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. (^_^;;)

Ippin Cafe Bar @ Mohamed Sultan - Casual Japanese Home Style Dining [Sponsored Review]

First off, apologies for the recent absence! The last leg of my pregnancy has not been as breezy so I've unfortunately spent a fair amount of time feeling kinda bleagh. But let's not go there lol XD 

Back in April, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an invite for food tasting at a fairly new Japanese cafe bar that labeled itself a Japanese Makan & Drinks Place~ I rarely blog about lifestyle stuff so I was initially quite baffled why I was included in the mix ^^;; But the press kit was enticing and you know how I love Japan so naturally, I accepted.

Abit of background info:

Ippin Cafe Bar only just opened late last year and, being situated along Mohamed Sultan Rd, is across the road from En Dining Bar at UE Square and thus just a short walk from Liang Court. 

They boast their very own certified sake sommelier Ayumi, who is also the owner, and naturally offer a wide variety of premium sake (Prices range $35 - $95 for 720ml), shochu and craft beers. Ippin's head chef Naomi used to be a culinary teacher in Hong Kong, teaching home style Japanese cooking to the domestic helpers of Japanese expats missing the taste of home and I also heard from my Japanese colleague that she used to teach at a very popular cooking school in Japan too!

Aside from food and drink, Ippin also offers a wide range of Japanese home and food products so you can browse while kicking back after a nice meal that incidentally may have been made using a few in-store products! This cafe bar also holds the occasional cooking workshop, flea market and other little projects so be sure to check with the staff if they have anything coming up~

Oh and may I mention that all the menu prices are NETT? I love not having to factor in taxes and all plus there's free Wifi too!

Let's take a look at the place now shall we~

 Lots of natural sunlight =)

Casual atmosphere all set up for the tasting session

I liked the general feel of the place, lots of wood and white with smatterings of colour....abit of Scandinavian and Japanese...kind of like how I would like my own home to be y'know?

Digging this sofa and table set.....

A look at the simple non-alcoholic drinks menu:

Due to the pregnancy I was unable to try the alcohol and much of the tea selection but from the reactions of my fellow diners it seems to be favourable all around! I had the Hojicha since it had the lowest caffeine content, nice!

Most of the food here comes in a set but they've since expanded the menu to include smaller bites like sandwiches and other appetizers. Sets generally come with salad, Japanese rice (with barley so it's healthier!), Hatcho miso soup, a small side of Nikujaga (pork & potato stew) and dessert so talk about a full meal!

The AWESOME Nikujaga up there that should have a set of its own. Seriously I swear the stew is really really good!

On the food tasting menu that day were:

Grilled Oyster & Veggies in Ponzu Butter Sauce Set $20 NETT

Said oysters hail from Hiroshima, famous for their clean tasting oysters. This was surprisingly light, which sort of set the tone for the rest of the session. The oysters were had a very clean taste but I wish the ponzu taste was stronger. I wouldn't have known that ponzu was in the mix if not for the menu description.

Deep Fried Oyster Set $24 NETT

Here's a closer look at the oysters & the dip (tasting size):

I liked the dip (a light but chunky wasabi mayo I think) very much, it was nice & chunky and not any sort of in-your-face taste so it didn't overwhelm the lightly battered/breaded oysters nicely~ I rarely eat oysters because I'm terribly afraid of any sort of overwhelming sea or fishy taste but these oysters (both the fried and grilled versions) tasted nice and clean. 

Oyakodon Set $15 NETT (this set comes with Miso soup and dessert)

Again, the taste is on the light side so you don't feel overloaded with a whole lot of seasoning and sauce. It's really up to personal preference if you'd like this over the usual heavier versions though. I really like the Japanese rice mixed with barley, it makes the dish less heavy and that much healthier! Also available for purchase in-store if you like ^..^ 

Miso Udon Noodle with Oyster Set $15 NETT

Yes, oysters again!!

This is Aichi Prefecture soul food and uses naturally produced red miso that takes 2 whole years to ferment. This set comes with kobachi (small side dish) and dessert.

This was....ok for me. I prefer my soups thinner so this wasn't really my thing since the soup was on the thick side. Pretty rich overall.

And lastly, the Yakisoba Set $12 NETT (comes with a small side dish and dessert)

For some reason I've never been a fan of this daily Japanese fare but some of the diners liked it very much and even bought the noodles which were available in-store.

Last look at some of the sets that were plated to show the usual serving sizes~

Background - Miso Udon Set, Foreground - Grilled Oysters & Veggie Set

Oyakodon set

I noticed this little note on free rice refills on the menu:

Furikake for the rice refills

I think it's nice that they also provide a small selection of furikake (rice seasonings) to accompany your rice refills =)

Poking around the shopping area:

Some of the food & drink selections

A selection of Washi fiber goods

Curetex Washi fiber from the Fukui Prefecture, a natural fabric with a very high fiber count, is supposedly able to absorb odour, is anti-bacterial and block UV rays while providing coolness. Items made from this fabric range from $11 for a dual-side face mitten to $82 for a T-shirt. 

It started to rain before I left so I hung back to chat and the friendly staff at Ippin let me just sit around while waiting out the rain. So I got to see how the cafe is usually arranged and it really is very cosy and casual.

Looking a tad dim due to the rain

And here's what I brought home at the end of my visit:

Clockwise from top left: Wasabi Dressing, Sudachi Honey juice ($3/280ml), Plum Chazuke (tea rice) mix,
Koji Amazake (Sweet rice juice $18/500ml) and Curetex Washi fiber face mitt ($11).

Items without prices were part of our goodie bag for the day (^__^)v

So at the end of my rather long visit to Ippin, I would say that this cafe bar: 

• is a nice place to spend an afternoon with the girlfriends or relaxing dinner and drinks after work. 
• has a nice casual vibe and if you enjoy unpretentious home-style fare cooked with a light touch then Ippin's menu is definately up your alley.
• boasts a wide range of both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks plus even a sake tasting where one can try 3 types of sake from their selection for just $15.
• has friendly staff who're up for a chat if you feel like it.

Would I go back? Yes~~~ For the Nikujaga and the Fried Oysters!! ( ´͈ ॢꇴ `͈ॢ)♡ 

IPPIN CAFE BAR - Japanese Makan & Drinks Place

18 Mohamed Sultan Rd (Just across the road from En Dining Bar at UE Square)

Tel: 6733 4794

Hours: Mon - Sat 11am - 11pm

NETT prices and FreeWiFi

@IPPINCAFEBAR

#BetterThanMom

Last but not least, a big Thank You to Ippin and Hazel for the invite and setting up the tasting session! ♡´･ᴗ･`♡ And thank you too for reading another lengthy post! Hope you've had a good long weekend!

The Kanebo Seasonal Sale 2015 is on next week!

If you haven't already heard, the Kanebo Seasonal Sale 2015 is happening next midweek!

Date: 22 & 23 April 2015 / 10am - 7pm
Where: 83 Clemenceau Avenue #01-35 / 36 UE Square 

My Japanese ex-colleague is all of a flutter~ =D

Past season sales had prices starting from single digits for much of the Kate range and go up to about 70% for the more expensive brands! With my limited spending power now, that sounds really good~ (insert Homer Simpson slobber here)

Still a week to go but~ Happy Shopping Ladies!!

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!

Just a little ramble and a romp~

How do you like the new banner? I think it looks kinda babyish XP but since that's where I'm headed in a few months it seemed quite appropriate hehe

Chinese New Year has come and gone, with much less fanfare as compared to previous years =( The Husband isn't a fan of visiting so my outings have dwindled after our marriage..talk about the old ball & chain huh.

Not sure if it's hormones but I get bored easily and go through bouts of irritability during this 2nd trimester...oh I'm a little past 5 months now by the way~ *flashes a peace sign* Gained like 6kg only to be told by the doctor that that's too much weight too soon! Blaarrgghhhhhh~~~~ my husband and my mom are more than happy to wave that bit of info in front of me now whenever I reach for my beloved rice (or anything remotely related to carbo and sugar). Pppfffttttttt I hate it when people get between me and my food.. ( =_____= )|||

On the other hand, I did manage to wander around Takashimaya and Westgate mall over the last couple weeks and managed to buy a couple of items to inject some life into my otherwise boring beauty routine!

Maybelline Hypersharp Wingliner snagged at S$11.90 at Watsons!

White Wash Carbonated Foam - whitening & brightening facial foam S$26 at Tokyu Hands

Lits Wistea Skin Revival Lift Ex serum - Bought from Matsumoto Kiyoshi on my Tokyo trip but is
also available at Tokyu Hands Westgate in Singapore. Retails around S$50-60 from what I remember =P

I've only been using the Lits Wistea serum and WhiteWash facial foam for a couple days so I can't say much about the effects as yet. But I've experienced no adverse reactions, which is a good start!

The romp through Tokyu Hands really....REALLY....made my heart ache for Japan (Y__Y) If I had known I was gonna get pregnant at this time I would've shopped more during last year's trip!!!! ARRRGGHHH!! So tempted by the Yokohama Canvas totes by the way >_< the designs are so classically simple Japanese and the canvas feels SO tough! But forking out S$200 for a simple tote seems....extravagant at this moment when I'm forking out hundreds for hospital visits every month.. =((( Contemplated a sakura-viewing trip this year but mom does not approve for fear of~~~ get this....radiation ( =____= ) *throws hands up in exasperation*

Sigh....oh Tokyo, when can I see you again~

The Tokyo Affair 2014 - Matsumoto Kiyoshi Beauty Loot

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

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

Let's start with the stuff in sachets!

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

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

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

Choosy lip masks in Milk and White Pearl (about 100 - 120yen each)

Dual use lip & nipple gel patch!

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

炭­酸宣言(tan san sen gen) Sparkling Water Pack - 388yen

 

This water pack supposedly will help expand the capillaries in the skin, allowing more oxygen to the skin. From my understanding, it basically improves circulation, activating skin cell metabolism whilst cleansing the pores, improving elasticity and moisture.

 

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

Next! Makeup!

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

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

Kate gloss & polish - 400yen each, Canmake eyebrow liquid - 540yen, Maybelline Baby Lips - 540yen

And then the new Cool BB Spray with UV from Esprique~

Esprique Cool BB Spray - 2,268yen

 

Cooling BB Spray formulated with hyaluronic acid, collagen and mint essence.....I played with the tester a little bit and only felt a little bit of the cooling effect, maybe it'll be more apparent when used over a larger area. Simply spray on a sponge and apply~

 

And that, is it for makeup. Amazing right?!??! Talk about downsizing!

 

In misc goods, I got a couple bottles of these clothes fragrance sprays! They smell SO GOOD! I spritz some on to clothes I'm gonna be wearing the next day or sometimes on my work clothes when they need freshening up. Again, something I regretting not buying more of.

 

Flair Fragrance - 299 yen (so cheap!!!)

And for my daily aching legs~

 

Night Aroma Cooling Sheets - 498yen & SlimWalk compression socks - 1,831yen

Now the cooling sheets were a godsend for the trip because they adhered really well and the cooling effect was really soothing on my aching calves~ I simply slapped them on every night and only removed them in the morning =)

 

The SlimWalk compressions socks/stockings were also pretty great because I have the first ones from Scholl and they were abit hot for Singapore....it's pretty gross to be sweating in them. These new ones are a summertime release and are designed to release any trapped heat, keeping you cool...and compressed! =)

 

Wow, that was really....not a lot of stuff! =\ *feels overly self-censored* I really need to establish a middle ground.... Well, hope you guys enjoyed this short post!

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!