NEW BUY: REN Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel

 

 

 

~AG~

 

I decided to stop using the Etude House White Moistfull Eye Roll-on. I have been using that product for over two months. My eye area does not look any different on days when I have it on compared to days when I do not use it.

 

I bought this REN Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel (US$30) last June when I was in the States. The saleslady at Sephora had helped me picked out a moisturizer from REN Clean Skincare and so I asked her to also recommend an eye gel/cream from that brand. She recommended the REN Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel. I told her that I wanted some light to help with my dark circles and puffiness. I also mentioned that I did not want an eye cream that was too rich because it will trigger more milia under my eyes.

 

The packaging is convenient for travelling. It is compact and durable. The eye gel comes in a pump applicator which make is user-friendly. I find that pump applicator is the best form of packaging for skin care products because they dispense the right amount of products, and is more hygienic. My least favourite packaging for eye gel or cream will have to be the squeeze tube, I often find that excess product tends to be squeezed. Thus for pricey eye gel and cream, the squeeze tube may cause the product to go to waste.

 

The description on REN Clean Skincare website makes the eye gel seems very promising with its many active ingredients that are used to help reduce puffiness and fight off dark circles. I will have to use this eye gel for a while to give a comprehensive review on how it helps or does not not help my dark circle and puffiness. Please stay tuned!

 

According to REN Clean Skincare website,  Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel contains:

• Vitamin P from Damask Rose Water is anti-inflammatory and protects capillary network
• Flavonoids from Arnica reduce puffiness by stimulating the drainage process
• Mucilages from Fig soothe and instantly refresh the eye area
• Polysaccharides from Zostera Marina increase and maintain moisture levels
• Ginsengoside from Chinese Ginseng boosts circulation in the capillaries
• Tyrosinase Inhibitor from Wild Canadian Rumex reduces dark pigmentation and redness

 

 

REVIEW: The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

 

 

 

After application of The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

 

~AG~

While browsing through The Body Shop store, I noticed the Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask. It seemed to work as a sleeping mask. The sales assistant told me that it was similar to sleeping mask in that you do not have to rinse it off. The instruction does say to tissue off after 15 minutes, the sales assistant further clarified that this is to be done to remove excess.

The Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask comes in a single use pack, and also comes in a large tub for multiple use. I decided to opt for the single-use pack to try because my ultra sensitive combination skin might have adverse reaction to the mask. The single-use pack is a smarter investment for now at $S2.90. That way, if the mask does not suit my skin, I would not have a large tub of unusable mask laying around. The single-use pack comes in 6 ml, I find that the quantity is enough for you to use it 3-4 times instead of one time use.

The mask has a cream texture. The scent has a hint of musk but it is not too overwhelming. It is absorbed quickly into the skin . During my first try, I felt a slight stinging on my face after 2-3 minutes of application. Nevertheless, I resisted the urge to wash it off and left it on my face. The next morning, I did not notice any red bumps or patches on my skin. Even though the mask caused slight stinging upon application, it did not cause any adverse reaction. During my second and third time, the mask did not caused any stinging effects on my skin.

I had some dry patches around my cheeks area and this mask did help to hydrate those dry areas. Overall, this mask moisturizing property is low to medium. It is not super hydrating but it does help my skin that was suffering from slight dryness. It does not feel heavy on the skin, and feels more like a moisturizer.

This is an average product that I would not recommend to you readers as a must-have. Though it is not a bad product, there are better hydrating masks on the market - such as Laneige Sleeping Mask and My Beauty Diary Q10 and Collagen sheet mask. I will not purchase the bigger version of Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask.

NEW BUY: DAENG GI MEO RI Vitalizing Shampoo

~AG~

On the November issue of Simpy Her, they have a section which showcased the best shampoos, conditioner, hair masks and hair products. While looking through the products, I saw Daeng Gi Meo Ri Vitalizing Shampoo that was a more affordable alternative for anti-hair loss shampoo. The reviewer quoted said that she saw less hair fall within two months of use, and that the shampoo did not smell bad. I was right away interested in this product. Ever since I came back from the States, I have noticed that whenever I washed my hair, a bunch of hair will fall off. It was significantly more than when I was in the States. I also notice lots of hair on the floor after blow drying my hair.

A bunch of hair strands that fell while blow drying my hair lightly.  

At first, I was not too concerned about it but my hairstylist also pointed it out during my last appointment. He said that I have very little hair on the front, around my forehead area. He also mentioned that my scalp is oily, and that I needed scalp treatment to help with the hair loss. While talking about hair loss shampoo, he mentioned that most anti-hair loss shampoo are drying and should only used for a month. I shall try Daeng Gi Meo Ri Vitalizing Shampoo and let you all know whether it is drying. I hope it does not dry out my hair too bad, because I have dry ends. *cross my fingers*

Anyway, I was looking for this shampoo at various Watsons shops but could not find it. Simply Her stated that is available at Watsons, BHG and Metro. But I do not have a BHG or Metro near my house or workplace. Finally, I went to Watsons website to purchase the shampoo. It retailed for S$35 which is expensive for a drugstore shampoo. It comes with 500 ml of shampoo which should lasts 3-4 months with daily use. On Watsons website it says:

For preventing Hair loss. Contains medicinal herbal extract (33% or more)>
Fermented medicinal herbal extract in which the toxicity of herbs has been weakened by fermentation makes the scalp Healthy. An active ingredient of changpo (Acorus calamus Rhizone) water, which has been used for Hair care since old times in Korea, makes Hair beautiful and Healthy

Directions: Use daily. For oily scalp, shampoo in the morning and at night to get better effects. Shampoo twice to product better results.

I cannot wait to try it, after I am done with my KeraStraight Straight Maintain shampoo - I have about 2 more weeks.  

Benefit Cosmetics Cheeky Sweet Spot O' Blushes

~AG~

This cheek palette consists of:

• Dandelion Brightening Face Powder (Pale Pink highlighter)
• Belle Bamba 3D Brightening Pink Face Powder (Watermelon Pink)
• Sugarbomb Sugar Rush Flush Face Powder (Peach, Rose, Shimmering Pink & Soft Plum)
• Hoola Bronzing Powder
• Coralista A Rio Pleasure Face Powder (Coral)
• Rockateur Famously Provocative Cheek Powder (Rose gold)
• Watt's Up! Soft Focus Highlighter

This cheek palette retails on Sephora USA website for US$36. This is such an affordable way to try Benefit Cosmetics famous boxed powders. A full-sized Hoola Bronzing Powder costs US$28. The full-sized Watt's Up! costs US$30. If I were in the States, I will buy it online asap. I own a full-size of the Sugarbomb Face Powder and it is pretty good. Sugarbomb creates a flattering glow to my cheeks. My younger sister, MG, own a full-size Coralista Face Powder. I have tried it on several occasions and I will have to say that the powder is finely milled. Coralista is rather pigmented, and the shimmery bits are not too obvious. Benefit Cosmetics Boxed Powders are their bestsellers.

 

FYI, I tried looking for this set in Sephora Singapore but it was unavailable :(

Benefit Cosmetics, please bring this set to Singapore soon!!

NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

~AG~

I saw this on Sephora USA website. Sephora NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette

I so WANT this!! Three blushes, one highlighting shade and one bronzer all for US$65. I am a big fan of NARS blushes and bronzer, and this cheek palette is a steal. It consists of : Miss Liberty Highlighting Blush Powder, Sex Fantasy (pale pink), Deep Throat (sheer peach), Final Cut (coral) and Laguna Bronzing powder. I wish that they sell it at Sephora or NARS counter in Singapore. I will go check it out this weekend :)

REVIEW: Laneige Water Bank Essence

~AG~

I bought this over a year ago in Singapore Changi Airport duty free. However, Laneige has come up with a newer version of the Water Bank Essence. They have re-pacakaged it as well. Anyway, this is my outdated review of this popular product from Laneige. 

The thing that stood out the most regarding this essence is the fresh oceanic scent. It smells wonderful and refreshing. It comes in a pump packaging which makes it convenient for application. The older packaging comes in a glass bottle which is hazardous for travelling. So, I usually the Ren moisturiser when I am travelling. 

Normally, it takes one pump to moisturise my whole face. On occasions when I find that my skin is drier, I use two pumps of the essence. What I love about this essence is that it absorbs quickly and does not feel sticky after application. The essence has a gel moisturiser texture which is rather lightweight. Laneige Water Bank Essence is perfect for this hot and humid weather. 

With my horrible experience with Korean skincare, I was afraid that my ultra sensitive skin was going to have an adverse reaction to Laneige Water Bank Essence. Thankfully, after more than two months of using it, my skin has not had any bumps or red patches. It also does not cause my skin to breakout, and does not clog my pores. Double Yay!!

Since this is a review of the older version of the Laneige Water Bank Essence, which you cannot find in the market anymore. I will have to review the newer version of the Water Bank Essence. I hope the newer version is just as good or even better than the older Water Bank Essence. Please stay tuned! I am  about halfway done with this bottle. 

October Favorites

Lancome Artliner

SunPlay Skin Aqua UV Silky Smooth Milk SPF 50 PA+++ 

CLIO Professional Virgin Tinted Lip Kiss