Food That Age You

This article which was featured in Mind Your Body 2 weeks ago touched on some food which may have adverse effects on our skin.

Food that age us include :
- Carbonated drinks
- Sausages
- Coffee
- Potato Chips & Fries
- Sugary Pastries
- Red Meat
- White Rice & White Bread

Caffeine which is present in coffee will cause stress hormones to shoot up and stay at abnormally high level for hours after consumption.
The powerful stress hormone "cortisol" contributes to premature aging and excessive caffeine is also dehydrating. As what I found out from a beautician from Leonard Drake, you need to compensate with 3 glasses of water for each cup of tea or coffee drank.

Sugary pastries which are often made with hydrogenated oils contain trans-fat. Combination of sugar and trans-fat is bad news for liver and pancreas resulting in overworking our organs, leaving us more exposed to free radicals.
Free radicals caused by chemical reactions in our body require antioxidants to fight them, else we may age faster.

Sugar triggers a natural process called glycation, which is the same chemical reaction that turns brown when you cook it. The sugars bind with tissues to form harmful molecules, called advanced glycation end products (ironically known as AGEs), which damage elastin and collagen -- two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic. AGEs also damage the kidneys, brain and other essential organs.

Other foods with a high glycemic index, like white bread, pasta and potatoes also cause the formation of AGEs, because they are quickly converted to sugar in the bloodstream. To make matters worse, AGEs also make the skin more susceptible to sun damage, which in turn accelerates the glycation process.

Food that keep us young include :
- Green Tea
- Tomatoes
- Nuts & Seeds
- Yoghurt
- Salmon & other oily fish
- Berries
- Olive Oil

According to Ms Reutens, dietitian at Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants, green tea packaged in tea bags have gone through numerous processes destroying its goodness, therefore its recommended to drink loose leaf green tea.

Tomatoes contains
- lycopene : helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines
- Vitamin C : helps to strengthen collagen fibres

Nuts and seeds with great sources of Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids helps to keep skin elastic and reduce signs of aging.

Credits to Leslie Baumann, M.D

Salon Review : Supercuts

Salon : Supercuts
Location : Tiong Bahru Plaza
Stylist : Daphne

This was my 2nd visit to Supercuts, with my first visit about 2 years back. My aunt is a regular at Supercuts so I was there with her during my 1st visit.
This time round, however, I was alone. I decided to go for a haircut since the weather have been quite unbearable and my haircut every 3 months is up.
Daphne was assigned to me when I was there on Sunday. Not many customers were there so she attended to me quite promptly.
At other salons, I usually have to be made to wait long.

Service was attentive, she did not leave me and attend to other customers, unlike other salons.
In fact, my haircut was done in less than an hour.
What I do not like about her, is that, she does not really offer any advice on the kind of hairstyle that is suitable for me. She simply just do what I requested, without offering any expert opinion.
In fact, in salons which I visited, I usually like to seek stylists' advice to learn more from them as to what kind of hairstyle will suit my cherubic face.

Daphne has a cherubic face as well but her rebonded hair does not suit her face shape so I was slightly disappointed. Since she is a stylist, I will expect her to know what kind of hairstyle that suits her face shape.
Anyway, I decided to go ahead with the cut. I forgot that I still have my curls and she did not inform me that by cutting 2 inches ( which I requested), it would have get rid of most of my curls. She only mentioned it till the end of the cut, while drying my hair. I found it quite a silly comment. What can I do about it at that point in time? Its already too late.

The layers were done at the shoulders level. Again, she failed to inform me that my hair will curled out at that position where stylists at other salons will usually let me know.

In a way, I was disappointed in her professionalism.
But the good thing about Supercuts is, they are not pushy at all.
They do not drone on and on, on how damaged my hair was and desperately needed some hair treatment and stuff like that.

They did share with me on their current hair treatment promotion which costs $98 with a free haircut but when I told them I will think about it, they just leave me at that without hard selling.

I have been to a number of salons with such pushy hard selling that really turns me off for good.

This haircut costs $40 but I paid $28 after a 30% discount with a RBS welcome voucher.

Review on Miraclear Antiblemish

I used this together with Miraclear Anticomedone (read my review here) in replace of my moisturiser.

This is a white cream with faint lavender fragrance which is a highly effective blend of botanical extracts to curb breakouts and blemishes. Commonly known as AB.

It contains a synergistic combination of natural plant extracts to effectively control blemishes without the irritation associated with other strong formulations and helps to control and reduce the occurrence of breakouts and blemishes.

As I have mentioned here, I have been battling with blemishes on my chin area for quite some time and this Miraclear Antiblemish really helps me alot. I hardly get any zits nowadays except for the occasional zit during my monthly menustration, thanks to this product.

Together with Miraclear Anticomedone, my skin condition have improved alot.
Both products complement with each other. Its recommended to use AC followed by AB.
However if I have a newly formed zit, it may sting slightly when I applied both AC and AB.

Key Ingredients :
Spent Grain Wax : Extract of the residual dry grains
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil : Source of Argan oil - rich in naturally occurring antioxidants such as flavonoids and tocopherols. Argan oil contains polyphenols and tocopherols. Linoleic acid (omega-6), an essential fatty acid, comprises 34% of the total fatty acid content of argan oil. Flavonoids act as a natural anti-inflammatory and tocopherols helps prevent free radical damage.
Burdock Hydroglycolic Extract : Botanical extract with antibacterial properties; helps regulate sebum secretion.
Sage Hydrogylcolic Extract : Botanical extract with antibacterial properties; helps regulate astringent properties.
Tomato Hydroglycolic Extract : Tomatine. Used as a fungide and as a precipitating agent.


I bought this at Posh Wellness at Suntec City for $97.65.

Full ingredient list :
Purified Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Sterate, PEG-75 Sterate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, propylene Glycol, Spent Grain Wax, rgania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Shea Butter Extract, Burdock Hydroglycolic Extract, Sage Hydroglycolic Extract, Tomato Hydroglycolic Extract, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Lavender Oil, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propyparaben.

Review on Miraclear Anticomedone

This product was recommended by my beautician 1 year ago and I have been using it on an on-off basis but lately when I started to use it on a daily basis, I do find a difference in my skin condition.

As derived from this link, this is a light brown gel with light green tea tree oil fragrance that leaves a slightly sticky after-feel which goes away when completely dry.

MIRACLEAR ANTICOMEDONE is a natural formulation containing botanical extracts, which reduces the appearance of comedones (blackheads & whiteheads). MIRACLEAR ANTICOMEDONE is also commonly known as AC.

The combined action of the botanical extracts help to reduce comedones by loosening the folicular plug, and also by reducing sebaceous activity.

My chin area have always been prone to whiteheads and is very sensitive. It tends to be slightly red and I found it to be such an eye-sore at times. I get zits on my chin area more often than other areas on my face and this irritating problem have been with me for almost 2 years.
Before that, I hardly have any breakouts on my skin except for the occasional zits during my monthly menses.

My suspicion on why this problem happened laid with my previous beautician who may not have done a thorough job during extraction. Ever since I become her customer at Body Wellness, I have been facing this problem so I have been trying to find a solution to it.

Thank goodness for Miraclear Anticomedone, my blackheads and whiteheads at my chin area have been reduced.
I used this in replace of my moisturiser at my chin area.
You can also opt to use this on the T-zone area if thats where your problem lies.

Key Ingredients :
Thyme Extract : Botanical extract with antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Great Burdock Extract : Botanical extract with antibactical properties; helps regulate sebum secretion.
Scurvy Grass Extract : Cochlearia officinalis. Extracts of the leaves and flower stalks contain high levels of vitamin C.
Tea Tree Extract : Natural preservative with antiseptic properties.
Silver Birch Leaf Extract : Botanical extract with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sandal Citrin Extract : Botanical extract with astringent and antioxidant properties.

I bought this for $84 at Posh Wellness in Suntec City

Full ingredient list :
IngredientsPurified Water, thyme Extract, Great Burdock Extract, Scurvy Grass Extract, tea Tree Extract, Silver Birch Leaf Extract, Sandal citrin Extract, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Hydroxybenzoate.

Review on Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask

Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask is an intensive facial treatment mask that replenishes and restores moisture to give deeply hydrated and bouncy skin.

Shaped to fit the face, each mask instantly boosts skin's moisture level 12 times with a penetrating Vitamin C formula, leaving skin soft and dewy with a healthy glow.

I love this hydrating mask and used it whenever my face feels dry.
After each hydrating treat, you can feel that your skin does not feel as tight.
It gives a very comfortable and rested feeling.

I brought 1 box with me during my trip to Las Vegas last year.
Air was dry. Weather was humid. Sun was glaring.
There were no beads of perspiration but my face was peeling quite badly and I used this mask every night in the air-conditioned hotel.
It did not resolve my dryness totally but my face was not peeling as badly after each mask treatment.

If you are intending to use this mask under extreme hot weather like Las Vegas summer period, I will say it may not serve the purpose but for humid weather like Singapore, it does work well.

It retails at $31.50 for 5 pcs in a box
Do look out for special offer at just $1.95 for 1 sheet at Watsons

Update on 18th June 09 :
The masks are now selling at $2.95 per piece.

Ingredients :
Water, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Mulberry (Morus Alba) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Cyclomethicone, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trioctanoin, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide

Face Contouring Tips

Contouring technique is one of the most important make-up tip that can make a difference to those who crave for a slimmer face shape.

As derived from this MovingMakeup

Colours shown are for illustration purposes

Contouring - Brown
Highlight - Yellow
Blusher - Green

Round Face
ShapeContour: Sides of jaw, temples and neck
Highlight: Centre of nose, centre of cheeks, chin and forehead
Blush: Just under the cheekbones


Other face shapes contouring can be found in the link above

Tips from the experts

RENEE'S C-RICH SKIN COOLER

Celebrity skincare specialist Ole Henriksen tends to the complexions of everyone from Zellweger to Charlize Theron in his star-loved L.A. spa.
His favorite tip to send home with celebs who need an instant skin refresher?
Rosehip ice cubes! Brew up a strong pot of the vitamin-C-rich tea, pour into an ice tray and freeze. Pop out a cube whenever skin needs a pick-me-up, wrap in a handkerchief and massage across the face to release the benefits of the herbs and nutrients while countering puffiness.

EXFOLIATE FOR MOISTURE

Before you moisturize, you must exfoliate, reveals skincare expert Renée Rouleau. "If your skin is dry, tight and flaky, it means that you have dry skin cell build-up on the surface of the skin," she explains. "Rather than putting on extra cream, try increasing your exfoliation with a gentle facial scrub, so that when your cream goes on it hydrates the new cells rather than the dry cells."

Review on ZA Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask

Za New York Dark Circles Gone Eye Mask contains Radiant Complex and Citrus extract to eliminate dark circles rapidly to bring back that radiant, translucent look.

Benefits:

- Diminishes the appearance of dark circles and dullness

- Provides moisture to dryness-prone eye area and smoothes skin

Its very wet with white essence when you first took it out from the packaging.

When placed on the under-eye area, due to the wetness, the eye mask will slipped down after some time and you have to adjust it quite frequently.

Its quite irritating, messy and wet but it does hydrates my under eye area.

After removing it, I can feel that my eye area is not that dry but dark circles? Hmm...well, its still there.

You can get it at $24.50 for 8 pcs in a box

Review on BIO ESSENCE 24K BIO-GOLD Eye Contour Lifting Serum

This is a notch higher than its predecessor.

It claims to :
1)Reduces Sagging Eye bags
2)Lifts Droopy Eye Lids
3)Firms eye contours
4)Makes eye look bigger
5)Enhances metabolism and micro-circulation toburn off excess fats under the skin
6)Contains Strong anti-oxidant properties to prevent freeradical damage
7)Eliminates wrinkles and crow's feet8)Accelerates cell regeneration to restore softness, elasticity& radiance.

Gold, a metal that never tarnish has becoming very popular in beauty treatments all over the world.

Legendary beauties like Cleopatra was rumoured to sleep with a gold mask every night.

According to Bio-essence, Gold, being non-toxic and an inert element, is very compatibile with human skin. It influences the skin at a cellular level, giving it clarity and a youthful radiance.

Why does all Bio-essence products make so daring claims yet it does not deliver?
The texture is gel-like and comes with gold flakes.
When you applied to the eye area, the gold flakes may stick, giving the eyes a brighter feel.
Personally, I do not see any effect and will not be buying it after one bottle.
Its not worth the money, time and effort.

Ingredients:
Bio Energy Fluid,Propylene Glycol,Glycerin,Bio Rice Fermentation Extract,Pine Pollen Extract,Green Tea Extract, Bioflavonoids(Bio Mineral Essence),Carbopol,Lycium Extract,Panax Ginseng Extract,Triethanolamine,Gold Flakes,Angelica Archangelica Extract,Dimenthicone Copolyol,DMDM Hydantoin,Methyl Paraben,Allantoin,Aloe Vera Extract,Fragrance

Retailing at $59.90 for 20g

Review on BIO-ESSENCE Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum

Its bold claim : Eliminate eye bags without surgery in just 7 days!

"How can that be?" one wonders. It sounds so unbelievable.
Well, I just could not resist trying it out.

Benefits from this link:
• Reduce the appearance of sagging eye bags, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It uses exclusive ingredients to revitalize skin cells around the eye area, thus tightening and firming your eye contour and eliminating the looks of wrinkles and crow’s feet or dull and lifeless eye bags caused by ageing, fatigue and lifestyle.
• With healthy flow and nutrition around the eye contour, Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Serum replaces the traditional method of using surgery to remove puffy eye bags.
• Now, even without surgery, you can remove eye bags and restore its firmness, elasticity and glow, making you look younger than your age!

Key Ingredients:
Green Tea Extract:Rich with anti-oxidants.
Ginseng:Promotes cell renewal and slows down the process of premature aging. Provides essential nutrients to skin cells.
Angelicae:Promotes skin renewal process with purifying properties to nourish and moisturize skin from within.
Lycium:Contains polysaccharides to fortify the immune system. Very rich in vitamin C and B.Rice Extract:Strengthen and nourish skin. 8 essential amino acids to build resilient muscles. Nourishes skin and blood vessels.
Royal Jelly:Nourishes and moisturizes skin. Promotes cell regeneration and the repair of skin cells. Inhibits the aging process of skin.

Full Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Biotin (Biogel), Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) Extract, Lycium Extract, Angelica Archangelica Extract, Rice (Oryza Sativa) Extract, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Extract, Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Extract, Bioflavonoids (Bio Mineral Essence), Dimethicone Copolyol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Pathenol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Paraben, Allantoin, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Royal Jelly Powder, Fragrance, Menthol

Well, I did use up the whole bottle but I did not see any improvement to my eye area. The texture is gel-like form and its not oily. However, my eye bags and dark circles are still the same after using the whole bottle. I believe you can give it a miss.

Review on BIO-ESSENCE Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Mask

According to Bio-essence, this intensive treatment mask is specially targetted to treat sagging and puffy eye-bags, wrinkles and crow's feet.

Its claim : After One Mask, Visible Initial Results of Firming & Lifting of Eye Contour

The claim sounds so amazing that I thought I just need to try it out. It may be a marketing gimmick but you never know until you try it out.

This mask adapts bio-engineering techniques in channeling energy to promote the absorption of nutrients and removal of excess fats that cause puffy and loose eye bags.
With healthy flow of nutrition around the eye contour, Bio-Energy Eye Bag Vanishing Mask eliminates puffy eye bags without surgery.
With just 1 mask, it claimed that visible initial results of firming and lifting of eye bags can be seen and with regular use, appearance of wrinkles and crow's feet can be reduced.

Ingredients :
Deionized Water, Lentinus Edodes Extract (Bio-energy Fluid), Propylene Glycol, Rice (Oryza Saliva) Extract, Bioflavonoids (Bio-Mineral Essence), Sodium Acrylate, Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Fructus Lycium Extract, Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) Extract, Radix Angelicae Sinensis Extract, Cornu Cervi Pantorichum Extract, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Paraben, Carbopol, Propyl Paraben, Triethanolamine, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Fragrance

One box contains 6 pairs and I used it whenever there is a special occasion coming up or when my eyes feel puffy. Actually I quite like this eye mask.
Its pretty wet but not as messy as the ZA eye mask.

After the mask, my eyes feels much rested and looks less puffy though I failed to see any lifting or firming effect. My eye bags and dark circles are also not that obvious.
Just remember not to wait until its all dried up before you peeled off the mask because by then, the dried mask may have "sucked" back all the moisture back from your eye area.
Use within the recommended time or just before it dries up.

It retails at $32 for 6 pcs

Incorrect sleeping posture will cause more wrinkles

Are you surprised by the tagline?
Have you ever heard that sleeping posture will actually make a difference to the wrinkles on your face?

Well, it certainly never cross my mind that my nightly sleep could have resulted in more wrinkles on my face. All I just want, is comfort and to sleep well.
I certainly did not think that much about wrinkles.

The recommended position to reduce wrinkles while sleeping is to sleep flat on your back.
Why is it so?
According to this link, doing that will prevent you from pressing your face, which could develop folds and encouraging facial creases. According to Japanese researchers, more wrinkles form during the afternoon than in the morning. Our face literally falls with gravity as the day progresses. Sleeping on your back can reverse that effect of the day.

Over time, such prolonged creases may result in permanent creases as one gets older and collagen breaks down.

Amazing information, isn't it? Now it made me more aware on how I am sleeping every night.
I wondered if thats a good or bad thought for me. Can I still sleep well, in whatever posture I am comfortable in?

Interview with Dallas-based aesthetician Renee Rouleau

As quoted from Marie Claire,

What do you really need to keep your skin healthy?
Cleanser, Toner, Moisturiser, Night Cream and Exfoliant.

MC: What’s the first step in scaling down your skincare routine?
RR: Focus on the essentials. People want to go for the expensive moisturizer and eye cream. They put their money into the wrong thing. You have to invest in the basics.

MC: How do I choose a cleanser?
RR: You need a cleanser that doesn’t dry you out. If, after you wash your face, your skin feels tight and dry, it’s too strong. If you overdry your skin, it ruins everything you do afterward.

MC: What does toner do?
RR: Toner removes residue — salts, chlorines, minerals — left over from tap water, and should be applied immediately after the cleanser. It also helps seal the moisturizer in, so adding a toner may help your skin to feel more hydrated. Rather than going with a more intensive face cream, add a toner to your routine.

MC: Do I need a moisturizer with SPF?
RR: For day, it’s great to get a moisturizer with a built-in SPF. SPF 15 is the minimum. You don’t need SPF at night. When your skin is at rest, repairing itself, you want to use a cream whose sole purpose is to hydrate.

MC: How often should I exfoliate?
RR: You’ll want to exfoliate two to three times a week. I prefer a facial scrub with perfectly round beads (so this is one time that natural is not necessarily best). Your scrub can be used in lieu of a cleanser in the morning. Leave it in the shower for ease of use.

MC: What ingredients should be avoided?
RR: Synthetic fragrance, typically listed as “fragrance” or “parfum,” is the number one reason for allergic reaction. Steer clear of alcohol — except in spot treatments — as it dries skin out. Mineral oil, which is often found in products geared toward older women, can suffocate the skin and exacerbate redness.

MC: What about products for all skin types?
RR: Beware of products for all skin types. Very few products work for all skin types. Scrubs are okay, but clay masks, for example, should be used for oily skin or spot treatments only.

MC: When should I use serums and oils?
RR: Use serums at night, underneath your night cream. Essential oils can be used in lieu of a night cream, or in combination.

MC: At what age should I start using an eye cream?
RR: The skin around the eye is very sensitive, so it’s great if you can add an eye cream to your routine. Avoid greasy eye creams, because they generally have a high concentration of oil — which can create puffiness. You want a light-weight cream or gel.


What I kept:
Dior’s HydrAction Deep Hydration Rich Crème (sephora.com; $54) doesn’t have SPF, so it’s not great for day, but I can slather it on at night to keep my skin hydrated.

In lieu of a scrub, I can apply Elemis’s Papaya Enzyme Peel (beauty.com; $42), which uses enzymes to exfoliate.

Renee gives OleHenriksen’s Balancing Cucumber Face Tonic (olehenriksen.com; $21) the thumbs-up because it doesn’t contain alcohol (even if it is unnaturally green).

Oil is a big trend and this works: Active oil (barneys.com; $59) is 100 percent natural.

Sundari’s Apricot and Shea Hydrasoothing Mask (spalook.com; $40) is perfect for my sensitive skin.

What I threw out:
1) Caudalie’s Eau de Beaute, a spray to make my complexion glow, contains alcohol, so it got the heave-ho.
2) The Umbrian Clay Face Treatment by Fresh is too drying for my already dry and sensitive skin. I can donate this one to a friend with oily skin.
3) Maria Galland’s Success Moisture Cream smells like perfume, which means it probably contains synthetic fragrances.
4) The Crème Reconciliante Riche by Payot is too greasy for my skin and better suited for someone a bit older.
5) My Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream uses mineral oils, another no-no.

Braided Hairstyles

Tips from Total Beauty

Best for: medium to long hair

To put a glamorous twist in a low-key style like Lively's, create a side part and braid two 1-inch sections (about an inch apart) from one side of your part toward your ear. Secure the braids to the hanging hair with bobby pins or small clips. Set with hairspray.

Best for: long hair

A tiny braided piece is all you need to make a ballerina bun look more trendy. Work strong-hold gel through damp hair and comb it into a bun atop the crown of your head, leaving out a 2-inch section of hair. Braid that section and wrap it around the bun, pinning it into place.

Economical ways to use Vaseline

Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly-based products from the company Unilever.

With just a couple of dollars, you can get this Vaseline - Petroleum Jelly which can be used in more than 10 different ways. From brows to elbows to cheeks to feet.

Tricks :

1) Coat your cuticles in Vaseline to soften them up

2) Fake a dewy glow by dabbing it on your cheekbones and brow bones

3) Rub a light layer on your super dry skin

4) As a lip gloss

5) As a lip balm

6) Slather Vaseline on hands and feets then wrap them up in a hot towel for 5 minutes

7) Go to bed with your your feet covered in Vaseline and socks

8) Rub a little on your lashes for ultra-shiny fringe

9) Tame unruly brows

10) A little petroleum jelly around your hairline keeps hair dye from staining your skin

11) Fight frizz and hide split ends by rubbing a little Vaseline into the tips of your hair

12) Used as a moisturiser before you go to bed ( ie. body, feet, elbows, etc)

13) Spread thin layer along the bra line and thighs before starting to run to prevent irritation

14) A very small amount of Vaseline can be used on the lob of ear before using earrings

15) Used to prevent diaper rash

16) Protect your nails when painting them. Apply around the edge of your nail. It’ll make sure no polish gets on your skin while softening your cuticles.

17) Make your eyelashes grow. Apply every night before bed and over time you will have longer, stronger, thicker lashes.

18) Rub a little Vaseline to the parts of your shoes which may cause you blisters to reduce chaffing and friction.

All the above 18 points are just suggestions but personally, I have only use Vaseline as point 18.

Beware, its abit oily though. I will apply to the shoes and leave it to dry overnight though, its still oily when I wore the shoes the next day.

Another alternative will be the candle wax. I will use it to rub on my shoes.

Review on Biotherm Hydra Detox Intense Clarifying Purifying Cleanser

According to Biotherm, this cleanser prepares your skin to receive optimum benefits from the HYDRA-DETOX BIO-DEFENSIS routine. Scrubbing micro-particles ensure gentle, effective exfoliation to activate cellular renewal and purify the skin. Your complexion is fresh, luminous and glowing, and your skin feels detoxified.

Actually I did not have a good impression of Biotherm Hydra Detox range, after using its moisturiser and eye gel before. I just feel that its too mild to create any improvement on my skin so when I received this cleanser as a gift, I did not think too much about it and just chuck it aside.
Recently, while packing for a short vacation trip, I decided to bring this along.
To my surprise, it was really good and I actually enjoyed using it.

The light, silky, delicate cream texture with a hint of blue transforms into a mousse when it comes in contact with water. I really like the micro particles which is not too rough on my skin yet gives a gently exfoliation treat to my face, keeping it fresh and glowing.
Your skin feels unbelievingly smooth to the touch.

I am starting to fal in love with Biotherm cleanser with micro particles in them.
Check my other review on its Clarifying Foam

Key Ingredients :
Pure Extract of Thermal Plankton, Oxy-detox complex, Lactobacille

Review on IPSA Refiner Skin Clear-ize Clay

This is my first product from IPSA.
Not to say that I am anti-IPSA fan but it just did not occur to me, to be using this brand.
This brand was not widely advertised and there were not much rave reviews from the usual forums I visited, so IPSA was one of those brands which I did not bother to find out much.

I received a generous sample pack from Tangs-IPSA when my total purchases in Tangs exceeded $100.
It lasted me for quite some time, so here is my review after using it for the last few months.

IPSA is a Japanese brand and Refine is one of their skincare range which starts with drawing out the skin's ability to beautify itself even more, through the effects of massage and packs.
Its to be added to your own regualr skincare regime to create your own receipe.

Refiner Skin Clear-ize Clay is a white clay mask, meant to clear away dead cells on the skin. It absorbs the melanin in corneocytes as well as the sebum and impurities in pores that cause a dull complexion. This massage mask helps to moisturize and smooth skin to enhance clarity allowing you to see your skin becoming naturally more refined and brighter through continual use.

How to use :
- Use on the skin after cleansing and lightly wiping off moisture once or twice a week.
- Place an appropriate amount (Squeeze out about 4 cm for half the face) onto the fingertips and smooth on, avoiding the areas around the eyes and mouth. Massage in a circular motion (about 1 minute) and rinse off with cool or lukewarm water.
- Use as a mask by leaving the formula on your face for about 5 minutes to increase the absorption of the effective ingredients of the clay and enhance the skincare benefits of items applied later.

I usually use it as a scrub after my cleanser. The texture may feels slightly rough for 1st time user, but after washing it away, you will feel that your face have become smoother immediately.
Thereafter, I will follow up with a sheet mask ie. hydrating or whitening mask.
Occasionally, I will leave it on my face for 2 to 3 minutes before washing it away.

Either I use it as a scrub or mask, it really feels good. Smoother, cleaner and clearer skin. No brightening effect though.

Review on Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase

This is a light yet deeply comforting bi-phase which intensively hydrates,repairs and rebalances dehydrated skin, smoothing away premature wrinkles and restoring radiance.

Clarins is one of those brands that I have never really thought of trying as I usually only look for water-based brands like Laneige and Biotherm.
Despite many claims that oil is actually good for our skin, I never reallybelieve in that as I still feel that oil-based products clog our pores and may result in more oil clogs/seeds.

So when when I first tried this serum, I was not really happy to know that it feels and looks oily. The serum is blue in colour and when applied to the skin, its feels oily.
In fact, after several minutes, my skin still feels like having a layer of oily film on the surface.
I don't like that feeling and is quite concerned that it might clog my pores.

I went to consult a Clarins consultant over the counter, to find out if I have been using it the wrong way and she passed me another sample to try it out.
Surprisingly, this time round, I do not feel that there is a layer of oily film on the face after each use. In fact, its just slightly oily not as much oil as the previous time.

What I did is simply to just shake the tiny bottle and pour out a tiny amount, rub onto my palms and spread all over the face. Nice feel.

My regime starts with cleanser, followed by Avene thermal water, then this serum followed by my moisturiser. Serum is best applied when the skin is damp and with the Avene thermal water, you can also avoid using too much serum so its actually a 2 in 1 solutionfor me. After several weeks of usage, I do feel that it keeps my skin hydrated and moisturised. Skin also feels soft to the touch.

Main Ingredients :
Hyaluronic acid: helps the skin to maintain its moisture level.
Katafray bark: restructures the corneal layer, limits dehydration.
Sorbier tree bud: stimulates microcirculation.
Alfalfa extract: boosts the production of collagen, intensively regenerates, firms, and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.