Basic skincare

This entry is to help those starting out on skincare... (My 1st entry for 2011!!!)

The most basic step is to cleanse your face at least 2 times a day. Then apply toner and moisturiser. Do exfoliate and put on mask at least once a week.

Find a cleanser that suits your skin type. There are many variations of cleanser out there. I prefer those without foam as a person I know says that those with foam tends to dry up the skin and only clean the top layer... I don't know how true is that... anyway trying out the Holika Holika's Speedy 1 step milk-to-foam cleanser. It's quite good as it does not dry out my skin and it definitely give a clean feeling... hehe...

Toner is the next step after cleansing. It is to remove any dirt that did not get cleanse away previously. It is also to to prep your skin for the next step.

Serum or Essence (only for those with bigger budget) will be applied before the moisturiser. The need to use moisturiser depends on the type of serum being used. Some will find that serum is sufficient. ( Innisfree's Green tea seed serum is sufficient for some as they find it hydrating enough...this depends on the skin type)

Moisturiser (applied after toner if there's no serum) is a must. Use one that is suited for you. Stop using  if a certain product gives you bumps or breakouts. Massage the moisturiser in upwards motion or circular motion. There are many names to moisturiser... Lotion, emulsion, cream and moisturiser...hehe. Cream is for those with dry skin or for night usage.

Exfoliating helps to brighten your skin as it removes the dead skin on the surface. Dead skins can cause pimples and can make your skin appear dull. If you have no idea what to use... can try out Cure natural aqua gel (http://www.japalang.sg/cure/About_Cure.html). They offer samples... so do check out their site. I find it very good and there is no little beads in it. It isn't harsh on the skin.

Put on mask at least once a week. It's sort of a treat to your skin. There are many types of mask out there... There's mask sheet, sleeping pack/mask and others... When you have a mask on... don't talk, smile or frown (NO facial movements).

If you want to read a more lengthy article on skincare, go to http://beauty-trend-kr.blogspot.com/ (the above is a summarized version).
I did not buy anything from there... just stumbled onto that site... I find it quite informative on skincare and for those who wants to know more.

Water is important!!!

It's important for us to be hydrated. When we're not properly hydrated, problems will occur such as falling ill... So, here are some of my own tips/facts... I've read some of them from somewhere but that was a long time ago...

1) Don't drink water only when you're thirsty cause by then your body is already in need of water.
2) When drinking water, do not gulp down. Take a mouthful or two...
3) Water is good for the skin. If you're not properly hydrated then your face will suffer... cause after the body has taken the water that it needs... then only the remaining (if there's any) will go to the face...
4) Do not drink too much water at night or else the next day the eye lids will be puffy.
5) Drinking enough water will also help with weight loss.
6) If a person is hungry, try drinking water first as they may not really be hungry. Their system just needs water. (this is an information from a friend but I find it quite true).

So...this means that those who wants nice nice or decent skin condition...do drink more water. Drinking water is also good for health.

Face2change roller bb balm spf 30

Holika Holika bb balm... I'm really not good at taking pics of my cheeks..so not going to upload. 

The coverage is good (but it still can't cover the darker acne scar) but i think the liquid bb roller from the same line will have more coverage... This is for those who don't have much flaws on the skin... But one thing I like about this bb pact is that it doesn't even feel like I've applied anything on my face. Feels...very natural...i think this suits me well... 

This suits my skin tone. I think mine is shade #2. This shade should be suited for most people unless you're really fair... then go for shade #1. 

Reviews on Tony Moly's Dual effect sleeping pact & Holika Holika's Bulgarian rose

Dual effect sleeping pack intense repair:



The smell is okay. Texture is slightly thick but it doesn't make my skin feel oily at all... Didn't even make my skin breakout. Somehow... my pores seems smaller that morning...dunno whether i'm seeing things as it's main functions are to prevent wrinkles & help with whitening... Used it once (cause it's a sample given by Zhen from http://iheartkoreanbeauty.blogspot.com/) and I'm still in my 20s so no wrinkles yet so dunno about the anti-wrinkle part.



Bulgarian rose 12 hr moisturizing cream:




Liked the scent of this cream... doesn't make my skin feel itchy or anything. But my nose is shiny after 2 hrs...should be a bit oily for my t-zone... In the morning while washing my face, I noticed that my skin is soft and smooth to touch. I believe this is meant for those with normal to dry skin type.


All the sample that I've used are given by Zhen after I've purchased some of the stuff from her blogshop. She's very generous with the samples and her response to any any e-mail is fast... You can see some other reviews from http://eatshopbemerry.livejournal.com/  She bought plenty of korean skincare items... also from iheartkoreanbeauty so that's how I got to know that blog... Hehe...

Stuff from iheartkoreanbeauty

I've recently got more stuff from iheartkoreanbeauty (http://iheartkoreanbeauty.blogspot.com/)

Zhen gives plenty of samples away... She's very generous with the samples...

These are what I've bought:

Holika Holika - Face2change Roller BB balm spf 30.

Sort of my 1st time dabbling with cosmetics...

The cream starter:

I did not get the BB pact... Trying out this line 1st to see how my skin will react to it. Anyway...I'm supposed to put on the cream starter then the balm then the pact. But I was told that u use all 3 if there's some occasion... Most of the time people just use the BB balm/cream.

Plumping Heart Lifting Cream:

Before I forget...these are the samples (or what's left of it) from my 1st time buying from Zhen.... I've used some of them...didn't take a pic that time...

Review on Garnier products

This product is one of my 1st foray on skincare products is because of....

Pure A daily treatment moisturizer from Garnier. My skin used to break out a lot...especially in the T-zone area and all the washing is no use (washing may make the condition worse so don't keep washing your face if it's oily)... Tried this because it was given in a goodie bag from my hall... no harm trying and I read somewhere that using moisturizer is a must for the basic skincare. This product improves my skin condition. But... one day...Garnier decided to stop this line or something...I don't know... I don't see it in Watsons anymore!!! This line is replaced with Garnier Pure Active.

Tried the moisturizer but it doesn't suit me. It's stronger than the previous line. Makes my skin feel tight. Forgot how it felt like since it has been a long time. I passed the whole thing to my brother to try... But one thing good from this line is their Pure Active Spot-on Roll-on. It's effective for pimples and spots. Just as the line's intention...It's strong... so strong that I've to wipe it off not long after application. It still works on reducing the spots. Perhaps this is for those with really oily skin? 

I've also tried their Aqua Defense Non Stop Moisturizing Gel cream

It's good... Doesn't break me out and it's cheaper than most. The thing is it works for me under Singapore's weather condition... Suited for Oily/Combination skin bah... I only used this at night... More review on this product at http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com/2010/02/review-garnier-aqua-defense-non-stop-moisturizing-gel-cream/

Review on Innisfree Green tea seed serum & Himalaya Herbals face moisturizing lotion

My review on Innisfree Green tea seed serum:

I was told that it's suited for all skin types. It is one of the popular products in Innisfree. It has a nice smell. Tried it but my skin doesn't like it. The appearance of my skin became sort of rough but somehow the texture of my skin isn't as rough. Felt itchy after a while. I tried it twice but same thing happens. So... I gave it to a friend to try (don't want to waste the product...There's bound to be a reason why it's a popular product...). She has dry skin type. It suits her well as it improves on her skin condition.

Guess it depends on the product you use. If your skincare product isn't suited for you then better don't continue using it even if most people says it suits them. I'm sure there are some out there who continues using the product so as not to waste their money but girls...we've only 1 face... don't ill-treat it...



Next... From Himalaya Herbals - Face Moisturizing lotion:



There's a saleswoman promoting this product. She says it's suited for oily/combination skin types and it cost $9.90. I just went and bought it without looking at any reviews... So... when I reached home... went to google it. Those who used this says it's good. So i tried it... just doesn't suit my skin at all. While applying, there's a warm sensation but the lotion isn't warm!! Scares me but I still left it on. After an hour or so... my skin starts to feel really itchy. I didn't bother with a 2nd try...

My 1st entry!!! & my pics before and after I've lost weight.

This space will be for health and beauty information or something along that line... Hees!!! So...for my 1st entry...i'm gonna put in my pics before and after i joined a slimming contest...

Here they are... Very big size hor... I didn't even know that I'm that big till I saw the pics...

Then... this is the AFTER photos.... Slim down le... hehe... This picture is from the 3rd measurement which is about 6 weeks from the group of photos above... Too lazy too put in the pictures from the 2nd measurement...

Anyway... the 3rd measurement was for the finalists of the slimming contest... we just have to use their slimming gel and change our diet... Being among the top ten finalist, I'm entitled to a $3,000 voucher to be used on the company products ($250 for each kg lost). Love their products as they are all very effective and a time-saver for the busy people in Singapore. 

We were all encouraged to eat in our normal way because we cannot compromise our health with beauty. Just that we have to choose what type of food to put into our mouth. Fried and oily food are not encouraged but they can be taken in small amounts. Somehow I've managed to slim down even eating pizzas for supper, noodles and sandwiches...

Will post up pictures of the slimming gel soon... once i lay my hands on a camera... hehe... Do check it out under the slimming section...