Korea Shopping List

~AG~

Some must-buy beauty products that are on my shopping list for my upcoming trip. 
My beauty products stock is still quite full, so I will "try" to not overbuy. Keke ;p
Mostly skincare products. I am in NEED of cleansing water since my Bioderma Sebium is on its last few drops. This time around, I would also like to try a few of the Korean skincare products that are targeted for acne skin such as Dr. Jart+ range. Only a few makeup products on my shopping list as my stock is still full of eyeshadow and blush palettes. The MUST-have item from Korea is a BB or CC Cream. Currently, I only have one skincare base/foundation that I use, so I will look for more options there. Any product recommendations from you all?

Beauty Products to Buy while in Korea:

1)Skin Food Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

2) Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water

3) Dr. Jart+ Ctrl-A Spot Out

NEW: Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush

Shimmering Lotus (Gold Pink)

                       Water Blossom (Pink Violet)      

~AG~

The newest product from Stila! How cool is this?!?

Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush is a water-based gel blush that is highly pigmented. The water-based blush claims to hydrate and cool the skin. It sounds perfect for the super hot weather we are having Singapore now. 

The blush is available in 5 shades: Water Poppy (Red), Rosewater (Pale Pink), Water Lily (Rose Pink), Water Blossom (Pink Violet) and Shimmering Lotus (Goldy Pink)

The packaging is unique! The netted pot dispenser reminds me somewhat of CC Cushion. The blush claims to deliver a single splash of color per application. It has a luminous finish which creates a healthy glow on the cheeks. The blush claims to be waterproof and long-lasting. Sounds like a great product to add to your makeup routine for the summer! At US$26, it is reasonable priced product from Stila.                     

TO BUY: VDL Expert Color Lip Cube Ex

~AG~

VDL Expert Color Lip Cube Ex SPF10. Available in 8 shades.

 

VDL Expert Color Lip Cube Ex Candy You. Available in 4 shades.

Saw this product on Get It Beauty show, and was so intrigued by it. Found out that it was a product by VDL. Since I am going to Korea soon, this would be a great addition to my makeup collection. This cube-edged lipsticks allows for precise application. It creates a dimensional lip makeup without the need for lip liner.

When the makeup artist on Get It Beauty applied this lipstick on the lady, the color was beautiful. If I am not mistaken, the makeup-artist used VDL Expert Color Lip Cube Ex Candy You in 01 I Love You. The lipstick seemed to go on smoothly. The color was pigmented with a semi-matte finish.

I cannot wait to get my hands on it, and try the colors in VDL stores. Stay tuned for my updates on this VDL Lip Cube EX. Click link for more information on this product. http://www.vdlcosmetics.com/eng/product/detail.jsp?pid=EN38001037

DRX Clinic Journey Part 1

~AG~

My skin has been in a horrendous condition since about a month and half ago. At first, I thought my bad skin will go away on its on. But it has persisted!! 
Due to the constant travelling, my skin is suffering from breakouts in the T-zones area. Previously, I would only have to endure breakouts during the time of the month. However, pimples keeping appearing daily. Several family members and friends have commented on my breakouts, it has made me super self-conscious. 

Pimples on my T-zones

 The area between my brows have many small blind pimples.

 

Redness around the nose area with whitehead pimple on my upper lip

 
After much hesitation, I decided to consult a dermatologist. Over-the-counter acne treatments did not seemed to work for me. Clay cleanser and pimple treatments did not reduce the acne outbreak. The reason I was initially hesitant with visiting a dermatologist is due to its expensive price! The last time I spent over S$1k on Dr. Joyce Lim for over six months, and did not experience much improvements. Having paid that much for her products and patiently waiting for results, I was sorely disappointed when it did not work for my skin. Please click on the link for more details on my experience with Dr. Joyce Lim's products.  Dr. Joyce Lim Last Review 

Anyway, I decided to go to the popular DRx Clinic. There were many online reviews on the clinic, though mostly are sponsored. The reason why I decided to try this clinic out is because I had previously used their DRx clay mask and found it to be good. 

Dr. Tsu was my consulting doctor. He mentioned that my skin is suffering breakouts due to hormonal issues related to travelling. According to him, travelling takes atoll on the body and causes stress. The stress hormones exacerbate the sebaceous glands causing it to overproduce oil and clog the pores. He also advised me to reduce my intake of dairy products and sweet food. Oh my..... I am such a sweet tooth, how to resists chocolate or cakes?!?

This is the regimen he recommended for me. It is WAaaaaY more than my usual skincare routine. But I hope the money and effort will be worth it. 

Step 1: Milk Cleanser (S$45) --> to gentle cleanse sunscreen & makeup without stripping the skin surface of its natural protective lipids

Step 2: Foaming Cleanser (S$40) --> for thorough cleaning 

Step 3: Toner (S$40) --> to double clean skin 

Step 4: Comedone Formula (S$89) --> to regulate sebum production, and minimise pores

Step 5: Blemish Formula (S$85) --> to clear acne bacteria

Step 6: Max-C (S$158) --> an antioxidant to counteracts free radicals and brighten skin tone. 

Step 7: Hydrator (S$70) --> water-based moisturiser

Step 8: Acne Spot Lotion (S$30) --> antibiotic medicine for pimples

Step 9: Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30+ (S$58) --> non-oily tinted sunscreen

http://drx-group.com/derma-rx-skincare/

The entire skincare routine above takes about 30 minutes. It is definitely more time-intensive compared to my usual regimen. But I hope the products works for my skin, and that there will be no allergic reactions. Wish me luck!!!! *cross my fingers*

My follow-up appointment with Dr. Tsu is in six weeks. I hope my skin has improved by then. 

I will update you all on my skin condition. Please stay tuned for my acne war journey!

BYRDIE: Why the Clogged Pores on Your Chin Won't Go Away

On the one hand, treating acne on your chin is no different than treating acne in general. On the other, there is a certain science behind why the chin is particularly troublesome area and understanding that will make treating chin breakouts easier. Blackheads, whiteheads, congestion, or inflammation—whatever type of breakout you’re dealing, Benjamin says if it’s on your chin it’s mostly hormonal. Which is both good news and bad news. Bad news in that there’s no miracle serum you can apply that will change your hormones. Good news in that knowing the cause is crucial to finding the best solution. 

So what exactly do hormones have to do with your skin? To answer that, Benjamin first gives us a quick biology lesson. Your 28-day menstrual cycle can be broken down into three sections. During the first seven days, estrogen levels are high. On days seven to 14, estrogen begins to drop. Day 14 through day 28 is when estrogen reaches its lowest levels. Benjamin explains that breakouts are most likely to occur seven to 10 days before your period because that’s when estrogen, which helps keep your skin clear, is lowest. Also during this time, testosterone increases, leading to an increase in sebum production. Progesterone levels increase too, causing your pores to constrict. So you’ve got low levels of the skin-clearing hormone, plus excess oil and constricted pores—basically the perfect storm for an acne flare-up.

Click on link to find out what you can do to prevent chin acne
How to get rid of chin acne

Full Credits to BYRDIE

REVIEW: Revlon Precision Clear Lash Adhesive

The convenient brush for lash adhesive application

The compact packaging makes it easy to carry around for touch-up 

(which is not necessary in this case)

~AG~

This lash adhesive has been in my beauty box for over two years. I know, I know. It is waaayy past its shelf life. Because I rarely wear false lashes, this lash adhesive has only been used a handful of times. 

This affordable lash adhesive only costs me US$5 (~S$6). In the United States, you can find this lash adhesive in selected Walmart, CVS and Walgreen outlets. In Singapore, I have seen it being sold in Sasa and selected Watsons outlet. Before, I used the popular Duo lash glue, but found it inconvenient to use. I tend to over apply the Duo lash glue on the false lashes. What attracts me most to the Revlon lash adhesive is the brush application which allows for easier application of lash adhesive. According to the package, it is waterproof and latex-free. On the tube, the lash adhesive is white but it dries clear. It has a more watery consistency compared to Duo lash glue. When you apply it on the dark false lashes, it appears bluish.

I just applied a coat of the lash adhesive on the false lashes. The Revlon lash adhesive dries more quickly compared to Duo lash glue. It became tacky in less than 10 seconds. Overall, it is easier to use and less messy compared to Duo lash glue. Plus, its small packaging allows me to conveniently travel with it. 

TO BUY: Bourjois Foundation 123 Perfect CC Cream

~AG~

While on my lunch break, I stumbled upon the Bourjois section at Watsons. Since this particular Bourjois showcase had many testers on display, it was the perfect opportunity for me to explore the products. I have been a BIG fan of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation. Its light-to-medium coverage feel comfortable on my skin. Click link for my review of it. http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2014/04/review-bourjois-healthy-mix-serum.html

One of the products that I tried was the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. It is available in four shades: Ivory, Light Beige, Rose Beige and Bronze. The shade that I tried was Light Beige, which is the second lightest colour. A tip for testing foundation shade: apply the foundation on your jawline/cheek area instead of testing it on your hand to get a better colour match. It retails for S$25.90, which is comparable to that of Korean CC Creams. I was VERY VERY tempted to buy Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, because the texture was so smooth and the colour matched my skin tone perfectly.

 

THE COLOUR CORRECTION OF A FOUNDATION:

Thanks to its 3 colour correcting pigments that smooth away imperfections

. APRICOT pigments > anti-fatigue

. GREEN pigments > anti-redness

. WHITE pigments > anti-dark spots

Result: luminous complexion & flawless skin in one step.

 

According to Bourjois UK official website:

Bourjois UK official website - 123 Perfect CC Cream

91% of women agreed that:
Their complexion is perfectly evened out
Their dark spots are concealer
Their skin is left flawless

 

However, in the light that I will be going to Korea at the end of the month, I decided to hold off on this purchase. Since Korea is a land filled with abundant choices of CC Creams and CC Cushions. If I cannot find a Korean brand CC Cream or CC Cushion that matches my skin tone and is suitable for my sensitive skin, I will definitely buy Bourjois CC Cream.

Lancome Miracle Cushion

~AG~

Lancôme is following the Korean beauty trend. Foundation in a cushion form! Hoooraayyyy!
Lancôme USA official website is selling it for US$46.50. The price point is similar to that of high-end Korean brand, Hera UV Mist CC Cushion, which retails for about US$45. But Lancôme's Miracle Cushion is more expensive than Banila Co., IOPE, Laneige and innisfree. For comparison purpose, these are the more affordable CC Cushions:
Banila Co it Radiant CC Cushion - US$35
IOPE Air Cushion - US$35
Laneige BB Cushion - US$34 
innisfree Cushion - around US$20

The plus point about this product is that it comes in 11 shades! You will be able to find the shade that is most suitable for your skin tone. Whereas for Korean brands, only two or three shades of CC Cushion are available. Sometimes, the shade offered by the Korean brands are too light for medium to dark skin tones. The shade offered by Lancôme will definitely work better for medium to dark skin tones.

This Miracle Cushion claims to be ultra lightweight with a refreshing and cooling sensation upon application. It also claims to hydrate and brighten the skin, while leaving a nice dewy finish. This product allows you to create a buildable coverage - from sheer to moderate coverage.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this, and compare it to Korean CC Cushions.

Beautylish: All About Foaming Facial Cleansers

~AG~

This article is all about foaming facial cleanser. It is an Q&A with a skincare expert in which she explains the A,B,Cs of foaming cleansers. Resonating with my preference for sulphate-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free foaming cleanser, she mentions that these ingredients are harsh for our skin.

She also mentioned the proper cleansing method. It is essential to take time to gentle cleanse the face, including the hairlines and jawlines. Another tip from this article: over-exfoliation can also cause more harm to the skin than good. Limit exfoliation tools such as Clarisonic to a few times a week.

Click link below to read more on the proper way to wash your face with foaming cleanser.
http://www.beautylish.com/a/vzvwr/how-to-wash-your-face-with-foaming-cleanser

REVIEW: Lancome Artliner

~AG~

Lancôme Artliner

This is my FAVORITE eyeliner right now! #1 on my list!

The packaging is a very compact, great for on-the-go. You have to shake the capped eyeliner if it not inky enough. This eyeliner has a liquid eyeliner finish, since the pigment is intense. 

The eyeliner has a very fine foam tip that allows for creation of natural eye makeup look. It took a little practice for me to get used to the foam tip. Somehow you have less control compared to the usual felt tip liner. After about five tries, I was able to create the desirable eye makeup look. 

What I like about this eyeliner is that you can layer it on to create a more dramatic look. The eyeliner is safe to use on the waterline. It takes about ~7 seconds to dry, which is a bearable wait time. 

It stays on all day and does not smudge. However, on several occasions, I have noticed it flaking off when I wiped off with a tissue. Not waterproof but it is water-resistant. 

To remove it, you have to use an waterproof eye makeup remover (an oil-based makeup remover). The eyeliner clumps up when it interacts with oil-based remover. You have to be careful to wipe it in one direction to prevent it from entering the eyes. 

Expensive at US$30.50 for an eyeliner but it is WORTH it! I will re-purchase this eyeliner. This is one of the best eyeliner that I have tried. It is long-lasting and most importantly, it does not smudge to my lower eyelids.

REVIEW: Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 - Pear

~AG~

This lip balm is one of Kiehl's best-selling products. At the Little Three store in Taiwan, this lip balm was retailing for US$9.5. This lip balm claims to protect and help relieve chapped/cracked lips. With Vitamin A and E, it helps keep lips healthy. Soothing ingredients such as Squalane, Lanolin and Sweet Almond Oil coat the lips and prevent further drying.

The Pear scent of this lip balm is very distinct. The scent is fruity and sweet, and does not seemed synthetic. The lip balm comes in a squeeze plastic packaging with a twist on and off cap. However, the tip of the product is not angled for easy application. You can use the tip to apply it directly on the lips, but I find that this application to be uneven. You are supposed to squeeze the balm and use your fingers to apply it. However, using your fingers to touch the tip of the product can get unhygienic.

This lip balm has a thick Vaseline-like consistency. It also has a glossy finish. For everyday use, I prefer to use lip balm that does not have a sticky feeling. This lip balm is too glossy/shiny for my liking. It does have sun protection with SPF of 4. But that SPF is not sufficient if you are out all day in the sun. Since it is so glossy/shiny, it does not lasts long. After an hour or so, I would have to re-apply the lip balm. Not a good lip balm to carry around when travelling, because of the frequent need to re-apply.