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 WaterInfused 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.