I Love Skincare! =)

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel

2010-12-12T05:07:00.001-08:00

Living here, it's hard to resist from being obsessed with desserts.

Simply grab one from a random supermarket and you're doomed.

As a result, pimples bloom on my face like mushrooms after the rain. =.=

Till I met a cure for the pimples!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel :)

Ingredients:

Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Surfactant), Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Mel (Natural Additive), Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Carbomer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Aminomethyl Propanol (pH Adjuster), Salix Alba Bark Extract (Natural Additive), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Limonene (Natural Additive), Citral (Natural Additive), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Natural Additive), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant), Tocopherol (Antioxidant).

My two cents:

Applying adequate amount on the blemishes of cleansed face. You will feel a sense of soothing caused by the tea tree oil. The next morning, you won't feel the sore anymore. The blemish will be controlled as in there'll be no worsening scenario and gradually the pimple will disappear with time, definitely faster than if you don't apply anything on it. Compared with Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil, I find this to be more effective and less oily.

Price: £4.50 at 2.5mL

Like: Nice scent, effective to control pimples

Shortcoming: Small size, not able to last(my 2nd tube less than 3 months), quite expensive, hygiene issue - apply over again with the same 'bud', wouldn't be a problem if you cleanse face before applying.

Sunblock Comparison: Kiehl's and Shu Uemura

2010-12-12T05:04:00.000-08:00

Do you see aged people usually got freckles on their faces? Especially on the cheek areas?

Ultraviolet(UV) rays from sun is the cause of the freckles formation, if not from genetic.

Other effects on UV exposure to skin are:

wrinkles and loosening of the skin, skin cancer for more serious case.

Therefore, sunblock is one skincare routine that I'll never miss!

It's easier to prevent than treat after all. =)

SPF and PA protects from different UV rays i.e. UVA and UVB,

there's a relationship between (SPF and PA) and how many hours it protects,

but obviously I'm not really a "Math" person, actually I'm lazy~.

Simpler rules I adopt to is

the fairer you are, higher SPF you'll need.

Normally I'll use sunblock with minimum SPF of 35 and I love PA with 3+'s.

Due to the increasingly hot weather in Malaysia,

I've chosen a higher SPF - SPF50 for my following sunblock.

Kiehl's Nymphaea Alba UV Shield

SPF35 PA+++

is the sunblock I've been using since a few months ago.

p.s. Apology for blur pictures taken from Nokia. :p

Ingredients

Pic credit to www.vivawoman.net.

Plus-point of the ingredients are botanical extracts of Nympaea Alba and Alove Vera.

*YAY to botanical extracts!*

Texture

Texture of the sunblock is quite watery as you can see. It's thin fluid that it can easily slide down my hand.

After spreading,

there's no white-cast.

It has a light-weight, not oily on the face

and it melts into the face quickly.

*DO NOT pat sunblock to your face, just spread.*

I've almost finished the bottle of this sunblock,

it does not break me out for my combination skin,

the scent of it is quite like the normal sunblock but lighter smell, okay for me.

It gives a fairer complexion after application.

Overall it is a great sunblock,

my favourite sunblock so far. =)

Product Summary of 

Kiehl's Nymphaea Alba UV Shield SPF35 PA+++

Where I bought: Kiehl's @ One Utama, Malaysia 

Website: Kiehl's Official

Made in: Japan

Price: RM100/30mL

Pros: Light-weight, Not oily, Fairer skin effect, Does not cause break out, Moisturizing botanical extracts ingredients

Cons: Expensive

Repurchase?: Yes, but I'd like to try out different and cheaper product and see.

Another sunblock I've tried before Kiehl's is

Shu Uemura UV Armor SPF50 PA+++

sample.

ee very blur pic.

Texture

As you can see, it's thicker compared to Kiehl's. Instead of chances of sliding down, it's kinda adsorbing to my hand.

Spreading spreading..

It has a fragrant rather than typical sunblock smell.

Thick and oilier.

From my personal experience,

this sunblock broke me out with many pimples! >.<

Certainly abhor and discard use for product that breaks me out.

Product Summary of 

Shu Uemura UV Armor SPF50 PA+++

Where I bought: Shu Uemura Retail @ One Utama, Malaysia 

Website: Shu Uemura Official

Made in: Japan

Price: RM150/40mL

Pros: Fragrant scent

Cons: Very Expensive, Oily, Causes break out.

Repurchase?: No totally.

This was what the bottle looks like of the sample I've used. Used to be RM160/50mL.

Now they've changed their packaging, not sure of the formula. Obviously more expensive now.

Comparing these two, I'll definitely go for Kiehl's!

Here's the following sunblock that I'm going to use....

Have a peek!

Is your face protected by sunblock already?

What sunblock are you using?

Etude House Vitamin A Mask

2010-09-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ingredients: water, glycerin, butylene glycol, sodium hyaluronate, carrot root extract, alcohol, betaine, PEF-60 hydrogenated castor oil, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylparaben, panthenol, phenoxyethanol, carbomer, triethanolamine, xantan gum, retinyl palmitate, propylparaben, fragrance, trisodium EDTA, dipotassium clycyrrhizate.

Made in: Korea

Price: RM7 roughly (I forgot! =p)

What to love?: Quite moisturizing, easily available

Complaints?: TOO sticky, not cheap (not worth it)

Repurchase?: Probably no.

Rating: 2.5/5

It's the first face mask I tried from Etude House, apart from its nose patch.

What can I say?

Overall, it's an ok mask.

The mask sheet is soft, adsorbs quite well to the skin. Not very wet in the sense of not much essence left in the mask foil itself, but it's ok.

The scent is alright, not too strong. I like light scent. =)

With alcohol in its ingredient, i assume the product should be absorbed quite well into the skin, but it doesn't. It was very very sticky on my face after removing the mask, even I wiped the remaining essence onto my skin (which is not much), my body was very sticky too. So if doing the calculation taking "alcohol" into account, it doesn't seem right. I wonder if it's right? that's my point of view, correct me if I'm wrong. =)

On a happier note, my skin is quite moisture after using the mask. But the stickiness was too much for me.

How sticky? The stickiest mask so far, compared to The Face Shop, My Beauty Diary, Hada Labo. Plus, normally if you sleep in an air-conditioned room, stickiness will disappear the next morning. But for this case, it's still a little sticky in the morning!

All in all, this mask is more expensive than other Korean brand's face mask.

Due to its stickiness and Etude House seems to be quite new in launching of face mask, I doubt that if I'll buy it again.

Guardian Electric Toothbrush

2010-09-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Recently, I happened to buy an electric toothbrush.

I was quite skeptical to this invention actually. I was thinking, why on earth do we need to pay so much instead of paying little for a manual one.

I only bought this because it was having sales. The price is so low that I'm hard to resist it!

So, there I bought it in a skeptical way. Why not give it a try after all?

In a conclusion,

electric toothbrush is a bomb!

It's such a nice tool to use. =)

It's convenient! Just one push on it to switch on, place it into your mouth, close your mouth and (simply) move it in all directions you wish, then off by clicking it again.

Compared to the manual one, does your hand feel tired when you brush sometimes? I do! especially if I want to brush my teeth thoroughly clean.

Besides, this electric toothbrush does not cause my teeth/gum to bleed! *main superb-ness*

What else? My teeth feels cleaner using this compared to manual one!

Teehee.. what a good buy!

I got it from Guardian at RM19.80 only during Hari Merdeka Sales, normal price is RM27. It's still worthy! Compared to Oral B - RM100+.

I could not find it's pic, but it's something similar, with one "switch" only.

Brand: Guardian home brand

Price: RM19.80 (n/p.27) (steal!)

Why love?: Cheap, convenient, more effective cleaning effect! (refer above details)

Complaints?: Needs batteries to work. (2 AAs)

Repurchase?: YES!

Rating: 5/5 =D

Totally gonna use electric toothbrush from now on!

Still doubtful?

Try it yourself and see if you like it like i do!

Etude House Nose Patch

2010-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Prologue:

Strawberry nose! I admit I have strawberry nose. *cries*
That means I have lots of blackheads on my nose, which I hate the most.

So to make "clean" my nose, usually I'll have a blackhead removing regiment also it is to exfoliate the whole face.

1. Wash face using normal cleanser.

2. Scrub and exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. Currently using Simple Exfoliating Scrubs.

3.Use facial steamer to open pores.

4. Clay mask to absorb impurities. Currently using Origins.

5. Nose patch.

By this 5 steps, I can withdraw A LOT of whiteheads and blackheads onto the nose patch.

p.s. If you think this is too time-consuming, at least use a clay mask before nose patch. Experience with nose patch alone results in less white/blackheads withdrawn! Which is quite wasteful on the nose patch.

Two Etude House nose patches that I've tried:

Active ingredients: Green Tea

Price: RM1 (bought from Korea)

Active Ingredients: Charcoal and Lemon Oil

Price: Less than RM1 (in Malaysia). I bought 10 packs in a box.

Effect: Both withdraw many blackheads. (Note: provided clay mask before nose patch)

Charcoal+lemon oil withdraw slightly more.

Adsorption: Both sticks well to the nose. Size also similar

Scent: Green tea with green tea smell, Charcoal+lemon oil with Lemon smell. Not too strong both.

Ratings: Both worth rating of 5/5! =)

Which one more preferable?: Charcoal and Lemon Oil!

Money-wise, cheaper; lemon oil is beneficial for calming and antiseptic effect, compared to green tea's antioxidant effect, Lemon oil effect is more useful for the nose I think! =)

Important!

Remember to follow up with toner and hydrating mask to prevent skin drying!

How To Wash An Apple? Cleanly!

2010-09-01T06:01:00.000-07:00

Well...

An apple a day keeps the doctor.

Although it is a stale cliche but it's one of the truest fact in the world!

Nutritious, Easily available, Cheap. Agree? =)

Guess what fact did I find from the web!

"Apples are a member of the rose family."

I Love to Eat Apple!

Simply translating it,

I Love to Eat Rose!

Erm...okok..I'm lame. hehe.

Ok, enough for the introduction.

I was looking around the net for way to wash an apple, cuz I'm so lazy to peel it,

plus fruit skin is known to be nutritious too besides it's "flesh". *please correct my term anyone?*

Well, internet is the best solution to all doubts and question!

By simply googling "How to wash an apple". I've got my answer.

The best way to clean an apple is......

Clean it with vinegar!

The tips shared was as below -

1. Prepare a spray bottle filled with three cups of water and one cup of white vinegar. (psst, as long as 3 parts water, one part vinegar)

2. Spray each apple with about six squirts of the solution

3. Rinse it under the tap

Deh Deng! Bob's your uncle then! =)

Experiment has found it removes 98 percent of the bacteria. Whoa!

Now I can save time and eat my nutritious rose! *wink*

Shu Uemura Green Tea Cleansing Oil

2010-08-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

Where I bought: Shu Uemura Retail Shops

Website: Shu Uemura Malaysia Official Site

Made in: Japan

Like: Face clean after washed, Remove makeup well, Green Tea Anti-oxidant property

Errm: Expensive, Mineral oil as main ingredient(A big XcrossX for me!)

Repurchase? : NO

Price: RM100 (150mL)

Rating: 3/5

My Review:

Have been using this for such a long time....as my sun-block remover and also usual cleanser for my double-cleanse routine.

Only to realize it is made of mineral oil yesterday! faint.. I've been using it for years.

As the bad experience that happened to me with mineral oil with Vaseline, I strictly reject any product that contains mineral oil for my skin, not even for my body!

At last, I've decided to opt for DHC cleansing oil which its ingredients are all from plant. It is madly being raved!

p.s. This might be a Holy Grail for many girls, but certainly not for me, or more exactly deleted from my Holy Grail list after I've got to know its No-No ingredients. I do not want "toxic" experience on my skin anymore. =/

More beauty-bloggers' reviews on it:

Lipgloss Eater

Skin Deco

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Coffee Mask?

2010-08-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

Yeap! Can you imagine that? Maybe there'll be more "interesting" mask in the future. er...Sashimi mask??

Where I Bought: Guardian Warehouse Sale
Brand: Natural People (sub-line Dainty Design)
Made in: Australia

Website: Beautymall2u

Price: RM3 (RM2 from the website! >.<)

Like: Special

Errrm: Don't like the scent, Lack of effect
Repurchase: No

Rating: 1.5/5

Product Info.:

Ingredients: Water, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhetinate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbeth-30, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Polyquaternium-51, Methyparaben.

Benefits: Increases circulation, Deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, Tones and refines, Face sliming and shaping.

My Review:

The mask is quite wet when pulled out. A strong coffee smell will follow. Quite aromatic at first. But! A kind of soury smell follows.

It's quite cooling, but not much hydrating or other effect after the mask is used.

Overall, this is a mask that is something "new" to try,

for the adventurous ones. =)

p.s. I feel quite weird when I smell like coffee (slightly!) all around my body after I wiped the extra essence onto it. =p

New Found Skincare Love: August 2010

2010-08-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

I didn't know there are sooo many beauty blogs that most of them have been started since yearsss ago.

Was reading them crazily recently! Clicking one post to another, one blog to another! So addictive!

From the raves, the temptations are irresistible, but my pocket money is limited, so I only can make a "wish"list for the moment. :D

1. Avene Thermal Spring Water

Face Mist Spray

Was skeptical with this product at first, but now I'm intrigued to try after reading the rave!

Benefits stated: Lessen blackheads (my main prob!), soothe skin + reduce face temperature, moisturizer absorbs more easily after the spray.

2. Aspirin Exfoliating Mask

It's not a product! But a DIY mask that is famous around the beauty blogospheres!

Refer procedures, or here .

The basic idea is -

mixing the aspirin tablets with water/cleanser/aloe vera gel.

I most prefer with aloe vera gel as this will make the mask more moisturizing.

Try it with me? :)

3. MAC Loose Powder

After buying Shiseido make-up base and Maquillage foundation,

I'm planning to get the finishing.

Still undecided between this and Anna Sui Loose Powder that my sister and mum love.

4. Also, there's a great blackhead removing tip shared by her. Which I want to try seriously! (after I finish my nose packs) ;D

Last but not least, I bought

Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask!

Cuz there was sales! 10% offer. But...What I just saw from Guardian's website just now, it's having 50% sales for 2 days (30-31 Aug). Faint!

Gonna try this tonight, if it's good, gotta stock it up tomorrow! ;P

The Face Shop Rose and Pine Mask

2010-08-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Where I bought: The Face Shop Retail Shops

Made in: Korea

Like: Cheap, Easily available

Errm: Not much effect, dislike the scent, mask sheet quite rough.

Repurchase? : No

Price: around RM6 (Forgot)

Rating: 2/5

Concept
For aromatherapeutic effect.

Description
Rose & Pine get superior moisture and relieve tension and stress. Also they help protect against eczema and infection.

Prologue

Bought it after seeing many ravings on this mask - Rose and Pine. Reviews state that it help relieving stress and control blemishes.

My review

This mask doesn't work on my skin. The special concept of the mask is of its aromatherapeutic effect. Unfortunately the scent doesn't come to my liking. I dislike the scent. The mask sheet is a bit rough. Don't think the penetrating effect is good. After-effect of the mask? Unfortunately it doesn't sooth any of my blemishes. Don't see much effect after the mask.

White Tree Mask is a more preferable choice for me for its brightening and hydrating effect.

The Face Shop White Tree Mask

2010-08-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Where I bought: The Face Shop Retail Shops

Made in: Korea

Like: Cheap (during sales), Easily available, Radiance, Nice scent, Soft+good fitting+good sticking mask sheet

Errm: A bit sticky, Not hydrating enough.

Repurchase? : Yes!

Price: around RM6 (Forgot)

Rating: 4.5/5

Concept
Formulated with vitamin C-rich vitamin tree extract, this line brightens and clarifies skin for a radiant, flawless complexion and lightens dark spot, hyper pigmentation.

Description
Containing 65% Aqua and 15% of vitamin tree extract, this high-performing clarifying mask sheet deeply and intensely hydrates your thirsty skin while brightening the entire complexion. Skin is instantly brighter, glower and silkier.

Prologue

The second main ingredient of the mask is Hippophae rhamnoides extract. Google tells it's a species of sea-buckthorn which its fruit has a high vitamin C content and also carotenoids, vitamin E, amino acids, dietary minerals, β-sitosterol and polyphenolic acids. Knowing its content of Vitamin C and Vitamin E is good enough, as these both are essential ingredients for skin care. *wink*

Apart from that, another ingredient that is worth to be mentioned is Chamomile recutita flower extract. It is known to have soothing effect.

My Review

This is the second mask from The Face Shop that I tried. The first is Rose & Pine.

The mask sheet is separated into two parts, compared to normal one-piece mask. p.s. Up covering from nose to forehead; down from nose to chin.

Due to the reason, it has better fit to my face, which definitely has more/wider penetrating effect.

The mask has a light aromatic scent, I guess it's from the white tree. Very relaxing yet light and nice scent. I like! The texture of the mask sheet is soft, better than the one with Rose & Pine.

15 minutes after application, I can feel that the mask sheet is now dry. I can feel that the absorption to the skin is great. It has a cooling effect after removing the mask.

The after-effect of the mask? My skin feels smooth and I can see radiance.

Really love this mask heaps and will certainly repurchase again!

I bought it during sales time,

it was having 70% discount, after discount is about RM6. *super worthy*

Unfortunately I only managed to grab the last 2 pieces left.

Mentholatum Lip Pure Lip Balm and Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Experience

2010-08-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

Where I bought: Guardian

Available at: Guardian, Watson's

Made in: China

Like: Made of plant oil and beeswax, moisturizing, no fragrance.

Errm: No =D

Repurchase? : Certainly YES

Price: RM12.90 (during sales)

Rating: 5/5 <3

Product info for Metholatum Lip Pure

- Made of 100% food grade natural ingredients with gentle Beeswax formulation.

-With gentle Beeswax formulation suitable even for very sensitive skin.

-Contains natural ingredients of Shea Butter Oil, Almond Oil, Aloe Vera Extract and Jojoba Oil to fully protect and moisturize lips.

-Contains effective anti-oxidant of Vitamin E and Grape Seed Oil to help maintain healthy and youthful looking lips.

-Natural plant ingredients.

-No preservative and colorant.

My Review:

Lip care is one thing I never miss before going to bed, as I have considerably sensitive lips that will crack or chap if no lip balm is applied at night. Hence I'm quite picky and careful when it comes to lip balm selection.

I need to say this lip balm works very well on me and I'm gonna rave about it.

Firstly, it contains only beeswax and only plant ingredients. Besides, there is Vitamin E that is known to repair damaged cells, a key ingredient that I will opt for lip balm too.

By simply applying once during day and night, lips remain healthy and moist for the whole day.

The price is very affordable as well.

I'm using the 3rd tube of Mentholatum Lip Pure already. :)

On the other hand,

when choosing lip care product I'm more cautious on the ingredient.

I always avoid ingredients related to mineral oil like:

Petrolatum/Petroleum, Paraffin oil.

My experience on Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

has caused me caution on this.

Whenever I put on this petroleum jelly, my lips will feel moist for a moment. It absorbs quickly. However, just after a while(around few hours) lips will become quite dry again. I only realized when I had been using it for around 3 years!

The situation became worse when I skipped applying Vaseline Petroleum Jelly at night. The next morning my lips will be dry and reddish around the lip corner areas.

My lips are literally "toxicated" by this petroleum jelly that it constantly needs to be replenished by the same petroleum jelly. I have a friend who complained to have the same problem as mine, which both of us were using the same type of lip care.

Luckily that I finally realized the problem was on this petroleum jelly and I changed to this new product.

Mentholatum Lip Pure doesn't cause this kind of problem and

it's so far my favourite lipcare!

My advice is opt for ingredients like plant oil and beeswax when it comes to lip care.

Bought from: Guardian @ RM12.90 during sales.
Available in various pharmacy stores.

Watson's Facial Sauna/Steamer

2010-08-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Where I Bought: Watson's homebrand

Website: Beautymall2u

Price: RM39.90

Like: Convenient, Just nice temperature, One-year warranty, Lovely design and colour

Errrm: Need to wait around 1-2 minutes for water to evaporate
Repurchase:Yes if it's broken =p

Rating: 4.5/5

Prologue: I use the facial steamer prior to application of exfoliating/hydrating mask, as the heat of the steam will enlarge my pores. Hence, the effect of the mask would be accelerated, which means better effect.

Instruction: Pour in water into the machine. The machine will heat the water, steam will be evaporated. Manual guide is included.

My Review:

I simply love this product! Was doubtful before buying actually, due to its price, quite expensive for me. Now I feel it's the right decision to have bought it.

Before buying this, I actually use warm towel to open my pores before applying mask.

This is really more convenient if compared to putting on warm towel onto face. It saves me time to boil hot water to soak the towel. Besides, it is easier to control the temperature in the sense of, moving away your face away from the vessel if it is too hot, vice versa. In the case of hot towel, it might be too hot it might hurt your skin or the heat might disappear too fast before the pores open.

In a nutshell, this facial sauna is convenient and useful for people like me who apply mask frequently!

Extra point on the product: One year warranty.

Bought from: Watson's @ Sunway Pyramid

Price: RM39.90