Define Organic Cosmetics

I searched the title, "define organic cosmetics", after being so influenced by Viva Woman on how we should keep things natural. And this is the best result I got: Organic Cosmetics for Natural Beauty! The other top hits are just reiteration of what she wrote.

I think the best info that I have learned from here, is that there are certifications for organic cosmetics. Those touted to be organic but without the certified stamp, are products out to cheat your money.

Some Western organic-certified logos, picture credit to Organic Cosmetics for Natural Beauty!

And the next best info to know, is that

"A serious problem with ethoxylated surfactants (those that utilise ethylene or propylene oxide in the chemical reaction) is that they can be contaminated with dioxane, a potent carcinogen."

Plus,

"All compounds containing TEA, DEA and MEA can undergo nitrosation with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. One study has found that over 40% of products containing triethanolamine (TEA) were contaminated with these potent carcinogens."

All these info kind of gets to you, and eat into your conscience about how you are not taking care of your body if you use inorganic skincare.

Anyway, the solution, of course, is to go organic, and trust the organization that gives those certificates. You can read about what the really organic substances are in that article I linked.

So this gets me going to BudCosmetics. A place recommended by Viva Woman. When I was Novena Square 2 the last time, I did not see this shop... ...

BudCosmetics homepage - Zuji Organics is an organic certified makeup, the lipstick is reviewed to be very good by Viva Woman, here.

What I love about BudCosmetics website is that they put up all the prices clearly, so that customers can shop online. Square 2 is not all that accessible, so if you do not want to make a special trip down there, you can check out your items online.

Also, they list the ingredients in a nothing to hide manner, as many of the products are certified natural or certified organic.

I thought organic things are usually more expensive, but they actually have more affordable ranges, around $30-$40, which matches up to what popular flagship stores like The Body Shop, The Face Shop, and Skin Food are selling. Of course, there are those $100++ bottles too.

If it is roughly the same price, my thought is, why not make a switch? =) For my sensitive skin, I will have to be trying brands like Longona and Sante, which have everything from makeup removers, toners to makeup, and body care.

You may want to try it too. =)

A Post for Cleo

Where more appropriate to blog about Cleo, the magazine itself, than at askCleo.com?

I just found out that Cleo provides us a space to blog although I have been a member for some time now. Funny isn't it?

Having abandoned askCleo.com for so long already, why am back? Why do I start now? This is because I love the August issue so much! So many surprises, so many goodies, what more can a beauty lover ask for?

I was bored over the weekend, when I asked my significant other (SO) if he could get me a copy of Cleo along the way back from buying lunch. And of course, as the ever-loving SO, he sent the brightly coloured beautiful Ciara cover into my hands. Together with the words, "I saw that there is a bottle of Brands essence packed together with every copy, so I bought it".

haha, so now we all know that all the freebie gimmick works wonders, even on males. Perhaps, especially on males, because males tend to buy things based on "wu-hua, boh-hua", value-for-money or not. (My SO happily bought another SPH magazine because August issue comes with a sample bottle of Colgate Plax.)

So that was the first surprise that Cleo gave me - BRAND’S^® InnerShine^® Prune Essence. I like the taste of it, and will review it and my thoughts (yes, I have an issue with selling prune juice) about this product in a later post.

My bottle of Brands InnerShine Prune Essence as a freebie from Cleo.

Then of course, I was so over the moon that Cleo came to relieve me of boredom, and I opened it much like child with twinkling eyes, and dying to play with an Optimus Prime model. And before I managed to fully flip over the cover, tadaa! A slip of paper with a peculiar blue straw fell out. Goodness! What is a straw doing in a magazine?

I picked up the "cup" of ZA Dewy Effect Lotion and almost put the straw into my mouth, just for fun. LOL. I honestly think that this is one eye-catching, insanely innovative advertisement. (And to think I thought doing the RevitaLift "lift" in another SPH magazine is creative enough.

So in this second surprise by Cleo, I have to answer 5 questions that will tell me how thirsty my skin is. Ah, this is consumer psychology unfolding. I am very attracted to doing quizzes, no matter how silly (on facebook etc), the designer of this ad really got me reading. That's not enough. The answers, of course, are strategically printed on the other side of the ZA card.

The quiz on the front of the ZA card ad.

So I flipped it over. It says that my skin needs regular hydration, which I already knew for 3 years now. LOL. I actually did a quiz that I know the answer to. But it was fun. The best thing is that I love the Dewy Effect light green bottle, I do think that I will like the product, and ZA is offering Cleo readers a chance to get some ZA freebies!

The back of the ZA card tells you more about ZA Dewy Effect, and offers freebies and discount.

And now, for the third surprise, probably nobody would guess this. It is Genefique. Yes, i just said Genefique, the latest scientific product that is fresh out of Lancome's lab. The Genefique that has been on our TV screens for the past week now. And the Genefique that one would likely see on every (Singaporean) magazine's first page advertisement for August.

Tucked nicely away on Page 86 -87, is the advertorial for Genefique, and pasted snugly besides the spine of the magazine, is a little sample of the miracle serum. I really am loving Cleo so much, up to this point. How did they clinch the deal for a sample??? The other SPH magazine does not have that. So anyway, Lancome offers readers only, a 7-day trial of Genefique. And using it, 5 girls who give the best blog entry about it will receive a full bottle of Genefique free.

Page 86-87 of August Cleo, Genefique by Lancome.

It says, "the No. 1 selling Lancome skincare product in France since its launch!"

It features a girl who has tested it, and likes it very much.

There is the silhouette of the sample that given to Cleo readers. I have plucked it out and used it. Enough for two times.

At this time, I would really say, Cleo, you are naughty. Hiding all the goodies so well, then letting me stumble into wonderful surprises. You are one naughty, playful mag.

After the third surprise, if you think this is all, you are wrong.

Are you the Cleo Star we've been waiting for?

Cleo wants you! If you are an avid reader of Cleo, you can talk, and have the personality, Cleo wants you for a host and a fashion spread.

Go for an auditon and receive a free makeover. Sign up with $30, fully redeemable for ZA products, and get a goodie bag worth $80. Sounds pretty good. I told my SO I just wanted to go and buy the goodie bag. LOL. But he says I don't need all those products. The other reason is of course, also because I have been wanting be a host for many years. A newcaster, or a compere, I think it will be great.

So here goes the forth lovely delight. You know, turning page and page and beyond the halfway mark, you see what thought shouldn't be there. But it is right there, smiling and beckoning you.

Now, this is like eating a 3 course meal, with no desserts promised. But at the end, the waiter serves a scoop of chocolate chips peppermint ice cream. Then you wipe your mouth, hands on your bag, but the waiter comes again with a strawberry cheesecake ice-cream. This time, you half-wonder if there will be more, but still take out your wallet, hands up for the bill, when the waiter comes a third time with a scoop of durian ice-cream. You keep shaking your head and say this is not real. Now you stand up and prepare to leave and the mango sherbet ice-cream presents itself.

Enjoy, cheers. =)

Singapore Business Directory

1st Time Serious at The Face Shop

So after the skincare hunt, I was down to choosing between Eco-Vert and Su Hyang range by The Face Shop.

The Eco-Vert Range that I have chosen, is for sensitive skin, as it does not contains alcohol.

The famous Su Hyang Snow Range is for normal to oily skin.

The Ice Flower Range is for dry skin.

The Dewy Flower range is for combination to oily skin.

The Quick and Clean range is for puberty stage skin.

The Skin Nutritive Essential range is for older skin.

White Tree range is for whitening.

And the other best seller range, the White Crystal, is for whitening, which is vouched for by a doctor.

The SA taught me that products touted to have cooling properties normally contain allergens, so I have to stay away from the Icy Cool Range, although that's my favourite bottle design.

I also learned from the SA that moisturizer has to be rubbed in by the palm, not fingers.

Anyway, so here is my review for the Eco-Vert:

My TFS loot, with paper bag, box and bottles.

Eco-Vert Essential Toner

Available: The Face Shop $

Volume: 145ml / 4.9 FL. OZ

Star Properties: Contains a top layer of golden palm oil soother for thin, reactive skin.

Here are the benefits printed on the box:
- Comforting toner that puts you to an instant relaxation.
- This "double-phase" toner with essential oils delivers nature's aroma to the senses while the top layer of golden palm oil adds further nutritive moisture to the skin.

> 100% Bamboo extract used in lieu of water
> Extract of resilient Thyme frown at the summit of Mt. Jiri of Korea
> Skin hydrating Wild Pansy extract
> ECO-CERT (the European certification organization for organic products) certified Rose extract

See the layer of golden oil there? The tag is to remind the user to shake before use. So thoughtful!

It feels cooling when applied on my skin even though it does not says that there will be this effect.

I like the way the ingredients look more natural even though this is not organic.

But I had to go through the trouble of shaking well before use. And I had to press 2 times for enough liquid to come out.

Ingredients:
Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Betaine, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene glycol, Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) fluit extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Elaeis guineensis (Palm) oil, Hydrolyzed viola tricolour extract, Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) flower/leaf extract, Rosa gallica flower extract, Rosa Damascena flower oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) seed extract, Ribes nigrum (Black Currant) leaf extract, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower extract, Padina pavonica thallus extract, Sodium Carbomer, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA

I love this: 4.8 hearts.

Eco-Vert Daily Moisturizer

Available: The Face Shop $

Volume: 125ml / 4.23 FL. OZ

Star Properties: Ceramide (Naturally occurring moisturizing agent of skin) + Lecitin (component of cell membrane) forms Liquid Crystal Emulsion System. --> These two components are added to strengthen the natural protective function of the skin. * Liquid crystal emulsion system prevents moisture loss to minimal and leaves the skin feeling thoroughly moisturized and soft.

The moisturizer on the left, and toner on the right. The hygiene caps are placed at the bottom.

I really love this moisturizer. Even Love has commented on my skin being better after using it.
The bottle is very hygienic, as it has a cap to prevent dust from getting to the nozzle. Plus the pump bottle is so convenient. It is made such that one pump is just nice for my entire face and neck.

It is so easily absorbed by the skin, with a watery texture, that my skin looks softer, supple and more radiant.

Ingredients: Bambusa arundinacea stem extract, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Thymus vulgaris (Thyme) flower/leaf extract, Hydrolyzed viola tricolour extract, Rosa gallica flower extract, Rosa Damascena flower oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) seed extract, Ribes nigrum (Black Currant) leaf extract, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower extract, Padina pavonica thallus extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Park II (Shea Butter), Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) fluit extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Carbomer, Ceramide 3, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA

I love it: 5 hearts

Fun With Ingredients

This is my first try at deciphering the ingredients of a cosmetic product.

I am not that into all so natural, all so organic products. I wouldn’t be too particular, even though I have really sensitive skin that is allergic to common off-the-shelf brands, such as J&J, Neutrogena, Olay, Clarasil, and Shokubutsu. I feel these brands are generally more oily and potent. Unless I know that a particular ingredient is very obviously horribly poisonous, I will not try all means and search high and low for replacements.

But I just think that this would be a fun exercise.

I am using Laneige’s Professional Makeup Remover – Refreshing Cleansing Oil (for normal to oily skin types), as my example.

Ingredients:

Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, C12-15 alkly benzoate, Isopropyl palmitate, Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated C6-14 olefin polymers, Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, dicaprylyl carbonate, Peg-8 isostearate, Betula alba Bark/leaf extract, Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, Glyceryl linoleate, Glyceryl linolenate, Glyceryl arachidonate, Fragrance.

Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate – Nothing wrong reported.

C12-15 alkly benzoate - an emollient ester provides light conditioning with a silky-soft after feel. Use in shampoos, body wash, lotion sprays, body mist, body oils, massage oils, lotions, and creams. Perfect for use o­n sensitive skin or in baby products. Non-toxic, non-sensitizing, non-comedogenic and odorless. It is supplied as a clear, thin, slightly oily liquid and used at a typical use level of 1-15%.

Isopropyl palmitate - a palm oil based emollient, moisturizer, thickening agent, and anti-static.

Pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate - an emollient, binder, skin conditioning agent, and viscosity increasing agent. Further research reveals that it can be vegetable derived ester, and is a slightly yellowish liquid with good emulsification stability.

Hydrogenated C6-14 olefin polymers - film-forming agent, emollient, thickening and viscosity controlling agent.

Peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate - an organic compound used in skin care products to aid in stabilizing oil-in-water mixtures. It is also a skin conditioning agent that acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance.

Dicaprylyl carbonate - A soild, plant-derived fat. Sometimes referred to as the trademark name Cetiol® CC. A skin conditioner and emollient that works by providing a protective film and enhancing the skin’s lipid layer. It’s often categorized as a “dry emollient” because of its ability to moisturize the skin, making it feel soft and smooth without leaving a greasy residue behind. It has excellent spreadability, and leaves a dry, velvety feel to the skin similar to how a silicone would. Furthermore, it emulsifier easily and, has long-term emulsion stability and facilitates the application of slow spreading ingredients. For this reason, it’s often used in sunscreens containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, an ingredient that is notoriously difficult to spread over the skin. You can find this ingredient in various personal care products such as facial moisturizer/lotion, sunscreen, anti-aging treatment, rosacea treatment, eye cream, baby oil and cleanser.

Peg-8 isostearate – is probably a natural self-emulsifying polymer.

Betula alba Bark/leaf extract - Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture. For chronic or severe skin problems, a decoction of birch bark is sometimes used as a wash or bath additive. The inner bark contains an oil which is sometimes substituted for wintergreen in liniment.

Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil - has a fine texture and is almost odorless, light in texture and is easily absorbed by the skin. It has great emollient properties, making it an ideal skincare and cosmetic ingredient, without leaving any tacky or oily residue on the skin. It has mildly astringent qualities, which help to tighten and tone the skin, making it a good cosmetic ingredient for anti-aging products. It is a light and finely textured oil and is non-comedogenic. Grape seed contains proanthocyanidins, which are very potent antioxidants; helpful for diminishing the sun's damaging effects and lessening free radical damage. Proanthocyanidins are also helpful in wound healing.

Glyceryl linoleate – seems to be a human irritant. An emulsifier.

Glyceryl linolenate – a solvent

Glyceryl arachidonate – emulsifier

Fragrance – read that all fragrances are “wrapped” by Pthalum, a mineral oil.

Verdict: All ingredients are as of current, found to be very safe.

In fact, I think this uses more emollient, which are ingredients that makes your skin soft and smooth, than emulsifiers. I am a little bit surprised, as this is cleansing oil, and is primarily supposed to have more emulsifiers, which in this case, only appear towards the end of the list.

No wonder I find it so good! I really like the clean and soft feel on my skin after rinsing it off.

Here are my references: (I hope they are reliable enough, as I have not yet gone through each of them thoroughly.)

This looks like the Materials Safety Data Sheet that I will need for FYP. It provides straightforward scientific information about cosmetic ingredients. http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=700898&nothanks=1

This looks like a site for you to explore cosmetic ingredients, so that you can formulate you own potions.
http://www.thepersonalformulator.com/wvss/product_info.php?products_id=441

Seems like an all-rounded information site on body care and beauty, which is more user-pleasant. Looks good to visit again… …
http://www.truthinaging.com/ingredients/pentaerythrityl-tetraethylhexanoate/

This is another user-friendly site that investigates cosmetics ingredients. This site seems to have already evaluated the ingredients in all the common products. Looks like a MUST go back to read.
http://www.nvwah.com/p_shiseido_benefiance_revitalizing_cream.html

This shows some common cleansing oil ingredients.
http://mannatechscience.org/home/products/cleansing-oil

Finding the Perfect Lip Balm

It was 4 years ago, when I had a friend do makeup on me for my prom night (it was my first time having powder on my face), that I learned the use of lip balm. I am aware that my mother has a banana lip balm in her makeup pouch since I explored her makeup when I was in primary school. But I never knew what it was for. I just thought that the idea of turning something up and down, and applying something fragrant on your lips was pretty fun.

Subsequently, about 10 months later from my virgin makeup, I went out to buy my own set of powders. Then I started searching for a good lip balm.

If your lips are cracked, and you put lipstick directly on it, the lipstick will the wound worse. Lipsticks/lip gloss also dries out your lips. So without the protective layer of balm, your lips are weak and vulnerable. Conversely, using a balm is like applying layer of oil over to seal the moisture in, lock the poison out, and a good one may also heal your chapped lips.

Also, the skin on our lips are 10 times thinner than that of our faces, so if you're already using sunscreen, umbrella, or jackets to shield away the harmful UV rays, all the more your lips need sunscreen too. So look out for the presence of SPF in your lip products.

So here goes my little search:

My 3 miserable lip stuff: Aroma Balm by Make Up Store, Lip Tone SPF 15 by Blistex, and Lipice Colour by Mentholatum

Before I do a review of each, I shall declare that I developed a lot of disappointment after buying the above 3, and I gave up the search after wasting all the products and money. I feel that more than $5 for a stick like that is just not worth it, considering that I somehow just don't feel the undying sense of love towards any of them.

Except for the Aroma Balm, which is good enough, as I've reviewed in my previous post, the other 2 totally cannot make it.

Lipice Colour by Mentholatum
Firstly, Mentholatum is quite a good brand from Japan. One of its latest line of products is the Acnes range, which is currently the No. 1 selling skin care for acne prone skin in Japan. (There are TV advertisements for this.) So I have my expectations for this item.

Secondly, Lipice Colour was highly advertised for on TV at the point in time when I bought it. It is touted to give the ice shine effect, be a good lip balm, and of course, give the colour that lipsticks offer. So I decided to test it.

Thirdly, it comes in a really handy packaging. As you can see, the very slim stick is very easy to keep, and very easy to slide open for use. So I was drawn to it.

Forthly, it is one of the lower range priced with upper range promises lip balms that was on display in Watsons at that time.

However, despite the above reasons that I chose it, I would really say, I made a mistake. Aside from giving your lips the lipstick colour, Lipice does nothing else for your lips. All the promises are fake.

So the lesson learned here, is never to believe highly advertised for products. At least, don't be too convinced by ads. Always have your doubts, and do your research online.

Lip Tone SPF 15 by Blistex
So after learning a lesson from Lipice, I did my research this time. The conclusion was to either get Burt's Bees's lip balm or Blistex.

I had really wanted to buy Burt's Bees, but it isn't available in Singapore. And to ship something which costs less than $10 and paying the shipping fees in just not acceptable in my shopping principles. So I settled for Blistex.

I was very, very happy to find Blistex in Watsons. And there are a few choices by this brand on sale too. I don't like to by originals, as they offer no other benefits. Comparatively, Lip Tone gives a tinge of red, so I can skip my lip gloss or lipstick. It says SPF 15 too.

However, this, again, was a disappoint. It is not smooth to apply. It dries my lips when it is not supposed to. And the tube that I got happens to be stucked, so that now, I can only roll the stick up, but not back down. Really, do not buy Lip Tone. Maybe the original Blistex would be better.

So, should I say again that, like makeup removers, in terms of lip balm, there is also no such thing as value for money, no such thing as cheap and good? Because the most expensive of the lot - Aroma Balm, indeed is working, but not the other 2 cheaper ones.

Okay, but fret not. I've read that Sephora is opening its 2nd of 4 intended flagship stores in Ion Orchard very soon. And that Sephora would carry Burt's Bees's products.

Moreover, I also have another choice offered by Viva Woman - the Eco Lips lip balm, which can be found at Watsons@Ngee Ann City.

Hope I find the right one soon.

The Healing Lip Balm

I was facing an episode of drying and chappy lips the last few days for no reason. I have been drinking my normal amount of water, and I hardly apply anything on my lips. And then, I remembered my dependable lip balm - Aroma Balm by Make Up Store.

Closeup of Aroma Balm (18g) by Make Up Store

As a matter of fact, I regret almost of all my purchases from Make Up Store. I believe there are good things, but it is the truth that the things I bought does not suit me at all. They made my face breakout in zits. And I had to discard entire jars/bottles of nearly untouched product left. It was a waste of money and products, considering the price.

However, one of the items that I love is actually this - the Aroma Balm. As the name suggests, it has a nice fragrance. And it can be used on any dry parts of your body, but keep it to a small area, as it comes in solid state, so it's not so convenient to keep digging lots of it to spread over your whole hand.

I found out that it heals dry skin very well. Be it the lips, elbows, knees are ankle. And for my latest episode of chapped lips, applying it on for one whole day, made my lips so soft like never before.

The 18g little jar it comes in make this perfect to slip into the handbag for travel. Yet this little amount can last very long. Used only occassionally, this has already followed me for 3 years. =)

About 2 years ago, I brought it on my Taiwan trip as the weather was cold and essentially winter over there (no snow). My friends who borrowed this Aroma Balm gave it the thumbs up too.

However, I hate to keep applying things on my body, so I just leave this aside when my skin doesn't gives me problems.

TIP: To remove dead skin from your lips, apply a very thick layer of lip balm to both your upper and lower lips. Leave on for about 20 minutes. Then use a soft used brush to brush off the balm while rinsing it off your lips. This will remove the dead skin without you tearing or biting your lips, and also leave your puckers soft and smooth.

After singing praises about it, I think it's fair that I list the cons of this item. Especially after I spent the last few days reading up on mineral oils, I find that I'll feel guilty if I recommend this balm to someone and the someone suffers from anything.

Mineral oils are derivatives of petroleum oil, more like a refinement of the by-product in the oil manufacturing and refinery industry. So saying, it sounds really poisonous to be using something from petroleum in skin care and cosmetics. Yet if you do a quick search on the internet, it is obvious that this world is divided over the effects of mineral oils on the body. There are some, who prefer the notion - prevention is better than cure, and go dead against mineral oils. But of course those who debunk myths and maintain that well-processed mineral oils possess minimal, if any harm, to the human body. (You can read basic information here: A Close Look At Health & Beauty Aids.)

In my opinion, I think that a little, non-prolonged usage of it will not do significant damage to the body. So saying, using the Aroma Balm, which contains petrolatum (a mineral oil), to heal dry skin only when it develops, should not be a problem for anyone. It's like taking panadol - take only when you are sick. But after you recover, let your body rest and rejuvenate on its own.

Aroma Balm's ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, Petrolatum, Cera alba, Lanolin oil, Sunflower oil, Shea butter, Hazelnut oil, Carnauba wax, Tocopheryl acetate, Ozokerite propylparaben, Eugenol, Linalool, D-limonene, Benzyl Salicyclate, BHT.

Makeup Remover

Suddenly have the mood to write on this.

My first encounter with makeup remover was 3 years ago, when I bought my first set of makeup and skin products from The Makeup Store.

Then, I already know that cleansing milk is good for removing makeup, and that it's extremely important to remove makeup thoroughly so that our pores will not be clogged, and develop bad skin.

I don't think I'll be doing my reviews in a formal fashion, feels like a robot.

My First Encounter
Deep Cleansing Milk

It appears that The Makeup Store is not selling this product anymore. I would say, it's okay only. Requires a lot of effort to remove the eyeliner and mascara, although the after feel is not bad due to the milk. I don't really like it, and my skin is slightly sensitive to it, so I totally stopped using it after 5 times. The whole tube wasted.

My Second Encounter
Rosewater Cleansing Water by Sasa Cosmetics

Absolute failure. It comes in a half water half oil mixture, so I have to shake it everytime before pouring out. Totally does not remove eye makeup, even though it reads "eye and face".

I bought it after checking out several brands, and Sasa's was the cheapest per unit volume.

My Third Encounter
Professional Makeup Remover for Normal to Oily Skin by Laneige

This comes at a hefty $63 per bottle after taking into account the exchange rate. It is recommended to me by my beautician, and as she has contact, I always get my Korean brand products directly from Korea, and flown over.

WOW! This is really unbeatable. I am still on the lookout for cheaper alternatives to it.

This cleansing oil cleans my makeup off so well. Just one press, the normal facial cleaning movements and tadaa! All the makeup is gone! All, including my super stubborn Maybelline gel eyeliner. =))) And the best part? It leaves my skin soft and smooth, no oil film at all!

The plus point of this wonder oil is that it comes in a clear bottle, so that you can see how much you've used. And also, it's press out, not squeeze out or pour out, which I really don't like.

100 golden marks to Laneige!

My Fourth Encounter
Fasio Point Eye Makeup Remover

The parts I don't like about it is that:
- it really doesn't works on wet skin at all,
- I need to pour a lot! and really soak up the cotton pad, for it to be as effective as it claims.

Other than that, the effectiveness is pretty good, and the price is very affordable too.

Click for my full review =)

My Fifth Encounter
Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil

A print screen off the ad video. Credits to Fancl.

haha, this one is funny. I got a mini sample packet from a magazine. About enough to last me 6 times. Not bad right? Just so little little bit in that pack, I can use so many times.

Yea, that shows that Fancl's new creation is good!!

It comes very, very close to Laneige. And the only drawback, and maybe critical losing point for some people, is that it leaves a film of oil on my face, and I have to use my cleansing gel to wash again. (In the first place, one SHOULD use daily facial wash to wash again after cleansing off makeup. haha. But I am still quite particular towards this point.)

But it's much cheaper than Laneige. So for people whose top priority is the price, then Fancl is the best choice.

99 marks to Fancl!

******

I'd like to link an article from My Women Stuff. It's on Kao-Biore's Cleansing Oil, as shown below:

Print Screen of Biore Cleansing Oil and description off Kao's website

Due to its launch slightly after Fancl's launch, I was tempted to buy it and try, because I know that Biore's stuff is generally cheaper. But all reviews after I googled it shows one thing - DON'T BOTHER.

Here's the review from My Women Stuff: Biore Cleansing Oil

ookie dooekie! That's all for now.

Verdict: For makeup removers and cleansing milk/oil, stick to the pricier ones. This is really one thing that is 一分钱一份货. And for sensitive skin, I think sticking to oil form is better. Milk forms tends to make me itch.

PS: I've not tried, but heard that Shu Uemera's Cleansing Oil is a cult favourite. However it's triple digits price, still not within my ability.

=)

Oral Skin Supplements Work

I confess that I think oral skin supplements work.

I used to really doubt these things, think it's a waste of money, with a lot of side effects and all.

But I have this free bottle of Moisture White Capsules called Youth White Ex by Sante (click for more info). It's expiringin Jan 2011, so I thought, I should just eat it up. Been taking it for 2-3 weeks. And it seems that my face has become smoother, and less acne prone.

Feeling good too. haha.

I bought Hakubi White C2 by Sato a few weeks ago too. Haven't start on that, as I don't want to be taking too many pills at a time. (more info here)

This is another highly raved about product that truly works for skin whitening and reducing acne occurrence. The pink bottle C2 that I chose costs $32 without discount. I got it at around $25 after 20% Watsons discount. haha, so wait for the sale!!

They say the blue botte C is for people with oily skin or already very acne prone skin, stronger version of C2.

I feel like trying the Q10 cream for anti-aging. LOL.

Next time. =)

Itchy Scratchy Scars

Ok, I think I am entitled to post this, because I have been accident prone since young, and also very attractive to mosquitoes - the real life VAMPIRES!!!

The recent days, and weeks, and months TOO, have been scorching. Everyday, I feel like my house is an oven. And I am some delicious meat being baked, waiting to be served in buns. I am sure the whole Singapore is feeling the same way that I do. Even for those fortunate people who have air-con in the house, I am sure you need to go out too, right?

haha, okay, so the point being, mosquitoes are out in armies in the hot weather. And more scars for people with attractive blood like me. I don't know true or not, but I've read before that B+ blood type attracts mosquitoes more than other blood type. That means I am doomed to be mozzy's sweet honey for the rest of my life, and my children too, since Love is B+ as well. Better hope whatever that I read is baseless and rubbish! LOL.

Before anyone starts to point at me for being a complain-prone Singaporean, I better come to the real, real point. That my hands are very itchy, and I've scratched out some ugly scars in the past. But it's not the end of the world, because there is THIS:

止痒膏 Ammeda Shiyoko Ointment, 20g, Made in Japan by Focal Corporation.

It reads "Stops itching, soothes pain". And the indication says: for insect bites, bedbugs, mosquitoes, bees, itching ulcers, measles, headaches, pimples (yes, PiMpLeS), numbness, muscle fatigue, burns or abrasions.

Wow, what a long and really nice list. Looks good for everything.

The best thing is that, if you are diligent enough to apply it every 3-4 hours, the ugly scars like hard, dead skin and keloids will disappear. I have done it on many of my kiddy scars. So, it's tried, tested, and works. =)))

And the other reason why I feel compelled to share this with you, is because it's better than the famous scar serum you can find in pharmacies, namely, Palmer's Vitamin E Scar Serum, which costs a hurting $45.90 (if I don't rememeber wrongly... you can check it out at Guardian's or Unity Healthcare and selected Watsons outlet).

My mozzy cream, which is not widely heard of, can only be found in very few old and traditional medicine halls under HDBs. And it's only a few dollars.

How do I know Palmer's is not as good as it claims???

Of course I've bought and used it.
This is the one:

Palmer’s Scar Serum contains Vitamin E, cocoa seed butter, shark liver oil and onion bulb extract. the serum has a strong odor due to the shark liver, but it’s not unpleasant. It's very thick, so you will only need one drip to cover a mosquito bite.

The problem with it, is that Vitamin E promotes new skin growth. Which makes my keloid keep growing thicker and harder. While the proper way to heal a popping out scar, is to let it dry and peel off naturally. Then apply cream to promote new cell growth so that the colour blends back with the rest of your skin.

yup. But I have read countless reviews that rave about this. I think it's worth the try if you've tried everything else and doesn't works. Even I took the plunge with the money.

So people out there, if you have problems with scars, like me, give it all a try, and all the best! May we all be beautiful people. *hearts* =)))