Living in Asia, I am bombarded with SKII commercials wherever I go. I see pictures of Tang Wei or which ever Asian Model/Actress with amazing luminous skin and proclaiming their miracle solution to all their skin woes. That is of course, SKII's treatment essence. Watching all this I have always wanted to give it a try, but it isn't something I can splurge on as a young college student. After saving up, I managed to try out the trail pack with the 50ml Treatment Essence (or miracle water as they call it here), a tiny bottle of the Clearing Lotion and also a sheet mask.

                         
All this for SGD$99. Not too bad because the the 50ml bottle will last you a WHILE. I haven't even used all of mine up yet! But I do continue to incorporate it in my routine as I see fit.

My friend, Diyanah, has AMAZING skin. I barely see a blemish on her ever. But there was a period of time when I noticed her skin being EXTRA awesome. It was glowy and her pores are barely even visible. Obviously, being "kay-poh" I was like, "Okay, spill the beans, what's the secret here". Turns out she was using this SKII trial set and that ultimately made me take the plunge.

First and foremost, let me classify my skin type:

Oily Combination, Blemish Prone. I deal with large pores, cystic hormonal acne from time to time and the odd dryness around my cheeks.

Basically, in summary, SUCKY SKIN.

My thoughts on this: I wished my skin had reacted as well as Diyanah's did, but unfortunately it didn't. The Essence was hydrating and light and it helped with the fading of my acne scars. But it did not really reduce the appearance of my pores and I can't really use it when my skin is acting up. Because then, I will become an oil slick. It has a funky smell... Smells like ass actually. I have to hold my breath whenever I pat this into my skin. But nothing I can't deal with as it sinks in fast and the smell fades. I like using it when my skin is being well-behaved and feeling more "normal". Only then will I notice great improvements in the tone of my skin and it gives it such a great boost of hydration.

The star of the set was to me, The Facial Clearing Lotion. This stuff is used as a toner, so I have to use a cotton pad and swipe this all over my face. Abit saddening for such an expensive product because I tend to use it up faster. However, it is definitely better to use a cotton pad, otherwise, it doesn't work as well, in my experience. This stuff, on top of pitera (the signature ingredient of all SKII products, famous for its anti-aging properties), has AHAs that help gently exfoliate the skin. It feels slightly tingly at first. This product helped me in terms of controlling my blemishes and helping them heal faster whenever they do appear on my face. The gentle exfoliation is great for everyday and the pitera helps with keeping the skin hydrated without burdening it with too much oils and creams.

In a nutshell, this is toner that truly balances my skin. Also, I saw greater improvements in the size of my pores with this treatment lotion than the actual SKII essence. I was so impressed that I even bought the full-size, which I never thought I would with such an expensive price tag.

What I realized was that the treatment lotion is the cheapest in the SKII range and it was the most effective for my acne prone skin.

Perhaps the essence would be better for people who are more concerned with anti-aging. But for me, the Toner is The Shizz. It has teh best of both worlds, pitera for hydration and anti-aging PLUS AHAs to keep my skin clear.

WIN!!

xoxo,
H. Shar

PS: I haven't used the sheet mask. Saving it for a special occasion. ;)

Labels: facial clearing lotion, facial treatment essence, review, SKII, skin diary, skincare

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

Today I went out to town to check out the new LUSH store. I had a list of things to buy but sadly, the entire shop was practically wiped out as most of their famous products are completely out of stock, thanks to the success of their opening. Cult products like 'Angels on Bare Skin' Cleanser and their fresh face masks are all GONE!! But after inquiring the staff, the items are being shipped as I type this out. So they should be in stock in a few more days. BE PATIENT PEOPLE.

The prices are pretty okay! I expected them to be alot more pricey but that does not mean that they are drugstore prices by any means. Still, I shall wait in ANTICIPATION for my Cupcake Mask and Dark Angel cleanser.

BUT I DO HAVE SOMETHING COOL TO TALK ABOUT.

I found something awesome and I am dying to share it with you guys.

As you know, Singapore is really slow when it comes to launching products that are imported from overseas. Most of the time 'new products' here are practically last season's products over there in the US. But HEY, better late than never. So, when I saw the new display and saw these GORGEOUS lipsticks on the shelf, I literally flipped 'cos I have been so curious about them.


They are Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks.


I first heard of these from the various makeup gurus on youtube and it received mostly rave reviews with many saying that the pigmentation of these lipsticks are amazing, but still without that super drying effect that most pigmented lipsticks have. Also, the finish is not as GLOSSY as the Maybelline WaterShine lipsticks that we have over here. These have more of a satin finish, which I absolutely love as it has the appearance of a really expensive lipstick on your lips.


The line is very cleverly formulated as the colours are generally divided into FOUR categories and are displayed according to their categories. They are REDS, PINKS, BROWNS and MAUVES (This is my FAVE category). Then they are arranged such that they go from the lightest shade to the darkest, which makes picking out a colour for yourself very convenient. I love this idea 'cos most drugstore lipsticks just kinda release a line with random, popular colours. The Maybelline Color Sensational tries to cater to each skin tone and the different wants of the buyers with a GREAT selection of colours.


ALSO, I have so say that I really love the packaging. It reminds me of the Bourjois lipsticks, but the insides are much nicer and very sleek with the whole thing being a metal tube. I like that it's chunky too so I can easily find it when I'm searching for it in my gigantic bag. This is personal preference I know many people who prefer slim and sleek packagings, but I prefer these types.


NOW, moving on to the colours available and the wear of the products. I tried them out and I am very impressed by the feel of this lipstick. It is definitely not drying, like the Revlon Matte lipsticks. They hold in some sort of moisture such that it does not emphasize every single ugly crease on your lips. BUT it does not plump it up or is as moisturizing as the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks. It is somewhere in between. What I love about this lipstick is the colour. It glides on evenly, without any patches and one swipe is all I need for opaque, gorgeous colour on my lips. Once on lips, the lipstick "SETS". I dunno how to say this, it's pretty strange but what I mean is that it doesn't slip around much. It doesn't slide around alot and leave lighter patches when I rub my lips together. This is probably due to the WAXY TEXTURE that it has. It's quite unique and feels very comfortable on my lips. ALSO, the colour shows TRUE to the tube. Meaning that it is so pigmented that my own lip colour does not affect the lipstick colour at all, and what you see in the tube will transfer exactly on your lips.


The colour range is SOOO NICE!! I think it has everything for every skin tone. And for every occasion, from neutral everyday lips to sexy glamorous reds to dark vampy colours. And there is a combination of frost and 'matte' (meaning no shimmer) shades.


Let me share some of my faves~


1) Born With It




This is a gorgeous nude colour with a slight wash of pink. It is not like the usual baby pinks. It just leaves your lips with a tint of pink. Really great on fair skinned girls who just want a neutral or nude lip but without looking dead. This injects a nice hint of subtle colour while still keeping the "nude" effect. I really liked this one.


2) Yummy Plummy


This shade totally jumped at me when I first saw the display. It is a mid-tone mauve shade that is blue-based and has lots of purplish, lavender undertones. It's one of the most unique shades in the collection in my opinion. As you can see from the swatch I found, it does look plummy. But when I put it on my lips, it tints my lips a dark purplish shade that is really lovely. I think it goes with TONS of looks and is a fun alternative to a nude lip. It is more of a cool-toned shade, so it does wash out your face a little, so be sure to put on some blush when you wear this one.


3) Cinnamon Stick


This shade is from the Browns category and it's absolutely lovely! Especially on warmer skin tones. It is a brown-based red, almost like a warm maroon. It doesn't look gothic but instead really warms up your face and looks very sophisticated in my opinion. Also, if you are the type who wears tones on brown eyeshadows or neutral eyes, I think this is a fabulous shade to bring out the warmth of the browns and also, it can be worn without blush 'cos it doesn't wash out your face. Really lovely!


4) Red Revival



AMAZING red shade that seeks to make a total statement. Ohmygoodness! It's definitely not for the faint hearted. This is a very neutral red. Not too orange-y, not too dark, not too anything. It is a true red that reminds me alot of Revlon's Matte 'Really Red' shade (which I absolutely adore). Only thing is that this is not as drying or matte, so it is less severe and more glamorous. I think this is the red that can match MANY skin tones, both warm and cool. Every girl needs a red lipstick and this one is really beautiful.


5) Plum Perfect

*the very last colour from the left

MY FAVOURITE SHADE of the entire line. This shade is a deep deep plum that is not too reddish. It is not too maroon and not too purple. It is a very true plum shade and I think can be flattering on anyone. But I personally loved how it looked on me. It makes a statement without making me look overly Vamp-y or gothic. Hmmm, kind of like a glam rocker/goth? It's definitely not a depressing colour though. I know 'cos this shade doesn't wash me out and I find it very wearable indeed. GOSHH IT IS SOOOO PRETTY~!! I think it's 'cos this shade in particular doesn't make the wearer look 'old' as it does not have brown undertones to it. Love it.


OKAY, so you can find these babies in any Watsons or Guardian. They are selling for S$17.90. I highly recommend them. I personally like them better than the Revlon SuperLustrous and I think the wear (quite long-wearing) and pigmentation is really high quality stuff.

Go check them out. I know you want to. ;)

xoxo,
H.


credits: click on pictures to link you to original blogposts.

Labels: color sensational lip color, lipstick, maybelline, review

Here's a quickie~

I wanna talk about hair for a moment. Now, I don't particularly splurge so much on my hair, as much as I do on everything else. And so far my hair has been pretty resilient. It has been through dyes, rebonding sessions and tons of product switch ups. I am so glad that I STILL HAVE hair in the first place. 'Cos I have dealt so much damage to my hair, natural shampoos and conditioners tend to do nothing and fall completely flat for my hair. But I am trying to sort of train my hair into going into that more natural route.

SO, as you all can see, my hair is DRY, DAMAGED, COLOUR-TREATED, BRITTLE & THIN (limp). It is a bad, bad combination. But I do take good care of my hair by using hair masks on a regular basis. I have a few of them and I also found my Holy Grail mask, which I will talk about later in the future (do keep a lookout). But TODAY, I will be talking about my current quick mask treatment that I slap on my hair when I'm in a hurry, whilst still leaving it soft and nice-smelling. It is...

Schwarzkopf Gliss Total Repair Mask


This stuff smells AAMMMAAAAZZZZIIINNGGG~~!! Well, to me it does anyway. It smells like musky vanilla and this leaves my hair smelling fabulous for days. This is basically a Deep Repair mask that you leave on your hair after shampooing for afew minutes and then rinse off. Made in Germany, I think the brand is a German one as well. You've probably seen teir products everywhere here in Singapore though. The reason why I love this mask so much is how quick this one gets the job done. It says on the package that it is a one-minute mask. Though I leave it on for slightly more than that.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, this leaves my hair so silky smooth but without looking like a flat dead fish. I am so impressed considering that I got this pretty cheap at the drugstore. Price wise, I got this for around S$10.90, on a sale. And it's a decent sized amount, 200ml. Plus, the texture is much thicker than most of the masks I own so I don't have to use too much for it to work its magic on my hair.

It claims to have 19 active ingredients to help repair the hair cell from the inside. I'm not too sure about that claim 'cos I have only used it for a few weeks in conjunction with other hair masks. But I can safely say that it provides my hair with sufficient moisture to keep it smooth and manageable. Often, I don't even have to comb my hair after letting it air-dry. I just sort of run my fingers through my hair and it detangles itself.

So for the price, and THE SMELL (GOSH, I love how it smells, seriously), I highly recommend this one. I have tried the Shea Cashmere one by the same company.


I do like it but it does weigh down my rather fine hair. This one deals with moisturization and restoring moisture back into the hair. It is especially catered to really frizzy and unruly hair, and those with really dry ones as well. While I do have dry hair, it is not exactly unruly or very thick. Hence, I find it a tad too moisturising and heavy. So if you have thicker hair, I suggest giving the Shea Cashmere mask a go. But for those who have a similar hair type as mine, definitely, definitely THE TOTAL REPAIR ONE. =D

You can find them at Guardian and Watsons.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: hair mask, review, schwarzkopf gliss

Living in Asia, I am bombarded with SKII commercials wherever I go. I see pictures of Tang Wei or which ever Asian Model/Actress with amazing luminous skin and proclaiming their miracle solution to all their skin woes. That is of course, SKII's treatment essence. Watching all this I have always wanted to give it a try, but it isn't something I can splurge on as a young college student. After saving up, I managed to try out the trail pack with the 50ml Treatment Essence (or miracle water as they call it here), a tiny bottle of the Clearing Lotion and also a sheet mask.

                         
All this for SGD$99. Not too bad because the the 50ml bottle will last you a WHILE. I haven't even used all of mine up yet! But I do continue to incorporate it in my routine as I see fit.

My friend, Diyanah, has AMAZING skin. I barely see a blemish on her ever. But there was a period of time when I noticed her skin being EXTRA awesome. It was glowy and her pores are barely even visible. Obviously, being "kay-poh" I was like, "Okay, spill the beans, what's the secret here". Turns out she was using this SKII trial set and that ultimately made me take the plunge.

First and foremost, let me classify my skin type:

Oily Combination, Blemish Prone. I deal with large pores, cystic hormonal acne from time to time and the odd dryness around my cheeks.

Basically, in summary, SUCKY SKIN.

My thoughts on this: I wished my skin had reacted as well as Diyanah's did, but unfortunately it didn't. The Essence was hydrating and light and it helped with the fading of my acne scars. But it did not really reduce the appearance of my pores and I can't really use it when my skin is acting up. Because then, I will become an oil slick. It has a funky smell... Smells like ass actually. I have to hold my breath whenever I pat this into my skin. But nothing I can't deal with as it sinks in fast and the smell fades. I like using it when my skin is being well-behaved and feeling more "normal". Only then will I notice great improvements in the tone of my skin and it gives it such a great boost of hydration.

The star of the set was to me, The Facial Clearing Lotion. This stuff is used as a toner, so I have to use a cotton pad and swipe this all over my face. Abit saddening for such an expensive product because I tend to use it up faster. However, it is definitely better to use a cotton pad, otherwise, it doesn't work as well, in my experience. This stuff, on top of pitera (the signature ingredient of all SKII products, famous for its anti-aging properties), has AHAs that help gently exfoliate the skin. It feels slightly tingly at first. This product helped me in terms of controlling my blemishes and helping them heal faster whenever they do appear on my face. The gentle exfoliation is great for everyday and the pitera helps with keeping the skin hydrated without burdening it with too much oils and creams.

In a nutshell, this is toner that truly balances my skin. Also, I saw greater improvements in the size of my pores with this treatment lotion than the actual SKII essence. I was so impressed that I even bought the full-size, which I never thought I would with such an expensive price tag.

What I realized was that the treatment lotion is the cheapest in the SKII range and it was the most effective for my acne prone skin.

Perhaps the essence would be better for people who are more concerned with anti-aging. But for me, the Toner is The Shizz. It has teh best of both worlds, pitera for hydration and anti-aging PLUS AHAs to keep my skin clear.

WIN!!

xoxo,
H. Shar

PS: I haven't used the sheet mask. Saving it for a special occasion. ;)

Labels: facial clearing lotion, facial treatment essence, review, SKII, skin diary, skincare

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

Today I went out to town to check out the new LUSH store. I had a list of things to buy but sadly, the entire shop was practically wiped out as most of their famous products are completely out of stock, thanks to the success of their opening. Cult products like 'Angels on Bare Skin' Cleanser and their fresh face masks are all GONE!! But after inquiring the staff, the items are being shipped as I type this out. So they should be in stock in a few more days. BE PATIENT PEOPLE.

The prices are pretty okay! I expected them to be alot more pricey but that does not mean that they are drugstore prices by any means. Still, I shall wait in ANTICIPATION for my Cupcake Mask and Dark Angel cleanser.

BUT I DO HAVE SOMETHING COOL TO TALK ABOUT.

I found something awesome and I am dying to share it with you guys.

As you know, Singapore is really slow when it comes to launching products that are imported from overseas. Most of the time 'new products' here are practically last season's products over there in the US. But HEY, better late than never. So, when I saw the new display and saw these GORGEOUS lipsticks on the shelf, I literally flipped 'cos I have been so curious about them.


They are Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks.


I first heard of these from the various makeup gurus on youtube and it received mostly rave reviews with many saying that the pigmentation of these lipsticks are amazing, but still without that super drying effect that most pigmented lipsticks have. Also, the finish is not as GLOSSY as the Maybelline WaterShine lipsticks that we have over here. These have more of a satin finish, which I absolutely love as it has the appearance of a really expensive lipstick on your lips.


The line is very cleverly formulated as the colours are generally divided into FOUR categories and are displayed according to their categories. They are REDS, PINKS, BROWNS and MAUVES (This is my FAVE category). Then they are arranged such that they go from the lightest shade to the darkest, which makes picking out a colour for yourself very convenient. I love this idea 'cos most drugstore lipsticks just kinda release a line with random, popular colours. The Maybelline Color Sensational tries to cater to each skin tone and the different wants of the buyers with a GREAT selection of colours.


ALSO, I have so say that I really love the packaging. It reminds me of the Bourjois lipsticks, but the insides are much nicer and very sleek with the whole thing being a metal tube. I like that it's chunky too so I can easily find it when I'm searching for it in my gigantic bag. This is personal preference I know many people who prefer slim and sleek packagings, but I prefer these types.


NOW, moving on to the colours available and the wear of the products. I tried them out and I am very impressed by the feel of this lipstick. It is definitely not drying, like the Revlon Matte lipsticks. They hold in some sort of moisture such that it does not emphasize every single ugly crease on your lips. BUT it does not plump it up or is as moisturizing as the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks. It is somewhere in between. What I love about this lipstick is the colour. It glides on evenly, without any patches and one swipe is all I need for opaque, gorgeous colour on my lips. Once on lips, the lipstick "SETS". I dunno how to say this, it's pretty strange but what I mean is that it doesn't slip around much. It doesn't slide around alot and leave lighter patches when I rub my lips together. This is probably due to the WAXY TEXTURE that it has. It's quite unique and feels very comfortable on my lips. ALSO, the colour shows TRUE to the tube. Meaning that it is so pigmented that my own lip colour does not affect the lipstick colour at all, and what you see in the tube will transfer exactly on your lips.


The colour range is SOOO NICE!! I think it has everything for every skin tone. And for every occasion, from neutral everyday lips to sexy glamorous reds to dark vampy colours. And there is a combination of frost and 'matte' (meaning no shimmer) shades.


Let me share some of my faves~


1) Born With It




This is a gorgeous nude colour with a slight wash of pink. It is not like the usual baby pinks. It just leaves your lips with a tint of pink. Really great on fair skinned girls who just want a neutral or nude lip but without looking dead. This injects a nice hint of subtle colour while still keeping the "nude" effect. I really liked this one.


2) Yummy Plummy


This shade totally jumped at me when I first saw the display. It is a mid-tone mauve shade that is blue-based and has lots of purplish, lavender undertones. It's one of the most unique shades in the collection in my opinion. As you can see from the swatch I found, it does look plummy. But when I put it on my lips, it tints my lips a dark purplish shade that is really lovely. I think it goes with TONS of looks and is a fun alternative to a nude lip. It is more of a cool-toned shade, so it does wash out your face a little, so be sure to put on some blush when you wear this one.


3) Cinnamon Stick


This shade is from the Browns category and it's absolutely lovely! Especially on warmer skin tones. It is a brown-based red, almost like a warm maroon. It doesn't look gothic but instead really warms up your face and looks very sophisticated in my opinion. Also, if you are the type who wears tones on brown eyeshadows or neutral eyes, I think this is a fabulous shade to bring out the warmth of the browns and also, it can be worn without blush 'cos it doesn't wash out your face. Really lovely!


4) Red Revival



AMAZING red shade that seeks to make a total statement. Ohmygoodness! It's definitely not for the faint hearted. This is a very neutral red. Not too orange-y, not too dark, not too anything. It is a true red that reminds me alot of Revlon's Matte 'Really Red' shade (which I absolutely adore). Only thing is that this is not as drying or matte, so it is less severe and more glamorous. I think this is the red that can match MANY skin tones, both warm and cool. Every girl needs a red lipstick and this one is really beautiful.


5) Plum Perfect

*the very last colour from the left

MY FAVOURITE SHADE of the entire line. This shade is a deep deep plum that is not too reddish. It is not too maroon and not too purple. It is a very true plum shade and I think can be flattering on anyone. But I personally loved how it looked on me. It makes a statement without making me look overly Vamp-y or gothic. Hmmm, kind of like a glam rocker/goth? It's definitely not a depressing colour though. I know 'cos this shade doesn't wash me out and I find it very wearable indeed. GOSHH IT IS SOOOO PRETTY~!! I think it's 'cos this shade in particular doesn't make the wearer look 'old' as it does not have brown undertones to it. Love it.


OKAY, so you can find these babies in any Watsons or Guardian. They are selling for S$17.90. I highly recommend them. I personally like them better than the Revlon SuperLustrous and I think the wear (quite long-wearing) and pigmentation is really high quality stuff.

Go check them out. I know you want to. ;)

xoxo,
H.


credits: click on pictures to link you to original blogposts.

Labels: color sensational lip color, lipstick, maybelline, review

Here's a quickie~

I wanna talk about hair for a moment. Now, I don't particularly splurge so much on my hair, as much as I do on everything else. And so far my hair has been pretty resilient. It has been through dyes, rebonding sessions and tons of product switch ups. I am so glad that I STILL HAVE hair in the first place. 'Cos I have dealt so much damage to my hair, natural shampoos and conditioners tend to do nothing and fall completely flat for my hair. But I am trying to sort of train my hair into going into that more natural route.

SO, as you all can see, my hair is DRY, DAMAGED, COLOUR-TREATED, BRITTLE & THIN (limp). It is a bad, bad combination. But I do take good care of my hair by using hair masks on a regular basis. I have a few of them and I also found my Holy Grail mask, which I will talk about later in the future (do keep a lookout). But TODAY, I will be talking about my current quick mask treatment that I slap on my hair when I'm in a hurry, whilst still leaving it soft and nice-smelling. It is...

Schwarzkopf Gliss Total Repair Mask


This stuff smells AAMMMAAAAZZZZIIINNGGG~~!! Well, to me it does anyway. It smells like musky vanilla and this leaves my hair smelling fabulous for days. This is basically a Deep Repair mask that you leave on your hair after shampooing for afew minutes and then rinse off. Made in Germany, I think the brand is a German one as well. You've probably seen teir products everywhere here in Singapore though. The reason why I love this mask so much is how quick this one gets the job done. It says on the package that it is a one-minute mask. Though I leave it on for slightly more than that.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, this leaves my hair so silky smooth but without looking like a flat dead fish. I am so impressed considering that I got this pretty cheap at the drugstore. Price wise, I got this for around S$10.90, on a sale. And it's a decent sized amount, 200ml. Plus, the texture is much thicker than most of the masks I own so I don't have to use too much for it to work its magic on my hair.

It claims to have 19 active ingredients to help repair the hair cell from the inside. I'm not too sure about that claim 'cos I have only used it for a few weeks in conjunction with other hair masks. But I can safely say that it provides my hair with sufficient moisture to keep it smooth and manageable. Often, I don't even have to comb my hair after letting it air-dry. I just sort of run my fingers through my hair and it detangles itself.

So for the price, and THE SMELL (GOSH, I love how it smells, seriously), I highly recommend this one. I have tried the Shea Cashmere one by the same company.


I do like it but it does weigh down my rather fine hair. This one deals with moisturization and restoring moisture back into the hair. It is especially catered to really frizzy and unruly hair, and those with really dry ones as well. While I do have dry hair, it is not exactly unruly or very thick. Hence, I find it a tad too moisturising and heavy. So if you have thicker hair, I suggest giving the Shea Cashmere mask a go. But for those who have a similar hair type as mine, definitely, definitely THE TOTAL REPAIR ONE. =D

You can find them at Guardian and Watsons.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: hair mask, review, schwarzkopf gliss