tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42493905147532590692024-02-18T19:41:03.893-08:00cicique.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-91299371820178313662014-12-02T14:47:00.000-08:002014-12-02T14:47:31.487-08:00Caudalie Vine Body Luxury Set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65sjuhtp5AHeOLmACBYio10Dvu598ikRAM-2Z4g4CyEzF1GzasteGhHuEDjKvh7cuMPYb5U5uyw5-2EKp8CqHxCAFSR3xCU8Mr36WprE4GX9sS5aZueQ40mISgIKM1d4VhJWMgYYaLgk/s1600/caudalie-vine-body-luxury-set-review.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65sjuhtp5AHeOLmACBYio10Dvu598ikRAM-2Z4g4CyEzF1GzasteGhHuEDjKvh7cuMPYb5U5uyw5-2EKp8CqHxCAFSR3xCU8Mr36WprE4GX9sS5aZueQ40mISgIKM1d4VhJWMgYYaLgk/s1600/caudalie-vine-body-luxury-set-review.png" /></a></div>
Admittedly posts have been a little slack around the blog recently, so let's just crack right on with the beauty.<br />
<br />
Caudalie is one of my favourite beauty brands for both skincare and body care, and once again, they have just done it right. I recently picked up the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/vine-body-luxury-set-P389072" target="_blank">Caudalie Vine Body Luxury Set</a> </i>from Sephora. The set is $34 and includes full sized products of their <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/vine-body-butter-P287118?skuId=1657410" target="_blank">Vine Body Butter</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/h-nail-cream-P152203?skuId=941609" target="_blank">Hand and Nail Cream</a>,</i> and<i> <a href="http://www.sephora.com/lip-conditioner-P6034?skuId=241653" target="_blank">Lip Conditioner</a></i>. Oddly enough, the <i>Vine Body Butter</i> on its own costs $43. So by buying the set, you're getting the <i>Vine Body Butter</i> for cheaper, and getting a $19 <i>Hand and Nail Cream</i> and $12 <i>Lip Conditioner</i> for free. Now that's a bargain if I've ever seen one.<br />
<br />
I don't often pick up these kind of sets, because they usually contain at least one product that's just not as good as the rest and I end up not using it. With this set, however, I love, love, love all three of the products. I didn't expect to enjoy the <i>Vine Body Butter</i>, because I always find body butters to be way too thick for my liking, and I dislike that feeling of a greasy film being left on my skin. The <i>Vine Body Butter</i> is wonderfully light and absorbs into the skin very quickly, all while being incredibly nourishing for my dry and cracked winter skin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ch9bl6Kp7Tqm2n6k1UlpsLdYhG_7MaHdfPQTZmC4TIEOLsbgDmV8ZgdJdYB2cCjTcJLGeGw-JeEzxknGH84vlpojZeh6kUoOFKxuSq5ohTjrhSPiHVnKQ0t2UP3cPa7wMYOAqPWZUFA/s1600/caudalie-vine-body-butter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ch9bl6Kp7Tqm2n6k1UlpsLdYhG_7MaHdfPQTZmC4TIEOLsbgDmV8ZgdJdYB2cCjTcJLGeGw-JeEzxknGH84vlpojZeh6kUoOFKxuSq5ohTjrhSPiHVnKQ0t2UP3cPa7wMYOAqPWZUFA/s1600/caudalie-vine-body-butter.png" /></a></div>
Once the body butter absorbs (which takes seconds, really), there's no greasy residue whatsoever, so I don't have to worry about my sheets sticking to my skin as I roll around a dozen times throughout the night. The body butter has that really pleasant, fresh grapewater scent that most Caudalie products have, which I very much enjoy because it's not overpowering at all, and well, it just smells lovely. The only downside of this product for me is that because it's such a lightweight texture, I end up going through it really fast. I use the Vine Body Butter to moisturizer my entire body every night (excluding my back, which I can't reach), and the jar will probably end up lasting me two months in total. When bought at the regular price of $43, the Vine Body Butter definitely is a more expensive option than many other body moisturizers out on the market, so it probably is more of a once-in-a-while splurge item for me.<br />
<br />
The <i>Hand and Nail Cream</i> is of a similar idea to the <i>Vine Body Butter</i>: lightweight cream texture, absorbs easily into the skin, doesn't leave any oily residue, yet intensely nourishes the skin. Last Christmas, Caudalie brought out a value set of three hand creams, and I actually bought two sets, so I think it's safe to say I'm a true fan of Caudalie hand creams. The <i>Hand and Nail Cream</i> also has that soothing grapewater scent, but in comparison to the <i>Vine Body Butter</i>, I would say that the <i>Vine Body Butter</i> does have a little bit of a thicker texture.<br />
<br />
Confession: I'm a little bit of a lip balm addict. Last I counted, I had about 20 different lip balms scattered in various corners of my apartment and different bags. I've always suffered from dry lips that peel and crack easily, particularly in the winter when the harsh winds are blowing in my face constantly. I didn't expect the <i>Lip Conditioner</i> to perform well because it seemed like a very hard formula, but actually, once I put it on my lips, the lip balm just glides on beautifully. This lip balm sits well under makeup because it's nourishing while not being too slippery. I'm not completely converted from my <i>Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil</i> (which I own probably 5 tubes of and it's only a few dollars), but the <i>Caudalie Lip Conditioner</i> is a nice thing to have nonetheless.<br />
<br />
I'm considering stockpiling up on these sets because they are such good value, but I try to avoid stocking up on beauty products because I love trying new things. What first world problems are you suffering from today?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-62879637094060448072014-11-11T16:49:00.002-08:002014-11-11T16:49:35.857-08:00Bath Time Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oc7W0iRM-PrMdjPSxG9f4gnFR4ZVbwlCq9cZhlqDDJQcjfC429u-VQTYzEuPFLJizoEuj8z_R7ERFomo_eKgd1DbhIIiiC42a2dARuCXryg2fwN0u1CObfaMvQUGVEzIdUGKlPAeCao/s1600/bath-time-treats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oc7W0iRM-PrMdjPSxG9f4gnFR4ZVbwlCq9cZhlqDDJQcjfC429u-VQTYzEuPFLJizoEuj8z_R7ERFomo_eKgd1DbhIIiiC42a2dARuCXryg2fwN0u1CObfaMvQUGVEzIdUGKlPAeCao/s1600/bath-time-treats.jpg" /></a></div>
Vancouver has truly been living up to its reputation as "Raincouver" these past weeks, and as we fast approach the cold winter months, bath time has become a regular part of my night time routine, followed by folding myself up in a nest of a thousand blankets. Here are some of my favourite bath time treats.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://thebathory.com/" target="_blank">The Bathory Bath Salts</a> (</b>$30<b> </b>for 7oz/200g)<br />
<br />
I reckon any bath salts would deliver similar effects, but these were particularly fun to order because you can pick your own blend of essential oils. For my salt mix, I picked the bask option, which contains a blend of three salts that help to ease stress and help with sleep. I do find it rather annoying that you cannot see on the container which essential oils you add in to the mix. How am I supposed to order another batch if I really loved the scent? Perhaps the Bathory just wants to keep up the excitement of mixing and matching new scents each time. Always a surprise.<br />
<br />
The container, while gorgeous, is much smaller than I had initially anticipated. Each bottle contains 200g of bath salts. The Bathory recommends you use 25% of the bottle for a quick fix, 50% for full benefits, and 100% for the best bath of your life. I am not ready to spend $30 on one bath even if it is going to be the best bath of my life, so I typically use 2-3 caps of product for my bath. It may not be the best bath of my life, but the aroma of the essential oils are so soothing, and my skin feels wonderfully soft. These bath salts would probably make for a wonderful Christmas gift as they come in lovely packaging and are perfect for this time of year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.sephora.com/rice-sake-bath-P12857?skuId=1468933" target="_blank">Fresh Rice Sake Bath</a></b> ($56 for 6.8oz, or $94 for 13.5oz)<br />
<br />
Fresh is one of my favourite skincare brands, and they've got a beautiful collection of body products. The yeast extract in sake is meant to smooth and hydrate the skin (SK-II, anyone?). Although this product is quite pricey, I only need 2-3 caps to fill my whole bath with fun bubble times. The scent of the bath kind of smells like a combination of peach and LOTS of ginger, and is meant to be inspired by the bathing rituals of Geishas with real peaches. The plant extracts are meant to increase blood circulation and ease muscle strain for maximum relaxation. I don't think these effects are very noticeable, but the scent is divine, the bubbles are perfect, and my skin is irresistibly soft at the end of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imomoko.com/honyaradoh-bath-salt-15147-c.html?___store=default&___from_store=chinese" target="_blank">Honyaradoh Bath Salt</a> </b>($3.99 for one pack)<br />
<br />
The <i>Honyaradoh Bath Salt in green</i> is such an interesting bath product. It's a herbal soak for those who get cold easily, which is 100% me. Think hands and feet that are always freezing no matter how thick your coat is. The product itself is a green powder that doesn't foam up and makes your entire bath a bright green. It has a pleasant rose scent that isn't too over-powering. The product is meant to work by stimulating blood flow and circulation. Now normally I would scoff at a product concept like this and would not buy into the belief that a couple of plant extracts are going to get me through the piercing cold winter winds, but I have to say that this product actually works. I start to work up a sweat while lying in the bath tub, and this state of warmth persists throughout the entire evening. Weird, but if it works, I'll take it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Northern-Lights/05396,en_CA,pd.html" target="_blank">Lush Northern Lights Bath Bomb</a> </b>($5.95)<br />
<br />
And now, I've saved the best for last. The <i>Lush Northern Lights Bath Bomb</i> is really just a magical bath experience. I watched the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zwEZuI3VAw" target="_blank">demo video</a> on the Lush website and immediately had to run out and get it. I cut the bath bomb in half so I could get two baths out of it. Throw it into your bath and it turns the water into a beautiful swirl of blues and purples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rsz6kGL-ZRd6XOcgLqIydxWN7_Xinqevds0Hg7EtxOnVLAsNAwrSoI17NUNkkyc5aC6EzlnI8tqpqq3FLyOVPYLO4v7IxAe1ne5D82igEY1z6b1nbLVJ6yCh64cREN-eHquUUNCpFNc/s1600/lush-northern-lights-bath-bomb-review.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rsz6kGL-ZRd6XOcgLqIydxWN7_Xinqevds0Hg7EtxOnVLAsNAwrSoI17NUNkkyc5aC6EzlnI8tqpqq3FLyOVPYLO4v7IxAe1ne5D82igEY1z6b1nbLVJ6yCh64cREN-eHquUUNCpFNc/s1600/lush-northern-lights-bath-bomb-review.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(screenshot from the Lush website)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Just look at that beauty. I just want to get my hands all up in there. There are little stars floating around in the water - how can you say no to that?<br />
<br />
The scent is a mixture of jasmine and ylang ylang. I'm not normally a fan of ylang ylang, but this actually has a very delicate, pretty scent to it. I can't say that the product had any magical effects on my skin, but boy did I have fun splashing around in a mystical starry sky. I believe that this is a special Christmas product that Lush has released, so get it while you still can!<br />
<br />
<br />
What are your favourite bath time treats?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-83432855836924054952014-10-29T19:56:00.002-07:002014-10-29T19:56:27.906-07:00Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2y3JYxKwcb56Dn1UxYOCxgR8Cy0S-qSp02bSK5E_ztADi603M4cegvs-ozfBuhhn6Ic_gAQZeTE815bnqJkEhYSyziRQO1WxcmOc05Es7wiJlc4JQ68z6QyfISjz0RdXS6QhAgDCkyA/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2y3JYxKwcb56Dn1UxYOCxgR8Cy0S-qSp02bSK5E_ztADi603M4cegvs-ozfBuhhn6Ic_gAQZeTE815bnqJkEhYSyziRQO1WxcmOc05Es7wiJlc4JQ68z6QyfISjz0RdXS6QhAgDCkyA/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review.jpg" /></a></div>
Although rarely mentioned by Western beauty bloggers, the <i><a href="http://us.sulwhasoo.com/first-care-activating-serum" target="_blank">Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum</a> </i>is a firm favourite among Asian beauty bloggers and is touted as something of a miracle product. Now, the word "miracle" always makes me a bit skeptical when referring to skincare, but of course I could not resist the urge to try it out for myself.<br />
<br />
Sulwhasoo is a high-end Korean beauty brand rooted in traditional Korean herbal medicine. Their products are based around various plant extracts that aim to balance and purify the skin. The <i>First Care Activating Serum</i> is meant to be used as the first step of your skincare routine right after cleansing, so it should be used before any toners, serums, or creams. It claims to replenish moisture in the skin right after natural oils are stripped away by cleansing, improve skin's ability to retain moisture, promote blood circulation in the facial area, and help subsequent skincare products absorb better and thus perform better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g7p4YXtrUwO2c85UXZj1LcJyuS3VjXipSHriQAvltOCSuC7WwB0lnCEVG1PIPAdWw269xuXU_MSDwV3dXAGTI0_BJ4YiLw9hB0IlVtYoJNpTvQQ5NJHXzjUiLLmxQuBX8we1MT3KqJQ/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g7p4YXtrUwO2c85UXZj1LcJyuS3VjXipSHriQAvltOCSuC7WwB0lnCEVG1PIPAdWw269xuXU_MSDwV3dXAGTI0_BJ4YiLw9hB0IlVtYoJNpTvQQ5NJHXzjUiLLmxQuBX8we1MT3KqJQ/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsJ70npCCfV5HNJygzF7kLT0y6-oAvC4uj7GgSMhj9XDcbjOJyXFfFIX_KcrSlH5Shdn1DDYo2aOppyD1gDse7CIsvynX90bA5L3SuQwIJhz_6m7JtBJuDOfgDx-pj7SEyIQvGQ7sDNY/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsJ70npCCfV5HNJygzF7kLT0y6-oAvC4uj7GgSMhj9XDcbjOJyXFfFIX_KcrSlH5Shdn1DDYo2aOppyD1gDse7CIsvynX90bA5L3SuQwIJhz_6m7JtBJuDOfgDx-pj7SEyIQvGQ7sDNY/s1600/sulwhasoo-first-care-activating-serum-review-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In terms of packaging, the product comes in a hefty ceramic bottle with a plastic lid. It is quite heavy, so may not be the most convenient when travelling. It comes with a pump, which is my preferred way of dispensing serums, because it keeps the product away from air exposure and thus allows the active ingredients to degrade slower. Although the bottle looks like an opaque white, when you hold the bottle against the light, you can see how much product is left inside, which I find very convenient. The actual serum is amber coloured and has a watery-gel texture. It has a pleasant herbal scent and absorbs very quickly into the skin, but doesn't leave that smooth, silicone feeling over the skin that many serums do. I use 3 pumps for my entire face and neck.<br />
<br />
When I first started using the product, it was in the hot, humid climate of summer in China. My sensitive skin responded to the heat in that my skin was always red, and I noticed immediate results from this serum when my skin drastically reduced in redness just after the first few days. This effect continued during the whole time I used this product, but apart from that, I wasn't seeing any other immediate results and was a bit put off. I didn't think a little reduction in redness could justify the "miracle product" standing.<br />
<br />
I find that while Western skincare products are often more aggressive in the sense that they deliver fast results but can be harsh/irritating on the skin, Asian skincare is often more demure. It is much more gentle on the skin, but can take a much longer time to see substantial results. After using this product every day and night for the last three months, I can now definitively say that it has made three big changes to my skin:<br />
<br />
1. It has reduced the redness in my skin.<br />
2. It has made my skin much less sensitive/reactive to other products and environmental factors.<br />
3. It has changed my skin from combination-oily to more of a normal skin type.<br />
<br />
These changes happened over a very long period of time, so I didn't think the product was doing very much until I noticed that the foundation on my nose was not slipping off by the end of the day, and that I was suffering from much less break outs every month. This product works to balance the oil-water ratio in the skin, thus reducing any overproduction of oil, but also helps the skin to better retain moisture, resulting in plump, radiant skin for me. It also helps to calm the skin, which means my face doesn't turn into a bright red tomato every time the bae tries to kiss me with stubble, among other skin-irritating things.<br />
<br />
I picked up the limited edition 90mL size,which will probably last me 4 months in total, using it twice a day everyday, 3 pumps every time. I like to pump the product into the palm of my hand, rub my palms together, and just smooth over my entire face and neck. I then pat my face a couple times with both palms to ensure that the product absorbs.<br />
<br />
Redness, sensitive skin, and combination skin type are three very common skincare concerns that often are met with no adequate solution, so the fact that the <i>Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum </i>was able to address all three of these concerns was really impressive. The promise of subsequent products being better absorbed is also tempting, because it means you will be getting better bang for your buck for every skincare product you apply. However, it's not like my skin is completely void of redness now or that I never break out anymore, so I still wouldn't quite say this is anything of a "miracle". The final verdict? I wouldn't call it a "miracle product", but it's a damn good product as far as skincare goes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-85060804541958766252014-10-07T14:21:00.000-07:002014-10-07T14:21:09.723-07:004 Products That Just Weren't Right For Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4p8ifaCyRWLXlk70JxsVSCo9FgD-V0IocKHjFLfx4lSgaKw_d-kGS1VEyO4Hm4DSgv0coej51G-70c8_bFkY4TZRk415wrCc1OPlkmKSNal6bD_Tv4b_kdsmgbk01-CIFLTra31EYw/s1600/Caudalie-Josie-Maran-Soap-&-Glory-Kiehl's.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E4p8ifaCyRWLXlk70JxsVSCo9FgD-V0IocKHjFLfx4lSgaKw_d-kGS1VEyO4Hm4DSgv0coej51G-70c8_bFkY4TZRk415wrCc1OPlkmKSNal6bD_Tv4b_kdsmgbk01-CIFLTra31EYw/s1600/Caudalie-Josie-Maran-Soap-&-Glory-Kiehl's.png" /></a><br />
<br />
Skincare is such a personal thing, and sometimes products that others rave about simply don't get along with me. Being an avid beauty blog reader, it's so easy to get sucked in to product hype. I think now, I'm finally starting to learn to take a step back and think "Is this really the right product for me?" So here are 4 products that are raved about, but simply weren't the right fit for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.kiehls.ca/Rosa-Arctica/942,default,pd.html?start=6&cgid=face-moisturizers" target="_blank">Kiehl's Rosa Artica Youth Regenerating Cream</a> </b>($65 for 50mL)<br />
<b><br /></b>
Purchased under the influence of Michelle Phan way back when. To be honest I don't even know what her skin type is. Back then my thought process was just "Well, she has good skin, I want good skin, therefore I should use this product." Sound logic. But no, really though, this product is so rich in shea butter, it feels like I'm smothering my face in butter, and that is not how I want to live my life. It contains other moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and squalene, but it smells exclusively of shea butter, and is a very, very, <i>very</i>, <i>VERY</i> rich texture (like butter, as I said).<br />
<br />
Personally, I prefer moisturizers that rely primarily on humectants, which are ingredients that draw moisture into the epidermis. Examples would be glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Ingredients like shea butter are occlusives, which work by essentially forming a shield over the skin and preventing water from evaporating off. Occlusives can be good for dry or mature skin types, which I'm assuming is what this cream is actually marketed towards (hence Youth Regenerating). For my combination skin, this was just way too much.<br />
<br />
I actually managed to use up the whole pot by applying it on dry spots on my body (elbows, heels, knees) before sleep. This cream actually works wonderfully at softening cracked heels, but at $65 for 50mL, it's way out of my foot cream price range.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.soapandglory.com/ca/products/top-10-canada/hand-food" target="_blank"><b>Soap & Glory Hand Food</b></a> ($10 for 115mL)<br />
<br />
It's possible that I am the only person in the entire world who dislikes this hand cream. I feel like every single beauty blogger I follow has raved about this product at least once throughout their blogging career. This product comes up so frequently in lists of top drugstore buys, and I can see why. The texture of it is actually lovely and it sinks in really nicely. However, I am just not a fan of that signature Soap & Glory scent. It's way too strong and actually makes me nauseous. I would be able to tolerate the product if the scent eventually went away, but it does <i>not </i>go away. Once the hand cream is on, the fragrance is staying for the party.<br />
<br />
I've resorted to using this on my feet as well, because that's a bit more far away from my nose and I can tolerate it. If you don't mind the scent of Soap & Glory products, this is actually a really nice hand cream. I'm pretty bummed out that this didn't work out for me because it is a really affordable hand cream option. Alas, for now I will stick with my Caudalie and The Body Shop formulas.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.sephora.com/whipped-argan-oil-intensive-h-cream-P381019?keyword=JOSIE%20MARAN%20Whipped%20Argan%20Oil%20Intensive%20Hand%20Cream%20P381019&skuId=1550896&country_switch=ca&_requestid=2668" target="_blank">Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream</a> </b>($27 for 70mL)<br />
<br />
You might be able to tell at this point that I'm really picky with hand creams, and I'm not going to deny that. I really hate the feeling of hand cream just sitting on top of the skin, like I can actually feel that it's there and everything is slippery and life is just difficult. This hand cream is one of those. It's a really nourishing formula, but it never really sinks in. It just rubs off on my sheets and pillows throughout the night. I put some on just now so I could write this post, and it's all over my keyboard. How's that for dedication?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.sephora.com/premieres-vendanges-moisturizing-cream-P6022?skuId=241539" target="_blank">Caudalie Premieres Vendanges Moisturizing Cream</a> </b>($40 for 40mL)<br />
<br />
Caudalie is one of my favourite brands for skincare, so I really made it effort to make this cream work for me. I tried it out on several separate occasions until I finally came to terms with the fact that this just wasn't right for me. It's a velvety textured moisturizer that does sink in fairly quickly to my skin, but it doesn't really do anything. It doesn't hydrate that well, and I don't see any obvious benefits to using this, especially for the price.<br />
<br />
I've since used it up as a night time hand cream, and it's pretty fabulous for that. A little expensive for a hand cream, but hey, skin's skin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-87000207414319295832014-09-28T12:41:00.000-07:002014-09-28T12:41:48.999-07:00Summer 2014 SPFs Round-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lWfiQX8XySeiIcKI2GIY8JQZU2D4sZ2Af7fAdx4vze2CaYxvblDyxse-QLpXgLeILjNquklWPPzCL9q85LJbG69qovPUUM0493i9lOWr50YaLZAP1rE-BNtpuK9iSeCWTv4pA-mmjb8/s1600/shiseido-urban-environment-gentle-sun-protection-lotion-biore-uv-aqua-innisfree-suncare-bb-powder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lWfiQX8XySeiIcKI2GIY8JQZU2D4sZ2Af7fAdx4vze2CaYxvblDyxse-QLpXgLeILjNquklWPPzCL9q85LJbG69qovPUUM0493i9lOWr50YaLZAP1rE-BNtpuK9iSeCWTv4pA-mmjb8/s1600/shiseido-urban-environment-gentle-sun-protection-lotion-biore-uv-aqua-innisfree-suncare-bb-powder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Summer may be over, but wearing SPF should be year round. UVA rays are one of the primary causes of signs of aging in the skin, and I personally think that it's always easier to prevent these signs before they appear rather than try to fix them afterwards. I featured quite a few SPF numbers on the blog over the summer, so here I compare them against each other and give you guys all the deets on the pros and cons. Get ready for a very lengthy post! Or just read the pros and cons if you hate quality writing (I jest).<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcQLZb7HVbI8akCAZWA8HTfmyXXG6g-6KqHotAoRo9-gsF0fXrsGXho-xPi-Wah13bGaDuq6os4GHvqxSJtEwul5QquEZJAnSOUw6oRw7RAkmEIag0rzwSypFoBvzuSCVrUf3PU2NXBA/s1600/l'occitane-immortelle-brightening-uv-shield-review.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcQLZb7HVbI8akCAZWA8HTfmyXXG6g-6KqHotAoRo9-gsF0fXrsGXho-xPi-Wah13bGaDuq6os4GHvqxSJtEwul5QquEZJAnSOUw6oRw7RAkmEIag0rzwSypFoBvzuSCVrUf3PU2NXBA/s1600/l'occitane-immortelle-brightening-uv-shield-review.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(image from usa.loccitane.com)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/loccitane-immortelle-brightening-uv-shield-spf-40/3295714" target="_blank">L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening UV Shield SPF 40</a></b> ($70 for 30mL)<br />
<br />
Featured in my post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/06/trialling-spfs.html" target="_blank">"Trialling SPF's"</a>. This was the first SPF I used this summer, so unfortunately I've used it all up and threw out the bottle. It has a very liquid texture and is a physical sunscreen, which are both properties I prefer for my daily SPF. It also happens to be the only SPF I'ved owned that comes in convenient pump packaging (!!!), so you can control how much you want to use, which is going to be important since this sunscreen is very, very pricey. That being said, sunscreen is <i>not </i>one of those things where "less is better". If you do not use a sufficient amount, you will not get the proper protection, and that would just be a waste of time and money.<br />
<br />
I don't think it's possible for a physical sunscreen to leave no white cast at all, but this one is very,very subtle. The texture of the product is very easy to rub in and it absorbs easily. It has a slight floral scent that's quite pleasant and isn't too overpowering. It contains a myriad of plant extracts aimed at brightening the skin, but I personally don't think these ingredients are going to be able to absorb into the skin efficiently, especially since they're probably only present in very small quantities. Water, silicone, and the mineral SPF ingredients make up the majority of the product. And since you apply SPF as the last step of your skincare routine, those plant extracts are going to have to penetrate moisturizer and whatever other products are underneath, which I think is highly unlikely. So if those plant extracts are what make the price so high, I don't think it's worth your time. Plant ingredients can also cause irritation to the skin. I personally had no problem with this product, but those with sensitive skin should ask for some samples at a L'Occitane store before committing to the full sized product.<br />
<br />
Another thing I'm somewhat concerned with is that the only SPF ingredient contained in this product is titanium dioxide, which is great for protection against UVB rays, but cannot provide sufficient protection against UVA rays unless the concentration is high. In this case, the product has 11.52% titanium dioxide, which might be enough to provide UVA protection since the product does make the claim of being broad spectrum (ie. protects against both UVA and UVB rays). However, for us regular consumers, it's hard to be really sure about these things, so I'd rather err on the side of caution and opt for something that also has UVA-protection ingredients.<br />
<br />
<b>Pros:</b><br />
- lightweight texture<br />
- not a very noticeable white cast<br />
- sinks in quickly (not sticky at all)<br />
- has plant extracts that may or may not help with hyperpigmentation<br />
<br />
<b>Cons:</b><br />
- expensive<br />
- titanium dioxide may not provide sufficient UVA protection<br />
- plant extracts may irritate sensitive skin<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUyl3fiBSdjvWggigSZe0YwB9XvNsO_eassN70FQ1L1iBUEit0EZC371t-5WsylGPaBK8590TY29DaLv7XuEm1ARQC78AxifPXe2587SyrfBlJTrhCDeO_Q2JtYOG_cNUhYuosqLA5BI/s1600/shiseido-urban-environment-and-gentle-sun-protection-lotion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUyl3fiBSdjvWggigSZe0YwB9XvNsO_eassN70FQ1L1iBUEit0EZC371t-5WsylGPaBK8590TY29DaLv7XuEm1ARQC78AxifPXe2587SyrfBlJTrhCDeO_Q2JtYOG_cNUhYuosqLA5BI/s1600/shiseido-urban-environment-and-gentle-sun-protection-lotion.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.murale.ca/3721-Shiseido_Gentle-Sun-Protection-Lotion-SPF-33.aspx#" target="_blank">Shiseido Gentle Sun Protection Lotion SPF 33</a> </b>($41 for 100mL)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Featured in my post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/08/july-favourites.html" target="_blank">"July Favourites"</a>. This one is a physical sunscreen that has a whooping <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">13.9% zinc oxide and 3.3% titanium dioxide so it has got both the UVA and UVB protection down. Again, a very liquid texture that is easy to spread. The white cast is also hardly noticeable. I first started using this while I was in China and didn't enjoy it as much, because the product does feel a bit oily. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because physical sunscreens require oil to make sure that the mineral sunscreen ingredients (ie. zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) can be blended evenly over the skin. However, in very humid weather, the oil just felt a bit heavy on the skin and wasn't the most comfortable thing to put on. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Since coming back to Vancouver, I've been enjoying this product <i>a lot</i>, probably because my skin is a bit drier and I'm not sweating buckets all the time. When I say oily, I don't mean super heavy and sticky. This product leaves more of a satin-y, soft finish on the skin. I like to apply in 2-3 thin layers rather than in 1 thick layer because I find that feels more lightweight, and it can help to evenly distribute the sunscreen and make sure you cover every bit of skin. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Because this product is free of fragrance and alcohol and is a physical sunscreen (rather than a chemical sunscreen), it's a great option for those with sensitive skin, and I always gravitate towards it when my skin is acting up. It's also pretty reasonably priced because you get a whooping 100mL, which is more than 3 times as much as the standard 30mL you get with other products. The one real downside to this product for me is that it doesn't always sit the best under makeup. It can kind of slip and slide a little bit depending on the base makeup I'm using, but using makeup primer helps fix this problem.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Pros:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - lightweight liquid texture</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - not a very noticeable white cast</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - high concentration of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide full UVA/UVB protection</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - great for sensitive skin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - good price for the amount you're getting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Con:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - slightly oily texture not good for humid weather</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - can slip and slide under makeup if you don't use a primer</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 class="OneLinkNoTx" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 5px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/urban-environment-oil-free-uv-protector-broad-spectrum-spf-42-for-face-P307405" target="_blank"><span class="brand-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shiseido </span>Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 For Face</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">($30 for 30mL)</span></span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably the longest name for an SPF anyone has ever seen. This is a relatively new one for me. I picked it up from Sephora Times Square on a recent trip over to the states. Again, lightweight liquid texture, you know the drill. This is actually a physical-chemical sunscreen hybrid, which means it contains both physical and chemical sunscreen products. In this case, 4.9% octinoxate (UVB protection), 3.0% octocrylene (UVB protection), 12.5% zinc oxide (UVA/UVB protection). Strangely enough, this leaves the most obvious white cast out of all of these options. It's actually quite noticeable and doesn't really go away even if you leave it for a few minutes. I don't mind the white cast if I'm going to be wearing makeup because it'll be covered anyway. Strangely enough, this sunscreen actually has a bit of a perfecting quality in that it blurs out my acne scars and covers up some of the redness in my skin. It doesn't really provide coverage, but just makes things a little less noticeable, which means I can use less of my base makeup. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This product is oil-free, which seems to make the texture quite dry. That seems strange since it is a liquid, but once you start spreading it over the face, you'll start to notice that it doesn't glide over as smoothly as something like the <i>Shiseido Gentle Sun Protection Lotion</i>. It really can dry quite matte, which may not be suitable for dry skin. I have combination skin but I don't really suffer from dry patches, so I can get away with using it. Because it does dry down very matte, it doesn't slip and slide at all under makeup, which I really like. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pros:</span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - liquid, lightweight texture</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - dries matte = good for under makeup</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - does not irritate sensitive skin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - blurs imperfections on the skin</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cons: </span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - leaves a noticeable white cast</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - dry texture not suitable for dry or combination-dry skin</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDO8zx2DJO2J5Xlpn3_tVxdjNvnnx0dC96BmPmfTDOd90_VpDLiehB8HLpq6KuQvLJrFiR_GiSYK2Xvgv3-XlsafsvIOdTOGt6ClMnfIOSWxXk1ayE2AAlY20SXnHM5OfE0S92Noy470/s1600/biore-uv-aqua-innisfree-bb-powder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDO8zx2DJO2J5Xlpn3_tVxdjNvnnx0dC96BmPmfTDOd90_VpDLiehB8HLpq6KuQvLJrFiR_GiSYK2Xvgv3-XlsafsvIOdTOGt6ClMnfIOSWxXk1ayE2AAlY20SXnHM5OfE0S92Noy470/s1600/biore-uv-aqua-innisfree-bb-powder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.imomoko.com/kao-biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-water-base-spf50-pa.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank"><b>Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Water Base SPF 50 PA+++</b></a> ($13.99 for 50g)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Featured in my post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/07/a-love-and-shrug-3-spf-edition.html" target="_blank">"A Love and a Shrug #3: SPF Edition"</a>. (Let's not even talk about the Dr. Sebagh SPF also mentioned in that post. That was just a disaster to apply and such a waste of money.) This is the only chemical sunscreen I'm talking about today. As a result, it does not leave a white cast at all and has an oil-free formula. It has a very interesting watery-gel texture that feels like a lightweight moisturizer and sinks in almost instantly, so this is the most comfortable to wear out of the four options. It has kind of a strong fragrance and contains alcohol as the second ingredient listed, which is typical of Japanese drugstore skincare, but makes it unsuitable for sensitive skin types. This product doesn't break me out, but kind of gives me that uncomfortable feeling like it's irritating my skin, so I don't use it as much, but it is fantastic for hot, humid climates. I also think it would make for a good body SPF at the beach as it sinks in super quick and is pretty affordable, being a drugstore product.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I've seen a lot of bloggers recommend this product, so I think it really is a matter of personal preference for me. I prefer physical sunscreen to chemical sunscreen, because physical sunscreen is less irritating for sensitive skin, and I don't like the idea of chemical sunscreen ingredients absorbing into the skin. Physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) works by forming a shield over the skin and reflecting UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they get to the skin. Chemical sunscreens degrade over time or become inactivated by the sun, so you have to reapply often, which really is just unrealistic for those of us who wear makeup. I suppose I also just think that the image of UV rays bouncing off of a shield looks way cooler, but that's not important, <i>shhhhh...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Pros:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - lightweight watery-gel texture makes it the most comfortable to wear </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - oil free</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - no white cast</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - most affordable option </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cons:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - contains fragrance and alcohol (not good for sensitive skin types) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;"> - have to reapply often (not possible over makeup) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<b><a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1275624509/innisfree-eco-natural-suncare-bb-powder-spf50pa" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Innisfree </span>Eco Natural Suncare BB Powder</a> </b>($20 for 150g)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>
Featured in my post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/07/innisfree-haul-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">"Innisfree Haul + First Impressions"</a>. This is an SPF pressed powder that is slightly tinted. Let me just start out by saying that powder sunscreen can <i>not</i> replace liquid sunscreen. You would have to apply an absolutely ridiculous amount of powder sunscreen to get the sufficient SPF protection. However, for those of us who wear makeup on a daily basis, it's unrealistic to take all the makeup off, reapply liquid sunscreen during the middle of the day, and put all the makeup back on. This is where powder sunscreen comes in! This Innisfree one is great because it comes with a puff attached to the lid which makes for easy application on-the-go. It doesn't make my makeup go cakey either. Obviously you're not going to get the same amount of SPF protection as you would by reapplying a liquid sunscreen, but it's better than nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes when I'm having a no-makeup day, I also apply this powder over top of my liquid sunscreen. It gives a very slight tint that helps to even out the skin tone, and it mattifies the skin so dust particles won't stick to the liquid sunscreen.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Verdict</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I think the <i>Shiseido Gentle Sun Protection Lotion</i> comes out on top for my daily SPF. The high concentration of zinc oxide ensures sufficient protection against both UVA and UVB. It's a great fail-safe option for sensitive skin or skin that's breaking out, and doesn't leave a noticeable white cast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
My second pick would be the <i style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2;"><span class="brand-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shiseido </span>Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 For Face. </i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2;">Although it leaves a white cast, I'm very fond of its perfecting qualities, and it makes a great base for makeup.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2;">I don't really have any special feelings towards the </span><i>Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Water Base SPF 50 PA+++</i> and <i>L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening UV Shield SPF 40. </i>They're both great products and could be suitable for those with skin types different than my own, but I likely will not repurchase them again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Innisfree </span>Eco Natural Suncare BB Powder </i>is a great item to keep in your handbag for mid-day touch-ups, but cannot replace a daily liquid SPF application. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What was your favourite SPF this summer?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-63256401131055002512014-09-14T15:17:00.002-07:002014-09-14T15:17:59.799-07:00The Ultimate Blackhead Fighter: Enzyme Washing Powders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfEjPLYpPdV3e6Wbq59igc_iVJeK9VcX1YaDGj0WXiIx1ZCtIDKatvJOzhnp5yEY55f4FShe_rwxQ-r6vSuRZ8DpNgTyH6CfJKe2ZE0YzSJ9OwkadSWMdBzCgEZDNtsM2CMP4bxqzQBk/s1600/PIU-Orbis-Washing-Powder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfEjPLYpPdV3e6Wbq59igc_iVJeK9VcX1YaDGj0WXiIx1ZCtIDKatvJOzhnp5yEY55f4FShe_rwxQ-r6vSuRZ8DpNgTyH6CfJKe2ZE0YzSJ9OwkadSWMdBzCgEZDNtsM2CMP4bxqzQBk/s1600/PIU-Orbis-Washing-Powder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Balm cleansers, cleansing gels, cleansing milks, facial bar soaps... we've really seen it all when it comes to different textures of cleansers. Still, the idea of a washing powder seemed very strange to me, mainly because it reminded me a bit too much of laundry detergent. I first picked up the <i><a href="http://store.cherryscosmetics.com/collections/papawash/products/papawash-piu-white-washing-powder" target="_blank">PIU White Washing Powder</a> </i>as a more gentle exfoliating alternative to acids/chemical exfoliation, which I mentioned in my post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/08/are-you-over-exfoliating.html" target="_blank">"Are You Over Exfoliating?"</a> was much too harsh for me and really damaged my skin. Like all the other washing powder options I will be mentioning today, PIU contains fruit enzymes (specifically papain from papayas, which seems to be the most popular choice), but it foams up (sort of, I'll explain in a bit) like a regular face wash, so you can gently exfoliate the skin while washing your face as normal. It really is a great way to exfoliate and my skin is always super smooth and soft afterwards, but the best thing about washing powders is that they got rid of my blackheads.<br />
<br />
Blackheads are a problem that I've struggled with for such a long time. One of the first things I learned when<br />
I started getting into skincare products is to fight blackheads with salicylic acid, and I was slathering on a salicylic acid gel from Neutrogena every night from the age of 14 all the way up until 17. Now that I look back on it, I really don't know why I kept up the habit for so long considering it did absolutely nothing. Nowadays, for the most part I have combination-normal skin and really don't suffer from blackheads as much as during my earlier teenage years. But during the summer, my skin turns combination-oily and hello strawberry nose. The skin on my nose starts to feel all bumpy, like you can feel that all the pores are clogged up. Ew. Mud masks helped, but the effect was only temporary. Seeing as I've never gotten any success with blackhead products in the past, I sort of just gave up and tried to ignore the problem.<br />
<br />
When I started using the <i>PIU Washing Powder </i>as my night time cleanser, I started noticing that after washing my face, I would see little white dots floating out of the pores on my nose, like the trapped sebum had been washed out of the pore. After a few days, the skin on my nose didn't feel as bumpy any more, and after a week or so, I didn't see any more blackheads! The <i>PIU Washing Powder </i>makes for a really deep cleanse, yet it is gentle enough to use everyday. My skin was feeling a lot less congested, and more importantly, no more strawberry nose.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5uO0sAyS1ZAhZUKuAPIoP_5OasPyFSVQC_2IUZ9v7qj3V7LUs3sZYhKY53pH_p6RJ6syerKT1H5t5SjfiVZO1LbTObrzWjkrXjNiCsfqWrIH10ehPplrrKuAOwkPo63zKr4Yj7P8TyI/s1600/Orbis-oil-cut-powder-wash.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5uO0sAyS1ZAhZUKuAPIoP_5OasPyFSVQC_2IUZ9v7qj3V7LUs3sZYhKY53pH_p6RJ6syerKT1H5t5SjfiVZO1LbTObrzWjkrXjNiCsfqWrIH10ehPplrrKuAOwkPo63zKr4Yj7P8TyI/s1600/Orbis-oil-cut-powder-wash.png" /></a></div>
I'm demonstrating here using another great washing powder option, the <i><a href="http://www.yesstyle.ca/en/orbis-powder-wash-70g/info.html/pid.1033058936" target="_blank">Orbis Oil Cut Powder Wash</a>. </i>I'm not sure why it's called "oil cut" since it doesn't mattify the face or anything. I guess they're referring to the fact that you get rid of all that excess sebum that clogs pores. The Orbis option should only be used 1-3 times a week depending on how sensitive your skin is. However, for those who suffer from blackheads in the T-zone, I think you can use the powder wash more often just on that area.<br />
<br />
1. As you see, the product comes in a solid powder form. The Orbis option comes in circular granules, while PIU is a powder that looks a lot like laundry detergent (but I promise it's not laundry detergent).<br />
<br />
2. The enzymes are activated upon contact with water. Try to use water that's luke warm so you don't denature the enzymes (ie. cause them to stop working). By adding water and rubbing your palms together, you can get this sort of light, sudsy foam, which is completely fine for washing your face.<br />
<br />
3. For those like me who prefer more of a dense, creamy foam, rub a foaming net between your palms.<br />
<br />
4. You'll be left with a really dense foam that helps to reduce friction from your fingers when washing your face to reduce irritation, and just feels that bit more luxurious.<br />
<br />
I like to pair my washing powders with my Clarisonic Mia, because the Clarisonic seems to be able to wash off the gunk that floats out of my pores. I've been love love <i>loving </i>the new <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/luxe-facial-brush-head-cashmere-cleanse-P384088?country_switch=ca&lang=en" target="_blank">Luxe Cashmere Cleanse brush head</a> </i>as it's just about the softest thing ever, but more on that in another post. You can also gently (and I mean GENTLY) go over the skin with one of those loop extractors to clean out the pores.<br />
<br />
Personally I find the Orbis and PIU options to be pretty similar apart from the fact that PIU can be used everyday, while Orbis can only be used 1-3 times a week. However, PIU has a really bizarre scent that I can't quite describe but I certainly don't find pleasant, while the Orbis doesn't have any scent. It really is a matter of personal preference.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NzZYXTHp0vqtouir3ZemDKcKF1IWQOwcPLq_tSJMD29lfiOdDa7c1Kb7J8VHEtzn6e_8MPSJmojIoAkDB_mW5bUmXPTHcRdisfCeUXceqyncj0UdncZUBGnSbB5ZNbCbxkhkQpT5CJs/s1600/tatcha-rice-enzyme-powder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NzZYXTHp0vqtouir3ZemDKcKF1IWQOwcPLq_tSJMD29lfiOdDa7c1Kb7J8VHEtzn6e_8MPSJmojIoAkDB_mW5bUmXPTHcRdisfCeUXceqyncj0UdncZUBGnSbB5ZNbCbxkhkQpT5CJs/s1600/tatcha-rice-enzyme-powder.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another option that looks oh so luxe is the <i><a href="http://www.yesstyle.ca/en/splash.html" target="_blank">TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder</a>. </i>Just look at that gorgeous packaging <i>ugh</i>. Of course, gorgeous packaging seems to be always come with a price, so the price is definitely more high end, but I've seen great reviews for the product. TATCHA also contains papaya enzymes and is gentle enough for everyday use. Rice is also one of my favourite ingredients in skincare, so someday when I'm ready to fork out $65 for a cleanser, this gorgeous little number will be mine.<br />
<br />
If you're someone who really struggles with blackheads or congested skin and cannot find a solution, I would 100% recommend you try washing powders. They've really made a world of a difference for me and are honestly kind of fun to use, and who doesn't love that?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-61836093108729350492014-09-07T12:16:00.000-07:002014-09-07T12:16:34.838-07:00Cleansing Lotions Over Cleansing Oils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLo_auf5uNHzzv8ctg1DGYEhViJSj1ZoSVWmOim3rn52_ngUQnNI9iV76P4UwF4tHqgd-CZ1xWrk2ARE_u56K1VYrF2O6bLn9GgimZLLGdMidiZKYhi4rgebuHJsyDAWryInZmq02yec/s1600/cleansing-milks-and-lotions.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLo_auf5uNHzzv8ctg1DGYEhViJSj1ZoSVWmOim3rn52_ngUQnNI9iV76P4UwF4tHqgd-CZ1xWrk2ARE_u56K1VYrF2O6bLn9GgimZLLGdMidiZKYhi4rgebuHJsyDAWryInZmq02yec/s1600/cleansing-milks-and-lotions.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my last post, <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.com/2014/08/are-you-over-exfoliating.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">"Are You Over-Exfoliating?"</a>, I mentioned that I did not get along with the trend of acid toners, like, at all. Another huge trend that my skin was just not on board with is the craze for oils in skincare, both in the form of facial oils and cleansing oils/balms. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In theory, great ideas, and it's true that they worked out well for many people. But on my skin, facial oils wrecked havoc - every single one I tried broke me out badly and just left my skin so congested, including the well-loved Clarins Lotus Oil, Josie Maran Argan Oil, and Pai Rosehip Seed Oil. I completely gave up on the whole facial oil idea and just went back to my regular moisturizers, so I don't have a whole lot more to say on that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With cleansing oils/balms, I loved how simple and easy it was to just rub them in and be able to take off all my makeup, including heavy eye makeup and lip sticks. However, my skin was always still a little bit congested from using them and it felt like I always had bumps under my skin that just never came to a head. I put off looking for an alternative because the process was just so quick and I didn't really know what else to use for makeup removal anyway (apart from makeup wipes *<i>shivers</i>*). In comes summer, and let me just say that in the 40<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">°C temperature + humidity in China, rubbing oil on my face was really the last thing I wanted to be doing. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my mind, I always had the impression that milky-textured cleansing milks, lotions, and creams did not have the ability to thoroughly remove makeup. However, I picked up the <a href="http://www.yesstyle.ca/en/neutrogena-deep-clean-cleansing-lotion-200ml/info.html/pid.1030413284" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion</a> and was amazed by its ability to even remove lipstick and waterproof mascara.<i> </i>Its fragrance-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin. I just take a couple of pumps of the product (usually 6-8 pumps), smooth it over my entire face and neck (I don't wear makeup on my neck but I do wear SPF, and all SPF products need to be removed with a makeup removal product), draw circles on my face with my fingertips for a minute or two, and then rinse off with water. Because there is no need to remove with a towel or muslin cloth like cleansing oils/balms do, I found that my sensitive skin was much less irritated.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7OQEP1j7u2VXXjjSVqDdKu9ySxfLNaKy0PUFu8OVATpT2TP4WIUOes6qLXQ0a3xyU2Wp6VRvT853fmpfGzcU7AlNRx9S7tohN3imSvmhyg4er_DmmlNAUqbgzUYTPe4q3Eu0lOhgyp0/s1600/neutrogena-deep-clean-cleansing-lotion.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7OQEP1j7u2VXXjjSVqDdKu9ySxfLNaKy0PUFu8OVATpT2TP4WIUOes6qLXQ0a3xyU2Wp6VRvT853fmpfGzcU7AlNRx9S7tohN3imSvmhyg4er_DmmlNAUqbgzUYTPe4q3Eu0lOhgyp0/s1600/neutrogena-deep-clean-cleansing-lotion.png" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I decided to show the <i>Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion</i> in action:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I have on the back of my hand, from left to right, <i>YSL Touche Eclat Foundation</i>,<i> Anastasia Brow Wiz, Bobbi Brown Gel Liner, Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick, </i>and the notoriously hard to remove <i>Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara</i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I applied the <i>Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion</i> and spent a minute drawing circles on the back of my hand to really dissolve the makeup.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I rinsed off with water, and as you can see, all of the makeup is gone, even the mascara!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. I went over the back of my hand again with some Bioderma just to be sure nothing was left. The cotton pad was spotless.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only downside to this product is probably that I go through the bottle quite fast. A 200mL </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">bottle probably lasts me a month. Then again, the </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">is a fairly affordable product, it being drugstore and all, and I feel that it removes makeup better than the other options I've tried.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another option that I enjoyed using is the <i>Bevy C. Purifying Renewal Makeup Cleansing Milk</i>. While it is called a milk, it definitely feels more like a lotion as well. What I like about this product is that it contains plant extracts to help gently slough away dead skin. I've lost the packaging so I can't be 100% certain, but I believe it uses yeast enzymes for this rather than acids, so it makes for a much, much more gentle exfoliation. However, this product is only available in China, so definitely not the most accessible of options. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Elemental-Herbology-Bio-Cellular-Super-Cleanse" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse</a>, on the other hand, is much easier to get a hold of. <i>Elemental Herbology</i> definitely feels like more of a luxurious product with the scent and packaging. I also appreciate the tube packaging as pump bottles are hard to travel with. This offering also gently exfoliates while removing your makeup with the addition of malic acid. It also contains a bunch of other plant extracts to help nourish and moisturize the skin. Bottom line: it removes makeup well, but not so much waterproof eye makeup, and is very pleasant to use. I believe Lancome also have a milky-cream makeup removal product that has good reviews </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">(</span><a href="http://www.sephora.com/galatee-confort-comforting-milky-creme-cleanser-P148400?skuId=534438" target="_blank"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Galatee Confort</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></a><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.sephora.com/galatee-confort-comforting-milky-creme-cleanser-P148400?skuId=534438" target="_blank">Comforting Milky Cream Cleanser</a>)</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">, but I have yet to give it a try. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While products like the <i>Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Lotion</i> are capable of removing waterproof eye makeup and long-lasting lipsticks, I prefer to go in first with one of those dual-phase waterproof makeup removers on a cotton pad. I'm currently loving the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/take-the-day-off-makeup-remover-for-lids-lashes-lips-P122735" target="_blank">Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lids</a> </i>(what a mouthful!) because it removes eye makeup so easily without any rubbing or tugging at the lids, and it doesn't contain any artificial colouring or fragrance. Then, I go in with a cleansing lotion to remove my face makeup and eyebrows. I know it's still more of a hassle than using a cleansing oil, but I honestly think it's so worth it. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Since making the switch, I've seen such a difference in my skin in that it doesn't feel congested anymore, and I don't seem to get those under the skin bumps. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Do you think you'll be making the switch to cleansing lotions?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-25085062360761657972014-08-18T11:14:00.000-07:002014-08-18T11:14:04.467-07:00Are You Over Exfoliating?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdk9cs2hhG6mZF9GDzIH5mmdtFcxf4hOEgSmp0oDyez4EuCLOoJjGvUetoqRkBrctRsCjq4kewq4IVDFJDZnwCor6XhoAAe2GiyYT1ArAuh277XK7skUMkBzH7Fg29hcnzeK0s1TtHIQ/s1600/are-you-over-exfoliating.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdk9cs2hhG6mZF9GDzIH5mmdtFcxf4hOEgSmp0oDyez4EuCLOoJjGvUetoqRkBrctRsCjq4kewq4IVDFJDZnwCor6XhoAAe2GiyYT1ArAuh277XK7skUMkBzH7Fg29hcnzeK0s1TtHIQ/s1600/are-you-over-exfoliating.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Exfoliating toners have been super big in the beauty community as of late and they seem to be something that everyone swears by for brighter, clearer - and just generally better - skin. For those of us who are regularly updated on our Bloglovin feed and Youtube beauty channels, it's very easy to get sucked up into the hype when a trend like this emerges. As it turns out, regular exfoliation is not something that works out for me. It really ruined my skin and it took a long time for me to fix the problems that over-exfoliation created, and I had to learn the hard way that we should always take a step back to evaluate "Is this trend really good for my skin?" before jumping on the bandwagon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we exfoliate with physical scrubs or chemical exfoliants, we are taking dead skin cells off of the stratum corneum, which is the top layer of the epidermis. This layer is responsible for protecting the underlying skin tissue from any infection and physical stress. The stratum corneum contains a network of proteins that prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated by preventing evaporation, as well as give skin that sort of plump, bouncy texture when you touch it. Given the importance of the stratum corneum, we can conclude that maintaining a healthy stratum corneum is essential for healthy skin, and that a damaged stratum corneum will result in a myriad of skin problems. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've probably all heard that it takes 28 days for the skin to renew itself, which means that it takes 28 days for the dead skin cells in the stratum corneum to naturally shed off and be replaced by skin cells migrating up from the deeper layers of the epidermis. This is true for skin when you're in your 20's or younger. As we age, this renewal process slows down, and it may take 30, 40, 50, or more days. As a result, the stratum corneum becomes thicker. Fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear, the skin starts to lose its plumpness and becomes more dry. At this point, regular exfoliation can be beneficial to thin out the stratum corneum and push along the skin renewal process. For young skin, this isn't really necessary and can result in the stratum corneum becoming damaged if it becomes too thin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another thing to consider is that the thickness of the stratum corneum can vary between individuals for genetic reasons, such as ethnicity. The exfoliating toner fad emerged from the UK beauty blogger community, primarily bloggers who are Caucasian. A bit of research led me to find out that Asian skin, particuarly East Asian skin, has a much thinner stratum corneum than Caucasian skin. The stratum corneum in Asian skin is easily damaged, and Asian women take particular care to maintain a healthy stratum corneum in their extensive skincare routines. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Now on to my own personal experience. Being Chinese and in the 20's category myself, at this point you can probably predict that exfoliating toners/pads everyday and exfoliating treatments twice a week turned out very badly for me. The picture shows some of the products I purchased during my "wow exfoliation is going to be the best thing in the world" phase. I'll definitely be passing them on to friends, because this exfoliating routine made my skin very, very irritated. I had a lot of redness on my face and was breaking out much more than usual. Many beauty bloggers swear by exfoliating to get rid of acne scars, but I think mine looked a lot worse both because my skin was so red and because my skin was probably dehydrated. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thankfully, I eventually figured out that regular exfoliation is not for me. I think I went through this exfoliation phase around January or February this year, and it has taken until now for my skin to become balanced again. I still do exfoliate but I've moved on to very gentle options such as the <i><a href="http://www.imomoko.com/cure-natural-aqua-peeling-gel.html" target="_blank">CURE Natural Aqua Peeling Gel</a> </i>(It causes the "waste" dead skin to ball up when you apply it so you can just wash it off. A really weird but effective product) or enzyme washing powders (which I will be talking about in a post very soon!), and I exfoliate much less frequently. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are experiencing skin that is easily irritated and prone to breakouts, you may want to consider cutting down on the exfoliating and really focus on hydrating the skin. For me, the real secret to better skin is thorough makeup removal followed by a gentle cleanse and lots and lots and lots of hydration. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-10202505223991444412014-08-06T20:28:00.001-07:002014-08-06T20:28:04.033-07:00July Favourites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pa5zbWWx3-7a6WMhfVaJiYF4T7yUYM7rq93DQRcoO7omzy6JBZbCvb2MvCFhomRe7UCxgxNxRp0aJ-Gf2fNv0Fl0xwsnl91a2ax5v6OjgMgtErxrhTQNwwNqok1_s5vqblGghyXuSMw/s1600/july-beauty-skincare-favourites.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pa5zbWWx3-7a6WMhfVaJiYF4T7yUYM7rq93DQRcoO7omzy6JBZbCvb2MvCFhomRe7UCxgxNxRp0aJ-Gf2fNv0Fl0xwsnl91a2ax5v6OjgMgtErxrhTQNwwNqok1_s5vqblGghyXuSMw/s1600/july-beauty-skincare-favourites.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">This is actually the first monthly favourites post on the blog. I usually don't find the need to write a favourites post as I mention my favourites in various posts throughout the month, but this month I haven't been able to blog as much, so I decided to round up the best of beauty here. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">First up is yet another SPF favourite. I know I've already mentioned a few SPF loves recently, but as it is still summer, wearing SPF is extremely important so it can't hurt to mention another one. The <a href="http://www.murale.ca/3721-Shiseido_Gentle-Sun-Protection-Lotion-SPF-33.aspx#" target="_blank"><i>Shiseido Gentle Sun Protection Lotion for Sensitive Skin and Babies</i></a><i> </i>is a completely physical sunscreen with a whooping 13.9% zinc oxide and 3.3% titanium dioxide to ensure protection against both UVB and UVA rays. I'm pretty picky with SPFs - or rather, my very sensitive skin is pretty picky with SPFs - but if this suncreen is gentle enough for babies 6 months and over, it's good enough for me. It's SPF 33, which is completely fine for city activities, but there is also a SPF 50 counterpart for those going on vacation. The product comes in an extremely liquid texture. Physical sunscreens can feel heavy and greasy on the skin due to the oil content needed to spread the mineral SPF actives evenly. I find that applying in 2-3 thin layers rather than one thick layer can help to spread the sufficient amount of sunscreen needed to provide the full SPF protection while minimizing greasiness and difficulties with blending. I find that applying this way, this product leaves a very smooth finish on the skin that isn't heavy at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Another skincare favourite this month is the <i>Biotherm Life Plankton Essence</i>. I picked this up at a Biotherm counter in Shanghai, but I was told that it will be released worldwide soon. Apparently, "Life Plankton" is a micro-organism that live in the French Pyrenees hot springs, known as the "fountain of youth" due to its ability to sooth the wounds of Roman soldiers and preserve the youthfulness in women's skin. The product has a very watery consistency and I like to use it as a hydrating toner, but I think of it as kind of a toner-serum hybrid. It helps to hydrate the skin, increase cellular turnover in the skin to reveal brighter skin, and aid in the absorption of subsequent products. During the first week that I used this product, I didn't really see any effects. It felt comfortable on the skin, absorbed nicely, and had no obtrusive scent, but that was about it. After the first week though, I noticed that my skin started to feel incredibly smooth and had this healthy glow to it. As I've been staying in air conditioning pretty much 24/7, my skin has been dangerously on the verge of being dehydrated, but this product has been keeping my skin nicely plump and hydrated. The sales assistant at the Biotherm counter told me that after 28 days (the skin renews itself every 28 days), I would see significant improvement in acne scars and fine lines. Now I don't struggle with fine lines and other signs of aging, but I will keep you all updated on the acne scars front.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I got a Japanese perm (permanent waves) in June and it has seriously saved me so much time getting ready in the morning. I roll out of bed with hair that actually looks very nice, and my hair doesn't require any extra maintenance compared to its natural state. The one step that I have added to my hair care routine is a salt spray, and I went with the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/surf-spray-P280513" target="_blank"><i>Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray</i></a>. I went with the smaller 1.7oz size as it's super easy to carry around. I find that a surf spray really helps to enhance the curls in my hair. When I feel that my hair is getting a bit flat after a few days of unwash, I spray a bit of this through the ends of my hair, scrunch it up a few times, and I'm left with more texturized, defined curls. I've also tried spraying this on damp hair and scrunching my hair while it's drying, but I actually ended up with hair that was a bit too curly for my liking. I think those who don't have a perm but want a bit of a wave to their hair would benefit more from using a salt spray on damp hair and scrunching up/twisting the hair while it dries. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">As summer in China has been so incredibly hot and humid, my use of makeup has been limited to a very light BB cream, brow gel, and a nice lip colour. I've already mentioned the <i><a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1358994607/innisfree-eco-flower-tint" target="_blank">Innisfree Eco Flower Tint 3 Rose</a> </i>in my recent Innisfree haul post <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.hk/2014/07/innisfree-haul-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and my love for it is still going strong. It's a rosy lip stain that is very long wearing and can be patted in sheerly for a rosy tint, or layered on for a warm-toned red lip. There's also a peachy pink and an orange in the Eco Flower Tint range and I'm definitely thinking of picking those up. Another lip favourite is<i> </i>the <a href="http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=DIOR%20Dior%20Addict%20Lip%20Glow%20P236816&skuId=1162650&productId=P236816&_requestid=10139" target="_blank"><i>Dior Addict Lip Glow</i></a>, which comes in absolutely gorgeous pink packaging and is so easy to use. Just swipe it on like you would a lip balm and you're done. It's one of those tinted lip balm type deals, but the colour sort of varies for everyone. When I use it, I get a very rosy lip, but when my mum uses it, she gets more of a pink lip. It leaves a nice glossy finish and is incredibly moisturizing as a lip balm. I think the only complaint I have for this product is that it doesn't come in more colours. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What were your July favourites? </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-8105800411415553262014-07-26T19:58:00.000-07:002014-07-26T19:58:04.598-07:00Innisfree Haul + First Impressions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwu3OuX59DLX8HCSG5RaLX8qNydVRvyBt1SGqwer0tfEOlBGVWDPMlS8dcq6sHLddMDAn-DKovYwLJgMRPAg6y0cTW5sG2HGGJ395aqecGNVtERORW2Wd3chbD3SXqn6Qxhkd05d2YuM/s1600/innisfree-haul-first-impressions-review-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwu3OuX59DLX8HCSG5RaLX8qNydVRvyBt1SGqwer0tfEOlBGVWDPMlS8dcq6sHLddMDAn-DKovYwLJgMRPAg6y0cTW5sG2HGGJ395aqecGNVtERORW2Wd3chbD3SXqn6Qxhkd05d2YuM/s1600/innisfree-haul-first-impressions-review-2.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I always spend the summer in China as I'm off school and my parents live here, and one of the best things about it is stumbling across stores of Asian skincare brands that aren't available in North America. Sure I can always pick things up online, but I'm a weird one about buying beauty products online. I like to be able to feel the texture of the product on the back of my hand, test the colours, and check the scent of the product. When I saw an Innisfree store on a street corner while I was in Shanghai, I immediately plunged in and ended up leaving with quite a few things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The first thing I picked up is the <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1301546386/innisfree-wine-jelly-mask-set-5ea" target="_blank"><i>Wine Jelly Mask Set</i></a>, which promises to create a smooth jelly-like skin by gently clearing off dead skin cells and providing hydration to the skin. The set comes with 5 sheet masks. At first, I thought "jelly mask" referred to the actual sheet mask being one of those gelatin ones, but the actual mask is a very thick paper/cotton mask. As it is a wine mask, it was expected that the serum in the mask had a plum colour and smelled of red wine, but without the alcohol scent. I left the mask on for 15 minutes, and when I removed the mask, my face looked brighter. Red wine masks provide gentle exfoliation to the skin, so that helps to brighten. Polyphenols are also a great source of antioxidants, which are great in the summer to help repair sun damage. There was still a lot of serum left in the mask, so I wiped it all over my decollete and legs. The serum leaves a slightly sticky finish, so some may prefer to wash it off the face afterwards, but I just slapped on my face cream and called it a day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I also picked up two of the <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1337740739/innisfree-capsule-recipe-pack-3ea-green-tea" target="_blank"><i>Capsule Sleeping Packs</i></a>, one in Green Tea & Cucumber and one in Rice. They are basically overnight masks in little tiny pots, and they were just so cute I couldn't resist! I've only tried the Green Tea & Cucumber one, which is meant for hydration. I used this on a night when I got home from a very delayed flight at 4am in the morning. Thinking that my skin was definitely going to suffer the next day, I slapped this on as the last step in my routine, went to sleep, and woke up the next morning with plump, bright skin. I was rather impressed, really. The Rice one is meant to smooth and soften the skin. Rice ingredients typically do have that effect on my skin, so I'm excited to try it out soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The last skincare item I picked up was the <i>Eco Natural Suncare BB Powder</i>. It's basically a powder SPF with SPF 50+/PA+++ that's very slightly tinted. I've been using this everyday since I got it, so that goes to show how much I'm enjoying it. I'm going to be featuring this product in an upcoming SPF post, so I won't talk about it too much now. Be sure to check back on the blog!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I also picked up two makeup products. The first is the <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1372391799/innisfree-mineral-make-up-base-spf30pa" target="_blank"><i>Mineral Moisture Base</i></a>, which is a primer. Mine comes in a bottle with a pump rather than the tube shown in the link though. I picked up the one in green to help counteract redness in the skin as my skin is easily irritated by the elements. The product has a very lightweight gel-cream texture that's easy to spread and dries to a sort of satin-matte finish. I don't really have a problem with base makeup sliding off my face throughout the day, so I can't really comment on whether this primer helps makeup last. For those with dehydrated skin that see their makeup becoming patchy throughout the day, I do think that the hydrating texture of this primer would help with that problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The other product I got is the <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1358994607/innisfree-eco-flower-tint" target="_blank"><i>Eco Flower Tint in 3 Rose</i></a>. Although it's called a tint, this is a lip stain. I'm very low maintence with my makeup and I don't like to have to touch up throughout the day, so lip stains are a perfect option for me. The product can be applied sheerly or built up for more colour. When applied sheerly, it's a really pretty rose tint and I prefer to wear it this way. When layered up, it has more of an apple red colour, which is also very nice. The product has a very liquid texture that is not drying at all for the lips, and once the product has dried down I can't feel it on my lips at all. Oh, also, because it is so liquid, it's easy to get it in your mouth before the product dries down. I accidentally tasted it and, wow, let me just tell you, it was not pleasant. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">With all of these products, I reached the 560RMB (about $93) point perk and received a free glass water bottle and five sample size products. The water bottle is so pretty and has a compartment inside for tea leaves, so I think I'll be getting a lot of use out of it. The samples included the <i>Green Tea Seed <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1394169014/innisfree-the-green-tea-seed-serum" target="_blank">Serum</a> and <a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1394171149/innisfree-the-green-tea-seed-cream" target="_blank">Cream</a></i>. The serum is actually a pre-serum used as the first step after cleansing to help retain moisture and help subsequent products absorb, so I thought that was interesting. The cream is the kind of gel-cream texture that I really enjoy.<i> </i>I also received the<i> </i><a href="http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1400634324/innisfree-super-volcanic-pore-clay-mask" target="_blank"><i>Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask</i></a>, <i>Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner</i>, and <i>Green Persimmon Pore Essence. </i>I'm not really that concerned with pores, so I might pass these on to a friend who would appreciate them better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Overall, I think Innisfree is a fairly affordable brand that's great value for money. For me, it's a score across both skincare and makeup. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Have you tried any Innisfree products?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-91966385773076984102014-07-18T08:32:00.002-07:002014-07-18T08:32:21.483-07:00A Love and a Shrug #3: SPF Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiB2vc52VfLipAC4mNtEhnu3JhJPsrW9dPNEx4bWMjTDhJsFS3vmYOtgrGu9yW_Pweim8YSwgeWHSXPQ8wVu9geiihJoMdIQkxNy6nk3z5b8WZxc5Y-69KI0U8IpwjVxIVLwnVKQfPyo/s1600/biore-uv-aqua-rich-dr-sebagh-sun-city+-protection.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiB2vc52VfLipAC4mNtEhnu3JhJPsrW9dPNEx4bWMjTDhJsFS3vmYOtgrGu9yW_Pweim8YSwgeWHSXPQ8wVu9geiihJoMdIQkxNy6nk3z5b8WZxc5Y-69KI0U8IpwjVxIVLwnVKQfPyo/s1600/biore-uv-aqua-rich-dr-sebagh-sun-city+-protection.png" /></a></div>
I am currently in China visiting my family and summer is in full swing around here. While I try to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid the scorching sun and ridiculously high temperatures, SPF is an essential in my everyday morning skincare routine. UVA rays can penetrate through windows and those are the UV rays that cause photo-aging in the skin, so it's important to wear a broad spectrum UVA+UVB sunscreen even when staying indoors.<br />
<br />
My love this month is the <a href="http://www.imomoko.com/kao-biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-water-base-spf50-pa.html" target="_blank"><i>Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Water Base SPF 50 PA+++</i></a>. I've seen Asian beauty bloggers rave about this SPF, so I was pleased to find it at my local Watsons. This SPF has such a unique texture, I don't think I've ever seen another one quite like it. It really does feel very watery, even more so than most moisturizers I own, kind of like a really lightweight gel-cream texture. On the skin, it spreads and absorbs so effortlessly. Apart from the active sun protection ingredients, it also contains hyaluronic acid and citris fruit extracts to hydrate the skin. I wouldn't usually say this for an SPF product, but those who can't be bothered with too many steps in a skincare routine could skip the morning moisturizer and go straight to this SPF. It's incredibly hydrating and doesn't give my skin that greasy feeling that SPF products often have.<br />
<br />
Despite the love, I do have a few problems with this product. First, it is a chemical sunscreen, and I do normally prefer a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreen blocks UV rays like a shield, while chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they reach the skin. I guess I just like the idea of a shield more, because it sounds like I'm getting more protection, and chemical sunscreens are also said to be more irritating for sensitive skin. Being a chemical sunscreen also means that you have to reapply throughout the day (physical sunscreens don't have be reapplied as much if you don't sweat too much, go to the beach, etc.). I have to say that I'm really bad with reapplying SPF, but because this SPF has such a lightweight texture, it doesn't feel like you're piling too much onto the skin throughout the day. The product has a subtle floral fragrance, which is nice, but I do like to avoid fragrance whenever possible as it is a skin irritant. However, I have been using this SPF for a while and it does not irritate my skin at all. <br />
<br />
Another problem is the high alcohol content. Alcohol is the second ingredient right after water, which means that there's a high concentration of it in the product. Alcohol in skincare is known to irritate and dry out the skin, but I'm kind of torn on this ingredient. Many well-known Asian skincare brands use alcohol in their products (AmorePacific is one that comes to mind) to achieve that lightweight yet very hydrating texture that my skin loves. I don't fuss too much over the inclusion of alcohol in this product because it works so well for me, but my other sensitive skin readers may want to take caution.<br />
<br />
The SPF that didn't make the cut this summer is the <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">Dr. Sebagh Sun-City Protection</a> SPF 30</i>. I bought this a while back when Feelunique was clearing out their stock of Dr. Sebagh products, and let me just say that Dr. Sebagh is not a cheap brand even at 50% off, so I had high hopes for this product. In contrast to the Biore SPF, this is a purely physical sunscreen, which I usually prefer. Like all physical sunscreens, it does leave a white cast upon application, but that disappears in a few minutes. The texture of this product though, I really just don't understand. It's incredibly thick, so you have to really rub it in. It doesn't mix well with water, so if your face is wet from your prior skincare steps, you will have a very hard time spreading this SPF out. On the skin, this product leaves a very weird finish. When I touch my face, it doesn't feel smooth, kind of more like a chalky, almost rubbery finish. Not a comfortable feeling at all. The product also just kind of sits on the skin throughout the whole day and can feel quite heavy. Overall, I just found this a real pain to use and can't be bothered with it.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, remember to take your SPF off like you would take makeup off to avoid clogged pores and breakouts.<br />
<br />
What is your favourite SPF this summer?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-14518803658375928892014-07-03T13:00:00.000-07:002014-07-03T13:00:01.081-07:00My Beauty Wishlist #1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtiTV9GVBlGqzwbee3YEvWzyfw314zw9uP7VRncsUnBzg1Qu_Fu80N9X11_g-zpp6-L5WCAsjReQF1gSM0cjYN8JFjPdTePD11jUrM3EC0gLwLRSo0DRx_QnllQeHpXMGSg7PvJhVJCo/s1600/beauty-wishlist-%231.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtiTV9GVBlGqzwbee3YEvWzyfw314zw9uP7VRncsUnBzg1Qu_Fu80N9X11_g-zpp6-L5WCAsjReQF1gSM0cjYN8JFjPdTePD11jUrM3EC0gLwLRSo0DRx_QnllQeHpXMGSg7PvJhVJCo/s1600/beauty-wishlist-%231.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Images taken from the web, of course.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm delighted to see some new followers of the blog over on Bloglovin, so welcome to you all! When this post goes up, I'm going to be up in the skies on my way over to China. If I don't update for a short while, it'll be because I'm not nearly organized enough to schedule several posts ahead of time, but I will be back shortly. Now, on to the post.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know that I already have way too much in my beauty stash as it is. But as the old saying goes, a girl can never have enough beauty products. I think I may have just made that up, but the way I think about it, I don't drink any alcohol, so compared to others my age, I'm just using all that drink money on beauty products. Fair trade, right?<br />
<br />
As I've been getting into lighter bases recently, it's only expected that I would finally become intrigued by the much coveted <i><a href="http://www.chanel.com/en_SG/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Foundations-VITALUMI%C3%88RE-AQUA-118356" target="_blank">Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua</a></i> foundation. It feels like every single beauty blogger has raved about this product at least once. I always thought this would not be nearly enough coverage for my skin, as I suffer from acne scars all over my cheeks. However, my beloved <i>Stila CC Color Correcting Cream </i>has recently converted me to the whole sheer base + full coverage concealer type deal. The <i>Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua</i> is supposedly like "second-skin", so I expect a very natural yet perfecting kind of deal with this product. However, it's $51 at Nordstrom, and I'm just not sure I'm ready to spend that much on a light coverage foundation yet.<br />
<br />
And now, on to skincare. I've been lusting after the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/algae-brightening-mask-P385331?skuId=1603638&country_switch=ca" target="_blank">Algenist Algae Brightening Mask</a> </i>lately<i>. </i>This is a kaolin and bentonite clay mask that uses algae extracts to brighten the skin. I'm particularly fond of algae as a skincare ingredient, and I've always been intrigued by Algenist as a brand. The company discovered its signature ingredient alguronic acid when studying algae as a means to harness renewable fuel energy. Although there isn't any research on alguronic acid available on the web (the only research being done on it was done by Algenist and not made public), there is lots of research on algae ingredients, showing their capacity to provide antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits to the skin. I've tried samples of other Algenist products before and they've all been very nice. I'm more drawn to brightening products than anything else due to acne scars on my face. Fading acne scars definitely takes time, as well as consistent exfoliation coupled with good serums. I don't expect a mask to work any miracles, but I still feel like this mask could be one of those special occasion good-skin-in-15-minutes type masks with its deep cleansing and brightening actions.<br />
<br />
The last item is a long time favourite of one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Igisele. The <i><a href="http://us.sulwhasoo.com/first-care-activating-serum" target="_blank">Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum</a> </i>is meant to be used as the first step after cleansing. This serum is packed full of herbal extracts. Igisele says that it helps to really balance and soothe the skin, as well as aid in the absorption of subsequent skincare products. It's also full of herbal extracts to pack some antioxidants into the skin. Balancing the skin would mean balancing out oil production or dry patches, as well as soothing any irritation or inflammation. I find that balancing the skin is key to keeping down breakouts and redness, so I'm interested to see what this serum can do. Unfortunately, it's quick hard to get a hold of. Not many websites sell it online, and my local Korean beauty store is always out of stock, because it's just so popular. Many one day, I will finally get my hands on it.<br />
<br />
What is on your beauty wishlist?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-70314079488516068282014-06-30T12:51:00.000-07:002014-06-30T12:51:21.437-07:00The Origins Masks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUgZeIAbJFag-oODEYDSkg8vrAfinvM3xxqFMSXO39WWdMVJP2i62Bjq5AsTbuxiNngThrzbMxyGwKVmFEw8SRLAeGmz_TqXDjYgh2X7W36i7kKqyR4oDQqMsEfMFrB-s6c3ypnPdBFs/s1600/origins+masks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUgZeIAbJFag-oODEYDSkg8vrAfinvM3xxqFMSXO39WWdMVJP2i62Bjq5AsTbuxiNngThrzbMxyGwKVmFEw8SRLAeGmz_TqXDjYgh2X7W36i7kKqyR4oDQqMsEfMFrB-s6c3ypnPdBFs/s1600/origins+masks.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Origins Masks are well-known and well-loved in the blogging world and it's easy to get sucked into the hype, but are they really worth the money?<br />
<br />
This blog post has been sitting in my drafts folder for ages. It took me a long time to actually write this post because I feel that I'm really in the minority of opinions when it comes to these particular masks. Then again, this is my blog and the purpose of this blog is to share what I think, so I'm just going to dive right into this and say that I'm not a big fan.<br />
<br />
I've probably made it quite clear that I'm a big face mask girl. The Origins masks seem to be recommended by almost every beauty blogger when they talk about their top face mask picks, but these masks and I just don't seem to get along. There is one stand out product for me out of these four masks though, and that is the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/clear-improvement-active-charcoal-mask-to-clear-pores-P297524?skuId=1375773" target="_blank">Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask</a>. </i>This is a typical bentonite+kaolin combination deep cleansing clay mask, and I think those two ingredients probably play more of a role than the charcoal powder, which is much more far down the ingredients list. I find that it really is deep cleansing and does help to clear out my pores (blackheads) as well as help shrink blemishes. I also like that while it is deep cleansing, it's not stripping, so my skin doesn't feel tight at all after I wash it off. I wouldn't say that it's better than the other clay mask options in my skincare drawer, but it is a good one, though I do think there are cheaper alternatives out there.<br />
<br />
The two hydrating mask offerings from Origins are the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/drink-up-10-minute-mask-to-quench-skin-s-thirst-P297547" target="_blank">Drink Up 10 Minute Mask</a> </i>and the <i><a href="http://www.origins.com/product/3857/11647/Drink-Up-Intensive/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask</a></i>. These two are very similar products. They are both cream masks that hydrate with emollient oils. While the sort of peaches and cream scent is pleasant, these masks really are incredibly fragranced, which can cause irritation to the skin. In addition, they contain other irritants such as lavender oil and camphor oil. For me personally, I could really see the irritation on my skin after using these products, and it's rare that a product is so irritating I see immediate consequences. After I use these two masks, my skin is always visibly red and just feels uncomfortable, which usually results in breakouts later on. I don't find the <i>10 Minute Mask</i> to be any more hydrating than the <i>Intensive Overnight Mask</i>, because I don't find either of them to be hydrating really. They kind of just feel like a creamy moisturizer that I put on and wash off, with no results. Frankly, I would not even bother with these products, as there are much more effective hydrating mask options on the market.<br />
<br />
The <i><a href="http://www.origins.com/product/3873/31156/Skincare/Star-Collection/Dr-Weil-Mega-Mushroom/Dr-Andrew-Weil-for-Origins/Mega-Mushroom-Skin-Relief-Face-Mask/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Mask</a> </i>is one that I really had high hopes for. The sales associate that sold me this product was extremely convincing, and promised me that her sister - who also has sensitive, acne prone skin - saw fantastic results with this range. I actually quite like the serum from the same range, but not so much this mask. Again, another cream mask, but this one is supposed to reduce redness and reactivity. My skin is easily sensitized and irritated, so this would have been perfect for me, if only it worked. For me, this mask doesn't do anything for redness or irritation. Like the hydrating masks, there are some problematic ingredients in here that are actually irritants, so I suffered the same uncomfortable feeling and broke out shortly afterwards. It really is quite frustrating when a product that's supposed to calm my skin actually does the opposite.<br />
<br />
It's easy to get sucked into blogger hype for certain products, but it's also important to admit to ourselves when those products just don't work out for us. I sometimes find myself trying to persuade myself that I like a product just because everyone else loves it, even though I really don't. That being said, these masks may work fantastically for you, in which case, you should continue to use them by all means. For those who haven't tried these masks yet, you should still give them a go if you really are curious, but my advice would be to look for better options. Keep a lookout on my blog as I post about my favourite face masks all the time.<br />
<br />
What do you think about the Origins masks?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-25694780798566487102014-06-27T13:37:00.000-07:002014-06-27T13:37:47.395-07:00The Shower Moisture Duo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTXLMKmpoLvoSxKflJ5vjmKGye1maI6q2BpiqaaxWDark2GQu27EBH03WA8LPOrwGufrKduF2KF1imwl4z283vGa0qLaOxFh9hYQU-xvlgrTdKQmG5shf9dqCw1Q_jvSFTok07z2W0EQ/s1600/dove-deep-moisture-lush-ro's-argan-body-conditioner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTXLMKmpoLvoSxKflJ5vjmKGye1maI6q2BpiqaaxWDark2GQu27EBH03WA8LPOrwGufrKduF2KF1imwl4z283vGa0qLaOxFh9hYQU-xvlgrTdKQmG5shf9dqCw1Q_jvSFTok07z2W0EQ/s1600/dove-deep-moisture-lush-ro's-argan-body-conditioner.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The shower may not be the place that comes to mind when you think of moisturizing the body, but if you're like me in the sense that you're too lazy to properly rub it body lotion everyday, then every bit of extra moisture that you get in the shower counts. The market has really been catering to the lotion-lazy club as of late, and there are so many body washes and etc that claim to boost moisture. Here are my two picks for some serious shower moisture action.<br />
<br />
The <i><a href="http://www.dove.us/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/Body-Wash/Dove-Deep-Moisture-Nourishing-Body-Wash-with-NutriumMoisture.aspx" target="_blank">Dove Deep Moiture Nourishing Body Wash</a> </i>is my go-to body wash because it doesn't strip my skin at all, and actually does provide some much needed moisture. It contains nourishing plant oils such as soybean oil and sunflower seed oil, but doesn't leave any kind of greasy residue. It feels very gentle on the skin, and has a nice fresh scent to it. I like to lather up this body wash with any old loofah. It really works up into a dense, sort of creamy foam, which does a great job at cleaning my body, but also leaves my skin feeling so smooth.<br />
<br />
To further amp up in moisture, I've been using the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Ro's-Argan-Body-Conditioner/03590,en_CA,pd.html" target="_blank">Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner</a></i>. You basically use this body conditioner as you would a hair conditioner. After I wash my body with the Dove body wash, I turn off the shower head, scoop some dollops of this body conditioner out of the pot, and rub it all over my wet body, really working it into the dry bits. The key to this product is that when you go to rinse it off, you really have to make it a quick rinse. Like, as quick as you can make it, or you will just be washing all that moisture down the drain. The first time I tried this product, I got a little bit too comfortable in the warm water when rinsing off, and didn't see any effect afterwards. If you make it a quick rinse and lightly pat dry with a towel, your skin will feel smooth and soft, but with no oily residue left behind. I have to say though, I'm really not a fan of the scent, as it's just way too rich for me. But the scent doesn't really linger, so I just deal with it, and I believe Lush is coming out with a new tropical scented body conditioner soon, so be sure to check that out. Also, you have to use quite a bit of product to cover your whole body, and for $33, this is not really a large pot. I'm sure there are more cost effective drugstore versions of a body conditioner, so be sure to let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions.<br />
<br />
What are you favourite shower moisture products?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-12849102597434433072014-06-25T10:09:00.000-07:002014-06-25T11:41:50.384-07:00Makeup Menu #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotA4A_VedjjrJrsqu8Nv_eJadaYFWvqHGbjgJllztk-FYuYtfDk2ODM-IRlMbCy8urKZ9ovrp7WrlXNEf3vv3a9ENjSsyyyMhMdxpJLpGi3_2llR_Hz9-vPyG9MHCE09Sd_kd3-2v0WQ/s1600/summer-makeup-menu.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotA4A_VedjjrJrsqu8Nv_eJadaYFWvqHGbjgJllztk-FYuYtfDk2ODM-IRlMbCy8urKZ9ovrp7WrlXNEf3vv3a9ENjSsyyyMhMdxpJLpGi3_2llR_Hz9-vPyG9MHCE09Sd_kd3-2v0WQ/s1600/summer-makeup-menu.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Summer is officially here, and this month's Makeup Menu is all about lightweight, barely-there makeup. When the weather starts to get warm, you really don't want any heavy base makeup, because let me tell you, that does not go well with the excess oil and sweat that's partying it up on your face. I've been absolutely loving the <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/cc-color-correcting-cream-broad-spectrum-spf-20-P381711" target="_blank">Stila CC Color Correcting Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20</a>, </i>which I reviewed <a href="http://cicique.blogspot.ca/2014/06/a-love-and-shrug-2-cc-cream-edition.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">here</a>. I really didn't expect this to work as well as it does. It doesn't provide much coverage, but does a great job at correcting redness and blurring imperfections. This CC cream does apply well with fingers, but I like to really buff it in with a <i>Real Techniques Expert Face Brush</i>, as it just applies the product so evenly and does it in seconds. It leaves a very skin-like, natural finish on the skin, and also provides so much radiance, and who doesn't love dewy, glowy skin in the summer? I top it off with a little bit of concealer just to cover up any breakouts or acne scars, a bit of powder down the t-zone, and I basically look like I woke up with flawless skin, which is a success in all my books.<br />
<br />
For brows, the <i><a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/gimme-brow" target="_blank">Benefit Gimme Brow</a> </i>is the only thing I've used all month. It's a tinted brow gel that basically makes your brow hairs look thicker than they actually are, so you're left with naturally full brows. This product really only works if you already have reasonably full brows and you're satisfied with your natural brow shape. I have pretty full brows naturally thanks to my dad (I'm pretty sure his brow hairs are like an inch long each), so I can get away with just brushing two coats of this stuff through all the hairs. Those with thinner brows, you'll probably want to skip this product and stick with the brow powder or pencils instead. This product can get a little bit messy though, as it's very easy to accidentally dot the product in areas where you don't want it, so keep some cotton buds handy.<br />
<br />
On my cheeks, I like to pop a little bit of <i><a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-cheek-stain" target="_blank">Tarte Cheek Stain in Flush</a> </i>on the tops of my cheek bones. I like to apply blush to my cheek bones because it helps to lift my face, and I also feel like applying blush to my cheeks just accentuates all the acne scars that I try to hide. When I first swatched the <i>Tarte Cheek Stains</i>, I thought the texture was way too sheer and jelly-like for my liking, but it actually works very well. I've never really seen anything else like it, but it's kind of like a gel-cream blush in a twist-up stick, which sounds so strange but is actually kind of genius. I just run my finger across the top of the stick a few times to distribute pigment, and then tap my finger onto my cheek bones. It can apply sheer, but you can definitely build up colour. The gel-cream formula makes the product so lightweight, you can't feel it at all. Flush is described as a sheer berry, but on my cheeks, it's a really pretty rosy pink.<br />
<br />
I've skipped eye makeup since I wear glasses most days, and my big black frames do a great job on their own of pulling attention. The key to the glasses makeup look is to amp it up with lip colour. I'm a big fan of the Fresh Sugar tinted lip balms, and the newly released <a href="http://www.sephora.com/sugar-lip-treatment-spf-15-P57002" target="_blank"><i>Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Tulip</i></a> quickly made it into my daily makeup routine. Tulip is described as a sheer hot pink tint, which I would agree with, but it also has a berry element to it. It's definitely more bold than a nude or peachy pink lip, but still natural. These lip balms are my favourites out of all of the tinted lip balms out there, as they are just so incredibly moisturizing and comfortable to wear. They really feel just like a lip balm. Plus, the signature citrus candy scent is to die for.<br />
<br />
What are your summer makeup picks?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-36675108927666316252014-06-23T11:59:00.001-07:002014-06-23T11:59:06.018-07:00A Standout Spot Treatment, Finally!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmotdc_GiHeUl72AXNP808CdXMgnU9Q39swjdHPaM1wOwcnXHl2erYQZwoddeT9sJRdC9t6RvzUfgchClIoYWB4vlDLDx5TUqj2ecCUE6QPtLSyhLdrFurOlsdrDfIBObyChAfvLkO0Es/s1600/dermamed-acne-prone-skin-gel-review.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmotdc_GiHeUl72AXNP808CdXMgnU9Q39swjdHPaM1wOwcnXHl2erYQZwoddeT9sJRdC9t6RvzUfgchClIoYWB4vlDLDx5TUqj2ecCUE6QPtLSyhLdrFurOlsdrDfIBObyChAfvLkO0Es/s1600/dermamed-acne-prone-skin-gel-review.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">I feel like spot treatments are a category of skincare that I'm just consistently underwhelmed by. Most products maybe shorten the healing time of a blemish from 7 days to 5 days or something like that, but is it really worth the effort? We're all busy people in a busy world and I am always looking for that spot treatment that will give me instant results, and this week, I think I've finally found it.</span></div>
<br />
To be honest, I really didn't expect the <i><a href="http://us.dermamed.com/product_details/natural_skin_care/dmacne_gel/default.asp" target="_blank">DermaMed Acne Prone Skin Gel</a> </i>to work as well as it does. I live near an organic grocery store, so I picked this little pot up on a whim. DermaMed is a natural skincare brand, and the ingredients list for this product is a very short and simple list. I'll list them down below:<br />
<br />
<i>Ingredients: Water, aloe vera gel, viola tricolor extract, tea tree essential oil, rose hip oil, vitamins A and E, grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Well isn't that just about the shortest ingredients list for a skincare product ever. I wanted to give this product a try because it's a blend of anti-inflammatory(tea tree), soothing/redness reducing (aloe vera gel), and healing (rose hip oil and vitamin E) ingredients, so it's helping skin heal and also reducing any scarring that might occur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJUyHycCjSabLbzXdyJNagyDr8Mv-JJdFLTxqD7jqdsKIPAi1f8axgViQvmVdMGv5Y5V61ZpAXK2yyU6AYqblXQzR_ax_5vHRufeU0TCYCJlY5cAztZV8EyR53ShO7FB-XqJD31oA-DQ/s1600/dermamed-acne-prone-skin-gel-review-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJUyHycCjSabLbzXdyJNagyDr8Mv-JJdFLTxqD7jqdsKIPAi1f8axgViQvmVdMGv5Y5V61ZpAXK2yyU6AYqblXQzR_ax_5vHRufeU0TCYCJlY5cAztZV8EyR53ShO7FB-XqJD31oA-DQ/s1600/dermamed-acne-prone-skin-gel-review-2.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The product comes in an opaque jar and has a light cream texture that smells, unsurprisingly, of tea tree oil. I was going through a pretty bad bout of breakouts all over my cheeks when I first tried it. Immediately, I noticed a significant decrease in redness on all the areas I applied it to, which I've never really seen happen before. The product does absorb and dry, which I like because it won't rub onto my pillows at night, so I kept reapplying throughout the night just for good measure. The next morning when I washed my face, I noticed that all of my blemishes had significantly decreased in size and redness. The small ones basically vanished overnight. I also had a huge red lump that had come to a head the previous night (TMI?), so I popped it and applied this cream on top, and it was almost completely gone as well.<br />
<br />
Honestly, this is probably the first time a spot treatment has given me immediate results, and I'm so impressed. And believe me, I've tried my fair share of spot treatments throughout the years. Hopefully it will continue to give me good results. If you also struggle with finding an effective spot treatment, definitely give this little gem a try!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-32631481146139932642014-06-20T11:16:00.000-07:002014-06-20T11:16:09.508-07:00Lush Haul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaEwplYNOa9Etm-CVUagaQkox7C3txYKR5TBgp6vXBxTB8nm5-27onIEll4FmnmQBg_uYqXbLMRyanFiDPLiuKhY_6xiz_s9kLFGCsndMsDpgXDFOEueBZXh5G93gBsfcJTpnvnlksSM/s1600/lush-haul.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaEwplYNOa9Etm-CVUagaQkox7C3txYKR5TBgp6vXBxTB8nm5-27onIEll4FmnmQBg_uYqXbLMRyanFiDPLiuKhY_6xiz_s9kLFGCsndMsDpgXDFOEueBZXh5G93gBsfcJTpnvnlksSM/s1600/lush-haul.png" /></a></div>
Ah yes, who doesn't love a little bit of Lush? I was given the Lush catalogue recently and saw a few products in there that I just could not resist. It was really interesting to read up on the Lush philosophy of "fresh" skincare without preservatives, as well as the charities that Lush supports with the sale of certain products.<br />
<br />
First and foremost, what would a Lush haul be without a bath product? I picked up the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/A-French-Kiss/02189,en_CA,pd.html#q=french%2520kiss&start=1" target="_blank">A French Kiss Bubble Bar</a>, </i>which smells beautifully of lavender. When crumbled under the water tap and properly bubbled up though, it smells quite strongly of rosemary and I couldn't help thinking of preparations for chicken dinner while I sat there in the tub. Maybe not the best contender for a romantic evening, but the bubbles were proper fun. I usually cut up the bubble bars into three pieces, so each one can last me three baths. Still not the most cost effective bath product out there, but at least I'm not dropping nearly $10 on a bath.<br />
<br />
Lush is one of the more mainstream natural skincare brands out there, and while natural can be a good thing, it definitely compromises convenience in some of Lush's products. I picked up the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Aqua-Marina/9999906955,en_CA,pd.html" target="_blank">Aqua Marina Cleanser</a>, </i>which is supposed to be good for irritated, sensitive skin. Calamine takes down redness while aloe vera gel soothes the skin. Kaolin helps draw out impurities in the pores, and the seaweed wrapped around each chunk of cleanser hopefully adds some vitamins to the skin as well. The product sounds great in theory, but when I actually tried to use it, I just did not get on with it. It comes in soft chunks that you're supposed to sort of melt down into a milk with a bit of water in your palm, but I found this very hard to do, and I ended up spilling a lot of the product in the process. It didn't do a whole lot in terms of soothing breakouts, and overall is just too much of a faff for me to put up with. I get that being preservative-free is a big thing now, but the inclusion of fragrance is even more problematic than parabens. While there is no conclusive research that topical applications of parabens has any side effects (the horror stories are based on ingestion of parabens), fragrance is consistently shown to cause irritation on the skin. I suppose people like their products to smell good, but honestly this product smells pretty bizarre.<br />
<br />
One thing I really wanted to pick up as the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Ultrabalm/03078,en_CA,pd.html#q=ultrabalm&start=1" target="_blank">Ultrabalm Body Balm</a>. </i>It's a really thick balm that only consists of three ingredients: jojoba oil, candelila wax, and rose wax. It's very emollient and moisturizing, and I like to apply it to any dry patches on my body, such as my knees, elbows, and heels. I've seen lots of reviews saying it works well as a lip balm too, but it does smell kind of funny, so I haven't taken that leap yet. Another product to help with dry, flaky skin is the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Stepping-Stone/03122,en_CA,pd.html#q=step&start=1" target="_blank">Stepping Stone Foot Scrub</a>. </i>I tend to neglect taking care of my feet, so I wanted something to help soften the skin and get rid of the flaky bits. This scrub is a pumice based bar that also contains moisturizing oils. The key here is to not get the actual scrub bar wet. Just wet your feet, and scrub the dry bar over the skin. It's not a bad product, and it did help get rid of the really rough patches, but I did hope for a bit more of a softening effect. I think an actual pumice stone might be easier to use and just as effective.<br />
<br />
I also received a small sample of the <i><a href="http://www.lush.ca/Mask-of-Magnaminty/9999900411,en_CA,pd.html" target="_blank">Mask of Magnamity</a>, </i>which can be used as a deep cleansing face wash or mask. It contains the usual combination of bentonite and kaolin found in many clay masks, as well as honey, which is one of my favourite skincare ingredients due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and nourishing properties. It also contains ground aduki beans to give you a bit of exfoliation when washing off. I haven't tried this mask yet, because I'm a bit on the fence about the inclusion of peppermint oil, which is an irritant to the skin and I certainly have found it irritating in the past. I probably will give it a go at some point anyway, and we'll see how I get on with it.<br />
<br />
What are your Lush favourites?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-318106068379994292014-06-18T16:07:00.001-07:002014-06-18T16:07:19.419-07:00An Unlikely Love Affair: Marchesa Parfum d'Extase <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5cTGpYRlbf6VD0Dh6kahhg_JpWuJoU_TJbC9dx0JsYnsetQKax8nUKe780C8AKE1qsX30wpqHtpY__5Dry0GCLxVQSFshsvD3x_ap5eMzBtxcwD7QvvAx4LnFfv2GoIE4XRXLcCaQE4/s1600/marchesa-parfum-d'extase-review.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5cTGpYRlbf6VD0Dh6kahhg_JpWuJoU_TJbC9dx0JsYnsetQKax8nUKe780C8AKE1qsX30wpqHtpY__5Dry0GCLxVQSFshsvD3x_ap5eMzBtxcwD7QvvAx4LnFfv2GoIE4XRXLcCaQE4/s1600/marchesa-parfum-d'extase-review.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Although I've always been fascinated with the art of creating perfume, I am somehow extraordinarily picky when it comes to scents. There's always something wrong. Too sweet. Too rich. Too fruity. Too creamy. Too powdery. Etc etc etc. In fact, I never really wore perfume simply because I couldn't find a single one I liked.<br />
<br />
Until now that is.<br />
<br />
The <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/marchesa-P375714" target="_blank">Marchesa Parfum d'Extase</a> </i>whisked my little heart away at first glance with its beautiful glass and crystal packaging, and when I smelled it, I knew it was <i>the one</i>. The perfume is said to be inspired by the brand Marchesa's collection of dresses, which are all so dreamy. The perfume is definitely a floral scent, the strongest notes being iris and jasmine. Jasmine and rose are very romantic scents, but I think the iris and lotus give the perfume a very clean edge as well. However, the thing that sets this perfume over all the other floral perfumes out on the market is that this perfume has the perfect balance of floral notes and green notes - possibly from the young violet leaves? - which takes away the sweetness and powdery quality that floral scents can often have and makes it smell oh so fresh.<br />
<br />
I wouldn't describe this perfume as being a sexy fragrance, but there's something so effortlessly elegant and chic about it. Sephora describes this scent as being feminine and empowered, and I think it really is just that. For me, this fragrance evokes the image of the modern business woman: confident, intelligent; modern yet classic, modest yet powerful; someone who is perhaps not the strongest voice in the room, but who is always in control of the situation; and someone who is always dressed to perfection.<br />
<br />
Now that I've perhaps thoroughly confused you with all my description, I have to say that you really have to smell <i>Marchesa</i> yourself to understand. The only downside to this fragrance is that it really isn't very long lasting, maybe a few hours at best, which is really such a disappointment because the middle notes and base notes of the fragrance get lost as it fades. I imagine it would fade to a more sensual, musky scent, which to be honest I wouldn't know if I'd like, so maybe it's a good thing. Who knows. Just keep a rollerball in your handbag and reapply throughout the day.<br />
<br />
Have you tried <i>Marchesa Parfum d'Extase</i>?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-67153094680194123992014-06-16T13:06:00.000-07:002014-06-16T13:06:46.135-07:00A Love and a Shrug #2: CC Cream Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C1ImMD5SVN_VKLvTAEICYBLBcC12-O4qNN7bD1izQlLT8HK1oO1ATGaJ8Nbwcif0K8NKCz-cnXQ0PvZQM9_Rmov6WflhjxF1-_96164ZJ7AA2SkETglr_qCchuzZkFckix8MJED1i9M/s1600/01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C1ImMD5SVN_VKLvTAEICYBLBcC12-O4qNN7bD1izQlLT8HK1oO1ATGaJ8Nbwcif0K8NKCz-cnXQ0PvZQM9_Rmov6WflhjxF1-_96164ZJ7AA2SkETglr_qCchuzZkFckix8MJED1i9M/s1600/01.png" /></a></div>
CC Creams have been out on the market for a while now but have just never really caught my interest. I love Korean BB creams for their high coverage yet skin-like finish, but CC creams didn't seem like they would have enough coverage for me. This week, I decided to give CC creams a go and see what the trend is all about. In the end, one product came out on top, while the other fell very short.<br />
<br />
These CC products are meant to colour correct without giving coverage, which - ideally - would mean that they minimize hyperpigmentation, redness, and dullness while maintaining a very lightweight skin-like finish. Both of these products come out in a green base with colour particles inside that are meant to adjust to your skin when blended in. However, the <i><a href="http://www.biotherm.ca/product/aquasource-cc-gel,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Biotherm Aquasource CC Gel</a></i> just did not deliver the results I was looking for. I mentioned last week that I am a huge fan of the <i>Biotherm Aquasource Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel</i> moisturizer, which is why I thought the <i>Aquasource CC Gel</i> would be a good product, but there are a few reasons why I find it problematic. As the name would suggest, the product comes in a very light gel consistency, but a lot of product has to be applied before any effect can be seen. Although it feels and smells like the Aquasource moisturizer, the <i>CC Gel</i> dries sort of tacky and sticky, and feels actually quite heavy over the skin. Because of the gel consistency, the product can really only be applied with fingers, but it takes quite a bit of effort to blend in as the product tends to have a streaky look, which makes it difficult to use in the morning when I'm in a rush to get out the door. Even after all the effort of blending it in, the product doesn't really have any effect. I know it's supposed to be a light coverage product, but I at least hope to see some results. It also just felt uncomfortable on the skin, so I had to pass on this product.<br />
<br />
The <i><a href="http://www.sephora.com/cc-color-correcting-cream-broad-spectrum-spf-20-P381711" target="_blank">Stila CC Color Correcting Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20</a></i> is everything that I hoped the <i>Biotherm Aquasource CC Gel</i> would be. The product claims to provide sheer to medium buildable coverage, but it's definitely a light coverage at best. This one comes in a cream base rather than a gel. The first time I tried to use this product, I applied it with a beauty blender sponge and saw absolutely no results. After a bit of trial and error, I find that fingers work well, but my favourite way to apply is with a buffing brush. I use the <i>Real Techniques Expert Face Brush</i>, dot the CC cream all over my face, and really go to town with buffing it in.<br />
<br />
While it doesn't provide any coverage to the skin, it is really perfecting. It helps to reduce any redness and really brightens the complexion. It definitely has a dewy, glowing finish that is just so perfect for summer. It doesn't do anything for oil control and I find that my nose does start to get a little oily throughout the day, so those with oily skin may want to powder down the t-zone. For those with dry skin, this product is pretty moisturizing as well. Although it doesn't stand a chance against covering hyperpigmentation, it does make them slightly less noticeable, and a little bit of concealer takes care of that easily. This product pretty much looks and feels like skin, and I don't feel it on my face at all, which I love. Overall, I think the <i>Stila CC Coloring Correcting Cream</i> is a great option if you are looking for a natural light coverage base for the summer months.<br />
<br />
What is your favourite CC product?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-37655074759789245602014-06-13T13:00:00.000-07:002014-06-15T19:26:11.252-07:00In a League of its Own: Biotherm Aquasource<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81PRc4I28uI9jJLN51p2mi9aZ3anfhjbaL8w6rOWKHK9aznUcl-g1-2bHYoZGw7Rmi-LeVNbBn79mSU1UGyKxvmNBszxcxvEaCA_PAevbNAPSWJta_KUuP4OKCrwYLbE8WxHvdmPJOiw/s1600/01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81PRc4I28uI9jJLN51p2mi9aZ3anfhjbaL8w6rOWKHK9aznUcl-g1-2bHYoZGw7Rmi-LeVNbBn79mSU1UGyKxvmNBszxcxvEaCA_PAevbNAPSWJta_KUuP4OKCrwYLbE8WxHvdmPJOiw/s1600/01.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp7fbRrVLPPkTlcL3z3kA1uXY8dfTZ4TYYAyegJ5m8x5vck7aKvqYKRrwVqlE7Jv0DlkitZg72EmDfCMTY6tgE7d8IOX99OtkDwM8RHcpqxqkwn5BKnfzgNvm-28te1vQ1hGh5vhZyAY/s1600/02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp7fbRrVLPPkTlcL3z3kA1uXY8dfTZ4TYYAyegJ5m8x5vck7aKvqYKRrwVqlE7Jv0DlkitZg72EmDfCMTY6tgE7d8IOX99OtkDwM8RHcpqxqkwn5BKnfzgNvm-28te1vQ1hGh5vhZyAY/s1600/02.png" /></a></div>
If you are on the hunt for a new summer moisturizer, look no further than the <i><a href="http://www.biotherm.ca/product/AQUASOURCE,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Biotherm Aquasource Deep Hydration Replenishing Gel</a></i>. It's really been a while since I've liked a moisturizer enough to finish the whole tub, but I've already completely used up one tub of <i>Biotherm Aquasource</i>, bought a new one, <i>and</i> bought a back up, just in case. In case you can't tell, I've got a serious love affair going on with this moisturizer.<br />
<br />
I was first introduced to this product by one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Igisele, who has absolutely gorgeous skin. She said that back in her acne-prone days, this moisturizer really saved her face by providing lots of hydration yet not making the skin oily at all. That sounded like just about the perfect thing for my combination, acne-prone skin, and I wonder why it took me so long to finally purchase this product.<br />
<br />
As you can see in the picture above, this moisturizer comes as a light green gel. Biotherm is known for using marine algae and plankton ingredients in their skincare, and I personally really love algae ingredients in skincare. We're beginning to see more and more algae ingredients in high-tech brands such as Algenist, and I think that this field definitely has a lot of potential. Somehow, and I don't know how this product does it, I find this moisturizer to be lightweight enough to use in the morning under makeup, yet hydrating enough to use at night, depending on the amount you apply. Once the moisturizer sets and sinks in, my skin always looks visibly more plumped, yet it feels kind of matte to the touch. Over the course of the day, I find that my t-zone gets less oily as well.<br />
<br />
This moisturizer is paraben free and mineral oil free. It really calms and soothes my very sensitive skin, and does not break me out at all. The scent of it is pleasantly green (like when perfume has green notes?), and really gives a bit of luxury to the whole experience. While it is perfectly lightweight for the summer, I imagine that this moisturizer will be hydrating enough to use during the cold winter months as well. At $47 for a 50mL tub, this moisturizer lasted me about a month when used both morning and night. It's definitely not a cheap product, but I really like to just go to town with slathering my skin in this, so if you use it a bit more sparingly, I imagine it could last you much longer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-26274887323899493702014-06-11T11:55:00.000-07:002014-06-11T11:55:00.298-07:00Trialling SPF's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELY6t3epLhYQi_071oA_P00BD96BOYbIF18RZCF5gXZ_k1JJ7bNYIrGwHkofnO8YnUaogXbqI5oauNemKJ8XFbuZ-NCd0pcdum8P5c1u7Zj-ZbmBGV7wZqN2BU83CHyYFn0ye8CT6lCM/s1600/01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELY6t3epLhYQi_071oA_P00BD96BOYbIF18RZCF5gXZ_k1JJ7bNYIrGwHkofnO8YnUaogXbqI5oauNemKJ8XFbuZ-NCd0pcdum8P5c1u7Zj-ZbmBGV7wZqN2BU83CHyYFn0ye8CT6lCM/s1600/01.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Wearing an SPF product daily is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Exposure to UV rays causes the breakdown of collagen and signs of aging such as wrinkles and sun spots follow suit. However, SPF products are also one of the hardest skincare products to shop for, as many of them have thick, oily textures, unpleasant scents, or leave the infamous white cast on your face. Gross, I know, but with lots of trial and error I have managed to find some SPF products that work for me.<br />
<br />
The SPF that I've been reaching for everyday is the <a href="http://www.loccitane.com.co/immortelle-brightening-uv-shield-spf40,8,1,320,91867.htm" target="_blank">L'occitane Immortelle Brightening Shield SPF 40</a>. This is probably the best SPF product I've ever used. It has an incredibly light, liquid texture, so I pump it into the palm of my hand before dotting all over my face. On the skin, it feels no more heavy than a light moisturizer. It's important to use enough product when using SPF or you will not be getting the full SPF 40 protection, so I use about 8 pumps every morning to cover my entire face and neck. It is rather pricey at $60 for 30mL, but SPF is absolutely not something you can use sparingly or that can be "less is more", so I would suggest looking into other options if you are turned off by the price.<br />
<br />
This is a physical sunscreen formulated with titanium dioxide, so you are getting broad spectrum protection (which means it will block out both UVA and UVB rays). However, as with all physical sunscreens, it does leave a slight white cast over my face when first applied, but that goes away in a few minutes. Just be sure to wait for it to absorb before applying makeup on top. The scent is similar to the rest of the Immortelle line, a sort of fresh floral scent that isn't too strong. This sunscreen also includes a number of plants oils and extracts to help brighten the skin, including daisy extract. While this could be beneficial, those with sensitive skin may want to do a patch test first, as plant ingredients can often be irritating to the skin. Overall, I think this is a great SPF option, and is the most un-sunscreen-like SPF out of the products I am talking about today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pDMI1bJq87FwBjFWKFqagNZQM3DFInxkA8zn1neBO3GA91kLoiA_1zApEqzgKc2P4Xj5NeFGs5u7Uz_zTFSpvVtAZlXtjmRS2dbJStWkehCJV1zEM2ewsU5B3mKZxA4B2wgEYzjA6J0/s1600/02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pDMI1bJq87FwBjFWKFqagNZQM3DFInxkA8zn1neBO3GA91kLoiA_1zApEqzgKc2P4Xj5NeFGs5u7Uz_zTFSpvVtAZlXtjmRS2dbJStWkehCJV1zEM2ewsU5B3mKZxA4B2wgEYzjA6J0/s1600/02.png" /></a></div>
<br />
While we're on the subject of SPF's, I figure I would talk about some other SPF products I've tried. The <a href="http://www.sephora.com/natural-protector-spf-30-pa-P232939" target="_blank">Amore Pacific Natural Protector SPF 30/PA+++</a> is a blend of physical and chemical sunscreens. It seems to be only available in the US, but can be found quite easily online through Sephora. While it claims to be oil-free, I still think it feels rather heavy. It is also extremely heavily fragranced, so those with sensitive skin may want to steer clear. The product comes out with a slight pink tint, which helps slightly to even out skin tone but doesn't have any major effects, though it definitely helps cancel out the white cast. Not really a product I would recommend.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.aveneusa.com/high-protection-mineral-cream-spf-50" target="_blank">Avene High Protection Mineral Cream SPF 50</a> was my daily SPF before I discovered the L'occitane offering. This is a physical sunscreen containing both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and provides broad spectrum protection. As with all Avene products, this sunscreen does not contain any fragrance and is a great option for sensitive skin. The product is tinted, so it does not have any white cast and actually really helps to even out the skin. I'm able to skip foundation and use only concealer for my base makeup when wearing this sunscreen. While it blends into my fair skin very well, those with darker skin may want to test it out first. The only complaint I have with this sunscreen is that it is a little bit heavy and oily. While it doesn't cause me to break out at all, I find that my t-zone can get quite oily throughout the day.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.olehenriksen.com/p-125-protect-the-truth-spf-50.aspx" target="_blank">Ole Henriksen Protect the Truth SPF 50+</a> was a product I really wanted to love, but just didn't work out. This product contains marine algae, fruit cell extracts, and vitamins A, C, and E, to firm and brighten the skin while protecting it, which sounded like an absolutely fantastic idea to me. It is a chemical sunscreen, so no white cast here, and has a pleasant citrus scent. The weird thing about this sunscreen is that it absolutely has to be applied underneath moisturizer. I did not read the directions at first and applied it like a normal sunscreen, and wow, was that a disaster. The sunscreen started to ball up in little white shreds as I tried to massage it into my face, and let me just tell you, that is <i>not</i> a good look. When applied under moisturizer as directed, it's incredibly light and almost undetectable. While it does not ball up as badly, over the course of the day, I still find little white flakes on my face whenever I touched it, so unfortunately, this is a love that could never be. Those who don't wear serums in the morning might have much better luck with this though.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.sephora.com/urban-environment-tinted-uv-protector-broad-spectrum-spf-43-P378216" target="_blank">Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 43</a> is one of my favourite SPF products, but it is definitely more of a makeup product than it is skincare. It's oil free and actually works very well as a tinted moisturizer. However, my concern with using makeup products as my source of SPF is that I cannot apply as much product without it starting to look heavy. That being said, I do still reach for this product when I'm having a lazy day and can't really be bothered to do my makeup.<br />
<br />
What are your SPF favourites?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-86863643082524923312014-06-09T11:47:00.000-07:002014-06-09T11:47:25.730-07:00Hero Products<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y6Xcy7J2-GDxlXAMiOBqUM9C7CPCfQ8h9B8Or09ko2gSKnRyCVhq0AeXty_EsZg1MshLFUwGOmA_HL2vK6c1IM8pmP8DgIO8s8GXs4jZc0BotcbytgDLFItabYI5TSbVIRhGh7cPSYU/s1600/IMG_0047+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y6Xcy7J2-GDxlXAMiOBqUM9C7CPCfQ8h9B8Or09ko2gSKnRyCVhq0AeXty_EsZg1MshLFUwGOmA_HL2vK6c1IM8pmP8DgIO8s8GXs4jZc0BotcbytgDLFItabYI5TSbVIRhGh7cPSYU/s1600/IMG_0047+copy.png" /></a></div>
With all the skincare products that are available to us today, it's often difficult to find the ones that really work. Do you ever have those times when products just don't live up to their claims, and you begin to wonder whether this whole "skincare" thing is really doing anything or if it's just all in your head? I often have these existential crises, but eventually, I come across a product that is so effective and so much excels in its category that it restores all my hope and passion in skincare. These are my Hero Products, and I'm going to share two of them with you today.<br />
<br />
The first was an impulse buy that I didn't really have any high hopes for. I'd seen the Jurlique range in Sephora many times, but was always turned off by how small the bottles were and how little amount of product you must be getting for the high price. In actuality, the <a href="http://www.jurlique.com/skin-care/collection/calendula-redness-rescue/cs/calendula-redness-rescue-restorative-treatment-serum" target="_blank">Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Restorative Treatment Serum</a> houses a pretty standard 30mL amount of product, just without a bunch of excess packaging. As the name would suggest, this serum is targeted towards redness, and boy does it do a good job at that! I apply this serum in the morning before moisturizer, because it really does get rid of all the excess redness in my skin and allow me to apply less makeup on top. Due to the reduced redness, the hyperpigmentation of my acne scars look much less obvious as well. This serum comes out as an amber-coloured gel. I like to apply it quite liberally, so I take 3 pumps over my entire face and neck. The serum is also quite hydrating, and calendula, cucumber, and chamomile extracts soothe sensitive or irritated skin. The only complaint I would have is that there is no way to tell when the product is going to run out, but I have been using it every morning and some nights for about a month now, and it is still going strong. I would definitely recommend this to those who suffer from redness, or anyone looking for an all-around great serum for sensitive skin.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.antipodesnature.com/shop-skincare,shop,7,1,06.html" target="_blank">Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask</a> is really in a category of its own. I'm obsessed with face masks, but don't have anything else quite like it. This mask is targeted towards spots and blemishes, but comes out in a rich cream texture, which most people would probably avoid for acne-prone skin. But trust me, it really works so well. The mask contains manuka honey, which is known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Manuka honey is very effective in treating blemishes - I have a jar of manuka honey from my local organic market that I like to dab directly onto any big, angry spots I get. Whenever I feel like I'm about to have an outbreak of spots, I apply this mask, and it either stops them from erupting or make existing spots go down much faster. It's also very nourishing, so my skin always feels nice and soft after I wash it off.<br />
<br />
What are your hero products?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-4245416219283552962014-06-06T11:33:00.000-07:002014-06-06T11:33:18.279-07:00Going Natural With Hair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBla09zJS2TtpNQpyZRFePem27KtVYE593U3GeVPtmy51vZTiA9u_CghVAYSbRSPTH43WxSiXO-YuMouO_acUS_kswU22S4hKciwS3-W_AwxkG8GcaNznkQpsML8ER79zn6BA4LNwXgg/s1600/IMG_0036+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBla09zJS2TtpNQpyZRFePem27KtVYE593U3GeVPtmy51vZTiA9u_CghVAYSbRSPTH43WxSiXO-YuMouO_acUS_kswU22S4hKciwS3-W_AwxkG8GcaNznkQpsML8ER79zn6BA4LNwXgg/s1600/IMG_0036+copy.png" /></a></div>
I'm not a nut about natural beauty by any means. Beauty products from organic brands often irritate my skin due to the presence of essential oils and whatnot, so I happily embrace more chemical formulations. When it comes to hair care though, I've learned that the natural oils in my hair really help to keep it healthy, shiny, and frizz-free. Most shampoos on the market are laden with sulfates, usually one of sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. These sulfates cause shampoo to foam and are responsible for that squeaky clean feeling, but also strip the hair of natural oils. Over time, the scalp starts producing more oils to compensate, and we're often left with an oily scalp and are forced to wash more often, which makes the problem even worse. To fix the problem and make my hair healthy again, I decided to make two changes to my hair care routine that have made a world of difference.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Wash less often</b><br />
<br />
It seems like a bit of a no-brainer really - less washing will retain more natural oils in the hair - but it is much more easily said than done. Years of using stripping shampoos had caused oil production to go into overdrive, and I could hardly go a day without washing because my hair just felt so greasy and gross. Dry shampoo and hair buns will be your best friend. Using dry shampoos to soak up some of the oils will help your hair retain volume on days of unwash and make it both look and smell more clean. I've found a natural hair powder that works brilliantly, and that is the <a href="http://luluorganicsnyc.com/hairpowder.html" target="_blank">Lulu Hair Powder</a>. It contains only 6 simple ingredients, so you know you're not using anything that will further damage your scalp. Unlike the more aerosol packaged dry shampoo options, you have to tap this powder into the palm of your hand, rub your palms together, and then massage your palms into the roots of your hair. This hair powder also smells amazingly of lavender, and smelling nice is always an added bonus.<br />
<br />
Updo hairstyles such as ponytails and buns can really help to keep you going for those last few days before washing your hair. I personally prefer buns because they're cute, easy to do, and the oils and hair powder left in your hair after a few days of unwash really help to keep the style in place and help make a nice messy, voluminous bun.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Use a non-stripping shampoo</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It doesn't really make sense to go through all those efforts of not washing if you're just going to strip your hair again every time you wash. I've opted for the <a href="https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/LIQUIDSOAP.html" target="_blank">Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap</a> because I already had a bottle of it that I use to wash my makeup brushes. It's a soap made from plant oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil, but has a very liquid consistency. It does foam up a little bit when massaged into the hair, but does not strip the hair of natural oils. That's also why it's a popular option for washing makeup brushes, because it doesn't dry out the bristles. Initially when I started using this soap, my hair didn't feel as clean after washing compared to a traditional shampoo and it was a little bit uncomfortable, but once my hair adjusted, I had no problems with it. At night, I try spend a few minutes combing through my hair in order to distribute the oils from the scalp throughout all my hair. My scalp has definitely become less oily, and I'm able to go longer without washing. I used to have to wash my hair every day, but now I can go 3-7 days of unwash depending on how warm it is outside.<br />
<br />
On the whole, my hair is feeling more soft and bouncy, and is definitely less dry and frizzy. Because my hair is quite long, I like to still apply a conditioner to the ends of my hair, and I've been loving the <a href="http://www.organicsurge.com/products/2-minute-moisture-mask" target="_blank">Organic Surge 2 Minute Moisture Mask</a>. This is a hair mask made of coconut oil, but I use it as I would a traditional conditioner. I take a generous scoop and smooth it through the mid-lengths to the ends of my hair, wash my face and body in the mean time and do whatever else I have to do in the shower, and then wash off. It's moisturizing while being incredibly lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down the hair at all.<br />
<br />
Natural hair care definitely takes a bit of adjusting to, but my hair is healthier and looking better than ever before. What are your natural hair recommendations?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-20714950143751993462014-06-03T14:21:00.002-07:002014-06-03T20:10:13.651-07:00Introducing Japanese Facial Soaps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqQYfBvAlq-xQL2TIy5A-DKQprK1UeumLZNi-EhCnK_k8va_RR8RNYqKVtc-yBxyAZM-GIj9E4I1Fy-Lmgkm6D053Ru1gOkLeqCJ4OIHsUgUsTCiLf9R6ERjJ-v5zkrUfyAewQmyC-o0/s1600/IMG_0032+copy+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqQYfBvAlq-xQL2TIy5A-DKQprK1UeumLZNi-EhCnK_k8va_RR8RNYqKVtc-yBxyAZM-GIj9E4I1Fy-Lmgkm6D053Ru1gOkLeqCJ4OIHsUgUsTCiLf9R6ERjJ-v5zkrUfyAewQmyC-o0/s1600/IMG_0032+copy+2.png" /></a></div>
<br />
The word "soap" in skincare has always had me running in the opposite direction screaming at the top of my lungs. It's associated with that very uncomfortable stripped and tight feeling of the skin that comes from the use of regular bar soap or sulfate laden face washes, and I am quite past those days, thank you very much. However, recently I've added bar soaps back into my daily skincare regimen, but in the form of the much more sophisticated Japanese facial soap. Unlike your traditional bar soap, these soaps are infused with moisturizing oils and plant extracts, and leave your skin feeling clean but ever so soft and smooth. Today, I have two options of Japanese facial soaps to share with you, so let's get right on with it.<br />
<br />
The first Japanese facial soaps I tried come from Yojiya, a cosmetics company based in Kyoto, Japan, and have been around for over a century. Yojiya is most famous for their aburatorigami oil blotting papers, which I also very much enjoy. Yojiya products are only available in their stores in Japan and some Japanese airports, but I have managed to find some of their products on Ebay. I picked up my pack of facial soaps from one of their Kyoto stores when I was visiting last summer. The pack included the green tea soap (the green one), cherry blossom soap (the pink one), and rice soap (the yellow one).<br />
<br />
The green tea soap is my favourite out of the three. It works to control oil production on the face. It is infused with green tea extract, which is amazing for acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Whenever I use this soap, I see a reduction in redness on my skin, and any spots go away much faster. Green tea extract is also known for its antioxidant properties and has been shown to reduce UV damage on the skin when applied topically. I reserve this facial soap for the warmer months as it can be a tad bit drying during the cold Canadian winters.<br />
<br />
The cherry blossom soap is aimed towards brightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation. As expected, it is infused with cherry blossom extract, which contains antioxidants, inhibits melanin production (which is what causes hyperpigmentation), and promotes collagen production in the skin. For my sensitive, sensitive skin, brightening products are often irritating, and I find that this soap can sometimes sting my skin a little bit, but I can definitely see immediate brightening results.<br />
<br />
The rice soap is a rich, moisturizing soap that I love to use in the winter. Rice is rich in antioxidants and amino acids. It soothes and softens the skin, and can help prevent moisture loss by strengthening the skin's moisture barrier. An all-around hero product really, it's no surprise that rice ingredients are often used in Asian skincare. I sometimes like to use rice water (you know, the water left over from washing rice) to make my own DIY face masks, and my skin is always left so soft, and this soap has the same effect.<br />
<br />
The other option of Japanese facial soaps I have for you is actually my favourite out of them all. I picked up the Penelopi Moon Junoa Facial Cleansing Soap from Imomoko (<a href="http://www.imomoko.com/penelopi-moon-facial-cleansing-soap-junoa-7698-c.html" target="_blank">here</a>) last month and have been using it for my morning and evening cleanse ever since. I just can't get enough! The Junoa soap is suitable for all skin types. The red portion of the soap is infused with 19 plant oils and extracts, which include evening primrose oil, licorice root extract, mushroom stem extract, rice oil, honey, and etc, while the moon shape in the centre contains amino acids and proteins that soften and nourish the skin. Can I just say that this soap is such a beauty to look at? It makes me feel a bit like Sailor Moon every time I hold it. The recommended method of using this soap is to foam it up with the included foaming net, spread the foam over your face and neck and massage over the skin, and then leave it on for a minute or a few minutes to use it as a foam mask and allow the ingredients to really nourish the skin, and then wash off. After using this soap for about a month morning and night, my skin is soooooo incredibly soft and smooth. I've also gotten much less breakouts, which I'm not sure is entirely credited to this soap, but I can't recommend it enough. <br />
<br />
Have you tried any Japanese facial soaps?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249390514753259069.post-89765579490027150922014-05-26T11:56:00.001-07:002014-06-01T17:38:02.750-07:00A Love and a Shrug #1 (ft. Liole and Em-Cosmetics)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRFeSmP9W6ZL4HnpGJ_BvO7aHdisLgA6G9BMpM4cj8tWW3IBZkbyxz7DHXvleJtWJdK2gxxoZvmyxbtksFZ0-yehU-E3AwblxPQ2DEKqpleiLHF_L_IKKalyFL0rQ8EHJXjU02_gMfPU/s1600/IMG_0018+2.png" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
May has been a great month for me in terms of beauty products as I've discovered quite a few new favourites, one of which is the <a href="http://www.imomoko.com/lioele-triple-the-solution-bb-cream-spf30pa-6745.html" target="_blank">Liole Triple the Solution BB Cream</a>. This product is really one of the best Asian BB creams out there and is everything you would hope for a base product to be: high coverage, lightweight, and natural looking. One coat of this BB cream is basically full coverage for me. It smooths over all the redness and hyperpigmentation in my skin, all while looking very natural and skin-like. The finish is sort of a plump, dewy look. I have normal/combination skin and find that I can get away without powdering, but those with oily skin might want to powder down the t-zone. Although full coverage, this product does not feel heavy on my skin. Honestly I barely feel it there at all. The only downside of this is the limited colour selection, which is a common problem to BB creams. There is only one colour available, which matches my fair-light complexion with peach undertones pretty well. I think the product may be able to adjust to skin tones slightly paler or darker than my own, but still offers a very, very limited colour range. Unlike other BB creams, this product does not look ashy at all on the skin, just really perfected and healthy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A product that I was less than impressed this month was the <a href="http://www.emcosmetics.com/waterliner-intense-color-eyeliner/DW-WATERLINER.html?dwvar_DW-WATERLINER_color=S1176800#~oFor1UFwWSxAMt" target="_blank">Em Cosmetics Waterline in Ro's Gold</a>. Like many others, my makeup story started with watching Michelle Phan's makeup tutorials on Youtube, and it wasn't until much later that I began looking to other Youtubers and bloggers for beauty knowledge. I admire Michelle's success in the business world and the name she has built for herself, although there are messages in her videos that I don't agree with as much (eg. the very over-played "girl waiting for prince charming" storyline in some of her short film/tutorial hybrid videos). In any case, I was excited when Michelle launched Em Cosmetics and have been itching to try some of her products ever since. First of all, at $18 for an eyeliner, this is not exactly a cheap product, but I am ok with splurging as long as the quality is there. It comes with a liner at one end and a smudger tool at the other end. While the packaging is definitely rose gold, the product itself is more of a red-bronze to me. When swatched on the back of my hand and allowed to dry, the product was definitely long lasting and didn't budge no matter how much I rubbed it. However, on the waterline - which is what it is intended for - I found it very difficult to get adequate colour payoff. This eyeliner was definitely not as creamy as I hoped, and didn't exactly glide on in any easy fashion. After swiping it back and forth several times in the waterline, the product was still virtually undetectable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAV7SPECC4ywAWfVtZVB0gd7jpPGNT8lrBk4O77dBeoOVNwjfJ6aM0VEQvCY0ZDdXwU7cGM0hlCk-ppCVtjFd8FX0qmSsltaBNm9GaQ3BD6P053V0zQZfar6id6-gfXaxrFJ0Mk-uCqQ/s1600/IMG_0024+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAV7SPECC4ywAWfVtZVB0gd7jpPGNT8lrBk4O77dBeoOVNwjfJ6aM0VEQvCY0ZDdXwU7cGM0hlCk-ppCVtjFd8FX0qmSsltaBNm9GaQ3BD6P053V0zQZfar6id6-gfXaxrFJ0Mk-uCqQ/s1600/IMG_0024+2.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last straw for me was the fact that the eyeliner was broken when I received it and all of the product slid out into my hand. I almost dropped the entire piece onto the floor before I could even swatch it on my hand. For an eyeliner that's quite pricey, I was really hoping for better quality, and this just did not deliver. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039886702339540329noreply@blogger.com2