My Recap: Week 3 of Body Revolution

I have just completed Week 3 of Body Revolution. Well, sorta... I missed one session of cardio middle of the week and didn't replace it. So, I achieve 5/6 Completion?

*pat on my back*

My current stat:

Week 3 Weight: 57 kg
Week 3 Fat Content: 25.6 %
Week 3 Muscle Content: 36.6%
Thigh Measurement: 21.1 inch
Arm Measurement: 10.6 inch

To be honest, there doesn't seem to be much improvement since the end of Week 1, which is kind of disappointing.

But to be fair, I did cheat fairly often during Week 3. I was clearly slacking because it is so hard to actually filter my food one by one off soy bean, peanut, MSG, and raw cruciferous vegetables. Last count, I had 2 days of ramen with spicy miso soup in a single week. Bam! Bam! One time, I had instant noodle for dinner, I thought simply by adding more vegetables and eating less noodles would compensate, I didn't realise MSG was added into the stock. Silly me! In my defence, I thought MSG would have been phased out by now. Because, come on, everyone knows that MSG is bad for health right?

I tried counting calorie too, not easy! I was using My Fitness Pal App to track my calorie, but only went as far as week 1 because it can get so hard (even though the app is fairly helpful, what with the barcode reader and the huge food databases) to manually think about portioning and calorie. I can only hope that I can live by the motto of 'Moderation goes a long way' and pray to God that my perception of 'moderation' is actually MODERATE and not SUPER-SIZE-ME in reality. If there is still no improvement, then I will definitely need to pull out the food scale and start to weigh what my normal portioning is causing me.

But I am super optimistic! Let's do this!!

My recap: Week 1 of Body Revolution

Week 1 of Body Revolution : Complete~!

Starting fat content: 25.5%
Starting muscle content: 36.6%
Fitness level: Beginner
Thigh measurement: 21.5 inch
Arm measurement: 11 inch

I was so hesitant to reveal my weight because I have gained so much weight after I started work that it is not funny anymore. But I really wanted to put myself to this challenge and I hope people would actually appreciate it. So... here goes...

Starting weight: 57 kg

The complete Body Revolution program consists of 12 sets of workout and 3 cardio that spans over three months. And it is meant to be complemented by a clean and lean eating plan. Doesn't sound too bad, right?

So... Jillian Michael's Body Revolution started off with an optional 7 days of kickstart metabolism series, which is basically a morning strength workout and evening cardio for 2 days and then morning and evening cardio on the 3rd day. Complete and repeat and have a rest on Sunday.

I won't say the cardio was too kick ass, but by the third day of cardio for kickstart metabolism series, I gave up, ate chocolate cookie dough cupcakes and fried chicken. Not a very good start but I probably didn't feed my body right during that first 7 days either.

Week 1 was better, because once you get through the first 7 days of kickstart metabolism series (and IF you get through it... unlike me), 30 minutes of workout per day just doesn't seem that much. And by then, I have gained more stamina to actually complete the entire cardio session without giving up halfway through. And if you know how much I hated cardio, you would give me 4 star for my effort (deduct one star for my occassional fuck-this-I-am-going-to-eat-cake attitude ). There is just one particular move that gave me stitches down my sides but as JM says, 'you can do anything for one minute' because if you don't you are going to regret it later! So, 'GO! GO! GO!'

For workout 1 and 2, I needed yoga mat, resistance band, and weights. I am currently using 1.5 kg and 2.5 kg weights. The heavier weight will be used to train smaller and specific muscle. Nothing too taxing but I plan to increase the weights in the second week for more difficulty.

Diet wise, so hard to stick to!! Although the diet plan made it look like there isn't a lot of 'No-no food', some of those on the list are my favourite. Like, one of the hardest thing to give up is soybean in an asian diet, especially soy sauce and miso!! Even if it is for 3 months only. One of my favourite thing is Miso soup and it is the easiest soup (with low calorie) to prepare during the winter!! Drives me crazy that one. In contrast, one of the easiest thing to give up is dairy product but only because I always felt sluggish and bloated after taking dairy product.

Funny how the more you exercise, the more you feel like you are more energetic?!?

Looking forward to complete week 2!!

Review: Supermud Clearing Treatment

Hello again!

Every time I come back from Malaysia, I always have a huge bunch of beauty products haul. If the custom officers were to stop me, I am not sure they would believe it is all for me, myself and I!! Even B can't believe that. And my face can't believe that. Albeit it is a different kind of disbelief altogether. All for me? Why Thank YOU~!

As my face mature, and other mental aspect... not so much, I have noticed enlarged facial pores Gah!!   And bigger pores means bigger blackheads, means noticeable white heads, means shinier face, means my life is ruined!! *pulls face down* So I kept my eye peeled for a good quality mud mask. Hence, my stumble upon GlamGlow SUPERMUD!

According to the long pamphlet, even bigger than the actual jar of product itself cleverly hidden within the big box:

'The world's most scientifically advanced SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment, clinically developed by GLAMGLOW Dermatological Chemist to help fight all common skin concerns. Leave on for 5-20 minutes. NEW ACNECIDIC-6 4.4%, NEW PORE-MATRIX, BIO-LIFE-CELL-SCIENCE & NEW TEAOXI will TARGET, PREVENT & HEAL for Crazy Gorgeous Skin.'

'Pores. Problem Skin. Blemishes. Pimples. Breakouts. Zits. Spots. Black Heads. White Heads. Razor Bumps. In-Grown Hair'

Acnecidc-6 4.4% - the world's first clearing treatment with a proprietary 6 acid blend. AHA & BHA acids are perfectly PH balanced for mind-blowing faster results. i.e. Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic, Mandelic, Pyruvic and Azelaic.

Pore matrix - Activated-X Charcoal is an extreme absorption carbon, attracting toxic substances into its mass up to 500 times its volume from all skin types, within the deepest & toughest areas. Our new proprietary K17-Clay will better extract & encapsulate excess sebum oils, bacteria & toxins in a controlled stasis state, revealing a Pore-matrix of extraction dots & areas, ready to be washed away for seemingly poreless skin.

BIO-LIFE-CELL-SCIENCE - uses the complex natural occurring skincare benefits of green life for Advanced Scientific Skincare. A combination of Eucalyptus leaf, licorice root, peppermint plant, chamomile, marigold, comfrey herb, aloe vera, ivy and cucumber.

Teaoxi is GLAMGLOW's proprietary continuous time-release technology, delivering daily fresh natural eucalyptol, natural linalool oil & powerful flavonoids direct into our formula from real pieces of Eucalyptus Leaf contained in our magical healing Supermud.

Seriously... TMI. The bimbo side of me just wants to know which freakin' model used this and swears by this that they can call it SUPERMUD with capital letters. Lol...

Application: Apparently, you just need to apply a thin and even layer over face for a face mask. And apply a thicker application on problematic spot for more targeted treatment.

Price: AUD70-80 for 34g jar

Review: The mud comes in a small jar and is a deep green colour which slowly lightens when it dries. It contains bits and pieces of identified clumps which sealed in the feeling of actual gooey mud on the face. A thin layer of mud is sufficient to remove oil from the skin. However, as with all mud mask, try not to apply a thick layer of face mask because it is prone to bigger cracks which may cause premature wrinkles on the face. The first time I used this mask, I was so disgusted with my whole face. I can't believe my pores are so dirty!

I briefly considered showing the mud mask on my whole face but it was just.... too gory!! I don't want anyone to dirty their cute little laptops or magnificent computer screen with pukes!! You are welcome. :)

However, the price is a bit steep for me! I am almost halfway through the whole jar and I've only used it once a fortnight for 3 months now. Is that a lot? Anyway, it is sold in mecca cosmetics shop across Perth as well. I tried to show my friend the mud mask how it looked like once but it was sold out in the city store! Apparently, the sale assistant told me it was their best seller and it runs out pretty quickly because people liked it so much. O wow, you impress me, Perth! 

Overall, it does what it does and I kinda like it. My face doesn't feel unnaturally tight after a thin application and definitely not dried out like some mummified face. I might consider getting it again if I can't find a better mask in the future. So, let me know if you have any to-die-for mud mask to recommend me. 

Thanks and have a nice week! 

Lip Stain and Lip Balm Review

Don't you think that a good lip balm is like a quiet-but-always-there BFF? It can be the only thing that separates between a dream-come-true first date and an awkward courtesy-peck-on-the-forehead first date. 

I recall before I started dating B, I was already wondering what it will feel like to kiss him because he has this naturally glossy and full lips thanks to good genetically produced saliva, wtf! But when genetics falls short, we can always rely on science! 

The lip balm industry should totally thank my genetics and the dry weather in Australia, because at a given time I would have more than a handful of lip balm. I like to purchase more than one and throw it randomly around the house, just incase of an emergency. :) And my ability to be attracted to different packaging and marketing gimmicks helped A LOT. *shakes head*

Anyway, there are three lip balm that I will be reviewing today. The Eos lip balm, Revlon Just bitten lip stain + balm and Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. 

I bought the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain first and I really like it. The colour and hydration it provided was mild and was suitable for daily use. There is a strong minty smell which may be annoying for some but refreshing for others, I don't really like it. But I like the chubby stick feature and the hydrating feature. 

That was when I bought the Just Bitten Lip Stain + balm. The concept was wonderful and it sorta gave you the flexibility to build on your coverage for stronger colour before applying a balm that is not only hydrating but has a better shine than the previous Balm Stain. I wasn't sold on the lip stain because it wasn't that spreadable so I can't really achieve more natural looks. The good thing is that you'll probably be able to achieve really sharp and precise application but the bad thing is when you slip and you can't smudge it off with your fingers. Definitely smudge-proof.  But I really like the balm. This is like good quality hydrating balm with slight gloss, no nonsense when it comes to fragrance because there is no smell. I can definitely purchase this product again just for the balm and then use the lip stain as a marker, wtf... 

Just Bitten Lip Stain + Balm (Precise application )

Top swatch is the lip stain + balm and the second one below it is the balmstain. balm stain gave a more natural and subtle finish.

And last but not least, the eos lip balm. For those engineering friends out there, doesn't it remind of EOS = Equation of State??!? Omg... *awkward nerd laughs*

Sorry, I digress. I was so excited with the shape of the lip balm, at first I thought it reminded me of an egg and then I decided seriously... it looks like a rambutan!!! Sorry I had to spoil that well rounded surface with my lips, I had to stop myself from sinking my teeth into it. 

The most impressionable moment about this lip balm is that the smell. Forget that it is organic because I can get quite superficial, the fruity smell alone makes me feel like so awesome like I am rubbing yummy lollipop on my lips a.k.a. food porn style! It is quite hydrating not for the driest of days but it is definitely suitable for daily use. And unlike some lip balm I use that sorta dries into something akin to rubbed off glue on my lips, all these lip balms I have reviewed here does not do that.

But summer is upon us poor souls in Australia, if you absolutely have to go out for a long period of time, do remember that it may be a good idea to try on some other lip balm that comes with SPF.

Till next time, I can't wait for lunar new year celebration!! Bring on the festivities~! And say good bye to money... wtf...

Eye Talk

The one thing I could say I love and hate about myself would have to be my eyes. I have large eyes but I always joked that with big eyes comes big eye bags! It is not a joke unfortunately, more of a sad misfortune. On good days with good lighting, I could probably ride it off like the puffy pouch of korean stars. 

But on bad days plus bad lighting, my eye bags went out shopping and bought new bags to flaunt! 

All thanks to natural genetics and those late nights I had to suffer during my degree years, I was even mercilessly nicknamed 'gold fish'. 

They say that eyes are the natural windows to the soul. I am not too sure about that but I do know for sure that the eyes are usually the first thing that captivates attention. Well shaped and maintained eyes and eye areas are usually the symbol of beauty. It is also the first indication of tiredness or alertness. Which is why taking care of the eye area is so important. Actually the practical solution would be just to sleep on time at night, but then I think that would have to be like the hardest thing ever to do. So Thank God for beauty products that promise instant albeit temporary solution. So, I did obsessed about eye products and if you are too, I hope my review can assist you in this area. 

The first thing is mind would have to be...

Eye cream and mask

You can opt for the au natural overnight tea bags/potato slices or something meticulously prepared and fragrant that is convenient. I can almost confidently say 'been there, done that' but I chose to review those that I have purchased because home remedies tend to vary from one to the other. 

1. Kose Astalution eye zone mask

' An intensive treatment mask for the eye zone that delivers deep moisture to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. The skin feels smoother and more supple. Contains: Astaxanthin' 

Price: RM115 for 10 eye masks 
each packet contains 4.2ml of essence 

This one would have to be my current favorite sheet mask for the eye area. The great thing about this mask is that it contains asthaxanthin which is a strong anti-oxidant that rejuvenates and improve the appearance of tired eye area. But also because of the nature of asthaxanthin which has a natural reddish orange tint to it, you have to be careful not to color any white clothes you might have on yourself. The effect is quite lasting, currently I am using it once a week and it helps with moisturizing my eye area which improves wrinkles. 

2. Methode Swiss Thermal Oxygen Overnight eye mask

'Methode Swiss Thermal Oxygen Overnight Eye Mask, a soft and comfortable mask that can be left on the eye zone overnight, smoothes out the wrinkles of the eye contour and visibly reduces dark circles. It leaves your eyes re-plumped, brighter, tighter, more elastic and younger looking'

Price: $25 - $50 for 15ml

I am not sure if I reviewed this mask before because I have been using this mask for quite some time. This mask squirts out as clear liquid which is applied to the eye area. It comes with a short manual to teach you some basic massage technique in applying the eye mask but I prefer to sweep it outwards from the inner corner of my eyes. When it dries, it tightens the area around my under eye area which significantly reduces the appearance of puffiness. The moisturizing effect is pretty basic on me but it might be sufficient for others.

3. Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream 

'Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness, this rich, concentrated cream visibly revives eyes.'

Price: $120 for 15ml

The texture of the eye cream is not heavy. I'd say in terms of moisturizing effect, this eye cream is rich enough to provide hydration without triggering any unsightly oil cysts under the eye. It might be a bit oily during the day time for the make up to adhere to the skin so I'd learnt to use it at night which is very good for skin restoration. Especially for dry weather, the extra moisture is always welcome. 

Eye massage

I once saw on a long forgotten tv show on massages to combine with eye cream that will significantly improve absorption and reduce eye stress. I tried it before and can definitely notice the difference! I can't find the original link to this, so I will show this with my funny face. :) 

First step is using the ring finger and lightly pat the eye cream on to and around the eye area (as noted by the red dots). I think Niu Er (from Taiwan) recommends using the eye cream both on the top and bottom lid, but my lid is pretty oily so I usually ignore this step. Pat around each eye about 100-120 times. It is actually very relaxing after a while. :P 

Second step, use the index and middle finger and lightly apply pressure along the indicated red arrows. Slowly trace down to the neck and onto collar bone. Gently massage the top collar bone, it helps release collected fluid from the eye bag and reduce puffiness. Repeat this about 3-4 times. 

Step 3, using the ring finger again gently press down on the key pressure points around the eye. The first place is right where the eyebrow starts, then the inner corner of the eye, followed by the middle point of the bottom eye socket, and the ending of the eye. In circular motion, massage the pressure points side of the eye near your ear (also known as 太阳穴) and finally the middle point of the top eye socket. Each press or massage should take about 3-4 seconds and the whole routine should be repeated around 2-3 times. 

Lastly, heat up your palms by rubbing them against each other and place it on your eye area. The heat would help the final absorption of the eye cream. Since it is very hard for me to achieve this without irritating my already dry hands, I like to use those eye gel patch (which you can heat up or cool down by putting it in hot water or fridge) and apply it on my eye area. Aaahh.... just great, now I can go to sleep!! 

Well, in the event that you... like me need a quick save... well, there is always reliable color corrector and concealer to conceal the under eye area!! :D

Have fun!!

August's product talk

Lately I have been so consumed being a consumer!! There is so much things out there. So many weird and wacky stuff that attracts and excites me and my wallet is feeling the burn. And the first thing I always do is check other people's reviews on them which is sometimes hard to find. So, today... this post is going to be about some stuff that I love this month... (actually for quite some time.. but since I started this post this month... so yeah, stuff I love this month...)

1. Gold

I think gold needs no introduction, right? There is white and there is yellow. A lot of people have tried to convince me that generally white gold is aesthetically more pleasing than yellow but I persists in wearing yellow gold. Why??  I will let you in on a small secret. 

Have you guessed yet? Hehe... It is because I believe in its contribution to my aesthetic value!! There are plenty of facial centers and products that are using 24k gold as their selling point. According to them, gold speeds up the cellular processes and activates regeneration within the cell. In terms of deep cellular levels, gold is well reputed for restoring the lost elasticity properties of the tissues. Gold slows down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin to prevent sagging skin. Gold's anti-inflammatory properties also decrease skin inflammation, thereby slowing down melanin secretion and reducing age spots (Source). 

Off course, in order for effective deep cellular action, the gold particles must be in the form of nano particles. That way, it can be readily absorbed into the skin via pores while I wear it in its metallic form. However, I am not sure be it the fact that gold is the most inert solid element at standard condition or its good electron grounding properties, wearing it does bring about improvement to my skin. I speculate (because I have no proof) that it is because it regulates the ionic condition on my skin that my skin is less irritated by the attack of free radicals. 

Sometimes I do trade my gold necklace for other metallic and more fashionable necklaces, and I forgot to put it back on afterwards. I noted that 3-5 days later, little red bumps alike pimples begin to pop out from my skin and my pores appear bigger. (Actually not a lot la, but I like to freak out a lot.) And the appearance of these red bumps are not tied to hormonal change or diet change, so I decided to put my gold necklace back to soothe my skin and it works! Off course, the purer the better. I am currently wearing 916 which is like 91.6% purity? Those obviously gold alloys I got from Australia have no such effect. Trust me, I am an enginner. lol... It might just be a placebo effect anyway...  

2. Kose Sekkisei lotion

I finally finished my bottle of Kose Sekkisei lotion! Sadness!! 

If at first, I wasn't too convinced with this lotion, now I am totally in love with it. If you have yet to read my review on it, check it out here. 

An absolutely wonderful lotion for lotion mask! I just didn't know what I had till I compared with the other lotions. The benefits of using it as lotion mask is that it really refreshes, lightly moisturizes and brightens up the skin. I could feel my skin singing its praises. For me, it is those lotion that the more you use, the better your skin gets. Absolutely wonderful for summer but also great for that pick-me-up lotion in winter. RAWR~! 

3. Herbalife Instant Herbal Beverage

If I could compare my stomach to a pressure vessel, stainless steel (SS316) kind being the average and able to stomach a lot of stuff, mine would be cardboard or maybe plastic. It had resorted to bloating and pain to warn me that it is a picky stomach and is the master of me, not slave. So after a day of food binge (usually one that is high in fat), it would spend the next day berating me (by means of weird noises) with its huge puffed up face (bloated). But I have now found a way to soothe it, i.e. Herbalife Instant Herbal Beverage! 

Its slight bittery tea taste seems to clean my palette and cut through the extreme fatty sludge in my stomach which in turn soothes it. And whenever it comes to pick-me-up drinks, I think there is nothing better than the Instant Herbal Beverage by Herbalife. Knowing what caffeine does to me, I would only take this in the morning or latest after lunch. Granted that it is pretty costly, it does pretty much what it is supposed to do.  Plus the person who introduced this product to me mentioned that it helps increase the body's metabolism which means it helps you slim down, the lazy way! This is like one of life's cheat! lol...  

'This delicious low-calorie tea mix blends green tea and orange pekoe with cardamon seed, lemon peel, hibiscus and natural sources of caffeine for an uplifting taste treat. Green tea is known for its natural antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that regular consumption of green tea can be beneficial to your wellbeing. Enjoy refreshing Herbalife Instant Beverage as part of your weight-loss programme or whenever you want a boost' (Herbalife) 

I do feel a bit weird talking about direct sales product, seems like I am marketing them. But I am not a distributor and this is just me sharing what I like about it. If you like more information about how to incorporate this into your weightloss regime, it is a good idea to talk to a qualified distributor. :) 

So that is all for the month of August~! Can't wait to try what I wanna use for product talk next month~! 

Review: Hadalabo foaming wash and super hyaluronic acid lotion

These past few weeks have been so hectic!! In a short period of time, I have returned to Malaysia once! From transiting through kl to my hometown to meeting up with family members, preparing wedding stuff (namely photography, venue, invitation card design, and menu) and not forgetting my fiancee's graduation. Omg... Now that I am back, I have to unpack my baggage, repack them and move them to the new place. At the same time, ensuring all important mails have been redirected to my new address, make sure the main utilities have been transferred to our name, choosing furniture and discussing essential renovation works. Did I mentioned that calling those companies just to change one single detail takes minimum 30 minutes?? From being put on hold to safety checks and finally to actually change one small detail... Gosh... It really makes me appreciate simple things and simple procedures. That is why I am reviewing one of the simplest and satisfying product so far, i.e. Hadalabo Super Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Wash and Hadalabo Super Hyaluronic Acid lotion today~!

(1) Hadalabo Super Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Wash 

Price: US$11.50 on sasa.com

Content: 160 ml 

Manufactured in: Japan

Packaging: Cute and basic. The basic stop on it's neck ensures that there is no accidental spillage when you pack it in your travelling bag! 

Comment: This is so convenient for a busy person~! Just 2-3 pumps, and you have enough marshmallow type foam to cover your face without the tedious job of foaming up. So nice~! I think it wins me over because it is just so basic, containing no fragrances, colourants, oil and alcohol. I currently alternate this with another whitening wash but due to convenience, I end up using this cleanser most of the time. With its patented super hyaluronic acid, it is also incredibly moisturizing... so good for winter~! Plus this cleanser is slightly acidic which is close to the skin's natural ph, so you won't have the tight sensation after wash~!

Advantages: Convenient, reasonably priced, moisturizing, free of fragrances, colourants, oil and alcohol.

Disadvantages: Just very basic. (Actually I think this is an advantage instead of a disadvantage, but some people prefer multi-function, right?) 

(2) Hadalabo Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (I love to pronounce this as Lo-ti-on after watching Phil Wang's character... lol...)

Price: US$14.10 on sasa.com

Content: 170 ml

Manufactured in: Japan

Packaging: Convenient again~! It comes with a nice cap instead of a screw on bottle... Arigato~!

Comment: The texture is really unlike most lotion I have tried before. It is slightly viscous but it doesn't feel sticky at all~! The best thing is that it doesn't smell of alcohol and it really is so moisturizing!! I used the wash and this lotion in Malaysia and I can totally skip on emulsion and cream without fearing those dry white patches!! It is so shine free and without the fragrance, people doesn't credit my skin's smoothness to any product. *Evil laughter* 

Advantages: Convenient, moisturizing, non-oily, free of fragrances, colourants, oil and alcohol.

Disadvantages: Not very easily absorbed, you just got to pat pat pat and lightly massage it in. 

 So now you know... actually maybe you already know... this product is so popular. The products claimed that every 4 seconds, one bottle of the lotion is sold~! Omg... This review is so overdue!! But then there is so much product, and I only have one face... so bo bien... Anyway, have fun trying it out~!

Summer Skincare (masks)

Oops... Summer is almost over when I finally finished with the editing of this post. The reason how I come to finish it is all thanks to summer too~! I slept at 9:30pm today, which is like really really rare and thanks to the hot weather, I woke up again at midnight, after tossing and turning endlessly. I do wish autumn would arrive sooner rather than later, it is already March~! Read the calender, season~! 

I am still actively looking for a really soothing and cooling mask especially after a hot day out, like can you believe the weather? my eyes felt so dry, I could not roll my eyes at the weather~!  So far, the best one is still basic lotion masks. The main criteria being choosing a good lotion, preferably one without alcohol for maximum hydration. Love it so much, but apart from that, these are some I have also tried during this summer.

• Clay Pack Deep Cleansing Masque (A$36.10 web price at nuskin.com @ 100ml)

Price : A$ 36.10 web price at nuskin.com 

Content : 100 ml

Manufactured in : USA

Description : Clay pack is a non-drying facial mask that moisturizes the skin while it deep cleanses. The combination of clay, aloe vera, NaPCA, and intensive cleansing agents help unclog pores, free impurities, and leave skin feeling its best. 
Pros : The texture is smooth milky texture, smells like yogurt. It really soothes my skin, especially after mild-medium sun exposure, certain time of the month or even when I am just stressed out. It is even suitable for most skin type. It contains kaolin clay which supposedly helps unclog pores, so my skin feels cleansed, moisturized and brightened at the end of the mask.
Cons : The retail price is quite pricey, but a little goes a long way.
Though it is such a mild yet multipurpose mask, it hardens slightly as it dries so try not to make too much facial expressions while doing it. And though I was tempted to leave it on while I sleep, DON'T ever do that~! The wrinkles formed when the mask is all dried up and starts to get brittle will remain to haunt you in the long run. So only use it till it dries properly, sometimes around 30-45 minutes and then wash it off. Would I buy it again? Are you kidding me? I heart it... heart heart heart it~! 

• My Beauty Diary Pearl Powder Mask (available in Sasa.com at A$11.90)

Price : A$11.90 at Sasa.com

Content : 30g (23ml of serum) 

Material : Cotton

Description : My Beauty Diary Pearl Pearl Powder Mask whitens, nourishes and revitalizes skin. It is ideal for all skin types, especially dull and damaged skin. Creates translucent and whitened skin: Super fine pearl powder contains various amino acid and microelements which permeate into skin, performing watery and white skin. Mulberry peel essence hydrates skin. Revitalizes and nourishes skin : Vitamin B and seaweed complex revitalize and nourish skin while licorice and citrus ingredients condition and nourish skin. Amazing Nanospheres Technology : Structured with plenty of tiny holes, it enhances absorption of nourishment, leaving skin moisturized.  
Pros : The mask cutting and fitting is awesome for such a reasonable price. The smell of the mask is also very nice. It is great after a long day or mild sun exposure to soothe the skin and your nerves. I heart heart heart it~! Offers slight moisturizing and brightens up the skin.
Cons : I thought, at this price, there isn't much I could complain. The mask was soft and it adheres to the skin well. So, what else? Well, for starter it does not soothes medium sun exposure and it doesn't control sebum excretion and/or major whitening. But it does provides a slight cooling effect on the skin.
Over all, I still really love it and would buy it again. 

• Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Petal Mask (available in Bonjourhk.com at HKD129 at 100ml)

Price : HKD 129 at Bonjourhk.com

Content : 100 ml 

Manufactured in : Korea

Description :

Pros: If you are looking for a girly mask for a relaxing time, then this mask with its rose smell and tiny rose petals (looks like snow fungus) would be awesome. It offers slights moisturizing benefits; its main focus is a relaxation means for the skin.

Cons: The smell is overpowering to others. Apart from that, it does not offer any whitening or brightening effects to my skin. 

I find it quite amazing that it was noted as the bestseller, but the packaging was pretty cute and sometimes it is not really about the actual content but the experience it provides. Not every mask needs to be packed with awesome goodness? But nah... I won't buy it again in a hurry.

• Lush handmade BB Seaweed mask

Price : AUD14.95 at Lush

Content : 75g

Manufactured: In store

Description : Relaxing and reviving, mineral-rich mask to cleanse, soften and beautify all skins. This blend, inspired by the sea, contains fresh and nutritious seaweed and seaweed absolute. Cleansing kaolin, antiseptic honey, calming aloe vera and rose absolute make this a great mask for everyone. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave for five to ten minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Keep chilled.

Pros : Recommended usage is about 2-3 times a week, could use about 7-8 time in total. It lasted longer than I initially thought it would. No artificial preservatives which enables your skin some breathers. Contains honey and peppermint which helps sooth skin after exposure to the sun. Kaolin clay also helps absorbs and control the sebum excretion. 

Cons : Relatively expensive and could only last for 3 weeks in the refrigerator. The size of the exfoliate is quite big, which makes it hard to use my skin type and not my choice for a refreshing sooth after sun exposure. If your skin's metabolism is slow and has dull pale skin most of the time, you can try this though. Apart from that, the smell is nothing near heavenly. 

This was recommended to me after I mentioned that I wanted something for sebum control, especially during summer. However, I could not comment on that as the sebum control isn't that noticeable compared to my flaking dry skin resulting from the exfoliate. Though I love the whole concept of fresh hand made soap and mask, the fact that I could not finish it within 3 weeks annoys me. I even resorted to use it generously on my bro's face, as he complaint about the smell. And it is incredibly expensive in Australia as compared to US even though those masks are made locally. So will I buy it again? No, perhaps not this mask. 

Although this is a fast track review, I hope it helps your research when deciding whether or not to buy a certain product. It is hard, I know it firsthand.

So till next time,

XOXO

Summer skincare 2 (Review for moisturizer and lotion)

What is the first thing that pops into mind when you experienced dry, tight or flaking skin? Needless to say, it is moisturizer~! Healthy and moisturized skin are plumped up and less susceptible to wrinkles and sagging~! No wonder after the whitening craze in Japan, they are now going gaga over moisturizing~!

If you think moisturizing is only for a certain skin type then you are wrong. My recent reads revealed that even oily skin may be just as dry underneath. In some of these cases, oily skin types will secrete more oil to conserve the moisture of the skin cells. Hence, the person will suffer shiny and oily skin complexion and may even blot with oil blotters. Oil blotters remove the outer layer of the oil which conserves the moisture, leaving the skin dry and vulnerable. The last thing on their mind is the moisturizer. Hence, oily skin --> dry --> secrete more oil --> oily --> would not apply moisturizer --> dry -->... you get the picture. What is needed is a healthy oil to moisture balance~! 

But I am not going to delve too deep, my purpose is to go gaga over skincare products and then review 'em. First of all, Moisturizer~!

• L'oreal HYDRAFRESH All Day Hydration Supply Aqua-Milky Emulsion 

Price : RMB 140 at Guardian Nanjing

Content : 150 ml 

Manufactured in : China

Comment : The texture is pinkish white and it smells like faint rose syrup and milk drink (a.k.a. air bandung). I purchased this in China and I could not find the same packaging elsewhere. I noted that those sold in Malaysia and Singapore are produced either in Indonesia or Philippines and am not sure of the formula consistency. But I really recommend this one. I used to suffer from white dry patches around the mouth, and when I first bought this, I kinda doubt the efficacy as it is slightly runny, but it blends and absorbs without fuss and white patches are no more~! This product is great to use in the morning, and even though I believe that I have a big face, it lasted me full one year. It wasn't oily for my dry/combination skin, even when I used it in a humid country like Malaysia and Singapore. I would recommend this to oily/combination and dry/combination skin but if you have dry skin type, might not your cup of tea. Though I believe that there is a current trend... a-hem... for a certain Japanese emulsion, I fell hopelessly in love with the pinkish tint and the smell. Now... to find the right victim to help me purchase it in China... 

• Hadolabo GOKUJYUN moisturising cream (A$13.30 at sasa.com)

Price : A$13.30 at Sasa.com 

Content : 50g

Manufactured in : Japan

Description : Hadalabo GOKUJYUN Moisturising Cream is infused with super hyaluronic acid which deeply penetrates into skin. It keeps on moisturizing and replenishing skin, meanwhile enhancing skin's water-binding ability, leaving skin supple, smooth and radiant. The gel texture helps to further nourish skin. Weak acid, no fragrance, no colorant, no oil and is alcohol-free. 
Comment: So this is the ahem... I mentioned. The texture of the cream isn't thick, slightly runny but it does it work fine. There are no smell associated with it as it contains no fragrance and colorant anyway. And a small pea size was enough for my big face. I started off with lathering a lot on my face and my hubby was grossed out by the shine, so... a little goes a long way. As the product is oil free and alcohol free, it seems great for sensitive skin and really soothes the skin after a sun burn and shave burns. Over all, definitely worth the price. 

2. Lotion

• Kose sekkisei lotion

Price: $44.60 in sasa.com

Content : 200 ml

Manufactured in : Japan

Comment : I love this. It took a while for me to warm up to this product as the first smell that hit me was the smell of alcohol. But I do have to iterate, my nose is kinda picky. For some who may think, why need lotion? Great~! I just found out a simple trick to know the usefulness of lotion. Dab some lotion onto a cotton pad and wipe it on the back of your left hand (or perhaps you prefer to just rub it in with your hand), and leave the back of the other hand bare. Now dab serum on top of both of your hand backs. I noted that the one with the lotion just got absorbed faster and evenly~! So this lotion is great to prep the skin for the next stage of skincare, whether it is emulsion or serum or moisturizer~! The other reason I love this is the mild whitening properties and the soothing effect it had on the skin. I used it as a form of mask after a long sun exposure, and my skin instantly felt hydrated and less irritated. No wonder, it is one of the bestseller in Japan~! Not too sure whether it is suitable for sensitive skin as it contains alcohol. 

Okie, that is all from me this week. I am trying to finish my summer skincare reviews before the summer is over. But there are so many distractions around. Just this week, someone introduced me hand made masks and organic skincare, I was hooked. Luckily I had the sanity to stop at just two products, will review it soon. 

Till then, have fun and God bless~! 

Summer skincare

When I first came to Oz, I could not understand why Aussies love their summer days~! So hot, like walking in an oven!! And as if that isn't hot enough, the harsh sun rays just zaps mercilessly on the skin until it hurts. My only comfort was the air con in my room... whee... as I typed incessantly on my laptop, surfing the web and chatting with my friends. 

But then I came to realize that kinda life is pretty much anti-social in a summer loving aussie standard, so I kinda let my friends drag me out to the beach. Like today... it was a festering 41 degrees celsius in the city! But once I step out of my car to the beach, the breeze was amazing~! The water was so cooling~! Everything seems so awesome~! Except the waves... grrr... I just wanna dip in the water and be cool doing it, (got my sunnies and all that...). But then again, someone drag me to ride the wave~!  


The first few waves were pretty mild, like a stranger luring you on with sweets and lollies. Then the big ones hit me and swallowed me, pushing me to the shore and then dragging me back on, water was entering everywhere, my eyes, my nose, my mouth, and my ears~! I was sure I was gonna finish where I left off some 20 years ago. (I almost drown when I was a kid, was saved by my mum and hospitalized for 3 days... bla bla bla...). Luckily for me, my hubby grabbed me and dragged me back up. 

Casualty from riding the waves...

And then I made some pitiful faces and showed off my wounds until I passed by another person who was nursing an open wound... Alrighty... 

My serious face... I conquered a big wave today... :P 

So, I decided I should do my serious face cause I conquered a big wave unscathed today~! Yeeeaahh....

Cottlesloe's restaurant and cafe

But in truth, all my sob story was just to secure ice cream before we head back. You cannot believe how yummy ice cream tastes like after drinking really salty water~! I believe THAT should be one of the BIGGEST highlight of my visit to the beach. 

Must have when you are on the beach... ICE CREAM~! 

So if ice cream is to beach is to summer, then I believe the other missing connection should be sunscreen! One of my laziest step in daily skincare routine is the sunscreen, especially when it comes to applying it to the rest of my body. In my defense, I have to apply a bigger surface area for my case~! 

But as being ceaselessly highlighted in the skincare books I read, (which isn't many, if you care to ask. But to the point that I can refer to them as 'books' means hell of an effort on my side, I should comment. :P) sun is one of the main culprit in skin aging. So even if you are lazy to smother your face with serums, smooth it with scrub or moisturize it with emulsions and creams, sunscreen should still be in your skincare regime. And if you have seen what sun damaged skin looks on a young woman, you would be shocked and disgusted and decided to swim in sunscreen right this moment~! (At least I would, coz I am still super lazy to apply it with my hands). It is never too late to start, either... I just started actively applying sunscreen on my face last year~! And I really didn't know how to start, so I started with a humble tub of sunscreen in the supermarket and work my way through. But I didn't really like it, which makes the routine harder to stick and I figure this would be the same with others out there. So I decided to do reviews on sunscreens I've tried and tested and hope it helps you with selecting one that suits you~! 

In order to choose one that is best for you, it is inherent that you compare reviews and experience of the skin type close to yours. For clarity sake, my skin type is dry to combination skin. 

• Nivea Sun Light Feel Daily Face Veil

Sun Protection Factor : 30 

Price : A$8

Content : 50 ml 

Manufactured in : not sure

Description : This moisturising, ultra light-weight cream-gel formula ensures high protection against sun damage and premature skin ageing creating a protective veil against the sun. Instantly absorbed, it leaves a silky, light skin feeling making it perfect for everyday use. 

Direction : Apply liberally 15-20 minutes before sun exposure

Experience :
Shine : ☺☺☺☺

Oiliness : ☺☺☺
Comment : This product did not mentioned anything about protection against UVA. As UVA is one of the biggest contributor to skin cancer, it may not provide all round protection. When I first applied it, I like the cream-gel texture which quickly dissolved. Though it is not so oily, it has a unsightly shine especially after a few minutes. So you go out feeling confident, until you excuse yourself to the bathroom after a few hours and go Gaaahhhh!!! The upside is it is really cheap and as the first facial sunscreen I tried, it is not that bad. It does not contain overpowering perfume and does not clog pores. The main downside is the shiny exterior and not having UVA blocker. 

Nivea Sun Light Feel Daily Face Veil's texture : Just like blend of gel and cream texture 

This is how it looks like...

After blending it in... 

• L'oreal UV Perfect 12H Longlasting UV Protector 

Sun Protection Factor : 50, UVB, UVA, PA+++

Price : A$18 at Sasa.com (anti-dullness) and RM33 at Guardian Malaysia (even complexion)

Content : 30 ml

Manufactured in : Phillipines  

Description : Perfectly hydrates and protects your skin against UV rays, brown spots, skin darkening, and premature ageing. UV PERFECT contains an optimized UVA/UVB protection filtering system tailor made for asian phototypes. Enriched with a powerful Anti-Oxidant Complex and Activa-Cell, to reinforce protection against free-radicals and better shield cells, elastin and collagen fibers. 

L'oreal UV Perfect 12H Longlasting UV Protector

L'oreal UV Perfect 12H Longlasting UV Protector's texture : Smooth liquid. On the left: Anti-dullness and on the right: even complexion 

L'oreal UV Perfect 12H Longlasting UV Protector's texture: Easily blended in

Experience :
Shine : ☺☺

Oiliness : ☺☺☺
Comment : I have heard so much about this product as I was web surfing. Apparently, this product was highly raved by Beauty magazine in Taiwan or something, so naturally I was inclined to fall head over heels in love with it. The texture was smooth and easy to blend in, and it comes in two range, either anti-dullness or even complexion which is a bit like a tinted moisturizer. I really like the even complexion function as it can double up as make up base on my lazy days. The best thing was the fact that it has UVA and UVB blockers and SPF50, wth?? But here is the bad side... though it didn't give off that awful shine, it gets oily after a few hours (which I come to accept, maybe due to the temperature and what not, right?) but the worst part was the black heads~! Blackheads are natural, but this product acted like blackhead fertilizer on my nose~! This means it inevitably clogged up my pores. 

• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery mousse Water base 

Sun Protection Factor : 50+, PA+++

Price : Rm32.90 at Sasa shop 

Content : 33g 

Manufactured in : Japan

Description : Say goodbye to ordinary heavy, sticky sun protection and experience this mousse-touch UV cream! With Biore first-ever technology, UV cut ingredient is locked inside of Aqua Micro Capsules, giving you SPF 50+/PA+++ yet surprising ultra-light & refreshed skin feeling. Cool 'water-like' sensation, for face, ideal as makeup base, Non sticky & Non greasy, Hyaluronic acid & mix citrus essence, keeps skin fresh, moist & protected. 

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Mousse Water base

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Mousse Water Base's texture: looks like a blend of mousse and liquid

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery mousse Water base texture : blends to a smooth powdery texture

Experience :
Shine : ☺

Oiliness : ☺

Comment : So far, I really like this one. The texture is really nice, sorta like powder once you apply it on. The upside is no shine, no oiliness, and no clogged pores~! I really like that it provides overall protection while not sacrificing my lazy habits. No wonder it is Japan's  best selling sunscreen. The downside? I guess the down side can be the price of it as compared to the others I have tried. But I learnt through experience, that convenience comes with a price. Damn~! 

Hence, before you head out today, don't forget to apply sunscreen if you have some, and if you don't, grab some while you're out~!

Happy summer day~! 

Note : The products that I reviewed above are purchased and are not sponsored. 

Review: The Skin House deep cleansing foam

Ever since I find out my fav Jap skincare was meant for mature skin, I was horrified. O no.... But I actually super love it. So I let Bonjour's promoter introduced me some skincare for the younger generation (yes, I am young! In your face~! :P). She introduced me some korean skincare call the Skin House deep cleansing foam, hence I am reviewing it after one month of use.

Packaging : Bright green tube packaging, simple and practical.

Texture : Light yellow creamy texture that foams into this light fluffy texture of fine foam.

After rigorous foaming....*sweating and puffing profusely* Ok, not that rigorous la... I admit, I lack exercise~! :P

kinda reminded of the foam ontop of my hot chocolate... *hungry*

Smell : Hard to describe, but it is not citrus, floral or herbal smell. The smell is light and not overpowering, kinda reminds me of some mung beans or red beans. :P

Pricing : App. HKD200 (so about AUD10-20)

Claims : Deep cleansing without the annoying tightness afterwards. All other claims are in korean.

Comments : It is a very basic foam cleanser. Definitely cleanses the face without the feeling of tightness afterwards, however that was pretty much what it does.

Upon washing, it SLIGHTLY reduces the appearance of my blackheads. But apart from that, there is definitely nothing special I can comment on. No extra whitening or brightening or etc... etc...

Pros :

• Gentle; did not irritate my skin
• Moisturizing for a foam cleanser

Cons :

• Quite expensive for such a basic cleanser
• Very troublesome to foam, it took me at least 1-2 minutes every time

Who might like it?

If you don't mind spending some time foaming up your cleanser and the price, then you might like this. I think it might be suitable for people with oily to combination skin as it does not strip your skin of its natural barrier.

My verdict?

I finished the whole tube within one and a half month. I honestly think there are cheaper and better alternatives to this. With the money I saved on not buying this, I can buy my fav jap skincare for the mature skin in the future~! Yoohoo...

Till next time,

XOXO