July Skin Care Routine, Day & Night

Hello everyone, I'm finally back.
This July is super hot and sunny in Singapore, I don't feel like using much skin care products, it causes unhappy sticky feeling, so I tried to keep them as simple as possible and yet could provide enough moisture during the day and night, especially in the air-conditioned room. 

 Morning:

 

Today's Haul from Watson, Coast to Coast and Lancaster

Watson is having their super sale preview event for members only today.

Here are what I got:

Two sets of super adorable paper masks from "Love More", made in Taiwan.
One set is "7 Days Princess Charming Set", it includes:

1. Rose Crystal & Tourmaline Peptide Moisturizing Duo Lifting Mask x2, 
2. Electric Ore Peptide Firming Duo Lifting Mask x2, 
3. White Crystal & Platinum Peptide Whitening Duo Lifting Mask x2, 
4. Magic White Power Lifting Mask x1

- Suitable for all skin type -

The other set is "7 Days Beauty Direct Set", it includes:

1. French Provence Lavender Nighttime Whitening Mask x1,
2. Diamond Super White Mask x1,
3. Japan Camellia & Tourmaline Whitening Mask x1,
4. Japan Pearl Firming & Phytoncide Moisturizing Mask x1,
5. Swiss Alps Spring & Phytoncide Moisturizing Mask x1,
6. The Australian Agar Agar Lifting Mask x1,
7. Black Magic White Power Lifting Mask x1

- Suitable for all skin type -

Bio-essence Bird's Nest Nutri-Collagen & Whitening Advancer is also from Watson.

Robinson was having sales at Expo for the pass few days, my friend helped me to get this Lancaster 365 Cellular Elixir DNA Action Complex. I never tried it before, the review of it seems quite good.

Australian brand "Coast to Coast"  is having 1-for-1 promotion at their vivo city store now. My friend and I bought one box of mask and one coastal soothing eye cream at only half the price, very good deal.

Can't wait to start using them.....reviews will be coming soon....

All about Serum: Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum / Eminence Couperose-C / Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Serum

Hi everyone!
Serum is the must-have procedure in my skin care routine, I can't live without it.
Today, I'm going to review 3 serum products, which I have been using for the last 3, 4 month. They are Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum, Eminence Couperose-C High Potency Natural Antioxidant Serum and Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Serum. I have already finished the first two and just stopped using the third one.

• Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum

Purpose: 
Face lifting, in order to achieve V-shape face contour.

Bottle Design:
Pump bottle, very good hygienic design, but I find the pump itself isn't very good, there was always cream residue around the metal part, created a bit mess after few pumps.

Texture:
White color creamy texture, but it feels very light on the face.

Sunscreen Products I Like & Dislike

We are so sorry that we have been mia for quite a long time, both of us were really busy at work and study recently. Now I'm back with a review of some sunscreen products I have been using lately.

As you all know, Singapore is hot and humid all year long, sunscreen becomes very important for everyone lives here. If I can only use one skincare product everyday, it will be sunscreen without second thought, because skin damage and skin aging are mainly caused by ultraviolet. 

"Many people incorrectly assume dry skin leads to wrinkles and that moisturizers can prevent them. Not true. Research shows 90 percent of wrinkles are caused by the sun's UVA light and sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging in women and men." (about.com)

My skin condition is combination type, a bit sensitive and acne-prone.
My concern about a "good sunscreen" must be high SPF value, light texture, doesn't cause breakout and no harmful ingredient (like paraben or oxybenzone)

Below are the 3 products I like:

1, SHESEIDO ANESSA Perfect Smooth Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++

SHESEIDO ANESSA Perfect Smooth Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++

 

Total Score: 4.7 / 5 

What I like: 

High SPF value: SPF50+ PA+++  5 / 5
Finish: Matt 5 / 5
Texture: Light 5 / 5
Oil Control: 4.5 / 5
Ingredient: Paraben-free, Oxybenzone-free
(mixture of chemical and physical sunscreen) 4.5 / 5

What I dislike:
Price: 4 / 5
It's a bit pricey if to get it from department store, but it's still affordable to buy from HK drugstores.

Crazy Haul from Dior Sale Nov 2010

CD is having their annual warehouse sale at Singapore Great World City West Tower on this Wed and Thur.

My friend Candy reached there early around 11.30am today, because we heard more products will be replenished at 12pm. We queued for another half an hour waiting for their staffs to unload and set the sales items in order.

We were the first batch to go in, the office room is pretty small with much lesser choices than yesterday. We quickly grabbed some skin care products & cosmetics and joined the queue for paying within 10 mins, you can imagine how small the room is and how less the products were available.

Here are what we got today (shared with other 2 friends):

• CD Mousse Douceur Softening Rinse-off Cleansing Foam, S$20
• Diorsnow Whitening Pore-refining Gel, S$35
• Diorsnow Whitening Illuminating Eye Treatment, S$30
• HydrAction Deep hydrating Intensive mask, S425
• Dior Capture Totale Multi-perfection Concentrated Creme Radiance +, S$65
• Dior Capture Totale Multi-perfection Concentrated Essence, S$55
• Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss, S$15
• DIORSKIN MATTE AND LUMINOUS SHEER PRESSED POWDER, S$30

I only saw one eyeshadow palette #089 (right) today, there were more available yesterday and my friend managed to get me a #169 (left). 35SGD each

5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow Purple Crystal No. 169 Limited Edition

Recent Haul: EMINENCE Organic Skin Care

Here are my recent haul from SkinCareRX.com. All are from EMINENCE, you may not familiar with this brand, so am I. It is an organic brand from Hungary. I saw some good reviews recently and decided to give it a try.

 

 I got a bottle of Herbal Eye Contour Cream and an Exclusive Rose Collection set.

The herbal eye contour cream is ideal for those with mature, dehydrated, and fatigued skin. It claims that it can help to refine the youthful contours of your eyes to defy the first visible signs of aging. By hydrating, protecting, and firming the skin, your eyes no longer have to give away your age.

Review: La Prairie Cellular Balancing Mask

Hi guys! you got combination skin? Oily T-zone, blackheads around nose area and occasionally break outs? Let's try this La Prairie Cellular Balancing Mask. It's a unique at-home peeling facial, a supplement to daily cleansing and exfoliating. I bought it few weeks ago and tried once only, let's see the results.

This mask set contains 6 solvent, 6 powdered substance, 1 facial brush and 1 small plate. This intensive two-phase treatment suppose to dissolves away dulling surface cells, embedded oils and impurities. It actually helps brighten the complexion by improving its tone, texture and clarity.

Review: ANNICK GOUTAL Gelee Splendide Demaquillante Cleansing Gel for Face & Eyes

Introduction of ANNICK GOUTAL Gelee Splendide Demaquillante Cleansing Gel for Face & Eyes:

Skin is perfectly cleansed and revitalized with every swipe of Gelee Splendide Demaquillante Cleansing Gel. Active Rose Serum helps restore skin's elasticity and stimulates cell regeneration for a more supple complexion. Aloe Vera then soothes and hydrates skin leading to a silky soft feel. Soak a cotton ball with the makeup remover and then swipe all over face to purify the skin and remove all traces of makeup.  
Use:Apply to the face morning and evening with your fingertips or a cotton swab, using light movements.
200ml/6.7oz

My Skin Care Routine (June 2010)

My skin care routine of June 2010, from left to right in above picture:

1, Elizabeth Arden: Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment for Face and Throat

2, SK-II: Facial Treatment Essence

3, SK-II: Skin Signature Cream (sample size, bottom) 

4, Estee Lauder: Advanced Night Repair Eye (older version, top)

5, Dermalogica:  Sun Screen - Super Sensitive Faceblock spf30 (reviewed here)

6, Lunasol: Morning Wakening Massage N (bottom) 

7, Aesop: B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel (top)

My Skin Condition:

A bit sensitive, combination type, and acne-prone skin. 

Oily at T-zone with some blackheads around nose area. 

Cheek area is normal but my skin is very thin and prone to reddish.  

Cleansing

I'm using dermalogica special cleansing gel. I've been using this cleanser for more than 4 months, I did a review here before. 

Toning

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 

It is a transparent watery serum, but I use it as a toner. 

Normally I use cotton pad to apply toner, it helps to do a second cleansing as well as light peeling effect. But I apply this serum by my hands, because it is pricey and I don't want to waste too much on the cotton pad. On the other hand, it can absorb better with help of the hand temperature.

   

This so call "miracle water" contains more than 90% Pitera, which helps revitalize the skin's natural renewal cycle to its optimal condition for complete nutrient absorption. It also works to balance skin's pH and sebum secretion, I can feel my skin is well moisturized and less oily appearance on my T-zone area in the afternoon. 

I should have tried this serum earlier, I love it and I have already stored up one more bottle.

April: 8 Finished Skin Care Products

 

I finished above 8 skin care products before end of April, from left to right, they are:

1, Estee Lauder Optimizer, Pore Minimizing Boosting Lotion (30ml sample)

Smell: I love the fresh smell of this lotion, it contains purified black bamboo extract,which is to keep skin calm and hydrated.

Texture: Milky viscous liquid lotion, between water and gel.  

Pros: Feels very slippery smooth on skin, and better hydrated my skin than normal water toner/lotion. It's more like a light weight serum so I skipped serum in the morning sometimes.

Cons: Although I love the smell of this lotion, but since my skin is sensitive I still prefer fragrance-free lotion.
Pores size was observed smaller because of good moisturizing effect, but returned to the same once stop using it.

Repurchase: Yes, I have already bought a full size bottle from duty free shop last month.

2&3, Cellex-C Sensitive Serum Two Step Starter Kit

I did a review of this starter kit HERE two weeks after I started to use them. And now I love them more than before.

Pros: 15ml was just nice for two months' usage, because you just need 1-2 drops  for every application. I found my skin condition was very stable recently, no breakouts, less shinny T-zone as well as skin radish was relieved.

Cons: It's a bit pricey, 94USD for the set. Also not easy to buy, have to order online.

Repurchase: Yes, but I will wait and order them during online promotion next time.

4, Spawater Cream (Above left) 

I also did a review of this interesting amazing spawater cream before, HERE. I used this cream after the Cellex-C serum starter kit.

Pros: This is the cream with best moisturizing effect I've ever used. After gently massage the cream on the face, it turns into spa water, and pad gently until it's fully absorbed. My skin was so soft and hydrated. Also this is a fragrance-free moisturizer, almost couldn't smell anything.

Cons: I can't find any drawback of this product.

Repurchase: I don't think I'm able to find it again, unless someone I know who go to Hokkaido and stay in the Sounkyo (层云峡) hot spring hotel, since that's the only retailer. I heard it can be found at some Japanese website, but they do not provide international shipping service, so I have to say goodbye to it, I miss it so much.

5, By Terry Intensive Multi-Active Moisturizer (Above right) USD90 

Original look:

Review of Aesop: Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque

My Skin Condition:

A bit sensitive, combination type, and acne-prone skin. 

Oily at T-zone with some blackheads around nose area. 

Cheek area is normal but my skin is very thin and prone to reddish. 

From what I know, when skin temperature increases 1 degree C, our skin sebum level increases 5-10% more and pores get bigger. Typically in Singapore, in such a hot and humid weather all day all year, I feel like my pores never closed. : (

That's why we have use cleansing mask to remove excess skin sebum. I have tried a lot of similar products, some of them were too harsh to me, some did not have enough cleansing effect, until I found this:

Aesop: Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque

Aesop is an Australian brand, it has a range of superlative products for skin, hair and body. 

This is deep-cleansing clay masque for most skin types, the scent is so lovely when I first open it.

My Skin Care Routine -- Dermalogica

I have been using Dermalogica skin care products on and off for about 2 years.

I must say a big "Thank You" to dermalogica, because it helped me to get out of the nightmare, acne.

I used to surfer from serious acne and black heads problem, and I tried lots of different brands of skin care products, but none of them really helped, until I approached one of the dermalogica counters at town area.

After experiencing their famous "skin mapping" technology and also a round of detailed questionnaire about my skin condition and life style, my skin was diagnosed very sensitive and dry. The reason was because I used a lot of products specially for oily and acne prone skin, some of them contains AHA, which caused my skin very dry and sensitive.

The sales assistant recommended a set, which is for sensitive skin. She explained that skin sensitivity is the root cause of many skin problems, like aging, acne, ect. She suggested me to focus on calming and soothing my irritated skin first, if I still have acne problem after I finish the set then switch to another series, which is for acne but not sensitive skin type.

Albion Essential Skin Conditioner

Albion, one of the most famous brands in Japan, founded in 1956. And this essential skin conditioner is Albion's most popular skincare product.

It was highly recommended by my friend, meimei. She has been using it for a while and she was impressed by its whitening effect. So she bought me one from Taiwan, which costs 2900NT$, about S$127, it's quite expensive for a bottle of toner, 330ml.
Below are some introduction of this skin conditioner:

Hydrating, Whitening, Acne Killing and Pore Refining!

Skin condition is prone to deteriorate owing to changes in the seasons and the environment, but this lotion makes skin healthy and moist, preventing it from becoming rough and dry and comfortably tightening it.

Delivers moisture to UV ray-damaged skin and dry skin and brings out the skin' sinnate luminosity and translucence.

Amazing Spawater Cream

 

The full name is TANKOKUSEN (炭黑泉) Spawater Cream， I got it from Hokkaido, Sounkyo (层云峡) hot spring hotel, it's about 3150Yan.

The introduction written on the box:

化粧水、乳液、美容液、美白液、下地クリームが1つになった人気の美容クリーム。
プラセンタエキス・コエンザイムQ10・ヒアルロン酸・コラーゲン・温泉水・黒砂糖・竹炭エキス等の濃密な潤い成分で一日中潤いに包まれます。
The main ingredient is Hokkaido spring water, and also Q10 etc.
What makes it so special is that it is an "all-in-one" cream, it combines toner, serum, sunblock, makeup base etc into one bottol, don't believe it? Let's try it out!

My Recent Skin Care Haul: Cellex-C Sensitive Serum Two Step Starter Kit

I'm very happy with my recent skin care haul, Cellex-C Sensitive Serum Two Step Starter Kit (94USD). I have been using them for about two weeks and they do really work.

Below is product description from the official website:

The Serum For Sensitive Skin is designed to accommodate the needs of highly sensitive skin types.

Cellex-C Serum for Sensitive Skin is an oil-free liquid dramatically reduces the effects of photo-aging; the primary cause of wrinkles and prematurely aged skin without the sensitivity and reaction sometimes associated with high levels of ascorbic acid. The appearance of lines will visibly diminish and your skin will feel smoother and firmer, within 8-12 weeks of use, your skin will begin to feel young again.