Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum vs. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum is one of Drunk Elephant's best-selling product. It costs US$80 (S$109) for 30 ml of product. It is an expensive product! But it is worth having as part of your skincare regimen. 

This Vitamin C day serum contains fruit enzymes and antioxidant to combat environmental aggressors and free radicals. Active ingredients include:
-  Vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin E: firm and brighten skin 
- Chronocyclin: has antioxidant benefits for more youthful-looking skin.
- Pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract: to enzymatically dissolve dead surface skin cells
- Vitis vinifera (grape juice): antioxidant improes skin tone.
- Indian gooseberry: that helps slow signs of oxidative stress 
- Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer: delivers excellent hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

This Drunk Elephant serum is similar to award-winning Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. So below is a comparison of the two Vitamin C Serums.

Similarities
1) Both comes in 30 ml bottle 

2) Both serums contains 15% pure Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E and 0.5% feluric acid.

3) Both serums has a dark smokey scent. Though Skinceuticals has a stronger scent. 

4) Both claims to have an reservoir effect on the skin. Both can stay on skin for 72 hours and not be washed off. 

5) Both has a slightly sticky texture. 

Differences 
1) Skinceuticals comes in a brown glass packaging with a dropper. Drunk Elephant C-Firma comes in a plastic packaging with a twistable pump. This makes the Drunk Elephant a more convenient product to travel with. 

2) Skinceuticals is considerably more expensive. It costs S$230 while Drunk Elephant costs less than half at S$109. 

3) Drunk Elephant C-Firma does not cause make skin to be irritated. When I was using the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic and had used AHA scrub, my skin felt a slight stinging. 

4) Drunk Elephant C-Firma works better for my combination skin, as Skinceuticals seemed to cause some breakouts. That is why I stopped using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. 

Overall, I would highly recommend Drunk Elephant C-Firma as part of your daily skincare routine. It helps to brighten skin tone and firms the skin. If you are in your 30s like me, it is good to incorporate some anti-aging products to your skincare regimen. Thought Drunk Elephant C-Firma is not cheap, it is worth buying. Unlike Skinceuticals C E Ferulic which is even more expensive and it not suitable for my sensitive, combination skin. 

REVIEW: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

Bought this popular Skinceuticals C E Ferulic to try out. This is the first product from Skinceuticals that I have tried. Ever since falling in love with Derma-RX Max C, Vitamin C serum has become an essential part of my skincare regimen. Vitamin C helps to brighten my skintone and counteracts free radicals which causes premature aging. This Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is suppose to be one of the best Vitamin C serums in the market. It is an established product, having won 24 beauty awards.  Wow! That is a major feat.

This daytime Vitamin C serum delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin's complexion. The serum contains 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% feluric acid. Their Duke Antioxidant patent formula delivers effective and stable Vitamin C to the skin. Once absorbed, this serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. I have not heard of this claim from other serum.  

So instead of using this serum in the morning as directed, I use 2-3 drops of Skinceuticals C E Ferulic at night. Why do I not follow the directions? Because Vitamin C makes skin more susceptible to sunburn. Since I do not wash my face in the morning, only use toner and continue the rest of my skin care regimen. Thus, the serum is effectively on my skin for a longer time. 

The serum (30ml) comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. The first thing I noticed about Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is that it has a strong smoky scent. I would say it reminds me of smoky wood. Been using it daily for over three months, and there is no noticeable skin improvements. The serum does has a slight tacky feeling upon application, and it takes a while for the product to be fully absorbed into the skin. After using Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, my skin has been more sensitive to some products. So, I avoid using any facial polish or scrub that contains AHAS and BHAs. 

Overall, I would not repurchase this serum because it is too expensive and does not show significant results. It does not brighten my skin tone.  Moreover, the texture of the serum is rather sticky. Vitamin E might be detrimental for those with acne-prone skin as it can clog the pores. 

NEW BUY: Drunk Elephant Haul

~AG~
MG and I have been eyeing on Drunk Elephants product for a while. The packaging of their products is simple, and yet it is eye-catching with the colorful top. Drunk Elephants products are frequently raved online for being effective in improving skin clarity and texture. On my recent trip to the States, we decided to buy Drunk Elephant products as it is not available in Singapore. I bought two of their products: C-Firma Day Serum and C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum. While, MG chose four products: C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum, T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil and T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. Drunk Elephant's products are pricey but we have such high expectations from them.  We cannot wait to empty our current skincare products and try these Drunk Elephants purchases.

C-Firma Day Serum 
US$80 (S$109)
30 ml
Instyle 2017 Best Beauty Buys
This Vitamin C day serum contains 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% Vitamin E to brighten and firm skin. It also contains fruit enzymes and antioxidant to combat environmental aggressors and free radicals. C-Firma Day Serum is one of Drunk Elephant's best-selling products.

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Serum 
US$64 (S$88)
15 ml
This Eye Serum contains 8 peptides, 5 forms of Vitamin C and cucumber extract to brighten and firm the eye area. This product has rave reviews to combat dark circles. 

T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial 
US80 (S$109)
50 ml
-- Allure 2017 Best of Beauty Award Winners
-- Instyle 2017 Readers' Choice Beauty Awards
-- Into the Gloss Top 25 Winners 
This award-winning T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is Drunk Elephant's most famous product. It contains 25% AHA and 2% BHA to resurface skin and improve skin texture. The AHAs and BHAs in Babyfacial are a combination of Glycolic, Tartaric, Lactic, Citric and Salicylic acids. AHAs works on the skin surface while BHAs penetrate into the skin's surface to unclog pores. This product is supposedly a game changer for at-home facial as it smooth skin texture, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin clarity.

 

Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
US$40(S$55)
15ml 
This facial oil nourishes and moisturizes skin to create a more youthful glow. Rich in antioxidants, this pure Marula oil can be easily absorbed into the skin. This good-for-skin oil helps to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, redness and dryness.

T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum 
US$134 (S$182)
50 ml 
This night serum contains 12% AHA & BHA to gently lift dead skin cells and resurface skin texture. As with chemical exfoliator, this product helps to dramatically diminish fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, oiliness and visible pores. Seems like a powerful skincare product. This product can be combined with Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil for maximum effectiveness. 

Images courtesy of Drunk Elephant

NEW BUY: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic

~AG~

Bought this award-winning serum from Skinceuticals. The C E Ferulic Serum has won a total of 24 beauty awards! This is the most expensive serum I have ever bought at Euro 145.98 (S$231). This daytime Vitamin C serum delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brightens skin's complexion. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum claims to help neutralize free radicals, which accelerates skin aging, induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation and ozone pollution. This serum is suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin types. 

The serum contains 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 0.5% feluric acid. Their Duke Antioxidant patent formula delivers effective and stable Vitamin C to the skin. The high potency combination claims to show visible anti-aging results. Once absorbed, this serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. I have not heard of this claim from other serum.  The direction recommends to use 4-5 drops in the morning on the face, neck and chest. I have been only using it for a week, so will have to use it for at least a month to give it a fair review. Stay tuned for my review of this popular Vitamin C Serum. 

REVIEW: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

 ~MG~

Ever since my university days in the US, I have been wanting to try this Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. It is one of the most best-selling serums in Sephora. However, I never bought it because of the price US$79 (S$105).

So after more than 7 years, I finally bought this serum last July in a pharmacy in Switzerland. My skin is prone to acne which will leave me with dark scars. That is why I am constantly on a hunt for the best brightening serum to combat the dark spots and uneven skin tone. This product is 0% parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, mineral oils, sodium laureate sulfate and free of animal ingredients.

The main active ingredient of this serum is a natural extract called Viniferine, which is from the grapevine sap. According to the Caudalie website, "during the olden days in the vineyards, young girls would applied grapevine sap on their skin to reduce dark spots and brighten their complexion since they are always out working in the sun. It said to be the most effective against dark spots and achieving a radiant complexion. Viniferine has been proven to be 62 times more effective compared to Vitamin C in lightening the skin.” 

REVIEW: Skin Inc. My Daily Dose Custom-Blended Serum

My limited edition Daily Dose in Serenity packaging 

~AG~

This custom-blended serum from Skin Inc. has been part of my skincare regimen for about two weeks now. My Daily Dose contains three different types of serum:

1. Vitamin A Serum for uneven skin tone and dark circles. This serum combats skin dullness and sign of tiredness around the eyes. It comes with a patented pink seaweed capsules.Pink seaweed capsules
2. Licorice Serum to calm sensitive and irritated skin and pimples. Licorice Serum contains Green Tea Extracts that calm the skin and has antioxidant properties. It comes with patented purple seaweed capsule. Purple seaweed capsules
3. Ceramide Serum solves roughness, dry and skin sensitivity. Ceramide Serum features four different types of Ceramides that strengthen the skin barrier and soothe dehydrated and sensitized skin. It comes with patented turquoise seaweed capsule. Green seaweed capsules

I was most excited to use this serum because it could solve all skincare woes. My skin is prone to pimples especially around the T-zone areas. Also, my severe dark circles have been a constant concern. On top of that, my skin is ultra sensitive and tend to react negatively to certain skin care products. According to the saleslady, the serums from Skin Inc. are water-based, and thus it is safe to use for my under eye areas.  The pure active ingredient is contained in the different colored seaweed capsules. 

So what are my thoughts on this S$169 customized serum?
From my experience, there should be more capsules included in the serum. If you look at the serum, you would think that there is plenty of capsules. However, when you use the dropper, there are times when there are no capsules in each drop. You are supposed to use 3 drops of the serum for your entire face. Often times, one out of the three drops does not contain any capsules. Then, I would have to add in another drop - using more serum that recommended. Since the capsules are the ones containing the active ingredients target skin issues. 

I would not repurchase this Skin Inc. My Daily Dose Custom-Blended Serum because different skin areas have different issues. For example, Vitamin A serum was supposed to be for dark circles but it ended up . However, because the seaweed capsules have been mixed, I cannot target the pink seaweed capsules solely for my under eyes area. The same can be said for the Licorice serum which was supposed to be only for my acne-prone areas such as forehead, nose and chin. 

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!

Q&A: Laneige White Plus Renew Original Essence

~MG~

Light plastic packaging 

Comes with a dropper applicator

Q: How much did you buy Laneige White Plus Renew Original Essence for?
A: When I bought the first bottle at Laneige's retail store, it cost me ~$78. The second bottle was purchased at Shilla Duty Free at Changi Airport for ~$58. It was a $20 price difference!

Q: Why did you decide to try this Laneige White Plus Renew Original Essence?
A: This is one of Laneige's global best-seller products. I have seen this essence win my beauty awards. I wanted a product that will help brighten my uneven skin tone, because I have quite a bit of acne scars  Korean beauty products are known for achieving clear, and fair complexion.

Q: What were your expectations of this essence?
A: My hope for this essence was to lighten my acne scars and brighten my complexion. 

Q: How long have you been using it? 
A: Started using the first bottle in February. One bottle lasts me about six months. Now I am on my second bottle. 

Q: Have you see any improvement from the continued used?
A: I think I have seen some improvement in my overall skin tone. My dark acne scars has lightened, though the difference is not very noticeable. 

Q: Does this essence work for acne or combination skin? 
A: Defnitely! It is lightweight and does not cause my skin to breakout. 

Q: Will you repurchase it?
A: Yes, it works fine for my skin. I especially like that the packaging is light, and is not made of glass. It is great for traveling! Unlike Kiehl's serum that has a glass packaging, and was too heavy to travel with. I will recommend this essence for those with uneven skin tone, and for those who want to improve their overall skin tone. The effect is gradual and not as noticeable, but it does help for acne scars. For those with more pigmented scars, I would recommend Laneige White Plus Renew Original Spot Ampoule for a stronger and targeted whitening effects. 

NEW BUY: Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream_EX, White Plus Renew Original Essence & Water Bank Mineral Skin Mist

What I actually bought

Look at the freebies!

~MG~

What meant to be a short stop to Laneige turned out to be abit more. I (really) was just planning to buy a new tub of the 'Water Bank Gel Cream_EX' since mine was almost empty. 

A few days before stepping inside the Laneige boutique store, I had been researching for a brightening serum which I want it to help with my acne scars. Just a little FYI, whenever I have acne, it will ALWAYS leave me with some beautiful scars. I read pretty good reviews about the Laneige's 'White Plus Renew Original Essence ', which is one of the brand's 3 global best sellers! I just had to get it because I can feel it calling for me! Laneige calls the product an essence but its really the same as serum.

Just when I was about to pay for the 2 items, the oh-so-thoughtful saleslady shared to me that by spending $150, I would be able to receive the cute blue beauty pouch with the 4 generous samples. The samples consisted of 2 global best sellers, 'Water Sleeping Pack_EX' and 'Water Bank Water essence_EX'; and the 'Time Freeze Intensive Cream' and 'Time Freeze Eye Serum'.

So... I decided to get the mini 'Water Bank Mineral Mist' which is perfect for travelling because its mini and its plastic. AG just bought the full size of the mist in Shilla Duty Free Shop at Changi Airport, and I tried spritzing it and it's pretty good!

Anyway, I can't wait to try out the essence! I think I might just start using it tonight! 
I will be back to write the reviews of the products that I purchased! 

p.s.: For those who are planning to buy Laneige's products, may I suggest to just shop in their boutique stores and not at their booths in the department stores because from my experiences, the salesladies in their boutiques are far more helpful and generous in giving out the lovely samples!

Results of 7 Days Challenge: Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate

~AG~

SORRY for taking so long to get back to you all. I was busy travelling in and out of the country. On my previous post, I said that I will report back on December 9, 2014 about the results of my 7 days Lancome Advanced Genefique Activating Concentrate challenge. Lancome Advanced Genefique 7 Days Challenge

At the start of the challenge my skin was rather problematic. The skin area around my cheeks and chins were dry, and my nose were popping with little red pimples. I wanted to test out whether Lancome Advanced Genefique will help "calm" down my skin. 

I applied Lancome Advanced Genefique twice a day, as the first step after facial cleansing. I did not use any other skin serum, only applied Laneige Water Bank Essence on top as a moisturiser.

Three or four days after the use of Lancome Advanced Genefique, I felt a difference in my skin texture. My skin did not felt as rough and my dry patches were gone. Even my boyfriend, who often takes notice on my skin condition, commented that my skin texture has improved. If he mentioned it, it must be true! My boyfriend has a keen eye regarding my appearance. However, Advanced Genefique does not help reduce the little red pimples I had on my nose. Overall, Advanced Genefique has helped improve my skin texture in terms of hydration and clarity. My skin looks healthier and definitely feels softer. Also, my ultra sensitive skin did not have any adverse reaction to the concentrate. 

Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate has become my new must-have, especially when I am traveling to a country with a different climate. I noticed that when I used Advanced Genefique in China's winter weather, my skin does not feel as tight and will not have dry patches. Double Yay!

Some pictures of my bare skin on December 11, 2014. As you can see, the skin around my cheeks area looks and feels smoother. My skin looks luminous. 

I will definitely recommend Advanced Genefique to you, reader. It has become a must-have item in my skin care regimen. 

7 Days Challenge: Lancome Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate

~AG~

Please do not mind my au natural face. My skin was dry after my trip to China. The weather in China was windy and rather cold. As a result, my cheeks and chin area felt dry. Furthermore, I also noticed several pimples on my nose. Overall, my skin was not in a good condition. I decided to try out Lancome Advanced Genefique to see whether it will help "calm" my irritated skin. It is supposed to be a miracle serum that improves the skin condition. Lancome claims that you will notice a difference in skin condition in seven days. What a nice claim, isn't? 

 

I started the Lancome's 7 Days Advanced Genefique Challenge on Dec 3, 2014. Lancome claims that your skin will look different after seven consecutive days of use. I will use it day and night, as the first step after facial cleansing. I will not use any other serum or skin treatment. 

Previously, I had used the Lancome Genefique in the States after one of my friends recommended it to me. My friend who suffered from persistent acne said that this serum makes her skin glowing. She swore by this product and it is her HG product. 

 

However, even after I finished using the whole bottle, I did not notice any noticeable differences. I decided to try out the Advanced Genefique because it is an improved formula and my skin has changed since my time in the States. 

 

I bought this Lancome Advanced Genefique as part of a set with the Genefique Eye-Light Pearl at Singapore Changi Airport Duty Free store. 

 

I will come back on Dec 9, 2014 to report on the results of my challenge. Stay tuned!

 

See for more details 

NEW BUY: Lancome Advanced Genefique 

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. 

NEW BUY: Lancome Advanced Genefique



~AG~

Lancôme Advanced Genifique  & Genifique Yeux Light-Pearl set (S$173.60)

This set comes with a 50ml (1.69 fl. oz.) Advanced Genifique and a 20ml (0.67 fl. oz.) Genefique Yeux Light-Pearl. I purchased it last week from Shilla Duty-Free at Singapore Changi Airport. It retailed for S$173.60 (~US$138.88), which is a steal for the Genifique product line. If I had bought the products individually, it will costs me US$172 (S$215). So, I saved about S$40 (US$33) by purchasing this value set.

A few years ago, I had tried the Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate when one of my friends recommended it to me. My friend had acne-prone skin and she said that this Lancôme concentrate makes her skin glow. However, when I used it, I did not notice any significant differences on my skin. Now that Lancôme has reformulated and come up with an Advanced formula, I am game to try it again. And who knows it might work for me this time since my skin condition has changed.

I will try the Advance Genifique concentrate once I am done with my bottle of Laneige Water Bank Essence. Stay tuned!
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Lancôme Advanced Genifique (USD $104 for 50 ml/1.69 fl. oz.)

Want glowing skin in 7 days? Here’s your answer in a bottle. This innovative serum soaks into skin, targeting the 10 key signs of youth: texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, even skin tone, and clarity, with noticeable results in just 7 days. Advanced Génifique is the perfect first step after cleansing to reveal smoother, more radiant skin for all ages, ethnicities, and skin types. With an exclusive self-loading dropper, Génifique delivers the ideal dosage to bring back the light into your skin

     

•                    

Images

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•                    

Benefits

Acts on 10 key signs of youth, day and night.

Clinical Results after 8 weeks
(% of improvement noticed)

 Texture +57%
Resiliency +49%
Elasticity +50%
Firmness +49%
Sagginess +46%
Fine lines +42%
Wrinkles +46%
Radiance +52%
Clarity +47%
Even Skin Tone +42%

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Lancôme Genefique Eye Light-Pearl (USD $68)

Eye luminosity, the new visible sign of youth.

The new 360° eye contour transformation.

Lancôme introduces its 1st eye-illuminating serum, engineered with a unique rotating and massaging applicator to reach even the most inaccessible eye areas.
Experience a 360° eye contour transformation above and below the eyes for visible results.

Benefits

• More Luminous
• See Deflated Eye Bags
• Smoother
• After 4 weeks of use, results show 78% of women thought that the eye contour was visibly improved.

Technology

• First-of-its-kind 360° massaging Light-Pearl™ applicator.
• Perfectly adapts to the fragile eye area
• Offers a delicate and precise massaging action on the eye contour
  
  
  

REVIEW: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

~AG~

It has a sweet fruity scent. The foundation is very lightweight and blends easily. The shade matches my skin perfectly. It has more of a beige undertone that I find flattering for my light-medium Asian skin tone. The foundation also does not oxidize to an unflattering shade. I find that it stayed true to the colour throughout the day. The only thing bad I have to say about this foundation is the fact that it has very little coverage. On days when I need more coverage, a concealer is needed on top of the foundation. 

I've tried applying the foundation with: 1) my fingers, 2) a makeup sponge, and 3) a foundation brush.

What I have to say about each method:
Applying Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation with my fingers is the fastest and easiest way to apply it. When I first tested it, I find that it has a similar texture to that of BB cream. That is why I decided to try using my fingers to apply it. If you are in a rush and just need minimal coverage, this is the best way. 

The second method, using a makeup sponge, this is my least favourite method. Because I find that a good amount of foundation is absorbed by the sponge and goes to waste. Using a makeup sponge does give a more even coverage, but I am not willing to waste any foundation, especially if it is a more expensive one.

The third method, using a foundation brush. I usually put some foundation on the back of my hand, and then use my foundation in a criss-cross motion to pick up the product. Then I apply the foundation from the centre of my face working towards the edge. I focus on the areas around my nose and chin were I am more prone to redness and pigmentations. Usually after this, I notice that there is some criss-cross lines on my face because of the foundation brush bristles. So I usually go over with a sponge to even it out. 

Overall, I still like this foundation and will definitely recommend me to my friends, especially for those that do not like foundations that feel heavy on the skin. 

My previous quick overview of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation.
NEW BUY: Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

REVIEW: TRESemme Split End Sealing Serum

~AG~

Get style mainteance throughout your day. This revolutionary split end repair serum reduces frizz and seals in shine for a polished finish with up to 80% less split ends in just three uses.

My Essential leave-in conditioner has become emptied. So I decided to look for an alternative. Since split ends are a major problem for me, I tried to look for a serum that target that. I saw this TRESemme Split Remedy Split End Sealing Serum at Guardian. I was debating between this and a product from Pantene that claims that it helps with split end too. I finally went for this product because it was cheaper. If I am not wrong, this retails for S$15.99-$17.99. That means that this product is definitely cheaper in the States, where the brand originates.

What I can say about the product?
I've been using it for two weeks now. So here is my brief review.
The serum is a clear product that is more of gel texture than an oil-based one. 
I usually apply it to my damp hair, focusing on the ends of my hair. 
One pump, which is about a quarter size, is sufficient for my medium-length hair. 

During the first few uses, I press on the pump too forcefully which resulted in more than desired product. But I have learnt to just press on the pump gently to dispense a proper amount. 
I like the feel of the serum, it does not weigh down the hair or make it greasy. 
The serum keeps the texture of my hair less frizzy and somehow more manageable.

Another thing I like about this serum is that it does not cause acne on my forehead or back. I find that with some serum, it causes back acne or acne my forehead, since the product comes into contact with the skin and irritates it.

I tend to become fixated on my split ends when I have idle time. But recently, my split ends have become less obvious. So with the limited use of TRESemme Split End Sealing Serum, my problematic split ends have become less noticeable. Thus far, I only have good things to say about this product and will recommend it to those with severe split ends like me. 

Update: I noticed then when I do not use TRESemme Split End Sealing Serum, my split ends become more noticeable. So this product temporarily seal and "fix" my split ends. 

REVIEW: Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence

~AG~

The verdict is out for this supposed dupe of SK-II treatment essence. All I can say is that I am sorely disappointed with this product. I really had high hopes for it since there were quite a number of positive reviews.

The first day I used Missha Time Revolution, my skin had severe adverse reaction to it. Tiny red spots start appearing on my cheeks. At first I wasn’t sure it was caused by Missha Time Revolution, and I denied that it was a possible culprit. So I continued using it for two more days, and my skin became worst. My mother and boyfriend commented on the condition of my skin. The adverse effect of the product was very obvious to those around me.

As soon as I stopped using it, the red spots on my cheeks area disappeared. Thus, I can conclude that Missha Time Revolution does not work on my skin. I really wanted this product to work for me. But sadly, this product is a fail on my list.

REVIEW: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

~AG~

•  Used it for over 3 months
• Applied it as a toner with a cotton pad
• I did try applying it as treatment essence by patting it gently on the skin. But I find that using it as a toner works better - since it can help remove excess residues as well as treat the skin.
• Since the product it is expensive, I only use it at night after thoroughly washing my face.
• I started using it when my skin condition was temperamental. My skin had an uneven texture with little bumps and dry areas around the cheeks. This made my skin texture smoother and softer.
• It evened out the skin tone. My dry patches disappeared after subsequent use.
• However, I did not re-buy this product because my skin got better and did fine without it.
• Myth: That once you stop using SK-II treatment essence, your skin will deteriorate or reverse to its original state. I discovered that once my skin was stabilized (no more little bumps or dry patches), it was fine even after prolonged discontinued use.
• This product is worth the money when used as an emergency product - as a special treatment for troubled skin.
• I would recommend this product as a last option, when everything else fails. Because of how expensive it is, it is not affordable for everyday use.