To Clarisonic or not to clarisonic, that is the question.

I have mulled over this for months, years actually. I remember that I wanted to get it so badly at around the age of 20 when my skin went completely crazy and broke out in adult acne. But the hefty price tag on this baby is a major turn-off. It WILL make you think twice. I know it did for me. And I have put it off until recently, when I have finally taken the plunge and got myself one on a complete impulse buy.

First off, what is a clarisonic? It is essentially a sonic toothbrush for your face. Think of it as a giant vibrating toothbrush for your face. Sounds crazy but this device claims to clean skin 6 times better than your hands and will make your cleanser work harder for you. It also helps with daily exfoliation and helping to refine the texture of the skin.

What really put me off, besides the price (it costs SGD$215 for my Clarisonic Mia 2), were the MULTIPLE claims of a "purging" stage. Does that not sound horrific? "PURGE". After finally getting my skin somewhat under control, I am terrified of losing what little control I have and break out in a million zits that I can't cover up. *touchwood*
                               


I have been using it for about 2 weeks now. And my verdict... It is NICE.

That is the best way to put it. It is a nice gadget and it does make my skin incredibly smooth. It helps alot with my pores and blackheads and it really does make my skincare absorb so much better. I feel like my serums are sinking in so much deeper into the layers of skin. So to the claim that it makes my skincare more effective, I can say that it really does that.

However, I did have one or two more breakouts than usual upon my first use. I wouldn't call it a purge though. It just sounds too horrible. It was just abit more than usual and to be fair, my zits healed alot faster than usual. I do not believe that skin can actually purge. If ever my skin reacts badly to anything, I will stop it immediately and not bother to even continue. That was why I was worried to make such a hefty investment. Thankfully, my skin did like it and I have noticed some good results after using it for a while. Keep in mind though, I use it only once a day and not the recommended twice a day.

SO, Is it the end-all-be-all of all skincare related products? Is it essential?

To be real, no. But it does have value-added into my skincare routine and I do like it very much! I have exhausted every other method before this. I have tried chemical exfoliants such as the Alpha-H Liquid Gold and glycolic toners. I also have used Konyak Sponges, which I find really effective too and are a greater cheaper alternative. I still use my sponge every morning. If you are still not satisfied after all that, then maybe you should give the clarisonic a try. But if your skin is doing well maintaining itself as it is, then there is definitely no real need for this.

I will continue with it and see how it goes.

My only problem was what cleanser to use with it. At first I just continued with my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, which worked alright. But it couldn't get the deep clean I wanted. Right now I am using the Shiseido Aqualabel Milky Mousse Foam with Collagen. I also have the sensitive brush head that it comes with on initial purchase. It's working very well. I think the clarisonic works much better with foaming cleansers. It just feels more satisfying that way. Haha!

xoxo,
H. Shar

Labels: clarisonic, cleansers, mia 2, sephora, skin diary, skincare

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

I have abandoned this blog due to life just taking its course and me, finding excuses and being just plain lazy. But I feel that I need to start picking this up again. I used to think that I wanna blog for the sake of gaining followers and being a "famous" beauty blogger. I realized that that shouldn't be the case. I am putting unnecessary pressure on myself and I made something that I enjoy, which is writing and reviewing things a challenge and a chore.

Also, I jut had ridiculous expectations for myself and ended up setting myself up for failure... Well, in my eyes at least.

So I finally I got back on my horse, after months of postponing for fear of making the same mistakes. I have decided that the one fundamental change would be that this blog is ultimately gonna be for myself. For me to chronicle all my latest beauty discoveries and all the girly things that make me happy as well as things that didn't really work out. So that I can have something to refer to, and maybe help out one or two people who might be looking for unbiased opinions.

Let's Start With Skincare:

This is by far my one and true passion because I am on a constant mission to achieve great skin. My skin so far has come a long way from its acne days but it is far from perfect. I still do get breakouts, particularly hormonal acne on my chin and cheeks. No matter how much I spend on skincare, I haven't found my holy grail combination yet. THIS IS MY GOAL. Even skin texture and colour, so much so that I can step out of the house without a smidgen of makeup and not feel like a troll that has just surfaced from the sewers of GOD KNOWS WHERE.

But because I live in the city and in hot and humid Singapore, the task is a monumental one.

Time for a skincare overhaul.

Makeup-wise, I can't wear that much due to my work. And to be honest, makeup is something that I am not particularly good at. However, it is something that I do enjoy. I will continue to dabble in this and report back with any new obsessions I might have.

I am also constantly on the look out for hair care products that work on me. I used to have really awesome thick hair but the stress and all the damage I had inflicted on my poor hair has caused it to thin out quite drastically. Now I look for nourishing products that don't weigh my hair down and I am attracted to volumizing products that help with the appearance of fuller looking locks.

So this is it.

I hope I stick with it and find gems that will help me become a better version of myself.

Labels: haircare, personal, skincare

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

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

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

Some good food facts for food I found on the net!!

For Breakouts

"You need to think of your skin as your intestines turned inside out, so you want to heal your stomach to treat your face," says Esther. "Foods that are rich in zinc, like oysters, are great for preventing breakouts, and foods high in probiotics, such as Greek yogurt, will heal your gut. Dark fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, and kale are also wonderful at providing antioxidants, which will help your skin to repair itself."


For Dry Skin

"A major way to combat dry skin is by introducing more oil into your diet," says Esther. "Two to three teaspoons of fish oil a day is fantastic, and you should see a change in your skin within two weeks. Absorbing this via liquid form is much better than a supplement.” You can also eat more foods that contain good fats, such as avocados.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: food tips, skincare

I've always felt like foundation is horrible for my skin. That it would break me out and clog my pores. And I've always thought that BB Creams are better for your skin. 'Cos they are essentially tinted moisturizers. Plus they always have all these extra ingredients to help with brightening and whitening and all that. It's also supposed to be hydrating. I'm really upset 'cos BB Creams just look horrible on me. Simply 'cos I am just not WHITE enough, they tend to leave me with a white cast, more so than my mineral sunscreen. And that stuff has TONS of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that leaves 'white' casts. Most of all, that stuff makes me into a greasy oily mess.

I'm quite sad 'cos I had to stick to the "pore-clogging" foundations rather than Good-for-your-skin BB Creams. But I've always found that foundations don't usually break me out (I use the clinique one) and that it doesn't turn me into a greaseball. Turns out, BB Creams are just as bad as foundations. I researched quite a bit on this and I even found this video, which I wanna share with you guys.

Kathy Spears is a certified professional Aesthetician and she gives us the low-down on these hyped-up BB creams.

You'll be surprised how much junk is in there.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: bb creams, busted, skincare

Good day to all~!



(ignore the awkward intro, still getting used to this whole blogging thing)

I have something really exciting to talk about and I really wanna share with everyone. But first some background info:

- My skin type is oily, super sensitive & acne-prone. (which is a very sad combination trust me)

- I never had bad acne or bad skin as a teenager. I had mostly clear and normal skin. But all of a sudden, after turning 20, my skin went BALLISTIC on me. I started breaking out like there's no tomorrow and I got so freaked out, I went to the doctor and was then diagnosed with Adult Acne.

- I was prescribed an acne medication. Antibiotics and a topical treatment called Clyndoxyl. I took it for afew months and switched up my entire skincare routine. It seriously helped clear out most of my cystic acne. BUT...

- I formed a MAJOR ALLERGIC reaction to Benzoyl Peroxide. =( And had to go off the meds and take allergy meds instead.

- Safe to say that it is a tough journey to clear skin, and I haven't achieved that yet. I am still struggling with acne, but I am now more informed after researching and trying out products that work well for my skin type.

OKAY ENOUGH of the sob story. Moving on to my HOLY GRAIL makeup remover...

MICELLAR WATER!!

I cannot EMPHASIZE enough (and this is me, EMPHASIZING the crap out of this) how important it is to remove ALL traces of makeup off your face before you go to bed. Or even better, once you reach home. Trust me, I should know 'cos I used to be those bad lazy girls who can't get their ass off the bed and to the sink to remove the gunk from our faces. This will lead to CLOGGED PORES, POSSIBLE BREAKOUTS, DIRTY PILLOW CASES (leads to transfer of bacteria)... Needless to say, this is essential for anyone but especially so for those who are acne-prone like me. I know, I know, it is a pain in the butt, especially when you have tons of makeup on and it seems like it will take hours of wiping to get it off. BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

Because...

- Helps prevent breakouts and clogged pores
- Helps fight acne by taking away the bacteria
- Helps the rest of your skincare regime to perform better as it will penetrate the skin better

I have tried many types of makeup removers from oil-based (to remove waterproof makeup) to facial wipes. I do not recommend facial wipes, unless you are really gonna collapse from utter exhaustion. Those wipes are only good for getting rid of the first layer of makeup but does not do much in clean the SKIN. The oil based ones are GREAT for heavy-duty makeup and melts everything off. However, be careful and read the ingredients. I have found that certain types break me out. The best one for ALL SKIN TYPES, even more so for sensitive types like mine... Choose Micellar Water.

What is Micellar Water??

Basically, it is water that has 'micelles' in them. Micelles are an aggregate of surfactant molecules dispersed in a liquid colloid. Through the process of polymorphism, these molecules grab hold of dirt and helps clean surfaces. It is often used in detergents as well. OBVIOUSLY, this is a milder version of a different pH level that suited for your skin. It is honestly, MIRACLE WATER. It looks and feels like water but it behaves like a super-strong makeup remover, that will take any makeup off, even the waterproof ones. Most micellar waters are perfume free, oil free and are used as cleansers. So you don't even have to rinse-off after using them. Hence, this is also perfect for very sensitive, dry skin as rinsing with water might strip some of the natural oils on your face.

How do I use it??

VERY SIMPLE. Take a cotton pad, pour the product on it and then wipe it on your face. This removes heavy eye makeup as well. For stubborn mascaras, just leave the soaked cotton pad on you eye for about 30 secs, pressing and rubbing gently, before wiping and easing the makeup off.

Any recommendations??

Most french skincare companies have micellar water/cleanser/lotion. It is all the rage there so if you look for any French based company (such as La Roche Posay, Avene, etc), chances are that they will have a micellar product. It might be a bit tough to get in Singapore as we are more used to the generic eye makeup remover or oil-based removers. But it is not impossible to find. Here are some that I have found:

For those with more of budget, you can go to high end makeup counters. I know that Lancome definitely sells one. But for one who is looking for a luxury one that is free of parabens, perfumes and from an organic brand. The Caudalie Cleansing Water with Micellar Solution is a great buy.


Can be found at Sephora with all the other Caudelie products.Containing extracts of grape, plant glycerine, alpha bisabolol (camomile extracts), mint, caraway and galbanum, there is a very light scent that is fresh and pleasant - and it feels so gentle on the skin. However, this one might be better suited for those who don't wear SUPER heavy, waterproof makeup as it might be a tad too gentle. But it is GREAT for the skin.


A good cheaper alternative that is similar to Caudalie in terms of organic and natural ingredients would be Plante System Cleansing Micellar Water With the P.E.S. plant complex and extract of Ruscus. Pure, formulated from the P.E.S. plant complex and extracts of ruscus with normalising and soothing properties, ROSAKALM cleansing micellar water eliminates impurities and all traces of make-up. I managed to find this in our local Guardian pharmacy, but only some carried them. I am sure that the one at Clementi mall does. Costs only S$29.90, which is a great price for a large 500ml bottle.


For those with drier, more sensitive skin and is looking for some moisturizing properties that will soothe the skin and add moisture whilst removing makeup. My recommendation would be the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser, available at any local drugstore that carries Avene. This product is PERFECT for those with drier skins as it contains the Avene Thermal Spring Water and chamomile that will help soothe the skin. Also it has hyaluronic acid that helps to replenish moisture, while removing all the yucky stuff from your face.

I am currently using the Bioderma Sensibio H2O. This has a major cult following in France and the craze is spreading all over the world as this received rave reviews by professional makeup artists worldwide. Even my IDOL, Lisa Eldrige, swears by this product. It is a tougher micellar solution in the sense that it takes OFF everything. EV-ERY-THING. Still suitable for sensitive skins too, but maybe not as moisturising and soothing as those with added ingredients. The bioderma line is sold in guardian as well. But so far I only came across it at the one n Vivo City. So do go there if you wanna check this product out. They have small trial sized ones that cost S$15.90 for 100ml, if I am not wrong.

FINALLY, for those on a budget and wanna try this out first before splurging on 500ml bottles. I highly recommend the Bourjois Eau Micellaire Demaquillante (which is just french for Micellar Cleansing Water), sold in BHG and certain SASA outlets. This one is similar to Bioderma as it has a micelle-rich formula. Thus giving a much more thorough clean and effective on waterproof makeup. Also, it contains white lotus (nymphaea alba) extracts, with soothing and hydrating properties for the skin. Hypoallergenic, this micellar water is formulated without alcohol or fragrance to assure optimal skin tolerance. This is a BARGAIN and BANG for your buck 'cos a large bottle of this costs only S$14.90. AMAZE-BALLS!!

ALRIGHTY~~

I have rambled ENOUGH about micellar water, but I really do have a passion for it. Having sensitive skin is a PAIN, but with this I don't have to worry. I do recommend a double cleanse for those using heavier makeup or with oilier skin.

DO TRY THEM and let me know what you guys think!

xoxo,
H.

Labels: makeup remover, micellar water, skincare

To Clarisonic or not to clarisonic, that is the question.

I have mulled over this for months, years actually. I remember that I wanted to get it so badly at around the age of 20 when my skin went completely crazy and broke out in adult acne. But the hefty price tag on this baby is a major turn-off. It WILL make you think twice. I know it did for me. And I have put it off until recently, when I have finally taken the plunge and got myself one on a complete impulse buy.

First off, what is a clarisonic? It is essentially a sonic toothbrush for your face. Think of it as a giant vibrating toothbrush for your face. Sounds crazy but this device claims to clean skin 6 times better than your hands and will make your cleanser work harder for you. It also helps with daily exfoliation and helping to refine the texture of the skin.

What really put me off, besides the price (it costs SGD$215 for my Clarisonic Mia 2), were the MULTIPLE claims of a "purging" stage. Does that not sound horrific? "PURGE". After finally getting my skin somewhat under control, I am terrified of losing what little control I have and break out in a million zits that I can't cover up. *touchwood*
                               


I have been using it for about 2 weeks now. And my verdict... It is NICE.

That is the best way to put it. It is a nice gadget and it does make my skin incredibly smooth. It helps alot with my pores and blackheads and it really does make my skincare absorb so much better. I feel like my serums are sinking in so much deeper into the layers of skin. So to the claim that it makes my skincare more effective, I can say that it really does that.

However, I did have one or two more breakouts than usual upon my first use. I wouldn't call it a purge though. It just sounds too horrible. It was just abit more than usual and to be fair, my zits healed alot faster than usual. I do not believe that skin can actually purge. If ever my skin reacts badly to anything, I will stop it immediately and not bother to even continue. That was why I was worried to make such a hefty investment. Thankfully, my skin did like it and I have noticed some good results after using it for a while. Keep in mind though, I use it only once a day and not the recommended twice a day.

SO, Is it the end-all-be-all of all skincare related products? Is it essential?

To be real, no. But it does have value-added into my skincare routine and I do like it very much! I have exhausted every other method before this. I have tried chemical exfoliants such as the Alpha-H Liquid Gold and glycolic toners. I also have used Konyak Sponges, which I find really effective too and are a greater cheaper alternative. I still use my sponge every morning. If you are still not satisfied after all that, then maybe you should give the clarisonic a try. But if your skin is doing well maintaining itself as it is, then there is definitely no real need for this.

I will continue with it and see how it goes.

My only problem was what cleanser to use with it. At first I just continued with my Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, which worked alright. But it couldn't get the deep clean I wanted. Right now I am using the Shiseido Aqualabel Milky Mousse Foam with Collagen. I also have the sensitive brush head that it comes with on initial purchase. It's working very well. I think the clarisonic works much better with foaming cleansers. It just feels more satisfying that way. Haha!

xoxo,
H. Shar

Labels: clarisonic, cleansers, mia 2, sephora, skin diary, skincare

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

I have abandoned this blog due to life just taking its course and me, finding excuses and being just plain lazy. But I feel that I need to start picking this up again. I used to think that I wanna blog for the sake of gaining followers and being a "famous" beauty blogger. I realized that that shouldn't be the case. I am putting unnecessary pressure on myself and I made something that I enjoy, which is writing and reviewing things a challenge and a chore.

Also, I jut had ridiculous expectations for myself and ended up setting myself up for failure... Well, in my eyes at least.

So I finally I got back on my horse, after months of postponing for fear of making the same mistakes. I have decided that the one fundamental change would be that this blog is ultimately gonna be for myself. For me to chronicle all my latest beauty discoveries and all the girly things that make me happy as well as things that didn't really work out. So that I can have something to refer to, and maybe help out one or two people who might be looking for unbiased opinions.

Let's Start With Skincare:

This is by far my one and true passion because I am on a constant mission to achieve great skin. My skin so far has come a long way from its acne days but it is far from perfect. I still do get breakouts, particularly hormonal acne on my chin and cheeks. No matter how much I spend on skincare, I haven't found my holy grail combination yet. THIS IS MY GOAL. Even skin texture and colour, so much so that I can step out of the house without a smidgen of makeup and not feel like a troll that has just surfaced from the sewers of GOD KNOWS WHERE.

But because I live in the city and in hot and humid Singapore, the task is a monumental one.

Time for a skincare overhaul.

Makeup-wise, I can't wear that much due to my work. And to be honest, makeup is something that I am not particularly good at. However, it is something that I do enjoy. I will continue to dabble in this and report back with any new obsessions I might have.

I am also constantly on the look out for hair care products that work on me. I used to have really awesome thick hair but the stress and all the damage I had inflicted on my poor hair has caused it to thin out quite drastically. Now I look for nourishing products that don't weigh my hair down and I am attracted to volumizing products that help with the appearance of fuller looking locks.

So this is it.

I hope I stick with it and find gems that will help me become a better version of myself.

Labels: haircare, personal, skincare

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

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

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

Some good food facts for food I found on the net!!

For Breakouts

"You need to think of your skin as your intestines turned inside out, so you want to heal your stomach to treat your face," says Esther. "Foods that are rich in zinc, like oysters, are great for preventing breakouts, and foods high in probiotics, such as Greek yogurt, will heal your gut. Dark fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, blueberries, broccoli, and kale are also wonderful at providing antioxidants, which will help your skin to repair itself."


For Dry Skin

"A major way to combat dry skin is by introducing more oil into your diet," says Esther. "Two to three teaspoons of fish oil a day is fantastic, and you should see a change in your skin within two weeks. Absorbing this via liquid form is much better than a supplement.” You can also eat more foods that contain good fats, such as avocados.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: food tips, skincare

I've always felt like foundation is horrible for my skin. That it would break me out and clog my pores. And I've always thought that BB Creams are better for your skin. 'Cos they are essentially tinted moisturizers. Plus they always have all these extra ingredients to help with brightening and whitening and all that. It's also supposed to be hydrating. I'm really upset 'cos BB Creams just look horrible on me. Simply 'cos I am just not WHITE enough, they tend to leave me with a white cast, more so than my mineral sunscreen. And that stuff has TONS of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that leaves 'white' casts. Most of all, that stuff makes me into a greasy oily mess.

I'm quite sad 'cos I had to stick to the "pore-clogging" foundations rather than Good-for-your-skin BB Creams. But I've always found that foundations don't usually break me out (I use the clinique one) and that it doesn't turn me into a greaseball. Turns out, BB Creams are just as bad as foundations. I researched quite a bit on this and I even found this video, which I wanna share with you guys.

Kathy Spears is a certified professional Aesthetician and she gives us the low-down on these hyped-up BB creams.

You'll be surprised how much junk is in there.

xoxo,
H.

Labels: bb creams, busted, skincare

Good day to all~!



(ignore the awkward intro, still getting used to this whole blogging thing)

I have something really exciting to talk about and I really wanna share with everyone. But first some background info:

- My skin type is oily, super sensitive & acne-prone. (which is a very sad combination trust me)

- I never had bad acne or bad skin as a teenager. I had mostly clear and normal skin. But all of a sudden, after turning 20, my skin went BALLISTIC on me. I started breaking out like there's no tomorrow and I got so freaked out, I went to the doctor and was then diagnosed with Adult Acne.

- I was prescribed an acne medication. Antibiotics and a topical treatment called Clyndoxyl. I took it for afew months and switched up my entire skincare routine. It seriously helped clear out most of my cystic acne. BUT...

- I formed a MAJOR ALLERGIC reaction to Benzoyl Peroxide. =( And had to go off the meds and take allergy meds instead.

- Safe to say that it is a tough journey to clear skin, and I haven't achieved that yet. I am still struggling with acne, but I am now more informed after researching and trying out products that work well for my skin type.

OKAY ENOUGH of the sob story. Moving on to my HOLY GRAIL makeup remover...

MICELLAR WATER!!

I cannot EMPHASIZE enough (and this is me, EMPHASIZING the crap out of this) how important it is to remove ALL traces of makeup off your face before you go to bed. Or even better, once you reach home. Trust me, I should know 'cos I used to be those bad lazy girls who can't get their ass off the bed and to the sink to remove the gunk from our faces. This will lead to CLOGGED PORES, POSSIBLE BREAKOUTS, DIRTY PILLOW CASES (leads to transfer of bacteria)... Needless to say, this is essential for anyone but especially so for those who are acne-prone like me. I know, I know, it is a pain in the butt, especially when you have tons of makeup on and it seems like it will take hours of wiping to get it off. BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

Because...

- Helps prevent breakouts and clogged pores
- Helps fight acne by taking away the bacteria
- Helps the rest of your skincare regime to perform better as it will penetrate the skin better

I have tried many types of makeup removers from oil-based (to remove waterproof makeup) to facial wipes. I do not recommend facial wipes, unless you are really gonna collapse from utter exhaustion. Those wipes are only good for getting rid of the first layer of makeup but does not do much in clean the SKIN. The oil based ones are GREAT for heavy-duty makeup and melts everything off. However, be careful and read the ingredients. I have found that certain types break me out. The best one for ALL SKIN TYPES, even more so for sensitive types like mine... Choose Micellar Water.

What is Micellar Water??

Basically, it is water that has 'micelles' in them. Micelles are an aggregate of surfactant molecules dispersed in a liquid colloid. Through the process of polymorphism, these molecules grab hold of dirt and helps clean surfaces. It is often used in detergents as well. OBVIOUSLY, this is a milder version of a different pH level that suited for your skin. It is honestly, MIRACLE WATER. It looks and feels like water but it behaves like a super-strong makeup remover, that will take any makeup off, even the waterproof ones. Most micellar waters are perfume free, oil free and are used as cleansers. So you don't even have to rinse-off after using them. Hence, this is also perfect for very sensitive, dry skin as rinsing with water might strip some of the natural oils on your face.

How do I use it??

VERY SIMPLE. Take a cotton pad, pour the product on it and then wipe it on your face. This removes heavy eye makeup as well. For stubborn mascaras, just leave the soaked cotton pad on you eye for about 30 secs, pressing and rubbing gently, before wiping and easing the makeup off.

Any recommendations??

Most french skincare companies have micellar water/cleanser/lotion. It is all the rage there so if you look for any French based company (such as La Roche Posay, Avene, etc), chances are that they will have a micellar product. It might be a bit tough to get in Singapore as we are more used to the generic eye makeup remover or oil-based removers. But it is not impossible to find. Here are some that I have found:

For those with more of budget, you can go to high end makeup counters. I know that Lancome definitely sells one. But for one who is looking for a luxury one that is free of parabens, perfumes and from an organic brand. The Caudalie Cleansing Water with Micellar Solution is a great buy.


Can be found at Sephora with all the other Caudelie products.Containing extracts of grape, plant glycerine, alpha bisabolol (camomile extracts), mint, caraway and galbanum, there is a very light scent that is fresh and pleasant - and it feels so gentle on the skin. However, this one might be better suited for those who don't wear SUPER heavy, waterproof makeup as it might be a tad too gentle. But it is GREAT for the skin.


A good cheaper alternative that is similar to Caudalie in terms of organic and natural ingredients would be Plante System Cleansing Micellar Water With the P.E.S. plant complex and extract of Ruscus. Pure, formulated from the P.E.S. plant complex and extracts of ruscus with normalising and soothing properties, ROSAKALM cleansing micellar water eliminates impurities and all traces of make-up. I managed to find this in our local Guardian pharmacy, but only some carried them. I am sure that the one at Clementi mall does. Costs only S$29.90, which is a great price for a large 500ml bottle.


For those with drier, more sensitive skin and is looking for some moisturizing properties that will soothe the skin and add moisture whilst removing makeup. My recommendation would be the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser, available at any local drugstore that carries Avene. This product is PERFECT for those with drier skins as it contains the Avene Thermal Spring Water and chamomile that will help soothe the skin. Also it has hyaluronic acid that helps to replenish moisture, while removing all the yucky stuff from your face.

I am currently using the Bioderma Sensibio H2O. This has a major cult following in France and the craze is spreading all over the world as this received rave reviews by professional makeup artists worldwide. Even my IDOL, Lisa Eldrige, swears by this product. It is a tougher micellar solution in the sense that it takes OFF everything. EV-ERY-THING. Still suitable for sensitive skins too, but maybe not as moisturising and soothing as those with added ingredients. The bioderma line is sold in guardian as well. But so far I only came across it at the one n Vivo City. So do go there if you wanna check this product out. They have small trial sized ones that cost S$15.90 for 100ml, if I am not wrong.

FINALLY, for those on a budget and wanna try this out first before splurging on 500ml bottles. I highly recommend the Bourjois Eau Micellaire Demaquillante (which is just french for Micellar Cleansing Water), sold in BHG and certain SASA outlets. This one is similar to Bioderma as it has a micelle-rich formula. Thus giving a much more thorough clean and effective on waterproof makeup. Also, it contains white lotus (nymphaea alba) extracts, with soothing and hydrating properties for the skin. Hypoallergenic, this micellar water is formulated without alcohol or fragrance to assure optimal skin tolerance. This is a BARGAIN and BANG for your buck 'cos a large bottle of this costs only S$14.90. AMAZE-BALLS!!

ALRIGHTY~~

I have rambled ENOUGH about micellar water, but I really do have a passion for it. Having sensitive skin is a PAIN, but with this I don't have to worry. I do recommend a double cleanse for those using heavier makeup or with oilier skin.

DO TRY THEM and let me know what you guys think!

xoxo,
H.

Labels: makeup remover, micellar water, skincare