Hey, Bud Cosmetics is having their 4th birthday sale and all their brands are going on a discount. Have you bought anything from the store? If not, perhaps you might want to consider the Kimberly Sayer range that I’ve been testing since mid February. The range was sent to me for a complimentary review by the company and I have to say that I’m liking the products quite a bit. I was also surprised to find that the prices are quite affordable.

The range is not certified organic as a brand but I understand that the products are formulated to be chemical-free with certified organic ingredients such as Oat Beta Glucan, Sea Algae, rare Ugandan Shea Butter and powerful anti-aging botanicals, such as Kimberly Sayer’s patented ingredient Plant Pseudocollagen. The products I received for review were the cleansing lotion, toner, moisturizer and a night cream suitable for my combination, acne prone skin. Don’t you think the packaging looks very attractive?

Kimberly Sayer Light Cleansing Lotion 150ml $39.10

I was not too hot about this cleansing lotion when I first started using it because it works like a cleansing cream to remove makeup for me. I do need to use a foaming cleanser afterwards because I don’t like the residue it leaves behind although I suppose some women do not mind that. The lotion smells faintly of soy and is pleasant by my standard. However, as I continue using, I grew to like it as it is gentle and yet helps to remove my makeup effectively. In addition, I like the idea that the Oat Beta Glucan protects against UVA oxidative stress and reduces inflammation caused by acne. Being in a pump bottle means dispensing the lotion is easy and I also like the idea that this is in a clear bottle where I can see how much is left. I only use this once, at the end of the day to remove my light makeup before a foam cleansing routine. About 6 pumps work for me and so this one will deplete in 2 months’ time. Would consider purchasing this on my own.


Kimberly Sayer Organic Botanical Astringent 150ml S$49

This astringent smells lovely and reminds me of the Hada Labo lotion as it provides a “toing toing” feeling after application. Okay, some people might say it’s a sticky feel and it does feel sticky on first application and that’s where the “toing toing” comes in but the stickiness disappears pretty quickly too. This product is suitable for for oily and acne prone skin as it contains essential oils of tea tree, chamomile and geranium, which work to deep cleanse the skin and dry up acne and blemishes, without over drying the skin. The product is also said to minimize enlarged pores and diminish oily surface shine by calming overactive sebaceous glands. Well, I would say it does but the thing is, I don’t use this daily, especially when I use a sun protective oil over my skin. Although it’s a nice product but personally, I don’t see a need for it and would be happy to continue using my own toner. But it should work great for those with oily skin type.


Kimberly Sayer Ultra Light Facial Moisturizer SPF25 150ml S$60

Okay, I have to say this is a great product because it is a moisturizer with SPF and in terms of the texture, it’s non-greasy and gives me a matt coverage. However, it feels a little drying when I apply this on its own and hence, I usually apply this over my facial oil. Over because this contains titanium dioxide plus zinc oxide and hence, it is supposed to sit on top of my skin to provide the SPF protection. The thing that concerned me when I first started using this product was the lemon oil in the ingredients. Granted, it is almost at the end of the ingredient list but the scent is still strong and so I was worried it might cause some amount of photosensitivity. When I checked with Eric of Bud Cosmetics, I was informed that the concentration of the lemon oil is less than 1%, and the presence of the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide effectively block the UV radiation to cause any photosensitivity due to the lemon oil. Apparently, the reason why lemon oil is used is because it is very effective in balancing sebum production as well as fighting the bacterial infection in acne. Anyway, I use this on days when I am indoors and I found it nice enough to prevent my face from getting oilier throughout the day. I am unlikely to purchase this product on my own but if you’ve got combination or oily skin and are looking for a moisturizer with SPF and yet provides a matt coverage, this product might work for you. A bottle should easily last about 4 months.


Tangerine & Calendula Healing Light Night Cream 60ml S$60

Okay, this product I really love and that surprises me because I’m usually not so keen on moisturizing face cream. I was first excited about this product because the formula is said to promote healing of acne scars, dark marks and sun damage while gently hydrating the skin. Many of you know that I use a facial oil but the thing is, some facial oils don’t work too well in terms of hydrating my skin. Hence, I usually have to use something along with the facial oil. So I was using Varnya alongside this night cream and I found my skin looked better in terms of the reduction of acne marks. I have tried using this cream on its own and yes, it’s very light but I didn’t find it sufficient for my skin and hence, the combination with a facial oil works best for me. I suppose those with oily skin type might be able to use this comfortably on its own. Anyway, the 60ml jar is going to last me a long while because I use very little of it each night. The product has a faint floral scent that is very soothing to the senses. I would definitely consider purchasing this! The only caveat is that it is best to scoop some of the cream into a smaller container to prevent product degradation as the cream is housed in an open jar.

Overall summary
The Kimberly Sayer skin care range that I have tried is lovely in terms of texture. All products did not cause my skin to become oilier. In fact, I claim the promise that they help to balance oil production for those with oily or acne prone skin type. I did not have unnecessary breakouts while using this range and so that’s really great. In addition, all the products smell lovely and are easy to use. However, although the packaging is lovely and we can see how much product is left, the clear bottles means light penetration is high and careful storage of the products should be considered. I also don’t like the night cream in the open jar.

Overall, I think the range is quite promising because they are not just basic skin care products but contain ingredients that do more for different skin concerns. Aside from oily and acne prone skin type, the range also offers products suitable for other skin types. Personally I find the prices reasonable for the quality they offer and Bud Cosmetics is currently offering 15% off the range until 3 April plus members will enjoy additional 4% discount on the discounted prices. The company is also donating 3% of the total sale proceeds during their birthday sale to the “Japan Disaster Fund” administered by the Red Cross Society. So definitely a good time to check them out – either online or at their stores located at #03-32 Mandarin Gallery or #01-66 Square 2.

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I noticed that the Thai market seems to be very supportive of their local brands; their fashion and beauty brands are pretty dominant as seen in their strong presence in the department stores. Another observation is that Thai beauty brands pride themselves on using Asian heritage as a selling point, especially when positioning themselves in the international markets. compact foundation makeup Brands such as Panpuri, Thann and Harnn, which are also available in Singapore, are examples of those that have used this marketing edge to their advantage.

Use of herbal ingredients and aromatherapy
Many of the Thai beauty brands also have a longstanding tradition of using herbal ingredients and aromatherapy in their skincare and some have successfully offered their products as spa treatments. And as expected, not all of them are completely natural as touted. The premium brands seem to do a better job of this and I was also told that some of their ingredients are imported from France. However, none of the brands I spotted are organic and this is no surprise as certification is a tedious and costly process.

Panpuri
Panpuri is possibly the most expensive of the local brands. I bought some products from the range and even though I understand that they’re slightly cheaper than what’s available in Singapore, the prices are still pricey. But they do come across as pretty good quality. The scent of the rose hand cream is just divine – on par with Jurlique’s I would say. But I didn’t buy it because I wasn’t so keen to pay too much for something containing beewax as a key ingredient.

Thann
I wanted to purchase a hand cream from the Thann range instead but realized that the price is way too high. I mulled over it but in the end, I just can’t bring myself to pay for it.

Harnn
We have the essential oil back home that we bought from Tangs. I didn’t give the brand much compact foundation makeup attention except to take some pictures. I am guessing their offerings is likely more than what we have in Singapore? Well, I’m not sure because I’ve never checked out the brand while in Singapore either.

Erb
Haven’t seen this brand around but it seems to have presence in Australia and New Zealand if I’m not wrong. Apart from facial and body care, Erb offers a slate of aromatherapy products.

Divana
This appears to be one of those brands that are better known for their spa treatments. The brand seems to be available for online purchase too.

Soaps, massage oil and essential oil
Another brand I spotted was Donna Chang, with its full range of body and skin care collection. Anyway, you can easily locate these brands at the major department stores such as Central or Isetan at Central World. Other than these brands, I also noticed some natural skin care products sold at supermarkets and the Chatuchak weekend market. Some of these appear to be handmade. Many of them are 100% massage oil, compact foundation makeup body oil, essential oil, and even herbal powder.

Herbal scrubs & masks
There is definitely no shortage of herbal scrubs and masks in Thailand. In fact, you could be too spoilt for choices and the way I see it – most people will go with their noses.

Herbal soaps
Okay, I noticed soaps are quite a big thing in Thailand. The soaps are made with ingredients such as cinnamon, tumeric, mangosteen and even coffee. But because many of the ingredients and explanations are written in Thai, it’s not too easy to figure their exact benefits.

Body oil
Because of their focus on body massages, such oils are popular. From the looks of it, I think body oils are a staple in the Thai beauty regime as their SAs seems to promote them quite a bit. In addition, all compact foundation makeup the brands will have a few offerings of the body oils in different scents.

Virgin coconut oil
This is one ingredient I keep seeing over and over again in some of their products and so I believe the Thais use this rather generously as an all-in-one oil for their face, body and hair. I do like the idea of using virgin coconut oil because it has many benefits but I have to say, it is rather oily.

Lemongrass
I love lemongrass but I truly got addicted to the scent with the Thai products that I’ve been testing over the days. Lemongrass body lotion and hand creams are so divine to the senses!

Ayurvedic roots
You might have noticed that many of the Thai beauty products seem to be quite similar to those from India. Well, that’s because they have their roots in Ayurvedic as well and hence, their big focus on natural holistic well being. In fact, I also noticed that Tumeric is an important beauty ingredient for the Thais in their beauty regime. Another ingredient that is easily available is the Moringa oil. I am also pleased to be able to find some natural ingredients over at their supermarket that I’ve been hunting for a long while; ingredients that I plan to incorporate into my DIY beauty recipes. Interested to know what they are? Continue to stay tune at Viva Woman then!

Compact foundation makeup

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3

Coming to Thailand is not complete if you haven’t tried their traditional Thai massages. But Thai massages are not for everyone because the traditional ones coty silksticks lipstick require the masseuse to apply firm rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient’s back, and even arching the recipient’s body. I’ll bet many people can hardly relax in that two-hour session!

We had a foot reflexology yesterday and it was pretty relaxing because it was done in a spa salon. Although this salon is situated above the train station, but we were able to doze off during the 45 minutes with the aromatherpy and soft music playing in the background. Perhaps it was also because we were placed in a sleeping position on a comfy chair too!

I actually hate foot reflexology when I’m back home because I find those masseuses in Singapore rather sadistic as they seem to derive pleasure from seeing us cringe at the pain when they press on our pressure points. But somehow, reflexology in Thailand is far more relaxing and enjoyable. I mean, if I can doze off, it must have been comfortable! Yet, my feet were noticeably lighter after the session.

The traditional Thai massage for the full body is another story though. We decided to walk into a salon at Central because it was late and we didn’t want to coty silksticks lipstick go any further. This is a hair salon that also offers massage services. It’s kind of strange to me but at least the massages were decent. In fact, the masseuse applied very strong pressure while she massaged my body and I had to endure the pain throughout the session. Yet, I was unwilling to ask her to reduce her pressure because I wanted to have those tight muscles unknotted!

Although the 1.5 hour session was hardly relaxing for me, but I actually relish the pain and even wished she would go on for longer. (>.< ) The thing is, I enjoyed the firm pressure she applied on my body but I think the ambience didn't cut it for it wasn' a spa and did not offer any frills of loose clothings to change, music or aromatherapy. The best massage I've tried in Bangkok was at Dusit Thani Hotel; it was both relaxing and satisfying.

So how about you? Do you like body massages? Have you tried the traditional Thai massage and how do you like yours - coty silksticks lipstick firm pressure or a softer touch?

Coty silksticks lipstick

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After two days of shopathon, which essentially comprise walking and more walking, we are both pretty worn out. We took time for some foot reflexology to soothe our aching feet and also decided to head back to the hotel earlier to unwind. The hotel that was booked for us comes with a huge bath tub and it will be a waste if we do not indulge in it. In fact, to pamper ourselves more, we grabbed some herbal bath tea soak at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

There were a few varieties to pick from and I got two for myself. Apparently, these come mixed with a number of herbs that are said to improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension and body aching. Additionally, they also serve to relieve numbness and inflammation of muscles and tendons. But I guess what they really do is to refresh our body and mind.

As I’m writing this, my bestie has finished her bath soak and she testified that it is pretty refreshing. So I’m going to keep this short so that I can hit the bath tub soon for the water is being filled for me as I’m typing this. I really like the herbal scent; I find it therapeutic.

Anyway, they make great gifts as they’re only a couple of dollars and come in different sizes and colors too. We got some of the smaller packs as foot soak.

I posted up a picture of this on the Viva Woman Facebook Page and a number of you guessed rightly that this is a herbal compressor for massage. I came across it when I went for a guasha facial at Geranium. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and so decided to get a few to bring home. I was told each can last around four uses. Besides the herbal ones, I also bought the aromatherapy compressor.

Besides the bigger herbal compressor for the body, there were also smaller ones for the face and yes, I got those too. And these are the sand compressor, which are also used for massage but it needs to be used with massage oil. They feel a lot heavier and so I supposed they’re more heavy duty and you’ll need someone to “administer” the compressor on you.

Okay, I don’t plan to post my shopping and my hauls on my blog. Instead, I’ve posted pictures of them on my facebook page. Hence, if you are keen to check them up, look them up on the Viva Woman Facebook Page. Ok, I got to run…the tub is waiting!

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The fashion scene in Bangkok has really picked up over these four to five years and the offerings are almay clear complexion makeup a lot more interesting now. On the first day, we already scored some interesting buys and I think most of my shopping funds are going to fashion items and accessories rather than skin care products.

Anyway, when it comes to the fashion scene in Bangkok, my bestie is more savvy and she highlighted a few local brands to me. Amongst them was Greyhound, which is apparently also available in Singapore at CK Tang. But what was more interesting to her was not the clothes, but the cafe for Greyhound is not only a chain of boutique stores but also it also has 5 cafes and a restaurant. According to her, Greyhound cafe serves great pasta and we must try it no matter!

We hit the branch over at Siam Center and it’s pretty much a cool and fashionable place to hang out and more important, to fill our tummies and satisfy our tastebuds! The food was great. We had spaghetti with Thai anchovy, Greyhound famous fried chicken wings, fried rice with dried salty fish, and coconut sherbert. *slurps*

Actually, something hilarious happened while we were hunting for the Greyhound Cafe. My bestie remembered eating at the cafe at Siam Paragon and so we were there first. When she was unable to locate the cafe, she went to the information counter to ask for directions and was told that Greyhound Cafe has changed their name to another hound. And we initially thought it was ridiculous that the information counter couldn’t tell us the exact name and just haphazardly told us that the name has changed to another almay clear complexion makeup hound. It was later that we realized that Greyhound has a new restaurant and the name is indeed “Another Hound Cafe” and we both burst out laughing at the ingenious branding of the Thai! We all know what’s a Greyhound but Another Hound? Hello? *LOL*

While we were shopping at Central World, Siam Paragon and Siam Square, I noticed that the Thais are far more proactive in terms of helping raise funds for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. Many of the shops have donation boxes within their stores; I also see special t-shirts for sale as well as concerts and events to support the cause. It’s impossible almay clear complexion makeup not to see the plea for donation and this is certainly far more than what we are doing back home.

Oh and I scored a picture with Korean celeb Bae Yong Joon! I could have asked for his authograph except that his waxed hand aren’t so flexible! Haha. I was totally surprised they carried him out of the Madame Tussauds Bangkok – aren’t they worried he’ll melt everyone around him? Okay, that’s corny I know. I have to state on record though that I’m not his fan and hence you don’t see me getting all excited. If that was Takuya Kimura, the story would have been different for I would have planted da man a wet kiss even if he was waxy! (＾▽＾)

Okay, I got to admit that blogging on a trip is tiring. I used to just prep some posts in almay clear complexion makeup advance and schedule it up on my blog when I went away during the weekends. So blogging live is a first for me. Good thing though that the Lenovo Ideapad Y460p packs enough computing power and I’m able to prepare my pictures and post up my updates speedily without a glitch. Do stay tune for more of my shopping fun in Bangkok!

Almay clear complexion makeup

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If you are a fan of Viva Woman Facebook Page, you might know that I’m away on a shopathon sponsored by Lenovo. I’m in Bangkok with my bestie and we’ll be combing a number of the favorite shopping malls and markets. I’ve also brought along a Lenovo Ideapad Y460p and so for the next few days, you’ll hear from me as loreal bijou crystals precious effect nail colour 0 2 oz I would be blogging on the trip.

Anyway, I was looking for something protective to pack some of my cosmetics and stuff when I noticed my little red Perllini handbag, which complimented my red shoes pretty well. I hardly use this bag because it’s really too small to serve me well on most occasions. So it was lying on top of the cupboard collecting dust.

But hey, it’s pretty handy as a vanity case. Okay granted, it does not come with any compartments but I’m good with it this way. I can pack all my makeup items in it and there are still room for my sunnies! loreal bijou crystals precious effect nail colour 0 2 oz And I really like the fact that it’s almost like a hard case so it’ll protect my little glass bottles.

It’s really quite small and so it fits snugly in a corner of my suitcase. And since it’s actually a handbag, it comes with a handle and so is really handy. I likey! (^_^)

Before I go, let me show you what I’m wearing on my nails during my trip. A really bright orange! I read that orange makeup is in and I thought I should jazz up my nails with this funky bright color. Anyway, it’s an easy color to coordinate with most of the outfits I brought along.

I’ll be back soon with more updates and you might like to know that first minute updates can be received by subscribing to my RSS Feed or when you are a fan of Viva Woman Facebook Page. Typically, email updates are 24 hours later. (~_^)

Loreal bijou crystals precious effect nail colour 0 2 oz

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I used to spend quite a bit of time with my mom concocting our own hair tonic. We would go around our estate to search for morning glory, which would then be dried and soaked in a bottle of brandy. The concoction was then our own DIY hair tonic to apply to our scalp to promote hair growth. It was quite fun all right and I think it did help somewhat but I grew out of it due to the embarrassment of walking around smelling like a drunk. Anyway, I don’t really like the idea of applying hair tonic on my scalp because my hair would get all clumped up and looking greasy. So I was quite happy to experiment with this new recipe I chance upon from a book – the rosemary hair tonic rinse!

Good for oily scalp and hair loss
This looks like a popular recipe because I read some reviews about it on the forums. Apparently, it is effective for controlling greasy hair and promote hair growth because rosemary cleans our hair follicles. In addition, I also learn that the recipe is particularly recommended for people with dark hair and the rinse can also give luster to dry hair. The best part is, it’s really easy to prepare and all I need is rosemary and water.

Herbal and medicinal scent
Rosemary is notable for its use in a variety of dishes. The leaf of the plant, however, is used for medicinal purposes and is also popular in many beauty products. Once boiled with water, the medicinal smell is rather strong. But it’s not an awful medicinal smell; more like a herbal type of pleasant scent. I also like the fact that the ingredient is easily available at the supermarket. I got mine from Cold Storage.

Strain the boiled mixture
As mentioned, you only need two ingredients – rosemary and water. I emptied two packets of the rosemary into a pot with 150ml of water and brought the mixture to boil. Once the mixture boiled, I turned the fire to a lower heat and let the water simmer for about 20 minutes before letting it sit in the pot to cool. When the rosemary tonic is completely cooled, I strained the liquid into a water bottle and threw out the rosemary.

Use as a final rinse over the hair
So here you see a bottle of the rosemary hair tonic. You can also store them in those small empty mineral water bottles – use and discard. I don’t use this daily but twice a week. What I do is to pour over my hair after shampoo and conditioning, leave it to drip and then towel dry after that. I understand that some people mix this rosemary hair tonic with some vinegar but personally, I’m good using it by itself as the rosemary herbal scent is rather strong. Can’t tell yet if it has any effects but I like that it leaves my hair feeling cleaner (tried using it without conditioner and my hair was squeaky clean) and it’s also soothing and invigorating to my scalp. Hopefully, I’ll have thicker hair to report down the road!

Fundamentals of fragrance design

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This is a pretty interesting product going by the key ingredient. It contains 25% Amethyst powder. Wait a minute. Did I just write Amethyst? Isn’t that a semi-precious stone used for jewelry? Yeah it is and that’s why it’s called Gembeauty Amethyst Massage Cleanser. The product hails from Korea and is said to be preservative and chemical free.

I received this cleanser complimentary from Beauty Finest, an online store based in Singapore. I am not so keen to test too many Korean brands but this one piqued my interest enough to want to try. I had thought it’s a foaming cleanser at first but later found out, it’s not. But neither is it an oil cleanser or a cream cleanser. Let’s just say, this is a cleanser of its own kind.

Purification properties of Amethyst
Apparently, minerals in Amethyst provides purification and detoxification, resulting in an excellent whitening effect on our skin. This is definitely news to me for I’ve never imagined we can use the powder of semi-precious stone on our skin!  And besides whitening, the Gembeauty Amethyst Massage Cleanser is said to contain many other benefits, including cleansing, nourishing, reinforcing (don’t know what this means), vitalizing, moisturizing, and softening.

Texture, color and smell
As you can see from the picture, the cleanser is dark grey! I was a little surprised by that. I had thought it should be purple – which would be far more enticing…HA! The cleanser is not powdery and neither is it oily or creamy. I smell a faint Geranium aroma with this cleanser and so that’s pretty pleasant and soothing for me.

Directions to use
You are supposed to use this like a normal cleanser to massage into your skin. The massage should not take longer than 3 minutes according to the instructions but I would say 1 minute is more than sufficient. I found this product to effectively cleanse away my makeup and I can actually do without double cleansing for my face felt squeaky clean after that.

Ingredients
I’m pretty agreeable with the ingredients list but one thing to highlight is that you’ll notice that aside from the 25% Amethyst powder, this product contains various types of oils. Strange thing though is that I don’t feel there is any oil while I’m using the product.

Performance
Gembeauty Amethyst Massage Cleanser does clean very well; actually too well in my opinion. Each time I use this, I feel that my skin is too squeaky clean afterwards. I don’t find it moisturizing at all and I also feel that it has stripped away the natural oils on my skin. This is why I don’t use this daily but around 2 times a week and I use it more like an exfoliator. However, my skin does not feel dry and is instead, pretty soft. Does it firm because it seems like it’s one of the benefits? Well, I don’t see a difference but it could be because I don’t use it daily. But I do see some improvement in my skin tone although I need to qualify that the improvement in tone could also be due to the combination of skin care products I am using.

Price and availability
This product is available online on Beauty Finest. The price is S$68, a little pricey to me. International shipping is offered.

Overall summary
Gembeauty Amethyst Massage Cleanser does purify the skin but because I desire my daily cleansers to leave a moisturizing feel, so this one does not cut it for me. Hence, I find this product works better for me as an exfoliator and that’s why I say the price is pricey for me. But the difference between this and my usual exfoliator is, I don’t need to cleanse my face prior to using this for I can double this up as both a cleanser and an exfoliator. As a cleanser, it might work better for someone with oily skin. Or for those who like to use soap on their face, you might like this. In any case, I would only recommend you use it only once a day. If you have sensitive skin, I definitely don’t think this is suitable for daily usage too. As for me, while I find this an interesting product because of the ingredients but I will not consider purchasing this.

An Open Thread: Makeup Brushes

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I will admit that I don’t have much knowledge when it comes to hair care. Like I used to think that I didn’t need to use conditioner for my short hair. Afterall, it’s already pretty flat and limp and more conditioner would just weigh it down. In fact, some hair stylists tell me cover girl outlast smoothwear all day eyeliner the same thing. So for many years, I didn’t use any hair conditioner. However, with more hair coloring, I found my hair getting unmanageable without conditioner. The ends look dry and well, sometimes frizzy even.

Hair conditioner protect the cuticle scales
Later, I learnt that it is actually necessary to condition our hair because shampoos remove the bonds over the cuticle scales, or the outer layer of our hair, causing our hair to look dull and brittle over time. Hence, conditioners add a protective layer onto the cuticle scales to hold them in place to lie flat neatly. In addition, shampoos also come with different pH level – something I never really gave much thoughts to. So those with higher pH are more alkaline and can clean the hair better. However, they also strip away the natural scalp oils and extract the bonds that help hold the hair shafts together. This is why some shampoos will work great for a few days but later cause the hair to become dry and brittle – very true for shampoo formulated for oily hair.

Match or mismatch?
Anyway, I won’t go into the details of proper hair care today. I really need to look into the subject to be able to discuss more. Instead, I thought I’ll ask all of you who use both shampoos and conditioners if you mix and match brands or do you stick to using the same brand of products. Or perhaps you use both products from the same brand but use different formulations? Like the shampoo is for oily hair but the conditioner is for colored hair?

Some perform better when matched
Personally, I’ve always just mixed and match. This is because I use very little hair conditioner and one bottle would last me ages. So while I may try different shampoos, I don’t bother to buy new conditioners. But in the course of product reviews, I realized that some conditioners actually enhance the effects of the shampoo. An example is the Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Clay Conditioner; when used with the Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo, it actually adds volume to my hair. This is true because I didn’t get the same volumizing effects when I used it with another conditioner.

So how about cover girl outlast smoothwear all day eyeliner you? Do you mix and match or do you matchy matchy?

Cover girl outlast smoothwear all day eyeliner

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Many of you know I love using facial oils but you may not know how I got started with them. Like many of you, I had the misconception that oils will cause my combination skin to secrete more oil. Little did I know that they will actually help balance the sebum production and prevent wrinkle formation better than moisturizers. It was Lleonn, who introduced me to the world of facial oils, and since then, I’ve been using facial oils daily. They’ve worked tremendously well for me and I use facial oils both day and night, although never alone. Currently, I’m using Varnya, which is an anti-aging serum comprising a number of beneficial oils concocted by Lleonn herself. It was sent complimentary from Lleonn not meant for a review actually, but out of friendship because she thought it would help my skin.

Customized according to my skin concerns
Anyway, I’ve been using Varnya for about two months in my night skin care regime and I love it! Although I still love the Marie Veronique Organics Anti-Aging Oil Plus, but this bottle of Varnya was customized for my skin. Hence, it is specifically addressing some of my concerns, namely acne blemishes and pigmentation spots. Plus it smells lovely!

Ingredients & formulation

The formulation is 100% natural and is free from chemicals, mineral oils, phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrance and artificial colors. It is also non-comedogenic and on top of cruelty free, it is a vegan formula free from gluten with no peanuts, corn or soy.

Use of Ayurvedic herbs
What’s really interesting about Varnya, and hence is different from the other oil serums I’ve tried, is that this product is formulated based on a combination of ayurveda and aromatherapy. It comprises hard to find Ayurvedic herbs like Gotu Kola, Shatavari, Indian Gooseberry and other herbal extracts on top of the botanical extracts, cold pressed and essential oils. But depending on the customization, not all the herbs are included.

Customized according to your skin needs and state of health
So depending on your skin concerns, Lleonn will formulate Varnya to suit your requirements. This is why when you place your order, you will be asked to complete a form asking you about the state of your skin and health. This is particularly important as some of the herbal extracts are estrogenic and thus, not suitable to be used during pregnancy and nursing or if you have other hormonal imbalances. Those with such health concerns will be given a special blend suitable for them.

Address 9 different skin issues
Actually, “Varnya” itself means glowing complexion in Sanskrit and the serum is said to be able to address a total of 9 different skin issues – including reducing wrinkles and fine lines, evening out the skin tone, repairing UV ray damage, reducing the appearance of acne, tightening saggy skin, fading blemishes and age spots, moisturizing the skin, tightening the pores, and bringing an overall glow to otherwise dull skin. I started using the oil end of last year but was less consistent until last month when I started using every night. While the serum has not given me clear, radiant skin all at once, but I found that my skin tone has somewhat improved. But what was most visible were the fine lines.

Before using Varnya
Personally, I sent a few pictures to Lleonn on top of completing the form. So this is one of the pictures I sent to Lleonn. It was taken at the end of last year and I had this wrinkly patch near the right corner of my mouth. Although the products I was using then sort of helped, but the patch was quite visible whenever I smiled (gave me an excuse for not smiling often).

After using Varnya
Now this is fresh, just taken today. Originally, I didn’t intend to do this before and after shots but knowing how pictures serve as a better testimony than words, I decided to take some shots this morning. As you can see, there is a noticeable improvement to that area.

Not using Varnya alone
However, I would like to qualify that I’m not using Varnya alone. This oil is a bit richer than the others I was using and hence, I only use this at night. But using it alone was not really sufficient to keep my skin hydrated and so I layered it with another product, of which I will review next week. So the improvement may not be solely due to Varnya but I would say, it probably contributed a lot.

Price & availability
The price of Varnya is US$72 and you can only purchase it online via the Varnya website. The price may look rather steep but if you factor in the number of oils used and that it is customized for your specific needs, it is reasonable. Anyway, the 30ml bottle will last me months! But I may not use this continually and will probably be alternating with other facial oils that I have on hand.

I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that I am only helping Lleonn to send out some of her products, including LashMantra, to her customers in Singapore and sometimes Malaysia but I do not sell these products.

Iman perfect mascara Save on Makeup Brushes

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I don’t know about others but I hated to shower as a kid. My mom would have to scream at me to get me bathing. Every. Single. Day. Of course I grew up and realized that personal hygiene is important if I wanted to expand my social circle and not have people pinch their nose when they speak to me. Slowly, I adjusted to the cruel fact that I need to lancome magicils mascara shower twice a day to keep myself presentable and over these past few years, I took more pains to “perfect” my showering routine so that I can both optimize my time and beauty. So how do I optimize my shower time? Here are my 10 tips:

1. Temperature of the water
Not many of us are fond of bathing in cold water especially if you come from a country with cooler climate. However, hot water is not ideal for bathing for it dries out your skin. So the best is to shower in lukewarm water as it is comfortable, and it helps to remove sebum. You may like to consider ending off your shower with a final cool water rinse to refresh as well as to increase circulation throughout the body. Washing our face in cold water can help to make blood vessels constrict and may even aid to reduce swelling and appearance of undereye dark circles. And as a final rinse for our hair, it can help close the scales of the cuticle, and can help constrict the openings of the sebaceous glands to help moderate sebum production.

2. Keep your shower time short
Well, quick showers essentially save water but it will also help your skin. Depending on where you’re located, the pH level of tap water differs but lancome magicils mascara is usually around 7 while normal skin pH is said to be somewhat acidic and in the range of 4.2. to 5.6. Hence, excessive contact with water can dehydrate the skin and you also like to know that tap water has the tendency to strip away oils that seal in moisture.This is why our skin becomes wrinkly after contact with water for too long. It’s best to keep your shower times under 15 minutes.

3. Shower from top to bottom
Although this is kind of common sense but I know some people wash their hair last during their showers. Shampooing your hair first will ensure you filter the dirt down your body and as you cleanse your body, you get rid of those sebum and oil to emerge really clean.

4. Wash your face after shampooing
Going by the sequence of showering from top to bottom, it make sense to wash your face after shampooing so that you don’t get the dirt from your hair or the ingredients of your shampoo into your cleansed face. Believe me, but I didn’t get this right from the start.

5. Check the water pressure on your face
Most of us shower under a shower head and in this case, it’s best to avoid putting your face directly under the shower head as the water pressure can be detrimental to your skin in the long term. Either you adjust the water pressure to be more gentle or you collect the water in your hands before splashing on your face. Alternatively, wash your face at the sink.

6. Exfoliating and massaging during showering
This is something which I’ve found lancome magicils mascara to be beneficial. Exfoliating is usually a natural extension of cleansing and by incorporating it into your shower, you basically save time. And if you do indulge in some sort of facial massage, try massaging your face while you’re showering and washing your face. It’s fast and easy as your cleanser can provide the necessary lubrication and you don’t need to apply a separate cream or oil. Additionally, this should help those who find that facial massage give them breakouts.

7. Clear your blackheads after a warm shower
Since most of us shower in warm showers, the steam from the water will help to open up pores. So this is a good time to exfoliate away your blackheads or for some of us, gently squeezing the blackheads away.

8. Get rid of dead cuticle skin
For those who do their lancome magicils mascara own manicure or pedicure, shower time is a good time to get rid of those dead cuticle skin and give them a push for the varnishing later. This is because your skin is much softer and you’ll save time from having to soak your fingers or feet.

9. Moisturize immediately after
Our skin becomes drier after showering and so it’s important to moisturize after a shower. Applying moisturizer over damp skin also helps to lock in the moisture.

10. Dry yourself before stepping out of your shower
There are probably a few people who step out of their showers all wet and dry themselves in the room. It’s much better to pat yourself dry with your towel immediately after showering because leaving water to evaporate on your skin will make it drier. And try not to dry completely but leave your skin slightly damp for the moisturizing.

Do you like to shower?
I suppose others also optimize their shower time by shaving their legs or armpits but I don’t do those. And instead of asking you what you do to optimize your shower, I’ll just ask this – do you like to shower? I used to have a dog and I can perfectly understand why she hates shower time. (¬_¬)

Lancome magicils mascara

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It’s March and time for another VivaBella Giveaway. This month, I’m giving away 14 items worth nearly S$400, sponsored by five companies plus one item contributed by me. All these will go to one winner, anywhere you are! Many of you are already familiar with the rules of this regular giveaway so I shan’t go into the details; for new participants, please read the guidelines. In addition, do note that the winner will be announced on the Viva Woman Facebook page.

PRODUCTS & SPONSORS

1. Copa Cabbana
One face cleanser and one face scrub.

2. Beauty Finest
One Gembeauty massage cleanser and five Skin Factory facial masks.

3. Varnya
One 100% all natural, vegan and gluten-free anti-aging serum.

4. LashMantra
One 100% natural grown eyelash serum made with 18 pure cold pressed oils.

5. Pai
One Bergamot Orange organic lip balm.

6. Cinda b (no click through)
A Cinda b Wrap-A-Round Clutch from me.

Skincare & beauty products from Pai Skincare & Copa Cabbana.

Face and eyelash care products from LashMantra & Varnya.

Face masks and massage cleanser from Beauty Finest.

Cinda b wrap-a-round clutch in roundabout black.

GUIDELINES TO TAKE NOTE

1. You may submit multiple entries but each comment must be different.
2. Your comment must be specific to the company or their products.
3. Comments that show no evidence of guideline 2 will be deleted.
4. The items are not redeemable for cash.
5. The giveaway will be opened till 12 midnight SST on 4 April 2011.
6. One winner will be randomly picked via random.org.
7. Everyone can participate, no matter which country you reside.
8. Winner will be announced on the Viva Woman Facebook page after closing.

I’ll be checking my moderation box regularly, hence don’t worry if your comments do not appear immediately. SO HAVE FUN EXPLORING AND ENTER RIGHT AWAY!

Rimmel extreme definition ultimate lash seperating mascara Prom Queen for a day

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I normally use a cream cleanser to remove my makeup and recently, wanted to try a homemade recipe as a substitute. I don’t use thick makeup and usually, it’s only foundation, eyeshadow and lipstick. This recipe probably won’t work for those using waterproof mascara but for my purpose, I’m pleased to say, it works! And it’s so simple to concoct for I only used three items from my fridge!

Beauty benefits of yogurt
The three ingredients in this simple homemade makeup remover are yogurt, honey and lime. If you’ve followed my DIY section, you know I have often said that yogurt is a great ingredient used in a number of the homemade beauty recipes because of its natural lactic acid and enzymes, which helps to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. The beauty benefits of yogurt include soothing, softening and hydrating the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. In addition, because yogurt has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it also provides excellent cleansing properties. I personally like the 99.8% fat free natural set yogurt from Pauls. However, I used the original formulation in this recipe because I have that in my fridge.

Beauty benefits of honey
I normally use manuka honey in my homemade recipes but because I also ran out of it, so I use the next available and that is clover honey. It works just as well too. However, manuka honey is better because it is renowed for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties and hence, makes a great cleanser or mask for our face too as it helps to hydrate our skin.

Beauty benefits of lime
I have combination skin and hence, I added lime juice for its natural astringent properties. Lime juice can also help with pimples and is known to help control oily skin, improve a dull and greasy complexion, as well as lightening pigmentation spots. However, it should be noted that lime juice is photosensitive and hence, you should always use a sunscreen if you use anything containing lime. Personally, I use this recipe only in the evening.

Make it creamier if you like
So all you need is to use 2 tablespoons of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. You can add more yogurt if you like it creamier. The concoction you see here will last me around three to four washes but I always make it a point to discard my DIY mixture after three days.

Use a cotton pad to remove eye makeup
You can use this as you would a facial cleanser. For eye makeup, I use a cotton pad to wipe over to gently remove the eye shadow. I follow on by using a foaming cleanser and I know this DIY concoction works because my cleanser foams very well after that. For those who use foam cleansers, you should realize by now that if your face is still full of impurities, your cleanser will not foam as well.

Double cleanse is important
Of course some ladies would consider using this as a facial cleanser too if they do not mind the feeling of a residue over their skin. If you’re using this alone to cleanse your face, then I suggest you do a double cleanse with the mixture. Personally, I find this works better for me as a makeup remover.

Gentle with a pH of 4.5
I have tested this recipe with a pH test strip and am happy to report that it is gentle with a pH of 4.5 (healthy skin has pH 4.5 – 5.5). However, while a pH 4.5 is gentle, it is also mildly acidic and hence, for those with sensitive skin, do use this recipe with caution. Perhaps you can consider reducing the amount of lime juice. And so do be careful using this around your eyes for lime juice will sting!

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I used to buy perfumes quite frequently but not for myself though. They were pressies for my mom who loves wearing them all the time. So I grew up sniffing lots of perfume and strange enough, I don’t like wearing them. I do get perfume oils and fragrance balms for the sake of novelty but I hardly use them unless I smell really bad for no good reasons. HA.

Where to apply?
Most expert advice suggest applying perfume directly on our skin, in particular, our pulse points. In fact, one of the tips I frequently receive is to spray the perfume over a body lotion to make the scent last longer. I’ve also come across some tips that suggest spraying perfume near our hair. However, is it really that good to apply perfume directly on our skin or our hair? My mom always apply her perfume on her clothes and never on her skin or hair even though she never took note of their ingredient list. All she said was that it’s not good. Well, I suppose this is particularly so for perfumes that list alcohol denat as the first ingredient. This ingredient is extremely drying when used directly on the skin. This is probably why those with sensitive skin cannot tolerate using perfume and have to look for formulations with more natural ingredients.

How long do perfumes last?
And interestingly enough, I also found out that the more alcohol, the less concentrated and pronounced the fragrance is but the shelf life is longer (since alcohol works as a preservative too). Exactly how long? According to Carlos Ugalde, Founder of Sasha Varon Luxe Parfums, most fragrances have a shelf life of 2 years but can be extended up to 5 years if kept out of the light and in a cool place. According to him, many factors go into this and one is the oil to diluents (alcohol and other ingredients other than fragrance /essential oils) ratio.

What’s your favorite and where do you apply?
Personally, I have no favorites as I use fragrance only occasionally and apply them directly on my wrists. They do last longer as compared to when I follow my mom’s advice to apply on my clothes. As for hair, I’ve never tried but I suppose those with longer hair will smell a difference when their hair swirls.

tawanda smith commented on Chow Down, Spend Less

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Some time end of last year, Liang Shing of i-lovemylife.com contacted me and asked if I was interested to review some products from Principessa Beauty because she was planning to bring in to her organic online store. I’ve seen this brand around in Sephora with their pretty pink packaging but was under the impression that they’re mostly makeup. But I later found out that Principessa Beauty carries mostly bath and body items, hair products, lip balms and lip glosses plus fragrances that smell delicious. I was given three of their best sellers to try out and here’s my thoughts on them.

Products are free from parabens, petroleum and phthalate
I know that we shouldn’t let outward appearance belie the content but going by the pretty pink packaging, I was really expecting this to be one of those brands full of chemical synthetics. While I wouldn’t call their formulation fully natural, but I was pleasantly surprised that the brand formulates their products free from parabens, petroleum, phthalate. I also learnt that the company do not test their formulations on animals and they strive to be eco friendly by ensuring that their products are all 100% biodegradable and their packaging are reusable and/or recyclable. The company also claims to be carbon neutral, which means they have a zero footprint.

Principessa Bianco Breeze Hair & Body Powder 125g/S$42

While it’s called a hair and body powder, this is positioned as a dry shampoo and is apparently, Principessa Beauty’s award winning product. I’m an avid user of dry shampoo and so I know what to expect for a product like that. It should cut out all the grease on my hair and yet, leave my hair voluminous and manageable. This product does get rid of the grease for a good part of the day, and leaves my hair very manageable with some increase in volume. But the staying powder isn’t as good as compared to my usual Klorane’s dry shampoo. It is also very expensive. But it smells very sweet and would definitely appeal those who love to use body powder to keep themselves smelling fresh and amazing all day long.


Principessa Cattiva Diva Silky Hand Cream 100ml/S$26

I’m quite a sucker for hand cream and so I was eager to test out this one. The first few times I used this, I didn’t like the smell for it was pretty overpowering. It’s said to be scented with belloccia, which is a sweet vanilla smell. But after using it for a week or so, I got use to the scent and am quite happy to rub this on my dry hands whenever I need some moisturizing for this one makes my hands feel very silky soft without stickiness or greasiness. Definitely good to use when I’m driving for it leaves no oily stains on my steering wheel. The 100ml tube is quite huge to lug around but the good thing is, a 15ml Mini Cattiva Diva Silky Hand Cream is available for S$12.50.


Principessa Piccola Perfume Oil (Belloccia) 6ml/S$56
Another award winning product, this one is strictly fragrance and it smells exactly like the hand cream. So if you like to be walking around smelling like sweet vanilla, then you will like this. Belloccia means irresistible in Italian and is described as a seductively sweet concoction that is both extremely luxurious and intoxicatingly delicious, opening with ethereal nuances of peach and vanilla flower, cascades into middle notes of night blooming jasmine and ylang ylang and bottom notes of sandalwood and warm amber dry down to a warm, sensual finish. It’s a pure perfume oil and so, there’s good lasting power to the scent. I like that it comes in a roll-on mini bottle but I find the price awfully expensive though. Besides Bellocia, the other scent available at i-lovemylife.com is Isolina, Principessa Beauty’s signature scent.


Special promotion for Viva Woman readers
Overall, I do like the three products I’ve tried in terms of their performance but I have to admit that while they all smell delicious, the scent are all very strong. In addition, I also find their prices somewhat steep. But the range is definitely luxurious and pampering and the good thing is, Liang Shing has offered a special 10% off all Principessa Beauty’s products at her online store. No minimum purchase is required and if you spend above $50 at her store (after discount), you can get free home delivery. This offer is valid till 31 May 2011 and the promo code to use is Viva_PB. You might also like to know that all new i-vml members will receive a $5 cash credit for next purchase. To get started, click here.

Benefit makeup Organic olive essence body care by Spa de Soleil

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Crabtree & Evelyn has just launched their new floral fragrance collection. On top of the Iris collection which I covered last September, the other fragrances elizabeth arden color intrigue eye shadow refill with applicator are Lily, Lavender and Rosewater. And apart from Eau de Toilette you see here, body care and home fragrance products are also available.

The body care products under the new floral collections are all formulated with botanical extracts; while it is not 100% natural, the products are formulated to be free from paraabens parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol and mineral oil. But what I really like about the new Crabtree & Evelyn collection is their artfully crafted packaging featuring unique watercolor designs – a modern take on botanical illustrations inspired by the vibrancy found in nature.

Rosewater
This is the first collection that captured my attention because I like rose fragrance and this Rosewater collection invokes the elegant essence of the hundred petal rose. It’s very light and lovely and features a blend of rose, violet, peony, fresh green foliage and musk accords.

Lily
I think ladies who love floral scent will love this collection because the fragrance comes across as fresh and spirited. Described as a sparkling light green floral fragrance, the collection features a perfect single accord of lily of the valley surrounded by dewy greens, velvety mosses, and notes of hyacinth and ylang ylang.

Iris
I don’t mind Iris too. It’s got a rather exotic edge and elizabeth arden color intrigue eye shadow refill with applicator yes, very alluring is how I would describe the scent as the exquisite iris rhizome is at the heart of this fragrance, surrounded with violet and jasmine. Top notes of natural Italian bergamot and cassis are added to the base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, cedarwood and musk.

Lavender
The least exciting of the four has to be this collection. I suppose it’ll capture the hearts of those who are really fond of lavender because of the aromatic lavender bloom bouqueted with violet leaft, jasmine, exotic tonka bean, soft musk, and a touch of lemon leaf. Personally, I’ll skip this range because I’m not an avid fan of lavender in the first place.

Prices & availability
The Crabtree & Evelyn Floral Fragrance Collection comprise 54 skus including: Eau de Toilette, Bath & Shower Gel, Triple Milled Soap, Bod Cream, Body Lotion, Home Fragrance Reed Diffuser, Drawer Lining Papers, Scented Poured Candle, Home Fragrance Spray and Gifts. Price range from S$18 to S$88 and here’s a price list on the body care products:
- Eau de Toilette 100ml/S$65, 30ml/S$28
- Bath & Shower Gel 250ml/S$35
- Triple Milled Soap 3x85G/S$28
- Body Lotion 245ml/S$40
- Body Cream 200g/S$68
- Dusting Powder 85g/S$40

For more pictures of the collection, check out Viva Woman Facebook elizabeth arden color intrigue eye shadow refill with applicator Page.

Elizabeth arden color intrigue eye shadow refill with applicator

Adrien arpel signature club a jet tech wet set ultra creamy eyeshadow

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A friend asked me why her skin feels a lot drier and tighter by evening and what she can do to overcome the problem – short of washing her face and re-moisturizing all over again. Coincidentally, this friend also has combination skin like me – dry cheeks with oilier t-zone. cover girl fantastic lash mascara waterproof I have encountered this problem myself and these are some of the reasons I told her that could be causing the issue.

1. Moisture loss
She could be suffering from TEWL. Trans-epidermal water loss (or TEWL) is defined as a measurement of the quantity of water that passes from inside a body through the epidermal layer to the surrounding atmosphere via diffusion and evaporation processes. If our system is deficient in water, the skin’s upper layers become dry and brittle. This is why we need moisturizer. But we need more than moisturizer; to keep our skin hydrated from within, we need to drink sufficient amount of water. Hence, my advice to her was to sip water throughout the day instead of waiting till she is thirsty to keep her skin better hydrated.

2. Caffeinated beverages
Beverages with high caffeine content, such as coffee and tea, are considered diuretic and can cause more water to be lost. I am not sure about coffee but I am certain that drinking too much tea causes my skin to get drier in the course of the day, especially when I do not drink enough water. My friend loves to drink tea too and can drink three to four cups a day. Hence, I suggested to her to cut down on her consumption of tea and to drink more water instead.

3. Air temperature
In Singapore, most of us work in air conditioned environment and it’s no surprise that the blasting cool, dry air is taking moisture away from our skin. This translate into dry skin, as moisture is sucked out of our skin. The same is true of those who use central heating. My friend works long hours in an air conditioned room and I suggested perhaps she can try to get a humidifier, which is said to be able to solve the problem as it adds moisture to the air. I’ve also heard that putting a glass of water or filling a room with plants will also help resolve the problem.

4. Glands of skin
Additionally, I told her that it is widely known that our skin’s oil glands are also less active in cold weather. Plus, cheeks have very little sebaceous oil glands, and therefore are most susceptible to dryness. Hence, it’s no wonder that her cheek area can feel a lot tighter by the end of the day. To get around this, I told her to use a face mist once or twice in the day on that area and to remember to pat off the excess water and not leave the water to evaporate and cause more cover girl fantastic lash mascara waterproof dryness.

5. Ingredients in moisturizer
While applying moisturizer is important to keep our skin from drying out, what ingredients are contained within the moisturizer needs to be considered. I think many of us like the idea of applying an oil-free moisturizer but some of these contains mostly humectants, such as glycerin, aloe vera, hyauronic acid, lecithin, colloidal oatmeal, to name a few. While such a moisturizer will keep skin moist as long as there is sufficient moisture in the air, they may actually draw moisture from the skin in a dry environment. Hence, it’s best to find a moisturizer that contains a good balance of humectants, occlusives and emollients so that your moisturizer is able to retain or seal that moisture in so it is not then lost back to the surrounding air. Which means, it shouldn’t be a completely oil free formula especially if you find yourself with dry skin. Personally, I always apply moisturizer over a layer of facial oil and I find that works extremely well for me. However, my friend is less keen on applying a layer of oil and so she’s trying to look for an alternative moisturizer.

So do you have the same issue cover girl fantastic lash mascara waterproof as my friend? What do you do? What else should she be taking note of?

Cover girl fantastic lash mascara waterproof

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So here’s Renee and Mag with me at Sephora on Tuesday morning, being dolled up and waiting to have our photos taken for the Urban feature. I actually wanted to take some behind the scenes shots but ended up too engrossed in conversations with the makeup artist and hair stylist and later on, being too shy to pose for pictures. Anyway, the clothes I wore were prepared by Urban. I have no idea what sort of look I took on, but if I added a headband and a cigarette holder, I could possibly pass off as a flapper. Heh.

For those outside of Singapore, Urban is a beauty, fashion and style supplement that accompanies our national newspaper, The Straits Times, every Friday. It is a guide to looking good and yesterday, they ran a feature on Singapore’s top beauty bloggers and I was featured along with three other lovely ladies – Mag, Renee and Roseanne. Well, I really have to thank God for giving me the courage to do this, and of course my dearest readers who have been so supportive of Viva Woman. (n_n)

The makeup artist, Benedict, did my makeup using products from MAC. He’s a really cute guy and I was so surprised to learn that he used to work as a IT support specialist prior to becoming a makeup artist! Talk about a dramatic career switch. As for my hair, I really didn’t have that many options compared to the others with their long tresses. But thanks to Wayne of Essensuals Bugis, I really love how I look with my hair – they were styled with straighteners and they didn’t look limp and flat!

(click to enlarge)

The shot here of the three of us was quite funny. We were standing behind the MAC counter at Sephora trying to play with the cosmetics. But actually, there were not many products at that corner and we ended up swapping products with each other to kill time. Haha. As for my individual picture, I didn’t spend a lot of time posing for the shots really. It was just maybe about five or six shots for me and I was done. Pretty easy and relaxing for me. The only thing was that the photographer had to remind me to smile for the pictures. Oh well, I smiled all right but just not the sort of teeth-flashing smile. And if I turn around for a picture, you would have seen a big clip holding the dress too – for I had given them the wrong clothes size!

(click to enlarge)

All in all, we were there for about three hours but most of the time was actually spent on the makeup and hairdo than the actual photography. Gladys, the journalist, asked me if I’ve ever been involved in such a photoshoot. And after thinking about it for awhile, I turned to ask her cheekily, “do wedding shots count?” (~o~) Oh, and since my age has been revealed, I must well just tell you this. I actually wanted Gladys to write my age down as 40s but she couldn’t oblige due to strict orders from her editor. So I told her – okay, let’s put it down as 44 for my birthday for the year is still not over! (＾▽＾)

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Okay now everyone, pinch your nose and read this if you have back acne! maybelline finish matte pressed powder I’ve got a simple remedy for you to use at home that works but is totally unpleasant for the nose. Well, unless of course you’re a great fan of vinegar!

Salicylic acid & Alpha-Hydroxy Acid
I wish someone told me this when I was a teen because I used to have pretty bad back acne. It was so bad at one stage that I would make sure that my back was fully covered and I would avoid going swimming. I mean, spotted backs are unsightly! Well, I’m way over that adolescent phase and my back is pretty clear now but sometime ago, I had a couple of back acne and I remember reading about using vinegar. Anyway, this remedy can be used on the face for acne too for both the vinegar and the aspirin will help to slough off the old skin. In fact, this is almost your equivalent of a self-made anti-acne product because aspirins are are acetyl derivative of salicylic acid while apple cider vinegar contains AHA or alpha-hydroxy acid. But I didn’t use it on mine though because I think putting both together on my skin might be too harsh. And I wouldn’t recommend this on sensitive skin types for sure.

Easy peasy recipe
Okay, this is an easy recipe. All you need are aspirins, which are readily available from the pharmacies or drugstores. Next you need apple cider vinegar, preferably of organic grade. I use that from Bragg. And then there’s distill water, or just water since it’s only for the back. So the exact recipe is:
- one aspirin, crushed.
- one capful of apple cider vinegar
- one capful of water
(I use the cap from maybelline finish matte pressed powder the vinegar bottle for measurement – double or triple the dosage if your affected area is large.)
Mix them all and use a cotton pad or ball to dip into the solution to apply to your affected area. If you back is full of acne, then you probably need some extra help there. The texture is a bit gritty due to the aspirin but it’s still easy to apply. I typically apply after bathing, leave on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off or wipe off later.

Use as an exfoliator
As my back acne wasn’t severe, I only used this a couple of times in a week. The small acne dried up very quickly and were sloughed off when I bathed and the bigger ones subsided and subsequently, sort of disappeared perhaps as I couldn’t feel them anymore. I guess if you want to maintain a smooth back, you can probably use this recipe like an exfoliator for your back. But I can’t guarantee that your hands will be long enough to reach. (~_^)

Maybelline finish matte pressed powder

Orlane paris b21 oligo vit a min program

Posted by: futyrywoke at 05:21 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Have you seen the sample bottles of Nature’s Gate Organics haircare range sold at Guardian Pharmacy? They look really cute! Two of them are going Manage .CO Pre-Orders for S$4.90 and it was a good size for testing. I picked up the volumizing shampoo and conditioner for fine hair as I recalled some readers left me positive feedback about them. The shampoo lasted me almost two weeks, with daily washes and two washes each time. The conditioner is probably able to last me over a month since I use very little of it each time.

The range of Nature’s Gate Organics haircare range are positioned as formulated with botanical extracts without phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates and parabens. Some ingredients are also certified organic by Quality Assurance International. Additionally, the products are also vegan as they contain no animal by-products and are not tested on animals.

Nature’s Gate Organics Organic Herbal Blends Volumizing Shampoo,
Lemongrass & Clary Sage For Fine Hair

Going by the name, I would have expected to smell lemongrass but nah, I couldn’t detect a trace. I have no idea how clary sage smells like but my impression is that this shampoo smells exactly like the body wash. The scent is okay but it isn’t what I would classify as appealing. This shampoo lathers up well, cleans my hair thoroughly although I usually follow on with a second wash. Unlike some other shampoos I’ve been using, I noticed this shampoo is pretty moisturizing and so I didn’t need to use so much of the conditioner.

Nature’s Gate Organics Organic Herbal Blends Volumizing Conditioner,
Lemongrass & Clary Sage Fine Hair

Actually, there is not much to say about the conditioner…I mean, it’s just a conditioner. I use a pea size amount and it is good enough for my short hair. This one is pretty nourishing and so I usually spend a longer time rinsing it out. Smells the same as the shampoo.

Overall summary
I would rate the range 3.5 hearts out of 5. I’ll say the volumizing isn’t so great compared to others I’ve tried but it made my hair pretty manageable and I like the fact that my hair did not look as greasy as it usually does the morning after. So although the products did not quite deliver the results it promised, it did work for me. I’m not quite sure what’s the usual price for the full size bottle but it should be in the range of around S$16. Nature’s Gate is almost everywhere and so you can find them quite easily. But if you want to sample the shampoos, then get them from Guardian Pharmacy. I think the other one I spotted was the Mandarin Orange & Patchouli Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner, which is suitable for color treated hair.

Manage .CO Pre-Orders

Posted by: futyrywoke at 06:22 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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