Review : Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask

Product Description
The ultimate luxurious anti-aging treatment, this rich mask is infused with Pure 24K Gold and Colloidal Gold to help improve the appearance of firmness and impart an opulent glow. Known from the time of Cleopatra to have powerful anti-aging benefits, 24K Gold helps firm, lift, brighten and calm the appearance of skin. Caffeine helps skin appear firmer and tighter while Peridot, an exquisite gemstone rich in magnesium, re-energizes and helps reduce the look of aging and stress. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin deliver intense hydration for a more lifted appearance. This lavish, pampering treatment helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin looking silky smooth, firmer, radiant, revitalized and youthful.

Products from Peter Thomas Roth always sound so intriguing and interesting that it tends to make one wonder if they really do work. I have previously tried out Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches and Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 45 which worked moderately well on my skin. So does Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask live up to its hype? Lets find out!

Review : Secret Key Nature Recipe Pomegranate Mask Pack

Product Description
Now that pomegranate season is over and not readily available to eat during the summer months, it’s time to look for skin products with pomegranate extracts! Pomegranate is known for being a superfood full of powerful antioxidants that aid in heart health and anti-cancer benefits. When placed topically on the skin, anything with pomegranate extracts works to give your skin elasticity and suppleness. This sheet mask will not only provide elasticity but also revive tired and worn out skin to become smooth and lively again!

I received 2 complimentary Secret Key Nature Recipe Pomegranate Sheet Masks with my purchases in Seoul some time back. Unfortunately, there were not much information about the brand and I am also not familiar with it but according to Reddit, the consensus is that the brand is a dupe for the more popular Korean brands.

Secret Key Nature Recipe Mask Pack is available in 5 natural masks to take care of different skin concerns for a healthy skin.

Honey Mask : Improve skin elasticity
Pomegranate Mask : Improve skin elasticity.
Aloe Mask : Offers deep hydration to your skin.
Pearl Mask : For bright and clear skin.
Tea Tree Mask : Calming effect and provides you healthy skin.

I used 2 Pomegranate Mask sheets on 2 consecutive days as my skin was slightly dehydrated on the chin and tip of my nose with some pimples on the chin area.

The scent was pretty artificial and I can't detect much pomegranate scent. The material is thin and adheres nicely with a good cutting for my cherubic face shape. After a 20 minute masking session, my skin is smooth, supple and brimming with moisture but with slight redness around my nose where the broken capillaries are.

The smooth and supple condition lasted well to the following morning but by noon time, my skin is back to its dehydrated and rough state.

You can check out other Secret Key products on Iherb and quote OKI787 to get an instant 5% ( or 10% if its iHerb house brand ) additional discount and start to accumulate 5% credit rewards credit for every order placed.

Other popular Secret Key products on Amazon :
Secret Key Aloe Soothing Moist Toner - Amazon's Popular Choice
Secret Key Nature Recipe Tea Tree Mask Pack 

Description in Korean :

Source : Facetory

6 Surprising Things That Are Causing You To Have Dark Circles

1) Genetics 
Hereditary conditions that run in families and no amount of sleep will make a difference. Laser treatment at the dermatologist may help to reduce the pigmentation.

2) Alcohol
If dark circles popped up during periods where you have been drinking than usual, then you can blame it on the booze. Alcohol is dehydrating and affects the blood circulation in your body, causing the puffiness the next day.
To test : Gently press on your eyebags with your finger, if the darkened skin momentarily brightens up, then it is likely that poor circulation/water retention is to blame.
What to do : Reduce alcohol, drink plenty of water, don an eye mask.

3) Excessive Force 
If you have been removing your eye make-up alittle too aggressively, don't! Skin under the eyes are delicate and prone to bruising and if you rub too hard, it increases the risk of swelling, inflammation and broken blood vessels which gives the appearance of undereye circles.
To test : Check if your eyelashes come off during your make-up removal process
What to do : Use an oil-based make-up remover if your usual make-up remover does not work too well.

4) The Sun 
Skipping the sunblock is the one of the worst things you can do to your skin. The eyelid skin is the thinnest so any sun damage will show up quickly in the form of dilating and increased blood flow, causing a dark glow to come through the skin.
What to do : Apply undereye SPF protection creams

Shop these top-rated eye creams with SPF
Origins A Perfect World Age Defense White Tea Eye Cream SPF 20 Travel Size 
SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50
Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream Spf 34
Origins A Perfect World SPF 20 Age-Defense Eye Cream with White Tea

5) Too Much Screen Time
Excessive screen time put lots of stress on the blood vessels around the eyes, which forces them to work harder. When these blood vessels dilate, the skin around them tends to look darker.
What to do : Take short breaks by looking at a faraway object or something green. Avoid using your mobile phones and tablets in a dark room as this further strains the eyes.

6) Allergies 
Leaking nose, itching and hives cause the body to release histamines that can cause blood vessels to dilate which leads to the appearance of dark circles. Rubbing them with tissues increases inflammation, swelling and broken blood vessels, further aggravating the situation.
What to do : Take antihistamines to reduce swelling and use a cold compress over the eyes to reduce redness.


Recommended Reading :
Banish The Bags Under Your Eyes
Natural Treatment For Undereye Circles 
Eye Care Tips


Source : HerWorld

Review : This Works Stress Check Hair Elixir

Product Description
A leave in, calming conditioning hair mist to tackle stress head on.

WHEN:  This calming de-stressing hair mist spray can be used at any time of the day to boost hair shine and combat stress levels. 

HOW: A concentrated, light weight, non-greasy hair treatment incorporating a Superblend of encapsulated Neroli, Patchouli, Lavender, Vetivert and Camomile to dispel feelings of anxiety and stress and Mongogo and Tamanu oils to calm, condition and protect.  The intelligent encapsulation means the fragrance is activated by your own movement and will continue to aid your stress levels throughout the day.

WHY: A fast-acting daily mood and hair booster to support stressful lives.


This Works is an award-winning, natural beauty brand, with targeted skin solutions formulated to work in harmony with your natural body clock and maximize skin performance 24 hours a day.

Powered by a Superblend of proven actives from nature + botanical oils + 100% natural essential oils, each product aligned with a phase of the 24 hour body clock and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, GMOs, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and petrolatum. Ethically-sourced environmental ingredients and packaging.

This Works Stress Check Hair Elixir is one of the products contained in the Sephora Favourites Hair Saviour Kit which I purchased several months ago. The 5ml sample/travel sized product has a spritz which allows one to dispense the hair mist all over the hair.

The scent which is a combination of Neroli, Patchouli, Lavender, Vetivert and Camomile is strong at first but subsequently dissipates as time goes by. Occasionally, some movement may "activate" the scent again but it does not happen often. While most really like the scent which is said to be calming, I am not really a fan of it. It smells alittle odd and does not calm or relaxes me. Adding on to that, I don't see any particular shine on my hair too.

Check out my previous review on This Works Clean Skin 5-In-1 Water.

You can get the products from Sephora or Amazon.
This Works Stress Check Hair Elixir
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray  ( Amazon's Popular Choice )
This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle


INGREDIENTS: 
Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Aqua (Water/Eau), Parfum (Fragrance), Linalool*, Phospholipids, Betaine, Creatine, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, Allantoin, Callophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Phytantriol, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ormenis Multicaulis (Chamomile) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetivert) Root Oil, Acacia Senegal Gum, Gelatin, Xanthan Gum, Limonene*, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Acetic Acid, Glutaral, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citronellol*, Sodium Hydroxide, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract

Source : ThisWorks

Review : Springfields Shampoo & Conditioner ( Damaged/Treated Hair )

Product Description
A low naturally foaming shampoo that gently and effectively cleanses without harsh chemicals. Enriched with pure essential oils and soy protein to help replenish damaged hair. Additional Aloe Vera and camellia extracts help ensure frizz free and shiny hair. It gives exceptional salon performance to give you fabulous looking hair everyday.

Product Description
To help keep your hair looking its best, the conditioners have proteins (wheat) to help strengthen the hair shaft and natural, organic plant oils Jojoba and Macadamia to nourish and moisturise. Special conditioning agents detangle and soften leaving hair shiny, manageable and free from frizz. Enriched with camellia extracts and avocado oil; with added essential oils of Ylang Ylang and Sweet Orange. It provides intensive care to restore volume and shine. No parabens, SLS, SLES, ALS (sulphates), petrochemicals, artificial colour or synthetic fragrances.

I purchased Springfields Shampoo and Conditioner in one of the local pharmacies when I was in Tasmania last year. Proudly Australia made and owned, Springfield has been in the market for 28 years and its foundation is in aromatherapy, with an international reputation for supplying the finest quality pure essential oils, setting benchmarks for purity and quality along the way. You can read more its history here.

Both Springfields Shampoo and Conditioner do not contain parabens, SLS/SLES/ALS ( sulfates ), petrochemicals, artificial colour and synthetic fragrances. They are naturally scented with pure essential oils. The brand do not conduct animal testing.

When I first found out that the shampoo contained Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, I was dismayed as my hair does not take too well to this ingredient, causing them to be a lumpy and tangled mess.

Shampoos that do not fare too well on my hair, with the inclusion of Wheat Protein were Avalon Organics Shine Ylang Ylang Shampoo, John Masters Organics Lavender Rosemary Shampoo, Aveeno Naturals Nourish+Shine Shampoo, Jason Natural Colour Protect Henna Shampoo, Nature's Gate Chamomile and Lemon Verbena Shampoo, Renew Everyday Purifying Shampoo, Olivella The Olive Shampoo and Agronatura Hair Shampoo while A'kin Rice Aminos and Wheat Protein Intensive Moisture Shampoo, Ecru Luxe Treatment Shampoo and Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo were products that worked moderately well, thankfully.

My first usage was not too pleasant as the thick shampoo contents were hard to lather on my hair in the first 3 minutes, but gradually became easier. Subsequent usage proved that my worries were unfounded as I realized that the shampoo and conditioner were pretty great products.

Springfields Shampoo for damaged and treated hair was low in foam but lathered moderately well. There was no straw-like condition and the hint of essential oil fragrances made it a relaxing hair experience.

Unfortunately, the packaging was not too desirable as the stiff tube caused 2 large tears when I slotted it together with other hair products in a box in my cupboard. There were no issues with other hair products though.
Much depressions were also needed to squeeze out the thick shampoo contents from the small opening at the cap as it does not flow too easily.

As for the Springfields Conditioner for damaged and treated hair, it has a creamy but lightweight texture which left my hair feeling shiny and more manageable. My long and thick hair were less tangled too.

Shampoo Ingredients

Conditioner Ingredients

Source : Springfields