May 2, 2013

Review: Hada Labo retinol firming + lifting cream

Name: Hada Labo retinol firming + lifting cream
Bought from: Watsons
Price: $28.90
Rating: 3/5

I ran out of my favourite Hada Labo moisturiser recently and decided to try their retinol firming one. I had previously done some research online and the bloggers mostly spoke positively about it. Only one particular blogger mentioned that the retinol lotion (which is kinda like toner) actually made her super sensitive hands peel and advices against using it in the day as it might react negatively with the sunlight.

I bought this 50ml product from Watsons for $28.90. Like the rest of Hada Labo's product, It comes in a simple plastic jar. Nothing fancy about it, no magnifying material or empty walls around the jar to make it look bigger than it actually is, which is good.

I've tried this cream for 2 nights and day and must say I'm not super impressed.


The cream is opaque white in colour and has a very viscose texture which made it really hard to blend. It is super sticky , probably due to the collagen ingredients and takes around 10 minutes for my skin to absorb it. It is so sticky that when I cringe my face I can feel the skin around my eyes stick together lol !

I'm not sure whether had I been using too much of it at a go thus the unwanted stickiness or it is really meant to be this sticky.




I have combination, dehydrated and sensitive skin. And I'm in air conditioned environment most of the time so I really appreciate a product that can keep my face from drying out.

Unfortunately with all it's viscosity and stickiness , it didn't seemed to hydrate my skin as effectively as I'd like. I still need my hydrating essence to boost its moisturizing effect. I'm not sure if it's just me not using the product correctly or my expectations were just too high. Either way, the product's not too bad but I guess I was expecting more.

Apr 24, 2013

How I treat my pimples

I'm here with an entry on treating pimples on the face. 



I've always struggled with acne and while I have not totally won the battle yet ( they still come back occasionally and stay very long!) I found out that by following this routine , my skin has become a lot more manageable. 







Firstly , to set your mindset straight. If you've always struggled with bad skin or you want better skin then you must be prepared to be commit to taking care of your skin. To have healthy skin is not easy ( unless you're born with them !) . The most important thing about taking care of your skin is ensuring they are clean and well hydrated. 

I always wash my face with a cleansing sponge like this because it helps to clean the face better. I also cut a hole through my sponge and let it hang through a suction hook in my toilet. This is to ensure the cleanliness of the sponge and to prevent it from getting mouldy. The sponge can usually last me for 3 months before they wear out. 


Then like I mentioned in the video, I apply a generous amount of benzoyl peroxide RIGHT ON TOP of the spot and then stick cosmetic tape over it. If you can’t find those tape, you can subsitute it with Plasters… but tape is cheaper xD.


It pretty much works like those commercial Acne Care stickers but cheaper. I usually only do this at night because it is obviously sexy enough for the street. 

Like I mentioned in the video , benzoyl peroxide works by burning the bacteria in our pimple away. And while that's good for treating pimple, it can be detrimental for normal/ unaffected skin. If you’re not careful, the benzoyl peroxide can burn and hurt your delicate skin. Which is why I use the cosmetic tape to keep the medication on top of what it is supposed to heal and not anywhere else.
I've had a few personal experience where by I was so oblivious to how my skin was reacting to the benzoyl peroxide and kept piling the product on even though my skin was crying out in dryness. My skin eventually "broke down" and I started going into this allergy reaction condition on my face and neck. My face and neck became SO DRY and red and bumpy and painful. Everything I applied on my face would cause it to react and become red. Even products that I have been using peacefully for the past few years would make me cry out in pain! Literally ! It took my face well over half a year to recover =(

Anyway I hope you guys found this video useful, please subscribe to this other Youtube Channel of mine for more girly/skincare videos!







Apr 23, 2013

Shopping spree !!!

My everyday bag has been subjected to my daily abuse for near a year and it's starting to wane. And my daily shoes, which are flats I bought from my last Philippine trip (went FantasyQuest!) were also dying. I say daily shoes because I have a lot of pretty heels which I never wear because they hurt.

So yeah, new bags and shoes !!!

Bugis Village has got to be my favourite shopping paradise. Some people argue that Singapore doesn't have good fashion and cannot care less for Bugis Village. But I don't know, I love the place. The prices are generally lower with a good variety of stuffs. Granted that a lot of shops sell similar stuffs and are probably owned by the same owner xD.

Bought 2 pairs of flats from the very cute frilly Girly shop beside the escalator at Level 2. I'm really bad at names -.-; it was a clearing stock sale so I got both pairs for $32.


Then bought that London and I love Singapore Bags, 3 for $10! I gave Neneko and Momo those 2 bags as souvenir when they came Singapore lat weekend xD. They were really touched and happy with the Merlion Chocolates Saku bought them and the bags. They even got us to sign (lol?!) on the bag for them. Neneko felt that that gave the bags a unique significance. So sweet haha.

And I finally replaced my wallet of 2 years with that blue one. $13! I still love my ArtBox wallet/passport holder but the fabric has started to peel :( this current one is a little too small ><||







And finally, my new bag from GMarket arrived today ! I think it was $20+? Cannot remember. It's smaller than I'd like but the quality of the material is really nice !

Bought from here: http://list.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/Goods/Goods.aspx?goodscode=407244268






Apr 20, 2013

Why I can never be a Shoujo Manga Heroine

It was a slow weekend so I decided to catch up on some Animes. Wanted to watch Gintama but I guess Episode 1 was too old to be online. So I turned to Uta no Prince Sama, Season 1. Have no freakin idea why I chose that... Oh! I remember! I chose it because season 2  of the series is still running and it happened to be on the front page of a streaming site. The rest is easy to figure out.
As of current typing, I just finished episode 9 (update: I finished season 1!). And I think I'm really getting too old for Shoujo series, I find myself gawking and face palming more than gushing xD
But don't get me wrong, I evidently enjoyed the series! Wouldn't be able to explain finishing 9 episodes in one evening otherwise. 


It's just that... why must all the boys fall in love with the same girl?! And why does she always fall into the right arms and bang into the right guy xD? The whole Shoujo cliché runs so obviously it's hard not to catch and laugh at it xD Or I am really getting too old for it –____- ;;;;;;;;





That said, the animation quality is so beautiful! The colours are so vibrant yet pastel-ly! I especially love the blueness of Syo's eyes! And yes, all the boys are so dashing *_*


But through out the whole series, I couldn't stop  this thought from surfacing in my brain. The thought that yes , " this is why I will never be a Shoujo Manga heroine". I know Uta Prince is not a manga but it sounds better that way xD 


So below is a compilation of reasons I picked up from Uta No Prince Sama





REASON ONE:


I don't sing with a bunch of kids on a playground while it is snowing. Firstly, it doesn’t snow in Singapore and that’s a big boo-boo because we all know anything with Snow is more romantic 8D. And I definitely won’t be caught singing with a bunch of Kids in the playground while it’s snowing. Because I’m freaking scared of the cold! The past few times I’ve been to Japan in Autumn and late Spring had me wrapping myself up like dumplings much less in Winter! I cannot imagine stopping over in the cold streets to sing. And Kids don’t like me, I know I won’t have the charming ability to garner their attention and voices. Yes, I am so not cute =_=;


REASON TWO:

I don't help a lost kid find her mother. Not like I won’t, it’s just that through all my years on earth I’ve never encountered one! Maybe Singapore’s too safe a place or I’m too scary looking and no sane kids would proactively initiate contact with me. They probably prefer to stay lost =_=. So yeah, I’ve never met a lost kid much less get seen helping him/her. The only times I get seen is when I wear a skirt and the f**king wind blows it up=____= @#$%^&*()!!!! …Which is why I wear opaque stockings now.


REASON THREE:

I sure as hell won't look for scattered pieces of paper that had been tousled by the wind and flown to God know where! I know I know, this whole arc is to highlight Nanami's incredible determination, patience and kindness but how high is the chance of finding those torn papers >.<? I think I’d have better chances forcing it out of Ren’s mouth.


I guess this is why I can never be a shoujo heroine, I’m too scary  @@;




REASON FOUR:

I won't follow a stray cat into a pitch black forest alone. I love animals but I've never had the good fortune to keep one, except hamsters. So I would be really wary if one of them leads me to a dark forest alone on an unfamiliar island. It could be me with my unusual Interest in serial killers and all but doesn't that speaks spooky?

I would only call for the cat outside the forest and wait until the creeps forces my retreat. I mean hey, animals are better survivors than a city girl in a forest. I have a lot more to lose if I venture in and disappears while the cat with his super natural abilities would likely stroll out unscathed and untroubled the next day. He probably even forgot there was a human following him.


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REASON FIVE:

I won't close my eyes and tell a guy who injured 50,000 person that I trust he won't do anything cruel. 50,000 is a big number, you need more than 10 fingers to count it. It is probably crude to judge a person based on their past but you have to admit, this form of assessment has been proven correct more often than not. Anyone with a violent past will likely continue their violent streak when the chance presents itself. I mean come on dudeeeeeee, I am like 5 inch away from getting my face smashed! Am I too cynical to say I am definitely scared of him and his biceps O_o?

Then again, I guess it can also act as a reverse psychology strategy to manipulate the perpetrator to act otherwise… but it will only work in

1) people who has a good heart and
2) in Anime.



 


REASON SIX:


Lastly, I am probably not creative enough to break the rule set out by the school and choose all 5 boys as my partner.  I haven't quite decided whether to judge Nanami as Selfish or just plain creative.

 
Fullscreen capture 2042013 93503 PM.bmp


So I guess all that pretty much sums up my cold heartedness and why I don’t deserve 6 bishounen's attention. Take what I said with a teaspoon of salt and leave me a comment on your opinion!



























Ludeya Intensive delivery micro delivery mask review

Name: Ludeya Intensive delivery micro delivery mask
Bought from: Sasa
Price: $2.5
Rating: 3.7/5

This face mask has a 2 step treatment to target skin repair. You are supposed to apply the serum that is packed at the of top of the package to your skin first. Wait a while for your skin to absorb all the goodness then apply the face mask.

The face mask is extremely thin and delicate. By far the most delicate mask I've ever tried. It came with 2 layers sandwiching it. Following the directions on the package, you are supposed to first take off the pearl white plastic sheet. Slap the mask onto your face, adjust it well then tear the blue gauze like layer off.

For its price I think it did pretty well. I like the inclusion of the serum before the face mask. The serum was clear and medium in viscosity.

Face feels well hydrated after having it on for a while. I could go around for around 10 minutes without any moisturiser which is a good indicator of how hydrated the skin is. Overall a pretty good quality mask for the price.

Apr 8, 2013

Hard core face masking

And so... I went back to my self developed hard core face masking. Which is using 1.5 face masks together on both my face and neck. And it's not good when I do things like that. Because that means my skin allergy is back -_-;;;;;

My neck is dry and flaky again. Touching it is like touching sandpaper -_-;; and I'm trying my best to remediate it before the dryness creeps to my face. Which has happened before T. T

The pink and black thing is supposed to help achieve a V shaped face when you use it with their lifting face masks. But I tried that like once and didnt give it another chance. Maybe I should try it again.

Oh dear God, please help heal meeeeeeeee.


Mar 28, 2013

How to cure back and chest Acne

I finally decided and filmed some non cosplay related beauty video! I don’t consider myself a beauty guru though…. I’m just a vain girl who wants to share what she knows about tackling her problems.


 Photo: http://acnehubs.com/


I’ve been plagued by skin problems since I could remember and while I still struggle with them, they are a lot more manageable than they used to be. And yes, the video is on a separate YouTube account called Starfood because I think it would be weird to talk about body acne in my Cosplay YouTube account haha. Please subscribe to it !!

argh, hate the way i look in my video thumbnail =_=

The way I take care of those nasty back & chest acnes is simply by making sure I clean the skin very very well with a long body scrubber when I bath.

Photo1
I double cleanse the problem areas (back & chest) with a facial cleanser after that, again utilising the shower scrubber.

After I’m done with my shower, I then apply a thin layer of pimple medication. In my case I use old fashioned Benzoyl Peroxide. I’m impatient so I use the Maximum strength one.

As I mentioned in the video, Benzoyl Peroxide is a drying/peeling agent that WILL dry the skin. So you would go through a process of peeling first before the skin totally clears up, depending on how much benzoyl peroxide you use and how severe your acne is.

Benzoyl Peroxide can also discolour clothes so I wouldn’t use it with clothes that I care a lot about.



I admit, this method might not be the most pleasant for really bad cystic acne. But I believe what this routine does is making sure the skin is clean, doesn’t get clogged up by dead skin and eliminate budding pimples before they grow into full-scale monsters.

I hope someone benefits from this entry Remember to comment and share ~~ <3


Elp <3

Mar 24, 2013

Sasa loot! Snail rejuvenating face mask!

Check out my skincare loot from Sasa a few weeks ago xD total damage $90+!!

The snail rejuvenating face mask isnt too bad. The paper felt papery and the solution was liquid like. But after having it on my face for a 2 hours, I did observe a very well moisturised skin after wards. I went to bed with just a bit of moisturiser instead of my usual essence and moisturise routine and woke up with hydrated and shine free face.

Will try it again to verify its effectiveness if I can find time to drop by. Hopefully it's still just $1!!! Hehe

Mar 8, 2013

Clinique Moisture surge intense (review)

Name: Clinique Moisture surge intense skin fortifying hydrator ( very dry to dry combination)
Bought from: Pink Beauty
Price: $15:90 (15ml)
Rating: 4/5


I'm not a big fan of brands and Clinique. But a while ago I was feeling the limits of my Hada Labo Moisturiser and decided to explore other moisturisers that would hydrates intensely without a sticky residue.

I went into one of those neighbourhood beauty stores and found them selling trial size of many departmental brands. After a bit of research, I picked up this product.

Overall , I like how watery the texture is . It glides onto the skin and gets absorbed very easily and the best part is, the skin stays hydrated for a long time.

I'm not at all fond of the pretty rancid plastic smell that it carries. Yes, it smells like burnt plastic. The smell fades over time but it was still nasty and made me thought I bought an expired product. but the 2nd jar smells the same so...

Pink Beauty sells a 15ml jar for $15:90 and 2 jars for $30. That roughly means this product is $1 per ml. That's pretty steep if you ask me but looking at how it's my 2nd jar, I think it is still worth the buy.

To maximise the product, I pair it with my lovely hada labo moisturiser. Which is also not super cheap but at least cheaper.