Favourite AB Sheet Masks (+ a meh one)

I think I'm really late in discovering the world of Reddit. Through Reddit, I got to the know the lovely world of AB or Asian Beauty. Not that I am new to Asian beauty products, but I'm really new to the AB community in Reddit. To be quite honest, the Reddit AB community is so much more informative and reliable than a quick Google search. 

I came across a thread on holy grail AB sheet masks and I was introduced to soooooo many new brands! I wanted to try so many of them T_T. However, I do have a few holy grail sheet masks that I know I will use again and again in the future. Here's the list! 

Innisfree Skin Solution Mask - Trouble Care

• This sheet mask uses unbleached pure cotton pad to enhance comfort, application and essence absorption. It applies smoothly on the skin and has a pleasant herbal smell. I really like this for when my skin is red and inflamed (especially good the day after extraction at a facial salon). I don't go for facials anymore, but this certainly has helped to soothe the redness, while providing ample hydration at the same time. 
• I have another holy grail Innisfree mask, but I ran out of it (I must have used more than 50 already). It's the Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask in Bija. Fantastic sheet mask and an all-rounder. 

SNP Animal Dragon Soothing Mask

• I thought this was going to be a gimmicky mask that's all visual and no substance. But I was so wrong. I first tried it during my Hong Kong trip last year. I had major skin troubles and my face incredibly inflamed and irritated (to the point whereby SASA ladies immediately talked to me about getting products for severe acne, without me asking). I used this on the last night and my skin immediately cooled down and felt less itchy. The redness and pimples were still there, but the skin didn't feel as hot. Great mask for days in which the skin is hot and itchy due to inflammation. This mask was great fun too. I walked out of my room with this applied and my sister got a shock and started laughing hysterically. 

MEDIHEAL Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask

• This one uses a cellulose sheet mask that is drenched in the essence. Application can get a little messy but the mask applies on your skin very smoothly, almost like a second layer of skin. I like this because after you remove the mask, the essence gets absorbed into your skin very quickly. Sometimes I put this on for longer than the recommended time just because there's so much essence! The longest was an hour and the sheet mask was still moist to the touch. 

Neogence N3 Mandelic Acid Refinish Mask - I can't find a link for this anywhere, did Neogence discontinue this line? Here's a reddit link (one fo the users highly recommended the mask) - https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/3ogupr/random_purchases_that_end_up_surprising_you/

• This mask can get a little tingly so if you have sensitive skin, please stay away. It contains mandelic acid, a type of AHA, which is a chemical exfoliant. It's great for calming down huge painful pimples. Won't make them disappear overnight, but they will be significantly less painful. I'm currently on roaccutane so I'm not using this mask as often as before. But if you are not on such strong medication and are experiencing some painful cystic spots, this may be great for you. 

And then... there's this...

I really do not like them.

I got the Mamonde 7Days Project Sheet Mask (Soothing) via RoseRoseShop because I was intrigued. Daily mask application for 7 days?! I tried one and I hated it. The essence was so oily and sticky. Hours after I removed the mask, my skin still felt sticky and heavy. I couldn't take it anymore and just washed my face with my usual cleanser. My skin really felt like I had a hefty layer of oil on it. Not good at all.

Maybe this will be better for those with extra extra extra dry skin. Or those living in extreme cold temperatures.

So there you go! 4 current holy-grail masks and 1 meh mask. :D Now I need to restock the Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask, and perhaps try other brands! Any recommendations?

Spicy noodle, bubbly mask and HARRY POTTER!

This month has been hectic. Filled with mostly busy weekdays and fun weekends. I'm very proud of myself this month. I went out to meet up with friends or to date my man almost every weekend day. Which says a lot because usually I just want to be glued to my bed and never leave my room till Monday comes again. 

Also, I cannot believe November is almost here. Christmas is around the corner. It is mind boggling how fast the year has gone by. Need to start buying Christmas presents again! Typo, here I come! :D

Anyway, you know all these Youtube videos about people trying Korean spicy noodles? I was really intrigued. Got so spicy or not?? So, when I saw that the 7-11 near my office sold them, I grabbed one to try. To be honest, it was spicy. Definitely will numb your tongue a bit, but aiyoh some people really over-react leh! I understand some of them didn't have high tolerance level for spiciness but I saw some people cursing and swearing profusely, then got some even cried like a baby on screen. Not so bad lah! Actually really quite nice. The trick is to not slurp the noodles using your lips, just put a bit of noodles in a spoon and scoop straight into your mouth. Not so spicy anymore! I'll be getting more because it's really nice and the spiciness super got kick, damn shiok!

I had a lot of fun trying out new things that day haha. After my spicy noodles, I tried a bubbly mask. I saw this on someone's Instagram and was soooo curious as to how it will work in real life. 

It's a tea tree purifying mask so it's suitable for my skin. Once you apply the black mask on your face, bubbles will start forming and you will slight tingling to indicate that the product is working in trying to remove the gunk in your pores. Then you remove the mask after 10 minutes and rinse off thoroughly. Very brilliant product if it worked as promised! 

Definitely worked as promised HAHA. I look like a bear!! 

I also liked how refreshing this made my skin feel, and the tingling sensation is quite satisfying. I have used this 3 times and I enjoyed every 10-minute session. Gonna get more soon. I got my first set of 3 on carousell for S$5. Super cheap please, but I think the retail price is much higher than that. 

Taobao purchase from last month - flamingo print tote bag for less than S$8! 

This month's shopping ban has been quite successful. I mostly bought necessities like soap, shampoo etc because I was running out. Other than that, I have restricted myself quite well. Yay. But the temptations were aplenty, especially now that we have Topshop Singapore online and of course every single day I'm discovering new stuff on Taobao. But I'll persevere and save the money for the food and shopping during my upcoming Hong Kong trip!

ALSO, JENG JENG - I finally have the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It is BEAUTIFUL. Jim Kay is a genius. 

My favourite page is this short guide to trolls! :D 

I love the excitement! It's like in the past when I queued up outside Popular bookstore when a new book was released just so that I could read the book immediately after release. Now no longer queueing outside book stores because can just preorder on Amazon! Can't wait for the next one! But hmm, how would Order of Phoenix be illustrated. That book has 700+ pages of densely spaced lines. Another question is how heavy will the illustrated Order of Phoenix be? But who cares about these questions because I'm still going to get all of them!

What a glorious way to end the post. I love Harry Potter so much! I have yet to visit a Harry Potter theme park so maybe 2016 resolution? :)

Quick Review: A'PIEU NonCo Tea Tree Sheet Mask

Photo from X

Photo from X

Korean sheet masks are usually my go-to sheet masks. I have tried numerous sheet masks from many different Korean brands and they have been fuss-free and foolproof. So I expected the same from A'PIEU NonCo Tea Tree Sheet Mask. However, the application process was complicated and cumbersome simply because the sheet mask was too large. 

You get two sheet masks in one pack - one half for the nose area up, and the other half for the jawline area. It will be a great design if the sheet masks were to stick properly on the skin. 

The two sheet masks are SO HUGE. Come on man, why waste so much money on excess material? I had to fold the edges inward for my entire face. In comparison, I usually only fold the edges around my forehead for other sheet masks. 

Not only that, this sheet mask simply won't apply properly. No matter how much I tried to smooth out the air bumps, it just looked like I was a complete newbie at sheet masks! The mask material is quite thick and it's not as stretchable as I would like sheet masks to be. 

It's the first time I used a sheet mask that frustrated me so much. 

Definitely not buying this again. 

Anybody else tried this mask? Do you have the same problems? Or if it applies normally on you, please let me know what I'm doing wrong! Sigh~

Quick Review: Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing O2 Bubble Mask

Many years ago (perhaps 7-8 years ago), I tried an oxygen mask from Etude House and fell head over heels in love with it because of how effective it was. I think the product name was 02 White Mask Sheet - I can't really remember now because it has sadly been discontinued by the brand. After that, I just couldn't be bothered to find an alternative (poor JC student's woes) and I stopped using oxygen-infused masks from then on. 

The thought came back to me a couple of months back. What if oxygen masks can help with my acne?! I researched and found one that's particularly suitable for acne-prone skin - Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing O2 Bubble Mask. This contains carbonated water, baking powder, tea tree and gold kiwi - all great for cleansing out those dirty clogged pores. 

I bought mine from Qoo10 for S$21.90 (+ S$1.90 shipping) and this has become a staple in my skincare routine. 

First of all, the application process is very ... gratifying. After cleansing, lather one-two pumps of the Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing O2 Bubble Mask on your entire face, avoiding the eye and lip area. Then watch the magic happen - the white clay-mask-like consistency froths up steadily, covering your face gradually with dense white bubbles. After 2 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water and you're done! 

I saw a noticeable difference even only after one application - my skin felt immensely smooth and the dry patches on my skin (usually scars from freshly popped pimples) were not so obvious anymore. Also, my face looked so much brighter and more radiant, like as if I just did a 30-min slow jog (minus the sweat). 

I have used the Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing O2 Bubble Mask for close to 2 months now - twice weekly - and I have been enjoying every application. Does it tackle pimples? Maybe not so much. However, it didn't break me out and I love how radiant I looked after each application, so it's still a winner in my books. 

I really love incorporating oxygen-infused masks to my skincare routines, so please let me know if you have a similar product from another brand that I can try! :)  

OOTDs, Best Boyfriend Award, Pink Dot and Catching Up

I think the most likely reason why I started taking OOTD photos again is I want to proof to myself that I can buy new clothes AND wear them. Seriously, I have way too many clothes that still have their tags on. It's a terrible habit, so I must start to wear all of them!! 

But then hor, I think I'm being overzealous last week because I have lost the steam this week. It's back to comfortable tops and jeggings for me. Alamak how leh like that!! :S 

Dress: Zalora
Vest: Uniqlo
Bag: Taobao
Shoes: ASICS 

Blouse: Uniqlo
Vest: ZARA
Shorts: H&M
Bag: Taobao
Shoes: Puma

Shirt: GU Japan
Vest: Something Borrowed (from Zalora)
Culottes: GU Japan
Shoes: WOO! (from Zalora)

Shoes: Zalora

Wow, I really like shopping on Zalora huh? 

Kengyang went to South Korea for his grad trip and being the nice girlfriend that I am, I told him to just get me 2 Laneige BB Cushion refills and a few masks. 

I guess Kengyang and friends had too much time on their hands because they went crazy shopping at the drugstores. He whatsapped me every single time they were in new shops and remarked on how crazily cheap the sheet masks were. So yes, Kengyang and friends went a little bit overboard in terms of sheet mask and aloe vera gel purchases. But hey I'm not complaining because I get immediate benefits, as seen above. :D 

I really need to go to South Korea for all the amazing beauty and skincare products!

And being the amazing boyfriend that he is, Kengyang also bought me Big Bang socks. :) 

Attended Pink Dot with dorabanana and I really enjoyed the positive energy and overflowing love from everyone! I accidentally tripped and hit a lady but instead of the usual and expected TSK + eye roll, I got a "Are you okay!!!". Everyone is happy for everyone. I love it! 

When I posted this photo, I expected a couple of family members (who always like my Instagram photos) to not like it. And indeed, that happened. But hey, that's their opinion and I respect that. Even though these family members do not approve of homosexuality, they don't go around preaching about how sinful it is either. 

As a Catholic, I have been taught that homosexuality is a sin. As my own being, I do not think homosexuality is a sin. 

Also, people who are using religion as weapons - who are you to judge? 

Did you completely ignore Romans 2:1? 

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 

How about Luke 6:41-42?

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

John 8:7?

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

(all using NIV)

THERE ARE MANY MANY MORE. Don't ignore and just read things that you want to read leh. Selective reading means you don't know your religion entirely. How do you call yourself a follower of that religion then? 

If you have unpleasant things to say at this point, please exit the page and proceed somewhere else. Bye bye. 

Ending off this post with a photo of Shangying and I. We met up a couple of weeks ago for dinner and it was a great catch-up session. The last time I saw her was probably more than a year ago, so it was much-needed meetup!

Have a great week ahead guys! :) 

Quick Review: Caudelie Instant Detox Mask

Photo from Caudelie's website

Caudelie recently launched 4 new facial masks and I was truly intrigued. The 4 variations are:

• Glycolic Peel Mask (an exfoliant for cellular renewal - for radiant and bright skin)
• Instant Detox Mask (eliminate impurities and toxins - for that "poreless" skin)
• Purifying Mask (eliminate impurites and excessive sebum - for clear and even skin)
• Moisturizing Mask (provide intense moisture and relief - for hydrated, supple skin)

These 4 facial masks are formulated to address different skin concerns and it's quite clever how Caudelie has included a facial chart on their website on how you can mix and match different masks on your face in one application to address the multiple skin concerns that you may have. 

For example, if you want to have skin balance, you can apply the Purifiying Mask on the oily areas and then the Moisturizing Mask on your cheeks. Here's the facial chart!

I was interested in both the Instant Detox Mask and Purifying Mask, but I didn't want to pay the money for the full-sized product without trying them out, so I browsed Carousell for some samples. 

I only tried the Instant Detox Mask once and I now know why there were so many glowing reviews for this mask. I actually am tempted to get the full-sized one now because it worked wonders on my skin. Just a single application and I'm already sold!

Okay, details...

The Caudelie Instant Detox Mask has green-coloured packaging, but the product itself is in a pinkish-red hue. It's just like any other clay mask that will harden after 5-10 minutes of application. But the major difference between this clay mask and the others that I have tried is that there's no tingling involved. I only felt a cooling sensation and that's about it. I was so worried that the mask wasn't working at all! After 10 minutes, I rinsed off the mask and scrutinised my skin. Nothing much leh, so I was relieved that I only paid for a sample. 

The magic happened the next morning. I was really very shocked. 

I had two pimples before application - one on my upper cheek and one on the upper lip area. The morning after using the Caudelie Instant Detox Mask, the size of the two pimples reduced significantly. I still could see the redness, but they didn't hurt anymore. WOW?! 

And then, I applied my foundation routine as per normal and left for work. After lunch, I finally had the chance to go to the toilet (yay mirror!) and I noticed that my face wasn't as oily as it normally was and the two areas next to my nose were not as "holey" anymore. I was, to be honest, quite speechless. How come one application can so powerful one?! 

I also read online that some users experience a "purging" effect where the mask pulled out impurities to the skin surface, causing you to have bumps/breakouts. It has been 2 days and I have zero pimples, so no "purging" effect for me! Hooray! 

Seriously man, I'm very willing to spend the S$53 on the full-size 75ml product now! 

Quick review: Anti-spot & Sebum Control 3-Step Facial Treatment by Watsons

I'm back with another quick review and this time it's for Anti-spot & Sebum Control 3-Step Facial Treatment by Watsons. 

Before I proceed with my quick review, I would like to thank my regular readers. This space hasn't been updated as frequently as I would like it to be and that's because my iPhone 6 doesn't take high-quality photos for review posts. I have A LOT of new products but my trusted camera gave up on me (stuck lens or something like that) and so I only have my iPhone with me for photo-taking. The usual food and daily photos using iPhone are fantastic, but for review posts, the iPhone is still not as stellar as the normal camera. So yes, I have slacking a lot because of that. But fret not, I'm going to buy a new camera this week!! I'm getting a Canon G7X and I'm very excited to get back on track with my blogging after my Japan trip :D 

Ok lai, review time. 

I bought the Anti-spot & Sebum Control 3-Step Facial Treatment by Watsons in Bangkok and it was definitely less than 25 baht. I think there was a sale going on hence I picked it up. It's very intriguing to me - 3 steps?! Overkill or genius? 

This is available in Singapore as well, but it's definitely much more expensive here. A quick Google search reveals that a pack of 5 will cost around S$17.50. 

I gave it a try last night and to be frank, I was more excited about the application than the results. 

Step 1: Gently apply serum over cleansed face. 

• I didn't know 3ml of product will be SO MUCH. I applied all 3ml on my face and it took me almost 10 minutes to massage the product into my skin. Super thick consistency that was initially very sticky. After close to 10 minutes, the serum wasn't so sticky and thick anymore and it gradually felt very light and refreshing on the skin. This serum is used to prepare for the melting films in step 2. 

Step 2: Gently stick melting films to the specific areas requiring treatment. 

• This can be quite tricky to apply. The melting films are really thin and if you have short nails, you may not be able to remove the melting films from the plastic base properly. My tip is that you should wash your hands after massaging the serum. Your hands would still be sticky from the serum and any attempt to remove the melting films with sticky fingers will only make it much more challenging. Start with dry fingers and the melting films should be easier to remove. This was very strange to me because I had to apply a thin layer of plastic-looking film on needed areas. But it's supposed to "melt" (hence the name) into my skin so okay lah. 

Step 3: Apply mask onto the face (over the melting films). Leave for 15-20 minutes and then remove. Gently massage face until the remaining essence is fully absorbed. No need to rinse. Discard mask after use.

• Yes, you need to apply the mask right after applying the melting films. This is the type of mask that has a denser and thicker essence. No problems with essence-dripping with this mask. Mask application was as per normal, and of course I left it on for more than 20 minutes because I always forget LOL. After mask removal, I was so surprised to find that the melting films had "melted" into my skin! I couldn't see the plasticky films anymore! Very interesting indeed. 

And this morning, I woke up with less oily face. It was quite obvious actually, and I'm very pleasantly surprised. Very solid mask from Watsons! I'm still thinking about whether I should get the 5-pack from local Singapore Watsons but a bit expensive for 5 masks hmmm. Well, definitely a great mask in all and if I do buy the 5-pack, the masks will be reserved for special pampering occasions. 

Have a great week ahead guys! :D 

Innisfree Masks from Korea (thanks Chay!)

I seriously NEED to go to S.Korea. Not for apparel shopping, but for skincare and beauty shopping. Oh man, S.Korea has some of the best skincare and beauty products, and I'm talking only about those products that are available for purchase in Singapore. I'm quite sure there are plenty of other smaller brands that have yet to be franchised internationally, and I'm pretty sure they have bombdotcom products as well. 

I already have a plan - bring a damn huge "pasar" shopping bag.  You know those that can fold, fold, fold until damn thin one, but once opened can rival Hermione's tiny beaded bag enchanted with Undetectable Extension Charm? Yah, those are very awesome. IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF SHEET MASKS I CAN BUY!!! 

Ah S.Korea, wait for me~~

Chay was in S.Korea and she helped me get so many Innisfree masks. I'm a firm believer of Innisfree's anti-trouble masks. They seem to be the most effective and you really can see a difference! 

I sent her some photos of the masks that I wanted, and Chay said she just showed the salesperson the photos and they loaded her basket with everything. Talk about awesome service!! 

I have used the Tea Tree It's Real Squeeze Mask and Tea Tree Hydro Gel Mask before and I really liked them, so I got some more of those. After browsing Innisfree's website, I saw that they had other anti-trouble masks too, so I also got some to try out. So far, the Anti-Trouble Second Skin Mask has been AMAZING. I have yet to try the Anti-Trouble Intensive Ampoule Mask (BHA), but I'm looking forward! 

I'm also a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of the Jejubija+Aloe Capsule Recipe Sleeping Pack. A 10ml pack can last me 5-6 nights. Super wu hua. Chay got 10 for me! :D

I'm so ready for a S.Korea trip. Planned one with Chay for autumn 2015 and I'm hoping the plan will come to fruition soon.

Also, an update on my (our) HDB - we got a S$40K grant! Actually Kengyang got all the grant lah haha, I cannot get grant one since I'm not a Singapore Citizen. But aiyah in the end same same. S$20K AHG and S$20K SHG. YAY! :D

That brings me to my next big change - when should I change my citizenship? Should I or should I not? I feel like a huge traitor to Indo but....I have lived in Singapore for 16 years. I know so much more about Singapore than Indo. I even know all the words to the Singapore's national anthem and pledge. If I plan on living in Singapore for the rest of my life, then I should just change my citizenship right? But then, family-wise, I will be the first one to change. Yikes. HOW LIKE THAT?

Weekend skin pamper (Sunday)

As mentioned in the previous post, I like to tackle my large pores and then rehydrate my skin on Sundays. Since starting on the Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack Sleeping Mask, I wake up on Sundays with very smooth and moisturised skin, so I don't go crazy for my morning routine. 

At night, I exfoliate and use a volcano mask to get rid of those unsightly large pores around my nose area. Then I'll use a really hydrating face mask before going to sleep. All these steps in the weekends prepare me for the weekdays in which I do only the most basic in terms of skincare. 

Morning

Step 1: SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
Step 2: Michael Todd True Organics Organic Lemon AHA + DHAE Toner
Step 3: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion
Step 4: Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence W

Night

Step 1: Garnier Pure Active Multi-Action Foam
Step 2: SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
Step 3: Michael Todd True Organic Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub
Step 4: Michael Todd True Organics Organic Lemon AHA + DHAE Toner
Step 5: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Step 6: Michael Todd True Organics Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum
Step 7: The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion
Step 8: Clinique All About Eyes Rich
Step 9: Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence R
Step 10: Innisfree It's Real Bamboo Mask (sometimes Aloe, sometimes Green Tea)

I have been pampering my skin this way for the past 2-3 months and it has really made a difference to my skin condition. I have zero pimples on my skin now and I don't really have uneven skin tone now. Of course, the facials that I have been having helped largely in eliminating those face demons but I only have facials once every 3-4 weeks so maintaining the skin condition in between facials is also very important.

It is quite difficult to commit a good 45 minutes to skincare but I'm even more scared of the difficulty in the future if I don't take care of my skin now. So yes, lai lai weekend pamper!!

Weekend skin pamper (Saturday)

During the weekdays, I don't usually pamper my skin very much. I'm always rushing for time in the mornings before work, so it's a quick cleanser-toner-moisturiser routine for weekday mornings. On weekday nights, I'm too tired to do anything fancy, so it's also a quick cleanser-toner-moisturiser routine, with the occasional mask or acne cream. 

That's precisely why I tend to go out all out during the weekends. I go crazy on the skincare front and pamper my skin as much as possible. Some of you may think I'm cuckoo to be using so many products, but seriously think about it, there's no way you can undo things when you regret in the future. Better start early! Also, this does not mean I'm using random products on my skin. Nope, nope, nope. I have used the products mentioned for quite a while and they are products that are suitable for my skin type (oily, acne-prone) and they don't break me out at all. 

On Saturdays, I like to tackle my acne-prone skin. On Sundays, I tackle my large pores. Here are all the products that I use on Saturdays. Do note that some products are repeat ones, I don't have like 7 different cleansers and 7 different moisturisers for 7 days lah. I want but aiyoh no space no space. 

Morning

Step 1: SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
Step 2: Michael Todd True Organics Organic Lemon AHA + DHAE Toner
Step 3: Annie's Way Aloe Anti-Acne Jelly Mask
Step 4: Leaders Insolution AC-Dressing Skin Clinic Mask
Step 5: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion
Step 6: Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence W

Night

Step 1: Garnier Pure Active Multi-Action Foam
Step 2: SK-II Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser
Step 3: Michael Todd True Organics Organic Lemon AHA + DHAE Toner
Step 4: Michael Todd True Organics Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum
Step 5: Enavose Bitter Almond Decongestant Serum
Step 6: The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Fade Night Lotion
Step 7: Innisfree Jejubija Anti-Trouble Spot Essence R
Step 8: Clinique All About Eyes Serum
Step 9: Clinique All About Eyes Rich
Step 10: Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack (Aloe Sleeping Mask)

I really love the Innisfree Capsule Recipe Pack Sleeping Mask. Always wake up with damn nice and smooth skin.

Next up - Weekend skin pamper on Sundays!!

Quick Review: My Beauty Diary Eye Masks

My job requires me to stare at two computer screens the entire day and when I go home, I continue watching dramas/variety shows on my laptop. This lifestyle is already a recipe for disaster. I'm not a young teenager who can survive such a lifestyle and still have bright peepers. I just turned 25 and very devastatingly, I noticed fine lines when I smiled. I think my extreme attention on computer screens is also taking a toll on how well-rested my eyes need to be. Even when I have a full 10-hour sleep, I will wake up with puffy and tired eyes. No concealers or highlighters can hide the puffiness. I can only wait till my eyes are back to normal and that's like hours later. What have I done?! 

Recently, I have decided to take frequent breaks when I'm working. I'll go to the toilet or make myself another cup of tea. I don't care if my colleagues think I have a bladder problem, I need to get this crazy habit sorted. I think I'm going to buy small plants and decorate my work table excessively till it becomes a product out of a jungle. People say plants help absorb radiation, lessen the stress and all those good stuff, so all hail the plants! 

At home, I try to pay more attention to my skincare, especially for my eyes. I have 3 different eye creams that I rotate every morning and night. I also try to apply eye masks as often as I can. Currently, my favourite is the My Beauty Diary Eye Masks. I have all 3 variations and personally I think I have serious issues with puffiness, smoothness and dark circles, so all 3 masks are the perfect fit for my eye masks obsession. 

I also love them because they have unique (ok, strange lah strange) mask shapes and I feel like a bad-ass superhero every single time I apply the eye mask. 

I got them all in Hong Kong because it's so much cheaper there than in Singapore. I bought way too many and I'm not regretting at all because as of now, I still have yet to see the need to stock up. That impulse to buy out 4 SASA stores has very handsome rewards. Go me! 

Each box of 5 costs S$11.90 in Watsons. I bought them for less than S$8 per box in Hong Kong. 

From left to right:
Puffiness Intensive Care Eye Mask
Smoothness Intensive Care Eye Mask
Dark Circles Intensive Care Eye Mask

Basically the Puffiness one looks like batman, the Smoothness one looks larger than life and the Dark Circles one looks like the kiap kiap laundry one. :D

I truly believe that one has to use these eye masks more than 5 times to actually see the difference. My personal favourite is the Puffiness Intensive Care Eye Mask. It does what it promises to the best and my puffy eyes were always more calm and less swollen after mask removal. The most difficult to apply is the Dark Circles Intensive Care Eye Mask because it works best when you have your eyes closed.

To elevate the shiok eye-mask experience, I always put my eye masks in the fridge. This method really works if you have very swollen eyes in the mornings.

My Beauty Diary Eye Masks are on a class of their own right now. However, I'm quite optimistic at this development of quirky eye masks because it means more and more brands are going to come up with their own takes on these masks and it's quite exciting right?

So, if you are a sucker for eye products as much as I do, go get yourself some My Beauty Diary Eye Masks!!

Quick Review: Annie's Way Aloe Moisturizing Jelly Mask

My previous post on the Annie's Way Aloe Moisturizing Jelly Mask had excellent response, so I feel the need to get back to my readers on how I feel the product has worked on my skin. 

I bought mine from Taobao (here's the link!) and I saved a lot of money by doing that. This mask is available online locally, but it's S$27 per tub. I bought mine for RMB50 (~slightly more than S$10 a tub), so even with shipping charges, I'm paying much less. Taobao is truly heaven. 

I wanted to get one Aloe Moisturizing Jelly Mask and one Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Jelly Mask, but the latter was sold out, so I got two Aloe instead, which was a blessing in disguise because I use up one container more quickly that I expected. 

Each tub contains 250ml of product. It seems like a lot of product, but trust me, you will use it all up within 10-12 uses or so because for each usage, you have to use a lot of product! You cannot be stingy with this. 

The seller forgot to include the spatula and I didn't want to use my fingers to get the product (bacteria alert!!) so I came up with a genius plan - I used an IKEA children spoon. It's made of plastic and I can scoop out a lot of product. Furthermore, when I'm done with the 30 minutes of masking, I can use the handle to scrape the product off. GENIUS RIGHT?! 

How to use the product:
You need to cleanse and tone your face before applying this mask. Then, use a spatula (or a spoon) to scoop out enough product to apply a 0.3cm-0.5cm layer of product on your entire face, avoiding the eyes and lip area. 30 minutes after application, you remove the product by scraping it off with the spatula (or spoon) in a outer-to-inner direction (I always use my nose as the final scraping point lol). After that, you can use water to remove the remainder product. If you have more time on your plate, follow up with a sheet mask!

My thoughts about the Annie's Way Aloe Moisturizing Jelly Mask:
To be frank, I'm undecided whether I love it or whether I hate it. The first time I applied it, I loved it so much. My pimples dried up immediately the next day and my skin felt so smooth for a couple of days after that first application. After that, I just don't feel like the mask worked anymore! My skin still feels smooth after a usage, but that's about it! I'm currently about to finish my first tub and I decided to reserve this mask for days when I'm feeling really lethargic and stressed out at work. It's like putting aloe on sun-burnt areas.

I don't know why it didn't work that well for me. I applied it twice a week religiously and I really didn't see any noticeable changes. Even when I had new pimples, they didn't dry up as fast as that first application. The good thing is I actually enjoy it when I have the Annie's Way Aloe Moisturizing Jelly Mask on my face. No breakouts, no allergic reactions, but also not much beneficial effects. Maybe it's regulating my skin slowly from the inside, but aiyah I cannot see lah.

I still have one more tub to go. Definitely won't be relying on this for acne treatment. It's a good mask to have for those crazy days at work though.

Will I purchase it again? Not really. I feel that there are some sheet masks that do the same thing. Once I finish both tubs, I will go back to using sheet masks regularly. Guys, I'm super bumped that this didn't work better on me :((

Anyone else using this product? What are your thoughts on it? 

Have a great Saturday! 

Quick Review: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

If you know me well, you will know that I religiously apply clay mask twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays!). I don't stick to just one brand, I generally use all types of clay masks that claim to be beneficial and effective for oily and blemish-prone skin. I get excited when I apply clay mask on my face! It's weird! When the tingling/cooling sensation starts, I feel like I have done myself a huge favour - like "Woots! My skin is finally getting the treatment that it deserves!".

Recently, I have been wildly addicted to the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask. When I say wildly, I mean WILDLY. Usually I have a few clay masks that I rotate and use. But ever since I got the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, I just...kept using it. No other clay masks work as well, and I think I'm hooked. I must thank Yinghui for helping me buy one when she was in S.Korea a few weeks ago!

The main reason why I love this clay mask so much is because there's no tingling sensation. Some clay masks have crazy reactions on the skin and sometimes you feel immense pain for the first couple of minutes. This sensation will eventually die down to a cooling sensation. For me, the tingling sensation means that the product is working and I don't mind that little bit of pain because I know it will go away. However, to those with sensitive skin, this sensation is way too much for the skin to handle and some users may experience redness after mask removal because their sensitive skin couldn't handle the chemical reactions.

If you're one of those people, grab the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask NOW! Upon application, there's no tingling/painful/biting sensation whatsoever, instead you get this super shiok cooling sensation. The thick and gooey clay mask applies and spreads out easily on the skin. A little bit goes a long long way and I think this 200ml container will last me more than the recommended 9 months of storage. After 15 minutes, you just remove it by using warm water (normal tap water works as well, but the removal process will be longer). After removal, my skin felt refreshed and soft and SUPER SHIOK LAH. I want to apply this mask everyday but I think that will be major overkill. Good things must tahan ("wait" - for non Singlish speakers) right? :D

I have used the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask for a good two weeks and I don't get breakouts from using it and it's actually working on the huge pores around my nose area. It's a great product to own and use if you have the habit of using clay masks in your skincare routine. Do give it a try!

ALSO,

I think the Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask smells a bit like Vitasoy Malt Flavour?! So strange but since I love that drink, win-win for me. HAHA.

Have a great weekend guys! Any clay masks that you think I should try out? 

Want: Annie's Way Jelly Mask (Taiwan)

Bubzbeauty, BeautyQQ and BREN LUI 大佬B (all my favourite Asian Youtubers) all highly recommended the Annie's Way Jelly Mask from Taiwan and I was convinced to give the product a try. 

It's currently only available online in Singapore (Glamabox - S$27 each) and it's available in physical stores in Malaysia (Facebook). 

I didn't want to pay S$21 (currently on promotion) for a tub of jelly mask, so I decided to try my luck on Taobao. ALAS! Taobao is truly a magical place. I found many many sellers selling the Annie's Way Jelly Masks, and I chose the one with the most number of positive reviews - just in case some sellers decided to sell fake ones at a cheaper price. Buying skincare on Taobao is a little bit tricky because you really have to read through all the reviews. You certainly do not want to waste the money on fake ones! 

So yes, the jelly masks were RMB50 each and I added them into Kengyang's cart! :D Can't wait! Apparently, it's really good in helping to remove blackheads! You apply a thick 0.3-0.5cm all over your face for a good 30 minutes and then scrape off with the provided tool. The blackheads on the nose area will be softened and it will much more easily removed using the appropriate blackhead-removing tool. This also means less pressing and less redness. Also, it's supposed to help brighten dull skin. 

I got two of the Annie's Way Jelly Masks - the Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Jelly Mask and the Aloe Moisturising Jelly Mask. 

The Arbutin + Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Jelly Mask is for whitening, moisturizing, minimising fine lines, and leaving the skin radiantly bright.

The Aloe Moisturising Jelly Mask is suitable for oily and acne prone skin, and can be used after sun exposure. 

Do let me know if I can get these masks in any physical stores in Singapore! 

Have a good week ahead! :) 

Review: Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask

[Disclaimer: This mask was sent to me for review purposes. However, all opinions are of my own and unbiased.]

The kind people at Secretive.sg contacted me once again to review the new masks that they have in their online store. I asked for masks that will be suitable for oily and acne prone skin and they sent me the Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask, which was targeted at revitalizing and clarifying the skin for a clearer complexion. I certainly wanted a clearer complexion (don't we all?), so I was excited to try this mask out. 

The Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask comes in a box of 5 and the box retails for S$13.90. The Lovemore Water Beauty Series also comes in two other variations - the Thermal Water Brightening Mask and the Deep Sea Water Hydrating Mask. 

The one thing that I have consistently enjoyed from Lovemore masks is their "pure silk mask" material. The material is delicate and quite flimsy (to the point where a slightly harder pull will tear the mask apart), but that's how the essence gets absorbed into the skin more efficiently. I was really happy that this particular mask has the same material too! 

If you have oily/combination skin that's acne prone, I will suggest staying away from masks that promise extra hydration or extra brightening effects. Sometimes these types of masks will contain ingredients that will aggravate the overproducing-oil-glands situation and you will end up with oilier skin. This will lead to pores getting clogged up more easily, and hence causing your skin to be even more acne-prone. I know not all of such masks will cause such an effect, but it's good to be mindful and cautious. Use masks that are suitable for your skin type to minimize such risks.

Some of the great ingredients for oily/combination skin will be tea tree and aloe vera. I swear by these two ingredients. A mask that contains these ingredients will help to treat your current skin situation and help to prevent future problems.

The Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask also contains AC.NET, which is a sebum-controlling agent and will help to regulate the oil production. It also has natto in it, Natto is famous in Japan for beautiful skin so it's a great addition!

As with all Lovemore pure silk masks, the steps to using the mask is more complicated than usual masks, but it's definitely not rocket science.

When you first take the mask out, you will see the three layers of the mask: the white plastic sheet cover, the blue protective sheet and the almost invisible actual mask sheet in between the two. 

You first remove the white plastic sheet, and then you fit the mask on your face. You don't need to fit it to a T because you're going to remove the blue non-woven sheet carefully afterwards. 

You have to be extra careful when removing the blue non-woven sheet. I almost removed the mask itself too. The easiest way is to remove it from the forehead and then just slowly pull the blue layer away. 

As you can see from the photo below, the actual mask is really really thin and delicate. 

I have used this mask twice this week and I have yet to see any improvements in terms of skin clarifying. Both applications have been enjoyable though. It's also worth mentioning that the thinness of the mask actually helps to ensure a less messy application. Usually with the usual masks, you will have essence dripping everywhere, but the Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask has none of that.

Another thing that I liked is how fast the essence is absorbed into the skin. It's usually recommended for users to leave their masks on for a good 15-25 minutes. Some masks will still be wet and choked full of goodness even after 25 minutes - you don't even know if anything has been absorbed to your skin or not! The Lovemore Glacier Water Soothing Mask, on the other hand, does not have this problem. After 20 minutes, the mask will start to turn into a damp thin white cloth - an indication that the essence has been almost fully absorbed by the skin.

The easy application and unique mask sheet material definitely make me want to continue using the mask. 3 more to go! :)

Secretive website

Secretive Facebook

LoveMore Facebook

Hope this review has been useful for you! Have a great Easter weekend guys! :)