Review : 100% Pure Vanilla Bean Hydrating Body Wash

Product Description
All Natural, 100% Vegetarian, Gluten free Delicious and richly foaming Vanilla Bean Hydrating Body Wash is a luxurious wash that gently cleans while it softens, hydrates, and pampers. Hydrating Body Wash leaves you sparkling clean and refreshed while nourishing your skin with vitamins, antioxidants and skin brightening fruits. No harsh detergents, no synthetic chemicals, no artificial fragrances or any other toxins that can strip, irritate or dehydrate your delicate skin! Truly, 100% Pure

Bet you must be sick of my proclaims but 100% Pure body washes are absolutely my favourites. The prices are not exactly cheap. Just 4 of them can set me back by $100 - motified! Hence, I don't get them often. 

I have been trying the different flavours available and my current body wash is this 100% Pure Vanilla Bean Hydrating Body Wash that smells so divine and delicious, like a cake. The vanilla whiff is just intoxicating! I almost felt that I am an edible cake. However, the scent doesn't linger so thankfully no insects will come close to me. 

I love pampering and nourishing body washes and especially in this hot and humid weather, one deserve to feel happy just being under the cool shower and fragranced body washes. I don't like over the top fragrances or artificial scents so 100% Pure Vanilla Bean Hydrating Body Wash works perfectly for me. 

As with all other 100% Pure body washes, the foaming texture is lightweight, giving rise to light suds but you will still feel clean. However, in terms of hydration, it doesn't feel any different, just that my skin doesn't feel dry after each bath. 

The pump dispenser is good, I can literally reach the last drop of the body wash. No wastage at all. 

Ingredients
Organic aloe barbadensis leaf extract (aloe juice), organic rosa centifolia flower water (rose hydrosol), cocos nucifera lavandula angustifolia aqua saponified coconut) oil, vanilla planifolia fruit (vanilla absolute) extract, corylus avellana seed (hazelnut) oil, extracts of organic camelia sinensis leaf (green tea), calendula officinalis flower (calendula), opuntia tuna fruit (prickly pear) punica granatum (pomegranate) euterpe oleracea fruit (acai berry), lycium barbarum fruit (goji berry), Morinda Cirrifolia Fruit (Noni), Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis (Elderberry), Rubus Fruticosus Fruit (Blackberry), Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed and Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Hyaluronic Acid

Review : Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee's Magic

Product Description

Medicine Mama’s breakthrough “miracle” skin cream is the only product to feature the healing compound Melexylem™, created exclusively to provide heightened prebiotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects while soothing, healing and hydrating skin of all kinds. Clean, luxurious, long-lasting and created using a sustainable process that helps our magnificent bee population thrive and survive, Sweet Bee Magic is the only skincare solution you will ever need.

Benefits : 

• maintain healthy, radiant, youthful-looking skin
• moisturize dry, cracked or irritated skin
• heal rashes, burns, scars and intense skin irritation
• soothe cold sores and chapped lips
• reduce inflammation
• relieve sunburns and insect bites

Mosquitoes love me but it is not a mutual attraction so I have a tendency to stock up on healing balms to soothe the itches. My last healing balm was the best product ever created but unfortunately, as with all my favourite products, I lucked out, when they stop producing them.

Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee's Magic seems like the perfect balm for me, with all the touted benefits as claimed. I started using it, the moment I received it from Iherb. You can also check out other super brands here.

Free from dyes, fragrances, artifical preservatives, parabens and soy, Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee's Magic contains healing Melexylem™, purifying propolis, antimicrobial honey, nourishing royal jelly, revitalizing bee pollen, moisturizing extra virgin olive oil and protective beeswax - ingredients that most of us understand. 

I was having a bout of eczema flare-up during the period that I received Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee's Magic so a dollop of the creamy, greasy and balmy salve goes onto the eczema prone areas. It soothes the areas, making me happy so I use it for several days but somehow, it starts to lose its effectiveness. I apply more dollops, leaving more greasy stains on my computer chair and bed which was a secondary concern as I desperately wanted to soothe the itches. It soothes for several minutes before the itches start again. The eczema areas on the back of my knees and front of my right elbow has already turned red, flaky and ugly - not because of Medicine Mama's Sweet Bee's Magic but because it doesn't soothe the itches so I just keep scratching them which is something anyone with eczema shouldn't do. 

So even though the product claims that it heals intense skin irritation and moisturize dry, cracked or irritated skin, it is not for the itches caused by eczema condition. On mosquito bites, it soothes and heals - just with greasy stains as what most products with beewax tend to have. I haven't try on cold sores and chapped lips since I reserve this strictly for the body. 

Ingredients : 
Organic extra virgin olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, organic cera alba (beeswax), organic honey, propolis extract, bee pollen, royal jelly.

Source : Medicine-Mama

Review : Caudalie Grape Water

Product Description
100% organic Grape Water: extracted straight from the grapes during the grape harvest, this mist refreshes, tones and moisturizes the skin at any time of the day. For all skin types, even the most sensitive, Organic Grape Water refreshes whenever you need it. Do not pat dry after spraying.

I have a soft spot for hydrating mists so I usually like to stock up one in my beauty drawer, for that pick-me-up, extra moisture boost or to make my skin damp before applying oils. Caudalie Grape Water is easy to use, except for the cumbersome bulky size that is bad for travelling. 

Formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates, preservative free and fragrance-free, Caudalie Grape Water is a 100% grape water toner enriched with moisturising polysaccharides and mineral salts. On the bottle, there is a sticker that claims that the hydration level will increase by a whopping 127%.

The mist is very fine so I tend to mist over my face several times for a "thicker" layer. I use it before facial oils or serums ( a perfect companion for Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector ) or as an extra pick-up-me in the morning, before dabbing off the oil accumulated over the night.  

On eczema flare-up days, I will spray a fine mist on a cotton bud and dab it between my brows where it tends to turn red and flaky. It soothes and minimize the redness, hydrate and minimize the flakiness but it doesn't work on all types of eczema, at least there is no reaction when I tried to use it near the lips or on the broken capillaries on the sides of my nose ( the dermatologist told me that is dermatitis but I have my doubts ). 

After a long while, I noticed that the droplets found near the nozzle of the spray has turned a darker orange, which seems almost like rust or oxidation that has taken place. I made it a habit to clean it every time I see it because it is not good for the skin.

Even though I didn't notice any spectacular difference to the skin, I feel that it is a perfect companion for facial oils which I use it from time to time. I will continue to use this, until a better facial mist comes along. Caudalie Grape Water scored 4.2 from 76 users on Makeupalley.

Where To Purchase : Amazon | Shopee
Caudalie Grape Water
Caudalie Grape Water ( Shopee )

Ingredients : 
VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) FRUIT WATER*, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) JUICE*, NITROGEN.* Plant origin

Watsons Bird's Nest Silk Hydrating Eye Mask

During my last China trip, I bought the Watsons Bird's Nest Silk Hydrating Eye Mask from Chong Qing. It was located in the city so I didn't think that their quality control will be that bad but that is only until I used it recently.

5 individual packed sheets in each box but only 3 sheets can be used as the other 2 individual packs have no eye mask sheets at all. I can only find their blue protective layering in that 2 individual packs. Totally let down.

Thankfully, it wasn't that expensive but it still isn't a great feeling. The clear eye mask sheet nestled within the blue protective layers and it is a bad choice if you peel it off the protective layering and tried to use it on the undereye area, because it tends to get messy due to the sheer material. As the material is so sheer and thin, it gets extremely sticky and it can be quite a hassle to have them properly layered on the undereye area as it just gets tangled up. The user experience is just bad.

The smart way to use it, is to have it layered on the undereye area together with the blue protective layer and peel off that protective layer. Even though the eye mask sheet still gets slightly messed up but it is definitely better than the first method where you layered it directly without the protective layer.

The scent is pretty perfumery and while it adheres well due to the moist cooling feeling, it didn't spread out well like how a eye mask sheet should be. The Bird's Nest Silk Hydrating Eye Mask did not hydrate as what it claimed to be.

Review : Payot Masque Dermo-Apaisant Comforting Repair Care

Product Description
SOS repairing care, it wraps the skin with an immediate comforting sensation.

Key Ingredients : 
- Polydecenes : Comfort and protect
- Algae Polyuronides : Decrease the cutaneous irritability
- Fucogel : Hydrates and soothes

During the last Luxasia sale, I picked up Payot Masque Dermo-Apaisant Comforting Repair Care for $33 and I enjoyed using it when my skin needs comforting. The tube is easy to use, with light depression and contents are dispensed via the little hole.

While it didn't eliminate all redness, the white creamy texture provides a soothing and calming sensation when my skin is red with irritation. Ideal as an emergency fix when the skin badly needs calming down.

You can get it from here if you reside overseas.

Ingredients :
Aqua (Water), Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Stearet-2,Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Steareth-21, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone, CI77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Chlorphenesin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Acrylates/C-10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Tromethamine o-Cymen-5-OL, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 80, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Algin.

Source : Payot

Review : Naruko Aqua Cubic Jelly Lotion EX

Product Description

This lotion is unique for its rich texture. It instantly turns into liquid after application, pumping moisture and providing long-lasting hydration to the skin. Skin is softened and hydrated with a soothing, refined texture.

Benefits: Instantly hydrates, softens, and soothes dry skin.

I stumble upon Naruko Aqua Cubic Jelly Lotion EX while shopping in JB late last year and have been using this on an on-off basis because the effect isn't too impressive. Even though Naruko products are affordable, but not all work particular well on my skin or perhaps the range that I picked is not suitable for my skin type.

Naruko Aqua Cubic Jelly Lotion EX has a gelly-lotion texture with a heavy rose scent that dispenses via a pump nozzle. When I use it as a lotion mask either with 5 cotton pads over my skin or soaked in paper capsule masks and layered on my skin, there isn't any spectacular improvement after each treatment.

I move on to using it as a lotion, after cleansing and again, it disappoints in not providing that much needed hydration to my skin. My skin becomes dehydrated, flaky and rough, after sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Perhaps I have too much expectation from this product.

While it seems to drench the skin with moisture, it doesn't seem to penetrate deeply into the skin to provide long lasting moisture that is much craved after, from dehydrated skin. It is a medicore product, for normal daily maintenance. At times, it also irritates my skin, especially at the sides of my nose, making it red, raw and dry.

Ingredients :

Aqua water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Kalanchoe Spathulata Extract*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*, Alpine Skullcap Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract*, Masterwort Leaf Extract*, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Alps Wormwood Extract*, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract*, Alpine Willowherb Extract*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Chamomila Recutita Flower Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract*, Sodium Beanzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Sorbic Acid, Salix Alba  (Willow) Bark Extact, Rhododendron Ferrugeneun Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Isomalt, Snow fungus Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Magnesium Ascorbyl, Xantham Gum, Malic Acid, Essential Oils of Rosawood, Palmarosa, Methylisothiazolinone

Review : SKII Facial Treatment Mask

Product Description
A luxurious facial mask with an indulgent concentration of Pitera in a single application. Your skin is immediately and exceptionally immersed in moisturization, resulting in a visibly radiant and crystal clear complextion

Key Ingredient: Pitera™ is full of vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids that work together to allow the skin’s natural surface rejuvenation process to function at its prime.

Other Ingredients: Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Salicylate, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA

After watching the National Day Parade preview under the scorching sun, I went back home to do my whitening mask, in the form of SKII Facial Treatment Mask, which was part of the Pitera Essence Set that was gifted to me by my sister.

I tend to save the heavyweight items to days when I absolutely need them. Soft and luxurious, each cotton mask is generously soaked with Pitera™ for maximum delivery to the skin. The material is thick and very wet. Even after 15 minutes of treatment, it is still very wet hence, I use it for the neck and hands as well. The cut-outs are just right for my face shape and adheres well without feeling too tight for the skin. 

The scent is totally off-putting when I pulled it out of the packaging but once layered on the skin, the scent is still bearable. I had it on, on freshly exfoliated skin and after 15 minutes, the effect wasn't that WOW, brightening effect kind of reaction, considering the price of the mask and the celebrities-hype all over the world. 

However, if I peer closely at the mirror, I can see that my skin is hydrated, soft, plump and supple. I didn't experience that crystal-clear, radiant and brightening effect though. Just well-rested pampered skin. The effect lasts for about 3 days.

SKII Facial Treatment Mask scored 4.2 on Makeupalley by 126 users. 

Where To Purchase : Amazon | Shopee
SKII Facial Treatment Mask ( 10 sheets )
SKII Facial Treatment Essence
SKIII Pitera Essence Set

Update ( 15th Jan 2018 ) :
I purchased a box of 10 sheets and its just absolutely indulgent. I love how it made my skin baby soft, smooth and supple on freshly exfoliated skin. And this time round, I definitely did see a brightening effect on my aging skin, so much so, that my dark circles looked more prominent. My skin has a radiant glow, even with 5 hours of sleep the night before. Great for use, just before an important event.

Review : Frank Skincare Juicier Luxury Face Oil

Product Description

Juicier Luxury Face Oil is packed with 11 luxurious, organic ingredients that show the proven ability to revolutionize the skin’s appearance, feel, and overall level of health. Healthy skin is radiant, dewy, and remarkably beautiful! The cellular healing is initiated through the high dose transfer of vitamins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Perfect for all skin types, you’ll see improved moisture balance, protection against free radicals, natural skin renewal, anti-inflammatory relief, and firm, plump skin with the help of lipid and collagen protectors. Jucier brings the power of nature to you, healing your skin at the cellular level for a radiant appearance and obsession-worthy glow.

An impressive local brand with ingredients touted to be 100% natural, 100% non-GMO (Genetic Modified Organism) , 100% Organic (no harmful pesticides or chemical throughout farming process), 100% paraben-free (harmful chemical commonly found in many cosmetic products) and 100% against animal testing, they are also certified organic by international organisations United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Australian Certified Organic (ACO).  

I got myself a complimentary 2ml sample of Frank Skincare Juicier Luxury Face Oil when the brand just started out and it comes cutely packaged with a brief description of the product, together with an ingredient list. Nothing fanciful, but the thoughts that go into each product is evident. Despite being a sample, the batch date and the expiry date are stated clearly where many reputable brands missed out on. In fact, each time I receive complimentary samples or trial size samples from other mainstream brands, I tend to wonder how long they have been in storage or how they are stored. 

Recommended for all skin types, the usage direction is to mist the face before using the oil, which is excellent advice, because that is what I usually did for oil-based products, due to my combination sensitive skin. 

I use it as a night moisturiser ( after misting with Caudalie Grape Water ) and it certainly feels luxurious on the skin. The natural scent of the product smells good and relaxes the senses. From Day 1, Frank Skincare Juicier Luxury Face Oil  has given me velvety smooth skin where you can't help but to touch the skin. Frank Skincare Juicier Luxury Face Oil may look and feel greasy but it sinks into my skin pretty quickly and within a minute, my skin feels soft, smooth and supple. 

Dewy skin is what you see in the mirror the following morning. In the initial stages, when I just started using the product, the effect was astounding - smooth dewy skin that last for a day, improved moisture and firm and plump skin. But after several nights of using it, the effect becomes less obvious, where it only last for as long as you use it and my skin is back to its dehydrated and rough state ( only on the nose wings ) after cleansing. Note that I am only using it in the night so more time may be required to work its magic.

100% Organic Ingredients list: 

Helianthus Annuuss (Sunflower Seed) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) oil,Simmondaia Chinensis (Jojoba)Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot ) Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Arnica Montana Flower, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula Flower), Rosa damascena.miller(Rose Otto) Oil, Rosmarinus officinalis(Rosemary)Oil, Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil

Here are some of my favourite facial oils
Happy Skincare Good Vibes Omega Oil Review
Kahina Giving Beauty 100% Organic Argan Oil Review

Review : Sante Naturkosmetik Lemon Fresh Shower Gel

Product Description

Zesty lemons rule during the warm season! Sante Lemon Fresh shower gel is infused with the fresh, citrus scent of sun-ripened lemons and delivers an invigorating kick to the body and mind. The wonderfully soft foam made from mild surfactants cleanses the skin gently yet thoroughly - and pampers you with essential organic lemon and organic papaya extracts. Nourishing organic aloe vera provides the skin with intensive moisture while showering.

If energy is what you lack in the morning, grab this wonderfully revitalising shower gel and spend a couple of minutes in the shower gently rubbing your body with the soft foam. Enjoy the invigorating aroma that awakens your body and mind! Organic lime essential oil and lemon peel extract not only provide you with a bouncing impulse – they also help to firm your skin by strengthening the connective tissue.

I turned to Sante Naturkosmetik Lemon Fresh Shower Gel when the last shower gel becomes too drying for my skin. Loving the uplifting scent when I use it in the mornings because it just perks up my mood instantly. The gel lathers pretty well and soothes the nerves. Gentle and cleanses well.

You can also shop Lovelula on other products here.

Ingredients :

Aqua (Water), Coco Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Inulin, Glyceryl Oleate, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Sorbitol, Betaine, Citric Acid, Polyglyceryl -10 Laurate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Levulinic Acid, p-Anisic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Phytic Acid, PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate, Parfum (Essential Oils), Limonene

Source : Lovelula

Review : Acure Dark Chocolate + Mint Argan Oil Lip Balm

Product Description
USDA Certified Organic Lip Balm. You wouldn't want chemicals on your lips now would you? Why not use food grade certified organic protection? This silky, smooth lip balm provides serious protection for dry and cracked lips. Prepare to be kissable! 

Housed in a twist and turn tube, Acure Dark Chocolate + Mint Argan Oil Lip Balm makes it a perfect companion on the go, which is why I always have it in my bag. With its name, I expected that it would be a brown coloured lip balm akin to a chocolate type but it is not. Looking at the list of ingredients, the bulk of it is made of beewax, coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter, which explains why it is light yellow in colour.

USDA Organic, with food grade ingredients, Acure Dark Chocolate + Mint Argan Oil Lip Balm is also paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, synthetic fragrance-free, silicon-free and phthalate-free.

It has a lovely shea butter scent, with a light minty sensation after application that keeps your lips feeling tingly. I hardly detect any whiff of the chocolate scent. The lip balm glides well without being tacky. It may feel slightly greasy to some, but it is just meant to moisturise the lips.

Despite its awesome 100% organic ingredients, the Acure lip balm does not moisturise dehydrated chapped lips but only helps to maintain its condition, hence I wouldn't reach for it, when my lips is desperately needing some fix.

If you don't work in a daily air-conditioned office, this lip balm may just work for you. Quote OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first purchase or start shopping in iHerb now.

Ingredients :
Organic beeswax, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter, organic hempseed oil, organic peppermint, organic spearmint, organic chocolate flavor oil, organic argan oil, tocopherol (vitamin E)

Source : Iherb

My Beauty Diary Smoothness Intensive Care Eye Mask

Product Description
Containing a blend of vitamins and plant extracts that provides a magical solution to beautiful eyes. With its intensive treatment to the eye area, it helps to achieve perfect looking eye contours that no longer requires any concealer. The innovatively shaped eye masks deliver an optimal invigorating experience, leaving your skin around the eyes flawless and impeccable all the time! The magical moisturising and refining eye masks are shaped like lovely flower petals that hug the under area and the outer corner of your eye, perfectly nourishing and toning dry fine lines.

A good friend has helped to get My Beauty Diary Smoothness Intensive Care Eye Mask direct from Taiwan during her vacation where it is much cheaper. Each pack contains 5 individual sheets where each sheet contains a pair of beautiful kawaii petal-like eye mask. The size is generous enough to cover all the way to where the crow feet will be.

There is a slight minty sensation but comfortable and refreshing on the undereye area. The perfumery scent is strong though and there is a drying after-feel even within the stipulated 15 minutes treatment. There is no effect before or after the use of the eye mask sheets.

Ingredients :
WATER‧GLYCERIN‧BUTYLENE GLYCOL‧PROPYLENE GLYCOL‧ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE‧HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) BARK/LEAF/TWIG EXTRACT‧CERATONIA SILIQUA GUM‧GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT‧PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL‧HYDROLYZED WHEAT GLUTEN‧MAGNESIUM GLUCONATE‧MALTOSE‧SAMBUCUS NIGRA BUD EXTRACT‧LAMINARIA DIGITATA EXTRACT‧ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER EXTRACT‧ADANSONIA DIGITATA PULP EXTRACT‧AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (HORSE CHESTNUT) SEED EXTRACT ‧DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE‧HYDROLYZED JOJOBA ESTERS‧HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN‧PHENOXYETHANOL‧CHLORPHENESIN‧ALGAE EXTRAC‧CICHORIUM INTYBUS (CHICORY) ROOT EXTRACT‧TRIETHANOLAMINE ‧ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT‧RUSCUS ACULEATUS ROOT EXTRACT‧PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTDE-7‧PANTHENOL‧GENTIANA LUTEA ROOT EXTRACT‧BETA GLUCAN‧PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-5‧HYDEOLYZED ELASTIN‧RETINYL PALMITATE‧CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER EXTRACT‧MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA BARK EXTRACT‧HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN‧CITRIC ACID‧CARBOMER‧IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE‧XANTHAN GUM‧SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Source : Guardian

Review : Giovanni Purifying Exfoliating Body Scrub

Product Description
Deep within skin, debris and toxins reside, clouding your skin's natural radiance. Polish them away with D:tox System purifying exfoliant body scrub. Activated charcoal and volcanic ash combine, diving deep into pores, absorbing debris. Whisking away bacteria and toxins. Making way for exotic acai and goji berry, super-antioxidants hand-harvested at their peak for maximum nourishment. Skin is left gently fragranced with essential oils of luscious fig and clean green tea. Giving you clarity for mind, body and soul.

Similar to the body wash, Giovanni Purifying Exfoliating Body Scrub comes from the same D:Tox range. I had started using the body wash first, just to prepare my skin to get used to it before incorporating the scrub into my shower regime.

Occasionally, I use both in my regime but I found them to be too harsh, hence I use them separately. Giovanni Purifying Exfoliating Body Scrub has very bad packaging - the black exfoliating beads take time to get depressed out of the tube and you need continuous depression on the tube to get them out.

The beads are abrasive and hurts sensitive skin, except for my thighs area but gives super smooth skin after each scrub. It warms for hardly 2 seconds and literally disappear after massaging. It is lightly fragranced and hardly lingers. A good deep scrub for non-sensitive skin is best.
Quote OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first purchase on Iherb.

Unfortunately, I am just not too impressed with Giovanni D:tox System range.

Ingredients : 
Sucrose (sugar), *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *euterpe oleracea (acai berry) fruit extract, *lycium barbarum (goji berry) fruit extract, *ficus carica (fig) fruit extract, *camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, carbon (activated charcoal), volcanic ash, polysorbate 20, silica, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, phenoxyethanol, iron oxide, fragrance (includes essential oils).

*USDA Certified Organic

100% Vegetarian Ingredients.

We do not add parabens or lauryl or laureth sulfate to this product.

Source : Iherb

Review : Giovanni Purifying Body Wash

Product Description

With activated charcoal, volcanic ash and super-antioxidants acai and goji berry. A clean spirit begins with purified skin. It's how you were born. It's how you should be. Dive deep beyond clean into a sea of purity with D:tox System purifying body wash. 
Out with the bad: a unique combination of activated charcoal and volcanic ash delves into pores, absorbing the day's toxins, impurities and excess oils that interfere with skin clarity.
In with the good: hand-harvested acai and goji berry, exotic super-antioxidants, nourish and rejuvenate, infusing skin with vitamins and minerals, re-establishing skin to its smoothest state. You'll be soft to the touch, gently fragranced by essential oils of luscious fig and clean green tea. Pure and natural.

Due to the hotter months recently, I embarked on the D:Tox System to get rid of all the grime and dirt on my body because of my continuous perspiration. I started off with Giovanni Purifying Body Wash first, but I realized that the product is simply too harsh for the delicate skin.

The thick black gel lathers well, with a slight drying after-feel. However, with long term usage, it becomes too drying and eczema erupted on the back of my knees and inner elbows. I didn't realize it then because the change was too gradual and subtle but once I stopped using this Body Wash, my skin becomes much better. Note that, I also started applying medication from a dermatologist once I realized there is eczema because the itch got too terrible, leaving me with red splotchy skin.

Despite how good it sounds, Giovanni Purifying Body Wash may not be suitable for everyone as in my case. But if you are keen, you can check out here or other products from Giovanni and quote OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first purchase. Check out the free products for first time customer here or special deals here or the popular brands here.

Ingredients : 

Aqua (purified water), *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *euterpe oleracea (acai berry) fruit extract, *lycium barbarum (goji berry) fruit extract, *ficus carica (fig) fruit extract, *camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, carbon (activated charcoal), volcanic ash, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, glycerin, polysorbate 20, carbomer, phenoxyethanol, iron oxides, fragrance (includes essential oils).

*Certified Organic

100% vegetarian ingredients.

We do not add parabens or lauryl or laureth sulfate to this product.

Source : Iherb

Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector

Product Description
Let the powers of lactic acid, THC and lemon/mulberry extracts, combined with ester C, gradually correct uneven skin tone. Faithful use will bring skin to a new level of luminosity.

Ole Henriksen was being pulled out from Sephora Singapore stores, hence there was a 30% discount on most of their products which has given me the last chance of trying out the brand. The Truth Serum Collagen Booster was on top of my list which I have gotten just a short while before the news came and Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector came to mind when there was a 30% discount, costing $66.

One of the reasons on why the skin ages is because of free radicals that attack healthy cells due to UVA and UVB rays from the sun, pollution, stress, smoking, alcohol and fatty food. This, in turn slows down the production of collagen and elastin , making wrinkles, brown spots and sagging being more apparent over time. Antioxidants, which include stabilised vitamin C and E help to slow down the aging process by stopping the free radicals from oxidizing the molecules. (source)

There are different types of Vitamin C in the market. Stable forms include Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Ascorbyl Palmitate and Sodum Ascorbyl Phosphate while the unstable forms include Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid.

Note that unstable formulas can turn brown quickly which meant that you will not be maximising its formula at its best, stinging on application which can cause dryness, sensitivity and irritation due to the acid content and low pH and causing blackheads because of oxidation that occurs with the oil on the top of the pore opening.

In Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector, the stable form of Vitamin C, Sodium Ascrobyl Phosphate is being used in the formula, as the 4th ingredient in the list, which meant a high amount of Vitamin C. The ingredient list also contains a good mix of antioxidants and turmeric-based anti-irritants to reduce inflammation, a silent contributor to skin aging.
However, do note that the citrus oils in the list can also cause a phototoxic reaction on skin exposed to sunlight which meant more brown spots!

In the bottle I own, it has a slightly darker orange colour than what is shown on the first picture above and on top of the clear bottle it is contained in ( instead of an opaque bottle as what I would prefer ), it makes me wonder if I am maximizing the formula, even though it is a stabilized form of Vitamin C and is said that it won't lose its effectiveness or irritate sensitive skin like other forms. However, I believe that when Vitamin C becomes brown, it is still active, but less potent hence slower results.

That aside, Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector has a light lovely citrus scent with a runny texture, though slightly greasy if you pump out too much from the pump dispenser. It also feels very sticky. During the first few initial usages where I have yet to get the hang of the dispenser depression, I ended up with spreading too much stuff on my face, making it greasy and heavy. An unslightly bump which later turns out to be a blackhead manifests itself on my left cheek for 2 months before I finally get it out, via help from a beautician.

Thereafter, I pair it up with Caudalie Grape Water which I use to spray a fine mist on the skin before the application of the Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector and both worked wonderfully on my skin. Less tackiness! It is recommended to be used as a night product so I only use it without any moisturiser because I seriously hate any heavyweight products on the skin all day, even when I sleep.

In the 5 months of using the product, I have noticed that my skin looks healthier and clearer. On days when I get zits on my chin area ( pimple-prone area ), I tend to skip applying Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector on that area and concentrate on other parts of my face. The change is gradual and subtle and you probably won't realize until much later.
The slight pigmentation on both cheeks has lightened slightly, my skin has softened, looks smoother and more even-toned.

Ingredients : 
Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calcium Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Thioctic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Oleth-20

Source : PaulasChoice