Washi Washing Cloth from Curetex - Kind of a Konjac Sponge?

In the midst of all the hustle & bustle surrounding the baby (who is lying across my lap as I type this), I've unfortunately put aside a lot of my beauty products, trimming my routine down to just the Clarisonic, DHC Toner, Skin Inc serum and Laneige Emulsion and very basic makeup since I have lesser time and basically don't get out much these days.

One fine morning I was looking for a new Konjac sponge to wash my face but couldn't find one so I broke out the Washi (和紙) washing mitt that I bought from Ippin Cafe Bar during the food tasting session back in April~

Curetex Washi Washing Cloth - approx S$11

So what is Washi (和紙)?

Washi is Japanese Paper and Curetex has a range of products made with Japanese Paper Fiber. The characteristics of this material include being comfortable, anti-bacterial, anti-odour, UV Block and excellent sweat absorbtion. In other words, perfect for summer! Ippin stocks a range of shawls, clothing and accessories from Curetex's Washi range but I remembering finding it a tad pricey...I think $60 for a T-shirt?

So anyway, since this is a washing cloth, a lot of these characteristics don't mean much, probably just the anti-bacterial part I guess (^-^;;)

The cloth comes as a small mitt, big enough to put 4 fingers in, and has 2 sides, 1 with a criss cross design and the other a flatter, smoother surface.

The smoother side of the mitt

The staff explained to me that I should use the rougher side first and then the smoother side. The rougher side would act as a gentle exfoliator and the smoother side as a sort of buffer to smoothen the skin.

The packaging mentions that as wash comes from a natural source, it is gentle for both the skin and the environment. It also lasts very long so it can be used for many washes and has the ability to retain its characteristics (Anti-odour, anti-bacterial, UV Cut etc). Again, characteristics more applicable in the form of clothing.

So how did it perform as a wash cloth? As instructed, I used the rough side and then the smoother side. Undoubtedly it feels really clean after a wash (even without a cleanser) but not unlike the effect of a konjac sponge. =\ I really was expecting abit more...maybe a smoother finish given the supposed buffing from the smooth side.

So in a nutshell, the Curetex Washi Washing Cloth:

• is an affordable, organic basic skincare tool with very gentle exfoliation.
• gives a cleansing effect very much like a Konjac sponge.
• good for people looking to return their skin to it's natural balance.
• a speedier option compared to a Konjac sponge as you can skip the soaking-in-water step, people who prefer a speedy wash-up routine will appreciate this.
• doesn't seem like it would absorb excess sebum/oil as well as the Konjac.
• as far as price goes it's about 2 to 3 times the price of a single sponge and would last much longer I think.
• Not widely available in Singapore at the moment.

And so, in conclusion, I don't think I would purchase this again since I'm so used to my sponges. (^_^;;)

☀ Sunscreen Showdown ☀ Dr Jart+ vs Somme Institute vs Supergoop! [Sponsored Review]

A little while ago I was very pleasantly surprised to be gifted a small selection of sunscreens from Luxola Singapore for comparison! Seeing as the sunny (omg oh-so-sunny.....┌(▀Ĺ̯▀)┐)  days are upon us, it was perfect timing~ As you may know, pregnancy is one of those times when you are more susceptible to hyper pigmentation and higher production of melanin (I've already discovered 1 new freckle urrgh!) due to decreased adrenal gland function. So I've definitely been in the market for a good lightweight sunscreen! As it turned out, I had quite a few town errands to run over the past week or so and was able to test the sunscreens for 1 to 2 days apiece~

From Left: Somme Institute Double Defense, Dr Jart+ Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector
and Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology

Let's pretend to be organised and proceed in the pictured sequence shall we? =D

+++

SUNSCREEN NO. 1

Somme Institute Double Defense SPF 30+

S$65 / 3.8 fl. oz (approx 112ml)

About the product:

Double Defense with SPC30+ and Parsol 1789 is a light-weight moisturising lotion to protect the skin from premature ageing whilst locking in vital moisture. Perfect for the whole body and suitable for all skin types, this moisturiser with added SPF provides the skin with a broad spectrum of protection from UVA and UVB rays ensuring your skin is protected and remains healthy and youthful looking.

In case you were curious about Parsol 1789:

Also known as Avobenzone. Because of its long history of safe and effective use, it is documented as a strong UVA absorber and the most-used UVA organic sunscreen worldwide.

Back of the Box:

Active Ingredients: Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (6%), Octisalate (5%), Avobenzone (2%)

THE EXPERIENCE:

It's a simple but stylish-looking packaging, a little more on the clinical side in terms of design. Features a twist lock pump style dispenser, just turn the pump top in the direction of the arrow and push to dispense~ A tad bulky to pop into your handbag but ok for a beach tote.

I have to say, I was slightly put-off upon dispensing the product because it was thicker than expected =\ Definitely the creamiest of the 3, it'd probably be more suited for those with drier skin types. Although it spread well, absorbed decently and didn't leave a whitish tint, I could still feel like there was an extra layer on my face and that it was just slightly tacky. I was thinking this might be so because it's supposed to function as an all-over moisturiser as well? As a body sunscreen it was fine though, there wasn't that much stickiness and absorbed decently.

The packaging states that Double Defense is suitable for all skin types but my (still slightly sensitive) jawline sprang a couple of oil clogs at the end of my 1st day so....maybe the moisturiser aspect was a little too rich for my combo-oily skin. Whilst the 'sunscreen-y' smell is also present here, it's extremely light and so shouldn't be an issue.

In the ingredients department, you may notice it contains 6% Oxybenzone which was one of the ingredients that both Dr Jart+ and Supergoop! found necessary to omit (see why in the Dr Jart+ section of this post). So that might put you off if you're particular about what goes into your skincare. Personally, though I'm not THAT particular, I would've preferred it to have been omitted as well. That's what reading up does to you.

Oh and there was a little note inside the box that highlighted this:

I would think this is mainly for the skincare products in the line? I still don't like that my jawline reacted so I'm more inclined to use this sunscreen on the body instead of my face in future.

+++

SUNSCREEN NO. 2

Dr Jart+ Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector SPF 35 / PA++ 

S$36 / 40ml

About the product:

Get maximum sun protection without the harsh chemicals with Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector. Fear not those solar rays with this well-formulated product which shields the skin while leaving behind a smooth powdery finish. Proven safe and non-comedogenic, this product is composed of ingredients that prevent acne and keeps skin from being irritated by external factors. Being under the sun is no longer a cause for concern with Dr Jart's Ctrl-A Sun Protector, giving your skin a natural look with added protection.

Benefits:

• Light on the skin, this product leaves a powdery finish without the stickiness.
• Proven non-comedogenic; does not contain any ingredients that may potentially cause acne.
• Passed skin irritation test and is free from the following substances (10-Free System): Paraben, Fragrances, Tar Colours, Mineral Oils, Benzophenone, Triethanolamine, Sulfate Surfactant, Benzyl Alcohol, Talc, Polyacrylamide.

Active Ingredients: AC-Fensine, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica, Celtic Water.

Product information extracted from Luxola

Back of the Box:

To add to the list of active ingredients in the product description; info on the
side also indicates this as a Cruelty Free product!

I thought I might add little extra info here on a few components for us non-scientific folk =P

From the 10-free list:

Benzophenone (Aka Oxybenzone) - Although a common ingredient in sunscreens, a study conducted by the CDC on 2,500 Americans found that 97% of subjects tested positive chemical remnants in their systems. It's also a powerful free radical generator activated by ultraviolet light that can possibly set off  a reaction that may lead to melanoma and other skin cancers. Yikes.

Triethanolamine - A strongly alkaline substance and classified as a respiratory toxicant, can give rise to allergic reactions in short-term use whilst long-term use could damage the skin. Concentration in skincare products or makeup should be within 5% for safe daily usage and even so, be sure to wash it off throughly.

From the active ingredients list:

AC-Fensine - The patented mainstay of the Dr Jart line for acne-prone skin; it is anti-bacterial and serves to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and strengthen the skin's immune system.

Centella Asiatica - Also known as Asiatic Pennywort, native to the wetlands of Asia, is traditionally used (in the area of skincare) in the treatment of skin damage. A popular ingredient in anti-aging formulas, it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is supposedly good for stimulating collagen production and skin repair therefore improving elasticity and firmness.

THE EXPERIENCE:

Primarily a sunscreen for the face, the Ctrl-A sunscreen applied and absorbed well without leaving any sort of whitish tint on me. The texture is slightly thinner than our conventional sunscreen and although 'fragrance-free' there's still an extremely light 'sunscreen-y' smell that you wouldn't notice unless you stuck your nose in it.

I'm happy that it didn't have a tacky finish and didn't make my skin degenerate into an oil slick over the course of the day even though I broke into a sweat going in and out of the afternoon sun and aircon. Promises a powdery finish but I wouldn't go that far. Definitely not oily at all, decently matte but, sorry to say, not to the extent of powdery ( ^_^ ) That said, it didn't interfere with my makeup~

Being from the Ctrl-A (i.e anti acne) series, this isn't your regular sunscreen. I was leaning towards Dr Jart+ in terms of preference at first as the formula included one of my favourite acne fighters: Salicylic Acid. So those who are appreciative of the effect this ingredient has on your skin will probably consider this a big tick in Dr Jart+'s favour.

+++

SUNSCREEN NO. 3

Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology

S$27 / 2.4 fl. oz (approx 71ml) or S$68 / 18 fl. oz (approx 532ml)

About the product: 

Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30 (Also available in SPF 50) provides super broad spectrum sun protection for face and body in an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. Powered by potent anti-oxidant-rich Cellular Response Technology, this lotion preserves and protects skin's youthful glow. Ideal for a day of play, this feel-good formula easily absorbs into the skin allowing skin to breathe and sweat. Replenishing moisture through a unique beta-glucan proven to deliver better long term moisturization than hyaluronic acid. Natural extracts of citrus, basil and boise de rose provide a subtle sensorial experience with no unpleasant "sunscreen" smell. The 18oz has an easy twist-and-lock pump so you never have to worry about spills or drips when you put it in your bag or suitcase. 

Formulated with Avobenzone, it is a good product for people of darker skin tones as it absorbs into the skin and will not leave a white veil. If you're looking for a sunscreen to use while playing sports this is your good go-to as it allows the skin to breathe unlike a mineral sunscreen which creates a physical barrier on top of the skin.

Back of the Box:

Oxybenzone Free!

Cruelty-free!

THE EXPERIENCE:

Just a small note which may or may not matter: this was the only sunscreen that came with a foil seal. Anyway, I LOVE the texture of the Supergoop! sunscreen! It was the lightest of the 3, more on the watery side, and even though I sweat through it (dog walking till around noon), it didn't leave an oil slick and felt comfortably smooth and quite matte on my skin after dabbing the sweat away and thus worked nicely under makeup too!

Can you tell it's more watery in consistency?

Instead of the usual sunscreen smell, Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen is formulated with some herbal & floral extracts so it smells...well...prettier? Instead of bringing a swimming pool to mind, Supergoop! reminds me of the sunscreen my facial salon uses during my sessions =) But as with the other 2 brands reviewed, the smell wasn't strong so no issues there if you're not a fan of any sort of fragrances~

Regarding its performance as a body sunscreen, is it any surprise that there was no issue? Because of the lightweight formula, it absorbed very well and didn't leave any sort of tackiness. Nice!

+++

THE CONCLUSION

I have to admit I was initially predisposed towards Dr Jart+ from just studying the box but by the time I was done testing all 3, I have to say my money's on Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen.

Product consistency is a big deal for me when it comes to sunscreen and the added fact that it's suitable as a body sunscreen as well just made it that more attractive. I really liked how it absorbed and didn't turn my skin tacky or oily even when I sweat through it, didn't experience any skin reactions over the couple days I used it and it's cruelty free! ｡^‿^｡ 

At S$27 for 71ml, it's reasonably priced and the slim flat packaging makes for easy packing. Should you be purchasing for family use, the 532ml version (S$68) is economically priced too~ I'm popping off for a short trip this week and this sunscreen is definitely coming with me! ^__^

+++

If you've read the whole post today, thanks for hanging in there! I know it's a pretty lengthy one this time XP 

Luxola has kindly provided me with a promo code for you lovely people! Simply enter at checkout

BLX-RHI

And receive 15% off your first-time order!

(This code expires a month from the date of this post and is not valid on non-discountable brands as stated HERE.) 

It's getting really hot these days so I hope this Sunscreen Showdown post has been useful~
Click to check out the full range of sunscreen on Luxola Singapore! 

Happy Shopping! Thanks to Mallika & Weina from Luxola for the sunscreens and Thank YOU for reading! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

*Products featured in this post were kindly provided by Luxola for my review and comparison. I am not affiliated with the company (or any others, just sayin') and my reviews are unbiased and based on personal usage & experience. Photos are my own and should not be reproduced anywhere else without prior documented consent.

Kyusoku Jikan 休足時間 Cooling Leg Sheets - Now at Watsons!

Remember the cooling leg sheets I bought (and used) on my Tokyo trip last year? Well, Watsons has brought it in! On sale now too at S$6.95 for a pack of 6. Of course this is more expensive compared to Japan where I bought my 12-pc 休足時間 Night Aroma pack for a mere 498yen (approximately S$6) but oh well~

Formulated with Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, Lemon and Orange, you know it's gotta smell and feel good after a long day at work, out and about or after a workout =D These cooling knit-type sheets coated with a high moisture gel give the pads a very very slight sponge-like texture that adheres well and stays put even if you leave them on overnight. Just don't stretch them too much and they'll stay on just fine =) Extremely gentle on the skin, it doesn't hurt one bit during removal~

Do note however that they're mainly for the cooling sensation and are not really meant for pain relief like, say, SalonPas. It's just an enjoyable feeling for tired legs =)

Definitely gotta pop by Watsons soon ^^ I just hope my neighbourhood branch has these!

DIY Home Spa - Biore Aroma Time Bodywash ꒰●꒡ ̫ ꒡●꒱

I've been in sort of a girly mood since Valentine's Day...something like a heart-shaped hangover I guess =P I suppose part of the reason is the bodywash I've been using~

Biore Aroma Time - Elegant Spa fragrance

I picked up the Biore Aroma Time bodywash around early Feb because I wanted a nicer, more pampering sort of bodywash~ and also because my friend was late so I was wandering around Nishino Pharmacy at Shaw while waiting....so technically it isn't completely my fault that I bought beauty products AGAIN ngahahaha~  <(￣︶￣)>

Retailing at S$17.80 / 550ml

Made in Japan, this bodywash comes in 2 fragrances:

• Elegant Spa - a rich floral fragrance consisting of 3 notes: Creamy Gourmand, White Floral and Sweet Fruits

• Paradise Air - a clear floral & fruity scent consisting of 3 notes: Airy Musk, Aqua Floral and Watery Accord

Back of the bottle info in a nutshell:

Envelope yourself in premium aroma scent and create a beautiful atmosphere for your bath. (Something along those lines =P) Formulated with natural aroma essences.

Gentle enough to be used on delicate baby skin, Aroma Time Bodywash is of the same PH balance as normal skin and formulated to gently cleanse the dirt off the body.

How to use: Apply an appropriate amount of bodywash (2 pumps recommended) to a damp towel or sponge. Foam will build up as you go over your skin with the towel/sponge, rinse off after.

Additional info off the web: Rich formula makes your skin feel nourished as if you've had a cream or milk bath. Naturally moisturizing easily dry areas like elbows and knees, the bodywash also contains skin whitening ingredients that can be easily absorbed by your skin.

My weapon of choice - The Body Shop Ultra Fine Bath Lily

I use this with the ultra-fine bath lily from The Body Shop to ensure a solid foam buildup and it works great! Instead of using 2 pumps as recommended, I tried it with just 1 as well as 1 1/2 pumps and it was very sufficient for a full body scrub down.

Look at that foam!!!

The foam builds up very easily on wet skin and is rich and quite creamy~ LOVE IT! If you use 2 pumps you get ALOT of denser foam (seems almost neverending to me =P) and a stronger aroma whilst you're bathing. It feels like I'm bathing in a cloud of flowers~~~ ꒰ღ˘‿˘ற꒱❤ Really makes one feel like a lady of leisure~

I feel it's necessary to use this with a sponge of some sort as I'd experimented using just my hands and it simply doesn't foam up. So yeah, pick up a bath lily or foaming net or something from Daiso~

The only downside I've detected is the bottle. After using the bottle, I'd left it lying on its side on the table and after some time noticed that it had leaked a small amount from the pump area. A small inconvenience you might want to take note of to prevent wastage =) Or maybe I just have a slightly defective bottle.

So in short, the Biore Aroma Time Bodywash is:

• a pretty luxurious aromatherapy spa-in-a-bottle at a reasonable price
• more easily found in Japanese pharmacies or supermarkets.
• can be used at half the recommended amount without too much difference, you can get a whole lotta foam with less of the scent if you're not a fan of strong fragrances
• the creamy base notes of the fragrance makes the floral scent very elegant & more pleasant, less potentially nauseating I feel?
• leaves a clean feeling without the tautness, also no unpleasant afterfeel
• skin feels nourished and pleasantly, though only lightly, scented after use (scent doesn't last more than a couple hours on me, probably because of the humid heat of Singapore)
• bottle MAY leak if left lying on its side, just fyi~

I'm very pleased with this bodywash, can you tell? (^ _ ^) It makes bathtime that much more relaxing and is the perfect start to some me-time before bed! ꒰ღ˘‿˘ற꒱❤

GLOMAX Aesthetics @ Soho2 [Sponsored Review]

A couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to receive an exclusive invite from GLOMAX Aesthetics to try out one of their highly raved about facial treatments! Cursory research on the salon turned up numerous favorable reviews and it seemed to be a very cosy setup right by Clarke Quay MRT Station~

A little more about GLOMAX Aesthetics:

Nestled six floors above Singapore's famous riverside Clarke Quay, GLOMAX Aesthetics - The Face Artistry is everything a cosy soho salon stands for: expertise, customization and modernity. The commitment to your skin deserves only the best preventive and corrective non-invasive treatments here for instant results. They are so good, you would not want to go anywhere else.

 At GLOMAX Aesthetics - The Face Artistry, expect a fine collection of ultimate face and body treatments boosted with award-winning aesthetics machines and celebrity skincare products. Our treatments are specially crafted for instantaneous results and meticulously executed by crack team of amazingly knowledgeable beauty masters.

Some of the advanced treatments offered at GLOMAX include:

• Luminous Detox Energie Care Treatment 90mins
• Intensive Acne Medic Treatment 60mins
• Ultimate Bright Enlightenment 60mins  - Cosmopolitan Best For Sensitive Skin Treatment Award 2013
• Eternal Lifting Treatment 60mins  - The Women's Weekly Best Non-invasive Treatment Award 2013
• Super ACE Anti-oxidant Treatment 90mins 
• Opulence Oxygen Treatment 45mins 

(Just for the record, I do go for regular facials every month, just the run of the mill cleansing+mask type, nothing super fancy ^_^ )

Directions are super easy! Simply exit at The Central and walk straight down past Starbucks, the building right beside The Central is Soho2.

To access the lift lobby, simply punch in the unit number, get buzzed in then take the lift on the left up to the 6th floor~

A little distance down a long narrow corridor....

And we arrived at Glomax~



Just press the doorbell to get in and change into the house slippers~ After a warm welcome drink of ginger tea and filling in my details, I was ushered into one of the treatment rooms for a quick facial cleanse before my consultation.

Evonne, who assessed my skin, was very friendly and professional, suggesting the Luminous Detox Energie Care Treatment for my skin dullness and blackhead & sebum problem minus the facial massage as that might overly stimulate my sebum production >__<

Here's a look at the treatment room:

Love the wallpaper and cosy, quiet surroundings~

Changing into the orange robe and I was ready for my facial!

Beginning with another cleansing, I then had a Diamond Microdermabrasion done. It was my first time and it was basically a repetitive suction feeling all over my face, no pain involved. She did half my face first so I could see the difference before and after, I swear I was immediately a shade fairer and more radiant!

Next, a sonic extraction was done with a spatula-like handheld device to cleanse my face of those pesky whiteheads & blackheads! That hurt! The therapist did a very through job with the device and followed up with the usual extraction procedures. I was UTTERLY convinced I was gonna be walking around with a tortured red face after the treatment! Especially when she asked "You won't be having any functions in the next 2 days I hope?" Eeeks!!

I hate to be gross but here's a look at some of the gunk they got off my face:



The little cotton pad on the left is from the diamond peel device,
the sonic cleansing device is on the right



Next, I had a Vit C serum that was applied with a cold flat headed device (it goes as low as -5 degrees!), smelt nice and felt really good after the extraction! Followed by a 2 layer calming + hydrating mask plus a relaxing shoulder and head massage while waiting for the mask to set in~ ( ^____^)/

After the mask was removed, she applied sebum regulator (I think it was toner?), moisturizer and sunscreen, reminding me that for the next few days, sunscreen would be very important as I'd done the Diamond Microdermabrasion. And that was the end of my session~

My face immediately after the treatment! (Sorry, zero makeup and mussed up hair means I look pretty meh.)

No redness!! No photoshop! 



I was REALLY surprised that there was ZERO redness and swelling. None of the usual indications after extraction! And my face was super smooth, more radiant and felt SO CLEAN! The smooth and clean feeling remained for quite a few days and there were no bumps resulting from the extractions~

In a nutshell, the treatment I had was the Luminous Detox Energie Care Treatment 90mins (S$168):

The ultimate skin purification, this diamond microdermabrasion invigorates cellular renewal to treat clogged, pigmented and sallow skin. Designed with a cocktail* of vitamins to refresh the appearance of the skin by aligning skin cells in the top layer of the skin to achieve clean and radiant glow.

(*Differs depending on different skin type. In my case, Energie Care’s cocktail of vitamins was:

 Whitening: Vit C (promotes collagen production), Green tea extract (anti-oxidant, whitening, anti-bacterial, lightening), Chamomile extract (combat allergies), Pentacalmin (anti-inflammatory, repair broken capillaries, anti-oxidant), ST complex )
 

And now, a little treat for you guys! (For first timers to GLOMAX and by appointment only!)
 

Just quote "Blogger Rhi" to enjoy Luminous Detox Energie Care Treatment 90mins at only S$88 (U.P S$168)

 

 

They're currently running their Xmas package promotions too! You get 20% off a package of 5 treatments & 30% off for a package of 10 treatments! I don't know about you but I'm crazy tempted!! Considering the treatments they offer, I really think the prices are reasonable and I like that they have options for smaller packages~

 

 

GLOMAX Aesthetics (Website)
Tel: +65 6225 5193
12 Eu Tong Sen Street#06-168 @ Soho 2 (Beside Swissotel Merchant Court)

*NOTE: This is a sponsored, non-obligatory review. I am in no way affiliated to GLOMAX and my experience and opinions are solely my own. =)



A Body Buffer?

I know it's been a pretty long since my last post~ Sorry for the disappearance but it's been a crazy busy month and honestly, October is looking pretty packed too...T_T

So anyway~ a couple weeks ago I decided on a whim to pick up the Kenassy Hair Removal Puff (with collagen) as I'd been itching to know if it worked for a pretty long while =D In the name of science (and whimsy) I decided this was one of those things whose efficacy I had to find out for myself. =P

Retails at S$10 at Watsons

The Kenassy Hair Removal Puff supposedly removes unwanted hair from legs and arms quickly and efficiently with no fuss no muss. The green side acts as sort of a buffer after hair removal to even out skin tone and reduce pore visibility~

A look at the back of the box info:

 

So basically you just hold it against your skin and go in little circles~ Here's a closeup of the 2 sides, but you can't really see the difference. The pink side is just a tad scratchier and the blue side is smooth, like silicon.

Tried the puff on my legs~

I think you can see that the hair is pretty much all gone and I will testify that buffing with the blue side did make my skin feel very soft and extra smooth. But the amount of work that went into circling that hair away was pretty tiring! I'm pretty sure I got a decent arm workout~

I later tried it on the finer hairs on my legs and unfortunately, the puff failed to work its removal magic there =\

So in short, the Kenassy Hair Removal Puff:

• is able to remove the coarser hairs but doesn't do so well with fine hair
• blue skin smoothening side does the job very well, making the skin smooth (both visually and to the tough) after hair removal
• the circling action required for hair removal can be quite tiring as it takes awhile to do its job
• definitely won't repurchase but it's kind of a novelty item...use it when you wanna do hair removal and arm workout at one go~ =P

Have a good rest-of-the-week~!

Tokyo Beauty Loot (Image Intensive!)

Today, I thought I might share some of the beauty items I bought from *ahem* multiple trips to Matsumoto Kiyoshi (aka MatsuKiyo), one of the biggest and my favourite drugstore in Tokyo!

These are mostly items that I haven't gotten round to using yet. Emptied higgledy piggledy on the living room floor, this it what it looks like:

Ahhh....makes my heart flutter~ =P

First up, the weather in Singapore has been simply horrible recently, muggy with a capital M-U-G-G-Y. So of course, I remembered to pick up some refreshing powder sheets! You remember my previous review on the Biore Powder Sheets? Well I thought I'd try out other brands this time. Rose-scented, I couldn't resist! Plus, the formulas include Persimmon, Aloe Vera and Raspberry essences for that added skincare element!

Top L - R : French Bath Soap and English Garden Rose powder sheets / price forgotten >_<
Bottom L - R : Morning Facial Masks from Mandom / 399yen each

Morning facial masks from Mandom! The pink is for Moisturising and the blue, Tightening. Each mask contains 7 times the usual amount of facial toning lotion and contains ingredients like Coenzyme Q10 in the moisturizing mask, Yukinoshita (I think this is geranium, good for toxin draining and depigmentation) and Hamamelis (witch hazel) in the tightening mask.

Watsons has recently started selling these jelly strip beauty supplements from Otsuka Group and they are disgustingly overpriced at S$16 a box. I bought these for 399yen at MatsuKiyo which is only about S$5!! Each box only contains 7 strips so S$16 is really quite pricey imo... I shall buy more next time!

Available in Placenta C (orange), Collagen C (pink) and Hyaluronic Acid (green, not pictured), these are basically beauty supplements to consume on the go. I ate the Placenta C jelly strips while I was in Japan and they tasted like mango~ Yum! I think these are good for when you're having a hectic work week or haven't gotten enough rest and don't want it to show on your face~

Next up, my favourite beauty product: mascara!!

Beauty/Skincare shopping in Japan, it's easy to spot top sellers because they always have these proud stickers on them!

 

These stickers tell you about the product's sales ranking on platforms like Yahoo shopping, Rakuten, Amazon Bestsellers etc.

Click and read on! =D

Classic Beauty Sins - Are you guilty?

This, like my previous post on product expiration dates, is one of those topics that need to be refreshed every now and then so that we don't forget~

My biggest beauty sin is.....forgetting to wash my sponges and brushes! T___T I know I know~~ Bad! Big no-no!! It seems like such a small, easy thing to do, keeping your makeup applicators clean so you don't further pollute your skin.. But it's one of those things that always slips my mind.... Theoretically, I should be washing them about once a week but I usually end up using the sponge/brush for almost a month before I remember to wash them! ~~~~( >_<)

• Sleeping with your makeup on

 

This is the BIGGEST classic beauty no-no of them all. Common sense will tell you why. The night time is when your skin has it's Me Time, regenerating tissue, repairing itself from the daytime damage so it needs to be nice, clean and unclogged so it can do its thing~ Thankfully, many brands have now introduced one-stop makeup remover+cleansers like micellar cleansing water from Bioderma and Nuxe. Now there's little excuse to crash with your makeup on~

• Popping your zits

Another classic! Everybody knows this one. It's easier to not pop your zits than to not touch your face. I find myself often touching my face when I have a zit, just to check if it's still there! >_< Shan't go into detail about this since it's common sense that popping a zit traumatises your skin and leaves an open pore that can accumulate dirt and grime and potentially leave a scar.

• Washing your face with hot water

Some routines advocate cleansing your face with hot water, citing reasons like increased circulation as one of the pros. But by using hot water, you risk breaking the fragile capillaries on your face, especially those around the delicate eye area! So stick to tepid or, if you prefer, lukewarm water~

• Always sleeping on the same side of your face

Sleeping on the same side of your face doesn't seem to be something you can control but if doing so could result in permanent fine lines, wouldn't you try to be more conscientious about it? Skin being squished against the pillow over and over can cause wrinkles so try layering a bean-shaped or neck pillow over your usual pillow so that only the edges of your face are resting on the pillow~

• Washing your face before your hair

You might have heard that certain shampoos and conditioners can aggravate the skin near the hairline and cause zits but did you know that the sequence matters too? Especially if you have sensitive skin, shampoo and conditioning should always come before washing your face. This is because hair treatments are usually loaded with oils, which can clog and aggravate the pores situated along the hairline and lead to breakouts. So always make sure to cleanse your face of any shampoo/hair mask residue after washing your hair~

• Overdosing on the moisturiser

 

Ok ok I know it isn't exactly a photo of moisturiser, but it's cute right? =P

The thing with moisturisers is, too much of a good thing can be bad. Excess product won't be absorbed deep enough into the skin's cellular tissue and can end up clogging the pores instead because the skin can't breathe. This can result in breakouts and the formation of milia! So don't be tempted to overdose. Instead, pick a good moisturiser and just use a 10 to 20 cent sized amt each time!

======================================================================================

All images from Microsoft Office

Most of the beauty no-nos are classics, I haven't seen any 'new-age' no-nos as yet. Have you? What's your biggest beauty sin?

Majorly Romantic - Majoromantica M Mystic Garden Perfume

*mumbles to self* Is this my first fragrance post? *checks* yes this is my first fragrance post.

So. =D I haven't bought fragrances for a long time because I have too many bottles of Victoria's Secret body mists to finish up before I can justify getting perfume but Majolica Majorca's packaging is always a little hard to ignore in the drugstores... Japanese are quite big on smelling nice and I've bought my share of beautiful smelling hair perfumes. So I swiped the tester on just for fun and went happily on my way. Sniffing and sniffing as I went along....I decided it was a very pretty Japanese-y sort of scent lol...so I went back for a closer look.

Which of course resulted in a purchase. And what a mouthful it is~ Majolica Majorca's Majoromantica M Mystic Garden scent:

S$25.90 at Watsons

This scent is part of the Majolica Majorca's Spring collection (Chapter 36 Secret Blink) just released in end Feb 2013. I like Majolica's packaging but their products seldom catch my eye. The only other Majolica product I own is the Blood On lip and cheek rouge, which I do use regularly.

But back to the fragrance. Packaged in a slim glass bottle is 20ml of concentrated scent. The rounded wand applicator holds the liquid well on the way out so it doesn't drip all over the place. I like that the scent has multiple notes and ends on a musky tone. The initial floral fragrance isn't too overpowering and 'matures' quite nicely with my body chemistry. Product amount is also easily adjustable since it's not a pump or spritz bottle.

Sadly, the fragrance doesn't last forever and ever. But the bottle is slim and hardy enough to carry around and easy for low profile touch ups since you're not spritzing away. Just whip out the wand and swipe your wrists and neck~ It makes a nice hair fragrance too! I also realise that the product will finish quite fast, having gone through about 1/4 of the bottle in just a week so I just got a 2nd bottle. I guess I'm quite trigger happy with it >_<

So in short, Majoromantica M Mystic Garden fragrance:

• is very affordable (plus watsons always has sales; I got both bottles at 20% off)
• comes in a cute convenient glass bottle + applicator (I imagine this glass bottle can be recycled to hold essential oils in the future~)
• multi-note scent is sweet and fruity without being overpowering and ends on a nice musky note; youthful but in a grownup sort of way ^_^
• fragrance doesn't stay very long but the packaging is designed for touchups on the go so no big deal
• by my estimate, the bottle will last about a month of regular usage

This is my first fragrance from a cosmetic brand...and it's not bad, cheap too. I think I'll keep a lookout for any future fragrance Majolica releases in future~

Have you ever used a fragrance from a cosmetic brand? How was it?