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~

VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible "Faint"ation Skin BBBB Cream SPF30 - BB But Better review!

VMV Hypoallergenics - Validated hypoallergenic, ramdomized, blinded, published and awarded clinical studies since 1979. 100% Fragrance, Paraben, Preservative and Phthalete-free.

Doesn't that make you feel like your skin is in good hands?

I've been doing too much shopping off Luxola recently and one of the products I picked up was the Skintangible BBBB Cream from VMV Hypoallergenics. I know I know....I've got too many bottles of BBs, CCs and liquid foundations as it is...but...I'm sure 1 more bottle's fine~ =P *ambles away*

First off, I love the eco-friendly packaging that's glue-free! And all available surfaces are packed with information so there's lots to read if you're keen to~

Description: This barely-there, "dew"lightly non-makekup is tinted subtly, beautifully evening out skin tone and refining the complexion.

With antioxidants and purely mineral SPF sunscreens to protect against fine lines, hyperpigmentations and other signs of (photo) ageing. With monolaurin plus other monoglycerides - all coconut-derived, soothing, anti-acne and anti-inflammatory. Multi-purpose: It can be used alone as a barely there non-makeup that leaves the complexion incredibly natural looking yet "skintriguingly" more refined. It also works under makeup as a skin-friendly, skin-enhancing primer. 

A uniquely "can't-put-my-finger-on-it-but-wow-your-skin-look-awesome" finish that subtly evens out skin tone, imparts a soft glow + works alone or under makeup as a primer. Purely physical (inorganic) SPF30 protection too. One shade works for all skin tones.

Validated hypoallergenic: VH - 76/76. 100% All-Types-Of-Fragrance-Free. 100% Dye-Phyhalete + Paraben + Preservative-Free. Non-Comedogenic. Non-Drying. Non-Darkening. Usage + Patch-Tested. All Skin Types.

(VH - 76/76 rating means that this product has none of the 76 identified allergens.)

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide: 2%, Zinc Oxide: 14%

Ingredients: Alumina, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprate, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicon, PEG100 Sterate, Simethicone, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Sodium Phytate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

Above information extracted from VMV Hypoallergenics 

Comes in a little sturdy bottle with a pump and plastic cap....which strangely enough has a gap where the nozzle sticks out a little. Umm....I don't get it. While there hasn't been any incident of seepage, there have been instances when the little residue just inside the nozzle has stained (slightly) the inside of my makeup bag. But in the big picture, I guess that's not a big deal.

The term 'subtly tinted' might not be the first thing to mind as the product pumps out looking quite dark for my NC25 - 30 skin tone... But thankfully, the cream spreads easily and the colour blends well without affecting my original skin tone. See? Those with fairer skin like NC20 might find it too dark though..but I feel that if you're going to layer some powder, that'll even things out fine.

Oh by the way, 1 pump is sufficient for my entire face =) The BBBB cream lends a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin that (thankfully) doesn't cause my face to degenerate into an oil slick throughout the day.

The term 'barely there' in the product description is right, there is little to no cover so I don't see how it's a 'BB but better' in that aspect. I also fail to see any sort of 'refining' effect. However, it performs GREAT as a primer. I used ONLY a layer of Bare Minerals compact powder on top of it and noticed that I got more coverage than usual and a smoother finish. PLUS my makeup stayed put much longer than before!

I like that the cream doesn't feel silicon-y, it feels just like any regular BB cream and doesn't leave any sort of visible layer or layering look on the skin. Also, the price is very affordable, S$24 for 12g on Luxola. Luxola has so many sales however that it's likely you can snag it for 20% off if you keep a lookout. I liked it as a base so much that I bought a 2nd bottle the moment the next Luxola sale came up!

In a nutshell, the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible BBBB cream:

• hails from a reputable brand, stocked at Common Thread at Ion Orchard if you ever feel like checking out the products before purchase.
• affordably priced at S$24/12g on Luxola.
• comes in a thumb-sized sturdy glass bottle with an easily controlled pump nozzle. Design of the plastic cap poses a SLIGHT possibility of staining on the inside of the makeup pouch though.
• spreads easily and doesn't affect the tone of my NC25-30 skin tone despite dispensing a tad dark. Fairer skin like NC20 might have an issue but powdering can even things out.
• has SPF30 so it could also function as a 'tinted' sunblock.
• has little to no coverage, doesn't perform like a BB cream in that aspect but might be sufficient for you lucky peeps with good skin to begin with~
• imparts a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin but doesn't develop into an oil slick.
• makeup goes on smoother and lasts much longer, got more coverage than usual from my Bare Minerals powder.
• doesn't go on feeling all silicon-y, feels just like a regular BB cream.
• doesn't leave any sort of 'layered with makeup' look when used with concealer and powder.
• didn't cause any sort of reaction on my skin, but then it IS a hypoallergenic cosmetic.

Overall, I'm ever so slightly bummed that it didn't give any coverage and didn't really improve the look of my skin when applied on its own. But it performs so well as a base and is really comfortable to have on. It's also very affordable and skin-friendly so until I come across something else, I guess I'm sticking to this find!

So if you've been looking for an affordable, light, skin-friendly makeup base without that silicon feel, check out the VMV Hypoallergenics BBBB cream~ I'd love to know how it works for you! =)

Nuxe Aroma-Perfection Purifying Cleansing Gel, Hello!

I'm not sure if you guys remember but I stopped using cleansers when I rediscovered the awesome cleansing and skin-balancing properties of the konjac sponge in Nov 2012. I really feel that not using cleansers 90% of the time helped my skin to regain its natural balance and got my skin back to a..how shall I say...neutral ground? Like I got a fresh look at my real skin type y'know? =P I hope I'm making sense here.

It's been almost a year since I had a regular facial cleanser into my routine so I figured it was time to reintroduce one to my routine. Since there was some salicylic acid in the ingredients mix, I settled on the Purifying Cleansing Gel from the Nuxe Aroma-Perfection range~

S$42/200ml at the usual drugstores/pharmacies/dept stores

Although its just a tad pricey, Nuxe is quite often on 20% off during sales so that brings the price down by almost S$10! *thumbs up*

Here's a look at the back of the bottle and ingredients list:

'Clears pores and eliminates excess sebum while respecting the skin (soap-free, mild surfactants). Morning or night, work into a lather on damp skin then rinse off. Avoid contact with eyes.

Without paraben.'

After switching toners from Legere to DHC, my sebum clog-prone jawline was still experiencing the occasional clog so I was hoping that a cleanser would complete the job. The Nuxe Purifying Cleansing Gel comes in a regular pump dispenser that's abit on the stiff side so it travels safely without leakage.

I usually use about 1 to 1 1/2 pumps....this is the amount you get from 1 pump:

The instructions say to work into a lather on damp skin. For awhile I couldn't figure out how to foam it...applying it to a damp face only resulted in a thinned out gel with zero foam. Then I realized that I need to foam it in my palm first~ Just rub the gel and a little water semi-violently around the palm of your hand with a couple of fingers and you should get a thin foam that looks like this:

Conventional knowledge will tell you that gel cleansers are better for combination oily skin types but I was skeptical as I'd previously tried the Perfect Gel cleanser (Kose) and didn't like it because it seemed to leave an invisible layer of something on my face and didn't do anything for the sebum production...

But Nuxe totally did it for me. The lather washes off great and doesn't leave any dry or tight feeling. My jawline was completely clear within 2 weeks of usage and I use it maybe 4 days of the week to prevent overcleansing~ I'm about 2 months into the bottle and my jawline is PRISTINE. Not a single, tiny clog, I swear. I also notice an overall less oily complexion =)

So basically, the Nuxe Purifying Cleansing Gel:

• at S$42, is on the slightly higher price end of drugstore products but there's always drugstore sales to take advantage of
• 200ml bottle should last 3 to 4 months (I'm about 2 months into my bottle and have about 1/2 left)
• clean-looking white plastic pump dispenser bottle; doesn't over-dispense and easy to travel with
• soap-free, paraben-free, mild surfactants, contains salicylic acid & zinc.
• thin lather washes off well and leaves no dry or tight afterfeel.
• worked well in sebum control and delivered fairly quick results with regular use
• results: zero sebum clogs on my clog-prone jawline and an overall less oily complexion

So glad that I didn't have to go through a few different cleansers before settling on this one! It was really a lucky on-a-whim purchase! (^_^)

The Not-So-New Olay Advanced Cleansing System =P

Happy December!!! \\\ (^-^)/// With just 2 more weeks to go! How's your Xmas shopping going?

I totally went crazy shopping overseas and went over my budget >_< And the worst part is I haven't gotten a "main course" gift for my Dad yet! Dads are just so hard to shop for when they already have everything~~ (T____T) And on the other end, I bought more than one gift for my Mom! Like wth~~ Oh, in case you were wondering what's a "main course" gift, it's the main bigger ticket item. I like to gift hamper style so there's usually a main item accompanied by smaller "side dishes" hahahaha~~ It just makes me happy to see more packages under the tree y'know? And for the receiver I think it's fun to have multiple packages to open~

Anyway~~~~ my colleagues have recently been abuzz about using Clarisonic as a couple of the girls recently bought theirs and had pretty good results~ Well, Clarisonic is abit too pricey for me to just buy & try so I thought I might start with a more wallet-friendly option first ^_^

Watsons recently had a Xmas sale and my-oh-my the Olay Specialty Cleanser was on sale for about S$35! Done! (Usually retails around S$40 I think.)

Comes with a 20ml sample tube of Olay Skin Renewal Cleanser

Some back of the box info:

 

As a starter kit it's very comprehensive, batteries included!

 

 

As described on the box, the brush head simply clicks on. Pop in the battery and you're all set! I have to say though, that the battery compartment was quite difficult to open >_< Fear of breaking it kept me from wrenching it off and too little strength seemed to get me nowhere =_= It took awhile but I got it done.

 

Here's a closer look at the brush head:

 

Not super fine but for S$35 I'm not expecting so much really =\

If you've played with the Clarisonic display, you'll know those bristles are much finer than this budget option but who knows, maybe they'll be good enough? The 2 speed options available on this brush are also vigorous enough for me since I'm quite wary of over-exfoliating~

 

Well, I've been using this cleansing system for a little over a week now and whilst I still don't see the improved skin texture, it definitely feels very clean and smooth after usage. My skincare products absorb a lot faster too! Usage in colder climates however resulted in very very VERY slight peeling around my lower cheek area and nose, just a tiny little area, wasn't much of a fuss. So whilst Olay may not be an optimal drugstore alternative to the Clarisonic, it does help and it isn't pricey. Replacement heads are cheap too, less than S$10 per brush.

 

I haven't used the Skin Renewal Cleanser sample that came with it yet, been testing the brush with my own cleansers ^^

 

So in short, the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System Specialty Cleanser:

• Is affordable and easily found in drugstores & dept stores
• Comes in a comprehensive starter kit including battery and sample size Skin Renewal cleanser
• 2-speed control & water resistant, battery compartment's abit stiff to open though
• Bristles are not as fine as Clarisonic's but are not rough on my combination skin. Might be too much for sensitive skin types though?
• Skin feels immediately cleaner and smoother after usage without the squeaky clean feeling (however this is likely to differ with your choice of cleanser)
• Usage in winter climate resulted in VERY slight peeling on my nose and cheeks so people intending to travel with this in winter might want to take it easy
• As expected, skincare products absorbed extra well after using it
• Is most likely NOT the best drugstore alternative to the Clarisonic but performs ok for someone just looking to test out the system

 I wish the bristles were abit finer but hey, for just S$35, I think it wasn't too bad a buy~ =D



Da-Da-Da Dasoda MG Mega Liquid Concealer~

Ok I admit I'm at a loss for a decent title XP

Anyway~~ This isn't a new product, launched much earlier this year but I only recently finished my Sleek Makeup concealer so finally I was able to justify a new purchase~

This is the Dasoda MG Mega Liquid Concealer~

Retails at S$25.90 at Watsons, Sasa, y'know...the usual places =P

It comes in 2 colours, Natural and Ochre. Natural is a pink-ish shade and Ochre is a yellow-ish shade. As there weren't any testers I had to struggle for awhile to decide but thankfully, I got Ochre which is PERFECT for my NC25-30 skintone. (Check out my FAQ section for an idea of my skin tone across brands.)

A look at the back of the box info:

This concealer is also formulated with various ingredients for a 'lift-up' function and daily use supposedly can help prevent wrinkles, dryness and age spots around the eyes. That's a nice little titbit but to me, makeup is makeup..doesn't help that the skincare ingredients I can see (Royal Jelly extract, Collagen etc) are at the tail end of the ingredients list.

 

 

Moving on, here's a look at the calligraphy brush applicator~

 

 

When it's new the brush is pure white and it took me quite a while of clicking away to get the initial flow going >_< For awhile I thought the product had dried up inside the pen!



Easy click-to-dispense mechanism

The 'clicker' is firm and doesn't overdispense. =)



Blends like a dream~



The concealer liquid is quite creamy but not thick and blends very smoothly even with several layers.

 

Here I have the concealer on my undereyes, nose (on the bridge and on the redness under my nose area) and temples plus selected spots here and there on my face.



Pretty decent with just concealer ey? =D



I was really happy that it didn't cake and emphasize the lines under my eyes even though I applied several layers!



Yay no caking!!



After this all I added was a light dusting of Bare Minerals loose power, a smattering of blusher and lipbalm and I was all set!



All done in like what, 5-10min? Woots!



I have to say, I'm really liking this one!

 

In short, the Dasoda MG Mega Concealer Liquid:

• slim casing is super easy to bring around
• smooth liquid product dispenses and blends well
• conceals light to medium blemishes and undereye circles well after layering
• coverage is buildable to a medium level without caking up or emphasizing lines
• easily available and affordable (Currently 20% off!)
• having only 2 colour options might make it difficult to match skin tones

I was hesitant at first because there wasn't a tester and it was pricier than the Sleek concealer I had before but I'm glad I got this! ^__^

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. =)



Of Care and Correction - Etude House CC Cream

Hmmm seems I've been buying more Korean products recently...no idea why...maybe it's the lack of pretty, interesting, omgwtfimusthaveit Japanese products being brought into Singapore =\

Today I'm show-telling the fairly new Etude House CC Cream in #02 Glow:

It also comes in #01 Silky, which is the more matte version, but I like a little dewiness on my face so I got the Glow =)

Oooooo Luminosity~

Back of the box info:

Hopefully this'll give you an idea of the size of the tube~

Product dispenses via pump:

It does say apply liberally on the box but too much might be overdoing it as you can see with the swatches below~

 

 

The small amount that's dispensed spreads really well so you don't need to go crazy with it~ Once dispensed, you can see the tiny micro capsules in the stark white cream but as you massage, it slowly turns into a pinkish nude-ish shade which then blends into your skin. The end result is an overall fairer, more radiant look!

 

 

The cream definitely brightened up my face and evened out my skin tone. Minimal coverage for blemishes and dark eye rings etc though~ I could definitely use this on its own if I'm not going downtown or if I'm having a really good skin day! I've been using this as a base more often though cos I need the extra coverage (^__^;;) and it does make for longer lasting makeup and smoother application~

 

This would totally be enough for someone with pretty good skin just looking to add a nice made-up luminosity to their face but if you need higher coverage and concealment, this'll just be a base I guess~

 

In short, the Etude House CC Cream:

• is a nice & smooth cream with sheer coverage that is not buildable
• moisturizing effect & sunscreen of SPF30 PA++
• affordable at about S$25 as I recall
• instantly brightens up my face and helps even out the skintone, gives the my-skin-but-better look
• too much product might result in umm over-brightening? This CC cream spreads very easily so you don't need THAT much
• applies smoothly on my combination skin and stays for a good 5 - 6 hours without touchups
• lovely dewy base for smooth application and longer lasting makeup
• been using for a few weeks with no skin issues
• good for those with pretty good skin looking to add that Korean style luminosity to their look!

 

For my first CC cream, it's pretty good. I'm quite happy but not sure if I would repurchase because it strikes me as quite similar to the Maybelline BB WaterGel =\ maybe a less dewy version of the Maybelline? What do you think? ( ^__^ )

P/S: Do subscribe or follow me via google/facebook if you've enjoyed reading! Thank you~ ( ^__^ )/"