Product Empties/Products I've used up/What's in my garbage bin #1

Hello hello, this is the corresponding blog post for my "Product Empties/Products I've used up/What's in my garbage bin #1" video that is very belated.  I don't know about you but for me, I have mixed emotions when I finish using up products.  If it is a product that I really like; I feel sad about it coming to an end and even sadder if it is expensive.  If it is a product that I dislike; I'd say 'Good riddance!'.  Overall, it is very satisfying to finish using up products. 

After much hoarding of the empty packaging, I managed to gather a sizeable amount of product empties to film Product Empties/Products I've used up/What's in my garbage bin #1.  They were sitting in a corner in my room for quite sometime and I could not wait to bin them!  Imagine my satisfaction when I finally binned them. *cues maniac laughter* MUAHAHAHAHA....

To check out the video, click on the link below:

If you prefer to read about it, keep scrolling! :)

I hardly ever finish any makeup product so this is my only makeup product that I finished using.

Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner

 

                                                       

I used to think that liquid eyeliners were intimidating and never ventured into the winged eye liner look until I got the Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner.  This is a life changing product.  Now, it is easier to create that elusive winged eye liner look with the Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner.  It has one of the finest tips in the market and it gives the user a lot of control when it comes to lining the eyes.  The colour is a matte black.  While it is not as black as Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner, this is one of the blacker eyeliners in the markets.  TWO THUMBS UP FOR THIS and I can't wait to repurchase it!

For your information, I am a HUGE My Beauty Diary Face Masks Fan.  My love for them started in 2010 when I was introduced to them in Hong Kong by my friend D.  We were there for a school program but she went to Hong Kong with her mum prior to the commencement of the school program.  Her mum left Hong Kong when the program commenced and she told me that she got her mum to bring back 8 boxes of these face masks.  At that time, I was not into makeup and skin care like I am now so 8 boxes of face masks sounded pretty incredible to me.

These face masks were on sale at Sasa (a Hong Kong cosmetics store) at that time so I bought 2 boxes based on D's recommendation.  Fast forward a couple of years, I lost count of how many boxes of these face masks I have used. :S

My Beauty Diary- Japanese Cherry Blossom Masks

My Beauty Diary- Black Pearl Mask

My Beauty Diary- Earl Grey Tea & Macaron Sheet Mask

The photos with the boxes indicate that I have used up the entire box of face masks.  Out of the three, my favourite is Black Pearl. 2nd would be Japanese Cherry Blossom.  While the 3rd is Earl Grey Tea & Macaron, I would not call it a 3rd favourite.  It feels good on my face but I don't think it works amazingly well for my face.  I would definitely repurchase Black Pearl and Japanese Cherry Blossom (I have repurchased many times already!) but I would not repurchase Earl Grey Tea & Macaron once I finish the entire boxful.

Sessenz (Lef to Right):  Bio-Tox Rejuvenating Lift Mask and L-Ascorbic Acid Ex Whitening Lift Mask

The Sessenz masks were gifted to me by my aunt who knows that I am a skincare junkie.  What makes the Sessenz masks so special are the hooks and the neck masks.  Each mask is bigger than your usual face mask and it comes with the bottom neck mask to nourish your neck area.  Our necks often get neglected as we focus on our face so Sessenz takes that into consideration and VIOLA!  A face and neck mask!  It shows that Sessenz has given much thought into its product which I really appreciate.  The mask also comes with 2 pairs of hooks- one for the face mask and one for the neck mask.  You hook them onto your ears and they prevent the mask from slipping off your face.  In my opinion, it is a great product concept.  While I have not used the masks continuously to tell whether the product claims worked, I did notice a visible difference in my face's condition.  It feels good on my face, it clarified my skin and I would definitely repurchase if it was available in Australia at a decent price point. (PS: Australian beauty products are very overpriced.) :(

Guardian Facial Makeup Remover Wipes

For a drugstore facial makeup remover wipe that is not expensive (from my recollection anyway), I was pretty impressed with it.  It did a very good job of removing my makeup quickly.  While it is not going to remove your waterpoof makeup, it is a handy product to keep in your vanity for days when you want to remove light makeup or non-waterproof makeup.  Its inexpensiveness also means that it is great for daily usage.  I have backups of these!

Left to right: Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Toner and Cleanser (Moisturizer not pictured), Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (Combination Oily to Oily Skin), Lancome Genefique Youth Activator, Lancome Visionnaire and Benefit Eyes It's Potent Eye Cream.

For more details about the Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Skin Care series, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, Lancome Genefique and Lancome Visionnaire, check out my blog post or Youtube video about my skin care routine.  Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Skin Care series are currently discontinued or going to be discontinued so I would encourage you to buy it if you are hemming and hawwing about getting it.  I have backups but for now, I want to try to find a replacement before I start using my backups.  I have already repurchased the Clinique moisturizer, Lancome Genefique and Visionnaire!

As for Benefit Eyes It's Potent Eye Cream, it is a product that I am indifferent to.  It is not amazing that I will rush out to buy once I finished using it (though I do have one more in my collection), but it is not bad that I have anything to complain about it.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Mark Cream Concentrate

This is embarassing but yes, I do have stretch marks.  While this cream has not made my stretch marks miraculously disappear, I find that it has made a visible difference by improving the elasticity of my skin.  I have repurchased it and because I like it so much, I am currently trying out different variations of Palmer's Cocoa Butter's products for stretch marks.  

 

Bioré Gentle Make-up Removing Wipes and StriVictin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles

As these are only samples that I have only used once or twice, I have not actually tried it long enough to review it so no comments!

 

Bioré Black Nose Strips and Bioré Pore Perfector Nose Strips

The Bioré Black Nose Strips come in a pack of 10 which I purchased.  They work relatively well but they do not remove all the gunk from my nose completely.  The Pore Perfector Nose Strip was a sample that I received so no comments on that since it was a one time use only.

TRESemmé Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner

I have so much to say about the TRESemmé Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner that I will have a separate product review blog entry on these.

Korres Shower Gel (Guava) and LUX Exfoliating Body Wash (Tahitian Escape)

The Korres Shower Gel was okay but I am not a huge fan of the Guava scent.  On the other hand, I am a huge fan of LUX body wash because they all smell amazing!  With LUX body washes, you have the choice of exfoliating or regular body wash.  I love the entire range so I do use both the exfoliating and regular body washes.  With the exfoliating body washes, they are very gentle so I don't feel like they exfoliate my skin much.  You will definitely have to use a body scrub on top of the exfoliating body wash.  While it cannot replace a body scrub, it is a good body wash to use.

Left to Right: Soap & Glory Body Scrub (Scrub Actually), Boots No. 7 Body Scrub (Yoghurt), Victoria's Secret Body Scrub (Hello Darling) and Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub

My favourite body scrubs are from Soap & Glory.  Their scents are incredible!  I also used up Soap & Glory's Scrub of Your Life but I forgot to save the packaging of that.  Soap & Glory's Scrub Actually is an excellent body scrub that I will definitely recommend!  It does a great job at exfoliating and it leaves my skin feeling moisturized afterwards.  Comparing Scrub of Your Life and Scrub Actually, I prefer Scrub Actually because it is more exfoliating.  Scrub Actually's exfoliating brown sugar also dissolves as you exfoliate your skin.  I like how it does not leave residues in my shower. 

Boots Yoghurt Body Scrub does a decent job at exfoliating and moisturizing but it left residues in my shower.  It is especially troublesome when it dries up in the shower and will make your shower area look dirty. :( 

Victoria's Secret Body Scrub in Hello Darling is a decent body scrub.  However, when compared to the other body scrubs featured above, I find that I need more of this product to do the same job.  Maybe that's why it barely lasted a fortnight. (oops)

As for the Bioré Pore Unclogging Scrub, it is a good product!  For a mini sized bottle, it lasted for a good period of time.  It does a decent job at exfoliating and I like the minty refreshing feeling it leaves on my skin.  I will definitely repurchase it once I finish the facial scrubs at home!  In fact, I can't wait to buy it and use it again...  Do bear in mind that it contains small amounts of salicylic acid so remember to protect your skin with SPF! 

Boots Caribbean Cocktail: A Very Berry Surprise Body Lotion

This is a very lightweight body lotion that smells scrumptious!  It smells like berry yoghurt which I love.  It is readily absorbed into my skin but it does not leave my skin feeling moisturized after a few hours.  It will be suitable for those living in warmer climates and people who love berry yoghurt scents!

So this is it for my blog entry version for my product empties.  I actually started this blog entry awhile ago but never got round to finishing it.  BAH!  This is a very long blog entry but I hope you will enjoy it nevertheless.  Stay tuned for more blog entries and Youtube videos!


Cheers
annsleyw :)

Blog: My Skincare Routine for Sensitive Combination/Acne-Prone Skin

My skincare routine: Steps 1-8

This is almost like a sequel to the previous blog post about my Youtube Video. I am trying to figure out if I should do a separate blog post for my skin care routine. After all, I am sure there are viewers out there that prefer to read a blog entry than watch a Youtube video. However, I am afraid of making my blog entries long and tedious to read. I can literally hear my best friend's R's voice in the background telling me "Woman, you write too much!".

I will use this blog entry as a test sample and see how it works out. Writing makes it easier to include all the necessary information without much hassle. Also, you (readers) can skim read if you find that the part of the blog entry is not relevant whereas you can not skim watch for videos. As least I can not skim watch when it comes to videos. :(

I decided to do a blog entry/Youtube video on my skin care routine because my family and friends have been curious about the skin care products that I use. My skin type is combination. I have an oily T-zone and dry patches on my cheeks. My face tends to get oily in the warmer months and dry in the cooler months.

WHY is everyone so curious? Well, this is pretty embarrassing but hey, it is all part of my personal experience. A little skeleton in my closet is my skin. I started having acne when I was very young- at the age of 8 or 9 years old. I was one of the first among my peers to have acne. Since acne was not common at that age, I was teased a lot about my acne-prone skin. Even as I got older, my hormones did not make my skin any better. In fact, it got worse.

It was not until I was 16 or 17 years old when my mum and my aunt took me out shopping that we stopped by a Biotherm counter and I met the skin care products that were going to save my skin from acne. I was using a lot of drugstore brand skin care products (cleansers, scrubs, exfoliating creams etc.) back then but I was not using the correct products I guess. As the Biotherm lady explained to me what my skin required and what skin care products were suitable for me, it was that 'TA-DA!" moment for me. That moment of revelation is so profound that I can still remember till this day.

Unfortunately, the products that I used back then have been discontinued and they were replaced by the Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Skincare series. If skin care was a religion, I am definitely a faithful follower. I have been using the Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Skincare series ever since it was released. I checked the Biotherm website and it appears that not every country has this skincare series. However, Australia and Singapore Biotherm Counters definitely carry this series.

The Biotherm Biopur SOS Normalizer Skin Care products target problematic skin. It aims to reduce pores and it is anti-acne. It contains willow and liquorice to clear and soothe skin with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory actions. It also contains lipo amino acids to minimise future breakouts by regulating excess sebum production caused by hormonal changes. Pure Thermal Plankton minimises irritation and neutralises the skin.

Step 1: Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Normalizing Cleansing Mousse (Facial Cleanser)

I use the cleanser to wash my face (day and night) and after I remove my makeup. This cleanser is a mild and does not have a noticeable scent. Despite regulating the oil production in my skin, it does not dry out my skin and it does not leave an uncomfortable feeling on my skin as some other facial cleansers do. It is good for those who have sensitive skin like me.

Step 2: Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Normalizing Exfoliating Lotion

I shake the bottle gently before dabbing a few drops onto a cotton pad then apply it onto my cleansed skin. This is a very gentle toner. Though the toner does contain alcohol, the alcohol content is not noticeable and it does not leave my face with a stingy or tingly sensation as some other toners that I have used in the past do. I will leave such products for another video i.e. Products that I dislike or products that I regret buying. Leave a comment below if you would like to see such videos. Anyway, this toner is suitable for people with sensitive skin as it is a very gentle toner. However, you might want to give this a miss if you are allergic to alcohol.

The next few products (minus the Biother Biopur S.O.S series' moisturizer) are products that I have added to my skin care routine a few months ago. I like these products and they work well with my skin.

Step 3: Lancome Genifique Youth Activator/Youth Activating Concentrate (YAC) (Serum)

This is one of the most hyped up skin care product when it was first launched to the public. It is marketed as a serum that boosts the activity of genes and stimulates the production of youth proteins. I got to know about the YAC through watching RAEview's Youtube review of Lancome Genefique products. However, the person that got me interested in trying out the YAC is my grandmother. The story goes like this: I went back to Singapore for a short holiday and one day, I noticed my grandmother using this product. For those who have not met her, she has amazing skin for her age. She looks incredibly young that people often mistake her for my mum. Either she looks young or I look old but I like to think that both of us look young. :) She is also incredibly picky about the skin care products that she uses because she has very very sensitive skin. She has tried many high end skin care products to her dissatisfaction. Lancome's skin care products seem to work for her as she swears by Lancome's skin care products. With such a picky skincare matriach, I had to ask her about her thoughts on the YAC especially since it is not a product that is cheap... She said that it is a good product that improved the elasticity and texture of her skin. So I purchased a mini bottle of the YAC on Cosme-de.com and trialled it. It came with a dropper and I use about two to three drops for my entire face and décolletage (excluding the areas around my eyes). True enough, the YAC made my skin feel very supple that, sometimes, I have to resist the urge to go "Boing-Boing!" on my face. Naturally, once I ran out of the mini bottle, I went out and got the full sized product.

For those who are concerned that Genefique is more suited for people with more mature skin, I beg to differ. Lancome’s website says that Genefique is the foundation of every woman’s skincare at any age or for any skin concern. Also, Genefique targets to restore the youthful quality of our skin to make our skin, quote “cushiony soft and velvety to the touch”. I dare say that not many woman in the real world has cushiony soft and velvety to the touch kind of skin even when they are in their early twenties i.e. Me. If you do, you are blessed and I must tell you how jealous I am of people with good skin (Yes you- you know who you are). J  

Step 4: Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

After using Genefique, I use Lancome’s Visionnaire. It has a pump and I use about two pumps for my entire face. Once again, I do not use it on areas around my eyes. Lancome’s Visionnaire is marketed as an advanced skin corrector that aims to visibly correct wrinkles and pores, imperfections like signs of UV damage and acne marks. I don’t know much about how the Visionnaire works to correct wrinkles and signs of UV damage or acne marks, but I can definitely tell that the redness around my nose area has visibly lessened in terms of the redness and my pores definitely appear to be smaller than before. It has pleasant scent to it though the scent is not overwhelming and it does not linger after you put it on. A little makeup tip I have is to use the Visionnaire before applying your makeup. It makes your foundation application so much easier and it helps to make my skin look amazing afterwards!

Step 5: Clinique All About Eyes (Eye Cream)

I use Clinique All About Eyes for areas around my eyes. It has a cream-gel like consistency and it is very moisturizing. Since the skin around eye areas is thinner, it requires more hydration and moisture. I use my ring finger to dab some of the eye cream and lightly dot it around the areas around my eyes before using a light dabbing motion to work the product into my skin. It is marketed to reduce puffs and circles but since I do not have problems with puffs and circles, I cannot say it works to reduce puffs and circles. However, it will definitely not treat wrinkles and fine lines FOR SURE!

Step 6: Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer Normalizing Moisturizing Care (Moisturizer)

For moisturizer, I use the Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizing Moisturizing Care and Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. The Biopur S.O.S moisturizer is very lightweight and it gets absorbed into my skin very easily. It leaves my face feeling hydrated and moisturized but it does not make my skin feel like I have moisturizer on it at all. It is very suitable for the warmer months or for those who live in a tropical climate. It comes in a squeeze tube which is great for sanitary reasons. However, it is not moisturizing enough for the colder months when my skin gets very dry. Hence, I use it in conjunction with the next step: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

Step 7: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

This Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is Step 3 of Clinique’s 3-step skin care and the one I use isfor combination oily to oily skin. I got the Clinque’s 3 step skin care when I was in the US for a month. I did not have my Biotherm skincare products with me and I could not find a Biotherm Counter at the stores in Milwaukee which was where I was at in the beginning. Frankly speaking, I was actually quite surprised that I liked this moisturizer since I did not like the cleanser and toner. Though it looks like a cream based moisturizer, the effect on my skin is more like a gel. It is very moisturizing but it does not make my face look or feel greasy. It comes with a pump which is great for sanitary reasons. I use it together with the Biotherm’s moisturizer in the winter. What I do is to use a pea sized amount of Biotherm’s moisturizer to go over my acne-prone areas like my T-zone and cheeks, then I go over with one or two pumps of Clinique’s moisturizer especially on my cheeks and my neck area.

One thing to note about Biotherm’s Biopur S.O.S Normalizing Skin Care series is that these products contain salicylic acid. The salicylic acid in these products is extracted from the bark of the willow plant. Since ancient times, from the days of Hippocrates, salicylic acid has been used to treat fever, ease aches and pains. It is a compound that is found in our modern day aspirin. Salicylic acid also has skin care benefits. It is key ingredient in anti-acne treatments. Note that the salicylic acid content in the Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizing Skin Care series is not very high as compared to anti-acne treatment products so it may not be suitable for those with severe acne. You should definitely consult a dermatologist before using products that have high salicylic acid content.

People who are allergic to aspirin may want to avoid products containing salicylic acid. Also, the use of products that contain salicylic acid will make you more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to the sun (i.e. hyper pigmentation like sun spots, sun burns etc) and it will cause the drying out of the skin. Though the Biopur SOS Normalizing toner does contain liquorice extract that treats hyper pigmentation, I recommend those who use the Biopur SOS Normalizing Skin Care series, and/or any products that contain salicylic acid to MOISTURIZE and use SUN SCREEN!

Step 8: Eau Thermale Avene SPF50+ Very Water Resistant Sunscreen

The Eau Thermale Avene SPF50+ Very Water Resistant Sunscreen is marketed to have broad UVB and UVA protection. It is  also marketed to be hypoallergenic and the one I use is for normal to combination sensitive skin. It comes with a pump, which I like for sanitary reasons. You can tell I like product designs that help to keep things sanitary! Anyway, I digress. Though it appears to be white, it does not leave a white overcast on my face once I blend it out thoroughly. It is lightweight and not greasy. It does not affect the application of my makeup or the overall appearance of my made-up face. Overall, it is a great product though I would not recommend using it if you are going to be under flash photography.

So there you go: Steps 1-8 of my skin care routine! Do note that what works for my skin may not work for yours and vice versa. This is my two cents worth on the products that work for me. I hope you have found this blog entry useful!

Stay tuned for more Youtube videos and blog entries!

Cheers

annsleyw :)

Youtube: My Skincare Routine for Sensitive Combination/ Acne- Prone Skin

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is well. Perth is experiencing crazy weather at the moment and we have had typhoons and hail this past week. Even within the comforts of my own home, I can feel the cold from the crazy weather. Anyway, I digress. I have finally filmed, edited and uploaded my second Youtube video about my skin care routine for sensitive combination and acne-prone skin! I must say that I am still trying to get the hang of making videos and it is not easy! Considering that I am not very technically adept in such areas, I am making good progress. *self encouragement- pats own back* :)

Here it is:

Sorry if I sound a tad awkward pronouncing words in this video, some of the products have very long names and I was quite tongue tied that day. My skin care routine is mainly catered to my skin type which is combination skin. I have an oily T-zone and dry areas around my cheeks. Some of the skin care products mentioned in this video may not be suitable for others (i.e. those who are allergic to alcohol and/or salicylic acid, those who do not have acne and those who have naturally dry skin). However, the skin care products that I think will be suitable for people of all skin types are Lancome Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate, Lancome Visionnaire, Clinique's All About Eyes, Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and Eau Thermal Avene Very Water Resistant SPF 50 Sunscreen.

Products mentioned in this video are:
Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer: Normalizing Cleansing Mousse (Cleanser)
Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer: Normalizing Exfoliating Lotion (Toner)
Lancome Genefique Youth Activator/Youth Activating Concentrate
Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector
Clinique All About Eyes (Eye Cream)
Biotherm Biopur S.O.S Normalizer: Normalising Moisturizing Care (Moisturizer)
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Eau Thermale Avene Very Water Resistant SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Products that I have used in this video are:

Face:
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector in Medium
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
Silky Girl Brow Pencil in Soft Black
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Coastal Scents 10 Blush Palette
Models Prefer Glitz and Glamour (Highlighter)
MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch
MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe
MAC Eyeshadow in Shroom
Dollywink Liquid Eyeliner (Black)
Silky Girl Pencil Eyeliner (Brown)
Faceshop FaceIt Extreme Rouge Gloss  (PK102)

Nails:
Essie Protein Base Coat
Essie Mint Candy Apple
Wet n Wild Fast Dry

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this video are purchased by me with my own money and this is not a sponsored video.

Stay tuned for more Youtube videos and blog posts!

Cheers
annsleyw :)