MOE stands for My October Empties!

It strikes me that I have never done a post with products I've recently finished! So for that, here's this month's throwouts~

From L - R: Sleek Makeup Luminaire Highlighting Concealer, Cyber Colors Cell Recharge Snail Serum,
Lovemore Acnes All Out Purifying Mask and DHC Salicylic Acne Toner

It's taken me quite awhile to finish up some of these products like the Sleek Highlighting Concealer because I don't use much each time so I guess they've been really value for money in the price vs length of use department!

I STILL can't decide whether I want to repurchase the Sleek Luminaire Highlighting Concealer... Sometimes it works great, concealing the little blemishes like dark eye rings and light pigmentation so I can head out without foundation but sometimes I have to layer like crazy >_< The good thing is that at S$17, it's pretty cheap~ (Original review HERE.)

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

Ah yes~ The snail serum. I really didn't think much about the whole snail mucus fad until I got this little gem from Cyber Colors at Sasa! And 30ml lasted me pretty long!

I'll never get over how quickly this serum healed a badly popped zit (*_*) 90% Snail mucus ftw! I usually apply it when I have an emerging or busted zit so it's just 1 pump each time and that 1 pump brings up enough product to spread thinly over the rest of my face as well if I want to. I already have a 2nd bottle on standby and will definitely keep repurchasing! (Original review HERE)

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

 

The Lovemore Acnes All Out is a blackhead removal mask set that comes with 3 items, a sebum softener, a purifying mask and an astringent essence. Unfortunately I have abandoned the first and last steps due to laziness personal reasons.

 

These days, I use The Face Shop Volcanic Clay Mask to open up the pores before using the Lovemore Step 2 purifying mask. Been using it on and off for about 2 years now and I still find the peel off results pretty awesome! (Original review HERE)

 

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

 

Lastly, my latest favorite =D The DHC Salicylic Acne Toner. This toner still does a good job of regulating sebum production and keeping those pesky clogs away from my jawline so I am really pleased! If there was one thing to gripe about, it would be that this range is rarely on sale at Watsons! The other DHC products would be on 20% promo and the Acne range would be sitting pretty with their original prices >_< (Original review HERE)

But at the end of the day, the results matter most and it's still a drugstore brand so it isn't that pricey. It's really cheap in Japan though (half the price!) so check it out if you have a trip planned!
 

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

So that's it for October~ =)

Oh yeah! In other news, I've received my first sponsored review invite! Pretty excited for my appointment this weekend ^_^ Stay tuned ok?

Dipping into DHC - Salicylic Acne Toner

If you've been reading Cottonball Crusade for awhile, you'll realize that I've been using the L'egere ice toner (Initial + followup review HERE) for quite long now and am quite a fan. However I've become increasingly irritated at the lack of stock in shops here! John Little and BHG don't seem to be restocking the Ice toners at all~~~~ ( T_T ) I stocked up a few bottles whenever there was a sale but because 1 bottle only lasts me about 1 1/2 mths, I felt it best to find an alternative.

After some misses with other brands like Suisai (Tightening Lotion) and Bioessence (Tanaka White) I decided to give DHC a whirl.

Retails for S$32 exclusively @ Watsons

This is my first product from DHC by the way, never really knew what to make of their products before ^_^;;

Back of the box info:

Overall, I don't really have acne prone skin but the DHC Salicylic Acne Toner, like the L'egere Ice Toner, contains Salicylic acid so I thought that might be the active ingredient for controlling my clog/spot-prone jawline. Also, it states that it'd suit combination, normal or oily skin types so I reckoned it wouldn't be too harsh.

Here's a look at the ingredients:

 I am slightly comforted by the various natural extracts towards the end of the list. Just slightly. =P

It's your basic twist off cap with a nozzle dispenser:

The nozzle controls product quite well so you don't need to be worried about product spillage as long as you're not swinging the bottle around =P

Even though it's the same product weight as L'egere, the DHC toner definitely lasts longer because of it's liquid form~ Because of that, the slightly higher price doesn't bother me much.

I've been using the DHC toner for almost a month now so the effect has stabilized enough for me to review it properly =)

1st week
I felt my skin become a lot softer. And I mean ALOT. Since stopping the L'egere toner, several (but not many) clogs reappeared along my jawline plus ONE zit. I suppose the fact that it was that time of the month for me played a part?

2nd week
Clogs start to fade away SLOWLY. Skin feels super smooth and soft *hearts* Oil control, whilst not as immediate or mattifying as L'egere, is effective. Skin has a healthy sheen without looking or feeling oily.

4th week
Still experience the occasional clog or 2 but very rare. Skin remains super smooth and soft to the touch *omg love* My complexion has also developed a sort of radiant sheen!

In short, the DHC Salicylic Acne Toner:

• is quite affordable and easily available at Watsons, occasional sales on DHC items will get you 20 - 25% discount
• 160ml of product should last abt 2 to 3 months by my current estimation
• suitable for combination, normal and oily skin types - I have combination skin (oily base, slightly dehydrated surface) with no adverse reactions ^_^
• Leaves a very very slight tacky feel that fades quickly (this doesn't really matter cos moisturiser's going over it anyway)
• Doesn't have the mattifying effect of L'egere but nevertheless has good oil and sebum control
• Has a slightly antiseptic & leafy smell, not unpleasant really and it dissipates in seconds
• Produced the promised softening and smoothening effect within 2 weeks of regular twice a day usage, effect is lasting and very very nice!

Basically, I'm SOLD. Bye bye L'egere, Hello DHC~