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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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! ^__^

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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.

Luxola x Skin Inc Get Awesome Skin! Workshop - Optimizer Voyage Showcase

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of being a girlfriend's plus-1 for a joint Luxola & Skin Inc workshop at the pop-up store at Millennia Walk~ The purpose of the event was to showcase the new Optimizer Voyage (S$268) from Skin Inc, a more affordable and travel-friendly alternative to the Optimizer + AIO (S$843).

Skin Inc's new Optimizer Voyage S$268

Some info about the Red light benefits off the Optimizer + AIO device

It was a pretty cosy workshop with macarons and bottled blends from hicJuice for refreshments~ I got a Matcha Nut Milk, which was a mix of organic Matcha powder, raw cashews, raw almonds, Medjool dates, Himalayan Salt and ionized water =) There were other blends available too and they seemed really, and I mean REALLY, healthy! Pity they're a tad pricey >_<

They had this Optimizer Voyage set for S$298 where you'd get the device plus the Pure Revival Peel (20ml), Anti-Ageing Serum (10ml mix of Q10, Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen) and Deep Sea Hydrating Mask (20ml)...so basically you'd pay just S$30 for the New Year New You Set (RRP: S$89). Pretty ok deal but still a tad rich for my blood XP

Anyhoo, for the demo, their model was late so the organisers picked another model from amongst the attendees.

Skin Inc trainer Donna explaining the new Optimizer

Some key points for the Optimizer Voyage:

• Runs on 3 AAA batteries.
• Switches off automatically after 10 minutes so there's no worry of accidentally leaving it on.
• Works only with water-based serums/masks.
• After Skin Inc serum and Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask, run the device in a circular, upwards motion for 5 minutes on each side of the face. So 10 minutes total, twice a day.
• Boosts cell renewal and collagen production, general anti-ageing properties.
• Supposed to be good for firming the skin and get that V-shape face!
• Safe to use over the eye area but the red light is quite glaring so closing your eyes would be more comfortable.
• Apparently some clients use it on the body as well!

If you're thinking that 10 minutes is a long time to spend, I have to say there's no avoiding it because I tested the Optimizer Voyage on the back of my hand and the serum takes MUCH longer to absorb compared to when I apply it on my face at home. The reason for this is that a large amount of product ends up being absorbed by your fingers/hands! According to Donna (the Skin Inc trainer), only up to 40% of skincare is absorbed to the face when applied by hand. Using the Optimiser can bump that number up to 90% so you get more bang for your buck!

The demo began by removing the model's makeup and then prepping it with the Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel before dripping the serum directly onto the skin, slightly distributed over the face by hand and covering that with a layer of the Deep Sea Hydrating Mask. Lastly came the 5 min treatment with the Optimizer Voyage. As u can see from the pic up there, that light's pretty glaring!

After the treatment, we went up and took a closer look at the model's face and it was redder, I guess due to increased blood circulation after the massaging motion. I have to say it's too soon to say if there were lesser wrinkles or pores etc (plus she had good skin to begin with) but her skin looked firmer than before and her jawline seemed slimmer!

Some contraindications to note with this device though:

• Not to be used on bare skin without a water-based product
• Not to be used longer than the recommended time to avoid muscle fatigue
• Do not leave the device on the same spot of the skin during use
• Not for use during pregnancy 
• Do not use on implanted areas or injuries
• Not recommended for use if running a temperature of above 38 degrees, children under 12, if suffering from acute symptoms, cardiac condition, skin diseases, hypertension, cerebral infractions, herpes, folliculate acne, furunculosis, carbuncle, lupus hepatitis, general sclerosis or Madison's disease.

Above info extracted from Luxola

At S$268, the Optimizer Voyage is a lot cheaper than the Optimizer + AIO and makes sense to purchase if you're specifically after the anti-aging function. You don't feel any heat, tingling or prickly sensations during use too so it's comfortable~ Need I mention the frequent sales on Luxola that you can catch?

So after the demo we basically just hung around looking at all the products and redoing our Skin Identity checks after which we would receive a 5ml bottle of serum from the recommended mix. In my case, my results included Hyaluronic Acid (Replenish), Chlorella (Revitalize) and Licorice (Relieve). Licorice is new in my lineup so I picked that for my 5ml sample and went to ask why the sudden introduction and the Skin Inc girls said that it was most likely recommended for skin issues related to hormonal changes i.e my pregnancy. Somehow, even though I didn't touch on much skin sensitivity/hormonal issues, the test still managed to figure that I might have some hormonal skin changes. Impressive!

And lastly, goodie bag contents! Skin Inc & Luxola very kindly gave everyone a 10ml Collagen serum plus a small selection of other goodies in a cute Luxola eco bag! My girlfriend was especially happy with the Hello Kitty nail wraps hehe~

So concluding first thoughts on the Optimizer Voyage are! It's very tempting for the skin firming properties but is still SLIGHTLY pricey at the regular retail price. I would very seriously consider it during a good Luxola sale though! =D

Well it's awhile to go since I can't use it till after delivery so I have time to twiddle my thumbs about it still! 

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!

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!  =)

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! 

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~~~

Quick Peek & Review - Skin Inc Custom Blended Skin Rescue Set Get Glowin'!

As some (or most) of you noticed, Luxola had a 2-hr flash sale last night! 30% storewide! And as you may also know, I've done a fair bit of shopping lately so I couldn't go crazy at the sale. I limited myself to just 1 item and this is what I got~

Only S$84 after the discount!

I really like Luxola's delivery service, they sometimes text me in advance to inform that they'll be reaching in about an hour and that really makes things easier for me. And today's delivery came half an hour earlier than the designated window! *thumbs up*

Anyway, I got the Get Glowin' set because I feel like my skin is a tad dull these days...=\  And also because the contents were the most similar to the combination recommended after I took the online skin survey~ Who doesn't want brighter skin right? And I've got good feeling about Skin Inc because I had a little 5ml bottle of the Coenzyme Q10 serum from a girlfriend and it really perked up my skin after only 2 days use!

A little bit about Skin Inc:

Skin Inc is the world's first Skin Supplement Bar offering highly concentrated, 100% pure and active serums and skincare from Japan. Our customised skincare solutions empower time-starved individuals to create their own fuss-free skincare regimes, delivering maximum results. Everyone's skin is different, so individual skin identities and their needs are addressed with products and treatments that are targeted at delivery to the skin's deeper layers where it matters. Treatments are conducted using state-of-the-art non-invasive technology that delivers sustainable results, rivalling other invasive procedures.

(Ummm I'm basically a sucker for anything made in Japan XP)

The Skin Inc Difference

• Empowered skincare It is time you find out what your skin identity is and be conscious of what your skin needs to make informed choices.
• Cents and sensibility Our products contain the optimal concentrations of active ingredients for best results in a shorter time. Skin Inc constantly undertakes research & development in Japan to create skincare formulas to better suit your evolving needs. We ensure our products contain 0% paraben and 0% scent.
• Customised to solve skin problems We begin with a thorough assessment of your skin identity and our consultants are trained to customise the most effective solution to address your unique skin needs. We do not believe in typical stereotyping of skins into oily, combination and dry categories.
• Skin-deep, fast, sustaining results Water-soluble, hydrolysed active ingredients reach the deeper skin faster, showing noticeable improvement often in as little as three days.

Info extracted from SkinInc

It says noticeable improvement in as little as three days, I noticed a difference in two!

Some info off the box:

It says 3 x 10ml serums but fact is it only comes with 3 x 5ml. =(

A look at the contents:

3 x 5ml encapsulated serums, 20ml Pure Revival Peel & 20ml Pure DeepSea Hydrating Mask

I LOVE THE PACKAGING! So cute & simple~

You can see the little orbs of goodness in each of the bottles...I think of them like salmon roe? Like exploding goodness when it's patted onto your skin =D

Get Glowin' combination - Vitamin A, Hyaluronic Acid & Chlorella

Vitamin A (Regenerate) - A lack of vitamin A causes skin to become coarse and sluggish. Vitamin A keeps skin healthy by increasing cell metabolism and circulation, banishing dark circles, dryness and dullness.  (Ingredients: 0% Scent and 0% Paraben. Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Corn (Zea Mays) Oil, Carbomer, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Algin, Phenoxyethanol)

Hyaluronic Acid (Replenish) - Able to hold 6 litres of water per gram, hyaluronic acid binds moisture to skin for instant, lasting hydration from within. Lines are refined and skin is plump and smooth. (Ingredients: 0% Scent and 0% Paraben. Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Algin, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Cobalt Aluminium Oxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol)

Chlorella (Revitalize) - Helps brighten and even skintone by activating the growth of new skin cells and preventing melanin production. An algae extract, Chlorella is high in C and anti-oxidants, helping to combat premature aging caused by free radicals and sun damage . It may also help boost the production of collagen, improving skin's elasticity.

And my previous/first little bottle:

Coenzyme Q10 (Renew) - Coenzyme Q10 is a natural cell revitalizer – it activates the production of energy in cells, helping to renew cell functions and increase the absorption of nutrients in skincare products – slowing down the aging process for more youthful skin. (Ingredients: 0% Scent and 0% Paraben. Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Ubiquinone, Carbomer, Algin, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Lecithin, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol)

All info extracted from SkinInc except Chlorella. I got some basic info about chlorella in skincare and put them together, I hope it helps (^-^);;

From my experience with the previous bottle of Coenzyme Q10 serum:

• Serum is light and easily absorbed, leaving little to no tackiness after absorption. It's also light enough for undereye usage. 
• Zero smell detected.
• My skin looked a lot less tired and revitalized after only 2 days usage!
• Using only 3 drops a day allowed me almost a month's usage out of the 5ml bottle.
• SkinInc, though quite pricey, is a brand worth exploring, thus my purchase of the set before I commit to full-sized bottle. You can always get good deals during sale period~ 

I hope this quick review was helpful to you guys considering a relationship with SkinInc~ On my part, I know I'm falling in love! ( ＾◡＾)っ❤ Come to me, awesome skin!