I can lose weight! :')

I decided to do something about my uncontrollably increasing weight in March 2012. I ran at least 4 times a week for a duration of 30 minutes to an hour, did my 50+ sit-ups and 50+ crunches, and for a period of time did the AbsRipper (seen on YouTube, almost died really). 

Since March 2012, I have lost a total of 5 kgs. And for the sake of making myself feel better - 7kgs since I came back from Stockholm. 

 Most of the weight was lost from the leg area, obviously, because I ran a lot. It's a very bittersweet victory because it's of course good news that I have lost weight, but I need to work harder to lose more on the upper part of my body. MORE RUNNING LET'S GO! 

I really really love and enjoy running. Yes, the first 10 minutes or so, you start to reprimand yourself on why you embark on this stupid torturous insanity. However, once you complete a 45-minute run, it's crazy how clear-headed you feel. Everything I do becomes easy and I feel so happy suddenly. Endorphins definitely working huh? 

My aim now is to lose a further 5 kgs and I will be done with the weight-losing. It will be a challenging ride because I have to intensify my current exercise routine, but oh well I shall lose weight while enjoying my favourite exercise of running. :) 

YAY ME (for a change. haha. no longer yay beauty products or yay other people)! 

Also, this is a special shout-out to this xiaomeimei who makes me office life so much more entertaining and meaningful. She's 5 years younger than me (freak) and haha she made my day EVERY SINGLE DAY. So funneh this girl.

:D

First Impressions: Mizon ALL IN ONE SNAIL REPAIR CREAM + Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

I have been hearing so many good things about snail creams! So eager to try them out, especially now when my skin is getting older and older. Sigh~

Anyway, here is some information on snail creams and how they are good for you!

What is snail cream?

• It's a moisturiser that is rich in snail secretion filtrate. It's basically the slime that the snail produces to rapidly repair any damage to its organ, including its skin. A good visual will be when a snail has a crack in its shell, it produces this slime to rapidly repair its cracked shell! And yes, it's a very irksome concept because we are dealing with slime here, but well there's always groundbreaking discoveries in the skincare industry, no? At least, this is natural! 

Are we killing snails to get the snail secretion filtrate?

• Definitely not. The slime is extracted from live snails without any harm done to the snails themselves. 

Is it safe to use on human skin? You know snail organs are not similar to human skin!

• Well, I'm not a scientist so I can't really answer this question myself. However, after a quick google, the slime is actually immediately homogenized and stabilised to make it suitable for usage on human skin. Something about avoiding hydrolysis os its enzymes and proteins. I'm really bad at chemistry so pardon my jarring ignorance and refusal to learn properly haha. 

Main ingredients in snail secretion filtrate:

• Allantoin - healing, moisturizing and soothing benefits; this made it possible to use even on sensitive skin. 
• Collagen - every woman's best friend, FIRM THOSE CELLS TIGHT. 
• Elastin - protein that helps to keep skin flexible but tight; helps with the "bounce-back skin" concept, which in long term helps with wrinkles and fine lines.
• Glycolic Acid - exfoliating agent for smoother skin by removing dead skin cells. 

For more information, refer to this: http://www.lamucosmetics.com/services.htm 

Benefits of using snail creams:

• Relieve trouble marks
• Improve fine lines and wrinkles
• Tighten pores
• Make skin smoother
• Improve resilience of the skin (bounce-back effect)
• Recover the strength of the skin (something like immune system)

I can go on and on about the benefits, but you get the point, IT'S JUST TOO GOOD TO MISS RIGHT? So of course I was on cloud nine when I saw Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream going for a much more affordable price on Qoo10. JUST BUY!

Another plus point was that the seller was having a buy-one-get-another-product-free promotion! I think it's still going on! Do visit the link below if you are interested in the product! :) 

Link: http://list.qoo10.com.sg/gmkt.inc/Goods/Goods.aspx?goodscode=405677370

Pictures time! :D

Delivery was a very pleasant process. I ordered on 13th June, the seller confirmed and sent out my order on the 14th, and I received it on the 21st. It's from S. Korea and they deliver to YOUR DOORSTEP. Madness service, I tell you! 

My free product was the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, and the seller included 2 sachets of the All In One Snail Repair Cream in the packaging. Very nice of the seller! :)

I realised whenever you buy beauty or skincare product from Korean sellers, they will not fail to include free samples. AMAZING SERVICE.

The Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream is a multi-purpose product:

1. can be used together with the Repair Cream to accelerate the regeneration of skin cells, or
2. can be used alone as a sleeping mask. 

This product has 74% of snail secretion filtrate, while the Repair Cream has 92%!

Ingredients List

Came sealed, so I was assured that it was authentic. 

The texture of the Gel Cream is a very light one. It's as if you are applying very beneficial water on your skin. I don't think there's any oil used in the product also, so it's definitely good for those with oily skin! 

First impressions:

• No sticky feeling
• Absorbed very very very quickly
• Skin feels smooth and somewhat matte
• Fragrance-free (major plus point because it's snail slime and people expect it to be smelly and all) 
• Dabbing actually help to make the product get absorbed faster

It was recommended that the Gel Cream is only used AFTER you use the Repair Cream, which is what I'm going to talk about next!

Ingredients List

Note that this is supposed to be used RIGHT AFTER cleansing and toning. What I do is usually apply this after my toner, and then my Philosophy Hope in a Jar Oil-Free Gel and then the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream!

Came nicely packaged...

Product packaging itself is very hygienic-looking. I know the term "hygienic-looking" is a rather odd term to use, but you know that kind of packaging that makes you feel like it came out of a lab and it's for sure going to work kind. HAHA. It's just professional looking and expensive looking and all those good stuff. 

Came with a cover, so that's very good too! No more sticky mess on the cover (unless you are really terrible at being tidy and clean).

The cream itself feels more thick than the Gel Cream. It's also definitely more opaque visually.

First impressions:

• Absorbed into the skin crazily quick. WOAH. 
• Not sticky AT ALL even though it was thicker in formulation. 
• Fragrance-free (WOOHOO)
• I think this is also water-based and oil-free
• The amazing thing is when I applied it for the first time, I had a raw pimple scar (Ya, I burst a fully ripe one, itchy fingers I KNOW I KNOW), so it was red and ugly and urgh. The next morning, my skin was very evidently less red, and not so oily. It's crazy! What is this miraculous cream!?!
• No tingly sensation/itchy feeling after you apply it. 
• Until now, I have no unexpected skin reactions towards the cream, so yay! 

I'm FOR SURE going to continue using the products, it's crazy miraculous! :D GO GO BUY IT! Qoo10 having Great Singapore Sale some more, DOUBLE YAY!

UPDATE on September 2012 (above post was written on 22nd June 2012):

I have stopped using this product because it gave me crazy breakouts. The reason why I'm getting help medically for my troubled skin now was partly because of this product. Hence, if you are someone who has oily skin, please refrain from using this product! 

However, I gave the product to my mom and it seemed to be working wonders on her. Her skin type is dry-normal and she even noticed firming effects after 2 months of using it! 

So, my verdict is, only use it if you have dry-normal skin type! 

Review: DEWYTREE Tea Tree Blemish Solution Mask

This is another one of those random things you buy at Watsons while you are waiting for someone. Hurhur. I saw this stand full of masks in a lab-coat packaging, of course will catch my attention! So I decided to try one out!

The DEWYTREE Tea Tree Blemish Solution Mask retails for S$3.90 at Watsons! 

You can also get the 5-piece set at S$12.99 on Qoo10 here: http://list.qoo10.com.sg/item/DEWY-TREE-SOLUTION-MASK-PACK-5PCS/406217135

Hahaha at "which passed all sorts of complicated tests.."

I appreciate the "Dermatologist Tested" stamp. It makes me feel like I'm using something that's going to work if I do use it for a long period of time. Packaging tactics huh?

This is suitable for those with skin problems like whiteheads, blackheads and acne. Much like what I'm dealing with daily. 

Also, I was rather intrigued by the promise of a "cotton sheet mask with silky touch". Masks are masks right? What difference can the "touch" be? 

(How to Use) and Ingredients List

The moment I opened and took out the mask, I knew there was something different with the quality of the sheet. It didn't feel like cloth, and it also didn't feel like gel, it kind of feels like both. I don't really know how to express this texture, but the mask definitely lived up to the "silky touch" claim. 

Also, I think it's miraculous how this mask did not have any solution drippings. You know how irritating it is when you take out a mask, and then the liquid starts to drip everywhere? =_= This has none of that! Everything stayed compact in the mask, and when I applied it on my face, it feels like there's so so much product being absorbed into my pores. Amazing! 

However, it's really vulnerable. I was trying to separate the top and bottom half and accidentally tore the forehead area. Not a problem but just handle with care!

The mask is also extremely stretchable. No problem in getting all the air bubbles out of the mask and I actually could smooth the mask out on my entire face. Finally! 

It certainly did feel like my skin absorbed so much more product than normal masks. 

I also think that patting your skin gently with your fingers after you remove the mask is a great after-step to let your skin maximise the absorption of the product that's left over on the surface of your skin. Patting your skin helps to let your skin dry faster too! No more sticky feeling! :)

Definitely will try to purchase this mask in bulk since S$3.90 is considered quite pricey for a drugstore mask! 

Review: SILKYGIRL Magic BB Powder Foundation

I realised I use a lot of foundation. It's either I have a huge face or I have too many impurities (or maybe I should use the word "much"? HAHA) to cover up or maybe BOTH? Hehe whatever lar. Anyway, I ran out of foundation AGAIN, and so this time I was on the hunt for a cheaper new product. I saw this product on many magazines and was rather intrigued to get it! 

The SILKYGIRL Magic BB Powder Foundation retails for S$18.90 at Watsons. I think they are having a 20% discount for this at the moment. Very fortunately, I could deduct S$2 from my total also because of the points that I accumulated on my Watsons card, so I paid S$14+ for this? CHEAP CHEAP! :) 

I bought it in 02 Natural, and to be honest, it was a little bit too dark for my skin colour, but I still can buff the colour out with my powder brush, so it's fine luh. 

It promises (or has) the following:

• SPF 20/PA+
• Vitamin E to keep skin moisturised
• Matte, silky finish
• Wild Mango Kernel Butter - to repair and restore skin's suppleness (very skeptical about this)
• Shine-free and fragrance-free
• Long-wearingness
• Natural finish
• Special formulation suited for Asian skin

Those are a lot of promises. I'm highly skeptical but then again this is supposed to be BB Powder Foundation, so I guess they are possible? 

Ingredients List

Manufacturing Date

The packaging itself is simple and a wee bit cheap-looking. I can't expect much but I'm just glad that they don't plaster complicated designs on their foundation packagings (like their perfumes, ohmygosh those were disasters). Simple > Confused, definitely!

The surprising thing about the packaging is how cheap it looks, but how sturdy and heavy it feels! There seems to be a substantial amount of product inside (or perhaps the plastic is really heavy, but I would like to think of the former).

There is 8g worth of product in the compact, and there's a foundation sponge provided.

First impressions:

Mirror:
Very huge, very useful for on-the-go touch-ups. But the vertical design makes it it difficult for you to see your entire face at one glance. Those with wider faces, more armwork lar.

Foundation sponge:
I'm hugely impressed by the sponge. It's very densely packed and definitely not those cheapo kinds that fall apart after a week of usage. This denseness is almost like a Beauty Blender denseness, and so it's easier to apply heavier coverage on your face without swiping too much foundation. Genius! Great job, SILKYGIRL!

With camera flash

Under yellow lighting, without camera flash

Coverage:
This is almost as good as my holy grail ZA foundation. It really does set your concealer well and it's very buildable. If you want heavy coverage, use the sponge and pat on your face (don't swipe! You will wipe off your concealer!). If you want a lighter coverage, use a dense brush and swirl the product on your face. I'm happy with the coverage so far!

Fragrance-free?
Yes, this has no odd fragrance at all. I especially hate it when products have weird rose fragrance on them, so this is a yay!

Shine-free?
Definitely. This is a highly mattifying compact. I have very oily skin on my T-Zone area and those parts only get oily round 3 hours after application (which is excellent since my ZA one fails me after 2 hours or so).

Suited for Asian skin?
Of course! With this terrible heatwave we are suffering from everyday, this foundation actually does not melt under the hot sun!

Longevity:
This can last me for an entire day in the office till around 530pm (that's normally when I touch up), and so yes, it has quite a good longevity!

Keep skin moisturised?
I'm genuinely surprised that the foundation actually lived up to its promise. Usually I will see dry areas around my lip with other powder foundations, but with this, I had no such problem. Wow.

Retaining skin's suppleness:
Ok, this one is just a gimmick I think. *shirks shoulder*

Will I buy it again?
Yes, yes, yes. The only thing I don't like about it is its packaging and that is saying something. Yay SILKYGIRL! :D

Free sample: Bio-Essence Tanaka White 4x Flawless White Serum

Just follow the above steps to redeem your sample! :)

Yes it has been a slow day at work. That's why I'm now scouring the web for free samples!

*Singapore only*

Free Sample: Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover

Go to this link for the free sample: http://www.aquajelly.com.sg/

Alternatively, you can purchase July 2012 CLEO Singapore for another free sample of Biore Aqua Jelly Makeup Remover.

I tried it and it was CRAZY GOOD. :D

GO GO GO! :)

*Singapore only*

The FIVE MINUTE Make-up Challenge ❣ by SoTotallyVlog

Ultimate favourite beauty guru on YouTube, she's so cute! :D Her sense of style is crazy good too! Subscribe to her for less boring beauty & fashion videos.

Anyway, this challenge is so crazy. I don't think I can do my makeup in 5 minutes. Siao.

Haul: Funky Spectacle Frames from Gmarket (Qoo10)

Qoo10 (formerly known as Gmarket Singapore) sends emails frequently to update the members on sales and price cuts, and just when I was searching for geeky frames, I chanced upon this recommendation by Qoo10:

http://list.qoo10.com.sg/gmkt.inc/Goods/Goods.aspx?goodscode=406095916 

And most of the frames were S$2.90 with free postage! Additional S$0.40 if you want bubble wrap! 

However, very sadly, the sale is no longer on currently. You can visit the seller's homepage to see if there's any discounts available! Seller's page: http://www.qoo10.com.sg/shop/maomao?goodscode=406095916#ci

I purchased three pairs and all bubble-wrapped, so it all added up to S$9.90. Three spectacle frames for under S$10. Not bad at all! :) 

The following pair is the only pair that came with lenses. I'm going to hammer out the lenses soon. Haha.

Visit the shop/the seller's page if you are interested in the frames too! :)

Last Week of Internship, New Start to being a Part-timer.

Sooooo..... 24 weeks of internship flew by just like that. I still remember dreading the start of work on the 1st of January. Where did the 6 months go to? 

However, I did extend my stint at MTV for another two weeks! So I have another two more weeks to prepare my goodbyes and my tears. MTV seriously has the best employees who are passionate about what they do but still party hard and crazy. Even though my department is relatively quiet and always busy (research forever stare at computer and punch numbers into calculator), I'm glad I met so many other interns that made my internship so much livelier! :)

Strong friendships have certainly been made during this 6-months! Let's give a shout out to all the interns shall we? HEHEHEHEHE 

• Javior, Roshini, Anjali and June - come from same school, suffer from similar useless professors and complain at rigid school system together. 
• Li Rong and Lizhen - these two really made my internship a much better one. Without them, I don't know how I would have survived!! 
• Ivan, Aaron, Syazwan and Anthony - the guys that made my life awesome. Ivan's enjoying his Europe holiday now and we all can't wait for him to be back for his 21st birthday celebration mid-July!
• Rachel - miss HR-intern, our key source of information on when they pay is in. Super chio some more. HEHEHEHEHHEHEHE. 
• Aloyscious - came into the company very much later than all of us, but he is cute so he blended in well. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Aiyah, all 19-year-olds are very cute can. I'm one old hag already. 

Anyway, here are the random photos I posted on Instagram last week! :)

Trying to showcase my chio tribal collar, then Lizhen one time big bombshell and commented "advertisement for Colgate?" HAHAHAHAHA. THIS GIRL SIBEH LAME.

NEW HOLY GRAIL LIP BALM. This is crazy good. and It was on sale for S$3.90 at Cold Storage! YIPPY YAY. 

Spongebob Squarepants Chinese Opening Song. Li Rong actually asked everyone she saw if "they had heard of a Chinese version" and even before they replied "yes" or "no", she would burst out into her one-woman orchestra. The rest of us watching just died from laughter. HAHAHAHAHAHA. 

Drinks sessions! :) Favourite beer gulped within 15 minutes. I really cannot do slow sipping with beers. 

Saizeriya with Lily, Lenny and Junyi! It has been so long since I met all of them together and I must say it was a really good catch-up session! I have known them for almost 10 years! Here's to another 10 more, and then 10 more and then 10 more! :)

I have been really lazy with dressing up haha. Just anyhow grab a tank and pair it with shorts. NOT GOOD AT ALL. Need to use my brain more next week! 

Ghim Moh Estate. Can't believe I used to be here from 1999-2002. It was so packed and busy last time, and now it's practically a dead town. :( 

This was sent to me FOR FREE after I bought one skirt online. The seller was so nice! I thought freebies meant one of those meagre bb cream sample sachets, BUT NO SHE INCLUDED THIS AWESOME PAIR OF STUDS. Crazyyyyy. :)

Yes another anyhow shirt-shorts combo. MTV pampers me too much. I don't know what I will do if I end up in a corporate setting in the future. YIKES. 

All my body sprays from Indonesia! :)

And a late night snack with my boyfriend at Beauty World's McDonalds. Sinful, but aiyah can let loose once in a while lar.