REVIEW: July 2018 Skincare Regimen

~AG~

The skin condition tends to vary throughout the months due to lifestyle changes - time of the month, traveling, lack of sleep and etc . So, I tend to switch up my skincare products. This is my current skincare regimen. It is a mix of affordable drug store and high-end products.

1) Bioderma Hydrabio
500ml
S$41.90
This cleansing water is designed for dehydrated skin types. It has Hydrabio serum that stimulates the skin and reactivates natural hydration. I use it twice a day to gently remove sunscreen, makeup and other impurities. Since my skin has been on the drier side recently, Bioderma Hydrabio makes my skin feels comfortable. This 500 ml bottle will lasts me around 5-6 months.

2) Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam
150 ml
$37.70
This is my 3rd bottle of Avène Cleansing Foam. This cleansing foam comes with a pump for convenience. It gently cleanses sensitive skin without irritating the skin. One bottle of Cleansing Foam lasts about 4-5 months since I only use it once a day. I would switch to another cleanser after this bottle because my skin has been feeling dry.

3) Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula Rose Petal
355ml
$11.69 
This alcohol-free toner helps keep my skin in check. It contains Witch Hazel to tighten pores and control production while Aloe Vera hydrates the skin. Rose Petal contains ingredients to create a healthy complexion. After using it for over 2 months, my skin has become more balanced. Thayers Witch Hazel Hazel Aloe Vera toner is an affordable drugstore buy.

4) Skinceuticals C E Ferulic
30ml
$231 
Been using this serum for over month. I apply this serum all over my face only at night. So far, I cannot tell that Skinceuticals C E Ferulic significantly improves skin appearance or reduce fine lines or wrinkles. Would have to use it for a more extended time to verify whether there is any skin improvements.

5) Clinique All About Eyes
15ml
S$52.20
This lightweight eye cream hydrates the eye area and is supposed to help with dark circles and eye puffiness. Even though it does not diminish my dark circles, this eye cream works well and you only need a small amount. I apply it using my ring finger, twice a day. A tub of Clinique All About Eyes can lasts 3-4 months.

6) Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentrè
75ml
S$28 
This is my favorite beauty find of 2017. This is my HG moisturizer! I am on my 2nd bottle of Embryolisse Creme Cocentre. It works well to hydrate and soothe my combination skin. The texture is light and does not feel greasy. Even when I travel to dry climate countries, this Embryolisse moisturizer works well. The only downside is that this product is not sold in Singapore. So I stock up or asks those traveling to France to help me buy.

7) Derma-RX Tinted Sunscreen
50ml 
S$69
Wearing sunscreen everyday is a must! Due to my sensitive skin, I am hesitant to try new sunscreen. Sunscreen tends to be the skincare product that aggravates breakouts for me. This is probably the 3rd bottle of Derma-RX Tinted Sunscreen I have used. The new version is good and does not make my face looks greasy. With SPF 50, it provides protection against UV damages. One bottle of Derma-RX Tinted Sunscreen lasts 5-6 months with everyday use.  This is a staple of my skin care regimen.

NEW BUY: Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner & Eyelash Fix

~AG~

Watsons was having an offer - 20% off for a minimum purchase of S$38. Since my eyeliner needed to be replaced, this was the perfect time to purchase one. Do change your eyeliner every 6 months for good eye health. 

 

One of my friends recommended the Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner, so that product has been on my To-Buy List. Dolly Wink has liquid eyeliner available in Super Brown and Deep Black. Japanese eyeliners are one of the bests in the market. They are known for their fine tip brush and being long-lasting. Having tried quite a few Japanese eyeliners (K-Palette, Heroine and Kate), I am curious on how well Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner will be. I accidentally purchased the Liquid Eyeliner in Super Brown. I meant to buy the Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black but did not look carefully when selecting it. Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner usually retails for S$25.90, but with discount it is S$20.72.

Decided to purchase eyelash glue as my HG DUP Eyelash Fixer is long past its expiration date. Tried to find DUP Eyelash Fixer at Watsons but it was not available. They do sell DUP eyeliner and false eyelashes at Watsons though. Anyway, decided to try Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Hard Type ($18.90), since Dolly Wink are well-known for their false eyelashes. With the discount, I paid only S$15.12 for Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix.

Will these Japanese eyeliner and eyelash glue soon. Stay tuned for my reviews on Dolly Wink products. 

REVIEW: Travel-Size Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light

~AG~

Bought Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light to try out. It is great that it comes in a travel size version. It costs US$22 (S$30) for the travel size version. On Hourglass website, the travel size version is available in 4 shades: 

The full-sized version retails for US $46 (S$63) and is available in 6 shades. Since it takes a long time to finish using a compact powder, the travel size version is perfect for me. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder is an universal powder that recreates the most flattering light sources such as moonlight or candlelight. Each powder captures, diffused and softens surrounding light with groundbreaking Photoluminescent technology. By filtering out harsh lights, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder conceal skin imperfections, pores and wrinkles. The powder is suitable for all skin tones, and can be worn day and night.

Diffused Light is a warm pale yellow which is suitable for Asian skin tones. It conceals redness and gives skin clarity like the soft morning light.  I use the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder to set my concealer. It is a good soft powder that does not make the skin looks cakey. In terms of brightening, it does have finely milled shimmers, but the shimmers are less than that of highlighters and blushes. Overall, Hourglass Powder is a good powder to have to create a natural radiance. I would not hesitate to try the other shades available.

NEW BUY: Drunk Elephant Haul

~AG~
MG and I have been eyeing on Drunk Elephants product for a while. The packaging of their products is simple, and yet it is eye-catching with the colorful top. Drunk Elephants products are frequently raved online for being effective in improving skin clarity and texture. On my recent trip to the States, we decided to buy Drunk Elephant products as it is not available in Singapore. I bought two of their products: C-Firma Day Serum and C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum. While, MG chose four products: C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum, T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil and T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. Drunk Elephant's products are pricey but we have such high expectations from them.  We cannot wait to empty our current skincare products and try these Drunk Elephants purchases.

C-Firma Day Serum 
US$80 (S$109)
30 ml
Instyle 2017 Best Beauty Buys
This Vitamin C day serum contains 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% Vitamin E to brighten and firm skin. It also contains fruit enzymes and antioxidant to combat environmental aggressors and free radicals. C-Firma Day Serum is one of Drunk Elephant's best-selling products.

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum 
US$64 (S$88)
15 ml
This Eye Serum contains 8 peptides, 5 forms of Vitamin C and cucumber extract to brighten and firm the eye area. This product has rave reviews to combat dark circles. 

T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial 
US80 (S$109)
50 ml
-- Allure 2017 Best of Beauty Award Winners
-- Instyle 2017 Readers' Choice Beauty Awards
-- Into the Gloss Top 25 Winners 
This award-winning T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is Drunk Elephant's most famous product. It contains 25% AHA and 2% BHA to resurface skin and improve skin texture. The AHAs and BHAs in Babyfacial are a combination of Glycolic, Tartaric, Lactic, Citric and Salicylic acids. AHAs works on the skin surface while BHAs penetrate into the skin's surface to unclog pores. This product is supposedly a game changer for at-home facial as it smooth skin texture, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin clarity.

 

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
US$40(S$55)
15ml 
This facial oil nourishes and moisturizes skin to create a more youthful glow. Rich in antioxidants, this pure Marula oil can be easily absorbed into the skin. This good-for-skin oil helps to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, redness and dryness.

T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum 
US$134 (S$182)
50 ml 
This night serum contains 12% AHA & BHA to gently lift dead skin cells and resurface skin texture. As with chemical exfoliator, this product helps to dramatically diminish fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, oiliness and visible pores. Seems like a powerful skincare product. This product can be combined with Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil for maximum effectiveness. 

Images courtesy of Drunk Elephant