Mentholatum Acnes Toner

Mentholatum Acnes Toner

Available: Watsons, Guardian, quite cheap

Volume:

Star Properties: It has powder that will dry off the excess oil on your face.

Packaging
This is the usual toner bottle with the holed cap, so you just have to turn it over to dispense. I am fine with it, as I am already used to pouring out toner. I don't use cotton pads nowadays though. Just pour 3 drops on my palm.

But I understand that some people would prefer to have it in a spray bottle, as this saves on the volume used each time.

My favourite is the still a pump bottle though, like TFS Eco-Vert Toner.

Form
This is a powder-water bi-phase toner, which means you have to shake before use. Honestly, I don't like bi-phase stuff. To me, it's very troublesome. Plus I am particular about how I shake. Cannot be too vigorous, as this will cause bubbles in my products.

I will overturn it, wait patiently for the particles or oil slowly mix with the water. Then overturn, and overturn again. Swirl gently in between too. This is time-consuming.

Surface Finish
This toner is very drying, as it contains alcohol. Definitely only recommended for people with oily skin. My SO, who is the main user of this product, says it is mattifying, and controls oil on his face, lasting a whole day.

I personally stay away from alcohol products.

Sensitive Skin
It is okay for me. Despite the dryness, nothing happened to me.

I love it: -
I can't exactly rate this, as it is not for my skin in the first place. So I hope the description in this review may help you to judge the product by yourself.

Just want to say that it's kind of so far so good that Acnes range of Mentholatum really does help those with more serious acne problems. Haven't read serious complains before... ...

If anyone has used some Acnes products before, feel free to post your thoughts. =) Heard that the cleanser is not too bad...

Beauty DIY: Rice Water Face Wash

I am neither the first, nor will I be the last person to blog about using rice water to wash face. But this the first time I am venturing into DIY Beauty, and I am so excited about my experience! haha.

It happens that my mother cooked today, so I asked her for the rice water. And wow! It's such a big tub.

DIY Rice Water Face Wash

Available: From washing rice before cooking (May filter the water from first wash, or start collecting from the second wash). It's free of charge if you eat homecooked rice everyday. =)

Volume: One big tub. I think at least 1 litre.

Star Properties: Ever heard of SK II Pitera? Rice washing brightens the Granny's hands and keeps it smooth even at her age.

My big tub of rice water.

Ingredients
Honestly, I don't know exactly what the nutrients in rice water are. But my mother has been using rice water to water the pot of plant for as long as I can remember. So there must be good nutrients inside for the plant, besides water. And presumably, the nutrients are also good for our skin! hahaha.

Cleansing
Basically, I had such a big tub that I was trying to finish it up, so I used the rice water for everything. I first cleansed with my cleansing gel, then rinse off once with warm water. Then I used the rice water to splash on my face until all the rest of the cleansing gel came off.

Masking
I had this dried up mask cloth from another sheet mask, so I soaked it in the rice water, then press some sort of hydrating serum generously onto it. The one I use is Phyris Profession Hydro Elixir. I rubbed the serum all over the mask sheet, and placed the mask sheet on my face.

The mask sheet. Look kind of scary hanging there. :P :P :P

I did this because that bottle of serum has expired, but still looks and smell okay. And looking at the amount left, I know I would never be able to finish it soon enough (before it degenerates). So I thought of taking this chance to squirt out a lot and finish it up.

Expired bottle of Phyris Professional Hydro Intensive Elixir

I took off the mask after 10 minutes (actually should wait for 20 minutes), as I was tired of waiting for it to dry. hahahaha. Then I rinse off with cold tap water until I think the serum is gone.

Toning
Next, I soaked a cotton pad in the rice water, to use it as a toner.

Moisturizer
I even used the rice water as a moisturizer, as my current night cream is very, very thick. Using about a 10-cent coin amount of rice water on my palm, I rubbed my normal amount of night cream into it, then spread it on my face. So much easier to apply now!

I read somewhere that we can use facial mists like Evian Braumister or Avene Thermal Water to spray once/twice on our face, then use the moisturizer. The water droplets will help carry the moisturizer into the skin, cos water is a good carrier of all sorts of stuff, and the water molecule is also small enough to pass through the lipid layer of cells.

However, water oxidises things like Vitamin C. So if you are using a Vit C cream, which may be quite thick, I think it is not so advisable to spray water over it.

There is still half a tub left after I tried to use it up in so many ways. lol.

After Feel
I must admit, the after feel of using rice water is good!

My skin is very smooth and very soft. The effect is quite immediate, as I could feel it right after I use it to wash off my cleansing gel.

However, like all masks are, this is no miracle recipe. Even Genefique takes 7 days to see the effect. So continue using if you hope to see real visible effects.

Sensitive Skin
Yay! I am alright. I have read some reviews about girls complaining that rice water irritates their skin. I thought that nobody should be sensitive to rice water... ... Fortunately for me, I am okay with such a wonderful nutritious water.

Remember to do a patch test by soaking a cotton pad in the rice water and leaving it on your face. Remove if there are stinging sensations or sudden itch.

I love it: 5 hearts.

Free and good. haha. Just be careful of splashing you face and washing off with normal water too many times. Because water washes off the face's natural oils, and make the face dry.

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

So many updates!!! Dedicated to Khiel

Been trying out so many beauty products lately, and no time to blog about it.

Eye Cream
I am now using Khiel's Cryste Marine Firming Eye Treatment $70

It's so good, my friends can see the instant results. yes, it's instant. I swear by this cream.

For wrinkles, I have also tried Khiel's

Abyssine Eye Cream + $50

it works. but my primary concern is to fight the dark circles first.

Other Recommendations that I heard is good:
Khiel's

Eye Alert $40

This I have not tried. But many reviews and forums say it's good. And it's the cheapest of the lot.

I am also using Khiel's Cleanser for sensitive skin $53
I can't find the image now... But it's transparent bottle and the contents are pure white. It feels oily on application. But is actually not. Spreads well with and without water. So far so good on my ultra hypersensitive skin. But I prefer Evarro Cleansing gel better. It's fragrant too. Khiel's is does not have any fragrance.

I also bought the Yerba Mate toner $53
So far so good. But can't be applied on eye area. which makes it a little troublesome. and it means I have to spend on eye cream too... (if I don't already use it)
I don't really like it though it suits my skin... I am still trying to find a suitable toner, as I think the Evarro one is okay only.

I go to the Tampines Mall branch. And the staff is really helpful in getting suitable range for your skin. Just have to voice out your problem. Don't be shy to ask for the price. The staff is not the stuck up kind. She even offered to give samples of those things that I said I think I need. And you can ask for any samples you are interested in. They are generous with that.

I got a free moisturizer and hand cream as part of the promotion to buy at least 2 items too.
the moisturizer is okay. i don't know if there's effect. I haven't tried the hand cream.

Credits to http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/home/index.aspx?