I wrote Part 1 in February and had been wanting to get down to Part 2 soon after.
Didn't have the time till now.
A FB message from a customer reminded me.
Sorry for the wait, Jasmine!
My skin worsened when I used this skincare brand 'Simple', somewhere in my teens.
To think it's called 'SIMPLE'! The irony of it!
I didn't realise then that cleansers played such a big deal for my skin.
So upset that I threw the whole skincare range down the chute!
Heartache man...not exactly affordable for a teen to buy a whole range of skincare products.
I even thought so hard about it and kept going back to the shop to read the product description again and again, before buying.
Arrgh!
Over the years, because of acne medication, usage of the wrong products, flying and other environmental factors (stress, late nights, irregular sleep hours), my skin has become sensitive and slightly dry.
Staying grounded in Singapore has helped lots in preventing my skin from being drier.
But that also means more prone to 'rougher' skin, if I don't take care of it well.
With the current skincare products I'm using, it helps to contain my skin problem.
Do note though, everyone's skin is different due to genes/diet/environment etc, so what works for me might not work for you.
Presenting my party of cleansers!
While taking this photo, the Husband is rather amazed by the sheer number of things I need to clean my face.
Ever since the Dermalogica & Simple experiences, I learnt not to use a cleanser with the ingredient "Sodium Laureth Sulfate".
An inexpensive foaming detergent, it strips my face of moisture and causes mini breakouts.
You will find it commonly in shampoo, body soap and even dishwashing liquids.
If you google this agent, you will find a lot of articles shooting it down.
So all the cleansers you see here do not have the SLS agent.
I think skin that are on the slightly dry side, like mine, is not suitable for such a harsh cleaning agent.
From left to right:
Been using this for at least 2 years. I use this every morning on a dry face.
It is gentle enough to be my daily morning cleanser.
If I'm not using this, it would be Dermalogical Microfoliant (second from the right).
I am a fan of exfoliation.
If I don't exfoliate regularly, my skin will be 'bumpier' and rough to the touch.
I don't like.
I first bought this out of no choice.
Was walking up and down Watsons aisles, looking for a cleanser that did not have the SLS agent.
I was sceptical of its usage of hyaluronic acid in a cleanser.
Would it be useful since everything is just washed away?
But I am a fan of Japanese & Taiwanese skincare products.
They generally work better for my skin than those from USA and Europe.
My skin worsened when I used this skincare brand 'Simple', somewhere in my teens.
To think it's called 'SIMPLE'! The irony of it!
I didn't realise then that cleansers played such a big deal for my skin.
So upset that I threw the whole skincare range down the chute!
Heartache man...not exactly affordable for a teen to buy a whole range of skincare products.
I even thought so hard about it and kept going back to the shop to read the product description again and again, before buying.
Arrgh!
Over the years, because of acne medication, usage of the wrong products, flying and other environmental factors (stress, late nights, irregular sleep hours), my skin has become sensitive and slightly dry.
Staying grounded in Singapore has helped lots in preventing my skin from being drier.
But that also means more prone to 'rougher' skin, if I don't take care of it well.
With the current skincare products I'm using, it helps to contain my skin problem.
Do note though, everyone's skin is different due to genes/diet/environment etc, so what works for me might not work for you.
Presenting my party of cleansers!
While taking this photo, the Husband is rather amazed by the sheer number of things I need to clean my face.
Ever since the Dermalogica & Simple experiences, I learnt not to use a cleanser with the ingredient "Sodium Laureth Sulfate".
An inexpensive foaming detergent, it strips my face of moisture and causes mini breakouts.
You will find it commonly in shampoo, body soap and even dishwashing liquids.
If you google this agent, you will find a lot of articles shooting it down.
So all the cleansers you see here do not have the SLS agent.
I think skin that are on the slightly dry side, like mine, is not suitable for such a harsh cleaning agent.
From left to right:
1. Ginvera Marvel Gel
Been using this for at least 2 years. I use this every morning on a dry face.
It is gentle enough to be my daily morning cleanser.
If I'm not using this, it would be Dermalogical Microfoliant (second from the right).
I am a fan of exfoliation.
If I don't exfoliate regularly, my skin will be 'bumpier' and rough to the touch.
I don't like.
2. Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash
I first bought this out of no choice.
Was walking up and down Watsons aisles, looking for a cleanser that did not have the SLS agent.
I was sceptical of its usage of hyaluronic acid in a cleanser.
Would it be useful since everything is just washed away?
But I am a fan of Japanese & Taiwanese skincare products.
They generally work better for my skin than those from USA and Europe.
When I first used this, I didn't feel anything exceptional.
Yes, skin still feels supple and not dried out like a salted fish after cleansing.
But as I use it more, I started to realise it's really suitable for me!
This is my 3rd or 4th tube.
I used this in the daytime and at night before sleeping.
I wash my face with cleanser at least 2-3 times a day. So a gentle cleanser is very important to me.
If I don't wash my face before sleeping, the grime will evolve to little bumps on my skin the NEXT day.
My skin is more efficient in producing pimples & bumps than rejuvenating itself. =/
Though not very obvious, I am paranoid that they will transform into acne one day.
And if I sleep with a clean face, I do not get any big pimples before my menses too.
Yes, skin still feels supple and not dried out like a salted fish after cleansing.
But as I use it more, I started to realise it's really suitable for me!
This is my 3rd or 4th tube.
I used this in the daytime and at night before sleeping.
I wash my face with cleanser at least 2-3 times a day. So a gentle cleanser is very important to me.
If I don't wash my face before sleeping, the grime will evolve to little bumps on my skin the NEXT day.
My skin is more efficient in producing pimples & bumps than rejuvenating itself. =/
Though not very obvious, I am paranoid that they will transform into acne one day.
And if I sleep with a clean face, I do not get any big pimples before my menses too.
3. Hada Labo Hydrating Makeup Remover
I have just bought this 2 weeks ago.
Again, it was a out-of-no-choice at the Watsons aisles.
Previously I bought 2 bottles of the famous Mandom Cleansing Express water-based cleansers.
They're made in Japan, water-based and have lots of girls raving about it online.
So should be safe, right?
But after using them, I realised they cause me mini rash breakouts around my chin area.
It took me a while to realise they're the cause of it.
Maybe because they contain quite a high amount of alcohol or the acids are just too strong for me. =(
Hada Labo's version is milder. In online forums, there are girls who feel this is too mild for their makeup routine though.
I use this when I have my makeup base on, and then follow by Hada Labo's face wash.
Prior to that, I would have used my Loreal eye makeup remover to clean my eyelids and undereye (in case I smeared some makeup base over accidentally) and my lips (I use lipgloss).
Again, it was a out-of-no-choice at the Watsons aisles.
Previously I bought 2 bottles of the famous Mandom Cleansing Express water-based cleansers.
They're made in Japan, water-based and have lots of girls raving about it online.
So should be safe, right?
But after using them, I realised they cause me mini rash breakouts around my chin area.
It took me a while to realise they're the cause of it.
Maybe because they contain quite a high amount of alcohol or the acids are just too strong for me. =(
Hada Labo's version is milder. In online forums, there are girls who feel this is too mild for their makeup routine though.
I use this when I have my makeup base on, and then follow by Hada Labo's face wash.
Prior to that, I would have used my Loreal eye makeup remover to clean my eyelids and undereye (in case I smeared some makeup base over accidentally) and my lips (I use lipgloss).
4. Cure Natural Aqua Gel
This is what I called a heavy duty exfoliant.
It has no alcohol and is made in Japan.
You probably would have seen this in Watsons, retailing at about S$42.
I bought it because of the "in Oscars goodie bags!"and "Bestseller in Japan without ads!" slogans.
This is usually how I gauge whether to buy a new product or not.
If it snags a beauty award from our locals mags or bestseller in the country the product hails from, I'm sold. =)
And I really would recommend this water-based product!!
Despite being a stronger exfoliant than the ones I use, it does not turn my skin into a prune after washing!
Gosh, science can be so amazing!
I used it about 2 times a week.
There was once I was silly enough to think I can use it every alternate day.
That caused my skin to hurt from the chemicals.
So be a good girl, and don't overuse a product beyond its recommended usage.
From left to right:
I think every girl should have this as the 'handiplast' for her face!
Whenever I have a big pimple, especially those with pus, that pops out of nowhere, I will use this over the course of 2 days, and the rascal would diminish fast.
2. Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion
How can something that looks like plain water be so awesome?
I have never been a fervent user of toners or lotions, like what the Japanese & Koreans called it.
To me, paying for something that looks like H2O doesn't make sense.
I mean, how much of use can it be?
I never bought into the concept of preparing the skin for moisturisers or shrinking the pores.
My skin sensitivity has caused me to throw away many expensive moisturisers from the likes of Clinique, Dermalogica, SKII, Avene and more. They caused ugly mini bumps.
Bioessence Face Lifting Cream and Biotherm (the olive range in a green tub) are the only ones that work for me so far.
But during my so-poor-that-I-can't-even-buy-a-tub-of-cream days, I took a plunge and bought Hada Labo's lotion.
"1 bottle sold every 4 seconds in Japan!"
Wow!
I applied it by patting and pressing onto my face & experienced the famous 'boing boing' effect on my first use and amazingly, it really moisturises!
Usually, when I travels, my skin tends to be drier and requires stronger moisturiers.
But this gem prevents my face from feeling tight despite the long hours in an air-conditioned environment!
OMGGGG!
This is like the 4th or 5th bottle that I am using. I'm soooo sticking to this!
Recently, I bought the refill pack in a bid to save the globe.
Even though by cost per ml, the refill pack costs a tad more than the bottle. =P
You can see that I don't really have a moistuiser in my regime.
Not that I don't need one. Just that I haven't found quite a right one.
Please shareeeeee with me if you have good recommendations!
Experimentation can be so expensive!
You can see that I don't really have a moistuiser in my regime.
Not that I don't need one. Just that I haven't found quite a right one.
Please shareeeeee with me if you have good recommendations!
Experimentation can be so expensive!
3. Chanel Whitening Essence
I bought this based on online reviews.
S$150 a pop. The salesgirl was asking me if I wanted to buy the bigger bottle at S$220.
Told her it was my first time using it and I would rather the smaller one.
So girls, don't be rash when buying new products.
It will be heartwrenching to throw that kind of money into the rubbish bin, if it doesn't work for you.
Made in France, it does help to reduce pimple marks, especially those of new pimples.
And it doesn't cause sensitivity issues.
I'm not sure if it really whitens my skin much, as I am already quite fair.
Ya, fair but still must use whitening products because I'm prone to freckles.
I don't see my current freckles lightening though.
Might not be buying this once I finish the bottle
Thank goodness I didn't buy the larger size!
Do you have any whitening products to recommend me? =)
4. DRX Comedone FormulaI stopped using this for about a year and one day, while I was out, I looked into a mirror and was shocked to see that the clogs on my nose were THAT obvious.
Waaah, so ugly!!!
Continuous usage of this prevents my nose from being congested by blackheads.
In fact, it helps in easy extraction aka squeezing the irritating blackheads & whiteheads out.
5. BB Labs Placen10
THIS IS MY PRECIOUS!!!!
See!!! I even bold, enlarge and put it in capital letters to emphasize my point!!!!
Fann Wong (my idol!!) has used this before too!
THIS IS EVEN MORE MIRACULOUS THAN SKII FAMED MIRACLE WATER!
And that's because SKII stuff does not work with my skin.
No sensitivity issues, but....just no miracles.
Sadly, this Japanese brand has yet to come into Singapore.
I bought this from Hong Kong. It's about S$70+, I think.
First learnt about this from reading QingQing's blog
You can read up more of her experience here too!
It helps her skin lotsss!
The placenta used in this range is from Kagoshima Pig.
I was initially a bit skittish about my first-time use of placenta products. Sounds, erm, can I say, gross??
But upon the first 2-3 times of usage, the change in my face was totally surprising!
First, my face has a soft glow like the moon! No kidding!
Nothing that I have used has even given me this kind of glow and radiance that we girls dream about!
It whitens too! And I dare say, even better than the Chanel product I mentioned.
It also moisturises!
OMG, to think it looks just like packaged plain water!
只是化妝水也可以這麽神奇！！
And of course, it's made in Japan!
Can't help but think I may be a Singapore-born Chinese, but my face obviously belongs to Japan.
-____-
It works better under Japanese skincare products! Okay, minus away Fancl, SKII & Mandom.
When I bought this, I was also given a sample of its cleansing oil and placenta extract.
I couldn't bear to use the placenta extract sample (it's so small!) till I finished the Placen10.
Just a small packet (I used for 2-3 times before it ran out) and almost instantly, I love how my face brightens up!
Oh gosh, oh gosh, where have I been all these years??!!
You know it really works when the Husband, usually oblivious, asks, "Eh, you look brighter."
Me: "Brighter? As in more intelligent?"
Husband: "No, you look more radiant. Not as tired as usual. More glow to your face."
SEE!! I'm not bluffing! I glow! Like the moon!
Wahahaha! =DD
So thrilled to find something that works for meeeeee!
6. Mentholatum Nose Pore Pack
I have been using this for at least 2 years.
I used to use another brand, but was no longer able to find it around.
So I tried Kao's version. It's thinner and not as great in lifting up the blackheads.
Then I realised Kao's version is made in a different country.
So I looked for one that is made in Korea, just like the previous one I used.
Mentholatum's version is the only one made in Korea at that time when I got it from Watsons.
It's thicker and better able to 'clean' my nose.
I feel it helps to shrink the pores around my nose area plus pull out the fine facial hair too. =P
I use this every 3-4 days.
7. Mentholatum Sealing Jell
No idea why Mentholatum spells it as 'Jell' and not 'Gel'.
I would have never bought this if not for a beauty book written by 伊能靜.
Because Oxy doesn't work on me, so I reckon other pharmacy brands won't either.
I'm a fan of those Taiwanese beauty books written by celebrities, those whom I feel really have great skin.
I bought that book for S$5-7 when I was in Shanghai.
Books in China are so affordable! Bet few people realise that!
She highly recommended this in her book and a friend was having acne problem then.
So I bought my first tube in Taipei's Cosmed 康是美 (it's like Watsons but better!)
It works for him well!
When this is launched in Singapore, I start using it and realise it works better than DRX's CF on my pimples with pus.
So when I get those once-a-month dreadful pimples, at home, I would have the 3M Acne patch stuck on, even while sleeping.
But when I'm out, I will apply this.
真的很好用！
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Gosh, now I feel so much like a beauty blogger than a blogshop owner! Hahah!
Hope it's of use to you ladies out there!
I will blog more about the masks and makeup I use in the next entry!
Hope it's of use to you ladies out there!
I will blog more about the masks and makeup I use in the next entry!
Yes, next entry, not few months later!
This looks pretty long for a read. =P
Goodnight for now!! =))
Metta,
欣雨 Xinyu
