[Reviews] Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque + Avalon Organics COQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum

Here in the Philippines for the holiday and I decided to stop by at Healthy Options! Missing this place so much :)

Today’s entry will be about the two products that I bought. Spring Fresh Deodorant will come next as I havent used it yet cause I don’t plan to use a deo at night? lol.

Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque with English Clay

Very nice packaging in a tube. One thing a bit off is that as soon as you open it, tube is not closed in a foil (if you have used Dentiste’s toothpaste, you should know what I am talking about) which made me a bit hesitant due to sanitary purposes but nevertheless I still bought it.

Mud Pack Masque is the original old-fashioned, time-tested earth facial treatment with imported natural English Clay that works wonders for your skin. It's not only an effective pore cleanser, but also helps tighten loose, sagging skin on your face and neck and relaxes tired facial muscles to soften lines and wrinkles. Our Mud Pack Masque facial helps you look your best when you're preparing to go out for an evening or helps you relax before going to bed. No matter when you use it, your complexion will have a clearer, smoother, more youthful looking appearance. Read more: http://www.queenhelene.com/skincare_product_detail.php?id=72

Tested it first on my hand and as you can see, the color is a bit pale brown. It easily gets dried in a matter of minutes if you apply it thinly. The smell? Reminds me of MENA. lol: http://www.menacream.com/mena_FacialCream.html which is commonly used by my Mother to hide her wrinkles away. I am beginning to think that the main ingredient of Mena Cream is also the same as this? Most probably…

I notice that when it dried, it really flaked like how a clay does when it dries. Makeupalley.com rates it well: with an Average Rating: of 4.2 and 84% would buy this product again. Here are the ingredients: Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Iron Oxides (CI#77492), Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben. So, I decided to test it on my face after.

FACE Testing:

Okay lol I tested it on  my face and as you can see I put hearts on my eyes lol.

I used it after I took a bath, washed my face with gentle cleanser. (My cleanser is La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel – Review next time) I left the mask after 20 mins although the suggested time is only until 15 minutes. After which, I removed it in running water with a washcloth. The result? My face feels a bit tight, squeaky clean. Pores tightened. And I felt like I just had a botox! Naturally. I like it. Though as the experts say, a tight feeling of the skin doesn’t mean that the product is good! So we will see after using it in a month. I am planning to use it once a week though.

Verdict:   |    Recommended? Absolutely!  |  Price: PHP 329.00

I still plan to buy this next time: Mint Julep Masque which as they say, good as an overnight zit spot treatment.

Avalon Organics COQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serums, based on my researches have been effective as a skin enhancer, reviver and protector. Dr Schultz of DermTV keeps on saying on his website that: A good skin regimen involves A cleanser, toner, and an antioxidant in serum form. When put into the skin, serum is being sipped immediately expecting a much greater result than creams which has a larger percentage of other ingredients. Serums are concentrated, packed with vitamins that the skin needs.

So I was thinking of buying the Jason Hyper C Serum but I thought its not gentle on the eyes cause it says, I need to buy Ultra C for that one. Double money paid? Na my idea!

After using the Queen Helene, I let my face dry and pumped a few. I was quite surprised that the consistency of the product is a bit thicker. Hmmm. But when I applied to my skin, it dried easily. Good.

I did exactly as what was written in the Directions for use: Apply small dots of serum and smooth over clean face and neck, with special attention to the wrinkle prone outer eye and mouth areas. Wear alone, under facial cream or under make-up. Perfect for day and night. Read more: http://www.avalonorganics.com/?id=84&pid=379

Verdict:   |    Recommended? Absolutely!  |  Price: PHP 735.00

 

 

For the Spring Fresh Deodorant: I just wanted to buy an organic deodorant. The smell is nice plus the price is not that hefty which is PHP 215.00. Must review it once used.

Overall, I am very satisfied with what I bought today at Healthy Options! Will continue to review more while in my holiday

Canmake Loot

I know.

It’s been a while.

But here I am. I supposed you would like to hear more of the “Gap’’ Like what happened to me but I should reserve that next time as I am a bit in a hurry. For now, I am inspired to post my Canmake Loot.

Canmake is a Japanese product and can be seen in most drugstores here in Singapore.

Eye Shadow Base (Cause I have oily lids. My Red Earth Prime Perfection didn’t make it! Well coz its more of a Foundation base but anyway…)

Powder Cheeks (Powder Blush, PW05 shade) Looks pale in the photo but in real life, the color is peachy)

Cream Cheek (Cream Blush, in 04 Shade) The color is lovely orange. Nice for brown – yellow tones skinned Filipinas!

What I plan is, I will use the Cream Blush first then dab it with the pale powder to set it. It looks nice when I tried it on my hand! Cant wait to use it on my cheeks! weeee~~

Swatches soon!!!! Didn’t open everything yet as I am like Nova Villa in Abangan ng Susunod na Kabanata (If you were already born in the 1990’s then you should know what I am talking about!!! lol)

PS. I forgot the pricess but its actually SGD 60 all in all. Noooo I am broke lol.

 

xoxo

Me and my skin conditions – Again.

Well guess what? I am going to blog again about my skin. I really wish there will come a time wherein I wont have to complain about my acne’s and eczema anymore. But I am afraid that only death can separate me from that…lol pardon me for being so morbid. I was reminded of the caricature about accutane I saw wayback wherein it has a drawing of the dead person underneath a blanket with embalmers talking and somebody says, “We’ll at least he died so beautiful without acne” if you found that funny then I believe you empathize with acne sufferers like me hehe.

Just to give you a quick recap of my regime also a quick review. Very quick you wont miss a minute. Nothing in this picture ever worked dramatically on me except Biore UV. Physiogel cream for my eczema, nah. Avene Diacneal for the pimples? NAH! Acne Clear? NAHHH!!!!! Now for the main entry…

Today, I went to my first ever Singaporean dermatologist. Tonight actually cause I basically came after work which is 7pm. I almost missed my appointment. But the Dr is still welcoming although she had to cut me with my stories hahaha. I kept on saying how frustrated I am with my fes!

So she greeted me and offered a hand shake but I was so hesitant to touch her delicate hands as I am afraid I will surprise her with my cracking fingertips! Yez dear, other than acne….its the fingertips. And they are so worse at this moment. I can barely type on my right hand.

 

 

If I set my camera on the default one, the picture will look so horrible. This one is set on ISO. High lighting. So as to prevent shocks! Im still embarrassed you know? lol

Anyway she keeps on saying, no no its okay. She understands. So I started blabbering about my eczema for at least 15 mins. She seems so empathic. But I told her, I didnt see her for my eczema, I was here for my acne! Then I started telling her my loooooooong tale about acne. That I went to pills to accutane to tetralysal. Basically I’ve gone through a lot. I also told her that back in the Phils, I am undergoing glycolic peeling every 2 weeks if I have acne and if I am acne free, I do diamond peeling every 2 weeks. After agreeing on what to do on my face, I first asked her about the prices. GULPS, if you convert it to our money, I can already have 4 diamond peelings already in the PH!

I still agreed though. I am so desperate and I am glad I did it cause my face according to my derm is “too much for a woman” LOL come on, she told me that usually people who has an acne problem like me are MEN. mmmk. that made me really sad but what can I do? it is the structure of my body. Plus Singaporean girls are basically blessed with beautiful skin! Singaporean Chinese particularly. I have a Chinese blood (like 1/4? lols) but why I didnt acquire any good skin genes?? ahuhu. Moving on…

The procedure. So the assistant removed my make up on. After that, doctor came to apply the 20% glycolic acid on me. I am not a newbie with this acid so yeah it stings. After few mins, the assistant cleaned my face and we are done. I know what you are thinking, where is the cortizone injection? The doctor didnt even inject my cystic acne’s :( I want her really bad to flatten them but she said, she can make more money out of it but believes that I dont need it cause we are putting chances of spreading the bacteria underneath the skin… so that means, cortizone injection = more MONEY!! HUHU. enough to keep me stressed.

Ok total wallet damage….

Dr gave me something to read  about Oratane (isotretinoin) and Estelle (Contraceptive Pill) She said I should think about it because she thinks my skin problems are hormonal…I dont know I really have to think hard about this! I am so terrified to take another Isotretinoin again and worst, contraceptives!-----had bad experience with this if you follow my skin history! It bled me profusely. So right now, I am a bit torn.

Anyway FOR My pitied scarring, she also suggested some Fraxional chorva. I asked if its called Fraxel and she said, its like that but for 1 session only. Lots of major downtime only like redness and peeling after. So I need to keep myself OFF from public by that time. I said, I can do it while vacationing in the PH. “But arent you going to meet your old friends?” NAHHH Its okay, they can understand. LOLSS I choose to have a clear skin!

The price? 4X the one that I paid today! S***T! but I am willing to save for that. All for the sake of clear skin…sigh.

Anyway, I have to go. Catch up again real soon! My next visit would be two weeks after this treatment. Will let you know the results.

 

xoxo

Very obligatory update

Hey girls :)

First of all, I shall apologize for making a month long hiatus again. I should start to think if this blog is going to be a monthly blog or semi monthly…lols –in the next few days hopefully :P Anyways, beeen so busy because finally I have a work! Full time work that is. Here in Singapore.  And I the best part of it is I am working in a women’s website as well (shhhhhh I think this is going to be it for now lol) anyways, my schedule is a bit jampacked due to adjustment at work and I cant make a very interesting review post as of the moment. But all is well, I wanted to say I am doing good catching up life in another country. I receive several comment questions in my previous post and I just want to say thanks and I still reply to your comments as much as possible so if you want to get in touch with me, just leave a comment or email me at cecilysummer at gmail dot com and I’ll be glad to reply back. :) I will answer questions too regarding job hunting here in Singapore. I dont plan to make a post about it as I am keeping this blog a beauty and freelance blog only.

ODESK UPDATE:

I left oDesk already for such a long time and the last buyer (also my long term buyer) ended my assignment earlier this month. I was in a AWOL so I dont blame the company for ditching me lol. However, I still miss working with them…they are gonna make it big in the next few years I guess cause Google bought them. Should be proud to mention, I worked and help match the types/ categories of Metaweb Technologies. Ahhh I really hope to work again with them in the future. I dont care if I will serve as a data encoder as long as I am tied up with them again, that’s ok lol.

SKIN UPDATE:

I am already off Tetralysal. My derm back in the Philippines told me that I will stop taking this on July as I have been on it for 3 months. Apparently all is doing well with this regimen:

Morning: Foaming Facial wash (Eucerin), Moringa Toner (Hype Ardent Skin Care) and Biore (the blue one)

Evening: Facial Scrub (Simple), Gluta C Toner (Hype Ardent Skin Care) and Adapalene

This is the regimen that I have been keeping before stopping my Tetryalysal. However…Even though I blamed the pollution last time in the PH due to my zits, I think right now, Stress is what’s triggering it cause yeap, I see those red dots appearing again randomly (forehead and the side of my cheek) urgh im going to be a teenager with acne forever? Sad part is I am no longer a teen err.

I am stressed yeah and part of that is I am also applying make up everyday cause I work everyday. Stress + Make Up + Hormonal (Menstruating in the next few days) = oil mine and blocked pores.

Stress is also triggering again my fingertip eczema. I bought QV Cream last time but it didnt work. I bought a Physiogel Cream now and think its ok…But nothing beats Aveeno lotion for me. Sadly no Aveeno here in SG…

I really think that my skin cant take Make Up everyday. :( I am still not confident with my bare skin though but right now my major focus is to have a good bare skin so I dont need to put make up all the time!

So now after keeping the Isotrex Gel in my closet, its back again in my regimen. I still have a few tabs of Tetralysal however, I am not sure if I can take them (lets keep this a secret, I took a tab last night cause I am frustrated with my forehead lol) I dont recommend doing the same thing for God’s sake, I experienced a little bit of gastric pain after so dont follow my steps. I shall be talking soon with my Derm in the PH thru email but again, Doctor needs to see me to diagnose more of my problem but due to location constraints, I might find a good derm here in SG. I found one and hopefully they are really what I expect them to be. I really need a facial procedure now cause after so many days of using a topical treatment, acne is still surfacing.

So till then. I shall update other post as well when it comes to adding a snippet reviews. :)

[Review] The Balm Concealer and Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

Few days ago while walking around Vivo (Yes I went back to Singapore since last week) I found myself buying these two products at SASA. I have known of The Balm products thru Enkore (Youtube) cause he used these in one of his Pin-up look tutorial video and I loved it. Also, this is not my first time to buy a Liole Product cause I already bought their Blooming Tint previously. However, this is my first ever Lioele BB Cream. Read more to know my reviews about these products.

[Review] The Balm Concealer (Time Balm) Anti- Wrinkle

Price: SGD $ 29.90 (Roughly PHP 960)

I am quite hesitant to buy a concealer as I'm afraid it might cause me any breakouts however this is an exception. There are 6 different shades of Time Balm concealers in the booth and I tried the second to the lightest in my hand, I thought it worked amazingly. I decided to test it in my jawline however I found it too light. Finally when I tested the medium shade, voila! It blended really well and has the exact shade of my skin tone. I loveee it. Although make up gurus say that when buying concealer, choose a shade lighter than your skin tone, I still felt that the medium shade is suitable for me. I don't want any uneven spots in my face cause of using a light concealer.

Now when I road tested it the next day, it wasn't a successful testing for me. :( WHY? Here is a regimen that I did:

1. I used a wet sponge with my Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Liquid Foundation
2. I used my hand to dab the Time Balm Concealer in my scars.
3. I set it using Clinique's Stay True Powder Foundation

The results? A very oily skin and streaks around mid afternoon. The heat and humidity of Singapore plus this regimen didnt work out.

I can’t recall how many days but I decided to give the concealer another try. I was in a PMS so I guess this is the reason for my over greasy face. This is what I did:

1. Using the sponge, I applied my Clinique’s Stay True Powder Foundation
2. I used my hand to dab the Time Balm Concealer in my scars.

I discarded the liquid foundation as my base. And the results? Less oily!

Time Balm concealer is a cream therefore its moisturizing. So if you are already oily or combination, this will add more shine on your face. This is also great for the fine lines under your eyes. It can conceal wrinkles and as it says in its box: ANTICERNES meaning: ANTI WRINKLE. It claims to be also effective at night. So you can also say its an eye cream/ concealer in one. I havent tried using it over night and planning not to because Im so afraid it might block my acne prone pores haha.

 

[Review] Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream

Just found a sample of the Lioele BB cream so dont be confused if its almost the same size of the Time Balm concealer lol. I was willing to test it since its cheap. I bet in Korea, this size is a freebie.

Price: SGD $ 8 (about a little smaller size of the palm) (PHP 256)

Taken from: http://www.cozycot.com/beauty/product/makeup/face/foundation-pores-blemishes/others/lioele-beyond-solution-bb-cream

This makes a clean and natural skin tone by being absorbed into you skin with a soft feel of use. This enables speedy makeup because of not needing to apply makeup base or foundation.

Key Points
-All in one: Moisturizer + makeup base + foundation + soothing essence
-This cream is formulated to blend in a natural skin colour onto your skin.
-Non-oily and helps make-up to stay on whole day
-Helps to head facial and acne scars while concealing the flaws

I was interested to buy this one since frmheadtotoe (Youtube) reviewed this positively. BB creams usually come in 1 shade cause the final result is a sheer cover on the face. It is supposed to be lightweight but enough to cover the blemishes and enough to even out the skin tone. Even though it claims so be non- oily, I disagree. When applied to the face, in as fast as 10 mins, my skin reacted and oxidized, leaving me a dark and shiny skin tone.

Unfortunately for me when I tested this the next day I purchased it, it’s a major oil mine for me. Imagine it while I tried it with the Time Balm concealer. Major disaster on my face. I feel so greaasy all over.

This product should be good for the normal to dry skin again and for those who want a dewy effect in the skin cause BB creams can give you that misty effect.

Swatches: (Time Balm on the left; Liole BB Cream on the right)

  

Verdict:

The Balm Concealer (Time Balm) Anti- Wrinkle:

For normal to dry skin: ★★★★☆

For oily to combination: ★★★★☆

Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream:

For normal to dry skin: ★★★★☆

For oily to combination: ★★★☆☆

 

Recommended? It’s your choice lol. but for my skin type, I give the concealer a yes but the BB Cream, a no.

[Review] ELF Eyebrow Kit (Light)

Had my 3rd and last HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) yesterday and forgive me if my thoughts are a bit distorted lol. The shot is still making me weak. :( For questions re: HPV Vaccine just comment here I will try to answer it. Not planning to make a post about it though.

Moving on to ELF Eyeshadow Kit:

Prior to this one, I was using The Face Shop Brow Powder Duo: http://www.thefaceshopen.com/skin/detail_view.php?pCate1=7&pCate2=3&pCategory=252&number=2055 It worked perfectly fine for me but unfortunately, I damaged it when I left it in my baggage together with my nail polish remover. Imagine the smell of Acetone on it. So I ditched it to avoid further irritation on my skin.

Let’s test it shall we? Warning: BARE SKIN: sun block only.

and with both eyes:

Price: PHP 249.00 (roughly less than $6 USD)

Verdict: ★★★★☆

Recommended?" YES!

Notes: When using this product, I thought the color of the gel doesn't show up (Cause my skin is bare and oily) But wait till you put the powder on and voila, a defined eyebrow!

This product is a good buy plus it’s cheaper than other international products out there. ELF cosmetics are known to be cheap but with quality. ^__^