I love to try new products!

Friday, March 1, 2013

KIEHL'S - Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

I do not know anything about Kiehl's except that their counter staff looks like hospital staff to me (because of their white coat). There is a Kiehl's boutique in Tampines Mall, near to where I live and yet I was never tempted to try their 'stuffs' because nothing seems appealing.

But I do know that their sunblock is every fashion/beauty editors's love and so when I'm looking to try new sunblock, I straightaway know where to go to.

I made my first visit to Kiehl's in Raffles City Robinson. I purchased the sunblock (which I'll review later as I've not started using it) and decided to check out their other stuffs too. Two products caught my eyes (will review the other one later).

Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

It's a serum with Vitamin C and it's as potent as Retinol without the sensitivity. I am a big fan of Vitamin C ingredients used in skin care products because that's exactly what my local beautician used (some solution with a lot of Vitamin C dosage) to treat my forehead problem (I used to have breakouts only in my forehead, and I mean WHOLE of forehead). Unfortunately she refused to sell me that magic solution anymore once the problem is solved because it's too strong she said. 

The word Vitamin C caught my attention and I went home with samples of the product. The texture of the serum is very creamy and rich but it is absorbed into your skin the minute you applied onto it! It gives a warm sensation (The girl already warned me on that) and I was very impressive with it's whitening and brightening effect! Honestly, I didn't see any reducing of laughing lines but I do see a glow in my face after using it. My skin looks so wonderful and even feel velvety after one packet of sample usage! I love this product and won't mind adding it to my routine skin care once my current ones are used up. Just use it after toner before moisturizer and you'll see a difference in your skin appearance after a week!

Product details from Kiehl's website:

• Formulated with a 10.5% Pure Vitamin C, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is clinically-demonstrated to improve overall skin texture, tone and radiance while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Superior results over Retinol at 8 weeks on skin texture, tone and lines and wrinkles.
• Gives your skin a triple boost by stimulating collagen production, providing anti-oxidant protection and exfoliating skin to reveal healthier-looking skin.
• Use both day and night under your ideal moisturizer.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Fighting Hair Loss

I am one of those unlucky ones who faced hair loss problems at a young age. I think i was about 35 then.  I don't know how it started but the problem came fast and furious. I noticed that more hair were lost during combing but didn't think that it's the real hair loss problem until one day I found my bed FULL OF HAIR after one lazy Sunday which I spent my whole morning in. Panic button is hit.

Like all anxious souls trying to find a solution for a problem, I took the easy way out. I went to one of those centers believing my full crown will be back by signing a package that costs SGD2500. Who am I kidding? They wanted me to sign more sessions in the end and of course I said no.

The problem persisted and I was desperate until a stylist gave me this contact. One of her air stewardess clients needed to wear a wig but got her hair back after a year of treatment and so I went.



The Chinese Sensei took a look at my hair and noticed some bald patches but she said the 'pores' are still 'rough' and 'opened' so the hair definitely coming back (such great news!!). You do not want her to tell you there's nothing she can do because the pores are closed already.

All she did is hook some wires onto your acupuncture points at your lower legs and hands area and she'll turn on a small machine which these wires came from so you can feel some currents through (it's like ants's bites) while she uses a comb with 'needles' to tap on your scalp lightly. The treatment took less than 10mins each time and I did that diligently for three months on a weekly basis. My hair stopped dropping by the third month and I realized baby hair started growing! I cut down on my visit and went only fortnightly.

I stopped going after a year but my hair loss problem never comes back. That was 5 years ago. Now, I only go as and when my friend asked for compay, for maintenance purpose.

There is no need to sign any expensive package. You only need to buy a bottle of hair tonic from her at $20-$25 (can't remember) a bottle and each session you just need to pay $15.

There is no harm trying her if you are ready to put down your fortune into other centers.


Monday, February 25, 2013

Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack

I bought this product when I was in Seoul last year but have not got into using it until recently. Feeling that my face is getting drier than before, I decided to 'up' my skin care routine. I have a carton full of skin care products (wrinkle plump, sleeping mask, micro peel etc) all from Seoul and decided it's time they see daylight.

I started to use mask every night (mud mask for deep cleansing, hydration for keeping the face supple and whitening mask for a bright effect) and begin to see improvement after a week. One of my favorites among them is the Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack.




The mask is made from memory form gel which restores skin's firmness while one sleeps. Its formula helps for a supple and resilient pack that hydrates the skin and works as a filler.  I am not sure if it really 'lifts' my skin (anyway i never believe in the 'firming' wonders in a jar of cream), the reason I bought it is because I want the sleeping water pack ( hydration is priority and it does work!) and this one was new then and it consists of hydration as well so why not! And guess what? My face is sooooooooo supple after I use it daily for a week! The hydration is definitely there! 

I can also tell the difference every morning. The skin do not feel dry and when i pat my face, it actually felt 'boink boink' !! Yes, my face is literally bouncy!



The texture is like jelly

Usage is simple. After you do your usual skin-care routine at night, all you need to do is just to spread this over your face lightly. Your face will feel sticky for the first 30 seconds but after it settles, it will be all good. I feel that everyone should use a sleeping mask. It gives you the extra moisture and hydration that serum and moisturziers are missing and it actually 'pumps' extra effects into your skin.

I am a lazy skin care user so I don't normally follow the 'self massage' step or the 'leave it for 30seconds to feel the scent of the product before you spread it over your face' instructions. Unless I'm using a face massage cream else the lesser I stretch the face the better that's how i feel.

This product is also wonderful as it works wonders on your neck. Try it and I'm very sure you'll go back for more.




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream



I have a soft spot for Clinque because it is the very first set of skin care i used when I decided to start using a proper 'routine' instead of washing my face with my mother's whatever 30years ago...... And clinque's 3 steps routine was the most popular back then. As I aged I began to explore other brands and slowly forgot about brand clinique.

I just sihifted house recently and while packing, I found a tube of the 7-day scrub cream!! I must have bought it from the duty free during one of those trips (i remembered i was looking for a scrub) and I totally forgot about it thereafter!!

So i started using it recently. But I am not sure how well or how much my face can absorb the scrub because I've not been scrubbing my face for too long (well, my beautician Alice forbids it!!!). But clinique never disappoints. The 7 day scrub cream remains one of their best-sellers to date and it's not difficult to know why.

The particles is gentle yet it gives you a brightening effect. It also 'polishes' away rough skin or flakiness which in turn reducing fine lines. It clears the 'path' for your serum/moisturizer to be absorbed better. After one use I can see the difference and after 1 week of usage (i scrub 3x a week) I can feel the make up glides on even easier and nicer.

This remains one of my favorite scrub ever.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Chanel CC Cream

Chanel is one of the first few brands to launch the CC cream. CC means Completes Correction which combines expertise skin care and make-up. It is a fusion of make-up and skin care. A must have for all women on lazy days or when you prefer to look au-naturel..




Like all Chanel products, their CC cream is beautifully scented with fruity notes of white peach and watermelon and a floral heart of jasmine, peony and cyclamen. I really love the smell of Chanel hence I am even more delighted when I realized the smell of this cream sort of lingered in my face a little longer.

Chanel's CC cream combines SPF 30/PA +++, moisturizer, base and light foundation. I tried it with a dab of  light loose powder and my make-up stays the whole day. I also noticed that my face wasn't as oily before, it might be dued to the hydration formuala.

In Chanel's website, these benefits were stated for the CC cream:

SOOTHES. Cornflower water comforts sensitive skin.
MOISTURIZES. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration level all day long by trapping and retaining moisture inside the skin.
PROTECTS. SPF 30 and PA+++ sun filters block aging-accelerating UVA-UVB rays. A mineral filter guarantees higher tolerance on the skin.
PREVENTS. An active ingredient of natural origin, Rejuvencia, provides the best shield against external aggressions.
EVENS OUT IMPERFECTIONS. Redness, dark spots and pores are visibly diminished. 

Within moments, skin appears flawless and glows with a natural beauty. The complexion is visibly even-toned, fresh and radiant.

If you love the BB cream, you'll love this CC cream even more because it gives you even better benefits and delivers long wearing make-up. A superb ideal lightweight make-up must have..

It is retailed at S$82 at all Chanel Counters.


Thursday, January 3, 2013

Kate Eyeliner - Eyeliner For Beginners

On my most recent trip to Taipei, I was sharing with a friend that Kate eyeliner is awesome (i've been using Kate liner for a few years already) when we saw this Kate Eyeliner Marker.

Kate Eyeliner Marker

We know how the experts always say you have to draw the liner as close to your lash line as possible to look natural. The triple tips of this marker liner makes your job a much easier one.

As my friend is not experienced with liquid liner, the firm tip plus the triple tips made drawing liner a pleasant task for her and when i saw her  recently, she has already mastered the skill of eyeliner drawing. All she did was to 'dot' her lashline with this liner and then connect the lines together! Done!


The only hiccup is this is not found in Singapore. We bought this in Taipei. So the next time you head to the city be sure to include this in your shopping list!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

I Also Want TSUYA Skin

Shu Uemera's new product caught my eyes. I have to say the tagline for this marketing definitely works and most important, my guts feel just tell me this is something different.

In Japanese, Tsuya means Ideal Skin. Shu Uemera has found that 'ideal' skin comes down to 6 key paremeters: smoothness, proelessness, translucence, even tone, fine texture and good colour. They then created this serum which aims to work like a power switch to turn on your skin.



They have tested on real women and the results they got was impressive:

After 7 days:

100% of women feel their skin is softer
98% of women feel their skin is more supplier
92% of women feel the dullness in their skin looks diminished

After 4 weeks:

98% of women's skin looks smoother
98% of women's skin looks more radiant
90% of women's skin looks younger

I have used Shu Uemera's skin care in the past and was never impressed. They are wonderful but not great. I think they are a champion in make-up but I can find better skin care which works for my skin. However, I feel that TSUYA might make a difference. I use the word 'might' because I personally have not tested the product and I'll review it again soon after I tried the samples.

You can also go to the counters and ask for the samples. They are giving free ones away to the first 500 customers but I'm sure they'll still give it to you even if they have exceeded that quota. For free samples, click here.


How do you use Tsuya:

Before Moisturizer, as a serum

Before existing serum, as an enchancer, to enhance the efficacy of the serum especially for targeted concerns like deep wrinkles and dark spots.