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.