Happy 2017, Folks!

As the year 2016 comes to an end, its time to reflect on what 2016 has been for you.

And in the blink of an eye, 365 days flew just like that. Its been a good year for me - not in the monetary sense, in fact that dipped quite a bit as I was indulging in what I like to do, on a personal level.

I have been spending my time, pursuing on some personal interest and I feel happy every morning. However, that also meant that I will need to sacrifice something in return for that - which is moolah.

But when I think of how life is so short and fragile, sometimes making myself happy is the most important thing on earth.

Hoping that 2016 has been an awesome year for you! Lets wish for 2017 to be an even better year for all of us.

Signing off with my favourite song from the late George Michael. RIP.

The Top 5 Products I Love In 2016

As the year is coming to an end, its time to bring a closure to my 2016 reviews.

Ta-da, presenting my 2016 favourites.....only 5 loves out of the 97 products tested and reviewed in this year alone. That said, what works for me, may not necessarily works for you. However, I am loving these 5 products and has repurchased 2 of them.

(1) RMS "Un"Powder

I am using the 2nd tub now. Its sheer finishing powder may not be everyone's favourite but I like the natural soft focus look which I use it everyday for work. Get yours from my favourite website or buy from Amazon.

Merry Christmas 2016, Folks!

I will be off for a break and resume in 2 weeks' time. May this Christmas be a season of love and giving for all of you.

To Get Longer Hair : Avoid These 5 Food

1) Processed Sugars

Everyone knows that processed sugars are bad for your skin, but did you know that it can harm your hair as well? Sugary foods cause insulin levels to rise, which in turn increases androgen. Androgen (a male hormone) is known to shrink hair follicles, which translates into weak and fine hair strands.

2) Juice Cleanse

When you’re on a juice “cleanse”, the high-sugar diet will increase insulin and androgen levels. Plus, there’s no way you can get enough protein and fibre with an all-juice diet. Juice cleanses have not been proven to rid your body of “toxins” and can do more harm than good, so please stick to a well-balanced healthy diet instead.

ASOS, Iherb, Robinsons, Japan Skin Haul

I purchased these items during the Black Friday weekend when there was some discounts going on.

From ASOS :
Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Body Wash 4 pounds ( down from 5 pounds )
Yes to Blueberries Ultra Hydrating Body Wash 4 pounds ( down from 5 pounds )
Yes to Blueberries Smooth and Shine Shampoo 4 pounds ( down from 5 pounds )
Yes to Blueberries Smooth and Shine Conditioner 4 pounds ( down from 5 pounds )

I received these products in 2 weeks time. I actually thought I got a good deal from the 20% storewide discount until I checked it recently and realized their prices were slashed even further to 3.5 pounds. *sob*

From Iherb :
Giovanni Hot Chocolate Body Scrub S$12.17
Acure Organics Sensitive Skin Body wash S$10.39

Use my code OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first purchase. Its always a pleasure to shop in Iherb because of its attractive prices and you get them in just 1 week.

From Asterspring :
Davines Nourishing Illuminating Cream S$12 ( down from S$28 )

This was not part of the Black Friday weekend purchase. It was a Christmas promotional product during the Christmas month in Asterspring.

Happy that Robinsons has prepared some skincare samples for Robinson members. The Robinsons Difference. Hopefully there will be more to come. 

Robinsons Bold & Beautiful Samples 

- Ioma White Revelation Ritual

• Brightening Cleansing Mousse
• Brightening Day Emulsion
• Brightening Night Cream
• Cell Protector SPF 50+ PA+++

- Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream

- Dr. GL Moisturiser

- Kose Sekkisei Facial Liquid Wash

- Biotherm Life Plankton Essence, Aquasource, Everplump

- Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

- Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Fluid Foundation Glow ( 764 Medium Light Beige )

- Elizabeth Arden Skin Renewal Booster

- Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque

- Kiehl's Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate

- Calvin Klein Euphoria Essence Fragrance Vial

- Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Fragrance Vial

- NeoStrata Neck Cream

- Neutrogena Deep Clean Make-up Cleansing Oil

- Neutrogena Micro Boost Water Gel

- Kose Sekkisei White Washing Foam

- Kose Sekkisei Herbal Gel

Korea souvenirs from my Aunt's Korea trip
- Baroness Aloe Mask Sheet
- Esfolio Honey Essence Mask Sheet
- Esfolio Aloe Vera Moisture Soothing Gel Mist

From John Little Closing Down Sale
- Japan Gals 3 Layers Collagen Mask $25.83 ( 30% off $36.90 )
- Kracie Eye Mask $11.33 ( 30% off $15.90 )

Shiseido Skin Immunity Kit sample redemption
- Power Infusing Concentrate
- Power Infusing Eye Concentrate

Picked up some products while in Johor Bahru City Square recently. As expected, the Sasa sales promotor at Komtar was trying pretty hard to upsell products to me. Pretty irritating! Will not step in there again.

- Naruko Cotton Pads RM12 per pack
- Cotton Buds ( Made in France ) RM11.05 ( 20% off 2 RM6.90 pack )
- Combos Skin Eye Patch, Smile Line Patch and Neck Patch RM10 ( 3 for RM10 promotion )
- Sasatinnie Swallow's Nest Camellia Rejuvenating Black Eye Mask RM47.90 ( Buy 1 free one )
- Sasatinnie Black Pearl Caviar Nourishing Black Eye Mask 
- Japan Gals Vitamin C + Nano Collagen Facial Mask S$25.52 ( after 20% discount from Plaza Singapura John Little ) 

Ordered some products from Japan Skin recently. It was my first purchase from their site and there was a 15% discount, so why not?

Mitomo Gold and Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask S$1.66  ( 15% discount off  S$1.95 )
Japan Gals Pure 5 Essence Mask S$19.64  ( 15% discount off  S$22.32 )
Pure Smile Essence Mask Gold S$1.66  ( 15% discount off  S$1.95 )
Pure Smile Essence Mask Silk S$1.66  ( 15% discount off  S$1.95 )
Pure Smile Hydrogel Eye Patch S$1.57  ( 15% discount off  S$1.89 )

Review : Bio Silver Ginseng Pearl Gel

Product Description
Scientific research and special technology is adopted to incoporate both silver and ginseng extracts into the Bio Silver Ginseng Pearl Gel. It can diminish inflammation, reduce acne and nourish skin. With regular application, it will help to make your face look rosy and radiance with a hint of youthfulness.

I received both Bio Gold Pearl Gel and Bio Silver Ginseng Pearl Gel as a gift from my parents during one of their vacation trips to China. If I remembered correctly, the Bio Gold Pearl Gel is supposed to be used in the day while the Bio Silver Ginseng Pearl Gel is supposed to be used in the night.

Review : Dove Nourishing Oil Care Nutri-Oil Serum

Product Description
Dry hair needs more than just moisture, it also needs essential nutrients that restore smoothness, softness and shine. 

Advanced Nutri-Oils: 
- A unique blend with natural coconut and almond oils.
- Rapidly absorbed and doesn't leave hair feeling greasy.
- Deeply nourishes, tames unruly hair and revitalizes shine.
- As good as Moroccon Oil Treatment*

A good friend has recommended Dove Nourishing Oil Care Nutri-Oil Serum while we were shopping in Watsons, City Square Mall Johor Bahru. Upon realizing its cheaper than in Singapore, she promptly added a few bottles into her shopping basket, and of course I added to my purchase too, despite not having been a mainstream hair brand user for awhile.

Review : Fresh Beauty Market Cellulite Butter

Product Description
Cellulite Butter features a unique peptide complex that tightens and tones skin with Matrixyl 3000, Argireline and Snap 8. This formula also features caffeine, msm, hyaluronic acid and orange butter to create super absorption through the skin while increasing topical circulation. Our Orange Butter base contains high amounts of Limonene, a highly effective free radical scavenger that tones and tightens skin. This formulation of bioflavonoids, peptides and caffeine reduces cellulite, stretch marks and scars without chemicals

The Fresh Beauty Market Cellulite Butter has a whipped butter-like texture. Light yellow in colour, it also gives off a sweet orange scent. Raw and natural, the cellulite butter received rave reviews after appearing on The Dr. Oz Show, an American television talk show, hosted by Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and a teaching professor at Columbia Univerity. However, the show also has its fair share of criticisms from the medical community where a study has found that 54% of the health recommendations were not medically supported.

DIY Beauty : Make Your Own Skincare Products

• Instant face exfoliator: Buy a bag of cornmeal. Take a tablespoon of that and a tablespoon of olive oil and one drop of lavender. Exfoliate your face. Then use a hot flannel to wipe it off.

• Sea salt body scrub: Buy a normal jar of sea salt. If it's a bit coarse then grind it down. Add any kind of oil, a drop of lavender and a drop of rose oil. Beforehand dry-skin brush the body, brushing towards the heart.

Review : Madre Labs Creme Brulee Body Wash

Product Description
Our luxuriously-scented Body Wash thoroughly cleanses your skin, leaving it smooth and moisturized. You'll feel soft and silky to the touch, with our unique formulation of Shea Butter, Argan and Marula oils. pH balanced and cruelty--free.

A 257ml bottle costs about S$11.57 on Iherb. You can quote OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first order. Madre Labs is one of the inhouse brands from Iherb so their prices are usually pretty reasonable. 

Review : SKII Signs Eye Mask

Product Description
This ultra-comforting cotton mask instantly and effectively reduces the signs of aging and dryness around your eyes.

With just one application, appearance of fine lines is noticeably reduced, dullness of the skin under the eyes is visibly lightened and your eyes look visibly brighter.

I was glad to be able to snag a box of the SKII Signs Eye Mask at just $68.40, instead of $116 ( now, the price has been increased to $121 ) before the demise of Luxola *sob sob. Ever since Luxola has been bought over by Sephora, I am resigned to the fact that, there will not be any more of those 40% storewide discount ever. 

Each box contains 14 individually wrapped packaging of one pair of eye masks. In each packaging, a pair of eye masks is nestled in a clear plastic tray, moist with essence. The soft, essence-drenched cloth masks are cresent moon-like shaped to fit the shape of the undereye area.