27 Home Remedies for Pimples

1. Dab a little lemon juice on it. The astringent properties in lemon juice will suck out some of the oil and shrink the blemish. Wash off before going in the sun, though, as this could bleach your face and make it more sensitive to the sun.

2. A teeny, tiny clay mask will fix it. If you need clay, go here (and you need clay, I promise): Mountain Rose Herbs. So a search for “cosmetic clay” and you’ll find that an entire pound is a whopping $4.95 (you might want to order another thing or two, to make the shipping worth it). Now, once you have your clay, take 1 tsp of it and mix enough distilled water to make a thick paste. Apply it directly to the blemish and leave on as long as you’d like (at least 20 minutes or all night long). I’ve seen pimples completely disappear overnight from this. Yeah. Really.

3. Use an itsy bitsy smudge of lavender or tea tree essential oil. Again, you can purchase these things at Mountain Rose Herbs. They’re great for a whole host of different things, and they absolutely annihilate zits. Use one tiny drop of either oil on a Q-tip and rub it on the blemish. Leave on overnight.

4. Make a paste with cinnamon and honey. Use approximately 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and add to the honey. Mix to make a paste. Apply to the blemish and leave on for 20 minutes (or overnight). Zit = zapped.

5. Rub a slice of potato on them. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes, or all day.

6. Tomatoes. Tomatoes. Tomatoes. Try rinsing your pimply face with fresh tomato juice. Leave this on for an hour before washing. Or, try the Homemade Tomato Juice Peel-Off Mask!

7. Apples and honey to the rescue. Grate a small bit of apple into a fine mush and add honey to make a sticky, fruity paste. Apply to the pimples and leave on for 20 minutes. Or, do your whole face! Wash well.

8. Try the Aspirin and Honey Facial Mask. You can do your whole face, or just tiny little spots.

9. Make a tiny mask with dried calendula and castor oil. Freaky, right? Oil for a zit. But castor oil is actually drying and the calendula will soothe the redness and the surrounding skin. Calendula can be purchased at, of course, none other than Mountain Rose Herbs (links above).

10. Make ice cubes out of green tea. Just rub one of those things over the blemish area two or three times a day. Swelling will go down, skin will be soothed, and the green tea acts as an astringent.

11. Pound an orange peel. Yep. That’s right. Take a small amount of orange peel, sprinkle some water on the pith-side and pound it with a (clean) hammer or meat tenderizer for 10 seconds. Rub the peel over the pimply areas (you could even tape it there for a few minutes for extra action).

12. Dab it with strong basil tea. Boil 1 c. of water and add 1 Tbsp. dried basil leaves. Steep for 10 minutes. Strain. refrigerate until cool. Apply to the pimples (or all over your face, if it’s oily).

13. Strawberries are yummy zit zappers. In addition to whitening your teeth, strawberries are excellent for occasional pimples (or acne). Slice the top off off a strawberry (eat the fruit) and rub the small amount of flesh left at the top of the strawberry on your pimples. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse off. You can read more about strawberries and skincare here!

14. Witch hazel and a cotton ball. Or any kind of fabric, really. Just soak the fabric with some witch hazel, hold on the blemish for a minute or two. That’s it. Astringent to the rescue.

15. Concoct your own pimple cream with lanolin, glycerin, and castor oil. Just melt, on very low heat, equal parts of all three. Store in a small jar. Apply it to pimples as necessary.

16. Make a poultice with dried hibiscus. Hibiscus makes a wildly delicious tea, but it’s also very effective on blemishes. You can have it both ways with this remedy! Just steep 3 tsp. hibiscus in 2 c. water. Strain (saving the hibiscus). Add a little honey to your tea and drink up. Then take the wet hibiscus, place it in a small paper towel or piece of cheesecloth, and apply to the pimple. Hold it there for 5-10 minutes.

17. Don’t be a vampire – use garlic. I know, I know. It sounds really stinky. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. And garlic is pretty wondrous when it comes to clearing away the pimples. Peel a clove of garlic and then mush it up well with a fork. Apply the mush to your pimples and let it set for 20 minutes.

18. Spice it up with some nutmeg and cloves. Put 2 tsp. whole cloves and 1 tsp ground nutmeg in 1/4 c. milk. Heat on low for 10 minutes (careful not to scald the milk!). Allow the milk to cool. With a small washcloth or other fabric, apply the spicy milk to the pimply areas – or all over your face!

19. Splurge on some neem. Neem powder and neem oil are two magical pimple treatments, but they may be hard to find. Try Whole Foods, your local natural foods store, or Mountain Rose Herbs and pick up either one – or both. With the oil, just daub the oil directly onto the blemish. Or, with the powder, mix with a tiny amount of water or witch hazel to form a paste that you then apply to the pimply areas. Leave on all night for extra zit-busting effectiveness.

20. Rosewater and lemon juice – a fragrant remedy. If you happen to have some rosewater (if you don’t, you should get some … again, Mountain Rose Herbs or Whole Foods), take 1 tsp rosewater and 1/2 tsp lemon juice and apply to the blemishes. The rosewater will act as a calmative and helps repair the skin, while the lemon juice is astringent and drying.

21. Take your honey straight. At night, slather on a little honey over an extra-large pimple. Cover this with a bandaid, and sleep with the bandaid on. In the morning, remove the bandage, be amazed at the lack of pimple, and rinse your face well.

22. Apple Cider Vinegar. The good old standby, the liquid that does more things than Madonna (career-wise, I mean) – just dab a bit onto the affected area and let it dry. Leave it on for 20 minutes … or forever!

23. A sprig of mint’ll do you. Take one leaf from a sprig of fresh mint, rub it well between your fingers until it’s bruised. Rub the “juice” from the mint leaf over the pimple. Leave on.

24. Localized egg white mask. Just separate the yolk from the white, whip the white a time or two, and dab on to spotty areas with a Q-tip. Leave on overnight and wash well in the morning.

25. Aloe vera gel or leaf. For some time, I had an aloe vera plant in my home. Then I forgot to water it. For a month. Anyway, whenever I started to feel a pimple coming on, I’d break off a tiny bit of the leaf and rub the gel inside over it. Worked like a charm at heading off (sorry for the pun) the pimple. You don’t have to have a plant – just look for the purest aloe vera gel you can find in your local natural foods store.

26. Bruise some fresh cabbage leaves. Just mush ‘em up and rub them on the offending area. Leave the juice on for at least 30 minutes or more. Rinse off and finish with an astringent.

27. Dissolve some salt in lemon juice. If you want even MORE drying power than just straight lemon juice, try dissolving 1/2 tsp salt in 2 tsp lemon juice, rub on the zit and leave on (being aware that lemon juice is also bleaching and can cause sensitivity to the sun).

credits: crunchybetty

Labels: home remedies, pimple, skincare

Hey, Girls!

Just a quick reference. Here's a list of how long you should keep your makeup before it goes bad.

You don't wanna be putting on expired shit on your face. Things can go horribly wrong and THAT may be the reason why you're breaking out. Not 'cos of the skincare you're using.

The first thing to go is mascara which lasts three months.

Oil-Free Foundation: One Year

Cream Foundation: One Year

Concealer: 12-18 Months

Powder: 18 Months

Blush & Bronzer: 18 Months

Cream Blush: 12-18 Months

Eye shadow: 18 Months

Eyeliner: 18 Months

Liquid Eyeliner: Six Months

Lipstick/Lip Gloss: 18 Months

Lipliner: One Year

Nail Polish: One Year

Cosmetic makeup sponges should be washed after each use and thrown away after one month.


Of course, check the product itself 'cos most natural products go bad within 6 months unless there's some preservative and parabens.

There you go!

xoxo,
H.

Labels: expiry date, food tips, makeup remover

Right now, I can't be bothered with my makeup 'cos let's be honest here, makeup only looks good on skin that is good. Makeup looks best on people who use makeup because they WANT to and not because they NEED to.

There is a massive difference there.

I have to admit that I have an unshakable reliance on makeup to basically help me appear better than I usually do (which is horrible, FYI). I know I sound like I'm inviting the Pity Party but it is not an exaggeration to say that I have been on the quest for good skin even since my teens and it got far more intense as I became an adult. Especially so when you are SURROUNDED by people with great skin. That would be, a self-reference 'cos all my friends have such lovely skins. They are the infuriating type of people who can just wash their faces and look amazing. You know, the ones who can just step out of the house without makeup and look just as bit as gorgeous as when they step out with makeup.

Ohhh, yes. I know you know at least some of them.

And it's not their fault that they are blessed with great genes. They can help when it comes to helping us feel less inferior and help us find solutions to our own problematic skin. The best thing to do, I say, is to stop comparing. It's good to admire and compliment BUT NEVER compare. 'Cos that may eventually lead to depression. LOL. Acceptance would be the next step before we try to figure things out.

Indeed, I have accepted my skin and the massive changes that occurred in the past year.

I accept that my skin was not as low-maintenance as it used to be and I have to be careful (to the point of paranoia) on what I slather on my face. Upon doing this, I have been trying to find my way in the dark, with regards to my skincare routine.

It is important to stick to a routine, for us normal people as it would help with the maintenance of our skin. Of course, there is no need to stick to a routine RELIGIOUSLY. It is good to switch it up, and use different products depending on what your skin needs at that moment.

The most important step for me is Cleansing.

Cleansing is the foundation of all skincare and it is a must for everyone 'cos it takes the crap out of our faces and cleans our skin. Not just for beauty purposes but for basic hygiene. The basic is to cleanse at least once a day. Though most women do it twice. Once in the morning to get rid of all the oils we built up during our sleep and also to remove last night's products (such as moisturizers) from our faces. Second time would be at night when we remove the day's makeup. People with oilier skins might even cleanse their faces several times a day. This is fine, as long as we are using cleansers that are suitable for our specific skin types and restores the balance of our skin. Our skin should NOT feel tight or too squeaky clean after cleansing. It should feel refreshed and comfortable. Otherwise, you are NOT using cleansers that are suitable for your skin type.

I have used a BAZILLION cleansers. I have rarely ever repurchased the same cleanser, unless I am tight on money and just pick the cheapest one. And it's so hard to find the perfect cleanser that helps keep my acne at bay and cleans my skin.

Some that I have used:

Bio-Essence Deep Cleanser


This is an Asian brand, if I am not wrong and it is a very simple foam cleanser. I actually repurchased this several times 'cos my mom likes this one. And we used to share cleansers (before my skin went crazy). At the time I wasn't too bothered with ingredients. I generally prefer foaming cleansers 'cos they feel like they are REALLY cleaning my face. Scent is mild and nice and it does a good job of cleaning my face. Very basic cleanser, leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, which I used to love as teen as my face was especially oily then.

The Body Shop Seaweed cleanser


I remember buying this, thinking it would be amazing as it was pricier than the usual cleanser I used. This was when I started to get into skincare. It's supposed to be balancing for oily/combination skin like mine. It does not lather up alot, or at all. And leaves a film behind when I washed it off. Like there was some residue on my skin. I never felt completely clean using this cleanser and had to use a toner after to really make sure I got everything off my face. I did break out from using this line of products, so I can't recommend it but who knows? Skincare is a very personal thing.

Hada Labo Foaming Wash

Comes in a simple white tube. You only need a teeny tiny bit of this for it lather spectacularly into the most luxurious foam. A tube of that lasted me AGES. I bought this due to the huge Japanese Skincare phase that I had 'cos everyone was raving about this popular brand in Japan. It was pricier than the previous two cleansers, but I have to say it lasts longer. So I can justify that. It features super hyaluronic acid that helps boost moisture in the skin whilst cleaning it. I used to love this stuff. Foams amazing and didn't feel like it was TOO drying and cleaned my face well. BUT, I did experience more breakouts when I was using this entire line (I was into the whole one brand, one routine thing 'cos I always thought a product would work better with its product-buddies).

I found the entire line wayyy too rich for me. Yet I never felt truly hydrated. Or cleansed.

JUJU Aquamoist Foaming Wash

THIS is AWESOME. I really preferred this one to the previous option and I even repurchased it after running out. It did not clog my pores but instead cleaned it very well. My skin felt very comfortable after using it and it never felt too tight or 'not clean'. It has hyaluronic acid in it as well but I felt that it provided a better clean and really helped get rid of my oils and makeup, without stripping my skin. It wasn't HYDRATING as they would say. I would prefer to say that this is very gentle and effective. Also you need a TEENY bit of this to create CLOUDS literally.

Neutrogena Liquid Cleanser



Comes in a cool pump. I didn't like this one. Though it says "deep clean", it didn't really feel very clean. Leaves behind a weird feeling, like there is smth on my skin. And didn't lather well. Which I wouldn't mind if it did it's job. My complexion got really dull, but I didn't experience any weird breakouts at the time using this. At least not any more that usual, so it didn't prevent breakouts either. It's just... meh.

Olay Total Effects Foaming Cleanser

It's GREAT. Very gentle and my skin looks so clean and... bright after washing with this one. Though obviously, it didn't last long. Just in that time that I've washed it. I didn't break out. I dunno about its anti-aging claims. All I can say that it's a good standard cleanser.


SO...

AFTER ALL THAT...

My skin went crazy after this point at about the end of 2010 all the way. I got full blown acne. And was at a loss of what to use.

The BEST cleanser I found that really helped me during that time was:

Ducray Keracnyl Foaming Gel


This can be used on your face and body and is soap free. Which is FANTASTIC for my sensitive skin (before then, my skin was NOT sensitive at all) as it did not aggravate it. It cleans my skin soo soooo sooooo well without leaving it tight and uncomfortable. My skin literally was touchably smooth and silky after using this product. Absolutely amazing. This was probably the best gel/foaming cleanser I've ever used, hands down. 'Cos I could see a difference in my skin when I was using this. It helped control my breakouts too.

But thanks to a a topical cream I was given, I had really bad rashes all over my face. Being allergic or having a negative reaction to benzoyl peroxide. My face was itchy, flaky and red. IT WAS HORRIBLE.

So I had to stay away from foaming cleansers as they often contained foaming agents like Sodium Laureth Sulphate that can aggravate super sensitive skin. Thus, I was introduced to:

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Intolerant Skin


This is the weirdest thing for me. It's a gel cleanser that I rub on my face and tissue-off. As in NO WATER. I was like whuuuuutttt?! That is absolutely disgusting! How can I NOT use water?! Especially so in Singapore where it's so freakin' hot & humid. But the water actually stings my face and so I had to use this. As the name suggests, it's super gentle. I dunno how well it does at removing makeup ('cos obviously I wasn't wearing makeup when I had the rash), but it removed oil and dirt of my face very well. And I didn't break out AT ALL from using this product. Which is SUPER surprising 'cos I thought this would totally clog up my pores and be too rich for my oily skin. So, I ended liking the product more and more and CONTINUED to use it even after my rashes cleared up. And it was REALLY GREAT! So gentle and perfect for lazy days too. I just rub the product in my face and take damp cotton pads and gently wipe it off my face.

'Cos this type of cream cleanser was working well, and I had another reaction to another acne cream I used. I tried to find a more 'natural' alternative. At this point, I was trying to go into a more natural path for my skin.

Lush Ultrabland


This is an oil-cream cleanser. It's much oilier and denser in consistency as compared to the Avene one. And at first I thought it was WAY too greasy. But it did leave my skin so moist and comfortable. I found that the best way to use this product is to take a small amount and massage it into my skin. Like REALLY work it in there and then wipe it off with cotton pads that is soaked in TONER. It's like 2-in-1 step. And leaves my skin feeling so clean and not as greasy as when I just used a damp washcloth. This worked really well at calming my rashes and cleaning my skin gently. Also helped with getting rid of some of the stubborn whiteheads I had all over my forehead and chin.

My skin was in MUCH better condition when I used cream cleansers for some STRANGE reason. And I've always stayed away 'cos I thought they would break me out. 'Cos I'm oily! Turns out my skin is super dehydrated. My skin is so much more plump and firm now as compared to before.

Currently, I'm using Sukin Organics Cream Cleanser.
And I AM LOVING IT. I initially bought 'cos I can't afford the Lush Ultrabland, just way too expensive for me. And it didn't give me great results after continuous usage. Better results than using any of my previous foam cleansers though. Anyway, I think Sukin's a better fit for me 'cos it's not as rich and oily. It literally feels like moisturiser. Such a weird feeling. Gonna take me awhile to get used to this one. I've only used it for a week, so I can only review it later.

So far, I can say it smells divine. And my pores look smaller and my skin is softer. It's really lovely so far. We'll see how it goes.


AND THAT IS MY CLEANSER JOURNEY. I actually tried much more, but these are the standouts, I guess? I tried Biore, Simple, Ponds... etc. What I'm saying is, you never know until you've tried. I know it's so hard 'cos I literally am terrified that smth might set off my acne again. But the only way of learning is through experience. I would never have imagined that cream cleansers would work so well for me, until I tried them.

So there you go!

BE BRAVE.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: cleansers, review, skin diary, skincare

Why, Hellloooo there~!

I have some interesting things to share with you and also some interesting things to share about myself and my outlook for the new year.

This is of course, related to not only only beauty but health, in general. Mostly Wealth. This year, I am determined to save up for a trip and thus, would have to resolve into buying less things. Of course, this doesn't matter 'cos there are at least TEN BILLION review blogs on the net, so I am not about to make myself a guinea pig for the sake of beauty. This blog is meant for me to share the stuff I think are AWESOME with you guys. So, I will be cutting down on my expenditure (hopefully) this year and really, only purchase things after I've done enough research and having put much thought into it.

'Cos I'm gonna be tight on cash. I have to cut out afew of my stable products which are quite expensive. Also another reason is 'cos I am trying to go to the natural route where it comes to skincare and haircare and food, etc. NO, I am not turning into a hippie. And you won't catch me turning into a Vegan. I don't think I have the will power and capacity to, to be honest. BUT I will try my best to find more natural options to certain things that I use. If it's not natural, then just CHEAPER options that won't blow a hole in my wallet everytime I purchase it.

THIS has lead me into doing some D.I.Y things for my face and hair. Which I have NEVER EVER EVER in my entire life would imagine myself doing. Honestly, I am all about the chemicals. 'Cos natural doesn't mean beneficial. Poison Ivy is NATURAL but that stuff is horrible for your skin. And certain safe, FDA approved chemicals work so much better than their 'natural' counterparts. So, I am still a big believer is chemicals and drugs. But only the beneficial ones. Hence, I will definitely be posting regularly on this blog about certain information I've learnt about certain ingredients and stuff so that I can share this precious knowledge and we can ALL lead healthier lives and be more beautiful the right way.

Also, the D.I.Y stuff is so much cheaper and easier for me as the local grocery store (Fair Price) is just 5 mins away from where I live and most of the ingredients are in my kitchen anyway. I will be trying them out and seeing if they actually do something or they are flops. 'Cos I am SO skeptical about these things.

I'm gonna post some recipes that work for me. If there are any, which I'm sure there will be.

I am also open to new product recommendations which cost less but work great. We should ALL share this. And also share great companies that provides us with great products.

Here's an interesting thing I learnt. Apparently, LEAD is legitly in the lipsticks that we use. *gasp* I am instantly horrified by this as I personally own TONS of lipsticks. I don't really bother too much about harmful substances but when I found out that Lead can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression, I freaked out. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. THIS STUFF IS NO JOKE.

Shockingly, it can be found in most lipsticks (after tests run by FDA) even high-end ones like Dior. =( And what's worse is that the amount has been increasing. It increased about 4 times since 2007 from 0.09 to 3.06 ppm of lead in each tube. HOLY SHIT. Here's the important part: Products or lipsticks you should AVOID

"FDA found the highest lead levels in lipsticks made by three manufacturers: Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal, Body Shop and Maybelline brands) and Revlon. Yet FDA has thus far failed to take action to protect consumers." (The highest amount being found generally in CoverGirl lipsticks, Cover Girl Incrediful Lip Color)

THAT IS LIKE EVERY BRAND I KNOW. =( =( OH MANNN~



Some tips:

1. Avoid the brands mentioned until new reports are released saying that they are safe. Well, I will let you know 'cos I'm really sad about this.

2. Cut down your use of lipsticks. I know this is hard, but we are less likely to be harmed if we put on our favourite lipsticks on special occasions, once in a while. Rather than everyday.

3. Don't lick your lips when you have lipstick on

4. Use tinted lipbalms if you want added colour. There are so many great balms that provide great pigmentation that are all natural.

5. Remember to remove all traces of lipstick at the end of the day.

Well, I hope that helps.

I will leave you guys with this SUPER COOL and informative video I found about cosmetics. PLEASE WATCH IT. It's really awesome. =)





xoxo,
H.

credits: http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223

Labels: cosmetics, health, lead poisoning, lipstick, useful info

Why, hello, there~ It's my first post of 2012.

Another year of blogging (irregularly) ahead. Another year to get through. Gosh, I am such a ball of sunshine, aren't I? LOL. Excuse my cynicism. I am just not your "Happy New Year" kind of gal. I know people get pretty excited about new years and make resolutions and stuff. But I feel no different today than I did yesterday, eventhough I essentially leapt through time and the earth has just completed it cycle around the sun. Resolutions made today are just as importnt as resolutions made at any time of the year. Honestly, don't get what's so amazing about a new year. Only that I am so happy that 2011 is over. Horrible year. cannot even think of many fond memories made and tons of crap generally happened so I dunno to what extrent 2012 will suck or NOT-suck. We'll just have to see, shall we? But it has not started well.

I thought I would do a post of the stuff that I actually liked from the previous year. I know I never actually done this before but I've watched afew "Best of 2011" videos and really got me thinking about the stuff I enjoyed that year. Just wanted to list them down. This will be a mix of products I've used and also some random stuff.

Let's jump (in no particular order):

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 movie


OMG. Another reason why 2011 sucked. 'Cos it officially marked the end of my childhood. Not only is my favourite series of ALL TIME officially over with no more movies (or anything) to look forward to, but it perfectly coincided with me turning 21. Which is just a kick in the butt out of the bubble of my youth and into adulthood. Besides that horrifying fact, I enjoyed the movie IMMENSELY. I know people were whining about the movie and nit-picking everything. It's not perfect but it's pretty hard to meet everyone's soaring standard of perfection for such a beloved book. So I think they did a great job. I was on the edge of my seat and I really enjoyed the entire movie. I only wished that they made Snape's part alot more comprehensive, but otherwise it's great and a good memory of 2012.

2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver


(I have to consciously stop myself from beginning every paragraph with OMG) This is hands down my FAVE book of 2011. And trust me, I read TONS that year. TONS TONS TONS. I have always been a bookworm (just not that vocal about it). BUT THIS BOOK IS ... AMAZING. Gosh, I don't think I can recommend it enough. It's about a world where Love is considered a disease and they have found a cure for it. At a certain age, every one has to undergo a procedure where they will be cured of Love and the story follows a girl who at first was scared of love and then realized the flaws of the world around her. It's so fantastically written. So many phrases struck chords in my heart and I love the quotes that start each chapter. The world that she created seemed so believable and convincing. Most of all, this book made me TEAR UP in PUBLIC (when I made the mistake of reading it on the train). I'm not the most emotional person, I can definitely control it. But this one totally caught me off-guard at how beautiful she worded the events. YOU GUYS NEED TO READ THIS ONE. I'm looking forward to the sequel which will be out this year, if I'm not wrong. YAY~

3. Goodreads

This is a website I found while browsing and looking for some new books to read. It's a site for book lovers where you make an account and you can review books and read other people's recommendations. You can also contact the authors themselves as lots of authors have their own accounts on the site. Basically a social networking site for nerds like me. I made an account on a whim and have been LOVING it so much. It may come as a surprise for those who don't know me or have seen my room (which is FILLED with books, every since I was young). Everyone kept asking me what is up with my reading kick recently. But it's not a recent phenomenon. I have been reading, just that I haven't been blogging about it or buying much 'cos I usually read from ebooks online. It's only after getting into this website that I started reviewing the books I read, which I found SUCH JOY in. I know no one actually reads my reviews, but it's just nice for myself to reflect on the stories that I read more deeply and actually pen down my thoughts on them. So I can just look back on all the stuff I read.

OH, but one of the highlights of this year was when one of my fave authors, Daisy Goodwin, tweeted my review on her book and even contacted me saying that she's glad I enjoyed it. =)

3. Youtube

I never really got into youtube until 2011. And holy shit. I don't even watch TV anymore. I've subscribed to SO MANY channels and I always have something new to watch. I mostly subscribe to beauty channels and booktubers. So I always know about the latest books and new products regarding skincare and makeup. Also, it's a great community where you can comment and chat. I think I might die without youtube. It got through so much crap last year.

4. Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care

One of the best finds of 2011 for me. 201 was a horrible year for me, skin-wise. I had to go to the doctor for it several times and now have to deal with acne and sensitivity issues. But this moisturiser is literally HOLY GRAIL status for me. It's so so light and sinks into my skin in seconds while keeping it soft and hydrated. Plus it smells HEAVENLY. It's the only one that I bothered repurchasing. It claims to help fight acne, but I think it was my oral medication that helped clear up my skin. What I do know is that it doesn't break me out (which is GREAT 'cos so many other products do) and I don't get any rashes from it or allergies, which I often get. I really don't think I will change, eventhough I know that the ingredients aren't exactly the best and that it's parent company is L'oreal.

5. Michelle Nail Polishes


I found this shop that suddenly started selling nail polishes in 2011 and am extremely impressed with their line. You can find them at cineleisure and I'm sure almost every girl in Singapore knows about this. They sells dirt cheap polishes with an impressive array of colours that they constantly change up. At only 2 bucks a bottle, I have accumulated quite a collection of their polishes this year (I LOVE nail polishes). They are guilt-free purchases with great value for me considering the amount of product you get. Plus they go on smoothly (much better than face shop polishes) and opaque after two coats, which is GREAT!

6. Seche Vite Fast-dry Topcoat


I cannot go on without mentioning this topcoat. I only started using topcoat in 2011 and am amazed at the difference it made to my nails. Not only does it leave my self-done manicures looking glossy and totally professional, it DRIES INSTANTLY. So it essentially cut down my nail polish application process. Also, my nails go completely UNCHIPPED for WEEKS. So I can literally keep my polish on the entire week before it starts showing signs of wearing (usually at the tips). Perfect for busy weeks where I can't be bothered with doing my nails every other day.

7. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in 'Celeb City'




THE BEST NAIL POLISH OF THE YEAR. Probably EVER. I might wear this for months and months. I always fall in love with many different polish shades but I get tired of them really quickly and usually change it up after a few days. But I've been obsessed with trying to find a foil polish for AGES and was looking into getting OPI's Designer De-better before I laid eyes on this one. And it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I have been wearing this polish for a month now and I'm still in love with it. Words cannot explain how happy I get when I gaze at my nails when I have this on. They go with anything and they literally look like a layer of crushed diamonds and white gold on my nails. They don't have that grey cast that most silver polishes have and are attention-grabbing while still being chic. The wear is AMAZING, very opaque and shiny after 2 coats and last FOR-EVAH with a topcoat on 'cos it's such a thin formula.

This is ME in nail polish bottle.

8. Lanvin 'Marry Me!' Eau De Parfum
This gave my signature scent of Davidoff Cool Water a run for its money. I've been really into scents in the year 2011 and finally invested in another perfume after using my Davidoff for YEARS. I really fell in love with this scent. I just felt like a needed a PROPER perfume that is girly but still me ('cos I tend to go for manlier scents). THIS SMELLS SOOO GOOD. It smells really floral with a hit of jasmine and dries down to a subtle fruitier smell. It's very young and I always feel so pretty when I spray this on. It's so light and sweet.

Top Notes: The composition is based on luminous tonic mixed of bitter Tunisian orange and sensual essences of Sambac jasmine. This surprising combination is wrapped in sweet zest of peach and sophisticated jasmine tea aromas.

Heart Notes: A sensual heart is painted with jasmine enhanced with magnolia blossom and romantic, non-chalant rose petals.

Base Notes: Union of white flowers and fruit zest melts in juiciness and warmth of powerful hot amber and musky trail.

9. Bourjois Mascaras


I have discovered this in the year 2011 and I dun think I will be using any other brand after discovering this one. Their mascaras are AMAZING. AMAZING. I have really pathetic lashes and I usually use brown Covergirl mascaras 'cos I was more into "natural" looks when I was younger but in 2011, I've been wanting really dramatic black and thick lashes. But it's really hard to achieve that with my sorry lashes. Most formulas make my lashes brittle and flake. Their line of mascaras are as good as high-end ones and are great for contact lens wearers with sensitive eyes. I especially love their Volume Glamour Ultra Care mascara which instantly thickens my lashes. THEY ARE AMAZING. Better than anything I have tried from Maybelline, L'oreal, etc.

10. L'oreal Super Liner Liquid Eyeliner


BEST EYELINER I HAVE EVER USED. Period. It even made me stop using my Maybelline Eye Studio Gel liner (which was my love for years). So I KID YOU NOT. Easy to use, lasts ALL DAY. It one of my fave finds of 2011.

11. Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment


I know I've talked about this 2309480394802394 times. It's just so freakin' good. On to my third tube of it already and I use it every night without fail. Heaven sent for my INCREDIBLY dry lips. (It's like the freakin' desert without this stuff)

12. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


One of the best series I have come upon in 2011. So awesome that it is being made into a movie that will be out this year, if I am not wrong. But GOSH, SO action-packed and just fan-freakin'-tastic. It's about a dystopian world that is divided into different districts and each one has to send a boy and a girl to compete in the Hunger Games each other where they have to kill each other for the viewing pleasure of the Capitol. Sounds like Battle Royale, but it's really so much more than gruesome deaths. I don't really like a lot of series, besides harry potter, but this one is FAB.

Also, I AM SO IN LOVE WITH PEETA.

13. Sarah Dessen's books


ALL HER BOOKS in general. I have read a TON of her books in 2011. And they are all so so so good. They are perfect light reads for when I just wanna pass time but they pack a punch 'cos I always end up so emotionally invested in the characters. There is a perfect blend of romance, teen issues and general life lessons in her stories that really leaves me in thought long after the book ends. I've accumulated quite a collection of her books in just one year so I highly recommend picking it up.

14. Mc Cafe


HAHA! Okay, I cannot not include this 'cos it literally brings me comfort even on my lousiest days. I LOVE my coffee and teas. But as much I love Starbucks coffee and Coffee Bean's teas (LOL, what irony), they are certainly luxury items for me. And I consume so much coffee I would just be broke if I continued to buy from them. So, I have been loving McCafe's coffees and teas instead which are half the price of Starbucks and equal in quality and taste (sometimes better). You get such a generous amount for 4 bucks or less and you have a wide selection. My favourite is the 'Himalayan Tea Latte' which is just cinnamon-y goodness in a cup and their 'Caramel Macchiato'. IT IS SERIOUSLY GOOD. I doubt I will ever be willing to splurge so much on starbucks anymore to be honest.

15. La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Mist


This just sounds like water in an aerosol bottle and sounds pretty stupid for me to spend 10 bucks on it. But I bought it one day when I needed some immediate relief (this was when my skin was going through a very rough patch) and was surprised at what a difference it made. It INSTANTLY calmed my redness and blotchiness that I get often and soothes my skin so that it's more well-behaved. I've since then tried the Vichy one and the Avene one but THIS IS THE BEST. The others just felt and worked like regular water. This one is really a life saver especially when I'm outside and my skin starts feeling irritated.

16. Reed Diffusers and Scented Candles
I never really bothered with this until 2011 when I went through a scent-frenzy. I was just obsessed with smells. I think 'cos smelling something nice really puts me in a better mood and I've been in a foul mood throughout most of 2011. The scents help me stay happy. I love entering my room and getting a whiff of my favourite room scent. I also cleaned up my room SIGNIFICANTLY in 2011. I got into a bit of a cleaning kick and arranged my stuff and started putting up actual SHELVES for my books. Anyway, I realize that I should make my home nicer since I always come back to it after a long day. So I've been obsessed with home scents. My fave is the scented candle my sis got me when she was in australia - Ginger Spice and Cinnamon. OMG. HEAVENLY.

17. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution


BEST MAKEUP REMOVER EVER. Nothing beats this stuff. Gets rid of all my makeup so gently and doesn't irritate my skin like all the other ones did. I cannot stress how incredibly sensitive my skin is. I get red from just BLOTTING my face. So this is a BLESSING 'cos it literally feels like water. It's a cleansing water and it's amazing. I'm so glad I found out about this.

18. Gossip Girl TV series

OBVIOUSLY. This is self-explanatory. My obsession with this show continuous as long as this show keeps running. But in 2011 in particular, it was practically my reason for living and the only thing I look forward to in the week. Dunno what I'd do without this.

19. New Girl TV series


I HAVE FOUND MY NEW FRIENDS. And by Friends I mean the Sitcom. I LOVE THIS SHOW and it's absolute genius. I have never laughed so hard in my life. I love all the characters. It just seriously reminds me of Friends. I love it so much! And Schmidt is the best. He just cracks me up all the time.

20. Clinique Airbrush Concealer

I have never really been so into concealers until 2011 'cos of my skin issues. I usually just wear powder and it will already cover all my problems. But with my acne (which I now have scars), I will not leave the house without popping at least some concealer, even on bare face. This one is THE BEST for me 'cos I can't deal with the tougher, more cakey ones. I found out about this through Lisa Eldridge's videos. This one's liquid but gives great coverage if you apply in thin layers. Plus it merges completely into my skin and covers up all my blemishes and spots. And I can use it all over my face, under my eyes to cover dark circles and on my scars and blemishes so that I can cheat everyone into thinking that I have okay-skin. LOL!


Well, there you go. A couple of great finds for me in 2011 which I will continue to use this year as well. I know I should be reminiscing about actual moments in my life but these are much better.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: best of 2011

Empties~!

Okay, it seems really befitting that at the end of 2011, I pumped my final pump of my fave moisturiser 'Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care'. GOSH, that was a mouthful. Thankfully, I bought a back-up of it a few months ago so I do not have to go without it. And this just proves how much I love this stuff.

Honestly, I never really bothered with moisturisers 'cos I thought with my super oily skin I can't afford to slather more stuff on my face. But mid this year, my skin took a turn for the worse and I developed adult acne. In my desperation to get rid of it, I bought the entire Vichy Normaderm line. ALL OF IT. And I did see some great results at first, before finding out some things that did not work well with my skin and some that did. The TWO things from the line that I highly recommend and have REPURCHASED (trust me, this is BIG 'cos I hardly EVER repurchase anything. I always try out new stuff 'cos I get bored of it) are the 'Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care' and the 'Vichy Normaderm Imperfection Prone Skin Lotion' (no alcohol). The former is a light moisturiser and the latter is a toner.

One thing to keep in mind is that the toner is different from the one usually advertised, which is the 3-in-1 Unclogging Purifying Toner. That one has alcohol and salicylic acid to help fight breakouts. I prefer the one with NO ALCOHOL, as it is more gentle on my skin, seeing as I use toner everyday, twice a day. Also, 'cos I have ridiculously sensitive skin, this was a much better option.



The moisturiser is really up there in my Holy Grail status. It's absolutely amazing. This is advertised to be suitable for sensitive skins and it has definitely not broken me out, in fact, I would go so far to say that it helped with my skin significantly. Not so much in the frequency of breakouts, but in the general texture of my skin. The best part about this moisturiser is how incredibly light it is. It feels like NOTHING on my skin but STILL hydrating it. My skin just feels so much more comfortable after I've put it on. OH BEAR IN MIND THOUGH: I have Dry/combination/acne-prone/sensitive skin. So, in general, my skin appreciates the moisture.

It's main active ingredients that it claims to help fight acne (while moisturising) are...

30.14% Lipo-HydroxyAcid (LHA): A patented molecule derived from L’Oréalresearch, LHA acts on the surfaceby gently exfoliating the skin to eliminate imperfections.

0.5% Salicylic acid: A benchmark molecule in dermatology, this powerful exfoliantloosens the cells accumulated in the sebum duct, unclogging the obstructed pores.

0.175% Glycolic acid: Small in size, glycolic acid penetrates deeper into the skin to target the pores, causing exfoliation and stimulating cellular renewal.

Silica: Selected for its ability to absorb sebum.
And a new generation of structuring gelling agents (sodium polyacrylateand derivatives) with 2% increase in glycerin to provide comfort and 24-hour intense hydration to the skin.

This product is definitely not 'natural' and is chock-full of silica. And i can feel this 'cos once I've slathered this on my skin, it sinks into it and is absorbed while leaving it EXTREMELY smooth to touch. THIS is the silica at work. It's not that my skin amazingly became that smooth, but it helps reduce pores and sebum, while creating a better texture of the skin after application. WHICH MEANS, it is perfect under makeup. PERFECT. You don't even need extra primers 'cos this works similar to one. The con would be the pro as well. 'Cos it is packed with silica, it might clog pores for those with extremely acne prone skin. But generally, it leaves your skin feeling really soft and matte. It is very mattifying, a PLUS in my book as many other moisturisers leave me greasy within minutes.

The other ingredients also help with acne. Mostly in the sense that it helps reduce redness and inflammation. This was what I noticed most about this product. It won't GET RID of your acne but it will help it in it's healing process and prevent it with the anti-bacterial properties of salicylic acid and prevent too much dead skin cells from clogging your pores with glycolic acid.

OH!! And THIS STUFF SMELLS DIVINE~!!! Both the toner and the moisturiser have a clean floral scent that I WISH could be turned into a perfume 'cos I would totally wear it. I am so in love with the smell. It is not over-powering for me. But it is definitely more scented than some of the previous skincare I've used, so HEADS UP to those who are sensitive to perfumes. Overall, this is the PERFECT moisturiser for those with oilier skins (but still need the hydration) and for the hot tropical climate where I live in.


The TONER is really really gentle. I can use it in abundance without having my skin feel tight and uncomfortable. It helps remove any excess dirt or cleanser left on my face and preps it for the moisturiser afterwards. Although I know that toners are not essential steps in a skincare regime, and that they are essentially ways for beuaty companies to suck more money out of you, I do believe that this product was beneficial to my skin. It claims to reduce pores, reduce redness and fight acne. I think it does help fight acne but not in its ingredients but in the fact that with this extra step, my skin will be THOROUGHLY clean. That prevents the likelihood of pore-cloggings, reducing the breakouts. Also, this contains some salicylic acid (but not such a significant amount so I dunno if it really helps). I am just thankful for it's fresh scent and gentle formula (no alcohol) thus it doesn't strip my skin of its moisture but instead helps replenish some of it (as it contains water and glycerin).

I think this stuff is GREAT! It truly cleanses and cleans. My pores are not drastically reduced but the texture or skin has generally improved through the usage of both this products.

Do I recommend them? YES DEFINITELY. Vichy is a reputable european brand with reasonable prices. The moisturiser costs SGD$39 for a 50ml bottle (with a handy pump) and the toner costs SGD$32 for a 200ml bottle. Abit of a splurge at first but the moisturise lasts SUPER LONG, about 8 months (with daily usage, mostly once a day. You only need half a pump for the whole face). The toner runs out more quickly, about 3 months? Depending how much I use it.

Will I repurchase? YES. I already have. LOL! BUT I probably won't repurchase the toner again simply 'cos I think it is too pricey for how long it lasts. Plus, it's not exactly irreplaceable. Also, I'm trying to switch to more natural, organic products that are more environmentally friendly. Gradually. So, I'm probably gonna be switching to Witch Hazel Toner. Also, Vichy's owned by L'oreal (so you may find some good dupes there) and they test on animals and are not exactly well-known for using the 'purest/best' ingredients.

STILL, it will be difficult to find a replacement for my Tri-Active Hydrating Care Moisturiser 'cos it is just THAT amazing.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: acne, moisturiser, skincare, toner, vichy normaderm

Hello, everyone!

I know that I have been gone a pretty long time. Well, not massively long but I haven't been blogging as much. And I could say that it's 'cos of Christmas and blah-blah but to be honest, I've just been feeling a tad bit lousy lately. I think this happens every year around this time, when I know that an entire year is over and I have another year to get through. Obviously, I am not the most optimistic of persons. Also, 'cos I'm kinda broke, I haven't been buying tons of new things eventhough there are really loads of cool Christmas gift sets and sales. Especially now since it's boxing day.

BUT I did wanna get some stuff for the new year. So, my main purchase was a bag that I LOVE soo soo much! It's my first ever structured tote bag (like those that you hang on your forearm, at the nooks of your elbows). I usually go for large bags that can carry 20397432809748937 things 'cos I just think it's more practical and I also go for bagpacks in general. I guess, I am not very grown-up, but this is my first 'woman' bag and I loveee it. It's so me. In the sense that it is unique and not completely girly. 'Cos my sense of style is more geared towards the men's section. I tend to wear guys clothing more often than not and have them really loose. At first it was to hide my body, but now I just find them comfy. So I stuck to them. I fell in love with the tribal printing and the fabric/canvas (I love fabric bags and leather). It's my large purchase of the month and my splurge.

Then after that I went out quite a few times with Keetha to just chill and check things out at town. I didn't get much but my stellar buy for this season would have to be my Burt's Bees Simply Shimmer Lipshimmer set. I was debating over this one and the one with the tinted lipbalm. But I decided to get this one 'cos it has more colour anyway. Plus, I already have my tinted lipbalm with the Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose. =) These things are awesome! I am so in love with them. However, I must say that they are not moisturising enough for my pathetically dry lips. I do sometimes have to apply a layer of my Dr Lipp Nipple Cream for Lips balm (which is essentially pure lanolin) before applying this on top. But on days when my lips are not too bad, these balm are sufficient to be used the whole day.


The BEST part about these balms are their colour pay off. I just HATE tinted lip balms that essentially is just your lip colour. Might as well make do with an ultra moisturising clear one. The Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers are definitely pigmented stuff. Especially the darker coloured ones, they can practically be a lip color in itself and worn completely alone. My fave is 'Fig', which is a DEEP maroon colour. OMG, it looks amazing. And the other two that i got are pretty cool. 'Peony' is a slightly pinker, deeper shade of my own lip colour with flecks of gold shimmer. So, it's perfect for a subtle, yet put-together lip look. I also got 'Champagne' which is an iridescent silver and pink shimmer. A great alternative to lipgloss, which can be very messy and gloppy. This just gives your lips a sheen of shimmer, while moisturising it.

This STUFF IS GREAT! But my only complaint is the excessively minty sensation it gives upon applying it to your lips. It tingles... for HOURS. LOL! What I meant was, the sensation lasts a long time, probably about half an hour. So, it's not good when you have ulcers 'cos that will STING LIKE A MOTHER-. But I know that it's quite nice after awhile, when you get used to it. It definitely tingles more than Carmex and Mint Chapstick.

This stuff wears well and does not leave my lips feeling more dry than before I put them on and I really appreciate that seeing as I constantly get sores and cuts of my lips due to the dryness. I am not a huge fan of the Burt's Bees Tinted lip balms but I am of their lip shimmers 'cos of the impressive pigmentation they have.

They are pretty pricey though. They are sold at Sephora for SGD$15 per tube. So I'm extremely grateful that I got the set.

Okay, I was gonna talk more about what I got but this might be a super long post. So I'm just gonna talk about something that I am completely OBSESSED about this past month of December and I can't BELIEVE I never found this before. I'm a lotion-body-butter-girl. I always put it on after a shower or before I go to bed or anytime I feel my skin is starting to turn scaly from dryness. But I always found it a chore last time. Now, I realized that when the stuff smells good, I will be much more motivated to slather it on. Right now, I am so IMPRESSED by Vaseline Total Moisture Body Lotion. SOOOO impressed. It boasts 24-hour nourishment and moisture, and I gotta say that it delivers. But most importantly, it SMELLS DIVINE. D-I-V-I-N-E~!!!


Oh my lordy, I am so obsessed by the smells that I probably would go out and collect all the scents but currently, I am in love with 'Cocoa Glow', which smells like CHOCOLATE. I swear. Well, to be fair, it smells like chocolate when you slather it on and then it dries down to a sweeter, vanilla caramel sort of smell. Which to me, is still awesome. I don't recommend putting this on when you have a headache though. The sweet smell will seriously make it about 60 times worse. But on cold rainy days or just before bed, I LOVE smelling sweet and almost candy-like. The scent lingers for about 2 hours (if you're not sweating and stuff) so it is not a potent as Bodyshop Body Butters. That stuff is potent, man. I can smell myself hours later and still get whiffs of the body butter. But keep in mind that this is a lotion and it is a FRACTION of the costs of bodyshop's body butters.

It retails for SGD$5.90 for a 250ml bottle. That's a substantial amount that has lasted me more than a month. And I usually apply it about twice a day all over my body. My skin has never felt sooooo smooth. This seriously does the job that any body butter would do but without the greasy feeling. It is absorbed into my skin INSTANTLY and keep it soft and silky the whole day. I never feel the tightness that I used to feel especially on my legs. GOSH, I am so impressed with Vaseline lotions right now. I'm probably gonna buy their hand lotion as well. Though I doubt it would smell as good as this one. Their Aloe Fresh lotion and the Oats one smells EQUALLY AMAZING.

I know I am getting overly excited over lotions but they really smell so great and I usually have bad luck with Drugstore lotions *cough*Neutrogena/Jergens*cough*. They just smell really synthetic and tend to sit on top of my skin. Which is why I have been splurging on more expensive ones. NOW I DON'T HAVE TO ANYMORE. And still enjoy my Lotion Time. =D

xoxo,
H.

Labels: burt's bees, lip shimmers, lotion, vaseline total moisture

27 Home Remedies for Pimples

1. Dab a little lemon juice on it. The astringent properties in lemon juice will suck out some of the oil and shrink the blemish. Wash off before going in the sun, though, as this could bleach your face and make it more sensitive to the sun.

2. A teeny, tiny clay mask will fix it. If you need clay, go here (and you need clay, I promise): Mountain Rose Herbs. So a search for “cosmetic clay” and you’ll find that an entire pound is a whopping $4.95 (you might want to order another thing or two, to make the shipping worth it). Now, once you have your clay, take 1 tsp of it and mix enough distilled water to make a thick paste. Apply it directly to the blemish and leave on as long as you’d like (at least 20 minutes or all night long). I’ve seen pimples completely disappear overnight from this. Yeah. Really.

3. Use an itsy bitsy smudge of lavender or tea tree essential oil. Again, you can purchase these things at Mountain Rose Herbs. They’re great for a whole host of different things, and they absolutely annihilate zits. Use one tiny drop of either oil on a Q-tip and rub it on the blemish. Leave on overnight.

4. Make a paste with cinnamon and honey. Use approximately 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and add to the honey. Mix to make a paste. Apply to the blemish and leave on for 20 minutes (or overnight). Zit = zapped.

5. Rub a slice of potato on them. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes, or all day.

6. Tomatoes. Tomatoes. Tomatoes. Try rinsing your pimply face with fresh tomato juice. Leave this on for an hour before washing. Or, try the Homemade Tomato Juice Peel-Off Mask!

7. Apples and honey to the rescue. Grate a small bit of apple into a fine mush and add honey to make a sticky, fruity paste. Apply to the pimples and leave on for 20 minutes. Or, do your whole face! Wash well.

8. Try the Aspirin and Honey Facial Mask. You can do your whole face, or just tiny little spots.

9. Make a tiny mask with dried calendula and castor oil. Freaky, right? Oil for a zit. But castor oil is actually drying and the calendula will soothe the redness and the surrounding skin. Calendula can be purchased at, of course, none other than Mountain Rose Herbs (links above).

10. Make ice cubes out of green tea. Just rub one of those things over the blemish area two or three times a day. Swelling will go down, skin will be soothed, and the green tea acts as an astringent.

11. Pound an orange peel. Yep. That’s right. Take a small amount of orange peel, sprinkle some water on the pith-side and pound it with a (clean) hammer or meat tenderizer for 10 seconds. Rub the peel over the pimply areas (you could even tape it there for a few minutes for extra action).

12. Dab it with strong basil tea. Boil 1 c. of water and add 1 Tbsp. dried basil leaves. Steep for 10 minutes. Strain. refrigerate until cool. Apply to the pimples (or all over your face, if it’s oily).

13. Strawberries are yummy zit zappers. In addition to whitening your teeth, strawberries are excellent for occasional pimples (or acne). Slice the top off off a strawberry (eat the fruit) and rub the small amount of flesh left at the top of the strawberry on your pimples. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse off. You can read more about strawberries and skincare here!

14. Witch hazel and a cotton ball. Or any kind of fabric, really. Just soak the fabric with some witch hazel, hold on the blemish for a minute or two. That’s it. Astringent to the rescue.

15. Concoct your own pimple cream with lanolin, glycerin, and castor oil. Just melt, on very low heat, equal parts of all three. Store in a small jar. Apply it to pimples as necessary.

16. Make a poultice with dried hibiscus. Hibiscus makes a wildly delicious tea, but it’s also very effective on blemishes. You can have it both ways with this remedy! Just steep 3 tsp. hibiscus in 2 c. water. Strain (saving the hibiscus). Add a little honey to your tea and drink up. Then take the wet hibiscus, place it in a small paper towel or piece of cheesecloth, and apply to the pimple. Hold it there for 5-10 minutes.

17. Don’t be a vampire – use garlic. I know, I know. It sounds really stinky. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. And garlic is pretty wondrous when it comes to clearing away the pimples. Peel a clove of garlic and then mush it up well with a fork. Apply the mush to your pimples and let it set for 20 minutes.

18. Spice it up with some nutmeg and cloves. Put 2 tsp. whole cloves and 1 tsp ground nutmeg in 1/4 c. milk. Heat on low for 10 minutes (careful not to scald the milk!). Allow the milk to cool. With a small washcloth or other fabric, apply the spicy milk to the pimply areas – or all over your face!

19. Splurge on some neem. Neem powder and neem oil are two magical pimple treatments, but they may be hard to find. Try Whole Foods, your local natural foods store, or Mountain Rose Herbs and pick up either one – or both. With the oil, just daub the oil directly onto the blemish. Or, with the powder, mix with a tiny amount of water or witch hazel to form a paste that you then apply to the pimply areas. Leave on all night for extra zit-busting effectiveness.

20. Rosewater and lemon juice – a fragrant remedy. If you happen to have some rosewater (if you don’t, you should get some … again, Mountain Rose Herbs or Whole Foods), take 1 tsp rosewater and 1/2 tsp lemon juice and apply to the blemishes. The rosewater will act as a calmative and helps repair the skin, while the lemon juice is astringent and drying.

21. Take your honey straight. At night, slather on a little honey over an extra-large pimple. Cover this with a bandaid, and sleep with the bandaid on. In the morning, remove the bandage, be amazed at the lack of pimple, and rinse your face well.

22. Apple Cider Vinegar. The good old standby, the liquid that does more things than Madonna (career-wise, I mean) – just dab a bit onto the affected area and let it dry. Leave it on for 20 minutes … or forever!

23. A sprig of mint’ll do you. Take one leaf from a sprig of fresh mint, rub it well between your fingers until it’s bruised. Rub the “juice” from the mint leaf over the pimple. Leave on.

24. Localized egg white mask. Just separate the yolk from the white, whip the white a time or two, and dab on to spotty areas with a Q-tip. Leave on overnight and wash well in the morning.

25. Aloe vera gel or leaf. For some time, I had an aloe vera plant in my home. Then I forgot to water it. For a month. Anyway, whenever I started to feel a pimple coming on, I’d break off a tiny bit of the leaf and rub the gel inside over it. Worked like a charm at heading off (sorry for the pun) the pimple. You don’t have to have a plant – just look for the purest aloe vera gel you can find in your local natural foods store.

26. Bruise some fresh cabbage leaves. Just mush ‘em up and rub them on the offending area. Leave the juice on for at least 30 minutes or more. Rinse off and finish with an astringent.

27. Dissolve some salt in lemon juice. If you want even MORE drying power than just straight lemon juice, try dissolving 1/2 tsp salt in 2 tsp lemon juice, rub on the zit and leave on (being aware that lemon juice is also bleaching and can cause sensitivity to the sun).

credits: crunchybetty

Labels: home remedies, pimple, skincare

Hey, Girls!

Just a quick reference. Here's a list of how long you should keep your makeup before it goes bad.

You don't wanna be putting on expired shit on your face. Things can go horribly wrong and THAT may be the reason why you're breaking out. Not 'cos of the skincare you're using.

The first thing to go is mascara which lasts three months.

Oil-Free Foundation: One Year

Cream Foundation: One Year

Concealer: 12-18 Months

Powder: 18 Months

Blush & Bronzer: 18 Months

Cream Blush: 12-18 Months

Eye shadow: 18 Months

Eyeliner: 18 Months

Liquid Eyeliner: Six Months

Lipstick/Lip Gloss: 18 Months

Lipliner: One Year

Nail Polish: One Year

Cosmetic makeup sponges should be washed after each use and thrown away after one month.


Of course, check the product itself 'cos most natural products go bad within 6 months unless there's some preservative and parabens.

There you go!

xoxo,
H.

Labels: expiry date, food tips, makeup remover

Right now, I can't be bothered with my makeup 'cos let's be honest here, makeup only looks good on skin that is good. Makeup looks best on people who use makeup because they WANT to and not because they NEED to.

There is a massive difference there.

I have to admit that I have an unshakable reliance on makeup to basically help me appear better than I usually do (which is horrible, FYI). I know I sound like I'm inviting the Pity Party but it is not an exaggeration to say that I have been on the quest for good skin even since my teens and it got far more intense as I became an adult. Especially so when you are SURROUNDED by people with great skin. That would be, a self-reference 'cos all my friends have such lovely skins. They are the infuriating type of people who can just wash their faces and look amazing. You know, the ones who can just step out of the house without makeup and look just as bit as gorgeous as when they step out with makeup.

Ohhh, yes. I know you know at least some of them.

And it's not their fault that they are blessed with great genes. They can help when it comes to helping us feel less inferior and help us find solutions to our own problematic skin. The best thing to do, I say, is to stop comparing. It's good to admire and compliment BUT NEVER compare. 'Cos that may eventually lead to depression. LOL. Acceptance would be the next step before we try to figure things out.

Indeed, I have accepted my skin and the massive changes that occurred in the past year.

I accept that my skin was not as low-maintenance as it used to be and I have to be careful (to the point of paranoia) on what I slather on my face. Upon doing this, I have been trying to find my way in the dark, with regards to my skincare routine.

It is important to stick to a routine, for us normal people as it would help with the maintenance of our skin. Of course, there is no need to stick to a routine RELIGIOUSLY. It is good to switch it up, and use different products depending on what your skin needs at that moment.

The most important step for me is Cleansing.

Cleansing is the foundation of all skincare and it is a must for everyone 'cos it takes the crap out of our faces and cleans our skin. Not just for beauty purposes but for basic hygiene. The basic is to cleanse at least once a day. Though most women do it twice. Once in the morning to get rid of all the oils we built up during our sleep and also to remove last night's products (such as moisturizers) from our faces. Second time would be at night when we remove the day's makeup. People with oilier skins might even cleanse their faces several times a day. This is fine, as long as we are using cleansers that are suitable for our specific skin types and restores the balance of our skin. Our skin should NOT feel tight or too squeaky clean after cleansing. It should feel refreshed and comfortable. Otherwise, you are NOT using cleansers that are suitable for your skin type.

I have used a BAZILLION cleansers. I have rarely ever repurchased the same cleanser, unless I am tight on money and just pick the cheapest one. And it's so hard to find the perfect cleanser that helps keep my acne at bay and cleans my skin.

Some that I have used:

Bio-Essence Deep Cleanser


This is an Asian brand, if I am not wrong and it is a very simple foam cleanser. I actually repurchased this several times 'cos my mom likes this one. And we used to share cleansers (before my skin went crazy). At the time I wasn't too bothered with ingredients. I generally prefer foaming cleansers 'cos they feel like they are REALLY cleaning my face. Scent is mild and nice and it does a good job of cleaning my face. Very basic cleanser, leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, which I used to love as teen as my face was especially oily then.

The Body Shop Seaweed cleanser


I remember buying this, thinking it would be amazing as it was pricier than the usual cleanser I used. This was when I started to get into skincare. It's supposed to be balancing for oily/combination skin like mine. It does not lather up alot, or at all. And leaves a film behind when I washed it off. Like there was some residue on my skin. I never felt completely clean using this cleanser and had to use a toner after to really make sure I got everything off my face. I did break out from using this line of products, so I can't recommend it but who knows? Skincare is a very personal thing.

Hada Labo Foaming Wash

Comes in a simple white tube. You only need a teeny tiny bit of this for it lather spectacularly into the most luxurious foam. A tube of that lasted me AGES. I bought this due to the huge Japanese Skincare phase that I had 'cos everyone was raving about this popular brand in Japan. It was pricier than the previous two cleansers, but I have to say it lasts longer. So I can justify that. It features super hyaluronic acid that helps boost moisture in the skin whilst cleaning it. I used to love this stuff. Foams amazing and didn't feel like it was TOO drying and cleaned my face well. BUT, I did experience more breakouts when I was using this entire line (I was into the whole one brand, one routine thing 'cos I always thought a product would work better with its product-buddies).

I found the entire line wayyy too rich for me. Yet I never felt truly hydrated. Or cleansed.

JUJU Aquamoist Foaming Wash

THIS is AWESOME. I really preferred this one to the previous option and I even repurchased it after running out. It did not clog my pores but instead cleaned it very well. My skin felt very comfortable after using it and it never felt too tight or 'not clean'. It has hyaluronic acid in it as well but I felt that it provided a better clean and really helped get rid of my oils and makeup, without stripping my skin. It wasn't HYDRATING as they would say. I would prefer to say that this is very gentle and effective. Also you need a TEENY bit of this to create CLOUDS literally.

Neutrogena Liquid Cleanser



Comes in a cool pump. I didn't like this one. Though it says "deep clean", it didn't really feel very clean. Leaves behind a weird feeling, like there is smth on my skin. And didn't lather well. Which I wouldn't mind if it did it's job. My complexion got really dull, but I didn't experience any weird breakouts at the time using this. At least not any more that usual, so it didn't prevent breakouts either. It's just... meh.

Olay Total Effects Foaming Cleanser

It's GREAT. Very gentle and my skin looks so clean and... bright after washing with this one. Though obviously, it didn't last long. Just in that time that I've washed it. I didn't break out. I dunno about its anti-aging claims. All I can say that it's a good standard cleanser.


SO...

AFTER ALL THAT...

My skin went crazy after this point at about the end of 2010 all the way. I got full blown acne. And was at a loss of what to use.

The BEST cleanser I found that really helped me during that time was:

Ducray Keracnyl Foaming Gel


This can be used on your face and body and is soap free. Which is FANTASTIC for my sensitive skin (before then, my skin was NOT sensitive at all) as it did not aggravate it. It cleans my skin soo soooo sooooo well without leaving it tight and uncomfortable. My skin literally was touchably smooth and silky after using this product. Absolutely amazing. This was probably the best gel/foaming cleanser I've ever used, hands down. 'Cos I could see a difference in my skin when I was using this. It helped control my breakouts too.

But thanks to a a topical cream I was given, I had really bad rashes all over my face. Being allergic or having a negative reaction to benzoyl peroxide. My face was itchy, flaky and red. IT WAS HORRIBLE.

So I had to stay away from foaming cleansers as they often contained foaming agents like Sodium Laureth Sulphate that can aggravate super sensitive skin. Thus, I was introduced to:

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser for Intolerant Skin


This is the weirdest thing for me. It's a gel cleanser that I rub on my face and tissue-off. As in NO WATER. I was like whuuuuutttt?! That is absolutely disgusting! How can I NOT use water?! Especially so in Singapore where it's so freakin' hot & humid. But the water actually stings my face and so I had to use this. As the name suggests, it's super gentle. I dunno how well it does at removing makeup ('cos obviously I wasn't wearing makeup when I had the rash), but it removed oil and dirt of my face very well. And I didn't break out AT ALL from using this product. Which is SUPER surprising 'cos I thought this would totally clog up my pores and be too rich for my oily skin. So, I ended liking the product more and more and CONTINUED to use it even after my rashes cleared up. And it was REALLY GREAT! So gentle and perfect for lazy days too. I just rub the product in my face and take damp cotton pads and gently wipe it off my face.

'Cos this type of cream cleanser was working well, and I had another reaction to another acne cream I used. I tried to find a more 'natural' alternative. At this point, I was trying to go into a more natural path for my skin.

Lush Ultrabland


This is an oil-cream cleanser. It's much oilier and denser in consistency as compared to the Avene one. And at first I thought it was WAY too greasy. But it did leave my skin so moist and comfortable. I found that the best way to use this product is to take a small amount and massage it into my skin. Like REALLY work it in there and then wipe it off with cotton pads that is soaked in TONER. It's like 2-in-1 step. And leaves my skin feeling so clean and not as greasy as when I just used a damp washcloth. This worked really well at calming my rashes and cleaning my skin gently. Also helped with getting rid of some of the stubborn whiteheads I had all over my forehead and chin.

My skin was in MUCH better condition when I used cream cleansers for some STRANGE reason. And I've always stayed away 'cos I thought they would break me out. 'Cos I'm oily! Turns out my skin is super dehydrated. My skin is so much more plump and firm now as compared to before.

Currently, I'm using Sukin Organics Cream Cleanser.
And I AM LOVING IT. I initially bought 'cos I can't afford the Lush Ultrabland, just way too expensive for me. And it didn't give me great results after continuous usage. Better results than using any of my previous foam cleansers though. Anyway, I think Sukin's a better fit for me 'cos it's not as rich and oily. It literally feels like moisturiser. Such a weird feeling. Gonna take me awhile to get used to this one. I've only used it for a week, so I can only review it later.

So far, I can say it smells divine. And my pores look smaller and my skin is softer. It's really lovely so far. We'll see how it goes.


AND THAT IS MY CLEANSER JOURNEY. I actually tried much more, but these are the standouts, I guess? I tried Biore, Simple, Ponds... etc. What I'm saying is, you never know until you've tried. I know it's so hard 'cos I literally am terrified that smth might set off my acne again. But the only way of learning is through experience. I would never have imagined that cream cleansers would work so well for me, until I tried them.

So there you go!

BE BRAVE.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: cleansers, review, skin diary, skincare

Why, Hellloooo there~!

I have some interesting things to share with you and also some interesting things to share about myself and my outlook for the new year.

This is of course, related to not only only beauty but health, in general. Mostly Wealth. This year, I am determined to save up for a trip and thus, would have to resolve into buying less things. Of course, this doesn't matter 'cos there are at least TEN BILLION review blogs on the net, so I am not about to make myself a guinea pig for the sake of beauty. This blog is meant for me to share the stuff I think are AWESOME with you guys. So, I will be cutting down on my expenditure (hopefully) this year and really, only purchase things after I've done enough research and having put much thought into it.

'Cos I'm gonna be tight on cash. I have to cut out afew of my stable products which are quite expensive. Also another reason is 'cos I am trying to go to the natural route where it comes to skincare and haircare and food, etc. NO, I am not turning into a hippie. And you won't catch me turning into a Vegan. I don't think I have the will power and capacity to, to be honest. BUT I will try my best to find more natural options to certain things that I use. If it's not natural, then just CHEAPER options that won't blow a hole in my wallet everytime I purchase it.

THIS has lead me into doing some D.I.Y things for my face and hair. Which I have NEVER EVER EVER in my entire life would imagine myself doing. Honestly, I am all about the chemicals. 'Cos natural doesn't mean beneficial. Poison Ivy is NATURAL but that stuff is horrible for your skin. And certain safe, FDA approved chemicals work so much better than their 'natural' counterparts. So, I am still a big believer is chemicals and drugs. But only the beneficial ones. Hence, I will definitely be posting regularly on this blog about certain information I've learnt about certain ingredients and stuff so that I can share this precious knowledge and we can ALL lead healthier lives and be more beautiful the right way.

Also, the D.I.Y stuff is so much cheaper and easier for me as the local grocery store (Fair Price) is just 5 mins away from where I live and most of the ingredients are in my kitchen anyway. I will be trying them out and seeing if they actually do something or they are flops. 'Cos I am SO skeptical about these things.

I'm gonna post some recipes that work for me. If there are any, which I'm sure there will be.

I am also open to new product recommendations which cost less but work great. We should ALL share this. And also share great companies that provides us with great products.

Here's an interesting thing I learnt. Apparently, LEAD is legitly in the lipsticks that we use. *gasp* I am instantly horrified by this as I personally own TONS of lipsticks. I don't really bother too much about harmful substances but when I found out that Lead can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression, I freaked out. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. THIS STUFF IS NO JOKE.

Shockingly, it can be found in most lipsticks (after tests run by FDA) even high-end ones like Dior. =( And what's worse is that the amount has been increasing. It increased about 4 times since 2007 from 0.09 to 3.06 ppm of lead in each tube. HOLY SHIT. Here's the important part: Products or lipsticks you should AVOID

"FDA found the highest lead levels in lipsticks made by three manufacturers: Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal, Body Shop and Maybelline brands) and Revlon. Yet FDA has thus far failed to take action to protect consumers." (The highest amount being found generally in CoverGirl lipsticks, Cover Girl Incrediful Lip Color)

THAT IS LIKE EVERY BRAND I KNOW. =( =( OH MANNN~



Some tips:

1. Avoid the brands mentioned until new reports are released saying that they are safe. Well, I will let you know 'cos I'm really sad about this.

2. Cut down your use of lipsticks. I know this is hard, but we are less likely to be harmed if we put on our favourite lipsticks on special occasions, once in a while. Rather than everyday.

3. Don't lick your lips when you have lipstick on

4. Use tinted lipbalms if you want added colour. There are so many great balms that provide great pigmentation that are all natural.

5. Remember to remove all traces of lipstick at the end of the day.

Well, I hope that helps.

I will leave you guys with this SUPER COOL and informative video I found about cosmetics. PLEASE WATCH IT. It's really awesome. =)





xoxo,
H.

credits: http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223

Labels: cosmetics, health, lead poisoning, lipstick, useful info

Why, hello, there~ It's my first post of 2012.

Another year of blogging (irregularly) ahead. Another year to get through. Gosh, I am such a ball of sunshine, aren't I? LOL. Excuse my cynicism. I am just not your "Happy New Year" kind of gal. I know people get pretty excited about new years and make resolutions and stuff. But I feel no different today than I did yesterday, eventhough I essentially leapt through time and the earth has just completed it cycle around the sun. Resolutions made today are just as importnt as resolutions made at any time of the year. Honestly, don't get what's so amazing about a new year. Only that I am so happy that 2011 is over. Horrible year. cannot even think of many fond memories made and tons of crap generally happened so I dunno to what extrent 2012 will suck or NOT-suck. We'll just have to see, shall we? But it has not started well.

I thought I would do a post of the stuff that I actually liked from the previous year. I know I never actually done this before but I've watched afew "Best of 2011" videos and really got me thinking about the stuff I enjoyed that year. Just wanted to list them down. This will be a mix of products I've used and also some random stuff.

Let's jump (in no particular order):

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 movie


OMG. Another reason why 2011 sucked. 'Cos it officially marked the end of my childhood. Not only is my favourite series of ALL TIME officially over with no more movies (or anything) to look forward to, but it perfectly coincided with me turning 21. Which is just a kick in the butt out of the bubble of my youth and into adulthood. Besides that horrifying fact, I enjoyed the movie IMMENSELY. I know people were whining about the movie and nit-picking everything. It's not perfect but it's pretty hard to meet everyone's soaring standard of perfection for such a beloved book. So I think they did a great job. I was on the edge of my seat and I really enjoyed the entire movie. I only wished that they made Snape's part alot more comprehensive, but otherwise it's great and a good memory of 2012.

2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver


(I have to consciously stop myself from beginning every paragraph with OMG) This is hands down my FAVE book of 2011. And trust me, I read TONS that year. TONS TONS TONS. I have always been a bookworm (just not that vocal about it). BUT THIS BOOK IS ... AMAZING. Gosh, I don't think I can recommend it enough. It's about a world where Love is considered a disease and they have found a cure for it. At a certain age, every one has to undergo a procedure where they will be cured of Love and the story follows a girl who at first was scared of love and then realized the flaws of the world around her. It's so fantastically written. So many phrases struck chords in my heart and I love the quotes that start each chapter. The world that she created seemed so believable and convincing. Most of all, this book made me TEAR UP in PUBLIC (when I made the mistake of reading it on the train). I'm not the most emotional person, I can definitely control it. But this one totally caught me off-guard at how beautiful she worded the events. YOU GUYS NEED TO READ THIS ONE. I'm looking forward to the sequel which will be out this year, if I'm not wrong. YAY~

3. Goodreads

This is a website I found while browsing and looking for some new books to read. It's a site for book lovers where you make an account and you can review books and read other people's recommendations. You can also contact the authors themselves as lots of authors have their own accounts on the site. Basically a social networking site for nerds like me. I made an account on a whim and have been LOVING it so much. It may come as a surprise for those who don't know me or have seen my room (which is FILLED with books, every since I was young). Everyone kept asking me what is up with my reading kick recently. But it's not a recent phenomenon. I have been reading, just that I haven't been blogging about it or buying much 'cos I usually read from ebooks online. It's only after getting into this website that I started reviewing the books I read, which I found SUCH JOY in. I know no one actually reads my reviews, but it's just nice for myself to reflect on the stories that I read more deeply and actually pen down my thoughts on them. So I can just look back on all the stuff I read.

OH, but one of the highlights of this year was when one of my fave authors, Daisy Goodwin, tweeted my review on her book and even contacted me saying that she's glad I enjoyed it. =)

3. Youtube

I never really got into youtube until 2011. And holy shit. I don't even watch TV anymore. I've subscribed to SO MANY channels and I always have something new to watch. I mostly subscribe to beauty channels and booktubers. So I always know about the latest books and new products regarding skincare and makeup. Also, it's a great community where you can comment and chat. I think I might die without youtube. It got through so much crap last year.

4. Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care

One of the best finds of 2011 for me. 201 was a horrible year for me, skin-wise. I had to go to the doctor for it several times and now have to deal with acne and sensitivity issues. But this moisturiser is literally HOLY GRAIL status for me. It's so so light and sinks into my skin in seconds while keeping it soft and hydrated. Plus it smells HEAVENLY. It's the only one that I bothered repurchasing. It claims to help fight acne, but I think it was my oral medication that helped clear up my skin. What I do know is that it doesn't break me out (which is GREAT 'cos so many other products do) and I don't get any rashes from it or allergies, which I often get. I really don't think I will change, eventhough I know that the ingredients aren't exactly the best and that it's parent company is L'oreal.

5. Michelle Nail Polishes


I found this shop that suddenly started selling nail polishes in 2011 and am extremely impressed with their line. You can find them at cineleisure and I'm sure almost every girl in Singapore knows about this. They sells dirt cheap polishes with an impressive array of colours that they constantly change up. At only 2 bucks a bottle, I have accumulated quite a collection of their polishes this year (I LOVE nail polishes). They are guilt-free purchases with great value for me considering the amount of product you get. Plus they go on smoothly (much better than face shop polishes) and opaque after two coats, which is GREAT!

6. Seche Vite Fast-dry Topcoat


I cannot go on without mentioning this topcoat. I only started using topcoat in 2011 and am amazed at the difference it made to my nails. Not only does it leave my self-done manicures looking glossy and totally professional, it DRIES INSTANTLY. So it essentially cut down my nail polish application process. Also, my nails go completely UNCHIPPED for WEEKS. So I can literally keep my polish on the entire week before it starts showing signs of wearing (usually at the tips). Perfect for busy weeks where I can't be bothered with doing my nails every other day.

7. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in 'Celeb City'




THE BEST NAIL POLISH OF THE YEAR. Probably EVER. I might wear this for months and months. I always fall in love with many different polish shades but I get tired of them really quickly and usually change it up after a few days. But I've been obsessed with trying to find a foil polish for AGES and was looking into getting OPI's Designer De-better before I laid eyes on this one. And it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I have been wearing this polish for a month now and I'm still in love with it. Words cannot explain how happy I get when I gaze at my nails when I have this on. They go with anything and they literally look like a layer of crushed diamonds and white gold on my nails. They don't have that grey cast that most silver polishes have and are attention-grabbing while still being chic. The wear is AMAZING, very opaque and shiny after 2 coats and last FOR-EVAH with a topcoat on 'cos it's such a thin formula.

This is ME in nail polish bottle.

8. Lanvin 'Marry Me!' Eau De Parfum
This gave my signature scent of Davidoff Cool Water a run for its money. I've been really into scents in the year 2011 and finally invested in another perfume after using my Davidoff for YEARS. I really fell in love with this scent. I just felt like a needed a PROPER perfume that is girly but still me ('cos I tend to go for manlier scents). THIS SMELLS SOOO GOOD. It smells really floral with a hit of jasmine and dries down to a subtle fruitier smell. It's very young and I always feel so pretty when I spray this on. It's so light and sweet.

Top Notes: The composition is based on luminous tonic mixed of bitter Tunisian orange and sensual essences of Sambac jasmine. This surprising combination is wrapped in sweet zest of peach and sophisticated jasmine tea aromas.

Heart Notes: A sensual heart is painted with jasmine enhanced with magnolia blossom and romantic, non-chalant rose petals.

Base Notes: Union of white flowers and fruit zest melts in juiciness and warmth of powerful hot amber and musky trail.

9. Bourjois Mascaras


I have discovered this in the year 2011 and I dun think I will be using any other brand after discovering this one. Their mascaras are AMAZING. AMAZING. I have really pathetic lashes and I usually use brown Covergirl mascaras 'cos I was more into "natural" looks when I was younger but in 2011, I've been wanting really dramatic black and thick lashes. But it's really hard to achieve that with my sorry lashes. Most formulas make my lashes brittle and flake. Their line of mascaras are as good as high-end ones and are great for contact lens wearers with sensitive eyes. I especially love their Volume Glamour Ultra Care mascara which instantly thickens my lashes. THEY ARE AMAZING. Better than anything I have tried from Maybelline, L'oreal, etc.

10. L'oreal Super Liner Liquid Eyeliner


BEST EYELINER I HAVE EVER USED. Period. It even made me stop using my Maybelline Eye Studio Gel liner (which was my love for years). So I KID YOU NOT. Easy to use, lasts ALL DAY. It one of my fave finds of 2011.

11. Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment


I know I've talked about this 2309480394802394 times. It's just so freakin' good. On to my third tube of it already and I use it every night without fail. Heaven sent for my INCREDIBLY dry lips. (It's like the freakin' desert without this stuff)

12. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


One of the best series I have come upon in 2011. So awesome that it is being made into a movie that will be out this year, if I am not wrong. But GOSH, SO action-packed and just fan-freakin'-tastic. It's about a dystopian world that is divided into different districts and each one has to send a boy and a girl to compete in the Hunger Games each other where they have to kill each other for the viewing pleasure of the Capitol. Sounds like Battle Royale, but it's really so much more than gruesome deaths. I don't really like a lot of series, besides harry potter, but this one is FAB.

Also, I AM SO IN LOVE WITH PEETA.

13. Sarah Dessen's books


ALL HER BOOKS in general. I have read a TON of her books in 2011. And they are all so so so good. They are perfect light reads for when I just wanna pass time but they pack a punch 'cos I always end up so emotionally invested in the characters. There is a perfect blend of romance, teen issues and general life lessons in her stories that really leaves me in thought long after the book ends. I've accumulated quite a collection of her books in just one year so I highly recommend picking it up.

14. Mc Cafe


HAHA! Okay, I cannot not include this 'cos it literally brings me comfort even on my lousiest days. I LOVE my coffee and teas. But as much I love Starbucks coffee and Coffee Bean's teas (LOL, what irony), they are certainly luxury items for me. And I consume so much coffee I would just be broke if I continued to buy from them. So, I have been loving McCafe's coffees and teas instead which are half the price of Starbucks and equal in quality and taste (sometimes better). You get such a generous amount for 4 bucks or less and you have a wide selection. My favourite is the 'Himalayan Tea Latte' which is just cinnamon-y goodness in a cup and their 'Caramel Macchiato'. IT IS SERIOUSLY GOOD. I doubt I will ever be willing to splurge so much on starbucks anymore to be honest.

15. La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Mist


This just sounds like water in an aerosol bottle and sounds pretty stupid for me to spend 10 bucks on it. But I bought it one day when I needed some immediate relief (this was when my skin was going through a very rough patch) and was surprised at what a difference it made. It INSTANTLY calmed my redness and blotchiness that I get often and soothes my skin so that it's more well-behaved. I've since then tried the Vichy one and the Avene one but THIS IS THE BEST. The others just felt and worked like regular water. This one is really a life saver especially when I'm outside and my skin starts feeling irritated.

16. Reed Diffusers and Scented Candles
I never really bothered with this until 2011 when I went through a scent-frenzy. I was just obsessed with smells. I think 'cos smelling something nice really puts me in a better mood and I've been in a foul mood throughout most of 2011. The scents help me stay happy. I love entering my room and getting a whiff of my favourite room scent. I also cleaned up my room SIGNIFICANTLY in 2011. I got into a bit of a cleaning kick and arranged my stuff and started putting up actual SHELVES for my books. Anyway, I realize that I should make my home nicer since I always come back to it after a long day. So I've been obsessed with home scents. My fave is the scented candle my sis got me when she was in australia - Ginger Spice and Cinnamon. OMG. HEAVENLY.

17. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Solution


BEST MAKEUP REMOVER EVER. Nothing beats this stuff. Gets rid of all my makeup so gently and doesn't irritate my skin like all the other ones did. I cannot stress how incredibly sensitive my skin is. I get red from just BLOTTING my face. So this is a BLESSING 'cos it literally feels like water. It's a cleansing water and it's amazing. I'm so glad I found out about this.

18. Gossip Girl TV series

OBVIOUSLY. This is self-explanatory. My obsession with this show continuous as long as this show keeps running. But in 2011 in particular, it was practically my reason for living and the only thing I look forward to in the week. Dunno what I'd do without this.

19. New Girl TV series


I HAVE FOUND MY NEW FRIENDS. And by Friends I mean the Sitcom. I LOVE THIS SHOW and it's absolute genius. I have never laughed so hard in my life. I love all the characters. It just seriously reminds me of Friends. I love it so much! And Schmidt is the best. He just cracks me up all the time.

20. Clinique Airbrush Concealer

I have never really been so into concealers until 2011 'cos of my skin issues. I usually just wear powder and it will already cover all my problems. But with my acne (which I now have scars), I will not leave the house without popping at least some concealer, even on bare face. This one is THE BEST for me 'cos I can't deal with the tougher, more cakey ones. I found out about this through Lisa Eldridge's videos. This one's liquid but gives great coverage if you apply in thin layers. Plus it merges completely into my skin and covers up all my blemishes and spots. And I can use it all over my face, under my eyes to cover dark circles and on my scars and blemishes so that I can cheat everyone into thinking that I have okay-skin. LOL!


Well, there you go. A couple of great finds for me in 2011 which I will continue to use this year as well. I know I should be reminiscing about actual moments in my life but these are much better.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: best of 2011

Empties~!

Okay, it seems really befitting that at the end of 2011, I pumped my final pump of my fave moisturiser 'Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care'. GOSH, that was a mouthful. Thankfully, I bought a back-up of it a few months ago so I do not have to go without it. And this just proves how much I love this stuff.

Honestly, I never really bothered with moisturisers 'cos I thought with my super oily skin I can't afford to slather more stuff on my face. But mid this year, my skin took a turn for the worse and I developed adult acne. In my desperation to get rid of it, I bought the entire Vichy Normaderm line. ALL OF IT. And I did see some great results at first, before finding out some things that did not work well with my skin and some that did. The TWO things from the line that I highly recommend and have REPURCHASED (trust me, this is BIG 'cos I hardly EVER repurchase anything. I always try out new stuff 'cos I get bored of it) are the 'Vichy Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care' and the 'Vichy Normaderm Imperfection Prone Skin Lotion' (no alcohol). The former is a light moisturiser and the latter is a toner.

One thing to keep in mind is that the toner is different from the one usually advertised, which is the 3-in-1 Unclogging Purifying Toner. That one has alcohol and salicylic acid to help fight breakouts. I prefer the one with NO ALCOHOL, as it is more gentle on my skin, seeing as I use toner everyday, twice a day. Also, 'cos I have ridiculously sensitive skin, this was a much better option.



The moisturiser is really up there in my Holy Grail status. It's absolutely amazing. This is advertised to be suitable for sensitive skins and it has definitely not broken me out, in fact, I would go so far to say that it helped with my skin significantly. Not so much in the frequency of breakouts, but in the general texture of my skin. The best part about this moisturiser is how incredibly light it is. It feels like NOTHING on my skin but STILL hydrating it. My skin just feels so much more comfortable after I've put it on. OH BEAR IN MIND THOUGH: I have Dry/combination/acne-prone/sensitive skin. So, in general, my skin appreciates the moisture.

It's main active ingredients that it claims to help fight acne (while moisturising) are...

30.14% Lipo-HydroxyAcid (LHA): A patented molecule derived from L’Oréalresearch, LHA acts on the surfaceby gently exfoliating the skin to eliminate imperfections.

0.5% Salicylic acid: A benchmark molecule in dermatology, this powerful exfoliantloosens the cells accumulated in the sebum duct, unclogging the obstructed pores.

0.175% Glycolic acid: Small in size, glycolic acid penetrates deeper into the skin to target the pores, causing exfoliation and stimulating cellular renewal.

Silica: Selected for its ability to absorb sebum.
And a new generation of structuring gelling agents (sodium polyacrylateand derivatives) with 2% increase in glycerin to provide comfort and 24-hour intense hydration to the skin.

This product is definitely not 'natural' and is chock-full of silica. And i can feel this 'cos once I've slathered this on my skin, it sinks into it and is absorbed while leaving it EXTREMELY smooth to touch. THIS is the silica at work. It's not that my skin amazingly became that smooth, but it helps reduce pores and sebum, while creating a better texture of the skin after application. WHICH MEANS, it is perfect under makeup. PERFECT. You don't even need extra primers 'cos this works similar to one. The con would be the pro as well. 'Cos it is packed with silica, it might clog pores for those with extremely acne prone skin. But generally, it leaves your skin feeling really soft and matte. It is very mattifying, a PLUS in my book as many other moisturisers leave me greasy within minutes.

The other ingredients also help with acne. Mostly in the sense that it helps reduce redness and inflammation. This was what I noticed most about this product. It won't GET RID of your acne but it will help it in it's healing process and prevent it with the anti-bacterial properties of salicylic acid and prevent too much dead skin cells from clogging your pores with glycolic acid.

OH!! And THIS STUFF SMELLS DIVINE~!!! Both the toner and the moisturiser have a clean floral scent that I WISH could be turned into a perfume 'cos I would totally wear it. I am so in love with the smell. It is not over-powering for me. But it is definitely more scented than some of the previous skincare I've used, so HEADS UP to those who are sensitive to perfumes. Overall, this is the PERFECT moisturiser for those with oilier skins (but still need the hydration) and for the hot tropical climate where I live in.


The TONER is really really gentle. I can use it in abundance without having my skin feel tight and uncomfortable. It helps remove any excess dirt or cleanser left on my face and preps it for the moisturiser afterwards. Although I know that toners are not essential steps in a skincare regime, and that they are essentially ways for beuaty companies to suck more money out of you, I do believe that this product was beneficial to my skin. It claims to reduce pores, reduce redness and fight acne. I think it does help fight acne but not in its ingredients but in the fact that with this extra step, my skin will be THOROUGHLY clean. That prevents the likelihood of pore-cloggings, reducing the breakouts. Also, this contains some salicylic acid (but not such a significant amount so I dunno if it really helps). I am just thankful for it's fresh scent and gentle formula (no alcohol) thus it doesn't strip my skin of its moisture but instead helps replenish some of it (as it contains water and glycerin).

I think this stuff is GREAT! It truly cleanses and cleans. My pores are not drastically reduced but the texture or skin has generally improved through the usage of both this products.

Do I recommend them? YES DEFINITELY. Vichy is a reputable european brand with reasonable prices. The moisturiser costs SGD$39 for a 50ml bottle (with a handy pump) and the toner costs SGD$32 for a 200ml bottle. Abit of a splurge at first but the moisturise lasts SUPER LONG, about 8 months (with daily usage, mostly once a day. You only need half a pump for the whole face). The toner runs out more quickly, about 3 months? Depending how much I use it.

Will I repurchase? YES. I already have. LOL! BUT I probably won't repurchase the toner again simply 'cos I think it is too pricey for how long it lasts. Plus, it's not exactly irreplaceable. Also, I'm trying to switch to more natural, organic products that are more environmentally friendly. Gradually. So, I'm probably gonna be switching to Witch Hazel Toner. Also, Vichy's owned by L'oreal (so you may find some good dupes there) and they test on animals and are not exactly well-known for using the 'purest/best' ingredients.

STILL, it will be difficult to find a replacement for my Tri-Active Hydrating Care Moisturiser 'cos it is just THAT amazing.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: acne, moisturiser, skincare, toner, vichy normaderm

Hello, everyone!

I know that I have been gone a pretty long time. Well, not massively long but I haven't been blogging as much. And I could say that it's 'cos of Christmas and blah-blah but to be honest, I've just been feeling a tad bit lousy lately. I think this happens every year around this time, when I know that an entire year is over and I have another year to get through. Obviously, I am not the most optimistic of persons. Also, 'cos I'm kinda broke, I haven't been buying tons of new things eventhough there are really loads of cool Christmas gift sets and sales. Especially now since it's boxing day.

BUT I did wanna get some stuff for the new year. So, my main purchase was a bag that I LOVE soo soo much! It's my first ever structured tote bag (like those that you hang on your forearm, at the nooks of your elbows). I usually go for large bags that can carry 20397432809748937 things 'cos I just think it's more practical and I also go for bagpacks in general. I guess, I am not very grown-up, but this is my first 'woman' bag and I loveee it. It's so me. In the sense that it is unique and not completely girly. 'Cos my sense of style is more geared towards the men's section. I tend to wear guys clothing more often than not and have them really loose. At first it was to hide my body, but now I just find them comfy. So I stuck to them. I fell in love with the tribal printing and the fabric/canvas (I love fabric bags and leather). It's my large purchase of the month and my splurge.

Then after that I went out quite a few times with Keetha to just chill and check things out at town. I didn't get much but my stellar buy for this season would have to be my Burt's Bees Simply Shimmer Lipshimmer set. I was debating over this one and the one with the tinted lipbalm. But I decided to get this one 'cos it has more colour anyway. Plus, I already have my tinted lipbalm with the Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose. =) These things are awesome! I am so in love with them. However, I must say that they are not moisturising enough for my pathetically dry lips. I do sometimes have to apply a layer of my Dr Lipp Nipple Cream for Lips balm (which is essentially pure lanolin) before applying this on top. But on days when my lips are not too bad, these balm are sufficient to be used the whole day.


The BEST part about these balms are their colour pay off. I just HATE tinted lip balms that essentially is just your lip colour. Might as well make do with an ultra moisturising clear one. The Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers are definitely pigmented stuff. Especially the darker coloured ones, they can practically be a lip color in itself and worn completely alone. My fave is 'Fig', which is a DEEP maroon colour. OMG, it looks amazing. And the other two that i got are pretty cool. 'Peony' is a slightly pinker, deeper shade of my own lip colour with flecks of gold shimmer. So, it's perfect for a subtle, yet put-together lip look. I also got 'Champagne' which is an iridescent silver and pink shimmer. A great alternative to lipgloss, which can be very messy and gloppy. This just gives your lips a sheen of shimmer, while moisturising it.

This STUFF IS GREAT! But my only complaint is the excessively minty sensation it gives upon applying it to your lips. It tingles... for HOURS. LOL! What I meant was, the sensation lasts a long time, probably about half an hour. So, it's not good when you have ulcers 'cos that will STING LIKE A MOTHER-. But I know that it's quite nice after awhile, when you get used to it. It definitely tingles more than Carmex and Mint Chapstick.

This stuff wears well and does not leave my lips feeling more dry than before I put them on and I really appreciate that seeing as I constantly get sores and cuts of my lips due to the dryness. I am not a huge fan of the Burt's Bees Tinted lip balms but I am of their lip shimmers 'cos of the impressive pigmentation they have.

They are pretty pricey though. They are sold at Sephora for SGD$15 per tube. So I'm extremely grateful that I got the set.

Okay, I was gonna talk more about what I got but this might be a super long post. So I'm just gonna talk about something that I am completely OBSESSED about this past month of December and I can't BELIEVE I never found this before. I'm a lotion-body-butter-girl. I always put it on after a shower or before I go to bed or anytime I feel my skin is starting to turn scaly from dryness. But I always found it a chore last time. Now, I realized that when the stuff smells good, I will be much more motivated to slather it on. Right now, I am so IMPRESSED by Vaseline Total Moisture Body Lotion. SOOOO impressed. It boasts 24-hour nourishment and moisture, and I gotta say that it delivers. But most importantly, it SMELLS DIVINE. D-I-V-I-N-E~!!!


Oh my lordy, I am so obsessed by the smells that I probably would go out and collect all the scents but currently, I am in love with 'Cocoa Glow', which smells like CHOCOLATE. I swear. Well, to be fair, it smells like chocolate when you slather it on and then it dries down to a sweeter, vanilla caramel sort of smell. Which to me, is still awesome. I don't recommend putting this on when you have a headache though. The sweet smell will seriously make it about 60 times worse. But on cold rainy days or just before bed, I LOVE smelling sweet and almost candy-like. The scent lingers for about 2 hours (if you're not sweating and stuff) so it is not a potent as Bodyshop Body Butters. That stuff is potent, man. I can smell myself hours later and still get whiffs of the body butter. But keep in mind that this is a lotion and it is a FRACTION of the costs of bodyshop's body butters.

It retails for SGD$5.90 for a 250ml bottle. That's a substantial amount that has lasted me more than a month. And I usually apply it about twice a day all over my body. My skin has never felt sooooo smooth. This seriously does the job that any body butter would do but without the greasy feeling. It is absorbed into my skin INSTANTLY and keep it soft and silky the whole day. I never feel the tightness that I used to feel especially on my legs. GOSH, I am so impressed with Vaseline lotions right now. I'm probably gonna buy their hand lotion as well. Though I doubt it would smell as good as this one. Their Aloe Fresh lotion and the Oats one smells EQUALLY AMAZING.

I know I am getting overly excited over lotions but they really smell so great and I usually have bad luck with Drugstore lotions *cough*Neutrogena/Jergens*cough*. They just smell really synthetic and tend to sit on top of my skin. Which is why I have been splurging on more expensive ones. NOW I DON'T HAVE TO ANYMORE. And still enjoy my Lotion Time. =D

xoxo,
H.

Labels: burt's bees, lip shimmers, lotion, vaseline total moisture