Started the year with a no-buy to low-buy and thankfully, I am on track. Purchased 1 product in January, no-buy in February, 4 products ( to justify the overseas shipping cost ) in March and 4 products to replenish my stash in April. No-buy in May.
Purchased 7 sheet masks in June as I couldn't resist its 50% closing down sale and a hair loss set during 7/7 sale.
Received some products from XOUL in return for honest reviews.
XOUL Calming Gel Toner
XOUL Layered Cream
XOUL Half Drop Skin Pads
Purchased Grown Alchemist products from Singsale which was having a 50% off their products.
Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser $24.50 x 2 pcs
Grown Alchemist Strengthening Shampoo $15
Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser $13.50
< Shipping $9.90 >
I applied for a free starter pack some time back and I was surprised to receive such a generous set.
JUV Superfruit Water Gel UV Protection SPF50 PA+++ combines the technology to protect skin from all light waves (UVA, UVB, Visible Light, IR), pollution and dust particles up to 1 micron, with extracts to restore skin to fight free radicals. From the surrounding factors with the power of Super fruit, enhanced with special extraction technology to lock the freshness of the extract for maximum benefit to the skin.
Features :
- Give fresh feeling from the first time that it is comfortable to use.
- The skin is not clogged, waterproof, sweat.
- Brighten skin
- Gentle on all skin types
- Silicone free
- Mineral Oil Free
- Paraben, Fragrance, Alcohol and Colour free
- Retinol and Octocrylene free
- PEG / PPG free
- Harsh chemical free
I purchased 2 bottles of JUV Superfruit Water-Gel UV Protection SPF50 PA++++ during my last trip to Thailand and boy! am I so glad I did, because I loved them so much! This positive experience makes me even more open to trying out more local brands when I travel. Unfortunately, they are not available in Singapore so this will be on my To-Buy list when I can travel there next time.
Made in Thailand, JUV Superfruit has a desire to create a product that contains all natural nutrients and vitamins with value that is beneficial to the skin and is gentle and suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Superfruit extract is selected as the main ingredient where superior protection from the value of the best fruit combined with innovation makes the extract penetrate deep into the skin and lock the freshness of Superfruit with its highest concentration of antioxidants. This will help slow down the signs of aging, keep the skin young with deep nourishment to revitalize the skin. You can read more about its story on their website.
I was gifted with Forest Beauty Narcissus Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask, Forest Beauty Renewing and Oxygen Refreshing Mask, Forest Beauty Shea Butter Moisturizing Mask, Forest Beauty Pore Minimizing and Oil Control Mask and Forest Beauty 24K Gold & Collagen Wrinkles Eye Mask from Artisan Glam some time back, with no obligations to share about them.
Hailing from Taiwan, Forest Beauty believe that true beauty always comes from that confidence and positive attitude towards life, without excessive makeup and with correct and continuous skin care, every girl can be beautiful, natural, healthy and radiant.
Forest Beauty uses the latest biomedical technology and specifications in Europe and the United States, as well as strict compliance with international ISO and GMP certification factories in Taiwan.
Forest Beauty Narcissus Whitening Bio-Cellulose Mask brightens and repairs skin with IDEALIFT and Poet's Narcissus.
How To Use :
1) Cleanse and tone skin.
2) Remove mask from packaging and use middle layer.
Packed in a box containing 1 sheet mask soaked in 30ml of serum, this brightening bio-cellulose mask is made of a medical grade material (100% natural fermented from coconut water) which provides a high degree of excellent water retention and absorption as well as an excellent adhesion and better penetration rate for the serum to work with the skin than the non-woven mask.
CAVIAR CC Cream or Complete Correction Cream is a luxe leave-in hair treatment and styling cream that delivers 10 benefits in one simple step, leaving hair perfectly polished.
Founded in 1997, Alterna had a vision of creating a sustainable future by introducing a no-compromise luxurious hair care collection. All products were designed specifically for discerning industry professionals and based on the science of skincare, incorporating new technological advancements. Only natural eco-certified ingredients. No sulfates or parabens. No animal testing. Ever.
Less than two years after the launch of its inaugural collection, Alterna presented its first breakthrough line of products with anti-aging properties, formulated with caviar. Full of omega-3 fatty acids, it helped to replenish the hair’s lipid layer for better moisture retention and elasticity and resulted in healthy natural smoothness and shine.
Inspired by the Science of Skincare for Hair®, Caviar Anti-Aging is the first comprehensive line of hair care products that address intrinsic (natural aging process), chemical, and environmental aging by infusing hair with the finest, most effective ingredients to restore hydration, strength, vibrancy, and elasticity for more youthful-looking hair. Every product contains pure caviar from the roe of non-endangered sturgeon fish, sustainably farmed in France. It is naturally luxurious and rich in vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids that help restore hair's lipid layer to its optimal state—the key to healthier, younger-looking hair.
Packaging, Scent and Texture
The 25ml sized of Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream comes in a tube with a nice salon-type of scent. The white cream is thick and luxurious so there is a need to massage in the cream so that it would not leave a greasy look on the hair.
How To Use :
-Apply evenly to clean, towel-dried hair and style as desired.
-Can also be used as a finisher on dry hair for added perfection.
Performance and Ingredients
Suitable for color-treated hair, Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream is free of DEA/TEA, petrochemicals and synthetic color. It corrects and perfects hair in 10 different and unbelievable ways - provides moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, anti-breakage, heat protection, light hold, UV protection, manageability, and strength. Clinically proven to reduce breakage by 92 percent and provide up to 450° F heat protection, this is the perfect product for all hair types. It’s versatile enough to be used along or as a styling primer to layer other products on top of it and no matter how you use it, hair is perfected, protected, and flawless.
I started with using this on dried hair and didn't notice a spectacular difference. There was a light hold but since I don't have curls, I don't see the need for it. I hardly use hair dryer so I can't attest to its heat protection factor.
However, using the CC cream on towel-dry hair ( slightly damp ) really do make a difference. I noticed softer hair, smoothness and slight shine. My hair was manageable and looked slightly healthier! And I certainly hope with time, it does help with anti-breakage and strengthened the hair stands - benefits as touted by the brand.
In terms of ingredients, Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream contains the following....
CAVIAR EXTRACT : One of nature’s richest sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Caviar extract restores moisture, elasticity and shine to hair
SEASILK® : A blend of marine botanicals that provides exceptional moisture and helps repair damaged hair
AGE-CONTROL-COMPLEX® : Based on the science of anti-aging skincare, our proprietary complex combines Caviar Extract to nourish and antioxidants to prevent damage and encourage micro-circulation. Ingredients work in harmony to undo the effects of chemical, environmental and natural chronological aging and give new life to hair
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE : A powerful enzyme that helps to protect hair from free-radical damage and oxidation
To conclude, Alterna Caviar Anti-aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream added shine, softness and smoothness, making my hair manageable and looked slightly healthier. If you have damaged hair, then try one for yourself and feel the difference.
Thanks so much for reading! Sign up on my mailing list so that you will not miss a post again!
Nourish and polish your skin to a healthy glow with our Coconut Milk Exfoliating Body Scrub, made with rich coconut milk, natural oils and Dead Sea Salts.
Hailing from USA, Pure Body Naturals aims to make natural beauty + wellness more attainable for everyone. It always source the most simple + effective ingredients possible, while also keeping your wallet in mind. You can read more about their mission on their website.
Packaging and Scent
Pure Body Naturals Coconut Milk Body Scrub comes in a 340g clear plastic tub with a strong whiff of coconut scent. White and soaked with coconut milk and sea salt, the contents are not as creamy as I expected - initially, I thought it would be a creamy milky salt scrub but in reality, it looked like the usual sea salt scrub.
How To Use :
1) Massage onto wet skin using your hands or damp washcloth.
2) Smooth away dead skin cells using gentle, circular motions.
3) Rinse off with warm water.
4) Repeat as necessary for best results.
Performance and Ingredients
Pure Body Naturals Coconut Milk Body Scrub is said to be the ultimate in hydrating exfoliation. Dead Sea Salts work as a natural exfoliator, while soothing properties of Coconut Milk provide high amounts of healthy fats and Vitamin E to give your skin a healthy glow. Natural oils like Almond and Safflower are added to boost nourishment and improve the texture of your skin.
I love body scrubs and use them 1-2 times per week. One can always massage the scrub into skin by using hands, textured sponge, washcloth, or loofah, let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the ingredients to activate and absorb into the skin before rinsing the residue off. If you are a body scrub lover, check out my past body scrub reviews here.
Pure Body Naturals Coconut Milk Body Scrub contains sea salt and is pretty fine, hence it is not coarse and is non-abrasive. Because of its fine contents, it is easy to massage and scrub on the body, without too much wastage.
It makes my skin soft, smooth and clean without leaving any oily film behind. The ingredients are simple and natural - no nasty ingredients which you can't pronounce.
Coconut Milk, Sea Salt, Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Sunflower Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, Dead Sea Salt and Vitamin E
To conclude, Pure Body Naturals Coconut Milk Body Scrub is a simple body scrub with natural ingredients. It left my skin clean, soft and smooth without any greasy film. That said, it won't be a repurchase as I am keen to try out other body scrubs in the market.
