Review : Garden of Wisdom Cleansing Pads (Gentle)

Product Description
Cleansing Pads are gentle, effective, and easy to use when you're on the go. They effectively remove daily grime, makeup, and eye makeup with a blend of Soap Nut liquid and Red Rooibos Tea Extract

List of Ingredients

Soapnut Liquid Base
- all natural surfactant made from an infusion of the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry Tree
Decylpolyglucoside
- non-ionic surfactant
- mild to skin
- gentle surfactant [very small amount]
Red [Rooibos] Tea Extract
- high in antioxidants, flavonoids and minerals
Lactic Acid
- gentle exfoliator
- moisturizer
Willow Bark Extract
- exfoliant
- preservative
Cosmocil CQ
- paraben free, broad spectrum preservative

 

 

I picked this up from GoW for US$10.65 sometime back last year, thinking that it would come in handy for trips. But because I have not been travelling much lately, and thinking it may dry up if unused for a long time, I decided to use it on my daily evenings at home, after work.

These were the worst cleansing pads I ever come across. Not that I have much experiences with cleansing pads, but I usually use cleansing wipes or make-up remover wipes for travels and this tub of cleansing pads are just terrible on the skin.

All 50pads are stacked together in the tub as shown above, so you have to peel one by one if you want to use it. Moist, it does a good cleansing job on the skin, removing my face make-up effortlessly, I don't use it for my eye area though.

The texture of the pads are just terrible. Coarse, scratchy and painful. I tried to use it in the most gentle manner ever, that I am almost afraid that my make-up gunk would not come off. But it still hurts. While it did not cause my skin to peel or cause any redness, but it hurts and made my skin abit raw. Thats the scary part.

I don't know how anyone could use such terrible and horrible cleansing pads. I have given the pads so many chances that I decided finally that its not worth it to hurt my skin on such cheap cleansing pads. It is definitely going to the bin.

It scored 2 from 1 user on Makeupalley.

 

Source : GoW

Review : Jason Natural, Colour Protect Henna Shampoo and Conditioner

Shampoo Description
Our Pure, Natural Color Protect Shampoo gently cleanses hair as it guards against damaging environmental effects to extend life and color, Natural Henna Extract fights fading while nourishing Wheat Protein gives extra conditioning for a silky luster. Protected and revived, your hair's brilliant color shines through.

Conditioner Description
Our Pure, Natural Color Protect Conditioner gently hydrates color-treated hair to preserve beautiful, lustrous color. Strengthening Henna and antioxidant Grapefruit Extracts fight fading while nourishing Wheat Protein, Jojoba Seed and Rosewood Oils give hair a silky luster. Protected and revived, your hair’s brilliant color shines through.

I picked this up from Iherb awhile ago, after reading the good reviews on their page. It was supposed to come in handy after my last colouring job however, at that point of time, it does not work that well for my hair condition which was a tangled mess after the colouring job. Hence, I started both products, only 1 month after the colouring job, when my hair was in a better state.

Jason Natural products do not contain petrolatum, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfated (SLS), parabens or phthalates and no animal-testing is involved.

Both products are packaged in 473ml bottles with flick-top opening. The shampoo is light yellow in colour with a gel consistency formula while the conditioner is white in colour with a creamy consistency.

The shampoo does not lather much, but since I am already used to it, so it does not bother me too much. It has this raspberry scent which smells sweet. However the consistency tends to be lumpy so you need to spread it properly throughout the hair. I noticed that shampoo with wheat protein tends to have this lumpy effect on my hair.

The conditioner is important and complements the shampoo as the shampoo has a tendency to leave the hair in dry tangles.

After a month, it was logical that due to new growth, I could see some white hair again, but these hair products helped to keep the obvious graying at bay, without being that conspicuous. The greys become more obvious after 3 months from the colouring job.

If I have actually started using both Henna Shampoo and Conditioner immediately after the colouring job, I believe that the colour could have last beyond 3 months.

I have black hair ( becomes even darker, with my colouring job to cover the greys ) and with the usage of the shampoo and conditioner, I noticed some subtle reddish highlights with a little shine.

However, the usage of both products tend to give me more hair fall than usual but its also partly contributed to the colouring job where there are still kinks on the hair ends.

More than the usual hair fall occurred after hair washing and during combing. Occasionally, I felt that the shampoo does not cleanse well and could be the reason for the hair itch, leaving some slight white flakes on the hair. It could be my own fault as I may not have properly spread out the lumpy
consistency of the shampoo.

Not something I would purchase again.

Shampoo Ingredients
flower extract*, equisetum arvense leaf extract*, hydrolyzed wheat protein, ascorbic acid, panthenol, retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, citric acid, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, glycerin, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, panthenyl ethyl ether, phytantriol, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, alcohol*, benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, fragrance (parfum), annatto (ci 75120).
*Certified Organic Ingredient

Conditioner Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Polysorbate 60, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract*, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract*, Lawsonia Inermis (Henna) Flower/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Fragrance (Parfum)
*Certified Organic Ingredient.

Source : iHerb, Jason, Jason Care

Review : 100% Pure Strawberry Lemonade Hydrating Body Wash

Product Description
Juicy, invigorating Strawberry Lemonade bubbles make you nostalgic for a summer day at the beach. This nourishing body wash leaves your skin glowing hydrated, refreshed and healthy by feeding your skin with vitamins and antioxidants. Truly, 100% Pure - never any harsh detergents, synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances or colors, chemical preservatives or any other toxins.

I love 100% Pure body washes because it is kind to the body and smells so delicious that one can't help but fall in love with them. I purchased it for $21.10 from Purity Cosmetics last year, after a promotion.

It comes in this gigantic 502ml bottle that dispenses the foam with a pump dispenser. The strawberry lemonade scent is truly lovely. I looked forward to each bath with the sweet scent. The foam is light and I just need 3 pumps to lather the foam into sufficient cleansing for the body.

Once it comes into contact with water, the foam turns into light suds for a yummy lovely wash. It hydrates the body well enough without a layer of moisturising veil.

Ingredients: 

Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice1, Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Organic Lavandula Angustifolia Water (Lavender Hydrosol)2, Sodium Cocoate (Saponified Coconut Oil), Extracts of: Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf3, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower, Opuntia Tuna (Prickly Pear) Fruit, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Berry) Fruit, Lycium Chinense (Goji Berry) Fruit, Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) Fruit, Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis (Elderberry), Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed and Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Citrus Medica Limonum Peel Oil (Lemon Essential Oil), Hyaluronic Acid, Citral*, Geraniol*, Limonene*, Linalool*

1 certified organic by QAI 

2 certified organic by OTCO

3 certified organic by USDA

* Component of natural essential oil

Source : 100percentpure

Review : Giovanni Salt Scrub, Cool Mint Lemonade

Product Description
With crushed mint leaves. Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub tingles with fragrance and is an invigorating body exfoliator that polishes skin's surface, removing cellular debris. The richly scented formula contains the exclusive Giovanni Pure Organic Technology blend, an advanced essential oil complex to soothe, smooth and regenerate skin all over. What an intoxicating experience. Feel. Refreshed. Includes essential fatty acids, necessary to smooth, repair and help heal skin. This container has been specially designed with a double wall. A pleasant atmosphere exists between the outer surface and the inner sanctuary, virtually ensuring a constant product freshness and temperature. Formulated with exclusive Giovanni Pure Organic Technology.100% Vegetarian Ingredients. No animal testing. Made in U.S.A.


It was pure bliss when I first used Giovanni Hot Chocolate Sugar Scrub and thought that this Lemonade Salt Scrub may be another winner. Unfortunately, after the first use, I really hated it.

With a twist and turn tub, it was easy to scoop out the contents. The scent is pretty strong, overwhelming, in my opinion. The consistency of the contents gelled together like a glob so you have to spread it out on the body after scooping it out from the large, cumbersome tub. The texture is slightly sticky with a slight greasy base, leaving a mop of moisturising veil on the skin, with a chill after toweled dried.

It is very minty and tingles on the skin, leaving it so cold like you are running a fever with a chill. At least thats how I feel and I hated that sensation. Good luck, if you are using it on a cold night. The cold sensation gets worse if you have a warm shower, rather than a cold shower.

It scored 8.7 from 21 users on Total Beauty and 4.4 from 7 users on Makeupalley.
I purchased it for US$10.05 on Iherb.

Ingredients :
Sea Salt (Organic), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI, Isopropyl Myristate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis), Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass), Spearmint (Mentha Viridis) Oil, Essential Fragrance Oil

Source : Amazon

How to prevent varicose veins

1. Avoid wearing tight clothing like skinny jeans
Tight clothing hinders blood circulation, which can weaken the vein valves in your legs – and weak valves are what cause the blood to flow backwards.

2. Wear high heels only occasionally
Wearing high heels every day, all day, causes your calf muscles shorten and tighten, resulting in poorer blood circulation and weaker vein valves. Vary your heel height every day, and wear flats often. When you do wear your high heels, remove them regularly throughout the day to stretch your legs.

3. Move about
Standing or sitting still for too long restricts blood flow from the legs to the heart, adds pressure to the veins, and can result in vein damage and pooling of blood in the leg veins.
At work, walk about regularly and stretch your legs – go to the toilet, stand up to answer phone calls, stand up to read e-mail, or just take a break and walk up and down the office. Even moving your feet to create a pumping action in both ankles helps. Exercise regularly, too.

4. Put your feet up
It’s good to lie back and raise your feet above the level of your heart three to four times a day, for 30 minutes each time. This reduces swelling of the feet and improves blood circulation.

Source : Herworld

Gwyneth’s Detox Juices: Her Secrets To Great Skin

Gwyneth downs healthy green juices (kale, celery, spinach, etc.) in between photo shoots, workouts, shopping excursions- whatever glamorous activities make up her day. And her skin- in addition to her internal health and immunity- is reaping the benefits, most notably from the pH-balancing alkalinity of these green foods. A body in balance is directly linked to clear, radiant skin!

Check out her blog here.


MellowLOVE Green Juice (see below for specific skin benefits):
1/2 bunch spinach
1/2 bunch celery
1/2 large cucumber
1 head romaine lettuce
1/3 bunch fresh parsley
Pinch of Himalayan salt

Juice all ingredients and add salt to make 2 servings.

SPINACH: protects skin with alpha-lipoic acid, an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compound, plus skin nutrients like vitamin C and beta carotene.

CELERY: calms inflammation, regulates body fluids and balances acidity in the body.

CUCUMBER: a diuretic (for this reason, cucumbers are a staple of models) with ample minerals for healthy skin & nails, as well as skin-soothing properties.

ROMAINE LETTUCE: a great source of skin-strengthening minerals like manganese, chromium, potassium, as well as vitamins A, C and K.

PARSLEY: a free radical-fighting food with three times as much vitamin C as an orange and twice as much iron as spinach!

HIMALAYAN SALT: yes, this one has benefits too! Himalayan salt is packed with minerals, including 84 essential body elements. Table salt, sadly, is stripped of this nutrition and can actually contribute to cellulite and health problems.

Source : Beautyiswellness

Top 10 Natural Beauty Remedies

1 EAT AND DRINK RIGHT—AND SLEEP TIGHT. To keep nails strong, hair shiny and skin looking radiant, replenish your healthy fats by eating plenty of oily nuts, flax seed, olive oil and cold-water fish: salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring. And stay hydrated. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water every day.

2 TEND TO ROUGH SPOTS. Take care of elbows, knuckles and knees before the roughness worsens. If your hands are chapped, massage them with olive or coconut oil and cover them with a pair of cotton gloves or socks before you go to bed. When you wake up, remove the gloves and use a rich hand cream or balm to keep your hands protected all day.

3 SAVE FACE. Consider facial oils a key part of your skincare regimen this winter. And, to save a step, add a few drops into your favorite day or night cream. “You’ll give your skin a much-needed boost,” says Terri Bly, owner of The Nature of Beauty, an organic spa and retail shop in Minneapolis, “and protection from the harsh environment, especially during this time of year.” In addition, apply a moisture mask and leave it on for 20 minutes.

4 PICK THE RIGHT HAIRBRUSH. Protect dry, delicate hair with a brush that doesn’t prompt breakage. If the bristles of your old brush have become worn or harsh, it may be time to invest in a new one.

5 SHED DRY SKIN. Pick a cream-based product to exfoliate the face. For the body, opt for a sugar scrub (salt scrubs can be dehydrating) that exfoliates and moisturizes, too. DIY Tip: Make your own by mixing equal parts raw sugar and almond or canola oil. Gently massage into damp skin in the shower using a cotton washcloth or loofah. Rinse well.

6 STAY SUN-SAVVY. No matter what the mercury says, keep your skin protected as wind and cold can be ultra-drying. In addition, sun protection is just as important in the winter since you still can burn easily at this time of year.

7 SKIP THE LIP-LICKING. In the wintertime, our lips seem most vulnerable to chapping. Keep licking them and they’ll get rough and painful—fast. To protect them, look for a lip balm that contains argan oil, beeswax or shea butter.

8 FIGHT THE URGE TO OVER-CONDITION. It becomes a vicious cycle—your hair feels lackluster so you condition it and then it feels weighed down. Instead, comb hair oil or serum through dry hair 15 minutes before washing, Bly suggests. Or, coat your ends with argan oil or a botanical treatment to protect it after shampooing.

9 ADD ESSENTIAL OILS TO YOUR AT-HOME MANI/PEDI. For Jenna Hipp, the Green Celebrity Nail Stylist, this means using an essential oil that matches her mood. “If I feel jet-lagged or sluggish, I apply H. Gillerman’s Travel Remedy to the bottoms of my feet to boost circulation,” she says. “If I’m tense or tired, I massage Tension Remedy and Jaw Clenching Remedy into the palms of my hand to refresh my entire being.” Keep cuticles from drying and cracking by rubbing in sweet almond oil or shea butter nightly.

10 AVOID “HAT HEAD.” Avoid wool, felt or knit fabrics that flatten your hair and create static. And before you head out, use just enough hairspray to control flyaway hair, suggests Nicholas Penna, Jr., owner and lead stylist at SalonCapri in Boston. “The goal is to reduce the friction between your hair and the hat.”

Source : Organicspamag

Review : 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Product Description
Anti-inflammatory, caffeine rich green tea and coffee de-puffs while increasing circulation to brighten dark circles. Concentrated with potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing rosehip oil to make eye
area look more awake and more youthful. Truly, 100% Pure

Results of an Independent, Clinical Four Week Study
- 97% saw reduction of puffiness
- 87% saw reduction of dark circles
- 93% say it reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- 100% say it improved skin hydration and moisturization
- 93% say it improved skin firmness/elasticity

This is a highly raved eye product from celebrities ( Kate Hudson uses this! Dr. Oz recommended this on his show "Breakthrough to Eliminate Wrinkles" ) and of course, I had to get my hands on it. After so many years of seeking for that perfect eye cream that truly works, I thought I may see some light at the end of the tunnel, with this eye cream. So does it work for me? It does, to some extent but not really that extensive. I have been using the eye cream for more than 6 months on a twice daily application.

I have been battling with eye bags and dark circles for the most part of my life, mainly due to genetics. I also have some fine lines in these recent years. Trying different eye creams every 6 months is no joke, its a tiring affair when the result remained the same, although I stay hopeful each time.

Made in USA, 100% Pure products are 100% Natural, 100% Vegan and Gluten free. They do not contain synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, parabens or any other chemical preservatives, petrochemicals or any other toxins.

You can also check out their list of notable products here.

At US$19 for a 29ml size, its really affordable! And you only need a pea-sized amount so the whole tube can last for more than 6 months. Note that once the product is opened, its best to use it for 6 months maximum as what the label says.

The scent is lovely, coffee-scented aroma with a slight whiff of vanilla that is just so yummy on the senses. Looking at the ingredient list, you can't help but marvel at such goodness in a tube. Caffeine-enriched products have long been touted to help in reducing puffiness. In this eye cream, Organic Coffea Arabica (Green Coffee) Seed Extract is the 4th ingredient, with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice as the base.

Being cream-based, I was careful in using it sparingly to avoid another scare of oil clogs/seeds around the eyes.

This product comes in a tube form as shown in the picture above with a cylindrical paper board container. It dispenses through a pressing motion which tends to output more than needed. The frustrating thing is that it broke down after the first press. While the pressing motion works, but it did not "suck" up anything from the tube hence I have been using it direct from the tube which may speed up the spoilage though thankfully the colour and texture remained the same after 6 months.

Milky white in colour, the texture of this cream is not as heavy as what a cream-based product is. It is creamy ( not greasy though ) but still lightweight enough to tap around the eye area, smoothen it and if you are lucky, fine lines literally disappeared for that whole day which is what I encountered occasionally. I thought it may due to my application but I have tried different ways without much success thereafter.

After application, eyes do look rested and refreshed, softer and smoother. There is a slight moisturising veil on the undereye area though.

However, other than that, there was no depuff of my undereye bags which was a major disappointment as that was my main purpose in getting this eye cream.

It scored 3.8 from 161 users on Makeupalley. I bought it direct from Purity Cosmetics for $27.30 when there was a promotion.

Ingredients:
Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice1, Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip Oil) Seed Extract3, Organic Coffea Arabica (Green Coffee) Seed Extract4, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate), Extracts of: Coffea Arabica
(Coffee Cherry) Seed, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Absolute) Fruit, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax)

1 Certified Organic by QAI
2 Certified Organic by OTCO
3 Certified Organic by USDA
4 Certified Organic by Hawaii Organic Farmers Association

Review : Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask

Product Description
An intensive hydrating treatment in the form of a mask where regular use helps to maintain suppleness of complexion, resulting in a younger and firmer looking skin.

I hardly ever purchase Elizabeth Arden products as it just does not appeal to me, for some reason. However, during a trip to Hong Kong some time back, I picked up this 100ml sized hydrating mask for HKD68 since it was so affordable.
I am glad that I have given this brand a chance as this hydrating mask has been an excellent emergency mask that works beautifully when the skin needs it so very badly.

Soft and creamy, the texture is reminiscent of a clay mask and provides a cool minty touch to the skin, after application. On parched areas, it stings slightly.
The tube, made of soft pliable material, has a large gap that has the cream oozes out easily when its being depressed. It gets slightly cumbersome once the contents are at the end as you have to depress the tube with more strength, just to get the contents out.

10 minutes is all it needs to work its magic on parched skin. It delivers moisture to all the dehydrated areas just where you need it most. Flakiness disappeared, leaving in its place, well-hydrated, refreshed and comfortable skin. Redness that is caused by dehydrated or parched skin will also be greatly reduced. However, this mask is best used as an emergency hydrating mask because the effects do not last very long. For that important date in the evening or an important meeting with a client in 2 hours' time, this mask definitely helps.
You do need daily application for several days before the effects last beyond a day.

It scored 4 from 22 users on Makeupalley.

Update (30th Oct 13) :
With my second tube, I realized its not that effective on my skin anymore. Flakiness is still apparent after usage. I probably would not get the next tube.

Source : Strawberrynet

Naruko + My Beauty Diary Masks + Biotherm Hauls

Biotherm Hydrasolution Kit $75 ( Sephora )
- Aquasource Nuit 50ml ( high density hydrating jelly )
- Aquasource 24h deep hydration replenishing gel 15ml
- Aquasource Eye Perfection 4ml
- Biosource Total and Instant Cleansing Micellar Water 30ml

DHC Suncut Q10 Light Touch $32.90 (Watsons )

Nip + Fab Cellulite Fix $23.90 ( after 20% discount from Watsons )
Naruko Night Repairing Dew  $21.90
Naruko Moisturising Dew (New Formula)  $20.90
Facial White Illuminating Cotton Pads $4.90
Facial SPA Massage Cotton Pads $4.90 each
NRK Mandarin Orange and Pineapple Pore Refining Mask  $14.95
NRK VC Brightening and Deep Hydrating Mask  $14.95
NRK Peptide Purrty Kitty-Eye Lifting Mask  $16
Free Narcissus Defense BB Sunscreen SPF50

Requested a friend to get some MBD masks when she was in Taiwan.

Heme Instant Firming And Brightening Eye Mask
MBD Mexico Cactus Mask
MBD 2-Step Africa Hydrating Pack
MBD 2-Step Europe Clarifying Pack
MBD 2-Step Spring Mask Pack
Amazing Concealer (Fair) $42 ( Sephora)
Sephora Express Drying Oil $15 (Sephora)
Soap and Glory Body Butter (Christmas Gift)

Review : Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Mask

Product Description
Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Mask provides the ultimate whitening and firming ingredients that penetrate into the skin. It concentrates on three major effects: anti-glycation, antioxidizing, and whitening. It can significantly reduce the formation of melanin and help to moisturize, whiten, soothe and firm skin. In addition, the moisturizing ingredients in the mask help to replenish the loss of water in your skin (a natural effect of aging).

With each sheet containing 30ml essence, you can imagine how soaked the masks are, when I pulled it out from its packaging. The material of the sheet mask is made with an exclusive 3D cutting method to promote the "apply, firm and tighten" stages. ( If you are familiar with Lovemore masks, its similar to that. ) The ultra-fine emulsion coating technology can help the serum penetrate deep into the skin, helping to achieve an anti-aging, brightening and firming effect.

Key Ingredients :
Plantain Extract - get rid of skin's dullness
Magnolia Dew, Arbutin and Tranexamic Acid - brighten, clarify and firm skin
Golden Rod Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extact, Argania Spinosa Extract - smooth fine lines, revitalize, brighten and reduce signs of aging

Each box of 10 masks retails for $29.90 in Watsons but there is a current online promotion of $19.90 from Naruko. I bought the hydrating and this box of brightening masks for just $29.90 back in June. The hydrating masks had been a major disappointment so I did not have high hopes for this box of brightening masks.

I had since used up all 10 sheets within the last 3 weeks, and the recommended 15 minutes to 20 minutes for the treatment can not be followed because it left the skin feeling taut and dry. My personal recommended duration is 10 minutes where it left the skin feeling just right. Anything more, its a no-no.

I disliked 3D cutting masks because of the tightness since the flaps has to be pulled back all the way to the ears. The gap near the nose is another irritant since the essence cannot reach that area when the flaps were being pulled back to behind the ears. However, the firming effect is done via this pulling method so thats how the mask is supposed to behave.

The performance is medicore.
- skin is slightly brighter
- firming effects cannot be represented as I am blessed with firmed skin currently
- soothed skin can be only be done within 10 minutes and not more.
- not exactly a hydrating mask as the hydrating level is not high

The key ingredients such as Magnolia Dew, Arbutin and Tranexamic Acid for brightening and firming skin are found mainly at the bottom of the list. Phenoxyethanol, a preservative, is the 8th ingredient which I rather have it at the bottom of the list.

The recycled packaging as shown.

You can purchase other masks on Amazon
Raw Job’s Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Mask
Naruko Amazing Mask Set
NRK 5-Function Face and Eye Mask Bundle

Source : Naruko, BeautyCarousel

Review : L'oreal Youth Code Pre-Essence (Boosting Essence)

The 5ml sample that I owned was part of the August Bella Box goodies. I have been using it on a daily basis twice a day for the past 3 weeks. Strangely, not much information for this product is found online, not even on their main website.

Almost similar to Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate with its main ingredient being Bifida Ferment Lysate, L'oreal Youth Code is touted to regenerate skin and making it younger. It supposingly helps to boost up the skin's recovery and restoring skin's youth.

The texture of this pre-essence feels like serum, lightweight but concentrated. It sinks into the skin and gets absorbed in, within a few minutes. The initial stickiness disappeared into the skin, leaving it slightly smoother.
Benefits of any other skincare products to be applied thereafter, is supposed to be amplified, be it whitening, anti-aging or hydrating.

Their claims :
In 1 drop: More Radiant
In 1 week: More Refined
In 1 month: Rejuvenated Skin

Usage scenarios :
- Use Youth Code Boosting Essence before serum and moisturiser to boost the effectiveness
- Use Youth Code Boosting Essence before facial sheet masks to increase the effectiveness of the treatment
- Mix Youth Code Boosting Essence with liquid foundation or before applying two-way foundation to provide that dewy-radiant look that lasts all day

I have been using this pre-essence mainly as a serum, right before my moisturiser.
Day :
1) Youth Code Boosting Essence followed by Enavose Cellogist Youth Guard Cream 
Night : 
2) Youth Code Boosting Essence followed by  Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturising Cream
OR
3) Youth Code Boosting Essence in the morning and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Recovery at night

Due to both products in (3) having Bifida Ferment Lysate as the main ingredient, I did not have the intention to pair them up, but instead I used the Boosting Essence in the morning ( with one of the moisturisers above ) and ANR in the night. Within 3 days, I see a marked improvement on the pores on my nose. It appears cleaner, smaller and more refined. Blackheads were much reduced. My skin was literally more radiant, having less redness and an overall smoother appearance. Even my hubby commented on my smoother skin which is rare for him.

By all accounts, I believed that the overall effect was partially contributed with using the Boosting Essence together with the moisturisers above, but just that the visible improvement was much obvious after using ANR. I have used ANR many years ago, but it was nothing much to shout about, probably due to my young skin at that point in time.

I will be getting my mother to try it out together with the ANR and report back if there's good news to boot. For the record, my mum does not have very good skin.

Review : Desert Organics Pumpkin Hand Repair Hand Cream

Product Description
Desert Essence Organics Repair products deliver a high concentration of organic oils and organic extracts which provide intense moisture to the skin and aid in the repair process. As organic jojoba oil is similar in structure to our skins oils, it is able to deeply penetrate the skin, leaving it soft and supple. Heal: Organic pumpkin seed oil, with high levels of vitamins A, C, E and K, plus zinc, helps to combat daily environmental stress on the hands. Repair: A proprietary blend of organic
pumpkin seed and licorice leaf extracts helps to even skin tone and fade the appearance of age spots on the hands.

Benefits :
• Intensely moisturizes skin
• Protects against daily environmental stress on the hands
• Helps to even skin tone

I have been using this 118ml hand cream in office since mid May last year and still have about 40% contents remaining.
Desert Essence is a brand which I am not familiar with, but came across it in Iherb which prompted me to pick it up, since I sort of agreed with the ingredients in it.

The brand is certified to NSF Organic Standard
It does not contain Parabens, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates, Phthalates, Artificial Fragrances or Colors, Silicones, EDTA,
Glycol or Petroleum-based Ingredients, Phosphates and Animal Testing.
It is Vegetarian/Vegan, Wheat and Gluten Free, Recyclable, Biodegradable, Renewable Sources and Cruelty Free.

It has a musty-like scent which did not seem like pumpkin scent. In appearance, it looks thick but texture-wise, its light and sinks into the hands easily, leaving just a slight sheen but not to the extent that it will leave hand prints all over.

However, it left a powdery feel on the hands, without total moisturising. There is a drying after-feel which I did not quite like.

It scored 3.5 from 17 users on Makeupalley

Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Glycerin, Stearic Acid (Vegetable Derived), Glyceryl Stearate SE (From Plants), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (Mineral), Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Potassium Sorbate (Fruit Derived), Dehydroacetic Acid, Natural Fragrance (Parfum)

Source : Amazon

Review : Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturising Cream

Product Description
A brightening nighttime moisturizer that revitalizes skin after daily exposure to external stressors such as UV rays and dryness. Improves skin texture to optimize skin's clarity and promote inner radiance.
Recommended for dry skin, this product is specially developed with Shiseido original Multi-Target Vitamin C and Spot Deacti-Complex for whitening result. It also contains Tranexamic Acid to prevent dark spots. Blending with Super-Hydro Synergy Complex to deeply moisturize and refine skin's texture for softer, smoother skin. With Erythritol, Apricot Extracts, and Super Hydro-Synergy Complex, the product helps to normalize cell turnover to retexturize skin.

This is the last product from the Shiseido kit I gotten as a Xmas gift from a good friend of mine. Initially I thought it may be too rich for me, hence I did not use it together with the rest of the products.

I usually rotate my products according to my needs and follow up with consistent usage. For the past 2 months, I have been blessed with blemish-free skin so I was trying to get whitening care back into my regime.

I used the moisturising cream as a night cream and initially, it appeared to be too rich for my skin as my skin turns greasy and shiny upon application.
Thereafter, I tried to apply with a light hand or spray a facial mist prior to using the cream and it works pretty fine for me.

White in colour, the cream has a slippery feel and is slightly rich in texture. It contains Dimethicone hence the smoother feel to the skin. My skin appeared more even-toned, dewy and smoother the following morning.
Note that alcohol is the 4th ingredient on the list, definitely too high a concentration.

During the 2 months of almost daily usage, the texture of my skin looks better and pores on my nose seemed more refined. That said, I have to mention that I am also using other products so the refined pores on my nose may not neccessarily due to just this product alone.
Yet, the results differ after 2 months as my skin turned back to its dull state though the pores on my nose still maintain its refined state.

It scored 3.1 from 32 users on Makeupalley

Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Simmondsla Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Behenyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Tranexamic Acid, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Glyceryl Diisostearate, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Phenoxyethanol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, PEG/PPG-1417 Dimethyl Ether, Fragrance (Parfum), Erythritol, PEG/PPG-1714 Dimethyl Ether, 2-0-Ethylascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Metaphosphate, Limonene, Sodium Metabisulfite, Phytosterylioctyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene, Carboxaldehyde, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Serine, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides (CI 77491).


Source : Shiseido , Beautykat , Nordstrom

Review : Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion

Product Description
Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening range is its triple times of the hydration power!

Key Ingredients :
Arbutin – Natural plant extract that enhances skin fairness and fight against dark spots.
Vitamin C – Repairs dry and dull skin that has been through sun damage.
Hyaluronic Acid – Provides and retains intense moisture to the skin, keeping skin well-hydrated.

I redeemed a 20ml sample from its facebook page in November and have been using it as a toner for the last couple of weeks.
Hada Labo is famed for its products with Hyaluronic Acid that do not contain unnecessary addictives, colourants, alcohol, fragrances and mineral oil. This whitening lotion has the same philosophy.

Note that there is a new formula with Nano Formula indicated on the retail size however, my 20ml size does not have the fonts, so I am uncertain if its the same product. However, based on my understanding, the Nano Formula product can be redeemed on its facebook page from 1st November and I redeemed mine on 9th November, so logically, it should be the same product.

This light-textured lotion is water-based and colourless. Its not runny like water but still fluid enough to able to be patted onto the skin to get it absorbed. It does leave a slight stickiness immediately after application which took awhile for it to get totally absorbed.

Initially, I do feel that my skin is well-hydrated, almost bouncy and keeping my skin fair but after more than 2 weeks of usage, the effects were not that apparent and almost nonexistent. It feels like a regular toner.
Still, I have to say, my skin was not flaky during the time I was using this. The fairness was well-maintained but it did not provide me with the glow and radiance that I was expecting.

Despite touting the product as having 3 times of hydration, the ingredient is found near to the bottom of the list, so it seemed abit misleading to me.

It retails for $22.90 so its a value-for-money product if it works for you, especially with hydrating and whitening benefits together. Its not easy to find something that brightens and hydrates in a product, at least for my skin type.

This product scored 3.3 from 17 users on Makeupalley with some users encountering little red bumps on their skin.

Review : Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel

Product Description
* Hypo-allergenic peeling gel gently polishes skin for a smooth complexion with mannan and strengthen the skin barrier with the fermented yogurt.
* Soft yet powerful exfoliation
- Natural Konjac (Mannan) beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities with short time of massage.
- Recoverine from Chestnuts extracts promotes turnovers of horny layers to remove dead cells for vigorous water supply and sleek skin texture.
* De-oxidating and calming effect for healthier skin
- Sogurty™, a specialized fermented yogurt, has anti-inflammatory effects to soothe skin from skin troubles.
- Multi berry complex (various berry extracts from raspberries, blueberries, wolfberries, cranberries, and strawberries) delivers abundant nutrition and antioxidants to eliminate harmful free radicals.      

I received 3 sachets from Tangs as part of my birthday perks. The term "peeling gel" does not do justice to this product because its actually quite gentle and mild in a creamy exfoliating way.
Whenever I thought of skin peeling gel, it reminds me of AHA chemical peels that may leave sensitive skin red and raw but smooth.

For this product, it has a yummy strawberry scent. Light pink in colour, it is creamy-like ( yoghurt-feel ) with fine granules in between. It does leave the skin soft and supple after each scrub and the exfoliation is so gentle that you can hardly feel that its doing a deep cleanse of the pores but still, skin feels fresh and clean.
I like that its gentle enough for sensitive skin, without stripping it of moisture and leaving it red and raw.

But if you are the kind who prefers a harsher exfoliating product, then this product will not be suitable for you.

Source : Laneige