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.....

Tsubaki Damage Care Conditioner

Perfect outfit, perfect makeup but do u know a bad hair can ruin everything. I know because my hair is my worst enemy. It is fizzy, coarse and very very stiff - everything that a gal shouldn't have. If Rapunzel was real, i am sure she will go crazy seeing my lion mane. Here is a pic to prove my point. My hubby was laughing away cos he said i posted an untrue pic cos on some days its even worst!!


I wasn't diligently using a conditioner until i turned 20 year old because my galfrds went bonkers when they found out i wasn't using one on a regular basis. So they nagged, begged and convinced me the importance of a conditioner.  The purpose of a hair conditioner is to protect your hair against dryness. adds moisture, texturizes limpy hair and of cause adds shine. Who doesn't want silky bouncy hair, right?

I have used alot of drugstore conditioners but Tsubaki Damage Care conditioner is probably the ONE and ONLY conditioner i have already restocked 3 bottles because its affordable and it really does what it claims to be. It promises to smoothen out hair and leaves it tangle free. It is so good that you can feel the difference when your hair brushes against your neck. And i don't even need a separate serum to tame my hair or use a ionised hair dryer to smooth out my hair. It even makes me a little flirtatious cos i found myself touching and flipping my hair when i am alone sitting at the bus stop. It also smells good, almost like those they use in a saloon.

5 out 5 for this product. I think Watsons is retailing at SGD$18.90 but i bought mine from Chinatown for SGD$13.50.  This is one time and cost saving product.

Skinmiso - Pore Beauty Nose Pack

I hate my blackheads but i hate it even more when my beautician tries to remove it when i go for my facial sessions. Even after the steaming process, the blackheads doesnt seem to budge at all. The extracting process always leave me in tears...and i really meant big ones rolling down my cheeks.

Joy to my world when i was introducted to Skinmiso Pore Beauty Nose Pack in my August Bellabox. When i read about the hassle i have to go through to do a blackhead extraction, i almost wanted to give this away but i glad i didnt. You might wonder why can't i just extract it using one of those tradtional metal blackhead remover. Well...its because i always end up overdoing it and ended up with a red and peeling nose the next day. With this Skinmiso Pore Beauty Nose Pack, it makes things alot easier even though it took me 20mins + 2 mins of extraction time to complete the process but i said its worth every minute.

 

Skinmiso is a 3 steps blackhead removal programme. It sounded like alot of work but really the work is all about washing your face and placing the nose packs on your nose. So how hard is that right?? To get started, wash your face with tepid water with your regular cleanser.

 

First - Place the Step 1 nose pack on your nose and wait for 10 mins. What this mask does is to remove your blackheads but of cos its doesnt literally removes it but what it did is more like softening and loosening the blackheads. Remove mask after 10mins and exfoliate with ur blachkead extractor or just use tissue paper to push out the blackheads. I used tissue only because it is really easy to get the junk out, just give it a gentle push and POP out came the blackheads. So happy!!

Second -  Wash your nose with water and put on Step 2 mask and wait for another 10mins. This mask is to calm and tighten the pores. After 10mins remove mask and rub in the excess essence.

 

Third - Rub in the Pore Beauty Silky Essence and you are done.

 

I also noticed that my blackheads didnt come back as fast as they used to be after i use this.
 

4.5 out of 5 for this product. Although its time consuming but it didnt give me red nose effect the next day. SGD$27.90 for 10 times use.