Goodbye 2017 Hello 2018

Today marks the last day of 2017 and as I sat down to pen my last entry for the year, I can't help but gets reminded of the ultra talented Jonghyun's suicide with the realisation once again, that life is so fragile and precious and its sooo important to be happy. One day, he's here and the next day, he's gone.

Top 15 Tried-and-Tested Products I Love In 2017

Here are some of my top picks in 2017, after trying out 89 products in this year alone. Did you see some of your favourites?

1) A'Pieu Pure Block Natural Sun Cream SPF45 PA+++ : Suncare is essential in our daily arsenal and A'Pieu Pure Block Natural Sun Cream is my top pick for sunscreen this year. Loving the price and the texture! Despite it being a chemical product, I do foresee myself buying this again, should I fail to get a physical sunscreen with a texture I like. I am on my 2nd tube now. Top Amazon choice with many positive reviews. You can buy from here. 

2) Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser Olive Oil and Plantago Extract : A nourishing cleanser is important to me, because my skin tends to react badly to harsh cleansers. Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser is my holy grail cleanser for 2017 and I am on my 2nd tube now with another tube as a backup. 5 stars reviews from users on Amazon as well. You can buy from here. 

Review : Laneige Water Bank Double Gel Soothing Mask

Product Description
A moisturising and soothing mask that helps to relieve the tension in skin. The hydro gel lowers skin's surface temperature for soothing effects. Contains green tea and chamomile to soothe and moisturise skin. The thick hydro gel soothes skin exposed to UV rays, seeping deep into skin to keep it moisturized.

Key Ingredients :
Hydro Ion Mineral Water : Infused with 6 ionized moisturizing minerals that play a role in regulating skin moisture, it swiftly penetrates the skin to activate natural moisturizing genes in the skin. 
Quinoa extracts : Quinoa has been a food source for mankind for the past seven thousand years. It is also known to protect the skin from dryness and damage. 
Natural olive oil : Micro-sized botanical oil particles absorb quickly into the skin to reinforce the lipid barrier in the epidermis to help retain moisture and smoothen the skin texture. 
Tillandsia extract : Rich in betaine, a natural moisturizing factor (NMF) that plays an important role in hyaluronic acid synthesis in the dermis.

Etude House + VMV Hypoallergenics + Iherb + CNP Haul + Sephora and Christmas Gifts

1) Etude House 0.2 Therapy Strawberry Air Mask $1 each ( down from $1.90 during a sale )
2) Etude House 0.2 Therapy Pomegranate Air Mask $1 each ( down from $1.90 during a sale )
3) VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible "BBBB Cream"  $32.40 ( down from $48 )
4) VMV Hypoallergenics Sport 70 Sunscreen Sample

Merry Christmas 2017 !

Merry Christmas, folks! Are you heading anywhere to spend Christmas? Sure do hope 2017 has been a great one for you!

So much appreciation to each and every one for you for reading my articles. I certainly hope that my blog posts have helped some of you, to make some wise decisions when it comes to skincare or haircare products. It has always been my wish to able to help in improving your skin.

Do let me know if you think I should make some improvements to my blog. Constructive feedback is always welcome.

Review : Biotherm Aquasource Essence-In-Mist

Product Description
One spray to a just made-up glow. 
Wakes skin up anytime, anywhere with intense moist and ultra-fine diffusion. 
Revives makeup and glow passing through makeup and without impacting UV protection. 
Soothing action and long lasting hydration.

Key Ingredients : 
LIFE PLANKTON™ + MANNOSE + GLYCERIN

Biotherm has been my first love for many years and it has supported me during my worst times, however as age creeps up, its time to include other skincare benefits like anti-aging and brightening so its when I strayed to other brands. I still return to Biotherm occasionally because no one knows my skin, like Biotherm does but not every product in Biotherm is a hit, there were some misses too. 

Review : Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Mask

Product Description
This creamy treatment mask with Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms plus Ginger, Holy Basil and Turmeric instantly calms and soothes while visibly reducing redness with regular use. And a unique blend of Marine Algae and moisture-replenishing plant extracts helps revitalize and restore luminosity to stressed skin and rebuild a protective barrier. Leaves skin calm and comforted.

Dr. Andrew Weil series for Origins has always been on my mind since it was launched several years ago, but I just never really got round to getting it, with so many brands distracting me. I was glad to have a chance when I chanced upon Sephora selling mini capsules at $5 each recently. Probably not the best value for money, unless you get the full retail size but it was a good size for trials. 

Ice Cube Beauty Remedy

According to top facialists, ice cubes are a year-round skin hero. They are useful when blended with green tea, caffeine or milk as they can help increase blood circulation, minimizes pores and soothe inflammation for clear and radiant skin. 

Healthy Glow

Celebrity facialist Ole Henriksen incorporate ice cubes into his treatments to improve circulation in skin for that healthy glow. Brew and freeze rosehip seed tea which is high in Vitamin C, wrap the ice-cube in a thin cotton handkerchief and massage it across the skin. 

Alternatively, aesthetician Renee Rouleau suggest to put ice on skin, after serum application as the capillaries restricts and create a pulling effect that helps ingredients penetrate deeper. 

Supermodel, Kate Moss has also been known to submerge her face in a sink of icy water to counteract morning-after puffiness. 

Banish Under-Eye Bags

1) Use a cold compress made out of cotton and chamomile tea and rest it on your eyes for a few minutes

2) Wrap ice cubes in gauze and slide the cubes from the inner eye corners up towards the brow in a circular motion.

Either way, the drainage of excess fluid will improve the appearance of tired looking under-eyes. 

Source : Vogue

Review : Kyoto Nijo Kyonoyuki Recovery Gel Cream

Product Description
Recovery Gel Cream has incredible moisturizing properties with blend of 27 natural plant ingredients as well as okra extract, pearl, and algae extract. Lavender oil adds a comforting scent to this moisturizer

As the last step in the sampler set, Kyoto Nijo Kyonoyuki Recovery Gel Cream acts as a 2-in-1 lotion and moisturising cream. The consistency is really lovely - lightweight, gentle, soft and smooth. It applies effortlessly on skin and spreads like a dream on damp skin. 

My skin looks fairer and more even-toned. On optimal skincare days, Kyoto Nijo Kyonoyuki Recovery Gel Cream works very well, to improve and maintain the skin condition. If your skin just needs a light moisturiser, this gel cream would be good for you.

If I used the Gel Cream twice a day ( day and night ), it really does deliver its promises but if I only used it once a day, I feel that the hydration ability is insufficient for my dehydrated skin. 

Get the large tub if you can, and let me know if it works well for you.

Review : Kyoto Nijo Kyonoyuki Massage Cream

Product Description
Give yourself a facial treat with this massage cream! Made with blend of 27 natural plant ingredients, Iso salt, honey, algae extract, and natural clay. The salt removes any dead skin leaving the skin soft and firm. The minty scent is a nice touch giving much appreciated relaxation.

Kyoto Nijo Kyonoyuki Massage Cream is said to be Kyonoyuki's first product and remains as their bestseller. Any bestseller is worth a try for me, after all, there must be a reason why it is a bestseller, right? 

Review : Kyoto Njio Kyonoyuki Natural Soap Bar

Product Description

This is a gentle yet effective soap bar infused with herbs to deeply cleanse, exfoliate and de-toxify. It features a soft and foaming lather that dissolves dirt, excess oil and other impurities while leaving the skin soft and supple. The herbal extract comes together to hydrate, balance and nourish the skin. Honey, ginkgo biloba leaf extract and soybean seed extract promote firmness and elasticity, and binds moisture to the skin to leave skin looking bright, clean and refreshed

I was happy to lay my hands on Kyoto Njio Kyonoyuki Sampler Set earlier this year, which includes the cleansing oil, natural soap bar, massage gel and the recovery gel cream. However, I don't really fancy the natural soap bar as soap bar never really works for my skin type . Still, I hope this one would be different. 

Dark green in colour, the round Kyonoyuki Natural Soap Bar has a herbal scent and creates foam once in contact with water. However, since the first usage, the cleansing has left my skin feeling stripped of moisture which is typical of most soap bars on my face. The sides along my nose turned red and warm for the rest of the night. 

I only used it twice and 2 times are enough to tell me, this soap is just not suitable for my skin type. You can check out the ingredients here.

Source : Amabie, TheWonder

Review : Kyoto Njio Kyonoyuki Cleansing Oil

Product Description
Kyonoyuki (京乃雪 or Snow of Kyoto) is a premium organic skin care brand from Kyoto. Its Cleansing Oil is made from 27 natural herbs and 8 vegetable oils, providing care and comfort to your skin and helping to maintain your skin’s pH balance. Containing plant oil and Vitamin E, Kyonoyuki Cleansing Oil is able to effectively yet gently remove all make-up, leaving the skin clean, hydrated, soft and moisturized. This is not only a great product for cleansing the skin but also helps to fight aging and keep your skin firm and young. Its refreshing lavender fragrance helps to relax the skin especially after a long day at work. 

I first came across the sampler set at Japan Skin which has since closed down. They consist of 4 products which are good sizes for 1 week usage.

How To Score Beauty Freebies In Singapore

I always feel that the best way to try out a beauty product, be it a skincare or make-up, is to read reviews and get samples before investing in the full size product. It takes time and effort and probably most would have do away with it, but you will benefit in the long run.

1) You don't waste your money, should the product deemed unsuitable.
2) You are saving the earth on its resources and packaging, should the product suits you well.
3) You don't waste time trying to sell it to someone else, if the product does not suit you.
4) You reduce the chances of bad reaction to products, if you have very sensitive skin and save time and money to see a dermatologist.

Note : Please check with the respective retailers first, before bringing the samples over, as their policy may change with time.


1) The Sample Store

Get samples from popular brands. A mixture of free and paid samples.

2) Preloot 

Get paid samples of the lesser known brands.

Review : Yves Rocher Bourbon Vanilla Bath & Shower Gel

Product Description
The pleasure of a gentle bath, shower gel with a sensual fragrance
For a voluptuous and sensual moment under the shower or in the bath, our unique chain of experts since 1959, have chosen and combined Organic Aloe Vera gel, with a Bourbon Vanilla extract. The skin is gently cleansed and delicately perfumed. Tested under dermatological supervision

Housed in a slim clear bottle with a 200ml capacity and a flick-top cap, Yves Rocher Bourbon Vanilla Bath and Shower Gel is strong in fragrance with a cloying hint of over-sweetness mixed with vanilla. Neither do I hate it nor like it. At times, I could feel some debris during lathering but I can't tell what it is as it is not visible in contents. 

The consistency is what the name implies - a gel, with a dark amber colour. It lathers pretty well and left my skin feeling clean. However, after several days of washes, I could feel my skin getting a little dry. 

You can get the shower gel from Amazon
Yves Rocher Bourbon Vanilla Bath and Shower Gel
Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Eau De Toilette
Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Shower Gel 
Source : YvesRocher

Review : UHT Aqua Vitality Mask

Product Description
Pamper your skin with high dosage of ultra-hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, skin-filling Syn®-Hycan, and nourishing Royal Jelly. These combined ingredients not only deliver super-abundant moisture but also maintain a high water level in the skin - resulting in plumper, smoother-looking complexion even hours after using the mask.

A Taiwanese brand, UNT was founded in 2004 with development in pharmaceutical grade skincare products, specialising in Hyaluronic Acid formulations.

Review : Mitomo Gold Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask

Product Description
Mitomo Gold Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask provides elasticity, brightening, moisturising and refining benefits.

Key Ingredients : 
Arbutin : prevent formation of melanin while it cleans and moisturises
Cherry Blossom Essence : Anti-oxidant and skin repairing qualities
Gold : increase radiance of skin

The picture on the packaging is so lovely and so Japanese-y. I brought it along for my last Tasmania trip where I battled with cold and dry weather, and double masking was required to keep my skin in optimal condition.

Mitomo Gold Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask is made up of a thin material and contains a floral perfum-y scent which I don't really like. The cutting is slightly smaller for my cherubic face shape with smaller eye flaps and shorter nose flap, however the texture is pretty soft and is very comfortable on the skin.

After a 30 minute treatment, my skin feels soft, hydrated and slightly brighter although the effects did not last till the following day. Note that the preservative, Phenoxyethanol is high up in the list. 

Read : 5 Facial Exercises To Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles
           Easy DIY Juices for Radiant Complexion
           Hacks To Prevent Premature Aging


You can get the mask from Amazon :
Mitomo Cherry Blossoms Essence Mask
Mitomo Premium Face Mask Sheet


Ingredients: 
Aqua, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Carbomer, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethanolamine, Prunus Serrulata Flower Extract, Colloidal Gold, Disodium EDTA, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Gum Extract, Fragrance, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate

Feminine Half-Up Hairstyle

Check out the easy to do-it-yourself feminine half-up hairdo. No more boring hairstyles ever.
Click on the video below, to view the demonstration.

Review : Pure Smile Silk Essence Mask

Product Description
The facial mask contains Ceramide 3, Vitamin E, Collagen and Hyaluronic acid which can effectively moisturize and protect your skin, and give your skin elasticity.

Hailing from Japan ( manufactured in Korea ), Pure Smile Silk Essence Mask has a sweet floral scent and is made up of a thin silk material with a small cutting, best suited for those with a smaller face shape. 

The eye flaps are short, which barely cover my large eyes, the nose flaps are also short, but with a center slit, that makes it a comfortable fit on my fat nose. 

Just looking at the packaging makes me feel like a sweet and fair lady in transformation because its so feminine and girly and its no wonder that I hope to get that beautiful skin even for that 15 minutes of treatment. 

And it did. The mask weaved its magic. I brought it along for my last Tasmania trip, and after laying the mask for 15 minutes at night, my skin which went through the cold winter weather, was transformed into bouncy and hydrated skin. How about you? Did you get the same result too? 

You can get the products from Amazon :
Pure Smile Milk Essence Mask  ( with free shipping )

Pure Smile Grape Extracts Mask  ( with free shipping )

Pure Smile Soybean Essence Mask  ( with free shipping )


Read : Pure Smile Gold Essence Mask review


Ingredients :

Water, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer,  Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Xanthan Gum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Erythritol, Natto Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Silk Extract, PEG-14M, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Arbutin, Ceramide 3, Tocopheryl Acetate

Source : Japanskin

Review : Esfolio Honey Essence Mask Sheet

Product Description
Honey Extract helps to make the skin clean and moist. Vitamins of Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract and Portulaca Oleracea Extract help to increase skin elasticity and moisture

My aunt has gifted me with several Esfolio sheets masks of different types when she was in Korea some months back. One of them is Esfolio Honey Essence Mask Sheet which has such a happy and chirpy outlook that makes you feel instantly cheerful.

The honeylicious scent was subtle but smells good. Cutting of the thin sheet mask was just right for my face shape, with all the cut-outs at a comfortable area. I like how the mask made my skin feel and look more rested, hydrated and slightly brighter. Great, if you are feeling tired but did not want it to be obvious on the face.

Note that despite the mask being touted as a Honey Essence Mask sheet, the concentration of honey is not as much as sodium hyaluronate based on the ingredient list.

Read : Esfolio Moisture Soothing Gel Mist

You can get the masks from Amazon with free shipping.

Ingredients: 
Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Betaine, Honey Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

Source : Beauteque

Review : Bifesta BrightUp Cleansing Lotion

Product Description
Thoroughly removes make-up , removes skin dullness to reveal illuminating clear smooth skin. Moisturising and refreshing feel. Vitamin C and AHA's lactic acid remove dead skin cells and blackheads for clearer and brighter skin

Bifesta BrightUp Cleansing Lotion has been in the market for several years, famed for their effective and reasonably priced cleansing lotions and wipes. I have tried their BrightUp Cleansing Sheets and the Express Moist previously and both worked pretty well.

Black Friday + Cyber Monday Beauty Sale

With the Black Friday + Cyber Monday SALE looming ahead, I have rounded up some of the best online deals in beauty. Heh. Just because I have also been looking out for myself too. Its the best time of the year to stock up either as Christmas gifts or gifts for yourself, after the hard work and effort in 2017. So what better way to pamper beautyholics like ourselves, than to indulge in some awesome deals?

Alternative to the classic ponytail

Loves ponytail but hates the boring ones? Then try this alternative, without the need for too many hair accessories.

Source : Fashionpassion

Review : Acorelle Face Sun Balm SPF30

Product Description
Acorelle Face Sun Balm SPF30 is transparent with a non-sticky formulation. It effectively protects the skin of the face with natural sun protection factor 30 that is made up of pant karanja oil and titanium dioxide

• 100% natural fragrances
• photosensitive substances
• without nanoparticles
• free from chemical filters
• zinc-free
• more than 75% of the raw materials used is biodegradable

My criteria for face sunscreen has always been - physical sunscreen that is non-greasy and non-sticky. Granted, I don't follow this mantra all the time, as I know its a arduous journey and sometimes you won't know it, until you try it, especially if you purchase the product online.

Made in France, Acorelle Face Sun Balm SPF30 is a new brand which I chanced upon recently. Free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, PEG, colouring agent, synthetic fragrances, nano particles, zinc and chemical filters, it is a physical sunscreen which uses titanium dioxide and Karanja oil to protect the skin from the sun rays. It also contains AOA, a patented antioxidant active ingredient that fights free radicals.

I have been using Acorelle Face Sun Balm SPF30 for more than 1 month on a daily usage. It is housed in a recyclable soft plastic pump tube with a clear cap that dispenses the sun balm with just 2 light depressions.

The sun balm has a light tropical scent that lingers for a short while before dissipating. As shown on the picture above, the balm, as the name suggests, has a slightly greasy texture that makes it difficult to spread out evenly on skin. I really dislike using it before my facial oil on combination skin because my skin appeared to be oily thereafter. Not a pleasant sight.
With a gel moisturiser, my skin still looks decent, but with make-up piled on, my skin turned oily after several hours.

On the packaging, the balm is written as recommended for normal to dry skin which I agreed whole-heartedly. If you have combination or oily skin, its best to skip this sun balm. You may end up looking like an oily wok.  

To sum it up, Acorelle Face Sun Balm SPF30 is not a product which I would repurchase. For those with dry or normal skin, you may want to give it a try and share how it is for you. 

Ingredients (INCI): 

Pongamia Glabra (Karanja) Seed Oil*, Trihydroxystearin, Parfum (Fragrance), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Propolis Extract*, Pollen Extract*, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Geraniol, Linalool
* certified organic ingredients

• 100% of the total ingredients are of natural origin
• 87% of the total ingredients stem from controlled organic agriculture

Review : A'Pieu Quinoa Skin-Fit Sheet Mask

Product Description
A'pieu Quinoa Skin-Fit Sheet Mask contains excellent quinoa ingredient for skin moisturizing.

Key Ingredients :
Quinoa Seed Extract 6000ppm
Lotus Flower Water


I purchased 2 sheets of A'pieu Quinoa Skin-Fit Sheet Mask from City Square Mall, Johor Bahru, brought it along for my last Tasmania trip and used it on 2 consecutive days.

Made of Lyocell fabric derived from natural wood, the sheet mask is sheer and transparent with excellent absorbency and smooth texture that helps in delivering concentrated ingredients effectively.

I love the scent which reminds me of delicious barley. The sheet mask adheres well to skin and drenches my slightly dehydrated skin ( due to the winter weather in Tasmania ) with much needed moisture.

Read : My Favourite Product from A'Pieu
           A'Pieu Strawberry Milk Sheet Mask


Ingredients :

Source : Skin18

Review : Naruko AM + PM Mandelic Acid Skin Renewal Brightening Mask

Product Description
Naruko AM + PM Mandelic Acid Skin Renewal Brightening Mask helps to even out skin tone, refine skin texture, eliminate enlarged pores and smooth away fine lines

With my accumulated Naruko points, I managed to redeem a piece of  Naruko AM + PM Mandelic Acid Skin Renewal Brightening Mask which I brought it along for my Tasmania trip.

Made of a platinum silk cloth, a thin sheer material sheet, the skin renewal brightening mask is very moist and comfortable on skin. I was not too impressed with all the Naruko masks in the past as it was very drying after each treatment. However, for the first time ever, this brightening mask is not drying at all and also provide an immediate brightening effect.

In terms of ingredients, the 4th and 6th ingredients are brightening ingredients and moving down to the middle of the list, is sodium hyaluronic acid which is for moisturising purpose with the last 2nd ingredient as alcohol.

A special reminder, is not to use other brightening products in high concentration such as Vitamin A, C, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid and AHA together with this mask.

Get your Naruko AM + PM Mandelic Acid Skin Renewal Brightening Mask from here or a premium 3 mask set here.

Quick Summer Time Ponytail : Perfect For Hot & Humid Weather

This Quick Summer Time Ponytail is very feminine and different from the usual and boring ponytail. Try it and let me know if you like it.

Source : Kayley

Review : Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cream Mask

Product Description
This rich, deeply hydrating treatment mask helps improve skin's moisture levels for dehydrated and dry skin.

KEY BENEFITS

• Helps protect skin from environmental damage
• Helps soften, soothe and rebalance dryness
• Can be used for 10min quick treatment or overnight

Took the chance to get some Jurlique products while I was in Australia last year, and that came in the form of the Beautiful Rituals Face Care set, comprising of Rosewater Balancing Mist, Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cream Mask and Skin Balancing Face Oil. Gift sets are great ways to test out new products which would have been more expensive, on its own. 

Review : Shikai Yuzu Moisturizing Shower Gel

Product Description
This extra rich and thick shower gel is formulated to moisturize and soothe your skin while you bathe. Oatmeal and aloe relieve dry skin, while the special blend of cleansers is mild enough to use every day. Use it as a body wash, a shaving gel or as a bubble bath.  It’s good for your whole family!

• Rich in aloe, oatmeal and natural oils to soothe dry skin
• Gentle, soap free formula
• Perfect for everyday use
• No animal ingredients
• No animal testing
• Formulated and made in California

Citrus-y and fresh scent - check! Moisturising formula - check! Non-drying - check! Foams well - check! The bottle with its flick-top cap is also easy to dispense the gel. So much love for this Shikai Yuzu Moisturizing Shower Gel but unfortunately, it contains TEA lauryl sulfate as the 2nd ingredient with a hazard level 4 on EWG though. 

According to research, TEA lauryl sulfate is a significant eye and skin irritant at high concentration and with prolonged contact on skin, however, it is safe for use in concentrations up to 10.5%

Shikai Gardenia Moisturizing Gel is yet another lovely shower gel although the ingredients are not that friendly too.

How about you? Have you tried any of its shower gels? Love them too?

Here are the links where you can shop for them too.

Shikai Yuzu Moisturizing Shower Gel (Pack of 3 with free shipping )
Shikai Yuzu Moisturizing Shower Gel (Pack of 3 with free shipping )

Quote OKI787 to get 5% off your purchase and a further 5% if you purchase 4 bottles.
Shikai Yuzu Moisturizing Shower Gel
Shikai Gardenia Moisturizing Shower Gel 

Ingredients :
Purified Water (Aqua), Tea Lauryl Sulfate, Decolorized Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe Barbadensis), Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamide MEA, Oatmeal Powder (Avena Sativa), Guar Powder, Glycerin, Salt (Sodium Chloride), Citric Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Natural Fragrance

Source : Shikai

Review : Giovanni 2Chic Avocado and Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Shampoo & Conditioner

Product Description
Giovanni 2Chic Avocado and Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Shampoo restores moisture as you lather, silkens hair with softness and shine, drenches each hair tress in hydration and cleanses without stripping colour. Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate-free

Product Description
Giovanni 2Chic Avocado and Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Conditioner conquer dry, damaged hair with a radiant new world of strength and shine. It satisfies your hair's deepest cravings for intense nourishment and nurturing with a delectable botanical blend of buttery Avocado and golden Olive Oil which is formulated in our exclusive Dual Moisture Complex to replenish hair that feels dull, lifeless and brittle. 

Triple Wrapped Ponytail

Missy Sue has yet again produced a very unique ponytail which just requires simple rubber bands. Its so feminine and pretty.

Source : Youtube

Gift Ideas For Christmas

Christmas is here again! The season of giving and gifting always filled my heart with both dread and happiness. Dread because I am so afraid of receiving useless gifts and gifting useless gifts to friends and family who will chunk it aside. Happiness because I enjoy receiving pressies and who doesn't, really?

I always enjoy doing beauty shopping during the Christmas seasons because its the time where they laid out all their beauty coffrets and they are usually value-for-money sets which can last you for awhile, till the next sale.

I will share some of my recommended products and beauty products worth getting as gifts for yourself or family and friends.

A great time to try out some of their products, especially if you have been eyeing them for awhile now.

Review : Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream

Product Description
Hydrates skin while improving brightness and texture

Key Ingredients : 
Mineral-rich water (hydrates); olive squalane (soothes); glasswort extract (helps skin retain moisture)

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream has garnered a 2016 Allure Best of Beauty Award and I can understand why, because its really awesome and is the bomb in the Laneige Essential Care Kit.

Review : Laneige Essential Balancing Emulsion Moisture

Product Description
Moisture care for dry skin with flaky dead skin cells. The moisturizing type makes skin feel moisturized and soft

Laneige Essential Balancing Emulsion Moisture is part of the Essential Care Travel Kit, gifted from a good friend. I love hydrating products and this set was a great way for me to test drive the products all at one go.

It contains Laneige Water Balancing Activator to restore skin’s moisture balance and keeps skin moisturized by preventing loss of moisture. Its ingredient of jojoba oil keeps skin moisturized and soft with its moisturizing effect.

Review : Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner Moisture

Product Description
Laneige Essential Power Skin Refiner Moisture is a moisturising toner that works wonders on dry, flaky skin, refining the surface and leaving it clean and moisturised.

A good friend has gifted a set of the Laneige Essential Care Travel Kit during Christmas last year and it was apt for my Tasmania trip in late August. The Moisture Care Kit consists of Multi Cleanser EX 30ml, Essential Power Skin Refiner Moisture ( for oily skin ) 50ml, Essential Balancing Emulsion Moisture ( for dry skin ) 50ml and Water Bank Moisture Cream ( for dry skin ) 20ml.

ASOS launches its own make-up line - everything is under US$20!

Popular ASOS has everything you need, on its U.K. website, from beauty products, shoes, clothes, jewellery, accessories...and now they have launched their own make-up line, with a reasonable price-point.

Aren't you excited? The line will consist of blush, highlighter, eyeliner, lipstick, mascara, glitter pots, eyeshadow and highlighter palettes. Go ahead and swoon!

And for ONE DAY ONLY, get 20% OFF everything!

Limited Time only! Get 20% off Everything with code: OCTOBER. Valid 10/30-10/31 3 am GMT.

On a side note, their Hello Kitty range is just super adorable! Don't you agree?

Review : Laneige Water Bank Mineral Skin Mist

Product Description
A moisturising mineral mist that instantly resets dry and fatigued skin

Benefits : 
- Optimal Mineral Water developed by formulating minerals helpful for retaining moisture in a certain ratio, instantly moisturises the skin and promotes skin regeneration to create skin conditions that do not easily lose moisture
- Organic Lemon Verbena extracts soothe the skin fatigued and damaged by UV rays, pollution and dryness while Parsley Purifying Complex revitalizes the purifying filter inside the skin to discharge protein residues accumulated external aggressors
- The light and minute moisture particle that can be used anytime during the day and the refreshing fragrance blow vitality into fatigued skin

Easy Half-Up Hairdo

Getting bored with your usual hairstyle to work? Then try this in a jiffy!

Source : Youtube

Review : My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Brightening Mask

Product Description

Hydrolyzed soy, rice protein extract and licorice essence provide intense hydration to deep layers of the skin to relieve dry skin while improving skin defense, elasticity and clarity. They also soothe irritations caused by dryness and tighten the pores. Infused with highly effective essences from numerous types of algae, the mask provides optimum lifting and firming results, allowing the skin to feel firm and hydrated. My beauty diary black pearl mask contains natural active ingredient of black pearls which whiten and soften skin. Pineapples, limes and cucumbers accelerates metabolism of stratum comeum which gently remove dead epidermis cells. Has the ability to restore skin’s resilience and radiance with whitening and softening properties. Recommended for normal skin, especially for those with dull skin lacking elasticity.

My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask has gone through a few rounds of "improvements" with the current version as the 3rd update, with a new name - My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Brightening Mask. I have used the first version way back in 2010 - My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Sheet Mask, followed by another version in 2015 - My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask and each time, the results were not as impressive as the first one while the ingredient list gets longer.