No Frills Xmas Giftwrapping~

Just another day to Christmas! Have you finished this year's giftwrapping? ^_^

While most department stores and merchants have giftwrapping services, I usually wrap my own presents so I know which packages under the tree are from me. And also for that small personal touch. Though I'm not the most creative nor the neatest giftwrapper, I like to try!

This year, I've taken to using brown paper a lot for packages so why would Xmas be any different =P I like how brown paper makes it look like the package came from the baker or butcher's shop or something along those lines.. It's cheap, easy and extremely versatile!

You only need: Scissors, Tape, Black Marker & Brown Paper

So you basically wrap your gifts up whichever way you like then doodle on them with the black marker~ I like to line the edges of the paper to make them look more cartoonish~ It also helps to accent the edges if I've used the scalloping scissors on them.

Doesn't need to be complicated, something simple like this works too!

Then you'll end up with really simple, old skool-looking stuff like this!

I'm also quite pleased with these ribbons I found (on sale, 50% off!) at this store called The Good Things~ Not sure if you can see the text but it says: ' Caution! Panic Purchase. ' I also got another pack that says 'You're Old' for birthdays. Hehehehehe~

So this is more or less my share of this year's pile of gifts for the tree~

 

I'll admit they'll look plainer and less glitzy than the other presents but it feels good to wrap them by myself =)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! XOXO

The Not-So-New Olay Advanced Cleansing System =P

Happy December!!! \\\ (^-^)/// With just 2 more weeks to go! How's your Xmas shopping going?

I totally went crazy shopping overseas and went over my budget >_< And the worst part is I haven't gotten a "main course" gift for my Dad yet! Dads are just so hard to shop for when they already have everything~~ (T____T) And on the other end, I bought more than one gift for my Mom! Like wth~~ Oh, in case you were wondering what's a "main course" gift, it's the main bigger ticket item. I like to gift hamper style so there's usually a main item accompanied by smaller "side dishes" hahahaha~~ It just makes me happy to see more packages under the tree y'know? And for the receiver I think it's fun to have multiple packages to open~

Anyway~~~~ my colleagues have recently been abuzz about using Clarisonic as a couple of the girls recently bought theirs and had pretty good results~ Well, Clarisonic is abit too pricey for me to just buy & try so I thought I might start with a more wallet-friendly option first ^_^

Watsons recently had a Xmas sale and my-oh-my the Olay Specialty Cleanser was on sale for about S$35! Done! (Usually retails around S$40 I think.)

Comes with a 20ml sample tube of Olay Skin Renewal Cleanser

Some back of the box info:

 

As a starter kit it's very comprehensive, batteries included!

 

 

As described on the box, the brush head simply clicks on. Pop in the battery and you're all set! I have to say though, that the battery compartment was quite difficult to open >_< Fear of breaking it kept me from wrenching it off and too little strength seemed to get me nowhere =_= It took awhile but I got it done.

 

Here's a closer look at the brush head:

 

Not super fine but for S$35 I'm not expecting so much really =\

If you've played with the Clarisonic display, you'll know those bristles are much finer than this budget option but who knows, maybe they'll be good enough? The 2 speed options available on this brush are also vigorous enough for me since I'm quite wary of over-exfoliating~

 

Well, I've been using this cleansing system for a little over a week now and whilst I still don't see the improved skin texture, it definitely feels very clean and smooth after usage. My skincare products absorb a lot faster too! Usage in colder climates however resulted in very very VERY slight peeling around my lower cheek area and nose, just a tiny little area, wasn't much of a fuss. So whilst Olay may not be an optimal drugstore alternative to the Clarisonic, it does help and it isn't pricey. Replacement heads are cheap too, less than S$10 per brush.

 

I haven't used the Skin Renewal Cleanser sample that came with it yet, been testing the brush with my own cleansers ^^

 

So in short, the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser:

• Is affordable and easily found in drugstores & dept stores
• Comes in a comprehensive starter kit including battery and sample size Skin Renewal cleanser
• 2-speed control & water resistant, battery compartment's abit stiff to open though
• Bristles are not as fine as Clarisonic's but are not rough on my combination skin. Might be too much for sensitive skin types though?
• Skin feels immediately cleaner and smoother after usage without the squeaky clean feeling (however this is likely to differ with your choice of cleanser)
• Usage in winter climate resulted in VERY slight peeling on my nose and cheeks so people intending to travel with this in winter might want to take it easy
• As expected, skincare products absorbed extra well after using it
• Is most likely NOT the best drugstore alternative to the Clarisonic but performs ok for someone just looking to test out the system

 I wish the bristles were abit finer but hey, for just S$35, I think it wasn't too bad a buy~ =D