The Jyunka Challenge

I was invited by The Glamourous Factory to try out Jyunka, the cult brand from Japan. Jyunka is only available at some beauty salons so i was extremely excited when i was given the opportunity to try the Jyunka Challenge.   Its a pity that i didn't have the luxury to enjoy a full facial and i was worried that i will not do justice to the Jyunka challenge but my beautician Jolin assured me that i will be happy with what i see after she completes applying the 3 simple steps.   First, Jolin started off with cleansing to remove my makeup. The next step was an Epidermal Peel treatment. Oh great.....i am going to look like a red swollen pig head after this treatment. Jolin said it will only take 5 min (minimum is 3 min, max  is 5 min) for the cream to work its magic and nothing more but still i am skeptical. Jolin also highlighted to me that i will feel a wee biting sensation on my face and that is the cream doing its magic. I did feel some biting sensation but its not even uncomfortable plus my thoughts were still on the redness part *strum fingers on sides of bed*. The alarm went off after 5 minutes and she used cotton pads soaked with the epidermal lotion to neutralize the cream on my face by gently cleansing it in slow circular motion. Jolin asked me if like to have a look at my face, helluva YES! Amazingly.....no redness on my face and it felt smooth, clean and brighter.   Secondly, she proceeded to apply the Jyunka Boto Caviar which is fortified with Acacia Collagen and Sodium Hyaluronate (more powerful than HA). One of the key ingredients in Boto caviar is Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 which is an anti wrinkle substance that gives the similar effect of Botox without the use of needle. I think i am happier with this painless way.   Lastly, the Jyunka M+ fluid. The effect kicked in twenty minutes and i was in awe. My laugh lines were less visible and my skin felt taut. And this is even more bo-ing than my HA. See my before and after pictures below.   The treatment did gave me a brighter appearance but it didn't turn me a shade lighter which might mislead some after looking at the pictures. I couldn't get a very good "after" picture because the official camera man aka my hubby was enjoying his manicure session at the comfortable chair in The Glamourous Factory too.   The tautness lasted even till mid-day the next day, that's a total of 18 hours and i am still counting. I was told that the tautness can last a long 48hours.   Epidermal Peel Treatment Kit is RRP at SGD 119. This kit will stimulate the regenerative cells in your skin and you can also use it to treat those nasty blackheads. I personally love it cause it really lightened my spots on the side which really bothers me. Plus its affordable. A peel treatment done at any saloon can cost u at least a few hundred dollar each time. This peel kit should be able to let u use at least 6 times and at the comfort of your home.   Boto Caviar Serum is RRP at SGD 198 for 30ml which should lasts 7 - 8 weeks with twice daily use. With Acetyle Hexapeptide-8 being the key ingredients, you can reduce the appearance of wrinkles minus the pain from botox. And not forgetting the sodium hyaluronate which give life to our skin.   Jyunka M+ fluid is RRP at SGD 344 for 30ml which should lasts 7 - 8 weeks with twice daily use. Yes, hefty price but for a good reason. This is a few products rolled into one. It has L-ascorbic acid (vit c), lift up the face, tighten pores, lighten pigmentation and age spots. And the best part is, you can use it to reduce dark eye circles. That like a vit c, anti aging, whitening, pore tightening and dark eye circles solution - 5 products in 1. A good choice for the rush mornings.   I was jumping with joy when The Glamourous Factory announced that they will be having a special promotion for itriediwrite readers. Promotion are all valid till 31 Jan 2013. P R O M O T I O N   Intensive Facial Care (approx 75 mins) + Jyunka Challenge at a special price of $38 (RRP SGD108).   Yes SGD38 ONLY and a good chance to try the Jyunka products yourselves. Valid for first time customers only. (promo code: JC1) Purchase M+ Fluid at a special price of SGD298 (RRP SGD344) and get Jyunka Epidermal Peel Kit worth SGD119 FREE. (promo code: JC2) Purchase M+ Fluid, Jyunka Epidermal Peel, Boto Caviar Serum and Hyaluvital Cream at SGD615. (RRP SGD836) (promo code:JC3) Call and book your appointment NOW.... 21 McCallum Street #01-10, Singapore 069047 Tel: 6636 8236

Nuxe Multi Purpose Dry Oil

Travelling light has always been my top priority but i have never been able to achieve. There is always several "i surely need this" moments like 3 lipgloss, 3 mascaras, 2 blushers and 2 foundations. I even use to pack along my hair iron and dryer. *Roll eyes* As if i have the luxury to sit at the vanity table and use all of them. I am glad if i ever get to shower before dashing out of the hotel as my hubby and son are usually waiting impatiently at the hotel room door.

So i am quite excited to get the NUXE multi purpose oil in my Bellabox. You can use this on your face, body and hair!! Fab!! And it has vitamin E in it which i am a big fan right now because Vit E has anti-oxidant properties.  Its 3 essential products (face, body & hair) rolled into 1!! Yippee!! I think i can finally travel light!

 

For face, you can mix a little with your liquid foundation or you can use a tiny bit and dab it your face after finishing your foundation for that healthy glow. Please remember...TINY TINY bit. It can double up as a "night cream" should you forget yours.

For hair, you can use it to tame frizzines and its very good for dry ends. It makes the hair looks really glossy which i really like. You can also use it as a hair mask.

For body, you can use it just like your body lotion. I tested it on my arm and i couldn't find the patch where i tested it. It truly live up to its claim as a dry oil because it doesn't leave any oil slick.  You can even add a few drops to your bath water. Ohh....so pampering!

The one thing i didn't quite like is the smell of the products. Although 98.1% of the NUXE dry oil is all natural and has 6 precious oils in it but i thought the product smells a little like jasmine flower (not even one of the ingredient). But the smell faded slightly an hour after using it on my hair. Strangely, the smell didnt linger on my arms. Perhaps it has been soaked up by the skin.

3.5 out of 5 for this product. It is RRP at SGD68 for 100ml. Or you can try it by buying a copy of the Women's Weekly Dec 2012 (SGD Edition) as they are giving free 4ml NUXE dry oil sample with the magazine.

Beauty Blender or Blunder?

My son was jumping up and down screaming "New Toys New Toys" when he saw those pink "eggs" in my parcel the other day. Its new toys all right but its toy for ME ME ME!! I bought these cute babies from Beauty.com for USD 20.76 at a 20% discount (RRP 25.95).

"Beautyblender's patent-pending elliptical shape makes application foolproof by allowing you to access hard-to-reach areas with stunning ease. Its suede texture is sensual to the touch and its unique curves fit the contours of your face, leaving your make up dazzling and undetectable. Beautyblender is latex free, non-allergenic and odor free."

 

I know, you must be thinking i am mad to spend so much on a sponge (i thought so myself initially) but as always i did my research for quite a while and watched a few youtubes before i committed this act. I was thinking i dont have S$80 to spend on a luxury foundation brush but at least i can own these babies at a fraction of the price and they are PINK and odourless! I have a bag of those angled sponge from Daiso and the latex smell stayed on my face until the moment the makeup comes off. Its that baaaad!

 

To use the sponge, you first WASH them. Run it under water and u will feel it ballooning, then wash it with your regular cleanser and squeeze out excess water. Ta da, its ready to be used. You have to use this sponge damp.

Then gently pick up some foundation (cream or liquid) and start bouncing it on your face. You can use the pointed side to appply your concealer or for the sides of your nose.  Quite convenient as i dont have to switch tools for concealer. And this is quite a fool proof way of getting a flawless face because it doesnt leave your foundation streaky (if u use brush, it will sometimes).  

 

I have read reviews about how their skin looked like airbrush and natural etc but i must say personally the effect is the same as using a foundation brush. The only difference is i have to spend a little bit more time on blending when using a foundation brush.  I preferred this to the foundation brush.... yes yes yes, i have a foundation brush, alright but its not a SGD80 kind!!

 

Cleaning is simple, just wash it with the cleanser, squeeze out water and air dry.

 

3.5 out of 5 for these pinkies. It is not so convenient for travelling. I saw this at SaSa retail shop for SGD39.90 for a pair. So if u already own a SGD$80 foundation brush, then this may not be for you.

Hyaluronic Acid

I love Hyaluronic Acid (HA). In fact, if i can get my hands on any skincare products with HA in it, i will!! Why the obsession? Well, dry skin = dull and wrinkled skin and i am trying to delay the appearance of lines as far as possible.

For those who are not familiar with HA....this is one product you should really invest your time and money in. HA can deeply moisturise dry skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and its also known for its moisture boost ability to our skin because it will form a thin barrier film on the surface of our skin thus keeping our skin hydrated over a long period of time.

HA is colorless and fragrance free. It is a non greasy gel and because of its small molecules, the gel was quick to be absorbed into the skin thus plump up the skin. For people who don't like the sticky feeling of your moisturiser, this should be for you as you can barely feel the gel.

I am sure everyone owns a Habo Labo lotion...but that is just the first step. You can pamper your skin with more HA. The HA from Neogence is always on my re-stock list because you can easily get it from SaSa retail shop or SaSa online and 1 drop is all you need for your whole face. You can add more on areas which are drier when the 1st layer dries. Also love its clinical drip type dispenser which makes me feel like i am a MAD scientist with my secret concoction and of cos not to mention that contamination will be kept to the minimal. The Neogence HA is retailing at USD 25.50 for 20ml online. If you buy from SaSa retail shop, its slightly more expensive. I reckon about SGD40.  

I am currently using a HA (aka Hydra B5 Gel) from Cosmetic Skin Solutions (CSS) at USD 29.85 for 30ml thinking its the same thing as Neogence HA but just realised that this one has *Vit B5 in it. And having B5 is a bonus in my HA!! Hurray to a serum that not just hydrate but also heals at the same time. CSS ships to Singapore via USPS mail and did i mention that they also have an eye gel with HA in it!!

5 out of 5. With skin so bo-ing....it is a sin not to own a HA serum.

*Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid): A safe, effective, natural vitamin and essential nutrient for wound-healing (promotes epithelialization), treatment of damaged skin, and acne. Pantothenic acid is also referred to as an anti-stress vitamin, due to its essential role in the formation of various adrenal hormones, which allow the body to adapt to and respond effectively to various types of stress.

Olay Pro X Cleansing System

The Olay Pro X Cleansing System is not a new product, in fact it has been on the market for years. I came across it when i was reading about the Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System. Both clean with a circular motion that gently removes impurities out of our pores and remove our dead skin at the same time. Think of it as an electronic toothbrush but this one is bigger. The usual way we wash our face may not be able to purge the dirt out of our pores thus making our pores more visible with all the dirt in them.

So i went ahead and bought the Olay because of its price. I wasnt sure if it was going to work wonders and i wasnt prepare to spend a bomb so Olay was THE choice. I bought it for USD24.99 from drugstore.com as it is not available in Singapore. For Clarisonic, the basic model will cost USD119 with alot of colors to choose from. For Olay, its just white.  The Olay Pro X kit comes with a deluxe sample cleanser and 2 AA batteries.

The Olay didnt disappoint me as i can see results almost immediately. But these 2 pictures were taken 2 days apart with more visible proof. The recommended usage is twice a day but i didnt want to irritate my skin so i used it once a day. I also realised that my skincare seem to be absorbed into my skin almost instantly and especially for my Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil which always seem to leave my face shinny in the morning didnt happen the next day after i used it.

The Olay has 2 speeds but no timer so you have to watch the clock while cleansing your face for a minute. Which is more than sufficient as i have time to cleanse the whole face. First you lather your face with your cleanser, then wet the brush a little, switch it on and start rotating it on your face. You can use it in the shower as it is waterproof but personally i used it before i shower so i can have a good look in the mirror to ensure all areas are being covered. The Olay operates on 2 AA batteries which is convenient, no charging cord to hassle ourselves with.

If you are thinking of getting a manual brush, i have seem a really soft one from Shisedo retailing at SGD$35 i think. That one has good review from the internet. But plssssss..........just dont buy the BodyShop one retailing at below SGD$5. I have one of those and it hurts me like h*ll! And i thought i bought a brush from the manicure range for brushing off debris after the trimming. Its baaaaaad!! Trust me. Left a burning sensation on my face because the brush was terribly stiff.

5 out of 5 for this Olay baby. Love it to death, only wish it is available in Olay Singapore. Tsk tsk tsk...my hubby also loves it, in fact he is head over heel with it.

Primers

I was on a lookout for a good foundation but primer was THE top of the list before foundation. Why? There are alot of primers on the market - to even skin tone, to brighten skin, to make our makeup last longer etc. But a primer is also known to be filling up our pores and lines so our foundation goes on smooth, and you can actually use lesser of your foundation and have a more natural flawless look.

I already had a Laura Mercier foundation primer before i bought the Smashbox photofinish primer. Not that i am not happy with my Laura Mercier but there was a 20% discount and i am dying to try the Smashbox primer, literally dying.....*grin* Both primers have their diehard fans and i really can't make myself walk away from the Smashbox primer when i was at the Sephora 20% discount event. i bought it at SGD$52 after the discount. Well actually to justify my purchase ...there is a difference in them....kekekeke, i bought the Smashbox primer in the oil free version. See.....there is DIFFERENCE.

In case you don't already know - A primer should be applied after your moisturiser and before your foundation. I like my Laura Mercier foundation primer which has vitamin A, C and E in it. For Smashbox Photo Oil Free Finish primer, it has a blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea.  If you want a primer, buy one with added vitamins so it benefits your skin especially when you wear your foundation for a long period. The clear gel is from Smashbox and the another one is from Laura Mercier. Both are colorless once you applied to your face. Smashbox has no fragrance and Laura Mercier has kinda of sunblock smell to it but the smell simply disappeared when it dries.

I applied both primers to my half face and then followed by my Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser compact SPF 20 on both sides.   Both dried very fast and were non sticky. But the Smashbox has a really silky smooth finish, almost like when you use the Laura Mercier mineral finishing powder. The Laura Mercier (LM) primer has a sheen to it but the Smashbox (SM) is naturally matte. Some might like the sheen but personally i dont so i would use my LM powder to tame it down.

I tried my Smashbox primer yesterday for 6 hours and the makeup was still very fresh looking. For the Laura Mercier, the makeup lasted but minus the fresh looking effect.

Smashbox is retailing at SGD$65 for 30ML. Laura Mercier is retailing at SGD54 for 50ML.

5 out of 5 for the Smashbox and 4.8 out of 5 for Laura Mercier. Both are the ultimate gateway to flawless skin.

Clio Twisturn Waterproof Turnliner

The year end is coming and alot of people would already have plans for parties!! What will your make up be like?? If lining your eyes will be your choice, please read this.  This is important as the last time i tightline my eyes using eyeshadow and i turned into a raccoon 4 hours later and my hubby didn't even have the courtesy to tell me. When i confronted him, he said i am always trying new things and he thought the raccoon eyes was the latest fad. *FUME*

So the next day, i rushed off to Watsons in search of a waterproof eye liner. But the downside with Watsons is they have alot of products for you to try but the testers are always empty or dried up. The eye liners that i wanted to try were either brutally damaged or completely dried up. I knew i had to take a chance....super thin liner, gel liner, pencil liner, liquid liner etc etc. What should i pick!! I decided to take the plunge and try out CLIO - a professional No. 1 Korean eyeliner brand! Look at those kpop gals, i cannot go wrong with an eyeliner from a country when majority of their gals are spotted with lined eyes.

You have to twist the end of the liner to activate the eyeliner but don't turn it too many times as it will results in excessive liquid oozing out. I said 2 turns at first then add 1 turn each time until u see a drop on your brush. Tissue the drop off and its ready for use. Then turn once when you need to use it each time. The liner is surprisingly easy to use and it didn't "spread" on my eyelids. Some liners will "spread" and cause uneven line. It lasted a good 6 hours and it was still "fresh" when i got home. 



What i also like about this liner is that the black is not intensively black which can look very harsh on our eyes and it has a soft shimmering effect. I got mine in Urban Black No.8. There are 8 colors to choose from. I am very clumsy with liquid liners but this one,i have absolutely no complaint. If i can do it, i believe those eyeliner experts out there will do it in record time. I read some reviews that the liner dries up pretty fast but like most liquid liners, that is a common problem.

 

I also tried sprinkling some water onto my eye lids and the color didn't run but it didn't survive the shower (without washing face), the color simply disappeared after i finished washing my hair. No recommended for swimming!!

 

4 out of 5. SGD$24.90 from Watsons. This should be able to survive our unpredictable weather and the trip to the hair saloon. Don't know why they always wet my eyelids when they wash my hair.....