Review on Avene Soothing moisture mask

I enjoyed using hydrating masks as its very soothing and pampering. I have it in Biotherm D-stress Masque but it have since cease its production.
So this Avene Soothing Moisture Mask which is recommended for normal to sensitive skin, is the next one which I tried out.

It claims to
- provide intensive soothing care to dehydrated, overstressed skin.
- help improve the appearance of tired, dull and lackluster skin.
- help with reactive skin and alleviates redness, tightness and sunburns.

Benefits:
Rich, creamy, non-setting mask soothes over stressed skin.
Replenishes moisture to dehydrated skin and helps restore skin's barrier.
Deeply penetrates skin to restore suppleness as it minimizes redness.
Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin.
Preservative-free.
Contains Avene Thermal Spring Water to soothe and soften skin.
Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

Containing 70% of its Avene thermal spring water, this is a rich creamy mask to soothe and soften skin as well as to replenish moisture to dehydrated skin.
It claims to be a genuine pampering care for sensitive, dehydrated or weakened skin which has become reactive due to various aggressions.

Avene thermal spring water soothes and softens.
Triglycerides nourish dehydrated skin and help restore the hydrolipidic barrier.
Emollient ingredients help restore hydration.

Main Ingredients :
Water, Mineral Oil, Steric Acid, Hybrid Safflower Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, and Microcrystalline Wax

Full Ingredients :
Ingredients: Water (aqua), Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Steric Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Carthamus Tinctorius (Hybrid Safflower) Seed Oil, Propylene Glycol, PEG 6 Esters, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), PEG 100 Stearate, Butylparaben, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Fragrance (parfum), Methylparaben, Phenoexthanol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine

I regard this as a gentle soothing mask for dry skin. It helps to soothe the skin and make my skin comforted. When placed in the fridge, its a perk-me-up soothing mask.
However the effect of this light creamy texture mask may be too mild for severly dehydrated skin.

There have been rave reviews from some ladies who used this on a regular basis to treat their face redness with success. For me, I used it when I am overseas as my skin may not be able to adapt to the change in climate in other countries.

When I used it in Singapore, its like a normal mask to me, it did nothing to quench the thirst in my skin however, when I used it in Taiwan summer period, its actually quite a good mask for me. It soothe my skin and my face felt rested and calmed.
Its no longer that angry with redness and my peeling due to dryness is not that terrible anymore.

Get your mask from HERE with free shipping and samples.

Review on Avene Micellar lotion cleanser and make-up remover

I have been using this make-up remover for several years. I usually avoid all oil-based make-up remover even though most beauticians will recommend it as an effective way to cleanse away all the dirt, grime and make-up.

However, because my skin is prone to oil clogs, I usually stay clear of it, regardless of what the beauticians say, with the belief that only I know my own skin best.

I love this make make-up remover for being water-based (Avene thermal spring water contents ), gentle, effective and affordable.

According to Avene, the make-up remover boasts of the following benefits :

• No-rinse cleansing water cleanses skin and effectively removes all traces of make-up on face, eyes and lips
• Hydrates and calms the skin, leaving skin moisturized and soft
• Pleasant fragrance tolerated by sensitive skin
• Preservative-free, oil-free
• Soap-free, oil-free, alcohol-free
• Avène Thermal spring water to soothe and soften skin
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic

What I usually did, is to wet the cotton pad with the lotion and proceed to cleanse away the make-up on my face twice, followed by the eye make-up remover and finally, the cleanser.

Face is clean and fresh without any after feel tightness or redness. I even recommended this make-up remover to my sister with sensitive skin, who is loving it so far.

Free shipping and samples if you get it from here.

Review : Therapeutic Determalogic Formula C Scape Serum

The C Scape Serum by TDF ( Therapeutic Determalogic Formula ) contains Vitamin C (10% Ascorbyl Methyl Silanol ) which is essential for the production of collagen and elastic tissues that keeps the skin taut, supple and healthy.

Besides serving as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful free radicals, reduce lines and wrinkles in your sun-damaged or aging skin, C Scape Serum can also help to reduce the appearance of age spots and freckles, giving a lighter shade complexion.

Vitamin C, considered as one of the common ingredients in anti-wrinkle products stimulates collagen synthesis, heals devitalised skin and increases the strength of the underlying structural component of the skin.

According to Ocean Health, the C Scape Serum offers hydration and improves elasticity and skin firmness to create a more youthful and even toned complexion.

Do note that product have to stay chilled to prevent oxidization and once opened, it have to be discarded after 6 months.

I have been using this consistently for the past 3 months at night and have seen slight improvement in my slight pigmentation on the cheeks. It seems to have lightened abit.

However, where some users have commented that her skin have become firmer and pores become tighter, it did not happen to me. Have I become more radiant? I do not think so.

But colleagues have commented that my skin have become fairer.

Well, that, to me, is certainly good news.

Ingredients :

Water,SD Alcohol 40,Ascorbyl Methyl Silanol,Propylene Glycol,Xanthan Gum,Fragrance,Diazolidinyl Urea,Methylparaben,Tetrasodium EDTA,Propylparaben.

You can get this product from CGH myPharmacy. Wait for its 20% promotion which happens from time to time.

Review on Olive Textured Body Scrub

Its my second time getting this product and it serves me well.
In fact, I will not hesitate to get another few tubs.

This scrub which is suitable for normal to dry skin, is a moisturising, cream-based, gently exfoliating scrub that helps remove dead skin cells and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. It contains Community Trade organic olive oil, exfoliating crushed walnut shells and crushed olive stones to help reveal brighter and smoother skin.

Organic Olive Oil - conditions the skin
Ground olive stones, rice granules and crushed walnut shells - Gently exfoliate the skin.
Sunflower seed oil - Moisturises and helps to soften the skin. Provides essential fatty acids that help to repair the skin's moisture barrier, thus helping to restore moisture, smoothness and suppleness

I used to forgo the scrub and only uses shower gel.
After a friend who have been droning on how TBS body scrubs did wonders to her skin, I decided to give it a try.
Afterall, a body scrub does what a facial scrubs does as well, to clear away dead cells to reveal clearer, radiant skin.
If I pamper my face, why not my body?

What I usually do, is to cleanse the body with my regular shower gel, to remove dirt and grime.
Next, I will use the body scrub to clear away those dead cells and boost circulation.
While the skin is still damp, use a body moisturiser to keep your skin soft and tender.

The scrub helps to clear away dead cells, giving way to smooth, silky after-feel on your skin.
Fresh skin will therefore be able to absorb the body lotion better.
Use two to three times per week for maximum effect. Regular exfoliating and massaging can help tone and firm the skin.

In fact, I quite like this scrub because it actually made my body very smooth after the scrub however, I found the grains too rough for my delicate skin. Abit painful at times.

Tips to get more out of your beauty products

1) Baby Oil : To be used as a make-up remover or skin softener
Add a few drops into a basin and soak either hands/feets

2) Vaseline : Great as a lip gloss and moisturiser for dry skin
Vaseline combined with matte lipstick = lip gloss

3) Nail Polish : Can be used as a nail polish remover
Apply a fresh coat of polish over the old polish, let it set for a few seconds and wipe off

4) Mascara Wand : Wash an old mascara wand and re-use as an eyebrow brush

5) Fix up a broken lipstick : Heat up the broken piece in a microwave oven in a small container. The heat will melt the lipstick and harden once its cooled. You can use your lipstick again with a lip brush.

6) Old lipstick tubes, thoroughly cleaned, are great for purse-sized pillboxes or for pins.

7) Olive oil added to bath water as a skin softener.

8) Mix some lotion with some vaseline to maximise usage and stretch its value.

9) For eyeshadows that smudge easily -> apply concealer or liquid/cream foundation on the eyelids first, before applying eyeshadow

10) Eyeliner pencils wearing down quickly -> put pencil in the freezer for 15mins before sharpening it

11) Mix sugar with olive oil to act as a body scrub

12) To act as a lip exfoliator
-> use a soft bristle toothbrush to brush the lips lightly every night, before applying a lip moisturiser or vaseline
-> mix a little bit of sugar with honey, rub on ur lips and let it sit for 5mins then wipe off with a warm cloth

Review on Burt's Bees Hand Salve

As mentioned on Burts Bee , this is their most intensive hand treatment, packed with botanical oils, herbs and beeswax to moisturize hard working, rough, dry hands and is 98.05% natural.

Ingredients : prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, beeswax, fragrance, tocopheryl acetate, symphytum officinale (comfrey) root extract, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaves, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flowers, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, canola oil

This was my first foray into natural products and naturally, I was looking forward to using it.
But sad to say, I simply dislike using this product. The texture is so oily that it leaves a sheen on any area which I touched. I believe that its largely due to the content of beewax.

In case you are not aware, Beeswax is nature's answer to dry skin, replenishing lost moisture and nourishing skin with essential nutrients.

However in Burts Bee's beeswax formula, it simply does not work for me and as such, I am staying away from any beeswax hand cream for the time-being.

After using it for a month, my hands are still as dry as ever. You only need abit to go a long way so unfortunately I still have alot remaining from this 3oz tin.

You can get this product for $14.50 at Whoopeekiddies or at $6 for a 0.3oz tin.
There is a promotion now, which entitled you to a 15% off for the 0.3 oz tin.

Review on Laneige Strawberry Yogurt Pack

According to Laneige, other than being pleasantly citrus-scented, its enriched with yogurt extract to give baby-soft and firm skin.

Vitamin E granules prevent oxidation. Olive oil helps retain and maintain moisture levels and protects against UV radiation.
Strawberry contains Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant to promote collagen production.

Yoghurt contains Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, protein, calcium and yeast, nourishes and repairs skin, giving it elasticity.

I love this product. It smells nice and made my skin super soft.
The texture feels like yoghurt softie when applied to the skin and have a lovely strawberry smell which made you want to eat it.
Skin feels super soft after washing it off.

The correct way to use this product is to massage gently till the red particles dissolve.
Leave it for 5 to 10mins and rinse off with warm water.Use once a week to complement your skin renewal regime.
80ml at $39 at all Laneige counters.

Use your Isetan card either to earn i-points or get 5% off the final price.

Ingredients:

WATER, FRAGARIA VESCA (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL OCTANOATE, GLYCERIN, HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE, SQUALANE, SUCROSE, SUCROSE PALMITATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, XANTHAN GUM, GLYCERLY STEARATE CITRATE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, MANNAN TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LAURETH-7, YOGURT POWDER, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYL-PARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, PERFUME, CI77491, RED 33, YELLOW 6.

Review on Benefit Cosmetics That Gal brightening face primer

According to Benefit Cosmetics, this is a silky pink primer that makes skin appear smoother & brighter. Wear alone for clear complexion radiance or apply before makeup for smooth, effortless application.

I love this product. Other than the sweet scent, it made my skin looks radiant with a subtle glow. The texture is very light and fluffy. I usually use it before my liquid foundation. I have not tried wearing it alone.

How to use : Twist the base until the primer is distributed on the top. Apply with fingertips onto the face. Blend this silky pink primer in an even, upward motion.

Ingredients : Raspberry & chamomile, combined with sweet almond & algae extracts to help skin retain its natural moisture, for a soft & silky finish.

Since this is a primer, it acts like a make-up base (frankly speaking, I still cannot figure out the difference between a base and a primer) which is applied after the moisturiser followed by powder.

Get it from Benefit counters at Tangs or purchase it online at their website.
Alternatively, if you are residing in San Francisco, get it at US$28 from major shopping centers like Macys.

Review on SKII Advanced Eye Treatment Film

According to SKII, this Pitera®-rich oil-free eye film provides long-lasting hydration to the delicate area around the eye. It is a revitalising eye contour serum which hydrates, smoothes and revitalises the eye area.

I have tried the product for close to 3 weeks but sad to say, it did not show any visible improvement to my eye area. My eye area have started to become dry as age creeps up, so at times, concealer ends up cakey. Hence, I have been keeping a lookout for hydrating eye gel recently.

The moisture level at my eye area is still quite low after 3 weeks and today, a little red bump appeared just under my eye. You can imagine I almost freaked out and stopped using the product immediately.I am not sure what it is and will continue to monitor the situation. But I decided to stop using all my eye products, with the hope that it will heal soon.

Other than the little red bump, I also do not like the oily film texture. Even though its stated that its oil-free on the website, but I still feel like applying oil to my eye area. Ouch!

This product is available from SKII counters for S$80.

Share your magazines

I love to devour beauty and fashion magazines, in order to get the latest updates on skincare, beauty, make-up & fashion.
But with so many magazines out there, sometimes it can get quite expensive.

One alternative is to check their contents online though not the whole content will be posted.
Another alternative is to pool your "magazine funds" with a group of good friends and share among all.
Other alternatives include exchanging your magazines with your friends, borrow from libraries or read it during your monthly visit to the salon.

After you have read the magazines, you can sell them to those rental bookshops, donate to charity or giveaway to the SG recycle group (SgFreecycle@yahoogroups.com)

Not only is it a good way to save costs, it also helps to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Shape Magazine
Cleo Magazine

Her World Magazine
Simply Her Magazine
Cosmopolitan
Female Magazine
Allure Magazine
Elle Magazine
Readers' Digest
Marie Claire
Glamour

Harper Bazaar

Instyle

Self Magazine

Best Health Magazine

Stylist

Real Simple

Women's Health Magazine

Ivillage

New Beauty
Simply Anti-aging
Real Beauty
Wise Bread
Eyecaresecrets
My Fat Pocket
WebMD
WellnGoodNYC
FeelgoodStyle

Do you know of any other websites which I have missed out?

Savings on your toiletries

In the wake of the economy crisis, here are some tips on savings on your daily toiletries.

Cut It Up - cut your toothpaste tube or lotion bottle in half - you'll be amazed how much is left inside.
Shake It Up - add a little water to your shampoo, conditioner, or liquid laundry detergent bottles, then shake it.
Turn It Upside Down - store containers upside down in your fridge, cabinet, or shower, and let gravity work for you.
Warm It Up - shower with bottles; the heat will soften the product inside.