

Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment and Derma Skin Roller Review

February 9, 2015

I have received many compliments on how good my skin looks lately which I cannot agree more (excuse me for not being humble lol..)! One of the reasons must be the Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment. As the name suggests, this serum will help transform your skin into good skin as if you are genetically gifted! This product was definitely not on my radar, until I accidentally ran into two people who told me they were all using this serum and they all had really beautiful skin. So I purchased this one straight away, along with a face roller which is also reviewed in this post.

The Sunday Riley Treatment has a milky gel texture that feels very lightweight and absorbs into your skin immediately. Unfortunately the smell of this product is horrible (it stinks!) and it tends to linger on your skin for a short while, but I don’t really mind the natural smell of a skincare product as opposed to overly fragrant products. Like many other serums on the market, the product claims to have multiple benefits on your skin such as “radically re-plumps fine lines; creates youthful radiance and texture, and brightens“. I never believe such “miracle products” that sound too good to be true, but this product definitely proved me wrong as it delivers what it claims. Since it’s not a hydrating serum (but might be enough for those of you who have oily skin), I pair it with a rich night cream. The result is a more visibly plumped, smooth and radiant complexion overnight. I have been using this serum for about 2 months now (every morning and night), and my skin is as smooth as a baby’s bottom now, with noticeably refined texture and pore sizes. And best of all, my skin is brightened and the freckles appear to be faded. Overall I highly recommend this serum. I would say this is by far the best serum within the $100 range I have ever used. I have dry and sensitive skin, so sometimes there is a very mild sting when applying which is normal.

The ingredient list

Another favorite product of mine is the Derma Skin Roller in 0.25 mm – it’s very affordable and effective. A derma roller has very fine needles so it feels slightly prickly when you roll it over the face (but trust me it’s not painful as I have quite a low pain tolerance). What it does is that it’s tricking your skin to believe that it’s been ‘injured’ so it helps to accelerate and stimulate your skin’s natural renewal and regeneration process, as well as boosts absorption of skincare products. If you are young, forget about this tool. At my sad old age where my skin takes months to heal an acne scar, this tool is a god-send. I use this tool about three times a week after I apply the serum. I roll it over my face multiple times, particularly paying more attention to the acne marks. Over time, my skin remains looking good consistently as the regeneration is improved, whereas it used to be good and bad. The acne marks are fading at a much quicker pace, and the overall texture is improved in conjunction with the help of the Sunday Riley Treatment. I am also using this tool combined with the Kate Somerville Scar Dimishing Serum on the scars on my leg, and I am also seeing quite a great result! This tool also claims to improve firmness of the skin but I did not see this result.

I purchased my Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment from NAP which ships worldwide, and it’s also available at Sephora in the US. My derma roller is from a Korean brand which I bought off Ebay. The most well-known brand is this one available at AdoreBeauty.

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Labels: Beauty Tools • SKINCARE • Sunday Riley

November Favorites

November 30, 2014

Just in time to post my favorite products for the month of November!

Clockwise:

– Diptyque Mimosa Candle – I love the smell of Mimosa, and when this fresh and enchanting scent is packed into a candle by the magic hands of Diptyque it’s a must have for me! I have used this one for the home all year round.

– YSL Le Tient Touche Eclat Illuminating Powder Foundation (Asia exclusive, also available in Australia) – Currently obsessed with this one. I can’t stop looking at my complexion when I dust this one on top of the foundation – it makes skin look incredibly radiant and air-brushed but so natural with a decent coverage.

– YSL Touche Eclat Foundation – I thought the performance of this foundation was on the average side for me (reviewed here), however when it’s used in conjunction with the Touche Eclat Powder I am more than amazed! It is currently 20% off at YSLBeauty Online.

– Gucci Cat Eye Sunglasses (Take up to 25% off use code GOBIG)– Love the subtle cat eye shape and it is extremely lightweight so I can wear this for the whole day without leaving marks along my nose bridge!

– TATCHA Deep Hydrating Lifting Mask – A luxurious paper mask that guarantees to make your skin appear more plumped and glowy.

– Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle – Reviewed here.

– BEATS Mixr White – I cannot workout without music. So I rely on my BEATS Headphone to help me get through the sessions as I am hitting the gym more often now to get myself in shape before the holiday starts!

– Ipsa Premier Line Cleansing Creamy Paste – A gentle creamy and refreshing cleanser that I use in the morning. The texture reminds me of Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser, but 100 times more luxurious overall.

– Bobbi Brown Smokey Nudes Eye Shadow Palette – My workhorse lately (reviewed here).

– Nars Audacious Lipsticks – I reviewed Natalie here, and went back and bought the shade Grace as I just love this new formulation. They are currently 20% off at NarsCosmeticsOnline.

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Labels: BECCA • BOBBI BROWN • DIPTYQUE • IPSA • My Favorites • NARS • SKINCARE • TATCHA • YSL

Best Skincare Products for clogged pores and congested skin – My Favorite Products Edition

November 23, 2014

Calling it “I hate clogged pores with passion” is an understatment. Though this problem has become much better as I age (one perk about getting old!) as well as knowing what skincare products work for me, unfortunately every now and then my skin still ‘flares up’ with blackheads on my nose, and some congested pores on my cheeks and forehead due to stress, lack of sleep, and PMS. If that happens, I always reach for my “special skincare kit” that guarantees to clear them up within several days. These four hero products give the most effective result without irritating my sensitive skin, and are also great for prevention. They are the best ones I have used so far, so I must share!

1. Clarisonic Facial Cleansing System – I have a very detailed review here. This cleansing brush tool is great for prevention and minimizing the occurrence of clogged pores. On average I use it 3 days a week as I don’t like to over exfoliate my skin.

2. Kate Somerville Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – This is the best exfoliator for congested skin. It’s a very strong and robust product for clearing up mild cases of congested pores and smoothing skin out completely. I apply a very thin layer over the ‘rough areas’ and leave it on for a few minutes. It clears up and clarifies the congested pores by at least 50% after each use. Since it is a very intensive treatment I wouldn’t use this as my weekly exfoliator, but this is my absolute top pick for treating blackheads/whiteheads on occasions. If you have very sensitive skin you might want to start with the Gentle Exfoliating Treatment first. For daily use I recommend TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder for purifying the pores gently.

3. Shiseido Revital Retino Science AA Lotion – I bought this product because it has a small percentage of retinol which we all know is a dermatologist approved ingredient for treating enlarged pores. I don’t have much luck with retinol cream but I feel comfortable to use this gentle lotion frequently for hydrating and improving skin texture. This product is a treatment lotion that you use after cleansing, and followed up by other products. The texture is like runny gel and feels very hydrating on the skin which also helps to fight the aging signs.

4. Chanel Le Weekend Renewing Face Care – Chanel released a 3-step simplified skincare product this year. I have used all of them and decided to only repurchase this one. This product is marketed to be used on weekends only as it helps to resurface and renew the skin. I like this product because it contains glycolic acid complex (not sure the percentage but it’s the 4th ingredient) which is another star ingredient for treating congested pores, and it feels gentle enough for my skin. The texture is like a milky serum and it can be used to replace your usual serum and moisturizer. Using this one for 2 days in conjunction with the Shiseido retinol lotion definitely helps to noticeably unclog the pores, and gets you as close as possible to a poreless complexion. Note that they are not recommended to be used daily, as you don’t want your skin to be too dependent on these strong ingredients especially if you are still young.

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Labels: Beauty Tools • CHANEL • CLARISONIC • Kate Somerville • SHISEIDO • SKINCARE

TATCHA Ritual Discovery Kit for Dry Skin Review

November 15, 2014

TATCHA is one skincare brand that I have been dying to try, as I have heard nothing but great reviews about their products from the bloggers and instagrammers. When they reached out to me and asked if I was interested in trying the TATCHA Ritual Discovery Kit, I could not have been happier! After I told them my skin condition, they have recommended me the kit for Dry Skin.

My first impression when I received the kit was how beautifully crafted the paper box is, and you can definitely re-use it for storage purposes. The box contains 4 steps of skincare products.

Step 1 is the Camellia Cleansing Oil (25ml) for purification. It is possibly the best cleansing oil I have ever used. A small pump of this product completely removes every makeup trace (even waterproof makeup), and leaves my skin feeling so clean and fresh. Unlike many other cleansing oils I have used, this one is based on Camellia and Rice Bran oil (not mineral oil) that has a delicate natural smell, and it emulsifies completely so it doesn’t leave a film on the skin, yet retains the skin’s natural moisture.

Step 2 is the Rice Enzyme Powder for polishing. There are about 10 sachets included in the kit and each sachet lasts about 3 washes. It helps to exfoliate, clarify and purify the skin effectively yet in a gentle way that can be used daily. It’s a great physical exfoliator with very fine and silky rice powder that gives your skin an instant smooth feeling for all skin types including fragile/sensitive skin. My complexion appears instantly more radiant and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling taut after use.

Step 3 is the Deep Brightening Serum (10ml) for radiance. It is a very lovely brightening serum that also provides hydration to the skin. If you have pigmentation problems and your skin is too sensitive for hydroquinone, then I highly recommend you to give this gentle serum a try. I love the milky texture, and as with all TATCHA products, it feels so soothing and luxurious on the skin which just instantly lifts up my mood. It does not cause any irritation and break-out to my skin, and I wake up with noticeably more luminous skin.

Step 4 is the Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream (10ml) for suppleness. This cream smells and feels uber luxurious and nourishing. The lightweight texture gets absorbed into the skin immediately without leaving a greasy film/touch to it. As a heavy duty moisturizer it does a great job leaving my dry skin moisturized and supple for the whole day (also great under the makeup). Using this in conjunction with the brightening serum, my skin appears noticeably more smooth, radiant and plumped.

Overall the Ritual Discovery Kit allows you to get a feel for multiple TATCHA products at an affordable price (only retails for $59 at TATCHA online!). I am very pleased with my experience with the kit, as there is not a single product that I did not like. Particularly TATCHA’s signature products such as the Camellia Cleansing Oil and the Rice Enzyme Powder – you would not understand why everyone raves about them until you have tried them! I will definitely re-purchase them in full sizes. The whole kit lasts about 3-4 weeks which is also the perfect size for traveling.

You can find TATCHA at Barneys and TATCHA.com which offers worldwide shipping.

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Labels: SKINCARE • TATCHA

YSL Youth Liberator Serum and Youth Liberator Foundation Review and Swatch

November 5, 2014

I tend to buy multiple products from the same range if I like one particular product, therefore I have both the YSL Youth Liberator Serum and the YSL Youth Liberator Serum Foundation. I don’t have access to 98% of my makeup at the moment as I am currently staying at my parents place, so the delay in reviewing them. On a side note, my mere 2% of beauty products is growing at a rapid pace due to the amount of packages being delivered to this new address lol!

The YSL Youth Liberator Serum retails for US$155 in the US, and AUD$129 in Australia here. When it comes serum, I like to splurge – it’s the product that plays the utmost important role in terms of delivering the optimum result. So to me this is a mid priced range serum that is targeting at a younger age group (20-30) who doesn’t have that many aging concerns, and just starting to incorporate mild anti aging products into their skincare regime.

This serum promises to stimulate regeneration, improves skin texture and luminosity as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It has a runny oil-free lightweight elixir texture that is easily absorbed. I am almost half way through this product (I use it every morning and night), and my experience so far has been great. It hydrates, keeps your skin supple and improves absorption for other products. I have noticed it has improved the radiance and luminosity of my skin over time, as I rarely wake up with dull skin with the help of this product. It also helps the makeup to glide on effortlessly. The regeneration function of this serum is on the lower side which is what I expected to be at this price range. Unlike the regenerating serum that cost me an arm and a leg (such as this one and this one) that just transforms my skin over few days, I need to be patient with this serum to see a noticeable result for smoother texture and repairing of acne marks. Overall this is quite a good product for early anti-aging for all skin types.

There is huge buzz on skincare foundation at the moment. Every high end brand has released a new foundation that contains their prestige skincare ingredients, such as the Shiseido Future Solution Radiance Foundation , or Estee Lauder Perfectionist Foundation, and the list goes on! I for one who absolutely adore this idea – after all I have foundation on my face for at least 8 hours a day, and it’s always a bonus if it also doubles as a skincare product that protects and repairs my skin continuously.

The YSL Youth Liberator Foundation has very lightweight texture which almost feels like a gel lotion. It applies ultra smooth and silky, and melds into the skin upon application. It makes my skin appear more plumped, softer and provides a luminous satin finish that looks like your own radiance but better. The formula provides buildable sheer to medium coverage . The lasting power is about 5 to 6 hours on me, so it’s not the greatest but I don’t mind as I actually get to use my compact foundation during the day! The formula is ideal for normal to dry skin types, but if you have combo to oily skin it tends to slip and won’t last too long.

Comparing the Liberator Foundation with the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (reviewed here), I much prefer this as it works better on dry skin, provides easier application, and looks more luminous in a natural way on the skin. It photographs particularly well as it gives a soft focus finish to the complexion. As a foundation that is packed with skincare ingredients, it has certainly made my complexion appear better in general (less dull, still moisturized) after having the makeup removed compared to just having a regular foundation on.

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Labels: foundation • SKINCARE • YSL

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