REVIEW: My Beauty Diary Mask Q10 Rejuvenating Mask

Q10 (a.k.a Ubiquinone or Coenzyme Q), Vitamin BT (Carnitine) and Lecithin have excellent effects as anti-oxidants, reducing the harm caused by the free oxygen radicals in the air on the skin, creating firm, elastic smooth skin. With natural plant moisturizing ingredients to soothe and hydrate the skin, it not only improves the hydration in the surface skin, but also provide a lustrous texture, steering the skin to function at it’s peak. Hyaluronic acid works hand in hand Nanospheres to provide for prolonged hydration effect, rejuvenating of the skin.

~AG~

HOW DO I USE IT?

I use it once a week to pamper my skin, when my skin needs some extra hydrating care. 

After thoroughly washing my face, I put on the sheet mask. It is so convenient that I can leave it on and continue to do my usual things. Usually, I leave the face mask on for at least 30 mins. At times, I might leave it on for longer when I feel that there is still so much essence left on the mask. After I feel that my skin has absorbed as much essence, I remove the sheet mask and massage the residue.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT?

• Soaked with essence. Even after placing it on my face for more than 30 mins, there will still be essence. 
• Fits nicely on my face, except the nose area
• The face sheet mask is made of good quality material. It does not feel rough and does not tear easily. 
• It makes me skin feel moisturised and plump
• When I don't have enough sleep the night before, and I have a special occasion to attend to that day, I will use this mask prior to makeup application to brighten my dull complexion. 

WHERE TO BUY IT?

In the States, you can find it in some Ranch 99 stores. As well, as beauty stores that carry Asian beauty products (like those in the Asian towns). You can also buy it online at Sasa.com. It usually retails for USD$15. Each box comes with 10 sheet masks, so $1.50 for each sheet masks.

In South East Asia, you can find it at Watsons and Sasa.

REVIEW: Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte

Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte in 20 Naturel (USD $45)

Imparts a translucent, natural matte finish when applied over makeup in the morning or as an anytime touch-up. Ultra-fine lightweight formula with light-reflecting pigments and luxuriously soft feel creates a flattering, halo-like look.

~AG~

This is a translucent pressed powder that gives a matte finish and provides minimal coverage. Contrary to its description,  I cannot see its light-reflecting properties on my skin. I bought it together with a Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation. It comes in several shades (20-Clair, 30-Naturel, 40-core, 140-Muscade). The Chanel sales associate matched Shade 20 Naturel to my skin-tone, but the powder itself does not have much color. Since I do not use much foundation on a daily basis, this pressed powder was highly neglected. 

However, much later on, I found a use for it. Since my Benefit Erasepaste concealer would melt when I apply it under my eyes during the summer, I used this pressed powder to set it. This pressed powder does help make my concealer more melt-proof. 

The only downside to this product is that it will look too powdery if you use the powder puff that comes with it. However, when I use a large powder brush instead, it is fine. When properly applied, it would not accentuate my fine lines. 

Overall, this is a good pressed powder for setting your makeup, though it is pricy. 
I recommend Chanel pressed powder for those with oily and combination skin. And will not recommend it for those with dry skin. The Guerlain pressed powder will work better for those with dry skin. 

REVIEW: NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This smudge-proof eye shadow base uses a unique polymer and mineral powder blend to get a firm grip on color for long-lasting, gorgeous wear. Fortified with a special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract, it dries on contact and keeps the delicate eye lid smooth and ready for eye shadow application.

After 2 week test:
- 97% felt that it maximized your eye shadow color
- 93% felt that it extended the wear of your eye shadow
- 90% felt that it prevented creasing and smudging

~AG~
It comes in a twist white and black packaging. The finish of the packaging is rather rubbery. 
This eyeshadow primer comes with a sponge tip applicator. However, I don’t use the sponge tip applicator directly on my eyelids. I usually dab a small amount of primer on the back of my hands, and then use my fingers to apply the product onto my eyelids. This is because I don’t want to “dirty” the sponge tip applicator. FYI, I usually apply some concealer around the eye area before using the primer.

The eyeshadow primer absorbs quickly into the skin, and does not feel sticky.
It keeps my eye shadow in tact.  Plus, it does not make my eye shadows look “powdery”. 
I do find that it helps make my eyeliner lasts longer. My eyeliner wear with NARS eyeshadow base is 5-6 hours compared to 3-4 hours without it. It also reduces my eyeliner from smudging to my lower eyelids - which I always have an issue with. 
Compared to the Urban Decay primer potion, I prefer this. I feel it works better for my monolids. 

You can find it at Sephora stores, NARS counters at Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. For USD $24, I find it worth the price and will not hesitate to re-purcahse it. 

Arriving Soon! Urban Decay Naked 3

~AG~
Arriving soon at Urban Decay official website! The Naked 3 Palette! 
I saw some swatches of the colors on some blogs. 
The colors look so beautiful! Very flattering. 
It's more soft-toned and natural compared to the original Naked palette and Naked 2 palette.
I want to get my hands on it!

REVIEW: Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

~AG~

A sulfate-free remover and cleanser derived from amino acids to deep cleanse and throughly wash away impurities. This purifying lather gently yet thoroughly purifies, refines the look of pores, and leaves the skin feeling fresh and comfortable. Botanical amino acids, hydrangea leaf, green tea, and geranium offers natural complexion-protecting and perfecting benefits. (USD $26)

I bought this cleanser this past summer when I was in the States. Several of my friends have raved about this cleanser and how good it works on their acne-prone skin. Back in States, I did not have much issues with acne and oversensitive skin. But ever since I moved to Singapore, my skin condition has been extremely temperamental. I tried several face washes before finally settling on double cleansing my skin. Firstly using Hada Labo Cleansing Oil, and then followed by Bioderma cleansing water. 

After I finished using a bottle of Bioderma cleansing water, I realised that I missed the squeaky clean feeling of a foaming face wash. So decided to try this Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel that has been hidden in my beauty stash since this summer. 

I've only used it for two weeks. But so far, here are a few things that I like about it:

1) It does not trigger any adverse reaction for my ultra-sensitive skin

2) It leaves my combination-oily skin feeling clean without over-drying. My skin does not feel tight after use. 

I will have to use it for a longer time to see whether this product is worth buying again. Please stay tuned for an in-depth review of it. 

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel can be found in Sephora stores. Also available online at Sephora.com and Boscia.com . It retails at USD $26 for 5 oz. (150ml). 

REVIEW: Nature’s Cure Body Treatment Spray Acne

Nature’s Cure is an excellent body and back acne treatment for breakouts caused by external conditions, such as sweating and friction from tight-fitting athletic gear and clothing. Plugged pores allow bacteria growth under the skin’s surface, causing inflammation that results in back acne, or acne on the chest, shoulders, arms or other parts of the body. Salicylic acid prevents body acne formation, including tough back acne, by exfoliating dead skin cells and clearing pores. It claims to:

• Penetrates pores
• Sprays from any angle, even upside down
• Fights acne from sports and sweat
• Maximum strength 2% salicylic acid formulation

~AG~

I’ve been using this body acne treatment spray for over 3 months, twice a day, after shower. I can say that this product does not prevent back acne. My back acne is about the same as before I started using this product. I had high hopes for this product because it has one of the higher ratings for acne treatment spray.

The treatment spray is convenient in that it can be sprayed from any angle, so it can target hard-to-reach places. However, I find the 2% salicylic acid formulation is not strong enough for my severe back acne. I think I need to use another acne active ingredient. Salicylic acid is not cutting it for my back acne. I need something that will deeply penetrate the pores and prevent breakouts. Any suggestions readers?

REVIEW: Benefit Brow Zing

~AG~

I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to my eyebrows. I try to go to the salon to thread my eyebrows once a month, and in between that I occasionally tweeze any hair re-growth. Most often, I let my eyebrows grow back naturally without much tweezing. 

For my everyday makeup, I don't do much to my eyebrows. When I find my eyebrows are rather messy I use Benefit Brow Gel to keep it in place. 

For my friends who are of fair complexions, I find that they make the effort to "dress up" their brows everyday. I saw one of my friends using Benefit Brow Zing and it made her eyebrows looked very well-groomed. That got me interested in this product. But I was afraid that this eyebrow wax and powder combination would be difficult to use. Before using this Benefit eyebrow kit, I used eyebrow pencil but I find that it was difficult to create a soft and even eyebrow look. 

I bought the Medium shade which is supposedly for medium brown and red hair. Because I find the Dark shade will look too strong, and wanted a more a natural look. 

I only use Brow Zing for special occasions - when lots of pictures will be taken - because I find that my eyebrows are quite dark as it is. 

How I use it: I usually brush my eyebrows with a brow brush first and then use the angled brush provided to apply the wax. The wax keeps the eyebrows in place and makes it look neater. Then I use the powder brush to apply the eyebrow powder on areas where there needs to be shading, which is usually the front and tail of the eyebrows. 

I find Brow Zing easier to use and gives a more natural finish compared to eyebrow pencils. It is a worthy eyebrow product to buy. It is very useful, and also comes with a pair of tweezers which comes in handy when traveling. Even though it is a mini tweezer which I rarely use, it is convenient to have on-the-go. The compact and sturdy packaging makes it a good product for traveling. 

There are also similar eyebrow wax and powder combination products from NYX which is more affordable (USD$6). This one from Benefit Cosmetics retails for USD $30. 

REVIEW: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

What it is formulated to do:

This jet-black, mineral-rich mask creates a unique peel-off effect that delivers powerful detoxifying, purifying, and brightening results. Made with a premier-quality clay, its deep-cleansing properties draw out dirt and oil. Other natural ingredients go to work exfoliating skin and refining pores. Powerful antioxidants shrink pores, firm skin, and reduce inflammation. Once dried, the mask strips away dead skin, impurities and excess oil to reveal immediate and visible results.

After 4 weeks of use: 

- 91% reported their skin felt softer 

- 91% reported their skin felt less oily 

- 82% reported their skin appeared brighter

~AG~

A clay peel-off mask without all those wonderful properties that Boscia claims. However, it does not seem to work on my skin. It supposedly detoxifies skin and brighten the skin tone, but I did not see any of those effects.

Several beauty bloggers have raved about this product before so I was excited to try it. I bought this mask because I was breaking out like crazy, and wanted something to help with my clogged pores.  I tried using it once a week for over a month. I leave it on for 20-30 minutes until it completely dries, and then peel the mask off. I will then wash off any residue left with lukewarm water. 

A bad thing about this product is when I apply it around the T-zone area. When I apply the mask on my forehead and between the brows, my eyes will start to sting. It is not just a little stinging, sometimes I will tear up because of it.

I also noticed that pimples will pop up one or two days after use. Somehow it draws out the pimples. Instead of drawing out and removing the impurities, it causes me to have pimples. A big NO-NO!

I will not re-purchase this Boscia mask because I like to see instant effects for my skincare products. What I can say about it is that it does not have any positive effects on my skin condition. Plus, it also does not help with the removal of blackheads. Priced at USD $34, which I find rather pricy for a clay mask, I had expected more from it.