Friday 26 December 2014

Tengoku Pet Crematorium - Sendoff to the Rainbow Bridge

I know this is primarily a beauty blog but I feel there are people who would benefit from such a review though it may be rather depressing.

As some of you may know, my family has not had the best Xmas. One of our family dogs passed away on Xmas evening from what we now realise was most probably a heart attack. As you can imagine, it was very sudden and unexpected. Some Xmas.

After a few calls to 24hr crematorium services, my dad was quite upset as some of the people who answered our calls did not sound empathetic in the least. Then we called Tengoku, a 24hr standby same-day single pet cremation service located at Pasir Ris Farmway 2, just next to Mutts & Mittens.

Perry, the guy who answered our call and drove by promptly to pick up our old girl, was very professional and respectful of our grieving, explaining gently and slowly the procedures involved and what time we should come by for the cremation the next day (i.e today). He and my dad transferred Miko to a very sturdy and well-designed black (styrofoam I think) Tengoku collection box and brought her back to their facility.

The next day, we arrived at Tengoku at 8.45a.m, 15 minutes earlier than our appointed time and were pleasantly surprised that they were ready and waiting for us. Perry ushered us to a small open air space and wheeled Miko out to us for us to say our last goodbyes. They left us to ourselves for awhile, only asking that we let them know when we were ready.  Some fresh white carnations had been placed between her paws, which was really a beautiful touch and made her look asleep and at peace.

When we were ready they wheeled her round to the furnace and ushered us to the viewing area where Perry stood silently by the side while it commenced. Later we went to the office to fill out some paperwork and select Miko's urn before returning a couple of hours later to pick her up.

Tengoku has a pretty good range of urns though the ones that come free with the cremation are of a very oriental design. So we took a look at the more modern designs and topped up $38 for a round minimalistic white medium urn. Plus the $380 (the price for small breed cats & dogs) for her cremation, it was one of the most affordable rates around and the service (we met another guy at pickup and he was very nice too) was top notch. I regret that we forgot to take his name but he was just as gentle and empathetic as he explained that they don't grind the bones at Tengoku and that they had placed her skull bones at the top of the pile in the urn.


For all of us who have pets, sending them off is an unfortunate part of the package. We've had dogs in the family since the day I was born so I'm no stranger to goodbyes and it doesn't get easier. All we can do is make the best of it and it means a lot when the final steps are as dignified and nicely done as with Tengoku.

So a heartfelt thank you to Perry, Nice Guy No. 2 and Tengoku for their empathy and professionalism, your good work really helped my family with closure.

Tengoku - 24 hr hotline 6749 5039 
www.tengoku.com.sg
11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2 (By appointment only)

Thursday 18 December 2014

MIA Apologies!! And some stuff about Salicylic Acid.

Hi again! Didja miss me? (^^;;;;) Sorry I've been gone for....a little over a month now ahahaha~ Some little developments have me all in a tizzy in more ways than one really. And with all most situations, I have a very good excuse.

And here it is.

Get it? Get it?!?

Yep, 100% natural in the traditional way. LOL

I have to say it wasn't expected but I guess it's about that time in life before I get much ahem older. The Husband's a lot more excited than I am. I guess it's hard to get excited when you feel pretty bleh and slightly motion sick so often throughout the day m(=____=)m yep, that's my life now...constantly clutching a bottle (sometimes 2) of medicated oil. I tell people the kid might have a hearing problem at the rate The Husband keeps yelling into my belly button like it's the Grand Canyon lol Just joking of course, about the hearing problem, not the yelling. That part's true unfortunately XP

Looking forward to including some new topics into the blog with this development and thought I'd start with a small piece that I was checking up this week.


This is especially important if you intend to breastfeed.

In a nutshell, topical use is considered safe as long as it's within 2% (if it's near the bottom of your product's ingredients list you should be fine.). The general opinion is that toners are ok because you do a quick swipe instead of 'soaking' your skin in the stuff but it's safer if you know the concentration of your product. Peels are totally out of the question. ALWAYS check with your gynae if this is a big concern of course.

Oral forms of salicylic acid are a big no-no because the chemical in oral form gives rise to higher risks for miscarriage, heart defects, heart & lung problems for the baby as well as bleeding issues for both mother and baby. These are the same reasons for not taking aspirins during pregnancy.

Sidenote about painkillers: My gynae tells me Panadol (the regular type, not Max or Cold/Flu etc) is fine if not taken often and just 1 tab.

My DHC Salicylic Acid Acne Toner has Salicylic Acid listed fairly high up on the ingredients list, 3rd to be exact, but a check on the website (DHCCare) states 2% Salicylic Acid so I'm slightly relieved. I have just a few drops left in my current bottle so I'll probably down the usage to once a day till it finishes and hunt for a more natural toner option for my combination skin.

All in all, anything that's too concentrated is potentially harmful to your new little best friend. So if your hormones aren't doing kamikaze somersaults and creating absolute havoc on your skin, it's best to go as natural and minimalistic as possible with the skincare routine during pregnancy just to be absolutely safe. OR you can bombard your gynae with a list of products and ask their opinion~ Fortunately my skin isn't breaking out or anything so far...hopefully it'll stay nice and calm for the next 7 months!

Now to stock up on my Konjac sponges again~

Thursday 6 November 2014

Philosophy - Kiss Me Tonight Intensive Lip Therapy Review

I've been an avid lip balm user for almost a good decade now, ever since I started working and was in air-conditioned environments for extended periods of time. My best buys have been Mentholatum Organic, Maybelline Baby Lips and currently UltraSun UltraLip, thankfully all drugstore brands =D And of course the lip masks from The Face Shop have been great too!

But you know how it is with us women...can't help sniffing around the stores for new products to play with~

While it's not a new product, the reviews I read online were almost 100% positive so when I spotted the Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Intensive Lip Therapy on Luxola during their many sales, I thought, why not?

S$23 / 9g from Luxola

It's a small screw top pot, not unlike the usual balm pots in terms of size.


Ingredients list:


Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, hydrogenated polyisobutene, glycerin, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, flavor (aroma), beeswax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, c18-38 alkyl hydroxystearoyl stearate, hydrogenated castor oil, c12-16 alcohols, irvingia gabonensis kernel butter, octyldodecanol, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, tocopheryl acetate, beta vulgaris (beet) root extract, melia azadirachta leaf extract, palmitic acid, retinyl palmitate, eclipta prostrata extract, moringa pterygosperma oil, hydrogenated lecithin, phenoxyethanol.

Product description:

Kiss Me Tonight is an intense lip therapy that keeps lips soft and in perfect kissable condition with an ultra-creamy formula. It works on contact soften roughness, relieve dryness and sooth seriously dry lips. This luxurious lip treatment helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, adds shape and definition, and restores a healthy rosy appearance.

Apply to lips at night. Can also be applied throughout the day as needed.

The texture is similar to vaseline but more smooth or buttery.


It applies very smooth, isn't sticky on the lips and smells lightly of minty vanilla, nice!


It's colourless so it doesn't add anything except a glossy sheen to your lips. If your lips are dry this does help sooth it and over regular use, softens the lips. Unfortunately, that seems to be all it did for me. #sadface

The before & after pics were after 1 overnight use and the next morning, despite the name of the product, I don't think The Husband would've liked to kiss me (^ - ^;;) because there was this slightly white-ish layer on my lips that needed rubbing off aka overnight exfoliation.

From L - R : Before, During and After

After rubbing off the dead skin, I was like (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ that my lips looked even worse than before. I really thought I would behold juiced up lips like when I use the lips masks from The Face Shop. Sigh.

After a little over a week's daily use now, I still don't see any difference in the fine line department. My lips are softer and feel smoother but aside from that....not the overnight miracle I was expecting after all those glittering reviews I'd read online.

So now I just use this as an overnight exfoliator and a daytime gloss or base for lip colour since it does make my lips feel softer & smoother. But as far as the fine lines go, I've given up on getting any fantastic results. Not anytime soon anyway.

So in a nutshell, Philosophy's Kiss Me Tonight Intensive Lip Therapy:

  • is an affordable and easily available option in this Philosophy's product range.
  • comes in a small sturdy plastic tub, pretty & very convenient except you need an applicator if you don't want to stick your fingers in.
  • product's texture is nice, like a buttery-er version of Vaseline, and very lightly scented mint & vanilla.
  • a light peach in the tub but applies clear, giving a nice sheen to the lips.
  • applies well, smooths and soothes dry chapped lips and makes for a pretty good base for lip colours.
  • performs well as a lip balm, 1 application and no dry lips even after 12 hours in aircon! (but no SPF aww..)
  • behaves like Vaseline if used overnight i.e exfoliating, but didn't leave my lips feeling particularly moisturised.
  • after 1 1/2 week daily use (overnight & daytime), lips feel smoother & softer with less dry patches.
  • didn't make any difference on the fine lines yet (T_T)
  • if purchasing, do note that full results might take some time to surface.

Would I repurchase? Probably not. It's works ok but isn't the intensive treatment I was hoping it would be.

Do you have any intensive lip therapy or treatment products to recommend? I'd love to get a headsup!  =)

Sunday 26 October 2014

Charles & Keith 2014 New Arrivals - Sunday Shoe-Crush!

It's been awhile since I had a shoe crush. Wandering around my neighbourhood malls last week I popped by Charles & Keith for quick look see and this pair tugged at my heart strings a little =)

Pointed Slingback Mules in PU leather S$56.90
Of course the marble print is all the rage now. But faddishness (is that even a word?) aside, I think it's a print that's likely to stand the test of time?



All images from Charles & Keith

I like that the height is quite perfect. After tramping in heels through the gravel, sand & rock on the fortress island of Suomenliina last winter, my feet have never been quite the same and I haven't been able to deal with heels of the steep incline or towering variety ever since. This heel (8.5cm) is enough to give a girl a boost and comfortable enough to be standing around in. Also, these heels are light! Now...if only they'd go on sale for Xmas....... XP

Monday 20 October 2014

DrGL Restore Gel Mask - Budget-friendly Boutique Skin Solution Review

If you've followed me on my Instagram (@r_san82....oh you haven't? Why not! =P), you may have noticed when I purchased this little titbit during one of my many recent Luxola hauls. I think I bought this at least a month or 2 back so I thought I'd better post this before I forget again ^___^;;;

S$38/100ml, S$68/240ml on Luxola

At only S$38 for the 100ml, it's the cheapest in the Dr.GL range and a very popular item. Combine that with the titles of Cosmo Beauty Grand Prix 2013 Winner, Elle Beauty IT List 2013 and the frequent Luxola sales and you know you really have to try it out~

Description of the Restore Gel Mask:

Bring skin back to equilibrium with this restorative gel for all skin types. Packed with healing botanicals to help sooth skin, it makes a particularly good travel companion as skin tends to be stressed by changing environments, manifesting signs of irritation such as redness and dryness.

A proprietary blend of natural ingredients including Gardenia Florida Extract and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract heals skin with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial powers. It's blue hue extracted from Guaiazulene helps counteract redness while its all-natural fragrance exerts a calming influence. 

Info from DrGL

Comes in a nondescript dark moss green box and plastic pump bottle that I like in all its simplicity. The pump (and bottle) is sturdy and firm, making it quite easy to dispense the small amount that's needed. I do however worry about the potential wastage once it's finishing >___<

Here's a look at the instructions/details and ingredients:


I know the font is quite hard to make out, doesn't help that it's printed so close to each other >_<

Directions:
  • To use as a moisturiser, apply a thin layer in circular motions till gel is fully absorbed.
  • To use a mask, apply a thick layer onto skin and leave on for 10 - 20min. Remove remaining gel on face.
  • Good for sunburns, post-tanning and post-procedure treatments.
  • Best used when chilled. (I LOVE it chilled!)
  • To use as shaving gel, apply a thin layer before shaving.

Ingredients:

Water, Scutellaria Baicelensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruiticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rutin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Centella, Asatica Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Beta-glucan, Guaiazulene, Arginine, Aloe Vera.

Made in Korea. 

Some extra info on a couple of the herbs/flower extracts that are more prominent in the makeup of the Restore Gel Mask:

Scutellaria Baicelensis - One of the 50 fundamentals in Chinese Herbology, this is a pretty purple flowering plant known also known as Skullcaps. Often used in traditional Chinese medicines to dispel 'heatiness', hepatitis, diarrhea and inflammation. Increasingly rare in current times due to its popularity and unfortunate overexploitation.

Paeonia Suffruiticosa - The iconic Chinese Peony, it's roots (called 牡丹皮) are also used commonly in traditional Chinese medicines to dispel 'heatiness', mildly invigorate the blood and 'cool' the blood amongst others.

Licorice - The root extract has shown various medical properties such as being antimicrobial, antiviral and hepatoprotective. In skincare however, it has also shown the ability to treat hyper pigmentation caused by skin inflammation.

Hope this extra info helps give a clearer idea of how the gel works! And just in case some of you were curious where this lovely blue colour came from:

Guaiazulene - The blue hue of the gel is derived from this hydrocarbon, which is an U.S FDA-approved cosmetic colour additive.

Albeit a tad disappointed that the colour isn't a natural occurrence, I still like the calming blue that it is =) And the smell is really soothing too! Makes me think of Chamomile tea mixed with other flower teas. Y'know...like 'ahhhh~~' (▰˘◡˘▰) 

My dad just pointed out that my random squiggle of blue gel-ly goodness looks like umm..well..sperm. 

*awkward silence* (//∇//)

I guess I could've kept quiet and hope that nobody notices but I JUST CAN'T. So yeah, sorry if it looks like a slightly suggestive squiggle of blue~  ~(˘▾˘~)

*ahem*

As recommended, I store it in the fridge and since I'm about halfway through my usual Laneige moisturiser, use this on and off...when I want to give my skin a treat or when it's feeling particularly stressed, dry or sensitive. A little goes a long way so the 100ml bottle will probably last pretty long.    Just so that you have an idea, for basic moisturising I use a little under 1/2 a pump for my whole face, abit lesser than the amount pictured in my lovely Daiso saucer. Oh and may I add that the chilled gel on my face is freakin' awesome in this sticky hot weather we've been having in Singapore recently!

It spreads well and absorbs to a slightly tacky finish after massaging in circular motions but this tackiness will disappear in under 5 min, leaving my skin feeling and looking soothed and really, well, comfortable! It also dries on the matte side so you don't need to worry about the shinies~ 

As a testament to its soothing capabilities, one time when my skin was going through a dry spell and one particular spot on my cheek was so dry that I suffered some abrasion. Nothing too drastic but a flaky red patch on the cheek is pretty hard to miss. I applied just a thin layer of the Restore Gel in the evening and by the next morning the redness was gone and there was only a very slight dry feeling left. Problem solved with a 2nd application that day and no sign of a reoccurence!

So would I repurchase the DrGL Restore Gel Mask? Of course! It's taken a conscious effort NOT to repurchase until my current bottle reaches at least the 30% level~

  • Easily available online and with frequent sale deals via Luxola, S$38/100ml and S$68/240ml.
  • Often sold out during and around sale period so keep a look out if you want to score a good deal!
  • The most affordable in a line of boutique skin solutions, easy on the pocket because a little goes a long way.
  • Applies and spreads well, awesome on a hot day when applied fresh from the fridge.
  • Requires a minute or so of massaging to fully absorb (if using as a moisturiser) and after a few minutes of very slight tackiness, dries to a matte finish leaving skin soothed and comfortable.
  • Keeps my combination/oily skin moisturised without any shine.
  • Quickly soothes irritated and dry skin without any discomfort even on my slight facial abrasion.
  • Has served my skin very well in recovering from shuttling between dry and humid climates.

Yep, that's all I have to say about this pretty awesome multi-purpose gel~  =) Do drop me a comment if I've left anything out! 

Saturday 4 October 2014

New In Town - Inglot Cosmetics & the Freedom System lipstick swatches!

A couple of days ago, Polish brand Inglot Cosmetics's first store in Singapore opened its doors in Wisma Atria B1! I don't get out much but like it was meant to be, I had to run some errands yesterday so I popped in for a look! Located along the same row as Lush, facing CottonOn Body, you can't miss it. Oh and also, 10% storewide till Sunday! =D


Once in, a friendly makeup artist (a pretty Malay girl rocking the Inglot blue lipstick, envious much!) came up, introduced the brand to me and escorted me over to the lipstick wall as I was hoping to get a nice pigmented nude (brown, not pink) lippie like my beloved Edward Bess Ultra Slick in Sundown. She was friendly, patient and not too attached to me if you know what I mean so I felt quite comfortable.

Look at all those lippie shades~

Lipstick prices range from S$22 - S$26

Unfortunately, the lipsticks didn't have what I wanted (the nudes were either too sheer for my lips or too frosty sigh) so we tried the Freedom System individual lip squares and found a very nice match in No. 25! =D Yay!! Since they were really cheap (only $12 each), I decided to put together a day to night palette~ Armed with a magnetic board, I set about picking my colours...

Sooooo many shades!!

Inglot also has face powders and concealers ranging from S$22 - 26 as well as a wide variety of shades in the eye and lip colour dept for your Freedom System palettes at S$12 apiece!

So anyway, I ended up with these 3 shades and after adding the Freedom System magnetic case (Starts at S$10 for a single, S$12 for double, S$13 for the trio case...etc) my total was S$44.10 after the 10% discount! CHEAP!!

My Custom Day to Night Freedom System Palette!

After all that excitement (cheap thrills or what lol), I was pretty hungry so I popped over to Domani Cafe at Takashimaya for some brunch (my first and only meal that day) before heading home ^_^ I don't care what people say, I like the food here. Can't remember what the item was named....Sunny something? But it's the only brunch item with the egg, bacon, smoked salmon (which I replaced with more bacon) on toasted muffins ^_^


Explored my purchase while waiting for the food to come:


Simply packaged individual colours and the sleek magnet casing

I really like the case. It's reusable, feels sturdy and the magnet is strong enough to keep that nice frosted lid in place yet not so strong that you need to struggle to open it. Swiveling from either end (as below) is the easiest way =)

Freedom System 3 case - S$13
From Top to Bottom - Lipstick Shade No 30, 25 and 11

The lip colours clip in firmly to the magnetized casing.

From Left - Lipstick Shade No. 30, 25 and 11.

No. 30 looks like it might be a natural sheer red but swatches a slightly coral red-pink. Really pretty!
No. 25 is a nice and pigmented brownish nude, close enough to my Edward Bess Sundown shade!
No. 11 is a lovely warm red that had impact but wasn't too in-your-face. Love!

From Left - Lipstick Shade No. 30, 25 and 11.

Inglot really has a sh!tload of colours for you to pick from so if standard palettes are not your thing, you should definitely try Inglot! The fact that it's so budget-friendly doesn't hurt either!

I lip-swatched No.30 last and left it on while I went in search of brunch. It stayed on through my shopping and then my drink but there was only a stain left after my meal so touchups are required after eating.

Why should you pop by Inglot?
  • Loads of colours for all your eyeshadow and lipstick needs, pigment powders, gel liners, don't forget their new (huge) range of breathable nail enamel!
  • All lip, eye and nail colours come in a variety of finishes; matte, normal, glossy, shimmery, sheer, you get the idea!
  • Definitely swatch, both on hands and lips, as pigmentation & finish differs quite abit from colour to colour. Inglot has disposable applicators at the displays so it's easy to do a quick lip swatch!
  • Budget friendly with lipsticks and face powders at S$22 - S$26, eyeshadow and lip colours for the Freedom System palettes at S$12 each and Freedom System cases sold separately starting at S$10.
  • 10% off storewide till 5 Oct 2014, my 3 lip colours + case only cost S$44.10!
  • Freedom System cases feel sturdy, come in 2 styles (magnet with frosted lid or regular closure with mirror) and different combinations depending on your choice of products.
  • No.30 stayed on for shopping and drink but required touchup after a meal. Does leave a stain though so you're not left with a totally naked lip.
  • Formulated with castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax and apricot kernel oil, it's fairly decent in the moisturising department. No SPF though =(
  • My selection of colours were more of a gloss finish so didn't emphasise the lines on my lips and were not drying.
  • Only 1 outlet at the moment, kinda cramped, wish it was bigger~ Show 'em some support so they can open more branches!
I wanna hit pan soon just so that I can go back for more hahahaha hopeless shopaholic I know! Hope you guys enjoyed this quick review! Did you get anything on your visit? I'd love to know if I missed anything good! =D

Monday 22 September 2014

Brow Resurrection @ Browhaus Wheelock - Review (Unsponsored!)

So. I'd been wondering about the Brow Resurrection services at Browhaus for awhile so when Arissa (from Monoxious) had a promo on her Instagram last month for 10% off the trial price, I jumped at the opportunity! While I don't have sparse brows, I do feel sometimes that the arch is a tad too sharp and makes me look abit aggressive sometimes even though I'm anything but! Also, they're abit unbalanced ^-^;;

So umm...alot of the Browhaus reviews I found online were sponsored, so I wasn't 100% sure what kind of customer experience I would be in for as I'd popped into Browhaus @ Tampines1 before to ask if there was a walk-in slot available for eyebrow threading and also called to enquire about a slot for Brow Resurrection. There wasn't as Browhaus seems pretty busy all the time so you really need to make appointments in advance e.g 2 to 3 days advance for Brow Resurrection. I was fine with not being able to get a slot since I wasn't in a rush but I didn't get a very welcome vibe from both the lady at the reception and the guy who answered my call so....yeah....=\

Anyway~~~~

I dug around for reviews from customers and found them to be quite mixed with a portion airing their irritation at package hard selling and poor customer service e.g irritation when customer rejects a package. I shopped around some more and decided that the Wheelock branch seemed to be the most 'friendly' so I gave them a call. Happy to say, the lady who answered was polite and friendy, got my appointment down for 2 days later.

Situated on the 3rd floor of Wheelock Place, it's just opposite MTM so you can't miss it.


The ladies were very smiley and I felt quite comfortable as they sat me down and one of them explained to me about the procedure (method + 100% vegetable dye and so on so forth) and the paperwork that I had to sign. After that I was introduced to my brow technician, Ella, who spoke mainly mandarin which is ok since my mandarin is pretty fluent; but occasionally her accent was abit thick and I couldn't understand her (^_^;;)

First she drew the shape of my soon-to-be new brows:


A little surprised as I had thought they would draw my brows in strand by strand so I could see the full effect but she only drew the outline. I was just a little teensy bit insecure as I haven't had full brows since I was 14 so....I just decided to wing it and go ahead.

On went the numbing cream!


Ella left them on for 20 min and brought me some tea and magazines to keep me occupied =) Oh! I was also given a personal pack of earphones in case I wanted to listen to some music from my phone =)

This is my view while I'm waiting and she preps the tools. I took all my photos as if I was just a major camwhore so they wouldn't think I was a secret shopper or something =P


20 min later, Ella returned and wiped off the numbing cream after which we set about choosing the colour of dye I would be using. Considering that my hair was a dark ash brown tone, she chose a dark brown grey shade that would match it exactly. She also showed me the tools used for Brow Resurrection still in their packs to show that they were new and opened them in front of me.

On with the dye!

I actually really like my nose here haha =P ok irrelevent

Mahahahaha I look like Crayon Shin-chan! The Husband was quite amused XP

And then we started! Ella brought me a rolled towel for my neck so it wouldn't get sore, so nice of her! And I'm happy to report that there was NO PAIN at all. All I heard was a scratching sound throughout that didn't bother me much. And throughout the process, Ella was very concerned if I felt any pain so even when I decided to take a deep breath, she stopped and asked if it hurt. She even reapplied some numbing cream halfway through to make sure.


The whole session took 1.5hrs and because I was free to entertain myself with my phone or just grab 40 winks, it wasn't a drag at all.

If you have trouble picturing it, here's an animated clip from Browhaus with a simple explanation about Brow Resurrection~ More related info in the Q&A portion of this post below.



Bam! Here are the before and after shots! Starts from the day of the session (27th Aug), immediately after and so on~ (All photos are without brow makeup)

Before:


After:

Quite impressed cos the 'strands' look so real!



End result: Slightly more defined brows, especially at the head and tail. More balanced and a slightly gentler arch. (^_^)v

I've passed the 2 week mark and back to washing my face normally again, thank god. I've been poking around my brows though and it looks like I've lost quite abit of ink thus the slight gaps but overall still an improvement so I'm not too upset. I do have to fill them in a little though. It's looks like it's mainly my own brow hair now so...I dunno...maybe all that scratching acted as a growth stimulant? =D

I think it turned out decent for about $450 (Brow Resurrection trial plus 1 touchup session). The ladies there explained to me a couple of times that everyone's retention of the ink is different thus the need for touchup sessions. So whilst I lament the couple of gaps that have resurfaced, the overall effect is still satisfactory for the trial price. At this point I'm not entirely sure if I would ever purchase the package at full price though >_< maybe because I didn't have like severe brow issues?

Quick Q&A
Several friends had some questions for me when they knew I'd gone for Brow Resurrection so I'll just repeat them here~

  • How is the trial different from the full deal? (Easily the most popular question lol)
Well, the procedure you get is exactly the same. However, you can only buy 1 touchup session (approx S$160) with the trial after which you have to repurchase the full package again if you want to continue. The full package price includes the aftercare kit (retails ard S$160) and 3 touchup sessions. As usual, it's cheaper if you buy the full package at the time of your trial appointment - they offered me S$1,200 at the time of my appointment as opposed to the usual approx S$2,000. The full package should provide a 2 yr supply of good brows.

  • Is the aftercare kit (aka camera kit) a must-buy?
No, you can opt not to purchase it. They whined abit but left off when I said I had a hand-me-down from a girlfriend (not true). A girlfriend had mentioned that the 2 pots of the aftercare kit contained a vaseline-like cream and a clear, hyaluronic-acid-like serum so I just went with the vaseline since that's what we use for tattoo aftercare too. I am not sure if this substitution affected the end result though =\ my girlfriend barely touched her aftercare kit and her brows look fine~

  • Did it hurt?
Not one bit! But the numbing cream wore off about half an hour after the session and developed a burning sensation that lasted about 4 - 5hrs. Felt quite hot but not really bothered. 

  • Was the aftercare troublesome?
At first washing my face around the brows wasn't so bad. But when the itching started after about 3 days I was soooooo urrgghhh about it! A couple of times I forgot and scratched at them for like a millisecond and freaked out lol =P After a week, they began to peel a bit so I had thin inked flakes of skin that looked like mosquito legs dropping on my cheeks. So yeah, you have to work around that. No direct sun exposure, facials, swimming or sauna-type activities for 2 weeks too.

'Mosquito legs' XD

And one of the biggest questions..

  • DID THEY BUGGER ME ABOUT THE PACKAGE SIGNING?
Well, they did explain it to me again and again and again....and again. But thankfully they were not forceful and didn't 'meh' me when I politely declined again and again.....and again. The reception's smile got a little bit frozen but remained friendly otherwise. So I reckon the Wheelock branch is pretty safe in that sense ^_^

Will be going back for my touchup in a month or 2 and will update again then! Hope this review has been helpful! Do feel free to ask if there's anything I missed out~ =) On a sidenote, did you notice that my skin looks pretty good in all these photos?? Even in the ones without makeup! I didn't realize it until I did up this post! Guess all that Skin Inc is paying off! =D

*UPDATE: Had to put my touchup on hold due to my pregnancy as the insertion of colour (because I have doubts how natural is the commercial definition of 'natural' these days) may affect the baby... XP Back to using eyebrow liners~~~

Sunday 31 August 2014

VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible "Faint"ation Skin BBBB Cream SPF30 - BB But Better review!

VMV Hypoallergenics - Validated hypoallergenic, ramdomized, blinded, published and awarded clinical studies since 1979. 100% Fragrance, Paraben, Preservative and Phthalete-free.



Doesn't that make you feel like your skin is in good hands?

I've been doing too much shopping off Luxola recently and one of the products I picked up was the Skintangible BBBB Cream from VMV Hypoallergenics. I know I know....I've got too many bottles of BBs, CCs and liquid foundations as it is...but...I'm sure 1 more bottle's fine~ =P *ambles away*


First off, I love the eco-friendly packaging that's glue-free! And all available surfaces are packed with information so there's lots to read if you're keen to~




Description: This barely-there, "dew"lightly non-makekup is tinted subtly, beautifully evening out skin tone and refining the complexion.

With antioxidants and purely mineral SPF sunscreens to protect against fine lines, hyperpigmentations and other signs of (photo) ageing. With monolaurin plus other monoglycerides - all coconut-derived, soothing, anti-acne and anti-inflammatory. Multi-purpose: It can be used alone as a barely there non-makeup that leaves the complexion incredibly natural looking yet "skintriguingly" more refined. It also works under makeup as a skin-friendly, skin-enhancing primer. 

A uniquely "can't-put-my-finger-on-it-but-wow-your-skin-look-awesome" finish that subtly evens out skin tone, imparts a soft glow + works alone or under makeup as a primer. Purely physical (inorganic) SPF30 protection too. One shade works for all skin tones.

Validated hypoallergenic: VH - 76/76. 100% All-Types-Of-Fragrance-Free. 100% Dye-Phyhalete + Paraben + Preservative-Free. Non-Comedogenic. Non-Drying. Non-Darkening. Usage + Patch-Tested. All Skin Types.

(VH - 76/76 rating means that this product has none of the 76 identified allergens.)

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide: 2%, Zinc Oxide: 14%

Ingredients: Alumina, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprate, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicon, PEG100 Sterate, Simethicone, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Sodium Phytate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

Above information extracted from VMV Hypoallergenics 




Comes in a little sturdy bottle with a pump and plastic cap....which strangely enough has a gap where the nozzle sticks out a little. Umm....I don't get it. While there hasn't been any incident of seepage, there have been instances when the little residue just inside the nozzle has stained (slightly) the inside of my makeup bag. But in the big picture, I guess that's not a big deal.

The term 'subtly tinted' might not be the first thing to mind as the product pumps out looking quite dark for my NC25 - 30 skin tone... But thankfully, the cream spreads easily and the colour blends well without affecting my original skin tone. See? Those with fairer skin like NC20 might find it too dark though..but I feel that if you're going to layer some powder, that'll even things out fine.


Oh by the way, 1 pump is sufficient for my entire face =) The BBBB cream lends a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin that (thankfully) doesn't cause my face to degenerate into an oil slick throughout the day.

The term 'barely there' in the product description is right, there is little to no cover so I don't see how it's a 'BB but better' in that aspect. I also fail to see any sort of 'refining' effect. However, it performs GREAT as a primer. I used ONLY a layer of Bare Minerals compact powder on top of it and noticed that I got more coverage than usual and a smoother finish. PLUS my makeup stayed put much longer than before!


I like that the cream doesn't feel silicon-y, it feels just like any regular BB cream and doesn't leave any sort of visible layer or layering look on the skin. Also, the price is very affordable, S$24 for 12g on Luxola. Luxola has so many sales however that it's likely you can snag it for 20% off if you keep a lookout. I liked it as a base so much that I bought a 2nd bottle the moment the next Luxola sale came up!

In a nutshell, the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible BBBB cream:

  • hails from a reputable brand, stocked at Common Thread at Ion Orchard if you ever feel like checking out the products before purchase.
  • affordably priced at S$24/12g on Luxola.
  • comes in a thumb-sized sturdy glass bottle with an easily controlled pump nozzle. Design of the plastic cap poses a SLIGHT possibility of staining on the inside of the makeup pouch though.
  • spreads easily and doesn't affect the tone of my NC25-30 skin tone despite dispensing a tad dark. Fairer skin like NC20 might have an issue but powdering can even things out.
  • has SPF30 so it could also function as a 'tinted' sunblock.
  • has little to no coverage, doesn't perform like a BB cream in that aspect but might be sufficient for you lucky peeps with good skin to begin with~
  • imparts a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin but doesn't develop into an oil slick.
  • makeup goes on smoother and lasts much longer, got more coverage than usual from my Bare Minerals powder.
  • doesn't go on feeling all silicon-y, feels just like a regular BB cream.
  • doesn't leave any sort of 'layered with makeup' look when used with concealer and powder.
  • didn't cause any sort of reaction on my skin, but then it IS a hypoallergenic cosmetic.

Overall, I'm ever so slightly bummed that it didn't give any coverage and didn't really improve the look of my skin when applied on its own. But it performs so well as a base and is really comfortable to have on. It's also very affordable and skin-friendly so until I come across something else, I guess I'm sticking to this find!

So if you've been looking for an affordable, light, skin-friendly makeup base without that silicon feel, check out the VMV Hypoallergenics BBBB cream~ I'd love to know how it works for you! =)

Wednesday 6 August 2014

The Tokyo Affair 2014 - Matsumoto Kiyoshi Beauty Loot

Before I left for Tokyo I promised myself that there would not be a repeat of last year's frantic squishing of luggage, desperately trying to fit all my shopping into my bags.....and I did so well this year, that I came back with barely anything! Of course, it also helped to think of my overflowing 'beauty drawer' back home~ XP

Maybe it was because I was there with my husband. I didn't spend as much time browsing and only made 2 trips to the drugstore as opposed to...well...I dunno...8? =P

Let's start with the stuff in sachets!

From left: Choosy lip masks, hot bath salts, whitening bath salts

I'm a big fan of these hot bath salts, feels so good after I soak & sweat buckets! By the time I took this photo, I'd already used 4 packets of bath salts....totally regret not buying more =( But if I get desperate, there's always Nishino Pharmacy or Meidi-ya I guess~

These hydrogel lip masks look yummy and were available in soooo many colours! Everything from nude to reds, pinks and orange shades. They can also double as nipple masks. Yep, NIPPLE masks. I haven't tried them yet though.

Choosy lip masks in Milk and White Pearl (about 100 - 120yen each)
Dual use lip & nipple gel patch!

Formulated with Collagen, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, this hydrogel lip pack goes on after the lips are thoroughly cleansed. Leave on for anything between 5 - 30min and then gently peel off lips. Depending on which mask you choose, there are also other ingredients in the formula such as argan oil, grapefruit essence, jojoba seed oil, honey and aloe vera~

炭­酸宣言(tan san sen gen) Sparkling Water Pack - 388yen
 
This water pack supposedly will help expand the capillaries in the skin, allowing more oxygen to the skin. From my understanding, it basically improves circulation, activating skin cell metabolism whilst cleansing the pores, improving elasticity and moisture.
 

From the instructions I gather one should mix pack 1 with water then mix in pack 2, at which point a creamy foam will form. Next, immerse your face in the foam for as long or as many times as you want then rinse off with the remaining carbonated water (I'm presuming this is after the initial chemical reaction settles and the foam dissipates.). Pat dry and you're ready for makeup!

Next! Makeup!

(By the way, I am immensely proud that I didn't come back with like 12 different mascaras circa 2013. *fistpump*)

I got a few really basic items like lip gloss and nail polish from Kate cos it was just SOOOO cheap, as always~ And Maybelline Baby Lips in Sweet Beige! Why don't we have this colour in Singapore? Or have I been somehow blindsided again. =\ I actually also bought a lip concealer stick from Canmake...but....I...can't find it....=___=

Kate gloss & polish - 400yen each, Canmake eyebrow liquid - 540yen, Maybelline Baby Lips - 540yen
And then the new Cool BB Spray with UV from Esprique~

Esprique Cool BB Spray - 2,268yen

 
Cooling BB Spray formulated with hyaluronic acid, collagen and mint essence.....I played with the tester a little bit and only felt a little bit of the cooling effect, maybe it'll be more apparent when used over a larger area. Simply spray on a sponge and apply~
 
And that, is it for makeup. Amazing right?!??! Talk about downsizing!
 
In misc goods, I got a couple bottles of these clothes fragrance sprays! They smell SO GOOD! I spritz some on to clothes I'm gonna be wearing the next day or sometimes on my work clothes when they need freshening up. Again, something I regretting not buying more of.
 
Flair Fragrance - 299 yen (so cheap!!!)
And for my daily aching legs~
 
Night Aroma Cooling Sheets - 498yen & SlimWalk compression socks - 1,831yen
Now the cooling sheets were a godsend for the trip because they adhered really well and the cooling effect was really soothing on my aching calves~ I simply slapped them on every night and only removed them in the morning =)
 
The SlimWalk compressions socks/stockings were also pretty great because I have the first ones from Scholl and they were abit hot for Singapore....it's pretty gross to be sweating in them. These new ones are a summertime release and are designed to release any trapped heat, keeping you cool...and compressed! =)
 
Wow, that was really....not a lot of stuff! =\ *feels overly self-censored* I really need to establish a middle ground.... Well, hope you guys enjoyed this short post!