What if you have a zit?

Some people are blessed with good genes who probably never have a zit on their face before, while some people have to battle with acne for most of their life.
In between and most commonly encountered are people who have zits occasionally either due to their menustration cycle, stress or heatiness.

But what frustrates most is probably how to get rid of the zit fast yet effective.

Here are some pointers to take note of,

1. Stop picking/squeezing/poking your zits which may increase risk of infection on the surrounding skin due to the bacteria on your fingers.
Once the damage is done, it will be very difficult to conceal or heal the scar.

Despite repeated warnings and advice, I noticed most guys have this habit of picking on their zits regardless of dirty or clean fingernails. Its totally gross and unhygenic yet they are unoblivious of the damage they had done. In fact, if you ask them, they will probably tell you that they get a sense of satisfaction from hearing the "pop" sound ( literally meant the zit have "broken" ).

If you really must squeeze the zit, then wait for the zit with the "yellow head" which meant that its "ripe" and ready to "pop", this will reduce scarring though if done wrongly, you will still leave a scar, a reminder of your action forever.

If you are not sure, leave the zit alone, apply the blemish gel and wait for it to "pop" naturally or subside on its own.

2. Don’t overwash or overscrub a zit. Overcleansing will only strip your skin of the natural oils it needs.
Just wash your face twice (once in the morning and once at night ) with a gentle cleanser to remove dead cells, excess oil and dirt from the surface. Pick one which is suitable for acne-prone skin.

3. Never touch your face with your hands unnecessarily. Notice how some people will touch their face whenever they put on a thinking cap? Or during meetings?

Then imagine what your hands have touched, before your face? The door to the meeting room, the table, the pen, the book and the list goes on.

4. Choose products that are labeled "noncomedogenic". That means the product won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.

5. Look for acne-fighting products that contain Salicylic Acid.

6. When pimples turn red, you can get an ice cube and place it on your zit for a few seconds to ease off that redness.

But what I usually did is to conceal it with a tinted pimple concealer - Vichy Normaderm concealer for blemishes.
This treats and conceals my zit well in the morning but do not overuse it as it may dry up the area and cause it to peel.
Usually, I will use this in the morning and blemish gel at night.

7. Apply a blemish gel on the zit to treat it.

Blemish gels are easily available over the counter but you may need to spend some time to get one which works on your skin effectively.

Choose blemish gel with the ingredient benzoyl peroxide in the lowest concentration possible.
If application of the blemish gel made your skin feels tight, then most probably, its not suitable for you as its too drying. Switch to a more gentle formula.

Remember that what works for your friend may not necessarily works for you. Similarly, the strongest formulation may not be the best remedy for you.

If its too drying, the skin around the affected area may peel. But if you really must use the too-strong blemish gel because its the only one that works, then apply a hydrating mask before applying the gel. Thats what a beautician taught me though I have never try it before.

Pharmaplus is collecting used greeting cards

Pharmaplus is collecting used greeting cards again but with $10 voucher in appreciation ( for at least 10 cards).
Cards will be made into gift boxes and proceeds will go to the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped.

Review on Biotherm Polishing Clarifying Cleansing Foam

I have been using this cleanser as my night cleanser for a few months. I will skip this cleanser if my face is dry or sensitive that night. Otherwise, I will think this is a cleanser you can add as part of your whitening regime.

This cleanser comes with exfoliating micro-grains to erase melanin-filled dead cells and remove make-up for perfectly clean skin. The formula is enriched with bicarbonate ions and five oligo-minerals to revitalize the skin.

While I used this as part of my cleanser, not a make-up remover so I cannot comment on how effective it is, as a make-up remover but I felt that it did help to keep my melanin at bay as my slight pigmentation did not get worse. But of course, you still have to depend on your sunscreen in the morning. Just 1 whitening cleanser cannot do such a thorough job.

My skin did not turn fairer but I have no problem with that as I have always been fair though it will be a bonus if it can keep my skin tone even.

What I like about this cleanser is its polishing micro-powders which made my skin felt purer and cleaner. In fact, it also help in getting rid of my newly developed oil clogs ( or was it oil seeds? ) on my face. I was very happy to find out some of the oil clogs was "polished" away, together with the grime.

Celebrity Tips and Secrets

Jennifer Garner on Perk YOUR SKIN UP
- Spray apple cider vinegar on the face as apple vinegar can help to stimulate circulation, giving you a refreshed look.

Janet Jackson & Jennifer Lopez on HELP RED SPLOTCHES DISAPPEAR
- Wash the face with tepid/cool water as hot water can break down the skin barrier, leaving skin blotchy and dry looking while too cold water will break capillaries.

Shakira on HELP WITH FACE PUFFINESS
- Cut back on white flour and sugar for 24 hours as carbohydrates will cause the body to hold onto water which made everything swell.

A gym instructor I know of, advise against drinking fizzy drinks.
A magazine I came across, suggested to reduce salt intake.

Other tips from celebrities

1) To reduce the puffiness in an instant
Dip a spoon in ice cold water and then press the back of it against your under eye area,cheeks,chin and all those places where you want to reduce the bloated look.

I tried this on puffy eyelids and it really helps but I used ice-cubes instead of spoon.
What I did is wrap 2 to 3 ice-cubes with a few sheets of tissue papers ( I think you can use a thin cloth because tissues do tear easily ) and press against my puffy eyelids.

2) To get bee-stung luscious lips
Apply cinnamon oil brings blood to the lips which cause the plumping and the effect lasts about three to four hours.

Try soon-to-be launched beauty products

Are you interested to try soon-to-be launched beauty products?

Then SYRES might be the place you are looking for.
Founded in France in 1996, SYRES undertakes consumer tests from leading corporations in the field of luxury cosmetics and skincare.
Countries include France, Europe, USA, Japan and Singapore.

From time to time, SYRES will look for participants who are keen to sample products before its launched. These products are clinically approved for use.

User will receive plain-labelled products to be used within a period and record their observations in a questionaire. She will get to keep the product.
If she is keen to know the name of the product, note the reference number written in the questionaire and she can called up SYRES after 9 months.

You can enroll via their website

Free samples for CURE, Natural Aqua Gel

This is a new product which I stumbled upon in Watsons.
So what is CURE all about?

According to its website, CURE helps to remove dead skin gently and effectively by its 90% water and natural plan extracts ( aloe vera, gingko and rosemary ) formula.
It can also be used on sensitive, baby skin as well as on the body.

I always believe in getting samples before trying new products.
So if you want to know how CURE fares on your skin then email your request to enquiry@japalang.sg
They will send 2 sachets to you within 3 days.

CURE is manufactured by TOYO Life in Japan.
Its available in selected Watsons, Nishino Pharmacy, Liang Court and Takashimaya.

Fashion business with a cause

Rag trade businesses that go to the aid of single mothers, abused women and also against child trafficking.

(1) Mother and Child Project
Founder : Anna Tsang, 51
Since : March 2006
Sell : Jewellery pieces, casual shirts, pants and up-market silk dresses
Price range : $29 to $150
Where : Dinky Doodles, 33 Bali Lane (2nd floor) between 1pm to 8pm
Mother & Child Project shop, Simei Care Center, 10 Simei Street 3
St Andrew's Cathedral, every first Sunday of the month
Support : Women with low education, minimal family support and children below age of 7

(2) Big Is Gorgeous
Founder : Sharmilah Begum, 34
Since : January 2006
Sell : Plus-sized pieces from XL to 8XLs, special orders for larger sizes that 8XLs
Price range : $30 to $280
Where : Big Is Gorgeous, 03-00, 20 Peak Seah Street
Support : Plus sized women

(3) Bloom Enterprise
Founder : Diana Saw, 37
Since : September 2006
Sell : Eco-friendly bags handsewn out of recycled rice bags
Price range : $9.90 to $79.90
Where : Order online on Bloom Enterprise, riverkids project or contact Marie (pansies@gmail.com)
Support : Single mothers

(4) The Singapore Shawl
Founder : Shelley Siu, 64
Since : 2004
Sell : Hand-sewn shawls and scarves
Price range : $12.90 to $1500
Where : #01-07 Singapore Flyer
Gift Shops at Ritz Carlton, Goodwood Park Hotel, Fullerton Hotel
Discover Singapore at Changi Airport Terminal 1 & 2 Departure Halls
Robinsons The Centerpoint
Robinsons Raffles City
Support : Single, retired, divorcees and retrenched women

Corsage DIY

Swirl, a vintage-inspired shop in Singapore, have shared on how to DIY fabric corsages.

Its also ideal to get your scraps of material to do this corsage.

What is exactly a corsage?

It is a single flower or several small flowers, worn pinned.

A corsage is generally worn on the left side, just under the shoulder. It should be pinned with the stem down, the same way it would be planted in the ground.

I was crazy on corsages some time back because I thought it was just so pretty to add colour to an oh-so-boring top but everywhere I look, the corsages seems almost similar everywhere or even overpriced. I did eventually buy some to jazz up my outfit or a bag though but from Bangkok. The same piece was way overpriced in Singapore.

It can be worn at the shoulder, over the shoulder, in the hair, on the wrist, at the waist, hem line, on a hat, or even on an evening bag. Etiquette indicates that no matter how it is worn, it is most always worn on the left side.

Here are some ideas

(1) Paper Corsage

(2) DIY Fabric Corsage

All about Ampoules

Some of you may of heard of the term "ampoules" before, either during your monthly facial visits or during your wedding. So what are exactly ampoules?
Recently a groom-to-be posted this question to me.

Ampoules are airtight glass containers that are filled with a concentration of highly active ingredients which usually contain botanical extracts, vitamins and enzymes in various combinations and do not have any preservatives or chemicals due to the airtight packaging.

Ampoules can have remarkable effects on various skin conditions, like whitening, hydrating, irritations, hyper - pigmentation as well as aging. Some ladies who used it reported visible results within a short time after application, making them great fans of ampoules.

Ampoules are commonly used in beauty salons during facials/before make up application. You can use it for special occasions or incorporate it into your skincare regime. Makeup lasts longer as it is helpful in controlling sebum and makes our face looks less oily. Skin feels very soft and hydrated after application.

During my wedding, my make-up artiste insisted on using her own ampoules, saying its a make-up ampoule, different with what I am using. Frankly speaking, I don't quite believe it, as I felt that ampoule is ampoule, there is no differentiation between make-up or skincare ampoule.
In fact, a friend of mine who got wedded recently used the same skincare ampoule as me as advised by her make-up artist

Review on Bioglo Active C Whitening Mask

I bought this mask from a colleague who is a member of Cosway.
Cosway belongs to a member points reward system and is marketed by Cosway (M) Sdn Bhd.

I saw this store in KL before and its pretty big and impressive. Cosway have a wide range of products. As a member, you will receive a monthly catalog of products with special prices during that month. When you made purchases, you also need to inform the cashier of the member ID in order to enjoy the member prices. This brand does not sell to non-members.

Bioglo Active C Whitening Mask is a sheet mask which claim to give you a fairer, smoother and firmer skin almost instantaneously! Each treatment delivers a lavish dose of Activated Citrus-C™ to your skin. Perfect for an intensive whitening or lifting treat

Vitamin C can helps to
- combat premature ageing caused by free radicals
- whitens and brightens skin
- build skin resilience
- aids wound healing and reduces scars

This is a sheet mask and it came wrapped in a protective sheet.
Its thin and the cut-out area for the eyes are pretty big so its a minus point for me, as I will prefer it to mask around my eyes so that my whole face can reap the benefits.
Just feel that the cut-out area for the eyes is way too big.

So how did this mask fare on my skin?
This mask purports to give intensive lifting and whitening treatment.
I do see an immediate whitening effect after the first use but not any lifting though.
It gives an overall radiance to my face so I will continue to use it in the long run.

Ingredients :
Distilled water, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Citrus Peel Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Polyquatenium-39, Sea Urchin Extract, Coconut Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Fragrance, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Methylparaben, Dipotassium Glycyrrinate, Xanthan Gum, EDTA

According to the box, this is made in Taiwan and marketed by Cosway.

Review on Skin Expert Whitening and Hydrating Ampoules

I am currently using Skin Expert whitening as well as hydrating ampoules.

The Skin Expert range boasts of the following ampoules for different skin conditions - AHA Peeling, Anti-Acne, Beauty Lifting, Caviar, Couperose, Oxygen Booster, PhytoFlavon, Regenerating, Sensitive, Hydrating and Whitening.

So far, I felt that whitening and hydrating ampoules work best for myself.
This is a 2ml vial. Before usage, you have to break the glass container, where its indicated by the red line, near the neck of the vial.
Depending on your preference, you can finish the whole bottle at one time or choose to use it over a few days.

So for myself, I will check on my skin condition, if I want a radiance boost, I will use the whole whitening vial, after my exfoliation and mask.
If its for maintainence purposes, I will use it over 3 days.

Similarly, if my face is in need of hydration, I will use the whole hydrating vial, else I will use it over 3 days.
Usually I don't want to keep for more than 3 days for fear of contamination

How do you keep the vial after opening?
I will usually stuff a small tissue at the opening and kept in the fridge. You can find small containers to slot the vial if you are worried about spilling over.
I will usually store in the original box and keep in the fridge.

So whats my verdict on the ampoules?
Its cheap and good. In fact, colleagues who have used the same ampoules reported the same result, increase in hydration levels and looks more radiant.
I have colleagues who used both ampoules at the same time.
Sometimes I store my new ampoules in the fridge so that when I use it, it will feel cooling on my face.

When you break open the ampoule, be careful not to cut your finger. I usually use a tissue to break open the bottle for fear of cut.
But if you are used to it, you can break it open easily.

After cleansing, exfoliating and masking, apply the ampoule evenly onto the face by pouring some of the contents onto your palms and use the other hand to apply onto your face with circular movements.
This is to allow your skin to absorb the essence.
Thereafter, you can follow on with a moisturiser but I usually skip this step as I felt that ampoule is moisturising enough.

In a beauty salon, after the exfoliation step, the beautician will apply the ampoule and start with their massaging techniques.
I tried my own massaging after the ampoules but I broke out with pimples on both times so I decided to stop massaging and just use it as a serum.

Beauty Tips from Catherine Zeta Jones

According to Mail Online, 39 year old Catherine Zeta-Jones has her own homegrown beauty secrets to keep herself looking fabulous all the time.

1) She will rub a mixture of honey and salt all over the body to moisturise and exfoliate, to help to beat wrinkles. After washing it off, she swear that she can see her skin turns gorgeous.

2) She also brushes her teeth with strawberry, apple or pineapple. The fruits contain malic acid which serves as an astringent to lighten surface stains.
After a meal, she will usually grab an apple to munch, to give her a brighter smile.

3) So how does she condition her hair? With honey and beer!

Places for Donations

Its a brand new year for new items and new resolutions.

If you have old items which you want to chuck away, why don't you consider giving it to the less-privileged ones in Singapore?

Online Donation Portal
Mainly I Love Kids (MILK) - Disadvantaged Children
Children Aid Society
Pass It On - Distribute Household Items
SATA
Blessings in a Bag
Foodheart
Minds Good As New Charity Shop ( 800, Margaret Drive, Tel : 64741043 )
New2U