REVIEW: Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish

~MG~
Black sugar scrub is known to help remove dead skin cells and blackheads, exfoliate and moisturize dry skin, which sums up my skin type. I have oily skin with blackheads but I do get dry flaky skin on my face (due to the acne cream prescribed by my dermatologist). I wanted tor try the popular Skinfood sugar scrub but after reading and watching the good reviews of the Klairs'. Reviews said that Klair's Black Sugar Facial Polish is more gentle than Skinfood Black Sugar Mask. 

Bought it from Wishtrend for US$23 (S$31). This product won the 2015 best award on Wishtrend. It is alcohol-free and silicone-free which is great for sensitive skin. It has a sugar scent which I dislike because I do not prefer sweet selling scent especially for bodycare products.

Even though the name of this product has the word ‘polish’ in it which may sounds scary but it is actually very gentle, hence the name. The sugar bits is more fine than the skinfood black sugar scrub so it is more gentle on the skin. To use this product, cleanse your face and dry it. Then you will need to mix 2-3 drops of water onto an adequate amount of the product before scrubbing with a circular motion onto your face. You will continue scrubbing it until the sugar bits melts away. Then you will wash it off with water and continue with your skincare routine.

REVIEW: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

 

~AG~

This popular exfoliating product from Kate Somerville combines scrubbing microbeads as well fruit enzymes to help clarify the skin. It claims to give a "Hollywood 2 minutes Facial". This Exfoliating Treatment contains pineapple, papaya and pumpkin enzymes to naturally exfoliate the skin, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It also contains lactic acid that also acts as an exfoliant. Other active ingredients include: 
--- Cinnamon and Rosewood that stimulate micro-circulation, 
--- Honey and Vitamin E to nourish the skin  
--- Aloe Vera to soothe the skin
--- Vitamin A that has antioxidant properties
--- Soy-Lipid to replenish skin's natural barrier function 

 Kate Somerville Exfoliating Treatment is a moss-green

Twice this amount for my whole face

THE GOOD:
Kate Somerville Exfoliating Treatment really polishes your skin, and makes your skin's surface smooth. After leaving it on for a minute, I can feel my pores tightened. Plus, it does not dry out my combination skin. My sensitive skin did not have any adverse reaction to Kate Somerville Exfoliating Treatment. Yay! The best part is that my skin feels brighter after use.

THE BAD:
This Exfoliating Treatment is VERY pricey at US$24 (S$32) for 15 ml of product. It is one of the most expensive facial scrub on the market. The microbeads may be too harsh for those with ultra sensitive skin. As an alternative, Kate Somerville offers a more gentle facial scrub, ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliation Treatment. Another thing to take note is that Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment may cause short-term skin redness after use. The redness will usually go away after about 30 minutes. There is also a slight tingling sensation during use. The scent is not particularly pleasant. The scent reminds me of a strong herbal tea. 

Kate Somerville Exfoliating Treatment is a great facial scrub as it physically polishes as well as chemically peels off the dead skin cells. However, it is a costly purchase. For those not willing to shell out that much $, there are several affordable alternatives available on the market such as my favorite Skinfood Black Sugar Mask or St. Ives Apricot Scrub. 

NEW BUY: Introducing Crème Simon Skincare

Top: Crème Simon Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub

Bottom: Crème Simon Crème Universelle sandwiched between Crème Simon Daily Defense UV Protector SPF 50 

~AG~
The Crème Simon brand has recently been popular with Singapore bloggers. I wondered what the fuss was all about. Chanced upon the Crème Simon counter at Robinsons Raffles City today, and decided to check out the texture of the products. This French brand's products are free of paraben, silicone, oil, alcohol, coloring and phenoxyethanol. That sounded promising for someone who has sensitive skin.

Love the very chic packaging design. Comes with 30 ml of product

The first product that I tried was the Crème Simon Crème Universelle which is an Oil-Free Brightening Moisturizer. This multi-purpose Crème Simon Universelle Oil-Free Brightening Moisturizer (S$68) contains Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Sodium Hyaluronate and Original Crème Simon formula. This product will be especially handy for ladies who travel frequently. The scent of this Crème Universelle is very light, unlike the strong scent of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. In addition, the texture of Crème Universelle is non-sticky and rather lightweight. This is one of Crème Simon's best-selling products. 

30 ml 

The second product I tried was Crème Simon Daily Defense UV Protector SPF 50 (S$68). Finding a good facial sunscreen is very very difficult for me. There are so many facial sunscreens on the market, but not all work for my sensitive and acne prone skin. I am extremely careful with my sunscreen choice. Firstly, this Crème Simon Daily UV Protector has an SPF of 50. *clap clap* Secondly, the texture of this Daily UV Protector is GREAT! It does not feel oily or sticky, plus it does not leave a white cast. The Daily UV Protector absorbs quickly into the skin and does not leave a residue. When I commented that $68 is expensive for only 30 ml of product. The saleslady said that this 30ml Daily UV Protector can lasts for 4-5 months, because you only need a pea-size amount for your whole face. She also claimed that this sunscreen works instantly because it combines chemical and physical UV blockers, unlike other sunscreen where you have to wait 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun. That is a major plus! 

 75 ml

The third product I chose was Crème Simon Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub (S$68). The saleslady mentioned that she used this Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub everyday, but she recommended that I only use it once a week. Since weekly exfoliation is a must for my acne-prone skin, I decided to add this product to my basket. This Crème Simon Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub basically came free because Crème Simon @ Robinsons Raffles City was having an offer. The promotion was: Buy 3 products worth $68 each, and get 1 product (worth $68) FREE. So you basically pay $204 for $272 worth of products! I think I scored a GOOD deal :D 

Not only that, but because my purchases were over $200, I received a UV Umbrella and a travel-sized kit pictured below (30 ml Micellar Water Makeup Remover, 30ml Restorative Light Night Moisturizer and 30 ml Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub). I Love love love freebies! 

Free travel-sized kit: Micellar Water Makeup Remover, Gentle Double Exfoliation Scrub and Restorative Light Night Moisturizer

I CANNOT wait to try all these Crème Simon products especially the Daily Defense UV Protector!! I hope it works for my ultra sensitive, acne-prone skin. *cross my fingers*

Based on the original Crème Simon iconic healing cream founded in 1860, this well-loved iconic remedy soothes dry skin and restores long-lasting moisturisation to face, body, hands and feet for over 8 hours.
The well-loved French remedy is popularized for its ability to:

• Plump up visible fine lines around the eyes*
• Soften and relieve chapped lips instantly
• Soothe redness and common skin irritations
• Heal acute dryness and sunburnt skin
• Regenerate dry elbows and cracked heels
• Moisturize dry cuticles

- See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/collections/creme-universelle_1/#sthash.dQb024fo.dpuf

Based on the original Crème Simon iconic healing cream founded in 1860, this well-loved iconic remedy soothes dry skin and restores long-lasting moisturisation to face, body, hands and feet for over 8 hours.
The well-loved French remedy is popularized for its ability to:

• Plump up visible fine lines around the eyes*
• Soften and relieve chapped lips instantly
• Soothe redness and common skin irritations
• Heal acute dryness and sunburnt skin
• Regenerate dry elbows and cracked heels
• Moisturize dry cuticles

- See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/collections/creme-universelle_1/#sthash.dQb024fo.dpuf

Crème Simon Signature 100% Natural Active Plant Extracts with Scientific Proven Benefits to Skin Cell Structure: - See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/benefits/#sthash.nBicu2ar.dpuf

Crème Simon Signature 100% Natural Active Plant Extracts with Scientific Proven Benefits to Skin Cell Structure: - See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/benefits/#sthash.nBicu2ar.dpu

C

NEW BUY: Skin Inc. Facial in a Flash Licorice

~AG~

Another product that I bought during the Sephora Singapore 1-Day Sale was the Skin Inc. Facial in a Flash. The actual retail price is S$39, but with the 15% discount, it became $33.15. Been wanting to try Skin Inc. best-selling serum, but due to the sensitivity of my skin, I am hesitant to try new skincare products. This value set is a great way to introduce my skin to Skin Inc's products.
This value set from Skin Inc. includes: Pure Revival Peel (5ml) , Licorice Serum (5ml), Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask (5ml).
--> Pure Revival Peel is a revolutionary non-abrasive peel that visibly but gently removes dullness and dead skin cells. It combines high-performance ingredients AC-11, Arbutin and Fullerene to revive your skin's youthful vitality.
--> Licorice Serum is especially designed for sensitive, inflamed and irritated skin. This Licorice Serum also suitable for those that have acne or pimples.
--> Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask is a triple-treat mask containing nutrient-rich Okinawa deepsea water, Soybean extracts and Hyaluronic Acid for a luxurious daily treatment for your skin.

I cannot wait to try these products, especially the Licorice Serum. Stay tuned for my review on Skin Inc. products!

The Beauty Department: At Home Facial Series

~AG~

I am a big fan of The Beauty Department. Their website is always full of creative makeup and skincare tips. Yesterday while browsing through their website, I stumble upon their At Home Facial Series. Please click link for more details. The Beauty Department: At Home Facial Series 

The tip is to pair a mud mask with a facial scrub. I never heard of this before, and was instantly impressed by this tip. The mud mask and scrub combination amps up the exfoliating effects of each product. The scrub breaks down the mud mask and removes dead skin cells, while the mud mask clean the pores. Doesn't it sound like a great idea?

How do you combine your mud mask and scrub, you ask?
1) Apply your mud mask as usual, and wait for it to dry.
2) Once it dries, apply scrub on top and massage in circular motions.
3) Then rinse well.

The tip seems simple enough.

I am going to try it out and see whether it works for my sensitive combination skin. :)

Full Credits to The Beauty Department

Cleansing Routine

~AG~

Double Cleansing.  First, I use the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil to remove my makeup and clean my face. After thoroughly massaging the cleansing oil over my face, I rinse it with warm water. I typically only need one pump for the entire face. 

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleansing Oil

Then, I will use the Boscia Cleansing Gel. With a clean wet hands, I use one pump to foam up the cleansing gel. I will then spread the foam all over my face. I try to massage the foam onto the cheeks areas first, then I work my way onto the T-zones. 

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

Sometimes, when I feel that I have not done a good enough job cleaning my face. I will use Bioderma Sensibio H2O as a toner. I put a few drops of Bioderma on a cotton pad and use it all over my face. I tend to focus on the T-zones where I am most prone to breakouts. 

Bioderma Sensibio H20

A few years ago, I read somewhere that you should exfoliate your skin before travelling on planes. So when I remember, I will exfoliate my skin the night before a trip. I guess it preps your skin for the sudden climate changes. 

When my skin is looking dull, I use this exfoliating treatment. I use it after first thoroughly cleansing my face. I scrub my face for 30 seconds on the cheeks and T-zones area, then I leave it on for 1-2 minutes. Then I rinse off with cold water, my skin tends to be a little red afterwards. But it will subside in less than 15 minutes. When I have dry patches on my cheeks area, this exfoliating treatment helps get rid of it. It helps keep my skin feeling smooth. The chemical and physical exfoliating properties make it one of my favourite skincare cleansing products. 

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment