REVIEW: DRX Clinic Milia Removal

~AG~

Before

After bearing with obvious milia that appeared under my eyes a year ago, I decided to toughen up and undergo milia removal. During my previous appointment with Dr. Tsu, he recommended electrocautery to safely removal the milia. The first question I asked was whether it was painful. He then responded that the pain is minimal but also informed me about the procedure. Firstly, he said even with electrocautery, the milia might re-appear. Secondly, he said there are risks of infection because the skin is being cut. Thirdly, he said they might be scars after the procedure. Lastly, he mentioned that there will be some downtime as there will be scabs on the electrocautery area.

Also referred to as thermal cautery, electrocautery is a safe procedure in which a direct current is passed through a resistant metal wire electrode that generates heat. The heated electrode is then applied to the skin tissue to achieve varying degrees of skin tissue ablation, thereby removing the oil seed son the skin. With merely a week’s downtime, the process is fast, safe and painless, and with our doctors personally administering the treatment, you‘re sure to be in good hands.  http://www.drx-group.com/drx-problem/drx-clinic/

Electrocautery process:

1.Facial cleansing by the therapist

2. She then applied numbing cream, and put saran wrap over the applied area

3. Waited for an hour for the numbing cream to work its effects

4. Therapist wiped off numbing cream 

5. Zapping of milia by Dr. Tsu

On areas where numbing cream was applied, there were only a slight sensation. Those areas that were not graced with numbing cream, it was painful! Especially when he was removing the milia on my under eye area, I started tearing up. On a pain scale of 0-10, 10 being the worst pain of my life, the electrocautery process was a 7. I will definitely hesitate from undergoing electrocautery again.

I have low pain tolerance! It was more painful than an ant's bite. It was like a burning pain. You could smell the burnt effects. It took Dr.Tsu about 30 minutes for my forehead and under eyes area.

At the end of the procedure, he showed me a mirror so that I can check on myself and inform him if he had missed any milia. After seeing the mirror, I was shock to see the aftereffects of electrocautery. My skin was red and there were "donut holes" where the zapping were done.

6. Dr. Tsu generously applied antibiotic onto those effected areas. He mentioned that I should come for a follow-up in six weeks, during that visit, he will examine and remove any recurring milia.

After the procedure, my skin was significantly red and there were "donut holes" on my effected areas. After about two hours, the redness subsided and the donut holes became scabs. The areas where the electrocautery were performed were tender, I had to be extra gentle when washing my face. There was a stinging sensation when I washed my face, similar sensation as to when you are cleaning a wound.

Yes, there is definitely downtime. The day after, my forehead looked as though it has been attacked with numerous mosquito bites. It does make me self-conscious. It looks scary so I try not to focus on in when I look at the mirror. With that being said, I did go to work the day after. Dr. Tsu mentioned that it will take 2-3 days for the scab to fall off.  

It has been six days since the electrocautery procedure. The scabs on my forehead has fallen off and there are little to no scarring. However, there are still some scabs on my under eyes. Though, it is not as red anymore.

REVIEW: Shiseido Professional Fuente Forte Scalp Care Shampoo

250 ml of shampoo

~AG~

This has been my everyday shampoo for over two months now, about halfway through with it.

According to Shiseido Professional website, Fuente Forte Scalp Care Shampoo eliminates sebum and impurities that cause scalp problems, keeping the hair and the scalp clean without stripping away the precious moisture. Shiseido’s original Barrier Care Technology alleviates scalp problems and promotes a healthy scalp environment for growing beautiful hair

So what are my thought of Shiseido Professional Fuente Forte Scalp Care Shampoo?
The Shiseido Fuente Forte line is recommended for:
- Scalp problems such as roughness, dandruff and itchiness
- Those who are concerned about oiliness and odor of the scalp
- Those who are concerned about the scalp’s lack of resilience and moisture due to aging 

This shampoo does not foam up as much, even though I use a 50-cent sized amount for my shoulder-length hair. It does contain sodium laureth sulfate, so I am not sure why it does not foam up?
Even though it is a scalp shampoo, my hair does not feel dry after using it. It is suitable for everyday use. The shampoo smells good. Shiseido mentions that it has a deep healing fragrance, which a combination of green herbal scent of clean forest air and a fresh floral note. I definitely agree with that! Regarding whether it helps control my oily scalp, I do not notice any difference. I still have to wash my hair on the second day, if not it will be unbearably oily and itchy. Honestly, I do find that my scalp smells bad at the end of the day. My boyfriend can attest to it. Hehe ;p With the daily use of Shiseido Fuente Forte Scalp Care shampoo, there was no change with the scalp odor. 

I would not re-purchase this shampoo as it is not significantly effective for scalp issues. Though it has a nice scent and does not dry out my hair, the shampoo did not live up to its product's claims. Plus it was pricey at S$28.
Sorry Shiseido, a No to recommending this scalp shampoo. I really wanted to like this shampoo :(
http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2015/09/new-buy-shiseido-professional-fuente.html

REVIEW: Tony Moly Ferment Snail Lip Treatment Stick SPF 13

Bought in Korea, I cannot remember the price

Comes in a handy packaging that fits easily into your bag

A colorless lip treatment stick

~MG~

Q: What did you buy it?

A: I have always wanted to try a product that has snail essence, because I have never tried it before. The word "lip ferment" attracted me to the product, because I figured it would have a stronger moisturising formula. Another reason why I chose this lip treatment is because it has sun protection. I LOVE trying out lip balms!

Q: How long did you use it?

A: For about two months, not everyday.

Q: What can you say about Tony Moly Snail Lip Treatment?

A:  It is the WORST lip balm that I have ever tried! But, this lip treatment does have its plus such as being very moisturising. The negative thing about this lip treatment was the scent of the SPF was very overwhelming. It was too much for my liking. Fresh Lip Treatment also has SPF but it is not overpowering. When I apply Tony Moly Snail Lip Treatment, I can "taste" the SPF-ness. I stopped using this product because of these two reasons. 

Q: Would you recommend this to any of your friends?

A: I would not recommend this Tony Moly Ferment Snail Lip Treatment. It is not worth it. If even this lip treatment is priced at only $2, I would tell my friends not to buy it. 
My #1 lip balm with SPF is Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15, though some people are not a fan of it because of it not sweet-smelling scent. If you want a lip balm with SPF, I would recommend Fresh Lip Treatment SPF 15 or Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15. 

5 Skincare Products I Regret Buying

~AG~

A compilation of products that I purchased over the years. Skincare products that did not live up to my expectations. They either did not work for my skin or cause my skin to be worst. Read all about it below.

1) Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes Vitamin C Peel Concentrate 
--> This product has since been discontinued. But this peel concentrate from Ole Henriksen was the worst! It did not help reduce my dark circles, nor did it help with my millia. It aggravated the millia that were under my eyes. 

2)  Ren ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser  
--> This clay cleanser from REN did not work for my sensitive combination skin. Moreover, it seemed to trigger my skin to breakout more. The texture is baffling as well. It does not foam up, the texture is more like a moisturizer. Your skin does not feel clean after use. It left a residue on my skin after use. 

3) Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence
--> This treatment essence from Missha was supposed to be a dupe of SK-II treatment essence. But it was so TERRIBLE! My skin had a severe adverse reaction to it. Many white bumps appeared on my cheeks area. *thumbs down*

4) Kiehl's Centella Recovery Skin Salve
--> Another product that is supposed to work on sensitive skin.  But this Kiehl's skin salve was HORRIBLE! It made my skin red, and it caused a stinging sensation. My sister who also has sensitive skin, had the same adverse reaction. 

5) The Face Shop Volcanic Clay Black Head Heating Gel Mask
--> This heating gel mask from The Face Shop does nothing for my blackheads. When applied to the skin, this clay mask heats up to supposedly melt blackheads. But it did not remove my blackheads at all! The blackheads on my nose remained the same with the use of this clay mask. What a waste of time.

 

SPONSORED: C-Curl+ Mucota Omega Therapy @ Focus Hairdressing

My hair was way too long

 Before: See how frizzy and wavy my hair was

~AG~ 
After neglecting my hair for quite a while, I decided it was time to give my hair a well-deserved makeover. With naturally unruly and wavy hair, I wanted to straighten my hair but also perm the ends. Based on the recommendation from Agent G (Beauty Undercover), I headed to Focus Hairdressing, which is located near the Somerset area. The salon is quite hidden away; it is located behind Orchard Point. I won't have expected to see a salon there. The salon is rather spacious. Due to the floor plan, it has an elongated sitting area. I like that the chairs are not too closed to each other. The large mirror in front of the seating area also allows you to fully see what is going on.  


The hairstylist, Yahnie, has 8 years of experience in the industry. So I felt reassured that she would be doing my hair. She accessed my hair and said that my hair is quite "stubborn". Due to this, she did not recommend volume rebonding. Instead, she recommended Mucota Omega Therapy for the top part of my hair and C-Curls for the ends. She also suggested that I cut some inches off so that the C-curls would be more obvious. I was more than happy to chop off my hair, since the ends have been quite dry.

Mucota Omega Therapy is rebonding treatment but it also includes moisturizing treatments during the process. Focus Hairdressing offers three types of Mucota treatments: 1) Mucota Rebonding, 2) Mucota Dyna Argan Oil Straightening, and 3) Mucota Omega Therapy. For my hair type and desired hair look, the Mucota Omega Therapy was recommended. This is the most advanced hair treatment from Mucota - it has the strongest formula for dry and damaged hair. 

Here is the treatment process:

STEP 1: Shampoo hair
Yahnie assessed my natural hair before proceeding to hair washing. This process was nothing memorable. Just a regular washing of the hair

STEP 2: Hair cut
Yahnie cut quite a few inches off. She gave my hair a U-shape so that the C-curls would be more prominent. My hair is shoulder-length now. 

STEP 3: Applied CS+1 treatment 

This is a pre-treatment applied all over my hair. The first of many treatments during this process.

STEP 4: Straightening Cream
Yahnie applied the straightening cream section by section. What this cream does is it de-bonds your natural hair structure, so that it will be ready for “restructuring”. It was supposed to be left on for 20-30 minutes, but my stubborn hair decided it would not budge. So Yahnie had to apply more de-bonding cream to those problematic areas. I am glad that she paid attention to the nature of my hair, and noticed that my hair required more straightening cream. At the end, this whole process took almost an hour. The straightening cream does have the usual chemical smell. But it was not too overwhelming.

 

She placed the aluminium foils to protect my exposed skin such as ears and neck

STEP 5: Rinse the hair  

 

STEP 6: Spray on CS+2 treatment
This is another nourishing treatment for the hair. This spray treatment did not have any scent.

STEP 7: Blow-dry hair
Yahnie used a round brush to blow dry my hair. She was gentle and took time to dry my hair completely. 

STEP 8: Straightening
Yahnie straighten my hair section by section. The flat iron was set at around 200 degrees Celsius. I was glad to hear this, because this temperature is not harmfully hot for my hair.  Because of her skills and techniques, Yahnie was able to straighten my thick and wavy hair, to make it look silky straight. 

STEP 9: Digital perm the ends
She used rollers to curl the ends of my hair. Then it was set for about 25 minutes. She carefully rolled the ends of my hair.  The rollers she used was the medium-sized ones to create nice C-curls. She then used the flat iron to curl my bangs.  I was watching her meticulous skills, and was impressed by it. * thumbs up *

 Setting of the C-Curls

Curling of my bangs to give more shape

STEP 10: Apply the cream and liquid neutralizers
The neutralizers basically counteract the effects of the straightening cream, thus to set the hairstyle. Yahnie applied neutralizer cream to the top of my hair. Then sprayed on liquid neutralizer to the ends of my hair, where the c-curls are. Two different types of neutralizers were used. The cream is more effective for stubborn sections. The liquid neutralizer is for areas that do not require such a strong effect. Yahnie allowed the neutralizers to work on my hair for about 10 minutes. 

 Yahnie applying the cream neutralizer

Yahnie spraying the liquid neutralizer

STEP 11: Rinse off the neutralizers

STEP 12: Apply treatment at the sink. 
After rinsing my hair, a last treatment was applied. It was left on for 2-3 minutes. This treatment had a peachy scent.

STEP 13: Blow dry and hairstyling
During this part, Yahnie taught me the proper way to dry my hair. She imparted her know-hows to best style my fringe and c-curls. To create a more voluminous look, she told me that I should blow dry my fringe with a round brush. 

The whole rebonding and treatment process took more than 4 hours. Yes, it was a long time but it was SO worth it! Do note that my natural hair is very unruly, and rather dense, thus the longer than expected treatment time. My hair feels SO soft and shiny afterwards. My hair is rarely this hair commercial-worthy before. My sister, MG, who is usually unimpressed by my hair, said my new hair-do looks nice. I like the c-curls that Yahnie created for me. It makes my hair looks less boring than the usual pin-straight rebonded hair. The curls are so pretty, not too tight and not too loose. Somehow, my whole image looks more polished now. The shoulder-length hair also makes me look fresher. Yahnie mentioned that the treatment should last a minimum of 3-4 months. Another thing that I like about Mucota Omega Therapy, after the treatment, my hair did not smell like awful chemical. There was one time after I did soft rebonding, a guy friend commented that my hair smelled like chlorine from swimming pool. It made me self-conscious afterwards. With Mucota Omega Therapy, the people around me did not mention of the chemical smell. Yay! 

The curled bangs add more volume

 

After: Soft, shiny hair

 Cannot resist touching my silky hair

I would definitely recommend C-Curls and Mucota Omega Therapy at Focus Hairdressing. The price is affordable at $288 for any hair length. Yahnie such a great job with my hair! I <3 my soft and silky hair. Plus, it takes me a shorter time to get ready in the morning. 

For the month of November, Beauty Undercover has a promo code for Focus Hairdressing. 20% off for hair services (except haircut) if you go for hair services with a friend. Quote Beauty Undercover to enjoy that promotion. Click link for more details. Beauty Undercover: Focus Hairdressing Promo Code

Q&A: innisfree Eco Safety Aqua Perfect Sun Gel SPF 50 PA+++

 With sunflower and pure Jeju green tea extract

 5-free: Free of mineral oil, animal ingredients, synthetic fragrance, tar color and talc

~MG~
Q: Why did you chose this sunscreen?
A: Because it has a high SPF (SPF 50 at least) and it is water-based. 

Q: What are your thoughts on this product?
A: I do not like it because the texture is too thick. I prefer my sunscreen to be in a "watery" form. Even though innisfree eco safety aqua gel is water-based, it has a cream texture.

Q: Is there anything you like about this sunscreen?
A: insider eco safety aqua gel does provide sun protection but I would not want to use it again. 

Q: Does this sunscreen feel sticky?
A: It feels a little sticky. The sunscreen takes a while to be fully absorbed into my skin.

Q: Did this sunscreen break out your acne-combination skin? 
A: No, it did not cause me to pop up with new pimples. 

Q: Who might the sunscreen be more suitable for? 
A: It might work better for those that have dry skin or if you live in cold climate. This sunscreen is quite moisturising. Sometimes I skip my moisturiser, and just put on this sunscreen, and my skin feels  okay. 

Q: Any last comments?
A: This sunscreen is not worth to buy. I rather use Hada Labo Sunscreen, which has a better texture. 

S$20.31 for 50 ml worth of product

REVIEW: CLIO Gelpresso Melting Lipstick

Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick in Somewhat (No.1) 

~AG~

Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick cost KRW 18,000 (S$22). It is quite pricy for a Korean lip product, compared to brands such as innisfree and Etude House. But being a big fan of Clio Virgin Tinted Lip Kiss, I decided to pick another lip product from Clio during my trip to Korea. This creamy lipstick glides easily on the lips. When I tried it in store, the texture was smooth and hydrating. I chose the shade Somewhat (No.1) because I wanted an everyday lipstick. This shade looks pinkish brown, but actually it has a more peachy undertone when swatched.

The shade is too washed out for me

P.S: Please don't mind my sleepy face

Shimmery peach shade

It looks rather shimmery when swatched but now when applied

The shade looks attractive to me on packaging. But it was so wrong when I applied it on my lips. The colour was too nude for my lips. It made me look washed out. A definite no-no! The texture of the lipstick is nice, and it is moisturizing. But I picked out the wrong shade for my lip tone. Such a disappointment!

Nails Inc Spray Can Nail Polish

~AG~

So excited when I heard about this! It sounds too good to be true. Great for people like me that cannot sit still and wait for their nails to dry. A shame that it is not readily available in Asia yet. For now, it is only available in the UK.  

Say hello to spray on nail polish - the world's fastest manicure!  Perfectly polished nails are only a spray away! Get ready with a base coat, spray over the nail area and then wash your hands to reveal a show stopping manicure. Paint can has been designed for those time-poor nail fans who are on the go; simply spray onto the fingertips and the polish adheres to the basecoat. To remove the excess polish, quickly wash away from the skin with water or cleansing wipes. And viola, perfectly applied polish in a heartbeat. Apply topcoat for endured wear and a glassy finish.

Nails Inc Spray On Nail Polish

REVIEW: Fresh Lotus Eye Gel

Fresh Lotus Eye Gel

~AG~
This Fresh Lotus Eye Gel has been part of my skincare regimen for over a month now. NEW BUY: Fresh Lotus Eye Gel Time for me to say what I like and do not like about this eye gel. Fresh Lotus Eye Gel contains these essential ingredients:

• Lotus flower extract is packed with polyphenols, powerful antioxidants known to defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals.
• Soft orange extract and ginko biloba help reduce the appearance of puffiness and invigorate the skin.
• Antioxidant-rich grapeseed polyphenols and jojoba help to protect the skin.
• Soothing cucumber fruit extract helps to revive the appearance of tired eyes

Fresh's claim that I was most intrigued about was : "Proven to immediately brighten the eye area and to improve the appearance of under-eye bags after just four weeks." I have been plagued with dark circles since my teenage years, no matter what eye care product I used, it seems to not work.

Pump packaging with protective cap

LIKES
The plastic packaging with a protective cap makes it travel-friendly. Each pump dispense half a bean-size amount. Two pumps is sufficient for both my under eyes. Since it has a gel consistency, Fresh Lotus Eye Gel is not too rich for my under eye area. No new millia has appeared as a result of using this eye gel. A good relief :) The scent of this Lotus Eye Gel is not as strong as that of Fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream. I can only detect a slight cucumber scent.

DISLIKES
The price tag of S$69. You only get 15 ml of product , which will last you for four or five months of everyday use. If the effects of this eye gel is noticeable on my dark circles, I wouldn't have mind paying that amount. Unfortunately, this eye gel has not significantly improved the appearance of my panda eyes. When I travel overseas to dryer climate, I find this eye gel not hydrating enough. This eye gel will work best for the spring and summer seasons, but not for fall or winter seasons.   

In conclusion, I would not recommend this pricey Fresh Lotus Eye Gel, as no visible improvements were seen. 

REVIEW: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil Face, Body & Hair

~AG~

This Nuxe Multi-Puprose Dry Oil has been an beauty staple for the office. This product was actually purchase by MG but I have taken the liberty to use it as well. NEW BUY: Nuxe Multi-Purpose Dry Oil This Nuxe Dry Oil can be used for the face, body and hair. The first thing I noticed about this Nuxe Dry Oil is the scent. The scent is pleasantly floral, it reminds me of the beach somehow. I really <3 the scent! Even my boyfriend is a big fan of the scent, he can tell when I apply it on my hair.
The splash bottle packaging is made out of glass, so it is not as travel-friendly. The tip of the bottle has a stopper so the product does not overflow. It works great, and dispense just the right amount of oil.

Most often, MG and I use this dry oil as a moisturizer for our legs. Since the air conditioning in the office can be quite harsh and dry, this Nuxe oil works great to keep my legs feeling well-moisturised. It is well-absorbed by the skin, and does not leave a sticky feeling. On several occasions, I have applied this oil on my coarse and frizzy hair. Two drops of Nuxe Oil are all I need for my thick and coarse hair. Surprisingly, my hair did not feel greasy afterwards. Moreover, this Nuxe Oil made my hair felt softer and smoother. Double Yay!

I will definitely recommend this Nuxe Multi-Purpose Dry Oil. It works great for your body as well as for your hair. I have yet to try it on my face, since I have ultra sensitive combination skin. P.S: As both Watsons and Guardian regularly have discount for this product, do wait till they have a sale on this product, do not pay full price for it.
==========================================================================

~MG~

MG describes this dry oil as "light and fast-absorbing". It smells therapeutic, and reminds her of spas. The thing she likes most about Nuxe Dry Oil is the scent. It makes her feel  oh-so-relaxed.  However, she would not repurchase Nuxe Dry Oil because it is expensive. She bought it at S$32.40 (when Watsons was having a sale) for 50ml of product, original price is a hefty S$45. She does not find the oil to be as moisturizing, and prefers a more heavy-duty product. Sometimes, there is a need to reapply the product to keep her well-moisturized all day.

NEW BUY: Curel Sebum Care Foaming Wash

 

 

~AG~
 

While browsing through Guardian, I asked my sister, MG, what face wash should I try next. Since my skin is quite sensitive, I am cautious on trying new skincare products. MG suggested I try Curel Foaming Wash because it claims to "control skin sensitivity and excess sebum in 4 weeks". Plus, it is affordable. 

 

The foaming wash cleanses impurities and sebum from the pores. To prevent future acne occurrence, the foaming wash contains Antiphlogistic as an active ingredient. It also contains ceramide that strengthens the skin's natural barrier function. This self-foaming face wash dispenses dense foam to prevent harsh rubbing on sensitive skin. The content of the foaming wash is close the skin's natural PH so as to reduce possible irritation caused by over stripping of sebum. 

 

Stay tuned for my review of Curel Sebum Care Foaming Wash! Hope it works for my sensitive combination skin. *cross my fingers*

 

Full Credit to KAO Curel Singapore