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.)

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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)

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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)

 

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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!
 

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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?

Fugu Face Pt 2 - Bijinsenmon Slimming Face Mask review~

Oh my goodness I completely forgot that I meant to update the review on Bijinsenmon's face slimming range! ( >_<)

Remember my glee when I managed to lose some face flab? That was the review for Bijinsenmon's 美人専門 Facial Slimming Serum~

If you'd read that, you'll know that the serum, though quite effective on my pudgy jawline, also caused little clogs along my jawline. About 2 weeks after that review, the clogs suddenly became worse and I've since had to stop using the serum =( Thankfully, with regular lymphatic jawline massages, I think the pudginess hasn't rebounded too badly, as you might have noticed if you follow my Instagram account (cottonballcrusader)!

But I was quite unhappy that I had to stop using the serum so I went out and bought the Bijinsenmon Facial Slimming Mask. The formulation is slightly different I think, since the mask seems to rely on mainly the heating effect so I hoped it wouldn't trigger all my jawline issues.

About S$35/box of 6 from Guardian Pharmacy

The back of the box info:

 

And for those who can't read Mandarin or Japanese:

 



 

 

A look at the product:



Lots of product but it looks kinda gloppy >_<

This is a mask designed to envelope the chin and hook over the ears so I was really hoping it would be a nice snug fit....



Ok not quite the snug fit I'd hoped for but still ok.

Unlike the Slimming Serum, the formulation of this mask is the 'hot' type. So you're walking around with a rather warm sensation on your face for that 15min of application. After that, wiping off the excess can be quite uncomfortable as well since warm water is recommended.

 

I used this 3 times over 2 weeks and then had to stop because those irritating little bumps were starting to blossom along my jawline again. So I guess both serum AND mask's formulation do not suit my skin =( I'm thinking it's the over-stimulation?

 

In short, the Bijinsenmon Facial Slimming Mask:

• is one that doesn't stinge on the essence/serum
• heating sensation might be uncomfortable for those unused to it
• those with easily stimulated jawlines need to note that this mask might cause plugs/little pimples
• does not yield as obvious nor speedy results compared to the Bijinsenmon serum
• slightly pricey at a little over S$5 per mask

I don't think my 2 week usage made any difference to my face unlike with the serum...My last usage was around the time of my Maybelline BB cream review but I didn't see any difference from the time I stopped using the serum.

 

So if your jawline doesn't flare up when overstimulated, I'd still recommend the serum rather than the mask. It definitely works and is more cost efficient!

Revisiting: L'egere Pure Aqua Pore Tightening Ice Toner

You might recall that I purchased this sherbet-y toner from L'egere during the BHG sale awhile back:

S$27.90 from BHG

( You can read my initial review HERE )

I didn't really think much of it initially and even ventured as far as to say that it might not be worth a repeat purchase especially since it didn't seem to be doing anything for my pores. But I did enjoy the cooling feeling and the fun of spraying this sherbet-y substance into a cotton pad everyday so I bought a 2nd bottle.

2 months on, I'm close to finishing the 2nd bottle (with 2 more bottles in my drawer) and feel that my initial assessment needs some tweaking.

The L'egere Pure Aqua Pore Tightening Ice Toner:

• still has not done much for my pores, though they have not worsened either =( I am resigned to my crater face fate.
• BUT has (after its addition to my daily routine) helped to COMPLETELY eradicate the irritating clogs along my jawline! Yes the very ones that have been terrorising me for a good 8 months! And this is why I've continued purchasing~
• mattifying effect remains the same i.e decent enough for my combination skin
• product near the spray nozzle turns yellowish if left unused for more than a day or 2 (you'll see it when you spray it), but seems harmless. No side effects on me.
• unfortunately 1 bottle doesn't last very long, only about a 1 1/2 months? So keep a look out for sales if you intend to stockpile this! =)

I have to say, I'm elated that my cloggy jawline is now cleared T_T You have no idea how much I've anguished over it~ If anyone is interested, my current skincare product lineup is:

• Konjac sponge for cleansing (cleansing foam used only if I've had makeup on)
• L'egere Pure Aqua Pore Tightening Ice Toner
• Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion

These 3 are the basis of my routine these days, with a serum or eye cream here and there plus my beauty supplements, it seems to be working out pretty well~ Yayyyy~~~ =D

The down side is, after finding products that have worked so well for me, it's hard to justify trying/buying other brands or products out of curiousity... >_<

Do you continue trying/purchasing other brands or products after you've found your HG product? Does the search ever really end? (._.)

Revisiting: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye~

I thought I might do a little update as to how the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye is performing for me. After all, I've been using it conscientiously for a little over 2 months now~ (Do bear in mind that I have not altered my lifestyle in any way this few months)

You can read my initial review --- 'A Little Spot of Kiehl's Midnight Magic!' for more info on ingredients, texture etc~

Fast forward 2 months and I believe a final verdict is due!

After 2 months, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye has:

• not made much difference in the fine lines and dark circles department =(
• but proven it's an effective solution for puffy eyes (yay!)

So if you're looking for a all-rounder product that'll depuff, lighten dark eye circles AND dewrinkle, I don't think Kiehl's will be it unless it's coupled with lifetyle changes like abit more sleep etc. BUT the depuffing is really pretty awesome. I keep late nights quite often and having this eye cream in my skincare arsenal makes me totally confident that I won't wake up with squid eyes~

I'm tempted to continue purchasing the Midnight Recovery Eye after this tube runs out 'cos the anti-puff factor is pretty big to me but if there's anything out there that's a good all-rounder I'd love a heads up! =)