Fugu Face Pt 2 - Bijinsenmon Slimming Face Mask review~

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

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

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

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

About S$35/box of 6 from Guardian Pharmacy

The back of the box info:

 

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

 



 

 

A look at the product:



Lots of product but it looks kinda gloppy >_<

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



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

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

 

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

 

In short, the Bijinsenmon Facial Slimming Mask:

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

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

 

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

Bijinsenmon 美人専門 Face Slimming Serum - Fugu Face?

Fugu is Japanese Pufferfish by the way. ^_^

I realize many girls nowadays have really slim faces.... Like nice sharp chins and no unsightly cheek bulges and double chins. And it's killing me softly inside. *sigh* On my first trip to Paris I refused to be photographed by my friends because it was so difficult to get a flattering angle of my big face! And even in my own shots, there was no hiding my chubby jawline. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind some flesh on my face but the looming double chin is too much for my delicate ego. =P

So I bought this:

Bijinsenmon Face Slimming Serum - S$49 from Guardian Pharmacy

Closeup so you can see those E particles

Although fronted by popular HongKong actress Christine Ng, Bijinsenmon is of Japanese formulation. You can read more about the company HERE.

A look at the back of the box info:

Closer look after the cut!

Booty Perk with Pop Pilates~

Trying to lose weight is a constant battle for me T_T because I loveeeee my foodddd~~~ Of course it doesn't help that I'm very Asian and love my rice to death. And the worst part, I'm also pro-potatochip~~~~(  T____T) omg lime and black pepper chips and spicy buffalo wing chips.....*has a homer simpson moment*..... But let's not go there.

Anyway, I wish I had the confidence or less self-consciousness to go to the gym and bounce around but sadly, that is not the case. Instead, I have to work out at home or somewhere secluded until I've trimmed down a little before I can exercise in 'public'. Pathetic? Yes quite, but true story.

One of the best home workouts was from Cassey, a pilates instructor I found on youtube. She's uber perky and talks endlessly throughout the workout so you can be distracted from the screaming of your thighs and glutes! Even though her videos are mostly in the region of 13 minutes, I find you can get quite a good workout if you piece together 2 or 3 of her videos. And trust me, you'll sweat buckets. I did some of these routines in air-conditioned comfort and still sweated heaps~ Here's a couple of my favourites!

There was a time, just a few years ago actually, when I was religiously exercising almost everyday (best shape of my life) but my husband is one of those people who are eternally slim without lifting a finger and dating him kinda threw me off my rhythm and I slowly settled back into being a couchpotato. I was super fit then and I'm totally a lazybum now. Ngaahhhh~~~ *slaps self*

Now that the distraction of Chinese New Year is completely gone (a.k.a all the goodies have been eaten), hopefully I can get into the routine again! I hope hope hope!!! At least twice a week to start with would be nice!

If you're looking to tone up abit for summer, I hope these videos will be useful~ I'm SO gonna try! Ganbarimasu!!!

2012 Best Finds - Top 8

In a few hours, 2013 will be upon us! A New Year: new beauty finds, new fashions, new foods, new friends (maybe) =P At my age, one doesn't make friends easily. But I digress.

 

Here's a look back on my favourite finds this year! Almost all the items have repeat purchases so you know I really like them~ Just click on the product names for the respective reviews!

(Note: Item listing is in no particular order.)

1 - The Konjac Sponge *click*

For replacing unneccesary cleansers in my routine and starting my skin on the route to recovery and balance, clog-free!! And so cheap!

 

2 - Biore SaraSara Powder Sheets *click*

The best wet tissue with a fragrant powdery finish for muggy days, post-workout or for a quick freshen up before stepping out!

3 - Mentholatum Organic Certified lipbalm *clickity click*

After trying to many different brands and methods, finally a lipbalm that keeps my lips moisturised and chap-free in all climates, even the -20degree winter~ Best part is it's organic too!

 

Check out the other 5 candidates after the cut! ^__^

Japanese and Korean Beauty How-Tos? (Part 1 - Diet)

You can't help but wonder if there's something special in the water in Japan and Korea. The beauty secrets of both nationalities have been a popular topic for women (and men) owing to the youthful looks and graceful aging demonstrated by both celebrities and regular people alike~

So what's the deal?

There's quite alot of material on this topic so I shall separate them into different posts for digestable reading~ ^_^ Today, we'll explore some common components in the Japanese / Korean diet~



Image 10059845 by maya picture

Detox in a Box - is the AFC Cho Beauty for real?

Ah yes. The dreaded ambush of ninja kilos..I know the feeling so well~~~~ *anguished look*

As mentioned some posts back, I've put on some weight recently and so invested in a few of the ever popular short-cut dieting products. Today, I'll discuss one of the more popular methods of slimming: Detox programmes. The product in particular is AFC's Cho Beauty - Inner Cleanse System which boasts 5 patents and the provision of 101 billion FK-23 + Bifidus Bacteria (aka good bacteria that aids in smoother, more efficient digestion):

 

 

Now, AFC is one of my preferred beauty supplement brands which is why I picked it. 'Cho Beauty' loosely translates into 'Super Beauty' and, if you've been to drugstores in Tokyo, is one of the gajillions of slimming products available in the land of the rising sun. Purchased from (where else) Watsons on sale for S$66.90 (U.P S$74.90) per box of 30 sachets, I'm now 2 weeks into the intensive detox programe.

 

While I do not believe that any manufactured products will magically help one shed 20 kilos in, say,  2 months, I DO believe in jumpstarting your system for a more effective diet.