Review : MG Firming and Tightening Eye Mask

Yet another MG eye mask, this time in the form of Firming and Tightening Eye Mask hailing from my last China trip. Containing 3 individually packed sheets, each pair of eye masks is separated by a thin plastic film between them.

The eye mask sheets has a subtle perfumery scent that is hardly detectable, unless brought very near to the nose. It provides a slight tingly sensation once layered on the undereye area and is cold and refreshing. However, the MG Firming and Tightening Eye Mask did not provide any obvious result.

Review : Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30

Product Description

Broad Spectrum sunscreen ideal for sensitized, reactive and recently resurfaced skin. Natural mineral sunscreens help shield against photodamage and UV exposure. Contains our exclusive UltraCalming™ Complex with Oat and botanical actives to help minimize discomfort, burning and itching. Sheer formula provides optimal hydration and helps protect and reinforce barrier lipids, which are often compromised in sensitized skin conditions. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors

Benefits 

- Formulated specifically for sensitized skin using only natural mineral UV protectors (no chemical sunscreens)
- Sheer formula hydrates while reinforcing barrier lipids
- Antioxidants and botanical extracts guard against premature aging and irritation

I have not been using Dermalogica products for a long while, after they tweaked the formulae of their sensitive range. It did not resonate well with my skin so I stopped using it completely. Dermalogica used to be my top favourite brand and I rave highly of them but unfortunately, the more they change their formula, the more disappointed I am, with their products. The same, goes for Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 which has replaced my favouite Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30.

I signed up with Aster Spring ( previously known as Leonard Drake ) recently and received a $120 voucher to redeem a product. I chose Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 after using up Dr. GL Sun Protection SPF 30 and was looking for a sunscreen product then.

Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 can also be used as a daily moisturiser but I use it strictly as a sunscreen after my moisturiser. The contents are kept in a slightly soft pliable bottle which can be depressed slightly, but there is hardly a need to do so, since the white milky fluid ooze out easily from the tiny opening.

Containing both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 provides broad-spectrum protection which is essential in our humid Singapore. The sunscreen fluid applies effortlessly but is sticky on skin making it tacky under the weather. I totally dislike any sunscreen with sticky texture because I end up with sticky hands and face and the tackiness continued until you wash it off. 

The previous formula, Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30 is never tacky so I am sorely disappointed that this does. However, if you look past the stickiness, Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 is actually pretty easy to spread around on skin and is formulated without artificial fragrances and colours.

There is a slight sheen on the surface of skin, with a light white cast as well but is a minor issue, after I add on my usual BB cream and loose powder.

Looking at the ingredients, it contains several fragrant oils though I wonder why they are there, for a sunscreen product. Hence, it may not be suitable for those with sensitive and reactive skin.

The 30ml size retails for $110 in Aster Spring branches but you can make use of the occasional promotion that they have from time to time. 

Active ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (7.0%) Zinc Oxide (9.0%). 

Other ingredients: Water/Aqua/EAU, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Ether, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat), Kernel Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Oxothiazolidine, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Lens Esculenta, (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Lavandula Spica (Lavender) Flower Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil Sodium DNA, Tocopherol , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Triethoxysilylethyl Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Hexyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium, Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

Review : For Beloved One Soothing Cleansing Liquid

Product Description

Double GX cleanses skin and removes make-up,Tornare™ and Anasensyl® gently lifts. the dirt and soothes skin while Moist24™ locks H2O in cells. It is the solution for skin care in cleansing, nourishing, and soothing delicate skin

I purchased For Beloved One Soothing Cleansing Liquid for $28.80 after a 20% discount from Sephora late last year. Although my favourite cleansing water is still from Bioderma, I still stray every now and then but much lesser than before.

There is a distinct scent when you put your nose near it, but hardly detectable when you use it on cotton pads. The small gap on the clear bottle is easy to dispense onto cotton pads and my make-up goes off easily as well. A cotton bud is still required to get the eyeliner remnants off the eyelids. 

Even though it is almost as effective as Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution, but I will still prefer a product without any added fragrance.

Review : Balm Kitchen Dark Choccy Kissable Lip Balm

Product Description
Natural goodness from raw ingredients like black tea leaves, cinnamon bark, green tea leaves, coffee beans, cacao powder and vanilla beans in sweet almond oil are combined with skin loving emollients like coconut oils, cocoa butter and mango butter to nourish and protect your lips against the elements. 

With the proliferation of local hand-crafted brands recently, it was a natural choice for me to pick up one of the lip balms from Balm Kitchen, especially with its pocket-friendly prices. It was an Instagram post by a friend that triggered my purchase as the flavours seem to be screaming at me. The flavours were limited when it was first launched so I chose Dark Choccy, which has sweet almond oil infused with raw cacao powder. Months down the road, they have added several delicious flavours like Green Tea and Very Vanilla. You can check out the range of flavours here.

As with all lip balms, Balm Kitchen Dark Choccy Kissable Lip Balm is contained in a twist and turn tube that is handy to be around even in your tiniest bag. Passion is apparent in their products from the self-drawn logo, to the brand sticker on the packaging and to the scribbled numbers ( I guess, it is either a batch number or the manufacturing date ) written below on the lip balm. I was intrigued.

Made with all natural, plant based vegan ingredients, the shelf life of the lip balm is 1 year, as there is no water in it, hence a lesser chance of them going bad.

However, I wasn't overly impressed when I first used it, because the lip balm was stiff and dry and the chocolate scent was almost non-existent. Just a whiff, and thats it. I thought it was kinda odd, for a lip balm not being able to glide properly on my lips. I persisted, believing that local brands can't be that bad. And yes, I finally see results and is loving it.

After 1 ~ 2 weeks of using the Dark Choccy Kissable Lip Balm, the contents softened slightly and now, glides and moisturises my lips pretty well, with a better chocolate scent. Despite being brown in colour, I did not notice any brown tint on my lips after application. Non-greasy and non-sticky, it is perfect in our humid weather but note that it does coat the lips with a moisturising film for nourishment.

For the affordability and its friendly ingredients, I am keen to try out the rest of the lip-smacking flavours next time. I previously bought mine, in a bundle set of a lip balm and a body balm for $14.90. You can get the lip balm separately at $5.90.

Alternatively, you can CLICK HERE to get 15% off all their products. I don't get a commission out of this, but I will get 15% off Balm Kitchen products, if you use my link which is a pretty odd way as a reward. The link expires on 2nd Jan 2018. So be quick!


Ingredients:
Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Cocos nucefera (coconut) oil*, Theobrama cacao (cocoa) seed butter*, Mangifera indica (mango) butter, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, Theobrama cacao (chocolate), Tocopherols (vitamin E)

Source : Balm Kitchen 

Review : Nature Republic Given By Nature Argan Aqua Gel Mask

Product Description
Moisturizing and firming aqua gel mask. Spain's argan oil treats skin and provides elasticity.

Main Ingredients : 
Lactobacillus fermentation, gold extract, green tea extract, aeyeop extract, houttuynia cordata extract, argan tree oil

A dear friend has helped to get the Nature Republic Given By Nature Argan Aqua Gel Mask in a 10 sheets pack direct from Korea. The aqua gel mask is separated into 2 parts - one for the upper portion of the face and the other for the lower portion of the face. The material is slightly rubbery and slippery so it makes handling slightly messier.

The refreshing and cooling sensation makes it a comfortable masking experience and the argan oil contents hydrate the rough areas on my skin, making it smooth and moisturised till the following morning.
However, at times, there is itchiness at the sides near to the ears, if the mask is layered on the skin for too long.

Source : koreadepart