Review: Biotherm Skin.Ergetic Concentrate

Hello! Today I'm back with a review on Biotherm's Skin.Ergetic Concentrate. Yes I know that this product was out last year and I've been trying it since January this year. I prefer to give a suitable amount of time before reviewing products as the effects may take time to come through or on the flipside, see negative impacts after some time too.

When I was shopping for a serum, my final 2 choices were between this product and Lancome's Genifique. Due to the latter's high alcohol content, Biotherm's gimmick of the broccoli extract won me over! Since none of my friends around me have tried this product, I read several reviews and decided that I should just go for it... afterall I was looking really tired and this serum as meant to "to fight the most visible sign of fatigue". Yes marketing sells sometimes...

The other selling point of this product was the target group - for a younger crowd - who notices their first sign of aging! It claims to reverse the aging signs to boost radiance and smoother features. This selling point was backed with the product's 99% of Natural Origin ingredients, paraben-free, mineral-oil free, synthetic colorant-free and most importantly, suitable for sensitive skin. It has ingredients such as Broccoli (sulforaphane), Apple (botanical cell), Soy (protein), lemon (AHA), Sugar Cane (AHA) etc.

The packaging was gimmicky with a "mix your own serum" which makes you feel that the product is truly amazing or 'fresh'. It claims to have a lifespan of approximately 3 good months before the miracle of the powder which you inject into the bottle runs out.

In essence, they give you a sachet of powder which Biotherm claims to contact broccoli extract and you are meant to use the other they gave to inject the powder into bottle, shake it well, before you start using with the dropper. A 1.5cm diameter amount is sufficient for each use. This website gives a clear step-by-step process of injecting the powder.

In terms of the serum, it is white, smooth and has a slight tinge of veggie-fruity-like fragrance which is calming to some but not for anti-veggimites. It applies well with a slightly thicker consistent texture (some say a little slimy) and is quickly absorbed into my skin but the smell stays on the skin for some time. The serum does not leave a sticky or oily layer which works well if you are applying your moisturizer after that.

Unfortunately for me, this product did not work for my sensitive skin. I wanted so much to believe in it but my face kept breaking out with red irritation and lumps of acne that doesn't seem to be extractable after using this serum. I'm still stuck with some of this bumps. I gave it a couple of tries, stopping in between each breakout but this product simply did not work for me. Besides the irritation, my face did not improve in radiance nor was sufficiently providing moisturizer (to my horror, many commented on my dry facial skin only after I started on this product. This made me wonder about the real ingredients of this product.)

So all in all, this is no go for me and I certainly would not be recommending it to anyone at all. Harsh but no I won't want to risk it again especially every time I see the unextractable bumps... sobs. Do note that I have nothing against Biotherm, in fact i've been using their Aquasource moisturizer for a long long time, amidst all the product changes that it has gone through. Still, as mentioned that much as I wanted this product to work, it failed me. No bias-ness.

Nail Designs

Love exploring new ways of painting my nails! 

My first attempt using nail glue!

Newspaper nails! Heart this.

The 2nd nail picture is a simple newspaper nails! looks chic and very easy to achieve! Just paint as usual, using a light base color. Swipe your newspaper in alcohol and place on your nail for 5-7 seconds. Paint a glitter top coat or normal top coat. You're done!

Reivew: Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Review

Hello sweeties! I'm back today with Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX Review! Despite Singapore being a hot and humid tropical country, I find my facial skin dehydrated. This is likely caused by my long hours in an air-conditioned room (office + sleeping time) and the make-up I slap on my face each morning. So I went in search for a hydrating solution, tried a couple of brands and viola! This finally worked!


DollyPalette's quick review summary: Recommended to buy, good for hassle-free hydration especially for dry skin type and those living in wintery or cool conditions. Appear to suit sensitive skin. Like the fact that there's no alcohol content in the formula. If you must just have one overnight leave-on mask, choose this if cost isn't too much of a concern. 

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack is a gel mask that allows you to leave it on your face before sleeping, leaving the formula to work itself overnight to 
(i) aid facial hydration loss (especially if you sleep in an air-con room or wintery conditions);
(ii) help replenish your face's hydration needs leaving your skin supple
(iii) rejuvenate and brighten your face
In short, one key purpose for applying this facial mask -- facial hydration!


The one I am using today is the Water Sleeping Pack_EX, which apparently is the new improved version. I didn't use the predecessor. 


Given my sensitive skin, most of the Laneige water bank solutions did not work for me. Hence I was rather skeptical when my good friends recommended me this product. I was afraid of peeling, itchy red skin after my experience with the water bank series. However, after a long search for an overnight mask, which included the highly recommended Avene Soothing Moisture Mask for Sensitive Skin, only Laneige Water Sleeping Pack worked as promised on its packaging. Moisture was locked into my face evident every morning after I used it. It's so simple and easy to use that I'm addicted to it, leaving it on my face at least 4-5 times weekly. To be honest, I'm surprised it worked for me given the fragrance which they had injected into the gel.




The top ingredients, other than WATER which is the first, for this product includes: 

• Butylene Glycol is not Ethylene Glycol. BG helps to retain moisture and is even safe to consume in v small amounts; 
• Cyclopentasiloxane is clear and odourless, in this case, I'm guessing it should be used to help the formula evaporate faster to prevent leaving a gooey finish; Trehalose
• Glycerin helps to retain moisture and commonly used in health and skincare products
• Trehalose high water retention capabilities with an anti-oxidant edge
• Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract can apparently help to treat bacteria infection

Key notes from the ingredient analysis:

• no oil and alcohol content! hurray!
• loves the fact that water is the first and main ingredient
• The top 5 ingredients are all pretty harmless and mainly focused on hydration

 
How I use this product:

After my routine nightly cleanse and toner, I use the spatula provided to scoop a suitable amount out for application. I leave it to sit on my face for at least 30 mins before sleeping. I massage the gel in circles and end it with a few light pats on my face to ensure that all is absorbed. Lastly, I exercise my face a little as proposed by Laneige (see their website). You're done and prepared for your hydrating beauty sleep!


Next morning, you'll notice a layer or clear thin residual on your face which can be removed after a splash of water, if it doesn't, then massage your face in circles. It should come off pretty quickly. Proceed with your usual routine. Mine's a facial wash, toner and moisturizer before painting my face for the day! 


By the way, I heard that if you aren't sleeping in a cool environment, then you'll expect to wake up with a oily flm instead, but after washing it off, you should still be able to enjoy the hydrating effects. 


Let your face enjoy the pampering hydration!


What I think after 3 months of testing:
No doubt my facial hydration has improved, more supple, but no... I still don't see a crystal clear effect. The brightening effect is also rather muted. 

Do you see one side looking more moisturized?

In short... I'm really sold to this product but it has also made me lazier such that I have on lesser facial masks like the ones I really like from Skin Food. Having said that, as long as you get your facial skin smooth and supple, there's no saying that you have to use ALL these products ain't it? 


So yes, if you're still hesistant, I strongly encourage you to go get a pack for yourself to try. My travel size pack, which I used as a tester, is sold on Sasa's webpage. Get that if you don't want to pay S$45 for a tub yet. 


Would I repurchase? Certainly! In fact, I just bout the duo set from Changi Airport which is a travel exclusive. (approx S$60+) Otherwise, you can find it at all major departmental stores in Singapore which houses Laneige counters. 

I'm still here!

Hello my dear readers, I apologize for the long hiatus as I struggle to balance between work & rest during this period.

I'll try my best to write soon, do email me if you have any queries which you think I can help!

Friday is here! TGiF! Have a good wkend!

xoxo

My bling bling nails!

My own blue glitter manicure to mark a special occasion!

Review: Talika Anti-Acne Mask & a homemade scrub

Hello folks! I just had an awesome bath using a Honey, Milk & Olive Oil Sugar scrub! It left my skin really smooth and tender! This is a nourishing and moisturizing scrub.

Honey, Milk & Olive Oil Sugar scrub

If you're interested to make the scrub, all you need is..

Ingredients:
10 tbsp sugar (fine grains)
3 tbsp honey (organic is preferred)
1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
4 tbsp milk

How to?
1. Put 7 tbsp of sugar into a bowl
2. Add honey to the bowl, mix well.
3. Add 3 tbsp milk to the bowl, stir.
4. Add olive oil and stir. Slowly add the remaining sugar little by little.
5. Depending on the honey you use, the last tbsp of sugar may or may not be needed.

You should get a sand like consistency before you enjoy your bath!
psss: you can use this both on your face and body, just remember to be gentle with your face!

Review: Talika Renaissance Mask - Anti Acne

I have also tried a new mask from Talika recently. It is also labelled as the second skin. The particular one I tried was an Anti-acne mask.  This mask aims to reduce imperfections (pimples, blackspots and redness) as well as 'closes' pores. It is made of a nano-natural fiber (biocelulose). I didn't buy this mask, my mom passed it to me after seeing my recent breakout. Apparently this mask was released in 2010.

This came in handy as I've been experiencing bad breakouts recently. I left it on my face for approximately 15-20 mins, massaged in the rest of the formula.  The result was lovely! I do see my red acnes fading off! After 2 uses, I'm glad to say that my acne did seem to heal faster than normal! The red spots which were faded (just slight pinkish) was also easier to manage.

There is no perculiar or dishasteful smell associated with this mask. The mask sheet was gel-like unlike those you'd get from korean brands and it came with an extra layer of protection when applying. I believe that helps to retain moisture better, which was really thoughful of the Talika designers.

Unfortunately I did not manage to locate any Singapore stores selling this mask nor find it on their webpage. So I'm sorry ladies, the only website I managed to locate selling this mask is here (sweetcare). However, I must disclaim that I have never purchased from the website and I'm not sure how reliable or unreliable it might be.

My verdict: ❤❤❤❤❤/ ❤❤❤❤❤
I generally liked the product. However due to the absence of price, I'm not sure if I'll purchase it again. Should it be very costly, then I will definitely not repurchase this product. However if each mask sheet falls below S$15, I may consider using it if I have breakouts again!

Short answer? Yes I will repurchase if the price is reasonable to help my occasional breakouts!

Review: Biore Makeup Remover for Eye & Lip

Hello ladies!

I've been using a couple of different eye make-up removers, ranging from Lancome's  Bi-Facil and L'oreal's Gentle Lip & Eye makeup remover before embarking on my journey with Biore's Pink formula. 

L'oreal's and Lancome's remover were rather similar in my opinion, with the Lancome's formula being a tad stronger than L'oreal's. However both did leave some of my eye makeup smudging after cleansing. 

Still, Lancome's formula was a tad too expensive. So I switched. 

So back to Biore's. I'm only 1/3 through the bottle and I can't wait for it to finish. I won't do my table review for this product as it doesn't quite fit. I'm just going to outline some key pointers.

What I like about the product:

• almost odourless and pleasant
• simple packaging and easy to use

What I dislike about the product

• it doesn't fully remove my waterproof makeups and is not as strong as the L'oreal's formula. It takes quite a few wipes on a few different cotton pads before my makeup is full removed. This will dehydrate the eys and perhaps even cause fine lines. A big no-no. 
• I hate the nozzle as it causes uneven squirts onto my cotton pad, which sometimes causes too much of the formula to be squirted on the cotton pad and hence getting into my eye
• I personally find it too oily but wouldn't mind if the oil works. I don't think the oil is doing its job for this product.

I will not repurchase this product. I will just diligently finish my 2/3s. 

I'm looking forward to try the new Talika gentle eye cleanser for sensitive eyes (retailing S$52 in Singapore) - see the other post.