Upper Lips Waxing at Sephora Benefit Vivocity

I had IPL done on my upper lips for a while but the shaving prior to each IPL session tends to leave my skin feeling "rough" so I switch to trying waxing recently. I am "hairy" by nature, due to my Dad's genes which also contributes to my long lovely eyelashes so I can't really complain much.

Benefit Expert : Serena
Contact for Benefit : 96555036
Cost : $16

It was an impromptu decision to do the upper lips waxing on a Saturday and there was no one manning the Benefit counter. I approached the Sephora staff and they promptly tried to locate the person. It actually took awhile before Serena came back, with a smoky smell. I was slightly miffed initially but was soon won over by her reassurance, confidence, friendliness and cheerful smile. She was professional throughout and is clearly adept in her job.

Before the session starts, there were some routine questions to be answered and filled in, just to ensure my skin is suitable for waxing.
I am a newbie in upper lips waxing and because my skin is fair, I am always worried about walking around in malls with a redness patch. ( ie. after eyebrow trimming, facial, etc ) She soothe my concern with an aloe vera soothing gel at the end of the job.

A small equipment was used to heat up the wax and dipped with wooden sticks before applying on my upper lips. Its has a warm sensation and Serena did it on 3 portions on my upper lips - left, center and right. An adhesive strip is then laid over the area, count up to 3, before peeling it off very quickly. The pain is bearable and it just hurts for that 1 second. Aloe Vera is then applied to soothe the redness and I was provided with a small tub to be used at home. Note that the redness is still apparent when I left the store.

It was a fuss-free service and everything was neatly done within 15 minutes with some Sephora customers standing there, looking at us. My upper lips area feels so clean. A card was given with waxing tips provided as well as the contact number and name of the person. A nice touch and service indeed.

 Benefit Expert : Shirley Li

A few months later, I called up the Benefit counter to make an appointment. I was quite appalled by the service rendered this time round. Despite getting through the Westgate Benefit counter each time, it was not the same for Sephora Vivocity Benefit counter. I called up several times before getting through. Sometimes, I get returned calls but on most times, there is none. When I finally manage to get a slot, I get the vibe that she was rushing for time. Did she have another appointment or was she rushing home? I am not that sure.

Prior to arrival, I even get a call from her to request for me to arrive earlier when I have clearly told her before, that I need travelling time to reach my destination and the appointment time was the earliest that I can make it.

Shirley is from China and I wasn't that impressed with her skills. While the steps are mainly the same as Serena's but she hardly waited and peeled off the adhesive once it touches the wax. Clearly, she's pressed for time. How can the hairs come off just that easily?

I was right, and she uses the tweezers to do the after-job blunders. What for, do I request for waxing when tweezers are needed in the first place? And its not just one or two hairs but a whole lot. Totally peeved. The only additional step I like, was her using make-up over it, to conceal. At least, I don't feel so self-conscious.

Review : One Love Organics Morning Glory

Product Description
Be it morning, midday, or date night, this luscious lightweight serum will wake up your skin’s natural radiance.
Raspberry Leaf—a rich source of polypeptides, flavonoids, tannins and niacin—works to stimulate, tighten and tone. Peppermint and lemon balm deliver a refreshing zing of anti-inflammatory antioxidants to help brighten, enliven and de-puff. And vegan-sourced Omega 3 fatty acids smooth the appearance of fine lines and help shield skin from everyday environmental damage. Just a little Morning Glory and your complexion will be coming up rosy.

This brightening serum is part of a trial kit which I purchased last year where I have previously reviewed its cleanser and exfoliant. Every morning, I use this serum in conjunction with its moisturizer, Skin Saviour Waterless Balm which I will review at a later date, once I used it all up. I love the scent of this product as it smells really uplifting and lovely.

Lilac green in colour, this oil-based serum needs a light hand on combination skin like mine, as it shines after application. However, the skin feels luxuriously pampered with a smooth soft touch. It glides on smoothly onto the skin and when I use it together with its Skin Saviour Waterless Balm, it makes an excellent base for make-up application as well as to hydrate the skin.

It perks up my skin and gives it a little boost to tired skin though I dislike the shiny look which I need to dab with a tissue paper. My skin has several tiny bumps on the skin which tend to spring out whenever I experiment with oils. Its such a pity because I like their wholesome ingredients.

The product contains peppermint oil as a natural sunscreen to protect against sun-induced pigmentation and you will be pleased to know that this product does not contain Petrochemicals, Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Harsh Surfactants, Chemical Additives, Preservatives, Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances, Phthalates, Silicones, Synthetic Vitamin E Or Propylene Glycol.
Ingredients :
organic wild raspberry leaf, organic lemon balm, and organic sweet mint, capric/caprylic triglyceride, organic essential oils of lemon, ylang ylang and peppermint

Source : OLO

Review : Fancl Beauty Concentrate Treatment Mask (Eye/Mouth)

Product Description
Beauty Concentrate Treatment Mask is a special care treatment that complements the Beauty Concentrate to reduce the signs of aging around the eye and mouth area, where skin is thinner and more prone to wrinkles and laugh lines. Enriched with Lychee Seed Extract to lock in moisture to restore skin firmness and Smooth Emollient Oil to enhance skin barrier function, making the eye area more resilient.

I have been eyeing this product for some time but the price of $60 for 6 pieces is really out of my budget since it is meant to be a one-time use. When Fancl has a closing down promotion of 50%, I took the chance to snag a box. Granted, the expiry date was about 4 months away and I have to ensure I used it within the freshness period.

While I like their products being preservative-free but I wouldn't bear to spend $10 per eye mask unless it can do miracles on my eye condition. It can also be used on the lip lines but I don't use it for that purpose.
Each pair of eye masks is individually packed in a nice pink and silver box that looks luxe as you opened it like a jewellery box.

The cresent-moon shaped eye pads are soaked with a generous amount of the white milky essence. Too much indeed, that when I layered it on my undereye area, the milky essence drips slightly downwards and I just need a tissue to dab it off.

I am happy to report that the eye pads did brighten up my undereye area when I have enough sleep and with some concealer, I am ready to face the world. With lack of sleep, eye masks are not miracle workers on my undereye area though.

Source : Fancl

Review : Weleda Birch Body Scrub

Product Description
This gentle body scrub helps to improve skin tone and appearance with natural beeswax pearls, which massage the skin to promote its healthy balance. Your skin feels and looks smooth and supple. Free of synthetic fragrances, colours, preservatives and raw materials derived from mineral oils. Dermatologically tested.

An extract of organic birch leaves, known for having purifying and detoxifying effects, promotes radiant skin that looks and feels completely refreshed. Vegetable-based cleansers free of synthetic detergents ensure even sensitive skin gets gently cleansed. Natural plant wax pearls and pure organic and natural plant oils massage your skin, supporting skin renewal without drying or disturbing your skin’s natural balance. Organic sesame seed oil and apricot kernel oil, rich in essential fatty acids, promote radiant skin that feels and looks refreshed. Gently exfoliate rough surface skin to reveal the regeneration of a pure, naturally refined, beautiful you

At 150ml, it costs US$9.22 from Iherb which I have been using diligently thrice a week for the past one month. Creamy white in colour, it contains tiny exfoliating beads that are hardly abrasive and provides a good cleansing scrub for the body. Skin feels smooth to the touch.
The smell is exotic and took some time for me to get used to it but it is hardly offensive.

Use code OKI787 to get up to US$10 off your first purchase on Iherb.

Ingredients :
Water (Aqua), Coco-Glucoside, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Squalene (Squalene), Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Leaf Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus (Butcher's Broom) Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citral*.
* from natural essential oils

Source : Weleda

100% Pure, IHerb, Fancl, Lovelula Haul

Purity Cosmetics was having its roadshow in Liang Court and I happened to chance upon it and picked up 3 products.

100% Pure Body Wash x 2 : $21 each  ( 30% off if you buy 2 )
Carrot facial scrub : $28 ( after 25% off )

Desert Essence Exfoliating Shea Butter Body Scrub US$7.39
Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Shampoo US$8.06
Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Conditioner US$8.06
Aubrey Organics Nourishing Shampoo  US$8.91
Deep Steep Lavender Body Wash  US$6.11
EO Products Revitalizing Shower Gel  US$8.72
Isvara Organics Coffee Sugar Body Polish  US$12.24
Earth Therapeutics Purest Palm Body Brush  US$6.15
Giovanni Moisturizing Body Wash in Cucumber Song   US$6.97
Acure Organics Firming Body Lotion   US$8.62
Reviva Labs Varicose Veins and Deeper Spider Vein Lotion   US$16.19
Sierra Bees Organic Honey Beeswax Lip Balm ( complimentary ) 

As some of you may have heard, Fancl will be pulling out from Singapore and Taiwan markets due to declining revenue, so I took the chance to haul some of its products. Prior to that, I hardly ever use Fancl products, except for their blemish gel which lost its effectiveness on my skin after 2 to 3 tubes.

Skin Renewal Pack  $32.20
Facial Stretch Gel $20.40
Moisturizing Mask x 2 packs $48
Whitening Mask x 1 pack $32.50 ( not reflected )

LoveLula Revitalising Skincare Box
- Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel
- Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light
- Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream
- Balance Me Balancing Face Moisturiser
- Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
- sample of REN Hydra-Calm Cleansing Milk
- sample of Kimberly Sayer Gentle Face Cleanser
- sample of Kimberly Sayer Light Organic Cleansing Lotion

I didn't like the experience of receiving soon-to-be expired products. Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel has a 2 months expiry date when I received it. And this box which I ordered in December took about 3 weeks to arrive at my doorstop.